Kol Habirah - June 8, 2017 by Jewish Link Marketing Solutions

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June 8, 2017 | 14 Sivan, 5777 June 9 | 15 Sivan 5777 Parshat Behaalotecha Light Candles: 8:15 pm Shabbat Ends: 9:22 pm

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JCRC, Rodef Shalom Hold Virginia Gubernatorial Forum By Kol HaBirah Staff

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Speaking at a recent candidates forum, Virginia Republican gubernatorial candidate Corey Stewart blamed the left for rising anti-Semitism, while other candidates put the onus for a rise in bigotry on President Donald Trump. Stewart was one of four candidates to speak at the May 21 event held at Temple Rodef Shalom in Falls Church and co-sponsored by the Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC) of Greater Washington. Also speaking were Democrats Lt. Gov. Ralph Northam

Gubernatorial candidate Corey Stewart speaking at Temple Rodef Shalom in Falls Church, Virginia on May 21. (COURTESY PHOTO)

By Suzanne Pollak and former member of Congress Tom Perriello, and Republican and State Sen. Frank Wagner. Political candidate Ed Gillepsie, also a Republi-

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To Be or Not to Be in the OU — Is That Really the Question? When the word maharat is typed into the search box on the Orthodox Union’s (OU) webpage, the message “no results found” comes up. The same thing happens if the search term is “women clergy.” Since 2013, when Yeshivat Maharat in New York opened its “Kollel: Executive Ordination Track,” 42 women have enrolled and 14 of them have been ordained as maharats, an acronym for manhiga hilkhatit rukhanit Toranit (leader in Jewish law, spirituality, and Torah). From the perspective of Yeshivat Maharat, the maharats themselves, and their supporters in the Orthodox community, maharats are the female clergy of Orthodox Judaism.

From the mainstream perspective of the Orthodox community, however, ordaining women as clergy is fundamentally outside the existing framework of Orthodox Judaism. Four Orthodox synagogues in the U.S. affiliated with the Orthodox Union, including Ohev Sholom in Washington, D.C., and Beth Sholom Congregation in Potomac, Maryland, each employ a maharat, a relatively new occurrence for any Orthodox synagogue. Recently, the OU published a statement that stressed the importance of women’s leadership roles in the shul, but also clearly stated that a woman cannot serve in a clergy role in an OU synagogue. Since

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27th Annual Washington Jewish Film Festival Reviews and event coverage in our Arts & Entertainment section. ÂÂ CONTINUED ON P. 43

Sanctuary at Beth Sholom Congregation and Talmud Torah in Potomac, Maryland. TOP: Ohev Sholom - The National Synagoge in Washington, D.C. (SOURCE: LEVIN BROWN ARCHITECTS; GOOGLE IMAGES)

Organizing a Bar/Bat Mitzvah Project to benefit the IDF soldiers is a unique opportunity to do something truly mazing for these brave men and women. Project ideas include: • Sporting events • Walk-a-thons • Bake sales • Events with visiting Israeli soldiers FIDF will provide the guidance and assistance to ensure that whatever project you choose, it will be a great success.

June 8, 2017 • 14 Sivan, 5777

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ABOUT US

Kol HaBirah: Mission and Goals traversing various geographic and ideological boundaries and strengthening the bond of community. 33Credible Reporting and Respectful, Open Dialogue Kol HaBirah is committed to fact-based news reporting and providing a space for the respectful exchange of ideas on issues that matter to the broader Jewish community. We encourage diverse perspectives but will strive to avoid including content and views that may appear offensive or hurtful to specific people or groups of people. 33Traditional Torah Values – Kol HaBirah proudly upholds traditional Torah values

The mission of Kol HaBirah is to serve, connect, and strengthen the Greater Washington Jewish community. To achieve this, we will provide:

33Community Enrichment and Support Kol HaBirah will increase the visibility and utilization of our Jewish community’s businesses, organizations, programs, initiatives, and services. This will be achieved through our news and feature reporting, our robust community resources section, and advertising opportunities. 33A Community Newspaper for All Jews Kol HaBirah will foster connection through the sharing of news, ideas and resources,

(e.g. not employing staff on Shabbat; promoting Kosher restaurants, events, and news) and will strive to maintain these values while respecting the values of the entire Jewish community. 33Support for the United States and Israel Kol HaBirah is committed to the safety and support of the government and citizens of the United States and Israel.

We believe Kol HaBirah will further establish the Greater Washington Jewish community’s presence on the map as a leading and vibrant Jewish community in America and beyond. Thank you for your continued support, and keep reading!

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KOL HaBirah Voice of the Capital

IN THIS ISSUE Community News....................................................7-19 Eileen Frazier Appointed as Interim CEO for Jewish Federation of Greater Washington by Rachel Kohn.............................................................. 9 Alternative Graduation Ceremony a Prime Example of UMD’s Support for Jewish Students by Elan Burman............................................................ 12 B’nai Tzedek Hosts Communitywide Yom Yerushalayim Celebration by Heidi Krizer Daroff................................ 14 Israel News.............................................................20-21 Celebrating a Unified City by Noa Amouyal................. 20 Capital Commentary.............................................22-23 Celebrating Jerusalem at the U.S. Capitol by Suzanne Pollak........................................................ 23 Op-Ed......................................................................24-25 Trump and Transactionalism by Naftali Quartey.......... 24 Features.................................................................26-30 Rafael Medoff’s Learning from History......................... 26 Imagine Israel Changemakers...................................... 30 Torah Perspectives...............................................31-32 The Best Things in Life Are Never Free by Rabbi Stephen Baars............................................... 31 Health & Wellness.................................................33-36 Keeping a Healthy Outlook on Aging, Even When Things Seem Off-Track by Paula Alarid....................... 34 Zika: Lessons from History by Aimee Kopolow............ 35 Sports.......................................................................... 37 Let’s Get the NBA Finals Started Already by Efraim Andrew Wakschlag....................................... 37 Food & Dining........................................................38-41 A Special Sauce Saves the Day by Rachel Burger...... 38 Arts & Entertainment............................................42-46 A Love of Israeli Dance by Phil Jacobs........................ 43 Free to See by Dinah Rokach...................................... 45 Fun and Games........................................................... 47 Travel......................................................................48-49 Saying Kaddish in Croatia............................................ 48 Advice.....................................................................50-53 Dear Rivkie: Finding Focus During the Finals Frenzy.......................................................... 50 Your Unique Child by Laura Goldman.......................... 50 Young Professional Spotlight: Yoni Razin .............. 53 Dating.......................................................................... 54 Community Calendar................................................. 55

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JCRC, Rodef Shalom Hold Virginia Gubernatorial Forum ÁÁ CONTINUED FROM P. 1

can candidate, declined to attend. Each candidate will be given 20 minutes, with five minutes for an introductory statement, and time to answer JCRC and audience questions. “Today most of the anti-Semitic bigotry is not coming from the right. It’s coming from the left. We have to face it,” Stewart, Prince William Board of County Supervisors chairman, told the some 400 people at the forum. When Stewart sought to bolster his argument, pointing to U.S. Rep. Keith Ellison (D-Minn.), audience members yelled, “What about Trump?” Perriello and Northam also pointed to the president for fomenting increased bigotry. “We have to be honest that we stand at a scary moment, where we’ve

Gubernatorial candidate Tom Periello speaking at Temple Rodef Shalom in Falls Church, Virginia, on May 21. (COURTESY PHOTO)

seen the kind of hatred and bigotry unleashed and enabled from the president himself, those around him and those

who stand beside him,” said Perriello. “The discrimination and the hatred we see — a lot of which I think stems

At Reverse Mifgash, American and Israeli Birthright Alumni Meet Stateside By Haley Cohen Community News Intern Following her Birthright Israel trip in 2000, one Washington, D.C., native committed to bringing Israelis to the United States for a similar experience. The idea has turned into an annual program, called Reverse Mifgash (Hebrew for encounter). This year, the Jewish Federation of Greater Washington hosted the unique program for the fifth time, with an action-packed schedule consisting of social, educational, cultural, and religious programing beginning on May 17 and ending on May 25. The main goal of the Reverse Mifgash experience is to re-engage American and Israeli Birthright alumni in Jewish life and ensure that their connections to

each other, Israel, and their local Jewish community continue to grow. For the Americans, the intention is to increase engagement in the Greater Washington Jewish community and to strengthen their commitment to Israel. For the Israelis, the goal is to increase knowledge about and appreciation of American Jewish life and culture. For both the Americans and Israelis, the expected outcome is increased involvement in local Jewish communities and global Jewish networks. Israeli participant Ohad Shturm, 26, who lives in Haifa, decided to attend the program because he never got the opportunity to participate in Birthright during his army service. Shturm arrived in DC, his first time visiting the States, just two weeks after completing the army.

“This is the first time I’ve gotten to see a Jewish community outside of Israel,” he said. “I am very impressed with the way they connect the community to want to learn here. In Israel, Judaism is a default, but around here it’s a choice,” he said. Some of the highlights of the trip for Shturm included touring Maryland synagogues and Jewish day schools, meeting with the Jewish Congressional Staffers Association, and going to his first baseball game. Carly Schildhaus, co-chair of the program, says that one of her favorite parts is attending Havdalah at the Lincoln memorial. “There’s something so symbolic about doing something Jewish at the Lincoln memorial. It’s moving to see everything come together,” she said.

from what is [happening] on the other side of the Potomac River — has no place in the Commonwealth of Virginia,” Northam said. On other topics, Wagner advocated more money for transportation funding, while Northam pointed to the need for affordable health care. “From a moral perspective, everybody in this country, and especially in this state, should not be one medical illness away from financial demise,” he said. Gillespie’s campaign finance director delivered remarks on his behalf. Calling voting “the most important tool we have as citizens to protect and strengthen our society,” JCRC Associate Director Guila Franklin noted in her introduction that “the importance of being involved in selecting leaders, and of every person being counted, is as ancient as our Jewish Holy Scriptures and rabbinic teachings themselves.”

Along with her two co-chairs, and assistance from the Federation, Schildhaus, a volunteer, is responsible for the overall execution of the program. Her duties include selection of the 11 Israeli participants and their American hosts, and deciding how to showcase Greater Washington’s diverse Jewish community. Schildhaus, who attended George Washington University and later worked for the University’s Hillel, added that she also enjoys bringing the Israeli participants to Hillel. “Seeing the convergence of the two biggest parts of my life come together is really meaningful,” said Schildhaus. “The sense of community and how the Israelis continue their connections to us and to each other is one of the best parts.” “People who I have not seen in a long time came out to get re-involved and there were also some new people who are interested in learning about our Jewish community,” she said.

Ohad Shturm (right) of Federation’s Reverse Mifgash at the Imagine Israel Changemakers Series event.

Federation’s Reverse Mifgash Havdalah service on the National Mall.

(PHOTO CREDIT: AUDREY ROTHSTEIN)

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June 8, 2017 • 14 Sivan, 5777

COMMUNITY NEWS

Kotel Liberators to Visit Chabad of Northern VA By Dovid Nachshon Albright Three iconic liberators of the Kotel (Western Wall) and the Temple Mount in the 1967 Six Day War will visit the Chabad of Northern Virginia on Sunday, June 18, in an event sponsored by the combined Chabad shuls of northern Virginia and the Friends of the IDF (FIDF). The three Israeli paratroopers headlining the event, Zion Karasenti, Yitzhak Yifat, and Haim Oshri, were immortalized fifty years ago while standing in awe before the newly liberated Kotel in the famous photograph by David Rubinger. These heros of the Jewish people will be the honored guests of Rabbi Sholom Deitsch and the community of Chabad of Northern Virginia at a special brunch, followed by a presentation recalling their personal stories of that momentous day. The event will mark the 50th anniversary of the miracle of the Six Day War. It was a time when the morale of the Jews in Israel was low and fear gripped parts of the population. The surrounding Arab dictatorships, intent on destroying once and for all the fledgling Jewish nation, filled the airwaves and print media with doomsday threats of another Holocaust. The subsequent victories of the Israeli Defense Force (IDF), resulted in the

Israeli Paratroopers liberate the Kotel in the Six Day War, 1967. (PHOTO CREDIT: DAVID RUBINGER)

liberation of Jerusalem and the Temple Mount. These victories over vast odds are considered by many, then and now, as miraculous. At that time in 1967, in an effort to show support for the Israeli community, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, the Lubavitcher Rebbe, instituted his famous Mitzvah Campaign. The goal of the campaign was to invite Jewish men and boys over age 13 to put on tefillin. Israeli General Arik Sharon, among oth-

June 8, 2017 • 14 Sivan, 5777

ers, participated in the campaign as public examples. To further this and commemorate the Rebbe’s efforts, Chabad of Northern Virginia, in conjuction with FIDF, is organizing a campaign to bring 50 donors together to contribute 50 pairs of tefillin. These will be given to soldiers currently serving in the IDF. FIDF has agreed to match the donations, making a total of 100 pairs. The kosher brunch will be held at the Congregation Ahavat Israel, 3939

Prince William Dr, Fairfax, VA at 10:00 a.m. on Sunday, June 18. The presentation will begin at 10:30 a.m. The fee for the brunch and presentation is $10.00. A donation of $180 will include an exclusive reception with the honorees; a donation of $360 earns a spot as one of the 50 sponsors of the tefillin campaign. More information from Chabad of Northern Virginia can be found on their website: www.chabadva.org or by calling 703-426-1980. The community of Chabad of Northern Virginia, along with the other Chabad shuls located in Alexandria, Reston, Tysons Corner and Manassas, in conjuction with the Friends of the IDF, invite you to join them for this unique opportunity to reflect on the miracle of the reunification of Jerusalem and the victories of the Six Day War. Come and meet Zion Karasenti, Yitzhak Yifat, and Haim Oshri — three Israeli soldiers who, immortalized on that day, won the everlasting gratitude of the Jewish people in Israel and across the globe. Dovid Nachshon Albright is an active member of Chabad of Fairfax. He is a lifelong Torah learner and currently a volunteer Talmud teacher at the shul. Dovid is the owner and founder of Albright IP, an Intellectual Property search and consulting firm.

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COMMUNITY NEWS

Community Flocks to Revamped Kemp Mill Urban Park By Suzanne Pollak While the official ribbon cutting is at least a month away, children of all ages are already descending in droves upon the newly renovated Kemp Mill Urban Park, which had been closed for about 14 months. But many of these park users are wondering how they ended up with a park that seems to neglect the needs of its most numerous users: children under six years old. The first thing everyone notices as they arrive at the park on Arcola Avenue, between the Kemp Mill shopping center and the Yeshiva of Greater Washington, is a huge, bright yellow enclosed tube slide that is almost 20-feet tall and surrounded by ropes that must be climbed to get into the slide. There also are ponds, a small court designed for basketball, soccer and hockey and two swings for older children. There is a path around the park for walkers, bikers and scooter-users. While many parents are upset about the lack of fencing around the playground that would keep children away from busy Arcola Avenue, by far the biggest complaint comes from parents of toddlers and young children, who do not believe the park’s current playground has the needs of local families in mind.

“It’s pretty bad for little kids,” said Adina Beller, who grew up in Kemp Mill. “There’s literally nothing” for her twoand-a-half-year-old child to do, she said. “There’s not even a little baby slide. It’s kind of upsetting.” While there are small house-like structures for the younger set, these are not being used much, and Beller wishes there was more for them to do. David Manheim, also of Kemp Mill, echoed her thoughts, calling it disappointing that the park was designed only for older kids. Why not have one section for older children and another section for younger ones, he wondered. “One baby swing is not enough,” added another mother, who fretted that her young child would be hurt by all the older children running and climbing to the slide. Young children are drawn to where the action is, but they shouldn’t be around the slide, she said. Ira Ungar, president of the Kemp Mill Civic Association, has received a lot of feedback on the park, and most of it centers around the sentiment that the park is not so great for those under six years of age. “The vast majority of complaints come from parents with children under six or seven who want more appropriate playground equipment for their children,” Ungar said. Other complaints include the lack of

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View of Kemp Mill Urban Park from Arcola Avenue in Silver Spring, Maryland. (SOURCE: KEMP MILL CIVIC ASSOCIATION/FACEBOOK)

comfortable seating shade, and a bathroom. “Seniors and parents need more shaded areas to sit,” Ungar said. He is optimistic that these problems will be worked out with the County officials. “The question is how fast. Some of these problems may have been avoided by more communication between Parks Department staff and the community in the last few years. The sooner and more we and the Parks Department communicate, the better and quicker the outcomes will be.” The former park, built in the 1960s, was “in bad shape for a long time,” said Seth Jacobson, vice-president of the civic association and chair of its park committee. He, too, has heard complaints, but Jacobson said he was also optimistic that the Kemp Mill Park will be a good community resource.

Rivka Sidorsky, a member of the Kemp Mill Urban Park Committee which has gathered input from the neighborhood, sent a letter to County officials about concerns from nearby residents, a copy of which is given to Kol HaBirah. In the letter, Sidorsky said the park was “a BIG hit for big boys. The park is crawling with teenage boys.” However, she wrote, “Unfortunately, I was at the park with other parents of children ages one through seven, and those children had VERY little to do.” Sidorsky wrote that she tried the slide herself and felt it was appropriate for children at least eight years or older, calling the ride as fast as a roller coaster. She called the slide “a huge safety issue, because from the top of the slide you cannot even see if there is a small child at the bottom and would easily bang right into another child.” Her letter listed seven recommendations including the addition of a slide and jungle gym for young children and “a netting entrapment of some sort at the bottom of the slide to prevent small kids from playing there and trying to climb up.” Suzanne Pollak is the senior writer/editor at Jewish Council for the Aging of Greater Washington. She was a reporter at The Courier Post in New Jersey and The Washington Jewish Week, and she now writes for The Montgomery Sentinel.

June 8, 2017 • 14 Sivan, 5777

COMMUNITY NEWS

Exploring the Idea of Democracy in the Jewish State By Lior Doron During the month of May, Temple Rodef Shalom in Falls Church, Virginia, began its latest semester of Beit Midrash, an adult learning program. 68 adult learners chose a class out of five options to deepen their understanding and learn new things. One of the classes offered was "Democracy in the Jewish State." During the class, we asked ourselves if Israel can be both Jewish and Democratic. We delved into ways Israel maintains its stance as

a democratic country while maintaining its Jewish character, and ways it fails to do so. We examined the Zionist vision, the parliamentary system, Jewish pluralism, and minorities in Israel. The first session featured Brian Reeves, a former visiting fellow at the Mitvim Institute. He talked about why the Zionist movement defined Israel as a democratic and Jewish state and how that has played out and continues to play out in Israel today. For the second session, Rodef Shalom Senior Rabbi Amy Schwartzman, Cantor Rachel Rhodes, and Jewish Federation of Greater Washington Senior Shlicha (Israeli emissary) Pnina Agenyahu

talked about how Israel defines its Judaism through three lenses: the social lens, the activist lens, and the education lens. At the third session, Arabic-language research analyst David Daoud from the Foundation for Defense of Democracies spoke about the Israeli Arab minority in Israel and how Israel treats these citizens. The three sessions definitely enlightened the community about the complexity of life in Israel and the dayto-day challenges regular people and policymakers face. There was agreement among the group that Israel can never be fully Jewish or fully democratic, and that gray area in between the Jewish and democratic is what creates that tension

The author with "Democracy in the Jewish State" series speakers Brian Reeves (left) and David Daoud at Temple Rodef Shalom in Falls Church, Virginia. (PHOTO COURTESY OF TEMPLE RODEF SHALOM/FACEBOOK)

that arises with almost every decision the Israeli government makes. Originally from Tel Aviv, Lior Doron is a shlicha (Israeli emissary) at Temple Rodef Shalom in Falls Church, Virginia.

Bikur Cholim of Greater Washington’s My Brother’s Keeper: Supporting Jewish Patients in Hospitals and Care Facilities

Rikki Reifer, Director of Special Programs, explaining the contents of Bikur Cholim’s emergency bags A number of the chaplains that attended the event (PHOTO CREDIT: ABIGAIL SALAMON)

A view of the attendees (PHOTO CREDIT: ABIGAIL SALAMON)

(PHOTO CREDIT: ABIGAIL SALAMON)

Eileen Frazier Appointed as Interim CEO for Jewish Federation of Greater Washington By Rachel Kohn Editor in Chief With the departure of current CEO Steve Rackitt scheduled for the end of this month, the Jewish Federation of Greater Washington’s Chief Operating Officer Eileen Frazier will be stepping in

as interim CEO on July 1. Frazier was approved and appointed to the post, which will give her a dual role at the top of the organization, at a meeting of the Federation’s board on May 24. “Eileen will continue to directly manage the operational functions of the organization, including: communi-

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ty and global impact, finance, facilities, information technologies, human resources, legal compliance, and security,” said a statement emailed to members of the board on May 25. “She will also continue to staff several operating committees, including the Finance Committee, as well as providing staff leadership to the treasurer.” “During this interim period, Ms. Frazier will work closely with the Federation co-presidents to ensure effective and smooth functioning of the organization as well as provide stability during the transition period,” the statement said. “Her experience, business acumen, and strong community relationships make her the right professional to take on this role,” Federation President Robert Zahler told Kol HaBirah. In addition to working for the Federation for more than 20 years, Zahler pointed out that Frazier previously served in the role of interim CEO prior to Rakitt’s arrival. That was from May 2010 until January 2011. Her selection as interim CEO “ensures that the organization is provid-

Jewish Federation of Greater Washington Chief Operating Officer Eileen Frazier (PHOTO COURTESY OF JEWISH FEDERATION OF GREATER WASHINGTON)

ed with stability and continuity during this period of transition,” said Zahler. “We have full confidence that Eileen and Federation’s entire senior management team are well prepared to manage the organization at this time.”

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Washington Welcomes Whitwell Students from the Tennessee middle school of ‘Paper Clips’ made a special visit to the Greater Washington Jewish community. By Rabbi Benjamin Shull It was April 2017, and our joint delegation of Tikvat Israel Congregation and Beth Joshua Congregation members was flying home from an inspiring and exhausting visit to Whitwell, Tennessee, home of the “Paper Clips” Holocaust memorial. As reported in the May 4 addition of Kol HaBirah, the visit left a deep impression on all of us. The Holocaust-Era rail car memorial was deeply moving and the hospitality and kindness extended to us by that small East Tennessee community was most gracious, but we were most impressed by the 8th grade students of Whitwell Middle School who served as our tour guides. These wonderful young people spend time outside of their regular curriculum learning about the Shoah so that they can teach the lessons of the Holocaust to visitors to their community and other young people all up and down the east coast. They are thoughtful, polite, and dedicated.

Whitwell and Berman students. (COURTESY PHOTO)

On that evening flight back to BWI airport, we discussed what we could do as follow-up to our amazing adventure. Julia Pitkin Shantz, our logistics maven, suggested that we bring some of the students up to DC to speak to our community, and we could show them the sights as well. Rabbi Uri Topolosky and I thought that was a great idea. I imagined that we might plan for next fall as a time to bring them up, but my colleague, with his typical “can do” attitude, lobbied for bringing the students up to DC sometime before the end of the school year. After a few e-mails and phone calls with Linda Hooper, retired Whitwell Middle School principal and coordinator of the Holocaust memorial, we arranged to bring three Whitwell eighth graders and their Holocaust studies teacher to our community from May 23-26. These four days were jam-packed. Whitwell Middle School students Jack Benjamin, Madison Gamble, and Jacob Elsea, along with their Holocaust studies teacher Taylor Kilgore, spent time with a local Holocaust survivor at his home, spoke to a gathering of Beth Joshua and

Whitwell students view photo exhibit at Holocaust Museum.

Congressman Jamie Raskin, along with Rabbi Ben Shull and Whitwell delegation. (COURTESY PHOTO)

(COURTESY PHOTO)

Tikvat Israel congregants at a evening welcome reception, visited area museums and historic sites, ate a local bagel shop, and toured local synagogues. On the Thursday morning of their trip, the students and their teacher were given a special tour of the U.S. Holocaust Museum by Judith Cohen, chief acquisitions curator and director of the Photographic Reference Collection, prior to the museum’s regular opening time. With the whole museum to themselves and guided by the museum’s expert on Holocaust era photos, the three hours at the museum were deeply moving. Not surprisingly, the students demonstrated a depth of knowledge about the Shoah that far exceeded their years. After leaving the tower pre-war photo exhibit dedicated to the Jews of Eishyshok, Lithuania, Jack said to me in whisper, “and they were all killed.” Following the visit to the U.S. Holocaust Museum, we went to Capitol Hill and visited the office of Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-Md.). Congressman Raskin welcomed the group personally and spent about a half an hour asking the students questions about their Holocaust studies and their personal motivations for taking on such a challenge. Rep. Raskin was clearly impressed by the students’ knowledge and character and pledged to speak about the Paper Clips project on the House floor. The last official stop on the students’ tour was Friday morning at Berman Hebrew Academy in Rockville, Maryland, where they spoke at a middle school assembly. After brief presentations, the students fielded questions from Berman students. They were also presented with a binder titled “Memories,” which included reflections by Berman students on the Shoah and remembrances of relatives who perished. After the formal part of the program, the Whitwell and Hebrew Academy students had an opportunity to schmooze, exchanging e-mail addresses

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and connecting via social media accounts. Our Whitwell friends whirlwind visit to DC was meaningful and moving. We hope to continue our connection with these students, their teacher, and the incredible Whitwell community. An often-repeated sentiment by members of our Rockville community was that these young people give us hope. In these days of bitter political and regional diverseness, it’s important to remember that

goodness resides in every corner of this vast country of ours. Rabbi Benjamin Shull joined Tikvat Israel as its fulltime spiritual leader in July 2015. He is a native of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and was ordained at the Jewish Theological Seminary of America (JTS). He also has a bachelor’s degree in economics from the University of Virginia, a master’s in social work from Columbia University, and a master’s in Hebrew letters from JTS.

