Five Towns Jewish Home - 3-24-16

March 22 — March 31, 2016

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

Your Favorite Five Towns Family Newspaper

! m i r u P n e h c A Freile

Pages 9, 10, 11, 13 & 27

VOTE

Republican

VOTE

Chris McGrath Tues. April 19

Around the

Community

48

Kollel Avreichim - Lawrence / Far Rockaway Community Kollel 21st Annual Dinner

67

Community Comes out for TAG’s Annual 53rd Dinner

In This Issue:

Pesach Vacation Section

Bobker on Purim...............................................................................S4 Four Funnymen Talk About How they Make Us Laugh.......S12 Insights into Purim........................................................................S10 Purim Fest 1946.............................................................................. S20 Recipes, Humor & More...

Starts on Page 93 Page 119

– See pages 3 & 31

SEASONS LAWRENCE

330 Central Avenue, Lawrence, NY 11559

Be Included in our TJH Photo Album!

Email your Purim photos to Editor@FiveTownsJewishHome.com subject: Purim Deadline: Monday, March 28, 9pm

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MARCH 22, 2016 | The Jewish Home

HELPING ON D AN ST LY AL RE Y SK IN M KA DD WHERE DOES TO 'S EDUCATION? FAMILIES AFFORD THEIR CHILDREN

WA IS THIS WHO OUR COMMUNITY

NTS REPRESENTING US IN ALBA

Chris McGrath and The Republican Senate Majority

SUPPORT EDUCATION TAX CREDITS AND INCREASED FUNDING FOR PRIVATE SCHOOLS.

Fighting for Long Island Families

NY?

The Jewish Home | MARCH 22, 2016

We go the extra mile for family.

Actually, we go the extra for family.

1000 miles

Your Passover shopping is being delivered to South Florida and Orlando.

Grocery • Meat • Frozen • Dairy $35 per box. Home delivery in South Florida available for an additional $7 per box South Florida Delivery

Orlando Delivery

APRIL 19TH

APRIL 20TH

Orders must be placed before

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 13

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MARCH 22, 2016 | The Jewish Home

The Jewish Home | MARCH 22, 2016

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MARCH 22, 2016 | The Jewish Home

Dear Readers,

E

very year, on Purim morning, the phone would ring. It would be around 6:30am and someone would stumble out of bed to race to the kitchen to get it. “Come to shul now; they’re going to start megillah in ten minutes,” my father would say. He had just finished davening at the early minyan and was letting us know that the next minyan would be laining soon. That’s how my Purim would start when I was younger – racing to shul to catch the megillah, hoping that I wouldn’t be two minutes late because then I would have to wait for the next round.

Purim mornings are always busy. I get to go to a later laining now, but with preparing last minute mishloach manos, dressing the kids in their costumes, and packing up the car, things get a bit hectic. Oh, wait, did anyone eat breakfast? We forgot about that. OK, let’s all sit down and try to eat without dripping or spilling on our costumes. Not so easy when one’s wearing a veil and a skirt with a major petticoat, the other one has face paint on, and the other is wearing a hat that’s sliding over his eyes and a sword that doesn’t seem to lay normally when he sits down. Oh, and they all went to sleep late the night before. So we are starting out with some really tired kids.

But Purim is about fun and excitement. It’s hard not to get swept away in the simcha of the day. I love seeing the children – and adults – in their costumes. And delivering mishloach manos means we get to see people who we

don’t see every day but who mean a lot to us. I haven’t seen some of my neighbors or friends in months – hey, it’s been a long winter! – but on Purim we’ll get to connect personally for a few minutes while the children show off their costumes. What fun!

Despite the busyness of the day, I find that there’s always some “downtime” towards the afternoon before the seudah. Sometimes the younger kids take a nap while the older ones sift through their nosh. For the past few years, my high school class divided up the Sefer Tehillim as a zechus for one of our friends to find a shidduch. Baruch Hashem she has since found her zivug. Purim is an auspicious time for davening, and I hope that this year I will once again be able to say Tehillim and daven on this meaningful day.

Enjoy your Purim – the fun and the excitement, the costumes and the music, the parties and the treats – and take some time out for yourself to connect with your Creator as you harness the power of this momentous day.

A freilechen Purim, Shoshana

Yitzy Halpern PUBLISHER

publisher@fivetownsjewishhome.com

Yosef Feinerman MANAGING EDITOR

ads@fivetownsjewishhome.com

Shoshana Soroka EDITOR

editor@fivetownsjewishhome.com

Nate Davis Editorial Assistant Nechama Wein Copy Editor Rachel Bergida Berish Edelman Mati Jacobovits Design & Production Gabe Solomon Distribution & Logistics P.O. BOX 266 Lawrence, NY 11559 Phone | 516-734-0858 Fax | 516-734-0857

Classifieds

P.S. Keep that Purim spirit going! Send us your Purim photos to be included in our TJH Purim Photo Album. Email them to me by Monday at 8pm at Editor@FiveTownsJewishHome.com, Subject line: Purim. Can’t wait to see them!

classifieds@fivetownsjewishhome.com text 443-929-4003 The Jewish Home is an independent weekly magazine.

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

Shabbos Zemanim

Weekly Weather | March 23 - March 29

Friday, March 25 Parshas Tzav 23

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WEDNESDAY THURSDAY

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TUESDAY

Candle Lighting: 6:54 pm Shabbos Ends: 7:55 pm Rabbeinu Tam: 8:26 pm Sponsored by

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The Jewish Home | MARCH 22, 2016

Matanos L'evyoniM h Kupat ha'ir g u o r h t

‫קו‬ ‫העפת‬ ‫יר‬

Harav Chaim Kanievsky Shlit"a: "I have the custom to give matanos le'evyonim to Kupat Ha'ir immediately after krias hamegillah

and that is what I do every year."

3

Kever oF MorDeCHai & eSTHer Messengers of Kupat Ha'ir will mention each name and personal request at the Kever of Mordechai & esther .

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26 GaTeS oF Heaven

For a SpeCiFiC YeSHuaH

at each of the 26 places messengers of Kupat Ha'ir will mention each name and personal request.

Zivug – Kever of the Chazon ish; Children - Kever rochel; refua – Kever of the Maharal Diskin; The whole sefer Tehillim will be completed at each place, after which each name and personal request will be mentioned.

To SubMiT naMeS Call now:

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1-888-KupaTHair 5

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8

7

2

8

4

2 8 4

2

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

Donate online: www.kupat.org

‫קו‬ ‫העפת‬ ‫יר‬

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MARCH 22, 2016 | The Jewish Home

Contents LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

8

COMMUNITY Readers’ Poll

8

Community Happenings

46

NEWS

S12

Global

13

National

32

Odd-but-True Stories

40

ISRAEL Israel News

24

PEOPLE

Purim Fest 1946 by Avi Heiligman

S20

PARSHA Rabbi Wein

74

JEWISH THOUGHT Thank you! Thank you! by Rabbi Jonathan Gewirtz

75

Crowd Pleasing by Eytan Kobre

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JEWISH HISTORY Amulets, Accusations & Controversy: The Devastating Polemic Between Rabbi Yaakov Emden and Rabbi Yonason Eybeschutz, Part IX by Rabbi Pini Dunner 78 SPECIAL PURIM SUPPLEMENT Bobker on Purim: A Geshmake un Gezunta Hatred The Holy Shell by Rabbi Dani Staum, LMSW

S4

Dear Editor, You reported that Trump promised to pick a Five Towns native for the Supreme Court and I would like to throw my hat (it says Let’s Make America Great Again) in the ring for that slot. First of all, I currently only wear a black robe on Shabbos, but I would love to wear one all week. Secondly, I am a constipational scholar.

I believe that everyone has the right to bare arms, as long as they cover their elbows if they’re females. Also, I believe in freedom of religion, especially for those who worship chocolate. I am pro amend-mints – I wish more people used them for their bad breath. And, I don’t see what the big deal about Row vs. Wade is. I’ve rowed and I’ve waded down the Delaware, so what’s the controversy?

So, if you have any sway with Mr. Trump, let him know that I am available.

Happy Purim!

Steve F. Cohen Rehnquist

S10

When Life’s a Barrel of Laughs: Four Funnymen Talk about How they S12 Make us Smile by Malky Lowinger It’s Me! Chaim by Mordechai Schmutter S18 The Aussie Gourmet: Purim Kreplach S22

S18

A Meal Fit for a King by Shifra Klein

S24

My Purim Predicament

by Rachel Gross

S28

Cover painting, Purim in Meah Shearim,

by Alex Levin. 718-415-3127.

Contact@ArtLevin.com.

Dear Rocky, Kudos on your article on the evolution of so-called “practices” of frum Yidden. You are perfectly on the button about standing for a chosson/ kallah. This was never done when I was growing up (I am into my seventh decade b”H), and many roshei hayeshiva even today do not ascribe to it. Ditto the pointing.

P.S. I love your humor!

Schaye Schonbrun Dear Editor, Kudos to you for producing a wonderful, humorous publication in time for Purim. I found your “articles” to be tasteful and funny; I know that it’s hard to strike that balance and I appreciate that you are able to do so for our community.

Keep up the good work.

Sincerely, Sharon Leitner Dear Editor, It’s always around Purim time that we see advertisements and articles warning against minors drinking alcohol over Purim. The fact is that this issue should be addressed throughout the year. Many teenagers think it’s “cool” (and it’s really not!) to taste a nip of schnapps or whiskey over Continued on page 12

M’Shenichnas Adar Marbim B’Calories

by Cindy Weinberger, MS, RD, CDN S30 HEALTH & FITNESS Dark Corners by Deb Hirschhorn, PhD

82

LIFESTYLES Dating Dialogue, Moderated by Jennifer Mann, LCSW Steady Income? by Rabbi Mordechai Kruger

84 102

College and Career Advisement in the Orthodox World by Chaim Homnick 104 Tax Deductions Every Homeowner Should Know

by Evan Tempelman

108

Your Money

116

Short but Sweet by Rivki Rosenwald, Esq., CLC

118

HUMOR Centerfold Uncle Moishy Fun Page

72 109

POLITICAL CROSSFIRE Notable Quotes

90

There’s an Air of Menace about This Campaign

by Charles Krauthammer

96

The Stain of Accommodating Trump by Michael Gerson

98

CLASSIFIEDS

110

Around how many mishloach manos do you give out on Purim?

7 10 % % 25 58 %

%

Less than 10

Between 10-20

Between 20-40

More than 40

The Jewish Home | MARCH 22, 2016

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MARCH 22, 2016 | The Jewish Home

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The Jewish Home | MARCH 22, 2016

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MARCH 22, 2016 | The Jewish Home

from a variety of people in different stages of life and from different backgrounds. I found this week’s question to be intriguing. It’s so easy for a mother to think that things are going wrong in a marriage when all she can see is a few isolated incidents. Her thoughts are always on her child’s wellbeing. On the other hand, a person can seem to have a picture-perfect marriage and be in an abusive relationship. You never can truly know the full picture of what goes on in a person’s home unless you are living there.

Kudos to the wise panelists for pointing out that a mother is best off being a supportive, happy person towards her children and grandchildren.

A child should always know that their parents are there and will be there for them no matter what the situation.

Sincerely, Hannah B. Dear Editor, The elections are coming out of my ears. We have been bombarded with the hype for months now and like most of America, I can’t wait for November.

But what bothers me the most is the anti-Trump rhetoric that is coming out of the Republican camp. Can’t they see that he’s going to win the nomination? Can’t they see that all the venom that they’re spewing back at him is just ammunition for Hillary? It’s a toss-up: Trump or Hillary? But if you keep on giving Hillary more weapons to defeat the Donald then there won’t even be a race. Democracy is about being able to choose your candidates.

Let each person decide.

Republicans should unite behind one candidate. At least give the Republican Party a chance to have a semblance of someone who agrees with their values in the White House.

Otherwise, it’s just another four more years of Obama’s policies – and it’s doubtful that America can endure another four more years.

Sincerely, Yoram Cohen Continued from 8

Shabbos. Sometimes it’s at a shalom zachor, or during shul, or at a kiddush.

This practice should not be condoned or approved – at all! There is no need for them to be tasting these alcoholic beverages. Make kiddush over wine or grape juice and let them have a sip or two. Teens think they are invisible and they do not yet know how to make the best decisions (consider the legal voting age or legal age to buy cigarettes or alcohol in our liberal country). A sip here or there makes them think they

can drink more, and more, and more.

Furthermore, the fact is that many children see the adults in their lives imbibing and enjoying and lauding alcohol. What bottle did you buy? What year? How much was it? It shouldn’t be something that is so admired in our lives because that’s what our children will see that we value. Remember, they are always watching and they pick up on so much. I’m not saying we can’t drink; I’m reminding people that as adults who are responsible for our children we would be smart to tone

down our alcohol adulation.

And yes, this year on Purim, make sure that only responsible adults are imbibing in your homes. One incident of someone overdrinking is one too much.

Wishing you a safe, freilechen Purim, Karen Herman Dear Editor, I truly enjoy your Dating Dialogue column. I find the questions interesting and I like that they seem to come

Dear Editor, Perhaps our president feels a deep desire to visit Cuba to help with diplomacy between our nations. But why, oh why, does he feel the need to bring his whole family on this trip? Does Spring Break have anything to do it?

And who is footing the bill for the entire Obama clan to head there? Taxpayers, it’s your dollars.

Maybe Malia and Sasha have become ambassadors for the United States, but I was never informed.

Yossi Kerner

The Jewish Home | MARCH 22, 2016

The Week In News

Paris Attacker Finally Arrested

It was four months on the run, but finally on Friday Europe’s number one fugitive was captured. Salah Abdeslam was found holed up in an apartment in the Brussels neighborhood of Molenbeek. The terrorist who was instrumental in the November 13 attacks in Paris that killed 130 people was actually hiding only a few hundred feet from his parents’ home. Four other people were arrested in the raid.

On Saturday, Belgian authorities charged Abdeslam and an alleged accomplice with “participation in terrorist murder.” A third person detained Friday was charged with being in a terrorist group and hiding criminals, while two others who had been detained were released.

The Belgian government admitted it realizes that support for Abdeslam may have been more widespread than initially thought.

“I always said that at the beginning we thought it was several individuals. Today we have to recognize that the number of people who support him is higher,” said Belgian Interior Minister Jan Jambon. “That doesn’t mean that the entire community supports him. But the support is a lot higher than I had estimated at the beginning.”

The 26-year-old is said to have been the logistics man for the gang of Islamic terrorists who went on a rampage in Paris last November, killing 130 people. Abdeslam is thought to have rented rooms, shopped for detonators and driven at least one of the killers from Brussels to Paris.

His lawyer, Sven Mary, told the Associated Press that Abdeslam “doesn’t deny he was in Paris.”

In Paris, prosecutor Francois

Molins said that, during an interrogation session on Saturday, Abdeslam told Belgian officials that he had “wanted to blow himself up at the Stade de France” on November 13 but that he backed out at the last minute.

Immediately after the attacks, Abdeslam was actually stopped by French police at a checkpoint and then let through. Authorities have been searching for him since then.

But hiding out in Molenbeek seems to have been the answer. The neighborhood’s densely populated warren of narrow, cobbled streets and crumbling apartment blocks, mainly filled with people with a Moroccan background, was an ideal area for him to find shelter.

“Probably he had contacts with other men to help him,” Molenbeek Mayor Francoise Schepmans said.

“But we have to wait. What’s important now is that Salah Abdeslam has been arrested.”

Abdeslam is expected to be extradited to France after questioning in Belgium.

Meanwhile, Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel warned that “the fight is not over” and his government announced the nation’s terrorism alert level would remain unchanged at 3 on a 4-point scale.

Internet More Important Than Daylight?

The results of this latest poll will not be shocking to teens. When British young adults between the ages of 18 and 25 were asked to name five things that they felt were important to maintain their quality of life, here is what they had to say.

Freedom of speech topped the list, picked by 81% of the 2,465 surveyed. Nearly seven in 10 (69%) chose an internet connection, followed by 64% saying daylight and 57% hot water. Only 37% said a na-

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MARCH 22, 2016 | The Jewish Home

tionalized healthcare system was important, with a very weak 11% choosing a good night of sleep.

Those who identified an internet connection as one of the most important aspects of their life were asked how many times they used the internet every day. The average answer was 78 times. The future leaders of the next generation were also asked to identify what they would most like to change in order to improve their quality of life. The majority (34%) stated more vacations, followed by more sleep (28%) and “having a bigger following on social media” (14%).

STRAIGHT TALK

Thursday | March 31 | 7 p.m.

At the home of Shimon and Rachel Laufer 36 Wedgewood Lane, Lawrence, NY 11559 The evening is tailored to parents of high school juniors and seniors and parents of students studying in Eretz Yisroel.

RSVP to nextgeneration@yu.edu

For information about Yeshiva University, visit www.yu.edu/admissions or call 212.960.5277

German Triple Agent Sentenced

Purim Prank Lands Iranian Teens in Jail

ABOUT YOUR CHILD’S FUTURE AT YESHIVA UNIVERSITY

Hear from HaRav Hershel Schachter, Rosh Yeshiva and Nathan and Vivian Fink Distinguished Professorial Chair in Talmud; Rabbi Kenneth Brander, Vice President of University and Community Life; Michael Strauss, Associate Dean of the Sy Syms School of Business; and Alyssa Schuck, Clinical Assistant Professor of Biology at Stern College for Women, about the benefits of educating your child at Yeshiva University. Questions regarding financial aid will also be addressed.

Shushan is believed by many to be the modern city of Hamadan in northwest Iran. Although the boys have indicated that the graffiti was intended as a prank, the wording “Death to Haman” could still be interpreted as a provocation against the current Iranian regime.

This story is no Purim joke. Two 17-year-old Jewish teenagers were arrested in Tehran after getting caught spray painting the words “Death to Haman” on a building.

“Based on the details that came from Iran, the Tehran police promised to release the two boys, both 17, after it was made clear to them that this is not a political act, but a simple Purim prank, but as of now, the boys have not been released,” said an official familiar with the case.

Jewish groups in the United States have started advocating for the boys’ release. The Iranian Jewish community, which contains about 13,000 people, has expressed concern about the safety of the boys due to previous cases in which Jews were imprisoned in Iran and later disappeared. The status of the boys has not yet been determined.

“Although the authorities in Iran and the Muslim population are not connected to the story that took place in the historical Persian capital of Shushan, conservative factions in the country refer to the Book of Esther as the story of a massacre committed by the Jews against their enemies,” an American Jewish official handling the case said.

The relationship between U.S. and German intelligence agencies took a few steps back this week. A German court sentenced a former intelligence worker to eight years in prison for treason after he was found trading state secrets to the Central Intelligence Agency in return for over $100,000.

Markus R. was a 32-year-old office administrator at the headquarters of Germany’s BND foreign intelligence agency near Munich. He was found guilty of passing over 200 secret documents to the CIA from 2008 until mid-2014. He had “top secret” clearance and passed on a database containing personal details of more than 3,000 BND employees as well as other information. This threatened Germany’s external security and BND operations, Judge Reinhold Baier said in the verdict, as the CIA used the material to exert diplomatic and political influence.

During his trial, Markus R. told the court he was bored at work and lax controls meant he felt he was running no risk. He also provided the Americans with details on the BND’s structure, activities, deliberations and collaboration with foreign spy agencies, prosecutors said during the trial. They said the CIA gave him a laptop computer with a special email program, which he used to send almost weekly updates.

Markus wasn’t just working with the Americans. In mid-2014, he handed over three documents to the Russian consulate in Munich, which also presented a security risk to Ger-

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Kyi is blocked from becoming president because of a constitutional law that prevents anyone with a foreign spouse or children from the position.

Suu Kyi’s two sons are British, as was her late husband.

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Suu Kyi has vowed to rule Myanmar, formerly known as Burma, by proxy, from a position “above” the president. Htin Kyaw, 70, is an Oxford graduate who runs the Daw Khin Kyi Foundation, an education charity named after Suu Kyi’s mother that helps people in Myanmar’s poorest areas. A former classmate of Suu Kyi’s at a high school in Yangon, he is seen as a National League for Democracy loyalist whose wife is a prominent legislator.

Despite these advances in democracy, the army will continue to play a key role in the incoming government by retaining control of three powerful ministries — defense, interior and border security — while also wielding influence over Myanmar’s economy through military-owned conglomerates and businesses with close ties to outgoing President Thein Sein’s government.

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many. The spy was arrested after his employer intercepted an email in which he asked the Russian secret service for work.

Two years ago, former NSA contractor Edward Snowden revealed the extent of U.S. surveillance in Germany, which included bugging the phone of Chancellor Angela Merkel.

Democracy for Myanmar For the past 50 years, the country of Myanmar has been under military rule. Last week, that changed when Myanmar’s parliament elected Htin

Kyaw as their new president. Kyaw will take office on April 1 after winning 360 of the 652 votes that were cast.

Kyaw is a close friend of Nobel laureate and longtime political prisoner Suu Kyi, who led the National League for Democracy to a sweeping victory in November 8 elections.

In an effort to reverse his life of misfortune, a Thai gardener behind a $20 million gem heist from a Saudi palace in 1989 has become a monk. Kriangkrai Techamong stole the precious gems from the palace of a Saudi prince where he worked,

The Jewish Home | MARCH 22, 2016

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triggering a feud between Thailand and Saudi Arabia dubbed the “Blue Diamond Affair” that has yet to be resolved. Thai police later returned some of the jewels but Saudi officials claimed most were counterfeits while the whereabouts of the most precious gem – a rare 50-carat blue diamond – remains unknown.

Last week, Kriangkrai told local media his life has been haunted by the theft that unleashed an “avalanche” of suffering on his family.

“I am confident that all my misfortunes are the result of a curse from the [blue] Saudi diamond I stole, so I’ve decided to enter the monkhood for the rest of my life to redeem my bad karma,” he told a newspaper.

His new monk name translates to “He Who Has Diamond Knowledge.”

Kriangkrai was jailed for five years soon after the theft, but managed to sell most of the gems before his arrest. Saudi Arabia has long accused Thai police of bungling its investigation, with widespread allegations at the time that the stolen items were snapped up by senior officers.

Riyadh sent a businessman to conduct his own investigation, but he disappeared in Bangkok days af-

ter three Saudi diplomats were shot dead, execution style, in the city.

Saudi Arabia has not sent an ambassador to Thailand for decades and restricts travel between the two countries because of the unresolved theft and murders.

Kerry: ISIS Committing Genocide

Although John Kerry’s ISIS announcement did not exactly send waves through the worlds of politics or journalism, it may be the first step towards war crimes charges for the terrorist group ISIS. In a news con-

ference last week, the Secretary of State highlighted how ISIS is committing “genocide” against Christians and other religious minorities in Syria and Iraq.

Religious groups in the U.S. have been pressuring Washington for such a statement – and a commitment to stop the carnage. “In my judgment, Da’esh [Islamic State] is responsible for genocide against groups in areas under its control, including Yazidis, Christians and Shia Muslims,” Kerry said at a news conference in Washington. “Da’esh is genocidal by self-proclamation, by ideology and by actions.” Kerry listed numerous cases of slaughter by the Islamic State and credited an intense multinational effort with taking back 40% of land once held by the militants in Iraq and 20% in Syria.

The declaration does not require the United States to ramp up military activity against the Islamic State, also known as ISIS or ISIL. White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest called the Islamic State’s actions “an affront to every person of faith.” He conceded that the declaration of genocide was largely rhetorical, but said it could prompt the

United States to begin helping the International Criminal Court investigate war crimes.

Rep. Chris Smith, R-N.J., sponsored a House resolution calling for the U.S. to promote the establishment of a Syrian war crimes tribunal.

“A Syria tribunal would hold not only the genociders of ISIS, but all parties — especially the war criminal Bashar al-Assad who has barrel-bombed Syrian civilians and killed tens of thousands — accountable for their horrific deeds,” Smith asserted.

Kerry said the ultimate determination of crimes against humanity must be made by an impartial court.

He said the U.S. will work to document such crimes. “The fact is Da’esh kills Christians because they are Christians, Yazidis because they are Yazidis, Shia because they are Shia,” Kerry said. “We will do all we can to see that the perpetrators are held accountable. I hope that my statement today will assure the victims of Da’esh’s atrocities that the United States recognizes and confirms the despicable nature of the crimes that have been committed against them,” Kerry added.

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N Korea Sentences American Tourist to 15 Yrs

21-year-old Otto Warmbier of Wyoming, Ohio, was convicted and sentenced to 15 years of prison with hard labor by North Korea’s Supreme Court last week. The hour-long trial dealt with his charge of subversion under Article 60 of North Korea’s criminal code.

Before the trial, Warmbier had admitted he tried to steal a propaganda banner as a trophy for an acquaintance who wanted to hang it in her church. The court held that he had committed a crime “pursuant to the U.S. government’s hostile policy toward [the North], in a bid to impair the unity of its people after entering it as a tourist.” North Korea regularly accuses Washington and Seoul of sending spies to overthrow its government to enable the U.S.-backed South Korean government to take control of the Korean Peninsula.

Ohio Gov. and Republican presidential hopeful John Kasich issued a statement calling on North Korea to immediately release Warmbier and let him return to his family. “His detention was completely unjustified and the sentence North Korea imposed on him is an affront to concepts of justice,” Kasich said. Trials for foreigners facing similar charges in North Korea are generally short and punishments severe.

Warmbier was arrested as he tried to leave the country in early January. He was in North Korea with a New Year’s tour group. U.S. tourism to North Korea is legal. Arrests of tourists are rare but the U.S. State Department strongly advises against such travel. It doesn’t help matters that Washington and Pyongyang do not have diplomatic relations. The Swedish Embassy in Pyongyang acts as a go-between in consular issues

when U.S. citizens upset North Korean authorities.

In a tearful statement made before his trial, Warmbier told a gathering of reporters in Pyongyang he was offered a used car worth $10,000 if he could get a propaganda banner and was also told that if he was detained and didn’t return, $200,000 would be paid to his mother in the form of a charitable donation. Warmbier said he accepted the offer because his family was “suffering from very severe financial difficulties.”

Tensions are particularly high following North Korea’s recent nuclear test and rocket launches and massive joint military exercises now underway between the U.S. and South Korea that the North sees as a dress rehearsal for invasion.

Iran Builds Statue of Captured U.S. Sailors

It’s supposed to be a “tourist attraction.”

Iran’s Revolutionary Guard announced that it is planning to build a statue of the U.S. sailors who were captured in Iranian waters earlier this year.

“There are very many photographs of the major incident of arresting U.S. Marines in the Persian Gulf in the media and we intend to build a symbol out of them inside one of our naval monuments,” Commander Ali Fadavi, the head of the Guard’s naval forces, told Iran’s Defense Press news agency.

The statue is likely to be built on Kharg, a small Iranian island in the Persian Gulf, not far from where the sailors were captured. The monument could become a stop for travelers on the Rahian-e-Nour, a semi-mandatory pro-regime pilgrimage that guides visitors to historical spots from the Iran-Iraq war and flaunts the virtues of Iran’s military.

It would serve as the Guard’s latest provocation intended to show their

The Jewish Home | MARCH 22, 2016

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strength and status as major players in Iran.

The 10 sailors were captured after their vessel reportedly drifted into Iranian waters near Farsi Island.

They were detained for 11 hours, during which time they were photographed and filmed. Footage of the sailors in captivity was aired on Iranian national television.

Earlier this month the Guard test-fired two ballistic missiles with the words “Israel must be wiped out” written on them in Hebrew. The missile launch was intended to demonstrate Iran’s capability to strike the Jewish State.

There’s Something Happy in the State of Denmark

If you’re happy and you know it, clap your hands.

If you live in Burundi in East Africa where the life expectancy is 56 and the GDP is $770 per capita, you’re probably not clapping. If you’re an American you are enthusiastic as you clap – the United States is the 13th happiest country in the world. Israel ranked higher than the U.S. in spot number 11, while Britain ranked the 23rd happiest nation in the world.

According to the latest World Happiness Report, the happiest country in the world is Denmark. This high ranking can be attributed to a high life expectancy (80), a high GDP per capita ($44,916, according to World Bank figures, placing it 17th overall), and free health care. And it doesn’t hurt that residents are known to consume large amounts of beer, hot dogs and Danishes. Talk about fine living.

158 countries were surveyed to determine the happiest and least happy nations around the globe.

So where are citizens smiling the broadest? The ten happiest countries on the globe are:

1. Denmark 2. Switzerland 3. Iceland 4. Norway 5. Finland 6. Canada 7. Netherlands 8. New Zealand 9. Australia 10. Sweden On the other side of the world, these ten countries are considered the least happy: 1. Burundi 2. Syria 3. Togo 4. Afghanistan 5. Benin 6. Rwanda 7. Guinea 8. Liberia 9. Tanzania 10. Madagascar

U.S. and China Battle over Cuba

Trump may be right – we are losing money to China.

As the Obama administration works to expand economic relations with Cuba, Americans may find that they are competing with China once again for business.

In the first three quarters of 2015, China’s trade with Cuba grew by 57% to $1.6 billion, rebounding from an usually weak period the year before.

Direct flights from Beijing to Havana started in December. And China is leading efforts to build Cuba’s internet infrastructure.

“You have Chinese influence really across the board,” said Richard Feinberg, a former U.S. diplomat who studies the Cuban economy at the University of California, San Diego, and the Brookings Institution in Washington. “From the Cuban point of view, they’re still paranoid about America.”

Americans can’t just point to the Chinese as competitors in the Cuban market. Venezuela is Cuba’s largest trading partner.

As of now, joint ventures and foreign direct investments from China

The Jewish Home | MARCH 22, 2016

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are relatively small – though plans for a cluster of resort properties are estimated to be worth $460 million, including a luxury housing project near the Marina Hemingway that will house Chinese tourists. And China’s investments are likely to grow in the Communist island.

While Americans may be seeing a competitor in China, many are hoping that the close proximity Washington has with Havana will help its economic influence.

These dynamics loom large as a series of deals with major American companies work through U.S. and Cuban pipelines ahead of Mr. Obama’s visit. Several major U.S. companies are poised to secure deals that give them a foothold in Cuba, including AT&T. On Thursday, the U.S. Postal Service said it had resumed direct mail service with Cuba for the first time in more than 50 years, while Cuba said it would lift a 10% penalty on dollar exchanges.

Most advances for American companies have been in the tourism industry. The Obama administration has granted particular leeway for telecommunications firms in loosening regulations. But the most notable achievements there have been roam-

ing agreements that benefit American travelers.

There are still strides that need to be made in the telecommunications industry. China is leading in helping to build Cuba’s internet framework, although some are hoping there will be opportunities in the future for U.S. companies. Cuba sees America’s influence in the industry as a way to push our ideologies on the country.

The competition between the U.S. and China extends beyond Cuba into the region more broadly. The U.S. is playing catch up in Argentina, where Mr. Obama will visit after spending just short of three days in Havana.

Over the past decade, China increased commercial and diplomatic ties as Argentina’s government eschewed U.S. policy initiatives in favor of Beijing.

In 2014, Chinese President Xi Jinping visited Buenos Aires and pledged to loan Argentina $7.5 billion at a time when Argentina couldn’t tap credit markets because of a legal dispute with U.S. bondholders. The China Development Bank agreed to lend Argentina nearly $5 billion to build two hydroelectric dams in Patagonia.

Last November, the countries agreed to a deal that would have China build

two nuclear power plants in Argentina. The $15 billion deal would be financed mostly by China.

Clearly, the United States has some tough competition with their neighbors to the south.

Former Mossad Chief Leaves Legacy Behind

Meir Dagan, the tenth Mossad chief since Israel’s birth, died last week at the age of 71. The close friend

of Ariel Sharon is most identified with secretive operations to prevent and thwart Iran’s nuclear program and its intentions to produce an atomic bomb.

Dagan was Israel’s top spy from 2002-2010. Under his leadership, a number of operations were attributed to the organization, including the assassination of five Iranian nuclear scientists, sabotage of equipment in Iran’s nuclear facilities, and the implanting of viruses into the computers that operated the centrifuges to enrich uranium at the Natanz facility in Iran.

Another important intelligence feat that is attributed to the Mossad under Dagan was the information obtained by its agents from a computer owned by the chairman of Syria’s Atomic Energy Commission. That intelligence was the smoking gun which shaped the decision by then-prime minister Ehud Olmert to bomb the Syrian nuclear reactor in December 2007.

Dagan enjoyed the privilege which has been very rare among Mossad chiefs – and other heads of world intelligence agencies – of befriending President George W. Bush, who liked him and his creative mind very much.

The Jewish Home | MARCH 22, 2016

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In 2008, Imad Mughniyeh, the man considered Hezbollah’s “defense minister,” was assassinated by Mossad agents, who played a major role in the operation with the assistance of the CIA in Damascus, according to foreign reports.

Dagan was born in the Soviet Union in 1945 to parents who were Holocaust survivors that moved to Israel after the founding of the state. He enlisted in the Paratroopers Brigade, becoming the commander of the Rimon Reconnaissance Unit which operated in the Gaza Strip during the height of the Palestinian terror wave in the early 1970s. Afterward, he was promoted to fill a number of roles in the IDF command, reaching the rank of Major General.

During his time in the IDF, and especially during the Yom Kippur War in 1973, Dagan was considered a confidant of Ariel Sharon. After Sharon became prime minister, he appointed Dagan to head the Mossad.

posed to be funding and building illegal structures for Arabs in Israeli controlled areas of Judea and Samaria in a blatant seizure of Israeli land.

