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CANDLE LIGHTING January 21, 10, 2020 February Tevet, 5780 2613 Shevat, Parshat Vayechi Parshat Mishpatim Candle Lighting: 5:25 4:36 pm

Issue#12 #9 Issue

Published Biweekly January20, 9, 2020 February 12 Tevet, 25 Shevat, 5780

Gearing Up for Iran Crossed Line with Politics and Advocacy Red Super Sunday in Take Center Stage Trump Administration; US, Israel, Greater Philadelphia atRegion Barrack Hebrew Braces for Response Academy By PJL Staff

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By Yaakov Lappin/JNS By Nachi Troodler he American airstrike assassination s the studentsof at Iran’s Jack Islamic Revolutionary M. Barrack Hebrew Guard Academy Corps’ in Quds Bryn Force Mawr commander, Gen. Qassem began fillingMaj. the cavernous Soleimani, Baghdad early cafeteria onin Thursday morning, on Friday13th, follows a major February the excitement miscalculation on the of was palpable. There waspart a buzz Tehran in the to up2020 the in the air as decision POLITICON ante against the United States. was set to get underway. While the extent of Iran’s reA quadrennial political sponse is not yetonclear, modern military conference planners the region, includAmericanindemocracy, Barrack’s ing in Israel, willisneed to prepare POLITICON intended to educate the student body on

T A

for the most severe scenarios. Even though Iran may seek to launch a calculated retaliation, which would exact a price without going to war, no one can be sure of where events will go next. Indications of Iran’s intent to escalate in the region were already in late Barrack seniorapparent Luke Finklestein, November, when Sanders U.S. Gen. who played Bernie in the mock primary election, and Kenneth F. McKenzie, the sophomore Friedman head of theBeila military’s Central Command responsible the a wide variety of issuesfor within the fields of politics, law, media, CONTINUED ON P. 6 and government.

CONTINUED ON P. 14

he Super Bowl may have come and gone, but Super Sunday is looming on the horizon. On Sunday, February 23, over 600 volunteers will give of their time to help the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia raise muchneeded funds to aid vulnerable populations and provide critical asking them to renew their support to Jewish life and financial commitment. The learning. calls will be made between Volunteers throughout 10:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. from the Greater Philadelphia multiple locations throughout Qassem Soleimani receives a medal Iranian Supreme the from community, including community will be calling Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Wikimedia Commons) the Jewish Community Federation supporters over (source: the course of the day and CONTINUED ON P. 20

A Hate Crime is In My February Hometown Jewish Disability

The Siyum HaShas and The Survivors’ Talmud

Awareness, Acceptance and Inclusion Month

By Nachi Troodler By Gwen Horowitz

T W

he Survivors’ Talmud is an edition published in the United States Zone in Allied-Occupied hat a sight! The Sanzer HaRav Malkiel Kotler, shlita, GermanyRebbe, at the request shlita, from HaGaon HaRav Dovid Cohen, of Holocaust Eretz survivors Yisrael entered shlita, HaGaon HaRav Yeruchem in cavernous the displaced Center Olshin, shlita, HaGaon HaRav the Prudential persons camps. At the 20,000 Rabbi Mordecai Terebelo, Menahel Aharon Feldman, shlita, HaGaon in Newark as some 13th Siyum at PolitzHaRav Hebrew Academy and rabbi Reuven Feinstein, shlita, stood on theirHaShas, feet, craning held necks on January at atthe Congregation Ahavas Torah, the Kalever Rebbe, shlita, the their to see1 while MetLife Stadium in New played examines the gemara together withthe Kosover Rebbe, shlita, phenomenal orchestra Jersey, the‘Tzadik siyumKa’tomor’ was his Skolyer Rebbe, shlita and so the song, . Asstudents. made by Rabbi the Rebbe madeShmuel his way to the many others, rose as one and an over overflow crowd him, of Kamenetsky using a volume walked to greet large round table in the middle was 20,000 the from Moregedolei than nearly escorting himpeople to hisat seat. of thethis daisprinting. where the 90,000 were people werethepresent Yisrael sitting, roshei Meanwhile, the 20,000 Yidden at MetLife and there CONTINUED ON P. 26 yeshiva andStadium, admorim, HaGaon

CONTINUED ON P. 22

’ve driven down Forshay Road in Monsey hundreds of times. Having grown up in Monsey less than two miles from there, I’ve traveled that road on Horowitz countless occasions By Gwen during the course of my lifetime. as I drove ewishHowever, communities in down ForshayAmerica Road on Sunday North have afternoon, December 29,Jewish things celebrated were noticeably erent. Disability Awareness diff Month News 2009. trucks The lined name both sides since has of the street, TV reporters were evolved to include the terms doing live interviews, and there “acceptance” and “inclusion. ” were hordes walking JDAIM’s goal ofispeople to highlight in various directions. efforts our communities’ 15 hours in Approximately removing barriers to earlier, on inMotzei participation Jewish Shabbat, life and December 28,toathe man walked bring attention issues.

into the home of Rabbi Chaim Leibish Rottenberg as people were gathered there to celebrate the seventh night of Chanukah. After entering the rabbi’s home, he unsheathed a large machete and began stabbing people, seriously wounding several of them. The attacker then attempted to enter Rabbi Rottenberg’s shul, Congregation Netzach Yisroel, Shelly Christensen, cowhich is oflocated nextsays doorthe to founder JDAIM, the rabbi’s home, but thankfully initiative’s purpose is to those inside heard “advance thethe twoshul pillars of the an commotion from the –house and inclusive community the spirit locked the door, thereby preof belonging and the structure venting the attacker from getof inclusion. Belonging is ting in and that likelywe saving lives. in something all want our lives – including people

CONTINUED ON P. 7 CONTINUED ON P. 12

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W IDF STRIKES HAMAS IN GAZA AFTER TWO ROCKETS HIT SOUTHERN ISRAEL (JNS/Israel Hayom) Israeli fighter jets struck Hamas targets in the Gaza Strip early Sunday morning in response to two rockets fired from Gaza at southern Israeli communities on Saturday, according to the Israeli military. The army confirmed that two rockets were fired from the Hamas-controlled coastal enclave, landing in open terrain and causing no damage. According to an Israel Defense Forces statement, a military compound used by Hamas was hit. “This strike will impede the Hamas terror organization’s future abilities,” said the statement. Consequently, Israel announced it was suspending the easing of the sanctions on Gaza, including the expansion of its fishing zone. In recent weeks, Israel’s southern communities have experienced a steep increase of incendiary balloon attacks, sometimes carrying explosives. Israel holds Hamas responsible for all attacks emanating from the Gaza Strip, even those claimed by other armed factions, and often responds by striking terrorist infrastructure. There have been several such exchanges in recent weeks, with no casualties on either side. NEW IDF MULTI-YEAR WORK PLAN INTRODUCES ‘IRAN DIRECTORATE’ (JNS/Israel Hayom) The Israel Defense Forces has unveiled its new multiyear work plan, which according to the military is designed to greatly increase its offensive and defensive capabilities. With an annual price tag of NIS 30 billion ($8.75 million), the five-year plan, codenamed “Momentum,” aims to bolster the military’s air, ground, sea and cyber capabilities, its intelligence superiority and technological prowess. IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Aviv Kochavi presented the plan on Thursday, despite the ongoing political turmoil in Israel, which is heading into its third general election within a 12-month period. Defense Minister Naftali Bennett approved the plan and presented it to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. It will be presented to the Cabinet for a vote this week. Presenting the plan, Kochavi stressed the urgent nature of the threats Israel faces, saying “they won’t wait” for Israel to resolve its electoral crisis. “Momentum” focuses on strengthening the military’s war readiness, placing an emphasis on the operational edge of the IDF’s elite units in all corps, upgrading the quantity and quality of the munitions used but the air force and transforming the

RLD NEWSBRIEFS

army into a deadly and multidimensional technological force across all spheres of battle, including cyber and electronic warfare. Implementing this plan will make the IDF faster, more precise and deadlier,said Kochavi. Along with the complete overhaul of the IDF’s technological and combat abilities,”Momentum“ also rebranded the IDF Depth Corps its “Iran Directorate.” The new division will focus exclusively on the threat posed by the Islamic Republic, “dealing with surveillance, counter-tactics and strategy, and the planning of operations related to the Iranian nuclear program and Iran’s military presence in Syria, including in the cyber and satellite fields.” Defense Minister Bennett noted on Thursday that the plan “will allow the IDF to strike the enemy faster, more intensely, with a stronger destructive capacity, thus overcoming the enemy and bringing victory.” “The plan puts the principle of victory back at the top of the list of priorities,” he said. ISRAEL SAID TO BE CONCERNED SOME EU COUNTRIES MAY RECOGNIZE PALESTINIAN STATE (JNS) Officials in Jerusalem are concerned that some European countries are preparing to recognize a Palestinian state in response to U.S. President Donald Trump’s peace plan, Ynet reported on Sunday. Luxembourg Foreign Minister Jean Asselborn is behind the initiative, the officials said, according to the report, adding that he was to host an event on Sunday to also gain the support of his counterparts from Portugal, Finland, Spain, Belgium, France, Malta, Sweden and Slovenia. European foreign ministers are planning to meet on Monday for their regular monthly meeting. The officials also said that the worry is that even if no agreement is reached among the countries, some of them will publicly voice their opposition to the Trump plan and call for greater involvement of the European Union in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The Israeli Foreign Ministry has told its diplomats in Europe to try to prevent countries there from joining the initiative against the Trump plan, but a labor dispute in the ministry may prevent this campaign from being effective, the report said. Last week, the European Union’s top diplomat, Josep Borrell, warned Israel not to annex the Jordan Valley or territory in Judea and Samaria, saying it would cause Palestinians to resort to violence. “This may happen. … You can be sure it’s not going to be peaceful,” Borrell

told the European Parliament, Reuters reported. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has announced that he plans to annex the Jordan Valley if he wins the country’s March 2 elections. UK LABOUR PARTY EXPELS 25 MEMBERS IN ONE DAY OVER ANTI-SEMITISM ALLEGATIONS (JNS) The U.K. Labour Party expelled 25 members in one day over antiSemitism allegations, party sources told the HuffPost UK. Some of the former members were expelled by a National Executive Committee panel using new standards approved at the 2019 Labour conference that allows officials to expedite disciplinary procedures and review cases of social-media abuse without conducting in-person hearings with party members. Others were expelled by the National Constitutional Committee, the party’s main body for handling disciplinary issues, which under new guidelines reviewed the cases of anti-Semitism on paper rather than hold full hearings for each case, according to HuffPost UK. “As a result of significant reforms made since Jennie Formby became general secretary, our procedures are more effective than ever before and more robust than any other political party, and those who engage in anti-Semitism are being swiftly removed from our ranks,” one source said. The party attributes the doubled size of the NCC and of staffing resources as an additional factor in tackling anti-Semitism within the party. In 2019, 45 members were expelled from the party for Jew-hatred, an increase from the 10 expulsions in 2018, according to statistics issued by the party in January. Labour is awaiting the outcome of an ongoing investigation by the Equalities and Human Rights Commission into antiSemitism within the party. The party’s leadership contenders participated in a husting hosted by the Jewish Labour Movement last Thursday. ORTHODOX JEWISH COMMUNITY GIVES $48,000 CHECK TO FAMILY OF SLAIN JERSEY CITY OFFICER (JNS) The mayor of Jersey City, along with members of the Orthodox Jewish community in New York and New Jersey, presented a check of $48,000 to the family of Det. Joseph Seals, who was killed on December 10 during a Jersey City shootout with two suspects who then attacked a kosher supermarket. The check was given last Tuesday at City Hall in Jersey City to the widow and five children of Seals, 40. Carmine

