October 25, 2018
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KNOW YOUR CANDIDATES See page 7
Around the
Community Loads of Fun at CIMBY Run
48
TJH Speaks with Ameer Benno Candidate for Congress
TJH Speaks with Senator Elaine Phillips of NY’s 7th District
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PAGE 98
JERUSALEM AT A CROSSROADS How the Mayoral Elections will Change the Future of Israel’s Capital City
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Community Joins Together at RCCS Breakfast
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An Update on the New Peninsula Public Library Project
Shabbos Vayera 17 Cheshvan 5778 Candle Lighting Time 5:40 pm Sponsored by
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OCTOBER 25, 2018 | The Jewish Home
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The Jewish Home | OCTOBER 25, 2018
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The Jewish Home | OCTOBER 25, 2018
HaRav Sheftel Neuberger
HaRav Shraga Neuberger
HaRav Yissocher Frand
HaRav Tzvi Berkowitz
HaRav Dovid Rosenbaum
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Dear Readers,
N
ext week, people will be heading to the polls in the Holy Land to vote in Israel’s municipal elections. If no candidate is able to garner at least 40% of the vote for mayor, there will be a runoff election in two weeks. In Jerusalem, there are four main candidates running for mayor. As it stands now, there will almost certainly be a runoff election in this race, as no candidate is expected to receive a large percentage of the city’s votes. The charedi community, which usually backs one candidate, is split between two candidates in this election. As such, the non-charedi candidate will likely face off against one of the candidates that the charedi world is backing. Politics is politics, and there is a lot that goes on behind the scenes, so I’m not going to talk about why the charedi world has officially decided to turn their backs on certain candidates. But I wonder: why does everything need to become so politicized? Why can’t we work out differences quietly so we can publicly come together and show a united front? In this week’s issue, Phil Goldfeder pens an op-ed about the community joining together to get involved in the election process. There’s been talk about this for some time, and I believe that informed, involved citizens are key to showing politicians that we as a community are worth working for. This summer I met with a local politician who seemed frustrated about certain things. He asked me not to reveal his name but his sentiment came across loud and clear. He told me that our community has a reputation in the political realm that is less than flattering. He said that it is known – and these are his sentiments – that we generally are not voters, and when we do vote we pull the lever for a certain party down the line, regardless of the individual on the ballot. In expressing his frustration, he asked why we would expect certain politicians to work on our behalf if there is no way that we would be coming out
to vote them since they are from the “other” party. His words caught me off-guard, but they were eye-opening. First and foremost, it was sad to hear that we are known for not being voters. There were many, many decades in the past when Jews were not given the right to vote. Now, in the United States, we have the privilege of being able to vote. Why not use this gift? In our community they make it so easy to vote; the polls are close by, and it’s fast and easy. Bring your children along and make it into a learning experience. Show them that we’re appreciative that we can call the United States our home and that we appreciate the privilege that voting affords us. Voting is power – and I mean that in a literal sense. When you’re the boss in a company and an employee of yours is doing shoddy work or is working behind your back for your competitor, you are able to give them the pink slip. When you vote, you are giving your politicians a message. You are either thanking them for working hard on your behalf or you are telling them that you know that they’re not protecting your interests. It’s your way of giving them a raise or a pink slip. They hear that message loud and clear, and will work hard to earn your approval. In terms of the community voting only for those in a certain party, I don’t necessarily agree with this politician. I know that we are conservative in our views but at the same time we are smart people who can make informed decisions about candidates regardless of where they stand on the political aisle. At TJH we hope to make you even more informed citizens as we speak with candidates and enable you to hear what their views are and what they represent as they head to Albany or D.C. This year, on November 6, remember that you have the power to give your politicians a bonus or a pink slip. Let your voice be heard – loud and clear. Wishing you a wonderful week, Shoshana
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The Jewish Home | OCTOBER 25, 2018
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OCTOBER 25, 2018 | The Jewish Home
Contents LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
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COMMUNITY Readers’ Poll
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Community Happenings
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Make Voting Great Again by Phil Goldfeder
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NEWS Global
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National
30
Odd-but-True Stories
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ISRAEL Israel News
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Jerusalem at a Crossroads by Tzvi Lev
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PEOPLE TJH Speaks with Ameer Benno, Candidate for Congress
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TJH Speaks with Senator Elaine Phillips
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USS South Dakota by Avi Heiligman
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PARSHA Rabbi Wein
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Spending Time by Rav Moshe Weinberger
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JEWISH THOUGHT
89
Anything is Possible by Shmuel Reichman
80
Monkey See, Monkey Do by Eytan Kobre
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A Loving Advocate by Rabbi Dr. Naphtali Hoff 84 Goal! by Rabbi Mordechai Yaffe
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HEALTH & FITNESS Are You Who You Are or Who Someone Else Defined You to Be? by Dr. Deb Hirschhorn
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Falling for Superfoods by Aliza Beer, MS RD
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The Anti-Vaccination Disgrace by Rabbi Aaron E. Glatt, MD
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FOOD & LEISURE Beef Ramen Soup by Naomi Nachman
Dear Editor, Many people don’t know but there was more than one revolution in Russia 100 years ago. The first revolution in February 1917 actually brought democracy with a multi-party system. It was the second revolution nine months later when Bolsheviks took power and the Soviet Union had one party system for the next 70 years. Today Democrats no longer consider those who disagree with them to be legitimate. Like Bolsheviks 100 years ago, they declared war on those their “enemies.” There are fewer and fewer moderate Democrats left and most of the party no longer believes that the Republicans can legitimately disagree. This explains why, for instance, many Democrats didn’t even take any time to declare they would oppose the Kavanaugh nomination. They didn’t need to check if he qualifies or not; the fact that he is conservative makes him already illegitimate and evil, and with evil there is only one strategy: to fight it. This also explains why a conservative speaker is banned from liberal colleges. After all, conservative speakers cannot benefit from the basic American right of freedom of speech. In case you didn’t notice, we are at war now. The country is divided like never before. The war was declared by the extreme-left that penetrated the Democratic Party, and now the Republicans have no choice but to respond. They can no longer pretend that business is as usual. Of course, like in any war, propaganda is extremely important. Demo-
cratic propaganda is mostly based on demonizing the opponents, scare tactics, trying to use every extreme and fringe group to create chaos and havoc. At the same time, they claim that, of course, it is all the fault of Republicans who are “dividing the nation.” (Reminds you of Hamas tactics – first create a provocation, and then when Israel responds blame them.) So what can we do? Of course prayer, teshuva, Torah study and tzedaka can hopefully avert the evil decree. But there are also some pragmatic steps we can take. Boruch Hashem we still have democratic elections in this country. It would be very stupid not to use the opportunity to cast our votes for the Republican candidates of our district. (If, for so many year, the Jews in exile had no basic rights, and certainly no right to vote, now that we do, why would not we use it?) If one has some free time, he or she can try to contact religious friends and persuade them to vote. I understand most of us are far from politics and indeed the writer of this letter also never was interested in it. But this war was brought upon us and we have no choice other than to do our part. Michael Rosen Dear Editor, Kirsten Gillibrand began her political career in 2006 as a member of the House of Representatives where she represented the conservative 20th congressional district. As a member of the House of Representatives, she had an A+ rating with the National Rifle Continued on page 10
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LIFESTYLES Dating Dialogue, Moderated by Jennifer Mann, LCSW 104 Your Money
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Pucker Up by Rivki D. Rosenwald Esq., CLC, SDS 134 HUMOR Centerfold
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POLITICAL CROSSFIRE Notable Quotes
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What did U.S. Spy Agencies Know about Threats on Khashoggi? by David Ignatius
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How Not to Modernize Saudi Arabia by Marc A. Thiessen
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CLASSIFIEDS
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It’s World Series time! Who do you think is going to win this year: the Red Sox or the Dodgers?
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Continued from page 8
Association, she opposed amnesty for illegals, and she was against protection for sanctuary cities. In 2009 she was appointed to replace Hillary Clinton in the Senate. As a United States senator, representing the liberal state of New York, her views flip-flopped and she became one of the most liberal senators. Her rating with the National Rifle Association dropped from an A+ to an F and her positions changed on immigration and support for sanctuary cities. Senator Gillibrand says she supports Israel. Do her actions belie her words? Can we believe what she says? She removed her name from the anti-BDS Bill in Congress. She supported the Iran Agreement. She is associated with Linda Sarsour and Tamika Mallory, two noted anti-Semites. Senator Gillibrand does not deserve the Jewish vote. We are supporting Chele Farley for the United States Senate who is running against Kirsten Gillibrand. We urge you to go to her website https:// www.chelefarleyforsenate.com/ and click onto the issues link, then to the link Standing with Israel. We need a senator who strongly supports Israel. We urge your readers to vote for Ms. Farley. Dorothy and Sid Krimsky West Hempstead
Dear Editor, There is something I want to warn your readers about. One of the methods the left uses today is to pretend to be from the right and make comments on the internet or distribute flyers that are full of anti-Semitic hate. The reason why this is done is obviously to cause the Republican Jewish voters to turn away from our new allies. One example is recently distributing in some of the liberal colleges a hate flyer that claims that it was Jews (with Magen Davids on their foreheads) who tried to prevent Kavanaugh confirmation. (By the way, the statement itself is partially true as many of the leftist Jewish senators were involved in defamation of Kavanaugh, but the flyer is skillfully made to remind one of the Nazi era cartoons and certainly can only turn away any Jew and even many decent non-Jews.) Obviously, there do exists various right-wing anti-Semites in this county. However, they are not influential and certainly if they wanted to bring more people to their fold the last place they would go is liberal colleges. On the other hand, the left can draw a swastika or distribute a flyer or post hateful comments on conservative sites, and then claim in their indignation, look at these people who you Republican Jews support. They hate you. They are Nazis!
That’s why it’s important for us to be aware of this disgusting tactics. I hope we will all vote Republican in the coming election fulfilling the mitzvah timcheh es zeicher Amalek. Chaim Sunitsky Dear Editor, I noticed that you recently starting highlighting issues in Israel and are publishing major stories on those issues. I truly appreciate that you are becoming a paper that speaks about issues that are dear to our hearts. As Jews, many of us have relatives who live in the Holy Land. We visit our homeland almost yearly. Israel is so important to us. And events that are taking place there deserve front page mention on our Jewish newspapers. Sincerely, Sarah Kleiner Dear Editor, Zvi Gluck’s op-ed in TJH this week about alcohol abuse should be shouted from the rooftops. The drinking that goes on in our shuls every week at the weekly kiddushim has to stop. It may have started as a simple l’chaim. Now, some men are downing cups – not shot glasses – of hard liquor at multiple times on Shabbos morning. Forget about the fact that they show up drunk to their Shabbos table. Forget about the fact
It’s Our Annual
that their wives and children wait for them to start the seudah and all they get is someone flush with wine who passes out before the cholent. What about the example they’re setting for their children? Is liquor and alcohol something that should be revered? Do we want to show our children that the more expensive the bottle of alcohol, the more excited we become? Why? Have we sunk so low that we can’t enjoy a Shabbos kiddush without drowning ourselves in this stuff? This has got to stop. Mr. Gluck’s suggestion about having someone “watching” over the alcohol at an event to ensure that no one underage drinks is a wonderful suggestion. But I am adding on something to that suggestion: that “watcher” should also be watching over grown men (and women) who are taking a bit too much. If they can’t limit themselves, there should be a limit imposed upon them. Just as bartenders are not allowed to serve intoxicated persons, we – as a community – need to ensure that people do not overload on alcoholic beverages. The change needs to come from the top, from the grown men who are making alcohol something delectable and enticing to our children. And it has to stop now. Chani Herman
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The Jewish Home | OCTOBER 25, 2018
The Week In News
Jailed Blogger Released in Vietnam
Is Mad Cow Disease Back?
Mad cow disease has been discovered once again in Scotland. Rural Economy Secretary Fergus Ewing said this week that a farm in the Aberdeenshire – which is not being named specifically – has had a movement ban placed on it. This marks the first time in a decade that the disease has been identified in Scotland. There have been 16 cases in the United Kingdom since 2011, the most recent in 2015. Investigations are being made in order to identify the origin of the disease. The disease was found on a 5-year-old animal that died before entering the human food chain. The ailment was discovered during routine tests that are always performed when an animal dies on a farm. Mad cow disease has its name because it makes animals act erratically by destroying their brains by eating away at the nerve tissue. The main concern of the disease is that it could be transferred to humans who eat infected meat. In 1986, an outbreak led to infection in 180,000 cattle; 4.4 million were slaughtered in order to eradicate the disease. Since then, 178 people have died from contracting the disease. The origin of this most recent case is not yet known, but if it is indeed an isolated case, the risk of an outbreak is very low. According to Prof Matthew Baylis, Chair of Veterinary Epidemiology at the University of Liverpool, the disease in “cattle in the UK is largely over but there is still the odd detected case – one in 2014, two in 2015 and now one in 2018. It is too early to say if this case is significant.”
A blogger in Vietnam known as “Mother Mushroom” has arrived in the U.S.A. following her release from prison. Nguyen Ngoc Nhu Quynh told crowds of supporters last week that she will “never keep silent” in her quest for democracy in the one-party state she is from. The 39-year-old was let out of prison and was put on a plane with her two children and elderly mother. The blogger spent the last two years behind bars. Her release comes as a big surprise, though it happened right after U.S. defense chief Jim Mattis visited Vietnam in another show of warming relations between the two nations. No official comments were made by either country concerning Quynh’s release. The outspoken blogger told the press that she will “continue to raise my voice until there is human rights in Vietnam, real human rights.” Quynh was arrested in 2016 after visiting a friend in prison. She was convicted of “anti-state propaganda” after she posted a report on Facebook about deaths in police custody and other criticisms of the ruling Communist party. She was given 10 years in prison, a harsh ruling that drew criticism from the EU, UN, and the United States. Over 55 bloggers, protestors and social media users have been jailed this year by the Vietnamese government. Shortly after Quynh was let go, Nguyen Dinh Thanh, 27, was jailed for seven years for “spreading anti-state materials.”
Da Vinci’s Eyes Made Him Great A new study claims that Leonardo da Vinci had a rare eye condition that allowed him to become such a talented and accomplished painter. Intermittent exotropia, a type of eye misalignment in which one eye turns outward, may have contrib-
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uted to his ability to paint distance and depth of objects on flat surfaces with an extremely high level of accuracy. “Looking at his work, I noticed the pronounced divergence of the eyes in all of his paintings [of himself],” explained the study’s author, Christopher Tyler, a research professor at the City University of London and the Smith-Kettlewell Eye Research Institute in San Francisco. Six self-portraits of da Vinci were found to show signs of exotropia, with the eye looking outward.
Tyler analyzed the eyes in the paintings and found that one eye was turning -10.3 degrees outward when relaxed. Still, says Tyler, the master artist was able to align his eye when focused. Eye misalignment exotropia affects about 1% of the world population, according to Tyler. Da Vinci used his eye misalignment to see the world at a unique angle. “What he was looking at would look more like a flat canvas than like for us a three-dimensional screen,” Tyler said. This made it “easier to translate things onto the canvas.” The condition in one eye would have helped da Vinci to have a strong understanding of three-dimensional objects and gave him a leg up on painting the precise shading that he is well-known for. Similar studies have been performed on other artists. It has been found that Rembrandt, Edgar Degas, and Pablo Picasso all had various forms of eye misalignment.
attempts on his life. A Taliban assassin disguised himself as a governor’s bodyguard and shot Raziq last week.
Raziq was a very controversial figure. The 39-year-old ran the region with an iron fist and was both admired by the Afghanis and hated by the Taliban. He was described by Human Rights Watch as the “torturer in chief” because of accusations that he ran secret Taliban torture chambers and killed thousands of Taliban detainees. He vehemently denied all charges of torture and was considered an ally by the United States in the fight against militant terror groups in the region. General Scott Miller, the top U.S. Forces and NATO commander in Afghanistan, expressed his condolences to Raziq’s family, calling him a “great friend.” “We had served together for many years. Afghanistan lost a patriot. My condolences to the people of Afghanistan,” said Miller on Twitter. His death is seen a big problem for many as it leaves a dangerous security vacuum. “He was the one guaranteeing security in Kandahar,” said a foreign diplomat in Kabul. While attending a meeting in a heavily fortified compound in Kandahar city, a member of the provincial governor’s security team opened fire. Two others, including a journalist and a provincial intelligence chief, were killed in the assault. The Taliban described the shooter as an “infiltrator.”
Nazi Resister Dies at 99
Taliban Kills “Torturer in Chief” The Taliban in Afghanistan has killed General Abdul Raziq, a top security head who was known as the “torturer in chief.” Raziq, a police chief in Kandahar, once bragged that he has survived “countless” Taliban
Joachim Ronneberg, the Norwegian resistance fighter who sabotaged Nazi Germany’s nuclear weapons ambitions during World War II, died
The Jewish Home | OCTOBER 25, 2018
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OCTOBER 25, 2018 | The Jewish Home
into the plant and set their explosives. “We very often thought that this was a one way trip,” he said. After the explosion, the men escaped into neighboring Sweden by skiing 200 miles across Telemark – despite being chased by some 3,000 German soldiers. With a wry smile, Ronneberg described it as “the best skiing weekend I ever had.” The operation, coupled with U.S. air raids the following year, led the Germans to abandon their plans and was later described as the most successful act of sabotage of World War II. Ronneberg was reluctant to talk about his experience despite numerous books, documentaries and TV series retelling the story. He broke his silence in the 1970s, when he began raising awareness of the dangers of war among young people. “Those growing up today need to understand that we must always be ready to fight for peace and freedom,” he said.
Khashoggi’s Brutal End
this week at the age of 99. In 1943, Ronneberg led a top-secret raid on a heavily-guarded plant in Norway’s southern region of Telemark. Years later, Hollywood turned the heroic act into a movie, “Heroes of Telemark.” Ronneberg told the BBC in 2013 that he only realized the importance of the mission after atomic bombs were dropped on Japan’s Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945. Ronneberg was born in 1919 in the town of Aalesund and fled Norway
when the Nazis invaded in 1940. He escaped with friends to Scotland but wanted to return to fight. At the time Germany needed socalled heavy water – with an extra atomic particle in its oxygen nucleus – in its race against the Allies to produce an atomic bomb. Large amounts of heavy water, or deuterium oxide, at that time was only made at the Norsk Hydro facility in Rjukan, Telemark. This made the largest hydroelectric plant of its type a target for the resis-
tance. But a small team tasked with destroying it in 1942 failed. The following year, Ronneberg chose a team of five other commandos in an Allied operation codenamed Gunnerside. “We were a gang of friends doing a job together,” he told the BBC during the 70th anniversary of the mission. The men parachuted onto a plateau, skied across country, descended into a ravine and crossed an icy river before using the railway line to get
Adel al-Jubeir, the Foreign Minister of Saudi Arabia, said this week that the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi was a “tremendous mistake” and was part of a rogue operation whose organizers will be punished by his government. “The individuals who did this did this outside the scope of their authority,” he insisted this week. “There obviously was a tremendous mistake made, and what compounded the mistake was the attempt to try to cover up. That is unacceptable in any government.” The Saudi government fired five top officials and arrested 18 others after their initial investigation into Khashoggi’s death. Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s advisor Saud al-Qahtani and deputy intelli-
The Jewish Home | OCTOBER 25, 2018
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gence chief Maj. Gen. Ahmed al-Assiri were among those given a pink slip over the murder. “We are determined to uncover every stone. We are determined to find out all the facts. And we are determined to punish those who are responsible for this murder,” Jubier said. Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman was reportedly not aware of the operation beforehand. “Even the senior leadership over intelligence service was not aware of this,” Jubier said. The comments came the day after President Trump criticized the Saudis for their lack of an explanation. Khashoggi was seen entering the Saudi consulate in Turkey three weeks ago and has not been seen since. The Saudis initially denied any wrongdoing, claiming that Khashoggi left the consulate. They have since backtracked after being accused to brutally murdering and dismembering the journalist. President Trump called their explanation of Khashoggi’s death “all over the place,” though he did say that bin Salman was a “strong person” with “very good control.” After denying any involvement for weeks after the murder, Saudi Arabia finally said that he was killed
in a “fistfight.” A Saudi source then said that Khashoggi was killed in a “chokehold,” and now it is being called a murder by the Saudi government. Making the matter even stranger, reports have come out that a body double was seen leaving the consulate four hours after Khashoggi went in, leading many to believe that the murder was premeditated.
Mega Bridge Links Hong Kong to Mainland
The longest sea-crossing bridge opened on Tuesday when China allowed for passage on a 34-mile bridge linking Hong Kong to the mainland. The bridge is an accomplishment of brilliant engineering that carries im-
mense economic and political significance. Chinese President Xi Jinping presided over a ceremony in the city of Zhuhai to open the bridge linking it to the semi-autonomous regions of Hong Kong and Macau. Digital fireworks exploded on a screen behind him as leaders of the three cities looked on. The $20 billion bridge took almost a decade to build while incurring major delays and cost overruns. It includes an undersea tunnel allowing ships to pass through the Pearl River delta, the heart of China’s crucial manufacturing sector. Its opening will cut travel time across the delta from several hours to just 30 minutes, something China hopes will bind the region together as a major driver of future economic growth. Heavily regulated traffic using permits issued under a quota system began this week. The bridge forms a physical link between the mainland and Hong Kong, an Asian financial hub that was handed over from British to Chinese control in 1997 with the assurance it would maintain its own legal and economic system for 50 years. That carries major political significance
for Xi’s administration, which has rejected calls for political liberalization in Hong Kong, sparking fears Beijing will clamp down further on civil liberties before the end of the “one country, two systems” arrangement in 2047. The bridge’s opening also comes a month after the inauguration of a new high-speed rail link from Hong Kong to mainland China that runs along a different, shorter route. That line has vastly decreased travel times but has also raised concerns about Beijing’s growing influence because mainland Chinese law applies within part of the line’s Hong Kong terminus.
Deadly Train Crash in Taiwan Eighteen people died and 187 were injured this week in the worst rail disaster to hit Taiwan in more than three decades. Four train carriages overturned after all eight cars of the train left the tracks. The train, which was carrying 366 passengers, was only 25 miles from the capital city of Taipei.
The Jewish Home | OCTOBER 25, 2018
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Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen joined in a group prayer with Buddhist monks next to the hospital where many of the victims were treated. Tsai gave condolences to the family members of the victims and survivors. “We are really sorry ... you have to stay strong,” Tsai told Chen Yu-chan, 41, whose only daughter, a seventh grader, was killed.
Six of the dead were under 18 years old. Only one foreigner was killed – an American tourist. The cause of the accident is still under investigation. Many of the casualties happened in the front-most carriage. The driver of the train has been moved out of intensive care, although his condition is still unstable. “We will ask him what happened after he stabilizes,” said Liu Can-Huang, head of the car maintenance unit of the railways. The train recorder, which tracks the train’s speed, has been sent for examination. The disaster is the deadliest train tragedy in the country since a 1981 collision that killed 30 people.
long service and great importance for our country.” Labor Party leader Lodewijk Asscher called Kok a “model of integrity.” Kok oversaw a coalition that led the Netherlands to unprecedented economic success from 1994 to 2002. Kok earned the respect of many other European leaders. Tony Blair praised him in 1998 as “one of the greatest people in politics.” Former German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder and former French Prime Minister Lionel Jospin both heaped praise on Kok for his middle-of-the-road policies as well. Kok and his entire government resigned in 2002 after a report emerged saying that they had mishandled the 1995 Srebrenica massacre in Bosnia. Dutch UN peacekeepers had failed to prevent the slaughter of 8,000 Muslim men and boys by the Bosnian Serb forces. Kok’s administration was criticized for not adequately preparing or supplying Dutch soldiers to be able to defend the 30,000 refugees that had fled to the Dutch base seeking protection. In 1996 Kok and his wife Rita decided to tour the U.S. after attending the Olympic Games in Atlanta. They hired a camper-van and didn’t allow the U.S. government to provide them with an escort, only agreeing to check in with the CIA from the sheriff’s office or police each night to reveal where they were.
Well-Respected Former Dutch PM Dies
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Wim Kok, a former Dutch prime minister, died on October 20 at the age of 80. He was a trade unionist-turned-politician that was wellknown for inspiring many of the pragmatic Social Democratic leaders who ruled European countries in the ‘90s. Current Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte remembered Kok as “a man to look up to — if only for his
President Trump has announced that he intends to uproot a landmark arms control agreement with Russia after Moscow violated it repeatedly by developing prohibited weapons. The U.S. president said that “we are not going to be the only ones to adhere to it.” In response, the Kremlin said the pullout “would be a very dangerous step.” The pact, which was signed in
The Jewish Home | OCTOBER 25, 2018
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1987, bars the United States and Russia from possessing, producing, or test-flying ground-launched cruise missile with a range of 300 miles to 3,400 miles. The Intermediate-range Nuclear Forces Treaty was set up to help protect the security of the U.S. and its allies in Europe and the Far East. It has constrained America from developing new weapons. Russia has repeatedly denied that it has violated the treaty and has accused the United States of not being in compliance. President Trump has said that the U.S. will begin new weapons development unless Russia and China both agree not to possess or develop weapons as well. “Russia has violated the agreement. They have been violating it for many years,” Trump said on Saturday after a rally in Elko, Nevada. “And we’re not going to let them violate a nuclear agreement and go out and develop weapons and we’re not allowed to. “We’ll have to develop those weapons, unless Russia comes to us and China comes to us and they all come to us and say let’s really get smart and let’s none of us develop those weapons, but if Russia’s doing it and if China’s doing it, and we’re adhering to the agreement, that’s unacceptable,” he said. John Bolton, U.S. national security advisor, is going to Moscow to meet with Russian leaders, including Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and Security Council Secretary Nikolai Patrushev. He is expected to relay the president’s message. The relationship between Russia and the U.S. is already strained due to the Ukrainian crisis, the war in Syria, and allegations of Russian meddling in the 2016 presidential race and the upcoming U.S. midterm elections.
gence sources. In the past week, Iran has sent GPS components to change unguided rockets into precision-guided missiles to Lebanon. Other weapons components were also sent to the terror group. While addressing the UN last month, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that Hezbollah has been trying to build infrastructure to convert their surface-to-surface missiles into precision missiles. Iran has been helping them achieve this goal in a factory near the airport in Beirut. “In Lebanon, Iran is directing Hezbollah to build secret sites to convert inaccurate projectiles into precision-guided missiles, missiles that can target deep inside Israel within an accuracy of ten meters,” Netanyahu said. “Hezbollah is deliberately using the innocent people of Beirut as human shields. They’ve placed three of these missile conversion sites along Beirut’s international airport,” he revealed. Hezbollah Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah responded to Bibi’s statements by saying that his terror group has “highly accurate ... missiles” and that, should Israel impose a war on Lebanon, “it will face a fate and a reality it never expected on any day.” Netanyahu dismissed the threat and said that “if they confront us, they will suffer a crushing blow the levels of which they cannot imagine.” Iran has vehemently denied reports of them helping the Hezbollah terror group in that way. “Such false and ridiculous news have no purpose other than affecting Iran’s foreign relations, especially with its neighbors,” Foreign Ministry spokesman Bahram Qassemi blustered. “This news is solely aimed at creating fears in the countries of the region.”
Iran Upgrading Hezbollah’s Missiles Long Live those in the Holy Land
Hezbollah is receiving large shipments of advanced weapons from Iran, according to American intelli-
Israelis are expected to have one of the longest life expectancies on the planet in the year 2040. According to new statistics, Israelis are expected to be living to 84.4 years by then, which would be seventh in the world. Israel currently boasts an average lifespan of 82.1, the 13th best around the globe.
The Jewish Home | OCTOBER 25, 2018
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Palestinians, on the other hand, are expected to drop more spots on the list than any other country. In 2016, they were 114th in the ranking at 71.9 years old. In 2040, the average lifespan of a Palestinian is expected to only be 72.2, or 152nd place in the world.
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Researchers at the University of Washington expect lifespans to rise at least a little in every country by 2040, but the rankings are to change dramatically. The average age around the world today is 73.8. In 2040, that is supposed to rise by five years to 77.7. Obviously, the predictions are far from guaranteed. “The future of the world’s health is not pre-ordained,” admitted lead author Kyle Foreman, head of data science at the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME) at the University of Washington. “But whether we see significant progress or stagnation depends on how well or poorly health systems address key health drivers.” Spain is projected to take the top spot in 2040 with a lifespan of 85.8 years. Japan is on the throne now with a lifespan of 83.7, but they are expected to drop to second place by 2040. The U.S. is projected to drop from 43rd place to 64th, with an average lifespan projected to be 79.8 years in 2040.
cording to Israeli news outlets, some of the products that companies based in Israel offer as tools for counterterrorism and to fight organized crime are also being used by dictatorships to spy on dissidents. Verint is an Israeli firm which helped authorities in Mozambique combat kidnappings and officials in Botswana fight against illegal poaching. However, countries like Indonesia have used Verint’s technology to track religious minorities and charge them with heresy, a crime in their country. Pegasus, a Trojan-horse software program supplied by Herzliya Pituach-based NSO, allows governments to hack into their citizens’ cell phones. This is a useful tool for combating crime but was used by the Mexican government to track those opposed to their policies and punish them for their disagreement. Israeli regulatory bodies are supposed to stop any sales to foreign governments that misuse the software products being exported. An investigation that utilized 100 sources in 15 countries recently found that sales are not being halted even when there are clear signs of abuse. “I can’t limit the actions of the client,” said one employee, who remained anonymous. “I can’t sell someone a Mercedes and then tell him to only drive 100 kilometers per hour. The truth is that the Israeli companies don’t know how their system will be used once they are sold.” Even if regulators wish to stop the flow of spy tech, it is not clear that they would be able to. Many Israeli firms have European subsidiaries that sell the technology to countries like Cyprus and Bulgaria and would not be obligated to comply with Israeli authorities.
BDS Advocate Israeli Tech Used Enters Israel Globally: For Good & Bad
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Israel is exporting spyware and other types of offensive cyber technologies in very large numbers. Ac-
Lara Alqasem, the American graduate student who was held in Ben Gurion airport for a short period, was allowed into Israel this week. Alqasem was being held because she is a BDS
The Jewish Home | OCTOBER 25, 2018
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activist and a new law allows Israel to protect itself from letting anyone who wishes to harm the Jewish State into the country. She was told to leave Israel but demanded an appeal and so was held at the airport. This week the Supreme Court ruled that the new law does not apply to her and allowed her entry. “I’m relieved at the court’s decision and incredibly grateful for the work of my amazing and tireless lawyers Yotam Ben Hillel and Leora
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Bechor as well as the support of my family and friends,” Alqasem told reporters upon her release. She had been held in the airport for 15 days after arriving to study at Hebrew University. The state made the claim that Alqasem, who was the head of her local chapter of Students for Justice in Palestine, currently supports the boycott, divestment, and sanctions (BDS) movement. She was allowed to return home but chose to fight the
ban and was, therefore, not allowed to leave the airport. In court, she promised that she had not been engaged in BDS activities for the past year-and-a-half and said she would not participate in any BDS activities in the future. The state brought the fact that she had deleted her social media accounts after she was detained as proof that she had something to hide. A lower court upheld the initial ruling to bar Alqasem entry, but the
Supreme Court granted her appeal and overturned the ban. “In this case, preventing the entry of the plaintiff does not advance the purpose of the law and it was even argued, for example, by the Hebrew University that it harms Israeli academia,” Supreme Court Justice Neal Hendel wrote. “The fight against boycotts is fitting and vital, as are the actions that were taken by the State of Israel on the matter. However, the concrete action before us clearly deviates from the range of reasonableness and cannot be accepted,” he added. Another judge on the court added that if Alqasem “returns to her old ways” and promoted a boycott while in Israel, she could face expulsion. Alqasem started classes at Hebrew University on Sunday. When she first arrived at the university, she was greeted by activists who waved Israeli flags and posted notices on campus declaring that there was a terror supporter on campus. The right-wing Im Tirtzu group said it wanted to give Alqasem the same welcome she had given to Israeli students at the University of Florida campus when she was active in the boycott-supporting student group. Flyers posted in Hebrew and English around the campus declared, “Did you know that with the support of the Hebrew University there is a BDS activist and supporter of terror on campus?” Other flyers alleged, “You support a terrorist who murdered two Hebrew University students and now you want to study here? We don’t want you here!” It was an apparent reference to terrorist Rasmea Odeh, who was convicted of involvement in a 1969 deadly terror attack on a Jerusalem supermarket. During Alqasem’s time at the SJP, the group organized a day of support for Odeh, who moved to the U.S. after spending 10 years in an Israeli prison but was deported last year after it was found she had lied on her application for citizenship. Security has been boosted on the campus since Alqasem joined the university.
Abbas & Hamas Use Torture This week, Human Rights Watch accused both the Palestinian Authority and Hamas of routinely engaging in “systematic” unwarranted arrests and torture of critics, suspected dis-
The Jewish Home | OCTOBER 25, 2018
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THE HEBREW ACADEMY OF LONG BEACH
and Gaza regularly use threats of violence, taunts, solitary confinement, and beatings, including lashing and whipping of the feet of detainees, to elicit confessions, punish, and intimidate activists.”
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#WeAreHALB sidents and political opponents, and of developing “parallel police states” in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, respectively. In a 149-page report based on interviews with 147 witnesses, Human Rights Watch detailed a common method of abuse and torture known as shabeh – used both by the PA and Hamas – in which detainees are placed in painful physical positions for lengthy periods of time. Such practices cause distress and trau-
ma to detainees, while often leaving “little or no trace on the body,” the report said. The widespread occurrence of such brutality indicates that “torture is governmental policy for both the PA and Hamas,” HRW stated. Shabeh techniques include forcing detainees into squats, powerfully stretching their arms above or behind them, and leaving them standing or sitting in child-sized chairs for hours on end.
