Five Towns Jewish Home - 7-26-18

July 26, 2018

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

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S u m m er Gr il lin g Chewing the Fat on a Favorite Summer Pastime

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Around the

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Hundreds Join in Queens Hatzolah Premier Event

36 Food for a Cause at the Lone Soldier Bake Sale This Week We’re Talking to …

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The Jewish Home | JULY 26, 2018

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JULY 26, 2018 | The Jewish Home

The Jewish Home | JULY 26, 2018

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JULY 26, 2018 | The Jewish Home

Dear Readers,

E

of their houses that day.

The experiment came this week, when we asked readers the same question – although this week temperatures hovered around 90 degrees and air conditioning was a must when they turned on their cars in the morning. So what changed? Turns out, a lot. This week, only 45% of readers said they’d prefer to work outside in the blazing heat – as opposed to the 73% back in January. And 55% said they’d prefer the cold – far more than the 27% who said they’d choose that back in January.

Are our readers so wishy-washy? I don’t think so. I think that when we’re removed from a situation we sometimes can’t remember the experience as vividly as we think. In the summer, the biting winds and the frigid temperatures of the winter are not as bitter. After all, we’re battling dehydration and sunburns now.

And in the winter, when we are forced to wear layer after layer to keep warm, we can hardly remember the blistering heat we felt just months before. Could it be that in this instance absence makes the heart grow fonder?

very week we pose another poll question to our readers. They’re usually entertaining, interesting questions, and I enjoy seeing what our readers feel about certain topics or things. This week, in addition to hearing about our readers’ preferences, I also included a little experiment.

I thought of the question last winter. We were driving somewhere one freezing winter day and I saw a few workers on a roof, working in the frigid temperatures. And I wondered: do construction workers prefer to work in the cold, with their fingers frozen and their cheeks slapped by the biting winds, or do they prefer to work in the summer, when the sun is unrelenting in its heat and the steam rises from the sweltering sidewalks?

I thought about it. The truth is that I don’t really like the cold but I can bundle up and wear appropriate clothing to warm myself when it’s cold. On the other hand, when it’s summer and the temperatures soar, there’s little I can do to cool myself down when I’m outside. So I’d be a I-prefer-the-freezing-cold-type of girl if I had to build a home with my bare hands.

We posed the question to our readers back in January. 73% of them said they’d prefer to work in the scorching days of August; 27% said that they’d rather work in the freezing January temperatures. Keep in mind that the readers received the question when it was freezing outside. Chances are that they were able to blow smoke rings in the cold air when they came out

Wishing you a wonderful week, Shoshana P.S. To be included in our weekly poll, send me an email to editor@fivetownsjewishhome.com with the words “Add me to the poll” in the subject line. We’d love for you to be part of it too!

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JULY 26, 2018 | The Jewish Home

Contents LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

8

COMMUNITY Readers’ Poll

8

Community Happenings

33

This Week We’re Talking to … Camp Atara

54

This Week We’re Talking to … Camp Al Haderech

56

NEWS

66

Global

11

National

27

Odd-but-True Stories

32

ISRAEL Israel News

Yom Aliyah by Rafi Sackville

20 66

PEOPLE A Tribute to a Very Special Rebbe: Rabbi Aaron Brafman, zt”l Real History – Reenacted by Avi Heiligman

72 102

PARSHA Rabbi Wein

60

When Everything Else is Stripped Away by Rav Moshe Weinberger

62

JEWISH THOUGHT To the Letter of the Law – and Beyond by Eytan Kobre

64

Bobker on Tu B’Av

68

HEALTH & FITNESS How Did We Turn Love into Hate? by Dr. Deb Hirschhorn

84

What are Nightshades and are they Bad for You?

by Aliza Beer, MS RD

86

Inspiration from Seeming Despair by Dr. Hylton I Lightman

88

Dear Editor, I know that your paper is really popular in our community and so I am writing to you with a suggestion.

Over Tisha B’Av I heard many wonderful speeches about helping one another and seeing the positive in each other. There is so much good in our community and so many people do chessed in their own way. Just this morning, I saw a woman give a needy person something to eat on the street. She didn’t just give him the muffin; she asked him how he was doing and wished him a pleasant day.

Therefore, I am proposing that you start a column or a forum for people to write in with nice things, perhaps about when they “catch” or “spy” someone doing something nice for someone else in the community.

It could be someone complimenting another person, or putting a quarter in the meter for someone else, or holding the door for the other, or letting them go ahead of them in line at the store or on the street. It would be so inspiring and would propel us to look for the good in each person.

Thank you, Yael Harmon Dear Editor, This week you published two news stories about the “Russians” –

one about 12 Russians being indicted and other about a Russian “agent” in the U.S. You also wrote something about the Trump-Putin summit in Helsinki in your news section and in your political section.

I doubt I am the only American in the country who has one thing to say: Enough with the Russians! We don’t care! Tell the media to move on to better things. Perhaps they should talk about the economy or North Korea dismantling their rockets or peace in the Middle East. Whether or not the Russians interfered in our elections is not our concern; we care more about getting to work on time, putting in the hours at the office, and then eating a good dinner when we get home.

Russians, Shmussians, let’s move on.

Sincerely, Shuli Mettinger Dear Editor, I read Mr. Kobre’s article this week, “We Want Moshiach – but Now?” with a wry smile on my face.

Sadly, so many of us say we are looking toward the geulah but we have no idea what we should be looking forward to. I am guilty of this as well. I Continued on page 10

FOOD & LEISURE Summer Grilling by Naphtali Sobel

90

The Aussie Gourmet: Sweet and Sour Tilapia 92 LIFESTYLES

109

Dating Dialogue, Moderated by Jennifer Mann, LCSW 80 Your Money

Tisha ba’Love by Rivki D. Rosenwald Esq., CLC, SDS

109 110

HUMOR Centerfold

58

POLITICAL CROSSFIRE Notable Quotes

94

Trump Can Shut Down His Russia Critics with One Bold Move

by Mark Thiessen

99

Will New Jersey Send a Republican to the Senate?

by George F. Will

Which do you prefer: Working outside in frigid temperatures or working outside in the sweltering heat?

100

CLASSIFIEDS 104

55 45 %

Really cold

%

Crazy hot

The Jewish Home | JULY 26, 2018

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JULY 26, 2018 | The Jewish Home

Yahrtzeit • Kinnus

Continued from page 8

know that I want Moshiach and yet I have not learned about what will happen when he comes.

Perhaps our schools can teach our children about the times of Moshiach and what will happen at that time.

When I was in grade school, one of my teachers was Chabad and she went over with us in detail about the Bais Hamikdash and what it looked like in the past and what it will look like in the future, be”H. I thought that was an interesting and important lesson – and one I keep with me until today. Boys’ schools can teach them about the korbanos and what the Leviim and Kohanim will be doing. What will happen when we will be oleh regel? What about on Yom Kippur?

Our children – and we – should know about these things because hopefully, hopefully, we will be putting them into practice very, very soon.

Kol tuv, Chana L.

COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENT Please note the eiruv extends to the playground at the Far Rockaway boardwalk and Beach 9th Street but the rest of the Far Rockaway boardwalk is NOT covered by the eiruv.

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

Please send all correspondence to: editor@fivetownsjewishhome.com. please join us for

Divrei Zikaron Siyum Hashas marking the first yahrtzeit of our beloved menahel

Rav Aaron Brafman Zt"l Yeshiva of Far Rockaway 802 Hicksville Road Far Rockaway, NY

Monday Evening, July 30 ‫אור לי"ט מנחם אב‬ Mincha 7:45 PM

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Rabbi Yechiel Yitzchok Perr

Rabbi Dov Keilson

Rabbi Nosson Scherman

Mr. Ben Brafman

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Followed by a Siyum Hashas

men & women are invited light refreshments will be served

The Jewish Home | JULY 26, 2018

The Week In News

Google Forced to Pay up

Google is being reprimanded by the European Union. The agency slapped the company with a whopping $5 billion antitrust fine, the largest penalty ever given. The EU has accused Google of “illegal practices” regarding its search and web browser apps and gave it 90 days to alter their algorithms.

According to the EU, Google makes certain that Google Search and Chrome are pre-installed on “practically all Android devices” sold in Europe. The theory is that users who have these apps on their phones when they purchase them will most likely continue to use them and, as such, won’t download comparable apps. The probe also investigated specific contracts that require Android-phone makers to take Google’s search and browser apps and other Google services when they want to license the Play app store, which officials say is a “must-have” for new phones.

The investigation found that up until 2014 Google was offering “significant financial incentives” to telecoms operators and manufacturers that exclusively install Google search on devices. The EU concluded that these practices create a monopoly effect since rivals can’t compete with these contracts, making it almost impossible for them to get their apps pre-installed on consumers’ devices.

“Google has used Android as a vehicle to cement the dominance of its search engine,” EU Competition Commissioner Margrethe Vestager said. “These practices have denied rivals the chance to innovate and compete on the merits.”

Through its dominance on An-

droid devices, Google has built an empire business of banner and video ads. It is expected that Google will own a third of all global mobile ads in 2018, according to research firm eMarketer, giving the company around $40 billion in sales outside the U.S. Google has argued that it doesn’t block the installation of other apps.

In a statement, Google Chief Executive Officer Sundar Pichai said the EU decision “rejects the business model that supports Android, which has created more choice for everyone, not less.”

Google could potentially be forced to surrender its real estate on millions of Android phones although they promised to challenge the ruling. An appeal wouldn’t change its need to comply with the EU order, unless it gets judges to allow “interim measures” that halt the commission findings.

Vestager said it was “solely” up to Google to determine how it can comply with the EU order. She told reporters that “you could have a theory that prices would go up, but it’s just as likely that prices can come down” after the forced changes. The EU’s decision would hit Google with about 6.7 billion euros in fines.

Japan Suffers Heatwave

Hot enough to cook an egg, the city of Kumagaya, near Tokyo, Japan, recorded an all-time high temperature of 106°F this week. The previous record from 2013 was 105.8 degrees.

The high temps have caused many deaths in the country, although the exact amount of people who have lost their lives in the blazing temperatures has not yet been confirmed.

In an attempt to keep people safe, Japan’s disaster management agency advised people to remain indoors

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JULY 26, 2018 | The Jewish Home

in air-conditioning, drink plenty of water, and rest to prevent heat exhaustion.

“People in areas where temperatures are as high as 35 [Celsius] degrees or higher should be extremely careful” to avoid heatstroke, a meteorological agency official said. “And even at lower temperatures, the heat can be dangerous for small children and elderly people, and depending on the environment and activities you are doing,” the official warned.

Since June, there have been 10,000 patients admitted to hospitals in Japan due to heat related medical conditions. One day last week, the Tokyo Fire Department dispatched ambulances some 3,125 times within the capital, the largest figure for a day since its inception in 1936. It is believed that the majority of the calls were related to heatstroke and exhaustion.

Tokyo’s governor, Yuriko Koike, said the recent heatwave was “exactly like living in a sauna.”

The current heat wave has raised concerns about the 2020 Summer Olympics scheduled in Tokyo.

Olympic officials and Tokyo’s local government have been discussing

measures to ease the soaring temperatures including solar-blocking paint on roads and mobile misting stations to combat the heat. Koike said their goal is to make sure athletes and spectators are safe.

“Countermeasures against heat is one of the major pillars for the success of the 2020 Olympics,” she told reporters at a press conference on Monday.

According to the World Meteorological Organization’s (WMO), the highest temperature ever recorded in the world was 134.1°F on July 10, 1913 in Furnace Creek, California.

“The disaster has claimed several human lives [and] left hundreds of people missing,” Lao News Agency reported.

Photos of the scenes showed residents on rooftops and in boats as they scrambled to safety in Attapeu province.

Laos Dam Collapse After a dam under construction in southeast Laos collapsed on Monday, hundreds of people went missing and a significant amount of people were killed in the flash floods that sped through six surrounding villages. More than 6,000 people were made homeless by the floods.

Attapeu is Laos’ southernmost province and borders Cambodia and Vietnam. It is known for agriculture, rich trees and wood-based industries – and hydropower is one of its major exports. The dam that collapsed is part of the Xe-Pi-

an Xe-Namnoy hydroelectric power project, which involves Laotian, Thai and South Korean firms.

The subsidiary dam, known as “Saddle Dam D,” collapsed after “continuous rainstorm[s]” caused a “high volume of water to flow into the project’s reservoir,” Ratchaburi Electricity Generating Holding, the main Thai stakeholder, said in a statement. As a result, the dam “was fractured” and water “leaked to the downstream area and down to Xe-Pian River” about 5km (three miles) away.

Saddle Dam D is 8m wide, 770m long and 16m high and was designed to help divert water around a local reservoir.

Local authorities have appealed to government bodies and other communities to provide emergency aid such as clothing, food, drinking water and medicine.

In recent years the government in Laos has launched an ambitious dam-building scheme to become the “battery of Asia.” Laos sits on the Mekong River and its tributaries, a perfect location for hydroelectric power. The country had 46 operational hydroelectric power plants in

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The Jewish Home | JULY 26, 2018

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JULY 26, 2018 | The Jewish Home

2017, and 54 more under construction. By 2020, Laos also plans to build 54 more electricity transmission lines and 16 substations. Laos already exports two-thirds of its hydropower, with electricity making up roughly 30% of all Laotian exports.

Iran Planning Cyber Attacks

The U.S. is issuing a warning to its allies: Iran is planning a massive cyberattack. According to intelligence, Iranian hackers have laid the groundwork to perform widespread cyberattacks on U.S. and European infrastructure and private compa-

nies. The U.S. is urging its allies to beef up defenses and be prepared to retaliate with a counterattack.

During the 2018 Aspen Security Forum, administration officials – including Director of National Intelligence Dan Coats, FBI Director Chris Wray, and Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein – warned of the pervasive cyber danger from Russia, China, Iran, and North Korea. On Thursday Coats said he believes that Russia is more of a threat than Iran or China.

Senior officials agree that Russia is a more aggressive threat but they believe Iran is making more definitive plans that could potentially effect electric grids, water plants, and health care and technology companies in the U.S., Germany, the U.K. and other countries in Europe and the Middle East.

A spokesperson for the Iranian Mission to the United Nations countered that the U.S. is the real threat.

“The U.S. is the most belligerent cyber attacker of any nation in the world, repeatedly attacking military and civilian targets across the world including in Iran,” Alireza Miryousefi charged. “The U.S. has also undermined international efforts to

establish global rules surrounding cyber issues. While we cannot comment on specific cyber capabilities or operational detail, we can say that our cyber activities are defensive in nature and necessary for our country’s protection.”

Myanmar Army Planned its Crimes

Fortify Rights, a human activist group out of Bangkok, is reporting that there are “reasonable grounds” to believe that 22 Myanmar army and police officials made “exten-

sive and systematic preparations” for attacks on the country’s Muslim minority. In the weeks and months leading up to a mass evacuation of thousands of Rohingya civilians to Bangladesh, the Myanmar military carried out brutal attacks on an already persecuted people.

The UN Security Council is being called upon to refer the atrocities committed to the International Criminal Court (ICC) for criminal investigation. “Genocide doesn’t happen spontaneously,” said Matthew Smith, Chief Executive Officer of Fortify Rights. “Impunity for these crimes will pave the path for more violations and attacks in the future. The world can’t sit idly by and watch another genocide unfold, but right now, that’s exactly what’s happening.”

The Rohingya are a stateless Muslim minority in western Myanmar, which is mostly Buddhist. After the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA) attacked state security forces in August 2017, the Myanmar military took vengeance on the Rohingya civilians, forcing over 700,000 of them to flee across the border to Bangladesh. Fortify claims that the attacks were not just retalia-

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The Jewish Home | JULY 26, 2018

Closing August th

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JULY 26, 2018 | The Jewish Home

President Trump.

Following the Singapore Summit between Kim Jong Un and Trump, the two released a joint statement that contained vague language around denuclearization, much to the dismay of North Korea watchers hoping for concrete action. But in the press conference after the summit, Trump announced two bombshells: The U.S. would halt military drills with South Korea and that North Korea had agreed to dismantle a missile testing site.

tory, but a calculated and brutal attempt to rid the country of Muslims.

In October 2016, the Myanmar military carried out a brutal campaign against the Rohingya, which forced tens of thousands to flee the country. Fortify claims that the international community did not react strongly enough to the violence and emboldened the military to make a stronger push to violently expel the group.

Documents have been produced which show that the military led a campaign to collect any weapons the Rohingyas had, train local non-Rohingya communities to fight, and deprive them of food and life-saving aid in the weeks leading up to the attacks. The group says these actions resemble “preparatory actions” for genocide and crimes against humanity.

N. Korea Dismantling Rocket Sites In a victory for the United States and its President, Donald Trump, North Korea has said that it has started to dismantle rocket launching and testing facilities that it agreed to dismantle in an off-the-books deal with

In more than a month since the summit, the U.S. has kept its end of the verbal agreement, and on Monday satellite imagery showed North Korea dismantling key parts of the Sohae Satellite Launching Station, where Kim Jong Un has presided over the launch of rockets meant to put satellites in orbit in the past.

So far, a rail-based site for transporting the rockets and a vertical engine testing stand have been dismantled, 38 North reports.

This represents only a tiny fraction of North Korea’s nuclear missile infrastructure. But the action there has key components that may give cause for hope.

In 2012, when Kim had just taken power, the U.S. under Obama negotiated a freeze on missile testing with North Korea. Later, North Korea announced it would instead launch a rocket intended to carry a satellite into orbit.

Satellite launch vehicles are not missiles. They deliver a satellite into orbit, rather than an explosive payload to a target. But both satellite launch vehicles and missiles use rocket engines to propel themselves into space, meaning that working on one is much the same as working on the other. The U.S., troubled by this obvious betrayal of the spirit of the agreement, then exited the deal.

By removing the rail infrastructure to set up satellite vehicle launches this week, North Korea may have signaled it won’t look to

The Jewish Home | JULY 26, 2018

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exploit the same loopholes that have wrecked past deals.

Peru Embroiled in another Scandal

Peru was rocked by another political hit when the head of the country’s judicial branch resigned late last week. The South American nation has been subjected to many scandals lately, and the government is still reeling from former President Pedro Pablo Kuczynski stepping down four months ago in a separate corruption scandal.

Judicial chief Duberli Rodriguez

announced his resignation on Twitter in a short letter in which he said he was stepping down “due to the institutional crisis.” This most recent corruption investigation uncovered numerous judges making behindthe-scenes deals in order to gain promotions and lighten sentences for criminals.

The investigation has been public knowledge for the past two weeks in Peru. Two news outlets published a series of telephone recordings that showed a large network of judges, businessmen, and local authorities were colluding to arrange extensive backroom deals. One of the more shocking recordings is the voice of Judge Cesar Hinostroza asking if a child predator should have his sentence reduced or the charges dropped completely. Hinostroza has a history of letting such criminals off the hook as he has acquitted three others with similar charges in the past. He has been suspended pending the investigation’s outcome.

The recordings are hitting home in Peru, where three out of the last four presidents are currently at the center of Latin America’s biggest bribery scandal. Eighty percent of the country disapproves of their jus-

tice system, and protests have begun around the country. Peru’s capital saw 5,000 demonstrators marching last weekend, waving flags and chanting, “Judicial power, national shame!”

The minister of justice and the head of the commission for judges have also resigned.

Fires Engulf Greece

At least 74 people have lost their lives in wildfires that are engulfing popular seaside areas near Athens, Greece. Twenty people’s bodies were sadly found huddled together on a beach on Tuesday.

The fires are the worst Greece has seen since 2007, when 60 people were killed when huge fires swept across the southern Peloponnese region.

Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras declared three days of national mourning for those killed by the fires.

The Greek Coast Guard and passing boats picked up more than 700 people who’d fled to the water’s edge to try and escape the flames and choking smoke, according to Merchant Marine deputy minister Nektarios Santorinios, but tragically the fire moved too fast for others to save themselves.

The head of Greece’s Red Cross, Nikos Oikonomopoulos, told Skai television that a member of a Red Cross rescue team had told him the crew searching a seaside area northeast of Athens had found 26 bodies, apparently families, huddled tightly together, many of them hugging.

They were found next to the remains of charred cars in the area.

“Everything happened in seconds,” said local resident Andreaas Passios, who lives next to the compound. “I grabbed a beach towel. It saved my life. I soaked it, grabbed my wife and we ran to the sea.”

Passios said he and his wife

stayed by the sea for two hours. “It was unbelievable. Gas canisters were exploding, burning pine cones were flying everywhere.”

The area is popular with tourists and the elderly.

Greek fire officials said on Tuesday that the confirmed death toll had reached 74, with at least 187 others injured, including 23 children.

It was unclear how many remained missing.

The fires – one about 30 miles west of Athens in Kineta, the other to the northeast of the capital near Rafina – broke out on Monday from as-of-yet-undetermined causes.

Fanned by gale-force winds, they spread rapidly into inhabited areas in popular holiday seaside areas, preventing many who were in their cars or homes from managing to flee.

Winds reached 50 mph as authorities deployed the country’s entire fleet of water-dropping planes and helicopters to give vacationers time to escape. Military drones remained in the air in the high winds to help officials direct more than 600 firefighters on the ground.

Thousands of Fake Vaccines in China

An investigation launched by China’s Food and Drug Administration (CFDA) has revealed that hundreds of thousands of vaccines that were earmarked for Chinese children were faulty. Vaccine manufacturer Changchun Changsheng Biotechnology has had its license revoked for the human rabies vaccine while the investigation is ongoing. All unused vaccines have been recalled, and five senior executives were arrested for questioning.

Many of the vaccines that did not work were already administered to children as part of a mandatory vaccine program in the country. So far, there is no information available on how the vaccines may have negatively affected those who had received it.

The Jewish Home | JULY 26, 2018

At least 113,000 doses of the rabies vaccine and 253,338 doses of diphtheria and tetanus (DPT) vaccine were faulty. The bad batch was sold to the Shandong Provincial Disease Prevention and Control Center.

The issue was first made public when an inspection of the company’s facilities on July 15 discovered that the company had fabricated production and testing records and had falsified production specifications and equipment. The inspection follows a November 2017 incident in which another company was found to be doing the same thing, and 400,000 doses of the DPT vaccine were found to be substandard.

President Xi called for the government to be stricter on manufacturers, saying that the authorities will “scrape the poison off the bone” in their efforts to rectify the vaccine problems.

“Those involved will be resolutely punished with zero tolerance.

[The government] will resolutely crack down on all illegal and criminal acts that endanger the safety of people’s lives,” a statement released

by China’s Central Government said.

A List of Kosher Eaters in Austria?

A shocking proposal is being made by the far-right Freedom Party of Austria (FPO). Gottfried Waldhäusl, a member of the FPO, is proposing that the sale of kosher meat in Austria be limited only to Jews whose names appear on a special list. Oskar Deutsch, the head of the Jewish community in Austria, explained that the initiative would allow only Jews who keep kashrus on a regular basis be able to purchase kosher meat and that the export of kosher slaughtered meat would be banned.

If the proposal is passed into law, ritual slaughter would be restricted

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for both Jews and Muslims because both religions do not allow animals to be anesthetized before slaughter.

The proposal has been approved by the Department of Environmental Protection in the Lower Austrian government, though the DEP is stressing that it is only a draft.

Waldhäusl, who heads the department, said that “to prevent cruelty to animals, I support the kosher slaughter restrictions in any legal

way possible.”

The initiative is seen by the Jewish community as unthinkable as it would have the government keeping a list of all those who keep kosher.

“Waldhäusl is seriously suggesting that Jews and Muslims who want to purchase kosher meat will have to register,” Austria’s former chancellor Christian Kern wrote on his Facebook page. “The proposed registration reminds one of the darkest

chapters in our history.”

Though similar initiatives have been passed in other parts of Europe, the law is disturbing as the FPO has been a prominent partner in Austria’s coalition since December 2017. The party was originally established by a former S.S. officer in the 1950s and became one of Austria’s largest parties in the 1990’s.

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mind to open the doors to let people out and the police in. Though no official motivation has been confirmed, Germany has been on high alert after a recent string of deadly Islamic terror attacks.

Soldier Killed on Gaza Border

Bus Attack in Northern Germany An Iranian man injured nine people when he attacked passengers on a bus in Lubeck, Germany. The 34-year-old dropped his backpack and pulled out a knife on the bus which had over 70 people on board.

Six were hurt from the knife attack and another three from falling in the commotion.

Police were able to detain the terrorist who was described as a “German citizen of Iranian origin.”

The bus driver was able to stop the vehicle and open the doors despite being a target of the attacker. There happened to be a police car nearby that responded to the scene, and thankfully the attacker was detained

before anyone was killed.

The police said in a tweet that there was no indication that the attack was politically motivated or that the stabber was politically radicalized. A fire accelerant was found in his backpack, and state prosecutors admitted that “nothing can be excluded, including a terrorist background.”

Praise is being heaped upon the bus driver who had the presence of

A day of violence ended last Shabbos with a fragile ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas.

The escalation started last Friday night when Staff Sgt. Aviv Levy, 20, was killed by sniper fire along the Gaza border. Israel proceeded to bomb several Hamas targets in the Gaza Strip in response.

The IDF said that the sniper attack on Levy and his unit was the “most serious incident since the 2014 Gaza war.” An IDF spokesman said that in retaliation, “our aircraft are carrying out widespread attacks against terror targets belonging to Hamas in the Gaza Strip,” adding that this came after the “serious shooting incident against our forces.”

Over 60 targets were hit by Israeli warplanes, including three brigade headquarters. Also destroyed, according to an IDF statement, were “weapons and ammunition stores, training grounds, observation posts, control centers and the offices of the brigade commander.” Factories and machinery for the manufacture of weapons, a drone storage facility, an entry shaft to tunnels and “elements for constructing underground infrastructure” were also hit.

After the airstrikes, two rockets were intercepted by the Iron Dome defense system and one more fell in an open field. An Israeli official announced on Saturday afternoon that

The Jewish Home | JULY 26, 2018

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Hamas asked for a truce through Egyptian mediators after the IDF airstrikes. Hamas offered to stop “the fire terror” and “terror at the fence,” referring to launches of flaming kites and balloons launched toward Israel, and the attacks and infiltration attempts at the border.

“Egyptian and international efforts have led to a return to the previous state of calm between the Occupation [reference to Israel] and the Palestinian factions,” Hamas spokesman Fawzi Barhoum told news outlets. A ceasefire had been struck a week earlier after Hamas sent over 200 rockets and mortars into Israel and the IDF responded with dozens of anti-Hamas strikes.

Aviv’s death marks the first time in four years that an Israeli soldier has been killed along the Gaza border. Hundreds attended his funeral, which took place on Sunday.

Noam Levy, Aviv’s uncle, told Haaretz, “Aviv was the eldest grandchild in the family. The whole family admired him. He did things thoroughly and quietly; he achieved a lot in his short life. He very much wanted to serve in Givati. He was introverted and shy, but he was serious and conscientious.”

Aviv did not have to go to the fence but asked to do so, wanting to help his fellow soldiers.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said, “Together with his comrades, Aviv fought with determination and heroism against terror from the Gaza Strip. To our sorrow, this struggle sometimes claims a price that is heavy for us to bear.

Our hearts are with the family.”

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When a Syrian fighter jet traveled into Israeli airspace on Tuesday afternoon, the IDF acted immediately and downed the jet. The Sukhoi-model jet advanced two kilometers into Israeli space. Two Patriot

missiles shot the plane down. The jet crashed in Syria and its pilot was killed.

After the downing, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu defended Israel’s actions, warning that the country would continue to take similar steps against any incursion into its territory.

“Our air defense systems identified a Syrian air force plane taking off from the Syrian T-4 airbase and penetrating into Israeli airspace,” Netanyahu said in a statement.