TABLE OF CONTENTS World Newsbriefs.............................................. 4 Israel News..................................................6-7, 10 Publisher’s Perspective.................................. 8 Editor’s Letter....................................................... 8 Letter to the Editor............................................ 8 Op-Ed........................................................................ 9 Community Happenings.............................. 11 Community News..................................... 12-28 Features.................................................................29 Divrei Torah..................................................30-33 Sta”m Matters by Rabbi Yonah Gross.........................32 Torah from Eretz Yisrael.................... 33 Health & Wellness...................................34-35 The Biopsychosocial Jewish Brian – Insights from Ourselves About Ourselves by Dovid Halpern.................................. 35 Food & Wine...............................................36-37 House to Home by House of Kosher ............................ 36 Once Upon a Vine by Jonathan Chodosh ........................37 Schools..........................................................38-42 Sports..............................................................42-45 Home & Living...........................................46-47 Pet and Child Proofing Your Home by Israela Haor-Friedman................ 46 Bathrooms 2020 by Anne Goldberg.................................47 Disbrow, president of the Jersey City Policemen’s Benevolent Association, accepted on behalf of the family. A crowdfunding campaign started in memory of the detective was launched through the Chesed Fund, with the goal of raising $25,000. It was spearheaded by Jewish leaders in the Jewish neighborhood of Flatbush in Brooklyn, N.Y., and administered in collaboration with the Yeshiva World News website. Seals was an 18-year law-enforcement veteran who had been with the Jersey City police force since 2006. A second officer was wounded in the shoulder during the hours-long shooting standoff with two suspects at the JC Kosher Supermarket, where three people inside the grocery store were killed before the suspects were shot dead by police.

Where can I pick up a copy of the Philadelphia Jewish Link? See page 21 for a complete list of pickup locations. 4

Philadelphia JEWISH LINK

February 20, 2020 | 25 Shevat, 5780

Philadelphia JEWISH LINK

ISRAEL NEWS

An Analysis of the United Nation’s BDS Blacklist

A major category of listed companies are those providing consumer goods and services (food, telecommunications, transportation, gas, water) to both Palestinians and Israelis. (NGO Monitor/JNS)

fter multiple delays over legal, due process and methodological concerns, which do not seem to have been addressed, on Wednesday the U.N. Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) published its “database of all business enterprises” that it claims contribute to “human-rights concerns.” This U.N. blacklist, ordered by the U.N. Human Rights Council, is meant to bolster BDS campaigns, singling out Israel. This singular treatment of Israel in this exercise, as with many other HRC initiatives, violates the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition of anti-Semitism. The database is aimed at economically damaging Israel and companies owned by Jews or that do business with Jewish Israelis. In keeping with the BDS objective, 94 of the 112 companies on the

blacklist are based in Israel. Many Arab, European and Asian companies that meet the list’s criteria were excluded; large Israeli companies were included, clearly in order to maximize the economic harm to Israel’s economy as a whole. This blacklist operates under the false premises that business in occupied territory is “illegal settlement activity” barred by international law. In fact, there

is no such prohibition, and almost every country engages in and/or facilitates business activities in settlements in situations of occupation. Unsurprisingly, however, the United Nations is only pursuing such a list regarding Israel. A major category of listed companies are those providing consumer goods and services (food, telecommunications, transportation, gas, water) to both

Palestinians and Israelis. The United Nations seeks to bar such companies from operating or impose discriminatory business criteria with little regard as to the human rights and economic impacts on the local population and the companies’ employees. Pro-BDS NGOs, including Human Rights Watch (HRW), Amnesty International and Al-Haq, have been major proponents of the blacklist. Over the past few months, these groups, along with UNHRC-member dictatorships, have been intensively lobbying High Commissioner for Human Rights Michele Bachelet, the former socialist leader of Chile, to publish it. Lack of rigorous methodology The OHCHR provides no evidence whatsoever in its report, nor does it distinguish between differing levels of alleged involvement among the

CONTINUED ON P. 10

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Philadelphia JEWISH LINK

February 20, 2020 | 25 Shevat, 5780

February 20, 2020 | 25

ISRAEL NEWSISRAEL NEWS COMMUNITY NEWS

Israel’s Upgrade of Iron Dome Another Blow to the Enemy’s Desire to Target Civilians

Iran Crossed Red Line with Trump Administration CONTINUED FROM P. 6

region, neutralize American influence and intimidate states that stood in his way. He brutally repressed Shi’ites in Iraq, who were fed up with their Iranianinfluenced corrupt government. Under Soleimani’s directive, militias in Iraq By Yaakov Lappin/JNS turned into death squads, mercilessly gunning down hundreds of protesters he streets—meaning Israeli Defense Ministry recently on Iraqi that many successful trialhis of what Iraqis announced will not bea upset to see de- it described as an “advanced version of parture from the scene. the Iron Dome air-defense system. ” In their choice to step up attacks on trial top was superpower, led by Rafael Advanced theThe world’s Soleimani Defense Systems, which produces Iron Dome, and the Iranian regime made a numand was held in southern Israel. Symbolically, ber of critical errors in recent weeks. it came 10 years after theinvery firstwas Ironone; Dome Attacking Americans Iraq trials, held in January 2010. Khamenei’s taunt of Trump on Twitter, Since that those Iron Domewas has saying the tests, U.S. president conducted more than 2,400 successful realpowerless to act in Iraq was another; life interceptions rockets—most them fired and the mob attack on the ofU.S. emby Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad from bassy in Baghdad was a third mistake, the Gazatouched Strip towards in Israel. which on abuilt-up highlyareas sensitive While no details are currently available American nerve. The U.S. establishabout has the nature the latest Iron upgrade, ment painfulof memories from the it’s clear that the changes are designed embassy siege in Tehran during theto help the systemRevolution deal with future such 1979 Islamic and threats, the 2012 as large barrages of rockets that enemies attacks on U.S. government facilities in might fire toLibya. “flood” Israeli air defenses. Other Benghazi, evolving threats include acruise The Iranians displayed majormissiles, miswhich the Iranians have already installed calculation in failing to understand how in Syria, and intentions by Hezbollah and Iran

the U.S. would view these incidents, and when Soleimani arrived in Baghdad— apparently to plan more attacks—the miscalculation only grew. “The highly vigorous American response points to the fact that from the U.S.’s standpoint, the Iranians crossed a red line, and it seems the Americans had intelligence that the Iranians were going to cross further to set up” factories in Lebanon convert red lines, Maj. Gen. (res.) that Yaakov inaccurate rockets into precision-guided Amidror, former national security missiles to (Israel has indicated it will not adviser Israeli Prime that Minister allow the factories to appear). Netanyahu, told JNS. IronAmerican Dome is response one of four of air “The is alayers warning defenses defending Israeli skies—the others to the Iranians, but also it is designed to being David’s Sling for medium long-range prevent the operation that thetoIranians rockets, ballistic missiles, cruise missiles were planning,” added Amidror, a se-and other threats; theJerusalem Arrow 2 system that for blows nior fellow at the Institute up ballistic missiles in the upper atmosphere; Strategic Studies. “Since we do not and the Arrow system, which hits ballistic know how the 3Iranians will respond, missiles in space. No other country has a the assessments are not important. We multilayered air-defense system of this scope. must assume that the Iranians will reIsrael’s industries and military spond, anddefense we have to be ready for this are continuously upgrading these systems as response.” part of the ongoing arms race between the That readiness should include intenJewish state and its enemies. The projectile sive intelligence-gathering activity with arsenals of Hezbollah, Hamas, Palestinian a major focus on identifying Iranian Islamic Jihadtoand the The Iranian Quds reForce preparations strike. Iranian are pointed at Israeli cities and key strategic sponse might well include attacks on sites. Israel’s enemies have understood that Israel. they conventionally defeat ”the Israel “We cannot have to be ultra-cautious, emDefense Forces on the battlefield, and phasized Amidror, “because no onehave therefore theirwill tactics to targeting knows howswitched the Iranians respond. ” the civilian population instead.

A Hate Crime In My Hometown CONTINUED FROM P. 1

The suspect was subsequently arrested in New York City and federal hate crime charges were filed by prosecutors against the alleged attacker. The heinous and cowardly attack drew instant condemnation from across the political spectrum, both in the United Today,and the rocket missile threat poses States Israel,and with Prime Minister the top challenge to Israeli security. Netanyahu, President Trump, Senate ‘Remove the enemy’s capabilities and Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, House willingness to fight’ Speaker Nancy Pelosi, and many of the The doctrine of these terror armies is that Democratic presidential candidates Israel is not designed to sustain long conflicts, issuing public statements denouncin which civilian home front would ing the the anti-Semitic attack. New come York under mass, daily rocket attack, the Governor Andrew Cuomo met withand Rabbi economy would quickly grind to a halt. As Rottenberg and called the attack “an a result, air defenses play a major role in act of domestic terrorism,” while a host denying enemies from the ability to achieve of elected officials, including Senators the disruption they and want.Kirsten Gillibrand, Chuck Schumer At the same time, air defenses—no Representatives Nita Lowey and matter Eliot how advanced—will never be sufficient Engel, and NYS Attorney General Letitia in the event a area full-scale conflict. James, visitedofthe and met with Israeli local population centers and key infrastructure communal and political leaders. sites would, such a to scenario, I had the under opportunity speak come with under an unprecedented level Josef Gluck, who was hailed ofasprojectile a hero attack,the andattack even ifand 90 percent of projectiles after recognized by ofare intercepted, the 10 percent that wouldfurget ficials as likely having prevented through would still cause significant physical ther injuries in light of his actions as the and economic This isGluck, especially true situation wasdamage. unfolding. whose for the guided missiles that Hezbollah grandfather first moved to Monsey has in already been to equippeople itself with. 1966, tried toable shepherd away from As the IDF Chief of Staff, Lt. Gen. Aviv

the machete-wielding attacker in Rabbi Rottenberg’s house, hurled a coffee table at the assailant, and took down his license plate number as he fled the scene, thereby providing law enforcement with valuable information that helped lead to his arrest. “The Rav just finished hadlakas neiros, saying some Torah and giving out Chanukah gelt, and the guy came in and Kochavi hitting recentlypeople told Israelis, a reality started right such and left, ” he would be difficult to endure. told me as he described the chaotic and As a result, theTaking Air Defense Array is only terrifying scene. a group of people one part of the response that the is with him, Gluck ran out through the IDF kitchpreparing. The wider response is based on en, circled back around the front of thea rapid ground maneuver into enemythrough territory building and reentered the house to destroy the systems firing on Israelis, the front door. In the process, he tried to and remove the enemy’s capabilities and help Josef Neumann, who remains in critwillingness to fight. ical condition and who doctors fear may Unlike other Western militaries, never regain consciousness due towhich the conduct expeditionary missions faratfrom severity of the injuries he sustained the their homelands and whose main immediate hands of the attacker. concern is troop the top “I grabbed the security, coffee table and objective threw it of the IDF in any future war is the immediate in his face,” Gluck said. After being struck security Israelithe civilians. by the of table, assailant exited the Offense andGluck. defense together in home, as did Thecome attacker walked that effort. The enhanced Iron Dome that over to Rabbi Rottenberg’s shul next door, waswhen recently tested atisthe another stepping but he looked glass doors to stone in the Jewish state’s push to widen the shul and saw that they were locked, the got capabilities the he into hisgap car.between As he itself was and pulling enemies. away, Gluck took down his license plate The wider the gap, it the Israel will number and provided to more the police. be able to defend its civilians and national economy from the Iranian-backed forces CONTINUED ON P.who 20 hope to terrorize and disrupt.