In one example from Gaza, “a PA civil servant, arrested after a friend tagged him in a Facebook post calling for protests on the electricity crisis, spent most of his days in the Internal Security’s Gaza City detention center subjected to positional abuse…causing him to feel ‘severe pain in my kidneys and spine’ and as if his neck would ‘break’ and his ‘body is tearing up inside,’” the report said. According to the report, “Palestinian forces in both the West Bank
The report, titled “Two Authorities, One Way, Zero Dissent,” cited more than 20 cases in which activists were arrested for critical news articles or social media posts, as well as membership in certain groups or movements frowned upon by authorities. Hamas and the PA regularly abused each other’s activists in the territories they control, it added. Saying the systematic use of torture could amount to a crime against humanity under the United Nations’ Convention against Torture, HRW called on the United States, the European Union and other international powers to halt all aid to the Palestinian agencies responsible for persecution and abuse – including the PA Preventative Security Forces, General Intelligence Services and Joint Security Committee, and the Hamas-run Internal Security – “until the authorities curb those practices and hold those responsible for abuse accountable.” Both Hamas and the Fatah-led Palestinian Authority have denied the accusations. The two Palestinian factions split in 2007 after Hamas violently seized the Gaza Strip from forces loyal to PA President Mahmoud Abbas. For more than a decade, Hamas has maintained an iron grip on power and has suppressed any signs of public dissent, including street protests and on social media. Despite having Western backing, Abbas has also silenced dissent in the areas of the West Bank he administers under past agreements with Israel. Last year, he clamped down on social media and news websites with a vaguely worded decree that critics say allows his government to jail anyone on charges of harming “national unity” or the “social fabric.”
The Jewish Home | OCTOBER 25, 2018
Jordan Not Renewing Land Lease
On Monday, Jordan announced that it will not negotiate with Israel to renew part of the 1994 peace treaty that granted the Jewish state use of two small agricultural areas along the border, according to Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi, dashing hopes in Jerusalem that Amman could be convinced to reverse course. Safadi insisted that the Hashemite kingdom would not renege on King Abdullah II’s promise to take back control of the areas that Israel has been allowed to lease for the past 25 years. “We will not negotiate over the sovereignty of these areas,” Safadi said of Naharayim in the north and the Tzofar enclave in the southern Arava desert. On Sunday Abdullah said that the areas would return to Jordanian hands when their leases expire next year. The lands in question were ceded to Jordan as part of the countries’ 1994 peace treaty, but Amman agreed Israeli farmers could still access and work the plots as part of a 25-yearlease that had been widely expected in Israel to be renewed. Responding to Abdullah, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Sunday that Israel “will enter into negotiations with Jordan to extend the existing agreement,” which is automatically renewable unless either side gives a year’s notice to terminate the deal. But Safadi’s words on Monday dashed any hopes Bibi had for renegotiation. “We have so far not received any official request to open talks,” Safadi said, “but if we do open talks, the only question will be how we cancel these leased areas.” Naharayim includes within its boundaries the Isle of Peace tourist spot, a man-made island and hydroelectric power plant at the confluence of the Jordan River and the Yarmouk River. The move is widely seen as a re-
sult of pressure from Jordanian hardliners. In recent months, Amman has faced intense calls to cancel the lease agreement, with several mass demonstrations urging the government to “reassert Jordanian sovereignty” over the area. The pressure was increased when 80 lawmakers signed a letter to the government urging the cancellation. On Sunday, Jordanian parliament members praised the move, with Saleh al-Armouti, a regular critic of the king, hailing the decision as “a positive step that restores dignity to the Jordanian citizen and sovereignty over his land.” Abdullah may also have been keen to distance himself from close ties to Israel amid tense relations between the Palestinian Authority and the U.S. administration, seeking to clearly place himself on the side of the Palestinians. Israel and Jordan were embroiled last year in a diplomatic standoff following the shooting deaths of two Jordanians in July 2017 by an Israeli security guard, Ziv Moyal, who Israel said opened fire in self-defense after one of the men tried to stab him. Israel and Jordan reached an agreement to end the diplomatic fight in January, when a Jordanian government spokesperson said he had received from Israel an “official memorandum” apologizing for the deaths of the two Jordanians, as well as for the killing of a Jordanian judge in a separate incident in 2014. Earlier this month Jordan’s newly appointed ambassador to Israel, Ghassan Majali, arrived in the country and presented his credentials at the Foreign Ministry, taking a step toward restoring ties between the shaky allies.
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sy in Jerusalem. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said that moving the U.S. Consulate in Jerusalem to the embassy was meant to “achieve significant efficiencies and increase our effectiveness” following the opening of the embassy in May. The move is seen as controversial as it implies a lowering of the status of the Palestinian people. Pompeo was careful to make clear that the merging of the two missions does not represent a change in any U.S. policy. The United States’ attitude towards the West Bank, Jerusalem, or the Gaza Strip has not changed, said the Secretary of State. “The United States continues to take no position on final status issues, including boundaries or borders,” Pompeo said in a statement. “The specific boundaries of Israeli sovereignty in Jerusalem are subject to final status negotiations between the parties.” Secretary Pompeo also said that President Donald Trump was committed to establishing a “lasting and comprehensive peace” between Israel and the Palestinians. “We look forward to continued partnership and dialogue with the Palestinian people and, we hope in the future, with the Palestinian leadership,” he said. David Friedman, the U.S. Ambassador to Israel, is to be in charge of the new arrangement, and the new Palestinian Affairs Unit will remain in the consulate general building on Agron Street. Many Palestinian spokespeople were upset at the announcement. “The Trump Administration is making clear that it is working together with the Israeli government to impose Greater Israel rather than the two-state solution on the 1967 border,” top peace negotiator Saeb Erekat said in a statement. “The U.S. administration has fully endorsed the Israeli narrative, including on Jerusalem, refugees, and settlements.” The PA has boycotted the Trump administration since Jerusalem was recognized by President Trump as the capital of Israel in December.
Some Dead Sea Scrolls Fake The Museum of the Bible in Washington, D.C., announced on Monday that five Dead Sea Scroll fragments from its collection were proven forgeries. Removed from dis-
play, these fragments may prove to be the bellwether of the institution’s entire 16-piece fragment collection, and beyond.
In the wake of similar accusations, other global institutions and private collectors are now likewise struggling with how to address their own questionable fragments. The scrolls are important since the material on the scrolls are generally used for research. If many other pieces of the scrolls are proven to be fake, much research will end up being skewed. In the spring of 2017, five of the Museum of the Bible’s 16 Dead Sea Scroll pieces were sent to Prof. Ira Rabin at Germany’s Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing (BAM) for “a battery of tests,” according to a museum press release. The tests “concluded that the five fragments show characteristics inconsistent with ancient origin,” and are therefore modern forgeries. This is merely a first batch of forgery results for the museum, said paleographer Dr. Kipp Davis, a research fellow at Trinity Western University and associate of the Dead Sea Scrolls Institute at TWU, who initially questioned their authenticity. The museum plans on testing all its fragments. Numbering around 900 fragments, the Dead Sea Scrolls represent the oldest known manuscripts of a version of the Hebrew Bible and date from the 3rd century BCE to the 1st century CE. The bulk of the provenanced scrolls – those with secure origin stories and bills of sale – were discovered between 1947 and 1956 in the Qumran caves above the Dead Sea. Since 1967, the State of Israel has been the repository for the vast majority of the scrolls. In around 2002, an influx of Dead Sea Scroll-like leather fragments came onto the market. With Evangelical Christian collectors willing to pay top price for the pieces, the motive for forgery increased. Increasingly upon expert inspection, these fragments are thought to have been written by a modern hand. In the summer of 2016, Davis noted a number of red flags upon the scientific publication of some 30 of
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these newly purchased – and unprovenanced – fragments from the Museum of the Bible collection, as well as the private Schøyen Collection. At least nine from the Schøyen Collection and seven from the Museum of the Bible were proven to be fakes.
NYPD Recalls Body Cams
Over the last few years many police departments have required the use of body cameras by all officers due to concerns of high profile interactions gone bad between officers and civilians. Law enforcement agencies have welcomed these devices as use-
ful tools for conducting investigations and evaluating officer conduct. This week, though, the use of body cameras by police officers in New York City suffered a setback. In 2016, the NYPD signed a $6.4 million contract for Vievu cameras. At the time, there were concerns raised about the quality of this specific device, but the mayor and police officials defended their choice and moved forward with the plan. Vievu introduced the LE-5 in October 2017. Powered by a lithium-ion battery, the camera can record more than 12 hours of footage. Last weekend one of the devices exploded while being worn by a Staten Island officer. The officer was not injured. The NYPD has recalled all 3,000 Vievubrand LE-5 cameras, which will likely be a huge setback to the goal of all 23,000 patrol officers being outfitted with cameras by the end of the year. All officers assigned the LE-5 cameras were told to remove the devices and hand them in immediately. The New York Police Department on Sunday said the explosion “revealed a potential for the battery inside the camera to ignite. The cause and the scope of the defect are currently being investigated.”
“Nothing is more important than the safety of our officers, and equipping the NYPD with the best equipment is a paramount priority,” Police Commissioner James P. O’Neill said. Only the LE-5 model was recalled this week. There are still more than 15,500 other Vievu body camera models in circulation in the NYPD.
Former FBI Leaker to Serve 4 Years
Some secrets are not meant to be shared. Share them, and you can end up in prison. Former FBI agent Terry James Albury, 39, was sentenced to four
years in prison last week after pleading guilty to leaking classified internal documents to a reporter. Albury was accused of unauthorized disclosure of national defense information and unauthorized retention of national defense information. When his sentence was read by a judge in Minnesota last week, the defendant appeared to be emotional. While reading his statement he had to stop several times to compose himself. “I truly wanted to make a difference and never intended to put anyone in danger,” Albury insisted. U.S. District Judge Wilhelmina Wright said Albury abused his security clearance and position as an FBI agent. “You did so knowingly,” the judge said. “You did so willingly. You knew that what you did was a criminal act, and you knew that you were putting the nation’s security at risk.” The judge explained that the punishment is befitting the severity of the crime and is intended to deter others from doing anything similar. Albury’s defense attorneys requested probation for his client, explaining he acted patriotically and was morally conflicted by the FBI’s counterterrorism policies that he regarded as racial profiling. Albury told
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tives to the Affordable Care Act program, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services said on Monday. They could use this enhanced power to determine who gets financial assistance to pay premiums and to change what types of coverage are prioritized in the individual market.
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the court that he joined the FBI with a “sincere desire to serve, protect and make this world a better place” but that over time he believed some of the FBI’s counterterrorism policies were a detriment to national security. Albury, who is black, also said he felt isolated as a minority in the FBI. “I now recognize there were other avenues, and wish I would’ve trusted the FBI’s internal processes for addressing my concerns,” Albury said. Wright, the judge in Albury’s case,
is also black. She said she believed Albury had honorable intentions but they were misguided and illegal. She added she is not blind to issues minorities face but “those conditions, they didn’t require you to commit a crime,” she said. “And in my view, they are not an excuse for doing so.” The Trump administration and Attorney General Jeff Sessions have made prosecuting government employees who leak sensitive information to the media a priority. Sessions
said last year that the Justice Department had more than tripled the number of active leak investigations since President Barack Obama left office.
Another Blow to Obamacare The Trump administration now allows for states to apply for newly broadened waivers to create alterna-
The announcement came just two weeks ahead of the midterm elections. Health care ranks as one of Americans’ top priorities, prompting candidates to attack each other on who would do more to reduce costs and protect those with pre-existing conditions. The move will increase affordable insurance options, while retaining protections for those with pre-existing conditions, said CMS Administrator Seema Verma. “The guidance that was in place before was really too restrictive and was thwarting innovation,” Verma said. “We feel like this version provides that level of flexibility.” She added that the administration’s goal was “to get states out from under Obamacare’s onerous rules.” Health policy experts, however, immediately countered that it could leave low-income, older or sicker residents with fewer choices and higher costs while favoring the young and healthy. The Trump administration has taken repeated steps to weaken Obamacare through smaller regulatory changes after Republicans in Congress failed to repeal the landmark 2010 health reform law last year. It has broadened access to two types of insurance policies that could come with lower premiums but provide fewer benefits than those found on the Affordable Care Act exchanges. It has also allowed states to impose new mandates – particularly work requirements – on Medicaid recipients. Perhaps the biggest change states could enact would involve who would receive Obamacare’s federal premium subsidies, which have been critical to sustaining enrollment in recent years. Currently, subsidies can only be used to buy policies on the exchanges and can only go to those who earn less than 400% of the poverty level (just over $48,500 for a single person or
The Jewish Home | OCTOBER 25, 2018
$100,000 for a family of four). States could file waivers asking to provide subsidies to those buying short-term health plans, for instance. The Trump administration is pushing these policies, which have terms of less than a year, as a more affordable alternative to Obamacare. These plans typically have lower premiums so they could be more attractive to younger and healthier people who may not need all of the benefits required under Obamacare. However, short-term plans are allowed to exclude people with pre-existing conditions, which worry Obamacare advocates.
Sandra Day O’Connor’s Sad Diagnosis
The first woman on the U.S. Supreme Court, Sandra Day O’Connor, announced on Tuesday that she has the beginning stages of dementia, “probably Alzheimer’s disease.” O’Connor made the announcement in a letter. The 88-year-old said her diagnosis was made some time ago and that as her condition has progressed she is “no longer able to participate in public life.” “While the final chapter of my life with dementia may be trying, nothing has diminished my gratitude and deep appreciation for the countless blessings in my life,” she wrote. “How fortunate I feel to be an American and to have been presented with the remarkable opportunities available to the citizens of our country. As a young cowgirl from the Arizona desert, I never could have imagined that one day I would become the first woman justice on the U.S. Supreme Court,” she added. O’Connor was nominated by President Ronald Reagan and took her seat on the court in 1981. She was 75 when she announced her retirement from the court in 2005. It was a decision influenced by the decline in the health of her husband, John O’Con-
nor III, who himself had been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. O’Connor was a state court judge before being unanimously confirmed to the Supreme Court at 51. She had graduated third in her class from Stanford Law School and was the first woman to lead the Arizona state senate. On the Supreme Court, her votes were key in cases about abortion, affirmative action and campaign finance as well as the Bush v. Gore decision effectively settling the 2000 election in George W. Bush’s favor.
FBI Raids San Juan’s Mayor’s Office
Last week FBI agents stormed the municipal offices in San Juan, Puerto Rico. They raided the city government, combing through documents and seizing digital records. In recent weeks there has been a massive fraud investigation tied to the city’s government. Early Tuesday over two dozen agents barged into the city’s Municipal Tower carrying briefcases, cameras and electronic equipment. The target was the third, fourth, 14th and 15th floors, the offices of San Juan’s purchasing and contracting departments. The investigation was in response to an anonymous tip suggesting that the mayor’s office awards questionable government contracts – specifically, a $4.7 million deal with construction company BR Solutions. Media reports claim that the company is owned by a businessman who has made significant political donations to several Puerto Rican politicians. No one has been formally implicated but there is a lot of suspicion surrounding Mayor Carmen Yulin Cruz. FBI special agent Douglas Leff refused to reveal names during the raid but was clear that the department will “follow the investigation where it leads us.” On Tuesday, Cruz tweeted, “If someone has done something wrong, they should undergo due process and face the consequences of their ac-
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tions.” President Trump has not been shy about his disapproval for Cruz. He has previously accused the city of exaggerating the fatality numbers of deaths from Hurricane Maria. He has also criticized Cruz’s management style. She has had less than positive things to say about the U.S. president.
Weight Watchers Loses Some Letters
Weight Watchers is no more. But if you would still like to watch your weight and count your points, simply search for WW. The company announced in September that they will be changing their name to WW. For the last 55 years the $4.6 billion company has
been promoting weight loss. They have updated their mission and now preach, “We inspire healthy habits for real life. For people, families, communities, the world – for everyone.” The new mission is to sell wellness as opposed to just weight loss to its 4.5 million members. CEO Mindy Grossman, who joined the company last year, is hoping that this new approach will attract new members and keep existing members to stay after reaching their goal weight. Although one of the originals, Weight Watchers has faced much competition over the years from the likes of Jenny Craig, Nutrisystem, and fad diets like Atkins. Recently, free apps that offer tracking and tips have been their biggest threat. From 2001 to 2012 the company’s revenue increased, peaking at $1.83 billion. In 2015 and 2016, its sales hit an all-time low of $1.16 billion. Last year, under the leadership of Grossman, the company saw increases in revenue. Previously Grossman, 61, served as a top executive at Ralph Lauren and Nike. She is also a personal friend of Oprah, the previous face of Weight Watchers. Since joining the company Grossman has attempted to turn the com-
pany into a lifestyle brand. She has created wellness-themed Caribbean cruises, cookware and pushed to remove artificial sweeteners from its line of snacks. The WW app will also soon have a rewards system with WW swag and prizes from trendy names like Rent the Runway and ClassPass to keep people engaged. “Everything we try and do, I try to look through the lens of we need to be surprising yet familiar,” Grossman told CNBC in an interview this month at WW’s headquarters. “We will never not celebrate and believe that our heritage and everything we do is important. So we’re not going to take a sharp left, but we have to be relevant. We have to understand that people need different things.”
began when an oil-production platform owned by Taylor Energy sank in a mudslide triggered by Hurricane Ivan. Many of the wells have not been capped, and federal officials estimate that the spill could continue through this century. With no fix in sight, the Taylor offshore spill is threatening to overtake BP’s Deepwater Horizon disaster as the worst offshore disaster in U.S. history. The reasons for not repairing the holes are most likely financial.
Oil Leak will be Worst in U.S. History
“The reason for ‘not plugging’ fundamentally is monetary,” Robert Bea, a professor of engineering and project management at the University of California, Berkeley, told Newsweek. “The wells are difficult to reach due to the mudslide effects [and] must be sealed individually. The costs must be borne by the state and federal governments.”
Every day since 2004 between 10,000 and 30,000 barrels of oil has been leaking into the Gulf of Mexico, about 12 miles off the Louisiana coast. Many believe that the leak
The Jewish Home | OCTOBER 25, 2018
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OCTOBER 25, 2018 | The Jewish Home
tremely surprising.” “Being unfit on a treadmill or in an exercise stress test has a worse prognosis, as far as death, than being hypertensive, being diabetic or being a current smoker,” Jaber told CNN. “We’ve never seen something as pronounced as this and as objective as this.”
Taylor Energy has argued that there is no evidence demonstrating the wells are leaking. Others believe that the oil spill is caused by storms. The Post reported that hurricanes “battered or destroyed” more than 150 platforms during a four year period beginning with Hurricane Ivan. The Gulf contains a wealth of oil. Estimates predict it will produce more than 600 million barrels in
2018. Drilling always is accompanied by frequent leaks. “For every 1,000 wells in state and federal waters, there’s an average of 20 uncontrolled releases of oil, or blowouts, every year,” the Post reported. In recent months President Donald Trump has moved to expand leases for the natural oil and gas industry. In January, the Trump administration revealed a plan to allow drilling to almost all offshore waters,.
Get Moving! Many studies have been dedicated to proving that living an active lifestyle is crucial for your health. A recent study found that living a sedentary lifestyle is actually worse for you than smoking, diabetes and heart disease. Dr. Wael Jaber, a cardiologist at the Cleveland Clinic and senior author of the study, called the results “ex-
This new reality will require public service campaigns that warn the population of the lack of consistent exercise. Jaber said, “It should be treated almost as a disease that has a prescription, which is called exercise.” The study, published on Friday in the journal JAMA Network Open, read, “Cardiovascular disease and diabetes are the most expensive diseases in the United States. We spend more than $200 billion per year treating these diseases and their complications. Rather than pay huge sums for disease treatment, we should be encouraging our patients and communities to be active and exercise daily,” said Dr. Jordan Metzl, sports medicine physician at the Hospital for Special Surgery and author of the book The Exercise Cure. The study concluded that exercise most definitely leads to a longer life. Previously researchers were concerned that fitness radicals might face a higher risk of death but this study found that not to be the case. “There is no level of exercise or fitness that exposes you to risk,” Metzl said. “We can see from the study that the ultra-fit still have lower mortality. In this study, the most fit individuals did the best.” The benefits of exercise were seen across all ages and in both men and women, “probably a little more pronounced in females,” Jaber noted. “Whether you’re in your 40s or your 80s, you will benefit in the same way.” Comparing somebody who doesn’t exercise much to somebody who exercises regularly, he said, still showed a tremendous risk. “There actually is no ceiling for the benefit of exercise,” he said. “There’s no age limit that doesn’t benefit from being physically fit.” No excuses – grab a friend, bundle up and get moving!
The Jewish Home | OCTOBER 25, 2018
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שע"י בית המדרש קהלת יעקב סוליצא
סיום סדר מועד מעמד כבוד התורה
תנו כבוד לתורה בשבח והודאה לבורא העולם נותן התורה הננו מתכבדים להזמין את כל הקהל הקודש וכל מתפללי בית מדרשינו להשתתף בסעודת מצוה לכבוד
סיום סדר מועד אשר נלמד ע"י חברינו הכולל
of solitude and nature would also appreciate the campaign’s humor. The campaign itself was produced by Colorado advertising agency Vladimir Jones, which ran test groups with out-of-state visitors likely to visit Nebraska. According to the outlet, the old slogan and campaign touting “Nebraska Nice” proved to be a flop with many. “It was important to the Nebraska Tourism staff, marketing committee and Commissioners to be true to who we are and honest about what we are not. Along each step of the way we were heavily involved in discovering ourselves and what those outside of our borders thought and felt,” Deb Loseke, Nebraska Tourism Commission chair, said in the statement. “So we discovered that we can’t offer something to everyone – but to those that we can, this campaign speaks to their sense of adventure and discovering what we as Nebraskans are all about.” Heading to Nebraska? Here’s something you may want to see. The largest porch swing in the world is located in Hebron, Nebraska and it can sit 25 adults. Woo-wee!
שתתקיים בעזהשי"ת
ג' כסלו תשע"ט לפ"ק,יום א' פרשת ויצא Sunday, November 11, ‘18
Tip of a Lifetime
באולם בנות בנות בית יעקב 613 Beach 9th Street West Lawrence NY 11691
8:00 בשעה
בהשתתפות כ"ק אדמו"ר שליט"א ויזכו לשמוע דברים לכבוד התורה מאת
הרה"ג ר' ירוחם אלשין שליט"א ראש ישיבת בית מדרש גבוה לעיקוואד
ple are floating down a river, enjoying the day. “Lucky for you, there’s nothing to do here,” reads the caption.
Nebraska: Honest but Boring In Nebraska, they tell it like it is. In a recent tourism campaign for the Cornhusker State, a group of peo-
The ad is one of the state’s new self-deprecating tongue-in-cheek initiatives to increase tourism to the
area. It sarcastically highlights the very virtues the state is often mocked for. “Famous for our flat, boring landscape,” reads an ad with a photo of people hiking – and jumping – across tall rocks. “Another day on the dusty plains” captions a billboard of boy hopping through a waterfall. Each ad is also accompanied by the outline of the state and a slogan reading, “Honestly, it’s not for everyone.” Hopefully tourists who enjoy a bit
A man enters a restaurant, orders a water, and then leaves. No, this is not the beginning of a joke. The ending to this story is almost too good to be true, though. Earlier this month, a man by the name of MrBeast took a few sips of water he ordered at a hot dog restaurant while perusing the menu. Then, deciding there was nothing there that struck his fancy, he left the restaurant, but not without leaving something for the waitress. Neatly stacked next to his menu was a pile of bills – $10,000 worth of them, to be exact. The waitress was speechless when she saw the ginormous tip. “Good people are still doing good things these days so I thought it was pretty cool,” Restaurant owner Bret Oliverio said. “This was out of the blue, once in a lifetime – it’ll never happen again in my lifetime.”
The Jewish Home | OCTOBER 25, 2018
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The waitress kept a large chunk of the cash and then split the rest among the diner’s staff. Along with the cash, MrBeast – whose YouTube videos include reading through an entire dictionary in one sitting – also left a note reading, “Thanks for the delicious water.” For $10,000 it better had been delicious.
the cops. Hey, do police officers even eat doughnuts? You bet they do! So the cops kept some for themselves and then handed out the rest of the treats to those who are homeless in the area. Authorities are still looking for the van thief. Perhaps the powdered sugar on his fingers will give him away.
Doughnut Delight
Running on Batteries
When police in Florida recovered a stolen van filled with Krispy Kreme doughnuts, they knew they couldn’t keep them all. The officers spotted the van in Clearwater just hours after it was reported stolen. The grateful store manager donated the doughnuts to
Sunday’s Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon saw many winners, and some of them looked quite out-of-the-ordinary. Guinness World Records be-
stowed upon 13 participants new titles, including fastest marathon dressed as a battery. Blaine Perry broke the record for fastest marathon dressed as a battery (male) with a time of 2:59:57.6. Pamela Bottos donned a Lucille Ball costume and broke the record for fastest half marathon dressed as a television character (female), boasting a time of 1:56:48. Not to be outdone, Daniel Janetos broke his own record for fastest half marathon dressed as a chef (male), finishing with a time of 1:27:50. Oh, and juggler Michael-Lucien Bergeron broke the record for fastest half marathon joggling with three objects (male), coming in at 1:17:09.4. Victor Freve-Boucher and Freud Fortier-Chouinard ran the race handcuffed and broke the record for two runners handcuffed together. If you thought it was hard to run holding onto someone, think again. Kyle Pastor, Marco Pelayo, David Duarte and Christopher Hoeppler broke the record for fastest half marathon with four runners handcuffed together (male), finishing the race in 2:00:28. Bridget Burns, who already held records for fastest half marathon in motocross gear (female) and fastest marathon dressed as a boxer (female), broke the record for fastest half marathon dressed as a zoo keeper, completing the race in 2:04:46.7. Robert Winckler, who holds records for fastest half marathon dressed as a cowboy and fastest half marathon dressed as a swimmer, finished with a time of 1:57:58.8 to set the record for fastest half marathon carrying golf clubs. Supermom Julie Hillis loaded her four kids into two strollers to break the record for fastest half marathon pushing two double prams (female), with a time of 2:04:59. Jean Oh dressed as Super Mario’s dino-
saur pal Yoshi to finish with a time of 1:35:56.2 to break the record for fastest half marathon dressed as a video game character. Bradley Vincent donned a poop emoji costume and ran with a 1:39:50.4 time for the fastest half marathon dressed as an emoji record. Brothers Petro and Andrey Czupiel dressed as Fred Flintstone and Barney Rubble in the foot-powered Flintstone car to break the record for fastest half marathon in a two-person costume at 2:09:27.5. Yabba-dabba-doo!
Nose Warmers?!
Move over, gloves. There’s a new cold weather accessory in town. Sally Steel-Jones is the founder of The Nose Warmer Company. She produces nose warmers in a variety of fabrics and styles for those who are concerned that their schnozzes will be chilly this winter. “I got the idea in 2009 when I had a genuine cold nose,” Steel-Jones said. “Our business started small, with one nose warmer made specifically to do the job of warming up a nippy nose!” the company’s site reads. “Our owner soon realized that she wasn’t the only one with this problem so The Nose Warmer Company was born.” Nose warmers are available for around $10. Or you can just use your scarf to keep your nose cozy this winter.
Goldfeder: Let’s Make Voting Great Again Page 73
The Jewish Home | OCTOBER 25, 2018
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OCTOBER 25, 2018 | The Jewish Home
Around the
Community YOSS Eighth Grade Begins the Transition into High School
T
he YOSS-Mechina 8th grade held an assembly that focused on the yeshiva high school application, interview and acceptance process. The tone was set by explaining that when talmidim make eighth grade into a year of learning and academic achievement, they will be setting themselves up for success in getting into the yeshiva of their choice and well beyond! Choosing a yeshiva high school is a decision that will chart a course for their future, and as such, should be made with the utmost focus and care. Both the Menahel HaMechina, R’ Zev Davidowitz, and General
Studies Principal Mr. Daniel Winkler encouraged the boys to be thoughtful and open-minded as they examine all of the different options and said that they will be available to answer questions or address any concerns about the high school application process. Each boy received a worksheet including a list of commonly asked interview questions and strategies for them to fill out as an exercise that will aid them in thinking about what it means to enter into yeshiva high school. We look forward to watching each and every talmid make the most of this year and be set up for success as he graduates YOSS in June!
Mr. Daniel Winkler and Menahel Hamechina R’ Zev Davidowitz in discussion with eighth graders Coby Pollack and Eitan Kaplowitz about the high school transition assembly
General Studies Principal Mr. Daniel Winkler addressing the eighth grade
The Jewish Home | OCTOBER 25, 2018
Around the Community
W
hat do the organizations Knock, Knock, Give a Sock and OHEL have in common? Well, not much. Except that they’re both trip destinations for Shulamith High School’s chessed program. “It’s cool that [Knock, Knock, Give a Sock] was our school trip,” says freshman Elisheva Jaffa, “and that we didn’t just go to Bounce or something.” Although Shulamith does, in fact, take the girls on plenty of fun, student-centered trips, Shulamith also carves out a significant amount of time for “others”-centered trips, too. For example, last Friday, October 19, Shulamith freshmen and seniors went to Knock, Knock, Give a Sock headquarters in Manhattan and from there, took to the streets to hand out socks and words of kindness to the homeless. Meanwhile, the sophomores and juniors volunteered their time at an OHEL center in Brooklyn, baking, coloring and singing with the residents. Tamar Davies, a junior at Shu-
lamith High School, who enjoys visiting her local nursing home in her spare time, loves that her values and Shulamith’s values are aligned. “Chessed here is very important,” she states matter-of-factly, “[and] chessed should be a main priority so it’s amazing that Shulamith [has] such a great chessed program.” What motivates Tamar’s drive for chessed? Simply that “when you get, you have to give back.” And give back, she does. Often, giving back helps us get, too. Elisheva talks about what she got from giving: a new perspective. “I complain that I don’t have the newest iPhone,” she jokes, “but there are people who don’t even have socks and they’re freezing.” Giving to the homeless, Elisheva says, “made them feel good and made me feel good.” That’s Shulamith’s goal. Give. No matter who, no matter where, no matter what. Make a difference in the world, live with mission and purpose. Seek opportunities to give, to grow and to become a better person.
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OCTOBER 25, 2018 | The Jewish Home
Around the Community
HAFTR Early Childhood students were visited by their friends from Warren Levi’s Karate School this week to talk to about how to be good friends. Many of the children are still new to each other but they are rapidly developing the skills needed to forge new friendships and to make sure everyone is included.
Dreams, Hope, and Inspiration Take Center Stage at 2018 Annual Chai Lifeline Gala
C
hai Lifeline will celebrate its 2018 Annual Gala on Monday, November 19, at The Grand Hyatt In New York City. Synonymous with providing social, emotional, and financial support to children and families battling pediatric illness, Chai Lifeline offers this vital assistance through its two unique medically-supervised overnight camps, Camp Simcha and Camp Simcha Special; insurance advocacy; counseling; after-school siblings programs; family retreats; and numerous other services for all family members at absolutely no cost. Joining Chai Lifeline in celebrating this year’s Gala theme – Dream. Hope. Inspire. –will be comedian Elon Gold, who will also serve as the MC for the event, and music sensation Shulem Lemmer. For their selfless dedication to improving the lives of Chai Lifeline children and for their stalwart support, Chaya Rivka and Mayer Fischl will serve as Guests of Honor. The Fischls have been actively involved with Chai Lifeline for nearly a decade, having routinely hosted a variety of events and programs at their home. They have built their lives around
Chai Lifeline, even going so far as to construct their house to accommodate Chai Lifeline children with all types of disabilities, as well as their families. The establishment of The Fischl Initiative: Creating a Better Future will be announced at the Gala. The Gala will also honor Dr. Charles Schleien, Executive Director for the Cohen Children’s Medical Center. Dr. Schleien has long partnered with Chai Lifeline to offer world-class medical care to Chai Lifeline children and families and is at the vanguard of pediatric medical research and treatment. For his service and devotion to Chai Lifeline, Dr. Schleien will receive the Maimonides Medical Achievement Award. Camp Simcha Alumni Dr. Cheryl and Yitzy Book and Nicole Lieberman
will receive the Camp Simcha Appreciation Award. Cheryl has been connected to Chai Lifeline since her days as a Camp Simcha counselor and division head. After spending years as a volunteer, she officially joined the Chai Lifeline staff, where she currently serves as director of clinical and family services. Her husband, Yitzy, is also a longtime supporter of Chai Lifeline and is a regular at Chai Lifeline events, including the Purim Carnival, Chanukah Gala, as well as the annual retreats, and often delivers meals to Chai Lifeline families. Nicole initially became involved with Camp Simcha when she volunteered seven years ago to work as a specialist. Since then, she has continued her involvement with Chai Lifeline as a respite volunteer, working in hospitals
around New York City, and remains active in Chai Lifeline Alumni events. “Chai Lifeline gives children with life-threatening or lifelong illnesses permission to dream again, and the freedom to hope for a better future,” said Rabbi Simcha Scholar, Chief Executive Officer of Chai Lifeline. “In return, these children inspire all of us to do more, and to toil that much harder on their behalf to help them realize their dreams. Our work would not be possible without the unwavering commitment of our distinguished honorees, and I thank each of them for being partners with Chai Lifeline.” To reserve a seat or table, place a journal ad, or learn more about the Chai Lifeline Gala, visit www.chaidinner.org.
The Jewish Home | OCTOBER 25, 2018
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OCTOBER 25, 2018 | The Jewish Home
Around the Community
The PTA at BYAM organized a beautiful evening for women at the home of Mrs. Rebecca Fleischmann last Sunday. The women were treated to a fantastic speech by Mrs. Jackie Bitton and a beautiful array of delicious food. The warm atmosphere and overall feeling of camaraderie left everyone feeling proud to be a BYAM mother.