“This was a blatant violation of the 1974 separation agreement between us and the Syrians. We will not accept any such penetration of, or spillover into, our territory, neither on the ground nor in the air.”

According to the IDF, the fighter jet took off from the Iran-linked T-4 air force base in central Syria, which Israel has bombed in the past, and traveled “at high speed” toward the Golan Heights.

“Our forces acted appropriately,” Netanyahu said in a tweet. “We insist that the Syrians strictly abide by the Separation of Forces Agreement between us and them.”

The IDF said it had noticed increased air force activity in southwestern Syria, near the border, since the morning. Syria and Russia have been waging a large air campaign to oust the last remaining pockets of rebels from the border region.

Syria claimed the jet had been in Syrian airspace when it was shot down.

Speaking at the UN Security Council meeting discussing the Middle East, Israel’s Ambassador to the UN Danny Danon warned that Israel would take similar action on any border. “Israel will not tolerate any violation of our sovereignty – not from Syria, not from Gaza, not from any other enemy that threatens our security,” he said.

The 1974 Separation of Forces Agreement requires Syria to abide by a demilitarized zone between the two countries. The agreement was drawn up in the wake of the 1973 Yom Kippur War and established a demilitarized zone between Israel and Syria.

Construction Minister Yoav Galant (Kulanu), a former IDF commander of the Southern Command, said shooting down the jet sent a message to Iran, Syria, and Hezbollah.

“Violating Israel’s airspace crosses the red line,” he said.

The Jewish Home | JULY 26, 2018

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have flooded [the conversation], the Basic Law does not hurt Israel’s minority cultures,� Dichter said. He also claimed it does not detract from the status of the Arabic language. He is referring to a clause in the law that downgrades Arabic from an official language to one of “special standing.�

Knesset Speaker Yuli Edelstein hailed the law as “history making,� and said that the new legislation is “one of the most important laws ever to be passed by the Knesset.� The law also declares that Jerusalem is the capital of Israel, sets the Hebrew calendar as the official calendar of the state, and recognizes Independence Day, days of remembrance and Jewish holidays.

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The Knesset passed the Jewish State Law last week which officially enshrines Israel as “the national home of the Jewish people.� Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called

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the law’s passing “a pivotal moment in the annals of Zionism and the State of Israel.�

The law was passed with 62 Member of the Knesset voting in favor, 55 opposed, and two abstaining. There were many hours of heated debate leading up to the vote. “We enshrined in law the basic principle of our existence,� said Netanyahu. “Israel is the nation-state of the Jewish people, which respects the individual rights of all its citi-

zens. This is our state – the Jewish state. In recent years there have been some who have attempted to put this in doubt, to undercut the core of our being. Today we made it law: this is our nation, language, and flag.�

Former Shin Bet director Avi Dichter was the main proponent of the law over the past few years. He hailed it as a response to anyone who believed that the Jewish presence in Israel is temporary. “Contrary to the disinformation and fake news that

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A terror plot in France was foiled

by Israel’s Mossad spy agency last month. Crucial intelligence was supplied to authorities in Belgium, Germany, and France that led to the capture of a terror cell that was run by an Iranian diplomat.

An Iranian out of the embassy in Austria was planning to bomb a conference center that was to hold a meeting for an Iranian dissident group on June 30. The People’s Mujahedin of Iran held a rally that day in the Paris suburb of Villepinte which was attended by over 25,000 people.

The Mossad teamed up with their counterparts in several countries to track suspects, eavesdrop on them and bring in their terror cell.

Belgian nationals, a married couple

The Jewish Home | JULY 26, 2018

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the border, their eyes twinkled from happiness with the knowledge that they’d gotten their lives back. I am happy to be an officer in an army and in a country that is carrying out this mission and expressing the values of humaneness and compassion.

identified as Amir S. and Nasmeh N., were also arrested in the raid.

The husband and wife, who were described as being “of Iranian origin,” were carrying 500 grams of the volatile explosive TATP, along with a detonation device, when an elite police squad stopped them in a residential district of Brussels.

Five raids were successfully carried out across Belgium by French, Belgian, German, and Israeli forces to thwart the attack.

Israel Facilitates Transfer of Syrian Refugees Four-hundred-twenty-two Syrians were accepted temporarily into Israel during their long journey to Canada, the U.K., and Germany in order to escape the Assad regime.

The head of the Israeli military project to help the so-called “White Hel-

met” emigrants said that the eyes of the refugees “twinkled from happiness” when they were finally able to cross the border into Israel and escape the dictator’s brutal suppression of his people.

“There’s no doubt that it was an emotional position to be in yesterday, to stand on the border fence and accept the families, mostly women and children,” said the Lt. Col. “The families crossed [the fence], at first apprehensively, but once they reached

“This is the nature of our work and this is a significant moment like no other,” he added.

The refugees passed through Jordan on their way to Israel. Both Jordan and Israel have a standing policy not to accept any more refugees from Syria. The decision to facilitate the transfer, according to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, was made after receiving requests from President Donald Trump and other world leaders. “Several days ago, President Trump contacted me, as did Canadian Prime Minister Trudeau, and others, and requested that we assist in evacuating hundreds of ‘White Helmets’ from Syria,” Netanyahu said in a statement from his office. “I approved their passage through Israel to additional countries, as an important humanitarian gesture,” the prime minister added.

Israel has been engaged in a massive humanitarian aid campaign helping Syrians on the border from starvation and sickness. More than 5,000 people have been treated by the Jewish state in field hospitals at the Syrian border and hundreds of tons of food, medical equipment and clothing have been sent across the border to Syria. Since 2016, over 600 Syrian children and their mothers have come to Israel for treatment.

This is the first time that a mass transfer of refugees has made their way across the border to be relocated around the globe.

Syrian Civil Defense, the official name of the White Helmets, is a volunteer organization that has worked in rebel areas of Syria providing medical support during the seven-yearlong Syrian civil war.

The Jewish Home | JULY 26, 2018

Boulder from the Kotel Falls

A very large stone dislodged from the Kotel and fell onto the “egalitarian” mixed prayer area on Monday.

The 100-kilo boulder fell right next to a woman who was praying.

“I didn’t hear or feel anything until it landed right at my feet,” said Daniella Goldberg, 79. She said she was praying at the site, as she does regularly, when suddenly the boulder crashed down. She told Hadashot TV news she “tried not to let the incident distract me from my prayers” and refused to be drawn on whether divine providence had spared her. “May we all be blessed,” she said.

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is an unusual and most rare incident that has not occurred for decades,” said Rabbi Shmuel Rabinovitch. “The fact that this powerful incident happened a day after the 9th of Av fast, in which we mourned the destruction of our Temples, raises doubts and questions which the human soul is too small to contain, and requires soul-searching.

“I thank the Creator that a heavy disaster was averted,” he added.

Will Summer Make You Dumber?

If you find yourself moving slower in the heat, it’s not your imagination.

Your brain may actually be moving more slowly as temperatures rise.

Researchers at Harvard University recently conducted a study analyzing the brain’s reaction to high temperatures. They concluded that the human

brain works 13% slower during extreme heat.

The study was based on data provided by 44 college students living in Boston during a 2016 heat wave.

That July’s heat was reportedly one of the hottest in Boston’s history.

Twenty-two of the students lived in brick-based buildings with no airconditioning and the other 22 undergrads were living in air conditioned dorms during the 12-day experiment.

The researchers found that the students in non-air conditioned buildings performed over 13% percent worse on both math and memory tests than their air-conditioned classmates.

“Most of the research on the health effects of heat has been done in vulnerable populations, such as the elderly, creating the perception that the general population is not at risk from heat waves,” lead author Jose Guillermo Cedeño-Laurent noted. “Knowing what the risks are across different

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Mayor Nir Barkat, City Engineer Shlomo Eshkol, and members of the Department of Dangerous Buildings came to evaluate the scene and consult on what path to take to avoid any further damage. A Dangerous Buildings Order was issued by the City Engineer and the area was fenced off.

Signs were placed to prevent anyone from entering until the Antiquities Authority determines the area is safe.

Over the next week, the Antiquities Authority will conduct a mapping of the stones in order to preserve them and ensure no more stones are loose.

“A great miracle happened this morning when the stone, weighing about 100 kilos, fell close to a woman praying in the Ezrat Yisrael and she wasn’t hurt,” Barkat said. “I intend to ask the Prime Minister’s Office in charge of the site to extend the periodic inspections carried out by the Israel Antiquities Authority at the Western Wall to the Ezrat Yisrael and throughout the Western Wall, as well as to the southern wall, to prevent disintegration and ensure the wall can be approached without risk.”

The rabbi of the main Western Wall plaza called for public “soul searching” after the incident. “This

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populations is critical considering that in many cities…the number of heat waves is projected to increase.”

Scientists also noted that the buildings the students lived in may have made the effect of heat on their brains even worse. “These buildings have a hard time shedding heat during hotter summer days created by the changing climate, giving rise to indoor heat waves,” study co-author Joseph Allen added.

In other words, keep the air conditioning on.

Breathe in the Not-So-Clean Air

If you’re heading to a national park this summer, don’t think you’re doing a service for your lungs. According to a study published in the journal Science Advances, national parks have had similar ozone values to that of the 20 largest major cities in the U.S. states from 1990-2014. It seems that the air is not so clean up there.

“The most striking finding was how similar ozone levels were in parks to metropolitan areas,” Ivan Rudik, co-author of the study and assistant professor of applied economics at Cornell University, said. “Since the early 2000s, air quality (as measured by ozone) is just as bad (or just as good) in national parks as it is in metropolitan areas,” Rudik said.

These areas experience about two and a half to three weeks of unhealthy days a year on average.

For example, Sequoia National Park in Northern California rivaled Los Angeles in ozone exceedance days during the time period of the study. That means there were as much or more days when the air was considered “unhealthy for sensitive groups” by the Environmental Protection Agency in the park.

The National Park website for Air Quality at Sequoia National Park says the park is one of the worst national parks for air pollution in the country. The reason is that the park

is “downwind of many air pollution sources, including agriculture, industry, major highways, and urban pollutants from as far away as the San Francisco Bay Area,” according to the website.

According to this new study, in all but two years since 1996 Sequoia National Park ozone exceedance days have surpassed that of Los Angeles, the metropolitan area with the highest ozone concentration.

Just down the road from Sequoia, Joshua Tree National Park received a similar number of unhealthy days as New York City.

“From 1990 to 2000, Joshua Tree NP had, on average, 105 unhealthy ozone days per year while NYC had 110. From 2001 to 2014, average unhealthy days decreased in both locations to 101 per year in Joshua Tree and 78 in NYC.” The National Park system outlines the direct cause of the pollution in its list of air quality profiles for each park. For instance, Grand Canyon National Park is “downwind of air pollution from coal-fired power plants in the Four Corners region, nearby mining, and urban and industrial pollutants from Mexico and California.” Acadia National Park gets its soupy air from large urban and industrial areas in the states to the south and west.

As every day is different, before heading out to a national park you can check its website to make sure the air quality there is clear.

The State of Kindness

It is difficult to rate kindness, as its measures are often ambiguous.

However, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics recently analyzed data on volunteering in order to draw conclusions about kindness, giving, and charity across the U.S. How nice are those living in the U.S. of A.? About 25% of Americans devote time to volunteer work, according to a monthly survey spon-

The Jewish Home | JULY 26, 2018

sored by the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS).

About 60,000 households responded to the survey. Volunteer work is classified as unpaid work through or for an organization.

The most common demographic amongst volunteers were married, white females with higher education levels. The age group that dominated those that volunteer was 35-44, and many were parents with children under the age of 18.

The Beehive State is busy as bees when it comes to volunteering. The State of Utah had the highest rate of volunteers, while Louisiana had the lowest rate (18%). Embarrassingly, New York ranked 49th for states when it comes to volunteering and California ranked 34th. As for specific cities, Los Angeles and New York were almost at the bottom of the list. This is not a statistic we should be proud of.

The most common act of kindness was collecting and distributing food. Volunteers spend an average of 52 hours a year, or 1 hour each week, volunteering.

Young adults between the ages of 20 to 24 were least likely to volunteer and men were less likely to volunteer than women, 27.8% to 21.8%. According to the survey, whites volunteered at a higher rate (26.4%) than blacks (19.3%), Asians (17.9%) and Hispanics (15.5%). Education counts for something. Those who attended and graduated college were 12% more likely to volunteer.

These 5 states had the highest rates of volunteers in the nation: 1. Utah 2. Minnesota 3. Wisconsin 4. South Dakota 5. Idaho

CA to Remain Whole

the ballot. These proposed states were to be called Northern California, Southern California, and California.

The movement, Proposition 9, was initiated by Tim Draper, a Silicon Valley venture capitalist who allegedly spent $1.2 million on the measure. He ventured that three states would help the state function better and would be an “opportunity to reboot and refresh our state government.” Draper submitted more than 600,000 signatures for the measure in April, substantially more than the 365,880 required.

This isn’t Draper’s first attempt at reshaping California. Four years ago Draper spent $5.2 million promoting a plan to divide California into six states. It did not qualify for the ballot either. Draper, 60, was an early investor in Skype and is a vocal supporter of cryptocurrencies.

Draper responded to the court’s decision via email. He wrote, “Whether you agree or not with this initiative, this is not the way democracies are supposed to work. This kind of corruption is what happens in Third World countries.”

He accused state “insiders” of being “in cahoots.”

The court explained its decision: “because significant questions have been raised regarding the proposition’s validity and because we conclude that the potential harm in permitting the measure to remain on the ballot outweighs the potential harm in delaying the proposition to a future election.”

“Proposition 9 was a costly, flawed scheme that will waste billions of California taxpayer dollars, create chaos in public services including safeguarding our environment and literally eliminate the state of California — all to satisfy the whims of one billionaire,” said Planning and Conservation League Executive Director Howard Penn.

California is the most populous state in the nation. 39.5 million live in The Golden State.

Tragedy on Missouri Lake California is staying intact, for now. On Wednesday, the California Supreme Court decided unanimously to remove the proposal to divide the state into three separate states from

Thirty-one people boarded the Ride the Ducks Branson boat on July 19, but only 14 people made it back to shore safely. The boat was traveling on Table Rock Lake of Missouri when it was hit by a surprise

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thunderstorm with heavy winds creating choppy waters that caused the vessel to sink in the 40 foot deep water. Eyewitnesses reported strong winds that whipped up massive waves that swallowed the boat. It seems that when the vessel entered the water there was no wind and the waters were calm.

Sadly, 17 of the 31 passengers didn’t make it. The victims ranged from the age of 1 to 70. There was a family of 11 on the boat, of which 9 drowned. Stone County Sheriff Doug Rader said there were lifejackets on the boat, however the passengers were not wearing them at the time the boat sank.

U.S. Coast Guard Lt. Cmdr. Tasha Sadowicz confirmed that all of victims’ bodies were recovered by the following day.

The accident is currently under investigation. The National Transportation Safety Board and Coast Guard said investigators are analyzing the details of the tragedy including the weather, the lifejacket situation, the condition of the boat, and the response of the crew.

According to weather data, the storm traveled hundreds of miles at 55 mph before it hit the lake. Shortly after 6:30 p.m., about half an hour before the boat sank, the area around Branson was issued a severe thunderstorm warning. Radar shows the first wind gusts arriving at the lake ahead of the storm, at 6:59 p.m., the highest gust clocked in at 63 m.p.h. Other damage was reported in the area, including downed trees and structural damage. Authorities received the first 911 call about the sinking at 7:09 p.m.

Ripley Entertainment said it recently acquired the boat company.

The company operates 70-minute tours that depart every 30 minutes from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. The boat had a captain and a driver with a commercial license. The driver of the boat, Robert “Bob” Williams, was amongst the victims. The boat’s captain survived.

Jim Pattison Jr., president of the

company that owns the duck boat tours, Ripley Entertainment Inc., said the fierce storm “came out of nowhere.”

“Obviously, we shouldn’t be out there in severe weather,” Pattison said. The company has been in operation for 47 years without any incident such as this, he said.

In a statement on its website the company wrote, “Words cannot convey how profoundly our hearts are breaking. We will continue to do all we can to assist the families who were involved and the authorities as they continue with the search and rescue.”

Duck boats carry tourists on both water and land, so they’re regulated by two separated agencies – the Coast Guard for when the boat is on water and the Department of Transportation when the vehicle is on land. It seems that at times there’s a disconnect between the two agencies, which is why regulations may need to be changed.

Burberry Destroys $36M of Product

Over the past year, Burberry has destroyed over $36 million of its own products. This may seem destructive and counterproductive but the practice is intended to help hold up the high-end label’s reputation and protect itself from counterfeit products.

It is common for luxury retailers to destroy unsold products to protect their intellectual property and brand value. They do not want their goods being sold at cheap prices or ending up on the black counterfeit market, which would devalue their brand.

Many are outraged by the practice but Burberry has explained that they work with “specialist incinerators that are able to harness the energy from the process.”

John Peace, the brand’s outgoing chairman, said destroying stock is “not something we do lightly.” The

company also claimed it took care to minimize the amount of excess stock it produces and is seeking ways to reduce and “revalue” waste. There have been claims that other brands have similar practices, like Cartier and Jaeger-LeCoultre. H&M has also been accused of burning their leftover merchandise.

Burberry specifically has struggled with counterfeit products. In the early 2000s its checked print was highly popular and was swamping the counterfeit market. According to the company, its status was diminished amongst consumers because of the flood of its signature plaid.

The company removed the print from 90% of its products in 2006 or tucked it into the lining. However, in recent years, the checked print has reemerged as the company attempts to reclaim its iconic past.

School Board Allows Illegals to Vote

There are many illegal immigrants with children in schools who never had a voice due to their non-citizen status. The San Francisco Department of Elections is attempting to change that.

The department has begun to issue voter registration forms to non-citizens with children in the city school district. This will allow non-citizen parents or guardians of children in the San Francisco Unified School District to vote for Board of Education members. In 2016, city residents passed a proposition to allow non-citizen voting. The ordinance will expire in November 2022. At that point, city supervisors will have to vote on whether to continue the practice.

To qualify, non-citizens must be a resident of the city, be at least 18 years old, and have a child under the age of 19.

Many of those affected by the change were thrilled to now have a voice. However, some illegals are concerned that voter registration information may be shared with the federal government and put them at risk of deportation.

Chicago Winning the Rat Race

While New York City has gotten a lot of press for being rat infested, there’s another city that is competing for the Rat Crown. A new study

by RentHop.com has titled Chicago the “rat capital” of America. In 2017 the rat rate increased by 55% in The Windy City, going from 32,855 to 50,963. That’s 1,876.09 per 100,000 residents in Chicago.

“The abundance of garbage and buildings in The Windy City makes it a great location for these rats to seek shelter and food for survival,” according to RentHop. “The presence of these furry critters poses a threat to city dwellers due to the fact that they are capable of spreading diseases and cause allergic reactions to humans and animals.”

As expected, the city of Chicago did not welcome the title.

“Rodent complaints are not an accurate indicator of the rat population in an area,” Streets and Sanitation Spokeswoman Marjani Williams told The Tribune. “However, they do show that Chicagoans care about the health and safety of their communities,” he said, adding that the department is vigilant in encouraging to report rodent activity “so that our crews can quickly investigate and address every sighting.”

D.C. followed Chicago with highest complaints per 100,000 residents (725.68). New York City has a rate of 222.11, just below Boston’s rate of 363.16.

That’s rattling.

The Jewish Home | JULY 26, 2018

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a week to test out their mattresses and fall asleep on the job.

Avocados at the Game

A special cry closet may need to be designated for millennials after the Montgomery Biscuits minor league baseball team created a “Millennial Night” just for them.

Turns out, that despite the stereotype that millennials are all about avocados and selfies, they are much more than craft beer and safe spaces.

The baseball team created a special “Millennial Night” last weekend.

Their promotion, though, did not go as planned when they set it off on social media with this tweet: “Want free things without doing much work?

Well you’re in luck! Riverwalk Stadium will be millennial friendly on Saturday, July 21, with a participation ribbon giveaway just for showing up, napping and selfie stations, along with lots of avocados.”

Ouch! said millennials, that really hurt!

Vice president of fan engagement, Mike Murphy, said that the team has different special “nights” throughout the season. “Eighty percent of the people in our front office are millennials, myself included, and we’re just having fun with some of the clichés that people point out about millennials,” Murphy said about the “Millennial Night” and the items that were offered.

But millennials weren’t laughing, heading instead to their cry closets after they read the tweet. Perhaps they should have offered gluten-free hot dog buns instead.

Sleeping on the Job Want to earn money while you get some zzzs? One lucky person will become Mattress Firm’s “snoozetern.”

The fortunate dreamer will earn $200

According to the mattress company, “if you have an opinion and you can fall asleep, this job was made for you.”

“If you think you’re a slumber star, apply to sleep on the job as our in-house bed tester, testing the best of the best mattresses,” the job posting reads. “The back of your eyelids won’t be your only view. You’ll test the optimal head and foot positions on our selection of adjustable bases for Netflix binging … reading, typing, eating … really anything that would be better in bed.

“Of course, you’ll want your friends to know that you’re ‘sleeping your best life’ so regular appearances on Mattress Firm’s social channels will make the job of your dreams official,” the listing says about the 20-hour-a-week position. Those over the age of 18 can apply, and, of course, PJs may just be the perfect uniform for the new position.

Based in Mattress Firm’s home office, or “BEDQuarters,” in Houston, company executives say they’re excited to welcome the first-ever “sleep-fluencer” aboard.

Sounds like a dream.

A College Grad – at 11

William Maillis is barely old enough to babysit, but he has already graduated college.

On Saturday, William, 11, walked across the stage to receive his Associate in Arts degree from St. Petersburg College in Florida.

“I am totally fascinated by William and the work that he has done,” Dr. Tonjua Williams, president of St. Petersburg College, said. “He’s extremely brilliant, very open and col-

laborative.”

William started college in 2016 after graduating high school at age of 9. His parents say he was always on the “fast track.” By the age of 2 he was doing simple math and by 4 he learned algebra.

“Everybody has gifts from G-d. I was gifted with knowledge and science and history,” William said.

So what’s next? He plans to continue his education and will begin classes next month at the University of South Florida.

“I want to be an astrophysicist,” William related. “I want to prove to the world that G-d does exist through science.”

His goal is to complete his doctorate by the time he’s 18. That’s about the time he’ll be allowed to vote.

Mayor of the Meow-ment

Sweet Tart is now the mayor of the Village of Omena in Michigan. She’s probably the most paw-fect mayor the town has ever had.

Sweet Tart was voted into office in an unusual election, with $1 donations to the local historical society serving as votes. The 9-year-old feline previously served as the village’s vice mayor, so she has experience doing the job.

“While I’m home schooled, I graduated first in my class!” Sweet Tart’s campaign profile boasted.

Officials said there were a record number of votes – around 7,000 – in the election, which featured a variety of animal candidates. The village has had an animal mayor for more than a decade. Sweet Tart will serve as mayor until the next election in 2021.

Sweet Tart’s opponents in the race, which included 13 dogs, a peacock, a goat, a chicken and another cat, were all awarded positions on the village council.

Sounds like they got the pick of the litter.

Dog Daughter

Dogs live well in Britain. Take Lucky Princess Cleopatra Superchill.

Aside from the over-the-top name, the Staffordshire Bull Terrier has 65 outfits and 175 pairs of sunglasses.

And that’s not all. She even has a custom $1,970 carriage, just so her claws won’t get dirty.

Cleopatra – can we call her Cleo for short? – just celebrated her seventh birthday. Her owner, Anthony Welsh, spent $1,313 on lavish gifts for the dog he says is his “daughter.”

What do you buy the pooch who has everything? This year, Cleo received the finest tennis balls, a special feeding station and her very own custom-made mountain bike. Oh, and we forgot the party itself. She had a beach party at a dog-friendly café where her bulldog friend, Frank, and his owner joined them for doggy birthday cake, doggy steak, and wrapped presents.

Woof.

Welsh loves Cleo dearly.

“Cleo is just amazing, she really is one in a million. People may think I spoil her but she’s like a daughter to me and if I have the means why not give her everything?” the 57-year-old gushed.

Welsh is a personal trainer and so he makes sure Cleo is exercised daily – on foot and on her mountain bike – and buys her the best dog food, which runs around $52 a bag.

For the times she’s not running around, Cleo has three kids’ sports cars, a 4x4, a convertible white sports car and a racing car, all at $656 each.

She drives around in the vehicles with her manicured nails and tiaras.

She also enjoys daily massages and has songs sung to her by bedtime.

“She makes me smile every single day. I feel love from Cleo every single day of the week,” Welsh says. “She’s unbelievable. She’s a legend.”

Sounds like she is purr-fect.

The Jewish Home | JULY 26, 2018

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Around the

Community PHOTO CREDIT: NAFTOLI GOLDGRAB

The Queens Hatzolah Men’s Event took place this week at the Queens Museum.

A lavish barbecue, wine tasting, and raffles added to the excitement. Ohad and the Yedidim Choir energized the room.

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Around the Community PHOTO CREDIT: YK IMAGES

The Vaad Roshei HaYeshivos of Torah Umesorah visited Camp Mogen Avraham last week. The Roshei Yeshiva who attended included Rav Dovid Feinstein, Rav Hillel David, Rav Shmuel Dishon, Rav Aharon Schechter, Rav Malkiel Kotler, Rav Shlomo Haliou, Rav Yaakov Bender, and Rav Dovid Goldberg. The Roshei Yeshiva davened Mincha with the campers and Rav Dishon spoke to the camp prior to a private meeting of the Roshei Yeshiva.

The Jewish Home | JULY 26, 2018

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JULY 26, 2018 | The Jewish Home

Around the Community

Fathers and sons joined together at the Camp Machane Yisrael and Yeshiva of South Shore Tisha B’Av Program this week

Senator Todd Kaminsky attended the Lone Soldier Bake Sale on July 19, which was hosted by Dimples of Cedarhurst. The Lone Soldier is a special organization that helps support Americans that are serving in the IDF. Pictured here are Danielle Aronovitz, Senator Todd Kaminsky, Breezy Katz of Breezy’s and Cindy Merrill of Dimples

The Jewish Home | JULY 26, 2018

Around the Community

Fun & Friends at Simcha Day Camp

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Around the Community

Fun at Camp Funshine of North Woodmere

Tisha B’Av at BJX

By Reuven Schwartz

T

he rain didn’t stop men and women from flocking to the Brooklyn Jewish Xperience Beis Medrash and Kiruv Centers (BJX) community-wide Tisha B’Av event on Motzei Shabbos. After everyone was seated on the floor, Rabbi Moshe Fingerer, menahel of BJX, introduced Mr. Shmuel Beller, a survivor of the Nazi inferno. Mr. Beller was born in 1927 in Oświęcim (Auschwitz), Poland, and tragically lost his entire family in the Holocaust. As a sole survivor he shared his history of forced labor. Later he ended up not far from his home in what would be known as the Auschwitz concentration camps. Mr. Beller set the tone for the evening and the rest of Tisha b’Av. He slowly described to the audience the unbearable conditions during the Death March and his indescribable feelings of starvation. He was forced to eat grass, filthy potato skins – anything he could get his hands on. He spoke about the blooddrenched severe beatings that he endured by the Nazi beasts. He was once caught with a tiny metal wire, accused of sabotage, and again beaten till he was covered in blood. He was then thrown down a hill and left for dead. After he shared his tragic

personal eyewitness account, everyone sang “Shfchi Kamayim Libeach” in a soul stirring melody.

Rav Yitzchok Fingerer, Rav of BJX, introduced Eicha and chanted it with great emotion.

