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The Jewish Home

july 18, 2013

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Community Community Happenings. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6 The Jewish Home of LA Summer Guide, Part 2 . . 12 Job Seekers Still Suffering. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 10 Tips To Land Your Dream Job . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Seven Questions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23

How to Make Progress Every Day. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 Refu’as Hanefesh: A Jewish Perspective. . . . . . . . . 22 Thoughts on Redemption. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 Holiday Series. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26

parsha The Three Homes of Hashem. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 Va’eschanan: Comfort at Last . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

op-ed Israel’s Religious Divide By Rabbi David Eliezrie. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20

Humor & Entertainment Centerfold. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 Quotes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30

News Military News. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34 Health Bits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38 Around the World. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39

Israel The Knesset is on Church Land?!?. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33

History The Battle of Lanzareth and the Heroes Who Fought the Germans . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42

It was on the Shabbos following the immigration raid which decimated my family’s business, when an elderly Vizhnitzer Chasid, who was a shochet (ritual slaughterer) at the plant, stood up and gave a bang on the bimah. As if representing the crowd in addressing the Almighty, he began to explain that indeed health is our number one need, but parnassah, making a living, is not something separate from that. Supporting oneself, supporting one’s family and helping others is very much connected to living a complete life down here on earth, and lacking this, G-d forbid, can be truly detrimental to the individual and the home. In this issue of The Jewish Home, we’ve decided to highlight this subject, since many of us in the community are still struggling to cover the costs of raising a family in a respectable way. We hope this will both add in our empathy to our fellow brothers and sisters who are struggling, and perhaps even help with looking for a solution. We’ve continued with the summer feature to help those looking for some new ideas to get out of the city or just for a nice place to get a refreshing drink. We hope you enjoy the discounts! As usual, enjoy the happenings from around town, though it seems like things really shut down around here for the three weeks! That brings us to Tisha B’av and Shabbos Nachamu. In a sense, these days really cut to the core of our being one nation with a shared destiny. Many articles in this issue address this topic -that in order to bring about the fulfillment of “Nachamu Nachamu Ami,” we need to reach into the depth of our very selves to a place where there was no destruction or disconnection, and where every failure is there to bring about renewed strength. A place in which the “I” is one with the “we.” Be sure to see the Touro column, as it touches upon the extremely sensitive but important subject of our mental well-being. Although not visible like physical health is, it affects us in fundamental ways and must be addressed in the proper manner. In the entertainment side of things, we’ve started two new columns: “2 Dishes” and “7 questions.” We hope you enjoy them and continue to provide feedback as to what else might enhance the newspaper. Wishing you all a wonderful Shabbos. Just as we mourned the destruction of Jerusalem and suffering of our history, may we celebrate in its rebuilding and our return. As we said in the afternoon prayer on Tisha B’av, “For you, O G-d, consumed her with fire, and with fire you will rebuild her”. May this take place very soon.

Shalom Shalom Rubashkin

Lifestyles Restaurant Review Two Dishes at Meshugah for Sushi. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27

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july 18, 2013

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Dear Readers,

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Contents

The Jewish Home

july 18, 2013

Jewish Community Leaders Briefed by Influential United States Senator A select group of Jewish Community leaders recently gathered in Los Angeles to hear from visiting United States Senator James E. Risch (R-ID). Senator Risch was elected to the United States Senate in November of 2008, after serving as County Prosecutor, Idaho State Senator, Lieutenant Governor, and then Governor of Idaho. He currently serves on five senate committees including the Energy and Natural Resources Committee, the

Committee on Foreign Relations, Select Committee on Intelligence, Select Committee on Ethics, and he is the Ranking Member on the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship. Senator Risch, who is a staunch & vocal supporter of the United States-Israel strategic relationship has been named the “Senate’s Most Conservative Member” by the National Journal and is known by his colleagues for his “pragmatic deci-

Commissioner Winkler, Senator Risch, Orthodox Union (O-U) President Martin Nachimson & Dr. Morry Waksberg, MD.

sion-making,” abilities. His peers refer to him as a “no-nonsense, get-the-job-done leader” with 39 years of experience in elected office. Senator Risch addressed the assembled group of Jewish Leaders from various segments of the Jewish Community, both Democrat and Republican. He touched on issues related to the economy, the national debt, energy independence, the situations in Iran, Syria, Egypt, Israel and the entire

Middle East, and other important subjects of interest to the Jewish Community. The gourmet lunch/reception was chaired by Los Angeles County Commissioner Howard Winkler under the auspices of the National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) at Shiloh’s Steak House, an upscale glatt-kosher restaurant on Pico Boulevard in West Los Angeles.

Rabbi Hertzel Illulian toasting the Senator with “L’Chaim” and conveying words of Torah to the group

Valley Torah Students Accepted to Top Universities The 28 graduates of the boys and girls divisions of Valley Torah High School’s class of 2013 have been accepted to some of the country’s top colleges and universities, including Stanford, Northwestern, University of California (UC) Berkeley, UCLA and University of Southern California, which are listed in the top 25 of the 2013 U.S. News and World Report National University Rankings, and Brandeis, UC Davis, UC San Diego UC Santa Barbara, Occidental (Liberal Arts Colleges Rankings), UC Irvine, Yeshiva University (and YU honors program) and University of

Two Drs.VTHS Alumni

Pittsburgh, which are listed in the top 60 of the U.S. News report. Students were also accepted to the California State Northridge honors program and the University of Arizona. “We are extremely proud of their accomplishments and hard work,” says Randy Rutchman, VTHS secular studies principal. “They have been highly motivated and supported by our dean, Rabbi Stulberger, along with the administration and staff in their academic pursuits and have been rewarded with some excellent placements.” Most of the students will attend a

seminary or yeshiva in Israel next year and continue their secular education when they return. Among the yeshivot and seminaries the class of 2013 will be attending are: Ohr Yerushalayim, Tifereth Yerushalayim, Derech, Mikdash Melech (boys) and Darchei Bina, Midreshet Tehillah, Michlala and Bnot Torah (girls). Graduate Yosef Yasmeh was accepted to Stanford University and offered a University of Southern California Presidential Scholarship and an Occidental College Presidential Scholarship. He will attend

UCLA this fall. VTHS also salutes its four alumni who graduated from Yeshiva University this year: Yehuda Silbermintz (’08), Daniel Hekmat (’10), Yitzi Frankel (’06) and Dovie Hoffman (’08) and husband and wife alumni Dr. Moshe Baseri (’00) who graduated in May from USC School of Dentistry, and Dr. Shelly (Gabay) Baseri (’02) who graduated from USC School of Education with an Ed.D degree.

of Israel’s true defenses against its many enemies. Looking at Israel’s history through the lenses of Torah, it is clear that the huge increase in Bnei Torah and Kollel Yungeliet learning in Yeshivos today is the true reason why Eretz Yisroel has triumphed consistently for 65 years over those who would destroy it, R”L. At the same time, he quoted HaRav Aharon Leib Shteinman, Shlita that any attack from the outside on the institutions of Torah can be an indication that we have slackened off both in our own learning and in our appreciation of what Limud Hatorah does for Klal Yisroel; thus we must strengthen ourselves on both counts. He concluded on the optimistic note that the more than 65,000 Bnei Torah studying full time in Israeli Yeshivos today are a harbinger of the Messianic Era when we all will be freed from the burdens of parnasah and be able to devote ourselves to full time Torah learning in Eretz Yisroel. On the very next day, Independence Day, LINK held its long-running, popular Legal Holiday Yeshiva For a Day program, consisting of a full morning seder of Baal Habattim learning with Avreichim followed by a shiur.

This July 4th program focused on the complex sugya of Nizkei Koton - the damages caused by a child under Bar/ Bas Mitzvah. After the relevant sources in Shas and Poskim were studied, Rabbi Asher Brander, the Rosh Kollel of LINK, gave a masterful shiur on various aspects of this sugya. He discussed the questions of whether parents should be liable for their children’s damages, whether children

are responsible to pay after they turn 12 or 13, the issues of a child losing an object that he was responsible to watch, differences, if any, between accidental and intentional damages, and the differences, if any, between consistent and onetime damages. The Kollel provided a complimentary breakfast and lunch for all those who dedicated their day off to learning Torah.

Kollel Los Angeles hosts Harav Eliyahu Levin by Rabbi Arye D. Gordon

This past weekend Shabbos Parshas Devorim, the Kollel Los Angeles hosted the Annual visit of Harav Eliyahu Levin, the Rosh Kollel, Kollel Choshen Mishpat and Even HaEzer of Lakewood. Harav Levin delivered a shiur on Thursday July 11, 2013, at the Kollel Los Angeles for its Kollel members and anyone who wished to attend. The Rav’s shiur covered the topic, “Chazaka”, which in general terms is a legal claim of ownership based on its possession for a certain time. A Chazaka is also a presumption or assumption based on probability. For example, If a kosher mikveh is measured and found to be missing water, the chazakah d’m’ikara tells us that the mikveh is assumed to have been kosher until the moment before it was measured and found lacking (see Nidda 2-3 for a full discussion). Certainly a very involved and complex topic that the Kollel was learning at this time. On Thursday evening Rav Levin gave a shiur at the Kollel Yechiel Yehuda, “The Chassidishe Kollel” on various gemaras and halachos dealing with Ta’anis, Aveilus and inyonei Tisha b’Av. Harav Levin gave a communitywide shiur at the Kollel Los Angeles on Shabbos afternoon and spoke again at Seuda shlishis at Shaare Torah. Harav Levin, who has been living in

America for over 4 decades, was a talmid of Rav Elya Lopian ztl, Rav Menachem Shach ztl, and Rav Berel Soloveitchik ztl, the son of the Brisker Rav, Rav Velvel zt”l. After the devastation and horror of 911, Harav Elyashiv zt”l was consulted regarding the problem of agunot created by this mass murder, which included many Jews and families that did not have the remains of the husband, ergo the problem of agunot. Aguna is a halachic term for a Jewish woman who is “chained” to her marriage. The classic case of this is a man who has left on a journey and has not returned, or as in this case, where we are certain the husband is deceased, however we do not have his remains, as proof. It also refers to a woman whose husband refuses, or is unable, to grant her an official bill of divorce, a get. Because of the problem for women in such situations, it has been a task for competent and knowledgeable Rabbis to attempt to find halakhically acceptable means to permit such women to remarry. A recognized and highly regarded authority on Jewish Law, Harav Levin was asked by Harav Elyashiv to look into the matter. It is sometimes possible for a woman in this situation to receive special dispensation, called a heter agunah (a dispen-

sation by a halachic authority based on a complex decision and with substantial evidence that her husband is presumed dead). It was with Rav Levin’s involvement that a psak (halachic descision) was issued, resulting in a heter (permission) for these women to remarry.

His ability to understand and analyze the situation, brought comfort and relief to the many women bound by this situation. Rav Levin can be contacted at amenvamen@gmail.com or at 732 330 - 7574.

(R-L) Harav Eliyahu Levin with Rav Menachem Krybus, Rosh Kollel following shiur at chassidishe Kollel. Photo Credit: Rabbi Arye D Gordon.

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The LINK Kollel in LA was privileged to hear a timely address on the religioussecular tensions in Eretz Yisroel from Rabbi Shmuel Bloom, the former Executive Vice President of Agudath Israel of America on the evening of July 3rd. Rabbi Bloom, who worked side by side with Rabbi Moshe Sherer ZT”L for 30 years before succeeding him, was visiting from Israel where he now directs Ohr Somayach’s famed Kiruv Training Institute, Ohr LaGolah. Addressing the crowd of about 50 men and women, he drew upon his experiences of many years in Klal work as well as his many interactions with Gedolei Yisroel, to decipher the current matzav in Eretz Yisroel. In particular, he addressed the incitement of the media and certain members of the government against the Chareidim, in terms of military service for Yeshiva bochurim and financial assistance to families with young children. He noted the dehumanization of the Chareidim as a particularly worrisome sign, as the secularists caricatured the entire community based upon the unfortunate actions of one or two individuals. Rabbi Bloom stressed the importance of full time Torah study as the bulwark

The Jewish Home

Rabbi Shmuel Bloom Speaks at LINK LA on Anti-Chareidi Incitement in Israel

Pacific Jewish Center Sponsors Yarchei Kallah Before Tisha B’Av The nine days between the first of Av and the ninth, or Tisha B’Av, are among the most challenging in the Jewish year. During this time, we somberly reflect on all we have lost as a result of the destruction of our Temple, as well as on the countless disasters that have befallen our people at this time of year. There is a tradition to participate in extra Torah learning at this time, to help build our spirits and prepare us for the challenge of Tisha B’Av. Every year, Pacific Jewish Center in Venice sponsors a “Yarchei Kallah”, which is a special time for intensive learning, to lend spiritual uplift to the community during a period when people might be downcast. The classes are free and open to all. The Yarchei Kallah is one example of Pacific Jewish Center’s ongoing commitment to community outreach. Pacific Jewish Center, also known as “The Shul on the Beach”, has been bringing Torah to the Venice/ Santa Monica community for almost 36 years. In December of

The Jewish Home

july 18, 2013

1977, long before there was Aish HaTorah or LINK in Los Angeles, Rabbi Daniel Lapin and Michael Medved walked into a little shul on the boardwalk in Venice. The members of the shul were octogenarians, and they had trouble getting a minyan. Lapin and Medved promised that if they would put up a mechitza (the traditional separator between men and women), they would have a minyan. The mechitza was installed, and by word-of-mouth young singles with a hunger for meaning in their life found their way to Rabbi Lapin’s Monday night shiur. The other portal to their yiddishkeit was Michael Medved’s Shabbos table, where young singles experienced Shabbos, many for the first time. Having found a framework to give meaning to their lives, people started moving to Venice and the Pacific Jewish Center community was born. People married, made meals for the sick and for new mothers, invited guests for Shabbos and all continued learning together and worked

on improving their midos (character traits). Today the children of those singles have established families of their own, and are studying at the Mir, at Ner Israel and at seminaries and other yeshivahs in the US and Israel. Their older siblings are involved with parnassah (livelihood): living examples of the beauty of living a Torah life. This year’s Women’s Yarchei Kallah was fortunate to hear Mrs. Kaila Hollander, Mrs. Zahava Rubanowitz, Mrs. Penina Apter and Ms. Penina Fox. At night the shuirim were given by Mr. Yosef BeitHalahmi, Rav Nahum Sauer, Rav Yisroel Gordon, Rav Eliezer Gross, Rav Yitzchok Adlerstein, Rav Donny Weltman, Rav Elchanan Shoff, and Rav Baruch Kupfer. In addition, PJC has four Seed Scholars from Ner Israel and Lakewood who are available for individual learning until July 22nd. If you are interested in learning with these young men, call the PJC office at (310) 392 8749.

Beth Jacob Summer Youth Kollel- A teachers dream comes true by Rabbi Ephraim Osgood

From a very early age when asked “What do you want to be when you grow up?” I always answered “A History Professor”, picturing myself in a plaid jacket with leather elbow patches. Life took a different direction for me when I married after six years learning in Eretz Yisrael and a year later joined the Maaseh Chiya Teachers Training Section of Ner Le’Elef. One of the highlights of the program for me was the one semester that Rabbi Berel Wein taught us Jewish History. After graduating from Ner Le’Elef I was recruited to come to Beverly Hills to join a joint program between the Harkham Hillel Hebrew Academy and Beth Jacob Congregation and the rest is History. I bring Jewish History into my classroom at Hillel whenever possible but am somewhat limited by curriculum. Last year I did teach a middle school elective on Jewish History. I have worked in a number of different capacities at Beth Jacob over the last 8 years , and three summers ago I took over the Beth Jacob Summer Youth Kollel (which is a section of our larger Beth Jacob Summer Kollel.) The Kollel runs for

about 5 weeks (this summer July 26th -August 1st). Upon taking the reigns I immediately decided that I wanted to teach Jewish History, and Rabbi Topp thought it was a great idea. Meeting between 6-7 p.m. each night in the Shoenfeld Beit Midrash is a group of around a dozen kids between 1st and 5th grade. We learn for about 50 minutes and then enjoy a delicious treat. This year Monday and Thursday is Ice Cream, Tuesday is fresh Popcorn, and Wednesday is PIZZA !!! My approach to Jewish History (similar to my approach to Medrash Aggada) is not to remove the stories and legends (as they are fun and cool), but rather to explain their source and context. For example when learning about Rashi we encounter: 1)The famous legend about Rashi’s father throwing a precious gem into the ocean rather than allow it to fall into the use of another religion (although there isn’t any evidence for this story we focus on why such a tale would be told concerning Rashi’s birth.) 2) The idea that Rashi traveled around the world visiting all the far reaching Jewish communities (evidence shows this is not possible but

it’s clear this legend came from the desire of all communities to connect to the “Rabban Shel Israel.”) 3) The idea that Rashi was a vintner. Although there are many reasons to believe this based on Rashi’s expertise in the area, recent research of the soil in Rashi’s area by Hayim Soloveitchik casts doubt on this. He theorizes that Rashi may have been a seller of wine rather than a vintner As a full time Rebbe I teach Jewish History as a Torah subject as well. We are always looking for the lessons and messages at can be gained with perspective. This year our focus is on the Rishonim (Medievalists). Shmuel HaNagid who ostensibly ran the Span-

ish Muslim government for the King ushered in a Golden Era for the Jews. His son Yosef HaNagid’s approach to the same position nearly destroyed Spanish Jewry. The lesson that can be learned from their diametrically opposed approaches can be related to every Jewish politician since then. After Tisha B’Av (when I will be running a community wide innovative youth program) we still have two weeks for your sons and daughters to come join us s we learn about our Heritage as well as our future. If you have any questions, comments or reactions please feel free to be in touch with me at rabbiosgood@ bethjacob.org

Rabbi Avner Shapiro leads YULA students and alumni in incredible summer learning program at Beth Jacob As many of you are aware, the Beth Jacob Summer Kollel is in full swing. This gem of a program is run by YULA’s own Rabbi Avner Shapiro, and is comprised primarily of YULA alumni. Each weeknight, the Beth Jacob Bet Medrash fills with a Kol Torah, as our Alumni learn together, with YULA rebbeim, and with members of the community at large.

By Robert Cordas

the community. The two of them met by chance in early 2009 when Dorenfeld began exploring his Jewish roots. He attended Rabbi Halevy’s class on Chumash. Afterwards, the two of them started to become acquainted and Dorenfeld told him that he was an animator and filmmaker. “We spent the next two hours talking and Natan mentioned his dream to make Jewish movies,” Dorenfeld explains, “I mentioned that it’s crazy how all of us in the Film Industry are Jews, but there are no Jewish movies. We decided right then and there we were going to make a Jewish movie. Two weeks later he asked me if I’d ever heard of the Baal Shem Tov. I said no, I never heard of this man. Natan introduced me to some of the children’s books on the Baal Shem Tov, and I thought maybe this is our movie.” Dorenfeld has been working on the film ever since. “We thought that this film would be something that’s unique, that would of course appeal to a Jewish audience, but have a wider appeal also,” Halevy said. The film chronicles 6 stories of the Baal Shem Tov, the 18th century founder of the Chassidic movement. The film includes the story of his birth and the famous Esrog story, where a

poor farmer saves a coin a day in order to purchase the most expensive Esrog available. It was made using stop motion animation, which entails taking pictures of physically manipulated objects, usually puppets or figurines, to give the appearance that the objects are moving. Typically it takes 24 pictures of objects in different positions to create 1 second of film. Over 100 puppets were for the filming of “Master of a Good Name.” In a typical Hollywood feature, 10 seconds of stop motion screen time can cost $100,000 or more. “Master of a Good Name” is 80 minutes long and was made for a miniscule budget in comparison. Halevy was able to find funding for the project through the community. All of the voice talent for the film was brought on to the project through relationships the filmmaker and producers had, except for Mayim Bialik, who was approached through an agent hoping that her connection to Judaism and Jewish causes would attract her to the project. She agreed after reading the script, even though she didn’t meet the filmmaker Dorenfeld until the first day of recording her voice for the movie. Dorenfeld has worked on other projects with Roseanne Barr since 2006, and was able to recruit her for the proj-

ect. The film’s other producer, Keith Knee, was able to bring Dudu Fisher on to the project as well. “I’m most proud of this film,” Dorenfeld explains. “I have to say this is the nicest film I’ve ever made. Not just nice, but kind. Other than the true fact that the Baal Shem Tov was orphaned as a child much like almost every Disney movie, it’s like nothing that’s out there.” Dorenfeld was especially proud of the way the film portrayed the internal struggle of the characters within themselves, a common Jewish idea, which generic Hollywood films often ignore in favor of presenting a static villain or external force creating the conflict. “There’s no villain in this film, and yet everything is totally interesting” he explained. “There’s plenty of conflict, but at the same time it’s interpersonal conflict and done for children. There’s no specific bad guy who’s trying to destroy everyone’s lives.” The film will be screened on Sunday July 21st at the Saban Theatre at 8440 Wilshire Boulevard in Beverly Hills. Advance tickets can be purchased for $9 at SabanTheatre.org.

YULA Students and Alumni Pack the Beth Jacob Summer Kollel By Rabbi Dov Emerson

Anyone who witnesses the Kollel in action can see the tremendous impact our alumni are having on the community. Several of our alumni have taken on additional responsibilities in the shul, including presenting Divrei Torah between mincha and maariv. These inspired and inspiring young men embody the vision of our Yeshiva. They are hard working students preparing to engage the world around them in a variety of professional and leadership endeavors. And they are B’nei Torah who

are Kovea Itim L’Torah, setting aside regular time each day to devote to Torah study. Their presence and actions send a very strong message to the community as to the central place Torah study has in our lives, and I am proud that our alumni are the messengers of this concept.

