November 7, 2019
Distributed weekly in the Five Towns, Long Island, Queens & Brooklyn
Always Fresh. Always Gourmet. See page 7
The Greatest Gift of All
Your Favorite Five Towns Family Newspaper
How the Five Towns-Far Rockaway Community is Bringing a Unified Shabbos to Town pg 94
Around the
Community
52 Damp Weather Doesn’t Dampen Spirits at 5K Run
Holy Brother 54 Community Comes Out to Support RCCS
The Power of Unity pg
A Good Eye Can Change Your Life
59 Mayor Kashriel of Ma’aleh Adumim Visits the Five Towns
PAGE 9
pg
88
102
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NOVEMBER 7, 2019 | The Jewish Home
e c n e r w a L
The Jewish Home | NOVEMBER 7, 2019
SHUVU IN
& FAR ROCKAWAY
Benjamin and Rena Hoch Cordially invite the entire community to a breakfast reception at their home to benefit the children of Shuvu 121 Lawrence Avenue | Lawrence, NY
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2019 | 9:30 am
ם • נוסד ע"י הר
Rabbi Eli Mansour
ה א
םפ
ר
ב אב
בר
ה
GUEST SPEAKER
שובו
אם זצ"ל
חזון
ו
ה
ק
קו
נוך
חי
.ד ש
רץ
בא
. לזרע קודש.
דש
5218 16th Avenue Brooklyn, NY 11204 info@shuvuusa.org www.shuvuusa.org
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NOVEMBER 7, 2019 | The Jewish Home
ELEVATING THE TORAH LANDSCAPE FOREVER. Be part of an experience that will change your life! TO RESERVE, CALL:
BottomLineMG.com
347.85.SIYUM DirshuWorldSiyum.org
ENGLAND
ERETZ YISRAEL
Manchester
EventCity January 5, 2020
Binyanei Haumah December 28, 2019
FRANCE
Dome de Paris January 12, 2020 תש”פ,ט”ו טבת
SOUTH AFRICA The Deck January 15, 2020 תש”פ,י”ח טבת
תש”פ,ח׳ טבת
תש”פ,ל‘ כסלו
Yad Eliyahu January 9, 2020 תש”פ,י”ב טבת
Eretz Yisrael: 02-560-9000
London
NORTH AMERICA
Prudential Center and NJPAC February 9, 2020 תש”פ,י”ד שבט
Heythrop Park Resort Hotel January 10-12, 2020 Additional Siyumim תש”פ,ט״ו טבת-י״ג
to be held in:
Europe: 020-8050-2615
EASTERN EUROPE SOUTH AMERICA
The Jewish Home | NOVEMBER 7, 2019
Due to the overwhelming response and with the anticipation BE”H of being oversold at Prudential Center
DIRSHU HAS SECURED THE NJPAC which is in close proximity to the Prudential Center (a mere 10-minute walk).
• • • •
Each location will feature prominent Gedolim. Several of the Gedolim will attend both venues. A unique and independent live program presented at both locations. Live highlights broadcasted simultaneously to each location.
Complete details forthcoming.
THE DIRSHU WORLD SIYUM IN NORTH AMERICA
will d"ra be held at The Prudential Center and NJPAC in Newark, NJ on Sunday, Feb. 9, 2020. Additional locations worldwide.
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NOVEMBER 7, 2019 | The Jewish Home NOVEMBER 7, 2019 | The Jewish Home
Dear Readers,
W
e take things for granted when we know that they’re coming to us. My kids, for instance, take it for granted that there will be a snack waiting for them after school (usually) and supper ready for them after homework (hopefully). We take it for granted that the car will start in the morning and that the lights go on when we flip the switch on the wall. Shabbos is also one of those things that we take for granted. After all, we’ve been privileged to enjoy it for the many years that we’ve been on this earth. Week-in, week-out, it comes – regardless of our busy week, the snow on the ground, or the laundry that still needs to be folded. Truthfully, though, we don’t always take it for granted. When we settle onto the couch after benching licht on Friday night, the sense of calm is palpable. There’s nothing more to do except spend time with our family and our Creator. Shabbos urges us to connect to our loved ones, to focus on ourselves, and to turn our attention to our values. A ba’alas teshuva recently told me that it was challah that turned her on to Yiddishkeit. “Challah?” I asked her. “Yes,” she responded emphatically. The challah that she tasted at her hosts’
Weekly Weather |
home weekly seemed to have been on a higher level. It turned her on to the beauty that she was missing from Judaism. I jokingly said that I would love to have her host’s challah recipe. After all, if it was this challah that brought this young woman back to Yiddishkeit it must have been pretty special. But perhaps it wasn’t the precise measurements of the flour and sugar and salt that was so magical. The challah that this guest tasted was more than a braided bread; it was a symbol of the love that Hashem has for His people and the gift that He gave to us millennia ago. That love, that connection, that relationship…well, that’s what this young woman so desperately was searching for. Next week, thousands of Jews around the world will join in the Shabbos Project, a brainchild of South Africa’s Rabbi Warren Goldstein that has spread into all corners of the globe. Our community will be joining in as well – and the preparations for that Shabbos will take place all throughout next week, leading up to the grand Shabbos together. I hope that you and your family will be able to join in some of the community events. Wishing you a wonderful week, Shoshana
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Sunny / Wind
Partly Cloudy
Partly Cloudy
Mostly Cloudy
42° 29°
42° 39°
54° 45°
50° 37°
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Rain / Snow Partly Cloudy Showers / Wind
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PUBLISHER
publisher@fivetownsjewishhome.com
Yosef Feinerman MANAGING EDITOR
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The Jewish Home is an independent weekly magazine. Opinions expressed by writers are not necessarily the opinions of the publisher or editor. The Jewish Home is not responsible for typographical errors, or for the kashrus of any product or business advertised within. The Jewish Home contains words of Torah. Please treat accordingly.
Shabbos Zemanim
November 8 – November 14
8
Yitzy Halpern
14
Partly Cloudy
39° 33°
Friday, November 8 Parshas Lech Lecha Candle Lighting: 4:25 pm Shabbos Ends: 5:26 pm Rabbeinu Tam: 5:55 pm
The Jewish Home | NOVEMBER 7, 2019
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NOVEMBER 7, 2019 | The Jewish Home
Contents LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
8
COMMUNITY Readers’ Poll
8
Community Happenings
50
NEWS Global
12
National
36
Odd-but-True Stories
44
ISRAEL Israel News
26
The Numbers Aren’t Healthy by Rafi Sackville
92
JEWISH THOUGHT Rabbi Wein
86
Holy Brother by Rav Moshe Weinberger 88
44
Spiraling Through the Cosmic Symphony of Life by Shmuel Reichman 90 Shabbos: The Greatest Gift of All
94
PEOPLE The Battle of Leyte Gulf by Avi Heiligman
118
HEALTH & FITNESS Good Eye by Dr. Deb Hirschhorn
102
Quinoa, the Queen by Cindy Weinberger, MS RD CDN
104
The Overuse of Antibiotics by Hylton I. Lightman, MD
106
FOOD & LEISURE Shabbos Under Pressure
108
The Aussie Gourmet: Sticky Orange Short Ribs
110
Dear Editor, There’s a concept brought down in in Eruvin (31b) that mitzvos lav lehenos nitnu, mitzvos were not given for pleasure. Yet Rashi explains that when G-d told Avraham to go from his land, it was “for [his] benefit and for [his] good.” Is G-d perhaps negating the rule of mitzvos lav lehenos nitnu – for Avraham is gaining pleasure from obeying G-d’s command. Perhaps Lech Lecha isn’t a true mitzvah, only a command, for it’s not counted as one of the 613 mitzvos, but still the question seems to resound as a command from G-d likely falls under the rubric of a mitzvah. It has been suggested that, of course, one gets pleasure from a mitzvah, only it’s the eternal reward that is the true pleasure. Yet, here, G-d seems to contradict this notion by guaranteeing great wealth and fame to Avraham “in this world” for leaving his birthplace. Perhaps it may be argued that G-d was giving “counsel” to Avraham. But why did Avraham merit to receive “warm” counsel from the Al-mighty that wasn’t under the rubric of a command? There’s a Medrash that says that at a very young age Avraham discovered G-d, like one who saw a light burning in a castle and was drawn to it. Avraham had the imagination to see G-d where no one else could. Fur-
thermore, he defied his own father in the name of G-d. This is an act that surpasses nature and in return he’s saved miraculously from a burning fire, a phenomenon above nature as well. He also defied the world order at the time, by abstaining from idol worship, yet welcomed the world to convert under his auspices. Perhaps the lesson from Avraham is that if you recognize G-d clearly, show unbridled love to the Creator, and bring the masses to convert, you gain a great “Advisor.” G-d counseled Avraham to begin a journey that would bring him wealth and fame due to His friendship with him. May we all strive to mimic the actions of Avraham thereby becoming “peers” to the “Wonderous One” who can then put us on the path of securing wealth and fame and only good things. Steven Genack Dear Editor, This is not a meant to be a typical “letter to the editor.” It is merely a suggestion. I was just perusing the results of the local elections in Nassau County on the board of elections website. It struck me as astonishing how so many races are literally being won by Continued on page 10
LIFESTYLES Dating Dialogue, Moderated by Jennifer Mann, LCSW 98
90
Your Money
125
The Sound of Silence by Rivki D. Rosenwald Esq., CLC, SDS 126
HUMOR Centerfold 84 POLITICAL CROSSFIRE Notable Quotes
112
The Middle East is Still Fertile Ground for Terror Groups by Fareed Zakaria
115
Hezbollah Had Been Nearly Untouchable in Lebanon by David Ignatius
116
CLASSIFIEDS
120
Do you consider a hot dog in a bun a sandwich?
22
%
YES
78
%
NO
The Jewish Home | NOVEMBER 7, 2019
g in all of in ic r p y a d y r Best eve Long Island! & s n e e u Q , Brooklyn AY!
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Free Parking
ERY D V E S T C U D O NEW PR
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Prices Good Sunday, November 10th through Friday, November 15th, 2019
Nut-Ola Canola Oil
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$ 99 96 oz PR Old Fashioned or Quick Oats
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Be�y Crocker Fruit-by-the-Foot, Gushers, Fruit Roll-Ups
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2/$
4.5 oz/5.4 oz
GoGo Squeeze Applesauce
1
$ 99 4 Pack Tree Ripe Orange Juice
4
2/$
52 oz
Somerdale Straight Cut Fries
2
$ 49 5 LB
Corned Beef 1st Cut Brisket or Deckel
6
$ 99 LB
Idaho Potatoes
Quaker Oatmeal Squares
Farm Flavor Pineapple
12 Pack
SR Lasagna
Regular or Oven Ready
3
2/$
Assorted
4
15.25 oz/18.3 oz
Hadar Tirosh Biscuits
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3/$
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La Yogurt Assorted
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12 oz
Avenue A Flour Fantas�k All Purpose or Unbleached All Purpose $ 99Cleaner 5 LB
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Turkey Hill Ice Cream Assorted
2
$ 99 48 oz Minute Roast
6
$ 39 LB Fancy Eggplant
Tilapia Fillets
4
$ 79 7.4 oz/8.9 oz
Duncan Hines Classic Cake or Brownie Mixes
Chocolate Cookie Poppers
$ 39LB
2
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$ 99 1 Liter
3/$
20 oz
Nature Valley Granola Bars
SR Seltzer
79¢
1
99¢
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$ 89
5 LB Bag
Assorted
$ 99 14.5 oz
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Family Pack
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Trigger
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32 oz
Tribe Hummus
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10 oz
Pardes Broccoli or Cauliflower Florets
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$ 99 24 oz 2nd Cut Brisket
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$ 99 LB Granny Smith Apples
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Keilim Mikveh on Premises | Pre-Shabbos Buffet Every Thursday & Friday! Savings Plaza | 11 Lawrence Lane, Lawrence, NY | (516) 371-6200 | info@kolsavemarket.com | /kolsavemarket Hours: Sunday-Tuesday: 9am-7pm | Wednesday: 9am-10pm | Thursday: 9am-11pm | Friday: 8am-�ll 2 hours before Shabbos We reserve the right to limit quan��es. No rain checks. Not responsible for typographical errors.
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NOVEMBER 7, 2019 | The Jewish Home
Continued from page 8
ELECTION RESULTS FOR NASSAU COUNTY 2019 Supervisor Town of Hempstead Donald X. Clavin (R) 74,076 Laura A. Gillen (D) 72,711
Town Clerk TOH Kate Murray (R) 74,302 Sylvia A. Cabana (D) 71,541
Receiver of Taxes TOH Jeanine C. Driscoll (R) 76,812 Chandra M. Ortiz (D) 68,454
Council Member 3rd District TOH Bruce A. Blakeman (R) 13,384 Shari James-Pierre (D) 10,111
County Legislator 4th District Denise A. Ford (R) 8,894 Jeffrey P. Saxon (D) 4,532
County Legislator 7th District Howard J. Kopel (R) 8,941 Debra Siegel (D) 6,109
District Attorney Madeline Singas (D) 148,943 Francis X. McQuade (R) 99,255
Views expressed on the Letters to the Editor page do not necessarily reflect the views of The Jewish Home. Please send all correspondence to: editor@fivetownsjewishhome.com.
razor sharp margins. People should be made aware of just how much their vote matters in a local election as opposed to the state or national elections. Therefore, I believe that the election results should be published, in full, in your publication. I believe that only after actually seeing how some of these races are actually being decided by a few hundred votes or less will people actually get out and vote and realize that every vote matters! The complacency that so many people have is astounding. The numbers truly don’t add up to the actual voter populace, and races that impact our county are being decided potentially unfavorably as a result. Appreciate your time. Ruby Markowitz Dear Editor, Facebook is ruining our dating lives I am truly writing this article out of love for all the singles out there. I have been a shadchan for a while now. What I am seeing today I have never seen before. It used to be that singles would call me and I would suggest someone for them, they would ask a few basic questions, would trust my opinion, and they would go out on a date. Sometimes it worked and sometimes it didn’t. But even if it didn’t work out, they was still beauty in that, because the singles tried. Nowadays, when a match is trying to be made, the single is “looking them up” on Facebook. People are judging each other based on what they see in a few photos. Not everyone photographs well, and dates are being turned down because they are not attracted to a photo! What happened to going out, seeing the person’s smile, seeing their middot, and judging their character in person? Singles seem to want the matchmaker to do all the work and they could just sit back and relax and keep rejecting people based on photos, and their friends’ opinions. It is great to have amazing trustworthy friends but when your friends tell you, “I don’t think he/she is for you,” how are they helping you? Your friend is not the one that needs to date the person; you are! You could be turning down your zivug because of your friends. Think about that for a second. Another thing I’ve been noticing is that people want a “ready made” guy/ gal. They have a checklist of 15 things that they want before they will even
consider the person for a date. Young men and young woman must look for someone open-minded and willing to grow, in religion and in life, in general. The only person that should be “ready made” is you. If you’re working on yourself and your growth in Judaism, that is all you need. I have seen cases where a man davens three times day and learns, and works, and a few years later he no longer wants to daven every morning. Or he becomes lazy about going to learn. People go through all sorts of phases. So now you’re left with a woman who had great expectations of what her husband would be like and now they are fighting nonstop. And then you have the opposite – where the man/woman is not fully where they want to be yet, but along with their spouse they grow and learn and together they build a beautiful Jewish home. Another thing I am seeing, even in this world of feminism, are women who still want to be “taken care of” financially by a man. Is he rich? Will he be able to support a large family? Again, ladies, life doesn’t always go according to plan. Money comes, and money goes. I had a case where the woman thought she was marrying a successful lawyer. After one year of being married to this lawyer, he began to exhibit anxiety/panic attacks. He no longer felt he could be a lawyer. He spent a year trying to figure out what to do next. He ended up going back to school and becoming a teacher. But she signed up to be married to a lawyer, so what now?! This particular couple loved each other very much, and they made it work. But not all couples are so lucky. You have to have a strong foundation of friendship. When I speak to singles, I look for them to say the word “friendship.” To have your spouse as your best friend is one of the luckiest, most priceless things you can have in the relationship. To have somebody who will cheer you on, not judge you, and support you throughout your life is worth more than gold. So next time somebody calls you to set you up on a date, try saying yes. After asking a few basic questions, take a chance. Have a leap of faith that Hashem is with you, and that even if it’s not the best date, it was at least a learning experience of what you are not looking for in a person. We can learn from every situation we are in. Hatzlacha! Lisa Stein, LCSW
The Jewish Home | NOVEMBER 7, 2019
YESHIVA ATERES SHIMON
arav Shimon G H ala on a iS Joins us for a ag
ita
Siyum
hl
H
Invites The Community
Mishna Daily
on all of
˘˘ה ס„רי מ˘נה
& Daf Yomi ס„ר ˜„˘ים
Thurs
10:00 PM
Yeshiva Ateres Shimon
Nov 14
Siyum and divrei chizuk from the Gadol Hador
1239 Caffrey Ave Far Rockaway NY 11691
Harav Shimon Galai will be giving brachos and greeting people after the Siyum
"
Join the Movement
Sign up to Learn Everyday! Mishna Daily - 4 year cycle MishnaDaily@ateresshimon.org
Text: Mishnadaily to 22828 | AteresShimon.org
"
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NOVEMBER 7, 2019 | The Jewish Home
The Week In News
Choking on Smog in New Delhi
In efforts to attempt to deal with record-levels of smog that have blanketed India’s capital of New Delhi for at least a week, the local government put into place emergency measures, including closing schools, limiting cars on the roads, and diverting flights from the international airport. On Sunday, pilots had not been
able to see through the thick smog, which was more than three times the “hazardous” level on the global air quality index (AQI). On Monday, the AQI level remained above 800 in certain parts of the city, the worst levels seen in more than three years. The Indian Meteorological Department said that while some of the cooler weather which has been exacerbating the smog will improve in the coming days, it is difficult to say whether this will lead to a substantial reduction in pollution. A public health emergency has been declared in New Delhi, where authorities have halted work at construction sites and instituted new traffic controls limiting the number of cars on the road. Schools have been closed, and most residents who can afford to are staying home, though working-class Delhiites are left with little choice but to venture outside. Measures taken in the capital itself are unlikely to have a major effect on the smog, however, as much of it is being generated by crop burning in areas around New Delhi, where farmers light fires to get rid of leftover crops and “stubble.” Previous efforts to crack down on this seasonal issue – for example, by
providing farmers with subsidized equipment that would mean they do not have to burn leftover crops – have been unsuccessful. New Delhi has in the past been ranked the most polluted city in the world, a label that has frustrated local officials, who have seen efforts to tackle smog undone by neighboring states. Last week, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said the city had been “turned into a gas chamber due to smoke from crop burning.” Kejriwal singled out the governments of Punjab and Haryana states, which he said contributed to New Delhi’s pollution as farmers in those areas ignored bans on burning leftover crops in their fields. The fires are only part of the problem, however. New Delhi’s smog typically worsens at this time of year as residents set off firecrackers to celebrate Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights. India’s capital also has a major issue with traffic pollution and, even before the latest drop in air quality, had announced plans to implement an odd-even car rule this month for the first time since 2016, taking more than 4 million cars off
the roads each day. Anyone who breaks the rules faces a fine of 4,000 rupees ($56). When the air quality worsens to the levels seen in New Delhi, smog becomes visible and the thick haze irritates eyes and throats, bypassing all but the best face masks. This can have deadly effects. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), up to 4.2 million people die every year as a result of exposure to air pollution, and smog has been linked to higher rates of stroke, heart attack, diabetes, lung cancer, and chronic lung disease. New Delhi is not the only Indian city struggling with smog. The country is home to 22 of the top 30 most polluted cities, according to a recent study by Greenpeace and AirVisual.
Measles Can Expose You to Other Diseases Deciding not to get the measles vaccine can put your body at risk of getting a slew of other diseases in addition to the dreaded measles.
Strengthening Jewish Families in the Digital Age K E Y N OT E P R E S E N TAT I O N :
Dr. Norman Blumenthal, PhD
The Zachter Family Chair in Trauma & Crisis Counseling at OHEL PA N E L D I S C U SS I O N MO D E R ATO R :
Rabbi Reuven Kigel
PA N E L I STS :
Dr. Norman Blumenthal, PhD
EMET Campus Director
The Zachter Family Chair in Trauma & Crisis Counseling at OHEL
I N T RO D U C T I O N BY S P EC I A L G U E ST S P EA K E R
Rabbi Akiva Ruttenberg, CEO, EMET Outreach
FOR MEN & WOMEN
Director, Chazaq
SEPARATE SEATING REFRESHMENTS WILL BE SERVED
Dr. Akiva Perlman, PhD Rabbi Ilan Meirov
Rabbi Akiva Ruttenberg, LMSW
Director, EMET Outreach
MOTZEI SHABBOS , NOVEMBER 9 • 8 PM BETH GAVRIEL BUKHARIAN CONG. 6635 108th Street, Forest Hills
FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT OHEL 718-686-3321 • WWW.OHELFAMILY.ORG
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The Jewish Home | NOVEMBER 7, 2019
42 orphans
getting married in the month of Cheshvan
A SPECIAL BEIS DIN he e! t r Fo t tim HEADED BY MARAN RABBEINU SAR HATORAH HARAV CHAIM KANIEVKSY SHLIT"A if rs
A SPECIAL BEIS DIN
headed by Maran Rabbeinu Sar HaTorah Harav Chaim Kanievksy shlit”a, with the participation of Rabbi S. Steinman, Rabbi Z. Berlin and Rabbi Y. S. Kanievsky shlit”a will daven at the Kever of the Chazon Ish on the day of his yahrzeit - 15th Cheshvan - for all those who donate the sum of 420 shekel ($120.00) for the 42 orphans getting married in the month of Cheshvan
"THAT MIDDAH K'NEGED MIDDAH THEY SHOULD MERIT MAKING A SIMCHA IN THEIR HOME BY PESACH 5780" Each name will be mentioned individually To donate and submit names call now (Fund no. 8600)
1-888-KUPATHAIR 5
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Donations can be sent to: American Friends of Kupat Ha'ir - 4415 14th Avenue Brooklyn, NY 11219
Donate Online: www.kupat.org
קו העפת יר
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NOVEMBER 7, 2019 | The Jewish Home
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS 2019 SUNDAY | 11.10.2019 Chazaq and The Shabbat Project present “Enhancing the Kedusha of Shabbos in Our Hearts and in Our Homes” Featuring Rabbi Yissocher Frand White Shul - 8:00 PM
FRIDAY | 11.15.2019 Chabad of the 5 Towns hosts
TUESDAY | 11.12.2019 Gala Teen Challah Bake Featuring World-Renowned Chef and Author Elizabeth Kurtz and “Chopped” Champion Rachel Goldzal Sands Atlantic Beach - 7:30 PM
FRIDAY | 11.15.2019 “Lets Chalk Shabbat”
"Shabbat Dinner at Kulanu” With Guest Speaker - RSVP required Kulanu - 6:00 PM
FRIDAY-SHABBOS | 11.15-16 Shabbat Project / Uniting Our 5 Towns. Maximizing our entire Shabbos experience while creating meaningful moments with our families 5 Towns / Far Rockaway - Sundown
Shabbat themed sidewalk chalking White Shul, Chabad of 5 Towns or on your own block - 1:30 PM
SUNDAY | 11.17.2019 Chazaq and The Shabbat Project present
FRIDAY | 11.15.2019 YILC hosts NCSY’s family "Friday Night of Unity” Featuring International guest speaker Sivan Rahav-Meir YILC - Sundown
“Emuna is Our Future” Featuring Rabbi Shalom Arush, Charlie Harary and Rabbi Shalom Weis with Music & Simultaneous English translation given by Rav Dayan Elgrod Doors Open - 7:30 PM
Congregation Beth Sholom - 8:00 PM
BRING A GREAT IDEA HOME
The Jewish Home | NOVEMBER 7, 2019
SUNDAY
11.10.2019 P R E S E N T S
AN EVENING WITH
RABBI YISSOCHER FRAND 8:00PM T O P I C
ENHANCING THE KEDUSHA OF SHABBOS IN OUR HEARTS AND IN OUR HOMES MEN & WOMEN WELCOME
AT THE WHITE SHUL 728 EMPIRE AVENUE, FAR ROCKAWAY, NY 11691
SUGGESTED DONATION $10.00
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NOVEMBER 7, 2019 | The Jewish Home
& INVITE YOU TO AN UPLIFTING, INSPIRATIONAL AND FUN EVENING
meet the author
Ahava Ehrenpreis Listen to Ahuva discuss her new popular book, On My Own... But Not Alone. This book is for single women, widows, divorcees and for everyone who cares about them. It includes practical advice and personal stories. Our program will include an interactive discussion on “Coping with the Challenges of Everyday Living”
Moderated by
HArriet Blank
Over the weekend, Iran displayed new anti-U.S. murals on the walls of the former U.S. Embassy in Iran, 40 years after the diplomatic mission was seized by protesters in 1979
Director, Geriatric Mental Health at OHEL
GREAT GIVEAWAYS & REFRESHMENTS
Books will be available for purchase.
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 2019 • 7:00PM ohel jaffa family cAMPUS 1268 East 14th Street (Bet. Aves. L & M) • 3rd Floor • Brooklyn ADMISSION $36 • PLEASE RSVP TO 718-686-3321
That was the conclusion of two separate studies published last week in the Science and Science Immunology medical journals. According to the findings, measles can destroy the memory the body’s immune system previously developed against other diseases, leaving the body exposed to diseases it was once protected against.
In the study published in Science, Harvard Medical School researchers examined blood samples of children that were taken before and after they fell ill with the measles virus. Resulting data showed that measles eliminated up to 73% of the body’s protective antibodies, causing them to be vulnerable to illnesses they were previously immunized to. The findings mean that measles is significantly more dangerous than previously thought. Apart from the danger caused by the disease itself, it can also destroy the defenses the body has built up to a host of other viruses as well. “Imagine that your immunity against pathogens is like carrying around a book of photographs of criminals, and someone punched a bunch of holes in it,” said study
co-author Michael Mina. “It would then be much harder to recognize that criminal if you saw them, especially if the holes are punched over important features for recognition, like the eyes or mouth.” An extremely contagious disease, early symptoms of measles include a rash, fever, cough, and other symptoms. Once one of the world’s most dangerous diseases, the Center for Disease Control (CDC) had declared it eradicated. The disease has been making a comeback, however, amid a growing anti-vaccination movement across the world. This past year alone saw over 1,200 cases in 31 states in the United States, along with an explosion of new cases in Israel, parts of Europe, and Canada.
Iraq Protests Show No Sign of Dying Down
The massive protests in Iraq showed no sign of dying down as hundreds of thousands of people packed Baghdad on Saturday to de-
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A strong anti-Iran sentiment has reportedly shocked Tehran, who sent General Qassem Solemeini to Baghdad last week to meet with Iraq’s security leadership. According to the Associated Press, Solemeini pressed the military to crack down on the protesters, telling them that “we in Iran known how to handle protests.” A day after the meeting took place, over 250 protesters were killed when masked gunmen opened fire on them with automatic weapons. Iran is seen to be behind the shootings, as the gunmen had fired from the offices belonging to an Iran-affiliated militia. However, Iran has also attempted to counter claims that it effectively controls all of the goings-on in Iraq. On Saturday, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Commander Hossein Salami asserted that Tehran didn’t have “an eye on any country.” “But we will extend our power to the point that if any enemy wants to use a location to attack Iran, we will destroy that location,” Salami added. “So our reach is beyond our own borders, meaning that we will extend our area of power to anywhere our enemy intends to plot against us – we have achieved this power,” he blustered.
Brazil’s “Forest Guardian” Killed by Illegal Loggers
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mand that the government disband itself. In what was the biggest protest since the country’s civil protests began last week, protesters jammed the city’s Tahrir Square, many waving Iraq flags and chanting anti-government slogans. An estimated 10,000 people also blocked the roads leading to the port town of Umm Qasr, preventing trucks from entering and leaving the industrial area.
Over 100 people were wounded after police and soldiers opened fire on protesters with live ammunition. Meanwhile, the Umm Qasr port, which is the conduit for the majority of Iraq’s imports, has been at a standstill for over a week as protesters show no sign of leaving. Hundreds of thousands of Iraqis have taken to the streets to express their anger at the government. Contending that their Shi’ite leadership
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has been acting as a de-facto puppet of Iran, they have demanded that Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi resign and that the government vote to disperse itself. Throughout the country, since the protests began in October, demonstrators have clamored for change for the years of war that has left Iraq with widespread joblessness and a collapsing health care system.
An indigenous Brazilian known as the “Guardian of the Forest” for his activism to save the country’s woods was killed while facing off with illegal loggers in the Amazon this week. The Brazilian Indigenous Peoples Association announced in a statement that Paulo Paulino Guajajara was killed after being shot in the face in the Maranhão state. A fellow tribesman of his, Laércio Guajajara, was also shot and is recovering in the hospital. Federal police vowed that Guajajara’s killer would be found and tried. “We will spare no effort to
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bring those responsible for this serious crime to justice,” tweeted Justice Minister Sergio Moro. Guajajara had led a group comprised of members of his Arariboia indigenous tribe that worked to preserve the local forests from loggers. Speaking with Reuters in September, Guajajara said that he would never stop protecting his tribe’s sacred woods despite the danger it brought from wildcat loggers. “I’m scared at times, but we have to lift up our heads and act. We are here fighting,” said the slain activist. “We are protecting our land and the life on it, the animals, the birds, even the Awa [tribe] who are here too.” Following the murder, tribal rights groups blamed Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro for what they said was his unwillingness to protect indigenous people. APIB, a group representing Brazil’s estimated 950,000 indigenous people, noted that Guajajara’s work had become so dangerous that the group was forced to wear reflective vests and carry radios while patrolling the woods. “The Bolsonaro government has indigenous blood on its hands,” charged the APIB. “The increase in violence in indigenous territories is a
direct result of his hateful speeches and steps taken against our people.”