Many in the crowd were touched

by Mr. Beller’s speech and felt his anguish as he spoke. His sincerity, convictions and faith inspired everyone. It was exceedingly eye-opening for Jews of all backgrounds living in 2018 to hear Mr. Beller, a devoutly frum man, speak about the test of emunah after living through the worst atrocities. He begged everyone to get along and especially to look out for those in need.

After Eicha, Mr. Beller showed everyone the numbers tattooed on his arm and said, “It took me years to realize this. Look at my numbers they are Hashem Echad and the 13 Middos of Rachamim.” The crowd was very inspired. Some BJX students stepped forward and asked him to give them a bracha to continue to their growth in their Yiddishkeit.

A middle aged professional said that it was important for him to attend such a program because it made Tisha B’Av far less distant and much more relatable. He said he was able to “feel Eicha in his bones.”

The Jewish Home | JULY 26, 2018

BSD

BEIS MUSSAR ROV YOSEF YOZEL FLATBUSH - KOLLEL BNEI TORAH / WOODMERE - CONG. YISMACH MOSHE

PROMOTING JEWS LEARNING MUSSAR TOGETHER! A GROUP OF BNEI TORAH HAS COME TOGETHER THIS PAST YEAR IN FLATBUSH AND WOODMERE TO FIND INSPIRATION AND GROWTH LEARNING MUSSAR TOGETHER IN CHAVRUSAHS AND CHABURAHS. WE THANK HASHEM FOR GIVING US MUCH HATZLACHA IN OUR LEARNING.

• BEIS MUSSAR ROV YOSEF YOZEL WOULD LIKE TO INVITE YOU TO JOIN US FOR OUR LAST SEDER OF THIS ZMAN.

WE ARE HONORED BeEZRAS HASHEM TO HAVE

HAROV MOSHE FASKOWITZ SHLITA Rosh Yeshiva Yeshiva Madreigas HaAdam Give over Divrei Torah and Hisorirus

Tuesday Night July 31st 830pm AT KOLLEL BNEI TORAH 1323 E32nd Street Brooklyn NY Beis Mussar Rov Yosef Yozel's next zman B.E.H will begin after Succos at the following locations.

Flatbush, Borough Park, Woodmere, Cedarhurst, Kew Gardens Hills, Monsey and Passaic.

For more information about Beis Mussar Rov Yosef Yozel contact: Rabbi Reuvein Scharf reuvein@yahoo.com

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Around the Community

They Love Me Just Like My Father Did

The campers of Ruach Day Camp were training to be Tzahal soldiers this week. Some of the activities included an obstacle course, bucket brigade and defending the Israeli flag.

By S. Fisher

“T

wo years ago my father called me and my siblings into his room. He blessed us with Birchas HaBonim.

That was the last time I saw him... I felt so alone.”

This is the story of one of the orphans who is a member of ZELAZE. ZELAZE has provided a personal support system for thousands of widows and orphans from every part of Eretz Yisroel. From the moment of loss, ZELAZE works tirelessly to provide for every need of the freshly bereaved widows and orphans. They are there, with open arms and open hearts, 24 hours a day.

ZELAZE organizes many varied programs throughout the year: weekend getaways, bas mitzvah groups, yom tov events and much more. One

of their most ambitious undertakings is a summer camp for hundreds of orphaned girls.

“This year ZELAZE is planning a camp for me and all my friends.

Please help me raise the money so we can all go to the camp this year!

At ZELAZE camp I feel like there is someone close to me, someone who loves me just as my father did.”

Help ZELAZE help her go to camp with all her friends. Be a part of realizing this young orphan’s dream.

Please open your hearts, and donate at www.campze.org to help one more orphan go to camp.

You can also donate by mailing your Tax Deductible Donation to: American Friends of ZeLaze: 1731 56th Street, Brooklyn, NY 11204 Or CALL US Number at: 904.606.6146 or 407.890.1322 Visit us at www.campzeh.org.

MINA at Camp Revach

L Will New Jersey Send a Republican to the Senate?

George F. Will, page 100

ast week in Camp Revach the focus was M.IN.A. On Monday and Tuesday the girls participated in a M.IN.A. color war: Middos, (positive) Interaction, and Achdus.

Color war culminated with a late night which included presentations, kerfuffle ball, dinner, paint night and a water park. The highlight of the week was the M.IN.A. trip: Mitzvos IN Action. Each bunk got on their own bus with a list of fun chessed activities to do. Some activities included washing a fire truck, giving doughnuts to the local police precinct, handing out cold water bottles, filling in a quarter for a meter, conducting nursing home interviews and even handing out our

very own smile cards. One of our favorite hot spots was Gourmet Glatt.

As in the previous years, Gourmet Glatt sponsored every group to go shopping – fulfilling a camp scavenger hunt – and then donating all the non-perishable items to the JCC food pantry. Camp Revach would like to thank Gourmet Glatt for their generous donation. The girls themselves then stacked the food in the pantry on the shelves. Some fun spots included ice cream and personalized air brush headbands! The girls said that this was their best trip ever.

It feels good to get, but feels even better to give and be a helping hand in their own community.

The Jewish Home | JULY 26, 2018

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National Week

This week we toured the “big apple” - New York! We had an apple hunt around the building and it led the campers to an activity where we made chocolate covered Apples! Then we had an amazing animal show; we “traveled” to the Bronx Zoo!

International Week We traveled overseas this week! We had a delicious special

activity for our pre-school division and “cooked fried rice” - out of rice crispy treats and candy. Our middle and upper divisions made delicious candy sushi and are now budding chefs. We ended the week with a “Chinese Auction” - with the tickets that the campers earned all week.

Weather Week

It may have been raining but there is always sunshine in Camp Atara! The weekk began with a refreshing treat from the cholov yisroel ice cream truck. Our Pre-school created a “Winter Wonderland” and made their very own snow! The next day, we played an amazing game of Lightning Dash which involved every single camper of every age, a race against the opposing team to see which team can catch the most lights and score the highest. In addition, our middle and upper divisions practiced and performed a beautiful cantada - which taught us all a lesson ‫בין אדם חברו‬. Our older bunks also spent time working on packages for hospitals.

Food Section

The week began with a delicious treat - laffy taffies for all our dancing campers. Then we enjoyed some “food for our soul” - a Mordechai Shapiro concert! The following day our younger division enjoyed a food hunt! Our older bunks were challenged by Chopped! We ended the week by releasing energy and burning calories with roller skating! In the spirit of food, on Friday we baked delicious challah with all different toppings.

The Jewish Home | JULY 26, 2018

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Around the Community

HANC High School boys learning with their Rebbe, Rabbi Avraham Ismach, at his home for a Wednesday night summer shiur in preparation for Tisha B’Av

Camp Shira Chessed Projects

D

uring the Nine Days, girls from Camp Shira were involved in numerous chessed projects and activities.

Our fourth graders worked hard to create their own original cake pops as part of the bake sale at Breezys-Dimples this past week. The bake sale was organized to benefit the Lone Soldier Center in Israel. The girls felt proud

to help the soldiers who leave their families to help protect Eretz Yisrael.

Every cake pop was baked with love and clean hands!

Our fifth graders volunteered to visit nursing homes. One group went to the Long Island Living Center and the other group went to the Five Towns Premier Nursing Home.

The girls sang songs and distributed

artistic flowers that they made for the residents. The girls brought cheer to the residents who enjoyed their songs and appreciated the handmade flowers.

Our Extreme campers (entering 6th and 7th graders) were involved in two projects. They created their own unique challah covers to be distributed by Achiezer. They also designed

pillow cases and cards that will be given to Zichron Chana Bayla to distribute to children in hospitals. The girls had a great time performing these rewarding chessed projects! In fact, our younger campers asked what they can do for chessed!

We have more chessed projects in the works as second half is now underway. Stay tuned!

The Jewish Home | JULY 26, 2018

Around the Community

Ruach at Machane Hakayitz

45

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The Jewish Home | JULY 26, 2018

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JULY 26, 2018 | The Jewish Home

Around the Community

A Stunning First Half of YLX

T

he first half of this year’s summer YLX program was jammed packed! Over 40 participants joined nightly for a particularly exciting summer learning program. Every weeknight the boys are treated to spectacular food generously sponsored by Carlos & Gabby’s, Traditions, Sushi Tokyo, Pizza’le, and Elite Catering.

The exciting array of food enhances the serious and boisterous learning.

The YLX learning theme this year is the Aseres Hadibros. Each week the YLX chevra tackles a different dibra.

During the first half, the first four commandments were learned in depth.

Now the program will begin to tackle the daunting mitzvah of Kabed es avicha. As always, the learning is designed to be engaging, interactive, and sophisticated. In addition to the sophisticated leaning material, this year each week’s curriculum and outline are professionally printed and bound, which allows for a pleasant learning

At the Ask the Rabbi event

experience.

Guest speakers always enhance the YLX experience, and this year was no exception. YLX welcomed Charlie Harary for the very first time. He spoke to the boys about realizing their potential and how they should learn from the meraglim to rise to the challenges that face us.

Another addition to this year’s YLX program was an exciting night of “Ask the Rabbi” in which Rav Mordechai Stern, Maara D’Asra of Bais Medrash Heichal Dovid, and Rav Dov Keilson, Mashgiach of Mesivta Chaim Shlomo, were invited to answer questions

Mr. Charlie Harary addressing the boys

form the YLX crowd. They addressed hot topics such as the appropriate approach to technology and sports, how to successfully appreciate Shabbos, and ways to relate to Torah learning.

All appreciated the wonderful eventg; “Ask the Rabbi” will certainly be a YLX mainstay.

The legendary weekly Thursday night YLX barbecues and basketball are once again made possible by Seasons and the Young Israel of Wavecrest Bayswater: Shaar Hashamayim. This year, under the direction of Meir Parry, YLX basketball has made serious progress. Each week the boys are split into teams and play tournament- style

games – the winning team receives prizes. Aside from the sports element, Thursday night YLX is also a great time for the boys to interact with each other and the staff. The Thursday night experience is once again enhanced by the official YLX pyrotechnician Pinchas Lipsky who donates his valuable time to make a weekly campfire for the boys.

As always, YLX is a community program. There is no charge and all are welcome!

The first half was spectacular and YLX looks forward to an exciting second half!

For more information, email YIDLearningExperience@gmail.com

The Jewish Home | JULY 26, 2018

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Around the Community

Avnet Girls’ Great Escapes

T

he excitement in the Naharot division at HALB’s Avnet Country Day School can’t be contained! Designed specifically for girls in 6th through 8th grades, this brand new division offers more sophisticated programming and trips.

So far this summer, the young ladies enjoyed a surprise outing to Rita’s, a visit to Hershey Park, lunch at Coffee Bar on Central Avenue, as well as a performance of “Aladdin” on Broadway. Their “breakout” adventure was to Escape the Room. The girls will soon be hitting the road to Club Getaway.

“We’ve targeted our activities in the Naharot division to appeal to the

more experienced and mature tastes of Middle Schools girls,” said Ariana Wolfson, Naharot Division Head.

“We’re thrilled that the first half of the summer has been a success and many of the girls who were originally

signed up for one month are extending their stay for August as well.”

ArtScroll Yerushalmi Ready for New Learning Cycle The Next Daf Yomi Begins on August 4

I

t was at the Sixth Knessiah Gedolah of Agudath Israel, in Jerusalem, that a historic proclamation was made. The day was 18 Teves, 5740/1980. The speaker was the Lev Simchah, the Gerrer Rebbe. The proclamation was that it was time for the Torah world to begin a new Daf Yomi program, the daily study of Talmud Yerushalmi. The Yerushalmi Daf Yomi program takes 4.5 years and it is now celebrating its ninth siyum.

The Schottenstein Editions of the Talmud Bavli in Hebrew and English — and in French, as the Edmond J. Safra Edition— have contributed tremendously to the spread of Talmud study in general, and Daf Yomi study in particular. It has been estimated that of the 90,000 participants at the MetLife Stadium celebration of the last siyum, more than half were there thanks to ArtScroll’s authoritative editions. Now the same is happening regarding the Yerushalmi.

New Era of Yerushalmi Study In recent years, the Yerushalmi Daf Yomi program has gained growing impetus, thanks to ArtScroll/Mesorah’s Schottenstein Edition in both Hebrew and English. Historically, study of Yerushalmi was extremely limited and difficult. Roman hatred and per-

secution of the Jewish Yishuv in Eretz Yisrael remained intense after the destruction of the Second Beis HaMikdash and the failed Bar Kochba rebellion. In approximately 400 C.E, Rome’s relentless pressure forced an end to the development of the Yerushalmi, before it could be completely organized and edited. The style of the Yerushalmi is terse and difficult, and its Aramaic dialect is different from that of the Talmud Bavli. Due to Roman cruelty, there were very few handwritten manuscripts and they were not available for centuries; according to many authorities, Rashi never saw the Yerushalmi.

And when texts were found, they were filled with errors. The result was that Yerushalmi was neglected for centuries and could be understood only by the greatest scholars. And — there was no Rashi commentary!

The Necessity to Study Yerushalmi Such historic luminaries as Arizal and the Vilna Gaon advocated study of Yerushalmi. Rambam frequently rules like the Yerushalmi over the Bavli. HaRav Chaim Kanievsky urges that Yerushalmi be studied in conjunction with the Bavli, and his regular shiurim on Yerushalmi are transcribed and published. Especially in our time,

study of Yerushalmi is essential because only the Yerushalmi – not the Bavli – has Gemara on Seder Zeraim, which makes it the primary source for the day-to-day agricultural laws of Israel. Study of the Yerushalmi is becoming more popular. But the lack of commentaries and the difficulty of the text make Yerushalmi study almost impossible for the ordinary scholar, much less the layman.

The ArtScroll/Mesorah Edition Now, thanks to ArtScroll/Mesorah, that has changed. In the words of Rabbi Yehezkel Danziger, editorial director of the project, “The Schottenstein Edition provides a thorough explanation of the text and makes the Yerushalmi accessible to everyone, in both English and Hebrew.” It includes a corrected text of the Gemara. At the urging of HaRav Chaim Kanievsky, ArtScroll has added commentaries not readily available, including that of Rav Shlomo of Sirilio, which Rav Chaim recommends most highly. The ArtScroll elucidation is based not only on the commentaries printed in the familiar Vilna Edition, but also on other excellent works. In addition, where necessary, the editors include an elucidation of alternate versions of the Talmud text, such as that of the Vilna Gaon. This edition also

discusses cases where the Yerushalmi diverges from the Bavli.

Encouragement of Gedolim The work was begun with the encouragement of HaRav Yosef Shalom Eliyashiv and other great Torah leaders in Israel and America. After examining the new edition, HaRav Aharon Leib Shteinman was so impressed that he adopted it as the text for his weekly shiur in Yerushalmi, and he graciously sent a letter of commendation.

To date, the ArtScroll/Mesorah edition comprises all of Seder Zeraim and Seder Moed in Hebrew and English, as well as some of Seder Nashim and Seder Nezikin. Forty-three volumes are currently available in English and twenty-nine in Hebrew. The elucidation is already acknowledged as a classic. Large teams of scholars in America and Israel are hard at work producing further volumes.

In the words of Rabbi Meir Zlotowitz, the founder of ArtScroll/Mesorah, “This may well be the most important project we have ever undertaken, because Yerushalmi was like a treasure locked in a vault without keys for more than 16 centuries. Baruch Hashem, that is no longer the case.”

The next cycle starts on August 4th.

Now you can be a part of it!

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JULY 26, 2018 | The Jewish Home

Around the Community

Shomrim Comes to Camp Matov

C

amp Matov was visited this week by Shmully Russel of Shomrim, RNSP, who gave an exciting presentation to the boys. Shmully spoke to the boys about safety particularly during the summertime when many people are hanging around outdoors. He told the boys never to speak to strangers and if something looks suspicious they should tell their parents and call Shomrim. He then told the campers all about the work that Shomrim does. The organization is made up of volunteers who are ready 24/7 to help protect and assist people in our neighborhood. He explained that they work very closely with the police. He then let the boys try on the special Shomrim vest and showed them the Shomrim car and gave them a chance to turn on the lights and sirens!

The campers all had a great time and gave a big thank you to Shmully and the whole Shomrim team!

The Jewish Home | JULY 26, 2018

ATTEND AN OPEN HOUSE IN NYC OR BROOKLYN! APPLY NOW FOR FALL ‘18

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JULY 26, 2018 | The Jewish Home

Around the Community

Great Neck Youth Give Back

O

n any given Shabbat there are 150 Jews staying at North Shore University Hospital. Many of these patients come from the North Shore of Nassau County to be sure, but they also come from Queens and as far away as the South Shore to receive high quality medical care.

The Jewish chaplain at the hospital, Rabbi Hillel Fox, along with his group of volunteers, distribute Shabbat care packages every week to these Jewish patients in order to make their stay over Shabbat a bit more pleasant.

About a month ago, Rabbi Fox, with the help of members of the community, organized a Sunday Chessed Day where about 1,500 of these pack-

ages were assembled. At the time, a number of parents and their under 14-year-old children expressed their interest in participating in this mitzvah as well, but were unable to do so on campus.

Recognizing the desire of many parents and their children to help out, Drs. Jahan and Maryam Aghalar took the initiative to coordinate and spon-

sor a Chessed Afternoon with R Fox at Shaarei Torah Learning Center on Middle Neck Road on Wednesday, July 11.

Just under 300 packages were assembled with the help of about a dozen youngsters many of them classmates of the Aghalars’ daughter, Liora, at Bnot Yaakov of Great Neck School.

In fact, Liora donated some of her

bat mitzvah money to help sponsor the event and the packages, l’iluy nishmas her grandfather Aziz ben Shimon. May his neshama have an aliyah.

Please contact Rabbi Fox at hfox2@ northwell.edu if you would like to volunteer at the hospital in general, or to make the next round of Shabbat care packages in a few months.

Mets Players Visit Hillel Day Camp

O

n Friday, July 20, Mets Players Brandon Nimmo and Robert Gsellman paid a visit to the campers at Hillel Day Camp.

The players spoke about their experiences in major league baseball. Campers also had the opportunity to practice their baseball skills while being coached by the players when catching and throwing the balls. Let’s go Mets!

PHOTO CREDIT: NAT SOLOMON

Nightshades: Can They Hurt You?

Aliza Beer, page 86

The Jewish Home | JULY 26, 2018

Off the Beaten Path.

But Not Too Off.

As a homeowner at Lakeshore Hills, you will not only enjoy the quiet beauty of the Catskill Mountains, you will also be in close proximity to one of the world’s premier learning camps, allowing you to imbibe the spirit of Torah even while on vacation.

Three-and four-bedroom winterized homes Living room, dining room, kitchen, laundry room Unfinished basement with potential for 4 more BR Shul / Pool / Lake / Playgrounds and sports fields Across from Yeshiva Darchei Torah’s learning camp 2.3 miles from Woodbourne’s Route 52

From $239,000 Please call 347-510-3597 or email lakeshorehills@outlook.com

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

This Week TJH Speaks with...

1, 2, 3…8 weeks of amazing summer fun! For two months of the year our children bask in the sun, swimming, singing, and soaking up the fun every day. How are they spending their time away from their desks? In this feature series we speak with camp directors and head counselors to learn more about our community’s amazing, spectacular, incredible, marvelous, unbelievable (you get the point!) camps.

Camp Atara

By Susan Schwamm

Camp Atara is the go-to camp for the girls in our community who want to experience nonstop fun every day. Set on the TAG Elementary School campus, Camp Atara offers the perfect mix of fun and excitement during the summer days. This week, we spoke with Aliza Yurman, Atara’s camp director, to hear more about the ruach that permeates the campus each day.

Aliza, thank That sounds like fun! How many girls having been enjoying day such as the Tarzan Boat, LazerLand, Artrayou so much their summer fun at Camp Atara? Where do they come geous and more! We have one major overnight every session with backto-back for speak- from? exciting activities.

We have girls from many different places such ing with us. First as the Five Towns, Queens, Brooklyn, Arizona, of all, tell Texas and even Israel who come to Camp Atara. Is there a theme us a bit Every camper who comes to Camp Atara has an this year?

There about how amazing experience and leaves with a smile.

We have a few different divisions for our sure is!

Camp Atara started years campers with girls from nursery through 8 T h i s ye a r ’s grade. ago. theme is Camp Atara star ted in Tel l us about your exciting Atara Adventurers program. “What’s th

1997; this year is our 2 1 s t y e a r.

Camp Atara opened in order to fill the need for an all girl’s camp in the community, extending the Bais Yaakov environment into the summer.

After many years of working in multiple camps, I took over the position of camp director at Camp Atara this year. And this year we have implemented many new and exciting changes in Camp Atara from activities to upper staff to camp ruach…creating a general positive atmosphere of fun. For example, every Monday night our doors are open for a special Mommy and Me Swim.

Atara Adventurers is a Camp Atara’s local traveling c a mp f or girls entering 6th and 7 t h grades.

The Atara Adventurers go on f u n-fi l le d trips every-

New?” mea ning what news does Camp A tara have to rec ord. Ever y week w e search through a different section of the paper and our activities all work around the theme of that week. For example, for the “simchaspot week,” we have baby food races and a mock wedding.

That’s so original and sounds like a bl a st! What sets you

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

apart from all the other camps?

W e invest o u r heart a n d soul into ensuring ever y camper has an amazing day, every day! Of course, we have the good fortune of being located on the TAG campus, which ensures a smooth transition in following the TAG hashkafa. The TAG campus also provides varied facilities that are second to none.

What’s a “regul ar” day like at camp?

Our day begins with line-up and cheering and we sing all the way back to our bunk rooms. We enjoy all the specialties Camp Atara has to offer: baking, canvas painting, creative movement, food decorating, nature, and water park, indoor and outdoor swim and, well, there are too many to list. At lunch we have our special lunch song, and the ruach is tangible.

What are Camp Atara’s campers’ favorite activities?

Our campers especially enjoy all our food-related activities. Don’t worry, we keep them active enough so all the food fun doesn’t become an issue.

Seems like your camp is not just fun - it’s delicious too!

What trips do the girl s enjoy?

The girls had a fabulous time on the Beast, at Artrageous, and Adventurers.

The Atara Adventurers came back super excited from their overnight; they traveled all the

way to Cherry Hill, NJ, and Philadelphia. They explored the Ringing Rocks and showed their talents by creating their own tunes. After a picnic lunch and enjoying the scenery they headed to Styers Orchards where they picked fresh fruit right off the trees after taking a hay ride into the orchards. They completed this rustic experience by planting their own flowers in individual flower

As the campers descend from the buses and I see all the smiling faces, I know it’s the start of an amazing Camp Atara day.

an amazing Camp Atara day. Hearing the ruach from the lunchroom draws me into the camper’s daily fun too.

How do you get the campers revved up during lunchtime?

New for this year we have an amazing lunchroom song that gets the girls pumped and excited for fun and cheering. The catchy tunes and lyrics keep them singing all the way home.

BY THE NUMBERS Who knows one? I know one!

One

Did you do anything different for the Three Weeks and the Nine Days?

This year we worked on the cantata that all of our campers were able to perform in. The theme was working on friendship and bringing Moshiach.

As camp director, what’s your favorite time of the day?

As the campers descend from the buses and I see all the smiling faces, I know it’s the start of

is one amazing camp!

Who knows two? I know two!

Two pots. The girls ended the day with a barbeque, roasting s’mores and late night swimming.

The overnight ended with lunch at Esti’s Besties and lots of fun in iPlay America.

The summer will be sprinkled with late nights including swim, make your own pizza, and more!

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are our fantastic pools

Who knows three? I know three!

Three

are the spunky, energetic division heads

Who knows four? I know four!

Four

are our four floors of fun

Who knows five? I know five!

Five

are special in-house activities

Who knows six? I know six!

Six

are our special activities

Who knows seven? I know seven!

Seven

hours of daily fun!

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

This Week TJH Speaks with...

1, 2, 3…8 weeks of amazing summer fun! For two months of the year our children bask in the sun, swimming, singing, and soaking up the fun every day. How are they spending their time away from their desks? In this feature series we speak with camp directors and head counselors to learn more about our community’s amazing, spectacular, incredible, marvelous, unbelievable (you get the point!) camps.

Camp Al Haderech

By Susan Schwamm

Camp Al Haderech has been sweeping kids off their feet with their nonstop trips and adventures for 16 years. As a traveling camp, hundreds of children have been to numerous places throughout the Northeast under Rabbi and Mrs. Merrill’s dedicated guidance. This year, Camp Al Haderech opened up its first Five Towns campus. We spoke with Rabbi Michael Merrill to hear more about the adventure.

Rabbi Merril l, Camp Al Haderech is a unique concept. Tel l us about how it came to be.

As a kid I never really enjoyed camp. I wanted something a little different than swim and sports.

On the other hand, Malkie, my wife and co-director, loved camp. We decided to open a camp that would combine the energy of camp that my wife loved as a kid with a change of pace each day that I wished I had as a kid. And so Al Haderech was born in 2003 as a small travel camp for boys in Queens. With 12 boys we embarked on our first summer. Our goal has always been to make each day special and different. At the same time, every day is still infused with Torah, davening, and chessed.

This is your first year in the Five Towns. Tel l us about that.

For years our boys’ program has been during the month of July in Queens. Parents have always asked to add a second session for those boys returning from sleepaway camp who wanted more than just day camp. We decided to give the parents what they

wanted. Located at 111 Irving Place, in the heart of Woodmere, we are centrally located in the Five Towns for the month of August.

What makes Camp Al Haderech more than the standard day camp?

Most children feel “trip day” is the best day in camp. At Al Haderech every day is trip day.

Our trips include arcades, rock climbing, bouncing, fishing, and Yankee games.

But, there’s so much more.

We also have two amazing overnights. Our first one is called Al Haderech Extreme – which includes a night stay at High Exposure, a Ninja Warrior/Rock Climbing venue. Our second overnight is to Western PA. The campers see Erie, PA, and Pittsburgh, including a cruise, a tour of Pirates stadium, and it’s capped off by a full day at Hershey Park.

Even so, the campers still have sports and other activities in their day. Our feeling is that we can combine the best of sleepaway and day camp mixed in with trip day. Our campers love it and feel they get the best of everything.

I love it! I wish we had that when I was a kid! Where do the chil dren stay on the overnights?

On most trips they stay in hotels. It gives them a chance to rest up after a long day, in the comfort of a nice, clean hotel room.

Sounds luxurious! Tel l us about your different sessions.

Our July boys’ camp is in Queens and led by Rabbi Shmuel Morgenbesser, a beloved Rebbe in HALB, and Akiva Schuck, a longtime Al Haderech camper and counselor.

Our August boys’ program in the Five Towns starts on Wednesday, July 25. It is being run by Rabbi Nissan Borr, a youth director in Queens and longtime member of the Magen Av family.

The div ision heads meet with each other and come up with crazy activities to fill their days. Nine Square in

The Jewish HomeHome | OCTOBER The Jewish | JULY 29, 26, 2015 2018

the Air tournaments or water ba l lo on t o u r naments against the counselors are just to name a few.

But, most importantly they are constantly watching to make sure every camper is safe and happy. They do that with the help of our amazing staff! The best part is that this summer all but one of our counselors are former campers.

You are a “travel ing camp.” Do you have a campus or a base?

We meet every morning in our central location before setting out for the day. Every day starts with davening and learning, but after that, every day is different. There could be a trip right away for a full day or a league game and then a trip. Lunch is either served in camp or on the go.

What are the campers’ favorite activities?

Trips, of course! But they do love Slugball – our most popular and requested sports game, a combination of baseball and kickball. You probably can’t fully understand; you’ll have to come to Al Haderech to see it yourself!

You’re right! I’l l have to visit one day. What are the kids’ favorite trips?

