Five Towns Jewish Home - 12-22-16

December 22, 2016

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

Your Favorite Five Towns Family Newspaper

ov ase ukkv ,urbv Pages 9, 10, 11, 13, 33 & 53

Around the

Community Fun with Food at Chopped Challenge at Gourmet Glatt

56 Emotional, Educational Experience at Five Towns Drug Awareness Event

47 TJH Chanukah Supplement Inside Includes: Lighting up the Darkness, Chanukah in Bergen Belsen, Thoughts on Chanukah, Recipes, Party Ideas, Humor and More

52

Special Chanukah Giveaway!

See page 12 for details

Remembering the Yeshiva Upon the Shore Page 75

Pesach Vacation Section Starts on Page 107 – See page 3

SEASONS LAWRENCE

330 Central Avenue, Lawrence, NY 11559

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DECEMBER 22, 2016 | The Jewish Home

271 prayers

Every Day

‫קו‬ ‫העפת‬ ‫יר‬

on Chanukah

All names submitted on any day of Chanukah will be sent on that day

The Segula of Rabbi A.Y.L. Steinman Shlit"a:

271 prayers on Chanukah at the Kosel Hamaaravi wich are auspicious time for Shidduchim and Parnassa

to the Gedolei Hador To be prayed for after Hadlakas Neiros.

Maran Hagaon Harav Chaim Kanievsky, shlit”a:

The tzedakah of Kupat Ha’ir is entirely pure and clean and we are all obligated in this.

24

1-888-KUPATHAIR 5

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2

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2

Donations can be sent to: Kupat Hair - 4415 14th Avenue Brooklyn, NY 11219

www.kupat.org

‫קו‬ ‫העפת‬ ‫יר‬

The Jewish Home | DECEMBER 22, 2016

Happy Chanukah from our family to yours.

What’s your favorite family Chanukah picture, we’d love to see it.

Draw it for us above or on your own paper

The best submission will be printed in this publication!*

the

the

family

family

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

COMING SOON!!

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

LAWRENCE

CEDARHURST

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

LAWRENCE

, CM L E V•E LIA AN C ESDHAERRH.UCRO S TM SHOC P O2 M 4 /I N 6 GS ESAOS O N !S!K BOASL THI EMRO.RCE O NNFDO, @ S DE A S O N S K O

SHOP 24/6 SEASONSKOSHER.COM • INFO@SEASONSKOSHER.COM * Submit your drawing, along with your name, age and city at any Seasons store by December 23rd or scan and email to us at chanukah@seasonskosher.com. The winning submission will be published on December 27th.

Decisions of the judges are final. Submissions will not be returned.

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DECEMBER 22, 2016 | The Jewish Home

PESACH 2017

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The Jewish Home | DECEMBER 22, 2016

...‫למהדרין‬ The highest quality olive oil for the best tasting latkes

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DECEMBER 22, 2016 | The Jewish Home

Dear Readers,

A

week or so ago, we had a Chanukah tape playing in the car. The boys in the choir were singing the brachos that we say when we light the Chanukah menorah. It was the same tune that we sing in our house when we gather around the menorah, and it’s probably the same tune that is sung in most houses on Chanukah.

Isn’t that amazing? It’s been thousands of years since the miracle of Chanukah took place, and yet, all of klal Yisroel comes together to commemorate the nes. Not only do we say the same words, we use the same tune as we kindle the lights in our homes.

We may be in different places as the flames start to flicker, but we are together in spirit as we ignite each light.

Chanukah, in a way, is our easiest yom tov. There’s no extra cleaning or meals that we have to cook. There’s no elaborate mishloach manos we have to give or sukkos we have to decorate. If you want to make your own doughnuts or fry special latkes, that’s great, but feel free to buy them too.

Truly, the only significant mitzvah on Chanukah is the lighting of the menorah.

And yet, because we can work on the chag and because much of Chanukah is

spent eating doughnuts and opening presents, it is easy to lose sight of the significance of Chanukah and its impact on us today. Many families spend a few minutes around the menorah singing and dancing and then it’s time for a party or an event or time to eat some latkes. When do we give ourselves the opportunity to ponder the meaning of “ba’yamim ha’haim ba’zman ha’zeh”?

In this week’s issue Rabbi Jonathan Gewirtz touches upon this thought with a play on words: “Chanukah presence.”

Chanukah requires us to more than just enjoy; we need to actually be “present” in the yom tov and spend time remembering and memorializing the miracles that took place then and continue to take place in our days as well.

This Chanukah, spend some time with your family around the menorah. Have your children tell you what they learned about the nes, ask them questions, share stories, and make Chanukah a yom tov that’s not just about the latkes.

Wishing you a freilechen Chanukah, Shoshana

Yitzy Halpern PUBLISHER

publisher@fivetownsjewishhome.com

Yosef Feinerman MANAGING EDITOR

ads@fivetownsjewishhome.com

Shoshana Soroka EDITOR

editor@fivetownsjewishhome.com

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

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

Shabbos Zemanim

Weekly Weather | December 23 – 29

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The Jewish Home | DECEMBER 22, 2016

‫מן המהדרין‬...

The highest quality olive oil for the highest quality mitvah

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DECEMBER 22, 2016 | The Jewish Home

Contents LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

8

COMMUNITY Readers’ Poll

8

Community Happenings

38 NEWS Global

S18

13

National

27

Odd-but-True Stories

34

ISRAEL Israel News

22

Just Clowning Around by Elana Dure 90

Celebrate Chanukah Where Old Meets New

102

PEOPLE The Warthogs’ War in the Skies by Avi Heiligman

116

PARSHA Rabbi Wein

86

JEWISH THOUGHT When the Going Gets Tough, The Jew Gets Going by Eytan Kobre

S4

Chanukah Presence by Rabbi Jonathan Gewirtz

S6

Celebrating the Jewish Festival of Hakunahc by Rabbi YY Rubinstein S8 Chanukah…Al Pi Darko by Rabbi Dr. Naphtali Hoff

88

HALACHA When to Light the Chanukah Menorah

S12

Dear Editor, As our community continues to grow and people are moving in from other boroughs, things are understandably becoming more congested.

This is especially a problem on Central Avenue during busy times, such as erev Shabbos, etc. It’s certainly difficult for everyone, but all of the honking only makes it more frustrating. When there is a long line of cars in traffic and you are behind me, why are you honking at me? Do you think I can drive through the 15 cars in front of me? Or are you just taking your frustration out on me, even though I am not the one who controls the very brightly lit red light ahead.

Perhaps in the city that you came from obnoxious horn-honking is the norm, but didn’t you move here to get away from all of that? It’s time to realize that honking is not going to make a difference and only creates chaos and noise pollution, which we are really not into over here.

STORIES OF INSPIRATION Chanukah in Bergen-Belsen by Rabbi Yerachmiel Tilles

S16

Lighting up the Darkness by Malky Lowinger

S23

HEALTH & FITNESS Time for Joy by Dr. Deb Hirschhorn

94

The Flipside of Latkes by Cindy Weinberger, MS, RD

98

Chanukah and Fire Safety by Dr. Hylton I Lightman

100

Cover painting

by Alex Levin, www.ArtLevin.com 718-415-3127

FOOD & LEISURE Light up the Nights Party Ideas

S18

TJH Speaks with Daniella Silver, Author of Silver Platter, Simple Elegance

S28

A Chanukah of Simple Elegance

S30

The Aussie Gourmet: Buttery Potato Latkes

S34

So, the next time you are driving on Central and you feel the need/ urge to honk, take a few deep breaths and think about fivee things that you love about our neighborhood. Hold yourself back from honking and give yourself a big pat on the back – you are now truly one of us... Welcome to the Five Towns!

Sincerely, David H. Dear Editor, I love Chanukah! There is so much fun and enjoyment in the air.

But one thing is missing. Sometimes, in our excitement, we focus too much on our own celebration.

We spend time with family, buy presents for our children, and spend money on our parties. I urge everyone to keep in mind our brothers and sisters who are less fortunate than us. Perhaps the family is strapped for cash, or maybe there is someone sick at home. Perhaps the children only have one parent at home, or a child is not on the right path. Perhaps someone is still looking for their life’s partner and is alone. Think of them and make sure that they can enjoy Chanukah too.

Donate money to our local community funds, donate toys to our toy drives, donate your time and invite them over to your home for menorah Continued on page 12

LIFESTYLES Dating Dialogue, Moderated by Jennifer Mann, LCSW

92

Do You Speak the Language? by Rabbi Mordechai Kruger

120

Your Money

132

Miracle on Sunday by Rivki D. Rosenwald Esq., CLC, SDS

134

HUMOR Centerfold

82

Chanukah in Vegas by Jon Kranz

S38

Uncle Moishy Fun Page

122

POLITICAL CROSSFIRE Notable Quotes

CLASSIFIEDS

98

106

The Trump Cabinet: Bonfire of the Agencies by Charles Krauthammer 114 125

It’s Chanukah! Which do you prefer: one large present or a few smaller presents?

28 72 %

One large present

%

A few smaller presents

The Jewish Home | DECEMBER 22, 2016

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DECEMBER 22, 2016 | The Jewish Home

Sale Dates: December 25th - 31st 2016

Weekly Schmerling Chocolate Rosemarie Milk or Parve ONLY - 3.5 oz

5

2/$

Bloom’s Chocolate Chips 9 oz

5

3/$

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

16.2 oz Cinnamon Mishpacha Graham Toast Crunch or Pie Shells 16 oz Golden 6 oz Grahams

3

3/$

399

$

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

Domino Brown or Domino Sugar Confectioners 10X 4 lb Bag Light or Dark Brown - 16 oz $ 99

1

5

Schwartz Pretzel Crumbs 12 oz

349

$

3/$ 5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 .................

5/$

Folger’s Instant Coffee Classic Roast 8 oz $ 99

Folger’s K-Cups All Flavors - 12 Pack

Fresh & Healthy Cream Cheese 8 oz Cup

Tree Ripe Orange Juice 59 oz

YoCrunch Yogurt All Flavors - 6 oz

Friendship Cottage Cheese Assorted - 16 oz

5

799

$

Dee Best Dessert Sauces All Flavors - 14 oz

399

$

1

2/$

4 ......................................................

2/$

Norman’s Stackers Miller’s String Greek Yogurt Cheese 4 oz 12 oz family

799

69¢

$

1

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

Imperial Delights Chic Peas

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

Vitamin Water All Flavors - 20 oz

10

10/$

Season Hearts of Palm Bloom’s Pretzels 14 oz

15 oz/18 oz

$ 99

1

99¢

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

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

12 oz

Chocolate Chip, ABC, Animal, Vanilla - 12 oz

Mishpacha Lasagna

3

Mrs. Pure’s Cookies

15 oz

2/$

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

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

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

10 oz

25 oz

10 oz

69¢ Supreme Star Stuffed Olives

1

Paesana Marinara & Pasta Sauces

3

99¢

Gourmet Glatt Dried Guava Discs

449

$ 69

$

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

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

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

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

All Flavors 1.5 Liter

Dairy or Parve 10 Pack

Original or Unsweetened 46 oz - 48 oz

Chocolate or Vanilla 2.8 oz/3.3 oz

Prigat Juices

1

KoSure Hot Cocoa

99

$

Applesnax Applesauce Osem Pudding

5

$ 99

$

2/$

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

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

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

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

8 oz

All Flavors - 8 oz

All Flavors - 16 oz

349

Bloom’s Chocolate Chip, ABC or Animal Cookies 1 oz

1

5/$

2/$ 5 5 ......................................................

2/$

Regular or No Salt Added - 8 oz

3/$

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

5/$

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

Green Giant Corn, Coke, Fresca, Sprite, Dr. Pepper, Seagram’s Peas, Cut Beans Fuze, Minute Maid 14.5 oz/15.25 oz 12 Pack - 12 oz

Red Pack Tomato Sauce

Coffeemate Creamers All Flavors 32 oz

Goodman’s Rice Vermicelli

3

Flaum’s Lox Spread 7.5 oz

399

$

399

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

Mehadrin Leben Assorted - 6 oz

10

10/$

99¢

2/$

$

Imperial Delights Rice Mixes

Sonny & Joe’s Hummus All Varieties 16 oz

299

$

1

$ 29

Imperial Delights Salad Dressing

99¢

Temp Tee Whipped Cream Cheese 11.5 oz

299

$

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

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

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

16 oz

8.8 oz

Assorted - 16 oz

Mehadrin Cottage T’nuva Lite Feta Cheese or Sour Cream Cheese

3

$

99

499

$

Friendship Sour Cream

1

$ 49

pack!

Freund’s Simcha Roll McCain French Fries All Varieties Gefilte Fish

Klein’s Ice Cream All Flavors - 56 oz $ 99

20 oz/32 oz

Potato, Vegetable, Zucchini - 13 oz

2/$

$

twin pack .......................................

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

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

24 oz

All Varieties - 40 Count

56 oz

5

15

$

dairy only!

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

Of Tov Chicken Nuggets All Varieties - 32 oz $ 99

9

Golden Pancakes

99

5

Pardes Cauliflower or Spring Valley H’ors Broccoli Florets D’oeuvres

499

$

10

$

99

299

Pepperidge Farm’s Puff Pastry Sheets 17.3 oz

439

$

B’gan Breaded Eggplant Cutlets or Sticks 16 oz

399

$

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

Kineret Mini Latkes 30 oz

299

$

Chanukah Headquarters!

NOW 2 locations!

Cedarhurst STORE HOURS

137 Spruce Street

(516) 569-2662

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

Woodmere STORE HOURS

1030 Railroad Avenue

(516) 295-6901

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

The Jewish Home | DECEMBER 22, 2016

Sale Dates: December 25th - 31st 2016

Specials Pitcha Bones

CORNED BEEF DECKEL $ 29 8 lb.

1st Cut

299 lb. Veal

$

Chops

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

wow!

1599 lb.

$

extra lean . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . wow!

Ground Shoulder $649 lb. 2nd Cut Family Pack Veal $1499 lb. ...................

Chops Boneless ...................

Neck & Skirt Fillet $ 99 9 lb. Frozen $ 99 Steak Beef Family Pack 4 lb. ...................

Patties 12 Pack Pastrami $ 29 ..................

8 lb. .Ground Deckel ...................

White $ 99 Small Chicken 5 lb. $ 99 Kolichel 7 lb. Family Pack

FROZEN DUCK $ 99 4 lb.

Missing Wing

WHOLE OR CUT-UP PULLETS $ 19 2 lb.

2 Pack

Shoulder $ 49 8 lb.

Steak Family Pack

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

Seasoned/ Marinated Chicken $699 lb.

Cutlets White or Dark Meat

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

Hecker’s Flour

Kellogg’s Frosted Flakes

5 lb

1 3 ...................................................... $ 99

19 oz

$ 49

Wesson Oil

Snapple Iced Tea

Canola, Corn, Vegetable - 48 oz

12 Pack - 16 oz

Wing On

699

Chicken $249 lb.

Breast

$

Large $ 99 Kolichel 7 lb.

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

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

2

$ 99

Special K Cereals

Pepsi, Sierra Mist, Mug, Mountain Dew, Crush, Brisk, Schweppes 2 Liter

All Flavors - 12 oz

2

$ 99

5

5/$

Sweet Strawberries

Green Squash

Sliced Mushrooms

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

2/$5

79¢ lb.

2/$3

Except Reduced Fat - 8 oz

Pint

Gala Apples

99¢ lb.

Jumbo Spanish Green $ 49 Red 2 lb. Peppers Peppers

Ha’olam Shredded Banner Sliced Lox Bagel Cuts Cheese

79¢ lb.

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

6 Pack

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

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

Del Monte 2/$ 4 Pineapple

Anjou Pears

Mini Peeled Carrots

Cello Lettuce

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

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

Jumbo 2/$5 Cantaloupe

Slicing 89¢ lb. Cello Onions Tomatoes

99¢ ea.

99¢ ea.

Head ..........................

1 Lb Bag ..........................

2/$3

chanukah special! feeds 10! just $149.00 Apple Noodle Crumb Kugel 2 lb

Large Potato Knishes Vegetable Soup Quart

Aliza Beer Nutritional Meals

699ea. $ 99 1 ea. $ 99 5 ea.

24 VARIETIES! SPECIAL OF THE WEEK:

Baked Salmon with 2 Side Dishes

Scottish Salmon Fillet $ 99 lb.

Raspberry Pastry Sticks

99¢ ea.

2

$ 99

2

order your shabbos platters early!

999

$

Sweet Potato Roll

649ea.

6 Winter White & Shades $ of Blue Festive Bouquets 19

99

Italian Bread Plain or Seeded

1

Combination Bread

celebrate chanukah with our menorah platter!

Beet Salad

2 lb

249ea.

$ 49 ea.

Vandela Blue Rose & Up Bouquets 99 Silver & Gold Accented & Up Table Arrangements

gourmetglattonline.com

1095

now available! full line of gluten-free products!

make this year’s festival of lights even brighter!

Chanukah Blue Carnation $ Bouquets

Crunchy Dragon $ Roll

550

Babaganoush

$

595

$

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

$

4

Heavy Marble Loaf

Alaska Roll

Giant Vegetable $ 95 Roll ............................

Breaded Lemon Pepper Fillet $ 99 lb.

13

monday only!

1099 $ 99 6

$

Spinach or Broccoli 10” Pizza

$

All Flavors 48 oz

4

Family Size

fresh latkes available throughout chanukah!

Edy’s Ice Cream

$ 99

5 Lb Bag

Baked Ziti

1 Roast Turkey PLUS 12 Latkes 1 Container Pickles

Macabee Pizza Bagels

Idaho 2/$4 Potatoes

Deli & Takeout

/

5

Pink 6/$2 Grapefruit

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

3 Lb Bag

999

$

2/$

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

99¢ lb.

12 oz

$

Pre-Packaged

Pre-Packaged

Salt & Pepper Kugel

Pre-Packaged

Garden Vegetable Soup

24

$

99

& Up

3999& Up

Pre-Packaged

Yerushalmi Kugel

Pre-Packaged

299ea.

$

499ea. $ 49 3 ea. $ 49 4 ea. $

349ea.

$

$

/gourmetglatt

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

11

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DECEMBER 22, 2016 | The Jewish Home

Continued from 8

fainted and hit her head. We of course immediately called Hatzolah.

Four great guys came and although we have “used” Hatzolah in the past these guys were awesome. I should have taken their names but just need to say that just the way they spoke, treated and cared for Mom brings tears to my eyes.

When we arrived in the hospital we had questions about which doctors to call and other hospital particulars that my family needed to know.

The Hatzolah guys calmly said to me, “Don’t worry.” They told me to call Achiezer – they gave us the number and said they are the next step and will help. And the help that followed was beyond belief. We reached out several times…and at all hours as we dealt with several scares due to some bleeding in the brain. They brought in specialists and provided whatever we needed. We also found out about their respite room from another family, which was an amazing relief.

I don’t know what our community would do without Achiezer and Hatzolah and I certainly don’t know if Mom would be here today if not for them.

Thank you!

Alice Weiss

lighting and dinner. It will add so much to your simcha and to theirs.

A freilechen Chanukah!

A Reader Dear Editor, I enjoy reading your magazine over Shabbos and find it to be entertaining and informative. This week’s article on the Democratic Party was puzzling to me, though. Yes, there are many things that I don’t agree with that the Democratic Party stands for, but I know that they will advocate for programs that will help me and others in the community.

Programs like Food Stamps, Medicaid, and even help with heating our homes are primarily programs that Democrats advocate. Many of us would not be able to live and feed our families without government assistance.

So I bless the Democratic Party and am able to swallow some of the bad with the good. After all, we all gotta eat, right?

T. Y. Dear Editor, Several weeks ago my mother who lives in Woodmere for 23 years

SIGN UP TODAY!

Send us your photo(s) of what Chanukah means to you—it could be your family lighting candles, you and your siblings at your Chanukah party, Grandma playing dreidel or Grandpa eating a jelly doughnut (or two…or three), etc. We want to see what makes Chanukah special to you. Make sure the photo includes the people you love most. Be one of the first 44 people to send in your photo(s) and we’ll send you a $10 Berrylicious gift card!

V.I.I. (Very Important Information): • The contest starts Motzei Shabbos, the first night of Chanukah, and ends Tuesday night, the fourth night of Chanukah, at 11pm • Email the photos to editor@fivetownsjewishhome.com with the word “contest” in the subject line • Include your name, age, and mailing address in the email • The photo(s) must have people in them • Photos may be printed in a future issue of TJH so make sure to smile big!

• Only the first 44 people who send in their photo(s) will receive the gift card • One gift card per family

Happy Chanukah!

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

Winter Semester - Eight Weeks of Creative Fun!

S

Special Chanukah Giveaway!

WIN A $10 BERRYLICIOUS GIFT CARD!

ay Funda d n y u by

Please send all correspondence to editor@fivetownsjewishhome.com.

B Y B LA A U LS R A EN M

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The Jewish Home | DECEMBER 22, 2016

The Week In News

Work it Out

average of 34.4 hours a week, which accounts for a basic 9-to-5 job with a standard hour lunch break. Before you all protest, of course there are many American workers that work even longer hours and barely leave their desks.

34.4 hours is longer than American counterparts in the world’s largest economies. In Germany, workers spend just 26.37 at work, and in Sweden, many businesses have just a sixhour workday, with an average 30.94 hour work week. Perhaps they enjoy spending some time in the Alps after they clock out for the day.

Terror in Berlin Most people I know either work too hard or think they work too hard.

Oftentimes hard work is relative. It is relative to how much a person can handle, the amount of time and energy their home life requires, how much their colleagues and friends work, how much effort goes into every minute spent at work, and, of course, how much stress goes into every minute spent working.

In a society where the norm is a 40-hour work week, someone who puts in 10 hour days seems like a workhorse. But there are countries where a 50-hour work week is standard, like in Qatar, the hardest working nation in the world, according to msn.com.

Where do people burn the most midnight oil? The hardest working nations in the world are: 1. Qatar (50 hours/week) 2. Pakistan (47.8 hours/week) 3. Turkey (47.1 hours/week) 4. Macau (47 hours/week) 5. Malaysia (46.1 hours/week) 6. South Africa (45 hours/week) 7. Thailand (44.9 hours/week) 8. Singapore (44.3 hours/week) 9. Hong Kong (44 hours/week) 10. South Korea (43.8 hours/week) 11. Guatemala (43.3 hours/week) 12. Mexico (42.4 hours/week) 13. Algeria (42.2 hours/week) 14. Macedonia (41.7 hours/week) 15. Kosovo (41.7 hours/week) Surprisingly, according to data from the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), Americans don’t work too hard. It seems that we only work an

On Monday evening, the crowd at the foot of the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church, one of west Berlin’s most famous landmarks, was enjoying mulled wine and sausages. But the celebration in Breitscheidplatz Square near the fashionable Kurfuerstendamm Avenue turned to a nightmare as a truck barreled into the crowd, killing 12 people. 48 others were injured, 18 severely.

Rami Elkayam, an Israeli, was injured in the attack. His wife, Dalia, has not yet been located.

Police arrested a 23-year-old Pakistani asylum-seeker in connection to the attack. He has been in Germany for at least one year. But on Tuesday, authorities said that the person in custody may not be the attacker and that the real terrorist was on the run.

After the attack, Chancellor Angela Merkel told reporters: “There is much we still do not know with sufficient certainty but we must, as things stand now, assume it was a terrorist attack.” She added: “I know it would be especially hard for us all to bear if it were confirmed that the person who committed this act was someone who sought protection and asylum.”

The truck belonged to a Polish

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DECEMBER 22, 2016 | The Jewish Home

freight company and its rightful driver was found dead in the vehicle. German media said the arrested man had jumped out of the driver’s cab and ran down the street towards the Tiergarten, a vast park in central Berlin. Several witnesses called police, including one who chased the suspect while on the phone, constantly updating officials on his whereabouts.

The attack fueled immediate demands for a change to Merkel’s immigration policies, under which more than a million people fleeing conflict and poverty in the Middle East, Africa and elsewhere have arrived in Germany this year and last.

Horst Seehofer, leader of the CDU’s Bavarian sister party, said: “We owe it to the victims, to those affected and to the whole population to rethink our immigration and security policy and to change it.”

The record influx of immigrants has hit Merkel’s ratings as she prepares to run for a fourth term next year and boosted support for the anti-immigrant Alternative for Germany (AfD). Senior AfD member Marcus Pretzell blamed Merkel for the attack on Twitter. AfD leader Frauke Petry

said Germany was no longer safe and that “radical Islamic terrorism has struck in the heart of Germany.”

Manfred Weber, head of the center-right European People’s Party, said: “It’s not an attack on a country; it’s an attack on our way of life, on the free society in which we are allowed to live.”

The incident evoked memories of an attack in Nice, France, in July when a Tunisian-born man drove a 19-ton truck along the beachfront, mowing down people who had gathered to watch the fireworks on Bastille Day, killing 86 people. That act of terror was claimed by Islamic State.

Russian Ambassador Assassinated Andrey Karlov was a beloved husband and a father. He was also the Russian ambassador to Turkey and the most recent victim of the Islamic State’s vitriolic hate for Russia.

On Monday, Karlov was brutally shot in the back by an off-duty Turkish Special Forces police officer dressed in a suit and tie in Ankara, Turkey. Mevlut Mert Altintas, 22, opened fire inside an art exhibit as Karlov addressed the crowd; three others were wounded. Cameras were rolling, capturing the entire incident on film. According to Turkish Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu, Altintas had been working for the riot police squad in Ankara for the past two and a half years. Witnesses say he entered the building using his police ID. Altintas yelled jihadi propaganda before he was killed by authorities. In the video of the incident, Altintas is seen shouting, “Allahu akbar.” ““We are the descendants of those who

supported the Prophet Muhammad, for jihad,” he shouted in Arabic.

“Do not forget Aleppo, do not forget Syria...we die there every day...

We are not safe here in the streets when they are dying over there,” the murderer screamed in Turkish.

“You’ll never be safe as long as other mothers are unsafe...Keep filming me, only my dead corpse will leave this building. Whoever is responsible for this [tyranny] is going to pay.”

Following the attack, Russian President Vladimir Putin promised to take revenge for the assassination.

During a meeting with his cabinet shortly after the attack, Putin said, “We have to know who organized the killing, who gave orders to the assassin.” He added, “The fight against terrorism will only be stepped up.”

He also called Karlov an “outstanding diplomat” and called for a memorial to be erected in his honor.

Ankara Mayor Melih Gokcek believes that the goal of the attack was to damage relations between Turkey and Russia. Only very recently, in June 2016, had the two countries started to normalize ties. Previously there had been a tense relationship

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when a Turkish combat aircraft shot down a Russian military jet in November 2015.

Karlov, 62, is survived by a wife and son. He began his diplomatic career in 1976 and had previously served in North Korea. He became

Russian Ambassador to Turkey in July of 2013.

“It’s a tragic day in the history of our country and Russian diplomacy,” Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said. “Ambassador Karlov has made

a lot of personal contributions to the development of ties with Turkey. He has done a lot to overcome a crisis in bilateral relations,” she said. “He was a man who put his heart and his soul into his job. It’s a terrible loss for us and also the world.”

China Returns Stolen Drone

Though tensions have been somewhat high between the Chinese and American Navy, the Chinese government has announced that they will return a U.S. naval drone that was seized in the South China Sea last week. The drone was used for collecting data on water temperatures, salinity, and other factors that would affect U.S. naval operations. It was picked up by a Chinese submarine rescue ship 50 miles northwest of the Philippines. The abduction of the drone was seen by the USNS Bowditch, which tracks the drone and its data.

“We have registered our objection to China’s unlawful seizure of a U.S. unmanned underwater vehicle operating in international waters in the South China Sea,” Pentagon press secretary Peter Cook said in a statement. “Through direct engagement with Chinese authorities, we have secured an understanding that the Chinese will return the [drone] to the United States,” he said.

On Tuesday, the underwater craft was given over to American hands.

Yang Yujun, a spokesman for the Chinese Ministry of Defense, said that China took the U.S. drone “in order to prevent the device from harming the navigation safety and personnel safety of the ship in the past. The U.S. military has frequently dispatched naval vessels to carry out reconnaissance and military measurements in China’s water. China resolutely opposes this and urges the U.S. side to stop such activities,” he said.

Although the Pentagon has insisted that the drone was conducting routine operations, a commentary published in the People’s Daily, the ruling Communist Party’s official mouthpiece, said the drone was linked to U.S. efforts to “contain”

The Jewish Home | DECEMBER 22, 2016

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China. “The U.S. side played down its drone activities, but its intention behind them cannot be concealed,” the commentary said. “The drone that emerged from the South China Sea is just the tip of the iceberg in the U.S. military strategy on China,” it added.

The incident has emerged as the latest thorn between China and the U.S., where President-elect Donald Trump has shown himself increasingly willing to confront and challenge Beijing. After it was reported that China will be returning the drone to the United States, President-elect Donald Trump tweeted: “We should tell China that we don’t want the drone they stole back. Let them keep it!”

A Final Chat with Saddam Hussein The CIA analyst who was charged with finding and interrogating Saddam Hussein has written a book about his dealings with the former Iraqi dictator. After Hussein was captured

on December 13, 2003, John Nixon interviewed him and said that “Saddam seemed clueless.” In Debriefing the President: The Interrogation of Saddam Hussein, Nixon outlines what was said during his chat.

“He was inattentive to what his government was doing, had no real plan for the defense of Iraq and could not comprehend the immensity of the approaching storm,” Nixon writes in his book. Nixon described Hussein as being frequently defiant and mocking of the U.S.-led invasion of his country. “You found a traitor who led you to Saddam Hussein. Isn’t there one traitor who can tell you where the WMDs are?” Hussein taunted shortly after he was found. “Iraq is not a

terrorist nation,” Hussein explained during an interview session. “We did not have a relationship with [Osama] bin Laden, and did not have weapons of mass destruction ... and we’re not a threat to our neighbors. But the American president [George W. Bush] said Iraq wanted to attack his daddy and said we had ‘weapons of mass destruction.’”

According to Nixon’s findings, the CIA profile had been wrong about many of their assumptions about Hussein. “I asked about the CIA’s belief that Saddam suffered great pain from a bad back and had given up red meat and cigars,” Nixon wrote. “He said he didn’t know where I was getting my intelligence, but it was wrong.

He told me he smoked four cigars every day and loved red meat. He was also surprisingly fit.”

After 9/11, Hussein believed that the United States would see him as an ally, being that his country had one of the few secular governments in the region. Instead, the tyrant was attacked two years later and then executed for crimes against humanity in 2006.

IMF Head Declared “Negligent”

Christine Lagarde, the chief of the International Monetary Fund, has been convicted of negligence by a Paris court for having mishandled a 285 million euro dispute almost ten years ago.

During her tenure as France’s finance minister, Lagarde allowed a dispute between state-run bank Credit Lyonnais and businessman Bernard Tapie over the 1993 sale of Adidas AG to go to arbitration.

She then failed to appeal the payout, which was eventually dropped

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DECEMBER 22, 2016 | The Jewish Home

to zero dollars. Judge Martine Ract-Madoux said in a statement that she should have done more to overturn the payout, though she will not face any fines or prison time.

Lagarde admitted in court that she had allowed her then-chief of staff Stephane Richard to screen thousands of documents and provide advice on using arbitration in the dispute. “Overall, Lagarde was negligent in seeking information,” charged the court president. Richard refused to testify in the case, as he was involved in a parallel criminal probe that allowed him to keep quiet.

In her defense, Lagarde says that she was aware the French investment agency did not like to arbitrate, however, she felt the benefits outnumbered the disadvantages.

Fatal Castle Shootout in Jordan Security forces in Jordan killed four “terrorist outlaws” after an

intense shootout that killed nine people and injured 29 others earlier this week. One of those who were murdered was a Canadian tourist; five were police officers. The four gunmen shot automatic weapons at police targets in the southern city of Karak before holing up in a Crusader-era castle for many hours.

In their statement, Jordanian officials did not give the identity of the assailants or say if they were affiliated with any terrorist or militant group. Many in the country are speculating that the gunmen were tribal outlaws seeking vengeance against the state rather than fundamentalist terrorists. Some, though, are saying they were Islamic terrorists.

The shootout with the gunmen

took several hours. “Four gunmen got out of their car” at the castle, a local resident told reporters. “They opened fire at the Canadian tourists.

The woman was killed, the other Canadian tourist escaped and hid behind a car and one of the children was injured.” Security forces were able to rescue 10 of the tourists that had been trapped inside the historic site when the gunmen took refuge there. The castle is one of Jordan’s most popular tourist attractions.

The police department said that the gunmen came from Qatraneh, a desert city nearly 30 km northeast of Karak city. The outpost is known for smuggling and is home to heavily armed residents who resist state authority. Large quantities of explosives, weapons and suicide belts were seized in a hideout after the raid.

Jordan has taken part in the U.S.-led air campaign against ISIS in Syria, unlike many of its Arab neighbors. Many Jordanians are opposed to their country’s involvement as it has led to the killing of fellow Muslims.

Kim Jong Un: Celebrating Five Years

Kim Jong Un celebrated his fifth year as leader of North Korea this week. The Kim family has run the country since its inception 71 years ago. Joseph Stalin chose Kim Il Sung to run the nation as a soviet client state. His son, Kim Jong Il, continued his father’s legacy for 17 years until his death five years ago. It was then that Kim Jong Un took over the

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reins of the dictatorship.

Five years into his rule, although 20 million North Koreans struggle to feed their families, the economy and military may be growing. Ken Gause, a North Korean leadership expert at CNA, a research company in Arlington, Va., says that Kim seems to be firmly in control. “You have a leader who is becoming more comfortable in his own skin and is able to delegate and manipulate the levers of power in a much more sophisticated way,” Gause said. “I would say he is still working on building and solidifying his power. But for all intents and purposes, he is the leader in every sense of the word.”

What’s the key to Kim’s success?

Simple. Kim has cemented his rule by keeping those that are loyal to him well-paid and everyone else extremely afraid. This past May, when congress was convened, Kim put more of his core supporters in power. “He’s paying the people who keep him in office enough so they won’t defect to anyone else,” said Bruce Bueno de Mesquita, a political scientist at New York University. “He needs to keep the loyalists loyal.”