Multiple news outlets have reported that the EU does not deny its land grab attempts using public funds, but works to avoid lawsuits over its breach of the law by claiming “diplomatic immunity.” This claim is despite the fact that such immunity does not cover interfering in internal affairs. The EU has been building illegal structures for the Palestinian Authority in regions of Judea and Samaria designated as Area C by the 1994 Oslo Accords, which are areas that are to be under full Israeli control. Ironically, the EU is itself a signatory to the Accords.

Last month, it was revealed the EU has already constructed over 1,000 illegal buildings for local Arabs in Area C of Judea and Samaria in recent years, including a 450% spike in the illegal construction in 2015 alone.

EU Condemns “Land Grab” While Funding Illegal Homes

Want to Know Bibi’s Salary?

Israel received a very strong condemnation from the European Union last week. The statement was released in response to Israel’s decision to designate 579 acres of unclaimed land in Judea and Samaria as state land.

EU’s foreign policy service said that the move throws into doubt Israel’s commitment to a two state solution, by which the Jewish state would be divided and a state of “Palestine” would be created. “Israel’s decision... is a further step that risks undermining the viability of a future Palestinian state and therefore calls into question Israel’s commitment to a two state solution,” read the EU statement.

Earlier last week, Germany and France had published similar statements. It is an ironic time for such backlash as the EU has long been ex-

Say what you like about Bibi Netanyahu, one thing is for sure: he is not paid very well. In an unusual move, the Israeli Prime Minister used social media to send out a picture of his recent paystub, showing citizens that he makes a lot less than one might think.

While he is paid a total of NIS 48,815 every month, after taxes and other expenses, his net monthly income is only NIS 17,645, or $4,583.

The Prime Minister’s Office explained that the decision to publish the paystub came following several requests recently, including some from journalists. The picture of his paystub from February 2016 shows that Netanyahu pays NIS 21,572 in income tax, NIS 2,652 for national insurance, and NIS 2,054 for health insurance.

Another NIS 12,440 is taken from

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destrian street usually thronged with shoppers, tourists and buskers. The Israelis hurt in the attack were part of a 14-member group on a culinary tour of Turkey.

Netanyahu’s paycheck for “vehicle expenses.” This large amount is due to the fact that the prime minister travels in a high-end armored vehicle chosen by the Shin Bet, not by Netanyahu personally. Even though Netanyahu doesn’t use a cellphone personally, for some reason he also pays NIS 201 for service on three phones.

3 Israelis Lose Lives in Istanbul Attack Three Israelis were killed in a suicide bombing that took place on

Saturday in Istanbul. Others were wounded in the attack as well. Yonathan Suher, 40, Simha Dimri, 60, and Avraham Goldman, 69, lost their lives in the attack. Suher and Goldman are U.S. citizens.

In all, eleven Israelis were hurt in the bombing on Istiklal Caddesi, a bustling two-kilometer-long pe-

Simha Dimri, a retired kindergarten teacher and grandmother from the southern city of Dimona, leaves behind her husband Avi, who was moderately wounded in the attack, as well as three sons, a daughter and several grandchildren. Yonathan Suher was celebrating his 40th birthday in Istanbul with his wife, Inbal Marom-Suher. He lived in Tel Aviv and is survived by two children.

His wife was wounded in the attack.

Avraham Goldman and his wife, Nitza, loved to travel. In fact, he acted as a tour guide in Israel to those touring the Holy Land.

In all, at least four were killed and 36 injured in the assault. A fourth victim killed in the attack was identified by Turkish officials as Iranian national Ali Reza Razmhah.

On Sunday, those who passed away and were injured in the attack were taken to Israel on an IDF airplane.

The Prime Minister’s Office’s Counter-Terror Bureau raised the alert level on travel to Turkey on Sunday, emphasizing that the country was considered unsafe for Israeli citizens a day afterthe suicide bombing in Istanbul left 3 Israelis dead and 11 wounded.

In explaining the decision, the statement said that amid a spate of attacks by the Islamic State groups and Kurdish separatists, and notably the bombing on Saturday, “it was decided to update the existing travel warning vis-à-vis Turkey from an ongoing potential threat to a basic concrete threat.”

At the same time, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel was in the front line of a global war on terror, adding that those who failed to condemn terrorist attacks were in effect supporting them. Commenting on Saturday’s suicide bombing, the prime minister said there could be no justification for terrorism.

“Israel is at the forefront of the fight against international terrorism.

This fight is primarily military, but no less than that, it is moral,” Net-

The Jewish Home | MARCH 22, 2016

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TIME Magazine: Terrorists are Just Desperate Youths

anyahu said at the opening of the weekly cabinet meeting in his Jerusalem office. “The key point of the moral struggle against terrorism is clear – terrorism, the murder of innocent people, has no justification anywhere – not in Istanbul, not in the Ivory Coast and not in Jerusalem. Those who do not condemn ter-

rorism support terrorism.”

Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu vowed to track down those responsible for the attack.

“We will fight with determination and perseverance until all forms of terrorism are eradicated,” Davutoglu said on Saturday.

No group has claimed responsi-

bility for the attack, but pro-government media blamed it on the Islamic State group, which has been accused of several attacks in Turkey including a deadly suicide bombing near the Blue Mosque in January. The perpetrator of Saturday’s attack was named as Mehmet Öztürk, a suspected Islamic State member.

The Government Press Office in Israel is fighting back. On October 15, TIME magazine ran a story portraying a Palestinian terrorist who killed three people as a victim of Israeli security forces. The magazine then failed to issue any correction or clarification on the matter despite repeated requests by Israeli officials in the months since. In a post on its website which it also shared on Facebook, the GPO blasted TIME editors who have refused to amend the October 15 story for “ignoring the victims and humanizing the attacker.”

The story reported on the October 13 terror attack in Jerusalem’s Armon Hanatziv neighborhood, when two armed Palestinian gunmen boarded an Egged bus and began shooting and stabbing passengers.

The terrorists killed three people: Haviv Haim, 78; Alon Govberg, 51; and American-Israeli Richard Lakin, 76, who was critically wounded and died some two weeks later. Both terrorists were shot by police. Bilal Abu Ghanem was captured while Bahaa Allyan was killed.

The TIME story is titled “The Desperation Driving Young Palestinians to Violence.” The article referred to Allyan as “a graphic designer” who “was killed by Israeli security forces after allegedly trying to carry out an attack in Jerusalem.” It gave no further details about Allyan’s actions and made no mention of his victims.

“To our sorrow, repeated requests to TIME Magazine, initially by an Israeli NGO and subsequently by the GPO, have all failed to induce TIME to correct the serious factual error in the 15 October article,” the GPO said.

Maya Rachimi, who was injured in the attack, said of Allyan’s depiction as a graphic designer: “I had no idea that leaving me with two scars on my body and a punctured lung — after stabbing me with a 20 cm-long knife — was professional artwork,

The Jewish Home | MARCH 22, 2016

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not terrorism.”

GPO director Nitzan Chen said the office had resorted to publicly shaming TIME as it had lost patience for “completely distorted media reports… We decided we would no longer be silent.” He said he expected an apology from the magazine. “That is the minimum that can be asked for the families who lost their loved ones in this murderous attack,” he said.

So far, there has been none.

rael’s honorary consul in Rio, in an interview to the Jewish Telegraphic Agency. “We must remind the world that killing Israeli Jews was not a practice restricted to Munich. Nowadays, the suicide terror once again stabs innocent Jews in the land of Israel,” he added.

The summer Olympics are to be held August 5-21 in Rio de Janeiro.

So far, 20 Israeli athletes have qualified for the Rio games.

Black September Victims to be Honored Early Risers Beat Late Night Owls in Health Tests

The 1972 Munich Olympics will forever be remembered in a somber tone, as eleven Israelis were savagely murdered by members of the Black September Palestinian terror group.

Now, those eleven heroes will be honored at a ceremony during the 2016 summer Olympic Games in Rio, Brazil.

A ceremony is scheduled to take place on August 14 at the Rio City Hall, held by the Israeli Olympic Committee and the Israeli consulate.

Brazilian Folha de S. Paulo newspaper reported that the widows of Yosef Romano and Andre Spitzer will light eleven candles at the ceremony. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) also announced that a special area in the Olympic Village will be set up to remember all the Olympians who have died, including the Israeli athletes.

Families of the eleven murdered Israelis lobbied hard for a minute’s silence to be included at the opening ceremony, however, the IOC decided instead to dedicate a “moment of reflection” commemorating all perished Olympians during the closing ceremony.

“As Brazilian, Jewish and Zionist, we are deeply moved by the International Olympic Committee initiative. The fact it will happen in Brazil is very remarkable to all Brazilian Jews,” said Osias Wurman, Is-

How would you define yourself: as an early bird or a night owl? If you are more likely to be awake for sunrise than for a midnight snack, then you are also more likely to be healthier than those who don’t retire until late.

According to an analysis of data from more than 850,000 Jawbone UP fitness trackers from around the world, individuals who consistently go to bed before 11 p.m. logged fewer calories and consumed more nutritious food. Conversely, those who tend to stay up past 11 p.m. are more likely to consume large amounts of caffeine, alcohol, refined sugars, processed carbs, processed meats, and saturated fats. It is important to note that this analysis is based simply on the time one resigns for the night and not how many hours they sleep each night.

Jawbone’s report draws on self-reported food logs from third-party apps like MyFitnessPal. The company’s goal in collecting data and identifying trends is to inspire behavioral change that can lead to better sleep and healthier eating The research goes as far to suggest that a slight change in habit can

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reap several benefits.

“If you go to bed an hour earlier, and do so consistently for a year, in theory, this could add up to [a loss of] 4-5 pounds with no changes in activity,” Dr. Kirstin Aschbacher, a data scientist at Jawbone, related.

This isn’t the first study conducted relating sleep habits and better food choices. A study published last year in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that people who sleep more tend to eat less saturated fat than their peers who don’t get as much rest. And a 2015 study from the University of California, Berkeley, found that teens who go to bed late are more likely to gain weight over a five-year period.

An obvious reason for this trend is that “night owls” tend to snack before bedtime causing weight gain. So if you simply can’t get to be earlier then at least be conscious of raiding the fridge after dinner.

Not all experts in the field are convinced that there is such a simple direct correlation. Dr. Mitesh Patel, an assistant professor at the University of Pennsylvania’s Perelman School of Medicine, pointed out, “There may be a third factor that impacts both of those,” he said. “Or the

relationship could be reversed, such that people who eat less fall asleep earlier.”

Put down that bag of chips and head to bed!

Social Security Gets More Complicated

Whether you’re four years away from cashing in on your Social Security benefits or 40, listen up because this may take you a while to decipher.

There has been a major amendment to Section 831 of the Bipartisan Budget Act, the first major reform to Social Security claiming rules since the Senior Citizen Freedom to Work Act in 2000.

Perhaps the biggest challenge of this reform is implementing it. The

Social Security Administration sent an emergency message to its field offices in February explaining how its employees should apply the changes and exactly who is affected and what they need do. Not surprising is that the staff in SSA field offices are still scrambling to figure it out.

To complicate matters further, Social Security agents are forbidden to give advice on strategies for claiming benefits.

If you were born on or before April 30, 1950, you are still eligible to “file and suspend” but time is running out. The strategy allows for beneficiaries to file for benefits and then immediately suspend those benefits.

This approach allowed recipients to grow their monthly income to a certain amount every year, referred to as Delayed Retirement Credits. The good thing about filing and suspending is that it allowed recipients to change their mind between the time they reach full retirement age (FRA) and 70. For example, if someone decided to delay their benefits but then is unexpectedly laid off they could request a lump sum of the benefits they missed out on by not claiming at their FRA. Those who already have a suspended benefit will not be affected by the change.

Another strategy being disregarded is the “restricted application” tactic. In short, this strategy involves claiming a spousal benefit between ages 66 and 70, thereby allowing your benefit to grow until age 70. At 70, you switch to your own benefit, but this will no longer be allowed for beneficiaries born after January 1, 1954.

The restricted application and file and suspend claiming strategies are now being referred to by the SSA as “unintended loopholes.” The SSA claims that these strategies were legal exploitations by financial planners and attorneys and their clients.

Prior to these changes, there were 567 approaches to claiming Social Security benefits.

Approaching retirement? Make sure to call your financial advisor so you can get the most out of your golden years.

Did you send in your Purim photos yet?

NFL’s Concussion Crisis Continues

The NFL has a serious health reality to consider. After years of research, science has proven a direct link between football-related head trauma and chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE).

The media has been analyzing some major former athletes’ deaths, including Junior Seau and Dave Duerson. The dementia of Hall of Famers Mike Webster and John Mackey were also brought up. The quiet suffering of hundreds of other former players and their families has also been mentioned. In a recent medical study conducted by Boston University’s CTE program, out of 94 brains of former NFL players examined, all but four showed signs of CTE. Jeff Miller, the NFL’s senior vice president of health and safety, finally admitted to this revelation.

“The answer to that question,” Miller said when U.S. Rep. Jan Schakowsky, D-Ill., asked if there was a link between football and degenerative brain diseases, “is certainly yes.”

This confession can cost the NFL millions in a class action suit. Until this point the NFL insisted that football played no part in the concussion crisis in its players. Just last month, in fact, Dr. Mitch Berger, a neurosurgeon who heads an NFL subcommittee tasked with studying the long-term effects of brain and spine injuries on former players, told reporters at the Super Bowl that there was no link and that science could not yet support such a broad conclusion.

Predictably, the NFL attempted to do damage control after Miller’s comments. Spokesman Brian McCarthy said in a statement that Miller was responding to a question about specific, though limited, research. “[He] made the additional point that a lot more questions need to be answered,” McCarthy said.

Within hours, the courts where former players are in the process of suing the NFL were alerted of Miller’s statement. In addition to pointing out that he had contradicted the NFL’s

The Jewish Home | MARCH 22, 2016

previous position in their letter on Tuesday, the attorneys began laying the groundwork to include present and future cases of CTE in the settlement, which is already expected to cost the NFL about $1 billion.

In recent years, the numbers in youth football have declined with parents being very concerned about their children’s brain health. Some high schools have cut their programs.

“We have to face the truth that this is a dangerous game and a potentially very dangerous one for the brain,” Chris Nowinski, co-founder of the Concussion Legacy Foundation, said. “We really have to step back and make this not about pro-football or anti-football but how to protect kids. So if they choose to play football when they’re old enough they don’t develop CTE.”

Record Number of Missing Files in 2015 The Obama administration apparently needs some help in the organizing department.

In the last year specifically, federal employees have told citizens and journalists a record number of times that they simply cannot find a specific file that was requested. In more than one in six cases – or 129,825 times – government searchers said they came up emptyhanded, according to a new Associated Press analysis, a record high. Despite all the help that rapidly developing technology provides, the FBI couldn’t find any records in 39 percent of cases, or 5,168 times. The Environmental Protection Agency regional office that oversees New York and New Jersey couldn’t find anything 58 percent of the time.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection couldn’t find anything in 34 percent of cases. The AP’s annual review covered all requests to 100 federal agencies during fiscal 2015.

The Freedom of Information Act mandates that the U.S. government release documents upon request.

Under the records law, citizens and foreigners can request that the U.S. government provide copies of federal records for zero or little cost. The only exception to the rule is in instances where it could negatively affect national security, violate personal privacy, or expose business secrets or

confidential decision-making in certain areas.

“It’s incredibly unfortunate when someone waits months, or perhaps years, to get a response to their request — only to be told that the agency can’t find anything,” said Adam Marshall, an attorney with the Washington-based Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press.

In defense, Justice Department spokeswoman Beverly Lumpkin said that the administration answered more records requests and reduced its backlog of leftover requests, which should be considered good work on the part of the government in fulfilling information requests. Except for many it is just too little and too late.

The administration said it completed a record 769,903 requests, a 19 percent increase over the previ-

ous year despite hiring only 283 new full-time workers to handle the issue, or about 7 percent. The Obama administration censored materials or completely denied access in a record of 596,095 cases – that’s 77% of all requests. That number includes all the times the government claimed it couldn’t find the requested records or a person refused to pay for copies or the government determined the request to be unreasonable or improper. The White House conveniently excludes those cases from its own assessment. Under that calculation, the administration said it released all or parts of records in 93 percent of requests.

This revelation comes just before Sunshine Week, when news organizations promote open government and freedom of information.

The reason for all these lost files has yet to be determined. It is unclear whether it is simply more requests of non-existent files or if federal workers are searching carelessly. If records “cannot be found” the agencies do not have to provide any explanation of the process of the search. Federal employees are responsible by law to simply make a “reasonable” search, a very subjective word.

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“It “It seems seems like like they’re they’re doing doing the the minimal minimal amount amount of of work work they they need need to to do,” do,” said said Jason Jason Leopold, Leopold, an an invesinvestigative tigative reporter reporter at at Vice Vice News News and and aa leading leading expert expert on on the the records records law. law. “I “I just just don’t don’t believe believe them. them. II really really quesquestion tion the the integrity integrity of of their their search.” search.”

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Plastic Plastic is is still still America’s America’s drug drug of of choice. choice.

According study by According to to aa recent recent study by CardHub, CardHub, the the average average household household credit credit card card debt debt is is currently currently at at its its allalltime time high high since since 2008.

2008.

Americans Americans having having terrible terrible spendspending ing habits habits which which equals equals dreaddreadful ful savings savings habits. habits. More More than than half half of of households households have have less less than than one one month’s month’s worth worth of of income income in in aa readily readily available available savings savings account account – – experts experts recommend recommend aa minimum minimum six-month six-month emergency emergency fund. fund. According According to to aa FedFederal report, almost eral Reserve Reserve report, almost half half of of Americans Americans would would not not be be able able to to cover cover aa $400 $400 emergency emergency expense expense without without borrowing borrowing money money or or selling selling somesomething. thing.

There There are are many many households households with with no no savings savings at at all. all. In In fact, fact, almost almost 30% 30% report report having having aa zero zero balance, balance, and and 62% 62% have have less less than than $1,000 $1,000 in in savings, savings, according survey by GOBankinaccording to to aa survey by GOBankingRates.com. gRates.com.

So So why why aren’t aren’t people people saving? saving? The The typical typical attitude attitude of of people people who who lack lack savings savings is is that that they they legitimately legitimately bebelieve lieve that that they’ll they’ll continue continue to to earn earn the the same same income income in in the the future, future, ifif not not more. more. They They do do not not account account for for emeremergency gency expenses, expenses, such such as as aa life life altering altering event event or or aa lay-off. lay-off. However, However, accordaccording report by the ing to to aa report by the Pew Pew Charitable Charitable Trusts, Trusts, almost almost half half of of households households will will experience experience aa 25% 25% change change in in income income in in any any given given two-year two-year period, period, either either up up or or down. down. Due Due to to these these misconmisconceptions, ceptions, Americans Americans find find themselves themselves with with tremendous tremendous debt. debt. When When these these unforeseen unforeseen situations situations arise, arise, those those without without family family or or friends friends to to lean lean on on financially financially resort resort to to credit credit card card spending. spending.

After After all all this this insight insight into into the the councoun-

try’s try’s savings savings or or lack lack of of saving saving habits habits it it is is probably probably not not surprising surprising that that the the avaverage erage American American has has saved saved significantsignificantly ly less less than than they’re they’re likely likely to to need need for for retirement. retirement. The The median median retirement retirement savings is shockingly low savings is shockingly low – – $63,000. $63,000.

Experts Experts recommend recommend that that Americans Americans should should have have retirement retirement savings savings of of two two times times their their annual annual income income by by 35 35 ($108K ($108K based based on on average average household household income) income) and and ten ten times times their their annual annual income income by by 67 67 ($540K). ($540K).

There There is is hope. hope. Some Some studies studies reveal reveal that that the the younger younger generation generation of of workworking ing Americans Americans are are developing developing better better habits. habits. According According to to aa Transamerica Transamerica study, study, 67% 67% of of 22-year-olds 22-year-olds are are alalready ready saving saving for for retirement, retirement, and and this this increases increases to to 76% 76% of of 30-somethings.

30-somethings.

It It seems seems that that Americans Americans in in their their 40s, 40s, 50s, 50s, and and 60s 60s are are in in the the worst worst shape. shape.

Light Therapy Provides Hope for Those with Alzheimer’s

It It is is estimated estimated that that as as many many as as 5.3 5.3 million million Americans Americans have have Alzheimer’s Alzheimer’s disease. disease. It It is is regarded regarded as as the the sixth sixth leading leading cause cause of of death death in in the the U.S. U.S. and and affects affects more more women women than than men. men. While While there there is is no no cure cure for for the the heartbreaking heartbreaking disease, disease, there there are are ways ways to to manage manage the the symptoms. symptoms. As As the the prevalence prevalence grows, grows, researchers researchers and and medical medical professionprofessionals als are are searching searching for for ways ways to to improve improve the the quality quality of of life life of of patients patients with with AlzAlzheimer’s. heimer’s.

In In aa recent recent lab lab test, test, researchers researchers were were successfully successfully able able to to activate activate feelings lost memories feelings from from lost memories among among mice genetically engineered mice genetically engineered to to have have early-onset early-onset Alzheimer’s Alzheimer’s disease disease by by using using aa light light stimulation stimulation therapy therapy dedeveloped veloped in in 2012.

2012. Although Although the the thertherapy, apy, called called optogenetics, optogenetics, can can only only be be used used in in mice, mice, scientists scientists at at the the MasMassachusetts sachusetts Institute Institute of of Technology Technology (MIT) (MIT) said said the the therapy therapy could could offer offer hope hope for for people people suffering suffering from from earearly-onset ly-onset Alzheimer’s, Alzheimer’s, aa condition condition that that affects affects an an estimated estimated 200,000 200,000 AmeriAmericans cans under under the the age age of of 65.

65.

“The “The important important point point is, is, this this aa proof proof of of concept. concept. That That is, is, even even ifif aa

The Jewish Home | MARCH 22, 2016

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MARCH 22, 2016 | The Jewish Home

extremely exciting,” Tanzi said.

For now, optogenetics is too invasive for practice on humans but Tonegawa strongly believes that future development of technology to activate or inactivate cells in the brain could make the treatment a reality for many patients with Alzheimer’s.

Alzheimer’s disease is one of the costliest chronic diseases to society.

Nearly one in every five Medicare dollars is spent on individuals with Alzheimer’s and other dementias. In 2050 it could potentially be one in every three dollars.

Obama’s Supreme Court Nominee

memory seems to be gone, it is still there. It’s a matter of how to retrieve it,” senior study author Susumu Tonegawa, the Picower Professor of Biology and Neuroscience and director of the RIKEN-MIT Center for Neural Circuit Genetics at the Picower Institute for Learning and Memory, said in a news release.

In a previous study, Tonegawa’s team identified cells in the brain’s hippocampus that contain certain memories. They also discovered that these memory traces, called engrams, can be manipulated to activate existing memories or change a memory’s emotional associations. Engrams even allow scientists to plant false

memories.

Rudolph Tanzi, a professor of neurology at Harvard Medical School, who was not involved in the research, called the proof of concept “remarkable.”

“The implications for treatment of memory deficits Alzheimer’s disease based on strengthening synapses are

President Obama has put forth a name to fill the vacant seat on the Supreme Court. To be sure, anyone Obama nominates will be heavily scrutinized, as Obama will be out of office soon and many would like the new president to make the pick.

Judge Merrick Garland, who sits on the U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia, is being recommended by the Obama administration to fill the vacant seat left by Justice Antonin Scalia.

Garland is already coming under heavy fire, in particular for his stance on the Second Amendment. “This is probably the most anti-gun Supreme Court nomination in decades,” said Brian Rogers, executive director of America Rising Squared, a conservative group conducting opposition research on Judge Garland. Conservative groups say that even in the early stages of vetting, his association with Mr. Obama means he likely will take decidedly liberal views on issues such as abortion, the environment and executive authority.

Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas, a Republican presidential candidate, said Judge Garland is the kind of nominee people get “when you make deals in Washington, D.C.” “Make no mis-

The Jewish Home | MARCH 22, 2016

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S U N DAY E V E N I N G

‫תשע‘‘ו‬

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If the walls of the Mir could speak, they would bear a most eloquent testimony to the eternity of Torah.

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MARCH 22, 2016 | The Jewish Home

take: If Garland were confirmed, he would side predictably with President Obama on critical issues such as undermining the Second Amendment, legalizing partial-birth abortion and propping up overreaching bureaucratic agencies like the EPA and the IRS,” Mr. Cruz said.

White House press secretary Josh Earnest said Mr. Obama picked the best person for the job and “it’s not as if the president had a punch list of hot-button items that he used to quiz potential nominees. The president’s much more interested in an individual’s approach to the job, knowing that … interpreting the law based on the specifics of the case is what their responsibility is,” Earnest said.

American ISIS Fighter Surrenders There are bad decisions and there are bad decisions.

Mohamad Jamal Khweis, 26, of Alexandria, Virginia, joined the Islamic State terrorist group. This week he surrendered to Kurdish pesh-

merga fighters, and in an interview broadcast on the Kurdistan 24 news station he expressed his deep regret for his actions, admitting he made a “bad decision” in joining the terrorist group. Khweis traveled to this Islamic State-held city of Mosul, Iraq, with a woman he had met in Turkey while traveling.

“She knows somebody who could take us from Turkey to Syria and then from Syria to Mosul, so I decided to go with her,” Khweis said, NBC reported.

The duo boarded a bus to the Turkish border and then a taxi to Syria that was coordinated by the woman’s sister, who had been married to a member of the Islamic State. They stayed at several different houses throughout their journey with other foreigners, including Asians and Russians.

“On the way there, I regretted [my

decision], and I wanted to go back home after things didn’t work out and saw myself living in such an environment,” Khweis said.

After a month with the terrorists, Khweis escaped. He said he did not agree with their extremist ideology. He said that as soon as he arrived in Mosul, the militants immediately began to train him and other new recruits.

“There was an imam who taught us the sharia and the religion,” he said. “I didn’t complete the whole sharia. I didn’t agree with their ideology and that’s when I wanted to escape.”

“I don’t see them as good Muslims,” Khweis added. “I wanted to go back to America.”

Khweis ultimately surrendered to Kurdish forces near the town of Sinjar. He said he went searching for the peshmerga fighters because he knew they were close allies with the U.S. Although Kurdish forces have described Khweis as an Islamic State fighter, he made no mention of any combat activity and said he spent most of his time with the terrorists learning about religion.

Authorities believe that ISIS has established a network of women to

lure and recruit fighters, although the identity of the woman Khweis spoke of has not yet been identified.

A Spirited Super Soaker

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The Jewish Home | MARCH 22, 2016

gun.

Invented as a way for nightclubs to sell more heavily marked-up bottles of Champagne, this alcoholic firearm — which shoots no bullets, only bubbles — is clearly a must for those who love to waste money and enjoy the smell of booze. The guns come in chrome, gold and rose gold finishes and are priced at a whopping $459 each – and that doesn’t include the Champagne.

The woozy weapon can only be loaded with a magnum bottle of bubbly, an extra-large vessel that’s equivalent to two regular bottles.

I think I’m going to buy stock in my dry cleaners.

The Meat Machine

It’s 3am and you’re hankering for some duck confit. Nothing in your cupboard or freezer will satisfy your carnivorous craving. But your butcher is closed. If you live in Paris, though, you’re in luck. Head out to Rue de Charonne in eastern Paris. There you’ll find a gleaming red vending machine chockfull of meaty delicacies.

Florence and Michel Pouzol of “L’ami Txulette” have invested 40,000 euros to set up their newest product, selling vacuum packed meat from a 24-hour vending machine.

The duo owns a butcher shop on the street, but customers just couldn’t get enough of their food.

“We’re closed two days: Sundays and Mondays,” Florence said. “So this is to cater for customers over the weekend.” She added, “The idea was also to serve people after the shop’s closing hours. We close at 8 p.m. but some people leave work very late and find the shop closed when they walk past it.”

L’ami Txulette specializes in products from the Basque Country. From their machine, which takes cash or credit cards, customers can also get a large choice of traditional delicatessen including duck confit and beef

41

carpaccio. There are also faux-filet steaks on display, priced at 34 euros per kilogram. On average, the products are 20 euro cents more expensive than those sold inside the shop.

France, the nation of baguettes, cheese and fine wine, has long enjoyed pastries from vending machines. But meat vending machines are new to the country. The first one opened just three years ago in the small western town of Garat by a butcher who set it up outside a bar.

There was no butcher shop in town, and residents were able to buy steaks and burgers locally.

In the central medieval town of Mennetou-sur-Cher, popular with tourists, Pascal Bidron also installed a machine to sell his locally made andouillette, a sausage prepared with pig’s intestines.

He bought a second-hand machine and put it next to his shop, which is closed for more than three hours during the daytime.

“I have customers coming from afar to buy my andouillettes and I wanted to serve them even when the shop is closed,” Bidron related. “I recently went away for two weeks and managed to sell 250 andouillettes during my vacation thanks to that machine. It’s more than I expected.”

Croc Custody

B”H

IT’S THAT TIME OF YEAR AGAIN ....

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Rambo may be 125 pounds, but he’s a gentle giant. The problem is, though, that the state of Florida may not agree, and Mary Thorn is now fighting for custody – of her pet alligator.

Rambo has become an important part of the Thorn family since joining it 11 years ago.

“Rambo has been with me since he was a baby,” Thorn related. “This animal is more like a human than an alligator.”

He spent the first few years of his life with four other alligators in a 10 gallon fish tank kept in a closet.

Those years made him sensitive to light and now the scaly reptile slathers on sunscreen and wears clothing when he ventures outdoors. Rambo

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MARCH 22, 2016 | The Jewish Home

is also smart. He is toilet trained and wags his tail in a certain way to let Thorn know that he needs to go outside.

Neighbors love their snappy friend. Thorn takes Rambo to charity and school functions; he’s become a celebrity of some sorts in the area.

But his days of socializing and wearing cute clothes may be over. A recent growth spurt put Rambo over six feet long. According to Florida state captive wildlife rules, a gator of that size must have 2.5 acres of land on which to live. And Thorn just doesn’t have that extra space.

“I’ve lost my son last year and this gator is the only thing that keeps me going, and it just drives my everyday life,” Thorn said.

Now Florida’s Fish and Wildfire Agency is investigating the situation.

Thorn may have a friend who can take in Rambo but “but he treats him like an alligator” and not a person. And if a rescue group takes in the reptilian member of the Thorn family, they won’t properly account for his light sensitivity and vulnerability to other gators and “he’ll be dead in weeks,” Thorn worries.

“He’s a compassionate gator,” Thorn pleads. “I’ve had four of them,

none of them tried to bite anybody. A brand new baby a day old has sat on this gator and he just rubbed his head up and down on it.”

She just doesn’t want to see you later alligator.

The Pigeon Patrol

Pigeons. They hide under the elevated train platforms in New York City and swoop down right when you’re running to catch the train.

They peck at garbage and leave white streaks and blotches on the sidewalks. Clearly, they are adding to the pollution and grit of the city.

But wait, not so fast. A new initiative to monitor air quality may actually be recruiting our feathered friends

to help with pollution in London.

In the Pigeon Air Patrol campaign, which runs in March, 10 racing pigeons are outfitted with high-tech backpacks. Residents can find out about pollution levels in their area by tweeting their locations to the pigeons. The backpacks measure nitrogen dioxide levels produced by the city’s cars, buses and trucks.

Air pollution is a huge environmental health issue in London, killing nearly 10,000 people every year in the city alone. Backpacking pigeons with air sensors will help raise awareness of the problem. For example, on Tuesday and Wednesday of last week, pigeons recorded high pollution levels in Westminster, moderate pollution in Victoria Park, and fresh air in Soho.

Polly, the Pollution-Fighting Pigeon, doesn’t want a cracker. She just wants to fly above the smog.

Running for Water If you’re planning on running a marathon, make sure to drink a lot of

water. And if you’re planning on running the equivalent of 40 marathons, I’d say you probably should buy stock in Poland Spring.

Mina Guli has water on her mind but she’s not guzzling it. She’s running more than 1,000 miles through seven deserts on seven continents in seven weeks to raise awareness of worldwide water shortages.

So far, Guli has completed six of the runs, having jogged an average of 150 miles each through harsh conditions in Spain, Jordan, Antarctica, Australia, South Africa and Chile.

Now, the Australian is in drought-stricken California to run her final leg through Death Valley and into Nevada. She hopes to finish on Tuesday, which the United Nations

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The Jewish Home | MARCH 22, 2016

“Israel is a steadfast and integral ally of the United States. We must do all we can to defend and protect the Jewish homeland.”

- Todd Kaminsky

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MARCH 22, 2016 | The Jewish Home

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has designated World Water Day. When she completes her endeavor, she will have run the equivalent of 40 marathons.

“I’m excited about the momentum we’ve created,” the 45-year-old said.

“Rest has been few and far between. I really want to do this in seven weeks, so it’s been a rush. A lot of time is spent flying, driving into deserts.

They’re not always on the doorsteps of big cities.”

When she spent time in Jordan, Guli felt water shortages all too well.

In fact, “places where you expect to get water, you don’t get water anymore. Even places where people assured me there would be water to find, there was none.”

On the next leg of her journey, she headed to Antarctica, whose meager precipitation makes it the world’s largest desert.