Air defense is only a part of the Israeli military’s security initiatives. The wider response is based on a rapid ground maneuver into enemy territory to destroy systems firing on civilians.

“Helping injured people is what we do and we’ve been doing it proudly for 50 years.” - Allen L. Rothenberg, Esq.

Shevat, 5780 February 20, 2020 | 25 Shevat, 5780

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THE PUBLISHER’S PERSPECTIVE

is story riveted a nation and unified Jews around the globe. His horrific ordeal impacted us in a profound manner, and we felt the acute pain that his family experienced over a prolonged period of time. On June 25, 2006, Gilad Shalit was taken captive by Hamas terrorists during an unprovoked cross-border raid. The terrorists used an underground tunnel from Gaza to infiltrate Israel and attack Israeli soldiers who were on patrol. During the attack, in which two Israeli soldiers were killed and several others were wounded, then-Corporal Gilad Shalit was kidnapped and taken to Gaza. Although the IDF launched a military operation in an attempt to rescue Gilad Shalit, they were unsuccessful. It was believed that Shalit’s captors were denying him his basic humanitarian rights and it was widely understood that he was suffering at their blood-soaked hands. Aviva and Noam Shalit, Gilad’s parents, went for years without knowing their son’s

fate. There eventually were incremental developments in the ongoing saga. In June 2007, an audio recording of Shalit was released in which he said that his medical condition was worsening. Shalit’s parents received a letter from Gilad in June 2008. A video of Shalit holding a daily newspaper and making an appeal to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu surfaced in October 2009, which verified that he was still alive. Throughout it all, Jews throughout the world prayed for Shalit’s safe return. On October 11, 2011, Prime Minister Netanyahu announced to the world that a deal had been reached for Gilad Shalit’s release. Israel was going to release 1,027 Palestinian prisoners in order to bring Shalit home. In an iconic moment, Gilad Shalit was finally freed after 1,940 days in captivity. A grateful nation thanked God for Shalit’s liberation and Jews everywhere breathed a huge sigh of relief knowing that he was safe and united with his family at last. Fast forward to February 14, 2020. Gilad Shalit, 8 years and 4 months removed from his emotional return home, got engaged to his girlfriend Nitzan Shabbat.

It is an incredibly joyous occasion for Gilad Shalit, now 33, who undoubtedly endured unspeakable physical and mental suffering during his more than 5 years in captivity. For me, and I’m sure for many of my fellow Jews, this is a remarkable moment and an incredible development that might have seemed unthinkable a number of years ago when Gilad Shalit’s whereabouts were unknown and his health and well-being were far from certain. Hamas may have dauntlessly tried to break Shalit’s spirit, but with God’s help, they failed. The fact that he survived his hellish nightmare, was ultimately reunited with his family, and got back on his feet after his reintegration into Israeli society, is a clear demonstration of the Yad Hashem. As Gilad Shalit, now a chatan, begins this exciting new chapter in his life, we wish him nothing but happiness, health, and continued success. Mazal Tov to one of Israel’s favorite sons! Nachi Troodler Publisher

from the Bala Cynwyd Library. One of the first things we did upon settling in was to acquire library cards. Neither my husband nor I had ever lived so close to such an amenity and we were excited. In all the years we have lived here, our appreciation for this establishment has only grown. In fact, as our children grew, it was one of the first locations that we allowed them to walk to on their own. Needless to say, they felt a tremendous sense of independence and pride, library card in hand, knowing that an entire building full of books and DVD’s (yes, I know I am dating myself) awaited them. One of the many reasons I love living here is that until this day there are librarians who still inquire

about my children — by name — and want to know what they are up to in their lives. The Lower Merion Library System is comprised of six individual libraries that consistently rank among the top libraries in the country. Among their offerings are: books, e-books, children’s story time, special speakers, summer reading clubs, winter reading challenges, computer access, free museum passes, use of their community room, and the list goes on and on. In this edition of the Jewish Link, you will also learn about an upcoming library concert taking place on March 8th featuring the renowned Philadelphiabased musical ensemble, David’s Harp. This free concert, which will showcase Sephardic music from Turkey, Greece and North Africa, is not to be missed. All in all, I believe the residents of Lower Merion/Bala Cynwyd are blessed to have this resource smack in the middle of our thriving community. Let’s make sure the township knows that we appreciate the library by attending its events and supporting this valued institution. Lisa Stein Editor

Founder/Publisher Nachman Aaron Troodler Editor Lisa Stein Associate Editor Gwen Horowitz Contributing Editor Meryl Troodler Layout & Design Adam Negnewitzky Jewish Link Marketing Solutions Bookkeeper Gila Negnewitzky Sales Representative Danielle Daitch Consultants Moshe Kinderlehrer Jewish Link Media Group Contributors Rabbi Ira Budow Carly Chodosh Jonathan Chodosh Rabbi Ephraim Epstein Rebbetzin Deborah Epstein Dovid Halpern David Magerman Sam Maron Ari Nestlebaum Dr. Frani Pollack Yaeli Sokolic

EDITOR’S LETTER

he Lower Merion Library System is a splendid jewel in the crown of our local community. We are so fortunate that these libraries are so easily accessible and offer a myriad of resources, services and events. When my family and I first moved to Bala Cynwyd, our home was mere steps

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PJL Media Group, LLC P.O. Box 956 Bala Cynwyd, PA 19004 www.PhillyJewishLink.com Phone: 484-424-5200 Email: publisher@PhillyJewishLink.com Advertising: ads@PhillyJewishLink.com To submit news, events and photos: news@PhillyJewishLink.com The Philadelphia Jewish Link welcomes letters to the editor, which can be emailed to editor@PhillyJewishLink.com. Letters may be edited for length, clarity and appropriateness. We do not welcome personal attacks or disrespectful language and replies to letters through our website comment feed will not be posted online. We reserve the right to not print any letter. The Philadelphia Jewish Link, an independent publication, promotes Judaism and Zionism, and vigorous debate on these topics. The opinions reflected in articles from our contributors do not necessarily reflect PJL’s positions. We reserve the right to accept or refuse submissions and edit for content and length. We also reserve the right to refuse advertising that in our opinion does not reflect the standards of the newspaper. We are not responsible for the kashrus of any product advertised in the Philadelphia Jewish Link. The PJL does not endorse any medical or nutritional claims by writers in our paper. The Philadelphia Jewish Link asks our advertisers to use pictures of women and men in their advertisements when women and men are mentioned.

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

To the Editor: I am writing in response to the Publisher’s Perspective by Nachi Troodler in the January 23rd edition about his experience saying Kaddish for his father during a recent trip to Israel. I lost my mother 15 years ago this past Mar Cheshvan. The first Pesach after she died, we went to Israel and I was also saying Kaddish. Troodler’s piece reminded me that while we were there, one place I said Kaddish for her was at Ma’arat HaMachpelah.

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My mom loved Israel and I remember at the time thinking she would love that I was there, even for that reason. I had not thought of that in years until I read Troodler’s editorial. Thank you for helping to generate that memory for me once again! Judy Pomerantz Merion Station, PA February 20, 2020 | 25 Shevat, 5780

OP-ED

Why American Jews Must Prevent Anti-Israel Voices from Penetrating the WZO Make no mistake: Progressives are seeking to use their election to the World Zionist Organization to effect a worldwide change of Jewish priorities. This should concern all of us. By Elizabeth Kratz/JNS

oices poking holes in America’s previously widespread, collective bipartisan support of Israel have in recent years been increasingly critical towards Israel in public fora, supportive of dangerous concessions to the Palestinians and in agreement with the appeasement of Iran, putting Israel in existential danger of a nuclear attack. This past week’s question, posed in New Hampshire by IfNotNow’s Sarah O’Connor to Democratic presidential candidate Elizabeth Warren, should elicit chills down the spine of anyone who cares about a strong, bipartisan U.S.Israel relationship: “I’m an American Jew and I’m terrified by the unholy alliance that AIPAC is forming with Islamophobes and anti-Semites and white nationalists and no Democrat should legitimize that kind of bigotry by attending their annual

policy conference. And I’m really grateful that you skipped the AIPAC conference last year and so my question is if you’ll join me in committing to skip the AIPAC conference this March.” “Yeah,” responded Warren. To be quite frank, these aggressively anti-Israel voices, cheered on by columnists like Peter Beinart and J Street founder Jeremy Ben-Ami, are extremely dangerous to Israel and the future of world Jewry. And now, arguably aligned with those promoting the “post-Zionist narrative”— like IfNotNow, Jewish Voice for Peace and Students for Justice in Palestine—the Hatikvah slate, headed by Beinart and Ben-Ami, wants a seat at the Zionist table. Make no mistake, progressives are seeking to use their election to the World Zionist Organization to effect a worldwide change of Jewish priorities. This should concern all of us. I recently interviewed Rav Doron Perez,

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chief executive of World Mizrachi, part of slate No. 4, the Orthodox Israel Coalition, which includes Religious Zionists of America-Mizrachi, AMIT, the Orthodox Union, Yeshiva University, Touro College, Bnei Akiva, Torah MiTzion, National Council of Young Israel and the Rabbinical Council of America. He exhibited concern regarding the progressive elements trying to pierce the classical Zionist viewpoint. “We need to love all Jews and live together with all Jews, but with any election there is often a radical element that unites the others,” Rav Perez told me. He said he sees the other slates, including two Sephardi communities, the American Conservative and Reform movements, and other haredi slates, as sharing the same basic perpectives as Zionists with differences in nuanced ways, but that the slate representing the progressive Zionist narrative—Hatikvah—seeks to question the shared viewpoint of all the others. Rav Perez noted, however, that five years

ago there was more apathy present in the American voting. About 56,000 people voted, with around 20 percent for Mizrachi. “There is a greater peak of interest this time because if we want our people and our perspective to be heard, success for us will not just be the people who vote, it will be the proportion of people who vote.” In this way, he intimated, the presence of the progressive Zionist slate could wake people up and encourage them to vote for an unapologetic Zionist voice. In her JNS op-ed endorsing slate No. 11, the Zionist Coalition Platform, representing 27 pro-Israel organizations including Zionist Organization of America, American Friends of Ateret Cohanim, Aish HaTorah, NORPAC, One Israel Fund, World Likud and many others, Laureen Lipsky also addressed the threat that the World Zionist Congress faces from BDS advocates. “While Israel continues to be a strong nation, our historical homeland