Our 4 day trip to Vermont was definitely the highlight so far. Climbing to the top of Mount Philo (close to 1,000 feet high) and seeing miles in every direction (and renaming it Mount Al Haderech) was definitely pretty amazing. Escape the Room was also awesome. The campers had to work as a team and saw how much they could accomplish. The kids also really loved the World’s Tallest Filing Cabinet (estimated at over 50 feet high and rumored to have the original schedules from Al Haderech Summer 1 tucked away 40 feet from the ground).

As director, what are the three things you hear the most

from campers each day?

I’m always hearing these three things: When’s the next overnight? Are we really going to do all that in just one day? And, I am soooo tired.

How do you get the kids revved up on the bus rides?

Great question. Bus rides are obviously a big part of our day. The counselors use the rides as a chance to shmooze with the campers or play games with them. On one of the overnights, we played DVD hockey. Instead of watching a movie on the bus, the DVD player has a screensaver mode where the word DVD bounces around the screen. The counselors created goals on the side of the screen and had an intense game of DVD hockey, the right side of the bus against the left. The right side claimed 19-18 victory.

The head staff will also point out local attractions as we pass them. Storytime on the microphone is a popular pastime as well.

What if I have a daughter, is there anything for her to do?

For sure! In Queens our August session is for girls. They travel daily as well and make sure that each day is a new adventure. With their two overnights included, it’s definitely something your daughter will enjoy.

You’re constantly traveling. Any tips for parents as they go on family trips?

Never drive more than 2 hours without a stop.

Even just a scenic lookout point on the highway makes the trip feel shorter. We’ve been doing that for 16 years and it makes each trip even more exciting. Appoint someone to be the lookout for possible cool new finds.

Is there a moment this summer that real l y sticks out for you?

We ate dinner on the side of a mountain called 100 Mile View. From there you can see just mountains. The campers ate dinner in awe of Hashem’s amazing creations. We live in a world where we need so much stimulation and are always playing and using electronics and are bored if we don’t have it. The kids couldn’t get enough of just stopping and looking around at the amazing views. It took a while to get them to load onto the busses back to our hotel.

Is this something the camp focuses on?

71 57

Yes, last summer we went to Niagara Falls. The goal is to find as many places as possible where the campers can enjoy the world around us and not be distracted by all the noise t h a t fills our days. It’s a chance to d i sc on ne c t and reconnect.

BY THE NUMBERS 111

37

Days of summer fun

Number of trips this summer

11 12,000+ 13 7,996 995

4

Boys’ overnights

Total number of days away Number of steps on a camper’s Fitbit - by lunchtime

Different types of snacks on the overnight Record number of tickets won in an arcade Total miles of longest overnight

Number of smiles on campers’ faces -

too many to count

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

TJH You gotta be kidding A 90-year-old couple was having problems remembering things, so they decided to go to their doctor to get checked out to make sure nothing was wrong with them. When they arrived at the doctor, they explained to the doctor about the problems they were having with their memory. After checking the couple out, the doctor told them that they were physically okay but might want to start writing things down to help them remember things. The couple thanked the doctor and left.

Later that night while watching TV, the man got up from his chair and his wife asked, “Where are you going?”

He replied, “To the kitchen.”

She asked, “Will you get me a bowl of ice cream?”

He replied, “Sure.”

She then asked him, “Don’t you think you should write it down so you can remember it?”

He said, “No, I can remember that.”

She then said, “Well, I would also like some strawberries on top. You had better write that down because I know you’ll forget that.”

Centerfold Ice Cream Facts In 1984, President Ronald Reagan designated July as National Ice Cream Month. (I’ve always seen eye to eye with Reagan.)

Ice cream might be loaded with calories, but it is also a source of phosphorous, potassium and vitamins A and B. (Try this: “Mom, I really feel like I could use some phosphorous.”)

In Canada, more ice cream is sold in winter than in summer. (Now I know why every winter I feel Canadian.)

The U.S. ice cream industry generated total revenues of more than $10 billion in 2017. (I definitely spent $1 million on ice cream myself in 2018 so far.)

It takes approximately 50 licks to finish off a scoop of ice cream. (Takes me about three bites…yes, I’m an “ice cream biter!”)

The major ingredient in ice cream is air. (How fattening can it be?)

She replied, “Well, I also would like whipped cream on top. I know you will forget that so you better write it down.”

According to the Guinness Book of World Records, the largest ice cream pyramid was made in August of 2002.

The pyramid had 3,894 scoops, totaled 22 layers and weighed 1,005 pounds. The pyramid was 53 inches high.

(The truth is, I wasn’t trying to set any records, I was just hungry.)

With irritation in his voice, he said, “I don’t need to write that down! I can remember that.” He then stomped off into the kitchen.

The United States is the top ice cream consuming country in the world. (Oh really? I thought it was Kyrgyzstan.)

He said, “I can remember that—you want a bowl of ice cream with strawberries.”

After about 20 minutes, he returned from the kitchen and handed her a plate of hash browns and eggs.

She stared at the plate for a moment and said angrily: “You see—I told you to write it down! You forgot my toast!”

The largest ice cream cake weighed in at 12,096 pounds.

(It was very thoughtful of my friends to make such a nice birthday cake for me.)

The widespread use of ice cream cones occurred after its introduction at the St. Louis World’s Fair in 1904 and many credit this as the birth of the ice cream cone. (The city that has the dumbest attraction in the world – the Arch – brought us the greatest attraction – the ice cream cone!)

Vanilla is the #1 selling flavor. (That is so vanilla!)

The Jewish | JULY 29, 26, 2015 2018 The Jewish HomeHome | OCTOBER

Icecreamologist Quiz In honor of National Ice Cream month, Baskin-Robbins partnered with taste and smell expert Dr. Alan Hirsch, founder of the Smell & Taste Treatment and Research Foundation, to associate personality traits that might correspond with its most popular flavors. Think you are an icecreamologist?

See if you can match the flavors with the behaviors.

A. Scrupulous, conscientious and a moral perfectionist

2. Chocolate

B. Generous, competent and a go-getter

6. A

G. Dramatic, lively, charming and gullible

8. Rainbow Sherbet

H. Ambitious, competitive and a visionary

9. Rocky Road

I. Aggressive, engaging and a good listener

1. D

7. Chocolate Chip

2. G

F. Argumentative, frugal and cautious

3. E

6. Coffee

4. F

E. Tolerant, devoted and an introvert

5. H

5. Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough

D. Impulsive, easily suggestible and an idealist

7. B

4. Mint Chocolate Chip

C. Analytic, decisive and a pessimistic

8. C

3. Very Berry Strawberry

 Answers 9. I

1. Vanilla

Riddle me this?

Where do you go to become an ice cream professional?

See answer to the right

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Answer to Riddle Me This: Sundae school.

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JULY 26, 2018 | The Jewish Home

The Jewish Home | OCTOBER 29, 2015

3

Torah Thought

Parshas V’Eschanan

By Rabbi Berel Wein

T

he text of the review of the Ten Commandments that appears in this week’s Torah reading differs slightly from the text that appeared previously in the book of Shemot. As you can well understand, there has been much commentary and explanation over the centuries of Jewish scholarship regarding these differences in words, even though the basic ideas of the Commandments remain constant in both versions of the text.

The Talmud assigns some of the differences in the text to the G-dly revelation at Sinai where miraculously the L-rd, so to speak, uttered two words in a simultaneous fashion, something that is beyond human ability and comprehension. Other differences in the text are explained through halachic and aggadic interpretation.

Over the centuries many of the great commentators of Israel have added their insights and interpretations of these texts and their eternal meanings and messages. It has been suggested that to convey these sometimes hidden and misunderstood nuances, Moshe in his review of the

events of his 40 years as the leader of Israel in the desert of Sinai purposely restates, albeit with minor differences, the text of the basic principles of human and Jewish civilization.

There is fascinating discussion

a never-ending source of inspiration, fascination, wonder and questions.

The ability for human society to exist and prosper is always in doubt, through the centuries of violence and war, exploitation and cruelty and in

All the preaching that goes on in the world about higher values and human freedoms are of little benefit without the commitment to the observance of the Ten Commandments.

over the centuries as to what the text that was inscribed on the tablets of stone actually stated. There is also discussion as to what type of Hebrew font was used – that of ancient Hebrew called ktav Ivri or the font that we are all familiar with from our scrolls of the Torah, ktav Ashuei. The Torah has always proved itself to be

the norms of so-called civilized society. All of this is rooted in the unfortunate tendency of human beings to disregard the tenets and spirit of the Ten Commandments.

Respect for human life and for the property of others, a system of fair justice and law enforcement, respect for elders and, above all, the

appreciation of the universal G-d that creates and guides all of us are the bedrock principles of Judaism as reflected in the Ten Commandments. The abhorrence of immorality and of falseness and untruths shine forth from the eternal words of the commandments. Without these principles being followed and appreciated humankind is always only a step away from being essentially an extension of the animal kingdom.

All the preaching that goes on in the world about higher values and human freedoms are of little benefit without a commitment to the observance of the Ten Commandments. There are all sorts of moral ideals and organizations that flood our modern world. But, without the existence of the realization of G-d in our personal and national lives, these moralities will always be inadequate and insufficient to prevent the descent into barbarism and destruction.

We should pay close attention to the text of the Ten Commandments that we will hear read from the Torah this Shabbat.

Shabbat shalom.

The Jewish Home | JULY 26, 2018

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

From the Fire

Parshas Va’eschanan When Everything Else is Stripped Away

By Rav Moshe Weinberger Adapted for publication by Binyomin Wolf

I

was thinking about a beautiful Midrash on the parshah (Sifri, Devarim 36). In it, Chazal say, “The Jewish people are so precious that the Torah surrounded them with mitzvos: tefillin on their heads, tefillin on their arms, mezuzos on their doors, and tzitzis on their garments.

Regarding them Dovid said, ‘Seven in a day I praise You for Your righteous statutes’ (Tehillim 119:164).”

The pasuk quoted by the Midrash refers to the fact that Dovid HaMelech was inspired to praise Hashem seven times a day for the seven mitzvos that surround His children as a sign of how precious they are to Him: four tzitzis on their garments, tefillin on their heads and arms, and a mezuzah on their doors.

The Midrash then continues with a well-known story about Dovid HaMelech, “He entered the bathhouse and saw himself unclothed.

He said, ‘Woe that I am naked of mitzvos!’ He then gazed at the sign of the covenant on his flesh and began to arrange his praise [after leaving the mikvah], as the pasuk (Tehillim 12:1) says, ‘For the conductor, on the eighth, a song of Dovid,’” a hint at bris milah, which is done on a baby’s

eighth day of life.

What exactly happened to Dovid HaMelech in the mikvah? What was the nature of the epiphany he had there? He certainly wasn’t embarrassed by the fact that the other people in the mikvah “caught” him without his tefillin and tzitzis on.

First, that is the nature of the place and what everyone would expect.

Second, as he was the king of the Jewish people, when he entered the mikvah, everyone else certainly left as soon as he arrived!

Besides the fact that Hashem told us to, why do we wear tefillin and tzitzis and put mezuzos on our doors? We bind tefillin on our heads and our arms to remind us to bind our minds and actions to Hashem’s will. Wearing tzitzis remind us, wherever we go, of the mitzvos. And the mezuzah reminds us, before we leave the house, to remember Hashem’s will in all the choices we make as we journey out into the world.

They stand as reminders to awaken our minds to remember our connection to Hashem and His will – “Seven in a day I praise You.” But Dovid HaMelech was bothered by the question: What happens

if all of the reminders that keep my actions and thoughts in the right place are removed? What is left of me? Do I still have a connection with Hashem? Is it all external? Do I have an essential connection with G-d?

How have all of these reminders affected my essence, if at all? Perhaps this question is what caused Dovid to cry out, “Woe that I am naked of mitzvos!”

It is so easy for us to allow Yiddishkeit to be reduced to one long string of reminders and signs without any change in the nature of who we are, what we want, or the nature of our consciousness. One’s entire Jewish life may only be defined by one’s rebbe, morah, family, shul, yeshiva, and the checklist of Jewish activities one engages in on a daily, weekly, or yearly basis. These signs of Hashem’s love surround us on all sides and are wonderful. But does the way we rely on them make us into empty shells? What are we without them? Have they changed us on the inside?

How does one act when he is naked of mitzvos? When all the reminders are somewhere else and something pops up on the screen on

a person’s phone, even unintentionally, what does he do? What is left when he is stripped of every external reminder and motivator to keep him or her on the straight and narrow? Is he still connected to Hashem and his Yiddishkeit?

Perhaps Dovid HaMelech’s fear at that moment in the mikvah was about what happens when one takes away all of his external badges of Divine service, when he was truly naked of mitzvos, disconnected from everything outside of himself.

He was worried, after removing all of the “means” in his life, whether the “ends” had become part of his essence.

What was his epiphany? He realized that the part of him which was always covered, which was most private, the part of him so internal that it was part of his very flesh, had never left him. “This is My covenant which you shall observe, between Me, you, and your children after you: circumcise for yourselves every male” (Bereishis 17:10). This hidden sign of “My covenant” is the symbol of the relationship between the Jewish people and Hashem because it is invisible. It cannot serve to jog

the memory. It only exists as part of our essence. That was his comfort and the subject of a new chapter of Tehillim.

What does it mean to be so connected to mitzvos that one feels connected even when he is stripped of everything in this world, both physical and spiritual?

I once read about a Gerer chassid who was interred in one of the concentration camps. Because he had violated some Nazi rule or other, he was decreed to die. But to amuse themselves and torment the other Jews, they decided to kill this Jew by stripping him of all of his clothing and throwing him into a lime pit.

This was a particularly gruesome death because lime acts like acid, burning the flesh.

When the Nazis threw this Jew into the pit to die, with everyone else looking on helplessly, he cried out: “Master of the World! I stand here naked before you.” And because it was Sukkos at the time, he contin-

ued: You commanded me to take an esrog, but I have no esrog. You say that the esrog corresponds to

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me to take haddasim corresponding to the eyes and aravos corresponding to the lips. I have no haddasim or aravos but I do have

It is so easy for us to allow Yiddishkeit to be reduced to one long string of reminders and signs without any change in the nature of who we are, what we want, or the nature of our consciousness.

the heart, and I do have a heart.

You told me to take a lulav and that a Lulav corresponds to the spine. I have no lulav but I do have a spine. You commanded

eyes and lips. And let the cloud rising up from the crematoria be my sukkah! Please, Master of the World, I ask that you take back my heart, spine, eyes, and lips

back up to You and consider it as if I have fulfilled all of my obligations to you!

Each of us is surrounded by a myriad of mitzvos and positive Jewish role models, environments, and lessons. But if they remain as external reminders which, if removed, would leave us naked of mitzvos, then they will not have ever fulfilled their purpose. Let us merit not to be satisfied with the externals marks of Yiddishkeit alone. May we succeed in driving these reminders of our relationship with Hashem deep into our minds and hearts so that when we enter our version of Dovid HaMelech’s mikvah, we too will rejoice in tour own internalization of our covenant with Hashem.

Rav Moshe Weinberger, shlita, is the founding Morah d’Asrah of Congregation Aish Kodesh in Woodmere, NY, and serves as leader of the new mechina Emek HaMelech.

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JULY 26, 2018 | The Jewish Home OCTOBER29, 29,2015 2015| |The TheJewish JewishHome Home OCTOBER

Between the Lines

To the Letter of the Law - and Beyond!

By Eytan Kobre

There are no traffic jams along the extra mile.

-Roger Staubach

S

teel magnate and legendary industrialist Andrew Carnegie had a penchant for identifying and grooming successful captains of industry, with many of his protégés rising from the ranks of ordinary day-laborers to accumulate vast fortunes. His criterion for promotion was simple: was the worker willing to go the extra mile and do more than was required?

In the case of Charles M. Schwab, the answer was a resounding, yes!

Schwab was an ordinary engineer in one of Carnegie’s steel plants, but he always performed more and better service than that for which he was paid – and he always worked with a pleasant attitude. So, he was promoted time and again until, in 1901, he was made president of the great U.S. Steel Corporation, with the immense (at the time) salary of $75,000 per year. In addition to Schwab’s generous salary, Carnegie would also pay him bonuses of as much as $1 million.

Carnegie explained that the generous

salary was for Schwab’s work; “the bonus for his willingness to go the extra mile” and do more than he was paid for.

Wittingly or otherwise, Carnegie’s was a philosophy not only of economics but also of interpersonal ethics.

The catch-all commandment to “do that which is upright and good in the eyes of G-d” means, in dealing with others, to go beyond the letter of the law and do more than is strictly required (Rashi, Devarim 6:18). This guiding principle is central not only to the book of Devarim –referred to as “the Book of the Upright” on account of this imperative (Maharsha, Avoda Zara 25a) – it also expresses a fundamental Jewish more: to be a mensch and to do good by others.

Doing the “upright and the good” means, among innumerable other things, to not cut lines or steal parking spaces or speak to others with attitude or ignore people; it means to hold open a door for those entering a room behind us, to say please and thank you and G-d bless you, and to treat people free of double standards; it means to contemplate not only the stance we can or may take with others, but also the stance we ought to take with others.

When his aunt passed away, the

Chofetz Chaim inherited enough money to open a small grocery store.

While the Chofetz Chaim studied Torah in a side room, his wife handled the day-to-day management of the store, with the Chofetz Chaim emerging only as needed.

When word of the Chofetz Chaim’s sporadic appearance spread, throngs of would-be customers converged on the store, hoping to catch a glimpse of the great sage. Business boomed, but the Chofetz Chaim was distressed.

“What’s wrong?” his wife asked. “Isn’t the business doing well?”

“That’s what worries me,” he answered. “We have more than we need, but how are the other stores faring?

Are we taking business away from them?” So, to ensure that his competitors would not suffer on account of his fame, the Chofetz Chaim closed his store early –mdespite no obligation to do so.

Our law is replete with illustrations of what it means to “do the upright and the good” and go beyond the letter of the law. A person selling his field must furnish the owners of adjacent fields with a right of first refusal (Bava Metzia 108a), and one who finds a lost object that may be kept (e.g., its owner has abandoned hope of finding it) should nonetheless

return it to its owner if possible (Bava Metzia 24b and 30b; Rambam, G’zeila VaAveida 11:17; but see Rama, Choshen Mishpat 263:3 and 272:3).

Bucking the trend of a society consumed with winning at all costs, getting the best possible deal, and standing on rights, the Torah teaches a better way: to deal with one another in a spirit of respect, a spirit of compromise, a spirit of concern, a spirit of cooperation, a spirit of menschlichkeit.

For all its utopian appeal, however, the mandate to “do the upright and the good” is somewhat paradoxical. If we are commanded to go beyond the letter of the law, is it really going beyond the letter of the law?

But perhaps that’s the point.

When it comes to how we relate to one another, going beyond the letter of the law is the law. Unlike the Anglicized “beyond the letter of the law,” “lifnim mishuras hadin” really means “within the line of the law.” Our law dictates that we go beyond the letter of the law.

Rabba bar Bar Chanan once hired porters to move casks of wine. When the porters dropped and broke the casks, Rabba seized their coats as collateral. The letter of the law would have obligated the porters to pay

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

damages. But when Rabba sought to have Rav adjudicate the matter, Rav ruled that not only must the coats be returned, but Rabba must pay the porters’ wages. “Is that the law?” a stunned Rabba asked. “Yes,” came Rav’s reply. “It is the law of acting lif-

But R’ Leib was resolute. “Acting beyond the letter of the law is a quintessential Jewish value. Just as a community must dedicate funds to support widows and orphans, so too must it dedicate funds to treat people in a manner that exceeds the letter of

AT THE SATMAR

REBBE

Are we willing, when it comes to dealing with others, to go the extra mile and do more than is required?

nim mishuras hadin” (Bava Metzia 83a; but see Tosfos, Bava Kama 100a).

At once “the law” and also beyond it.

In desperate need of capital, the Jewish community of Ponovezh once sold its communal bathhouse to a local businessman. After operating the bathhouse for a year, however, the businessman sought to rescind the transaction, claiming that the business had flaws concealed from him during the negotiations. The community, on the other hand, insisted that it had not concealed anything about the business, and that any business failures were the result of the purchaser’s ineptitude.

After hearing both sides, the Rov of Ponovezh agreed with the community but recused himself due to a conflict of interest. Instead, he directed the parties to submit the matter to R’ Leib Vilkomir, who was visiting Ponovezh at the time. To everyone’s surprise, R’ Leib ruled in favor of the purchaser.

“R’ Leib,” the Rov exclaimed, “how could you rule in the purchaser’s favor? Point to even one source that supports your ruling!”

“There is an obligation to act beyond the letter of the law,” R’ Leib replied. “The purchaser worked hard to run and grow the business, and he insists that its failure was the community’s fault. Strict justice might mandate dismissal of his claims, but acting beyond the letter of the law obligates us to consider them.”

“This is not a private matter,” the Rov maintained. “Communal funds are at stake – monies that could be used to support widows and orphans.”

the law.”

Another Tisha B’Av has come and gone, with all its reminders of the many reasons for our exile: desecration of Shabbos, failure to recite Shema, failure to recite the blessings on learning Torah, baseless hatred of fellow Jews, and the commission of the three cardinal sins (see e.g. Nedarim 81a; Yoma 9a-b; Shabbos 119b).

But the Bais HaMikdash also was destroyed because the Jewish people were too exacting with one another, “treating each other according to the strict letter of Torah law and not going beyond the strictures of the law” (Bava Metzia 30b).

R’ Zalman of Volozhin explains that the failure to go beyond the letter of the law was not the root cause of the exile; the Bais HaMikdash was destroyed because of the other enumerated sins. But had the Jewish people treated one another beyond the letter of the law, G-d would have done the same for them; when they refused to do so, He did too.

While we remain guilty of many of the sins that caused our exile, G-d still is prepared to use the same criterion for our redemption that Carnegie used for promotions: Are we willing, when it comes to dealing with others, to go the extra mile and do more than is required?

Our ultimate, collective “promotion” depends on it.

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

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

Israel Today

Yom Aliyah

By Rafi Sackville

A

liyah to Israel has not ceased since the time Yehoshua led Bnei Yisrael across the Yarden River after 40 years in the desert. If one thing hasn’t changed for the thousand years since then it’s that moving to Israel oftentimes takes years for newcomers to become acclimated.

To celebrate the courage of all those who make Aliyah, Yom Aliyah (the day of the immigrant) was formally instituted by the Knesset in 2016. The word “yom,” however, is a bit of a misnomer.

Maybe it should be called Yamei (days) Aliyah, because officially, Yom Aliyah has two dates; the 10th of Nissan, which commemorates Yehoshua leading us across the Yarden, and the 7th of Cheshvan which usually runs parallel to Parshat Lech Lecha, in which Hashem commanded Avraham to go to Israel.

Don’t be confused; on the date in Nissan most schools are closed, and because the best way to commemorate such an occasion is to educate our youth with special programs, the day would be wasted were schools not open.

Thus the second date, which falls out in October.

This year, however, the confusion has been compounded due to municipal elections being held across the country in October. Why should that matter, you ask? The reasoning is that if municipalities go out of their way and hold lavish events celebrating Aliyah in October, they may well be construed as trying to influence elections.

Many city councils have spread their events over a period of months in order to circumvent the problem. Here

in Ma’alot, for example, celebrations began in June with a magic show for the English-speaking community. Sitting in the front row among the small crowd of 50 residents, we watched magician Itai Pinky run through his routine of misdirection and light humor. Learning to speak Hebrew is oftentimes difficult for new immigrants.

Itai was specifically chosen because he speaks fluent English.

We were in the front row awaiting the show to begin when the mayor of Ma’alot sat next to me. The mayor attends all city functions. Feeling mischievous I tapped him on the shoulder and told him I wanted an answer to a question that has vexed me for three years. I could tell he was ready to answer a question to do with the city. I explained that I had taught his son in his senior year and that, on most Thursdays, he would come into class late, bearing a note signed by the mayor excusing his tardiness. What I wanted to know was whether the note was in fact signed by the mayor or had his wife written it? The mayor is not one to be caught off-guard. Without hesitation he insisted he had, indeed, written the notes.

Also in attendance that night was the municipality’s representative for immigrants. She was happy to answer my questions and asked me to come down to city hall the following day, when she’d fill me in on all she knew about Yom Aliyah.

The interview was uneventful. My questions were duly, even dully, answered. I was at home arranging my

notes when I received a call from her.

I detected an element of panic in her voice. She asked if I would I return to town hall ASAP, as the city spokesperson wished to speak with me. She wouldn’t explain other than to tell me I couldn’t use any of the information until I’d had the meeting.

I’d like to tell you the name of the woman working in the immigration department, or that of the city’s spokeswoman, but I’m forbidden. And the photos I took the previous day... I’m not allowed to use those either. Israeli law forbids it.

That’s right. My intention was to write about the most benign of topics.

The law, however, states that the faintest hint of politics in any shape, manner or form cannot appear in an advertisement, or in this case an article, within 5 months of any election. In the words of the spokeswoman, it would be tantamount to breaking the law.

My intentions were noble; all I wished to do was to tell you that this year’s Yom Aliyah festivities would include a magician for English speakers, a standup comic for the French contingent, the Russian residents were being offered a full concert, and that a happening for all immigrants would be held, etcetera, etcetera, etcetera.

I also wanted to tell you how funds from the Ministry of Absorption and the Jewish Fund are distributed; how they are annually financed to the tune of over $250,000, but this doesn’t include the entertainment for Yom HaAliyah. Of the $3,000 the magician was paid, 90% was funded by the Ministry of Absorption.

Immigrants get a lot of support from the small staff I met. They are on call 24/7. For example, elderly immigrants often call to be taken for medical appointments. Such calls are often fielded after hours. They provide information about schools, health clinics, housing, what to do in order to sign up for utilities, how to pay rates, public transportation and more. They have implemented a service which concentrates on helping youth at risk.

The work they do to make every immigrant’s assimilation into Israeli society is to be applauded. It is a comforting thought for all potential new immigrants whose Aliyah experience is less than they bargained for. It is important to note just how far they will go in order for you to stay.

When Yom Aliyah was instituted it was greeted with much celebration.

Speaking about the importance of new immigrants to the country, minister of Aliyah, Sofa Landver, said, “Almost every Israeli citizen is an immigrant or the son or daughter of an immigrant, the first, second, or third generation in Israel, therefore this day is a holiday for all of Israel because we are all new immigrants.

“Chag sameach to all of Israel!”

You can celebrate Yom Aliyah on the 10th of Nissan, the 7th of Cheshvan or on any other day of the year that suits your fancy. So...which day are you going to call your Yom Aliyah?

Rafi Sackville, formerly of Cedarhurst, teaches in Ort Maalot in Western Galil.

The Jewish Home | JULY 26, 2018

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

BOBKER ON TU B’AV Kallah My World aka The Day of the Hatchets!

hen Ann Landers, the famous Jewish advice columnist, brought her future husband home to meet her parents, her father wanted to make sure that he was Jewish. “Say something in Yiddish,” he asked the boy. “I vanna go for a valk,” the boy replied. Her father was satisfied. They got married. Af alle Yiddishe kinder!

Jewish history’s first Torah-sanctioned marriage market day, and one of our oldest and merriest yom tovim, nothing less than hitna’ari me-afar kumi, the “secret” of Jewish regeneration, is Tu B’Av. Rabbi Simon ben Gamliel II, the head of the Sanhedrin, mysteriously links the playful, frolicsome and mischievous marriage-laden day (a minor festival) to the introspective Yom Kip-

pur (a major festival), calling them the “greatest holidays” in Temple times. Yet the contrast between the two is striking: Yom Kippur, a day of reflective contemplation that coincides with the end of the grape harvest, vs. Tu b’Av, a day that marks the beginning of the grape harvest and is ripe with images of Jewish girls aggressively feeding grapes to potential mates in a competitive spirit vying for their attention – and hand in marriage.