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June 8, 2017 • 14 Sivan, 5777

COMMUNITY NEWS

Alternative Graduation Ceremony a Prime Example of UMD’s Support for Jewish Students By Elan Burman The University of Maryland, College Park (UMD) is an outstanding place to be a Jewish student. With a robust Jewish community of 5,800 undergraduate students organized under the umbrella of one of the nation’s leading Hillels, students are treated to a veritable menu of Jewish resources and opportunities. Additionally, the administration of the University sets the gold-standard for accommodating and supporting Jewish life on campus. Consider just the fact that the University worked with Hillel’s rabbinic staff to ensure that motion activated lighting in dormitories is adjusted on Shabbat, and that shomer mitzvot (Torah-observant) students can bypass electronic entry systems. Nevertheless, sometimes the unenviable task of administering a large public enterprise and the desire to accommodate the minority of observant Jewish students come into conflict. Such was the case when 19 of the University of Maryland’s 34 schools held their commencement ceremonies over Shabbat. (The University’s main commencement occurred on Sunday, May 21.)

22 graduating seniors took advantage of the opportunity to participate in an alternative to Saturday's commencement ceremonies at University of Maryland in College Park. (COURTESY PHOTO)

“The University of Maryland administration number amongst our greatest advocates and friends,” said Rabbi Ari Israel, Maryland Hillel’s executive director of 14 years. “[University] President Wallace Loh and his team go out of their way to ensure that College Park is not only a place in which Jewish students can survive, but rather a setting in which they can thrive. Sometimes difficulties arise, as they did with graduation, but as our partners, the University did not retreat. Rather, they worked with us An independently owned Jewish optical store that offers something for everyone and with any insurance or no insurance at all. Repairs done onsite, many orders can be made same day. 10101 Colesville Rd. Silver Spring, MD. 20901

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to create a very moving tribute to 22 exceptional students.” On Sunday, May 21, the University of Maryland, Maryland Hillel, and UMD Chabad facilitated an alternative graduation ceremony at the Stamp Student Union for 22 graduating seniors who were precluded from participating in their schools’ commencement ceremonies.

"Judaism is best exercised," he said, "when its practitioners are engaged in the society around them and do not retreat from the challenges and opportunities that confront them." Sandra Soltz, a Silver Spring, Maryland, native who graduated with a major in computer engineering, noted the synchronicity: Behar, the parsha read during the Shabbat of graduation, concludes with: “My Sabbaths shall you observe and my Sanctuary shall you revere — I am Hashem.” This point was echoed by Rabbi Eli Backman of UMD Chabad, who commended the students for the sacrifice

they had made in honor of their Jewish identities and beliefs. While being Shabbat observant at a public university occasionally poses challenges, it is overwhelmingly an enriching experience. “Being a Jewish student on campus and coming to Hillel on Friday night is one of the most wonderful and rewarding experiences we can have,” said Soltz. “There’s that sense of community, of camaraderie and togetherness that we all get to have every week. It’s an experience that is awesome and so rare on college campuses, and without Hillel it wouldn’t exist.” “I know of countless students who found a new home at the Hillel building, and whose Jewish experience was enhanced tremendously because of our strong Hillel Community. And I can confidently say that the Jewish students of the graduating class of 2017 are so thankful to be a part of it,” she said. Organizers worked to ensure that the alternative graduation ceremony was meaningful and symbolic. William Cohen, the associate provost and dean of Undergraduate Studies, conferred a degree on each student and appropriate music set a joyous and sophisticated tone. A guest speaker was also secured to offer a main address. Paul Hamburger, a prominent attorney, partner at Proskauer Rose LLP, and longtime supporter of Maryland Hillel, was well-received by the students. Rabbi Ari Israel, who was also honored to deliver the “Moment of Reflection” at the University’s main commencement, charged the students to embrace their societal role. Judaism is best exercised, he said, when its practitioners are engaged in the society around them and do not retreat from the challenges and opportunities that confront them. Perhaps the graduation process imparted one final lesson to these 22 students. Hamburger shared that he heard directly from Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg that she and Justice Breyer interceded with Chief Justice Rehnquist to prevent an opening of the Supreme Court occurring on Yom Kippur. Balancing the particularism of one’s personal Jewish identity with one’s role in the world is a lifelong process that enriches one’s character.

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22 graduating seniors took advantage of the opportunity to participate in an alternative to Saturday's commencement ceremonies at University of Maryland in College Park. (COURTESY PHOTO)

June 8, 2017 • 14 Sivan, 5777

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List your events in our Community From Beatrice 8 Eisenberg to Batya Calendar. If you want to Yaakobi An upcoming event at Leisure World Promote write will lookabout at Israel through the yearsyour Advertise your through the eyes of an oleh. local politics, business to services in interesting people the Jewish and things to our growing Community! do, contact (240) 478-1924 or email COMMUNITY NEWS ads@kolhabirah.com

By Fred Shapiro

On June 20, a presentation from the Center for Lifelong Learning and co-sponsored by Post 567 Jewish War Veterans will share how Israel has changed over a period of 67 years through a creative choice of medium: guest speaker Batya Yaakobi, who will discuss her own experience of living in Israel since 1950. Her story is one that is exemplified by

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her name change: from Beatrice Eisenberg to Batya Yaakobi. In 1950, at the age of 17, after graduating from high school and deciding whether to attend Columbia Teaching College or immigrate to Israel, Beatrice chose a life in Israel and has lived there ever since. Beatrice, now Batya, lived on a kibbutz in the South of Israel, not far from the Gaza strip border. As was typical of

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the kibbutz and the sponsoring organization, Shomer Hazair, she worked wherever she was needed. That meant digging for potatoes and working in the laundry room, dining room, or kitchen. While on the kibbutz, she married her American boyfriend, who also made aliyah. While living on the kibbutz, they had two children — Yoav and Shlomit. After nine years, they moved to Tel Aviv. Her husband became an engineer for Motorola, and Batya taught English as a second language (ESL) to elementary and middle school students for the next 35 years. During the early years in Tel Aviv, she had a third child, a son named Erez. She now lives in a building for seniors, which is quite different from Leisure World; how it is different will be part of the story she will share.

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During her 67 years in Israel, she has watched with pride as the State of Israel has become a secure, prosperous country. She looks forward to discussing Israel with our residents here at Leisure World from the perspectives of the many changes she has witnessed in her homeland — its difficult beginning, taking in new immigrants, schools, living conditions, the economy, security, and much more.

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The program will take place in Clubhouse 1 in Leisure World, June 20, at 2 p.m. Free tickets for the event can be obtained at E&R. Come prepared to listen and ask questions, and then enjoy coffee, tea, and cookies.

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June 8, 2017 • 14 Sivan, 5777

COMMUNITY NEWS

B’nai Tzedek Hosts Communitywide Yom Yerushalayim Celebration By Heidi Krizer Daroff On Tuesday evening, May 23, people from across he Greater Washington area gathered at Congregation B’nai Tzedek in Potomac, Maryland, to celebrate the anniversary of the reunification of Jerusalem. B’nai Tzedek’s Rabbi Stuart Weinblatt pulled together a broad-based coalition of 11 co-sponsoring organizations for the event. “When it was brought to my attention that the greater Washington Jewish community had not planned anything to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the unification of Jerusalem, I felt it was important to have an event for the community to mark the occasion.” In his opening remarks, Rabbi Weinblatt reminded the over 200 assembled participants of the threats to wipe out Israel and the precarious situation Israel faced in June of 1967. When Israel was less than 20 years old, and a little more than 20 years after the Holocaust, hospital beds and body bags were prepared as troops and tanks from the nations surrounding Israel converged on her borders with the expressed intent of destroying

Samy Ymar addresses the gathering. (PHOTO CREDIT: ANTHONY MARILL PHOTOGRAPHY)

The speakers drew a warm response from the crowd. (PHOTO CREDIT: ANTHONY MARILL PHOTOGRAPHY)

the Jewish state and its inhabitants. He reminded people that the centrality of Jerusalem was affirmed by Israel’s first Prime Minister, David Ben Gurion, who said in 1949, “Jerusalem is an organic and inseparable part of the state of Israel, as it is an inseparable part of the history and religion of Israel and the soul of our people.” Rabbi Weinblatt also quoted Moshe Dayan and Prime Minister Levi Eshkol, who extended hands in peace and

friendship to Muslims and Christians once Jerusalem had been reunited and the war was over. These stirring words at the outset set the tone of the evening as the crowd watched videos of footage of the battle for Jerusalem and of the modern Jerusalem of today. People were asked to stand and share memories of the war. Rabbi Weinblatt shared a vivid memory from his youth:

B'nai Tzedek's Rabbi Stuart Weinblatt (left) and Lt. Col. Pini Brosh, liaison officer with the Israeli Missile Defense Organization and defense attaché at the Israeli Embassy. (PHOTO CREDIT: ANTHONY MARILL PHOTOGRAPHY)

“Jews around the world opened their hearts and their wallets. I remember my parents attending a mass rally hastily put together at the Pikesville Armory in Baltimore with thousands of people on the second night of the war to express solidarity with Israel. People bought Israel bonds in record numbers and generously donated to the [United Jewish Appeal] (UJA), with many heartwarming stories of people bringing money saved and set aside to buy a house or a car — all of which seemed insignificant in light of the threat Israel was facing.” Samy Ymar was a young man in his twenties when he, like so many other Israeli men at the time, was called up to protect his country. After 50 years, he spoke for the first time about his experiences during the war. With tears in his eyes, he shared the fear of battle and then thankfully the joy of returning home on

June 8, 2017 • 14 Sivan, 5777

Rep. Eliot Engel (D-N.Y.) with Endowment for Middle East Truth Founder and President Sarah Stern. (PHOTO CREDIT: ANTHONY MARILL PHOTOGRAPHY)

erev Shavuot to his family who did not even know if he had survived the battle. Also speaking was Yaron Gamburg, minister of Public Information of the Embassy of Israel, as well as Congressman Eliot Engel, ranking member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee. Participants joined in singing psalms from the festive Hallel service led by Cantor Josh Perlman of B’nai Israel, as well as ancient and modern songs about Jerusalem. These included what has become the hymn of the Golden City, Nomi Shemer’s “Yerushalayim Shel Zahav.” The program concluded with “Hatikvah” and a prayer for Israel followed by food, literature, and more singing. Many expressed how pleased they were to attend a program that allowed them to celebrate and to stand in solidarity with the people of Israel on this special occasion.

(PHOTO CREDIT: ANTHONY MARILL PHOTOGRAPHY)

The event was co-sponsored by B’nai Tzedek, the Embassy of Israel, Jewish Federation of Greater Washington, JCRC of Greater Washington, American Zionist Movement, Israel Forever Foundation, CAMERA, EMET, AJC, and IAC. As North America Director of the Israel Forever Foundation, Heidi Krizer Daroff enjoys sharing her love of Israel with communities near and far.

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Bat Mitzvah Club Holds End of Year Mother-Daughter Tea By Ellie Guberman On Wednesday, May 24, Chabad of Silver Spring held their last Bat Mitzvah Club (BMC) meeting, a celebration that the mothers and daughters attended together to mark the end of the girls’ bat mitzvah year. The event was elegantly pulled together by Mina Stolik, who

(PHOTO CREDIT: ELLIE GRUBERMAN)

has been living in Kemp Mill temporarily to help Chabad with youth programming, and who led the club this year. The elegant décor and creatively presented food, courtesy of Mina, gave the event an air of sophistication. The BMC of Silver Spring started 12 years ago when Rabbi Berel and Mrs. Chaya Wolvovsky first moved here. Mrs. Wolvovsky explained that the BMC program originated in New York to teach girls that becoming a Bat Mitzvah is more than just a party. This club was the first program that Chabad of Silver Spring organized back in 2005. Some of the participants from the first club are even married now. A regular meeting takes place once a month, where girls are treated to a creatively decorated room, which matches a theme connected to a lesson. The girls do all sorts of projects and eat delicious food, and afterward connect the club’s events to becoming a Bat Mitzvah. After speaking with a group of the club members, it was clear that they’ve all grown in Torah and mitzvot from Mina. Jenny Kagan, one of the BMC participants, was excited to say that, “The

Bat Mitzvah Club makes learning fun, and the projects were always the best part.” This last meeting was an opportunity for mothers to watch their daughters graduate from the club. Blossoming was the theme, representing how the girls have blossomed into Jewish women by participating in the club the entire year. Following this theme, each mother-daughter pair was given information about a different heroic Jewish woman. Together they learned about the woman, then each daughter told the group what she learned, after which her mother gave her a special blessing. All this information was put on index cards and connected to a rose. The roses were placed together in a vase to create a bouquet of blessings. After the activity, each club member was given a certificate, followed by a D’var Torah given by BMC mother, Kami Troy. The evening concluded with each mother-daughter pair decorating vases together to continue the theme of blossoming into Jewish women. “I didn’t only teach the girls, but the girls also taught me,” Mina confided.

(PHOTO CREDIT: ELLIE GRUBERMAN)

Ellie Guberman is in 10th Grade at the Berman Hebrew Academy, where she is on the Girls Varsity Basketball team and student council. She lives in Kemp Mill and goes to Kemp Mill Synagogue, where she is involved in Bnei Akiva. She is also on the Greater Washington NCSY chapter board.

Voices of Jerusalem By Rena Ableman When you hear the word “Jerusalem,” what do you think of? The Capital of Israel. A city that is holy to the three Monotheistic religions. A modern city — or maybe an old city. Love, fear, or hope for peace. The best place for Jewish learning and growth of all sorts of shades and colors. My initial answer to this question is: home. I’ve come to Beth Sholom Congregation in Potomac, Maryland as a shlicha (emissary) for the Jewish Federation’s Congregational Shlichim program. I was born and raised in Jerusalem, and for Jerusalem’s 50th anniversary, I wanted to bring my home to life here in the Greater Washington area.

Rena Ableman (PHOTO CREDIT: ABBIE SALAMON)

Father Josh Thomas

Maharat Dassi Fruchter

Avi Arieli

(PHOTO CREDIT: ABBIE SALAMON)

The Jerusalem I know has many layers. There are 850,000 citizens in Jerusalem; each and every one of them probably has more than one way to tell their Jerusalem story. For Yom Yerushalayim this year, we chose to bring five people who highlight the diversity of Jerusalem to share their hearts, minds, and stories with us. After some good schmoozing, snacks, and wine, the evening began. Each speaker only had 10 minutes to present their unique voice and idea about Jerusalem. There was a huge range of topics. While Ella Tesler, congregational shlicha at Shaare Torah (Gaithersburg, Maryland) spoke about her role as an officer working in Jerusalem as a part of the educational team, Avi Arieli, Shin Bet attache, spoke about a personal experience. When Arieli was a child during the Six Day War, he helped his upstairs neigh-

bor, HaRav HaNazir (the Nazarite Rabbi), hand Rav Goren a Shofar and small Torah. The two items were used by Rav Goren the next day when he went up to the Temple Mount, and can be seen in the famous picture of him at the Kotel. Itsik Sayag, shaliach at Beth El Congregation (Bethesda, Maryland) and Charles E. Smith Jewish Day School (Rockville, Maryland), spoke about the experience of being an active member of the LGBT community in Jerusalem, and Father Josh Thomas, executive director of Kids4Peace spoke about the power of interfaith youth as harnessed by his organization. Finally, Na’ama Feldman, shlicha at the Northern Virginia JCC discussed secular political activism in Jerusalem. It would have been simple to present Jerusalem to the community in the way that we usually discuss it, but I knew

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Itsik Sayag (PHOTO CREDIT: ABBIE SALAMON)

that wouldn’t do justice to the deeply diverse and multi-faceted city I know best. Rena Ableman was born and raised in Jerusalem. Before becoming a shlicha (Israeli emissary at Beth Sholom Congregation and Talmud Torah in Potomac, Maryland, she lived in Be’er Sheva and studied Education and Jewish history at the Ben-Gurion University of the Negev.

June 8, 2017 • 14 Sivan, 5777

COMMUNITY PHOTOS

A Day in Photos: Yom Yerushalayim 2017 in Jerusalem By Ron Sheinson

Flag dancing and Yom Yerushalayim Parade starting area.

Parade arriving at the Kotel. Joyous dancing.

Ronald Sheinson (photographer) at the Kotel. The orange headband is meant to call to mind the loss of Gush Katif in Gaza. Jerusalem Light Rail Train decorated for Yom Yerushalayim.

Harriet Sheinson preparing to march to the Kotel.

Singing and dancing, women's section at the Kotel.

Celebrating Yom Yerushalayim at the Kotel

Rishon Letzion's Harav Yitzchak Yosef speaking at the Kotel Plaza.

Praying and thankful celebrating at the Kotel.

Mazel Tov on your graduation!

Tzvi Hirsch (Hirschy) Zaks upon graduating from Yeshiva University/Sy Syms School of Business with a double major in Finance and Management. Also celebrating in the simcha are Ms. Chaya Kranz, mother, siblings Nechama, Chana Tzirel, Eliyahu Meir & Naomi Zaks, nieces Tehila & Tzivya, father Aaron Zaks of Modi'in Illit and maternal grandparents Rabbi & Mrs. Herzel & Miriam Kranz.

Zach Goldberg: Mock Trial (Captain), Political Science Club, Grade Student Council, 11th Grade President, Varsity Baseball (Captain), Varsity Ultimate, Bnei Akiva (Rosh), Gabbi, Peer Counselor, School Mascot, Model UN

Jacob Mazel upon graduating from Yeshiva University Mazal tov to Abbie Salamon on her 12th grade graduation from Berman Hebrew Academy - Meredith and Jason Salamon

June 8, 2017 • 14 Sivan, 5777

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Box Week at Beth Sholom Early Childhood Center By Suzanne Pollak Photos by Abbie Salamon Take an empty box and turn it upside down. Remove the cardboard from the two shorter sides. Place it on the ground, making sure there are openings on the bottom, as well as the sides. Do this over

and over again, making sure each box touches another box. Continue placing boxes until there is no more space in the room. Carefully add seashells along the top of the boxes. Now crawl through this tunnel very carefully. Don’t let any seashells fall off. When that gets boring, remove a few of the boxes and place them on top of each other. Make one a computer, another a mailbox, and yet another a nest for Sesame Street’s Big Bird. After a while, pick a box to sit on and have a snack. Welcome to Box Week at the Early Childhood Center and Kindergarten at Beth Sholom Congregation and Talmud Torah in Potomac, Maryland. One of the preschool’s teachers was inspired by a similar project she found on the internet, implemented in Ohio. Beth

Sholom’s Box Week ran for five days in May and was loosely based on the book “Not a Box,” by Antoinette Portis. The goal was to allow the children, who range in age from 18 months to five years, to let their imaginations run wild, work in teams, and sharpen developmental skills such as stacking. “It let them use their imagination with an object that has a million ways

Girls Yeshiva Truck Day at Berman Color Run Hebrew Academy

On Tuesday, May 18, the Yeshiva of Greater Washington Girls Division in Silver Spring, Maryland, held a Color Run as a fundraiser. The event was put together by the school’s Chesed Committee; the money raised went to the committee’s Uber account, which is used to provide transportation to and from the girls’ volunteering activities. "It was a fun and joyful experience," said Havi Schwechter, grade 7. (PHOTO CREDIT: HAVI SCHWECHTER)

Preschool and lower school students enjoyed beautiful weather as they explored unusual vehicles at the 20th Annual Truck Day event. The real highlight of the day is always the ice cream truck, but it was rivaled by the MedStar helicopter which touched down in the sports field — to the children’s great surprise! Thank you to all the vendors who took time out of their days to visit our students, and to Judy Mehlman for coordinating the experience!

(PHOTO CREDIT: ABIGAIL SALAMON)

of [being played with] rather than being given a toy with one purpose,” said Karen Vaisman. The whole thing revolved around free play. If the cardboard inventions needed sounds, the children would supply them. If the cardboard creations needed several children to put them together, then the children had to work out on their own the best way to accomplish their vision. The parents helped too, as they were the ones who provided the diaper, shoe, cereal, mailing, appliance, and tissue boxes that made the week so successful. These simple items, which more than likely usually go straight into the recycling bin, were converted into rocket ships, airplanes, animal cages, and a special seat for snack time or to welcome Shabbat. Even once Box Week officially ended and much of the cardboard was put out for recycling, the children continued playing with the remaining boxes despite the return of their usual toys to their shelves. Their playtime choices, as well as their imaginations, continue to grow.

JCC of Northern Virginia’s Israel Fest Celebrates ‘Israel @ 67’

Mia Crowley “climbed Masada” at Israel Fest at the Jewish Community Center of Northern Virginia. (COURTESY PHOTO)

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The JCC of Northern Virginia’s Growing Jewish Families Program helped children “fish in the Kinneret” at Israel Fest, held at the Jewish Community Center of Northern Virginia. (COURTESY PHOTO)

Mimi Rosenberg shopped in the shuk (marketplace) at Israel Fest at the Jewish Community Center of Northern Virginia. (COURTESY PHOTO)

June 8, 2017 • 14 Sivan, 5777

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June 8, 2017 • 14 Sivan, 5777

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Arts Chai-Lights 2017 at CESJDS By Laurie Ehrlich Photos by Abbie Salamson On Wednesday, May 24, 2017, Charles E. Smith Jewish Day School (CESJDS) threw a Yom Yerushalayim extravaganza that celebrated creativity its students as well as the reunification of Jerusalem. Hundreds of student artwork was on display, and the event included student performances, guest artists and performers, and hands-on art-making booths.

y! a d o t RSVP

Wednesday, June 14, 2017 Washington, D.C. 6:00 pm

A dinner to honor courageous Speakers of Truth:

Amb. Ron Dermer

Col. Richard Kemp

Nadiya Al-Noor

Senator James Inhofe

Rep. Juan Vargas

Rep. Mark Meadows

To reserve your seat at this special evening, visit raysoflight.emetonline.org or call 202.601.7422 Special Hakarat HaTov award presented to the Druze soldiers for their loyalty to Israel's military. WWW.KOLHABIRAH.COM

Celebrating 50 years since the liberation of Jerusalem!

Dietary laws observed.

June 8, 2017 • 14 Sivan, 5777

ISRAEL NEWS Celebrating a Unified City By Noa Amouyal U.S. President Donald Trump’s visit to Israel was already distant memory by Wednesday morning as the capital city’s Jerusalem Day festivities, celebrating 50 years of Jerusalem’s reunification, kicked off in earnest. Throughout the day, religious, secular, young and old proudly marched with Israeli flags in hand to the Old City to celebrate a place that means so much to the Jewish people. “Today, we’re all Jerusalemites!” Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said during a ceremony celebrating the anniversary at Ammunition Hill, the strategic hilltop held by the Jordanians from 1948-1967. The site, now a Jewish National Fund (JNF)-USA sponsored national memorial site, served as the gateway toward the Old City’s liberation and Jerusalem’s reunification 50 years ago.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks at Wednesday's ceremony. (PHOTO CREDIT: MENACHEM LANDOW)

Netanyahu, President Rueven Rivlin, Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat, and Israel Defense Forces (IDF) veterans all congregated in the very spot where the bloodiest battle for Jerusalem was waged during the Six-Day War. It was a historic, yet costly battle that claimed the lives of 36 Israelis and 71 Jordanians. Ultimately, though, it was a vic-

Senate Unanimously Passes Legislation in Support of Jerusalem Embassy Move (JNS.org) The U.S. Senate urged President Donald Trump to fulfill his campaign promise of relocating the American embassy in Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, unanimously passing legislation in support of the move Monday. The Senate voted 90-0 in favor of a resolution introduced in May by Majority Leader Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), commemorating the 50th anniversary of Jerusalem’s reunification and acknowledging Israel’s sovereignty over its capital. The resolution urges the “president and all United States officials to abide by” the 1995 Jerusalem Embassy Act, which calls on the U.S. to relocate its embassy and recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s

tory that led Lt. Gen. Mordechai “Motta” Gur to proclaim the famous words that have shaped Israel’s history for the past half-century: “The Temple Mount is in our hands.” In attendance at the ceremony witnessing this pivotal moment of Israeli history being commemorated were some 250 JNF members, officials, and lay leaders. Speaking to The Jerusalem Post ahead of the ceremony, Dr. Sol Lizerbram, who currently serves on JNF’s National Board of Directors and will be the new national president come October, said that taking part in the occasion is of high significance to himself and the organization. “For me, this is very meaningful and I am so proud that we are involved in all the renovations at Ammunition Hill, including the amphitheater, exhibits, and the museum, where the story of a divided Jerusalem on the eve of the Six-Day War is presented to visitors,” Dr. Lizerbram said of the non-profit’s deep commitment to the historic site. “As incoming president, I want to ensure that soldiers, students, and visitors from around the world will all have the opportunity to visit and learn about our history.” “The reunification of Jerusalem means a lot of different things to me,” said Nora Elda Gonzalez, a JNF member and participant on the organization’s Interfaith trip. Although JNF is an apolitical organization, as a faithful Christian, stepping foot in the Holy City on such a momentous occasion has profound significance for Gonzalez. “You can’t separate religion from Israel. Jerusalem tells us about G-d's faithful. This city shows there’s hope for everybody, and the reunification of Jerusalem shows us that G-d chooses people to perform the greatest miracles,” she said.

capital. Since the law’s passage, every sitting president has signed successive sixmonth waivers delaying the move. Most recently, Trump signed the waiver June 1. Trump “has repeatedly stated his intention to move the embassy, the question is not if that move happens, but only when,” White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer said after the president signed the waiver. McConnell said the Senate resolution’s passage serves “as yet another indication of the United States’ commitment to standing by our Israeli friends.”