“It is white from the sky to the ground,” she said of the snow. “The only sound you can hear is your own heartbeat.”

Guli, who now lives in Beijing and runs Thirst, a nonprofit dedicated to water issues, said it was almost frustrating to be atop all that ice. “You’re standing and running on all this fresh water that is inaccessible to the rest of the planet,” she said.

From there came another drastic change, in temperature and scenery, to the red sands of central Australia’s Simpson Desert.

Guli has been running during the day so she can meet the locals. “Jet lag has been a major issue each time we’ve had a big time-zone change: between Australia and South Africa, I found that extremely challenging,” she said. “I felt like I was running with lead weights around my ankles.”

Perhaps that’s the beginning of what they call dehydration.

The Chicken Baron

He’s called the “Chicken Baron” and now he’s being sent to the coop for two years. A former member of Romania’s parliament was sentenced this week to two years in prison for attempting to bribe voters with 60 tons of chicken.

Florin Aurelian Popescu, dubbed the “Chicken Baron” by local news agencies, resigned from his parliamentary post earlier this month. He had appealed against his December 2015 conviction, only to have the appeal dismissed by a panel of five judges at the Supreme Court.

In an attempt to garner favors and votes, Popescu arranged for his constituency to be given 60 tons of chicken worth about $122,000. These were given to Dambovita County citizens as part of Popescu’s 2012 local election campaign, prosecutors said. At the time, Popescu was a candidate for a new term as president of the county council.

A whistleblower cried foul and ended up turning Popescu in.

Hey, didn’t an American president once promise American citizens “a chicken in every pot?”

Seems like things work differently in Romania.

The Jewish Home | MARCH 22, 2016

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MARCH 22, 2016 | The Jewish Home

Around the

Community A Rambam Man Helps Make a Minyan

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avening with a minyan is one of the most basic and widespread practices among Jews throughout the world. Every yeshiva and shul offers three minyanim a day as part of the regular daily schedule. The talmidim at Rambam Mesivta have expanded this most vital tradition to ensure that other shuls and programs have a daily minyan as well.

Groups of Rambam volunteers have fanned out to provide the “Men” for a minyan at the Young Israel of North Woodmere and Congregation Beth Sholom in Lawrence. Recently, on Rosh Chodesh Adar II, 20 boys provide ruach at Kulanu in a reverse inclusion minyan.

They frequently attend and fill in as needed when there is a need for a family that is sitting shiva.

This week, Rambam along with

Go HALB Lions!

T

he HALB Lions Junior High School hockey team won the Metropolitan Yeshiva Middle School Athletic League Championship for the second year in a row last Sunday at the Lawrence Middle School. HALB beat YCQ with a score of 3-0, after playing an undefeated season. Goalie Michael Mintz was named MVP. Coached by Steven Mark, the 7th and 8th grade Championship team roster includes Gavriel Aharon, Gavi Schechter, Ethan Hirschfeld, Zach Bach, Ilan Frenkel, Jacob Berry, Noah Chesir, Tzvi Yudin, Aidan Schechter, Yoni Kwestel, Eitan Miller, Jared Mark, Yona Ben-Ami, Benji Rose, Andrew Shayovitz, Ami Schreiber, Ilan Schochet, Yoni Miller, Daniel Marks, Yoni Goldberg, Caleb Pollan, Ariel Ifergan, Michael Mintz and Yoni Savitsky.

other local yeshiva high schools begin participating in the initiative of helping a group of students at Lawrence High School have daily Shacharit services.

According to Rosh Yeshiva of Ram-

bam, Rabbi Zev Meir Friedman, “The idea that our boys are always ready to volunteer to help as needed in various parts of the community underscores the importance and values of chessed and the primacy they place

on being involved in tzorchei tzibbur. If any family needs our boys to come, all they have to do is call us, and if there is a way to make it work, we will.”

The Jewish Home | MARCH 22, 2016

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MARCH 22, 2016 | The Jewish Home

Around the Community

Kollel Avreichim - Lawrence / Far Rockaway Community Kollel 21st Annual Dinner

Brian Jedwab & Berish Fuchs with Rabbi Leibel Rand, Rosh Kollel

R’ Binyomin Tumim, Alex Edelman, Rabbi Leibel Rand, and Evan Genack

Moshe Plaut, president of the Kollel, with a few of the Kollel members

Shamshy Eisenberger, Pinky Friedman, and Adrian Garbacz

Important Information from the RNSP

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here are two matters that compel the Rockaway Nassau Safety Patrol to issue the following memorandum to the communities that we serve and beyond: 1. As of late, there have been many instances where members of the community have been pulled over and learned that their licenses were previously suspended. Driving with a suspended license in New York State warrants the arrest of the motorist in violation. More often than not, violators are held overnight in central booking, possibly for two nights, until they see a judge. It is needless to say that such an experience is quite unpleasant. To avoid this, please pay heed to the following tips and information: • Make sure that all of the information on your driver’s license is correct. If you reside or receive mail at an address that differs from the address

printed on your license, any warning with regards to the status of your license will not be delivered to you in a timely manner. As such, if this information is not accurate, please make the needed changes through the DMV. • Establish a point of contact, preferably a community leader who has the ability and wherewithal to contact family members and/or community leaders that can assist you if you are arrested for driving with a suspended license. If you are arrested, you will be allowed to make at least one phone call. This phone call should be used on someone that you know will definitely pick up his/her phone. That someone should be prepared to inform your family that you are safe. That contact should also be able to help you obtain necessary help.

• If you have outstanding tickets, be sure to either correct the situation yourself or hire a trustworthy profes-

sional to do so for you. There have been instances where people reached out to fraudulent contacts who profess to be able to help, only to find that they have been cheated. Even if you believe that someone is 100% reliable, be sure to double and triple check that the matter is rectified satisfactorily in the eyes of the law. If you are facing charges for driving with a suspended license, be sure to obtain legitimate and proper legal assistance. Driving with a suspended license is a criminal offense, which will result in a criminal record.

• The Rockaway Nassau Safety Patrol holds community education events. The next such event will take place in the spring. (Specifics with regard to community education events will be announced. To stay in the loop, like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter and Instagram, and/ or subscribe to receive RNSP security alerts.) At such an event, there will

be an officer with a laptop who will be able to assist community members in viewing the status of their driver’s licenses and anything that may require their attention with regard it.

2. Purim is coming up and it is necessary to be mindful not to compromise your safety and that of others.

If you choose to engage in drinking, please do so responsibly. Safeguard your car keys with a responsible and sober adult. Likewise, be mindful that all car keys in your household are safely secured and that they do not fall into the wrong hands. It is not possible to assist someone who is caught driving under the influence.

The RNSP is a neighborhood patrol that responds to past crimes and crimes in progress. Should you ever need the assistance of the RNSP, call the 24/7 Hotline: 917-727-7306.

The Jewish Home | MARCH 22, 2016

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MARCH 22, 2016 | The Jewish Home

Around the Community

Commemorating Rabbanith Ruth Menashe’s Passing One Year Later

Rabbi Ya’aqob Menashe

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t is hard to believe that a whole year has passed since the Rabbanith Ruth Menashe (Manasseh’s) passing. Indeed, many of us never imagined making it through a year without the Rabbanith, without her smile, without her warmth, without her love, praise, and advice. This year without her was like no year we had ever witnessed before. At times, we felt lost, not having the person we would always turn to, right there – easily accessible. At times we felt comforted,

Rabbanith Ruth Menashe

by memories of her that so many have shared with us. At times, we felt awed, hearing stories about things that the Rabbanith did with her life – things that even those closest to her did not know about. At other times we felt moved – moved by how many people continue to love the Rabbanith, moved by all the things people have done for us because of her, and moved by the things people have done for her iluy neshama.

The Fourth of Adar marked the

year of her passing. To commemorate, a ceremony was held in Great Neck on Thursday night, attended by many hundreds braving the bitter cold. Rabbi Ya’aqob Menashe spoke about his dear wife. He explained how a month before, an 11 month commemoration was held in Israel, the country of the Rabbanith’s birth and childhood. A number of the Rabbanith’s childhood friends spoke about her at that gathering. Rabbi Menashe stated that he was struck by how even as a child and

Rabbi Menashe Manasseh, the Rabbanith’s son

teenager, the Rabbanith, who was simply a girl named Ruthie, was one who always smiled, who never had a mean word to say about someone else, who was so popular and yet so, so nice. She was just an ordinary girl, but even then, she lit up the lives of those around her with her love, happiness and giving nature.

Rabbi Ya’aqob Menashe continued to explain that in his capacity as spiritual leader and founder of Midrash Ben Ish Hai, he never did anything without

The Jewish Home | MARCH 22, 2016

the Rabbanith’s blessing, support and approval, because he always knew that he would only succeed in any endeavor if his dear wife was on board. He gave the examples of the Torah Minute daily email that he sends out as well as the NonStopTorah emails or weekly Shabbath Derashoth, and spoke about the times when he was overwhelmed, tired, and had nothing to write or speak about, and told the Rabbanith that a the email would simply not go out that day, or there would be no drasha that Shabbath. The Rabbanith did not try to push back. Rather, a short while later, she would approach Rabbi Menashe with a few Torah books and say, “Look at this interesting concept I was just reading about, look at how it ties in beautifully with this story in this other book.” In her modest way, she found the material, and helped paved the way for her husband, Rabbi Menashe, to put that drasha or Torah Minute together.

The Rabbanith’s only son, Rabbi Menashe Manasseh, spoke next. He spoke about how whenever he and all his siblings had exciting news to share, no matter how insignificant, they would always go to their mother, because they knew that her responses would be so excited and enthusiastic, truly celebratory. He then spoke about how their mother did not get upset or worked up when people acted in a manner that was not nice. He shared one such story, and explained how he was once talking to his mother on the phone while she was driving. Suddenly, he heard, on his end, someone honking, yelling, and cursing at his mother. He observed that she simply remained silent, and then resumed her conversation with him.

After a few moments, she simply said to Menashe, “It is so interesting how some people behave.” She felt no need to answer back or to defend herself, and she was wise enough not to become upset, she simply noted that this behavior was something so foreign to her. Menashe also spoke about how many, many incredible stories came to light only after his mother’s passing. In one such story, a supermarket cashier asked one of the Rabbanith’s daughters how her mother was doing, noting that she had not seen her in a while. When the daughter responded that her mother passed away, the cashier was visibly saddened and said, “She was such a nice lady. I remember once when it rained really hard, she drove all of us to the train station so that we would not get wet.”

A moving video presentation high-

lighting the Rabbanith’s spiritual, personal and professional life was then shown. Pictures of the Rabbanith as a baby, child and young adult truly moved the crowd. Numerous rabbanim were featured on the video, all speaking about the Rabbanith’s enormous accomplishments.

Rafael (Rafi) Mottahedeh, a young yeshivah student, spoke about his and his family’s close relationship with the Rabbanith. The evening concluded with each guest receiving a complimentary copy of the new Torah Minute Book, which includes a Women’s Corner with the Rabbanith’s own writings on many issues pertaining to women (and even men).

Two days later, on Shabbath, friends and family members ate lunch together at Midrash Ben Ish Hai. Many shared their memories of the Rabbanith, and spoke about how she always gave good advice and comforted those who came to her with their worries. Her son-in-law, Zev Werzberger, noted how she was so successful because “she did what she wanted to do, and didn’t do what she did not want to do.” If she wanted to accomplish something, no matter how insurmountable it seemed, she put all her energy into it, and accomplished. If there was something she did not want to do, no matter the peer pressure, she simply didn’t do it. Others spoke about how her concern for their well-being was evident in every situation. People reminisced about the Dinner that she put together a few months before her passing. Dr. Yishaq Balakhaneh spoke about those committee meetings – how they would take place in the evenings, with people tired after a day at work, and how the Rabbanith – only months before her passing – was the most energetic and enthusiastic member of the committee, how the Rabbanith would give others the credit for ideas, which were often originally suggested by her, and praise those ideas to the high heavens.

She is missed, truly missed, and there will forever be a void in our lives.

At the same time, we are so grateful for the example she left for each of us, with the reminder that we can all try to emulate her by being just a little kinder, a little more of a doer and less of a complainer, to smile a little wider, and care just a little bit more.

A tribute video can be found at http://www.nonstoptorah.com/video/rabbanith-ruth-menashe-ah-tribute.

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MARCH 22, 2016 | The Jewish Home

Around the Community

Last Tuesday evening, as part of Mesivta Ateres Yaakov’s community learning series, a pre-Purim shiur was hosted in the home of Moishe & Esti Malek. The shiur was given by veteran 12th grade Rebbe and Rav of Kehillas Bais Yisroel, Rabbi Elysha Sandler, shlita. Rabbi Sandler’s unique style of weaving together divrei Chazal, machshava and chassidus provided the overflow audience with inspiring hachana for the yom tov of Purim. The Mesivta plans to provide many more pre-yom tov shiurim to the community throughout the year.

“From Mourning to Mission” HANC High School Welcomes Miriam Peretz and Sends off Jerusalem Marathon Delegation

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n Wednesday, March 16, HANC High School’s juniors and seniors were privileged to hear from Mrs. Miriam Peretz, mother of two fallen Golani Brigade soldiers Uriel and Eliraz Peretz. Despite the enormous tragedies this woman has experienced, she maintains an inspiring air of strength and optimism. In keeping with our school theme of simcha and in the spirit of the month of Adar, Mrs. Peretz focused on happiness. She expressed how she can still have tremendous simcha every single day of her life, despite what she has gone through. In fact, Mrs. Peretz exudes simcha.

Mrs. Peretz explained her unique outlook to a riveted audience. She emphasized that she has a deep realization that whatever Hashem does is for the good and must be accepted with love. Students and faculty were then gifted with a copy of Mrs Peretz’s newly published memoir entitled, Miriam’s Song, made possible by a generous benefactor. Students came away from the presentation exclaiming that they had never been more inspired in their lives.

Immediately following the pre-

sentation, our Team Shalva HANC departed for Israel. Thanks to Mrs. Peretz, team members left on a spiritual high and were delighted to discover that she would be accompanying them on their flight “home.” Shalva, an organization for special needs children in Israel, has a team in the Jerusalem marathon, and this year a group of 11 HANC students, chaperoned by Director of Student Life, Rabbi Daniel Mezei, and his wife, Penina, raised over $40,000 to run for Shalva.

The team arrived in Israel on Thursday night and after getting a tour of the Shalva center, went to the hotel, and then took a trip to the Kotel.

Thursday, after a good night’s sleep, the students chose between the half marathon or the 10km race. After a long and exhausting run, the students enjoyed a victory party back at the hotel, and then went off to Machane Yehuda for some Erev Shabbos shopping. The students looked forward to a restful Shabbos and then a full day of activities on Sunday.

The guest speaker and the team Shalva marathon tapped into the devotion to Eretz Yisrael that is part and parcel of every HANC student.

The Jewish Home | MARCH 22, 2016

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MARCH 22, 2016 | The Jewish Home

Around the Community

HANC ECC had a special Purim visitor this week, Howie Kahn of “Howie Sings,” who came from Eretz Yisroel for a musical and magical Purim show. All of the children loved it!

DRS Science Olympiad Team Triumphs at Regionals

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RS’s Science Olympiad team performed exceptionally well at Sunday’s regional competition, coming in fifth place overall.

Students prepared for the competition since October and competed in 12 events covering an array of topics in biology, chemistry, engineering, technology and earth science. Led by Head Coach Dr. Rosalie Peck, Assistant Coach Mrs. Meredith McCarthy and Captain Yitzchak Carroll, team members engineered several devices and researched and studied various scientific topics to prepare for the

competition. Daniel Rosenthal and Josh Simanowitz won third place in Bridge Building; Evan Goldstein and Dovid Gelbtuch secured third place in Chemistry Lab; Evan Goldstein and Avishai Samouha scored second place in Electric Vehicle; Jonathan Crane and Andy Ebbin placed third in Green Generation; Dovi Schlossberg and David Herman won third place in Invasive Species; Simon Heimowitz and David Herman scored second place in It’s About Time; and Daniel Rosenthal, Jonathan Crane and Andy Ebbin placed fourth in Picture This.

The Jewish Home | MARCH 22, 2016

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Around the Community

Hineni 50th Jubilee Dinner: A Night to Remember

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he evening was billed as a Historic Tribute to Rebbetzin Esther Jungreis, and indeed the hundreds of participants at this past week’s Hineni 50th Jubilee Dinner experienced an event that will be remembered in their hearts and minds for many years to come.

Emotions began to run high early in the evening as the supporters of Hineni and admirers of the Rebbetzin began arriving at Gustavino’s, a landmark New York venue which hosted this extraordinary event.

Guests came from throughout the United States, and even from overseas, to honor the singularly unique individual who has been the kiruv/outreach visionary for more than a half-century. While no one was sure what to expect, the suspense and intrigue quickly gave way to an evening that was emotional, festive and heartwarming. Indeed, the content, energy and ambiance was like no other Dinner that people had ever experienced before.

This 50th Jubilee Dinner, a night of both unity and inspiration, was an opportunity to pay a fitting tribute to the Rebbetzin for her tremendous pioneering work. It was a moment to mark her tremendous accomplishments inspiring millions of hearts from all walks of life and bringing tens of thousands of people closer to Judaism.

After an elaborate reception, the Dinner program began with a recital of a Chapter of Tehillim/Psalms on behalf of the Jewish people, and introductory remarks by the Dinner Chairmen, Philip Pilevsky and Michael Minikes.

Following brief greetings by Hineni’s spiritual leaders, Rabbis Yisroel and Osher Jungreis, and the evening’s Master of Ceremonies, Rabbi Shlomo Gertzulin, the audience heard a message from former Chief Rabbi of Israel, Rabbi Yisrael Meir Lau. Rabbi Lau, an ardent admirer of the Rebbetzin, said that the Rebbetzin fittingly follows in the footsteps of three

Rebbetzin Esther Jungreis acknowledging the standing ovation from the audience following her address at the Hineni Dinner.

historic personalities – Avraham Avinu, Yosef HaTzaddik and Moshe Rabbeinu – who also proclaimed HINENI! when called upon by Hashem to serve his people. He spoke warmly about the global impact of the Rebbetzin and Hineni’s work in our generation today. Rabbi Lau concluded with giving the Rebbetzin a bracha for much continued success.

The engaged audience then heard from Rabbi Eli Mansour, world renowned lecturer, leader of the Sephardic community, and spiritual leader of the Bet Yaakob Synogogue in Brooklyn. He spoke of his deep respect for the Rebbetzin and everything that she has accomplished for Klal Yisrael. Rabbi Mansour noted how the Rebbetzin, with her noble and royal demeanor and iron strong sense of responsibility towards the Jewish people is indeed the Queen Esther of our generation, truly embodying the nobility of Queen Esther of the Purim story. He related that Rebbetzin Batsheva Kanievky, a”h, had told Rebbetzin Jungreis on one of her visits to Bnei Brak, “I might be the Rebbetzin of Eretz Yisroel, but you are the Rebbetzin of the world.”

An amazing tribute film presentation followed, chronicling the Rebbetzin’s historic work beginning with the founding gathering of Hineni in Madison Square Gardens in the early 1970s. Testimonies of various personalities sharing the effect the Rebbetzin had on their lives were interspersed

with video footage and photographs that transcended years and countries, displaying the Rebbetzin’s passion for Judaism and Hashem’s Torah, her relationships with those in the diaspora and in Israel, her interactions with numerous notable political and rabbinical figures, and her speaking engagements all over the world.

The highlight of the evening was when the Dinner guests were zoche to hear words of inspiration from the Rebbetzin herself. The Rebbetzin spoke of her early years on American soil, witnessing a spiritual wasteland, which prompted her to engage in a holy mission of bringing Jews closer to Hashem. It was an emotional evening that left not a dry eye in the room. The Rebbetzin’s words of chizuk moved nearly everyone to tears.

With her two daughters, Chaya Sora Gertzulin and Slovie Wolff, standing at her side, both literally and figuratively, the Rebbetzin used the Hineni Dinner as a forum to introduce her new Worldwide Shema Yisroel initiative.

In her soft, yet powerful and captivating voice, she exhorted everyone in the room to join her in the massive campaign to insure that the holy words of the Shema be on the lips of every Jew throughout the world, no matter how close or distant they may be to Yiddishkeit. “In these troubling times,” proclaimed the Rebbetzin, “we must all come together. “ “Shema Yisrael has always been our mantra,” she explained. “It’s what’s kept

us alive throughout the ages.”

And with that, she introduced her new initiative, encouraging all our fellow Jews to unite together in reciting this sacred prayer. “In these challenging times, we must unify our people and call out as one to HaShem, to watch over our nation,” proclaimed the Rebbetzin. “I call on everyone here tonight to help in getting this important message out to college campuses, friends, family, and Jewish neighbors, without any barriers or divides.”

Immediately upon concluding her heart-tugging message, the emotionally charged crowd rose with a thundering applause, as an outpouring of respect and love for the Rebbetzin and her message. The Zemiros Group choir and soloist Akiva Schwed broke out in a powerful and moving rendition of Shema Yisrael, and a beautiful selection of other songs that brought the crowd to its feet in unified dance. Then, almost as if on cue, hundreds of people lined up to receive their personal bracha from the Rebbetzin, with some waiting an hour or more for their turn to experience that magical and inspiring moment.

“It was a fitting chance to celebrate 50 years of the Rebbetzin’s pioneering work,” said one of the attendees whose eyes were filled with tears. “I, like hundreds of others here tonight, am so grateful to have this incredible opportunity to thank the Rebbetzin for her life’s work. And we hope that the Rebbetzin and Hineni’s legacy will continue to move and inspire generations to come.”

The Hineni Heritage Foundation is an organization that offers community events, Torah classes, workshops and more. To be a part of the Rebbetzin’s new Worldwide Shema Initiative, or find out more about Hineni’s programs and its schedule of events, please visit their website at Hineni. org, give them a call at (212) 496-1660, or email hineni@ hineni.org.

PHOTO CREDIT: MICHAEL PRIEST PHOTOGRAPHY

Rabbi Yisrael Meir Lau addressing the audience

Rabbi Eli Mansour

Rabbi Yisroel Jungreis

Slovie Wolff greeting the Hineni Dinner

56

MARCH 22, 2016 | The Jewish Home

Around the Community

Rambam and the Saracheck Tradition

R

ambam has a proud tradition of championship playing in the Sarachek Basketball Tournament hosted by Yeshiva University.

The tradition began in the 1996 with Rambam capturing first place in the Tier 1 division for two years in a row.

This year once, again, Rambam was invited to participate in the Tier II Division. The games began last Thursday with a tough game with the Beren Academy of Houston in which Rambam bested their opponents by the score of 42-28. The team was led by strong play from senior Jack Ross, who would later be named to the Sarachek All-Tournament 2nd Team.

Ross scored 14 points and Daniel Petrikovsky contributed key defensive stops to put Rambam over Houston.

The winning streak continued on Friday with a victory over their namesake, the Maimonides School of Boston Massachusetts. In that game, the whole team came together winning 81-45 with Noah Aaron, a Sarachek

All-Star, Sam Sicklick, and Jacob Dubin playing exceptionally well.

On Sunday, Rambam, under the guidance of Coach Steve Howard and Assistant Coach Shalom Babayev, extended the school’s Sarachek winning record to 11-0 and were the only undefeated team with such an impressive winning record. In the final game which was played last Monday, fans were treated to a nail-biter of a game between Rambam and the RASQ Warriors of Miami. The Rambam students filled the bleachers and they cheered and supported the team from the tip-off to the final buzzer.

Jonny Wiesel, Jack Ross, and Jacob Dubin kept the game close and the team coming up just one basket too short of another Rambam Sarachek Championship.

The players, though disappointed, took the loss in stride and reflected upon their overall impressive season and their 11-1 Sarachek record. They are already looking forward to a winning outcome next year!

Love Purim? So Do We. Send us your Purim photos so you can keep the Purim spirit going.

Editor@fivetownsjewishhome.com Subject: Purim Photos

The Jewish Home | MARCH 22, 2016

57

Around the Community

Learning Outside the Classroom: SKA Sophomores Lobby In Washington, DC

By Ayelet Aharon, 10th grade

I

n keeping with the belief that learning does not always begin and end in the classroom, grades 9, 10 and 11 of the Stella K. Abraham High School for Girls went on entertaining and educational trips the week of March 9. The tenth graders had the opportunity to see the inner working of our nation’s capital when they journeyed to Washington, DC, to meet with Senators and Congressmen to advocate for Israel.

After weeks of preparation, the SKA sophomores took their lobbying trip to Washington on Wednesday, March 9, and Thursday, March 10. They met with Congressmen and Senators regarding the BDS move-

ment, which tries to boycott, divest from and sanction Israel. Throughout the month before, the 10th graders learned about the United States government and the BDS movement from various guest speakers and in their History of Israel class. By the time the day of the trip arrived, the students felt confident that their knowledge and public speaking skills were sufficient to enable them to defend the State of Israel and counteract any argument about BDS that would come their way!

Before arriving in Washington, the 10th graders stopped to go ice skating, an activity which calmed everyone’s nerves in anticipation of the next day of lobbying. On Thursday morning, the students split into groups and

visited a total of 50 congressional offices! They met with both their local representatives and those from states all over the country. Their well-prepared speeches were very persuasive in informing and convincing government officials to support Israel.

After a delicious meat dinner, the exhausted but elated group of girls boarded the buses to head home.

There was a real sense of accomplishment; not only did the SKA sophomores prepare themselves to defend Israel in everyday situations, but they made a real difference by convincing influential people to do the same.

This fun and exciting trip had a personal impact on each individual, as well as a large impact on the community as a whole.

This week, ten SKA students attended the AIPAC conference in Washington together with Ms. Raizy Chechik, SKA Principal Grades 9-10, and Mrs. Rivky Waxman, SKA’s Educational Technology Integrator, and introduced five breakout sessions on Sunday, March 20. The SKA girls have made a real kiddush Hashem!

Our thanks go to Ms. Chechik, Rabbi Friedman, Mrs. Mezei, Rabbi Rice, Mrs. Tannenbaum and Mrs. Waxman for chaperoning the 10th grade trip.

Special thanks for coordinating all the trips go to Rabbi Zak, Mrs. Storch and the entire team and the SKA Parent Council who coordinated our teacher appreciation gifts!

Inspiration and Simchas Purim with Sh’eefa

A

s is every year, the Sunday before Purim is a time when Purim preparations are definitely in full swing. The last minute costume adjustments are being worked out, the mishloach manos are being wrapped, and the smell of freshly baked hamantashen are in the air. And, as is every year, Sh’eefa enabled young women to do the most important preparations of all for the holiday – preparations of the heart.

Sunday morning was greeted by close to one hundred young women descending the stairs of Aish Kodesh

and ascending into a mindset of kedusha.

Ms. Chevi Garfinkel mesmerized the crowd as only she could. She guided them in picturing themselves during the time period of Mordechai and Esther and how those Jews must have felt after being ripped from their homelands. She described their many years of longing for the nightmare of exile to finally end, and for it not only to result in not returning to Yerushalayim, but actually then living under a king who celebrated their crushed hopes and dreams.

She also spoke about the mitz-

vah of simcha in Adar and how to achieve that perspective. She empowered everyone in the crowd, explaining that no matter what challenges a person may be facing, one is always able to “choose their own playlist” of what they play over and over in their minds. She explained that when one recognizes that all pain and suffering has purpose (albeit difficult for us to understand and see in this world), one can truly rise to a level of simcha regardless of the circumstance. She continued to explain that perhaps that is why one must hear every single word of

the Megillah in order to fulfill the obligation, because all aspects of the Megillah – even the aspects that are sad and painful – create the beautiful tapestry that reveals Hashem’s master plan.

Those in attendance left the program inspired and more in tune with the true powers of the yom tov of Purim. Thank you Sh’eefa for again creating a space for the community to come together to learn and grow!

For more information about Sh’eefa’s inspiring shiurim and programs including our Purim Chagigah, please visit www.sheefa.org

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MARCH 22, 2016 | The Jewish Home

Around the Community

At the siyum for the authors of Artscroll’s new 10 volume Sefer HaChinuch

Rock Adar Simcha at HANC Adar Carnival at Yeshiva University High School for Girls High School

W

hat a great way to kick off the Purim spirit! At Central, we welcomed in Rosh Chodesh Adar Bet with an exciting carnival, where we were joined by the students of Ivdu Yachad. We are so proud of our students, who worked together with creativity and initiative to plan and run the carnival activities. The day before the exciting program, each grade designed four carnival booths, including a pickle race, a foul-shot contest, pinthe-hat-on-Haman, gragger-making, and more! To welcome our guests more personally, 48 Central students volunteered to be “Yachad buddies” with our 24 visiting guests and made a personalized crown for each Yachad member. The carnival was a colorful and spirited event, complete with music, dancing, and a blow-up race! Students, teachers, and administrators got into the Purim spirit with wacky clown costumes and accessories. Says Director of Student Activities and Experiential Learning Mrs. Shani Malitzky, “Our guests from Ivdu had a blast, and it was so inspiring watching

T

he spirit of Adar is permeating the air at HANC High School.

A wonderful time was had by all at the Rosh Chodesh Adar II breakfast on Friday, March 11. After a joyous Hallel during davening with spontaneous singing and dancing, the students dined on a breakfast. Everyone in attendance enjoyed the music by our amazing HANC Band. The highlight was the first-ever HANC

Central students coordinate, plan, and execute a fantastic experience for them!” Aviva Gonter (‘18) enjoyed spending time with her Yachad buddy, and said she found the experience “amazing and inspiring.” Hila Karol (‘18) agrees: “It was fun for them and for us!”

The ruach was contagious, and surely signals more excitement to come later this month at our first-ever Purim Extravaganza. The entire Central family is welcome to our building on Purim evening for learning, megillah reading, a break-fast, and what is sure to be a fantastic chagigah. Join us!

High School Spelling Bee. “Disciplined” contestants “approximately” spelled or misspelled the words as the “amateurs” were disqualified until two not “insubstantial” contestants remained. Although the audience was a little “mischievous” as they acted as “proxy” to the finalists, the outcome was conclusive as 9th graders Noam Douek and Adina Cohen shared the top honors.

DRS Students Bring Simcha to the Chupah and Beyond

M

ore than a dozen DRS students eagerly took part in a very special wedding this week, bringing joy to the wedding of a DRS and SKA graduate as part of the Claire Kamhi Hachnasat Kallah initiative. Serving as ushers, waiters, bartenders and photographers throughout the night, the students made the wedding a smashing success. When the boys weren’t busy doing their various jobs, they were

dancing, singing, and making sure the chasan and kallah were b’simcha.

Above all, the students got a tremendous sense of satisfaction from being part of such a wonderful simcha. A very special thanks to DRS Student Activities Director Rabbi Eli Brazil, Administrative Assistant Mrs. Sue Weinberg, and Claire Kamhi Hachnasat Kallah Director Mrs. Nicole Gleitman for organizing and coordinating the beautiful wedding!

The Jewish Home | MARCH 22, 2016

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MARCH 22, 2016 | The Jewish Home

Around the Community

The 3rd grade girls at HALB put on an ADARble Purim play! Queen Esther did a fantastic job protecting Bnei Yisroel while Mordechai was a true hero in Long Beach Shushan. The girls sang and danced while the beaming audience joined along. We are exceptionally proud of our actresses who put on the entire play in Ivrit – yaasher koach banot!

Hitting the Slopes

O

n March 8, warm, balmy weather was not enough to stop the HANC High School boys and girls from the amazing annual end of winter ski and snow tubing trip. Despite the high temperature of 71 degrees, there was plenty of snow on the mountains and all the trails at Mountain Creek were open and groomed. Over 80 students and faculty headed out early for what turned out to be an exciting, fun filled day. Over 30 first time skiers participated in an introductory group lesson before hitting the slopes while the experienced HANC HS skiers were zooming down the three peaks from the moment of arrival until departure. At the lodge, students enjoyed the hot cocoa buffet set up by the Rebbeim while taking the time to shmooze and bond. Famished students ended the day with a gourmet spread at Noah’s Ark restaurant in Teaneck, NJ. The ninth grade girls embarked on an awesome action-packed snow tubing trip to Camelback Mountain Resort in Pennsylvania. Once at Camelback, the girls enjoyed the spring weather as they snow tubed down the mountain. The girls also enjoyed making delicious s’mores around the fire pit at Camelback.

The day culminated with a delicious dinner stop in Queens at Carlos & Gabb’’s. In preparation for the day,

each participant was responsible for some aspect of the trip which included shopping for snacks, bus programming, and preparing divrei Torah and words of inspiration. The girls accomplished their tasks with tremendous leadership capability.

The girls returned to school happy, albeit tired, and everyone felt the warmth and unity that the day bought among the ninth grade girls at HANC High School.

The tenth grade girls went to Chocolate Works in Long Island. The students participated in a fun workshop prepared just for them. Using pretzels, cookies, candies, sprinkles, and of course plenty of chocolate, they created their own chocolate “pizzas,” which they took home in mini pizza boxes. But the girls did’’t have to wait to get home to sample some tasty treats – they snacked on strawberries, marshmallows, and

pretzels which they had dipped into a giant chocolate fountain. After enjoying a catered pizza lunch, the students had some free time to explore the mall with their friends, before returning to school.