What do these two days have in common?

Reconciliation, answer the Jewish mystics, guided by the fact that Tu b’Av precedes Elul, the month prior to the renewal of the Yamim Nora’im days of reversal and forgiveness; and the time when G-d sought out the nation of Isra-

el to grant her the Second Tablets. This quixotic link to renewal is even reflected in nature. The rainy season has come and gone and the heat waves of the dry summer season begin to beat mercilessly. No more wood can be chopped for the Temple because the sun is no longer strong enough to dry it.

Tu b’Av is the last day of planting in the halachic context of the Shemittah year and orlah, the status of trees during their first three years (trees are not planted within the forty-four days preceding Rosh Hashanah of the seventh year, in order to allow the tree to take root before the New Year) and also the final day for cutting the wood for the Temple Altar (since dry wood was unsuitable), which is why this day (the last of summer) was known as “the day of the

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

hatchets,” because there was no further need for hatchets.

“The harvest is dried out, the plants are withered,” cries the prophet as he bemoans a sudden and drastic climate change, specifically the absence of wind and rain, twin motifs that Jews associated with G-d and whose absence were interpreted as if He had suddenly distanced Himself from his folk. And then, suddenly, Tu b’Av arrives, and with it comes a landscape of green fields, a return of the grape harvest, dew (which stimulates the olives to fill with oil; hence Tu b’Av was also called “Olive Day”), and moisture (which induces the flowering of the white squill; white being the color of Israel’s fall season, symbolized by the white dresses of dancing young girls). In short: Tu B’av equals the Three “R’s” – Renewal, Revival, Regeneration (“It is not good for man to be alone... Be fruitful and multiply...”).

This is why kabbalists address letters on Tu b’Av with the traditional, “May you be inscribed for a good year,” and link reconciliation to courtship by expanding the Hebrew letters of Elul into Ani le-dodi ve-dodi li, “I am my beloved’s, and my beloved is mine.” If today it takes two to tango, then it took Tu b’Av to tango.

A few years ago an Arab oil magnate entered London’s Marks & Spencer department store and asked for 100 dresses from different counters. “But, sir,” said the surprised salesgirl, “these are of various shapes and sizes.” “So are my wives,” he replied.

Polygamy was technically accepted in early Judaism but there is not a single record in the Talmud of a Sage having more than one wife.

I

t is the mastery of the Judaic calendar that the “joyous” festival of Tu b’Av comes fast on the heels of the Three Weeks and Tisha b’Av, the saddest day on our calendar. This theologic contrast is striking: a generation condemned by the Heavens on Tisha b’Av has its decree dramatically commuted and reversed several days later on Tu b’Av, around the middle of the lunar month.

This is a common motif in the Jewish festival cycle – despair followed by the need to see a brighter future. The day’s joyful nature is why Tachanun is not said and no eulogies are pronounced at funerals.

That the beauty of Judaic life must be renewed has taken many forms in Jewish history with the month of Av offering

“

Last year, a rabbi from Flatbush called to ask what sort of a boy my granddaughter was looking for.

I said whoever wants to marry my granddaughter has to take a selfie outside the Mir Yeshiva. After a few minutes of silence, he asked, “Why?” I said, “Because she’s looking for someone with a yeshivish background.”

both commemoration and celebration, a timely word of advice from the Jewish calendar that the remembrance of the happier moments in Jewish history is as powerful as the sad ones. Tu b’Av thus fills a national psychological need, following the potential debilitating danger that lurks beneath the Three Weeks’ desire to force Jews to remember their own carnage. For memory works both ways: where was G-d during all these atrocities? Had He forgotten, or even worse, rejected His covenant? It is no coincidence that Tu b’Av coincides with a day when the full moon is out, reinforcing its spirit of renewed hope and its association with several joyful events in Jewish history.

It was on this day that Benjamin was welcomed back into the Tribes. Why? What had they done? In the last chapters of the Book of Judges, dealing with the earliest period of Jewish settlement of Eretz Yisrael, we are introduced to a time of weak central control when “there was not yet a king in Israel [and] “a person could do whatever he wanted to.” It was then that the men of the Tribe of Benjamin (in an incident known as “Pilegesh Bagiv’a”) acted, like a vile “wolf which tears its prey,” and molested a defenseless couple seeking shelter, killing the woman in a shocking act of senseless violence.

The other tribes were appalled, especially after the Binyaminites refused to punish the perpetrators, and a Civil War erupted together with a ban on Jewish girls from marrying any man from the Tribe of Benjamin. This ban was eventually lifted on Tu b’Av when it became obvious that the tribe was heading for extinction.

It was also on Tu b’Av that Hoshea ben Elah, one of the last righteous kings of Israel, canceled the divisive decree of Yeravam ben Nevat, the first king of the break-away Kingdom of Israel who, fearing for his own political sovereignty, set up “border policemen” to prevent Jews from going to Jerusalem’s holy Temple.

And, on this day Moses’s prophetic powers were returned after a long 38 year absence when communication with G-d was only through the Urim and Tumim.

On this day a Roman emperor finally permitted the burial of Jews, prohibited since the disastrous Bar Kochba revolt, resulting in joyous rabbis adding a fourth blessing of thanks (hatov v’hameitiv) to the benchting. And on this day, Jewish women, once they settled in Israel, were granted permission to marry whomever they desired, lifting the order that, be-

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cause of inheritance issues, they only marry those from their tribe. It was also on this day, of the 40th year in the desert, that the Jews were finally forgiven for the sins of the spies, signaling a welcome healing of deep national rifts which paved the way for the doomed “desert generation” to mature into a “singular Nation” that finally merited entry into the Holy land.

When the Midrash morbidly describes the first Tu b’Av ever celebrated as the “day when the grave-digging ceased for those who died in the wilderness,” it becomes obvious why, conceptually, the 15th of Av marks the conclusion of the pathos of the yearly 9th of Av.

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his holiest singles party of the year – I can picture the flyers tacked onto the trees: “A Tu b’Av Young Jewish Singles Dance-aThon” – entered the Jewish calendar as a Judaic Matchmaking Day; a desire-driven entrepreneurial moment that bravely stapled Jewish feminism to matchmaking (shadchanus) at Shiloh when the maidens gathered at the annual vineyard’s dance in the hope of catching the eye of their “destined one (bashert).” Once a male was attracted, the female asked all the questions: “What do you do for a living?” (i.e.: parnassa, wedding dowry) and family background (yichus, which was a measure of Torah fidelity).

If the woman didn’t like the answers she moved on to ask the same questions of the next potential bachelor. According to Rav Zvi Elimelech Shapira of Dinov, Galicia, a great scholar, chassidic Master, and kabbalist of the 19th century, it is a misnomer to see Tu B’Av as a man selecting a wife. It’s the other way around. It was the women, he claims, not the men, who chose their husbands on that day.

This assertiveness, said the British humorist Chaim Bermant, a friend of mine who sadly died young, “helps the single to get married, the doubled to stay married, the troubled to get demarried, and the demarried to remarry.”

But Bermant was terrified at the new form of assertive Jewish feminism among Orthodox girls that appeared in the 1990s and compared it to the due-diligence dating rituals of Tu B’Av that took place during a quick speed-dating type interaction. “Imagine,” Bermant wrote, “you have been introduced to this charming

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young woman. A violin is playing in your ears. You look into her eyes over the flaming crepe-suzettes and what does she say?

‘You know this reminds me of the second chapter of the Mishnah Shabbat. With what materials may the Shabbat lamp be lit, and with what not? It may not be lit with cedar-bast, or uncombed flax, or floss silk, or willow-fiber, or nettle fiber, or water-weeds, or pitch, or liquid wax, or cotton seed oil, or oil which, having been dedicated as a heave-offering and having become defiled must be destroyed by fire, or with fat from the tails of sheep, or with tallow...’ Who would not run a mile from such a woman?”

The timing of Tu B’Av was perfect.

Spring was in the air. Eligible males were attracted to the joyful dancing around large bonfires in the fields. This was at a time when resumes didn’t exist. Tu B’Av recognized one dating fact that is timeless: physical attraction comes first.

The idea that the Torah didn’t consider “beauty” important is incorrect. When admiring a woman, the Torah wants us to appreciate not just the created, but also the Creator; not just the product, but also the Manufacturer.

That is why Jews say a special Shehechiyanu prayer of admiration called Birkot Nehenin, “Blessings of Enjoyment,” whenever we encounter rainbows, flowers, wisdom, or anything reflective of the beauty of G-d’s presence in the world. Jewish women of antiquity understood that. Consider: when archeologists opened “Babatha’s Archive,” a cave near Ein Gedi, they found expensive antique cosmetics from the second Jewish revolt. The British Museum displays a 5,000-year-old mummified Egyptian woman who was found with her finger and toenails painted red. Women of antiquity shaved off unwanted hair, stained the souls of their feet, applied makeup to their eyes, and colored their lips. Remember Queen Jezebel of Israel?

Jezebel, daughter of the ruler of the Phoenician Empire, was the evil almuna of Ahab, the king of northern Israel.

When told she was about to be dethroned, around 850 BC, she quickly put on an attractive wig, her best finery, jewelry, applied lipstick and makeup, and jumped out the high castle window, wanting to die attractively.

Beauty, as per my mother would say, in Yiddish, is “half the dowry.” To mitigate the Koheles battle cry, “Vanity of vanities, all is vanity!” the organizers of

“

When Ann Landers brought her future husband home to meet her parents, her father wanted to make sure that he was Jewish. “Say something in Yiddish,” he asked the boy.

“I vanna go for a valk,” the boy replied.

the Tu B’Av annual dance-a-thons insisted that all participants dress in white, to equal the playing field and ensure that a woman’s poverty or wealth had no influence when choosing. But to mitigate the magnet of beauty only, King Solomon advised those wishing to marry to select substance (inner beauty) over form; in his adulated “Ode to the Woman of Valor” (Eishis Chayil), sung by a husband to his wife on Shabbos eve, King Solomon writes that “charm is false and beauty is vain.”

Meanwhile the Torah is not shy in describing outer feminine qualities. Sarah? “A fair woman to look upon.” Esther?

“Fair and beautiful.” Rachel? A yifat toar, yifat mareh, a woman of consummate beauty, “of form and appearance.”

And her sister Leah? Described as having soft, beautiful eyes. The halacha frowns upon the shallowness of cosmetic surgery, described as “cosmetic perjury” by the great posek from Jerusalem, Rabbi Eliezer Waldenberg: “There is no artisan as our G-d, who formed every one of His creatures in His image that suits him, not to be added to or subtracted from” (although cosmetic surgery for psychological or medical reasons; e.g.: after an accident, is permitted by some rabbis).

After a person in the Talmud was called “ugly,” his immediate retort was “go tell the craftsman, [G-d] who made me, how ugly this item He crafted is.”

This does not mean that no effort should be made to look pretty. In London, in the late 19th century, a disappointed husband told the judge that he didn’t realize until the morning after his wedding (when his wife removed her makeup) that she was not the sizkeit he courted, but a miskeit, and asked the court for damages from her father.

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u b’Av was G-d’s special day and “Kallah My World” His special motto.

According to tradition, G-d, determined to get the single married, occupies Himself since Creation as a Go-between, the world’s first professional Shadchan.

Did G-d get paid? Actually, yes. Special bonfire timber was brought to the Mizbeach as a “wood offering” to the Heavenly matchmaker; a thanksgiving for helping one find his spouse.

Tu b’Av was the last day when nine wood offerings were brought to the Temple by prestigious families. Contribut-

ing wood for the Temple Altar was a big mitzvah. Not only was wood scarce (the land was desolate), but Israel’s enemies erected roadblocks to prevent the Jews from bringing wood to Jerusalem. Thus, those who managed to get through were considered righteous and courageous.

The term shadchan means “to persuade” or “to negotiate,” a noble profession practiced by such diverse personalities as the 14th century Rabbi Yaakov Mollin (Maharil), who spent his traveling time making dozens of marriages and using the shadchanas gelt (“finders fee”) to support yeshivas, to Yenta in Fiddler on the Roof. Remember: In Tu B’av times, there was no need for professional matchmakers. Their introduction into kehillas was caused by necessity. In the aftermath of the brutal 12th century Crusades there existed a severe dispersion of Jewish singles and an imbalance of girls to available boys, a situation which made the need for a shadchan crucial for maintaining Jewish marriages. In those days only reputable rabbis were shadchanim and they were allowed to ply their trade even on Shabbos and yom tov, even for later financial pay. By the 16th century Jewish life had stabled somewhat and the job of shadchan attracted less savory types who sullied the profession somewhat and led parents to the suspicion that most lied and connived in order to earn a fee.

Yes, marriages were made in Heaven, but the details still had to be worked out on earth. In some pre-war Polish communities, at the end of the chuppah, there was a minhag for the bride and groom to try and stamp on each other’s foot to see which one would rule the house. As Adam said to Eve: “I wear the plants in this house!” In Europe, it was also customary that the choice of a wife be made by the boy’s father who was expected to pony up the dowry, a sum determined by social status and wealth.

Today it’s the other way round: the girl’s father is expected to pay the boy’s side a hefty sum, especially if he is a proven Torah scholar (or claims to be one, or promises to become one). In 1618, the rabbis of Rome, concerned that the dowry requirements were getting out of hand, issued a decree that if any father offered more than 200 scudi as shadchanas gelt he would no longer be eligible for community help. R’ Ben Sira agreed: he described the “Have-Money-Will-Marry” ritual as “a disgrace.”

I heard about a landlord in Lakewood

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that was renting an apartment to a newly-married Kollel yungerleit.

The rent is $1,800 a month,” he tells the boy.

“I’ll take it,” he replies.

“But how can you pay $1,800 if you’re full-time in kollel?” the landlord asks.

“You should know,” says the potential tenant, “I have five people working for me.”

“Really, who?”

“My wife, her parents and my parents!”

Sholom Aleichem told of a visit by poor Tevye the milkman to Baron Rothschild to plead for help in providing a dowry for his daughter. The doorman denied him admittance but Tevye shouted he had the secret to eternal life. When Rothschild heard this, he asked Tevye to come in. “So what is the secret?” Rothschild asked eagerly. “Come and live in my shtetl of Kasrilivke,” replied Tevye, “no rich man ever died there.”

In the days of old if the family had

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whoever wants to marry my granddaughter has to take a selfie outside the Mir Yeshiva. After a few minutes of silence, he asked, “Why?” I said, “Because she’s looking for someone with a yeshivish background.”

One nervous boy I know went out on a date and asked his friend to call him 45 minutes into the date in case he needed an excuse to leave early.

As he suspected, things were not going well and he kept looking at his phone. Finally it rang. He picked it up, said nothing, nodded his head, and hung up.

“I’m sorry,” he said to his date, “I have to leave. My grandfather just passed away.”

“Thank G-d!” she said. “If your zeida hadn’t died, mine would have had to any moment now.”

no money the boy could work for his future father-in-law instead, as an eidem af kest, a “resident son-in-law.”

Jacob, for example, worked for Lavan

for 14 years before marrying Rachel.

Last year, a rabbi from Flatbush called to ask what sort of a boy my granddaughter was looking for. I said

Joe Bobker is the author of the Torah with a Twist of Humor series and the 18-volume Historiography of Orthodox Jews and the Holocaust. He can be reached at jbobker@gmail.com.

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A Tribute to a Very Special Rebbi

Rabbi Aaron Brafman, zt”l In Honor of His First Yahrtzeit, 19 Av

By Rabbi Dov Keilson

A

s I journey through the year of mourning, it is for me, and for thousands of talmidim of Rav Aaron Brafman, zt”l, a year of focus and reflection – remembering, appreciating, admiring and yearning – and a year of very deep mourning over an absolutely irreplaceable loss.

When I walk into the Yeshiva and see his empty seat, the pain overwhelms me. I cannot help but yearn and pine for that gesture of love and admiration he would give to me every single time I entered the building, since the day I met him almost thirty years ago, in 1989.

I tried to convey, b’ezras Hashem, in my article after my Rebbi’s petirah last summer, how my beloved Rebbi was much more to me than an esteemed menahel or cherished teacher – he impacted my life in indescribable ways, and I owe to him gratitude that

truly knows no bounds! As a young tenth grade boy grappling with life’s meaning and the challenges and struggles of the nineties, Rabbi Brafman was there to open my eyes to a new way of life. He was there to guide me and mold me; to transform the immature American boy into a ben Torah – and one who yearns for aliyah and growth.

How did he do it?

The same way he did it to literally thousands of others: with his genuineness and love. There was not an insincere bone in his body, and every talmid that has ever gone through Yeshiva of Far Rockaway felt this, and truly knew this, and thus, he was beloved by all.

To possibly do even slight justice to a tribute for him is not within my ability, but as a talmid who misses him more than words can express, I am just trying to capture some of my thoughts, feelings, and memories that have been

collecting over the year with the hope that it shall serve as an inspiration to others and a true aliyah for his pure neshama.

Humility One talmid chachom commented to me that “Rabbi Brafman zt”l was a servant to ovdei Hashem!” I asked him to explain, and he did: When this person would come into the Yeshiva before Yomim Noraim time, he would watch with amazement how Rabbi Brafman would be running about trying to help and accommodate every single one of the mispallelim! Not to leave it in the hands of others to do, but to spend hours before each and every Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur himself ensuring that everyone would be happy! This was because, to Rebbe, life was about doing the will of Hashem and helping other Jews; it had nothing to do with

“zich” (oneself) at all!

The simplicity and unassuming character that clothed his persona made one feel that he was one of us – and that itself was part of his greatness.

Rabbi Brafman was gadlus disguised in pashtus!

As I mentioned in the first article last year, I was boruch Hashem zoche to learn with Rebbe for five years when I was a bochur (11th grade until 3rd year bais medrash). Yet, what was really amazing was the fact that every summer in the years to come, Rabbi Brafman would ask me to learn with him; claiming that he “needed a chavrusa” and perhaps we could learn something together. The request came across as if we were “colleagues” and he was asking me to please learn with him!

One of the most remarkable things that always struck me about Rebbe was

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Purim with Rabbi Brafman at his home with some close talmidim

how down to earth and normal he was.

He was so “with the program” on the one hand, yet so above in other ways.

In the five years that we learned in high school and beis medrash, he would speak openly with me about his own nisyonos and made it seem that we were battling the same yetzer haras and struggles together. Years later I still remember those conversations and how much they helped me deal with those challenges; for I knew that my Rebbe was with me – living through the nisyonos of our generation together with me.

There was nothing that was too beneath him to discuss or address.

His humility was so great that I did not feel bad or even slightly nervous to discuss something with him. He was so approachable and understanding in everything.

In Rabbi Yaakov Bender’s shmooze in Yeshiva a few weeks after Rabbi Brafman’s passing he revealed that erev Yom Kippur of that year Rabbi Brafman called up Rabbi Bender and asked him to please give him a bracha.

Rabbi Bender expressed how he was quite surprised and asked him, “Please give me a bracha!” Rabbi Brafman repeated his request, and Rabbi Bender acquiesced but was quite taken by the exchange and Rabbi Brafman’s humility.

To watch Rabbi Brafman in the way he ran Camp MaTov each and every year was a lesson in humility itself. The kids would run into the Yeshiva building and he would lovingly show immense concern and care for each boy, smiling, greeting and bending down to their each and every whim. Every

small or menial issue was brought to him, and he never even slightly showed any sign that it was beneath his kavod.

The loving kindness he exuded towards every child was a life lesson to behold.

A close talmid, Rav Moshe Don Kestenbaum, shared his feelings about Rabbi Brafman after the petirah a year ago and remarked how our Rebbe clothed his greatness in his humility and that the desire to always grow was something that literally poured forth from his mouth all the time! The particular example that he gave was how at every siyum that was made by any talmid he would express how jealous he was of the talmid and how much in awe he was of the achievement. He had the minhag to say the hadran along with the mesayem, and we could hear in his voice the emotion and passion in his yearning to know Torah.

Chazal teach us that a person should accustom himself to saying “I don’t know” as an expression of humility. After Rabbi Brafman passed away, I started to ponder all of his different sayings and common utterances, and I was amazed to realize that one of his most frequently used comments were those three words” “I don’t know.” It was not, chas veshalom, that he did not have the answers to our questions and would just shrug his shoulders saying, “I don’t know” – not at all! He always had the answer to every single question I asked him over the twenty-eight years I was zoche to know him! Yet, in his unbelievable humility, after he would answer the question he would often utter the words, “I don’t know – but I think this is what the Gemara is saying…

What do you think?”

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Meeting with some talmidim in Eretz Yisroel

Even as recently as the last vaadim that we were zoche to hear right before his petirah, he would share his beautiful thoughts and insights on the parsha, and then he would say, “I don’t know, but I think that is the understanding in this; what do you think?”

Surely, whatever has been said up until now does not compare to the epitome of his humility. At the end of his life, as the Rosh Yeshiva, Rabbi Perr, shlita, told over at the shloshim: Rabbi Brafman knocked on his door one day shortly before his petirah with a list of shortcomings and things that he wished to work on. Rabbi Brafman began to read them to Rabbi Perr, until the Rosh Yeshiva exclaimed, “Enough!

I will not listen to this!”

For fifty years they worked together, for fifty years they never fought, for fifty years Rabbi Brafman took notes by every schmooze that the Rosh Yeshiva gave, for fifty years he stood by the Rosh Yeshiva with the humility of a talmid before his Rebbi…

Sincerity An esteemed talmid chachom commented to me after the petirah, “Rabbi Brafman was the very meaning of the word Jew! If you wanted to know what a Jew is supposed to look like, you just had to look at him!”

One of the greatest and most stark qualities of our Rebbi was his authenticity. The Rosh Yeshiva, shlita, spoke about this, both at Rabbi Brafman’s levaya, and then again at the shloshim.

There was no false bone in his body – he was just all real, and all genuine.

And if there was one middah that his talmidim around the world remember

most about Rabbi Brafman, it would surely be this. It was apparent in everything he did, and if one stayed in his vicinity long enough, it would start to rub off as well.

A friend of mine shared an incredible story that took place with him and Rabbi Brafman. Being involved in kids’ programs, this young man once walked into Yeshiva of Far Rockaway for Maariv one night during sefirah.

For many years, there has been a learning program in Yeshiva for young boys, and Rabbi Brafman ran it all those years. When Rabbi Brafman saw him there, he came over and greeted him, and then told him that boruch Hashem there is a special program going on in Yeshiva, in case he had planned on opening another one there.

The young man said that he did not have any such intention; he was just watching the goings-on to learn from it for his own programs.

A few minutes after it happened, this person came home and received a call from Rabbi Brafman himself, apologizing that he had even said anything to him, and how terrible he felt about it; he begged my friend for mechilah. My friend told me that he was completely stunned by the phone call. He really was not upset at all over the comment that Rabbi Brafman said – and he was overwhelmed with admiration and respect over the sincerity and true genuine care from Rabbi Brafman! He could not believe that Rabbi Brafman took the time to find his number and then to call and apologize! Years have passed since this incident, and this Yid still thinks about it often.

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Rabbi Brafman speaking at a siyum for Yeshiva of Far Rockaway talmidim at TAG. Rav Pam, ztl, and, yb’lch, The Rosh Yeshiva Rav Perr, shlita, sitting

Dancing at a siyum in yeshiva

Yiras Shamayim

sight in the middle of the Beis Medrash.

I personally always marveled, and in a way, actually had a certain nachas ruach, to see my Rebbi, who was so busy with Klal Yisroel and the Yeshiva in the morning, so deeply involved in the sugya and the love of Torah at night.

Whenever I walked into his office, at any time during the morning hours, he always had a sefer open – always.

His children spoke about it during the shiva, and as a close talmid I saw it all

While I was in the Beis Medrash of Yeshiva of Far Rockaway, we merited one day in Elul to a very unique zechus.

Rav Chaim Brim, zt”l, a great tzaddik from Eretz Yisroel, came to speak to the entire Yeshiva. What a merit it was!

Who could forget that speech and the unbelievable impression it made on all of us present?

Yet, not as well-known is the story after. Rabbi Brafman drove Rav Brim back to Monsey that day, and that ride actually made a very great impression on both Rabbi Brafman and Rav Chaim Brim! For months later, Rav Chaim expressed to the talmidim of YFR that came to his Vaadim in Eretz Yisroel how much he was absolutely awed by Rabbi Brafman, and how he could see the Yiras Shamayim upon his face! The impression this story made on me was indelible.

As I mentioned above, I was zoche, boruch Hashem, to learn with my Rebbe for five years, and in those five precious years I learned a lot more than just the seforim themselves that we studied. I learned about life, and what it means to live as an erliche Yid. I watched as my Rebbi said each bracha with fervent kavana, and the way he would bentch every single day was an eternal teaching for me.

Some of the most powerful scenes that are etched in my memory are the kumzitzes that we had over the many years – at retreats, in my home, and in his home as well. And the ones that are most prominent, which made the

deepest effect on my heart, were shalosh seudos at the retreat. The entire Yeshiva would gather around the Rosh Yeshiva, shlita, and Rabbi Brafman would sit among us, the talmidim.

We would sing “Lulei Sorascha” over and over until the words went into our bones.

I remember vividly watching my Rebbi close his eyes by “Achas Shoalti,” and with every fiber of his heart and soul he sang those age-old words that

I learned from my Rebbi that it is the constant care and interest that make a real Rabbi.

pierced the neshama… To see that scene once again, my soul pines…

Torah When it comes to the Torah of our Rebbi there is surely too much to say, but a little bit must be mentioned. The family tells over of his hasmodah at home which was truly unbelievable.

He always had a sefer in front of him.

Every free moment he had, he was busy learning something else.

His night Kollel at Yeshiva was legendary. He sat and learned with his dedicated chavrusa, Dr. Joel Baum, for many, many years; it was a permanent

the time. Every sefer that he learned from was underlined throughout. His Gemaras, his Chumashim, his Mishna Berura…everything learned through and clearly written through as well.

When I sat down to talk to him in the Beis Medrash, although he always had a listening ear and endless compassion, there were times that he would say, “I’m sorry, I have to learn now.

We’ll talk about it, bezras Hashem.”

As mentioned earlier, for many years Rabbi Brafman ran the Hasmodah Program for young boys during sefiras ha’omer each and every night.

The passion and dedication that he put

in to promote the learning during that time was unbelievable. One could see the true love of Torah learning that our Rebbi had through that exceptional program.

Nothing made our Rebbi happier than when his talmidim were learning with hasmodah.

The joy that Rebbi had on Simchas Torah was legendary. He would put all his kochos into the dancing and with his eyes closed and the fire of Torah radiating from his pure face, everyone saw how Rabbi Aharon Brafman and Hashem’s Torah were truly one…

Tefillah On the wall behind our Rebbi’s seat now stands a plaque dedicated to his beloved memory. The plaque portrays just a little glimpse of what our Rebbi was and will always be –he was truly the fulfillment of Dovid Hamelech’s words, “Va’ani Tefillah.” His essence was tefillah; his persona was tefillah; his life was tefillah to Hashem. Tefillah for Klal Yisroel, whom he loved with a passion, tefillah for his family, and tefillah for his talmidim, who were truly his family.

Who can forget the way he would call out the Halilukahs during Pesukei Dizimra? Especially the second one, said with the utmost hislahavus and emotion…

Who could forget the way our Rebbe said the line of Shema Yisroel out loud each and every day and night?!