Poll: Most Israelis Say Judea and Samaria Not ‘Occupied’ (Andrew Friedman/TPS) Sixty-two percent of Jewish Israelis object to the term “occupation” to describe Israel’s

June 8, 2017 • 14 Sivan, 5777

It is only one of several tracks in the country throughout this historic and hectic week. And, although Jerusalem is certainly a highlight of the trips, the goal for members is to see how JNF is helping all walks of life across Israel. “We really focus on what can we do to improve the lives of Israelis every day. That’s our focus,” Dr. Lizerbram said. Which is why as an apolitical organization, when it came to the inevitable controversy surrounding the reunification of Jerusalem, JNF chose to stay away from the fray. “It was in the forefront of our minds while we were planning the trip that we would have a brief discussion [about the conflict],” said Stephanie Kelman, national vice-chair of JNF’s

young professionals program, JNFuture. “But if you’re a JNF supporter, you’re a supporter of Israel and of Jerusalem, so it’s not a conflict for us.” As a leader of the program that targets the 25-40 age group, Kelman believes it’s extremely important that the younger generation sees Israel during such a meaningful occasion. “They are there at such an exciting time and they are able to see how far Israel has come, but they can also see how fragile and vulnerable it is at the same time. To celebrate the reunification of Jerusalem is to also acknowledge that this could very well not have happened. I think that’s really important for our age group, because I think many of us take Israel for granted,” she explained. For Dr. Lizerbram, Israel’s past is just as important as its future, and as JNF’s next president, he is interested in seeing tangible results during his tenure. Next week he is scheduled to meet with Netanyahu to discuss how JNF can continue to be an agent of change in Israel. Specifically, he hopes to speak to him about the JNF Housing Development Fund, a program that helps young families receive loans to build houses in the country’s periphery. “I want to talk about how we believe we’re making a change in the housing market in Israel, and how we’re getting into making loans available to young families who would ordinarily have a difficult time obtaining one,” he explained. But on a day steeped in such history, when famous songs like “Jerusalem of Gold” and “If I Forget Thee, O’ Jerusalem” are still ringing in the ears of residents and tourists alike, these Americans are sure to come home with the Holy City on their mind. This article originally appeared in The Jerusalem Post and is republished here with permission.

presence in Judea and Samaria, a Jerusalem think-tank said Monday. The Peace Index, produced jointly by the Israel Democracy Institute and Tel Aviv University and released to coincide with the 50th anniversary of the Six-Day War, also said that a majority of Israelis — 61 percent of Jews and 54 percent of Arabs — agree that, de facto, Jerusalem is a divided city. The Index also said that a large majority of the Jewish sector (65 percent) rejected the idea that Israel should have ceded conquered territories and launched negotiations with the Arab states for a comprehensive peace agreement immediately following the Six-Day War. Similarly, 55 percent said it would have been “wise” to annex Judea and Samaria following the war.

But the study also said that “historic” views do not necessarily translate into pro-settlement positions today. The Jewish public is evenly split between supporters (44 percent) and opponents (45 percent) of the idea that “the time has come for Israel to officially annex all the territories that were conquered in the war,” and just 51 percent of Israeli Jews believe the policy of building settlements in Judea and Samaria is wise. On the international stage, a large majority — 67 percent — said that Jewish communities in Judea and Samaria “does not contribute,” to one degree or another, to Israel’s diplomatic efforts. On the other hand, 65 percent of Jewish Israelis said that Israel’s control of the region contributes to Israel’s security, as opposed to 29.7 percent who disagreed.

This is the organization’s first launching of an interfaith mission, and for many who have joined this track, it will be their first time visiting Israel. From touring the lush Baha’i Gardens in Haifa, to seeing the ancient ruins of Caesarea, to experiencing the best of Tel Aviv’s culinary scene, the trip illustrates how Israel seamlessly mixes its ancient past with its vibrant, multicultural future.

Ahead of the festive Jerusalem Day ceremony on Ammunition Hill, the city’s mayor, Nir Barkat, poses with incoming JNF-USA President Dr. Sol Lizerbram, San Diego Regional President Lauren Lizerbram, and JNF-USA CEO Russell F. Robinson on Wednesday. (PHOTO CREDIT: MENACHEM LANDOW)

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ISRAEL NEWS

Trump, Netanyahu, and Barkat Receive ‘Jerusalem Declaration’

Historic initiative bearing over 500,000 signatures from 168 countries is a truly global statement of support for a united Jerusalem. By Elie Klein Just prior to U.S. President Donald Trump’s whirlwind tour of Israel and the breathtaking and emotional 50th anniversary Jerusalem Day celebrations across the country, the staff of United with Israel, the world’s largest grassroots pro-Israel movement, met with Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat to present him with “The Jerusalem Declaration,” a book containing the names of over 500,000 individuals from around the world who recognize Jerusalem as both the eternal capital of the Jewish People and the undivided capital of the State of Israel. Mayor Barkat, an outspoken proponent of maintaining Israeli sovereignty throughout all areas of Jerusalem, was very moved by the volume, a hardcopy version of United with Israel’s ever-growing online petition. “This declaration is a beautiful way of enabling people to show their love for our city. It’s very original and it warms my heart,” said Mayor Barkat. “I am grateful to United with Israel for helping Jerusalem lovers and supporters come together and show their commitment to the eternal, united and undivided capital of Israel and the heart and soul of the Jewish people.” With millions of supporters around the world, United with Israel promotes global unity with the nation and land of Israel by spreading the truth about Israel, highlighting the positive global impact of Israeli technological and medical advances, fighting media bias, the Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions BDS movement and online incitement and initiating calls to action that turn its followers into advocates for Israel. Since the Jerusalem Declaration went live on United with Israel’s online platform several years ago, it has garnered support from individuals in 168 countries, including Arab states and other nations that are fiercely critical of Israel, all of whom are willing to stand with

Mayor of Jerusalem Nir Barkat and United with Israel founder Michael Gerbitz pose with hardcopies of the “Jerusalem Declaration.” (PHOTO CREDIT: YISSACHAR RUAS)

Israel in support of keeping Jerusalem united under permanent Israeli control. “Although half a million signatures is a significant milestone, and one worth celebrating, it is only the first step. Thankfully, global support for this historic undertaking continues to grow rapidly, and we are marching towards true international awareness of the underlying issue: Israel’s right to exist and the necessity of a strong and undivided Jerusalem as the foundation of the one and only Jewish homeland,” explained Michael Gerbitz, founder of United with Israel. “As Jerusalem Day celebrations continue, our petition stands as a reminder to the world that Jerusalem is not merely a city, but an eternal symbol of the Jewish nation’s deep roots in the Land of Israel,” he said. “If the status of Jerusalem were ever to be called into question, the Jewish people’s right to exist in Israel — and elsewhere — would immediately follow suit. Jerusalem can never be seen as just another item up for negotiation because it is the very basis of our national identity.” The Jerusalem Declaration was also delivered to President Trump during his visit to Israel and is on its way to Israe-

li Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, a fitting statement to conclude their brief but significant summit in Jerusalem. In the coming months, additional copies will be presented to other heads of state and influential leaders as a critical reminder of the importance of maintain-

ing and strengthening Jerusalem as the eternal, undivided capital of Israel. Following their meeting with Mayor Barkat, United with Israel members hung a massive banner bearing the actual names of the Jerusalem Declaration’s more than 500,000 supporters on the outer walls of Jerusalem and in several high-traffic locations throughout the Old City. The extraordinary sign, an impressive feat of Israeli technology and design that was produced using multiple specialized digital printing machines, encouraged dialogue among onlookers, including Israeli residents and active Israel Defense Forces IDF soldiers, birthright groups, and tourists from around the world. “Jerusalem is our link to the past and our conduit to a bright future. It is our responsibility to spread the message that Jerusalem is simply non-negotiable and indivisible, and the outpouring of support that we saw here in Jerusalem and that we continue to see every day online gives me hope that we are truly making a difference,” said Gerbitz. In the two weeks since the hardcopy version of the Jerusalem Declaration was sent to print, online support has climbed to well over 540,000 signatures. To learn more about the initiative and sign the petition, please visit United with Israel’s website or view the petition directly at www.JerusalemDeclaration.com.

United with Israel founder Michael Gerbitz engages a battalion of IDF soldiers in conversation as they sign the Jerusalem Declaration. (PHOTO CREDIT: YISSACHAR RUAS)

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June 8, 2017 • 14 Sivan, 5777

CAPITAL COMMENTARY Hogan Vetoes Paid Sick Leave Law By Gabe Aaronson Special Correspondent On May 25, Maryland Governor Larry Hogan vetoed a bill (HB 1) mandating five days of paid family sick leave for workers at businesses with 15 or more employees. The veto was harshly criticized by Jews United for Justice (JUFJ), a Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit focused on social activism. The bill would be a “clear victory for families and businesses alike,” the organization said in a public statement. “We’ve been waging this campaign for years,” said JUFJ Montgomery County Organizer Laura Wallace. “Meanwhile, hard-working people lose income or even their jobs simply because they become ill or experience domestic violence. A healthy workforce is a strong workforce, which is why so many small businesses support HB 1.” The legislature will have a chance to override the governor’s veto once it convenes in January for the 2018 legislative session. In a press release, Governor Hogan called HB 1 a “deeply flawed, job-kill-

ing” bill and urged legislators to consider his own paid sick leave proposal as a starting point for a compromise bill. Several attempts have been made to pass a paid sick leave law in Maryland since 2013, but HB 1 was the first to reach the governor’s desk. The law would require all employers with 15 or more employees to offer one day of paid sick

leave for every thirty days worked — up to five days per year. Employers with fewer than 15 employees would be required to offer an equivalent amount of unpaid sick leave. Under the law, employees could use their paid sick leave to care for sick family members as well as themselves. According to Jews United for Justice Baltimore Director Molly Amster, this is crucial because many working parents can neither miss work nor hire a babysitter to care for their sick children. As a result, when a child gets sick they “end up in an impossible situation.”

Jews United for Justice and several synagogues actively advocated for the county-level law, which was passed in June 2015 after a similar state-wide law stalled in the Maryland legislature. According to an analysis by the Maryland General Assembly Department of Legislative Services, 64 percent of Maryland workers currently receive paid sick leave from their jobs; HB 1 would allow an additional 31 percent of Maryland workers (677,276 employees) to receive paid sick leave. Looking at these numbers, the proposed law is comparable to existing paid sick leave laws in states such as Arizona, Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Oregon. Maryland workers in low-wage industries such as retail, food service, and hospitality have the most to gain from

June 8, 2017 • 14 Sivan, 5777

a paid sick leave law, according to the General Assembly’s report. Workers in Montgomery County would be unaffected by the law, however, because the county already requires businesses with five or more employees to offer up to seven days of paid sick leave per year. Jews United for Justice and several synagogues actively advocated for the county-level law, which was passed in June 2015 after a similar state-wide law stalled in the Maryland legislature. In his HB 1 veto letter, Governor Hogan cited the law’s negative impact on small businesses, ambiguous language, and needless complexity as his reasons for vetoing the bill. According to the Department of Legislative Services’ analysis, the law would increase costs for small businesses, but these costs would be partially offset by reduced sickness and turnover among staff. Governor Hogan urged legislators to work with him on a compromise, saying that he viewed his veto as “just the beginning” of the discussion on paid sick leave. Under the governor’s own proposal from December 2016, only businesses with 50 or more employees would be required to offer paid sick leave; smaller businesses would not be required to offer paid sick leave, but they would receive tax benefits for doing so. On the same day of his veto, Governor Hogan passed executive orders to give preference in state contracts to companies that offer paid sick leave and to create a working group to study paid sick leave in Maryland and propose improvements to the bill by December 2017. Given that HB 1 passed both the House of Delegates and Senate with a veto-proof majority, it seems unlikely that legislators will need to work with the governor on a compromise bill. Assuming no legislators defect, the bill barely passed with a veto-proof majority in the Senate; the legislature can simply override the governor’s veto when they next meet in January 2018. However, said Wallace, Maryland families harmed by the governor’s veto should not need to wait that long. “We’re proud of Montgomery County’s earned sick leave program, but basic worker protections should be a right, not a privilege based on where you live,” said Wallace. “Many working parents end up in an impossible situation if their child becomes ill,” added Molly Amster, JUFJ’s Baltimore Director. “They can either send their sick kid to school, or take time off of work to care for them. Many poor and working families have no alternative access to care — they can’t just call a babysitter. Many of them also simply cannot miss a day of work. Nobody should lose their job because they or their loved ones get sick.”

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CAPITAL COMMENTARY Celebrating Jerusalem at the U.S. Capitol Congressional leadership joined 25 national Jewish organizations in a show of support on the 50th anniversary of Jerusalem’s reunification. By Suzanne Pollak Twenty members of Congress pledged their support for Israel, with many hoping President Donald Trump will move the U.S. Embassy in Israel to Jerusalem, during a program celebrating Jerusalem’s 50th anniversary sponsored by the Religious Zionists of America (RZA). “There is no separation between the United States and Israel,” proclaimed U.S. Sen. Ben Cardin (D-Md.) during the May 17 luncheon in the Capitol. “We will stand by Israel,” he said. Cardin praised the progress Israel has made during the past 50 years while acknowledging that “Israel is at great risk now.” He pointed to enemies throughout the Middle East, the Palestinians’ attempt to negotiate a peace plan in the United Nations, and the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement. The program occurred several days before Trump’s trip to Israel, when hopes were still high that he might move the U.S. Embassy to Jerusalem. Rep. Ron DeSantis (R-Fla.) called on Trump to move the embassy, which

would be “a great statement to say Israel is here to stay.” Do not allow the Arabs to believe that Israel is “a transient state,” he said during the two-hour program, which opened with the singing of the “Star Spangled Banner,” “Hatikvah” and “Jerusalem of Gold” by three students from Berman Hebrew Academy in Rockville, Maryland. Featured speaker Marty Oliner, co-president of the Religious Zionists of America, declared to loud applause that “Jerusalem has always been the capital of Israel, since the time of King David.” Trump’s decision to include Israel in its first overseas trip “certainly shows his support,” Oliner said. However, he added, National Security Adviser H.R. McMaster’s recent decision not to say that the Western Wall is in Israel, instead calling it a “policy decision,” is “a scary situation.” “No country should be able to tell another where its capital is,” he said. He urged everyone in attendance “to come together to ensure” that the embassy is moved. Never forget, Oliner said, that in 1967, “none of us in this room, none of us,

could have visited the holy sites.” In his remarks, Rep. Brad Schneider (D-Ill.) referred to Jerusalem as “the eternal united capital” as he vowed to fight BDS and “make sure we guarantee that Iran never ever gets nuclear weapons.” The disparity in treatment of Palestinian refugees as compared to other refugees throughout the world was also discussed. These refugees now are fourth and fifth generation, and are still not permitted to live elsewhere, said Rep. Jerrold Nadler (D-N.Y.). The treatment of these refugees is used “solely as a weapon against Israel,” declared Nadler (D-N.Y.). Nadler also called Iran “a major threat,” and said the United States must work to reduce that country’s production and stockpile of nuclear weapons. Nadler voted for the previous administration’s deal with Iran. Sen. John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) expressed his support “to reining in the United Nations.” And Rep. Louie Gohmert (R-Texas) spoke out against a two-state solution between Israel and the Palestinians. “Your faith and your G-d is much too

small” if you favor a two-state solution, he said. When it comes to Israel, “America should not try to be neutral,” declared Rep. Lee Zeldin (R-N.Y.), one of only two Jewish Republican members of the House of Representatives. Also speaking were Reps. Don Bacon (R-Neb.), Keith Rothfus (R-Pa.), Chris Stewart (R-Utah), Steny Hoyer (D-Md.), and Jacky Rosen (R-Nev.) and Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.). Participating organizations included Alpha Epsilon Pi, American Jewish Congress, American Zionist Movement, American Friends of Likud, Americans for Israel and Torah (AMIT), B’nai B’rith International, Bnai Zion Foundation, Emunah of America, Hadassah, State of Israel Bonds, Jewish Community Relations Council of New York, Jewish National Fund, Mercaz USA, National Coalition Supporting Eurasian Jewry, National Council of Young Israel, New York Board of Rabbis, Rabbinical Council of America, Simon Wiesenthal Center, Touro College, Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations, World Jewish Congress, World Zionist Organization, Yeshiva University, and the Zionist Organization of America. Suzanne Pollak is the senior writer/editor at Jewish Council for the Aging of Greater Washington. She was a reporter at The Courier Post in New Jersey and The Washington Jewish Week, and she now writes for The Montgomery Sentinel.

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June 8, 2017 • 14 Sivan, 5777

OP-ED

Trump and Transactionalism By Naftali Quartey Those of us who observed Shavuot last week by unplugging for the duration of the holiday emerged from our media blackout to the news that President Trump had invented a word and pulled the United States out of the Paris Agreement. The former is simply a goofy incident and fodder for the relentless 24-hour news cycle, but the latter may be an ongoing episode worth examining and is perhaps a turning point in American international relations. When asked to define the essence of the Torah, Rabbi Akiva replied: “‘Love your neighbor as yourself’ (Vayikra 19:18). This is the great principle of the Torah.” Simeon ben Azzai, often cited as one of Rabbi Akiva’s students, gives an alternate answer: “‘This is the book of the generations of man [on the day G-d created man, He made him in the likeness of G-d]’ (Bereishit 5:1) — this is an even greater principle.” There is no end to the interpretations of this debate, but one interpretation applicable to the current situation the United States finds itself in is that Rabbi Akiva is suggesting that relationships are transactional; that how we relate to others is rooted in how we perceive ourselves. Simeon ben Azzai, on the other hand, is suggesting that human relations must be based in our respect for shared G-dliness and trepidation at insulting Hashem. In the years following World War II, the fundamental principle guiding American diplomacy is that our country has an obligation to be the promoter and maintainer of secular democracy worldwide. Like Simeon ben Azzai, our shared belief in liberal democracy meant that provocations to any of the other democracies across the planet were also regarded as threats to the security of all democratic peoples, and the United States, as the world leader, was expected to spin into action to fend off threats. While one can reasonably debate whether this ideology was actually implemented in the

developing world, the nations of Western Europe and the Far East were guaranteed that the United States was an unequivocal supporter. To the shock and dismay of many here and in capitals abroad, President Trump has upended the normal working arrangement: In Saudi Arabia, he gave no stentorious speeches upbraiding the Saudis for their illiberalism. He reaffirmed American support for Israel via a visit to an explicitly religious historical monument. In Rome, he avoided committing the U.S. to the Paris Agreement that we now know he planned to back out of days later. And in Brussels, and later in Sicily, he publically and privately chastised the European governments for not meeting North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) spending targets, while implying that the United States may not always honor Article 5 of the North Atlantic Treaty. The shock at our government’s reversal is unavoidable and to be expected, but in editorials across the political spectrum few seem to be asking the question of whether we still carry out our foreign policy using a framework and institutions constructed during the Cold War. Do we need to blindly support those institutions simply because we share democratic principles, or should we consider whether they benefit Americans? We seem to have forgotten that the institutions of the post-

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World War world were constructed for specific purposes and contexts. NATO was meant to deter the Soviet Union from engaging in a large-scale conventional war to take over Western European democracies. We are already seeing that a resurgent Russia doesn’t plan on tearing down democracy via troops, tanks, warplanes, and bombs. Instead, the attack will come in the form of sophisticated online and offline influencing schemes, cash payments to far-right groups, unmarked gun-toting irregulars, and economic threats. Is an organization designed to safeguard democracy through military and other physical means, largely at the expense of the American taxpayer, the best protection against Vladimir Putin’s schemes? In a world where an increasingly self-assured China will inevitably be able to out-produce the United States alone, should we not encourage our European allies to rediscover the spirit of their ancestors and retake their historic place as economic and military powers independent of American largesse? A NATO/Europe with members that commit to contributing to their own defense will allow us to scale back our monetary and human capital commitments even if the U.S. will still be obliged to act in exchange as a “rearguard” for our allies. President Obama was the zenith of American democracy lecturing. He began his first term in office with a speech that called for reform of the Arab world. The ensuing Arab Spring brought fewer, not more, freedoms to the peoples upended by its revolutions and the war in Syria is still ongoing. Where America used the force of arms to root out our enemies, the societies have collapsed from horrible dictatorships into tribally governed failed states. An approach that prioritized Arab contributions to combatting terrorism in exchange for tactical and logistical support, even when the regimes don’t share our democratic ideals, may be a more realistic policy for the region. In a time of declining birth rates, the growth of the opioid crisis, and stagna-

tion for many of the rungs of the American economic ladder, it is simply impossible for the United States to be all things to all the peoples around the globe. In the environment following the last world war, one could argue that the globe cried out for the leadership, stability, and consistency of the “Pax Americana” hegemony, but in the reaction to President Trump’s rejection of the Paris accords we have seen many of the largest conglomerates and concerns commit themselves to meeting climate targets without the government mandating that support. We must consider the possibility that global capitalist rather than political leadership may actually be more effective and robust in solving multinational problems, and better at securing beneficial economic arrangements for America in exchange for meeting extra-territorial goals.

We must consider the possibility that global capitalist rather than political leadership may actually be more effective and robust in solving multinational problems, and better at securing beneficial economic arrangements for America in exchange for meeting extraterritorial goals. What is disturbing about President Trump's transactional policy is the feeling that he stumbled upon it, rather than constructing it based upon careful study of America’s evolving challenges. If President Donald Trump possessed the wisdom and intelligence of Rabbi Akiva, I would have no doubt that he could steer our country into a new relationship with our allies and our obligations. But Rabbi Akiva’s students proved that transactional relationships are difficult and fraught with disaster. And therein lies the best reason for sticking with the foreign policy status quo and Simeon ben Azzai’s approach: our fidelity to principles larger than ourselves prevents us from losing our humanity. Naftali Quartey grew up in Columbia, Maryland, and attended University of Maryland, College Park. He learned, lived, and worked at Yeshivat Darchei Noam in Jerusalem for five years before returning to the Greater Washington area. Until recently, Naftali was a resident of Silver Spring, Maryland, and he currently lives in Baltimore with his wife and daughter.

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OP-ED

Best Not to Move the Embassy to Jerusalem Until US Law Is Changed By David Bedein When Congress passed the Jerusalem Embassy Act in October 1995, there were great expectations among those of us covering the Capitol that the U.S. would subsequently renounce the position, adopted in 1948, that Jerusalem would not be recognized as a part of Israel. There was also speculation that the U.S. would abandon its position from 1948 stating that all of Jerusalem must be a corpus separatum, an international zone. However, the final wording of the Jerusalem Embassy Act removed any explicit references to Jerusalem as part of Israel and made no promise that Jerusalem would remain the exclusive capital of Israel. The late Faisal Husseini, head of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) Jerusalem committee, was present in Washington at the time, as was the architect of the Oslo process, Yossi Beilin,

who was then the deputy foreign minister of Israel. Both Husseini and Beilin endorsed the new wording of the Jerusalem Embassy Act in 1995, as it was passed into law. In other words, the Jerusalem Embassy Act did not violate two cardinal rules of U.S. policy since 1948: Jerusalem was not to be recognized as a part of Israel, and Jerusalem could still become an international zone. A case in point: The family of Ben Blutstein, a U.S. citizen who was murdered by a terrorist bomb in July 2002 while eating lunch in the Frank Sinatra Cafeteria at Hebrew University, could

not get the U.S. State Department to allow his U.S. death certificate to read “Jerusalem, Israel.” The same U.S. policy applies to birth certificates. An American whose child is born in Jerusalem receives a birth certificate which defines the place of birth as Jerusalem, with no nation stated. Meanwhile, the delay in the relocation of the U.S. embassy to Jerusalem can now energize the advocates of the U.S. initiative to recognize Jerusalem as a part of Israel. They should campaign for Congress and the White House to push for legislation that should take place before the U.S. embassy is moved.

If the U.S. embassy had moved to Jerusalem under the current constraints of U.S. law, that would have established the de jure (legal) precedent that the U.S. embassy would move without recognition of Israeli sovereignty in Jerusalem. If the U.S. still does not recognize Jerusalem as a part of Israel, the next time Israel objects to an Arab war education curriculum in Jerusalem, or the next time Israel objects to a given policy at the Western Wall, the U.S. can simply repeat the mantra, “Well, Jerusalem does not belong to you.” Wise advice to those who have been so passionate in the fight to move the embassy to Jerusalem — best to first ask Congress to enact a U.S. law that would recognize Israeli sovereignty over Jerusalem. David Bedein is the author of “Genesis of the Palestinian Authority” and “Roadblock to Peace — How the U.N. Perpetuates the Arab-Israeli Conflict: UNRWA Policies Reconsidered.” He has been active in efforts to reform the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) for the past 29 years. He runs the Israel Resource News Agency and the Center for Near East Policy Research, which has produced short films shot on location in UNRWA camps in Israel, Jordan, Syria, and Lebanon.

Mahmoud Abbas is No Martin McGuinness By Jackson Richman During his trip to Israel last month, President Donald Trump remarked in a speech at the Israel Museum in Jerusalem that “The Palestinians are ready to reach for peace.” Unfortunately, compared to the late Irish Republican Army (IRA) leader Martin McGuinness, who passed away two months ago, “reaching for peace” has been anything but the case for Palestinian Authority (PA) President Mahmoud Abbas. While in the IRA, McGuinness was responsible for attacks that killed 3,500 people during the Troubles — the conflict between Catholics and Protestants in Northern Ireland — and other bloody actions. Yes, there are historical similarities between the IRA and the PA, but the differences between two leaders are paramount. After decades of fighting between the IRA and Great Britain, McGuinness finally went to the table as his party Sinn Féin’s chief negotiator in the Northern Ireland peace process, which in turn led to the Good Friday Agreement in 1998. After McGuiness’ death, a public statement by Bill Clinton on the Clinton Foundation website noted that McGuinness was the one who personally oversaw

the agreement’s arms decommissioning phase; former British Prime Minister Tony Blair acknowledged in his own public statement that the agreement would not have been possible “without Martin’s leadership and courage.”

