Jewish Home LA - 6-16-16 by Jewish Home LA

The Week In News

JUNE 16, 2016 | The Jewish Home

JOIN DAF HAYOMI B’HALACHA, AND BECOME PROFICIENT IN THE HALACHOS OF DAILY LIVING!

THE WORLD OF

Dirshu DAF YOMI BAVLI Kinyan Torah Chazaras HaShas Chazarah Chodshi Kinyan HaShas Weekly Tests Mishnayos Tests

The current limud of Daf HaYomi B’Halacha – the daily Mishnah Berurah program encouraged by Gedolei Yisroel – is now learning 'a wlg dlitz zekld .

UPCOMING TOPICS:

cenil oniq dxez xtq z`ixw zekld d"lw oniq zqpkd zia zekld p"w oniq

KOLLELIM Ba’alei Batim Kollelim Chaburas Beis Medrash Govoha Amud Yomi Kollel Boker Chaburas Shas B’Iyun

DATE 6/19/16 7/28/16

HALACHA Daf HaYomi B’Halacha Kinyan Halacha Kinyan Shmittah YESHIVA PROGRAMS Daf HaYomi B’Halacha L’Bochurim Dirshu Boker Talmudo B’Yadoi Mekadshei Sheviyi Yeshivas Bein Hazemanim

The Daf HaYomi B’Halacha program consists of learning a daily amud of Mishnah Berurah and an amud of “Biurim Umusafim” contemporary halachic applications from today’s Gedolei Haposkim, as well as a selection of Mussar from Sifrei Chofetz Chaim.

DIRSHU PUBLICATIONS Mishnah Berurah Mahaduras Dirshu Sefer Chofetz Chaim Mahaduras Dirshu Sefer Shemiras Halashon Dirshu Shul Chumash with Ramban Ma’areh Mekomos on Hilchos Shabbos Kinyan Halacha Kovetz Kuntresai Chizuk Kinyan Shmaatsa Ohel Series

To join, simply learn the daily Halacha limud of Mishnah Berurah. Additionally, you can join a Daf HaYomi B’Halacha shiur in your neighborhood.

ACHEINU 3-Step System: Mentoring, Enrollment & Continued Follow-Up Acheinu Yeshivos Batei Chizuk International Kiruv Conference

Hundreds of Shiurim Worldwide!

Bottom Line Marketing Group: 718.377.4567

To join a Daf HaYomi B’Halacha shiur in your neighborhood, contact Dirshu 888-5-DIRSHU

Hanhalas Dirshu would like to congratulate the thousands of participants in Dirshu’s Kinyan Torah Bavli programs, upon their completion of Seder Nashim.

Press 1, then 2

Info@KollelDirshu.org Now it's easier than ever to join Daf HaYomi B’Halacha, the largest worldwide daily Halacha program: Join LIVE Shiurim Worldwide!

Daily Halacha Summary Email

Shiurim on Kol Haloshon USA: 718-906-6400 Canada: 416-800-2146

Audio & Video Shiurim Recordings TorahAnytime.com Shasilluminated.org

Optional Bechinos

Monthly Bulletin

FREE Luach!

JUNE 16, 2016 | The Jewish Home

The Week In News

JUNE 16, 2016 | The Jewish Home

CONTENTS

JUNE 16, 2016 | The Jewish Home

COMMUNITY

Community Happenings. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6

JEWISH THOUGHT

Imagination: The Power of Visualization. . . . . . . . . 13 Diaries of a BT. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

FEATURE

A Conversation with Major General Noam Tibon . . 14 Who Owns the Touro Synagogue? A Legal History. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

ENTERTAINMENT Quotes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33

LIFESTYLES Ask Dr. T . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 Travel Guide: Barcelona . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26

NEWS Israel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 National. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 That’s Odd. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32

The Jewish Home is distributed bi-weekly to: ANAHEIM AGOURA HILLS BEVERLY HILLS BURBANK CALABASAS CAMARILLO COSTA MESA ENCINO GLENDALE HUNTINGON BEACH IRVINE LONG BEACH LOS ANGELES -BEVERLY HILLS

LOS ANGELESFAIRFAX LOS ANGELESLA BREA LOS ANGELESS. MONIA LOS ANGELES-PICO LOS ANGELES -WESTWOOD MALIBU MANHATTAN BEACH MARINA DEL REY MISSION VIEJO MOORPARK NEWBURY PARK

NORTH HOLLYWOOD PALM SPRINGS PACIFIC PALASADES PASADENA REDONDO BEACH SHERMAN OAKS SIMI VALLEY STUDIO CITY TEMECULA THOUSAND OAKS TORRANCE VALENCIA VAN NUYS WOODLAND HILLS

Dear Readers, “Choosing the candidate I despise least,” is the best way to describe this election. Most people have very little if anything positive to say about the candidate they plan to vote for; they just know they would never vote for the other nominee – that crook, that bully… Meanwhile, with all the political posturing in the aftermath of the Orlando massacre, it’s easy to overlook that it was exactly that: a M A S S A C R E. Murder, plain and simple. With the polarization of almost everything these days, we experience about five minutes of disgust before official statements and talking points start swirling around our head. 25 killed in Iraq, 17 children die in a bombing raid in Syria, or – closer to home – four Jews killed in Tel Aviv, become stats in our arsenal of political points. These were real people – with a family, parents, friends, and dreams – killed because someone saw no value in human life, not in the lives of others and not even in their own. Preserving, respecting, and cherishing human life is the highest calling. It’s the reason the dead

ThetoWeek Inthe News will come back life in world to come. In our own lives, this means viewing each other as precious simply for who we are. Just as we are accepting of ourselves and then find reasons to justify our self-acceptance, so it is with others; each has a unique soul which certainly expresses itself in many positive actions, but which we should appreciate first and foremost for simply being. In the language of Chassidus: our souls are rooted in the Creator, we are therefore capable of self-sacrifice, great spiritual accomplishments, etc. Throughout our long exile, we’ve seen what klal yisroel is capable of accomplishing. It’s time we focus, also, on the cause and the beauty of the soul itself. As usual, it takes meditation and reflection, but we will discover – nay, uncover – a reality which was always there. The current election shows that we know who we’re not. It’s time we know who we are as well. May we have an inspirational Shabbos and a successful summer,

Shalom

T H E P R E M I E R J E W I S H N E W S PA P E R H I G H L I G H T I N G L A’ S O R T H O D OX C O M M U N I T Y The Jewish Home is an independent bi-weekly newspaper. Opinions expressed by writers are not necessarily the opinions of the publisher or editor. The Jewish Home is not responsible for typographical errors, or for the kashrus of any product or business advertised within. The Jewish Home contains words of Torah. Please treat accordingly. FOR HOME DELIVERY, OR TO HAVE THE LATEST ISSUE EMAILED TO YOU FREE OF CHARGE, SEND A MESSAGE TO EDITOR@JEWISHHOMELA.COM

TheHappenings Week In News

JUNE 16, 2016 | The Jewish Home

Rav Chaim Fasman, “Our Sefer Torah” in Los Angeles Rabbi Arye D. Gordon

A deafening silence settled on Los Angeles this motzei yom tov. A few among us knew on Shabbos Parshas Bamidbar that the Rosh Kollel of Kollel Los Angeles, Rav Chaim Fasman, had departed this world; for most of us, it was a shock to hear the news at the end of yom tov. It seemed so swift, so quick. Before we had a chance to acknowledge the illness and recite tehillim on more than one or two occasions on his behalf, the Ribbono Shel Olam snatched our beloved rabbi from our grasp. The fact that Rav Chaim – our vibrant, strong, and solid sefer Torah – was seriously ill took us all by surprise. Only around Pesach time did we become aware of the dreaded disease that attacked his body. Who knew, as we joyously counted the days that brought us closer to kabbalos haTorah, that we were counting the days that our sefer Torah would be raised and rolled up for the last time? Born in Chicago to Rabbi Osher and Rebbetzin Shaina Baila Fasman, Rav Chaim studied in several renowned yeshivos – including Ponovez, Lakewood, and Bais Hatalmid. Over 40 years ago, he came to Los Angeles with the express mission of planting a makom torah. His efforts developed roots and spread Torah throughout Los Angeles. His emunah could not be shaken; his drive, his certainty that the Kollel would survive and plant fruit and eventually transform the California landscape, was paramount. As great as his yedius in Torah were, to those seeking his advice or who merely managed to cross his path, it seemed that his erlichkeit, mentshleckeit, and ernst-

keit surpassed all else. One by one, those at the levaya rose to tell us how great our loss was. Who was this adam gadol that we thought we knew? Among those to be maspid Rav Chaim were many of the original and early members of the Kollel: Harav Eliezer Gross, Rosh Hayeshiva, Yeshiva Gedolah of Los Angeles; Harav Gershon Bess, Mara d’Asra Kehillas Yaakov; Harav Dovid Grossman, Rosh Hayeshiva Yeshivas HaChaim; Harav Boruch Gradon, Rosh Kollel Merkaz Hatorah Community Kollel of Beverly Hills; Harav Nosson Fasman, son and Menahel Kollel Los Angeles; Harav Yitzchok Botnik, sonin-law and Kollel member; Reb Zev Walmark , one of the Kollel’s main supporters; Harav Yoel Burstzyn, Menahel Bais Yaakov of Los Angeles; and finally Harav Shmuel Fasman, a son and Associate Rosh Kollel, Kollel Los Angeles. With a broken heart, Harav Shmuel spoke of those final days. “We were waiting for a nes min hashamayim, a miracle,” he said. “And why not? Nothing is beyond the Ribbono Shel Olam. But it was not to be.” It was the divrei hesped of these rabbanim that drove home the reality that has broken through our foggy disbelief – Reb Chaim will truly no longer be with us. He will no longer be there to answer our shaylos, to help us solve our personal problems, to guide us down the derech hayashar. Rav Chaim is survived by his devoted and accomplished wife, Rebbitzen Yehudis Fasman; by a brother, Rabbi Reuven Fasman, and sisters, Rebbetzin Avis Sugarman and Rebbetzin Millicent Drebbin; by his children Reb Shmuel Fasman, Reb

Harav Shmuel Fasman, son and Associate Rosh Kollel, Kollel Los Angeles

Harav Yoel Burstzyn, Menahel Bais Yaakov of Los Angeles

Photos: Arye D. Gordon

Nosson Fasman, Reb Eli Fasman, Mrs. Frumy Botnik, and Mrs. Basya Bursztyn; and by many grandchildren, bli ayin hara. Much will be said about this heiliger mentch, this powerhouse of Torah. We will share amongst ourselves the special moments of our own personal encounters with the Rosh Kollel, his uncanny insight, his clear thoughts and direction that always brought us back on the derech.

At the conclusion of the hespedim, we headed to the Kollel exit, falling into line. We then solemnly were melavah the aron through the darkened and empty streets of Los Angeles, to the Rosh Kollel’s home. It was from there that he would journey on to Eretz Yisroel and to his makom kevurah to await the be’as haMoshiach. Harav Chaim Fasman, Rosh Kollel, Kollel Los Angeles – yehi zichro baruch.

First Entirely Jewish Graduation at UCLA Bracha Miriam Turner On Thursday, June 9th, close to 80 students graduated from UCLA in a historic ceremony exclusively for Jewish students. While the university-wide graduation ceremony took place on Friday, allowing all students to attend, several departmental commencement ceremonies conflicted with Shabbat and Shavuot. As a result of a petition signed by nearly 120 students, a separate ceremony was held a day earlier, with close to 500 people attending to celebrate the momentous occasion. There was an intimate feeling of Jewish unity and pride at the event. Several students lauded Jewish classmates active in the student governing body at UCLA. In

a departure from the usual remarks offered at a university commencement ceremony, the words “Beit Hamikdash,” “Moshiach,” “tikkun olam,” and other Jewish terminology appeared in all the speeches. Aaron

Ebriani, who who took the initiative to organize the event, encouraged all attendees to undertake one good deed to change the world for the better. Ethan Yousefzadeh, another student, offered a dvar Torah. Dara Abaei, from Jewish Unity Network, offered the closing remarks, suggesting that all the students, who were privileged to obtain a higher education, should participate in the Jewish community in leadership roles. Dean Maria Blandizzi presided over the graduation ceremony. Afterwards, a light reception was held, and Chabad of UCLA organized a booth where many participants donned tefillin and committed to

lighting Shabbat candles. “It was a real kiddush Hashem to see all different types of Jews coming together regardless of affiliation, and you really felt the oneness in the audience,” remarked one parent. Rabbi Dovid Gurevitch of Chabad of UCLA noted how much more work needed to be done when the fraction of students attending was only a small percentage of the Jewish student population. “There’s over 600 Jewish students and only 80 participated today.”

JUNE 16, 2016 | The Jewish Home

The Week In News

TheHappenings Week In News

JUNE 16, 2016 | The Jewish Home

Yeshivas Ohev Shalom Celebrates Close of School Year with Learn-a-thon and Retreat On May 24th, Yeshivas Ohev Shalom (YOS) held their seventh annual learna-thon to raise funds to subsidize all of their extra-curricular programs. The inspirational evening began with a delicious dinner, followed by learning, tehillim, and ma’ariv. The bochurim worked diligently for three weeks to solicit sponsors, and together they raised over $15,000. The sponsors submitted hundreds of names of people who needed a refuah sheleimah, a shidduch, or for an iluy neshama; these people benefited from the zechuyos that were generated that evening.

YOS concluded the school year with a three-day retreat to San Diego. The yeshiva spent two nights at the Welk Resort in the remote mountains near Escondido, California. The activities included bowling, basketball, volleyball, swimming, and fishing. The highlights of the trip were the tubing and speed boating at Carlsbad Lagoon, and the Go Kart racing and arcades at Speedzone. The Yeshiva conducted beautiful minyanim at the resort, including a shachris minyan on Rosh Chodesh Sivan filled with singing and ruach. They read from YOS’s

Torah twice, on Monday and Tuesday, at the resort. Guests at the resort joined YOS for their minyanim three times a day. They were extremely impressed and inspired by the beautiful davening and the learning that followed shacharis each morning. “It was amazing! I’ve been coming to this resort for twenty years and I never had a minyan,” said one elated guest from Woodland Hills. It was a tremendous kiddush Hashem. Rabbi Chaim Tropper, the Yeshiva’s menahel, explained to the bochurim before

USE YOUR MILES ANY WAYYOU WANT... 9 We can use your miles to get you on any flight 9 Your hotel and car rental in Israel 9 A luxurious private villa in Jerusalem, Miami,

the Berkshires, Catskills or Poconos 9 Pay your holiday vacation package

NO TRAVEL PLANS IN THE FUTURE? ENJOY SAVINGS & CONVENIENCE! Redeem miles for cash • Bill payments Charitable donations • Many more options!