The country is also in decent economic shape. Supposedly, the economy is growing at 2 to 3 percent a year, according to private sector analysis. Those numbers are more impressive than any growth during the rule of Kim Jong Il. The other part of Kim’s success lies in his fondness for purges to instill fear in his enemies. Since he took power, at least 100 top level officials have been purged or executed.

He famously had his uncle dragged out of a meeting in 2013, had him denounced as a traitor, and then killed. Fear is an amazing motivator.

Iran’s New Bill of Rights It’s the beginning of a new era in Iran. On Monday, President Hassan Rouhani revealed a breakthrough bill of rights. In a country that’s been historically restrictive, the new document guarantees freedom of speech and protest, fair trials and privacy.

Rouhani celebrated the breakthrough, a promise he made during his 2013 election campaign, saying the achievement was “one of my oldest dreams.” Iran began to see change in 1979 after the Islamic Revolution when the constitution was rewritten but this new bill is the first direct list of values that will be used to check the performance of state institutions.

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“I’m very pleased that today one of my most important promises is being delivered and I am achieving one of my oldest dreams,” Rouhani told officials in a televised ceremony.

The Iranian leader was clear that the bill is not yet a formal law but “must be implemented by everyone.” A new “special deputy for citizenship rights” will work with government departments using data from annual reports to draft modified plans and assess progress.

Yousef Molayi, a Tehran lawyer, told AFP the bill was “a step forward in guaranteeing parts of the rights and freedoms that people should enjoy.” “The president is highlighting the importance of citizens’ rights and the need to observe existing laws which may not be implemented thoroughly now,” he said. “For example, in some trials the court decides that the lawyer should not be present, and this bill clarifies that this is not a correct interpretation.”

Of course, as always, this proposal was met with some opposition.

Conservatives condemned the bill, saying it was the work of a reformist minority and not the greater Iranian public.

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An expert on the history of the Israeli flag shared its unique history at a meeting that took place this week between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker. The research that was presented was done by Jonathan Sarna, professor of American Jewish history at Brandeis University in suburban Boston. It turns out, the flag has American roots, dating back to Boston in 1891.

The flag was conceived by Rabbi Jacob Baruch Askowith, an immigrant from Lithuania who settled in Boston. It was created for a local Jewish organization, the B’nai Zion.

Back then, nearly 60 years before the founding of the Jewish State, the flag was the same as it is now, except for the word “Maccabee” written in Hebrew inside the Maggid David in the center.

A year after its creation, the “flag of Judah,” as it was known, was flown at a parade celebrating the 400th anniversary of Columbus discovering America. After that, the flag started gaining some traction and was found – without the words in the middle – at the Second Zionist Congress in Basel, Switzerland, in 1898.

In 1904, the blue and white flag was flown at the World’s Fair in in St. Louis along with the rest of the world’s flags. According to Sarna, this solidified it as “an emblem of the unified Jewish people.”

“That was absolutely a turning point – it was the first time that a Zionist flag was flown along with all

the other flags of other countries,” he said. “It was a huge deal that the flag was recognized, and because it was recognized and got so much attention, I think that that became the flag that American Jews knew.”

The flag was such a large part of the American Jewish culture that when the time came to pick a flag in 1948, the American Zionists would not budge on their choice. It was selected over 164 other flag proposals.

Sarna released a statement explaining the deep connection between America and Israel. “To think that 57 years before the founding of the modern state of Israel,” Sarna said, “Americans in Boston were proudly parading a flag so closely reminiscent to the present-day version is extraordinary and is further indicative of the impassioned and prominent role that American Jews, even in the 1800s, had in shaping the future State of Israel.”

Trump’s Ambassador Pick

President-elect Donald Trump’s transition team has announced its choice for U.S. ambassador to Israel and it hits close to home. Attorney David Friedman, Trump’s advisor on Israel affairs during the election, will fill the role for the next four years. “[He] has been a longtime friend and trusted advisor to me. His strong relationships in Israel will form the foundation of his diplomatic mission and be a tremendous asset to our country as we strengthen the ties with our allies and strive for peace in the Middle East,” Trump said in the statement.

Friedman responded with his own statement in which he thanked Trump for the job and said he looked forward to serving from Jerusalem, where Trump promised to move the embassy during his campaign. “I

The Jewish Home | DECEMBER 22, 2016

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DECEMBER 22, 2016 | The Jewish Home

am deeply honored and humbled by the confidence placed in me by President-elect Trump to represent the United States as its Ambassador to Israel,” Friedman said. “I intend to work tirelessly to strengthen the unbreakable bond between our two countries and advance the cause of peace within the region, and look forward to doing this from the U.S. embassy in Israel’s eternal capital, Jerusalem,” he added.

Friedman has spent the past few months highlighting Trump’s pro-Israel agenda. In an interview last May, he said that Trump believes “that Israel should continue to build Judea and Samaria communities. This is land that Israel has held for almost 50 years. The population of Judea and Samaria is 400,000 people. You add in East Jerusalem you have almost a million people. These people aren’t going anywhere and Israel’s not going to make the same mistake that it made in connection with the evacuation of Gaza.”

Friedman also said that Trump would not force Israel to sign a peace deal with the PA and that Trump has “great confidence in the Israeli government and the Israeli people.”

Hamas’s New “Eye in the Sky”

Hamas never stops innovating when it comes to harming Israel. The military wing of the terrorist group has now begun spying on IDF positions and Israeli communities by connecting GoPro cameras to “old school” flying kites.

Border patrol units and missions near the IDF missions near the Gaza Strip have identified the new practice. The IDF thinks that Hamas is gathering intel for their next attack.

They became suspicious when kites were seen flying with a dramatically increased regularity. Warning shots were fired in most instances, and the

kites were taken down by their owners.

Hamas does not have high-tech aerial equipment such as drones or manned aircraft that Israel has. Attaching a GoPro to a kite is far from “advanced technology,” but it is still effective and possibly dangerous.

Amona Agreement Reached

The settlement of Amona has been in the news a lot over the past few years. The village was founded

in 1995 on a hill overlooking Ofra. In 2006, it was revealed that the settlement was built on privately owned Palestinian property. The Israeli High Court ruled that the settlement has to be evacuated, however, the ruling had not been enforced for many years as the government attempted to overturn the court’s decision.

Recently, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reached an agreement with the residents of Amona that would relocate 24 of the families to an adjacent plot of land and house the rest in the nearby Ofra community. Residents voted on the compromise, and 45 favored the proposal, 25 opposed it, and two voters abstained.

The evacuation order was originally set for December 25, however, the state is requesting an extension in order to allow time for the compromise to be brought into effect.

Member of Knesset Bezalel Smotrich has praised the Amona settlers and taken up their cause in the Knesset. “Today with their decision, the people of Amona are continuing on the path of hope. My brothers who are heroes of hope, thanks to you, the settlements will continue to grow

The Jewish Home | DECEMBER 22, 2016

‫קרבה שנת השבע‬ ‫שנת השמטה‬

Or Haganuz is a frum community in the Upper Galilee region, a mere few kilometers from Meron, and was founded by Harav Hagaon Mordechai Sheinberger, a close talmid of famous Kabbalists. The Or Haganuz Winery, which is one of the major businesses in the village, was founded in 2005 and has grown to produce over 18 varietals and 400,000 bottles yearly. It is one of the few Israeli wineries that are completely Shomer Shviis, where the workers will take advantage of the year off and spend the extra time in the beis hamedrash.

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DECEMBER 22, 2016 | The Jewish Home

and strengthen,” he said in a statement. Undoubtedly, the recent compromise was heart wrenching to the many families who call Amona their home. It was there that they raised their families, prayed together, and worked as a community.

The fight is not over completely.

Now that the agreement has been made, the settlers are waiting on the government to hold up its side of the bargain. “We’re taking our foot off the gas for a month. If in the next month the state lives up to its promise to build 52 houses and public structures, then the struggle will be crowned a success and Amona will stay on the hill. If the state doesn’t fulfill its promises, we won’t hesitate to renew the fight with more grit and more strength,” said an Ofra spokesperson.

roles, and it is time for this cowardly treacherous hand to be cut,” Hamas’ Qassam Brigades said in a statement.

“The assassination is an aggression against the group and the enemy should know that the blood of this great commander will not be wasted,” it added.

Israeli Minister Tzachi Hanegbi, a confidante of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, told Israeli Channel One: “I hope this issue will not be ascribed to us, that it is not connected to us and that none of those people arrested are our allies.”

Shin Bet Releases Arsonists’ Names

Hamas Engineer “Taken Out” in Tunisia A high-level, well-known militant belonging to the Hamas terror organization has reportedly been assassinated by the Mossad in Tunisia. Mohammed Zawari, known in Israeli intelligence circles as “The Engineer,” was found in his car in the city of Sfax. Tunisian reporters are attributing the killing to the famed Israeli intelligence agency.

After the shooting, five suspects were brought in by the Tunisian authorities. According to Tunisian media, the suspects were brought in with multiple vehicles, weapons and mobile phones. A Tunisian journalist reported that one of the suspects had been following Zawari for “some time.”

Zawari, 49, was an aviation engineer and scientist. He lived in Syria before the outbreak of the civil war in 2011. He has been credited with multiple innovations in drone technology and was known to have close contact with Hamas.

“The assassination of the commander Mohammed al-Zawari in Tunisia is a reminder for all Arab and Muslim nations that the Zionist enemy and its agents are roaming free in the region, playing their dirty

The names of the three suspects that were arrested for starting a wave of fires that broke out across Israel in November have now been revealed.

The arrests had been under gag order until now due to the ongoing investigation. The three suspects, Joad Mohammad Faiz Dahr, 19, Hamdan Saqr Hamdan Lami, 19, and Yazid Ahmad Hamdan Lami, 24, are all from the Palestinian village of Iskaka in the northern West Bank.

The arrests were made through a joint effort by the IDF, the Israel Police, and the Shin Bet. Security cameras spotted the three young arsonists on November 25 attempting to light a blaze outside of Ariel. They will stand trial before the IDF’s military advocate general.

The arrests came after a series of fires were started across Israel between November 18 and November 26. During these few days, there were over 2,000 brush fires, 39 of which were considered major by the Fire Services. The fires destroyed an estimated 130,000 dunams (32,124 acres) of land. 6,900 acres were destroyed in Haifa alone.

The Jewish Home | DECEMBER 22, 2016

50 of the fires are currently being investigated for arson. While 35 people have been arrested in connection with the fires, almost all have since been released.

Subway Therapy

Stressed about this year’s election results? So are many other Americans. And they have been turning to Post-It notes for their therapy.

In the days and weeks following Election Day, sticky notes in the subway stations of New York created a mosaic of the emotions, frustrations and fears felt by Americans: “Woke up this morning and still can’t believe this world,” one note read. “As my heart cries, help me understand,” another person wrote.

But other sticky notes were more uplifting: “Never give up,” read one.

“It gives me hope that such beauty and solidarity is coming out of such chaos,” read another.

The nearly 50,000 sticky notes left behind in the subway stations in New York City became an international symbol of unity and expression. Finally, on Friday, more than five weeks after the project — called “Subway Therapy” — began, the notes were taken down. But New Yorkers don’t have to be concerned that their feelings will be thrown out the window. After all, we New Yorkers aren’t that callous. A large selection of the sticky notes will be preserved by the New-York Historical Society as a way of documenting New Yorkers’ response to the historic election, New York Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo announced.

These notes are certainly important enough to be saved for posteri-

ty. The notes will join a list of other artifacts the society has preserved from “spontaneous moments of crisis or exhilaration,” such as objects recovered from the September 11th attacks and messages left behind at the Stonewall Inn during a vigil for victims of the Orlando nightclub shooting.

“Ephemeral items in particular, created with spontaneity and emotion, can become vivid historical documents,” Louise Mirrer, NewYork Historical Society president and CEO, said in a news release. “‘Subway Therapy’ perfectly evokes this historic moment.”

The creator of “Subway Therapy“ is Matthew Chavez. After moving to New York about a year ago, Chavez became fascinated by an idea: How do people feel better about things they feel bad about? Nine months ago, he began sitting in subway stations with a book that people could write their secrets in. People started talking to him, revealing their thoughts and burdens, seeking what he called a sort of “spontaneous absolution.”

Chavez often goes by the artist name “Levee,” meaning “an embankment built to prevent the overflow of a river.”

“When people are overflowing with emotion, help channel their energy into something good,” he wrote on his website.

The day after Election Day, noticing the devastation felt by so many in the city, he decided to bring pens and sticky notes to a bypass tunnel linking the 14th Street subway stations at Sixth and Seventh Avenues in Manhattan. From 2 p.m. that Wednesday until 2 a.m. the following morning, Chavez offered travelers a chance to leave messages, drawings and other art displays on the wall.

“It was just an explosion of people using the sticky notes to find relief, to express how they felt, to comfort each other,” Chavez said. “I just stayed until people stopped coming.”

During the first few weeks, Chavez would take down each sticky note at the end of the night, coming back the next day with a portion of the notes. During the first five days after Election Day, Chavez spent a combined 40 hours in the tunnel.

Soon, notes started popping up in

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other stations, most dramatically in the 14th Street-Union Square station.

In the days and weeks that followed, similar displays began appearing in cities such as Boston, San Francisco, Seattle and Toronto. Chavez has even received requests for assistance from groups in Paris, London and Brussels who are pursuing similar projects. The project became so demanding that Chavez had to quit his two jobs — working at a bar in Brooklyn and producing commercial voiceover recordings — to commit his time to “Subway Therapy.”

On the Saturday after Election Day, Chavez estimated that there were nearly 10,000 notes lined up on one wall of the tunnel. It took him a minute and a half to walk from one end to the other.

Last month, the governor placed a sticky note on the 14th Street-Union Square subway station with the words, “New York State holds the torch high!” and a quote from the sonnet by Emma Lazarus engraved on the Statue of Liberty: “Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to be free … I lift my lamp beside the golden door.” The MTA allowed

the notes to adorn subway walls with Cuomo’s support. But sticky notes on subway walls are not so practical.

Some were falling off; people began to write insensitive things. And so the wall will be taken down and saved for the next generation.

Chavez said he plans to also archive the majority of the notes online so that the public can see them for free. He hopes to continue to provide “Subway Therapy,” in the tunnel in some way — whether it involves written notes or a different form of expression.

“Even if someone doesn’t believe their voice is important,” Chavez said.

“I think it’s important.”

Washington State made history by risking a $1,000 fine and voting for someone other than Clinton. Hillary Clinton, supported by 57% of the state’s voters, wound up with eight of the 12 electoral votes at a session held in the State Capitol building.

Three other votes went to Gen. Colin Powell. One went to Faith Spotted Eagle, an elder of the Yankton Sioux.

Hillary’s Faithless Electors On Monday, the Electoral College finally cemented its vote, and despite calls for electors to become “unfaithful,” only a handful did so – many against Hillary Clinton.

Four out of the 12 electors for

It was the first time in four decades that the state’s electors did not support the winner of Washington’s popular vote for president. In a tweet released shortly after the vote, Secretary of State Kim Wyman said

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she plans to enforce what is called the “faithless voter” law against the four who didn’t follow the rules. She did not elaborate.

The separate vote for vice president drew some raised eyebrows as well. Clinton’s running mate, Tim Kaine, received eight votes. The other four went to Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine), Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), and Winona LaDuke, a Native American activist.

Washington is one of 29 states where electors are bound by law to vote for the state’s popular vote winner. “Faithless electors” who don’t follow the rules can be hit with up to a $1,000 civil fine.

An elector in both Maine and Minnesota attempted to cast a ballot for Bernie Sanders, who unsuccessfully challenged Clinton in the Democratic primary. State laws requiring electors to follow the statewide vote invalidated both efforts.

Only one Republican elector, Christopher Suprun of Texas, publicly pledged not to vote for Trump despite his state heavily favoring the president-elect last month. One

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other Texas elector also abandoned Trump in the final vote.

The Electoral College results will be certified by Congress on January 6. Donald Trump will be inaugurated as the 45th president of the United States on January 20.

Dylann Roof Convicted

Dylann Roof was convicted of murder on Thursday and may face the death penalty. The killer was warmly welcomed into a Bible study group in Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal church in Charleston, South Carolina, on June 17, 2015.

45 minutes into the service, as the group closed their eyes, Roof coldheartedly turned his hidden weapon on the members of the church, killing nine black people. In all, he fired 77 bullets during the massacre.

This heinous crime has been regarded as a racial hate crime which came as the country was still reeling from other racial related incidents.

After the horrific slaughter, Roof, 22, told FBI agents that his intention was to reawaken segregation or perhaps ignite a national race war. He said he had done extensive research online about “black on white crime.”

Next month the same federal jury will reconvene to determine whether or not to hand down the death penalty to Roof. As the verdict was read and Roof was found guilty on 33 counts he stoically stared ahead, as he did throughout the entire trial.

Family members of victims looked on and gripped each other in sorrow.

Roof plans to serve as his own attorney during the penalty phase.

Roof’s defense lawyer David Bruck acknowledged that Roof committed the homicides, but he probed

jurors to consider what caused him to become so full of hatred. He said that Roof was a suicidal loner who never grasped the gravity of what he did. Bruck insisted that Roof was imitating what he saw on the internet and sincerely believed it was his calling to give his life to “a fight to the death between white people and black people.” The defense called no witnesses to the stand during the seven-day trial. They attempted to present evidence about his mental state, but the judge ruled it out saying that it was irrelevant to Roof’s guilt or innocence.

Roof said he will not “be calling mental health experts or presenting mental health evidence” as part of the second phase of the trial. He reportedly does not want jurors considering his mental health status because of his view that psychology is “a Jewish invention.”

“I am morally opposed to psychology. It is a Jewish invention that does nothing but invent diseases and tell people they have problems when they don’t,” Roof wrote in his journal, which was read aloud at tri-

al earlier this month.

One of the survivors of the massacre, Polly Sheppard, testified during the trial and told her story of how she was hiding under a table when the killer asked her, “Did I shoot you yet?” When she answered that she wasn’t yet shot, Roof told her that he had other plans for her.

She was to be his witness. “You’re going to tell the story,” he said.

Since the June 17, 2015 killings, the Confederate flag has been removed from the South Carolina Statehouse where it had flown for 50 years over the Capitol or on the grounds. Roof appeared with the flag in several photos in a racist manifesto.

Is there a Doctor in the House?

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medical sphere, according to CareerCast.com. The site ranked the highest paying professions based on 2016 data from the Department of Labor.

It is important to note that many jobs in the medical field require extensive schooling that can cost upwards of $150K. Many of these professions require four years of undergraduate studies, four years of medical school, plus three or more years of a residency. That doesn’t include the prep classes people take for their MCATs or Board Exams, their application fees for schools and programs, and the cost of living while they are in school full-time and unable to earn an income.

So what should field should you go

into if you want to live comfortably in the U.S. of A? Consider these positions. They are the highest paying jobs in the nation: 1. Surgeon 2. Psychiatrist 3. Military general 4. Public relation execs (senior level) 5. Physicians (General Practice) 6. Corporate executives (senior level) 7. Dentist 8. Orthodontist 9. Petroleum engineer 10. Data scientist

not forced to play by the same safety rules as larger companies. As such, those small utilities – that serve only a few thousand people or less – don’t have to treat their water to prevent lead contamination until after lead is found. And even when toxic water is exposed, federal and state regulations often don’t force them to comply with certain safety standards.

Toxic Water can Affect 5 Million Americans

USA TODAY Network journalists reviewed millions of records from the Environmental Protection Agency and all 50 states, visiting small communities across the country and interviewing more than 120 people stuck using untested or lead-tainted tap water. Their investigation revealed astonishing results: About 100,000 people get their drinking water from utilities that discovered

Although Flint has received major coverage in the networks due to lead in its citizens’ water, many other small communities in the nation may be suffering from toxic water as well. Small utility companies are

high lead but failed to treat the water to remove it. Dozens of utilities took more than a year to formulate a treatment plan and even longer to begin treatment.

According to the investigation, some 4 million Americans get water from small operators who skipped required tests or did not conduct the tests properly, violating a cornerstone of federal safe drinking water laws. The testing is required because, without it, utilities, regulators and people drinking the water can’t know if it’s safe. In more than 2,000 communities, lead tests were skipped more than once. Hundreds repeatedly failed to properly test for five or more years. Additionally, about 850 small water utilities with a documented history of lead contamination — places where state and federal regulators are supposed to pay extra attention — have failed to properly test for lead at least once since 2010.

Sadly, because the system is so skewed, “at the end of the day, it creates two universes of people,” said water expert Yanna Lambrinidou, an affiliate faculty member at Virginia

The Jewish Home | DECEMBER 22, 2016

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Tech. “One is the universe of people who are somewhat protected from lead. ... Then we have those people served by small water systems, who are treated by the regulations as second-class citizens.”

All of this endangers millions of people across the country, mostly in remote and rural communities.

Take, for example, utilities like East Mooringsport Water, serving part of a bayou town of about 800 people, where drinking water went untested for more than five years. In Coal Mountain, W.Va., a remote 118-person outpost, a retired coal miner poured bleach into untested water at the system’s wellhead in the hope of keeping it clean. In Orange Center School outside Fresno, Calif., regulators let about 320 grade-school kids drink water that had tested high for lead for more than a decade.

Virginia Tech’s Marc Edwards, one of the nation’s top experts on lead in drinking water who helped identify the crisis in Flint, Mich., laments that people in America’s forgotten places — rural outposts, post-industrial communities and poor towns — are most at risk from the dangers of lead exposure, such as irreversible brain damage, lowered IQ, behavioral problems and language delays.

Each instance seems small, but collectively, the number of people getting lead-contaminated drinking water, or water not properly tested for lead, since 2010 is about 5 million.

American Factories Reopen but Where are the Workers?

There’s been a huge push to bring production back to U.S. soil, an objective President-elect Donald Trump promised to focus on during his cam-

paign. Recently, experts are claiming that many factories in the U.S. are springing back to life, although there aren’t as many new jobs being created. This is mostly because technology and automation have replaced many human positions in factories.

Manufacturing companies can minimize labor costs while maximizing production using new technology.

While manufacturing output is almost at prerecession levels, only about 20% (or 1.5 million) of factory jobs have been added to employers’ payrolls. In December 2007, before the recession hit hard, there were 13.7 million factory workers. In November of this year, there were 12.3 million manufacturers employed.

William Strauss, an economist at the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago, predicts the share of U.S. workers in manufacturing will continue to decline from its current 8.5% level as productivity and efficiency replace the need for a large number of employees.

RNC Also Targeted by Russian Hackers

Early last week, the Central Intelligence Agency publicly concluded that Russian hackers, whom analysts believe are working on behalf of the country’s military and intelligence apparatus, stole emails from a Democratic organization, the DNC, and the chairman of Hillary Clinton’s presidential campaign. Supposedly the intention was to deliberately damage Clinton’s chances of taking the White House. Russia has denied the allegations. The Russians managed to get ahold of detrimental correspondence and documents by hacking the systems of the Democratic Party and Hillary Clinton’s campaign. But now, new reports are claiming that the hackers attempted to access the networks of the Republican Nation-

al Committee as well using the same techniques. Ultimately, though, they were not able to break into the RNC’s security walls. Apparently, the RNC’s computer networks had stronger security defenses, according to an official familiar with the matter.

Another person familiar with the investigation said RNC staffers were unaware that they had been targeted until June, after the Democratic committee leaders revealed that they had been hacked. At that point, RNC officials were concerned that they perhaps had been subjected to the violation as well and hired a private computer security firm, which in turn called the FBI and obtained information about what kinds of malicious emails to look for that would indicate a potential hack. Through this investigation it was discovered that hacking emails had been sent but they were blocked by electronic filters.

Security experts say it is believable that the RNC’s filtering systems protected them from harmful emails.

But they warned that the fact that the hackers failed the first time doesn’t mean that they don’t have material on the Republican Party. Many are predicting that in the future harmful and embarrassing information may end up being revealed.

Liquor Liability

According to Cuba, booze will solve all your financial problems.

A recent Cuban proposal has suggested that the Cuban government pay back their debt to Czechoslovakia in a most liquid form of currency – rum. The Czech Finance Ministry says Cuban authorities have proposed to pay back £222 million lent

to the island by Communist Czechoslovakia in installments of the spirit. If that proposal becomes reality, the Czechs would have enough Cuban rum for well over a century.

According to the Czech Statistics Office, the Czechs – a nation of beer drinkers – imported rum from Cuba worth over £1.6 million last year.

Alcohol is all fine and dandy, but Michal Zurovec, spokesman for the Czech Finance Ministry, said Prague would still prefer the debt was at least partly paid in cash.

This is not the first time a government entity has proposed sending its creditors yo-ho-ho to the bank. In the past, North Korea offered to repay its £8 million debt in products made with ginseng. In 1993, Russia offered New Zealand a nuclear submarine and two MiG jet fighters to settle a $100M bill for dairy products including Anchor Butter.

Hear that sound? That’s my wallet rum-bling.

Toys for the Bride

Looking to buy the new couple a gift? What about some Legos for the newlyweds? Or maybe a Barbie doll? I’m sure they’ll love some MagnaTiles. And yes, these gifts are for two people who are getting married. Confused? Don’t be. The engaged couple is Kristin Klingshirn and Bart Mattingly and they’re really into toys. No, these toys are not going to be their entertainment until death do them part. Instead of signing up for a new vacuum cleaner or a set of dishes, the duo decided to dedicate their wedding registry to Bert’s Big Adventure (BBA), a non-profit that provides an all-expenses-paid trip to Disney World for chronically or terminal ill children and their families.

“We realized … we pretty much have everything we need,” Klingshirn

The Jewish Home | DECEMBER 22, 2016

said in a video announcing their idea about a month ago. Instead of asking for pots and pans and fancy china, the couple took kids from BBA to help them register for dozens of toys.

Since then, Klingshirn and Mattingly have gotten delivery after delivery of toys to their home — 3,270 as of last week, according to Klingshirn’s Facebook page. They’ve opened each and every gift during their “box opening parties,” which they stream on Facebook Live for fans to join in. The donated toys are given to the children after they return home from the annual Disney World trip each year. Extra gifts are also sent to sick children in hospitals.

As of now, the new couple may need to get a bigger home. After 13 rounds of opening packages, Klingshirn and Mattingly still have two bedrooms filled with toys. Or perhaps they need to give their house a new name. Toys for Tots sounds appropriate.

No Serious Matter It was supposed to be a serious talk about a serious topic, but a bit of music got in the way.

On Thursday, when Aengus O Snodaigh, a member of Ireland’s parliament, addressed the legislature on the issues of workers being exposed to asbestos in the parliament building, most members listened with straight faces. But then a familiar, jocular tune broke the solemnity.

Apparently the lawmaker was wearing a musical holiday tie that somehow went off at the wrong time.

“We Wish You a [Happy Holiday]” brought a little levity to the occasion.

Perhaps it is best to wear a tie like that at home.

Emotional Advice Need a little advice? Better head to the subway. Ciro Ortiz has been setting up his stand on Sundays in the subway in the Bushwick section of Brooklyn, and people have been heading to the 11-year-old for guidance. At $2 a session, I’m surprised

there’s not a line around the block.

Ciro’s stand reminds commuters of their favorite Charlie Brown comic strip, with a cardboard sign with the words “Emotional Advice, $2.” But Ciro is serious about his new position.

“It’s a good way to give back and make money,” Ciro told the New York Post. He makes up to $50 in just two hours on a busy Sunday. That’s more than minimum wage.

“Ciro is really sensitive and he’s had a hard time,” Ciro’s mother, Jasmine Aequitas, 35, said. “The first day he was out there [on the subway platform, giving counseling], he was very nervous and unsure of himself. . . A few Sundays later he’s come back saying, ‘I’ve met so many wonderful people. I’m gonna end up having so many friends.’”

So what’s been bothering New Yorkers? Ciro says the most common problem he encounters is adults having trouble with changes in their lives.

“They feel a certain way in the past and when they look [back] in hindsight, they say things were so much better back then,” he said. “We have to accept [change]. It’s going to happen – it’s always going to happen.

Life is always changing.”

Wise words from a child.

$2M Gift Chanukah came early this year to some employees of the King Solomon hotels in Jerusalem and Tiberias. Owner Gilbert Luzon, who died earlier this year, was thinking of his hardworking staff when he structured his will. The generous businessman left over two million dollars for his employees.

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The will detailed which employees would get a piece of the inheritance. All staff that worked more than five years at the hotel were eligible to receive the gift. For each year of employment, Luzon gifted them a $1,000. As such, the smallest amount an employee received was $5,000, and some received a lot more.

“They all got excited, it’s like winning the lottery,” she added.

Amazingly, the Luzon family did not want to publicize the gifts. Luzon’s son said that the will was “a private matter between us and our employees; it is nobody else’s business.”

Asked by Channel 2 whether he had received his check, one employee replied affirmatively. “What can I say? It is a blessing.”

A Chogwarts Chanukah

One of the employees told the media, “More than 2 million dollars, that’s what he spent,” she said. “There’s people there washing the dishes, they’ve been there for 20 years, and you know, they get 20,000 dollars, just like that.

Attention all Muggles and Wizards—and those who love them!

Looking for a quick Chanukah gift for that Harry Potter fan? Consider the Unofficial Harry Potter Cookbook. Offering “150 Magical Recipes from Cauldron Cakes to Knickerbocker Glory,” the cookbook is not only a New York Times bestseller, but a top Amazon seller for the past six years running. (Just this

week it clocked in at 37 of the top 100 bestselling books on the site.)

The book is beloved, and parents rave at how easy the recipes are for all Potter fans to prepare. Dogeared copies abound at local libraries, and English tearooms across the country keep copies on hand for Potter Parties. The book offers recipes for all foods (Treacle Tart, Molly’s Meat Pies, Pumpkin Pasties) mentioned in the series and gives details about which Potter characters were feasting on it and when, as well as the origin of the food in Potter and British cuisine.

But that’s not all….

The Harry Potter Cookbook is actually the wizardly work of a

frum Jewish woman, Dina Bucholz.

An avid Potter fan, Dina originally taste-tested her recipes on her husband, Heshy, and five fine-palated children.

Dina, a graduate of Bais Yaakov of Monsey and Bnos Chava seminary, grew up as the middle of more than ten children in the Polatsek family. The secret to her culinary success is her mother, Dina’s Dumbledore, who made her daughter into a Wizard in the Kitchen. (Mrs. Polatsek, a renowned Hungarian cook and bubby, regularly, magically— and seemingly effortlessly—caters sheva brachos and Friday Night for Fifty.)

Dina, who currently lives in Philadelphia with her family, is always open to autographing. You can contact her about when she’ll be in your part of Hogwarts to sign a copy for your favorite Potter fan. Or you can just buy a copy online. And wait to see your Muggle meals become spellbindingly delicious masterpieces.

Alohomora!

The Jewish Home | DECEMBER 22, 2016

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Around the

Community i-Shine’s Chanukah Chagiga was a joyous affair. Held at Congregation Beth Shalom, the event included everything a child could want on this holiday: sufganiot, Chanukah presents, and lots of fun.

Thank you to all who made this special evening possible.

On December 11, SKA and HALB students stocked the food pantry at the Rina Shkolnik Kosher Food Pantry in the Five Towns as part of the UJA-Federation Families Helping Families annual program. Councilman Anthony D’Esposito stopped by to lend a hand.

The Jewish Home | DECEMBER 22, 2016

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Around the Community

MAY Honors Students Visit Gedolei Yisroel

L

ast week, Rabbi Yehoshua Robinson’s MAY Honors shiur took a chizuk trip to Brooklyn where they met with both Rav Dovid Cohen, shlit”a, and Rav Avrohom Schorr, shlit”a.

As part of a series of shiurim on

tefilah and emunah, Rabbi Robinson, together with Assistant Menahel Rabbi Yossi Bennett, decided that taking the class to visit with gedolei Yisroel would concretize their learning and add an additional dimension to what was being discussed in shiur.

“Learning topics in hashkafa in the classroom is one thing,” commented Rabbi Bennett. “But seeing the embodiment of the material in our Gedolim is a completely different experience.”

Talmidim had the opportunity to

hear divrei Torah from each gadol and also to ask questions. It was an extremely awe-inspiring experience that will continue to be an inspiration to them for years to come.

Mesivta Yam Hatorah’s Pre-Chanukah Carnival

O

n Motzei Shabbos, December 17, Mesivta Yam HaTorah had a pre-Chanukah carnival for kids in the community. Despite the inclement weather that fell that day and the cold temperatures, over one hundred children and their parents filled the Young Israel of Bayswater for a night of wholesome fun, games and prizes. No doubt the delicious warm pretzels and potato knishes also helped take the chill out.

The senior class of 2017, with the guidance of their class advisor, Rabbi Meir Parry, worked tirelessly weeks before the event to create game booths and activities that would create an evening of excitement for children as well as their parents. There was something for everyone, whether it be watching a magic show performed by a MYHT student, jumping in an inflatable moon walk, face painting, snow cones, cotton candy, or collecting tickets from the various game booths, every child was able to find an activity that made him or her happy. Tickets were

then turned into great prizes that the kids loved.

Of course we all know happy kids make happy parents. However, the smiles on their children’s faces weren’t the only reason for jubilant parents.

Adult raffle prizes such as a $50 gift certificate to Sushi Tokyo, Gourmet

Glatt, LolliBop Cafe, Traditions, The Paper Place and more made happy parents even happier.

The senior class and Rabbi Parry along with many volunteers succeeded in creating a high-quality, homemade carnival where kids and adults both left smiling. All proceeds went to the

upcoming graduates of Mesivta Yam HaTorah who will use the money towards their yearbook or class trip.

Achdus and unity was clearly visible as Mesivta Yam HaTorah, together with the Bayswater and Far Rockaway community, shared an evening of pure enjoyment and old-fashioned fun.

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Around the Community

HALB Lev Chana Children Learn About Fire Safety

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hanukah is just around the corner, a perfect opportunity for our children to learn fire safety rules. On Monday morning, Fire Chief Adiv Koenig and firefighter Evan Perlzweig, of the Woodmere Volunteer Fire Department drove up to the HALB Lev Chana Early Childhood Center parking lot in their shiny red ladder truck. Fire Chief Adiv and Firefighter Evan visited each of our classes and spoke about basic safety rules, i.e. call 911 in an emergency, don’t go

near fire (with a special emphasis on lit candles, oil and wicks, matches and stoves), and, in case of smoke, to stay low and go. One vital message that Fire Chief Adiv kept reiterating over and over again is that the firefighters are our friends, even though they may look scary in their special clothing and equipment, especially the mask.