Yes, there are historical similarities between the IRA and the PA, but the differences between two leaders are paramount. Although McGuinness was forever opposed to British occupation of Northern Ireland, as author Michael Curtis wrote in the “American Thinker,” “He gave up bullets for ballots, Armalite for the ballot box.” Abbas has shown no signs of following McGuinness’ lead, instead making statements like “We welcome every drop of blood spilled in Jerusalem” and stating in 2009 that he personally does not accept Israel as a Jewish state. Drew Liquerman, who attends university in the UK and is politically active, told Kol HaBirah that McGuinness’ legacy is one for Abbas to follow. “I guess they both viewed themselves as

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freedom fighters fighting an ‘occupying power,’ and they have both been leaders of terrorist agencies that have killed civilians but have later turned politician,” he said. “Martin was able to eventually fully lay down his weapons to find peace, albeit leaving behind fatherless sons and daughters and windows, something Abbas has not been fully able to do yet as his political party still pays salaries to terrorists who kill innocent Israelis.” In an interview with prominent Irish journalist Nell McCafferty, McGuinness stated his hopes for peace between Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK. “I want a United Ireland where everyone has a good job and enough to live on,” he said. “We’d make sure that Protestants are fairly treated.” Whereas Great Britain’s Catholics have a home in the Republic of Ireland and are safe in Northern Ireland, history has demonstrated that the Jews essentially have no other place but what has been their homeland since biblical times. While history may be useful in trying to shape a better future, it can only guide so much. Though on a secondary level a religious battle, the IRA’s struggle was ultimately for sovereignty from the UK. In contrast, the PA-Hamas coalition against Israel is the political face of a primarily religious battle: the Jews and their state should perish. While McGuinness

reached a deal with London, Abbas is seeking to push Israelis from “the river [through Jerusalem] to the sea.” Generous peace offers from the Israelis to the Palestinians have been rejected by Abbas every time, just like Yasser Arafat before him. “Yasser Arafat left Bill Clinton standing with his hat in his hand in 2000, an insult that the American president never forgot or forgave,” wrote Middle East scholar and Hudson Institute senior fellow Lee Smith. “Mahmoud Abbas turned down deals from George W. Bush in 2008 and from John Kerry in 2014.” “Abbas has to try to represent a much larger and diverse group of people than Martin did,” said Liquerman. “Only time will tell if Abbas is willing to create a lasting peace between Israelis and Palestinians and fully renounce terrorism and lay down arms.” “But Martin McGuinness went from leading a ruthless killing machine to a peace maker,” he added. “Anything is possible and just about anyone has the capability.” Anyone has the capacity to turn bad into good, but Abbas has demonstrated anything but the will. Jackson Richman is a senior at George Washington University majoring in Political Science. His writing has appeared in The Weekly Standard, The Daily Caller, Red Alert Politics, and numerous other outlets. Follow him on Twitter: @jacksonrichman.

June 8, 2017 • 14 Sivan, 5777

FEATURES To Be or Not to Be in the OU — Is That Really the Question? ÁÁ CONTINUED FROM P. 1 then, representatives of the OU have met with three of the four shuls that have maharats and plan to meet with the fourth in the near future to “explore ways” to reach a compromise, said OU president Moishe Bane. If not, the OU could revoke the membership of any Orthodox synagogue with a maharat. “The last thing we want we want to do is sever relations,” Bane said, adding that it was still early in the discussions and that he was “hopeful” an agreement will be reached so that responsibilities currently carried out by a maharat would still be met, but not by someone with the title of maharat or by a female clergy member. Should it come to that — and a decision of that magnitude could be months if not years away from being made — an Orthodox synagogue ousted from the OU could lose the support of a venerated organization that strongly partners with its synagogues in a number of ways, such as in the areas of education and political action. Perhaps the most relevant impact would be the OU’s Jewish teen youth group NCSY and Yachad, the National Jewish Council for Disabilities. Congregation Beth Sholom is an active participant in both programs; dynamic NCSY leaders who run programming for teens live in the community, and the first Yachad Chapter in the Greater Washington was recently started there. What would hap-

pen to these programs should Beth Sholom be ousted from the OU? “We very much value the OU. The OU does so many wonderful things,” said Rabbi Nissan Antine of Congregation Beth Sholom, pointing specifically to its advocacy work and Yachad. He described talks with the OU as “ongoing” and said he was “optimistic” that a solution could be worked out. While valuing his shul’s OU membership, Rabbi Antine also made it clear that he supports his synagogue’s maharat, Dasi Fruchter. He sees people benefiting from Maharat Fruchter in “spiritual, emotional, religious, and educational” ways.

“She’s a wonderful teacher. She just has a wonderful pastoral presence,” he said. Some congregants were concerned when Beth Sholom decided to hire a maharat, but many of the same people have since come to him to say what a good decision it was, said Rabbi Antine. “Nobody can say whether you are an Orthodox shul. We are an Orthodox shul. We follow Torah,” Rabbi Antine said. In a joint interview with Kol HaBirah after the OU’s much-publicized statement on female clergy in February 2017, Maha-

rat Fruchter called the OU’s comments on the role of female clergy “a little frustrating,” and Maharat Ruth Friedman of Ohev Sholom called them “disappointing.” “On the one hand, it’s great to see that the OU is supporting women’s roles in the shul, which is extremely important,” said Maharat Friedman, “but it’s not great to see that women can’t serve as clergy.” Both maharats seem to believe that stripping them of a title or the designation of clergy member would be unfair. They questioned what the guidelines are for what women are actually permitted to do. Can they preside over a minyan if they do not lead the service? Can they officiate at a baby naming or a bat mitzvah? Maharat Friedman would like to see discussions between her shul and the OU lead to “the beginning of a relationship with us,” she said. “Nothing we do is against halacha (Jewish law), and we would like to communicate that to them.” Maharat Fruchter said an “ideal outcome is for both of us to keep doing what we are doing and to respect each other’s work.” Scott Reiter, a past president at Ohev Sholom, said congregants there support Maharat Friedman, and he wondered why the OU would choose to sever ties. “The sense in the shul is just frustration,” he said. If it came down to that, Reiter predicted that his shul would not experience a large exodus of members. “I think there is not a sense in the community that the OU impacts the community very much.” Discussions between traditional and

modern Orthodoxy have been going on for years and the possible loss of OU membership only “furthers the divide,” he said. He expressed doubt that his shul would fight an eviction from the organization. However, said Reiter, “it’s premature” to talk about that. “The OU isn’t overly concerned with the work that the maharat is doing. It just seems to be about the title,” he said. “The world maharat only means something because these wonderful women have made it something.” One female member of Congregation Beth Sholom said she valued membership in the OU and would not want her shul to lose that. Not being a member of the OU, “that’s a very scary thing,” she said. No one really is disputing leadership roles for women in Orthodoxy, but some question the need to “push women to the pulpit,” said the Beth Sholom congregant. Both she and a woman from the Silver Spring Jewish community, who also didn’t want her name used for this article, said that they have no problem turning to a woman for spiritual guidance, but that elevating them to the pulpit is a troublesome idea. These discussions will continue on Facebook, at shul, and at the neighborhood parks, as will the talks between these shuls and the Orthodox Union. Suzanne Pollak is the senior writer/editor at Jewish Council for the Aging of Greater Washington. She was a reporter at The Courier Post in New Jersey and The Washington Jewish Week, and she now writes for The Montgomery Sentinel.

LEARNING FROM HISTORY

Different Ways of Treating Mass Murderers: US and England Jail Them, Palestinians Elect Them By Rafael Medoff Mass murderers have been in the news recently. In the United States and England, they were remembered with revulsion. In Hebron, one was elected mayor. In Ohio, the notorious serial killer Donald Harvey was beaten to death in his prison cell. I doubt anybody will miss him. Reports of Harvey’s death reminded the public what a despicable person he was. Harvey, a hospital staff member who was nicknamed the “Angel of Death,” admitted to murdering at least 37 elderly patients in Kentucky and Ohio in the 1970s and 1980s. According to the prosecutor at his trial, when Harvey’s co-workers would joke (in the midst of his murder spree) about the unusually large number of patients who died under his care, Harvey “joined in the joking … [saying], ‘I got another one today,’ and everybody thought it was a joke.”

Meanwhile, in England, the recent death of an equally notorious serial killer, Ian Brady, reminded Britons of one of the most horrifying episodes in their country’s history. Brady, 79, passed away in a high-security psychiatric prison, where he was confined after being convicted of kidnapping, torturing, and murdering five children in the early 1960s. The BBC described Brady’s killings as “British society’s benchmark for evil.” One obituary last week noted that his deeds “were viewed by generations as the distillate of evil.” Brady never expressed any remorse for his murder spree. Meanwhile, another multiple-murderer who never expressed any remorse was elected to high office. His name is Tayseer Abu Sneineh. Earlier this year, Abu Sneineh was chosen to head the Fatah movement’s list of candidates in the Palestinian Authority’s May 13 municipal election in Hebron. The head of the list is, in effect, the candidate for mayor. It should be noted that Fatah is a

June 8, 2017 • 14 Sivan, 5777

no fringe party; it is chaired by Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas. Abu Sneinah is well known in Hebron. On Friday night, May 2, 1980, he and three other Fatah terrorists climbed to the roof of a building across the street from Beit Hadassah, a former hospital building in Hebron where many Jews reside. When a group of Jewish worshippers returning from the Ma’arat HaMachpela passed by, Abu Sneineh and his comrades threw grenades and unleashed automatic weapons fire. Six Jews were murdered: Hanan Krauthammer, Gershon Klein, Ya’akov Zimmerman, Tzvi Glatt, Eli HaZe’ev, and Shmuel Marmelstein. 20 others were wounded. Two of the deceased and six of those injured were American citizens. Abu Sneineh and his fellow mass-murderers were captured, tried, convicted, and imprisoned — and then set free in a prisoner exchange. Israeli Jews memorialized the attack by building a new town nearby, called

Beit Haggai. The name is an acronym of the first names of three of the victims. Palestinian Arabs memorialized the attack last month by electing Abu Sneineh as their mayor. Ironically, the voting took place on the 17th of Iyar, which was the 37th anniversary of the massacre. One barometer of a society’s morals is how it perceives and treats its most depraved members. Americans despised Donald Harvey, just as the British despised Ian Brady. Harvey and Brady were kept behind bars, not elected to high office. Not so for Tayseer Abu Sneineh. He is regarded by Palestinian Arabs as a hero. His release from prison was celebrated, and now he has been elected the mayor of the largest city in the Palestinian Authority-controlled territories. Dr. Rafael Medoff is founding director of The David S. Wyman Institute for Holocaust Studies and author or editor of 16 books about Jewish history, Zionism, and the Holocaust.

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FEATURES

‘The First Thing We Need to Do is Hijack a Plane’: A Weekend With Rabbi Yosef Mendelevich By Ariel Levi I walk into a packed shul on a Saturday evening. At least 200 people are listening to a rabbi with a slightly crumpled hat and a long white beard. He radiates both gentleness and the aura of a true believer. His hands are waving as he exclaims in a Russian accent, “The first thing we need to do is hijack a plane!” It’s not every week that Rabbi Yosef Mendelevich comes to hijack your imagination. Rabbi Dovid Rosenbaum, Bob Levi, and Young Israel Shomrai Emunah invited the Kemp Mill community to hear Rabbi Mendelevich speak four times over the weekend of May 19-21. Raised by a mother who was a fervent Communist, young Yosef Mendelevich rediscovered his Jewish roots as a college graduate in Soviet Russia. He was part of an underground Jewish movement and that wanted to escape Russia and get to Israel, but didn’t know how. When Rabbi Mendelevich speaks, you are transported to a different time and place: to Russia in the early 1970s, when the Soviet Union was aiding and arming the Arab states and Judaism was suppressed throughout the motherland. His story of is one of courage, conviction, and faith despite the most dreadful conditions and the greatest challenges. I sit down to listen as he continues his story: Young Yosef’s cohort hatched a radical plan to escape the Soviet Union. They prepare to storm a plane, take out the armed pilots, and fly to Norway before making their way to Israel. Of course, they will return the plane to Mother Russia with a full tank of gas; they are hijacking it only to borrow it, after all. The group of over 100 refuseniks dubs the escape attempt “Operation Wedding,” after their planned alibi. As the team prepares for boarding, shots ring out. Soviet paratroopers jump up from hiding places around and inside the plane. Yosef is tackled from behind by two massive soldiers. He’s actually very relieved, given the grim chances of the operation’s success, and is extremely happy to be alive. In truth, the only logical future Yosef can expect is one of prison and death; but though Yosef experiences pain and hopelessness, he also discovers an inner fire and the power of belief. In court, the judge accuses Yosef of hijacking, treason, and betrayal of the motherland. The penalty is death. Yosef responds, “I accuse you of being an

anti-Semite.” Yosef proceeds to give the courtroom a lecture on Judaism, Avraham Avinu, Am Yisrael, and the need for every Jew to return to Israel. The other hijackers get the death penalty, but Mendelevich, perceived as an insane religious fanatic, is given 12 years in prison, to include a lengthy stay in an insane asylum. In prison, Yosef deepens his connection with Judaism. People label him a religious fanatic. He uses his KGB interrogators’ hate and skepticism as a crucible for fortifying his emunah and passion for mitzvot. The anecdotes are fascinating and heart-wrenching. Rabbi Mendelevich is an engaging and engrossing storyteller, comical and self-deprecating and pulling you in to his experiences as if you were there. A KGB officer tells Yosef, “You don’t look Jewish, you are a Soviet citizen. Look at your dress and look at your communist education.” Yosef goes back to his cell determined to look and act Jewish. He takes a handkerchief and turns it into a kippa. Later, the KGB confiscates Yosef’s kippa. He recreates it using cloth from the bottom of his pants. This cat and mouse game goes on for years. The KGB refuses to let Yosef see his father until he removes his kippa. Yosef refuses to remove his kippa and his father dies during Yosef’s prison sentence. Yosef davens at the same wall every day. The KGB decide that he is trying to break out of his cell. They can’t find anything, but remain suspicious. Yosef continues to daven. Yosef completes his quota of work he is supposed to complete over Shabbat before Shabbat, but the KGB insists that he work on Shabbat. Yosef refuses.

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As a punishment, Yosef is sent to a high-security prison for three years. As it turns out, prisoners here are not allowed to work. Yosef likes this punishment. He easily keeps Shabbat for three years. Yosef can’t eat the prison food because it’s not kosher. He manages to find edible grass and grows a grass garden in the prison. After Yosef successfully brings many of the prison’s Jews back to Judaism, the Soviets discover his siddur, which is forbidden contraband, and confiscate it. Yosef introspects and decides that the siddur was taken away as a punishment from G-d for the sin of eating on fast days (before he was observant). Therefore, he decides that he will observe a 100-day fast as penance and to connect with G-d. He announces that he is fasting until the guards return his siddur. On day 57 of Yosef’s hunger strike, the Russian ambassador tells the Ameri-

can ambassador that the state of Israel is violating the Arabs’ rights. The U.S. ambassador replies that the Soviet Union is violating Yosef’s rights. The poor man is dying because Russia will not return his prayer book. Yosef gets the siddur back the next day. Yosef is yanked out of his prison cell and dragged to an office. He is surrounded by KGB agents. The room is crackling with nervous energy. A letter has arrived from the High Soviet — Rabbi Mendelevich gives a lengthy pause and the audience tenses, spellbound. “We’ll find out what happened next tomorrow,” he says. “I’m looking forward to seeing you!” For more information about Rabbi Mendelevich or to purchase his book “Unbroken Spirit; A Heroic Story of Faith, Courage and Survival,” contact Frances Gozland, Director, Od Avinu Chai Foundation at frances@odavinuchai.org, (917) 405-9211. Ariel Levi has qualifications, diplomas, and a life story that is very boring, at least when compared to Rabbi Mendelevich. Ariel can be reached at Ariel.Levi@yahoo.com.

June 8, 2017 • 14 Sivan, 5777

Montgomery County (MoCo) Sales Report!

Seasonal Pace Up. Lower Listing Inventories Holding Back Sales! The graphs below show the seasonal uptick in the overall MoCo market. Inventory of Active Listings, was down sharply, -14.9% this April over last year, see Figure 1, while, Monthly Sold Volume was down a slight -1.8%, Figure 2. Average Close Prices were seasonally higher, with a modest increase of 3.9%, Figure 3. The quickening pace in the market is reflected in the sharp seasonal change of Days on the Market (DOM) of Sold Listings, dropping from 53 DOM in April 2016 versus 42 DOM in April 2017, Figure 4. Inventory of Active Distressed Listings, is down -49% below last year,

Most Expensive Sales Across County Subdivisions 5/28/17+ Aspen Hill

Avery Village

Bells Mill

4729 Bartram St Sold Price: $425,000

1 Lake Christopher Ct Sold Price: $1,299,000

10903 Lamplighter Ln Sold Price: $1,190,000

April, 2016, See Figure 5.

Figures 1-5: Montgomery County Residential Sales Activity: Source: MRIS, recently reorganized as Bright MLS. Fig 1. Inventory Active Listings

Courtesy of RE/MAX Town Center

Courtesy of Long & Foster RE, Inc.

Bentley Park

Chevy Chase View

Downtown Silver Spring

3,100 2,900 2,700 2,500 2,300 2,100 1,900 1,700

A M 2016

J F 2017

Figure 1 Inventory of Active Listings, is down sharply -14.9% below last year, April 2016.

14708 Saddle Creek Dr Sold Price: $656,085

4516 Clearbrook Ln Sold Price: $1,100,000

622 Ellsworth Dr Sold Price: $825,000

Courtesy of Tower Hill Realty

Courtesy of Long & Foster RE, Inc.

Courtesy of Donna Kerr Group

Fallsgrove

Heritage Farm

Inverness Woods

209 Jay Dr Sold Price: $849,900

9720 Brimfield Ct Sold Price: $1,125,000

8237 Lochinver Ln Sold Price: $809,000

Fig 2. Volume Sold Listings

1,600 1,500 1,400 1,300 1,200 1,100 1,000 900 800 700 600

A M 2016

J F 2017

Courtesy of RE/MAX Metropolitan Realty

Courtesy of Long & Foster RE, Inc.

Courtesy of Weichert, REALTORS

Kemp Mill

King Farm

Montrose

Figure 2 Monthly Sold Volume was down a slight -1.8% below last year, April 2016. May be due to lack of inventory, See Fig 1.

Fig 3. Average Close Price

$550,000 $525,000

604 Somersworth Way Sold Price: $550,000

$500,000 $475,000 $450,000 $425,000

A M 2016

J F 2017

1021 Crestfield Dr Sold Price: $660,000

1709 Mark Ln Sold Price: $638,000

Courtesy of Long & Foster RE, Inc.

Courtesy of Sunshine Properties Inc.

Courtesy of RE/MAX Realty Group

Old Farm

Potomac Crest

Potomac Village

11205 Farmland Dr Sold Price: $760,000

11432 Cedar Ridge Dr Sold Price: $895,000

10216 Sorrel Ave Sold Price: $1,325,000

Figure 3 Average Close Prices is up about 3.9% above last April 2016 another positive indicator of growing market strength. Fig 4. Days on the Market (DOM) Sold Listings

80 70 60

Courtesy of Long & Foster RE, Inc.

Courtesy of RE/MAX Realty Services

Courtesy of TTR Sotheby's International Realty

Somerset Heights

Tuckerman Heights

Vantage Point East LW

50 40 30

A M 2016

J 2017

Figure 4 Days on the Market (DOM) of Sold Listings was down slightly to 42 DOM in April 2017 versus 53 DOM last year, a huge change, showing home sales are moving much faster! 5502 Greystone St Sold Price: $1,315,000

Fig 5. Inventory of Active Distressed Listings

350 300

10505 Tuckerman Heights Cir Sold Price: $840,000

3200 Leisure World Blvd #804 Sold Price: $332,000

Courtesy of Compass

Courtesy of Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage

Courtesy of Long & Foster RE, Inc.

Villa Cortese LW

White Flint Station

Woodside

15000 Pennfield Cir #107 Sold Price: $475,000

11750 Old Georgetown Rd #2511 Sold Price: $315,000

250 200 150

A M 2016

J F 2017

Figure 5. Inventory of Active Distressed Listings, is down -49% below last year, April, 2016.

This Report is Specially Prepared for Readers of Kol HaBirah, Courtesy of Barbara Ciment Team

June 8, 2017 • 14 Sivan, 5777

Courtesy of Keller Williams Realty

Courtesy of Redfin Corp

1412 Crestridge Dr Sold Price: $714,000

Courtesy of Long & Foster RE, Inc.

Report Courtesy of Barbara Ciment, Realtor, Long & Foster Real Estate; Tel: 301-346-9126; Office: 301-468-0606 barbara@ciment.com All data from MRIS subject

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The Barbara Ciment Team Serves All of Montgomery County #1 Office Producer 25 Years in a Row & Counting

• Experienced, Productive, Ethical, Lots of Professional Contacts • Authorized Leisure World® Specialist • $20 Million Closed & Pending Sales ... Already in 2017

The Barbara Ciment Team “Your Home Team” • Barbara and Mel Ciment & My Team’s Buyer Specialists: Emily Lurie & Judi Shields

Barbara Ciment Associate Broker, Realtor Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc 6000 Executive Blvd, Suite 100 North Bethesda, MD 20852 Office: 301-468-0606

barbara@ciment.com

301-346-9126

Emily Lurie

Judi Shields

www.ciment.com

Our Active and Under Contract Listings and Our Buyer Representation Transactions Arcola

Burnt Mills

Creekside LW

Dumont Oaks

Fairland

2300 Parker Ave For Sale: $489,000

900 Mcceney Ave Representing Buyer-In Contract Asking Price: $849,900

2901 Leisure World Blvd #119 For Sale: $439,000

11455 Encore Dr Under Contract Asking Price: $349,000

2716 Old Briggs Chaney Rd For Sale: $625,000

Kemp Mill

Fairways South LW

Greens At Leisure World Greens At Leisure World

3330 Leisure World Blvd #706 For Sale: $279,000

15115 Interlachen Dr #321 For Sale: $279,000

15100 Interlachen Dr #917 For Sale: $195,000

410 Hermleigh Rd Under Contract Asking Price: $595,000

609 Winona Ct For Sale: $445,000

Kemp Mill

Kemp Mill Farms

717 Belgrade Rd For Sale: $450,000

907 Lamberton Dr For Sale: $699,000

11211 Bybee St For Sale: $405,000

11401 Clara St For Sale: $418,000

11728 Kemp Mill Rd For Sale: $549,000

Kemp Mill Farms

Springbrook Forest

University Towers

Wheaton Forest Area

905 Brentwood Ln For Sale: $535,000

12211 Remington Dr For Sale: $695,000

607 Stonington Rd For Rent: $3,900

1121 University Blvd #402 For Sale: $120,000

10905 Pebble Run Dr Under Contract Asking Price: $405,000

WWW.KOLHABIRAH.COM

June 8, 2017 • 14 Sivan, 5777

FEATURES STREAM OF CONSCIOUSNESS

Sacrificing Security on the Altar of Privacy By Rabbi Jonathan Gross Government power comes at the cost of personal liberty, but sometimes we willingly sacrifice certain freedoms hoping to receive, in exchange, things like security and stability. The benefits of modern technology are not free. In exchange for cell phones, GPS, search engines, and social media, we give over some of the most intimate details of our lives to faceless government bureaucrats and greedy corporations. Ironically, while we waive our right of privacy with regard to strangers, the same technologies allow us to lead separate digital lives and create new barriers of privacy from our family, friends, and neighbors, never before imaginable. The cost of privacy is addressed in one of the most unique and enigmatic passages in the Torah. The law of sotah is triggered if a married woman develops a private, intimate relationship with a man other than her husband that raises suspicions of adultery. Inevitably, a

spouse’s private life can become a source of tension for a couple. To initiate the sotah procedure, the husband must first have formerly warned his wife that she is forbidden from secluding herself in a private room with the other man. If the wife proceeded to violate the warning, the husband could take his wife to a special court in Jerusalem where she would drink the sotah water, which would miraculously kill her if she had been unfaithful, or bless her with a child if she had not. Skeptics of the Torah erroneously characterize sotah as a witch trial; however, the Mishnah clearly states that the woman was not compelled to take the test, nor was the husband compelled to insist that she take it. After the seclusion incident, the husband could choose to divorce his wife. Alternatively, if the husband insisted that she take the sotah challenge, his wife was free to refuse the test and she could demand a divorce from her husband without confessing any guilt. The sotah procedure was only for couples that wanted to work out their

problems and stay together, but the wife’s private liaisons presented an insurmountable hurdle to overcome in repairing their relationship.

The sotah water is made by erasing the name of G-d, a prohibited act in any other context. The ritual asks G-d to openly intervene and perform a miracle, something unique of all mitzvot of the Torah. The sotah water is made by erasing the name of G-d, a prohibited act in any other context. The ritual asks G-d to openly intervene and perform a miracle, something unique of all mitzvot of the Torah.

These drastic measures demonstrate how difficult it is to repair a relationship when trust has been damaged, and the lengths we must go to try and save a marriage. The sotah reminds us that, in marriage, privacy comes at a high cost. This applies to raising children as well. As children get older, they require more freedom and privacy. But as every parent knows, there is a great struggle as to how much freedom and privacy a child can be given without risking the child’s security. The scale that balances privacy and freedom in one hand and security and stability in the other is delicate, and new technological freedoms present new challenges that demand a heightened sensitivity to any chipping away at the security of our personal relationships. Rabbi Jonathan Gross was the chief rabbi of Nebraska for 10 years and currently lives in Baltimore, Maryland. He is the author of a number of books, including “Ai Vey: Jewish Thoughts on Thinking Machines” and “Values Investing: An Omaha Rabbi Learns Torah from Warren Buffett.” His books and writings can be found at www.ThatsGross.org.