U’va’lechtecha Ba’derech
I
n last week’s parsha, when the children of the Yeshiva of South Shore Early Childhood Center tried to count all the stars and sand at the sand table, they realized the greatness of Hashem’s bracha to Avraham. The children also learned about how Avraham traveled on camels, and how we travel differently today. Rebbe Eli Herzberg kicked off our new bus behavior program, Valechtecha Ba’Derech. The Pre-1Aand kindergarten chil-
dren discussed how we can make a kiddush Hashem wherever we go. Thank you to District 14 for sending us a real bus so that the children can practice bus safety. The boys practiced sitting nicely, buckling their seatbelts, as well role playing what to do if someone bothers them on the bus. Bus rules and contracts were given out to the children who ride on the bus to empower them to make a kiddush Hashem wherever they go.
The Jewish Home | OCTOBER 25, 2018
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OCTOBER 25, 2018 | The Jewish Home
Around the Community
Third Annual CIMBY Run
J
ust three years ago, a group of people in our community decided to step up for the community. At that point, Achiezer had been servicing the community for eight years and was known for the chessed principles for which it stands. These individuals felt
PHOTO CREDIT: YOEL HECHT
that the Far Rockaway, Five Towns and surrounding communities personify kindness, and it was time to take that to a whole new level. With so many volunteers in the community, each with their own unique capabilities, and so many recipients in the community requiring varying ser-
vices and turning to Achiezer for help, the connection was natural. The solution has been trailblazing: CIMBY. Chesed In My Back Yard. This past Sunday, more than 500 people, young and old, trekked out to Beach 76th Street and the Far Rockaway Boardwalk for the third annual CIMBY Run. Yes, the temperatures were a bit nippy and the winds were fierce, but that did not dampen the enthusiasm and excitement of those gathered. Over the past two months, more than 140 runners spent time fundraising for three valuable Achiezer programs which service our community 24 hours a day, 365 days a year: Chesed Shel Emes – Achiezer’s Zichron Dovid Chevrah Kadisha is the first of its kind. With volunteers running the gamut from Bayswater to North Woodmere, this venture has truly become
a resource for community members in their most difficult time. Hospital Respite Rooms – What began nearly eight years ago with a single Respite Room at South Nassau Communities Hospital has mushroomed to nearly seven rooms at nearly all of the local hospitals. Anyone who has ever found themselves in a hospital situation can attest what a relief these rooms are. Family Yom Tov Fund – Throughout the year, the
The Jewish Home | OCTOBER 25, 2018
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Around the Community
This year, nearly 100 junior runners ran this with love and excitement knowing that they were having a great time and supporting chessed initiatives. Special shout out to top fundraiser, junior runner Shalom Gutman, who raised over $1,500 and to Naftali Muller, Eli Chaikin, Mordechai Picker, Daniel Levitin and Yaakov Winzelberg for reaching incredible fundraising goals. Emcee Mosey Kaplan once again did a phenomenal job recognizing the amazing sponsors of
the event and lovingly calling out the names of each runner as he sprinted past the finish line. Once the junior run was complete a full array of entertainment expertly coordinated by Yitzy Haber awaited the children. Due to high winds, the post-run barbeque was unable to take place in the previously planned tent. At the last moment, Yeshiva Darchei Torah of Far Rockaway graciously stepped forward, offering their dining
room. Hundreds of community members joined in the festivities catered by Carlos & Gabby’s which was a beautiful showing of community and unity. Rabbi Boruch Ber Bender offered his thanks to the runners for participating, their amazing fundraising efforts, and he encouraged the community members to continue to do chessed and show others that they care. For more information about Achiezer, please visit www.achiezer.org.
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OCTOBER 25, 2018 | The Jewish Home
Around the Community
Meet the Israeli Author at MTA
M
eet the Israeli Author, an elective course for juniors that is unique to MTA, began on Wednesday, October 17. Spearheaded by award-winning instructor Ms. Liora Haibi, the course provides a priceless opportunity for talmidim to be mentored by renowned Israeli author Chana Bat Shachar. Throughout the year, talmidim develop their Hebrew language and creative writing skills and have weekly Skype sessions with Chana to hone their writing. The course culminates with talmidim publishing a Hebrew literature journal of their own original stories, which is archived in the National Library of Israel and the circulation room of Hebrew University. Seniors who participated in the
course last year were presented with their journals at this year’s kick-off,
and juniors currently enrolled in the course had their first Skype session
At the grand ribbon cutting ceremony for the new Beth Gavriel mikveh in Queens
with Chana and are excited to get started on their literary works.
The Jewish Home | OCTOBER 25, 2018
Around the Community
A Day of Hiking at MTA
O
n Thursday, October 18, the entire MTA freshman grade enjoyed an exciting day of hiking. Talmidim spent time bonding with each other and their rebbeim on the hiking trails and had a great time playing sports. After a quick detour to 7-11 for post-sports slurpees, the day concluded with a
BBQ dinner. MTA is proud to offer an enhanced experience for freshmen, including events like the annual Freshman Hike, to provide opportunities for talmidim to bond together as a grade and spend time with their rebbeim and friends outside the classroom.
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5 years serving community Cooperative Board 2,834 families
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OCTOBER 25, 2018 | The Jewish Home
Around the Community
HAFTR High School Debate Tournament
H
AFTR High School launched the 2018-2019 Debate Season on October 11 with five schools and over 40 competitors. Ameer Benno, the Republican candidate for the 2nd Congressional District, came to
The HAFTR High School debate team with candidate Ameer Benno
judge the tournament and spoke to the students at the awards ceremony. Schools that attended included Chaminade, DRS, HAFTR, Half Hollow Hills, and Rambam. Students competed in three events. In Lin-
Learning from the Avos at Gesher
T
he life lessons learned from Sefer Bereishis guide us all. The children at Gesher are enjoying the hands on approach to connecting to the Avos starting with Avraham Avinu. Parshas Lech-Lecha provided many opportunities for learning experiences. The nursery did a unit on traveling, by foot and otherwise. Re-
membering how Avraham Avinu brought people closer to Hashem was a springboard to learn about brachos, hakaras hatov and chessed. Thank you to those who participated in our box-tops program, combining those lessons by using their food items to help others and expressing their appreciation for Gesher.
coln-Douglas (one-on-one debates) students debated whether reporters ought to have the right to protect the identity of confidential sources. In Public Forum (two-on-two debate) the students debated whether humans are
primarily driven by self-interest. Finally, students competed in Impromptu Speaking where students drew a topic and were given three minutes to prepare a three to five minute speech on the topic.
The Jewish Home | OCTOBER 25, 2018
PARENTING MATTERS
Series
P R E S E N T S
MA N AG I N G
Anxiety
IN PARENTS AND IN OUR CHILDREN DAVID H. ROSMARIN, PHD, ABPP, Founder and Director of Center for Anxiety, Director of Spirituality and Mental Health Program at McLean Hospital and Assistant Professor at Harvard Medical School
RABBI EPHRAIM ELIYAHU SHAPIRO
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For more information, please contact Mindi Werblowsky mwerblowsky@madraigos.org or 516-371-3250 ext. 112 Thank you to our supporting sponsors:
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OCTOBER 25, 2018 | The Jewish Home
Around the Community
Remarks by the Peninsula Public Library Board of Trustees at the Lawrence Association Meeting on October 24, 2018
L
adies and gentlemen, on behalf of the Board of Trustees of the Peninsula Public Library, we would like to thank the Lawrence Association for hosting this event tonight and for giving us the opportunity to discuss the proposed library project. We would also like to thank members of our community in the audience this evening for taking part in this important discussion. Since entering into a contract with the Village of Lawrence a little more than one year ago to purchase the property located at the corner of Central Avenue and Lawrence Avenue, the Library and its representatives have worked diligently on this project, continuously providing information to the community and soliciting feedback. We have issued multiple press releases, distributed
a public survey, formed an advisory committee, published a detailed brochure with a proposed project plan, and are now holding a second special public session in addition to our regularly scheduled monthly Board meetings that are open to the public. Following the first special meeting at Lawrence Village Hall on August 19th, the Library circulated a comprehensive update on the project. We noted the many ways that the Village of Lawrence would be the foremost beneficiary of the new Library. We also recognized that some residents of Lawrence who live near the new library site or who commute from the train station are potentially impacted more than other people in the School District. A key objective from the outset of this project has been to balance the
larger community’s desire for a bigger and better library in a central location with the needs of local residents and commuters in Lawrence. Based on discussions at the prior meeting, and in consultation with the Lawrence Village Board of Trustees, we are proposing several modifications to the new library plans. The three primary items are: (1) the size and appearance of the new library; (2) the extent of any eating facilities; and (3) the potential impact on traffic and parking. I will briefly describe how we intend to address these points and then our architect, Kevin Walsh, a partner at Burton Behrendt Smith, will give a visual presentation of the modified plans and our engineer, Patrick Lenihan, Director of Transportation at Vanasse Hangen Brustlin, will present his assessment on
traffic and parking. We will then open the floor to questions from members of the community. With respect to the size and appearance of the new library, we propose to remove the rooftop lounge and balcony and just have a facade around the roof. The rooftop lounge and balcony might have been nice to have, but they are not essential. The height of the building will therefore be lowered by ~10 feet and the size of the building reduced from ~38,000 to ~34,000 square feet. The new library will still be more than double the size of our current building which is only ~16,500 square feet. By comparison, the Hewlett-Woodmere Library is ~50,000 square feet. So the new library is not that big and it’s not too small – it should be just right for a School District with 35,000 residents. Furthermore, the
The Jewish Home | OCTOBER 25, 2018
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Around the Community
facade and trimming that we are adding to the building will enhance the exterior appearance and blend nicely with surrounding structures. As for eating facilities, there was some concern that having a café or commercial kitchen will attract more people to this location for reasons other than the library’s main functions. To be clear, we did not intend on operating a full-scale “restaurant” or “catering hall” at the new library, as some have suggested. That being said, in the interest of alleviating these concerns, we propose to substitute the café on the first floor with simpler amenities for snacks and drinks. We are likewise proposing to reorganize the lower level by removing the commercial kitchen and having two big community rooms and a conference room. So there will now be some more space on the first floor for books and plenty of space in the lower level for various types of community programs and activities, but the Library will not operating a coffee shop or catering events. These proposed modifications to scale down the size of the building and eating facilities should lessen the potential impact on traffic and
parking. In this regard, our engineers have recently conducted a study and are prepared to discuss their findings tonight and then follow with their final report in the coming weeks. In general, we believe based on the results of their study that there will be sufficient parking capacity for both the Village and the Library and that traffic flow in this area will not be significantly affected. In addition, these proposed modifications have reduced the estimated cost of this project from ~$24 million to ~$22.5 million. After taking into account the sale of the current library site, which we expect to sell for at least $3 million, the total cost of this project would be less than $20 million. The Library Board is encouraged by the many people throughout the community who have expressed support and enthusiasm for this project. The contract between the Village and the Library will expire in December 2018 unless a oneyear extension is exercised. We intend on extending the contract and proceeding with this project and the proposed modifications as long as the Village Board likewise affirmatively acknowledges that we are
moving forward. We also note that, while our architects and engineers have proposed a site plan for the entire area, the Village will continue to own all of the property other than the parcel that is sold to the Library and the Village will therefore ultimately decide how best to utilize its property. Our goal at this meeting tonight is to have a constructive dialogue about this project and to consider any other enhancements to our plans. While a few people have suggested alternative sites at prior meetings, we are not pursuing any other locations at this time. After considering a number of other ideas, we continue to believe that this property is the best option and it’s the only one under contract. We understand that this project affects the entire community and that some people may have different personal views or interests. As we are doing tonight, we welcome and encourage all viewpoints and it is in our mutual interest to come up with a plan that strikes the right balance for as many members of the community as possible. Ultimately, all residents of the School District should have the opportunity to weigh the costs and
benefits and other considerations and decide for themselves whether they wish to vote for this project. In closing, many years ago a wise man posed three rhetorical questions that ring true today as much as ever. One, “If I am not for myself, who will be for me?” Each of us as individuals are responsible for making our voices heard. For that, we are grateful to members of the community who are participating in this process and for sharing your perspectives. Two, “If I am only for myself, what am I?” While it is important that we each speak our minds, what are we if we are just looking out for our own interests? Let’s not just think about our own personal needs and desires but also put ourselves in the shoes of other members of the community. Three, “If not now, when?” We live in an imperfect world, with limitations and challenges. It never seems to be just the right place or just the right time or just the right circumstances when trying to accomplish any real and meaningful change. Hopefully, we can come together as a community, rise to any challenges and seize this extraordinary opportunity.
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OCTOBER 25, 2018 | The Jewish Home
Around the Community
MSH Open House Draws Crowd from Far and Wide
I
magine if you can a small school by design that does not fit any specific mold, a school incredibly adept at customizing for each and every student. A school that is focused on creating self-confidence in a warm and nurturing environment. A school which inspires individual growth, encouraging girls to pursue any profession they choose while adhering to a Torah framework. A school that teaches girls not to be intimidated by the secular world, but to be prepared for it. Imagine no longer! That school is MSH, Midreshet Shalhevet. Rosh HaYeshiva Rabbi Zev Meir Friedman articulated MSH’s mission of inspiring self-confidence in your women on Sunday, October 21, at the annual
Open House for prospective students and parents. MSH, sister school to Rambam Mesivta, welcomed young ladies from 15 different elementary schools around Long Island, Queens, and Brooklyn, who came to see for themselves just what MSH stands for and the stars they can become there. After lunch, over 200 people gathered in the packed auditorium to hear from MSH students and administration. Ninth graders Kayla Feldman and Daniella Smus of West Hempstead began by describing their transition to high school and just how at home they already feel within the halls of MSH. Daniella shared, “Many of you may think the most important thing when
deciding on a high school is following your friends, but really it’s finding the right school with the right opportunities for YOU.” Kayla added, “I feel that having been in MSH for such a short time, and being ‘only’ a ninth grader, I have more opportunities than I would have imagined possible.” She shared how confident she was in her decision to make MSH her high school home, and went on to say that “at MSH I feel like I really matter, and I am being given the opportunity to shine.” Assistant Principal Shaindy Lisker spoke about what a true MSH girl really is, exemplifying their middot, chessed, and ahavat Yisroel. Students are taught to be proactive, to stand up for what they believe in, and let their voices be heard. Girls are integrated into the MSH school culture from the start. Extracurricular options are open to students in all grades, student government has representation from all 4 grades, and lead roles in the play and choir are given out based on merit not class rank. “If you want to get involved and make a difference, MSH is the place for you,” she concluded. “The degree of personal care and attention to each student is what makes MSH so special.” shared senior Yael Simon of Queens. “Because of its individualized environment, I have grown close with many of my teachers and can say with absolute certainty that they have changed my life for the better. I have a new approach to learning – learning for the sake of learning – because of MSH’s learning lishma mentality. I was encouraged to not only do my best in a class, but to learn and grow. And for that, I will be eternally grateful.” Class of 2013 valedictorian Tamar Lichter shared some of her achievements since graduation and how MSH has prepared her not only for her career, but more importantly, for the life of a Torah Jew in the professional world. Tamar won the most prestigious undergraduate scholarship given
in natural sciences, mathematics and engineering in America, the Goldwater Scholarship, and was awarded the National Science Foundation Fellowship, a program that recognizes and supports outstanding graduate students in NSF-supported science, technology, engineering, and mathematics fields. “At MSH, I learned how to work hard and also enjoy myself.” she shared. “MSH gave me the foundation in Torah philosophy and love of learning that will be a guide through my life.” Menahelet Esther Eisenman then concluded the speeches by expressing how remarkable all of the girls in MSH are; aside from their SAT, ACT, and AP scores, top notch colleges and seminaries that they are accepted to, it is their true love of Torah and learning that stands out. Teachers were highlighted as the backbone of the school, guiding students to evaluate and analyze the material, to search for solutions and achieve a lasting understanding, rather than mere memorization, highlighting MSH’s educational approach – critical inquiry. Questions in class are not only welcomed, they are encouraged. The attention to each individual that permeates the entire school and of course the classrooms is really what sets MSH apart. No one gets overlooked; everyone matters. “We are a smaller school by design, with big school opportunities both academic and extracurricular,” she concluded. Following the speeches, the parents and students took part in mini class lessons, followed by a dessert reception and raffle drawing. Congratulations to Rebecca Boord of West Hempstead and Shayna Sprung of Queens on winning the Fjallraven backpacks! If you missed out on this wonderful experience, you are invited to join us at the school any day for a personal tour of our wonderful classes. Please contact Shani Seewald, Director of Communications, at 516-224-0240 x204 or admissions@midreshetshalhevet.org for more details.
The Jewish Home | OCTOBER 25, 2018
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OCTOBER 25, 2018 | The Jewish Home
Around the Community
HALB has and will always be committed to doing all it reasonably can to ensure the safety of each and every child. Recently, a large number of staff members were trained under the leadership of the Madison Company to learn about CPR and other life-saving skills.
Jay Kestenbaum to Succeed Moishe Hellman as Co-President of OHEL
M
oishe Hellman, who for more than two decades served as President of OHEL Children’s Home and Family Services, and most recently as Co-President with Mel Zachter, is stepping aside to welcome incoming OHEL Co-President Jay Kestenbaum. Mr. Hellman will continue to be actively involved as OHEL President Emeritus and Ombudsman advocating on behalf of individuals and families. From humble beginnings as a foster care agency providing love and safety to just a few Jewish children, the Milton and Molly Schulman OHEL Foster Care Program has provided loving foster care to over 2,500 children. And OHEL today serves nearly 12,000 individuals through a gamut of programs and services throughout New York City, Nassau County, Northern New Jersey and nationwide. Mel Zachter, OHEL Co-President with Moishe Hellman, shared his distinct pleasure in working with Moishe over the many years and conveyed that the past 26 years of OHEL’s growth and expansion was directly through the vision and leadership of Moishe Hellman. Said Mr. Zachter,
“Moishe has been a role model to us all, teaching us how to act, how to react, and how to lead by actions and not just words.” Some of the ground-breaking programs developed over these years include: Tikvah at OHEL, the Lifetime Care Foundation, Day Habilitation, Domestic Violence Shelters, Addiction Prevention Program, Trauma Services, the Kleinman Family OHEL Regional Center in Far Rockaway, Camp Kaylie in Wurtsboro, the new OHEL Jaffa Family Campus in Flatbush, Ganger Family Medical Services and ETTA OHEL in Los Angeles. As Moishe Hellman conveys, “OHEL has always done the heavy lifting in our community, addressing the many communal and individual challenges many others have often shied away from.” OHEL has built a reputation as the “gold-standard” in service provision driven by a results-oriented focus in every area of service. Commenting on his more than 45 years of involvement with OHEL, Moishe said that “OHEL belongs to everyone, and I have been privileged to be part of the OHEL Family for all these years. OHEL is the gatekeeper for Klal Yisroel, and I have tried
R-L: Moishe Hellman, OHEL Co-President; Jay Kestenbaum, incoming Co-President; Mel Zachter Co-President
to do all with a full heart and truth. I thank my family for their encouragement and patience – for work that often kept me busy at all hours of the day and night. I am very grateful to continue to work with the Board of Directors and the wonderful staff at OHEL.” Incoming OHEL Co-President, Jay Kestenbaum, was introduced to OHEL over 27 years ago by OHEL Board Member Fred Schulman. Jay spoke about the humbling enormity of the task before him saying, “I am left the seemingly impossible task to fill the big shoes of Moishe Hellman. However, joining Mel Zachter as Co-President, and in partnership with an engaging, visionary and professional Board, this succession and
my work is made that much smoother.” Jay acknowledged the dedication and self-sacrifice of over 1,200 staff and reiterated that the OHEL Board was not only responsible to continue to provide strong leadership, but that the Board was steadfast in providing all the necessary support for OHEL to fulfill its mission in providing services that help build lives, and strengthen families, homes and communities to face social, developmental and emotional challenges. Jay Kestenbaum will officially be installed as OHEL Co-President on November 11, 2018 at the OHEL Annual Gala at the Sheraton New York Times Square Hotel.
The Jewish Home | OCTOBER 25, 2018
Around the Community
Shulamith Middle Division Had Fun “Monkeying Around” on Their Achdut Trip By Yael Szlafrock, Grade 8
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ast Wednesday, the students and faculty of the Shulamith Middle Division dropped their books and ventured off to Adventure Park in Wheatley Heights, Long Island. There were numerous ropes courses, from Yellow to Double Black Diamond, to fit every skill level. Students and teachers alike faced their fears and challenged themselves on each strenuous course. Every climber was determined to finish each course and encouraged their peers to keep pushing themselves. While awaiting their turn to join the seventh and eighth graders in the trees, the fifth and sixth grade classes participated in a Nature Scavenger Hunt. They successfully found moss, ferns, acorns, and more, but had some difficulty locating pinecones… since there weren’t any pine trees to
be found! For girls who didn’t venture onto the ropes courses, the forest trails offered the opportunity to explore and make some delightful discoveries. From sighting mushrooms of every color...to scrambling up and down steep terrain…to hiking a long way and “getting lost,” the adventurers in the forest challenged themselves in their own indefatigable way. At the end of the trip, everyone left with a feeling of confidence and a desire to try new things that are out of their comfort zone. “This trip was an amazing opportunity for us to test our limits and bond with each other,” said 5th grader Aliza Ash. Thanks to our Director of Student Activities, Mrs. Rachel Steiner, and to the principals and teachers who joined us, the trip was a resounding success!
OPEN HOUSE FOR YESHIVA OF SOUTH SHORE Wednesday October 31st At the home of Avi and Tracy Lloyd 523 Walton Court West Hempstead 8:15PM For more info: Email efertig@yoss.org 516 374 7363
Mrs. Rookie Billet, Shulamith Middle Division principal, and students get ready to climb
About to ascend to new heights
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OCTOBER 25, 2018 | The Jewish Home
Around the Community Aish Kodesh of Woodmere’s Dor L’Dor season kickoff event was a sold out success! The boys learned with their fathers followed by a shiur by Rabbi Levin, listened to divrei bracha from Rav Weinberger, and enjoyed Carlos & Gabby’s.
RCCS Community Breakfast
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nce again, the great community of Far Rockaway opened their hearts to their fellow brothers and sisters who have been stricken by a cancer. These families depend on the lifesaving work of RCCS, and the community wasn’t about to let them down. RCCS had been there for their neighbors and now they were going to be there for RCCS.
A committee was built to help ensure the event’s success. Representatives were enlisted from every shul in the Far Rockaway area. In the neighboring areas of Bayswater and Inwood as well, different committee members joined to help build this great event. It was through their efforts that the breakfast would have such an impressive showing. The local rabbanim also came together in support of RCCS. Many of them recognized RCCS’s profound effect on the community and encouraged their constituents to come out in support of this great organization. One local rav remarked that, in all of his tenure as a rav, the only organization, besides his shul, that he ever implored his community to support is Hatzalah. However, after hearing the great work and
impact that RCCS has on the immediate area, the rav felt compelled to instruct all of his mispallelim to come to the event and help out in any way that they could. The result of all these efforts was a beautiful event that not only directly helped the cholim of RCCS, but attested to the great chesed that permeates the Far Rockaway, Inwood, and Bayswater communities. As soon as one entered the home of Dr. Moshe and Suri Lazar, he was immediately enveloped by the warmth, caring, and love perpetuated by this great organization. For those unfamiliar with RCCS, it gave them an opportunity to learn more about the great work that the organization does on a daily basis. Even those who were acquainted with the organization, the breakfast allowed them to meet some
of the people who not only work for RCCS but also those who have been helped by this great organization. Dr. Lazar began the program by sharing his own personal experience with the organization. He related that as a renowned physician he has seen many of his patients use the services of RCCS. He implored the crowd that because RCCS is servicing over 40 patients and their families in the community, it behooved the community to support RCCS as one of its own. Rabbi Yisroel Mayer Merkin, Director of Organizational Advancement for RCCS, followed Dr. Lazar with some beautiful heartfelt words. He shared with the
crowd how there is nothing worse than going through a tzaara alone. RCCS knows exactly what the patient is going through; their empathy is unparalleled, and their caring knows no end. The crowd was visibly moved by his passionate words. The event was a true testament to the wondrous chesed of the Far Rockaway, Bayswater, and Inwood communities. The close to 150 attendees that came out in support of this amazing organization, gave a tremendous chizuk to all of the cholim of RCCS. May this event serve as a shemirah to the entire community that nobody ever again needs to come onto the services of RCCS.
The Jewish Home | OCTOBER 25, 2018
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Around the Community
Open House, Open Home, Open Heart
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hey registered, grabbed a program and a goodie bag, found their seats, and for the next few hours were completely blown away. We’re talking about the guests at Shulamith’s Open House, where the energy did not stop pumping through the building as prospective parents and students experienced the Shulamith magic. From the opening address to the spectacular Student Life fair, Open House was an “opportunity to truly experience Shulamith High School,” says Mrs. Rina Zerykier, principal at Shulamith. In her welcoming address, she talked about exactly what that experience is; “Shulamith inspires girls to become. To become committed bnot Torah, strong, smart, educated women who have a real connection with Hashem.” Mrs. Zerykier continued, “Girls today deserve to know that they matter and that they can make a difference in their world. It is they who will one day become wives, mothers and leaders who will shape the future of Klal Yisrael.” Asked how Shulamith goes about accomplishing this mission, Mrs. Zerykier spoke about the “cutting edge education, dizzying array of academic and co-curricular opportunities, and social-emotional curriculum” that Shulamith offers. Aside from the core curriculum and high academic standards at Shulamith, there are various AP offerings, coding classes, STEM classes, art and language electives, and clubs such as AIPAC, drama club, fashion club, chess club, Chopped! club, boxing teams and numerous other athletic teams, to name a few. And Shulamith’s social-emotional curriculum speaks for itself, having attracted the attention of Harvard University, which, in 2018, chose Shulamith as a leading school for this curriculum. Now, take all these opportunities and curricula and combine them with a warm, vibrant and encouraging atmosphere, and you can get an idea of what Shulamith is all about. As Rabbi Ya’akov Trump puts it, “To us, our Open House ... is really an Open Home.” The Shulamith environment is one that makes every girl feel like family. It’s an environment where girls feel comfortable taking on new challenges, pushing their limits and being real with
PHOTO CREDIT: ARIELLA LAX
themselves, their lives, their growth and their challenges. Shulamith embraces the real lives of students in 2018. “We are very current,” Judaic Studies teacher Mrs. Adina Wolf stresses. “We are aware of the challenges [facing our girls today]...and we try to take them head on, [and] give our students the tools they need to live in the culture that we live in as Torah-true Jews.” Although many were sold at this point, it wasn’t just the faculty show-
casing what Shulamith is all about. At Shulamith, Open House is a schoolwide affair. Current Shulamith students from every grade wanted in. They got involved in the big day, from preparation to execution, heading student panels and helping to make sure the program ran smoothly. What could make a high school student give up her Sunday just like that? A serious amount of love and pride in her school. Student Ambassador and G.O. member Tali Hertz
agrees. Tali feels that she’s giving back by representing Shulamith at their Open House. “I wanted to be a part of the Open House because I am so happy that I chose to go to Shulamith, it has impacted me tremendously both as a learner and as a person and I want to help impact other girls’ lives the way mine was,” she explained. Ariella Lax, a current senior at Shulamith, also volunteered to be a part of the Open House excitement. As part of the first graduating class at Shulamith, Ariella remembers when she was in the position that the prospective students are now in. Looking back at how much the school has grown over the past four years, Ariella feels a pride in her school and, like Tali, a desire to give back. “I wanted to welcome [the girls] as I was welcomed into the school,” she said, “[with] open arms and friendly faces.” It seems that the efforts of both the faculty and the students paid off. After getting a taste of Shulamith High School, prospective students and parents are genuinely impressed with the vision and passion of Shulamith. Galia Jadidian, a current eighth grader considering Shulamith for high school, says that aside from “how academically impressive Shulamith seemed to me, what really stood out ...was [Shulamith’s focus on] who you are as a person and who you should strive to be....[They really want you to] truly become the best version of yourself.” Galia’s mom agrees. She says that she really appreciates the holistic approach Shulamith brings to education; “from head to heart,” as Mrs. Zerykier is fond of saying. Another prospective student, Liora Aghalar, gushes, “I really enjoyed the Shulamith Open House! What I like about Shulamith is that the teachers teach with so much excitement…[I know that that] would give me such a passion to learn.” Similar sentiments are buzzing around the community. With a standing-room only turn-out at the Open House, and only 40 new seats opening up next year in the incoming freshman class, it seems like Shulamith High School has emerged as a first choice for many teens and their families.
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OCTOBER 25, 2018 | The Jewish Home
Around the Community
First grade boys at Yeshiva Darchei Torah celebrated the completion of their kavod habriyos mission as they proudly wore their mission accomplished stickers
At Shulamith, Big and Little Sisters Bond
E Yeshiva Darchei Torah’s fourth graders were introduced to STEM in the Yeshiva’s CIJE Science Lab this week. As part of the new science curriculum put together by Mrs. Shira Dear, students were challenged to work as a team to build a cup tower with only a rubber band and string.
Learn & Live
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earn & Live is really getting underway as the boys started “planting.” R’ Yeudah Deutsch presented “Planning to Plant.” The boys a real feel for the melacha of zorea, planting. This coming Sunday, iy”H, at L&L
will be the “Bean Hunt.” For more information regarding L&L/Pirchei of Far Rockaway please email us at learnandlivefr@ gmail.com or try our hotline 641-7153800 pin 932191#.
ach year, the Lower Division of Shulamith School for Girls runs a Big-Little Sister Program to help first graders acclimate to their new school. The fourth graders await the breakout of the program with great anticipation, eager to discover who their little sisters will be! Last week, with the help of some
elastic emoji figures, the sisters met each other for the first time. Thanks to Miriam Agular, who organized and ran the event, the girls had fun getting to know one another and playing a game with their emojis. The first and fourth graders look forward to future chesed projects and activities with their big and little sisters!
The Jewish Home | OCTOBER 25, 2018
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Around the Community
Darchei Torah Celebrates Hascholas Gemara with Fathers & Grandfathers
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PHOTO CREDIT: YK IMAGES
hen the talmidim of Yeshiva Darchei Torah’s fifth grade began learning Gemara for the first time, it was a milestone that called for a celebration. So, at three separate events, the talmidim, their fathers and grandfa-
thers (and even some great-grandfathers) gathered for a delicious breakfast at the Yeshiva. The events were addressed by Rav Yaakov Bender, Rosh HaYeshiva; Rav Dovid Morgenstern, menahel; and some of the grandfathers of the talmidim. Each
speaker, addressing the talmidim, spoke of the momentousness of the occasion and the greatness of Gemara leaning, a journey that begins now but will last for a lifetime. The seudah was followed by spirited dancing with music.
Rav Yaakov Bender
Reb Yechezkel Kaminsky
Reb Zecharia Fruchthandler
Rav Yehuda Pirutinsky
Rav Moshe Zimberg
Reb Yaakov Salamon
Reb Moish Mishkowitz
Rav Dovid Morgenstern
Talmidim, fathers and grandfathers gathered to celebrate the Fifth Grade’s Hascholas Gemara
Reb Yaakov Weinberg and his son Avrumi
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OCTOBER 25, 2018 | The Jewish Home
Around the Community This past week, Yeshiva of South Shore had the zechus of a visit from Rabbi Rubenfeld, an esteemed member of Torah Umesorah, who came to the Yeshiva. Years ago Rabbi Rubenfeld had been the fifth grade rebbe of Rabbi Mitnick, a current first grade rebbe. Rabbi Rubenfeld had the pleasure of receiving a grand tour of the Yeshiva, and talmidim had the privilege of giving shalom to Rabbi Rubenfeld.
Adolescent Mental Health HALB Middle School Parents Attend an Evening of Awareness By Carly Namdar, Director of Middle School Guidance
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his past week, HALB Middle School parents attended an evening of education and awareness to inaugurate Ohel’s Mid-
dle School Anxiety Prevention Program with HALB. HALB Middle School has recently partnered with Ohel Children’s Home and Family Services on an initiative to address the significant increase in anxiety among today’s
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children and adults. HALB is thrilled to be piloting this multi-tiered intervention program, which allows us to ensure that students and those who are instrumental in caring for them receive education and skills to work collaboratively for their benefit. The HALB-Ohel Middle School initiative addresses the needs of parents, teachers and students, by engaging in promoting wellness and resilience to help counter the development of anxiety symptoms in our students. HALB Middle School teachers recently began a rich professional development course with Ohel’s Dr. Norman Blumenthal, geared towards addressing adolescent mental health concerns. Ohel has developed a curriculum that is being taught to sixth grade students as they enter middle school, covering topics such as academic pressure, social and emotional development, technology, and the transition to Jewish adulthood. The students are learning practical skills including mindfulness, the mind/body connection, relaxation techniques, self-talk, and identifying strengths – all with a focus on resilience. Ohel professionals are also providing counseling and additional support to students as needed, at all grade levels. On Tuesday night, HALB’s Middle School parents attended an evening of
education and awareness geared towards breaking down stigma that has long been associated with adolescent mental health concerns. After a moving video presentation from Ohel, Sruli Richler, CEO of the Surplus Company, described his experience growing up with anxiety and OCD during his middle school years. Sruli truly sensitized the crowd and moved the discussion towards one of greater empathy and support, highlighting the tremendous need to begin this crucial conversation with parents, students and staff. Dr Blumenthal then presented insights into parents’ roles in promoting adolescent mental health and well-being, and creating a culture of connection, support and empowerment for adolescents and families. HALB is exceptionally proud and honored by this partnership, and thankful for the efforts of Rabbi Meir Mark, Director of Ohel’s School-based Services Program, Tzivi Reiter, Director of Children’s Services, Dr. Norman Blumenthal, Director of Trauma, Bereavement and Crisis Response, Rabbi David Leibtag, Cheryl Chernofsky and Moshe Rubel. HALB is the first school to be piloting this program, and we are extremely thankful and privileged to have Ohel working with us and helping us navigate an issue that is so crucial to address.