CONTINUED ON P. 38

THE 34TH ANNUAL

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ISRAEL NEWS An Analysis of the United Nation’s BDS Blacklist CONTINUED FROM P. 6 companies. Moreover, the information contained in the report is at least six months old, if not several years out of date. According to the report, OHCHR contacted companies “between September 2017 and October 2018.” OHCHR then “re-screened all business enterprises prior to the submission of this report to confirm that the activity for which they were included in the database met the applicable standard of proof, during the relevant temporal period.” This “rescreening” supposedly took place between Jan. 1, 2018 and Aug. 1, 2019. However, some companies on the list told NGO Monitor that they had not received any follow-up contact or notifications from OHCHR about the 2020 publication. The United Nations admits that in cases where the companies contacted did not provide additional information, “OHCHR relied on desk research to assess the information received from Member States and stakeholders.” Given the weak links between some companies and settlement activity, as well as the omission of multiple companies that obviously meet the criteria, the “desk research” was not professional and appears to have been politically or ethnically motivated. The existing list suggests heavy reliance on pro-BDS publications from NGOs such as Who Profits and HRW. Many Arab, European and Asian companies that meet the list’s criteria were excluded; large Israeli companies were included, clearly in order to maximize the economic harm to Israel’s economy as a whole. The United Nations also admits that it is relying on highly attenuated and indirect links between companies to blacklist them. While the United Nations defines “involved” as “substantial and material business activity that had a clear and direct link to one or more of the listed activities, encompassing the following business forms. … A business enterprise granting a relevant franchise or license to a franchisee or licensee engaged in a listed activity in the Occupied Palestinian Territory,” it offers no information as to how it defines “substantial” or “material.” It appears that a number of the companies on the list are several levels removed from activity alleged in the report’s accusations. Reflecting the United Nations’ sloppy work, multiple companies are included twice on the blacklist. These include Egis (No. 30 and No. 100); Hamat Group Ltd. (No. 105) and Lipski Installation and Sanitation Ltd. (No. 51), which according to Who Profits appear to be the same company; and Amos Hadar Properties

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and Investments (No. 5) and Hadar Group (No. 104), which according to Who Profits also appear to be the same company. Additionally, General Mills is included both as a U.S.-based company (No. 103) and as an Israeli company (No. 40). Similarly, the Dutch company Booking. com (No. 17) and the American company Booking Holdings (No. 96) are listed for the same alleged violations. The companies on the blacklist • Eighty-five out of 112 companies on the U.N. list are also included in the Who Profits database. Others, such as tourism companies, have been targeted in BDS campaigns by HRW and Amnesty International. Many of the companies on the list have rejected the campaigns of HRW and Amnesty on the grounds that they violate both international and domestic anti-discrimination laws. OHCHR completely ignored this dimension in the preparation of the blacklist. • Ninety-four Israeli companies are blacklisted by the United Nations, along with six American firms, three British companies, three French companies, three Dutch companies, one Thai company and one company from Luxembourg (some of these companies do overlap). In keeping with the BDS objective, it is clear that OHCHR targeted large Israeli companies in order to maximize the economic damage to Israel’s economy as a whole. • Six Israeli telecommunications companies are included for “The provision of services and utilities supporting the maintenance and existence of settlements, including transport” and/or for “The use of natural resources, in particular water and land, for business purposes.” This inclusion of such telecommunications companies directly violates Article 36 of the 1993 mutually agreed upon and internationally brokered agreements (aka the Oslo Accords), which emphasize that “the supply of telecommunications services in Area C to the Settlements and military locations, and the activities regarding the supply of such services, shall be under the powers and responsibilities of the Israeli side.” • Five Israeli public transportation companies are included in the blacklist for “The provision of services and utilities supporting the maintenance and existence of settlements, including transport.” This is in direct violation of Annex III of the IsraeliPalestinian Interim Agreement (Article 38) that stipulates that “powers and responsibilities regarding Israeli public transportation to and between Israel and the Settlements and military locations shall be exercised by Israel” and that “Israeli public transportation routes from Israel to and between Settlements and military locations, and/or to other places in Israel, shall be determined by Israel.” In other

words, the existence of and parameters of this business activity was explicitly stipulated in mutually agreed upon treaties between Israel and the Palestinians. • Five oil and gas companies are included for “The provision of services and utilities supporting the maintenance and existence of settlements, including transport” and “The use of natural resources, in particular water and land, for business purposes.” This is in direct violation of Annex IV of the Economic Protocol of the Gaza-Jericho Agreement, which codifies the import of petroleum products and enables the Palestinian Authority to import gasoline from Jordan and/or Egypt if “they meet the average of the standards existing in the European Union countries, or the USA standards.” The P.A. signs contracts with Israeli companies to meet its oil and gas needs, including companies targeted by the U.N. blacklist. • The blacklist includes nine Israeli banks for “The provision of services and utilities supporting the maintenance and existence of settlements, including transport” and/ or for “Banking and financial operations helping to develop, expand or maintain settlements and their activities, including loans for housing and the development of businesses.” At least five of the listed banks operate branches in eastern Jerusalem, which the United Nations defines as a “settlement”; the U.N.’s demand that they not provide services in eastern Jerusalem would make it difficult for the city’s Palestinian population to access such services. • The Israeli water company Mekorot is included for “The use of natural resources, in particular water and land, for business purposes.” The inclusion of Israel’s national water company is in direct violation of articles 55 and 56 of the 4th Geneva Convention, which state that the occupier, to the extent means are available, must “ensure sufficient hygiene and public health standards, as well as the provision of food and medical care to the population under occupation.” Such obligations include water. Additionally, Israel’s involvement in the water sector in the West Bank, supplying water to some Palestinian communities and to settlements, is entirely dictated by the 1995 Interim Agreement (Oslo II) and the P.A.-Israeli Joint Water Committee, which states the exact obligations of both sides. In essence, OHCHR claims providing water to Palestinians is a human rights violation. (See NGO Monitor’s report “Myths vs. Facts: NGOs and the Destructive Water Campaign Against Israel.”) • Four tourism companies are included in the blacklist for “The provision of services and utilities supporting the maintenance and existence of settlements, including transport.” The blacklist is therefore targeting companies, inter alia,

that facilitate the promotion of Jewish and Christian heritage and tourism in Jerusalem and the West Bank. In other words, the blacklist seeks to erase Jewish and Christian history from the Holy Land and is therefore anti-Semitic in both intent and effect. (See NGO Monitor’s reports “Amnesty International’s Antisemitic Campaign against Jewish Tourism” and “Human Rights Watch’s Airbnb Campaign: Discrimination and BDS.”) • Six companies involved in the food industry are included in the blacklist for “The provision of services and utilities supporting the maintenance and existence of settlements, including transport” and/or “The use of natural resources, in particular water and land, for business purposes.” The inclusion of these food companies is in direct violation of articles 55 and 56 of the 4th Geneva Convention state that the occupier, to the extent means are available, must “ensure sufficient hygiene and public health standards, as well as the provision of food and medical care to the population under occupation.” Such obligations include security services, law enforcement and the construction and maintenance of infrastructure related to roads, telecommunications, water and health. By including businesses that operate in eastern Jerusalem, the United Nations blacklist is discriminatory in two directions. Specifically, the United Nations advances a discriminatory policy wherein Jerusalem’s Arab and Jewish populations can and should be differentiated, and requires the cessation of what it deems “Israeli” economic activity in eastern Jerusalem. Moreover, if the companies targeted by the United Nations withdrew their services and goods from eastern Jerusalem, the end result would economically damage all of Jerusalem’s population, and would also be discriminatory: Palestinians would be excluded from receiving basic goods and services in their neighborhoods, while an ethnic/religious test would be created to determine who can provide (i.e., that Jews cannot provide) services. It also appears that the United Nations considers Palestinian-owned businesses in western Jerusalem to be legal, while only Jewish or Israeli-connected businesses in eastern Jerusalem are considered illegal. The result is therefore discrimination on the basis of religious and national origin, which is illegal under both Israeli domestic and international human-rights law. NGO Monitor was founded in 2002 with the objectives of producing and distributing critical analysis and reports on the activities of the international and local NGO networks, and for the benefit of government policy-makers, journalists, philanthropic organizations and the general public. February 20, 2020 | 25 Shevat, 5780

February 20, 2020 | 25

COMMUNITY HAPPENINGS CHABAD OF THE MAIN LINE Chabad of the Main Line held a “Multimedia Farbrengen” honoring the 10th of Shevat.

Rebbetzin Batsheva Davidson explains the background and profound significance of “The Twelve Pesukim and Sayings of Chazal” that the Rebbe encouraged children to study and recite.

Rabbi Shraga Sherman relates a personal experience of meeting the Rebbe in 1990.

BENSALEM JEWISH OUTREACH CENTER

On Sunday, February 9th, the Bensalem Jewish Outreach Center, led by Rabbi Moshe Travitsky, brought in the renowned Rabbi Dr. Daniel Roth to give a class to the broader Bensalem community on the Torah view of anti-Semitism.

BNEI AKIVA OF LOWER MERION

LMS Youth and B’nei Akiva of Lower Merion held a Tu B’Shevat event at Lower Merion Synagogue on Sunday, February 9th.