Students are waiting expectantly for our upcoming chagigat Purim which will take place on Shushan Purim.

Speci al Suppl PURIM emen t

March 22 — March 31, 2016

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

Your Favorite Five Towns Family Newspaper

• • • mixet orkiliixt ` • • • THOUGHTS ON PURIM

S4 S10

A Geshmake un Gezunta Hatred

by Mr. Joe Bobker The Holy Shell

by Rabbi Dani Staum, LMSW

HISTORY

S20

Purim Fest 1946

by Avi Heiligman

PURIM FUN

S12

S18 S28

When Life’s a Barrel of Laughs

by Malky Lowinger It’s Me! Chaim

by Mordechai Schmutter My Purim Predicament

by Rachel Gross

IN THE KITCHEN

S22 S24

Purim Kreplach

By Naomi Nachman

A Meal Fit for a King

by Shifra Klein

TO YOUR HEALTH

S30

M’Shenichnas Adar Marbim B’Calories

by Cindy Weinberger, MS, RD, CDN

S2

MARCH 22, 2016 | The Jewish Home

Vaad Harabanim is It is mehudar to send matanos l’evyonim in the one’s matanos l’evyonim most mehudar manner. money to Vaad Harabanim Chaim Kanievsky Yosef Shalom Elashiv

To Open the Gates of Divine Favor

For Vaad Harabanim’s Donors

To fulfill all the wishes of their heart for the good Prayer Session

At The Tomb Of Mordechai And Esther

In Hamadan, Iran!

Tefilah and Recitation of “Ayeles Hashachar”

Tefilah and Recitation of “Ayeles Hashachar”

By 26 Gedolei V’Tzaddikei Hador Shlita

In 93 Shaarei Shamayim Around The World

1877-722-2646

221 Regent Drive Lakewood, NJ 08701

Tax ID# 37-1456890

Fax: 1877-KVITTEL (1877-584-8835)

1888-36-36-248 international toll-free number

In Canada: 5831 Esplanade Montreal Quebec Canada h2t3a2

All donations are tax deductible. Please make checks payable to Vaad Harabbanim In accordance with U.S. tax law requirements regarding deductibility of contributions, VAAD HARABBANIM L'INYANEI TZEDUKA INC. shall have full dominion, control and discretion over this gift. All contributions subject to final board approval.

The Jewish Home | MARCH 22, 2016

I S T O R Y

S3

S4

The Jewish Home | OCTOBER 29, 2015

MARCH 22, 2016 | The Jewish Home

49

Bobker on Purim

A Geshmake un Gezunta Hatred

How’s this for irony!

A

sophisticated man slanders Jews for keeping Jewish holidays. He then rolls the dice of hate so badly that he becomes responsible for adding another Jewish festival to the very calendar that he so despises; in fact, he singlehandedly creates Purim, the zaniest festival of them all, a lively and boisterous day of prayer and parody, law and levity. Destruction, deliverance, conspiracies, palace intrigue, assassination attempts, surprise endings, villains, heroes and a beautiful heroine: Megillas

Esther has it all – what more could a Hollywood director ask for?

Megillas Esther describes a tale unfolding in Shushan, capital of Persia, ba’yamim hahem, “in the distant past.” Haman is the epitome of the Hebrew definition of rasha, a man whose life’s ambition is to wear “royal clothes and ride the king’s horse.” He belongs to a long line of wickedness extending back to the dreaded Agag, cunning king of the Amalekites, a nation so evil that the Torah makes it a positive command to forever remember “that which Amalek did to thee (Zachor es asher asa lecha Amalek).”

Haman shares more than just amoral billing with his boss Ahasuerus, whose pedigree is similarly sinister. His father? Cyrus, the menacing Persian king, a man who elevated anti-Semitism into an acceptable social ideology. His wife Vashti’s zeida? None other than the notorious Nebuchadnezzer, a man who knew more about destroying Jews than anyone else. And like most deceivers and opportunists, Haman was true to form: his family tree was no more Persian (he was an Agagite, son of Hamdata) than Adolf Hitler’s was German (he was an Austrian) or Yasser Arafat’s “Palestinian” (he was

Egyptian).

What prompts Haman to resort to mass murder?

He finds certain “laws and customs” of the Jews troubling. Rava, a fourth-century Sage, specifies that these were kashrus (“they do not eat of our food”), non-assimilation (“they do not marry our women”), and Jewish holidays, a different calendar.

Haman thus alerts the king that “there exists one nation whose laws and customs are different from those of all nations, and who do not adhere to the king’s customs.”

Jewish history is littered with such terminally corrupt Esau-stereotypes as

Balaam (“they dwell alone, not to be reckoned among the nations”); Joseph Stalin (“they are passportless wanderers”); Bernard Shaw (“they are enormously arrogant”); Charles de Gaulle (they are un peuple d’élite, sûr de lui-même et dominateur, “an elite people, sure of itself and dominating”); Voltaire (“What was the Jews’ crime? None, other than being born!”); and, of course, Adolf Hitler, the inventor and master of State-sponsored genocide (“they are of a different race with a different smell”).

“People hate Jews because of envy,” sighs R’ Solomon Ibn Verga, sixContinued on page S6

‫‪S5‬‬

‫‪The Jewish Home | MARCH 22, 2016‬‬

‫‪...‬פתחו‬ ‫לבכם לרחם עליהם‬

‫בימי עניים ומרודיהם‪,‬‬ ‫והושיטו שני ידיכם במתנות‬ ‫הגונות שיש בהם ממש ובכך‬ ‫תהיו נמנים לדבר מצוה‪...‬‬

‫כ"ק אדמו"ר‬ ‫מסקולען שליט"א‬

‫‪...‬כל מקרה‬ ‫ומקרה בפני עצמו זועק‬ ‫ומשווע עד לרקיע‪ ,‬וחלילה‬ ‫לנו להתעלם מהם‪ ...‬לא‬

‫מה רבו‬ ‫ונפלאו מעשי החסד של‬ ‫קרן החסד‪ ...‬ופעולתם אמת‬ ‫שעוזרים עניים נכבדים ותלמידי‬ ‫חכמים‪...‬לכן נכון שעסקנים‬ ‫יתקבלו בסבר פנים יפות‪,‬‬ ‫ביד פתוחה וברוח נדיבה‪.‬‬

‫הרב משה וואלפסאן‬ ‫שליט"א‬

‫תעמוד על דם רעיך!‬

‫‪Matanos‬‬ ‫‪L’evyonim‬‬ ‫בהמלצת גדולי ומאורי הדור שליט"א‬

‫‪EZRAS YISROEL‬‬

‫מקיימים מצות מתנות‬ ‫לאביונים בהידור רב‪...‬‬

‫הרב שמואל‬ ‫קמנצקי שליט"א‬

‫של כל אחד הנוטל חלק‬ ‫במפעל כביר זו‪...‬ולקיים‬ ‫בזה מצות מתנות לאביונים‪..‬‬

‫המפעל‬ ‫הנשגב עזרת ישראל‪...‬‬

‫הרב אפרים פישל‬ ‫הערשקאוויטש‬ ‫שליט"א‬

‫‪...‬והתיצבו‬ ‫לימין העסקנים המסורים‪...‬‬ ‫כי עיניהם של עניים נשואות‬ ‫לתרומות הללו‪ ,‬וחלילה‬

‫להתעלם מקול זעקתם‬ ‫הבוקע מתוך לבבם‬ ‫הנשבר‪...‬‬

‫‪Your Matanos L'evyonim will help‬‬

‫!‪from utter despair‬‬

‫!‪Join Us In Helping Them‬‬

‫צדקה נפלא‬ ‫וכביר בשם עזרת ישראל‪...‬‬ ‫לזאת אליכם אישים אקרא‬

‫להיות שותף וליטול‬ ‫חלק נכבד עבור אותם‬ ‫משפחות‪ ...‬ונא להרים‬ ‫תרומות הגונות‪...‬‬

‫הרב ארי' מלכיאל‬ ‫קוטלר שליט"א‬

‫‪bring Happiness to Thousands of‬‬ ‫‪People and will save their families‬‬

‫כ"ק אדמו"ר‬ ‫מנאוואמינסק שליט"א‬

‫מסייעים ותומכים‬ ‫למשפחות נצרכים‪,‬‬ ‫חולים גלמודים עניים‬ ‫ואביונים‪...‬‬

‫‪will help you fulfill your obligation to give‬‬

‫מתנות לאביונים‬ ‫לעניי עירך בו ביום!‬

‫‪...‬אין ערוך‬ ‫למצוה רבה זו וחשיבות קרן‬ ‫הצדקה הנ"ל‪ ...‬אשרי חלקו‬

‫הרב יחזקאל ראטה‬ ‫שליט"א‬

‫‪...‬ויכולים‬ ‫לקיים בזה מצות מתנות‬

‫לאביונים כהלכתו‪ ...‬באתי‬ ‫לבקש לקיים מצות פתוח‬ ‫תפתח את ידך וגו' ולתרום‬ ‫ביד נדיבה סכומים חשובים‬ ‫ולחוס ולרחם על הנצרכים‪...‬‬

‫‪...‬חובה‬ ‫גדולה לעמוד לימינם‪..‬‬

‫הרב אברהם יהושע העשיל‬ ‫ביק שליט"א‬

‫להיות להם לעזר ואחיסמך‬ ‫בעושה ובמעשה‪...‬שכן‬ ‫מפעלם מפעל אדיר הוא‪,‬‬

‫והרבה נפשות מישראל‬ ‫צריכים להם‪...‬‬

‫הרב מתתי' סאלאמאן‬ ‫שליט"א‬

‫!‪The More You Give - The More We Can Help‬‬

‫‪...‬כי‬ ‫המקרים נוגעים בפיקוח‬ ‫נפש והצלת נפשות רבות‬ ‫מישראל‪ ,‬ומצוה גדולה הוא‬

‫עד מאוד‪ ,‬להיות שותפים‬

‫במפעל קדוש ונשגב זה‪...‬‬

‫‪All donations received by 5:30pm on Purim day will be distributed on Purim‬‬

‫"‪Tax-deductible contributions payable to "EZRAS YISROEL‬‬

‫כ"ק אבדק"ק וויען‬ ‫שליט"א‬

‫‪ALL MAJOR CREDIT‬‬ ‫‪CARDS ACCEPTED‬‬

50 S6 50

OCTOBER 2015 || The Jewish Home MARCH 22,29, 2016 | The Jewish Home OCTOBER 29, 2015 The Jewish Home

teenth-century Spanish historian, physician, and author of Shevet Yehudah, and “for envy there is no cure.”

He who starts with the complaint that some Jews are anti-social irritants inevitably ends with a much more serious charge: that all Jews are disloyal Hofjude-type citizens. For example: Even though the Jews tried to out-Egyptian the Egyptians in their patriotism, Pharaoh also considered them dual loyalists and a security risk. Not that we weren’t forewarned.

In three short verses, the Torah, in one of the most important readings of the year, Parshas Zachor, makes it a positive command to forever remember Amalek as the persona of all evil; in fact, the only one whose nefarious memory Jews must “wipe out.” The question is obvious: Who is Amalek?

Mentioned three times in the Torah and several times in Tanach, Amalek is an actual person. His mother was Timna, an aristocratic royal princess and the concubine of Eliphaz; his grandfather was Esau, Jacob’s twin brother. He was raised in the tents of his angry grandfather in an atmosphere of constant rage at the children of Jacob after his birthright was “snatched away” by Jacob. Not surprisingly, this constant exposure to hatred produced an angry young man.

Amalek became a clan leader of nomadic slave traders from “the land of Edom [Eastern Idumea]” and then the chief of an obscure nation in the southern part of Canaan. These folk were sinister and menacing; their descendants are known as Amalekites.

After the might and influence of Pharaoh’s Egypt was

shattered by the ten plagues and their military forces destroyed at the Red Sea, the Amalekites easily conquered the country. Egyptian history calls them the Hyksos, which means “foreign, shepherd kings.” The news of firstborn deaths, Seas splitting and entire armies drowned gripped many nations with fear of the G-d of the Jews. As the Jews fled Egypt the new Egyptian occupiers chased and attacked them in the desert, determined to destroy the notion of a Jewish G-d and prove to the world that “they feared [Him] not.”

The audacious Amalek nation had no faith in the Egyptian system (where multiple gods ruled) nor in Abraham’s revolutionary concept of Monotheism (where One G-d rules).

As the influential nineteenth-century chassidic Rabbi Tzaddok HaKohen of Lublin (Pri Tzadik) put it: they believed in nothing: i.e.: atheism; and to prove it, they tried (unsuccessfully) to destroy the Jews in the desert.

After nearly a century of terrorizing, the Hyksos-Amalekites fled a local insurrection and were thrown out of the Nile Valley where they were confronted by King Saul who waged Jewish history’s first war to wipe out Amalek and crush them. Does he? With an army of 200,000 Jewish soldiers, Saul defeats and kills the Amalekite enemy – but, despite a direct order from G-d, lets their leader Agag live. Saul finds his reign cut short as a consequence.

The king of Israel’s failure to obey motivates the future rabbis of the Talmud to warn all Jews who wish to become Jewish leaders: beware of misplaced compassion, “Be not overly righ-

teous like Saul [who] had mercy on the wicked [Amalek].”

Samuel, Saul’s successor, the last and the greatest of the fifteen Judges, finally tracks the leader of Amalek to Gilgal and kills him “in front of G-d.” But it was too late. Six hundred years later, a powerful descendant, Haman, appears on the world stage. Unable to control the immoral genes of Amalek in his DNA he decides to annihilate all the Jewish communities in the 127 provinces of the Persian Empire. His effort fails.

In an act of historic irony, the Jews are saved by Saul’s

teenth-century posek who expresses it as sina k’vuah b’ lev, not just hatred but a geshmake un gezunta – a “healthy and feel-good” – hatred; or as Koheles puts it, Eis lisno, an “appropriate hate!”

In Rabbi Meir Yaakov Soloveitchik’s famous essay titled, “The Virtue of Hate,” that appeared in First Things in February 2003, he unabashedly writes, “When hate is appropriate, then it is not only virtuous but essential for Jewish well-being!”

The most common last will-and-testament from the victims of the Holocaust was the cry for eternity, Gedenk

have an unambiguous list of post-Haman candidates ranging from Adolf to Arafat to Hamas to Iran’s Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and top ISIS thug, Abu Bakr Al-Baghdadi.

Rabbi Chaim Solovietchik, the Brisker Rav, was willing to apply the label of Amalek to any Jew-hater on the basis that a non-genetic Amalekite descendent can become an “Amalakite” because the resume of bigotry can be applied to anyone of any background at any time and place to one who harbors an irrational, unconditional hatred of the Jewish people.

Consider: In the 1920s,

And like most deceivers and opportunists, Haman was true to form: his family tree was no more Persian (he was an Agagite, son of Hamdata) than Adolf Hitler’s was German (he was an Austrian) or Yasser Arafat’s “Palestinian” (he was Egyptian).

descendants, Mordechai and Esther, and from that moment on the chosen folk are called Yehudim, from the root hoda’a (“acknowledgment”). The struggle of Israel and Amalek now becomes the eternal struggle of good versus evil.

But wait! Is it OK to hate?

R’ Eliezar compares a hater to a murderer. “To hate another is to hate his Creator,” warns Pesichta Zutarti. Hatred upsets the social order, adds R’ Simeon ben Eleazar. Don’t be misled by phony compassion is the healthy advice of Rabbi Avraham Danzig (Chayei Adam), a late eigh-

vos es hot geton mit dayn folk der daytshisher Nazi Amalek, “Remember – and avenge – what the German Nazi Amalek did to your people!” These were wholesome cries of hatred, Biblical in their nature. Was Hitler an Amalekite? Let’s ask the Rambam.

The Rambam, who made “obliterating Amalek’s memory a halacha l’maaseh, “a positive commandment [that is still] actively binding upon the entire Jewish community,” interprets Amalekism as a way of being and not a predisposed generic racial trait. If the “way of being” is the definition, of a sadistic, immoral barbarism, then we

before Hitler rudely interrupted Jewish and world history, two top Agudas Yisroel leaders from Germany, Rabbi Phinehas Kohn and R’ Dr. Emanuel Carlebach, approached Rabbi Avraham Mordechai Alter, the powerful Rebbe of Ger, and asked him to support one of their institutions. The Gerrer Rebbe refused. He didn’t want to help anything “German”. And he was blunt, “I believe that the Germans are descendants of the Amalekites.”

As early as 1933 Rabbi Aharon Rokeach, the saintly Belzer Rebbe, defined the rise of Hitler as “the sitra achra [evil side]” and con-

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The Jewish Home | MARCH 29, 22, 2015 2016 The Jewish Home | OCTOBER

cluded he was “worse than Amalek!”

Shushan, Spain, France, Berlin, Damascus, Baghdad, Tehran, Damascus: The

yemei haPurim lo nivtalim.

That is, even though tradition states that all Jewish festivals will no longer be observed after the Messiah’s arrival, Purim will still

is subtle, but important. It emphasizes that Purim represents all the days of exile that are central to the formation of Jewish identity.

In the times of the Messiah,

“People hate Jews because of envy,” sighs R’ Solomon Ibn Verga, sixteenth-century Spanish historian, physician, and author of Shevet Yehudah, and “for envy there is no cure.”

names may change but the lesson remains the same.

The spiritual significance of Purim is illustrated in an addition to its Shacharis morning service: V’im kol hamo’adim yihiyu beteilim,

be celebrated. This honor is surely peculiar: Why Purim?

The answer lies in the careful choice of words.

The Torah does not refer to “Purim” but to “the days of Purim.” The difference

as a striking contrast to the then-idyllic existence of the Jewish people, Purim will serve as a reminder of “all those days” of exile, including the early twenty-first century when Jews were

still under constant threat of attack and annihilation by Amalek wannabes.

In modern times, we may not know exactly who the Amalekite people are since genealogies and nations have all been confused. But open any paper or listen to any news broadcast and it is obvious who the committed enemies of the Jewish people are today. They are easily identified as the spiritual heirs of Haman. What is more dangerous are those in the political arena of this administration and in this campaign who pretend to be friends of the Jews but in fact harbor sinister feelings towards them. The mental Amalekites of our time.

“I was wounded,” laments Zecharia, “in the house of my friends!” By

now, the Jews have learned their lesson from the laboratory of Hamanic history.

Some friends are like a sundial. Useless when the sun sets, or as the Yiddishists from Eastern Europe put it so succinctly: False friends are like birds, they migrate in the cold weather.

Chag Purim sameach!

Joe Bobker, alumnus of Yeshivas HaRav Kook in Jerusalem, is the former publisher and editor-in-chief of the Los Angeles Jewish Times, author of the popular Torah With a Twist of Humor series and the 12-volume Historiography of Orthodox Jews and the Holocaust to be published next summer

by Gefen Press, Jerusalem. He can be reached at jbobker@ aol. com.

‫בס"ד‬

‫בס"ד‬

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Through a lot of hard work and mesiras nefesh, many of these teens have grown tremendously in Torah and Mitzvos. They bring their new commitment and passion of yiddishkeit into their lives and homes.

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(347) 524-3864 or via email at: Walkina@ncsy.org

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MARCH 22, 2016 | The Jewish Home

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MARCH 22, 2016 | The Jewish Home

Parenting Pearls

The Holy Shell Rabbi Dani Staum, LMSW

C

leaning ladies – don’t even get me started! Once, or maybe twice, a week she is welcomed into my house to decide where everything should go and how things should be arranged. Invariably, when I come home after she’s cleaned, while the house looks pretty clean, it’s usually because she decided to discard half of our stuff.

Later that night, I’m sure to find some of my son’s clothing in my drawer (sometimes my daughter’s stuff too), our dresser has been completely rearranged, and heaven knows where my clothes are. Magazines I’m in the middle of are discarded, and things left out disappear forever.

Our cleaning lady must have heard me complaining about her last week, because when I went to turn on the shower it was facing the wrong way, and shpritzed me right in the face.

For a number of years, on the desk of my Yeshiva Bais Hachinuch office, I had what looked like a spilled bottle of red nail polish. The applier was placed strategically atop the fake spill, and it looked real. It was a great conversation starter which is important for a therapist to have, “Umm, your nail polish (?) spilled…”

Then, about three years ago, towards the beginning of a new academic year, I came into my office one morning to find the bottle closed and the fake spill gone. It took some time before I realized that the yeshiva had

hired a new janitor who apparently “cleaned up” the mess. Someone should’ve told him that not all messes are meant to be cleaned up!

So why do we have a cleaning lady, you ask? That’s a silly question.

This is America; it’s a constitution-

But there was one time when I really couldn’t fault the cleaning lady for throwing something out. Each night of Chanukah, when I would clean out the used cups of oil and remove the wicks from the night before, I would place the wicks onto a piece of tin foil

It was a great conversation starter which is important for a therapist to have, “Umm, your nail polish (?) spilled…” al obligation. The Bill of Rights dictates that the military cannot sleep in your home, and you have freedom of speech and religion, but it’s contingent on you having a cleaning lady who rearranges your home consistently.

Each week before she comes, I try to hide everything I want to keep so that it doesn’t get “cleaned up.” I have even had nightmares about my cleaning lady chasing me with a vacuum cleaner and Windex, yelling at me for leaving my pen on the dresser. When I went to call a therapist to ask for help he told me he couldn’t schedule an appointment because his cleaning lady threw his appointment book in the garbage.

Okay, so I’m exaggerating a little.

so I could burn them as halacha dictates. (I usually burn them with my chometz and lulav on erev Pesach.)

This year, the day after Chanukah ended, I came home to find the table and menorah cleaned off and all of the wicks gone. I sadly realized that the cleaning lady had thrown them away. This time I had no one to blame but myself. How could I have expected her to think otherwise? Why would there be any inherent specialness in a pile of used wicks?

As Jews we understand that even after certain things become worn out they maintain holiness and must be disposed of properly. Chazal teach us that because the light of the menorah is symbolic of the eternal light of Torah, the wicks used to light those

candles cannot merely be discarded.

It is intriguing that our enemies often have a better understanding of us than we do. The Vilna Gaon explains that Haman wanted not only to destroy us as a people, but also to destroy our dead bodies, similar to the Nazi crematoriums. Haman recognized that even the physical shell of a Jew is “contaminated with Jewishness.”

His decree should help us realize us that every Jew is special and invaluable – just because he or she is a Jew – and there always remains a spark within. A non-Jew does not have a connection to such an idea. If menorah wicks retain holiness, how much more so the physical body of a Jew! On Purim we celebrate the greatness that resides in every one of us. On Purim we love each other simply because we are part of the same family!

By the way, if you don’t get shalach manos from us, it’s definitely because the cleaning lady took apart the baskets we made and put everything away. We’ll be sure to have you in mind as we eat it.

Rabbi Staum is the Rabbi of Kehillat New Hempstead, and Rebbe/Guidance Counselor in Yeshiva Bais Hachinuch and Ashar in Monsey, N.Y. He can be reached at stam torah@gmail.com. His website is www. stam­torah.info.

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The Jewish Home | MARCH 22, 2016

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MARCH 22, 2016 | The Jewish Home

The Jewish Home | OCTOBER 29, 2015

55

When Life’s a Barrel of Laughs Four Funnymen Talk about How they Make us Chuckle

By Malky Lowinger

We all enjoy a good laugh, a clever joke, a funny story. It does wonders for our mood, boosts our spirits, and helps us forget our troubles – even if it’s just for a little while. But making people laugh isn’t easy and performing in front of an audience is hard work. Yet somehow, these fellows make it look easy.

Who are these funny guys? What special talents do they possess?

Who are their role models? And what makes them make us want to laugh?

As Purim approaches, we salute the performers who have turned laughter into a serious business. They keep the rest of us happy.

THE YARME ROV

R

abbi Yankel Miller is no youngster. But he’s still an expert at showing us the sunny side of life. “It all started about fifty years ago,” says Rabbi Miller, who calls himself the Yarme Rov. “In those days, I used to be a ‘Peerim Roov.” Every Peerim I would make jokes at the table, by the Rebbe’s ‘Peerim Tisch.’”

One year, after Purim,

Rabbi Yankel Miller in front of Rav Chaim Kanievsky

his Rebbe turned to him and said, “Yankel, why don’t you become a badchan?” And that’s exactly what he did.

At the time there was only one badchan in America, the legendary R’Chaim Mendel Mermelstein. Rabbi Miller, who was looking for a source of parnassah, was open to the suggestion. But how to get started?

The opportunity present-

ed itself soon enough. “I was once on my way from Monsey to the city and a family asked me for a ride. Their son was a chosson at the time and on the way, they said to me, ‘Maybe you’ll come to our chasuna and tell a few jokes?

We’ll pay you twenty dollars!’” And the rest is Yarme history.

Today, Rabbi Miller prefers to perform at sheva

brochos rather than at weddings, because, as he says, “you don’t have to be up so late at night.” Either way, he relates, “Being mesameach Yidden is a big mitzvah!”

Rabbi Miller is a Vizhnitzer chassid and has been living in Monsey since 1964.

He enjoys a worldwide reputation for his heimishe wit and humor. But he is careful to make a distinction between badchanus and leitzanus.

“Badchanus,” he asserts, “is making jokes about things that go on around the world, like politics. Leitzanus is making fun of people. That’s something I don’t do. I never get personal. That’s why everybody likes me,” he quips They also like his trademark story of the kortzeh hoizen, the short pants (part of the Chassidic levush). It

goes something like this: Tonight, somebody asked me, “How come you don’t wear normal pants like the rest of us do?” So I told him I just bought a new pair of pants.

My wife said they’re too long. So I told her, “You’re right. Maybe take a pair of scissors and cut off two inches?” She said, “I’m too busy right now.” Then I went to my daughter and asked her if she could cut off two inches. And she said, “Tatty, I would do it gladly but I’m busy.” Then I asked another daughter and a third daughter, and nobody had time.

Finally, I went out to daven Maariv. By then, my wife said OK, she finally has time, and she cut off two inches. My daughter also came out of her room and cut off two inches. And my other daughter. Nu, when I came Continued on page S14

The Jewish Home | MARCH 22, 2016

As night falls on erev Shabbos,

Jewish mothers unite and ignite.

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OCTOBER 2015 | The Jewish Home MARCH 22,29, 2016 | The Jewish Home

home from Maariv, I also took off two inches! So that’s how I ended up with kortzeh hoisen!

I ask Rabbi Miller how he came to call himself the Yarme Rov. It turns out that his family is actually from a town in Hungary called Yarme.

Calling himself a “Rebbe” and wearing colorful bekishes has become

an integral part of his act.

“And boruch Hashem, I am matzliach.” But it’s not just the heimishe olam that enjoys Miller’s humor. “I also perform for goyim,” he says.

How’s that? “Shomrim and Hatzolah make a Chanuka party every year and they invite the police sergeants and firefighters. Every year I perform for them and it’s a

MENDY PELLIN –

ANSWERING TO A HIGHER AUTHORITY

G

rowing up Chabad in Crown Heights, Mendy Pelllin remembers “getting kicked out of class for making people laugh.” Today, he is living in California, does stand-up comedy, and runs a film production company.

But back then, “if there was ever an opportunity to get a big laugh, I had to decide if I should do it and risk detention. Most of the time, the big laugh won.”

He says his career as a comic started by chance. “I was uploading videos online and people were watching them, and well, they liked it.” He finds humor in “noticing the little things that other people don’t notice in everyday situations, being a bit removed and looking at it from the outside in.”

For example, he noticed in shul that when the rabbi

gives his weekly lecture, people have the habit of holding their finger on the place in the siddur. “So I finally got up in front of a big congregation in California and I told everyone, ‘Guys, get your finger out of the book! Let the blood flow!’ It was really good comic relief!”

When he’s not working, Mendy likes to keep busy helping his wife raise their three young children. He says they provide an endless source of comic material for him. He also likes to test his material at his Shabbos meals, to the delight of his many guests. “But sometimes,” he admits, “I get that look from my wife, which means that she’s heard the same joke ten times already.”

Mendy admires the work of legendary Jewish comedians Jerry Seinfeld and Jack-

real kiddush Hashem. They come over to me afterwards and say, ‘That was amazing!

You performed for an hour and didn’t make one off-color joke!”

Despite being in his seventies, Rabbi Miller is still sought after all over the world. “Boruch Hashem, I still travel to Europe, to Australia, and to Eretz Yisroel.

I’m not planning to retire anytime soon because it’s a groyseh mitzvah!” He also performs in nursing homes and says the elderly especially enjoy his humor because he liberally mixes English and Yiddish, and often Hungarian, into his shpiel.

He proudly remembers being “mesameach Rav Kanievsky at his einikel’s she-

va brachos. He was mamish laughing out loud!” And then he adds, “Go to YouTube and maybe you can find it.”

Rabbi Miller encourages young, aspiring badchanim but cautions them as well: “Never ever be mevayesh anyone at a simcha. Don’t be funny on someone else’s cheshbon.” He concludes, “Then you will be matzliach.”

ie Mason – Seinfeld because “I like how he looks at everyday situations and analyzes them with a little bit of Talmudic-style commentary.”

And Mason because “he doesn’t hide his Jewishness.

He uses it.”

Mendy’s worked with all kind of people, from Yaakov Shwekey to Michael Strahan. He is also involved with helping organizations like RCCS and ALS. Occasionally he will have to turn down a job because of his religious convictions.

“I answer to a Higher Authority,” he asserts. He once was scheduled to fly on someone’s private jet to perform at a major show, but the plane was leaving on Saturday. “I tried to explain that I don’t do electricity on Shabbos.

And the guy was like, ‘You don’t have to do anything.

We have a pilot. You just sit there on the plane and we get you there.’ Clearly, he didn’t get it.”

According to Mendy, being brought up Chabad “kind of messed me up for life because I can’t look at arms and not wrap them in tefillin.” Once, on a movie set with a famous actor and a few hundred extras, he started looking for potential “customers.” “I tried to keep it professional but I couldn’t help myself. So I went over to the production designer and said, ‘Hey, when was the

last time you put on tefillin?’ He said he never did. I said, ‘Would you like to do it right here right now?’ Well, he wasn’t so interested. So I presented it to him this way: ‘Listen, the first time

internet but you can’t let that discourage you. It’s actually a good sign. It means that a lot of good people are also watching your stuff. The hate is just the tip of the iceberg.”

"Listen, the first time you put on tefillin is like your bar mitzvah.

So how many people can say that they had this actor at their bar mitzvah?”

you put on tefillin is like your bar mitzvah. So how many people can say that they had this actor at their bar mitzvah?’ Well, that sealed it. I wrapped tefillin on him and then I went on a spree and wrapped tefillin on a lot of other people that day.”

Mendy encourages young comics to develop their skills. “These days,” he says, “you can really channel your talents in a way that wasn’t possible fifteen years ago and at the same time be a very devoted Jew. You can utilize technology to film yourself or to make funny videos, and just put it out there. If it’s good, they’ll watch it.”

And never mind about the hateful comments.

“There’s lots of hate on the

Mendy firmly believes that “it’s possible to pursue a career in comedy and still be a good frum Jew. You don’t have to sacrifice one world in order to step into the other world. You can have your feet in both worlds and it’s very doable.”

All things considered, Mendy thinks the rest of us should chill. “I think in general people in our community take themselves too seriously and that could be harmful to their health.

Somehow, when it comes to Purim it becomes socially acceptable to step out of our limitations, dress up a little, and let loose.

“I vote for trying to follow that up. Let’s remember that Purim spirit all year long!”

The Jewish Home | OCTOBER The Jewish Home | MARCH 29, 22, 2015 2016

MODI – COMEDY IS HEALING

M

odi may sound like a stage name but the comedian who calls himself that assures me that it’s actually part of his real name.

His full name, he says, is Mordechai Modi Rosenfeld.

He was born in Israel

and then moved in the Five Towns.

Modi originally worked in investment banking for Merrill Lynch but it soon became clear that he had special talents. “I would imitate the different secretaries at work with

Pinky Weber with Michoel Schnitzler

PINKY WEBER

– THE KING OF BADCHANUS

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ccording to R’ Pinchos Weber, there are two

kinds of badchanim. There are the ones who tell jokes

“So when everybody saw me running in with my little suitcase, they thought I was Hatzolah! That’s why they were so happy to see me!”

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their different accents and my friends would say, ‘Hey, Modi, you should be doing this onstage!’”

He then began his onstage career as an amateur comedian and was so good at it that he eventually gave up the banking in 1999. He considers himself fortunate to have performed in the Catskill Mountain hotels, at the tail end of that golden era. “My first show was at the Concord, and I was the opening act for Claire Barry of the Barry Sisters. Those were good times,” he recalls.

“Today, of course, it’s all chassidish up there. Now I do shows for the frum homeowners.”

Modi says that he has an advantage over other come-

dians in that “I work clean.

I don’t curse or use off-color humor so that makes me available for corporate events as well as Jewish events.” He’s performed in front of all different types of audiences. “One week I’ll be in Alabama where there’s not one Jew in the room. And a week later I’ll be doing a show for a Bonei Olam event with a huge mechitzah down the middle of the room. You have to know the crowd, their tastes, and their limits.”

Where does he get his material? “From life! I’m an observational comedian. Like I’ll describe myself going to the gym and people will say, ‘Wow, I never thought of it like that!’ Or I’ll talk about what it’s like

to go through TSA security screening at the airport.

These things are universal.”

Lately, he says, it’s been easy to find something to laugh at.

