Five Towns Jewish Home - 4-26-18

Page 1

April 26, 2018

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

See page 7

Around the

Community

Your Favorite Five Towns Family Newspaper

l u o S & t r A Artist Yaeli Vogel Captures the Joy in Judaism

54 Madraigos’ Parenting Program Draws Hundreds

pg

Israel at 70 Around Town

Let’s Make America “Dip” Again

40 Olympic Athlete AJ Edelman Visits HALB

80

pg

18 Spectacularly Wrong Predictions Made Around the Time of the First Earth Day in 1970 PAGE 29

96

pg

83

ROCK SOLID COMMUNICATIONS T E L : 8 5 5 . O N Y X T E L // S A L E S @ O N Y X T E L . C O M WandWcostW. ON Y X guaranteed T E L . C|OCustomized M solutions tailored to your needs Business VOIP Phone Systems | Lowest rates effective solutions

44 – See page 3

SEASONS LAWRENCE

330 Central Avenue, Lawrence, NY 11559


2

APRIL 26, 2018 | The Jewish Home


The Jewish Home | APRIL 26, 2018

If produce c o u l d talk... Tomatoes and zucchinis don’t talk, but if they did, they would be begging our Seasons’ produce pickers to take them home. That’s because they know that all Seasons’ produce is carefully selected, gingerly packaged, beautifully displayed and brought home to the most amazing families...like yours. So if you think you’re hearing an avocado calling your name, you might not be imagining it, he probably just wants to

come home to your family. BALTIMORE • CLIFTON • LAKEWOOD • LAWRENCE • QUEENS • SCARSDALE • MANHATTAN •

SHOP 24/6 SEASONSKOSHER.COM • INFO@SEASONSKOSHER.COM

LAWRENCE

3


APRIL 26, 2018 | The Jewish Home

‫כאיש‬ ‫אחד‬ ‫בלב‬ ‫אחד‬

They were taken together.

Let us be inspired together.

AN EVENING OF INSPIRATION In memory of ELISHEVA KAPLAN and YISROEL LEVIN a”h ‫אלישבע בתיה בת יחיאל אפרים • ישראל בן ישעיה הלוי‬ PRESENTERS:

Rabbi Kenneth Hain Rav, Congregation Beth Sholom

Rabbi Moshe Brown Rav, Agudath Israel of West Lawrence

Rabbi Ephraim E. Shapiro Rav, Cong. Shaaray Tefilah of N. Miami Beach

THIS MONDAY April 30, 2018 • 7:45 PM Congregation Beth Sholom 390 Broadway, Lawrence, NY MAARIV AT CONCLUSION Separate Seating

Sponsored by: Achiezer, Agudath Israel of West Lawrence, Congregation Beth Sholom, Congregation Kneseth Israel, Torah Academy for Girls and Yeshiva Darchei Torah

mazdesign 718.471.6470

4


The Jewish Home | APRIL 26, 2018

this sunday this sunday this sunday A N N UA L L e g i s l at i v e B r e a k fa st

A

Hidden Gem

Celebrating

46 years of pass io n at e ly

helping our community

Sunday, April 29th, 2018 At 9 : 3 0 a m

Congregation Kneseth Israel

the whi te s hu l • 728 Emp ire Avenue • Fa r Rockaway, NY 11691

Richard Altabe

HONORING Assemblywoman Stacey Pheffer Amato

bo a r d CHA IR JCCRP Pr incipa l of H.A.L.B. Lower Di v is ion

Asse mblywoma n of Distr ict 23

Audrey Pheffer Lifetime Achievement Award

Public Service Award

Councilman Chaim Deutsch

Councilman of the 48 th Distr ict for the New Yor k Ci t y Cou ncil Ch a ir of the NYC Cou ncil Jewis h Caucus

City Legislative Leadership Award

Manny Silva

Chief of staff for Cou ncilma n Donova n Rich a r ds of Distr ict 31

Community Service Award

g u e st s p ea k e r :

Rabbi Eytan Feiner, Shlita

To place an ad or make reservations please call

718.327.7755

or email info@jccrp.org

BENEFITS & ENTITLEMENT ENROLLMENT CAREER COUNSELING CRISIS INTERVENTION FINANCIAL COUNSELING DOMESTIC VIOLENCE INTERVENTION HOUSING ASSISTANCE KOSHER CLIENT CHOICE FOOD PANTRY LEGAL ASSISTANCE MEDICAID ENROLLMENT & ADVOCACY MEDICARE ENROLLMENT & ADVOCACY MENTAL HEALTH SCREENING RENTAL ASSISTANCE SERVICES FOR HOLOCAUST SURVIVORS SNAP (FOOD STAMPS) ENROLLMENT & ADVOCACY UTILITY SHUT-OFF PREVENTION

5


6

APRIL 26, 2018 | The Jewish Home

Dear Readers,

E

very one of us is an artist. We each have unique, innate abilities that manifest themselves in different ways. And we can use our talents to work our magic to create something different, something more, something original – something that wasn’t there before. A painter is, of course, an artist. So is a musician, who takes pieces of sound and weaves them into a tapestry of harmony. A writer uses words to create masterpieces. He draws in his readers and creates a different reality for them, bringing them to lands they’ve never visited or introducing them to people they’ve never met. His words are just ink on paper but with them he can bring people to tears or make them laugh in surprise. He can anger them, he can placate them. He can make them more informed. Baking and cooking have become art in this generation. Flour, sugar, yeast, and eggs miraculously become bread in just a few hours. But bakers and cooks nowadays do more than just fill your belly. Today it’s about transforming your palate, delighting your senses, feasting your eyes. The end result? A masterpiece on your plate. Dare I say that a teacher is an artist?

On the first day of school she is met with tens of students sitting before her, bright eyes and open minds. And slowly, over the next few months, she nurtures their curiosities, expands their minds, fills their hearts. She molds them into more mature people, motivates them to grow, brings them closer to Yiddishkeit. No longer are they the same people who stared at her in awe back in September. They have grown and changed and have become different – better – young men and women. In this vein, parents are the ultimate artists in this world. When they welcome their baby with his or her first cry they see a small infant dependent on their parents for everything. And it’s the parents who encourage and motivate their children and help them grow into better people. It’s the parents who shape them and mold them into finer Jews and kinder people. It’s the parents who believe in them and support them and – when the time comes – help them to leave the cozy nest so that they can build their own. Parents are the ultimate artists – partners in masterpieces, their children. Wishing you a wonderful week, Shoshana

Yitzy Halpern PUBLISHER

publisher@fivetownsjewishhome.com

Yosef Feinerman MANAGING EDITOR

ads@fivetownsjewishhome.com

Shoshana Soroka EDITOR

editor@fivetownsjewishhome.com

Nate Davis Editorial Assistant Nechama Wein Copy Editor Berish Edelman Mati Jacobovits Design & Production Gabe Solomon Distribution & Logistics P.O. BOX 266 Lawrence, NY 11559 Phone | 516-734-0858 Fax | 516-734-0857 Classified: Deadline Monday 5PM classifieds@fivetownsjewishhome.com text 443-929-4003 The Jewish Home is an independent weekly magazine. Opinions expressed by writers are not neces­ sarily the opinions of the publisher or editor. The Jewish Home is not responsible for typographical errors, or for the kashrus of any product or business advertised within. The Jewish Home contains words of Torah. Please treat accordingly.

Shabbos Zemanim

Weekly Weather | April 27 – May 3

Friday, April 27 Parshas Achrei Mos-Kedoshim 27

Showers

53° 47°

28

29

30

1

Partly Cloudy

Mostly Sunny

Sunny

Sunny

56° 44°

56° 42°

60° 49°

65° 54°

2

Sunny

66° 55°

3

Candle Lighting: 7:28 pm Shabbos Ends: 8:32 pm Rabbeinu Tam: 9:00pm

Partly Cloudy

66° 55°

Sponsored by

eretzhachaim.org


SAMBELSKY.com

The Jewish Home | APRIL 26, 2018

TM

C E DA R H U RST

137 Spruce Street Cedarhurst, New York 516-569-2662

WOODMERE

1030 Railroad Ave Woodmere, New York 516-295-6901

FAX: 516-569-8376

GourmetGlatt.com /gourmetglatt

Always Fresh. Always Gourmet.

7


8

APRIL 26, 2018 | The Jewish Home

Contents LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

8

COMMUNITY 8

Readers’ Poll Community Happenings

40

NEWS Global

13

National

28

Odd-but-True Stories

35

ISRAEL

90

Israel News

21

My Israel Home

78

PEOPLE Art & Soul: Artist Yaeli Vogel Captures the Joy in Judaism Har Herzl: Remembering the Fallen by Avi Heiligman

80 110

PARSHA Rabbi Wein

70

Our Lifeblood by Rav Moshe Weinberger

72

JEWISH THOUGHT Hate Speech by Eytan Kobre

74

What If? by Rabbi Mordechai Yaffe

76

HEALTH & FITNESS Alternatives to Getting Defensive by Dr. Deb Hirschhorn 90 Gaining Weight by Eating too Little by Aliza Beer MS, RD 92

110

Moms Taking Care of Themselves by Dr. Hylton I Lightman 94 FOOD & LEISURE

Make America Dip Again by Naphtali Sobel

96

The Aussie Gourmet: Asian Steak Salad

98

Dear Editor, I found Professor Benny Morris’s comments on the 1948 War of Independence in Israel to be interesting. He said that the reason why the Jews won was that they were a cohesive army that was trained in warfare and that they had a unified, strong desire to build for themselves a homeland. It’s true, there was a strong hope for rebuilding. We were a nation that was broken by the Holocaust and we all wanted a place to call our home. But don’t think that it was just our desire that made us victorious. It was the desire of the One Above Who orchestrated overt miracles that led to our victory. To say anything other than that is not telling the whole story. Chaim Heller Dear Editor, Rafi Sackville’s article this week on celebrating Yom Ha’atzmaut in Israel was perfect! It was wonderful to hear about the speakers that he heard from in shul – everyone has their own, unique story to tell. I wish I was there as our nation celebrated 70 years in the Holy Land! Avigayil Normer Dear Editor, Rav Rontzki, zt”l, was a man who saw past people’s yarmulkes and shirts and looked directly into their souls. He saw the good in each person, regardless of their situation and station in life. He uplifted each person he encountered with love, encouraged them to reach higher and

become better. And he truly cared for each person. He will be missed but his legacy will live on. We can all emulate his actions by reaching out to others and showing them love without boundaries. A kind gesture, a moment of appreciation, a positive outlook into a potentially hurtful or stress situation...these are all ways we can become better people and continue his work of ahavas Yisroel. And what a better time to do so than in yimei ha’sefira, to show our fellow Jews how much we love them despite our differences. May we all share in each other’s joy and happiness. Sincerely, Gedaliah Hertz Dear Editor, Very interesting information this week in your joke/riddle section about Albert Einstein being asked to become Israel’s president. It shows just how smart he was – that he understood that he was not the right person for the job and so he turned it down. Not every person is so honest with themselves to forgo an honor when they understand that the position would be best served by someone else. Yair Grenman

In last week’s issue, we inadvertently inserted the incorrect title for the article on page 55. The correct title is: “WayFind: Choosing the Right Path.” TJH regrets the error.

LIFESTYLES 18 Spectacularly Wrong Predictions by Mark J. Perry

83

Dating Dialogue, Moderated by Jennifer Mann, LCSW

86

Your Money

117

I’m No Phone-y! by Rivki D. Rosenwald Esq., CLC, SDS

118

HUMOR Centerfold

68

POLITICAL CROSSFIRE Notable Quotes

100

The Senate Must Confirm Pompeo by Marc A. Thiessen

106

Space: The New Frontier of Warfare by David Ignatius

108

CLASSIFIEDS

112

How often do you exercise? Never

Once a week

%

%

2-3 times a week

Every day

33 11 % % 23 33


The Jewish Home | APRIL 26, 2018

Seasons Annual

SCHOLARSHIP BREAKFAST To Benefit Project Extreme

MIRYAM’S HOUSE

HONORING YUDI AND FAIGIE HOCHHEISER

SHABBATONS

YOM TOV PROGRAMS

CAMP EXTREME GIRLS

GUEST SPEAKERS RABBI EYTAN FEINER DON GHERMEZIAN

at the home of MICHAEL & MICHELLE EDERY EVENING EVENTS

CAMP EXTREME BOYS

HELPLINE

22 Meadow Lane Lawrence, NY 11559

SUNDAY, MAY 6, 2018 AT 9:30 am R.S.V.P. (516) 612-3922

ayalah @ projectextreme . org

www . projectextreme . org

Thank you to our Corporate Sponsors PROJECT EXTREME CRISIS TEXT LINE TEXT:

Nachum & Dena Aber Yehuda & Rochella Abraham Pinny & Julie Ackerman Dr. Baruch & Rena Adler Yedidya & Adi Aryeh Tzvi & Chava Barax Dr. Howard & Lucy Beim

Abraham & Sherree Belsky Berel & Faigie Gelbstein Josh & Nadja Graff Yedidya Greenbaum Dr. Ernie & Sara Isaacson Tuly & Tzippy Kaplan Shimie & Chani Klein

b r e a k f a s t

COMMITTEE Leon & Shalvie Lantsman Rabbi Reuven & Rochele Levine Adam & Michal Mayer Yoni & Yehudis Paritzky

Sendy & Sara Rabinowitz Shabsie & Tzippy Schiffenbauer Laizer Shtundel Aron & Rochel Solomon David & Maxine Somerstein Herbert & Shoshana Somerstein Moshe & Janine Somerstein

LEV

TO:

741741

Dovi & Rikki Steinberg Rabbi Yonah & Chavy Stern Matt & Racheli Teichman-Rosenblatt David & Chanie Tilis Yitzy Travis David & Mattie Weinberg

9


10

APRIL 26, 2018 | The Jewish Home

"THE WORLD IS ARTSCROLL'S CLASSROOM"

FROM

THIS MONUMENTAL PROJECT CONTINUES NEW‫ת‬

‫ הל‬MS ‫ים‬A L

PS

WITH AN ENGLISH TRANSLATION AND A NEW COMMENTARY ANTHOLOGIZED FROM RABBINIC LITERATURE

‫ תהלים‬Psalms

Discover the sweetness, magnificence, and depth of Tehillim, the beloved book of Klal Yisrael.

THIS BRILLIANT, ELEVATING SERIES BELONGS IN EVERY JEWISH LIBRARY!

NEW!

A B

BAMIDBAR VOL. 1

C

(Bamidbar-Korach)

Created by an extraordinary team of talmidei chachamim, this is the finest elucidation of Or HaChaim in any language. It includes:

A Text of the Chumash, Targum, and Rashi, fully vowelized B Accurate, well-researched, vowelized Or HaChaim text C Flowing interpretive translation of Or HaChaim, following

D Volumes available in this series: Bereishis — complete in 2 volumes Shemos — complete in 2 volumes In preparation: Bamidbar Volume 2

EVERYDAY PEOPLE. AMAZING COURAGE.

the famed pattern of the ArtScroll Talmud, Rashi, and Ramban D Remarkably clear explanatory notes 4 Introductions of concepts 4 7”x10” page size

Lag Ba’omer Titles Lag Ba’omer

by Rabbi Shimon Finkelman

NEW!

Lag Ba’omer and Tu Bishvat with Bina, Benny and Chaggai HaYonah

by Yaffa Ganz

Their stories — and the stories behind their stories by C. Saphir

The first collection of LifeLines stories in book form were enjoyed by many thousands of eager and interested readers. Now, in LifeLines 2, author C. Saphir shares with us more absorbing, real stories of real people, with an important bonus feature — brand-new, never-before-published “Postscripts” that bring us updates on the narrators’ lives and add another riveting level to their stories.

The following ArtScroll sefarim are available for your daily learning programs:

The Schottenstein Edition Talmud Bavli and Yerushalmi; Yad Avraham Mishnah Series; Schottenstein Edition Mishnah Elucidated; Ryzman Edition Hebrew Mishnah; Kleinman Edition Kitzur Shulchan Aruch; Kleinman Edition Daily Dose of Torah. This Shabbos, Iyar 13: Daf Yomi Bavli – Zevachim 15 / Daf Yomi Yerushalmi – Sanhedrin 30 / Mishnah Yomi – Kesubos 6:7-7:1 / Kitzur Shulchan Aruch Yomi – 84:5-15

Available at your local Hebrew bookseller or at www.artscroll.com • 1-800-MESORAH (637-6724)


The Jewish Home | APRIL 26, 2018

30SALE

00 OVER 1TO S E TS S E CHOO ! F RO M

% OFF

list price

SALE ENDS

5-14-18

TREAT YOURSELF AND STOCK UP FOR ALL YOUR GIFT-GIVING NEEDS! COMPLETE LISTING OF ALL BEST-SELLING SETS INCLUDED IN SALE: 4Aryeh Kaplan Anthology by Rabbi Aryeh Kaplan 4Aleinu L’Shabei’ach by Rabbi Yitzchok Zilberstein 4Baal HaTurim (Davis Edition) 4Bereishis (Tanach Series) by Rabbi Meir Zlotowitz 4Book of Mitzvos / Sefer HaChinuch (Schottenstein Edition) 4Call of the Torah by Rabbi Elie Munk 4Children’s Siddur and Tehillim by Shmuel Blitz 4Chinuch Chumash (Menukad / Non-Menukad) 4Chumash (Stone Edition) 4Daily Dose of Torah Series 1, 2, and 3 (Kleinman Edition) 4Family Haggadah Leatherette 4Family Zemiros Sets — Interlinear and Leatherette 4Festivals in Halachah by Rabbi S. Y. Zevin 4Insights in the Torah by Rabbi Zalman Sorotzkin

4Interlinear Chumash (Schottenstein Edition) 4Interlinear Kiddush Levanah Set (Schottenstein Edition) 4Interlinear Siddur and Tehillim (Schottenstein Edition) 4Jewish History — A Trilogy by Rabbi Berel Wein 4Kosher by Design Cookbook Series by Susie Fishbein 4Kitzur Shulchan Aruch (Kleinman Edition) 4Laws of Shabbos by Rabbi S. B. Cohen 4Lesson a Day by Rabbi Shimon Finkelman 4Machzor — Classic and Interlinear 4Midrash Rabbah (Kleinman Edition) 4Megillos (Tanach Series) by Rabbi Meir Zlotowitz 4Later Prophets (Milstein Edition) 4Mishnah Elucidated (Schottenstein Edition) 4Mishnah Yad Avraham 4Mishnah — Hebrew Edition (Ryzman Edition)

4Pirkei Avos Treasury by Rabbi Moshe Lieber 4Ramban on Chumash 4Rashi on Chumash (Sapirstein Edition) 4Rav Lau on Avos 4Early Prophets (Rubin Edition) 4Sand and Stars by Yafffa Ganz 4Sfas Emes by Rabbi Yosef Stern 4Stories My Grandfather Told Me by Zev Greenwald 4Story a Day by G. Sofer 4Studies in the Weekly Parashah by Rabbi Yehuda Nachshoni 4Tales of Tzaddikim by G. Matov 4Tanach (Stone Edition) 4Talmud Sets (Schottenstein Edition) 4Tehillim (Tanach Series) by Rabbi A. C. Feuer 4Treasury of Chassidic Tales by Rabbi S. Y. Zevin 4Weekly Midrash

Order now at www.artscroll.com 1-800-MESORAH (637-6724) or visit your local Hebrew bookseller.

11


12

APRIL 26, 2018 | The Jewish Home


The Jewish Home | APRIL 26, 2018

The Week In News

A Castro by Another Name

Terror in Toronto

It was an idyllic day in Toronto, one of the first warm days of spring. Suddenly, in the middle of the crowded lunch hour, around 1:30 p.m., a white rental van veered off the avenue and plowed onto the sidewalk, mowing people down for several blocks until it eventually came to a halt. Ten people were killed in the attack; more than a dozen were injured. Alek Minassian, 25, was apprehended by police officers as he waved an object at them after leaving the van. The murderer was held on ten counts of murder on Tuesday and 13 counts of attempted murder. Police are not yet confirming that it was terrorism. Witnesses say that Minassian was looking people in the eye as he drove, driving on the sidewalk as fast as 30 miles per hour on some blocks. He did not make any effort to stop, deliberately mowing down victims as he drove. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau dismissed the possibility of terrorism, saying that authorities see no national security element in the case. He told a news conference that the incident “hasn’t changed the overall threat level in Canada,” though it occurred as Cabinet ministers from the G7 nations were meeting in Toronto. Minassian, who lived in the Toronto suburb of Richmond Hill, had not been known to police previously. An online social media profile described him as a college student. The first victim to be identified in the attack was Anne Marie D’Amico. She worked at an investment management firm near the site of the attack and was known for her upbeat personality.

For the first time in 40 years, the president of Cuba is not named Castro. Miguel Díaz-Canel officially became the island nation’s new president last week after 86-year-old Raul Castro stepped down. Though Castro will remain the head of the Communist Party, the most powerful governing body in the small nation, his departure represents a shift in Cuba’s political leadership. The move is being made to ensure that Cuba’s younger generation of leaders can maintain the power of the Communist-run government that was put into place over 40 years ago. Díaz-Canel will have a good chance to prove his worthiness as Cuba will look to him to help fix the economic stagnation and a younger generation’s frustration with its limited opportunities. Raul Castro served two 5-year stints as Cuba’s president after his older brother Fidel transferred power to him in 2006. Experts are not sure how much real power DíazCanel will wield while Castro is still leading the Communist party. “I think it’s going to be very tough for him,” said Pedro Freyre, chair of international practice for Akerman LLP. “I don’t know that he can do it.” The presidential transition comes during a very difficult financial time for the small country. The average salary in Cuba is $30 a month and many Cubans are feeling frustrated over the slow speed of the market reforms that were put into place by Raúl Castro in 2011. The tourism industry has slowed significantly as relations between Cuba and the United States have cooled since President Trump took the White House. The Trump administration pulled 60 percent of the staff stationed there last year after embassy staff members became ill in a series of unexplained health incidents. Canada also recently asked most of their staff to come home after they were also sickened in Cuba.

Brooklyn’s largest gathering of real estate professionals

Tuesday, May 8th 5pm – 10pm @ the Dyker Beach Golf Course 1030 86th Street & 7th Avenue Brooklyn, NY 11228

Buffet dinner 7:30pm Learn & Network with Industry Leaders Hundreds of investors, brokers, developers, and others from Real Estate related industries will enjoy an evening of education, networking, & deal making.

4 Seminars 5:30 pm 4 Keynote 6:30pm

4 Networking 4 Speed Mentoring

Jordan Slone, CEO

Harbor Group International

Brought To You By:

CHYE

Sponsors:

J

EST. 2004

Media Sponsor:

e To see the ful l eve nt sch edu le and to res erv you r spo t, Log on To Att endJCo nn. com For more information or sponsorship info, please call:

Yehoshua Werde 718.874.0100 - RabbiW@CHYE.info Yitzy Weinberg 718.407.1832 - yitzy@jccmp.org

$50 d

E a r ly B ir

$ 6 0 3rd

A ft e R M ay

Enter code Jewishhome10 for 10% off!

13


14

APRIL 26, 2018 | The Jewish Home

Another Prince Charming

Great Britain has a new prince. The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge announced that they had their third child in a tweet that read: “Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cambridge was safely delivered of a son at 1101hrs. The baby weighs 8lbs 7oz. The Duke of Cambridge was present for the birth. Her Royal Highness and her child are both doing well. The Queen, The Duke of Edinburgh, The Prince of Wales, The Duchess of Cornwall, Prince Harry and members of both families have been informed and are delighted with the news.” The young prince has been born into a busy palace, as his big broth-

er, Prince George, is four and his big sister, Princess Charlotte, is only two years old. People are already taking bets on what the newest royal’s name will be. Bookmakers are favoring Arthur – one of Prince Charles’s middle names – and then Albert, Philip, Frederick, and James. Not wasting any time, the Duchess’s personal stylists came into the hospital only two hours after the birth to get her ready for the “big reveal” on the steps of the Lindo Wing, a tradition that Princess Diana established when William was born in 1982. The new prince, whose title will be His Royal Highness Prince of Cambridge, is the sixth great-grandchild of the queen and fifth in the line to the throne. Interestingly, the new baby will not replace his sister’s position as fourth in line to the throne, a first for the royal family which used to give princes preference over their sisters when determining succession to the throne. In 2015, The Succession to the Crown Act went into effect and amended the rules surrounding succession to the British throne so it is no longer dependent on gender. Under the new law, males born after October 28, 2011 cannot overtake their older

Come Check Out The

New Shoppe in Town

Specializing in 0-12 months Stretchies Blankets Paci clips Pompom hats And more...

Follow us on instagram @blueberrylayette to see our weekly hours posted

728 Almont Road Far Rockaway NY 11691 Call/ text Nechama Alter for an appointment (516)306-3314

sisters in line to the throne. Prince Harry, the new baby’s uncle, was affected by his birth. He was pushed to sixth place after the new addition. He is set to be married on May 19. His fiancée, Meghan Markle, was raised as a Catholic. The new law also allows for members of the Royal Family to marry a Roman Catholic and still become king or queen.

China Broadens Ban on Recyclables

China’s ban on imported solid waste has been extended to more types of recyclable materials, including steel waste, used auto parts, and old ships. The trash import ban that Beijing implemented last year has

been very problematic for the global recycling industry but has also led to the rethinking of how the world handles its waste. Many towns in Australia have been sending their recyclable wastes to landfills because they cannot afford to recycle it after China instituted the ban. In the United Kingdom, hundreds of tons of low-grade plastics are being stored and eventually sent to the incinerator because they are too expensive to recycle. The United States Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries is warning that China’s ban is disrupting global supply chains and may lead to companies using new materials over recycled ones. Experts say that most countries are now being forced into a wake-up call on how they handle trash. The United Kingdom, United States, Australia, Japan, and many other countries have been relying on China to buy their trash from them. Thirty-one percent of America’s scrap commodity exports were sent to China in 2017. Several countries are now talking about imposing taxes on some plastics to encourage people to use fewer materials. Others, like Australia, have invested tens of millions of dollars to help local councils with the waste


The Jewish Home | APRIL 26, 2018

Chain Events of

RCCS GENERAL 2017

2312

WORLDWIDE PATIENTS

FIVE TOWNS unite for RCCS

41

FIVE TOWNS 2017 BUDGET

FIVE TOWNS PATIENTS SERVICES RCCS PROVIDES

RCCS 2017 BUDGET

8,993,266

$

INSURANCE PREMIUM GRANTS

228,054

$

INSURANCE ADVOCACY

MEDICAL SUBSIDIES

MEDICAL DIRECTION

LAWRENCE

CEDARHURST/ WOODMERE

NORTH WOODMERE

MAY 13TH

MAY 27TH

JUNE 27TH

Motty & Hadassa JACOBOWITZ 175 Central Ave.

Yossi & Dena EISENBERGER 243 Oakwood Ave.

A Rofeh Cholim Cancer Society 762 Bedford Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11205

P 718.722.2002

Dovy & Suri SCHWADEL 625 Colfax Pl.

E info@rccscancer.org W rccscancer.org

15


16

APRIL 26, 2018 | The Jewish Home

Get Connected Try the hearing aids that stream

directly from your phone! Call 516-295-1300 to receive a complimentary hearing evaluation and try these devices for 45-days, RISK-FREE

Dr. Shalom Motechin 513 Chestnut St. · Cedarhurst, NY 11516 | 516-295-1300 921 49th St. · Brooklyn, NY 11219 | 718-283-8456 hearingsolutionsli.com The following insurances are accepted as full or partial payment, depending on the plan: Oxford, United Health Care, Empire Blue Cross Blue Shield, Healthfirst, Empire Plan, United Federation of Teachers.

crisis. Simon Ellin, the chief executive of the Recycling Association in the United Kingdom, said the ban is prompting more investment into recycling technologies and should be seen as a good thing. China and other countries are still buying high-quality scrap materials that can be made into new items. Only the low-grade materials are being banned by Beijing. “It is inevitable that in the future other countries will follow China, looking into bringing similar quality standards, so the quality of our material has to be better,” Ellin said. “Slowing the [recycling] process down allows us to produce better-quality materials. Companies are adopting higher standards and much more stringent processes. There is more investment in technology,” he added.

Child Soldiers Freed in South Sudan

Over 200 child soldiers have been freed in South Sudan. The special “laying down of arms ceremony” organized by UNICEF in the town of Yambio, in the southwest of the country, freed 112 boys and 95 girls, some as young as 14. UNICEF is hoping to have another 1,000 children released in the next few months. This year, so far, the UN agency has orchestrated the release of 500 child soldiers. Since 2013 thousands of children have been forced to join the military and other armed groups in South Sudan. The oil-rich country has been embroiled in a brutal civil war. According to figures released by UNICEF, there are as many as 19,000 children serving in the armed forces. “No child should be made to carry guns or weapon,” UNICEF Representative in South Sudan Mahimbo Mdoe said. The released children will be reunited with their families and provided with psychosocial support and the opportunity to get an education. “Reintegration is the most difficult part of the release process,” Mdoe added.

According to the UN, more than one million children have escaped South Sudan due to escalating conflicts.

“Nut Rage” Heiresses Step Down

Two sisters are being removed from their management positions in their family’s Korean Air empire. The family-run company announced that Cho Hyun-ah, 43, and Cho Hyun-min, 35, will be stepping down because they were accused of abusing Korean Air employees. Cho Hyun-ah became infamous four years ago when she flew into a “nut rage” after she was served macadamia nuts in an unopened package, rather than on a plate while in first class. She made international headlines when she threw documents and insults at members of the flight crew and ordered flight attendants to kneel and beg for forgiveness. She then ordered the plane back to its terminal in John F. Kennedy Airport so that she could have the chief flight attendant removed. After the “nut rage” incident, Cho Hyun-ah was accused of violating airline safety laws and spent several months in prison. She quietly returned to the Hanjin conglomerate to run a hotel chain for her father, Cho Yang-ho, who is chairman of Hankin. “As chairman of Korean Air, as well as a father, I feel terrible about the immature actions of my daughters,” their father said in a statement. “Everything is my fault and my wrongdoing. I apologize to the people.” Cho Hyun-min, the younger of the two sisters, was recently accused of physically abusing an advertising executive and throwing water in his face during a business meeting. Cho claims that she threw the water at the floor and has apologized. The family has become so hated in South Korea that people have petitioned President Moon Jae-in to ban Korean Air from using “Korean” in its name.


The Jewish Home | APRIL 26, 2018

Nicaragua Cancels Plan after Protests

Madagascar. The rare, protected and endangered animals are only found in Madagascar. Of those discovered in the filthy house, 9,888 were alive and 180 were dead.

‫לכל בני תורה שיחיו‬

Please join us for TheZone

For ten days the nation was in an uproar after Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega announced a pension reform resolution to stop the widening deficit in the social security system. The changes increased contributions into the social security system by workers and employers but reduced the pensions of retired workers. Nicaraguans across the country erupted in protest, throwing rocks and setting fires against police forces. Police responded with tear gas and rubber bullets. At least 25 people were killed in the melee and at least 67 were injured. Finally, after ten days of violence and negotiations with opponents, the president gave into protesters, announcing, “This resolution that I’m publishing right now, which was just approved by the Social Security Council, has the effect of revoking, meaning, it’s canceling” the resolution. “We have to restore order. We cannot allow for chaos, crime and looting to prevail,” Ortega added in his televised address on Monday. “We cannot allow it. And we will act under the rule of law and under the constitution to ensure and guarantee the restoration of stability and social peace so that workers can peacefully go to work.” The U.S. State Department had issued a statement before Ortega’s announcement ordering the departure of government employees and their families. The department also urged travelers to reconsider their travel plans to Nicaragua.

Soary Randrianjafizanaka, the head of Madagascar’s environmental agency, followed the stench of feces and urine into the house to discover the terrible conditions in which the tortoises were living. “You cannot imagine. It was so awful,” she said. “They had tortoises in the bathroom, in the kitchen, everywhere in the house.” They were found covering the floors, with no room to move. The rescuers loaded them onto six trucks and took them to Le Village Des Tortues (Turtle Village in French), a private wildlife rehabilitation facility 18 miles away. A week after being discovered, 574 of the tortoises had died of either dehydration or infection. Three suspects have been arrested – two men and a woman who owned the house. When the house was first discovered, the men were in the process of burying dead tortoises. Randrianjafizanaka thinks the sheer number of tortoises indicates an organized effort. “We don’t know exactly who the big person is, but we know there’s a big boss,” she said. Taking radiated tortoises from the forests of Madagascar is illegal. The animals have been increasingly targeted lately by poachers who either sell them for the bush meat or smuggle them into Southeast Asia or China to be sold to reptile collectors. Their intricate yellow star patterns on their upper shells make the species particularly sought after and valuable.

Tortoise Torture

Kippah Attack Leads to Kippah March

Over 10,000 radiated tortoises of varying sizes were discovered in a house on the southwestern coast of

The victim of an anti-Semitic attack in Berlin last week was not Jewish. Adam Armoush, who lives

Staff Interviews 2018

Boys Division :‫ יח' אייר‬- Thursday, May 3, 7-9 PM Yeshiva Darchei Torah: 257 Beach 17th Street, Far Rockaway, NY 11691 Room 103, first floor, Rabbi Levitin Hot buffet will be served! New applicants should RSVP to 1.877.Shalom.1 for interviews.