Imagine Israel Changemakers

As part of Federation’s Changemakers Series, Helman shared his experience with a group of local teens at an event on Wednesday, May 17, 2017. Helman led an engaging discussion about how he became an influential activist in the field of disability inclusion and what youth can do to get involved. (PHOTO CREDIT: NAOMI ROSENBLATT)

The Jewish Federation of Greater Washington invited disability inclusion advocate Oren Helman to the Washington, D.C., community to lead a series of six thought-provoking discussions as part of Federation’s Imagine Israel Changemakers Series. (PHOTO CREDIT: AUDREY ROTHSTEIN PHOTOGRAPHY)

The Jewish Federation has a long history of commitment to building a more welcoming and inclusive community for all.

Through programs like the Changemakers Series, Imagine Israel connects Washingtonians to Israel and Israelis through the lens of social change, with a special focus on issues of social justice and civil society.

During Helman’s three-day visit, he discussed details surrounding his lobbying efforts to champion employment regulations for individuals with disabilities and the role he has played in the movement for equal opportunity and social justice for all individuals in Israel.

(PHOTO CREDIT: AUDREY ROTHSTEIN PHOTOGRAPHY)

June 8, 2017 • 14 Sivan, 5777

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TORAH PERSPECTIVES The Best Things in Life Are Never Free By Rabbi Stephen Baars As they say in Hollywood, “You just can’t make this stuff up.” There are some things in the Torah that could not have been written unless they actually happened. After seeing water stand on end at the Red Sea, receiving the Torah, and witnessing a multitude of miracles, the Jewish people post this complaint: “We remember the fish we ate in Egypt for free, along with the cucumbers, melons, leeks, onions, and garlic.” (Numbers 11:5). Don’t get me wrong, I like fish as much as the next guy — fresh cod or mahi mahi can make my day — but give me a break. Onions?! That’s what you call me in here for? Also, the Jews were slaves in Egypt, for crying out loud. Was free fish one of the perks? You’ve got to be kidding me. In fact, the medieval commentator Rashi points out there is no way the Israelites got free fish. Egypt wasn’t a cruise ship vacation, so for sure they had to pay for it. And what is up with the cucumbers? The truth is, the complaint was even worse than it seems on the surface. While in the desert, the Jewish people had a miraculous food called manna. It fell from the sky every day and it tasted of whatever you wanted to think of. Everything? Well, not everything. There were five things it didn’t taste of. Yes, you’ve guessed it: cucumbers, melons, leeks, onions, and garlic. Rashi

explains that these five vegetables are difficult for nursing mothers. You mean to tell me, that this manna was like walking into a restaurant and everything was on the house except a few incidentals, and that’s what they are complaining about? You’ve got it. Like I said, you can’t make this stuff up.

Wait, what about fish? The answer is that the manna could taste even like fish, it just wasn’t free. The takeaway here is that the best things in life are never free. Let me explain. Imagine this, you just got a text that you have won the grand lottery, $250 million. Take a minute and ask yourself, how do you feel? It doesn’t matter who burnt dinner, what your boss did, or what your kids ruined — you are now having one of the best moments of your life. What changed? Nothing. What do you mean nothing? you ask. I can quit my job, buy the Lamborghini I’ve always wanted, and move to the beach. Yes, but that’s tomorrow.

Right now, this minute, nothing has changed, and yet you probably feel better than you have ever felt. No matter what is going on today, no matter what you were complaining about, if you find out you won $250 million, you are having a great day. How we think about tomorrow changes how we feel right now, no matter what kind of day we’re having. In other words, nothing will ruin your day if you are willing to pay the price of thinking that tomorrow will be incredible. But what if it isn’t? You press further. That is not the point. When you think that $250 million will better your life tomorrow, then you will have a great day today. Not just a nice day, not even a very good day. If you knew you won the lottery, you would have an absolutely incredible, over-the-top, amazing day. With all the same problems and all the same issues. And what’s more, all it costs is a little positive thinking. Oscar Wilde famously said, “There are only two tragedies in life: one is not getting what one wants, and the other is getting it.” The most unhappy people I have to work with are the ones that got what they wanted in life. The other people are unhappy too, just not as unhappy, because they think there is a reason they are unhappy. The ones who got what they wanted don’t know why it isn’t helping. Some people need to get what they want to realize it won’t make them happy, and some people are willing to think

about what they have in order to achieve happiness right now. If you think that something tomorrow is going to solve all your problems, and thinking that will make you happy now, it means that your mind controls your happiness. Therefore, you can have the best life possible if you are just willing to use the power of thought. If you thought that this manna fish was the most incredible tasting fish any human being had ever tasted, beyond anything ever, then what a great meal that would be. That’s what the manna fish required. And if you didn’t think — then that would be reflected in its taste too. If you wake up tomorrow truly expecting your day to be the best day ever, then you know what? It will be a great day. Can you do that? For sure. You have done it many times; it’s a matter of starting out your day with what I call the “going to Disney for the first time” feeling. But to achieve that, you have to think, and most people would rather let someone else think for them (thus, TV). That’s why the Israelites wanted to go back to Egypt, where they didn’t need to think, because thinking is the most expensive cost there is. Relative to thinking, slavery is a bargain. And I am not making this up. Originally from London, Rabbi Stephen Baars resides in Rockville, Maryland, and serves as executive director of Aish Seminars. He did nine years of post-graduate studies at the Aish HaTorah Rabbinical College in Jerusalem, and has been an educator and marriage counselor for the past 25 years. Rabbi Baars and his wife, Ruth, are blessed with seven children. Learn more about Rabbi Baars at www. getbliss.com and www.core9.live.

Between Man and His Fellow Man: Hospitality By Avraham Hanuka The mishna in Pirkei Avot (1:5) states: ‫יהי ביתך פתוח לרוחה ויהיו‬ ‫" עניים בני ביתך‬Let your home be open wide to the multitudes and treat the poor like members of your household." Yose ben Yochanan is trying to teach us how to create an elevated home. But what do these instructions mean and what is the connection between opening up your house and treating the poor as members of your household? Rabbeinu Yonah offers two explanations of the idea of opening your home to the multitudes. The first explanation is that you should open your house to many needy people. According to the second explanation, the “multitudes” means “where multitudes are likely to amass.” One should therefore make his house like that of our forefather Avraham Av-

inu, which was located in the middle of a main intersection where travelers going in all four directions were sure to pass and could come inside for a cold drink or a place to rest. Rabbeinu Yonah adds that poor people should frequent his house and not feel shamed while they are there. This is achieved by the owner of the house greeting them with a warm smile and giving them access to whatever he has in his home, just like they are members of his own household. In Chasdei Avot, Rav Avraham ben Mordechai Azulai (the great-great-grandfather of the Chida), explains how the two parts are connected. According to Rav Azulai, having people in your house is not the mitzvah. Rather, having poor people in your house is the mitzvah. However, if a person invites only poor people into his household, he will not achieve his desired outcome. Why? Because poor people will not want to come if they know that the only guests in his

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house are poor people. They will feel like they are charity cases, that they are only being invited so that the owner of the house can fulfill his mitzvah of inviting poor people. If he invites everyone, however — if he has his door open to the multitudes, Jews and non-Jews, rich and poor — then the poor people will find it comfortable to be a guest in his home and he will ultimately achieve the mitzvah of having poor guests in his house. If you open your house to everyone (to the multitudes), says Rav Azulai, then you will achieve the goal of having poor people as members of your household. Rav Chaim Palagi, who lived in Turkey in the 18th century, does not understand the word “revach” to be multitudes. Rather, he says it translates as “with generosity,” meaning that one’s own household furnishings and adornments should be plentiful and of high quality. This is because a person who

spends money on himself is more likely to spend money on others. Some people are very selective when it comes to hachnasat orchim (hospitality.) They will readily invite a prominent or wealthy person to their home, but they avoid welcoming in one who is poor or insignificant. This mishnah is teaching us that a person’s home should be opened to the public without any discrimination, and that real hospitality is inviting the poor to one’s table. In such an instance, one is truly giving. Avraham Hanuka is a simple Jew. Originally from Brooklyn, Avraham learned for 14 years at Ohr Ha’Meir in Peekskill, New York; Beth Medrash Govoha of America (also known as Lakewood East) in Jerusalem; Passaic Talmudic Institute in Passaic, New Jersey; and Beth Medrash Govoha in Lakewood, New Jersey. He teaches a class on mitzvot bein adam l’chaveiroh (commandments between man and his fellow man) on Shabbat in the Kemp Mill neighborhood of Silver Spring, Maryland.

June 8, 2017 • 14 Sivan, 5777

TORAH PERSPECTIVES

Principles From the Parsha: Preparing and Cleaning the Menorah By Joshua Z. Rokach The opening verses of Behaalotcha seem out of place. Last week’s parsha closed with the story of the offerings of the chiefs of the tribes of Israel as the culmination of the consecration of the Tabernacle. This parsha begins with G-d commanding Moshe: “Tell [Aaron]: when you light the lamps, toward the face of the Menorah should the seven candles [beam their] light” (Numbers 8:2). The next two verses state that Aaron fulfilled his obligation without fail and that the Menorah, of one piece, looked like the image G-d showed Moshe. This episode belongs in Emor, which we read last month. There (Leviticus 24:14), G-d told Moshe to have the Jews prepare pure virgin olive oil with which to kindle the Menorah to inform Aaron how he should arrange the lamps for nightly lighting. In addition, logically G-d should have given the commandments to Aaron before the tribal chiefs opened the Tabernacle for business.

Rashi explains why the verses belong here. They continue the narrative of Naso. Aaron noticed that G-d had looked upon the offerings of the tribal chiefs with such favor that He ordained a separate day for each leader. Aaron realized, too, that his tribe of Levi did not participate in this celebration. G-d had denied Aaron’s tribe its day in the sun. Aaron assumed this snub had to do with him. G-d gave Moshe a message intended to disabuse Aaron of his concern. Specifically, according to Rashi, who quotes the midrash, G-d said about Aaron, “Your role is greater than theirs, for you prepare and clean the candlesticks [of the Menorah every day.]” The rest of the midrash goes on to say that G-d informed Aaron that the tribal chiefs’ efforts — bringing offerings to inaugurate the Tabernacle — will last only until the destruction of the Temple. Aaron’s contribution — lighting the Menorah — will last forever. This midrash raises more questions than it answers. Ezor Eliyahu (Lemberg 1889) asks why Aaron felt slighted. Rashi explained that the tribal chiefs decided to

June 8, 2017 • 14 Sivan, 5777

offer the first gifts of the new Tabernacle to make amends for an earlier misjudgment. The chiefs waited too long to donate material for the construction of the Tabernacle. The people had met Moshe’s needs and that left nothing for their leaders. Nothing stopped Aaron from joining his colleagues to step forward at the consecration. He declined; no Divine snub occurred. One may also ask, why did Aaron’s job of lighting the candles nightly count for more in G-d’s eyes than the expensive gifts the tribal chiefs brought? To buttress Ezor Eliyahu’s point, we read in Naso Rashi’s insights into the mystical significance of those offerings. According to the midrash Rashi quotes, the offerings commemorated Adam, Noah, the three Patriarchs, the 70 nations, the Torah, the Ten Commandments, and the 613 mitzvos. How did the High Priest’s job of cleaning the Menorah and lighting the candles top that? Finally, Ezor Eliyahu asks, how could G-d say that the job of lighting the Menorah will outlast the Temple? Just as the practice of bringing sacrifices ceased, so did the ritual of lighting the candelabra. The answers to these questions underscore the deeper meaning of the High Priest’s role in preparing and lighting the Menorah. Ezor Eliyahu explains Aaron’s embarrassment. Recall that in Leviticus (9:7), Moshe had to push his brother to undertake his priestly duties. Rashi explains Aaron’s reluctance. His feeling of unworthiness arose from his role in creating the Golden Calf. Moshe reassured his brother that G-d had called on him and Aaron undertook his role. Here, however, the chiefs of the tribes volunteered their offerings. G-d had not required them. Aaron thought he could not join them, as G-d gave him permission to perform only mandatory rituals. Ezor Eliyahu continues: Once he saw that G-d had approved of his colleagues’ decision, he felt badly for having shortchanged the tribe of Levi. I suggest that Aaron’s embarrassment could have resulted as well from his realization that he erred in his excessive caution. He should have acted more boldly. G-d had forgiven him and Aaron should have considered the matter closed. G-d reassured Aaron that his work outweighed that of his colleagues for two reasons. First, he lit the candles and prepared the Menorah every day, while the chiefs performed their duty only once. The significance of Aaron’s duty lay in the fact that it involved boring and dirty work. Also, the nightly lighting occurred out of the spotlight. In contrast, the offering involved the glamour and

attention attendant to bringing expensive gifts to the altar. G-d told Aaron, through Moshe, that the hidden daily grind of religious observance counted more than occasional splashy spectacles. Second, the midrash says Aaron’s work will continue even after the destruction of the Temple, long after the effect of the chiefs’ offering will have worn off. Ezor Eliyahu explains that the Talmud teaches that Aaron’s lighting the Menorah meant more than illuminating the Jerusalem night. “Did G-d need the light of the Menorah? Rather, [Aaron lit the candles] to symbolize that G-d’s Presence dwells among the Jews.” In contrast, the chiefs brought gifts with a narrower purpose in mind: to ensure that once the public brought sacrifices to the altar, G-d would look favorably on them. Once the Temple burned down and the rituals of sacrifice stopped, the impact of the chiefs came to an end. In contrast, Aaron’s work remains. Especially when in difficulty, we need constant reminders that G-d maintains His Presence with us. The midrash should guide graduates on their journey through life. Though modesty has its place, it should not lead to timidity. One should not dwell on shortcomings past the point of Divine forgiveness. On the day after Yom Kippur, we should turn the page. The little things count more than the flashy. Finally, we should work toward the timeless over the temporary. Joshua Zev Rokach is gabbai of the Nusach Sefard minyan at Young Israel Shomrai Emunah (YIS™E) in Kemp Mill, Maryland, and former gabbai of the main minyan at YISE and at Kesher Israel in the Georgetown neighborhood of Washington, D.C. He has taught a weekly Talmud class at both synagogues, and has served as an officer and a member of the Board of Directors of both synagogues as well. A retired attorney, Joshua has lived in the Greater Washington area since 1976 and in Kemp Mill since 1986.

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HEALTH & WELLNESS Some Habits Behind Hip and Lower Back Discomfort By Justin Walls Some daily habits can contribute to discomfort along the low back close to the hips, along the outside of the leg at

Here’s the best way to sit. (SOURCE: GOOGLE IMAGES)

the point where the leg meets the hip, or the inside of the thigh. This can result from sitting in a chair or lying in bed. The spine naturally curves inward slightly at two points: at the neck and at low back. The position of the hip can affect the natural curve of the lower back; if the hip is tilted or turned out of its neutral position for an extended period, it can overload other muscles to compensate for the instability. One example of this process is sitting in a chair that positions one’s hips lower than one’s knees. This position causes some of the muscles that attach to or cross the hip to shorten and tighten in order to stabilize the upper body as the hips rotate forward. Pictured are stabilizing muscles that attach to the low back, hip, and leg. If you rotate the leg bone forward, all of the muscles shown will shorten. If the hips turn forward, then the weight of the upper body goes into the lower vertebrae near the psoas major muscle. In order to keep the torso upright, the psoas major has to pull onto the spine

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while hanging on to the femur (the leg bone where the psoas major turns white). That can create discomfort in the psoas. (To feel for yourself how challenging it is to hold up the torso with those muscles, try doing sit ups on a decline bench.) Another example of hip position creating problems is a lack of support when sleeping. Not enough support when sleeping on your back can cause those muscles around the hip to lengthen for an extended period of time. The longer the muscles are stretched and lengthened, the weaker they become. It is challenging for them to return to their neutral position, and this can cause the hips to rotate back, contracting the lower back muscles for a long period of time and putting pressure on the vertebrae themselves. It will make it more difficult to get out of bed in the morning, and to start moving around. Looking for solutions to discomfort? Contact me at justinwallsfitness@gmail. com to set up an evaluation and for corrective exercises.

(SOURCE: GOOGLE IMAGES)

Justin Walls is a certified personal trainer (American College of Sports Medicine), specializing in youth fitness, senior fitness, myofascial release techniques, joint pain/arthritis, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, aqua fitness, running, and walking. He also has expertise in lifestyle/ health management and meal planning, and a background in psychology. Learn more at justinwallsfitness.com.

June 8, 2017 • 14 Sivan, 5777

HEALTH & WELLNESS Keeping a Healthy Outlook on Aging, Even When Things Seem Off-Track By Paula Alarid Aging is a wonderful and unique path each of us follows. There is no perfect scenario for any one of us; in fact, there are times when things seem off track. Off track means we can get back on track — different does not mean disaster. We can help our loved ones continue on their path of positive aging if we know what to look for. Here are a few signs that things are changing for Mom or Dad: • Was an early riser and now still in a robe at 2 p.m. • Has piles of unopened mail or can’t find the mail • Has not taken his/her medication or can’t remember when he/she last took medication • Outdated food in the refrigerator and too little to eat in the pantry • The cat’s litter box has not been cleaned or the dog not fed • He/she can’t seem to find the keys that are plainly on the shelf • The car is parked on the curb or not fully in the driveway • He/she is wearing the same clothes as the last time you stopped by • He/she doesn’t seem to think anything is amiss When we see any of the signs above, or other “odd” behaviors, it’s a hint that you should take a closer look at the bigger picture.

Risk of Dehydration Missing one meal may not be a problem, but ongoing poor eating and drinking habits can cause dehydration and increased confusion. The lack of fresh food makes mealtime unappealing and it may

even be avoided. If a person is not drinking enough water or other beneficial liquids, medication regimens can be disrupted — starting a new cycle of medical issues. Dehydration can cause a urinary tract infection (UTI) with subsequent delirium that can be confused for dementia, which sends family and doctors down the wrong road of investigation. Possible Solutions: Keep small bottles of water around the house and in the refrigerator. Call and ask Mom and Dad if they have had something to eat or drink. Make a reminder sign(s) to drink water and eat a snack or meal. Make a checklist for them to mark each time they eat or drink. Hire a caregiver to come in several times a week to assist with meal preparation and replenish the water bottles. The caregiver can keep you updated.

Increasing Memory Loss People may begin to feel insecure when going out with friends or family because they don’t know what to do or say once in that setting. They might ask the same question over and over again despite having it answered repeatedly, or they may make poor decisions when dealing with calls or someone coming to the door. Maybe they are missing medication schedules or mixing medications. Poor personal hygiene and not changing clothes may be an issue. Missed appointments can result from losing the ability to distinguish dates from one another. Memory loss can also increase generalized fear in and out of the house. It would be frightening for any one of us to wake up and not know where we are or what we’re supposed to do next. All these are signs of memory loss and probably are signs of a medical issue on the horizon.

(SOURCE: WIKIPEDIA)

Possible Solutions: Put up an oversized calendar, add upcoming events, check off the ones already gone by, and show Mom or Dad each time you do so. Make a No Solicitations notice for the front door. Have the passcode for the phone so you can check phone messages. Hiring a caregiver to help out with meal preparation, light housekeeping, laundry, and medication reminders can also give you more peace of mind.

Loss of Vision, Ambulation and Dexterity It is frustrating if we can’t see well enough to distinguish medications, or the numbers on a dial. We know that deteriorating ambulation due to disease or lack of use can not only cause falls, but cause increasing fear of another fall. Making a meal is harder to do when it comes to remembering the steps and getting all of the ingredients ready. What used to be simple tasks, like doing laundry, making a sandwich and carrying the plate to the table, opening cans or jars, or even using a phone, can become more challenging with arthritic hands. Possible Solutions: Use large-print labels whenever possible. Purchase largeprint pillboxes. Streamline mealtime by placing the right amount of each food for meals in a container that is easy to

(SOURCE: WWW.TAOPIC.COM)

June 8, 2017 • 14 Sivan, 5777

open. Use only the lower shelves so that items are easy to see and reach. Ensure that jars and cans are small enough to be handled by aging hands — nothing too large that could end up on the floor or worse, on someone’s toes. If possible, have a caregiver prepare a few meals in advance and put them in the refrigerator, change the bedding, and do the laundry.

Lessened Socialization It becomes difficult to socialize and meet with friends and family. One might see a slackening of social skills and acceptable behaviors. Some might feign fatigue to avoid dealing with family or friends. Have friends and family go to Mom or Dad’s house to visit. Keep outings simple — one store or event at a time. A caregiver can help set a routine to help keep track of dates and take your Mom or Dad to the doctor, lunch, shopping, and more. Every family is beautifully unique, and, with a little help, we can find the right answer to promote positive aging and make every day count. A business development specialist at NurtureCare, Paula Alarid has worked in home care since 1996. She has also worked as director of admissions at Kindley Assisted Living at Asbury Methodist Village for four years.

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HEALTH & WELLNESS It’s All About the Li By Simeon Pollock I recently had the experience of treating someone who, for the last year, has been undergoing tremendous emotional trauma. In addition, in recent weeks this same person was required to do physical labor that was beyond the individual’s capability. By the time this person was able to come into my office, walking was difficult, climbing stairs was nearly impossible, and the person’s whole body was in pain. I can’t go into the details of the circumstances of this building crisis; suffice it to say, it was a terrible situation and this person needed real help. To use a metaphor I’ve employed in this column before: this person was in rush-hour gridlock and all the horns were blaring. Mental health counseling and massage were helping some, but this person was really “stuck” and couldn’t get past the trauma so that healing could take place. This individual came in for acupuncture hoping that somehow it could help them. Most people would scratch their heads and ask what could acupuncture possibly do? First, one has to know that acupuncturists are not mental health profession-

als, nor do we play them on TV. Chinese medicine focuses on a mind/body connection: the mind and intention or attitude, called Li (pronounced “lee”), direct the energy, called Qi (pronounced “chee”). That means that a person’s attitude and frame of mind directly influence the body and can cause the body harm and weaken it or give it great energy.

I was told in school that in ancient times, Chinese doctors would be paid to keep their patients well, and if a patient got sick, then they stopped getting paid. This is readily apparent whenever one feels sad, depressed, or overwhelmed. It is so hard to have the oomph to get started on anything. The opposite is true whenever one is excited; before an exciting trip, for example, a person has boundless energy and is raring to go. When it comes to getting up for school, my kids have the hardest time getting out of bed; yet if we are leaving at 4 a.m. for the start of vacation, that pre-dawn wake-

up is a non-issue — amazing! This is primarily due to attitude, and Chinese medicine refers to it as Li. In my treatment of the patient in question in today’s column, I used acupuncture focused on relieving the energy blockages due to emotions and bringing the person back to balance to encourage homeostasis. This enabled the Qi to flow again, thus allowing healing to begin. Secondarily, I worked to relieve the muscle tightness and spasm that resulted from both the emotional stress and physical overexertion. The change was evident on my patient’s face. No miracle occurred, everything was not magically right again in my patient’s world, but both my patient and I could tell that a corner was turned. One week and a few treatments later and the changes were startling. When a person’s Qi is not flowing as it should, the effects on the body can be dramatic. The inhibition of proper Qi flow can result from so many things and be so insidious as to be unrecognized until major problems present themselves. This is why Chinese medicine has been used to prevent illness. I was told in school that in ancient times, Chinese doctors would be paid to keep their patients well, and if a patient got sick, then they stopped getting paid. If a patient died, they had to raise a flag over their clinic to symbolize their “failure.” On the patient’s part, he or she would be in constant contact with his or her doctor so as to stay healthy in

both mind and body because they were seen as an integral unit. What a unique healthcare system and outlook they had in contrast with today’s world, where the focus is primarily on the body. There are no gyms or personal trainers for mental and emotional health in order to strengthen ones’ ability to deal with stressful or emotional situations, no constant focus on stress relief or how to deal with stress other than by physical exertion. There is no mind/body medicine or specialist. They are separated and treated as such. To me, these are foibles in the system we use. The Li must proceed and lead the Qi. The maxim “an ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure” is the unvarnished truth. Wishing everyone physical, mental, and emotional health until 120! Simeon Pollock, L.Ac., L.M.T. is Maryland-licensed in both acupuncture and massage. He has a private practice in Silver Spring. Simeon practices his unique style of holistic healthcare by blending acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine and massage therapy into a wonderful healing experience.

Zika: Lessons from History By Aimee Kopolow Dengue, West Nile virus, yellow fever, Zika, and malaria: what do they all have in common? All five are diseases spread to humans by a mosquito bite (in the microbiology world, the first four are known as arthropod-borne viruses, or arborviruses for short). All five have been present here in the United States, and all five have the capacity to cause several public health issues, with disease symptoms ranging from small fever, to rashes, to serious disease, and death. Zika is the new kid on the American block. Previously found only in Africa, it has been slowly spreading around the world, as diseases are not stopped by geopolitical borders. The most recent outbreak in South America has left doctors and epidemiologists mystified, as countless babies born to infected mothers are developing new and very serious complications, such as microcephaly and central nervous system damage. Sadly, as these infants represent the first generation to grow up with these Zika-related conditions, doctors don’t know what lies ahead for these children. Zika isn’t the first disease to attack pregnant women. Malaria has a special

affinity for the placenta, and up until large-scale eradication efforts, it was infecting people in the U.S., particularly in the South. We have mosquito-breeding-site elimination programs and (now largely-banned) insecticide programs to thank for the lack of domestic malaria here in the U.S. Yellow fever virus, after killing tens of thousands in the American South, was similarly eradicated here through destruction of habitats that can breed mosquitoes. Dengue and West Nile are two arborviruses still found in the U.S., although there are infrequent outbreaks for two specific reasons. West Nile’s predominant victim is the corvid (black-birds and ravens are examples). Humans get infected by accident: a mosquito who likes to feed on both corvids and humans will take up infectious blood from the bird, the virus will infect the mosquito’s salivary glands, and when the mosquito bites the human, virus gets into the human’s bloodstream. West Nile killed 90 percent of the corvids in the U.S. — luckily, the mosquitoes no longer have enough opportunities to become infectious. Dengue, however, spreads infrequently through the U.S. because there is limited contact between the mosquitoes who have it, and

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(SOURCE: GOOGLE IMAGES)

the people who don’t. Limited mosquito contact may surprise some, but it’s a specific type of mosquito that typically spreads Dengue (Aedes aegypti), and its human-shy biter, usually kept at bay with air conditioning. Will Zika be like Dengue, causing a few cases of mild illness and never gaining a foothold? Or will Zika be like yellow fever, harming many before we are able to eliminate it from our borders? The answer will lie in the little critters at the heart of it: the humble mosquitoes. If we are lucky, the local mosquitoes will prove resistant to infection, and Zika will pop in and out of the country, usually travelling in the blood of a tourist. If we are unlucky, many of the local species will prove capable of

both becoming infected, and passing it on. In this case, Zika will become firmly established, and we will once again need great efforts for eradication. We can all get a head start by refusing to take the gamble. Be diligent about preventing mosquitoes from breeding in your house or garden. Spill out stagnant water, clean gutters to keep water flowing, and be cognizant that mosquitoes can breed in an area of still water as small and shallow as a yogurt pot. Not only will these actions reduce your contact with potentially infectious mosquitoes, it will make time spent in your garden more pleasant as well! Aimee Kopolow, Ph.D., lives in Kemp Mill, Maryland, and works in the DC area.