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Many Frum families have been faced with the challenge of what types of media to allow in their homes. Many parents feel that the content of secular children’s entertainment does not align with Torah values and ideas, and often can be antithetical to those ideals. At the same time, parents often need something to keep children occupied. Many Jewish children’s videos have been created to provide wholesome entertainment that instills Jewish values and often adds educational value. The quality of these videos often is below the standard of secular videos made for a wider audience. “Master of a Good Name,” a stop motion capture animated film depicting 6 stories of the Baal Shem Tov, provides a level of wholesome, quality, Jewish themed, children’s entertainment. The film features the voices of Mayim Bialik, Roseanne Barr, and Dudu Fisher. The creative forces behind “Master of a Good Name” are director/writer Tawd B. Dorenfeld and Rabbi Natan Halevy. Dorenfeld has been working in the film and animation industry since the late 90’s, having worked for both Columbia Records and the DreamWorks Animation Department. Halevy is a former Chabad Shaliach, and now a businessman in

“Master of a Good Name” Brings Classic Baal Shem Tov Stories to Life

The Jewish Home

july 18, 2013

Series on the Three Temples Given at Maayon Yisroel to Receptive Audiences Rabbi Abraham Lieberman, noted historian and Dean of YULA Girls High School on Robertson Blvd., Los Angeles, delivered three lectures at Maayon Yisroel Chassidic Center on “The Three Temples” to enthusiastic audiences, on two successive Tuesday evenings, July 2 and 9. The subjects were The First and the Second Temples (Bais HaMikdosh) in Jerusalem. A lecture on the Third Temple, to be built at the coming of Moshi’ach, was given on Tuesday, July 16 (Tisha B’Av afternoon) at Maayon Yisroel. Using printed hand-outs containing texts, maps, drawings, and archaeological photographs, Rabbi Lieberman presented hour-long dramas of the story of “Bayis Rishon” (The First House of G-d)—the Temple of King Solomon—and Bayis Sheini (The Second Temple), and their impact on Jewish history. Jerusalem had since earliest antiquity been considered holy and revered by the Jewish People, but the early history of the city was not

especially influenced by the sanctity of the Temple Service, since for several centuries at the beginning of the Israelite settlement of the Land of Canaan following the conquest of the Canaanites, the service of the Temple with its sacrifices and ceremonies took place at the city of Shiloh, situated in the hill country north of Jerusalem. There the reconstructed Mishkan existed for nearly four centuries and was the center of Jewish religious observance and the seat of the Divine Presence (the Shechina) for the Jewish People. Rabbi Lieberman drew on sources as diverse as the Book of Kings (Melachim) and Chronicles (Divrei HaYamim), the Talmud, Maimonides, the Midrash Tanchumah, and later sources, such as the work of 16thcentury rabbi and mystic, Rabbi Isaiah Horowitz author of the Shnei Luchot HaBris (“Two Tablets of the Covenant”—abbreviated as the “Shelah,”); the Tanya, seminal work of

Chassidic thought by Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi, 18th-century founder of Chabad Chassidism; and the “Sefas Emes,” the masterpiece of mystical Biblical commentary authored by Rabbi Yehudah Aryeh Leib Alter of Ger in the late 19th century. These sources showed the ongoing dedication of the Jewish people to the values and sanctity of the Temple and demonstrated how seriously Am Yisroel took the Midrash that stated: “Every generation in which the Holy Temple is not rebuilt, it is considered that that generation is one in which the Temple was destroyed.” Rabbi Lieberman then surveyed the contributions of 20-century archaeology to both our understanding of the First Temple Period and the support it has lent to the historicity of the early prophetic books of the Bible, The Books of Joshua, Judges, Samuel and Kings. The audience was treated to maps and drawings of the City of Jerusalem spanning eight centuries, including photographs of wall sections that date back to the days of Solomon and earlier. Artifacts have been found, Rabbi Lieberman pointed out, that have been clearly identified as having belonged to persons mentioned in the Biblical text, giving credence to the Biblical account and insight into life in Jerusalem during the periods of the First and the Second Temples. An important point raised by Rabbi Lieberman was the difficult environment created in Jerusalem during the span of nearly four centuries, when the focus of Jewish religious observance was outside Jerusalem. “As the Jewish People waited for the establishment of a Monarchy, which was mandated in the Torah text at the very beginning of the Jewish conquest of Canaan, the city of Jerusalem, venerated by alien religious cults of many varieties had free reign over the city and turned it into a center for idolatry and pagan worship.” The period of the Temple of Solomon was a short 36 years— not nearly long enough to undo the damage of centuries of unchallenged pagan ideology that was centered in Jerusalem. Try as the Prophets might during the last decades of the Temple Period to turn the Jerusalemites to Torah and authentic Jewish observance, the city had degenerated into paganism and even, as the Prophets pointed out, to reinstituting a pagan style of slavery

that was rampant in the city and its environs. “Though the Temple of Solomon exerted a great influence over the souls of the Jewish People and stood as a beacon of enlightenment to the Nations of the World,” Rabbi Lieberman pointed out, “it stood amid a city filled with paganism and cultic worship of a dizzying variety that eventually led to the destruction of the Temple and the Captivity of Babylonia. The Jews of Babylonia found a fresh start there and founded a Jewish culture that was to give rise to the Talmud and great institutions of Torah learning. The extent to which the Jews of Babylonia were haunted by the unhappy experience of Jerusalem of the First Temple is made clear by the fact that best estimates of the size of the group who followed Ezra and Nechemiah back to Jerusalem at the end of Galus Bavel (The Babylonian Exile) was that it represented no more than 2-percent of the Jewish population in Babylonia.” Mindful of the degenerate effect the lack of a center for Jewish religious culture and practice in Jerusalem had had during the First temple, Ezra and Nechemiah took pains to limit non-Jewish institutions in Jerusalem and worked feverishly to establish a Solomon-modeled Temple in the city as quickly as possible. Though the city flourished and the Second Temple attained distinctions of its own, Rabbi Lieberman concluded, as we will see next week, history and Hashgacha (the Divine Will) had new unexpected “curve balls’” to throw at the Jewish people that would eventually lead once again to a conquest by a formidable power (Rome) and a destruction and exile. “Like Ezra and Nechemiah, we must learn from that example to avoid the pitfalls and dangers encountered in the Second Temple—something we will discuss in the third lecture on Tisha B’Av.” Rabbi Lieberman concluded with the hope and prayer that, “We may hope that third lecture about the future Temple becomes unnecessary as we witness the coming of Moshi’ach and the rebuilding of the Temple before Tisha B’Av.” Second Lecture on the Second Temple Rabbi Lieberman’s second lecture began with the return of the Jewish People to Eretz Yisroel at the end

11 nine years, during which the persecution of the Pharisees and the Rabbis halted. Salome is said by rabbinical sources to have been the sister of Shimon ben Shetach, Nasi of the Sanhedrin, which may account for her positive attitude toward the Rabbis. Salome’s two sons, however, Hyrcanus and Aristobulos, fought a bitter war, which eventually involved the Roman Emperor, Pompey. The historian Josephus tells us that Pompey invaded the Bais HaMikdosh in the year 63 bce and that marked the beginning of Roman rule over Yerushalayim. It is during this period that the Edomites joined the Jewish people, and it is from this group that Herod, a member of the Edomite royalty, married a daughter of the Hasmoneans, Miriam, and became a ruler of the Jewish people. Herod decided that rebuilding the Bais HaMikdosh and making it a spectacular edifice was the best way for him to be accepted as a Jewish monarch. In an incredible building project that took decades, the area of the Temple Mount was enlarged and the Temple itself was rebuilt to impressive proportions. But, Rabbi Lieberman pointed out, the hatred among the Jews, fighting each other instead of the Romans, led to the destruction of the Temple in 70 ce. Audio of all three of Rabbi Lieberman’s lectures are available on the Maayon Yisroel website.

The First Temple, built by Solomon, with the “Yam shel Shlomo” (Sea of Solomon) water basin in front.

Reconstruction of the Second Temple as enlarged by Herod. The project took decades and cost most of Herod’s considerable fortune.

The reconstruction of the Temple Mount was itself a huge undertaking—Western Wall indicated by arrow. Though lasting lesd than a century, the Temple built by Herod was considered a wonder of the ancient world.

july 18, 2013

king of the northern empire, Antiochus IV Epiphanes, held sway for three years (from 175 to 172), during which time the operation of the Temple at first ceased, and then was the scene of Greek pagan rituals, while across the land, Jewish practice—from circumcision to learning Torah and observing Shabbos—was outlawed. The subsequent Maccabean Revolt marked a new period for the Temple, but the subsequent history of Jerusalem and the Hasmonean Kingdom that ruled Israel until the Destruction of the Temple by Rome in 70 ce, was filled with only a few periods of light, and many distressing periods of darkness. The population of Israel becomes split between the Perushim (the Pharisees), who are loyal to the Rabbis and to the Oral law; and the Tzdukim (the Sadducees), those who believe only in the written Torah, and not the Oral Torah. This split often become violent when Hasmonean monarchs attempt to squash the Religious Pharisees and promotes the secularized Sadducees. Rabbi Lieberman recounted the historical incident in which Alexander Yanai, a grandson of Matisyahu, the founder of the Hasmonean family, poured water that was supposed to be poured on the Altar, onto his feet as a sign of contempt. The event took place on the Festival of Sukkoth, with many worshippers in the courtyard of the Temple witnessing Alexander’s insult—and several hundred Esrohgim (citrons) used during the services by the Pharisees were spontaneously thrown at Alexander. Alexander exacted a horrible revenge for this insult, executing large numbers of the Rabbis and their students and adherents. The only bright spot during this period was the reign of Salome Alexandra, wife of Aristobulos and later of Alexander Yanai. After the death of Alexander, she ruled for just

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of 70 years of exile in Babylonia. The number of Jewish exiles was quite large—some 2 million; which was unusually large for a defeated, captured people. The explanation was that many of the Jews exiled had been important functionaries of the government, who would be useful administrators in Babylonia. The number of those who returned to Israel numbered approximately 40,000—only about 2 per-cent; the rest remained in Babylonia. No wonder, then, that the Babylonian Talmud was much more developed than the Talmud Yerushalmi. The early structure of the Second Temple was modest and simple— modeled more on the Mishkan than the First Bais HaMikdash: more like tents with cloth coverings instead of a solid structure as was the Temple of Solomon. This took place in 516 bce, which, if the Second Temple was destroyed in 70 ce, would make the period of the Second Temple 686 years, and not the 420 years that the Rabbis tells us was its duration. One explanation for this discrepancy is that the real beginning of the Second Temple was not the building of the simple structure modeled on the Mishkan, but a more solid and stable building that was not built until after the Maccabee victory in 164 bce, and the subsequent rededication (“Chanukas Bais haMikdash”) two years later, which gives us 420 years. The coming of Alexander the Great in 331 bce marked the beginning of a long internal struggle in Israel, between those who wanted to adopt Hellenism as a life-style and a philosophy—the Hellenists—and those who remained true to the Jewish religion. The land of Israel found itself on the border between the two halves of the empire that Alexander’s conquests divided into after his death (at the age of 33) in 323 bce. The Hellenists, led by the

The Jewish Home july 18, 2013 12

The Jewish Home july 18, 2013

The Jewish Home

july 18, 2013

Job Seekers Still Suffering

LA’s lukewarm employment market means lower salaries and fewer opportunities for many in the Jewish community

While the economy may be showing an uptick, it’s still very much a rough world out there for Jewish job seekers and workers alike, as unemployment and underemployment continue to be rampant in the LA area. Salaries in many “frum” industries like accounting and law have dropped dramatically, and people who lost jobs two years ago are showing their desperation in interviews (which unfortunately hinders their chances of getting hired) or accepting jobs that they are overqualified for or don’t require a degree. “The euphoria is a bit misplaced, especially for people in upper management positions,” says Michael Rosner, International Director of the OU Job Board for the Orthodox Union, referring to news two weeks ago that the stock market jumped because more people found work. He estimates that 75% of the jobs driving the growth were low-end, such as waitressing jobs or fast food joint jobs, which may be good supplemental job, but can’t really feed a family of four. “In my personal view, mid-management jobs are becoming available, much more so than two years ago, but at a real cost,” Rosner says. He’s finding that the salaries being offered are dramatically lower than they were, so someone who got laid off from a job as a mid-manager in a production company, advertising agency, or accounting firm and who was making well into six figures, will now find that job available, but only at $75,000.

get new graduates – who may not be as experienced but are easily trainable and often have more technical skills – for very cheap. “It’s not a great story; it’s kind of sad,” he says. In the Los Angeles Orthodox community, these problems are exacerbated by the high cost of living here, even more so than in New York. Rosner estimates that LA families with two or three kids need to be grossing at least $200,000 to afford sending kids to yeshiva schools.

Do they accept the lower salary?

Which industries are strong and hiring in Los Angeles? Rosner says he does see an uptick in the entertainment industry, and companies like Disney and Warner Brothers are looking for analysts, accountants and HR reps. HR in general is strong in LA, as well as high tech, though that industry is still stronger in New York. Graphic design is a good option to consider if you’re artistic, since the multitude of advertising agencies here are always looking for design talent. IT never fell as an industry, but “you have to be really with IT,” he says. For those at the start of choosing a career, he recommends medical billing, web graphics, app development, and for those who haven’t gone to college, alarm wiring for public institutions, which is a niche but solid field that doesn’t require licensing and has a short training program, and allows you

“Unfortunately, after being unemployed for over one or two or even four years, there’s no other choice,” he says. At the same time, it’s a catch 22, because at that salary it’s not possible to make a living or support a family, plus they will no longer qualify for benefit programs. So either they need to take a second job or their spouse has to go on the job market, they may have to sell their house and move to a smaller house, and they may start second-guessing their tuition payments. Businesses can offer these lower salaries because employers now are essentially in the driver’s seat when it comes to hiring, Rosner says. Whereas three or four years ago you would have ten people applying for a job, today there are 100. And employers can also

And are there accounting jobs for $200,000? “The short and quick answer is ‘no,’” he says. For experienced lawyers with a clientele, it’s possible to find six-figure salaries, but for a three-year lawyer looking to make a job change, salaries are in the area of $75,000 and $95,000. “Wall Street and banking jobs may pick up, but it will never again be where a Harvard grad can get a job in a financial firm starting at $175,000,” he says. “Those days are gone. $75,00 or $100,000, that’s good. And that’s the problem.” He finds that in LA, interestingly enough, there are fewer unemployed people because they can’t last – it’s too expensive to stay here without a job. Instead, underemployment is the big thorn in the side for Angelenos. Some Industries Still Strong

to either work for someone else or start your own business. Marguerite Womack, Director of Workforce Development at Jewish Vocational Services of LA (www.jvsla. org), a nonsectarian agency that helps people overcome barriers to employment in order to find stable jobs, said that she’s found accounting jobs to be available but people may have to travel longer distances. In addition she sees technology as continuing to be strong, with certain jobs stronger than others. Web development isn’t as strong, since there are so many free programs that allow people to build their own websites, plus while social media manager was once considered to be a great position, that role has been folded into other jobs.

Healthcare continues to grow, not in nursing but in allied health, such as in rad tech (radiologic technology) and pharmacy tech. “We’re seeing growth and hiring there and that’s been hopeful – we’ve gotten people to do retraining,” she says.

As for lawyers, they may have to broaden their expertise to another area of law or take paralegal or freelance and pro bono work until a solid position opens up. Retraining is Vital Retraining or adding skills to your portfolio is a great way to change your luck in the job market or make you more suitable for a pay raise or promotion. While some industries are simply an unfortunate place to be and workers in those fields should consider a complete retraining, most of the time you just need to upgrade your skills or get an industry-recognized certification to enhance your prospects, says Womack. For example, getting a project management certification and showcasing that on your resume can be very attractive to employers. The OU Job Board offers many online courses in skills like Excel, web design, app design, CS5, and QuickBooks. If a typical administrative assistant learns how to do Photoshop, or goes the extra mile and learns QuickBooks, Rosner’s found that they can keep their job and get a bump up in salary. On the flip side, “A typical executive who loses his job can’t write an Excel spreadsheet – and they’re not hireable,” he says.

By Rachel Wizenfeld

In a recent survey of people who took OU retraining courses, 48% agreed that these skills enhancements had increased their job opportunities. “We’re very happy about that and that’s the way to go,” he says. “If someone is ten years at a company and in a dead end and can’t move up from that low management position, or if they’re an administrative assistant, add skills and those skills will help you move up.” He also advises that people who are still unemployed should volunteer at a shul, JCC or other organization so there’s no gap at all on their resume. And if they are in their 20’s or 30’s, they should take an internship at a company that matches what they want to do. “Paid or not, just take it for a couple months,” he says. “It gets on your resume, fills that gap, and enhances what the person is doing.” Womack also reiterates that if people keep themselves busy through volunteering with a school, synagogue or organization (not going to a food bank and bagging groceries, but really using their professional skills), it helps keep skills fresh, gives you a new reference and fills out your resume. For example, an accountant could help his or her synagogue with its bookkeeping, or someone in development or communications could help with a fundraising initiative. The Long-Term Effects of Unemployment Vivian Sauer, Chief Program Officer at Jewish Family Service of Los Angeles (www.jfsla.org) which helps 12,000 individuals a month (30% of them Jewish) with comprehensive social services, says that her agency is seeing the longer-term effects of the downturned economy. Two or three years ago, she says that many people in the community had lost jobs and lost their homes, and “the effects of that are very long-lasting... people who lost their homes might not have been able to get back into their homes; they may have found jobs but the jobs are not the same. There’s a lot of underemployment.” Those having the hardest time are people in their 50’s and 60’s who lost jobs, as it’s very difficult for people in that age group to resume employment. Even for people who initially lost jobs but were rehired, many of them burned through savings, and from a

The Jewish Home july 18, 2013

The Jewish Home

july 18, 2013

mental standpoint, “there’s a sense of fragility and instability. You go along thinking life is going to be one thing, and suddenly, because of something that is beyond your control, it turns out to be something else,” she says. Besides the financial challenges, the stress on families has been significant. Often there has been a shift in family roles; perhaps now both parents are working, or the husband may not have found work and the wife is working, a change in roles which puts stress on the family function. The longer-term mental health effects are something they agency is very concerned about, Sauer says. Recently, JFS has seen a large increase in Jewish community members seeking financial assistance, but she’s not sure if that’s due to an increase in need or an increase in outreach and marketing. In addition, they’re getting requests from a lot of immigrant families, including Persian families, who she says were significantly impacted by the economic downturn, partly because they were underemployed to begin with or they never got really established, and then the downturn hit. Many Jewish families who never thought they would be in this situation are now reaching out for services, whether it’s CalFresh, food banks or cash assistance. Despite the hardship, Sauer sees it as positive that people are reaching out for help, as it often takes a while for people to realize that they’re in financial crisis. Initially people start using credit cards or go into savings before they suddenly realize they need to reach out for help. “One of the first things that we do when we see people is to really commend them, and support them to understand that reaching out for help is a strength,” she says.

Resources:

OU Job Board: www.oujobs.org or contact Michael Rosner directly at jobsco@ou.org JVS of LA: www.jvsla.org or make an appointment to see a JVS counselor at a JFS Sova site on Pico or in La Brea by calling 877-275-4537 Jewish Family Service: www.jfsla. org or call 877-275-4537

BS”D

The Inside Advantage Job Hunting Today, Employed Tomorrow: 10 Tips To Land Your Dream Job

Unemployment is a demanding job. Yes, you read correctly. This is not a contradiction of terms. Job seekers should be spending 6-8 hours each day researching, networking and applying for positions in order to land their dream job. Here are 10 tips to help you make your job search efficient and successful.

1. Career goals: Applying to hundreds of jobs in numerous fields is not an effective job search technique. Before you begin applying for work, determine your career goals. Once you have a direction make sure all of your marketing materials effectively reflect your career aspirations. 2. Marketable skills: All work experience, no matter the level or pay, is an opportunity to obtain marketable skills, including; responsibility, dedication and interpersonal relations. Thoroughly analyze your previous experience, both paid and unpaid, and highlight these skills in your resume and cover letter. 3. Unique resume and cover letter: Your resume is a sales brochure and you are the product it is selling. Make sure it is clear, concise, and thorough. Many hiring mangers spend less than 30 seconds scanning a resume. If, in that time, they do not see certain key words the resume is going to the wastebasket. Increase your chances of landing an interview by incorporating industry specific key words that complement job responsibilities. This means your resume and cover letter will be nuanced for each job you apply to, even within the same industry. 4. Get creative: The days of opening your local paper and finding a job are long gone. You now need to research companies, utilize your network and work with professionals who think outside the box to help you leverage the job market. Lists that enumerate fast growing companies are great places to start because these companies are likely to be hiring. 5. Be memorable: When a company is not immediately hiring, job seekers need to find unique way to stand out so employers think of them for future opportunities. Creating and maintaining a blog is an effective way to make meaningful contributions to your field that will get you noticed. Printing business cards with your name and career aspiration (e.g. aspiring non-profit professional) to distribute during networking opportunities gives employers a tangible reminder. Additionally, tasteful and sincere “thank you” letters are an important ways to remain salient. 6. Stay organized: Applying for a job online can be done with a few simple keystrokes, making it easy to loose track of submissions. Stay organized by creating a spreadsheet and keeping track of all your applications. Set yourself reminders to follow-up with companies you have not heard from within a week of submitting your application. 7. Dress to impress: Employers can make a decision about whether or not to hire you within minutes of your first meeting. Some of that decision, whether we like it or not, is based on our looks. If you are dressed inappropriately you already have one strike against you. Both men and woman should wear clean and pressed dark suits and be appropriately and modestly accessorized. Even if you know the work environment is casual, professional attire is advised. 8. Job training: Being out of work is an opportunity to build upon your job skills and training. However, it is important to be cautious. Make an informed decision by carefully considering the reputation, employment statistics, and professional exam pass rates of the school you apply to. Thoroughly evaluate tuition costs versus salary projections and employment outlook in the field. 9. Internships and volunteer experience: While working for little or no pay may not seem ideal, it can be an essential step toward breaking into almost any field. This is also an important tool to avoid gaps in your resume during periods of unemployment. 10. Network: Employers are bombarded with countless applications for each posting. Job seekers are more likely to stand out through personal connection with the hiring manager or employer. The person sitting next to you in shul today could be the stepping-stone to an employment opportunity, tomorrow. Taking advantage of networking opportunities through professional groups, alumni associations and chessed projects. Job hunting can be emotionally and physically straining but by following these 10 steps you will be leaps and bounds ahead of the average job seeker. Happy job hunting. About the Author:

Jessica Yuz, MBA is the Founder of Yuz Career Advisers, dedicated to helping individuals identify their interests and set realistic goals so they can take control of their future. With nearly a decade of experience in higher education, Jessica works with high school, undergraduate and graduate students in the areas of career exploration, resume writing, interview skills, job search and placement, goal setting, time and stress management, and related fields. Jessica also specializes in assisting professionals of all ages’ transition between employment, find fulfillment in their work and achieve life-work balance. You can follow Jessica’s career blog at ycadvisers.blogspot.com or contact her at ycadvisers@gmail.com.