CALL TODAY! 888.404.PEYD(7393) TRAVELWITHPEYD.COM | INFO@PEYDTRAVEL.COM

they embarked on the retreat, “You all deserve an amazing vacation with luxurious five-star relaxation after a tremendous year of hard work and success in your Torah and secular studies.” The students appreciated this treat. “I’ve never been to such a beautiful hotel!” said Ovadia Cohen about the stunning resort. “The food was so plentiful and delicious,” said Uriel Gurvitz, about the lavish meals and abundant snacks throughout the retreat. Over the three days, the students really had an opportunity to spend time together. “It was a great way to end an amazing fouryear high school experience”, said Zalman Tropper, who will be graduating from the yeshiva and will continue his studies next year in Yeshivas Toras Chaim in Miami. YOS completed their seventh successful year on June 8th. They have enrolled over 70 students over the past seven years, 24 of them who have graduated and continued on to higher education in yeshivos and universities throughout the world. YOS is a tremendous asset to the Los Angeles community with their dual-track Torah studies program and their innovative online secular program. They were the first yeshiva in the country to offer a fullscale online secular program which utilizes the state subsidized charter school program. This creative academic model has given them the opportunity to provide a high-level high school program with very affordable tuition. Yeshivas Ohev Shalom places a strong emphasis on extra-curricular activities throughout the school year to promote achdus amongst the students and to enhance the close-knit kesher between the rabbeim and their talmidim. The fun-filled trips, sports activities, rosh chodesh breakfasts, melava malkas, and Chanukah and Purim chaggigos are all part of YOS’s mission to help their students blossom into HAPPY bnei Torah.

The Week In News

JUNE 16, 2016 | The Jewish Home

Harkham Hillel Hebrew Academy Awards Golomb Prize for Excellence in Teaching to Rabbi Michael Cohen Carri Garelik

Harkham Hillel Hebrew Academy announced Tuesday, June 14, that Rabbi Michael Cohen, Director of Educational Technology at Harkham Hillel Hebrew Academy, has been awarded the prestigious 2016 Golomb Award. This award is given to an outstanding educator each year to recognize and support those who make an impact through innovative programming.

Due to his innovative approach, Rabbi Cohen was selected to be an Apple Distinguished Educator in the Class of 2015. In 2016, Onalytica published a report ranking him amongst the Top 50 EdTech Influencers today. Rabbi Michael is an ordained Orthodox rabbi, and holds a Master’s in Education, specializing in Educational Technology. He also earned a Bachelor’s in Fine Art, focusing on Art and Design.

hey, its cancun! the vacation you dreamed of.

summer 2016

sukkos 2016

august 17-31

large sukkah

special Chamisha Asar b'Av program

and

Under Rabbi Cohen’s leadership, Hillel has transitioned to a fully integrated 1:1 iPad environment. Hillel today has no computer lab; rather, it boasts four CoLabs (Collaboration Laboratories). Rabbi Cohen teaches and mentors adults and children in the successful integration of digital education, providing them with the tools to transform educational programs in all disciplines of Judaic and General Studies. He has developed the “Invisible iPad” approach to technology use in education, a topic on which he has presented at several conferences and institutions, including Apple Leadership events, SXSWEdu, ISTE, American Jewish University, and the EdTechTeacher iPad summits.

Mrs. Geraldine Golomb Wiener will present the Dr. Morris and Eve Golomb Excellence in Teaching Award. Dr. Isaac and Geraldine Wiener and Ms. Marilyn Golomb Selber established this prize in memory of their parents, who had a lifetime commitment to Jewish education. The Golombs, z”l, worked to make a quality Jewish day school education a reality and available to all children in our community at a time when the concept of Jewish day school education in Los Angeles was in its infancy. Each year the Hillel Administration chooses the recipient of this award, endowed in honor of the Golombs.

all

year

luxury hotels private transport

round,

hop

on!

kosher dining amazing attractions

718.355.8500 | contact@kosherluxus.com www.kosherluxus.com

The Week In News

JUNE 16, 2016 | The Jewish Home

torah changed the story of my life

#547

Mr. Goldberg from Kiryas Yoel called in to Kollel Chatzos, asking to be signed up for a partnership. The request: “Daven that I merit healthy children.” Unusual for someone who has five children under the age of nine. Expected, if you knew that each one of the five Goldberg children suffered from serious health problems. The past few years had been difficult for the Goldbergs. The constant demands of caring for their children… The financial strain of covering medical expenses… The worry that they may never be zoche to a healthy child… What does an erliche yid do when facing difficulty? He davens to the only one who can help. And daven he did, tearfully beseeching Hashem that he be zoche to a healthy child. And then it occurred to him: Kollel Chatzos.

“

Every midnight our talmidei chachamim illuminate the world with Torah. 4 locations:

BROOKLYN

MONSEY

Celebrating Yom Yerushalyim in Los Angeles Yehudis Litvak On Sunday, June 5th, the Los Angeles Jewish community celebrated Yom Yerushalayim with a special event, organized by the Religious Zionists of Los Angeles (RZLA). Yom Yerushalayim is the anniversary of the reunification of Jerusalem in 1967 during the Six-Day War, when the Israeli forces took over the Old City. It is celebrated in the Religious Zionist community as a holiday. RZLA, part of the world-wide Mizrachi movement, aims to reawaken the longing of the Diaspora Jews for Eretz Yisrael and to promote the Religious Zionist value of Torah in the land. This year, the new presidents of RZLA, Dr. Yakov Agatstein and Yitzy Katz, decided to involve the broader community in the celebration. “Our goal is

Mizrachi World Movement; Rabbi Jeremy Gimpel, Director of Global Development for The Mizrachi World; Mrs. Nitsana Darshan-Leitner, an attorney leading the fight against terrorism in the courtroom; Rabbi Yishai Fleisher, International Spokesman for the Jewish Community of Hebron; and Rabbi Mike Feuer, Educational Director of Bet Midrash Sulam Yaakov and a faculty member of the Pardes Institute of Jewish Studies. On Friday, the guests spoke in several schools, and during the shabbaton they spoke at local shuls. On Sunday, the Yom Yerushalyim event at Beth Jacob Congregation drew over 500 people. The shul held festive prayer services, with Hallel, singing, and dancing. Then the attendees watched an inspiration-

to reenergize the diaspora Jews,” says Dr. Agatstein. “In 1967, a whole generation witnessed miracles and got inspired. But we didn’t witness them. We’d like to bring the inspiration back and make it part of the future.” The weekend of Yom Yerushalayim, the RZLA held a community-wide shabbaton with five guest speakers from Israel – Rabbi Doron Perez, Director General of the

al video about the miracles that took place in 1967. After the event, people spoke about how the event touched them, and many offered to help with future events. Next year, for the 50th anniversary of Yom Yerushalayim, RZLA is hoping to send a delegation from Los Angeles to celebrate in Jerusalem.

"This story sounds

‘If Hashem has planted this idea in my mind unbelievable to so a er such a fervent Tefillah,’ he thought, many, but it is true. I will continue to ‘then it’s surely His will that I partner with support the talmidei Kollel Chatzos as a sehulah for salvation. chochomim at Kollel Fast-forward to Teves 5776. The news spread Chatzos" like wildfire. Mrs. Goldberg had a given birth to a baby boy. And, no worries, the baby is perfectly healthy. ****** This wondrous story was related by Mr. Goldberg when he called in before Lag Beomer to request that the Talmidei Chachamim daven for him at the Kever of R’ Shimon. “I’ve experienced it firsthand” he said. “Their tefilos help.”

“

MONROE

MERON

and experience the zchus of sustaining Torah learning.

24 HR SIGN UP HOTLINE 718.887.9114

1-855.CHATZOS 2 4 2 8 9 6 7

info@chatzos.org www.chatzos.org

Transportation, Messenger and Delivery Company 24 Hour Service Including Erev Shabbos & Motzei Shabbos

Designers INK. 443-474-0094

BECOME A CHATZOS PARTNER TODAY!

HAIMISHE EXPRESS

swwxc

PUNCTUAL COURTEOUS RELIABLE HAIMISHE

TCP27136

323-842-3666

INFO@HAIMISHEEXPRESS.COM WWW.HAIMISHEEXPRESS.COM

The Week In News

Ester Bezalel | bezalel8@gmail.com

JUNE 16, 2016 | The Jewish Home

‫בס“ד‬

And you are invited to purchase Otzar HaHochma at

unprecedented prices! June 13-29, 2016 | ‫כ“ג סיו‬-‘‫ז‬

And equalized payments! Otzar HaHochma is the world's largest digital library of Jewish books. The program contains 76,000 scanned books, appearing on the screen in their original format, encompassing all realms of Torah and Judaism. The sophisticated search engine provides maximum usability.

USA: D. Rabinowitz 917-538-0812 Canada: A. Sela 438-878-7674 Anyone using the software without purchasing it legally is guilty of theft!

TheHappenings Week In News

JUNE 16, 2016 | The Jewish Home

LINK Kollel Celebrates 14th Anniversary With Gala Banquet Rabbi Eli Stern

The Los Angeles Intercommunity Kollel (LINK) celebrated its 14th anniversary with its most successful banquet yet. The gala event was held at the Nessah Synagogue in Beverly Hill on the evening of May 31st. Over 350 people crowded into the main ballroom to honor Mr. and Mrs. Omeed Hakimi with the Young Leadership Award and Mr. and Mr. Hershey Zisblatt with the Keser Shem Tov honor, as well as to laud the work of LINK. In his moving remarks, Mr. Hakimi recalled his first experiences learning at LINK over ten years ago. While still a teenager, he began his journey on the path to more serious observance through LINK. He spoke fondly of the warmth of the LINK Rabbis and the caring, non-judgmental way that they taught Torah. Today, he is a successful real estate investor, married with a growing family and a serious ben Torah who views his learning seder in Shulchan Aruch at the kollel as his highlight of the day. In his poignant address, Mr. Zisblatt, a talmid of Rav Simcha Wasserman ZT”L, and a successful real estate lawyer for over 30 years, took a broad historical view of the LINK’s success. The long-time gabbai of the LINK Shabbos shul, Mr. Zisblatt recalled growing up in Los Angeles over

50 years ago as a child of Holocaust survivors. He contrasted that world – where most of the children in his cohort were leaving yiddishkeit and intermarrying – with the vibrancy and tremendous growth of the Torah community in L.A. today. He praised LINK for its integral role in promoting the primacy of Torah study in the life of a Jew. He marveled at the diversity of the attendees of the nightly beis medrash at LINK – most of them in their 20s and 30s, from a plethora of religious and ethnic backgrounds, all united with a thirst for understanding the dvar Hashem. He praised the LINK kollel rabbis for their ability to imbue this eclectic group of talmidim – all of whom work full-time – with a love of Torah that resonates uniquely with each individual. A short video was then screened praising the work of LINK’s pioneering YPLA program. This unique undertaking, led by Rabbi Aryeh Steinman, is aimed at young men 18-25 who have a day school background but choose to attend college or work in L.A. Previously, there were few options for organized Torah learning for such individuals. Now, thanks to LINK and YPLA, these young men have a structured morning seder beginning with davening and a hot breakfast. The three-hour learning seder consists of directed chavru-

sah learning and shiurim in halachah, Chumash, Navi, and gemara offered by Rabbi Steinman and other LINK Rabbis. In his salutary remarks, Rabbi Asher Brander, the founder and rav of LINK, reflected upon the many successes of the kollel over the past 14 years. High on the list was the creation of a beis medrash that is packed nightly with people from the most diverse of backgrounds – Sefardim, Ashkenazim, baalei teshuva, Frum-FromBirth bnei Torah, yeshiva graduates who have overcome many challenges to return to the path of yiddishkeit, retirees who are tasting Torah for the first time. For this success, he credited an abundant amount of siyatta dishmaya and the leadership of the rosh kollel, Rabbi Mordechai Lebhar. He also cited many individual examples of the avreichims’ going above and beyond the call of duty to inspire and teach their talmidim with true love and dedication. The celebratory evening ended on a high note with the inspiring remarks of the guest presenter, Rabbi Yoel Gold, a renowned motivational speaker. Rabbi Gold, the rav of Congregation Bais Naftali and rebbi in Mesivta Birkas Yitzchak, offered stirring remarks on connecting Pesach, Sefira, and Shavuos. He introduced them with a powerful true story that he used as a mashal for this unique period of the

Photos: Yosef Ober

year. He concluded by praising LINK for serving as the vehicle that has connected so many people to their personal maa’mid Har Sinai. The overflow crowd lingered long after bentching, expressing their thanks to the LINK staff for producing such an inspirational and memorable evening.

ADVERTORIAL

Otzar HaHochma “Bar Mitzvah” Sale What happens when the 13th birthday of the “Otzar HaHochma” software coincides with Hebrew Book Week? Those very customers who have been dreaming about getting “Otzar HaHochma” but haven’t been able to afford it – they win!!! Each year during Hebrew Book Week we offer tremendous discounts of 30% on our “Otzar HaHochma” program. This year, in honor of our “bar mitzvah” celebration, you can purchase the program at a 40%

discount, from immediately after Shavuot (June 13, 2016) until 23 Sivan (June 29, 2016). Come take advantage of this opportunity! Our many years of experience show that after Hebrew Book Week prices go up and “Otzar HaHochma” will once again become just a dream for yeshiva students and Torah scholars. “Otzar HaHochma” is the world’s largest digital library with over 70,000 Jewish books that have been scanned page by page in their original form. “Otzar HaHochma” is the most comprehensive digital library of books from all

Judaic spheres, from the early days of printing to the present. The jewel of the Otzar HaHochma crown is its sophisticated search engine (based on OCR technology at the highest level of accuracy), allowing for maximum access to the books simply by entering a word or phrase. “Otzar HaHochma” is different from any other product of this kind you may be familiar with, bringing thousands of Jewish books right into your own study. By enabling you to search and find whatever you may be looking for within seconds, it can save you time, effort, and money. Some have already described this feature as “the greatest revolution since the invention of the printing press.”

Torah Musings The Week In News

JUNE 16, 2016 | The Jewish Home

Imagination: The Power of Visualization Sarah Pachter

When my son, Josh, was five years old, he loved to pretend to be Kobe Bryant, the recently retired Los Angeles Lakers basketball star. As I watched him play, sporting his determined “game face,” I knew that in his mind, he was not pretending to be Kobe Bryant – he was Kobe Bryant. Children’s imaginations are so vivid that when they play make-believe or dressup, they are not just pretending. The transformation is real for them. As adults, we often witness these games and laugh. However, like our kids, we fantasize and use our imaginations all the time. Our fantasizing is not only a vehicle to occasionally escape our present, but it’s also an essential part of our psyche that can affect our goals, decisions, and life trajectories. Our imagination, or dimyon in Hebrew, paints strong images in our minds, which can excite or motivate us. Like my little athlete, adults sometimes try their hand at a task or skill and muster up enough confidence to think of themselves as a Kobe-esque professional, even for just a pridefilled moment. The Lesson of the Manna When the Jewish people were wandering in the desert, their food came to them in the form of manna, which fell from the sky. The Jews in the desert could imagine whatever food or flavor they craved, and the physical manna would taste just like that (See Rashi on Bamidbar 11:8). Yet, they complained. They kvetched about wanting the delicious fish that they remembered eating in Egypt (even though, in reality, they only ever ate the Egyptians’ leftover skin and bones). This begs the question: How could the Jews complain about such a special gift from Hashem? The gift of the manna was not that a person envisioning ice cream, for example, would cause ice cream to appear. Affecting the manna was actually hard work. Each Jew had to do a lot of ruminating over the manna first – he had to imagine each and every bite, feel the texture, and taste it on his tongue, in order to conjure the desired flavor. This process had to be

repeated for each meal. Forget even imagining every bite – most of us cannot even concentrate on the first bite! How many times do we zip through a brachah, speedily inhale our food, and not think for a moment about the Source of it all? Frankly, we may not want to imagine where that food came from. This involves too much effort. We didn’t want to think about our food in the desert, and we do not want to think about it now. However, if we think about our food like the Jews in the desert thought about the manna, we would have a much deeper appreciation for what we have and from where it comes. Through the manna, Hashem is giving us a simple formula for getting what we want out of life. You desire something? You wish for success? Here is how to achieve it. Step one: stop thinking that life is better someplace else. You are here now, so embrace it. Step two: think about exactly what it is that you want, imagine it in detail, and then ask Hashem for it. The message is simple: dream it and you can achieve it. This is both the power of prayer and positive thinking. We should picture the goal first in our minds, then apply that imagery to our prayers. This will facilitate the proper kavana – focus and intensity of prayer – when imploring the Almighty. We should also mentally encourage ourselves and imagine ourselves achieving our aspirations. This will increase our chances of attaining our goals. The mind-body connection is extremely powerful. For example, when someone runs on a treadmill at the gym and visualizes their desired mileage, they are more apt to run that distance than someone who reflexively plods through the routine. How does this happen? The body creates a synapse or pathway for the task that the brain visualizes, establishing a brain pattern. This makes the task mentally and physically familiar and easier for the body to execute. If the synapse exists in the brain, then the person is one step closer to achieving his or her goal – because he or she has already imagined it. Top basketball players are often

asked how they have become so adept at shooting the ball. Many of them attribute their success during games to visualizing the ball going through the hoop before shooting it. Michael Jordan, arguably the greatest professional basketball player of all time, famously said, “You have to expect things of yourself before you can do them.” As such, if a player imagines (i.e. expects) the ball to swish through the net, it is more likely to do so. While my son has not morphed into Kobe Bryant, despite his imaginary stint

as a professional basketball star, he is on the right track with his conviction in his undertaking. (Truthfully, there’s a chance he could become a six foot six athlete, given the fact that my husband is the same height as Kobe Bryant!) My hope for him is that he will use his dimyon to achieve everything he sets out to accomplish as he grows. Likewise, if we work on seeing our aspirations in our mind’s eye, we will be one step ahead on our path to success.