FOR AN APPLICATION: 1.866.THEZONE / 732.730.1000 INFO@THEZONE.ORG

17


18

APRIL 26, 2018 | The Jewish Home

in Germany, was wearing a kippah when he was whipped by a belt and attacked by three men yelling “Yahudi,” the Arabic word for Jew. Armoush, it turns out, is an Israeli Arab who was ironically wearing the kippah in order to prove that it is safe to do so in Berlin. The main suspect in the attack, which took place in the affluent neighborhood of Prenzlauer Berg, is a 19-year-old Syrian known only as Knaan S. He turned himself into police last week. It is not known yet if he is a refugee. Two others were reportedly involved in the attack as well. Armoush is a 21-year-old Israeli citizen of Arab descent. “I’m not Jewish, I’m an Israeli, I grew up in Israel in an Arab family,” he told Deutsche Welle television. He lives in Berlin and was wearing the kippah to prove to a friend that it was not dangerous to wear a yarmulke in public. “I was saying it’s really safe and I wanted to prove it, but it ended like that,” he said. He was left with bruises and scratches after the assault. “Honestly, I’m a little surprised a thing like this could happen,” he told an Israeli television station. Armoush said he

would not allow the assault to stop him from venturing outside with a kippah on. “I’ll keep the kippah, no matter what others think,” the Arab said. Germany has seen an increase in anti-Semitic attacks recently. Angela Merkel described it as a “horrific incident” and vowed that the German authorities would respond with “full force and resolve.” In response to the incident the Jewish community in Berlin organized a “kippah march” on Wednesday of this week. During the march, which took place next to the Jewish community building, passersby were given kippahs to wear in Berlin in solidarity with the Jewish community there.

Asperger Was Nazi Doctor A famous doctor from Austria who was one of the pioneers of autism research took an active role in the Nazi regime during the Second World War. A new report based on previously unexamined documents

and patient reports has found that Dr. Hans Asperger “publicly legitimized race hygiene policies, including forced sterilizations” and “actively cooperated” with the Nazis’ so-called child “euthanasia” program in which children with mental and physical disabilities were systematically killed.

Herwig Czech, a medical historian at the Medical University in Vienna, has published a research paper showing that Asperger routinely sent profoundly disabled children to the Am Spiegelgrund clinic, where kids were sent to die if they did not fit in with the Third Reich’s goal of a genetically “pure” society. These

JONATHAN PALEY, DDS, CERT. ORTHO.

children were deemed “not worthy of life” and called a “burden” to society. Asperger has been hailed for his groundbreaking research in child psychology. He especially contributed to a deeper understanding of autism and recognized the existence of Asperger syndrome, which has been named after him. During his career, Asperger painted himself as a “principled opponent” and a “courageous defender of his patients against Nazi ‘euthanasia’ and other race hygiene measures,” Czech wrote. However, new exploration of Asperger’s Nazi-era publications and previously unexplored personnel files and case records from his patients show that his self-assessment is far from accurate. Edith Sheffer, a historian and senior fellow at the Institute of European Studies at the University of California, Berkeley, recently wrote a book that drew the same conclusion. In “Asperger’s Children: The Origins of Autism in Nazi Vienna,” Sheffer writes that “at least 5,000 children perished in around 37 ‘special wards.’ “Most of us never think about the man behind the name,” she adds, “But we should.”

SUSAN FRIEDMAN, DDS, CERT. ORTHO.

º Orthodontic Specialists for Adults and Children: STRAIGHTENING TEETH IS ALL THAT WE DO. º Creating beautiful smiles in the Greater Five Towns Community for over 18 years º ITERO digital scanner - no more goopy impressions! º Warm, welcoming staff in relaxing atmosphere º Convenient early AM, late PM and Sunday appointments º Most major insurances accepted • Free Consultations

SPRING “STRAIGHTEN IT OUT!” SPECIAL

$1000 OFF INVISALIGN TREATMENT OUR LARGEST PROMOTION EVER!

(new full cases only, offer expires 4/30/18)

1229 Broadway, Suite 102, Hewlett l 516.569.4567 www.paleyortho.com fivetownsortho @fivetownsortho


The Jewish Home | APRIL 26, 2018

19


20

APRIL 26, 2018 | The Jewish Home

revolution and the former regime. Persian nationalism, with a particular reverence for Iran’s pre-Islamic civilization, has also been resurgent. In recent years, attempts to mark “Cyrus Day” at the tomb of ancient Persian king Cyrus the Great in southern Iran have been blocked by authorities and organizers have been arrested.

Reza Pahlavi, grandson to the man buried in south Tehran, has remained an opposition figure in exile and supported the mass protests that hit the country in December and January.

Armenian PM Resigns

Body of Shah of Iran Found? This week, Tehran’s heritage committee said it had found a mummified body at the site of a former shah’s tomb, raising a storm of interest over whether the shah’s long-lost corpse has been rediscovered. After the 1979 revolution in Iran, the newly installed Islamic authorities did their best to erase any memo-

ries of the Pahlavi monarchy they had overthrown. This included destroying the enormous tomb in south Tehran of Reza Shah Pahlavi, the military strongman who seized control of the country in the 1920s and abdicated in favor of his son in 1941 under pressure from the British. Despite efforts to uncover his corpse, it was never found. On Monday, though, the head of Tehran council’s Cultural Heritage and Tourism Committee said that a mummified body had been found at

the site during expansion work on an Islamic shrine. Hassan Khalilabadi said it was “a possibility” the body belonged to Reza Shah Pahlavi. Others are skeptical that the body is that of the shah. “The area surrounding the shrine was previously a cemetery so discovering a body in this area is natural,” said its PR director Mostafa Ajoorloo. The Pahlavis are a touchy subject for Iran’s clerical rulers, who worry they are increasingly popular among young people with no memory of the

In the hopes of quelling mass anti-government protests that rocked the country, Armenian Prime Minister Serzh Sargsyan resigned unexpectedly on Monday. In response to the announcement, residents flooded the streets in jubilation. The resignation follows ten days of protests in Yerevan, the capital, against Sargsyan’s appointment as prime minister, which is part of a transition to a new governmental system that reduces the powers of the presidency and bolsters those of the premier. Critics saw the move as an attempt to stay in power by Sargsyan, who served as president from 2008 until term limits forced him out in March. Armen Sarkisian, a former prime minister and ambassador to Britain, was elected in his place. Thousands of anti-government protesters had been rallying the streets of Yerevan since April 13, and Sunday’s rally attracted some 50,000 demonstrators.


The Jewish Home | APRIL 26, 2018

“The street movement is against my tenure. I am fulfilling your demand,” Sargsyan said on Monday. “Nikol Pashinyan was right. I was wrong. The situation has several solutions, but I will not take any of them... I am leaving office of the country’s leader, of prime minister.” Former Prime Minister Karen Karapetyan has taken over in his place. Nikol Pashinyan, the protest leader, was arrested on Sunday after he met the prime minister for talks. At least 200 others were arrested as well. He was released on Monday afternoon.

Hamas Engineer Killed in Malaysia

After Palestinian Hamas electrical engineer Fadi al-Batsh was mysteriously assassinated over the weekend in Malaysia, Hezbollah Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah blamed Israel for the attack, calling it as a “Zionist crime.” “We must condemn this Israeli assassination of a Palestinian-Arab scientist and the martyr Fadi al-Batsh,” Nasrallah said during a speech delivered at an event organized by the Hezbollah terror group ahead of the Lebanese parliamentary elections next month. Hamas has also attributed 35-year-old Dr. Fadi al-Batsh’s murder to Israel. Al-Batsh was returning from dawn prayers to his home at around 6AM when two men, who were waiting on a motorcycle for around twenty minutes for him, shot him at least 14 times. “This is an expression of the ongoing Israeli plan that does not spare any Arab mind – a mind that contains knowledge, expertise, experience, or a mind that may one day be part

of the Arab nation,” Nasrallah said. “This is the reason that they are pursuing Arab scientists and academics, from Iran to Tunisia to Malaysia. Even a number of Lebanese minds were killed in the last weeks and months under mysterious circumstances around the world.” Al-Batsh’s uncle Jamal al-Batsh, speaking in the Jabalia town in northern Gaza Strip, said he believed the killing was the work of Israel’s Mossad espionage service. “The Israeli Mossad stood behind the assassination of educated people and intellectuals, because Israel knows Palestine will be liberated by scientists. Therefore, they tracked this young educated man,” he said. Al-Batsh, originally from Jabalia, worked in Gaza’s electric company before leaving for Malaysia in 2011. He received his BS and MS degrees in electrical engineering at the Islamic University of Gaza in 2006 and 2009, respectively, and received his PhD from the University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur. He has won awards of excellence in his field in the past. His official biography said his research interests included power converters, power quality and renewable energy. However, Israeli media reported that he was also deeply involved in the Hamas drone development project and rocket building. Al-Batsh’s Facebook shows affiliation with Hamas. After the hit on senior Hamas military commanders during Operation Protective Edge in 2014, al-Batsh posted their photo and wrote “We’re all Hamas.” According to the Malaysian police’s description, the two suspects who killed al-Batsh are well-built, fair-skinned men, and approximately 5-foot-nine-inches tall, possibly of European origin. They were unsure if they were still in Malaysia or if they escaped after the assassination.

Israel Ends Deportation Plans In a surprising decision, the Israeli government informed the High Court of Justice on Tuesday that it had scrapped its plan to deport tens of thousands of African migrants from the country after Israeli authorities failed to cement an emigration deal with a third country. “At this stage there is no possibil-

21


22

APRIL 26, 2018 | The Jewish Home

ity of implementing involuntary deportations to a third country. Therefore, as of April 17, 2018, [the state] has ceased to hold hearings as part of the deportation policy, and no more deportation decisions will be made at this time,” the state said.

The admission marked a dramatic setback for the government in its years-long attempts to expel the asylum-seekers, most of them from Eritrea or Sudan, and a triumph for activists who appealed to the court against the government plans. The High Court had demanded the government present a deportation plan that would safely resettle the migrants in a third country, or set them free from detention. The government statement said

existing deportation orders were canceled and said migrants with expired temporary residency permits will be able to get their visas renewed. Last week, after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s special emissary to Uganda returned without a signed agreement after 11 days of negotiations in Kampala, the court ordered the release of 200 African migrants from the Saharonim Prison, where they had been held since refusing to leave Israel voluntarily. Earlier in April, 58 migrants were freed from Saharonim after a similar reported deal with Rwanda fell through. A wide coalition of critics in Israel and in the Jewish American community had called Israel’s deportation plans unethical and a stain on the country’s image as a refuge for Jewish migrants. Mass protests against it have taken place in several Israeli cities in recent months. The initial deportation plan, which offered each migrant $3,500 and a plane ticket to third-party countries, had been condemned by the United Nations as chaotic, poorly executed, and unsafe. Asylum seekers previously deported to Uganda and Rwanda said that they faced serious

At Comprehensive Audiology, we are committed to providing excellent care for adults and children with hearing loss, taking the time to understand and educate each of our patients, and ensuring each patient’s satisfaction. Hearing Evaluations

Hearing Aids

Custom Hearing Protection

Custom Swim Plugs

Aural Rehabilitation Programs

Auditory Training Assistive Listening Devices

516-387-4000 • 261 Broadway, Lynbrook, NY 11563 info@comprehensiveaudiology.com • www.comprehensiveaudiology.com

danger and even imprisonment after arriving in Africa without proper documents. Israel considers most of about 35,000 African migrants to be job seekers and says it has no legal obligation to keep them; officials commonly refer to them as “infiltrators.” The Africans, nearly all from dictatorial Eritrea and war-torn Sudan, say they fled for their lives and face renewed danger if they return. They started moving toward Israel in 2005 after neighboring Egypt violently quashed a refugee demonstration and word spread of safety and job opportunities in Israel. Tens of thousands crossed the porous desert border before Israel completed a barrier in 2012 that stopped the influx. Israel has struggled with what to do with those already in the country, alternating between plans to jail and deport them and allowing them to work in menial jobs. Thousands are concentrated in poor neighborhoods in south Tel Aviv, an area that has become known as “Little Africa.” Their presence has sparked tensions with working-class Jewish residents, who have complained of rising crime and have pressed the government to take action.

U.S.: Israeli Victims Can’t Sue Arab Bank

On Tuesday, the U.S. Supreme Court voted 5-4 in favor of Jordan-based Arab Bank when it said that foreign businesses cannot be sued in U.S. courts by foreign victims of human rights abuses and extremist attacks. The bank was sued by Israeli victims of attacks in the West Bank and Gaza who say that the bank helped finance the attacks. The victims had tried to use the 18th-century Alien Tort Statute to hold the bank accountable for its role but the court’s conservative justices rejected that attempt.


The Jewish Home | APRIL 26, 2018

23


24

APRIL 26, 2018 | The Jewish Home

Art Auction

A K with

Your rt for

ids

Saturday Night/Motzei Shabbos

May 5th at 9:30pm

the justices ruled that people or entities sued under the Alien Tort Statute must have a real connection to the United States. The court declined then to decide whether businesses could be sued. Justice Sonia Sotomayor wrote in a dissent for herself and three liberal colleagues that the majority’s decision “absolves corporations from responsibility” under the Alien Tort Statute for “conscience-shocking behavior.”

Palestinian Mayor Works for Israelis

The Cedarhurst Center on Central Avenue. Your Art for Kids: Donate your artwork to JEP and make a big diierence in children's lives through Jewish outreach and education. We are still accepting artwork including high-end paintings and lithographs.

To sponsor or donate, contact the JEP/Nageela ooce at 516-374-1528, ext. 240 or jenz@jepli.org *Your donations are tax deductible!

“As demonstrated by this litigation, foreign corporate defendants create unique problems. And courts are not well suited to make the required policy judgments that are implicated by corporate liability in cases like this one,” Justice Anthony Kennedy wrote for the majority. The decision continues the court paring back a three-decade-old strategy by human rights lawyers to use civil suits to pursue individuals who may be responsible for torture and other atrocities, as well as companies with

operations in countries with poor records in the area of human rights. Victims in the case alleged that the bank, through the involvement of its New York branch, knowingly distributed millions of dollars to finance suicide bombings and make “martyrdom” payments to reward the families of terrorists who killed civilians. The bank denied the allegations and argued that allowing the victims’ claims to go forward would interfere with U.S. foreign policy and lead to diplomatic friction. Kennedy noted

that friction in his opinion, writing that: “For 13 years, this litigation has ‘caused significant diplomatic tensions’ with Jordan, a critical ally in one of the world’s most sensitive regions.” The Alien Tort Statute, adopted in part to deal with piracy claims, went unused for most of American history until rights lawyers dusted it off beginning in the late 1970s. The Supreme Court cautiously endorsed the use of the law in 2004, but left unanswered precisely who could be held liable and in what circumstances. In 2013,

The mayor of Beit Jala, a Christian town in the West Bank, is also a sales representative for Tnuva, the Israeli food processing cooperative specializing in milk and dairy products. Nicola Khamis admitted to working for the Israeli dairy giant during a television interview. Many are viewing his political position and his job at an Israeli company as a severe blow to the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions Movement (BDS), which seeks to promote boycotts on Israel and its companies. “Some say that the reason behind the recent decline in your popularity is attributed to the fact that in addition to your job as mayor, you are also the representative of the Israeli company Tnuva in the [Bethlehem] area. What is your response to this claim?” Khamis was asked. The mayor replied: “I’m glad you asked this question. I’m a representative of the Tnuva company,” he said, adding that he had been for some time. “I’m like any Palestinian citizen, like anyone from Palestine who goes out to work in settlements. We built their settlements, we built their houses, we paved their roads, we worked in their homes. This is our situation. All the people are seeking to earn a living. “I work in accordance with the Palestinian law and regulations,” the Beit Jala mayor added. “Palestinian law does not ban Palestinians from working with Israel, including purchasing and selling.” He then assured the au-


The Jewish Home | APRIL 26, 2018

25


26

APRIL 26, 2018 | The Jewish Home


The Jewish Home | APRIL 26, 2018

27


28

APRIL 26, 2018 | The Jewish Home

dience that if the law was changed, he would quit his job. “But I’m not going to stop working [with Tnuva] if someone comes to me and asks me to stop while others are doing the same thing,” he added. Khamis also pointed out that the Palestinians purchase cement and iron from Israel. “We bring many things from Israel, and I’m not different from anyone else,” he said.

Genesis Prize Ceremony Canceled Israeli-American actress Natalie Portman is facing backlash after pulling out of a ceremony at which she was to be presented with the $2 million Genesis Prize. The Genesis Prize Foundation quoted a representative of Portman who said recent “distressing” events in Israel caused the actress to back out and that she would “not feel comfortable participating in any public events in Israel.” Many have interpreted her decision as being connected to the international criticism of Israel for their reaction to Palestinian protests in

Gaza. The clashes have taken place on the Gaza-Israel border and 35 Palestinians have been killed while attempting to cross the border and violently attacking IDF soldiers. However, Portman said that her decision has been “mischaracterized by others” and that she is not attending because she does not want to be seen as supporting Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who was scheduled to speak at the event. “The mistreatment of those suffering from today’s atrocities is simply not in line with my Jewish values,” Portman wrote on Friday. “Because I care about Israel, I must stand up against violence, corruption, inequality, and abuse of power.” Because she had declined to attend, the prize-giving was canceled by the organizers of the prestigious event. The Genesis Prize has been awarded since 2014 to individuals for excellence in their professional fields and “who inspire others through their dedication to the Jewish community and Jewish values.” In past years, former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, sculptor Anish Kapoor, and violinist Itzhak Perlman won the prize. All of them donated their prize money to charitable causes. Israeli philanthropist Morris

Kahn, who contributed the prize, said the prize money will still go toward supporting the fight for equality for women. “I do not support her decision to cancel her participation due to what she calls ‘the recent events in Israel,’” Kahn stressed in a statement. “Along with the Genesis Prize Foundation, we will take care of the women’s rights organizations for which the $2 million matching grants fund was created, and to which I contributed along with the Michael Bloomberg Foundation. Those will not be affected in any way. The prize will be transferred by the Genesis Prize Foundation and not by Ms. Portman, and I hope other philanthropists will support this important cause of equality and empowerment of women,” he added.

EU Denounces Hamas

The European Parliament, the directly elected parliamentary institution of the European Union, has passed a resolution that denounces Hamas as a terrorist group. The motion notes that Hamas uses human shields, calls for Israel’s destruction, and “seems to aim at escalating tensions” at the Gaza-Israel border. The resolution also demands that the Palestinian terror group release the captive Israeli citizens and the bodies of fallen soldiers that they are holding. The resolution passed with 524 “yes” votes, 30 “no” votes, and 92 abstentions. The text of the resolution, which was carefully calibrated, came about after intense negotiations between the various factions in the parliament. Its final wording was eventually backed by all the major political groups. It also calls for probes into Israel’s use of live ammunition on violent protestors at the Gaza-Israel border and calls on Israel to exercise more restraint. Groups that advocate for Israel welcomed the resolution and highlighted how unusual it is for a European Union organization to put forth any strong words against Hamas. Idit Rosenzweig-Abu, spokesperson of Israel’s mission to the EU, noted, “The resolution adopted today is far from

being pro-Israel, however, we are satisfied that unprecedented anti-Israeli clauses were cut out of the resolution and, most importantly, we are happy to hear a strong, clear call for the immediate release of the Israeli citizens and the return of the bodies of our soldiers held in Gaza.” The original resolution was far more critical of Israel and even called for an arms embargo against the Jewish State.

Maple Syrup Making Millions in VT

There’s nothing quite like pancakes on a Sunday morning with just the right amount of maple syrup. Next time you douse your pancakes with the syrupy sauce, know that this is a multi-million dollar industry that is currently on the rise. The Runamok Maple sugarhouse in the hills of Vermont’s Mt. Mansfield is a maze of plastic tubes connecting some 71,000 tree taps that then flow into 10 enormous tanks, each holding 7,000 gallons of syrup. The factory is equipped with multimillion-dollar equipment: reverse osmosis machines, a steam-powered evaporator, and iPhone-connected monitoring systems. This specific factory offers a dozen flavors ranging from cardamom-infused maple syrup to pecan wood-smoked maple syrup. The family-run business is the brainchild of Eric and Laura Sorkin who developed the high-tech operation in the last two years. Their idea was to shift away from bulk syrup production and focus on artisanal, direct-to-consumer products. The Sorkins are not the only family that has tapped, literally, into this industry. In the past decade, the Vermont maple syrup industry has boomed, bringing outside investors, private equity firms, and a host of new challenges and opportunities to the Green Mountain State. Maple


The Jewish Home | APRIL 26, 2018

sap “flows” when the weather reaches above freezing during the day and dips below it at night, making snowy Vermont an optimal region. Traditionally farmers sugared during the winter to keep themselves afloat while produce was low. However, with the help of technology and the warming weather, the season now starts earlier and ends later. University of Vermont economist Arthur Woolf notes, “There’s a lot of money that’s pouring into maple in Vermont. Twenty years ago, maybe even ten years ago, this was something dairy farmers did. Things were slow in the winter so they’d tap some trees and they’d make some extra money.... Nowadays it is a full-time thing, with people buying thousands of acres of land, putting up tens of thousands of taps.” Major financial institutions are investing in the sticky treat. In 2015, for instance, Sweet Tree Holdings, part of the portfolio of Connecticut-based Wood Creek Capital Management, a hedge fund firm, bought the former Ethan Allen furniture factory in the town of Island Pond, Vermont. Sweet Tree installed four massive steam boilers at the plant, tapped 200,000 sugar maple trees, and promised to bore

s • Spe on

25+ YEA

RS

Former U.S. Sniper Convicted of Murder

Former U.S. sniper instructor Joseph Hunter, 52, nicknamed “Rambo,” is facing life in prison. The

former soldier is described as a “ringleader of trained assassins.” He was convicted along with two other men of organizing the killing of a woman in the Philippines in 2012 for cash. Last Wednesday, in a New Yok court after the verdict was read, U.S. Attorney Geoffrey Berman described the case in a statement as “horrifying,” with details “usually seen in action movies.” Hunter is currently serving a 20year sentence over a range of charges, including the attempted murder of a U.S. drug enforcement agent. In 2013, Hunter hired a group of four former soldiers from the American, German and Polish armed forces to act as bodyguards and hitmen for what they thought were a Colombian drug cartel, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Department. In fact, the men who recruited the soldiers to protect their cartel were “confidential sources for the DEA,” the indictment said at the time. Hunter served for more than 20 years in the army and left the U.S. Army in 2004. The other two men convicted are Adam Samia, 43, and Carl David Stillwell, 50. Their sentencing will be September; they all face a maximum penalty of life in

prison. In a statement released following the trial, U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara described Hunter as “an admitted contract killer, convicted drug trafficker, and ringleader of trained assassins.” “Hunter and his cohorts turned from serving their countries as soldiers to becoming mercenaries for hire, plotting to kill a DEA agent and informant and trafficking in massive quantities of cocaine,” Bharara said. Samia has previously claimed to have worked as a “contractor” for clients in the Philippines, China, Papua New Guinea and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. All three men had extensive firearms training. According to a statement by the United States Attorney’s Office, the three men agreed in 2011 and 2012 to commit a number of murders across the world in exchange for a salary, including “bonus payments” for each victim. Records indicate that in early 2012, Samia and Stillwell traveled to the Philippines with information on their victim and weapons provided by Hunter. They watched her for months before murdering her. Samia and Stillwell were paid $35,000 by Hunter for killing the woman.

You need your CoO

You need your CPO

to oversee business operations, data analysis, measuring production efficiency and generally greasing squeaky wheels.

to oversee phone and IT setup at all your locations, communicating effectively, cost savings and reliable, rock solid clear phone communication.

sinesses bu

lizing for cia

holes in 550,000, making it the largest maple syrup processor in the world. In the early 2000s Vermont had about 2 million taps, by 2015 the number increased to around 4.55 million, and by 2017, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, there were 5.41 million. That meant that Vermont was producing in 2017 nearly 2 million gallons of syrup – up from 460,000 gallons in 2000, according to the New England Agricultural Statistics Services. And that’s a lot of pancakes.

GET YOUR ONYX DEDICATED CHIEF PHONE OFFICER (CPO) TODAY AT NO EXTRA COST, WHEN SIGNING UP TO ONYX SERVICES.

• Business VOIP Phone Systems • Lowest rates and cost effective solutions guaranteed • Customized solutions tailored to your needs T: 855.ONYXTEL

516.575.8500

29

E: SALES@ONYXTEL.COM

W:ONYXTEL.COM

d instituti an


30

APRIL 26, 2018 | The Jewish Home

tile foreign power to bolster its own chance to win the presidency.” Trump’s campaign reacted to the filing, calling it “frivolous.”

Five Towns Far rockaway coMMUniTy wiDe rosh choDesh LecTUre series

DiD yoU ever wish yoU coULD Do iT over?

Pesach sheni –

ARE THERE SECOND CHANCES IN RELIGIOUS LIFE?

raBBi Dr. TZvi hersh weinreB Executive Vice President, Emeritus, of the OU, Torah Scholar, Clinical Psychologist

Sunday, April 29th 15th of Iyar at 8:15 PM at YILC - 8 Spruce Street, Cedarhurst This LecTUre is oPen To Men anD woMen

Source sheets will be provided This month’s lecture is being sponsored by:

Susan Rosenberg Gladys and Willie Neuman

Li”n Sara Feiga bas R’ Shlomo Elazar A meaningful way to commemorate a Yahrtzeit

To become a sponsor email jgulkowitz@yahoo.com or call Debbie at 516-239-0494 B”H completing our 29th year!

Democrats File Lawsuit against Trump Campaign The saga continues... The Democratic Party has filed a federal lawsuit that accuses President Donald Trump’s team of conspiring with the Russian government and WikiLeaks

during his presidential campaign. The suit seeks unspecified financial damages, likely millions of dollars, for computer fraud, racketeering and other illegal activity. The party is claiming that the Democratic Party was undermined and that Hillary Clinton’s campaign was directly impacted. The suit does not name Trump as a defendant. Former members of Trump’s inner circle have been named, included his eldest son Donald Jr., his son-in-law, Jared

Kushner, and former campaign chairman Paul Manafort. “During the 2016 presidential campaign, Russia launched an allout assault on our democracy, and it found a willing and active partner in Donald Trump’s campaign,” Tom Perez, chairman of the Democratic National Committee, said in a statement. “This constituted an act of unprecedented treachery: the campaign of a nominee for president of the United States in league with a hos-

“This is a sham lawsuit about a bogus Russian collusion claim filed by a desperate, dysfunctional and nearly insolvent Democratic Party,” pointed out Brad Parscale, the digital director of Trump’s 2016 campaign and current manager of the president’s 2020 reelection bid. The lawsuit accuses Russians and Trump’s aides of having “formed an agreement to promote Donald Trump’s candidacy through illegal means.” “Through multiple meetings, emails and other communications, these Russian agents made clear that their government supported Trump and was prepared to use stolen emails and other information to damage his opponent and the Democratic Party,” the lawsuit claims. Rather than report the Russian operation to the FBI, “the Trump campaign and its agents gleefully welcomed Russia’s help,” it adds. WikiLeaks, the whistleblowing website founded by Julian Assange, is named in the lawsuit because it published tens of thousands of emails in 2016 that were hacked from accounts used by the Democratic National Committee and Clinton’s campaign manager, John Podesta. In a Twitter message, WikiLeaks said it was “constitutionally protected from such suits” because it is “an accurate publisher of newsworthy information.” Hasn’t anyone taught the Democratic Party the science of losing gracefully?

Smartphone Addiction Next time you’re on the train or in the airport, count how many people are not on their phones. The number, I predict, will be extremely low. We are a generation attached to our phones, seemingly never able to disassociate from our devices. Digital


The Jewish Home | APRIL 26, 2018

2018 new york flyer_Layout 1 26-Mar-18 3:02 PM Page 1

‫אמונה‬ BELIEF OHR S OMAYACH INTERNATIONAL ANNUAL YOM IYUN

PRESENTS

AN EVENING OF LEARNING

THE CHALLENGE OF OUR TIMES

at YOUNG ISRAEL OF WOODMERE 859 Peninsulia Blvd., Woodmere, NY F E AT U R I N G

R ABBI DR. YITZCHAK

BREITOWITZ Senior Lecturer Ohr Somayach Jerusalem

R ABBI DR. AKIVA

TATZ

Senior Lecturer Ohr Somayach London

R ABBI DR. DOVID

GOTTLIEB Senior Lecturer Ohr Somayach Jerusalem

SUNDAY, APRIL 29 at 7:30 pm Doors open 6:45 pm - Mincha at 7:10 pm • Maariv following program • For men & women Suggested donation $10 • Students free • Sponsorships available Refreshments will be served

FOR INFORMATION:

OHR.EDU • 718-677-6200

Ohr Somayach Ta n e n b a u m C o l l e g e

31


32

APRIL 26, 2018 | The Jewish Home

demic parents should set limits – for themselves and for their children. Limiting screen time or having specific “no phone” times is a good place to start. If you feel that you or someone you know is suffering from a digital addiction, reach out to a mental health professional.

Amazon: 100 Million Prime Members

addiction is a true illness that has many negative mental and emotional effects.

Recent research has found that frequent use of technology creates a brain imbalance in teens. Another study has discovered that someone obsessed with their smartphone can often display symptoms of anxiety and depression. Digital addicts often have serious social issues that include feelings of loneliness and isolation. The tough part is that we use our phones for communicating, paying at stores, our calendar, alarm clock

and many other things, making it almost impossible to fully avoid creating a digital-obsessed monster. “The behavioral addiction of smartphone use begins forming neurological connections in the brain in ways similar to how opioid addiction is experienced by people taking Oxycontin for pain relief — gradually,” explains Erik Peper, co-lead author of the study and professor of health education at the school. To deal with this growing epi-

Ever feel like you’re one of Amazon Prime’s best customers? Well, you might be, but there are about 99,999,999 others out there as well. For years, Amazon has declined to disclose how many people pay for Amazon Prime each year. Prime users pay $99 a year and receive two-day free shipping on millions of items. Last Wednesday, though, the company’s CEO Jeff Bezos revealed in his annual letter to shareholders that over 100 million people globally are a part of the website giant’s membership club. Bezos wrote: “13 years postlaunch, we have exceeded 100 million paid Prime members globally. “In 2017 Amazon shipped more than five billion items with Prime worldwide, and more new members joined Prime than in any previous year – both worldwide and in the U.S. Members in the U.S. now receive unlimited free two-day shipping on over 100 million different items.” In the letter, Bezos also discussed new programs available to Prime members including same-day and one-day delivery available in 8,000 cities and towns. Prime Now, which delivers goods to customers in just hours, is available in 50 cities and nine countries. According to research, Prime members spend about $1,300 per year on Amazon.com, $600 more than what the non-Prime Amazon customer spends. (Insert: eye roll, husband thinking: “Well, my wife


The Jewish Home | APRIL 26, 2018

NEW FROM

BUSY IN BROOKLYN presents

Recipes reinvented for the modern palate! NEW ! Chanie Apfelbaum, the creator of world-renowned kosher food blog Busy In Brooklyn, makes her cookbook debut with a collection of modern, cultural, trendy, and bold dishes that reflect her passion for reinventing traditional foods with a Millennial vibe. 4Over 150 innovative recipes for everyday and holiday meals 4 Beautiful color photos for every dish 4 Meatless Meals section offers dairy-free and vegetarian options 4Guide to kosher meat cookery 4Comprehensive tools and ingredient list

Available at your local Hebrew bookseller or at www.artscroll.com • 1-800-MESORAH (637-6724)

33


34

APRIL 26, 2018 | The Jewish Home

seven Tour de France races. He went on to be stripped of his titles after being accused of and confessing to using performance-enhancing drugs during his career. His cheating was discovered in 2012 after the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency was tipped off. The suit has been pending since 2013, when Armstrong appeared on TV and confessed to using steroids and other drugs. At the time, he had already retired but the reveal destroyed his legacy.

contributes nicely to the higher skewed numbers.”) Shortly after Bezos’ disclosure, Amazon shares rose about 1.5%. The only website that surpasses Amazon’s number of members is Netflix with 125 million subscribers. Seems like we love to shop online and watch shows on our computer all day. Sounds about right.

Armstrong Settles with USPS Lance Armstrong is no stranger to the courtroom. In his latest legal battle, Armstrong reached a $5 million settlement with the federal government, specifically the U.S. Postal Service, a former sponsor. While some

claim that he could have been hit with $100 million in damages, the two sides settled out of court. The case was supposed to be heard in court in Washington on May 7. Armstrong’s former U.S. Postal Service teammate Floyd Landis filed the original lawsuit in 2010 and is eligible for up to 25 percent of the settlement. The infamous cyclist was once on top of the world after winning a record

Being a cancer survivor himself, Armstrong created the Lance Armstrong Foundation, a cancer charity that is classified into a $500 million global brand. The foundation, which removed him from its board and renamed itself Livestrong, has suffered tremendously since Armstrong’s confession. Initially, Armstrong claimed that since the Postal Service made millions off their partnership – far more than he claims to have made – that he didn’t owe them any money in damages. After the settlement, though, Armstrong said he’s happy to have “made peace with the Postal Service.” “While I believe that their lawsuit against me was meritless and unfair, and while I am spending a lot of money to resolve it, I have since 2013 tried to take full responsibility for my mistakes and inappropriate conduct, and make amends wherever possible,” he said. “I rode my heart out for the Postal cycling team, and was always especially proud to wear the red, white and blue eagle on my chest when competing in the Tour de France. Those memories are very real and mean a lot to me.” Armstrong has faced extremely tough financial hits since his downfall. Supposedly he has paid over $20 million in damages and settlements. However, despite the lawsuits and losing all his major sponsors, he is still believed to be worth millions based on a vast investment portfolio and homes in Austin, Texas, and Aspen, Colorado. He owns two bicycle shops in Austin and WeDu, an endurance events company. He also has a podcast where he interviews other sports figures and celebrities and has provided running commentary on the Tour de France.


The Jewish Home | APRIL 26, 2018

...Crazy Commutes Speaking of traffic, workers across the nation commute to work, but in some regions commuters face much longer commutes. As expected, cities with lots of traffic tend to have longer commutes.