The words exclaimed like a loyal servant with total dedication and commit-

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With the Rosh Yeshiva, Rabbi Perr, shlita

ment pierced through the room…

Who can forget the Mincha our Rebbi davened for the Amud at the Siyum HaShas in Madison Square Garden years ago? How proud I was that my Menahel was davening, and thrilled that the heartfelt davening I knew so well would be experienced by thousands…

If there was one topic that our Rebbi spoke about most, it was tefillah. I remember how he spoke about the unbelievable quality of davening in Yeshiva, and how in the few times he davened outside yeshiva he just could not keep up with the pace!

He had his famous red Tehillim that was his through and through; and I would watch him walk into the Beis Medrash, take it for a few minutes, saying pesukei Tehillim, and then would go back to his office. Scenes etched in my memory. He just embodied tefillah in every sense of that word.

Overwhelming Kindness At the levaya, his beloved bother, Ben Brafman, spoke about the fact that Rabbi Brafman just could not say no to anyone who needed help. As a talmid I could attest that this was with everyone, always. I remember how when the Yeshiva had an annex in 1991 to house some of the classes, he allowed a homeless Jew to sleep there at nights. And many of the forlorn that came around often he would let come and sit in the Beis Medrash and even eat some of the Yeshiva food as well.

When I was a bochur in Beis Medrash Rabbi Brafman gathered a whole group of talmidim together to attend a “mitzvah wedding.” A young couple

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Rabbi Brafman with the author

was marrying without any friends, and he took us to be mesameach them. I’ll never forget the scene that took place that night in the Torah V’Yirah Hall in Brooklyn. I saw my Rebbi go into the middle of the dance floor in front of the chosson and kallah and dance with all his might in their honor. It was the first time in my life that I saw the meaning of the words simchas chosson v’kallah in its purest form; I never ever forgot that incredible scene.

A talmid of mine told me that he was part of the YFR Hasmodah Program as a young boy, and every single night after the program was over, Rabbi Brafman would specifically come over to him in Beis Medrash after it was over to make sure he had a ride home.

My talmid was amazed.

Many couples today can boruch Hashem boast of having Rabbi and tb”l Rebbetzin Brafman as their shadchanim. They were a team working together to build batim ne’emanim b’Yisroel.

A case in point: Rabbi Brafman was once traveling on a bus in Eretz Yisroel, and he sat next to a young boy. In his inimitable way, Rabbi Brafman struck up a conversation with him, and after a while decided to redt him to my cousin’s daughter (my cousin is actually a close talmid of Rabbi Brafman from years back). It only happened because Rebbi cared; he loved Yidden and was forever looking to help another Jew. The kindness of our Rebbi extended to the terrible situations of agunos, r”l, as well. He did not sit idly by while these women suffered. On the contrary, time and time again he courageously toiled to obtain a get, and

be’ezras Hashem he succeeded. With passion and conviction, he did what needed to be done, because he genuinely cared.

Depth of Heart One of the most powerful and moving moments I remember with my Rebbi was when he shared with me a story about a Yid who was struggling, and how Rav Schach, zt”l, got involved to help him and his family. I happen not to remember the exact details of the story, but I do remember him vividly breaking down in the middle of the story with tears running down his face; the depth of his heart was profound.

Who could forget about the shmuessim Rebbi gave after the tragedy of 9/11? Even though I was not in Yeshiva at that time, the message of those drashos, and how this is all part of the preparation for the ultimate geulah, spread to the past and present talmidim, influencing all of us at that time.

A talmid, R’ Akiva Greaber (now a Mashgiach in Toronto), shared with me an unbelievable story that took place in 1997 and is etched in his memory.

A bochur in the Mirrer Yeshiva got lost on a tiyul in Ein Gedi, r”l. The Yeshiva, along with all of Klal Yisroel around the world, fervently davened for his safe return. One day, Rabbi Brafman was teaching Akiva’s class, and a boy walked in to tell Rabbi Brafman the terrible news, that the bochur had been found, but, r”l, not alive. Rabbi Brafman, who did not know the boy at all, put his head down on the desk and was quiet for a long time; he then picked up his head and told the class that he could not continue teaching and

they were dismissed.

Rabbi Brafman never met that bochur; perhaps he did not even know his name! But he cared so deeply about another Yid’s tzaara that he could not continue teaching the boys at that moment…. R’ Akiva said that this unforgettable lesson of nesius ol remains with him until today.

A choshuve Yid shared with me that when he lived out of town and would come in to visit his parents in Far Rockaway, he would daven in Yeshiva and would always be greeted by Rabbi Brafman warmly. On one particular visit this Yid relates that Rabbi Brafman asked him when he was planning the return trip. When the Yid told him that he was driving back that night, Rabbi Brafman begged him to wait until the morning to start his drive. This Yid remembers until today Rabbi Brafman’s genuine care for him and his family.

A talmid shared an incredible story: A family was traveling back from their chasunah, and, r”l, were in a terrible accident. The family had children that had learned in Yeshiva of Far Rockaway, and this talmid relates that the day after the accident he saw Rabbi Brafman pacing the hall of the Yeshiva back and forth.

Rabbi Brafman then said to this talmid, “Oy, such a tzaara, r”l! I’m just trying to think why the Yeshiva was struck with such a tragedy and what we should do about it!”

A Yid stopped me at a kiddush to share with me another amazing story that took place with his own son. His son had a bad stutter, and when he came to take a bechina to get into the

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Yeshiva for high school, he had a very hard time saying over the Gemara.

Rabbi Brafman felt terrible for him, and so he told him to go home and try to tape himself saying the Gemara, and bring it back to him at a later point.

The boy and his father were so deeply touched by this gesture of kindness; they never forgot it even though many years have passed.

What became quite famous after our Rebbi’s petirah was the story of that very special bochur with whom he became close in Camp Agudah decades ago. Rabbi Brafman spent time writing an incredible letter to the boy’s parents after the summer ended, telling them that they have a future gadol in their hands and that they should help him and nurture his very great potential.

In very recent years it was revealed to Rabbi Brafman that those parents never let go of that precious letter (a copy of it was actually passed around by the shiva!), and that very special boy grew to become a tremendous talmid chachom and tzaddik! In his unique and clear perspective Rabbi Brafman knew…

A parent stopped me at a wedding after my Rebbi’s petirah to share how his whole family only moved to Far Rockaway because of Rabbi Brafman.

After he and his wife had enrolled their son in Yeshiva of Far Rockaway, Rabbi Brafman told the father that it was not good for them to travel back and forth to bring their son – why not just move to Far Rockway? With his suggestion, and also advice and help in the move, they moved their family to Far Rockaway, and he revealed to me that it was one of the best decisions they ever made!

Anyone who was present by the Shabbos that the Aron Hakodesh in the new building was dedicated by Ben Brafman probably remembers Ben Brafman’s powerful speech at the time as well. He spoke about his parents, and he spoke about his brother, and he made a most amazing comment about Rabbi Brafman that stayed in my mind: The Torah says that the names of the twelve Shevatim were inscribed in the two shoulder pieces that held the choshen (six on each shoulder).

“And Aharon carried the names of the Bnei Yisroel…” Ben then pointed to his brother, Rabbi Aaron Brafman, and said, “This Aaron too carries the Bnei

Yisroel on his shoulders as well!”

[In the summer of 5764, a talmid of mine, Bentzi Minzer, a”h, was niftar at the age of 20, and I told Rabbi Brafman the terrible news that morning in Yeshiva. He was deeply saddened by the tzaara, and he pushed me to speak by the levaya. I told him that I would rather wait to speak, and he then said that he felt so moved by the tzaara he wanted to come and join in the pain, which he did. I never forgot that; seeing him sitting by the levaya in Darchei Torah two days before Tisha B’Av.] Many years ago, a close friend of mine was quite drunk on Purim and went into one of the classrooms during the mesiba and was sobbing as he looked at all the Gedolim pictures, bemoaning sincerely that they were gone.

place that week. He felt that since I would probably hear about the incident at some point, he felt that it was imperative that I hear the right perspective one must have on it. This story took place so many years ago, and I do not at all remember what the issue was, but the fact that my Rebbi was there to give me clarity I did not forget.

I remember sitting next to him by a chuppah, and while people were standing up for the kallah as she walked in, he held onto me telling me not to stand. He explained that while there is a source brought to stand for a chosson there is no source about standing for a kallah, and although people do stand, that does not mean it is the right thing to do. He made it his business to make sure I know what is right and wrong,

The week after Rebbi’s petirah, my brother commented to me how empty it feels in the Yeshiva without him, for never was Rabbi Brafman not there!

Rabbi Brafman walked in and found him there crying; he held onto his hand and for a few minutes joined him in his sadness, commiserating with his talmid’s sincere pain; the talmid never forgot that!

Clarity of Perspective A month after the petirah, a Yid commented to me that Rabbi Brafman had a “microscopic view and telescopic view.”

Truthfully, I could not agree more to that profound statement. As his masterful articles in the Jewish Observer attest, our Rebbi was not only brilliant, but his grasp on the world through the lens of the Torah was crystal-clear. He saw the world and all that happened within it with such a clarity of perspective. And he was not afraid to share his hashkafah with his talmidim.

I remember specifically one incident of how he came to sit next to me on the bus to the Yeshiva retreat, for he wanted to share with me the Torah outlook on something that had taken

and to not just follow the crowd.

Of course, in truth, the most important and fundamental clarity that I received from my Rebbi was the clarity I spoke about at length in my first article – the clarity of life itself. Coming in as a clueless tenth grader, so far from true Torah perspectives, my Rebbi opened my eyes to a new type of life, changing me completely from head to toe, allowing the outlook of the physical world to leave, and thus to enter the spiritual world of Hashem, Torah and eternity.

Achrayus Rabbi Brafman was the epitome of a baal achrayus. He lived and breathed the Yeshiva. He was there always every day, rain and shine, yom tov or Shabbos, winter or summer.

The air conditioning, the heat, the maintenance, the signs, the shiurim, the scheduling…. he made sure it was all the way it should be. If there was a mesiba for Purim, or Sukkos, he was there making sure everything ran the

way it should. He was there until the very end making sure everything and everyone were accounted for.

During davening in Yeshiva, Rebbi would go around the building every day to make sure all the boys were present; he continued davening as he walked. It was a thankless job, but he would do it loyally every single day without fail, even though he so badly just wanted to daven inside the whole time (as he expressed at times during shmuessim). But he knew that this was his holy responsibility, to make sure everyone was there.

The week after Rebbi’s petirah, my brother commented to me how empty it feels in the Yeshiva without him, for never was Rabbi Brafman not there! For almost fifty years, he was always there! For every davening, every event, every everything!

He took the responsibility of the Mikdash Me’at on his shoulders, and never let go until the day he was niftar – when his alarm clock was set for 6 A.M. to get up that morning and learn before Shacharis on the 19th of Av 5777.

A week after the petirah, my Rebbi, Rabbi Yehoshua Kalish, shlita, who worked together with Rabbi Brafman for decades, commented to me, “There was no one like Rabbi Brafman; he is irreplaceable.”

As my yedid nefesh, R’ Avrohom Perr, shlita, said so many times to me this year about our Rebbi, “Rabbi Brafman was a chad bidara (one in a generation)!” Oh, how we cried together walking from the levaya one year ago, as our beloved Rebbi’s pure neshama ascended…

Who says “Mimkomcha” on Shabbos like Rabbi Brafman did? Clapping his hands with such emotion and yearning for the geulah?

At the tribute dinner in the winter, the Rosh Yeshiva Rabbi Perr, shlita, said an unbelievable statement about Rabbi Brafman: “While he was in his body, we did not perceive the full breadth of his greatness as it was clothed in his guf, and we also did not fully grasp the enormity of the mark that he was making on thousands of Jews and their families. Now that he has left this world we are starting to gain a glimpse of who Rabbi Brafman was and what he achieved in his lifetime…”

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Consistency In the last most difficult few weeks of his precious life, I and a few other talmidim merited to hear vaadim from our Rebbi each Shabbos for about six weeks. Each Shabbos we would daven in the Yeshiva for Mincha, and then go into a side room to hear an uplifting vaad from our Rebbi, just like the old days. One of the things that I noted during that difficult time absolutely astounded me then, and continues to inspire me now, so many months later.

At that point in time, Rabbi Brafman was suffering greatly from the inability of lifting up his neck on his own, and he literally had to hold his head up when doing anything! Yet, without fail, I noted that when the Torah was taken out of the Aron Kodesh, he would lift himself up; and while raising up his head with his hands, he would step over to give the Torah a kiss – both when taking it out and returning it as well! No sickness or difficulty would stand in his way of doing what he did consistently for years and years.

While it is true about so many qualities I have shared thus far that Rabbi Brafman epitomized the middah of consistency should surely be included in that long list. Our Rebbi never missed a beat, ever. I asked his son during shiva whether his father ever came late to a davening. He said to me that as long as he could remember, he never did!

As long as I was in Yeshiva, I never, ever saw Rabbi Brafman not come early to davening! He was always in the front, putting on his tallis, making the bracha out loud fervently, then on his tefillin out loud with great kavana, long before davening started.

Rabbi Brafman fulfilled the meaning of the word seder in its truest form.

Everything was like clockwork. Everything was mesudar and precise, exact and without fail. Just as his conduct was always totally with seder, so was the way he bore himself and appeared to others. I was always amazed at his cleanliness and his care to look dignified and presentable. His clothing and outer attire always reflected the peace and seder of his inside; so personifying the gadlus of man and the greatness of a true talmid chachom.

Talmidim One of the things that never ceased

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their lives would ever be able to replace Rabbi Brafman. No one.

Rabbi Brafman lived and breathed Klal Yisroel. Klal Yisroel was on his lips; Klal Yisroel was on his heart; he wanted to do everything he could to help Klal Yisroel.

A distinguished Yid shared with me how he remembers Rabbi Brafman’s first teaching position, before he became menahel. He worked with those boys to help make them bnei Torah, and with great siyata dishmaya he succeeded. Until today, many of them still look at Rabbi Brafman with the greatest hakoras hatov and love.

Chinuch

There was always a sefer in front of him

to amaze me was how much our Rebbe loved his talmidim, and how much he cared about them in every way. In the video tribute made in his honor at the dinner this year, I mentioned how amazing it was that our Rebbi was niftar in the month of Av. For, in essence, that is exactly what he was to every single one of his talmidim: he was a father.

It is impossible to describe the joy that he would have when hearing or when sharing that one of his talmidim was engaged. It was palpable; he was radiating with a simcha that spilled forth!

And, Hashem yerachaim, the pain and utter sadness that he had when a talmid was in a tzaara, r”l, was immeasurable. For all the years, he had a picture of a beloved talmid, Chananya Katz, a”h, who was tragically niftar in the winter of 1995, placed on his desk in his office. And I went with him together to the yahrtzeit gathering for a talmid, Mordechai Eherenberg, a”h, (niftar, r”l, in 2003); he was so overwhelmed with tzaar for those beloved talmidim who had left this world so young, Hashem yerachaim. Together we drove to New Jersey, the day after a terrible accident occurred with one of my friends and his family, r”l, in Lakewood; the whole trip back he suffered terribly from my friend’s pain.

In my first article I wrote how my Rebbi was there for me holding my hand by my grandfather’s levaya, but he was also there holding my hand and crying with me by my mother’s levaya in 2015, complimenting me on the hesped that I had delivered and giving

me that softest hand that I miss now beyond words, as I walked from my mother’s aron, r”l.

What is really unbelievable is that after my first article I was amazed to hear how other talmidim literally had the exact same experience as I did, also thinking that they were the only ones that had merited it. As a talmid related to me, he will also never forget Rabbi Brafman’s loving hand by his own grandfather’s levaya. Who knows how many talmidim experienced it as well; who can measure the love that was given and felt by so many… Who can ever measure?

It is not really quantifiable to ever express or convey what this giant did for me as a talmid. Whether it was my American History course that he made sure I would pass, or actually coming to my car to hear new compositions I had composed and recorded. The compliments and words of love and chizuk never stopped coming, and every word went into my heart. He loved me like a son; I felt it from the moment I walked into Yeshiva, until his very last kiss to me.

It is no wonder that when my second grade daughter asked us, for an Afikoman present, to receive a bracha from my Rebbi, I took her straight to Rabbi Brafman. He was astounded by the knock at his door, to say the least, and he bentched her that she should become a true Yiddishe Mammeh! It is also no wonder, then, that on the day of Rebbi’s petirah I listened to my relative and friend on the phone with me wail aloud after hearing the news. No one in

When it came to lessons of chinuch there were so many things that I learned from my Rebbi, both in chinuch of talmidim and of children. I just wish I had taken notes at the time. One particular point which I heard him say many times, and now boruch Hashem in the opportunity of being in chinuch myself, I see how true his words were.

He used to tell me, “If you see a bachur davening well it’s a siman tov that one day he will get into the learning as well.” In my capacity as Mashgiach, I have witnessed this truth time and time again. It is a wonder to behold!

Boys that were so far from being a ben Torah, not learning and distant from all that learning means in the conduct of their lives, yet I saw a certain fire and passion in their davening. And I knew from my Rebbi that one day they will turn around completely, it’s just a matter of time – and they did.

I learned from my Rebbi that it is the constant care and interest that make a real Rebbi. The arm around the shoulder, the listening ear, and the real heart of feeling the talmid’s plight are what make the biggest impact on the talmid.

I learned from my Rebbi how, no matter how much Torah and knowledge a Rebbi has, he must be consistently growing himself throughout his life or he could never possibly be a mashpia. Not only for his own eternal achievement, but for the benefit of the influence that he wishes to have on his talmidim.

I learned from my Rebbi the vital importance to have rebbeim that one continues to speak about and be connected to on every level that he could,

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always. Our Rebbi spoke about Rav Yaakov, zt”l, Rav Gedaliah Schorr, zt”l, and Rav Pam, zt”l, all the time.

He lived and breathed their words and their influence, and he gave over to us how vital being an eternal Talmid is – for one’s self and for the future of the talmidim he is impressing upon.

How I wish he was still here so that I could continue to learn from him…

Family Rabbi Brafman taught us of the great value that family has. He loved his siblings deeply, and always spoke about them. He had immeasurable nachas from his ba”h exceptional children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and took such pride in their learning and chashivus of Torah; they, in turn, loved and admired him beyond words. They turned to him, followed his lead, and truly appreciated him.

His esteemed Rebbetzin, tb”l, truly stood by his side in his every endeavor and accomplishment, and she shares in the nachas of his family and talmidim

Speaking at a Yeshiva event. His brother, Ben, is seated to his left

forever.

Rabbi Brafman appreciated to no end and partook in every single family simcha and event. Every single child, grandchild, and great-grandchild were exceedingly important to him, and he made sure to show them that in word and deed. Every milestone in life he

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reveled in and expressed his overwhelming hakoras hatov to Hakodosh Boruch Hu; very often breaking down in great emotion during his speeches by simchos.

Geulah Rabbi Brafman lived for the geulah

his whole life; everything was about the geulah. He spoke about it all the time and looked at every event in life as a preparation for that ultimate day; he fulfilled “yearning for the geulah” in its truest sense.

As talmidim we must look at his life and be inspired to long for Mashiach like he did; to try to see the world as he did, and to attempt to fulfill the will of Hashem day and night just as he did and wants us so badly to do the same.

His memory is a blessing and will forever be a blessing, because when one thinks of Rabbi Brafman and talks about Rabbi Brafman, only blessing and good will come.

I will continue to miss him and love him li’olam and hope and pray to only bring him nachas.

May Hashem bring the day of only simcha with the geulah shlaima speedily in our days.

Rabbi Dov Keilson is a Mashgiach in Mesivta Chaim Shlomo.

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Dating Dialogue

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

Dear Navidaters,

I’m 23 years old and have been dating a guy for a few months now. I’m an Orthodox Jew, which means I cover my elbows, collarbone and knees. My boyfriend, whom I’ll refer to as Yaakov, is also an Orthodox Jew but I feel that he is too frum for me.

I really like him, though. I’m thinking of getting serious in a few months from now but I just worry about if we have kids together how will we both make them dress.

Would he make my daughters wear stockings or tights in the summer because I don’t wear that and I wouldn’t want my kids to be forced to dress this way? I also don’t want him to change the way he is.

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

Our intention is not to offer any definitive

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

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The Panel The Rebbetzin Rebbetzin Faigie Horowitz, M.S. ou sound very superficial in your concerns. While religious compatibility is important in marital fit, it encompasses much more than tzinius. It includes aspirations, values, priorities, commitment to halacha, and Torah guidance. Your concern about raising a family together and the level of tzinius adherence may seem logical to you but you are putting the emphasis on one aspect of his religiosity.

What’s behind Yaakov’s being “too frum” for you? Is it sincere yiras Shamayim? Is it his community’s norms? Have you gotten to know the person well enough to answer

Y

these questions? Do you respect him for it? It sounds like you do but you sound afraid.

Get honest with yourself and get honest with Yaakov. You may need help to do so. Consult a mentor or a therapist to help sort yourself out and see what makes this relationship work well. Be open with your boyfriend about your vulnerability. You can tell him, “I respect where you are and I’m nervous about committing to your level of religiosity.” Put things on the table as you sort out your own feelings, experience and compatibility needs.

As a couple deepens their relationship with honesty and good communication, technical matters can be negotiated. It’s the larger issues of religious aspiration and community identification that have to be aligned.

It will only be through speaking with Yaakov that you will know where he holds and if he is capable of compromise.

The Mother Sarah Schwartz Schreiber, P.A. aybe I’m not understanding.

You’re frum; he’s frum. You respect him hashkafically (even if he’s a tad more “to-the-Right” than you). He’s fine with your brand of Orthodoxy and your level of tzinius.

Most important, based on the tenor of your question and the months you’ve invested in this courtship, I get the impression you like each other! What a rare and wonderful phenomenon! In your diary or in your heart, there’s a check near the categories labeled “middos,” personality,” “attraction,” “sense of humor”… you get where I’m going.

So what’s with this ridicu-

M

lous worry over your hypothetical daughters’ choice of summer hosiery? A) By the time your theoretical daughters come of age, you and

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your husband will have learned the art of compromise and negotiation in addressing many large and trivial issues affecting your marriage and child-rearing; B) As a mother of three daughters, I can tell you the “Stocking Question” is eternal, cyclical and often self-solving. It is dictated by the community you live in, the school your daughter attends, your daughter’s personal preferences, or plain, old peer pressure.

Some final thoughts. Be honest.

Despite your expressed fondness for him, is there something about Yaakov that’s causing you concern?

Maybe you are feeling apprehensive about commitment and the prospect of marriage. The mind has a sense of humor; perhaps your sudden sock obsession is your unconscious shouting, “Girl, you’ve got cold feet.” If so, a few sessions with a competent therapist, rav or mentor may allay your jitters more effectively than the local Sock Exchange.

Another Shadchan Tzipporah Feldman s a busy shadchan, who deals with issues all day long between men and women who are dating and having questions, I have to say that I find your concern very limited and almost childish – no offense. With all of the various issues one might disagree upon or feel concern over, all you can focus on is what your future children will wear on the legs? Something about this letter sounds very off to me.

You flat out say that he is “too frum for me.” That sounds like a pretty direct comment about where you see the two of you. Leggings are the least of it.

In what other areas does his frumkeit manifest itself and are they significant and worthy of moving on? You also say that you don’t want “to change him,” but also mention that you are “thinking of getting serious in a few

A

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

I

t’s perhaps time to speak with Yaakov about your concern. The only way to have your question answered is to ask the question. My instinct tells me that Yaakov will not care about stockings for your daughters simply because he is dating you and must notice your bare legs and/ or toes. Yaakov accepts you as you are, so perhaps this will be a non-issue for him. Instinct also tells me that you have a difficult time in the communication department.

I’m wondering if your concern about leg coverings speaks to a broader concern of differing hashkafas. Do both of you see eye-to-eye

on the kind of schools you will send your children to? Do you agree on whether or not to have a TV in the house? Will you socialize with other couples? Things of that nature.

Based on your letter, I don’t feel like I have a full picture of your relationship with Yaakov, or the exact issue or confusion you are having. If you enjoy each other and feel connected, perhaps the two of you can reach a compromise with regard to hashkafa. After all, you

months from now.”

Between your focus and your inconsistencies, I would say to you that either you are not really ready to start dating because you aren’t mature enough to evaluate your situation logically, or you need to speak to a dating coach or therapist to help you sort out how to go about determining what is meaningful in a relationship. You seem to need more clarity and more self-awareness.

In what other areas does his frumkeit manifest itself and are they significant and worthy of moving on?

The Single Tova Wein ne of the most important tools a man and woman need to utilize while dating is the tool of proper communication. You mention your concern over different standards you and Yaakov might have down the road, should you marry and have children. Why would you ask this panel what will be if you are literally dating the man who has the answers for you? Why aren’t you simply bringing up this concern to him and find out, straight out of the horse’s mouth, how he feels about children covering their legs and whether it is a non-nego-

O

are both Orthodox, so we aren’t talking about apples and oranges. It will only be through speaking with Yaakov that you will know where he holds and if he is capable of compromise.

You may benefit from a few sessions with a dating coach or a therapist to talk out your concern. These sessions may shed some light on your relationship and/or the specific concern you wrote in about. You will also receive strategies necessary to communicate with Yaakov, if that is an area that could use improvement.

Try not to put the cart before the horse. Speak with Yaakov.

tiable attitude?

And while you’re at it, you may want to discuss with him other areas of religion, since you say that he is frummer than you are. Surely stockings aren’t the only manifestation of being frummer. In what other ways will the two of you part company and possibly knock heads? I’m guessing there are numerous differences in your beliefs and possibly stockings are the least of it.

To me, it sounds as though you are hyper-focusing on one specific area and missing the real story. That says a lot about your dating skills and your understanding of what makes two people compatible. I think you have a great deal of work to do on yourself before you start to “think about getting serious.”

Sincerely, Jennifer Esther Mann, LCSW and Jennifer Mann, LCSW are licensed psychotherapists and dating and relationship coaches working with individuals, couples and families in private practice in Hewlett, NY. To set up a consultation or to ask questions, please call 516.224.7779.

Press 1 for Esther, 2 for Jennifer. Visit www.thenavidaters.com for more information. If you would like to submit a dating or relationship question to the panel anonymously, please email thenavidaters@gmail.com. You can follow The Navidaters on FB and Instagram for dating and relationship advice.

The Jewish Home | JULY 26, 2018

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Dr. Deb

How Did We Turn Love into Hate?

By Deb Hirschhorn, Ph.D.

I

would like to thank a reader for this topic. Someone wrote me saying they read my articles (very nice!) but the article I wrote on falling back in love was not one they were interested in, and in fact,

they didn’t learn anything new from it! (Not so nice!)

They really wanted to know why someone who once loved them now hates them.

They also told me I was wrong

at the end of the article (again, not the most diplomatic way of handling frustration) when I said that apologizing would be a good thing to do.

The reason it isn’t, according to this person, is because the mistake for which they apologized would then be used against them in the future.

I don’t have very much to go on here, so I’m going to have to take a guess as to what might be happening for this couple. Let me start by giving some background that I’ve discussed in previous articles.

People don’t want to be mean. I totally believe that. They don’t want to be sarcastic, critical, rejecting, or misjudging of others. But they do.

And the reason they fall into very negative patterns like this has to do with the hurt and suffering they had as children. In many cases, they were treated with the same nastiness as they now dish out. Little children obviously can’t handle that. They’re sensitive and need TLC. However, in the absence of this nurturing that is due them, they will develop coping mechanisms that work for them. One such mechanism is to pretend, right down to their kishkes, that they do not feel the pain they actually feel. You can call it a defense mechanism, you can call it self-hypnosis, you can call it a survival mechanism, whatever you want.

I once had a man – just to illustrate this point – who shared with

me that his father would beat him and he believed that he didn’t deserve it. So his defense mechanism was to one-up his father: he would be stronger than his father was; he would not give his father any satisfaction in beating him. Therefore, he refused to cry, yell, or even flinch.