He explained how the special clothing protect the firefighters from the heat and fire so that they can put out fires and save people from burning

houses. As Firefighter Evan pointed out the various pieces of clothing and equipment they wear, Fire Chief Adiv repeatedly asked, “Are firefighters our friends?” “Do we run to them or away from them?” “Do we ever hide from a firefighter?” He wanted the children to understand and internalize the fact that, in an emergency, the firefighters are our friends and will protect us.

Firefighter Evan, in full gear, went around hi-fiving the children, encouraging them to touch his clothing and

equipment, and talking and joking with them to show that he was the same person as before and the children need not be afraid. The children could not get close enough as they touched the special jacket and helmet. The best part, for our children, came when the children zipped up, went outside and climbed into the cabin of the huge ladder truck. As Fire Chief Adiv and Firefighter Evan drove away, they reminded us to keep safe and wished us a happy Chanukah.

Inspiration Comes in Many Forms

By Rabbi Aaron E. Glatt, MD

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ne of the major expectations for a rabbi is to be able to inspire and teach his congregants. Sometimes, however, the exact opposite transpires – it is the rabbi who is the student and the congregation that inspires. Indeed that was the case for me davening at the Young Couples Minyan of the Young Israel of Woodmere this past Shabbos.

All of us unfortunately remember the tragic incident that occurred last year when Ezra Schwartz, Hy”d, was viciously and horrifically gunned down by a terrorist at the Gush Etzion junction while on his way to perform an act of chessed. He regularly volunteered at a conservation park called Oz Ve’Gaon built by Nadia Matar from Women in Green in memory of the three teenagers, Gil-Ad Shaer, 16, Naftali Fraenkel, 16, and Eyal Yifrah, 19, Hy”d, who had been kidnapped and killed by Hamas in June 2014.

Ezra, who had just graduated from Maimonides high school in Boston, had expressed a desire to learn all of

Tanach during his year of study at Ashreinu yeshiva in Beit Shemesh in Eretz Yisroel; Hashem’s plans did not allow Ezra to do this himself.

Inspiration comes in many forms.

This past Shabbos, the Young Couples of the Young Israel of Woodmere made a siyum on all of Tanach commemorating Ezra’s first yahrzeit.

A group of volunteers at the Young Couples Minyan, none of whom knew Ezra, were so moved by his story that they decided that they would complete Ezra’s anticipated task for him. Elliot Gluck, Jeremy Schiowitz, Ari Gamss, Yaakov Morgenstern and Dov Feldman arranged and coordinated for the members of the minyan to sign up to complete all of Tanach in time for the first yahrzeit. Shabbos Parshas Vayishlach, the parsha that Chazal tell us is the blueprint for how we should deal with our enemies, was the perfect and fortuitous time for the siyum. Despite the inclement weather, the minyan was packed with the many very eager learners and many sponsors of the siyum and kiddush in Ezra’s memory.

Yaakov Morgenstern was in con-

tact with the Schwartz family and read a beautiful three-page letter from Ezra’s mother articulating so eloquently her thoughts and emotions about a group of people who had never met Ezra, yet who wanted to learn in his memory and to memorialize and remember him. She described how Ezra had gone alone to yeshiva in Israel and had the wonderful fortune to become the roommate of three Woodmere boys, Jason Geller, Michael Benzakein and Andrew Zucker.

They quickly bonded and became fast friends. She described his personality, his love of life, and his relationship with his new roommates and friends.

Her son, she said, was a “happy, mischievous, funny, friendly and silly. He loved talking to people and learning new things.” Her total lack of bitterness and her delight in becoming close with these three boys, who have since spent many Shabbosim with their family in Sharon, Massachusetts, was truly moving.

We then had the moving opportunity to hear from Michael Benzakein, one of Ezra’s roommates who was

with him on the van that fateful day one year ago. Michael described in great detail the wonderful relationship the roommates had and then retold the tragic events of that day. They had had a long day in a special learning program away from the yeshiva, and had all come back exhausted. Ezra wasn’t even going to go with them, but appeared at the last minute desiring to do his chessed work. A teenager himself, Michael’s description of their friendship, his firsthand account of the appalling machine gun attack while they were stuck in a traffic jam, must have been very difficult for him, yet his words were clear, inspirational and carried a strong message of ahava and faith.

There were words from Rabbi Axelrod and myself as well, and the siyum on Tanach was concluded by Barry Hawk.

There was not a sound during the entire program, and the minyan and I were captivated by the event. It was a Shabbos to remember, and a Shabbos to never forget. Hy”d.

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Chanukah Telethon, the Fun & the Serious!

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he Chanukah Telethon has just ended. Back in the Green Room. “What are your first reactions?” asked local community leader Kive Strickoff of Rabbi Anchelle Perl, host of the Telethon.

“A moment of pause and then two concerns,” notes Rabbi Perl. “I pause to first thank Hashem for all His brachos and to send blessings to all who contributed. Then I daven that the telethon made a kiddush Hashem and that our message of ahavas Yisroel resonates into the widest community. And making a few dollars for programs doesn’t hurt.’

This year’s theme highlighted the dangerously growing heroin ep-

idemic on Long Island and the proactive ways that Chabad of Mineola are undertaking in this regard.

Interspersing the very serious and sad moments, spirits were elevated with joy and hope with singing sensations and entertainment with Eitan G, Eli Marcus, Lipa Schmeltzer, Richard Seaman, Lenny Solomon, and of course the famous Dancing Rabbis.

Because this year’s Telethon was broadcast on the eve of Yud Tes Kislev many lessons were shared with the viewing audience from the Alter Rebbe, especially the episode of always hearing the cry of a child, however spiritually busy we may personally be.

The Jewish Home | DECEMBER 22, 2016

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5T Riders – Individual Cyclists United for a Common Cause

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ou may have seen them passing by in the early hours of the morning or late on a summer afternoon. Perhaps you have seen them lining up along the 878 and Cedarlawn Avenue or in front of the Lawrence Country Club. Or it may have been on a sunny Friday afternoon in the summer that you caught a glimpse of them riding over the Atlantic Beach Bridge on their weekly ride to Point Lookout. They are members of a group aptly named the 5T Riders, and they are more than a bunch of men riding around in lycra.

The 5T Riders is a heterogeneous group of cyclists that differ as much as they share. Comprised of local cyclists, the membership is nondenominational and draws from all spectrums of the local Jewish and non-Jewish Five Towns and Far Rockaway communities. Its Jewish members are from the full spectrum of Yiddishkeit – FFB’s, baalei teshuva, Modern Orthodox, yeshivish, affiliated and unaffiliated. The association is not an exclusive club either. Members cover the full array of professional affiliations – blue-collar workers, business professionals, healthcare providers, social workers, teachers, students, and rebbeim all blend into a single unit when they don their jerseys and cycling shorts. The thread that weaves them all together is the unity, the achdus, that the group promotes and stands for. And in the past few years this achdus has produced some amazing results.

According to Allen Lieberman, a senior, but not founding member, of the group, the group’s mission statement since its inception has been to utilize cycling as a both a catalyst for

fitness and a vehicle for charity and chessed. Initially formed as a small group of existing and new-to-cycling riders in 2011, the group’s members communicated via Blackberry Messenger and posted local group rides.

This led to many members of the group participating in Bike4Chai and the Alyn Hospital Ride in Israel in their nascent years, and many of the group members have participated in these fund and awareness raising events for more than five years and counting.

The group recently celebrated their annual awards dinner where the silly and serious sides of a group that has grown to over 75 strong locally and boasts over 30 more members in “alumni” chapters in Israel and the U.S. outside the Five Towns were on display. This year alone the group has upped their bar of chessed and charity by participating in multiple inter- and extra-community fundraising events through their cycling. The contributions that the group has been able to make to these organizations have been record breaking. The numbers really tell the story themselves: Bike4Chai (52 participants) $686,968; Gesher Century Challenge (31 participants) $11,446; CIMBY Run (18 participants, in a non-cycling event) $5,220. And these don’t even tell the full story themselves, according to Rabbi Azriel Bodner of Gesher. He stated that the participation of the 5T Riders group is what drove the general participation well over 70 individuals, and does not account for all of the local businesses that sponsored the jerseys and food at the event due to the enthusiasm of the group. It was the outpouring of

support from the 5T Riders that made the ride both a fundraising and awareness-raising success for Gesher, a local early education program.

The opportunities for chessed did not stop at cycling-based events either. As a token of appreciation by the group for the services Hatzalah has provided the group in their own times of need, the 5T Riders has raised almost $10,000 towards their collective pledge to the new Hatzalah garage in Woodmere. They have also become involved in the Nancy Morgenstern Memorial Fund as well as numerous other organizations that group members have introduced the community to.

With the winter weather setting in, the outdoor riding may be curtailed, but the participation in local and national charitable acts has continued.

With the heartbreaking loss of Moshe Moskowitz z”l this past week, the groups message boards exploded with ideas of how they can help and there

has been an overwhelming amount of concern and support from the group for the family. Many of the group’s members knew Moshe z”l from his participation in Bike4Chai this summer, and a widely distributed photograph of the youngest and oldest riders at the event features local member Michael Harbater alongside Moshe.

The group has set up meals and provisions for the family as they try to recover from Moshe’s loss and continue to be without their mother who is still in critical condition.

“Bicycling is the new golf” is an oft-quoted phrase. While it may be true that the sports are both expensive hobbies, the 5T Riders have proven that the true investment isn’t in the apparatus, but in the direction it takes them. Next time you see them out on the road, give them a quick honk in support, give them some room to roll – they are already working on the next project, together, b’achdus.

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The Yeshiva of South Shore sixth grade, under the guidance of Rabbi Nossie Burger, utilized their knowledge of fractions and ratios in a hands-on manner. The boys were given a difficult task which required proficiency in many math skills learned this year, and they put those calculations to action as they made their very own Rice Krispies treats. They loved the hands-on activity and delighted in the “fruits” of their labor!

Young Israel of Long Beach 56th Annual Dinner: A Smashing Success

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he Young Israel of Long Beach held its 56th Annual Dinner last Sunday evening, December 11, at the White Shul. The Guests of Honor Stuart & Illana Austin, and Young Leadership Awardees Yanky & Shoshana Koenig, and Charles & Shayna Smulevitz, belong to the next generation of our shul and community. They represent the types of young families we are looking to attract to our community.

The Long Beach Community and the Young Israel are indeed the best kept secret in the Far Rockaway/5 Towns area. It is a real “in-town” community with an “out-of-town” feel and a truly wonderful place to live, raise a family, and be an integral part of a growing community. The Young Israel, led by our Moreh D’Asrah, Rabbi Chaim Wakslak, offers many multi-faceted programs and activities which are aimed at satisfying the diverse needs of the people in our community. These

programs include the daily Willem Wolf Daf Yomi shiur, an assortment of other shiurim given throughout the week, programs which bring in scholars-in-residence, concerts, Shabbos dinners, summer barbeques and carnivals for the children, as well as celebrations for every yom tov and religious occasion. We also boast a growing Lev Avos and Oneg youth programs.

Our shul is open 365 days a year and has been a guiding light in Long Beach for over 55 years, emitting beams of achdus and warmth for the entire community to bask in. Most fundamentally, the Young Israel’s core mission is to be a mikdash me’at for all – a place of introspection and tranquility where every Jew is welcome to come to daven and connect to the Ribono Shel Olam.

To find out more about Long Beach or to arrange to spend a Shabbos in our community, call (855) MOVYILB ext. 806.

Mr. Nelson Spiess, Mr. David Fohrman, and Rabbi Chaim Wakslak with Guests of Honor Stuart & Ilana Austin

Mr. Nelson Spiess, Mr. David Fohrman, and Rabbi Chaim Wakslak with Young Leadership Awardees Charles & Shayna Smulevitz

Mr. Nelson Spiess, Mr. David Fohrman, and Rabbi Chaim Wakslak with Young Leadership Awardees Yanky & Shoshana Koenig

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Emotional, Educational Experience at Five Towns Drug Awareness Event

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ore than 150 people gathered at the Woodmere Fire House last week for an informative evening providing awareness and practical guidance on drug addiction and abuse within the Jewish community.

The event, held on Wednesday, December 14, was arranged by Amudim in conjunction with Project Extreme, The Living Room, the Woodmere Volunteer Fire Department, and the Long Island Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence.

Rabbi Zvi Gluck, director of Amudim, served as the master of ceremonies for the night, speaking briefly about the importance of prevention, both at home and in school, as a deterrent to drug abuse.

Rebecca Glassman of West Hempstead spoke emotionally about her son Ari who died last year of a drug overdose, stressing the need for the Jewish community to wake up to the prevalence of drug use within our circles.

Menachem Poznanski, clinical director of The Living Room, gave a training session on addiction, explaining the progression that takes place when someone becomes a regular drug user and how to cope with the associated challenges.

Reisa Berg, professional development and educational specialist with LICADD, gave an informative presentation on Narcan, showing how the lifesaving drug can be used to reverse

the effects of heroin or opiate overdoses when properly administered.

LICADD distributed 49 Narcan rescue kits free of charge at the event, including both an inhalable and an injectable form of the drug which is now available for civilian use and has been credited with saving dozen of lives within the Jewish community in recent months.

The evening was a tremendous step in a positive direction, said Lisa Loew, one of the event’s organizers.

“It was a fantastic night,” said Loew. “It was an all-hands on-deck team effort of people from all of the different organizations really coming together to put together an enlightening and informative event for the community, the first step in educating the community about what is happening, and what we can do to possibly prevent it from happening or continuing to happen.”

Having proper resources within the Jewish community to deal with challenges is crucial, explained participant Rabbi Boruch Ber Bender, founder and president of Achiezer.

“Any sort of awareness and education regarding these matters is important because you never know whose life will be saved,” said Rabbi Bender. “If an event like this can save even one life, then it is worthwhile.”

Hearing Glassman speak about the death of her son made the information far more real for many, noted

Rabbi Zvi Gluck addressing the crowd

Rabbi Zvi Gluck with Dr. Hylton Lightman

Reesa Berg showing the audience how to use Narcan

Far Rockaway resident Leah Solomon, who said that she was encouraged by the brisk turnout.

“This was very good from an educational standpoint because it made it clear exactly what we are fighting,” said Solomon. “The numbers are very shocking for some, especially when you realize just how many people we have lost who were already in remission.”

Well -nown pediatrician Dr. Hylton Lightman called on the Jewish community to face the fact that we are not immune to drug abuse and to take the necessary steps to deal with that reality.

“We need the community as a whole, more than just a village, to help and assist both families and patients,” said Dr. Lightman “No parent should ever have to bear the guilt of feeling that they failed their child because services weren’t available and there was no one around to give them support, chizuk and guidance. Society at large, the schools and the shuls have to band together to be aware that we, klal Yisroel, have a problem.”

Amudim has already received more than 50 questions about drug abuse and addiction from people living in and around the Five Towns since the event and Gluck hopes that other communities will hold similar programs to educate the public about drug awareness and the use of Narcan. For more information, to obtain Narcan or to plan an event in your community, please email Amudim at events@amudim.org.

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Manhattan Beach Jewish Center, a Sophisticated Venue

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f you are looking for the perfect venue to host your next celebration, look no further. As soon as I saw the newly renovated, incredibly beautiful Manhattan Beach Jewish Center, I knew I found the ideal place for my first daughter’s wedding. This experience was all new to me, and I found it to be quite overwhelming as planning an event takes time, effort, and dedication. However, as soon as I met Benny, the principal of Shaare Zion Catering, and his incredibly professional and tal-

ented staff, I felt calm and assured. I knew I was in the right hands.

I was quite surprised to learn that the prices were fair and affordable for such an elegant ballroom that encapsulates a stylishness and sophistication reminiscent of Manhattan, only closer to home, that can accommodate a 650 guest sit-down dinner.

The menu options are extensive and original. Their talented chefs can create a custom menu tailored to the most discernible pallet. Whether you choose an elaborate Viennese

table or a stunningly plated scrumptious dessert, you can be assured of the attention to detail each course possesses.

Above all, Shaare Zion Catering enjoys the highest standard of kashrus for their gourmet cuisine.

They pleasingly accommodate several communities, and have hosted Ashkenazic, Sephardic, Russian, Israeli, and Persian affairs, all with authenticity and great success.

My dreams were turned into a reality when I saw the distinctive

choices of cutlery, chargers, candelabras, as well as beautiful tables and chairs. We had the choice of working along with the highly skilled décor department, as the ballroom magically transformed to reflect our vision. We felt so special to have the experienced staff in each department dedicate their time and attention to us, ensuring that our celebration was the exceptional and memorable event that we hoped for.

Illuminate: Preparing for Chanukah at Yeshiva University High School for Girls

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n Motzei Shabbat, December 17, Central opened its doors to students and their families for a beautiful pre-Chanukah Melave Malka that demonstrated what makes the warmth of the Central community second to none. Together, over 200 participants explored the significance of the evening’s theme, “Illuminate.”

Director of Student Life Shani Malitzky explains the various facets of “Illuminate” that structured the evening: the centrality of light in our history and tradition, the injunction of the Jewish people to be a “light” among the nations, and the inner light that we all have inside of us.

The evening began with a Chanukah boutique featuring local merchants. Over a scrumptious dairy buffet, everyone enjoyed fantastic performances from our student-run Performing Arts Clubs. We thank the club members for sharing their

talents with us, and we extend a special salute to the club heads who coordinated and, in some cases, crafted the performances: Leora Ciment (‘17) and Gabriella Friedman (‘18) of Choir; Shana Neuhauser (‘17) and Bruria Rabin (‘17) of Dance; Leora Greenberg (‘18) and Bracha Wieder (‘17) of Stomp; and Shlomit Ebbin (‘18) and Avigail Winokur (‘18) of Poetry. Thank you to the Central Parent Council for partnering with us to make this program a success, and thank you to all of the students, faculty, family members, and friends who joined together to make this evening so special.

Says Mrs. Malitzky: “This incredible evening is a testament to the strong community that is only Central. Our student performers shined, reflecting an integral component of our mission to ignite the spark within each and every individual student

– wherever her talents and interests lie.” Head of School Mrs. CB Neugroschl adds, “This program shed new meaning onto the lights of Chanukah for all of us. As we look ahead at the

start of Chanukah this coming Motzei Shabbat, we revel in the luminous accomplishments of our school community, and look forward to continuing to spread the ‘Central light.’”

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Remembering the Yeshiva upon the Shore PHOTO CREDIT: IRA THOMAS CREATIONS

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n the evening of December 10, over 350 members of the HALB family returned to their roots and took a trip down memory lane as they gathered, once more, at HALB’s Long Beach campus. HALB alumni, parents of alumni, past and present HALB teachers, administrators, members of the board of trustees and the women’s league enjoyed a wonderful evening at their “yeshiva upon the shore” as HALB prepares for its transition to its new home in Woodmere.

Those in attendance enjoyed an evening with friends, former teachers, and former classmates, and expressed that they would not have missed the unique opportunity to return to Long Beach to pay tribute to where it all began.

The school gym that once served as a gathering place for Chumash celebrations, assemblies, physical education classes and recess assumed a new dimension as alumni gathered for a memorable reunion. Led by Simmy Weber (HALB ‘76), and with Morah Tzila Schulman at the keyboard, the crowd

sang Galei Hayam, HALB’s alma mater, in heartfelt unison. The evening’s program included remarks by New York State Senator Todd Kaminsky, Mr. Richard Altabe (HALB ‘74), and Shlomo Gottesman (HALB ’77), with

Richie Hagler, HALB’s executive director, as emcee.

Mr. Richard Altabe, HALB’s current lower school principal, recounted his own experiences as a student and described Rabbi Dr. Armin H. Friedman z”l,

HALB’s founding principal, as an exceptional role model who personified impeccable character and exceptional leadership. One of the highlights of the evening was a moving video montage, aptly titled, “A Look Back,” pro-

duced and edited by Doni Joszef (HALB ‘97). Another highlight was Jordana Wertheimer’s (HALB ‘02) outstanding comedy routine, which left the audience in a mix of stitches and tears.

Waves returning to the shore, our graduates returned to Long Beach, many after several decades, to relive indelible memories from their elementary school years. HALB continues to create unforgettable memories with its students, faculty, parents and community, and looks forward to sharing many more milestones and events with its families and alumni.

Many thanks to those who came out, from both near and far, to join us for a wonderful evening. You will forever be a part of the HALB family.

“We will remember, forever more, our yeshiva upon the shore…”

The Jewish Home | DECEMBER 22, 2016

Around the Community The holiday of Chanukah was ushered in at HAFTR’s Early Childhood Center this week by the fabulous performers of the prekindergarten program.

Over 300 guests were thrilled to watch a wonderful performance by the children followed by a Make-It/Take-It where each child created his/her very own chanukiah. The event was livestreamed and watched by family members in three continents.

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Around the Community Dye Dye Yanyu is what was sung at this week’s Learn & Live program. To quote one boy as he was leaving, “This was the best L&L of the year so far.”

For part II of tzoveiah R’ Nochum Dinowitz showed the boys how to tie-dye shirts. Now that’s what we at L&L call hands on! Each boy brought a white shirt ready to be dyed. Gloves and rubber bands were given out and the boys were ready to dye. After a quick demonstration by R’ Dinowitz, the boys soaked their shirts and began dying them with all the many colors that we had. What a colorful week it was!

Thank you Ari Strickman, Shlomo Hyman, Yehoshua Binyomin Dinowitz & Yitzy Waldman for all your help.

For more information about Learn & Live, email us at learnandlivefr@ gmail.com.

What Has Been Called One Of The Best Pesach Programs In The U.S. Has Just Gotten Even Better!

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anya Rosen, the famous nutrition expert, has joined the lineup this year at the Majestic Retreats/Rosen Plaza Pesach in Orlando. Rosen is the owner of Nutrition by Tanya with locations in Flatbush, Boro Park, Williamsburg, Monsey, and Lakewood.

She is also the creator of the Shape Fitness Kosher Workout DVD series, which has been popular for the past seven years. With a regular column in many Jewish publications and a huge social media following both on Facebook and Instagram, Tanya continues to share recipes and tips for healthy living. Over the past 15 years she has been a headliner at various Pesach programs, offering invigorating exercise classes and informative nutrition lectures to guests, and this year she will join the team at Majestic Retreats/Rosen Plaza Pesach in Orlando.

In 2016, Majestic Retreats, the Pesach program owned and operated by brothers Avi & Shnuer Faskowitz, teamed up with Harris Rosen, the owner of multiple Orlando hotels and resorts with over 6,000 rooms, to offer a Pesach program at the Rosen Plaza Hotel. This prime property, which boasts a recent three million dollar kosher kitchen renovation, is a standout among Orlando’s convention/vacation resorts. With a reputation for a high standard of excellence, an impressive meeting space, impeccable in-house staff and grand accommodations, the Rosen Plaza offers a premier Pesach experience.

Guests at the Majestic Retreats/Rosen Plaza Pesach enjoy all day BBQs at the pool, outstanding Pesach cuisine prepared by professional chefs, an amazing tea room, mouthwatering kiddushim, a pack-your-own-lunch store

for chol hamoed excursions, private and communal sedarim, Ashkenaz and Sephard minyanim, a full service spa and fitness center plus 18hole championship golf course, daily and nightly entertainment, tennis, basketball, pool tables, movies, bingo with prizes, a professional funfilled children’s camp, babysitting, play group, daily adult and children activities and programs, daf yomi shiurim, famous entertainers, inspiring scholars and lecturers all in close proximity to fabulous sightseeing and Orlando theme parks.

For the second year in the row, the Majestic Retreats/Rosen Pesach program will be hosted by Elie Y. Katz.

With over 20 years of experience in the food and hospitality industry, Katz once again brings his top notch service-oriented experience to guests of this premier Pesach program. Mr. Katz is currently an owner/investor

of three restaurants located in the New York/New Jersey area and has been a proprietor of a catering business and ten different styles of food establishments. Katz served as the host for the 2016 inaugural Majestic Orlando Passover program and over the last 25 years has worked in various capacities at several Pesach and Sukkos programs.

“Due to last year’s remarkably successful program and the unique relationship we have with the Rosen Family, we are able to offer an amazing program at attractive and affordable rates. The phones have been ringing off the hook!” said Shnuer Faskowitz, owner of Majestic Retreats. Strictest level of kashrus

by ORB. Visit their website at greatpassover.com and or call (718) 9699100 and lock in a great program for you and your family.

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Cooking Contestants Rise to the Chopped Challenge at Gourmet Glatt Sponsored Event

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t may have been cold outside on Monday night, but inside Gourmet Glatt in Cedarhurst things were quite literally sizzling, as three contestants armed with skillets and loads of adrenaline set out to prepare, in just 30 minutes, what they hoped would be the winning dish in the much-anticipated Chanukah Chopped Challenge.

Sponsored by Gourmet Glatt and the Nachum Segal Network, the event was hosted by the inimitable Naomi Nachman, aka the Aussie Gourmet, and will air on her Table for 2 webcast (NSN) (www.nachumsegal.com.) on Fri-

day, December 23, at 9AM. The pressure was on and the clock already ticking as Liz Rosenblatt of Monsey, Rabbi Eli Slomnicki of Great Neck and Stu Vaiselberg of Cedarhurst uncovered their mystery baskets to reveal an unusual (read: weird) combination of ingredients that included steak, marshmallow fluff, duck fat, latke mix, chocolate coins and other daunting delectables. But the three dynamic cooks forged ahead, each one determined to impress the judges with his or her speed and culinary skills.

Sitting on the judges panel were

Nachum Segal, broadcasting personality and president of the Nachum Segal Network; Eitan Bernath, celebrated teen chef; Elan Kornblum, publisher and president, Great Kosher Restaurants; and Elisheva Taitz, well-known foodie and winner of a Gourmet Glatt-sponsored Chanukah recipe contest. The judges evaluated the dishes based on taste, creativity and presentation.

And the winner was … Stu Vaiselberg. Liz Rosenblatt, who completed her dish well before the 30-minute cutoff, came in second.

“In applying for the Chopped Challenge, applicants were asked to explain why they thought they would make good competitors,” said Naomi. “What impressed me about all three contestants was their passion for cooking. And it definitely shone through in their performances.”

Yoeli Steinberg of Gourmet Glatt rose to the occasion as well, Naomi observed. “As usual, he and his staff really went the extra mile to make this community event so enjoyable for everyone involved. I can’t thank them enough.”

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Torah in Action: Yeshiva Darchei Torah Dinner to be Held Jan. 15

Mr. Mordechai Schwartz

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eshiva Darchei Torah will celebrate its 44th anniversary at its annual dinner on January 15th, when it will pay tribute to eight distinguished families from the Yeshiva community.

Mr. & Mrs. Mordechai and Gyla Schwartz Guests of Honor Mordechai and Gyla Schwartz are the proud parents of Esti, Fishel, Tova, Daniella, and Sari. Esti, a TAG graduate, went to Bnos Chava Seminary last year and is currently pursuing a degree at Touro College. Fishel, a talmid of Yeshiva Darchei Torah since Pre-1A, will be completing Mesivta this year. Tova, Daniella, and Sari are each currently TAG students. Mordechai learned at Yeshivas Kol Torah in Eretz Yisroel and at Ner Yisroel in Baltimore. He is an attorney and CPA and works at a trading firm in Manhattan. Mordechai and Gyla support various Torah and chessed mosdos in America and in Eretz Yisroel, and are active in community and school needs.

Mr. & Mrs. Eli and Breindi Amsterdam Parents of the Year Both of Eli and Breindi Amsterdam’s sons are Darchei Torah talmidim: Moshe is in the eleventh grade at Mesivta Chaim Shlomo, and Ari, an alumnus of the Mesivta, is now learning at Beis Medrash Toras Chesed in Lakewood. They have two daughters: Rena is a high school student at Masores Bais Yaakov, and Penina is married to Meir Schattner. The Amsterdams live in Flatbush and daven at Rav Eliezer Dovid Rapaport’s shul, Zichron Avrohom Yaakov, and at Agudath Israel Bais Binyomin.

Eli serves as import director at Outerstuff, a sports apparel manufacturing business. A native of Belgium

Mr. Eli Amsterdam

and Eretz Yisrael, he learned under Rav Boruch Mordechai Ezrachi, shlita, at Ateres Yisroel in Yerushalayim and maintains a strong kesher with his rebbi until today. The Amsterdams have often hosted Rav Ezrachi, and their home has been the site of many shiurim delivered by the Rosh Yeshiva to the men of the community.

The Amsterdams are involved in numerous efforts of tzedakah and chessed – invariably away from the limelight – whether it is Yeshivas Livnas Hasapir/Chush, the Israeli organization Refuah Viyeshua, or the keren tzedakah of their shul, which enables mispallelim in need of financial assistance to be helped in a generous and discreet manner.

Eli is married to the former Breindi Werdiger. Breindi, a devoted mother and grandmother, is a full partner in her husband’s efforts. She is a frequent volunteer for the Satmar Bikur Cholim, whether driving patients to Manhattan hospitals or taking care of other vital needs.

Mr. & Mrs. Shlomo and Blimy Weiss Kesser Shem Tov Award Shlomo and Blimy Weiss’s relationship with Yeshiva Darchei Torah began in 2003, when their son Pesach joined the Yeshiva’s nursery. Pesach was followed five years later by his brother Tzvi, who is now a talmid in Mesivta Chaim Shlomo. The Weisses have taken an active role in the Yeshiva; Shlomo serves as a member of the executive board and Blimy is enthusiastically involved in the Women’s League. They have two daughters, Bella and Malka, who are students at TAG. Shlomo, a native of Flatbush, is the CEO of Millin Associates LLC, a revenue cycle management and software company. Kvius ittim laTorah is the driving force of Shlomo’s day;

Mr. Shlomo Weiss

it begins early with his daily chavrusa and extends to other sedarim that he keeps, including a telephone seder that he has with a chavrusa in Eretz Yisrael. Shlomo, an alumnus of Mercaz Hatorah of Yerushalayim and Torah Vodaath, holds a Bachelor’s degree from Touro College and an MBA from Long Island University.

Blimy, nee Solny, hails from the Upper West Side of Manhattan. A devoted wife and mother, she also dedicates a considerable amount of her time to a variety of chessed projects, including volunteer work for the Bikur Cholim of the Five Towns and Far Rockaway and providing crucial assistance to new mothers.

The Weisses’ Lawrence home is a hub of chessed. They spearhead annual fundraising events on behalf of the Rofeh Cholim Cancer Society (RCCS), a life-saving organization that they are deeply passionate about and on whose board Shlomo serves. He is also involved in other chessed and Torah initiatives, from hachnosas kallah to Yeshiva Shavei Chevron. Shlomo serves on the board of Mesivta Ateres Yaakov, where their son Pesach learns today. The family davens at Heichal Dovid.

Hon. & Mrs. Phil and Esther Goldfeder Hakoras Hatov Award Phil Goldfeder was born and raised in Far Rockaway, where he attended Yeshiva Darchei Torah and the Yeshiva of Far Rockaway.

He studied at Midrash Shmuel in Yerushalayim for two years and later received a degree in Political Science from Brooklyn College.

Phil has spent his entire adult life as a public servant and tireless advocate for our community. Whether as a member of the New York State Assembly from 2011 until this year or in his prior positions in New York City

Hon. Phil Goldfeder

government and the office of United States Senator Charles Schumer, Phil’s integrity and singleminded focus on helping people has earned him well-deserved accolades from across the political spectrum.

Phil’s skills and tenacity were put to the test in countless situations, none more so than during Superstorm Sandy and its aftermath. Most of Phil’s district was devastated by the storm, including his own home and office, yet Phil selflessly focused on the relief efforts and subsequent rebuilding needs of the larger community.

While many of Phil’s accomplishments have been well-documented, many will forever remain unknown, especially the assistance that he provided countless individuals and families in a quiet manner. Phil recently left government to serve as the assistant vice president for government relations at Yeshiva University.

Phil is married to the former Esther Oppenheimer of Woodmere, who graduated from SKA and Touro College with a master’s degree in Mental Health Counseling. She teaches physical education classes at TAG and SKA. They have three children, Eliana, Asher and Gabriel. Asher, following in his father’s footsteps, is a talmid at Yeshiva Darchei Torah.

Also to be honored at the dinner: Rabbi & Mrs. Shmuel and Chana Rochel Witkin, Harbotzas Torah Award; Rabbi & Mrs. Eliezer and Leah Ament, Rebbi of the Year; Mr. & Mrs. Shmuel and Rivky Brudny and Mr. & Mrs. Yosef and Aliza Wartelsky, Alumni Leadership Awards.

To place an ad in the journal, to make dinner reservations or for other information, please call 718.868.2300 ext. 237; email dinner@darchei.org; or visit darchei. org/dinner.

The Jewish Home | DECEMBER 22, 2016

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DECEMBER 22, 2016 | The Jewish Home

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Around the Community

Rejoicing in Your Festivals with SKA’s Production!

PHOTO CREDIT: BKD PHOTOGRAPHY

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he Jewish holidays were so beautifully depicted at this year’s Production of the Stella K. Abraham High School for Girls.

With beautiful harmonies, comical dramas, superbly choreographed dances and an inspiring sign language presentation, this year’s Production set a new standard!

On motzei Shabbat, December 17, Sunday afternoon and Sunday evening, December 18, SKA’s Production cast and crew channeled all their efforts to make this year’s Production one of the most memorable ones ever.

Under the leadership of Mrs. Terri Wagner, SKA’s “First Lady of SKA Theatre,” Mrs. Dani Sudwerts, Dance Coordinator, Mrs. Shana Leben, Choir Coordinator, and Mrs. Suzy Libin, Art and Costumes Director, over 200 students participated in this year’s Production – Vesamachta Bechagecha – Rejoicing in Your Festivals.

The school auditorium was filled with mothers, sisters, aunts grandmothers, teachers, friends, alumnae and eighth grade applicants who watched this

amazing display of talent.

Months of work and practice went into preparing for Production. Students stayed after school perfecting their performances, sometimes individually, but always in the end coming together as a group. As Mrs. Wagner observes, “The finale says it all.

Everyone is on stage together; there are no individual curtain calls. The backstage crew contributed as much as those out front. Close friendships between all the grades are formed.

At rehearsals, everyone watches and cheers!”

Mrs. Helen Spirn, Head of School,

notes, “I am so proud of our students’ creativity, talent, dedication and collaborative effort. Our students sparkled on the stage and behind the scenes.”

