64 minute read
That’s Odd
tary of State Mike Pompeo, former Defense Secretary Mark Esper, and former State Department Special Representative for Iran Brian Hook have also been targeted for killing, along with current officials.
Raisi has been under U.S. sanctions since November 2019 for “complicity in serious human-rights violations,” during his time as judiciary chief. Washington accuses him of playing a leading role in mass executions in 1988 while he was chief prosecutor of the Tehran revolutionary court.
Raisi became president in June 2021. He missed last year’s General Assembly because of the Covid-19 pandemic. A pre-recorded video of his address was played at the meeting instead.
Former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley also called on the Biden administration to deny the visas.
“The world’s leading state sponsor of terror attempted to assassinate American officials inside our country,” she told Fox News. “Under no circumstances should the Biden administration allow Raisi to set foot in our country.”
In the past, presidents of the United States have denied visas to terrorists. President Ronald Reagan’s administration denied a visa to PLO leader Yasser Arafat in 1998. Under President Barack Obama, a visa request from the Iranian ambassador to the UN was denied; former President Donald Trump rejected a visa for Iran Foreign Minister Javad Zarif in 2020.
Hot Shot
Gregory Foster is one big hot shot. The Californian recently broke the world record for eating the most ghost peppers in one minute.
Lest you think that these peppers are the same you put into a salad, think again. Ghost peppers, also known as bhut jolokia, were certified by Guinness World Records in 2007 as being the world’s hottest chili pepper – 170 times hotter than Tabasco sauce – and rated at more than one million Scoville Heat Units.
Foster chowed down on the sweat-inducing veggies and swallowed 17 ghost peppers in 60 seconds on November 14, 2021. In total, Foster consumed 3.98 ounces of ghost peppers.
He was certified by Guinness earlier this month.
“This record attempt is a personal challenge to see how far I can push myself and my love of the super hot peppers,” Foster said.
“As a chili lover, I’ve been trying to advance the awareness and the excitement surrounding the super-hot [chilies] out there.”
Foster already has two other world records, including the record for the most Carolina Reaper chilies eaten in one minute, which he broke in 2017, and the fastest time to eat three Carolina Reaper chilies, which he broke in December 2021.
Yup, sounds like a real hot shot.
Nation-Wide Run
Robert Pope was on the run – nation-wide.
The British ultramarathon runner drank a pint of Guinness right before setting off on the run that would make him the first person to successfully run the width of Ireland in under 24 hours.
Pope chugged the beer and then set off from the shore of the Atlantic Ocean in Galway City and ran westward for 23 hours and 39 minutes, arriving at the opposite coast in Dublin in less than 24 hours.
Pope ran a total of 133.5 miles and celebrated in true Irish fashion – with a second pint of Guinness.
Pope said the project was born out of a conversation he had with some fellow runners at an event in Britain.
“I gave myself a 40 percent chance of actually pulling it off,” Pope told CBC Radio. “Maybe there was some sort of karmic reward in that because I managed to pull the crazy thing off.”
He enjoys it in the long run.
Concealed Criminal
This may be really em-bear-assing, but a thief was caught by police in the UK after he was found stuffed into a stuffed animal.
The teen had been wanted by authorities in connection with a stolen car. When police searched for Joshua Dobson, 18, in his home, they found him hibernating in a “bear”y interesting place: inside a giant teddy bear.
“When we went to arrest him, our officers noticed a large bear breathing in the address before finding Dobson inside,” police said.
Dobson was officially sentenced last week on the charges and will spend nine months in prison, Rochdale authorities said.
The department quipped: “Hopefully he has a bearable time inside.”
The Dog Ate It
Nathan and Rachael Lamet’s dogs had a really expensive dinner one night recently.
The couple from Salem, Oregon, had left a lottery ticket on their ottoman before they went to the sleep. Unfortunately for them, their dogs, Apple and Jack, were hard at work, chewing the lottery ticket to bits.
When the Lamets woke up, they were in shock.
Rachel told Oregon Lottery, “I went to bed, and when I woke up, it was eaten to the point that I thought it was unable to be checked. But my husband thought it was hilarious and someone might get a good laugh, at the very least. He said it’s for sure a winner.”
The Lottery agreed to try to put together all the ripped pieces of the ticket and work out all the numbers. Unbelievably, the lottery ticket was a winner, although the Lomets only won $8.
“That’s too funny,” Rachael said. “We are definitely getting more chew toys; they go through a lot. We love them, but they are crazy sometimes.”
Sounds like they’re in the doghouse.
50 States in 5 Days
Three friends traversed all 50 states on an epic road trip that took only 5 days, 13 hours, and 10 minutes.
Peter McConville of Austin, Texas, set out on the journey with friends Pavel “Pasha” Krechetov, also of Austin, and Abdullahi Salah, of Minneapolis.
The men started their trip in Vermont and aimed to nab the record from Thomas Cannon and Justin Morris, who visited all 50 states with a time of 5 days, 16 hours, and 20 minutes.
The trio started out their journey by car before switching to air travel for their journeys to Alaska and Hawaii, where they completed the trip with a final time of 5 days, 13 hours, and 10 minutes.
“I can’t even describe what that experience was, not only because we were so tired, but we were seeing so much at once,” McConville said. “But being able to pull it off? Honestly, like, the best sunrise I’ve seen. It was amazing.”
Guinness World Records discontinued its record category for speedy travel in 1996 so as not to encourage speeding or reckless driving, but McConville and his friends are now listed as speed record holders by the All Fifty States Club.
Did anyone say “road trip”?
The Jewish Home | AUGUST 18, 2022 Around the Community
Gedolim Visit Camp Romimu
By Rabbi Avrohom Schwartz, Learning Director of Camp Romimu
Every day is an exciting day in camp! Color war, leagues, entertainers, intercamp games, trips and more. There is always something “happening.” But the Wednesday of the Nine Days was so special that campers and staff will remember it for a lifetime!
It was that Wednesday that the Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah or Torah U’mesorah would convene for their summer meeting in Camp Romimu. Emotions were at a high as the campers and staff waited for the arrival of these great leaders of Klal Yisroel. Counselors switched their “day off” and rabbeim stayed longer in camp in order not to miss this day. After lunch, campers returned to their bunk and changed their clothes, following the p’sak of Rabbanan, to give proper Kavod HaTorah.
HaRav Hillel David, shlita, was the first to arrive, greeted by hundreds of campers, singing and clamoring for a chance to shake his hand. HaRav David smiled and spoke with many campers, as he was escorted to the Kollel Bais Medrash, where the meeting was to take place. Some fortunate campers had the opportunity to greet HaRav David privately before the meeting began. Each boy was asked about his learning and if they were enjoying the summer. He encouraged each one of them to keep growing in their avodas Hashem.
Soon afterwards, the sounds of the other campers singing could be heard outside as the majority of the Moetzes began to arrive. As the cars began to roll into camp, the excitement on the faces of both the Roshei Yeshiva and campers was quite noticeable. Camp was privileged to now greet Harav Elya Brudny, shlita, Harav Malkiel Kotler, shlita, Harav Chaim Yehoshua Hoberman, shlita, Harav Yaakov Bender, shlita, and Harav Shlomo Halioua, shlita. Many campers were able to receive a quick greeting and bracha as these giants of Torah and chinuch made their way into the Bais Medrash.
At this time, the Moetzes members, as well as the hanhala of Torah U’Mesorah assembled for their meeting. Nonetheless, as the campers returned to their activities, they were looking forward to a special Mincha and an address from the Roshei Yeshiva.