The Jewish Home july 18, 2013

Rabbi Shlomo Einhorn

The Evolution – How to Make Progress Every Day Rabbi Shlomo Einhorn

The Jewish Home

july 18, 2013

It’s no secret that the Torah has its issues with evolution, but is it completely disturbed by an evolutionary concept? The founder of the Chassidic movement, the Baal Shem Tov, makes a cryptic comment. He says that the primary loss of the Jewish exile in Egypt was that ‫( דעת‬knowledge) was in exile. Therefore, without knowledge, which contributes to our ability as human beings to speak, it follows that speech was also in exile. What does this mean that ‫ דעת‬was in exile? At the top of the Kabalistic chain are three attributes – ‫( חכמה‬wisdom), ‫( בינה‬understanding), and ‫( דעת‬knowledge). These attributes are the big three and are known as “the mothers.” ‫ חכמה‬is the initial flash of energy when an idea first reaches the mind. ‫בינה‬

is when one begins to try to understand this flash of inspiration. ‫ דעת‬is when one tries to relate to this newfound information. Knowledge, then, is the ability to successfully integrate the material that we learn. This was temporarily lost while in Egypt. The Torah states: “‫ ”וכל פטר חמור תפדה בשה‬there is an obligation to redeem all of your first born donkeys for a sheep. Subsequent to this imperative, we are told – “and when your son shall ask you ‘what’s this,’ you will say to him that G-d took us out of Egypt with a strong hand from the house of slaves.” What’s the connection between this verse and the aforementioned verse pertaining to the redemption of a donkey? Moreover, why did G-d command the Israelites that the firstborn donkey be exchanged for a sheep? One great early 20th century scholar, Rav Yosef Dov Fishof, suggests that the answer lies in the distinction between a donkey and a sheep. There is no animal like the donkey used throughout history in greater proportions as beasts of burden. The donkey worked

tremendously hard, doing the majority of load bearing. The food it is given is of the lowest quality, often poor quality scrub. The sheep, on the other hand, is treated as one the best among domesticated animals, for it has a faithful shepherd leading it through the greenest of pastures. When the Jewish people were in Egypt, they were at the level of

light is pure positive energy. The pure positive energy attracts its kind and thusly brings about another mitzvah, good deed. One victory beckons the next. Outside of kabbalah, is the “hot-hand” for real? Can somebody on a win streak expect a higher statistical probability of achievement their next time on the mound? In a recent analysis at Yale University (Gur Yaari and Shmuel Eisenmann, PLOS 2011) researchers looked at an entire season of free-throws. During a hot streak, researchers DID find a significant jump in free throws made, above what was expected mathematically. There is a famous debate as to when the Israelites were commanded to build the Mishkan (Tabernacle). According to Rashi (Shemos 31:18), the commandment came after the sin of the golden calf. The Ramban (25:1) assumes that the commandment to build the Tabernacle came before the sin of the golden calf. The Ramban further develops the idea (35:1) that perhaps the commandment to build came before the tablets were broken. Once the second set of tablets were given, Moshe commanded them once again. What is the purpose of recapitulating a commandment after the second tablets? Moreover, why is the building of the Tabernacle supposed to arise in context with the Sinai experience? Some suggest that the Mishkan, then, was supposed to be our personal Sinai wherever we may go. There’s only one problem with this approach: why not ask the Jewish people to build something that looks like Sinai, a mini mountain model if you will? It is clear from numerous verses that the Mishkan was in fact supposed to look like a human being (see 25:2, 5, 10, 20, 26, 31, 26:4, 19, 20, 24, 14). The Torah uses its description in terms that are frighteningly similar to human body parts. The reason for this is because the Tabernacle was supposed to reflect Sinai in the sense that at Sinai we were learning how to become full-fledged human beings. Full-fledged in the sense that we knew how to operate with ‫דעת‬, knowledge. As the Talmud in Sotah states – “there is no knowledge like the knowledge of Torah.” Therefore, the Bnei Yisrael were implored to build an edifice that looked like a human being! Jewish Evolution.

the Bnei Yisrael were implored to build an edifice that looked like a human being donkeys, working literally like animals, day and night without stop. But G-d had different plans and He eventually took them out and lifted them to the level of a sheep. They also had a faithful shepherd in Moshe, who led them in the right way. This is the connection between the two verses. The Egypt experience taught us that we must evolve. Momentum is the key to this development. Taking one success and building toward another. In the business paradigm book, “The Momentum Effect” by J.C. Larreche, Larreche argues that for businesses to take the road to momentum, two factors must be in place: traction and movement. Traction means that a product is in place that is so compelling that our movement in its direction is obvious and desired. Movement means that all possible obstacles in the way of ascertaining that prize product have been removed. For the Israelites, the slavery was removed. The backbreaking labor that distracted their resolve to live better was eliminated. Movement is enabled. Freedom in the form of the great Torah soon to be given at Sinai is the traction. Everything necessary for our development was now in place. A compelling product (Torah), a hungry people (the Israelites), and a path cleared of all obstacles. The Sefer HaChinuch (Mitzvah 310) notes that on Pesach, the Korban HaOmer, the Barley Offering is brought. This is followed seven weeks later, we bring the ‫הלחם‬ ‫שתי‬, actual bread. Why? This is to symbolize our progression, going from animal food, to human food, thus indicating that the Omer process is a time when we work on becoming humans. This is Jewish evolution. It is about bringing knowledge out of Exile (to use the words of the Baal Shem Tov). In Egypt we were made to feel almost subhuman. We lost the quality that distinguished us from animals – our ability to think freely. Another component to this evolution is that one success breeds another. According to the Mishna (Pirkei Avot, 4:2) is called “mitzvah gorreret mitzvah” – one good deed brings on another. The classic Jewish philosophical work “Nefesh HaChaim” develops this idea with a metaphysical worldview. Each new good deed brings about a light; that

Rabbi Shlomo Einhorn is the Rav & Dean of Yeshivat Yavneh in Los Angeles. He is the creator of WINGS; a synagogue consulting group for the Orhodox Union. He is also the author of 3 sefarim. For any comments, thoughts, or observations email the Rabbi at rabbieinhorn@gmail.com

Rabbi Reuven Wolf

Hashem and was inspired and uplifted by the experience. The entire world, for that matter, was raised to a higher level of sanctity and moral perfection because of this, so that the destruction of this House of Hashem was, indeed, a tragedy for all the world. With the special elements missing from the Second Temple, we might have

own. But then there is an even deeper level of teaching: a level that allows students to think entirely on their own—to take the discipline they studied with the teacher in entirely new directions, directions even the teacher didn’t master or anticipate. We consider this a deeper,

in the face of the many libels lodged against our people, we must be certain that we ourlseves do not fail to recognize that inner light thought that the Second Temple was considered less holy and of lower status than the first. Yet, the Prophet Haggai himself says (2:9) that, “The glory of the later house [the Second Temple] will be greater than the first.” And the fact that equal consolation for the destruction of the Temples is offered by the Prophet Yeshayahu—each one merits its own “Nachamu”—leads the Talmud to say that, “The Second Temple was greater than the First Temple, because it was bigger in size and lasted longer.” Now this seems very strange. In the first place, the Second Temple lasted but ten years longer than the First—420 years versus 410 years—and while it was indeed bigger, that was as much a way King Herod had of aggrandizing himself rather than in service to G-d. And besides, do we measure the greatness of a Bais HaMikdosh by such mundane earthly measures as its size and its longevity? (There were structures of that time that were bigger, and some which lasted longer.) How can we compare a Bais HaMikdosh that contained the Holy Ark to one without it—compare one that was home to the Shechina, the Divine Presence, to one that was not? Yet, there must have been something about the Second Bais HaMikdosh that made it greater in the eyes of the Sages than the First Bais HaMikdosh. What could that have been? To understand this, consider that we find three kinds of teachers in the world: There is the teacher that conveys the information and the students learn little more than how to mimic the teacher. (Students in that kind of a class are forever concerned with only one thing: “Will that be on the test?”) But then there are teachers who are able to inspire their students and convey the meaning of what they are teaching. Students of such teachers have learned how to think through issues and problems that the teacher didn’t cover explicitly; they have “acquired” the ideas and the knowledge, and can apply it on their

higher level of teacher because it allows the students to carry on without the teacher, to create new pathways in the discipline and think on their own. The relationship between Hashem and the Bais HaMikdosh is a reflection of the relationship between Hashem and us, His Am, His People. We relate to Hashem in three ways and through three “channels.” On the first level, we relate to Hashem through Torah. The wisdom of the Torah shines on the World like the sun, illuminating human existence and informing every aspect of existence—human, societal, historical, and even physical. We delve into the Torah to understand the Divine Wisdom—the Da’as Elokim—with all the intelligence and ingenuity that we can muster. But it is the mind and thoughts of Hashem that we are trying to understand, not our own. Though it has been entrusted to humankind to understand and interpret the Torah (and not by Other-Wordly communication—as the Sages put it, Lo BaShamayim Hee: “It is not [to be determined] by Heaven”). But then, we also relate to Hashem through Mitzvos—the Precepts: by taking the physical world and “working it”: making physical objects with which to observe and create manifestations of Divine values and teachings. In this activity, each person brings his or her own special individual qualities and “style” in performing a Mitzvah; it can’t be any other way. Everything we have learned and every custom and mannerism that we have developed or picked up from our parents or our teachers (only to perform them in own particular, un-reproducible way)—all that stems from the unique personality that marks each of us an individual person. To the extent to which we have learned the Mitzvah from our forebears and teachers, every movement and every Kavannah—mental intention and “service of the heart”—is as individual to each person as their fingerprint or their genetic code.

But then there’s a third level: Teshuvah—the path of Repentance. This calls for a source and a spark that comes entirely from within. Just when the Jewish Soul is alienated from Torah and Mitzvos, from any connection with Hashem, something inside stirs, ignites, and glows with fires that come from deep inside. On this level, every element of a person’s life history—even those episodes that later seem shameful to the individual—becomes relevant and useful in creating the Tshuvah personality and a return to Torah values. This is why the Second Temple is greater than the First: without the miraculous Hashem-centered elements to inspire and energize the people who came to the First Bais HaMikdosh, all the inspiration was generated by the people—people who were Ba’alei Teshuvah in the most profound sense: They were literally returning to Eretz Yisroel—and even that by the order of the Babylonian King, Cyrus. That such a Temple would be bigger and outlast the First one was truly amazing. Moreover, when all the inspiration and the commitment had to be generated by the flesh-andblood people themselves, as was the case in the Second Bais HaMikdash, greatness needs to measured in ways that are meaningful to flesh-and-blood creatures—so that a larger structure and ten more years is meaningful and worthy of praise by the Rabbis and the Prophets. The Third Bais HaMikdosh— the one that will be ushered in by the coming of Moshi’ach; the one we long for with great anticipation—will require even more “jump-starting” from us than even the Second one required. We are spread out to every corner of the world; embroiled in every conceivable society and worldly pursuit; and so often estranged from our traditions and our Torah heritage. Yes, this will require a Teshuvah… a Teshuvah of all Teshuvos! But under the guidance of Moshi’ach—whom the Rabbis tell us will be a teacher of all teachers!—we will see the Third Bais HaMikdosh here on earth— and it will be our own sweat, toil and Teshuvah that will make it a Home for Hashem that will be the greatest of them all. Rabbi Reuven Wolf is a world renowned educator and lecturer who has devoted his life to reaching out and rekindling the spirit of Judaism in his fellow Jews. He was raised in the Ropshetz Chassidic dynasty, educated in the Belz and Bluzhev Yeshivos, and later, in the famous Lithuanian schools of Slabodkea and Mir. He is profoundly influenced by Jewish Mysticism and Kabbalah, and particularly Chabad Chassidic philosophy. Since 1995, Rabbi Wolf has been teaching students of all ages, from elementary school children to adults, and has lectured across North America. Maayon Yisroel was founded in 2006 by Rabbi Wolf and Haki Abhesera, as a center to fulfill the vision of spreading the profound mystical teachings of Chassidic Judaism.

july 18, 2013

This Shabbos, the Shabbos after Tisha B’Av, is named after the Haftorah—it is called “Shabbos Nachamu” after the opening words of the Haftorah, read from the book of the Prophet Yeshayahu: Nachanu Nachamu Ami—“Be comforted, be comforted, my people.” Why, we may ask, the double language of Nachamu, Nachamu? The Midrash Yalkut Shimoni explains: The Jewish people sit and weep a double weeping on Tisha B’Av—because we have suffered a double blow: we need to be consoled for the destruction of each of the Holy Temples. But Hashem’s consolation is different from the consolation of human beings. G-d can restore what is lost--and indeed, that is what happened. It must have seemed to many who witnessed the destruction of the First Bais HaMikdash and who went into exile that there was never going to be any restoration of the Jewish People in Eretz Yisroel and a rebuilding of the Holy Temple—certainly not in the short period of time prophesied by the Prophet Yirmiyahu. And yet, that is exactly what happened: The Jews returned and built a Second Temple in Jerusalem. The Talmud in Tractate Yuma (22b) tells us that the Second Bais HaMikdosh did not have all of the miraculous and sacred elements that were present in the First Bais HaMikdosh. In fact, when the Prophet Haggai talks about the Second Bais HaMikdosh, and says (1:8), “‘I will take pleasure in it, and I will be glorified,’ says the Lord,” the word for “glorified”—v’ehchabda—appears without the letter “Heh” that is the proper ending of the word. From this the Talmud learns that five elements—the numerical value (the gematria) of the letter Heh—that were in the First Bais HaMikdash were missing in the Second Bais HaMikdosh. These five elements were: the Aron HaKodesh—the Holy Ark that contained the Tablets of the Ten Commandments (it had been hidden away just prior to the entrance of Nebuchadnezzar and his soldiers into the First Temple); the Aish— the fire that descended from heaven and consumed the offering on the altar; the Shechina—the Divine Presence that was palpably present and felt by the anyone who entered the Temple; Ru’ach HaKodesh—the Holy Spirit that inspired prophecy (so that Prophecy itself came to an end in Israel); and the Urim VeTumim—the parchment that was inside the Choshen, the breastplate of the Kohein Gadol, the High Priest, through which Hashem communicated to the Kohein Gadol and thus to all of Am Yisroel. These elements missing in the Second Temple were not small matters: anyone entering the confines of the Bais HaMikdosh could feel the Presence of

The Jewish Home

The Three Homes of Hashem

Israel’s Religious Divide By Rabbi David Eliezrie

The Jewish Home

july 18, 2013

Israelis are debating the role of Haridiem-traditional orthodox (I find the term ultra orthodox deeply offensive) in society. The big issue is the draft. Mothers in Tel Aviv, whose children stand on the front wonder why others should be studying in Yeshivas. Religious families fear that the effort to remove deferments from Yeshiva students is just another foray by the

elites to get their kids and mold them into secular Israelis It’s an issue filled with emotion. The media tends to lump all Haridiem together, in truth there are many varied viewpoints. In my segment community, Chabad, our young men serve in the army after they completed their Yeshiva studies and Kolel. My classmate was killed in the Yom Kippur war. Afterwards they enter the workforce. For other segments of religious world a life of scholarship is considered a greatest aspiration. This is a noble goal that should be supported. Many make a choice to spend 6-7 years studying after marriage and then choose to seek employment. The politicians leading this debate are ignoring trends underway in the Haridie community. Young men have been joining the army, units like Shachar in the ground forces and in

the Air Force have created environments more friendly to Jewish observance. Many others are enrolled in college programs run by the Haridie sector that prepare young men and women for the a career path. Professor Yeddia Stern, of the liberal Israeli Democracy Institute, argues that initiative championed by Yair Lapid, head of the Yesh Atid party to force change will ultimately set this agenda of integration backwards. He says part of the religious community wants to balance between Jewish scholarship and integration into the society, the other advocates a total separation from secular Israeli culture. The present approach of forcing change is marginalizing the voices of moderation. The government is now threatening jail for Yeshiva students who ignore the draft. Even defense minister Moshe Yaalom opposed this move saying “Israel should not be a country that jails those who study Torah”. Lapid is demanding this law be passed or he will break the coalition. Stern laments “the state is threatening a doomsday weapon-mass incarceration-against a group that includes one tenth of the Israeli population, it is planting a time bomb in the fabric of Israeli existence”. He says this move is only emboldening those advocating against integration into the army and workforce. Yair Lapid stated in a speech two years ago at the Haridie college in Kiryat Ono that “Israel has become a nation of tribes, religious tribes, secular tribes, Russian tribes” He said the secular Zionists socialists who created the state “saw religious Jews as relic that would fade into oblivion and oppressed them.”. Arguing “it’s time to create a consensus that brings all together.” When I heard the speech I thought, “wow this guy gets it”. Now I am convinced his way of force will fail. You can’t jail thousands, cut off their funding for their schools and destroy the social net and not expect a harsh response. The effort to change the Haridie society from within was already underway. I fear that Lapid will only set that agenda backwards. Some of the reactions on other side

of the debate have not been encouraging either. Attacks against religious soldiers walking the streets of Jerusalem are reprehensible. Over 5,000 young women prayed with dignity at the Wall on Rosh Chodesh to preventing a liberal group for imposing their changes on tradition at the holy site. A group of Yeshiva students harassed the liberal women in a deeply troubling fashion sabotaging the good accomplished by the women. Deeply distressing has been the expressions of hostility from both rabbis and Knesset members. Politicians are labeled Amalek, others are derided in the most disrespectful fashion. Instead of focusing on the issues they attack the personalities in a vile fashion. Occasionally we hear statements from the orthodox community that it is bad pr. It is a much deeper problem. It’s simply wrong to speak about others in such a fashion. Challenge their ideas, debate their proposals. Do so with decency and never forget the obligation of Ahavas Yisroel, which includes the Jew who does not share your values. What needs to be done? The answers are not simple. Today tens of thousands are studying in Yeshivas , at the same time large numbers are moving into the mainstream. Force will not bridge the gaps. Conversation, compromise are the key. There is no one solution. Job training, financial incentives, an army sensitive to religious needs are a few of many suggestions. We must never forget the values of Torah study, it is the key to Jewish survival, and this is an ideal that cannot be compromised. Israeli political leaders must convince the religious community that the policies of decades ago using government coercion in forcing young people to abandon observance are a relic of the past. With patience infused with a sense of common destiny and Ahavat Yisroel love for our fellow Jews, solutions can be found. Rabbi David Eliezrie is president of the Rabbinical Council of Orange County and Rabbi of Congregation Beth Meir HaCohen/Chabad in Yorba Linda. He can be reached at rabbi@ ocjewish.com

By Rabbi Asher Brander

entation. The same data set and the same reality, yet it is the ability to see the beauty of a new (and true) insight that provides the comfort. More precisely, there can only be nechama with nechama: there is no comfort without reconsideration. Understanding the reality and being able to peer through the veil is the critical process of nechama. It is one thing for us to be menachem; it is quite the task for the mourner to be comforted (mitnacheim). Once the mourner comes to grips with the reality that there will be no more hugs and kisses, then true nechama can begin. My close friend who suffered a great loss coined the phrase of “joy amidst the sorrow”. That happens when the mourner refocuses and begins to contemplate the eternity of the neshama and its implication in terms of relationship; when the mourner begins to think of what was achieved in this world, thus allowing for gratification; when the mourner considers how one can elevate a soul that waxeth eternal and what that means in terms of one’s own spiritual life. Life is full of dreams. I have met many

whose dreams were dashed but emerged stronger and others who still suffer from what they could not achieve or from what did not happen to them. Our parsha, Va’eschanan begins with Moshe’s dashed dream, his unbelievable desire to go to the Holy Land. I often think how fortunate we are to be living other people’s dreams. Moshe Rabbeinu serves not only as a paradigm of piety but also as a model of one whose great dream was never realized and yet never stopped growing. After comfort comes building, as we say in the once-yearly bracha of Tisha B’av: menachem tziyon u’bonei yerushalayim. May Zion be comforted and Jerusalem be rebuilt! - Soon in our personal and national lives Rabbi Asher Brander is the Founder of the LINK Kollel and Shul, located on 1453 S. Robertson Blvd and is a Rebbe at the wonderful Bnos Devorah Girls High School

july 18, 2013

A while back, on a summer trip in Israel, I met a young beautiful yeshiva fellow in his mid-20’s with a poignant story who was interested in helping a friend find a shidduch. We forged an immediate bond (even though he was British). I was moved by his sincerity and warmth (even though he was British). We began to schmooze over pitas and techina. In the context of a larger conversation, he shared with me that he was married a second time – his first wife passed away (her illness had been a mere forty days), leaving him with two children. The first yahrtzeit was coming up. I was actually stunned. A few moments ago he seemed innocent, a young man unmarred by the vicissitudes of life, possessing a bren in learning and a joie de vivre. Now, this 30 year old young man seemed experienced, weighty, and yet remarkably possessed of that same joyous demeanor. I probed a bit. “How do you feel? Is it still difficult?” My first wife was very special (as is my second). It happened so quickly. She never complained about her situation and had tremendous faith. What she wanted was for me to move on. After she passed away, I found out that she phoned up our Rav and gave specific instructions for each child; I was to get remarried as soon as possible. Her special character has allowed me to get on. Nechama. The art of finding and giving comfort is one that Jews have had time to perfect the last 1900 + years. It is the operative word this Shabbos in Eretz Yisrael. Comfort and joy is in the air. Concerts celebrating Jerusalem’s anniversary begin in haste this Motzei Shabbos. Last night’s frenetic supermarket trip came with upbeat (Jewish) musical accompaniment. Tonight at the Kotel will be otherworldly. Somewhere between the ashes of Tisha B’av and the joy of Shabbos Nachamu, we pick ourselves up off the floor.