The Jewish Home | OCTOBER 25, 2018
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OCTOBER 25, 2018 | The Jewish Home
Around the Community
G.O. Breakout at BYAM
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he BYAM G.O. Heads were introduced this past Friday at the assembly which was held for Rochel Imeinu’s yahrtzeit. Shoshie Firestone and Avigail Levine, working under the direction of Morah Kashi, broke out their theme with their enlivening and upbeat G.O. song. This year the school theme is Learning From Our Nashim Tzidkonios. Each month we will be focusing on a different tzadeikes, those from long ago and those from more recent generations. The girls will learn about each woman’s unique middah and the way she used that middah to serve Hashem and contribute to Klal Yisroel. The G.O. will dovetail off that using the theme of Im Ein Ani Li Mi Li. It is up to each of us to serve Hashem in the way He wants us to. When each of us do our best in our unique way, together we form a whole. Just as every music note is different from each other but when joined together a beautiful song is created, so too each of us can use our unique strengths and when joined together we can beauti-
fully serve Hashem. In connection to Rochel Imeinu’s middah of vatranus the girls worked in partners to decorate challah covers which will be given to Chai Lifeline. These challah covers are used by children and their families who need to stay in hospitals over Shabbos or Yom Tov. The girls had to use the middah of vatranus as they collaborated on their challah cover design. They worked beautifully together, sharing their ideas and thoughts. The G.O. is looking forward to an amazing year of learning and growth.
Midterm Candidates Come to Rambam
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n the lead up to the midterm elections, candidates took time from their busy schedules to speak to students in Rambam Mesivta and answer their questions. Senate hopeful Chele Farley is looking to unseat incumbent Senator Gillibrand in the upcoming election. Mrs. Farley spoke to students on a host of issues and focused on her outspoken and consistent support of the state of Israel, being the only democracy in the Middle East. Speaking out against the BDS movement and those who wish to undermine Israel’s legitimacy she said, “I pledge to always support Israel.” She was introduced by Town of Hempstead Councilman Bruce Blakeman and Rambam Mesivta’s Rosh Mesivta Rabbi Zev Meir Friedman.
Mr. Blakeman declared Mrs. Farley a strong supporter and friend of the Jewish people. Rabbi Friedman thanked Mrs. Farley for taking time out of her busy schedule and mentioned to the students how important it was for them to learn about the policies that the candidates stand for before they cast their votes in the future. Votes should be cast on the substance of the issues and not automatically because of party affiliations. Rambam has a long-standing history of having candidates of both parties speak to students and answer their questions. Mrs. Farley took note of the school’s political involvement and congratulated them on their activism and their recent success in playing an instrumental role in removing a Nazi from the United States. Assemblywoman Missy
Miller also spoke to the students about local and state issues. She spoke about the importance of enabling students to attend private schools. She also spoke passionately about her efforts to help students with various disabilities. Both Mrs. Farley and Mrs. Miller gave students a great opportunity to learn more about the political process and the policies that each candidate looks forward to implementing. Additionally, candidate Ameer Benno, who is running against incumbent Congresswoman Kathleen Rice, spoke to the students after the Congresswoman spoke earlier that day at Rambam in a Town Hall Meeting format, replete with a Q&A session. Mr. Benno shared his thoughts on various domestic and international issues and spoke about his strong sup-
port of the State of Israel. He fielded a wide array of questions from interested students as well. Rabbi Friedman closed
the assembly by thanking the candidates for coming and reinforcing the importance of student awareness and advocacy.
The Jewish Home | OCTOBER 25, 2018
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OCTOBER 25, 2018 | The Jewish Home
Around the Community
Congresswoman Kathleen Rice Visits to Rambam
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ince its inception Rambam Mesivta has always promoted political awareness and activism as part of its educational program. Students have been fortunate to have heard from many elected officials over the years. Congresswoman Kathleen Rice, a staunch supporter of Israel, paid her third visit in as many years to speak about both foreign and domestic policy. She began by paying tribute to the school’s successful efforts in having Jakiw Palij, a Nazi war criminal living in the United States, deported to Germany. In fact, Congresswoman Rice worked diligently in a bipartisan manner supporting the efforts to have Palij deported. The Congresswoman spoke about the challenges she faced when it came to voting on the Iran deal. She was subject to immense pressure and lobbying from the Obama Administration to vote for and support the deal. However, she said that after reading the
against the insidious movement to institute boycott sanctions and divestment of Israel and its related companies, recognizing the BDS movement as being anti-Semitic and stressed that speaking out against it “is our moral obligation.” The floor was opened up to ques-
deal carefully and understanding the needs of her constituents, she courageously stood up and voted against the deal. She was one of the few dissenting Democratic votes. The deal was eventually passed but was later rescinded by the Trump Administration. She also voiced her opposition
tions and Congresswoman Rice expressed her thoughts on Gun Control, Due Process, and a number of hot-button issues. Students truly appreciated Congresswoman Rice visiting once again and cast their votes of appreciation with a standing ovation.
Chessed is an Integral Part of SKA
A
lmost sixty students of the Stella K. Abraham High School for Girls were happy to give up part of their Sunday on October 21 to volunteer at the biannual Give the Shirt Off Your Back Clothing Drive held at Precision Auto Body in Inwood. Throughout the day, SKAers folded and packed donated clothing to be sent to Eretz Yisroel for Keren Minchas Shlomo, delighted to be part of this wonderful chessed. Many noted what a positive experience this was. Twelfth grader Jackie Rubin, who along with junior Abby Aaron
ran the day’s event, said, “Being able to help and provide clothing for those in need gave me a much greater appreciation for everything I have in my life. We often don’t realize what we’re blessed with until we see others who don’t have it. This project gave me so much simcha to be able to help and give to others.” The chessed program, Spreading Kindness Around, led by Chessed Coordinator Mrs. Leanne Taylor, is one of the most exciting and rewarding parts of SKA, designed to help each student incorporate chessed into her life and make the world a better place.
SKA students preparing for the Challah Bake
Hospital and nursing home visits, blood drives, intergenerational days, and food, clothing and tzedaka campaigns are only some of the many SKA student volunteer opportunities. SKA’s annual chessed trips took place this week and each grade had the chance to really make a difference! SKA Seniors helped set up at the community Challah Bake on Wednesday, October 24, and spent time last week in school learning about the power of kiruv. It was hands-on challah making and hands-on kiruv! To inculcate the freshmen into the concept of chessed, SKA’s annual Chessed Fair for ninth graders was held on Monday, October 22, with an introduction to the importance of chessed from a speaker who is active in communal affairs. They heard from representatives and student participants from several organizations, including Kulanu, NCSY, JEP, Friendship Circle and the JCC of the Five Towns among others, who highlighted how the students could best use their talents when volunteering. The freshmen were able to hone their skills on Wednesday, October 24, on their trip to Brooklyn to assist in a soup kitchen, a clothing gemach and organization
SKA students volunteering at Give the Shirt Off Your Back Clothing Drive
for disabled children. The 10th and 11th grades had widely contrasting chessed trips but each experience has proven to be very successful in past years and made a real impact on the girls. The sophomores went to IVDU, a special needs school in Brooklyn where they had a sensitivity training session and entertained the students while the juniors did chessed shel emet when they helped to clean up a free burial cemetery in Staten Island. SKA students have found that volunteering helps the community and enriches their own lives as well.
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The Jewish Home | OCTOBER 25, 2018
Around the Community
Shevach High School Launches Its Chessed Team grams are ongoing and some are for the moment; some are one-on-one and some are communal; some are individually done and some are done in groups. Students can choose what speaks to them, and come to the realization that the biggest beneficia-
ries in their acts of chessed are they themselves. Chessed is mandatory at Shevach, with the students doing a minimum of three hours of chessed a month, however, most students do four hours or more, which earns them a grade of 100 on their transcripts.
It is a great source of appreciation and pride to the entire Queens community that Shevach students reach out to many organizations and local families in their chessed commitments. The Shevach girls are, indeed, a winning TEAM.
Coming Soon
בס“ד
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hevach High School has once again hit a homerun with the launching of its acclaimed chessed program. The overall theme this year is “Everyone can be a Chessed Champ: Chessed is Our Goal.” Shevach’s multi-purpose room was appropriately decorated with pictures and slogans to suit. “Become a Chessed Champ,” Grab All Your Gear,” “Touchdown With Chessed” and “Be a Team Player,” were examples of what was conveyed visually, all depicting what the chessed program is all about. The young ladies presented an original theme song, with lyrics that enthused and motivated the students to “step up to the plate” in their chessed commitment. The “coaches” of the chessed program this year are Shani Bennett, Chavi Ribowsky, Bracha Rosenberg, Hindy Steinberg and Gitty Wurem, with team captains appointed in each grade. Under the leadership of Rebbetzin Chani Grunblatt, assistant principal of Shevach High School, the “coaches” gave hours and hours of their time to be sure that all the details were attended to. After absorbing all the eye-catching messages surrounding them, the students were then addressed by Rabbi Ilan Ginian, who himself is a paragon of chessed. After being a rebbe in Eretz Yisroel for many years, working with teens at risk, he was a chaplain in the U.S. Military and is a driving force at The Center, a wellknown outreach program. Rabbi Ginian emphasized that chessed should be a part of our lives. He spoke of Avrohom Avinu, who was the pillar of chessed. Interspersed with humor and stories, he drove home the idea that chessed is part of our DNA as Jews. There is the need to do chessed, certainly, but also to do it right. In order to enhance our acts of kindness, we help according to what is needed, not necessarily according to what is easy or fun. We need to identify with the needs of people. To do this, we need an ayin tova, a good eye to see the good in others and look for ways to lighten another’s load. The next part of this exciting program was a moving video describing the impact of the different chassidim in which Shevach students are involved. As in other years, some pro-
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OCTOBER 25, 2018 | The Jewish Home
Around the Community Siach Yitzchok talmidim and alumni rejoiced with their beloved menahel Reb Dovid Sitnick during the sheva brochos of his son Chaim Zanvel last week
Yeshiva University’s Center for the Jewish Future Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary Abraham Arbesfeld Kollel Yom Rishon Millie Arbesfeld Midreshet Yom Rishon presents
A tribute to the legacy of
Harav Meir Fulda zt”l Sunday, November 4, 2018 • 9:30 a.m. with
Rabbi Elchanan Adler • Mrs. Rookie Billet Rabbi Benjamin Bleich • Judge Martin Schulman
Yeshiva University’s Wilf Campus - Belfer Hall, Weissberg Commons 2495 Amsterdam Avenue (at 184th Street), New York, NY
RSVP at www.yu.edu/fulda To join the Rabbi Fulda zt”l Legacy Committee in formation, or to share photos, stories, or memories of Rav Fulda, please contact Rabbi David Eckstein at david.eckstein@yu.edu
Project Adventure
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n September 13, sixth grade students at HAFTR went on the Nassau Boces Project Adventure Trip. This trip, led by Rabbi Siff, Rabbi Hulkower, Dr. Werzberger, Mrs. Rabinovich, Mrs. Weinberg, Ms. Hila Nahari, Rabbi Fuld, and Mr. Gold,
provided opportunities for students to work as teams to solve problems. Students learned and reflected on how communication and collaboration are crucial for all of us to reach our potential and thrive as a school community.
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Around the Community
Family and Friends Gather for Uri Weinberg’s 5th Yahrzeit
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amily and friends assembled at Rambam Mesivta on Sunday night, October 7, 28 Tishrei, to commemorate the yahrzeit of our beloved Uri Weinberg who passed away tragically five years ago. Many of his classmates were also in attendance. The evening began with remarks by Uri’s friend and classmate, Rabbi Avi Herschman, who spoke about the
ideal of knei lecha chaver. Rabbi Hershman mentioned that Uri was a true friend. “Whenever I embarked on a new venture I would run it by Uri and he would offer me his objective advice,” he said. Uri was an individual who “always had creative ideas” that were applicable and insightful,” he continued. He then introduced Rabbi Zev Meir Friedman who spoke about two of Uri’s
unique qualities. “Uri was amazingly bright and yet amazingly humble… oftentimes these two characteristics are mutually exclusive but in Uri’s case, that’s exactly who he was.” Rabbi Friedman also spoke about the concept of kol Yisrael areivim zeh lazeh stating the Uri was always ready to help others and share his expertise. Uri’s father, Dr. Paul
Weinberg, spoke about his beloved son and made a siyum on Mesechta Beitzeh. After reciting the hadran and kaddish, he led the tzibbur in tefilas Maariv. The program concluded with a seudas mitzvah and a commitment to reassemble once again next year to memorialize an outstanding young son and talmid, Uri Weinberg. A scholarship fund was
set up to pay tribute to Uri’s legacy and values.
departments regarding the incredible range of courses offered at DRS. DRS boasts a large curriculum including 15 AP courses, and the opportunity to be involved in several research opportunities in both science, and social studies. Parents also got a chance to ask questions to a panel of five DRS students in order to get their view of how incredible DRS is. Other sessions included
an exploration into the limudei kodesh curriculum, a glimpse into the schools’ extracurricular offerings, and smaller breakout sessions where parents were able to “meet the administration” in an intimate setting and field their questions to be Rabbi Kaminetsky and Dr. Broder. DRS thanks all those who came to visit the Open House and look forward to meeting them again in the future!
DRS Annual Open House
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his past Sunday, the DRS Yeshiva High School for Boys was filled to capacity at the school’s annual Open House. DRS hosted nearly 200 prospective students and their parents at their annual Open House. The Open House, which takes place in DRS’s beautiful state-of-the-art building, provided its attendees with an informative, exciting, and enjoyable program which allows those interested in the school to get a real sense of what DRS is all about. Upon entering the building, every attendee was warmly greeted by DRS Menahel, Rabbi Yisroel Kaminetsky, faculty members, and current DRS
students. The DRS student band entertained visitors as they walked into the building. The program moved to DRS’s spacious Beit Medrash during which Rabbi Kaminetsky and DRS General Studies Principal Dr. Hillel Broder addressed the enormous crowd, enlightening them about DRS’s strong and challenging curriculum in both limudei kodesh and limudei chol. Rabbi Kaminetsky stressed that the hallmark of the school is the “personal care, warmth, and attention provided for each individual student.” More importantly, DRS prides itself on the achdut between classmates, who come to DRS from over 20 differ-
ent elementary schools, and several different neighborhoods, including Queens, Brooklyn, West Hempstead, the Five Towns, and Great Neck. Following Rabbi Kaminetsky’s remarks, students headed off to the extra-curricular student fair in DRS’s gymnasium, where they received a taste of all the programs that DRS has to offer, including a presentation from the cooking and karate club, College Bowl competition, sports teams, shabbatonim and trips, and much more. At the same time, parents got a chance to hear from DRS faculty members in the science, math, English, and social studies
Are Vaccinations Pikuach Nefesh? Dr. Glatt, page 112
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Around the Community
Battling Domestic Abuse in the Orthodox Home
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ometimes, a broken engagement is a good thing. Years ago, when most of my friends were already married, I was set up with someone who seemed great “on paper.” I was eager to become a married woman. We dated and became engaged. Shortly after the l’chaim, my parents shared with me some concerns they had regarding my chosson’s interactions with me. I was entranced by the whirlwind that is engagement. I rationalized each of my parents’ concerns away. However, one evening, after a particularly upsetting exchange with my chosson, I suddenly remembered the warning signs of an abusive marriage from the Shalom Task Force seminar I had attended in high school. Through the prism of what I had learned in the seminar, I was able recognize redflag behaviors as my chosson and I continued our wedding preparations. Although it took a lot of guts, with the support of my family and friends, I resolved to end the relationship. At the time, I thought I would never get married, but I also knew this uncertainty was preferable to the certainty of a doomed marriage. A few years later, I married a wonderful man with impeccable middos. Our marriage is filled with love and joy. The man I almost wed has since married and divorced. He refuses to give his ex-wife a get, as she is held hostage as an agunah. I recently ran into the STF educator who presented the Shalom Task Force workshop at my high school. I held back tears as I thanked her for the gift of my beautiful, peaceful life. We instantly bonded in a unique relationship that I will cherish forever. About Shalom Task Force In 1992, responding to the shocking revelation that there were women in the Orthodox community being victimized in their own homes, Nechama Wolfson, along with a group of women, created the Shalom Task Force Hotline. This was a rev-
olutionary and monumental feat at a time when the problem of domestic abuse was not acknowledged. The groundbreaking confidential hotline, dedicated to Orthodox victims of abuse, was the very first of its kind. Since then, more than 21,000 callers have benefited from the advice and support of the hotline’s highly trained responders. As Rav Pam, zt”l, said at the inaugural Rabbinical Conference, “… previously, these women had no address. They now have a place to turn.” It became clear that if Shalom Task Force was to affect a change in the community, the focus must be on prevention. With widespread rabbinic support, The Bertha Kaufmann Preventive Education Workshops for Young Men and Women were developed. Educators trained by Shalom Task Force present programs in yeshiva high schools, seminaries and universities. They conduct interactive workshops that teach young women and men about forging healthy relationships and avoiding abusive ones. The program reaches over 3,500 students annually in the U.S. and Israel. The goals of Shalom Task Force are further achieved through community outreach and education for rabbonim, lay leaders, professionals and parents. Recognizing the cultural diversity among our communities, Shalom Task Force established Beit Shalom to serve the Bukharian community and Ohel Shalom to serve the Persian community. The Shalom Workshop program was developed to assist engaged and newly married couples in forming and maintaining healthy relationships. Fulfilling another critical need, Sarah’s Voice was created to provide free legal services to victims of domestic abuse. Since 2010 Sarah’s Voice has provided more than 1,000 survivors with free comprehensive legal services, including assistance with orders of protection, divorce proceedings and custody negotiations.
Learn, play, laugh…spend time with your children Rabbi Weinberger, page 78
Please join Shalom Task Force on Sunday, November 4, at our Annual Brunch, to be held at the Sephardic Temple, 775 Branch Blvd, Cedarhurst, NY. Our Esteemed Honorees are: Shani Traube, Guest of Honor; Rabbi Peretz Steinberg, Community Leadership Award; Rachel Hercman LCSW, Professional Leadership Award; Frady Kess LCSW, Dedicated Service Award; and Dr. Sarah Chana Silverman, PhD, Hakarat Hatov Award. Please join Shalom Task Force as we honor Shani Traube as Guest of Honor. Shani is a chessed superstar who has volunteered her time with several community organizations. However, over the past 18 years, it is Shalom Task Force which has captured her heart and her focus. She is involved in many aspects of the organization, including chairing the annual brunches with her special flair. She lives in Lawrence with her husband, Dr. Charles Traube, a well-respected cardiologist. She is the proud mother of Dr. Chani Traube and Mark Goldman of Jamaica Estates, Dr. Eli Traube and Ilana Eidelman of Woodmere, and Adeena and Dov Kerner of West Hempstead. Rabbi Peretz Steinberg, Rabbi Emeritus of the Young Israel of Queens Valley, is receiving the Community Leadership Award. Rabbi Steinberg is a long time resident of Kew Gardens Hills. He learned in Yeshiva Torah Vodaath and Beis Medrash Elyon, and received Smicha from Rav Moshe Feinstein, zt”l. Rabbi Steinberg has been a supporter and advisor of Shalom Task Force since its inception. The organization benefited often from his profound understanding of the delicate issues involved in marriage and divorce, and his vast experience in these areas. Rachel Hercman, LCSW, is receiving the Shalom Task Force Professional Leadership Award. She is a psychotherapist with expertise in relationships, intimacy, and trauma. She is in private practice on the Upper West Side of Manhattan and is a noted speaker in communities, universities, and professional trainings throughout the tristate area and beyond. As a consultant for Shalom Task Force, Rachel has partnered in creating new programs and conversations in the Jewish community and in
shifting the way sensitive topics are addressed. A native of Woodmere, she lives in Riverdale with her husband and children. Frady Kess, LCSW, is receiving the Shalom Task Force Dedicated Service Award. Frady is a longtime resident of Flatbush. She has been a devoted STF volunteer for the past 15 years. Frady is a trained presenter of the STF Healthy Relationships workshop, and has facilitated the program in numerous Brooklyn high schools. After witnessing the far-reaching impact of the Shalom Task Force on individuals and communities, Frady decided to take her training one step further. In 2010 she graduated with a Master’s Degree in Social Work. Frady is currently a social worker in private practice where she specializes in treating victims of domestic abuse and relational trauma. We are honored to recognize Dr. Sarah Chana Silverman, PhD, with the Shalom Task Force Hakarat Hatov Award. She is the Director of Program Development and Evaluation at Shalom Task Force. She completed her undergraduate work at the University of California at Berkeley and received her doctorate in Social Anthropology from the State University of NY at Stonybrook. Dr. Silverman directs Shalom Task Force’s grant program, composing, managing and evaluating grants from foundations as well as federal, state and municipal government departments. Dr. Silverman has a role in financial management for STF, and she works with community partners to expand services for victims and preventative education programs. She lives in Lawrence, NY, with her husband, close to her children and grandchildren in Far Rockaway. Shalom Task Force is the only one of its kind in the Orthodox community. Abuse thrives in silence. Please join us and our honorees on November 4th, 2018 at 9:30 at the Sephardic Temple in Cedarhurst and help us break the silence. For reservations, or to make a donation, please visit www.shalomtaskforce.org. For more information phone 516-773-3399 or email stfbrunch@gmail.com.
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Op-Ed
Goldfeder: Make Voting Great Again By Phil Goldfeder
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o you ever get the feeling that election season has turned into nothing more than one long WhatsApp chat? I know I do. The topic of government and politics has become so polarizing (or entertaining, depending on your viewpoint) that it is now the choice topic of debate. In shul, at the office, and on social media, there is no shortage of opinions about what’s taking place at all levels of government, from the White House down to City Hall and our local town offices. We are all looking to put our own spin on the public discourse and offer our gut feelings. With every impassioned debate and every YouTube clip or funny meme, we hope to show the other side why we’re right. But, in the end, most of us would admit that we don’t actually take the one action afforded to us to make an impact: voting. I know what you’re thinking. “This is another one of those ‘this is the most important election of our lives’ arguments.’” Don’t worry, it’s not. I’ll spare you the usual talk of political influence in New Square or Brooklyn. I won’t sell you on one party over another, or urge you join the fight for tuition relief and security funding. I’m not even going to say that every vote counts! You’ve heard these things before, and if they have worked, thank you. This election is no more or less important than any other because it gives all of us the opportunity to exercise our rights and demonstrate
to our elected leaders that we have a voice. But, to truly make our voices heard, we need to set aside the partisan debates and move from the WhatsApp chats to the ballot box. I know this is possible because I’ve seen it work before. Seven years ago, community leaders together with a very organized campaign compelled more than 3,000 people from Far Rockaway to come out and vote for me to represent the community in Albany.
both Democrats and Republicans and will always determine support based on the individual candidates regardless of party affiliation. Over the last couple years, I’ve seen this shared effort slowly fall to the wayside. There was a time when a dedicated group of community leaders made the extra effort to meet with and engage political candidates from both sides of the aisle and make recommendations to the klal on whom they determined to be
I’m asking each and every one of you to step up, join the conversation and take part in determining the future of our community.
That was the highest turnout our community saw in a long time and we repeated the effort just a year later when my great friend, Pesach Osina, ran for city council and came up just less than 100 votes needed for victory. I ran for state Assembly with the support of the Conservative and Democratic parties and made every decision while in office based on the needs of my constituents, no matter the political interest. In the past, I have publicly and proudly endorsed
the best fit to represent our community in their respective offices. When I served in the Assembly, I worked with these same individuals to provide my unique insight but the process mostly remained the same, a collective effort to serve the neighborhood. It’s time for us to work together again and show our elected leaders that as a community, we take the electoral process seriously and not just talk or complain but will show up. It is time we take those strong
feelings about politics, get registered and get voting. Let’s make those opinions actually count! We must spread the message about those candidates and elected officials who promote and work hard for us. This is your opportunity to weigh in and get involved. Together with Richard Altabe and R’ Baruch Rothman, a group of community members has once again come together, and we are working to inform and organize around the upcoming and future elections. This is not an exclusive club, quite the contrary. I’m asking each and every one of you to step up, join the conversation and take part in determining the future of our community. If you would like to join the leadership team, please email us at FRJPAC@gmail.com today. We will work hard for you and our only request in return is that you show up and vote. So, please join us. Let’s finally use a WhatsApp chat for positive change! Hope to hear from all of you soon!
Phil Goldfeder is a political analyst and consultant. He spent more than 15 years in public service working for the New York City Council, Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Senator Chuck Schumer. In 2011, he was elected to the New York State Assembly. He is now the Head of Government and External Affairs at Cross River and hosts a weekly political talk radio show on the Nachum Segal Network.
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Centerfold
Difference Between Baseball & Football By: George Carlin Baseball is different from any other sport, very different. For instance, in most sports you score points or goals; in baseball you score runs. In most sports the ball, or object, is put in play by the offensive team; in baseball the defensive team puts the ball in play, and only the defense is allowed to touch the ball. In fact, in baseball if an offensive player touches the ball intentionally, he’s out; sometimes unintentionally, he’s out. Also: in football, basketball, soccer, volleyball, and all sports played with a ball, you score with the ball and in baseball the ball prevents you from scoring. In most sports the team is run by a coach; in baseball the team is run by a manager. And only in baseball does the manager or coach wear the same clothing the players do. If you’d ever seen John Madden in his Oakland Raiders uniform, you’d know the reason for this custom. Now, I’ve mentioned football. Baseball & football are the two most popular spectator sports in this country. And as such, it seems they ought to be able to tell us something about ourselves and our values. I enjoy comparing baseball and football:
Baseball is a nineteenth-century pastoral game. Football is a twentieth-century technological struggle. Baseball is played on a diamond, in a park. The baseball park! Football is played on a gridiron, in a stadium, sometimes called Soldier Field or War Memorial Stadium. Baseball begins in the spring, the season of new life. Football begins in the fall, when everything’s dying. In baseball you wear a cap. In football you wear a helmet. Baseball is concerned with ups – who’s up? Football is concerned with downs – what down is it? In baseball you make an error. In football you receive a penalty. In baseball the specialist comes in to relieve somebody.
In football the specialist comes in to kick. Baseball has the sacrifice. Football has hitting, clipping, spearing, piling on, personal fouls, late hitting and unnecessary roughness. In baseball, if it rains, we don’t go out to play. Football is played in any kind of weather: rain, snow, sleet, hail, fog... Baseball has the seventh inning stretch. Football has the two minute warning. Baseball has no time limit: we don’t know when it’s gonna end – might have extra innings. Football is rigidly timed, and it will end even if we’ve got to go to sudden death. In baseball, during the game, in the stands, there’s kind of a picnic
feeling; emotions may run high or low, but there’s not too much unpleasantness. In football, during the game in the stands, you can be sure that at least twenty-seven times you’re capable of taking the life of a fellow human being. And finally, the objectives of the two games are completely different: In football the object is for the quarterback, also known as the field general, to be on target with his aerial assault, riddling the defense by hitting his receivers with deadly accuracy in spite of the blitz, even if he has to use shotgun. With short bullet passes and long bombs, he marches his troops into enemy territory, balancing this aerial assault with a sustained ground attack that punches holes in the forward wall of the enemy’s defensive line. In baseball the object is to go home! And to be safe! I hope I’ll be safe at home!
The 2015 25, The Jewish Jewish Home Home || OCTOBER OCTOBER 29, 29, 2018 2015
World Series Trivia 1. When was the last time the Red Sox and Dodgers faced off in the World Series? (Hint: At the time the Dodgers were the Brooklyn Robins.) a. 1967 b. 1952 c. 1934 d. 1916 2. In game 2 of the last World Series between the Red Sox and the Robins, Boston’s pitcher threw a 14-inning complete game as the Red Sox outlasted the Robins, 2-1. Who was the pitcher? a. Babe Ruth
3. Ten years ago, with the Red Sox in the midst of an 86-year wait for a World Series championship, they fell behind the Yankees 3-0 in the ALCS. But in game 4, with Boston trailing 4-3 in the ninth inning, Boston put in a pinch-runner at first, who then stole second and eventually scored, allowing the Red Sox to go on and win the game and eventually their first World Series in forever. That steal is known in Boston today as “The Steal.” Where is the player who completed “The Steal” today? a. He became a baal teshuva and learns in Aish Hatorah in Israel
b. Lefty Grove c. Dizzy Dean d. Lefty Gomez
b. He is the manager of the Red Sox, Alex
Answers
Cora c. He is the manager of the Dodgers, David Roberts d. He is still a essentially used as a pinch runner for Boston, Rafael Devers 4. How many times have the Dodgers won the National League pennant?
d. 6 6. How many times have the Dodgers won a game in Fenway Park, since its opening in 1912? a. 1 b. 74 c. 123 d. 147
a. 13 b. 23 c. 27 d. 31 5. How many times has Boston won the World Series in the 21st century? a. 2 b. 3 c. 5
Scorecard 5-6 correct: You know a lot of baseball - are you the Marlins man? (Don’t know who that is? Forget the compliment.) 3-4 correct: You are a pinch runner, but you can still be a legend! 0-2 correct: Your time will come too - may take another 102 years, but just be patient.
You gotta be
kidding
A baseball scout found a remarkable prospect – a horse who was a pretty good fielder and who hit the ball every time he was up at bat. The scout got him a try-out with a big league team. Up at bat, the horse slammed the ball into far left field and stood at the plate, watching it go. “Run!” the manager screamed, “Run!” “Are you kidding?” answered the horse. “If I could run, I’d be in the Kentucky Derby.”
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6. A - The Dodgers and Red Sox did not play each other from 1916 until interleague play started in 2002 and they only faced off 12 times since they swept the Red Sox at Dodgers Stadium in 2008. Before this World Series, Dodgers ace, Clayton Kershaw, pitched in every stadium except Fenway Park. 5. B 4. B 3. D 2. A 1. D
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Torah Thought
Parshas Vayeira By Rabbi Berel Wein
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ne of the more salient lessons that we derive from this week’s Torah reading regarding Abraham and Isaac is the emphasis that the Torah places on the fact that they went together to ascend to the mountain of Moriah. The hallmark of Jewish life over its long history has been the continuity and bond between generations. Every generation differs in many aspects from the generation that pre-
ceded it. This certainly is true regarding the Jewish generations that have existed over the past few centuries. Scientific discoveries, enormous social changes, technology and communication that was previously unimaginable and an entirely different set of social and economic values have transformed the Jewish world in a radical fashion. It is much more difficult, even in some cases impossible, for parents and chil-
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dren to walk together towards a common goal. The secularization of much of Eastern-European Jewry during the 19th and 20th centuries is testimony to this fact. Even though different generations will always see matters in a different light there perhaps has never been such a radical and almost dysfunctional separation of generations as we underwent during this period. It is basically true that the new generation of the 20th century also wanted to reach and climb the mountain of Moriah, but they did not want to do so accompanied by their elders. In discarding the previous
and retain their values and purpose in life is far greater than when I was a child. Being able to walk together, facing the enormous challenges of modern life is a rare blessing in our time. It is not merely a matter of education and finding the right schools and raising children in a positive environment but it is even more importantly the development of familial pride, with its warmth and love that are important and necessary to achieve the goal of generational continuity. There is no magic bullet or one size fits all solution to this type of challenge.
In discarding the previous generation and its teachings and way of life, the new generation ascended many mountains, but they never climbed the right one.
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generation and its teachings and way of life, the new generation ascended many mountains, but they never climbed the right one. And much of Jewry today is stranded on strange peaks and at dangerous heights. The challenge of the continuity of generations is an enormous one. No matter how hard each family may try, not one has a guarantee of 100% success in maintaining the great chain of Jewish tradition. In fact, in my opinion, the challenge and task of today’s generation to somehow remain connected
There is a famous metaphor attributed to one of the great Eastern European rabbis who said that we are all but ships traversing the sea to arrive at our final destination. Every ship leaves a wake in its passing to mark where the safe passage exists. However, that wake soon disappears and every ship must make its own way across the sea of life. The same is true about binding the generations together. The attempt to do so must be constant and one should never despair. It can be achieved. Shabbat shalom.