Tuesday

May 8 th 7:00-8:00 pm

IVDU School of Long Island Servicing the Five Towns, Far Rockaway, & Queens 410 HUNGRY HARBOR RD, Valley Stream, NY 11581

These ten cities have the nation’s worst commutes: 1. Palmdale, CA 2. New York, NY 3. Corona, CA 4. Frisco, TX 5. Jersey City, NJ 6. Newark, NJ 7. McKinney, TX 8. Naperville, IL 9. Fontana, CA 10. Yonkers, NY

ACCEPTING: girls & boys, K-4th grade Meet the Administration, tour the school, and learn about our individualized and comprehensive program,

FOR MORE INFORMATION AND TO RSVP:

Mrs. Miriam Reifer, School Administrator reiferm@ou.org 718.758.2999 x 3

which includes: • Life Skills and Social Skills Training • Inclusion Programs • OT, PT, Speech, and Counseling

‫מ‬ ‫ורתו גן ל‬

Touch-Free Chicken

Do you get squeamish when putting burgers on the grill? Do you wear gloves when breading your chicken for supper? Apparently you’re not alone. Millennials are super-sensitive about so many things – and raw chicken is one of them. Next month, a major British supermarket chain will be ameliorating the raw-chicken-squeamishness situation. Sainsbury’s has announced that it will be rolling out touch-free packaging on their store brand raw chicken so home cooks won’t have to

‫ת‬

Traffic. Just the word alone can make some people’s blood pressures spike, especially those who have a long commute to and from work each day. Traffic congestion often occurs during rush hour when street capacity and overall infrastructure are unable to accommodate the influx of cars. Less predictable traffic can also be caused by roadwork or a car accident. Not only is traffic annoying, but it actually has real negative effects on consumers. Congestion causes delays which keep people from working, wasted fuel increases air pollution, spillover traffic onto side streets disrupts residential areas, and there is an increased risk of car accidents when there is more traffic. Consequently, many cities are setting aside more funds to correct traffic problems through grid plans, zoning laws, and transit-oriented development. Thinking the Van Wyck is just the worst during rush hour? Be happy you’re not living in Los Angeles. Recently, Stacker.com put together a list of the top 50 most congested cities in the U.S. using data including hours spent in congestion and time spent in traffic during peak hours. Seems like it’s not so sunny out in La La Land. The ten most congested cities in the nation are: 1. Los Angeles, CA 2. New York City, NY 3. San Francisco, CA 4. Atlanta, GA 5. Miami, FL 6. Washington, D.C. 7. Boston, MA 8. Chicago, IL 9. Seattle, WA 10. Dallas, TX

0PEN HOUSE

‫נו‬

Crazy Traffic...

Using results from U.S. Census Bureau data for the 200 largest cities in the United States, researchers generated a final “commute score.” It was calculated by combining the average travel time to work, the percentage of the population who spend 60 minutes or more on their commute, and the growth rate of a city. Other dynamics such as how many commuters drive alone to work, carpool, bike or walk, and work at home were all factored in.

35


36

APRIL 26, 2018 | The Jewish Home

touch slimy fowl before it’s cooked. The supermarket found that 37 percent of millennials “preferred not the handle raw meat” when they cooked their meals. They actually put together a focus group that focused on just that. “Customers, particularly younger ones, are quite scared of touching raw meat,” Katherine Hall, Sainsbury’s product development manager for meat, fish and poultry, said. “These bags allow people, especially those who are time-poor, to just ‘rip and tip’ the meat straight into the frying pan without touching it.” Millennials – or most of them – are jumping for joy now that they don’t have to touch their chicken. The rest of them are wondering why their friends can’t just order takeout.

Insekten Burgers

The title for this story is written in German but I am sure that you can guess what it’s about. While shopping for bread, milk and butter this week in a supermarket in the city of Aachen, Germany, customers were offered a bite of a delicious burger. This was no ordinary burger. The burgers were made of buffalo worms. Lest you gag while thinking of chomping on worms, the worms are reportedly very nutritious due to their high protein content. They are the larvae of buffalo beetles and are bred in the Netherlands. To entice shoppers to sample their slithering sandwiches (although the burgers were cooked so no slithering was actually involved in the eating process) the burgers were

served in buns with lettuce, tomatoes and onions. Some shoppers even went back for seconds after hesitantly sampling their first burger. It took four years for co-founders Baris Oezel and Max Kraemer to come up with the concept of a bug burger. The pair got the idea after traveling together to Southeast Asia, where it is not uncommon to eat insects. “It’s quite simple. You have to create an aesthetic product that looks good and doesn’t show any insects,” Oezel said. The product has gained popularity in the Netherlands and Belgium. Sounds worm-derful.

The Mayor’s Fake Beard

Newman!

Aleksey Germash went a bit postal over the past few years after working for the post office for over a decade. The New York City postal worker was caught last week hoarding more than 17,000 pieces of mail in his home, car and work locker instead of delivering them to the proper people. Germash has been working for the post office for over 16 years. Some

of the stashed mail was dated from 2005. Germash was “overwhelmed by the amount of mail that he had to deliver,” but said he “made sure to deliver the important mail,” according to a criminal complaint against the worker. Postal Service investigators found the stash after a tip about a vehicle containing multiple blue mailbags filled with mail. The investigators say they discovered 20 bags of mail – containing about 10,000 letters – inside the vehicle last Wednesday. Lest you think that living in the Five Towns saves you from Germash’s sticky fingers, just a few weeks ago around 60 bags of undelivered mail was found at the home of a postal carrier in Long Island. Seems like Newman’s not alone.

Boy, Oh Boy!

Want to know who the mayor of Bishkek is? Look for the man in the fake beard. Mayor Albek Ibraimov of Bishkek, located in Kyrgyzstan, likes to know what’s going on in his city. The best way to do that, he says, is by going incognito. “I dress in old clothes, so that no one will know,” he says. “I wear a beard, take off my tie, and I go and look, and see how things actually are.” Ibraimov was forced to give up his secret when residents complained that he was out of touch after a fire destroyed the city’s largest market. It was the third fire at the market this year. Ibraimov said that fire hydrants and surveillance cameras would be installed to prevent more damage. Hope he keeps his beard away from those flames.

Meet the man who needs to write a check to the IRS for a billion dollars Page 117

For the Schwandt family the birth of another boy is hardly new. In fact, Jay and Kateri just welcomed their 14th boy to their brood. That’s right. The couple has fourteen kids – all boys – and they say they are “destined” to bask in their boy-ness. The Michigan family, with boys ranging in age from 25 years to 2 days, did not know the newest boy’s gender prior to the birth. In fact, Jay said, the couple has never known ahead of time. The 13 older boys were “pretty split” on whether they wanted to have another brother or a little girl. And even though this was Jay’s 14th time experiencing the birth of a child, it was “just as exciting the 14th time around.” Finding a name for the young one was not easy. Most of their male names were taken, as you can imagine. In the end, the family decided to name their newest member Finley Sheboygan Schwandt. Jay says the name is inspired by a tale his father-in-law told him about

a Native American chief who was the father of many boys. The chief believed his youngest would be a girl. When the baby turned out to be a boy, the chief named him Sheboygan for “she is a boy again.” As for being the father of so many boys, “I’m kind of the leader of this pack and it’s very rewarding,” Jay said. “It’s times 14 to set a good example, be a good role model. I’m very proud.” Today, there are 11 Schwandt boys still living with their parents. It’s Kateri who is the “glue that holds the family together,” Jay notes. “She’s an awesome mom.” Kateri herself is actually one of 14 kids, although her family was more diverse – seven boys and seven girls. “Each little one that has entered our family has brought something special to the entire makeup of the family and without any one of them it wouldn’t feel right,” Kateri says of her own brood. “We love this,” Jay asserts. “I can’t imagine not doing this.” Keep on saying that – 14 times.


The Jewish Home | APRIL 26, 2018

37


38

APRIL 26, 2018 | The Jewish Home


The Jewish Home | APRIL 26, 2018

39


40

APRIL 26, 2018 | The Jewish Home

Around the

Community Celebrating Yom Ha’atzmaut at Yeshiva Har Torah


The Jewish Home | APRIL 26, 2018

41

Around the Community PHOTO CREDIT: IVAN H NORMAN

The Annual Far Rockaway Five Towns Communal Yom Hazikaron/Yom Ha’atzmaut Program was held at the Young Israel of Woodmere last week. The master of ceremonies was Rabbi Shalom Axelrod of the Young Israel of Woodmere. The Kel Malai was sung by Cantor Joel Kaplan. Martin Oliner introduced the guest speaker, Senator Joseph Lieberman. More than 700 people attended.

70 and Sababa

T

his year, the State of Israel passed a major milestone: last Thursday, on Yom Ha’atzmaut, it turned 70 years old. Shulamith High School celebrated this landmark achievement in style. The day was divided into seven sessions, corresponding to Israel’s seven decades. Each period had a choice of activities keyed to the events of that decade of Israel’s history. From immigration and defense to innovation and the arts, the stu-

dents immersed themselves in the politics, history, and culture of the Jewish Homeland. The sessions, which were lovingly created by Shulamith’s multi-talented faculty, spanned a wide cross-section of the essence of Israel. In a session entitled “Anatomy of an Anthem,” Dr. Dora Haar taught the lyrics, music, and controversy surrounding Hatikvah. In “More than the Hora,” students danced with Raina Butler to some of their old

favorites from bat mitzvahs and learned the newest dance moves from Israel. At a hands-on STEM session led by Effie Allman, students learned how drip irrigation works and tried it out on flowers and vegetables that they planted. After a delicious Israeli-style mangal (barbecue lunch), students were treated to a live concert featuring Simcha Leiner. Then they showed off their own vocal chops in Shulamith’s own Eurovision contest! Aliza Abramson, a three-time silver medalist in karate at the 2017 World Maccabiah games, taught the girls the fundamentals of Krav Maga. With Tamar Herskovitz, students learned pyrography, the art of decorating wood with a heated metallic pen and created olive wood plaques featuring the images of chayalim (IDF soldiers) at the Kotel. There

was even a crash course in what real Israeli teenagers experience in IDF boot camp. With broad smiles beaming through face paint and eye black stickers and Israeli flags draped over their shoulders, the girls radiated

energy and enthusiasm as they moved from one session to the next. A spectacular celebration of Israel’s indomitable spirit, the day showcased Shulamith at its best.


42

APRIL 26, 2018 | The Jewish Home

Around the Community

From Darkness to Light: Yom Hazikaron and Yom Ha’atzmaut at SKA

“T

his week’s calendar includes Yom Hazikaron and Yom Ha’atzmaut, two important days which reflect G-d’s love for our people, our continuity after the devastation of the Holocaust, His gift and miracles of the State of Israel, and our ongoing sacrifice and commitment for its existence.” With these words, Mrs. Helen Spirn, Head of School of the Stella K. Abraham High School for Girls, prepared SKA’s students and faculty members for two days of reflection and celebration.

A siren was once again sounded in the halls of SKA on Wednesday, April 18, as all stood in a moment of silence to honor those in Israel who fell in battle and those who were murdered by terrorists. Faculty members and students were privileged to hear from two Israeli soldiers who shared their stories of the friends they lost both in battle and in terror attacks and yet, how they continue to exult in being in Eretz Yisroel and enjoying Hashem’s gift of a homeland. Tefillot and Tehillim were recited for safety of the Israeli Armed Forces and

SKA students dancing on Yom Haazmaut

An IDF soldier speaking at the SKA assembly on Yom Hazikaron

for those who lost their lives throughout the history of the State of Israel. From one day to the next, the pain of remembrance turned into joyous celebration. With pride and thanks to Hashem, SKA welcomed Israel Independence Day on Thursday, April 19, with Tefilla Chagigit, as the whole school joined together in the auditorium for morning davening. Israeli-themed activities filled the rest of the school

day! Using Israeli maps and historical data, the SKA girls had to “Escape the Room” in nod to Yom Ha’atzmaut. An Israeli “shuk” sold refreshments throughout the day to raise funds for Israel while videos of aliyah through Nefesh B’Nefesh were shown. Celebration mixed with commemoration as letters of condolence were written to be sent to the family of slain IDF soldier, Eliyahu Drori, a”h. Students also had the

opportunity to hear an inspirational shiur by Ivrit teacher, Morah Rikki Fishbein, which gave additional meaning to the day. The Yom Ha’atzmaut Chagigah, with spirited dancing and live music, was preceded by a festive lunch provided by the SKA Parent Council and sponsors. The ruach all day in the school was incredible; the students of SKA really expressed their love and yearning for the State of Israel.

Yom Hazikaron at Shulamith

S

ari Singer, Director of Strength to Strength, an organization that brings together victims of terror from around the world, came to share her story with the students of Shulamith on Yom Hazikaron. In 2003, she was volunteering with victims of terror when she herself became a victim in a bus bombing. Remarkably, the focus of Sari’s address to us was not the horrors and trauma she suffered, but on the miracle of her survival and on the outstanding compassion and love of the Jewish people for one another. In America, she said, we are taught to run away from danger, but in Israel, Jews of every stripe and of every age came running towards the burning bus to help. The man who extricated her from the bus ran from three blocks away when he heard the explosion. In the hospital, an elderly Israeli wom-

Fifth graders with Sari Singer

an entered her room to ask after her; she explained that her own son was injured in the attack and was being treated in another room. He had told his mother that while on the bus he’d noticed the American sitting there and was concerned now that she would be all alone. Mi k’amcha Yisrael!

Eighth graders showing off their camels

Our session ended with the opportunity to participate in a project to honor one terror victim among the thousands who have been killed. Tal Kehrmann loved camels and loved to draw them. She was murdered on March 5, 2003 while on her way home from school. Tal’s father, Ron, found

the last camel she sketched in her diary but did not complete. He decided to start “Color Tal’s Camel Project: in her memory. To date, over 10,000 camels have been colored in Tal’s memory. They can be seen at www.talsmile.com.


43

The Jewish Home | APRIL 26, 2018

speci

ls

4/25/18-5/1/18

1913 Cornaga Avenue • Far Rockaway • T. 718.471.7555 F. 718.471.9102 E. orders@Frankelskosher.com

Produce

BIG NEWS AT FRANKELS! THURSDAY NIGHT CHULENT is here! Come in Thursday night for a free sample of the best chulent in town! KISHKE. YAPCHIK. KUGEL Coming soon...

Coke Products *(Plus Tax And Deposit)*

All Varieties 2 Liter Limit 1 Case Of Each

4/$5.00

Cup Of

Whole Baby Brocolli Watermellon Florets

Buy The Case 12 Pack

Beef Patties

$0.39 Lb

$3.99 Limit 4

Cucumbers In Brine 7 -9 Large 23 Oz

$1.49 Mikee

General Tso's Sauce

Gefen

20 Oz

$3.99 Lieibers

Rice Thins

Goodmans

Pasta

Mandel

Elbows, Penne , Rotini , Wheels 16 Oz

Rice & Vermicelli

14 Oz

8 Oz

$0.79

$2.29

3/$5

Lieber's

Kelloggs

Gefen

Apple Sauce Cups

Original, Natural, Strawberry Or Cherry 6 Pack

Apple Juice Box Drink

12 Oz

4 Pack

$1.99

$3.49

2/$3

Liebers

Liebers

Snack Stacks

1oz

$2.29

4/$1

2/$5

$3.99

Kitov

Lieber's

Sea Salt, Onion Garlic Or Lime Black Pepper 3.5 Oz

Corn Pops

Ice Poppers

Original Or Light 0.5 Oz

No Coloring 8 Pack

5 Pack

3/$1

$0.99

$0.99

Satmer

Food Storage Bags 75 Count

Pineapple

0.79 Lb

2/$5

Aarons

Family Pack

Chicken Chicken Cutlets Franks 12 Oz

5 Lb

$26.99

$4.49Lb $2.59

Shoulder Steak

Baby Back Ribs

$8.99

New Item

First Cut Brisket

$7.99

$7.99Lb

Bbq Wings

$1.99 Lb

Round Bone Lamb Chops

New Item

$11.99

Lb

Lb

Turkey Drumsticks

$1.99Lb

Lamb Shoulder Chops

$11.99

Lb

Top Quality Meat & Poultry

London Broil

$6.99 Lb

Lb

Lamb Neck Stew

Mehadrin

$1.19

Cottage Cheese

Egg Salad

All Varieties 5.3 oz

16 oz

7.5 Oz

$3.49

$1.99

Fresh

Kineret

Mendelson

4/$5.00

6.99 Lb

Leben In A Pouch

Golden Taste

Greek Lite Yogurt

Tilapia Fillet

Normans

Back In Stock

Luvs Wipes

Beef Franks

Norman's

Kitchen Collection

8X8 Square Pan

Macintosh Apples

New Item

Lb

Dairy - Frozen

Original 12Pk

14 Oz

$2.99

Glatt Kosher

Pringles

Chewy Chocolate Chips Cookies

0.79 Lb

Meat Department

$7.99

Crispix

Abc Or Alef Beis Cookies

Iceberg Lettuce

10 Oz

Solomons

Haddar

Bodek

Eggplant

$0.69

Fresh Mushrooms

$5.99 Lb

Grocery

Galil

Cello Carrots

$1.99

24 Oz

$6.99 Limit 2

Slicing Tomatoes

0.69 Lb Pardes Farms

Soup Chicken Flavor No Msg

PRODUCE SPECIALS ONLY TILL FRIDAY

Effective Wednesday, April 25/18 thru Friday April 27/18

8 Oz

Major Deals Gefen

Su: 7-7 Mon: 7-8 Tu: 7-8 We: 7-9 Th: 7-11 Fri: 7-5

Store Hours:

weekly

Order by Email: orders@Frankelskosher.com or Online: www.FrankelsKosher.com

Sabra

Solomons

Hummus

Gourmet Chopped Liver Spread 12.5 Oz

10 Oz

$2.49 Heaven And Earh

$4.99 Hanover

Onion Rings

Frozen Pizza

Rice Cauliflower

Soft Pretzels

20 Oz

4 Slice

Organic (Usda Logo)

13 Oz

$2.99

$3.99

$3.29

2/$3

14 Oz

Bakery

Deli

Satmer

Mini Pastry Rugalach

Fresh Baked

Muffins

Satmer

Beef Gala

Tomato Dip

Potato Kugel

$2.99

$2.99

$3.49

Challah Rolls

6 Pack

$1.75

$4.49

$4.50

TAKE A PEEK AT OUR EVERYDAY LOW PRICES Givat

Yogolite

Rye Bread Best In

Fresh Salmon Fillet

Milk Cholov Yiroel

Town

Gevina

Greek Yogurts

2 Pies Fresh Pizza

Postiv

Romaine Lettuce Greenhouse Grown

Ex-Large Eggs

Best Health

Seltzer

Mehadrin

Chocolate Leben

24 Oz

$0.65

$2.79

$10.99

2/$4

4/$5

$21.99

$9.99

$1.49

$4.99 + tax

12 Pk

$9.99

SPECIALS ARE RUNNING FROM WEDNESDAY 4/25/18 THRU TUESDAY 5/1/18 PRODUCE SALES EFFECTIVE 4/25/18 THRU 4/27/18 WE RESERVE THE RIGHT TO LIMIT QUANTITIES WHILE SUPPLIES LAST. NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR TYPOGRAPHICAL OR PHOTOGRAPHIC ERRORS. NO RAIN CHECKS


44

APRIL 26, 2018 | The Jewish Home

Around the Community

YOSS Visits Eretz Yisrael

I

n honor of Yom Ha’atzmaut, the talmidim in Yeshiva of South Shore’s Early Childhood Center fastened their seatbelts for a “trip” to Israel. The classes explored the country when they davened at the Kotel, swam in Yam Hamelach, shopped at a makolet, and even went on an archaeological dig. They also visited the Israel Museum and exhibits they put together with objects from home. Daniel Sacks, in Pre-1A, decided to showcase his saba since he “wouldn’t break.” Daniel’s saba, Elie Wiesel, came to speak to the boys about when he was in the Israeli army. He showed them a picture of himself davening at the Kotel and explained that soldiers are strong with Hashem’s help. The boys thank Mr. Wiesel and can’t wait until they can visit Israel again next year!

National Pride

T

his year marks the 70th year of the State of Israel. This momentous occasion was felt deeply at HALB on Yom Ha’atzmaut. During the day, groups of students had the honor and pleasure of meeting Olympic athlete AJ Edelman and hearing his inspiring message. AJ is an American-Israeli fourtime Israeli National Champion in the skeleton event, and competed for Israel at the 2018 Winter Olympics in

Pyeongchang, South Korea. While meeting with students, AJ detailed his hard-earned accomplishments as well as his struggles and described the responsibility of representing himself, his nation and the Jewish State. AJ’s identity as a Jew remained close to his heart at all times, no matter where in the world his travels brought him. Before each race, AJ shared, he expressed gratitude to Hashem for

providing him with the opportunity to represent Israel. He davened that he would make his parents and nation proud. AJ referred to his kippah as a neon sign that clearly states, “I am different. I am special. I am a Jew.” He understood that all of his actions would be examined and that, he, in turn, needed to ensure that he was representing the values of Am Yisrael. HALB students were inspired by AJ’s open, honest and genuine expe-

riences. AJ’s message was clear. It is our obligation to recognize that each one of us has G-d-given gifts and talents. With effort, grit and determination, along with help from Above, we must use our gifts to better ourselves while representing our nation and our people. T Thank you, AJ, for sharing your amazing message and for visiting us at HALB. We will always remember this special day we shared with you!


The Jewish Home | APRIL 26, 2018

45

Around the Community

70 Years of Israel is Celebrated at YCQ

S

tudents and staff gathered in the Yeshiva of Central Queens on the morning of April 19 to celebrate the land of Israel and to remember the struggle to reclaim the homeland of the Jewish people. Dr. Stanley Landsman, father of YCQ principal, Rabbi Mark Landsman, spoke to the students and staff about what it was like to be in Israel, as it became a state. The walls reverberated with the sound of the students as they sang Hallel together, followed by a powerful

Hatikvah, led by Rabbi Ophie Nat and Rabbi Yosef Newcomb. The pre-school and first grade students waved the Israeli flags that they made in honor of this important day. The grade four students set up different activities and programs related to the history and culture that they performed for the lower grades. The younger students learned about the types of foods eaten, different types of people who live and work the land, and the role of leaders and how they

Remembering Lone Soldiers on Yom Hazikaron

O

n Yom Hazikaron, Rabbi Orlofsky from Giftofunity joined Rabbi Genachowski’s class and made packages for lone soldiers. Rabbi Orlofsky spoke to our students about the importance of hakaras hatov. He stressed that as Jews our essence is to give thanks. The word hoda, to give thanks, is the root of the word Yehudim. The packages were given to the organization A Package from

Home, which will be distributing them to our precious soldiers in Israel. GiftofUnity is an organization that provides opportunities to unite Jews. The goal is to give a gift that will enable one Jew to feel recognized and loved by another. Giving creates love and love creates unity. If you would like to get involved or have suggestions, please email Giftofunity@gmail.com or call 516-524-8479.

brought the moment of signing the Declaration of Independence May 14, 1948 and, according to the Jewish calendar, the fifth day of Iyar, in the year 5708. The entire day of Israel’s Independence was dedicated to learning about Israel. In the JHS, there was a Yom Iyun, day of study, dedicated to all things Israel. In class, students were taught current events; discussed Israel’s geography, history and culture, as well as Israeli contributions to math

and the sciences. In the afternoon, the students were split into groups and participated in writing letters to soldiers in Israel, thanking them for all they do and all the sacrifices they make to keep Israel and her people safe. Some students played a Guess Who? game learning about famous Israelis who played a role in Israel gaining her independence, while others learned about the technology and research done in Israel including the creation of the Waze app.


46

APRIL 26, 2018 | The Jewish Home

Around the Community

Remembering and Celebrating at HAFTR

T

he Day of Remembrance, Yom Hazikaron, is a day in which we honor the fallen soldiers of Israel and commemorate soldiers in the Israeli Defense Forces for their service. With the help of the our Bat Sheirut, Ms. Yael Cohen, Rabbi Jordan Nadelbach, and HAFTR High School students, HAFTR High School held an assembly to commemorate this significant day. The assembly began with student speakers acknowledging the importance of the day. Students were called upon to light candles to keep the memory of the fallen alive. The tekes focused on four specific soldiers and their heroic lives while memorializing all the fallen soldiers of the IDF. Students from the girls’

choir performed the song, “K’she’ha’lev bocheh, when the heart cries,” rendering a beautiful performance filled with much emotion. Videos depicting the lives and sacrifice of fallen soldiers were shown, evoking a tear-filled,

meaningful, and emotional reaction from the audience. The assembly set a serious, yet meaningful tone for the day. We will forever remember those who have fallen in their service to protect Israel, and we will continue to pray

for the safe return of all IDF soldiers. As the Jewish nation mourned these great losses, we transitioned to a day of celebration, Yom Ha’atzmaut, Israel’s 70thanniversary. HAFTR High School celebrated the chag in fashion. Students started the day with a Tefillat Chagigit, as the entire school davened together with a festive and musical Hallel. Students watched a moving video celebrating the day and were deeply inspired. This was viewed before Hallel to help better understand and appreciate the miracle of the State of Israel. The celebrations for 70th anniversary of the State of Israel continued with a carnival, dancing and singing, and a “mini shuk” where students were treated to pizza, ice cream

and candy. Special thanks to the PTA for their sponsorship. Students continued the day as they shared their excitement and celebrations at the Marion and Aaron Gural JCC, where they joined a Yom Ha’atzmaut party for Holocaust survivors. The students danced, sang, and helped bring ruach to the celebration. HAFTR senior Regina Generowicz commented, “It was so meaningful to celebrate the day with Holocaust survivors. Knowing what they went through and now being able to see the State of Israel flourish is an incredible feeling.” We are looking forward to continue to celebrate Israel and the Jewish nation’s existence and successes, but next year hopefully in Israel!

HALB Lev Chana Celebrates Israel’s 70h Birthday

T

he day-long celebration began as our children arrived at HALB Lev Chana, showing off their blue and white attire and staring in amazement at the multitude of Israeli flags on the walls, windows and doors of their classrooms. They boarded El Al Flight 70, davened Shacharit, and ate delicious snacks. Their tefillot and Hallel were even more meaningful as they talked about how important the Land of Israel is to them and the world. Each of our kindergarten classes created a detailed diorama as they focused on a specific city/place in

Israel. The children did a magnificent job preparing and decorating the Lev Chana multi-purpose room so that their friends could experience firsthand a trip to Eretz Yisroel. Our first stop was Arrivals and Customs at Ben Gurion Airport, where our tourists were questioned as to their purpose in visiting and how long they intended to stay, all done in Ivrit. After having their passports stamped and answering questions at Security, they hopped on a bus to visit three of the main cities in Eretz Yisroel: Yerushalayim, Tzfat, and Eilat, and a Kibbutz. Their first stop was

Yerushalayim, where they gave tzedakah, davened at the Kotel and left kvitlach asking Hashem for a refuah shleima, shalom al Yisroel or simply saying “Thank you.” Next, our children meandered slowly through the cobbled streets of Tzfat, gazing at the beautiful colorful artwork created by their friends. After a “long bus ride,” our children relaxed on the pristine beaches of Eilat, and took a glass-bottom boat ride so they could gaze at the many colorful fish. They refreshed themselves with oranges at Kibbutz Lev Chana, helped milk a cow, and picked some vegetables and fruit. Our

children went home with souvenirs to remember the places they visited. What a great tour! Throughout the day, we smelled the delicious aromas of baking pita bread, frying falafel balls and cut-up Israeli salad. They tasted as yummy as they smelled! Could a Yom Ha’atzmaut celebration be complete without blue and white cupcakes and the melodious music of Gary Wallin!? Our children and Morot danced, swayed and sang together, concluding with the tefillah: “L’shana ha’ba b’Yerushalayim.”


The Jewish Home | APRIL 26, 2018

47


48

APRIL 26, 2018 | The Jewish Home

Around the Community

Israel @ 70 at HAFTR

Y

om Hazikaron was commemorated last week at an assembly in HAFTR by third, fourth and fifth grade students. Fifth grade students set the tone for the day as they remembered Ason HaShayetet, the Disaster of the Shayetet. The Shayetet 13 is a special unit in the IDF that conducts top secret missions by land, sea and air. In 1997, twenty years ago, this unit was sent on a special mission to Lebanon. Sixteen of our chayalaim were ambushed and only four survived. Yochanan Avraham Hilbrun and Commander Lt. Colonial Yossi Korkin were two of the soldiers who were remembered. In a moving tribute to the chayalim and to those killed in terror attacks, students performed the song, Temunot B’Album, written by Chaim Moshe. Students wore the traditional Yom Ha’zikaron sticker, observed a moment of silence, recited tefillot and Tehillim. A ner neshama was lit. As night fell, there was an excitement in the air as over 800 parents, students and staff came together to celebrate Israel @ 70. Ms. Joy Hammer, principal, opened the assembly and then handed off the program to our fifth

grade students who welcomed the audience in Hebrew and thanked everyone who made the celebration possible. As part of the opening, we raised a flag with one of the symbols of the Shayetet. The opening dvar Torah highlighted the number 7 in Judaism and the theme of our Israel curriculum this year: seven decades of Medinat Yisrael. Each decade was highlighted with an event, person or innovation that was important to that decade. A variety of multiple intelligences were integrated including technology, art, drama and dance. The audience was inspired by the costumes, artwork and music. The reenactment of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, Rav Goren at the kotel, the Agam art piece, the WAZE dance, the Drone that was coded to flip in the air, the fashion show that featured the Ethiopian and Russian aliyot, and the synchronized Daglanut, mesmerized the audience. The evening concluded with a tour of the Israel Museum that was created by students in first through fifth grade. The gym was transformed into a museum with each grade representing a decade of the modern state of

Israel. As visitors toured each decade, they followed a giant timeline affixed on the periphery of the gym. They learned about events, personalities, landmarks and innovations from each time period. Students created hands-on activities and games, audio visuals and diagrams to depict the decade. Museum viewers were able to vote in the Knesset, check lettuce in Gush Katif, travel on the Jerusalem Light Rail, and learn firsthand about Harav Abuchazerer, from fourth grade student Ava Abehsera, who is his great-granddaughter. The following morning, after festive tefillot, students spent the day celebrating.

With passports in hand they had an opportunity to take their own tour of the Israel Museum. The kindergarten classes toured their own

mini-Israel. Everyone participated in a school-wide assembly joining the Early Childhood and Middle School. Over 900 students and staff participated in Hatikvah and Yom Hu’ledet Sameach to Israel. Second grade student Hudi Kanarfogel impressed everyone with her rendition of the Hatikvah on violin. The assembly continued with a beautiful and festive presentations of the fifth grade M.I. Times. Thanks to the PTA, the entire school was treated to a special Israeli meal. The day ended by watching the fifth grade performance in Hebrew, a take-off of Madagascar. A special todah rabbah to our dedicated fifth grade faculty and our Bnot Sherut, Moriah and Morel, for making Yom Ha’atzmaut, Israel @ 70, spectacular.


The Jewish Home | APRIL 26, 2018

49

Around the Community

YCQ Students Learn an Empowering Lesson PHOTO CREDIT: MAXINE LIPSHITZ

T

he Yeshiva of Central Queens gratefully acknowledges the Names, Not Numbers© Program that has taught our students about the Holocaust through the accounts of eyewitnesses, provided them with interviewing, filming and editing skills and, most importantly, enabled meaningful relationships to be forged between the survivors and our students. YCQ has benefitted tremendously from its participation in this Legacy Heritage project. YCQ student Sarit Katz mentioned during the Names, Not Numbers filming, “We are the last generation to have the opportunity to talk to survivors first hand.” As we get further away from the Holocaust in years, it becomes more and more imperative to document the stories of survivors. As the Jewish Nation, it is our job to always remember the Shoah and pass the remembrance of the tragedy and the hope on to future generations. Every year at YCQ, grade eight students participate in the Names, Not Numbers program, an intergenerational oral history film project created by Mrs. Tova Fish-Rosenberg. This project teaches students interviewing skills and filming techniques as they work with a Holocaust educator, social studies teacher, newspaper journalist and filmmaker. The students learned the history prior to the War, during the Shoah and at liberation through webbased research and interviewing skills. Each student made this commitment to take an active role inspiring survivors to tell their stories to create a documentary film. For those who survived, the horror haunted them for a life time, yet they were able to move forward, rebuild new lives. Their healing began with the retelling of their tragedies and losses, first to their families and today with the new age of technology, through filmed documented histories. This year six survivors, six miracles, participated with the students in the program. The YCQ students interviewed Leon Sherman, born in Cmielow, Poland; Bella Korn, Komorów, Poland; Louis Katz, Uzhorod, Poland; Jehuda

Lindenblatt, Budapest, Hungry; Yolana Dienstag, Kornlosh, Poland; and Halina Milich, Lodz, Poland. The final documentary was premiered to the YCQ students, their families, faculty, and survivors alongside their families. The film will be archived for future generations in the National Library of Jerusalem in Israel, and in the Mendel Gottesman Library of Yeshiva University. Mrs. Rosenberg has made it her passion to document these stories so that “no one could say, it didn’t happen.” The message that she wants to get across is how important it is that “we do not forget to tell the children that in the end, we won and they lost.” Through her work with this project, she is creating personal connections between students and survivors, while keeping “the heart and spirit of individual eyewitnesses” alive. She is taking a front line role in teaching future generations to combat anti-Semitism. Through her program, Names, Not Numbers, a lesson is being taught and will continue to be taught to the world, that it is our turn now “to live, to remember and to tell the world.” When asked why call the programs Names, Not Number, Dvora Finkel, student, said, “The number tattooed on took away their name that belongs to them. It is what identified who they are.” Survivor Leon Sherman remembered being told on arrival at the camps, “Here you have a number, no name. There is no way out.” For over 6 million that was the horrifying truth; for others, they survived and rebuilt, and through Names, Not Numbers, none will be forgotten.

Moms, take care of yourself Dr. Lightman on page 94


50

APRIL 26, 2018 | The Jewish Home

Around the Community

Generations Gather at Darchei for Learning & Siyum in Memory of Europe’s Kedoshim

Rabbi Yaakov Bender

Rabbi Dovid Greenblatt, guest speaker

Rabbi Yaakov Bender, Rabbi Dovid Morgenstern and rabbeim dancing with talmidim at the conclusion of the Dor L’Dor event

T

he fourth grade students of Yeshiva Darchei Torah, their fathers and grandfathers studied an assigned perek of Mishnayos over Pesach together and made a grand collective siyum on a recent Sunday at the Yeshiva, in memory of the six million martyrs of the Holocaust. The assembled first reviewed their perakim together. This was followed by remarks from Rabbi Yaakov Bender, Rosh HaYeshiva of Darchei Torah, and Rabbi Dovid Morgenstern, menahel of the Upper Elementary School. The guest speaker was Rav Dovid Greenblatt, a grandfather of two fourth graders. The siyum was followed

by spirited dancing in the Diamond Beis Medrash and raffle drawings. The beautiful project and the

event succeeded in uniting generations through Torah learning, and undoubtedly served as an aliyas

neshama for the holy victims of the Holocaust.