Torah for Debbie After a 15 year battle with Breast Cancer, Debbie Allison passed away at the tender age of 51. Debbie was a beloved mother, wife, friend and long time science teacher at Valley Torah, Yula, Bais Chana and Bais Yaacov High Schools. In her memory we started a fund raising campaign to write a Sefer Torah scroll in her honor. Currently we are at 66% of our goal and are asking you to join us in owning a share in this mitzvah.

Please go online NOW and participate! Time is running out! Please Help Now! The Allison Family

Donate Online at www.torahfordebbie.com Or send checks made out to: Chabad of North Hollywood Attn: Rabbi Nachman Abend Torah for Debbie 13079 Chandler Blvd. Sherman Oaks Ca. 91401 For more information, please call (310) 429-8887

The Week In News Feature

JUNE 16, 2016 | The Jewish Home

A Conversation with Major General Noam Tibon Alisa Roberts and Shalom Rubashkin

It’s easy to point out the problems in the Middle East; it’s much more complicated to come up with solutions. But Major General Noam Tibon, visiting Los Angeles with Our Soldiers Speak, thinks he has one. And with 35 years of military experience, specializing in counterterrorism and homeland security, General Tibon’s is not a word to take lightly. General Knowledge The general was born in Israel, the first generation in his family. His mother’s family left Germany in 1933 to escape rising Anti-Semitism. His father descends from Hungarian Zionists; the family came to Israel even earlier. “Both my parents grew up in Jerusalem under the British Mandate. When they were 18, they joined the Palmach. They fought in the Independence War, and afterwards they built their kibbutz, Kibbutz Tzora, in order to guard the road to Jerusalem. I grew up in that kibbutz.” In 1981, Tibon began his military career in the Israeli Special Forces. He worked his way up from commander in the Special Forces to Paratrooper Battalion Commander, then to Commander of the Bethlehem Regional Brigade, which was under his command during the Intifada. He commanded the Airborne Regional Brigade and the Infantry Brigade before becoming Chief of the Infantry, followed by West Bank Division Commander. In his last position before retirement he was Commander of the Northern Formation. With a resume like that, it’s no surprise that he has a similarly impressive educational background. He has a Bachelor’s Degree in History from Haifa University, where he graduated summa cum laude. He also holds two American degrees: a Bachelor’s from Harvard University, and one from the Marine Corps Command and Staff College in Quantico, Virginia. He’s proud of his service, but also of his family. “I married my wife, who is a Holocaust researcher. I have two boys. My oldest one is a journalist, and my younger one is learning to be a physician in a special program within the army.” Gaza and Goldstone General Tibon has a rare perspective on Gaza. In the last Gaza war, he headed an IDF internal investigation following the Goldstone Report. “We were under the eyes of the entire world. Most of the report, clear and loud, was not true. I will not say lies, but I will say not true. But the world read it.

“The world judges Israel different than it judges the U.S. military or other militaries, which are doing a similar job in different places in the world. Because of the Goldstone Report, it was very important for Israel and for the IDF to show the world that we are fighting according to international law. Of course we want to win. We use a lot of force and we use smart in-

can’t fire. It gives you all kinds of measurements in order to do it right. If you have a terrorist surrounded by civilians, what efforts did you make to catch him alone? “We use all kinds of tactics. For example, knock on the roof, where you use a small bomb to mark a house, let everyone out except the terrorist, and then you bomb

Major-General Noam Tibon (Ret.), Senior Policy & Security Adviser, Our Soldiers Speak

telligence, but we don’t do anything which is an inch past international law.” This goal was so important that General Tibon was removed from his command of the northern front to head the investigation. “They said, ‘Noam, we will give you a bunch of very experienced officers, and a bunch of guys from the military police, and you’ll work hand-in-hand with the military chief attorney. You can investigate whatever you think needs to be investigated; we aren’t giving you any rules or boundaries. You can use any source that you want – Palestinian sources, the press... whatever.” The goal was to bring any problems that existed to the proper authorities as soon as possible, so that they could be resolved. But contrary to Goldstone’s incendiary report, there weren’t many problems. “I can tell you that we investigated. Of course in such a war there are many civilian casualties. They fight from neighborhoods. They don’t evacuate the civilian population, even when Israel tells them to, and in some cases they use them as human shields. “International law doesn’t say you

Sgt. Benjamin Anthony (Res.), Founder and Director, Our Soldiers Speak

the house. If you’re not sure that everyone left, then you don’t drop the bomb – even if you’re sure you can get the terrorist. “Human life is something which – you know, we are Jewish – we believe you must respect a man just because he is a human being. So to take a human life is something you only do when it is necessary. “I can tell you that we investigated almost 100 incidents – which is a huge num-

ber – during the battle. We found some problems, but usually it was problems in the orders. Nothing that went against international law. They were issues of how to be more precise, how to do a better job.” That doesn’t mean they found no problems. The military attorney continued on with some of the investigations. “But at the end of the day, if you compare the IDF to any other military in the world that is fighting in such a scenario, we can be very proud.” The problems in Gaza don’t end on the battlefield, though. “When you want to fight terror, military tools are only part of the tools you want to use. Military is a very important tool, but another important tool is economy. Every terror organization needs a lot of money. The ideology is important, but it’s not everything. “You have to try to create space between the civilian population and the terrorists. Because once the population supports a terror group, there is almost nothing you can do. But if you can create space where people will say, ‘Okay. We don’t want you here’… We should find a way to give some hope to the civilian population, while being very tough with Hamas.” He emphasizes the importance of a nuanced approach. “There is a big difference between Lebanon, Gaza, and the West Bank. In the West Bank, because we have Israeli forces there, there is a very good relationship with the Palestinian police force, and it’s something that really works well on a daily basis. “When it comes to Lebanon, we have problems only with the Shia, which means Hezbollah. It’s 40% of Lebanon, it’s not the whole population. In the Middle East you have to look at the big picture, but then you have to look at the colors.” A New Map General Tibon has decades of experience seeing both the big picture and the colors, and he has a new take on how to solve the seemingly endless conflict in the region. “I think today we are now just 100 years after the Sykes-Picot Agreement, which as you know was written by gentlemen from Great Britain and France—the superpowers. They drew some straight lines on the map and created countries. But you have countries like Iraq, with Sunnis and Shias, and you know that they hate each others’ guts. “After WWII, they really paid atten-

Feature The Week In News

JUNE 16, 2016 | The Jewish Home

tion to what they called the Marshall Plan, in Germany and Japan. During the war, Churchill, Roosevelt, and Stalin tried to coordinate what would be after the war.” But there is no such consensus today. “The main problem today, when you look at the war against ISIS, is that the two big powers – the US and Russia – are not well-coordinated. They are fighting each one after their own interest, and no one is thinking about what will be at the end of the day. “I think that the American, and also the Israeli, experience is that when you go into a war you have to have an idea of what will happen at the end of it. It’s really easy to win the battle. It’s really hard to balance it into something that will work. You don’t have to use the term democracy, because it doesn’t exist in this region of the world. “I think today the most important thing is to sit together, the big powers, and redraw the map of the Middle East.” He’s given much thought to this idea. “What do we have? At least three wars happening simultaneously. We have the old war, the Sunnis and the Shias. The Axis of Iran, Assad, Hezbollah, against the axis of ISIS, Egypt, Saudi Arabia. Then you have the United States of America, fighting mainly in Iraq. Then you have Russia, who are fighting now, not against ISIS, but against the enemies of President Assad. Then you have the Turks, who are fighting the Kurds. It’s all mixed up. “I think the solution is to separate the populations. If you asked me, the world should sit with the UN and ask, ‘What do we want?’ ISIS is going to be defeated; I’m sure. But what will be after ISIS, no one is thinking about and nobody knows. “You create four states: the Kurdish State in parts of Syria, Iraq, and Turkey; then the Shia State, in part of Iraq; then a Sunni State, mainly in the region today controlled by ISIS; then an Alawite state, which will be between Damascus and the Mediterranean Sea. I think this is the solution.” An intriguing solution; but is it a practical one? “I think that everyone is getting sick and tired of this long war. But if you don’t think about next steps, it will be just like what happened in Iraq. They’re stuck in this swamp. You have to figure out what the solution is, otherwise it will continue to breed forever.” The Terror Trend Unfortunately, without practical steps, radicalization isn’t something General

Our Soldiers Speak

Our Soldiers Speak is an educational organization that brings Israeli soldiers to the U.S. to speak on college campuses, as well as bringing IDF leaders to discuss policy with US Congressmen and Senators. Sgt. Benjamin Anthony founded the organization, and still feels passionately about its mission: “We’re not an advocacy organization. Why not? Because we don’t believe that the State of Israel is a defendant in the dock of a criminal court. We are here to promote and we are here to educate. We’re not here to debate our legitimacy of existence as a Jewish state. But we are willing to discuss policy and security.” In addition to bringing speakers to the U.S., Our Soldiers Speak is going to bring law students from top Ivy League law schools for a 10-day tour of Israel this summer. General Tibon will be one of their keynote speakers. “We believe that there is no greater ambassador for the State of Israel than the State of Israel,” said Anthony. “The General is thought of as being an upcoming major thought leader within the state of Israel,” explained Anthony. “We’re very privileged to have him here. There are many subjects that are debated in the international community that affect the state of Israel, but the Israeli voice is absent in the conversation. The General has come here to bring the Israeli voice to the subject matter and to these issues.” General Tibon is equally enthusiastic about Our Soldiers Speak. “Though almost every Jewish organization asked me to work with them, I decided that I would work with Our Soldiers Speak, because I believe in their mission. We need the support of the Democrats, we need the support of the Republicans, we need the support of the American people. That’s why what Benjamin does is so important. And that’s why I’m working with them.” For more information visit oursoldiersspeak.org

Tibon sees going away. “I think that, unfortunately, the world is changing. In the 1973 war, the Arabs understood that they couldn’t beat us in strength. And after the two Gulf Wars, people saw how strong America is, when it comes to military against military. Terror, for many years, was the power of the weak. And that’s why they decided to use terror, to break

you from the inside.” He has a personal story to illustrate. “I was here during September 11th. I was a student at university. I have a very funny story, but I think it can tell you a lot. “I came with my small family straight from Hebron. It was in the middle of a very bloody Intifada in Israel. A lot of suicide bombings. We all got on a plane,

Items from from downed Egyptair passeneger plane

including the dog. He was named Buddy, after Buddy Clinton. To take a dog with you, you buy a cage, and he goes with the suitcases. We went to London, and then we flew to New York. We were exhausted. We landed in Logan airport. The cage came, and it’s empty. “My wife and my kids freaked out. And then I got what we call a direct order.” He pauses, addressing the men. “Are you married? My wife told me, ‘Go and find him.’ This is something you cannot disobey. “So I went all the way back to the plane, getting on the runway, whistling ‘Buddy, Buddy!’ Nobody asked me, ‘Who are you? What are you doing here?’ And I was walking there for at least half an hour, behind the scenes. You know, in Israel, this cannot happen,” he adds, more serious for a moment. “The good part of the story is that there were dog lovers in Great Britain, and they thought the cage was a little too small for Buddy. So they upgraded him to business class; he arrived in a huge cage, with a blanket. “The sad part was that on our way to Brookline, I told my wife, ‘Americans are crazy.’ And exactly three months later, from the same Logan airport, came the hijacking that changed the world.” General Tibon is pragmatic, but not unhopeful. “Terror is something which always searches for where it can attack. Where it can create the biggest damage. If you check what happened to the U.S. after Sept 11, in terms of dollars, it’s unbelievable, the number. And that’s why you have to be very smart, when fighting terror. You cannot sit and say, ‘I’m good. I’m protected.’ “When it comes to security, and I’m a professional in security, the way the Israeli forces operate is something which should be heard and learned all over the world. We have a lot of experience. Terror is a worldwide problem; this knowledge must be heard. We don’t think we are the smartest guys on earth. But the Israeli point of view, when it comes to security, is a very important one. “That’s why Our Soldiers Speak is so important. We should not give up. People must hear the true voice of Israel. There are many arguments to say things against the State, but the soldiers, who Benjamin brings here, are a very loud and clear voice of what Israel is, and what the IDF is, and how to fight terror.”