The Jewish Home | OCTOBER 25, 2018
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From the Fire
Parshas Vayeira Spending Time By Rav Moshe Weinberger Adapted for publication by Binyomin Wolf
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ashem says about Avraham (Bereishis 18:19): “For I have known him because he commanded his children and his household after him, and they observed the path of Hashem, doing righteousness and justice…” The Meshech Chochma, zt”l, teaches that this pasuk is the Torah source for the mitzva of chinuch, educating our children. He explains that the mitzvah of “and you shall review with your son” (Devarim 6:7) and “and you shall teach your children” (Devarim 11:19) refer to the mitzvah to teach one’s children Torah. That is the curriculum of Torah. But the general, all-encompassing mitzva of chinuch, the mitzvah to raise one’s children to live a G-dly life, is derived from Avraham Avinu. The fact that Avraham fulfilled the mitzvah of chinuch with his children is so great, Rashi explains that “I have known him” is an expression of love and is the source of the fact that the Navi calls Avraham
(Yeshayahu 41:8), “Avraham that I love.” But what did Avraham actually command his children and the members of his household? What specifically did he teach them? We see that the result was that “they observed the path of Hashem, doing righteousness and justice.” But beyond the fact that they lived in the same household as a tzaddik like Avraham, the pasuk never teaches us clearly what Avraham did to fulfill this mitzvah. If the Torah does not make that clear, how can we learn from his actions and apply them to the way we educate our children in the path of Hashem? There is a teaching in Tana D’vei Eliyahu (19:5) where Eliyahu Hanavi davens to Hashem to point out the positive attributes of the Jewish people: “My Father in Heaven, remember the covenant that You entered into with the earlier generations, with the three tzaddikim, Avraham, Yitzchak, and Yaakov. Remember how many poor and impoverished
people there are in the Jewish people. Yet they study Torah every single day… They do not have enough food to eat, yet they pay a salary to rebbeim to teach their children Torah…” The Tolner Rebbe, shlita, asks how we can understand this prayer of Eliyahu Hanavi in light of our circumstances today. Unlike in previous generations, virtually no one is forced to choose between hiring teachers for his children and putting bread and water on his table. While tuition is difficult and people sacrifice to educate their children, thankfully, that education is generally not at the expense of basic sustenance. Not everyone can afford to go out for sushi and steak, but they are also not starving. So what is the test of our generation? How do we sacrifice for our children’s education and welfare? What makes us worthy of Eliyahu Hanavi’s tears? The Tolner Rebbe suggests that while the greatest test for previous generations was spending money on
Torah education rather than food, our generation’s greatest test is how we spend our time. Because of the pressures of making a living and the time people spend using their electronic devices, as well as their varied interests and social commitments, the most difficult thing in our generation is dedicating one-on-one time with one’s husband or wife, and with one’s children. Beyond handling homework assignments and daily tasks, the call to action for our generation is to spend some non-pressured, quiet, quality time with one’s spouse and children. Even on Shabbos, it is difficult to give up a portion of our precious three-hour naps to spend time learning, playing, or talking with our children during the short Shabbos days of the upcoming winter months. And while one might think that people could simply spend the long Friday nights with their children, there is a strong desire to simply go to sleep at 8 p.m.! Spending time with one’s
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spouse and children is a difficult challenge for our generation even on Shabbos. The key area of sacrifice we are called upon to make in our generation is to spend some time with each of our sons and daughters to talk with them about matters which concern them: how is yeshiva? How are things with friends? We must take time to call our children’s rebbeim, moros, and teachers. Instead of making time for these conversations, so many people waste away hours and hours on their iPhones, iPads, and computers. But if someone sacrifices his time and dedicates it to his or her spouse and children, Eliyahu Hanavi highlights each precious sacrifice to Hashem in his advocacy for the Jewish people. Unfortunately, men are much more prone to failure in this area than women are. Even though there are tremendous pressures on women in this generation as well, and many women must work full- or part-time to support their families, they generally find a way to make the necessary time for their children. The Sfas Emes (on Bereishis 5658, “Vayikach Hashem”) highlights this reality in his comment on the pasuk (Bamidbar 11:12) in which Moshe asks Hashem, “Did I conceive this entire nation or give birth to it that You should say ‘Carry it in your bosom…’” The Rebbe teaches that the pasuk reveals by implication that if a mother did give birth to the entire Jewish nation, she would have the ability to take care of its needs. But even the nation’s father, Moshe Rebbeinu, could not give the people the time they require. We see that even a busy working mother finds the time to spend with her children. But men, even if they have fewer external demands on their time, often fail to spend real time with their children. But while this is generally less of a problem for women, it becoming increasingly difficult for them as well. Certainly none of our grandmothers spent time at the cafes and gyms of Ungvar or Strelisk, having coffee with friends or taking Zumba or Pilates classes. Their entire lives were dedicated to their families. I know even now, after her children are grown,
my mother’s only thought is the wellbeing of her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. We see this reflected in the haftora this week as well. The wife of the students of the prophets, the Shunamis, prayed for a child, and when she gave birth to a son and he grew up, she was heartbroken when he sud-
all Israel. Indeed, the entire Jewish people were in the thoughts and mind of Avraham because the potential for the son is hidden within the father. The mind of Avraham was the root and included within it the entire Jewish people and all of the descendants of Avraham which would come
The most difficult thing in our generation is dedicating one-on-one time with one’s husband or wife, and with one’s children.
denly became sick and died. At that time, she prepared to go see Elisha Hanavi again to seek his help, and her husband said (Kings II 4:23), “Why are you going to him today? It is not Rosh Chodesh and it is not Shabbos.” When their child died, the father’s reaction was, “Oh well. Too bad.” But the Shunamis refused to give him. She demanded and pleaded until the Navi agreed to help her. One of the most moving psukim in all of Tanach is after Elisha revives the son of the Shunamis and says to her (ibid. at 36), “Take your son.” She was heartbroken at the thought that she may have lost the son she prayed for with all of her heart. We cannot even imagine how the words “Take your son” must have sounded in her ears. So what did Avraham Avinu teach his children that caused Hashem to love him so much? How did he fulfill the mitzvah of chinuch? The Kedushas Levi, zy”a, teaches us an amazing thing about the pasuk we began with above. In the words of the Kedushas Levi: He [Avraham] decided that it was not sufficient that he alone should fulfill the mitzvah with his great intellect. Instead, he had an additional intention in mind when he fulfilled some mitzvah: to do it in the name of
after him; every single generation until Moshiach comes. Based on this, the Kedushas Levi
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explains that the word “commanded” in the pasuk, “because he commanded “yetzaveh” his children,” is derived from the word “tzivsah, bound.” Avraham Avinu bound himself to his children in everything that he did. Every act was for their sake. That is the essence of our generation’s test with respect to chinuch. If we do whatever we do to bind ourselves to our children, and not merely for our own sake, then we will surely find the will to make the time to spend with them. And just as he advocated for us in previous generations, may Eliyahu Hanavi bring the time we dedicate and sacrifice for our children up to Hashem as a merit through which we will see the coming of Moshiach soon in our days. Rav Moshe Weinberger, shlita, is the founding Morah d’Asrah of Congregation Aish Kodesh in Woodmere, NY, and serves as leader of the new mechina Emek HaMelech.
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Anything is Possible
stars
Let’s Move
Beyond the
By Shmuel Reichman
A
young boy once went to the circus and was astonished when he saw that the giant elephant was being tied down by a very small rope. His curiosity got the better of him, so after the act finished he walked over to the elephant trainer and asked him: “Why doesn’t the elephant just break the rope? The rope doesn’t look that strong. This elephant could break down a brick wall, let alone this tiny rope?” The trainer smiled at him, and explained, “When this elephant was just a baby, weighing only 250 pounds, we tied it up with this very same rope. Every day he tried to break free, but he couldn’t manage to break out. He tried and tried, but to no avail; he just couldn’t do it. After a few months, he finally gave up, convinced that it was impossible to escape his shackles. Now, however, he’s two thousand pounds bigger and stronger than ever and can easily break free of these ropes.
However, in his mind, he still thinks he’s unable to do it, and he therefore doesn’t even try to escape.”
This connects to a very deep idea in this week’s parsha. Avraham famously says, “Anochi afar v’efer,” which literally means “I am but dirt and ashes.” Most people understand this to mean that Avraham was a humble man. However, perhaps there is a deeper explanation. In order to understand this, we need to trace back to last week’s parsha, where Avraham has a perplexing encounter with Hashem. Even though Hashem had promised Avraham that he would be the father of an entire nation, Avraham seems to have some very serious doubts. He asks Hashem: “But the stars (mazalos) say that I won’t even have a single child. How then can You promise me that I’ll be the father of a great nation?” Hashem then responds by taking him outside (Bereishis 15:5). Rashi explains this
to mean that Hashem took Avraham “above the stars.” This episode seems so strange. What does it mean that Avraham saw in the stars that he wasn’t destined to have a child? More importantly, how can Avraham argue with Hashem Himself? If Hashem tells Avraham that he’s going to have a child, how can Avraham even think of suggesting otherwise? Additionally, does it mean that Hashem took Avraham “above the stars”? Chazal explain (Shabbos 156a) that the world has a natural course, referred to as mazal. Just like a scientist can study an apple seed and see how an apple will eventually grow from it, astrologists can study the stars and determine which events will eventually come into expression. Of course, the mazalos themselves were created by Hashem. Therefore, Avraham had a very valid question: on the one hand, Hashem told him that he was destined to have a child. But on the other hand,
Hashem also created the mazalos, which were now telling Avraham the opposite, that he won’t have a child. Hashem then solves this paradox by taking Avraham above the stars. As the Gemara in Shabbos 156a explains, Hashem was teaching Avraham a very deep principle: ain mazel l’Yisrael, the Jews aren’t bound by nature (the mazalos). True, the stars can say one thing, but these stars themselves are controlled by Hashem. When you are connected to the source of reality itself, Hashem, you can transcend the stars and overcome any mazel. Thus, when living within the natural, Avraham couldn’t have any children, but when transcending that limited nature, anything was possible. But the question remains, since the events in this world emanate from the mazalos, how could they have said that Avraham wasn’t destined to have children? Chazal don’t say that the mazal changed, they only say that Avraham transcended
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it; so how did this work? At this point, Avraham’s name was actually Avram. The mazalos said that he, Avram, wouldn’t have a child. But once Avram realized that he wasn’t bound by nature, he transcended his current state and transformed. Two perakim later, Avram’s name was changed to Avraham. Avram wasn’t destined to have a child, but Avraham was! Rashi explains (Toldos 25:19) that as soon as Avram became Avraham, he was able to have Yitzchak. In Jewish thought, the change of a name reflects a much deeper change at the root level of the self. In other words, Avraham’s change in name was a complete metamorphosis; it was his way of transcending his mazal, and living on a place above nature. Now let’s try to understand Avraham’s famous statement of “anochi afar vi’efer” on a deeper level. Ashes represent an elemental breakdown of something. Dirt represents the starting point of growth, the place where seeds are planted. Avraham was saying that every day he would “ash” himself, breaking himself down into his elemental and root form, and he would then plant himself anew in a field of dirt. Meaning, Avraham would recreate himself every single day. He would never continue living on the way he’d been living until now. Each and every day, he would look within, break himself down, and recreate himself anew. But the most amazing part is the placement of this famous statement. When does Avraham say this phrase? Right after his name is changed from Avram to Avraham! Meaning, only once Avraham realized that his potential is limitless and that he can transcend his mazal, did he also realize that he could endlessly develop himself even further, “ashing” and replanting himself every single day. Now, let’s return to our opening story. What happens when the elephant discovers that the rope isn’t strong enough to hold him down? A fire once broke out in the circus and during the ensuing chaos, the circus tent fell down. After the dust settled, the trainers began searching for the elephant. To their
amazement, they couldn’t find the elephant anywhere. Finally, a few hours later, they found him wander-
Opening the lock is very simple, it requires only that we make a new decision; that we change our identi-
written by people with imagination, so we need to imagine a greater future, a greater version of ourselves. We need to close our eyes, picture an ideal future, open our eyes, and make that our reality. This is the actualization of ein mazel l’Yisrael; there are no limits. When you are in touch with your best self, and connected to Hashem, the source of all self, anything is possible. Let’s be inspired to follow in Avraham’s footsteps, and journey beyond the stars. There’s a famous saying: Let’s shoot for the moon, for even if we miss, we’ll land amongst the stars. I say, let’s land above the stars.
While at one point he thought these ropes controlled him, he now realized that the only one holding him back was himself!
ing in the nearby forest. They realized that during the fire the elephant must have been overcome with fear and adrenaline and had broken free from his ropes. When they tied him up again, the elephant escaped just moments later. They tried again once more but, again, the elephant broke loose. Once the elephant realized that the ropes couldn’t hold him, he wouldn’t be held back by these chains. While at one point he thought these ropes controlled him, he now realized that the only one holding him back was himself! The trainers had no choice; they had to get a new elephant for the circus. Does this idea ring true in your ears? How often do we create mental cages of our own? How often do we allow other people’s opinions of us becoming our reality? We allow people to tell us what we can or can’t do. Sometimes it’s even a friend or loved one. But worst of all, it’s usually our own inner voice that is the cause of our self-doubt. We convince ourselves that “we can’t”; we’re not smart enough, good looking enough, or funny enough. We’re too old or too young, too short or too tall. But here’s the key: we are the only ones who hold the key to our mental cages, because we created the lock.
Shmuel Reichman is an inspirational speaker, and has spoken internationally at shuls, conferences, and Jewish communities. He can be reached at shmuliereichman95@gmail.com and you can listen to his inspirational shiurim on YUTorah.org.
ty; that we believe it’s possible. History is being read, but it’s also being
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Between the Lines
Monkey See, Monkey Do By Eytan Kobre
Setting an example is not the main means of influencing others, it is the only means. -Albert Einstein
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n the 1930s, there was a young Indian boy who had become addicted to sugar. His mother, troubled by this harmful habit, took the boy to New Delhi to have the revered Mahatma Gandhi help him quit. There, the mother asked Ghandi to tell her boy that sugar was unhealthy and that he should refrain from consuming it in large quantities. “I cannot tell him that,” Gandhi replied. “But you may bring him back in a few weeks and I will talk to him then.” Disappointed, the mother returned home with her son. A few weeks later, the mother and son traveled again to Gandhi. This time, Gandhi looked at the boy sternly. “Young boy: you must stop eating sugar! It is not good for your health.” The boy nodded his head sheepishly and promised to quit. Now the mother was confused. “Why couldn’t you tell him that weeks ago when I first brought him?” “A few weeks ago,” explained Gand-
hi, “I was eating a lot of sugar myself.” Gandhi understood that his words were worthless unless he set the example he meant to teach. Sedom was a particularly inhospitable place for hospitality. Generosity, kindness, and charity were loathed by its inhabitants – including Lot (Rashi, Bereishis 19:1). Yet, when angels arrived to rescue him, Lot became a model of hospitality. He couldn’t help it: he was a product of the household of Avraham, host par excellence. As the originator of Jewish childhood education (Meshech Chochma and Minchas Asher, Bereishis 18:19), Avraham knew that behavior must not only be instructed but also modeled (Kol Rom and Darash Moshe, Bereishis 18:4; see Darash Moshe, Devarim 30:19). Nowhere do we find that Avraham instructed Lot to be hospitable; Lot simply observed Avraham being hospitable, and that living example etched a permanent mark on Lot, so potent that it overcame even the prevailing mores of a depraved society (Rashi, Bereishis 19:1). Setting the right example for our children is at the very foundation of our educational imperative. And you shall teach them to your sons and speak in them, while you sit in your house, and while you walk on the way, and when you go to sleep, and when you arise
(Devarim 11:19). It is rather striking that the Torah expresses the obligation to educate our children in terms of you. Isn’t the aim to educate our children so that they study Torah while they sit and while they walk and when they go to sleep and when they arise? Evidently, observed the Alter of Kelm, if you want to teach your children to study Torah, you must do so yourself. Don’t tell – show! You study at home, you study while you walk, you study when you go to sleep, and you study when you arise. When you do, they will too (see also Alshich, Devarim 6:6). R’ Yitzchak Hutner once observed a father disciplining his son to daven properly. Every time the child diverted his attention or so much as paused, the father rebuked him. When Rav Hutner asked the father what he sought to accomplish with his constant rebuke, the father explained that he was teaching his son to daven. “No you’re not,” Rav Hutner shot back. “You’re teaching your son to grow up and rebuke his son to daven. If you want to teach your son to daven, you daven.” Or, as the Kotzker Rebbe counseled: “If you want your child to study Torah, study Torah in front of them; if you only tell them to study, you will have children who will only tell their own children to study.” A man once bemoaned his son’s disinterest in learning to the Gerrer
Rebbe. “I’ve tried everything. I’ve tried incentives. I’ve tried punishments. I’ve tried motivation. Nothing works. What should I do?” “Well,” the Rebbe replied, “does the boy’s father himself learn?” (The discomfiting answer was self-evident.) Do-what-I-say-not-what-I-do education doesn’t work. “Parents must set a good example for their children; they must be careful not to make any improper remarks in front of them, and certainly not to do anything improper in front of them” (Menoras HaMaor 3:2:1; see also Emuna U’Bitachon, Chapter 4, No. 16). Indeed, “the talk of the child in the marketplace is either that of his father or his mother” (Sukkah 56b). Because our children watch and absorb and mimic our every move and word and attitude. So this is the golden rule of parenting: example, example, example. Appearing to the childless wife of Manoach to herald the birth of a son (Shimshon), an angel instructed that the child be raised as a Nazir; not only that, the angel cautioned, but Manoach’s wife too would have to follow the Nazirite laws while pregnant (Shoftim 13:4-7). Now, the basic Nazirite laws are not complicated: no grape products, no haircuts or shaving, no contact with the dead. No big deal. Yet Manoach asked the angel to reiterate the instructions
already given to his wife because he could not understand how to raise a Nazir if he himself was not a Nazir (Maayan Bais Hashoeva, Naso). “From everything I said to your wife,” answered the angel, “you must observe” (Shoftim 13:13). To raise a Nazir, you must set an example by conducting yourself as a Nazir. There is anecdote told about a group of Jewish children playing Monopoly for days on end. One parent couldn’t believe that the game, which typically lasts a matter of hours, simply would not end; after all, the players must have run out of money at some point. Apparently, the children had decided to establish a gemach (charity fund) for any player lacking funds. Every time one of the children ran out of money, the gemach was there to help. Children aren’t told to form gemachs; to our credit, they see it done by their parents and communities. But children tend to follow our bad example even more readily than our good one (Yerushalmi, Moed Katan
2:2), and we are responsible for the consequences. The ben sorer u’moreh (rebellious son) was to be executed for his inevitable demise based upon specific early indicia of waywardness, including that he consumed gluttonous quantities of meat. Yet, as a rule, there could be no ben sorer u’moreh in Jerusalem
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Chochma, Devarim 21:18). Rabbi Paysach Krohn tells of a teacher who caught one of his students stealing pencils from the other children. When the teacher called the boy’s parents to discuss the issue, the boy’s father was incredulous. “Why would he need to take pencils from other children? I bring home more
This is the golden rule of parenting: example, example, example.
(Tosefta, Negaim 6:2). Because of the sacrifices offered in the Bais HaMikdash, the city was a place where eating copious quantities of meat was the norm (see e.g. Pesachim 57a). With that example, a child hailing from Jerusalem could hardly be faulted for gluttony – that was on his parents (Meshech
than enough from the office to supply the entire class!” Another father once came to the Gerrer Rebbe and asked how properly to raise his son, who surely was destined to become a great sage and scholar. The Rebbe was taken aback by such hubris. “How are you so sure that your
son is destined for greatness?” “Well, you’ll never believe it,” the young father explained. “Even at such a young age, when my son plays with Lego, he builds two small boxes, placing one on his forehead and one on his upper arm. Tefillin! And if that’s what he plays with now, just imagine the potential.” “Sir,” the Rebbe replied nonchalantly, “stop davening Shacharis at home and go to shul in the mornings.” Child-rearing is a monkey-see, monkey-do program: if we emphasize the fleeting, the materialistic, the disparaging, the dishonest, the negative, the unkind, the illogical – if we fail to learn or pray or sing or give charity or fulfill G-d’s commandments enthusiastically – can we really expect our children to be any different? Eytan Kobre is a writer, speaker, and attorney living in Kew Gardens Hills. Questions? Comments? Suggestions? E-mail eakobre@outlook.com.
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A Fulfilled L fe
A Loving Advocate By Rabbi Dr. Naphtali Hoff
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his week’s parsha tells of one of the most intriguing – and munificent – acts ever recorded in the annals of our nation’s long, storied history. It is the sequence in which Avraham advocates on behalf the few righteous residents of S’dom and its sister cities, after learning of divine plans for their collective destruction. I would think that most of us, if we were informed that a large band of lawless (or at least, to borrow the contemporary parlance, “morally challenged”), sinful individuals were slated for destruction would be more than content to leave things as they were. After all, Hashem had clearly seen enough, to the point where He had already determined, in His infinite wisdom and with His boundless compassion, to terminate their existence. Certainly, society would be far better off without these moral renegades. Yet, Avraham was not so inclined and fought vigorously for some form of clemency on their behalf. And he did so multiple times, not relenting
until he was told that less than a quorum of righteous people resided in all of these municipalities combined. It is clear that Avraham was doing far more than clearing his personal conscience when he pleaded for a merciful outcome time and again. His nobility of character is underscored in a most unusual pasuk, which is recorded following Avraham’s first attempt at advocacy. “And Avraham answered and said, ‘Behold now I have commenced to speak to the L-rd, although I am dust and ashes.’” According to Bamidbar Rabbah 9:15, it was due to this statement of self-effacement that his descendants merited to receive two specific mitzvos: the dust of the sotah (as part of the investigation into her possible infidelity, she was required to drink a mixture of “dust,” erased writing including the name of Hashem, and water), and the ashes of parah aduma, which are sprinkled on those who have become tamei on the highest level. As a reward for having expressed
himself so humbly, Avraham’s children would be able to engage in mitzvos that are rooted in selflessness. In the case of parah aduma, it was a chance to fulfill a divine mandate despite a lack of true understanding of its underlying purpose. This is the statute (chok) of the Torah which the L-rd commanded, saying, “Speak to the children of Israel and have them take for you a perfectly red unblemished cow, upon which no yoke was laid.” (Bamidbar 19:2) Because Satan and the nations of the world taunt Israel, saying, “What is this commandment, and what purpose does it have?” (Rashi, ibid, quoting Yoma 67b) The mitzvah involving the sotah directly reflects on Hashem’s “humility,” allowing His own name to be erased as a means of clearing the name of a Jewish woman and reinstating domestic harmony between her and her husband. Because Avraham displayed such intense modesty in his actions, his progeny merited to experience Hashem’s humility,
even at a time of severe human degradation. But it appears that there was more than selfless humility at play in this unusual exchange. Immediately after the malachim had departed from his home on their way to S’dom, Hashem decided that it was inappropriate to keep Avraham out of the loop of what was due to transpire. And Hashem said, “Shall I conceal from Avraham what I am doing? And (he) will become a great and powerful nation, and all the nations of the world will be blessed in him. For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of Hashem, to do justice and judgment.” (Bereishis 18:17-19) The placement of this description of Avraham as parent and teacher par excellence cannot be overlooked. It is precisely because of the fact that Hashem possessed the ultimate confidence in how Avraham would
rear his offspring and instill within them the necessary values of fidelity to Hashem and righteousness that He brought him into the conversation and offered him the opportunity to advocate for these sinners. It would be improper for Me to do this thing without his knowledge. I gave him this land, and these five cities are his… I called him Avraham, the father of a multitude of nations. Now, can I destroy the sons without informing the father, who loves Me? (Rashi to Bereishis 18:17) Avraham understood that these people who had been condemned to death were in some way his own children; he could not allow for them to be destroyed without at least attempting to save them. But his drive to help did not emanate exclusively out of a so-called paternal link. Avraham felt that he could make a difference and possibly influence the sinners’ behavior for the better. It was for that reason that he contin-
ued to negotiate with Hashem, until he sensed that there was no longer a possibility of influencing change. Unfortunately, there are many individuals within our community, particularly amongst our youth, that
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tionable behaviors that these individuals have embraced. Perhaps we are too fearful of identifying holes in our communal and educational systems and examining what went wrong along the way. Or maybe, chas v’shalom, we simply do not
There are few problems that cannot be solved if the requisite degree of care, concern and mostly, love, is present.
we tend to “write off” based on the sinful life that they have embraced. This tendency may be attributable to our own quest for self-preservation, a fear of being tainted by the objec-
care enough, or even feel hatred towards, those who have rejected the lifestyle that we hold so dear. It would appear from this parsha that we need to develop a great-
er sense of ownership to a growing problem and do everything within our power not only to advocate, but to positively influence as well. As Avraham’s actions make clear, there are few problems that cannot be solved if the requisite degree of care, concern and mostly, love, is present. Let us all try to learn and internalize this powerful lesson from our great forebear, so that we can begin to stem the tide of disconnect from within our own ranks and raise generations of fully engaged and committed children. Rabbi Naphtali Hoff, PsyD, is an executive coach and President of Impactful Coaching & Consulting. For a free, no obligation consultation, please call 212-470-6139 or email nhoff@impactfulcoaching.com. Check out his new leadership book, “Becoming the New Boss,” on Amazon. Download his free eBook for understaffed leaders at ImpactfulCoaching.com/EPIC.
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Rabbinical Reflecti ns
Goal! By Rabbi Mordechai Yaffe
T
hroughout my decades in chinuch, there has been a recurrent theme that has troubled me deeply but I have been reluctant to address it in a public forum. However, I feel quite strongly about this and want to share my thoughts on the matter. Before beginning, I want to emphasize that there can be no single answer to the dilemma that I am raising and that my words are not meant to be an indictment to any general approaches to chinuch, nor any specific institutions. Also, my concerns are only relevant to the chinuch of our sons. Chinuch habanos requires a completely separate analysis. Several years ago, I attended an ostensibly professional conference at which the effect of mentoring on children was being analyzed. At the focus group I attended, the question was raised whether these programs were being successful. Person after person provided anecdotal evidence of their success. When it was my turn to speak, I told the group that I had just one question. I asked, “Before we can assess if these programs are successful, don’t we first have to ascertain their goals?” From their reactions, you would have thought that I had discovered cholent! Unbelievably, it seems that no one had considered that in order to evaluate the success of any endeavor, one must first determine what the undertaking is supposed to achieve. With that in mind, I want to raise an issue about our yeshivas. I don’t want to know if our yeshivas are being successful. It is not my place to ask
and, as I have stated, that isn’t really the relevant question anyway. The real question that I want to address is what are the overarching goals that we want our yeshivas to strive for in educating our sons. Without making that determination, we have no way of knowing if we are being successful or not. I have heard it said that the purpose of yeshivas is to produce gedolim. Now don’t get me wrong. I am very much in favor of producing gedolim, and, in any case, one would hope that they would be the products of yeshiva chinuch. Nevertheless, is that the goal, the raison d’être of yeshivas? An oft-quoted source is a Medrash based on a pasuk in Koheles (7:28). The pasuk says, “Asher od biksha nafshi v’lo matzasi adam echad ma’elef, That which my soul searched further and I did not find one man out of a thousand.” Based on this, the Medrash Koheles Rabba (7:49) explains that “b’nohaig shebaolam,” in the normal manner of the world, one thousand people embark on learning “Mikra,” which means Tanach. Of those thousand, only one hundred progress to learn Mishna; of those one hundred, only ten advance to Talmud. Finally, one single individual emerges as someone worthy of “hora’ah,” making halachic rulings. I cannot count the number of times I have heard this Chazal quoted as a proof that the purpose of the other 999 is to facilitate the development and production of the singular gadol! Furthermore, since we don’t know who that gadol will be, we must invest in every child as if he will be that one
gadol in a thousand. However nicely one finesses this, the bottom line sounds like 99.9% of our children are simply the chaff in which we seek to find our 1/10% pristine kernel of grain! I do not believe that this is what Chazal are telling us. The Medrash begins with “the normal way of the world.” It is not telling us a pedagogical formula for isolating the one out of a thousand. Rather it is describing the statistical reality: we should not expect to find more than one gadol in 1,000. How we provide for each and every one of the larger population is a totally different story. There will be many who will argue that we need to inspire children to greatness and that the goal is to motivate them to that end. If we’re supposed to motivate all children by encouraging them to believe that each one of them can become the gadol hador, then I must argue that it would be a dismal failure. We already know from Chazal that the overwhelmingly vast majority of our children are not going to be that gadol. If that is the overarching goal that is repeatedly emphasized to our children, above all others, then where does that leave those who inevitably never reach that goal? How many are damaged for life, always feeling that they are second class (at best) and just didn’t really quite make it? I believe that this phenomenon has contributed to two unfortunate outcomes. The first one is a shame, and the second is a tragedy. I had the mostly unusual circumstances of first
attending college when I was almost 30 years old. As an outlier – a mature, married man and with a family, who taught Torah daily throughout my B.A, M.A. and Ph.D. studies – I felt more like an observer than a typical student. That maturity helped me keep my self-concept and identity intact. However, during my decade of college studies, I frequently observed yeshiva bochurim who came to college after years of yeshiva gedola learning. Often, within a few short months, they completely assimilated in the secular culture that surrounded them. The same has often been true of bnei Torah who enter the workplace. It is as though there is a “separation of shul and state” and those students were saying, “That was one part of my life and now I am entering a different phase, with different expectations.” That, however, is what is colloquially called “a halbe tzara.” Much more insidious and troubling is seeing individuals who look back on their years in yeshiva negatively and live perfunctorily Jewish lives. In the Vietnam War, there were stories of soldiers who had received mortal belly wounds from which they would certainly die. They could be found walking along roads until they collapsed. It was said of these “walking wounded” that they were dead; they just didn’t know it yet. Ha’maivin yavin. There are people who send their children to yeshivas not because we are celebrating this incredible time of opportunity but because they feel that what other choice would they have. Where is the joy in our leading Jewish lives? Where is the lifelong desire to
The Jewish Home | OCTOBER 29, 2015 The Jewish Home | OCTOBER 25, 2018 The Jewish Home | OCTOBER 29, 2015
grow? People detach because they experience what psychology terms cognitive dissonance. When confronted with facts that contradict personal beliefs, ideals, and values, people find a way to resolve the contradiction in order to reduce their discomfort. In other words, if something makes us uncomfortable, we will alter our beliefs in order to minimize that experience. In martial arts, they say that the best way to block a blow is to avoid it. I am reminded of something I heard on a recorded shiur by Rav Pam, zt”l. He said that he had been approached by a 15-year-old bochur who was upset because he was not able to achieve something that the Chofetz Chaim supposedly had mastered by his age. I have always adored his response. Rav Pam replied, “Shelo k’darki (not in my normal manner), I gave it to him over the head. You baal gaiva! Who told you that you are supposed to be like the Chofetz Chaim at your age? You are a fine, average 15-year-old and should act like one!” He simultaneous-
ly gave him permission to be normal without quashing his desire to grow. Now that’s a gadol. We all certainly want to inspire our children to greatness. When we identify a gifted student, we must certainly encourage and facilitate their maxi-
upon our young charges that they all have indescribable value to Hashem and that each one has a life’s mission to become as close to Hashem as possible through lifelong personal growth. I like to say, “Not everyone is going to be an A+ student, but everyone must strive to be an A+ person.”
However nicely one finesses this, the bottom line sounds like 99.9% of our children are simply the chaff in which we seek to find our 1/10% pristine kernel of grain.
mum growth. We must also emphatically stress the central role that limud haTorah must play in all of our lives. However, it is critical that we impress
When the Gemara (Brachos 5b) says, “Echad hamarbeh v’echad hamamit u’bilvad yichaven libo lashomayim” – some achieve more and some
achieve less, but specifically the heart should be directed heavenward – it is not merely pronouncing some quaint aphorism. It is explaining what must be our primary goal in life. I believe that the overarching goal of a yeshiva must be to facilitate that trajectory and implant a lifelong beacon whose light can always be followed. We need to strive towards inculcating into our children the critical value of retaining the self-concept of a lifelong identification of being a ben Torah, while learning and while living. Remember: we can’t score if we can’t find the goal! 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.
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JeruSAlem At A
croSSroAdS How tHe mAyorAl electIonS wIll cHAnge tHe Future oF ISrAel’S cAPItAl cIty
By tzvI lev
“I
t was the best of times, it was the worst of times.” While Charles Dickens may have penned these words to describe the French Revolution, they remain just as relevant when describing modern-day Jerusalem. Over the past few years, Israel’s capital city has reached both the highest heights and the lowest lows. On the one hand, the explosion of the tourist industry and the U.S. Embassy’s move have raised Jerusalem up in both money and stature. At the same time, a skyrocketing budget deficit and a surge of young people abandoning the city in search of cheaper real estate imply an uncertain future. One thing is for certain: Jerusalem stands at a crossroads. The next decade will show whether the “City of Gold” can successfully transition into a business and tourism powerhouse, or whether it will simply stagnate into poverty. That’s why this year’s municipal elections are being watched so close-
ly. Israel goes to the polls on October 30th to elect its mayors and local councilmen. Unlike the national elections for the Knesset, the municipal elections are not usually high-profile. With largely anonymous politicians campaigning around uninteresting issues like the property tax rate, it is rare that any local race becomes the center of the media cycle. Yet Jerusalem has never claimed to be normal. Four politicians are running to succeed outgoing Mayor Nir Barkat: Jerusalem Minister and Knesset member Ze’ev Elkin, former executive and current councilman Moshe Leon, political wunderkind Ofer Berkovitch, and haredi candidate Yossi Deitch. Local businessman Avi Salman has also thrown his hat in the ring but is not expected to have a realistic shot at the top job; recent polls show him languishing in the low single digits. The two obvious frontrunners are Elkin and Berkovitch. The two candi-
dates are as different as can be, pitting experience against youth, a savvy politico against a fresh-faced phenom, a Ukrainian academic against a born-and-bred Jerusalemite.
A SeASoned PolItIcIAn Elkin’s biggest advantage in the race is his name recognition and a compelling life story. Born in Ukraine to a secular family under the repressive Soviet Union, Elkin was drawn to Jewish observance in his youth. Despite the risk involved, Elkin was active in the Religious-Zionist Bnei Akiva movement, eventually rising to serve as head of the Zionist youth group in the entire former USSR. Elkin also taught himself Hebrew and served as the head of the city of Kharkiv’s Jewish community. Following the Soviet Union’s collapse in 1990, Elkin joined the 1.5 million Russians who immigrated to the State of Israel and enrolled in Hebrew University to study history.