Turkey Summons U.S. Ambassador
Turkey summoned the American ambassador in Ankara for a dressing down after the U.S. Congress voted to recognize the Armenian genocide last week. The decision followed another resolution slapping sanctions on senior Turkish military officials for their role in Turkey’s invasion of northern Syria in order to massacre the Kurds. Following the passage of both bills, Turkey’s President Recep Erdogan said that he “strongly con-
demns” the decision and asserted that “it does not count towards anything.” “We are saddened that a slander against our country is being accepted by a country’s parliament,” Erdogan said. “We would consider this accusation the biggest insult towards our nation.” The bill to formally recognize the Ottomans’ role in the Armenian genocide of 1915 passed with a bipartisan margin of 405-11 in the House. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said that the resolution was passed “in solemn remembrance of one of the great atrocities of the 20th century.” The resolution marked the first time the U.S. has ever acknowledged Turkey’s role in the killings since the two nations first established diplomatic relations. Despite the slaughter of an estimated 1.5 million Armenians, the United States has always refrained from recognizing the massacre for fear of offending Turkey. Another bill condemning Turkey’s assault on the Kurds and sanctioning Turkish officials for their role in the invasion passed by a large margin of 403-16. The resolution seizes the assets of senior Turkish
army officers and bans them from traveling to the U.S. It also forbids the U.S. from selling arms to Turkey and would slap further sanctions on any country that does. “These sanctions are specifically designed to target the Turkish officials and institutions responsible for the bloodshed in Syria without senselessly hurting the Turkish people,” said Representative Eliot Engel, who chairs the House Foreign Affairs Committee.
Iran Ramps up Nuclear Activity
In what is the biggest breach of the 2015 nuclear deal to-date, Iran announced this week that it will significantly ramp up its enrichment of
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uranium. Iran’s Atomic Energy Agency Chairman Ali Akbar Salehi announced on Monday that Tehran has begun producing 5 kilograms of enriched uranium every day and will install 30 advanced centrifuges in its nuclear reactors. According to the Iranian Nuclear Agency’s chairman, the 60 IR-6 advanced centrifuges will allow the Islamic Republic to enrich uranium 10 times more than is allowed under the agreement. “This is a great achievement for the Iranian noble people and the Atomic Energy Agency,” said Salehi. “We are about to run the chain and complete its experiments.” In an interview with Iranian television on Monday, Salahi added that Tehran’s new steps that run afoul of the nuclear deal demonstrate Iran’s “capabilities and determination” not to be cowed by the U.S. Iran is banned from engaging in all of the aforementioned under the 2015 nuclear deal. As per the terms of what is officially known as the JCPOA, Tehran ceased enriching uranium for ten years in exchange for world powers dropping sanctions that had destroyed Iran’s
economy. However, President Donald Trump pulled the U.S. out of the deal in 2018 and slapped Iran with a relentless wave of sanctions. Since then, Iran has violated the accord in small increments despite European pressure but it has never signaled its intention to begin racing for a nuclear bomb until this week’s announcement. On Sunday, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei told Western leaders that Iran is determined to continue leaving the nuclear deal. Writing on Twitter, Khamenei called Washington’s demands “endless” and said that negotiating with the Trump administration is pointless. “One way to prevent America’s political penetration is to ban talks with America,” Khamenei said. “The U.S. has not changed in the decades since, it continues with the same aggressive and vicious behavior and international dictatorships.”
Canadian Water Laced with Lead An extensive investigation has found that hundreds of thousands of
Canadians are consuming drinking water that has higher levels of lead than found during the infamous water crisis in Flint, Michigan.
Areas in which residents have been unwittingly drinking contaminated tap water include the city of Montreal and rural Regina. These two areas were found to have drinking water that are laced with considerably higher lead levels than what Canadian law permits, with scientists warning that the massive levels they found in schools can adversely affect children’s health. The investigation into Canada’s water was one of the most extensive probes the country has ever witnessed. The project saw 120 journalists, 9 universities, and 10 media organizations testing water taken from 11 Canadian cities. What they uncovered was worry-
ing. In the 12,000 water tests done since 2014, 33 percent contained lead levels well above the federal guidelines of 5 parts per billion. Experts say that the problem is a result of aging and deteriorating infrastructure combined with the fact that Canada does not have mandated water testing. As Canada gets the majority of its water from its thousands of natural lakes and other waterways, the federal government never passed a law mandating frequent water testing. But as the pipes transporting the water rust, they release toxic lead into the country’s drinking water. “I’m surprised,” Bruce Lanphear told the Toronto Star. A Canadian water safety expert who has researched the effect of toxins on children, Lanphear said that the majority of his countrymen are unaware of the severity of the issue. “These are quite high given the kind of attention that has been given to Flint, Michigan, as having such extreme problems,” said Lanphear. “Even when I compare this to some of the other hotspots in the United States, like Newark, like Pittsburgh, the levels here are quite high.”
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New Drug Can Cure 90% of Ebola Cases
Ebola has long been seen as one of the world’s deadliest viruses. One of the most infectious yet deadly diseases in the world, it can be caught simply by touching someone already stricken with the virus and has a 50% mortality rate. With innocuous symptoms such as fever, headache, and body aches, it is usually difficult to diagnose the disease early on, resulting in an abnormally high death toll. The disease claimed more than 11,000 lives during an outbreak in 2014 in West Africa. Once thought to be limited to Africa, the disease showed that it could spread to anywhere in the world in 2014 after travelers brought it to cities such as Dal-
las and Madrid. Yet the high death tolls caused by the virus may soon be a thing of the past due to a new drug scientists are calling “magical” for its healing abilities. Known as mAb114, it was developed by virologist Dr. Jean-Jacques Muyembe Tamfum and is now being rushed to the Congo to treat the world’s second-ever worst Ebola outbreak. During clinical trials, patients on the drug had a 35% mortality rate, a significant drop from the 90% who died without treatment. “Ebola is now a disease we can cure,” Dr. Muyembe Tamfum told The Wall Street Journal. Yet the feat becomes even more amazing when realizing the difficult conditions that produced the vaccine. Rather than developing it in a sterile lab, mAb114 was produced in the northeastern Congo amid a massive Ebola outbreak. Since August, over 2,500 Ebola cases have been reported in the Democratic Republic of Congo, with the death toll estimated at 1,700 people. During development, researchers were forced to store samples in refrigerators located in jungle tent camps that relied on generators for
power. Staffers would return from a full day of clinical trials in remote towns and transmit the data to scientists in Maryland via satellite phone. In addition, clinical trials were challenging due to the suspicion patients had towards the foreign health care workers. The volunteers also had to dodge frequent outbreaks of violence by warring tribes that often drove away potential patients. “People say it’s unprecedented that you have this great result,” a doctor working on the trials told The Wall Street Journal. “What is equally as unprecedented is the conditions under which it was done.”
Dresden Declares “Nazi Emergency” This week, city councilors in the German city of Dresden declared a “Nazi emergency” after years of “right-wing extremist, racist” activity in the city. A resolution warning that the far-right was growing in strength in the eastern German city was passed this week.
“The word ‘Nazinotstand’ is an exaggerated formulation for the fact that there is a serious problem – similar to the climate emergency – with right-wing extremism right up to the middle of society,” Max Aschenbach, councilor for the satirist Die Partei (The Party), said.
The move has no legal consequences and is more symbolic, highlighting the threat posed by the far right in Dresden. Dresden is where the PEGIDA movement (Patriotic Europeans against the Islamization of the West) first emerged in 2013, and regular rallies are still held in the city. Anti-immigrant sentiment runs high in the state of Saxony, of which Dresden is the capital. The Alternative for Deutschland (AfD) won 27.5% of the vote in this year’s state election. It became the first far-right party to enter
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Germany’s national parliament in almost 60 years when it came in third place overall in federal elections in 2017. “For years, politicians have failed to position themselves clearly and unequivocally against the right-wing extremists, and to outlaw them,” Aschenbach noted, adding that he wanted Dresden’s city council to support citizens’ initiatives, education, and culture in the city. A representative for the center-right Christian Democratic Union party, which voted against the resolution, called it an “intended provocation.” Jan Donhauser, chairman of the CDU group on the Dresden council, said that the wording of the resolution was damaging to the city’s international reputation. “The choice of words in the title of the application does not do justice to the realities in our city: the vast majority of Dresdeners are neither right-wing extremists nor anti-democratic,” he asserted.
events in the mountains between Sonora and Chihuahua,” she tweeted. “I don’t know what type of monsters would dare to hurt women and children. As governor, you have all my collaboration so that this doesn’t remain unpunished and the responsible parties pay.” Mexico has consistently been marred by violence that doesn’t seem to go away. Last year, Mexico witnessed its highest number of homicides: 33,000. 2019 is set to break that horrifying record. Just last month, 13 Mexican police officers were killed in an ambush in the western state of Michoacan.
Greece’s Migrant Challenge
9 Americans Slaughtered in Mexico Nine members of a Mormon family were killed on the Mexican side of the U.S.-Mexico border on Monday in horrific fashion. Authorities are now investigating whether the attackers thought the innocent family were members of a rival gang. The slain victims include three women, four small children, and two infants, family member Alex LeBaron said from Mexico. All nine of those who were murdered were dual U.S.-Mexican citizens. The three vehicles traveling between the Mexican states of Sonora and Chihuahua were ambushed by criminal groups on Monday evening, Mexican authorities said. “Women and children (between 14 years old and 10 months) were massacred, burned alive,” LeBaron said. “Mothers were screaming for the fire to stop.” Seven children injured in the ambush were flown from Mexico to Douglas, Arizona, for transport to Tucson hospitals. Sonora state Gov. Claudia Pavlovich Arellano said she was outraged by the attack. “As a mother I feel angry, scorn, and a profound pain for the cowardly
On Monday, police in Greece said that they found 41 people alive in the back of a refrigerated truck during a routine highway check. The refrigeration system had not been turned on, and the migrants, all men and boys, were uninjured. The 40-year-old truck driver was arrested. Routine checks on trucks and other vehicles have increased lately, following a number of incidents involving migrants being smuggled through Greece in the back of vehicles. Just last month, authorities in England found 39 migrants – all of them dead – in the back of a truck just 20 miles from London. Greece is currently struggling to deal with the biggest number of migrant and refugee arrivals since 2015, when more than a million people crossed into Europe from Turkey via Greece. An estimated 35,000 people, including many families with young children, are stuck in hugely overcrowded camps on the Greek islands, the Greek Civil Protection Ministry says. The vast majority of them are trapped in asylum limbo and living
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in conditions that Europe’s human rights watchdog last week described as “abysmal.” Paying a visit to Greek island camps, Dunja Mijatovic, the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, described the situation as “explosive.” The commissioner said, “There is a desperate lack of medical care and sanitation in the vastly overcrowded camps I have visited. People queue for hours to get food and to go to the bathroom, when these are available.” She urged for measures to be taken to improve conditions. Greece has just passed a controversial law that shortens the asylum process by cutting out some options for appeal. It also makes it easier to deport those rejected. The change in legislation was brought forward by Greece’s conservative government, elected in July. Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has repeatedly asked for a cohesive policy from its European Union partners and an equitable distribution. There is currently a backlog of 68,000 asylum requests, said Greek Citizen Protection Minister Michalis Chrisohoidis, adding that claimants have to sometimes wait for years before receiving a reply. Under the new asylum law, requests will be handled within 60 days.
40 Years Since Iran Hostage Crisis
Iran marked 40 years since the takeover of the U.S. embassy in Tehran on Monday with a massive rally and fierce anti-West rhetoric. In a series of speeches before thousands, Iranian speakers called the embassy takeover the first step in freeing their country from Western imperialism. Speaking to the crowd from a stage erected next to the former embassy, Iranian General Abdolrahim Mousavi said that “our independence” stood behind the “dispute” with the U.S.
“The dispute between us and our enemies is not because of issues like our nuclear program or our missiles or human rights,” Mousavi said. “The dispute between us and the United States stems from our independence, not surrendering to their bullying.... They will continue their hostile behavior towards us like a scorpion whose nature is to bite as long as it is alive.” Carrying placards reading “Down with the USA,” thousands of people thronged an exhibit showcasing the missiles and anti-aircraft system Iran used to bring down a U.S. drone in June. Other demonstrations took place all across the country, with tens of thousands turning out in Mashhad, Shiraz, and Esfahan. During the protests, demonstrators called for the death of the U.S. and Israel. In an official statement, Iran’s military said that “wherever the U.S. is involved, there will be controversy, turmoil, and protest.” “One of the reasons why our country’s security has become an example to the dismay of enemies is the lack of a U.S. embassy in Tehran,” continued the statement. “Today, more than ever, it has been proven that U.S. regional policy has failed.” On November 4, 1979, hundreds of students forced their way into the U.S. embassy in Tehran and took the diplomats and U.S. citizens stationed there hostage. They were held for 444 days, with the Islamic Republic conditioning their release on the extradition of the Shah of Iran, who had taken refuge in the United States. The hostages were eventually let go on President Ronald Reagan’s inauguration day, but not before a failed U.S. military operation to free them left four soldiers dead.
IDF Soldier Gets Jail for Killing Gaza Rioter An IDF soldier was sentenced to a month in prison for killing a rioter on the Gaza border in what is the first such case since the aforementioned riots began. In a plea agreement, the soldier admitted to killing 16-year-old Ot-
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man Khiles during a violent disturbance in the northern Gaza Strip. Instead of being charged with murder, the soldier was convicted of deviating from authority, which carries a significantly lighter jail sentence.
“The verdict indicates that on July 13, 2018, during a violent order violation, the soldier fired at a Palestinian rioter who scaled the perimeter fence bordering the Gaza Strip without obtaining permission from his commanders and not following the fire opening instructions, disregarding instructions given to him earlier,” said the IDF in a statement. Aside from his jail sentence, the soldier was also demoted to the rank of private. In August, Chief Military Advocate General Sharon Afek ordered that the IDF open a criminal probe after two Palestinians were shot dead during a riot.
Weekly riots known as the “March of Return Protests” have been taking place on the Gaza border since April 2018. The disturbances, which commonly feature tens of thousands of Palestinians who hurl rocks and firebombs at IDF soldiers, have led to the deaths of dozens of Gazans. Due to the sensitivity of the protests, the IDF has strict protocols in place regulating when soldiers are allowed to open fire at rioters. According to regulations, troops can only shoot back if fired upon or if they feel an imminent threat to their life. In addition, every round must be approved by a senior officer before being shot. Snipers commonly aim for the lower extremities in order to avoid killing a demonstrator.
Defense and Foreign Ministry Employees Go on Strike Israeli embassies and consulates all over the world grounded to a halt last Wednesday after Foreign Minis-
try employees went on strike as part of an escalating war with the Finance Ministry.
The Defense Ministry also joined the strike, shuttering border crossings and refusing to authorize weapons sales overseas. However, a judge soon issued a restraining order against them and forced the government employees to return to work. Defense Ministry workers had aimed to wreak havoc by closing the Kerem Shalom and Erez crossings into the Gaza Strip and preventing Judea and Samaria residents from entering Israel proper. The joint strike came after talks between the two ministries and the Finance Ministry broke down, leading the Histadrut labor union to declare a general work dispute. “Due to the decision of the Israeli Ministry of Finance to breach under-
standings that were agreed upon and signed by the Director General of the Ministry of Finance on July 21, 2019, and to apply a one-sided procedure that alters a protocol that has been in place for several decades, we are forced to close the Embassy,” said the Foreign Ministry’s union in a statement. Surrounding the labor dispute is a recent Finance Ministry decree that would retroactively tax stipends paid to Defense and Foreign Ministry personnel stationed overseas. The announcement infuriated the two ministries, whose employees would now be forced to pay tens of thousands of shekels, money which many of them said they didn’t have. “The directive to scrap the stipends and to retroactively collect the taxes from the envoys...harms the essential tools of the diplomats and their ability to function,” said a joint statement by the Foreign and Defense Ministries. “This unilateral practice is unacceptable and we will use all the tools at our disposal.” Meanwhile, the Finance Ministry rebuffed the criticism, saying in a statement that “Foreign Ministry employees are obligated to pay taxes like any citizen of the State of Israel.”
The Jewish Home | NOVEMBER 7, 2019
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simply invented them out of thin air. Using pictures taken from free photo banks, the ministry had made up their identities and experiences for the publicity campaign.
Fake Olim are Making Aliyah Israel’s Absorption Ministry was left red-faced after it came out that it had used fake olim during a recent ad campaign touting the advantages of moving to Israel. In the social media campaign
launched last week, the ministry had featured pictures of olim who spoke of the benefits they had gained in making aliyah. The campaign included photos of the grinning olim, who said they hailed from the United States, England, and Australia. “Immigration to Israel is definitely not easy, but worth it,” says Danny from Watford, UK. “I grew up in a Jewish home, at-
tended a Jewish school, but could never imagine that I would fulfill the Zionist dream,” said Tanya Lipworth from Chicago. “I realized after spending a year in Israel studying, that making aliyah could become a reality.” The problem? None of the ostensible new immigrants were real. Rather than showcase actual emigres, the Absorption Ministry had
The false ad campaign was uncovered by Times of Israel defense correspondent Judah Ari Gross. “I always check Reverse Image Search images to see if images are original – and I found that all the images they uploaded, only one shows a real person,” Gross told the Makor Rishon weekly. “The search we conducted with the image of ‘Danny from Watford’ has more than 25 trillion results on the web, and the image appears everywhere. Other tweets mentioned other people’s names and last names – and if you do a quick Google search, you’ll find they exist only in one place: The Immigration and Absorption Twitter.” Criticism rained down after Gross’ expose, with many questioning why the Absorption Ministry decided to pull a fast one over the public rather than showcase one of the hundreds of thousands of real olim who have decided to make the Holy Land their home. “If it is the case that this is a genuine ministry account, and the photos and names are fabricated, it is nothing short of horrendous. To use stock images to illustrate classrooms or meetings is one thing, but at a time when Israel’s credibility is constantly attacked on social media, to make people up is nothing short of idiotic,” said President Reuven Rivlin’s former spokesperson Jason Pearlman. “For the many of us who have made the difficult step, and built our homes in Israel. For those who are far from family and face daily obstacles to adapt and adjust, this is truly insulting,” added Pearlman.
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Sderot Home Blasted by Gaza Rocket
A home in the southern city of Sderot was almost totally destroyed after suffering a direct hit during a weekend escalation with Gaza’s terror groups. The rocket that hit the Sderot home was part of a missile barrage fired by the Palestinian Islamic Jihad on Friday evening. Eight of the missiles were shot down by the Iron Dome missile defense system, while another three landed in an open field. There were no reported injuries. “When we got to the street there was a lot of hustle and bustle; there were several cars with shattered windscreens,” recalled paramedic Alex Kusinov in an interview with Ynet. “The residents of the house, a couple in their 40s and their chil-
dren, were in an adjacent building. “They told us that as soon as the sirens sounded, they entered the protected area and left a few minutes later. They were not injured and did not need medical attention.” Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu tweeted following the missile barrage that he was “in constant contact with the IDF chief of staff and security officials and leading on the necessary action.” Reports said that the escalation came following the death of Ahmad a-Shahri, who was killed recently in an IDF airstrike during “March of Return” riots on the Gaza border. Hamas had sworn to respond ever since the terrorist was killed last week while facing off with IDF troops at the border fence. "The Israeli occupation bombardment and targeting of resistance sites and our people in Gaza is a continuation of a series of Zionist crimes and acts of aggression,” said a Hamas spokesperson. “We affirm the blood of our people is dear, and no one will allow the enemy to violate it or to turn Gaza into an arena to export internal crises.” The Israeli Air Force attacked Hamas terror targets in the north-
ern, central, and southern Gaza Strip on Saturday night in retaliation, with one terrorist reportedly killed. An IDF spokesman said that IDF fighter jets attacked a wide range of terrorist targets, including a military installation belonging to the Hamas naval force, a warehouse housing the organization’s air defense system, a missile firing simulator, training complexes, and a weapons manufacturing plant.
HRW Director Told to Leave
Omar Shakir has 20 days to leave the country. On Tuesday, the Supreme Court rejected an appeal by the local director of Human Rights Watch against a government decision to expel him
for allegedly supporting the international Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement against Israel. A lower court in April upheld an Interior Ministry decision not to renew Omar Shakir’s work visa and ordered him to leave the country, saying his advocacy against Israel’s settlements in the West Bank amounts to support for the Palestinian-led boycott movement. Israeli law allows the barring of those who publicly support a boycott of Israel or its West Bank settlements. “If it proceeds, I have 20 days to leave & it’ll join ranks of Iran, N Korea and Egypt in blocking access for @hrw official,” Shakir tweeted after the decision was announced, referring to Israel. In their ruling, the justices cited three examples of Twitter posts from Shakir’s personal account over the past two and a half years in which he appeared to urge boycotts of the settlements. In a post from May 2017, Shakir wrote that he wanted to “press FIFA on [soccer] matches in illegal Israeli settlements.” After the vacation lodging website Airbnb stopped brokering Israeli rentals in the West Bank, in Novem-
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flict. Unsurprisingly, Shakir has received support from some U.S. lawmakers, including Democratic Congresswomen Rashida Tlaib and Ilhan Omar. Strategic Affairs Minister Gilad Erdan welcomed Tuesday’s court decision, saying in a statement that “Shakir is a BDS activist who took advantage of his stay in Israel to harm it, something no sane country would allow. “Israel sees great importance in the activities of real human rights organizations, granting hundreds of visas every year to human rights activists,” he added. “HRW is welcome to appoint another representative in Israel in place of Shakir if it chooses to do so.”
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#WeAreHALB ber 2018 Shakir addressed another website, booking.com, telling it that “all eyes now on you-delisting only way to meet your human rights responsibilities under UN Guiding Principles.” Airbnb later restored the Israeli West Bank rental listings. And in February 2019, after a Spanish company rejected a tender for a light rail project in Jerusalem because its route passed through the eastern part of the city, an area
claimed by the Palestinians for their future state, Shakir wrote, “Other companies should follow it’s [sic] lead.” The remarks “distinctly call for a boycott of entities operating in Israel and the West Bank,” the court concluded. Human Rights Watch has asserted that neither it nor Shakir has called for an outright boycott of Israel. It said Shakir, who is a U.S. cit-
izen, is being targeted for the rights group’s opposition to the settlements and its calls for companies to stop working with the settlements. Israel has adopted a tough stance in recent years toward the BDS movement, which it says is aimed at delegitimizing Israel’s existence and wiping it off the map. The BDS movement says it is a nonviolent campaign for Palestinian rights and does not endorse a specific solution to the con-
A new regulation signed by Economy Minister Eli Cohen in March seemingly relaxes the laws Israel has on the books prohibiting pork imports. Instead of a total ban on bringing pork and other swine meat into the country, importers could order a specified quantity of meat each month. The catch? Only those possessing kosher certification could receive the necessary permit. As the Rabbinate forbids those with kosher certification to buy non-kosher meat, this impossible requirement effectively bans any and all imports of pig’s meat that both Jews and Muslims are prohibited from eating. The bizarre regulation was passed in order to correct a loophole which allowed the Economy Minister to approve licenses for importing non-kosher meat. In 1994, a law was enacted banning Israelis from importing non-kosher meat. However, as a result of lobbying by the chamber of commerce, the law made an exception for 10 types of pork that would be left to the discretion of the Economy Minister. The new requirement to have kosher certification has
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the effect of cutting off any pork imports into Israel. While the reason for the change is unknown, it is thought to be the result of pressure by the charedi factions. The UTJ and Shas parties have vigorously opposed any importation of non-kosher meat and have tried to change the law for years. In contrast to the charedi factions, senior Kahol Lavan member MK Yair Lapid tweeted: “Israeli government, get out of our plates. “The state will not dictate what we can and cannot eat. When we form a government, we will cancel the regulation,” he threatened.
A Poignant Meeting
In an emotional ceremony last week at the Yad Vashem Holocaust Museum, 92-year-old Melpomeni Dina was reunited for the first time with descendants of those she saved from the Nazis. During the Nazi occupation of Greece, Dina hid the Mordechai family from the Nazi killing machine, saving them from joining the more than 60,000 Greek Jews who perished in the Holocaust. During the German occupation, which lasted from 1941 to 1944, Dina and her two sisters went to extreme lengths to hide the family despite the considerable danger involved. First keeping the Mordechai brothers in an abandoned mosque, Dina and her siblings eventually brought them into their own home after SS raids stepped up. In one instance, Dina took six-year-old Shmuel to the hospital after he fell ill with a deadly disease despite the high chance of being exposed. After the war, the Mordechai siblings fled to Israel. Dina, meanwhile, remained in Greece and was recognized as a member of the Righteous Among the Nations by Yad Vashem. The prestigious award recognizes gentiles who saved Jews from Nazis and has been awarded to 27,000 people, including more than 300 Greeks.
This week, the surviving members of the Mordechai family met with Dina for the first time ever. Surrounded by the 40 grandchildren of the Mordechai siblings she saved, the wheelchair-bound Dina said that she could now “die quietly.” “It is a very emotional feeling – I can’t describe it,” said Sarah Yanai, 86, the oldest of five siblings who were given refuge. “We were hidden in her house.
She saved all my family. You can’t imagine how dangerous it was for her, for her family, to keep us all. What can I say? Look at all these around us. We are now a very large and happy family, and it is all thanks to them saving us.” Her brother, Yossi Mor, is now 77 but was just a baby when the family was hidden from the Germans. He said they had to be moved from the mosque attic after a year because
conditions there were cramped, airless, and “deteriorating.” “They fed us, they gave us medicine, they gave us the protection, everything, they washed our clothes.” Despite the risks she took, during the ceremony Dina said, “I would like to have saved more.” The ceremony, which was once a common site at Israel’s Holocaust museum, has become increasingly rare in recent years as both survi-
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vors and the 27,000 righteous gentiles die out. “This is probably going to be our last reunion, because of age and frailty,” noted Stanlee Stahl, who heads the Jewish Foundation for the Righteous.
Israel Sends Back 2 Incarcerated Jordanians
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Israel agreed to deport two Jordanian citizens who were being held under suspicion of coordinating terror attacks on behalf of Hezbollah. The news was first announced by Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi on Monday and was confirmed by Israel’s Foreign Minister later in the day. “Heba al-Labadi and Abdel Rahman Miri will return home before the end of the week,” tweeted Safadi. “The government has worked to secure their release since the first day they were arrested in accordance with strict instructions from his Majesty King Abdullah II to take all measures necessary to bring them back safely.” Heba al-Labadi and Abdel Rahman Miri have been in custody for over two months in Israel, causing a major diplomatic row between Israel and Jordan. Al-Labadi, a Jordanian-Palestinian citizen, was arrested by the Shin Bet intelligence agency in August on the Allenby Bridge connecting the two countries. She has been kept in administrative detention ever since, which allows Israel to hold those suspected of committing severe security offenses without trial or seeing a judge. The lack of rights afforded to Al-Labadi infuriated Amman, however, especially after al-Labadi went on a 35day hunger strike to protest the conditions she was being held in. The pair’s continued confinement led Jordan to recall its ambassador last week to Amman for consultations, causing the Israeli
government to intercede into what was until then a local terror investigation. The Prime Minister’s Office said that the two had been released following an unmentioned deal hatched between Shin Bet head Nadav Argaman and the head of Jordan’s secret service over the “security arrangements regarding their release.” “Israel views the relationship between Jordan and Israel as a cornerstone of regional stability and will continue to act to ensure the region’s security,” assured the Prime Minister’s Office in a statement.
OK Pardons Over 400 Inmates More than 400 prisoners will go free after a state panel in Oklahoma approved the largest mass commutation in U.S. history. The unprecedented pardons went into effect last Friday after Governor Kevin Stitt accepted the findings of the Oklahoma Pardon and Parole Board. The Board had recommended that 469 inmates be released immediately – 527 overall – in order to reduce the state’s prison population. “The governor plans to review and take immediate action on the… docket as soon as he receives the board’s recommendations on Friday,” said Stitt’s spokesperson. “The governor applauds the Pardon and Parole Board’s dedication to fulfill the will of the people through the… docket, giving hundreds of non-violent, low-level offenders an opportunity at a second chance.” The Board had convened to decide whether to retroactively acquit inmates accused of minor drug and property offenses following the passage of House Bill 1269. The legislation, which passed in 2016, classified the aforementioned crimes as misdemeanors as opposed to felonies, paving the way for the state’s blanket commutations for people convicted of those crimes. “Five-hundred and twenty-seven inmates have been recommended to the governor for commutation. Four-hundred and sixty-nine in-
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A bus in Pittsburgh was partially swallowed by a sinkhole last Monday morning
mates are scheduled to be released as a result of this,” announced Steve Bickley, who serves as the executive director for the Pardon and Parole Board. The commutations are the largest in U.S. history and the most on a single day since former President Barack Obama pardoned 330 federal prisoners on his last day in office. The Board had wanted to set free 912 inmates but had to whittle the list down to 527 prisoners after many of those who were incarcerated were found ineligible due to them receiving additional sentences while behind bars.
Beto O’Rourke Drops Out
Texas Congressman and failed Senate candidate Beto O’Rourke announced on Friday that he is dropping out of the race to be the Democratic Party’s nominee for president. O’Rourke announced his decision in a post on social media last week and in an extensive blog entry on the website Medium. “Our campaign has always been about seeing clearly, speaking honestly, and acting decisively,” tweeted O’Rourke.
”In that spirit: I am announcing that my service to the country will not be as a candidate or as the nominee.” In his blog entry on Medium, O’Rourke promised to support whichever candidate eventually wins the Democratic Party’s nomination. “We will work to ensure that the Democratic nominee is successful in defeating Donald Trump in 2020,” O’Rourke wrote. “I can tell you firsthand from having the chance to know the candidates, we will be well served by any one of them, and I’m going to be proud to support whoever that nominee is.” O’Rourke is the latest Democrat to bow out of the crowded presidential race. At one point reaching as high as 22 different candidates, his announcement leaves contenders with only three months left before the first primary in Iowa. A congressman representing Texas’ El Paso district, O’Rourke burst onto the national political scene last year when he came very close to ousting Republican Ted Cruz from the Senate. Raising over $80 million, O’Rourke’s friendly and down-to-earth personality led to speculation that he could be the crossover candidate the Democratic Party is looking for. However, his presidential campaign never got off the ground, and O’Rourke’s polling numbers languished in the low single digits ever since he threw his hat into the ring. With no chance of winning the nomination, O’Rourke has been under increasing pressure to abandon the doomed campaign in order to run for Republican John Cornyn’s Senate seat in 2020. O’Rourke also aroused strong
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ahead of Kenyan Mary Jepkosgei Keitany to take the woman’s title. Her first-place finish ended Keitany’s streak of four straight first place finishes and was only seven seconds away from setting a new all-time women’s record.