“All I need to do is turn on the election coverage! I get tons of material from that alone.”

And comedy is healing, there’s no question about that. “I get emails from people saying they’re going through some really tough times. Then they watch my show and they laugh out loud. I help them forget their friend who’s getting divorced or the shidduch that’s not happening, or all the other things that are going on in their lives. For one hour,” he says, “they’re completely numb to all of it.”

and are mesameach. And then there are those who are dramatic and talk about the family in rhyme. Weber says that he can combine both at a simcha. That’s why he is known by many as the King of Badchanus.

“I was always the clown in school,” he recalls. “And that got me into trouble!”

But it also got him to recognize that he had a flair for rhyming – which is essential for badchanus – and that he was musically inclined. Weber is also a composer.

A Satmar chassid who hails from Brooklyn, Weber attended Nitra Yeshiva in Mt. Kisco and today he lives in Williamsburg. He takes credit for updating the badchanus industry. “I added new ideas, such as more singing and newer songs.

I also gave badchanus more toichen. Times have changed,” he opines. “You can’t drive a station wagon nowadays. You need to update to a minivan.”

And while he is widely

recognized, he did attend one simcha where he was mistaken for someone else.

The story goes like this: “I came to Boro Park to be mesameach at a simcha and walked into Torah V’Yirah hall. Right away I saw that I was at the wrong place because everybody at that chasunah was completely Litvish! So I ran out and jumped into the car and went to Vizhnitz Hall at the other end of Boro Park. I figured my chasuna was probably there.”

He arrived at Vizhnitz running behind schedule. “I rushed out holding the suitcase with my mike and ran downstairs to the simcha hall. The baalei simcha and their families followed me.

It looked like they were really happy to seeing me there.

When we got downstairs they told me to go to the ladies’ side, which was a little strange because usually the badchanus happens on the men’s side.”

It took a few moments

until he finally realized what was happening. “It turned out the Bubby fell and hurt herself. She was nebach laying on the floor.

So when everybody saw me running in with my little suitcase, they thought I was Hatzolah! That’s why they were so happy to see me!”

Once they realized who he was, the baalei simcha went back upstairs to street level to wait for the real paramedics. “Meanwhile, I was left alone with the Bubby and one son who still didn’t get it and was trying to explain to me what her condition is!”

Despite such occasional mishaps, Weber encourages aspiring young badchanim to develop their talents.

“Don’t hide it,” he urges.

“There are so many simchas, b”H, and there’s lots of business for everyone!”

Special thanks to Gershie Moskowitz for his help with this article.

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“It’s Me! Chaim!”

By Mordechai Schmutter

Purim around here is crazy. And I’m not just talking about the amount of questions I get.

Dear Mordechai, I’m thinking of dressing up with my kids this Purim.

Should I buy a costume, or just rent one?

Indecisive Dear Indecisive, Renting sounds nice, because you’re only going to wear the costume once anyway, and by the time you’re done with it, it’s not something anyone else is going to want to wear.

If you do decide to buy, the best time to do that is in November, though you’re mostly going to find creepy ghosty things like corpses and zombies that in general would put a real damper on your 4-year-old’s Purim.

Dear Mordechai, Do I have to get drunk on Purim?

Driving All Day

Dear Driving, No. All you really need is to drink a little more than you’re used to. Unless you’re an alcoholic.

A safe option – highly recommended by a lot of rabbis – is to drink a little and then nap more than you’re used to. Like if you normally nap for 3 hours a day, you can nap for four.

Dear Mordechai, Who on earth has time to nap on Purim?

Driving All Day Dear Driving, That’s a good question. Especially in the old days when they came up with this idea, and they had to make all their mishloach manos by hand and had to walk them to all of their kids’ teachers, some of whom lived in entirely different shtetls.

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Dear Mordechai, My kids want me to dress up and go delivering shalach manos with them, but I don’t really want to. I want to nap. Do you have any creative ideas that will make everyone happy?

Already in PJs Dear Already, Yes. Let’s say your name is Chaim. Buy a parrot, and train it to say, “Squawk! It’s me! Chaim!” and send it around town perched on one of your kids’ shoulders –

anis Esther will somehow manage to fall out on the previous Thursday.

But Yom Kippur is like Purim: 1. They’re both high holidays, 2. All you think about the entire day is food, 3. You don’t eat right the entire day, 4. You’re wearing a weird combination of clothes you don’t normally wear together, 5. Some of which have wine stains, 6. Your kids are way too jumpy for some reason, 7. You don’t have a chance to lie down, and

“Is that parrot drunk?” “No. It had a little more rum that it was used to, and now it’s sleeping.”

ideally whichever kid is dressed as a pirate. You should also train it not to eat the poppy seeds out of the hamantaschen. Or fly away.

I’d seriously consider renting the parrot, though, if this is an option for you. Parrots are not easy to take care of long term.

And they don’t die. Ever. (I’m serious. 95 years on average.

You have to put it in your will. I don’t know if that’s worth it for one joke.)

Dear Mordechai, I keep hearing people say that Yom Kippur is like Purim. How on earth is Yom Kippur like Purim?

Pigging Out Dear Pigging, On the surface, Yom Kippur seems more like Taanis Esther, if anything. Except that Yom Kippur seems to fall out on a Shabbos most of the time, while Taanis Esther, more often than not, falls out on a Thursday. Even if Purim itself is on a Thursday, Ta-

8. At some point, you may find yourself chasing a live bird down the block.

“It’s me! Chaim!” the bird will say.

Also, on Purim, we give our friends mishloach manos, and before Yom Kippur, we ask forgiveness from those very same people.

“Why are you asking me for forgiveness? You gave me mishloach manos!”

“No, it was a backup. Someone else gave it to us.”

“Well, that explains why it was exactly like the one I got from Seagal.”

Dear Mordechai, Is it “shalach manos” or “mishloach manos”?

Sholom (or Mishulem) Dear Mishulem, Well, the Megillah clearly calls it “mishloach manos”.

But society has elected to call it “shalach manos” for some reason, possibly because “mishloach” takes too long to say.

“Shalach manos” is one syllable shorter, and you have a busy day because you have to give out 200 shalach manos, or whatever. You can’t hang out at every single house pronouncing the extra syllable. You need your nap.

And actually, it’s not just one syllable.

“Mishloach manos” is two whole words, whereas “shalachmuniss” is one, like “shalashuddis.”

So this is what society has decided is right. You can hold out and call it “mishloach manos,” but then no one will give you shalach manos.

Dear Mordechai, My kids have been accumulating teachers, apparently, between morning and afternoon and computers and getting pulled out of class for special help, and I just realized that between my four kids, we have 46 teachers. How on earth is this possible? And if my kids have special helpers that take them out of class, why am I giving the regular teachers?

Running in Circles Dear Running, Your family might have to split up to get to everyone. You can go in one car with some of your kids, and have your parrot go in another. Or have your parrot stay home and answer the door.

Dear Mordechai, I have a friend in town that I don’t talk to so much anymore. How do I get him off my shalach manos list?

Trimming the Fat Dear Trimming, Um, you can’t. You’re stuck with him forever. Or for several tough years of him coming to your door and walking way with a dollar until he gets the message.

That’s life. We keep accumu-

lating new people in our lives, and there’s no good way to stop giving someone shalach manos.

Sure, you can just cross him off the list, but he probably won’t get the memo. If anything, he’ll come by to bring you a basket because the last few years you came to him, and you didn’t show up at his house this year, so he figures he’s saving you the trip. And now you have to give him a backup shalach manos because otherwise he’ll be confused about your relationship and why you suddenly didn’t give him.

“What did I do? I barely even spoke to you!”

And then he’ll think you made one for him, and he’ll come by again next year.

The only way to drop people is to move. Or, when people come to the door, you can just be asleep. The rabbis knew what they were talking about.

You can also stop people from giving you by starting to call it “mishloach manos,” but if they’re really your friends, they might muscle past that. So it also helps to be less likeable. I don’t mean to insult you here, but you’re pretty likeable, and that’s got to stop. You’re ruining lives. I don’t know – maybe show up at people’s homes drunk or something.

Or send your parrot. Or better yet, a drunk parrot.

“Is that parrot drunk?”

“No. It had a little more rum that it was used to, and now it’s sleeping.”

Dear Mordechai, Some parrot named Chaim just landed on my windowsill.

Have I had enough to drink yet?

Name Dear Name, You’re not drunk enough until you don’t know the difference between Yom Kippur and Purim.

Have a question for “You’re Asking Me?” Speak into the parrot.

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Forgotten Her es

Purim Fest 1946

By Avi Heiligman

Hermann Goring at the trial

A

fter the horrors of the Holocaust and World War II, the Allied nations decided that the only way to bring the Nazi criminals to justice was by a joint military tribunal. Judges from the U.S., Great Britain, France and Russia would hear testimony in the first ever trial of its kind in history. The trials were to take place in the Palace of Justice in Nuremberg, Germany. Called the Nuremberg Trials, eleven Nazis were to be put to death in proceedings that have many correlations to the Purim story.

Way before the war in Europe ended on May 8, 1945 the Allied powers decided that there would be some sort of formal trial for Germans accused of war crimes. There were several trials including a doctors’ trial and a judges’ trial. On the other side of the world there were trials for Japanese war criminals. Noticeably absent at these trials were the three heads of state who started the war. Benito Mussolini was executed by his own people after Italy capitulated to the Allies in 1943. Emperor Hirohito of Japan was not tried for very complicated reasons (there was speculation that he wasn’t entirely responsible for the war crimes), although Prime Minister Hideki Tojo was tried, convicted and hanged.

Nazi leaders listening to their verdict

Hitler ym”sh had committed suicide on April 10, 1945. As you may recall from the Purim story, Haman was hanged right away and his ten sons weren’t killed until much later. Another correlation to Purim was that after Hitler was pronounced dead, most of his supporters that were loyal to him were relieved that the madman was gone. These ten sons, descendents of Amalak, represent the ten Nazis hanged after the Nuremberg Trials had sentenced them to death.

The city of Nuremburg was picked for two reasons. One was because the Palace of Justice, where the trials were to take place, was undamaged in the Allied bombings of heartland Europe. It also had a large prison complex that was easily accessible to the courtroom. The second reason was that Nuremburg was the place where big Nazi propaganda rallies were held promoting the hate of Jews and capitalism. It would be the nail on the coffin for the Nazi bigwigs.

On May 7, 1945, Alfred Jodl unconditionally surrendered the entire German army to the Allies. The war was over but now the German leaders would have to be dealt with. Five days earlier, President Truman had asked Supreme Court Justice Robert Jackson to represent the U.S. pros-

ecution team. General “Wild Bill” Donovan, head of the O.S.S., the U.S. spy agency and precursor to the CIA, was asked to join the team. Donovan, who had been a very successful Wall Street lawyer before the war, and Jackson had differences of opinion on how the U.S. should present their case. Jackson wanted to prove the guilt of the criminals by logical reasoning. On the other hand, Donovan felt that showing pictures and videos of Nazi atrocities and presenting eyewitnesses to the tragedy would make the judges angrily sentence all of the Nazis to death. Jackson would not hear of it, and Donovan resigned from the prosecution team.

In the end, not one Holocaust survivor testified during the entire eleven months of the trial, although pictures and videos were shown during the proceedings.

Each of the Allies would be able to pick one judge and one alternate.

Major General Iona Nikitchenko would represent the USSR and Lieutenant Colonel Alexander Volchkov was his alternate. The British main judge was Colonel Sir Geoffrey Lawrence and his backup was Sir Norman Birkett. The French picked Professor Henri Donnedieu de Vabres and Robert Flaco was his alternate. Former attorney general

Francis Biddle was the main American judge backed up by John J. Parker. The British judge, Lawrence, was selected as the president and would be conducting the trials. They would be under the banner of the International Military Tribunal (IMT). Defending the Germans were mainly German lawyers. On trial were twenty four Germans as well as seven Nazi organizations.

The trials took eleven months.

The most prominent figure on the defense stand was Hermann Goring Reichsmarschall of the Third Reich and the commander of the German Air Force, the Luftwaffe. When Hitler came to power he was the head of the Gestapo but by the end of the war had fallen from Hitler’s graces. It was Hermann Göring who was the leader among the defendants and had an evasive answer to all of the questions asked. He tried making it seem that he was a peacemaker but had no real answer when strong evidence was brought of his cruel actions. The court sentenced him to death and refused Göring’s request to be killed by firing squad. The French judge wanted to use the firing squad instead of hanging but the other judges overruled him. The firing squad was a more dignified way of execution and after what these criminals had done,

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they did not deserve that “privilege.”

It was unusual to hang political prisoners, which makes it another correlation to hanging of Haman’s sons. The night before he was to be hanged, Göring committed suicide by swallowing a cyanide pill that was smuggled into his cell.

Eleven other Nazis were sentenced to death by the court. Alfred Jodl was the general who signed the surrender agreement and was hanged for signing execution orders of Allied officers. Ernest Kaltenbrunner was convicted of ordering the execution of millions of Jews while head of the Gestapo. Among those killed by Kaltenbrunner’s ruthlessness was Harav Hagoan Elchanon Wasserman Hy”d. Law leader Hans Frank, Minister of the Interior Wilhelm Frank, top General Wilhelm Keitel, Joachim Von Ribbentrop, Alfred Rosenberg, Fritz Saukel and Arthur Seyss-Inquart were also sentenced to be hanged.

Nazi Party Secretary Martin Bormann was sentenced to death in absentia and was later discovered to have been killed days before Germany surrendered. Robert Ley committed suicide in his cell before the trials began. The last Nazi to be sentenced to death was Julius Streicher.

Streicher formed the German Socialist Party which was taken over by Hitler’s Nazi Party in 1922.

Streicher remained a member of the Nazi Party until its collapse in 1945 and founded the anti-Semitic newspaper Der Sturmer. He had a part in the destruction of a shul in Nuremberg during Kristallnacht. For his role during the Holocaust, he was found guilty of crimes against humanity.

The ten remaining Nazis who were sentenced to be hanged were executed on October 16, 1946 which also was Hoshana Rabba (this yom tov is a day of judgment in which our verdict from Yom Kippur is finalized). The executioners were Americans Master Sergeant John C. Woods and his assistant Joseph Malta. For some reason – we call it siyata d’shmaya – the lengths of the ropes were too short and the many of the condemned suffered prolonged

deaths. In addition, the trapdoors were too small and as the prisoners fell through, many hit their heads on the planking and received bloody head wounds.

There was an American eyewitness to the executions. Kingsbury Smith of the International News Service gives his account on how the seventh Nazi, Julius Streicher, was killed. “Julius Streicher made his melodramatic appearance at 2:12 a.m.… As the guards stopped him at the bottom of the steps for identification formality, he uttered his piercing scream: ‘Heil Hitler!’… He was pushed the last two steps to the mortal spot beneath the hangman’s rope. The rope was being held back against a wooden rail by the hangman. Streicher was swung suddenly to face the witnesses and glared at them. Suddenly he screamed, ‘Purim Fest 1946.’… At that instant, the trap opened with a loud bang. He went down kicking. When the rope snapped taut with the body swinging wildly, groans could be heard from within the concealed interior of the scaffold.” The Nazi suffered in death, just as he made millions of other people suffer. Midda k’neged midda.

There a few curiosities in the megillah when it comes to the part of hanging Haman’s sons. Why is the word V’es before the name of each son enlarged? The word V’es is used in Tanach to refer to a duplication of some sort. In this case, the ten Nazis were a duplicate of Haman’s ten sons. In addition, the mystery of the three small letters in the Megilla, a taf, a shin and a zayin, can also be explained. The Hebrew year for 1946, 5707, is taf shin zayin, which would also explain Stretcher’s “Purim Fest 1946” comment.

Haman’s name is mentioned 54 times in the megillah. The 42nd time it is mentioned, Haman was killed.

There were many attempts on Hitler’s life before he committed suicide. 42 to be exact.

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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In The K

tchen

Purim Kreplach

By Naomi Nachman

Adapted from Alex Witchel

INGREDIENTS For the filling: 2 tablespoons vegetable oil ½ cup minced onion 1 small clove garlic, minced ½ pound ground beef chuck 1/8 cup chopped liver Salt and freshly ground black pepper For the dough: 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour 2 extra large eggs Salt Vegetable oil, for frying

PREPARATION For the filling: In a small skillet, heat oil over medium heat. Add onion, and sauté until well browned, 6 to 8 minutes. Toward end of cooking, add garlic and stir well.

Add beef, breaking it up well with the side of a wooden spoon.

Sauté until it has lost its raw color.

Season with salt and freshly ground pepper, and sauté another 2 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool.

For the dough: Mound flour on a wooden board (or in a large mixing bowl). Make a well in center. Break the eggs into well, then add 2 tablespoons lukewarm water. With a fork,

beat eggs and water together, incorporating a bit of the flour. As liquids blend, continue to push flour into well. Drizzle in 2 more tablespoons water, one at a time, or as needed to make a cohesive dough.

When dough is well blended, mix it by hand, then begin to knead it on a flat surface. With a bench scraper, turn dough and press it with your fingertips, then knead a few strokes again. The dough should remain slightly sticky but become smooth and elastic; if dough is very sticky, lightly sprinkle work surface with flour. Form dough into a ball and let rest on the board, covered with

a bowl or a piece of plastic wrap for 30 minutes.

Using half the dough at a time and keeping other half covered, roll it out very thinly on floured board.

You may need to stretch it as you roll. Alternately, use a crank-handled pasta machine on the thinnest or near thinnest setting.

To fill and shape kreplach, cut rolled dough into 3-inch squares.

Put 1 rounded teaspoon of filling in the center of each square. With a brush or a finger, moisten edges of squares with water. Fold dough from corner to corner, forming a triangle, and seal carefully.

To cook kreplach, bring a large pot of well-salted water to a boil over high heat. Working in batches, if necessary, add kreplach – do not crowd pot – and boil until dough is cooked and tender to taste, 6 to 8 minutes. Drain and cool. (Kreplach can be frozen at this point. To use, thaw in refrigerator or at room temperature.)

Place a large skillet over medium-high heat and add about 1/8inch vegetable oil. When oil is shimmering, add boiled kreplach and fry until well browned and crispy on both sides. Serve in hot chicken soup.

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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A Meal Fit for a King

By Shifra Klein

Having guests for the seudah? When you need to impress, look no further than these fancy main dishes, packed with rich flavors, taste, and elegance. A feast for the eyes and palette!

Spinach Pesto Stuffed Salmon INGREDIENTS ▪ 1 cup frozen spinach ▪ 1 ⁄8 cup water ▪ 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped ▪ 1 teaspoon salt ▪ ½ teaspoon black pepper ▪ Zest and juice of half a lemon ▪ 1 ⁄3 cup pine nuts, finely chopped ▪ 1 ½ pounds salmon, six generous fillets ▪ 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard ▪ 2 tablespoons honey ▪ 1 tablespoon lemon juice

PREPARATION Heat spinach, water, garlic and salt in a sauté́pan on meh dium heat, until all liquid evaporates. Add the lemon zest and juice, and the pine nuts, and mix into spinach until well combined.

Preheat oven to 350°F. Slice through the middle of each salmon fillet and stuff the salmon with the spinach mixture. Combine the mustard, honey, lemon juice and chili flakes. Brush the salmon with mustard sauce and bake for twenty minutes.

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Stuffed Roll of Beef Tell your butcher you want a flat piece of meat to roll yourself, or you can get a roll of beef, unroll it to stuff and re-roll.

Ask your butcher for extra stretch bands to hold the roast in place once you’ve stuffed and rolled it, or use kitchen twine or kebab sticks to hold it in place. You can use top of rib, chuck roast or use already sliced meat such as minute steak for individual portions.

If you don’t feel like stuffing your roll of beef, then just order a roll of beef from your butcher, which will come already rolled and tied with string. You can take about 50 - 60 minutes off the cooking time if it isn’t stuffed.

INGREDIENTS Beef: ▪ 5 pounds beef flap for rolling Dry Rub: ▪ 1 teaspoon dried sage ▪ 1 teaspoon oregano ▪ 1 teaspoon thyme ▪ 1 teaspoon crushed black pepper ▪ 1 teaspoon mustard powder ▪ 2 teaspoon dried rosemary ▪ ½ teaspoon garlic powder ▪ ½ teaspoon onion powder ▪ ½ teaspoon dried ginger ▪ 1 tablespoon brown sugar ▪ 1 ½ teaspoon paprika ▪ ¼ teaspoon cumin ▪ 1/8 teaspoon chili powder Stuffing: ▪ 2 medium onions, finely chopped ▪ ½ cup oil ▪ 2 (8 oz.) packages sliced mushrooms ▪ 8 fresh sage leaves, finely chopped ▪ 1 tablespoon chopped flat-leaf parsley ▪ 1 ½ cup cornflake/bread crumbs ▪ 2 cups chicken stock ▪ Salt and pepper to taste

PREPARATION Spice the outside of the roll of beef with Dry Rub. Lay the beef out flat on a clean surface and rub both sides with a little oil. Combine the dry rub ingredients and use to coat one side (the outside) of the beef only. (Tip: triple the rub recipe and keep it in a glass jar with a tight-fitting lid. Use it for everything, from chicken to fish, scrambled eggs and steak) Turn the meat over in preparation for stuffing. The stuffing can be made a day in advance to save time.

To prepare the stuffing: Heat oil in a frying pan and fry the onions until golden brown. Add the mushrooms, sage, and parsley and cook until most of the liquid has evaporated.

Add the flour and stir well; remove from heat. Add the chicken stock, season with salt and pepper, mix well and finally add the cornflake / bread crumbs and mix well.

The stuffing should be quite firm, as it will soften with the juices given off by the meat during cooking.

Heat the oven to 350°F. Spoon the stuffing onto the un-spiced side of the beef. Roll up the meat and tie 3-4 pieces of string or cooking bands around it to hold the roll in place. Pour ½ cup chicken stock on bottom of pan; place stuffed meat inside and cover tightly with foil. Bake for 2 ½ hours, covered.

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Moroccan Cornish Hens with Pine Nut Couscous INGREDIENTS Moroccan Cornish Hens: ▪ 8 Cornish hens or 2 whole chickens ▪ 1 tablespoon oil ▪ 2 onions, cut in half and then sliced into semi-circular rings ▪ 1 teaspoon freshly grated ginger ▪ 4 cloves garlic, crushed ▪ 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh mint leaves ▪ 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh coriander ▪ 1 teaspoon ground cumin ▪ 1 teaspoon paprika ▪ 1 tablespoon honey ▪ 1 (14 ounce) container diced tomatoes ▪ 1 teaspoon chili flakes ▪ 1 teaspoon dried oregano ▪ 1 teaspoon coarsely ground black pepper ▪ ½ cup prepared couscous Pine Nut Couscous: ▪ 2 cups couscous ▪ 1 (4 oz.) packet pine nuts ▪ 2 tablespoons olive oil ▪ Salt to taste

PREPARATION Preheat the oven to 350°F. Prepare the couscous according to the instructions on the packet. Bake the pine nuts in the oven or dry-fry them until golden brown. When the couscous is ready, fold in the pine nuts. Separate ½ cup couscous and mix in the olive oil. Set aside.

Fry the onions in a little oil until translucent. When translucent, add ginger, garlic, mint, coriander, cumin, paprika, honey, diced tomatoes, chili flakes and oregano. Simmer for a few minutes to reduce the excess liquid from the tomato mix.

Sprinkle Cornish hens with black pepper and stuff with couscous. Pack it quite firmly. Cover with warm onion and herb sauce, sprinkle remaining ½ cup couscous (mixed with olive oil) over the top of the Cornish hens and bake for 1 ½ hours, covered.

Roast, uncovered, for another 45 minutes. Baste every now and then. The couscous on top of the Cornish hens should be crispy.

Shifra Klein is the Editor in Chief of Joy of Kosher Magazine.

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My Purim Predicament

By Rachel Gross

P

urim is a hard holiday for a writer. Too much pressure to be funny. If you can crack jokes at Rosh Hashanah and Chanukah, then Purim should be a cinch, right?

It’s like Purim costumes. I should be good at those. I’m paid to be creative. But suddenly I’m staring at a shop full of costumes with no idea what will work. I was once invited to a Purim party where the theme was “come as you aren’t.” I spent hours agonizing over what to wear. There are no “little black dress” standby outfits in Purim costumes.

I thought things would be easier once I had kids. There are tons

of cute baby costumes. I figured I’d buy one costume in each size as my firstborn got older and then pass them down the line. I was wrong.

The first baby costume I bought was a full body bear costume where my baby’s head stuck out under the bear’s stuffed head like a bizarre Siamese twin. But the bear-head made a loud roar. My poor son was terrified. The next year, I tried a neon green plastic alien. Unlucky son sweltered.

By the time he was three, I gave up on trying to have any Purim creativity. I placed my son in the middle of the toyshop, surrounded by racks of costumes and let him pick.

He was very happy with the build-

er. No scary noises, no unnecessary sweating.

The next year my daughter flatout refused to be a builder. I was sorely disappointed. I had visions of her expressing her creativity with a thrillingly individual costume. I thought I’d be scoring one for gender equality. Instead all she wanted to be was a bride. Even the promise of a shiny gun couldn’t get her to be a policewoman. She’s been a bride for the past six Purims of her life.

My kids, who are filled with creativity the rest of the year, run out of ideas at Purim. In the hope that I wasn’t the only one with Purim performance anxiety, I started asking

people about their Purim experiences.

I was lucky enough to visit the SHALVA, Association of Mentally and Physically Challenged Children in Israel. They do wonderful work giving over 500 children with disabilities care from infancy through adulthood, empowering their parents to keep them in the family framework. With so many children at different stages of development benefiting from the center, one might imagine that it was hard to come up with new Purim ideas.

But when the staff at SHALVA commit to bringing out the best in every child, they are fuelled with

The Jewish Home | MARCH 29, 22, 2015 2016 The Jewish Home | OCTOBER

creativity. Every floor of the center is decorated in a different theme.

Each age group has their own Purim party with music where they are dressed up by the staff. There

in different costumes every day!

SHALVA’s motto is “Everyone deserves to succeed.” They are certainly succeeding at Purim creativity.

I was once invited to a Purim party where the theme was “come as you aren’t.” I spent hours agonizing over what to wear.

seems to be a never-ending parade of different costumes, with each child being dressed in a costume suitable to their personality and development capacity. If that wasn’t enough, the volunteers and sherut leumi staff all dress-up through the month of Purim, some of them

When I interviewed students from Israel’s Naale Elite Academy, I hoped I’d find someone with the same Purim predicament. The Naale program brings Jewish teens from around the world to Israel to complete their high school education on a full scholarship. Yossi Kal-

man from Riverdale came to Naale wanting to improve his Hebrew and take advantage of the high quality Jewish education. He explained to me that the best part of Naale was the friendship between the students. “The chevra here is amazing.

I have friends from Brazil and Italy.

That wouldn’t happen in New York!”

Even with dedicated teachers and dorm counsellors, the students are still away from home. Surely none of them thought to pack Purim costumes. I tentatively asked about Purim. “Purim last year was awesome. For a week we dressed up. Each day I had a different costume. It was so cool,” Viola Di Veroli gushed.

A different costume every day?

It seems that the added confidence that comes with learning in Israel with a like-minded student body only fuels the creative juices. Naale students had endless ideas using both hastily purchased pre-made

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costumes and pooling their wardrobes to make home (or dorm-) made costumes.

I decided to give up. As a writer, if there’s one thing I know, it’s that you can’t rush the muse. If my usually creative kids think that their individuality is best expressed through traditional costumes then I will respect that.

And for my own costume, I’m sure I’ll come up with something – eventually even I will find some way to get into the Purim spirit. When in doubt I can always resort to my eventual outfit to the “come as you aren’t” party. I wore my regular clothes with a sticker on my chest reading: unoriginal.

Rachel Gross lives in Israel and writes frequently about her experiences. She has occasionally been accused of being funny.

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MARCH 22, 2016 | The Jewish Home

Health & F tness

Mi’Shenichnas Adar Marbim B’Calories

By Cindy Weinberger MS, RD, CDN

P

urim marks a dangerous time for our diets.

After Purim, we’re loaded with all sorts of junk and yet we only have one month to get rid of it all before Pesach! So where does it all end up? Chances are, in our bellies. Purim itself is a dangerous day in terms of dieting. How can we avoid overeating on Purim?

First of all, make sure before you head out to start your mishloach manos deliveries, you sit down for a well-balanced breakfast.

Like I always mention, breakfast is the best way to start the day. Not only does breakfast start you off with the right energy to embrace your day, breakfast is linked to many health benefits including weight control and performance. By eating breakfast, you will feel more satisfied and are less likely to overeat during the day.

Don’t think that by skipping breakfast you are saving calories. Nutritious breakfast examples include whole grain cereal with skim milk, eggs, cottage cheese with fruit, whole wheat toast with

peanut butter, smoothies, or yogurt.

After you sit down for a nutritious, well- balanced breakfast, plan your next meal. Don’t rely on the junk you’ll be collecting from your mishloach manos to fill you up throughout the day.

Plan and prepare a nutritious lunch. If you won’t be

breakfast and lunch so you will not go out of control and binge by the meal. When choosing foods to fill up your plate, target the salads, fresh fruit, and low fat foods on the table. In addition, try to fill up on water throughout the seudah, so you will have less of a craving for all the other goodies.

ly is the best way to mindfully control what you put into your mouth.

Once you made it safely through the day and controlled yourself from all the enticing mishloach manos, the hard part is facing it all for the next month. Chances are you now have a nice collection of candy, cakes,

If you won’t be home in time to sit down for a meal, make sure you pack a lunch to take with you on your delivery route.

home in time to sit down for a meal, make sure you pack a lunch to take with you on your delivery route. If you don’t have a proper lunch you’ll likely snack on all the goodies you receive throughout the day which will quickly add up to many unwanted calories.

When you sit down for your Purim seudah, hopefully you’ll have had a proper

In any case, start with small portions and eat slowly. Eating slowly gives your body time to properly digest the food and feel full before taking second portions. A study published in the Journal Pediatric Obesity found that children who waited 30 seconds between each bite lost an average of 3.4% of their body weight over the year-long study. Eating slow-

snacks and other “dangerous” foods. The best and most generous technique is to donate the food to the less fortunate. One can also send all the junk food to school with your kids to distribute to their friends or take it to work to share with your coworkers. You can even make a competition out of it – choose a group of friends and whoever has the biggest

bag of food to donate wins a prize! Whichever method works best for you, make sure that unwanted food is out of reach and out of the house. Remember: out of sight, out of mind.

Don’t forget to focus on the true essence of Purim and use this powerful day to daven for anything you need.

I wish you and your families a freilichen Purim!

Cindy Weinberger MS, RD, CDN, is a Master’s level Registered Dietitian and Certified Dietitian-Nutritionist. She graduated CUNY Brooklyn College receiving a Bachelor’s in Science and Master’s degree in Nutrition and Food Sciences. Her Dietetic Internship was completed under Brooklyn College primarily in Ditmas Park Care Center and Boro Park Center where she developed clinical and education skills to treat patients with comprehensive nutrition care.

She is currently a dietitian at Boro Park Center and a private nutrition consultant. She can be reached at CindyWeinberger1@ gmail.com.

The Jewish Home | MARCH 22, 2016

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MARCH 22, 2016 | The Jewish Home

The Jewish Home | MARCH 22, 2016

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MARCH 22, 2016 | The Jewish Home

Around the Community

Yeshiva University High Schools Present Annual Dinner of Tribute

Mrs. Abby Lerner

Rabbi Mark and Jill Wildes

Y

will receive the Faculty Recognition Award.

Mrs. Lerner, of Great Neck, NY, serves as director of admissions at Yeshiva University’s Samuel H. Wang High School for Girls (Central) and has taught at the high school for 28 years.

“After 28 years at Central, standing in front of my classroom is still the brightest part of my day,” said

IP

SH

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RE AT

W ED W DI O NG RL DW GI F ID T! E!

eshiva University High Schools will present their Annual Dinner of Tribute on Wednesday, April 6, 2016, from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m., at Marina del Rey in the Bronx, NY. This year’s guests of honor are Mrs. Abby Lerner and Rabbi Mark and Jill Wildes. Rafael and Shifra Yehoshua will be honored as Parents of the Year, and Megan HLZacks

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Mrs. Lerner, a 1970 Central alumna. “I still wake up excited to teach because when we teach, we are the link between our mesorah [tradition] and the future – and what an amazing future my students represent. Each day they stand up to the challenges of the world and I get to be a part of that with them.” Mrs. Lerner is the mother of four Central graduates: Shayna, Yehudit, Zahava and Yosefa.

The Wildes, of New York City, are founders of the Manhattan Jewish Experience and work together to connect unaffiliated Jews in their 20s and 30s with Judaism and the Jewish community. They both have strong connections to YU. Rabbi Wildes graduated from the Marsha Stern Talmudical Academy/Yeshiva University High School for Boys (MTA) and went on to earn a BA in psychology from Yeshiva College, a law degree from Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law, and rabbinic ordination at YU-affiliated Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary. Jill earned her master’s degree in so-

Megan HLZacks

cial work at YU’s Wurzweiler School of Social Work. The Wildes are the proud parents of Yosef, Ezra, Yehuda and Avigayil.