Every girl who participated in SKA’s Production ’16, in any way, shone!

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Around the Community

The Great Kindness Challenge at Yeshiva of Central Queens

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community to embrace respect and inclusiveness, key to ending bullying.

The kick off for this program was the nationwide “Mix It Up at Lunch Day” where students are asked to leave their comfort zones and connect with other students they may not otherwise interact with.

During the start of the newest program at YCQ, the junior high school had a moving and serious assembly on ways to keep the JHS a culture of respect and tolerance. Each grade participated in separate sessions on how bullying can be prevented

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

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ullying is an ongoing issue in schools all across America. YCQ has taken steps to address this vital issue head-on by teaching tolerance through a variety of programs. The programs that have been initiated will include the faculty and students working together to create a safe environment for every student to learn in as well as teach students how to problem solve in a healthy way. Two programs are being given tremendous attention in the yeshiva. One program, “Mix It Up,” teaches members of the school

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through kindness. The students were asked to sign a contract that they will work on acts of kindness towards others. In a d’var Torah, Rabbi Mark Landsman connected this topic to the parsha and to certain mitzvot. Mrs. Melissa Maisel, programs advisor, then led an interactive presentation and shared with the students that we are in the process of becoming a “No Place for Hate” school sponsored by the Anti-Defamation League. The students were then introduced to the “Great Kindness Challenge.” Any student “caught” doing a random act of

kindness will receive special recognition. YCQ is focused on making a difference while continuing to help every student feel included. Mrs. Laurie Golubtchik, JHS assistant principal, ended the program with a true story of how one boy was able to save a life through a random act of kindness.

These programs at YCQ have gotten the interest, involvement and recognition from local and state politicians, bringing visits to the yeshiva from Senators Joseph Addabbo, Jr. and Michael Simanowitz.

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Around the Community

Epic Rambam Shiur Shabbaton

By Gavriel Haviv, 11th Grade

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he week of Parshat Vayetzei, Rabbi Aryeh Young took his talmidim on a trip that they’ll surely not forget any time soon. The trip was filled with sports, ruach, cheering, food, and fun!

It all started last Thursday when right after school all the students helped pack up the cars of Rabbi Young and his advisors and we started our trek up to the beautiful mansion in Monsey. Once we got there, we quickly changed into our sports clothes ate some delicious pizza and hopped into the cars and went to the Superdome in Waldwick, New Jersey, to play football and soccer for a few hours. When we got back to the house, we all had the night to relax, go swimming in the indoor pool, and play knee hockey or ping pong.

The next day we had Shacharis followed by a nice breakfast which

included bagels, croissants, and cereal amongst other things. We then went back to Superdome to play more

football and soccer and some optional basketball. Slurpees at 7-Eleven followed and we rushed back to the house to get ready for Shabbos.

Shabbos started with a beautiful Carlebach kabbalat Shabbat led by advisor and Rambam alumnus Eric Grossman. We then had a delicious Friday night meal made by the students’ parents. The meal was filled with z’mirot, d’vrei Torah, and great food. Later that night, after a shiur led by Rabbi Young, we had a tisch filled with more singing of niggunim, desserts and a great d’var Torah by Rabbi Daniel Coren. The rest of the night was filled with a postgame tisch.

The next morning was started with another beautiful Shacharis by Eric Grossman and a nice drasha in the middle by Rabbi Young. Immediately following Mussaf, we davened Minchah, followed by lunch.

The lunch, once again made by the parents, was equally delicious as the meal from the night before. After a few hours of break, we had a tisch by shalosh seudos followed by Ma’ariv and a beautiful havdalah.

Motzei Shabbos festivities started with a fun trip to Sky Zone where talmidim played trampoline dodgeball and volleyball. After which, we drove to Teaneck, NJ, where we en-

tered TABC and we cheered on our team to a 44-40 Varsity win of TABC. After the game, we celebrated with the team at Dougie’s where we ate delicious food. When we got back, we went to the pool, hot tub, played games and overall just had fun.

On our last day, Sunday morning, we davened Shacharis and ate a delicious hot breakfast made by Rebbetzin Young. We then packed up the cars and left the mansion in which so many fun memories were created.

Thank you to everyone who lained, gave d’vrei Torah, davened for the amud, were in charge of tournaments, etc. Thank you to all advisors who drove us all over the place, created actual bonds with us, kept everything organized and were overall awesome. Thank you to all 11B parents who a) let their children come on the trip and made it awesome, and b) made delicious food that all the kids enthusiastically enjoyed.

And last, but certainly not least, a HUGE thank you to Rabbi Young who made the whole trip happen by organizing all the fun events, the advisors, the food, the trips, etc. We all appreciate it and we greatly thank you.

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Around the Community

“Torah is Uniting Us and Raising the Bar as Never Before” Two Prominent Rabbonim Talk about the Unprecedented Increase in Torah Learning in Our Time

By Yosef Sosnow

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ne of the most heartwarming, noteworthy transformations of our time is the tremendous increase in Torah learning that we are witnessing across the length and breadth of the Torah observant public.

The amount of Torah being learned and the yedias haTorah in all areas of Torah, even masechtos and areas of Torah that were once deemed obscure, is mindboggling.

Rav Shmuel Choueka, shlita, Rav of Congregation Ohel Simcha of Deal for more than thirty years, is a popular rav and maggid shiur who has seen the transformation of his community occurring right before his eyes. Similarly, Rav Zev Smith, shlita, a popular maggid shiur with Irgun Shiurei Torah and Dirshu, has witnessed the phenomenal thirst for Torah learning by all segments of the Torah observant public. They both shared their perspectives on what lies behind this Torah revolution and how we can further harness its power to spread limud haTorah, knowledge of Torah, and halacha in unprecedented ways.

From One Daily Minyan and Shiur to a Minimum of Six Minyanim!

“I have been here in Deal, NJ for over 33 years,” Rav Choueka explains, “and I can definitively say that things have radically changed, drastically changed in my community. It is not an exaggeration to say that with regard to Torah study there has been a total turnaround! When we started our minyan we had one daily minyan and one shiur in Gemara. I remember trying, in the early years, to start a halacha shiur in the morning after Shacharit but it didn’t last. There simply was not enough interest. Today we are a major shul with a minimum of six daily minyanim for Shacharit as well as numerous shiurim and learning programs throughout the day, including Daf Yomi in Talmud Bavli and Daf HaYomi B’Halacha.”

When asked to what he attributes the explosion in Torah learning in the

community, Rav Choueka responds, “There are a number of contributing factors, but without a doubt the Deal Kollel, led by HaGaon HaRav Shlomo Diamond, shlita, has had a colossal impact on the spiritual landscape of the entire community. Before the kollel opened there was minimal rigorous learning in town. We were really a small town that was spiritually raw.

The avreichim who moved into town brought with them a culture and ruach of learning. Today we have more than one kollel plus a yeshiva and hundreds of avreichim.”

Pre-Moshiach Access to Torah Rav Zev Smith enthusiastically points out that the increase in Torah learning among all segments of the observant population is an extremely gratifying development. He relates, “The Gemara says, ‘What should a person do to save himself from the birth pangs of Moshiach?’ The Gemara replies, ‘He should engage in Torah and gemilas chassadim.’ There has never been a generation like ours where it is so easy to learn Torah. There are so many learning programs, so many shiurim, so many ways to access Torah… It is clear that as we get closer to Moshiach Hashem wants to ensure that no Jew will be left behind. We all must be ready for him and Hashem is therefore giving us opportunities on a silver platter to access limud HaTorah in ways that did not exist in prior generations. Similarly, our generation has taken to chessed in a remarkable fashion.”

Easier to Learn, yet Harder?

Rav Smith, however, cautions that with every bracha there is always a counterforce. “One gadol told me that it has never been easier to learn than in our generation but at the same time it has never been harder! Yes, there are so many opportunities, so many shiurim, so many ways to tap into the power of limud haTorah, but there are simultaneously so many distractions, so many enticements that make it difficult to focus. I will give you an example. Recently I was giving a shiur and a

HaRav Zev Smith addressing the Dirshu World Siyum in 2015

person arrived late. I noticed him slip in. Later, during the course of the shiur he asked a question on what I had said in the shiur earlier before he had even arrived! I asked him, ‘How did you know what I said before you arrived?’ He replied, ‘I was stuck in traffic so I dialed Kol Halashon and heard the first part of the shiur live while in my car.’ Nevertheless, that same phone that enabled him to listen to the shiur can, in seconds, bring a person to she’ol tachtis….”

“Another unbelievable development in recent years,” continues Rav Smith, “is the fact that baalei batim, people who are not full time learners, are shteiging in unprecedented ways.

In times of old, it was rare to see the level of scholarship and dedication among those who weren’t full time learners. Today one sees it all over.”

Making Torah One’s “Business” “I think,” points out Rav Smith, “that one of the reasons is that there are many structured learning programs available today that really enable a dedicated person to shteig.

We say in birchas haTorah ‘la’asok b’divrei Torah.’ One of the meforshim states that we have to make an esek, a business, out of our Torah learning.

Just like in business you have a model, you have accountability, so too when it comes to our Torah learning. It is not enough just to go to a shiur. We should have a program to follow that enables us to become talmidei chachomim.

I think the numerous programs that are out there today have enhanced the learning of both full time learners as well as baalei batim empowering

them to reach levels of Torah learning that once seemed impossible.”

Raising the Bar! Rav Choueka points out another related development in town that has had a far reaching impact. “There is a far greater awareness of halacha today than there was in the past. I have been delivering a weekly halacha shiur for 32 years – it is the longest running shiur in the community. In that shiur we have covered virtually every area of practical halacha. Even though halacha has always been part and parcel of our learning as the years go by we nevertheless have been finding much greater receptiveness to practicing halacha with all of its details and didukim.

“I must say that another turning point in our community was the institution of a daily Daf HaYomi B’Halacha shiur that, baruch Hashem, has robust participation. I give the shiur every day after Shacharit. The shiur began two years ago after I attended the Dirshu Convention. This shiur has injected accountability into the mix. With Daf HaYomi B’Halacha you don’t skip anything. You learn and review for the test. The fact that it is a program that doesn’t stop, that is relentless, is amazing! It means no matter what is going on in your life, a wedding, a late night, there is the ol, the yoke of the shiur. Every shiur counts.”

Rav Choeuka concludes, “If I had to encapsulate the Torah revolution both here in Deal and all over America, I would say, Torah study is uniting us and raising the bar as never before!”

The Jewish Home | DECEMBER 22, 2016

Around the Community Irwin Gershon of UJA-Federation gave a presentation to the executive directors of local yeshivas in the Five Towns and Far Rockaway at Yeshiva Darchei Torah. He presented an overview of UJAFederation and how the local community directly benefits from their work.

He also discussed the UJA Day School Challenge Fund, a program designed to incentivize the development and growth of school endowments.

Young Israel of Long Beach Annual Concert

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he Young Israel of Long Beach will be holding their annual Scholarship Concert on Motzei Shabbos, January 7, 2017 at 8:00 PM. It will take place at the new Long Beach Hotel, 405 East Broadway, Long Beach, New York. The concert will feature the renowned musical entertainer Mordechai Schapiro who will entertain the audience with his vast repertoire of popular and Chassidic Jewish music.

The Young Israel of Long Beach is the cornerstone of the Orthodox Jewish Long Beach community and is led

by Rabbi Dr. Chaim Wakslak.

Rabbi Wakslak and Joseph Langer, a past shul president, conceptualized this scholarship concert twenty years ago. Since that time, the proceeds from this scholarship concert has allowed many local community youngsters to attend yeshiva and/or overnight summer

camps. Eleven years ago, following the untimely p’tirah of Robert Chiger, z”l, a young vibrant member of the congregation, it was decided that his memory would be most appropriately perpetuated by re-naming this scholarship fund The Robert Chiger Scholarship Fund. Bob had a unique connection to the youth of the synagogue and cared for their religious and character development. He was also a strong proponent of the YILB youth and sports programs. This concert is strongly supported each year

by Beth Chiger and Neil Sambrowsky and Beth’s children Michele & Eric Ehrenhaus, Andrea & Ariel Gantz, Elliot & Chana Chiger, and David & Rachel Chiger.

General admission tickets can be purchased for $30. For further information or to order tickets please call (646)285-5301; (516) 431-9715; or go online at www.yilb.org.

“Every child needs to feel like he belongs and is properly cared for as a person, not just as a student.”

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Around the Community

State Senator Todd Kaminsky Visits MAY

Senator Kaminsky touring MAY’s expansion construction site (which will house its new gymnasium)

Senator Kaminsky addressing the senior class

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ast Tuesday, State Senator Todd Kaminsky visited Mesivta Ateres Yaakov and met with the senior class. Senator Kaminsky spoke about his life in politics, from being an assistant district attorney and then a federal prosecutor, through his tenure as assemblyman, and now state senator. He focused on his mission to fight corruption in Albany, his love for Israel, and his concern for his community and constituency.

Students were engaged throughout the presentation which concluded with questions from the audience.

The multitude of questions included queries about Senator Kaminsky’s view on term limits, his aspirations and ambitions in politics, and the financial strain on Orthodox Jewish families paying yeshiva tuitions.

“Our students are very knowledgeable and interested in politics

Rabbi Yirmi Lasker, Rabbi Mordechai Yaffe, Senator Kaminsky, Rabbi Sam Rudansky, Rabbi Moshe Brandsdorfer, and Rabbi Yossi Bennett

and our political system,” commented General Studies Principal Rabbi Sam Rudansky. “This audience provided for them a venue to ask some hard-hitting, serious questions that interest them. I think Senator Kamin-

sky satisfied them with his positions and responses.”

Senator Kaminsky also had the opportunity to survey the progress of the yeshiva’s campus expansion project, a project the senator has

supported.

MAY would like to thank its Director of Development, Rabbi Moshe Brandsdorfer, for making all the arrangements for this visit.

Orthodox Union to Sponsor Day of Torah & More

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he Orthodox Union, the umbrella organization for American Orthodox Jewry, will present an unprecedented day of Torah, learning, inspiration and more.

The full-day program for both men and women will be held indoors at New York’s Citi Field, Sunday, January 15, from 8:45 am - 6:15 pm. The event will feature representatives from all walks of Orthodox Jewish life for a meaningful conversation about halacha (Jewish Law), Tanach (the Jewish

Bible), hashkafa (Moral and Ethical Code) and Israel.

A key component of this effort is introducing dimensions of Torah study that speak to each individual.

From kashrut, women and Torah, to conversion and the role Judaism may play in American politics today, these topics and many others will be part of the dialogue for people to engage in, learn about and question.

Among the speakers are Rabbi Yonason Sacks, Mina Glick, Rabbi Sha-

lom Rosner, Rabbi Menachem Genack and many more.

This program is a milestone for the OU, as the organization expands its focus to provide opportunities for Jews to explore the knowledge and inspiration behind their religious observance.

Since 1898, the OU has provided countless services: from facilitating halachic observance through its ubiquitous kashrus certification, to serving as the Orthodox community’s advocate on both federal and state govern-

ment levels, from offering educational outreach for thousands to providing inclusion programming for the disabled.

Attendees are welcome to attend any part or all of the event. Admittance is $18, with free parking and kosher food available for purchase. The Day of Torah is being held indoors at Citi Field Convention Center, Queens, NY, on Sunday, January 15, 2017.

Register at ou.org/citi.

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HAFTR Invites Madraigos to Parent Awareness Night for Substance Abuse

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AFTR High School invited Madraigos to lead a Parent Awareness event on Monday evening, December 5, to discuss the topic of substance abuse. Madraigos and HAFTR have enjoyed a mutually beneficial partnership over the past number of years, and this event put the fruits of their relationship on full display.

Rabbi Gedaliah Oppen, principal of Judaic Studies at HAFTR, stressed the relevance and importance of this topic to all parents of high school students and conveyed to parents that substance abuse prevention is about creating a culture of open dialogue.

An educational video with medical commentary gave a visual depiction of the dynamics of drug abuse. Both Rabbi Oppen’s remarks and the video set a serious tone for the evening and led seamlessly into the evening’s main addresses.

The first address was given by noted speaker and community advocate Mr. Menachem Poznanski. Mr. Poznanski, clinical director of The Living Room,

is an experienced professional who works daily with addicts and drug dependent individuals. Mr. Poznanski identified and defined terms such as dependency, addiction, and substance abuse. He clarified these terms and concepts, placing careful emphasis on the differences between “use” and “abuse,” “dependency” and “addiction.” He also outlined other important ideas, such as predisposition to addiction, and environmental and psychological risk factors. The presentation was both educational from a theoretical standpoint and useful from a practical standpoint. Mr. Poznanski addressed real-life warning signs and gave pointers for communicating with teenagers about the topic in a variety of circumstances.

Following Mr. Poznanski’s address, HAFTR parents heard from a second keynote speaker, Mrs. Chanie Delman, clinical director of Madraigos. Mrs. Delman is a highly regarded professional with extensive experience working in the field of substance abuse, specifically with teenagers and

Rabbi Gedaliah Oppen makes introductory remarks to the parent body

their parents. Mrs. Delman’s approach to the topic focused on the critical importance of cultivating a relationship with one’s teenage child. She touched upon a wide range of skills including engagement with one’s teen, empathetic listening, validation and attentiveness. The challenge of building trust while maintaining appropriate boundaries and structure was a theme that ran throughout the address. Mrs. Delman’s relatable style and nuanced discussion of sensitive issues was engaging and thought provoking.

The final part of the evening was a question and answer session, moderated by Assistant Principal Mr. Josh-

ua Wyner, in which parents were able to direct questions towards a panel consisting of Mr. Poznanski, Mrs. Delman, and Rabbi Oppen. The questions touched upon topics ranging from state legalization of recreational marijuana to negative Jewish cultural phenomena, such as excessive drinking at Kiddush Clubs. The insights shared were of great value to the participants.

For more information about Madraigos School Based Workshops please contact Chanie Delman, LCSW, at (516) 371-3250 x 107 or email cdelman@madraigos.org.

Yeshiva University High School for Boys Receives $1 Million in Celebration of Its Centennial

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n honor of the centennial celebration of The Marsha Stern Talmudical Academy/Yeshiva University High School for Boys (YUHSB), Hyman Arbesfeld has made a $1 million gift to establish the Abraham Arbesfeld Scholarship Fund, named in honor of his late father.

Arbesfeld is a YU Guardian and a Benefactor and vice chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary (RIETS). He has a long, personal history with YU. In 1945, Arbesfeld entered YUHSB, encouraged by his father to study Torah rather than attend The Bronx High School of Science, which was Arbesfeld’s first choice. As a scholarship recipient, he was so grateful for the opportunity to attend that he never missed a day of high school in four years, feeling that it was his duty to make the best use of the support given

to him.

“I was lucky enough to go through my entire YU education, from high school to RIETS, supported by scholarships,” said Arbesfeld. “I made this gift in honor of my father because without his encouragement and love, I would not have had the rich Jewish life that I have been so fortunate to lead. This gift will reassure families that they can send their sons to the high school without worrying about tuition, just the way my scholarships reassured my father.”

After graduating from YUHSB in 1949, Arbesfeld went on to attend Yeshiva College and received semicha [ordination] from RIETS. He and his wife Ann have established the Benjamin and Rose Berger Kollel Fellowship at RIETS (in honor of Ann’s parents) and two study groups, the Abraham Arbesfeld Kollel Yom Rishon program

for men and the Millie Arbesfeld Midreshet Yom Rishon program for women.

“With the school’s centennial in full swing and a new university president coming on board, I felt this was the perfect time to pay YU back for everything it had given to me,” said Arbesfeld. “I also want the gift to inspire everyone who has ever benefited from scholarship support to step up and, as the Jews say about charity,

‘give until it makes you feel good’.”

Rabbi Joshua Kahn, head of school at YUHSB, added, “This gift enables us to provide our excellent all-around education and unique experience to all families, regardless of their financial circumstances.”

To learn more about the centennial or to support Yeshiva University High School for Boys, visit yuhsb.org/ centennial.

“And I’m not one to talk; I always need some kind of chocolate after dinner every night!”

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The Jewish Home | OCTOBER 29, 2015

TJH C Supphanukah leme nt

dkepg orkiliixt ` Thoughts on Chanukah

4

When the Going Gets Tough, The Jew Gets Going

by Eytan Kobre

6 8

Chanukah Presence

by Rabbi Jonathan Gewirtz Celebrating the Jewish Festival of Hakunahc

by Rabbi YY Rubinstein

Halacha

12

When to Light the Chanukah Menorah

Stories of Inspiration

16 23

Chanukah in Bergen-Belsen

by Rabbi Yerachmiel Tilles Lighting up the Darkness

by Malky Lowinger

A Bit of Good Humor

38

Chanukah in Vegas

by Jon Kranz

In the Kitchen

18 28

30 34

Light up the Nights Party Ideas TJH Speaks with Daniella Silver, Author of Silver Platter, Simple Elegance A Chanukah of Simple Elegance Buttery Potato Latkes

by Naomi Nachman

11

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DECEMBER 22, 2016 | The Jewish Home

The Jewish Home | DECEMBER 22, 2016

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DECEMBER 22, 2016 | The Jewish Home

Between the Lines

When the Going Gets Tough, The Jew Gets Going

By Eytan Kobre

There is no education like adversity.

- Benjamin Disraeli

T

he founders of Kinkos and JetBlue, the COO of Goldman Sachs, and the CEOs of Virgin Atlantic Airlines and Cisco all enjoy unparalleled professional success, wealth, and power.

But social scientists like Malcom Gladwell and Angela Duckworth identify another, lesser-known commonality: dyslexia. As it turns out, people with learning disabilities comprise a disproportionately high percentage of “highly-successful” business personalities because adversity breeds success. People facing adversity garner a deeper sense of appreciation for opportunity and success because they have had to fight vigorously to achieve both.

So it is in matters of the spirit.

Adversity draws one closer to G-d (Tanchuma, Ki Seitzei 2), and the Torah endures only when learned and observed under trying circumstances (Yalkut Shimoni, Koheles 968; Sota 21b). Inasmuch as G-d sends adversity our way “to afflict [us] and to challenge [us], to do good for [us],” adversity serves a dual purpose – it afflicts us, but it also challenges us to become better (Chofetz Chaim, Devarim 8:16). Difficult life tests cata-

pult us to meet those challenges, and perhaps that is why we are “to bless adversity just as [we] bless the good” (Berachos 54a; see Shabbos 13b) because, in the end, it is adversity that brings out our best. As Albert Einstein observed, “Adversity introduces a man to himself.”

The robust Jewish mafia in preWorld War II Lodz was comprised of individuals who, by and large, led lives antithetical to Torah mores and ideals. When the Nazis, ym”sh, invaded the city, they seized Torah scrolls and unrolled them alongside an open sewage line, ordering the Jews to dig mud from the adjacent sewer onto the scrolls. To break their spirit further, the Nazis singled out the leader of the Jewish mafia to begin the abominable act.

But the man refused.

“Do it or we will shoot you!” the Nazis barked.

Yet the man remained defiant. “I will not desecrate G-d’s book in this way.” He opened his shirt and told the Nazis to shoot him if they wanted. And they did.

Rav Shach often marveled at this story. This man’s entire life was contrary to a Torah lifestyle, but when his tenuous connection to that Torah was challenged, he did not hesitate to sacrifice his life for it.

Jewish parents bless their sons to be like Ephraim and Menashe –

not the other tribes, not like Moshe or Aharon, and not like Avraham or Yitzchak or Yaakov – because only Ephraim and Menashe grew up in a morally-bankrupt, Egyptian society (Bereishis 41:50-52). Challenged in exile, they did not stray – they flourished. Adversity brought out the best in them, and we wish the same for our children. Not to cower in the face of adversity, but to own it and use it and grow from it.

It is this tendency to rise in the face of adversity that explains why the Jewish people were required to leave open one side of cities they besieged, so as to permit the enemy to retreat (Bamidbar 31:7 and Sifri ad loc.; Ramban’s Commandments Omitted by Rambam, No. 5).

Not only merciful, this practice also achieved a clever military objective because a cornered enemy, rising to overcome adversity, is likely to fight even more vigorously (Meshech Chochma, Bamidbar 31:7). We give our enemies an “out” because we recognize that the alternative would result in more formidable opposition.

Chanukah celebrates the Jewish penchant for turning challenges into successes.

We thank G-d “for the miracles, for the redemption, for the mighty deeds, for the salvations, and for the wars.” Now, it’s easy to understand

our appreciation for the miracles, the redemption, the mighty deeds, and the salvation. But the wars? For all the world’s clamoring that the Jews are aggressors, we are not belligerent or bloodthirsty, nor are we particularly fond of wars.

Yet it was the wars that brought out our A-game.

Under Hellenistic influence, we lost excitement for the Torah and its laws (Bach, Orach Chaim 670); our appreciation even for the most basic commandments through which we are identified – Shabbos, bris mila, rosh chodesh – had lost its luster. But then the Greeks waged war against us to abolish these and other core components of our Jewish essence.

Suddenly, we had to fight for the very things we held dear but perhaps had taken for granted. Only then did we grasp just how important these things are.

The military victory came and went, and, before long – only about 100 years later – the Maccabee-ruled state already had lost its independence to Roman hegemony. But the war had sparked the Jews to fight for those things we hold dear, and it restored our deep appreciation for Torah and Jewish identity. In that sense, the war truly is cause for thanks (Pri Tzaddik, Chanukah).

Indeed, we are no strangers to adversity, and that has kept us going

The Jewish Home | DECEMBER 22, 2016

even in our darkest times.

It was Chanukah in Bergen-Belsen and, of course, there was no oil, no candle, no menorah, no food, no nothing. Still, the inimitable Jews managed to craft a makeshift menorah from a wooden clog, a thread from a concentration camp uniform, and contraband shoe polish. Chanukah would still have its light, if only for a brief moment.

The first night, the Bluzhover Rebbe lit the improvised menorah and recited the first two blessings in a festive melody tinged with sorrow and pain. But before reciting the third blessing, he paused and scanned the room. Turning again to the menorah, in a stronger and more purposeful voice, he recited the third blessing. Blessed are You our G-d, King of the Universe, Who has kept us alive, preserved us, and allowed us to reach this occasion.

One of the assembled pushed his way to the Rebbe. “How can you

thank G-d for allowing us to reach such a terrible occasion? This is ‘keeping us alive’? For this you thank G-d?”

The Rebbe nodded knowingly.

“Like you, I hesitated before reciting the third blessing. But then I saw

to thank G-d.”

As with the wars in Chanukah of old, it was an existential challenge that had brought out our best. * * * The inset iconic image – a snapshot of frightening times not long

“How can you thank G-d for allowing us to reach such a terrible occasion? This is ‘keeping us alive’? For this you thank G-d?”

throngs of my fellow Jews willing to sacrifice their meager existence to be here, their faces full of faith and devotion. And I realized that if I am blessed to see people who maintain hope in the face of such dire circumstances that alone is reason enough

ago – is a testament to this idea. The pictured menorah belonged to Rabbi Akiva Boruch and Rachel Posner of Kiel, Germany. They never hesitated to denounce the Nazi regime, and their deliberate placement of the menorah staring down a Nazi banner

Wishing you a y il m a f r u o y d n a ‫און פריי‬ ‫ליכע חנוכה‬

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was the ultimate act of defiance, as were the words Rachel inscribed on the back of the original photograph: Hanukkah, 5692. ‘Judea dies,’ thus says the banner. ‘Judea will live forever,’ thus respond the lights.

We are fortunate to live, for now, in times of relative peace and tranquility for the practice of Judaism.

And yet the message of Chanukah endures. Ironically, it is precisely when we can practice our religion freely that we often fail to evoke the same commitment as when persecuted. Chanukah challenges us to search ourselves and commit – not to overcome oppression, as in the past, but to a more subtle, though no less intense, expression of spiritual resolve.

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

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From All of U

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Early Intervention Makes A Difference

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DECEMBER 22, 2016 | The Jewish Home

The Observant Jew

Chanukah Presence

By Rabbi Jonathan Gewirtz

W

hen they give you your handbook for being a parent, one of the key pieces of information (aside from the minimum daily requirement of embarrassing your children whenever you open your mouth) is that your job includes acting as a snooze button.

“Time to wake up sweetie,” is invariably responded to with, “Ten more minutes, please!” Well, that’s not always the response. Sometimes it’s, “Nooooooo!” or “I’m not going.” But the “come back soon” is a common refrain.

One morning, my daughter asked, “Please rub my back for two minutes.” Now, I could think of three other things I could have been doing at that moment and my initial reaction was to say no. But then I caught myself and rubbed her back. True, there were other things I could be doing, but could they be done later? How important or earth-shaking were they anyway?

As I stood there, I realized that the time I gave my daughter, rubbing her back and simply loving her unconditionally, would go much farther than most other things. It would affect her self-esteem, her memories of her childhood, and probably how she will act as a mother in the future, G-d-willing. Me simply being there for her was one of the most important gifts I could give her, hence the title of this piece, “Chanukah Presence.”

It sounds cliché to say that the greatest gift you can give is your time, but it’s really true. You can buy things for people but if the underlying message is, “Here’s a thing to take my place” then it’s no gift at all.

Historically, people said they were working to give their kids the things they didn’t have growing up, but

is not for each person to light his own menorah, but “ner ish u’baiso,” a single, unified light for each home.

It’s a time for unity and a time for thought. Chanukah “parties” distract us from the purpose of Chanukah: that we’re supposed to build a Chanukah presence, that we are supposed to be present in each mo-

Go and enjoy your parties, but focus on G-d, not the gelt .

they ended up not giving the kids what they needed most: love, time, and a sense of value. When you give your time to someone, you’re saying that there is nothing in the world at this moment more important than the bond between the two of us.

If you think about it, it’s so powerful. We don’t often stop and take the time to think, but Chanukah is one of those times when we do have to stop. Where else do you find a mandatory non-work period of thirty minutes? For half an hour after you light those candles, you are supposed to stop and think. Reflect on the glow not only of the flames, but of the connections and people in your life. The basic requirement

ment and appreciate the kindness and miracles of Hashem. Go and enjoy your parties, but focus on G-d, not the gelt; on the people, not the presents; on your friends, and not the fried foods.

It struck me that the miracle we retell was that the oil that should only have lasted one night lasted for eight nights. Even though Hashem changed the essence of the physical oil so it burned more slowly (according to some), the days and nights continued to fly by at their normal pace. Part of the lesson is that time marches on and if you don’t fill it with goodness that moment is lost, never to be returned.

The rededication of the miz-

be’iach, the altar, was another primary facet of the miracle of Chanukah. To me, that represents a refocusing of our energies to where they can matter. The altar was a place for korbanos, things that brought us closer to Hashem, and Hashem to us. On Chanukah, we should also seek out what draws us closer and improves the important relationships in our lives, both with our Father in Heaven and His children here on Earth.

This Chanukah, let’s learn the lessons to fill each day with goodness, igniting people’s souls with love and appreciation of their own intrinsic potential for greatness, and rededicate ourselves to being present in the moment, whatever we’re doing.

That will be the greatest gift of all.

Jonathan Gewirtz is an inspirational writer and speaker whose work has appeared in publications around the world. You can find him at www.facebook. com/RabbiGewirtz, and follow him on Instagram @RabbiGewirtz or Twitter @ RabbiJGewirtz. He also operates JewishSpeechWriter.com, where you can order a custom-made speech for your next special occasion. Sign up for the Migdal Ohr, his weekly PDF Dvar Torah in English. E-mail info@JewishSpeechWriter. com and put Subscribe in the subject.

The Jewish Home | DECEMBER 22, 2016

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DECEMBER 22, 2016 | The Jewish Home

Another L

k

Celebrating the Jewish Festival of Hakunahc

By Rabbi YY Rubinstein

I

n an interview with a newspaper, the famous chief justice of the U.S. Supreme Court, Earl Warren, said that he always likes to read the newspaper starting at the back first and then make his way to the front page. When the journalist conducting the interview asked him the inevitable question, “Why?” he explained that the back of the paper contains all the sports news. “The sports news reports and celebrates people’s achievements and victories.

The headlines and stories on the front page reports nothing but people’s failures and defeats.”

My close friend, Rabbi Dr. Dovid Gottlieb of Yerushalayim told me a story once that echoed a similar theme. He once went to his Rebbe, the late Bostoner Rebbe, zt”l, and posed a question to him. Baalei mussar often have the practice of taking a few minutes to reflect on their day and how it went before saying Shema and going to sleep.

He wanted to know from his Chassidishe Rebbe if he should adopt this Litvishe minhag.

The Rebbe considered for a few

moments and replied that indeed he considered this an excellent minhag to adopt but added the caveat: “As long as you start with your achievements first!”

Everyone knows that one day we will be standing in front of the beis din shel maaleh. Everything we have done will be read from a book or perhaps, using today’s imagery, we will have to watch the video of our lives.

I always cringe at the thought of viewing, “Y Y Rubinstein, the Movie,” unless, of course, they let you watch with a delete button to press, but I somehow doubt that.

But much more than the pain and embarrassment I will certainly feel watching all my mistakes and disasters in high definition, 3D, and accompanied by surround sound, I suspect it will be much worse of the show is in two parts ... and they show the best bits first.

After that, I will have to see all the worst bits. I will inevitably be forced to ask myself, “If you could achieve and do all that, why on earth did you let yourself down and do all that other stuff?”

Looking back at the Chanukah story, it might be helpful to start at the end of the story with the miracle of the oil, and that would make it a festival we’ll call Hakunahc. Something occurred that defied all the laws of science and the oil burned for eight days. That miracle was a smile and a wink from Shamayim that the spark of the Jewish soul will never be extinguished. Of course it only burst into flame, says the Bach in the Tur Shulchan Aruch, when the possessors of that soul rekindled it with real passion. It was precisely that passion that had dimmed and caused a darkness to travel from Greece to try to snuff out the faltering flame.

But what of all the Jews who actually allowed that flame to falter, gutter and fail? What if they could have read the back page of the news first and see the Jews victorious? Their reaction to the new “enlightenment” that arrived when Alexander the Great took possession of Jerusalem and Eretz Yisroel would have been utterly different. They too would yearn for

a delete or rewind switch as they asked themselves, “Why on earth did you let yourself down and do all that other stuff?”