February 20, 2020 | 25 Shevat, 5780

Shevat, 5780 February 20, 2020 | 25 Shevat, 5780

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COMMUNITY NEWS

OROT: Perspectives from the Parents By Elyssa Kushner

hen we had “the meeting” at Politz Hebrew Academy where we discussed the recommendation that our son Simmy enroll in OROT beginning in first grade, I cried. Initially I cried because I wondered how things would be for him. Would joining a self-contained program impair his social growth or stymie his thirst for knowledge? Ultimately, I think I cried because it was the beginning of a healing process for our family and a tremendous growth process for our son. After four different preschools, an unhelpful evaluation from early intervention, identifying and receiving private services, seeing our first developmental pediatrician and entering the challenging world of BHRS (better known as “Wraparound,” a therapeutic support program for children), OROT allowed us to send our son to Politz, the

February is Jewish Disability Awareness, Acceptance and Inclusion Month CONTINUED FROM P. 1

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school we already loved because of its wonderful education and religious fit for our family. We did not have to compromise the religious education we deeply valued in order to meet his academic, emotional and behavioral needs and for that we are eternally grateful. Amy Erlbaum, another OROT parent, echoes my experience. “The brilliance and miracle of OROT has enabled my son to have his learning needs met so he could remain in his Jewish day school environment. The holistic educational care that his OROT teachers provide him – and their partnering with his mainstream teachers – offers him the seamless ebb and flow to experience a “one-stop shop” experience at Caskey Torah Academy.” OROT’s mission is clear: “OROT offers diverse learners in Jewish day schools a personalized support program addressing academic, social and behavioral needs while building confidence and promoting success. OROT seeks to provide the best possible

individualized Jewish, secular and social curriculum, instruction, and environment.” I am not sure if there is another program which meets the needs of Jewish children in multiple day school settings the way OROT does. I have several friends who have relocated to the Philadelphia area as their previous communities did not provide the supports their children needed. With programs at four host schools with diverse religious paths, OROT allows each family the opportunity to provide their child with the quality Jewish day school education of their choice. Melissa Engel, an OROT parent at Perelman Jewish Day School, shared: “OROT has provided the support and services for our children to stay in a Jewish day school and succeed. Not only have our children learned to be better students, they have learned good study skills and learning modalities to take with them as they go through school. The support from teachers and small class size has made a huge

difference in their confidence and growth. OROT’s services are valuable in and out of the classroom, and benefit both OROT and mainstream students in the school.” Anne Saks, a former OROT parent, moved from a very small Jewish community which had only one Jewish school. The school has very caring educators but none with the ability to support students with learning challenges. A parent’s options are accepting the limited services at the school or public school. The difficulty of this choice is compounded by the limited Jewish experiences, education and social opportunities available in small communities. With OROT, this worry was gone. She shared: “My experience with OROT allowed me to feel the best of both worlds: exceptional support to rival or surpass the public school; and a Jewish environment in which my daughter could thrive.” OROT is a family. The faculty treats each student as a unique individual.

living with disabilities and mental health conditions. Inclusion focuses on what our organizations can do to foster that sense of belonging.” OROT is the special needs initiative

supporting diverse learners at several Philadelphia area Jewish day schools. Lisa Woodward, OROT’s Educational Director, responded to a question about JDAIM’s importance: “There is nothing more important than our children, and supporting every single child is what we’re all about. Whatever the learning differences are, our children deserve a quality Jewish studies education along with a solid General studies education. Jewish Disability Awareness, Acceptance and Inclusion Month creates an awareness of students with different learning needs who benefit by the support they receive from specialized programs like OROT. We want all of our children to be proud, confident and successful, in learning and in life.” For the Philly Friendship Circle, awareness, acceptance and inclusion are values and goals which are inherent to all they do. In keeping with this, the theme of their upcoming annual dinner is “Shalom is Belonging.” Rabbi Zev and Chani Baram, the organization’s co-founders, had this to say about JDAIM: “This is a great opportunity to unite Jewish communities worldwide to champion the rights of all Jews to be included and to participate in all aspects of Jewish life. We encourage our communities to genuinely welcome people with disabilities in all aspects of our communal life. We often don’t know how. The first step is to offer people with disabilities the opportunity to make their own decisions about how they participate. Each person and situation is unique and it’s best not to assume for someone else.

Inclusion starts with our attitude towards what it means to belong. The Torah teaches us to embrace and value each and every person, based solely on an individual’s inner essence. A human being mints many coins from the same mold but the Holy One, Blessed be God, strikes us all from the mold of the first human yet each one of us is unique. Therefore, every single person is obligated to say, “The world was created for my sake.” (Mishna Sanhedrin 4:5) This begins with a mindset – a change in our thinking. Looking at others with the perspective of valuing one another solely on our inner essence. As a community we need to make Judaism accessible to all Jews, without regard to a person’s physical or spiritual status. This goes beyond welcoming and accessible spaces. And it’s not about chesed and rachmanus. When someone feels that they belong – and that they are valued; when we not only treat people like equals, but when we also truly believe that each person is our equal. Of course, this does not mean that everyone is the same. It means, rather, that each person can succeed and thrive if given the appropriate support to do so. And that it is our collective responsibility to work together to make this possible for everyone in klal Yisrael. The Philadelphia Jewish Link shares these values. We would like to hear about initiatives which are underway in our region’s shuls and day schools. If you would like to share what your institution is doing, please email Gwen@phillyjewishlink.com.

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COMMUNITY NEWS Politics and Advocacy Take Center Stage at Barrack Hebrew Academy CONTINUED FROM P. 1 After welcoming remarks from Barrack seniors Sarah Bartos and Sophia Shapiro who are Co-Presidents of the school’s Political Action Club, Head of School Sharon Levin spoke briefly to the students about the importance of voting. “What is going on in the news and in our government is so very important,” she said. “Voting is so important.” David Senoff, a Philadelphia attorney and Akiba Hebrew Academy graduate who was involved in the first POLITICON 36 years ago, introduced the keynote speaker, Pennsylvania Supreme Court Justice David N. Wecht, whose remarks primarily focused on the history and resurgence of anti-Semitism and the judicial perspective. After opening his remarks by noting how glad he was to be at Barrack and making a joke that drew laughs from the crowd – “I know that Mr. Barrack bought the naming rights from Rabbi Akiba” – Justice Wecht spoke about the importance of voting and getting involved in civic affairs. “Our government is responsive to the actions of citizens, and it is imperative that your voice be heard,” he said. As he talked about the experience of his father’s family in the Holocaust, Justice Wecht commented that, “it’s always good to

PA Attorney General Josh Shapiro PA Supreme Court Justice David Wecht know where a person is coming from.” He also spoke about the shul where he and his wife got married, the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh, where a gunman walked in on a Shabbat morning in October 2018 and murdered 11 Jews. He specifically mentioned Cecil and David Rosenthal, two brothers with special needs who were killed that day during the deadly rampage. “They were the sweetest guys you could ever meet,” he said. “Hashem yikom damam – May God avenge their blood.” “It is very imperative that whatever you do in your lives, you seek justice,” he said, imparting another important lesson to the students. “Tzedek, tzedek tirdof – Justice, justice you shall pursue. That’s not just for lawyers – that’s for all people.” “There have been many golden ages of the galut, of the diaspora,” said Justice Wecht.

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Shira Goodman, Regional Director of ADL Philadelphia “We live in a golden age in this country… Do you think this golden age is ending? In part, it may be up to you… You should be involved in the government of this country and you should be involved in shaping the future of this country, not just as Americans, but as American Jews – as proud Jews.” The judge referenced the growing anti-Semitism that exists in the United States, including the desecration of Jewish cemeteries, and told the students that antiSemitism can be beaten back through their vigorous actions “to ensure this golden age of the galut does not end.” “As students, you should all speak up, take a leadership role and never hide,” he said. “You should be leaders, not followers.” Justice Wecht spoke about the history of anti-Semitism in Europe and the Holocaust. “Now, all these years afterwards, memories are fading, and part of your job is to remind people and never let them forget the history that our people have undergone.” He also delved into the issue of antiSemitism on college campuses throughout the United States, which he said has “grown like a virus.” “I hope you will be pro-Israel activists; I hope you will be proud Jews and be involved in Jewish life on campus in some way,” he said. “This kind of abominable anti-Semitism, anti-Zionism, anti-Israel activity goes on and too many Jewish students and faculty just cower, just disappear, and do nothing about it. I hope that when you go to college, you’ll be there telling the truth.” Justice Wecht talked to the students about some of the lessons he learned from Holocaust survivor and Nobel Peace Prize Winner Elie Wiesel, who was one of his professors during his time at Yale University. “It is our duty to strengthen Am Yisrael, not weaken it,” said the judge.

The PA Supreme Court Justice also discussed the nature of the law in the United States and the importance of those laws in the lives of American Jews. “In this country, our law embodies important constitutional values…Our constitution in this country stands, among other things, for the principle of minority protection. This is unique in the history of the galut, of the Jewish diaspora… Your right to practice your Judaism freely does not depend on a majority vote of the American people at any given time.” Justice Wecht also touched upon the misconception that it’s only ultra-Orthodox Jews being attacked in Brooklyn, Poway or Jersey City. “Those are your brothers and your sisters, and don’t ever forget that,” he told the students. “I hope you will not be a Jew who shirks away from your Jewish identity... You should always remember in your life, Kol Yisrael arevim zeh la zeh, all of the people of Israel are responsible one for the other, and the principle of Ahavat Yisrael, love of all Jews, Jewish solidarity.” “Get involved in the community,” said Justice Wecht as he concluded his remarks. “Always be proud of where you come from.” Following the keynote address, students went to various workshop sessions hosted by leaders in advocacy, governmental law, and foreign and national policy and politics. The sessions included one by Attorney General Josh Shapiro, an Akiba Hebrew Academy graduate, who spoke about the workings of the AG’s office, “Contours of Gun Policy in PA and the Nation: Understanding the Second Amendment,” which featured Max Milkman from CeaseFire PA and Jonathan Goldstein representing the NRA, and a discussion by Shira Goodman, Regional Director, Philadelphia Region of the Anti-Defamation League, about anti-Semitism today. “Having engaged students is the key to changing our world,” Attorney General Josh Shapiro told the Philadelphia Jewish Link. “You see students leading on climate, you see students leading on criminal justice reform, you see students leading on dealing with gun violence in ways that adults just aren’t. That engagement is central to who we are as a Jewish people and it is something that is taught here at Barrack and is clearly something that is emphasized at this beautiful conference. Having this moment where students are able to focus their attention on advocating for things that they care deeply about is so important. To be clear, I don’t think it matters if you are Republican, Democrat, left-leaning or right-leaning – the key is to be engaged in your community.” After the breakout sessions concluded, students took part in a mock primary election and had the opportunity to cast their vote for one of the Democratic presidential candidates. Pete Buttigieg (who was played by junior Micah Israel), emerged victorious, with Bernie Sanders (who was played by senior Luke Finklestein), coming in second. February 20, 2020 | 25 Shevat, 5780

February 20, 2020 | 25

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COMMUNITY NEWS

Aish Chaim Challah Hug and Shabbat Dinner Project By Rebbetzin Gevura Davis

hen I was six years old, my mother became very sick as doctors discovered a devastating AVM rupturing in her brain. We were living in Atlanta at the time with no family and very little community. I remember clearly my father calling a few Jewish friends and asking if they could host me and my sister and hearing the response that it wasn’t a convenient week for them. Since my dad’s job was in St. Louis, and he was away all week, my sister and I stayed at different houses every week when our mom was in the hospital and rehab. Above all else, I felt very alone and uncared for. Even though I knew people felt sorry for us, no one really had a way of coordinating help, and the overwhelming feelings I experienced were isolation, embarrassment, and abandonment. I made a commitment to myself that when I “grew up” I would try to help other families not feel how I felt. Fast forward 15 years, and I was alone living in Israel trying to juggle a few kids and a newly Torah observant lifestyle. “Making Pesach” while recovering from birth felt overwhelming, but my situation had changed. We felt so fortunate to experience the loving embrace of the Jewish community. Neighbors who we barely knew invited us to join them for meals, and my entire building sent us meals, and would come by to say hello and offer to hold our colicky baby. I will never forget the feeling of apparent strangers popping in to say hello and offer whatever emotional support they could. Especially living in a new culture with no family nearby, it was such a warm feeling to be embraced with a communal hug. A few years later, we started our professional careers with the Kollel in Kansas City, and we found ourselves in the position of caregivers nurturing a growing community of students. I never forgot my promise to my younger self to try to help others feel cared for, even people I didn’t know well. Making extra food, offering an encouraging word, visiting a new mom, delivering a shiva meal, visiting friends in the hospital was not only part of our job, but I understood and remembered how impactful it was (and just how painful the lack of support was). Every week I would make extra Shabbos food (what’s a few extra meals when you are cooking for 30 people