The Week In News

JUNE 16, 2016 | The Jewish Home

DON’T THE RE

REASONS YOU DIDN’T ALLOW YOUR DAUGHTER TO GO OUT WITH HIM : Wears wrong type of hat Wrong type of y Davens too quickly Davens too slowly Went to the wrong Yeshiva Not yeshivish enough Too yeshivish Didn’t shul family “yichus” Too much family “yichus” Wrong type of friends Doesn’t have friends Wears colored socks Wears w Gartel is too thick Parents too “schmaltzy” Parents not “schmaltzy” enough Wont do FLOP Will only do FLOP D Doesn’t listen to English music Is tone deaf Eats pizza with a fork and knife Doesn’t eat pizza with a fork & knife Doesn’t Family uses paper goods on shabbos (GASP!) Parents don’t have winterized summer home in Cats uses china during the week Doesn’t want to learn in kollel Parents have no money Parents have too much money Parents think they have money Wears his tzitzis in Wears blue strings on tzitzis Wears thick glasses Doesn’t wear glasses Glasses frames are too stylish Sibling is divorced Has older unmarried sibling R E A S O N S Y O U D I D N ’ T A L L O W Y O U R S O N T O G O O U T Family too yeshivish Father wears wrong type of hat Siblings wear wrong type of yarmulke Didn’t go yeshivish enough a speech therapist? No family Yichus Too much family Yichus Wrong type of friends Not enough friends Not litvish Parents have no money Parents have too much money Parents not willing to support Listens to English music enough Went to the wrong camp Wants a kollel boy Wants a learning boy Wants a working/learning/kollel boy Wa go to camp Not Tzniusdik enough Too Tzniusdik Wears colorful clothes Clothes are too drabby Skirts too long Skirts to Stetson fall Goes to shul on shabbos Doesn’t go to shul on shabbos. Talks too much Doesn’t talk enough Not “outgoing” Too Wears expensive jewelry Wears inexpensive jewelry Wears no jewelry Wants a 3 carrot Kallah ring Only e divorced wrong type of hat Wrong type of yarmulke Yarmulke too big Yarmulke too small Car is not leased Drives his parents Too yeshivish Didn’t learn in Israel Learned too long in Israel Went to college Didn’t go to college Went to enough Wears white socks Wears no socks Too litvish Not “heimish” enough Too chasiddish Wears a Wears colored socks FLOP Will only do FLOP Doesn’t know what FLOP is Too tall Too short Not good looking enough Too good lookin Doesn’t know how to use a fork & knife Went to the wrong camp Wasn’t color war general Wa pizza with a fork & knife have winterized summer home in Catskills Parents don’t have summer home in Monsey Mother works full time Mother doe Parents think they have money Wears the wrong type of watch Doesn’t wear a watch Wears a watch on shabbos Ca Glasses frames are too stylish Squints when he learns Has a beard Has no beard Has a trimmed beard C glasses Too tall Too short Not pretty enough Too pretty Too thi ALLOW YOUR SON TO GO OUT WITH HER: Didn’t go to Israel Went to the wrong seminary Didn’t go to seminary Went to college wear wrong type of yarmulke friends Not enough friends Not litvish Too litvish Not heimish Too heimish Not chasiddish Too chasiddish Pa Listens to English music Doesn’t listen to English music Eats pizza in a pizza shop Wouldn’t step foot willing to support Wants a working/learning/kollel boy Wants a hat wearer Doesn’t want a hat wearer Wants a straw hat wearer Doesn’t are too drabby Skirts too long Skirts too short Wears no makeup Wears too much makeup Wants to wear a fall Wo Not “outgoing” Too “outgoing” Too many siblings Not enough siblings Has unmarried siblings P Doesn’t talk enough Wants a 3 carrot Kallah ring Only eats 3 carrots a day (see “too thin”) REASONS YOU DIDN’T ALLOW YOUR DAUGHTER Drives his parents car Doesn’t daven in the right shul Davens too quickly Davens too slowly Went Car is not leased college Didn’t go to college Went to the wrong type of college No family “yichus” Too much family “yichus” Wrong typ Too chasiddish Wears a gartel Doesn’t wear a gartel Gartel is too thick Parents too “schmaltzy” Parents n enough Too good looking Listens to English music Doesn’t listen to English music Is tone deaf Eats pizza with looking enough Wasn’t color war general Was losing color war general Family uses china during the week Family uses paper goods on shabb Mother doesn’t work Wants to learn in kollel Doesn’t want to learn in kollel Parents have no money works full time Wears a watch on shabbos Cant tell time Wears his tzitzis out Wears his tzitzis in Wears blue strings on tzitzis Wears Has a trimmed beard Cant grow a beard Parents are divorced Sibling is divorced Has older unmarried sibling R E A S Too pretty Too thin Went to wrong school Family not yeshivish enough Family too yeshivish Father wears wrong t Went to college Didn’t go to college You wanna marry a speech therapist? No family Yichus Too much family Yichus chasiddish Parents too schmaltzy Parents not schmaltzy enough Parents have no money Parents have too much mone Wont eat pizza Didn’t go to camp Went to the wrong camp Wants a kollel boy W Wouldn’t step foot into a pizza shop hat wearer Doesn’t know the difference between Borsalino and Stetson Not Tzniusdik enough Too Tzniusdik Wears colorf Wont wear a fall Will only wear a fall in the fall Goes to shul on shabbos Doesn’t go to shul on shabbos. to wear a fall unmarried siblings Parents are divorced Parents should be divorced Wears expensive jewelry Wears inexpensive jew ALLOW YOUR DAUGHTER TO GO OUT WITH HIM : Wears wrong type of hat Wrong type of yarmulke Yarmulke too Davens too slowly Went to the wrong Yeshiva Not yeshivish enough Too yeshivish Didn’t learn in Israel Learned to Wrong type of friends Doesn’t have friends Wears colored socks Wears white socks Wears no socks family “yichus” too “schmaltzy” Parents not “schmaltzy” enough Wont do FLOP Will only do FLOP Doesn’t know what FLOP is Too Eats pizza with a fork and knife Doesn’t eat pizza with a fork & knife Doesn’t know how to use a fork & knife Is tone deaf Parents don’t have winterized summer home in Catskills Parents don’t have s Family uses paper goods on shabbos (GASP!) kollel Parents have no money Parents have too much money Parents think they have money Wears the wrong type of wa Wears thick glasses Doesn’t wear glasses Glasses frames are too stylish Squints when he learns blue strings on tzitzis Too tall older unmarried sibling R E A S O N S Y O U D I D N ’ T A L L O W Y O U R S O N T O G O O U T W I T H H E R : yeshivish Father wears wrong type of hat Siblings wear wrong type of yarmulke Didn’t go to Israel Went to the wrong s Too much family Yichus Wrong type of friends Not enough friends Not litvish Too litvish Not heimish Too Yichus Parents have too much money Parents not willing to support Listens to English music Doesn’t listen to English music Wants a kollel boy Wants a learning boy Wants a working/learning/kollel boy Wants a hat wearer Doesn’t want a hat w

DAT

THE PE  LET’S THINK

SPONSORED BY PARENTS THAT THINK OUT-OF-THE-BOX

JUNE 16, 2016 | The Jewish Home

The Week In News

T DATE ESUME

yarmulke Yarmulke too big Yarmulke too small Car is not leased Drives his parents car Doesn’t daven in the right t learn in Israel Learned too long in Israel Went to college Didn’t go to college Went to the wrong type of college No white socks Wears no socks Too litvish Not “heimish” enough Too chasiddish Wears a gartel Doesn’t wear a gartel Doesn’t know what FLOP is Too tall Too short Not good looking enough Too good looking Listens to English music t know how to use a fork & knife Went to the wrong camp Wasn’t color war general Was losing color war general Family skills Parents don’t have summer home in Monsey Mother works full time Mother doesn’t work Wants to learn in kollel Wears the wrong type of watch Doesn’t wear a watch Wears a watch on shabbos Cant tell time Wears his tzitzis out h Squints when he learns Has a beard Has no beard Has a trimmed beard Cant grow a beard Parents are divorced T WITH HER: Too tall Too short Not pretty enough Too pretty Too thin Went to wrong school Family not o to Israel Went to the wrong seminary Didn’t go to seminary Went to college Didn’t go to college You wanna marry Too litvish Not heimish Too heimish Not chasiddish Too chasiddish Parents too schmaltzy Parents not schmaltzy Doesn’t listen to English music Eats pizza in a pizza shop Wouldn’t step foot into a pizza shop Wont eat pizza Didn’t ants a hat wearer Doesn’t want a hat wearer Wants a straw hat wearer Doesn’t know the difference between Borsalino and oo short Wears no makeup Wears too much makeup Wants to wear a fall Wont wear a fall Will only wear a fall in the o “outgoing” Too many siblings Not enough siblings Has unmarried siblings Parents are divorced Parents should be eats 3 carrots a day (see “too thin”) REASONS YOU DIDN’T ALLOW YOUR DAUGHTER TO GO OUT WITH HIM : Wears s car Doesn’t daven in the right shul Davens too quickly Davens too slowly Went to the wrong Yeshiva Not yeshivish o the wrong type of college No family “yichus” Too much family “yichus” Wrong type of friends Doesn’t have friends a gartel Doesn’t wear a gartel Gartel is too thick Parents too “schmaltzy” Parents not “schmaltzy” enough Wont do ng Listens to English music Doesn’t listen to English music Is tone deaf Eats pizza with a fork and knife Doesn’t eat as losing color war general Family uses china during the week Family uses paper goods on shabbos (GASP!) Parents don’t esn’t work Wants to learn in kollel Doesn’t want to learn in kollel Parents have no money Parents have too much money ant tell time Wears his tzitzis out Wears his tzitzis in Wears blue strings on tzitzis Wears thick glasses Doesn’t wear Cant grow a beard Parents are divorced Sibling is divorced Has older unmarried sibling R E A S O N S Y O U D I D N ’ T in Went to wrong school Family not yeshivish enough Family too yeshivish Father wears wrong type of hat Siblings Didn’t go to college You wanna marry a speech therapist? No family Yichus Too much family Yichus Wrong type of arents too schmaltzy Parents not schmaltzy enough Parents have no money Parents have too much money Parents not into a pizza shop Wont eat pizza Didn’t go to camp Went to the wrong camp Wants a kollel boy Wants a learning boy t know the difference between Borsalino and Stetson Not Tzniusdik enough Too Tzniusdik Wears colorful clothes Clothes ont wear a fall Will only wear a fall in the fall Goes to shul on shabbos Doesn’t go to shul on shabbos. Talks too much Parents are divorced Parents should be divorced Wears expensive jewelry Wears inexpensive jewelry Wears no jewelry R TO GO OUT WITH HIM : Wears wrong type of hat Wrong type of yarmulke Yarmulke too big Yarmulke too small t to the wrong Yeshiva Not yeshivish enough Too yeshivish Didn’t learn in Israel Learned too long in Israel Went to pe of friends Doesn’t have friends Wears colored socks Wears white socks Wears no socks Too litvish Not “heimish” not “schmaltzy” enough Wont do FLOP Will only do FLOP Doesn’t know what FLOP is Too tall Too short Not good h a fork and knife Doesn’t eat pizza with a fork & knife Doesn’t know how to use a fork & knife Went to the wrong camp bos (GASP!) Parents don’t have winterized summer home in Catskills Parents don’t have summer home in Monsey Mother Parents have too much money Parents think they have money Wears the wrong type of watch Doesn’t wear a watch s thick glasses Doesn’t wear glasses Glasses frames are too stylish Squints when he learns Has a beard Has no beard ONS YOU DIDN’T ALLOW YOUR SON TO GO OUT WITH HER: Too tall Too short Not pretty enough type of hat Siblings wear wrong type of yarmulke Didn’t go to Israel Went to the wrong seminary Didn’t go to seminary Wrong type of friends Not enough friends Not litvish Too litvish Not heimish Too heimish Not chasiddish Too ey Parents not willing to support Listens to English music Doesn’t listen to English music Eats pizza in a pizza shop Wants a learning boy Wants a working/learning/kollel boy Wants a hat wearer Doesn’t want a hat wearer Wants a straw ful clothes Clothes are too drabby Skirts too long Skirts too short Wears no makeup Wears too much makeup Wants Talks too much Doesn’t talk enough Not “outgoing” Too “outgoing” Too many siblings Not enough siblings Has welry Wears no jewelry Wants a 3 carrot Kallah ring Only eats 3 carrots a day (see “too thin”) REASONS YOU DIDN’T big Yarmulke too small Car is not leased Drives his parents car Doesn’t daven in the right shul Davens too quickly oo long in Israel Went to college Didn’t go to college Went to the wrong type of college No family “yichus” Too much Too litvish Not “heimish” enough Too chasiddish Wears a gartel Doesn’t wear a gartel Gartel is too thick Parents o tall Too short Not good looking enough Too good looking Listens to English music Doesn’t listen to English music e Went to the wrong camp Wasn’t color war general Was losing color war general Family uses china during the week summer home in Monsey Mother works full time Mother doesn’t work Wants to learn in kollel Doesn’t want to learn in atch Doesn’t wear a watch Wears a watch on shabbos Cant tell time Wears his tzitzis out Wears his tzitzis in Wears Has a beard Has no beard Has a trimmed beard Cant grow a beard Parents are divorced Sibling is divorced Has Too short Not pretty enough Too pretty Too thin Went to wrong school Family not yeshivish enough Family too seminary Didn’t go to seminary Went to college Didn’t go to college You wanna marry a speech therapist? No family o heimish Not chasiddish Too chasiddish Parents too schmaltzy Parents not schmaltzy enough Parents have no money Eats pizza in a pizza shop Wouldn’t step foot into a pizza shop Wont eat pizza Didn’t go to camp Went to the wrong camp wearer Wants a straw hat wearer Doesn’t know the difference between Borsalino and Stetson Not Tzniusdik enough Too

ERSON OUT OF THE BOX This is how we can help make shidduchim

CITICOM 718.692.0999

ATE

Lifestyles

The Week In News

JUNE 16, 2016 | The Jewish Home

Revel. Diaries of a BT Beryl Tritel, LMSW

Wood Grilled Rib Eye mustard demi | fried yukon gold potatoes sous vide abalone mushrooms | roasted pearl onions

It starts with the introduction. The usual, “My name is. . . And, yours?” kind of thing. I don’t wear a big “I am a baalas teshuvah,” sign on my forehead. I dress like most of the working moms that I know (except for my love of color – which happens to be “in” now anyway). When it gets obvious is when people ask me my name, and quickly follow up my answer with an-oh-so-polite-not-verysubtle-response of: “Beryl? For a woman?” Followed one of the following variations: “My uncle/brother/nephew/father/ best friend from cheder was/is named Beryl,” or, for those more to-the-point type of people, “How’d you get that name?” Besides the obvious, “My parents named me,” – duh! – people want to know more. It so happens that my parents chose it because of its meaning. It does, after all, mean “jewel.” That is kinda pretty, no? But, then, people wonder how my parents could name me a man’s name. So, I explain that I am a baalas teshuvah. That is why people usually know pretty quickly that I was not privileged to grow up among the frum. My friends are all used to it by now. And, I doubt that most of the people in my neighborhood even bat an eyelash when they hear my name. When I was in shidduchim it almost prevented me from meeting my husband. When he heard my name, he was quick to put my name on the “maybe not” pile. After all, whoever heard of a woman named Beryl? Even though he liked what he had heard about me, the very thought of the potential bentchers at our wedding gave him pause. (To which his friend responded, “Moshe, you’ve been dating four years, what are the chances you are going to marry her, anyway?”) On that sage advice alone, we met. And, not only did he have to worry about the bentchers, but – as he is fond of saying – he was probably the first guy in klal yisrael to ask if he was allowed to marry someone with the same name as his rebbi. (Even today, almost two decades into married life, he STILL thinks it’s funny. I do not.) However, he has not gotten the last laugh, One day, we received a letter from

an organization addressed to “HaRav Beryl Tritel, shlita.” I never knew becoming chashuve and getting smicha could be so easy! (I STILL think it’s funny. He does not.) There was the other time my husband met someone on the bus who worked for a seminary. The menahel told him that they were looking for a therapist to work with some of the students. My husband told him that his wife was a therapist, and, perhaps, I should contact the school. Since they really needed someone, he happily gave my husband the email address of the secretary who was in charge of these types of things. My husband gave me the information, encouraging me to contact her right away. I emailed her that day and waited for a response. And waited. And waited. By the end of the week, I was beginning to wonder why I hadn’t heard a response. So, I emailed again. And waited. A few days later, I got a response. Fully expecting to be asked to come in for an interview, I opened the email. “Thank you for your inquiry. But, we do not allow male therapists to work with our students.” Oops. I wrote back and explained that I was a female. But, I never heard back. Maybe she was too embarrassed? That’s when I changed my signature on my email to Mrs. Beryl Tritel. So, would my life be simpler if I was a Rifky, Tamar, or the slightly more exotic, Penina? Probably. But, then, I wouldn’t be me. My name is a big part of who I am. It reminds me of my roots. And, how I hope to live up to my name’s meaning: to be seen as a jewel in Hashem’s crown. Beryl Tritel, LMSW is an individual and marriage therapist, specializing in the full range of Women’s Life Issues. She has offices in Ramat Bet Shemesh and at The Place in Jerusalem. She also sees clients all over the world over via Skype. She can be reached at 011-972-58-9454 or at beryltritel@gmail.com.