Of course there is no festival of “Hakunahc” – only Chanukah. The story starts in darkness and moves towards the light. But those lights only burn bright for those who will not allow the ephemeral to replace the eternal and the darkness to displace the light. Those flames only shine for those who see the news on front page first and no matter how depressing and disheartening remain convinced that in the end there will be achievement and victory.

For the Jewish people there would be many Chanukah stories. New empires and enlightenments would spring up through the millennia and threaten, over and over, to snuff out the flame of Yiddishkeit. All would fail, leaving a truly eternal flame shining from Heaven. Those other Jews who allowed the flame to Continued on page 10

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The Jewish Home | DECEMBER 22, 2016

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DECEMBER 22, 2016 | The Jewish Home

go out, sometimes tens, sometimes hundreds of thousands, would find themselves wishing they had not been so eager to embrace the ephemeral and abandon the eternal.

In the lead up to the outbreak of the First World War Germany sought to displace the world’s premier power by challenging it where it reigned supreme, on the high seas. Great Britain’s empire relied on the sea-lanes to keep it supplied.

The British had developed a new type of battleship, the Dreadnought to maintain its supremacy.

The Germans sought to match it with one of their own.

I recall seeing a picture of the Kaiser walking confidently through the shipyard that was building the new class of battleship beside its proud owner. The owner was a Jew. He was not the only Jew who was proud to belong to the German Empire. And if they had to reject their Jewishness to embrace their German-ness, they believed that was an exchange well

worth making. Later, they too would wish they had learned better the story of Chanukah and had a rewind or delete switch to press.

Jews suffering under the rule of the Kaiser’s cousin, the Czar of Russia, saw another new enlightenment that was worthy of their passion being diverted away from the old faith.

Millions of Russian lives would be lost to this new dawn. Millions of Jewish lives would grow very dark indeed. Other Jews, like those before who joined with the Greeks, tried to extinguish the Jewish flame forever.

After the Second World War there would be other enlightenments that darkened countless Jewish lives, but once again their promise would falter and fail leaving that eternal Jewish flame and those who kindle and keep it shining still.

There is an aspect of the first Chanukah that makes it unique among all the four exiles that Yaakov was

shown in the prophetic message of the angels going up and down the ladder. The other three exiles took place outside the Lvand of Israel.

The Chanukah story took place inside our ancient land.

One of my students recently sent me a copy of his great grandfather’s book, which he wrote in 1961. He had been a passionate lover of the Land of Israel and went to live there shortly after the founding of the State. In the book he made a challenging observation: “Secular Zionism suffered from three ailments, which derived from one source: self-denial through imitation of non-Jewish ways of doing things.

These aliments infected the Jewish State too.

“These ailments were: a) Borrowed Model of Economics; b) Borrowed Democracy; and c) Borrowed Clerical Systems.”

I am not sure what the writer’s precise objections were to each category, although Aristotle was cer-

tainly highly critical of democracy, a Greek system of government.

But it was his next sentence that caught my eye. “How strange and alien to the Jewish people is this lack of originality.”

It is only the original belief of the Jewish people that has stood the test of time, and as we are talking about Jews, that means a time scale of three and half thousand years. It is only those who have stood resolutely by the flame and kept it burning that have witnessed it spring back to life, no matter how hard people have tried to put it out. And it is only that sort of Jew, who never gave up, no matter how much the news looked bleak and depressing, who were rewarded by a smile and a wink from heaven while others regretted and yearned for a rewind or delete button.

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

The Jewish Home | DECEMBER 22, 2016

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DECEMBER 22, 2016 | The Jewish Home

Halachically

Speaking

When to Light the Chanukah Menorah

By Rabbi Moishe Dovid Lebovits

M

any people work late, especially in the kashrus world where mashgichim go to distant plants, the question arises as to what they should do about lighting Chanukah candles. Some activities are prohibited once the time to light arrives (i.e. eating and working). If so, how can one still be at work at this time? What time is the best time to light and should one make it his business to come home early during Chanukah so that he can light at the proper time? These issues and others will be addressed in this article.

LEARNING, EATING, WORKING, ETC. BEFORE LIGHTING Once the time to light the menorah arrives, it is forbidden to learn,1 eat, or do other activities. Eating is forbidden a half-hour before. One who started within this time must stop, but if he started before this time, he may continue. “Eating” applies to a shiur of a meal of mezonos or more than a kebeitzah of bread. If one is not eating mezonos as a meal

it is permitted. One can eat fruit and drink (except wine) as much as he wishes. According to some poskim, women who do not light themselves do not have this restriction. However, the custom is to be stringent if she is not weak.

Based on the above, some poskim suggest that one should leave before the half-hour of the time to light arrives, but this is difficult. In most cases, one need not leave work early. First of all, the only concern is that one might become engrossed in his work. A salaried worker, who works from nine to five, need not be concerned about this. Although the Rama says that one should be careful, one can be lenient when he has to work. Furthermore, one can appoint a shomer who is not working to remind him to light. Additionally, since the work session began long before the time to light, there is no need to stop working once the time for lighting has arrived.

THE TIME TO LIGHT The opportune time to light Cha-

nukah candles is at shkiah. (This is the custom in Eretz Yisrael for those who go in accordance with the Gra.) Some of the poskim say that this does not mean shkiah as we know it, but it means tzeis hakochavim.

Some identify tzeis hakochavim as twenty minutes after shkiah, while others say that one should light ten minutes after shkiah.

One who is busy and will not have time to light later can light from plag haminchah with a bracha. One who did not light the candles then may light “ad shetichlah regel min hashuk,” until people have left the marketplace. The Rama holds that since we light inside, there is no need to be concerned with the time.

Nonetheless, one should be careful with this as well. The opinion of the Rambam is that the above shiur of tichlah … is a half-hour after night (tzeis) or more. Therefore, enough oil has to be placed in the menorah to last until then. In practical terms, for those who do not follow with the times of Rabbeinu Tam, this is fifty minutes after shkiah. This applies

even for those who light the menorah inside (outside of Eretz Yisrael).

These calculations are based on the assumption that the time frame of tichlah … is a half-hour after tzeis hakochavim. This is not so simple.

There were no streetlights in earlier days, and very few people would be on the streets late at night. Today, people walk in the streets until much later at night. Therefore, people will see the Chanukah lights until a much later time. Some explain that stores are open later, and people return home much later at night. Accordingly, many poskim say that the time of “ad shetichlah regel min hashuk” is much later. This obviously depends on the neighborhood. For example, the streets of Boro Park do not quiet down until 1:00am. Therefore, one should put enough oil to burn until then. In addition, one can light l’chatchilah until that time. However, there are those who say that the change of our nocturnal habits has no impact on the shiur. One proof to this is that in the time of earlier poskim people already kept later

The Jewish Home | DECEMBER 22, 2016

hours at night, yet there is no mention that the shiur of a half-hour after tzeis should be changed.

Even according to those who say the shiur changed and the candles should burn until later, it is not a requirement, but merely an appropriate act.

Bedi’eved, one may light with a bracha all night until alos hashachar (if people are up). One who lights late at night should make sure that people are awake (in order to publicize the miracle) in his home to see the lights. One who lit without anyone being awake does not have to be rebuked.

MA’ARIV BEFORE OR AFTER LIGHTING There is an interesting question regarding when to daven Ma’ariv on Chanukah. There are those who opine that Ma’ariv precedes the menorah, based on the concept of “tadir v’she’eino tadir tadir kodem” (the more frequent mitzvah comes first). Others say that one should light first in order not to miss the opportune time to light.

The Mishnah Berura says that one who usually davens Ma’ariv after tzeis should light before he davens.

If the time of tzeis arrives before one lights, then he should daven Ma’ariv first. In any case, the Biur Halachah maintains that it is proper to light before Ma’ariv. One who lights after Ma’ariv should still prepare the menorah beforehand so he can light immediately after Ma’ariv, in order to light a half-hour after tzeis. Those who always wait seventy-two minutes after shkiah to daven Ma’ariv should light after Ma’ariv. One who has a set minyan where he always davens Ma’ariv should daven at that time and light before Ma’ariv.

WORKING PEOPLE AND SOMEONE AT HOME From the above, it is apparent that one who cannot make it home

at the beginning of the night can light when he comes home, even if is very late at night. However, he should make sure someone from his household is awake.

There is another solution to this problem.

If one knows that he will not be at home until much later at night, there are those who suggest that his wife should light for him at the correct time. However, others say that she should wait until her husband comes home because of shalom bayis. It is related that the rebbi of the Chofetz Chaim zt”l would wait to light until his wife came home because of shalom bayis. Others say that one should have in mind not to be yotzei with his wife’s lighting, and then he can light with a bracha when he comes home if people are up (l’chatchilah).

BUSINESS TRIP One who is not home at all for Chanukah (i.e. he is on a business trip) should discuss the situation with his rav before leaving.

1 One who is learning in a yeshiva or kollel is not required to stop learning in order to light if someone will remind him to do so later on (opinion of Harav Moshe Feinstein zt”l quoted in Moadei Yeshurun 1:page 8:footnote 109). Refer to Shraga Hameir 8:18:2 regarding what one who is learning in yeshiva should do once the time for lighting has arose. Also see Mekadesh Yisrael 145, 152, Halichos Chaim 1:pages 127128:392, Halichos Shlomo Moadim 16:footnote 2, Mipeninei Harav pages 188-189.

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

YS OF CHANUK AH E DA TH

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DECEMBER 22, 2016 | The Jewish Home

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DECEMBER 22, 2016 | The Jewish Home

Chanukah in Bergen-Belsen

By Rabbi Yerachmiel Michael Tilles

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middle-aged Jew from somewhere in Hungary in one of the last groups to arrive in the BergenBelsen concentration camp towards the tail end of World War II became known to all the other inmates as Reb Shmelke. His full name was Shmuel-Shmelke Shnitzler, a chassid and Torah scholar. He was of charismatic appearance – very tall and distinguished-looking, with strikingly warm and penetrating eyes.

But what most astounded everyone around him was that Reb Shmelke maintained a mood of genuine cheerfulness, a rare disposition to find in the hellish environment of the camp. Although he underwent the same harsh terrors and suffering, hunger, and abuse that were the dai-

ly portion for the Jews in the camp, his demeanor and behavior seemed to indicate that somehow he wasn’t affected the same way as everyone else. It was almost as if he wasn’t really there.

How was he able to maintain a positive manner under such conditions? Nobody knew. Nevertheless, it was clear that he was he drawing immeasurable fortitude and inspiration from some unlimited source.

He even was able to be a fountain of encouragement for his fellow prisoners. He would say to his companions at every opportunity, “A Jew and despair are contradictory in essence; they cannot co-exist.” Whenever possible he would organize a minyan for prayer, especially on Shab-

bat. At nights he would enliven all those around him with stories of the great Chassidic rebbes, momentarily transporting them to other worlds and places, enabling them to temporarily forget their sufferings of body and soul.

To the utter amazement of all, Reb Shmelke even found favor in the eyes of a few of the cruelest S.S. guards in the camp and was able to aid a number of the inmates through these connections.

He was assigned the job of removing dead bodies from the barracks of the many who died from starvation.

He would treat them with as much respect as possible. Others might consider this a gruesome task, but Reb Shmelke considered it to be the

ultimate in holy work that he could do under the circumstances.

In addition to the prevailing conditions of horror in the camp under which the Jews barely managed to survive, Reb Shmelke was nagged by another compelling problem, one that increased in urgency with each passing day: how could he possibly obtain oil with which to kindle the lights of Chanukah? The holiday was only a few short days away.

He consulted everyone with whom he came into contact that he thought might be able to help, but no one had any oil or even anything that could be substituted for it. All said that to obtain anything flammable in the concentration camp was unimaginable as well as impossible.

The Jewish Home | DECEMBER 22, 2016

Still, Reb Shmelke did not give in to despair. The mitzvah of kindling the Chanukah lights was much too important to him. He also realized how much encouragement and hope it would offer the Jews in the camp – to shine light into the deepest of darkness, to celebrate the victory of few over many, the pure over the impure….

uncovered a small package wrapped in a swatch of cloth, with eight small cups and eight thin strands of cotton within!

Now convinced that someone had intentionally buried this Chanukah kit, Reb Shmelke quickly replaced everything back into the hole and filled it in with the dirt he had removed, carefully smoothing the surface. It would be too dangerous to

first candle of Chanukah. He struck the match and recited the blessings with great emotion before touching the tiny flame to the thin strand of wick projecting out of the miniature cup containing the precious drops of oil. It was like a scene from a storybook in stark contrast to the dour, harsh environment of the concentration camp, a ray of hope that repeated itself each of the eight nights. Not

On

the day before Chanukah, Reb Shmelke had to hurry to one of the barracks near the end of the camp where another poor soul had died just that day. Not far from the fence at the edge of the camp, he stumbled when his foot sunk into a patch of red earth that turned out to be covering a small hole. It was clear to him that someone had dug this hole on purpose.

He gazed at the shallow depression, and after a moment perceived the sun reflecting off something in it. He looked closer and saw there was a solid object buried there, now slightly revealed. He knelt down and scooped out some dirt with his hands. It was a small jar, half-filled with congealed liquid! Could it be?

Could it possibly be?!

He removed its cover as quickly as he could and dipped his finger in gingerly. It was oil! His thoughts immediately flashed to the original Chanukah miracle of the finding of the single flask of oil. How could this be happening? Was he dreaming?

Then he noticed that other objects were concealed beneath the jar. He dug some more with his hands and

It was like a scene from a storybook in stark contrast to the dour, harsh environment of the concentration camp, a ray of hope that repeated itself each of the eight nights.

keep the materials in his possession until Chanukah began the next day, in the evening. Besides, perhaps it belonged to someone.

After he completed he job he had been sent upon, Reb Shmelke circulated among as many of the inmates as he could during the rest of the day and the evening, casually asking with an air of innocence if anyone had concealed a quantity of oil in a hiding place. Everyone stared at him as if he were out of his mind.

The next night, all the Jews of Reb Shmelke’s barrack crowded around him as he stood poised to light the

once were they disturbed.

Reb Shmelke managed to survive the next few months until the conquering Allied forces finally liberated the camp. His faith and hope had proven victorious. After the official conclusion of the war, he returned to his town in Hungary, trying to reassemble the pieces of his broken life.

It was not to be. All his relatives had been murdered by the Nazi beasts.

Several

years later, he was able to make the journey to the United

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States of America. One important stop for him there was to visit the Satmar Rebbe, Rabbi Yoel Teitelbaum, originally also from Hungary who now lived in Brooklyn. The Rebbe, it turned out, already knew of Reb Shmelke and his deeds, and welcomed him with great warmth.

After they conversed for a while the Rebbe suddenly switched subjects and said to him, “I hear that you had the great honor of lighting Chanukah candles in Bergen-Belsen.”

“How does the Rebbe know that?” sputtered Reb Shmelke in wonderment.

“I heard, I heard,” replied the Rebbe, smiling mysteriously.

A few moments later the Rebbe bent over to his astonished visitor and whispered in his ear, “I am the one who hid the oil, the cups and the wicks in that hole next to the fence. I did it when I was imprisoned in the camp the year before you, before my miraculous escape.

“At the moment I did it,” the Rebbe added, “I believed with all my heart that at the right time it would be found by the right person who would know exactly what to do with it.”

Translated and adapted by Yerachmiel Tilles from the Hebrew weekly Sichat HaShavua #468.

(First published on //AscentOfSafed. com.) Reprinted with permission from Festivals of the Full Moon by Rabbi Yerachmiel Michael Tilles, Menorah Books, an imprint of Koren Publishers Jerusalem. Copyright date: 2016.

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Light up the Nights Well, it’s been a year since we last ate latkes. And there are many important questions we have as we approach the Festival of Lights. Do you remember where you stored the menorah? What type of wicks do you like to light? Do we light left to right or right to left and when do we light the shamash? These are all important questions and we hope you get your answers soon. But there are more important questions to ponder as we approach Chanukah.

First of all, Aunt Harriet will probably wear that sweater again. And yes, you should tell her it looks beautiful and act incredulous when she tells you that she knitted it herself in 1998. If you’re eating milchig, pizza will definitely be on the menu. On the other side of the kosher aisle, if you’re going the fleishig route, chicken fingers and French fries will undoubtedly grace your table. Wondering about how many doughnuts to order for dessert?

Well, that depends on if Uncle Seymour is going to be attending. Then you should probably order at least a dozen more than you think you need.

How will you keep the kids entertained? Well, TJH is here to the rescue ala a Maccabee shield with a few fun ideas to keep the whining to a minimum at this year’s Chanukah party.

d on continnueext page

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Most notably, I’m sure you’ve been losing sleep over these conundrums: How many doughnuts do we need to order for the Chanukah party?

Should we serve milchig or fleishig? Will the kids get presents or just gelt? What games will we play?

Should we be playing dreidel with pennies or nickels or jelly beans? (I vote for the latter.) Who will win the latke-eating contest? Will Aunt Harriet wear that sweater again this year? Will she make us sing her a Chanukah song as she pinches our cheeks? Should we all buy stock in the Wesson oil company?

Yes, Chanukah comes with many questions – and we’re not even listing the one about why we light the menorah for eight days instead of just one because we are limited with space here – and we hope to help you out with some of the answers.

The 22, 2015 2016 TheJewish JewishHome Home| DECEMBER | OCTOBER 29,

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Fun with Food Parties are fun, especially when we get to catch up with family.

But let’s not kid ourselves. We’re Jewish and much of our tradition revolves around food (matzah, hamantashen, black eyed peas, anyone?). Of course, no Chanukah party is perfect with the doughnuts and latkes, but you can still mix it up a bit. Have youngsters “make their own doughnut.” No, no, they’re not going to be frying the critters, but they can decorate them and have fun. Set out bowls of icing, sprinkles, mini chocolate chips, crunch, craisins, granola – you name it! This is not going to be a clean activity, but it will be fun. Who cares about the mess when you have great photos to share?

Adults need not be bored with their party fare. For the more mature among us (and I’m sure some of them will be enjoying the doughnut “booth” as well), a latke “bar” may be up their alley. Consider frying different, fun latkes – think zucchini, beet, sweet potato, and cheese. And serve them with fun toppings: sour cream, applesauce, raspberry jam, avocado, pastrami (if you’re serving meat), and berries and cream for the cheese pancakes. They’ll be licking their lips after your luscious latkes!

Candy Menorah Yes, we know that tons of candy yields hyper and cranky kids. But it’s Chanukah and we only have eight nights of fun, so let the kids enjoy. Using eight glass cylinders or rectangular vases, arrange them on the table in a row. Place the taller “shamash” vase in the center of the vases and then fill them with candy. If you’re have a color scheme – oh, you’re that family – don’t tell me your candy has to match! It’s candy and it’s fun. So fill your candy menorah with gooey, sugary concoctions and make sure to have pretty bags on hand so your littlest guests can go home with an extra sugar rush.

Don’t have candy handy? No problem! This menorah seems to work with everything. You can place cupcakes on a glass block to serve as your “menorah.” Or say it with flowers and set up bud vases in the center of the table in the shape of the menorah. “Oil” I can say is that it doesn’t really matter. It’s the Chanukah thought that counts.

Who’s the Boss?

Search High and Low

With cooking shows and competitions all the rage, many children are taking over the kitchen. Let’s go “Chopped” Chanukah-style. Choose an item that the children have to make for the adult judges. Think fun thoughts, like candy sushi, cupcake decorating with a Chanukah theme, the prettiest latke, Rice Krispies treats with fun add-ins. This contest is the most fun and delicious.

After all, their prize is their masterpiece.

It’s the winter and kids are chafing to head outside. But it’s freezing out there and so they’re stuck in the house. Don’t think that they have to spend all day at home and sit, sit, sit, sit. No, they will not like it, not one little bit. Spend a little time before the party setting up a scavenger hunt. Make sure it sends them all around the house – and maybe even put one outside (if you dare!) so they can get a bit of fresh air. A little gift by each clue for each child (think a sour stick or two or a pencil) will make the hunt even more exciting. What does the winning team get when they emerge victorious? Prepare a small gift that can be divided among all the children – winners and losers. Glo-sticks, anyone?

Count the Gelt We all love counting money – whether it’s the real deal or made out of chocolate on Chanukah. But who knows how to count the best? Fill a glass jar with chocolate coins and place it in a prominent spot before the party. During the festivities, or when guests arrive, have them guess the number of coins in the jar. At the end of the party, the one who guesses correctly gets to keep all the gelt.

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DECEMBER 22, 2016 | The Jewish Home

‫שבת‬ ‫פרשת שמות‬ ‫ תשע"ז‬,‫ כ"ד טבת‬- ‫כ"ב‬

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DECEMBER 22, 2016 | The Jewish Home

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OCTOBER 29, 2015 | The Jewish Home

The Jewish Home | DECEMBER 22, 2016

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Lighting Up the Darkness V’Heishiv Lev Avos Al Bonim

BY MALKY LOWINGER

E

verybody looks forward to Chanukah. But we also know that Chanukah is not just about doughnuts and latkes and Chanukah gelt. It’s about a small group of committed Jews who overcame their enemies armed with just their emunah in Hashem and their determination to triumph over their enemies. Thus were they able to light up the darkness.

We too have our modern day Maccabees. They may not be battling the Greek army, but they are heroes nonetheless. Against all odds, they discovered the beauty of their Jewish heritage and decided

to change their lifestyle to begin a lifelong commitment to Torah and mitzvos. It wasn’t easy. Not only did they have to learn all the rules of a new way of life, they also had to resist the pressure of their family and friends.

But they persevered and eventually became productive and outstanding members of our community. In time, their families followed suit. Following the example set by their children, the parents became baalei teshuva as well.

Thirty-seven years ago, Hagaon Rav Yaakov Kaminetsky, zt”l, was speaking at an event for Be’er

Hagolah, the school for Russian immigrants that he founded. “The posuk of ‘V’heishiv lev avos al bonim’ will come to life right here, in this building,” he said.

Nobody knew what he was referring to. Continued Rav Yaakov: “As Be’er Hagolah educates the children, they in turn will teach their parents. And that is how Yiddishkeit will be brought back to a shevet almost lost to us.”

And so it was. The following are true accounts of those who have made their way to a life of Torah and then were zoche to influence their parents to do so as well. It’s

the modern day miracle of Chanukah reenacted right here in our community.

Nellie’s Story One Girl and a Pack of Gum A student at Shalsheles Bais Yaakov in Brooklyn, Nellie is the only one of five siblings who is not attending public school. But that doesn’t stop her from spearheading a campaign to change her family’s lifestyle.

When I was about five- or sixyears-old, I went to Shalsheles Bais Yaakov. But then my mom

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DECEMBER 22, 2016 | The Jewish Home

The Jewish Home | OCTOBER 29, 2015

The boys division at Chazaq

switched me to public school because she thought I would get a better education there. That didn’t really happen. Instead, I started hanging out with the wrong crowd at school and I had to hide the fact that I’m Jewish because if I mentioned it I would get harassed.

I had no belief in G-d at that point. If bad things happened to me, I got angry. My mom saw that I was hanging out with some really bad people so she decided that it’s best for me to go back to yeshiva. I started in one school but I had a lot of questions and they weren’t really getting answered. So we tried Shalsheles again.

We had an interview at Shalsheles and I met the principal, Mrs. Goodstein, who said she remembers me. She even kept a letter that she had gotten from my mom when I was little. The letter said that I showed her how to light Chanukah candles and how to clean for Pesach. That letter made me really emotional and it brought back lots of memories. That’s when I realized it’s time to come back.

So I started at Shalsheles again, this time in tenth grade. Rabbi Kugelman and Mrs. Goodstein both told me they were davening all this

time for me to come back! That made me feel good. To be honest, as soon as I saw the school uniform I didn’t like the idea of wearing it, but I’ve learned to adjust to it over time.

The best part about Shalsheles was that my questions were answered. I was one of those girls

Shabbos candles, and a kiddush cup. That’s when we started doing Shabbos at home.

It was hard at first. My siblings were laughing at me. But I told them, “Guys, it’s Shabbat! We gotta do this!” So we all sat around the table and my little brother tried to sing Shabbat songs that we taught

“After the procedure, he was beaming. He said to us, ‘Now I’m a full-fledged Jew!’”

who always had my hand up in Hebrew class. I had so many questions. What does it mean to be a Jew? Why do we light Shabbos candles? How should I pray? My teachers took the time to answer my questions.

Whatever I learned at school I tried to bring home with me. My English principal, Mrs. Miller, bought me a Shabbos tablecloth,

him from Yeshiva Boys Choir. We had fish, salad, challah – the basics.

My siblings say it’s boring.

They want Shabbat to be over as soon as possible so they can get on their cellphones. And that’s hard for me. It’s a lot easier when I’m on a Shabbaton.

My dad didn’t keep Shabbos before, but now he is starting to. He

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and my mom are really interested in the parsha, which I talk about at the Shabbos table. If I see they’re about to do an aveirah, I tell them that G-d is watching us. Over the year I taught my mom how to say brachos. She does it, but sometimes she forgets. I tell her to say it out loud and then I can say, “Amen,” but I guess she feels a little nerdy doing it. I’m teaching her that a bracha is very powerful. And I’m feeling good about myself knowing that she’s getting a mitzvah.

We don’t fully keep kosher yet but my parents told me that they’re really proud of me and they hope that I’ll have a kosher home one day. Then they’ll come to me for Shabbat.

Keeping kosher is really hard ‘cause there’s a lot of stuff I love to eat that’s not kosher. But my friends really help me with this.

They give me a whole box of kosher gum so I wouldn’t chew the non-kosher kind. They’re very supportive. They really are.

Victor’s Story A PhD, Kollel, and a Bris Born in Kiev, Victor lived in the Ukraine until he was thirteenyears-old. At that young age, he came to America with a Russian high school diploma already in hand. Victor was clearly a prodigy, which was amazing. But it would be a challenge to find the right school that would cater to his needs.

In their search for a proper school, Victor’s parents brought him to Be’er Hagolah. Rabbi Avner German, a”h, menahel of the yeshiva, realized that this boy would need a customized program. He was determined not to let Victor slip through his fingers. He arranged

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OCTOBER 29, 2015 | The Jewish Home

for a rebbe, Rabbi Weissman, to learn with Victor one-on-one in the mornings at Yeshivas Chaim Berlin.

Then he had someone tutor Victor privately in English. The school bought him a computer, which he used to develop his skills. He also began studying at NYU. Victor wasn’t your average Be’er Hagolah student but it was clear that the school set him on a path of Torah and mitzvos. “They really believed in him and saw his potential,” says his wife Chana. “They put their hearts and souls into his chinuch and education.”

Eventually, Victor attended MIT in Boston and befriended members of the Boston Kollel. At 21, he finished his PhD, but told his disappointed parents that he prefered to go back to yeshiva. He spent some time in Ohr Somayach in Monsey and then went back to Chaim Berlin, where he still learns today.

Now Victor is Reb Avigdor. After learning in kollel for seven years full-time, he currently works parttime from his home as a cryptographer for Microsoft and still learns first seder in Kollel. He has seven beautiful children, ka”h, the older ones enrolled as students in Yeshiva of Brooklyn and Yeshivas Chaim Berlin.

Reb Avigdor’s parents have also come a long way. At first they were vehemently opposed to his lifestyle and considered his years in kollel a waste of his talents. “I think those seven years were very hard for them to understand,” he says.

“Since I started working part-time it became easier for them.”

They’ve changed their outlook, says Chana. According to Reb Avigdor, “My father tries to keep a number of halachos. He is shomer Shabbos to the best of his ability.

He keeps kosher and davens three

Victor speaking at a Be'er Hagolah event

Victor with Louis Glick

times a day. Both of my parents have definitely come a long way in appreciation of our lifestyle.”

According to Reb Avigdor, “My father asks me questions. He would observe what I’m doing and ask about it. Just recently he asked me when we start saying, ‘V’sen tal u’matar’ in Shemoneh Esrei.”

Just about a year ago, Reb Avigdor’s father decided to have his bris. He was seventy-five-yearsold.

“My husband encouraged him,” says Chana proudly.

erything they could ever want. But something important was missing.

Enter a series of circumstances that could only be described as hashgacha pratis. A local hotel owner. A visiting rabbi. A summer camp. Shabbatons. JEP in Long Island. Long trips in a minivan. And slow but steady years of significant changes in lifestyle.

The results speak for themselves. Now, years later, this family is fully religious. The mom, Wendy, serves today as Chairman of the

“But I told them, ‘Guys, it’s Shabbat! We gotta do this!’”

Apparently he has no regrets.

According to Chana, “After the procedure he was beaming. He said to us, ‘Now I’m a full-fledged Jew!’”

Wendy’s Story A Minivan, a Hotel and Becoming Frum They were living the American Dream: Two parents and their two children living in a home in the Hamptons. He was a successful veterinarian in the area. She was a practicing attorney. They had ev-

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Board of Directors at JEP LI. She also moved her practice to Queens where she is currently serving the Jewish community.

Here’s how it happened: It all started a couple of decades ago. We lived in East Hampton and we befriended a man named Charles who owned the Sag Harbor Inn. Charles was a Holocaust survivor and he was also president of the Sag Harbor Synagogue. We started going to that synagogue, and on Sunday our kids went to Sunday school. Charles had ar-

ranged for a rabbi, Rabbi Feldman, to teach Torah classes to the children. But some of us parents also were interested in observant Judaism, so we went to the classes of this young and dynamic rabbi.

At that point, Charles made a connection with Rabbi Shenker of JEP LI. Unbelievably, he arranged a system of bringing the rabbi out to Sag Harbor once a month to lead a Shabbaton, which was held at his hotel. He would do this for us on the off-season, from November through March.

Rabbi Shenker came out with his family and they really brought Shabbos to this area, a place that probably never saw an Orthodox rabbi before. These Shabbatons were wonderful. They grew and grew and eventually the rabbi also brought in Arachim Discovery Seminars with about 150 people attending.

Unfortunately, kiruv in this area was not sustainable. As people would become shomer Shabbos they would have to move away because we were out in middle of nowhere. So in a way, the success of the kiruv efforts inevitably meant there will be no community there.

When our daughter Laura was nine-years-old, we sent her to the JEP Orthodox camp and she loved it. It was much more nurturing than your typical camp, and they also try to help the kids become more religious. When she came

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DECEMBER 22, 2016 | The Jewish Home

The Jewish Home | OCTOBER 29, 2015

CHAZAQ Director Rabbi Ilan Meirov

back home at the end of the summer she decided she wanted to go to yeshiva.

Laura was in the sixth grade then and our son Zev was in the first grade. Of course, he wanted to go along with his sister. We had no choice but to buy a minivan and drive them to the closest yeshiva which was the Hebrew Academy of Suffolk County (HASC). It was a huge step for our family. When the kids are in yeshiva, their friends change and then your whole orientation changes.

It was a real shlep, about an hour and a half each way. I could have hired a driver but I wanted to be with my kids and commute with them. We did spend quite a lot of quality time in the car together.

Eventually, I started a practice in Queens so I could work closer to their school.

The camp experience was a big push for us to become shomer Shabbos. It was hard at first, especially in the Hamptons. In order for Shabbos to be significant, you need a chevrah. So we had lots of kids coming to spend Shabbos with us. It’s a good thing we had room for seven in the minivan.

The hardest part of changing our lifestyle was probably learning to keep Shabbos. After that, I would say it was keeping kosher.

Although we always were kosher to a certain degree, since we never ate non-kosher meat or shellfish,

we are foodies and we used to go to all these great restaurants in the Hamptons. Giving that up wasn’t easy. I have to tell you that I am still challishing for those restaurants sometimes.

Ilan and Yaniv’s Story A Sephardic Boy Speaks Yiddish Many of us are familiar with Chazaq, the organization based in Queens that has inspired thou-

rael. We were always a traditional Sefardic family. We did kiddush on Friday night but not much more beyond that. Our parents meant well but they just didn’t have the proper Jewish education.

When I was about four-yearsold, my parents decided to send me to a religious school. They first considered a Conservative school but the rabbis there didn’t have beards and how could they send their boys to a school where the rabbis didn’t even look like rabbis?!

As it happened, there was a yeshiva near our home called Ohr Yisroel under the leadership of Rabbi Geldzahler, the Rosh Yeshiva. My brother and I weren’t exactly a perfect fit for that yeshiva. For starters, they learned in Yiddish. But when the hanhala explained that to my mother, she began to cry. She said that she really wanted us in a

“I’m teaching her that a bracha is very powerful. And I’m feeling good about myself knowing that she’s getting a mitzvah.”

sands through its various lectures, events, and kiruv programs. Their motto is kiruv rechokim and chizuk k’rovim.

What we may not know, however, is that the brothers who established Chazaq, Rabbis Ilan and Yaniv Meirov, had their own personal kiruv experience. This is Rabbi Ilan’s story: Our parents were both born in Russia and then they moved to Is-

true Torah environment. The rosh yeshiva recognized my mother’s sincerity and he accepted us.

Needless to say, I learned Yiddish. I was only in Pre-1A, but everything I learned I brought back home. Our parents were really interested. They were always respectful of religion, they just were ignorant of what to do. Until now.

Now their kids would teach them.

By the time I was nine- or ten-

65

years-old, my parents were on the way to becoming totally frum.

They attended seminars and Shabbatons, and they changed their lifestyles. All this was pushed by my brother and I, who kept bringing our lessons home from yeshiva.

They learned the basics about Shabbos and kashrus. Slowly all the halachos and minhagim worked their way into our home. Now our parents are fully frum and are proud of their children who are all involved in divrei kedusha. My father is the gabbai of his shul and he’s also a bit of an askan. Hashem has an interesting way of running the world – mamish nissim.

The beauty of it all is that we eventually started Chazaq. We are dealing now with a new generation of immigrants of Iranian or Russian descent who are sending their children to public school.

Since we started Chazaq ten years ago, we’ve transferred hundreds of kids to yeshiva, over 180 just this summer alone! And we’ve seen many of these kids bringing their parents back as well.

These kids really relate to us because we experienced many of the challenges that they are going through. That’s probably why Chazaq is so successful. The kids come to the program and start putting on tefillin and tzitzis and start learning about kashrus. Many times the parents don’t understand.

For some, it’s a major struggle.

But when the parents see the sincerity of their children and their good middos, they usually come around. They look at the average teen and they say to themselves, “Our kids are not hanging out in the streets till 2 AM. They’re not clubbing. So we’ll keep kosher. It’s worth the trade off. It sure beats the alternative.”