The Yehoshuas, of Great Neck, New York, have shown outstanding dedication to Central and their local community. They are deeply committed to Torah values and Jewish life and are the proud parents of Ben, Yitzchak, Keren, Yael, Doron-Yosef, Shira and Yasmin-Tikka.

Megan HLZacks, of New York City, chairs the Science Department at MTA, where she has helped implement the Scientific Engineering and Biomedical Engineering programs.

She teaches engineering, computer programming and biology, oversees the science laboratory program, and leads the New Teacher Induction Mentoring Program.

For reservations and more information, please visitwww.yu.edu/ hsdinner or contact Elissa Schertz at 212.960.5223 or elissa.schertz@ yu.edu.

Be included in our TJH Purim Photo Album.

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The Jewish Home | MARCH 22, 2016

Around the Community

Crystal, china and silver from Paris Special discounts

Senator Simcha Felder enjoying a copy of The Jewish Home

Learning in West Hempstead 17, rue de Paradis-75010 Paris Tel: +33 1 42 47 07 00 Fax: +33 1 48 00 92 85 Email: aureliaparadis@noos.fr SIRET 347 594 699 00030

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s the Avos U’banim season comes to an end, there was one more community to have celebrated a successful season of Torah study. Last Motzei Shabbos marked the completion of the first year of fathers and sons getting together on Motzei Shabbos to learn together. Each week had a beautiful turnout of participants. As the program began, the children received a weekly door prize and ices. After hearing about the program and its success, an anonymous sponsor ensured that the weekly ices were upgraded to pizza. The final session served as the grand Melava Malka.

The evening began with some learning followed by pizza, French fries, Snapple and flying saucers for dessert. While partaking of the delicious food, two of the boys shared divrei Torah and everyone was treated to an exciting story getting everyone ready for Purim. As the boys were getting ready to leave, they each were given a framed picture of Rav Shteinman and a mini remote control drone.

The evening and the entire season was a huge success and we look forward to next year’s program being even bigger and better. We thank our sponsors for making this possible.

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MARCH 22, 2016 | The Jewish Home

Around the Community

Long Islanders Make JITC All Star List for 2016

By Tammy Mark

T

he 2016 annual Jew in the City All Star list includes two exceptional awardees hailing from the South Shore of Long Island. Former Long Beach resident Lawrence Burian is the Executive Vice President and General Counsel of The Madison Square Garden Company, which owns the famed arena in New York City, as well as of the New York Knicks, New York Rangers and New York Liberty sports teams. Former Lawrence resident Ilana Wernick is an Emmy award-winning co-executive producer who has worked on several hit television shows. Both Burian and Wernick attended the Hebrew Academy of Long Beach elementary school and continued their studies at Hebrew Academy of the Five Towns and Rockaway High School.

The Fourth Annual Orthodox Jewish All Stars Premiere Party will pay honor to an astonishingly accomplished and diverse group of individuals who have reached the pinnacle of

their respective fields while maintaining a Torah-observant lifestyle. The red carpet event, to be held on March 31, 2016 at the Museum of Jewish Heritage, will feature this year’s All Stars as well as previous honorees. The premiere party will include a VIP opportunity to meet the All Stars, a wonderful buffet by “Top Chef” Alex Reznik of Bedford Kitchen and chances to win once-in-a-lifetime prizes in the All Star Experience Auction.

This year’s All Stars also include Ahmed Zayat, owner of triple crown-winning thoroughbred racehorse American Pharoah; Baroness Ros Altmann, member of the House of Lords; Jeremy England, the MIT physicist referred to as “the next Darwin”; Zahava Reissman, creator and founder of Sarah Chloe Jewelry; Gregory Zuckerman, best-selling author and business journalist for the Wall Street Journal; Gail Hoffman, treasurer of Columbia University; Ambassador Norman Eisen, champion for ethical government practices; and Rabbi Elimelech Goldberg, creator of Kids

Kicking Cancer, who combines therapy and martial arts for children fighting cancer. Past local awardees include Woodmere resident Sarah Hofstetter, CEO of 360i Media, and ping-pong champion Estee Ackerman of West Hempstead.

Jew in the City, founded and directed by Allison Josephs, harnesses the power of social media to break down stereotypes about religiously Observant Jews and offer a witty yet meaningful look into Orthodox Judaism.

Allison Josephs was named one of the Jewish Week’s 36 Under 36 in 2013 and one of NJOP’s Top Ten Jewish Influencers in 2012. Josephs lectures

worldwide and also provides cultural diversity training to top corporations Through the JewintheCity.com website, YouTube and the use of social media, Josephs explains important Jewish concepts like Shabbat, kosher, and mikvah, and tackles topics like the Orthodox Jewish approach to modern issues. With a mix of humor and Torah sources, she explores these subjects in an enjoyable and informal fashion, appealing to anyone curious to learn more about Orthodox Jews and observant Judaism.

For more information and to purchase tickets to the event or the auction please visit JewintheCity.com.

Smile! You’re on TJH Camera Send us your Purim photos.

Editor@fivetownsjewishhome.com Subject: Purim Photos

The Jewish Home | MARCH 22, 2016

Around the Community

TAG’s 53rd Annual Dinner

PHOTO CREDIT: IRA THOMAS CREATIONS

Rabbi Meyer Weitman, Dean of TAG, speaking at the dinner

Mr. Yossi Lichtman, Guest of Honor, receiving his award

Mr. David Bugayer receiving the Parents of the Year Award at the dinner

Rabbi Nosson Tropper receiving the Leadership in Chinch Award on behalf of his mother, Mrs. Miriam Tropper

Dr. Yashar Hirshaut receiving the Rabbi Moshe Weitman z”l Memorial Award at the dinner

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MARCH 22, 2016 | The Jewish Home

Around the Community

YOSS Puts Emphasis on Tefillah

E

ach morning while walking the hallways of the yeshiva elementary school, one can hear the cacophony of the sweet sounds of Tinokos Shel Beis Rabban raising their voices in tefillah. The sincerity, the melody and the neshama of the davening are heartwarming. In the mechina division, the level of the kavanah and kavod hatefillah has been raised from wonderful to exceptional.

To what does the yeshiva owe this growth? Obviously there is a concerted effort among the Rabbeim and Hanhala to implement tools and strategies into the teaching of tefilla in every classroom.

YOSS invited Rabbi Maimon Elbaz, renowned mechanech and mashpiah, to deliver his famous virtual reality slideshow portraying the essence of tefillah. He presented his show to the 6th through 8th grade boys on Shmoneh Esrei and to the younger division on Birchas Hashachar. Rabbi Elbaz regaled the boys in his unique and dynamic style

as he showed his visually stimulating slideshow while sprinkling riddles throughout and offering prizes for correct answers. Needless to say, when the program was over, the boys were left wanting more. Rabbi Judowitz, a seventh grade rebbe, commented at the end of the one hour show, “Why did it have to end so soon? The kids were totally absorbed and could have sat another hour and a half!”

The visit by Rabbi Elbaz was sponsored l’iluy nishmas Rebbetzin Kamenetzky, Tziral bas R’ Pinchus Eliyahu, a”h.

Another major item is the Yeshiva’s usage of “Tefillah Power” workbooks written by Rabbi Heshy Kleinman, author of the very popular Praying with Fire books. Grades 4 through 8 utilize these beautifully crafted books each day. The book is a masterpiece work created by Rabbi Kleinman which translates and highlights key elements of the daily tefillah. The book is replete with stories, mashalim and pictures pre-

pared specifically for different grade levels. The boys truly enjoy reading these glossy colorful pages because they are pleasing to the eye, the lessons are easy to digest and the activities are fun. “I don’t know how to explain it but my students’ davening has soared lately. They are so serious about it. I don’t know what to do with some boys who now take

over an hour to daven Shacharis.

It’s a phenomenal thing!” commented Rabbi Ackerman, a fourth grade rebbe. Additionally, the mechina division has recently instituted a “Shtikah B’tefillah” and the “Davening Starts” initiatives as well.

Clearly, the efforts to raise the level of tefillah at the Yeshiva of South Shore are certainly bearing fruit.

The Jewish Home | MARCH 22, 2016

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Around the Community

March Matchmaker Madness

T

he Young Israel of Woodmere hosted their own exciting March Madness “rounds” with a successful “Meet the Matchmaker” event on March 14.

In partnership with SawYouAtSinai and YUConnects, the night allowed over 100 single men and women, ages 20 -39, to briefly met with dedicated volunteer matchmakers from the community and beyond.

Similar to PTA conferences or speed dating, the attendees had 10 minute individual meetings with different matchmakers in a pre-registration allotted time slot. With over 25 excellent and caring matchmakers in attendance, everyone came away with some new connections – and friends!

What’s more, the matchmakers have been busy trying to follow up and give date suggestions to many of the participants. One group of five local matchmakers brainstormed together in a meeting the following day.

Numerous dates were made within a day or two. And one smart young man met a lovely girl while wait-

ing their turn and noshing on some snacks. He asked her out directly and they had gone on two dates by week’s end!

With a large wait-list and enormous interest in attending, the consensus was that more well-organized, productive events like these are beneficial for the Five Towns. The Young Israel’s active “YIWMeet” has arranged many social activities and programs for singles over the past few

years, resulting in dozens of dates and 4 engagements.

SawYouAtSinai combines the power of technology, the accessibility of the internet and the personal touch of a Jewish matchmaker to make matches for all religious and diverse Jewish groups. Its advanced computer technology and algorithms has made targeted match ideas for its 30,000 members since 2003. YUConnects is powered by the SawYouAt-

Sinai database in making its online matches and has an additional 3,500 members. YUConnects also provides unique social events, educational forums, matchmaker training and personal guidance in its friendly office. It is self-funded and open to the entire Jewish community.

For more information about any of these programs, email Marjorie Glatt at mglatt@yu.edu.

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MARCH 22, 2016 | The Jewish Home

Around the Community

Seeing is Believing

A

s a culmination to the parshiot of Terumah, Tezaveh, Vayhkel, and Pekudei which deal with the Mishkan and its keilim, the Tabernacle and vessels, HALB students in grades 1-5 were treated to a hands on experience entitled “Seeing is Believing” presented by the Machon LaMikdash. The HALB talmidim and talmidot had the opportunity to touch, feel, experience, build and see the majesty of the Mishkan and Beit Hamikdash.

Through a PowerPoint presentation students learned about the daily sacrifices or korbanot, the singing of the Leviem, the Simchat Beit Hashoeva and the Avodat Yom Hakippurim. Students were able to connect their classroom learning of Parshat Hashvua and Mishnayot Sukkah and Rosh Hashana to the presentation which unfolded before their eyes. The HALB students came away with a deeper understanding and appreciation of the House of Hashem, the Mishkan and Mikdash. We pray that through the study of these concepts we will bring the rebuilding of the Beit Hamikdash speedily, in our days.

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The Jewish Home | MARCH 22, 2016

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OCTOBER 29, 2015 | The Jewish Home MARCH 22, 2016 | The Jewish Home

TJH ?

Riddle me

Centerfold

this?

After a child sprayed invisible ink on Mrs. Fineshmeker’s white couch (and of course it left a stain), she tries to figure out who the culprit is and speaks to the five kids who she suspects did the deed. She knows that each of the rowdy kids told her the truth in one of the statements and lied in the other. From this information can you tell who committed the crime?

Baruch said: It wasn’t Chaim It was Avi Dovid said: It was Chaim It wasn’t Avi Chaim said: It was Baruch It wasn’t Eli Avi said: It was Eli It wasn’t Baruch Eli said: It was Dovid It was Avi Whodunit?

See answer on next page

!

You gotta be

kidding

A tourist wanders into an antique shop in Chinatown in San Francisco.

Picking through the objects on display he discovers a detailed, life-sized bronze sculpture of a rat. The sculpture is so interesting and unique that he picks it up and asks the shop owner what it costs.

“Twelve dollars for the rat, sir,” says the shop owner, “and a thousand dollars more for the story behind it.”

“You can keep the story, old man,” he replies, “but I’ll take the rat.”

The transaction complete, the tourist leaves the store with the bronze rat under his arm. As he crosses the street in front of the store, two live rats emerge from a sewer drain and fall in step behind him. Nervously looking over his shoulder, he begins to walk faster, but every time he passes another sewer drain, more rats come out and follow him. By the time he’s walked two blocks, at least a hundred rats are at his heels, and people begin to point and shout.

He walks even faster, and soon breaks into a trot as multitudes of rats swarm from sewers, basements, vacant lots, and abandoned cars. Rats by the thousands are at his heels, and as he sees the waterfront at the bottom of the hill, he panics and starts to run. No matter how fast he runs, the rats keep up, squealing hideously, now not just thousands but millions, so that by the time he comes rushing up to the water’s edge a trail of rats twelve city blocks long is behind him. Making a mighty leap, he jumps up onto a light post, grasping it with one arm while he hurls the bronze rat into San Francisco Bay with the other, as far as he can heave it. Pulling his legs up and clinging to the light post, he watches in amazement as the seething tide of rats surges over the breakwater into the sea, where they all drown.

Shaken and mumbling, he makes his way back to the antique shop.

“Ah, so you’ve come back for the rest of the story,” says the owner.

“No,” says the tourist. “I was wondering if you have a bronze lawyer.”

The Jewish Home | OCTOBER The Jewish Home | MARCH29, 22, 2015 2016

Purim Crossword Puzzle

Purim Crossword Puzzle

*

Ha ppy Pu ri m!

1

2

3

4

5 6

7

8

9

10

Across: 1. The hamantash flavor you probably don’t like 2. Mordechai was one of the 70 members 4. Mordechai was a descendant of this king 5. Haman’s oldest son 8. Royal makeup artist 9. Former stable boy 11. How Esther would communicate with Mordechai today (if teenagers had their way) 13. Mazal Adar “___” 14. Esther’s complexion

11

Down: 3. Haman was hanged on this Yom Tov 6. The megillah reader needs this after reading the names of Haman’s 10 sons 7. You give and you get 10. What Haman felt like after being Mordechai’s tour guide 12. The type of doctor Vashti needed 15. Wafer rolls 16. Seresh’s partner in crime 17. Haman’s “better” half

13 14 15 16 17

Answer to riddle: Dovid is the culprit

12

23 73

Answer to Crossword DOWN 1. poppyseed 2. Sanhedrin 4. Shaul 5. Parshandasa 8. Haigai

ACROSS 3. Pesach 9. Achashveirosh 11. textmessage 13. dagim 14. green

6. deepbreath 7. Shalachmanos 10. trash 12. dermatologist 15. presidors 16. Bigson 17. Zeresh

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MARCH 22, 2016 | The Jewish Home

Torah Thought

Parshas Tzav

By Rabbi Berel Wein

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great deal of the words in this week’s holy parsha are devoted to instructing Aharon and his children in the duties and Temple ritual of the priestly family of Israel. We are also witness to the installation ceremony of Aharon and his children into their holy and exalted status.

The Talmud debates the question whether Aharon and his family are to be seen as G-d’s representa-

tives to the people of Israel or as the representatives of the people of Israel to G-d, so to speak. The Talmud resolves this matter in a legalistic fashion but the original question remains valid. How are we to view the priests and spiritual leaders of the Jewish people? Do they represent Heaven to us in a human form and must they be regarded more as angels rather than as humans?

Or, perhaps we should view

them as humble servants of the Jewish people, attempting to bridge the gap between G-dly holiness and human weakness and frailty. Midrash teaches us that Aharon was originally loath to accept the office of the High Priest of Israel. It seems that he was aware that by accepting this role of exalted leadership he was exposing himself to Heavenly judgment, which would exact tragic consequences in his family.

Tainted with the memory of his participation in the debacle of the Golden Calf, Aharon seriously doubts that he is the right man for this position. His brother, Moshe, who also had his own personal doubts as to whether he should assume the leadership role of Israel, is enlisted by G-d, so to speak, to convince Aharon to accept the awesome responsibility of serving G-d and Israel at one and the same time, and creating the priestly family of Israel for all time.

We see in the words of the later prophet, as recorded in Trei Asar, that the people of Israel were to seek out the priest, “for the lips of the priest were to guard and disseminate knowledge and Torah” and the priest himself was described as an angel of the L-rd of Hosts.

The Talmud follows up on these words and boldly states: “If the priest truly resembles an angel of the L-rd of Hosts in his private life and deportment then one should seek him out for advice, Torah knowledge and instruction. If, however, the priest, in his behavior and reputation, does not resemble an angel of the L-rd of Hosts then one should not look to him for knowledge and instruction.”

This statement sets the bar for the priest rather high. There are few people we’ve met in life that we would truly deem to be angelic. Per-

One must realize the dangers and pitfalls inherent in assuming any sort of leadership role in the Jewish world

haps this was also one of the hesitations that Aharon experienced before assuming the mantle of the High Priest of Israel.

Nevertheless, none of us can shirk G-d’s service. But one must realize the dangers and pitfalls inherent in assuming any sort of leadership role in the Jewish world and especially in the Jewish religious world. I am reminded of the anecdote told about Rabbi Yisrael Lipkin of Salant who wished to send his disciple Rabbi Yitzchak Blazer to serve as a rabbi in nineteenth century St. Petersburg. Rabbi Blazer demurred, saying, “I am afraid of serving in such a position and in such a place.” To which Rabbi Lipkin responded, “And therefore who shall I send? Someone who is not afraid?” Such is the nature of Jewish leadership throughout the ages from Aharon till our day.

Shabbat shalom.

The Jewish Home | MARCH 22, 2016

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The Observant Jew

Thank You! Thank You! Thank You!

By Rabbi Jonathan Gewirtz

If I told you there was a difference between giving thanks and being thankful, you might say it’s just semantics.

Actually, it’s Semitics, or to be more precise, Jewish.

Y

ou see, saying thank you should be more than a formula to repay a favor. Rather, it should be a clue to make us feel gratitude. When we thank someone, yes, we are supposed to be acknowledging that they helped us in some way and are deserving of thanks. More than that, however, we should be using it as a tool to take us back to the first moment when we really felt gratitude.

Imagine someone did you a huge favor. When it first happens, you were so grateful. Every time you saw them, you were reminded of what they did for you and that wave of gratitude washed over you. (If it didn’t, then you need a bit more work than we’ll be able to cover in this brief article.) Over time, however, the feelings subsided and it sort of faded into the background.

When that happens, something

else happens as well, something awful: Your happiness level drops!

Yes, your happiness is directly tied to being thankful to others, and it makes perfect sense. When you receive favors or help from others, that means they like you, care for you, and want you to be whole. We all feel more satisfied when we feel loved.

Therefore, when I feel that surge of appreciation, it means that I am loved, and that’s a major factor in my self-esteem and happiness.

The key, then, is to constantly renew your appreciation for what you’ve been given and thereby boost your happiness. By remembering favors, you aren’t becoming more beholden to another. Instead, you’re rising above the basic instinctual concept that if I “owe” someone thanks it’s a burden, and accessing the almost-magical and limitless supply of happiness seeds.

When a miracle occurs to someone, he is supposed to recall that every time he passes that place. There is even a special blessing recited, “Blessed be He who did a miracle for me in this place.” I have a couple of those places. In one case, I fell asleep at the wheel when I was still a young teenager. I began to drift out of my lane and Hashem sent a fellow named Walter F. Patterson of Berea, Ohio, to keep me from continuing. I

sideswiped his car and when the police came, I didn’t get a ticket.

As I looked beyond his lane, I saw the 40-foot drop that I might have taken if not for Hashem’s miracle.

When I would pass that place I would say the blessing, and I’ve never forgotten the name of the man sent to save me. I’m sure that he earned a spot in the World to Come as a righteous gentile by being G-d’s messenger that day. When I think back, I am grateful, and not because someone is making me say, “Thank you.”

If we appreciate the mundane things in our lives and repeat our thanks, we will get much more enjoyment from what we have. When you have an old car, or maybe no car, and you finally get a new one, the pleasure and excitement can wear off pretty quickly. But if you thank Hashem every time you get behind the wheel and actually mention things you’re happy about, you will keep that enjoyment much longer.

no family, no community, no connection to others that makes us feel like we belong. As an idea, think about if you were traveling to a distant area where there are no Jews and suddenly seeing a fellow with a yarmulka. It wouldn’t make a difference if it was velvet or suede, knitted or made from a piece of cardboard; you’d run over immediately and strike up a conversation. Why? Because you appreciate what it means to have a fellow Jew there, another piece of your neshama.

On Purim, we think about what could have happened; how bereft we could have been. Then, we are able to rejoice and get excited about each Jew we see. We give them gifts and help them with food and money if they need it. Anyone who stretches out his hand, we give to him, because we are so grateful that he exists.

Purim is a time of miracles, and miracles deserved our thanks.

Not because Hashem wants us

As I looked beyond his lane, I saw the 40foot drop that I might have taken if not for Hashem’s miracle.

Lo aleinu, when a person is sick and can’t go to the bathroom on their own, when they are finally able to get out of the bed and use the facilities by themselves, the bracha of asher yatzar is fervent and said with much feeling. But how long does that appreciation last? That’s why we have to reiterate the feelings with our thanks, so we realize how blessed we are.

On Purim, we remember what Amalek tried to do to us. Haman wanted to eradicate all the Jews. Now, let’s imagine that we alone remained, and everyone else was gone. How lonely we would be! We would have

to say it, but because it makes us happier and makes us realize just how fortunate we really are.

And that’s one of the secrets of why we’re happy on Purim.

Jonathan Gewirtz is an inspirational writer and speaker whose work has appeared in publications around the world.

You can find him at www.facebook.com/ RabbiGewirtz and follow him on Twitter @RabbiJGewirtz. He also operates JewishSpeechWriter.com, where you can order a custom-made speech for your next special occasion. Sign up for the Migdal Ohr, his weekly PDF Dvar Torah in English. E-mail info@JewishSpeechWriter. com and put Subscribe in the subject.

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MARCH 22, 2016 | The Jewish Home

Between the Lines

Crowd Pleasing

By Eytan Kobre

You can please some of the people all of the time, you can please all of the people some of the time, but you can’t please all of the people all of the time.

- John Lydgate

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Jewish grandmother took her grandson to the beach, when a huge wave appeared from nowhere and crashed directly over the boy, washing him to sea.

The grandmother raised her hands heavenward. “Gd, how could you? Have I not been a good Jewish mother and grandmother?

Have I not tried to live a life that would make you proud?”

“Okay, okay,” boomed a thunderous voice from the sky.

Just then, another wave crashed onto the beach.

When the water receded, there was the boy again, as

if nothing had happened.

The grandmother looked at the boy and then turned once again to G-d.

“He had a hat!”

It is a harsh reality that no matter what we accomplish in life, no matter how much good we do or how high we rise, we will always have detractors. There will always be critics and naysayers.

Nothing proved this more than Moshe’s tenure as leader of the Jewish people.

Moshe was the greatest Jewish leader, a position for which he was handpicked

by G-d. He was the person most trusted by G-d (Bamidbar 12:7; Shemos Rabba 51:1). He was and remains unequalled as a prophet (Devarim 34:10).

And yet, even putting aside the full-on assaults against him, Moshe was under the constant scrutiny of a people for whom nothing was good enough. When Moshe collected money and material for the Mishkan, the people spoke of how he was pocketing donations (Tanchuma, Pekudei 7, 11).

They criticized him for hir-

ing his great nephew Betzalel to be the Mishkan’s architect, accusing him of nepotism (Tanchuma, Vayakhel 3). They accused him of murdering his brother Aharon (Tanchuma, Chukas 17). And even in death he had his detractors (Avos d’Rebbi Nosson 12:4).

Moshe constantly was being put in no-win scenarios. If he left home early, the people said he had family problems; if he left late, the people said he was plotting against them (Devarim 1:12 and Rashi ad loc.).

If he prayed for too long, the people criticized him; if he prayed for too short, the people criticized him (Bamidbar 12:13 and Rashi ad loc.). The only sure thing was that he’d be criticized.

So it is no surprise that, in activating the Mishkan, its vessels, the Kohanim, and their garments, Moshe had to remind the Jewish people, “The things you see me do…G-d commanded me to do. Don’t say that I am motivated by a desire for honor or for the honor of my brother Aharon” (Rashi, Vayikra 8:5). Moshe had to preempt the unending and

unwarranted criticism because he understood that it would always be there.

He knew that he couldn’t please all of the people all of the time. That was an unfortunate but natural part of life as a leader.

Mordechai’s life story was no different. He had been the hero of Purim, playing an indispensable role in saving the Jewish people from certain annihilation. He “sought good for his people and spoke peace for all his posterity” (Esther 10:3). But despite all he had done for them, Mordechai was beloved only by most – but not all – of his brethren. Apparently, a minority discredited Mordechai for involving himself in governmental affairs – yes, the same governmental affairs that had saved their lives (Megilla 16b; Rashi, Esther 10:3; Divrei Menachem Vol. IV, No. 47). This minority argued that Mordechai should have devoted himself exclusively to Torah study. And so the otherwise storybook ending of Purim leaves us with the sobering reality that, as Lydgate observed, you can’t please all

of the people all of the time.

Aesop fabled of a man and his son driving their donkey to market. Before long, some peasants saw them and broke out laughing.

“Look at those fools! How silly they are to be trudging along on foot while the donkey ought to be carrying one of them.” Now, this seemed to make sense, so the man lifted his son onto the donkey and walked alongside.

They trod on that way for a bit until they encountered an old man. “You should be ashamed of yourself, you lazy rascal. How dare you ride comfortably while your elderly father walks?” Embarrassed, the son alighted and the father took his place.

After a short while more, they met a group of youth.

“What a heartless man! He sits selfish and comfortable while the poor boy has to stumble along to keep up.”

So the father lifted his son, and the two rode along together.

Before they reached the market, however, a townsman stopped them. “Have

The Jewish Home | MARCH 22, 2016

you no feeling for G-d’s creatures? The way you load that little animal is cruel.” So the man and his son got off the donkey, tied

to please everybody pleases nobody.

It is easy to get swept up in trying to please everyone.

Pekudei 5; Mishlei 3:4). But there always will be detractors and there always will be criticism. We should be attuned to what others think

Aristotle once said, “To avoid criticism, say nothing, do nothing, be nothing.”

its legs together, slung it on a pole, and carried it on their shoulders.

When people saw this spectacle, they laughed so loudly that the donkey was frightened. It kicked through the rope, fell off the pole and into the river, and drowned.

The moral? He who tries

We sometimes go to extraordinary lengths to win over the affection of others by compromising our values or suppressing our true beliefs. To be sure, it is natural to seek the approval of others, and there certainly is some value in being “clean” in their estimation (Bamidbar 32:22; Tanchuma,

of us, yet confident enough to accept the reality that we won’t make everyone happy all the time.

When Fiorello La Guardia was mayor of New York City, he hung above his desk in City Hall a pronouncement made by Abraham Lincoln, which had also graced General MacArthur’s desk

and Winston Churchill’s walls. If I were to try to read, much less answer, all the attacks made on me, this shop might as well be closed for any other business. I do the very best I can, and I mean to keep doing so until the end. If the end brings me out all right, what is said against me won’t amount to anything. If the end brings me out wrong, ten angels swearing I was right would make no difference.

How true that is.

Aristotle once said, “To avoid criticism, say nothing, do nothing, be nothing.”

Any time you’re bold enough to attempt to do something worthwhile you open yourself up to criticism.

The greatness of Moshe and Mordechai, and Lincoln, MacArthur, and Chur-

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chill was in their ability to press on even in the face of unending, no-win scrutiny and criticism. They accepted the fact that they would have their detractors and would have the approval of only “a majority” of their constituents. And then they carried on with their life’s work.

Because life isn’t about avoiding inevitable criticism. It is about tuning out such criticism – and then going about with what we know to be right and good.

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

Questions? Comments? Suggestions? E-mail eakobre@ outlook.com.

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MARCH 22, 2016 | The Jewish Home

Jewish History

Amulets, Accusations and Controversy The Devastating Polemic Between Rabbi Yaakov Emden and Rabbi Yonason Eybeschutz

By Rabbi Pini Dunner

Part IX THE STORY SO FAR: R’ Yonason addresses the community in a speech on Sunday, February 21, 1751. The packed crowd listens with bated breath to his fiery words:

“M

y friends, I didn’t come here today to give you a sermon. I came here today because I have been slandered.

Rumors are circulating that I am a member of the sect of Shabbetai Tzvi, may his memory be erased.

“If it was only about my honor, perhaps I would say nothing. But this matter involves the honor of my sainted forebears. It also involves the honor of my students, many of whom have become great rabbis and Torah scholars in their own right. How could I ever allow it be said that their teacher is a phony, that the spring from which they drank was contaminated? But more important than any of this is the honor of the Torah itself.

How can I let the Torah be vilified?

Would it not be the ultimate desecration of G-d’s name if I allowed such a

thing to happen?

“I must therefore call G-d Himself as my witness, and declare unambiguously that I am completely innocent of all the accusations against me! Neither now nor in the past have I ever been involved with the sect that believes in Shabbetai Tzvi!”

There was a collective gasp from the audience. The Chief Rabbi’s statement was unequivocal. It was a complete denial. And yet, it just didn’t make any sense! What about R’ Yaakov’s accusations? Hadn’t R’ Yaakov spotted clear Sabbatian references in the amulet he had examined? Why would these references be there, if – as they had just heard – R’ Yonason was not a Sabbatian?

R’ Yonason seemed prepared for this question, and immediately addressed it: “There may be those among you who are wondering how anyone can accuse me of being a heretic if I am not. The answer is simple – my accusers have no idea what they’re talking about! I would be concerned if they were equipped with the knowledge needed to denounce me. But they are not. Don’t be fooled just because they are Torah scholars.

They have no background whatsoever in Kabbalah, and have no idea how an amulet should be written. Only a real expert in Kabbalah knows how the words and the letters in an amulet re-

late to each other. The composition of an amulet is a complex secret known to very few people, handed down by masters of Kabbalah to a fraction of their students. Only a fool would presume to know the meaning of amulets if they have never been trained or educated in their configuration. Letters and words that seem to say one thing can mean something else completely, and they would never know. Perhaps my enemies mean well, and I bear

flames descend from heaven and destroy me if I have ever included Shabbetai Tzvi’s accursed name in any of my amulets. May all the curses reserved for heretics befall me if I have ever attempted to entice people to heresy or to beliefs that run counter to our holy Torah. Because those who follow Shabbetai Tzvi are evil men, and their presence in our midst is a grave danger. I wholeheartedly join with all our greatest rabbis who say

“May fire and flames descend from heaven and destroy me if I have ever included Shabbetai Tzvi’s accursed name in any of my amulets.”

them no grudge if they do. But one thing I know – they are wrong, and I am innocent. It is as simple as that.”

Then, with a voice that filled the synagogue sanctuary and could be heard clearly by those standing outside in the lobby, R’ Yonason concluded his address with the following powerful words: “May G-d judge me harshly if I have ever been any part of the Sabbatian sect. May fire and

that these miscreants must be publicly identified and excommunicated.

They are scoundrels and destroyers of our faith who can have no part in our redemption. Let us remain steadfast in our faith, and in our fervent hope for the true redemption, so that we will merit to be a part of it, speedily in our days, Amen.”

The congregation all responded “Amen!” in unison, and R’ Yonason

The Jewish Home | MARCH 22, 2016

slowly made his way back to his seat.

Dozens of people crowded around him eager to shake his hand and congratulate him on his stirring speech.

Late into the night the synagogue continued to buzz with the energy his words had generated. At last it seemed that the saga was over, and that everyone could move on from the rumors and insinuations that had been plaguing the community for so many months.

But rather than slow things down, R’ Yonason’s speech created a whole new level of tension in the community. R’ Yonason had asserted – without mentioning him by name – that R’ Yaakov Emden knew nothing about Kabbalah or the composition of amulets. While those who didn’t know him might have imagined this to be true, R’ Yaakov’s close friends and associates knew him to be an accomplished Kabbalist. The suggestion, therefore, that he was not “equipped” to examine an amulet, or that he had no “background” in Kabbalah, was untenable and seemed glib. That being the case, R’ Yaakov was certainly more than qualified to spot combinations of letters that contained references to Shabbetai Tzvi in an amulet.

So, notwithstanding R’ Yonason’s impressive oratorical presentation, to R’ Yaakov’s supporters his defense was nothing more than an unconvincing attempt to present himself as uniquely qualified to understand the contents of amulets, and any alternative explanation of the amulets could be summarily dismissed.

The division within the community began to intensify as these concerns were voiced. For the R’ Yonason faction there was nothing more to discuss. R’ Yonason had publicly explained himself, he had satisfactorily dismissed his accusers, and he had explicitly denounced Sabbatians.

But for those in the community who were skeptical, their concerns about R’ Yonason had only increased after his speech. They were also angry at R’ Yaakov’s continued house arrest and the total shutdown of any conversation about the amulets. It seemed inevitable there would be an explosion.

Tempers were short, and anger bubbled just below the surface.

The explosion came on May 7, 1751

R’ Yaakov Emden published numerous books and pamphlets detailing R’ Yonason Eybeschutz’s secret Sabbatian side and also giving his side of the story regarding the campaign against R’ Yonason. One of the earliest such publications was “Akitzat Akrav” (Scorpion’s Sting), published in 1752.

The title page indicates it was printed in Amsterdam; in reality it was printed in in Altona

during Shabbat prayers at the Great Synagogue. The chazzan, Moshe Kasswitz, a known supporter of R’ Yaakov, strode towards the chazzan’s lectern to begin leading the prayers.