Following the important meeting, where the Gedolim discussed vital issues of chinuch facing Klal Yisroel, camp rejoined with the Roshei Yeshiva to daven Mincha. While the majority of the Moetzes davened with the campers of grades 4-8, Horav Elya Brudny, shlita, was ushered to the Bais Medrash of the Mesivta aged campers. A special question and answer session was arranged for the Mesivta campers. Questions were submitted to the head staff and presented to Rav Brudny. Questions ranged from what a Mesivta bachur should work on to how to combat the challenges of the internet. Rav Brudny told the boys that the “internet” doesn’t need to be in their pockets. One camper asked about the news from the Ukraine and Rav Brudny responded we need to remember how beloved are people who were created in the image of Hashem. The bachurim were spell-bound and didn’t want to move.
Horav Chaim Yehoshua Hoberman, shlita, in his address to the campers, commented that many people feel that they have ahavas Yisroel, yet they don’t really have it. That is the biggest Churban. The Rosh Yeshiva told a story to bring out his point where there was a child crying in shul who obviously couldn’t find his father. People tried to ask the boy who his father is, but he just kept crying. Only one man lifted the boy and held him and then took the boy outside to the lobby and calmed him down. Then he was able to speak with the boy and ascertain who his father is and reunite them. Horav Hoberman said we can learn two things from the story: To speak to someone in pain, you first must pick him up and not speak to him while he is crying. Secondly, one must be willing to deal with the problem not just the solution. True ahavas Yisroel is when we lift people up and help them beginning to end.
Mincha was led by Rav Dovid Katzenstein, Camp Romimu’s Masmidim rebbe and mashpia. Glancing at the “mizrach vant” as the camp began Shmoneh Esrei was itself a rousing scene. The extra kavana in everyone’s tefillah was noticeable, as all were inspired by the chance to see and hear from Gedolei Yisroel.
The Chasam Sofer wrote that connecting to Gedolim is connecting to Hashem. On this day, the connection of Camp Romimu was greatly strengthened!
HaRav Hillel David giving a bracha
County Executive Bruce Blakeman and other local officials joined Northern Jerusalem Governor Israel Ganz to sign a sister city and friendship agreement
Camp Nageela Thanks Town of Fallsburg
Gabe Solomon, Rabbi Mordechai Shenker, Founding Director of Camp Nageela Rabbi Dovid Shenker, Town of Fallsburg Supervisor Kathy Rappaport, and Deputy Supervisor Sean Wall-Carty
The Dovid and Suri Schwartz Jewish Experience Center, summer home of Camp Nageela in Fallsburg, NY, has been home to more than 20 years of life improving experiences for tens of thousands of young people.
During summer camp, the campers learn Torah values including hakaras hatov. On erev Shabbos Nachamu, the camp presented a plaque of appreciation to the Town of Fallsburg. The gift was accepted by newly elected Town Supervisor Kathy Rappaport and Deputy Supervisor Sean Wall-Carty in a high-spirited ceremony and parade in Camp Nageela. The campers heard how the Town of Fallsburg has provided services and been a cooperative government agency for much of the past 22 years, and for that we own them thanks.
The campers and the town officials were also treated to a short history of the property upon which the camp stands. It seems that from the 1930s to the early ‘60s, the property had a large kosher hotel called Hotel Furst. Interestingly, in 1958, it hosted one of the earliest Shabbatons for non-religious youth, organized by the recently founded NCSY. Providentially, the ground was prepared for more of the same. Four decades later, Camp Nageela began building on what was then vacant land. (The hotel burned down shortly after the Shabbaton.) The land that saw the nascent beginnings of the Teshuva movement became one of the strongholds that continues that movement.
That is a reason for hakaras hatov.
P.O. Scott; Barbara Satt, Director of Holocaust Services & Special Events at JCCRP; Commanding Officer Captain Timothy P. Schultz; Allison Deal, Executive Director at JCCRP; Detective Blanchette; and Pesach Osina, community activist
Members of the JCC of the Rockaway Peninsula met with Commanding Officer Captain Timothy P. Schultz, Detective Blanchette and PO Scott on Monday, August 8. The meeting focused on the safety of the community, including our shuls and schools as the summer nears an end. The safety of the LIRR and A train commuters was discussed as was the recent increase in car burglaries. CO Captain Schultz expressed that it is his priority to ensure the safety of our community as the Far Rockaway community continues to grow.
Did you know? Centripetal force is what keeps you from falling out of a roller coaster while it’s upside down.
JSL coaches led basketball skills clinics the last two weeks at Simcha Day Camp, Camp Areivim and Machane Chaim
Auschwitz Survivor Mrs. Ita Lustig Visits Gural JCC For a Special Shema Presentation
Not a sound was heard in the social hall at the Marion and Aaron Gural JCC last Thursday night as Mrs. Ita Lustig eloquently described her heart-wrenching journey from an innocent young girl in Romania through ghetto life, relocation, work and concentration camps, Mengele’s selection, the Death March, and her incredible survival of Nazi persecution and the dark, terrible days of the Shoah.
Mrs. Lustig, 93 years old, ka”h, spoke softly but powerfully with emotion but composure as she led our captive audience through each demeaning and demoralizing step of her Holocaust experience. Although the audience who attended this special SHEMA presentation were at the JCC because of their support and interest in our Second Generation program, it was clear that this was the first time many of them had heard such an agonizing and detailed account of what a Holocaust survivor actually suffered through.
The SHEMA program (Listen! – Studies in the Holocaust – Education, Memories and Awareness) at the Gural JCC was launched during the difficult days of the pandemic when we tragically lost so many of our precious JCC Holocaust survivors and with them their remarkable stories. Cultural Arts and Education Director Rachayle Deutsch and social worker Judy Goldberg, who also co-facilitates the vibrant program for Holocaust survivors that has been a mainstay of our JCC for over two decades, realized that something had to immediately be done to preserve these legacies and memories. They began collecting bios of survivors from their own families and those from JCC friends and neighbors and disseminating them to the community. Samples of these bios were blown up and mounted on posters around the room the night Mrs. Lustig spoke.
They also formed a Second Generation group, including members who agreed to speak at schools to students and teachers and tell of their parents’ experiences. To date, they have reached thousands of students – virtually and in person – and have begun to make a much-needed impact in our community and in neighborhoods far beyond. They hope it is just the beginning.
Although the SHEMA initiative focuses on Second Generation efforts, we were honored and privileged to have Mrs. Lustig as a special guest at our program.
Mrs. Lustig did not always speak of her experiences during the Holocaust but in the past years realized how important it is to share her miraculous story.
After her presentation, many questions were asked. How she carried on and from where she got her strength, the audience wanted to know. “We did what we had to do and kept going,” Mrs. Lustig answered. Undoubtedly, everyone there wondered if they could have done the same after so much loss and degradation.
Shortly before Mrs. Lustig was set to speak for the JCC, she was hospitalized. When her doctor saw the numbers tattooed on her arm, he had no idea what they meant.
Before she allowed him to do further testing, Mrs. Lustig insisted that he and his associates know exactly what those numbers stood for. Once again, she held a captive audience as she told the hospital staff her story.
Just days after leaving the hospital, Mrs. Lustig lost her brother, a”h, the only other survivor of her family. It is a great testimony to Mrs. Lustig’s fortitude, strength and commitment to speaking up that, despite these two very difficult episodes, she managed to keep her JCC engagement and arrive from her home in Crown Heights accompanied by one of her lovely granddaughters, with dignity and poise.
This SHEMA event was made possible most of all by the support of Mrs. Lustig and the generosity of the many people who attended the program as well as by the efforts of the dedicated volunteers who help make the evening run smoothly.
If you would like to submit a SHEMA bio, become involved in the Second Generation group, or support our ongoing initiative, please contact the Gural JCC at (516)569-6733 or email rachayle. deutsch@guraljcc.org.