The Jewish Home | DECEMBER 22, 2016

Happy Chanukah

from our home to yours...

May this joyous season bring peace, health and happiness throughout the coming year!

Dr. Adam Zeitlin, Medical Director Dr. Shilo Kramer, Physiatrist 78-10 164TH STREET FRESH MEADOWS, NEW YORK

For further information please contact Ethan Dreifus, Administrator

718.591.8300 Ext. 207

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DECEMBER 22, 2016 | The Jewish Home

A Few Minutes with Daniella Silver

Author of The Silver Platter, Simple Elegance Daniella, your first cookbook, The Silver Platter, Simple to Spectacular, is wonderful.

How did you come up with the idea of The Silver Platter, Simple Elegance, your second creation?

Thank you! My two approaches to cooking are keeping it simple and presenting dishes in a beautiful way.

I wanted the second book to have that same concept with a more elegant finish to the recipes. I didn’t want to change the foundation of what I believe a recipe should be, but I wanted to create simplistic recipes that had more detail in them. So I add something extra to each dish – a garnish, a crunch, a topping, a sauce – something small that elevates the dish to be elegant, but not in a complicated way.

How long did it take you to create it?

It took about a year and a half to create my second cookbook.

Sounds like a labor of love.

From where do you draw

your culinary inspiration?

I got my culinary inspiration from my family – they are all artists.

My inspiration for creating recipes is not necessarily in the ingredients of the food, but more of the colors that come together to present a pretty looking dish.

What sparked your interest in food and cooking?

Two of my children have severe allergies. Having to alter the way we

chocolate after dinner every night!

Once again you have teamed up with Norene Gilletz on this cookbook. How do you two work as a team?

Norene and I are a great team. I go to her house about three times a week and we work at her kitchen island. I bring my computer and we basically edit and review my recipes. As we go through them she adds her tips and techniques. We usually

My cookbooks are mostly healthy, fresh recipes for a wholesome lifestyle. eat in our house sparked my interest in food and cooking and creating recipes.

What are the big trends that you see in the kosher food industry?

I see a big push towards healthy eating and a healthy lifestyle! My cookbooks are mostly healthy, fresh recipes for a wholesome lifestyle.

Yes, Simple Elegance offers many healthy options. How can we get our children to eat healthier?

I think it’s about balance.

I’m not one to cut out any foods from my kids’ diet – I believe a little junk is always good. And I’m not one to talk; I always need some kind of

enjoy some food and drinks as the hours pass by. We enjoy the working hours we spend together. Norene is very thorough with the recipes to make sure nothing is missing.

She sounds like the perfect partner! What are some basic items that the kosher cook should always have stocked?

Honey, maple syrup, lemons, limes, fresh garlic, soy sauce, granola and chocolate chips. Those are my staples.

Can you give us a few dishes that we can serve at our Shabbos tables that are different yet delicious?

For sure! Try the Candy Cashew Salmon as a starter, the Portobello Mushroom London Broil, the Tomato and Fig Salad, the Everything Kale

Salad, and the Rice Salad with Terra Chips. For a main, serve my Honey Sriracha Chicken. And for dessert, Salted Chocolate Ganache Tart is a wonderful way to end a meal.

With busy schedules, we’re all looking to create quick, nutritious dinners for our families.

What recipes in Simple Elegance can we use for that purpose?

I would suggest the Yum Drum Chicken, the Cheesy Spinach Bites, Italian Quinoa with Feta and Sundried Tomatoes, the Skirt Steak, and the Peas and Mushrooms as a yummy side.

The title of the cookbook is Simple Elegance. What tips do you have for the home cook to help her make her dishes more beautiful and elegant?

Make sure your serving bowls look full. I don’t like half-filled dishes when they are put out on the table.

Also, clean the sides of all serving dishes before putting them on the table; it looks so much neater.

Chanukah is approaching.

What are the best foods to serve at a Chanukah party?

There are so many options. For Chanukah, serve the Harvest Vegetables with Feta Cheese. Of course, include my Latkes with all the different toppings. And try the Caramelized Onion Spinach Salad and the Cheese Blintz – both delicious dishes.

Chanukah is all about oil. How can we eat “lighter” and still enjoy the holiday?

I say indulge – but not too much!

The key is not to overeat. Prepare lots of salads and minimize the desserts.

The Jewish Home | DECEMBER 22, 2016

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DECEMBER 22, 2016 | The Jewish Home

The Jewish Home | OCTOBER 29, 2015

57

A Chanukah of Simple Elegance Classic Potato Latkes with assorted toppings Pareve • Latkes freeze well Yields about 2 dozen Tradition! You really can’t go wrong with classic potato latkes. I’ve added four unique toppings to serve alongside, each with its own flavor. Make a different topping every night and delight your guests!

Ingredients p 6 large potatoes, (preferably Idaho/ russet), peeled and cut into chunks p 1 large onion, cut into chunks p 2 eggs p ¼ cup potato starch p 1 tsp baking powder p 1 tsp kosher salt p ¼ tsp black pepper p Grapeseed oil, for frying Preparation Preheat oven to 250°F. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.

In a food processor fitted with the shredding disk, shred potatoes and onion, using medium pressure. Transfer vegetables to a large colander set in the sink or over a large bowl; press firmly to drain excess liquid.

Place drained veggies into a large bowl. Add eggs, potato starch, baking powder, salt, and pepper. Mix well.

In a large skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat. Working in batches, drop large spoonfuls of batter into hot oil to form pancakes, flattening them slightly with the back of the spoon. Do not crowd the skillet. Fry for 3-4 minutes per side, or until crisp and golden.

Drain well on paper towels. Transfer to prepared baking sheet; place into oven to keep warm.

Sour Cream Topping, 2 Ways

Ingredients p 1 cup sour cream (regular or low fat) or Tofutti sour cream p 1 Tbsp lemon juice p ¼ cup chopped fresh parsley or dill p Freshly ground black pepper p ½ cup pomegranate seeds, or ¼ lb

fresh smoked salmon, thinly sliced Preparation In a medium bowl, combine sour cream with lemon juice, parsley (if using pomegranate seeds) or dill (if using smoked salmon), and pepper; mix well.

Top latkes; add pomegranate seeds (if using parsley) or smoked salmon (if using dill).

Deli Topping

Ingredients p 1 Tbsp Dijon mustard p 2 tsp honey p 3 Israeli pickles, diced p ½ lb deli meat, diced Preparation Add topping ingredients to medium bowl; mix to combine. Use as a topping for latkes.

Avocado Topping

Ingredients p 1 ripe avocado, peeled, pitted, and diced p ¼ cup minced red onion p 1 tomato, diced p 1 Tbsp lime juice, preferably fresh p 1 tsp kosher salt p Freshly ground black pepper Preparation Add topping ingredients to medium bowl; mix to combine. Place plastic wrap directly onto mixture to prevent darkening.

Right before serving, top latkes with avocado mixture.

Norene’s Notes: Freeze with Ease: Arrange latkes in a single layer on a baking sheet; freeze until firm. Transfer to resealable plastic bags, press out all air, and freeze. To reheat, place frozen latkes onto a large baking sheet. Bake, uncovered, at 400°F for 12-15 minutes, until hot and crisp. Note: Do not freeze toppings!

Continued on page 32

The Jewish Home | DECEMBER 22, 2016

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DECEMBER 22, 2016 | The Jewish Home OCTOBER 29, 2015 | The Jewish Home

Cheese Blintz Souff le Dairy • Freezes well Yields 8 servings An old-school dish that deserves a comeback, this is light, fluffy, and, best of all, versatile. Easy to tote to different events and excellent for lunch the next day! It’s a great dish to serve on Shavuot or Chanukah.

Ingredients Batter p ½ cup butter, melted and cooled p ¼ cup sugar p 2 eggs p ¾ cup milk p 1¼ cups flour (regular or gluten-free with xanthum gum) p 1 tsp baking powder p ½ tsp salt p Ground cinnamon, for sprinkling Filling p 1½ lb farmers cheese (3 cups) (see Norene’s Notes below) p 2 cups cottage cheese (preferably small curd) p 2 eggs p 1 Tbsp sugar p 1 Tbsp lemon juice (preferably fresh) p Pinch salt Preparation Preheat oven to 325°F. Coat a 9 x 13inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.

Batter: In a large bowl, combine butter, sugar, eggs, and milk; mix well. Add flour, baking powder, and salt; stir just until combined.

Filling: In a second large bowl, combine filling ingredients; mix well.

Spoon half the batter into prepared baking dish; spread evenly. Spoon filling evenly over batter. Top with remaining batter; spread evenly, using a rubber spatula. Sprinkle lightly with cinnamon.

Bake, uncovered, for 60-70 minutes, or until golden and set.

Norene’s Notes: What’s in a Name? Farmers cheese may also be called pressed (dry) cottage cheese, depending on packaging. My late mom, Belle Rykiss, used to call this type of dish “puchadik,” which means puffy and light as a feather. Dairy delicious! This dish is great topped with yogurt or sour cream and fresh berries.

The 22, 2015 2016 TheJewish JewishHome Home| DECEMBER | OCTOBER 29,

Salted Chocolate Ganache Tart Pareve • Freezes well Yields 12 servings If you’re a chocolate lover like I am, then this beautiful tart will be a case of love at first sight.

Nothing extravagant or overly complex, just flakes of sea salt sprinkled over a creamy chocolate ganache in a rich chocolate crust. Now that’s simple elegance!

Ingredients Crust p 1½ cups flour (or gluten-free flour with xanthan gum) p ¹⁄₃ cup unsweetened cocoa powder p ²⁄₃ cup confectioners’ sugar p ²⁄₃ cup vegetable oil p 1 egg p 1 tsp pure vanilla extract Ganache Filling p 1 container (500 ml/2 cups) non-dairy whipping cream p 1 bar (10 oz/300 g) semisweet chocolate, chopped p Sea salt for sprinkling Preparation Preheat oven to 375°F. Lightly coat an 11-inch flan pan or pie plate with removable bottom with nonstick cooking spray.

Crust: In a large bowl, combine flour, cocoa, and confectioner’s sugar. Add oil, egg, and vanilla. Mix just until dough gathers together, forming a soft dough.

Press dough evenly against bottom and sides of prepared pan. Bake, uncovered, for 18-20 minutes.

Let cool.

Ganache Filling: In a medium saucepan, bring cream to a boil over medium-high heat. Remove pan from heat; add chocolate and stir until melted.

Pour ganache filling into cooled crust. Let set for 10 minutes. Sprinkle with sea salt. Refrigerate for 4 hours or overnight. Served chilled.

Norene’s Notes: Chocolate Truffle Mousse: Omit crust. Prepare filling as directed in Step 4. Refrigerate until completely cooled. Transfer to an electric mixer; whip until light. Spoon whipped mixture into individual parfait glasses. Garnish with fresh berries. Deliciously elegant!

Recipes reproduced from Silver Platter Simple Elegance by Daniella Silver with Norene Gilletz with permission from the copyright holders ArtScroll/ Mesorah Publications, LTD.

59 S33

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DECEMBER 22, 2016 | The Jewish Home OCTOBER 29, 2015 | The Jewish Home

In The K

tchen

By Naomi Nachman

In my opinion, there is nothing better than butter.

I have always believed in the slogan that Butter is Better! I use butter whenever I can to give my (dairy) food that extra boost of creamy, buttery flavor. I use it in my eggs, pasta and desserts. In honor of Chanukah, I thought I’d try experimenting by frying my latkes in butter. The results were spectacular.

Note: You must keep an eye on the butter as it is cooking as it does burn faster. Adding a drop of oil slows down the smoking point of the butter without affecting the buttery flavor.

Buttery Potato Latkes Yields 8-10

Ingredients 6 Yukon Gold potatoes, shredded 1 tablespoon salt 2 tablespoons grated parmesan cheese 2 tablespoons oil ½ stick Breakstone unsalted butter

Preparation Heat a large frying pan on medium heat and add the butter and oil.

Mix the potatoes, salt and cheese in a medium bowl. Once the butter has melted, take a handful of the potato mixture and squeeze it dry with your hand to release all the water. Place the potatoes in hot butter and fry for about 5 minutes on each side or until golden brown.

Enjoy immediately.

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 | DECEMBER 22, 2016

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DECEMBER 22, 2016 | The Jewish Home

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DECEMBER 22, 2016 | The Jewish Home

Good Hum r

By Jon Kranz

O

n Chanukah, we light the menorah, eat latkes, spin dreidels and gamble for chocolate coins. Such bright lights, fun food and exciting events make me wonder about spending Chanukah in Las Vegas, which itself is known as the City of Lights. Yes, Vegas also is known as Sin City, but with a little dreidel mania, we could easily “turn” it into Spin City. And yes, Vegas is hot but its overly air-conditioned casinos should keep those little chocolate Chanukah coins from melting.

So I called my travel agent at Shamash Travel Company and inquired about a Chanukah getaway package to Vegas. Here’s what I found out: Flight: Forget about flying Delta, United and JetBlue. During the eight nights of Chanukah, try flying “JetJew.” Warning #1: On Chanukah, JetJew offers only eight-stop flights on eight-seater planes and, at each stop, another passenger is picked up until all eight are onboard.

And yes, all eight passengers are required to keep their overhead lights shining the entire flight. Warning #2: On Chanukah, JetJew’s inflight entertainment is limited to episodes of that wholesome 1970’s television show “Eight is Enough.” (Yes, most passengers opt instead to stare at a blank screen.)

Hotel: You’ll be staying right on the Vegas Strip, near famous Vegas hotels like Paris Paris and Circus Circus, at a brand new hotel called Latkes Latkes. This luxury hotel and casino specifically caters to high

rollers, or in the case of dreidels, big spinners, especially those who try their luck on the “Jew”lette Wheel.

You’ll also have access to a world class fitness center, including a dizzying array of dreidel-appropriate “spin” classes.

Entertainment: Vegas also is known as the “Entertainment Capital of the World” and Chanukah in Vegas lives up to that moniker. Be prepared for an exciting night out on the town,

Chanukah gifts that need not be returned. (Can someone please make an official Chanukah rule requiring one cool gift rather than eight lame ones?)

Of course, there are some things in life that we certainly do not want to last for eight straight nights, especially (1) childbirth, (2) a Nor’easter, (3) high school reunions, (4) dental visits, (5) parent/teacher conferences, (6) a colicky baby, (7) insom-

The evil candle sinisterly cuts off the little string at the top of the good candle. For this reason, the show is called “Wick”ed.

including Chanukah-appropriate magic, music and mayhem.

A) Magic: One Jewish magician has a unique, Chanukah-inspired magic trick during which he tries to mimic the miracle of Chanukah, i.e., the oil of the menorah lasting eight straight nights. To pull off this trick, the magician tries to make other things in life miraculously last for eight straight nights, including: (1) the attention span of your average teenager, (2) toleration for eating leftovers, (3) genuine laughter at your spouse’s same old jokes, (4) perfect sibling harmony, (5) willingness to house your in-laws, (6) patience for robo-calls, (7) a child reading a book, and (8) the giving of non-pathetic

nia, and (8) a rabbi’s sermon.

B) Games: Vegas also is known as “America’s Playground” so, fittingly, you will play a bizarre and unforgiving Chanukah game called “Worst Gift Ever.” It’s basically a Chanukah grab-bag filled with pathetic presents like: (1) gefilte fish-scented perfume, (2) a kippah with built-in chin straps, (3) an invisible mezuzah, (4) leavened matzah, (5) an inaudible shofar, (6) hummus-flavored ice cream, (7) a free Shabbat in Tehran, and (8) a book graphically explaining exactly how hotdogs are made. (Trust me, some things are better left unread.)

C) Music: Get ready for a Chanukah-themed Cirque de Soleil experience called “Festival of Lights,”

featuring acrobats bouncing on trampolines while juggling jelly doughnuts and eight French contortionists on unicycles who light themselves on fire one at a time. You also will be treated to an epic Chanukah-themed concert for eight straight nights, including the following menorah-inspired performances: (1) “Candle in the Wind,” (2) “You Light Up My Life,” (3) “Light My Fire,” (4) “I’m on Fire,” (5) “All of the Lights,” (6) “Eternal Flame,” (7) “One More Night,” and (8) “Eight Days a Week.”

D) Shows: Vegas also features Broadway hits and, on Chanukah, there is a special production perfect for the holiday. It’s a musical story about two female candles – one good and one evil – who fight to be “lit up” by a magnificent masculine match. And yes, the two candles sing a duet about finding their bashert (soulmate), with lyrics that they each mean quite literally: “Matchmaker, Matchmaker, make me a match!” At the climax, the evil candle sinisterly cuts off the little string at the top of the good candle. For this reason, the show is called “Wick”ed.

Bottom-line: Even on Chanukah, the famous expression holds true that “whatever happens in Vegas stays in Vegas” . . . unless you bump into fellow Jews because, as we all know, it’s a very small Jewish world.

Jon Kranz is an attorney living in Englewood, New Jersey. Send any comments, questions or insults to jkranz285@ gmail.com.

The Jewish Home | DECEMBER 22, 2016

Happy

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The Jewish Home | DECEMBER 22, 2016

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DECEMBER 22, 2016 | The Jewish Home

Around the Community

Bnos Bais Yaakov’s 7th Grade: Constructing 3-D Cells

YU students Hudy Rosenberg and Daniel Geller with YU Assistant Vice President for Government Affairs Philip Goldfeder, NYC Comptroller Scott Stringer and YU General Counsel and Vice President for Legal Affairs Avi Lauer. Mr. Goldfeder was recently honored at the Jewish Heritage and Culture Celebration hosted by New York City Comptroller Scott M. Stringer.

Chessed in Kislev

F

ollowing their biology unit on cells and their organelles, the 7th graders were asked to tap into their creativity to construct 3-D cells. The students were given guidelines that delineated requirements such as the accuracy of the location of the organelles and a key labeling the organelles. Within the given parameters, the 7th graders went absolutely wild with their imaginations. But

even while using materials as diverse as wooden fencing, glass bottles and Rice Krispies and employing themes which ranged from outer space to sports, the girls stayed true to the project’s rubric.

In the words of one of 7th grade science teachers, the students went “above and beyond” – using incredible creativity while still maintaining scientific accuracy.

A

t Shulamith, students are always looking for opportunities to help others. On Tuesday, December 13, the G.O., under the direction of Mrs. Chana Schwartz and Mrs. Rachel Steiner, organized a fun-filled Kislev event that included a most meaningful chessed project.

Each class was divided into groups and participated in four different activities. They decorated cookies, played dreidel, and watched a lighthearted video that featured teachers and principals pantomiming lighting a menorah, making latkes, and more.

The girls enjoyed each of these activities, but their favorite, by far, was creating “craft kits” for the children of Chai Lifeline. The outside of each box was designed with care and creativity, and when the boxes were fully decorated, the girls lovingly filled them with different typed of paper, stickers, beads, pipe cleaners, and more.

Presidents Shaked Harari and Ra-

“Honor Day” at DRS

Y chel Schwartz and Vice Presidents Lili Paritzky and Shayna Wasser worked hard throughout the day manning each activity station and ensuring that everyone had a good time. The Shulamith Tech Committee, Sarah Antonelli, Priva Halpert, and Dina Rothman, earned high praise for their clever, crowd-pleasing video.

om Hahakar, created two years ago to honor IDF veterans who were injured while serving, took place this past Monday at DRS. To commemorate “Honor Day,” the DRS students had the opportunity to hear from two wounded IDF veterans. Zehut, an organization for injured IDF veterans, brought Lior Ofir and Ohad Roisblat to the yeshiva. In 1999, IDF soldier Lior Ofir was injured fighting terrorists by the Lebanese border. Three soldiers fighting alongside Lior were murdered during the battle, and Lior himself was seriously shot in the arm. After finishing his therapy, Lior attended Yeshivat

Gush Etzion and joined Zehut. Ohad Roisblat, an officer during the Tzuk Eitan Gaza War of 2014, led a special mission to occupy a vital building in Gaza. On his way, his APC (armored personnel carrier) stalled in dangerous territory, and he was forced to valiantly lead his soldiers on foot.

The exposed soldiers were found by terrorists; 7 of his 10 soldiers were killed and Ohad himself was wounded in the leg.

DRS would like to give a special thank you to all IDF soldiers, those currently serving and all veterans, and to Zehut for organizing the very important and meaningful visit.

The Jewish Home | DECEMBER 22, 2016

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Around the Community

Wounded IDF Soldier Shares Words of Healing at Rambam

By Gabriel Greenbaum, 12th Grade

L

ast Tuesday, the Rambam students and faculty had the extraordinary opportunity to hear an inspirational story from Lior Ofir, a former soldier in the Tzanchanim (Paratrooper Reconnaissance) unit in the IDF. Lior shared his experience from 2000, when he was a young soldier of 20-years-old stationed up north near the border with Lebanon. They had received intelligence about Hezbollah terrorists who were planning on attacking a nearby Israeli town and therefore prepared for an operation to take out the terrorists before they were able to carry out their mission. After intense training and preparation, they entered Lebanon

in the harsh, freezing winter night.

Lior and his brothers-in-arm were discovered, and quickly dropped into the snow to avoid the gunfire raining down upon them. It was soon after discovered that Lior’s friends, Ethan and Liraz, had been shot and needed immediate assistance. With Liraz on his back, Lior began to flee the scene to avoid further injury to himself or his friend. But before he was able to get away, Lior was shot as well, and collapsed to the floor, no longer able to help himself, let alone Liraz. With the assistance of the medic, Kobi, Lior made it to the hospital and after weeks of treatment, survived, although with significant motor damage. His friends Liraz and Eitan, however, did not make it.

Lior never gave up. After months of therapy and his army career now

over, he decided to find another way to contribute to klal Yisroel. He now learns Torah at Yeshivat Har Etzion and works in the Bet Aviv hostel for autistic children.

To personally hear this story from a man who started off his story describing his seventeen-yearold-self playing basketball with his friends, just like us at Rambam, is truly inspiring. No matter what he faced, Lior continued to fight for his people, both on and off the battlefield. If we can take one message from his inspiring words, we should always remember that no matter what life throws our way, be it a loss in a hockey game, a bad grade on a test, or a bullet on the battlefield, we must always keep pushing forward.

Warmth, Excitement and that Camp Feeling at Sternberg Reunion

By The Shma Shmooze Staff

M

otzei Shabbos, December 3, saw Beach 9th Street filled with cars as girls from all over joined together for an out of this world Camp Sternberg Reunion.

And when we say all over – we mean all over! Five busses filled to capacity came from Brooklyn, Monsey, Passaic and Queens. Girls flew in from Texas, Florida, and even Toronto to join in! The number of girls who traveled long distance to join in the reunion is indicative of the deep sense of connection that everyone feels.

As the saying goes, “Once a Sternberg girl, always a Sternberg girl” – and that sentiment was most definitely echoed that night. The Sternberg spirit was palpable, and the feeling in that room was unreal. Looking around the room, it was so evident how happy everyone was just to be

seeing all their friends and hanging out with them. It is sometimes hard to keep in touch through the year – and the Sternberg Reunion gave everyone a chance to recharge their Sternberg “battery” to keep that amazing Sternberg connection going until next summer.

The entire reunion was incredible from start to finish. Besides for the excitement of seeing friends, there were, of course, a few major highlights. The photo booth was tons of fun – and gave everyone a chance to create lasting memories with their friends in a super creative way. The food was delicious from pizza to pasta and of course caffeine to keep our energy pumping. The camp video transported everyone back to 97 Camp Utopia Road. As everyone said, “There is just no words to describe the feeling of being back in camp!”

It left everyone feeling warm inside,

even with the frigid temperatures outside. The awesome announcement of Heller 2.0 got everyone all hyped up for the excitement that is to come this summer. And, of course, no Sternberg experience would be complete without an out-of-this-world dance party! Everyone had a blast dancing to all the favorite camp songs – once again leaving everyone with that fuzzy “back in camp” feeling.

As everyone picked up the cool phone sticker souvenirs from the evening, took their last pictures, and hugged their friends “just one more time” the sentiment continuously echoed was “Best. Reunion. Ever!”

With tear-filled eyes, girls loaded the buses back home, grateful that while it might be December, there are only 202 days left till summer 2017!

The Jewish Home | DECEMBER 22, 2016

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DECEMBER 22, 2016 | The Jewish Home

Around the Community

Why is Brooklyn So Special?

S

habbos is so integral to our way of life, yet, unbelievably, most Jews in Brooklyn have not had the opportunity to experience Shabbos. What does it feel like to experience the first Shabbos in your life? Hard to imagine? Let’s say you’re a collegiate who barely takes a break from college life and technology and never visited an actual shul or religious community. What would that first Shabbos feel like?

This week, secular students from Brooklyn College were feted to a spectacular Shabbos and it was their first Shabbos. All of them live locally and had no connection to their heritage. Dr. Faye Zakheim hosted these BJX leadership students in her beautiful home for a spectacular meal. The Rosenbergs hosted the overflow of BJX young professionals. Shabbos morning, Mr. and Mrs. Sruli Werdiger and family hosted 16 students for a beautiful Shabbos lunch. The BJX campus rabbi, Rabbi Weiss, spent the remainder of

Shabbos bonding with the students.

After lunch, Rabbi Levine from San Jose and Rabbi Berk inspired the students. Later everyone converged at Mordechai and Avigael Jaffa’s home for an extraordinary shalosh seudos. The students loved the musical havdalah led by the Rov of

BJX, HaRav Yitzchok Fingerer. He presented the graduates with their certificates.

“I was so touched by the kindness of this community. I never imagined such a place exists in Brooklyn,” said Robert. “I’m originally from Europe.

This Shabbat was the most amaz-

ing Jewish experience,” said Ethan.

Weeks of planning went into putting together this spectacular Shabbos.

It was orchestrated by Rabbi Moshe Fingerer, Menahel of BJX. “I was delighted to see that everyone enjoyed it so much. It makes all the avodah worthwhile.”

and made it even more comfortable to meet the many new faces in the room.

Helped by a delicious dairy buffet, a friendly spirit pervaded the room leading to a ton of great conversations. Connectors/facilitators helped make many introductions and assisted with the multiple requests for follow up. About 10 couples have expressed interest in each other with two dates quickly arranged immediately after the event.

The Young Israel of Woodmere’s YIW Meet group runs programming for single men and women of all ages a few times a year. DineNMeet, a division of SawYouAtSinai, and YUConnects, a non-profit open to all, both organize frequent and unique events which allow more meeting opportunities for singles.

These activities have been so productive that YUConnects was recently approached to run an “international” event in Israel. On December 8, 120 young men and women participated in the inaugural “Shiur and Sushi” event at the OU Israel Center

in Rechavia, Jerusalem. The staff at Yeshiva University in Israel helped coordinate the logistics with the YUConnects team and Rabbi Chaim Eisenstein of the Gruss Kollel, a dynamic speaker, began the evening with an interactive discussion on “Device and Conquer! Technology and our spiritual lives.”

Sushi and sufganiyot (apologies to the health minister...) were served while the attendees had a wonderful time after the shiur to meet some expert local matchmakers and play a lively round of “human bingo” allowing for comfortable interactions.

Geared especially for Anglo singles, one participant noted, “I was happy to attend and speak to people with a similar background. This made it so easy!”

Double Header – Twice the Fun

T

wo recent social events for singles, coordinated with YUConnects, clearly demonstrate that these activities can be fun, enjoyable and successful in making matches.

Last Saturday night, on December 17, the Young Israel of Woodmere “YIW Meet” group, DineNMeet and YUConnects co-sponsored a Comedy night at the home of Drs. Deborah and Yacov Stollman. A rising young comedian, Eli Lebowicz,

entertained the packed room with a kosher standup routine on Jewish daily life. He good-naturedly poked fun at himself as a “galila, not a hagba” type of guy and confided how he stumbles when answering the security questions at EL AL check-in. The receptive audience enjoyed both his improvisational routine and a special Chanukah-themed icebreaker game.

As expected, the crowd of young professionals, ages 28 to 38, found that laughter broke down boundaries

“I had so many questions. What does it mean to be a Jew? Why do we light Shabbos candles?

How should I pray?”

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YUConnects and SawYouAtSinai offer free membership for those who live in Israel. For more information about any of these programs, email mglatt@yu.edu or call 212-9605400 X 6163.

The Jewish Home | DECEMBER 22, 2016

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Around the Community

Eight Wines with a Long Finish for a Nation with an Everlasting Light

By Gabriel Geller

T

he Jewish people are celebrating a special holiday this week. While each Jewish holiday celebrates or commemorates different miracles in its own way, Chanukah can be considered the holiday of miracles. It is the first and only one of two holidays along with Purim during which we recite the special prayer of Al Ha-nisim, a tefillah with which we thank G-d for all the great miracles He has made for our nation throughout history.

For eight consecutive days and nights, we light eight candles on the menorah. The story of the Maccabim and their victory against the Greek commander Antiochus IV and his army is wellknown, as is the interpretation of the lighting of the candles of Chanukah.

The candles remind us that the menorah remained lit for eight days despite a quantity of pure olive oil that should have normally sufficed for no more than one day. Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks, the former Chief Rabbi of the United Kingdom, teaches us that this extraordinary and miraculous victory of the weak over the strong, of the few over the many, should always remind us that with faith and yiras Shamayim, even a small group of people can change the world for the better by doing the right thing. A tiny candle can light up the world in the darkest of times.

No holiday is complete without some festive food.

A classic dish for Chanukah is latkes. Many, if not most, people do not know which wine pairs best with these oily delicacies. The answer is rather simple: bubbly! Bubblies are the ultimate celebratory wines, and especially dry sparklers such as Cava or

Champagne is the ideal companion. The sharp bubbles and high acidity cut through the fat and balance out the heaviness associated with latkes.

This is a “rule” which may be applied and repeated with all deepfried and salty dishes.

Two great bubblies are the Drappier Carte Blanche and the Elvi Cava Brut.

The Drappier is an authentic French Champagne featuring notes of freshly baked bread and citrus peels. The Elvi Cava showcases the best Spain has to offer with aromas of orange blossom and baked apples. Speaking of apples, those serving latkes with applesauce should try accompanying them with the Baron Herzog Pinot Grigio; this wine is a true delight and a tremendous value. It is light in body and refreshing with bright acidity as well as notes of apples, pears, and lemon zest. Latkes are also a great side dish on Shabbos Chanukah with poultry such as roasted or deep-fried chicken. For that, a fuller-bodied and more complex wine such as the Teperberg Essence Chardonnay would work perfectly, the clean texture, the mineral notes, and the slightly toasted nuts flavors enhancing the whole seudah.

Rabbi Sacks brings up the fact that many commentators question the first candle of Chanukah, since the jug of oil found by the Maccabim should have lasted for only one day. So, what is mi-

raculous about that? Well, the fact that they found that small jug of pure olive oil after all Yerushalayim and the Bais Hamikdash had gone through during the war was a huge miracle on its own. The Jews always maintained their emunah, teaching us that Am Yisrael should remain a ner tamid for the world. We may not have the Bais Hamikdash today, however we do have wines from impressive French castles, such as Château La Clare and Château Greysac. These Bordeaux wines from the Médoc can highlight our festive meals, providing notes of dark forest berries and earthy notes that marry well with a delicious braised brisket or a savory London broil.

Rabbi Jonathan Sacks reminds us that the Greeks created an entire culture and produced some of the most remarkable civilizations in history, with philosophers like Plato and Aristotle, historians like Herodotus and Thucydides, dramatists such as Sophocles and Aeschylus. They also produced art and architecture of a beauty that has never been surpassed. Yet, they corrupted their people and lost all morality. In the end, their entire civilization disappeared.

The Jewish people however, have always maintained values and morality.

Thanks to the Torah and acts of chessed, we have never ceased to exist despite all the

persecutions suffered all over the world throughout the millennia.

A bit over 20 years ago, the small Jewish community of Barcelona in Spain did not have access to any good kosher wine for kiddush and havdalah.

A local Lubavitcher rabbi then decided to approach a winery called Celler de Capçanes, in the near-by Monstant region. The rabbi convinced both the winemakers and owners to produce a small batch of kosher wine for the members of his shul. They accepted, and the rest is history. Today Capçanes has a full lineup of six different kosher wines considered among the world’s finest. Some of these wines have collected the highest ratings ever obtained for kosher wines by Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate, the world’s most influential wine review. It is, in fact, the popular and critical acclaim of these kosher wines that have made the winery famous and successful among wine aficionados the world.

The Capcanes Peraj Petita Dolç is the latest addition to the winery’s family of kosher wine.

With its savory notes of blackberry preserves and caramelized pecan nuts, this Port-style blend of Carignan and Grenache, while not as heavy or rich as its Portuguese counterparts such as the Porto Cordovero LBV, makes for a delightful pairing with the hot, jelly-filled doughnuts that crown a Chanukah party.

May we enjoy Chanukah in the light of Torah with sumptuous food and amazing wines!

L’chaim! A freilichen Chanukah!

The Jewish Home | DECEMBER 22, 2016

CHANUKAH SAMEACH!

ST. JOHN’S EPISCOPA L HOSPITA L E P I S C O PA L H E A LT H S E R V I C E S I N C .

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OCTOBER 29, 2015 | The Jewish Home DECEMBER 22, 2016 | The Jewish Home

TJH

Centerfold

What’s in Your Latkes?  Some people are always looking to cause problems by asking others to agree with them. It is too hot or too cold, too sour or to sweet. They are called “Agie Taters.”

 There are those who say they will help, but somehow just never get around to actually doing the promised help. They are called “Hezzie Taters.”

 Some people never do anything to help, but are gifted at finding fault with the way others do the work.

They are called “Comment Taters.”

 Some people can put up a front and pretend to be someone they are not. They are called “Immy Taters.”

 Then there are those who love others and do what they say they will. They are always prepared to stop whatever they are doing and lend a helping hand. They bring real sunshine into the lives of others.

They are called “Sweet Po Taters.”

 Some people never seem motivated to participate, but are just content to watch while others do the work. They are called “Spec Taters.”