“My strategy I had planned was to finish the race strong,” said Jepkosgei after the race. “But in the last kilometers, I saw that I was approaching the finish line and I was capable of winning.” Despite never having run a marathon before, Jepkosgei is now the youngest woman to win New York City’s longest footrace since 25-yearold Margaret Okayo did it 18 years ago. Previously, Jepkosgei won the city’s half marathon in March and another half marathon last year. In total, Jepkosgei’s official time was 2 hours, 22 minutes and 38 seconds, and she took home $100,000 in prize money, as did male winner Geoffrey Kamworor. Runner-ups Jared Ward and Desiree Linden will get $25,000 each. According to race organizers, New York City’s 49th annual marathon saw more than 50,000 people from 125 different nations compete. Competitors began by crossing the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge from Staten Island into Brooklyn and then on to Queens before heading into Manhattan via the Bronx. The finish line was located in Central Park.
antagonism within his party for his vocal pro-gun control positions. Promising to forcibly confiscate AR-15 rifles from Americans and to punish their owners, O’Rourke’s anti-gun agenda led Democrats to disavow him due to fear that he would cause massive Republican turnout on election day for President Trump. O’Rourke’s announcement to leave the race was celebrated by
President Trump, who derided him at a campaign rally as one “who dropped out like a dog.” Later, Trump mocked O’Rourke for saying in an interview that he was “born” to unseat him as the leader of the free world. “I don’t think so!” tweeted the president.
NYC Marathon Surprise
Court: Trump to Give Over Tax Returns
Joyciline Jepkosgei could not have asked for a better way to end her first marathon. Running in New York City’s Marathon for her first time on Sunday, the 25-year-old came in slightly
President Donald Trump’s ongoing attempts to avoid his tax returns from going public suffered a major blow on Monday after a court ordered his accounting firm to turn them over to New York officials.
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In the ruling, the three judges that comprise New York’s 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals voted unanimously to reject arguments made by Trump attorneys that the president is immune from criminal investigations.
While refusing to take a side whether a sitting president is, in fact, immune from being brought to justice, the jurists said that the immunity would only prohibit Trump from being tried, not investigated. The decision upheld an earlier ruling that ordered Trump to hand over his tax returns going back eight years to city prosecutors. In the earlier ruling, U.S. District Judge Victor Marrero rejected Trump’s lawsuit and called his immunity argument
“repugnant to the nation’s governmental structure and constitutional values.” Trump then appealed to the 2nd Circuit, resulting in Monday’s ruling. “We hold that any presidential immunity from state criminal process does not bar the enforcement of a subpoena,” wrote the three judge panel. “Presidential immunity does not bar a state grand jury from issuing a subpoena in aid of its investigation of potential crimes committed by persons within its jurisdiction, even if that investigation may in some way implicate the president.” The judges continued to say that “the only question before us is whether a state may lawfully demand production by a third party of the President’s personal financial records for use in a grand jury investigation while the President is in office.” Trump attorney Jay Sekulow vowed to appeal the ruling to the Supreme Court. Trump is seen to have much better chances with the nation’s highest court due to its 5-4 conservative majority. “The decision of the Second Circuit will be taken to the Supreme Court,” Sekulow asserted. “The is-
sue raised in this case goes to the heart of our Republic. The constitutional issues are significant.” Trump had sued Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus R. Vance Jr. after he subpoenaed the president’s tax returns in August dating back to 2011. New York City prosecutors say they are investigating Trump’s history of paying off acquaintances who had negative information about him during the 2016 presidential campaign, contending that such payments violate campaign finance laws.
TX Cracks Down on Homelessness
Texas Governor Greg Abbot recently ordered state officials to crack
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down on Austin’s spiraling homelessness problem. Austin has become a magnet for homeless people, with a 5% rise in the population since last year alone. The estimated 3,000 homeless have overwhelmed the city, with tent cities popping up under highway underpasses and under bridges. Abbot had given the city leeway to handle the problem on its own but decided to intercede after seeing that Austin officials were making no headway. Calling it a “day of action,” Abbot sent in Texas Department of Transportation officials last week to physically dismantle the tent camps that have overwhelmed the otherwise trendy city. “Safety will improve soon,” the governor tweeted on Tuesday. “The homeless will be offered options for shelter, food, clothing, and healthcare.” Later in the day, police and state officials could be seen descending on Austin’s tent camps and forcing residents to pack up and leave – including using leaf blowers and street sweepers to help with the evacuation. Abbot’s crackdown comes as Austin shows no sign of taking steps
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to disperse its homeless population. Earlier this year, the city council removed an ordinance banning people from camping in public places, allowing people to sit, lie down, and set up tents in wide swaths of the city that were previously off limits. According to reports, Austin’s generous policies such as free food and shelter have turned the city into a magnet for homeless people from all across the United States. “You don’t have to buy food,” one homeless person told Fox News. “Everybody feeds you. They give you money. You can party. It’s a blast, man.”
White Supremacist Arrested for Synagogue Plot Richard Holzer, 27, a white supremacist, was arrested last week by the FBI for planning to target Temple Emanuel in Pueblo, Colorado, which is the state’s second-oldest synagogue. Holzer is charged with
attempting to obstruct religious exercise by force using explosives and fire. He allegedly told an undercover FBI agent that he hoped to poison members of the synagogue and claimed he had paid off a “Mexican cook to hex and poison” attendees by putting arsenic in the water pipes, according to an arrest affidavit.
The undercover agent connected with Holzer through a Facebook account that portrayed her as a white female who is supportive of white supremacy ideology. Holzer allegedly told her that he was “a skinhead” and former member of the Ku Klux Klan and sent her images of himself wearing clothing that featured symbols related to white supremacy. At one point, he posted in a group chat online: “I wish the holocaust [sic] really did happen… they
need to die.” In one exchange on October 3, Holzer said he was getting ready for a racial holy war and said he was going to Temple Emanuel in Pueblo “to scope it out.” Holzer eventually met with an undercover FBI agent to discuss his hatred of Jewish people and explain his plan to poison the Pueblo synagogue with arsenic. Court documents say Holzer first suggested the idea to attack the synagogue with Molotov cocktails, but later decided he’d need something stronger. The agents told Holzer they could obtain pipe bombs and dynamite from out of state. On October 31, he told the undercover agents he planned to go through with the attack on November 1. According to the affidavit, Holzer “said that he wanted to put the Synagogue on the ground and demolish it.” On November 1, Holzer met three undercover FBI agents at a hotel. They showed him pipe bombs and dynamite. He was then arrested. When asked what he would have done if someone had been inside the synagogue during the bombing, he allegedly said he would have gone through with the attack because anyone inside would be Jewish.
Michael Atlas-Acuna, the president of Temple Emanuel, said after learning of the plot, “We take our security very seriously here. We have been since what happened in Pittsburgh…. We’re not going to be victimized and we’re going to defend ourselves. I’ve never been naive to think that it couldn’t happen to us because there’s been other things that have happened in small communities like shooting churches, so I’ve never been that naive. “I think that all Jewish communities have to continue to protect themselves. Make sure they have armed guards, make sure they have security. We don’t like the idea that in America we have to deal with this, but again, it’s just a reality of where we live right now,” he added.
Keystone Leak
Last week, when a drop in pressure was discovered on Tuesday
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in part of the Keystone 1 Pipeline, officials noticed a small oil leak in the pipeline in the northeast part of North Dakota. The pipeline was immediately shut down after approximately 9,120 barrels of oil had leaked from the break. “We are establishing air quality, water, and wildlife monitoring and will continue monitoring throughout the response. There have been no reported injuries or impacted wildlife,” TC Energy said. “The safety of the public and environment are our top priorities, and we will continue to provide updates as they become available.” The Indigenous Environmental Network, an environmental justice nonprofit group, responded to the spill with concern. “This is exactly the kind of spill we are worried about when it comes to Keystone XL being built. It has never been if a pipeline breaks but rather when,” said Joye Braun, Indigenous Environmental Network frontline community organizer. The Keystone Pipeline system stretches more than 2,600 miles from Alberta, Canada, east into Manitoba, and then south to Texas.
Keystone 1 refers to phase one of the Keystone Pipeline that starts in Alberta and runs through North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, and Missouri to refineries in Illinois and Oklahoma. Phase one started operating in 2011. The Keystone XL pipeline would begin in Alberta and extend south to Steele City, Nebraska. The company says it hopes to start construction in 2020.
Falling Slow
It’s been slow moving for a boat that’s been stuck on a rock in Niag-
ara Falls for more than a century. Last week, though, the ship made some progress. The vessel – known as a dumping scow – became disconnected from the tugboat that it was connected to in 1918. Two men were onboard when it became stranded in the Niagara River, just 650 yards short of Horseshoe Falls, one of the three separate waterfalls that make up the popular tourist attraction. Rescuing the two men onboard the scow was not easy. James Harris and Gustav Lofberg were stuck in an area not considered safe and buoys were sent to rescue them. But the lines became tangled and rescuers had to think out of the box. Eventually, World War I vet William “Red” Hill was able to get to the two men in time. The scow, though, was more stubborn. It’s been stuck on the rocks, exposed to the elements and the rushing waters for more than 100 years. Now, only a skeleton of the original ship remains. On Thursday, October 31, gusts of wind and lashings of rain battered the falls and the remains of the barge. Under the punishing conditions the scow began to move – although not too far. It’s now a bit closer to the falls on the Canadian side, the first time it’s moved any appreciable distance in ten decades. How long it will remain there is anyone’s guess. In any case, we wish it a nice trip. See you next fall.
Space Cookies These are not your typical chocolate chip cookies. No, there are no walnuts or secret ingredients hidden within. It’s all about where they’re going to be baked. This week, onboard a spacecraft headed to the International Space Station, scientists sent an oven along with cookie dough to allow astronauts
based there to bake fresh cookies – or anything else – for the first time in space.
“Houston, we have a cookie,” DoubleTree by Hilton, which supplied the cookie dough, tweeted in celebration of the launch on Saturday. “Now serving warm welcomes in space.” The oven is designed to bake in zero gravity, a first of its kind. According to NASA, “Crew members may experience psychological and physiological benefits from eating flavorful cooked meals.” And now for the milk that’s needed for those freshly baked cookies.
Cheese Champions
The United States is now the big cheese. Rogue River Blue has taken the top prize at the 2019 World Cheese Awards, marking the first time a U.S. cheese has ever been named World Champion Cheese. An organic blue cheese produced by Rogue Creamery of Central Point, Oregon, Rogue River Blue beat a record-breaking 3,804 entries from
Hold the penicillin Dr. Lightman on page 106
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42 countries at the awards, held this year in Bergamo, Italy, in midOctober. Some 260 judges from 35 different countries judged the cheeses, narrowing the list down to a final 16. An international “super jury” of experts chose the winners. Coming in second place was an Italian cheese, the 24-month aged Nazionale del Parmigiano Reggia-
no Latteria Sociale Santo Stefano. It was followed by a Spanish raw ewe’s milk cheese, Torta del Casar D.O.P. Virgen Del Prado, made by Queseria Doña Francisca. The top cheese on the planet spends 9 to 11 months in the creamery’s cheese caves and then is hand-wrapped in organic Syrah grape leaves soaked in pear liqueur. It’s sold for $75 for a quarter wheel
when purchased directly from the producer. According to the company, “The rinds developed beautifully and the flavor is exceptional, exhibiting the fruit, spice, blackberry, vanilla, hazelnut, chocolate and bacon flavors for which this cheese is known.” Sounds gouda to me.
If you thought that American Girl dolls were pricey, you’ll be wowed by what some people are going to be shelling out this year for a plastic toy. The company has come out with a holiday doll decked out in 5,000 Swarovski crystals and beads. A doll for one-percent of the one-percenters comes with an apropos price tag: $5,000. Interested? (We hope not!) There are only three on the market: one at each of the American Girl flagship stores in New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago. They’ll also be on display for fans looking to take selfies with the over-the-top figurine. That is, until one spineless parent shells out thousands to quell their child’s whining. The three flagship stores will also be getting a makeover for the doll’s arrival. After all, she can’t be displayed in a hum-drum shopping center. The three stores will feature Swarovski-themed decorations, including crystal-encrusted garlands and 130 lbs. of crystal stardust in New York. Itching to take your tween to buy more overpriced items at the American Girl stores? Over the next month or so, the stores will host gingerbread house decorating and holiday doll hair salons, among other adventures. The stores in Chicago and Los Angeles will host build-your-own hot chocolate stations and holiday cookie decorating. And at the store in New York’s Rockefeller Plaza, American Girl will host a party with a famous singer, featuring crafts, a doll salon, dinner, and a violin prodigy. We have three words for parents, and listen carefully: just say no.
The Jewish Home | NOVEMBER 7, 2019
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NOVEMBER 7, 2019 | The Jewish Home
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The Jewish Home | NOVEMBER 7, 2019
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NOVEMBER 7, 2019 | The Jewish Home
Around the
Community Senator Kaminsky Joins in DRS Honor Ceremony
A
CHDUT, the DRS Chapter of the National Honor Society, is affiliated with the National Association of Secondary Schools. On Monday night, DRS inducted 36 students into the ACHDUT chapter of the National Honor Society. These students were selected for admission on the basis of having a minimum of a 90 academic average, as well as middot befitting this esteemed honor. The induction ceremony began with words of welcome from both Rabbi Yisroel Kaminetsky, menahel of DRS, and Dr. Hillel Broder, principal of general studies. Pairs of inductees delivered short vignettes about famous Jewish personalities from Tanach as well as from the secular world who have also made tremendous contributions to society and who exemplify the
middot and characteristics of ACHDUT: character, leadership, scholarship, service, persistence, integrity, compassion, courage, dignity, and
vision. The pairs presented their famous personality to an audience of over 200 staff members, parents, and relatives. An honorary award
was delivered to Dr. Janice Oliver, a long-time English teacher at DRS, who was honored for her many years of service to our yeshiva. Dr. Oliver is a special individual who possesses all of the qualities that were spoken about by our students and cares deeply about offering a high level of education. The yeshiva was honored to host Senator Todd Kaminsky as the keynote speaker at the ceremony. Senator Kaminsky is a great advocate for the needs of yeshiva day schools on the South Shore and has secured significant grant money for many of our schools, including all three branches of HALB. Senator Kaminsky spoke to the inductees about the value of hard work, honesty, integrity, and having pride in one’s Jewish identity.
The Jewish Home | NOVEMBER 7, 2019
Yeshiva Darchei Torah elementary school talmidim are being encouraged to participate in the Yeshiva’s Shnayim Mikra V’echad Targum program. To kick off the program, each boy was given a delicious ice cream cone, delivered by a cholov Yisrael ice cream truck and sponsored by the YDT Women’s League
Bais Yaakov of Queens STEM Engineers
T
he eighth grade STEM class at Bais Yaakov Academy of Queens started the year exploring the engineering design process. Students began with the “Spaghetti Marshmallow Challenge,” a team-building activity in which they were to design and build a tower out of 20 pieces of spaghetti and one meter of tape that could support one marshmallow. The girls were amazed at how a seemingly light, fluffy marshmallow could tip the balance necessary for their designs to stand. After experimenting with different bases, the class came to the conclusion that triangular designs are most stable. Then they were able to compare their designs using a given formula that calculated height vs. materials used. As they progressed in their utilization of the design process, students used what they learned about structural stability to build towers out of newspaper and tape that reached the ceiling! They began to feel as though they were engineers as they detected weaknesses in their designs and worked to strengthen those areas. This led the class to a discussion of materials best suited to building stable, strong structures. The class analyzed the connection of the clas-
sic fairytale, Three Little Pigs, to materials engineering. They all agreed the story would have been different if a materials engineering expert was consulted before the straw and wooden houses were built. Materials engineering then became the springboard for their discussion of “what makes up the world around us” and their unit on chemistry. The students are looking forward to testing materials for hydrophobicity and even looking at samples of wool and linen under a microscope to detect possible shatnez in materials.
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NOVEMBER 7, 2019 | The Jewish Home
Around the Community
Rabbi Benny Wielgus started off the season for the Learn & Live program with an enthralling story for the boys
In honor of Fire Safety Month, a fire truck came to HANC ECC last week. Firefighters discussed many fire safety rules with all the children
YCQ-Avigdor’s Helping Hand 5K in Memory of Michael Simanowitz, a”h
O
n Sunday, October 27, amidst the torrential rain, over 150 participants showed up for the first-ever YCQ-Avigdor’s Helping Hand 5K Walk/Run event in memory of Michael Simanowitz, a”h. Michael Simanowitz was so much more than a State Assemblyman who worked tirelessly for his community; he was a friend, a community advocate, a parent, husband and a son. He grew up locally and is a parent to alumni and a current sixth grader at the Yeshiva of
Central Queens. Volunteers under the direction of the 5K organizers, yeshiva staff, board members, students, alumni, community members, and family members of Michael Simanowitz, a”h, showed up to show support of the yeshiva and Avigdor’s Helping Hand, a community chessed organization, and to participate in the event. While registration was taking place, adults and children enjoyed coffee, hot cocoa, doughnuts, and conversation. The program began
with youth sprints for different age groups followed by the 5K trek around the park. The youth sprint winners were Rebecca Sisser, Daniel Rozic, Sophie Sisser, and Shalom Peled. Jenni Chubak, grade 2 teacher at YCQ and winner in her division, said, “The event was so organized; it was so well-run. Even though we were drenched, everyone had a great time. I hope we do it again next year.” As the rains continued to come down, spirits remained high as everyone socialized
with each other and showed support for these worthy causes. As the participants crossed the finish line, they received medals and prizes for placing in their age groups. The champions of the 5K by division were Talia Dyckman, Yona Cantor, Justin Schikman, Rebecca Sisser, Daniel Rozic, Rivka Sullivan, Leeba Sullivan, Israel Hausman, Jenni Chubak, Edward Braunstein, Olivia Rozic, Adam Orlow, Shari Weiss, Howard Shatz, and Arthur Sisser.
The Jewish Home | NOVEMBER 7, 2019
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Around the Community
The talmidim of Yeshiva Darchei Torah’s Harriet Keilson Early Childhood Center learned about Parshas Noach and Noach’s teivah with the help of some visitors from an upstate farm
Celebrating Central Scholars
O
n Tuesday night, 35 Central students, including 31 juniors and four seniors, were inducted into the Armin Steif Chapter of the National Honor Society (Arista). These students were selected on the
basis of their academic merit, as well as their character and middot. In joining Arista, these students commit to redoubling their efforts to contribute to the Central community. Mrs. CB Neugroschl opened the
program with welcoming and congratulating the inductees and their families which included a festive dinner. The students then delivered group presentations about people they never met, but who inspired them, which
included Theodor Herzl, Malala Yousafzai, Rabbi Yehuda Hanasi, and many others. At the close of the evening, each student was presented with her Arista certificate. Congratulations to the newly-minted group!
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NOVEMBER 7, 2019 | The Jewish Home
Around the Community The Five Towns YouNite Woodmere Event on behalf of RCCS was held on Sunday, November 3 at the home of Dr. Rabin and Deena Rahmani in Woodmere
Sheba Medical Center Inaugurates State-of-the-Art Innovation Hub ARC Tasked with Accelerating Cutting-edge Technologies Developed by Israeli Digital Healthcare Start-ups PHOTO CREDIT: NOGA VAN DE REEP
By Rachel Cohen
S
heba Medical Center at Tel Hashomer launched a first-ofits-kind innovative technological hub on Thursday. The ARC Innovation Center, whose letters stand for “Accelerate, Redesign, Collaborate,” is designed to allow medical start-ups and mega international companies to work in close proximity to hospital staff – a symbiotic relationship that can be extremely beneficial to both, especially identifying unmet clinical needs. The center has already welcomed a dozen start-ups in the first intake
of entrepreneurs and focuses on six medical tracks, each overseen by a senior Sheba physician: precision medicine, virtual reality, digital innovation focusing on big data and AI, rehabilitation, telemedicine and surgical innovation. “Think about the world around us,” said Sheba Medical Center director-general Prof. Yitshak Kreiss at the opening. “We are in the midst of global turbulence and chaos- civil wars, climate change, raging forest fires, earthquakes, and the ultimate challenge of the emergence of new diseases.” ARC is not only focused on Israel, but also has ambitions beyond.
Working in a relatively small market, as well as understanding the need and requirement for solutions to worldwide healthcare challenges, Israeli start-ups always have an eye on global export. ARC has already exported its innovative model. Ottawa Hospital in Canada’s capital joined Sheba to embrace an open innovation philosophy by trying to get ahead of the expected flood of care demand caused by a rapidly aging population. Other hospitals are similarly expected to adopt the model. One of the start-ups that has benefited from their presence in the innovation hub is Aidoc – an artifi-
cial intelligence-based medical imaging analysis company. “AI has the ability to prioritize patients’ needs,” said VP of marketing Ariella Shoham. “The get treated faster, including those who have nothing wrong with them; waittimes are shortened and it expedites patient treatment,” she added. Sheba is Israel’s largest medical center, in which more than one quarter of the country’s medical clinical research takes place. The medical center was named by Newsweek magazine as the tenth best hospital in the world.
A ATERES YAA VT K SI
EN
NT
ST
UD
OV
ME
The Jewish Home | NOVEMBER 7, 2019
T GOVERNM
E
The MAY Student Government Presents:
SUNDAY!
FOR MEN ONLY
NOVEMBER 10, 2019 FAR ROCKAWAY BOARDWALK
REGISTRATION RACE STARTS AWARD CEREMONY
12:30 PM 1:15 PM 2:30 PM
$50 $180 REGISTRATION FEE
RUN THIS
MINIMUM AMOUNT NEEDED TO RAISE ($50 registration fee is included)
FEE INCLUDES BIB WITH TRACKER, ACCESS TO THE HYDRATION STATION ON COURSE & SWAG BAG
register at: www.MAY5K.com Mesivta Ateres Yaakov 131 Washington Avenue Lawrence, NY 11559 Rabbi Josh Zern j.zern@ateresyaakov.com
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NOVEMBER 7, 2019 | The Jewish Home
Around the Community
On Tuesday, Zayin Cheshvan, the yahrtzeit of Harav Meir Shapiro, zt”l, the boys in Yeshiva Ketana of Long Island were treated to a video about the history of the daf yomi
Living Testimony
Y
eshiva Darchei Torah’s eighth grade talmidim were addressed by Mr. Irving Roth last week. Mr. Roth, a survivor of
the Holocaust, is the founder of the Adopt-A-Survivor project. The talmidim are going to interview Holocaust survivors, whom they will
“adopt” – researching and presenting their unique stories of heroism and survival. Each boy is also committed to perpetuating his adopted
survivor’s story by retelling it to the next generation.
stein’s students taught the class new facts about the month of Cheshvan including the fact that this is the month of Rachel Imeinu’s yahrtzeit and that this month is called Mar Cheshvan since it is the only month without any yom tov. Then, together as a school, the IVDU students gathered to create a collaborative bulletin board displaying all of their artwork and attended their first assembly where they heard from principal Dr. Sara Seplowitz about the
special month ahead. At IVDU, learning collaboratively offers incredible opportunity for each child to interact and learn from each other and certainly builds a strong sense of community. Special thank you to Mrs. Aliza Goldstein for initiating and developing these unique projects to ensure that they were appropriate for every classroom and learner – truly an IVDU trademark!
Cheshvan at IVDU
I
VDU Long Island, a special education elementary school in North Woodmere, is marking its third school year with exciting school-wide programming to expand the social opportunities for its students. On Rosh Chodesh Cheshvan, IVDU, a division of Yachad, hosted its first school assembly – an interactive experience that was the culmination of a series of Cheshvan-related activities across the
classrooms. As the oldest members of the school, the students of Mrs. Goldstein’s class helped run special rain-themed projects in each classroom. Learning to take responsibility and initiative, they patiently assisted their younger counterparts in completing their projects, be it assisting with fine motor skills while putting pipe cleaners into the small holes of rain drops, or helping them trace their names onto rainclouds. In another class, Mrs. Gold-
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The Jewish Home | NOVEMBER 7, 2019
l o o h c S h g i H C N HA
E S U O OPEN H
Sunday, November 17 @ 9:00 a.m. 215 Oak Street Uniondale, NY 11553 For more information contact: Miriam Steiner, Director of Admissions at HSAdmissions@hanc.org
ART
EXCELLENCE INSPIRATION GUIDANCE
HURRICANES
LEADERSHIP
Rabbi Shlomo Adelman Menahel/Principal
HANC
ISRAEL
GROWTH
CHARACTER Mrs. Marie Palaia Associate Principal
GEMARA
SPORTS MUSIC Ms. Tziporah Zucker Assistant Principal
COMMITMENT
STEM LAB
WE ARE
CLUBS
TORAH
CHESED
ENGINEERING
C O M M U N I T Y HALACHA MOCK TRIAL ACTIVISM
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NOVEMBER 7, 2019 | The Jewish Home
Around the Community
SKA Students Attend AIPAC Teen Summit
T
hroughout the school year, the students of the Stella K. Abraham High School for Girls advocate for the State of Israel. SKA’s Israel Action Committee raises funds for organizations assisting Israel soldiers and Israeli charities, invites exceptional speakers such as Israeli journalist Mrs. Sivan Rahav Meir to speak to the students, and runs student leadership training sessions so that SKA students can become effective supporters of Israel. Accompanied by faculty member
Mrs. Tamar Bindiger, SKA students Priva Halpert, Hodaya Landau, Anni Laufer and Devora Fuchs attended AIPAC’s Schusterman Advocacy Institute High School Summit in Washington, D.C., on Sunday, November 3 through Tuesday, November 5. Together with 400 high schoolers from around the country, the SKA participants took part in training sessions on lobbying, Israel and the media, and other important topics relevant to U.S.-Israel relations.
Art Institute at Shulamith High School
Welcome to SKA!
O
S
ctober may have been a month of chagim and time off from school, but Shulamith High School’s Art Institute students were working hard on their portfolios, entering in an array of national and world wide contests. Because Shulamith High School plays a role in educating this generation of citizens and leaders, we reflect on the importance of a well-rounded education. The Art Institute is constantly evolving, with a curriculum that cultivates problem-solving skills, lateral thinking, complex analysis, and critical thinking skills. Led by the talented Mrs. Morgan Cohn, the SHS Art Institute is a four-year program that begins freshman year and is designed to give students the underlying artistic and historical background they need to pursue their own artistic careers. Students begin by learning about artists and art history movements during freshman year and implementing the learnt practices in
their own artwork. Throughout their four years, students develop their techniques with a vast array of materials such as pencil, charcoal, conte crayons, paints, water colors, pastels, clay, and so much more. Not only are the girls technically trained, but their ability to think and create more conceptually is further expanded on. By senior year, every student is given the knowledge and tools in order to complete Art Institute with a prestigious college-ready portfolio. Guest speakers and museum field trips open students up to the world of art outside of their own creations. “I never thought I was good at art. I never thought I even liked it, but now this is all I want to do with my life,” one eleventh grader remarked. The fact that all girls have an opportunity to discover an unknown passion or hidden talent for art encourages the possibility for students to shine in a way they never thought they would.
tudent ambassadors greeted a record number of prospective parents and students from many metropolitan elementary schools at the Stella K. Abraham High School for Girls Open House on Sunday, November 3. The overflowing crowd heard from Mrs. Elisheva Kaminetsky, principal, Judaic Studies; Mrs. Bluma Drebin, principal, General Studies; Rabbi Yosef Zakutinsky, Director of Student Programs; Ms. Elana Flumenhaft, associate principal; and SKA senior Avigail Goldberg. The parent and student tours were enthusiastically received as the SKA presenters shared their passion for their subjects and displayed their warmth and dedication. Student volunteers spoke about the excellent limudei kodesh and secular academic programs at SKA and the outstanding extracurricular experiences that are offered. The stateof-the-art STEM lab, new science
lab, and impressive graphic design room were highlighted as well as the sought-after Art Academy studio. The visitors were intrigued hearing about electives offered such as coding, marine biology, and sign language in addition to SKA’s popular sports program, student initiatives for religious growth, Israel Action activities, and the school’s successful chessed program. Serenaded by chamber music performed by members of SKA’s band under the direction of production head Mrs. Terri Wagner, the guests were given “look books” filled with information about the school as well as SKA gift bags. Following the program, parents and incoming students were able to chat with administration and faculty members of SKA, view tables laden with details about SKA publications, sports activities, academic clubs and teams, etc., and enjoy a delicious collation.
The Jewish Home | NOVEMBER 7, 2019
Around the Community
An Evening with Mayor Benny Kashriel of Ma’aleh Adumim
O
n Tuesday evening, November 5, One Israel Fund sponsored an evening in Lawrence at the home of Joey & Jenny Hoenig to meet Benny Kashriel, mayor of the dynamic and strategically important city of Ma’aleh Adumim. Mayor Kashriel has, over his 28 years in office, overseen the enormous growth of the city, which now exceeds 43,000 residents, and is a leader in education, technology, and cultural activities. Village of Lawrence Mayor Alex Edelman spoke about his recent visit to Ma’aleh Ad-
umim as part of a newly developing Sister-City Agreement between the two towns. The evening featured a frank discussion with Mayor Kashriel about his city and surrounding communities, its relationship with the local Arab population as well as the Israeli political landscape. Funds were raised to support the city’s Education Scholarship Fund which provides textbooks, class trips, tutoring and extracurricular activities for more than 180 families living on Israel’s welfare system.
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NOVEMBER 7, 2019 | The Jewish Home
Around the Community
Shulamith first graders enjoyed a trip to Greenmeadows Farm and had fun feeding the animals and going on a pony ride
First Place Win at IESC Science Competition
Students at TAG’s Ganger Early Childhood Division participated in Election Day by voting for their favorite fruit or vegetable. After all the votes will be counted, the entire preschool will be treated to the winning fruit or vegetable for a delicious snack
Team Building at YOSS Mechina
T
his week the seventh and eighth graders were treated to an ODT workshop that focused on teambuilding skills. ODT is a set of activities, challenges, and games that develops group dynamics, group problem solving, communication, connection, trust, and self-awareness. ODT was first created by the British Royal Navy to train troops fighting together to work as a team. It was then adopted and modified by the Israelis who gave it its name ODT and is now used in the IDF. The workshop was led by Meir Bisk, head counselor of Camp Ya’alozu, which is a wilderness survival camp. Meir challenged our students
with games and activities where success can only be reached when the group works as a team. At the beginning, the groups struggled with their challenges as they had to acclimate themselves to rely on their teammates in order to achieve to victory. As the students started working together, success became easier. The students were very appreciative of this unique opportunity. Jacob Dimick, an eighth grader, commented, “I learned the importance of teamwork in everyday life.” Avi Barningham said, “Communication skills are vital to success in any field, and I’m happy to have learned them.”