June 8, 2017 • 14 Sivan, 5777

HEALTH & WELLNESS Incorporating Exercise Into Your Child’s Life By Jared Hershenson

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couraged to play. Parents often need to be role models or actively engage their In my last col- children and participate with them. Makumn, I discussed the ing physical activity part of a daily rouhigh prevalence of tine can be quite helpful. Taking walks or childhood obesity family bike rides, inviting neighborhood and some of the friends to come over to play, or Sunday interventions done to help create a heart- hikes are a few examples. healthy lifestyle. I would like to focus a We are fortunate to have some new bit more on exercise in this column. good team sports options for the comSedentary behavior is associated with munity, as described in past issues of mortality, with up to nine percent of pre- Kol HaBirah. Team sports can help motimature death attributable to lack of ex- vate children, as they often include their ercise. The benefits of exercise in gener- friends and healthy competition can help al are well studied and well established. push them to improve and work harder. Exercise improves the cardiac, respirato- Additionally, team sports can help chilry, musculoskeletal, and metabolic sys- dren learn leadership, social skills, teamtems. Reductions in blood pressure and work, and a sense of belonging. cholesterol can occur. ProWe must be careful as parents and coaches, howlonged sitting has recently been shown to increase ever, not to push children the risk of cardiovascular too hard and make competidisease, diabetes, and cantion the primary reason for participation. Children who cer in adults. Nearly every are not “into” team sports study has shown some benshould be able to find other efit to physical health and outlets, many of which can mortality rates with exerbe very low-cost, and there cise, regardless of type and are many options in Monteven duration. “Weekend warriors” who exercise for gomery and Fairfax Couna few hours on weekend (SOURCE: GOOGLE IMAGES) ty parks. Even exercise viddays and very little, if any, eos on YouTube can be very during the week, were also shown to beneficial, especially when older children have positive outcomes. or adults do not want to leave the house. Beyond physical fitness and imPre-participation screening is controprovement in cardiac outcomes over versial and will be a topic of a future coltime, there is a strong psychological im- umn. Most young children, though, can pact to those who exercise and have a participate in most, if not all, sports withhealthy weight. Quality of life measures out concern. The benefits of exercise are were shown to improve in a randomized marked in all children and adults, even controlled trial of adults. In a four-year in those that have medical problems and study of early teenage children, fitness need to have some restrictions. was associated with improved global In the religious community, making self-worth/self-esteem. Studies have also time for exercise is usually the hardest factor shown improved cognition and atten- to overcome. A prominent rabbi who travels frequently and lectures on childhood develtion in chi ldren who exercise regularly. For children, major medical groups opment and educational issues has told me such as the American Academy of Pedi- that a precondition for his visit to a commuatrics and American College of Cardiolo- nity is a treadmill in his host’s home. gy recommend at least 60 minutes of daiMaking this a goal for personal ly physical activity after six years of age. growth, just like any other value, is necOn at least three days per week, the phys- essary to help us stay healthy and live a ical activity should be intense enough to long, successful life. make their heart and respiratory rates faster, and make their muscles and bones Jared Hershenson, MD, is a pediatric cardiologist stronger. The 60 minutes do not have to with expertise in general pediatric cardiology, fetal be in one duration, but can be broken cardiology, and sports cardiology. He is the director into smaller intervals throughout the day. of the exercise physiology lab at Child Cardiology AsThe choice of activity is critical. Chilsociates, which has offices throughout Maryland and dren need to have fun; we have to find Northern Virginia. Please visit www.childcardiology. activities that the children we are trying com for details. Jared lives in Silver Spring, Maryland, to motivate to exercise will enjoy, in orwith his wife and five children. He is a member of der to ensure long-term commitment Ohr HaTorah and Young Israel Shomrai Emunah shuls and success. When younger children are in Silver Spring, and is on the Board of Directors of offered these fun opportunities, they the Torah School of Greater Washington and Yeshiva may not even need to be asked or enof Greater Washington - Tiferes Gedaliah.

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Let’s Get the NBA Finals Started Already By Efraim Andrew Wakschlag I have never, until this year, had a tough time watching the NBA playoffs. I never even thought I’d ever utter those words; but here we are. The least competitive NBA playoffs anybody can remember are finally dwindling down, with two super-teams — the Golden State Warriors and the Cleveland Cavaliers — duking it out for the championship. I usually don’t give much credence to what former NBA player and “analyst” Charles Barkley says, but for what it’s worth, Barkley was recently quoted in USA Today saying, “The NBA is in a bad place … To me it’s the worst it’s ever been, top to bottom. We have one, two, three, four good teams, and the rest of these teams stink.” For once I agree with Charles Barkley. This year’s NBA Finals will feature three out of five of the best players in the league, as well as six out of the top 20. Once the disparity went down the drain, so did the competition. A postsea-

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son record has already been tied with four 4–0 series sweeps — all by the Cavaliers and Warriors, who also happen to be 19–0, a record between two teams. It’s not only the Cavaliers and Warriors that have been blowing out their competition. NBC News reported that “dramatic playoff finishes have been very rare this year.”

“Through 68 games, the average victory margin is 12.9 points. More than half of the 23 games in May have seen one team lead by 25 points or more. Also, through 68 games, 40 have been decided by 10 points or more — a rate significantly higher than the NBA average over the last 30 years.”

There are a few factors contributing to these blowouts. Maybe we were spoiled by last year’s competitive playoffs, when we were lucky enough to witness five Game Sevens, including in the NBA Finals and Conference Finals. There are a few factors contributing to these blowouts. Obviously there is the talent disparity, where the biggest cities hog most of the talent. Then there are injuries. San Antonio Spurs Forward and MVP-candidate Kawhi Leonard went down for the season after twist-

ing his ankle, thanks to a dirty play by Zaza Pachulia. Teammate Tony Parker also went down for the season after tearing a quadriceps tendon. Rajon Rondo almost spear-headed a major upset but got injured after his eighth-seeded Chicago Bulls were up two games to none over the Boston Celtics. Once Rondo went down, the Bulls lost four straight games. Kyle Lowry also ended his season prematurely, which resulted in his Toronto Raptors being swept by the Cavaliers. Finally, you have the fact that the good teams get even better in the playoffs, since they’re actually trying and feasting on teams which were only slightly worse than them during the regular season. The Golden State Warriors are so good that, by the time you’ll be reading this, they’ll probably be on the verge of beating the Cavaliers and winning the NBA championship. Adding Kevin Durant to a 73–win team can do that. When questioned on the predictably boring playoffs, Kevin Durant responded (and later apologized for saying), “If you don’t like it, don’t watch.” To quote my prophetic book which was published three years ago, “It has reached the point that the desperate pursuit of a player after a championship ring has turned the NBA upside down.” The sly addition of Kevin Durant to an already historically great Warriors team ruined the competition in the league. A Warriors–Cavaliers neck-and-neck matchup may salvage the usual playoff excitement, but there’s no guarantee. Efraim Andrew Wakschlag is originally from Silver Spring, Maryland, and currently lives in Chicago. He attended the Yeshiva of Greater Washington and graduated from Yeshiva University in 2014. He is a prolific writer on the NBA and authored “10 Squared: An Unconventional Analysis on the NBA” when he was in Yeshiva University.

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June 8, 2017 • 14 Sivan, 5777

FOOD & DINING A Special Sauce Saves the Day By Rachel Berger Sometimes, it’s easy to fall into a cooking rut. You know what I’m talking about — you make the same dishes over and over again and wonder why no one is eating them anymore. Lately, when I go into the supermarket looking at the vegetables, I realize there aren’t that many original choices. Sometimes I’ll buy all of them — Brussels

sprouts, asparagus, zucchini, string beans, peppers, broccoli and cauliflower. And I’ll make all of them. And I’m so tired of them. I know there are endless variations of combinations of said vegetables. But sometimes I am so stuck, and make popcorn cauliflower for the millionth time. So when my son, Daniel, said, “Give me the cauliflower,” I hesitated for about a second and said, “Take it.” He said, “I’m going to grill it,” and I figured “why not?” He took the cauliflower outside, where he was already grilling the chicken and

London broil. Next thing I know, I see this dish of cauliflower with delightfully attractive charred edges, smothered in a syrupy, burgundy-colored sauce. My son gave me his characteristically devilish smile. “I am so good at sauce,” he said. I smiled back as I swiped my finger in it and tasted it. “Wow! That tastes like it belongs in a restaurant. Seriously.” Two heads of cauliflower disappeared pretty quickly. And he repeated this amazing feat the next night to prove it wasn’t a fluke. It was definitely a big hit. I think the sauce would be just as delicious poured over the London broil or grilled chicken, so enjoy this amazing sauce on whatever suits your fancy and get out of your rut! I know I will. For now.

Daniel’s Sauce 6 cloves garlic, skin on, smashed 2 tablespoons olive oil Salt and pepper 2 cups dry red wine 3 tablespoons honey 1 to 1 1/2 teaspoons hot sauce Juice of 1 lime Heat olive oil in a large sauce pan. Add garlic, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and stir with a silicone or wooden spatula until

June 8, 2017 • 14 Sivan, 5777

garlic sizzles and begins to color. Add hot sauce—careful, it will splatter. Add 1 cup wine, juice of 1/2 lime, and 1 tablespoon honey. Bring sauce to a boil and allow to reduce slightly, about 2-3 min. Then add the rest of the lime juice, 2 tablespoons honey and 1 more cup wine. Reduce until syrupy, about 3-4 minutes. Pour sauce through a fine mesh strainer pressing down on garlic. Yield: 3/4 cup of sauce. Serve over any vegetable, meat or chicken. Rachel is a recovering real estate attorney, currently preparing to exit a rut. Check out her blog at thekosherdinnerlady.com and follow her on Facebook and Instagram @TheKosherDinnerLady. You can contact her at Rachel@thekosherdinnerlady.com.

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June 8, 2017 • 14 Sivan, 5777

FOOD & DINING RECIPES

Chesapeake Bay Roasting Company Fuels All-Night Learning at Kemp Mill Synagogue By Jeremy Epstein For too many years, people wanting to experience Shavuot by staying up all night have suffered from one of the lesser-known plagues: horrifically bad instant coffee, the scourge of shul social events since the 1950s. Last year, the Kemp Mill Synagogue (KMS) Caffeine Committee decided that while some things never change in Judaism, this one had to, so they introduced a gourmet coffee bar with beans from Ethiopia, Guatemala, and Uganda. Their post-event customer satisfaction survey indicated that it was a success. But the KMS Caffeine Committee does not just sit around idly, nor do they lack energy. This year, the KMS Caffeine Committee decided to raise the bar even higher. And they succeeded. KMS became the first kehilla in all of Jewish history to have corporate spon-

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sorship of the coffee portion of the tikkun leil Shavuot. Yes, that’s correct. The Chesapeake Bay Roasting Company (CBRC) agreed to provide fair trade, organic, specialty coffee; an on-site employee for assistance with brewing; and a number of other items to help “fuel the consumption of Torah.” Though the offer was unusual (KMS

offered CBRC the opportunity to sponsor the event while, at the same time, telling them that they couldn’t take pictures, use any electronics, or actually even SELL the coffee), they agreed to do it anyway. And the KMS community loved it! Hundreds of KMS members sampled coffee made in French press or a more sophisticated Chemex pour-over meth-

od. The atmosphere was festive (thanks to the CBRC tablecloth and branding) and the energy was high, propelling all to a night of inspired Torah learning. But wait, as they say, there’s more: Anyone can go to http://www.cbrccoffee.com/ and use the code Shavuot2017 to get a 10 percent discount on retail coffee cans. The KMS Caffeine Committee hopes that this is just the first step in unburdening shuls around the world from horrifically bad coffee during future Shavuot study sessions. In so doing, they hope to inspire even greater levels of Torah learning and, bimheira v’yameinu (speedily in our days), the arrival of Mashiach. It all starts with a good cup of coffee. Jeremy Epstein is the CEO of Never Stop Marketing, which specializes in helping early stage blockchain technology companies grow and in helping existing companies understand the implications of the technology. He has been a member of KMS since 2002 and discovered his passion for coffee about eight years ago.

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June 8, 2017 • 14 Sivan, 5777

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FOOD & DINING Contessa Annalisa: An Italian Kosher Wine Revolution By Aaron Hollander Kol HaBirah’s regular drinks columnist is out this week, so please enjoy this article from our parent publication, the Jewish Link of New Jersey. “Finding Your Drink” will return in our next issue June 22. Italy produces more wine than any other country; over 6.5 billion bottles were produced in 2016 alone. With vines planted all over the country, wine is ingrained in its culture, and is a standard component of any meal. The kosher world has always had Italian wines; however, the Contessa Annalisa project is taking it to the next level. As the weather turns warmer, the easy-drinking and refreshing wines are often the types we look for. Most of us don’t want to be sipping a rich red on a hot summer day, but a crisp white, or fruity rosé — those sound appealing! Contessa Annalisa is a project sourcing wine from all over Italy. They work with storied producers on kosher runs, allowing the kosher-keeping consumer to experience the breadth that Italian wine has to offer. Contessa Annalisa offers your usual moscato, sangiovese and pinot grigio, but it also introduces exciting new wines. Let’s look at a few that are perfect for spring, and into summer.

Gavi di Gavi: Piedmont, in Northern Italy, produces some of the country’s most significant wines. Perhaps most famous in kosher circles for the sweet wines made around the city of Asti, the region produces many dry and more serious wines as well. About 50 miles away from Asti, Gavi is known for its unique, dry whites made from the cortese grape. Named for the region, Gavi wine is a regular in the Italian section of (non-kosher) wine shops, and now kosher consumers can enjoy it too. The Contessa Annalisa Collection Gavi di Gavi 2015 ($14) merits its “di Gavi” designation by coming from within the comune (or town) of Gavi proper. Produced by Marchese Luca Spinola, the titled owner, Andrea Spinola, traces his notable noble family’s history in the region for close to 1000 years. All this talk about where the wine comes from — but what does it taste like? Somewhat similar in character to pinot grigio, but more intense, this award-winning Gavi

is straw-yellow in color with characteristic greenish highlights — the wine is steely, fresh and lively with honeydew and citrus flavors. Light and easy to drink, it’s delicious on its own, and would be even more delightful as a complement to lighter fish or poultry dishes. The Contessa Annalisa Collection Gavi di Gavi is a must-try for any white-wine lover. Lambrusco Rosé: Lying to the southeast of Piedmont, Emilia-Romagna is heralded as Italy’s food capital. It’s the birthplace of renowned classics like lasagna, balsamic vinegar and Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese. Their most famous wine? Lambrusco. Named for the grape from which it’s made, this fruity, fizzy and often somewhat sweet wine is the perfect foil to the rich, and sometimes heavy, food of the region. Produced by Gavioli, a winery with over 200 years of history and experience, Contessa Annalisa Lambrusco Rosé ($12) is a great example of the style. It is fruity, and floral on the nose, with apple, strawberry

and candy notes joining in the mouth. It’s semi-dry, giving it wide appeal. The sweetness helps to counteract the saltiness of another Emilia-Romagna specialty: salumi, like prosciutto and coppa (kosher versions, made from beef or veal, are becoming more and more available). With or without food, this eminent wine is one that no wine drinker should skip. Rosé: For a more familiar-styled rosé option there’s the Contessa Annalisa Collection Rosé 2016 ($14). From Puglia (the heel of the Italian boot), this wine is produced from a blend of organic aleatico, primitivo and aglianico grapes. Rosés are all the rage lately, and wines like this help us understand why. The producer, Polvanera, seeks to produce a wine that expresses its territory, with “high drinkability and typical elegant, fresh and mineral notes.” Perfect for sipping outdoors, this fresh rosé is light and crisp. Floral aromas partner with tastes of strawberry, raspberry and cherry, along with a pleasant bitter streak of grapefruit pith. It would pair well with a picnic on the beach, and a hot summer day. Don’t stop with these — the Contessa Annalisa project has much more to offer, including reds and a unique version of perennial favorite moscato. Look for them wherever better kosher wines are sold.

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June 8, 2017 • 14 Sivan, 5777

ARTS& ENTERTAINMENT

Don’t Miss This Year’s Yad Zlata Benefit Concert on June 25

Featuring Jewish pop-rock band 8th Day and Boruch Sholom Blesofsky, the concert will be a fitting tribute to a woman remembered for lifting people’s spirits. By Rachel Kohn Editor in Chief Billed as “Greater Washington’s most spectacular Jewish concert of the year,” the Annual Yad Zlata Benefit Concert is not only an opportunity for the community to rock out to some infectious kosher tunes, but is also a memorial to a woman whose wisdom and generosity of spirit touched many in her lifetime and continues to inspire others since her passing. Zlata Geisinsky z”l moved to Rockville, Maryland, with her husband, Rabbi Bentzion Geisinsky, in 1983. Together they founded a Chabad House, Gan Israel Day Camp, Hebrew school, mikvah, and many more community programs and institutions. The countless tales of Rebbetzin Geisinsky make her sound like a saintly character from a Chassidic tale: her home and heart were open to anyone who met her; and her unassuming, nonjudgmental manner inspired countless adults and children to

embrace Torah and mitzvot with greater enthusiasm and a deeper commitment. Particularly adept at helping young families struck with a sudden crises, suffering silently because they were too humble to ask for assistance, Rebbetzin Geisinsky had a knack for noticing what others could not and helping families with a quiet kindness that preserved their dignity. Held every year in June (the period of her yartzheit) since her sudden passing at age 49 in 2010, the Yad Zlata Benefit Concert always features the latest and greatest celebrities in Chassidic-Israeli music. It is presented as a tribute to her memory and a celebration of her life, and the funds from the concert directly benefit Yad Zlata, the organization carrying on her legacy of chesed (kindness) and tzedakah (philanthropy). This year’s concert will be held on June 25 at 7 p.m. in the Berman Hebrew Academy auditorium in Rockville, Maryland. The headliner will be 8th Day,

June 8, 2017 • 14 Sivan, 5777

brothers Shmuel and Bentzi Marcus’ “Jewish Rock” band. To say the band is popular would be an understatement — they’ve played sold-out concerts around the world and across the United States, and the duo’s latest album, “Slow Down,” reached the #1 spot on the iTunes World Music chart, #8 on Billboard’s Heatseekers, and #11 on the Billboard Top-100 selling World Music Albums. Their hit music video for “Ya’alili” currently has over 4.7 million views on YouTube. If you want a preview of how much fun their concert will be, you should check out the energy, gentle humor, and high-quality of their music videos. Bursting with talent and making Judaism’s old familiar lyrics new again, the Marcus brothers make Jewish music seriously cool. Also performing is singer/song-writer Boruch Sholom Blesofsky. As a composer, he’s had a hand in songs that have become a staple in Jewish weddings from

Singer/song-writer Boruch Sholom Blesofsky will also be performing at the event. (ALBUM ART COURTESY OF ADERET)

here to Jerusalem. In addition to being an accomplished musician and performer in his own right, Blesofsky is the Geisinsky’s son-in-law. "When I sing at events it is my goal to connect with the audience," said Blesofsky. "In performing at the Yad Zlata Concert I pray that I will be able to help everyone to connect with each other as one big family." For further information about the concert, to purchase group tickets, or to donate to Keren Yad Zlata, call 240-200-4515 or email YadZlata@gmail.com.

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ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT A Love of Israeli Dance By Phil Jacobs There’s Zumba, Body Flow, Body Pump, hip hop, ballet, ballroom, African dance, square dance, modern dance — in short, a genre of dance for anyone with the urge to move their body to a rhythm. But for Lyn Bendicoff, there’s only one real dance, one genre that she said puts her “in another world” because the dance and the music “hits” her heart. It’s Israeli dance, the experience many Jews have found while spending time in Israel or even at their local JCC or synagogue dance class. It’s the dance many remember from their time at Jewish summer camps. And for Bendicoff, a mother and grandmother living in Baltimore, Israeli dance has been an important part of her life since she was a young girl. “I have danced all of my life,” she told Kol HaBirah. “I love it, and I can’t

understand why I can’t find more people to love it.” She remembers taking her first Israeli folk dancing classes at the Baltimore JCC. “When I discovered it, it was like I was in another world.” As many girls do, Bendicoff came to Israeli dancing with a background in ballet and jazz dance. Her Israeli dance experiences would extend to summer camp and even college. “People who Israeli dance usually had it in college,” she said. Bendicoff added that she’d love to see more young frum women attend Israeli dance classes, which she teaches at Baltimore's Ner Tamid Greenspring Valley Synagogue. The frum women, by and large, hear the words “Israeli dancing” and associate it with a chassunah (wedding) dance, said Bendicoff. Also, some of the Israeli dance venues around the country and in Israel offer mixed dancing. Most of the choreographers in Israel, she said, are men, while most of the dancers are women. Bendicoff’s classes are typically for wom-

en only. It’s easy to see from Bendicoff’s smile while talking about dance, that she’d rather be dancing or teaching the genre than pretty much anything else. “This is the love of my life,” she said. “In Israel I danced every day we were there. A big thing with the retired people is dancing. It’s more than exercise. It exercises the brain as well.” “Israeli dance,” she added, “has evolved tremendously, especially in Israel.” “The choreographers take all the latest music from Israel and they go around the world teaching the music and dance,” she said. “You wouldn’t believe where they are dancing. There is Israeli dancing in Uruguay, Sydney, Brazil, Germany, Vienna, Switzerland, Chicago, and so many other countries and cities. Now you can go online and have a guy in China teaching you an Israeli dance.” Bendicoff said that her goal is to get people in the door so that they can see how wonderful the dance is. Zumba, she said, is “easier for the masses and anyone can be successful,” while she adds that “if someone is serious about learning Israel dance, they will learn it.”

“There are five basic steps in Israeli dance,” she said. “You are actually dancing the same steps over and over, but the sequences change.” Bendicoff teaches beginner, intermediate-level, and advanced dancers. She said that in the nearby Washington, D.C., area there are at least five groups, the largest held in Rockville, Maryland. “I love the music. I love the dancing, and I think that if the young girls would see what it is, they’d love it too. They should give Israeli dance a chance. When I danced in college, I danced every day of the week. Now, I can be at work and have trouble with my ankle, because I’m flying around the room. But when I am dancing, I’m in a different world. I hear this Israeli music and it hits my heart.” Want to join Bendicoff? Simply email her at bendicoff@gmail.com. Classes are held at the Ner Tamid Greenspring Valley Synagogue in Baltimore, beginning 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday nights. Phil Jacobs is on the Kol HaBirah Advisory Board. He is the Associate Editor of the New Jersey Jewish Link and writes from Baltimore.

WASHINGTON JEWISH FILM FESTIVAL

Movie Review: ‘Dimona Twist’ By Batya H. Carl On Thursday, May 25, a screening of “Dimona Twist” (2016) was shown at the Bethesda Row Theater as a feature of the 2017 Washington Jewish Film Festival. The narrative of the film is presented through interviews with seven North African and Eastern European Jewish women who arrived with their families in Israel as children in the 1950s and 1960s. They were sent to live in Dimona, which was then an undeveloped desert town south of Be’er Sheva. Shortly after Israel’s newly-established statehood, waves of Jewish immigrants arrived in Israel to evade persecution and fulfill the ideals of living in a Jewish state. The director of the film, Michal Aviad, wished to highlight the struggles of these women throughout their lives. The 70-minute film is divided by stage of life: before being sent to Dimona, childhood, adolescence, and adulthood. Each woman’s unique identity and story contains the common threads of grief and loss in her early years and the struggle to find meaning in the challenges of a life she could never have anticipated. The central theme of this movie is illustrated by the film title. Aviad wants her viewers to understand the unjustifiable discrimination and mistreatment of Mizrahi Jews (Jews descended from the

Middle East and Central Asia) by the Israeli government in the 1950s. The stereotyping of Mizrahi Jews as unsophisticated by Israeli Ashkenazi Jews was unfounded. The interviewees recount early memories of their vibrant culture in Morocco and Tunisia, popularized by the French. “The Israeli establishment viewed North African Jews and Arab Jews as primitive and uncultured. But in fact, many of them, especially the young generation, embraced ideas of modernity,” Aviad said in “The Santa Barbara Independent.” This included throwing parties and dancing to different versions of the popular dance craze of the 1960s, “The Twist.” Jewish immigrants were kept in the dark about what their new life in Israel would look like. Although they were not heavily persecuted, North African Jews fostered the idealistic dream of living in the Jewish homeland. Upon arrival, they were given a choice of moving to Dimona, or to live on a kibbutz. Weary of the socialistic structure of kibbutz life, many opted for Dimona, which was presented as an up-and-coming city with economic opportunity. Their high hopes quickly dissipated as families were loaded onto trucks and were denied food and water. One woman describes the heartbreaking story of losing an infant broth-

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er due to dehydration, with no access to immediate medical care. Another woman laments their naïveté, blindly going wherever the government sent them. “We were like sheep,” she says. Each woman describes the sense of powerlessness that followed their move to Dimona, from the extreme destitution and lack of necessities to being regarded as second-class citizens.