Nechama, the word, is fascinating. We are wont to translate it as comfort. This is an appropriate translation - but a brief tour of the Bible reveals a more primary meaning of the word. Witness the first word of the following pasuk[1]: Vayinachem Hashem ki asah es ha’adam... And Hashem regretted that he made Man... Rashi, in his first approach indeed interprets the word to mean comfort. Take a look if you have a chance. In his second and more textual approach, he offers a different notion: G-d’s thought turned from [applying] Divine Mercy to [applying] Divine Justice. He reconsidered what to do with man that He made upon the earth. Similarly wherever the term appears in Scripture it means he reconsidered as to what to do. [For example:] “No man that He should reconsider.” --- “I regret that I have made him King.” All these refer to second thoughts. Here, Rashi teaches us that the more primary meaning of the word means regret or reconsideration. At first blush, there does not seem like there is much of a relationship between regret and comfort. Let’s dig deeper. A mourner who is in the throes of loss is simply trying to cope. The future is clouded by the black present. The job of the mourner is to survive while the halachic task of the community is to be menachem, to provide comfort. What is the secret of this process? How can a community make up for an irretrievable loss? Nechama surely can neither reside in a magic wand, nor for that matter in trite formulaics. Rav Soloveitchik zt”l pointed out the paradox that we lighten our mourning post midday on Tisha B’av. Most famously, we get up off the ground. Yet, the actual Beis HaMikdash was set ablaze on late Tisha B’av afternoon. Indeed some Tannaim wanted to establish the fast on the Tenth of Av. Why do we let up now? The Rav points out based on the midrash[2], that even as the Temple went up in flames and the edifice of intimacy was shattered, the deep observer recognized that the link between Hashem and his people emerged as unbreakable. (God was kila chamaso al eitzim v’avanim – let out His anger on sticks and stones). That eternal bond, or rather that realization of the eternal bond created the moed aspect of Tisha B’av and forged the comforting message necessary to survive Tisha B’av. Post churban Judaism needed to understand that Hashem can be found anywhere and that Shechina resides in the Diaspora as well[3]. Comfort then resides with a new ori-

The Jewish Home

Va’eschanan: Comfort at Last

The Jewish Home

july 18, 2013

Refu’as HaNefesh: An Orthodox Jewish Perspective Since Bereishis, humanity has been dealing with stress from personal and interpersonal relationships. From time to time, G-d has intervened to help relieve heroes of the Bible in various states of stress. For example, when G-d speaks to Adam after he has sinned, He asks Adam (gently, it seems to me), “Where are you?”—inviting a dialogue. When Avraham is distressed about repudiating Hagar and her son, Yishmael, G-d appears to him in a dream and advises him to heed Sarah’s directive. In modern terminology, it seems G-d wishes to create a “therapeutic milieu” conducive to discussion and to proffering Divine guidance. When G-d commanded Avraham to perform Milah on himself, according to the Midrash Tanchuma (Vayeira 3), he asked his three friends, Aner, Eshkol and Mamrei, for their advice. Aner told him that he ought to be concerned that he would weaken himself by circumcision, and then he’d be vulnerable to the vengeful attacks by the kings he had defeated and slain. Eshkol worried that Avraham may be too old for such an operation and that he might die. But Mamrei told Avraham that he had always been protected by Hashem in all situations, and that he ought to obey G-d and perform the Milah. We can learn a valuable lesson here: when advising someone facing a difficult, existential issue, the person giving advice should do so according to the frame of reference of the person, not according to their own frame of reference. Yet, there are times when one has to offer help to a client that is “outside the box.” This was clearly the case when Maimonides recommended to the Sultan Suliman the Magnificent that he would prescribe wine for the Sultan’s nephew, even though wine is forbidden by Muslim law. Maimonides (who might have been placing his life in danger) reasoned that medical considerations override religious law, just as we say in Halakhah, “Piku’ach nefesh docheh Shabbat”—“Danger to life overrides Shabbos.” Then there is the report that Rabbi Yosef Yitzchok Schneershon—the “previous” Lubavitcher Rebbe—brought his son to Freud for treatment for his chronic depression. While Judaism has paid very close attention to Refu’as haGuf—healing the ailments of the body—there has not been a similar emphasis on Refu’as haNefesh— healing the ailments of the soul, of themind. The term “Refu’as haNefesh” is mentioned in the Mi Shebeirach prayer said on behalf of a sick person during Kria’at haTorah, the Torah Reading, but the prayer for healing in the Amidah, “Refaeinu,” mentions specifically that we be

healed “mi-kol makoteinu”—“from all our wounds,” which implies primarily physical wounds. Wounds to the psyche are not often mentioned in the Jewish liturgy. In fact, it is only in the Sephardic text of Birkat HaMazon, the Grace after Meals, that one finds that one of the Harachaman’s mentions explicitly that we may be healed with Refu’as haNefesh, psychical healing, as well as Refu’as haGuf, healing of the body. Why, one may wonder, does this important area of healing get such scant attention in Judaism? But this situation is not without reasons, and the reasons derive from both sides: a hostile attitude that psychology has had historically toward religion, especially on the part of several of the seminal and founding figures of psychotherapy; and a similarly hostile attitude by religion toward the methods and values inherent in modern psychology and therapy. Freud, for example, the founder of modern psychotherapy, took the position that religion would someday yield to rationality, the way a symptom is eradicated once it is thoroughly analyzed. He considered religion to be an obsessional neurosis, an infantile expression of deep conflicts devoid of sensibility. Many clinicians endorsed Freud’s view, and even when the work of Jung introduced positive attitudes toward religion—Jung saw religion as “an essential function of the human psyche”—the techniques of psychotherapy often challenged the authority figures and institutions that were an essential part of religious life. Parents, clergy, teachers, family, the community, the fellowship of worship, the code of conduct—all fostered what psychologists saw as a repressive, hence negative, influences on the individual. In plain English, this means that, from the psychological professional’s point of view, the influence of rabbis and religious teachers is repressive and thus unwholesome—antithetical to the individual’s quest for control over their lives and their inner identities. It should therefore come as no surprise that rabbinic opinion until very recently forbade members of their communities to seek psychotherapy or clinical psychological treatment of any kind. Orthodox Judaism, though it shares certain elements with other religious traditions, has certain unique characteristics that are relevant to the question of the legitimacy of psychological medical treatment—what we might call “Refu’as haNefesh”—and the advisability of seeking and subjecting oneself to such treatment. For example, the issue of authority has a unique character in Orthodox Judaism when compared to other branches of Judaism and certainly compared with other religious traditions. Authority is very

By Dr. Lucien Chocron

much in the hands of the populace, who bestow authority, not on the basis of high station and august office, but on the basis of the quality of the individual’s work and the piety of his persona. Orthodox Jews will seek guidance during times of personal turmoil and crisis, not from professional therapists, but from the Torah and Mussar literature, or from his personal rabbi—perhaps the rabbi of his synagogue, but sometimes even from local or itinerant Tsadikkim (Chassidic Rabbis), who may have virtually no knowledge about the individual’s circumstances and little knowledge or experience with situations such as the one any particular Jewish individual is facing. And here lies the crux of the problem. For beyond the pale of the personal problems that each person is heir to in the course of life, there are situations that are clearly extreme—circumstances that may require intervention or at least direct therapy that can only be described as medical. One of the tragedies of the current chasm that exists between Orthodox Judaism and the psychological therapeutic community is that Orthodox Jews will not seek professional help when it is necessary and appropriate. This can happen for a number of reasons—reasons that the enterprise of psychology has only recently come to regard as legitimate and worthy of addressing: • Orthodox Jews may hesitate to avail themselves of such help as they may know about out of fear that their religious convictions—ranging from belief in G-d to identification with a specific group within Orthodoxy—will be challenged and dismissed. • They may feel that specific values and commandments—honoring parents; adherence to Orthodox practice; relations with one’s spouse or children—will be challenged, ridiculed and compromised. • They may feel a sense of shame at availing themselves of such assistance outside the confines of their religious environment. • They may feel such assistance will cast aspersions on them in the eyes of the community—perhaps even negatively impacting their standing among their peers, or, in the case of young people, jeopardizing their prospects of finding and connecting with a suitable spouse (a Shidduch). • They may feel (and from my perspective, this may be the most serious problem) that seeking and receiving psychotherapy of any kind will mean relinquishing their control over their belief system and their religious and spiritual convictions. Someone other than themselves is going to determine what they believe regarding “the big questions” of life, creation, Almighty

G-d, and the world. Yet, there are circumstances in which help—professional, medically-astute and clinically-trained help—is necessary. It is important that anyone rendering such help be mindful of the values and requirements that the convictions of Orthodox Jewry (in its many and varied forms) who seek such help. In recent years, a brand of psychotherapy that is known as cognitive behavioral therapy—known by the abbreviation “CBT” and associated with the work of Aaron T. Beck—has become recognized as a form of therapy that is non-judgmental of a patient’s religious convictions, yet is effective. And the Israeli psychiatrist, Moshe Halevi Spero of Bar-Ilan University has done much to find—and forge, really—a rapprochement between religion and psychology. But all that is theory. What is necessary practically and locally—for the people of our area in need of professional help to weather the stormy periods of life—is a clear and supportive means of asking for, finding and receiving professional psychological help when that is the medical treatment called for. People young and old within the Orthodox community are waging their battles with depression, substance abuse, child and spousal abuse (battles fought by both the victim and victimizer), dissociative disorders, thoughts of suicide, post-traumatic stress, anxiety disorders, and dysfunctional family situations that a simple Bracha from the Rebbe will (with all due respect) not be enough to heal. They need therapists and programs to ensure that Refu’as haNefesh, psychological and mental treatment—as much a mitzvah, as much a G-dly act of generosity from one human being to another, as physical healing—is available for them when they seek and need it. In our next article in this series, we’ll look more carefully at what systems are already in place and how they can be made more effective for getting people in need the help they require. _________________________________ Lucien Chocron, Psy.D. in addition to co-chairing the Psychology Department and teaching at TCLA, directs the Nurith Community Counseling Center. A graduate of CSUN and Ryokan College, he is a Diplomate of the American Psychotherapy Association and long-time member of the Muticultural Psychological Association. “Touro Corner” is edited by Rabbi H. Rabinowitz, a member of the TCLA Faculty.

23 The Jewish Home july 18, 2013

7 Questions with Rabbi Eliezer Eidlitz

Founder of KosherQuest.org and Principal of Yeshivas Ohr Eliyahu By Mushki Boteach Naparstek

1) Tell us a little bit about yourself? I was born in Los Angeles and attended Reb Simcha Wasserman’s Yeshiva. I moved with my parents in 1962 to Eretz Yisroel. I learned in the Ponnevez Yeshiva in Bnei Braq for many years and in Bais Hatalmud in Yerushalayim. In the seventies, I was a Rabbi in Ner Yisroel Yeshiva in Baltimore for five years. In 1976 I went to Northern California with my family to help found the Kerem Yeshiva.

3) As well as managing the website,

you are also the Principal of Yeshivas Ohr Eliyahu. Is it hard to balance both simultaneously? I am the executive administrator at Ohr Eliyahu. Rabbi Goldberg is the founder of Ohr Eliyahu and is in charge. It is a pleasure being part of a yeshiva with a vision of morality and Derech Eretz. Many schools aspire to do what Ohr Eliyahu has achieved. The staff and students are all dedicated to these principles. This makes it easier for me to be affective there and still be able to run the KIB. In general, one venture does not conflict with the other. Most enquiries at the KIB are made via email and can be answered on my own schedule. 4) What’s your number one accomplishment? What are you most proud of? I run my own Beis Midrash in the valley with over 100 Mispallelim. It is mainly in service for Shabbos, Yom Tov and all other special holidays. I am also in charge of the East Valley Eruv and am now working on the West Valley Eruv as well. 5) What motto or quote do you live by? My motto is “Deracheha Darchai Noam” that the ways of the Torah are pleasant. I feel that it is an honor and privilege to work for Klal Yisroel and I am grateful for each and every opportunity to do so. 6) Which person had/ has the great-

est influence on your life? Two people who had a great influence on my life, in addition to my wife, are the Ponnevez Rov - Rav Yosef Kehanneman ZT”L and Rabbi Naftoli Neuberger ZT”L. 7) What’s next for Rabbi Eidlitz and kosherquest.org? As far as the future for KIB, I look forward to expanding our data base and adding bar codes so a person will be able to go shopping, scan the bar code and see the certification immediately. We already have recommended kosher symbols (my research and recommendation) on the site. I do not list non recommended products, because I often get sued by those that I have not recommended. B”H I do always win these lawsuits. Most kosher consumers have a great deal of integrity and with the proper amount of information will make good kashrus decisions. Over the years we have received all different sorts of questions, but almost all were concerned with the intention of finding out the true Kosher designation. Once, the Pentagon called in the middle of the night during Desert Storm, to find MRE (meals ready to eat) for the kosher keeping troops. Over the years, the FDA has gotten better with disclosure of ingredients but they still have a long way to go in terms of kosher certification. Even ‘natural flavoring’ can contain over 1000 different ingredients, including non kosher grape juice, butter or civet (from a cat).

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2) What is Kosherquest.org? How did it come about? While I was teaching at Kerem girls school, I taught a unit on Kashrus. We ended with a trip to a supermarket to find kosher product. Many of the products had either a ‘K,’ or a kosher symbol that we did not recognize. We checked with the major kashrus agencies and were told that they only give information concerning their own certification. Upon hearing this we decided to do our own research. Eventually our little research committee grew into a shoe box kosher product listing and continued to grow. As people found out about it, they started calling to see if we had the product listed. By 1978 the Kosher Information Bureau was officially founded. As technology progressed so did the KIB. Eventually the information was computerized and made available to all. People email in their questions- at times we get two hundred emails a day! The KIB refuses to give kosher certification but rather does research and maintains

a data base that is the largest kosher base in the world. They do not charge to share information with the public. While shopping, people will photograph a food product with their phones and text message it to get an immediate response about kashrus. Needless to say, Pesach is the busiest time of the year. I conduct supermarket tours showing what is kosher with kosher certification and which products do not require kosher certification. Over the years we have been able to learn the food technology needed to understand the nature of kosher food certification. Three times a year, I publish the Kashrus Conscience magazine. This publication includes topics such as ‘kosher eating establishments on the western U.S.’ They also give updates, alerts and the Pesach guide. Many people also use my book “Is It Kosher,” published by Feldheim, as a kashrus guide. The website www.kosherquest.org is used by about 50,000 people monthly. The “Updates and Alerts” are emailed to about 50,000 bimonthly with the latest products mislabeled or newly certified from around the world. One thing that has recently changed is that we now have to track products from around the entire world as kosher products are now from diverse countries such as Vietnam, Thailand, China, Lebanon etc. Another thing that has changed recently, is that most supermarkets around the U.S. have about 60-70 percent of their products (excluding fish, cheese and meat,) kosher certified. Many of the Kashrus questions that I receive are from people who are not Jewish. For good reason, people know to trust kosher certification more than FDA standards. For example, The FDA allows “non dairy creamer” to contain casein, which is a milk derivative. This is dangerous for people who are allergic to milk. The only way for non-Jews to know that no dairy is added to a product, is to look for ‘Pareve’ on the label. Around Pesach time people with celiac condition rely on Non Gebrochts products, which are gluten free. Many supermarkets have these products fly off their Passover section shelves without realizing that Jews are not the ones buying it.

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The Jewish Home

july 18, 2013

Thoughts on Redemption and its Nechamah All around the world, in shuls, shtieblach and botei medrash of all types, Jews feel waves of comfort and peace this Shabbos. As the haftorah is read and the words “Nachamu nachamu” ring out, everyone smiles at the heavenly consolation. As he addresses the forlorn nation, the novi Yeshayahu repeats himself, proclaiming, “Nachamu nachamu.” Why the repetition? What, we wonder, is added with the repetition of the word nachamu? The Medrash explains the binary Nachamu as referring to a double dose of comfort, “nechamah bekiflayim.” The Yalkut Shimoni states that when Yeshayahu Hanovi spoke the immortal words, “Nachamu nachamu,” the Jewish people wanted to kill him. When he followed with “yomar Elokeichem,” they were calmed. The Medrashim require explanation. When referring to nechamah, either the person who experienced loss is consoled for what has been taken from him or he isn’t. How can he be doubly consoled? Additionally, why were the people only pacified when the novi told them that the words “Nachamu nachamu” were those of Hashem? To answer the first question, the Yerushalayimer maggid, Rav Mordechai Druk, explained that man’s nature is that after enduring a difficult period in his life, he wants to put the bad experience behind him and move on. It was painful enough to have struggled through the rough episode, and once it passes, the individual resists reliving those awful memories. He’d rather have them fade into the distance. However, if a person realizes that the trying event was a blessing in disguise, he happily reminisces about what he went through. Recognizing that what seemed at the time to be a negative experience was really a positive one, enables him to relive it. With this, we can understand the double consolation the Medrash refers to. Nechamah bekiflayim is indeed a double dose of comfort. The novi foresaw the great solace that will occur with the arrival of Moshiach. The final salvation which will redeem us from the bitter golus will bring a much-needed and appreciated nechamah. Additionally, at that time, we will understand everything that transpired along the long, dark, bitter path of the exile. We will then realize that what was perceived as tragedy was necessary in order to bring about the redemption. We will see that what was perceived as a curse was really a blessing. That will be the second nechamah. In golus, we feel pain. We grope in darkness, we mourn tragedy, and we fret about current events. In geulah, the ohr chodosh will enable us to appreciate in hindsight the arduous tribulations we encountered along the way. That consolation can only come about through Hashem, the ultimate Menacheim. A talmid of Rav Yitzchok Hutner zt”l was experiencing a very difficult period in his life. He approached his rebbi in an effort to unburden himself. The talmid, trying to maintain a lofty level, remarked, “I know that everything Hashem does is for the best, so I will embrace this situation with simcha and joy, appreciating that what I am going through is really chassodim.” Rav Hutner reminded his talmid of the Gemara in Maseches Pesochim (50a) which states that the next world is different than this one. In this world, upon hearing good news, we recite the

bracha of Hatov Vehameitiv, and upon hearing bad news, we say Boruch Dayan Ha’emes. In the next world, there will only be the blessing of Boruch Hatov Vehameitiv. The rosh yeshiva told his grieving talmid, “If you look at your suffering and accept that everything Hashem does is for the best, and you give a krechtz and say, ‘Boruch Dayan Ha’emes,’ acknowledging that He is the Ultimate Judge, then you are following the Gemara. But to say, ‘Boruch Hatov Vehameitiv,’ in a time of challenge in this world, when you really think that you are experiencing something bad, is to make a bracha levatalah.” In other words, our obligation is to accept in our hearts yissurim that befall us, knowing that they are part of a Divine plan and that “kol de’ovid Rachmana letav ovid.” Pain will give rise to something good. However, it is only in the next world that we will be granted the clarity of hindsight to actually rejoice over all of our agonizing, distressful experiences and recite a bracha upon them. In this world, we acknowledge the suffering and make a bracha upon experiencing it. However, at the dawn of the olam hasholeim, which will arrive after the realization of the prophecy of “Nachamu nachamu,” we will be given the power and vision to comprehend the mercy that lies at the root of all suffering, referred to in the seforim as hamtokas hadinim beshoroshom. At that time, we will also be provided the ability to make a bracha of Hatov Vehameitiv upon it. Nachamu, nachamu. It will be good. It was always good. I was recently discussing the current matzav in Eretz Yisroel with a leading Israeli rov. He explained the travails confronting the Torah community. “We don’t know what to make of the return of the Jewish people to Eretz Yisroel,” he said. “Some say it is ‘as’chalta d’geulah,’ the beginning of the promised ingathering of exiles in the messianic period. Others disagree and see sinister undertones in the return dominated by secular Zionists. “Everyone, though, acknowledges that something Divine is taking place and that the founding of the state is definitely part of some type of Heavenly plan. Whatever is taking place now - all the strife - is part of that plan and process, which will ultimately prepare the world for Moshiach.” This is the way ehrliche Yidden always viewed what has transpired and the way we ought to as well. We wrote previously of a shmuess delivered by Rav Simcha Zissel Broide zt”l, rosh yeshiva of Yeshivas Chevron, in which he quoted his predecessor, Rav Moshe Mordechai Epstein zt”l. Imagine, he said, living at the time of the Spanish Inquisition. As the Spaniards were brutally chasing the Jews from their country, the Jewish people were no doubt waiting to see Divine retribution exacted upon their wicked former hosts. Instead, to their great amazement, not only was the kingdom not punished, but it was rewarded. In 1492, the same year the Jews were expelled from Spain, Christopher Columbus discovered America and opened up avenues of wealth and commerce for the countries that the Jews thought were about to be punished. No doubt, for generations after that, they sat in puzzled wonderment, unable to comprehend why Hashem had rewarded the very people they thought be penalized. It was only centuries later that the questions were answered. America became a place of refuge for Jews, and defeated the Third Reich, which sought our destruction. In fact, it was the Spaniards themselves who were laying the groundwork for the salvation of the Jews through their discovery

By Rabbi Pinchos Lipschutz, Publisher of Yated Ne’eman

and settlement of the American continent. It was all part of the Divine plan. Before fading off into oblivion, the very monarchy that had so tortured the Jews established the land that would welcome and save them many years later. Rav Broide would repeat this idea and compare it to the awful Holocaust that engulfed our nation in the last century, claiming so many millions of innocent lives. He said that Hashem is preparing the world for the ultimate redemption. Sometimes, within a few generations, the Divine intention becomes apparent, while in other instances it can take centuries to comprehend the ways of Hashem. For many of the tragedies that have befallen klal Yisroel, we will have to wait until the coming of Moshiach to understand how all that transpired was part of a plan to bring the world to its ultimate purpose. In this world, when anger and despair seem to be the only response, we must internalize the fact that Hashem runs the world and that everything He does is for our benefit. With that awareness, we can rise above our trying circumstances. In olam hazeh, we are aware that there is a plan. We know that one day it will be revealed. For now, we allow ourselves a moment of joy as we hear the prophecy of “Nachamu nachamu ami” heralding a time when all will be clear. On this special Shabbos, olam hazeh and Olam Haba merge as the words “Nachamu nachamu” ring out. For a moment, we taste the sweetness of what will be. Armed with the awareness that soon all tragedy will be explained as chassodim, we march forward, waiting for the day of that revelation. The knowledge makes life more bearable and gives us the strength to endure the challenges we face. This feeling is explained with a parable of a person lost at night in a forest during a blinding rainstorm. All around him it is dark, his path obscured by trees, stones and fallen branches. He cannot move without tripping and falling. Suddenly, there is a flash of lightning and for a moment the forest is illuminated. In that moment, he sees a clear path leading out of the woods, but before he can move, it is dark again. He can’t proceed. But as the man stumbles and gropes in the darkness, he does so with the knowledge that there is a cleared path leading out of the forest. He continues his search with hope and optimism, because he knows there is an exit. After seeing the goal, the quest becomes attainable. On Shabbos Nachamu, we see that flash. There is so much sadness in our community. So many people are sick and so many are barely holding on. Every week brings news of yet another accident, yet another korban. We read the news emanating from Eretz Yisroel and we fear what will come next. There are too many people who are still single, desperately seeking to find their mate. There are too many abused individuals seeking a menacheim. Since the destruction of the Bais Hamikdosh, we have known incessant tragedy. Yes, there was a comfortable break here and there. Through the ages, there have been stations that were more hospitable than others. Tisha B’Av is the repository of 1,900 years of Jewish pain and suffering. It is the day on which we mourn for all that once was and is no longer, for the hopes and dreams that turned to ashes, for all that our people have lost in the Diaspora. When we sit on the floor saying Kinnos, the list of tragedies for which we mourn seems endless. The churban of the first Bais Hamikdosh and the second Bais Hamikdosh. The Harugei Beitar. The calamities that befell the Jewish communities of Europe one thousand years later during the First Crusade. We remember the Jews who were ripped apart during the Inquisition, the

gezeiros of Tach Vetat, and the expulsion from Spain in 1492. We remember the 24 cartloads of handwritten seforim that were set aflame in the streets of Paris in 1242, and the subsequent expulsions from France, England, Germany and other regions. We sit on the floor thinking of the Jews who were shipped across the world throughout the ages. Just when they achieved a measure of comfort in a country, they were expelled. All too often throughout our history, we were lonely refugees, seeking shelter in yet another strange, unwelcoming land. On Tisha B’Av, we mourn the millions of Jews who were killed and maimed during the previous harrowing century. We bemoan the sadness that surrounds us and those we love. As we read kinnah after kinnah recording so much sorrow, the amount of suffering our people endured becomes unfathomable. Finally, we rise together and sing in unison the last kinnah, the kinnah of Eli Tzion, which speaks of the anguish of Zion and compares it to the pain of a woman in childbirth. Birth pangs are the most intense pain a person can suffer. But the pain is made somewhat bearable because the woman knows that it will lead to the birth of a child. The pain is an indication that a new life is entering the world. We mourn the churban, but we show that we believe that the desolation is part of the process that leads to the ultimate and final redemption of the Jewish people. And so it will be when the prophecy of the novi Yeshayahu is realized. We will then perceive that all the pain we endured personally and throughout the centuries was a process leading to the final redemption. The novi cries out, “Nachamu, be comforted. The torture will soon end. Nachamu, the golus is almost over. Nachamu, be consoled over the calamities of the past. Nachamu, a bright new day is dawning. Nachamu, you will soon understand the reasons for all the pain you have endured. Nachamu, be comforted, knowing that Tisha B’Av will soon be a Yom Tov and not anymore a day of sadness.” All those who throughout the ages have suffered for being Jewish, who were burned at the stake, whose blood flowed at Beitar, and who were sent into exile by the Romans, the English, the French and the Spanish will finally see justice. All those who were tortured and killed, who were physically and mentally battered by the Germans; all those young people who were murdered in their prime; all the old people who died as good, ehrliche Jews; all of them, together, will gather in Yerushalayim. Soon we will all be in Yerushalayim, singing and dancing. The sick will be healed and suffering will end. There will be no more sadness and no more pain. The enemies who wreaked havoc will be gone, their memories obliterated. Not only will swords be beaten into plowshares, but tears will be twisted into smiles, and pained features will be transformed into happy ones. Sadness will turn into festivity and mourning will be replaced by joy and ecstasy. Nachamu nachamu ami. Bemeheirah beyomeinu. Amein.

The Jewish Home july 18, 2013

The Jewish Home

july 18, 2013

Is Tu B’Av A Festival of Love?