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ambam senior Avi Balsam and HAFTR senior Jonathan Lederer won first place at the International Energy & Sustainability Conference 2019 student poster competition. The competition, which was held on the second day of Chol Hamoed Sukkos in Farmingdale State College, included students from across the state. Jonathan and Avi, along with their mentor, Mrs. Rebecca Isseroff, had worked on their research project, titled, “Catalysts, the Reusable Energy-Saver: Enhancing Enzyme Catalysis with Partially Reduced Graphene Oxide,” during the weeks leading up to the competition. Both students participated in the Garcia Center Summer Scholars program at Stony Brook University, led by Dr. Miriam Rafailovich, in which they worked with Mrs. Isseroff on their project, eventually presenting their work at a research symposium.
Their project aims to enhance catalysts through the use of promoters, which make a catalyst react faster, thereby decreasing activation energy, or the energy required to complete a chemical reaction. This can be very useful in many applications, especially in the energy efficient conversion of biomass to biofuels, which is important in the development of new sources of renewable energy. Jonathan and Avi are proud of their accomplishments and look forward to entering their project in many other materials science and energy conferences such as the American Chemicals Society, where they will be able to refine and further their work. This latest honor for Avi follows in him having recently earned a National Merit Scholars Letter of Commendation. The year has just begun and yet it seems like the sky is the limit for this talented and dedicated young man.
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Reptiles for Rosh Chodesh
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he energy continues to build at the Gesher Early Childhood Center with the newly enhanced school-wide Rosh Chodesh assemblies. School spirit is high as the children and staff open up with Gesher’s new theme song, “We are one family.” Since its initiation last year the assemblies have made a strong im-
pact on the overall Gesher experience. These gatherings allow the staff to introduce some of the seasonal lessons in a fun way while allowing the children to feel the positive energy that permeates amongst the faculty. Rosh Chodesh Cheshvan is strongly associated with rain and the upcoming rainy season. As a perfect complement, this month’s assembly
Torah Bowl Success
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his year’s newly formed Torah Bowl team at Shulamith, consisting entirely of seventh graders, approached the challenging curriculum of Sefer Vayikra with determination and energy for learning. Though this sefer is seldom taught in any yshiva day school, our students undertook their studying in a fantastic way, composing questions and learning with enthusiasm about the difficult concepts enclosed therein.
had a special focus on Parshas Noach and the mabul. A hands-on reptile show visited Gesher, with an assortment of lizards, frogs, and snakes. One of the snakes was so big that a large group of children was needed to hold it. The students enjoyed the interesting creatures: petting, touching, carrying, and even placing some on their
heads. The assemblies also allow parents and grandparents an opportunity to celebrate a student’s upcoming birthday in a meaningful way with a callup, a cupcake, and a new book added to the Gesher children’s library. Thank you to Mr. and Mrs. Ettedgui for sponsoring the special event at this month’s assembly.
Parshas Noach at BYAM
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n honor of Parshas Noach, Bais Yaakov Ateres Miriam invited The Nature Company to give the girls in grades nursery through The team practiced the content and third grade a hands-on lesson on worked on their response time with different animals and their habitats. Morah Fischman and Mrs. Billet. Each grade had their own animal Their hard work and determination paid off as the team swept to victory in every match of the first meet, beating each and every team in the division. “The girls were incredible,” smiled Morah Fischman. “I am so proud of them.”
show geared towards their level of understanding. The girls loved to feel the different animals and gained tremendous knowledge about them. They were also inspired by the many different creations of Hashem.
A change in your outlook will change YOU Dr. Deb, page 102
The Jewish Home | NOVEMBER 7, 2019
Around the Community
A Special Mitzvah for a Bat Mitzvah
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Specific Nutrient Deficiencies in the Pediatric Population
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n celebration of her BAT MITZVAH, Shulamith Middle Division student Leora Bindiger invited the entire sixth grade to join her in a special mitzvah. The girls created treat bags packed with Shabbos party goodies, as well as colorful cards proclaiming, “Shabbat Shalom!” The brightly colored packages
were brought to the Young Israel of Woodmere Tomchei Shabbos which provides basic necessities for neighborhood families who are unable to afford them. The Tomchei Shabbos packages don’t usually include treats, so Leora’s chessed project surely brought joy to a host of excited children!
Get Involved
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ould you like to get involved with my new Off-Broadway show “Ashley Blaker: Goy Friendly”? Get your name in the Playbill or on the poster? Secure your tickets or even have a private performance? If you didn’t know, the cost of producing a show in New York is huge so I’m asking for help to cover the upfront costs. My first show in New York costs around $115,000, the vast majority of which is needed in advance. My shows are about Jewish life:
its beauty, its intricacies, and its absurdities. They are about what divides us and most importantly what unites us – to each other and to the wider world. And with rising anti-Semitism, there’s never been a more important time to demystify Judaism to the outside world. Now I need your help to take it to the next level. “Ashley Blaker: Goy Friendly” opens at SoHo Playhouse on February 3, 2020. To read how you can get involved please visit www.crowdfunder.co.uk/ashleyblaker.
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NOVEMBER 7, 2019 | The Jewish Home
Around the Community
Mazel Tov to the HALB second grade girls on receiving their chumashim
GraphixCon Comes to HANC
YCQ Chessed Trip
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n Tuesday, October 29, HANC Plainview hosted Scholastic’s GraphixCon, a program that transforms a school auditorium into a convention center celebrating Graphix, the graphic novel (comic book) imprint of Scholastic, Inc. The program went beyond the illustrating and writing booths provided by Scholastic to include a building section, sponsored by Alex Toys, Strawbees and WikkiStix. Additionally, there was a Hebrew writing station where the youngest visitors practiced spelling their Hebrew names. School librarian and coordinator of the event Francie Goldberg said it best; “I really wanted every student to feel accomplished at the event and realize that elements of a story can come from anything, a picture you draw, a flower you create from WikkiStix or a car from Zoob Builderz. Putting these things together can become an idea for a story and students think creatively through different outlets.” Every class from nursery through sixth grade had the opportunity to take part in this creative experience during the school day, and it was open at night for parents to create stories along with their children as well as view creations made that were showcased at “Artist Alley.” (The name was used with permission from New York ComicCon.) The students were really engaged and had a great time. “It was fun and creative ‘literally’ because you created stuff using literature,” said fifth grader Philip Gordon. One parent volunteer from the morning shared with her friends during the program, “You have some very
talented and creative kids! I loved being there and seeing their creations!” It was really hard not be impressed with what was being built and drawn. Paula Lester, a 4th grade parent who attended the evening portion, said, “It was clear the students were highly engaged in the activities available at the various stations. It was greatly appreciated to provide time in the evening to allow parents to participate along with their children.” Students were encouraged to dress up as their favorite literary characters, and the program culminated with a writing prompt to either create a story with all the things they created or write about your experience at GraphixCon that could be done either in paragraph form or comic book form. Of course, there was a station for photos, and each grade smiled proudly looking at their accomplishments in “Artist Alley.”
By Channah and Sarah Owadeyah
O
n Tuesday, October 10, the JHS Students at Yeshiva of Central Queens participated in their first chessed trips of the year. As part of the chessed program, each class is involved in various chessed opportunities several times a year. The seventh grade girls had their first chessed trip where the volunteers at a food pantry and soup kitchen. Since the trip was during the month of Elul and in honor of the chagim, students were determined to work extra hard at doing mitzvot. At the soup kitchen, the girls prepared food for people who needed some help. Heidi Birnbaum, who helped out at the soup kitchen, said, “This chessed trip made me realize that we shouldn’t take the food that we have for granted.” At the food pantry the students packaged vegetables as part of larger
packages. Elmira Kohen, who volunteered at the food pantry, said, “This chessed trip made me realize how lucky we all are to have food on our tables and it felt really good to help prepare and package food for people who are less fortunate than us.”
The Jewish Home | NOVEMBER 7, 2019
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Mesivta Football League Kicks Off Its 8th Season
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ast Sunday, the Mesivta Football League (MFL) kicked off the season opener of their eighth season. After starting the only high school interschool flag football league eight years ago with four local schools, the League now boasts 10 participating schools. The MFL is the brainchild of Mr. Richard Altabe, principal at HALB, and Rabbi Yossi Bennett, assistant menahel/assistant principal at MAY, who serves as the administrator of the League. “I can’t express how excited I am that the League has become a staple in many of the local high schools’ athletic programs,” commented Rabbi Bennett. “I believe it’s due to the professional and efficient manner in which the League is managed. The consistent growth of the program, adding new schools almost every year, demonstrates that the League has already gained popularity in the high school athletic arena.” Flag football has become an increasingly popular sport, specifically among yeshivos. In Eretz Yisrael, the AFI Football League played at Kraft Stadium is widely popular, and draws out over 60 teams from a wide variety of yeshivos and other post-high school institutions in two separate divisions. The majority of post-high school yeshivos, which
many local graduates attend, field teams in the Kraft League. The goal of this program is to provide a healthy, kosher outlet for mesivta boys, while maintaining a high level of competitiveness, intensity, and professionalism. The League is established with a Torah hashkafa about sports. With that being the case, it goes without saying that proper sportsmanship
and menschlechkeit is a top priority. Head coverings must be worn during games, and no female fans are permitted at the games to ensure the focus on a healthy athletic outlet. This season, the League welcomes back teams from the following schools: DRS High School, Yeshiva Darchei Torah, Yeshiva of Flatbush, HAFTR, Mesivta Ateres
Yaakov, Magen David Yeshiva, Yeshiva Shaare Torah, Rambam Mesivta, Mesivta Netzach HaTorah, and Yeshiva Darchei Eres. We wish all teams luck in this year’s season.
success. Boys play with middot and respect for every player. Plans are underway for next sea-
son, which will hopefully begin in the beginning of March. The league sponsors were once again Gourmet
Glatt & S. Adelsberg & Co. Certified Public Accountants.
For more information about the MFL, contact the League at mesivtafootball@gmail.com or via their website, www.mesivtafootball.com.
Touchdown!
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hat a season for the 5 Towns Flag Football League! Under the leadership of Rabbi Eli Brazil and Larry Gross the league has just finished its eighth season. Congratulations to the champions in each division. The season and playoffs were beyond amazing as many of the games were decided in the final seconds/overtime. The league, which is open to first through eighth grade boys in the Five Towns and surrounding areas had 5 divisions with over 30 teams. The ability to play competitive flag football in a structured environment makes this league such a great
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The Jewish Home | NOVEMBER 7, 2019
Around the Community
Shulamith Fifth Graders Visit the Nineteenth Century
W
hat better way to bring history lessons to life than with a trip to Old Bethpage Restoration Village?! The drizzly weather didn’t dampen the spirits of the Shulamith fifth graders as they toured the village and learned how different, dark, and smelly living conditions were in nineteenth century America. As Taly Weisz commented, “I realized how hard life was in the 1800s.” When asked what they enjoyed most about the trip, the fifth graders had a variety of answers. Shira Levine remarked, “My favorite part was a two-way tie between the fiddler, who was really cool, and the store.” Yardena Lifshitz also liked the village shop. She said, “I can’t believe that you could buy ten candles for one penny back then.” Many students appreciated their visit to the one-room schoolhouse and expressed relief that in the twenty-first century teachers no longer discipline their students by striking them or making them wear dunce caps. Tzivia Meisner noted
that school was different then because students “shared a class with all different ages.” Whether it was learning how
dolls were made or discovering how nineteenth century homes looked, the fifth graders enjoyed their excursion. Though some were disap-
pointed in being unable to visit the farm, Rina Rosenberg summed it up for everyone when she wrote, “I still think the trip was awesome!”
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Around the Community
HAFTR HS Hosts Debate
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ast week, HAFTR High School hosted the second debate tournament of the South Shore Speech and Debate League, a division of the National Speech & Debate Association. Consisting of three different events including Public Forum, Lincoln-Douglas and Extemp Debate, the competition featured schools from across the area, including Chaminade, DRS, Lynbrook, and Ramaz. The debaters had the distinct opportunity to
have the Honorable Howard Kopel attend and judge a number of rounds. This tournament was also one of the first to have remote judging, with HAFTR HS graduate Miriam Kopyto, Class of 2018, currently at Yale University, judging some of the Extemp debates. The Extemp Debate deals with current event topics. Students debated whether social media companies should value truth over freedom of expression. Congratulations to HAF-
L-R: HAFTR HS sophomore Jesse Muller, junior Daniel Singer, senior Eytan Libkind, Hon. Howard Kopel, junior Matthew Mizrahi, sophomore Julia Fox, senior Ilana Sacolick, sophomore Mikayla Corney, and sophomore Luca Lemberger
TR HS junior Daniel Singer and junior Matthew Mizrahi who took first place in
the Extemp Debate, and to the rest of the team on well done research, thought-out
arguments, and many hours of practice.
Shevach High School Transformed into a “Tropical Island”
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n Rosh Chodesh Cheshvan, Shevach High School was transformed into a magical tropical island surrounded by walls of “water.” Students and staff alike enjoyed a gala Rosh Chodesh breakfast
coordinated by the student G.O. heads Tova Halberstam, Penina Rockove, Sarala Taub, Shifra Gewanter, and Daniella Haim, under the leadership of Shevach Educational Administrator Mrs. Devorah Kovitz.
The island and water theme were very appropriately chosen, as the mazal of the month of Cheshvan is rain. The theme was also connected to the pasuk,“Hashem Melech...yismichu iyim rabim,” which refers to the times of Mashiach when Hashem’s reign will cause all the islands in the world to rejoice. The eye-catching sceneries set the perfect tone in which to enjoy the delicious breakfast. The program began with the eleventh grade performance of an ensemble, coordinated by Hadassah Gottesman and Miriam Romm, inviting all to Shevach Island. The juniors then inspired all with a touching choir focused on the yahrtzeit of Rachel Imeinu which is during this month. The choir, conducted by juniors Shayna Husarsky, Sarah Press, Racheli Robinson, and Tehila Striks, certainly portrayed the vast spectrum of talent within the Shevach student body. The highlight of the morning came next as the students were addressed by their very respected and beloved halacha and hashkafa teacher, Rabbi Aryeh Sokoloff, rav of K’hal Adas Yeshurun in Kew Gardens. Rabbi Sokoloff very emotionally stressed the potential of each and every young lady in the room. Rabbi Sokoloff elucidated how the women in history saved Rosh Chodesh. Rosh Chodesh was taken away from the twelve shevatim and was “given” to the women. Due to the participation
of the men in the chet ha’egel, the sin of the Golden Calf, the men couldn’t be the ones to safeguard Rosh Chodesh. The women, though, had a clear sense of what is right and what is not. In spite of the powerful culture of avodah zarah, the idol worship that was rampant at the time, the women held firm in their belief of serving only Hashem. That strength can be traced back to Miriam who was a bas melech, a true princess. She had the courage to save her baby brother Moshe who later led the Jewish people. Miriam was the role model for the Jewish women throughout history. She passed down to them the confidence and strength of royalty. That confidence has protected the Jewish people to this very day. Women can lift up others. This idea is personified by Rosh Chodesh, as just as the moon reflects the light of the sun, so too women are the reflection of Hashem Himself. Rabbi Sokoloff left the students feeling empowered and confident that they can look inward and then, ultimately, look outward in their role as leaders of their own nuclear families and as leaders in the larger community. Mrs. Kovitz and her dedicated G.O., under the guidance of Shevach Principal Rebbetzin Rochelle Hirtz, succeeded in highlighting the beauty of Rosh Chodesh and its significance to women today. It was, indeed, a “magical” celebration.
The Jewish Home | NOVEMBER 7, 2019
This is [connecting] at YOSS. The learning experience extends far beyond the four walls of the classroom. That’s why our rabbeim view recess as another opportunity to teach valuable lessons- like positive middos, healthy interactions, and interpersonal skills. Our hands-on approach to recess allows students the opportunity to shine, both inside the classroom and out. Because when we believe they can, they will.
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In Came the Animals Two by Two
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he week of Parshat Noach at HALB Lev Chana is filled with the excitement of exploring rainbows, water experiments, and sink and float activities. The highlight though is the annual visit
of Party Pets with their amazing, exotic visitors. Andre Ricaud and his assistants teach the children about conservation, being sensitive to people and animals with disabilities, animal habitats and eating habits,
and fun facts about the menagerie of mammals, birds, insects and reptiles they were introduced to. Hands down, when asked who the stars of the day were, the children responded either Jake the Snake and the newest
member of Party Pets, Roo, the baby kangaroo or joey. An awesome and joyful time was had by children and teachers alike.
2019 Hoops for Heroes Yashar LaChayal Middle School Basketball Tournament
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he 2019 Yashar LaChayal Yeshiva Middle School Basketball Tournament has been launched. This year, the tournament has expanded to include a separate Girls Tournament, in addition to the Boys Tournament. There are 24 participating teams, 12 boys’ teams and 12 girls’ teams, with over 300 players involved. The Girls Tournament will take place on Sunday, December 8 and the Boys Tournament will take place on Sunday, December 15. Participating girls’ schools are: Bruriah, HAFTR, HALB, Magen David Yeshivah, Manhattan Day
School, Moriah, Ramaz, RYNJ, Shulamith School for Girls, Westchester Day School, Yeshivah of Flatbush and Yeshiva Har Torah. Participating boys’ schools are: HAFTR, HANC, HALB, JEC, Magen David Yeshivah, Manhattan Day School, Moriah (2 teams), Ramaz, Westchester Day School, Yeshivah of Flatbush and Yeshivah Har Torah. There are several components to this meaningful chessed initiative. Each of the schools is scheduled for a presentation to learn about the work of Yashar LaChayal. In addition, each of the individual players on the basketball teams will have
More than just two slices of bread Centerfold, page 84
a personal funding page to raise funds for this year’s project. Furthermore, the participating teams will have the opportunity to play in a basketball tournament against teams throughout the tristate region. Funds raised from this year’s chessed project will go towards “Hoops for Heroes.” Basketball hoops will be set up on Army bases throughout Israel to allow the soldiers recreation and respite on the base during their break time. Yashar LaChayal is the organization that provides IDF soldiers what they need when they need it. In July 2006, during the second Lebanon War, volunteers delivered basic necessities to the soldiers on their army bases and on the front lines. Since then, in addition to distributing supplies, Yashar LaChayal, “Straight to the Soldier,” has developed several programs to help soldiers including assistance to soldiers’ families who need help; Pe-
sach and Rosh Hashana packages; and construction of Pinot Chamot “warm corners,” which are small heated buildings throughout Israel with refrigerators, food and drinks which serve as a safe spot for the soldiers during their service. Yashar LaChayal also visits injured soldiers in the hospital, providing special equipment for injuries and financial help for their families. As stated by Carol and Judah Rhine, tournament directors, “This special tournament gives these students the opportunity to serve as ambassadors, both on and off the court, to promote the work of Yashar LaChayal and all it provides for the IDF.” Donation and sponsorship opportunities are available on the Tournament website, yasharlachayalbasketball/unique/bball. For more information please email yasharlachayalbasketball@gmail.com.
The Jewish Home | NOVEMBER 7, 2019
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Around the Community
The Bostoner Beis Medrash of Lawrence began its 27th year of its father-son learning program on Motzei Shabbos
Yachad around the Five Towns
Y
achad Long Island is officially back in session! Coming back from the summer, we kicked off our year with Karate Nite at Warren Levi Karate. The enthusiastic staff gave an entertaining and confidence-building fitness classm and our Yachad members and high school students really enjoyed it. We ended the event with a delicious assortment of healthy snacks and drinks. Our Karate Nites continue once a month in Cedarhurst, with upcoming sessions in November and December. On Sundays we feature our warm Sunday Morning Learning Program with Rabbi Friedman at Ohr Torah. We offer a minyan, breakfast,
and learning for members and local teens in a close-knit environment every Sunday. This past Sukkos, we decorated the sukkah with the Young Israel of North Woodmere Youth Group by creating handmade colorful decorations and then attaching them onto the sukkah. As always, food was provided for all. We also offered a Chol Hamoed Sukkos trip to Six Flags and provided our own van which our Yachad members really enjoyed. The members truly enjoyed the experience in the van socializing and in the action-filled theme park. It was a full day event with rides and fun. Alternating Tuesdays, we con-
sistently host our Pizza and Parsha event at Pizzale in Cedarhurst and our Bowl-a-Rama event at Woodmere Lanes. Pizza and Parsha is super-fun and heavily attended as we socialize, eat and learn parsha. The evening includes a trivia sheet, an interactive game, and delicious pizza. Bowl-a-Rama is really exciting as our members enjoy working on their bowling form and skills while enjoying the company of the group of people around. We cheer each other on and have a very enjoyable time. At the end, we wash our hands and delight on a hot dinner with gluten-free options as well. Recently, we added our Girls Night Out event at SKA High School
for Girls. The GNO was a full house with tons of high school girls joining with our members for a paint night, The school provided a wonderful space and opportunity for our members to socialize while doing a fun activity. Additionally, we had dinner together and took home our beautiful projects. For the boys, Mishmar has officially begun for the year at DRS High School for Boys. We had a great turnout where our members joined with high school peers to interact and build meaningful bonds learning Torah and fostering a comfortable environment with soul and stomach nourishment.
The Jewish Home | NOVEMBER 7, 2019
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NOVEMBER 7, 2019 | The Jewish Home
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Freshman Team Building at MAY
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ast week, the ninth grade at Mesivta Ateres Yaakov participated in an interactive team-building activity led by the Director of Camp Yagilu, Rabbi Tani Prero. Talmidim learned about trust, leadership, and camaraderie and gained useful life skills from the program. This surprise visit from Rabbi Prero was in advance of the Freshman Retreat that took place this Thursday. The entire freshman class was led by their dedicated rebbeim, Rabbi Tsvi Greenfield and Rabbi Avi Schulman, on a funfilled adventure to Indoor Extreme Sports in Long Island City. Talmidim used the “battery recharge” to bond with their rebbeim and friends, build self-confidence, and enjoy a change of scenery from their daily routine.
MTA Seniors Learn Interview Techniques from Award-Winning Investigative Reporter Jonah Kaplan
M
TA’s Names, Not Numbers program welcomed award-winning investigative reporter Jonah Kaplan on Wednesday, October 30. Originally from Philadelphia, Kaplan joined ABC11 Eyewitness News in 2016 as the Political and Investigative Reporter. A two-time Emmy nominee, he is an integral part of the ABC11 I-Team alongside Troubleshooter Diane Wilson. Seniors participating in the Names, Not Numbers elective course were privileged to learn important interview techniques during this informative workshop in preparation for their upcoming interviews with Holocaust survivors. “You are speaking with Jewish heroes and you have a heroic task ahead of you,” Kaplan said to the group, as he described how to earn the trust of someone who is sharing the most painful experience of their life. Kaplan further explored how students can make these stories matter to those who have not experienced them firsthand. Students also learned important interviewing techniques, including how to make interviewees feel comfortable, how to keep the conversation going, and what types of questions to ask. Kaplan also demonstrated the application of these techniques using footage from some of his notable interviews and gave students the op-
portunity to share what they learned from the footage. For example, in an interview with late night star Jimmy Fallon, Kaplan illustrated the importance of asking specific questions so the interviewee can expand on their answers. He also emphasized establishing a connection with the interviewee right away to ensure that the conversation flows smoothly. Students look forward to using Kaplan’s invaluable advice, coupled with guidance from Names, Not Numbers Founder Mrs. Tova Rosenberg and Educational Coordinator Mr. Elliot Fuchs, as they begin the life-changing experience of developing their Holocaust oral history film documentaries.
The Jewish Home | NOVEMBER 7, 2019
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Around the Community
Historic Visit of Shuvu Nesius to Shuvu Bat Yam
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huvu Bat Yam hosted a historic visit of the nesius of the Kiruv Network of Schools in Eretz Yisroel this week. The visit was headed by the Mashgiach Hagaon Harav Chaim Volkin, shlita, head of the Shuvu Nesius in Eretz Yisroel, and Hagaon Harav Elya Brudny, shlita, Rosh Yeshivas Mir in Brooklyn and member of the Shuvu International Nesius. Additional members of the Shuvu Nesius in Eretz Yisroel who participated in the visit included Hagaon Harav Yitzchok Kolodetzky, shlita, son-in-law of Maran Hagaon Harav Chaim Kanievsky, shlita, and Harav Ben Zion Kook, shlita. They were joined by Shuvu Co-Chairman R’ Avrohom Biderman, Shuvu Director Rav Chaim Michoel Gutterman, and Shuvu Educational Director Mrs. Brocha Weinberger. The younger students welcomed the guests outside the school, waving Shuvu flags, to the music of “Yomim Al Yimei Melech Tosif.” The rabbanim then proceeded to the school’s foyer where the older students were waiting
patiently and excitedly. The students opened the event by reciting two kapitlach of Tehillim by heart l’ilui nishmas the Rosh Yeshiva’s mother, Reb-
betzin Rochel Leah Brudny, a”h, who was niftar several months ago. In his inspirational words, the Mashgiach Harav Volkin referred to both Parshas Bereishis and Parshas Noach. He compared his renewed excitement every time he visits a Shuvu school, and the light and excitement seen on the children’s faces, to the hischadshus of Parshas Bereishis. He then compared the protected and sheltered environment Shuvu schools provide the vulnerable children to that of Teivas Noach. Rosh Hayeshiva Harav Brudny said that he was in shock when he saw the simcha on the Shuvu students’ faces, the complete opposite of the known phrase “tinok ha’bore’ach m’bais ha’sefer,” which demonstrates clearly how the time in Shuvu schools is the children’s favorite part of the day. He mentioned the lack of Am Yisroel, Elokei Yisroel and Toras Yisroel in the public school system “as opposed to what you all learn here in Shuvu!” Harav Kook blessed the children with Birkas Kohanim, to which the children responded with an enthusiastic and resounding “Amen.” Harav Kolodetzky spoke of Shabbos and the Chofetz Chaim’s comment that the bracha and hatzlacha Am Yisroel receives is all in the zechus of Shabbos. “The State of Israel is surviving for over 70 years because of tzaddikim who are keeping Shabbos,
as the Ribbono Shel Olam told Avrohom Avinu that if there are 10 tzaddikim, the city would be saved, and you, dear Shuvu students, are part of this chavuras kodesh.” The sixth grade rebbe and Chavrei HaNesius farhered the boys on the Mishnayos they learned, Maseches Brachos and Ta’anis, and the talmidim – all from secular homes – dazzled the rabbanim with their non-hesitant, clear answers, showing complete control over the material. One of the students spoke on behalf of the school, mentioning their great zechus in hosting such Gedolei Yisroel and receiving their invaluable brachos. The talmidim all stood in line then to receive a personal bracha from each of the rabbanim. Even more nachas came at the end of the visit, when several Shuvu graduates living completely careidi lifestyles today came to the school to meet with the rabbanim. Together with the principal of Shuvu Bat Yam, Mrs. Etty Moshayev, who herself a Shuvu graduate, they all demonstrated the beauty and sweetness of shuvu peiros. Having witnessed firsthand the beautiful behavior and remarkable yedios of the Shuvu children, Rav Brudny concluded the visit saying, “I am completely awestruck by what I saw. I had already heard and known what Shuvu does, but truly ‘eino domeh shmi’ah l’riah.’”
The Jewish Home | NOVEMBER 7, 2019
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Around the Community
More Than One Way By Mrs. Sara Munk
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have always been taught that the Torah only shares with us exactly what we need to know. There are no extra details and no missing information. Whatever may seem extra or may appear missing always has a reason and a lesson to learn. In this week’s parsha we learn about Hashem’s commandment to Avraham to journey to an unknown land. Seemingly, Avraham has been chosen by G-d to form the roots of what became Am Yisrael. What we don’t know, however, is why he was chosen. If we are trying to learn from these past historically great figures, what did Avraham do to be chosen? And why did the Torah feel the need to leave it out? There are a number of midrashim that attempt to answer the first question. The common theme in these midrashim is that G-d did not choose Avraham, rather Avra-
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YOUR DAUGHTER HERE!
ham chose G-d. He came to a realization of monotheism on his own by contemplating how the world really works. Avraham understood that it was impossible for a man of flesh and blood or for an idol to operate the world in the way that he knew it. Yet the second question remains. Why did the Torah leave out this information? Rav Alex Israel explains that had the Torah been specific about how Avraham became the “chosen one,” we may mistakenly believe that it is precisely his way that needs to be followed. We may find ourselves bound to follow his path step by step, detail by detail. I can only imagine the disappointment by countless individuals who could not replicate exactly what Avraham was able to do. There are many ways to connect to G-d. There are many ways to achieve greatness. The lesson of “why Avraham” is to find G-d and achieve greatness your way. In the world of education, it
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would be catastrophic for students to feel there was only one way to succeed. It would be devastating for those who could not live up to that one way and would leave countless young minds feeling like disappointments. I think about Rebbe Akiva, who did not learn even one word of Torah before the age of 40. I think about Michael Jordan (le’havdil), who famously did not make his high school basketball team in ninth grade. I think about my father, who, despite not growing up as a frum Jew, was able to participate in the Siyum HaShas in 2005. I think about the many students I have taught in my life who found
Dating dialogue Page 98
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Open House Come see what SHULAMITH is all about!
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER
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their path “later” or who discovered their strengths and the way to maximize them in a different way than their peers. At Shulamith High School, we pride ourselves on looking at each student as an individual, on understanding that each young woman will achieve success in different ways and who will find their connection to G-d in a way that speaks to them. We have embarked on a mission to create an environment where each Shulamith student is met on her spiritual level and is given all the tools necessary to take her spirituality to heights beyond anyone’s expectations.