On the other hand, the difficult circumstances gave each interviewee no choice but to rely on her own hard work and resourcefulness to succeed. What is remarkable about the women is their ability to share with viewers the often-unglamorous aspects of their lives

and their ability to move forward in spite of adversity. They recount painful losses with humor, sadness, and acceptance of their lot in life. One woman relates how she left her abusive husband with her two children to raise them as a single mother, penniless, without a roof over her head. With pride, she tells the interviewer how hard she worked to be successful. Yet another woman left her husband when he criticized her for not leaving her prestigious job as a chemist. And as unpopular as it made her with her superiors, one woman led the group of women she supervised at a factory in a protest of unfair wages. These women rose to the occasion when they needed to, even though it would have been easier to do nothing to change their circumstances. Aviad successfully conveys the incredible fortitude of these women in the early stages of the State of Israel. Her documentary captures the tragedy, fear, and, ultimately, the hope that allowed them to create the lives they desired. When she is not writing, Batya H. Carl works as a school counselor for Prince William County Public Schools. She is a Washingtonian from birth and currently resides in Northwest Washington, where she regularly attends Congregation Kesher Israel.

June 8, 2017 • 14 Sivan, 5777

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT WASHINGTON JEWISH FILM FESTIVAL

Screening of 90s Classic ‘Clueless’ Includes a Party Cher Would Be Proud Of By Jackie Feldman The Washington Jewish Film Festival recently partnered with Entry Point DC to host “As If! A Clueless Night.” The event lured plenty of 30-something women, many of whom were decked out in the height of 90s fashion to sip on themed cocktails and munch on vintage childhood snacks

(PHOTO CREDIT: JACKIE FELDMAN)

like fruit roll-ups prior to the start of the film. Almost all of the attendees had seen the film already, many calling it a cult classic and influential in their childhood and teenage memories. Many audience members I interviewed lauded Alicia Silverstone for her role as Cher Horowitz, calling her a positive Jewish influence at a time when there weren›t too many young Jewish female characters in pop culture. Stacy Miller, who heads Entry Point DC, worked with the Washington Jewish Film Festival to plan the event. As a teenager, she was also very influenced by Cher Horowitz’s character and found her to be inspirational as a visible and funny Jewish woman. Her favorite scene from the film, however, involves Cher’s friend Tai, who bumps her head at a party and proceeds to rap Coolio’s “Rollin’ with the Homies.” Inspired by the film and the 90s era, Stacy decorated the DCJCC lobby with bags from then-popular (and some now-shuttered) clothing stores such as

June 8, 2017 • 14 Sivan, 5777

Delias, Wet Seal, and Claires. There were clever catch phrases from the film to use as props at the photo booth, and the event’s costume contest prompted quite a few inventive and fantastic costumes based off the film. Following the happy hour, the film was screened to a packed theater. Many in the theater recited some of the more famous lines out loud, garnering laughs and cheers. The director of the film, Amy Heckerling, was present after the film to answer any questions from the audience. Sadly, no more sequels are planned, according to Heckerling. To quote Cher: “Way harsh, Tai!” Jackie Feldman is a young professional living and working in Washington, D.C. She runs the group “Sephardic Jews in DC,” which hosts events in the metro DC area that celebrate Sephardic culture, religious tradition, and customs. She also has her own food blog that features a healthier spin on many traditional Jewish and Sephardic recipes: https:// healthysephardiccooking.wordpress.com/.

(PHOTO CREDIT: JACKIE FELDMAN)

Stay tuned for more movie reviews from the Washington Jewish Film Festival in our next issue of Kol HaBirah!

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ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT FREE TO SEE

Old Town Alexandria By Dinah Rokach Graduations are marked by commencement ceremonies. Commencement means beginning. Whatever level of education the graduate has completed, learning begins anew as formal studies end. Sightseeing is a perfect way to embark on that voyage of discovery. Alexandria, Virginia, is a mere six miles south of downtown Washington, D.C. From art and architecture to archeology and history, there’s so much to explore. The center of downtown Alexandria, known as Old Town, is the third-oldest historic district in the United States. Alexandria was occupied by Union troops at the start of the Civil War. The city attracted civilians seeking to benefit from the presence of the occupying forces, military base, and hospital. Among those opening businesses were Jewish merchants. According to “The Encyclopedia of Southern Jewish

Communities,” Jewish immigrants from other American cities flocked to Alexandria to open retail shops downtown. History records the existence of two kosher boarding houses. During the High Holidays in 1862, the Alexandria Gazette reported that “the closing of so many stores on King Street gave the town quite a dull appearance.” Alexandria elected its first Jewish mayor in 1891, many decades before New York City! King Street is still the main thoroughfare of Old Town. It is one mile long and served by the free King Street Trolley. Listen on board the trolley to the audio narration, which describes the historic sites along the route. Hop on and off at any of the nine stops. Here’s a short self-guided walking tour. Admire the structures from the street and read the historic markers outside. (These locations charge admission, are reserved for private functions, or are residences closed to the public.) The visitor center is up the stairs at Ramsay House, 221 King Street. Pick up a free visitor guide and map there. The house, which sits on the origi-

(SOURCE: BLOG.VISITALEXANDRIAVA.COM)

Old Town Alexandria, Virginia www.visitalexandriava.com/ old-town-alexandria/ Admission is free to the following attractions: • Visitor center, Ramsay House, 221 King Street, 703-746-3301. Open yearround 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Thursdays until 8 p.m. Closed Thanksgiving, Dec. 25, and Jan. 1. • Torpedo Factory Art Center, 105 North Union Street, 703-746-4570. Open year-round 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Thursdays until 9 p.m. Closed Jan. 1, April 16, July 4, Thanksgiving, and

Dec. 25. May close at 5 p.m. for private events, so check ahead of time. Artists maintain their own studio hours. • Archeology Museum, Torpedo Factory Art Center, Room 327, 703-7464399. Open Sunday 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., Tuesday through Friday 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., closed Mondays and on days the Art Center is closed.

Upcoming Special Father’s Day Event: Open House, Friendship Firehouse Museum, 107 South Alfred Street, 703-

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(SOURCE: BLOG.VISITALEXANDRIAVA.COM)

nal 1749 foundation, is a re-creation of the one built by John Ramsay, one of the city’s founders. From there, turn right on North Fairfax Street to number 121, the gated Carlyle House Historic Park. Carlyle House was built in 1753. As you walk from Ramsay House to Carlyle House, you’ll notice on your right Ramsay Alley, one of the two original cobblestone streets still in existence. The carriage rides back then must surely have been bumpy! From Carlyle House continue north, turn left on Cameron and left on North Royal to Gadsby’s Tavern and Hotel at 134-138 North Royal Street. The buildings, erected in 1785 and 1792 respectively, were located on the main stage coach route between Boston and Williamsburg. Balls in honor of George Washington and an inaugural ball for Thomas Jefferson were held in the hotel’s grand ballroom. Return to Cameron Street. Cross North Pitt Street for George Washington’s town residence at 508 Cameron Street on your left. The original house was completed in 1769. Washington slept there when business brought him to town or when inclement weather made return trips home to Mount Vernon,

eight miles away, perilous. The current house sits on the original foundation and was re-built based on contemporaneous descriptions and a drawing of the original exterior. Return to King Street by turning left at the next corner, on North Asaf. Board the trolley there to the last stop, Waterfront. Walk north to the Torpedo Factory Art Center, built during World War I to manufacture munitions. Now an Art Center, it houses three floors of studios, galleries, and an archaeology museum. The artists invite visitors to watch them at work. The museum, in room 327, emphasizes teaching children about archeology through hands-on activities. The District of Columbia was originally diamond-shaped before Old Town Alexandria and Arlington County were retroceded to Virginia in 1846. While DC is no longer a diamond, Old Town Alexandria remains a gem.

746-4994. Admission free only on Father’s Day, June 18, for fathers and their families. Open from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Pose for a complimentary family portrait by the firehouse photographer. Youngsters will receive a free fire hat. Children can go on a history hunt and explore the history of firefighting through hands-on objects. Free King Street Trolley, Patrick Street stop. Walk one block west.

fore heading out.) Take the King Street exit. Outside the front of the station, board the free trolley. Trolley runs at 10-minute intervals, beginning at 10 a.m., with stops every two blocks eastbound and westbound between the metro and the waterfront. On board, pick up a map of the route and an Alexandria visitor guide. To the visitor center: take the trolley to Royal Street stop, walk one block east. To the Torpedo Art Center and Archeology Museum: take the trolley to last stop, Waterfront. Walk one block north.

Getting there: By Metrorail: King Street-Old Town stop on the yellow or blue line. (Check for service advisories at wmata.com be-

Dinah Rokach moved to Kemp Mill in 2013. She is the sister of Joshua Rokach, a long-time resident, whose minyan she attends. As a retiree, she is free to see the many attractions in the area and is happy to share her discoveries.

June 8, 2017 • 14 Sivan, 5777

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT LARRY SHOR’S GREATER WASHINGTON

'Glass Head': The DC Birth of a Comedy Legend By Larry Shor Recently, the world of comedy lost one of its legends with the passing of Don Rickles. His unique style of insult humor endeared him to millions of fans during his long and illustrious career. He was the first and, by far, the most popular practitioner of that type of comedy. And the whole thing got started right here in Washington. In the early 1950s, Rickles was a struggling comic. Trained as a dramatic actor, he was unable to find roles and turned to comedy to support himself. Even by his own estimation, he was awful. Comedy in those days was basically divided into two categories. First was dialect humor, where one performed in a different accent, as a different gender, or even a different race. Then there were the storytellers and raconteurs, most of them Jewish, such as George Jessel and Myron Cohen, and famous African-American comics who performed with great distinction. In the days of segregation, comics like Moms Mabley and Redd

Foxx were giant stars in black theaters across the country, known as the “Chitlin’ Circuit.” No one ever insulted the audience from the stage. One night, the great comic Milton Berle insulted the wrong people and got a fork stuck in his face! It just wasn’t done. Into this world stepped Don Rickles, who could do none of these things. He didn’t do dialects and he really couldn’t tell a joke. To say his act was poorly received would be charitable. He was prematurely bald and billed as “Glass Head” to try to get laughs. The only reason he kept going was because of his mother. She believed in him and tried to convince theater owners across the country that her Don was just what they had been looking for. But not many took the bait. Then, one night, right here in Washington, it all came together for Don Rickles. In those days, especially downtown on Ninth and 14th Streets, NW, were a number of theaters that catered to an “adult” audience with what would kindly be referred to as “dancers.” This really was the bottom rung of the show business ladder. You can imagine the type of clientele that was there, and a comedian

Silver Spring Practitioners

Rebecca Aloni, LCPC

Maureen Betz, LCSW-C

Levi Y. Breuer, Psy.D.

Ariella Lipkin, Psy.D.

June 8, 2017 • 14 Sivan, 5777

was the last thing they wanted to see. Rickles was being heckled, people were throwing things thrown at him. Suddenly, Rickles decided to fight back. He insulted the audience members and guess what? They loved it! The more he did it, the harder they laughed.

The only reason he kept going was because of his mother. She believed in him and tried to convince theater owners across the country that her Don was just what they had been looking for. From that one night, an entire new act appeared. He began to get more lucrative work and his fame spread. His rise to the top was cemented when he became the opening act for Frank Sinatra. The two became dear friends for as long as they both lived. Film and television work followed, but Rickles was al-

ways the happiest on stage, dishing out his unique brand of humor, which, despite changing times, was popular until the end of his life. How did he get away with it? Simple. Everyone knew there was no malice. He laughed with you, not at you. He made fun of himself at the same time to prove the point. He was beloved in show business as a decent, gentle guy and an equally great friend. Don Rickles was a show business legend and a trailblazer who inspired and influenced the next two generations of comics, although none could duplicate him. He came up the hard way and never forgot it. One recording bears this out: There survives a bootleg tape of his 1968 roast by the Friars Club. It is hysterically funny and, for sure, is only for grown-ups. At the end, Rickles, in a poignant moment says, “Gentlemen, I have never been so honored. I thank you from the bottom of my heart. And I wish only one thing today. I wish my father was here to see this. Bless you.” Don Rickles was an irreplaceable comedy legend and a mensch. May his memory be a blessing. NEXT TIME: Kaufman Camp

Practitioners in Other Locations

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FUN & GAMES

THEME: HIGH SCHOOL ACROSS 1. Native American pole 6. Gone by 9. Word often found on a door 13. Ancient stone slab with markings 14. PC brain 15. Hindu queen 16. Dose of medicine, pl. 17. Sinatra's ____ Pack 18. LDS missionary 19. *Exclusive high school circle 21. *Goal of those four years 23. Break bread 24. Musical finale 25. A great distance away 28. Oscar of sports 30. Like Simon who met a pieman 35. Fleur-de-lis 37. Timeline divisions 39. Kick back 40. Offensively curious 41. Printer contents 43. General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade 44. Change, as in Constitution 46. Actress Sorvino 47. Maple, to a botanist 48. Doctor's tool 50. Roasting platform 52. #37 Across, sing. 53. Wry face 55. "____ Te Ching" 57. *Post-grad get-together 61. *Cap adornment 64. Bat dwelling? 65. *Pep rally syllable 67. Harassed 69. Thin mountain ridge 70. Rocks in a bar 71. Be of one mind 72. Surveyor's map 73. *Adult involvement org. 74. Pine

DOWN 1. Recipe label 2. Ear-related 3. Be a snitch 4. Island off Manhattan 5. Courtly entertainment 6. Homesteader's measurement 7. *Academic concern 8. Beat the Joneses 9. ____ Mall, London 10. Backward arrow command 11. Give an impression 12. Zeus' sister and wife 15. *Taught to do this in shop class 20. Cinderella's win 22. Dog tags 24. Peoples Temple poison 25. *End of semester assessment 26. Wafting pleasantness 27. Like Phoenix 29. *Junior ball 31. Prefix with phone 32. Person, thing or ____ 33. Sometime in the future 34. *____ credit 36. Pop group "'N ____" 38. "Que sera ____" 42. Yogurt-based dip 45. End 49. Likewise 51. Move sideways 54. Same as rip 56. Meryl Streep's "August: ____ County" 57. Gather harvest 58. James ____ Jones 59. Eye part 60. As opposed to gross 61. Short for Theodora 62. Poet Pound 63. Lecherous look 66. *Pre-college challenge 68. Bear's room

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Answers to crossword

Answers to sudoku

● Each row and each column

must contain the numbers 1 through 4 (easy) or 1 through 6 (challenging) without repeating.

● The numbers within the heavily outlined boxes, called cages, must combine using the given operation (in any order) to

produce the target numbers in the top-left corners.

● Freebies: Fill in single-box cages with the number in the top-left corner.

June 8, 2017 • 14 Sivan, 5777

TRAVEL Saying Kaddish in Croatia By Paul J. Blank Travel Columnist I had long wanted to travel to Dubrovnik, Croatia. I looked forward to swimming in pristine waters, sunning on rocky beaches, kayaking around beautiful islands, hiking mountains overlooking the city, attending classical music concerts, and learning about historical sites. There is also a “Game of Thrones” tour, as Dubrovnik is the filming location for that television series. Last summer, I had the opportunity to travel to Dubrovnik; however, as it was within the year after my mother passed away, I was unsure whether I would be able to recite kaddish with a minyan. I knew that there was a synagogue in Dubrovnik, Kahal Adat Yisrael, that was established in 1408 and is the second oldest synagogue in all of Europe. However, today the entire Jewish community of Dubrovnik is 24 people and, other than the High Holidays and special occasions, there are no regular prayer services. Instead, the synagogue is mainly a museum with numerous Jewish ritual items and century old artifacts. Therefore, de-

spite its glorified Jewish history and the existence of a synagogue, it seemed rather doubtful that in Dubrovnik I would be able to recite kaddish with a minyan. Nevertheless, I was not willing to give up on my trip. I asked Rabbi Yosef Singer of Young Israel Ezras Torah of Potomac, perhaps unfairly, whether it was permitted for a mourner to purposely put himself in a situation in which he will be unable to recite kaddish with a minyan. Rabbi Singer answered with some very sage advice: “That is between you, your mother, and G-d.” I quickly did a tally. I recused myself from the vote. I did not want to vote on behalf of my mother, as I could not know with certainty if she would approve. As concerns G-d, I reflected upon a tradition whereby when a mourner is unable to attend services, he should read a chapter of Tanach or study a mishnah. Even as I understood that my travel was not one of necessity, I still rationalized that perhaps G-d, as the source of all Jewish tradition, would be sympathetic to my situation. Upon further reflection, however, I had an even better idea. Although there would not be organized prayer services in Dubrovnik, I could still recite kaddish, perhaps even with a minyan. The

synagogue was primarily functioning as a museum, but it would be open and, undoubtedly, there would be many tourists, mostly from cruises, who would be visiting. I could go every morning to the synagogue, wait for people to show up and, hopefully, among these tourists, find other Jews who would give me the opportunity to recite kaddish. In fact, my plan worked! Every morning I would go to the synagogue and enter the diminutive sanctuary. As I began my prayers, I admired my surroundings. There were high-backed benches along the walls. In the middle of the room was an oversized and raised bimah with bronze memorial lamps. The ark, draped in heavy maroon velvet, was in rich baroque style and held several Torah scrolls. There was also a Moorish carpet from the 13th century. Legend claims that the carpet was a gift from Queen Isabella to her Jewish doctor exiled from Spain. Tourists from many different countries entered the sanctuary. As they saw me in prayer, I explained my predicament and asked if they would be willing to listen and respond as I recited kaddish. Without exception, every person whom I asked readily agreed. On one of the days, I enlisted the help of an extended family from California who were on a cruise in celebration of the bar mitzvah of one its mem-

bers. The grandfather volunteered the entire family to participate and requested that I lead the family in a short prayer service. He then thanked me for giving him the opportunity to teach his grandson the importance of responsibility towards fellow Jews. On another day as I was reciting the kaddish, I realized that the couple who joined me were from Potomac, Maryland. In fact, they were members of Congregation Har Shalom, where I had been saying kaddish for most of the year! To be sure, there were halachic difficulties with my reciting the kaddish in this way. Kaddish is a public prayer that should be recited with a minyan and, except for the group from California, I did not have the requisite number of people. In addition, although it usually came out in conversation, I never outright asked people their religion, so I am not even certain that those who stood next to be were Jewish. Nevertheless, reciting kaddish for my mother, in a centuries-old synagogue, in a beautiful and interesting city, and with the support of a community of people from all around the world, was a most wonderful experience. Thinking back on Rabbi Singer's advice, I do think that my mother, always the adventurer, would have approved. Paul J. Blank is a teacher at the Charles E. Smith Jewish Day School in Rockville, Maryland.

TRAVEL ISSUE

is on July 6th for Travel and Tour Agencies

June 8, 2017 • 14 Sivan, 5777

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TRAVEL

Jewish Thailand, a Diaspora Story By Roland Leiser A rabbi in Bangkok? I looked around the living room for signs of a Jewish home in this townhouse off of fashionable Sukumvit Road in Thailand’s capital. Mala Davis, a Thai woman married to an ailing Jewish husband, told me that a rabbi prayed for him when he placed a yarmulke on his head during a recent visit. Earlier this year, my Thai-born wife, Sue, her niece, and I went to see Mala and her husband, Chester, a World War II veteran of the Army Air Force. A long-standing friend, Mala, produced a YouTube video of the blessing to prove that such a thing happened in Bangkok, half-way around the world from my home in Silver Spring, Maryland. A Jewish community in Thailand in fact exists, as I found out to my amazement. In my five visits to Thailand since 1972 (the year of my marriage), I was never aware of a Jewish population, with the possible exception of ex-pats on one- or two-year assignments for American companies or non-governmental organizations. Startled by the revelation that there is a rabbi in Bangkok, I asked for his name and where I could find him. He is Rabbi Yosef Chaim Kantor, 49, born in Brooklyn, New York, as was Mala’s husband. We talked briefly by phone, and he gave me a few more details about his unusual life. Holding dual U.S. and Thai citizenship, Rabbi Kantor is an imposing six feet tall with a slight trace of a New York accent.

(PHOTO CREDIT: ROLAND LEISER)

No, I said, “Reform, Conservative, or Orthodox?” Orthodox, he replied, and I paused. I didn’t want to show my ignorance of Orthodox Judaism, and professed that I was Reform, but with little Jewish upbringing. Unfazed, he invited me to Shabbat services the following Friday night and a post-service meal with his congregation in the synagogue, Beth Elisheva, which I had to decline. As I expected, the Jewish community is small, definitely insular, old-worldly and, as Rabbi Kantor remarked, prospering. In response to my inquiry about the size of the congregation, he said “any Jew in Thailand is a member.” Asked to put a number on it, he replied that may-

(PHOTO CREDIT: ROLAND LEISER)

Raised in Australia with an Aussie dad and a New York-born mom, he became chief rabbi and director of the Jewish Association of Thailand (JAT) in 1993 after moving from the U.S. with his Canadian-born wife and a daughter. (As the JAT director, Rabbi Kantor, along with 10 other rabbis, are responsible for overseeing the country’s synagogues, Chabad houses, and kosher restaurants.) Before I requested an interview, however, I tactfully asked him what branch of Judaism he represented. He didn’t get my question at first, replying “the Jewish Association of Thailand.”

be 500 people are affiliated with a synagogue in Thailand and attend a service at least once a year. As for Jewish residents of Bangkok, JAT’s web site estimated there are nearly 200. Synagogues and Chabad houses exist in Thai cities where I would have least expected them — in addition to Bangkok, they have in Chiang Mai, the second largest city 360 miles north of the capital, and the resort towns of Phuket and Ko Samui in the south. And who are these people of the diaspora? There has been a Jewish presence in Thailand as early as 1601, JAT’s web-

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site states, but today the population reflects “all areas of commerce, technology, and corporate law,” plus retirees, as Rabbi Kantor explained. Gem dealers have been around for at least 20 years. Europeans, Americans, and Israelis have contributed to the mix in a 95 percent Buddhist country. In addition to Israeli backpackers, Thailand attracts tour groups, of which three attended Rabbi Kantor’s services the same night as I did. In Bangkok, the Jewish children attend the synagogue’s Hebrew school on Sundays, but study at the city’s secular international schools with instruction in English. The Bangkok synagogue, which dates back to 1981, was named for the Thai-born daughter of one of the first Jewish families, which donated land and a residence, according to the website. Surrounded by high metal walls, it is located on a corner next to a Japanese restaurant in a non-descript neighborhood. High up on the front wall, eight glass windows are inscribed with menorahs. The security guard, who monitors the entrance with a locked door, quizzed me about my visit before opening it to let me in. Today, the building is undergoing a $2.1 million renovation and expansion that will almost double the synagogue’s size, Rabbi Kantor said, with a goal to finish the project by the end of next year. Plans call for enlarging the social hall, installing a new mikvah (ritual bath), establishing a kosher café and library, and adding lecture rooms and space for kids’ activities. Other synagogue-sponsored facilities include a Jewish cemetery near Chinatown and the Chao Phraya River that snakes around the city. Until the community got its own cemetery, burials took place in a Protestant cemetery. Today 30 Jewish residents have been interred in their own final resting place.

On Kaosarn Road, a crowded hub of tourist activity, Rabbi Kantor presides over a Chabad House with a row of 12 computers, a lounge, copy machines, a library, a chapel, and a mini-market. The Kosher Place next door, under the supervision of the Chabad of Thailand, serves Western and Middle Eastern food (think pastrami and pita). But, of course, there’s also an Asian menu. Other chapels in the city include a Sephardic congregation in rented space at the office tower of the Shangri-La Hotel. Initially, I hesitated to attend the rabbi’s service because I knew very little of the liturgy and the Hebrew in which the service would be conducted. Yet I overcame my doubts, entered the building, and sat silently for 45 minutes to observe my first Orthodox service after Assistant Rabbi Josef Goldberg vetted me for my Jewish bona fides. “Are you Jewish? Is your mother Jewish?” The service started 15 minutes past the scheduled time of 7 p.m., and as soon as Rabbi Kantor entered and spotted this obvious stranger, he greeted me warmly. I gave him my business card and mentioned my interview request. The prayers were conducted in “traditional Hebrew of 1000 years ago,” he told me by email, which I assumed was Biblical Hebrew. Indeed, I felt like I had stepped back in time 500 years. He gave his sermon in English, the only part of the 45-minute service that I could understand. Rabbi Kantor sees his role as a shaliach (emissary) of Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson’s Lubavitch movement to encourage vibrant Jewish communities around the world. As I learned, this Jewish community in Thailand is really not so mysterious after all. “Google can find us,” the rabbi said. Roland Leiser is a freelance journalist and former Washington Bureau chief of Travel Agent magazine.