The Jelly Doughnut Challenge The TJH Centerfold Commissioner should have made this challenge up, but it is actually a real Guinness World Record Challenge, which is available on their website.

o The doughnuts used must be fresh and must have a minimum diameter of 6 cm (2.36 in). o The doughnuts must have jam in the center and be covered in sugar. o The doughnuts must be served at room

The challenge is to eat a jelly doughnut without using your hands and without licking your lips. You must abide by the following rules (again, these are the Guinness World Record’s rules, not mine…so please, no hate mail):

temperature and may not be heated prior to eating.

attempt, they will be immediately disqualified.

o The doughnut must be placed on a plate.

o Any jam, sugar or crumbs that remain on the plate must also be consumed. As the challenger is not permitted to lick their lips, they may have small remnants of food around the mouth and lips. Any large pieces of doughnut unconsumed, or on any other part of the challenger’s face, the attempt is disqualified.

o The attempt must take place at a table or desk, with the challenger sitting or standing. o The challenger’s hands must remain behind their back for the entire duration of the attempt. o The challenger is not permitted to drink water during the attempt. o If the challenger licks his or her lips at any point during the

o The attempt ends when the challenger opens their mouth and it is empty.

The Jewish Home | OCTOBER 29, 2015 The Jewish Home | DECEMBER 22, 2016

Those who are true students of the TJH Centerfold Commissioner should be able to entertain others for hours with jokes, riddles and games. As your Centerfold Commissioner, I am concerned that if your Chanukah party is lame it would be a bad reflection of me. So here’s what I will do for you: to help spice up your parties, here are some magic tricks that you could do to entertain everyone.

These tricks are easy to do, yet they are really amazing. Learn how to do these tricks and you will be on your way to becoming an accomplished magician.

Master Mind Reader Pick any quarter out of the hat and I’ll tell you which one you picked.

TRICK: Find 10 quarters, each from a different year or state, and put them in a hat. After being blindfolded by one of your audience members, have a member of your audience pick one of the quarters out of the hat. After that quarter is passed around the room for each audience member to see which one was picked, have them put the quarter back in the hat and you take the hat. While still blindfolded, you appear to be concentrating deeply, put your hand in the hat and retrieve the chosen quarter.

HOW TO DO IT: No, you don’t need a special hat or special coins. No tools necessary. What you do is, once the person picks the quarter, you tell him/ her to pass it to all the other people in the audience. You tell each person to inspect the quarter to make sure it is real. The more your audience touches the quarter, the easier it will be for

you to pick out the right one because it will be warmer than the rest of the quarters. So act like a confident magician and encourage the audience to inspect the quarter closely. Tell them to inspect if the quarter is real or has a magician’s chip in it. Challenge them to “touch the quarter, press it, try to bend it…”

After all your audience members touch the quarter, it will be recognizably warmer than the rest of the quarters, due to just having been touched by so many people. You then take the hat and with your eyes closed, you quickly touch each quarter and when you feel the one that is warmer than the other ones, you pull it out. Give a bow – you are now a mind reader!

The Disappearing Coins Trick TRICK: Make coins vanish when covered by a clear glass. Once glass is removed, the coins reappear.

HOW TO PREPARE: Put a cloth or paper over the table. Now, tape or glue a piece of the identical cloth or paper

Hey Underlings,

to the mouth of a goblet, covering the whole top of the goblet. Place the goblet upside down on the table, at which point your audience will not be able to tell that there is anything on the mouth of the goblet (since the cloth or paper covering the mouth of the goblet is the same as the cloth or paper that is covering the table).

STEPS TO THE TRICK: 1. Show your audience the coin and overturned goblet, then cover the overturned goblet with the cloth and place it over the coin.

2. Remove the cloth from the goblet so that the audience can see inside the goblet. The coin appears to have vanished.

3. Cover the goblet again with the cloth and remove the goblet to its original position, alongside the coins. The coins will thus magically reappear.

BONUS: Take a bow and tell your audience that you made the coins disappear from their pockets as well. See how quickly they check their pockets.

Now you are a real entertainer!

The folks who handle the serious part of this magazine (boy, are they serious �if you only knew the grief I get from them) asked me to rev you guys up for the Chanukah Giveaway (funny how they come to the Centerfold Commissioner whenever they want to promote anything� at least they know who is really important).

So, send in your Chanukah, Chanucka, Channnuka or even your Chanukcah pictures in order to win a gift certificate to Berrylicious! See details on Letters to the Editor page (the place serious people air their grievances). Hey, do me a favor? Smile big in the pictures, no sour faces, OK? - Happy Channuuukkkcckckhhaaa! Your Favorite Centerfold Commissioner

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DECEMBER 22, 2016 | The Jewish Home

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DECEMBER 22, 2016 | The Jewish Home

Torah Thought

Parshas Vayeishev

By Rabbi Berel Wein

M

odern writers and commentators have found the biblical narratives of the book of Bereshis irresistible in their penchant for psychoanalyzing people described there in terms of modern understanding and current correctness. In so doing they do a great disservice to Jewish tradition and present a distorted picture of the message that the Torah is attempting to convey.

The narrative regarding Joseph and his brothers has engaged mankind for millennia. In it is represented all of the personality characteristics of nobility, self-justification, blindness and deception throughout history. The narrative stands by itself and needs no “deeper” exposition or analysis. It is what it is and that is how Jewish tradition has always viewed it.

The tendency to “understand”

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the characters of the people presented in the Torah narrative leads to all sorts of weird ideas that serve to undermine Jewish values and traditions instead of strengthening them.

In all of the narratives that appear in this holy book the unseen hand of Heaven, so to speak, is present and active. And that part of the story is not subject to any psychological or personal analysis or perspective.

Rashi points this out in his opening comment to this week’s Torah reading. The plan of Yaakov is to enjoy a leisurely retirement in his later stage of life but Heaven interferes as the story of Yosef and his brothers unfolds. No matter how you will analyze the motivations of the characters in this biblical narrative, we

ed in the Torah narrative. However, they were always careful not only to include but also to emphasize that ultimately it was the will of Heaven that was guiding events towards Divine purposes.

The Bible is not a psychodrama or rebuke of history and psychology.

It is a book of fire and holiness and one has to be careful in handling it.

But modern commentators – even those who are observant and scholarly – many times insert currently faddish values and interpretations into its eternal words. Keeping this in mind in dealing with the great narrative regarding Joseph and his brothers, one of the key narratives in the entire Torah, we should do so with caution and tradition. To do

It is always the inscrutable hand of Heaven that governs the story and mocks our pretensions.

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still will not know the entire story.

It is always the inscrutable hand of Heaven that governs the story and mocks our pretensions.

One of the great differences between the traditional commentators and the more modern versions of this genre is this G-d factor. Midrash, Talmud and the great medieval and later commentators that created the framework for understanding the narrative of the Torah also delved deeply into the personalities and motives of the people represent-

otherwise is a great disservice to the text of the story itself and to the value system that Jewish tradition has assigned to it.

The dispute between Joseph and his brothers has heavenly and historic consequences and still hovers over Jewish life today. To treat it as a matter of sibling rivalry is a misunderstanding of the entire purpose of the Torah narrative.

Shabbat shalom.

The Jewish Home | DECEMBER 22, 2016

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DECEMBER 22, 2016 | The Jewish Home

A Fulfilled L fe

Chanukah…

Al Pi Darko

By Rabbi Dr. Naphtali Hoff

C

hinuch refers to realizing the inherent capability…for whichever task, or the capability of a house or an object to fulfill its function… When it is used to refer to the education of children, then the meaning is to raise and develop the child’s nature and capabilities.

(Rabbi Kalonymous Kalman Shapira of Piaseczno, Chovas Hatalmidim, Warsaw, 1932, pp. 1) Chanukah means consecration.

During the eight days of Chanukah, we commemorate the miraculous rededication of the Bais Hamikdash by the Chashmonaim in 165 BCE following three years of contamination at the hands of the powerful Seleucid Greeks.

Chanukah, however, can also be understood as education, consecrating a child for the holy ambition of a Jewish “chinuch.” In this I refer not solely to the transfer of information and ideas, but rather the inculcation of a way of life, a standard of principles and life-shaping ideals that will guide a child to remain on the proper path well into their adult lives.

“Chanoch l’naar al pi darko, gam ki yazkin lo yasur mimenu” – Train the youth according to his way, so that even when he ages he will not deviate from it. (Mishlei 22:6) Chinuch is a topic that deserves special attention during Chanukah, a time when the very essence of Jewish education was threatened by a materialistic, Hellenistic, cultural “darkness” that outlawed the study of Torah and the observance of mitzvos at the pain of death.

“The earth was astonishingly empty, and darkness was on the face of the deep, and the spirit of Hashem was hovering over the face of

the water.” (Bereishis 1:2) Rabbi Shimon ben Lakish applied this verse to the foreign powers. “Now the earth was empty” symbolizes Babylonia…

“Astonishingly” refers to Persia/Media… “Darkness” symbolizes Greece.

(Bereishis Rabbah 2:4) * * * Our generation is blessed with a wide-ranging Torah educational system that serves an extensive array of Jewish children. Yet, this success has not been without its challenges. Children often find themselves forced into a system that, for a variety of reasons, does not meet their indi-

instruction to incorporate all learners and accentuate a wide array of student strengths. It also means that we must be willing to be flexible with our curricular demands, emphasizing more of the effective components of Jewish education, so as to ensure a longstanding sense of connection.

To again quote the Piaseczno Rebbe, “We must raise and educate the person with the aim of drawing out (Hashem’s spirit), revealing it, making it flower, so that he becomes a faithful Jew. The person’s connection to Tradition will thus be borne of free will.” Parents can help facilitate

Our goal must be to capture the child’s essence as much as his intellect.

vidual needs. They spend year after year in an endless rut of frustration.

Many become disillusioned and turn away as a result. What can be done, by both mechanchim and parents, to stem this growing tide of disconnect?

Fortunately, contained within Shlomo HaMelech’s mandate of “chanoch l’naar” are strategies with which to address and hopefully improve the situation: Educate according to their abilities and inclinations – As we know, every child possesses a different blend of learning styles, abilities and interests. (See Malbim, ibid.) It is necessary for educators to guide their students according to the path that their abilities and inclinations dictate (Ralbag, ibid). This requires us to consider differentiated forms of

this process by advocating for their children and their specific learning needs. Our goal must be to capture the child’s essence as much as his intellect.

• And according to their temperament – We must be willing to work with all of our children and be exceedingly patient with them, even when they are very challenging. So many of our best and brightest children have been turned off because of their inability to fit in neatly within the established religious, educational and social systems that we have created, sensing their teachers’ or parents’ frustrations and displeasure.

• Educate the entire child – We all have a core list of basic needs, from physiological to physical to emotional, all of which, if not prop-

erly met, will hamper our ability to achieve maximal intellectual results. Every child needs to feel like he belongs and is properly cared for as a person, not just as a student.

Otherwise, he will seek to satisfy those needs elsewhere, often in environments that are damaging to his physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being.

• Educate with the future in mind (based on Rabbi Samson Raphael Hirsch, Collected Writings, Vol. VII, pp. 411ff.) – We must ensure that our children are not overwhelmed by life’s challenges and experiences. As our students leave the insular walls of the yeshiva, they will invariably be faced with difficult tests, ones never before experienced by past generations. We simply cannot shelter our children from all of these temptations. Rather, we must instill within them a love for Yiddishkeit that is of such a magnitude they will possess the necessary fortitude to resist and ultimately reject these divergent forces. Allow them to ask the difficult questions; children must see that the Torah can and does respond to all matters.

It must be our mission to ensure that each of our children is receiving a Torah chinuch, both in yeshiva and at home, that is “al pi darko.” In so doing, we will hopefully see them develop a deep, long lasting sense of connection to all that we hold so dear – gam ki yazkin lo yasur mimenu.

Rabbi Naphtali Hoff, PsyD, is President of Impactful Coaching and Consulting.

He can be reached at 212.470.6129 or at nhoff@impactfulcoaching.com.

The Jewish Home | DECEMBER 22, 2016

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DECEMBER 22, 2016 | The Jewish Home

On the Streets of

Israel

Just Clowning Around

By Elana Dure

I

never thought I’d find myself gazing into the eyes of a man I met just an hour before, but here I was, on a regular Sunday morning, looking at Josh as he looked at me.

Now, don’t get me wrong. This was not the beginning of a colorful love story or romance novel. On the contrary, it was as platonic as it was uncomfortable. I had no intention of ever staring at Josh – and probably never would have – had I not been instructed to so.

Let me take a step back. Josh, a teddy bear of a man from Westchester, New York, is a teaching assistant based in Netanya. As members of the 2016-2017 Masa Israel Teaching Fellows cohort, Josh and I, along with 133 other eager educators, gathered for a day-long enrichment seminar in Neve Ilan.

As most seminars go, this one was pretty typical. We listened to an inspirational speech, participated in educational training workshops, and ate lots of delicious food.

One aspect, however, was different and unconventional: a unique opportunity for us to step out of our comfort zones and into a world that embraced mistakes and pushed personal boundaries – big time.

Entitled “The Inner Clown: Creativity, Honesty and Communica-

tion,” this introductory workshop spoke true to its name. Led by four clowns associated with The Dream Doctors Project, an organization that specializes in medical clowning, this interactive activity encouraged us to act silly, dream big and let loose.

Midway through the workshop, my instructor, Shlomi Golan, told us to approach a random person in the room. He then instructed us to each

At first, I couldn’t even look Josh in the eye. Once I overcame that hurdle, I couldn’t stop laughing. The proximity to his face – I could see every pore, hair and freckle if I looked close enough – made me nervous and, naturally, my reaction was to giggle.

After about a minute of punishing me, Josh shrugged his shoulders and held up his hands in retreat. “Ceasefire?” he asked playfully.

Maybe Shlomi’s intention was to teach us the Israeli way to believe in ourselves – to acquire a sort of chutzpah, if you will.

stare deeply into each other’s eyes.

The catch, Shlomi said, was that we couldn’t laugh. He said even the tiniest of smirks would provoke a punishment from our partner. If we continued laughing, our partner would continue “punishing.” It was as simple as that.

At least in theory. In actuality, the exercise made me squirm. I was uncomfortable from the beginning and with each passing minute, I only seemed to get more antsy.

I nodded and started to look around the room. Every other pair seemed to have the same struggles we were having. People were anxious, awkward and self-conscious. As people in society, we are used to having our own space, our own protective wall. When it is ripped down and invaded by a foreign force, we panic and don’t know what to do.

After the lesson, Shlomi told us that it is important to embrace our discomforts. He explained that we

should let go of our hesitations and act without restraint. Once we forget our inhibitions and anxieties, we can live creatively, dream honestly and communicate without holding back.

By the end of the workshop, participants began to take Shlomi’s lesson to heart. People who were normally shy volunteered to do silly commands. People who would usually hide from attention stepped into the spotlight.

Maybe Shlomi’s intention was to teach us the Israeli way to believe in ourselves – to acquire a sort of chutzpah, if you will.

The truth is, we can all use some chutzpah in our lives. Chutzpah is the good sort of shameless audacity. It’s the personal confidence or courage that allows us to say things that may shock others. It gives us the ability to test limits without worry.

As teachers, and newcomers to a foreign land, chutzpah is just the kind of remedy we need for a happy and successful year.

I’ll take a yearly dosage of chutzpah please, Dream Doctor.

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

The Jewish Home | DECEMBER 22, 2016

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DECEMBER 22, 2016 | The Jewish Home OCTOBER 29, 2015 | The Jewish Home

Dating Dialogue

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

Dear Readers, T

his week we had a “glitch” in our system and we weren’t able to prepare our usual What Would You Do If panel and column. Our apologies.

I thought we could use this opportunity to talk about effective communication amongst couples. I never liked the phrase “effective communication.” I had seen too many fantastically insightful, accomplished, brilliant and elegant couples to believe that if they just learned how to talk to each other more effectively their marriages would improve.

They know how to talk. Many of the individuals I see are ten times brighter than I am. They are managing millions of dollars, performing surgery, teaching, raising beautiful children, they are even therapists. They know how to communicate. So, what is going on at home? Why is that when the door closes, a glimpse (What are you… mad at me? Why do you make that nasty face at me?), an unwashed dish (If you really cared about me, you’d wash the darn dishes!), or a

forgotten joint appointment (I knew it, deep down she only cares about herself… What a selfish woman I married) can start a third world war?

When we get married, our spouse becomes (and should become) the most important person in our lives. In other words, there’s a lot at stake. If this person isn’t meeting our needs, we tend to either withdraw or attack. When we feel disconnected or misunderstood, watch out! We may go to war to get that spouse back! Or we may hide and avoid, hoping to keep the peace and keep our spouse happy. This doesn’t make sense… but the part of our brain that is wired for love and attachment is not logical. So, in a way, all the fighting and yelling and attacking and withdrawing makes perfect sense because love is not logical. You aren’t crazy, you aren’t selfish, you aren’t immature, you aren’t your mother, and your husband is not his father (all the things us loving couples say to each other in moments of stress). You’re in an intimate relationship. You’re completely vulnerable to having your needs met by your spouse (when you stop and think about that, that is actually scary stuff. Your reptilian brain knows this all too well and recognizes this dan-

ger, and reacts in a “fight or flight” kind of way, and that is why you may think your husband doesn’t love you when he forgets to pick up milk on the way home) much in the same way you were vulnerable as a baby and relied on your mother and/or father.

When you were an infant and you would cry out, hopefully your mother or caregiver responded lovingly and appropriately. What’s the matter, my love? What can Mommy do for you?

Awwww, I love you honey. Maybe she would make you a warm bottle or change your diaper. As you grew up, your needs changed. Perhaps you needed a ride, or new clothes, but you also had emotional needs. And again, hopefully you felt safe enough to call out to your attachment figure.

Mom (or Dad), I had such a hard day. I’m so upset. And he/she said, You had a hard day?!... (Matching your affect so brilliantly, a parenting coach/therapist would be proud) I’m so sorry, please tell me all about it. I really want to know. You had a need, you called out, your need was acknowledged and when appropriate, it was met. You were completely safe and soothed.

And sometimes, for various and expansive reasons (parent in denial, child’s difficult temperament, stressful life circumstance for parent), some of our needs and calls went unmet. Later in life, we may not know how to get our needs met in our adult

marital relationship. We just don’t know how. And, if you are Orthodox and your husband/wife is your first real love interest, you have zero past experience to draw from so, please, give yourself a break!

It behooves us to take a look at our own behavior in our relationships and ask ourselves, What is going on?

When I yell (or am not communicating effectively), I am feeling (fill in blank). Or when I yell, I wish my spouse knew (fill in the blank). For most of us, when we stop and really think about it, some “old stuff” is being stirred up. For example: Susie can’t find her shoes in the morning.

She has to be at the train station at 6:30 AM. She is searching frantically. Her husband, Joseph, is awake.

He hears Susie shuffling around downstairs and instead of helping, he closes the door. Oh! Don’t think for a second Susie doesn’t know Joseph is awake and that she didn’t hear the door so gently close. She heard! And when she gets home, Joseph is going to get it, boy! She’s going to lace into him but good! And…after years of marriage, Joseph knows he is going to get it, so when he gets home from work, he hides in his man cave. And as usual, Susie follows him into his man cave (garage, basement, even a bedroom can serve as a man cave) and gives it to him. And he says nothing but an empty Sorry, which only infuriates Susie more.

The Jewish Home | DECEMBER 22, 2016 The Jewish Home | OCTOBER 29, 2015

Susie is too intense! She’s so mean to Joseph, some might say.

Or, Joseph is a jerk. He should get up and help her, and show some empathy for her. And he should talk to her when she gets home. It’s his fault. But what no one (maybe even including Susie) knows is that Susie can’t ask Joseph directly for help, even though she wants his help. In her house, it was frowned upon to need help. People who needed help or couldn’t do something on their own were considered weak. To ask Joseph for help would be admitting that she was weak. To be weak meant she would be undignified or even disgusting. And so, she stomps her feet, making sure she is heard and when her “call” isn’t responded to, she screams. Because screaming is strength. Screaming will get his attention. And she doesn’t have to be weak or vulnerable around Joseph.

Another thing people don’t know is that Joseph closes the door because

he doesn’t like to get involved in chaos, even though he would like to help Susie find her shoes. He probably won’t be able to help her anyway, because he believes he is never of much help to begin with. He was yelled at a lot as a kid and criticized and learned from an early age that it was better to keep quiet. No one wanted his opinion, anyway. If he helped or tried to give an opinion to Susie, she would probably tell him what an idiot he is…. So you see, when she came home from work, she yelled at him anyway, which he knew would happen to begin with…which is why he closes the door and hides in his man cave. Susie would probably be better off without him, he believes.

Susie and Joseph (a fictitious couple) can be helped! If we only look at their “communication,” we are missing the bigger picture. If we only instruct Joseph to go downstairs and help Susie find her shoes and teach Susie not to chase after Joseph when

We have to invite Susie’s and Joseph’s past experiences and unmet needs into the relationship.

he is in his man cave, the cycle will probably continue because we aren’t making room for the feelings beneath the surface that are steering the entire ship. The most meaningful connections are made when couples get vulnerable and dig beneath the surface…it’s true. We have to invite Susie’s and Joseph’s past experiences and unmet needs into the relationship. They have to give each other permission to do so. We have to help them learn how to call out for each other, all the while building their sense of trust and safety that my partner will be there for me even after I show him that unloveable piece

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of me. Susie can know that Joseph feels like a failure and Joseph can know that Susie struggles with her own humanness…and they can love each other even more.

Now that’s what I call effective communication.

Sincerely, Jennifer Mann

Esther Mann, LCSW and Jennifer Mann, LCSW are licensed, clinical psychotherapists and dating and relationship coaches working with individuals, couples and families in private practice in Hewlett, NY. To set up an appointment, please call 516.224.7779. Press 1 for Esther, 2 for Jennifer. To learn more about their services, please visit thenavidaters.com.

If you would like to submit a dating or relationship question to the panel anonymously, please email thenavidaters@ gmail.com. You can follow The Navidaters on FB and Instagram for dating and relationship advice.

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DECEMBER 22, 2016 | The Jewish Home

Dr. Deb

Time for Joy

By Deb Hirschhorn, Ph.D.

T

oday, I had an unexpected regret.

Let me explain. Way back after Hurricane Sandy had destroyed a good bit of my “stuff,” I consoled myself with the notion that it is only “stuff” and more important than that were the relationships with the people I loved.

I really got into this idea. I decided to finish what Sandy had started and I went through all the “stuff” that Sandy had left alone. I had trunks of memorabilia like my adult children’s fourth grade art projects and report cards. Seriously.

I committed the art projects pretty much to the round file and

gave my children their medical histories and report cards. And I thought: This old stuff is silly. They are not the people now that they were so what is the point of it all?

From there, I did a thorough cleanout of everything else: Old tapes. Tapes. Remember those?

Tapes of Uncle Moishy but also recordings of my early therapy sessions when I was still in graduate school. Out! I got rid of picture frames and collected all the pictures that were in them to put into a future album some time. A lot lighter to move with. And there was more. When we found a dry apartment, we got rid of furniture, too. It felt so good to lighten up. So I went from one of those packrats to almost (but not quite) Japanese-style sparse.

I’d read an article about people who literally got rid of everything and spent time traveling around the world with only one suitcase. It was unfathomable: All they had of their own was a single suitcase. They were interviewed and said they’d never been so happy. Well, there you go! That seemed like a great goal.

Then my husband died (this past Pesach). And I didn’t wait till shiva was over to give his wheelchair and other medical equipment to Bikur Cholim. I did not want to see that anymore. And slowly, I started placing his stuff in willing hands. It felt good to see that his treasured books would be read by many and those in need would wear his sweaters.

Somewhere along the line, after Pesach, this clearing out project

must have taken on a Koheles-like tone which went something like this: Life is really short. The good part is there is no need to worry because one day you will die and your worries will be over! If you start to think about the end – the potential end of your own life – that way, then it can enhance the meaning of the present moment.

I wrote here, months back, that it enhances the beauty of everything. Everything seems so precious, so beautiful: the sky, the sun, the weather (yes, even the weather), the cuteness of kids, the kindness of someone’s smile, the good mazal that some people have.

There is a poignancy because it all can be ripped away so quickly and unexpectedly.

That’s the enhanced side.

But being in Koheles mode can also diminish the present moment, it seemed. The diminished side is from the exact same thought: It all can be ripped away so quickly, why invest in it? Why care about the future when it may not be here?

I think I was thinking about death just a tad too much. (How could I help it, after all?)

I know all the things I can do to turn my thoughts to more productive directions. To be sure, I’m teaching a course based on feeling good about yourself! (It is going great, by the way; I promised I’d keep you posted.) Therefore, I know that I have to turn my thoughts to positive things; I have to create the positive in my life that I want – and I’ve been doing all that. And, in fact,

The Jewish Home | DECEMBER 22, 2016

I’m very happy with all that I’ve been throwing my energies into.

But there was always that thought of death tugging at the bottom of my skirt for attention, like a little kid with something very important to ask. I wondered if I would ever go back to feeling like I was 26 again with my life ahead of me. That would be nice.

Then it happened, just today, that I regretted throwing away my box of old tapes from the Clinic at Nova.

One of those tapes was of a session that got published in a journal because I had an interesting take on it at that time. And I suddenly realized that I should have kept the tape as an original resource. I thought I noticed a line of transcript missing in the article (it’s on my website) and if I’d kept the tape, I could find the missing data.

And that got me to thinking: Maybe the problem was not that I had been thinking too much of death. Maybe the problem was that

I had been trying too hard to divest myself of my gashmius (material things).

Maybe in my sadness after losing so much “stuff” after Sandy, I pulled the old fox-and-the-grapes routine on myself: It’s only stuff and I don’t

ant in the scheme of things, like some of the more somber poetry of the Yom Kippur davening. You know, being a “passing shadow,” a “lump of clay,” and so on.

Now, suddenly, I regretted tossing a shoebox of tapes. And the regret

I wondered if I would ever go back to feeling like I was 26 again with my life ahead of me.

want it anyway. After all, I’m such a spiritual person (note of sarcasm detected), so who needs so much stuff? And when my husband died, that point became layered with the thought that it’s all temporary anyway, so why hold onto it? Not only temporary, but probably unimport-

felt good. Because it attached me to the past. Okay, the past passed, but it had its meaning. It had its weight.

It represented something that was important, something I could have held onto (even if I didn’t).

As I thought about that past moment and felt good about it, I knew I

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could also feel good about the future and its possibilities. To Hashem, our work here is very important. Yes, it may be temporary, but every moment has the potential for eternal value. Who am I to judge my life (or anyone’s) as to be so temporary it is unimportant?

Koheles certainly didn’t say that.

Indeed, I am supposed to combine my joy in the gifts of gashmius that Hashem has given us with my ruchniyus. If any chag has that very message, it is Chanukah: We did not give up! We fought a hard war when we were outnumbered, and from that determination to win for Hashem came both a spiritual and a material victory. As Koheles said, there’s a time for joy. For sure, Chanukah is that time.

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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DECEMBER 22, 2016 | The Jewish Home

Health & F tness

The Flipside of Latkes

By Cindy Weinberger MS, RD, CDN

C

hanukah comes at the perfect time of year. Smack in the middle of the cold and dreary winter, Chanukah arrives to lift our spirits! Unfortunately, Chanukah tends to lift that number on the scale too. Many take this opportune time to enjoy Chanukah parties with friends and family.

Chanukah parties typically involve endless latkes and doughnuts. The bad news: doughnuts are in no way healthy for you at all. The good news is that latkes can be altered to be made slightly healthier.

Latkes are potato pancakes that have been part of Ashkenazi Jewish Chanukah tradition since the mid1800s. Luckily for us, latkes don’t necessarily need to be made from potatoes. Long before the introduction of the potato, latkes were – and in some places still are – made from a variety of other vegetables, cheeses, legumes, or starches. Of these options, the healthiest choice would be vegetables latkes. Cauliflower is a great substitution for potatoes. You can make cauliflower

latkes and eliminate the potatoes completely. If not so bold, you may want to try substituting grated zucchini, sweet potatoes or carrots for some of the potatoes. You can keep increasing the amount of zucchini

together. Try using baking powder instead of the eggs to lower the calories or if avoiding eggs due to allergies.

When it comes to latkes, the bulk of the calories come from fry-

Long before the introduction of the potato, latkes were – and in some places still are – made from a variety of other vegetables, cheeses, legumes, or starches.

to potato, such as three zucchini to one potato, and see how you like the results.

Now that the main ingredient is taken care of, the next ingredient that can be replaced is the eggs.

The purpose of the eggs is to hold the shredded potatoes or vegetables

ing them in oil. You can lighten your recipe by baking rather than frying your latkes. You can spray your latkes lightly with oil or use an oilsprayed baking sheet. Bake them in the oven at 450°F for approximately 15 minutes on one side and 10 minutes on the other. The light amount

of oil will help them become crisp.

These ideas may not sound as mouthwatering as the traditional latkes, but your arteries will definitely like these better. A great idea for a Chanukah party is a latke bar.

Choose from these selections and create a variety of latkes. This way, those looking to watch their weight can still enjoy the latkes fun and stick to tradition!

Cindy Weinberger MS, RD, CDN, is a Master’s level Registered Dietitian and Certified Dietitian-Nutritionist.

She graduated CUNY Brooklyn College receiving a Bachelor’s in Science and Master’s degree in Nutrition and Food Sciences. Her Dietetic Internship was completed under Brooklyn College primarily in Ditmas Park Care Center and Boro Park Center where she developed clinical and education skills to treat patients with comprehensive nutrition care. She is currently a dietitian at Boro Park Center and a private nutrition consultant. She can be reached at CindyWeinberger1@gmail.com.

The Jewish Home | DECEMBER 22, 2016

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Health & F tness

Chanukah and Fire Safety

By Hylton I. Lightman, MD, DCH, FAAP

L

ittle competes with the beauty that radiates from the dancing flames of the Chanukah lights. It is a joyous time and let’s try to keep it that way. We can avoid the fires that result from candles being lit in an unsafe manner by noting several factors. Following these safety instructions can prevent a disaster.

No matter how beautiful your child’s or grandchild’s “arts and crafts” menorah may be, please do not use it. These menorahs are not suitable for lighting and may burn when used.

Further: 1. Be sure to place the menorah on a sturdy surface made of noninflammable metal such as marble, glass or metal. Also make sure that the location is secure so the menorah cannot be knocked down or over by a door opening, someone passing by, or by something that can fall on it. Also make sure pets cannot reach the menorah.

2. Place the Chanukah candles or holders for oil only inside the menorah which should be made of nonflammable material only.

3. Never place the menorah near or under flammable material such as papers, curtains or books.

4. Do not walk around while holding a lit candle.

5. Keep matches, oil and lit objects away from children and out of reach.

6. Never leave a lit menorah unattended.

7. Supervise any child that lights a menorah. Place their menorah closer to the child so they don’t have to reach over another menorah.

Let’s speak about food. No, this is not a mussar schmooze about health and calories.

1. When frying, keep children away from the stove. Some people create a “3-foot” safety zone around the stove when the latkes are frying. Others use the further burners on the stovetop so children cannot

reach the flames. Oil tends to splatter.

2. In the event of a large grease flame or grease fire, do not use water to put it out! Smother the flames with damp towels.

If, G-d forbid, someone gets burned, what should you do?

1. Immediately move them away from the flames and heat source.

2. If the clothes catch fire, roll them on the ground and smother out the flames with a blanket or towel.

3. Do not pull off the clothing that has stuck to the injured skin.

Instead, cut the clothing around the injured area.

4. Pour tepid water on the injury for at least five minutes. Never use cold water or creams.

5. Call Hatzolah or 911 immediately.

This is a good time to make a commercial for carbon monoxide detectors. Twice a year, when we change the clocks, we should change the battery for the carbon

monoxide detector in our homes.

A New York City firefighter recently suggested that all frum homes which leave on an oven and blech for Shabbos should also leave a kitchen window slightly open for the fumes to escape. Since our homes are now better insulated than previously, there might be increased carbon monoxide fumes because of the oven and blech. This is a silent and dangerous toxin.

An ounce of prevention is a pound of cure. Let’s make this Chanukah a win-win for all with the highest standards of safety.

A freilichen and safe Chanukah to all!

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

The Jewish Home | DECEMBER 22, 2016

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Celebrate Chanukah Where Old Meets New

By Raizel Druxman

I

t’s the Festival of Lights, and there’s no better place to celebrate than in the country where it all began. The Maccabees gave us a lesson of strength to carry on and a miracle to celebrate, and in Israel people take that seriously.

With music festivals, guided tours, award-winning wines and gourmet sufganiyot, there are no shortage of ways to celebrate Chanukah in the Holy Land.

Although the miracle of Chanukah is much deeper than the food, the famous Jewish joke is, “They tried to kill us, we survived – let’s eat.” Since holidays are a unique time for family bonding, there’s no better way to connect then over delicious food. In Israel the food bonding starts early with bakeries rolling out their sufganiyah collection well before Chanukah to get people in the holiday spirit. Going all out, bakeries aren’t just satisfied with the standard jelly doughnut and chefs are upping the ante and recreating Chanukah classics.

Roladin Bakery, one of Israel’s largest bakeries, has been innovating baked goods for 27 years.

Constantly trying new flavors, this year’s sufganiyah surprises include

delicious doughnuts.

Even though there are healthier ways to prepare Chanukah treats, most people do opt to indulge in the fried treats once a year. To create a

Nothing is as magical as wandering around the Jerusalem neighborhoods of Geulah, Nachlaot or the Jewish quarter of the Old City where you can soak in the twinkling menorah lights in every window.

banana coffee toffee, mascarpone berry, halva pistachio, French style saint honor, pavlov cream cheese and praline. With 55 branches around Israel, it won’t be hard to get your hands on one (or five) of their

more gourmet experience, a wine expert at Golan Heights Winery suggests pairing light sparkling wine with the fried dishes. “White sparkling wine with high acidity can help balance the greasy feel of the suf-

ganiyot and latkes.” Chanukah is a perfect time to sample festive Israeli wines.

Especially if you’re hosting, start the evening with a special sparkling wine, like Yarden Blanc de Blanc, to get everyone in a festive mood.

During dinner, Galil Alon or Hermon Indigo are wonderful choices for red wine lovers, and for dessert, Yarden Muscat will ensure that your guests leave with a smile on their faces.

To work off some of the calories that are starting to pile on with all the delicious foods, join the annual torch relay from Modiin to the Western Wall. Every year on Chanukah runners line the road between Modiin, the birthplace of the Maccabees, and the old city of Jerusalem to deliver the lit torch to the chief rabbi who lights the menorah.

Recreating the experience of life during the time of the Maccabees, Hasmonian Village offers guided tours of battle sites and other historical places, including a live play re-enacting the story of Chanukah.