Stop and Join in the Hatzalah Dinner What do you do when you see a Hatzalah ambulance speed by with its sirens blaring? What do you think when you see a Hatzalah volunteer spring into action when his radio crackles? What will you be doing this coming Sunday evening? Yes, those questions are related. If you are like many people, you whisper a short prayer when you see a Hatzalah ambulance pass by. You daven for the patient inside and give thanks for your own health and wellbeing. You hope that a healthy new baby is being brought into this world. When you see a Hatzalah member respond to a call for help with a sense of urgency, it is your desire to help

them respond to that patient faster and intervene quicker. You look on with admiration that this member is ready to selflessly help others in time of need In short, you stop. You would like to help. You appreciate. You give thanks. This Sunday, we ask that you do just that. Stop and take time out of your schedule and show your support and appreciation for the Hatzalah members who form one of the most dedicated teams of EMTs in the world. Come join us at the Sands and stand in solidarity and thank your local members who look out for our neighborhood and do so much for the health and wellbeing of your neigh-

bors, friends and family. This is your opportunity to help them help the community. The Annual Dinner Event is the most important fundraiser of the year and provides much-needed funds for Hatzalah’s daily operations. It is incumbent on every local resident to contribute so Hatzalah can continue

its lifesaving work now and in the future. Hatzalah’s Annual Dinner Event will take place on Sunday, April 29 at 6:30 PM at the Sands. RSVP and contribute at HatzalahRL.org.

Tips on Dips Naphtali Sobel on page 96


The Jewish Home | APRIL 26, 2018

Summer Intensive July 2018 JCCRP, Rockaway Peninsula

Summer Real Estate Finance & Investment Certificate Offered right here in the Five Towns!

New Opportuni ty

This summer, get an insider’s look at the high-stakes nature of real estate finance and Investment and learn practical skills that you can put to use immediately

Who Should Enroll?  People who are looking to either invest in real estate or considering a career in real estate  Those who interact with real estate finance and development professionals who need to better understand the business What you will learn:     

How to evaluate income-producing properties The phases and lifecycle of a development project How to build a simple property income statement How to assess financing options Calculating investment returns

RESERVE YOUR SPOT For more information call or e-mail: (516) 405-0258 or ebroyde@fordham.edu

Added Benefits for Students Who Successfully Complete the Certificate:  Waived from GMAT/GRE exam when applying to Fordham’s MS in Real Estate  Eligible to apply for Advanced Standing in MS in Real Estate

51


52

APRIL 26, 2018 | The Jewish Home

Around the Community

HANC HS Boys Torah Bowl Team Wins National Championship

I

t is with great pride and exhilaration that we announce HANC High School as the 2018 Yeshiva High School National Torah Bowl Champions. On Monday, April 23, the HANC High School Boys’ Torah Bowl Team headed to Brooklyn to take on Mesivta Ateres Yaakov, Kushner, and RTMA for the Torah Bowl championship. Coming into the match, HANC finished both the regular season and the playoffs undefeated, defeating

HAFTR, Flatbush, Magen David, and North Shore for the Division Championship. The championship match saw HANC get off to a slow start but by the end of the first quarter they found themselves in second place, down by 5 points. At the half, HANC took the lead by one point. The competition was fierce with the lead going back and forth for the rest of the match between HANC and Kushner. At the end of regulation, HANC and Kushner were deadlocked

in a 40-40 tie. Jonah Rocheeld successfully answered the tie-breaking question to secure the victory for HANC, bringing home the championship for the third time in six years. With great pride, HANC High School Principal, Rabbi Shlomo Adelman remarked, “Winning a Torah Bowl championship for a third time in six years demonstrates a sustained commitment to excellence in Torah scholarship. I cannot be prouder of Rabbi Chrein and his devoted team of budding talmidei chachamim.”

The team celebrated their win in style at Rami’s Pizza Shop in Brooklyn. The achdut and hard work from all four teams made the championship match an even more memorable one. Mazal Tov to coach Rabbi Shimon Chrein and to team members Jonah Rocheeld, Adam Speiser, Moshe Wieder, Aryeh Livieim, Eli Matatov, Yaakov Kohanim, Aytan Masturov, Aaron Namdar, Daniel Hayimov, Daniel Salim, and Mordechai Balakhaneh.

Melamed Academy: The Online Yeshiva Day School & College Program Looking for the Right School? Melamed Academy Turns the School Year into a Success he school year officially started in September, yet many students don’t have a school desk. It’s time to think out-of-thebox. Fortunately, a convenient inexpensive solution is readily available. Melamed Academy is a registered NJ private school, providing homebased students with a complete education, from kindergarten through a high school diploma. Choose the track that fits your needs – limudei kodesh, general studies, or both. Subject levels range from AP and Honors, to mesivta-style and remedial. Every student receives a customized placement, with a wide range of electives too. How does it work? Students receive a TAG-approved Melamed Kosher Chromebook laptop and login to the classroom websites to do their schoolwork at any time of day, from any location. The engaging in-

T

teractive lessons are designed to be completed independently while the Melamed teachers assign and supervise student work, answer questions, and grade assignments. It’s as simple as that. With a 99% graduation rate, Melamed Academy has the best track record of any online school. Melamed Academy graduates continue to top-tier yeshivos, seminaries, and colleges of their choice. Which brings us to the next division. Want to Be a College Graduate This Year? Melamed Academy College Program is for you! Melamed is different than other online college programs in some significant ways. Firstly, no high school diploma or GED is required. Melamed also provides customized math and English courses to meet the students’ starting point. Online courses with short video lessons and practice quizzes keep all students advancing towards their goals.

Also, current high school students can earn both high school and college credit for the same course – in Torah and general subjects. Most importantly to the one footing the bill, Melamed’s college program is absolutely the lowest price for any regionally-accredited BA/BS degree. Melamed Academy’s philosophy is that a college degree is even more valuable when accompanied with practical career skills, such as web design, ecommerce or real estate, or others. Therefore, career training is included as a bonus to all of our students. Top-Tier Mesivtos and Bais Yaakov Schools Choose Melamed Academy The best endorsement of Melamed Academy comes from the menahalim and principals of leading chinuch institutions who choose our program, year after year. Ranging the gamut from courses to replace classroom teachers,

resource room lessons, courses for individual students, Regents courses, and credit-recovery courses – Melamed Academy proudly partners with Yeshiva day schools and high schools across the U.S. every day to educate their students. With our TAG-approved laptops, student placement tests, and wide course variety, each school receives a custom solution fitting their needs and budget. Melamed Academy shares your chinuch standards and understands your needs. You can trust us with your precious children’s education. We accept new students every day of the year. For inquiries, please call (732)228-8800 ext. 3, or email solutions@melamedacademy.com. See more at MelamedAcademy.com. Melamed Academy is a 501(c)3 nonprofit institution, servicing the Torah community. Program sponsorships and student scholarships are tax-deductible.


The Jewish Home | APRIL 26, 2018

Sw1mm1ng, sw1mm1ng 1n camp atara’s pool, Can you bel1eve 1t’s mommy and me? Plus a water park - so cool!

1ntroduc1ng even1ng sw1m for Camp Atara Mothers and daughters Deta1ls to follow *Restr1ct1ons may apply

Reg1ster today Campers ages 3-13 • campatara.com campatara@gma1l.com • 718.471.8444 x234 444 beach 6th street, far Rockaway 11691

53


54

APRIL 26, 2018 | The Jewish Home

Around the Community

Madraigos’s Parenting Program Draws Hundreds

L

Rabbi Wein and Dr. Pelcovitz at the dais

ast Thursday evening, Madraigos, an organization that tirelessly works to meet the needs of the community, presented “Parenting Then and Now – What’s Changed?” an initiative of its Parenting Matters program. The event featured Rabbi Berel Wein, shlita, Jewish historian, speaker, and founder of the Destiny Foundation, as well as Dr. David Pelcovitz, Professor, Straus Chair in Psychology and Education, Yeshiva University, and world-renowned parenting expert. The addresses were lovingly dedicated in memory of Rabbi Wein’s wife, Mira Wein, a”h, and Rabbi Raphael Pelcovitz, zt”l, Rav of The White Shul and father of Dr. David Pelcovitz. Congregation Beth Sholom in Lawrence provided the perfect venue for this program as more than 450 mothers, fathers, therapists, and educators from the Five Towns and

the greater NY area attended. To open the program, Rabbi Dov Silver, Founder and Executive V.P. of Madraigos, welcomed the standing room of attendees and thanked the many people who helped bring the program to fruition. Rabbi Silver took the opportunity to recognize the individual therapists in the community who partner with Madraigos in helping families in need. The first speaker, Rabbi Berel Wein, shlita, focused on “Parenting Then” as he presented the perspective of previous generations. In his heartfelt style, Rabbi Wein portrayed Jewish society at that time with vivid personal stories and historical anecdotes. He gave a clear description of how parents raised their children in years past and contrasted it to today. Rabbi Wein encouraged parents to learn from the past as they build the future.

Rabbi Wein speaking

The event continued with a special address from a mother who participated in the Parenting Support Groups. She articulated how the service met her needs as a mother struggling to relate and parent one of her children. She recognized the group facilitators, Mrs. Rena Kutner and Mrs. Rivki Rosenwald, whose gentle but firm style helped her and her husband strengthen their relationship with their child and build a more peaceful home environment. The last speaker, Dr. David Pelcovitz, focused on “Parenting Now” as he discussed the mindset and culture of today’s society. Despite children’s opposition, parents were urged to be vigilant in setting “limits with love” since in the end, learning how to say “no” to children is vital to their emotional stability. Dr. Pelcovitz’s words were inspiring and practical as he offered concrete suggestions to each

and everyone in the room. After the speeches, the evening drew to a close with parents enjoying sushi and a beautiful dessert buffet. As the crowd lingered, the conversations all centered on the practical takeaway. One parent remarked, “It was very enlightening. I am walking out with a new mindset and an arsenal of practical tools to deal with my children.” Another parent expressed in an email, “We just wanted to take a moment to thank you for the remarkable event last night. Aside from the tochein that was given over from the esteemed speakers in an interesting and relatable manner, the planning and seamless execution of the event was not lost upon us either. Evidenced by the packed attendance, it goes without saying that the effects of such events are far-reaching and should, iy”H, have a lasting effect on


The Jewish Home | APRIL 26, 2018

55

Around the Community many a family.” Madraigos extends sincere hakaros hatov to the event’s Presenting Sponsors, Cross River Bank and The Touro College and University System, who appreciate the value of parenting education as a means of strengthening families and preventing serious issues from developing. Their leadership in supporting effective communitywide initiatives like this demonstrates their commitment to serving the needs of the community. Rabbi Moshe Krupka, Executive Vice President of The Touro College and University System, attended the event in support of the important collaboration. He said, “Touro was privileged to partner with Madraigos on this community event that benefitted the Five Towns/Far Rockaway community and beyond. It is such a relevant topic for all parents and we are so happy to provide parents with this valuable knowledge. Going forward, we look forward to partner with Madraigos on other community initiatives.” Supporting Sponsors of this event deserving special recognition include Bank United, Seasons, Torah Anytime, Pip Printing, and The Five Towns.com. “We asked a question and indeed we got an answer. Both esteemed speakers shared their wisdom, experience, and insights. The riveting stories of previous generations were inspiring. They were invaluable in building a backdrop for absorbing and internalizing the concrete parenting suggestions for today’s day and age,” said Rabbi Dov Silver. “I am grateful to Cross River Bank, The Touro College and University System, and the other event sponsors who generously supported this event.” Mrs. Mindi Werblowsky, LMSW, Clinical Director of Madraigos, commented, “This event was borne from the questions that we are hearing from our clients and our desire to provide them with the answers and resources they are seeking. As I told one of my clients after the event, the parents who are willing to do anything for their child, who are willing to join the support grow and continuously learn and grow in their parenting are the true heroes. We are just here to assist them on their journey.” Madraigos is grateful to their so-

cial work interns who took an active role in taking care of all necessary logistics for the event and student volunteers for their dedicated commitment to the success of the event. Overall, the feeling at this Parenting Matters event was learning and growth for parents and grandparents alike. Sitting in a room filled to capacity meant to the attendees, “I am not alone. We’re all in it together, learning from the past and applying it to the present. We’re constantly

building our own homes, our relationships, ourselves.” The event video recording is available on Torah Anytime by searching under the speaker names as well as on You Tube at https:// youtu.be/bafFoYKPtxs. Madraigos plans on launching new parenting initiatives for the community in the near future. Parents are urged to register for the Parenting Matters Effective Par-

enting of Teens and Young Adults Group #5 in formation now. This group starts on May 7th and meets on Monday evenings at 8-9:30 PM at Madraigos. To register or learn more about upcoming Madraigos’ Parenting Matters programs, please contact Mindi Werblowsky at 516-371-3250 ext. 112 or mwerblowsky@madraigos.org.


56

APRIL 26, 2018 | The Jewish Home

Around the Community

Why OHEL’s OXC Classic Has Become Part of My Life By Tamar Sicklick

T

Tamar with her son

wonderful organization with a dedicated staff of more than 1,200. In 2009, I took advantage of an

ORIGINA HE

SI

L

T

he first OXC Classic was May 2015, and I missed it because I had my daughter’s bat mitzvah.I really wanted to be a part of all of the action, and I knew that I would definitely do it the following year. I am happy to say that I am about to participate in my 3rd annual OXC Classic on Sunday, May 27 at Camp Kaylie in Wurtsboro, NY. I have been doing it with one of my boys since he was 9-years-old. It has been one of the most exciting and challenging experiences ever! I first got involved with OHEL Children’s and Family Services as a volunteer with the Long Island Families for OHEL in 2007. The Long Island community has had a deep history of supporting OHEL. I have personally witnessed the incredible work that OHEL has done in our community and have seen so many people whose lives have been elevated as a result of this

Under New Management

Sonic Duo Productions Presents

N CE 1975

FUNFILLED

WELCOME

The original Uncle Moishy’s Greatest Album Yet A Musical Production Unparalleled in Jewish Children’s Edu-tainment

“Will have the WHOLE family singing for hours”

AVAILABLE NOW

NEW

in stores & online

Booking a show has never been easier

number

844.4. UNCLEMOISHY / UNCLEMOISHYSWORLD.COM or 347.467.1958

Schools • Fundraisers • Parties • Camps • Bungalow Colonies • Hotels

amazing opportunity to run in the NYC Marathon on behalf of OHEL. Thus, the concept of Team OHEL was created. I worked very hard to train for the marathon and to achieve my goal of completing the race in under four hours. As I continued to get more involved with OHEL, I joined the board of Camp Kaylie at OHEL, when a fully inclusive camp was just a revolutionary concept. To be a part of a team that took a groundbreaking idea and help transform it into a successful and thriving reality has been both amazing and inspiring. Today, Camp Kaylie is sold out for the following year – a month or two after camp ends! The OXC Classic was also started as a new and innovative fundraiser, so very different than any other kind of fundraising event within the Jewish community. Women, men, families, groups and students – every one of different abilities can be a part of this unique and fun experience. Every OXC participant challenges his or her body and tests his or her limits throughout the course in support of children and adults with disabilities that navigate an obstacle course every single day of their lives, as they work to overcome their own personal challenges. Prior to OXC, I had never done a Tough Mudder-type obstacle course. I didn’t know how I was going to prepare and train for it. Fortunate-

ly, OHEL provides free training sessions within our community along with many other communities. The classes at Fit Studio are geared to focus on core muscles, balance and weight bearing exercises; all of which is great prep for OXC. My son and I trained with Avid Fitness which really prepared us for all of the obstacles on the course. Avi is great at organizing training sessions for both adults and kids simultaneously! He really drives home the idea of always working together as a team. Once on the course, it was evident that this was not just about breaking personal physical barriers and doing our personal best. This was so much more. We were inspired and uplifted by the group and team efforts that were apparent all around us throughout the day. From the first obstacle we relied on our teammates and we continued working together all the way to the end. It was clear that this event was not about “me” but rather it was about “others”, which is one of OHEL’s core principles. How can we as a community be there to help those most in need? The entire OXC day is extraordinary, for participants and their family members alike. It begins with a beautiful breakfast, before being outfitted with great OXC swag, followed by the challenging race itself. Upon finishing the race, everyone is given a place to take a hot shower before eating a delicious BBQ that is set up for all to enjoy. This year OHEL has added a new element to OXC. They will be hosting a Young Leadership Shabbos on May 25-26 for students, and those interested should contact Rabbi Avi Weber, OXC Community Coordinator, at Weber.avi@gmail.com. I am very thankful that through the OHEL OXC Classic, I am able to combine my love of, fitness, desire to do chessed and give tzedakah, along with my deep love and concern for helping others overcome their disabilities, by being a part of Team OHEL. There is still time to sign up, train and join the fun! Visit http://www. oheloxc.org for more information. Looking forward to helping out and hopefully participating again next year!


The Jewish Home | APRIL 26, 2018

DESIGN&CONQUER: 516.987.8853

Our SPECIALTY STAFF

FRUMIE GREENFELD

MINDY WEINSTEIN

RACHEL DYCKMAN

SHIFFY SCHREIBER

MALKA BAILA LAUTERBACH

ESTHER SILVERMAN

MRS. LEEBA BRISK

MRS .SURI WEINGOT

MRS.ELLEN SHAIMAN

MRS. RUCHI DUNN

PHONE: 718.324.6724(ORAH) EMAIL: ORAHDAYCAMP@GMAIL.COM WEBSITE: WWW.ORAHDAYCAMP.COM

57


58

APRIL 26, 2018 | The Jewish Home

Around the Community

A Beacon Rises in Far Rockaway

A

s we cruise down Beach 9th Street, what is it about the corner of Dinsmore that gives so many of us this subconscious urge to slow down and grab a glance? You might say it’s the sudden, dramatic rise of the imposing four-story structure, going from a hole in the ground to a fully blocked building in just a few short months. Perhaps. But, most likely, it’s more than that. For so many of us, it’s more of a deep-seated pride that our beloved Siach Yitzchok is finally on the road to getting its long-awaited home. Whether or not we have a direct connection to Siach Yitzchok, there’s a special, warm place in our heart for this mossad and its indefatigable Menahel, Rav Dovid Sitnick. For 38 years, this cheder and its distinctive chinuch

approach have contributed a unique dimension to the beautiful spectrum of the Five Towns/Far Rockaway community’s essence and identity. For far too long, we passed this corner, looking at the gaping hole in the ground and at the beautiful rendering alongside it, longing for something to finally happen. As with every holy endeavor, it didn’t come easy. Perhaps the myriad and complex challenges along way are in fact a testimony to the exalted nature of this project. But now there’s a momentum. The construction is proceeding at an accelerated pace. Multiple crews are working simultaneously side-byside, to keep to the expedited construction schedule. This past week alone, the blocking of the third floor classrooms was completed and secured to the ceiling while

new loads of block and mortar were boomed up for the fourth floor. The ironworkers completed the full set of staircase frames for stairwell number 1, running all the way from the ground floor to the

roof. Stairs are now ready for concrete treads to be poured. HVAC installers hung the huge sheet-metal feeder ducts on the fourth floor and began work on the smaller duct lines. Scaffolding was erected on the west and north sides of the building. The rough plumbing crew completed installation of two storm drain pipelines from the fourth floor down to the sublevel on the north and south walls and also completed all of the second and third floor sprinkler lines and heads. The dynamic momentum has instilled a renewed interest in the broader community to be part of this project. Rabbi Mordechai Stein, Siach

Yitzchok’s newly installed Director of Development, reports on individuals from across the spectrum calling in of their own volition, seeking to earn a perpetual zechus as a partner in this special mossad ha’chinuch. The Yeshiva’s Building Action Committee, led by Mr. Henry Schachar, is gearing up to launch a special “Final Stretch” building campaign effort to help bring the project to the finish line. For information on dedication and sponsorship opportunities please contact Rabbi Mordechai Stein at the Yeshiva office at 718.327.6247 ex. 16 or mstein@siachyitzchok.org.

An Incredible Experience at Prospect Park

O

n Sunday, April 15, twenty 3rd and 4th grade students of Prospect Park Yeshiva Bnos Leah entered the New York State’s All-Girls Championship Chess Tournament with hundreds of other students from all nationalities, religions and cultures. For the past two years our girls attended a weekly chess class built into the curriculum, under the tutelage of Mr. Oleg Frenkel, a former chess champion. The excitement and thrill were palpable as the parents and students were sequestered in a room waiting

to play five chess games throughout the day-long tournament. At the end of the event two Bnos Leah girls were trophy winners and many other students received ribbons and awards. Many of the matches went over an hour and a half, and the Yeshiva students who were all newcomers to tournament level chess held their own and even bested players with far more experience. Elite public and private schools were represented at the event. Unlike many of the other schools our students were not chosen for

their academic ability, but simply because they were interested in learning to play chess. Some of these girls are academically average, and some struggle with the intense concentration needed in a yeshiva’s dual curriculum. But at the tournament all the girls were superstars, intently focused for the entire matches. Mrs. Arlene Klestzick, Rabbi Akiva Kelman and many parents watched in awe as the girls became fierce competitors who didn’t even move during the long matches and the after-games review of strategy.

What did the experience teach the girls? Hard work, perseverance, and pushing oneself beyond one’s limits bring achievements that exceed normal expectations—and then anything can be accomplished. The girls glowingly exuded tremendous joy in their efforts. They all won at least one game in the tournament and some won three out of the five. They all had a sense of pride and this pride will propel them to greater achievements in other areas. Just watch them soar. We are so very proud!


The Jewish Home | APRIL 26, 2018

59


60

APRIL 26, 2018 | The Jewish Home

A DAY IN THE HOLY LAND 2 A CHINESE AUCTION TO BENEFIT THE BE’ER MIRIAM TZIPORAH HACHNOSAS KALLAH FUND THE TAG SHTICK GEMACH IS DEDICATED IN MEMORY OF OUR BELOVED STUDENT ELISHEVA BASYA KAPLAN A"H.

‫זכרון אלישבע בתיה משמח חתן וכלה גמ"ח‬ ALL PROCEEDS FROM THIS GEMACH WILLL BE ALLOCATED BY THE BE'ER MIRIAM TZIPORAH HACHNOSAS KALLAH FUND FOR CHASANIM AND KALLAHS IN OUR NEIGHBORHOOD ONLY.

• Sunday, May 13, 2018 • Machon Sara TAG High School

636 Lanett Ave., Far Rockaway, NY Please indicate how many tickets in each prize box:

$54 $36 $25 $18 $10 $5

1

2

3

4

5

6

9

10 11

7

Adult Viewing: 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. Family Viewing: 1:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. Magic Show and Carnival: 2:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. Auction: 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.

8

$54

x____=$_____

$36

x____=$_____

$25

x____=$_____

$18

x____=$_____

33 34 35 36 37

$10

x____=$_____

38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45

$5

x____=$_____

12 13 14 15

16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32

46 47 48 49 50

Please indicate your preference:

Jackpot x ____=$_____ (1 for $10 / 3 for $25)

Split the Pot x ____=$_____ (1 for $10 / 3 for $25)

Total Purchases= $___________ EARL BIRDY SPEC IAL!

UNTI L Name _____________________________________________ MAY 3 Phone ________________ Email ________________________

Place my tickets in prize boxes before the auction. Hold my tickets at the door for me. PAID BY MAY 3RD

Enter me in $500 cash raffle. $100 Early bird bonus tickets (minimum order $150)

WWW.BEER-MIRIAM.ORG

Billing Address _____________________________________ City _______________________ State _____ Zip __________  Check Enclosed  Credit Card  Visa  MasterCard  Discover  Amex Card # _____________________________________________ Expiration Date _______ / _______ CVV ________

@BEERMIRIAMTZIPORAHAUCTION


The Jewish Home | APRIL 26, 2018

COLLECT YOUR VELVEL CARDS... ALL WEEK in Cedarhurst, parks & little league 1 for $10 • 3 for $25

Jackpot

7. Fall by Malky Goldstone

$18

Split the pot

8. $3,500 towards Groceries

16. Diamond Michelle Watch

$10

25. Dining in Manhattan

34. Ride on Car

35. Shabbos Dream

$54

You spend:

You get:

$100

$135 in tickets

$150

$210 in tickets

$225

$300 in tickets

$275

$420 in tickets

$360

$600 in tickets

$500

$800 in tickets

$750

$1350 in tickets

$1000

$1800 in tickets

1. $2,600 Towards a Custom wig

2. Necklace

3. $3,000 Tuition or $2,500 cash

9. 13” Macbook Air

10. Amazon & More

11. $1,000 at Prestigio Wigs

17. 2 tickets to Florida

18. $750 at Target

19. Vitamix 7500

26. $500 in Linen

27. Paint Nite for 10

28. Men’s Time

$25

36. Camp Areivim & Spring

37. Hair and Makeup

$5

$36

Extra $100 in auction tickets (minimum purchase $150)

and

You will be entered into a special raffle to win $500. (drawing at the auction)

4. Painting

5. The Best Dressed List

6. 2 Tickets to Israel

12. $1,000 at Costco

13. $1,000 at 925 Sterling

14. Summer at Camp Atara

15. $1,000 at Simons Malls

20. $1,200 in Gift Certificates

21. 3 piece Samsonite Luggage

22. $700 in Gift Certificates

23. City Mini & More

24. iPad2 & Beats

29. $500 Gift Certificate

30. Coffee & Espresso machine

31. Diamond 32. $500 Earrings to Kalahari Resort

38. Photo Shoots

39. Anki Cozmo

40. Sous Vide

41. Dining on Central

33. Always Safe

42. Read Up!

1 WEEK LEFT

22 43. $200 at American Girl

Tickets purchased & paid before Midnight, May 3, 2018:

44. Wireless Beats

45. Paper Goods & More

46. Magnatiles

47. Playmobil & More

48. $200 at Seasons Express

49. Lottery tickets

50. Be Surpised!

FOR EARLY BIRD SPECIAL

*Pictures are for illustrative purposes only.

ORDER BY PHONE:

ORDER BY MAIL:

ORDER ONLINE:

Zeldie B. (516) 519-4080 (516) 642-2813 Estee B. Evening: Bas Tziyon F. (347) 260-5921 (516) 662-7991 Tova A.

Be’er Miriam Tziporah 648 Seagirt Blvd. Far Rockaway, NY 11691

www.beer-miriam.org

Daytime:

ORDER 22 BY FAX: (718) 228-6711

ORDER BY EMAIL: 22 tickets@beer-miriam.org

13

DAY OF AUCTION HOTLINE:

(347) 306-0940 *until 4:00PM

22

61


62

APRIL 26, 2018 | The Jewish Home

Around the Community

GOSR SERVICES: Case Management- GOSR Case Managers can coordinate services to the following: Kosher Food Pantry SNAP Enrollment NOEP (education to increase aware ness and participation in the underutilized SNAP, Summer Food Service Program, and School Breakfast Program in New York State) Medical Insurance Enrollment (Medicaid, Medicare, Child Health Plus, Essential Plan and other Qualified Health Plans available through the New York State of Health Marketplace) Mental Health Counseling and Career Counseling Crisis Intervention

 Career Counseling

The 10th annual breakfast of Yeshiva Shaarei Tzion was held on Sunday morning at Congregation Shaaray Torah in Lawrence. The master of ceremonies was Abie Farber. The Rosh HaYeshiva, Rabbi Tzvi Flaum, spoke of how wonderful the community is with many outstanding rebbeim, a fantastic Vaad HaKashrus, and an eruv with no controversy. He then introduced the guest speaker, HaRav Meir Braunstein, mara d’asra of Agudath Israel of Long Israel. Rabbi Braunstein spoke of the significance of Lag B’Omer.

PHOTO CREDIT BY IVAN H NORMAN

Celebrating their Volunteers

I

n conjunction with National Volunteer Week, Margaret Tietz held its Annual Appreciation Luncheon on April 17 for over 100 individuals. Margaret Tietz is very fortunate to have a very large volunteer program. Participants include seniors from the community, organizations, Project ReBloom volunteers which have beautified our garden, synagogues, schools, churches, college interns, yeshiva students, elementary school students, and special ed

students that interact on a daily and weekly basis with our residents and staff to everyone’s appreciation. These special relationships makes Margaret Tietz a very special place. The administration from many schools were here to receive recognition for the special contribution their students make. Among the schools present were: PS 200, Queens Transition School, and Hillcrest High School. A wonderful time was had by all.

 Housing Case Management

CALL 718.327.7755

EMAIL info@jccrp.org

1525 Central Avenue Far Rockaway, NY 11691

WWW.JCCRP.ORG

The Early Childhood Division of Shulamith celebrated Yom Haatzmaut with a very special fair. First, the girls heard all about the importance of the day. Then, each class went to the various booths where they got to decorate blue and white cupcakes, write a note at the Kotel, go fishing in the Kinneret, play “Shimon Omer,” and read a story. The girls danced back to their classrooms and received their very own Israeli flags. What a wonderful way to mark this important occasion!


The Jewish Home | APRIL 26, 2018

63


64

APRIL 26, 2018 | The Jewish Home

Around the Community

Camp Shira Launches with Meet and Greet Events

O

n Sunday, April 22, over 300 registered campers enjoyed the first official events of Camp Shira! The Junior division campers had free play at Cup of Fun Cafe while the Senior and Extreme divisions frolicked at the new Spring Gymnastics located at Life Gym. All three sessions were at max capacity as campers and parents partook of both great facilities. The different sessions provided a taste of the many exciting outings planned for this summer while also

offering an opportunity for the campers and parents to meet Shira’s dynamic, experienced directors. At the conclusion of the sessions, each camper received a Shira swag bag with branded giveaways, freebies and more to enjoy and get them in the mood for this summer! Several lucky girls won raffle prizes that included bikes, scooters, deluxe headphones and an Instamax camera. One mother said, “My daughter has never been this excited for the summer before!”

Camp Shira, a new girls’ camp based out of Shulamith School for Girls, launched for the 2018 summer and was an instant hit in the community, filling up quickly with wonderful girls from across the Five Towns and Far Rockaway community. Many bunks are full and the camp is closing out soon to focus on providing a top-notch summer for its registered campers. The directors behind the camp combine years of day camp and sleepaway camp leadership experience

with a passion for providing the absolute best in summer entertainment! Camp Shira’s calendar is already fully booked with an action-packed slate including entertainers, trips, concerts and more. Concerts by Michoel Pruzansky and Shloime Kaufman as well as a show by Shimi Adar provide a vibrant soundtrack for the summer. This summer at Camp Shira promises to uphold its slogan: Camp Shira – A Summer to Sing About! See more info or register at campshirany.com.

Rambam Mesivta Celebrates 26th Annual Scholarship Dinner

T

he Torah landscape in the Five Towns community is certainly different today than it was in the early 1990’s. The Five Towns is blessed with many wonderful Torah institutions, both shuls and schools. Rambam Mesivta was founded in 1991 by a group of community-minded individuals who saw the need for a serious learning program that offered excellence in academic studies, coupled with the love of Eretz Yisrael and commitment to Klal Yisrael. After one year of careful planning, the Mesivta opened its doors in 1992. From its humble beginnings that year, the Mesivta has blossomed into a premier yeshiva high school for boys. Rabbi Zev Meir Friedman, the Rosh Mesivta, said, “Twenty-six years ago we told parents and students that Rambam was ‘more than just a school.’ We emphasized that we intended to focus on Torah, middos, and excellence, in addition to academics and scholarship. B”H, our track record illustrates that we have been true to our word and our mission. We are fortu-

nate to count so many of our graduates as Torah centered family men, active in their communities.” But Rambam is not just about its talmidim – it’s about its families. The success of any school is due to the partnership between the school and parents and their values. On April 29, Rambam will be celebrating its 26th Annual Scholarship Dinner. The Guests of Honor, Eli and Julie Verschleiser, exemplify the characteristics of chessed, middos tovos and love of Eretz Yisrael where they are passionately involved in several Jewish organizations: BetEl, Shavei Hevron, and Beit Orot to name a few. On their frequent trips to Israel they do not come as tourists but rather come from the perspective of, “What can we do to help?” They serve as wonderful ba’alei chessed role models to all their children including this year’s graduate, Jacob, who will be learning in Mechinat Keshet Yehuda in the Golan next year. These values have been

transmitted to them from the parents who are stalwart supporters of the Medina. The Parents of the Year, Steven and Dr. Alissa Grill, are outstanding and actively involved members of the Long Beach Community. They and their children, led by their example, are very active in their shul, Congregation Bachurei Chemed. Their chessed extends to many Jewish organizations such Shalva Israel, Keren Or, and Friends of the IDF. Dedication to the Jewish people is a family tradition. Their oldest son, Sam (Rambam 2012), is a “lone soldier” officer in the IDF, while their son, Charlie, a senior at Rambam, is president of Bachurei Chemed. Max will be joining the Rambam family next year (Rambam 2022). It goes without saying that in chinuch the key to success is the dedication of the faculty. The Rebbe of the Year, Rabbi Ari Boiangiu, is a model Rebbe. His commitment to seeing every student succeed, coupled

with his ever-present smile of approval, has inspired and provided Rambam students with the necessary foundation to pursue their dreams while living a life committed to Torah, mitzvos and community responsibility. Adam Ehrenreich, Alumnus of the Year, personifies what Rambam Mesivta stands for. Always unassuming and humble, Adam is accomplished professionally and a ba’al chessed for his community and Klal Yisrael. Adam and his wife, Sara, are following in the footsteps of their illustrious parents, well known in their communities for activism, dedication and chessed. They live in Teaneck with their son, Judah. Rambam was founded with the educational message that one can and should be a Torah Jew who excels in his professional endeavors with a commitment to the community at large both here and in Eretz Yisrael. Rambam is committed to that mission and their upcoming dinner enables an important Torah institution in our neighborhood to instill those values in the generations to come.