There is constant motion across the fields, courts, gyms, and rink at Avnet Country Day School as excited campers are energized to score in their favorite sports. At Avnet, sports are not just a core activity but a thoughtfully designed program intended to teach campers skills, safety, and sportsmanship. With sports like tee ball, softball, wiffle ball, football, kickball, soccer, basketball, hockey, volleyball, gaga, dodgeball and even golf, there is something to engage campers at all ages and stages. “We set out to create a dynamic program to build fundamental skills and encourage a love of play,” said Ilana Mann, Head of Sports. “Sports at Avnet are more critical than ever since many children missed the basics of little leagues and team activities these past few years. We’re here to get them back on track.”
The Avnet approach is multifaceted. The youngest Tipot campers are taught the basics like throwing, catching, teamwork and especially giving high-fives. Starting in first grade, boys and girls are instructed in clinics and sharpen their skills by playing in competitive leagues. Counselors are active participants who serve as coaches and assist the sports staff by giving individualized attention to all the campers.
“We find that kids are more eager to participate when they know the rules of the game and understand that they are in a safe space where their best efforts are applauded,” Ilana said. “Sports are not just about being athletic. They are a way to teach values, build character and show the power of working as a team.”
League playoffs are currently underway, and the final week of camp will be full of suspense and friendly competition.
“I’m thankful that we have a great sports staff who are all experienced educators and love working with kids,” said Daniel Stroock, camp director. “Winning is important, but being a mensch is the real goal at Avnet.”
Hillel Day Camp: Constantly Upping the Game
Hillel Day Camp week 7 flew by so fast, it’s hard to believe when we’ve been having such a blast! We started our week with Six Flags Great Adventure – rides, Chickies, and coach buses returning in the dark. Our fourth graders enjoyed Adventureland too – the Haunted House and Big Dipper, just to name a few.
We also got to experience Israel Day 2022 with our very own Israel Day Parade dressed in white and blue! We made banners, danced and sang, and paraded around. A celebration of Israel surely to make anyone proud!
IDF Day brought obstacles and fun challenges galore. We made it to graduation and proudly displayed our stripes. We continued to build and strengthen our Grit with many obstacles that challenged our Wit.
In-house activities that consistently entertain. Hillel Day Camp is constantly upping its game.
We also had an acrobatic show that was Broadway-quality with Li Liu amazing us with her fantastic twists, turns and spins.
To bring in Shabbat Nachamu in style, the entire camp danced and partied with an amazing concert by Aryeh Kuntzler!
Then Color War breakout with teams yellow and blue – Chanukah and Purim showdown of Color War 2022! We debated which team to root for. Blue or yellow – who will win? We decided to go for green as a vote for achdus.
Summer Learning at the YIJE
Long summer Shabbat afternoons mean more learning opportunities at the Young Israel of Jamaica Estates. How is a convert considered an immigrant? How did the famous Langer Sibling case affect the landscape of religious politics in Israel? Do we get punished for our evil intentions? From Modern Jewish history, to halacha, to machshava, these are just a sampling of the questions being explored during YIJE’s annual “Perek on the Lawn” summer series at YIJE. Over sumptuous Shabbat treats, each Shabbat afternoon before Minchah, seasoned educators and homegrown scholars spend an hour sharing their Torah and insight with fellow community members. YIJE’s charismatic Mara D’atra, Rabbi Dr. Dov Lerner, kicked off the series this year with “Why I Can Never Be President” as he transitioned from a series related to the topic of conversion, followed by Dr. Avi Freilich on “Two Siblings and a National Crisis” discussing the Langer case. Rabbi Dr. Larry Grossman reflected on his close personal relationship with Rabbi Simcha Krauss, a”h, in his presentation entitled, “The Gadol Who Lived in Walking Distance.”
Just before the Nine Days, Yoetzet Halacha and YU High School for Girls Head of School Bracha Rutner spent an entire Shabbat as scholar-in-residence. The summer series continues after Tisha B’Av with presentations by Michael Appel on Shabbat Nachamu on “Yearning for the Temple – What makes it Holy?” and by Rabbi Moshe Taub of Young Israel of Holliswood speaking on August 20. The final installment will be a shiur delivered by Dr. Marian Stoltz-Loike, Dean of Touro’s Lander College for Women, on “A complicated Teshuva: Herod and the Rebuilding of the Second Temple.”
Men and women from Jamaica Estates and neighboring communities are welcome to join for the remainder of this thought-provoking series. The full schedule and more information can be found at www.yije.org.
Fishing fun at Camp Matov
Avnet: A Parents’ Perspective
It’s hard to believe that another summer at Avnet Country Day School is about to come to a close. Since the campers are too busy to chat, we spoke to some parents to get an “insiders” perspective of what it’s really like at camp. The kids may be the ones learning to swim, racing across the fields, and building friendships, but their parents are along for the memories.
The first thing to jump out is the excitement. Alana Kirschner said, “Avnet summer ‘22 if I quoted my kids was the ‘BEST SUMMER EVER’; they are 4 and 5. As a parent, for my children to come off the bus (as first-time bus riders) smiling from ear to ear fighting to be the first to tell their stories from the day is literally the ONLY thing we can ask for. I wish I could attach the pictures from the morahs of my kids doing a million activities a day, one better than the next, with new friends and smiling faces. And the tremendous Yiddishkeit and songs that they come home singing, is only the added bonus. Thank you, Camp Avnet, for the summer of a lifetime. We can’t wait for next year!”
Another notable benefit is the welcoming and warm environment. Erika and Avi Buchman explained, “Even though our family is from a different city, Camp Avnet and all the staff welcomed us with such love, warmth, and open arms. They helped us acclimate and transition to camp so easily! We are so grateful to be a part of the camp Avnet family.”
Communication and consideration are also key. Mala Goldberg remarked, “I’m a long-time Avnet parent and the administration and staff are great with their communication. I always know what’s coming up in the week ahead, when a late-night trip is due back, when the bus is coming or when special days are approaching. I feel like I get to experience camp with my kids!!”
The family-like feel and personal attention are appreciated. Nechama and Ovadya Aryeh pointed out, “Summer in Avnet means extended family. It means being in a large camp, with all the bells, whistles, and amenities that it can provide, while making it feel like a small camp that is attentive to each child’s needs. Every staff member seems to always be smiling, and that filters down to the kids. The leadership that Daniel provides really impacts the positive environment which he has created. Our kids come home happy each day. What more could parents ask for?”
Making memories to last until next summer is the bottom line. Inbal and Yona Hakim-Oglo summed it up, “As parents, what made summer ‘22 at Avnet special for our family was everything! Our girls got so excited every morning to get ready for camp. From fun trips to arts and crafts, Avnet makes sure our kids have the best summer every summer! We can’t wait to see what Avnet has in store for summer 2023. Over the winter months, we’ll miss our counselors and directors but hold on to each memory in our hearts.”
“It’s so nice to hear the positive feedback from parents, but what we really love most is how they partner with us during the summer to make sure that everyone has a safe and memorable experience,” Daniel Stroock, camp director, said. “We look forward to seeing everyone next year!”
Assemblyman Ari Brown (R-Cedarhurst), who also serves as Deputy Mayor of the Village of Cedarhurst, accompanied his daughters and grandchildren to the annual village-wide Sidewalk Sale in Cedarhurst earlier this week. This event allows local consumers to stroll the village to hunt for sales and bargains provided by retailers and restaurants. The event lasts four days, from August 10 to August 14, bringing patrons from Connecticut and New Jersey to the Five Towns area.
“I have been the Cedarhurst Board representative to the Business Improvement District for the past 24 years. That, along with being Deputy Mayor and Chairman of the Board of Architectural Review, allows me to keep a loving eye on my beautiful village business and retail districts and promote such popular and important events for our small businesses,” Brown said. “Thank you, Mayor Weinstock, for making these events work so seamlessly.
“As your State Assemblyman, I will continue to focus on the backbone of the American economy, that is, small business. I know how to get this done, as proven by my less than 2 percent business vacancy rate in Cedarhurst; so too, I will continue to fight to do the same in New York State,” Brown continued.