13 • • ט"ו חשון תש"פ8:00 PM
Meet our new Early Childhood Director, Mrs. Esther Kirschbaum SHULAMITH EARLY CHILDHOOD CENTER 140 IRVING PLACE, WOODMERE 516.564.1500 x.150 • shulamith.org Advance reservations preferred Please email admissions@shulamith.org to make a reservation
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NOVEMBER 7, 2019 | The Jewish Home
Around the Community
Far Rockaway Jewish community leaders met with Comptroller Scott Stringer on October 28 to discuss issues of concern at a roundtable discussion hosted by Yeshiva Darchei Torah
“V’ha’arev Nah” Continues at MAY
A number of years ago, Rabbi Yehuda Orlansky, twelfth grade rebbe at Mesivta Ateres Yaakov, introduced the “V’ha’arev Nah” program to his talmidim. The program, which was recently highlighted in Mishpacha Magazine, encourages talmidim through a variety of methods to engage in a tremendous amount of chazarah until they truly “own” a mesechta. As one of the components to the novel approach to bekiyus learning, talmidim participate in several “retzufos sedarim” throughout the year. Aside from the delicious fare that is provided before and after the seder, the primary goal is for talmidim to learn completely uninterrupted for an extended period of time. Before yom tov, both twelfth grade shiurim – all 45 talmidim – remained in yeshiva after a full day of learning and engaged in the first retzufah seder of the year, learning uninterrupted for two hours
straight. The seder concluded with a delicious seudah, divrei Torah from Rabbi Zvi Soroka, and leibidig singing and dancing. “Much of the success we are seeing from our talmidim has to do with the time and energy our senior rabbeim, Rabbi Yehuda Orlansky, Rabbi Yehoshua Robinson and Rabbi Yonason Sprung, expend for their shiurim,” commented Rabbi Yossi Bennett, Assistant Menahel. “They give over lev v’nefesh for our talmidim, and the bochurim feel that.” Rabbi Yonasan Sprung, the first Honors Shiur rebbe to have adopted the “V’ha’arev Nah” program into his bekiyus shiur, commented, “My goal is that my talmidim gain skills in lamdus and a geshmak in learning during our iyun shiur, and another geshmak in mastery of a mesechta during our bekiyus shiur.” The talmidim from both shiurim
took a trip a few weeks ago to visit Rabbi Dovid Neuman, the mastermind behind this groundbreaking movement, and inaugurated the program for this z’man. This year’s V’ha’arev Nah learning
is dedicated by the Newman Family Foundation in the z’chus of a refuah sheleimah for Naomi Leah bas Rivkah Anya. B’siyata d’shmaya, talmidim are learning b’hasmadah rabah and loving every minute of it!
The Jewish Home | NOVEMBER 7, 2019
A RAMBAM MAN Never leaves a supermarket wagon in the parking lot. ♦ Recognizes the “Don’t” in “Don’t cut the line.” ♦ He is the one who offers the “first sip” through which he gives more than a soda. ♦ The first 10 in minyan. ♦ A Rambam Man is the one campaigning, not complaining. ♦ He doesn’t ask, “Is that everything?” he is the one asking, “What else can I help you with?” ♦ He is an idea which leads the chabura, davens for the amud, and gives shiur. ♦ He is the “r” that protects the word “Friend.” ♦ Recognizes the “Don’t” in ”Don’t forget the milk.” ♦ He is the one who wears a scarf to make his mother happy. ♦ Knows that you never take the last cookie. ♦ A Rambam Man celebrates a victory by shaking the other player’s hand first. ♦ He doesn’t ask, “Where’s the exit?” he knows where the fire extinguisher is. ♦ He is the husband who is present when he is there. ♦ Recognizes that you don’t just love Israel, you represent it. ♦ He is the space between “nowhere” and “now here.” ♦ Helps clean up after the simcha is over. ♦ A Rambam Man is first to be asked and the last to demand. ♦ He cheers for the other team too. ♦ The one calling at 12:00AM to wish you a happy birthday. ♦ Recognizes that you look for the pass before the shot. ♦ He helped pump out the basement regardless of whether the house had a mezuzah. ♦ A Rambam Man doesn’t ask, “Can I do it later?” he asks, “How about right now?” ♦ The one who reads the word “untied” as “united.” ♦ He calls his friend when he sees he isn’t in school... and photocopies his notes for him. ♦ The one who is always standing on the subway because he always gives up his seat. ♦ He is the idea that you put your siddur and chumash back after davening. ♦ He is the husband who turns around to check on you. ♦ The one doing the “don’t” favor. ♦ The one who carried the bags but refused the tip. ♦ A Rambam Man never leaves shiur without thanking the Rebbe. ♦ A Rambam Man never leaves class without thanking the teacher. ♦ He is an idea which makes partner, starts a company, heads a practice, and chairs a committee.
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NOVEMBER 7, 2019 | The Jewish Home
Around the Community
Hazorfim 40% Off Clearance Sale
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n anticipation of the exciting launch of a brand-new collection, Hazorfim is holding a storewide clearance sale on all existing pieces. From November 7-17, all the top-quality pieces in the stores will be sold at 40% off! “This is a fantastic opportunity for people to get Hazorfim’s highest quality designs at once in a lifetime prices,” said Yaakov Merdinger, owner of Hazorfim and the creator of the brand’s unique pieces. Hazorfim carries a huge selection of magnificent menorahs, candlesticks, candelabras, trays, chosson sets, etc. At every Hazorfim store, you’ll find a dazzling display of original and varied styles, from traditional ornate, to ultra-modern with clean lines and minimalist design accents. And now that we’re back in the simchah season, mechutanim can take advantage of the clearance sale to treat their chosson or kallah with the very best, hand-crafted silver pieces at a significant discount. Visit Hazorfim at the flagship
Harav Yitzhak Yosef, Chief Rabbi of Israel, addressed the community at Hachaim Vehashalom in Cedarhurst on Tuesday night
store in Borough Park at 4424 13th Ave., or in Williamsburg at 67 Lee Ave. And now, Hazorfim has also opened three new locations: 1412 Avenue M in Flatbush; in Lakewood, at 167 E. Kennedy Blvd.; and in Monroe, at Regal Silver store, 7 Van Buren Drive. Sale Valid: Nov 7-17. While supplies last. Excluding Y.M Collection, Fix Price items: Atzey Chaim & Sifrei Torah
Yachad Appoints Rabbi Shay Schachter as Rabbinic and Spiritual Advisor
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he Orthodox Union’s (OU) Yachad, the leading group for individuals with disabilities in the Orthodox community, appointed Rabbi Shay Schachter to serve as its rabbinic and halachic advisor. Rabbi Schachter will provide ongoing guidance pertaining to the spiritual components of Yachad, including deciding halachic matters relevant to the organization; enhancing spiritual growth of Yachad participants, staff and volunteers; and assisting in the development of religiously appropriate content for Yachad programming. “Having a rabbi on staff will
provide additional support for our staffers and more immediate access to a rabbinic authority when addressing the needs of our participants and the unique challenges that they and their families face,” said Yachad International Director Avrohom Adler. Rabbi Schachter serves as the rosh beis midrash of the Young Israel of Woodmere, overseeing its extensive adult educational programs. Over the past few summers, he has served as the rabbi of Camp Simcha, an overnight camp for children and teens in treatment for cancer and other blood disorders. He previously served as the assistant rabbi at
Congregation Kneseth Israel, “The White Shul” in Far Rockaway. Rabbi Schachter received his rabbinic ordination from Yeshiva University’s Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary (RIETS), an additional rabbinic ordination from Rabbi Asher Weiss of Jerusalem, and a master’s degree in Jewish education and administration from the Azrieli Graduate School of Jewish Education & Administration. He resides in Woodmere, NY, with his wife, Rina, and their four children. “Yachad is one of the greatest treasures of our community and the OU. For more than 35 years, Yachad has positively impacted thousands
of families and the broader Jewish world,” said Orthodox Union President Moishe Bane. “There are many halachic questions which arise and we’re excited that Rabbi Schachter has joined the team to provide his halachic oversight and spiritual guidance.” “As Yachad continues to grow, there is a greater need to have a codified halachic response to issues that come up with our participants, families and staff,” said Orthodox Union Executive Vice President Allen Fagin. “We’re pleased to have Rabbi Schachter join us and contribute his extensive halachic expertise.”
The Jewish Home | NOVEMBER 7, 2019
Around the Community
Harav Chaim Yehoshua Hoberman, Rosh Hayeshiva of Mesivta of Long Beach, gave divrei chizuk to Yeshiva of South Shore’s eighth grade Rabbi Pressman’s shiur
Senior-Freshman Mentoring at DRS
Glick Sunday Funday winter semester is off to an epic start
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et’s face it: High school is hard. And when you are starting your high school experience as a ninth grader, it can seem impossible to deal with. The answer? Seniors! Our Senior-Freshmen Mentoring Program encourages positive relationships between our youngest and oldest students, and gives each ninth grader a mentor who has gone through many of the challenges they are encountering. At our opening mentoring event last week, each freshman got to meet their “senior.”
The groups spent some quality time learning together on the Torah’s perspective on friendship. After hearing from Rabbi Storch, it was on to Dave and Busters. Seniors and freshmen pairs enjoyed an afternoon learning together, playing at the arcades and spending quality time with one another. More importantly, the seniors left the event with a new found sense of responsibility to their younger fellow students, and the freshmen left with a friend they could look up to and get advice from.
Rabbi Wein: Each person is powerful Page 86
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Dirshu – In Anticipation…. By Rabbi Nachman Seltzer
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’m just going to say it as it is. The talmidei chachamim comprising the vast body of the Dirshu Torah army live lives of genuine mesiras nefesh when it comes to their learning. I have a reason for mentioning this right now. It has to do with a recent conversation I had with a friend. This man is a Daf Yomi maggid shiur with a very popular shiur. “Being part of Dirshu changed my life,” he said to me. I asked him why. “Look,” he replied, “as a businessman, I’m naturally devoted to the idea of accountability. Besides, I really wanted to know and remember what I was learning – which was why I loved being part of Dirshu.” “What did you like most about Dirshu?” “The tests.” “That’s funny; most people hate tests.” “Not me. I loved having to take them. Suddenly I found myself foregoing sleep at night – preparing. I sat up learning for hours and somehow, without my noticing it, darkness would give way to light outside my window. One second it was midnight and the next it was morning and I’d leave to Shacharis with a feeling of tremendous satisfaction. I hadn’t slept the entire night, and I was filled with happiness like you can’t imagine! “Without any exaggeration whatsoever, Dirshu completely changed my life.” *** This businessman/maggid shiur is but one example of the wonderfully committed group of Yidden who devote their days and nights to reviewing for the Dirshu tests, both in Gemara and halacha. And with siyumim fast approaching at various prime locations around the globe, it will afford all involved with the opportunity to celebrate with their Torah brothersin-arms. I myself have stood beside Rav Dovid Hofstedter, Nasi and founder of Dirshu, at many events and personally witnessed the authentic hakoras hatov of “his” people as they thanked him over and over for changing their lives. I have been there as the wives of
the Dirshu army thanked Rav Dovid for altering their husband’s state of being. “You can’t imagine what you have done for my husband and for our entire family,” was a line that I heard over and over again. “In the past my husband was busy with many things. Now he is busy with Torah. Every month there’s another test – and he throws himself into the Gemara with a full heart, determined to get the best mark possible, not because he wants to show off, but because a top mark means he really knows the Gemara.” So while we are rapidly counting down the days to the many Dirshu events around the globe, it’s with a recognition that the events themselves are coming to celebrate the members of Dirshu and their incredible commitment to not only learning Torah – but to really knowing it as well. *** As in previous years, besides the main events in Eretz Yisroel – held at Binyanei Hauma in Yerushalayim and at Yad Eliyahu in Tel Aviv – there will also be a major event at the Prudential Center in North America (a number of sections are already sold out) and in Paris, London, Manchester, Eastern Europe, South Africa, and South America. Here’s the thing. Based on ticket sales at Prudential (and with anticipation that the venue will be completely sold out – based on past experience of these kind of events), the Dirshu team has already secured another first-class venue. I am referring to NJ PAC, which is gearing up to be an incredible event “all on its own!” I will explain. At every Dirshu event I have been a part of, there have been many prominent gedolim seated on the dais. I have visited the homes of gedolim with Rav Dovid Hofstedter and personally witnessed their feelings for Dirshu. When I traveled to Radin with a Dirshu contingent for the yahrtzeit of the Chofetz Chaim and the Yom Limud and Tefilla, I had the good fortune to share a journey across Belarus with an entire busload of gedolim. Simply speaking, the gedolim of Klal Yisroel love Dirshu. So while there will be numerous
Dirshu World Siyum at Yad Eliyahu Stadium, 2012
gedolei hador sharing the stage at the Prudential Center event, there will be many others participating at NJ PAC as well. Two separate and equally special events. Two equally amazing places to be. *** There’s another point I want to make. A Dirshu event is a celebration for all the senses, both ruchni and gashmi. When I traveled to Radin, the entire group gathered together in Ben Gurion Airport prior to departure. There, every person was given a gift bag filled with some snacks, a few well-chosen seforim, and an umbrella. Why an umbrella? Well, we were flying to Eastern Europe and there was a good chance of rain. Therefore, the Dirshu team made sure that every person on the trip would be taken care of and protected from the elements. This turned out to be a most fortunate move on their part, because rain poured down the entire time we were davening at the Chofetz Chaim’s kever, only clearing up when the gedolim finished pouring out their hearts to Hashem on Klal Yisroel’s behalf. This is an example of the kind of thought and preparation Rav Dovid Hofstedter and the Dirshu team puts into everything they do. *** I’ll give you another example. When Dirshu celebrated its global celebration of Shas at Binyanei Hauma and Yad Eliyahu in 2012, they produced a musical CD to go along with it. The songs were magnificent (some even composed by Rav Dovid and oth-
er members of his family) and truly helped to raise the overall celebration to additional heights. I still recall the singing and dancing – it was utterly phenomenal! There’s no question that Dirshu has perfected the art of the little touch. Who can forget the moment when Rav Dovid’s father-in-law, Reb Avrohom Bleeman of Toronto, joined a group of children on the stage at Binyeni Hauma, where they sang a song which had been taught to Reb Avrohom as a child, by Rav Meir Shapiro himself! What a beautifully meaningful moment that was! And it’s the same way at every Dirshu event. There are always surprises – both spiritual and physical. Which is why I can state with complete assurance that both Prudential and NJ PAC will be events to remember – each in their own right, and each with their own surprises and special touches. And while some of the gedolim will remain at each event from beginning to end, others will spend part of the night first at one venue, then the other, thereby ensuring a delightful synergy between two otherwise completely unique events. *** In conclusion, I can state with complete assurance that the upcoming Dirshu events will be moments in time to remember. Everyone is invited, and everyone is welcome. My recommendation: reserve your seat today while there are still tickets available and join the Dirshu Torah revolution. You won’t regret it. Trust me.
The Jewish Home | NOVEMBER 7, 2019
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Touro Invites Experts to Discuss Combatting Anti-Semitism Free Program is Open to the Public
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ouro College and University System will host a discussion on combatting anti-Semitism on December 4 at 7 PM. Speakers will include Alyza D. Lewin, Esq., co-founder and partner at Lewin & Lewin, LLP, and president and general counsel of the Louis D. Brandeis Center for Human Rights Under Law, and Elan Carr, Esq., U.S. State Department Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Anti-Semitism “Today anti-Semitic incidents are occurring in our own neighborhoods,
and even on our own blocks. I can’t think of a more timely or important topic for the New York Jewish community,” said Touro president Dr. Alan Kadish. Mrs. Lewin is a practicing attorney. As president of the Brandeis Center, she leads initiatives to advance the civil and human rights of the Jewish people. The Brandeis Center also conducts research, education, and advocacy to combat the resurgence of anti-Semitism on college and university campuses.
As special envoy, Mr. Carr advises Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and is responsible for directing U.S. policies and projects aimed at countering anti-Semitism throughout the world. A military officer, Mr. Carr deployed to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, where he led an anti-terrorism team in life-saving missions throughout the country and prosecuted terrorists who attacked U.S. troops. This program is the second in a four-part series featuring a lineup of
international jurists, legal experts, and Supreme Court Justices to explore democracy, human rights, and the rule of law. Upcoming lectures in the series will include, comparative jurisprudence and resurgent global authoritarianism. The lecture is free and open to the public. It will be held at the UJA-Federation of New York, 130 East 59th Street, 7th Floor, NYC. Reservations are required. To make a reservation or for further information, contact legalforumseries@touro.edu.
The Five Towns Premier Picked as a Top Nursing Home on Long Island
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he Five Towns Premier Rehabilitation and Nursing Center, the only skilled nursing facility in the Five Towns area of Nassau County, is proud to announce that it has been selected by U.S. News and World Report Survey as one of the best skilled nursing facilities on Long Island. “We have worked hard and are proud to receive a very high rating for short term rehabilitation and to make the list of top nursing homes in US News and World Report,” said Joseph Benden, the administrator of The Five Towns Premier. U.S. News & World Report’s annual ratings of the best nursing homes in the country include just 19 on Long Island, across Nassau and Suffolk counties. Just under 3,000 nursing homes in the whole country earned the designation of being a “U.S. News Best Nursing Home” for 2019-20. Researchers evaluated more than 15,000 nursing homes. All Medicare- and Medicaid-certified nursing homes that were part of the July 2019 CMS nursing home provider census that was made available in August 2019 were evaluated by U.S. News. The Five Towns Premier received particularly high ratings for its shortterm care rehabilitation and recovery program. The short-term rehabilitation rating was based on 10 quality measures focusing on staffing, out-
comes, resident complaints, and processes of care. U.S. News and World Report used scientific literature review, expert consultation, and statistical modeling to select these measures. This rating evaluates a nursing home’s quality of post-acute care for patients recovering from a hospital stay such as after a stroke, heart attack, infection, or accidental injury. The Five Towns Premier scored highly in important categories such as registered nurse staffing, consistent nurse staffing, physical therapist staffing, and low in emergency room visits during the resident stay. At The Five Towns Premier, every resident receives a custom recovery
plan, based on their initial evaluation and continuing through their discharge, that is designed to help them regain their independence. The Premier offers respiratory, physical, occupational and speech therapy on a daily basis, seven days a week, allowing residents to reach their rehabilitation goals. The Five Towns Premier’s therapeutic approach has demonstrated benefits as the percentage of residents who are able to return to living at home after their rehabilitation program is twenty percent higher than the national and New York State averages for nursing homes. The Five Towns Premier Care
team has been lauded for their person-centric approach to care while applying progressive therapy approaches in a distinctly warm, nurturing manner. At the heart of the rehabilitation program is the expansive, 4800-square foot health clubstyle rehab gym, equipped with cutting-edge technology and equipment to service a wide variety of resident needs. The interdisciplinary rehabilitation team includes physical, occupational, speech, and respiratory therapists working together. As found in the U.S. News and World Report survey, The Five Towns Premier boasts a higher than average staffing level for physical therapy which results in better outcomes for the resident’s rehabilitation. The Five Towns Premier is a 280bed skilled nursing facility located in Woodmere, Long Island. It is the only nursing facility under the kosher supervision of the VAAD of the Five Towns and Far Rockaway. The facility also boasts a full-time synagogue, with a full-time rabbi, with daily prayers for the residents and members of the community. The Five Towns Premier is constantly engaged with the community and hosts programming for residents, their families, students, and community members so that The Five Towns Premier’s residents remain involved with the neighborhood during their rehabilitation.
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Centerfold
You gotta be kidding A alks into a w a nd pa a sandwich, cafe. He orders s a gun and fires eats it, then draw the conair. “W hy?” asks two shots in the es towards the panda mak as r, te ai w d se fu punctuatoduces a badly pr a nd pa e Th s shoulthe exit. tosses it over hi d an l ua an m e up.” ed wildlif e door. “Look it a,” he says at th nd pa a ’m “I r. de d, sure relevant entr y an e th to s rn tu r The waite explanation. enough, finds an ack-and“Panda. Large bl mamwhite bear-like hina. mal, native to C Eats, shoots and leaves.”
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Saw a sign in a cafe that said they serve breakfast at any time. I asked for a bacon sandwich during the Industrial Revolution.
Today, in Manhattan, I bought a pastrami sandwich: $13.75; walked back out in the street – genuine Rolex watch: six bucks.
A sandwich mpt is an atte both to make at. ends me
Rate the Sandwiches YouGov recently conducted a study of 1,223 people to determine what are the most popular sandwiches in America. The following sandwiches are some of the sandwiches in the top 15. Think you can figure out the order of these sandwiches in the top 15, with number one being the most popular? Roast beef
French dip (Hot sandwich
Turkey on club
Meatball
consisting of thinly sliced
Turkey
roast beef on a “French
Grilled chicken
Grilled cheese
roll” served with beef
Egg salad
broth for dipping)
Tuna
Peanut butter and jelly
Reuben (Made with corned beef, sauerkraut, and other ingredients)
Extra Credit YouGov also asked respondents whether hot dogs and burgers are technically sandwiches, too. What do you say? Is a hot dog on a bun a sandwich? Is a hamburger on a bun a sandwich? (See the results of the YouGov survey on the opposite page.)
The 7, 2015 2019 TheJewish JewishHome Home||NOVEMBER OCTOBER 29,
Slap Some White Bread Around These Facts
Iran tried to get into the Guinness Book of World Records by making the world’s largest sandwich. But people started eating it before it could be officially measured so they failed. (I think it was really Israel’s fault.) The biggest diamond heist in Belgium history took place in 2003, when thieves stole diamonds worth $100 million from a highly secured vault. The thieves got away but a sandwich one of them ate before the heist was recovered near the scene, leading to their arrest. (Be a robber, but it always pays to
On average, there are 310 million sandwiches eaten in America every day. (I certainly get an “A” for participation!)
Answers to Rate the Sandwiches:
In 2005, Wild Woody’s Chill and Grill, in Michigan, earned the Guinness World Record for largest sandwich when they made a 5,440-pound sandwich. It contained 150 pounds of mustard, 1,032 pounds of corned beef, 530 pounds of lettuce, 3,568 pounds of bread, and other ingredients. (No, I didn’t eat it all at one time.)
The average American child eats 1,500 peanut butter and jelly sandwiches before he graduates high school. (Then we spend the rest of our lives feeling guilty when we have a PB&J once in six months!)
Turkey on Club (7) Roast Beef (4) Turkey (3) Grilled Chicken (2) Grilled Cheese (1)
Serendipity in New York City (which is not kosher) sells a $214 grilled cheese sandwich, consisting of French bread (baked with Dom Perignon and real gold flakes) and a rare Italian cheese called caciocavallo podolico. Truffle oil is drizzled on top of the sandwich after it is pressed in a panini press. (Sounds like a good deal, actually!)
On the night of February 1, 1976, Elvis Presley took his private jet from Graceland to Denver and back in one night because he was craving an 8,000-calorie sandwich made from a hollowed-out loaf filled with an entire jar of peanut butter, one jar of jelly, and a pound of bacon. (And my wife finds it strange when I make a midnight run to Seasons Express.)
French Dip (15) Reuben (14) Meatball sandwich (13) Egg salad (12) Tuna (11) Peanut butter and jelly (9)
November 3rd is National Sandwich Day. (I believe in “s’feika diyoma” and celebrate it on the 4th, 5th, 6th 7th …as well.)
listen to Momma: “Clean up after yourself.”).
According to the study, 34% of participants thought hot dogs are a sandwich; 60% thought hamburgers are considered a sandwich.
Andy George, who has a video series, How to Make Anything, once made a chicken sandwich from scratch. He cultivated a garden, harvested wheat, slaughtered a chicken, traveled to boil ocean water for salt, etc. It took him six months and cost him $1,500. When he finally ate the sandwich, his conclusion was, “It’s not bad.” (Try adding some ketchup next time!)
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Torah Thought
Parshas Lech Lecha By Rabbi Berel Wein
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t is interesting to note that the Torah in its opening chapters deals with the lives of individuals with a seemingly very narrow focus. It portrays general society for us and tells us of the events that led up to the cataclysmic flood that destroys most of humanity, but even then, the Torah focuses on the lives of an individual, Noah and his family. This pattern
continues in this week’s reading as well with the story of human civilization condensed and seen through the prism of the life of an individual Abraham, his wife Sarah, and their challenges and travails. Unlike most history books which always take the general perspective and the overview of things, the Torah emphasizes to us that history and
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great events spring forth from the actions of individuals, and even though Heaven preordains events and trends, they only occur when individuals – actually by their choice – implement them and make them real. The prophet Isaiah described Abraham as “one” – unique, alone, individualistic…important and influential. We often think that an individual really doesn’t make much of a difference in the world of billions of human beings. However, all of history teaches us that individuals are the ones that shape all events, both good and better in the story of humankind. For every individual contains within
carries with it the corollary of faith in one’s self and one’s purpose in life. There is a great difference between the poison of arrogance and hubris and the blessing of self-confidence and self-worth. Abraham describes himself as being nothing more than dust and ashes. Yet, as a sole individual standing against kings, armies, societies, and the accepted mores of the time, he is confident in the success of his mission, in calling out for the humankind to hear, over the millennia, the name and sovereignty of the L-rd. It is the sense of mission within us that drives our creativity and ac-
We often think that an individual really doesn’t make much of a difference in the world of billions of human beings.
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him and her seeds of potential and of future generations, of events not yet visible or foretold. The greatness of Abraham is revealed to us in the Torah through the fact that he was a person of strong and abiding faith. We are taught that his faith in G-d never wavered and that the L-rd reckoned that trait of faith as being the righteousness that transformed him into being the father of all nations. However, faith in G-d
complishments in all spheres of our existence. The journey of the Jewish people through the ages of history and the countries of this planet are the journeys of our father Abraham and our mother Sarah during their lifetimes. Both sets of journeys are driven by this overriding sense of mission, of the importance and worth of every individual who shares that sense of purposeful existence. Shabbat shalom.
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From the Fire
Parshas Lech Lecha Holy Brother By Rav Moshe Weinberger Adapted for publication by Binyomin Wolf
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here are two difficult aspects of Avraham Avinu that, when we understand them, teach us a fundamental key to our success in exile. The pesukim (Bereishis 12:1-2) say, “And Hashem said to Avram, ‘Go from your land, from your birthplace, and from your father’s house, to the land which I will show you. And I will make you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great and you shall be a blessing.’” Rashi explains that this is a reference to the first paragraph in Shemonah Esrei in which we thank Hashem for His relationship with Avraham, Yitzchak, and Yaakov, our Avos: “And I will make you a great nation,” refers to that which we say, “the G-d of Avraham.” “And I will bless you,” refers to that which we say, “the G-d of Yitzchak.” “And make your name great,” refers to that which we say, “the G-d of Yaakov.” You might think that [the first blessing in Shemonah Esrei] would conclude [by referencing] all [of the Avos]. The pasuk therefore says, “And you shall be a blessing,” meaning, “We conclude [the blessing] with a reference to you.” The question is why Hashem tells Avraham that every Jew throughout the generations will conclude the first blessing of Shemonah Esrei
with a reference only to him, instead of to Yaakov Avinu, who was the final one of the three Avos. That fact alone might indicate that we should conclude with a reference to Yaakov. In addition, the Midrash (Bereishis Raba 76:1) calls Yaakov, “the choicest of the Avos” and says about him (ibid. at 68:12), “And his image is carved on the Throne of Glory.” Why does the blessing thanking Hashem for His relationship with the Avos conclude only with Avraham and not Yaakov? The episode in which Avraham descends into Egypt with Sarah because of the famine in Eretz Yisroel is also very difficult understand. When Avraham realizes that the Egyptians will kill him if they learn that he is Sarah’s husband, he says to her (Bereishis 12:13), “Please say that you are my sister so that it will go well for me on your account and my soul will live because of you.” How can we understand Avraham’s decision to endanger Sarah for his own financial gain and to save his own life? The problem is exacerbated by the fact that Avraham and Yitzchak both repeated this same strategy among the Plishtim. The Ramban even says that Avraham committed “a great sin, unintentionally” by endangering Sarah. The Ksav V’hakabalah, Zohar, and many others go to great lengths to defend and explain Avraham Avinu’s decision. But this
simply underscores the difficulty in understanding how a tzaddik like Avraham could tell Sarah to lie by saying that she is his sister. We can, however, understand Avraham’s strategy in Egypt and his and Yitzchak’s strategy among the Plishtim in light of a teaching of the Biala Rebbe, zy”a, in his sefer Divrei Bina. The Rebbe’s comments are based on how Avraham explains his deception to Avimelech, king of the Plishtim (Bereishis 20:13): “And when G-d caused me to wander from my father’s house [when I went into exile], I said to her, ‘This is your kindness which you will do with me, wherever we go, say of me, ‘He is my brother.’” The Biala Rebbe explains as follows: It is known that the experiences of the children [the Jewish people] mirror the experiences of the Avos. And with their experiences, they teach us how the Jewish people can survive among the nations in their exile. That is why [Avraham] said: “And when G-d caused me to wander from my father’s house,” meaning: when the Jewish people will go into exile. “This is your kindness,” meaning that we ask the holy Divine Presence to perform acts of kindness for Hashem’s nation of Israel. But how will this kindness reach us? It is through: “wherever we go” in our exile, “say of me, he is my brother.” This means that we
must treat one another in a way of brotherhood, friendship, and unity. And through this, we will merit kindness from Above for the Jewish people. The Torah can be understood on the levels of its simple meaning, hint, homiletical meaning, and secrets of Torah. The Biala Rebbe’s teaching is a hint or homiletical teaching and is not intended to be the simple meaning or comport with the strict rules of grammar. The Rebbe is teaching us that the key to our survival in exile and to drawing down blessings from above is that every Jew must say to one another, “You are my brother,” “You are my sister.” Hashem told Avraham, “We conclude with you.” We need Avraham’s exile strategy now, at the “conclusion” of our exile, more than ever. With all of the social media and 24-hour connectivity, so many of us feel isolated. We long and thirst for a good, caring word from another person, to know that someone truly cares about us. We want to hear someone call us “Brother!” “Sister!” A person can give life to another with a kind word. Rav Levi Yitzchak of Berditchev, zy”a, teaches that the pasuk (Shir Hashirim 1:7), “Tell me, you whom my soul loves,” means, on a deeper level, that each Jew is secretly crying out to the other: “Tell me that you love me with all of your soul!”1
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None of us are mind readers. We cannot rely on those we love to know that we love them in our hearts if we say nothing. We must tell them. A wife must hear from her husband that he loves her. There are men who are shocked when they hear that their wives have no idea whether they are loved or not. But their wives want to call out to them, “Tell me that you love me! I know in a general sense that you love me but at any given moment, I do not know whether those feelings are still there. Let me hear you say, ‘I love you so much!’” A child must hear from his or her parents, “I love you more than anything!” Unity is so powerful that the pasuk says about the generation of the dispersion (Bereishis 11:1), “the entire earth was one language and uniform words.” People understood one another. Hashem said about them (ibid. at 6), “And now it shall not be withheld from them everything that they plan to do.” Most commentaries read this as a rhetorical question: “Shall I not withhold from [stop] them from doing everything that they plan to do!?” But it can also be read as a statement: Because they live together in a state of brotherhood and mutual understanding, I shall not withhold from them anything which they plan to do. I will give them everything they require. This teaching from Avraham Avinu is the key to thriving in the midst of this conclusion to our exile: the open expression of love, friendship, and brotherhood between Jews. That draws down tremendous protection and blessing from Above. And this concept is quoted in the Gemara Yerushalmi (Peah 16a): “The generation of Dovid were all tzaddikim, but because there was infighting among them, they went out to war and then fell.” Dovid therefore said about his own men (Tehillim 57:5), “Their teeth are like spears and arrows; their tongue is like a sharp sword.” But the Gemara continues, “But the generation of Achav were idol worshipers, but because there was not infighting among them, they went out to war and were victorious.” They may have had major religious, spiritual problems. But they lived in a state of
brotherhood among them so Hashem caused them to be successful in all of their efforts. Every shul and extended family has one person who acts friendly and caring toward others but figuratively stabs others in the back
perseverance eventually paid off. By the end of the flight, Avishai and I became good friends and we hope to stay in touch. In his initial silence, he was really saying, “Tell me that you love me with all your soul! I need to first know that you love me,
A person can give life to another with a kind word.
with his words behind closed doors. When he speaks to the rav or rosh yeshiva, everything he says is in the third person, spoken with the utmost respect. But he then whispers sarcastically and derisively about them to his followers. Such people poison families by bearing tales and spreading poisonous gossip about one family member to another. Such toxic individuals are the antithesis of the brotherhood and love that every Jew longs to experience from others. A few years ago, I flew to Eretz Yisroel for a chasunah. When I arrived at my seat, which was next to a young, non-observant Israeli man, he looked up from his laptop and when he saw that I was a chareidi looking person, he made no effort to disguise his disappointment. But these teachings about love and brotherhood were on my mind, so I said, “Shalom Aleichem!” Unfortunately, he barely acknowledged my greeting with his eyes and returned his attention immediately to his computer. I knew that we were at the beginning of a ten-hour flight, so I did not allow myself to become discouraged even though I am shy by nature and do not naturally have Shlomo Carlebach’s “holy brother” approach to greeting everyone around me. From time to time, I asked my neighbor about himself and tried to make conversation but at the beginning, he answered me monosyllabically and barely acknowledged my presence. But my
despite the fact that I am not observant. Only then can I let my guard down and show you my love.” We must turn to each other and say, “Sister, how are you feeling today?” “Brother, I haven’t seen you in a while. How are you?” If we can get out of the tendency to become
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self-absorbed from time to time to tell a spouse, child, relative, or friend, “I love you with all my soul,” Hashem will open up the gates for us. May we merit to learn the lesson of Avraham, who was called Hashem’s friend (Yirmiyahu 11:15) and thereby merit to see how we are all holy brothers and holy sisters. May Hashem bring us back home to Yerushalayim, with the rebuilding of the Beis Hamikdash, which will be built on the portion of the one (Binyomin) referred to (Devarim 33:12) as “Hashem’s friend” soon in our days! 1. This teaching is quoted in the sefer Tiferes Uziel, in the section entitled “Rimzei Shir Hashirim.”