The Jewish Home | APRIL 26, 2018

65

Around the Community

Making Sefira Count at YOSS The Koidenover Rebbe giving a shmuz in Mesivta Shaarei Chaim in Far Rockaway

T

he talmidim in Rabbi Binyamin Jacobi’s second grade class at Yeshiva of South Shore have undertaken a meaningful project as part of sefirat ha’omer. They are working on middos that focus on “ahavas Yisrael.” Each day

they follow their sefira chart and try to emulate the daily goals like showing respect, sharing, helping others, speaking kindly and making friends. Rabbi Jacobi is proud of their progress!

Coffee, Torah, and Yeshuos in Meron

I

f you’re in Meron on Lag Ba’Omer and find yourself trotting up the Derech Mehadrin, please look out for the Kollel Chatzos representatives. Refresh yourself with a glass of coffee from our “chai rotel station,” and then, rush ahead…you have a lot to experience. We, at Kollel Chatzos, can tell you all about the me’ara – its magnetic pull, the dramatically inspiring hisoirerus, and the life-transformative yeshuos sourced at this very site. After all, we’re here every night of the year, in Cheder Yaakov located on the Kohanim porch. While we learn here night after night, we are still taken by the power of the experience. We, at the Kollel, feel especially connected to Rabbi Shimon. For it’s Rabbi

Shimon’s holy Zohar which inspires us time and again about the tremendous merit of nightlong Torah learning. So, we feel like we’re living Rabbi Shimon’s directive all year long. We also see how Rabbi Shimon’s havtachos and promises are fulfilled. Each of us, individually, has our own personal experience of how bracha has permeated

our lives in the zechus of nightlong Torah learning at the kever. And many of our donors, for whom we daven and learn, have also shared with us their breathtaking stories. If you’re zoche to be in Meron on Lag Ba’Omer, we’re really happy for you because we understand the happiness you’re about to experience. We invite you to

join us in the Kollel. Like every night of the year, we’ll be spending the night learning, from chatzos to vasikin. You can pull over a chair, open a sefer, and let yourself be pulled into the kol Torah… Experience the koach Rabbi Shimon describes again and again. But if you’re not in Meron, you could have the zechus of Meron. Call up

the Kollel Chatzos office, and sponsor the Torah and tefilla on this special night. Better yet, partner with us and we’ll learn and daven in your zechus every night of the year. We feel it’s a tremendous zechus to be your representative. We look forward to seeing you.


66

APRIL 26, 2018 | The Jewish Home

Around the Community

Record Breaking

D

RS students earn a record breaking $1.7 million in scholarships to Yeshiva University. Twenty-five of our seniors have received honors scholarships. These awards reflect the high achievement of DRS students, as

well as the longstanding partnership that DRS has developed with Yeshiva University. Scholarship amounts ranged from $7,500 per year, up to the highest amount that YU offers, $25,000 per year. DRS is extremely proud of its hardworking and high

achieving students. Mazel Tov to Uri Ash, Moshe Bennett, Binyamin Bortz, Eitan Carroll, Aaron Ehrlich, Jakey Friedman, Sruli Fruchter, Zachary Goldberg, Daniel Goldstein, Josh Hirt, Yosef Kaminetsky, Jeremy Klein, Avi Kushner, Steven Lieber,

Jonah Loskove, Yosef Mehlman, Eitan Mehlman, Benny Miler, Chezky Rothman, Yakir Sacknovitz, Yonatan Schiller, Jacob Silbiger, Aaron Singer, Avishai Teitelbaum and Daniel Weiss.

Sefira and Safrus at Siach

O

n Wednesday, Rabbi Lovett and Rabbi Schachter, shlita, took their classes at Siach Yitzchok to the Jewish Children’s Museum in Brooklyn. The main fea-

ture, in preparation for Shavuos, was a demonstration about safrus and how a sefer Torah is made. The boys watched, enraptured. It was certainly a new experience to see animal skins

of a goat, sheep, and cow, a sefer Torah written on klaf from a deer, and a very small set of tefillin dating back to World War II. Not only did the boys get to see the various types of klaf, some of the boys even touched the skins. In fact, because the boys listened so well, one boy was called up to help run the automatic sander on a skin! The take-home souvenir was a feather and a booklet on how to cut the feather correctly to fashion a quill for safrus. Aside from the main event, the boys also had a grand time as they viewed and experienced various displays on Matan Torah, yom tov, a kosher kitchen, and a “food shopping trip.” Another memorable aspect was the game show on Shavuos. This memory game was enjoyed by all.

Rabbi Lovett told us that the Pre1A boys demonstrated their maturity through their excellent behavior while on the long bus trip. Thank you to Mrs. Adler and Mrs. Zomick for accompanying the boys on this wonderful outing. We also take this opportunity to wish a hearty mazal tov to both Pre1A classes on completing Sefer Kriyah Ne’ima and moving onto the next sefer, Amira Ne’ima. May the boys have continued hatzlacha.


The Jewish Home | APRIL 26, 2018

Around the Community

67

Spend an

Learn & Live

Unforgettable Shavuos with Yeshiva University AT OU R AN N UAL

Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary Yarchei Kallah

Friday, May 18–Monday, May 21 HILTON W E S TC HE S TE R I RYE BOOK , NE W YORK W ITH OU R

P R E S I D E N T • R O S H E I Y E S H I VA • R E B B E I M • FAC U LT Y

R

abbi Yehuda Deutsch came to the Learn & Live program this past Sunday and brought to life the mitzvah of shiluach hakein. Rabbi Deutsch told the boys the story of how he had a nest right in his very own front yard and learned all about the mitzvah himself. Many of his friends came to do this very unique mitzvah. As part of Rabbi Deutsch’s presentation all the boys were able to

make their very own “nest” with some robin “eggs.” This coming Sunday iy”H at Learn and Live will be on the topic of shatnez: “What’s in your Jacket?” For more information regarding L&L/Pirchei of Far Rockaway please email us at learnandlivefr@ gmail.com or try our hotline 641715-3800 pin 932191#.

A Supermarket Scavenger Hunt Siyum

O

n Tuesday, April 17 Ezra Academy’s Mishna class celebrated their completion of the sixth perek of Mesechet Brachot. After learning about which brachot are appropriate for which foods and some practical halachot, it was time to celebrate. But this was no ordinary siyum. The boys went to Season’s on Main St. and were each given a different scavenger hunt list based on the brachot they just completed learning about. Upon comple-

RABBI DR. ARI BERMAN

tion of the hunt the list was checked to make sure the information was all correct. When the list was all accounted for each boy was then given money to buy whatever they desired. On the way back to school they made one more stop to get an early lunch of pizza. Thank you Seasons for allowing us to use your facilities for this educational celebration. We are looking forward to continued successful learning and fun-filled siyumim.

The Bayswater Jewish Center, located at 2355 Healy Avenue, Far Rockaway, NY 11691, will be holding its ANNUAL SPRING THRIFT SALE on Thursday, May 3, from 7:00 – 9:00 PM; Sunday, May 6, from 3:00 – 6:00PM; and Monday, May 7, from 6:00 – 8:00 PM. There is something for everyone! For more information, please contact the chairman of the Thrift Sale, Michael Gliner, at 516-239-9500

RABBI HERSHEL SCHACHTER

RABBI ELCHANAN ADLER

RABBI MENACHEM PENNER

RABBI YONA REISS

DR. MIRIAM ADLER

RABBI HAYYIM ANGEL

MRS. MICHAL HOROWITZ

RABBI ARI LAMM

DR. DAVID PELCOVITZ

MRS. NECHAMA PRICE

RABBI DR. JACOB J. SCHACTER

Join us for a Yom Tov experience that will keep you inspired until Shavuos comes again!

FAMILIES ARE WELCOME World-class presenters with Shiurim and Lectures on a variety of levels Elegant Dining I Tea Room I Kiddush I Day Camp and Babysitting I Excellent Teen Program • Special program with YU Connects •

For more information and to register! yeshiva.imodules.com/shavuos, shavuosyk@yu.edu, 646.592.4021


68 30

APRIL 26, 2018 | The Jewish Home OCTOBER 29, 2015 | The Jewish Home

TJH

Centerfold

Riddle me this?

You gotta be

kidding

??

Caesarius, the leader of a band of assassins, was taken captive by an opposing kingdom. “Give me your daggers,” said one of the generals, “or you are to be executed. But since you killed so many of our knights, we shall give you a small test. You must say a statement. If the statement is true, we will throw you in the deep end of the river. If the sentence is false, you will be subject to hanging.” What should Caesarius say?

Stanley told Harvey about the most amazing experience that he had:

?

See answer below on the opposite page

The Things That Would Happen If Your Car Was Like Microsoft 2. Every time they repainted the lines in the road, you would have to buy a new car. 3. Occasionally your car would die on the freeway for no reason. You would have to pull to the side of the road, close all of the windows, shut off the car, restart it, and reopen the windows before you could continue. For some reason you would simply accept this.

5. Macintosh would make a car that was powered by the sun, was reliable, five times as fast and twice as easy to drive –but would run on only five percent of the roads. 6. The oil, water temperature, and al-

“Wow,” responded Harvey, “that is amazing. So, how much did you win?” “Nothing,” Stanley replied, “my horse came in seventh place.”

For no reason whatsoever, your car would crash every day.

4. Occasionally, executing a maneuver such as a left turn would cause your car to shut down and refuse to restart, in which case you would have to reinstall the engine.

“On July 7th, I had a most unusual day. I woke up at exactly 7:07, stumbled to my refrigerator for a drink and noticed that my wife bought 7-UP. I got dressed, went downstairs, and caught the number 7 bus to go to my office on 77th street. While sitting in my office on the 7th floor, it dawned on me that there’s something going on with me and the number 7 today. So I went to the race track and placed a $777 bet on the number 7 horse in the seventh race, whose name was Seventh Heaven, to win.”

ternator warning lights would all be replaced by a single “This Car Has Performed an Illegal Operation” warning light. 7.

The airbag system would ask “Are you sure?” before deploying.

8. Occasionally, for no reason whatsoever, your car would lock you out and refuse to let you in until you simultaneously lifted the door handle, turned the key and grabbed hold of the radio antenna. 9. Every time a new car was introduced, car buyers would have to learn how to drive all over again because none of the controls would operate in the same manner as the old car. 10. You’d have to press the “Start” button to turn the engine “off.”


The Jewish Home | APRIL 26, 2018 The Jewish Home | OCTOBER 29, 2015

Everything April Crossword Puzzle 3 4

5 6

7 8

9

10 11 12

13

14

Down 2. Robert E Lee 3. San Francisco 4. Baseball 5. Titanic 6. Maryland 7. New York 9. Thomas Jefferson 10. Hank Aaron 13. Poetry 14. Showers

2

Across 1. Shakespeare 8. Ford Theatre 11. Apollo Thirteen 12. Pollen 15. Paul Revere 16. Richmond 17. Taxes 18. Jackie Robinson 19. Library of Congress

1

Answers:

15

16

17

18

19

Clues: Down

Across

2.

1. 8. 11. 12. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19.

Born in April, his classics include Hamlet and The Merchant of Venice Place where President Lincoln was shot Third mission to the moon The more there is, the more you sneeze One if by land, two if by sea Capital of the Confederate states One of two things that’s guaranteed in life #42 joined the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1947 and broke the color barrier Largest library in the world

Answers to Riddle Me This: “Here are my daggers!”

Confederate general who ended the Civil War by officially surrendering on April 9, 1865 3. Famous 1906 earthquake rocked this city 4. America’s pastime 5. The Unsinkable 6. This state entered the Union on April 28, 1788 7. The first president took his oath of office in this city 9. The third U.S. president 10. The player who broke Babe Ruth’s homerun record 13. National Month 14. This happens in April so that we can get May flowers

69 31


70

APRIL 26, 2018 | The Jewish Home The Jewish Home | OCTOBER 29, 2015

3

Torah Thought

Parshas Acharei Mos-Kedoshim By Rabbi Berel Wein

T

he book of Vayikra contains most of the mitzvot that appear in the Torah itself. Because of this, it contains relatively little narrative. Nevertheless, the number and quality of the commandments themselves demand our study and appreciation. The Torah apparently could have sufficed by just saying “be a good person.” In fact, this was the slogan of many Jews and even of Jewish institutions and organizations in the past who claimed that none of the ritual commandments were necessary if one just remained “a good person.” Of course, there is no unanimous opinion as to how to define who is a good person. The definitions varied from generation to generation and culture to culture. The henchmen of Joseph Stalin and perhaps even those of Adolf Hitler somehow justified every evil behavior in the belief that they were accomplishing some ultimate good that transcended the

bothersome details of murder and genocide. The capacity of human beings to continually redefine good to fit any political agenda or current fad is truly limitless. If it were not for the specific commandments of the Torah that have a defined, ultimate good for the Jewish people and for civilization

represents the traditional view as to what makes up a good person. As is often the case, many humans double down on the details and minutia of rules to the exclusion of seeing the general pattern of behavior into which they must fit. And, on the other hand, we find those that only see

The Torah has always been the trees and the forest at one and the same time.

generally over millennia, we would be at a loss to find any moral footing for our lives and behavior. The Torah has always been the trees and the forest at one and the same time. It is the minute detail and a general pattern of behavior that

the general moral pattern and ignore the detailed instructions that give meaning and substance in daily life to this general moral pattern. When we purchase a sophisticated piece of machinery we find that it always comes with detailed and

sometimes very complicated instructions as to how this device is to be assembled, connected and installed. One may completely understand how the device works and what its ultimate benefit will be, but if one does not follow the instructions for installation, even as to its smallest detail, this device cannot be installed and will not work. Without the detailed commandments, the general pattern of morality outlined in the Torah simply would never come into being. Jewish history attests to this. It would be unthinkable that the Torah would command us to be a holy nation dedicated to the service of G-d and human beings without telling us how this was to be achieved. It would not have shipped that necessary device to us without including instructions for its use in our everyday lives. This, I believe, is the primary message of the Torah reading of this week. Shabbat shalom.


The Jewish Home | APRIL 26, 2018

M E S I V T A A T E R E S YA A KO V

annual dinner BUILDING MONDAY, MAY 14 TH 2018 THE SANDS

1395 BEECH STREET, ATLANTIC BEACH, NY

DINNER 7:00 ELI EISENBERGER & MENACHEM LIEBER DINNER CO-CHAIRMEN

Eliezer & Gitti Allman GUESTs of HONOR

PROGRAM 8:00 AVI DREYFUSS • ERNEST ISAACSON JOURNAL CO-CHAIRMEN

Shimon & Shulamit Gross Parents of the Year

Dr. George & Miriam Adler grandParents of the Year

Celebrating the Class of 2008

R A B B E I M F O R L I F E . E D U C AT I O N F O R L I F E . T O R A H F O R L I F E . MESIVTA ATERES YAAKOV 131 WASHINGTON AVE, LAWRENCE, NEW YORK 11559 TEL: 516.374.6465 • FAX: 516.374.1834 EMAIL: DINNER@ATERESYAAKOV.COM • WEB: WWW.ATERESYAAKOV.COM

CORPORATE SPONSOR

71


72 64

APRIL 26, 2018 | The Jewish Home OCTOBER 29, 2015 | The Jewish Home

From the Fire

Parshas Acharei Mos-Kedoshim Our Lifeblood By Rav Moshe Weinberger Adapted for publication by Binyomin Wolf

H

ashem tells us many times in the Torah, “I am Hashem,” but in this week’s parsha (Vayikra 18:5), He adds, with regard to the study of Torah and the fulfillment of the mitzvos, “V’chai ba’hem, ani Hashem, And you shall live with them, I am Hashem.” The commentaries explain the meaning of the phrase, “And you shall live with them.” The Gemara (Sanhedrin 74a) explains that it means: “V’chai ba’hem v’lo yamus ba’hem, You shall live with them and not die through them.” In other words, if necessary, one must violate any mitzvah in the Torah in order to save a life, with the exception of the prohibitions against idolatry, murder, and immorality. Rashi, however, explains that it means: “V’chai ba’hem l’olam haba, And you shall live with them in the world to come.” The pasuk teaches that if we fulfill the mitzvos we will live not only in this world, but in the next world as well. The Netziv in Haemek Davar explains that when the Torah uses the word chai, life, it has two possible meanings. Sometimes it simply means “alive,” as opposed to dead. This is the sense of the word chai in the pasuk “And you shall live with them” according to Rashi and the Gemara. The mitzvos should not be a cause of death. In addition, by doing

the mitzvos, we merit life in the next world. But the word chai has another meaning. The Netziv explains that the word for life also means to live a full, whole life that is not mired in small-mindedness. Therefore, he says, with regard to this pasuk, that it obligates us to live a life in which “she’tihiyeh nafsho misaneges b’hergesh ruchai ba’hem, one’s soul should experience spiritual delight in them [the mitzvos].” We can experience a taste of this in one of the mitzvos in the parsha which few of us have experienced; the mitzvah to cover the blood of fowl or wild animals after slaughter (Vayikra 17:13-14). The Torah tells us “... when one eats a wild animal or fowl, he shall shed its blood and cover it with dirt. Because the soul of all flesh is in its blood...” While the Torah does not usually offer reasons for the mitzvos, here, the Torah says that we cover the blood of a slaughtered bird or wild animal because the animal’s soul is in its blood. The Ohr Hachaim Hakadosh explains that the Torah tells us that it is only proper to cover the animal’s blood,because it contains the animal’s soul. He explains that this is similar to the reason why we honor the body of a deceased person, since it recently contained a living soul.1 The Torah commands us to show respect for the

animal’s life by covering its blood. Rav Shmuel Berenbaum, zt”l, the Mirrer Rosh Yeshiva, uses this Ohr Hachaim to teach us a fundamental concept. When a Jew is about to slaughter a bird or animal, it is certainly a mitzvah and it is justified so that the person can make a living and others can eat. But the act of slaughter nevertheless diminishes the value of life generally. At the time of slaughter of a chicken, for example, its life appears completely insignificant and inconsequential. Therefore, in order to counteract the diminished perception of the value of life which arises from the act of slaughter, Hashem commands us to show some honor and respect for the chicken’s life in order to restore the value and honor of life generally. When a person fulfills the mitzvah of covering the blood, he contemplates the fact that Hashem is so concerned about the value of life, even the life of a seemingly insignificant little bird, that He gave us a special mitzvah in order to instill a respect for the preciousness of life within us. We must understand the value of being alive. Rav Berenbaum takes the lesson to the next level by explaining that once a person contemplates the inherent value of life, he will come to a deeper appreciation of the source of

life: the Torah. As we say in Maariv, “Ki hem chayeinu v’orech yameinu, because they [the words of Torah] are our life and the length of our days.” The Torah’s infinite value is not only related to the fact that it comes from and is one with Hashem Himself. It is also the source of our lives. It is what we live for and long for. The Ran, quoting Rabbeinu Yona (on Nedarim 81a), explains the following statement in the Gemara: “Rav Yehuda says in the name of Rav: ‘What is the meaning of the pasuk, “Who is wise who can understand this matter?”’ This matter [the reason for the destruction of the second Beis Hamikdash] was asked of the sages and the prophets and they could not explain it until Hashem Himself explained it, as it says, ‘Because they abandoned my Torah...,’ meaning that they did not listen to My voice, meaning that they did not go in the ways of [the Torah]. Rav Yehuda says in the name of Rav, ‘because they did not make the blessing over learning Torah before they began studying it.’” How could the Gemara say that the Jewish people did not say the blessing over learning Torah at the time of the destruction of the second Beis Hamikdash when even the simplest Jews say this blessing? In ad-


The Jewish Home | APRIL 26, 2018 The Jewish Home | OCTOBER 29, 2015

dition, how could the entire destruction and exile result from a failure to say one blessing!? Rabbeinu Yona, as quoted by the Ran, explains that while the Jewish people may have been studying Torah, they did not value the Torah. They may have said the blessing, but they did not have the right intentions when they did so. They viewed Torah as a source of intellectual stimulation and they saw knowledge of Torah as a source of honor. Perhaps some studied Torah in order to obtain an exemption from army service, in order to be exempt from paying taxes, or to have greater chances of “getting a good shidduch.” They did not see the Torah as their life, as inherently important. A person can study Torah all day but not see it as his life’s blood. It is not what he lives for, what he looks forward to. Hashem characterizes this attitude as abandonment of the Torah. Do we think about what we are saying when we say the blessing over studying Torah? We say, “Hashem our G-d, please sweeten the words of the Torah in our mouths.” We thank Hashem that “He choose us from all of the nations and He gave us His Torah.” Do we feel how blessed and how fortunate we are that we are the ones to whom Hashem gave the Torah? Hashem gives us a multiple choice test in the Torah. He says (Devarim 30:15, 19), “See, I have placed before you life and good, death and evil... the blessing and the curse...” Like those teachers our children love, Hashem is kind enough to tell us in advance which answer to choose. One might expect that we should choose “good” or “blessing,” but instead, Hashem tells us, “And you shall choose life.” The key to our work as Jews is seeing the Torah as the source of life. As the Navi (Yeshaya 55:3) says, “Listen and your soul shall live.” A Jew can be religious and observe the mitzvos, checking off every box in the Orthodox Jewish checklist. But we were chosen for something much bigger. We must live with a vibrant Yiddishkeit. The Torah and mitzvos are our life and must be what we look forward to and long for every day. The Beis Hamik-

dash was destroyed because even though we kept the mitzvos, we did not value the Torah. So too, today, a Jew can live in a way of destruction, physically observing the mitzvos and checking off Torah study from his list of things to do most days, but he really lives for work, food, cloth-

head again, and asked another boy to read. This one said, “And Keinan lived seventy years and he gave birth to Mehalalel... And it was that all the days of Keinan were nine hundred and ten years and he died.” Once again, the Kotzker shook his head and told the Rebbe that he was not

The key to our work as Jews is seeing the Torah as the source of life.

ing, money, honor, sports, entertainment; anything but Yiddishkeit. We must feel, as the Netziv put it, “that one’s soul should experience spiritual delight in Torah.” There is a story of the Kotzker on a visit to his hometown of Tomishov. He received a grand welcome as a son of the town who “made it big.” As was the custom in those days, the Rebbe went to visit the yeshivos where the children studied Torah and tested the boys. He came to one school where the young boys were studying the end of parshas Bereishis (5), when the Torah recounts the generations from Adam to Noach, listing each patriarch of the generation, recounting the fact that he lived a certain number of years, had a certain number of children, and then he died. The Rebbe asked one boy to read and translate a few psukim. The boy read, “And Sheis lived one hundred and five years and he gave birth to Enosh... And it was that all of the days of Sheis were nine hundred and twelve years and he died.” The Rebbe shook his head, “No, that’s not right.” The boys’ rebbe was confused since the boy had translated the pesukim correctly. But the Kotzker turned to another boy and asked him to read the next psukim. This boy read, “And Enosh lived ninety years and he gave birth to Keinan... And it was that all of the days of Enosh were nine hundred and five years and he died.” The Rebbe shook his

teaching the boys correctly. Dumbfounded, knowing that all of the boys had correctly translated the pesukim, the boys’ rebbe asked the Kotzker how the pesukim should be translated. The Rebbe then shouted, “And Keinan lived

73 65

seventy years...” And then he whispered, “And he died.” He went on to explain, “For a Jew, the emphasis must be on what he lives for. Everything else and his ultimate death are only secondary.” May we merit to live for Torah and mitzvos, so that Yiddishkeit is our soul, our lifeblood, the source of life. By having a living, breathing, vibrant Yiddishkeit, may we merit to rectify the underlying cause of our exile and return to Yerushalayim with the rebuilding of the Beis Hamikdash and the coming of Moshiach, may it be soon in our days. 1. The reason for the distinction between wild animals and fowl, whose blood is covered, and domesticated animals, whose blood is not covered, is beyond the scope of this article. Rav Moshe Weinberger, shlita, is the founding Morah d’Asrah of Congregation Aish Kodesh in Woodmere, NY, and has served as Mashpia in Yeshiva University since 2013.


74 20 20

APRIL 26, 2018 | The Jewish Home OCTOBER 29, 2015 | The Jewish Home OCTOBER 29, 2015 | The Jewish Home

Between the Lines

Hate Speech By Eytan Kobre

I shall allow no man to belittle my soul by making me hate him. -Booker T. Washington

O

n February 9, 1960, Adolph Coors III, the millionaire head of the Coors Brewing Company, was kidnapped and held for ransom. Seven months later, he was found dead on a remote hillside. Adolph Coors IV was only fifteen years old when his father’s murderer, Joseph Corbett Jr., was charged with murder and convicted to life in prison. After 15 years, Adolph Coors IV was still consumed by his hatred for Corbett. As a man of faith, Coors knew he needed to forgive Corbett. So he visited the maximum-security unit of the Colorado State Penitentiary to talk with Corbett. But Corbett refused to see him. Coors had no choice but to leave without having his conversation. But he did leave Corbett a Bible with this inscription: I’m here to see you today, and I’m sorry that we could not meet. As a man of faith, I am

summoned to forgive. I do forgive you, and I ask you to forgive me for the hatred I’ve held in my heart for you. The prohibition against “hating” fellow Jews likewise refers to a hatred “in your heart” (Vayikra 19:17). And, at least implicitly, it encourages us to have the kind of conversation Coors sought to have with Corbett. While some regard this prohibition as embracing all forms of hatred, whether repressed or expressed (Ramban, Vayikra 19:17; Sheiltos, Nos. 27 and 131; Meiri, Yoma 75a/85a), most authorities deem this prohibition purely a matter of mental, or socioemotional, disposition (Eruchin 16b; Rambam, Sefer HaMitzvos, Prohibition 302; Rambam, Deios 6:5; Sefer HaChinuch, No. 238; Chofetz Chaim, Introduction, Negative Commandment No. 7). Outward expressions of hate may well run afoul of other commandments, but this prohibition is about a silent, more odious hatred that lurks within the heart. The commandment thus seems counterintuitive: if unexpressed hatred is prohibited, surely hatred that is exhibited through some overt act

ought to be. But silent hatred is more corrosive because it allows small hate to fester and percolate, ultimately mushrooming into an unmanageable problem. Indeed, “hatred in one’s heart causes great evil between people, creating permanent conflict between brothers and friends…it is the lowest and most disgusting trait” (Sefer HaChinuch, No. 238). We are thus instructed not to hate silently “in the heart” but to communicate with the object of our enmity (perhaps through appropriate rebuke), which permits the other party to explain, admit, and possibly resolve the discord (Chizkuni and Ohr HaChaim, Vayikra 19:17). Whatever the outcome, hatred is unlikely to fester. In fact, given the choice between hating silently in the heart and acting on our hatred, remarkably we are “obligated to display hatred” through communication (SeMaK, Commandment No. 17). We encourage such expression and communication to forestall unnecessary escalation of hatred that might be avoided through dialogue. Don’t get me wrong: our tradition denounces hatred emphatically. Hatred “drives man from this

world” (Avos 2:16), is a cause for the death of young children (Shabbos 32b), caused the destruction of the second Bais HaMikdash and is tantamount to the three cardinal sins (Yoma 9b). “Hatred is hated” (Pele Yoetz, Sinah). To be sure, not all forms of hate are taboo. G-d Himself “hates” hypocrites and those able but unwilling to exonerate others (Pesachim 113b). We are to hate those who lord themselves over others (Avos 1:10). We are to hate those who are brazen (Taanis 7b). And we are to hate impenitent sinners who pay no heed to rebuke (Pesachim 113b; Rambam, Rotzeiach 13:14; Sefer HaChinuch 238; Avos D’Rabi Nosson, Chapter 16; Tehillim 139:21; Mishlei 8:13) – or, more accurately, the evil within them (Berachos 10a; Yechezkel 33:11; Tehillim 104:35). R’ Yitzchok Elchonon Spektor had an acquaintance who was a true zealot and bore an intense hatred for sinners. R’ Yitzchok Elchonon disagreed with such an attitude. “It is like a cat and a homemaker. Both hate rats, but there’s a difference: the cat wants rats so that it can attack them; the homemaker does not want rats at all. It is the same with


The Jewish Home | APRIL 26, 2018 The Jewish Home | OCTOBER 29, 2015

me and my colleague: he wants sinners to exist so he can hate them; I pray that there will be no sinners in the first place.” Even more impressive than not hating at all is the ability to transform hatred into love (Avos d’Rabi Nosson, Chapter 23). But that is impossible in the absence of interaction and communication and discussion (Chochma U’Mussar, Vol. II, pg. 178; Chofetz Chaim [Be’er Mayim Chaim], Introduction, Negative Commandment No. 7; Pele Yoetz, Sinah). The prohibition against hatred has a productive aim. So it is no surprise that, in the context of a “hater” disqualified from testifying about someone he hates, a “hater” is defined as one who has not spoken to his friend out of spite for three days (Sanhedrin 3:5). Hatred is manifested not by affirmative expressions of hatred but by a lack of interaction. Consider the case of Amnon, Tamar, and Avshalom. After Amnon

forced himself on Tamar, Avshalom bore a great hatred for Amnon and would not speak to him at all about what had happened (II Shmuel 13:22). This unexpressed hatred ultimately resulted in Avshalom wrongfully having Amnon killed (II

we “hate” in unloading his donkey (Rambam, Rotzeiach 13:13; Shemos 23:5; Bava Metzia 32b). The goal is to re-establish the human connection that dispels hatred. Not that I’d know from experience, but I imagine it’s more difficult to hate some-

Silent hatred is more corrosive because it allows small hate to fester and percolate.

Shmuel 13:28-31). Had Avshalom spoken to Amnon his hatred might have dissipated (Ralbag, II Shmuel 13:22; Rambam, Deios 6:6); instead, Avshalom’s hate only grew – and with tragic consequences. Perhaps that is the reason we are commanded to assist someone

one when you’ve just helped them unload their donkey. And perhaps that is why we refer to all hatred within our own camp as “baseless hatred.” Almost all hatred has some cause. But when we suppress our initial – and perhaps justifiable – feelings of hatred, and

75 21

we cease all communication and interaction, what began as a feeling of justifiable hatred escalates into something far more corrosive. It is that added measure of hatred caused by a lack of communication that truly is “baseless.”

A

s we mark the period in which the 24,000 disciples of R’ Akiva – whose motto was “love your neighbor as yourself” (Bereishis Rabba 24:8) – perished due to a lack of respect for one another (Yevamos 62b), this is an especially opportune time to re-establish communication with those we might think we hate. That is the best antidote for hatred. That kind of hate speech is encouraged. Eytan Kobre is a writer, speaker, and attorney living in Kew Gardens Hills. Questions? Comments? Suggestions? E-mail eakobre@outlook.com.


76

APRIL 26, 2018 | The Jewish Home

Rabbinical Reflecti ns

What If? By Rabbi Mordechai Yaffe

A

s a child, I was quite the comic book aficionado and I had an abiding loyalty to the ongoing narratives. That meant that if a character was killed off, he was gone permanently, so the writers had to be pretty careful. There was none of this “rebooting” that I am told is so popular today. However, in order to be able to explore alternate realities, the writers invented “What If…” storylines which allowed for entirely different versions to exist without compromising the integrity of the characters’ “actual” lives. Since that time, I have always had a fascination about how my life would have unfolded had I made different choices. We all have the “what ifs” that could be based on the multiple journeys we might have taken. Those thoughts can be quite sobering, pondering the multitude of pathways of what might have been, if only… There is a well-known story told about the Netziv (Rav Naftali Tzvi Yehudah Berlin), who was the Rosh Yeshiva of Volozhin for almost 40 years

until Russian interference forced its closing in 1892. As a young boy, he was not sufficiently applying himself to his learning and was not achieving success. One night he overheard his parents saying that since he was not progressing adequately in his learning, they would send him to learn a trade instead. Upon hearing this, he

had he not begged his parents that day. He imagined that he would have lived the life of an ehrliche Yid, keeping mitzvos, giving tzedakah and perhaps even learning a bit. However, upon departing this world, he would have been confronted by an accusing prosecutor asking him where his seminal works Haamek Davar and

We are trusting in Him, rather than expecting Him to trust in us.

burst into the room and begged his parents to give him another chance. They agreed and he quickly applied himself to his learning to the degree that he achieved renown as the quintessential masmid, ultimately assuming the role of rosh yeshiva in Volozhin. Later in life, the Netziv pondered what would have happened

Haamek Shaila were. He would have replied that he was a simple tradesman, incapable of producing scholarly works, to which he would have been told that he had missed his calling and purpose in the world. Our choices have consequences! This point was “driven home” to me this past week when I was return-

ing from an outing with my family. I noticed that my gas tank was very low (I still have children who borrow my car) and was pondering if I should turn left to get gas or turn right to go home and fill up the next day. I decided not to be lazy and proceeded to turn left. On the way to the gas station, while waiting to make a right turn, our car suddenly lurched forward as the car behind me rammed into my rear right bumper. I made eye contact with the other driver with the generic “what are you doing?” gesture, after which he proceeded to hightail it out of there. Between the four of us in our car, we got his license plate number (thus avoiding a bad old joke) and called the police. However, on arrival, they told us that since it was not a New York State plate it was unlikely they could do anything. I accepted the situation with equanimity, grateful that none of us were injured and that the damage wasn’t more extensive. Still, I couldn’t help but wonder what would have been had I turned right and why things had to


The Jewish Home | APRIL 26, 2018

turn out this way instead. You see, I know what happened as a result of my left turn, but I have no idea if perhaps something much worse would have happened had I gone the other way. The fact is, we never know and that can be quite unnerving. According to early reliable sources, one approach of Jewish thought is that we need to have bitachon, to trust that everything is going to work out for the best. That approach creates the dilemma that every tragedy that ever occurred can be traced back to a lack of sufficient bitachon, and that if we would just have enough trust and belief, everything would always work out the way we would like. That is a rather heavy burden to bear. On the other hand, in the second perek of his Emunah U’Bitachon, the Chazon Ish explains that the definition of bitachon is not the belief that when faced with two possible outcomes one must believe that the better (or thought to be better) outcome will happen. Rather, it is to know that nothing happens by chance and that Hashem is controlling and directing everything for an ultimate good. I like to describe it in the following terms: We are trusting in Him, rather than expecting Him to trust in us. So how do we know what to do? In many circumstances, the answer is actually quite clear. One time, I was approached by a young man in college who was confronted with the following challenge. He was taking a course that was required for him to be accepted into a professional program. During a critical exam, he became aware that most of the class was cheating, and he had ample opportunity to do so as well. When he spoke with me, he was bemoaning that he did not cheat and that, because of that, he most likely would not have the necessary grade to get into the program. He wanted to know if he was being foolish for maintaining honesty when surrounded by rife corruption. I noted that he could have cheated, gotten into the program, and perhaps had a miserable life pursuing a path that was not right for him. Conversely, by maintaining integrity and not getting into the program, perhaps he was setting himself up for an incredibly successful and satisfying life. The problem is that we don’t know the future and have no opportunity to compare the results of two paths. So what is one to do? We possessors of bitachon are very fortunate in this

77

The Yeshiva of Far Rockaway PTA Invites you to join us to be

“SEEDED” at our

ANNUAL SOIRÉE Honoring Sara Isaacson Chaviva Pfeiffer Miriam Stein D’vora Weinberg Monday Evening May 7, 2018 . 22 Iyar 5778 . 7:30 p.m. Yeshiva of Far Rockaway 802 Hicksville Road . Far Rockaway A delectable dairy buffet will be served Raffles & presentations will enhance the evening Aliza Fuchs & Chani Gellis, Chairwomen For sponsorship opportunities, please see enclosed card RSVP 718.327.7600 info@yofr.org

regard. We have a guideline that directs us in all situations. It is called halacha. It is no coincidence that this means “the way.” We have a clear path to navigate, a directed route to our destinations, wherever it may lead. The Torah exhorts us, “Tamim tiyeh im Hashem Elokecha” (Devarim 18:13), be whole with Hashem, your G-d. Rashi tells to accept wholeheartedly all that comes your way and that you will then be with Hashem and His portion. The Ramban explains that

we are to believe that He alone causes everything to occur and knows the future outcome. Our task is to realize that we aren’t really in control of anything in our lives. All we can do is stay to the derech hayashar, the straight path, to follow the navigational system that we have been provided. In actuality, the “what ifs” of life are irrelevant. It seems that our Israeli brothers and sisters actually have the correct response all along when they give their standard directions: “Yashar, yashar.”