Elkin first entered politics in 2006 as a rookie lawmaker with former Prime Minister Ariel Sharon’s Kadima party. After leftist politician and current opposition Leader Tzipi Livni took control of the faction in 2008, Elkin jumped ship to the right-wing Likud party and began to make himself known for hawkish political views and staunch opposition to a Palestinian State. Among the soft-spoken academic’s more well-known legislation was the bill granting an expanded compensation package to Gush Katif evacuees in 2005 and a law obligating left-wing NGOs that are supported financially by foreign governments to disclose their sources of funding to the public. Elkin also played a key role in the recent Nationality Bill, thereby anchoring Israel’s Jewish character into law. In addition, Elkin served a vital function in managing Israel’s delicate relations with Russia by serving as Prime Minister Netanyahu’s inter-
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Moshe Leon
Ofer Berkovitch
Ze’ev Elkin
Yossi Deitch
preter during meetings with Russia’s inscrutable President Vladimir Putin.
transformed Katamon’s old railway stop into the First Station, a popular esplanade featuring restaurants and cultural offerings. Both initiatives are opposed by the Ultra-Orthodox; the haredim have vowed to stop the First Station from operating on Shabbat and seek to shutter Machane Yehuda’s bar scene. As the sole secular candidate in
right-wing candidates are splitting their votes between the remaining three candidates, leading Berkovitch to take a commanding lead on Elkin in surveys. A recent poll found 22% of Jerusalem to support Berkovitch, followed by Elkin with 19%. Berkovitch’s biggest challenge is the runoff. According to Jerusalem’s bylaws, a candidate needs to win at
influential Prime Minister’s Office and Israel Railways, Leon brings to the table proven managerial experience. This round is not Leon’s first time contending for the capital city’s top job. Leon had narrowly lost to Nir Barkat in the previous elections back in 2013. Leon’s previous candidacy was seen as bizarre; a longtime resident of the Tel Aviv suburb of Givataayim, Leon had moved to Jerusalem only a few weeks before declaring his candidacy. Dogged by rumors of shady backroom dealings with Shas leader Aryeh Deri, Barkat ran a successful campaign portraying Leon as a “foreign transplant” excelling at wheeling and dealing. Yet in a move that gained respect from both his supporters and detractors, Leon did not flee the city after his painful loss to Barkat but stayed on at the city council. After being awarded the community management portfolio, Leon coordinated the city’s sensitive relations with East Jerusalem’s large Arab community. Leon is banking on his close personal relationships with the city’s power brokers to carry him over the finish line. Identifying with the Religious Zionist community and with long-time ties to Shas leader Aryeh Deri and Defense Minister Avigdor Liberman, Leon expected that receiving the endorsement of the city’s most prominent haredi rabbis would prove to be the game changer this time around. Comprising 40% of Jerusalem’s population, it is virtually impossible to win city-wide elections without haredi support. Indeed, Leon was endorsed by al-
tHe AntI-HAredI cAndIdAte? In contrast to Elkin, who only recently moved to the capital city from the Gush Etzion hamlet of Kfar Eldad, City Councilman Ofer Berkovitch has never lived outside of Jerusalem for any of his 35 years. Berkovitch first exploded onto the political scene in 2008 when the recently-demobilized IDF captain formed the Hitorerut party. “I understood that Jerusalem was facing a big crisis, young people were leaving, there was a lack of quality places of employment, housing prices were soaring, cultural events that weren’t being funded and so on,” Berkovitch recalled in a recent in interview with Times of Israel. “I decided I was going to fight for the city’s future, the Zionist, tolerant and productive future of Jerusalem.” The young councilman’s efforts to expand Jerusalem’s entertainment offerings made him a sworn opponent of the city’s sizable haredi community, particularly regarding the delicate issues of public Shabbat desecration. For example, Berkovitch led the unsuccessful effort to keep the Cinema City movie theater open on Shabbat and resigned his post as deputy mayor in 2017 after alleging that a plan by Mayor Barkat to divide the city into separate neighborhoods granted an inordinate amount of resources to the haredim. Berkovich also played a key role in revitalizing the Machane Yehuda market into a night-life center and
tHe next decAde wIll SHow wHetHer tHe “cIty oF gold” cAn SucceSSFully trAnSItIon Into A BuSIneSS And tourISm PowerHouSe, or wHetHer It wIll SImPly StAgnAte Into Poverty. the race, Berkovitch has galvanized the city’s left-leaning and pluralist factions. Berkovitch takes great pains to say that he has nothing against the haredi community, telling Times of Israel that he was simply fighting for all Jerusalemites to be treated equally. “It’s not that I’m against the Haredim — I am in favor of the Haredim,” insists Berkovitch. “I love all of Jerusalem’s residents… But I also want to safeguard the sense of the secular public that they can live here, and the same goes for the moderate religious community, and so on.” With only a decade in local politics, Berkovitch was never expected to be a serious mayoral contender. Yet the plethora of religious and
least 40% of the vote outright. Should neither contender hit 40%, the top two will go to a runoff. While Berkovitch is leading Elkin in the polls, his share is not enough for him to avoid a runoff, which Elkin is widely expected to win due to the consolidating of support from the remaining two candidates. A recent poll found that if Berkovitch and Elkin go to a runoff, Elkin would sweep the second round of polling by more than 40 points.
tryIng AgAIn While not as overtly popular as either of these two, City Councilman Moshe Leon was expected to be a serious candidate. A founder of one of Israel’s biggest accounting firms, Leon’s financial resources are considerable. Having headed both the highly
The Jewish Home | OCTOBER 25, 2018
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most all of Jerusalem’s rabbinic elite. Five years ago, that might have been enough. This time around, however, it does not seem sufficient, for Leon is falling victim to the infighting which has rocked the haredi political establishment nationwide.
A dIvIded votIng Bloc Haredim have traditionally voted in a monolithic block. Taking guidance from senior rabbis under daas Torah the UItra-Orthodox tendencies to vote en masse for one candidate granted immense political power on both the national and municipal level. For the Sephardic community taking guidance from Rabbi Ovadia Yosef, the only option was to vote for Shas, while their Ashkenazic counterparts voted for United Torah Judaism (UTJ), a joint list of the hasidic Agudat Yisrael faction and the non-hasidic Degel Hatorah. The recent passing of Rabbi Ovadia Yosef, Rabbi Elyashiv, and Rabbi Aharon Shteinman left a void that resulted in power struggles within the community. A Shas break-off known as “Yahad,” led by former party head Eli Yishai, drained off precious Knesset seats from Shas in the 2015 Knesset elections. On the Ashkenazic side, Degel Hatorah and Agudat Yisrael are at loggerheads regarding a law forcing haredim to enlist in the IDF, and the two may ultimately split off into separate parties. The leadership vacuum has reached Jerusalem as well. While Leon earned the endorsement of both Shas and Degel Hatorah, Agudat Yisrael refused to throw its support behind him and are instead running a candidate of their own: Yossi Deitch. The presence of two candidates battling for the same electorate is splitting the haredi vote and denting the community’s political power. The biggest beneficiary of this inter-community squabbling has been Berkovitch, who has rallied his base by painting a picture of Jerusalem in the midst of a haredi takeover. “After they denied they will back Leon and hid for many months, Deri and Lieberman have revealed their plan, to try to take control of Jerusalem by backing Moshe Leon’s effort once again,” said Berkovitch, following Shas and Degel’s endorsement
of Leon. “Unfortunately, the good of Jerusalem is not in their minds, but political deals and foreign interests that endanger our future here in Jerusalem.” Leon and Deitch are currently fighting a game of electoral chicken. Each is aware that he only stands a chance at winning should the other fall from the race and has been try-
This past year was also the year that a slew of countries, most prominently the United States, moved or pledged to move their embassies to Jerusalem. The city has also been relatively quiet from a security standpoint. While there have been scattered incidents of terror, the current situation has markedly improved from 2017, a year that saw numerous
A recent Poll Found tHAt IF BerkovItcH And elkIn go to A runoFF, elkIn would SweeP tHe Second round oF PollIng By more tHAn 40 PoIntS. ing to convince the haredi public that only he has a realistic shot at winning.
A tAle oF two cItIeS A notable feature of Jerusalem’s upcoming elections are that the candidates hold almost identical platforms. Jerusalem is currently in the midst of one of its most prosperous periods ever, while paradoxically suffering from serious problems that if left unchecked can lead to rapid deterioration. On the positive side, Jerusalem has benefited tremendously from Israel’s tourism boom. According to the Central Bureau of Statistics, 3.5 million tourists arrived in Israel last year, an annual growth of 25%. With Israel’s rising popularity amongst the China as a vacation destination, the city’s tourist-based economy is exploding.
security personnel and citizens alike fall victim to Muslim terror. In addition, the long-awaited high-speed rail connecting the capital to Tel Aviv recently became operational. Despite being billions of shekels over budget and plagued by infrastructure problems, the train will enable Jerusalemites to arrive in Tel Aviv in under 20 minutes, generating new business opportunities and growth. The Jerusalem municipality is also expanding the popular light rail local trains to the city’s periphery in the north and the south, which is expected to decrease chronic traffic jams. On the downside, Jerusalem is suffering from a severe housing crisis that is driving young people out of the city. Housing prices overall in Israel have skyrocketed, making it almost impossible for young families
to purchase a home. Over 850,000 of Jerusalem residents live crammed in aging three- and four-story buildings, and there are few places left to build beyond neighborhoods such as Talpiot and Pisgat Zeev which lie over the 1967 lines. Yet for over a decade, Prime Minister Netanyahu has enforced an official building freeze in the Jerusalem neighborhoods that are in dire need of expansion. The lack of accommodations has caused housing prices to creep upward, forcing the city’s next generation to look elsewhere. As the average apartment in Jerusalem costs NIS 1.88 million, owning a home in the capital city is an unrealistic goal for most young families. For 20 years, Jerusalem has had a negative migration balance, meaning that the number of people leaving the capital outweighs those that move in. In 2016 alone, 10,300 people moved into Jerusalem while 18,100 moved out.
tHe ISSueS At HAnd The “housing crisis” is a hot topic in the 2018 elections, and all four candidates have promised to embark on a slew of building once elected in order to deal with this problem. Deitch and Berkovitch say that as fresh politicians unbeholden to the ruling Likud party only they can disobey Netanyahu’s building freeze. Elkin and Leon alternatively say that as lifelong Likudniks, they will be best equipped to thaw Netanyahu’s freeze. While the candidates have all vowed to increase construction, they also offer diverse solutions. Elkin promises that as mayor he will eliminate the thicket of bureaucracy that takes a developer an average of seven years to build a project from start to finish. “Jer usa lem needs anot her 100,000 housing units within 20 years, every year about 5,000 housing units,” he said earlier this month. “There is no other city in the State of Israel that has a bureaucracy about planning and building like Jerusalem – it is unnecessary; bureaucratic procedures must be simplified, and some of the stages should be abandoned.” Berkovitch, meanwhile, has said that he will tax “ghost apartments,” or property owned by foreigners that
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lies empty for the vast majority of the year. Berkovitch alleges that the estimated 159,700 apartments owned by non-Israelis are squeezing natives out of the housing market and hopes his tax will discourage both foreign buyers and developers catering to overseas clientele. “As far as I’m concerned, I would triple the taxes,” Berkovitch told Times of Israel. “I wanted to send a message to this market: I don’t like this phenomenon. If you keep building apartments for the wealthy, we’ll keep fighting this phenomenon.” Leon says he plans to deal with the housing crunch by building in “E-1,” an empty region stretching from the Mount of Olives to the city of Ma’aleh Adumim. The potential for building is enormous; experts say that the 4.6 mile strip of empty desert can hold upwards of 50,000 homes. However, the area has been held hostage to global politics; connecting Ma’ale Adumim to Jerusalem would cut off a potential Palestinian State’s
territorial contiguity and any future construction is expected to arouse severe international opposition. Netanyahu himself has promised multiple times to build in E-1, only to back down following a furious response by the Obama administration. In addition to housing, another looming challenge for Jerusalem is its empty coffers. The majority of the local municipalities’ budget comes from taxes on property and businesses. Due to the lack of large businesses in Jerusalem, the city suffers from a NIS 140 million budget deficit that continues to rise every year. The capital has avoided going bankrupt only due to a large annual bonus the government awards the municipality. The lack of employment opportunities has been cited as another central reason for Jerusalem’s negative migration. Elkin’s solution is to integrate the Arab and haredi population into the workforce and to crack down on illegal Arab building. “The problem will not be resolved
by encouraging the economic activity only in that one-third [of non-haredi Jews],” Elkin told Haaretz in August. It’s essential to develop business activity among the other two groups [haredim and Arabs]. For example, one of the things I am trying to promote is the registration of the lands in East Jerusalem. The land in the eastern section of the city isn’t working today. No one gets taxes from land improvement, not the city and not the state, and the residents are living in a fog because the status of their land isn’t formalized.” While both Leon and Berkovich agree with Elkin on the importance of job creation, they say that the solution lies in convincing hi-tech companies to transfer their offices from Tel Aviv. The two candidates have pledged to build more office buildings, something which they say is the key to rebranding Jerusalem as a business powerhouse. “I will fight the government, or cooperate with the government, to
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bring them [the hi-tech companies] back here. It’s costing the city tens of thousands of workers, NIS 400 million to the local economy,” said Berkovich. Another significant challenge facing Jerusalem’s next mayor is integrating the city’s Arab population. Comprising 40% of Jerusalem, the Israeli Arab community suffers from under-policing and a lack of resources. Neighborhoods that remain outside the security barrier built in 2003 to stop suicide bombers are characterized by total anarchy; with no access to services provided by the municipality and the Palestinian Authority, the areas have deteriorated into a crime infested no-go zone for police.
J
erusalem will elect its next mayor in the upcoming elections on Tuesday, October 30. By midnight of that same day, Jerusalemites will find out who will steer their city into the next era.
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TJH Speaks with
Ameer Benno Candidate for Congress
Advocating for the U.S., Israel, and Our Community By Susan Schwamm
You’ve been on the campaign trail for a while. I can imagine that that can be tiring. It’s tiring and exhilarating, all at once. I believe in what I’m doing and I’ve got a good message for the people in my district. They’ve been tremendously receptive and I think they’re ready for a change. What do you hear from people on the campaign trail that they’re looking for? I hear so many different things. I hear frustration with Washington; I hear frustration with the partisan rancor in Washington; I hear desire for affordability. These things affect people on different levels. Resources that you can direct to the state from the federal government can impact on whether or not the village has the funds to be
able to take care of quality of life issues, like street maintenance and pot holes, etc. So affordability is the biggest thing I hear about. Taxes are also an issue, and depending on the communities, crime is an issue. There is so much frustration with violent gangs in the schools, concern over school safety, and concern about opioids in the communities. And that’s not something that discriminates on the basis of social class or religion or race. You’re running against Kathleen Rice, who has been in office since 2015. What will you do in Congress that she isn’t already doing? Well, a number of things. You talk about feedback; a lot of the feedback I get is that we haven’t seen Kathleen
Rice in the district since she went to Washington. So, for four years she’s been invisible and, like I said, people want somebody who is committed to community, who is committed on the dates that they’re not in session to being here and to being a visible presence, somebody who will show up at specific organizations, meetings, the schools and things of that nature and show people that they actually have a voice. That’s the first thing. The other thing is Kathleen Rice, in my view – and I think this is drawn from objective facts – has been at best lackluster in terms of accomplishments in Congress. Very few ideas of her own, she really hasn’t shown herself to be anything more than just a rubber stamp on what the Democrats want to do at any given time, and for all that she proclaims to promote herself as
somebody who can reach across the aisle, statistics show that she votes with the Democrat bloc, I think its 93% of the time. So aside from having a very meager record of her own and no accomplishments to speak of, she’s shown herself to be somebody who will give the Democrats the vote when they need that extra vote, nothing more. Our community deserves more than that. The frustration that people are seeing in real politicized, polarized partisan politics is that people are fed up with that. Additionally, this is a unique time and I think people are reevaluating party loyalties. That’s because the Republican Party has picked up the mantle of issues that used to be championed by the Democratic Party. For example? For instance, protecting the
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the shuls in Albany and that’s where my father met my mother. They settled in Albany, and my brother and my sister and I were born and raised there.
American world, protecting American industry, and Israel. I think those three are really causing people to reevaluate their party loyalties and, speaking about Israel, I think that Kathleen Rice’s record has been meager, is the best I could say. I think that’s the most generous… Although she did vote against the Iran deal, am I right? She and Schumer actually came through eventually for us. So let’s talk about that for a moment. I will say that that’s an interesting thing. You know, I could talk all day about this but at the end of the day Kathleen Rice voted because she has a strong Jewish constituency. First thing I can say is I think it was a no-brainer. It should have been a no-brainer automatically [to vote against the Iran nuclear deal] for anybody. Whether you’re Jewish or not. Of course! This is what most people don’t know, so they hear, “Oh, the Iran deal.” Did you know the same day that Kathleen Rice voted on the Iran deal, there was a bill put on the floor to delay lifting sanctions against Iran? This wasn’t covered in the media because the Iran deal got the attention. There was also a bill called the Justice for Victims of Iranian Terrorism Act. There’s a number of victims of Iranian terrorism, both Israeli and American, through Iranian proxies, whether it be Hezbollah or Hamas, by some organization you’re probably familiar with. And the Israel Law Center (I’ve worked with them, I went to Jerusalem and litigated with them on the Sokolow case which involves somebody from Woodmere, so that’s been something I’ve actually been part of in my career prosecuting these cases) but the point is they have judgments, several million dollar judgments, for these victims that could have been paid out of the money that was being held that was tied up here in Iranian assets. The bill came to the floor and the choice was to pay out those judgments and then give the money to Iran or to just give all the money straight to Iran. Which one do you think Kathleen Rice chose?
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And that’s what ultimately went through. And that’s what ultimately happened. She didn’t support when it came up to vote – whether it’s a vote or failure to cosponsor the bills – to move the embassy to Jerusalem numerous times. You see nothing, no public support when Trump moved
State of Israel was founded, and when the government found out about it – he had a cigarette paper factory in Baghdad where he stored the weapons to smuggle to the Jews in Israel – they had to leave in the middle of the night. They had to leave everything and settled in a refugee camp outside of Tel Aviv. My father tells me the first
The frustration that people are seeing in real politicized, polarized partisan politics is that people are fed up with that.
the embassy, no public statement that Jerusalem is the capital of Israel. First of all, no statement that Israel is the homeland of the Jewish people and that Jerusalem is the unified capital of the Jewish state. I say you have to look deeper than the Iran deal. If you look at her record, putting aside the Iran deal, her record is extremely weak on Israel. Your father was born in Israel. My family is from Israel. My father was born in Israel before it was a state. His parents were from Baghdad, so they were Iraqi Jews. My grandfather actually would smuggle weapons for the Hagana before the
several years of his life were growing up in this communal tent in a Jewish refugee camp outside of Tel Aviv. My father was in the IDF and he fought in the Six Day War in a unit called the Shayetet, which is like the Navy Seals, so he was Special Forces in the Israeli military. My whole family on my father’s side is still in Israel in Ramat Gan. When my father finished the military, he decided to come over to the U.S. for education. My mother’s family is of Ukrainian origin; they had fled the pogroms in the earlier part of the century, and they settled in Albany, NY, and started a grocery business. My mom’s grandparents started one of
What brought you to Long Island? My wife. I grew up in Albany. I went to college at John Hopkins University and I started in international relations and literature. I actually had no intention of going into law, but when I was there one of my roommates was shot and killed by a gunman on campus and that changed the trajectory of my life. I started going to the criminal court proceedings, and I realize that I knew very little about how our justice system works. I decided I wanted to go to law school. I actually I took a year in between, and I worked for a Jewish organization called Hillel and I did Jewish outreach on college campuses in Philadelphia where I tried to engage nonreligious students to connect them with their Jewish heritage. After that I went to Cornell Law School and then I started work at the Manhattan District Attorney’s office as a prosecutor. One of the other turning points in my life was on 9/11. I was going to work, and I got out of the subway right there, at the Chamber Street subway station at the World Trade Center, right as the plane hit the second tower. I was standing there, looking at this, and I was there when the towers came down. It was awful. I already had the desire to go into public service. I had turned down the Wall Street law firm, they had made me an offer, and I had gone in favor of public service at the DA’s office but 9/11 really drove it home even more – that I wanted to commit myself to public service. You were in the DA’s office for a long time. Yes, and at the same time I was there I became a professor at New York Law School teaching appellate advocacy and legal writing. My wife and I got married, and after we had our first daughter, I left the DA’s office. I started working for a firm doing constitutional law civil rights litigation, which is where my heart was. In 2008, the market collapsed,
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and the firm I was with, which had been around for about 40 years, shut its doors. So I had another choice about what to do with my life and I chose – never choose the easy path – I chose to start my own practice. My practice focuses on constitutional law and civil rights. My wife and I wanted to live in a Jewish community, and we decided to settle in the Merrick-Bellmore area. I go to the Merrick Jewish Center. I’m on the board of the Merrick Jewish Center, and I’m the president of something called the Merrick Bellmore Jewish Community Council, which is for all of the shuls in that area to promote Zionism, love of Israel, love of Yiddishkeit and pride in our Jewish heritage. So we’ve done a lot of work with all the shuls to bring them together. What do you think is the best way to combat the BDS movement? I have to say that college campuses have become some of the most intolerant places on the planet. The left has adopted this false narrative and any time somebody speaks out in favor of Israel that means that they’re in some way a racist. I think we need to, first of all, at the community level, we need to be unafraid and we need to unite and we need to be heard and speak out loudly against it. BDS has a very powerful lobby in which they keep pushing this false narrative and, in fact, when we talk about BDS, part of it is educating people on the facts: the people who they think BDS is helping, it’s actually hurting. I was visiting my family this summer in Israel, and I spent a lot of time in Shomron. The fact of the matter is they have factories there where they hire Palestinians. The Palestinians want to work in Israeli companies because they make four times more money working in Israeli companies. Look what happened with SodaStream. Exactly. I think that’s one of the biggest proofs that the BDS movement is false. We have to stand up for President Trump on many things. Listen, President Trump defunded UNRWA,
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Ameer with his wife and three daughters
the United Nations refugee agency. I mean, they claim “refugees,” but they’re not refugees; under nobody’s definition are these people refugees. And they’re promoting in their books, in their schools, this anti-Semitic narrative. They’re indoctrinating their youth that Israel and Jews are evil. It’s about time we had a president who says we’re not supporting
and show that we’re united. We’re on the right side, they’re on the wrong side, and we should never waiver in that. The third we need to do is we have to hold these schools and universities accountable. These schools take a lot of federal money, and they claim to be open and for free speech but it’s anything but that. An article came out recently about this Israeli
9/11 really drove it home even more that I wanted to commit myself to public service.
that or a president who says we’re not going to pay any more money to the PA as long as they continue stipends to terrorists. Thank G-d we have somebody who has the backbone to do that. So when it comes to BDS, a lot of it is fueled by pure ignorance. So one thing we need to do to combat BDS is education. The second thing is standing up against them. We shouldn’t be pushed around; we need to stand up and show our backbone
who was being chased out of Columbia University because she’s Israeli. She’s being accosted in the hallways, people saying that she’s a baby killer. Betsy DeVos recently passed a new definition of anti-Semitism; let’s see if there’s really any teeth in that. The administration now has to take to task these schools that are marginalizing their Jewish students because they’re so afraid of insulting the Students for Justice in Palestine. They need to feel it in their pockets mon-
etarily because that’s the only way they’ll feel it. That culture of intolerance is not what our universities used to be about. They’re supposed to be open places where we can have a free exchange of ideas, where we’re taught that we can exchange contrary ideas in a civil manner. Is it any surprise that we have a Congress now that’s filled with people who don’t know how to cooperatively work together and who can’t disagree in a civil and professional manner and still try to find common ground? I’m committed to trying to reach across and to find a way to move our community forward. Too often we have people like Kathleen Rice who dig their heels in who are not bipartisan, who don’t put the interests of their community first but only put the interest of the ideologies of their party first. This is also what is so dismaying about the current direction of the Democratic Party. I love Democrats, I was raised by two of them, but I chose eventually to move away because, as Ronald Reagan said, it’s not that I left the party but the party left me. I think a lot of Jews see that now. Right, and I think that this is a unique moment in history where it’s not just Israel, it’s other things as well, but Israel in particular because when you have mainstream candidates for office who are praised for saying that Israel is an apartheid state, that terrorists are peaceful protesters, and that Israelis are massacring babies, and when you have a failure on the left denounce people like Linda Sarsour and Keith Ellison. It’s time to open your eyes and to say, “You know what? This is not my party anymore.” There was a time when I think the Democratic Party was the strongest champion for Israel but that’s no longer the case. I think that may be hard for some people to get their mind around, but it’s the reality. What do you think is going to happen come November with the makeup of Congress? I think they’re in for a big surprise, and I think they’re going to have a lot of egg on their face. The fact of the matter is, more recent
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polls show a lot of disgust at the liberals and the left agenda of destruction where they’re putting up obstacles saying no and they’re not doing anything constructive, all they want to do is tear down, condemn and sell hate. My hunch is that the people who are disgusted with the Democrats are going to come out stronger on Election Day. If you’re a results-oriented person, you’re looking at a record of accomplishments from our president. If you can look past all the liberal media bias and the smear campaigns and you really search out truth you will see that we have a president who has nearly eradicated ISIS; we have a president who has made strides in promoting peace in the Korean Peninsula, which none of the presidents before could accomplish. We have a president who is committed to protecting the American worker, strengthening our borders, protecting American industry, and we’re seeing the results. We’re seeing the new Canada/Mexico/U.S. agreement which is going to benefit us; we’ve seen positive results come out of the negotiations with the European Union as a result of what he’s done on tariffs as well. We see him taking a stance in terms of enforcing the law. Most people want to see the law enforced, most people want to see a secure border and I think they’re fed up with the Democrats having sold out American workers, American industry, and American communities promoting an open borders agenda where they invite in and deliberately import low-skilled workers which crash wages on everybody. They unwind all the advances that the unions have made all these years in getting a minimum wage; they bring in poison crossing the borders in terms of the fentanyl and opioids, and they bring in the violent gangs like MS13. People are sick of that. People want to see that border secured, and the Democrats keep promoting and double-downing on open borders. They’re going to show it at the ballot box, and they’re going to send a message to the Democrats. We have a lot of energy in our campaign. I’ve got the enthusiasm, I’ve got the commitment, and I’ve got
the right beliefs that mesh well with the values of our district. We need to get on the phone with our friends to make sure people get out and vote. You have to pull people off their sofas. I was at the Hewlett Chabad for Simchas Torah and I was talking with some great people there who confessed to me that they usually don’t come out and vote. They’re registered but they usually don’t come out and vote. These people have to know that there will never be a candidate who is as strong for Israel as I am. I can say with complete assurance that I will be the strongest advocate for Israel that Congress has ever had. I’m the only Israeli American person, at least Republican, person running for Congress but I make that commitment to the community and they know they have a chance. When you get to Congress what are the top things that you will focus on? Well, first, for people in our community I think we need to deal with real tax reform. While what President Trump did in many ways was good, the tax cut obviously cutting the corporate tax down to 21% encouraged reprecipitation of money and investment, people hired, but we need to see closing loopholes, a simplified tax plan, and we need to see the elimination of that cap on our state and local and tax deductions so we get
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real property tax relief. Also, while his tax plan, the Tax Cut and Jobs Act, did well by big companies, what they call C-corporations, it didn’t do as well for S-corporations, which are small businesses. We need to create a level playing field and help our small businesses more. We need to help people with affordability in terms of student loan debt. The tax plan doesn’t allow deductions beyond the $2,500 interest on student loan debt. We need to increase that. We have to come up with great solutions to allow people to deduct their student loan debt over their work lives to help alleviate the burden because we want our children to settle in our community. We don’t want to be saddled with this enormous debt that eventually drives us out of here. So my first thing I wish to tackle is to make this region more affordable, to drive down our taxes, to drive down the student loan debt burden, to drive down the cost of healthcare – those are very important issues. The next thing that I think is extremely important is securing our border. Congress passed a law years ago criminalizing illegal border crossings because they represented the will of the people and the people determined that they wanted those crossing the border illegally to be punished by criminal penalties. The president under the constitution has the duty – it’s called the Take Care
Clause – “to take care that the laws are executed faithfully,” the laws that are passed by Congress. Obama and George W. Bush before him didn’t have the political will to enforce the law as written, they were giving people the get-out-of-jail-free card as long as they came to the border with a child. That led to trafficking in children so there was any number of children kidnapped in Ecuador, Honduras… Traffickers would pay $20,000 to take these children just to come up to the border because they knew they’d be released. Where is the human rights outrage for what was done to those families when their children were being torn from their families to be used and put into child trafficking, whether it’s sweatshops or child trafficking when they get to this country and there’s no further need for them? Where is the outrage for that? We need to protect our borders, and most Americans want to because protecting our borders will protect our workers; it will stop the flow of illegal drugs; it will stop the flow of violent gangs; and if there’s a human rights issue to protect people who are being trafficked, that will be the next thing. These are certainly important issues for voters. I know that you barely have a moment to breathe as elections are coming up, but what do you do to relax? I love to read. I was a literature major so I love fiction but mostly nowadays I read historical nonfiction. I’ve read lots of books on Iran, I read books on jihadism. I also practice aikido, which is a Japanese martial art. I go to the gym a lot and exercise, and I like watching TV shows with my wife. She’s addicted to “This Is Us.” I also love to hang out with my kids. You have three daughters. They keep me plenty busy. They’re involved in dance and theater, and I love to support them and go to their activities. We have a lot of fun with them. Ameer, this was a true pleasure, thank you. Best of luck on Election Day.
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TJH Speaks with
Senator Elaine Phillips Talking about the NYS Senate Split, Affordability, Martial Arts & Chocolate Chip Cookies By Susan Schwamm
Senator Phillips, you’ve been in the New York State Senate since January 2017. What do you feel are the accomplishments you’re most proud of in the past two years? It’s really about affordability, making sure that Long Islanders can continue to live here and afford to live here. When it comes to record aid for our public schools, there’s been a 14.5% increase in my Senate district over the last two years alone, a $112 million dollar increase for Nassau County schools. Our public schools, even if you don’t have a child that attends them, it’s what people gravitate to Long Island for. It keeps our economy moving, having strong public schools. A lot of what I did was fighting back against the governor and what he wanted to do to
raise taxes. In this past year’s budget he had almost $3 billion in new taxes. It really was the Senate majority conference Republicans that fought against that and made sure that it happened. Two, I’m proud of what I’ve been doing for the environment. Our most precious resource here on Long Island is the water. We drink the water that you and I are sitting on and it’s absolutely imperative that we protect the aquifers. New York City wants to re-permit some wells in Jamaica, Queens. I wrote legislation and it passed the Senate to prevent them from doing this until a study by the U.S. Geological Society was complete, to see what the impact of saltwater intrusion and emerging contaminants are on our groundwater. Then there are some social issues
that I am very proud of. I was one of the cowriters of the landmark harassment legislation, and ultimately the governor took our language – thank you, Governor – and embedded it in his budget this past year, so we passed it. We also have some legislation that I wrote and sponsored on domestic violence – it’s the first legislation that we’ve seen in New York State in the last five years since the Safe Act. My name is on that legislation, and what it does is basically codifies the federal law, expands it and takes guns out of the hands of convicted domestic abusers. When people come into a new position, any position, whether you’re a teacher or a construction worker, you always have certain expectations. When you entered the Senate,
what were certain expectations that you had that you saw did not come through or were not as you expected? I came from a business background, 20 odd years on Wall Street, and I am not a lawyer – I have a master’s degree in finance but I’m not a lawyer – so I think the hardest part for me when I got to Albany was the policy side. As mayor, I was used to meeting with constituents, and making sure that our roads were fixed, making sure that our garbage was picked up…so the policy side was a learning lesson for me. I’m proud to say my first piece of legislation that I authored and passed into law was to give senior citizens here in Nassau County a tax credit, a credit that they had and expired, so I was able to get that through and signed into law to give them that tax
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On the Senate floor
break or continue to give them that tax break. In my second year I’m up and running between the domestic violence legislation and legislation that I worked on for IVF, which is such a critical thing that did not pass. This was bipartisan legislation that passed in the Senate – we even worked with lobbyists from the insurance companies – to give families up to $50,000 coverage for IVF. We passed it in the Senate and the Assembly kept saying that they were working on it, but they never even brought it to the floor. Are there other healthcare related issues that you want to bring up in the Senate? We’re always attempting to make healthcare more affordable. If I had to name one of the top five constituents’ concerns it’s the cost of healthcare. It really is. We have increased the funding for women’s health, and, in fact, I personally was able to give $150,000 of special grants – $100,000 to the Manhasset Coalition Against Breast Cancer, which is a huge organization that’s raised millions and millions of dollars for breast cancer research, and $50,000 for the Great Neck Breast Cancer Awareness Organization that does a lot of support when it comes to outreach but also research too. I’m on the Senate Task Force for heroin and opiate abuse. We have done public hearings across New York State. In fact we had one right here in Mineola where my office is located just a couple months ago.