Rav Moshe Weinberger, shlita, is the founding Morah d’Asrah of Congregation Aish Kodesh in Woodmere, NY, and serves as leader of the new mechina Emek HaMelech.
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Think, Feel, Grow
Spiraling Through the Cosmic Symphony of Life By Shmuel Reichman
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here is nothing more enchanting, mystical, and mysterious than the experience of music. It has the ability to reach the very roots of our soul. The right melody can transform our mood, bring us to tears of sadness or joy, and release emotions buried deep within of bedrock of our consciousness. Music unlocks the door to our hearts, allowing us to feel and embrace our innermost yearnings for connection and oneness lying dormant within each of us, begging to be freed, begging to be expressed. From the artist’s perspective, music is the vulnerable expression of self; from the listener’s view, music is permission to connect to the divine, to transcend the shackles of mundane existence, to experience something other-worldly. Many have their favorite song, their personal gateway to spiritual ecstasy. With every note and every strum, their soul awakens and transcends ad-infinitum. The Rambam states that, had we not been gifted the Torah, we would have studied music in order to tap
into spiritual truths. And yet, if one breaks down and analyzes a musical piece, they would likely be surprised at its apparent simplicity. Almost every Jewish song, especially in Western music, follows the same simple two step progression. The song begins with a low, steady build-up, progressively increasing in emotional intensity as it sets the foundation for what is yet to come. This build-up repeats itself, again rising in intensity, before bursting into the chorus, where the contained intro expands into a full expression of emotion, where the soul erupts, unfiltered, guided by the stirring melody and perfect words to capture the indescribable tune. The chorus then reverts back to the lower intro, and this process repeats itself (sometimes with a bridge) until the song finishes. This is the simple structure of a song: a circle. Two low verses, two high verses, and then a repeat. One would expect music, one of the most spiritually uplifting experiences known to mankind, to be more complex, more novel, than a simple
circle! What is it about song that so enraptures the human spirit and how is this connected to the concept of circles?
Circles: Spiritual Death A circle represents spiritual death. It is a geometrical anomaly, as it is the only shape with no newness – no turns, no corners, no changes. A circle is a cycle that goes nowhere, contains no growth, and lacks any evolution. No point on the circle is unique, with each point equidistant to the center. A circle simply returns back to its starting point, without making any progress. In actuality, a circle has no beginning and no end.
Judaism: A Religion of Newness The Jewish system is uniquely founded on the concept of newness. The very first mitzvah given to the Jewish people upon leaving Egypt was the commandment to declare the new month, “Ha’chodesh hazeh lachem rosh chadashim” (Shemos 12:2). Why is this so? This seems
like a secondary concept, not nearly as important as the mitzvos of Shabbos, bris milah, and many other such essential mitzvos. But the answer is profound. Upon leaving Egypt, the Jewish people experienced their very own birth, their inception as a nation. The Hebrew word for month, chodesh, also spells chadash, new. The Jewish people are a people who count by the lunar year built from months. Just as the moon constantly changes as it waxes and wanes, we are a people of newness and constant growth, waxing and waning through our endless evolution. The Western world counts by the solar year, which is based on the earth’s yearly rotation around the sun. The Hebrew word for year is shana, which also means old, and comes from the same root as the word yashein, which means sleeping. It reflects the concept of repetition and mindless cycles, as the word sheini means to repeat or do something twice. The sun does not appear to change; it remains static. A life of shana represents a life
The Jewish Home | NOVEMBER 7, 2019 The Jewish Home | OCTOBER 29, 2015
spent spiritually sleeping, lacking any growth or newness. In a solar year, the months are merely a practical way of breaking down the year. In the lunar year, however, the months are the creative building blocks that come together to form the year. In essence, the Jewish system is built from twelve creative months, not a single repeating year. However, to understand the true ideals of Judaism and reframe how we are meant to relate to circles, we must briefly delve into the nature of time.
The Nature of Time The assumed and widely accepted understanding of time is that it moves in a straight line. Hashem created our world of space and time, and since its inception time has been moving inexorably forward. Along this line of time is the past, present, and the future. If we were to move backward on this line of time, we could peer through history and find Avraham Avinu at the Akeida, Moshe Rabbeinu receiving the Torah, and the Rambam writing the Mishneh Torah. Our current experience is taking place in the middle of the line, and if we could move forward along the line, we would see events that have not yet happened. However, there is a major challenge to this theory. There is a piyut in the Pesach Haggadah (U’vchen Va’amartem) which states that Avraham Avinu served matzah to the three angels who visited him because it was Pesach at that time. Rashi quotes this opinion on the pesukim in Bereishis (Bereishis 19:3) and says that Lot did the same for the malachim who came to Sedom. How can this be? The mitzvah of matzah originates from the event of Yetziat Mitzrayim – an event that would not occur for another few centuries! To understand why Avraham and Lot served their guests matzah before Pesach even occurred, we must develop a deeper understanding of time. Time does not move along one continuous, straight line; it actually circles around in a repeating yearly cycle. As the Ramchal explains, Hashem created thematic cycles of time, where each point in the year
holds unique spiritual energies. Rosh Hashana, Yom Kippur, Sukkot, and all the chagim are each associated with their own unique spiritual themes in time. This deep understanding transforms our perception of time. We don’t celebrate freedom each year on the 15th of Nissan because that’s when the Jews were freed from Egypt, rather the Jews were redeemed from Egypt on the 15 th of Nissan because that is zman cheiruseinu, the time of freedom. That power of freedom is what allowed the Jews to escape the slavery of Mitzrayim. This is why Avraham and Lot ate
each year. Our goal is to expand upon what we have created year by year, so that this year, when we return to that same point on the circle from last year, we are in a fundamentally different place. Each Rosh Hashana should be higher than the previous one, each Pesach, a new Pesach; each Shavuot, a new Shavuot. Through our growth and ascension we are able to convert the two-dimensional circle into a three dimensional spiral, traversing along the same circle at ever greater heights. We maintain the circularity while achieving ascension. The same is true for all spiritual circles. The ideal is not to transcend
Through our growth and ascension we are able to convert the two-dimensional circle into a three dimensional spiral, traversing along the same circle at ever greater heights.
matzah long before the actual geulah. Matzah represents freedom, and Avraham and Lot tapped into the spiritual waves of freedom that were inherent at that point in time. They were not commemorating a historical event; they were tapping into the deep energies of time inherent at the point in the circle. So, too, we do not simply commemorate a historical event as we experience each holiday, but rather, we tap into the deep energies inherent at that point in time. Thus, it is clear that time not a continuous line, but a circle. However, even the circle analogy is limiting. If time were indeed a circle, each point of the year would simply be a recreation and repetition of that point from the previous year, from the previous time around the circle. That would be pointless. As we previously mentioned, we do not seek to re-experience the past
the circular system, but to uplift it, to transform the circle into a spiral, to find innovative ways of creating newness within the circular system, not beyond it.
Life is a Song Although a song may superficially appear to be like a circle – two low verses, two high, and then a repeat – a song is actually meant to be a spiral. The intro creates a buildup of emotion that explodes into the chorus. But ideally, the chorus does not simply revert back to the original starting point. Instead, the low part is now meant to be on a fundamentally different level, still riding the waves of momentum and energy from the chorus. The low part is deeper this time, and you can feel the greater level of intensity. And then, as the low part builds up even more powerfully, it bursts into an even more powerful and explosive
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chorus. This process can theoretically repeat itself ad-infinitum. As a matter of fact, at Jewish weddings of old they used to dance around in circles singing the same song for hours on end. Each time around they would build the next rung in the spiral of the song as they built the next rung in their circular dancing. This is why we dance in circles at celebrations and during the hakafos of Sukkos. We are, in fact, dancing in spirals, and as we ascend through song, we spiritually ascend as well. When one lives a truly holistic life, tapping into the true nature and meaning of existence, life itself becomes a song, a magical and immersive experience, a soulful adventure, a spiraling staircase. The true beauty of a song is our unique ability to enjoy every note, every step, every stage in the progression. If one learned how to live life like this, whereby every step was not only a means towards becoming something else but was fully experienced, embraced, and treasured, then life itself would transform into a cosmic symphony, whereby every aspect of reality played its notes and everyone around became redefined as a unique musician in Hashem’s eternal orchestra. Music is powerful but to become part of the music is even more sublime. On the deepest level, as the Navi says, a true musician does not play the music but becomes the music. May we all be inspired to play our instrument, to contribute our song into the grand symphony of life, and to transform the circles of life into the transcendent spiral staircase leading towards our ultimate destination.
Shmuel Reichman is an inspirational speaker, writer, and coach who has lectured internationally at shuls, conferences, and Jewish communities on topics of Jewish thought and Jewish medical ethics. He is the founder and CEO of Self-Mastery Academy (ShmuelReichman.com), the transformative online course that is revolutionizing how we engage in self-development. You can find more inspirational lectures, videos, and articles from Shmuel on his website, ShmuelReichman.com.
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Israel Today
The Numbers Aren’t Healthy By Rafi Sackville
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owards the end of July, nurses throughout the country went on strike over working conditions and salaries after talks with the government had broken down. On the day they began their strike we were at the hospital in Nahariya to meet with doctors and nurses three weeks before my wife, Keren, was to undergo a procedure. According to Edward Hadad, the chairman of the Association of Nurses at the hospital, the strike was “over a chronic shortage of nurses that has been going on for years. We are not slaves,” he added. We felt hesitant walking into the outpatient wing, thinking we’d find it closed and our appointment cancelled. Working on a skeleton staff and essential services only, the main corridor was as lonely and empty as the surrounding hills leading up to the border with Lebanon. Despite the disruption to normal service, our appointment was kept. The strike lasted less than two days. We returned to the hospital three weeks later, on August 13. While Keren was in the operating theater, I went to buy a coffee, where I picked up a copy of Yediot Aharonot, one of the country’s leading newspapers. After quickly sifting through the noise of pre-election nonsense, I chanced upon an article that caught
my interest. The headline read: “The numbers that tell the story about the health system.” The lede continued: Exclusive: New Health Ministry report reveals how many doctors there are in Israel, how many nurses (very few), the gaps between the center of the country and periphery (answer: huge). There was a table under the sub-heading that read “you need to know where to get sick!” Pointing to the deficiencies in the periphery compared to the rest of the country is less news-breaking than old news. But the rest of the country? I was under the belief that Israel’s overall health standards were high. The bad news about the periphery didn’t surprise. For those of you who haven’t read my columns before, we live in Ma’alot, in the Western Galil. To put you on the map, we’re 26 kilometers southeast (16 miles) of Rosh Hanikra. We are part of the periphery. To further put you in the picture, it is a well-known fact that in the periphery - mainly the south and north of the country – the socio-economic standards and their ramifications have long been a cause of debate in Israel. Educational standards are lower, employment opportunities fewer, and the sense of discrimination evident. Despite this not being the case for everyone living here, I
can say with confidence and a sense of sadness that, as an educator, I have seen the rippling effects in the student body in the high school where I have worked for the last six years. For many people, life on the edge is not easy. I took a long sip of my coffee and looked around me. The closest comparison to daily life in a hospital might be an airport. Like them, hospitals are an interesting hubbub of life with the gamut of emotions all under one roof – from grief to joy, from anticipation to ennui. For example, I counted 25 people in the waiting area outside the operating theaters. Apart from myself there was a woman awaiting her father, while the other 23 consisted of Druze Arabs all from the same village. I asked who they were here for. I was told the patient, who when he came out of surgery gave a two-fisted pump to his adoring family and friends, was a prominent dentist. The waiting room suddenly vacated. I was left holding my coffee and the newspaper. I turned back to the article. As of the end of 2018, there were 68,543 nurses in Israel. This translates into five nurses per one thousand people. This is far less than the average found in other Western countries (based on statistics of the
Organization for Economic Co-operations and Development (OECD)), whose average is 9.2 per thousand. There are large gaps in the numbers between the center of the country compared to the periphery. Those figures are dominant in all areas, including general manpower. For example, in Tel Aviv, there are 5.3 doctors per thousand compared to 2.1 where we live; more than 6 nurses compared to 3.3 in the southern and northern peripheries; and 6.8 general medical staff per one thousand people compared to 3.5 in the north alone. The figures speak for themselves. Reading this you might be forgiven for thinking the situation is dire. In truth, it’s relative. It’s not as if you find yourself in the hospital and worry that they have almost 50% fewer nurses, which makes you wish you were in one of the big cities. Despite many people preferring to seek medical attention further south in Haifa, particularly in Rambam Hospital, Nahariya Hospital is, for the most part, efficient, clean and employs a caring and professional staff. In general, the report reveals a deficiency of doctors in Israel practicing gynecology, cardiology, general surgery, clinical immunology, allergy, skin and lung diseases, psychiatry, and heart and chest surgery. The numbers are particularly low
for occupational therapists of whom there are approximately 4,400, and clinical technicians and audiologists, of whom there are only 3,800 throughout the country. In stark contrast, there has been an eight-fold increase over the last decade in the number of pain relief practitioners, double the number of trauma experts, and a moderate increase in pediatric cardiology, genetic medicine, immunology and endocrinology. Israel ranks low when it comes to the number of its own students graduating medical school. The average in OECD countries is 13.56 graduates per 100,000 population. In Denmark, Belgium, and Ireland the number is over 20 per 100,000. Here in Israel, the number is 6.9. This is most likely the reason so many overseas doctors are certified to practice here in Israel. For instance, in 2018, 650 overseas graduates were certified, more than twice the number a decade ago.
Responding to the findings, the Minister of Health, Yaakov Litzman, indicated there was an overall increase in doctors and nurses, adding that he is certain the numbers will continue to rise in the future.
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doctors and nurses, our emphasis is also on the addition of medical aids, including those in fields that didn’t exist before.” Do the medical standards here in the north meet those in the cen-
Hospitals are an interesting hubbub of life with the gamut of emotions all under one roof – from grief to joy, from anticipation to ennui.
The Ministry of Health’s CEO, Moshe Bar Siman Tov, was more specific in his response: “A central factor of our aging population is the addition of manpower. Alongside the steady increase in the number of
ter of the country? No. And no comparison can be made to the services we received in New York where, as Keren put it, the operating theaters in North Shore Hospital look like sets out of Star Trek compared to the
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plainness here in Nahariya. The report exposed palpable shortcomings the Ministry of Health has failed to address. Israel may be a world leader in medical advancements, but not in properly planning its resources to address the changing demographics. Nevertheless, there is much to praise about the medical system in Israel, despite the numbers not reflecting well on the country as a whole and in the periphery in particular. All said and done, Keren’s experience was positive. There’s a rich irony in knowing how, on the one hand, we were blessed with professional service, while, on the other hand, being aware of the overall picture. Here in the north we don’t choose where and when we get sick. What we do instead is cope. Rafi Sackville, formerly of Cedarhurst, teaches in Ort Maalot in Western Galil.
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giftof All
The Greatest
By Malky Lowinger
Two
ye a r s ago, t he Archbishop of York joined Rabbi Jonathan Sacks and his community for the Shabbos Project in the Western Marble Arch Synagogue in London. “He spent the whole Shabbat with us,” says Rabbi Sacks, “all twenty-five hours’ worth from kabbalat Shabbat to havdalah. He ate with us, he sang with us, he learned with us, he davened with us. The whole works. It was amazing, something that probably never happened before.” At one point, Rabbi Sacks turned to the archbishop and asked, “John, why are you doing this?” The archbishop answered him by saying, “You know, one of the greatest gifts you Jews ever gave the Christians was the Sabbath, and we are losing it and you are keeping it. So I want to come and spend Shabbos with you to see how you are keeping it.” Sometimes it takes an archbishop to remind us how privileged we are to have the gift of Shabbos. And sometimes it takes an annual Shab-
bos Project mega-event to inspire us to appreciate Shabbos, the greatest gift of all.
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he history of the Shabbos Project is well-known. In October of 2013, the idea of the Shabbos Project was hatched during a meeting between Rabbi Warren Goldstein, chief rabbi of the Union of Orthodox Synagogues of South Africa, and noted academic Professor Dan Ariely. They were discussing how to encourage Jews to experience Shabbos, and eventually the concept of a community-wide event was formed. “All ideas come from Hashem,” says Rabbi Goldstein. “And that’s how the idea came to me to keep one Shabbat together in a spirit of unity. That’s how it all began.” Over 75,000 South African Jews participated in that first Shabbos Project, over 70% of the community. It was widely heralded as a huge success which led Rabbi Goldstein to wonder whether it could be experienced on a more global basis. He decided to test the waters. “We put out a YouTube video in
March of 2014,” said Rabbi Goldstein, “explaining the project and inviting the entire world to participate.” The world responded with tremendous enthusiasm. “In a matter of months,” said Rabbi Goldstein, “we had 1,800 partners from 465 cities.” A year later, in 2015, that number more than doubled. Five thousand communities in 919 cities around the world joined the Shabbos Project. And it continues to grow exponentially ever since. There were naysayers, of course – those who insisted that it wouldn’t last, it couldn’t work, it was a hopeless endeavor. But the Shabbos Project, says Rabbi Goldstein, has taught him that anything can be achieved with optimism and goodwill. “People have embraced it with warmth and enthusiasm,” he said. “And it defied the prophets of doom.” Today, over a million Jews participate in the Shabbos Project worldwide. They live in 1,511 cities and come from 101 countries across the globe. The overwhelming success of the
Shabbos Project over the years is testimony not only to the optimism of a rabbi in South Africa but also to the genuine longing and desire among the Jewish people to experience Shabbos. A typical Shabbos Project program will include the ultimate elements of joy, spirituality, unity, enthusiasm, relaxation, and, of course, a super-satisfying gastronomic experience all combined. No wonder the world can’t get enough of it.
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n the Five Towns area, Adina Fischlewitz serves as project coordinator of the Shabbos Project and has taken on her role with tremendous passion. For the past six years, Adina has been a member of the team that leads the community-wide Shabbos Project program, and she hasn’t looked back since. It was during that first year’s Challah Bake that Adina was hooked on the program. To this day, she describes the experience as euphoric. “We got 800 women together,” she remembers, “dancing and singing and enjoying the camaraderie. There was an incredible kumzitz that was spon-
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taneous. It created almost a spiritual moment. I remember thinking that this is what Kriyas Yam Suf must have felt like, when the women broke into song.” Adina wasn’t the only person who was moved by that exhilarating experience. “People told me it was the best day of their lives,” she says. “Some said they started taking on things like lighting candles or baking challahs. It was like the start of a journey. There’s a transformation. They want to take on something.” For Adina, that experience was a game changer and led her to continue and intensify her efforts every year. But the beauty of the Shabbos Project is that it can be celebrated in so many different ways and the program can be modified and updated over the years. There’s no rigid standardized Shabbos Project program. It can be enhanced, updated, and rejuvenated over time. This year, there will be a tremendous focus on community achdus in the Five Towns area. The community will be joining forces to create a sense of unity in a variety of different ven-
ues. “The Jewish nation is one big family,” Adina notes. The Challah Bake this year is being held primarily for high school students and will include virtually every community school in the area. This, says Adina, is a monumental achievement. “All the schools got involved,” she notes, “including TAG, TMM, Shalhevet, Shulamith, HANC, and HAFTR. It’s going to be a powerful statement of true achdus.” Invariably, the hanhala at every school was delighted to participate. They understood the significance of this endeavor and that it represents a golden opportunity to achieve community-wide harmony and goodwill in one magical evening. “Hashem wants us to be united,” says Adina. “And I’m focusing on the young people this year because they are our future. I want them to come together from every school all across the spectrum and experience this amazing event together.” That sense of unity and togetherness will continue throughout the Shabbos Project program. A rich and varied schedule of events that includes lectures, games, workshops, and activities are planned, and they will be held in various locations and sponsored by different organizations. Over the past few weeks, Adina was super-busy with a spectrum of individuals and organizations who were eager to be involved. “We are all working together to pull this off and to create an unforgettable Shabbos experience for the entire community,” Adina enthuses. There will be plenty of creative and innovative initiatives at this year’s Shabbos Project. “We created videos filled with ideas on celebrating Shabbos,” says Adina. “We are also introducing a Shabbos question and answer game to be played at the Shabbos table. We are offering tachlis, meaningful new concepts and activities that will serve to enhance Shabbos for families in our communities. It’s not the same old same old.” Shabbos sells itself, of course, but sometimes clever marketing techniques can help to raise the experience to a whole new level. Adina remembers how, years ago, a company was able to sell a pet rock. “They
made millions,” she said, “because of how it was marketed.” People flocked to purchase a meaningless product simply because it was hyped properly. If a rock can create a movement, imagine how Shabbos can move mountains.
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in the Five Towns and around the world. It will transform individuals, galvanize communities, and inspire families everywhere. In Far Rockaway as in Johannesburg, in Lawrence as in London, it promises to be a life-changing experience.
“The more you share your Shabbat with others the deeper will be your simcha and your oneg.” As an artist, Adina understands the ability to transform a canvas from the ordinary to the extraordinary. “I taught art for decades,” she says. “And I know that you can take ordinary colors and ingredients, change it up, and make it sparkle.” On Shabbos Parshas Vayeira, November15-17, Shabbos will sparkle
In the words of Rabbi Sacks, “The more you share your Shabbat with others the deeper will be your simcha and your oneg. You will find elements of Shabbat that you never found before.” Or, as the Shabbos Project tagline simply but powerfully states: “Let’s keep it together.”
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The Shabbos Project Bring a Great Idea Home
Anyone
who participated in the Far Rockway-Five Towns Shabbos Project over the past five years can testify to the extraordinary excitement generated amongst secular and religious participants alike. The light of Shabbos was shined into the hearts of secular Jews through the now famous Challah Bake and a Shabbos weekend that featured warm invitations and inspiring speeches.
directed not only toward public school students, but also our own children. A volunteer since the project’s inception, Mrs. Chaya Gibber explains, “The focus is being shifted to inside our homes, on our family units, to raise the level of the Shabbos experience at home.” The inaugural event for the weeklong initiative will take place at The White Shul on the evening of November 10, when Chazaq and The Shabbos Project will present world-renowned
“We’re taking the Shabbos Project and bringing it into our homes to re-energize our children in their appreciation of Shabbos.” Never to rest on her laurels, project coordinator Mrs. Adina Fischlewitz began asking herself, “What if we turn the idea around this year and, rather than inviting strangers to our Shabbos tables, enhance the Shabbos experience for the entire family?” The answer to that question is The Shabbos Project 2019, which will take place in the greater Far Rockaway area during the week of November 10 and the weekend of November 15-17, Parshas Vayeira – an initiative this year that will, for the first time, be
lecturer Rabbi Yissocher Frand at 8 p.m. on “Enhancing the Kedusha of Shabbos in Our Hearts and in Our Homes.” Two nights later, on Tuesday, November 12, the world-famous Shabbos Project Challah Bake, this year renamed the Gala Teen Challah Bake, will take place at 7:30 p.m. at the Sands of Atlantic Beach. The event will bring together teenagers from all walks of life, but unlike last year, when observant high school students were part of the volunteer force making it happen, this year local high
By Liba Lieberman school students from yeshivas will be participants in the event themselves. “It was so uplifting to see women coming to the event last year,” Mrs. Gibber says. “We want the same thing for our teenagers. The focus is now on them, the future of Klal Yisroel.” This year’s Gala Teen Challah Bake, co-coordinated with Mrs. Arielle Wolfson, has two special guests attending. The first is world-renowned chef Elizabeth Kurtz, author of the cookbook Celebrate! Rachel Goldzal, a young, observant Chopped (a culinary reality show) champion, will also be part of the evening’s festivities. Additionally, Mrs. Fischlewitz, a former art teacher/designer, has created a vinyl graffiti wall for the event with backdrop murals of Manhattan and Jerusalem, on which the kids will “leave their mark.” Larger-than-life baking props and scenarios will be on-hand for personal photo shoots. Participants for the Teen Challah Bake include students from local high schools and local organizations. “Let’s Chalk Shabbat,” a Shabbat-themed sidewalk chalking, is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. on Friday afternoon, November 15, at The White Shul, BBY and TAG, during which children in the neighborhood will write out Shabbos greetings and draw Shabbat-themed pictures and messages. “Let’s Chalk Shabbat” kits will be sold at Rabbi Frand’s presentation and at the Teen Challah Bake, where there will be demonstrations on how to use each chalk kit. A video of Shabbos impressions throughout the neighborhood will be sent around
via social media. Mrs. Ruchi Dunn, a Shabbos Project volunteer since its inception, points out, “We want to stress that most people do a great job of disconnecting from electronic devices in order to honor the Shabbos, but we are hoping to get people focused this time on proactively reconnecting with HaKadosh Baruch Hu. That means, being spiritually present for our families and reframing our thoughts about what we each hope to accomplish over Shabbos. Just as the more we prepare before Shabbos – as in food, stories, a nicely set table – the more our Shabbos experience is enhanced, so, too, if we prepare to have meaningful subjects to discuss with our children at the Shabbos table, the more elevated the experience will become.” A beautifully designed box of questions about Shabbos, the “Shabbat Question Box,” has been created this year for a family Shabbos activity and will also be sold at Rabbi Frand’s presentation on Sunday night. Blank cards in the box allow each participant to create one’s own questions for their family before Shabbos. Additionally, Meaningful Minutes will be selling their books at this event. NCSY will be extending a unique opportunity to secular and observant families that Shabbos at a “Friday Night of Unity,” beginning at sundown and featuring international guest speaker Sivan Rahav-Meir at the Young Israel of Lawrence-Cedarhurst. The event will kick off the Shabbos Project Shabbos, “United Our Five Towns,” and will emphasize the
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Over the past few years, women have joined together to bake challah in honor of Shabbos
importance of maximizing our entire Shabbos experience while creating meaningful moments with our families. The weekend will continue on Sunday night at Beth Sholom in Lawrence, when co-sponsors The Shab-
bos Project and Chazaq will present a mega-event featuring Rav Shalom Arush, who will speak on “Emunah Is Our Future,” with simultaneous translation being given by Rav Dayan Elgrod. Other special guest speakers will be Mr. Charlie Harary and Rabbi
Shalom Weis with music. Doors open at 7:30 p.m.; Rav Arush’s presentation will begin at 8 p.m. Mrs. Fischlewitz concludes, “It is time to bring the most wonderful Shabbos initiative in the world into our homes and embrace its message of
unity and the great sanctity of Shabbos in our lives. “We’re taking the Shabbos Project and bringing it into our homes to re-energize our children in their appreciation of Shabbos.” May it always be so.
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PHOTOGRAPHY BY MIRIAM By Miriam
CALL OR TEXT MIRIAM JACOBOVITS 347–572–8973 ~ INSTRAGRAM: OOHBABYPHOTOGRAPHY
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Dating Dialogue
What Would You Do If… Moderated by Jennifer Mann, LCSW of The Navidaters
Dear Navidaters,
I’ve been in the parsha for several years, and from the beginning there’s been a girl in my neighborhood that I’ve been suggested to many times. My friend even went out with her and told me he thinks it’s a great idea. So do I, from everything I’ve heard. The problem is that she has always said no. On the most recent occasion that yet another person has thought of the idea, the shadchan actually asked the girl specifically what the issue was and she said that it has nothing to do with me personally and that she actually also thinks it’s a good idea too but that her parents really don’t like my parents. She said to the shadchan that she’s not the type that just submits automatically to whatever her parents say, but it’s just that since in this case they were so adamant about it she wasn’t going to push it. For the same reason, she also didn’t want to ask for details since she didn’t think it would make a difference, so I don’t know what, specifically, they have against my parents, but there is no shortage of issues that they can be referring to. My parents haven’t always had the best shalom bayis and my father is very outspoken on many issues and has a reputation as such, but they are both good people at the end of the day.
I’m wondering what to do. Like I said, I think she’s one of the best ideas I’ve ever gotten and she herself has been dating for many years, but even if somehow we ended up going out, would it even be a good idea if her parents so strongly dislike mine?
Disclaimer: This column is not intended to diagnose or otherwise conclude resolutions to any questions.
Our intention is not to offer any definitive
conclusions to any particular question, rather offer areas of exploration for the author and reader. Due to the nature of the column receiving only a short snapshot of an issue, without the benefit of an actual discussion, the panel’s role is to offer a range of possibilities. We hope to open up meaningful dialogue and individual exploration.