Rabbi Mordechai Yaffe is the Rosh HaYeshiva of Ateres Yaakov, a local Mesivta (MAY) and Yeshiva Gedolah, with over 220 talmidim, and the rav of Kehillah Ateres Yaakov. Besides his decades as an experienced mechanech, Rabbi Yaffe holds a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology and is licensed to practice in the State of New York. Any topics of interest, questions or comments can be sent to editor@ fivetownsjewishhome.com.


78

APRIL 26, 2018 | The Jewish Home

The Jewish Home | OCTOBER 29, 2015

1

My Israel Home

Women on the Map By Gedaliah Borvick

Hannah Senesh

T

hroughout Israel’s capital, streets are named for women spanning many time periods and walks of life. Baka has the largest percentage of streets named after women. They include such Biblical luminaries as the matriarch Rivka; Tzipora, Moshe’s wife; Esther Hamalka, the queen of Persia and the heroine in the Purim holiday; Yael, a heroine in the period of the Judges, who killed the commander of the army of Hatzor; Yocheved, heroine and mother of Moses; and Miriam Hachashmonait, the wife of King Herod. Some Jerusalem streets are named for female sages. Two examples are Bruriah, a Talmudic sage who was admired for her tremendous breadth of knowledge (see Tractate Pesachim 62b), and Professor Nechama Leibowitz, a twentieth century Bible scholar and commentator credited with rekindling interest in Bible study.

Golda Meir with David Ben Gurion at his residence, in 1973

Other streets are named for women who left their mark in the world of culture and the arts. One example is Professor Gertrud Kraus, a dancer and choreographer and the creator of modern dance in Israel. Kraus was a true renaissance woman, as she was also an accomplished painter and sculptor. Some streets are named for authors, such as Leah Goldberg, who crafted tales and literary works and lectured at the Hebrew University, and prominent poets such as Zelda Michkovsky and Rachel Sela. Other streets are named in memory of fighters during World War II and Israel’s War of Independence, such as Zahara Levito, a pilot and commander of a Palmach squad who was killed in the line of duty in 1948, and the legendary Hannah Senesh, a poet, playwright and paratrooper who parachuted into Yugoslavia to rescue Hungarian Jews about to be departed to Auschwitz. Some of Se-

nesh’s poems were later set to music and became popular Israeli folk songs. In addition, streets were named after female politicians such as Golda Meir – Israel’s fourth prime minister, who was known as “the grandmother of the Jewish people” – educators, activists, philanthropists, and Righteous Gentiles. A large majority of Jerusalem streets are named after men but there has been a movement over the past decade to reverse this trend. Case in point: two newly constructed streets in Baka were named after women. At the luxurious Park Eight project, the main pedestrian boulevard has been named Dina Street, in memory of the Biblical figure Dina, daughter of the patriarch Jacob and matriarch Leah. At the Bustan Baka project, a new street is named after Martha Bamberger, who was active in Women’s International Zionist Organiza-

tion, or WIZO, where she founded a chain of handicraft stores. In addition, Bamberger assisted Jewish refugees who moved to Israel after World War II as well as Jews who had been evacuated from their homes during Israel’s War of Independence. She also championed the “cottage industry” concept, helping women work from home, raise their children, and provide income for their families. The Jewish nation has been blessed with powerful women who have helped shape the course of Jewish history. It’s heartening to see their efforts recognized in the public forum. Gedaliah Borvick is the founder of My Israel Home (www.myisraelhome.com), a real estate agency focused on helping people from abroad buy and sell homes in Israel. To sign up for his monthly market updates, contact him at gborvick@gmail.com.


The Jewish Home | APRIL 26, 2018

79


80 80

APRIL 26, 2018 | The Jewish Home OCTOBER 29, 2015 | The Jewish Home

Art & Soul

Artist Yaeli Vogel Captures the Joy in Judaism

By Malky Lowinger

A

year ago, on May 22, 2017, President Trump made history when he became the first U.S. sitting president to visit the Kotel. On the other side of the mechitza, his wife, Melania, and daughter, Ivanka, also paid their respects. Many of us were intrigued when we saw the iconic image of Ivanka praying at the Kotel. It was a powerful and emotional moment. But when artist Yaeli Vogel of the Five Towns saw it, she was moved beyond words. And, as she often does, she decided to express her deep emotions through her painting. Super-talented and expressive, Yaeli’s art is gaining recognition from connoisseurs and collectors around the world. She uses Judaic themes in her work, but adds her own personal vibrant flair. “My work is happy,” she explains. “It’s full of movement and strokes.” Bold bursts of color and dynamic strokes and swirls punctuate her work. “My art,” says Yaeli, “is an abstract representation of the purity of our heritage. It’s not the art you’ll find on your grandmother’s wall.” The image of Ivanka – who took the Hebrew name Yael when she convert-

ed to Judaism – at the Kotel tugged at Yaeli’s heart and she knew she had to paint it. “That’s how I work,” she explains. “When I feel something, I know it and I’m onto it.” So she took a screenshot of that famous image and got to work, hoping that “maybe, maybe I would send it to her via Instagram and she would see it.” Painting Ivanka at the Kotel was

needs and become alive and magical.” A Kotel scene, she notes, is also challenging to paint. “You have to get the texture just right.” The painting is a study in contrasts, the soft and subtle tones of the Kotel offset by the vibrant blues of Ivanka’s dress. Her hand is laid gently on the surface of the wall, and it’s clear that she’s praying intensely, despite the fact

“I'm not satisfied until it flows and sings back to me.” challenging but invigorating. Says Yaeli, “She is passionate about her religion and it was obvious that she was emotional at the Kotel. I worked really hard, adding layer by layer. With acrylic, it’s all about the layering. The more layers there are, the more the painting will possess the texture it

that we can barely see her face. The work combines all of Ivanka’s grace and beauty with the power and the holiness of that moment of prayer. When the painting was finally complete, Yaeli decided she wanted to send it to Ivanka. First she tried contacting her through Instagram, “but nothing

happened, as she gets bombarded with messages daily.” Then Yaeli tagged her. Still nothing. “I started getting frustrated,” she says, “because it was so beautiful and I really wanted her to enjoy it.” That’s when Yaeli decided to send the painting to the daughter of the President of the United States and see what would happen. “I tracked down her address and shipped it,” she says. “I was mortified. Here I was, a crazy person, shipping an oversized package to Ivanka Trump!” She hoped the shipping clerk wouldn’t notice how nervous she was. For about twenty days Yaeli tracked the package, but nothing happened. Finally, she received a call from the official appraiser of the President of the United States. “He said he has a painting that looks like Ivanka by the Wailing Wall and wants to know its retail value.” “My heart stopped!” Yaeli says. “I was so excited and so nervous!” She replied to the appraiser and then waited again. About a month later she received a nondescript letter in the mail from the White House. Inside was a check from Ivanka. “The appraiser told me that she loves the painting and


The Jewish Home | APRIL 26, 2018 The Jewish Home | OCTOBER 29, 2015

wants to keep it.” For Yaeli, this episode represented much more than just a check in the mail. “The confirmation was so surreal,” she explains. “This was more exciting to me than anything in my art career thus far. All that hard work was finally worth it and the goal was seen to the end. I tried so hard and my efforts paid off!”

I

t was a lesson well learnt, especially for this young woman who worked her way up in order to validate her place in the Jewish art world. “The Ivanka story is really just the cherry on top. There’s so much more. Ever since I started I was fighting and paving my way to be recognized. There were no other 26-year-old Jewish artists when I started out but I believed in myself. I didn’t know exactly how, but I knew I would be going somewhere.” Yaeli was always artistic and had the advantage of painting since she was young. Her mother loved to paint, and Yaeli would borrow her paints and brushes and would spend time painting during her younger years. But it never occurred to Yaeli to turn her art into a profession. It was one friend and one particular Sukkos that made Yaeli realize that this was her life’s calling. “After we were married, I painted a piece for our apartment and another for our sukkah. One of my friends couldn’t stop marveling at the artwork that I hung on the sukkah’s walls. She kept on telling me that it was beautiful; she urged me to sell it.” Yaeli laughs, “I

was naïve enough to believe her – and that was the beginning of it all.” Once the idea came into her head, Yaeli left her job and decided to pursue art full-time. Yaeli pounded the pavement. “I went to galleries in Brooklyn and in the Five Towns. I tried them all, but most of them said no. I was really discouraged because I knew I was onto some-

off. “I’m very thankful for social media. Nowadays artists don’t have to rely on middlemen to sell our work. Our collectors are at our fingertips.” There are other benefits as well. “Through Instagram I’ve gotten to know so many people and to build so many relationships, both personal and professional. People from all over the world contact me about my art. Ninety

“I want you to look at my paintings and come away happier.” thing.” Finally, a local gallery accepted her work, “and I was very grateful to them.” But Yaeli’s real breakthrough came via Instagram. That’s where she could post her paintings herself, without a gallery’s approval. “I devoted hours every day to get more followers, to post professional pictures, and to paint content. I promised myself I would paint every day and post every day. Social media is a full time job.” But it’s a job that eventually paid

percent of my sales are through social media. It’s amazing!” Yaeli says her work is very much inspired by the legendary Huvy, but she still maintains her own distinct artistic flair. At first, she says, “I dabbled in different styles, techniques, and mediums until I found my own way.” But when she was introduced to Huvy’s work, “lightbulbs and bells were going off in my head! I loved how alive and real her work is, so beautiful and pure. She is definitely my inspiration.

81 81

My own work is more abstract but the purity of Judaism, I hope, is the same.” Painting, for Yaeli, is a full body experience. “I have a studio where I do my painting,” she says, “and the music is always on. Painting becomes my workout. I paint, I dance, and I sing. When I’m done, I’m always starving!” It takes her an average of two weeks to complete a painting, “and I’m not satisfied until it flows and sings back to me.” Art requires diligence and dedication. Yaeli spends every day in her studio, working on her pieces. “With painting,” Yaeli says, “you can’t stop. You have to be constantly perfecting your technique on a daily basis.” Yaeli’s art is refreshingly bold and joyous. Her collection includes dancing chassidim, scenes of Jerusalem, street musicians, and an awe-inspiring representation of kriyas Yam Suf. Many of her paintings are of weddings. Perhaps, says Yaeli, it’s because her parents divorced at a young age. It was always her dream to be married and to build a solid, happy home. “I always aspired to have a happy life and home for my family,” she says. Her paintings are a reflection of her aspirations. Yaeli says she’s on a mission to help people live life to the fullest. “I want you to look at my paintings,” she says, “and come away happier. I want you to walk away different than when you started to look at it. My work is full of movement and dance. I want it to be a Broadway show on your wall.” Clearly, Yaeli invests tremendous


82

APRIL 26, 2018 | The| The Jewish Home OCTOBER 29, 2015 Jewish Home

passion into her work. She has committed herself to painting every single day, “and I often go back at night to continue if I’m in the middle of something.” Her website offers Yaeli’s original works as well as giclees and prints. “They are all beautiful, but very different,” she explains. “An original is like a diamond and a giclee is like

costume jewelry.” Yaeli puts her heart and soul into her originals, “and that’s what makes them so unique.” A giclee, she says, is a reproduction that’s been embellished by the artist. “They’re semi-original,” she points out. And a print, she says, “is simply a reproduction for those who want their space to be warm and beautiful.” Now, Yaeli is working on a water-

color series. The paintings are smaller than her other works and the paints themselves are thinner, making the painting process for each one a bit shorter than her other pieces. Although it can sometimes be lonely to work alone, Yaeli feels blessed to be able to inspire the world through her art. “There’s so much siyata dishmaya that happens whenever I pick

up my paintbrush,” she says. “I know there is, because when I’m done I have no clue how it happened.” Yaeli Vogel is a woman who has found her calling. “When the brush hits the canvas, I feel relaxed. I love to paint. It’s what I was meant to do.” For more information on Yaeli’s art, visit Yaelifineart.com.


70

OCTOBER 29, 2015 | The Jewish Home

The Jewish Home | APRIL 26, 2018

83

18

Spectacularly Wrong Predictions Made Around the Time of the First Earth Day in 1970

The prophets of doom were not simply wrong, but spectacularly wrong By Mark J. Perry

S

unday, April 22 was Earth Day 2018, time for an Earth Day article. In the May 2000 issue of Reason Magazine, award-winning science correspondent Ronald Bailey wrote an excellent article titled “Earth Day,

Then and Now” to provide some historical perspective on the 30th anniversary of Earth Day. In that article, Bailey noted that around the time of the first Earth Day in 1970, and in the years following, there was a “torrent of apocalyptic predictions” and many

of those predictions were featured in his Reason article. Well, it’s now the 48th anniversary of Earth Day, and a good time to ask the question again that Bailey asked 18 years ago: How accurate were the predictions made around the time of the first Earth Day

in 1970? The answer: “The prophets of doom were not simply wrong, but spectacularly wrong,” according to Bailey. Here are 18 examples of the spectacularly wrong predictions made around 1970 when the “green holy


84

APRIL 26, 2018 | The Jewish Home

day” (aka Earth Day) started: 1. Harvard biologist George Wald estimated that “civilization will end within 15 or 30 years unless immediate action is taken against problems facing mankind.” 2. “We are in an environmental crisis which threatens the survival of this nation, and of the world as a suitable place of human habitation,” wrote Washington University biologist Barry Commoner in the Earth Day issue of the scholarly journal Environment. 3. The day after the first Earth Day, the New York Times editorial page warned, “Man must stop pollution and conserve his resources, not merely to enhance existence but to save the race from intolerable deterioration and possible extinction.” 4. “Population will inevitably and completely outstrip whatever small increases in food supplies we make,” Paul Ehrlich confidently declared in the April 1970 issue of Mademoiselle. “The death rate will increase until at least 100-200 million people per year

will be starving to death during the next ten years.” 5. “Most of the people who are going to die in the greatest cataclysm in the history of man have already been born,” wrote Paul Ehrlich in a 1969 essay titled “Eco-Catastrophe! “By … [1975] some experts feel that food shortages will have escalated the present level of world hunger and starvation into famines of unbelievable proportions. Other experts,

The Jewish Home | OCTOBER 29, 2015

more optimistic, think the ultimate food-population collision will not occur until the decade of the 1980s.” 6. Ehrlich sketched out his most alarmist scenario for the 1970 Earth Day issue of The Progressive, assuring readers that between 1980 and 1989, some 4 billion people, including 65 million Americans, would perish in the “Great Die-Off.” 7. “It is already too late to avoid mass starvation,” declared Denis Hayes, the chief organizer for Earth Day, in the spring 1970 issue of The Living Wilderness. 8. Peter Gunter, a North Texas State University professor, wrote in 1970, “Demographers agree almost unanimously on the following grim timetable: by 1975 widespread famines will begin in India; these will spread by 1990 to include all of India, Pakistan, China and the Near East, Africa. By the year 2000, or conceivably sooner, South and Central America will exist under famine conditions… By the year 2000, thirty years from now, the entire world, with the exception of Western Europe, North America, and Australia, will be in famine.” 9. In January 1970, Life reported, “Scientists have solid experimental and theoretical evidence to support… the following predictions: In a decade, urban dwellers will have to wear gas masks to survive air pollution… By 1985 air pollution will have reduced the amount of sunlight reaching earth by one half….” 10. Ecologist Kenneth Watt told Time, “At the present rate of nitrogen buildup, it’s only a matter of time before light will be filtered out of the atmosphere and none of our land

71

will be usable.” 11. Barry Commoner predicted that decaying organic pollutants would use up all of the oxygen in America’s rivers, causing freshwater fish to suffocate. 12. Paul Ehrlich chimed in, predicting in 1970 that “air pollution… is certainly going to take hundreds of thousands of lives in the next few years alone.” Ehrlich sketched a scenario in which 200,000 Americans would die in 1973 during “smog disasters” in New York and Los Angeles. 13. Paul Ehrlich warned in the May 1970 issue of Audubon that DDT and other chlorinated hydrocarbons “may have substantially reduced the life expectancy of people born since 1945.” Ehrlich warned that Americans born since 1946…now had a life expectancy of only 49 years, and he predicted that if current patterns continued this expectancy would reach 42 years by 1980, when it might level out. (Note: according to the most recent CDC report, life expectancy in the U.S. is 78.8 years). 14. Ecologist Kenneth Watt declared, “By the year 2000, if present trends continue, we will be using up crude oil at such a rate…that there won’t be any more crude oil. You’ll drive up to the pump and say, ‘Fill ‘er up, buddy,’ and he’ll say, ‘I am very sorry, there isn’t any.’” 15. Harrison Brown, a scientist at the National Academy of Sciences, published a chart in Scientific American that looked at metal reserves and estimated that humanity would totally run out of copper shortly after 2000. Lead, zinc, tin, gold, and silver would be gone before 1990. 16. Sen. Gaylord Nelson wrote in Look that, “Dr. S. Dillon Ripley, secretar y of the Smithsonian Institute, believes that in 25 years, somewhere between 75 and 80 percent of all the species of living animals will be extinct.” 17. In 1975, Paul Ehrlich predicted that “since more than nine-tenths of the original tropical rainforests will be removed in most areas within the next 30 years or so, it is expected that half of the organisms in these areas will vanish with it.” 18. Kenneth Watt warned about a pending Ice Age in a speech. “The


72

OCTOBER 29, 2015 | The Jewish Home

world has been chilling sharply for about twenty years,” he declared. “If present trends continue, the world will be about four degrees colder for the global mean temperature in 1990, but eleven degrees colder in the year 2000. This is about twice what it would take to put us into an ice age.” Let’s keep those spectacularly wrong predictions from the first Earth Day 1970 in mind when we’re bombarded in the next few days with media hype, and claims like this from the Earth Day website: “Global sea levels are rising at an alarmingly fast rate — 6.7 inches in the last century alone and going higher. Surface temperatures are setting new heat re-

The Jewish Home | APRIL 26, 2018

from energy consumption have been rising throughout most of the rest of the world. Energy-related carbon emissions in the U.S. have been falling since the 2007 peak and were at their lowest level last year in a quarter century, going back to 1992. And the environmentalists and the “Earth Day” movement really had very little to do with this amazing “greening” of America. Rather, it’s mostly because of hydraulic fracturing and the increasing substitution of natural gas for coal as a fuel source for electric power. Finally, think about this question, posed by Ronald Bailey in 2000: What will Earth look like when

Matan Five Towns

Torah Event Rabbanit

"It is already too late to avoid mass starvation," declared Denis Hayes, the chief organizer for Earth Day, in the spring 1970 issue of The Living Wilderness.

cords about each year. The ice sheets continue to decline, glaciers are in retreat globally, and our oceans are more acidic than ever. We could go on…which is a whole other problem. “The majority of scientists are in agreement that human contributions to the greenhouse effect are the root cause. Essentially, gases in the atmosphere – such as methane and CO2 – trap heat and block it from escaping our planet. “So what happens next? More droughts and heat waves, which can have devastating effects on the poorest countries and communities. Hurricanes will intensify and occur more frequently. Sea levels could rise up to four feet by 2100 – and that’s a conservative estimate among experts.”

Reality Check/Inconvenient Fact What you probably won’t hear about from the Earth Day supporters is the amazing “decarbonization” of the United States over the last decade or so, even as CO2 emissions

Earth Day 60 rolls around in 2030? Bailey predicts a much cleaner, and much richer future world, with less hunger and malnutrition, less poverty, and longer life expectancy, and with lower mineral and metal prices. But he makes one final prediction about Earth Day 2030: “There will be a disproportionately influential group of doomsters predicting that the future – and the present – never looked so bleak.” In other words, the hype, hysteria and spectacularly wrong apocalyptic predictions will continue, promoted by the virtue signaling “environmental grievance hustlers.”

Malke Bina

Chancellor of Matan

Rabbanit

Shani Taragin

Renowned Torah Scholar

look forward to personally greeting you You are cordially invited to experience a taste of Matan

Celebrating 70 years of Medinat Yisrael

Monday, April 30th at 8pm by

Rabbanit Shani Taragin On Love, Laughter and Lag Ba'Omer

Mark J. Perry is a scholar at the American Enterprise Institute and a professor of economics and finance at the University of Michigan’s Flint campus. He is best known as the creator and editor of the popular economics blog Carpe Diem. At AEI, Perry writes about economic and financial issues for American.com and the AEIdeas blog.

At the home of

Stacey & Neil Mordowitz 276 Hewlett Neck Rd., Woodmere For further information:

friends@matan.org.il | Stacey (917) 674-3121

85


60 86

OCTOBER 29, 2015 | The Jewish Home APRIL 26, 2018 | The Jewish Home

Dating Dialogue

What Would You Do If… Moderated by Jennifer Mann, LCSW of The Navidaters

Dear Navidaters,

I have been dating Chaim for several months and though we both would like to take our relationship to the next level and get engaged, it’s clear that we argue way too much and seem to have some issues together. We decided to go for premarital (well, to be honest, pre-engagement) counseling with a couples therapist. The problem is that I find that during each of the three sessions we’ve attended, the therapist seems to take Chaim’s side – almost exclusively. And then, when we leave the office, our fighting seems to ramp up even more and we’re worse off than we were to begin with. Is this normal for pre-engagement therapy or any therapy? I feel as though the therapist is partial to Chaim and he can do no wrong according to her. I often read in this column many or all of the panelists advising couples to go for therapy, but I’m really not enjoying this experience at all and, if anything, feel under attack. Is this normal? Should we be looking for another therapist? Should we just stop seeing a therapist altogether and figure things out on our own? Though we argued too much before we began therapy, at this point, I would say that we’re actually fighting a lot. Chaim has become emboldened and seems to be accusing me all the time of bad behavior, since he feels he has the support of the therapist. Is this what the “therapy process” is supposed to be like?

Disclaimer: This column is not intended to diagnose or otherwise conclude resolutions to any questions.

Our intention is not to offer any definitive

conclusions to any particular question, rather offer areas of exploration for the author and reader. Due to the nature of the column receiving only a short snapshot of an issue, without the benefit of an actual discussion, the panel’s role is to offer a range of possibilities. We hope to open up meaningful dialogue and individual exploration.


The Jewish Home | APRIL 26, 2018

26

RAMBAM MESIVTA

th

Annual Scholarship Dinner

Honoring

Eli and Julie Verschleiser Guests of Honor

Steven and Dr. Alissa Grill Parents of the Year

Rabbi Ari Boiangiu Rebbe of the Year

Adam Ehrenreich

Alumnus of the Year Class of 2008 and

Class of 2008 on the 10th Anniversary of their Graduation Class of 1998on the 20th Anniversary of their Graduation Sunday Evening April 29, 2018 • 14th of Iyar 5778 5:15pm Buffet Dinner The Mansion in Lawrence 140 Central Ave, Lawrence, NY 11559 For more info call 516-371-5824 Ext. 102 Dinner.rambam.org

87


88

APRIL 26, 2018 | The Jewish Home

The Jewish Home | OCTOBER 29, 2015

61

The Panel The Rebbetzin Rebbetzin Faigie Horowitz, M.S. eople have goals when they enter therapy. The process is meant to uncover and work through the obstacles that block those goals. Sometimes deeper issues, emotions, relationships and traumas are uncovered that need to be dealt with in order to move ahead. These need to be processed in a healthy manner. In an effort to achieve the overall goal, new skills may also need to be developed and new patterns of reactions may need to be established. Therapy is work; it’s not a quick fix even if you have a specific objective. From what you wrote, it seems that you and Chaim went into therapy to deal with communication issues and other issues that you have not specified.

P

Your goal was to work through them in order to move your relationship to the next level and get engaged. Ask yourself if you are doing the introspection and the work to get there. Are you doing this as a couple as well? From what you say, you seem to feel judged. Is that a mature response to the things being uncovered in the three therapy sessions? Are you taking responsibility for things? You seem to be blaming Chaim and painting yourself as a victim, subject to even more fighting as he is “emboldened.” Perhaps you are not even hearing him and interpreting his honest communication as threatening. You seem to view things as a zero sum situation. That is very unhealthy in relationships, much more so in a marriage. During this short time in therapy you have barely begun to focus on communication skills that are pivotal

to any serious relationship and you are questioning its value! Therapy generally needs a good fit. People are advised to give it three times before transferring to another clinician. I am not, however, suggesting that you do so. You seem to have a very poor understanding of therapy, communication and relationships. Do the work and stick it out. You will gain insight into yourself and additional skills. Whether your relationship with Chaim will move forward remains to be seen. It is obvious that working it out together is not doable; the two of you don’t have the skills to do so. Do your work of self-understanding, talking and skills acquisition whether or not the compatibility and chemistry survives. It’s worth it. You need it to prepare for a serious relationship. Treat this relationship with Chaim as a catalyst for self-development, communication development and honesty with yourself. The two of you are not ready for marriage by a long shot.

The Mother Sarah Schwartz Schreiber, P.A. aybe I’m missing something, but between the arguments, squabbles, finger-pointing and attacks, is there anything positive about your relationship with Chaim? I digress; your question pertains to the therapy process – whether it’s normal that it’s not ”enjoyable” (it’s not supposed to be a joy ride), whether it’s OK for a therapist to take sides (no!), and whether it has caused your fighting to escalate (not a good sign!) Rather than comment on the therapeutic process or your therapist’s professionalism (or lack thereof) I suggest you find yourself another therapist; this time for yourself. Try and figure out why you are invested in a relationship that seems more polarizing than loving. If the acrimony you describe stems from your personal shortcomings (e.g. insensitivity, low esteem, anger, or insecurity) a qualified counselor

M

If this stage of your relationship is this striferidden, how secure are you that your engagement period and marriage won't be 100 times worse? may help you become more self-aware so that you may become a better (i.e. emotionally healthier) person, friend and marriage partner. And, perhaps, one day, a Mrs. Chaim.

The Shadchan Michelle Mond have referred many of my set-up couples, even those without glaring contentions, to see a pre-marital therapist to discuss shared growth in communication and problem solving. It is not the therapist’s usual protocol to take sides, but rather to help bring both sides to mutual understanding and learn how to better communicate with each other. Furthermore, when couples see a therapist, the unspoken consensus is that the therapist will be an objective arbiter who will act as the moderator and whose opinions and advice will be followed. If you entered therapy for sympathy or to hear that you can do no wrong, you have completely missed the point. Without knowing the personal details of your situation, I seem to be missing many puzzle pieces. However, throughout the entire question, I

I


62

found many causes for significant concern. In Hebrew, we say, “Kol haposel – b’mumo posel.” Loosely translated, it means that when we accuse others of a shortcoming, we often accuse them of possessing an iniquity which we ourselves possess. In psychology, this is a common defense mechanism known as projection. I would be interested to know of what “bad behavior” Chaim is accusing you and what you are constantly arguing about. Is the therapist uncharacteristically “taking his side” all the time because you are indeed exhibiting inappropriate behavior? Assuming you are seeing a reputable therapist, I see no reason to attribute fault to the therapist’s actions. Perhaps it’s time to take the hint that you are required to invest your own effort to

upgrade your relationship. With the therapist constantly taking his side, is Chaim indeed “emboldened,” as you imply? He might be… or this might be merely a perception on your part. Either way, it sounds like a very unhealthy relationship, and given what I am hearing, you don’t seem compatible. You must be able to work together with mutual respect. If you are finding this impossible with Chaim, ask yourself why you still feel inclined to pursue this relationship. The dating stage of a relationship is supposed to be the most fun and the least stressful. If this stage of your relationship is this strife-ridden, how secure are you that your engagement period and marriage won’t be 100 times worse? Re-evaluate your relationship

Pulling It All Together The Navidaters Dating and Relationship Coaches and Therapists

I

The Jewish Home | APRIL 26, 2018

OCTOBER 29, 2015 | The Jewish Home

am sorry to hear that you and Chaim have gone from arguing to all-out fighting. The stress you were feeling before therapy is now amplified with the added stress of what may be a bad therapy experience. You went in there to work on your relationship, and you are feeling as though your therapist is siding with Chaim and your thoughts and feelings are not being seen, validated or attended to. When a therapist has truly sided with one partner, this can have detrimental effects on the couple and in general is not good practice. Putting the therapist and the therapy aside for the moment, I’m concerned about what happens after and in between therapy sessions, about the arguing leading up to therapy and about the increased disconnection since beginning therapy; whatever the cause of the disconnection. You’ve known each other only a handful of months. My mind takes me to the following two places. Either, nothing “unkosher” is going on in that therapy room and you

have a hard time tolerating his feelings and/or the therapist validating his feelings, OR the therapist is indeed biased toward Chaim and both are mistreating you and he is not able to see how this hurts you. I must include the following disclaimer. I have no idea what is going on in that room. I don’t know what the issues are, I don’t know what the therapist is saying that is making you feel completely invalidated, and I don’t know whether you are “right” or “wrong.” Is it possible that you are perceiving this inaccurately? Yes. Is it possible that you are spot on, and this therapist has a bias? Yes. When a couple chooses to enter therapy, something isn’t working. What that “something” is will be unique to the couple. If a therapist gets stuck on who is right or wrong, we know in the field of couples’ therapy, that the work is likely to be unsuccessful. And when a therapist takes “sides,”

and ask yourself why, despite your constant arguments at this stage, you still feel compatible. Hatzlacha.

The Single Tova Wein rom what I know about therapy, a worthwhile therapist does not take sides. However, if one of the clients clearly needs more work than the other and the therapist actually takes the time to point out the specific issues that require work, so be it. Relationships are never 50/50. Usually one of the individuals is more responsible for the conflict than the other and so a therapist must clarify what is going on between them. Maybe your therapist is not as gentle as you would like her to be. Maybe you don’t feel comfortable with her style. But is it possible

F

especially with a feuding couple, we know that this can be harmful to the relationship. The job of a couples’ therapist is not to take sides. It is to help the couple resolve their issues (different couples therapists use different techniques and methodologies) and give them the tools (different therapist, different tools) to reconnect in a healthier way. In order to do this work, the therapist creates an alliance with both partners. The alliance forms naturally when each partner feels the therapist understands him/her. This is not to say that the therapist is validating “bad” behavior, but can understand the why behind the behavior. The exception to this rule is abusive or overtly aggressive behavior both inside and outside of therapy. If you aren’t getting a chance to explore your why; if what you are saying is being shut down; if she is agreeing with him, especially without having heard from you; or if you simply feel that she is missing the mark, the alignment may not be there, creating an unsafe environment for you. If you express this concern to Chaim, my hope is that he will want to or at least be open to changing therapists for your

89

Relationships are never 50/50. that you, in fact, are the “guilty” one, so to speak, who is causing most of the problems between you and Chaim? I think you need to consider this possibility. It’s not always a bad thing when a timid individual suddenly finds their voice and is able to state their feelings after getting validation from a therapist. Maybe Chaim has found his voice for the first time. But all of this is probably speculation, since I know so little. I suggest that you two try a new therapist. If what I’m suggesting is true, you will have a repeat of your last therapeutic experience. If the experience feels totally different, then maybe there was something off with the therapist you’re now seeing. But if, in fact, you once again feel persecuted in some way, it’s time you found your own therapist and figured out what’s going on with YOU!

comfort. After all, him feeling validated and being “right,” and you feeling miserable and alone doesn’t help the relationship. (See what I mean?) If this becomes another unresolvable argument or fight, whether because he doesn’t want to see a new therapist or the issues continue with the second therapist, I highly recommend you do some soul searching and/or check in with your own therapist to help you understand what you’re doing in this relationship; whether you’re on offense or defense, you’re playing. Sincerely, Jennifer

Esther Mann, LCSW and Jennifer Mann, LCSW are licensed psychotherapists and dating and relationship coaches working with individuals, couples and families in private practice in Hewlett, NY. To set up a consultation or to ask questions, please call 516.224.7779. Press 1 for Esther, 2 for Jennifer. Visit www.thenavidaters.com for more information. If you would like to submit a dating or relationship question to the panel anonymously, please email thenavidaters@gmail.com. You can follow The Navidaters on FB and Instagram for dating and relationship advice.


90 52

APRIL 26, 2018 | The Jewish Home OCTOBER 29, 2015 | The Jewish Home

Dr. Deb

Alternatives to Getting Defensive By Deb Hirschhorn, Ph.D.