Parenting The Week In News

JUNE 16, 2016 | The Jewish Home

Proactive Parenting: Why Children Misbehave Sara Teichman, Psy D

Dear Dr. T, I am a teacher, so discipline is second nature to me. I have a good understanding of positive reinforcement and how to use consequences. I am pretty successful, if I say so myself, probably because I am consistent in my dealing with my children. So, why am I writing you? Well, it’s about my nine year old daughter. Honestly, I just can’t understand her. She somehow makes trouble at home and in school – even though we have a strong, yet fair, system of discipline. I don’t get it. She knows what the consequences will be, but she still doesn’t stop. This makes no sense to me at all. I am not saying she does terrible things, but, I never know what she will do next. Naomi Dear Naomi, What you are saying is that your child knows about consequences and knows what not to do. But, does she know what to do? And, does she know how to do it? Does she have both the knowledge and the skills she needs in order to tow the line? I want to start by reminding my readers that children do well if they can. What child does not want to wake up to the love and approval of his parents? It is only the totally defeated child who has given up on winning his parents’ favor that “doesn’t care.” And, whether the feelings of defeat are the result of cluelessness or an underdeveloped skill set – the outcome is unfortunate. The child’s behavior often misses the mark and the child is labeled stubborn, oppositional, or difficult. In effect, the child is chastised – and often punished – for something that is out of his control. Here’s what I mean: Have you ever gone someplace totally unfamiliar and fumbled with the etiquette? Can you remember how lost you felt, recall the shame at your faux-pas? Well, lots of times, our children simply do not know what to do, or say, in a particular situation. We assume that they – like their friends and siblings –

do; but they very well may need us to teach them the skills to do it right. Ten year-old Mendy gets into lots of trouble in school because he has the habit of talking to staff as if they were his friends. His “Yo, Rebbe, your jacket is missing a button!” does not endear him to his teachers. His cracking (very slightly) off-color jokes to the menahel at top volume is considered the height of chutzpah. Combined with the fact that he sometimes (often?) can’t find his homework, Mendy often gets lectures like, “Don’t you know that…?” Now, here’s the thing. Maybe Mendy actually does not know whatever he is assumed to know – and that other children do know. Consequences and lectures may

stop him from doing the wrong thing, but no amount of consequences can teach him what to do. Whether he is unable to see what he is supposed to see, or simply unable to do it – he cannot manage appropriate school decorum. What is needed here is some education to the tune of, “Here is the correct way to address staff.” Or “Let’s get you some help in organizing your homework.” Unfortunately, what too often happens is that we get caught up in correcting the child’s behavior because we see symptom eradication as our job. We need the poor behavior to stop – now. Sometimes we are scared that the bad behavior will persist into adulthood, and then where would our child be? Imagine if Mendy were to go off to Eretz Yisroel and address the rosh yeshiva in his inappropriate way? And, let’s face it: we are human. We are embarrassed by our children’s poor behavior. We think it reflects on us (doesn’t it?). After all, children are a parent’s report card. So, getting our child to do the right thing becomes our priority. When we focus on behavior that is unacceptable, we see our child as difficult, doing wrong. In our rush to do something, we may be overly harsh. But, if we decide that all that is needed is for our child to learn, it’s quite a different picture. And, just as we would not be angry or annoyed at a child who hasn’t learned his times tables, in the same way we should not be angry at child who has yet to learn appropriate behavior. What I am talking about is shifting our point of view from discipline to giving the benefit of the doubt. There is nothing to lose by holding off a bit. Before jumping into judgment and feeling impelled to do something – simply look at the situation as a teaching moment. Sometimes, it’s that simple. The child does not have the skills

– yet. So, whether it is the tot who grabs because he doesn’t know how to ask, the yeshiva bochur who leaves a total mess when he takes a snack, or your teenage daughter who fights with her friends instead of working things out – there is no harm in assuming that they don’t know any better. They may not see that there are other ways to do things. Or, they may not know how to do them. And, the simple and best solution is to help them learn the skills that they need to navigate their environment successfully and do the right thing. In no way do I want to suggest that helping your daughter is a simple task. Though some children are merely flighty or on their own wave length, others may have some more serious learning differences or emotional issues that require professional intervention. But know, skills can – and must – be taught. More importantly, your child deserves to be seen as needing your help, rather than your censure. We all know that when we adjust our lens, we see things differently. So, for the sake of our children, let’s adjust our thinking so we can see our children in a positive light. A positive approach, coupled with our determination to model and teach, is sure to make a difference. The Book Nook: Positive Parenting: Developing Your Child’s Potential is written by Rabbi Dr. Abraham Twerski and edited by Ursula Schwartz. In this practical book, these two mental health practitioners teach parents to concentrate on how to do things right according to our Torah and traditions. Sara Teichman, Psy D. is a psychotherapist in private practice in Los Angeles and Clinical Director of ETTA, L.A.’s largest Jewish agency for adults with special needs. To submit a question or comment, email DrT@jewishhomela.com.

The Week In News

JUNE 16, 2016 | The Jewish Home

The Week In News

The Week In News Feature

JUNE 16, 2016 | The Jewish Home

Who Owns the Touro Synagogue? A Legal History Michael Rubinstein, Esq. Who owns the Touro Synagogue? And more importantly, who is the rightful heir to Touro’s storied legacy of being the oldest shul in America? These were questions that a federal court answered last month after a lengthy trial between the Newport, Rhode Island congregation that calls the Touro Synagogue home, and Congregation Shearith Israel of New York City. Background of the Case The legal case between the two shuls began in 2012, but it was not the first time they sparred over ownership of the Touro Synagogue. Congregation Jeshuat Israel, and Shearith Israel in Manhattan, had a relationship with each other stretching back to the 1820s. Since then, Shearith Israel served as the trustee of the Touro Synagogue, leasing the shul to Jeshuat Israel for $1 per year. The relationship between the two shuls reached a boiling point in 2011, when Shearith Israel tried stopping Jeshuat Israel from proceeding with its efforts to auction off silver rimonim for $7.2 million. The rimonim date back to the pre-Revolutionary War era, and have been used to adorn Jeshuat Israel’s sifrei Torah since that time. While initially the litigation between the two congregations centered on ownership of these collectible rimonim, the case quickly erupted into full-blown litigation warfare over ownership and control of the Touro Synagogue and its valuable real estate purchased over 250 years ago. In ruling that Jeshuat Israel is the rightful owner of the antique rimonim, and removing Shearith Israel as trustee of the Touro Synagogue property, U.S. District Court Judge Jack McConnell provides the public with a fascinating historical account of how the Touro Synagogue came to be and how the early Jewish settlers found peace and religious freedom in this country. The court opinion is replete with an astonishing historical narrative, which details how the Newport Jewish community persevered through wars and hardship over the past two and a half centuries. History of Jews in Newport and the Touro Synagogue The early Jewish settlers in America, then known as the British Colonies, were mostly from Sephardic countries like Spain and Portugal. They fled their native lands to escape exploitation, torture, and public executions at the hands of the Catholic Church. Newport, Rhode Island was an early bastion of freedom for the Jews seeking a safe haven and freedom from oppression in the New World.

The first Jewish families arrived in Newport in 1658. They were Sephardic Jews who gathered communally in members’ homes for davening and learning. They called their shul “Nefutzei Yisroel,” and purchased land for a cemetery in 1677. It was one of the earliest documented occasions where Jews in America could bury their deceased without fear of govern-

whom engaged in the slave trade during what was known as the “Golden Age of Newport.” As the community grew and prospered, the community leaders in 1759 turned their attention to purchasing land to build an everlasting shul. Members of the community were taxed to raise funds to build the shul. The Newport community reached out to other Jewish communities across the globe to assist with this important task. Jewish communities from Jamaica to London heeded the call and contributed to the shul’s construction, which was completed in 1762. The shul was an architectural jewel, and became a fitting place for the congregation that now called itself “Yeshuat Israel.” During that time period, a religious

Abraham Touro

Judah Touro

ment-sanctioned oppression.

corporation could not hold title to real

Touro Synagogue

Newport was a successful port town, which rivaled New York and Boston. The Jews there quickly distinguished themselves as influential merchants, many of

estate. To get around this procedural hurdle, the Newport community appointed a three-member panel to jointly hold title to the Touro Synagogue property. The panel consisted of three successful community

members: Jacob Rivera, Isaac Hart, and Moses Levy. Levy’s will would play a key role in the recent litigation between Jeshuat Israel and Shearith Israel. In it, he stated, “I have no exclusive right or Title in the Jewish Public Synagogue.” It was to be held “in trust only. . .for the sole use and benefit of the Jewish Society in Newport.” Levy’s son-in-law Moses Seixas became the sole trustee of the shul upon his father-in-law’s passing and after the other two trustees had died. Interestingly, it was Seixas who hosted President George Washington in 1790 during his visit to the Touro Synagogue. The visit followed the president’s famous letter to the Newport community declaring that “the Children of the Stock of Abraham” could worship freely in America. War Ravages Newport Newport was devastated with the outbreak of the Revolutionary War in 1776. British soldiers occupied the city and the port was destroyed. Jews quickly began leaving en masse, and services in the Touro Synagogue stopped in 1793. Later, the War of 1812 wreaked further havoc on the city, and by 1822 no Jews remained in Newport. Most members of the community fled to New York, where they joined another early American shul, Congregation Shearith Israel. With them, they brought their sifrei Torah for safekeeping, along with other valuables belonging to Yeshuat Israel. These included the celebrated rimonim at issue in this case. Shearith Israel became the de-facto “trustee” of the Touro Synagogue. While the Newport Jews relocated to New York, one dedicated non-Jew took upon himself the responsibility of maintaining the Touro Synagogue in their absence. His name was Stephen Guild, and he eventually elicited the assistance of two famous American Jews in this important task. Their names were Abraham and Judah Touro. The wealthy Touro brothers were the sons of Touro Synagogue’s first-ever rabbi, Isaac Touro. While they did not live in Newport, they maintained a strong connection with the city and gave much tzedakah for the shul’s upkeep. They also helped maintain the adjacent cemetery, and provided an endowment of thousands of dollars in their wills to be used for the salaries of the shul’s rabbi and baal koreh. It’s easy to understand how the shul eventually became known as the “Touro Synagogue.” Jews Resettle in Newport: 1870s 1890s The Touro Synagogue was largely unused from 1822 through 1870. In the early 1870s, Jewish immigrants from Ashkenazic countries began settling in Newport. In a nod to the city’s historical importance to the early Jews, the Ashkenazi Jews began davening in the Touro Synagogue and adopted the name Jeshuat Israel. The congre-

Feature The Week In News

JUNE 16, 2016 | The Jewish Home

gation maintains this name to this day. When the Ashkenazi immigrants began using the shul building, they ran into fierce resistance from Shearith Israel in New York. Shearith Israel objected when the Ashkenazi immigrants began adopting Ashkenazi practices in the shul. The dispute was solved when the two communities agreed that Shearith Israel would ap-

The two shuls gradually had less to do with each other in the ensuing decades. Touro Synagogue became a historical monument in 1945. By 1993, the two communities had virtually no contact with each other. Following the global economic crisis in 2008, Jeshuat Israel took inventory of its assets to determine how it could continue

Gravestone of Isaac Lopez, Touro Cemetery. Photo by Laura Leibman

The Myers Rimonim at the center of the dispute

point a Sephardic rabbi, Abraham Mendes, to lead the resurging Newport community. The Touro Synagogue was subsequently rededicated as a vibrant house of worship for the Newport community in 1883. Trouble resurfaced when Rabbi Mendes passed away in 1893. Jeshuat Israel tried capitalizing in a change in the law that now allowed religious organizations to own real estate. When Jeshuat Israel attempted to cement its ownership of the Touro Synagogue, Shearith Israel sued in court, arguing that it would be a “calamity” to allow the legendary Touro Synagogue to fall to anyone not practicing Sephardic traditions. Shearith Israel even went so far as physically locking the doors to the Touro Synagogue in 1901 to prevent Jeshuat Israel from using the shul. Peace Between Communities: 1903 - 2008 After various court battles between Jeshuat Israel and Shearith Israel, the two shuls finally brokered a settlement in 1903. Jeshuat Israel acknowledged that Shearith Israel was the trustee of the Touro Synagogue property, and would pay a symbolic lease of $1 per year. Jeshuat Israel was free to select its own rabbi, provided that the shul would officially practice Sephardic customs.

Photo: Boston Museum of Arts

functioning. The shul’s leadership decided that it could raise funds by selling its silver rimonim, which were crafted by colonial silversmith Myer Myers some time between 1766 and 1776. 2012: Litigation Resumes Jeshuat Israel hired auction powerhouse Christie’s to negotiate the sale of the silver rimonim. The goal was to sell them to raise money to continue operating the Touro Synagogue. Christie’s negotiated a price of $7.2 million from a museum in Boston. But when Jeshuat Israel attempted to proceed with the sale, Shearith Israel threatened a lawsuit to stop it. Shearith Israel argued, among others claims, it was the rightful owner of the rimonim. Later, Shearith Israel asserted ownership of not only the rimonim, but the Touro Synagogue itself. Shearith Israel went as far as trying to evict Jeshuat Israel from the property. The key question the Court had to decide was who owns the rimonim, and more importantly, who owns the Touro Synagogue? Touro Synagogue: A Charitable Trust 250 Years in the Making The Court acknowledged that at the heart of the dispute between the two shuls is the age-old machlokes between Sephardim

and Ashkenazim. As for the legal issues, the Court examined thousands of historical documents, including Moses Levy’s will. The Court noted that the three-member shul panel originally controlled the Touro Synagogue, and this responsibility passed informally through the ages to members who joined Shearith Israel. Eventually, Shearith Israel itself became trustee of the Touro Synagogue and the silver rimonim. Nevertheless, while Shearith Israel had legal control of Touro Synagogue, the Court ruled that it never owned the property. The Court noted that Shearith Israel returned the silver rimonim to the Touro Synagogue when it was rededicated in the 1880s. The New York congregation housed them for safekeeping, but never enjoyed exclusive ownership over these historical artifacts. The Court ruled that the Touro Synagogue was placed in a charitable religious trust which was created for “public Jewish worship” when it was first consecrated over 250 years ago. Finally, the law imposes strict requirements on any trustee managing property for a beneficiary. The Court expressed serious concern at the fact that Shearith Israel argued that it owned both the rimonim and the Touro Synagogue property. The Court explained that a trustee’s job is to preserve and protect trust property. When a trustee claims that he or she owns the property that he or she is charged with

maintaining, a serious breach of fiduciary duties has occurred. The Court expressed similar concerns at how Shearith Israel tried evicting Jeshuat Israel – Newport’s only shul – from the Touro Synagogue. Conclusion In ruling for Congregation Jeshuat Israel, the Court removed Shearith Israel as trustee of the Touro Synagogue. It appointed Jeshuat Israel as trustee of the Touro Synagogue instead, noting how Jeshuat Israel has tirelessly maintained and preserved the shul for over 100 years, without any assistance from Shearith Israel. The Court also ruled that Jeshuat Israel was free to proceed with the sale of the silver rimonim, the issue which precipitated the present lawsuit. Will this be the last round of litigation involving the legendary Touro Synagogue? It appears that Judge McConnell closed the door to any future claims of ownership of the iconic shul. But if history is any indication, the Touro Synagogue’s legacy and traditions could very well be the subject of future disputes. Until then, the charitable trust established for “public Jewish worship” over 250 years ago in the city of Newport will continue to be a source of pride and treasure for the entire Jewish people. Michael Rubinstein is a Los Angeles based personal injury and accident attorney.