Assemblyman Brown with daughters Aliza and Rebecca and grandchildren Ashley and Austin at the Sidewalk Sale in Cedarhurst
Chazak, Chazak, Venischazeik!
The Zichron Asher Herzog Hebrew Edition of Sefer HaChinuch Now available in a complete 7-volume set!
Written by an anonymous scholar about 800 years ago, Sefer HaChinuch is one of the great Torah classics of all time. The author lists all 613 mitzvos following the order of the weekly parashah. He explains the source of each mitzvah, suggests a reason for it and the lesson it contains for us, and provides a summary of its laws. Sefer HaChinuch gives expression to the essence of the mitzvos in a manner that speaks to the heart of the Jew. It presents the grandeur of the 613 mitzvos in an unparalleled way, combining basic halachic concepts with fundamental perspectives of Torah hashkafah.
More than a decade ago, ArtScroll published the Schottenstein Edition Book of Mitzvos/Sefer HaChinuch, with English translation and elucidation, to great acclaim. Many readers requested an enhanced Hebrew version that included and expanded its unique features, and so ArtScroll’s team of talmidei chachamim began work on the All-Hebrew Sefer HaChinuch/Book of Mitzvos. Now, with the publication of the 7th volume (Parashas Ki Seitzei – Parashas VeZos HeBerachah) the set is complete.
Machon Yerushalayim graciously provided its authoritative Hebrew text of the Sefer Hachinuch. Following the format of the Schottenstein Edition Hebrew Talmud, every word and phrase is translated into easier Hebrew and elucidated. Extensive notes give the background of the mitzvah, explanations of important concepts, and references to other classic sources for further research. The very popular “Insights” section draws upon major mussar and Chassidic works to examine the spiritual meaning of the mitzvah and how we can apply them to our own lives.
The Zichron Asher Herzog Hebrew Edition of Sefer HaChinuch is a masterpiece of halachah, hashkafah and Torah scholarship that will surely become a mainstay in Torah homes and institutions.
A large crowd joined together in support of Lee Zeldin for governor at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Avishai Neuman of the Five Towns
Five Towns Resident Named Director of Student Engagement at Touro College of Pharmacy
Five Towns resident Fraidy Maltz, Pharm.D., has joined the faculty at Touro College of Pharmacy (TCOP) in Manhattan as director of student engagement and co-curricular activities. She will also serve as associate professor in the Department of Pharmacy Practice.
At TCOP, Dr. Maltz will develop programs and learning experiences that complement the academic curriculum and are required as an important part of pharmacy education.
“A lot of learning is in the classroom, but certain soft skills, like communication, professionalism, leadership and networking skills, are cultivated through community service and involvement in student professional organizations,” she said. “My goal is to increase opportunities for students to engage in community outreach, such as health fairs and vaccine clinics, while promoting their professional development. This aligns with TCOP’s mission to promote wellness and health awareness in the underserved community and to cultivate these values in students.”
TCOP Dean Henry Cohen, Pharm.D., hailed Dr. Maltz as someone who will bring an “extraordinarily rich and varied perspective” to TCOP, citing her decades of creative and effective teaching in both classroom and experiential settings; extensive experience in community pharmacy; research, scholarship and leadership; and community and professional service.
“In her new role creating and evaluating outside-the-classroom learning experiences and directing and teaching in our new Model Pharmacy, she will enrich our curriculum and serve as an inspiring example of the career opportunities and rewards available in the expanding field of modern pharmacy.”
Family of Pharmacists
Pharmacy was a natural career path for Dr. Maltz, whose mother and husband preceded her in the field, though she’s the only one in her family to aim for an academic career.
After two years of study at Touro’s Lander College of Arts & Sciences, she transferred to the Arnold & Ma-
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rie Schwartz College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences of Long Island University (LIU-Pharmacy), where she earned her B.S. and Pharm.D. before completing a residency in community pharmacy. She then joined the LIU faculty where she taught for 20 years.
“I was fortunate to have faculty mentors who inspired me to go into academia,” she explained. “Interacting with students, watching them grow and progress and seeing their success is what I find most rewarding.”
Dr. Maltz noted many students think pharmacists are limited to working in conventional settings, like retail pharmacies or hospitals, and are not aware of the many paths pharmacy careers can take.
“Pharmacists work in diverse clinical specialties, like ambulatory care, critical care, oncology and pediatrics, with individualized board certification. Other career pathways include working in the pharmaceutical industry, in managed care and long-term care,” she explained. “There are so many different things you can do with a pharmacy degree.”
The Jewish Home | AUGUST 18, 2022 Rav Yaakov Bender, Rosh HaYeshiva of Yeshiva Darchei Torah, being welcomed to Camp Romimu by Rabbi Shlomo Pfeiffer, camp director. The camp hosted a meeting of Torah Umesorah’s Vaad Roshei Yeshiva.
B’Tzror Hachaim
Chany sighed as she hung up the phone. She was trying to get through to her second cousin Shmuly unsuccessfully for the past few days. Shmuly lived in Yerushalayim, and she wanted him to assemble a minyan for her father’s yahrzeit that was coming up next week. She herself was unable to travel there this year, but she couldn’t bear to think of not having a minyan at the kever on the yahrzeit. Perhaps she would try calling him again later…
Moshe sat in the hospital, numb with pain and grief. His dear mother had just passed away, and while the funeral and burial arrangements were already set, he couldn’t move off his chair. His siblings were all flying to Eretz Yisroel for the kevura, but he was staying behind with his elderly father who couldn’t travel. If only there was a way for him to see the levaya, but he couldn’t ask this of anyone going. They were all grief stricken and definitely not tech savvy. His shoulders felt heavy as he sat in the cold hospital room, his head spinning.
Shoshie’s daughter was sick, very sick. Family members were saying Tehillim for her around the clock, and every word was appreciated. She herself sat over her tear stained Tehillim, praying for her dear daughter’s refuah. An image of her dear grandmother suddenly came to mind, and Shoshie sighed, wishing she could visit her kever to beseech her to storm the heavens on behalf of her granddaughter, who was also her namesake. If only the kever would be more accessible, Shoshie thought to herself. Her grandmother was buried on Har Hamenuchos, and it had been years since Shoshie had been there.
The shul is quiet. It is time for Yizkor, and those fortunate enough leave the shul as those who stay remain lost in their thoughts. As each mispallel holds their own machzor and memories, they think of all their parents have done for them. And in the moment, they wonder if there is anything they can do in return to honor their memory.
These scenarios are heartbreaking, but they occur in a similar form every single day. A dream of many members of Klal Yisroel is to be buried in Eretz Yisroel, the land of our forefathers. And yet, when the time comes, family members who want to honor their loved ones’ wishes have no idea where to turn. Who will take care of the matzeivah? Who will upkeep the area and ensure that it is groomed and cared for? Who will make sure there is a minyan there every year on the yahrzeit? B’tzror Hachaim is the answer to all these questions.
Based in the USA and Israel, with decades of experience, B’tzror Hachaim takes care of every detail, from helping with the purchasing of the matzeiva, to yearly minyanim on the yahrzeit. They even will go on request for special needs, such as bringing an invitation to an upcoming simcha. For thousands of families, B’tzror Hachaim makes it feel like they have a family member close by who understands and cares for their needs as if it was their own.
The language barrier is one that many find difficult to navigate when burying a loved one in Eretz Yisroel, but there is no such issue with B’tzror Hachaim. B’tzror Hachaim is a fully English speaking company, avoiding any such difficulties. They know the ins and outs of every detail that is needed; from selecting the right matzeiva and inscription that will encompass the essence of a loved one, to maintaining the matzeivah, to visiting upon request. It is a great comfort for those families knowing that all the details are taken care of.
Thousands have already benefited from the services B’tzror Hachaim has to offer. Call today to see how they can help you, too. 718-750-7550. www.btzrorhachaim.com.