H

ow do you feel when someone mistreats you? How do you feel when someone challenges you? How do you feel when someone tells you, point blank, that you did something wrong? Or worse? If you’re normal, you feel defensive. That’s the reaction most people would have. But is it healthy? Is there something better we can learn? Several years ago, I gave up checks. I found little use for them. I pay my bills, for the most part, by credit card or cash transfer. Why spend $17 on checks that I don’t need? I enjoy saving. But one of my doctors does not take credit cards. He only takes cash or checks. This makes sense because the processor charges him the money for taking credit cards. He doesn’t want to pay and I get that. So I called his office to see if they would be happy to take a cash transfer. They would not. The office person monotonously repeated, “Dr. Zen only takes cash or checks.” “I hear that,” I offered, “but if he would take the cash transfer, it would not cost him anything.”

Monotonous repetition from the clerk that the doctor only takes cash or checks. “Well, then, I will be happy to pay the cash amount next year when I come in for my annual visit,” I said. The monotonous clerk replied that that was fine but the billing office would keep sending me the bill for the $13.41 that was due “and you may go to collections,” she concluded with a note of victory in her voice. As I inhaled to say something, she hung up on me. I’m sure she was quite pleased with herself. But I felt mistreated. And that made me angry. Right away, when someone makes us angry, we want to strike out. Send a nasty letter to the doctor! Quit this practice! Call again and berate the office person! Instead, I took a deep breath. A few of them. And did not attack the office person or write a nasty letter. Why not? A few reasons: • It’s not worth my time. • I don’t need to sink below the good level that I want to be at. • It’s ridiculous to allow someone else to control my emotions. • It won’t work anyway.

But What Do You Do With Those Baaaad Feelings? Research shows that being out of control in a tough situation can lead to depression. The antidote to that is taking some action to give a feeling of control. That’s why even people who keep a messy desk (ahem) feel great when they clean it up. It’s taking a step towards gaining control over chaos. This also explains why a person’s first response, the knee-jerk response, to being spoken to rudely or in some way not being validated or appreciated or understood is to be defensive. It’s an action to take to attempt to rectify the error the other party supposedly made. Even worse, being aggressive is also an attempt to take action to undo the bad that was done. The problem, of course, is that neither being defensive nor offensive works. Generally, the nub of the issue is never understood by the other side because the other side now has to protect the position they took and will also become defensive. The problem just escalates from there. From this it becomes clear that taking productive steps, even small

ones, to gain control over messy situations can drive away those bad feelings and replace them with some semblance of happy ones. But the key word there is “productive.” Explaining to the office clerk her mistake does not constitute being productive, even if explained nicely. Here’s why: she was rude enough to hang up so she would not be a person who does much listening. For all I know, if she just heard my name, she might hang up on me again! Why put myself in that position? Here are some steps that restore injured self-respect: • Become knowledgeable. One way to feel better is to gain the knowledge you need to avoid such a situation in the future. A quick check of my bank’s website told me that Bill Pay is available so that the bank writes the check and mails it for me without extra charge. • Make clearheaded decisions about the future. Although Dr. Zen is a specialist, there are others. If office staff is like this, it means that the doctor (who I thought was good and also pleasant at my visit) doesn’t control staff hiring. It could be this office is part of a


conglomerate where corporate does that. But that means that if there is poor communication and pettiness, there can also be mishandling of vital information. I decided that I can skip Dr. Zen going forward and work with someone else. • Be grateful that you’re not them. This is an important one and should be used often. It’s not necessary to become haughty or arrogant, even in your own mind, about your own superiority over another person. On the contrary, this step is a great source of compassion. When you recognize that you would not act as badly as another person did, the next emotion that you can allow yourself to experience is both gratitude for yourself and compassion for them. After all, they lack what you apparently have. And if the truth be told, you probably did nothing to create those middos in yourself; you were lucky to have learned them from your

family or from school or from some other source of wisdom. Even if you learned by figuring out by yourself what the right way to be is, then that right way to be also includes not being arrogant because you figured it

The Jewish Home | OCTOBER 29, 2015

53

The Jewish Home | APRIL 26, 2018

91

themselves and often don’t even like themselves. This is the root of the problem. When another person does something dismissive, it is particularly painful because the one on the receiving end sort of believes it.

Taking productive steps, even small ones, to gain control over messy situations can drive away those bad feelings.

out. Either through lack of the gift of intelligence or a poor family background, the other person was not as fortunate as you are. So just be grateful. But this step requires that you actually do know and value who you are. Most people do not love

I remember a very nice person telling me, “I know I’m nice. Logically, I know it. But I just don’t feel it; I don’t believe it.” I’ve developed a resource for my clients in this position which I will share with you. When you get up in the morning and say “modeh ani,”

remember that some interpretations have it that it means Hashem has faith in us and that is why He gives us another day. Think of that every morning. There are many tools to make up for the feeling of self-love that parents did not instill. They are all based on brain research that shows that repetition reinforces neural pathways. In fact, once that optimal point is reached where the new thought has been in your mind more times than the old, bad thought, the old one starts to die off. Isn’t that great? That is an example of Hashem’s kindness. So remind yourself of the modeh ani throughout the day. Then go back to the three ways to “get back” at people who say the wrong things to you.

Dr. Deb Hirschhorn is a Marriage and Family Therapist. She can be reached at 646-54-DRDEB or by writing drdeb@ drdeb.com.


92 22

APRIL 26, 2018 | The Jewish Home OCTOBER 29, 2015 | The Jewish Home

Health & F tness

Gaining Weight Because You're Eating Too Little By Aliza Beer MS, RD

R

educing calories is necessary to lose weight, but eating too few may actually push you further from your weight loss goals and higher up on the scale. Severe calorie restriction can cause rapid weight loss at first, but weight gain in the long run. It is important to set a goal of balancing your calories so you have enough of a deficit to promote weight loss, while still getting the calories and nutrients needed to maintain good health and lose weight safely. Let us explore why eating too little can inhibit weight loss and even cause weight gain. Clinical data strongly links excess calorie restriction to weight gain due to increases in cortisol. Hormonal checks and balances are thrown off when the body is put under stress, which promotes fat storage. Cortisol triggers the release of insulin, which plays a role in storing calories for future fuel use. The physiological and psychological effects of calorie restriction work against weight loss. By restricting calories too severely, you will send your body into “starvation mode,” which slows down the metabolism. Eating food sparks your metabolism, making weight loss possible. When you are eating enough, the body first uses food for fuel, then turns to the fat it’s been holding onto for energy. When the body is in starvation mode, however, it starts to break down muscle tissue to reserve its energy stores. The body slows down function in organs to conserve

energy. When it is finally fed, it will hoard the energy for fat, afraid it will not be fed again for a while. This is part of the body’s survival mecha’nisms and is one reason why many people gain back the weight they lost on a very calorie restrictive diet. They shut down their metabolism by eating too few calories, and when they revert back to their old eating habits, the now-slow metabolism hoards and

cial to consume enough calories from protein. This is just one reason why men tend to lose weight faster than women. They are typically made up of more muscle, and it costs the body much more just to keep them alive. Losing muscle due to eating too few calories has a negative impact on your body composition and means that you will burn fewer calories. Sticking to a super-low calorie

By restricting calories too severely, you will send your body into "starvation mode," which slows down the metabolism.

replenishes the fat. Muscle loss is another reason people gain weight from too little calories. Too few calories mean too few nutrients, and protein is a nutrient that plays an important role in burning calories. Getting enough protein helps your body maintain and build lean mass. However, if you aren’t getting enough calories, then you are probably not supplying your body with the amount of daily protein your muscles need to maintain themselves. The body responds by breaking down muscle for energy. Because muscle burns more calories than fat, it is cru-

diet is hard, and often not sustainable. Periods of starvation often lead to periods of binging. Skipping meals will only lead to overeating at a later meal. Because you made your body nervous by skipping a meal, it will retaliate by hoarding the energy from the next meal, saving it for possible future starvation periods. However, the more often you eat, the more you will burn. When the body sees it is being fed every few hours, either a meal or a snack, it will speed itself up and become wasteful, no longer worried about saving the energy. Women should not be on a weight

loss diet below 1,000-1,200 calories a day; men, 1,600-1,800 calories. These numbers are just general guidelines that need to be calculated and changed depending on variables such as age, height, weight, medical history, and physical mobility. Any calorie restriction should be supervised by a physician and registered dietitian only. A physical trainer or life coach do not have the medical, nutritional, or scientific background necessary to safely guide a person on a weight loss journey. If a “nutritionist” or trainer ever suggests or recommends a diet below 1,000 calories, please discuss with your physician first before implementing any changes to your diet. Physical activity and exercise are powerful tools that should be implemented to help achieve weight loss goals. Exercise will increase muscle mass and help speed up the metabolism. It creates stronger bones and a stronger heart, one of the most important muscles in our body. A healthy diet with the adequate number of calories and a proper balance of nutrients, together with exercise, is the best way to achieve your weight loss goals. And remember: slow and steady wins the race. Aliza Beer is a registered dietician with a master’s degree in nutrition. She has a private practice in Cedarhurst, NY. Patients’ success has been featured on the Dr. Oz show. Aliza can be reached at alizabeer@gmail.com.


The Jewish Home | APRIL 26, 2018

YOUR SPECIAL SIMCH A I N ULTIMATE LUXURY Hilton Westchester’s lush woodland setting, modern elegance & impeccable service make your special events into timeless memories. E XC LUSIV E AMENIT IES | LUXU R IOU S ACCOMMODATION S | VAL E T PA RK I NG

Book your event by June 30, 2018 and receive 250,000 HILTON HONORS POINTS* to use your way!

ELEGANT BALLROOM SPACES TO ENTERTAIN OVER 1,000 GUESTS

BREATHTAKING OUTDOOR LOCATIONS

DEDICATED KOSHER KITCHEN & PREFERRED KOSHER CATERERS

Brian Finneran, Director of Catering | brian.finneran@hilton.com | 914.934.2571 699 Westchester Ave | Rye Brook, NY 10573 | westchester.hilton.com *Must take place prior to December 31, 2019 with a contracted food and beverage minimum of $15,000. PHOTOS COURTESY OF ANDRÉ REICHMANN PHOTOGRAPHY

93


48 94 48

OCTOBER 29, 2015 | The Jewish Home APRIL 26, 2018 | The Jewish Home OCTOBER 29, 2015 | The Jewish Home

Health & F tness

Moms Taking Care of Themselves A necessity if there ever was one By Hylton I. Lightman, MD, DCH (SA), FAAP

H

ere’s a truism: It’s so hard at times to keep your cool as a parent. There’s no surprise here. Our families are not small in numbers of members. Thank G-d. Lots of interesting personalities under one roof. The different stages of development under that same roof. The competing needs. The noise. The bickering. Honestly, there are moments when it’s overwhelming. And feeling incompetent is the proverbial straw that can break the back of the proverbial camel. This is what we davened for? It’s not unusual for mothers to feel the need to talk about this. There’s the human need to unload and, if you’re gifted with the gift of gab and there’s a sympathetic ear, life can be easier. Theoretically. Dads: You need to unload, too. But

let’s be honest. More mothers bring children to the pediatrician than fathers. That’s a straightforward, honest statistic. So this one is for mothers. Here’s some wisdom from fantastic mothers from whom I’ve learned during my 30+ years as a pediatrician. First, know it’s perfectly normal to feel a range of emotions, and some of them are downright negative. It’s hard to take care of children when the emotions are brewing and brimming over, cascading like lava that has erupted from a tumultuous volcano and is running at top speed down a mountainside, consuming and destroying all in its path. Think Pompeii. One mother suggests the following when she finds herself in these circumstances. Say nothing. Take a

deep breath and close your eyes. Visualize yourself on a mountaintop. A very high mountaintop. You’re looking around and down at the world. The clouds – meaning your feelings – are passing by. They feel close enough to touch and even embrace. But you just let them float past. Calm and centeredness will return. And then you can return to interacting with your children without being fueled by all the emotion. Second, Mommy has to take care of Mommy. Martyrs don’t win awards here. There are concrete steps mothers can take to make sure they’re caring for themselves. Please don’t tell me dejectedly that you’re just another person for whom you have to care. It’s important. Think of this analogy. The general in the army leads the troops. If the command falls or experienc-

es low morale, then the troops are jeopardized and may even lose the war. Moms, you are the generals. You are leaders who need to make decisions. And to make decisions, you have to be at your very best. If you’re not in good shape, then how do you expect the others in your family to be? Self-care then is not selfish. Every person, mother and father, needs to periodically step away and recharge the batteries, so they can come back to their families to play Legos, supervise homework, and just plain be there for and with their children. By the way, we would (almost) never miss an appointment for our children. So why wouldn’t we take care of ourselves? Let’s get started.


The Jewish Home | OCTOBER 29, 2015 The Jewish Home | APRIL 26, 2018

Among the things that mothers need in order to love and care for their families is adequate rest. Babies wake us up. They’re supposed to. Babies need to eat and pish and poop and be changed and be burped and all those wonderful things. Teenagers can keep us up another way. It’s called worrying. Need to rest during the day? Ask a family member or friend to take your baby for an hour. And you might have to pay someone for an hour so you can rejuvenate. Even a bit. How to handle being up because of teenagers? I’m still stymied and I’m on my seventh teenager. Mothers also need time alone. It takes time to think and process events and what each person in your life needs. Time alone is like hitting the refresh button on the computer and all is updated. Time with friends is a must. There’s no room for martyrs who are so devoted to their children that they lose sight of themselves and

their identities. Losing one’s identity is not a good thing. Identity individuates us in this world. Dad can absolutely hold the fort for an hour for Mom to walk with a friend on the boardwalk. Perhaps Mom wants to develop a hobby like needlepoint or playing the piano. Dad is reluctant

gas into a tank that requires diesel fuel. The engine would be ruined. The benefits of healthy eating and regular exercise are borne out psychologically, physiologically, and emotionally. Let’s get something straight. There’s nothing wrong with self-

Time alone is like hitting the refresh button on the computer.

to cooperate? Call me. I’ll set him straight. I’m not afraid. Eating healthy and exercising must be a priority. This is part of self-care. Think of the food and drinks you put into your system as the fuel for your body. There’s no way you’d put regular unleaded

care. Absolutely nothing. It’s also okay to say “no.” I’m not talking about Vitamin N and saying no to your children which I wrote about months ago; that will be revisited in future articles. Say no to things that don’t deserve your limited time and attention. Rather,

49 95

say yes to things that can help you feel better. It’s also important that Mom and Dad make time for one another. I’m advocating for the good, old fashioned date night. Dinner. A museum. Walking. Whatever. Spend time together, reconnecting. Use the time to talk about your dreams, aspirations, whatever. Listen to one another without judging. The return on the time invested will set your relationship and marriage far ahead. And that will only benefit the underlings in your home. Moms and self-care. Moms and self-nurturing. Moms and recharging. It’s a must. After all, if Momma ain’t happy, then ain’t no one happy. And 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.


96 68

APRIL 26, 2018 | The Jewish Home OCTOBER 29, 2015 | The Jewish Home

Chef

Trnare tristique. Morbi tempor eros quis eros ultricies, vitae pulvinar felis rutrum. In vitae lacus eget erat interdum vehicula quis non tellus.

Talk

Let's Make America "Dip" Again By Naphtali Sobel

Photo by Rebecca Sobel

O

ver roughly the past 10 years both kosher and non-kosher consumers have become obsessed with dips. Why the obsession? For kosher consumers, I believe there are two major factors. One is that many yeshiva and seminary students who study in Israel are introduced to dips in Israeli/Mediterranean cuisine. The second is due to the health craze. Most dips are vegetarian and work well with healthy snacks such as carrot sticks, cucumber slices and celery sticks. Dips are a fun and integral item that can be enjoyed at all parties and occasions. As a result of this new reality, several years ago, Pepsi bought the hummus company Sabra, recognizing the gold mine that is inherent in the dip industry. Places like Schwartz’s and, in more recent years, Pomegranate, have trail blazed in this field, bringing many varieties and colors of dips to our Shabbat tables. Not only are dips a savory treat in which to swipe your challah, they have many other properties as well.

Dips can be utilized in many culinary applications. Chimichurri dip or barbecue mayo can be applied to chicken before grilling, as a salad dressing or on a mouthwatering, crispy, chewy steak sandwich. Roasted red pepper dip is great as a crudité dressing. Tapenade is an amazing condiment for a muffaletta sandwich, and pesto dip works great on

restaurants and catering chefs. Related to dips are condiments such as sauces, chutneys, pestos and dressings. In some circumstances, these terms can be interchanged with one another. In Israel, they use the word l’nagev to mean to dip or swipe (interestingly, the root of this word is negev, which denotes “dry” and is relat-

Sodium, which is another name for salt, supposedly is derived from Sodom, the city that turned to salt.

pasta salad. Dill dip can accompany sweet-and-sour salmon or be applied to salmon before roasting. A thin coating of mayo-based dips can serve as a great barrier, protecting food from intense heat and keeping it extremely moist. This is a trick used by many

ed to wiping or swiping), rotev to mean sauce, and salatim to mean salads or dips. In Spanish, the term salsa is used for most sauces, pestos, chutneys and dips. The word pesto means paste, and is related to the Hebrew word for bread, pas, which is essentially made from

paste, as are the foods pizza, pasta and pita. The word salsa is derived from the Latin word sal, which means salt. In other words, sauces are used as a seasoning agent just as salt is a seasoning agent. Interestingly, the word sausage is derived from the word sauce, which is related to salsa or sal because it is preserved with salt and other seasonings. Sodium, which is another name for salt, supposedly is derived from Sodom, the city that turned to salt. As in other recent food trends, the customer expects a choice. When you go to a schnitzel or burger joint, you might enjoy any one or more of close to a dozen toppings and dipping sauces to anoint your sandwich or nuggets. Many folks would prefer to eat a deep-fried golden schnitzel on a crispy, chewy baguette adorned with fried onions, spicy charif, tangy sauces, the kitchen sink and some healthy vegetables to tame the guilt over some fancier, fussier foods. The former combination will result in gastronomic happiness. The following is a chimichurri dip


The Jewish Home | OCTOBER 29, 2015 The Jewish Home | APRIL 26, 2018

and a skirt steak recipe. Chimichurri is an Argentinian condiment served to garnish grilled steaks and meats. It consists of parsley, wine vinegar, olive oil, garlic, salt and pepper and can be processed with a mortar and pestle, food processor or chopped coarsely with a knife. Variations on this recipe often are made with the addition of cilantro, cumin, cayenne and oregano. This marinade is often associated with the gauchos, who are the ranchers/cowboys in Argentina’s rural and farming areas. Chermoula is chimichurri’s North African cousin, consisting of practically the same ingredients and is traditionally used as a fish marinade and condiment. In my chimichurri dip recipe I utilize cilantro instead of parsley and lemon juice instead of wine vinegar.

Naphtali Sobel is an experienced chef and food consultant. He is available as a personal chef and for consulting. He can be reached at napsob87@gmail.com.

R EC I P E Skirt Steak Sandwich IN GR ED IEN TS 1 ½ cups mayo 2 cloves garlic 1 TBS extra-virgin olive oil 1/8 tsp black pepper OR ½ cup firmly 1 package pre-checked cilantro packed cilantro 1 TBS lemon juice 1/8 tsp paprika ¼ tsp oregano 1 lb. skir t steak 3 baguet tes, cut in half

FO R

Yo u

FRO M TH E KIT CH EN OF

N aphtali Sobel

PR EPAR AT IO N

to and including Blend all ingredients for dip up d blender or food the oregano together with a han processor. k 1 pound skir t To prepare the skirt steak: Soa s should be enough steak for 30 to 60 minutes (thi Remove from water for around three sandwiches). and pat till bone dry. pepper and garlic Add a liberal amount of black ). powder to taste (don’t add salt to medium-high pan té sau or pan l Preheat gril the pan, and sear for heat. Add oil of your choice to 2 to 2 ½ minutes per side. inst the grain. Once cool, slice skir t steak aga vegetables and skir t Place chimichurri dip, desired serve. steak on a crispy baguet te and

69 97


98 66

APRIL 26, 2018 | The Jewish Home OCTOBER 29, 2015 | The Jewish Home

In The K

tchen

Asian Steak Salad By Naomi Nachman

I love it when we can keep things simple when preparing recipes. This is one of those recipes which doubles up on the same ingredients and steps. When you make the recipe for the marinade as described below, you set half of it aside for the dressing, so that simplifies the process. This is a great side dish that can also serve as a standalone entrée for a light summer dinner.

Ingredients Salad 2 lbs. oyster steak 6 cups mixed greens 2 cups snow peas 1 cup shredded carrots 1 red onion, sliced 1 container cherry tomatoes, sliced

Marinade and Dressing 3 cloves garlic, minced 2 TBS minced fresh ginger root ¾ cup olive oil 1/3 cup rice vinegar ¼ cup soy sauce 3 TBS honey ½ tsp salt

Preparation In a small bowl, combine the garlic, ginger, olive oil, rice vinegar, soy sauce, honey, and water. Pour half off of the mixture into a separate bowl and reserve remaining half. Add the oyster steak to the marinade in the bowl and marinate in the fridge for a few hours. Prepare the salad ingredients and place in a large salad bowl. After several hours of marinating the meat, remove the meat from the marinade and pat dry with a paper towel. Heat a grill pan to high and sear the meat a few minutes on each side. (If you use a non-stick grill pan you don’t need to add oil first.) I like to do mine medium-rare. After the meat has cooked to the desired doneness, let it rest for 10 minutes for all the juices to be reabsorbed and then slice the meat and add it to the salad bowl. Add the remaining dressing that was set aside (not for marinating the meat in) and toss the salad well with the dressing.

Naomi Nachman, the owner of The Aussie Gourmet, caters weekly and Shabbat/ Yom Tov meals for families and individuals within The Five Towns and neighboring communities, with a specialty in Pesach catering. Naomi is a contributing editor to this paper and also produces and hosts her own weekly radio show on the Nachum Segal Network stream called “A Table for Two with Naomi Nachman.” Naomi gives cooking presentations for organizations and private groups throughout the New York/New Jersey Metropolitan area. In addition, Naomi has been a guest host on the QVC TV network and has been featured in cookbooks, magazines as well as other media covering topics related to cuisine preparation and personal chefs. To obtain additional recipes, join The Aussie Gourmet on Facebook or visit Naomi’s blog. Naomi can be reached through her website, www.theaussiegourmet.com or at (516) 295-9669.


The Jewish Home | APRIL 26, 2018

99

CHOOSE

ACHIEVEMENT FOR YOUR CHILD

Ensure your child’s ACADEMIC growth and SUCCESS in CAHAL's EXCLUSIVE individualized, LANGUAGE-BASED program, learning MAINSTREAM curriculum with EXPERIENCED Rebbeim and teachers, in classes INTEGRATED in our community YESHIVAS.

CAHAL

Open

(516) 295-3666 CAHAL@CAHAL.ORG


26 100

OCTOBER 29, 2015 Jewish Home APRIL 26, 2018 | The| The Jewish Home

Notable Quotes “Say What?!”

Barbara Bush was a generous and smart and amazing racist who, along with her husband, raised a war criminal. [Get] outta here with your nice words. - Tweet by Professor Randa Jarrar of Fresno State (California) University, upon Barbara Bush’s passing

Good news: you won’t have to see her when she’s in heaven and you’re burning in … - Conservative commentator Ben Shapiro responding to Jarrar’s tweet

We’re Republicans... No, seriously, we’re Republicans. -South Park creators Matt Stone and Trey Parker, shocking an audience and causing audible gasps while recently receiving an award from a leftist Hollywood organization

Twitter went down today in parts of the U.S. So between that and people deleting Facebook, MySpace was like, “We’re back, baby!”

Down in Florida, Trump’s been spending time with Japan’s Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. They had a press conference together, and it seems like Trump’s still not sure how to say Shinzo Abe’s name…. “He reminds me of my favorite president, Abi Lincoln. Honest Abi.” - Jimmy Fallon

- Jimmy Fallon

I’ll never beat that record. By selling Sabra, Swarthmore is an accessory to the occupation of Palestine. We call upon President Smith to affirm the dignity of Palestinian life, recognize the illegal occupation of Palestinian land, and deshelve all current Sabra products and end their future sale at Swarthmore College. —Petition by Swarthmore College’s Students for Justice in Palestine chapter

Some Gmail users have been getting spam messages from themselves. Which got really confusing for the one guy who actually is a Nigerian prince. He’s like, “Wait, what?” - Jimmy Fallon

- President Trump after noting that the Bushes were married for 73 years

If I had it to do over again I wouldn’t put that paragraph in. – Former FBI Director James Comey on “The View,” talking about a paragraph in his book which describes his initial impression of Trump and how he focused on Trump’s skin color, his hair and the fact that Trump’s hands were smaller than his

MORE QUOTES


The Jewish Home | APRIL 26, 2018

B”H n

chm fis

an cha ba d

ce

th e

r te n

j

ea

·o f

th

e fiv e t o w

ns

·

nter man Chabad Ce The Jean Fisch ts s presen of the Five Town

23RD ANNUAL

r e m o ’ b lag Day

n u F y l i m Fa

Y!

NS COMMUNIT

FOR THE 5 TOW

Music & Dancing huge Bonfire petting zoo Barbeque inflatables Relay races & More!

JOIN BIKE NCSY TO HELP SEND NCSY TEENS TO ISRAEL FOR A GAP YEAR OF TORAH STUDY AND GROWTH.

June 24 , 2018 Poughkeepsie, NY

Register at bike.ncsy.org

ENTERTAINME NT CIRQUETAQUL AR

thursday, m ay 3 5:30 - 8:00 pm

at Andrew J . (Formerly Ce d Corner Ceda

Parise Park

arhurst Par

rhurst and Su

mmit Avenue s

k)

Food will be available for purchase ‫לעילוי נשמת‬ ‫פעסיא רחל בת ר’ מרדכי‬ ‫ר׳ שלמה יוסף ב״ר צבי‬

Sponsorship opportunities available For more information call (516) 295-2478 visit www.chabad5towns.com or email Rabbi@Chabad5Towns.com

101


102

APRIL 26, 2018 | The Jewish Home The Jewish Home | OCTOBER 29, 2015

27

This weekend, family, friends, and dignitaries gathered in Houston to celebrate former first lady Barbara Bush, who passed away at 92. It was a beautiful ceremony befitting of the wonderful life that she lived. And at the gathering, there was a rare group photo featuring the Bush family, the Clintons, the Obamas, and Melania Trump. The photographer was like, “Now, everyone smile and say, ‘He’s not coming!’” - James Corden

President Trump did not attend the funeral. The White House said they didn’t want him to be a distraction. Only Donald Trump could make people say, “I’m glad he’s not at this funeral. He’d ruin the mood.” - Ibid.

Researchers in Asia have developed a robot that is capable of assembling furniture from Ikea. Completely true! The robot assembled an Ikea chair in just about 20 minutes. If you think this will save you a lot of time, think again. The first step is you’ve got to assemble the robots.

I’m an Italian-American, I came from poor ItalianAmericans who came here. You know what they called Italian-Americans back in the day? They called them wops. You know what wop stood for? Without papers. I’m undocumented. You want to deport an undocumented person, start with me, because I’m an undocumented person. - Governor Andrew Cuomo, at a bill signing last week (wop was a derogatory term used for Italians in the early twentieth century, the meaning of which had nothing to do with immigration papers)

It’s amazing how advanced and human-like they are. The robots were even able to assemble the chair while drinking a Coors Light and yelling at their kids.

His parents weren’t immigrants, his family wasn’t poor and he has no idea what it’s like to [be] undocumented. Governor Cuomo’s recent pattern of falsehoods and exaggerations about his life story is a sad and disturbing turn of events for New York. It’s disturbing because it serves to diminish and undermine the very real struggles of millions of New Yorkers.

– Ibid.

- Antonio Alarcon of Make the Road Action, New York’s largest immigrant-rights group

And this is nice, they’re also developing a robot that will throw your Ikea furniture away when it breaks three weeks later.

I’m here to serve my people in my country and make it great again, as somebody I know very well could say.

- Ibid.

I knew it. I knew this would happen to me… They were never going to let me be president.

– James Corden

It’s definitely been a learning experience for me, but I’ve said my apologies, and I’m done with that. - Washington, D.C., Councilman Trayon White, who recently blamed the weather on Jewish conspiracies, in a video after the media noted that he left a tour of the Holocaust Museum early

- French President Emmanuel Macron on “Fox News Sunday,” ahead of his visit to the White House

- What Hillary Clinton said on election night after her manager informed her that she lost the election, according to a book about the 2016 campaign by New York Times reporter Amy Chozick, who was embedded with the Clinton campaign

MORE QUOTES


The Jewish Home | APRIL 26, 2018

103


28 104

OCTOBER 29, 2015 Jewish Home APRIL 26, 2018 | The| The Jewish Home

I will say if Iran threatens us in any way, they will pay a price like few countries have ever paid. Okay? - President Trump during his press conference with French President Macron

A group of scientists in Singapore built a robot that can put together Ikea furniture. That’s when you know something’s wrong, when it’s easier to build a robot than an Ikea dresser. – Jimmy Fallon

NEW: A CBSNews source has identified the suspect in the Toronto hit-and-run incident as 25-year-old Alek Minassian. - Tweet by CBS News, calling Monday’s terrorist attack in which ten people were killed a “hit-and-run incident”

A lot of people were betting on the name of the new royal baby. And those people have a name too — they’re called gambling addicts.

Finley Sheboygan - The name given by Jay and Kateri Schwandt to their 14th son who was born this week

Peace and calm. - Evangelina Williams, of the Bronx, when asked by the NY Daily News what she wants on her 106th birthday

MORE QUOTES

The Jewish Home | OCTOBER 29, 2015

- Jimmy Fallon

29

A Colorado woman was given an apple on her flight home from Paris, she put it in her bag as a snack for later and forgot about it, and now she’s facing a $500 fine for not declaring it at customs. I’d be suspicious of this woman, too. I mean, who eats an apple at the airport when there’s a Cinnabon right there? It’s right there! - James Corden

One single apple ended up costing her $500. That’s ridiculous. If she wanted to pay $500 for an apple, she could’ve just shopped at Whole Foods. – Ibid.

They’re all saying what a great relationship we have, and they’re actually correct. It’s not fake news. Finally, it’s not fake news. It’s a great honor, a great honor that you’re here. In fact I’ll get that little piece of dandruff, that little piece. We have to make him perfect. He is perfect. So it’s really great to be with you, and you are a special friend. Thank you. - President Trump, while pretending to wipe a piece of dandruff off of French President Macron’s shoulder, before being photographed with him in the Oval Office

Flying is really getting bad. Complaining about your flight used to be like, “It was awful. The food was terrible and there was a bunch of turbulence.” Now it’s like, “My friend got dragged off the plane, I had to sit next to an emotional support donkey, and now I’m bankrupt — I was given a banana and it’s costing me $700!” - Ibid.


The Jewish Home | APRIL 26, 2018

456 Central Ave, Cedarhurst NY 11516 516.791.1925 Sunday 11-6 | Monday - Thursday 11-7 | Friday 10:30-2:30

Home of the Famous Non-Iron Shirt

Zanetti Suits

BLOWOUT! All Zanetti Suits

2 for $300 1 week only! DED N E T EX EEK! W E ON BALTIMORE • BROOKLYN • CEDARHURST CHICAGO • LAKEWOOD • MONSEY • TORONTO

Sale ends 5/7/18. Must mention this ad. Not valid with any other offer, special or discount. We are not responsible for typos. All prices are subject to change without notice. Other restrictions may apply.

105


106 6

APRIL 26, 2018 | The Jewish Home OCTOBER 29, 2015 | The Jewish Home

Political Crossfire

The Senate Must Confirm Pompeo By Marc A. Thiessen

F

or the first time in the history of the republic, it appears increasingly likely that a majority of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee will vote against the president’s nominee for secretary of state. If this happens, it would be a black mark not on Mike Pompeo’s record, but on the reputation of this once-storied committee. There are no instances of a secretary of state nominee ever receiving an unfavorable committee vote since such votes were first publicly recorded in 1925 (before that, the committee voted in closed session). Democrat John Kerry was approved in a unanimous voice vote, including from Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., who opposes Pompeo. Democrat Hillary Clinton was approved 16 to 1, despite concerns about foreign donors to the Clinton Foundation. Madeleine Albright was approved unanimously, with the strong support of my former boss, the committee’s conservative then-chairman, Sen. Jesse Helms, R-N.C., who called Albright “a tough and courageous lady” and voted for her despite saying that she was “sincerely wrong” in some of her foreign policy views. Other Democrats, including Warren Christopher and Cyrus Vance, were also approved unanimously in committee, as were Republicans Colin Powell, James Baker and George Shultz. Indeed, no secretary of state going all the way back to Henry Kissinger had ever received more than two negative votes in the Foreign Relations Committee – until Donald

Trump became president. Last year, all 10 Democrats on the committee voted “no” to Rex Tillerson’s nomination, making him the first secretary of state in history to be approved on a party-line vote. Now, thanks to the opposition from those 10 Democrats and Paul, it appears that Pompeo could soon become the first secretary of state nominee in history to receive a negative recommendation from the committee.

lieves that Pompeo “will work hard to restore morale at State and work to supplement, not atrophy, the diplomatic tools at the Secretary of State’s disposal.” Yet both are voting against him. Indeed, nine of the committee’s 10 Democrats have already declared their opposition to Pompeo – including two, Tim Kaine, D-Va., and Jeanne Shaheen, D-N.H., — who voted for him to lead the CIA. Their opposition comes just as

For senators to vote down a highly qualified nominee over their disdain for the president is completely unwarranted and, quite frankly, a breach of Senate norms.