TheJewish JewishHome Home||NOVEMBER OCTOBER 29, The 7, 2015 2019
The Panel The Rebbetzin Rebbetzin Faigie Horowitz, M.S. t the end of the day, this is a question you need to answer yourself. Are you strong enough, skilled enough, and resourceful enough to muster support if this dating idea gets serious? Are you independent enough and mature enough to deal with two sets of parents who may oppose this shidduch? Are you sensitive enough to support and protect a potential fiancée and wife from difficult parents? Are you independent enough to do this? Can you handle negativity about your parents, based on truth or just hearsay? If the answers are all positive, I would suggest that you meet the young woman informally. Lay out your interest frankly. Fairly soon you two should consider enlisting a respected person in the community who knows both families for a long time to help you and to share your concerns and progress. You may need skilled intervention at many junctures along this path from a rabbi, a principal, or an insightful neighbor. Be careful and be smart if you choose to take this path. It will not be an easy one. I, personally, would not choose it.
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The Mother Sarah Schwartz Schreiber, P.A. ou have reached the offices of MoveOn.org. To speak to a facilitator who will inform you gently and sympathetically, “Sorry, but this shidduch is not happening,” press 1. To speak to a counselor who can help you understand why it’s futile to pursue an unattainable goal, press 2. To speak to your parents about their reputation and how it may undermine your shidduch
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prospects, hang up and have that conversation. If they resist, call back and press option 2 to make an appointment with a qualified family therapist. Not to trivialize your frustration in trying to get Ms. Perfect to go out with you…but face facts. Due to circumstances beyond your control, this shidduch apparently is not meant to be. The sooner you accept that reality, the faster you can turn that page (Ms. Perfect) in the parsha and put your effort and energy into more promising and realistic prospects.
The Shadchan Michelle Mond ardon me for going deeper than your actual question but I often see this very common pattern amongst singles, which leads me to believe that you suffer from ruminations and a possible pattern of obsessive thoughts and/or anxieties. The fact that you are simply unable to move away from this idea, after the girl has said no numerous times, points to this crucial issue which might be getting in the way of your efficiency and productivity in dating. Answer these questions to yourself: aside from ruminating over ideas that have not come to fruition, are you easily able to navigate your dating choices? Do you get personally wound up every time a match does not work the way you may have wanted it to? Do you toss and turn at night thinking about what you may have said (or not said) or may have done (or not done) to cause a new relationship to sink? Do the abundance of choices make your head spin to the point where it is almost impossible to make a decision? If the answer is “yes” to these questions you may need to see a professional and work through the anxiety and obsessive thoughts to
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gather tools, and maybe even medication, to tame your mind. Untamed, your mind is exhibiting a surfeit of questions, thoughts, and pervasive “what if” scenarios that keep you trapped in a cage with ideas that are not even on the table. This leads me to wonder: how are you productively able to navigate the actually solid, realistic ideas which you receive? Don’t get me wrong. It is very unfortunate that this amazing young lady would pass up such a wonderful boy because of his nuclear family, but it was her decision, and it is time to move forward and meet your true bashert. Your bashert will not only appreciate you but will accept your family with their maalos and their chisronos. To end, I would like to quote one of my grandmother’s favorite songs
Untamed, your mind is exhibiting a surfeit of questions, thoughts, and pervasive “what if” scenarios that keep you trapped in a cage.
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which she often sings to the kids when things do not go the way they had planned. You should sing it too, it helps. “Que será, será Whatever will be, will be The future’s not ours to see Que será, será What will be, will be.”
The Single Tova Wein ating is hard! Engagements are hard! Marriage is hard! It seems like this particular situation already has some significant strikes against it, so my initial reflex is to tell you that you would be starting out – straight
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Pulling It All Together The Navidaters Dating and Relationship Coaches and Therapists
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hat a terribly frustrating situation for you! Due to no fault of your own, you can’t meet this terrific girl because of something completely outside of your control. You mentioned that your parents have a whole host of issues, and some parents unfortunately aren’t going to want their daughters to date you because of it. Thankfully, there are many other types of parents out there who will not hold this against you, so I don’t want you to worry about that (in case you are). They will want to meet with you, and will judge you according to your own merit. You ask, if you were somehow to go out, would it even be a good idea if her parents so strongly dislike yours. This is a tough one, and there are some things you would need to consider. First and foremost, you would need to assess the girl’s willingness to stand up for herself and her marriage should her parents disapprove or be overly meddling. Will she choose her parents over you? You would begin to get a sense of how much control they have over
their daughter, if a ny. You would have to consider how her parents would behave around yours at simchas, birthday parties, graduations, and all shared family events…and whether or not you would be able to handle that. Part of me wants to tell you to move on and go out with a woman whose parents adore you. The other part of me says that I have no idea who your bashert is and maybe it’s worth pursuing. You really need to do some soul searching and figure out if you want to pursue this. If you do, you can always ask a rabbi to get involved and try to help navigate the situation. Her parents may be very tough or strict, or they may know something about your parents that they don’t want to have to reveal to their daughter or to you eventually. Sometimes things aren’t always as they appear. I have now merited to see handfuls and handfuls of clients get married. I am with them through their
out of the gate – with some serious resistance. To begin the dating process with a particular person already knowing that you’ll be up against negativity seems to me to be a very challenging road to travel. Why put yourself through that? I’m wondering how it is that you’re so stuck on her, without even knowing her. I understand that people have told you they think it’s a good idea, but is it possible that because her parents are against the shidduch you find yourself wanting it even more, because it’s something you feel you can’t have? That’s something to think about. Meanwhile, it sounds as though
singlehood, through the stresses and the worrying and the dates and all the situations. And a very common theme that I have noticed is that when it is the right one, sometimes things just fall into place. Wishing that things fall into place for you soon. And, if you are the standup guy that you seem to be, you will make a woman a very lucky lady and her parents very happy inlaws. All the best, Jennifer
Sometimes things aren’t always as they appear.
she’s been dating a while, and it’s possible that as time passes by, her parents may decide to put their own prejudices aside because they finally realize that their daughter’s happiness is more important than their concerns. I would say, give it some time. In the meantime, go out with other women with an open mind. If this is meant to happen, her parents will hopefully come around and allow the shidduch to take place. If they never do, they you’ve probably dodged a bullet!
Jennifer Mann, LCSW is a licensed psychotherapist and dating and relationship coach working with individuals, couples and families in private practice in Hewlett, NY. She is looking forward to teaching a psychology course at Touro College in the fall. To set up a consultation or to ask questions, please call 516.224.7779. Press 2 for Jennifer. Visit www.thenavidaters.com for more information. If you would like to submit a dating or relationship question to the panel anonymously, please email thenavidaters@gmail.com. You can follow The Navidaters on FB and Instagram for dating and relationship advice.
Hi Readers! Receiving your enthusiastic emails wanting to participate in the Reader’s Respond section has been wonderful! Just a reminder about how Reader Response works. Email thenavidaters@gmail. com with the subject line “Reader Response.” We will then ask you, in the order we receive your email, if you would like to respond to the coming week’s email. If you would like to respond to an already printed Navidaters Panel, please submit your answer to the editor at editor@fivetownsjewishhome.com. You can also join us on our FB page @thenavidaters on Sunday evenings to post your response to the week’s column. Interacting with you has been a pleasure! Thank you for all of your feedback. Jennifer
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Dr. Deb
Good Eye By Deb Hirschhorn, Ph.D.
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his past Shabbos, the news in the paper took my Shabbos mood away. The current worst (or one of the worst) enemies of the Jews and civilization was killed. Great. But he took three children with him. I couldn’t help but tear up for the innocent children. There was a part of me that was kind of annoyed with myself, “What? You’re crying for the children of our enemies? You know they were being
brainwashed to hate us.” For sure. But as the Torah teaches, we can’t hold them guilty for how they might turn out. They got robbed of the chance to change. They got robbed of the possibility that many other followers of Islam have taken, which is to see the Jewish side and be our champions. Innocent little children. Robbed of life. The brutality was totally consistent with the savage that he was. But its fa-
miliarity didn’t diminish its viciousness. And unfairness. As is the case with all terrorist philosophy, life means nothing. Not mine, not yours, not anyone’s. What a waste. I got past that moment, distracting myself with my true loves – who are my adorable grandchildren. Coming home on the Van Wyck, there was an enormous slowdown. I didn’t care; I was in no rush. Leaving Shabbos – and my family – behind is always a bit hard anyway. I listened to music in the car, waiting for us to inch closer to the accident that was surely the cause of the delay. I was horrified when I got there. Two of the three lanes were blocked and not only was the retaining wall between the highway and the feeder lane blocked but there were police cars and service trucks on the other side of it as well as on the highway. Ouch. My thought immediately went to hoping no one was killed and doggone if another tear didn’t trickle down my cheek. What’s with all those tears, for crying out loud? I can only tell you that they must be my husband’s death’s gift. After that first year of struggle just to assimilate to the new reality that my husband had died, everything changed for me. Sorrow got replaced with amazement that I was alive. I was chosen to still live. Wow! I developed such a joy of every minute, such an appreciation that I had each minute, that it was only natural that I would also feel the loss of those minutes, even for other people. Now you might be wondering what
all of this has to do with happy marriages and families. The answer is: it’s foundational. How can you be happy in your marriage when you aren’t noticing, appreciating, and taking downright pleasure in each little silly, taken-for-granted thing? Breathing. Just being able to inhale fresh air. There are some of us who can’t. Standing up straight. On two legs. Do you appreciate that? Do you think about it? It’s a gift to have two working legs. Hot showers. We suddenly want them back during the Three Weeks. But they’re a gift any time. Delicious food. How many people have no idea what their food tastes like? The potential to enjoy food is huge but most people pass it up in order to read the paper, discipline kids, argue, plan the day, or watch something stupid on various devices. I went to yoga today. I was feeling very creaky but glad to be there. Someone decided to complain about the dreary weather. What for? When I got back in my car it said it was 65 degrees. That’s pretty good. Unlike California, I don’t see any fires around here. Unlike the Midwest, we have not started with the freezing temperatures and blizzards yet. Okay, Florida is beautiful. This is the time to be there – for a few weeks. Then it gets blazing hot again. So what’s the complaint? Our hots and colds are milder than everywhere else and don’t last as long. Can you just feel the wonderfulness of that? I’m working with a couple that has a choice right now. They can keep beating the tom-toms of the past hurts and the lets-get-evens for it or they can look
at each other with compassion for the pain the other is feeling – which they have to recognize was partially inflicted by them. They can feel like victims and keep up their defenses, or they can be vulnerable and human. Which will it be? You see, it’s all the same. Whether you’re inclined to complain about the weather or whether your complaint is deeper, with your spouse or child, you always have the choice of seeing the good or focusing on what you don’t like. There will never be a time when everything is perfect. At least not here on this Earth. For that, we have to wait for Gan Eden. But I reject Gan Eden. I’m not ready. That’s the gift of my husband’s death. I don’t want it. I want Life. And if the cost of that is imperfection, so be it. I still have a choice of elevating the problem to the highest level – or, instead, seeing the good. Rebbetzin Jungreis, z”l, called it having an ayin tov, a good eye. Really, it’s a funny expression. Since it’s refer-
ring to what we see, our eye shouldn’t be called good or bad. Yet, that’s not true. We ourselves, and our bodies along with us, are changed – literally changed – by our focus. Our eye actually becomes good or not based on what we’re seeing. Scientists have proven this. Our
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notice the resulting bad feelings and think something is wrong. But there is a way out of this. We can soothe our bodies and our brains. We can learn to tell ourselves to see the good and not make too much of a fuss anymore over the small stuff that used to bother us. We literally can train our
You always have the choice of seeing the good or focusing on what you don’t like.
first line of action when the environment impinges on us takes place in our bodies very slightly. We might not notice, and probably don’t notice, the secretion of hormones, the change in blood pressure, the shutting down of blood vessels as our senses pick up the subtle cues that signal stress. We just
bodies and our minds to stop the constant fire alarms, the false alarms that make our lives miserable. We can train ourselves to focus on and immerse in the pleasant feelings of the good. All this is a choice, of course. Terrorists would rather not. They’re missing out on life but they’ve been so
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brainwashed that they don’t care. It’s sad for them and awful for the rest of us. But did the people in those racing cars that must have slammed into the retaining wall have to think rushing was more important than everything? Beating out the other car is something to be proud of? Really? I’ll take regular life any day. It’s not boring when you train your eye to appreciate the drizzle and train your body to appreciate the warm jacket and the crisp air. And the kiss from your loved one, given with a full heart. If you’re having trouble with executing these changes in outlook, I understand. It isn’t easy. But I can help you. Talk to me about it, and let’s shed some clarity on your Life.
Dr. Deb Hirschhorn is a Marriage and Family Therapist. If you want help with your marriage, begin by signing up to watch her Masterclass at https://drdeb. com/myw-masterclass.
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Health & F tness
Quinoa, the Queen of All Grains By Cindy Weinberger MS, RD, CDN
T
o some of you, quinoa may be a new food. Some of you may have never even heard of it. Quinoa has actually been around South America for over 1,000 years, but has only gained popularity in our region over the past decade or so. Quinoa is technically a seed, but we treat it like a starch or a whole grain. It is considered to be a healthy carbohydrate and highly recommended as a whole grain. What makes quinoa so popular? Quinoa is loaded with protein. One cup of cooked quinoa contains roughly 8 grams of protein and 5 grams of fiber. It has more protein than any other whole grain, so it will keep you fuller for longer than pasta or rice. The type of protein found in quinoa is ideal, too. Quinoa is considered a complete protein, meaning it contains all nine essential amino acids, making it a great protein choice for vegetarians. Not many plant foods are complete proteins – and quinoa is one of them. Another benefit of the high protein content is that protein increases one’s metabolism and reduces your appetite by filling you up, making you eat less calories overall, thus aiding in weight loss.
Not only is quinoa packed with protein, it’s full of fiber, too. Fiber is essential in regulating digestion, lowering cholesterol levels, and keeping one satiated. The high fiber and protein combination keeps one fuller for longer, making it a great choice for anyone trying to manage his or her weight. Other nutrients found in quinoa in high concentration include potasg -
enough iron. Iron helps carry oxygen around the blood and helps us feel energized. Eating quinoa will help you reach your recommended daily amount. Quinoa also contains two flavonoids: quercetin and kaempferol. These flavonoids have been shown to have anti-inflammatory, anti-viral, anti-cancer effects. Another great quality of quinoa is that it is glu-
Not only is quinoa packed with protein, it’s full of fiber, too.
sium, riboflavin, vitamin B6, niacin, and thiamin. It’s also a good source of magnesium, copper, zinc, and manganese. Manganese is essential for development and metabolism. This element is also vital for the proper functioning of many enzymes. Iron is another nutrient found in high quantities in quinoa. Many people (especially women) don’t get
ten-free so anyone with celiac disease or gluten sensitives can eat it too. What I love so much about quinoa is its versatility. Quinoa cooks like rice: 1 cup of quinoa to 2 cups of water. Unlike rice, quinoa can be eaten hot or cold. Quinoa can be eaten instead of rice as a hot side dish (simply add olive oil, salt, and pepper). You can even add in shredded carrots,
diced peppers, onions, or just about anything to give it more flavor. Quinoa also tastes delicious when served room temperature in a salad. Quinoa can be thrown into a vegetable salad as an added protein or used as a base in a salad, giving it the term “quinoa salad.” Many also use quinoa as a protein base for a vegetarian burger, also known as a quinoa patty. You can find quinoa on almost every restaurant menu. Quinoa bowls have also become popular. That means throwing anything in a bowl on top of quinoa and making a delicious hearty meal. Find your favorite quinoa dishes and eat it any way that works for you. I guarantee you will enjoy it!
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. She is currently a dietitian at Boro Park Center and a private nutrition consultant located in Brooklyn and the Five Towns. She can be reached at CindyWeinberger1@gmail.com.
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Health & F tness
The Overuse of Antibiotics By Hylton I. Lightman, MD, DCH (SA), FAAP
A
ccording to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), at least 30% of antibiotics in this country are overprescribed and are unnecessary. Why? Antibiotics are wonderfully important, especially when necessary. The world should express gratitude posthumously to Sir Alexander Flemming (1881-1955) for inventing the world’s first antibiotic substance benzylpenicillin (Penicillin G) from the mold called Pencillium notatum in 1928. Sir Flemming was awarded the Nobel Prize in 1945 which he shared with two colleagues. Another posthumous thank you is owed to Dr. Selman Waksman (1888-1973), a Ukrainian Jew who emigrated to the United States in 1910 and received his Ph.D. in biochemistry in 1918 from the University of California. Dr. Waksman discovered streptomycim, the first antibiotic that was effective against tuberculosis. In 1952, he was awarded the Nobel Prize in physiology. These men and many other microbiologists and other health care professionals revolutionized health care for the better through their research and medicine. Imagine a world, G-d forbid, where there are no antibiotics. This would mean, for example, that there would be no treatment for strep throat. Strep throat, which is more common in children and teenagers (especially ages 5-15) than adults, is
an infection in the throat and tonsils caused by bacteria called group A Streptococcus (Group A strep). Group A strep live in the nose and throat and can spread to other people through coughing and sneezing. Strep throat does not always present with sick symptoms. Left untreated, it can cause kidney inflammation or rheumatic fever which can weaken the heart. And yet, not every sore throat is a strep throat. Sometimes, a sore throat is…just a sore throat. There is pain – a scratchiness or irritation of the throat that often worsens when you swallow. The most common cause of a sore throat (pharyngitis) is a viral infection, such as a cold or the flu. A sore throat caused by a virus resolves on its own. You read this correctly: it resolves on its own. This means there is no medicine to make it go away, although Mommy’s chicken soup helps. For real. In addition to the ingredient known as “love” (never to be underestimated), the liquid and vegetables (which are also high in liquids) causes one to urinate. Staying properly hydrated and flushing out the system is important every day, and especially when feeling unwell. Let’s now talk about another malady for which people believe antibiotics are the cure all – ear infections. Children are more prone than adults to ear infections. Unfortunately, they can be uncomfortable and even painful. Yet not all ear infections require antibiot-
ics. Seriously. It is important that a physician or experienced health care provider look in the ears to diagnose correctly whether there is an infection and, if there is an infection, whether it requires antibiotics. Believe your doctor when he tells you that antibiotics are not at that moment warranted and that you should wait it out. G-d has miraculously created the human body so it can often heal itself. Introducing antibiotics when not needed can disturb the cosmos order of the human body and not allow the body to develop its own antibodies which is a necessary part of life. Antibodies are produced by white cells that have a memory to the foreign antigen (bacteria or virus). These antibodies attack the bacteria. Experienced parents are familiar with this scenario. Nonetheless, some will beg for antibiotics even when both the rapid strep test and the overnight throat culture are negative or the ear infection is one which should be waited out (with the help of Tylenol and Motrin). Your child may be getting the strep throat. Notice the verb tense – getting. Sometimes, it takes time to emerge, and I respect a parent, especially a mother, who is asking for the antibiotics at this point, because she will know her child best. But to give antibiotics without proof of infection is not good medicine. Plenty of people go to urgent care or PAs in their homes for throat cultures or to have their children’s ears
looked at. Sometimes, I even get a report (which is legally mandated, by the way). Often, the report will state that the tests were negative. Scroll down a drop further, and it will state that Amoxicillin or something similar was prescribed. Huh? If a test is negative, then there should be no antibiotics. Period. You, my dear reader, might be scratching your head right now, wondering why physicians are against gratuitous prescriptions. The answer is simple: because unwarranted antibiotics can cause more harm than good. Let’s say you become sick with a gastroenteritis, a stomach flu. Antibiotics are not going to get you better. Yet if you take them, you will make your body and germ bacteria (which abound in each of us) drug-resistant to antibiotics. Antibiotic resistance is a problem in today’s world. When you really need antibiotics, they may not work to eliminate the harmful bacteria. If the antibiotics do not work when needed, you could be looking at more aggressive intervention. This will take a toll on your body. There may be more expensive medications and increased health care bills and hospital stays. There could be multiple office visits to your primary care provider and/or specialists to find the correct antibiotics. Because of the overuse of antibiotics, the field of infectious diseases is challenged to finding appropriate antibiotics.
There are medicines today for bacterial infections that not so long ago prevented the spread of disease and even reduced serious complications. Unfortunately, overprescribing them has led to resistant bacteria to pneumococcal infections like pneumonia, meningitis, MRSA or Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, and tuberculosis, to cite a few examples. It is becomingly increasingly less uncommon that when there has been an over-usage or misusage of antibiotics, there are abnormal bacteria that proliferate in the gastrointestinal tract. The “good” bacteria are killed by antibiotics. C-difficile, which not so long ago was a sickness found in nursing homes and hospital acquired infections, is becoming prevalent in the general population. The havoc that it wreaks on a person’s bowels and their frequent trips to the bathroom are far from pleasant. The antibiotics for this are difficult to administer to a child. Fecal
transplants, which are needed to reset healthy gut flora, are becoming growing in number. Further, studies from Israel show that the earlier the introduc-
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sistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) are part of a group of germs that live in the intestines of some people. They’re related to E. coli, which are normal to have in your intestine and
Believe your doctor when he tells you that antibiotics are not at that moment warranted and that you should wait it out.
tion of antibiotics to an infant or child, the greater the chance of them becoming obese when older. Why? Because overusing and/or misusing antibiotics changes the gut flora. Then there are superbugs. You read it correctly. Carbapenem-re-
stool. The difference is that these germs mutate and become resistant to antibiotics. Some CRE are resistant to so many medications that they are untreatable and, unfortunately, up to half of patients infected may die. This is trouble-
some because carbapenems used to be one of the only antibiotics that could successfully treat another Enterobacter “superbugs.” Yes, I am scaring you with facts. When partnering with your doctor, trust him when he says to wait out something or to return in several days for a recheck. This might cost you another copay (which is part of your insurance plan, not something “extra” for the doctor), and I understand that costs add up. But working with your doctor smartly can save you from problems down the road and on the other end. Everybody wants the best for you and your family. As always, daven.
Dr. Hylton I. Lightman is a pediatrician and Medical Director of Total Family Care of the 5 Towns and Rockaway PC. He can be reached at drlightman@totalfamilycaremd.com, on Instagram at Dr.Lightman_ or visit him on Facebook.
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Shabbos Under Pressure With Shabbos starting earlier, we’re all under pressure to get things done earlier than usual. Here are some dishes made using a pressure cooker to help prepare Shabbos in record time.
By Sharon Matten
Pareve • Gluten-free Modes: Manual high pressure; Pressure Release: Manual release
INGREDIENTS
PREPARATION
1 pound butternut squash, peeled, seeded and diced into 1/2-1- inch cubes 2 pounds (4 cups apples), peeled, diced into 1/2-1-inch cubes 1/2 cup light brown sugar or maple syrup 1 tablespoon olive oil 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lime juice 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg 1/4 teaspoon salt 1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper 1 cup chopped pecans 1 cup goji berries 1/2 cup dried cranberries
Place the cup of added water into the EPC (electric pressure cooker) pot.
Added Water 1 cup water
Add the diced squash and apples. Sprinkle the light brown sugar/maple syrup, olive oil, freshly squeezed lime juice, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt and freshly ground black pepper over the squash. Lock the lid and close the pressure valve. Cook using manual high pressure mode for 7 minutes, then manually release the pressure. Stir the pecans, goji berries, and dried cranberries into the squash mixture. Serve warm. Note: If you have trouble finding goji berries, you can substitute dried cranberries.
Apple Pecan Squash with Goji Berries
I first found goji berries in my favorite spice store, Rambam, in the Jerusalem market Machaneh Yehuda. They were different than any other berry I’d ever seen, and I really liked their flavor. I found that they are perfect in salads, rice, and other side dishes. Their red color really makes dishes pop. Don’t forget to stop by Rambam and buy some of the “Sharon’s Mix” and say hi to Chaim for me!
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Fruity Noodle Kugel My husband calls Fruity Noodle Kugel “The ugly duckling of the Shabbos meal.” I think when the kugel is as delicious and as pretty as this one, it should be called “The beautiful princess of the Shabbos meal”. Anything that has fruit cocktail and maple syrup can’t be anything but fabulous. I serve this kugel on a pedestal cake stand for dramatic effect because there is never enough drama at the Shabbos table. Pareve • Gluten-free Modes: Manual high pressure; Pressure Release: Natural release/Manual release Materials needed: 7-inch x 3-inch round pan with a tight-fitting lid
INGREDIENTS 12 oz. wide egg noodles, uncooked 1 (29-30 oz.) can fruit mix with cherries in syrup 1 (20-oz.) can crushed pineapple, undrained 1/2 cup granulated sugar 1/4 cup pure maple syrup 1/4 cup canola oil 4 large eggs 1/4 cup all-purpose flour 1/4 cup light brown sugar Added Water 1/2 cup water PREPARATION Spray a 7-inch x 3-inch round pan and lid with nonstick vegetable spray. Set aside. Mix the egg noodles, canned fruit (with the liquid), crushed pineapple (with the liquid), sugar, maple syrup, canola oil and large eggs together in a large bowl. Fold in the flour. Pour the mixture into the prepared pan. Cover with the tightly fitting lid. Place a rack/trivet with handles on the bottom of the EPC (electric pressure cooker) pot. Add the 1/2 cup of the added water to the bottom.
Carefully set the kugel on the rack. Lock the lid and close the pressure valve. Set the EPC to high pressure mode and cook for 10 minutes using manual high pressure mode. Naturally release the pressure for 30 minutes, then manually release the pressure. Remove the kugel from the EPC pot and remove the kugel pan lid. To finish the kugel: Sprinkle the top of the kugel with the 1/4 cup brown sugar. Place the kugel in the center of the oven and broil using medium heat for 5-7 minutes. The top of the kugel will turn a little brown and the sugar will become slightly bubbly. Serve warm or cold. Note: Taking the kugel out of the pan can be a little tricky. When the kugel has cooled, run a knife around the edge of the kugel to loosen. Place a dinner plate on top of the kugel. Place one hand under the kugel pan and one hand under the dinner plate. Quickly flip the kugel onto the plate. To serve, repeat the process with the serving plate.
Recipes excerpted from Shabbos Under Pressure by Sharon Matten by Feldheim.
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In The K
tchen
Sticky Orange Short Ribs By Naomi Nachman
I developed this brand-new recipe for a Gourmet Glatt Instagram story for Sukkot. The recipe was a hit with my family and friends so I knew I just had to share it with my Jewish Home family.
Ingredients 5 pounds short ribs ½ cup BBQ spice rub 6 cloves garlic 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard ½ cup orange juice ½ cup ketchup ½ cup honey ½ cup teriyaki sauce
Preparation Coat the ribs on all sides with spice rub and place in a large roasting pan. Mix remaining ingredients together in a small bowl and pour over the meat. Cover the meat and cook for 3 hours at 325°F. Cook’s note: This recipe also works amazing with chicken – and it freezes really well. The cooking time is 375°F for 1 hour and 15 minutes, uncovered.
Naomi Nachman, the owner of The Aussie Gourmet, caters weekly and Shabbat/ Yom Tov meals for families and individuals within The Five Towns and neighboring communities, with a specialty in Pesach catering. Naomi is a contributing editor to this paper and also produces and hosts her own weekly radio show on the Nachum Segal Network stream called “A Table for Two with Naomi Nachman.” Naomi gives cooking presentations for organizations and private groups throughout the New York/New Jersey Metropolitan area. In addition, Naomi has been a guest host on the QVC TV network and has been featured in cookbooks, magazines as well as other media covering topics related to cuisine preparation and personal chefs. To obtain additional recipes, join The Aussie Gourmet on Facebook or visit Naomi’s blog. Naomi can be reached through her website, www.theaussiegourmet.com or at (516) 295-9669.
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Notable Quotes “Say What?!”
When we moved in, white families moved out. I want to remind white folks that y’all were running from us and you’re still running. - Michelle Obama at the Obama Foundation Summit in Chicago talking about “white flight” and recalling how whites left the neighborhood when families like hers moved in
Covfefe - Name of the horse that won the Breeder’s Cup last weekend, named for the mistweet that has been tying President Trump’s detractors in knots since he tweeted that word one night in 2018 without any explanation
Great! But how do you know it was a “mistweet”? May be something with deep meaning! - Tweet by President Trump congratulating Covfefe and trolling while at it
This idea of purity and you’re never compromised and you’re politically woke, and all that stuff – you should get over that quickly…. I do get a sense sometimes now among certain young people, and this is accelerated by social media, that the way of me making change is to be as judgmental as possible about other people and that’s enough. – President Obama lashing out at his own party’s “woke culture” at his Obama Foundation Summit in Chicago
Any politician that says they will push for a law that says no TV or streaming network can brand, market, or name themselves a News Network unless the 6 most viewed hours of every night is >80% fact checked news and opinion is clearly labeled as opinion only, gets my vote…. IMO, it would reduce the partisanship in this country almost overnight. – Tweet by Mark Cuban
It’s the only thing we ever see her finish a glass of. - Manager of Southlands Care Home in Harrogate, England, talking about Dorothy Flowers, who turned 108 on October 22, and her love of champagne
MORE QUOTES
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Well, you know Democrats are extraordinary fair. We just don’t play the same way that the Republicans play. The Republicans will lie, they will undermine, they will distort, they will change the story in the middle of a discussion. And so we don’t do it like that. We make sure that we are fair, and we give the opposition the opportunity to defend themselves and to question our witnesses to do what is absolutely open and transparent. And so we are doing what we believe is the right thing to do. And again, we don’t act the way Republicans do. - Rep. Maxine Waters (D-CA) on MSNBC responding to Republican criticism of the Democrats’ impeachment inquiry since it is being conducted by Trump-hating Rep Adam Schiff (D-CA) in a SCIF in the basement of the Capitol with Republican participation being severely curtailed even while Schiff reportedly has been coaching witnesses in the middle of their testimony
I’m heartbroken about it. I would just have hoped that there would be something exculpatory, something that would say, “This is not what it seems to be,” but that’s not where we are right now. I think that right now there’s a cover up of the cover up.
This is an incredible honor that all of us will never forget. And we’d also like to thank you for keeping everyone here safe in our country and continuing to make America the greatest country to live in the world. - Nationals pitcher MVP Ryan Zimmerman addressing President Trump at a White House ceremony for the World Series champions, the Washington Nationals. He then gave the president a Nationals jersey with his name and the number 45 on it
- Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-Cali) at the Texas Tribune Conference talking about just how heartbroken she is about “ having to” impeach Trump
#fakenews. I prayed for the United States of America.