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Senator Phillips was named “Legislator of The Year” by Fire Marshal Benevolent Association of Nassau County & NYS Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 128
We bring healthcare providers, we bring treatment providers, we bring grassroots organizations, and we bring recovered addicts together to talk about the issues. What do you think is needed to solve the issue? It’s a disease, and it really has to be a multipronged approach. It can’t just be law enforcement, even
your arm stitched or if you need to go to the hospital for mental health issues. But the fact is, that is not what’s happening now. People don’t see mental illness as an illness because it’s not visible. That’s a problem. You know, mental health, opioids, these all have stigmas. I got the wakeup
If one Republican loses their seat in this race on November 6, the Democrats will have the majority and we will have single party government.
though I would say here in Nassau County Commissioner Rider is doing a phenomenal job. Healthcare providers and hospitals are making sure that individuals are coming in, but if they’ve been Narcaned, they’re released because you technically can’t hold them. Many families are paying out of pocket for rehab and treatment centers. In fact, to expand this into mental health issues, my fellow state senator, Senator Todd Kaminsky – we did this on a bipartisan basis – we just held a public forum on mental health parity: that insurance companies have to cover costs equally if you went to get a cut on
call when I was mayor. One Monday I went into the office and I got a call from the Third Precinct who covered my village and they said, “Mayor, you’ve had an overdose over the weekend.” I honestly thought that a 17-year-old or 18-year-old passed away. “Oh no, G-d help that family,” I thought. It wasn’t, it was a 38-year-old woman living in a big mansion who was addicted and overdosed and died that weekend. So we ended up having a family discussion in the village. We held public hearings to get people to understand that it is an epidemic. To combat it you really need to use a multipronged approach; you have to
come at this from all sides. Do you think President Trump has been doing a good job helping to stem the tide of opioid use in the United States? I would say yes. I don’t know what he’s done for school education when it comes to drug use but when it comes to gang violence I think he’s done a good job. He’s been here on Long Island multiple times, and that’s helpful. We need to be firm here. In the Senate we put some money towards anti-gang violence. Why is this Senate race so important? The way New York State government works is that there’s 150 Assembly members and the Democrats have the majority by two-thirds, so there is no bipartisanship in the Assembly. The governor is obviously a Democrat. In the Senate there are 63 state senators, and it’s based on population. So my Senate district, which is about 300,000 people – and all the Senate districts are made up of about 300,000 people – it takes about 45 minutes to drive from one end to the other. In other Senate districts in upstate NY it could take hours to drive from one end to the other because the population is so spread out. The Senate Republicans are actually, by number, the minority: there are 31 of us versus 32 Democrats. So you say, Senator Phillips, how does the Senate Republicans have the majority? Well, it’s because one senator, Senator Simcha Felder from Brooklyn,
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Senator Phillips with Senate Majority Leader John Flanagan, Great Neck Mayor Pedram Bral , and leaders of the Persian Jewish community
actually conferences with us and therefore we have the majority. If one Republican loses their seat in this race on November 6, the Democrats will have the majority and we will have single party government. Even more than that, it’s not just single party government; it is New York City controlling New York State. Take a look at this card [editor: see illustration on this page]. The blue side shows a map of New York State and it shows the Senate Republican conference. You can see that we represent all of New York State, with senators from all over the state. There’s only a couple of senators upstate because it’s more rural upstate and the districts are more spread out. Turn the card over to the other side and it shows the Senate Democratic conference. Do you see that big blob? That’s New York City. If you live in any place other than New York City, this could be one of the most critical races you’ve ever seen. If the Democrats control the Senate, then only New York City will be represented. New York needs to have a voice outside of New York City. It happened one time in decades, where the Democrats were New York City politicians who controlled all of New York State from 2009 and 2010; the Republicans lost the Senate for one term, two years. There were $14 billion in new taxes in two years. Two years! MTA payroll tax, which affected businesses, the real estate industry, the concept of private ownership, this next year rent control is going to come back up,
$124 million of school aid in my 15 school districts alone, just that, that school aid was taken and given to New York City. The Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul is quoted as saying, “We have got to flip the Senate back to the Democrats so New York City schools can benefit; Long Island schools get too much funding.” Mayor de Blasio in the New York Post in April was quoted as saying that the best thing that could happen to New York City is for the Democrats to take control of the Senate. People have to understand, put politician affiliation aside, we are talking about local interests now. If you want to have a voice on Long Island in state government, if you want your schools funded, if you want your property taxes lowered, you have to keep a Republican majority in the Senate. The entire legislature turns over every two years. The entire Senate is up for reelection. Let me give you some facts too. In the Senate we voted to make the 2% property tax cap permanent. It has saved New Yorkers billions of dollars. It passed in the Senate, 51 to 10. The 10 no votes were the Democratic leadership – Senator Krueger, Senator Persaud, Senator Rivera… We also voted and passed in the Senate to put a 2% spending cap on New York State. Every local government, every town government, the county school districts, have to live within this property tax cap. Why shouldn’t New York State have to live under that same guideline? It passed 41 to 20. Senator Krueger, Senator
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Senator Phillips with Rabbi Yeruchum Silber and Leon Goldenberg of Agudath Israel
Bailey, Senator Kavanaugh, Senator Stewart-Cousins, the leadership of the Democratic Senate conference, 20 of them voted against it. I can go on and on. One more just because I found this fascinating. So we talked about how there’s an opioid epidemic that we have throughout the United States but definitely here on Long Island. So we passed a
law to establish the class B felony of a criminal sale of a controlled substance upon the grounds of a drug or alcohol treatment center. You have dealers that prey on the most vulnerable, those individuals that have finally brought themselves to a drug or alcohol rehab center and that’s where these dealers go, on the corner of these centers, even in
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At a menorah lighting ceremony in the district
the parking lots. Who voted against this? The Senate Democratic leadership, eight of them voted against it. How do you vote against that? This race is so important, people have to get out and vote. People see me for exactly who I am: a public servant who wants to do the right thing for the people of the 7 th Senate District, for Nassau County, for Long Island and all of New York State. People have to get out and vote. You worked on Wall Street for many years and then were mayor and are now in the State Senate. How were you able to balance that with being a mother to three children? I have three girls, who are 25, 23 and 21. Three girls. That’s a lot of nail polish. Yes, a lot of nail polish, a lot of clothes. It takes a village, right? You have to be a team, your husband and you and your neighbors. When they were younger and I worked on Wall Street, my mother-in-law babysat at times. I left Wall Street nine years ago to finish raising my daughters – I’m not sure we ever finish raising our children – but my husband and I were fortunate that one of us could stay home. When I became the local mayor, there was no compensation, and it was the perfect job in the sense that I could still be around
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Senator Phillips with Consul General of Israel Dani Dayan
for my children. Three years ago Senator Martins asked me out for a cup of coffee and told me that he wanted me to run for his seat. I say this all the time, if someone had told me three years ago this is what I’d be doing, I would have said, “No way, they’re crazy.” But I’m honored. Senator Martins saw in me someone who just didn’t say things, but actually got things accomplished. My children are now all grown so I am able to put all my efforts into my constituents.
national team, came to the headmaster and said that he wanted to get the children out of Haifa. He asked if we would be willing to support the children and bring them to the summer camp we have in the school. The headmaster and I looked at each other and said, of course, hands down. Two of my daughters were away at sleepaway camp for a couple of weeks, so I took a couple of girls in for the summer. They became my Israeli daughters. Did they speak English?
I knocked on the door, in my sweatpants, and I said, “I’m your state senator. I have a homemade apple pie for you.” And they were like, “Senator Phillips?!”
Let’s talk about your connection to Israel. I have an interesting, personal connection to Israel. Twelve years ago, when Hezbollah was raining rockets into Haifa, I was on the board of trustees of my children’s school, Buckley Country Day School. A gentleman named Roby Young, who is a famous Israeli soccer star who played for the Israeli
You know what? They did, but not 100%. Two years ago my husband and I decided to go to Israel and we met with my “Israeli daughters.” My one daughter is an MD-PhD student at Tel Aviv University and my other Israeli daughter is a public defender. She was in Bethlehem and she’s now up in Haifa. There were lots of tears and joy and laughter. This summer
we actually got to meet their families. One of my Israeli daughter’s families hosted us all at their home in Haifa and there was this amazing blending of different religions and cultures, a melding of love and happiness. I was also in Israel because this year Israel hosted the men’s world lacrosse games. Israel has been sponsoring a team for many years and up to just recently most of the boys that played on the team were American citizens who had one parent with an Israeli passport. But now the majority of the team is actually Israeli, believe it or not. England was supposed to host, and two years ago or a year and a half ago England dropped out. Israel stepped up. It is the first time in the history of world lacrosse that a non-English speaking country has hosted these games, the first time. The Iroquois nation hosts a team every year. Lacrosse is actually a Native-American game. Most of the boys live on the reservations but probably went to Cornell or University of Albany so it’s a lot of Canadian and U.S. citizens. The amount of pressure by BDS organizations, I can’t tell you, the letters, the phone calls, the social media, that they were getting not to go to Israel… BDS expects the Native-Americans to “empathize” with the Palestinians. The Iroquois have a special passport that is not always recognized by other countries and they wanted to travel on their own Iroquois nation-
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al passport to Israel. It was Consul General Danny Danon who worked with them and allowed them to come into Israel on their Iroquois national passport. So for Israel to step up like that, to invest the money to host these world games, for the Iroquois to stand up against this BDS, this hatred, I think is pretty remarkable and deserves a huge thank you. Speaking of BDS, let’s talk about the BDS legislation in New York State. It was February 2017, when I was first elected, that I put forth legislation that would make sure that New York State did not invest or do business with any companies that promote BDS. It passed in the Senate but it was not a unanimous vote. In fact, six of the Senate Democrats, many of them leaders, voted against it. And the Assembly wouldn’t even bring it up. So it didn’t pass? It did not pass. The governor took what I did and made it into an executive order and now it’s law in New York State. Another piece of legislation you should be aware of concerns state and city schools. There are student clubs in colleges that are promoting hatred and anti-Semitism and hatred against Israel. My legislation says at SUNY and CUNY schools – I can only control the state-funded schools – no taxpayer dollars should go to support these clubs that promote BDS hatred. It passed in the Senate – nobody in the Assembly would even take it up – but in this case, 12, all Senate Democrats, voted against it. Once again, the leadership in the Senate Democratic conference. There’s a lot on your plate, representing the 7 th District. What do you do to relax when you have time to relax? I’m a martial artist. I have trained in Korean martial art for 23 years and have just received my 5th degree black belt. How often do you have to practice? I try to get there at a minimum
three times a week so when I’m up in Albany that’s harder than when I’m home. For the years that I was home as mayor I also was teaching at my martial arts studio. I stopped teaching when I was elected to this position but we have so many students that my teacher Master Kwan’s son, who now runs the studio, said, “Elaine, can you help out?” So I’m back teaching
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my husband and said, “Do you mind driving me over there?” It was an elderly couple and I don’t remember the circumstances but I had a government hotline for government officials at the time, and I was able to solve their problem. When the signs started going up for the campaign this year, I was driving down Port Washington Bou-
People see me for exactly who I am: a public servant who wants to do the right thing for the people of the 7th Senate District, for Nassau County, for Long Island and all of New York State.
on Fridays, little 3- and 4-year-olds. Interestingly, I’m a martial artist and I also bake cookies. What type of cookies are the best? I’m a chocolate chip cookie baker – I baked during the campaign two years ago 5,000-6,000 cookies. Can you share your recipe with us? Absolutely. I got it on the bag of Gold Medal flour but it’s a great recipe. Can I share a story with you that is so sweet? You know, I’m not here because of me, I’m here because of a team around me and I am truly blessed to have the staff that I have and really to have all the support around me. During Superstorm Sandy I was a new mayor and my village was on the North Shore. We ended up taking out 22,000 tons of tree debris for a village of 5,000 people. We didn’t get our electricity back for 14 days – two weeks. Needless to say I was learning how to be a mayor in an extreme situation. I was fortunate. We had a generator in my home. One evening, a resident of Flower Hill called – I was fielding all the calls for the village in my home because the village generator wasn’t working. He was having some form of emergency. I looked at
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levard and all of a sudden I saw a huge Elaine Phillips for State Senate sign on this gentleman’s fence but not only is it a big sign, it has a light on it so it’s lit up at night. And about a week later on the side of their fence, another big sign went up. And about
a week ago my husband came home and said, “Elaine, I was driving by the signs and I saw some lettering above it.” He thought someone had defaced it so he did a U-turn and went back and he saw that in huge letters above my sign it was written, “She was there for us during Superstorm Sandy, let’s make sure we’re here for her.” Wow. That is so touching. So what do you do for someone like that? On Sunday my youngest daughter was home for fall break so I said to the staff that I needed the day off, and of course we were cooking. We were making a home cooked meal and apple pie, and I decided to make them an apple pie. The pie was still warm and I told my daughter that we have to get this over to them. So she drove me over there, and I knocked on the door, in my sweatpants, and I said, “I’m your state senator. I have a homemade apple pie for you.” And they were like, “Senator Phillips?!” That’s politics at its best – a real personal touch. Senator Phillips, we wish much success on Election Day, November 6.
Senator Phillips’ Extraordinary Chocolate Chip Cookies Ingredients 1 ½ cup butter or margarine 1 ¼ cup sugar 1 ¼ cup brown sugar 1 TBS vanilla 2 eggs 4 cups flour 2 tsp baking soda ½ tsp salt 12 oz. chocolate chips Preparation Preheat oven to 350°F. Beat butter or margarine, sugar, brown sugar, vanilla and eggs on medium speed until light and fluffy. Add flour, baking soda and salt until combined. Stir in chocolate chips. On an ungreased cookie sheet, using a scoop, place cookies 2 inches apart. Bake 11-13 minutes. Allow to cool. Makes 5-6 dozen cookies.
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Dating Dialogue
What Would You Do If… Moderated by Jennifer Mann, LCSW of The Navidaters
Dear Navidaters,
My parents worry about me. They think I don’t want to get married. The truth of the matter is that I absolutely want to get married. I’ve always dreamed of one day having a husband and a bunch of kids and a wonderful life.
I’m now 23 years old. I have always been into academics – one of those rare breeds who actually love school, learning, higher education. Few things give me as much pleasure as cracking open a new book, whether it’s for school or pleasure and sinking my teeth into the narrative. I feel as though whatever I do I want to do with a full heart. If I’m in school, I don’t’ think I can do a great job with dating, since I wouldn’t be committed to it. Once I obtain my final degree, (hopefully…I would love a Ph.D., but am afraid to even entertain that thought), I’ll start committing myself to dating and getting married. My parents don’t either understand me, or maybe they do but are afraid that I’m ruining my chances of meeting a great guy, that if I wait until I’m 24 or 25, all the good men will be gone and I’ll be alone with my degree for the rest of my life. Do you think there is an age at which a woman is, in fact, ruining her chances for meeting someone wonderful? I have to think that there are men out there with similar goals as mine and are also waiting to date until they have their careers nailed down. Should I be panicked, as my parents would like to see me become, or does my plan make sense and it’s not a catastrophe in the making?
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.
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The Panel The Rebbetzin Rebbetzin Faigie Horowitz, M.S. erious choices about life decisions are never simple. Nor are they black and white. Nor are they the same for everyone. It’s not about ruining your chances or having a wonderful life or being alone with your degree. It’s about who you are, your short and long term priorities, your personality, your available time, your sense of commitment and more. Self-knowledge is the key here, as well as realism. Panic and catastrophe should not be part of it, even though the dating world favors younger women. It seem to me that you want to sort yourself out, think through what your short and long term goals, pri-
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orities, current responsibilities, time availability and opportunities, and assumptions are. You may want to put them down on two separate sides of a sheet of paper as a start, and list thoughts by category. It will get you started. There is nothing like writing things down to make you face yourself. During this process, you will probably recognize that “a husband and a bunch of kids and a wonderful life” will not automatically happen once you go around the board like in a game. Easing into dating and meeting people with similar interests may be a good idea for you as your career develops and your education moves along. For many people, a career path is neither simple nor direct. Neither is life, marriage and happily ever after. So while I agree with you that
your parents’ catastrophic view point is not one to frighten you into dating and that your goal of getting your education under your belt is legitimate, I am concerned about your simplistic attitude about achieving both your personal and professional objectives. Interview others about their journeys. Contemplate your own goals, aspirations and values. Hear, observe, grow, and think for yourself.
The Mother Sarah Schwartz Schreiber, P.A. n a word: no. There is no age (or sell-by date) at which women spoil…their chances of getting married, that is. That said, I’ll express my opinion in academic terms. First Statistic 101. If, at the age of 23, a young woman has a pool of several thousand eligible young men to choose from; that pool may be significantly drained by the time she decides to marry at, say, age 27. In other words, statistically, if you postpone dating for several years, your odds of finding The One are significantly reduced. Moving on to Best Study Practices 2.2. Let’s say your Boards or the Bar or the MCATs are scheduled six months from now. Would you begin studying the week before or plan a rigorous and organized six-month study schedule to tackle the didactics? Putting your dating life on hold is like cramming for a final. You don’t wake up one day, announce to the world, “I’m ready to get married” and expect to meet your bashert that very night. It takes time to network, figure out the finer points of dating and learn how to make intelligent choices before you can make, arguably, the most important decision of your life. Which brings me to my next point. Priorities. At age 23, you are no longer just a schoolgirl; Dat-
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Your hishtadlus is crucial in obtaining the end result, no matter what the goal may be.
ing and Marriage should be as vital to your curriculum as Diploma and Career. If you find it difficult dealing with more than one course at a time (what you call doing things with a “full heart”), I suggest you seek the guidance of a qualified therapist who can help you manage the concurrent responsibilities of adulthood. Learning how to balance and prioritize these activities – graduate school, dating, a career, marriage and a family – can be the most valuable education you will ever receive.
The Shadchan Michelle Mond ou sound like a mature young woman who knows and understands her strengths and limitations. Others might be content splitting themselves between college and dating, but you do not feel this is compatible with your nature. You want to commit yourself to one conquest at a time, the question is, which one takes priority? Being an intellectual person who is drawn to academics is great! Not only will you be able to enrich your own life, but you can impart your knowledge and love for learning to your children (and perhaps your husband to…if he’ll listen!). Do you need to get this degree right now in order to learn? You attribute your excuse for pushing off dating to your aca-
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demic interests. Yet you also state your strong interest in getting married and having a large family. I’m sure you realize there are many ways to learn and pique your academic interests while still making time for going on dates with potential suitors. If it is too hard to date and get your PhD perhaps wait on getting your PhD and go for something more compatible with making time for dating. Then go for your PhD at a later time once your life is more settled. The underlying, unsaid fact in your letter is that you really do want to get married – just not right now. I will be blunt with you and say that there are many wonderful young men in the dating scene now who will not be around in one or two years from now. If you choose to wait a few years to even entertain the thought of dating, you must internalize this fact. Only Hashem knows the plan
for you future and your life. However, the Talmud says that if a person wants to get married, they must put the same effort into finding a bashert as they would finding a job. Your hishtadlus is crucial in obtaining the end result, no matter what the goal may be. Take a strong look within yourself and decide what your priority is, weighting the pros and cons. Realize that the potential to receive a PhD will undoubtedly be there years from now, however, dating prospects when you’re 22-23 won’t necessarily be around when you’re 25-26. If your priority is not marriage and you are not ready for it, you should not push yourself into dating and marriage. However, if it is merely a matter of piquing your academic interests, realize that there are ways to do both. Hatzlacha!
Pulling It All Together
The Single Tova Wein ave you ever noticed that when someone gets engaged at say age 25, there is a more robust level of enthusiasm when the news is reported than there is for a 20-year-old getting engaged? And then, if someone at, say, age 28 gets engaged, the excitement is even more extreme? And of course, this pattern continues along the way, as the age keeps increasing. Obviously, the reason is because as a woman gets older and older, her chances of getting engaged do decrease somewhat, as the opportunities decrease. There are less available men to choose from – plain and simple. I’m not telling you anything you don’t know. So, the question is, is your passion for advanced education and career greater than your concerns over limiting your dating opportunities when you feel the time is right? If the answer
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Putting your dating life on hold is like cramming for a final.
is obvious to you, and you’ll take your chances, then go for it. There are no guarantees regardless in life, whether you start dating at 19 or 29. Speaking of no guarantees, you sound as though you’ve plotted your life story pretty carefully and you have it all figured out. I think we all wish that life could be so simple. But, as the saying goes, “Man plans and G-d laughs.” Keep that in mind as you dream about getting married at your ideal age, degree in hand, and begin the process of filling your home with lots of kids. There will be many unforeseeable surprises ahead of you, as there are for everyone. Make sure that, as you make your choices, you understand that life happens and we all need to consider plan B and plan C.
The Navidaters Dating and Relationship Coaches and Therapists
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ertainly, there’s no need for panic. A 23-year-old woman with a love of education and PhD dreams is cause for celebration! I think it’s fabulous that you are pursuing your goals. Your parents are worried because statistically speaking it does become more challenging to find Mr. Wonderful as women get older. As Tova Wein wrote, “You know this.” I’m wondering if you’re asking for permission to do what you want to do. We can’t make a life-altering decision because of our parents’ desires, disappointments or anxiety. Ultimately, you will have to give yourself permission to pursue your degree sans dating and marriage. With that being said, I would like to understand more about your desire
to pursue your education with a full heart, which excludes dating, having a boyfriend, or m a r riage. You wrote that you don’t think you’d do a great job with dating because you wouldn’t be committed to it. If you haven’t done so already, I think you owe it to yourself to explore this idea, either on your own or if you’re so inclined and looking for professional guidance; in therapy. You’re not the first person who I’ve heard say this. Some people have this idea that they must be perfect on their dates, which they believe will take an amount of time to achieve that will not be available with school
responsibilities. Others have some difficulty with work/life balance and hit the books so hard that they have no life outside of school, and that’s not healthy. And for others, it is a manifestation of an intensity that allows for a onetrack mind. If you’re reading this and thinking, Well, I am somewhat of a perfectionist or I am kind of missing that work/life balance, I think these might be some areas of exploration for you. But, if after reading about these possibilities you’re thinking along the lines of, Nope, I don’t relate to any of this. I’m not intense. I have no work/ life balance issues. I just don’t want to date or get married while I’m in school, well, there you have it. You will have to decide if your desire to finish school outweighs the possibility that waiting may decrease the pool of eligible bachelors. It’s your decision to make.
No one can tell you what to do. I don’t believe anyone should be “forced” or “feared” into dating, but I also think it’s important to have a full, comprehensive understanding of the reasons you are choosing not to date. All the best, Jennifer
Esther Mann, LCSW and Jennifer Mann, LCSW are licensed psychotherapists and dating and relationship coaches working with individuals, couples and families in private practice in Hewlett, NY. To set up a consultation or to ask questions, please call 516.224.7779. Press 1 for Esther, 2 for Jennifer. Visit www.thenavidaters.com for more information. If you would like to submit a dating or relationship question to the panel anonymously, please email thenavidaters@gmail.com. You can follow The Navidaters on FB and Instagram for dating and relationship advice.
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Dr. Deb
Are You Who You Are or Who Someone Else Defined You to Be? By Deb Hirschhorn, Ph.D.
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his woman, we will call her Sarah, told me (this story is made up, of course) that she does not have the respect of her adult children and it bothered her. The children’s reaction was surprising. She is very successful in her business, making enough money to easily help support the family’s yeshiva tuitions. She is well liked from what I have seen socially, and people in the community seek her out for advice. How could it be that her own children don’t respect her? And even more important, what can she do about it? She knows very well what the reason is for the gap between the “world’s” view of her and that of her children. It comes from her shadowy past. Well, that past shadow is not completely her fault. She was young and naïve when she got married. Whom she thought her husband was turned out not to be who he really was. The long and short of it is that the bad marriage deeply affected her children. She didn’t consider divorce because she couldn’t imagine taking the children away from their father. Not only that, she loved and cared about her husband. She knew that underneath his, shall we say, “difficult” behavior, he was a good person. Did she handle the whole thing well? Probably. Who knows? There’s
never a “good” way to handle a bad situation. You simply make the most of it. She tried to give her kids the self-esteem and the love, tenderness, and compassion that they needed. She helped them with their homework and their social “issues” to the best degree she could, given that she was compelled to work full-time because of her husband’s lack of financial ability. It was always a struggle. And when her husband lashed out at the children due to a “mood” he might have been in, she rushed to tell them that they were wonderful kids and their father really did love them. She certainly didn’t want them growing up thinking that he didn’t love them. She also made sure to tell them that his behavior was wrong, that they did not deserve this, and that he simply did not know better. In between blowouts, things were fairly “normal.” The family had outings to the zoo or amusement parks like any other family. The kids had birthday parties and got presents. There was always food on the table. There even was laughter sometimes. So it wasn’t not that bad, right? Well, that’s not the way the children, now grown up, recall things. As one child put it, “When you said to me, ‘Daddy really loves you,’ it confused me. I stayed awake at night
wondering how this all matches up. Because even as a child, I knew very well that the way he talked to me is not how people show love.” “Even though I explained that his behavior was wrong?” Sarah asked. “I don’t remember you saying that,” her child answered. This is normal, too. Our brains react in a way that shows what scientists call “negativity bias.” This means the negative stands out and the positive, even when there’s a lot of positive, does not get any special notice by our memories over time. That is why we tend to remember unpleasant events, words, and situations but not the positive that might have surrounded them. For Sarah, this marriage was unhappy; for her children it was destructive, devastating. But that doesn’t explain why the children didn’t respect her. One day one of them volunteered an explanation when Sarah challenged him that something seemed off in his responses to her sometimes. “You say inappropriate things when you’re talking to the grandchildren,” he said. This didn’t make a bit of sense to Sarah until they dissected together a particular interaction with one of the grandchildren. She understood how her son could have taken it badly – just as she herself sometimes gritted
her teeth when one of her children or their spouses might yell at a child. We all see the dirt in other people’s houses but not necessarily in our own. But, looking back on their childhood, Sarah could see how her own voice – if it was harsh – would only be one more thing on top of a barrage of negative interactions that they might have already had with their father: The proverbial straw that broke the camel’s back, the one thing that should not have happened from the “nice” mother but was expected from the difficult father. That explained why they remembered it, why it stood out for them: it was the negativity bias on steroids. She was not the one who should have been behaving that way; only their father was expected to do or say hurtful things. It was good that she reasoned this out, but it did not help Sarah’s mood. Over the next couple weeks, she was feeling down. She couldn’t pinpoint what was wrong, but she knew that she was only going through the motions of her day. The odd thing is that she was so good at her line of work that the weight on her mind didn’t seem to detract from her performance. She could go through the motions and look great while feeling low. She knew she was good at what
she did. She also knew she had been a good mother: Her adult children were happy with who they were and happy in their marriages. They were raising happy, healthy kids. How could all this have come about if she’d been a bad mother? On the contrary, she prided herself on how well they came out given the circumstances of the family life they were raised in. How is it possible that she was feeling down over one child expressing to her his true feelings about some of the things she still did? Especially since she understood the concept of negativity bias and how some of the things she must have done when they were little, like raising her voice sometimes, could stand out in their memories, you’d think she would not be bothered. Instead, she not only was bothered, but felt almost like an imposter as she went through her successful day: it was as if, she felt, the “real” Sarah was this bad person, a failure of a mother, a no-good, and therefore, the good she
was doing in her work and with people was not the real her. She was an imposter. But, of course, she wasn’t. The real problem is that she was allowing someone else to define who she was.
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self-esteem, drive, high moral values, and were successful in their own right, then surely some of that could be attributed to her upbringing. How could she let this important person, her child, not only define her but do it inaccurately?
We can still believe in our own inherent worth in spite of the mistakes that others may perceive in us.
Not only that, she was allowing one person – granted, an important person in her life – to unbalance the huge weight of good that defined her in the rest of her life. And furthermore, it made no sense: if her children were good and smart, had
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And her son never even intended for his words to have that kind of effect on her. Nor should it have. We need to be able to hear words, even words of criticism, and be able to evaluate them for the benefit we may derive from using them wisely.
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We should not ever allow such words to re-define who we are to ourselves. Sarah should not have felt bad about her son’s feedback. Yes, it certainly is true that you want your children to respect your judgment, but that may not happen. That is the reality. We are all human here and we make mistakes. And our children’s perceptions are necessarily biased by their environment. But whether the children are wrong – or even if they’re correct – if children feel that their parents made mistakes, okay, so be it. We all probably did! We can still learn to be better human beings. And we can still believe in our own inherent worth in spite of the mistakes that others may perceive in us. It’s our job to remind ourselves of who we really are and not let anyone else define us. Dr. Deb Hirschhorn is a Marriage and Family Therapist. She can be reached at 646-54-DRDEB or by writing drdeb@ drdeb.com.
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Health & F tness
Falling For Superfoods By Aliza Beer MS, RD
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he weather is getting cooler, but your produce choices are heating up. There are some amazing superfoods that are just hitting their peak now and can easily be found in your local farmers market or supermarket. I have made a list of fruits and veggies that are in their prime now and are chockfull of vitamins, fiber, and antioxidants. It’s so sad to say goodbye to our summer fruits, but fall is not only about pumpkins and apples – there is a great selection of fall/winter fruits and veggies that are colorful, nutritious, and delicious! Here are some of my favorites. • Beets: You may think you don’t love their earthy flavor but beets are rich in naturally occurring nitrates, as are cabbages and radishes. Nitrates? Aren’t they bad for us? Unlike the artificial nitrates found in processed meat, these nitrates may be beneficial. These compounds may help poor blood flow, which contributes to age-related cognitive decline. Older adults who ate a nitrate-rich diet got a boost in blood flow to the frontal lobe
of their brains, an area commonly associated with dementia, according to a recent study published in the journal Nitric Oxide. Nitrate-rich foods can also help people with hypertension by widening blood vessels and aiding blood flow. Beets also contain a phytonutrient called betalains, which has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Try cooking them in a non-stick pan with salt, pepper, a little brown sugar, and orange juice. • Cabbage: This veggie is loaded with vitamins C and K, fiber, and detoxifying sulfur compounds. Red cabbage also boasts anthocyans, an antioxidant thought to keep your heart healthy and brain sharp. Coleslaw is not the only way to enjoy cabbage! Cut cabbage into large slices and roast in oven on parchment paper with salt, pepper, paprika, agave, and olive oil. • Leeks: You are probably only buying these veggies for soups. Leeks are a good source of fiber, vitamin B6, iron, magnesium, and a very good source of folate. Keep them in your soups, for they will add good flavor, but don’t be afraid to roast them in
oven with our basic but foolproof salt, pepper, and olive oil. • Winter Squash: This includes butternut squash, acorn squash, delicata, and pumpkin. Winter squash is high in fiber, which we need to keep feeling full and maintain regular bowel movements, and is an excellent source of vitamins A and C. They also provide vitamin B6, folate, vitamin K and potassium. Of this group, the delicata squash is the easiest to make and the lowest in carbs and calories. A ¾ cup serving is only 30 calories and 7 grams of carbs! You can eat the skin, no peeling necessary, and the smaller size makes it easier to cut. Pick ones that are fully ripe so that the vitamins A and C have had the time to develop. Look for ones that have a yellowish/ cream color, with green striations. Here’s an easy recipe: wash the skin and cut off the ends. Cut down the center the long way and scoop out the seeds. Cut into slices (halfmoons), toss or spray with olive oil, salt, and pepper, and roast at 425°F until crispy or nearly burnt. • Sweet Potatoes: I call them
the king of the carbs! The sweet potato is probably the healthiest carb you will ever put into your body. It is loaded with beta carotene, which helps keep our immune system strong and maintains optimal vision. It is ideal to eat it with some olive oil, which will ensure that the body is actually metabolizing the beta carotene. The sweet potato is also an excellent source of iron and vitamin A, and has anti-inflammatory benefits. Prime season is September through December but they are readily available all year. Either roast sweet potatoes as wedges in oven or fry them in an air fryer for that crispy French fries kind of taste. • Brussel Sprouts: You may have some bad childhood memories of boiled Brussel sprouts but please give them another chance. Made the correct way, they can be delicious. There are also a great source of iron, vitamins K and C. Actually, ½ cup of Brussel sprouts provides more than the daily requirement of vitamin K, which is important for bone health. I make mine on the stovetop in a non-
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stick pan, with a little olive oil, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and a drizzle of date syrup, and I cook them for 45 minutes to an hour until crunchy and golden brown. • Apples: Apple picking is a favorite fall activity, and an apple is the perfect fruit. They are rich in anti-oxidants and vitamin C, which helps strengthen the immune system and even lower the risk for cancer. Additionally, apples are high in prebiotic pectin, which helps feed the bacteria in the gut and can help lower cholesterol as well. Eat them raw and you have a crunchy and filling snack, or bake them and you now have a warm and sweet treat! Sprinkle with cinnamon and some bran flakes or oats and you have a heavenly dessert. The average apple is about 100 calories and contains 4 grams of fiber. Be sure to eat the skin; it contains heart-healthy flavonoids. • Pears: Similar to the apple in terms of nutrition, they can also be eaten raw, baked or poached. Pears
are a good source of vitamin C and copper, which is an essential nutrient in the body. Together with iron, copper enables the body to form red blood cells. It helps maintain healthy bones, blood vessels, nerves, and immune function. There is about 4 grams of fiber per pear. Both apples and pears are great additions to salads and will add crunch and/or sweetness. • Pomegranates: This slightly sour fruit is an antioxidant powerhouse. Use the juice in marinades and toss the seeds into your salads. Pomegranates contain two unique substances that are responsible for most of the health benefits – punicalagins and punicic acid. Punicalagins are extremely potent antioxidants found in the pomegranate juice and peel. They are so powerful that pomegranate juice has been found to have three times the antioxidant activity of red wine and green tea. Punicic acid is found in the pomegranate seed oil and is the main fatty acid in the seed. It’s a type of conjugated linoleic acid that is
believed to have many health benefits, including weight loss. Punicalagins have an impressive anti-inflammatory effect on the body and help to lower risk of heart disease, cancer, diabetes, and Alzheimer’s disease. Studies show that pomegranate juice can be useful in men with prostate cancer, potentially inhibiting cancer growth and lowering the risk of death. Basically, add pomegranates into your daily life! • Grapefruit: They are one of the lowest calorie fruits. Half of a medium sized grapefruit is about 50 calories, but high in vitamin C and antioxidants. Studies have shown that eating grapefruit regularly may be beneficial for your immune system and help reduce insulin resistance. Important note: if you are taking a statin then please discuss this with your physician before consuming grapefruit since grapefruit will interfere with the absorption of the medication. The fall and winter months are not
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synonymous with limited and boring produce. We have many options at our disposal of fruits and veggies that are now in their prime, and are healthy, nutritious, and quite delicious as well. The prep need not be complicated or tedious. I often feel the simpler the recipe the better. One can never go wrong with salt, pepper, and olive oil. If salt is an issue, then use Mrs. Dash’s spices or other spices like onion, garlic, oregano, and basil. Many of these vegetables can be turned into scrumptious hot soups for the winter months. Spend more time getting to know the fruits and vegetables in the produce aisle, and spend less or no time in the bakery aisle! A gezunte vinter!
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.