But as he walked to the front of the sanctuary three R’ Yonason supporters stood in the aisle to block his way.

“Excuse me,” he said, and attempted to get past them.

“You’re not going anywhere, young man,” one of them said, “you are a disgusting individual, and disgusting individuals cannot lead our community in prayer.”

“What are you talking about?” he asked. He glared at them, and they glared back.

“How dare you support the enemy of our Chief Rabbi, that troublemaker Yaakov Emden? Do you really think we want someone like you to be the chazzan of our community? We don’t want you! Get back to your seat! Or better still – leave the synagogue, and never come back!”

Others were now getting involved.

They began remonstrating with the three aisle-blockers, and tried to help the chazzan push through to the front. People were shouting across the synagogue towards the scene of the incident and at each other. Suddenly one of the three men punched the chazzan in the face. Kasswitz fell to the ground, his mouth bleeding.

“That’s what happens to someone who insults the greatest Torah scholar of our generation!” The attacker grinned nastily, and then spat at the

dazed chazzan.

Kasswitz was struggling to get up, blood dripping from his mouth.

At that moment one of the chazzan’s friends, a big burly man, grabbed the attacker around the neck and began dragging him out of the synagogue, all the while slapping him around the face. Others were now joining in, and suddenly the synagogue had descended into a violent riot. People who minutes earlier had been calmly praying in their seats were now yelling offensive insults at each other, and kicking and punching each other. Little children cried as they watched their wildeyed fathers behave like animals.

Elderly people huddled in the pews, afraid to move. The scene was one of complete pandemonium.

Within minutes the local police had arrived to break up the riot. They emptied the synagogue of people and insisted it remain closed until the community executive could guarantee the peace. But there was no guarantee. The mood in the community was far too volatile. For the time being the synagogues would need to remain empty as each faction began to pray in small groups at people’s homes. Even this separation was not sufficient to prevent outbreaks of violence. Time and again insulting remarks uttered in public would result in violent street brawls. The community was literally falling apart.

As the crisis intensified R’ Yonason’s supporters began to publicly threaten R’ Yaakov, who they believed

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was actively behind the unrest. As soon as R’ Yaakov heard this he reluctantly decided he had no choice but to leave Altona immediately and go to Amsterdam, where he would stay with his sister and brother-in-law until the situation had calmed down.

He informed the local authorities, but they warned him that leaving the city would not be simple. At least at his home he was somewhat safe, protected from harm by the local police force.

Once he ventured outside there was a real danger he might be attacked, or even killed. It was therefore decided he would leave at midnight on a Saturday night, when the least number of people were present on the streets, and to further minimize any possibility of detection, his wife and children would need to stay behind.

The farewell to his friends and family was extremely emotional. R’ Yaakov blessed his crying children and then looked up at his house.

Would he ever see it again? The situation seemed so bleak. How had he reached this low ebb? He shrugged and shook his head as he took his place in the carriage that would transport him out of the city. He took one last peek at his wife and children standing forlornly on the street in the pale moonlight. How would this nightmare ever end?

NEXT TIME: The controversy spreads as the Chief Rabbi of Metz presents evidence in support of R’ Yaakov, while R’ Yaakov Yehoshua Falk of Frankfurt comes in to bat for R’ Yaakov and takes the lead in the campaign against R’ Yonason. Soon the King of Denmark has been drawn into the fray, as well as an apostate Jewish apologist for R’ Yonason. What began as a local community dispute was about to evolve into an international scandal.

Rabbi Pini Dunner is the Rav of Young Israel North Beverly Hills in California.

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MARCH 22, 2016 | The Jewish Home

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The Jewish Home | MARCH 22, 2016 The Jewish Home | MARCH 22, 2016

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MARCH 22, 2016 | The Jewish Home

Dr. Deb

Dark Corners

By Deb Hirschhorn, Ph.D.

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They’d talked about it many times.

Her husband had a temper; he had trouble at his job because he couldn’t

want to get out of Mitzrayim,” she said. “I’ve been there too long.”

Shiri was short, petite, smart, educated, blessed with good children and a good job. To the world, she looked like she was at the top of

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get along. Eventually, he was fired.

The worst of it was not that she had to carry the economic burden for the family; she was managing.

The worst of it was how he managed to blame her for the situation.

Somehow, he always came out fresh as a daisy and whatever went wrong was her fault. For example, the stress she put him through – according to his view of things – because he didn’t learn enough in addition to trying to hold down a job was the reason why he lost his temper so much.

When the children were sick and needed to see the doctor, now it was his job to take them there and that, too, was her fault since, clearly, that is the mother’s responsibility.

When Shiri organized the mess of his things in the middle of the living room and he couldn’t find “important papers,” that was her fault, too. Forget the fact that he had plopped them in the one place she had repeatedly asked that he not leave them. Forget the fact that since he was the Tatty, he had a room in the crowded house all to himself as an “office.”

Between those things and the time he let her take herself to the doctor when she was running a high fever before he was fired from his job but was nevertheless at home to work on an “important” side project that was going to make their fortune, she was pretty much through.

And that doesn’t include years of eyeball rolling and temper losing. It doesn’t include lonely nights when Shiri just wanted someone to talk

to but he was closed off in his office.

And the years of davening for her husband to become nicer and kinder and stop his blame and his sarcasm as she lit candles.

But for some reason Hashem had not answered her tefillos. She could not understand why.

For over 30 years, Shiri wondered why.

But the time came when she didn’t care what Hashem’s Plan for her was. She wanted out. Enough was enough. The final straw was a scene he made at a dear friend’s wedding. Could he not contain himself? How much humiliation should a person have to take?

Pesach was coming. The children were really hesitant to invite their father, what with his outbursts and unpleasantness. They even asked a shaila of their own rav and were told that in no way were they required to suffer abuse.

Shiri could not imagine leaving her husband and she could not imagine staying. She was up late at night, often sleepless, wondering what to do. How do you leave after 30 years? Is that right? Would it be selfish?

Her therapist would not tell her what to do. Therapists don’t do that.

Such a momentous decision should never come from a third party, but from within a person’s own heart.

Shiri’s heart told her she was through. But her mind worried.

How would this affect her children’s shidduchim? How would this affect her standing in the shul where her

The Jewish Home | MARCH 22, 2016

family was well-regarded (since her husband was able to hide his temper there)? She would be mortally embarrassed, she thought.

And yet, one night as she woke up from a disturbing dream that she couldn’t remember, she realized

was right there in Miztrayim herself.

So, in the middle of the night, it dawned on her that Hashem, in His Goodness, had been sending her a message all along by not intervening and magically changing the person her husband was. The message was

We’re supposed to ask for help in being the person we were meant to be.

that she was not meant to suffer in life. Her husband had refused to go to counseling and refused to discuss his “issues” with their Rav. She, Shiri, had done everything she possibly could to hold the fort together without a positive outcome.

She had been learning about yitzias Mitzrayim in a shiur and the thought came to her that she really

very simple: “You can walk out of Mitzrayim any time. It’s up to you.

If you want to make changes, go ahead.”

Wow. Shiri started to sweat as she realized that all those years – all those decades – she had been davening for the wrong thing. She’d been asking HaKadosh Baruch Hu to “fix”

her husband. But that is not what we’re supposed to daven for. We’re supposed to ask for help in being the person we were meant to be.

“Maybe,” she thought, a new idea slowly dawning on her, “Hashem wants me to be a stronger person.”

Shiri had always prided herself on being a nice person. But maybe to do the tikkun olam that she was meant to do, she had to also be stronger than she was. Maybe that was the message that HaKadosh Baruch Hu had been giving her all along.

Shaking, she got out of bed and decided to wash and get dressed, early though it was. Sleep was over as far as she was concerned. She went over to a corner of the kitchen where she kept her papers and started figuring how she could arrange her own, personal freedom.

In the following weeks and months, every time the feeling of shame would creep up on her, Shiri made a point of forgiving herself.

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She made some serious mistakes but life is for learning. Very few people have it easy, if any.

What Shiri experienced was facing what I call her “dark corners.”

Most of us have them. In fact, that is what we are supposed to be sweeping when we do our Pesach cleaning.

It’s not so much the crumbs under the bed but the errors in judgment and the sins of omission and commission that we should be sweeping out to take a close look at in the light of day. And sometimes the big sin is simply not taking good enough care of ourselves, of not stepping up to the plate and taking responsibility for an untenable situation.

Wishing everyone a good Pesach cleaning.

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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Dating Dialogue

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

Dear Navidaters,

Let me just say off the bat I am aware that I am involved in an unhealthy relationship. I am approaching thirty and I have been seeing a guy secretly for a year. We met through my brother and he texted me the next week under the guise of finding out if I have any single friends for a friend of his. We have been talking and meeting up secretly ever since. My family is Modern Orthodox but this brother is more yeshivish. I’ve always hated the divisive labels and now more than ever, they are wreaking havoc on my life.

Keeping it a secret is not my idea. I want to make that perfectly clear. If it were up to me, we would be a real-life couple. I have told him countless times that I would be willing to cover my hair, send my kids to yeshivish schools…the whole nine yards. My pants and my hair aren’t nearly as important to me as he is. And, I have told him that I see the beauty in the lifestyle. I even started wearing only skirts to show him how OK I am with it. I couldn’t care less about pants and not watching movies. I don’t define myself by these things. I can’t convey enough how much of a non-issue it is for me.

When we are together, it feels so right. And he feels it too. He has told me he wants to be with me but can’t get past the fact that I found frumkeit for him. He envisioned himself marrying someone who came to it on her own or ideally grew up the way he did: white shirt, black pants, hat, etc. Every now and then he will throw his parents a bone and go out on a date with someone else. No, I don’t love this but I also understand where he is coming from. If I’m set up with a guy, I’ll go on the date also, but my heart isn’t into it. I also am fully aware of the potential for him to meet someone else on one of these dates. I try not to think of these things but I know I am playing with fire.

I know in my soul that we are meant to be. I have never had feelings like this for anyone else. When we met, I finally understood why no one else has done it for me. It is because this is my person, my soulmate. As I approach 30, it is not so easy to walk away. We know we are meant for each other but we are both very confused. At the same time, I want to start my life, I want children, I want to see the light of day with him; you know what I mean? Can you please advise me?

The feedback from our readers has been remarkable. In order to facilitate further discussion, you can now continue the conversation anonymously on our website. Every Sunday, we will upload the weekend’s most recent edition of What Would You Do If to the dating forum at thenavidaters.com. Join The Navidaters and your fellow TJH readers in a comprehensive dialogue with regard to dating, relationships and marriage. The forum will be moderated daily for everyone’s comfort and safety. See you there!

Disclaimer: This column is not intended to diagnose or otherwise offer resolutions to any questions. Our intention is not to offer any definitive conclusions to any particular question, but to offer areas of exploration for the author and reader. Due to the nature of the column receiving only a short snapshot of an issue, without the benefit of an actual discussion, the panel’s role is to offer a range of possibilities. We hope to open up meaningful dialogue and individual exploration.

The Jewish Home | MARCH 22, 2016 The Jewish Home | OCTOBER 29, 2015

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The Panel The Rebbetzin Rebbetzin Faigie Horowitz, M.S.

T

here are a few things here on both ends that are troubling and need to be examined with someone the two of you respect. It should be a spiritual mentor because that seems to be part of the issues.

I am not hearing why you have such strong feelings for him. I am hearing that your soul is telling you that you are meant to be. I am hearing that you want to get married already and start a family. I am hearing that you like being with him and committing to certain practices and a lifestyle that fits his yeshi-

vish norms. But I am not hearing anything about your respect for his values, his character and his understanding that you need to share spiritual aspirations. You do recognize that there is something wrong with the secrecy and sense that your relationship is not respectable enough for him to share with others.

At the same time, the fact that he is keeping this relationship going without telling anyone in his life and the fact that he is not consulting his spiritual mentor is very troubling and may indicate other problems.

He could be hiding other things.

I agree with him that the lifestyle and commitment he wants you to have needs to come from a spiritual place. It’s not about the clothes and

How much longer are you willing to invest in the status quo? Six months, a year, two, five?

the schools. He recognizes that. You don’t. A marriage needs to be based on similar values – not infatuation and desperation.

I would suggest that you take the initiative and ask to meet his spiritual mentor(s). Beyond showing respect for his spiritual concerns, it’s important to hear what they personally have to say about this young man and to seek guidance as a couple. In other words, see the rav/rosh yeshiva/rebbi/mashpia together and see them singly. It would also be helpful for you to read some books and listen to some shiurim by some people you admire. Maybe your spiritual side hasn’t been fed. But it has to be developed in order for you to build a relationship and a family with someone else – whether it’s this young man or another.

This is a path for the two of you to explore together. See where it leads both of you. You cannot resolve this with one letter and a “yes” or “no” answer.

The Mother Sarah Schwartz Schreiber, P.A.

H

ere I go again – flashing my Mother Badge. Young lady: at almost age thirty, you should know better. This yeshivishe guy is no yeshiva bochur. Carrying on a year-long clandestine relationship, without serious (i.e., matrimo-

nial) intentions, would not meet his rosh yeshiva’s approval let alone his mother’s. His behavior is not frum or menschlech; it’s sneaky and misleading.

If it feels so right, why sneak around? My guess is he’s using you as an entertaining pastime.

If this yeshiva bochur can’t get beyond your “pants and ponytail” upbringing, it’s time for him to end the charade. If, on the other hand, you have decided to commit to a “skirts and sheitels” lifestyle, ask your yeshivish brother or Bais Yaakov friends to introduce you to more serious, marriage-minded men or maybe a reputable shadchan.

So what about the soul-stirring chemistry you describe? Forbidden waters always tastes sweeter.

The Dating Mentor Rochel Chafetz, Educator/Mentor

Y

ou are a modern Orthodox woman with a neshama that wants to grow. This young man comes from a different background – so what?

Seriously, so what? Your goals are the same and you desire the same kind of home. You can both fill the missing pieces in one another. Don’t delay. Sit down with your parents and tell them how you feel. Let them meet him. Of course, he has to do the same. Let them meet you. I think you need to break the barriers and go for it!

The biggest question is: will he be willing to break the barriers? That’s what we need to find out. Is he man enough to tell his parents? We are talking about two good people here.

Sshomer Shabbos, shomer mitzvos – OK, so he’s from a family that’s more yeshivish. What does that mean?

Look what you are willing to do. You are willing to grow and become more of a shomeres mitzvos – wow! That’s

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huge. Many people walk the walk and talk the talk, but stay in the same place forever. This doesn’t sound like you or, for that matter, him. I wish you hatzlacha and please let us know when the wedding date is.

The Single Irit Moshe

W

hy buy the milk, when you can get it for free? You are selling

yourself short for a man who is not willing to make you a real entity in his life. You are making concessions but I don’t hear any that he has made any for you. Make your needs and wants known to him so that he can have the opportunity to rise to the occasion. If he is not capable of doing so, find a man who will. Either which way, you win.

You will either win by moving the relationship to a healthy place or you will win your life back, thereby creating the necessary space to find a man who will love, respect and adore

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

Y

ou would not believe how many women are in your shoes. The circumstances surrounding their clandestine relationships may be different, but they choose to live in secrecy with the hope that at some point the guy will decide to seal the deal and go public. Now, you and I cannot have a back and forth dialogue due to the nature of this column. I may hit the nail on the head or completely miss the mark and I don’t have your feedback to guide me (which always stinks for me). I am going to share some areas of exploration for you to consider and my own thoughts on the subject of hidden relationships.

The first thing I want to take a close up look at is the nature of your relationship with “Sam.” I hope you don’t mind that I’ve named him. It helps me conceptually and cuts out a lot of “hims” and “he’s” in my response. You and Sam are in love with each other. There is probably a lot of talking, texting and secret meetings. Though far from ideal, you and he have had many opportunities to get to know one another…share your dreams, your

hopes, your fantasies of a future together.

Here comes a big HOWEVER. However, with all the warm and fuzzies, clearly this is not enough for you. You are rightfully confused and you want to move on with your life, get married and have children. You and Sam are going in circles and completely stalled.

My concern is that you have been allowing Sam to run the show.

How come he gets to make this huge, monumental, life-altering decision of keeping the relationship a secret? Who made him the boss?

(P.S. that might be you). Have you thought about why the relationship works this way?

I supportively ask you: How have you tolerated being kept a secret for an entire year? Without knowing much at all about Sam, I will say that generally speaking, when someone hides a relationship, he may be feeling shameful about it or embarrassed by it. Sam’s behavior may indicate that he is not fully comfortable with himself:

you. You deserve to be with a man who behaves as though he has won a prize – you. If you don’t see yourself as a prize, then it is sometimes hard for a man to treat you as one.

A serious man should want his family and the entire world to know he’s the luckiest man to have earned you as his future wife and the future mother of his children. You deserve that! You need that! If this man won’t do that for you, then he isn’t worthy of you. It sounds as though staying with him, as things presently stand, will mean that you will con-

lifestyle, decisions, emotions, being in a relationship, etc. But my concern lies with you right now. I wonder how you have been holding up emotionally. My own thought on this matter is that everyone is entitled to live with dignity. Being kept a secret is not only not dignifying, it is degrading. As a woman in a relationship, you have the right to see the light of day with Sam. You should be wined and dined.

He should be gushing about you to his friends and family. This is the time to take silly pictures in Central Park and fill up photo albums.

You deserve these things. I have a hunch that if you think really hard about why you tolerate what you do, you will come up with an answer.

Some people in this situation share that they are scared of losing him. For some, it’s about the fear of the unknown. “Will I find someone else?” And some believe they are worthy of nothing more.

Let’s get practical. How much longer are you willing to invest in the status quo? Six months, a year, two, five? What is your endgame? And, what are you willing to do to get there? If you are serious about getting married, you have two choices, both of which involve shaking things up. This is the scary part. You can present two options to Sam. The first option is to speak

You deserve to be with a man who behaves as though he has won a prize – you.

tinue to be stuck in this unhealthy relationship in hiding, wasting your life away for a man who doesn’t appreciate you. The choice is yours, my dear.

to a couples’ therapist together.

The second is to present a firm ultimatum. “We become a real couple who is moving toward their future together or we break up.”

Your life is so precious.

Blink and ten years have passed.

We all deserve to be with someone who will love us and accept us.

Sam owes it to you to either accept your background and make a life with you, or break up with you. He is stringing you along without any regard for your dignity, feelings or future. And you allow it. I wish you all the best.

Sincerely, Jennifer

If you would like to submit a dating or relationship question anonymously, please email thenavidaters@gmail. com. Esther Mann, LCSW and Jennifer Mann, LCSW are psychotherapists and dating and relationship coaches working with individuals, couples and families in private practice in Hewlett, NY. To set up an appointment, please call 516.224.7779. Press 1 for Esther, 2 for Jennifer.

Jennifer is starting a Marriage Support Initiative for Women; an 8 week support group for married women to celebrate the positive aspects of their marriages and delve into the more private corners of marriage.

Difficulties in a marriage can feel isolating. Come find support and make friends. For more information, reach her at the above phone number.

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OCTOBER 2015 | The Jewish Home MARCH 22,29, 2016 | The Jewish Home

Notable Quotes “Say What?!”

You see what’s happening in Syria with the consequence of millions of people flooding out of Syria, with more than 250,000 people killed, with terrorist groups like ISIS taking up a huge swath of territory as big as some of the states in that area. So yes, Libya was a different kind of calculation and we didn’t lose a single person.

- Hillary Clinton defending her actions on Libya, in an interview on MSNBC, and neglecting to remember that a U.S. Ambassador and three U.S. marines were killed in Benghazi

Barbie, the doll, turned 57-years-old. Since 1959, more than 800 million Barbie dolls have been sold. Some have been subjected to the most horrific torture imaginable: arm broken off, children chewing on their feet. Horrible things.

– Jimmy Kimmel

I will say this, and I’ve said it before on this show, if Americans have to choose between a party that won’t even say the phrase “Islamic terrorism” and Donald Trump, especially if there is another attack, they’ll choose Donald Trump. And then things are going to get even worse for Muslims. And so it is in their own best interest to come out on the side of principles that are liberal democratic Western principles.

– Bill Maher

A Donald Trump rally was delayed for nearly two hours yesterday due to fog. At one point the fog was so thick, Trump supporters couldn’t even see who they were punching.

– Jimmy Fallon

Marco Rubio pulled out of the race after losing the Florida primary to Trump by almost 20 points. But he still has a great story. I mean nothing symbolizes America more than the son of poor immigrants growing up to run for president and being crushed by a billionaire.

– Jimmy Fallon

The hacking group “Anonymous” has apparently declared war against Donald Trump. Of course, hacking him shouldn’t be hard, because if there’s anyone who just uses their name as their password, it’s Donald Trump.

– Jimmy Fallon

While announcing last night that he is dropping out, Marco Rubio told supporters, “We should have seen this coming.” If it makes you feel any better, Marco, we did.

– Seth Myers

MORE QUOTES

The Jewish Home | MARCH 22, 2016

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If we don’t have a nominee who can win on the first ballot, I’m for none of the above. They all had a chance to win. None of them won.

So I’m for none of the above. I’m for Paul Ryan to be our nominee.

- Former Speaker of the House John Boehner at a conference

My five-year-old could climb this in about three seconds.

- Republican presidential candidate Ted Cruz, as he toured a stretch of border fencing in Douglas, Arizona

I think we’ve done a really good job securing the border.

- Hillary Clinton, during a radio interview in Arizona

It was reported yesterday that an op-ed written by Donald Trump seems to have been blatantly plagiarized from an article written by Dr. Ben Carson days before.

People first became suspicious when Trump’s op-ed began, “As a black doctor…”

– Seth Myers

Let me say a word to you about my good friend Donald Trump. Just kidding, he’s not my good friend. In fact, I never even went to one of his weddings.

- Bernie Sanders at a rally

A new report has found that super PACs supporting Marco Rubio and Ted Cruz have spent over $7 million on ads trying to bring down Donald Trump, when they could have just spent $500 on a wind machine.

– Seth Myers

7-Eleven will hold its second annual “Bring Your Own Cup Day,” where it will give customers a discounted Slurpee as long as they bring in any container resembling a cup. In a related story, Home Depot just sold out of trash cans.

– Jimmy Fallon

We will not engage with this terrorist in direct talks – with this terrorist in particular – and so there won’t be any direct talks unless this terrorist apologizes and also shaves off his beard.

- Conditions set by Bashar Jaafari, the chief negotiator of Bashar al-Assad’s regime, at the Geneva peace talks, to meet face-to-face with the chief negotiator of the Syrian opposition delegation

I’m speaking with myself, number one, because I have a very good brain… I know what I’m doing, and I listen to a lot of people. I talk to a lot of people, and at the appropriate time, I’ll tell you who the people are, but I speak to a lot of people, but my primary consultant is myself, and I have a good instinct for this.

- Donald Trump, when asked on MSNBC to name his foreign policy advisors

Ted Cruz was just featured in Us Weekly’s “25 Things You Didn’t Know About Me” column. And on the list he revealed that he was once bitten by an octopus at the beach and got “terribly ill.” Then the octopus said, “Yeah, it took me a while to recover, too.”

– Jimmy Fallon

I sought to be moral, but I was entirely incorrect and wrong.

- Comedian Roseanne Barr at a fundraiser for Israel, talking about how she used to support BDS because she was misinformed

You know what the happiest country in the world is?

Denmark. Danish people are the happiest. Of course they’re happy – they have a pastry named after them.

– Jimmy Kimmel

MORE QUOTES

The Jewish Home | MARCH 22, 2016

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MARCH 22, 2016 | The Jewish Home OCTOBER 29, 2015 | The Jewish Home

A new poll found that the majority of millennials would vote for Hillary Clinton over Donald Trump. Then millennials found out you can’t vote by texting and said, “Never mind!”

– Jimmy Fallon

Savior and scourge, Fidel Castro was many things to many people. One thing all can agree on: He loved his sports.

- Tweet by ESPN

So did many of the dissidents he had murdered, SportsCenter.

- Tweet in response

Barry Bonds reportedly showed up to Miami Marlins spring training today and beat the entire team at a home run contest, despite being 51 years old, which raises the question: Why are you still taking steroids, Barry?

Hitler’s love for sports is too frequently overlooked as historians obsess over some questionable actions.

– Seth Myers

– Tweet in response

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MARCH 22, 2016 | The Jewish Home

Political Crossfire

There’s an Air of Menace about This Campaign

By Charles Krauthammer

B

y international and historical standards, political violence is exceedingly rare in the United States. The last serious outburst was 1968 with its bloody Democraticconvention riots. By that standard, 2016 is, as yet, tame. It may not remain so.

The political thuggery that shut down a Donald Trump rally in Chicago last week may just be a harbinger. It would be nice, therefore, if we could think straight about cause and effect.

The immediate conventional wisdom was to blame the disturbance on the “toxic climate” created by Trump. Nonsense. This was an act of deliberate sabotage created by a totalitarian left that specializes in the intimidation and silencing of political opponents.

Its pedigree goes back to early 20th-century fascism and communism. Its more recent incarnation has been developed on college campuses, where for years leftists have been taunting, disrupting and ultimately shutting down and shutting out conservative speakers of every stripe – long before Donald Trump.

The Chicago shutdown was a planned attack on free speech and free assembly. Hence the exultant chant of the protesters upon the announcement of the rally’s cancellation: “We stopped Trump.” It had all of the spontaneity of a beerhall putsch.

Given the people, the money

and the groups (including MoveOn. org) behind Chicago, it is likely to be replicated, constituting a serious threat to a civilized politics. But there’s a second, quite separate form of thuggery threatening the 2016 campaign – a leading candidate who, with a wink and a nod (and sometimes less subtlety), is stoking anger and encouraging violence.

This must be distinguished from what happened in Chicago, where Trump was the victim and for which he is not responsible. But he is responsible for saying of a protester at his rally in Las Vegas that “I love the old days. You know what they used to do to guys like that ... ? They’d be carried out on a stretcher, folks.”

He told another rally that if they see any protesters preparing to throw a tomato, to “knock [everything] out of them ... I promise you I will pay for the legal fees.” Referring in an interview to yet another protester, Trump said, “Maybe he should have been roughed up.”

At the Vegas event, Trump had said, “I’d like to punch him in the face.” Well, in Fayetteville, N.C., one of his supporters did exactly that for him – sucker-punching in the face a protester being led away. The attacker is being charged with assault.

Trump is not responsible for the assault. But he is responsible for refusing to condemn it. Asked about it, he dodged and weaved, searching for extenuation. “The man got carried away.” So what? If people who get carried away are allowed to

sucker-punch others, we’d be living in a jungle.

Trump said that it was obvious that the cold-cocker “obviously loves his country.” What is it about punching a demonstrator in the face that makes evident one’s patriotism?

Particularly when the attacker said on television, “Next time we see him, we might have to kill him.”

no. But you’d have to be a fool to miss the underlying implication.

There’s an air of division in the country. Fine. It’s happened often in our history. Indeed, the whole point of politics is to identify, highlight, argue and ultimately adjudicate and accommodate such divisions. Politics is the civilized substitute for settling things the old-fashioned

Hence the exultant chant of the protesters upon the announcement of the rally’s cancellation: “We stopped Trump.” It had all of the spontaneity of a beer-hall putsch.

Whoa! That’s lynch talk. And rather than condemn that man, Trump said he would be instructing his people to look into paying his legal fees.

This from the leader of the now strongest faction in the Republican Party, the man most likely to be the GOP nominee for president. And who, when asked on Wednesday about the possibility of being denied the nomination at the convention if he’s way ahead in delegates but just short of a majority, said: “I think you’d have riots,” adding, “I wouldn’t lead it but I think bad things would happen.”

Is that incitement to riot? Legally,

way – laying your opponent out on a stretcher.

What is so disturbing today is that suffusing our politics is not just an air of division but an air of menace. It’s being fueled on both sides: one side through organized anti-free-speech agitation using Bolshevik tactics; the other side by verbal encouragement and threats of varying degrees of subtlety.

They may feed off each other but they are of independent origin. And both are repugnant, both dangerous and both deserving of the most unreserved condemnation. (c) 2016, The Washington Post Writers Group

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MARCH 22, 2016 | The Jewish Home

Political Crossfire

The Stain of Accommodating Trump

By Michael Gerson

W

hatever you think of Donald Trump, his political achievement is enormous, and he deserves the credit.

With no background in elected office, Trump has led the Republican presidential field for eight months. His strong plurality

has proven to be demographically and geographically diverse. He has soundly beaten a series of talented, well-funded opponents. He has effectively tapped into deep-seated anger and resentment, promising the recovery of a nation that his followers regard as weak, lost and

unrecognizable.

And Trump is not just winning; he is redefining how politics is done.

Out: policy speeches, white papers, paid media, the ground game.

In: monologues, social media, free media, advance work on big rallies. Few politicians in history – Franklin Roosevelt’s mastery of radio and Ronald Reagan’s use of television come to mind – have more instinctually and effectively adapted to new communication methods.

Many Republicans now look at these undeniable successes and ask: “How far should we go for unity’s sake?” Some are beginning to make their inner peace with Trump. He will, after all, eventually need experts to advise and guide him. His Supreme Court picks are bound to be better than Hillary Clinton’s. Maybe we just need to respect the democratic will.

These justifications are not insane, but they are ultimately not persuasive. Trump has little history of changing or refining his views through study and policy advice. Many of his goals, while too foolish to implement, are too vivid to revise. Try to imagine President Trump backing down on building the great wall or halting Muslim migration.

On the Supreme Court, even well-intentioned Republican presidents have made choices that didn’t work out quite as planned.

How would Trump, lacking a seri-

ous judicial philosophy, and perhaps facing a Democratic Senate, make his decision? Consult his radically pro-choice sister, an appeals court judge? Let his prospects battle it out on a season of “Survivor”?

On these matters, Trump is entirely unmoored and unpredictable. It is hard to justify a presidency, which would be dangerous and destabilizing in other ways, on odds this long.

What the argument for accommodation is missing is the core reality about Trump. His answer to nearly every problem is himself – his negotiating skill, his strength of purpose, his unique grasp of the national will. But this is more “will to power” than separation of powers; more Nietzsche than Madison. Trump is not proposing a policy debate that can be adjudicated in the normal processes of our government. He is offering himself as master of every situation. We are supposed to turn in desperation to the talent and will of one man, who happens to be bristling with prejudice and blazing with ignorance. We are seeing the offer of personal rule by someone with no discernible public or personal virtues.

Americans are discontented with the governing class, with good reason in many cases. But Trump would be the oddest answer in our history to a leadership void.

He has offered disaffected people an invitation to political violence.

“Knock [everything] out of them,

The Jewish Home | MARCH 22, 2016

99

would you?” he said at one rally.

“Seriously. OK? Just knock … — I promise you, I will pay for the legal fees. I promise. I promise.”

And this permission for violence is paired with an embrace of ethnic and religious bigotry, casting blame and suspicion on Muslims and undocumented immigrants.

It would be difficult – or should be difficult – for any Republican to endorse a presidential candidate whose election would cause many of our neighbors to fear for their safety. Or to embrace a candidate who promised to purposely target children in the conduct of the war on terrorism. Or a candidate who has praised the “passion” and patriotism of followers and predicted riots if he doesn’t get his way at the GOP convention.

We are supposed to turn in desperation to the talent and will of one man, who happens to be bristling with prejudice and blazing with ignorance.

For Republicans, accommodation with Trump is not just a choice; it is a verdict. None will come away unstained. For evangelicals, it is the stain of hypocrisy – making their movement synonymous with exclusion and gullibility. For GOP job seekers, it is the stain of opportunism (consider the sad decline into sycophancy of Chris Christie).

For conservatives, it is the stain of betrayal – the equivalent of supporting George Wallace in 1968 as an authentic populist voice.

All this leaves completely horrible options: sitting the election out, supporting a third-

party candidate, contemplating a difficult vote for Hillary Clinton.

But these are the only honorable options. As one Republican friend

wrote me of Trump: “He would destroy everything Hillary Clinton would destroy, plus one more thing: the Republican Party.”

(c) 2016, Washington Writers Group

Post

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The Jewish Home | MARCH 22, 2016

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MARCH 22, 2016 | The Jewish Home

Hire

Education

Steady Income?

By Rabbi Mordechai Kruger

M

y imaginary client, Beryl Klein, has been speaking to people who are currently working in various fields to learn about their work, how they prepared for it, and whether their work gives them a feeling of satisfaction and success. He had an interesting conversation with an executive recruiter (aka headhunter), during which he learned a lot about the key skills and personality traits needed for success in that field. The overall description seemed to be a good match for Beryl’s skill set, and helping people advance their careers fits well with Beryl’s hope of doing chessed through his work. The one thing that raised a red flag for Beryl is the salary structure. In the headhunting field, there seems to be two different groups with different salary structures.

The first group is talent recruiters who work for large companies. There are entry level jobs available in this field, but the entrance level salaries are low, the work somewhat boilerplate, and a secular college degree is required. Beryl has a yeshiva degree, needs to support a family, and enjoys a challenge. So a spot in a big company’s HR department will not fit his needs or talents at all.