He trained himself to not react. This meant that his father beat him harder to get a reaction, and he still did not react. So this little boy endured extra pain, just so as to not give his father the satisfaction of “winning.”

When such people grow up, they wear masks like this in their marriages and with their children. They don’t intend to; it just happens. They keep up the same coping mechanisms because that is all they know.

This man, until he started working with me, didn’t even understand what his wife meant when she complained that he wasn’t emotionally available. Well, how could he understand it? After all, he wasn’t emotionally available! You’d have to have your emotions turned “on” at some point along the way to get what it means for them to be turned “off.”

Getting back now to the topic at hand, the worst way to respond when the person you love says something that sounds to you like a complaint is to be sarcastic, critical, angry, or annoyed back. However, it is unfortunately a very common reaction. The complainer may not have expressed the complaint very

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

sweetly, so the most natural thing in the world is to sling it back.

It’s the worst thing in the world.

My guess is the individual who wrote me was guilty of that and the reason I’m guessing it is because they weren’t so nice to me! And I didn’t even do anything. I’d had no interaction previously and don’t know them. But some time way back when they were young, I’m guessing, they learned that making digs at people either avoids pain for them or makes them feel better about the pain they’re in, like, “Now you know how much pain I’m in because you’re also in pain.”

Now, if that is what they said to me, imagine how it goes in their home. All they need is to feel badly about something, anything, and then if their spouse says something they don’t want to hear, boom! their spouse will get it. Which could explain why what once was a love relationship turned into hate.

Now comes the really hard part:

What to do about it.

The person with the “attitude” will need to (a) recognize that this is not helpful because they’re pushing away their spouse.

attack.

This is extremely difficult. The person with the bad behavior generally will not understand what their partner is talking about, and even if they did, they have no idea how

It’s returning to being in great pain to what was once a raw, gaping, open wound and has since grown a thick callus of protection.

(b) recognize that there are more helpful responses to make (c) learn how to calm down so that they can respond from a rational place rather than a knee-jerk

to make the changes that are necessary. The change cannot come from the spouse because they never listen to their spouse.

There’s a reason for that. To

admit one was wrong means automatically agreeing that whatever unpleasant behavior they had was really a cover, a mask for hurt feelings. Like the little boy who wouldn’t flinch when he was beaten, the adult now would be compelled to revisit those moments and experience that pain that was so well hidden for so many years.

You can see that the problem of admission is way bigger than just “being wrong.” It’s returning to being in great pain to what was once a raw, gaping, open wound and has since grown a thick callus of protection.

But there are healing methods for this, methods that go deep, down to the soul-level. They are soothing, and they are permanent, thank G-d.

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

Public Notice for Nassau County residence

As the weather warms up, amazing outdoor events will start taking place in our neighborhood.

Here’s some important information to keep in mind:

Permits are required for every tent.

Due to logistical changes in the approval process, it will take longer than usual to receive a permit.

Please apply for your permit at least two weeks in advance.

See you at the exciting outdoor events!

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

Health & F tness

What are Nightshades and are They Bad for You?

By Aliza Beer MS, RD

N

ightshades have a deadly reputation. They supposedly aggravate a variety of chronic conditions such as arthritis, fibromyalgia, and IBS. The nightshades, also known as Solanaceae, encompass a whole family of flowering plants that includes many very popular fruits and vegetables that people eat daily.

The nightshades include: • Tomatoes • Eggplant • Potatoes (not sweet potatoes or yams) • Goji berries • Tobacco • Peppers (including bell peppers, chili peppers, paprika, tamales, pimentos, tomatillos, cayenne, etc.)

At first glance the nightshades may look like a random collection of foods that couldn’t possibly be related. However, every nightshade plant produces glycoalkaloids, a natural pesticide. They are bitter compounds found throughout the plant, but their concentrations are especially high in leaves, flowers, and unripe fruits.

They are there to defend plants against bacteria, fungi, viruses, and insects. Glycoalkaloids kill pests in two ways. First, they bind strongly to the cholesterol in the cell membranes of predators, and in doing so, they disrupt the structure of those membranes, causing cells to leak or burst open upon contact. Second, they block the enzyme cholinester-

ase. This enzyme is responsible for breaking down acetylcholine, a vital neurotransmitter that carries signals between nerve cells and muscle cells. When this important enzyme is blocked, acetylcholine can accumulate and electrically overstimulate the predator’s muscle cells. This can lead to paralysis, convulsions, respiratory arrest, and death. Military “nerve gases” work exactly the same way.

So how do glycoalkaloids in nightshades affect humans? Studies done on animals are inconclusive, but the

testine and flood the bloodstream.

In two separate studies of mice with Inflammatory Bowel Disease, the alkaloids in potatoes were found to adversely affect intestinal permeability and increase intestinal inflammation.

Some experts believe that leaky gut can contribute to higher levels of inflammation all over the body that worsen disease symptoms. Many people with IBD, celiac disease, multiple sclerosis, and rheumatoid arthritis have eliminated nightshades from their diet and report great improve-

At first glance the nightshades may look like a random collection of foods that couldn’t possibly be related.

science points to possible increases in joint stiffness and pain. Research suggests glycoalkaloids could be one potential cause of “leaky gut” syndromes due to their ability to poke holes in cells. Leaky gut, or intestinal permeability, is a condition in which the lining of the small intestine becomes damaged, causing undigested food particles, toxic waste products, and bacteria to leak through the in-

ment in symptoms, but evidence for this recommendation right now is mainly anecdotal and further research on humans needs to be done.

We do know that glycoalkaloids in high amounts is toxic to both humans and animals.

Other groups of people without autoimmune conditions claim that eliminating nightshades has dramatically improved their health. These

people are often said to be “sensitive” to nightshades. One of these groups of people include those suffering from arthritis and claim that eliminating nightshades provides pain relief. I watched firsthand many years ago how eliminating tomatoes and peppers from my father’s diet helped him significantly reduce his arthritic pain.

There is a theory that the nightshades also contain a form of vitamin D that causes calcium deposits that contribute to joint pain and other arthritis symptoms.

If you are healthy and do not have adverse reactions to nightshades, there is no compelling reason to avoid them. They are rich in nutrients and offer several potential health benefits; tomatoes are a good source of vitamins A and C, and an antioxidant called lycopene; peppers are very high in vitamin C which helps enhance iron absorption; eggplants are a good source of dietary fiber; and potatoes contain fair amounts of potassium, vitamin B6 and manganese.

On the other hand, if you have an autoimmune condition like IBD, or suspect that you may be sensitive to nightshades, you may want to consider removing them from your diet to evaluate changes in symptoms.

If you decide to do this, completely eliminate all nightshades fruits, vegetables, and products (for example, paprika is found in many spice mixes and sauces/marinades) for at least four weeks. Be sure to keep track of

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

the severity of your symptoms during this time. After this elimination period, you should start reintroducing nightshades back into your diet.

Don’t make any other lifestyle changes during this time. After reintroducing nightshades, compare the severity of your symptoms during your elimination and reintroduction periods.

If symptoms were better during elimination and got worse when you reintroduced nightshades, you

may want to continue to avoid them long-term. If symptoms were not different between the two periods, you should seek other treatments for your symptoms and continue eating nightshades.

If you decide to eliminate nightshades long-term, then consider the following dietary changes: switch from white potatoes to sweet potatoes; use pesto instead of tomato sauce in your pasta or zoodles; and

consume citrus fruits like oranges and grapefruit in order to get your vitamin C. Nightshades contain important nutrients, and most people should be encouraged to eat them. Nevertheless, research suggests that people with autoimmune diseases may want to consider eliminating nightshades for a period of time to see if their symptoms improve. If you feel that you are sensitive to nightshades,

there are plenty of other fruits and vegetables you can eat instead as part of a healthy diet. As always, please discuss any potential dietary changes with your physician first.

Aliza Beer is a registered dietician with a master’s degree in nutrition. She has a private practice in Cedarhurst, NY. Patients’ success has been featured on the Dr. Oz show. Aliza can be reached at alizabeer@gmail.com.

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

Health & F tness

Inspiration From Seeming Despair

By Hylton I. Lightman, MD, DCH (SA), FAAP

A tattered sefer Torah and tefillin

L

ast week, my wife and I visited Martef HaShoah, or Chamber of the Holocaust, a small Holocaust museum located on Mount Zion in Jerusalem, opposite the kever of King David. Appropriate to visit at any time, it was especially so during the Nine Days. And what an unlikely place to have found inspiration and even a message for today’s educators and youth.

Martef HaShoah is Israel’s first Holocaust museum. It was founded in 1948-49, mere seconds after the Holocaust and within nanoseconds of the establishment of the State of Israel. Survivors, still emotionally raw from what they witnessed and endured, came to Israel and sought to memorialize the unfathomable

Martef HaShoah’s memorial plaque from Socholya, Lithuania, where Alice Rosenfield, a”h, paternal grandmother of Leah Lightman, was born and raised

that had transpired and was destroyed. Its proximity to Kever David HaMelech connotes Messianic redemption as we wait, long and pray for Moshiach ben David.

This small museum includes several exhibition rooms and passages together with a large courtyard.

Tombstone-like plaques, inscribed in Hebrew, Yiddish and English, memorializing more than 2,000 communities destroyed during the Holocaust cover the walls. These plaques were sponsored by survivors from those communities. Many survivors have held memorial services in Martef HaShoah on the anniversary of their town’s destruction. In the center of the larger rooms is a black, marble-looking slab inscribed with

the names of the infamous concentration camps underneath which are ashes from a concentration camp’s crematorium.

A sprinkling of glass cases throughout Martef HaShoah display different artifacts, including a bloodstained Torah scroll, purses, shoe soles, drums and wallets made from the klaf (parchment) of Sifrei Torah, a prisoner uniform from Auschwitz, soap made by the Nazis from human fat, and more.

Most jarring to me was the fitted jacket tailored from a Torah scroll.

G-d forbid anyone should have such ideas today.

The contents of a display case adjacent to the courtyard inspired my wife and me. It contained a

handwritten siddur or prayer book from the Buchenwald concentration camp. The handwriting was magnificently neat and consistent, printed with vowels. There were some words crossed out as the writer must have written it from memory.

So many questions zoomed through our minds. Who was this Jew? Who was his family? How did he obtain paper? A writing instrument? Where was the siddur stored? Who used it? The mesirus nefesh and risk to his life to undertake this project is an understatement. Love for our Torah and mesorah emanate from this special siddur. The “facilitator” or scribe made sure that our connection to the Al-mighty through the power

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of prayer continued even within the Gehinnom of the Nazi death machine that appeared to be unstoppable and invincible.

This Jew and his siddur personi-

accomplish.

While not uncommon, documented stories like this deserve more prominence in our lives. For example, there are primary sources

Love for our Torah and mesorah emanate from this special siddur.

fy emunah and bitachon. From the depths of despair is a living kiddush Hashem that roots us to Har Sinai and continues our relationship with Hashem unbroken, despite the vicissitudes, throughout the millennia.

May the scribe’s memory be for an eternal blessing.

You must be wondering – why is a pediatrician writing about this?

The kiddush Hashem is enormous and is timeless. But the takeaway in 2018 is the inspiration from which we parents can learn and share with our children about values and life.

Patients and parents speak to me about a host of topics. One of the hot ones is the lack of inspiration in today’s world, the frum community included. People are going through the motions of religious observance without understanding what they are doing and why they are doing it. They’re disenchanted with everything, particularly the educational system. It’s sad because we see people of all ages uninspired, off the derech, going about life aimlessly. The repercussions are almost endless.

Contrast this scenario with our nameless, faceless Jewish scribe who, in the midst of a death camp, found within himself the desire for the ritual of prayer. And he made this ritual available to all. Such ritual leads to connection with Hashem. May he be enjoying a lichtige Gan Eden for what he continues to

available of the religious questions posed to Rabbi Ephraim Oshry (1914-2003) who was a rabbi in the Kovno Ghetto. Miraculously, he survived the Shoah. His writings detail the Nazis’ twisted minds and how they sought our extermination and collaborated with the Lithuanians to that end. Yet despite being starved, beaten and on the constant edge of death, Jews sought to keep Hashem’s Torah and commandments as evidenced by the religious questions posed to Rav Oshry and how he answered them.

Perhaps our schools and other educational programs should learn some of these primary sources.

Our middle school and high school age children and adults would experience the deep longing of their ancestors to connect with the Infinite and to know that being a Jew is the greatest thing in the world.

The foundation that would be laid would be strong enough to support an edifice of enormous proportions.

Imagine what such a living edifice could accomplish in this world!

From seeming despair emerges inspiration.

What’s your dream?

Dr. Hylton I. Lightman is a pediatrician and Medical Director of Total Family Care of the 5 Towns and Rockaway PC. He can be reached at drlightman@totalfamilycaremd.com, on Instagram at Dr.Lightman_ or visit him on Facebook.

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

Chef

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Talk

Summer Grilling Chewing the Fat on a Favorite Summer Pastime

By Naphtali Sobel

Delicious sides for the perfect summer barbecue

T

he 4th of July quickly flew by and barbecue season heat is in full throttle. I would like to differentiate the various techniques and styles within barbecue.

Technically what the U.S. refers to as barbecue or what they refer to as a “barbie” in Australia is actually not barbecue but really grilling.

Grilling is when food is cooked on high open flames over metal grates. This cooking mode is ideal for steaks and smaller and tenderer cuts of meat and chicken. The term barbecue is borrowed because it is an outdoor cooking method utilizing live fire. How the cowboys would cook hearty stews in cast iron Dutch ovens slung over open flames and would grill their meat on cast iron skillets placed directly on the burning wood I would say is something in between barbecue and grilling.

Nowadays, cooking on cast iron grill

pans would be a similar method and is often used in some commercial kitchens where open flamed grills are unavailable.

Barbecue stems from the word barbacoa. This word comes from Indians native to the Caribbean and refers to meats cooked in the ground, in a pit, on top of wood and wrapped in leaves and covered in sand, or sometimes on a spit rotating over an open fire. This cooking method was not new to the New World but was and still is practiced in the Middle East especially in sandy desert areas – probably for as long as people were cooking. Kebabs and shawarma are also essentially barbecue forms.

American southern barbecue is somewhat similar to the original barbacoa. It is by no means quickly cooked over intense heat. Rather, it is cooked low and slow by indirect

Classic Texas barbecue

heat, often in a brick fire pit, or offset cookers, which are often made from old propane tanks (albeit with proper safety measures). Offset cookers are extremely popular in Texas. The choice of wood flavors the meat, whether you choose post oak, hickory, mesquite, apple or cherry woods.

Barbecuing is ideal for cooking large tough cuts and whole animal cooking. Seasoning can be as simple as salt and pepper or from spice blends containing 10 or 15 spices.

In Texas, where beef is more common, brisket is favored. Carolina is split by regions, where some places utilize whole “animals,” where other regions favor the shoulder, aka butt. The Carolinas are also split by two types of sauces, that being mustard-based and vinegar-based, but always applied with a designated mop. Texans prefer a dry rub.

Memphis is a hybrid of all the BBQ regions and is famous for brisket burnt ends, which is made from the fatty edges of brisket and goes for a second smoking.

Asian countries have their own types of barbecue which are simultaneously similar and dissimilar to other methods. Japanese commonly grill their meat on skewers over coals similar to Middle Eastern kabobs but use a special wood called binchotan. It is made from a specific Japanese oak and can easily reach 1,000 degrees yet does not smoke or soot very much. Hibachi is a Japanese grill, often egg- or domeshaped, and sometimes comes with a lid creating an oven-like environment for even heat distribution. Hibachi has become extremely popular in Japanese and Korean restaurants where the meat is grilled table-side.

Japanese restaurants usually use a

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

Korean barbecue

Mongolian khorkhog, not for the faint of heart

flat top griddle and meat is cooked before you by an entertaining grill master. Korean barbecue is simply referred to as – wait for it – Korean barbecue. Unlike Japanese restaurants, Korean restaurants usually use open-flamed grills, and the customer grills his/her own meat, granting the customer autonomy to

grill supper to his or her own liking.

This method is extremely interactive.

Mongolians have a barbecuing method called KhorKhog. This method contains many steps such as deboning a whole mutton, heating stones over an open flame, filling the cavity with the hot stones and root

R ECIPE IN GR ED IEN TS

C reamy Slaw

1 lb. bag cole slaw mix ½ cup mayo 2 TBS lemon juice 1/8 tsp salt 1/8 tsp black pepper 1/8 tsp garlic powder d (optional) 1/8 tsp caraway or celery see

C lassic Deli C ounter Style Slaw 1 bag cole slaw mix ½ cup mayo ½ cup sugar ¼ cup vinegar ½ tsp salt

FOR

Hibachi barbecue

vegetables, then sealing the cavity, blowtorching the fur off, and placing the whole animal on top of the remaining embers. This method roasts the meat on the outside and steams it from the inside. It is truly not for the faint of heart.

Since barbecuing is so specific to everyone’s region or taste I figured

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I’ll leave the grilling to you. However, every barbecue needs some top-notch sides, which I would like to offer.

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

N aphtali Sobel

Deli Style Potato Salad

, cooled and 2 lb. red potatoes, boiled till soft es cut into small cub ¼ cup finely diced onion circles 4 Israeli pick les, cut into thin dried TBS 1 or dill h 2 TBS chopped fres d 2 TBS deli mustar 2 TBS sugar 2 TBS vinegar 2/3 cup mayo 1 tsp salt 1/8 tsp black pepper

Macaroni Salad

drained ½ box macaroni cooked and ½ cup shredded carrot rted colors ¾ cup super-finely pepper, asso preferred mayo cup 1 sugar cup 1 vinegar cup ½ water cup ¼ salt tsp ½ ½ tsp garlic powder 1/8 tsp white pepper

PR EPAR AT IO N

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In The K

tchen

Sweet & Sour Tilapia

By Naomi Nachman

When I started developing recipes and giving cooking classes, this recipe was the first collaboration with my mother. My mum was visiting from Australia and we had a great time coming up with the recipe together. Ever since then, it’s been one of the most frequently requested recipes from my catering clients.

This recipe is pareve, yields 8 servings, and is freezer-friendly.

Ingredients Tilapia 1-2 pounds tilapia fillets, each cut in half lengthwise 1 tsp kosher salt ¼ tsp black pepper

Sauce 3 TBS oil 1 large onion, diced 2 cloves garlic, crushed

4 carrots, peeled and sliced into rounds 1 cup ketchup ¾ cup brown sugar Pinch cinnamon 1 cup water 1 (14-ounce) can pineapple chunks, with their liquid Salt and pepper, to taste

Preparation Preheat oven to 350°F. Prepare an ovenproof baking dish large enough to hold all the fillets in one layer.

Rinse fish; pat dry. Season with salt and pepper. Place into prepared baking dish; set aside.

Prepare the sauce: Heat oil in a large frying pan over medium heat. Sauté onions with garlic until soft. Add carrots; sauté for 2 minutes. Add ketchup, brown sugar, cinnamon, water, and pineapple chunks with their liquid.

Bring sauce to a boil; reduce heat and simmer for 5-10 minutes until the sauce thickens. Season with salt and pepper, to taste.

Pour sauce over fish in the baking dish. Bake for 20 minutes, until fish flakes easily when pierced with a fork.

Cook’s Tip: Skinless salmon fillets also work well in this recipe. I have also used this sauce and technique with chicken cutlets and with boiled corn beef.

Reproduced from Perfect for Pesach by Naomi Nachman with permission from the copyright holders ArtScroll/Mesorah Publications, LTD. Photo by Miriam Pascal.

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

The Jewish Home | JULY 26, 2018

Pool D 6/24 ates: -

No W ome 8/ Pool n’s Swim 19 : Close d: 7/1 8/16 8/17 8 & 7/1 3-7/2 /19 2

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Notable Quotes “Say What?!”

I don’t think that they’re intentionally getting it wrong.

- Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg, explaining why Holocaust deniers and other conspiracy theorists are still allowed to keep content on Facebook

Rather than molding a generation of mature, well-informed adults, some schools are doing everything they can to create a generation of sanctimonious, sensitive, supercilious snowflakes.

- Attorney General Jeff Sessions during a speech at Turning Point USA’s High School Leadership Summit in Washington

While President Trump engages in policies that rip children out of the arms of their mothers and tries to ramp up the deportation of New Yorkers to advance his political agenda of hate and division, we will protect our immigrant communities.

Even if we have only a penny left, we will give it to the martyrs, the prisoners and their families.

- Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, in a speech this week, promising to continue to pay terrorists

Seventy years after the founding of Israel, it would be wise for Hamas to acknowledge that the existence of Israel is a permanent reality. Almost all in the Middle East have come to accept this fact, and many even embrace it. At the expense of the Palestinian people, Hamas is fighting a morally bankrupt, decades-old war that has long been lost.

– From an Op-ed in the Washington Post by Jared Kushner, assistant to the president and special U.S. representative for international negotiations Jason Greenblatt, and U.S. Ambassador to Israel David Friedman

Hi... @Google? We might need to talk.

- Governor Andrew Cuomo of New York explaining his pardon of seven illegal immigrants, including Elpidio Rodriguez, 57, who was convicted of criminal possession of a controlled substance and operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated, so that they would not be deported

I dream about Biden – that’s a dream.

Joe Biden ran three times, he never got more than 1%, and President Obama took him out of the garbage heap, and everybody was shocked that he did.

- President Donald Trump when asked on CBS News who he would want to run against in 2020

We do to G-d’s creatures what the Nazis did to us.

- Actress Natalie Portman, whose great-grandparents were killed in Auschwitz, in a recently released film by PETA

– Tweet by Senator Orrin Hatch (R-UT) after Google listed him as deceased

MORE QUOTES

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If you’re looking for a safe space this ain’t it, Cupcake.

- Sign hanging on a wall at an Ohio bar that went viral after an upset customer shared it on social media

This Republican Congress has proven incapable of fulfilling the Founders’ design that “ambition must ... counteract ambition.”

All who believe in this country’s values must vote for Democrats this fall. Policy differences don’t matter right now. History has its eyes on us.

- Disgraced former FBI Director James Comey, who was fired

by Trump, tweeting that people should vote for Democrats in the mid-term elections

Democrats, please, please don’t lose your minds and rush to the socialist left.

This president and his Republican Party are counting on you to do exactly that.

America’s great middle wants sensible, balanced, ethical leadership.

This is an unusual and most rare incident that has not occurred for decades. The fact that this powerful incident happened a day after the 9th of Av fast, in which we mourned the destruction of our Temples, raises doubts and questions which the human soul is too small to contain and requires soul-searching.

- Ibid., trying to thread a needle and clarify which Democrats people should vote for

- Official rabbi of the Kosel, Rabbi Shmuel Rabinovitch, after a 200-pound stone fell out of the Kosel on the controversial egalitarian prayer section

Obsessing over irrelevant, unsolvable problems in remote parts of the globe is how liberals prove they are intellectuals.

North Korea, Syria, Russia – that’s what you’re supposed to care about. Not your own country. Only Walmart shoppers care about their own country.

Hamas & the PA, who have been fighting one another for over a decade, are each cynically claiming that the U.S. is trying to divide Gaza and the West Bank, instead of acknowledging that we are trying to help the Palestinians in Gaza… What hypocrisy.

- Tweet by Mideast special negotiator Jason Greenblatt after a PA official rejected U.S. humanitarian relief to Gaza under the claim that the aid was a ploy to divide Gaza and West Bank alliances

– Ann Coulter

If you think U.S. intelligence is never wrong, I have some yellowcake for you.

- Rebecca Mansour, Breitbart, referencing the U.S. intelligence’s faulty assessment in 2003 that Saddam Hussein had weapons of mass destruction and sought to buy uranium oxide, aka yellowcake

Well, move over, Gettysburg Address! After the president of Iran issued a warning to President Trump, Trump posted an all-caps tweet saying, “To Iranian President Rouhani: NEVER, EVER THREATEN THE UNITED STATES AGAIN OR YOU WILL SUFFER CONSEQUENCES THE LIKES OF WHICH FEW THROUGHOUT HISTORY HAVE EVER SUFFERED BEFORE. WE ARE NO LONGER A COUNTRY THAT WILL STAND FOR YOUR DEMENTED WORDS OF VIOLENCE & DEATH. BE CAUTIOUS!” All I can say is thank G-d we didn’t elect a woman president. They’re just too emotional.

– Seth Myers

A couple in Florida are getting married and instead of wedding presents, they’ve asked for money to buy goats. Even crazier, one couple they invited was like, “Finally, a chance to regift this goat.”

- Jimmy Fallon

I think we really came to a lot of good conclusions, a really good conclusion for Israel. [Putin] is a believer in Israel. He’s a fan of Bibi. He is really helping him a lot and will help him a lot, which is good for all of us.

- Trump in an interview with Sean Hannity after the Helsinki summit

MORE QUOTES

The Jewish Home | JULY 26, 2018

97

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

When he walked in [with] that disguise, he just looked stupid – tight pants, big boots, that beard, a dumb-looking hat.

He didn’t say much. He just kind of…he wouldn’t make eye contact with me… He kept looking at the producers. Soon as I kept trying to make eye contact with him, I was like, “Yeah, you’re Borat.” And as soon as I said that…he took off.

– California gun store owner Norris Sweidan telling Fox News what happened when Sacha Baron Cohen came into his store and tried to fool him for his new Showtime series “Who is America?”

I have not seen one scintilla of evidence that this president colluded, conspired, collaborated, with Russia.

And neither has anyone else, or you can rest assured Adam Schiff would have leaked it. That is why they have moved on from collusion on to obstruction of justice, which is now their current preoccupation.

- Rep. Trey Gowdy (R-SC) on FOX News Sunday

So that tweet was a disaster on many levels. I want to be clear that I in no way endorse hatred, racism … xenophobia or any such form of intolerance… I’m really sorry. I now understand that I have to be more diligent and careful.

– Social media post by actor Mark Duplass after he was harassed by liberals because he tweeted that conservative commentator Ben Shapiro is a nice person

So in 24 hours I apparently went from being a person with good intentions to a racist … bigot. Twitter toxifies any attempt to cross the aisle. There’s no conservative Mark could have recommended who wouldn’t receive the same blowback.

– Tweet by Ben Shapiro in response

There’s only so much you can eat.

There’s only so big a house you can have. There’s only so many nice trips you can take. I mean, it’s enough.

- Barack Obama, who has multiple homes, including his $8 million mansion in Washington, D.C., railing against capitalism in a speech in South Africa

They wouldn’t let us run on the full court.

- Hillary Clinton, lamenting her hardships of growing up as a female and only having halfcourt basketball games in school, while addressing the American Federation of Teachers Union

When we flip the House and flip the Senate, I think the first thing we should do is deal with the children who have been separated from their families at the border. I think we should get rid of ICE. – Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), at New York City’s OZY Fest 2018

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Political Crossfire

Trump Can Shut Down His Russia Critics with One Bold Move

By Marc A. Thiessen

I

f President Trump wants to shut down the critics of his performance last week in Helsinki and strengthen U.S. national security, he can do so with one bold move: Announce he is moving out most U.S. forces currently stationed in Germany and sending them to Poland.

The Polish government recently presented Trump with a formal proposal to move U.S. troops from Stuttgart, Germany, to a new permanent U.S. military base in Poland. Trump should take up Warsaw on this offer.

Moving U.S. troops to Poland would a bold, historic decision on par with Trump’s decision to move the U.S. Embassy to Jerusalem. Not only would it better position American forces, it also would completely flummox Trump’s critics in the U.S. foreign policy establishment. After spending the past week accusing him of being Putin’s puppet, they would look foolish if they turned around and criticized him for antagonizing Russia. And after attacking him for undermining NATO, they could hardly complain that he is taking unprecedented action to shore up the alliance’s Eastern flank.