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Health & F tness
The People of the Book Should Follow the Book The Anti-Vaccination Disgrace By Rabbi Aaron E. Glatt, MD
T
here is a small yet very vocal and influential group of “anti-vaxxers” living in our heimeshe communities. They should stop reading now, as they will not like what I have to say, will not listen to what I have to say, and will write personal non-scientific scathing diatribes against me. However, I hope the rest of Klal Yisroel keeps on reading this critically important pikuach nefashos article, which the Yerushalmi essentially states is a primary chiyuv of a rav to darshen (explicate). “Measles Outbreak in New York City in the Orthodox Jewish Community” was the title of a letter sent this week by the Department of Health to physicians across the state. Unfortunately, this is only the latest such tragic headline amongst numerous similar and preventable outbreaks in recent months and years, in our communities, in the U.S., Eretz Yisroel and Europe. I was truly saddened, embarrassed and
pained. Almost all the cases of measles are directly related to someone (or many people) being unvaccinated and spreading their illness and ignorance to others. I am very sorry if that offends anyone, but my vaccinated granddaughter (2 years old) just had to get an urgent premature second dose of MMR vaccine after being exposed in “gan” in Israel; her 5-month-old brother, too young to be vaccinated, had to get a painful gamma globulin shot because of such incorrect and therefore dangerous medical views. Hashem yeracheim. There is absolutely no one who disagrees with the psak that a parent is required to remove one’s child to safety when a danger is present. Indeed, this is part of the basis for the halachic ruling of HaRav Elyashiv, zt”l, who viewed normal childhood vaccinations as being an obligatory part of parental obligations. HaRav Asher Weiss, shli-
ta, posek for Shaare Zedek Hospital, a premier orthodox run hospital in Eretz Yisroel, says it is a mitzvah and chiyuv to get vaccinated, bringing a proof from the story of Sodom from this week’s parsha (which I do not have the room to reiterate here). He further states that yeshivas have the right and even obligation to protect other students and should not allow unvaccinated children into school. This is similarly the written psak of HaRav Yitzchok Zilberstein, shlita, as well as the psak of HaRav Elyashiv, who ruled that parents have the right to have unvaccinated children excluded from class so as not to cause unnecessary risks for their children. Many other gedolei Yisroel, including HaRav Shlomo Zalman Auerbach, zt”l, HaRav Yehoshua Newirth, zt”l, and, yibadeil bein chayim lechayim, HaRav J. David Bleich, HaRav Reuven Feinstein, HaRav Hershel Schachter and HaRav Mordechai Willig, shlita, have all ruled that there is no basis in
halacha to suggest that vaccinations should be avoided. All strongly urge and support appropriate universal vaccination against the major childhood potentially fatal illness that are preventable. Indeed, it is sheker (dishonest) to officially avow that Jewish law forbids vaccination – which is the only way in some states to avoid mandatory state vaccination laws by providing such a false attestation about our religion. So why all the headlines, anguish and outbreaks in our camps, amongst the “People of the Book”? Why did 180 children, 80% who were unvaccinated, die in the U.S. 2017/18 from flu, along with 80,000 adults? Why do yeshivas and camps have to close down and stop learning because of mumps outbreaks? Why were six babies hospitalized with measles in the past month at Ichilov Medical Center in Tel Aviv? Are we living in the 1950s? In my humble opinion, as a com-
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munity rav and board certified infectious diseases physician expert, it is because we somehow have forgotten to read the (halachic and medical) Book. Halacha states that if there is a dispute regarding whether a patient should eat on Yom Kippur, or if Shabbos desecration is necessary to save a life, the most competent and/or the majority of experts make the determination. Regarding vaccination against the major vaccine preventable illnesses, both determinants (expertise and majority) are the same. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the World Health Organization, the Infectious Diseases Society of America, all 50 State Departments of Health in the U.S., the Pediatric Infectious Disease Society, the American College of Physicians, plus every other major professional infection control organization in the world, clearly opine unanimously. Bar none – “leis man depalig” –there is no mumcheh (expert) organization that disagrees. The evidence is overwhelming that vaccination is the only
way to control these preventable fatal diseases. Chasdei Hashem no one dies anymore of smallpox; polio is almost wiped out – solely, and only because of
take painful and additional medications and shots, because non-experts “believe” otherwise? Imagine if parents were to insist
Why are my (and your) precious children and grandchildren unnecessarily exposed to lethal illnesses, forced to take painful and additional medications and shots, because non-experts “believe” otherwise?
very successful vaccination programs. Rachmana leztlan, why should anyone in 5779 die from measles? Why are people not following these medical experts as halacha requires? Why are my (and your) precious children and grandchildren unnecessarily exposed to lethal illnesses, forced to
their child come to school armed with a revolver. Would even the most ardent gun rights activist insist this is right? So why are we letting children come to our shuls, schools and camps spreading serious potentially life threatening illness that could have been prevented by vaccination?
JONATHAN PALEY, DDS, CERT. ORTHO.
All the major rabbinic organizations have rightly and strongly spoken out against physician assisted death; I myself also recently published on this subject. Therefore, I feel compelled to publicly speak out (again) against “non-vaccination assisted death,” a cause which unfortunately does not get enough similar support. Please ask your rav to speak about this on Shabbos – it is a matter of pikuach nefashos. Rabbi Aaron E. Glatt, MD, FACP, FIDSA, FSHEA is the assistant rabbi at the Young Israel of Woodmere. A popular international lecturer on numerous medical and halachic issues, he has authored two seforim through ArtScroll, Visiting the Sick, and Women in the Talmud. Board certified in Internal Medicine and Infectious Diseases, Rabbi Dr. Glatt is currently Chairman of Medicine and Hospital Epidemiologist at South Nassau Communities Hospital, a full Clinical Professor of Medicine at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, and a spokesperson for the Infectious Diseases Society of America.
SUSAN FRIEDMAN, DDS, CERT. ORTHO.
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In The K
tchen
Beef Ramen Soup By Naomi Nachman
Ramen noodle bowls have been the rage over the last few years. Whose kids don’t love those noodle soups in the foam cups? They are not the healthiest food, so I tried to come up with a way to feed my family with a healthier version of these soups. I developed this noodle soup which is lower in calories and is packed with nutritious ingredients. For the kids, I use rice or egg noodles; for me and my husband, I prefer spiralized zucchini. It’s a great way to repurpose leftover meat or chicken from Shabbat.
Ingredients 2 TBS olive oil 1 large leek, sliced 3 medium carrots, grated 2 stalks celery, diced 2 cloves garlic, minced ¼ cup fresh chopped cilantro or parsley, divided 8 cups chicken stock 1 tsp sesame oil 1 TBS soy sauce 1-2 tsp sriracha (optional) 10 pieces shitake mushroom, stems removed and sliced 2-3 medium zucchini, spiralized (zoodles) 3 scallions, chopped 2 baby bok choy heads, sliced Leftover Shabbat meat (or chicken), sliced very thin Soft boiled eggs, halved Salt and pepper, to taste
Preparation Heat the olive oil in large soup pot over medium-high heat. Add the leek, carrots, and celery and cook for about 10 minutes until the vegetables get soft. Add the garlic and cilantro (or parsley) and cook for another minute. Add the stock, sesame oil, soy sauce, and sriracha. Bring the soup to a boil, turn down the heat, and simmer for 10 minutes, then add the shitake mushrooms. In individual serving bowl that holds a large amount of soup, divide the zucchini, scallions, bok choy, meat and egg. (One egg per bowl). Pour boiling hot soup into the bowls and serve immediately.
Naomi Nachman, the owner of The Aussie Gourmet, caters weekly and Shabbat/ Yom Tov meals for families and individuals within The Five Towns and neighboring communities, with a specialty in Pesach catering. Naomi is a contributing editor to this paper and also produces and hosts her own weekly radio show on the Nachum Segal Network stream called “A Table for Two with Naomi Nachman.” Naomi gives cooking presentations for organizations and private groups throughout the New York/New Jersey Metropolitan area. In addition, Naomi has been a guest host on the QVC TV network and has been featured in cookbooks, magazines as well as other media covering topics related to cuisine preparation and personal chefs. To obtain additional recipes, join The Aussie Gourmet on Facebook or visit Naomi’s blog. Naomi can be reached through her website, www.theaussiegourmet.com or at (516) 295-9669.
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Notable Quotes “Say What?!”
When you hear all this talk about “economic miracles” right now, remember who started it. Remember who started it! C’mon! - Barack Obama while campaigning for Democrats in Nevada
I don’t think he is right, with all respect to former President Obama. Under his stewardship, the so-called recovery was, I don’t know, 2 percent average per year, which is really the worst since the, I believe since the Depression … Already, we have beaten our critics, including Obama’s staff people. - National Economic Council Director Larry Kudlow’s gentle response to Mr. Obama’s claim
The first thing I do when I’m lying in bed still is, I’ll grab a phone and start going through my email. Whatever the stressful things are, I try to get those out of the way in the morning. There’s value to tackling high-priority items right away, even if they’re unpleasant. As author Brian Tracy, who has studied time management for more than 30 years, writes in his book Eat That Frog!: “Mark Twain once said that if the first thing you do each morning is to eat a live frog, you can go through the day with the satisfaction of knowing that that is probably the worst thing that is going to happen to you all day long.” Your “frog” is your biggest, most important task, the one you are most likely to procrastinate on if you don’t do something about it. – Billionaire Mark Cuban, in a recent interview about his morning routine
I could say I’m the most bullied person in the world. - Melania Trump, in a recent interview for “Good Morning America”
The choice could not be more clear: Democrats produce mobs, Republicans produce jobs. - President Trump at a rally in Montana.
Two years ago, Trump was here and made some waves with his remarks. ... So last year you went with Paul Ryan, who’s a Boy Scout and that’s fine, but a little boring. So this year, you wanted to spice things up again. I get it, you wanted an Indian woman, but Elizabeth Warren failed her DNA test. – UN Ambassador Nikki Haley speaking at the Al Smith Dinner
As far as I remember, the U.S. coat of arms features a bald eagle that holds 13 arrows in one talon and an olive branch in another, which is a symbol of a peace-loving policy. I have a question – looks like your eagle has already eaten all the olives; are the arrows all that is left? - Russian President Vladimir Putin jabbing National Security Advisor John Bolton while discussing the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty and Trump’s recent decision to withdraw from it
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So we talk about existential threats. The last time we had a really major existential threat to this country was around World War II. And so we’ve been here before and we have a blueprint of doing this before. None of these things are new ideas. What we had was an existential threat in the context of a war. We had a direct existential threat with another nation, this time it was Nazi Germany, an Axis, who explicitly made the United States as an enemy, as an enemy. And what we did was that we chose to mobilize our entire economy and industrialized our entire economy and we put hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of people to work in defending our shores and defending this country. We have to do the same thing in order to get us to 100% renewable energy, and that’s just the truth of it. - Democratic Socialist candidate for Congress Alexandria OcasioCortez (Queens/Bronx), at a campaign event talking about how to defeat global warming
Mr. President, just to follow up on your comments about being a nationalist – there is a concern that you are sending coded language or a dog whistle to some Americans out there that what you really mean is that you’re a white nationalist? - CNN’s Jim Acosta to President Trump.
I’ve never even heard that, I can’t imagine that. I’ve never heard that theory about being a nationalist. - Trump’s response
Democrats are looking for real Democrats. I just don’t think Democrats are going to be attracted to someone who left our party 20 years ago and just came back. - Mayor de Blasio when asked about Michael Bloomberg recently registering as a Democrat, signaling that he may run for president in 2020
The short attention span we’re creating in this millennium is actually very dangerous. It’s the unintended consequences of social media. - Billionaire Patrick Soon-Shiong, who recently bought the Los Angeles Times, on CNBC, talking about social media
I’m not an anti-Semite. I’m anti-Termite. - Tweet by notorious Jew hater Louis Farrakhan last week (Twitter, which has recently censured some conservatives, has refused to suspend his account over this tweet)
A sad thing happened last week, because Elizabeth Warren was exposed as being a total fraud. I can no longer call her Pocahontas … because she has no Indian blood. I can’t call her Pocahontas … she doesn’t qualify. – Pres. Trump, at a rally for Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) in Texas
I had an irritation from a belly-button ring that I kind of constantly was pulling in and out. It caused an irritation. - Red Sox ace Chris Sale, joking to reporters after he was hospitalized with a stomach ailment and missed a start in the American League Championship Series
It’s definitely NOT fair. - Professional cyclist Jennifer Wagner, on Twitter, after she lost the 2018 UCI Masters Track Cycling Women’s World Championships to a man who was allowed to compete in that race
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Let me get to the point that I think is most disturbing right now – the reporting that Jared Kushner may have, with U.S. Intelligence, delivered a hit list, an enemies list, to the crown prince, to MBS, in Saudi Arabia and that the prince then may have acted on that and one of the people he took action against is Mr. Khashoggi. - Congressman Joaquin Castro (D-TX) on CNN putting forth a conspiracy theory that Jared Kushner may have ordered the hit carried out by Saudi Arabia on Jamal Khashoggi in their consulate in Turkey
President Trump told reporters today that he gets along well with Senator Ted Cruz, saying, quote, “He’s not Lyin’ Ted anymore, he’s Beautiful Ted.” Dude, if that’s Beautiful Ted, then you’re Lyin’ Donald. - Seth Myers
The World Series starts tomorrow, and I heard that if someone steals a base, everyone in America gets a free taco from Taco Bell. It’s called “Steal a Base, Steal a Taco,” which is better than the original name, “Run for the Runs.” - Jimmy Fallon
I’m not ashamed of my patriotism, not one bit. I fought for this country. I think I have a right to have a voice and be patriotic. - Mark Salvas, who was forced to step down as executive director of the local Democratic party in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, after a Facebook post he wrote last year was uncovered. The post said, “I stand for the flag…”
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Political Crossfire
What did U.S. Spy Agencies Know about Threats on Khashoggi? By David Ignatius
S
audi Arabia must conduct a serious, no-holds-barred investigation of the apparent gruesome murder of Washington Post contributor Jamal Khashoggi. The kingdom’s relationship with America, and its access to global financial markets, hangs in the balance. But in the meantime, the Senate and House intelligence committees should begin an urgent oversight investigation of what U.S. spy agencies knew about threats against Khashoggi – and also into their broader reporting and analysis on Saudi Arabia and its headstrong Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. This congressional probe should focus first on the intelligence agencies’ “duty to warn” Khashoggi about any lethal threat because his American residency qualified him as a “U.S. person” for whom such a warning was required. The inquiry should look, too, for any hint that American intelligence about MBS has been skewed by the Trump White House for political reasons. And the probe should examine the larger problem of American visibility into the kingdom, which has too often been a black hole for our spy agencies. A congressional inquiry would blunt an apparent White House effort to put a lid on Saudi-related information. Sen. Bob Corker, R-Tenn., complained Wednesday: “I suppose they don’t want us to see the intel.” The bottom line: Saudi Arabia is at an existential tipping point. The U.S. urgently needs to understand how the kingdom got into this grisly mess, and
where it’s going. A Saudi friend tells me that we’re at an unanticipated fulcrum of history, a bit like the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand in June 1914, or the failed plot by German officers to assassinate Adolf Hitler in 1944. Khashoggi’s apparent death may seem unimportant by comparison but it has begun a chain of events that could alter
inquiry: • From King Salman’s accession in January 2015, what was the role of the Allegiance Council, the body that supposedly oversees Saudi political transitions? What did the CIA know about the council’s quick ratification of MBS’ elevation to deputy crown prince in April 2015 and to crown prince in June 2017? How do the analysts assess
Khashoggi’s apparent death may seem unimportant by comparison but it has begun a chain of events that could alter the Middle East.
the Middle East. This congressional probe should be secret because it would involve highly sensitive information. The committees should review every Saudi-related item included in the President’s Daily Brief since Trump took office. If the PDB missed important developments, why? Did the CIA prepare a psychological profile of MBS? What did it say? Did the intelligence community augment its collection as reports emerged about Khashoggi’s death? Did the White House or National Security Council make any special tasking requests? Did Trump or his aides ignore or dismiss any vital intelligence? Here are some specific questions I hope would guide the committees’
the council’s potential role now, with MBS under a dark cloud of suspicion? • When MBS replaced Mohammed bin Nayef as crown prince, did U.S. intelligence have advance warning? Did the close personal relationship between MBS and Trump’s son-in-law and adviser Jared Kushner affect U.S. assessment of the putsch against MBN, a longtime CIA partner? Did the proMBS tilt affect U.S. intelligence collection or analysis in any other ways? • When MBS ordered the arrest in November 2017 of more than 200 Saudis, including many princes, what assessment did the intelligence community offer? When Gen. Ali Qahtani, an aide to one of the sons of the late King Abdullah, died in captivity, did the CIA
try to discover what happened? • When the Saudis tried to arrest and kidnap from overseas a prominent businessman critical of MBS in the summer of 2016, was U.S. intelligence aware? Gen. Yousuf bin Ali al-Idrissi, the deputy chief of intelligence who allegedly had been sent to organize this “rendition,” was reportedly fired after he returned home emptyhanded. Did the CIA ask why? • When Maj. Gen. Ahmed al-Assiri became deputy chief of intelligence last year, replacing Idrissi, he moved into MBS’ inner circle. What did U.S. intelligence do after it learned last month that Assiri was organizing a “tiger team” for covert special operations? What does the intelligence community know about reported Saudi plans this week to identify Assiri as the culprit in Khashoggi’s death? • Saudis tell me that those who oppose MBS are quietly rallying around Prince Ahmed, the last remaining son of the founding King Abdul Aziz Ibn Saud. Have U.S. intelligence agencies provided the White House any assessments about Ahmed’s views and political prospects? Would he stabilize the kingdom after the MBS earthquake, or produce greater instability? These are intrusive questions, but that’s the essence of good oversight. The congressional intelligence committees were created for moments like this. The committees need to do their job, urgently. A U.S. person appears to have been brutally murdered in Istanbul. What did U.S. intelligence know, and when did it know it? (c) 2018, Washington Post Writers Group
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Political Crossfire
How Not to Modernize Saudi Arabia By Marc A. Thiessen
I
f, as appears increasingly likely, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman ordered the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, then he has joined Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong Un among the ranks of rogue leaders who assassinate their critics on foreign soil. The only difference is that the Russian president and North Korean leader weren’t reckless and stupid enough to kill their opponents inside their own consulates. The disappearance of Khashoggi, a Post contributing columnist, is a horrific crime. His loss will be felt deeply for those who cherish freedom of expression and believe that all people, including those in the Arab world, deserve to be free. Khashoggi’s disappearance is also a betrayal of President Trump. Upon taking office, Trump made Saudi Arabia his first foreign trip and put his new administration’s reputation and prestige behind the crown prince and his reforms. The crown prince, or MBS, as he is widely known, has possibly repaid those efforts by brutally killing a permanent U.S. resident. His betrayal has now put Trump in an impossible bind. The president must now find a way to reconcile three sets of irreconcilable facts: Fact No. 1: The United States can’t simply ignore or sweep Khashoggi’s death under the table. Even if Trump wants to do so, Congress won’t let him – nor should it. There must be consequences. Fact No. 2: MBS is not going any-
where. Saudi Arabia is a monarchy. He is the son of the king. He has spent the past few years systematically eliminating his rivals and consolidating power. The idea that a new leader is going to emerge to replace him is not realistic. And if, by chance, such a leader did emerge, it would likely be someone who wants to roll back the crown prince’s efforts to rein in the religious establishment, clean up corruption and open up Saudi society. Be careful what you wish for.
swer is: he can’t. The result is going to be unpleasant and unsatisfying. Many Democrats taking shots at the president as he tries to figure out a path forward need to check their hypocrisy. As my American Enterprise Institute colleague Danielle Pletka pointed out, “if you can’t restrain yourself from blaming Trump, spare a moment to blame [President Barack] Obama for the war in Syria,” where more than 470,000 men, women and children have died while the United
If MBS wants to avoid a rupture in relations, then he must accept responsibility and make restitution.
Fact No. 3: We need Saudi Arabia, less as a source of oil – the fracking revolution has dramatically expanded our energy independence – than as a counterweight to Iran, which is the main strategic menace to U.S. interests in the region. Saudi Arabia is our most important ally in countering that threat. No other country in the Middle East can play that role. A permanent breach with Saudi Arabia is not an acceptable outcome. How does Trump reconcile these three irreconcilable realities? The an-
States has stood by and done nothing. If you had a role in Middle East policy in the past eight years, that finger you are pointing at the Trump administration has blood dripping off it. So, what is going to happen? While we do need Saudi Arabia, Saudi Arabia also needs us. Trump said that he has told King Salman that Saudi Arabia would not last “two weeks” without U.S. military support. He’s right. We saved the Saudis from Saddam Hussein’s aggression and now protect them from Iran’s.
Moreover, the United States has other leverage. Trump should make clear that Saudi Arabia’s actions have squandered the once bipartisan support in Congress for the kingdom – and that, unlike Saudi Arabia, the United States is not a monarchy. Congress has a say in our Middle East policy. It can impose costs on Saudi Arabia, by blocking military aid and arms sales. A bipartisan group of senators sent a letter to Trump calling for an investigation under the Magnitsky Act – a U.S. law that mandates sanctions, including travel restrictions and freezing assets, of foreign individuals who have committed gross violations of human rights. Magnitsky sanctions would have real teeth because members of the royal family love to travel outside the Arabian Peninsula, where they can do things they cannot do at home. If MBS wants to avoid a rupture in relations, then he must accept responsibility and make restitution. He must acknowledge that he understands the gravity of this mistake –- that he has made Saudi Arabia an international pariah, and is willing to do what is necessary to dig himself out of that hole through steps such as the release of political prisoners. And he must commit to stopping this kind of brutal behavior. Because his professed desire to modernize Saudi Arabia is incompatible with the medieval horrors that apparently took place in the Saudi consulate in Istanbul. (c) 2018, Washington Post Writers Group
The Jewish Home | OCTOBER 25, 2018
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OCTOBER 25, 2018 | The Jewish Home OCTOBER 29, 2015 | The Jewish Home
Forgotten Her es
USS South Dakota By Avi Heiligman
B
attleships came into existence in the mid-1800s with the adaption of steam power on heavy warships and the change from wooden ships to metal armored ships. Starting with “ships of the line” to ironclads to dreadnoughts, battleships ruled the seas for well over a century. Their demise came gradually during World War II when aircraft carriers took over the predominant role in major battles. Battleships still played a major part during the war, though, and the last two were finally taken off the U.S. Navy registry of ships in 2006 (these two being the USS Iowa and the USS Wisconsin, though they were last used in the 1990s ). The USS South Dakota did not last as long but had a record of being in middle of the action when her firepower was needed the most. Japanese bombers targeted battleships on the morning of December 7, 1941 during a surprise attack at the U.S. Naval Base at Pearl Harbor. Three battleships were lost. The USS Arizona was never salvaged; the USS Oklahoma and the USS Utah were considered too obsolete to be repaired. At the same time that the American battleship fleet was being decimated there was another class of battleships being built, with the USS South Dakota (BB-57) the lead ship in that class. She was commissioned in March 1942 just four and half months after Pearl Harbor. Also part of this class were the USS Indiana, USS Massachusetts and USS Alabama. The South Dakota was built to be a force flagship and was brimming with firepower. She had nine 16-inch
main guns, sixteen 5-inch guns and 144 anti-aircraft cannons. There were also two Kingfisher observation floatplanes onboard the 35,000 ton battleship. She was affectionately known “Battleship X” or “Old Nameless” by the American public during the war; her real name wasn’t used publicly during the war. This was because the navy wanted to hide sensitive operational information from the prying Japanese who had thought they had sunk her twice. Her captain was Thomas Leigh Gatch, a lawyer who went on to become a vice admiral.
force. Their mission was to block any Japanese naval movements that may be sent to attack Guadalcanal. During the Battle of the Santa Cruz Islands the South Dakota was attacked by three waves of Japanese dive bombers and torpedo bombers. The only American battleship in this engagement was hit by a 550 pound bomb that exploded on top of one of her gun turrets. Despite this hit, she downed 26 Japanese planes. At the conclusion of battle, the Hornet was sunk, and the Japanese won a strategic victory. However, the Japanese lost many ir-
It was one of only a few times that battleships fired upon each other.
Following her shakedown training, the South Dakota sailed through the Panama Canal after being fitted out in Philadelphia. In early September she was on her way to the Tonga Islands but struck an uncharted coral reef. It took 30 days of repairs at Pearl Harbor to fix the extensive damage to her hull. Finally, after a number of setbacks, she joined a combined battle group, Task Force 61 under Rear Admiral Thomas Kinkaid, patrolling near the Santa Cruz Islands. Two aircraft carriers, the USS Hornet and the USS Enterprise, were the main ships in this task
replaceable pilots in the battle, and in the coming months those losses began to become apparent. By 1944 the Americans were dominant in the skies due to the lack of experienced Japanese pilots. The trouble wasn’t over for the South Dakota. While avoiding a Japanese submarine she collided with the destroyer USS Mahan five days after the Battle of Santa Cruz Islands. Both ships sustained significant damage but were repaired and returned to service. Guadalcanal became the first American invasion in the Pacific
theater during the war, and several naval and air battles were fought in and around the island in the desperate struggle for control. From November 12 to 15, 1942, a large naval action took place as the Japanese tried to reinforce their troops on the islands. The Americans learned of the impending landing and sent a large fleet, including the battleships South Dakota and USS Washington, to repel this force. The South Dakota was heavily engaged during the battle and at one point was firing on eight enemy ships at a time. A rare event occurred when the South Dakota fired upon the IJN Kirishima. It was one of only a few times that battleships fired upon each other. The fire from the South Dakota allowed the Washington to get in for a clear shot and sank the Japanese battleship. Forty-two shells had destroyed her communications and radar, and the South Dakota was saved due to the Japanese forces retiring. Again, the South Dakota sustained damage but was patched up by a repair ship. This battle was the last engagement of her first war patrol. The battle-hardened battleship returned to the States for repairs, and from April to August 1943 she was stationed with the British Home Fleet in the North Atlantic. She was part of a task force that was to shadow the German battleship Tirpitz. The South Dakota performed several maneuvers to try and lure the Tirpitz out of her harbor and went above the Arctic Circle twice in a vain effort. The Tirpitz didn’t leave port during this time and was sunk in November
The Jewish Home | OCTOBER 25, 2018 The Jewish Home | OCTOBER 29, 2015
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The USS South Dakota Battleship Memorial
1944 by Royal Air Force bombers. In late August 1943 the South Dakota headed back to the Pacific for her second tour against the Japanese. She escorted carriers who sent planes to bomb the Marshall and Gilbert Islands. In December she bombarded the Japanese defenses on Nauru Islands, and at the end of January 1944 the battleship attacked Roi and Namur Islands in the Marshalls. She provided cover for the invasion of these islands as well. For the next several months the South Dakota was very active in bombarding several islands and providing cover for friendly invading troops and marines. While attacking the Mariana Islands, the South Dakota shot down four enemy airplanes. Large formations of Japanese planes were detected on radar on the morning of June 19, 1944. This started the Battle of the Philippine Sea and became known as the Great Marianas Turkey Shoot. Japan lost over 300 planes but a Yokosuka D4Y “Judy” dropped a 550 lb (250 kg) bomb on South Dakota’s main deck where it blew a large hole. Twenty-four sailors were killed but the battleship survived to fight another day. After the battle the Japanese no longer were able to oppose the Marina Islands landings and were desperately short of trained pilots for the rest of the war (this is one of the reasons that they sent out pilots on
kamikaze missions). The South Dakota then went to Puget Sound for an overhaul and returned to the Pacific Theater of Operations. She screened carriers who were sending planes to bomb the Philippines and then went north for a strike on Tokyo. From there, the task force bombed several Japanese bases including Iwo Jima and Okinawa. An internal explosion on May 6, 1945 killed eleven sailors. Two months later, she was back off the shores of Japan and bombed the Japanese island of Honshu. On August 15 they received word of the Japanese surrender and less than two weeks later entered Tokyo Bay. As the flagship for Admiral Chester Nimitz the South Dakota was present for the formal surrender which took place on the USS Missouri on September 2. After returning to the U.S. the South Dakota received a hero’s welcome, and Bob Hope gave a USO show for the returning sailors. After an overhaul she was ready for battle again but by 1947 was out of commission. In 1962 she was sold for scrap but many relics of the ship were saved. These were sent to a memorial in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, that was dedicated in honor of the ship and the men who served on board the battleship. The USS South Dakota received many awards and decorations for her wartime service which included
shooting down 64 Japanese planes and sinking three enemy ships. She may not be as well known as some other battleships but her wartime record makes her a forgotten hero.
Avi Heiligman is a weekly contributor to The Jewish Home. He welcomes your comments and suggestions for future columns and can be reached at aviheiligman@ gmail.com.
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INWOOD 10,000 sq ft brick building. Offices and warehouse. High ceilings. Asking $16/foot. Owner: 516-206-1100 mark@mbequitygroup.com
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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 Due to continued growth, the Yeshiva of South Shore is seeking Elementary School Teachers. Cert/Exp required. Please forward resume to monika@yoss.org RECEPTIONIST Local school seeking Receptionist to oversee busy operation. Responsibilities include answering phones, making appointments, data entry, and secretarial tasks. Good communication and computer skills required. Good pay, benefits, Jewish and Secular holidays off. Part time or full time. Email resume to fivetownsschool@gmail.com CATAPULT LEARNING Teachers, Title I Boro Park, Williamsburg and Flatbush Schools *College/Yeshiva Degree *Teaching experience required *Strong desire to help children learn *Small group instruction *Excellent organization skills Competitive salary Send resume to: Fax: (212) 480-3691 ~ Email: nyteachers@catapultlearning.com Seeking full time OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST for Special Education school located in Brooklyn. Experienced preferred. Competitive salary. Room for growth. resumes@yadyisroelschool.org
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Money
The Taxpayer Who Never Was By Allan Rolnick, CPA
Ukraine orchestrated the fake death of Russian journalist Arkady Babchenko earlier this year
L
ife is full of ups and downs, and sometimes the downs can be so low that it doesn’t feel like there’s ever going to be an up again. How many people have dreamed of faking their own death and disappearing under a new identity, never to return to their problems again? It’s called “pseudocide,” and it’s popular enough that novelists have a field day writing thrillers about it. John Grisham pulls some variation of that stunt in half a dozen books, and J.K Rowling, Tom Clancy, and Gillian Flynn (Gone Girl) have all joined him in that theme. Faking your death doesn’t always work. In sixteenth-century Verona, a young nobleman named Romeo tried it with a deathlike potion, and we all know what happened to him. But that doesn’t keep the occasional scammer from trying. Most famously, rockand-roll legend Elvis Presley faked his death, and supported himself by entering Elvis impersonator contests. (He always laughed when he didn’t win.) And if you have really valuable information on a really bad guy, the witness protection program will even establish your new identity for you! There’s no law that says you can’t fake your death to go ride off into the
sunset. But we got to wondering: what would our friends at the IRS think about that plan? Let’s start with your life insurance benefits. Code Section 101 says gross income doesn’t include amounts your beneficiaries receive “if such amounts
suming your gross estate is over $11.18 million, and the rest of the world really believes you’re dead, at some point your executor will file a return and pay 40% of the taxable amount above that threshold. What’s for the IRS to complain
While it’s true that money can’t buy happiness, it can solve a lot of the problems that cause unhappiness.
are paid by reason of the death of the insured.” We’re splitting hairs here, but wouldn’t they still owe the tax if you aren’t really dead? Or would they be safe because the insurance company paid them by reason of your death, even if you’re not? (You can be sure that somewhere in America, there’s an underemployed lawyer ready to bill by the hour to answer that question!) Next, let’s look at estate tax. As-
about? But come on, folks. While it’s true that money can’t buy happiness, it can solve a lot of the problems that cause unhappiness. So how many people with $11.18 million are really going to fake their own death in the first place? (While we’re on the topic of estate taxes, it’s worth mentioning that the current threshold means that the IRS gets only a couple thousand returns per year now anyway. As recently as
1997, when the threshold was just $600,000, they got 90,000 of them. That’s one perk of working in the trusts and estates field: just because the client dies doesn’t mean you have to stop billing them.) Finally, let’s talk about anything you make after you pull your David Copperfield act. You’ll earn it under a new name and social security number but as long as you’ve set up your new identity properly, the IRS should be happy getting their usual share. Of course, there’s that whole “identity fraud” problem. But hey, nobody said this would be easy! Look, if life throws you a beanball, we understand the temptation to start fresh. But you will wind up crossing the line into fraud at some point. So if you’re having a really bad day, can we suggest an easier (and perfectly legal) alternative? Come to us for a plan to pay less tax, and see if we can give you more reasons to enjoy the life you already have!
Allan J Rolnick is a CPA who has been in practice for over 30 years in Queens, NY. He welcomes your comments and can be reached at 718-896-8715 or at allanjrcpa@aol.com.
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Life C ach
Pucker Up By Rivki D. Rosenwald Esq., MFT, CLC
P
ucker up! The feeling on your lips can become pretty uncomfortable. And what about your tongue? It can start to feel bruised. As enjoyable as it is, it often leaves you somewhat in pain. And yet it’s somewhat addicting.
People find themselves drawn to it again and again. Because the juicy sweetness attracts you and refreshes you. Who would ever think a succulent, sweet fruit like a pineapple could leave your lips bleeding and cracked?
So much in life has that effect on us. It’s appealing, tempting, alluring, but then we overdo it. There is so much in life that looks attractive. But very little comes without a price. So, the question is, do we know how to moderate and discipline ourselves? I’m not saying you’ve got to avoid a yummy bowl of fruit as if it’s one of life’s lethal weapons. I’m just saying, even something as seemingly harmless as a delectable array of fruit comes with its own potential threats. Too much
you can make educated decisions and gauge involvement based on that knowledge. The other is to keep making rash moves and learn from your mistakes. Welcome to the dilemma of childhood verses adulthood. And trust me there are times we swing between both. I guess it’s like this: when we launch in without thinking, or just barrel ahead, that’s the child in us winning out. And the times we opt for making the thought-out, mature decisions that
I’m not saying you’ve got to avoid a yummy bowl of fruit as if it’s one of life’s lethal weapons.
watermelon can give you a big stomachache. Kiwis often cause unexpected allergic reactions. Grapes always have the threat of their small size. And, as we’ve learned the hard way, even a simple bite of the wrong type of apple can get you kicked out of the Garden of Eden. You don’t want to avoid life’s pleasures. But how do you gauge which to pursue and how much of it? Ah, the million dollar question! Or, with inflation, should I say billion? Perhaps, one idea is to be informed before jumping into things. That way
is us listening to our adult voice. Perhaps we can kind of say that those are the times we summon up the courage to “pucker up” and kiss our immaturity goodbye. In any case, remember that life is filled with colorful, delicious fruit for the taking. Make sure to enjoy them all!
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 | OCTOBER 25, 2018
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Join us at an Open House at
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Is Lander the Right Choice for You? Our students pursue challenging Torah and academic studies, benefit from the guidance of distinguished rebbeim and faculty and enjoy a warm chevra—and they also seek mentors who help them acquire relevant professional expertise, hone test taking skills and explore career choices. Our results tell the story: over the past eight years, 100% of graduates have been accepted to dental and law schools; and 92% have been accepted to medical school.
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