By Rabbi Zev Goldberg

On Monday, July 22, the Jewish people will celebrate one of the most misunderstood and mysterious holidays on our calendar, Tu B’Av. The Hebrew word “Tu” is a conjugation of the letters “tet” and “vav” which together equal the numerical value of 15. Tu B’Av is thus the joyous holiday which falls on the 15th day of the month of Av. In modern times, Tu B’Av is considered the holiday of love and matchmaking, yet few people understand the origin and meaning of this auspicious day. The Mishnah (Ta’anit 26b) teaches that on the 15th of Av, Jewish women would go out to the fields in borrowed white clothing to celebrate and attract potential suitors. Curiously, the Mishnah does not explain why this date was selected for celebration. The Talmud (Ta’anit 30a and Bava Batra 121a) however, outlines an array of historically significant events which all took place on the 15th day of Av. Let’s explore three of the events detailed in the Talmud. The first reason offered in the Talmud relates to the daughters of Tzlefchad (Bamidbar 27 &36). When the daughters of Tzlefchad, from the tribe of Menashe, were told they were

going to inherit their father’s portion in the land of Israel, they were also told that they could not marry anyone outside of their tribe. The Torah was concerned that if these women married men from outside their tribe, their ancestral land would be bequeathed to another tribe. To ensure this did not happen, G-d commanded that all women inheritors, regardless of their tribe, marry within their tribe thus limiting the pool of potential mates and creating a challenge for this group of people. The Talmud relates that the Rabbis understood that this restriction was only issued for the generation that entered the land of Israel and the law became obsolete on Tu B’Av. Tu B’Av became a day of celebration when all women were allowed to marry whomever they desired. The Talmud records another event related to marriage that occurred on Tu B’Av. In Sefer Shoftim (chapter 19 -21) we learn that the tribe of Binyamin was almost completely decimated for a murder that the tribe was responsible for. As part of the retribution, all other tribes of Israel took a vow not to allow their daughters to marry into the tribe of Binyamin. In fact, Binyamin was so isolated that the few remaining men were destined to die single and childless if not for extreme rabbinic intervention. The Talmud relates that the vow that the Jewish people took was only meant to apply to one generation and the vow was ultimately fully absolved on the 15th day of Av. This too was cause for great celebration as the tribe of Binyamin was now

allowed to once again marry freely amongst the Jewish people. Lastly, the Talmud explains that the significance of Tu B’Av relates to the praiseworthy actions of Hoshea ben Elah, the last leader of the northern kingdom of Israel. It was on Tu B’Av that Hoshea removed the manned roadblocks that stopped people in the northern kingdom from traveling south and visiting Jerusalem. These roadblocks were first introduced during the reign of the evil king, Yeravam ben Navat, the first king of the north. The Navi (Melachim Aleph 12) records that when Yeravam formed his kingdom in the north he was concerned that when people travelled down to Jerusalem for the thrice yearly pilgrimage to the Beit Hamikdash, they would be inspired by the Temple and would seek to reunite with the southern kingdom. In order to prevent this from happening, Yeravam built idolatrous temples in the north and set up manned roadblocks on the roads to prevent his subjects from traveling south. Many years later, on Tu B’Av, Hoshea removed the roadblocks. This too was cause for celebration as the entire Jewish population was now able to freely travel throughout the land and use the Beit Hamikdash. While all three events are independently significant, I believe there is a common theme the Talmud is highlighting. All three events relate to removing borders and impediments that stand in the way of building healthy relationships. It was on the 15th day of Av that women

inheritors were no longer restricted and could marry anyone of their choosing, as were men of Binyamin finally given access to marry women from the entire Jewish people. And lastly, it was on Tu B’Av that the people in the north were no longer physically impeded from traveling and could reconnect with their brethren in the south. Tu B’Av thus celebrates removing both physical and spiritual impediments that inhibit our ability to connect with one another, specifically as it relates to finding a proper spouse. All too often I hear from singles (and parents of singles) that they feel that others are judging them and unwilling to date them because they lack in any number of areas, such as socio-economic status (What car does he drive? What is his profession?), physical appearance (How tall is she? Does he still have a full head of hair?) or family background (Where are her parents from? How religious is his family?) The message of Tu B’Av is that we need to remove these roadblocks that disable our ability to connect with one another. Tu B’Av celebrates unity and the removal of all previous prejudices. We would all do well to take heed from these historically significant events and rededicated ourselves to having open-minds and an unprejudiced approach to relationship building. It is no coincidence that on Tu B’Av, as the young men went out to find their spouse, their rabbis would remind them, “grace is false and beauty is vain; a woman who fears the Lord she will be praised” (Ta’anit 26b).

27 The Jewish Home

Meshuga for Sushi When we finally made the move to “the city” after discussing it for almost a decade, I felt blessed to be part of such a happening, Frum community. Every Shabbos I celebrated our new friendships and, thanks to L.A’s Eruv, my ability to bring my children to Shul. But, sometimes, especially in the middle of the week when I was stuck in bumper to bumper traffic in Target’s parking lot, I longed for the valley. I missed walking to our duck pond, the ability to park on either side of the street 24/7, my 3 digit mortgage, and the CVS where everybody knew my name. One day, while roaming the streets of La Brea, I struck up a conversation with a fellow valley resident, Chaya, who goes to B’nos Devorah High School. Chaya proceeded to describe this awesome little sushi place called Meshuga 4 Sushi, across the street from her school, that has “the most amazing sushi for $5”. Well, if there’s 2 things worth knowing about me, it’s 1- I love sushi. I am so in love with this genre of food that whenever I shop at a Kosher market that sells sushi, I immediately make a beeline for the back of the store so that I can enjoy my shopping experience while gobbling sushi with my free hand. And 2- I love a bargain. For $5 I will try almost anything. Immediately, I walked over to the location on La Brea and smiled at the cheerful red sign, cheeky name, and spotless interior. I scanned the menu and my inner sushi-snob radar turned on as I glanced at the dirt cheap prices (Chaya was right). I decided to start with the humble tuna roll which, in my opinion, is the litmus test for sushi. A good tuna roll is light, fresh, and smooth, while a bad tuna roll is the culinary equivalent to a soapy snail. Bracing myself, I nibbled on

Meshuga’s version of the precarious dish and was pleasantly surprised. The rice was cooked perfectly and slightly sweeter than most sushi rice and the fish was hands down the freshest, tastiest tuna I have ever consumed. I smiled at my then 6-month old companion, accurately imagining our many trips to this wonderful venue now that we lived in “the city”. I yammered to the waiter how happy I was to find such good sushi so close to my house and inquired about their delivery services.

a passion complete with 3 day excursions to Cabo San Lucas, St. Pedro, and San Diego. Each trip ended with a truckload full of fresh fish which Mr. Bloch vacuum packed and enjoyed all year. This continued regularly until one fateful night at Pat’s restaurant about 15 years ago. In those days, sushi was a new, hot fad that had just made its way into mainstream kosher America. Pat’s had “Sushi Night” once a week and the Bloch’s went to check it out. They loved it and went

Just when I thought my life couldn’t get any better, he casually mentioned that they also had a drive through service.

back so often that they eventually learned to make their own sushi and made sushi trays for their Shul’s Kiddush using the fish that Yanky caught himself. The Bloch’s sushi became famous and every Shabbos afternoon was filled with pats on the back and compliments that included “this stuff is so good that you guys should open a store.” In 2011, Yanky and Laura’s son, Moshe decided he wanted to move from New York to Los Angeles and try his hand at a sushi restaurant. The rest is history. Meshuga 4 Sushi was a hit from day one even in the middle of a recession. The Bloch family built the business with the philosophy that good, healthy sushi should be made from the finest ingredients

Did he say the life-altering words DRIVE THROUGH SUSHI? Who are the geniuses behind kosher drive through sushi? I chatted it up with the lovely Laura Block who owns the restaurant together with her husband Yanky Bloch and son Moshe Bloch. She began at the beginning with her husband’s lifelong affection for fishing. What started as a childhood hobby while fishing with his father Rabbi Avraham Bloch (A”H) in Bel Harbor, became

without breaking the bank. They also added the drive though component and later, a second location on Pico Blvd. Now, when I call Meshuga 4 Sushi all I say is “hi, it’s your best customer” and they know it’s me. I can say in all honesty that at this point I have eaten about a third of their almost 150 different offerings. It’s hard to narrow it down, but my 2 favorite dishes are a Bento box and the Cannon Ball roll. The Bento Box was introduced to me by my friend Michla Pinson who gave it out in a Purim Mishloach Manos. The Bento Box includes any sushi roll, a miso soup, vegetable tempura or panko salmon sticks, kani or cucumber salad, and a side of white or brown rice. I usually order a plain old tuna roll and the panko salmon sticks which I share with my eat-next-tonothing-else 3 year old. For just $12.95 for a 5 course meal wrapped in the cutest Bento box container and complete with Meshuga’s moist towelettes, it is the ultimate lunch to eat in the carpool line. The Cannon Ball roll is a Meshuga original and is made with tempura cooked salmon, avocado, spicy mayo and it’s topped with “sweet potato crunch” and sweet sauce. Anything you get at Meshuga 4 Sushi will not disappoint even the biggest sushi snob. And now, when anyone asks why I left my hometown which I still love and visit, I have a simple 3 word answer: “drive through sushi.” Estee Cohen is a California native and goes out to eat more than is appropriate. She is a kosher food insider, has a patient husband and 3 little kids. She is passionate about restaurants, science education, and collects rooster figurines.

july 18, 2013

In each issue The Jewish Home will feature a different restaurant & highlight their 2 best dishes...

28 Home 2013 TThHE e The JJeEWISH wJewish i s h hHOME om e nn MAY m july ay 234018, 2013 , ,2012

76 78

You Gotta be

Riddle

Kidding!

A Polish immigrant went to the DMV to apply for a driver’s license. First, of course, he had to take an eyesight test. The optician showed him a card with the letters. On the bottom row were these letters: C Z W I N O S T A C Z. “Can you read this?” the optician asked. “Read it?” replied the Polish man. “I know the guy!”

Ms. Smith was teaching math to her third grade class. To illustrate addition, she handed little Johnny 3 pencils. She then handed him another 3 pencils and asked him how many he had. Little Johnny proudly responded, “Seven!” Ms. Smith sees that Johnny is not the right boy for this demonstration, so she turns to Mark and hands him the pencils. Mark promptly says that he has six pencils. Thinking that maybe now Johnny gets it, she once again hands him 3 pencils then another 3 and asks him how many he has. Once again he replies, “Seven, Ms. Smith.” Johnny is right and Ms. Smith is wrong. Why? Answers on next page

In ancient times, when a horse died, the rider dismounted and moved on. Here’s what corporate America would do if it was faced with that situation: 1. Buy a stronger whip. 2. Change riders. 3. Threaten the horse with termination. 4. Appoint a committee to study the horse. 5. Arrange to visit other sites to see how they ride dead horses. 6. Lower the standards so that dead horses can be included. 7. Reclassify the dead horse as livingimpaired. 8. Change the form so that it reads: “This horse is not dead.”

9. Hire outside contractors to ride the dead horse. 10. Harness several dead horses together for increased speed. 11. Donate the dead horse to a recognized charity, thereby deducting its full original cost. 12. Provide additional funding to increase the horse’s performance. 13. Do a time management study to see if the lighter riders would improve productivity. 14. Declare that a dead horse has lower overhead and therefore performs better. 15. Promote the dead horse to a supervisory position.

Washington, DC in the middle of the night on June 17, 1972. At first, Nixon declared “I am not a crook,” but the investigation into the break-in exposed a trail of abuses that led up to the highest levels of the Nixon administration and ultimately to the president himself. Approximately two years after the break in, Nixon resigned. On the morning of August 9, 1974, the day following President Nixon’s televised resignation speech, White House Chief of Staff Alexander Haig presented a resignation letter to President Nixon to sign. The President’s resignation letter is addressed to the Secretary of State, in keeping with a law passed by Congress in 1792. The letter became effective when Secretary of State Henry Kissinger initialed it at 11:35 a.m.

5. The term “Whitewater” originated from the Whitewater Development Corporation, a company formed in 1978 by the Clintons and James B. and Susan McDougal to develop a 230-acre tract of remote mountain land at the confluence of the White River and Crooked Creek in Marion County. The two

GOT FUNNY? Let the Commissioner decide. Send your stuff to centerfold@fivetownsjewishhome.com

5. What did the “Whitewater” scandal during the Clinton administration involve? a. It was a wine company that the Clintons invested in. b. Bill Clinton’s underlings broke into the Whitewater hotel to get information on Bob Dole during the 1996 election. c. It was a real estate project that went bad. d. The Clintons bribed Arkansas Attorney General, John Whitewater, to withhold until after the 1992 presidential elections a damaging report about Clinton’s tenure as Arkansas governor. couples borrowed $203,000 from a bank to buy the land and make improvements. They hoped to sell lots for vacation homes and make a profit, but interest rates skyrocketed, the real-estate market plunged, and the couples lost most of their investment. McDougal, a political operative and friend of Clinton, acquired a bank and was represented by Hillary Clinton, who at the time worked as a lawyer at the Rose Law Firm. In 1992, the New York Times published an article which questioned whether the Clintons extended favors to the bank in exchange for campaign funds, whether the Clintons properly paid taxes on the Whitewater business, and whether McDougal might have illegally channeled money from the bank to the Whitewater project. The Whitewater controversy gained much drama on July 20, 1993, six months into Clinton’s presidency, when Vincent W. Foster Jr. died of an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound. Foster had worked closely with Hillary Clinton on the Whitewater project while they were both at the Rose Law Firm and had joined the Clintons in Washington as an advisor. While investigating the scandal, Congress subpoenaed Hillary’s billing records for the time she worked at the Rose Law Firm. However, the Clintons did not turn over those records because they said that “they were lost.” However, two years later, the Clintons announced that the records were found on a White House bookshelf. The records were turned over to Congress, but did not contain any information implicating Hillary. Wisdom Key 4-5 Correct: You know too much about scandals... By any chance is your nickname Bubba? 2-3 Correct: From Watergate to Whitewaters, you know a little bit about presidential scandals. You may find the Vitaminwater scandal interesting. (It took place during...you guessed it, the Vietnam War.) 0-1 Correct: You know nothing about scandals. Benghazi... What’s that? IRS scandal...just heard about that! Fast & Furious...isn’t that some film or something? Mr. President, we are on to you. Answer to riddle: Because Johnny had one pencil before they started the exercise.

Answers 1. B & D—Removing an official from office requires two steps: (1) a formal accusation, or impeachment, by the House of Representatives, and (2) a trial and conviction by the Senate. Impeachment requires a majority vote of the House; conviction is more difficult, requiring a two-thirds vote by the Senate. Presidents Andrew Johnson and Bill Clinton were impeached by the U.S. House of Representatives, but acquitted by the Senate. Richard Nixon resigned before he could be impeached. 2. A- The Teapot Dome Scandal took place in the early 1920s surrounding the secret leasing of federal oil reserves by the secretary of the interior, Albert Bacon Fall. After President Warren G. Harding transferred supervision of the naval oil reserve lands from the navy to the Department of the Interior in 1921, Fall secretly granted the Mammoth Oil Company exclusive rights to the Teapot Dome (Wyoming) reserves. In return for the leases, Fall received large cash gifts and no-interest “loans.” 3. On March 4, 1987, President Reagan delivered a speech from the Oval Office on the Iran-Contra affair. The Iran-Contra Affair was a clandestine action not approved of by the United States Congress. It began in 1985, when President Ronald Reagan’s administration supplied weapons to Iran — a sworn enemy — in the hopes of securing the release of American hostages held in Lebanon by Hezbollah terrorists loyal to the Ayatollah Khomeini, Iran’s leader. The U.S. took millions of dollars from the weapons sale and routed the money and guns to the right-wing “Contra” guerrillas in Nicaragua, who were the armed opponents of Nicaragua’s Communist government, getting around Congress’ refusal to provide the Contras with aid. After Independent Counsel Lawrence E. Walsh’s appointment in December 1986, 14 people were charged with criminal offenses in connection with Iran- Contra. 4. A. The Watergate scandal started when five burglars broke into the offices of the Democratic National Committee at the Watergate office complex in

4. While declaring his innocence over the Watergate scandal, President Nixon said the following: a. “I am not a crook.” b. “This is part of a vast left-wing conspiracy.”

c. “This town is filled with hunters; it’s hunting season and I am the biggest target they got.” d. “This is politics as usual.”

july 18, 2013

2. The Teapot Dome scandal was once regarded as the “greatest and most sensational scandal in the history of American politics.” Which president did it involve? a. Warren G. Harding b. Herbert Hoover c. Martin Van Buren d. Chester Arthur

3. “A few months ago I told the American people I did not trade arms for hostages. My heart and my best intentions still tell me that’s true, but the facts and the evidence tell me it is not.” Which president said this, when “coming clean” about a scandal? a. Bill Clinton b. George W. Bush c. Ronald Reagan d. Jimmy Carter

TThHE e JJeEWISH w i s h hHOME o m e nn MAY m ay 2340, ,2012 2013

1. Which of the following presidents were impeached? a. William McKinley b. Andrew Jackson c. Richard Nixon d. Bill Clinton

The Jewish Home

Presidential Scandal Trivia

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Notable

Notable Quotes

Quotes

Compiled by Nate Davis

By I. Greenwood andNate Avi Yishai Compiled by Davis

“Say What?” “Say What?” There My mission are prison-like is to this break theatrocity. ice mission is to break theFourth ice inweekend, Since his plane touched down Washington at 4 am, Secretary his plane touched down Washington at 4 am, Secretary Over the July as Egypt How caninEgypt have a stable government Well, I think that is an IMySince elements, between but hostile it’s a countries. really nice between hostile countries. when the Brotherhood claims to be doing Kerry was working all day and on the phone dealing with the crisis Kerry was working all day and on the phone dealing with the crisis underwent a second revolution in two think that it is probably one of the worst the will of G-d at the same time the military prison. Why it’s been left to me to Why it’s been left to me to Egypt. and Kerry situations that I’ve seen. What this juryin Egypt. years, Obama was playingingolf says itspokesman carried outJen G-d’s will by removing smooth over, don’t things over, I don’t was off on hisKerry’s yacht. -has First lady Michelle Obama - Secretary of State John spokesman - Secretary Jen Psaki of State whenJohn questioned Kerry’s Psaki when questioned done isthings establish a Iprecedent thatsmooth Morsi and secularists say they don’t want describing life as the first lady about rumors that Kerry was on his yacht about while rumors the coup that in Kerry Egypt was was on his yacht while the coup in Egypt was know. Dennis Rodman, of know. Dennis Rodman, of when you are young and fit a certain Islamists governing Egypt? ...While often Yes, leaders deserve some downtime and taking place taking place all people. Keeping us safe no crime, all people. Keeping us safe profile, you can be committing treating [Israel] as a weed that ought to be stayit’s connected even when putting is really not some my job; it’s and iced tea is really not can my job; just bringing Skittles dug up, rather than a flower in the desert or yachting. But pictures of he Obama An amusement park While hejob. was briefly on histhe boat onWhile Wednesday, was Secretary briefly on Kerry hisbeboat on Wednesday, [Obama’s] Butin I’lland tellbe you [Obama’s] But I’ll tell you home to yourjob. brother, killed and to nourished, U.S. policySecretary has focusedKerry on and Kerry relaxing told the tale of the Mexico has opened a fake worked around all day.Arabs and Muslims, many of whom someone claim self-defense… this: If I can don’t finish in the this: If I don’t finishthe in clock the all day. worked around the clock placating year: an occasional clichéborder-crossing attraction. wish to destroy and America. Perhaps - Ibid., days were later after photos of KerryIsrael on his yacht were released - Ibid., three days laterSave after for photos of Kerry onthree his yacht released top three for the next Nobel top three forlast the next Nobel filled speech, Obama has been absent AlPeace Sharpton on the not-guilty verdict for You get to experience what now that the United States is rapidly headed Prize, something’s Peace Prize, something’s on Egypt, while Kerry’s Israel-Palestine toward energy independence ... this and George Zimmerman in the Trayvon Martin it’sseriously like to come across the be fair to Secretary To be fair to Secretary Kerry, he hasTo been going through aKerry, he has been going through a future wrong. seriously wrong. obsession has left him near-oblivious to the administrations won’t feel the need to bow to case, CBS News border. Unfortunately, the grueling time. grueling time.in an interview - Dennis Rodman in an interview - Dennis Rodman Middle East dictators and will push a “reset” momentous events that are reshaping the park isSports losingIllustrated, money now with discussing with Sports Illustrated, discussing - David Gergen on CNN arguing that it was David okay Gergen for Secretary on CNN of arguing State wasaokay forchance Secretary of State buttonthat thatit has better at succeeding rest of Korean the Mideast. because of buying his visitsinstead with North Korean hisKerry visitsto with North be on his yacht while Egypt was Kerry imploding to be on his yacht while wasthat imploding thanEgypt the one for too long has been stuck leaderpeople Kim Jong-un earlier this leader Kim Jong-un earlier this tickets, just keep and inoperative. Byyear hook and crook, the mainstream media So they seem AWOL - and too bad. Egypt year sneaking in. did everything in its still-potent power to is where America can still influence the Cal Thomas, The Times, July have 8 -not Jay Leno expect believe me to believe In the NFL,me 31to players have InWashington the NFL, 31 players only push for the prosecution of Mr.You expect direction of the region. You that “Mrs. Ketchup” in the been arrested justis since been arrested just since the Zimmerman (the police originally chosethat “Mrs. Ketchup” is in That Edward Snowden dude That Edward Snowden dude Ibid. critical not to charge him), but also to gin up critical condition? Supercondition? Bowl. In fact, a lot of Super Bowl. In fact, a lot of got out of Hong Kong, flew out of Hong Kong, flew Politicians don’t always kiss racial tensions where none needed togot exist. teams are arguing switching teams are switching to the - Glenn Beck, thatto the - Glenn Beck, arguing that I respectfully request six Cleveland Browns to Russia, has been in the to reports Russia,ofhas beenHeinz in the babies. reports of Teresa Heinz Teresa no-huddle offense because no-huddle offense so the Browns can let mebecause down one Russian airport Russian airport the placing whole all started the whole anchor of a major Kerry being hospitalized inpallbearers Kerry being hospitalized in a mob boss in It’s like charge ofaren’t the allowed -It Wisconsin Rep.with Paulthe players to players aren’t allowed to last time. condition may be a State critical condition may be a State week, but noof one can week, but still no one can television network (Al Sharpton) inserting witness protection program.critical Ryan sharing astill photo him associate fabrication with known felons. associate with known felons. Department to take Department fabrication to take himself in the story to spread find ahim. When Sarah Palin divisionfind him. When Sarah Palin kissing fish A request in his lastLeno will and testament from - Jay Jay Leno the Ron spotlight off on of Secretary of the spotlight off of Secretary Prosor, and hate; it continued straight today heard that he may be through today heardIsrael’s that heambassador may be of to the UN, State who yachtEntsminger, a frustrated football fan State KerryIran’s who was his yacht andon Syria’s planned bid forKerry a spot on was on hisScott toincognito, the closingshe days of the when incognito, she called fortrial a full called forMorsi a full when Egypt’s president Morsi when Egypt’s who went to hisA grave with a from sense of humor, the president UN Human Rights Council, The Jerusalem new report A new report from another major network, desperate scale invasion of Cognito. scale of July Cognito. According to thenews American was ousted from power wasinvasion oustedPost, from power 12 The New York Post, July 11 sociologists has discovered sociologists has discovered to- keep a fabricated racial narrative -alive, Medical Association, obesity Bill Maher Bill Maher the number one cause of the number one cause of the portrayal Countries that murder and torture their own ispropagated now a disease. Have youof Zimmerman prison overcrowding — — as partaround? of a racial group that doesn’t exist people must not be allowed to prison becomeovercrowding the looked Apparently it’s the NFL. apparently it’s the NFL. He respectfully requests six He respectfully requests six The New York apparently Times…referred to him in - the “white Hispanic.” judges on human rights. it’s contagious. Sometimes we’re deeply Sometimes world’s we’re deeply unique racial terms as a “white Hispanic.” Cleveland Browns pallbearers Cleveland - Jay Leno - Jay LenoBrowns pallbearers disappointed byhas the been things disappointed by the things -In-between, Jay Leno The terminology was necessary to have the there an astonishing Hillelcan Neuer, the head of UN ibid. can let him so the Browns let him soWatch, the Browns our children do. But we love ourinchildren do. But we love story narrative amount of malicious fraud and lies, all down one last time. down last time.is now The one show “Cops” onfit into a well-worn The shownews “Cops” is now on anyway, we move stir racial them anyway, and we move throughout American history…. or the Times. anthem effort to serveand a president, the NFL network.Dispatch That’s how the NFL network. That’s how - From the Columbus - From the Columbus Dispatch Zimmerman’s whiteness was important. It Broccoli on. and influence the justice system. on.obituary for lifelong Cleveland hatred, obituary forgotten. lifelong Cleveland bad it’s bad it’s fit their good versus evilgotten. tale of a white racist The entertainment meter is off the charts, - President Obama responding to - Statement by Scott George - Statement by George Brown’s fan Scott E. Entsminger, Brown’s fan E. Entsminger, Jay Leno Jay Leno killing an innocent black man. but the hangover will come after the election. aJohn child’s question regarding what Nolte, Breitbart, Zimmerman’s team after Zimmerman’s defenseJuly team14after who passed away last week who passeddefense away last week Spitzer and Weiner are seeking personal histhe favorite food is the 24-year-old daughter of one 24-year-old daughter of one Juan Williams, Fox News, July 12 through public office, but the of the defenseredemption attorneys posted of the defense attorneys posted a picture of her and her father a picture of her and her father remaining 8.4 million New Yorkers should It’s been more than a week since Egypt’s overturning the By overturning the Last Thursday Thursday eating ice cream last weekend eating ice cream last weekend What’s in it for us? ByLast overthrew an elected president, Defense ofask: Aarmy new report reveals that Defense of Marriage Act, Marriage Act, under the caption, “We beat under the caption, “We beat we celebrated we celebrated [In the Zimmerman Mohammed Morsi. The military’s trying case] the media is clearly Mexico hascelebration replaced the stupidity celebration cones.” stupidity cones.” the Court recognized that the Court recognized that Michael Goodwin, guilty of playing on the most primitive racial to consolidate its hold on power, while the our 237th yearanimosity of our 237thtowards year divisions of United States as the world’s any discrimination towards any July 11discrimination The New York Post, in our society to fuel racial Muslim Brotherhood fattest nation. In fact, at least hints at civil group holds us all back from in our group holds us all back in our independence from independence and boost ratings. war. I shot myself a deer. I shot myself a deer. Mexicans now are trying efforts to form a more perfect efforts to form a more perfect There are no winners here. Great Britain. And Great Britain. And to border justwhat to - Supreme -cross Supreme Justice ElenaWashington union. union. Court Justice Elena And it’sthe stillCourt not clear The [Obama] regime saw an opportunity in Kagan recalling a hunting Kagan recalling hunting trip ask, “Are you going tolet finish our 10th year of our 10th year ofIbid. - Joint statement by Bill trip and Joint statement by Bill and thinks about all athis, alone what (if this Trayvon Martin case to-turn something with Justice Antonin Scalia with Justice Antonin Scalia that?” Hillary Clinton the Supreme Clinton after the Supreme anything) it wants to do. intoafter a profoundly racial caseHillary for the express dependence on the dependence onthe the Court’s ruling overturning the the country Court’s ruling overturning - Conan O’Brien purpose of ripping apart. I don’t Marriage Marriage Act, which Chinese. Benny Avni, The New York Post, July 12 Defense of know howAct, elsewhich to describe it.Defense IChinese. reallyof don’t was signedknow into law Bill to describe it.was signed into law by Bill howbyelse - JayinLeno - Jay Leno Clinton in 1996 Clinton 1996 Rush Limbaugh, EIB Network, July 11