Such a move would reinforce the tough line the president took on defense spending at last week’s NATO summit, by punishing a deadbeat ally that does not meet its NATO commitments and rewarding a steadfast ally that does. Why should Germany – a country that spends just 1.24 per-

cent of its gross domestic product on defense – continue to be rewarded with the economic benefit of U.S. bases? Better to station U.S. forces in a country such as Poland that is providing what Trump has called a “truly magnificent” example as “one of the NATO countries that has actually achieved the benchmark for investment in our common defense.”

Trump can further argue that

lucrative exports to the West. But once the new pipeline is built, sending gas directly to Germany under the Baltic Sea, Russia will be able to shut off energy supplies to Eastern Europe far more easily. Trump can correctly say that he needs to shore up the security of NATO’s East European allies because of the German government’s sign-off on the pipeline.

When Trump spoke in Warsaw last year, his speech was repeatedly interrupted by chants of “Donald Trump! Donald Trump!”

Germany’s actions beyond its inadequate defense spending have necessitated this move. At NATO, Trump blasted the Germany-to-Russia Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline, declaring, “It’s a very bad thing for NATO.” He’s right. The pipeline not only makes Germany more dependent on Moscow for energy, it also risks the security of Poland and other Eastern European allies. Right now, all Russian gas exports to Western Europe go through pipelines that cross Poland and Slovakia – which means Russia cannot cut off gas to NATO allies in the East without also cutting off its

The move would also address a major U.S. strategic concern about its ability to deter Russia. The Post recently reported that U.S. military commanders are worried that if they had to quickly move U.S. troops east to head off a military conflict with Moscow, “the most powerful military in the world could get stuck in a traffic jam” as “Humvees ... snarl behind plodding semis on narrow roads” and “U.S. tanks ... crush rusting bridges too weak to hold their weight.” Stationing American forces in Poland would alleviate that problem. As the Polish government points out in its

proposal, “a U.S. permanent presence in Poland [offers] a more forward operating location than Stuttgart provides, would greatly alleviate well founded fears that fellow Eastern European and Baltic governments have that Moscow would be able to overtake defending forces prior to the support of U.S. and NATO forces in Stuttgart could provide.”

The move would also benefit U.S. taxpayers. The Polish government has offered up to $2 billion to cover most of the costs of building such a base and supporting U.S. troops in Poland, declaring it is committed “to share the burden of defense spending [and] make the decision more cost-effective for the U.S. government.”

This should be attractive to Trump, who has criticized other allies for not paying enough for the cost of stationing U.S. forces on their territory.

And there is one last good reason to do it: Poland loves Trump. When Trump spoke in Warsaw last year, his speech was repeatedly interrupted by chants of “Donald Trump! Donald Trump!” Such response would be unimaginable in Berlin.

The U.S. military presence in Germany is a legacy of the Cold War, when we positioned our forces to deter a Soviet invasion from East Germany. Today the need for deterrence is undiminished, but the potential line of contact has moved east. So should the U.S. military. (c) 2018, Washington Post Writers Group

,

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

Political Crossfire

Will New Jersey Send a Republican to the Senate?

Robert Hugin with President Trump at a meeting of pharmaceutical industry executives at the White House in January 2017

By George F. Will

“T

his human nature is shabby stuff, as you may know from introspection.” -Peter De Vries Or from reading the “public letter of admonition” sent by the U.S. Senate’s Select Committee on Ethics to Robert Menendez, the Democratic incumbent seeking a third full term representing New Jersey. Nationwide, Democrats are defending 26 Senate seats, Republicans only nine.

Five Democratic incumbents are running in states that 21 months ago experienced Donald Trump swoons: He won Missouri by 18.6 points, Indiana by 19.2, Montana by 20.4, North Dakota by 35.7, West Virginia by 42.1. In New Jersey, which Hillary Clinton carried by 14.1 points, Menendez was supposed to be safe.

The Republicans’ most recent presidential victory in New Jersey was in 1988. In the subsequent seven elections, the Democratic presidential candidates’ average margin of victory was almost 13 points.

This state last elected a Republican senator (Clifford Case) in 1972. This 46-year drought might end in November.

Robert Hugin, 63, grew up in blue-collar Union City, as did Menendez, with whom Hugin served as student representatives to the local board of education. Hugin became the first in his family to graduate from college (Princeton),

served 14 years in the Marine Corps (his two sons are now officers), then went into business, rising to run a pharmaceutical company. This sin, although scarlet in the overheated public mind, might be less so than Menendez’s transgressions detailed in the letter.

With hilarious understatement, James Madison, who was not known for hilarity, said, “Enlightened statesmen will not always be at the helm.” A unanimous Senate ethics committee (three Republicans, three Democrats) in its April 26 letter to Menendez said: “By this letter, you are hereby severely admonished.”

Menendez, the letter said, brought “discredit upon the Senate” by the following: “Over a six-year period,” Menendez “knowingly and repeatedly accepted gifts of significant value” from a friend (an ophthalmologist who, the letter did not say, is currently appealing a 17-year sentence for $73 million of fraudulent Medicare billings). The gifts included air travel on private and commercial flights, a luxury hotel stay in Paris (the committee’s letter is demurely silent about Menendez’s accompanying girlfriend) and 19 visits to a Dominican Republic villa. He neither publicly reported, nor received written permission for, these gifts.

In addition, the committee said, Menendez improperly intervened with

federal agencies with “persistent advocacy” for his friend’s business interests.

New Jersey Democrats – they outnumber Republicans by nearly 900,000 – powered Menendez to a 19-point victory six years ago. In last month’s primary, however, his opponent won 37.8 percent of the vote while spending next to nothing – not enough to require filing any financial statement. In October he was underwater, 19-59, in a poll about whether he deserves re-election. Today, polls show Menendez with small single-digit leads, but Hugin’s brass-knuckle ads are saying things like this: “[President] Obama’s Justice Department said [Menendez] belongs in jail.” The department brought a 14-count felony corruption indictment, which resulted in a nearly three-month trial that did not convict Menendez. The government then decided against a new prosecution.

Hugin might be hindered by the Republican tax cut, which limited the deductibility on federal income taxes of state and local tax payments. This particularly hurts residents of high-tax blue states such as this one. The 10 percent of New Jersey voters affected are affected substantially because property taxes are very high.

Hugin says that New Jersey ranks 50th among the states in the

high ratio of money sent to Washington compared to the money Washington sends back. He notes that the state has suffered from the out-migration of high earners. (One, who a few years ago decamped to incometax-free Florida, had been sending hundreds of millions a year to Trenton.) The fastest rate of out-migration is among those ages 18 to 34.

The state leads the nation in the percentage of young adults living with their parents – a nightmare for both sides of the transaction.

Most New Jersey voters get their news from New York and Philadelphia television stations that pay minimal attention to the state, and many New Jersey newspapers, experiencing resource constraints common to the industry everywhere, have reduced power to broadly inform. So, Hugin must pay for the dissemination of information about Menendez’s many departures from Senate standards.

This election will test whether voters think that being a luridly indiscreet (this is a discreet way of describing Menendez’s behavior) senator is less objectionable than Hugin’s guilt of association with the pharmaceutical industry whose products help to give millions of people sufficient longevity and vitality to nurse grievances against the products’ prices. (c) 2018, Washington Post Writers Group

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

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

Forgotten Her es

Real History Reenacted

By Avi Heiligman

T

he traditional way to learn about history has been in the classroom or through books.

This can give a glimpse of how it actually was during the time period that is being discussed. However, there is another method to teaching that dates back thousands of years to the Roman Empire. Reenactors and living historians have a special way of connecting with people to give a new perspective on history. Recently I had the opportunity to witness the Gettysburg 155th Anniversary National Reenactment and soon after discovered that I had a friend who has been a reenactor for decades. Reenacting is a culture and here is a deeper look into its background.

Reenactors choose which wars or time periods they want to recreate.

Not all reenactments are from wartime, as seen in Colonial recreations.

However, Civil War reenactments in particular bring out large crowds of spectators for multiple reasons. One is that the Civil War is known for flamboyant uniforms and many people like to dress in period costumes and uniforms for entertainment. Another reason is for the praiseworthy causes for which they were fighting.

The Confederate reenactor that this author knows personally brought out another point and one that we northerners (I am assuming that most Jewish Home readers are from the north) may have trouble understanding. Living in the South before the Civil War didn’t mean that one owned slaves. In fact, just a small percentage of Southerners owned slaves

(and for the record some Union officers owned slaves, including General William Tecumseh Sherman). Most were fighting for their state’s rights and protesting the high tariffs that severely impacted the Southern states.

These feelings still can be felt today in the South, and many choose to join reenactment outfits for this reason.

Reenactors are regular people who have a passion for history. Except for some living historians who go around to schools, events and other locations in their uniforms, most reenactors have normal day jobs. Most

punishments for infractions. These include cooking for the unit and cleaning the campsite.

Safety is paramount during reenactments as the wool uniforms can cause the reenactor to overheat in hot temperatures. During the actual Battle of Gettysburg, Dr. Michael Jacobs, a local professor, recorded the temperature and it reached as high as 88 degrees. Today, the organizers of its reenactment stress the importance of hydrating, and there are medical personnel on-hand to assist with the injured. Besides heat exhaustion

Reenactors are regular people who have a passion for history.

outfits train every few weeks and more so leading up to an actual reenactment. If they have the time, some will camp out for up to three weeks before a large event in period encampments. Essentially, anyone can join an outfit as there were women and African-Americans participating in the war. Each reenactor has to pay for their own uniform that can cost up to $3,000 including their firearm.

When joining a unit a reenactor starts as a private and then works their way up the ranks, just like in the regular army. Officers have been reenactors for many years and will hand down

there is also the gun safety issue. One time, after a live fire demonstration, a reenactor’s handgun was not cleared properly and another reenactor was wounded during the battle. Rest assured if there is an injury or any medical emergency like heat exhaustion, modern medical personnel are onhand; the reenactment medics from 1863 do not practice their techniques on live patients.

Cavalry charges were a major part in the Battle of Gettysburg. On the first day of battle, July 1, 1863, Union General John Buford led the 1st Cavalry division into Gettysburg as he de-

clared it was a good place for a battle.

His troops held the high ground long enough for Union infantry to come up from their march six miles away. Confederate forces were in the dark until Cavalry General J.E.B. Stuart arrived on the scene, which provided another large cavalry engagement. On July 3, Stuart fought Union General George Armstrong Custer’s Michigan troops as well as mounted men from other units right before Pickett’s Charge.

Stuart’s attack was repulsed, and Custer would later become infamous during the disastrous Battle of Little Bighorn. Cavalry charges are always a crowd-pleaser at reenactments with some having up to 200 horses and their riders taking part.

Pickett’s Charge is always the highlight of a reenactment as it was opened up by the largest artillery duel during the war. It ended with the loss of half of Confederate General Pickett’s division as they made a valiant but fruitless charge at the strong Union center. This reenactment had 75 cannons and about 6,000 reenactors throughout the four day program.

A major part of many reenactments are the living historians that tell what it was like during the war.

Medical personnel tell what happened to a soldier after he was wounded and his chances of survival. Generals will go over their plans to spectators so that they know what is going throughout the reenactment. During the battle reenactments a licensed Gettysburg battlefield tour guide gives narration so the crowd that isn’t

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

so familiar with the battle can easily follow the tactics and movements.

Thousands of reenactors were extras for the 1993 film Gettysburg and were essential in making it historically accurate. Patrick Falsi was the chief historical advisor for the movie and played General A.P. Hill.

An entertaining speaker at the reenactment Falsi told stories surrounding the production and how many of the actors were picked for their roles.

In November 1863 President Lincoln gave a speech at a ceremony dedicating the cemetery at Gettysburg.

Known as the Gettysburg Address it

is one of the most iconic speeches in American history. For this reason it is the final part of the reenactment weekend.

Reenactors use these events to inform the public of the bloodiest conflict on American soil. Their dedication to history will make sure that

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many of the details of the Civil War will not be forgotten.

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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New! Exclusive W. Broadway Woodmere 4000sf office space for 2 year lease 3 full bathrooms 14+ parking spots Call Raizie 917 903 1778

COMMERCIAL SPACE FOR LEASE

Corner building available. 6000 sq. ft.

Set up as office but could easily be renovated to prime retail.

Call Sherri 516-297-7995 for all info.

WOODMERE

COMPLETELY RENOVATED Perfect starter house in Wdmre.

This light, bright 3 bedroom, 2.5 bath house has everything from new oors to recessed lighting.

New windows, lg kitchen w/ 2 sinks and 2 DWs, microwave oven+more. Beautiful hardwood doors and tiled bathrms. Laundry on second oor. New heat, A/C. Unnnished bsmnt & deep property $630K. Contact Sherri Slochowsky @ 516-297-7995 to schedule a showing.

OFFICES FOR LEASE Far Rockaway Cornaga location, 3 to 4 offices, plus bthrm. Good for doctor, dentist or business. $1900 Call Sherri 516-297-7995 Cedarhurst Single rooms or executive suites. All utilities included.

Starting at $600. Call Sherri 516-297-7995

The Jewish Home | JULY 26, 2018

COMMERCIAL RE

COMMERCIAL RE

HEWLETT: Various Sized Office Space In Beautiful Suites With Plenty Of On-Site Parking In The Rear Of Building. Available Immediately. Tenant Pays Own Utilities Directly. Can Be Combined For Up To A Total Of 6050SF, For Lease…Call for More Details Broker (516) 792-6698

FAR ROCKAWAY NEW LISTING Spacious & Updated 2BR, 2 Bathroom Apt on 1st Floor W/Terrace In Elevator Bldg, Parking, Doorman & Laundry Room On Premise...$350K Call Carol Braunstein (516) 295-3000 www.pugatch.com

LYNBROOK: 2,300+/-SF Medical Office Space Available, Reception Area, Waiting Room, Kitchenette, 2 Consult, 4 Exam Rooms, 2 Bathrooms, 30 Car On-Site Parking, For Lease …

Call Ian for More Details (516) 295-3000 www.pugatch.com

FOR SALE BY OWNER IN LAWRENCE Fully renovated 1 bedroom, 1.5 bath condo in doorman/elevator building Washer/dryer, underground parking, terrace, central A/C. $475,000 Call 516-539-0070

APT FOR RENT

ROCKVILLE CENTRE: Various Sized Office Space in Historic Building, Steps From RVC LIRR, Municipal Parking, Great Location, Near All, For Lease …Call Ian for More Details (516) 295-3000 www.pugatch.com

CEDARHURST: PRICE REDUCED, 2BR, 2BA In 2 Family House, Eik, LR, DR, Washer/Dryer, Very Close To All, Prime Location...$2,300/mo Call Carol Braunstein (516) 295-3000 www.pugatch.com

WOODMERE: Various Sized Retail/Office Spaces Available with Amenities and Ample Parking, Great Location, Close to Major Highways & Public Transportation, For Lease… Call for More Details Broker (516) 792-6698

HEWLETT: NO FEE Totally Renovated 2BR Apt, Quartz Countertops, SS Appliances, Washer/ Dryer In Apt, HW Floors, Heat & Water Included, Near All…$2,500/mo Call Carol Braunstein (516) 295-3000 www.pugatch.com

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APT FOR RENT

HELP WANTED

HEWLETT: Spacious 2BR Apt In Mint Condition, Updated Kitchen, 4 A/C Units, Near All, A Must See!!!...$139K Call Carol Braunstein (516) 295-3000 www.pugatch.com

TAG SEPTEMBER 2018-2019 Looking for JR High Computer teacher & 6 grade Lang Arts teacher.

Please email cdwieder@gmail.com

NO BROKERAGE INVOLVED. 3 bedroom apartment in Far Rockaway, (Dinsmore Avenue near Nielsen), Two full bathrooms, Two balconies, In a 3 story 3 family house, Kosher kitchen with 2 sinks. Washer and dryer in basement. Available immediately please call 516-225-4558

HELP WANTED YESHIVA KETANA OF QUEENS is seeking a biology teacher for two seventh grade classes. Excellent pay.

Please call 917-742-8909 Hamaspik is seeking community Habilitation staff to work day hours, evenings and weekends in the Five Towns, Queens, Far Rockaway & long Island, with high functioning developmentally disabled adults, children and teens. Shabbos staff also needed for Cedarhurst, Far Rockaway & Lawrence. Drivers’ license a plus.

Mileage will be reimbursed. Please Call Chava: 718-408-5144 for more details.

Assistants needed for elementary school, afternoon session. email fivetownseducators@gmail.com Yeshiva Ketana of Queens is looking for a second grade teacher.

Monday-Thursday 1:30-4:30. Warm enthusiastic environment. Good pay.

Please call 917-742-8909 and email resume to rlswia@aol.com.

Lev Chana Early Childhood Center, Hewlett, NY is looking to hire ASSISTANT TEACHERS FOR THE 2018-2019 SCHOOL YEAR. Candidates should have experience working with young children and be pursuing a degree in education or a related field.

Resumes to rgreen@halb.org

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JULY 26, 2018 | The Jewish Home

Classifieds

classifieds@fivetownsjewishhome.com text 443-929-4003

HELP WANTED

HELP WANTED

SEEKING NURSERY ASSISTANT TEACHER WARM, MOTIVATED AND ORGANIZED Great Salary and Excellent opportunity for growth!

PHYSICAL THERAPIST

Seeking full time for Special Education school located in Brooklyn. Experienced preferred.

Competitive salary. Room for growth. resumes@yadyisroelschool.org

Please send resume with references to morahseek@gmail.com or call/text 347-766-2618

teacher for boys in Far Rockaway,NY.

F/T & P/T REGISTERED NURSE

Warm, supportive environment.

MATH & ELA TEACHER Seeking Math &/or ELA Junior High M-TH, PM.

have developmental disabilities within residential settings in Brooklyn, Manhattan, or Long Island. Current

Please send resume to rbzungar@siachyitzchok.org Due to continued growth,

NYS RN, min 2 years hospital

THE YESHIVA OF SOUTH SHORE

experience. OHEL: 855-OHEL JOB,

IS SEEKING ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

www.ohelfamily.org/careers

TEACHERS. Cert/Exp required.

BAIS YAAKOV ATERES MIRIAM

Please forward resume to

IS SEEKING ASSISTANT TEACHERS

monika@yoss.org

interested in working in a growth oriented and warm atmosphere for the

Assistants needed for elementary school, afternoon session.

Please email resume to teachingpositions1@gmail.com

HELP WANTED

LOOKING TO HIRE DELIVERY DRIVER FOR 5 TOWNS DRY CLEANING ROUTE. PU on Tuesday AM in Far Rockaway and 5 Towns and Delivery Thurs Aft/Eve back to 5 towns.

Must have own car/SUV/Minivan.

Will use company van for deliveries. Must have clean driving license. Great opportunity for retired/semi retired person.

If Interested please contact Marc at 917-612-2300

EXPERIENCED ADVERTISING SALES REP FOR EXCITING NEW PUBLICATION. EXCELLENT OPPORTUNITY. Email info@chaptersmagazine.com

Excellent salary.

openings to work with adults who

coming school year.

HELP WANTED

email:

Yeshiva Ketana of Long Island seeks preschool assistant to join our fantastic team. Competitive salary! Please email resume to ffeig@ykli.org Help Wanted Pugatch Realty Corp., in Woodmere, is looking to hire and train a select group of motivated Realtors. If you are looking to build a career in real estate, or looking to take your existing career to the next level, there is no better place to start that the #1 Real Estate Brokerage in the Five Towns…

Call Today (516) 295-3000 x 128.

All calls kept confidential.

fivetownseducators@gmail.com

Life CAPTURE

I M A G E S LTD PHOTOGRAPHY I VIDEO

GABRIEL SOLOMON

GABE@LIFECAPTUREIMAGES.COM 516.499.9620 WWW.LIFECAPTUREIMAGES.COM

Computer teacher, afternoon session for elementary school. email: fivetownseducators@gmail.com Elementary school general studies teachers to join our outstanding team of educators in warm and professional environment. email: fivetownseducators@gmail.com SHULAMITH EARLY CHILDHOOD is looking to hire a full time teacher assistant for the current school year.

Please email resume to earlychildhood@shulamith.org

CATAPULT LEARNING Teachers, Title I Boro Park, Williamsburg and Flatbush Schools *College/Yeshiva Degree *Teaching experience required *Strong desire to help children learn *Small group instruction *Excellent organization skills Competitive salary Send resume to: Fax: (212) 480-3691 ~ Email: nyteachers@catapultlearning.com Seeking full time OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST for Special Education school located in Brooklyn. Experienced preferred.

Competitive salary. Room for growth. resumes@yadyisroelschool.org Seeking a dynamic SPEECH THERAPIST for special education school in Brooklyn. Collaborative environment and room for growth. resumes@yadyisroelschool.org 5 TOWNS BOYS YESHIVA SEEKING Elem Gen Ed Teachers.

Excellent working environment and pay. Only lic/exp need apply.

Email resume to yeshivalooking@gmail.com

MISC DISCOUNTED SIX FLAGS GREAT ADVENTURE TIX AND SAFARI for sale valid any operating day. 42 Parking passes 20 Hershey Park Tix 44 Call or Text Yehoshua Singer 917-923-0011

TJH Classifieds

Rabbi Dovid Fleischmann Certified Mohel

WWW.BABYSMOHEL.COM

Baby-Friendly Care

 Personalized Attention

Expert Skill and Dedicated Service you Deserve

516-314-3236 babysmohel@gmail.com

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

The Jewish | JULY 29, 26, 2015 2018 The Jewish HomeHome | OCTOBER

Your

109 15

Money

Here’s to Your Health!

By Allan Rolnick, CPA

W

hen Congress raises the hood on the tax code, they’re usually working to raise money to pay for government.

But sometimes they’re more interested in nudging us to behave in ways they can’t legislate directly. Take the mortgage interest deduction, for example, which “cost” the Treasury $69.7 billion in 2013. That deduction encourages millions of Americans to spend billions of dollars buying homes, building homes, renovating money pits, and keeping their homes looking spiffy — all of which returns billions more through our overall economy.

Last week, the House Ways and Means Committee passed another one of those “we-know-we-can’tmake-you-do-this-but-we-can-stillgive-you-a-tax-break-for-it” laws.

The Personal Health Investment Today (“PHIT”) Act would let you take medical deductions for general fitness expenses: gym memberships, exercise classes and personal trainers, sports and fitness equipment, and even pay-to-play school sports fees and race registration fees.

(That’s right, your local Thanksgiving “Turkey Trot” 10k will be deduct-

ible!) The bill caps the new deduction at $500 for individuals and $1,000 for joint filers.

Here’s the catch. Everyone knows that medical and dental expenses are “deductible.” But look a little closer and you’ll see that code section 213 lets you deduct them only if you itemize, which leaves about 90% of Americans sitting on the bench. And

you reimburse PHIT expenses from those accounts.

The Congressional Budget Office estimates the bill would cost the Treasury save taxpayers $3.5 billion over the next decade. That’s enough to get special interests interested.

The Wall Street Journal reports that “Fitbit, Inc., the American Heart Association and the American Sports

Sorry, golfers, hitting the links doesn’t count as “exercise.”

even if you itemize, you can only deduct the amount of expenses over 7.5% of your adjusted gross income.

So, on its face, the new deduction won’t mean much.

It turns out, however, that millions of Americans who can’t itemize can still benefit from tax-advantaged flexible spending accounts, medical expense reimbursement plans, and health savings accounts. The bill lets

and Fitness Association have all lobbied for the bill.” And Planet Fitness stock climbed more than 4% the day the bill passed.

Of course it wouldn’t be a tax law without a few, ah, provisos, and a couple of quid pro quos. Sorry, golfers, hitting the links doesn’t count as “exercise.” Same for hunting, sailing, and horseback riding. And couch potatoes need not apply: “qualified

sports and fitness expenses” won’t include instructional videos, books, or similar materials.

You’d think a bill attacking America’s expanding waistline would be universally popular. Even potato chip companies can back a law designed to work off calories after they’re eaten. But not everyone is enthusiastic. Leonard Burnham, a former Clinton administration tax official and (apparently) a worldclass buzzkill, told the Journal that the benefit would mostly go to highincome families that are already buying gym memberships anyway, and “every principle of tax policy is violated by this.”

Fortunately for the rest of us, you don’t need to be taking advantage of good policy to save money on taxes.

You just need a trainer and a plan.

Find some time between trips to the gym to put a plan into place – and let your tax bill shed some pounds!

Allan J Rolnick is a CPA who has been in practice for over 30 years in Queens, NY. He welcomes your comments and can be reached at 718-896-8715 or at allanjrcpa@aol.com.

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

Life C ach

Tisha ba’Love

By Rivki D. Rosenwald Esq., MFT, CLC

S

top the fast; I want to get off.

Maybe get yourself sick next time? Or perhaps dehydrated?

There are ways around it. But if you can’t come up with one then you’re in it like everyone else.

And on top of that, there’s the challenge of making it meaningful.

As Rabbanit Yemima Mizrachi says, we stop eating to clearly see what our sickness is. The same as we stop eating before a blood test to see clearly

what’s going on inside of us.

So all day Tisha Bav we are running around looking for a lecture or class to connect us to the day. That, in and of itself, can dehydrate a person!

Well, I bet we are all glad that’s behind us!

But isn’t that the point? That the “not eating” should feed us going forward! Kind of gives us food for thought. It gets us focused on what we need to do – to stay connected to our Maker and to our neighbor!

We’ve been given other humans to interact with. Let’s do it with “relish.”

We’ve been given personal blessings and challenges too, daily! Are we getting the “healthy, nourishing” parts out of them and making sure not to get into the “pits”?!

When the spies came back to the desert from Israel they shlepped giant grapes. The Jews didn’t even enjoy eating these gifts, instead, they freaked out over who was eating these grapes back in the land of Canaan.

Have we “ingested” the messages of the last few weeks?

So how are we, poor, starved individuals, moving ahead? Have we “ingested” the messages of the last few weeks? Especially, now that the meat has gotten the blood flowing back to our heads.

Are we loving one another more?

Are we trusting G-d to share our burdens more, or are we still carrying them on our backs like a U-Haul truck? Are we just waiting for next year to get through this again?

Let’s try to dig in and “eat” the “fruits” of G-d’s labor.

Let’s not make that mistake! Let’s enjoy our grapes in life. And trust that the same person who delivered the grapes to us can also deliver our enemies, obstacles and challenges into our hands too.

Go have fun. Celebrate summer!

Just don’t forget these lessons of the last few weeks.

Rivki Rosenwald is a certified relationship counselor, and career and life coach. She can be contacted at 917-7052004 or rivki@rosenwalds.com.

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

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JULY 26, 2018 | The Jewish Home

Beautiful Day it’s

a

at

Margaret tietz!

STOP IN & CHECK OUT OUR FRESHLY PLANTED GARDEN, THANKS TO PROJECT REBLOOM!

Margaret Tietz Nursing & Rehabilitation Center is a voluntary, not-for-profit health care provider.

THE Premier REHAB CENTER FOR THE JEWISH COMMUNITY

An integral part of the Jewish community for more than four decades, Margaret Tietz is proud to deliver unparalleled Subacute Rehabilitation, as well as Long-Term, Medically Complex and Hospice Care in a newly renovated, comfortable and completely Kosher setting.

Monday - Friday • 9am - 3pm

2016 164-11 Chapin Parkway, Jamaica Hills, NY 11432 • www.TietzJewish.com • (718) 298-7829 Centrally located near the Queens communities of Kew Gardens Hills, Hillcrest & Jamaica Estates.

Only 20 minutes from Crown Heights, Manhattan & the Five Towns.