Living in the Five Towns, we are fortunate to enjoy “small town” living on a large scale. The pace of life here is more relaxed than in other large frum communities. We share closer relationships with our neighbors than people living in other areas.
This month, the JWLC (Jewish Women’s Leadership Council of the Five Towns) debuted a community-wide program called “Five Towns Friendly.” The idea behind the initiative is to maintain the attitude of achdus and connection that we focus on during the Three Weeks.
In this program, community members are reminded to go out of their way to be “Five Towns Friendly.”
The program is simple yet profound. With small acts of connection towards others, we are creating closer and closer bonds with our neighbors and community members. These connections can be made with those you know well, those you may recognize from seeing on the street, or with community members whom you’ve never met. Either way, the goal is the same: bring an unexpected smile and joy to someone you meet!
Residents of the Five Towns were excited to see a Five Towns Friendly table set up at last week’s Sidewalk Sale. There, they were greeted by a friendly member of JWLC and received a bumper sticker to remind them about the Five Towns Friendly initiative. Local stores in the area have posted Five Towns Friendly stickers to help promote the program.
Residents were asked to send in photos and anecdotes about their Five Towns Friendly experiences. One woman wrote about putting in a quarter into a meter when she saw it was expiring as she walked by. Another person wrote about buying food for someone in need when she was shopping with her child. Another resident wrote about someone calling her “out of the blue” to say she didn’t see her for a while. “It made my day!” she said.Did you know? The Steel Dragon 2000 in Japan is the longest roller coaster in the world, measuring 1.5 miles long.
The Five Towns Friendly program is not yet over! Email your photo or experience to Fivetownsfriendly@gmail. com. All entries will be entered into a raffle, which will be drawn next week.
The Jewish Home | AUGUST 18, 2022 OIF Five Towns BBQ
After nearly three years, One Israel Fund’s Summer BBQ and Fine Israeli Wine Tasting roared back in a big way this past Monday evening, August 15, with a banner crowd of people from all across the entire Five Towns community. The event was hosted by Dr. Joseph and Jenny Felder in their beautiful backyard. Valuable funds were raised to help support the communities and residents on the front lines of Judea and Samaria in our Biblical Heartland of Judea and Samaria. Hearing from Marc Provisor, Director of Security Projects, and Scott M. Feltman, Executive Vice President, those in attendance learned about the valuable projects One Israel Fund provides each and every year to help support these families including its renowned preventive security equipment as well as its flagship project, the Binyamin Medical Center.
The incredible array of BBQ fare was presented by Graze and an amazing wine tasting from the Shomron was poured by Adam and Bracha Neustadter of Spruce D’Vine. A special thank you to Jon Glatt and New York Fun Factory for sponsoring the gorgeous tent and other rentals to make the evening run smoothly.
For more information about One Israel Fund and the amazing work they do, please visit www.oneisraelfund.org. You can also find opportunities to visit the Heartland of Israel with One Israel Fund as well as other entertaining content on their website as well.
Chessed Marathon in Camp Revach
In what is perhaps the crowning glory of the Nine Days in Camp Revach, we traveled across town on our annual Chessed Marathon. Here, we showed the girls the beauty of chessed and brought out everyone’s talents in different and fun ways. We ran a muffin sale with delicious Gotta Getta Bagel muffins and had a chance to sell them to friends and family. The girls did an amazing job and raised money for tzedaka, which went towards Hatzalah. We are proud to say that some very special Revach campers made their very own sale and raised money for Hatzalah! We are so proud of Aviva E, Leah H., and Ayelet S. for doing such a tremendous chessed. Michali K, Binah B, and Lily B even donated some of their very own money to our Hatzalah fund. Yasher koach girls for taking the initiative! Every bunk also visited Dollar Tree to buy a gift for a bunkmate. We also packaged P4P (Packages for Patients) packages with toiletries to be delivered to the hospitals from TAG HS’s Chessed Program. To keep everyone nice and cool, campers also were treated to a Berrylicious froyo. But their day wasn’t done yet!
The girls also had a scavenger hunt in Gourmet Glatt. (Thank you GG for your generous sponsorship!) After, they brought the food to stock the JCC’s food pantry (aka The Shop). Some bunks also went to the police/fire/Hatzlalah stations and gave them doughnuts to show our hakaras hatov. Thank you to the Weichholz, Greenberg grandparents (the Hillers), Hirmes, Coach Jakes, Pinchasov, Okun, Abramson, Barax, Schwartz, and Lawrence families for hosting our bunks for a picnic lunch! One bunk went to the Leon Meyer Fund to help organize. Another bunk went to the Hirmes house and helped with the bris gemach. We then went on Central Avenue passing around smile cards and water bottles. We even had someone’s card being passed around so many times it even made its way back to the girl who handed it out last year! It was an amazing day filled with such satisfaction from helping out others. Kol hakavod to all the campers for their amazing chessed!
With Hashem’s help, we will have next year’s marathon in Yerushalayim!
The Jewish Home | AUGUST 18, 2022 Supervisor Clavin: I Hear You
Town of Hempstead Supervisor Donald X. Clavin, TOH Councilwoman Melissa Miller, TOH Councilman Anthony D’Esposito and local officials gave a press conference in front of Lawrence Village Hall this week to talk about upcoming proposed projects in the Five Towns. Supervisor Clavin pledged to hear residents’ concerns about overdevelopment in the Five Towns. He will be leading a Town Hall in September about three specific zones in Inwood and North Lawrence.
THIs Week, TJH speaks WITH… Camp Machaneh Yisrael
By SuSan Schwamm
Two months of amazing summer fun! For the last few weeks, our children have been basking in the sun, swimming, singing, and soaking up the fun every day. How are they spending their time away from their desks?
In this 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.
Located in Yeshiva of south shore, hundreds of campers enjoY non-stop fun at camp machaneh YisraeL each summer. pickLe? did You saY, “pickLe”? WeLL, then, You are definiteLY a cmY camper! With songs and activities about fermented cucumbers permeating the air throughout the daY, the action and ruach is never-ending and heart-pounding. overnights, daY trips, Lunchtime antics, sports, and sWimming… oh, and did We forget to teLL You about the amazing maXX program? rabbi YitzY haber and rabbi zezY fuLd took a feW minutes out of the camp eXcitement to teLL tjh more about the fun taking pLace at cmY.
TJH: We are thrilled to once again have Rabbi Yitzy Haber and Rabbi Zezy Fuld to tell us about this year’s program at Camp Machaneh Yisrael. We are sure that you have many new and exciting things to share. Each year, we are really amazed by your new and innovative initiatives. You have truly changed what people think of when they hear the words “day camp.” CMY began the Dynanite program, the amazing “after camp” camp that features fabulous trips and is run by the talented Rabbi AJ Jacobs.
RYH: True. And this year we actually had three overnights over the course of the summer. Of course, we didn’t take anything away from our already amazing Dynanite program which boasts about 2 late nights each week and 2 overnights. It has been nonstop with trips such as ropes courses, white water rafting, kayaking, crazy games, fishing trips, yacht rides around the Statue of Liberty, and much, much more.
TJH: I get it. You love to “up your game” each year. I, myself, have seen a few of your weekly camp videos and, honestly, if I were a boy of the right age, yours is the camp I would want to go to. We’ve heard of the very innovative and special Father-Son Tisha B’Av program and an in-camp Shabbaton that you have initiated. Can you tell us more about those?
RZF: Our Tisha B’Av program took place on Tisha B’Av morning and was open to fathers and sons to help them get a better understanding of Tisha B’Av and the Kinos. We received numerous compliments from both the fathers and the boys that it helped them better understand that which they normally don’t get to. It was very meaningful and all those who attended felt they had gotten so much out of it.