OROT: Perspectives from the Parents CONTINUED FROM P. 12 The significantly smaller class size and educational philosophy allow each child to be assessed independently and taught according to their own needs. Social skills are interwoven throughout the curriculum with the goal of increasing

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anyway?!) which my husband would deliver on Friday afternoons on his way to shul as part of our regular routine. Over the years, our lives have Baruch Hashem become much busier, and as we got to know more people we would hear stories of those who could benefit from community outreach both in times of joy and pain. Often, on Friday afternoon, friends will stop by and I will ask them if they can deliver food for me. A few months ago, my dear friend Jordana Ufberg, Aish Chaim board member and mother of four, was visiting on a Friday. I noticed I was running out of time on a short Friday afternoon, and asked her if she could make a few deliveries for me. When she realized this was part of our regular Friday afternoon routine, she got to work figuring out how to include as many people as possible in this incredible project. Before I knew it, a spreadsheet was created and we compiled a wide and diverse crew of bakers, shoppers, gift basket wrappers, and deliverers. We started making 20 challahs and meals a week to deliver. People now contact us from all across Philadelphia to let

us know when someone is having surgery, is sitting shiva, or could just use a “challah” hug. The great thing about this special project is that it reaches Jews from so many diverse communities, many of whom are actually not affiliated with a synagogue at all. At Aish Chaim, we don’t just see ourselves as a congregation who serves our members. We are a regional outreach organization and family who seek to spread the love and joy of Jewish life and living to anyone and everyone! We welcome all with a warm embrace and hope that as many people as possible can be involved in chesed, in community building, of seeing ourselves as contributors to the Jewish future. Basically, my goal is to be the role model of caring I wish I had when I was six years old and I felt so unseen in my pain and fear. One of the highlights of the project so far is when I was recently out of town at a retreat, and the volunteers took it upon themselves to continue as usual even without me! I am so grateful to our board, our supporters, and the dozens of volunteers who have helped expand my dream of helping all Jews feel

connected and cared for. It’s hard work, but it’s truly a labor filled with so much love and meaning, and the dozens of notes of thanks we receive let us know this is a project we must continue! We are always seeking new volunteers, new people who may want to be served, and generous and selfless donors who want to be part of making this special mitzvah possible. If you know of anyone who needs a meal, a “challah hug,” wants to learn how to bake challah/cook for Shabbat, or deliver a meal, please contact Rebbetzin Gevura Davis at 913.481.5940 or gevuradavis@gmail.com, or Jordana Ufberg at jordyuf@gmail.com. Rebbetzin Gevura Davis is the Director of Engagement for Aish Chaim, an outreach and engagement initiative serving the Greater Philadelphia Jewish community. A popular international public speaker and teacher, Davis grew up Jewishly unaffiliated and in college decided to give Judaism another chance. She discovered there was a lot more than dreidels and bagels and dedicated her life to helping share the beauty, depth and wisdom of Judaism to anyone she meets.

inclusion whenever possible along with needed supports. The annual OROT gala is a testament to the success of the program; each year parents, students and alumni share emotional stories and leave all teary-eyed. Proud OROT parents understand the struggles and applaud the triumphs, no matter how seemingly small which their child has achieved in the program.

Our son transitioned slowly from OROT to his mainstream class after several years. Thanks to OROT, he made the transition beautifully. I cried again. Believe me, things are not perfect. There are still challenges and there probably always will be. We are beyond grateful for not only what OROT gave our son but what they have given to our whole family. We will always be proud OROT parents.

Elyssa Kushner, Psy.D., is a licensed clinical psychologist who proudly treats veterans at the Corporal Michael J. Crescenz Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Philadelphia and in private practice in Fairmount. She is a nationally renowned consultant on issues surrounding anxiety and cognitive behavioral therapy for depression as well as the Veterans Administration’s new advance safety planning initiatives. February 20, 2020 | 25 Shevat, 5780

February 20, 2020 | 25

COMMUNITY NEWS More than 26,000 in 107 Countries Download the Orthodox Union’s “All Daf” App (Courtesy of the OU)

ore than 26,000 people in 107 countries have downloaded the “All Daf” app, an innovative free digital platform for Daf Yomi learners created by the Orthodox Union (OU), the nation’s oldest and largest umbrella organization for the North American Orthodox Jewish community. Beyond offering shiurim on the daily daf, All Daf offers participants of all backgrounds the opportunity to enhance their learning with a host of topics related to the day’s daf, including Jewish history, lomdus, Tanach and other sources and resources. Daily shiurim on the daf are offered by world-renowned maggidei shiur such as Rabbi Moshe Elefant, Rabbi Shalom Rosner, Rabbi Sruly Bornstein and Rabbi Shlomie Schwartzberg. All Daf introduces participants to fascinating subjects in the daf with written and video content from teachers such as Dr. Henry

Abramson, Dean of the Lander College of Arts and Sciences, on historical subjects related to the day’s daf; and audio content focusing on the pasukim quoted in the daf from Rabbi Ya’akov Trump, Rabbi of the Young Israel of Lawrence Cedarhurst, among others. The app has been downloaded in 107 countries, including: Argentina, Australia, Bahrain, Belgium, Brazil, Cambodia, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, Croatia, Curacao, Ecuador, Egypt, Ethiopia, France, Germany, Guinea, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Kenya, Mauritius, Mexico, Monaco, Morocco, Nigeria, Oman, Panama, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States, Uruguay, Venezuela, Vietnam, Zimbabwe and others.

“All Daf is the largest Torah initiative to date spearheaded by the OU. We created it to open up Daf Yomi learning to an even broader group of Jews at all learning levels,” said Orthodox Union President Moishe Bane. “As we developed the app, we knew that it would be a tremendous resource and tool for those looking to learn Daf Yomi but it has exceeded our expectations because it offers something for everyone, both the experienced learner and the person new to Daf Yomi.” “The OU is constantly looking for new ways to make Torah accessible to the

global Jewish community and we’re so happy to see that Jewish people in South America, Central America, the Arabian Gulf, Africa and the Southern Hemisphere are utilizing the app to be part of a worldwide Torah learning community,” said Orthodox Union Executive Vice President Allen Fagin. “With a plethora of options of shiurim and commentaries, All Daf enables participants of every background with the ability to customize their learning experience wherever they may be studying,” said Orthodox Union Daf Yomi Initiative Director Rabbi Moshe Schwed. “The app provides an alternate option for those who cannot attend a daily Daf Yomi shiur or who want to do a more in-depth review of what they learned in their shiur or are simply on-the-go.” All Daf is available in the Google Play Store, Apple App Store and at https:// alldaf.org.

Partners in Torah Turns to Community in Effort to Promote Jewish Learning By Sandy Eller

University of Pennsylvania graduate who had earned a doctorate from Stanford University and a partner in a flourishing hedge fund firm, Philadelphia resident David Magerman was leading what was most certainly a successful life. Yet despite his impressive accomplishments, Magerman felt an emptiness inside. Having drifted away from the Conservative Judaism of his childhood

February 20, 2020 | 25 Shevat, 5780

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over the years, Magerman was reintroduced to his Jewish roots after marrying his wife, Debra, who wanted to keep a kosher home. A trip to Israel further piqued his interest and, following a friend’s advice, Magerman called Partners in Torah in 2004. His weekly telephone sessions with his partner kindled a spark that slowly but surely filled the gnawing gaps in Magerman’s existence and the rest, as they say, is history. Today Magerman, managing partner and chief technology officer at

Differential Venture Partners, is a Partners in Torah success story who is renowned for his philanthropic efforts that support Jewish education nationwide. Partners in Torah chairman Steve Savitsky is passionate about the program that asks volunteers to donate not their money, but their time, to the cause, pairing students and mentors for once a week 30 minute long telephone learning sessions. While he acknowledges that most people lead extraordinarily busy lives, he is adamant that anyone can carve half an hour out of their weekly schedule to enrich the life of another Jew, especially in light of the fact that despite the many successes of the outreach movement, Jews are still assimilating at an alarming rate. If Savitsky had to correct one misconception that most people have about becoming a Partners in Torah mentor, it would be the notion that the average person isn’t qualified to teach unaffiliated Jews about Torah or yiddishkeit. Mentors need not be seasoned educators, explained Savitsky, who noted that virtually everyone has what it takes to inspire students, sharing the beauty of Jewish life in many different ways. “When I first started encouraging

people to volunteer with Partners in Torah, they would tell me they didn’t know enough, but the truth is most people know far more than they realize,” said Savitsky. “Of course it’s important to study something, but the main part of being a mentor is to share things about your life - why you light candles on Friday night, why you keep kosher, why you devote so much of your income to educating your kids.” One of the reasons why Partners in Torah has been able to positively affect so many people is that its mentors are typical members of the Orthodox Jewish community who hail from all walks of life. The fact that they have many experiences in common with their students gives them the ability to forge the personal connections that are crucial to the student-mentor relationship. “They are accomplished individuals who have careers, go on vacations, read books and travel,” explained Savitsky. “They are worldly people who could fit in anywhere but also have that extra spark of yahadus. Every one of them has the ability to change someone’s life which is a transformative and rewarding experience.” While it seems obvious that students

CONTINUED ON P. 38 Philadelphia JEWISH LINK

COMMUNITY NEWS

Joint Statement by NJ Governor and Attorney General on Facebook’s Removal of Anti-Semitic, Racist Group Page (Courtesy of Governor Murphy’s press office)

“W

e just learned that Facebook has decided to take down the public page on the company’s social network called ‘Rise Up Ocean

County.’ Facebook’s action comes ten months after the Director of our Division on Civil Rights, Rachel Wainer Apter, first sent a letter to Facebook expressing concerns about racist and anti-Semitic statements on the page. Since then, we’ve consistently and repeatedly made clear our view that the page appeared to

violate Facebook’s terms of service, and we appreciate that Facebook has now decided that this kind of hateful rhetoric has no place on its platform. “There remains much that should be done to stop the spread of hate on the Internet. The Murphy Administration will continue to call out hate whenever

and wherever we see it, we will persist in demanding meaningful reforms to address the proliferation of hate online, and we will continue working to make New Jersey a safe and inclusive place for all of our residents.”