The Week In News Communicated

JUNE 16, 2016 | The Jewish Home

New Mental Health Center Opens At Mayanei Hayeshua The Mental Health Center at Mayanei Hayeshua Medical Center in Bnei Brak is the first such center in the world that built for the needs of the chareidi community. The grand opening event was held in a large tent in the hospital’s parking lot. Hundreds of invited guests – among them rabbonim, public figures, and medical personalities – were in attendance. Among the guests who graced the event were members of the Moetzes Gedolei Hatorah, roshei yeshiva, and dayanim, who came to offer their blessings upon the completion of the medical center, which was erected with great effort in light of the tremendous need in the community. The founder and president of Mayanei Hayeshua, Rabbi Dr. Moshe Rothschild, delivered an emotional address describing the establishment of the hospital 25 years ago, and the mental health department today. He frequently mentioned Rav Shmuel Wosner, zt”l, who served as the chairman of the halachah committee of the hospital up until the period when the new department was being planned. When he became weak, he appointed Rav Yitzchak Silberstein in his place. “As someone involved in the medical field for over 60 years, I can declare that the biggest revolution in the medical world is in psychiatry. In the past, we heard about mentally ill people only once they passed away. Today, 90 percent of the problems can be resolved, and people can be returned to their communities and families and function fully,” Dr. Rothschild said. He warmly thanked Health Minister Rabbi Yaakov Litzman, and noted that it was a chessed from Hashem that the coun-

try has a minister who is mekadeish sheim shomayim and who has been instrumental in helping so many people on a public and individual basis. He also thanked Rav Elimelech Firer, chairman of Ezra Lemarpeh, for his constant assistance to Mayanei HaYeshua, and Finance Committee Chairman MK Rabbi Moshe Gafni for being there for the hospital whenever necessary. Other speakers included Rav Yisroel Meir Lau, Chief Rabbi of Tel Aviv and a longtime friend of Mayanei HaYeshua, who has been instrumental in the development of the hospital; Rav Sariel Rosenberg, who read a letter from his father-inlaw, Rav Nissim Karelitz, a member of the halachah committee; Rav Yitzchak Silberstein; Rav C.T. Shapiro, who read a letter from the Belzer Rebbe in honor of the event; and Rav Shimon Baadani. Minister Rabbi Yaakov Litzman shared memories of his meeting with Rav Wosner, who pleaded with him to rectify the problems in the mental health sector. He also spoke about the special guidance he received from his mentor, the Gerrer Rebbe, regarding the need to take action in the mental health sector. He mentioned his decision to implement reforms in the mental health sector after they had been delayed for more than ten years. In the past, even bigger cities in the periphery offered no access to mental health services. The reforms he implemented mean that health funds are now obligated to provide mental health services in all locations, including the periphery, just like any other medical service. Special gratitude was expressed to the

JUNE 16, 2016 | The Jewish Home

many donors around the world, specifically to philanthropist Reb Shlomo Yehudah Rechnitz of Los Angeles, who gave a generation donation to complete the building, the overall cost of which was nearly NIS 100 million. The event was also attended by rosh yeshiva Rav Aharon Leib Steinman; Rav Chaim Kanievsky; the rebbes of Viznitz, Bohush, Dorg, Chernobyl, Machnovka, Sadigura, Strikov, Spinka, and Krali; Rav Gershon Edelstein; Rav Baruch Mordechai Ezrachi; Rav Ehrentreau; Rav A. Brody; Rav Mordechai Gross; Rav Dessler; Rav A. Dinner; Rav Moshe Hillel Hirsch; Rav Chaim M. Wosner; Rav Weisbecker; Rav E. Kahaneman; Chief Rabbi Rav Dovid Lau; Rav Dov Landau; Rav Mazuz; Rav Markowitz; Rav Yehudah Silman; Rav Baruch Dov Povarsky; Rav Moshe Shaul Klein; Rav M. Kessler; and Rav Y. Ratzabi. Prior to the main event, the rabbanim gathered in the new construction to affix mezuzos and inaugurate the new departments. Health Minister Rabbi Yaakov Litzman attended this ceremony as well, along with senior officials from his ministry, including Dr. Tal Bergman, head of the mental health services department at the Health Ministry. The event was also attended by directors of the health funds, members of the UTJ Knesset faction, Deputy Minister Rabbi Meir Porush, MK Rabbi Uri Maklev, and MK Rabbi Menachem Eliezer Moses; MK Rabbi Yisrael Eichler and MK Rabbi Yaakov Asher; Bnei Brak Mayor Rabbi Chanoch Zeibert; Modiin Illit Mayor Rabbi Yaakov Gutterman; Bnei Brak Deputy Mayors Rabbi Avraham Rubinstein and Rabbi Menachem Shapiro, as well as city councilors and directors of health organizations. Speakers included the CEO of Mayanei HaYeshua, Rabbi Shlomo Rothschild; Chairman of the Board, Moshe Leon; and Dr. Tal Bergman. They all praised the unique cooperation between the Health Ministry and the medical center. They also praised previous mayors of Bnei Brak, Rabbi Mordechai Karelitz – who allocated land for the project – and Rabbi Yaakov Asher – who was instrumental in advancing the construction plans until they were implemented. The event was emceed by Rabbi Chaim Walder, who has been very active in the mental health field, and musical accompaniment was provided by the Keser choir.

Communicated The Week In News

Travel The Week In News

JUNE 16, 2016 | The Jewish Home

Travel Guide: Barcelona Aaron Feigenbaum Barcelona, the capital of Spain’s Catalonia region, is one of Europe’s most vibrant and culturally sophisticated destinations. Despite being famous for its passionate regional politics, Barcelona is truly a cosmopolitan city. Barcelona is renowned for its quirky mix of Gothic and Modernist architecture as well as its sparkling Barceloneta beach, Bohemian art scene, pleasant Mediterranean climate and relaxed atmosphere. Visit the labyrinth of ancient buildings and cobblestone streets that make up the Barri Gotic and enjoy a classical guitar performance from talented street musicians. Take a tour of legendary architect Antoni Gaudi’s highly unusual and striking buildings. Stroll down the pleasant, tree-lined La Rambla and see the best of what Barcelona’s artisans have to

Andorra la Vella

offer. Catch a football (soccer) game at Camp Nou, Europe’s largest stadium, and cheer along with tens of thousands for hometown heroes FC Barcelona. End your day with a picturesque view of the city from the lush Montjuic gardens. Whether you’re there for fun and excitement or simply to relax and soak in the atmosphere, Barcelona is the city that has something for everyone. History The origins of of Barcelona are unclear, but the city’s history appears to stretch back to at least the 3rd century BCE, when it was taken over by the Romans, who might have taken it from the Carthaginians. According to legend, the name of the city comes from a Carthaginian army general. The Romans made Barcelona a military camp in 15 BCE, but it slowly developed into a wealthy center of trade over the next few centuries. The city was captured by the northern Visigoths in the 5th century CE and renamed Toledo. Barcelona changed hands again in the 700s, when it was captured by the Muslim Moors, and yet again in 801 by the Franks. Eventually the city became independent from Frankish rule and prospered. It then merged with Spanish kingdom of Aragon, which controlled much of the Western Mediterranean region. Barcelona and Aragon reached their peak power in the early 1400s, when they controlled territory stretching all the way to Greece. Everything went downhill for Barcelona when Aragon dynastically tied its royal family to that of Castile. Aragon and Castile decided that reaping the riches of Barcelona were more important than help-

ing it thrive. The city came under Castilian control after a devastating siege in 1473. The city was further hit in the War of the Spanish Succession in 1714, when it sided against King Philip V of Spain in favor of Austria and Britain. After he won the war, the Spanish king decimated Barcelona’s merchant’s quarter, closed the city’s university and outlawed the use of the Catalan language. Barcelona gradually recovered but was briefly set back by Napoleon, who took the city and proclaimed his brother, Joseph, the king of Spain. The 1800s saw a revival of the Catalan language and a new Catalan nationalist movement. Barcelona entered the industrial age, and the city hosted the 1888 World’s Fair. Tensions between Catalonian nationalists and the Spanish government boiled over in the early 20th century as Barcelona

of Barcelona and the Kings of Aragon. Located within the Placa is the City History Museum. The museum is housed inside the Casa Padellas, the house of a wealthy noble family that dates back to the 15th century. The museum tells the history of the city from Roman times to the present. One of the two most important parts of the museum is Tinnell Hall, which was used as a throne room and is reportedly where Christopher Columbus announced his discovery of America to King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella. The other must-see place is the underground ruins of the ancient Roman city of Barcino. There are an ancient fish factory and winemaking facility. Interactive displays are there to immerse visitors in the daily life of Barcino. Located in nearby Placa Sant Jaume is City Hall, the seat of power for Barcelona. Across the way is the Palau de la Generalitat de Catalunya, the seat of power for Catalonia. The Palau contains the President’s offices, and it is one of the few medieval buildings in Europe still used as a seat of government.

Barcelona's Jewish Quarter

ed, one of which was Gaudi’s home and now a museum dedicated to him. Some of the highlights of the park include the ancient Greek-themed “Room of a Hundred Columns” building and the serpentine mosaic bench. Montjuic: This beautiful hill provides an excellent view of Barcelona and has been a symbol of the city since ancient times. Its name translates to “Mount of the Jews” because the Sephardic community bought land on the hill as a burial ground in medieval times. One of the best attractions here is the majestic neo-Baroque style National Palace. The palace held the 1929 Exhibition and now the National Art Museum of Catalonia, one of the world’s most important centers for Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance, and Modern art. Elsewhere on Montjuic you can find the beautiful and diverse botanical garden, boasting around 2000 different species of plants from around the world. At the very top of Montjuic sits the castle. Originally built for city’s defense, the Castell de Montjuic was built by the royal Bourbon

Casa Batllo

Barcelona's Jewish Quarter

Casa Mila

became a haven for terrorist activities and French anarchists. The movement for Catalonian independence was also reflected in the Modernist art movement. However, the dictator Francisco Franco occupied the city in 1939, effectively quashing the nationalists’ dreams. Since the fall of the Franco regime and the adoption of the 1977 Spanish constitution – which granted Catalonia more autonomy – Barcelona has been a hotbed for political activism and cultural growth. The Catalan language is once more in widespread use and with it increased calls for Catalonian independence. Many new world-class museums, parks and other urban infrastructure have been developed in the past few decades, making the city one of Europe’s finest destinations and attracting millions of tourists every year. Attractions Barri Gotic: Barcelona’s historic Gothic Quarter stretches out from the La Rambla main thoroughfare into ancient cobblestone streets filled with amazing works of architecture. Many buildings date back to the Middle Ages; some even as far back as Roman times. The spacious Placa del Rei features the imposing Palau Reial Major, which was once home to the counts

Tarragona

Girona Jewish Quarter

Very close by to the Placa Sant Jaume is the Jewish Quarter, also known as El Call Major. Prior to the Spanish Inquisition and expulsion, medieval Barcelona had a very significant Jewish population. While much of that Jewish history has been lost, a good amount survives. Walking tours through the Quarter stop by places such as the Sinagoga Major (Spain’s oldest shul) the house of Rabbi Shlomo ben Aderet (a.k.a. the Rashba, who served as rabbi of the Sinagoga Major for 50 years), and a recently discovered ancient mikvah. Park Guell: One of the world’s most unusual public parks, much of the fairytale-like Guell was designed by eccentric architect Antoni Gaudi at the behest of his patron Count Eusebi Guell. It was originally intended to be an English-style residential community with a public square where dances and plays could be performed. Only two of the houses were actually construct-

family in the 1700s and is now used for cultural activities. The castle can be easily reached via a scenic cable car ride starting at the Parallel metro station. Come to Montjuic during summer nights to see the park’s fountain put on a dazzling light show. Casa Mila and Casa Batllo: Known popularly as La Pedrera, this surreal building is one of Antoni Gaudi’s most famous accomplishments. Interestingly, the building uses no straight lines or load-bearing walls but rather stands on arches and pillars, all of which differ in height from one another. The building’s attic displays photos and scale models of Gaudi’s works. The roof has a number of unusual, colorful chimneys. Seeing this incredibly exotic piece of architecture is a must-do for any visitor to Barcelona. Casa Batllo, another of Gaudi’s masterpieces, is located in the city center. With its flowing shapes, brilliant colors, and creature-esque appearance, the Casa Batllo is a defining example of the French Art Nouveau movement of the early 20th century. Parc de la Ciutadella: This expertly manicured park holds the Catalonian Par-

Travel The Week In News

JUNE 16, 2016 | The Jewish Home

Girona

liament, an extremely important symbol of Catalonian nationalism. (Ironically, the Parc is where King Philip V built his massive citadel in the 1700s to suppress rebellion against the Spanish government.) The building can be toured on Sundays for free. The parc also contains a picturesque lake, a zoo (famous for once holding an albino gorilla), and the Museum of Natural Science. Museu Picasso: Housed in five connected medieval palaces, this museum is dedicated to Picasso’s formative years and contains a whopping 4,251 of his art works, making it one of the largest Picasso collections in the world. Besides paintings, the museum also houses Picasso’s sketches, engravings, and ceramics. The museum has a number of special exhibits and lectures relating to Picasso and other artists as well as an extensive research library open to the public. Day Trips: If you have extra time, the Catalonia region is full of exciting things to see and do. The most important day trip for any Jewish traveler is Girona. Just 60 miles away from Barcelona, this iconic city of cobblestone streets and ancient houses was once home to a thriving Jewish community headed by Nachmanides, the Great Rabbi of Catalonia. Like a lot of other Jewish communities in Spain, this one was decimated by the Inquisition and expulsion. However, the ghetto is today one of the best preserved in Europe, and there is a highly informative Jewish history museum. The port city of Tarragona is famous for its extensive Roman ruins, although the city’s history actually dates all the way back to Phoenecian times. The most famous site is the idyllic 2nd century amphitheatre, sitting right next to the beach. There are also Roman walls dating to the 3rd century BCE, when they were used to defend the city against the invading Carthaginians. Latin and Phoenecian inscriptions on ancient stone houses are a common sight.