Our Shabbaton is a project we have with the same mission in mind. We invite our older boys to an amazing Shabbos full of zemiros, ruach, Torah and games. Every year we receive similar comments from the boys, “Best Shabbos ever,” “So pumped that I came,” “The food, cholent and candy was out of this
The Jewish Home | AUGUST 18, 2022 world!” Our parents get in touch afterwards telling us very similar comments.
TJH: The truth is that the reason we wanted this interview is because our readers would like to know what’s new in CMY this summer, and so would we. We are always so impressed with what you’ve done in the past, how you’ve changed the whole concept of a city day camp. So, please tell us what you have going on this summer and maybe include some secrets that you haven’t told anyone before. It’s always great to have an “exclusive.”
RYH: Well, in customary CMY fashion, we intend to “blow you away” once more. We didn’t want this year’s interview to be the same as every other year. So this year you get to hear about the camp from the campers themselves. Would you care to interview some of our campers?
TJH: Wow! That was unexpected! We would really enjoy hearing from your campers. Let’s hear what they have to tell us about CMY 2022.
RYH: Come on in Mish and Mush, Moishy Shikufitsky, and Labels for Laibel (obviously all names were changed for the privacy of the campers). TJH: Seems like you really came prepared.
RYH: We really wanted you and your readers to get a better understanding of what it is that we are so excited about.
TJH: Well, hello camper. What’s your name and how old are you?
Laibels for Label: I’m Label, and I’m 8 and a half years old. late chips at my counselor’s face after he put marshmallow fluff all over it to see how many would stick. He won! He had 28 chips stick.
TJH: Sounds like a lot of fun. Is there any other sort of wild thing you want to share?
Laibel: Well, I know this sounds a little weird, but in our camp, we are all
about “pickles”! And so we are focusing on pickles. Rabbi Picker of the Amazing Maxx program got a pickle to light up! It was crazy! We also have a “Pickle Song” that we sing that gets longer each week. You have to hear it to believe it!
TJH: How many years have you been going to CMY?
Laibel: Two years.
TJH: Tell me why you picked CMY and what your favorite part of camp is.
Laibel: Well, I chose it because I was hearing really great things about it from my friends. Besides, I knew Rabbi Haber and Rabbi Zezy from before. I figured if they were running this camp, it had to be awesome. My favorite parts are the wacky lunch games that Rabbi Haber and Rabbi Zezy play with us during lunchtime. That way even if lunch isn’t so great (it almost always is), we have an amazing time. Just last week, a camper got to throw chocoTJH: Sounds awesome! Let’s call in another camper. I understand that you are part of the Amazing Maxx program. What’s your name and how do you like your program?
Moishy: My name is Moishy Shikufitsky, and I really enjoy the Amazing Maxx program. It’s very different from other camps, and we do some really great stuff. Not only lighting up pickles, even though that was pretty cool. TJH: You sound very enthusiastic. Why don’t you tell us more about the Amazing Maxx program?
Moishy: It would be impossible to tell you everything but let me give you a few examples. We’ve been working with wood, experimenting with different items, and we even built a hover craft and took rides on it.
TJH: Anything else you learned that you can use in the future?
Moishy: Well, we did learn how to build a fire, and during color war us boys in the MAXX program were in charge of building the fire for the ROPE BURN. It’s a big piece of color war and a huge part of camp, as everyone watches and cheers our team on and we burn through the ropes! We probably won’t need that skill on a daily basis, but knowing how to build things and work through projects is an amazing skill that I am learning at the CMY MAXX program.
TJH: Yes, I see that that could come in handy. Is there something more you’d like to share?
Moishy: I guess one of the best things is that we learn how to work together in teams. We’ve done some team building, and as cool as it is to do something yourself, it’s sometimes more fun to do it together with other guys.
TJH: I would say that the Amazing MAXX program truly is amazing. I also understand that the Dynanite program is really lots of fun. What sort of things do you do?
Moishy: You got it. Rabbi AJ Jacobs and Jakubowitz (I forgot his first name but everyone in camp just calls him Jakubowitz) make sure that the night programs really rock! We have great trips, and we never know what AJ will come up with next. We have overnights and some wacky and crazy shows. One thing I can tell you: CMY is never ever boring! There’s something happening all the time.
TJH: You guys certainly sound like you’re having fun. How about you two? Are there other activities that you would like to mention?
Mish and Mush: There sure are! We have Monday madness, trampoline parks, and we go on great trips all the time. We’ve done water tubing, water parks, and boating and…we can’t even remember all the stuff! We agree that it’s never boring!
Moishy: We’ve also had rock climbing, and kumzits after night activities with fires and marshmallows. But, don’t think it’s all about entertainment. Our bunks also have a ticket box for middos where you can get tickets for good middos and get prizes raffled off weekly. The prizes are huge. Every week, the camp is giving out prizes like Keyboards, fooseball tables, drones and so many other cool things.
TJH: My head is swimming from all this action! As I said, you really seem to be having a fantastic time this summer. Rabbi Haber and Rabbi Zezy, these campers really do seem to be having an amazing experience with lots of fun. But, I know that there’s also an educational aspect to your camp. How does that work?
RYH: Well, of course there is a ticket box and our amazing rebbeim and staff that all exemplify good middos and set the standard, but we try to bring chessed and Torah to life through games, like with Penny Wars or our annual Siyum HaShas Mishnayos. Penny Wars is a weeklong competition bunk vs. bunk game all centered around tzedakah and bringing in coins for tzedakah. It would take too long to go over the rules with you now, but it is amazing. We raised over $4,000 for tzedakah, WITH ALL COINS, all in ONE WEEK! Let’s just say, all the banks in town knew it was Penny Wars week at CMY because there were literally no more pennies in any bank in town as our children asked their parents to clear out the banks.
We also have our annual Siyum Hashas Mishnayos. Now, that is an exclusive. The campers and their fathers have been learning Mishnayos, each taking a Perek with their son, and then we have a
Beautiful Siyum HaShas, complete with rabbanim, a beautiful seudah, fathers and sons, Divrei Torah and dancing. It is truly a memorable event.
TJH: This sounds wonderful. I get the feeling, though, that we haven’t heard even half of what happened this summer.
RZF: Very true. There were definitely other amazing moments this summer. But truthfully, what makes this camp so special is not just the exciting and innovative programming. It’s the out-of-thisworld counselors, rebbeim, and all the rest of our wonderful staff. Everyone at CMY loves working here. Really. And each staff member is professional and dedicated and gives 100 plus percent all the time.
RYH: That is so true. Let me give you an example. Rabbi Gewirtz not only plays with the younger campers during their sports periods, he also helps them learn how to play. He teaches them how to physically play the games and also teaches them the rules of the games through a very innovative trivia game he’s developed. So the campers not only have loads of fun, but they are much better players by the end of camp. He is totally dedicated to not just make sure the boys have a good time, but to making sure they build their confidence through helping them with the game.
He is definitely not alone in his dedication. The entire staff works together beautifully for the benefit of each and every camper.
TJH: I have to say that you two have really “blown me away” today. I want to thank both of you and the campers for sharing all that you can about CMY. Any last thoughts?
RZF: First of all, thanks for giving us the opportunity to share the CMY experience with you and your readers. I know I speak for both of us and all the CMY staff when I say that uppermost in our goals is to give every single camper an exhilarating and rich camp experience with lots of Torah content. We want every CMY camper to have the camp experience of a lifetime!