Politz Hebrew Academy: A Book, A Survivor, A Lesson For Life By Mrs. Beverly Bernstein Special Needs Coordinator and Instructional Facilitator

s part of Mrs. Bernstein’s seventh grade boys language arts class, the students read “Prisoner B-3087” by Alan Gratz. The book is about a 12-year-old Jewish boy who lives through the Krakow Ghetto and survives 10 concentration camps and the Death March from Auschwitz. While reading the book, the lessons were integrated with other subjects. For example, Rabbi Terebelo, our Menahel, was invited to the class to discuss the issue of a Jew’s responsibility: are you

responsible to first save a fellow Jew or yourself? There was a very passionate discussion within the class after Rabbi Terebelo explained the Gemara which pertains to this issue. The boys kept a chart of all the camps that the main character survived and used a map of Europe to trace his journey. The culmination of the unit was inviting Mr. Aaron Vegh, a 90-year-old Holocaust survivor, to speak to the class about his experience as a young boy and how he survived this horrible time in our Jewish history. The personal experiences that Mr. Vegh articulated correlated with much of what was described in “Prisoner B-3087.”

Hearing Mr. Vegh’s own survival story had a major impact on the boys and they had a better understanding of the horrors the Jews went through. The boys were very moved by this

whole unit and came away with an understanding that while, as Jews we have many trials and tribulations, having bitachon and living a Torah true life, should always be our goal.

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COMMUNITY NEWS

Takeaways After Siyum Season By Rabbi Ephraim Epstein

s we round the corner of the month of Shevat 5780, and head towards the joyous month of Adar, it behooves us to look back on the Siyum HaShas celebrations over the last two months. I personally attended four Siyumei HaShas; two were massive events for thousands of people, and two were more private events for individuals who celebrated their personal accomplishments surrounded by loved ones. This past Siyum season has been like nothing I’ve ever experienced in my lifetime and I dare say has ever happened before in world history.

massive inspirational Siyum celebrations prove that Torah study is for every single Jew. 2. With the advent of understandable translations, podcasts, YouTube channels and phone apps, modern technology is being utilized well for the holy endeavor of Torah study. Let’s all take advantage of the accessibility that is readily available to us at no cost besides time and effort. 3. Finally, regarding the uptick of flagrant anti-Semitism we have seen over the last year, it is worth considering – if 100 years ago one Jew would have approached another at a kiddush and said, 100 years from now there will be rabid ani-Semitism throughout the world, the response would have been, Nu, nu, so what else is new? But if a

On Super Sunday, the Jewish community’s largest day of community fundraising, there are so many ways to get involved. February 23, 2020 | 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Volunteer. Make the calls that make a difference! Answer the call (or text). When your phone rings, please give. Donate anytime at jewishphilly.org/pledgesunday. Super Sunday Co-Chairs: Allison and Stu Goodman

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Additional Shift 3:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. Site Captain: Susan Freedman

Has there been large-scale Torah learning throughout the history of our nation? Of course! Yet I am unaware of so many celebrations in this many places for the glory of God and His Torah. If you google Siyum HaShas, you will find almost 63,000 hits! The super Siyum HaShas at MetLife Stadium was attended by 90,000 Yidden on January 1st only hours after the ball dropped in Times Square. There were also largescale celebrations in England, Toronto, the West Coast, Florida, Melbourne, Australia, New Jersey, Hevron, San Diego, Rhode Island, Virginia, Israel… literally all over the world. It’s simply awesome! When the idea of Daf Yomi was advanced by Rav Meir Shapiro in 1923 in Vienna, who could have dreamt up what we have seen around the world over the last two months?! So, before we leave these celebrations behind for the history books, I would like to share a few takeaways for all of us to consider. 1. Torah study is the indisputable lifeblood of the Jewish people. Whereas many may have once thought that Torah study is simply for the scholarly, these February 20, 2020 | 25 Shevat, 5780

Jew would have approached another at a kiddush and said, In 100 years there will be over a million Jews participating in Siyumei HaShas and people will be learning Talmud on buses, trains, planes and listening on their phones, personal screens and in classes around the globe – the response could have been, What did they put in your herring this week?! Our sages of the Talmud advanced, Barati yetzer harah, ubarati Torah tavlin – God stated, I created human beings with powerful drives, including the drive towards wrongdoing, and I created Torah as the antidote. (BT Kiddushin 30b) The truth is, power and inspiration are only a click away, a shiur away, a chavrusa away. Let’s not wait another 7.5 years for the next super infusion of inspiration, let’s undertake a commitment to Torah study today. Rabbi Ephraim Epstein is the senior rabbi at Congregation Sons of Israel, Cherry Hill. He is also the Rav HaMachshir of the Cherry K, a Cherry Hill Police Chaplain and the inaugural president of the recently founded Vaad HaRabbanim of Cherry Hill. He can be reached at rabbiepstein@soicherryhill.org.

The Barbara and Harvey Brodsky Enrichment Center of JFCS* – Bala Cynwyd, PA Site Captains: Amir and Stacey Goldman

Convergent Technologies, Inc. – Malvern, PA Site Captains: Scot Goldberg and Glenn Paskow

SofterWare, Inc. – Fort Washington, PA

Site Captains: Jenifer Thomas and Sarah Vogel

Shir Ami – Newtown, PA Site Captains: Jon and Meredith Stevens FOR MORE INFORMATION AND TO REGISTER jewishphilly.org/supersunday 215.832.0880 *Childcare will be available at these locations

jewishphilly.org @JewishPhilly

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COMMUNITY NEWS

New Community-Wide Shiur at Ahavas Torah

ongregation Ahavas Torah in Northeast Philadelphia, under the leadership of Rabbi Mordecai Terebelo, recently launched a new weekly shiur touching on major themes of the week’s Daf Yomi, which is open to the entire community.

Rabbis from throughout the Greater Philadelphia area and South Jersey will be delivering the shiurim, making it a true collaborative community-wide initiative. The shiurim will take place on Sunday mornings at Ahavas Torah, which is located at 1425 Rhawn Street

in Philadelphia, from 9:45-10:30 a.m. On Sunday, February 23, Rabbi Shalom Kamenetsky, Rosh Yeshiva at Talmudical Yeshiva of Philadelphia, will speak, followed by Rabbi Yitzchak Leizerowski of Beis HaMedresh Harav – B’nai Jacob on Sunday, March 1, Rabbi Yechiel Bib-

erfeld, Rosh Kollel at the Philadelphia Community Kollel on Sunday, March 8, Rabbi Reuven Goldstein of Young Israel of Elkins Park on Sunday, March 15, and Rabbi Ephraim Epstein of Congregation Sons of Israel in Cherry Hill on Sunday, March 22.

Philadelphia Jewish Link at AIPAC

his year’s annual AIPAC Policy Conference will be held March 1-3 in Washington, DC. Over 18,000 Israel supporters attend every year along with 2/3 of the members of Congress. Attendees spend two days in sessions

of their choosing learning about current challenges facing Israel domestically and abroad, as well as getting updates on the extraordinary breakthroughs made by Israeli companies and institutions. The third day is spent lobbying their

Congressional representatives. This year, the Philadelphia Jewish Link will attend the conference to bring you firsthand coverage. We will be posting breaking news on our Facebook page in addition to articles in the paper.

If you will be at the conference this year, please email Gwen@phillyjewishlink.com so we can connect with you there. And, if you are interested in attending, visit https://event.aipac.org/PolicyConference.

Sephardic Music Concert Coming to the Main Line By Nachi Troodler

ne of the best kept secrets on the Main Line is a magical musical performance that typically takes place twice a year. While the Bala Cynwyd Library Concert Series has delighted local audiences with high quality artistic programming for an incredible 49 consecutive years, the Greater Philadelphia area is in for a real treat when the curtain rises for its next show in March. On Sunday afternoon, March 8th, “David’s Harp” will perform at the Sylvia Glickman Memorial Concert. The talented Philadelphia-based ensemble will present an exciting concert of Sephardic music from Turkey, Greece, and North Africa. With a program of rollicking Ladino folk tunes and soulful ballads on themes of Jewish ritual, love, and domestic life, the performers will demonstrate the fluidity and blending of diverse musical ideas between Jewish and non-Jewish worlds. Their repertoire is drawn from Ottoman court music, Sephardic pizmonim, Ladino folk songs, Turkish fasil music, and Greek rebetika among many other genres. Since its inception ten years ago, David’s Harp has given standing room only concerts at the Center for Jewish History, Drexel University, Yale University, the Penn

Gearing Up for Super Sunday in Greater Philadelphia CONTINUED FROM P.1 Services Building at 2100 Arch Street in Philadelphia, The Barbara and Harvey Brodsky Enrichment Center of JFCS at 345 Montgomery Avenue in Bala Cynwyd, and Shir Ami at 101 Richboro Road in Newtown. There will be an additional shift at the Jewish

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David’s Harp

Museum, Georgetown University, the Graduate Center CUNY, and many other venues in New York, Philadelphia, and New England. The concert will take place at 2:00 p.m. at the Levering Mill Tribute House, which is located at 382 Bala Avenue in Bala Cynwyd. Merion Station resident Dr. Gilya Hodos, who is a member of the Bala Cynwyd Library Board of Trustees, has been running the concert for the past 12 years. Hodos, whose background is in performance and education, has held an adjunct faculty position at Penn State’s Abington campus for the past 14 years. Hodos’ musical pedigree is quite notable. She holds a Doctor of Musical Arts degree from the Graduate Center of

the City University of New York in Piano Performance, a Master of Music degree in Collaborative Arts from the University of Southern California, and a Bachelor of Music degree from the Eastman School of Music in Piano Performance. In addition, Hodos, who runs a number of other concert series in the area, is a Nationally Certified Teacher of Music through the Music Teachers National Association who enjoys working with a wide variety of ages and abilities, from students as young as four years old, through adults returning to music or starting for the first time. She also has concertized extensively both as a soloist and collaborative artist in Israel, Germany, Australia, and throughout the United States. “I’m really a collaborative artist,” said Hodos. “Music is my passion.” “The series was founded back in 1971

by Sylvia Glickman – she was really a powerhouse,” Hodos added while praising the composer and musician who founded a publishing firm for female performers called Hildegard Press. “Bringing these world-class musicians and phenomenal concerts to the community is truly a labor of love. This concert brings world-class musicians right into our lap – it’s a real gem.” Hodos noted that David’s Harp has strong connections to the Philadelphia community. For example, the group’s founder Joseph Alpar, who is David Harp’s sole singer and a santouri and darbuka player, is from Bala Cynwyd. The group also includes Brenda Alpar, who was the music, art, and drama teacher at Perelman Jewish Day School for 31 years before retiring in 2015. June Bender is a

Community Services Building from 3:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. “We’re delighted to be the site captains for Super Sunday at JFCS in Bala Cynwyd,” said Amir and Stacey Goldman. “Jewish Federation promotes and sustains so many important initiatives in the Jewish community, and really serves as the umbrella organization for bringing all of Philadelphia Jewry’s diverse institutions

and communities together. Community members should join us at Super Sunday to help the Federation raise funds and friends and learn more about what the organization is accomplishing. And it will be loads of fun too! See you there!” Volunteers are encouraged to bring their own cell phones and chargers, although there will be a limited number of cell and traditional phones for anyone who cannot bring or use

their own phone. Most of the Super Sunday locations will have free WiFi available. There will be children’s programming offered at the Center City and Bala Cynwyd locations from 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. To register for Super Sunday, visit https://jewishphilly.org/get-involved/eventregistrations/super-sunday-registration. While advance registration is encouraged, walkins will be welcome at every location.