Israeli Prime Minister Binyomin Netanyahu addressing his weekly cabinet meeting, July 14

Frank J. Fleming, Creators Syndicate, July 10

It is ironic that while the Obama administration bent over backwards to embrace and recognize the Muslim Brotherhood as converts to democracy, Arab governments who spoke their language and understood their actions approached the Brotherhood with trepidation and complained behind-the-scenes about the potential backlash they might suffer because of U.S. naiveté. Michael Rubin, Commentary Magazine, July 12 The tyranny portended by Morsi’s Muslim Brotherhood promised no separation of politics and religion, hence the impossibility of pluralism, and a hostility to modernity that guaranteed economic incompetence. The idea that the strong have a right to unfettered rule if their strength is numerical is just the barbarism of “might makes right” prettified by initial adherence to democratic forms.

Ibid. Political liberals were right when they warned the rest of us that the Muslim Brotherhood would transform Egypt into a theocratic dictatorship. The idea that the Brotherhood is a moderate and democratic party became an article of faith here in the U.S., particularly among academics and journalists who should have known better. Michael J. Totten, World Affairs Magazine, July 11

Ann Coulter in an interview with Fox News, July 11 The answer to the politician’s question, “What is the optimum moment at which to come back from a big scandal, and how do I do it?” is this: “You are asking the wrong question.” The right questions would go something like: “What can I do to stop being greedy for power, attention and adulation? How can I come to understand that the question is not the public’s capacity to forgive, but my own capacity to exercise sound judgment and regard for others? How can I stop being a manipulator of public emotions and become the kind of person who generates headlines that parents are relieved – grateful - to explain to their children? And of course the answer is:…You can go away. You can do something good. You can…help your culture and your city instead of degrading them. You can become a man. Peggy Noonan, The Wall Street Journal, July 12

Obama will ultimately be measured by his accomplishments, not how he stacks up against his enemies. Presidents are the ones who set the tone and set the agenda for the nation. This, when done right, is leadership. Americans always look to their president to provide it. Obama’s fed up with Republican obstructionism? Fine: Go on TV and call them out. Challenge John Boehner and Mitch McConnell to debate immigration, climate change, and spending in a town hallstyle setting. If they refuse, use it against them. Obama, aloof and insular - and convinced he’s smarter than everyone else would never get his hands dirty like this. But a change in tactics, in demeanor - something - is needed, because whatever it is he’s doing now doesn’t seem to be working.

It is difficult to welcome a military overthrow of democratic results. It is, however, more difficult to regret a prophylactic coup against the exploitation of democratic success to adopt measures inimical to the development of a democratic culture. George Will, The Washington Post, July 10

Egypt’s President Morsi was arrested by the army. The president issued laws by decree, he ignored the constitution, and he blamed his predecessor for the economy. Most impressive is how it only took Egypt a year to establish an American-style democracy. Argus Hamilton, Jewishworldreview.com, July 12 The fact that the administration, represented by the secretary of state, has chosen to be preoccupied with the Palestinian issue proves that they have ignored a fundamental principle. If you are smothered by lethal sandstorms, don’t be preoccupied with the tumbleweeds. Amb. Yoram Ettinger, former Minister of Congressional Affairs in Israel’s Embassy to the U.S., on John Kerry’s flurry of peacemaking, July 8 So we can all kill teenagers now? Just checking.

Associated Press reporter Cristina Silva tweeting after George Zimmerman was found not guilty of all charges on Motzoei Shabbos When I look at this size of the [US] border, I think of how I reorganized the police department to reduce crime in New York City. I know this sounds like a strange statement, but I think it would be easier to control the southern border than reduce crime by 50 or 60 percent in New York City… It’s not as impossible a task as people make it out to be. Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani saying that securing the U.S.’s southern border is easier than cutting crime in the Big Apple

Did you hear about this? The IRS has admitted they were targeting conservative groups. President Obama called it outrageous and said he would immediately have his Benghazi investigators look into it.

I think if you properly deploy the border patrol, and use modern technology, you can reduce illegal entries from the southern border to something like a very, very small percentage. It’s not an impossible task, it’s just a question of, do you have enough people and do you get them there in time to stop people from coming in. That is a solvable problem.

Jay Leno, NBC

Ibid.

Paul Brandus, The Week, July 12

july 18, 2013

[S]marter government sounds like a good idea. I mean, here’s what the government is doing now: the IRS just accidentally released thousands of people’s social security numbers. Frankly, it doesn’t seem like the government could get much dumber. But do you really think Obama (with the help of Biden!) is capable of making things smarter? Is there any indication they even know what smarter is? Frankly, these days I’d settle for a less malicious government. Until then, I’d rather the government stay dumb.

I think another important point to consider when we’re watching this nonsense is that we have a society where people are not equal before the law. There is a pecking order based on race, just like we have to go back to the old Southern codes - George Zimmerman, he’s what, an eighth black? He’s half Peruvian but he counts as a white Hispanic. So he’s below an AfricanAmerican.

The Jewish Home

A month has passed since elections were held in Iran and Iran continues to race toward the development of military nuclear capability.

The Jewish Home

july 18, 2013

Political experts are saying Joe Biden needs to start doing more fundraising if he wants to run for president in 2016. A lot of people are saying they’d definitely donate to a Biden campaign. Most of them are Republicans, but still. Jimmy Fallon, NBC Last Thursday we celebrated our 237th year of independence from Great Britain. And our 10th year of dependence on the Chinese. Jay Leno, NBC

I think the Justice Department is going to take a look at [the Zimmerman verdict]. This isn’t over with and I think that’s good. That’s our system, it’s gotten better, not worse. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) asking for the Justice Department to prosecute George Zimmerman, NBC’s Meet the Press, July 14 I am a trial lawyer and have [brought] over 100 cases to a jury. I don’t always agree with what the jury does but that’s the system and I support the system. Ibid.

[Iran is getting] closer and closer to the bomb… I won’t wait until it’s too late. They’re edging up to the red line. They haven’t crossed it yet. They’re also building faster centrifuges that would enable them to jump the line, so to speak, at a much faster rate - that is, within a few weeks. They’re building intercontinental ballistic missiles to reach the American mainland within a few years. They don’t need these missiles to reach us. They already have missiles that can reach us. (Hence) our clocks are ticking at a different pace… We’re closer than the United States; we’re more vulnerable. And therefore, we’ll have to address this question of how to stop Iran, perhaps before the United States does. Israeli Prime Minister Binyomin Netanyahu on CBS’s Face the Nation, Sunday, July 14

Some Quotes In Reaction to the Zimmerman Verdict We’re ecstatic with the results. George Zimmerman was never guilty of anything except protecting himself in self-defense. Mark O’Mara, Zimmerman’s attorney after the verdict. He was like a patient on an operating table where mad scientists were committing experiments on him and he had no anesthesia. “He didn’t know why he was turned into a monster. But quite honestly, you guys had a lot to do with it. You just did.

I don’t think this is a time for high-fiving. Robert Zimmerman Jr., George’s brother, after the verdict.

I don’t think this is a time for high-fiving. The death of Trayvon Martin shows that we must all work harder to shed the dangerous stereotypes that can have devastating consequences for individuals, families and our society. Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed

“You took a story that was fed to you and you ran with it and you ran right over him, and that was horrid to him.

He killed a human being and he walked away from that courthouse scot free. It’s just terrible

Ibid, lecturing the media

Tara Banks, a 46-year-old black woman from Gainesville, FL at a rally near the courthouse

Even though I am broken hearted my faith is unshattered. Trayvon Martin’s father, Tracy Martin, The acquittal of George Zimmerman is a slap in the face to the American people but it is only the first round in the pursuit of justice. We intend to ask the Department of Justice to move forward as they did in the Rodney King case and we will closely monitor the civil case against Mr. Zimmerman. I will convene an emergency call with preachers tonight to discuss next steps and I intend to head to Florida in the next few days. Rev. Al Sharpton

There is a difference between the law and what people think is fundamentally justice.” Barbara Arnwine, president and executive director of the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, a Washington-based civil rights group. I have one short piece of advice for him. Hide.” Jonathan Bernstein, president, Bernstein Crisis Management Inc.

This isn’t over with and I think that’s good. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid

We lost a young man due to senseless violence, but justice did not prevail. Last year we pushed for the arrest of George Zimmerman and a thorough investigation and trial. Today, we are still called to act. No one should be allowed to use this law to commit a senseless crime again.” Adora Obi Nweze, president of the Florida NAACP State Conference Sadly, all the facts in this case will never be known. But one fact has long been crystal clear: ‘Shoot first’ laws like those in Florida can inspire dangerous vigilantism and protect those who act recklessly with guns.” NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg The good news is that Zimmerman will never be in peace. He won’t be able to get a job. He’ll have to go underground, travel incognito, and never live in peace. That’s the good news for me. Marrion Barry, formerly Washington DC mayor, currently a city councilman there Trayvon Benjamin Martin is dead because he and other black boys and men like him are seen not as a person but a problem. Rev. Dr. Raphael G. Warnock, senior pastor in the Atlanta church once led by Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Message from Dad: “Our whole family is relieved”. Today... I’m proud to be an American. Gid Bless America! Thank you for your prayers! George Zimmerman’s brother, Robert

106 j u n e 1 3 , 2013

My Israel Home Gedaliah Borvick

The Knesset is on Church Land?!? over 130,000 dunam (32,500 acres) of land in central jerusalem neighborhoods – primarily in rechavia and talbieh – is oWned by the church. gogue and the Israel Museum, are built on churchowned land. If that’s the case, asked my client, does one have to make rental payments to the church, and are there any other implications of buying on church land? I first explained that the lease has been prepaid by the State of Israel and therefore individual

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homeowners do not pay the church any rent. I then proceeded to give him the following overview: History The Ottoman (Turkish) Empire controlled Israel from 1516 until 1917. Towards the end of its reign, the Ottomans sold chunks of Jerusalem land to the church. In the 1920s, the church suffered major financial troubles and decided to raise funds by selling many of its Jerusalem properties. To sidestep church rules prohibiting the outright sale of real estate, the church leased most of its land to the Jewish community and received a large upfront payment in exchange for the right to use the land on a long-term basis. In 1952, the state and the church executed a 99-year lease with one 49-year lease renewal option, and in 2011 a group of private Jewish businessmen signed an agreement with the church to extend the land lease until 2150. Both of these leases included large upfront payments to the church, and no further payments to the church will be required for the next 137 years. To Buy or Not to Buy? Some people will not purchase an apartment on church land as they are uncomfortable with the risk, albeit small, of losing their apartment

in 2150. Others will not buy because they are philosophically opposed to buying on church-owned land. And many people do not share these concerns and are happily buying these apartments. I would add two points: First, it is against Israel’s best interests to allow these large portions of land to revert back to the church. If the church will refuse to renew the land leases in 2150, many expect that Israel will pass legislation similar to the U.S. laws of eminent domain, and force the church to sell the land to the state. Second, this article focused on the vast majority of church-owned land that is leased directly to the State of Israel. In the rare situations where the church leases the land directly to the apartment owners, the individual owners have less protection against the whims of the church and many attorneys would discourage these purchases. Presently, apartments on church lands tend to sell for a 5-10% discount to similar properties on state-owned land. G-d willing, Moshiach will come long before the lease agreements end in 2150, but this is an issue that purchasers should carefully consider with their at-

torney before signing a contract of sale.

Gedaliah Borvick is the founder of My Israel Home, a real estate agency focused on helping people from abroad buy and sell homes in Israel. To sign up for his monthly market updates, contact him at gborvick@gmail.com. Please visit his blog at www.myisraelhome. com.

july 18, 2013

y client informed me that he wanted to purchase an apartment in Talbieh between Jabotinsky Street (home of the Inbal Hotel) and King David Street. I mentioned to him that most apartments in this area are on land owned by the Greek Orthodox Church of Jerusalem (the “church”), which surprised him as he had never heard about this before. I then explained that over 130,000 dunam (32,500 acres) of land in central Jerusalem neighborhoods – primarily in Rechavia and Talbieh – is owned by the church. Furthermore, thousands of apartments are built on church land and many famous Jerusalem buildings, such as the Knesset, the Great Syna-

The Jewish Home

The Jewish home n

The Jewish Home

july 18, 2013

by C.B. Weinfeld

Military News A Time to Destroy

The U.S. is considering withdrawing all troops from Afghanistan after next year, say sources in the ‘know.’ The “zero option” comes as President Obama has become frustrated with Afghan President Hamid Karzai. The U.S. has given a 2014 deadline to drastically scale down troops in Afghanistan and leave just security forces in that country. Yet the idea of a full withdrawal has been gaining steam. Which leaves the US military with an expensive problem:

A wounded Marine is very upset about his “humiliating” encounters with State Capitol security guards and Sacramento Airport TSA. Cpl. Nathan Kemnitz was being honored in Sacramento, CA, for his service in Iraq, where a roadside bomb left him severely injured in 2004. The 29-year-old veteran is blind in his right eye and has limited use of his right arm. When Kemnitz entered the capitol building, security guards asked him to remove his blue uniform jacket “because he was wearing too much metal,” i.e. his Purple Heart and other medals.

Egypt is the second-largest recipient of U.S. aid behind Israel, receiving $1.5 billion a year. The jets were part of that pre-arranged aid package. One defense official said the delivery of the four F-16s would likely take place in August. Islamists who back Morsi, Egypt’s first freely elected president, blame the United States for allowing a military coup. The country’s military and interim political leaders say Morsi’s Muslim Brotherhood incited violence when Egyptians flocked the streets to protest the president’s policies. The White House pointed out that millions of Egyptians had wanted a change in government and said it would wait before responding. “We are evaluating how the authorities are responding to and handling the current situation,” White House spokesman Jay Carney said. The United States has already disbursed $650 million in military aid to Egypt for fiscal year 2013; another $585 million is pending.

Security News Snowden - a Ticking Time Bomb

The US has spent a shocking $34 million to build a new complex in Afghanistan for the troops. Unfortunately, the military is unlikely to ever actually use the facility, and may even need to destroy it. The colossal waste came to the attention of a congressional oversight committee that reviews projects in Afghanistan. “I don’t know if [Secretary Chuck Hagel] will provide a formal response. I do not have one at this stage,” said Defense Department spokesman George Little about the project. “I think it is going to take us a little bit of time to review the findings and to coordinate with the SIGAR.” SIGAR stands for the Office of the Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction, which described the base as a “potentially troubling example of waste.” Some U.S. commanders opposed the 20,000-squarefoot installation’s construction in 2010. Despite their hesitations, in 2011 a British firm was hired to build it. Originally, it was planned to serve as a regional command headquarters in the country’s southern region, to house 1,500 army personnel. Now commanders say it’s unlikely to ever be occupied. As U.S. forces begin to leave the country, they will be left with two options: destroy the facility or hand it over to Afghan officials. Although it seems like a huge waste, destroying it may be the better option. “Helmand province and [the Afghan capital] Kabul may as well be two different countries in a lot of practical ways,” said Marine Corps Times writer Dan Lamothe. “The government is so far removed from the everyday lives of the people in Helmand that I do not see how Kabul would keep track of something like that.” Lamothe says the project reminds him of a recent police station in the province, built with a new septic system. The bathrooms eventually had to be shut down because no one knew how to operate the system. So now you know where your tax money is going….

A Bit of Common Sense - and Decency

One would think they’d treat our country’s heroes a bit better than that.

The Pasadena resident explained to the guards that his injuries made it difficult to take off his jacket. “At first, I was a little shocked and then it went to ridiculous,” Kemnitz said. “It’s almost like they wanted to make a show, like we will search anybody, we don’t care.” Patti Martin, of the Veterans Resource Center, was traveling with the wounded Marine and took pictures of the encounter. “They never asked for his military ID to verify whether he was a veteran, if that’s what they were worried about, and they took him to the side, and the way they were patting him down, it was so obvious, as if he was a potential terrorist,” Martin said. The humiliation continued when Kemnitz arrived at the Sacramento International Airport, where TSA screeners hassled the veteran because he couldn’t raise his arms above his head for the full-body scanner. Strangely enough, it’s OK to hassle the vets. But if someone at airport security dares start up with a Muslim, the media is up in arms.

Coup, or no Coup? A Wishy-Washy Administration

The United States will expedite the delivery of four F-16 fighter jets to Egypt in the next few weeks, U.S. officials said. A decision to call last week’s overthrow of Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi a coup would have forced the Obama administration to halt giving any aid to Egypt.

Fugitive former U.S. spy contractor Edward Snowden is ‘sitting on’ dangerous information that could become the United States’ greatest nightmare, a journalist confessed. Glenn Greenwald, the Guardian journalist who first published the documents that Snowden leaked, said the U.S. government should be careful in its pursuit of the former computer analyst. “Snowden has enough information to cause more harm to the U.S. government in a single minute than any other person has ever had,” Greenwald related in an interview with the Argentinian daily La Nacion. “The U.S. government should be on its knees every day begging that nothing happens to Snowden, because if something does happen to him, all the information will be revealed and it could be its worst nightmare.” Snowden, who is wanted by Washington on espionage charges after revealing details of secret surveillance programs, has been stranded at a Moscow airport since June 23. He is seeking refuge in Russia until he can secure safe passage to Latin America, where several counties have offered him asylum.

Moral of the Story? Don’t trust Anyone

Trying to prevent future Snowden episodes, President Obama has ordered federal employees to report suspicious actions of their colleagues. Obama has announced the Insider Threat Program, a government-wide crackdown under which millions of federal bureaucrats and contractors must watch out for “high-risk persons or behaviors” among coworkers. Those who fail to report them could face penalties, including criminal charges. Obama mandated the program in an October 2011 executive order after Army Pfc. Bradley Manning downloaded hundreds of thousands of documents from a classified computer network and gave them to WikiLeaks, the antigovernment- secrecy group.

Napolitano, a former Arizona governor and attorney general, was appointed by President Obama in 2008. She courageously led the department through policy changes to protect public safety, including enforcing immigration laws.

Rotten from the Top

Under the program, security investigations can be launched when government employees showing “indicators of insider threat behavior” are reported by co-workers. Investigations also can be triggered when “suspicious user behavior” is detected by computer network monitoring and reported to “insider threat personnel.” “Respect and Suspect” should be the order of the day.

As the world waited tensely, the six-woman jury made its decision. Neighborhood watch captain George Zimmerman, 29, was cleared of all charges in the shooting of Trayvon Martin, an unarmed black teenager who he claims had threatened him. The jurors considered three weeks of testimony over who was the aggressor on the rainy night the 17-year-old was shot. In the end, the prosecution failed to convince them that Zimmerman was guilty.

Passing the Torch End of the Napolitano Era

Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano, who led the burgeoning Department of Homeland Security through trailblazing policy changes after 9-11, is resigning from her post.