There is simply no excuse for this. There are no ethical questions hanging over Pompeo’s nomination. He has engaged in no disqualifying personal conduct. And no one questions that he is extraordinarily qualified for the job. Indeed, Sen. Ben Cardin, D-Md., said that Pompeo “has a clear record of public service to his nation – in uniform, in Congress, and as the director of the CIA.” Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., said he be-

President Trump is preparing for a high-stakes nuclear summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. Pompeo recently returned from North Korea, where he met with Kim and laid the groundwork for this historic meeting. Democrats ought to ask themselves how their actions will be seen in Pyongyang. To deliver such an undeserved rebuke to Pompeo at such a critical diplomatic moment would be a shameful abdication of the com-

mittee’s responsibilities. It would also breach two centuries of precedent in which the committee has carefully examined the credentials and qualifications of the president’s nominee for secretary of state but acknowledged that the president should have his choice of who should be his chief diplomatic adviser. It is one thing for senators to use a nomination as leverage to gain commitments on specific policy matters. (Helms insisted that Albright work with him on his plans to reform the United Nations and reorganize the State Department, which she did.) Effective senators understand how to use the nomination process to win policy fights. But for senators to vote down a highly qualified nominee over their disdain for the president is completely unwarranted and, quite frankly, a breach of Senate norms. A negative vote would hurt the Foreign Relations Committee more than Pompeo. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., will bring his nomination to the floor regardless of what the committee does, and it is expected that some Democrats – such as Heidi Heitkamp, D-N.D., who has publicly announced her support – will vote for him. And when Pompeo is confirmed by the full Senate, he would be more than justified in determining that the State Department is best served by working closely with the appropriators and Senate leadership, and bypassing a committee that can’t make policy, can’t legislate and can’t lead. (c) 2018, Washington Post Writers Group


The Jewish Home | APRIL 26, 2018

107


108 4

APRIL 26, 2018 | The| The Jewish Home OCTOBER 29, 2015 Jewish Home

Political Crossfire

Space: The New Frontier of Warfare By David Ignatius

S

itting at the controls of a Boeing space-flight simulator, “docking” the company’s planned “Starliner” craft with an imaginary space station, you begin to understand why the Pentagon is so focused on such advanced systems. Space is the new frontier of warfare. That was the theme of a “Space Symposium” last week that gathered thousands of military and corporate experts from around the globe. A version of the Boeing simulator may someday be training the 21st-century version of fighter pilots. The future battle may be in the heavens. But you can already see a turf war developing over who should control U.S. space-warfighting capability – with the White House, Congress and the military services jockeying over how to allocate hundreds of billions of dollars and scores of senior Pentagon command positions. But let’s start with the threat, as described by U.S. military officials here. Since the glory days of the first moon walk in 1969, Americans have had a benign view of space, as an area of uncontested U.S. dominance. When we thought about adversaries, they were from another planet. But animating nearly every military presentation here was the message that China and Russia are now aggressively challenging U.S. primacy in space – potentially threatening satellites used for military communications, targeting and battlefield management.

“I cannot think of a military mission that does not depend on space,” Air Force Secretary Heather Wilson told the symposium, warning that “Russia and China are developing capabilities to disable our satellites.” Gen. Dave Goldfein, the Air Force chief of staff, repeated like a mantra the phrase “Always the predator, never the prey,” in describing how his service views its mission in space.

says that when the Pentagon first described space threats to President Obama in June 2013, officials warned him that the space-arms race “has already started.” “For the last 10 years, our competitive advantage in space has eroded steadily,” argues John Hamre, a former deputy secretary of defense who heads the Center for Strategic and International Studies. “There is genuine alarm

An arms race in space, as dreadful as that sounds, is already underway.

An arms race in space, as dreadful as that sounds, is already underway. As the throngs at the symposium attest, it will be a bonanza for the Pentagon and its contractors. But there’s broad agreement among analysts that the vulnerability of U.S. systems to attack is real. “The threat is quite serious,” says Bob Work, who was deputy defense secretary in the Obama administration. He notes that Russia and China have demonstrated the ability to jam space communications, blind optical sensors with lasers, launch direct-ascent anti-satellite weapons, and operate co-orbital anti-satellite weapons. Work

at the scale and momentum of the activities of our adversaries,” he says. Though there’s broad agreement that the U.S. needs to defend its spacebased assets better, there’s a political argument about who should have responsibility for that mission. The Air Force, not surprisingly, insists that it should take the lead. Goldfein told the symposium that the Air Force now is responsible for 90 percent of the military’s space activities, and that it will bring to future space operations “the same passion and sense of ownership we apply to air.” But some skeptics in Congress and

the Trump administration argue that the U.S. needs a new “space force” to oversee the emerging domain of battle. The House proposed last year that this space component should be quasi-independent of the Air Force, the way the Marines operate alongside the Navy; the Senate disagreed. President Trump seemed initially to favor a separate space force, but officials say the administration is studying the issue. The Air Force lost credibility with Congress over the past decade, Hamre argues, because of concerns that it was slow to recognize the threat from adversaries and was “unwilling to sacrifice other programs to fix the increasingly obvious shortcomings in the space program.” But Work argues that because of the bureaucratic confusion and delay involved, creating a new force probably isn’t sensible. The Air Force’s best argument for retaining primacy is that it’s ready to take risks, and even tolerate failures, in building the systems that will quickly reduce U.S. vulnerability. Wilson told me that in her office, she displays some artifacts from the first U.S. spy satellite program, known as “Corona,” to remind herself and Air Force colleagues that “good failure” can be essential. Corona failed 12 tests in a row before it finally succeeded. “We built exquisite glass houses in a world without stones,” Wilson told the symposium. But the old era of uncontested space appears to be over. (c) 2018, Washington Post Writers Group


The Jewish Home | APRIL 26, 2018

Which one of these children needs Chai Lifeline? (Hint: They all do.) Chai Lifeline is renowned for the care and love it bestows on children fighting cancer. But that’s only the beginning. Chai Lifeline serves thousands of children with medical challenges that aren’t evident on the outside, everything from Crohns Disease to cystic fibrosis to heart disease and illnesses so rare only a handful of children have been diagnosed. And still, that’s only the beginning. Chai Lifeline includes siblings and parents, too, with programs geared towards the entire family. We care for more than 5,000 children and their families around the world and across the street. Chances are, you know them. They just don’t look sick.

Whenever, wherever we’re needed, Chai Lifeline is there.

Chai Lifeline. Comprehensive, compassionate, professional assistance for families facing illness, loss or trauma. 151 West 30th Street, New York, NY 10001 I (877) CHAI-LIFE I (212) 465-1300 I www.chailifeline.org

Regional Offices: Greater New York I Southeast I West Coast I Midwest I Mid-Atlantic I New Jersey I Canada I England I Israel I Belgium Hospital Support: Meals | Transportation Assistance | Hospital Visits | Respite Children’s Programs: Arts and Recreational Activities | After-school programs | Sibling Programs | Educational Assistance in Limudei Kodesh Counseling for patients and siblings | Camp Simcha/Camp Simcha Special Family Programs: Advocacy and Information | Retreats | Insurance Advocacy | Family Recreation | Family Counseling | Bereavement Services Community Programs: Project CHAI, support for schools, camps, and communities facing crisis or trauma.

109


110 32

APRIL 26, 2018 | The Jewish Home OCTOBER 29, 2015 | The Jewish Home

Forgotten Her es

Har Herzl Remembering the Fallen By Avi Heiligman

D

ozens of countries around the world have national cemeteries that serve as a resting place for their military elite, officials and others that have served their countries. Some, like the Chidorigafuchi National Cemetery in Japan, are dedicated to one particular war, while others, like Mirogoj Cemetery in Croatia, were established to inter people from all backgrounds and religions. Many have an area dedicated to fallen war participants who are still MIA, Missing in Action. In the United States, there is the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery. Most of these countries have one cemetery dedicated for these purposes with some having two. Each of the Koreas have three. The United States has 147 (a topic for another article). The Israeli National Cemetery is located on Har Herzl, and its history goes back to the Israeli War of Independence. Har Herzl is named after the founder of the political form of Zionism. Theodor Herzl was an Aus-

trian journalist and playwright who was so taken aback by the Dreyfus Affair and the anti-Semitism in Europe that he sought to create a Jewish homeland. The First Zionist Congress was held in 1897 in Switzerland and was chaired by Herzl. The congress, now held in Yerushalayim, has been convening on a regular basis since then and was instrumental in placing the Jewish State in Israel. Herzl had reached out to Great Britain who proposed putting the Jewish State first in the Sinai Peninsula and then Uganda. He died 45 years before Israel was established and was buried near Vienna. Even before the Israeli War of Independence had concluded, the Israeli government wanted to bring Herzl to Eretz Yisrael. A debate ensued as to whether he should be buried in an existing cemetery or in a new area. Har Hatzofim (Mount Scopus) was a popular choice as some members of the committee wanted to create a “national pantheon.” In the end, a new place in Yerusha-

layim facing Har HaZeisim was established. In 1949, Herzl’s remains were moved to Har Herzl, and it was named in his memory. Two years after Herzl was reburied, the government established the national cemetery on Har Herzl. Some fallen soldiers from the War of Independence had already been buried on the north slope and this was the next step to honor the young nation’s fallen. A debate arose as to whether political figures as well as those that served in the military should be buried in the cemetery. As a result, several sections on Har Herzl were dedicated to people of particular causes. The heads of the World Zionist Organization, Ze’ev Jabotinsky, Herzl’s family, as well as the remains from the Bulgarian refugee ship Salvador and the Moroccan Jews on the Egoz were all buried in the cemetery. The National Civil Cemetery is on the south side of Har Herzl. On the western side of the cemetery sits the Yad Vashem Holocaust Memorial.

Several other memorials have been erected over the years. Jewish soldiers who served in the Red Army and Polish Army during World War II have separate memorials there as well Yishuv members who served in the British Army during the same war. In 1997, the Victims of Acts of Terror Memorial was opened in the National Civil Cemetery. The Israeli version of the Tomb of the Unknown is called the Garden of the Missing in Action. Established in 2003, the garden memorializes those serving in the pre-Israel forces in Eretz Yisrael and in the IDF after 1948 whose burial places are unknown. The names of the sailors who were on the INS Dakar when she sunk in 1968 are included in this memorial. Every year, on the seventh of Adar, a memorial service takes place. The seventh of Adar is the day that Moshe Rabbeinu died. Since only Hashem knows where he is buried, it was deemed appropriate to memorialize those whose burial places unknown on the same day.


The Jewish Home | OCTOBER 29, 2015 The Jewish Home | APRIL 26, 2018

Not all military personnel are allowed to be buried on Har Herzl. Soldiers who were awarded the Medal of Valor and those who were killed while serving, as well as Israeli Police who have fallen during the line of duty have places in the cemetery. In addition to the cemetery and

memorials, Har Herzl is host to other buildings and tributes. The Herzl Museum details the work of Theodore Herzl, and Midreshet Har Herzl is an education center next to the museum. The Garden of Nations – Gan Ha’Umos – is a park filled with trees planted by leaders of foreign

nations visiting Israel. The topic of cemeteries and wars are not easy to talk about. However, history is here to remind of us the ultimate sacrifice of many who died in the fight for our freedom. Remembering the fallen and learning about their history is a vital step in secur-

ing peace in the future.

Avi Heiligman is a weekly contributor to The Jewish Home. He welcomes your comments and suggestions for future columns and can be reached at aviheiligman@gmail.com.

Low Cost Quality Insurance

Our Specialty Free Consultation

Free Policy Evaluation

Ask the Rabbi !!?? The Rabbi loves a bargain (a metzia) Let the Rabbi help you save money (up to 50%)

¾ ¾ ¾ ¾ ¾

33 111

Large Commercial Insurance Policies Life Insurance Disability Insurance Self Employed Health Insurance Long Term Care insurance Rabbi S. M. Leiner, CLTC

Licensed Independent Broker for All Types of Insurance

Call: 917‐543‐0497 – Leave a message

Mail: Rabbi S. M. Leiner, CLTC P.O. Box # 7655 600 Franklin Ave Garden City, NY 11530

Premier clients receive a copy of my book (sefer) “Sweeter Than Honey” as a gift


112

APRIL 26, 2018 | The Jewish Home

Classifieds

classifieds@fivetownsjewishhome.com / text 443-929-4003 SERVICES

SERVICES

HOUSES FOR SALE

Alternative Solutions Geriatric Care Management staff will assist you with: * Obtaining Medicaid and Pooled Income Trust * In-home Assessments, Individual and Family Counseling * Securing reliable home care assistance * Case and Care Management services Dr. S. Sasson, DSW, LCSW (718) 544- 0870 or (646) 284-6242

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

WOODSBURGH: BEST PRICE IN TOWN 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

Struggling with Shalom Bayis? The Shalom Bayis Hotline 732-523-1112. Caring rabbanim answering your questions for free. So far very positive results BS’D!

Small Ads at Work

Classifieds

SHALOM HANDYMAN Plumbing, heating, boiler, installation, sewer, locks, dryer vent cleaning and more… CALL 917-217-3676 Yoga & Licensed Massage Therapy Peaceful Presence Studio 436 Central Avenue, Cedarhurst Separate men/women Group/private sessions Gift Cards Available www. Peacefulpresence.com 516 -371 -3715 GERBER MOVING FULL SERVICE MOVING Packing Moving Supplies Local Long Distance Licensed Insured 1000’S Of Happy Customers Call Shalom 347-276-7422

WOODMERE: CHOICE PROPERTIES • 316 Longacre Ave. $999,999 Location, Location, Location. Low Taxes • 1075 Cedar Lane $449,999 Best Value in town. 4BR • 302 Longacre A3 $118,000 Jr. 4, First Floor, Walk all locations C. Slansky BROKER 516-655-3636 HEWLETT: NEW LISTING Lovely Sunlit Split W/3 Bedrooms, 2.5Baths On Large Property, Gracious LR, Formal DR, Over Sized Den W/Fplc & Sliding Doors to Deck, Eik, Close To All…$595K Call Carol Braunstein (516) 295-3000 www.pugatch.com

Carol Braunstein Call or Text

(516) 592-2206

cbraunstein@pugatch.com

www.pugatch.com

HOUSES FOR SALE Can’t afford your property taxes? Mortgage? Must sell for any reason? Call for FREE Consultation. Call now 212-470-3856 Cash buyers available!

NORTH WOODMERE: NEW LISTING Lovely, Spacious & Immaculate 4BR Splanch Located On Quiet Street In SD#14, Beautiful New Wood/Granite Eat-In-Kitchen W/SS Appliances, Formal DR W/Bay Windows, Great Yard, Finished Basement, Near All…$949K Call Carol Braunstein - (516) 295-3000 www.pugatch.com WOODMERE: NEW LISTING LOCATION!!! 4BR Colonial, Formal DR, Eik, Hardwood Floors, Den, Basement, SD#15…$850K Call Carol Braunstein (516) 295-3000 www.pugatch.com

Susan Pugatch (516) 295-3000 spugatch@pugatch.com

LAWRENCE

Brand New Rental Apartments

NO FEE

2 Bedrooms, 1BA, Central A/C, Stainless Steel Appliances, Near All,

From…$2,000/mo.

Lovely & Spacious 4BR Splanch In SD#14, Eik, FDR, Fin Bsmt, Near All..$949K

Lovely 3BR Split On Lg Location!!! 4BR Side Hall Ppty, Eik, SD#14..$595K Colonial, FDR, SD#15..$850K

LAWRENCE: 64 West Ave (12:30-1:30)$3,300/mo N.WOODMERE: 39 Valley Ln W (1-2:30)$949K WOODMERE: 383 Church Ave (12-1:30)$799K


The Jewish Home | APRIL 26, 2018

113

Classifieds HOUSES FOR SALE Don’t Get Stuck With a Two Story House Ya Know, It’s One Story Before You Buy It But a Second Story After You Own It! Call Dov Herman For An Accurate Unbiased Home Inspection Infrared - Termite Inspection Full Report All Included NYC 718-INSPECT Long Island 516-INSPECT www.nyinspect.com

WOODMERE: NEW LISTING Renovated 6BR, 4 Full Bath Colonial On Cul-De-Sac, Eik W/Custom Cabinetry, Formal DR, Woods Flrs, CAC, SD#14, Many Upgrades…$1.399M Call Carol Braunstein (516) 295-3000 www.pugatch.com

COMMERCIAL RE INWOOD OFFICE SPACE LOWEST PRICES IN TOWN! 500-7000 Square feet gorgeous office space with WATERVIEW in Inwood! Lots of options. Tons of parking. Will divide and customize space for your needs! Call 516-567-0100 INWOOD 10,000 sq ft brick building. Offices and warehouse. High ceilings. Asking $16/foot. Owner: 516-206-1100 mark@mbequitygroup.com EAST ROCKAWAY: Retail Stores on Busy Corner, 1000SF& Up Available, Great High Visibility Location, For Lease… Call for More Details Broker (516) 792-6698

COMMERCIAL RE CEDARHURST 500-3,500 +/- SF Beautiful, newly renovated space for rent. Ideal for Retail or Executive offices. Prime location. Convenient Parking. Sam @516-612-2433 or 718-747-8080

N WOODMERE

Beautifully renov sp lvl home w/ 3brms, 3.5baths, study, den, playroom, stunning yard & low taxes. Call Raizie (917)903-1778 $869K

WOODMERE/CEDARHURST

Brand new constructions available on large properties. Completely customizeable 5+ bedrooms, finished basements

CEDARHURST

Spacious High Ranch w/ 5 Brs And 3 Full Baths, Brand New Kosher EIK, Newly Re-Done Hardwood Floors And Carpet. $4500/month

WOODMERE

Total renov heritage col. Kosher granite kit w/ hi-end appliances, mbr st+fpl, 6brs, 4.4bths, fin bsmt. Lydia (516)286-1629 $1.19M

WOODMERE

Move-In Colonial With 3br 1.5 bth, New Windows, New Stove, Dishwashers, New Led Lighting. Call Chana (516)449-9692 $489K

WOODMERE

Bright, sunny spl w/ 5brms, 4bths in heart of Wdmre Sd #14. New CAC, new windows, updated EIK. Call Moshe (516)455-5364 $799K

WOODMERE

New exc! Open layout cape w/ 3brs, renov bths, granite kosher kit. Beaut yard, deck. A+ location, SD15. Tamar (917)902-0613 $739K

LAWRENCE

Mag custom new const on gorgeous st in Lwrnce. 5+ bdrms, 4.5 bths, full bsmt. Amazing amenities. Tamar (917)902-0613 $2.49M

Multiple Use Retail Bldg w/Attached Apt + Bsmt..$795K

www.pugatch.com

Call Ian Leigh For Details (516) 295-3000


114

APRIL 26, 2018 | The Jewish Home

Classifieds

classifieds@fivetownsjewishhome.com text 443-929-4003

COMMERCIAL RE

COMMERCIAL RE

CEDARHURST: COMING SOON Don’t Miss This Opportunity!!! High Tech Executive Suites W/Parking & Storage, Various Sizes Available, All New!!! 24 Hour Access, All Utilities Included Plus Many Amenities For Lease…Call Ian for More Details (516) 295-3000 www.pugatch.com

FREEPORT: INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITY!!! 12,000SF Multi Tenanted Professional Building with 21 Car On-Site Parking, Good Upside Potential, Lot Size 24,570SF, For Sale …Call For More Details Broker (516) 792-6698

EAST ROCKAWAY: Retail Stores on Busy Corner, 1000SF& Up Available, Great High Visibility Location, For Lease… Call for More Details Broker (516) 792-6698 FRANKLIN SQUARE: 2,185+/-SF Medical Office Space in Professional Strip W/On-Site Parking in Great Location, For Lease… Call Alan For More Details (516) 2953000 www.pugatch.com HEWLETT: INVESTOR’S DELIGHT!!! 5 Store Strip - Fully Leased, Great Tenancy, High Traffic Location, Easy to Manage, For Sale… Call Ian for More Details (516) 295-3000 www.pugatch.com

LONG BEACH: Various Office Spaces Available on 2nd Floor, 525 - 900+/- SF, Separate Bathrooms, Newly Renovated, For Lease…Call for More Details. Broker (516) 792-6698 VALLEY STREAM: Office Suites Available in Professional Building, Handicap Accessible, Parking, For Lease… Call Randy For More Details (516) 295-3000 www.pugatch.com

CO-OP/CONDO SALE 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

Life CAPTURE

I M A G E S LTD PHOTOGRAPHY I VIDEO

GABRIEL SOLOMON

GABE@LIFECAPTUREIMAGES.COM 516.499.9620 WWW.LIFECAPTUREIMAGES.COM


The Jewish Home | APRIL 26, 2018

CO-OP/CONDO SALE SPACIOUS 1 BDR APT CO-OP FOR SALE BY OWNER New Kitchen, Hardwood Floors, New Bathroom, First Floor, High Hats, Underground Parking, Very bright apartment, Located in the heart of Lawrence, Move In Condition For More information please call 516-405-0248 or 718-873-5422 ISLAND PARK NEW LISTING Spacious 3BR, 2.5BA Condo W/Porch & Terrace in Gated & Exclusive Resort Like Community, 24HR Security, Salt Water Pool & Boat Slips, Deeded Dock Spot & Much More...$625K Call Carol Braunstein (516) 295-3000 www.pugatch.com

HOUSES FOR RENT NEWLY BUILT HOME IN INWOOD FOR RENT beginning August 1st. Frum neighbors, 1 block from LIRR, 5 bedrooms, 3 full baths, fully kosher kitchen (2 sinks, 2 dishwashers), living room, dining room, family room, nice backyard. $3500 monthly. Call/text 917-975-1800 for more information

115

APT FOR RENT Top Of The Line Apartment, 2 Bedrooms, Stainless Steel Appliances, Crown Molding, Close To All…From $2,000/mo Call Carol Braunstein (516) 295-3000 www.pugatch.com FAR ROCKAWAY: NEW LISTING Spacious & Updated 2BR, 2 Bathroom Apt on 1st Floor W/Terrace In Elevator Bldg, Parking, Doorman & Laundry Room On Premise...$350K Call Carol Braunstein (516) 295-3000 www.pugatch.com BEAUTIFUL 3 BEDROOM APARTMENT 2909 Bayswater Ave. 1.5 bathroom, jacuzzi, eat in kitchen, dishwasher, washer & dryer, beautiful backyard deck, A/C, installed in the wall with driveway & garage, including gas, heat & water Moshe 917 951 3921 LAWRENCE: NO FEE - BRAND NEW Top Of The Line Apartment, 2 Bedrooms, Stainless Steel Appliances, Crown Molding, Close To All…From $2,000/mo - Call Carol Braunstein (516) 295-3000 - www.pugatch.com

355 Central Avenue, Lawrence NY 11559 (Across the street from Seasons)

P: 516.791.6100 | F: 516.374.7059 www.WeissmanRealty.com

WOODMERE

NEW TO MARKET/COMPLETELY RENOVATED Perfect starter house in Woodmere. This light and bright 3 bedroom, 2.5 bath house has everything from new oors to new recessed lighting. All new windows, large kitchen w/ 2 sinks and 2 dishwashers, microwave oven and more. Beautiful hardwood oors and tiled bathrooms. Laundry on the second oor. New heat, A/C. Unnnished basement & deep property $699K. Contact Sherri Slochowsky @ 516-297-7995 to schedule a showing.

WOODMERE

COMMERCIAL SPACE FOR LEASE

Corner building available. 6500 sq. ft. Set up as office but could easily be renovated to prime retail. Call Sherri 516-297-7995 for all info.

OFFICES FOR LEASE Far Rockaway

Cornaga location, 3 to 4 offices, plus bthrm. Good for doctor, dentist or business. $1900 Call Sherri 516-297-7995

Cedarhurst

Single rooms or executive suites. All utilities included. Starting at $400. Call Sherri 516-297-7995


116

APRIL 26, 2018 | The Jewish Home

Classifieds APT FOR RENT CEDARHURST: NEW LISTING 2BR, 2BA In 2 Family House, Eik, LR, DR, Washer/Dryer, Very Close To All, Great Location...$2,500/mo Call Carol Braunstein (516) 295-3000 www.pugatch.com

HELP WANTED SPECIAL CARE FOR FAMILIES AND CHILDREN SERVICES Seeking a motivated and • energetic male to work with a fun, charming 12 year old boy with Down syndrome in Far Rockaway, Sundays 4-6:30, Tuesdays 7-8:45. • Seeking warm and caring male to work with a 19 year old male with autism after 5:00 in Far Rockaway. Please call Special Care 718-325-3365 ex:102 or email: renay@specialcarefor.com HAMASPIK IN FAR ROCKAWAY is looking for a full-time Medicaid Service Coordinator to work with children and adults who have developmental disabilities. BA Required. Please send resume to cgoldstein@hamaspikkings.org

classifieds@fivetownsjewishhome.com text 443-929-4003

HELP WANTED

HELP WANTED

HELP WANTED

F/T & P/T REGISTERED NURSE openings to work with adults who have developmental disabilities within residential settings in Brooklyn, Manhattan, or Long Island. Current NYS RN, min 2 years hospital experience. OHEL: 855-OHEL JOB, www.ohelfamily.org/careers

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

SECRETARY 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

FIVE TOWNS OFFICE LOOKING FOR immediate hire of several people…part time and full time…starting at $15 per hour. Need detail- oriented person to handle A/P, A/R, customer service, and ability to negotiate bids and contracts. Computer literate a must. Please email fabadi@egwaste.com GRAPHIC DESIGNER WANTED. Experienced in MAC. Must know well: Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, Indesign. For a full day on Tuesdays. Must work in our Brooklyn office. References Mandatory. Please call 347-992-7411 SEEKING JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL TEACHER OF SCIENCE AND SS for a warm, supportive yeshiva in Queens. Please call 917-742-8909 or fax resume to 347-571-2287.

SHULAMITH EARLY CHILDHOOD is looking to hire a full time teacher assistant for the current school year. Please email resume to earlychildhood@shulamith.org

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

MISC

Due to continued growth, the Yeshiva of South Shore is seeking Elementary School Teachers. Cert/Exp required. Please forward resume to monika@yoss.org Hamaspik in Far Rockaway is looking for a full-time Medicaid Service Coordinator to work with children and adults who have developmental disabilities. BA Required. Please send resume to cgoldstein@hamaspikkings.org Bais Yaakov Ateres Miriam is seeking assistant teacher for coming school year. Excellent learning experience, warm environment Call 718-868-3232 or email teachingpositions1@gmail.com Help Wanted Pugatch Realty Corp., in Woodmere, is looking to hire and train a select group of motivated Realtors. If you are looking to build a career in real estate, or looking to take your existing career to the next level, there is no better place to start that the #1 Real Estate Brokerage in the Five Towns…Call Today (516) 295-3000 x 128. All calls kept confidential.

GIFT IT FORWARD is located at 527 Central Ave, inside Prestigio Wigs. We are a non profit gift shop whose proceeds are used to help others in need through donations to local charities. Every purchase benefits the community. Donations of new gift items appreciated. fb/insta/whatsapp @giftitforwardcedarhurst info.giftitforward@yahoo.com WIG GEMACH Everyone in our community deserves to look great! Donate used wigs and make a world of a difference. For appointments to see wigs or to donate, call Deena 845-304-6668

Reach Your Target Market

Classifieds

Rabbi Dovid Fleischmann Certified Mohel

WWW.BABYSMOHEL.COM

Baby-Friendly Care

 Personalized Attention

Expert Skill and Dedicated Service you Deserve

516-314-3236 babysmohel@gmail.com


The Jewish Home | APRIL 26, 2018 The Jewish Home | OCTOBER 29, 2015

Your

117 15

Money

Quit Your Whining By Allan Rolnick, CPA

B

y all rights, “Tax Day” ought to be one of our favorite holidays, like “Chanukah in April” without the latkes, dreidels, or the doughnuts. That’s because eighty percent of us get refunds, averaging $2,782 each in 2017. (When was the last time Bubby gave three grand as a present?) Of course, that means 20% of us are writing checks to the IRS. And if you’re among that 20%, we sympathize. We know it hurts. But we’re confident it doesn’t hurt nearly as much for you as it does for a “master of the Universe” named John Paulson. Paulson started his first fund in 1994 with $2 million and one employee. He built a reputation for “event-driven” investing, betting on mergers, acquisitions, proxy fights, and similar opportunities. A decade ago, he made a fortune shorting the U.S. housing market (the same story that author Michale Lewis spotlighted in his book and movie, The Big Short). Paulson earned $15 billion on that trade. By 2011, he managed $38 billion in assets for some of the world’s most sophisticated investors. Naturally, much of that money found its way into Paulson’s pocket. He charges a 2% management fee, which is standard for hedge funds. But he also takes 20% of

his funds’ profits, and that’s where the real money is. In 2007, he took $4 billion for himself. In 2010 he outdid himself to take home another $5 billion. Paulson isn’t flashy. He generally avoids the press, and he’s not looking to buy himself a Senate seat. But he does seem to enjoy his fortune. He splits his time between a 28,000

hedge fund managers could defer tax on most gains by simply leaving their money in the fund. But in that year Congress changed the rules and gave them until this year to pay the tax on the gains they had accumulated before that date. So now, time is up. Just how much does he owe? He’s looking at stroking a billion-dollar check to the IRS!

Whose handwriting is small enough to fit "ninety-nine million, nine-hundred ninetynine thousand, nine hundred ninety-nine dollars and zero cents" on a check in the first place?

square-foot townhouse on Manhattan’s East 86th Street, a $49 million Aspen ranch, and a $41.3 million Southampton estate. In 2015, he donated $400 million to put his name over the door at Harvard’s school of engineering and applied science. What does all that have to do with this year’s tax bill? Up until 2008,

(Who are we kidding here? Paulson can’t even write a check that size. The most the IRS will take in one draft is $99,999,999. Theoretically, he could write ten of them. But whose handwriting is small enough to fit “ninety-nine million, nine-hundred ninety-nine thousand, nine hundred ninety-nine dollars and zero cents” on

a check in the first place? He’ll wire the feds the money and pour himself a really stiff drink.) You would think sending a billion to the IRS would be easy for a guy who’s stacked that much paper. But what goes up often comes down. In 2015 and 2016 Paulson made a series of bad calls, and on Wall Street, memories are short. Investors fled, and now Paulson is down to his last $10 billion. He’s sold enough shares in one holding, Caesars Entertainment, to help drive the price down 15%. (Imagine being a retired casino dealer somewhere out in the Nevada desert, watching your 401(k) shrink because some New York billionaire needs to pay his tax bill!) We realize you aren’t looking at the wrong end of a billion-dollar tax bill. But paying more than you have to still stings, no matter how much it is. That’s where we come in. We give you a plan to pay less, no matter which of your three homes you’re enjoying right now. So call us for that plan, and let’s see how much we can help you save! 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.


118

APRIL 26, 2018 | The Jewish Home

Life C ach

I'm No Phone-y! By Rivki D. Rosenwald Esq., MFT, CLC

A

lerts, notifications, WhatsApps, flyers, emails, texts, calls! I’m inundated with incoming information! I don’t know about you but sometimes I just can’t figure out who I will be in trouble with next. What notifications did I miss now?! I kind of feel like I either have time to live or to follow my technology – not both. Listen, I’m aware that for the tech generation being in constant contact with their phones is not challenging. In fact, for them, taking a photo of their every moment, replete with a duck face is living! But I didn’t grow

up that way. First of all, we didn’t document our every second as our own personal paparazzi. Second of all, we only puckered up our lips when something was sour or when we were revving up for a kiss for Grandma. I’m not saying I’m immune to this photo-taking obsession. It’s hard to be because even if I’m not taking my own picture, some selfie stick owner or long arm is angling for a group photo. In fact, I’ve been in so many group selfies that now when I observe myself in the mirror, straight on, I don’t recognize myself. I’m too used to seeing myself only on an angle. Even so, the constant in-flow of

communication, messages, and updates from everyone and everything reaching out, along with the pressure to respond immediately and continuously, is a bit intrusive to some activities of daily living. For instance, maybe the person you are actually physically with deserves your attention more than the one on the screen. Or maybe walking could still be an uninterrupted activity to arrive somewhere. Or maybe sometimes your time should be allowed to be – exclusively – your time! Snapchatting, Instagramming, skyping, etc. (which I hope have not been replaced by some new apps, already, just since I started writing this sentence) are as natural to adolescents and young adults as face-to-face human interaction was a generation or two ago. But I still prefer going to a real concrete and mortar store, seeing people in person, and not documenting my every move. And, as good as I am at multitasking, I just can’t get as much done if I need to be sure you see me, and I see you, on a screen, while I’m trying to get things accomplished. It seems that every minute there’s another app produced to help your phone run your life. Did you know that now you can replace your house key or house code by locking or unlocking your home, remotely, through your phone? All day long you can let people in or out of your house to get things done, or delivered, and then change the code. My luck, I’ll show up at home and the water delivery person, the plumber, and the oven repairman will have moved in with their families and changed the code on me through their phone apps! Or if I get through the week still the sole owner of my residence, I’m nervous that on Shabbos I’ll be locked out completely. I guess then you are all invited to join me for chulent on my front lawn till after Havdalah.

The phone has a way of taking over our lives...and when we see those battery bars starting to diminish, we know we are in trouble. We no longer know anyone’s phone number, not even our own. Our to-do list or daily schedule is, of course, on our phone too! We are so nervous our phone may go dead that we carry around or attach a charger to charge it should it get depleted. It could add ten pounds to our load, but we must be sure it has its juice. We don’t even take such good care of ourselves! These days, there are more charger wires crisscrossing everyone in a car than seatbelts. The first sentence anyone says when they get into a car is: do you have a spare charger? Certainly, an Uber driver gets a higher rating if he has at least one iPhone and Android charger. Who cares if he gets us where we are going? We just want to be sure that wherever he lets us out our phone is working. So, the question is: are we a bunch of phone-ys? Overly dependent on our phones? Maybe some of us more or less? For me, I see benefits and drawbacks. I don’t want my phone running my life. On the other hand, if we could teach it to cook a Shabbos meal and go to the gym for me then I’m sure I would like it a lot better! In the meantime, if it could just consolidate all my messages and alerts for me and give me a synopsis at the end of the day that would be really helpful! The good news is it hasn’t kicked me out of my house yet, so I’m going to zip my lip and appreciate the benefits it offers. Anyone know where my charger is?

Rivki Rosenwald is a certified relationship counselor, and career and life coach. She can be contacted at 917-705-2004 or rivki@rosenwalds.com.


The Jewish Home | APRIL 26, 2018

119


120

APRIL 26, 2018 | The Jewish Home


Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.