That leaves the option of working for an executive search firm. There are jobs available in this field as well, they may require a degree but the type is less of an is-

sue, and the work is certainly not boring. Typically, accepting such a job will mean that Beryl would be paid commissions, with little or no guaranteed salary. The earning potential could be high since on commissions the more you accomplish, the more you make. But the risky side – that there could be times with no paycheck at all – is a scary prospect for a new man in the field with a family to feed. Beryl has spoken to his parents and several friends about this, and they have all told him that when you have a family you need a steady income. They compare working on commissions to gambling, or worse.

But Beryl has been thinking about some ideas we’ve talked about throughout the career choice process, and he’s not sure that what his friends are saying is right.

When Beryl looks around at shul, he sometimes sees people who have lost their jobs, some after many years with companies that paid them good salaries. They don’t seem very secure right now. He sees other people looking for their first jobs who have been offered a secure salary of $35,000.

With three kids, that doesn’t sound so secure, either. True, being paid commissions means that on the days when you don’t succeed, you don’t get paid. But often nowadays, being paid a salary means that on the days you don’t succeed, you get fired.

A very real client of mine was honored as salesman of the

month and fired six weeks later for missing his quota.

So what can a job hunter do to find some kind of security? The first step is to realize that there aren’t any truly secure jobs, unless your father owns the company, and even then, maybe not. In any job, the greatest security comes from producing maximum value for an employer.

That happens when a worker takes maximum advantage of his skills, talents, and experience. When he comes in every morning with so much energy and excitement, it’s as if it’s the first days on the job, that trial period when he knows that he has to prove his worth to the boss, and when, every day on the way home, he knows that he needs to think about what he can do better tomorrow.

People who work this way throughout their careers are never expendable, and if they ever do need to move on, they can easily demonstrate their worth to their next employer as well.

A business owner recently told me that he can’t imagine being able to hire someone who needs a middle class salary. He does hire people at $10-12 per hour, and as they learn more about the business, they can earn more.

After 2-3 years they may be earning $25 per hour ($50k annually) but even that isn’t very middle class for someone who has a family to support. But then he said something fascinating. “That’s because I have to teach them

everything, and then they just do the work that I tell them I need done. What I wish for is someone who can add something to my business, who has expertise and talents that I don’t, who’s ready to produce something new on day 1, without my

estimated.

Accepting the risk of a commission-based job also has to be considered in light of another risk, one that is frequently not appreciated.

That is the risk of extended unemployment with all the damage that it causes. Tak-

“Someone who could do that, and who would put in as much energy and take as much risk as I do – I’d hire him in a minute.”

help. Someone who could do that, and who would put in as much energy and take as much risk as I do – I’d hire him in a minute.”

Beryl is coming to the conclusion that he’ll have the greatest possible job security when he finds a job that enables him to use his talents and skills to contribute maximum value for his employer or his customer. A job that promises a bi-weekly paycheck but leaves him a faceless drone will not make him secure. A job that he loves, where he has an opportunity to grow, and make an important difference in the lives of the people he deals with, will bring a sense of security and satisfaction whose enduring value can’t be over-

ing the job that’s right for you because it’s a chance to contribute, to produce, to shine, is the right way to go no matter how the paycheck comes. So Beryl will do some more research on the field of headhunting, to learn more about its plusses and minuses and he will also be evaluating some other options, like insurance and retailing.

But he’s going to choose a career based on what he can contribute, not on the timing of what he will receive.

Rabbi Mordechai Kruger’s Job Search for Champions has helped clients of all kinds find the jobs they really want. He can be reached at jobsearchfor champions@gmail.com

The Jewish Home | MARCH 22, 2016

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MARCH 22,29, 2016 | The Jewish Home OCTOBER 2015 | The Jewish Home

Studying Sm

rt

College and Career Advisement in the Orthodox World

By Chaim Homnick

This article refers to the need for college and career advisement at large and is not intended to take a stance on what colleges or careers to pursue or how specifically each school should advise their students.

The topic of college and career advisement in the Orthodox world isn’t a high profile issue, yet perhaps it should be. For my Master’s thesis, I chose a subject of particular interest to me as a college adviser in an Orthodox yeshiva high school (I also attended a superb yeshiva high school which did not have a college adviser). My research led me down fascinating avenues as I analyzed the current levels of college and career advisement in Orthodox high schools as well as the perception people have about the effectiveness of that advisement. Here are some intriguing facets of that research: Please note that this article and the research within are merely an overview of a far larger topic. This is meant to start the discussion, not to criticize any group or make any generalizations.

MY PREMISE

My premise was that the education levels of yeshivas have been rising and there are many yeshivas which provide a top-notch education. Nonetheless, there is a lack of advisement about one’s educational and career options and that can hinder students as they leave school and look to begin their futures.

Both the general research and the targeted research below stems from that underlying assumption.

THE PEW RESEARCH DATA

One fascinating study into Orthodox Jewry is the Pew Research study. The results are slightly misleading because the Pew data differentiates self-proclaimed Modern-Orthodox Jews from “Yeshivish/Hassidic.” Nonetheless, there is still a stark contrast as 65% of Modern-Orthodox Jews have at least a bachelor’s degree while only 25% in the combined Hassidic and Yeshivish group do. Obviously, it is harder to determine what the percentage is for those who identify as Orthodox Jews without including chassidim (who generally forgo college), but there is still a huge gap in college attendance and degree completion between those two groups.

On a related tangent, this also manifests itself in another area of Pew’s research: income. There is a large disparity there as well as, “37 percent of modern Orthodox Jews report household incomes of $150,000 or more per year, compared to 29 percent of Reform Jews, 24 percent of Haredi Jews, and 23 percent of Conservative Jews. On the poorer end of the spectrum, 43 percent of Haredim report less than $50,000 annual income for their household, compared to 30 percent of modern Orthodox and 31 percent of other Jews.”

Nonetheless, as all of the above groups score equally high on average on IQ tests; the difference in college degree completion and likely even income is presumably the consequence of a combination of choice and the inherent education system that is provided for the children of each group.

MY TARGETED SURVEY

In order to determine what the current level of advisement is in Orthodox schools and whether it is effective, I created a survey that asked a series of questions about each respondent’s own experience in high school as well as their current perception of college advisement in Orthodox yeshivas. The results were fascinating.

167 people completed the survey, the majority of them from the tristate area and 60% of them female. 70.1% of respondents identified as Orthodox, 16.8% as Ultra-Orthodox and 11.4% as Modern Orthodox. Interestingly, 83.2% of respondents had completed a bachelor’s degree or higher which demonstrates a level of selection bias in the results as those numbers are far higher than even the Modern Orthodox average. This suggests that the pool of respondents were generally educated, accomplished people.

A little over half of the participants in the survey reported that they had attended an Orthodox high school. Parsing the data down to just include them revealed the following:

The Jewish Home || OCTOBER The Jewish Home | MARCH 29, 22, 2016 The Jewish Home OCTOBER 29, 2015 2015

THE SURVEY DATA ON PAST EXPERIENCE Survey Results of Respondents who Attended Orthodox High School

Just 30% of Orthodox schools that respondents attended had college advisors and 55% didn’t have an adviser or someone dedicated to advise students in any capacity. Just 7.9% reported that their high school was very effective in informing them about their options and 64% reported that they were not well-informed or that it wasn’t even a priority of the school. The final chart also highlights this as the majority of schools either didn’t promote college attendance or merely tolerated it.

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These numbers are in stark contrast to the fact that in a later question, 69% of students who attended Orthodox high schools reported being very well-informed or reasonably well-informed about their Israel/yeshiva options. This illustrates a clear emphasis on the part of Orthodox schools towards furthering their students’ Judaic knowledge while either lacking sufficient resources for or interest in informing their students about their career and college prospects as well.

THE SURVEY DATA ON PERCEPTION OF YESHIVAS NOW The final part of the survey dealt with the perception that the respondents have towards the academics and advisement present currently in Jewish schools. Unlike the first part of the survey that analyzed the school a respondent attended (even if that may have been 30 years ago), this part of the survey was asking for an assessment of modern day yeshiva high schools. As a result, the perception that respondents have on these topics can provide an indication of the overall feelings Orthodox and other Jews have towards Orthodox high schools.

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MARCH 22,29, 2016 | The Jewish Home OCTOBER 2015 | The Jewish Home

Several key trends emerge from these responses. Firstly, on the topic of whether Orthodox yeshiva high schools do a good job of educating children, 54% believe that they provide a decent to great education and only 10% feel that they provide a poor education. Yet in the second graph, on the topic of whether these same yeshivas (that are providing a decent or better education according to the majority), just 6% believe that the advisement is great, 37.7% categorize it as decent and 36% respond that the advisement is poor.

These results mirrored the initial premise which (along with the low number of schools respondents attended that had college advisors) suggested that the education in many Orthodox schools is good to great, but that the college and career advisement is subpar. The final graph continues the trend to its final logical extreme: 60% of respondents feel that Orthodox yeshiva high schools do not promote college enough.

CONCLUSION

The research conducted through the survey demonstrated that this is a genuine issue that Orthodox schools should address. While the education itself may be sufficient (and even superb) in many Orthodox high schools, there is a clear lack of emphasis and advisement provided for students about their college and career options. 95% of respondents reported that they feel a year or more of seminary or yeshiva in Israel is important as well, but Orthodox high schools are doing their students a disservice if they aren’t providing the requisite advisement to students and parents.

This manifested itself in the matter-of-fact responses of respondents

Free

to the effectiveness of the advisement in their own schools as well as in their perception of Orthodox schools nowadays. Ultimately, Orthodox high schools that do not have any college adviser or at least a person designated to provide advisement need to consider hiring or assigning someone to that role. This may require a shift in emphasis for certain schools and an acceptance of the fact that such advisement is critical for their students’ long-term success in whatever endeavors they choose to pursue.

Additionally, even schools with existing college advisement departments need to consider the ramifications of this study and work hard to improve the effectiveness of their advisement to ensure that it is properly and adequately preparing their students for the next stages in their lives.

Perhaps if Orthodox high schools begin to emphasize advising students about all of their options, the perception will start to shift and the Pew numbers on Orthodox rates of college attendance and income will shift as well.

Chaim Homnick is the College Advisor at Mesivta Ateres Yaakov of Lawrence and also teaches 5 periods of Honors/AP English Literature. Chaim is the owner of Five Towns Tutoring (fivetownstutoring.com) as well as Machane Miami Day Camp of Florida (machanemiami.com). He scored in the 99th percentile on the SAT and the LSAT and tutors both extensively. He has a Masters Degree in Educational Leadership and Administration as well as an MBA. For questions, comments, previous articles or tutoring, he can be reached directly at chomnick@gmail.com.

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MARCH 22, 2016 | The Jewish Home

Home Sweet Home

Tax Deductions Every Homeowner Should Know

By Evan Tempelman

D

id you know that being a homeowner is one of the greatest tax breaks of all?! From being able to write off almost all mortgage interest, including primary and secondary residences, to property tax deduction and clean energy tax credits, homeowners have literally dozens of options on their plate.

Here are just a few of the important tax breaks every homeowner should be taking advantage of: Mortgage Interest Deduction (MID) – This is perhaps one of the most important tax deductions offered, especially for homeowners in the early stages of their mortgage in which interest tends to be the largest chunk of their

payments. A homeowner can write off almost all the interest paid on a mortgages and home equity line of credit, or HELOC. Even the mortgage interest on a second home is tax deductible.

That second home doesn’t necessarily need to be a residence either. RVs and boats equipped with cooking and sleeping quarters are also eligible. You can even rent out that boat, RV or vacation home, although you must use it at least two weeks a year or the IRS will consider it a full-time rental and ax your deduction.

Mortgage Points – If you bought or refinanced your home in the last calendar year and paid points to get a better rate on your mortgage, there’s a tax break for that, too. But be

careful with this one; the surance and credit report IRS only allows you to decosts, are not tax deductible. duct mortgage points in the year you pay them and Mortgage Insuronly if the loan is to purance – In some cases, the monthly mortgage inchase or build your primary residence. There are other surance premium you pay stipulations as well, such when the loan-to-value raas differentiating between tio on your home is greatpoints paid for refinance or er than 80 percent is tax purchase, home equity lines deductible. The deduction of credit and second homes, is reduced if your adjustand so it’s best to consult a ed gross income, or AGI, is tax professional before takover $100,000, and if it’s over $109,000, the deducing this deduction.

Property Taxes – tion vanishes altogether, Another major deduction whether you’re single or offered to home owners is married. the property tax deduction.

These are just a few For the most part, every of the largest deductions cent spent on property taxavailable to homeowners.

While many of the costs es is deductible from your of homeownership are detaxable income. However, some costs that appear on ductible on your taxes, your property tax bill, such it’s important to note that as appraisal fees, title inmany costs are not tax de-

ductible. Insurance policies, such as fire and earthquake insurance, are not deductible, even though they may be required by your lender. Other nondeductible expenses include homeowner’s association dues, closing costs, and local assessments such as Mello Roos.

While you may be eligible for these deductions, you should always consult a tax professional before taking any deduction on your annual return.

Evan Tempelman, NMLS: 28392, is a Mortgage Loan Originator. He can be reached at etempelmanny@mortgage master.com or at 516-4939594.

The Jewish Home | MARCH 22, 2016

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MARCH 22, 2016 | The Jewish Home

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Must see!! Please email yswsur@gmail.com ATLANTIC BEACH 200 Feet of Unobstructed Open Bay The Unique Joining of Two Homes by a magnificent Indoor Heated Pool & fully Equipped Gym. 10 Bedrooms, 12 Baths, 3 Gas Fireplaces, Open Concept and Formal Living Spaces, Radiant Heated Floors, Finished Basements, Steel Bulkheads, 3 Piers, Mahogany Decking & Terraces, boat slip, Elevator, Handicap Accessible, CAC, Generator, State-of-the-Art Systems.

By Appointment only CHRISTINE LYNCH Lic, Assoc. R.E. Broker 516-398-5888 Cell christinemarielynch@yahoo.com Petrey AB Real Estate FAR ROCKAWAY: PRICE REDUCED!!!

Lovely 4BR, 4 Bath Colonial, LR, Formal DR, Eik, Den, 4 Bedrooms On One Floor, Full Finished Basement…$949K Call Carol Braunstein - (516) 295-3000 www.pugatch.com

HOUSES FOR SALE

HOUSES FOR SALE

HEWLETT: Side Hall Colonial 3BR, FDR, Enclosed Florida Room, Eik, Formal DR, Finished Basement, Convenient To All…$475K Call Carol Braunstein (516) 295-3000 www.pugatch.com

WOODMERE: GREAT LOCATION, 2BR Ranch, LR/DR, 2 Dens, Large Property, Finished Attic, Close To All…$425K Call Carol Braunstein (516) 295-3000 www.pugatch.com

INWOOD: Charming 2 Family Home, 4BR, 2BA, Eik, Close To All…$349K Call Carol Braunstein (516) 295-3000 www.pugatch.com

WOODMERE Magnificent Split Level 6BR, 3 Full Baths, Expanded New Eik, Formal DR, HW Floors, Lg Den W/Fplc, Central A/C, SD#14...$699K Call Carol Braunstein (516) 295-3000 www.pugatch.com

INWOOD: Lovely 5BR, 2 Full Bath Side Hall Colonial, LR, Formal DR, Den, Eik, Close To All…$459K Call Carol Braunstein (516) 295-3000 www.pugatch.com LAWRENCE: Bright & Open 5BR, 3 Full Bath HiRanch In Lawrence Bay Park, Eik, Formal DR, Amazing Outdoor Area W/ IGP, Wet Bar, Custom Decks & Private Vegetable Garden…$999,995 Carol Braunstein (516) 295-3000 www.pugatch.com

COMMERCIAL RE NEWLY RENOVATED OFFICES & EXECUTIVE SUITES IN CEDARHURST! Best Deal in Town! Centrally Located, LIRR, Parking, Conference Room, Kitchens...

Call 516-668 -8545 or Cedarhurstoffice.com

FAR ROCKAWAY HOUSE FOR SALE: Located in the heart of Far Rockaway near BBY, YFR, Sulitz and Rabbi Groner.

Fully detached. Large yard + driveway. 4 bedroom, 3.5 bathroom.

Granite kitchen with all major appliances. Refinished hardwood floor in LR/DR. Generous closets in each bedroom.

Master bathroom with jacuzzi. Finished basement.

Intercom and alarm system. Great neighbors!

Price: 750K

OPEN HOUSE, SUN., MARCH 27, 2016, 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM at 396 Beach 12th St. Call Ephraim Perlstein at 646-346-0269 for inquiries

v

Office Space Available In Heart of Far Rockaway

Large Office Space Available in Heart of Far Rockaway. Multiple rooms. Fireplace.

Lots of parking.

Please call Yitzy @917-929-3241

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Charming 2BR, Eik, LR/DR Charming 2 Family House, Lovely 3BR, 2BA Cape, Investors/Builders, Legal Near Beach...$25,000 4BR, Near All..$349K Den, Bsmt, SD#14..$419K 2 Family, 6BR..$649K

Mint 6BR, 3BA Split, New Gracious 4BR, 3BA CH Spacious 4BR Splanch, 1650+/-SF Soho like Loft Space Eik, Den W/Fpl…$699K Col, O/S Property..$899K Waterviews..$899K W/3 Offices..For Lease

Susan Pugatch

Carol Braunstein

(516)

Call or Text

(516) 592-2206

295-3000

www.pugatch.com

spugatch@pugatch.com

CEDARHURST: 623 Central Ave #515 (12-1:30) $169K LAWRENCE: 115 Lawrence Ave (1-2:30)$979K LAWRENCE: 260 Central Ave(12-3)R E G E N C Y WOODMERE: 564 Saddle Ridge Rd (1-2:30) $699K

 1650 +/- SF SoHo Like Loft  3 Offices, Municipal Parking  Great Location, Close To All

 5,000 +/- SF On 2nd Floor  Ample Municipal Parking  Handicap Access In Elevator Bldg

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Classifieds classifieds@fivetownsjewishhome.com / text 443-929-4003 COMMERCIAL RE CEDARHURST: 500-3,000 +/- SF Professional Office Spaces Available in the Heart of Cedarhurst, For Lease...

Call For More Details Broker (516) 792-6698 ROCKVILLE CENTRE REAL ESTATE FOR RENT BY OWNER Warehouse space from 800 ft. to 15,000 ft. available Ideal Space - Will divide Loading dock - Walk to LIRR For details please call 917-822-0499 CEDARHURST: 1650 +/- SF Soho Like Loft Space With 3 Offices, Municipal Parking, Ideal For Office Or Showroom. For Lease…

Call Lenny For More Details (516) 295-3000 www.pugatch.com OCEANSIDE: 1,500 up to 2,800 +/- SF Store Front/ Office Space In Great Location With Parking On Long Beach Rd, For Lease or For Sale…Call Randy For More Details - (516) 295-3000 www.pugatch.com

COMMERCIAL RE

COMMERCIAL RE

COMMERCIAL RE

LONG BEACH:

CEDARHURST: VARIOUS SIZED RETAIL STORES Available in the Heart of Cedarhurst, For Lease... Call for More Details Broker (516) 792-6698

INWOOD Commercial mixed use building + Lot. Private parking, corner property, high traffic area 1st floor offices, 2nd floor: 2 Apts. Asking 849k.

Call 212-470-3856 Yochi @ WinZone Re

1,300 or 2,500 +/- SF Retail Spaces, Prime Park Ave Location, Any Use Ok, For Lease… Call For More Details Broker (516) 792-6698 ROCKVILLE CENTRE: 2,000 +/- SF Office Suite in Professional Elevator Building, Reception, Lobby, 40 Car Parking, Great Location, For Lease…Call Arthur for More Details

LONG BEACH: 1,428 +/- SF Professional Suite, 5 Offices – 2 with Water, Waiting Room, Reception Area, 5 Parking Spots, For Lease…Call For More Details Broker (516) 792-6698

(516) 295-3000 www.pugatch.com VALLEY STREAM: 4,500 +/- SF Office Space on One Floor, 3 Offices, 2 Bathrooms, HVAS, Gas Heat, Close to All, For Lease …Call Alan for More Details (516) 295-3000 www.pugatch.com WOODMERE: Follow The Leader To Woodmere, Now Is The Time To Act!!! No Metered Parking, Various Retail/Office Spaces Available, For Sale/Lease...Call For More Details (516) 295-3000 www.pugatch.com

TJH Classifieds Post your Real Estate, Help Wanted, Services, Miscellaneous Ads here.

Weekly Classifed Ads Up to 5 lines and/or 25 words 1 week ................ $20 $10 2 weeks .............. $35 $17.50 4 weeks .............. $60 $30 Email ads to: classifieds@fivetownsjewishhome.com Include valid credit card info

Deadline Monday 5:00pm

FREEPORT: 1,450 +/- SF Office Storefront, Totally Renovated, Office, Bullpen Area, Empire Zone Benefits, Convenient to Major Public Transportation, For Sale…

Call For More Details Broker (516) 792-6698 INWOOD OFFICE SPACE LOWEST PRICES IN TOWN! 500-7000 Square feet gorgeous office space with WATERVIEW in Inwood!

Lots of options. Tons of parking.

WIll divide and customize space for your needs!

Call 516-567-0100

APT FOR RENT CEDARHURST Beautiful house for rent! New kitchen, granite counter tops, redone floors, recently painted, 2 bedrooms, 1 bath.

Spacious basement and backyard Washer/ drier hook up.

Asking $2,200 Call (516) 732-0111 CEDARHURST 500-3,500 +/- SF Beautiful, newly renovated space for rent. Ideal for Retail or Executive offices. Prime location. Convenient Parking. Call Sam @ 516-612-2433 or 718-747-8080 LARGE VACATION HOME IN THE COUNTRY FOR RENT With 18 bedrooms this is the perfect Upstate get away for a small or large group. Beautiful private grounds with swimming pool. Nearby canoeing, tubing and more. Great destination for family reunion. Short or long rentals are welcome. Please call 516-375-5479

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Classifieds classifieds@fivetownsjewishhome.com / text 443-929-4003 APT FOR RENT

HELP WANTED

HELP WANTED

HELP WANTED

FAR ROCKAWAY 3 Bedrooms – New Construction Central air, oak floors, granite kitchen, elevator building. Asking $2350 Call Yossi 917-337-6262

SEEKING EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT/ SECRETARY for New Architecture Firm in Far Rockaway Experience in MS Word, Excel, QuickBooks Pro Edition and Adobe Acrobat required Must be self motivated, efficient, organized, detailed oriented and work well under pressure Please email resume to crf@sdf-a.com

Lev Chana Early Childhood Center Hewlett, NY Seeks Reading Specialist/ Special Ed teacher to work in Learning Center. Masers in Special Ed and experience teaching literacy to young children required.

Email rgreen@halb.org

General Studies teachers for Sept. ‘16 due to expansion.

5 Towns area boys’ school.

Middle school teachers: M.-Th, 2-4:30 pm.

JH male teachers: M.-Th., 2:45-5 pm. candidateteacher@gmail.com.

ON SEAGIRT AVENUE 2 & 3 bedroom. Newly renovated.

Washer and dryer hook up. Granite countertops.

More info call or text 917-602-2914

HELP WANTED SOCIAL WORKER For 200+ bed nursing facility in Queens Must be knowledgeable in care planning and MDS & have prior LTC or hospital experience.

Please email resume to promrehab@aol.com EXPERIENCED REAL ESTATE SALES AGENT needed for a HIGH Producing real estate office who is seeking an opportunity to Earn & Learn more!!! Call Today (516) 295-3000 x 128. All calls kept confidential.

GREAT OPPORTUNITY Looking for class B CDL DRIVER with clutch for a heimishe lumber co.

Great pay, Call: 718-369-3141 Ext. 348 PART TIME AND FULL TIME BOOKKEEPING POSITION Fast growing accounting and consulting firm seeks a qualified individual to assist our accounting staff in providing bookkeeping services for our clients. Qualified individuals will have the opportunity to join our employee friendly culture At least 2 years working experience Working knowledge of Microsoft Office, QuickBooks a MUST Email – info@smallbizoutsource.com

Are you tired of your present job or out of work and looking for a job where you can make good money and be your own boss?

We are looking to hire a marketing/sales specialist.

Job will require your own car and being computer/internet savy.

If you consider yourself a marketing professional, this is the position for you. Opportunity to make unlimited income potential, Don’t delay.

Give us a call at 917-612-2300 We are looking to hire a Marketing/Sales Specialist Job requirements: Your own car and internet savvy Hob has unlimited income potential Don’t delay, give us a call at 917-612-2300

PHYSICAL THERAPIST ASSISTANTS (PTA’S) & OCCUPATIONAL THERAPISTS ASSISTANTS (COTA’S) For 200+ bed Nursing Home in Queens. Must have Hospital or Nursing Home experience. Please email resume to promrehab@aol.com Local F.T. Accounting Office Seeks P/T JR. ACCOUNTANT proficient in Q.B. knowledge of payroll tax, sales tax, business tax and individual taxes Qualified applicants should please e-mail resume to: 5towntaxoffice@gmail.com

Looking for a job?

Let The Macher help you

Thousands of jobs online! www.macherusa.com

Macher Real Estate | Jobs | Services Products | Vehicles

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Classifieds

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

HELP WANTED

MISC

CATAPULT LEARNING Teachers for Title I in Boro Park andWilliamsburg Chassidic boys schools *College/Yeshiva Degree Required *Strong desire to help children learn *Excellent organizational skills *Small group instruction *Competitive salary Email resume: nyteachers@catapultlearning.com.

Fax (718) 381-3493

PURIM TIES

SITUATION WANTED

GREAT ASSORTMENT 100 pcs minimum $2.50 a piece 718 497 3300 faragecreations@aol.com

SHEITEL BOX GEMACH Sheitel boxes of all sizes for short term use Call 718-753-3264

LICENSED PRACTICAL NURSE seeks position in homecare with the elderly or pediatric care. I am skilled, caring and dependable.

Please call me at 631-759-0025

MISC SPACE AVAILABLE FOR 3 YEAR OLD PLAYGROUP IN FAR ROCKAWAY. EXCELLENT MORAHS. PLEASE CALL (516) 406-2980

SHIDDUCH DATING? NEED PLACES TO GO? Check out Pegishaplace.com Tutors desperately needed for

I M A G E S LTD PHOTOGRAPHY I VIDEO

Zichron Etel, a gemach providing free tutoring to those who cannot afford it.

Now in Brooklyn and the Five Towns!

GABRIEL SOLOMON

Kindly visit our website at www.zichronetel.com

• Leibedik One Man Band/Singer • DJ with DANCE MOTIVATORS • Projector/Screen Rentals • Full Orchestra • Karaoke • Shabbos Ruach A Capella Singers

GRAPHICS LEARN ADOBE INDESIGN,

COMPUTER

Life CAPTURE

WORKSHOP

ILLUSTRATOR & PHOTOSHOP

Next Session Starts After Pesach Workshop meets twice a week.

Day or Eve. Flatbush location.

Small groups.

Seasoned instructor with 10+years of experience in print & web design.

Basic computer skills, labtop & software required. Ask about Adobe student software discounts.

For more info call 917-771-6996 or email computergraphicsworkshop@gmail.com

GABE@LIFECAPTUREIMAGES.COM 516.499.9620 WWW.LIFECAPTUREIMAGES.COM

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Your

Money

The Humor Endures

By Allan Rolnick, CPA

T

he passing of former First Lady Nancy Reagan last week at age 94 marks a bit of an end to the 1980s. Nancy earned both praise and criticism for restoring what she saw as

some much-needed Kennedy-esque pomp and circumstance to the White House. Later, she earned praise for her work against drug use and, in later years, for championing embryonic stem-cell re-

search. The passage of time proved kind to Mrs. Reagan — her funeral drew an A-list of politicians, Hollywood celebrities, and even former A-Team star “Mr. T,” whom Nancy befriended as part of her “Just Say No” campaign.

Ironically, given Nancy’s own penchant for glamour, her husband Ronald made much of his reputation through his folksy, homespun wit. And taxes were a prime target of his humor. So in honor of both Reagans, here are some of Ronald’s most famous quotes about taxes to enjoy as April 15 approaches. And just to make it interesting, we’ve thrown in a ringer. Can you spot the words that actually came from Russian president Vladimir Putin?

“The taxpayer — that’s someone who works for the federal government but doesn’t have to take a civil service exam.”

“We don’t have a trillion-dollar debt because we haven’t taxed enough; we have a trillion-dollar debt because we spend too much.”

“Republicans believe every day is the Fourth of July, but Democrats believe every day is April 15.”

“The government’s view of the economy can be summed up in a few short phrases. If it moves, tax it. If it keeps moving, regulate it.

And if it stops moving, subsidize it.”

“There were always those who told us that taxes couldn’t be cut until spending was reduced. Well, you know, we can lecture our chil-

dren about extravagance until we run out of voice and breath. Or we can cure their extravagance by simply reducing their allowance.”

“History shows that when the taxes of a nation approach about 20% of the people’s income, there begins to be a lack of respect for government … When it reaches 25%, there comes an increase in lawlessness.”

“The tax agencies have no right to terrorize business …”

If there’s anything Ronald Reagan hated more than taxes, it was the “evil empire” of the former Soviet Union. That’s why it’s especially ironic that the last quote about tax collectors terrorizing business came from Russian strongman and former KGB apparatchik Vladimir Putin!

Presidents and their spouses will always come and go. (Someday, Americans will mourn the passing of the first “First Gentleman.”) But some things won’t ever change, and we’re confident it won’t ever be easy to pay taxes. Want to make things easier? Make sure you have a plan to pay as little as possible! Every day you wait is a day you might be able to pay less.

Allan J Rolnick is a CPA who has been in practice for over 30 yea rs in Queens, NY. He welcomes your comments and can be reached at 718-896-8715 or at allanjrcpa@aol.com.

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FIGHTING ILLNESS WITH LOVE IS MORE THAN A SLOGAN. IT’S WHAT WE DO. When Jake was diagnosed, getting him better and keeping their family functioning became his parents’ only priorities. So they became Chai Lifeline’s priority as well.

We Care For 4,300 Children and Families Around the World.

And One Jake Katz.

Jake’s parents breathed easier in the cradle of Chai Lifeline’s hospital support: hot kosher meals that nourished bodies and souls, transportation assistance and the support of caring volunteers.

His brothers benefited from the attention of Big Brothers and i-Shine after school activities. And the whole family thrived during retreats, recreational activities and our new Family Camp Adventure.

Two summers at Camp Simcha have given Jake the confidence he needs to face painful treatments, and the friends who will help see him through them.

Chai Lifeline took care of the entire Katz family, so they could take care of Jake.

151 West 30th Street, New York, NY 10001 (877) CHAI-LIFE (212) 465-1300 www.chailifeline.org Hospital Support: Meals | Transportation assistance | Hospital visits | Respite Children’s Programs: Big Brothers and Sisters | Recreational activities | Creative arts and art therapy | Music programs | i-Shine Sibling activities | Trips Friends ‘n Fun weekends | Camp Simcha/Camp Simcha Special Family Programs: Advocacy and information | Retreats | Insurance Advocacy | Family Recreation | Counseling |Bereavement services Community Programs: Project CHAI

facebook.com/chailifelinepage

twitter.com/chai_lifeline

youtube.com/chailifelinechannel

gplus.to/chailifeline

Photo for illustrative purposes only.

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Life C ach

Short but Sweet

By Rivki D. Rosenwald Esq., CLC, SDS

I

don’t want to make this about Purim because Purim may very well be over by the time you read this. That’s not to say we should ignore its existence. Of course it should have some lingering impact.

And I don’t mean a hangover!

Because though Purim is short, it’s sweet!

I bet you didn’t know that it originated some major corporate events and world accomplishments. For instance, the real impact of the Jews: Esther originated the first successful diet plan and body cleanse.

Esther got the Jewish people to stop eating for 3 days. Weight Watchers only can get people to start counting points.

Mordechai knew way before the orthopedic industry that bending over and locking your knees was bad for your back and he wouldn’t do it.

It took years for the medical industry to catch on.

The Jews inspired the first lottery. All the convenience stores have

us to thank for all that walk-in business.

Esther was the creative force behind the “I will take social responsibility” part of pageants. After all, Esther won the Miss Shushan beau-

He also was the impetus behind the Secret Service. Many don’t know this but he inspired the making of those little earpieces in order to report to the king any suspicious activity. Once he reported the conspir-

The Jews inspired the first lottery.

All the convenience stores have us to thank for all that walk-in business.

ty pageant way before pageants were popular. It’s probably thanks to her that they added the part where you state what you will do to save the world.

Mordechai ran the first lobbying business. He was out there 24/7.

Now Washington is filled with all his emulators.

atorial plan of Bigdan and Zeresh he was given these earpieces. Didn’t you ever wonder why those curly wires are always worn by security?

It was made to be camouflaged as peyos.

The list goes on and on. The story of Purim teaches us that Jews are natural innovators, inspirers, mo-

tivators. As Purim exits, its lessons should not go with it.

We have the potential to see what’s lacking and fill in. We are made to take social responsibility.

We can make things happen. We certainly are not made to be passive.

We may start out doing something for one reason and wind up accomplishing a whole different end. But the point is to always try. Success may not be in our hands but effort always is!

So as the levity of Purim passes, let not its message. The lesson of this fleeting holiday is: though Purim is shor,t it is still quite sweet.

Equally, though we are few, we can still have a positive impact. We are here to make a difference and we always can!

Rivki Rosenwald is a certified relationship counselor, and career and life coach. She can be contacted at 917-7052004 or rivki@rosenwalds.com

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