His GPS monitor has been cut off, and he is free to go. But his family and his lawyers say George Zimmerman is a marked man. “He has to be very cautious and protective of his safety because there is still a fringe element who has said ... that they will not listen to a verdict of not guilty,” said lawyer Mark O’Mara. Zimmerman, 29, has kept his address a secret for over a year and worn a disguise whenever he left his four walls. He has often strapped on body armor. Despite his acquittal , he could still be held criminally liable for Martin’s death. The federal government could file a civil rights suit, accusing him of violating 17-year-old Martin’s civil rights. The NAACP has called on the Justice Department to file civil rights charges, and is asking the public to sign a petition. Some say Zimmerman’s only recourse may be to change his identity and go into hiding, forever.

Now you can Have your Gun - and Hide it, Too

Not that the judge didn’t try her hardest to sway the jury against Zimmerman. In fact, many feel that Judge Debra Nelson was under pressure from the White House to return a guilty verdict.

Napolitano, the third person to lead the 10-yearold department, will become the president of the University of California system, which includes UCLA and the University of California, Berkeley. “The opportunity to work with the dedicated men and women of the Department of Homeland Security, who serve on the front lines of our nation’s efforts to protect our communities and families from harm, has been the highlight of my professional career,” Janet said. “After four plus years of focusing on these challenges, I will be nominated as the next president of the University of California to play a role in educating our nation’s next generation of leaders.”

Zimmerman, Free? Not Really

Among other disturbing behaviors, there was a hostile exchange when Judge Nelson asked Zimmerman if he planned to testify. The judge first told Zimmerman he had the “absolute right to remain silent,” and then demanded he answer her questions interrogation-style while silencing his lawyers. Defense attorney Don West twice objected to Nelson’s interrogation, prompting the judge to raise her voice and exclaim, “Your objection is overruled!” Both of Zimmerman’s lawyers were shocked at the outburst. Former Senatorial candidate Richard Rivette was also appalled at the judge’s behavior. “This judge is an idiot. I spent five years investigating high profile capital cases defending people from the death penalty, and worked for the Federal judiciary as an independent investigator on other cases. No judge ever inquires as to whether a defendant will testify until the entire defense case is presented. … By doing this, the judge has undermined a portion of Zimmerman’s credibility. He looks like he is waffling and this is normal judge/defendant questioning, which it is NOT,” said Rivette.

Illinois lifted its prohibition against concealed firearms, as lawmakers rejected an effort by Democratic Governor Pat Quinn to restrict guns in public places. The nation’s fifth-largest state will join the other 49 in letting citizens carry hidden guns, as dictated by a federal court finding that Illinois’s ban was unconstitutional. Quinn recently made changes to the approved bill, inserting limits on the ammunition capacity of gun magazines, prohibiting firearms in restaurants that sell alcohol. Lawmakers promptly rejected his changes, with the House of Representatives and Senate overturning the amendatory vetoes.

Politics Barack, the Broccoli Fan

President Obama enjoys his burgers, hot dogs and fries like any other American. Yet when asked by a kid about his favorite food, broccoli was his first choice. This inane ‘favorite food’ conversation took place at a White House event that recognized children who won a healthy recipe contest, part of Michelle Obama’s anti-obesity campaign. The President agreed to take two questions from the kids, who were having a grand time.

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Paying tribute to her tenure, President Obama said Napolitano had dealt with “some of [the] toughest challenges” facing the US. “Since day one, Janet has led my administration’s effort to secure our borders, deploying a historic number of resources, while also taking steps to make our immigration system fairer and more consistent with our values,” Obama said. “And the American people are safer and more secure thanks to Janet’s leadership in protecting our homeland against terrorist attacks.”

As an aside, ex-Sanford police chief Bill Lee confessed “he felt pressure from city officials to arrest Zimmerman to placate the public rather than as a matter of justice,” and that his investigation “provided no probable cause to arrest Zimmerman at the scene.” Wait. There’s more. It appears that a division of the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) was deployed to Sanford, Florida in 2012 to provide assistance for anti-George Zimmerman protests, including a rally headlined by activist Al Sharpton. This indicates that the government has been quietly supporting and encouraging the persecution of Zimmerman, hoping that he would be found guilty. And some still think the justice system is fair…

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The order applies to every federal department and agency, including the Peace Corps, the Department of Education and others not involved in national security.

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her to. So far, she’s waiting to see who will enter the race and hoping there “will be some new blood, new energy” from the GOP candidate pool. Palin recently returned to Fox News as a paid commentator. Alaska Republicans have two candidates so far for the 2014 race: Lt. Gov. Mead Treadwell and Joe Miller. Miller won the 2010 GOP primary against Sen. Lisa Murkowski, yet lost in the general election.

Another High Profile Kotel Photo-Op

Although the kids seemed to accept his answer at face value, most adults were skeptical. After all, Obama enjoys fatty, high calorie foods: Burgers in a Washington suburb with Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev; ribs in Asheville, North Carolina; hot dogs at a basketball game in Dayton, Ohio; and a fried kringle in Wisconsin. Obama was clearly enjoying the anti-obesity event, called the “Kids’ State Dinner,” which recognized winning recipes like “picky eater pita pizza pockets” and “sweet potato turkey sliders.” “Food can be fun. It can be healthy,” Obama said. “You are setting up habits that are going to be great your entire life.” Obama’s odd choice may have been a jab at George H.W. Bush, who as president famously declared his dislike for broccoli. “And I haven’t liked it since I was a little kid and my mother made me eat it. And I’m president of the United States, and I’m not going to eat any more broccoli!” Bush said in 1990. Miffed broccoli growers shipped thousands of pounds of broccoli to the White House in protest, and the vegetable was farmed out to homeless shelters.

Who needs to Work? Just Give a Speech

Looking to quit your job? Here’s a lucrative ‘side job.’ But it only works if you’re rich and famous. Hillary Clinton is making so much money from speeches, that both the New York Times and the Washington Post reported about her burgeoning bank account. Now that she’s quit the State Department, Clinton commands $200,000 per appearance on the “buckraking” circuit, with nationwide speeches to various industry groups. Clinton has addressed HR professionals, real estate developers, private equity managers and business executives. On schedule this year are car dealers, travel agents, and real estate brokers. Interest groups are eager to hear from a politician who could become president, and are willing to pay big bucks. Her husband, Bill Clinton, earned $17 million from similar speeches last year. Yet these lucrative speeches could mean trouble for Hillary if she decides to run in 2016 against other candidates who are barred from giving paid speeches, and could turn it into a weapon against her.

Hoping for ‘Fresh Faces’

Alaska’s most high-profile Republican, former Gov. Sarah Palin, has “considered” running for the U.S. Senate seat held by Democratic Sen. Mark Begich. Responding to a question from Fox News Channel’s Sean Hannity, Palin said she’s considered a run-- because people have asked

How do you know when a politician is serious? If he announces an upcoming visit to the Holy Land. Texas Gov. Rick Perry promised he will visit Israel in October, a move that says he is seriously considering making another presidential run in 2016.

Bobby’s job as mayor is to greet people as they come to Dorset, located in northern Minnesota. Resorts and tourism are the main industry.

Life in Anytown, USA Paying Tribute to their Sacrifice

Thousands of mourners, including firefighters from around the country and U.S. Vice President Joe Biden, gathered in central Arizona last Tuesday to pay final tribute to 19 young firemen killed in the line of duty.

“We will be going to Israel to bring together Arabs, Christian and Jews in an educational forum,” Mr. Perry said, after he announced he would not seek a fourth term as Texas governor. Many feel he is preparing for a White House campaign. Perry is currently on the short list of Republican contenders for 2016, despite mistakes that led to an early exit from the 2012 primaries. Some of his potential rivals are Senator Rand Paul of Kentucky, who made his own trek this year to Israel, along with Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida and Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas. Both have made similar trips to Israel this year. Mitt Romney, who defeated Perry to win the 2012 nomination, visited Israel during the general election campaign.

Meet the Pint-Sized Mayor of Dorset

The Mayor of Dorset, Minnesota can’t read or write - yet. His favorite activities? Eating ice cream and fishing. Mayor Robert “Bobby” Tufts is only four years old. The little tyke was three when he won election last year as mayor of Dorset (population 22 to 28). Dorset, which bills itself as the Restaurant Capital of the World, has no formal city government. Every year the town draws a name during its Taste of Dorset Festival, and the winner gets to be mayor. Anyone can vote as many times as they like - for $1 a vote - at any of the ballot boxes in stores around town. Bobby is running for a second term, and he gets to draw the winning name Aug. 4.

The fallen members of the Granite Mountain Hotshots from Prescott, Arizona, were surrounded by flames on June 30 as they battled a blaze with hand tools outside the mountain town of Yarnell. The ceremony was held at a 6,000-seat arena in the adjacent town of Prescott Valley. Outside the hall, an overflow crowd set up lawn chairs to watch the service.

Another Chinese girl died in a San Francisco hospital on Friday, becoming the third fatality in the crash of an Asiana Airlines jet at the city’s airport. The 16 year old girl was part of a group of students from eastern China who were attending summer camp in the US. The crash landing of the Boeing 777 killed two other Chinese girls from the school group and injured more than 180 people. Ye Mengyuan and Wang Linjia, the two teenagers who died last weekend, were sitting in the back of the plane, which hit the seawall and suffered the most damage. Officials have concluded that one of the girls was mistakenly run over by a rescue vehicle; they are not sure if she was still alive when the accident occurred.

Greenville Plunged into Mourning

Members of two families from the close-knit community of Greenville, S.C., including five children, were tragically killed Sunday in a plane crash while vacationing in Soldotna, Alaska. The four adults and five children were passengers in a small, single-engine plane that crashed during takeoff into the runway at the town’s airport.

Sometimes, the only way to get some attention is to refuse meals. Officials said 30,000 California inmates refused to eat during a prison strike involving two-thirds of the state’s 33 lockups, and four out-of-state facilities. In addition, 2,300 prisoners skipped work or classes, claiming they were sick. The protest was organized by a small group of inmates held in solitary confinement at Pelican Bay State Prison near the Oregon border. Their complaints focus on policies that put inmates in isolation indefinitely, if they are suspected of having ties to prison gangs. They want a five-year limit on such isolation, plus education and rehabilitation programs and monthly phone calls. Last year, corrections officials began releasing inmates from isolation who showed no evidence of gang-related behavior. Nearly half of the 400 prisoners reviewed have been returned to the general inmate population.

Shirts flying in the Sky -

Your Personal Dry-Cleaning Drone A clever Philadelphia dry cleaning owner has transformed an aerial photography flying device into a garment home-delivery drone.

Heroic Dad saves Family

A determined Maryland man swam for hours in churning waters to save his family after their boat capsized in a storm off Maryland’s Eastern Shore. John Franklin Riggs swam three miles, then climbed rocks along the shoreline in the dark and knocked on a random door. “He came to the right house,” said Angela Byrd, whose dog’s barking awakened her. She found 46-year-old Riggs outside, soaking wet and hysterical. Byrd called 911 and rescuers rushed to the 16-foot Carolina Skiff that capsized near Deal Island. Life jackets saved the boaters’ lives, said Sgt. Brian Albert of the Maryland Natural Resources Police. “Just not knowing what’s going on with them while I was gone. It was getting nasty and blowing harder. And not knowing if we would be able to find them when we got back out there,” Riggs said, recalling his terror. Deal Island Fire Chief Donald Ford said Riggs braved “some of the worst tides in the Chesapeake Bay.” During his epic journey, his wife Contessa Riggs clung to the boat for five hours with her 3-year-old son, Conrad Drake; her 70-year-old father, and his 9-year-old granddaughter, Emily Horn.

Don’t be Scared…just dial 9-1-1-

The suburb is mourning the loss of Dr. Chris McManus; his wife, Stacey McManus; and their children, Meghan and Connor, said Johnathan Bragg, a spokesman for the Greenville Police Department. McManus was a radiologist who practiced at a local hospital. Also killed were Milton Antonakos; his wife, Kimberly Antonakos; and their children Mills, Ana and Olivia. Milton Antonakos worked in medical equipment sales while Kimberly served as a president of a parent/teacher group. “Without a doubt, it’s the most devastating tragedy I think we’ve had to experience since I’ve been here,” said Scott Sanders, a 21-year Greenville resident. “Losing two entire families -- it just doesn’t happen.”

so many times. I have told them to stop but they just continue.” Humboldt Park attorney Mike Jaskula finally took action, filing a lawsuit against the Tribune on behalf of 24 neighborhood residents. He charged that the paper’s process for stopping delivery didn’t work. “We allege that was just a sham process that they had in place, it wasn’t real, and that what they were doing was trespassing on our properties and creating a nuisance,” said Jaskula. To Jaskula’s surprise, the Tribune quickly settled, not willing to have a long, drawn out lawsuit.

A clever 5-year-old New Jersey tot dialed 911 when her mother began choking on a chip. When the dispatcher picked up, she thought she’d dialed her dad. “Daddy, mommy’s choking,” Chloe Olson told the 911 dispatcher in Ridgewood. After opening the front door at the dispatcher’s request, she ended her call with, “Love you, bye.” Chloe’s mom, Kerry Olson, had stopped choking by the time rescue units arrived. But Chloe may still receive special recognition for doing the right thing. Her parents say police and fire officials deserve the credit, for introducing students to a catchy jingle that says, “Don’t be scared, pick up the phone and dial 911.”

Fed Up with Junk Mail?

So were the good folks living in Humboldt Park and Logan Square, two small neighborhoods in Chicago. They were becoming increasingly frustrated with free ad-papers, published by the Tribune, piling up on porches and littering front walkways. Hamilton Soto has lived in the neighborhood for over 30 years. He asked the paper to stop delivery “so many times,

Harout Vartanian, 24, the owner of Manayunk Cleaners, wanted to “spice up” the traditional delivery process to attract a younger clientele for his business. The device is a four-bladed DJI Phantom quadracopter, which is typically used to capture photos from the air. With the help of two spotters, it can carry up to two pounds (one or two shirts) while airborne and deliver it directly to the door of a client. When the drone arrives at its location, it makes a noise notifying the client, who comes out and unclips his items from the hovering device. Vartanian said there is a higherend model capable of carrying between 5-10 pounds of dry cleaning that he plans on purchasing in the future.

It’s all about the Money

A judge who has presided over litigation after 9-11 will decide whether the owners of the World Trade Center can try to force airline companies to pay billions of dollars in damages. U.S. District Judge Alvin K. Hellerstein is currently listening to arguments and trying to make his decision. The trial will decide whether World Trade Center Properties and its affiliates can receive more than the $4.9 billion in insurance proceeds they have already recovered since the 9/11 attacks.

If the judge decides that the WTC owners are entitled to additional money, a liability trial might occur. The defendants include American Airlines Inc., AMR Corp., United Airlines Inc., US Airways Inc., Colgan Air Inc., Boeing Co. and the Massachusetts Port Authority, among others. The airlines were sued with the reasoning that they were negligent, allowing terrorists to board airplanes and overtake their crews before plunging the planes into the trade center complex, destroying three buildings.

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Compounding the Tragedy

Going Hungry

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The service opened with firefighters in dress uniform filing into the auditorium in front of a stage lined with photos of each of the fallen crew members, superimposed on American flags. Some of their firefighting gear also was on display. “Today will be a celebration of their lives and service,” said Tim Hill, president of the Professional Firefighters of Arizona, as he introduced the service. The tragedy was the greatest loss of life from a U.S. wildfire in 80 years, and the highest number of American firefighters killed in a single incident since 9-11.

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Hellerstein has already said the maximum the trade center owners could recover from aviation defendants would be $3.5 billion. The trade center owners say it has cost more than $7 billion to replace the twin towers, and over $1 billion to replace the third trade center building. In other news, the World Trade Center has a major new tenant. GroupM global media company has reached an agreement with developer Larry Silverstein for space in 3 World Trade Center. GroupM will move into 550,000 square feet on nine lower floors of the 80-story, $2 billion tower, to be completed by 2016.

You Plot the Crime, You do the Time

A New York appeals court has upheld the conviction and life sentence of a man who joined a failed plot to firebomb Kennedy Airport. Kareem Ibrahim was convicted in 2011 of several conspiracy counts. The government says he and other men wanted to kill thousands of people and cripple the American economy. Their diabolical plot? To blow up fuel tanks and underground pipelines that run through a neighborhood near the airport.

The 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Manhattan ruled that Ibrahim received a fair trial, while defense attorneys argue the case was entrapment. Two others have been convicted of conspiracy charges and are serving life in prison. A fourth has pleaded guilty to providing material support and was sentenced to 15 years.

Congratulations, Miss Susie

New York’s oldest resident celebrated her 114th birthday in East New York last weekend. Susannah Mushatt Jones, known as “Miss Susie,” is the second-oldest American and the third-oldest person in the world.

Family, friends and officials gathered around Miss Susie at Vandalia Senior Center to sing “Happy Birthday” and present her with a cake. Miss Susie, with a quick wit and generous nature, wore a long, flowery dress and a white hat. Miss Susie has been blind for 13 years, is hard of hearing and wheelchair bound. But otherwise she remains in remarkably good health — the only medication she takes is for her blood pressure. “If I look half as good at 60 as Miss Susie does now, I’ll be doing fine,” quipped Rep. Hakeem Jeffries (D-Brooklyn Heights).

Saved from a Horrible Fate

A Shocking Story Caroline Burns was lying on the operating table, about to have her organs removed, when she opened her eyes, scaring the wits out of her doctors. The woman had been declared brain dead, and her family had decided to donate her organs and then she woke up. The Syracuse Post-Standard reported about the major errors that led to the near-organ removal on the living patient at St. Joseph’s Hospital Health Center in Syracuse, N.Y., in 2009. “The patient did not suffer a cardiopulmonary arrest (as documented) and did not have irreversible brain damage,” the HHS report concluded. “The patient did not meet criteria for withdrawal of care.” According to the report, doctors had inaccurately diagnosed Burns with irreversible brain damage and ignored nurses who’d noticed signs that Burns was improving: She curled her toes, flared her nostrils and moved her mouth and tongue. She was also breathing on her own even though she was on a respirator. Burns, who was 41 at the time, was initially found unresponsive and surrounded by bottles of Xanax, Benadryl, a muscle relaxant and an anti-inflammatory drug on Oct.16, 2009. She was hypothermic and had a weak pulse, but was alive. In the emergency room, doctors performed toxicology tests and determined Burns was suffering from a multidrug overdose. She was unresponsive and put on a ventilator. Soon Burns was having seizures, but subsequent head CT scans on Oct. 17 and Oct. 18 appeared normal. That day, doctors told the family that Burns’ brain damage was irreversible and that she’d undergone “cardiorespiratory arrest.” The family made the decision to take Burns off life support and donate her organs the next day. Hospital officials later concluded that the drugs resulted in the unresponsive state doctors mistook for irreversible brain damage. Tragically, Burns, who was seriously depressed, committed suicide in 2011.

Health Bits CPR - does it Really Work?

Since it was introduced to American physicians in 1960, cardiopulmonary resuscitation has become the mainstay of emergency responses. Between 2011 and 2012, over 14 million people in 60 countries were trained in CPR administration, according to the American Heart Association. But recent studies suggest that the number of lives

saved by CPR isn’t that amazing. Initially, CPR combined mouth-to-mouth breathing with chest compressions to keep blood and oxygen circulating throughout the body until further measures could be taken. In 2008, the American Heart Association began teaching “hands-only CPR,” in which the rescuer pushes down hard and fast in the center of the chest - about 100 compressions per minute, instead of rescue breaths. The new CPR procedure was developed to simplify the process. Studies showed that the modified procedure was as effective as chest compressions combined with artificial respiration. Yet despite advancements, the overall effectiveness of CPR remains disappointingly low. Exact survival rates are difficult to obtain. Yet a 2012 study showed that only about 2% of adults who collapse on the street and receive CPR recover fully. A second study proved that anywhere from 4% to 16% of patients who received bystander CPR were eventually discharged from the hospital. Doctors caution that CPR is still one of the most important things you can do to save someone’s life. Whether the patient lives or dies was never up to us, in any case.

Hannah’s Legacy

The youngest person ever to receive a bioengineered organ has tragically passed away. Yet the surgery has given doctors new hope on transplanting tracheas and other delicate organs. Two year-old Hannah Warren was born without a trachea – a rare condition that is almost always fatal. On April 9, Warren received a bioengineered windpipe, made from a combination of plastic fibers and the girl’s own cells. The procedure was the sixth of its kind to be performed in the United States. The windpipe procedure involved an operation on Warren’s esophagus, which failed to properly heal, and necessitated a second correctional operation last month. Warren died of complications from that operation. “The trachea was never a problem,” said Dr. Paolo Macchiarini, Warren’s surgeon and a specialist in the field of regenerative medicine. “It was her native tissue that was very fragile.”

Diet Soda? Don’t Bother!

Diet soda drinkers have similar health problems as those who drink regular soda, says a new report. Purdue University researchers reviewed numerous studies that examined the relationship between drinking diet soda and health outcomes for the report, published in the journal Trends in Endocrinology & Metabolism. The results were shocking.

Finally, a step in the Right Direction

A group of 17 US retailers, including Wal-Mart and Gap, have agreed to a five-year pact to improve conditions at clothing factories in Bangladesh.

Who’s buying all these Cars?

Hyundai Motor Co.’s factories have reached their maximum capacity to build cars, which is hurting the company sales in a growing U.S. market.

Hyundai’s U.S. sales are up only 1.9 percent for the first half of the year, less than a quarter of the overall market’s 8.4 percent growth rate. Industry analysts predict that sales will rise as high as 15.5 million cars and trucks this year, a million more than last year. There are predictions of nearly 16 million in 2014.

We Lost the Number One Slot

Here’s a milestone to be proud of. Mexico has overtaken the U.S. in its obesity rate, according to a United Nations report. Nearly 33 percent of Mexicans are now obese, while 70 percent are overweight. The young and the poor are disproportionately affected. The U.S. obesity rate is nearly 32 percent, not very far behind.

Financial News Paying for Holder’s Outings

A government watch organization says Attorney General Eric Holder took 62 out-of-town trips in 2011 at a cost of at least $1.45 million.

Holder’s travels included an April 2011 trip to Las Vegas, marked as business and personal, that cost $46,358. Nine other trips, including visits to Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts, and Miami, were labeled “personal,” and cost a combined $169,502. He later took an $83,002 flight to Krakow, Poland, to attend the G-6 summit. Flight costs for another seven trips, including journeys to China, Hawaii and Brussels, weren’t provided. As attorney general, Holder is a “required use” official who is compelled to use government aircraft for all travel while in office due to “security and communications needs.” For personal trips, Holder must reimburse the government for the equivalent commercial coach fare, which is often a fraction of the total trip costs.

And the Cow jumped over the Moon!

How ridiculous is that? Three-quarters of a million taxpayer dollars are being spent to let people feel like a cow. The National Science Foundation awarded Stanford University $750,000 to research whether people eat less beef after they’ve walked or grazed a mile in a cow’s hooves. Study participants got down on all fours and were outfitted with a virtual reality helmet simulating what a cow might see on the way to slaughter. Then

admission could have the News Corporation chief exposed under Title 18, Section 1001, which makes it illegal to lie to law enforcers. Murdoch was filmed after journalists at News Corporation’s British newspaper operation were accused of intercepting voicemails and bribing officials for stories. Journalists told him that they authorized payments to police, “oblivious to the fact the long-term practice of this company to pay public officials was illegal”, and now felt they were being made into “scapegoats”. To which Murdoch replied, “Yeah. And one of these high-priced lawyers would say it’s our fault, but that situation existed at every newspaper in Fleet Street. Long since forgotten. But absolutely. It was the culture of Fleet Street.”