ה”ע דוד בקעי ןב הדוהי ןמחנ נ”על ה”ע רשא הדוהי תב האל ותשאו ה”ע המלש ןב ביל בקעי נ”עלו
Dedication of Rosh Kollel’s Office ה”ע ןיוועל יולה לארשי נ”על ה”ע ןלפק היתב עבשילאו
Beis Medrash Vestibule Entrance
THE BLOOM FAMILY
לארשי ‘ר נ”על ה”ע ןהכה ןימינב ‘ר ןב
MR. & MRS. URI & DEVORAH DREIFUS Ner Tamid
MR. & MRS. NACHUM & HENNY FUTERSAK
MR. & MRS. ALON & CHANIE GOLDBERGER Sha’ar of New Beis Medrash
RABBI & MRS. TUVIA & CHANA GOLDSTEIN Classroom in the Weiss Vocational Center
MR. & MRS. MENASH & MIMI ORATZ
Basketball Court in Elementary School Gym
MR. & MRS. NACHMAN & ESTHER GOODMAN
Entrance of Beis Medrash Building
THE K TEAM
MR. & MRS. MOTTY & HADASSA JACOBOWITZ
Promenade Vestibule
MR. & MRS. URI & ESTHER KAUFMAN
MR. & MRS. CHAIM SHOLOM & RIVKY LEIBOWITZ Associate Dean’s Office
MR. & MRS. SHMULI & MIRIAM MENDEL Sha’ar of New Beis Medrash קחצי לאומש ןב הירא השמ נ”על ל”ז ןמדעירפ יולה
MR. & MRS. SHIA & ELANA OSTREICHER Beis Medrash Building Vestibule
MR. & MRS. KEYVAN & ANN RABBANI MR. & MRS MORDECHAI & ELISHEVA ROSEN
Illumination of New Beis Medrash
MR. & MRS. ARI & DANIELLA SCHWARTZ
Plumbing Training Center Dedicated ל”ז ןהכה לכימ לאיחי ןב המלש םהרבא נ”על ל”צז ןויצ ןב םחנמ םייח ‘רה ןב םהרבא ‘רה נ”על
ALL BORO CONSTRUCTION
נ”על The children, bochurim, and all 45 neshamos of the Miron tragedy, Lag Baomer 5781
ל”צז רדנב םהרבא ברה ןב דוד ‘ר ג”הרה נ”על ל”ז יולה בקעי ברה תב היח היתב תינברהו ה”ע יכדרמ ןב גילעז נ”על ה”ע םולש עטנ ןב רזעלא השמ נ”על ה”ע השמ ןב דוד נ”על ה”ע לאקזחי ןב ןתנ השמ ‘רה ה”ע םהרבא ןב לארשיו
Mr. & Mrs. Simcha & Shani Applegrad Mr. & Mrs. Barry & Paula Bokow Mr. & Mrs. Berel & Sherry Daskal Mr. & Mrs. Binyomin & Leah Einhorn Mr. & Mrs. Naftoli & Chani Einhorn Mr. & Mrs. Yechiel & Sima Feifer Mr. & Mrs. Michael & Mimi Fragin Mr. & Mrs. Evan & Chaya Sara Genack Rabbi & Rebbetzen Chaim Aryeh Zev & Avigail Ginzberg Mr. & Mrs. Samuel & Beverly Goldberger Mr. & Mrs. Tzali & Chana Shira Gutman Mr. & Mrs. Ari & Aliza Haas Mr. & Mrs. Moshie & Naomi Horn Mr. & Mrs. Shlomo & Kayla Horowitz Mr. & Mrs. Menachem & Elisheva Jacobowitz Mr. & Mrs. Mordechai & Shana Jacobs Mr. & Mrs. Jeff & Tamar Landy Mr. & Mrs. Yosef & Vivi Moskowitz Mr. & Mrs. Yitzy & Rivky Orbach Mr. & Mrs. Ephram & Ilana Ostreicher Mr. & Mrs. Mutty & Bracha Ribowsky Mr. & Mrs. David & Sima Rosenfeld Mr. & Mrs. Dovid & Chani Roll Dr. & Mrs. Zvi & Dina Schreiber Mr. & Mrs. David & Debbie Seltzer Mr. & Mrs. Andrew & Stephani Serotta Mr. & Mrs. Marvin & Judy Sigler Mr. & Mrs. Morris & Devora Smith Mr. & Mrs. Yehuda & Mindy Zachter
Yeshiva Darchei Torah’s new capital project will encompass a Mesivta Beis Medrash and its first-ever Residence Hall. The Beis Medrash building will be comprised of 34,200 total square feet on 4 Stories and will serve 500 talmidim in grades 8-11. It will contain 15 Classrooms. The 43,000 square foot Residence Hall will contain 68 dormitory rooms serving 271 talmidim.
Get in on the ground floor of this monumental project.
To choose from a wide selection of sponsorships at all levels, please contact:
Rabbi Zev Bald
718.868.2300 ext. 232 zbald@darchei.org
Rabbi Baruch Rothman 718.868.2300 ext. 406 brothman@darchei.org
The Jewish Home | AUGUST 18, 2022 My Parents and Me
Heartwarming Stories for Teens
Published by ArtScroll/Mesorah Publications
Your new book teaches children the values of kibbud av va’eim through the format of stories. Why did you choose that format? What’s the power of a story?
Rabbi Shimon Finkelman: Even adults find stories captivating. All the stories in this book are true. True stories about kibbud av va’eim show children (and adults) how the mitzvah should and can be done, and how all kinds of Jews cherished this all-important mitzvah.
Is it particularly challenging to instill kibbud av va’eim into today’s young people? Any tips or guidance to help parents?
Rabbi Shimon Finkelman: Yes it’s hard, because in the world we live in, there is a general lack of respect, and this has a way of filtering in to the frum community. As far as tips, Rav Yitzchok Zilberstein and other gedolim have said that when parents show great respect for one another, the children generally show respect for them. My parents, a”h, taught kibbud av va’eim that way and also in another way: by showing incredible respect and concern for their own parents.
What are some of the messages of the many stories you included?
Rabbi Shimon Finkelman: When we help our parents, we are really helping ourselves. A person should look for opportunities to do this great mitzvah, because how we treat our parents is very often how our children will treat us. Parents and grandparents appreciate small gestures such as a letter, a phone call, even a “Thank you!” and much, much more.
Do you have a personal favorite among the stories?
Rabbi Shimon Finkelman: That’s a tough question. Here are few in brief: The story of Shaya Alpert, a”h, a young bachur who gave his mother all the mon-
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ey he had earned on Erev Pesach so that she could buy herself a dress for yom tov; how a boy’s life was saved during the Holocaust because he risked his life to bring his father his tefillin; how Rabbi Dovid Trenk gave chizuk to a talmid who was helping his father in his store ... there are many more.
What else is included in the book? Rabbi Shimon Finkel-
man: About one-quarter of the book is a section on the halachos of kibbud av va’eim for teen readers, together with stories to illustrate the halachos.
* * *
The following is a fantastic story from the new book:
Not for All the Money in the World
The phone rang in the home of Shlomo Simcha Sufrin, a popular singer who lives in Toronto and is known as Shlomo Simcha.
“Shlomo Simcha,” the caller said, “my name is Chezky Stein* and I’m a chassan. I’m getting married on Lag Ba’Omer and I would like to hire you to sing at my wedding.”
Shlomo Simcha checked his calendar; he had not yet been hired to sing on that night. “That date is open,” he told Chezky. “I’ll be happy to sing at your wedding.” They agreed on a price. Then Shlomo Simcha wrote down where the wedding would take place and what time he was supposed to be there.
The next day, Shlomo Simcha received a phone call from an old customer. “Shlomo Simcha, this is Daniel Miller.* Well, you sang at the weddings of our other sons, and now our youngest son is getting married. The wedding will be on Lag Ba’Omer.”
Mr. Miller was a very wealthy man, and Shlomo Simcha knew that he would pay him a lot more money than Chezky Stein had agreed to pay. But that made no difference. “I’m really sorry, Mr.
Miller, but I can’t sing at your son’s wedding. I already agreed to sing at someone else’s wedding on that same night.”