Located very close to France, the quaint town of Figueres was home to the world-renowned surrealist painter Salvador Dali. The Dali Theatre and Museum naturally has the world’s largest collection of Dali art as well as his sculptures, 3-D collages, holographic art, and many other weird and wacky things. The artist himself is buried in a crypt beneath the theatre’s stage floor. Also in Figueres is San Fernando Castle, one of Europe’s largest fortresses that was built to defend the Spanish frontier from invaders. The relaxed seaside town of Cadaques was Dali’s home for many years. His house is open to the public for touring. In fact, the beauty and tranquility of this little town has attracted many other leading cultural figures such as Walt Disney and Picasso. For a day at the beach without the crowds and with some of the most brilliantly azure-blue waters around, Cadaques is well worth the hour or so drive. Andorra La Vella is located in Andorra, a tiny mountainous country between France and Spain that is only about three hours away from Barcelona. This well-todo city is most famous for its duty-free, high-end shopping. If shopping’s not your thing, then try out Andorra’s other popular activity: skiing. The Grandvalira ski resort is arguably one of the best in Europe and offers incredible views of the Pyrenees Mountains. Daven and Eat The Sinagoga Major in Barcelona is Spain’s oldest shul and one of the oldest in Europe. It was famously visited by King James I after the conclusion of Disputation of Barcelona in 1263. There are no regular minyanim, but the shul is used during yamim tovim. Visitors are free to take a look around inside. The Chabad of Barcelona provides minyanim and kosher food. The only kosher restaurant is the newly opened Maccabi, located in the bustling La Rambla district and serving Sephardi style meat and fish. For more information about

where to daven, eat, and stay, visit jewishbarcelona.org. Getting There and Around Flights from LAX to Barcelona currently start at around $1,200 per person, round trip. Public transportation around Barcelona is easy and efficient. Consider purchasing a Barcelona Card, which gives you unlimited free public transportation

and discounts to almost 100 attractions. Unfortunately, the city’s bike share program is not available to tourists. Also note that it’s generally not advised to drive a car within the city, as parking is expensive, and the streets are very difficult to navigate at times.

The Week In News

4 Heroes Mourned

Last week, after the Sarona Market attack when the police finally apprehended the terrorists, all seemed to go back to normal. But for four families, their lives – and the lives of the Jewish nation – will forever be shattered by the loss of their relatives. On Friday, more than 600 people attended the funeral of Mila Mishayev. Mila, who was 32 when she was murdered, was going to be married in the near future and was waiting for her fiancé when she was attacked. She managed to call him before

JUNE 16, 2016 | The Jewish Home

she died to tell him that she was shot. “Facing the dreadful photos from the attack we are left in shock and grief. How can human beings so easily take the lives of other human beings, innocents, whose only ‘sin’ was being Jewish? My heart goes out to you, the Mishayev family, parents Zvi and Ritza, brothers Phoenix and Alex and sister Natali. All of Ashkelon grieves and hurts with you and it is hard to contain the great disaster that befell us,” Ashkelon Mayor Itamar Shimoni said at the funeral. Another one of the four victims, Ben Gurion University professor Michael Feige, 58, from Ramat Gan, was buried at the cemetery in Rehovot on Friday afternoon. Michael was a father of three. Earlier Friday, hundreds of people turned out at Yarkon cemetery in Petah Tikva for the funeral of Ilana Naveh. She was at Sarona Market to celebrate her 40th birthday. “I wanted to believe that when they took me to the hospital it would be okay,” said Shiran Naveh, one of 39-year-old Naveh’s four daughters. “They told me in the morning [that you had died], but it didn’t surprise me, I already knew that night. I wanted them to wake me from this nightmare, tell me that it didn’t really happen, but it’s not a dream, it’s real.” She continued: “Give me the strength to fill your massive shoes. I promise to do it in the best way possible. Watch over us,

Honoring Our Traditions As a member of the Orthodox community, I am pleased to have joined the Mount Sinai family as an Advance Planning Representative. Mount Sinai is committed to respecting the Halachic needs of our community; and I look forward to working with you. Mount Sinai Hollywood Hills 5950 Forest Lawn Drive Los Angeles, CA 90069

Mount Sinai Simi Valley 6150 Mount Sinai Drive Simi Valley, CA 93063

Our parks are open Sunday through Friday 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM daily except Saturday in observance of the Sabbath.

MY DIRECT CONTACT INFORMATION: Naomi Silbermintz 323-769-1374 nsilbermintz@ mountsinaiparks.org

Mom, we love you very much.” MK Rabbi Moshe Gafni, who performed Naveh’s marriage ceremony, also delivered a eulogy. “Seventeen years ago I stood with you under your chuppah, I blessed your marriage, and who would have thought I would have to mourn you?” he lamented. The fourth Israeli killed in the Tel Aviv attack, Ido Ben Ari, was buried on Thursday. Ido was a father of two whose wife was also injured in the attack. He served in the elite Sayeret Matkal unit during his IDF service and was working in a senior position at The Coca-Cola Company’s Israel branch. Since last October, 33 Israelis and four others have been killed and hundreds more injured in the spate of attacks, though the violence had dramatically waned of late. Hashem Yikom Damam.

Average Salary at Record High According to figures released by the Central Bureau of Statistics last week, the average Israeli salary in March 2016 reached record levels of 10,128 New Israeli Shekels (NIS). The crossing of the NIS 10,000 threshold has been brought about,

in large measure, due to the high distribution of work bonuses. The average monthly salary rose between January and March this year by 4.7 percent, reflecting a continuation of the 3.9 percent increase preceding it between October and December 2015. Despite this positive news, twothirds of Israel’s population employed in the workforce receives below the average national wage.

So how come the numbers are up? Those who work in the information and communication industries are leading in the salary rankings, boasting handsome monthly wages of NIS 20,960. These workers predominantly hail from professions in wire communications, wireless and satellite industries, maintenance and operating internet sites, programming and servicing computers. The second highest paid professions

The Week In News

JUNE 16, 2016 | The Jewish Home

are those of the mining industry, quarrying and gas production which pull in an average of NIS 20,493 per month. These professionals are closely followed by banking and insurance employees receiving an average of NIS 20,491. Surprisingly, those employed in electrical companies, who for years occupied first place, have fallen to fourth place, receiving a monthly average of NIS 19,336. Trailing last place are those employed in food and services industries such as waiters, hotel room attendants and receptionists who receive pay checks averaging a meager NIS 4,607 (below the minimum NIS 4,650). Many of these workers are employed in part time positions. Earning narrowly above them are workers employed in delivery services, security guards and cleaners who receive around NIS 5,338. Farmers earn NIS 6,764 while teachers, despite recent reforms, close the month with an average of NIS 7,376.

another cab to Tel Aviv’s Sarona Market where, after entering and ordering dessert at the Max Brenner cafe, they got up and fired their weapons at the Israeli customers around them, killing four and wounding 16. A cab ride from Beersheba to Tel Aviv takes less than two hours and costs approximately NIS 400 (about $100) According to a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office on Thursday, work to plug the gaps in the security fence in the Tarkumiya-Meitar area will begin on June 28 and the budget has already been allocated. Israel has also deployed additional forces to the area until the work is completed. Following the deadly attack, the Israeli government ordered a series of measures in response, including the sealing off of the West Bank and Gaza and the revocation of work permits from family members of the terrorists.

in the international community. Those who tried to block our appointment would be well advised to take note of the jurisdiction of this committee, as they have much to learn about international law,” he continued, “We are a full member of the UN and any attempt to deny us of our legal rights in this organization will be met with uncompromising rejection.”

Israelis Love Turkey

How Did the Terrorists Get into Israel?

After the tragic attack at Sarona Market in Tel Aviv last week, in which four Israelis were murdered, many were wondering how the Palestinian terrorists were able to obtain the ammunition they used in the attack. On Friday, security authorities revealed that the two terrorists, cousins Muhammad and Khalid Muhamra from the West Bank town of Yatta, left their village just south of Hebron and made their way to the Israeli town of Meitar through a wide gap in the security barrier. The two were already armed, having purchased their weapons – Carl Gustav automatic firearms – in their hometown through an intermediary, who was ultimately arrested by police. Once on the Israeli side in Meitar, the cousins were assisted by a Palestinian man working illegally in Israel who drove them to the Bedouin town of Segev Shalom, southeast of Beersheba. This is where, according to the investigation, they changed into the formal attire – suits and ties – which they wore when they carried out the attack. Dressed and armed, they took a taxi from Segev Shalom to Beersheba, and

Israel to Head UN Committee For the first time ever, and after months of behind-the-scenes diplomatic struggles, Israel’s Ambassador to the United Nations Danny Danon was elected to head the UN Legal Committee (officially named the Sixth Committee) on Monday. The committee deals with sensitive topics including fighting global terrorism. This is a historic event, as it marks the first time an Israeli representative will head a permanent UN committee since its induction into the organization in 1949. 109 nations voted for Danon (the process only included votes cast for a candidate for the position, and did not include ‘nay’ votes). Both the Palestinian and the Iranian representatives worked to convince representatives not to cast their vote for Danon. The Israeli victory came after a long, complex diplomatic struggle by Israeli representatives worldwide. Their main opponents were the Arab nations and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC). “I am proud to be the first Israeli elected to this position,” said Ambassador Danon. “Israel is a world leader in international law and in fighting terrorism. We are pleased to have the opportunity to share our knowledge with the countries of the world.”

When we’re looking to spend some time away from the rat race, we generally head to Israel – or maybe Miami for some sun. But where do Israelis go when they go

on vacation? It seems that Israelis are heading to Turkey in droves. Despite Turkey’s Recep Tayyip Erdoğan consistently spewing venom at the Jewish State, Turkey is Israelis’ number one destination. A new report from the Israel Airports Authority shows that, in the first five months of 2016, 483,000 flights have traveled from Ben Gurion to Istanbul, marking a rise of 12.6 percent from 2015. These flights went to the Turkish metropolis’s Sabiha Gökçen International and Atatürk Airports on Turkish and Pegasus Airlines. Of the different nationalities flying to Istanbul, it is predominantly the Israelis who remain for vacations in Turkey. Most of the other passengers to these airports are on layovers and continue on to destinations in Europe, the Far East and North America. Not interested in Turkey? The second most popular destination from Ben Gurion airport is New York (both JFK and Newark), with 477,000 travelers flying there over the five-month period of 2016 – a 5.5 percent increase from last year. London’s myriad of airports trailed in third place with some 378,000 travelers flying from Ben Gurion Airport (an increase of 5 percent). Moscow and Rome are the next most popular destinations for Israeli vacationers.

BRAND NEW LISTING!! CITY CENTER

HANEVIIM COURT

Underground Parking & 24 Hr Guard in Building

$299 Per Night NEW UNIT SALE!

10% OFF

9 PER NIGHT! NOW JUST $26 • •

Open and bright 2 Bedroom Apt Glatt Kosher Kitchen

•

Breathtaking Views of Jerusalem!

BOOK THIS APARTMENT TODAY! 11+ Years Experience

Our Site is now Mobile Friendly!

Easy Secure Online Payments

SUKKOS AND SUMMER RENTALS FILLING UP QUICKLY! “The apartment on Haneviim was incredible! When we got inside, the view of Jerusalem was so amazing, we all just stood there in awe for quite a while just to take it in. It was spotless clean, fresh linen/towels and all cooking utensils were available and clean. The manager is a doll of a guy. Would definitely come back!” -Benzi Weisz, Brooklyn, NY

“We will not allow dictatorships and anti-Israel countries to harm our standing

AKIVA BOOKMAN

Akiva@rentalsofdistinction.com

855-610-BOOK (2665) www.rentalsofdistinction.com

The Week In News

A Camp for Kids?

JUNE 16, 2016 | The Jewish Home

The Al Quds Intifada is the term used by Hamas to describe the latest wave of Palestinian terror against civilian Israelis.

49 Killed in Orlando Massacre

It’s almost time for summer camp, and all over the U.S. kids will leave their urban surroundings to head to places with names like Camp Mataoka and Kippewa. For the more athletically inclined, there’s one run by Nike and there’s music camps for future Beethovens. In Gaza, however, kids will be treated to a summer held in the Al-Quds Intifada Camp, run by Hamas. Hamas has created the camp in an effort to “educate” its youth and instill in them a desire for Intifada. Children are taught about martyrdom and “the Occupation” and learn to play games of jihad.

It is the deadliest mass shooting in America’s history. On Saturday night, around 2am, when around 300 people were still inside the nightclub in Orlando, a man approached with a 9mm handgun and an AR-15 rifle with large capacity magazines. It is unclear how he got inside, when there are usually security guards and bouncers in the front. What is clear is that the terrorist shot and

killed 49 people and wounded 53 others callously and with calculated calmness. At first, people didn’t hear the shots, since the music was so loud. But as people close to Omar Mateen began to fall, screams and terror took over the crowd. People ran for safety; others dropped to the floor. An off-duty police officer shot at Mateen. The 29-year-old son of Afghan immigrants fired back and headed deeper into the club, mechanically shooting at more people. “He started shooting everybody,” said Tony Marrero, 32, who was at the nightclub, Pulse. He tried to play dead under a sofa. He was shot in the back but ultimately survived. Witnesses said that the shots just kept coming. It almost seemed as if there were more than one gunman in the club. Finally, police arrived and Mateen barricaded himself in the bathroom with four hostages. Dozens of survivors fled the building, gulping in the fresh air and freedom. Others were still trapped inside. Just before 2:30am Mateen began a series of calls with 911 in which the terrorist “said he was doing this for the leader of ISIS, whom he named and pledged allegiance to,” FBI Director James Comey said. Mateen also “appeared to claim solidarity with” the brothers who bombed the 2013 Boston Marathon and with a fellow

former Fort Pierce resident who became a suicide bomber in Syria on behalf of the Nusra Front, an ISIS rival. Mateen was a security guard at another place in Orlando. Finally, around 3am, police decided to storm the club. At around 4:15am, police created a hole in the wall. Many people were able to get out. Mateen exited through there and then was killed by police in an exchange of gunfire. Sadly, 49 people lost their lives in the carnage. 53 people were wounded. On Sunday, President Obama addressed the nation. Some criticized the president for refusing to mention Islamic terrorism in his speech. He said it was an “attack on all of us and on the fundamental values of equality and dignity that define us as a country.” Slowly facts have come out about the suspect. His wife said that she went with him to purchase the weapons and drove him to the club. Authorities are considering arresting her for not revealing plans on the attack. Mateen was known to the FBI and was interrogated twice and let go both times. He visited Saudi Arabia twice. In 2013, co-workers reported Mateen to the FBI in 2013 after he had made “inflammatory and contradictory” statements, including a claim that he had family connections to al Qaeda and membership in the Shi’ite militant group Hezbollah, a bitter rival. He is

The Week In News

JUNE 16, 2016 | The Jewish Home

also known to have said that he wished the authorities would raid his apartment and assault his wife and child so he could martyr himself. He was a frequent visitor to the club at which the massacre took place.

Once a Terrorist, Always a Terrorist

universal prosperity and innovation, by ensuring basic economic security. No one should be held back from their aspirations, passions, and dreams,” the advocacy group says on its website. “We believe that advocating for, and experimenting with, Basic Income is the best way to practically tackle the problem of economic insecurity and advance our mission.” How the group intends to have its universal program financed is still unknown. But it made at least one man happy.