The Jewish Home | DECEMBER 22, 2016

Hasmonian Village

A gourmet doughnut collection in time for Chanukah

For more hands-on fun visit Ein Yael Museum. Ancient terraces and fountains, agricultural installations, reconstructed Roman streets with shops and craft workshops, archaeological remains and a Roman villa all make history come alive.

s a e nv ! e Canow r F 30 k x o 20 Bo

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For other kid-friendly celebrations, check out The Festigal and Motek Shel Festival. Motek Shel Festival is geared towards kids ages 2-5 and both festivals feature renowned entertainers.

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ing is as magical as wandering around the Jerusalem neighborhoods of Geulah, Nachlaot or the Jewish quarter of the Old City where you can soak in the twinkling menorah lights in every window, and of course pick up more sufganiyot

from the plethora of bakeries you will pass.

This Chanukah, grab your favorite treat and warm coat and enjoy the festivities while walking in the footsteps of the brave Maccabees in the Holy Land.

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Notable Quotes “Say What?!”

Don’t threaten us — we are not a rabbit, we are a tiger. If you threaten us you endanger yourself.

- Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu when asked by President Nursultan Nazabayev during his visit to Kazakhstan if he wants to send a message to Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, who was scheduled to visit Kazakhstan next week.

So in early September when I saw president Putin in China, I felt that the most effective way to ensure that that didn’t happen was to talk to him directly and tell him to cut it out and there were going to be serious consequences if he didn’t. And in fact, we did not see further tampering of the election process.

Today [Trump] met with executives from Amazon, Tesla, Apple, Google, and Facebook. He gathered all the major tech execs for a very important role: He wanted to see if any of them could figure out his iTunes login.

- Jimmy Kimmel

Karlov’s job in Turkey was to ease tensions over Russia’s atrocities in Syria and its incursions inside Turkey itself — meaning his job was to enable and normalize Vladimir Putin. Given that role, he wasn’t a diplomat, but a soldier, and his death is the same whether it came on a battlefield outside Aleppo or in an art gallery in Ankara. His killer was also a soldier — not a terrorist, mind you, but a soldier. Terrorists kill innocent people with trucks in Christmas markets or with planes in skyscrapers. Soldiers kill their fellow soldiers.

– New York Daily News editorial, in support of the ISIS terrorist that murdered Russian ambassador to Turkey Andrei Karlov

Mitt Romney tweeted that it was “an honor” to be considered for secretary of state. Romney then tweeted, “Oh, and has anyone seen my dignity?”

- Pres. Obama at his end of year press conference, claiming that Russia hacked into the DNC until he warned them to stop

No, they did not stop. They came after us absolutely every day until the end of the election. .

- DNC interim chairwoman Donna Brazile on ABC’s “This Week” disputing President Obama’s claims that Russian cyber-hacking stopped after he told Russian President Vladimir Putin to “cut it out.”

The Democratic National Committee was actually hacked because one of its directors clicked on a fake email to change his password, which gave Russia access to his account. Then Hillary said, “I can’t believe you’d be so careless with your email!”

- Jimmy Fallon

– Conan O’Brien

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He doesn’t know much. One thing he does know is how to get angry, white men to vote for him.

- Bill Clinton, in an off-the-cuff conversation with a reporter

The oldest living American, a New Jersey woman, has just turned 114. At her birthday party she said, “Why are we celebrating? I just spent 114 years in New Jersey.”

– Jimmy Fallon

Presidential Tweets If my many supporters acted and threatened people like those who lost the election are doing, they would be scorned & called terrible names!

Are we talking about the same cyberattack where it was revealed that head of the DNC illegally gave Hillary the questions to the debate?

- Responding to the Democrats’ newest talking point that Hillary lost because of the Russian hack

If Russia, or some other entity, was hacking, why did the White House wait so long to act? Why did they only complain after Hillary lost?

Bill Clinton stated that I called him after the election. Wrong, he called me (with a very nice congratulations). He “doesn’t know much” ... especially how to get people – even with an unlimited budget – out to vote in the vital swing states (and more). They focused on wrong states.

Trump announced he’s nominating Exxon Mobil CEO Rex Tillerson to be his secretary of state, even though Rex supposedly has a friendly relationship with Vladimir Putin. Today, Rex said, “Putin and I aren’t friends,” while Putin said, “That’s SO something Rex would say.”

- Jimmy Fallon

Now, we’re feeling what not having hope feels like.

– Michelle Obama in an interview with Oprah

Michelle Obama said yesterday that there’s no hope.

But I assume she was talking about the past, not the future — ‘cause I’m telling you, we have tremendous hope, and tremendous promise.

– Trump at a rally

Just don’t diet. Eat! Eat everything you see…but [do] not overeat.

- Concetta Talucci, who turned 102 last week, when asked about her secret to longevity by CBS Philly

A friend of Donald Trump’s said that Trump dangled the office of secretary of state to Mitt Romney to “torture him.” You can watch the whole thing in the new series “White Billionaire Pranks.”

– Conan O’Brien

- Responding to Bill Clinton’s claim that Trump “doesn’t know much” and that the day after the elections Trump called him and talked to him like they were old friends

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DECEMBER 22, 2016 | The Jewish Home OCTOBER 29, 2015 | The Jewish Home

It is just a fact – you all have it on tape – that the Republican nominee for president was encouraging Russia to hack his opponent because he believed that would help his campaign. It is not a controversial statement, I’m not trying to be argumentative. But I am trying to acknowledge a basic fact.

- White House Spokesman John Earnest, referring to Trump jokingly saying in August 2016, “Russia, if you’re listening, I hope you’re able to find the 30,000 emails that are missing,” when journalists were pestering him about Russian hacking of the DNC emails

Having the right press secretary is so important. This foolish guy, Josh Earnest – he delivers their message so bad. He can deliver a positive message and it sounds bad. He could say, “Ladies and gentleman, today we have totally defeated ISIS,” and it wouldn’t sound good.

Thought: There was (rightly) a cloud of illegitimacy over Bush, dispelled (wrongly) by 9/11. Creates some interesting incentives for Trump.

- Tweet by New York Times’ Paul Krugman

They had a clown today in the failing New York Times saying I wanted to have another World Trade Center catastrophe because it was good for my base.

What kind of demented person would say that?

- Trump at a rally in Mobile, Alabama, responding to Krugman’s tweet

[T]here is also a passive-aggressive, subtler way to make this point clear. It is like most of the points that finally defeated the Republicans of the Bush era. Those points succeeded not by suddenly knocking down walls, but instead by eroding them as would a river. Not using one word can be just as forceful as perpetually using another.

Never address Trump as “president.” He is Trump, just Trump. Never president.

- MSNBC host Keith Olbermann discussing how to delegitimize President-elect Donald Trump

- Trump at a Pennsylvania rally, responding to Earnest’s comments

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Over the last decade I have argued that we cannot have a bias against Israel at the UN. Decades of political maneuvering have created a disproportionate number of resolutions, reports and committees against Israel.

- Outgoing Secretary General of the UN Ban Ki-moon, in remarks commemorating his ten years in office

In many cases, instead of helping the Palestinian issue, this reality has foiled the ability of the UN to fulfill its role effectively.

- Ibid (lest you thought he really had Israel’s best interest in mind)

Donald Trump’s pick for secretary of state, Rex Tillerson, was once the president of the Boy Scouts of America. Or as Donald Trump calls that, “government experience.”

So far, President-elect Donald Trump’s cabinet is over 75% white men. It’s the first presidential cabinet in history to be sponsored

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Political Crossfire

The Trump Cabinet Bonfire of the Agencies

By Charles Krauthammer

D

emocrats spent the first two decades of the postCold War era rather relaxed about Russian provocations and revanchism. President Obama famously mocked Mitt Romney in 2012 for suggesting that Russia was ourprincipal geopolitical adversary.

Yet today the Dems are in high dudgeon over the closeness of secretary of state nominee, Rex Tillerson, to Vladimir Putin.

Hypocrisy aside, it is true that, as head of Exxon Mobil, Tillerson made major deals with Russia, received Russia’s Order of Friendship, and opposed U.S. sanctions. That’s troubling but not necessarily disqualifying. At the time, after all, Tillerson was acting as an agent of Exxon Mobil, whose interest it is to extract oil and make money.

These interests do not necessarily overlap with those of the United States. The relevant question is whether and how Tillerson distinguishes between the two and wheth-

er as agent of the United States he would adopt a tougher Russia policy than he did as agent of Exxon Mobil.

these agency missions are somehow divinely ordained. Why, they aren’t even constitutionally ordained. The

Conservatives have the odd view that the purpose of schooling – and therefore of the Department of Education – is to provide students with the best possible education.

We don’t know. We shall soon find out. That’s what confirmation hearings are for.

The left has been in equally high dudgeon that other Cabinet picks appear not to share the mission of the agency which they have been nominated to head. The horror! As if

Department of Education, for example, was created by President Carter in 1979 as a payoff to the teachers’ unions for their political support.

Now, teachers are wonderful.

But teachers’ unions are there to protect benefits and privileges, not necessarily to improve schooling.

Which is why they zealously defend tenure, protect their public-school monopoly and reflexively oppose school choice.

Conservatives have the odd view that the purpose of schooling – and therefore of the Department of Education – is to provide students with the best possible education. Hence Trump’s nominee, Betsy DeVos, a longtime and passionate proponent of school choice, under whom the department will no longer be an arm of the teachers’ unions.

She is also less likely to allow the department’s Office for Civil Rights to continue appropriating to itself the role of arbiter of social justice, micromanaging everything from campus mores to the proper bathroom assignment for [all] students.

If the mission of this department has been to dictate policy best left to the states and localities, it’s about time the mission was changed.

The most incendiary nomination by far, however, is Scott Pruitt to

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head the Environmental Protection Agency. As attorney general of Oklahoma, he has joined or led a series of lawsuits to curtail EPA power. And has been upheld more than once by the courts.

Pruitt has been deemed unfit to serve because he fails liberalism’s modern-day religious test: belief in anthropogenic climate change. They would love to turn his confirmation hearing into a Scopes monkey trial.

Republicans should decline the invitation. It doesn’t matter whether the man believes the moon is made of green cheese. The challenges to EPA actions are based not on meteorology or theology, but on the Constitution. The issue is that the EPA has egregiously exceeded its authority and acted as a rogue agency unilaterally creating rules unmoored from legislation.

Pruitt’s is the most important nomination because it is a direct attack on the insidious growth of the administrative state. We have reached the point where EPA bureaucrats interpret the Waters of the United States rule – meant to protect American waterways – to mean that when a hard rain leaves behind a pond on your property, the feds may take over and tell you what you can and cannot do with it. (The final rule excluded puddles – magnanimity from the Leviathan.)

On a larger scale, Obama’s Clean Power Plan essentially federalizes power generation and regulation, not coincidentally killing coal along the way. This is the administration’s end run around Congress’ rejection of Obama’s proposed 2009-2010

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Pruitt’s nomination is a dramatic test of the proposition that agencies administer the law, they don’t create it. That the legislative power resides exclusively with Congress and not with a metastasizing administrative

bureaucracy.

For some, this reassertion of basic constitutionalism seems extreme. If so, the Obama administration has only itself to blame. Such are the wages of eight years of liberal overreach. Some legislation, like Obamacare, will be repealed. Some executive orders will be canceled.

But most important will be the bonfire of the agencies. We may soon be secure not just in our puddles but our ponds. (c) 2016, The Washington Post Writers Group

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Forgotten Her es

The Warthogs’ War in the Skies

By Avi Heiligman

A

typical front line attack jet conjures up images of a fast, sleek plane but they have their drawbacks in performance and armor. The A-10 Warthog is everything contrary to that picture as it was built ground-up for front line use. It is the only plane since WWII to be built for the purpose of directly supporting ground troops. For this reason it was designed to take and give punishment on a grand scale and has been deemed the ugliest plane in the arsenal of the air force.

The Fairchild Republic A-10 Thunderbolt II has been in service since 1976 and has had its fair share of front line combat stories.

The original Thunderbolt was also made by Republic. It was a slower, maneuverable WWII-era attack fighter which could also carry bombs to support ground troops. 30 years later a team of developers worked hard to create a modern attack plane.

It needed to be slow enough to get into position to attack without overshooting the target. A lot of firepower was needed so that it could destroy whatever was getting in the ground troops’ way. It also needed to have a lot of armor and be very difficult to bring down. The result was the all-weather, all-terrain A-10. Centered right under the pilot there is

a 30mm seven barreled Avenger cannon that can fire 4,200 rounds a minute. The A-10 typically carries 1,100 depleted uranium armor piercing rounds. Still that gives the pilot about 9 two-second bursts of firepower that can penetrate most tanks.

A host of other weapons, including missiles, are also part of the plane’s offensive capabilities.

With a top speed of just under 450MPH, the A-10 can take hits from enemy ground fire. When that happens, manual systems back up their hydraulic flight-control systems and allow pilots to fly and land when hydraulic power is lost. Self-sealing fuel tanks prevent bullets from blowing up the $18.8 million plane. Two other unique features are the turbofans that are in back of the plane and the fact that it can stay on station to support ground troops for up to two hours. The turbofans are placed in the back near the tail so that if they get hit the fuel system won’t explode.

Most other attack planes can only stay to supports troops for up to half an hour so the designers made the A-10 with enough fuel capacity to see that the troops can get out of any tough spot. Some A-10s have been able to go back to base to refuel, rearm, and then quickly return to the battlefield several times a day. Faster

planes have a hard time hitting slow, small targets but the A-10 is perfect for the job which is why it has been in service for a long time.

The lumbering plane with the odd placement of its turbofans was appropriately nicknamed the Warthog.

During the First Gulf War the Warthog was responsible for destroying over 900 tanks and a couple of thousand other military vehicles and artillery pieces. On February 25, 1991, two A-10 pilots, Captain Eric Solomonson and Lieutenant John Marks, were alerted that a Republican Guard column of tanks was headed towards American forces. Racing to the area they took out six tanks with missiles and two more with their cannon.

“The sky was black from oil fires and smoke and burning targets, lending to an almost apocalyptic feel,” Marks said. When the A-10s came into the area some of the tanks bolted and others tried to hide but the targets of opportunity for the Americans were plenty. After refueling, the two pilots responded to the location of a pilot that had to bail out. Here they destroyed eight more tanks. For a third time that day the pilots refueled and rearmed and set out to help beleaguered marines. Seven more tanks were taken out bringing their total of tank kills to 23 in one day!

Vega 31 was the call sign of a F-117 stealth fighter that went down over Yugoslavia in 1999. The pilot, Dale Zelko, parachuted safely but Yugoslavian soldiers started hunting for him. Luckily, a KC-135 tanker had seen him go down and he used his survival radio to help rescuers to his position. A rescue team was formed but some help was needed from the sky and that is when Captain John Cherrey came into action. Since he was in a plane slow enough to see all of the action and had the firepower to do something to ward off the enemy he was given control over the situation. The Warthog dodged several anti-aircraft missiles similar to the one that brought down Vega 31. After pinpointing Zelko’s location, Cherrey stayed on location to provide the enemy with a target other than the helicopters that went in to rescue the downed pilot. Cherrey then directed the helicopters to the location and provided maximum air support while they went in for the rescue.

Even though he was critically low on fuel, dealing with unknown threats and communication issues, Cherrey was there until right before the para-jumpers on the Pave Hawk helicopters had Zelko safely on board.

For putting his life and the Warthog Continued on page 118

The Jewish Home | DECEMBER 22, 2016

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DECEMBER 22, 2016 | The Jewish Home

at extreme risk, Captain Cherrey was awarded the Silver Star.

Captain Kim Campbell was flying over Baghdad on April 7, 2003 when she heard her Warthog being hit. All of the plane’s hydraulics (moving fluids, like gas, around the parts that need to be lubricated) was lost immediately, and the Warthog wasn’t responding to any of her control inputs. Finally she put the plane into manual power and the aircraft responded. Still, Campbell was over

enemy territory and the chances given to her by her squadron mates of making it back to base were initially not good. However, one of the other Warthog pilots assessed the damage that Campbell could not see and told her that while there was major damage to the tail section and the engine making noise the plane was flying well. She decided not to bail and brought the plane back to base safely even though the brakes didn’t work as advertised. This was one of

the few times the Warthog landed with the pilot using manual controls.

Out of the 700 or so built, approximately 350 Warthogs remain in service. Having served in all major conflicts since its introduction and some minor ones as well, only the F-16 trumps it in terms of close air support sorties. Currently it is on the forefront in the war against ISIS. In January 2016, the Air Force pushed back plans to retire the Warthog.

Problems with its replacement, the

F-35, and the amazing performance record in combat of the A-10 will keep it in service for the foreseeable future.

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

The Jewish Home | DECEMBER 22, 2016

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Hire

Education

Do You Speak the Language?

By Rabbi Mordechai Kruger

I

’m sure that stories like the following can happen in any country where a language-challenged American tries to speak like a local.

But more than once, it happened to me in Israel, and I’m sure that many of you who have been there will be able to relate a similar tale.

I needed to ask a policeman or some other similar in-charge type for directions or other information.

So as I approached, I practiced what I was going to say, making sure that I was choosing the right words and had the pronunciation just right. I pulled up, rolled down the window, and said my perfect words … silence.

So I tried again, a bit louder, working on the accent … silence. Finally the devoted public servant looked out over his sunglasses, and for the first time acknowledged my existence. “You speak English?”

I can almost hear the air whistling out of my punctured ego as I am forced to admit to myself that despite my efforts, at the end of the day, I just don’t speak the language.

All those other times when I seemed to be getting along were no more than the kindness of strangers. And that policeman? Well, not every stranger is inclined to be kind.

I can tell you that there is another stranger out there that is definitely not inclined to be kind. I mean the guy that (you hope) is reading your resume. That Israeli Sphinx is Barney the Purple Dinosaur by comparison. So you better make sure that you are really speaking the language.

This may sound like pretty standard advice. Everyone knows that

resumes have to have excellent grammar and perfect spelling so it’s a really good idea to have at least two other people proofread your work before you send it off. And while this actually is a pretty good idea, it’s not what I mean at all. Let me use a couple of recent examples to illustrate my point.

Of all ironies, this actually was an Israeli client, and the resume was in Hebrew. She’s an accountant, with good education and experience, but her resume just wasn’t getting any attention. So I read it over, and then I asked her (yes, in Hebrew), “Please tell me what’s missing from your resume.” She looked at it and assured me that it was complete, and she was a little miffed when I insisted that there was indeed something missing. After she tried again, I asked, “Where are the numbers?” You see, she had written full descriptions of her work responsibilities – in words.

But accountants are supposed to understand numbers. And really good accountants are supposed to understand numbers better than everyone else to see meaning, trends, and insights in numbers that anyone else might ignore. An experienced accountant’s resume needs to be written in the language of numbers. If it’s not, it’s much worse than ineffective. It literally shouts, “I may work with numbers, I can tell you what they say, but not what they mean.”

Which is not what most employers are looking for.

It is not only accounting that has its own language. Almost every field does. And whether someone is applying for an entry-level job or

something higher up, showing real understanding of the language is critical. Imagine being alone in a busy marketplace in a foreign country, and suddenly in the middle of the confusion and noise you hear a few words in English. Instant best friend. Well, a hiring manager may feel the same way. In the confusion and noise of piles of crummy resumes, suddenly he reads a few well-chosen words of professional jargon, not used pretentiously but with comfort and understanding.

Nothing works better to set that all-important hook which gets the manager to keep reading, and nothing will do more to make him comfortable enough to call you in for an interview.

Another recent client wanted a promotion. He’s a programmer, and during the past year he had written software that were vast improvements over earlier work. So instead of sitting down with his boss and talking about the great things he had done, I had him bring his laptop with the latest program he had written. The conversation began with, “Can I show you my latest code? It’s 30% faster than what we have now.”

With an opener like that, you can be sure the boss is listening.

I recently heard a report on the radio about efforts to establish a cattle industry in Russia. It seemed like a no-brainer. There’s plenty of grassland, and all the other necessities of cattle raising are cheap and abundant. So some oligarch bought a few thousand head, hired a crew to manage the herd, and soon had a pasture littered with dead and sick

cows. So they came to the USA to hire some experienced ranchers and brought them to Russia. They managed, they taught, they demonstrated the techniques. The result? More dead cows. So then they had a great idea. In addition to the experienced cowboys, they brought rodeo performers. And besides teaching the Russians how to brand a calf and ride the range, they got them riding broncos and wrestling steers.

The result? Great success. Healthy herds, excellent beef. But why? Why does what a hired hand does in his spare time affect the way he does his job?

Success in any job is based on far more than knowing a certain set of facts or skills. In every field there is a language, or perhaps to say it better, a culture. That culture may seem as incidental as a Southern accent, but it’s really very important. It reflects an immersion, a level of comfort.

It tells a hiring manager, “I belong here. I understand this world. And because of that, I can do more than someone who is just on the outside looking in.” When writing a resume, using the words, or numbers, or jargon of the field in a way that reflects comfort and understanding delivers a powerful message which is noticed quickly, even subconsciously. When your resume has only 10 seconds to make the right impression that can make all the difference.

Rabbi Mordechai Kruger’s Job Search for Champions has helped clients of all kinds find the jobs they really want.

He can be reached at jobsearchfor champions@gmail.com

The Jewish Home | DECEMBER 22, 2016

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Cedarhurst: 1,600+/-SF Retail Store in Strip W/On-Site Parking.…..$4,200.00 Per Month Hewlett: 1,500+/-SF Office Space in Prof Bldg, Utilities Included ….$4,000.00 Per Month Rockville Cntr: 850+/-SF Retail Store W/Prkg, Landlord Motivated ...$3,000.00 Per Month Woodmere: Various Office Suites, From 450 SF Up to 750SF... ……Call For More Details

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Classifieds classifieds@fivetownsjewishhome.com / text 443-929-4003 APT FOR RENT WOODMERE: APT IN BLDG – NEW LISTING 1BR Apt In The Heart Of Woodmere, Eik, Large LR/DR, Full Bath, Laundry In Bldg, Near All…$1,700/mo Call Carol Braunstein (516) 295-3000 www.pugatch.com CEDARHURST 500-3,500 +/- SF Beautiful, newly renovated space for rent. Ideal for Retail or Executive offices. Prime location. Convenient Parking.

Call Sam @ 516-612-2433 or 718-747-8080

TO RENT: SMALL OFFICE SUITE with private bathroom in Far Rockaway on Beach 9 St. Newly renovated. Private entrance.

Call 516-551-4888 for information

STUDIO APARTMENT FOR RENT in Far Rockaway on Beach 9 St. Newly renovated. Private entrance.

Call 516-551-4888 for information

HELP WANTED

HELP WANTED

HELP WANTED

PART TIME AND FULL TIME BOOKKEEPING POSITION Fast growing accounting and consulting firm seeks a qualified individual to assist our accounting staff in providing bookkeeping services for our clients. Qualified individuals will have the opportunity to join our employee friendly culture At least 2 years working experience Working knowledge of Microsoft Office, QuickBooks a MUST Email – info@smallbizoutsource.com

Help Wanted Experienced Real Estate Sales agent needed for a HIGH Producing real estate office who is seeking an opportunity to Earn & Learn more!!!

Call Today (516) 295-3000 x 128.

All calls kept confidential.

5TOWNS BOYS YESHIVA SEEKING ELEM TEACHERS. LOCAL DAY CAMP seeking to hire a friendly REGISTRAR/OFFICE MANAGER! Must be proficient in Microsoft Office Programs.

Candidate will also deal with collections and accounts payable/receivables.

Knowledge of CampMinder preferred.

Hours and salary to be discussed.

Great work environment!

Send resume to registrarcamp@gmail.com

GREAT OPPORTUNITY Looking for class B CDL DRIVER with clutch for a heimishe lumber co.

Great pay, Call: 718-369-3141 Ext. 348 Mazel Tov! Due to simchos, Torah Academy for Girls in Far Rockaway is seeking qualified experienced moros for our Limudei Kodesh Departments 5th grade and junior high level.

Assistants needed for Elementary school Limudei Chol department.

Please email to mweitman@tagschools.org or call 718-471-8444 ext. 214.

Full time sub Jr. High Eng subjects m-t email cdwieder@gmail.com

Growing company in the 5 Towns is seeking motivated, confident, out-going employee for full time bookkeeping/accounting.

Must have professional bookkeeping experience, and strong teamwork skills Please submit qualified resume to admin@getpeyd.com ACTIVITY SPECIALIST: For senior retirement hotel in 5 Towns area. Experience preferred.

Must be mature, responsible and have upbeat personality and enjoy working with seniors. Fax resume to 516-239-0358 5TOWNS BOYS YESHIVA SEEKING ELEM TEACHERS. Exc working env’t, supportive admin, exc pay Lic’d & experienced preferred.

Email resume to yeshivalooking@gmail.com

CATAPULT LEARNING Teachers, Title I Boro Park, Williamsburg and Flatbush Schools *College/Yeshiva Degree *Teaching experience required *Strong desire to help children learn *Small group instruction *Excellent organization skills Competitive salary Send resume to: Fax: (212) 480-3691 ~ Email: nyteachers@catapultlearning.com

Life CAPTURE

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GABRIEL SOLOMON

GABE@LIFECAPTUREIMAGES.COM 516.499.9620 WWW.LIFECAPTUREIMAGES.COM

The Jewish Home | DECEMBER 22, 2016

Classifieds

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

HELP WANTED DIGITAL MARKETING AND SALES ASSOCIATE WANTED Fast growing coaching firm seeks to hire a part-time digital marketing and sales associate to manage marketing initiatives and engage in sales prospecting. This is a work from home position with flexible hours.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities: Marketing development and management Prospecting clients for service and product sales (leads will be provided) Website and Social Media content management, including editing and uploading video Related skills: This position requires knowledge of online and print marketing techniques, sales experience, creative writing skills, and attention to detail.

Submit resume with cover letter and references to: info@impactfulcoaching.com.

Local F.T. Accounting Office Seeks P/T JR. ACCOUNTANT proficient in Q.B. knowledge of payroll tax, sales tax, business tax and individual taxes Qualified applicants should please e-mail resume to: 5towntaxoffice@gmail.com PHYSICAL THERAPIST ASSISTANTS (PTA’S) & OCCUPATIONAL THERAPISTS ASSISTANTS (COTA’S) For 200+ bed Nursing Home in Queens. Must have Hospital or Nursing Home experience. Please email resume to promrehab@aol.com WE ARE LOOKING TO HIRE A MARKETING/SALES SPECIALIST. Job will require your own car and being computer/internet savy.

If you consider yourself a marketing professional, this is the position for you. Opportunity to make unlimited income potential, Don’t delay.

Give us a call at 917-612-2300 OVERNIGHT \WEEKEND COUNSELOR Responsible and exp’d staff to live in a beautiful group home & work 3 nights\week 7pm - 9am. Staff are not req’d to remain awake after 11pm.

Staff are req’d to work two weekends per month. Free rent & food. Stipend given as well. Great for college girl.

For additional info contact Frayde Yudkowsky at 732.948.4636 or fyudkowsky@evolvetreatment.com.

DRS HS FOR BOYS, WOODMERE NY SEEKS CHEMISTRY TEACHER (FT) FOR 2016-17.

Resumes: gkirshenbaum@drshalb.org.

MISC Gift It Forward A Non-Profit Gift Shop 404 Central Avenue (inside ELZEE) A non-profit gift shop whose proceeds help others in need through donations to well deserving charities.

We hope you donate your unneeded new gifts to our cause.

Household gift items, ceramics, Judaica, crystals, framed art, sterling silver, designer bags, wallets and jewelry (jewelry can be used) Please help us Gift It Forward ELZEE The Ultimate in Modest Fashion.

Under new management!

404 Central Avenue in Cedarhurst 516-569-4700 Visit our backroom clearance section Skirts 2 for $40, Tops 2 for $25, Dresses 50% off!

Bring this ad in for 10% off your purchase.

Not to be combined and excludes sale items SHIDDUCH DATING? NEED PLACES TO GO? Check out Pegishaplace.com WIG GEMACH Everyone in our community deserves to look great! Donate used wigs and make a world of a difference.

For appointments to see wigs or to donate Call Deena 845-304-6668 Tutors desperately needed for Zichron Etel, a gemach providing free tutoring to those who cannot afford it.

Now in Brooklyn and the Five Towns!

Kindly visit our website at www.zichronetel.com NOTICE OF NONDISCRIMINATORY POLICY AS TO STUDENTS Torah Academy for Girls admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs and other school administered programs.

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The Jewish Home | DECEMBER 22, 2016

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Your

Money

Sweet!

By Allan Rolnick, CPA

D

ecember is a busy month for holidays, with the festivities crowding calendars.

But there’s a lesser-known holiday that falls on December 16 that we don’t want you to miss. It’s not Ugly Sweater Day or Free Shipping Day (although those are both fun, too).

We’re talking, of course, about the obvious celebrations surrounding Chocolate Covered Anything Day. (Look it up!)

Most of us look for foods that are delicious, filling, and healthy.

Chocolate-covered pretzels, chocolate-covered potato chips, and chocolate-covered chili peppers are all yummy and filling, and — well, as the philosopher-poet Meat Loaf taught us, “Two out of three ain’t bad.” Think of Chocolate Covered Anything Day as pre-season training for the real binging that comes later in the month. (ABC News reports the average American consumes nearly 7,000 calories on December 25 alone.)

Just like the rest of us, tax collectors love chocolate-covered treats, too. They’re not savages! But

tax collectors have been plying their trade alongside candy makers and pastry chefs for nearly as long as the rest of us have been enjoying their treats:

• In 1847, a British chocolate company called J.S. Fry & Sons produced the first modern-day chocolate bar. Shortly thereafter, Britain lowered taxes on chocolate

France’s King Louis XIV, whose wife loved drinking chocolate, levied one of the first actual cash taxes on the delicacy.

• The Aztecs, who believed their feathered serpent deity Quetzalcoatl had received chocolate as a gift from the gods, used cocoa beans as actual currency. We’re not sure what sort of taxes the Aztecs might have levied on themselves . . . but it had to make it a little easier to pay them in beans!

• In 1692, France’s King Louis XIV, whose wife loved drinking chocolate, levied one of the first actual cash taxes on the delicacy.

to encourage production of the new treats.

• In Finland, taxes on chocolates and other sweets will melt away on January 1, 2017. A Finnish financial parliamentary committee decided last year that the taxes violated European Union rules on treating similar products fairly and equitably.

Today’s chocolate makers are just as tempted by sweet tax breaks as the rest of us. In 2010, Kraft

Foods bought British chocolatier Cadbury in a bittersweet hostile takeover for £11.5 billion ($18.9 billion). Since then, they’ve left a bad taste in the taxpaying public’s mouth by using interest payments on the debt they used to buy the company to avoid paying tax on hundreds of millions of pounds of profits. Even worse, they changed the recipe for Cadbury creme eggs (!) and started selling them in packages of five instead of six (!!).

There’s nothing sweet about paying taxes you don’t have to pay.

That goes for your chocolates, your income, your investments, and anything else. And we’re always looking for ways to help accomplish that goal. So think about us while you’re dipping a Twinkie into chocolate sauce, and call us with your questions!

Allan J Rolnick is a CPA who has been in practice for over 30 yea rs in Queens, NY. He welcomes your comments and can be reached at 718-896-8715 or at allanjrcpa@aol.com.

The Jewish Home | DECEMBER 22, 2016

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Life C ach

Miracle on Sunday

By Rivki D. Rosenwald Esq., CLC, SDS

I

t’s on its way. The weekend that never has enough Sundays. There is so much you want to accomplish on any given Sunday, or in the reverse – so much relaxing you want to catch up on. Yet on this particular Sunday that’s not happening because that all-important event takes precedence. You need to show up wherever it is happening. You need to see family that you may or may not want to see. And, of course, you must have

gifts, dreidels, and latkes in tow.

Yes, the family Chanukah party is upon us. But it’s not that simple.

People do not switch off locations like with other holidays. They need to make it to both. There is his side and your side to go to, but then there are all the cousins who need to be at their two sides as well. So how do you find a time that works for everyone?! And then there are those, who between all the hoopla, want to stop

back home and light their candles there too.

The grease is flowing. Every teen’s face is dreading it. Bertolli, Wesson and Idaho, though, are ecstatic. Their profits are soaring. The Nexium and Tums producers are elated too. Their sales triple in that one week.

As you go through the streets there’s a flickering in every few window. It’s physically subtle. But spiritually there’s a strong message. You cannot defeat us. We will always be reignited. We do not rest on our laurels; we live to grow. Each night

ions together, and voila, the most addictive pancake emerges....

I’ve seen their power. People try to avoid eating them. But still they slide their way over to them and slip down their throat anyway. Such is the power and appeal of the latke.

They are unavoidable. The miracle would actually be resisting them!

There’s a little toy we employ that spins on its axis and makes us feel like life’s just chance. But that’s only true with a toy spun by us. When it comes to the Master Spinner, well, that’s a different dreidel game.

Where it falls may look arbitrary to

Bertolli, Wesson and Idaho, though, are ecstatic. Their profits are soaring.

BLENDING TOGETHER BEAUTY, LIFE, AND HOLINESS

you get this message for eight days straight. Well, you know, that’s in our DNA: we like to drive a point home!

Inside there is singing. There is bonding. There is, “Hey that’s my menorah! “Watch her hair!” “This is real fire! Don’t hold the shamash so close to your brother’s head!” Well, you can’t expect miracles – siblings will be siblings. Wait, did I just say that? This is the holiday that tells us miracles are possible!

Speaking of miracles, I give it to you, some are more overt than others. But if you really think about it, everything is a miracle. You rub some substance and fire appears.

You toss some little particles in the ground and food appears. And you blend some potatoes, eggs, and on-

us, but there’s a master plan behind it all.

It’s hard to see the master plan behind the Chanukah party planning. Therefore, I wish you good luck making or getting to all of yours. If it works out in some cool, calm manner and you get to all of them peacefully, that usually takes a miracle.

So here’s hoping it does. And guess what? That’s just another possible miracle of this holiday!

Here’s praying big miracles come your way. Happy Chanukah!

Rivki Rosenwald is a certified relationship counselor, and career and life coach.

She can be contacted at 917-705-2004 or rivki@rosenwalds.com

The Jewish Home | DECEMBER 22, 2016

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