June 8, 2017 • 14 Sivan, 5777

ADVICE DEAR RIVKIE

Finding Focus During the Finals Frenzy Dear Rivkie, I am a teenage girl and am nervously anticipating my upcoming final exams. It is really hard for me to focus right now, especially on davening. When I get to school and settle in to daven, I find myself thinking about all the other things I need to do, and the looming end-of-year events (especially finals!) that are hanging over my head. I know davening with kavanah (intent or mindfulness) is so important, but when I’m really stressed, it’s hard to keep my attention where it’s supposed to be. Signed, Stressed Tzirel Dearest Tzirel, You poor bubeleh. Do I remember finals when I was a teenage girl a million years ago! There are few times in life that feel as stressful. You are a teenage girl, which is, in and of itself, fraught with peril. Not only are you growing quickly and not always comfortable in your own skin, you have friends to keep happy, parents who want you to ace those

exams, and maybe some pesky siblings that drive you crazy when you are trying oh so hard to study. Sound familiar? Well, that’s not all. The teachers pack on all the work and exams, while still expecting you to do end of year “fun” activities and look enthused while doing it. All I can say is, “Oy vey!” No wonder your mind is on a million things while you are supposed to be davening. However, the good news is that this is a short-term problem, and you can learn and grow while going through it, if you keep a few things in mind: 1.) As unpleasant as final exams are, the purpose is to see what you have learned during the year. The teacher isn’t trying to torture you, just trying to see if they have imparted knowledge on you during the year. Think about the most important things you have learned and start your studying journey there. 2.) One student I went to high school with used to say, “I don’t need to study for finals; if you paid attention all year, you should have learned enough to take the final exam.” This person

should have been banned from speaking on the subject — she was a total genius, and that piece of advice does NOT apply to most of us. Don’t go into panic mode trying to study every extraneous piece of information that you may have come across during the year. Use every study guide your teacher gives you and focus on what is important. 3.) Yoga. There, I said it. I find that a nice yoga workout can do wonders when you need a break. Popsugar Fitness, a YouTube channel I love, offers many yoga workouts (and all kinds of workouts) that I highly recommend. They even teach you to breathe, which you can use even while you are taking exams. 4.) Davening. You hit the nail on the head, dear Tzirel. Davening can certainly help you during this time. Think about it: Who do you pour your heart out to in times of trouble and stress? Hashem! Of course, you can talk to your friends and parents (if you really feel overly stressed, please talk to your parents), but The One Who loves

you most and wants the best for you is there all the time. Especially during davening before first period, no? Focus on what’s important, keep your head in the game, and remember this is just a short-term stressor. Also, daven more, not less. Don’t think of davening as another pressure, think of it as a privilege. All the best, Rivky Need some advice? Send your questions to AskRivkie@kolhabirah.com.

Your Unique Child By Laura Goldman We have just completed the celebration of Shavuot, the time commemorating the giving of the Torah on Mount Sinai. This holiday, among other things, tunes us into the unique qualities and character traits inherent within each of us. We use the time between Passover and Shavuot to cultivate our character traits through the counting of the Omer — a practice biblically mandated and reminiscent of the time of spiritual development of the Jewish people as they prepared themselves to receive the Torah. At a time marked by collective redemption and collective revelation, the emphasis on the individual is noteworthy. And yet, when we look at the individual character of people, we seem to have difficulty seeing the positive. We are easy to point out the shortcomings and faults, the missed opportunities and the lack of charm. We second guess decisions and criticize choices. Nowhere do we do this more than with our children. There is a biological reason for this constant critique: survival. In prehistoric times, if you didn’t notice the broken branch or the leaves out of place, it could have meant death by some animal looking for food. Humans became very good

at noticing what was out of place or incorrect in some fashion. Although today we aren’t worried about physical survival, we apply these skills as though our psychological survival was at stake. When it comes to our children, we look at their behavior and we often globalize. If he doesn’t share his toy, he is going to be a selfish adult. If she is quiet and doesn’t want to play, she must be introverted and she will never get what she wants. If she hides the fact that she ate that candy, she must be on the road to becoming a pathological liar. And, if he hits that kid who took his toy, it’s a sign that he is going to become a psychopath. We laugh when we look at it in perspective, but in the moment, it feels very real. So, what can we do to see and appreciate the unique beauty within each of our children? Here are a few ideas that may be helpful. First, make sure to spend some time every day with them where they are in charge of the activity that you do together. Leave all distractions behind — no phone and no interruptions. Don’t direct anything; just enjoy being with them and listening to what and how they think. You will get to know them much better. Second, note every adjective, both negative and positive, that pops into your head when you look at their behavior. If you can, do it in the moment. When you

June 8, 2017 • 14 Sivan, 5777

have a quiet moment, look at the negative adjectives and write down the positive corollary next to each. For example, if I note that my child is “stubborn,” I can recognize that that same characteristic could be called “tenacious.” Similarly, “silly” could become “fun-loving,” “angry” could become “passionate,” and “selfish” could become “aware of their own boundaries.” Finally, if you find yourself being overly critical on a regular basis, draw or print a picture of a cartoon boy or girl and fill in the body with adjectives that represent the best in your child as you know them to be. Sometimes you may need to reach back into your memories of him/her at a younger age or at particular moments. Use those memories

to paint a more positive picture of your child. If you really need help, ask your spouse or a close friend who knows your child well. They may be able to help you gain perspective. Then look at that paper child with all of his/her beautiful characteristics and remember that that is the true essence of the child in front of you. Children reflect back what they see. Show your child their unique, inner essence. And give them the chance to reflect it back to you and their world. Laura Goldman is a parent educator and coach. She is the principal and founder of Arise, LLC, a leadership and parent coaching practice. She can be reached at laura@arisenext.com.

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ADVICE

Navigating Risky Waters: How You Can Protect Your Retirement Assets By Joel Greenberg Saving for retirement cannot take place in a vacuum. Whether you are just starting out, nearing retirement, or already enjoying those golden years, it’s important to be aware of the risks we all face. That’s where a retirement plan comes in — it helps you identify risks to your retirement assets and formulate strategies for addressing them. Risk is usually defined as the potential for loss. When most people think of financial risk, they focus on investment risk and the potential for loss due to downturns in the economy, changing interest rates, inflation, or poor management of the companies in which they invest. These risks are typically addressed through diversification of one’s assets (selecting different types of investments across several industry sectors), There is no guarantee that diversification will ensure a profit or protect your investment against losses in declining markets, but risk of loss also arises from life events, such as illness, disability, or death.

Health Risks While most people look to health insurance to pay for health care, finding adequate insurance is increasingly difficult. Rising premiums have forced many employers to shift a greater share of the burden to employees and to discontinue health coverage for retirees. The answer is to be prepared for the unexpected. Many experts recommend health insurance with high deductibles and co-payments as a way to keep premiums down, yet protect against catastrophic loss. This suggests keeping a portion of your retirement assets in cash to pay for doctor and emergency room visits, routine physicals, tests, and prescription drugs.

Long-Term Care Risks Another risk is chronic illness, or a disability that requires not only medical treatment but also ongoing custodial care. Whether the care is delivered in your home or at a nursing facility, it can be expensive. Keep in mind, that while Medicare covers most medical procedures and treatments for individuals, it is not intended to pay for extended or long-term custodial care. And although Medicaid, a program sponsored jointly by state and federal governments, covers long-term care

services, eligibility depends on meeting strict guidelines and you may be forced to “spend down” to qualify. A possible solution is long-term care insurance. As more and more people live longer lives, the risk of requiring longterm care increases.

Death and Disability Risks The financial loss due to the death of a wage-earner can be devastating. Sometimes overlooked is the impact on a surviving spouse’s retirement. Assets that had been earmarked for retirement including IRAs, mutual funds, and 401(k)s may need to be tapped for immediate needs. Life insurance can be an affordable way to provide generally income tax-free death benefits (See IRC Section 101(a)) to survivors at the time they need it most. Death benefits can be used to settle outstanding doctor bills, funeral expenses, and other death-related costs. The balance can be used to help pay off mortgage and other debts, fund college education tuitions, and provide income for survivors, leaving retirement assets intact for the purpose for which they were intended. Many individuals find that life insurance needs diminish during retirement as mortgages are paid off and children become

financially independent. On the other hand, increasing estate values and the potential for increased death taxes can increase life insurance needs during retirement. Life insurance can also be a good solution for retirees who wish to provide a bequest to a favorite charity or create a legacy for their heirs. A long-term disability results in a financial strain that is similar to the death of a breadwinner. With a wage earner unable to work or earn at the same level, it is easy to divert retirement savings to more immediate needs. Individual disability income insurance is a good solution for self-employed professionals and other high-income individuals.

Conclusion While risk cannot be avoided, it can be managed. It’s important to keep in mind that in a world with many risks, you’re not alone. This article provides general information for the subject matter covered. Prudential Financial, its affiliates, and their financial professionals do not render tax or legal advice. Please consult with your tax and legal advisors regarding your personal circumstances.

Joel Greenberg offers financial planning and investment advisory services through Pruco Securities, LLC (Pruco), doing business as Prudential Financial Planning Services (PFPS).

Medical Trends and Health Care Costs During Retirement

YOU’RE INVITED JOIN US! June 14th @ 6:30 p.m. Bender JCC - Social Hall Rockville or June 15th @ 6:30 p.m. Young Israel Shomrei Emunah Silver Spring HOSTED BY:

5 Things You Need to Know

Avi Strum Financial Advisor Joel Greenberg, MBA Financial Planner

Great news! We’re living longer. Advances in medical care are largely responsible for this wonderful gift.

PLEASE RSVP BY:

As we age, we’re more prone to illness. Join us for this revealing session where we’ll have a meaningful conversation about: • Longevity

June 11, 2017 PHONE OR EMAIL:

240-240-528-4411 joel.greenberg@prudential.com The seminar is free, but reservations are required as seating and food are limited (dietary laws observed). The Prudential Insurance Company of America, Newark, NJ. 0298684-00001-00 Ed. 11/2016 Exp. 05/14/2018 Offering investment advisory services through Pruco Securities, LLC (Pruco), doing business as Prudential Financial Planning Services (PFPS), pursuant to separate client agreement. Offering insurance and securities products and services as a registered representative of Pruco, and an agent of issuing insurance companies. 1-800-201-6690.

But, at what price?

•

Medical conditions unique to older adults

• •

Health care costs during retirement

You’ll also discover AgeLess, a prescription for successful aging. Dr. Robert Pokorski, Prudential’s Vice President and Medical Director, is an internationally-renowned medical lecturer and author. He’s committed to working with financial professionals and their clients on the importance of incorporating health and longevity into people’s personal financial strategies. He has been in the insurance industry for over 30 years and specializes in longevity research and product design.

MEET DR. BOB

YOUR EXPERT ON AGING

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June 8, 2017 • 14 Sivan, 5777

ADVICE

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New Kosher Pop Up

Wednesday Evenings 6-10 International Buffet Montage $25.00 - $30.00 All you can eat. All night long. Rassed Hor dourves, Salads, Entre, Desserts. Thursday Evenings 6-9 Plated Meal Choice of Soup or Salad Main Meal Bread, Dessert & Drinks Sunday Brunch 10am-2pm $25-$30 Omelette Bar, Waffle Bar & Much More Rent Your Own Catering Hall for Parties of 60 to 100. Reasonable Prices! Saturday Through Wednesday

ASK THE MORTGAGE EXPERT, WITH CHAD FREEMAN

Getting Ready to Purchase Chad, after a few years of saving, I feel that my wife and I are finally ready to purchase a home. What do you feel is the most important first step? — George Congratulations on getting ready to take this important step for your family. I believe you are asking the right question, as most prospective homeowners believe that the first step in purchasing is to look at houses. While looking at houses is fun, we want to make sure that your search is efficient and successful. I am going to expand my answer to more than one step, so that the information I give you is more complete. • The first step is to contact a mortgage lender to run your credit report. Though you might be tempted to accomplish this task on your own, the services that run credit reports directly for consumers do not provide the same level of analysis as a mortgage report provided to a lender. • If the report shows that certain issues should be taken care of before you purchase, the lender will give you a roadmap to follow in order to get into position. That roadmap could take a few weeks to rectify, or it may be several months or longer — depending upon the severity of the issues. • The lender will also discuss your prequalification based upon other aspects of your finances, such as income and assets. If the lender feels you are qualified, it is then recommended to take the next step to apply for a formal pre-approval. During

this process, the lender will underwrite your documentation and determine precisely how much home you can afford. This will make your home search much more efficient. • If you have not selected a realtor serve you, your lender can recommend someone they work with on a regular basis. While your pre-approval is in process, that would be the time to start looking at houses selected by your agent based upon your qualifications. • Having a pre-approval in hand is very important because in today’s competitive real estate market, this pre-approval can give you a leg-up on the competition when you find the home you are looking for. There is nothing more disappointing than losing to another bidder because they have the support of a pre-approved loan. • The final step is to get ready to act quickly. With all the preliminaries out of the way, you will be in a position to make a decision to act when you find the right home. This quick action can also give you the edge over those who hesitate. I hope this was helpful. If you need me to give you a credit analysis and pre-qualification, I will be happy to do so. Chad Freeman, NMLS #453581, is branch manager with McLean Mortgage in the Bethesda/Potomac area of Maryland. He is a member of Beth Sholom Congregation in Potomac and a long-time veteran of the mortgage industry. You can reach Chad for more information or to submit questions for future columns at (240) 800-4504 or cfreeman@mcleanmortgage.com.

Chef’s Table... THIS is kosher! 4840 Boiling Brook Parkway Rockville, MD 20852 301-770-1496 c) 240-644-8814

(SOURCE: GOOGLE IMAGES)

June 8, 2017 • 14 Sivan, 5777

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ADVICE JOB SEARCH NUGGETS

Phone Interviews By David Marwick for KempMillJobAssist If a prospective employer likes your resume, he or she will likely arrange to interview you. Increasingly, that interview will be conducted by phone. Phone interviews are a double-edged sword for the person being interviewed. They can be easier for you because you don’t need to travel to another location and they allow you to take notes in a way that face-to-face interviews don’t. However, body language can be difficult to read if you can’t see who’s on the other end. The basic rules about preparing for an interview are the same whether the interview is conducted in person or by phone. But there are key differences about your conduct before, during, and after the interview that can make your phone interview more successful. Seven of these are explained below. In the next issue, we will cover Skype interviews. Use a landline. If you are using a cellphone, the quality of your reception — and theirs — may vary. Using a landline increases the chances that you can clearly hear their questions and they can clearly hear your answers. Use your cellphone effectively. If you must use a cell phone, avoid background

noise. For example, avoid being interviewed when you are shopping or walking the dog. If you receive a call from an interviewer while you are in such a place, check the caller’s number and, if the call is from an interviewer, let the call go to message and follow up later. Dress up, stand up, and smile. Even though the interviewer can’t see you, you are more likely to feel “businesslike” if you are dressed up, rather than wearing pajamas. Also, your voice will sound better if you are standing up and smiling. Avoid interruptions. Make sure that other people — and pets — will not barge into the room where you are being interviewed. Similarly, make sure that your noisy washer and drier, people in another room, and outside music will not be heard during the interview. Have materials at hand. You can spread any materials you may need in front of you, such as the job description, your resume, letters of recommendation, and your notes about the company. (You can’t do this in an in-person interview.) Use short, crisp answers. Because you can’t observe the interviewers’ body language, for example, to see whether they are fidgeting, use shorter answers than during an in-person interview. In answering any question, try to craft an

(SOURCE: NEWSWISE)

answer that lasts no more than a minute and a half, then ask whether they would like to hear more. Find out who is on the other end. If more than one person is interviewing you, at the outset, try to get each person’s name (and note their distinctive voice) and email each of them a thank you note. For further reading: Allison Matthews, “Phone Interview Tips: 19 Keys to Landing a Second Interview,” Dec. 9, 2016. https://hired.com/ blog/candidates/19-phone-interviewtips-get-hired/ Lisa Rangel, “Executive Phone Interview? 10 Important Techniques to Land the Offer,” Oct. 23, 2015. http://cha-

meleonresumes.com/2015/10/23/executive-phone-interview-10-important-techniques-to-land-the-offer/ Caroline Ceniza-Levine, “How to Ace Your Next Phone Interview,” Dec. 2, 2014. http://time.com/money/3597332/ ace-phone-interview/ Rhona Bronson, “Why Not to Pick Up the Phone When Unemployed,” May 16, 2014. http://jobs.aol.com/articles/2014/05/16/job-search-successphone-strategies/ David Marwick is KempMillJobAssist’s workshop coordinator. He studied economics at George Washington University and worked as an economist for George Washington University and the U.S. Government Accountability Office.

YOUNG PROFESSIONALS SPOTLIGHT

Yoni Razin Interviewed by Batya H. Carl Yoni Razin is 25 years old and was born and raised in West Philadelphia. He graduated from University of Maryland with degrees in history and rhetoric. He has lived in the Arlington Moishe House for the past year and a half. He started doing freelance graphic and web design work on the side a couple of years ago, and is now working as a branding and business development consultant. 1. What do you like about your hometown? I grew up in Philadelphia — the actual city, not the suburbs. The place has such great culture and history about it. I love walking around the old parts of town near Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell. 2. Describe your first trip to Israel. We took a family trip when I was young. Along with my parents and brother, we went to all the main touristy spots. I remember covering myself up in mud at the dead sea, exploring the pools of Ein Gedi, eating falafel on the street, and going to the Kotel (Western Wall). The

first half of the trip was great, the second not as much. I got dreadfully sick from dehydration and spent a good part of the trip bedridden and bored in the hotel. 3. What is your favorite childhood memory? Finger painting and making banana peanut butter chocolate chip boats with my old babysitter. She was this wonderfully sweet lady in her late 70s who lived

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in our neighborhood. She was like a third grandmother to me and my brother growing up. 4. What is your favorite Jewish holiday? Passover. I know most people hate Passover, but I love it! My family means everything to me, and every Passover we all go stay at my grandparents’ house in Fairfax, Virginia. It’s the one time every year I know I can completely detach myself from the rest of life and just enjoy time with my family. 5. Tell us about your favorite Moishe House event that you created. My favorite Moishe House event was a Star Wars marathon we hosted the day before Episode VII came out. We started at 8 a.m. and watched all the movies back-to-back and ended around 11p.m. More and more people just kept showing up. We ran out of seats and had to keep ordering more pizzas. Pizza and Star Wars, what’s not to love! 6. Two truths and a lie. Go! I was interviewed on the news once. I have won an art contest. I lived in Hawaii for a year. 7. What’s next on your Netflix queue?

As far as TV shows go, I just finished Season 2 of Master of None and can’t wait for the newest season of House of Cards to be released. As for movies, I think Finding Dory is the next film on my list. 8. Who was your first crush? Well, apparently in pre-K I had a fake wedding and married a classmate of mine, but I don’t think you can really count that as a crush. I’d have to say it was Sarah from middle school. We were best friends for a while and even dated a bit senior year of high school. She was mad at me when someone else asked her to prom before I could. She never let me forget it. 9. What is the best date you have taken someone on? Dim Sum in Chinatown and sharing ice cream on the steps of the Jefferson Memorial at night. It wasn’t the most lavish or romantic date or the craziest adventure, but it was amazing because of how simple and spontaneous it was. 10. What is your favorite app? Netflix. Obviously. Interested in connecting with this week’s featured young professional? Email Ypspotlight@kolhabirah.com.

June 8, 2017 • 14 Sivan, 5777

DATING

A Flag on the Dating Field

Jealousy

A look at common and less well-known abusive behaviors in personal relationships. By Rachel Burnham Every Jew is created in the image of G-d. With that privilege comes the expectation and right of every man and woman to be treated with respect, care, sensitivity, compassion, and love in potentially the closest and most significant relationship in their life: marriage. Abuse in relationships is a sensitive topic to approach, but also one of utmost importance to address for a relationship’s health, safety, and longevity. It should be clear from the outset that two grown adults in a relationship can disagree, they can even respectfully argue. There is no room in a relationship, however, be it dating or marriage, for anyone, male or female, to be controlling, manipulative, or abusive. Not verbally, not emotionally, and not physically. Let’s discuss some of the red flags they may present themselves when dating. Abuse is not just physical. Anyone who is experiencing any level of physical hitting, pushing, shoving, or slapping, needs to seek immediate professional assistance for effective guidance; that goes without saying. Here are some other common red flags:

1.) Makes nasty comments about your clothing, friends, or family. 2.) Extreme mood swings and/or bad temper. 3.) Frequent comparisons of you to others in an uncomfortable way. 4.) You fear breaking up because you’re afraid for your safety. 5.) You tell yourself you will just try harder to make your partner happy (“If only I could act/dress how he/she likes, then we will be back in a good place.”).

6.) Repeatedly gives you the silent treatment and/or puts you down. 7.) You feel increasingly depressed to be with this person, but feel trapped because they will fall apart if you leave.

The abuse I’d like to focus on in this week’s column is more subtle forms of verbal, financial, or emotional manipulation. The abuse I’d like to focus on in this week’s column is more subtle forms of verbal, financial, or emotional manipulation. Below are a few less commonly known types of abusive behavior of which you should be aware.

Blame-shifting Special care is necessary here, as a blamer can really make you feel great because “everyone else is crazy – except for you.” (“You are so smart, pretty, sensitive, and caring, not like the miserable girl who I dated before you.”) Someone who perpetually blames negative feelings and bad luck on someone else will

inevitably begin blaming you for whatever is wrong in his or her live.

Resentment Resentful people feel like they are not getting the help, consideration, praise, rewards, or affection they believe is due to them. We are all resentful from time to time, but we get over it and move on. The resentful person has trouble moving on. He or she gets caught up on their “rights” and don’t see the perspective of another person.

June 8, 2017 • 14 Sivan, 5777

Entitlement Entitled people believe they deserve special treatment and are driven by high standards of what they should get from the world around them. (“With the kind of day I had at work, you expect me to take out the garbage too?”)

Superiority Often this stems from low self-esteem, and the only way for this person to make him- or herself feel good is to put others down. They will present as confident when putting others down, but as soon as people don’t obey their wishes or don’t accept the put-downs, that confidence evaporates.

Pettiness Maybe he or she is extremely particular about how his food is prepared or how she likes her coffee and makes a big stink if things aren’t “just so.” After a while, pettiness can make the people around this person feel diminished, as if nothing they have ever done in life really matters.

Sarcasm There is no room in a committed relationship for sarcasm. It may seem fun to throw punches when you are dating, but it is no fun when you are married. Sarcastic people are always

trying to sound smart or witty. Their tone always has a subtle put down in it. In dating it will might be directed towards others; in marriage it will center on you.

Deceit Many people will intentionally or unintentionally exaggerate their good qualities in dating to impress. Deceit shows a low level of self-respect that will never help you down the road in a long-term relationship where trust is critical.

An example of this is when your significant other gets uncomfortable when you have socially and halachically appropriate contact with another man or woman. Why would you want to spend so much time with friends and not your wife or husband? Domestic violence often involves some motive of jealously.

The Rusher Anyone who wants to rush into a relationship without respecting the appropriate personal boundaries is in violation someone else’s personal space, be it physically or emotionally. This is a form of abuse when taken to the extreme. Make sure the person you are with respects your comfort level in the relationship’s progression.

The Pusher Someone who is constantly pushing you into ideas, experiences or decisions with which you are not comfortable and/or invalidates your hesitancies. This list can be overwhelming! If you have doubts about any of the above, it would probably be helpful for you to discuss the specifics with a trusted mentor, mental health professional, or dating coach.

Marriage will only solve one thing: being single. It will not cure unhealthy attitudes we may have about ourselves and/or marriage. Marriage is not a hospital, and it is critical to work through our own ghosts before entering the most important relationship we will ever have. Marriage will only solve one thing: being single. It will not cure unhealthy attitudes we may have about ourselves and/or marriage. One of my favorite quotes is “Most people take the garbage of their past, fling it into the future, and wonder how it rolled into their present.” We need to take ownership and deal with our emotional or psychological baggage before it tumbles over and makes a mess of things. Rachel Burnham earned both her BA in psychology and MA in occupational therapy in New York City. While OT may be her profession, her deepest passion lies in Jewish outreach, which she’s been active in her entire adult life. Rachel also coaches Jewish singles to successful marriages, giving them clarity and peace of mind as they navigate the path to love, connection, and lifelong companionship. You can contact her at Rachel@d8gr8.com.

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COMMUNITY RESOURCES

Community Calendar June 2017 Sunday

Monday

10 Sivan

11 Sivan

Tuesday

12 Sivan

Wednesday

13 Sivan

Thursday

Friday

14 Sivan

Saturday

15 Sivan

16 Sivan

Sunflower Bakery Appreciation and Graduation Event Time: 7:30 PM - 9:30 PM Location: JCC of Rockville

17 Sivan

Your Path to Success: Professional Development Workshop Series for Young Adults with Disabilities Time: 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM Location: Edlavitch DCJCC Mitzvah Mavens Holocaust Luncheon Time: 10:30 AM - 1:00 PM Location: The Jewish Federation of Greater Washington

18 Sivan

Berman Hebrew Academy Upper School Graduation Time: 7:00 PM - 10:00 PM Location: Berman Hebrew Academy

19 Sivan

20 Sivan

Sulam Annual Gala Time: 6:00 PM - 10:00 PM Location: 13300 Arctic Avenue, Rockville MD 20853

The Endowment for Middle East Truth's Annual Rays of Light in the Darkness Dinner Time: 6:00 PM - 10:00 PM Location: The Grand Hyatt DC 1000 H Street, NW, Washington DC 20001

Yeshiva Girls Graduation - 2017 Date: Monday, June 12, 2017 Time: 8:00 PM - 9:00 PM Location: Magen David Congregation

21 Sivan

22 Sivan

23 Sivan

28 Sivan

29 Sivan

30 Sivan

6 Tammuz

CESJDS Book Fair Time: 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM Location: Barnes and Noble Rockville HOME: A Concert For Our Times Time: 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM Location: Beth El of Montgomery County

24 Sivan

25 Sivan

Female Physicians Affinity Group Time: 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM Location: 8215 Old Georgetown Road, Bethesda MD 20814

26 Sivan

27 Sivan

Third Annual AJC Washington Symposium Time: 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM Location: Washington Hebrew Congregation

1 Tammuz

2 Tammuz

3 Tammuz

Introduction to Judaism Date: Thursday, June 22, 2017 Time: 7:30 PM - 9:30 PM Location: Edlavitch DCJCC

4 Tammuz

5 Tammuz

7 Tammuz

MIDC Day at the Israeli Embassy Time: 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM Location: MIDC Day at the Israel Embassy

Want your event included? Please email your community event to communitycalendar@kolhabirah.com Events are subject to change; please visit host website before planning.

Exp. July 31, ‘2017

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June 8, 2017 • 14 Sivan, 5777

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