Their decision follows the tragic deaths of 1,129 workers in a building collapse in April and another 112 in a fire in November. The pact includes loans to help factories improve safety and inspections of all factories within a year. A group of European firms, including Benetton and H&M, announced a similar move. In a statement, the US firms said, “The safety record of Bangladesh factories is unacceptable and requires our collective effort. We can prevent future tragedies by consolidating and amplifying our individual efforts to bring about real and sustained progress.”

The Culture of Fleet Street?

Saying it like it ‘Is’ Rupert Murdoch, the founder and head of News Corporation, may face criminal charges in America after he told journalists that bribing police officers for stories was “the culture of Fleet Street”. US lawyers said this

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researchers studied their meat consumption the following week. The results are not yet available. The study’s director says the goal is to figure out if feeling sorry for cows could change human behavior and cut down on the carbon footprint that the beef industry makes.

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“Honestly, I thought that diet soda would be marginally better compared to regular soda in terms of health,” said Susan Swithers, the report’s author, a professor of psychological sciences. “But in reality it has a counterintuitive effect.” Artificial sweeteners in diet soda fulfill a person’s craving for sweets without the calories. Researchers say it’s like crying wolf. Fake sugar teases your body by pretending to give it real food. “You’ve messed up the whole system, so when you consume real sugar, your body doesn’t know if it should try to process it because it’s been tricked by the fake sugar so many times,” says Swithers. This means when diet soda drinkers consume real sugar, the body doesn’t release the hormone that regulates blood sugar and blood pressure. Moral of the story? Stick with flavored seltzer, for best results.

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A Hyundai factory near Montgomery, Ala., that makes the Elantra compact and Sonata midsize car is at capacity, as is another factory nearby. Other models are made at factories in Korea, which are also working at full capacity. U.S. CEO John Krafcik said both U.S. plants are working the maximum three shifts with workers on maximum overtime, yet still can’t keep up with demand.

Around the World Pinning the Blame on the Engineer

The head of the railway whose runaway train almost destroyed a Quebec town cast doubt on his engineer’s story. Edward Burkhardt, who faced harsh and angry questioning, said the engineer has been suspended without pay and faces a criminal investigation by Canadian authorities. The engineer reported to railroad managers that he set 11 hand brakes on the train cars before they broke away from their engines, but added, “I think it’s questionable whether he did.” “Our general feeling now that is not true,” said Burkhardt, chairman of the Montreal, Maine & Atlantic Railway. The engineer had worked for the MM&A for “many years” and had a complete safety record. Most of the 73-car train derailed in the center of Lac-Megantic last weekend, while tank cars full of oil exploded and burned. Quebec provincial authorities have found 20 bodies, while 30 more are missing “and most probably dead,” said Quebec Provincial Police Capt. Michel Forget. Hundreds of evacuees, mostly older residents, were still taking shelter in a local school

Stop.Out of Service.Stop

The 163-year old telegram service in India, which has brought good and bad news for generations of Indians, has closed shop. Once the fastest means of

Health & Fitness Aliza Beer MS, RD communication for millions of people, the telegram’s days are over. The telegram service began in 1850 between Koklata and Diamond Harbour, for use by the British East India Company. In 1854, the service was made available to the public. It was such an important mode of communication that revolutionaries fighting for the country’s independence used to cut the telegram lines to stop the British from communicating.

Inmates Run Haywire

Indonesian police are searching for hundreds of escaped inmates following a deadly prison riot in Medan, the capital of the province of North Sumatra. At least five people died, including two guards and three prisoners. More than 200 inmates, some of them jailed on terrorism charges, broke free from the maximum-security facility when the “water supply was cut off because of a power outage,” said Ronny Sompie, the National Police Spokesman Brigadier General. Angry prisoners burned the door to the prison offices, stole guns and took guards hostage.

“The situation is under control and the fire at the prison has been extinguished,” said Sompie. At least 55 prisoners have been recaptured, while police and military officials are now searching the surrounding area for escapees. The prison, Tanjung Gusta Correctional Institute, houses 2,600 inmates. The facility’s maximum capacity is 1,054.

Childhood Obesity: An American Epidemic

hildhood obesity in this country has more than tripled in the past 30 years. Currently, 17% of American kids ages 2 – 19 are obese. One out of three kids are overweight. An obese teenager has over 70% greater risk of becoming an obese adult. These statistics are alarming to say the least. In the past few years, I have seen an increase of overweight children ages 9 –19 in my practice. They are wonderful, bright, creative kids who have fallen prey to the American high-fat, high-salt, fast food diet. The good news is that we have the ability to control or alter these trends. Success is realistic and attainable, but only with strong family support. The family as a whole must be willing to make some sacrifices and changes that will improve the health of all members of the family, both skinny and overweight. The following are some healthy habits every family could benefit from: 1. Dine Together: Children who eat dinner together with their parents at least five times a week tend to weigh less and have healthier habits. 2. Plate your Children’s Food: Growing up, my mother never served dinner family style. She always plated our food, even the salad, and it never occurred to us to ask for seconds! Plate everyone’s food so the overweight child will not feel different. 3. Portion Control when Eating Out: Most restaurant portions are more than one person needs at one meal. Have your children share a meal. Avoid pastas, but encourage fish, chicken, or lean meat, with veggies on the side instead of fries. 4. Out of Sight, Out of Mind: If you don’t have access to it, you cannot eat it. Minimize the junk food in the house, and “hide” the junk you deem necessary. Never display candies, cookies, nuts, etc., in bowls or canisters on the counter. 5. Healthy Snacks: The bulk of the snacks you send to school with your

kids should consist of fruits and veggies. Pretzels, popcorn, or cereal can be used as the lone “junky” snack. 6. Create a Healthy School: Pressure your children’s schools to ban snack vending machines and high sugar drinks. Get involved and help revamp the hot lunch menus to include fresh fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. 7. Get Enough Sleep: The more you sleep, the less you will eat. Research has linked less sleep to an increase in weight in both kids and adults worldwide. A tired child is also less physically active, therefore burning fewer calories. Children who don’t get enough sleep have higher levels of cortisol, which evidence shows stimulates appetite. Ten hours of sleep a night are recommended for kids ages 4 – pre-teen, and 8 hours for teens. In today’s times, obesity is a major concern and can lead to a host of medical issues and illnesses. It creates many unnecessary health risks that could be minimized if people ate right. Obese children and adults have a much higher risk of heart disease, the number one killer in America. Diabetes is another example of a disease both prevalent and preventable, to some extent. Don’t view this eating plan as a “diet” but as a change in your lifestyle. If you follow a healthy eating plan and positively alter your lifestyle, you will achieve success. Aliza Beer is a registered dietician with a Master’s degree in nutrition. She has a private practice in Cedarhurst, NY. Patients’ success has been featured on the Dr. Oz Show. Aliza’s new line of prepared, healthy meals-to-go are available at Gourmet Glatt. Aliza can be reached at alizabeer@gmail. com.

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Avi Heiligman

The Battle of Lanzareth and the Heroes Who Fought the Germans

he Battle of the Bulge was Hit- need to advance quickly to attain their They were armed with small arms, a a perfect view of the road. In addition, ler’s ym”s last desperate attempt objectives: the Meuse River and sever- light machine gun and a heavy .50 cali- the jeep with the machine gun was at stopping the Allied armies in al key supply dumps that would feed ber gun mounted on a jeep that was bar- placed on a slight rise behind the main tered for captured Nazi memorabilia. In elements of the platoon. Snow blanketthe west from overrunning Germany. the oil-starved Nazi war machine. Defending the Ardennes were in- addition to their 18 men, four soldiers ed the area around the woods and thus Otherwise known as the Ardennes Offensive, the attack used the element of experienced troops from divisions from an forward observation team was the Americans were camouflaged in surprise against weakly held American recently arrived from the States. The at this most forward element in this their surroundings. At the start of battle at about 8AM, and Allied positions in the Ardennes there was another platoon of Americans Forest in Belgium, France, and Luxnearby, but they had been withdrawn to embourg. The Nazi air force, the Luftdespite the fact that they Were outnumbered fight in another sector leaving Bouck waffe, had been blown out of the skies and his men alone to fight the battalion since the American-led invasion of about 25 to 1, the platoon had excellent positions. of 3rd Division German paratroopers. Normandy, France, in June, 1944. They Three soldiers from the platoon scoutstill had their Panzer Tanks and planned ed the advancing column and reportto use them to devastating effect. nd Led by five star General Dwight experienced but depleted 2 Division sector. Bouck was the second young- ed back but their landline to the rear David “Ike” Eisenhower, the Allied was given a well-needed rest while the est man in the platoon; his 21st birthday American outpost had been cut in the artillery barrage. They still had a handarmies were set to achieve another recently arrived 99th Division took its was on December 17. Despite the fact that they were out- held radio but were told to remain in breakthrough before winter came and positions on the front line. The green bogged down operations. The Germans (term used for inexperienced troops) numbered about 25 to 1, the platoon positions while reinforcements would took full advantage of the lousy weather 106th Infantry Division moved into key had excellent positions. Foxholes were be brought to the line. No one came to and opened up their attack on Decem- positions near the Checkerboards (the dug in deep and all of the soldiers had assist the platoon. Continued on page 94 ber 16. There were immediate break- nickname given to the 99th and the basis for their shoulthroughs in all der patch). The sectors except Low Cost Quality Insurance 106th suffered one. An importOur Specialty many casualties ant crossroads and two entire at Lanzerath, Free Consultation Free Policy Evaluation battalions of Belgium, took about 7,000 men all day to capin total were ture and slowed Ask the Rabbi !!?? surrounded and down the 6th The Rabbi loves a bargain (a metzia) Panzer Army. surrendered to Somehow, 22 the Germans Let the Rabbi help you save money (up to 50%) men from an in one of the intelligence and largest POW reconnaissance captures suf¾ Large Commercial Insurance Policies (I & R) platoon Survivors of the platoon after receiving their awards fered by the US ¾ Life Insurance of the 99th DiviArmy since the sion had held up an attack of 500 su- Civil War. The 99th, however, proved ¾ Disability Insurance perbly trained paratroopers with tank its worth and only lost about 20% of support with the loss of but one man. its strength in the attack while caus¾ Self Employed Health Insurance Germany was being attacked from ing over 4,000 casualties and destroythree directions and Hitler, who by ing many tanks in the northern sector ¾ Long Term Care insurance many accounts was clinically insta- of the attack. The 2nd Division, which ble since the assassination attempt in was supposed to be resting, was also Rabbi S. M. Leiner, CLTC June, felt that their greatest threat was in the middle of this fight and their Licensed Independent Broker for All Types of Insurance coming from the west. He took badly experience was a major asset to the Call: 917‐543‐0497 – Leave a message needed divisions from the Russian and beleaguered Allied troops. They also Italian fronts and secretly planned an caused a major delay in the advance of Mail: Rabbi S. M. Leiner, CLTC the Germans under Sepp Dietrich. This attack. P.O. Box # 7655 The offensive started with an delay was inflicted by the I & R platoon 600 Franklin Ave ear-shattering artillery barrage that was of the 394th Regiment, 99th Division unGarden City, NY 11530 meant to dislodge any defenders. On der 20-year-old Lt. Lyle Bouck. They moved into their foxholes an 80-mile front, 1,600 artillery piecPremier clients receive a copy of my book (sefer) es fired upon Allied, largely American, near Lanzerath on December 10. A full “Sweeter Than Honey” as a gift forces. Since they had no aircraft, the view of the fifteen houses of that quiet German infantry and tank units would village was in the sights of the platoon.

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Forgotten Heroes

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costs.” Private Louis Kalil was hit in the face by a grenade that failed to explode but was injured by the impact. T/5Billy Queen of the observation unit that was attached to the platoon was killed by a bullet. He was the only American casualty of the battle. All throughout the first three attacks, the German advance was not properly coordinated and poorly managed which gave the Americans “a beautiful field of fire.” The Americans were dug in well and would be impossible to take out by a frontal attack. Finally, when their ammunition was almost gone, 50 German paratroopers outflanked them and came at them through a rearward movement. One by one, the exhausted American platoon gave up. At the time of surrender, the Americans were surprised that they weren’t killed because they had inflicted so much damage to the enemy, but the Germans held their fury for them later when they were sent to POW camps. Lt. Bouck was almost shot by a German officer but the gun jammed and in the next moment both officers were wounded by incoming German small arms fire. Fourteen Americans were wounded and they, along with six unwounded members of the platoon,Z were taken into captivity. Surprisingly,

they all survived the harsh winter and even more brutal German cruelty. German casualty numbers are foggy but all agree that they suffered a huge blow in their campaign where speed was paramount. They suffered at least 92 casualties and many accounts have the number of German dead at several hundred. The loss of men paled in comparison to the precious time that was lost because this delay gave the Allies time to send reinforcements and plug gaps. Without the stand of the platoon, the Germans would have outflanked the 1st Battalion of the 394th Regiment. On December 17, the Germans in the northern sector mopped up any remaining units of the 99th Division remaining in the area and captured a small fuel depot. They continued until they encountered stiff resistance at Elsenborn Ridge and the battle continued there for ten days. Unable to dislodge the Americans, the Germans retreated. All of their units were shattered and the Allied offensive finally was put back on track in January 1945. Kampfgruppe Peiper, the unit that led the attack in the Northern sector, was decimated after losing 4,000 killed and the loss of 60 tanks and big (artillery) guns. After the war, their heroic stand at Lanzerath went almost unnoticed for

20 years until a book which detailed the battle was published. As for medals and decorations, Lt. Bouck at first didn’t think that they had done much in the way of stopping enemy, and he was too weak after the war to write up commendations for the members of the unit. (There is a certain period of time that a unit commander has to write an after action report and submit his letters of commendation.) He was given a silver star but the actions of everyone else were forgotten until 1981 when they all received their belated medals in a public ceremony. Historian John Eisenhower, son of the Supreme Commander and future president, wrote, “... the action of the 2nd and 99th Divisions on the northern shoulder could be considered the most decisive of the Ardennes campaign.” These unsung heroes were the ones who unglamorously pushed back the Germans, and actions like the stand at Lanzerath by the 394th I & R Platoon were the order of the day. Avi Heiligman is a weekly contributor to The Jewish Home. He welcomes your comments and suggestions.for future columns and can be reached at aviheiligman@ gmail.com.

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The Germans were walking unsuspectingly down the road and were completely unaware that 22 Americans had them in their gunsights ready to pull the trigger. A young girl came out of a house and ran up to a German officer as his men were marching along the road and pointed in the direction of the American positions. The surprise attack was ruined when the officer shouted to his men, and the Americans fired upon the attackers, scattering the Germans and killing several. The Germans pulled back to reorganize. They thought that they were fighting several hundred Americans who weren’t mauled by the artillery attack. They attacked head on and again were mauled by the well-prepared defenses. The .50 caliber gun mounted on the jeep was firing nonstop but so many Germans were in their sites that they couldn’t rest it to let the gun cool off. Eventually, there was a minor explosion because the gun had overheated and was out of action. The remaining radio, which was their only communication with the rear command, was put out of action when a bullet hit it. The soldier that was talking on the radio at the time was not wounded and the unit continued the fight until late in the day. One of the last messages they received from headquarters was to “hold at all

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In the Kitchen Naomi Nachman

Super Summer Salads

uring the long summer Shabbat afternoons, we have a chance to have a great sleep, read a book, and play with our children or grandchildren – all in one day! But once all have rested and played, the family all wants to eat seuda shlishet. People are always asking me what I serve Shabbat afternoon. Adults don’t want a yogurt, bowl of cereal, tuna or egg salad on a challah roll. We like to eat something a little healthier and sophisticated. My husband and I love Greek salad. The salad described below is based on a Greek salad with a twist of the addition of the smoked salmon (lox). When making

the dressing, add fresh lemon juice as it will elevate the taste to another level. If you prefer fresh salmon, you can season a 2 pound side of fresh salmon fillet with salt, pepper, half of a fresh lemon squeezed, and 2 cloves of crushed garlic (rub all those ingredients all over the salmon) and bake on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper for 20 minutes at 350°. You can store the fish in the fridge until seuda shlishet. Served either cold or room temperature. I always double my dressing so I have them for during the week. They store well in a quart container in the refrigerator.

Smoked Salmon and Avocado Salad

Nutty Asian Noodles

(To make this salad parve and use it as an appetizer, just leave out the cheese.)

Ingredients 1 pkg angel hair pasta cooked according to directions ½ cup low sodium soy sauce ½ cup roasted or toasted sesame oil 1/3 cup sugar 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional) 1 tablespoon crunchy peanut butter

Ingredients 6 cups mesclun greens or 2 to 3 heads of romaine lettuce ½ pound smoked salmon, sliced thinly 2 medium avocados, chopped coarsely 1 medium red onion, sliced thinly ½ block of Feta cheese, crumbled 1 cup cherry tomatoes, sliced in half Handful of black olives slices (optional)

Dressing 2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh dill 1/3 cup fresh lemon juice 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard 2 tablespoons honey 2 gloves garlic, crushed 1 tablespoon white vinegar 1 tablespoon olive oil Preparation Combine greens or lettuce, salmon, avocado, onion, tomato and feta in large bowl. Whisk remaining ingredients in small bowl or container then pour over salad; toss gently.

Spinach Salad with Spiced Pecans This spinach salad is a favorite of mine. When I am invited to do cooking demonstrations this is one of the most popular salads requested. I love a crunch in my salads and the sweet pecans are fabulous addition. Ingredients 2 pkgs of packages baby spinach 1 green apple, sliced 1 cup sliced mushrooms 1 red onion, sliced 1 can heart of palm, chopped Combine salad ingredients and toss with dressing before serving. Garnish with pecans over the top of the salad. Dressing 1 cup oil 1 teaspoon mustard 1/3 cup cider vinegar ¼ cup sugar 2 tablespoon corn syrup 1 tablespoon poppy seeds 1 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon dry mustard 1 teaspoon celery seed

Spiced Pecans 1 egg white ¾ teaspoon vanilla 1 cup sugar 1 tablespoon water 1 cup whole pecans Preparation In a large mixing bowl, beat egg white until frothy (not stiff). Add vanilla, sugar and water. Add pecans and mix to coat. Place pecans on a baking sheet covered in parchment paper and bake at 350° for 30 minutes, turning after 15 minutes.

Preparation Mix all dressing ingredients in a bowl. I do it in a food processor to make it smooth or can use a bowl and a whisk. (Less dishes to wash!) Pour the dressing over pasta while the pasta is still warm; it helps boost and absorb the flavor if pasta is still warm. Before serving, add sliced scallions, diced red pepper or sesame seeds as garnish. Naomi Nachman, the owner of The Aussie Gourmet, caters weekly and Shabbat/Yom Tov meals for families and individuals within The Five Towns and neighboring communities, with a specialty in Pesach catering. Naomi is a contributing editor to this paper and also produces and hosts her own weekly radio show on the Nachum Segal Network stream called “A Table for Two with Naomi Nachman.” Naomi gives cooking presentations for organizations and private groups throughout the New York/New Jersey Metropolitan area. In addition, Naomi has been a guest host on the QVC TV network and has been featured in cookbooks, magazines as well as other media covering topics related to cuisine preparation and personal chefs. To obtain additional recipes, join The Aussie Gourmet on Facebook or visit Naomi’s blog. Naomi can be reached through her website,www.theaussiegourmet. com or at (516) 295-9669.

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Susan Schwamm

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Leisure & Travel

From Sea to Shining Sea: Oregon

f you like cheese, love nuts, and don’t like to pump gas, head to Oregon this summer. The Beaver State is known for many things, and you and your family are bound to enjoy your vacation week there. Oregon boasts the deepest lake in the United States. The crystal-blue waters of Crater Lake are world-renowned. Speaking of bodies of water, the Beaver State is home to the world’s shortest river—the D River is only 121 feet long! The largest cheese factory in the world calls Oregon its home. The Tillamook Cheese Factory has been around for 100 years. It is also the only state with an official state nut— the hazelnut. I guess that means that they’re just nuts over their nuts! Speaking of being a little nuts, the city of Portland is just plain weird. In fact, residents like to call their city Weird and Unusual Portland and have been overheard saying, “Keep Portland weird.” But Portland is not just about weird sculptures and people. It is also known as the City of Roses. The International Rose Test Garden features more than 500 varieties of roses since 1917. Want to hear some weird facts? Oregon residents own one-fourth of the country’s total llama population. There’s a city in Oregon called Sisters and another city in the state called Brothers. The state also has more ghost towns than any other in the nation. And, just like New Jersey, Oregon is the only other state in the entire United States where it’s illegal to pump your own gas. Want to go on a major road trip this summer? It’s best to head out now if you want to visit Oregon sometime before school starts again. If you plan on driving, you’re gonna have to drive across the whole country and of course make many stops along the way. But once you get to your destination, remember, no more pumping gas for you—you’re in the wonderful state of Oregon!

Things You Won’t Want To Miss Skeleton Caves If you’re looking to cool off in the summer’s sweltering heat, the Skeleton Caves are the best place to do it and experience the awesomeness of Oregon. The High Cascades Mountains are picturesque with snow-capped peaks, deep green forests, and glassy ponds and lakes. But you can explore the mountains from within where years ago lava formed tunnels in the mountains creating caves deep within the earth. The Skeleton Cave is nearly 2900 feet long and drops 100 feet across. And no matter how hot it gets outside, the temperature remains a steady, cool 44°F. Mount Hood The highest mountain in Oregon reaches 11,245 feet and

is the second most climbed mountain in the world, after Japan’s Mount Fuji. The grandeur of Mount Hood reflected in the lake below is breathtaking. Along the way, visit Timberline Lodge, a National Historic Landmark, made of timbers and stone and dedicated by President Franklin Roosevelt in 1937. Trillium Lake offers a 2-mile hiking trail around the lake, and swimming, canoeing, and kayaking are great activities to do with the family on the perfect summer day. At the end of day, stop at Jonsrud Viewpoint, a five-acre park, and enjoy a awe-inspiring view of Mount Hood and the bucolic Sandy River Valley. Wallowa Lake Tramway Ever want to experience nature from the skies? The Wallowa Lake Tramway takes visitors on a 3700-foot ascent to the summit of Mt. Howard on the steepest vertical gondola ride in North America. The views of the valley are spectacular, and if you’re in the mood of adventure, bring your bike with you on the ride up and enjoy an amazing downhill ride over pine-covered hills and gravel paths. Garden of Delights Portland is Oregon’s largest city in terms of population and there’s a lot going on in this busy and quirky metropolis. But if you’re looking for some time to relax and reconnect, spend time at the Lan Su Chinese Garden where you can meander along with winding walkways, enjoy the bridged lake, and spend time in the open pavilions. Speaking of tranquility and relaxation, the City of Roses boasts the International Rose Test Garden, and there visitors can spend time among the 7,000 luscious rose bushes and breathe in their intox- icating scent. Who knows? You may be able to witness one of the many marriage proposals that take place in this romantic setting.

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