House Republicans Take Stance Against PC In a sense, we should have seen this coming. At least twelve of the Guantanamo Bay detainees who were released back to Afghanistan recently have been identified as being part of attacks on U.S. troops there which killed about half-a-dozen Americans. Paul Lewis, who oversees Guantanamo issues at the Defense Department, admitted to this back in March, and many lawmakers are seeing the admission as further proof that the president’s plans to close the facility is unwise. Lewis has refused to provide further detail on the attacks, and so have other Pentagon officials. An unnamed source has confirmed that nine of the twelve terrorists are either dead or back in U.S. custody. The official added: “Because many of these incidents were large-scale firefights in a war zone, we cannot always distinguish whether Americans were killed by the former detainees or by others in the same fight.” Lawmakers have been provided with certain classified documents which name the former detainees, but are prohibited from sharing the details of the documents with the public. Many members of Congress and the Senate have been increasingly frustrated by the difficulty in obtaining information from members of the Obama administration. “There appears to be a consistent and concerted effort by the Administration to prevent Americans from knowing the truth regarding the terrorist activities and affiliations of past and present Guantanamo detainees,” Senator Kelly Ayotte wrote in a letter to President Obama this week.

Republicans in the House of Representatives took a stand against political correctness and defeated a democratic measure to remove the words “illegal alien” from the Library of Congress catalogs and replace it with the term “noncitizen.” The bill by Texas Democrat Rep. Joaquin Castro, titled “CHANGE: Correcting Hurtful and Alienating Names in Government Expression,” was defeated on a party-line vote, with all Republicans voting against the bill and all Democrats voting for the bill. The vote came as the bill’s sponsor, Rep. Castro, is undoubtedly trying to shore up his position as a viable vice presidential candidate for Hillary Clinton. Congressman Joaquin Castro and his identical twin brother, HUD Secretary Julian Castro, are both considered possible vice presidential candidates. According to recent reports, the brothers – first generation Americans, born to Mexican immigrants – have been cramming Rosetta Stone courses in an effort to learn Spanish. Oddly, the two did not grow up bilingual and are frantically trying to avoid a scenario where they are picked for their Latino credentials and they turn out unable to speak Spanish. That would make them look...loco.

Not Enough Time will Make you Happy

$1,250 to Do Nothing Comrades in San Francisco have found a way to show the world what it means to live in a utopian society. A raffle held by the organization My Basic Income awarded a man named Edwin from Florida $1,250 a month for the next year just for living. The group aims to build a society where everyone is granted free cash stipends from the government. “Our mission is to create a world of

The old cartoon of the content person lounging on a backyard hammock may really be a myth. Researchers recently discovered a higher correlation between people who felt strapped for time and happiness; as opposed to people who felt cash

strapped, but time-content. In a study across 4,400 people, researchers found that two-thirds of respondents would rather have more money than time, but the minority that needed more time than money also reported feeling the happiest. The researchers note that this may be related to a famous 2010 study that once a person reaches an annual income of $75,000, his or her emotional well-being does not improve as much with additional income. Of course one can argue with the study’s findings that people who need more time over money probably have enough money to begin with and that is the reason why they are happier, but even when the researchers studied a group of people with the same level of income, the results were the same. The happier group exhibited certain common characteristics, such as being older, married and having children. After all, happiness is a state of mind.

Trump Bans WaPost

Donald Trump’s war against the “biased media” continues as he now revoked the credentials of the Washington Post; its reporters will no longer have access to Trump’s campaign events. Trump banned the paper, which he called “phony and dishonest,” after the paper wrote in a headline: “Donald Trump suggests President Obama was involved in Orlando shooting.” The corresponding article criticized Trump’s statement on Fox News: “We’re led by a man who is...either not tough, not smart, or has something else in mind.” Trump went on to say, “People can’t believe that President Obama is acting the way he acts and can’t even mention the words radical Islamic terrorism. There’s something going on. It’s inconceivable.” The Post quickly changed the headline after Trump’s announcement, but it was too little, too late. The Washington Post’s executive editor responded to the ban by saying that the ban is “nothing less than a repudiation of the role of a free and independent press.” He promised to continue to cover Trump in an “honorably, honestly, accurately, energetically, and unflinchingly” manner. The Washington Post joins other leftwing media outlets that have been blocked from Trump events, such as BuzzFeed, Politico, Univision and The Huffington Post. After Trump announced the ban against The Washington Post, The Huffington Post tweeted: “Welcome to the Club.” As they say, misery loves company.

More Families Crossing the Border Illegal immigrants are no longer just breaking the law by jumping the border; many of them are also kidnapping children. Faced with the knowledge that the government may not detain illegals if they are part of a family unit, many of them are seizing children to bring with them as they cross the border.

“When people now know that when I come as a family unit, I won’t be apprehended and detained — we now have people being abducted so that they can be deemed as family units, so that they can avoid detention,” Leon Fresco, a deputy assistant attorney general who handles immigration cases, told the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals. Peter Schey, a lawyer who represents immigrant families, claims the accusations are unfounded. “We know zero instances of that, and there’s zero support for that anywhere in the record,” he said. “If they know of any such instances, I would think they would bring the actual instances to the attention of the court.” For years, much of the focus has been on unaccompanied minors who have managed to enter the United States. But now, more attention is going to family units that enter the U.S. illegally. How to handle them is being hotly debated. The Obama administration has opened up detention facilities to house them and ultimately send them back to the country of origin – hoping it will deter them – and others – from coming to the United States. Immigrant rights advocates, though, have said that the detention centers were unsuitable for young children. Last year, Judge Dolly M. Gee agreed, and ordered all of the children quickly processed and released. In cases where they came with a parent, she said it usually made sense to release the parent too, because that was in the best interests of the children. Since that verdict, there has been a surge of family units crossing the border, just as the Obama administration warned after the verdict was announced.

The Week In News

Town for Sale

How do you say “sale” in Italian? Well, do I have a vendita for you! Francesco Garafolo has been having a hard time keeping his town in San Sossio Baronia in southern Italy afloat. He’s been mayor for seven years and he’s throwing his hands up in the air for all to see. Recently, Garafolo took his frustration to Facebook and posted: “Wanted: a rich Chinese investor to come and take over the town,” adding that this was due to “perennial lack of funds.” He also said that he would continue to be mayor if the new owners would need him to continue in the position. “I should point out that the cost would be slightly lower than that of [football clubs] Inter and Milan.” Appealing to buyers, Garafolo believes that the town would make a “very profitable investment,” saying the region had a great environment, and strong tourism potential. Despite this wonderful offer that you can’t refuse, the mayor admits that his Facebook plea was really just a ploy to garner attention for the cash-strapped village. Speaking to Italian paper il Fatto Quotidiano, the mayor said, “I will not sell my land. I just want to draw attention to ensure services to my people. It has become difficult even to plug a hole in the street or afford to mow the grass. “I thought I’d post my ad in hopes of finding a way to ensure a more prosperous future in my municipality. The post was created by a deep unease, frustration and sense of helplessness in dealing with the daily newspaper, [and due to] lack of cash liquidity.” Perhaps he should find another job.

A Bomb Out There is nothing like a good neighbor. You can trust them to watch your kids when you head out for a bit, will lend you eggs, sugar and a cup of oil, and will keep an eye out when prowlers are about. But here’s one man we’re happy doesn’t live in

JUNE 16, 2016 | The Jewish Home

our neck of the woods. Mark Tuson is a World War II fanatic. He’s such a fanatic that he kept a “safe” bomb in his Lancashire garden for a decade. But recently, the 26-year-old was shocked when police and Army explosive experts raced to his home to detonate the bomb – which was actually live.

His uncle had found the bomb on a beach and Mark had always thought it was safe because it was missing the fuse. After ten years of adorning his garden, he called police because his mother pointed out that it may not be so safe. It took the police three hours to detonate the explosive. What a live wire.

What’s with Z Bridge?

Need to head to New Jersey? Well, it’ll cost you. The toll to cross the Verrazano Bridge is a whopping $15. Makes the trip even more painful. But now, it’s been revealed that although we’ve been crossing that bridge for many years, we’ve actually been spelling it wrong for all that time. Turns out that the bridge is named after a 16th century Italian explorer Giovanni da Verrazzano – with two Zs. The state authority that controls the span acknowledges the misspelling but has stubbornly held to the one Z position it’s taken for years. Seems that it would be too expensive the change all the signs, brochures, maps and websites. Changing the name of New York’s Triborough Bridge to the Robert F. Kennedy Bridge in 2008, for example, reportedly cost the state $4 million. “This is a travesty,” said Robert Nash, a 21-year-old Brooklyn college student who started an online petition to add the other Z to North America’s longest suspension bridge. “To honor a man and name a bridge after him and not spell his name right?” Nash, whose mother is Italian and father half-Italian, said Italian-Americans ev-

erywhere deserve better. “We were always proud of being of Italian descent, and this rich culture shaped who I am,” he says. What if, he says, the George Washington Bridge or John F. Kennedy International Airport were spelled wrong? Would Americans stand for it? The reason for the wrong spelling is unclear. According to Gay Talese, who chronicled the span’s construction for The New York Times and in his book The Bridge, the origin of the error was the original 1959 building contract, which spelled Verrazzano’s name with one Z. “We’re talking about a typo and everybody let it go,” Talese said. “Nobody noticed because nobody really knew who Verrazzano was then.” Seems like it’s water under the bridge now.

One Twitter user wrote: “Seriously, @ adidasfootball – IT’S COLOMBIA, not Columbia! Colossal mistake for such a brand. Unacceptable” A spokeswoman for Adidas said: “We value our partnership with the Colombian Football Federation and apologize for our mistake. We removed these graphics and are quickly installing new versions.” She said the mistake only happened in the U.S. Despite the error, Colombia’s football team appears to have taken the controversy in stride. Colombia beat Paraguay 2-1 on Tuesday night to progress to the Copa America quarter finals.

Dig for Victory A Cookie in Ink

Want to know a great chocolate chip cookie recipe? Well, this man from Minnesota is so proud of it and would love to share. In fact, he’s so pleased – and so sure of this recipe – that he had it tattooed on his leg. The list of ingredients is written neatly in script. Below, there’s a single line: Bake at 350 degrees for 12 minutes. Wonder what he likes to eat for snack.

Wrong Name!

It’s a mistake that happened only in the U.S. and it’s possible that no one really noticed. Recently, Adidas misspelled the name of the country Colombia on football promotional images and wrote the word “Columbia” instead. Some people, though, did notice the error and pointed it out.

Working in a graveyard is a solemn position. But last week, some gravediggers in Hungary had some fun when they competed to prove they were the fastest and best in the business. Taking their places at plots selected by pulling names out of a hard hat, 18 twoman teams waited for an official to shout “Start!” before shoveling at the ground to dig a precise, regulation-size grave as quickly as possible. “I don’t think this is morbid,” the Hungarian Undertakers’ Association’s deputy chairman, Zoltan Juracsik, said at the national grave-digging contest at the wooded cemetery in Debrecen, Hungary’s biggest city after Budapest. “This is a profession, and the colleagues who toil in competition today are proud and deserve our respect.” The winners finished in less than a half hour. Others took almost an hour. The graves were then judged on neatness and whether they complied with the regulation size: 200 cm long, 80 cm wide and 160 cm deep (7 feet by 2 feet 7 inches by 5 feet). The winning team wins a place in an international tournament against Poland, Slovakia and the Czech Republic. The contest is meant to improve the prestige of grave digging and attract young men to a job that must still be done by hand in crowded graveyards where mechanical diggers cannot fit. One of the competitors, Csaba Halasz, 21, began by taking a summer job after high school. Although he graduated with a degree in physical education, he stayed in the business. “This job chose me,” he said. “It’s hard but it’s worth it. Relatives come and thank me every time. The profession just lured me in.” Seems like he digs it.

Quotes The Week In News

JUNE 16, 2016 | The Jewish Home

OCTOBER 29, 2015 | The Jewish Home

Notable Quotes “Say What?!”

Delete your account. - Hillary Clinton’s tweet in response to Trump bashing President Obama’s endorsement of her (In the “twitter world,” that phrase is used when a tweet falls flat)

How long did it take your staff of 823 people to think that up? And where are your 33,000 emails that you deleted?” - Trump’s reply

The co-founder of Home Depot recently announced that he is supporting Donald Trump. He wasn’t planning to, but when your colors are orange and white, you kind of have to go with Donald. – Jimmy Fallon

The Second Amendment didn’t kill anybody. Evil, radical Islam, ISIS, they killed. We have to start standing up for our country. We have to say, we’re going to vet people before they come into our country. If you disagree with what our country believes in, why in the living daylights are you allowed in our country? – Florida Gov. Rick Scott (R), at a press conference

In an interview, Donald Trump said he won’t have to ask G-d for “much forgiveness.” Unless, of course, G-d turns out to be a Mexican woman who’s a Muslim. – Conan O’Brien

“Today Show” host Savannah Guthrie’s skipping the Olympics in Rio because she’s pregnant and worried about the Zika virus. In a related story, Bob Costas just announced he is pregnant. – Conan O’Brien

The Queen wears the crown, but her husband wears the trousers. - British royal biographer Gyles Brandreth, writing about Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip’s marriage, in advance of their upcoming 70th anniversary

He has not called. - Ibid., when asked three days after the terrorist attack that occurred in Orlando, Florida, whether he spoke to President Obama yet

MORE QUOTES

Quotes The Week In News

JUNE 16, 2016 | The Jewish Home

The Jewish Home | OCTOBER 29, 2015

Hillary Clinton said yesterday that she would like to see the FBI investigation of her emails wrapped up. Hillary then said, “Or deleted – whatever is easiest.” – Conan O’Brien

It’s being reported that Hillary Clinton now has enough delegates to secure the Democratic nomination. Hillary was so excited when she found out she asked her staff to schedule 15 seconds of smiling. – Jimmy Fallon

Hillary told her assistant to break out the champagne. And he said, “Actually you drank it all when Trump secured his nomination. Do you remember that?” - Ibid.

Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi said it would be great if Hillary Clinton picked a female running mate. She said it during a speech titled, “Hint Hint.”

Hillary Clinton today responded to her status as the presumptive nominee, calling it a “historic, unprecedented moment.” Said Hillary, “Never in my wildest dreams did I think…it would take this long.” – Seth Myers

I mean, what am I gonna do? I can’t vote for George Washington. So I’m supporting Donald Trump. - Bob Dole

– Conan O’Brien

In the general election, Donald Trump plans on painting Hillary Clinton as moneygrubbing and unethical. Meanwhile, Hillary Clinton plans on painting Donald Trump as Donald Trump. – Conan O’Brien

It is being reported that Ivanka Trump is writing a book titled, “Women Who Work: Rewriting the Rules of Success.” Which is better than the original title, “Help! My Dad’s a Nectarine!” - Seth Myers

MORE QUOTES

JUNE 16, 2016 | The Jewish Home

The Week In News

s s e n d e r a p e r P r e t s a s i D 5 thAnnual

r i a F y t e f a S & th pm ∙ ∙ sunday june 26 2016 12-4

Live CPR, choking, first aid demos Cedars-Sinai Blood Drive Blood pressure testing

Moonbounce ∙ Emergency supply vendors Sit in a police car ∙ Helicopter flyover Climb on a fire truck ∙ Car seat safety Live Jaws of Life demonstration Large display of emergency vehicles

CO UN

EMBER PAUL LM K CI

ETZ OR

Yeshiva Aharon Yaakov Ohr Eliyahu 241 S. Detroit St.

FREE ADMISSION For more info call (310) 247-0584 or e-mail pr@hatzolahofla.org

5th COUNCIL DISTRICT

OF L

OS ANG

-SPONSORS-