- First tweet by Ryan Zimmerman in 18 months, responding in one word to a doctored video which makes it look like Zimmerman avoided shaking hands with President Trump at the ceremony
- Ibid., telling Stephen Colbert what she did the “moment” that she heard about President Trump’s phone call with the Ukrainian president which Democrats argue was a shakedown and are using to attempt to impeach President Trump
Under this plan, not only will Bernie take executive action to legalize marijuana by removing it from the Controlled Substance Act, he will expunge past convictions of marijuana-related offenses and ensure that victims of the War on Drugs are not passed over by the burgeoning marijuana industry. – From 2020 presidential hopeful Sen. Bernie Sanders’ (IVT) official plan proposing a $10 billion federal program to legalize drugs nationwide and help former convicts work in the marijuana industry
In Florida, authorities resolved a murder with evidence obtained by an Amazon Echo. When they asked Alexa for help, she said, “Snitches get stitches.” - Jimmy Fallon
MORE QUOTES
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I think this whole concept of political correctness – “You can say this. You can’t say that. You can’t repeat what someone said” – is total foolishness and is going to destroy our nation and we need to be more mature than that. - HUD Secretary Ben Carson during congressional testimony refusing to apologize for saying that “big hairy men” should not be using women’s homeless shelters
I saw that a 3.9 billion terminal opened at LaGuardia Airport. It’s so much nicer – now all of the rats wear little bowties. – Jimmy Fallon
She may or not ever run for anything, but I can’t legally run for president again. - Former President Bill Clinton fueling rumors of another Hillary presidential run, at a Georgetown University Law School conference
California Governor Gavin Newsom called the wild fires an act of G-d. You see, G-d only exists to liberals when they have something to blame on Him...uh, her, it, they!
Her body, her choice. - Tweet by Dana Loesch, responding to a liberal criticizing a pregnant mom in Florida who used an AR-15 to kill an intruder in her home because he believes that she “didn’t need an AR-15 to defend her family and could have used a less powerful gun” Serving
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Political Crossfire
The Middle East is Still Fertile Ground for Terror Groups By Fareed Zakaria
T
he death of Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi is a real victory in the war against terror groups. The Islamic State is one of the most cruel and dangerous organizations to have roamed the planet in a long time, and its leader’s death damages it badly. But as recent protests from Iraq to Lebanon have shown, the Middle East remains a troubled region. And if Baghdadi’s death produces a greater American disengagement from the Middle East, then things could spiral downward even faster. After the 9/11 attacks, the world suddenly focused its gaze on the Middle East and recognized one seminal fact: the region was almost unique in having made no significant political, economic, or social progress in decades. Across the globe, communism had collapsed, juntas had disappeared, and economic growth had transformed developing countries. But in the Middle East, time had stood still, and even moved backward on some measures. This stagnation, many believed, was the atmosphere in which Islamic extremism and terrorism were able to grow and spread. In 2002, the United Nations released a report on Arab development, written and researched by Arab experts, that laid bare the region’s profound challenges. It identified three deficits that needed to be overcome to bring the region into the modern world: deficits of freedom, female empowerment, and knowledge. It spoke more broadly of the lack of econom-
ic opportunity, political rights, and social progress in much of the Arab world. Governments around the globe resolved that these were the crucial issues to address in the Middle East. In the following years, gains were made in several areas – such as life expectancy, literacy, and the status of women. But as the U.N.’s most recent Arab Human Development Report points out, “Since 2010 nearly all Arab countries have slowed or reversed their average annual human develop-
The economic model remains highly inefficient, expensive and unsustainable, with governments employing a huge number of people and providing massive subsidies for food and energy. Efforts at reform have had mixed results. In Egypt and Saudi Arabia, there has been some success. But it’s difficult for countries so dependent on state spending to jumpstart the private sector, particularly when their economies are reeling from low oil prices. In Egypt, the government employs
In the Middle East, time had stood still, and even moved backward on some measures.
ment advances.” This despite the fact that the Arab Spring of 2011 seemed to highlight the need for greater reforms. Why? Partly because the Arab Spring was largely a failure. Only Tunisia transitioned to democratic rule. Egypt saw the return of repressive rule, Syria experienced a civil war and the bloody resurgence of the Assad regime, and Yemen and Libya are in free fall. But even beyond these breakdowns, the region continues to face daunting challenges. The demographics remain grim. The Middle East has the highest youth unemployment rate in the world.
around 20% of the labor force. In Algeria, it’s almost 40%; in Saudi Arabia, more than 65%. In cases where the state has tried to step back, the private sector has struggled to step in. Many countries have attempted to cut subsidies, triggering protests that have often been met with repression. The hope behind the U.N.’s 2002 report was that economic and social reforms would become easier if these countries opened themselves up politically. Political openness would produce popular, elected leaders who would drain away support for Islam-
ic extremists. This was the appealing idea behind George W. Bush’s freedom agenda, which was rooted in some serious thinking about the region. But little of it worked. Political openings mostly led to insurgencies, sectarian violence, civil wars, and crackdowns. Places like Lebanon and Jordan that have maintained their unity and stability remain fragile, and very little reform has taken place. Perhaps the most important result of the enduring turmoil in the Arab world has been America’s withdrawal from the region. Starting in the second term of the Bush administration, through Barack Obama’s presidency and now into Donald Trump’s, America has gotten fed up with the Middle East. It now seems content to rid itself of responsibility for this messy, unstable part of the world. When Trump says that he wants to end the forever wars, large parts of the public agree. So we see an emerging post-American Middle East, with various regional powers jockeying for influence, mainly Saudi Arabia and Iran, along with others like Turkey and Israel, pushing their own interests. These are uncharted waters in a time of great upheaval – Syria has produced more than 5 million refugees and Yemen faces the world’s worst humanitarian crisis. The Islamic State has been decapitated and is scattered for now, but the demons that have fueled such terror – stagnation, repression, despair – continue to haunt today’s Arab world. (c) 2019, Washington Post Writers Group
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Political Crossfire
Hezbollah Had Been Nearly Untouchable in Lebanon By David Ignatius
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he anti-corruption protests that have swept Lebanon over the past two weeks have a remarkable and little-noted feature: They’re in open defiance of Hezbollah, the Iranian-backed militia that dominates Lebanese politics. And there’s another aspect of this reform movement that’s highly unusual for a Middle East that often seems addicted to bad news: it appears to be succeeding, at least initially. Prime Minister Saad Hariri and his government resigned last Tuesday, and President Michel Aoun said on Thursday that he wants a new government of technocrats, as the protesters had demanded. “The new ministers must be chosen according to their expertise and experience, not political loyalties,” Aoun said Thursday night. A member of the protest movement told me after Aoun’s speech that Hezbollah might try to vet the new Cabinet members but added that his call for a nonpolitical government is a step forward. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo had urged formation of a new government Tuesday and called on the Lebanese army and Internal Security Forces to “ensure the rights and safety of the protesters” from Hezbollah militants who have assaulted protesters in recent days.
A senior State Department official told me during an interview Thursday afternoon that U.S. economic support might follow. “If Lebanon undertakes meaningful economic reform and fights corruption, we will work with international organizations to get inter-
had just begun, that he opposed the demand for a new government. And he warned last Friday that the street movement was creating “a vacuum [that] will lead to chaos, to collapse.” The protests continued, unabated. “Hezbollah has been deeply wounded by what happened,” said
The senior State Department official described the protests as “a remarkable development, totally indigenous, non-sectarian, almost unprecedented for Lebanon.”
national economic financing,” the official said, including unlocking the $11.7 billion package of aid that was pledged by international donors last year but remains frozen. The protesters have ignored threats from Hassan Nasrallah, Hezbollah’s leader. Nasrallah said on October 19, when the protests
Robert Fadel, a former member of Lebanon’s Parliament who has been among the protesters in the streets. The message to the Iranian-backed militia was that “they can’t continue to govern in the same way,” he said. Hezbollah had been nearly untouchable in Lebanon until this wave of demonstrations. But even
the militia’s Shiite Muslim supporters have been in the streets, despite gangs of Hezbollah militants who tried to suppress the movement. The senior State Department official described the protests as “a remarkable development, totally indigenous, nonsectarian, almost unprecedented for Lebanon.” He said the United States wanted to keep it that way and make sure that a new government actually begins reforms – such as privatizing the corrupt telecommunications and electricity sectors – rather than simply talking about such changes. Some Trump administration officials have argued for simply letting Lebanon collapse, forcing Iran and its Hezbollah proxy to pick up the pieces. But this super-hawkish view seems to have lost ground to Pompeo’s arguments for backing the reformers. The senior official summed up Pompeo’s view this way: “He believes Lebanon is worth investing in. We will support them if they’re willing to make changes.” The protesters seem happy for American support, so long as the United States keeps its distance. “We don’t want the U.S. to push Lebanon any harder,” said Fadel. “We don’t want another Venezuela here.” (c) 2019, Washington Post Writers Group
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Forgotten Her es
The Battle of Leyte Gulf The Largest Naval Battle of World War II By Avi Heiligman
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he last year of World War II took place 75 years ago, and while the Axis Powers were strategically on their last legs, they fought back with much tenacity in many battles. Battles such as D-Day, the Battle of the Bulge, the Battle of Berlin, Iwo Jima, Okinawa, and the dropping of the atomic bombs are well-known to the general public. There were other engagements that may not be taught in schools but were just as important in defeating the Axis Powers. The final defeat of the Japanese Navy happened during the Battle of Leyte Gulf 75 years ago this week. The details of this complex battle are quite intricate and so only the main points will be discussed in this article. By mid-1942 the Japanese conquests in the Pacific had largely been stopped, and the Allies, led by the U.S., were invading enemy strongholds. American shipbuilders had increased the amount of aircraft carriers from just six operational vessels to well over 100 first rate carriers. In June 1944, the balance of power had clearly shifted in the Allies’ favor as they downed 600 Japanese aircraft and sank three carriers in the Battle of the Philippine Sea. This left the Japanese naval command with just enough vessel and pilots for one major battle. Following the American landings in the Philippine Islands in October, the Japanese decided it was the right time to launch their operation. Called Shō-Gō 2 it was as complex as many of the Japanese plans were and
used most of the Imperial Navy’s available resources. Only a handful of experienced pilots remained, so instead of using carriers in their main force the Japanese decided to use the two biggest battleships ever built. The Musashi and the Yamato had 18.1-inch main guns that could lob shells over 22 miles and weighed over 70,000 tons. These two behemoths would join two other battleships and dozens of cruisers and destroyers as the powerful Center Force under Admiral Kurita. The Southern force was a splintered command under Admirals Nishimura and Shima. They were to meet up with Kurita in the waters off the Leyte beachhead that the Americans had invaded the days before. Their key to success was the decoy Northern Force under Admiral Ozawa. He had the carriers, including the Zuikaku, which was the last carrier afloat that took part in the Pearl Harbor attack, but very few planes, and was to lure the major American ships away from the battle. If all went according to plan, the American troops on Leyte and their support ships offshore would be at the mercy of the combined Japanese forces. The Americans landed on Leyte on October 20, 1944 and were trying to build airfields in the mud as the infantry rapidly advanced inland. Japanese commanders realized that the loss of the Philippines would spell disaster for the home islands and put the operation
into action within days of the American landings. Four major engagements (Battle of the Sibuyan Sea, Battle of Surigao Strait, Battle off Cape Engano, and the Battle off Samar) between the two sides took place between October 24 and 25, 1944. The Australians added two warships to the Americans’ 800. Admiral “Bull” Halsey commanded the powerful 3rd Fleet with over a dozen fast carriers, new battleships, and dozens of cruisers and destroyers. Their objective was to seek out the Japanese main force and engage them in a decisive battle. The 7 th Fleet, under Vice Admiral Thomas Kinkaid, had six old battleships including five that survived the attack at Pearl Harbor. A screening force of 16 small aircraft carriers, called jeep carriers or baby flattops, escorted by destroyers and destroyer escorts, was to support the landings. The two fleets were under two different commands and had some communication issues. The day before, two American submarines, the Dace and the Darter, encountered the powerful Japanese Center Force in the Palawan Passage. They each sank a cruiser and badly damaged another but the Darter was lost when it ran aground. All hands were saved when they were taken aboard the Dace. Scout planes from the 3rd Fleet located the Center Force in the Sibuyan Sea on the morning of October 24. Several waves of American Helldivers, Hellcat fighters, and Avenger torpedo
bombers were sent in and attacked the Center Force. Many hits were scored, and the mighty battleship Mushashi was on the receiving end of 19 torpedoes and 17 bombs. She was the only ship to have been sunk in this battle, and all but the heavy cruiser Myoko was able to continue. Japan struck back with land-based aircraft. Most were shot down by Hellcats and antiaircraft fire but one “Judy” bomber made it through the screen and dropped a bomb on the light carrier Princeton. The cruiser Birmingham came over to help fight the fires on the stricken carrier but was badly damaged when torpedoes stored in the below decks exploded. The Princeton sunk, and the Birmingham had to leave the battle zone. Most of the crew from the Princeton was transferred to other ships; her airborne planes were force to land on other carriers. Kurita turned around Center Force, and the Americans lost track of them as they were sure they were headed back home. However, late that night, he slipped through the San Bernardino Strait north of Leyte, hoping to rendezvous with the Southern Force. The task to block the two groups of the Southern Force fell to Admiral Jesse Oldendorf and his battleships. He correctly predicted where the Japanese would attempt to enter the strait and set up three defense lines. The first consisted of 39 PT (Patrol Torpedo – very small and no armor but fast) Boats
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that was to report the position of the enemy. Two squadrons of destroyers were to lay down torpedoes, and finally, cruisers and battleships were to finish off any survivors. Late during the night, Admiral Nishimura with two battleships, a cruiser and four destroyers were picked up the PT Boats who signaled Oldendorf. Only one hit from a PT boat scored but it slowed the cruiser Abukama, which was sunk by land-based aircraft the next day. Admiral Shima’s three cruisers and four destroyers did not coordinate with Nishimura and attacked independently. Even if they had communicated, they probably wouldn’t have gotten through as Oldendorf executed a perfect maneuver and trapped Nishimura’s ships. Only one destroyer and the crippled cruiser Mogami escaped. Shima saw the carnage and retired with most of his ships. Somehow, the Mogami was able to put on enough speed and fell in line with Shima’s ships. The Japanese ended their disastrous night when the Mogami and the heavy cruiser Nachi (Shima’a flagship) collided, and the Mogami was left behind. Aircraft and submarines sank the crippled ships that fell behind the main force. (It should be noted that this battle was the last time in history that battleships faced off against each other.) Just about the time that Oldendorf’s ships were congratulating themselves on a decisive night victory, a frantic call for help came from the north. The northern section of the 16-escort carriers screening the landing zone had just sighted the massive ships of the Japanese Center Force. This section, called Taffy 3 under Rear Admiral Clifton “Ziggy” Sprague, had five escort carriers, three destroyers, and four DE (destroyer escorts). This tiny force was no match for the 16- and 18-inch guns of the Japanese – the Americans largest guns were five inchers. Called the Battle off Samar it was truly a David vs. Goliath story. Halsey was supposed to be guarding the San Bernardino Strait when his planes sighted the Japanese Northern Force off of Cape Engano (which, ironicall,y means deception). He took all of his ships with him and assumed that Kinkaid would be guarding the strait in the unlikely event that Japanese ships would sail through. Halsey sunk
four carriers as the Japanese sacrificed them for the opportunity to shell the beachhead. Kurita turned around the 22 ships of Center Force and started to hit Taffy 3. In return, the destroyers laid down a smokescreen as the carriers grouped together, steaming as fast as they could away from the Japanese. Every available plane from the three Taffys was thrown helter-skelter into the battle even though most were armed for ground support. Very few had large bombs or torpedoes and some didn’t have any weapons at all. However, that didn’t stop them from attacking – even when their ammo was used up they still made “dry” runs at the enemy. This forced the Japanese to attack as individual ships and not as a coordinated effort. The destroyer Johnston braved enemy fire and steamed straight into the teeth of the enemy firing her torpedoes. She scored a hit on a heavy cruiser but was hit repeatedly and sunk. The two other destroyers and tiny destroyer escort Samuel B. Roberts made a frontal attack on the Japanese. The frantic and wild maneuvers caused Japanese fire to be concentrated on the destroyers, allowing most of the carriers to escape. The Gambier Bay was shot by the Yamato and sunk. The destroyer Hoel and the Roberts were also sunk despite their heroic attacks. It seemed that only a miracle could save Taffy 3, and then the unthinkable happened. Kurita turned around his ships and headed back to Japan. Except for a kamikaze plane that slammed into the deck of the escort carrier St. Lo that sunk her, the Japanese Navy was done fighting. The cause for this turnaround has
confused many observers but a closer look at the Japanese position at the time reveals the reasoning. First, Center Force had come into the battle after losing two cruisers the day before, and they had already lost two more to Taffy 3. Several more had been hit, and the American planes kept on coming. Kurita had no idea that two of his battleships were very close to the American carriers because his communications
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were so bad. There was no coordination between the Japanese ships. Finally, Kurita’s intelligence told him that they were fighting battleships, heavy cruisers, and large carriers when, in fact, they were much smaller ships. Thus ended the largest sea battle in history, and the Americans celebrated the victory. It came at the price of six warships and over a thousand sailors who died. The Japanese lost 28 ships and over 12,000 sailors. This was the last time the Japanese Navy attempted to disrupt American landings. Their combined fleet was a shell of its former glorious beginnings. The fighting spirit on the Johnston and the Samuel B. Roberts became legendary in American Navy lore as their historic fight saved countless American lives.
Avi Heiligman is a weekly contributor to The Jewish Home. He welcomes your comments and suggestions for future columns and can be reached at aviheiligman@ gmail.com.
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Classifieds classifieds@fivetownsjewishhome.com • text 443-929-4003
SERVICES
SERVICES
SERVICES
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MOONBOUNCE FOR RENT $100/day Holds up to 500lbs. Perfect fun for ages 3-8 Call or text 516-220-0616 to reserve your date
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GERBER MOVING FULL SERVICE MOVING Packing Moving Supplies Local Long Distance Licensed Insured 1000’S Of Happy Customers Call Shalom 347-276-7422 HAIR COURSE Learn how to wash & style hair & wigs Hair and wig cutting, wedding styling Private lessons or in a group Call Chaya 718-715-9009 SHALOM HANDYMAN Plumbing, heating, boiler, installation, sewer, locks, dryer vent cleaning and more… CALL 917-217-3676
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BELLE HARBOR NY LEGAL 2 FAMILY 5 bedrooms 3 bathrooms Brick building, 2 kitchens, LR, DR, backyard, lot, gargage & driveway Call 212-470-3856 AllGoing Realty WWW.AllGoingRealty.Com GoingRealty@gmail.com FOR SALE IN LONG BEACH Beachside Classic Tudor Newly Renovated 4 BR, 4 Baths, 2 FP, Bsmt, Deck, Garage, 6000 SF lot, $899K Beach West Realty 516-287-9735
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West Hempstead 119 Spruce Street, Cedarhurst 11516 358 Elm Street, West Hempstead 11552
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OPEN HOUSE 246 Prospect 11.10.19 11:30-1 pm
OPEN HOUSE 710 Frisco Ave Far Rockaway, 11691
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Sunday 11/10 11am - 12:30pm
Spacious Center Hall Colonial With Great Layout Ideally Located Area Of Far Rockaway For Access to Multiple Houses of Worship 4 Large Bedrooms On 2nd Fl., Master W/ Fbth, Main Fl. Family Rm. Asking $1,125,000 $999,999
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Brick SH colonial 4brs, 2.5bth, new hardwood flrs, centrally located. Call Bryna (516)322-4831 $5500/month
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Classifieds HOUSES FOR SALE PRICE REDUCED: Sprawling 4BR, 4BA Exp-Ranch, Oversized Rooms, LR W/Fplc, Formal Dining Rm, Large Den, Master Suite, Full Finished Basement, Storage Room & Office, Deck, Fabulous Property…$1.078M Call Carol Braunstein (516) 295-3000 www.pugatch.com FOR SALE IN WOODMERE Legal 3 Family on 100 x 100, Bsmt, 3 Car Garage, Brick Driveway, $849K Beach West Realty 516-287-9880
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VACATION IN JERUSALEM: Beautiful 3 bedroom apartment with porch and view available for short term in the Kaduri – Jerusalem Heights project on the 8th floor. Shisha Realty 718-408-8070 vacation@shisharealty.com
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WOODMERE: BEST BUY Spacious 2BR Apartment, Washer/Dryer In Bldg, Elevator Bldg, Open Floor Plan, 1st Floor, Close To All...$199K Call Carol Braunstein (516) 295-3000 www.pugatch.com
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AUTO LEASING AND SALES OFFICE in Five Towns looking for a full time administrative assistant. Good sense of humor is necessary. Please email resume to autoleasingandsales2019@gmail.com Seeking full time OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST for Special Education school located in Brooklyn. Experienced preferred. Competitive salary. Room for growth. resumes@yadyisroelschool.org
ATL.BCH: 100 Kings Ave(11-1)$879K CED: 333 Argyle Rd(12-1:30)$725K LAWR: 95 Briarwood Ln(12-2)$P.O.R W.HEMP: 213 Colony St(2:30-4:30)$569K Waterview!!! Magnificent 4BR, Oceanfront 3BR 4.5BA Split, 3BA Waterfront, Col, Private Beach W.HEMP: 447 Bell St(12-2)$599K 6BR, SD#14..$P.O.R Pvt Dock..$P.O.R W/Pool..$P.O.R WDMR: 78 Hartwell Pl(2:30-4)$469K WDMR: 243 Club Dr(12-1:30)$859K Border: Office Ste Will Build to Suit For Lease WDMR: 970 W Broadway(12-2)$899K Lynbrook Hewlett: 2000SF Free Standing Bldg For Lease WDMR: 112 Combs Ave(2-4)$750K Hewlett: Various Sized Retail and Office Spaces Available For Lease WOODSBURGH: 50 Hickory Rd(3-4:30)$P.O.R Woodmere: Executive Office Space Available For Lease
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Classifieds HELP WANTED
HELP WANTED
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REWARDING OPPORTUNITIES working with Men or Women with developmental disabilities living in group homes in Lawrence, Cedarhurst or Woodmere. 3pm-11pm or overnight. Call 855-OHEL-JOB www.ohelfamily.org/careers
WORK 1:1 WITH CHILDREN OR ADULTS WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES LIVING IN YOUR COMMUNITY. P/T After School hours. Will train. 718-686-3487 www.ohelfamily.org/careers
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ASSISTANT TEACHERS CAHAL is seeking part time or full time Assistant Teachers for Judaic Studies (AM) and/or General Studies (PM) for the 2019-20 school year. Send resume to shira@cahal.org or Fax 516-295-2899. Call 516-295-3666 for more information. BAIS YAAKOV ATERES MIRIAM IS SEEKING PROFESSIONAL AND CARING TEACHERS FOR ELEMENTARY SCHOOL AND PRE-1A. Also seeking assistant teachers for preschool and elementary school. Please email resume to teachingpositions1@gmail.com.
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WOODMERE
EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT LOCAL SCHOOL SEEKING AN EXPERIENCED EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT to assist Executive Director & Administrator. Responsibilities include managing schedules, coordinating with office staff, and working with vendors. Communication, computer and organizational skills required. Good pay & benefits. Email resume to mjaroslawicz@shoryoshuv.org ASSISTANTS NEEDED FOR ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, AFTERNOON SESSION. Email: fivetownseducators@gmail.com TORAH ACADEMY FOR GIRLS, FAR ROCKAWAY SEEKS QUALIFIED, EXPERIENCED MOROS, ELEMENTARY DIVISION. Please email resume to mlevin@tagschools.org Looking to hire sales people to train as NY & NJ Public Adjusters. No experience necessary, flexible hours. Call 973-951-1534
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“NEW FIVE TOWNS RESTAURANT IS LOOKING TO HIRE THE FOLLOWING POSITIONS: Experienced grill man Laffa maker Dishwasher Delivery guy Please email Ronazohar@hotmail.com 5 TOWNS BOYS YESHIVA SEEKING ELEM GEN ED TEACHERS Excellent working environment and pay. Only lic/exp need apply. 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
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ONLY A KIDNEY TRANSPLANT CAN SAVE MY BROTHER Dear Friends and Family, I am writing about my brother Yakov Suyunov, to let you know about his battle, and how you can help. This is not an easy letter for me to write, but I know that without sending this, someone who might be interested in helping won’t have that opportunity. My brother Yakov Suyunov is a wonderful man, one that is always giving and helpful. He is a deeply religious man who comes from a very religious family. He is a father of 4. Unfortunately Yakov suffers from kidney failure. Over time, his kidney disease has gotten worse causing his kidneys not to work well enough to keep him alive. This is what he is facing now, and his treatment options are limited to a kidney transplant only. I understand this is an extremely personal decision, one that takes much thought and courage. I am taking this action of writing publicly with the hope that it may yield a positive result for him. Thanks for taking the time to read this and for your consideration! If you think that you have an interest and have some questions about the process, then please call:
Aron Suyunov # (917) 351-4411
The Jewish Home | NOVEMBER 7, 2019 The Jewish Home | OCTOBER 29, 2015
Your
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Money
Pumpkin SpiceFlavored Taxes By Allan Rolnick, CPA
O
ctober is chock-full of obscure holidays and commemorat ions. Oc tober 15 – the real personal tax filing deadline – is National Grouch Day. (Coincidence? We think not.) October 19 serves up National Seafood Bisque Day (which sounds a lot tastier than October 25, National Greasy Food Day). Then there’s October 21, National Clean Your Virtual Desktop Day, which sounds like it was cooked up by the same HR funsters who think “trust falling” into a co-worker’s arms is somehow an appropriate thing to do at work. We’re telling you we’re not making any of this up. But none of those can compare to the big orange ball of fun waiting towards the end of the month. We’re talking about October 26: National Pumpkin Day. Believe it or not, pumpkins are more than just everyone’s favorite gourd – they’re responsible for generating millions of tax dollars for government everywhere. For starters, check out actual pumpkin sales. Americans are expected to spend $377 million on cucurbita pepos to carve in 2019. That means the IRS and state tax departments will harvest millions in income taxes from the farmers
who grow them, then millions more in sales taxes from the families who buy them. No wonder all those pumpkins are smiling! Next up, pumpkin pie: in 2015, Costco alone sold 5.3 million of them at $5.99 each. For those of you who weren’t math majors, that’s $31.7 million worth of creamy goodness. The high fat content in the crust, along with the egg-based
subsidiary that sells $130 million of canned pumpkin filling every year, reports that they’re just using a different strain of pumpkin that makes a richer, sweeter puree than regular carving pumpkins. Governments collecting sales on the pies can sigh in relief that they’re not abetting a scam. But while we’re on the topic of “Things That Aren’t Really Pump-
Americans will gobble $600 million worth of the stuff this fall.
custard filling, make them ideal for freezing until the end of the year celebrations. So pick up two or three and consider the extra sales tax a small price to pay for the taste of nostalgia. And next, there’s canned pumpkin pie filling. A couple of years ago, a vicious rumor started making the rounds that the glop you whip into your pie is actually just butternut squash. But Libby’s, the Nestle
kin for $200, Alex,” pies are just the warmup for the real action. Love it or hate it (and there’s not a lot of in-between), it’s pumpkin spice season. It started as a twee Starbucks gimmick. But today’s Pumpkin Spice Industrial Complex has inched its creepy tentacles into everything from candles to kale chips, and donuts to dog treats. Head to your doctor to get a flu shot, and the nurse will probably ask if you want
pumpkin spice with that. Here’s the thing. Pumpkin spice – a blend of cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, cloves, and allspice – started out as something called “pumpkin pie spice” to amp up the sometimes-bland pies. But lazy Americans quickly dropped the “pie” part. And ever since 2004, when Starbucks rolled out their flavored lattes nationwide, pumpkin spice has become a symbol for all things autumn. Americans will gobble $600 million worth of the stuff this fall, putting millions more in tax collectors’ pockets. Now, this whole discussion may sound like a silly exercise. (OK, it is.) But there’s an important lesson lurking under the filling and the whipped cream. Every financial decision you make has at least some tax consequence, even if it’s just a trip to the bakery aisle. That’s why it’s so important to keep us involved before big financial choices and to help you avoid expensive tax mistakes!
Allan J Rolnick is a CPA who has been in practice for over 30 years in Queens, NY. He welcomes your comments and can be reached at 718-896-8715 or at allanjrcpa@aol.com.
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NOVEMBER 7, 2019 | The Jewish Home OCTOBER 29, 2015 | The Jewish Home
Life C ach
Ahh! The Sound of Silence By Rivki D. Rosenwald Esq., MFT, CLC
I
want to talk about burglar alarms. Everyone installs them. But how many people actually use them? There’s a lot of tension around using these things. For instance, no one actually wants it to go off. After all, who wants to be woken up in the middle of a deep sleep? Honestly, and who wants to go downstairs and figure out what might truly be open or what the wind may have jarred out of place? Or worse, what else might really be going on? Like, if there actually is someone in your house, do you really want to rendezvous with them? Wouldn’t it be better if they snuck in, saw this was a bad idea, and just snuck back out – without a face-to-face encounter? Especially if you’re in pajamas with bed head. The other night, the alarm wouldn’t let us set it. The pad read: “central basement window,” so we
hiked down to check it out. First of all, who names these locations in your house? What does that even mean? We certainly couldn’t fig-
ones on the width of the house or the length the house? So confusing! Actually, it didn’t matter because we never found it. Maybe it was
I think the best idea is to install a robot, one that circles your house, then hits the guy over his head and calls the cops, who can then tow him away.
ure it out! Was it the center window in the glass door or the window in the center of the other two windows in the basement? And if so, was it the
someone else’s basement window our alarm was reporting to us about! In any case, our alarm wasn’t turning on that night.
So, by default, we opted for the bypass button. Seriously, how safe was that? If some central basement window was actually open, how exactly was the burglar alarm protecting us?! Alarms are either noisy and they go off by mistake, and that stinks. Alternatively, it goes off on purpose and that stinks even more! I think the best idea is to install a robot, one that circles your house, then hits the guy over his head and calls the cops, who can then tow him away. And you get to sleep soundly through it all. And best of all, you don’t have to get involved in any part of the anxiety part of the process. Don’t you think that would be a lot less alarming? Rivki Rosenwald is a certified relationship counselor, and career and life coach. She can be contacted at 917-7052004 or rivki@rosenwalds.com.
The Jewish Home | NOVEMBER 7, 2019
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