Mr. Miller was quiet for a few moments. “I’ll tell you what,” he finally said, “tell the other fellow that I’ll give him $3,000 if he’ll allow you to sing at my son’s wedding.” Shlomo Simcha called the chassan. “I’m sorry,” Chezky said, “but I don’t agree to this deal. I still want you to sing at my wedding.” But Mr. Miller was not ready to give up. When Shlomo Simcha told him what Chezky had said, Mr. Miller replied, “Tell him that I’ll give him $5,000.” Chezky still would not agree to release Shlomo Simcha from their agreement. When Mr. Miller heard this, he said, “Tell him that I’ll give him $10,000.”
Chezky did not agree.
This time, Mr. Miller said, “Look, you sang at the weddings of all my other sons and it added so much to the wedding. We want the same for this son. Tell that fellow that he should name his price. I will give whatever amount of money he wants so that he will allow you to sing at my son’s wedding.”
When Shlomo Simcha told this to Chezky, he was amazed at his reply. “There is no amount of money that would cause me to release you from our agreement. I want you to sing at my wedding.”
“That’s fine,” Shlomo Simcha said, “I’ll sing at your wedding. But if you don’t mind my asking, why is it so important to you that I should sing at your wedding? Wouldn’t it make more sense to take all this money he’s offering you and hire another singer for your wedding?”
This was Chezky’s answer:
“My father took ill many years ago and is disabled. All these years, my mother raised us, took care of my father, and also earned money to support the family.
“When I got engaged and we started to plan the wedding, my mother commented, ‘It would so nice if Shlomo Simcha could sing at your wedding.’ That’s why I hired you. I hired you because that is what my mother wanted. By having you sing at my wedding, I’m expressing my hakaras hatov for all that my mother did for all of us all these years.
“And that’s why no amount of money can make me change my mind.”
Shlomo Simcha was touched by this young man’s words. What a beautiful way to show appreciation to a very special mother.
Around the Community Dirshu’s Kinyan Halacha Iyun Program Set to Embark on 4th Five-Year Machzor
Program Designed with the Guidance of Poskei Hador, of Previous Generation, Rav Elyashiv, Rav Wosner and Rav Nissim Karelitz
By Chaim Gold
It hasn’t happened in five years, but now it is happening. Dirshu is again opening registration for its highly successful Kinyan Halacha program, a five-year structured program wherein avreichim learn and are comprehensively tested on all the material in Shulchan Aruch Yoreh De’ah required to obtain semicha along with select parts of Shulchan Orach Chaim. Those aspiring to gain a comprehensive knowledge of the sugyos and halachos learned for semicha, both in America and Eretz Yisrael, are applying for permission to enroll in the coveted program.
The Kinyan Halacha program was established in 2006, with the active guidance of HaGaon HaRav Shmuel Wosner, zt”l, the Shevet Halevi, and HaGaon HaRav Nissim Karelitz, zt”l and with the enthusiastic haskama of the senior posek hador of that period, HaGaon HaRav Yosef Shalom Elyashiv, zt”l.
The five-and-a-half-year program is a comprehensive, structured limud halacha program through which bnei Torah, who are interested in learning halacha l’maaseh, learn all the major common halachic areas associated with semicha, while receiving continuous, practical guidance from prominent poskim.
Kinyan Halacha was designed by the well-known posek, HaGaon HaRav Moshe Shaul Klein, shlita, rav of the Ohr Hachaim neighborhood of Bnei Brak and talmid muvhak of HaGaon HaRav Shmuel Wosner, zt”l. It is devoted to thorough study of the most common areas of practical halacha. The seder ha’limud begins with the Tur and Shulchan Aruch (Mishnah Berurah where applicable) up to and including contemporary psak halacha.
Each year a schedule with guidance in what to learn monthly is distributed with mareh mekomos to facilitate that month’s limud. The program takes an average of 4-5 hours of learning each day.
Nissan and Tishrei are designated for chazarah of the previous five months’ material, with a test at the end of each of those two months. At the culmination of the entire program, participants who passed the tests will receive a “Cheilcha L’Oraisah” certificate. Although this certificate is not a semicha, it will bear testament to the bearer’s proficiency in halacha.
“The Essential Gufei Torah”
Before Kinyan Halacha’s inception in 2006, when HaGaon HaRav Yosef Shalom Elyashiv, zt”l, was presented with the details of the program by Dirshu’s hanhala led by its Nasi, Rav Dovid Hofstedter, he was extremely impressed saying, “…Learn [halacha] with Tur and Shulchan Aruch, for these are the essentials of [gufei] Torah.” He went on to recommend that learning in-depth and following the trajectory of the halacha from the Gemara through the Rishonim, the Tur with Bais Yosef and onto the Shulchan Aruch with its commentaries provides a person with the Gufei Torah, the essentials of Torah.
At that time, Rav Shmuel Wosner, zt”l, and Rav Nissim Karelitz, zt”l, also enthusiastically welcomed the program. In fact, Rav Shmuel Wosner played an instrumental role in guiding the program from its inception, even giving the pesicha shiur together with Rav Nissim Karleitz in the month of Nissan, 2006 at the Heichalei Malchus Hall in Bnei Brak.
“To Become Poskim Goes Beyond Learning Halacha!”
Rav Moshe Shaul Klein related that Rav Wosner was extremely careful to emphasize that the Kinyan Halacha program should not be construed as a program that “produces rabbonim” or “produces poskim.” Rav Wosner repeatedly emphasized that Kinyan Halacha was a limud halacha program where yungeleit could learn halacha b’iyun with a clear, defined program and goal. For that one must invest even more time and effort in learning the sugyos combined with practical shimush with veteran poskim. To be a posek requires a special siyatta d’Shmaya that only comes on an individual basis.
Rav Klein stressed how Rav Wosner was always very wary of “Batei Medrash L’Rabbanim.” He felt that being a posek goes beyond learning halacha and must be an outgrowth of years of learning Torah in-depth and then halacha in-depth. It is not something that one becomes by attending a “college” that produces rabbis.
That is why he guided Dirshu in how they should award those who completed the program with excellence. They were not to be given semicha because that must be done on an individual basis, from rav to talmid. Rather they were to be awarded a “Cheilcha L’Oraisah” document attesting to the fact that the learner has completed and been comprehensively tested on all the material usually learned when learning for horaah.
Harav Shmuel Wosner, zt”l, addressing the first Kinyan Halacha bechina in 2006
Constant Hadracha
Perhaps one of the most unique, important aspects of the program is the hadracha — the practical guidance for each participating yungerman. Each avreich receives a kuntress outlining all the material being learned for the forthcoming half year. The program also provides mareh mekomos and constant guidance in what to learn and where emphasis should be placed.
The special kuntreisim, compiled by some of the greatest poskim of our time, has been one of the major catalysts that propelled Kinyan Halacha to reach far beyond its original goals.
The program with its clear hadracha has become so popular that tens of kollelim throughout Eretz Yisrael have opened horaah programs wherein the entire kollel learn halacha together with the Kinyan Halacha program. Not all these kollelim are part of the official Kinyan Halacha network, nevertheless all have seen the tremendous benefit of participating in a program with a clear framework for learning with chazarah. Dirshu is glad to send even those kollelim that are not officially part of the network, all its kuntreisim and do whatever in their power to offer the support they need to enrich Klal Yisrael with yet more poskim muvhakim.
The Before and After
Dirshu is now reopening enrollment. As a five-year program, Dirshu offers generous stipends for avreichim who achieve excellent results. Over the course of the entire program, a yungerman can earn up to $8,000.
Openings for stipends are only for married men who do not have semicha and are not participating in a semicha program. There are a total of eleven bi-annual tests over the course of the five-anda-half-years. Stipends are earned for each test but are paid at intervals along the way.
Anyone who desires to participate in the program should contact Dirshu for an application. Dirshu can be contacted by email: KinyanHalacha@DirshuNJ.org.