Dr. Gilya Hodos

CONTINUED ON P. 21

February 20, 2020 | 25 Shevat, 5780

COMMUNITY NEWS

Yeshiva University Announces YU-MVP, A Dynamic Alumni/Student Partnership

he Career Center, in partnership with the Office of Alumni Affairs, is thrilled to announce the launch of its new Yeshiva University Mentoring Volunteer Program, or YU-MVP. This algorithm-based “matching for mentoring” platform will pull from over 25,000 alumni around the globe to create a network of volunteer mentors dedicated to offering undergraduate students professional career guidance. YU News sat down with Susan Bauer, executive director of YU’s Career Center and principal designer of the program, to discuss this new initiative. How can alumni and others get involved? The program is open to our alumni and all professionals who want to mentor our students. Interested mentors can join by visiting yu.edu/mvp and sign up using their email address or LinkedIn profile. Can a non-YU alum join the YU-MVP program? Absolutely. Parents, relatives and all those willing to give back to the next generation of Jewish leaders are welcome to become part of the network. It is a multidisciplinary platform, so professionals of all backgrounds are encouraged to mentor. We strongly encourage those living outside the New York City area to join as well as any students seeking mentorship from those they do not already know in their communities. How will the matching process work? YU-MVP works by matching preferences. Volunteer mentors select their geographic area, industry expertise and areas in which they can provide assistance. Students

Sephardic Music Concert Coming to the Main Line

noted local violinist in the Philadelphia CONTINUED FROM P.20 area who teaches from her home studio in Ardmore, Cynthia Folio, a noted composer and flutist, is Professor of Theory and Composition and Chair of the Music Studies Department at Temple University, and Nick Millevoi is a noted Philadelphia-based guitarist and composer. “This will be a family-friendly concert that will have a strong Jewish connection,” said Hodos. “All of the music they’re performing has a tremendous amount of improvisation in it. It’s the ultimate in how cultures meld together.” The concert will feature a program celebrating women composers, songwriters and singers of Sephardic origins. There will be music by the Bosnian Jewish singer/ songwriter Flory Jagoda, music by a famous Greek Sephardic rebetika singer, music by a female OttomanTurkish composer, and vocal improvisations based on music by a female Greek-Jewish singer. In order to perform this music, the performers will bring a variety of ethnic instruments, including a santouri, which is a Greek Hammered Dulcimer, and a darbuka, which is a goblet February 20, 2020 | 25 Shevat, 5780

are then recommended to connect with mentors whose preferences most closely align with their own. After the matches are made, the students are then expected to reach out to their recommended mentors who will, in turn, then select the students with whom they wish to work. Can a mentor work with more than one student? Yes, each mentor sets his/her own personal parameters based on their availability. Are there any industries that you would like to recruit mentors from? It is a multidisciplinary platform open to all students, so professionals from all backgrounds are encouraged to join. We have a greater number of students within certain disciplines than others, so a mentor should not get discouraged if a request for mentorship is not made immediately. Is this program for graduate students as well? Currently, it is being rolled out as a platform for undergraduate students. It will expand to the graduate student population in the future.

using FaceTime or informational interviews are conducted via phone or email. The mentor and student can customize the experience that works best for them. For example, during the pilot phase of the program, many mentors opened their offices to students to discuss topics such as Shabbat and Yom Tov work challenges and “Day in The Life” experiences. What cities will you have mentors in? The goal is for YU-MVP to have a global presence. We have many international students studying at Yeshiva University and many students interested in relocating after graduation, whether that means making aliyah or moving to another city, state or country. Anything else you would like to add? Everyone is welcome to give back to our students, and we appreciate all who get involved. This experience can be life-altering for both mentors and students. Our community is global, connected, generous and missiondriven. I encourage everyone to participate in this exciting initiative. If you are an alumnus/na and have questions, please contact Dina Burcat at burcat@yu.edu If you are a friend of Yeshiva University and not an alumnus/na, and have questions, please contact Matthew Garcia at matthew.garcia@yu.edu

What would a mentor partnership look like? The mentor-student partnership can take many forms. Depending upon geographical location, it may be an in-person arrangement or a virtual connection in which résumés are reviewed shaped hand drum from the Middle East, in addition to guitar, piano, flute, violin, and voice. “David’s Harp is really an amazing group,” Hodos said. “They perform all over and we are so lucky that they are performing for us.” Hodos noted that while the library’s concert series is partially funded by the Hildegard Institute with the mandate that it spotlights women composers, which was Sylvia Glickman’s passion, they truly rely on community support to sustain the series, which has been presented for the past half-century. She also pointed out the library’s connection to the Levering Mill Tribute House, which is the venue that hosts the concerts, noting that the original library in Bala Cynwyd was housed at that very site.

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Outpouring of Ahavas HaTorah as More Than 22,000 Led by Gedolei Yisroel Celebrate Dirshu World Siyum in Newark CONTINUED FROM P. 1 grasped hands and, with profound achdus, began dancing and jumping in an indescribable, spontaneous outpouring of simchas haTorah and kavod haTorah. Indeed, dry ink on paper simply cannot even come close to encapsulating the feelings of simcha, reverence and ahava, pure love of Torah and gedolei Torah manifest on Sunday night, 15 Shevat/February 9, at the Prudential Center and NJPAC, as well as at the Newark Symphony Hall, at the Dirshu World Siyum, where thousands more had gathered, joined by over 100,000 worldwide who joined via livestream. The powerful drashos of the gedolim, the special guests from Eretz Yisrael HaGaon HaRav Dovid Cohen, shlita, Rosh Yeshiva of the Chevron Yeshiva, the Sanzer Rebbbe, shlita, HaGaon HaRav Shimon Galei, shlita, the local gedolim, HaGaon HaRav Elya Ber Wachtfogel, shlita, HaGaon HaRav Yeruchem Olshin, shlita, HaGaon HaRav Shlomo Feivel Schustal, shlita, all hailed the accomplishments of the lomdei Torah who have achieved so much and Dirshu, the organization that has facilitated such hasmadah and yedias haTorah. HaGaon HaRav Shimon Galei, well known mashpia and Rosh Kollel from Eretz Yisrael, led the assemblage in the recitation of Tehillim and delivered words of bracha. At the NJPAC venue, Maariv was led by the Skulener Rebbe, shlita, of Lakewood. Rav Yitzchok Zalman Gips, shlita, Rav of Khal Birchas Avrohom, and Rav Dovid Olewski, shlita, Rosh Yeshivas Ger, Boro Park both delivered powerful drashos. At Prudential, Rav Dovid Cohen said, “When I come to a siyum such as this, I feel that it is something special and unique. Any siyum haShas is a tremendous simcha! We should not minimize the completion of Shas by anyone. Nevertheless, when a person doesn’t just learn Shas, but chazers, reviews it over and over again, that is the ultimate siyum! Dirshu makes such siyumim! Dirshu Yidden not only learn Shas, they know Shas!” Rav Yeruchem Olshin depicted how Dirshu provides an antidote for the terrible galus in which we live. “We are living in difficult times. Anti-Semitism and sinas Yisrael is everywhere. There is the spiritual galus as well. Rav Elchonon Wasserman wrote that the reason for all travail in galus is forgetting the Torah. What has Dirshu done?” thundered Rav Olshin. “Dirshu is preserving Klal Yisrael in this galus by giving us the great weapon

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to combat the forgetting of Torah!” Rav Yeruchem then transitioned to English and addressed the Dirshu wives. “Rabbeinu Yonah, in his drasha addressed to women printed in his Igeres HaTeshuva, writes, “Noshim hatzenuos are the reason that men are successful in Torah.” Yes, women are exempt from the mitzvah of talmud Torah but their ahavas haTorah is the power behind their husbands and empowers their husbands and children to learn.” “The situation that Klal Yisrael is facing today throughout the world,” the Sanzer Rebbe said, with great concern, “is terrible! In Eretz Yisrael, different nations want to swallow us up. In chutz la’aretz, it is not much better. It has reached American shores. The spiritual galus is worse! Our youth are being destroyed by

the filth of the street that is infiltrating in various ways… “There is only one solution, limud haTorah. There is a concept of zeh l’eumas zeh – Hashem pits one thing against the other. Yes,” the Rebbe emphasized, “in our generation, there is so much tumah but there is also Dirshu!” HaGaon HaRav Reuven Feinstein, shlita, Rosh Yeshiva of the Yeshiva of Staten Island, was then honored with reciting the Hadran. The Kaddish was recited by HaGaon HaRav Aryeh Malkiel Kotler, shlita, Rosh Yeshiva of Beth Medrash Govoha, Lakewood. Meanwhile at NJPAC, HaGaon HaRav Shlomo Feivel Schustal, shlita, Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshiva Tiferes Yerachmiel, said with great feeling, “When we are

all here at the completion of this great mitzvah of completing Shas, it is as if we are in Gan Eden!” The Hadran at NJPAC was made by HaGaon HaRav Moshe Mordechai Lowy, shlita, Rav, Agudas Yisrael, Toronto. HaGaon HaRav Shlomo Miller, shlita, Rosh Kollel Avreichim of Toronto recited the Kaddish. The Skverer Dayan, HaGaon HaRav Yechiel Steinmetz, shlita, was honored with beginning the new machzor of Shas. In his powerful addresss, Rav Dovid Hofstedter said, “In our generation there are so many tools to clarify and elucidate the Torah. The tools may have changed but the tachlis, the ultimate purpose of learning, is and has always been ameilus, yegias haTorah and kabbalas ol Torah.” Rav Dovid asked, “Are we going to be satisfied with superficial learning, with superficial lives, with bitter waters or will we strive to plumb the depths and transform our learning into something that envelops us in sweetness?! “We are being attacked in many ways. Yiddishkeit and Torah are under attack! We must sound the battle cry of Mi L’Hashem Elai. At that time the bnei Levi gathered around Moshe Rabbeinu with mesirus nefesh. We have the power to be bnei Levi with amal and yegiah. “So tonight, the night of this great simcha,” Rav Dovid thundered, “we sound the battle cry of ‘Mi L’Hashem Eilai, Vayeiosfu Eilav Kol Bnei Dirshu!’ Let us accept upon ourselves more Torah, more siyumim, more chiddushim, more kavod haTorah and kavod haShechina!” The kabbalas ol malchus shamayim led by the Vizhnitzer Rebbe, shlita, of Monsey, was followed by a beautiful musical interlude in enthusiastic celebration of the simchas haTorah. HaGaon HaRav Elya Ber Wachtfogel, shlita, was honored with starting the new machzor of Shas. He first gave a remarkable drasha. He said, “When a person constantly reviews vast amounts of Torah, it becomes his essence! That is what learning with Dirshu does. Superficial learning of a daf Gemara does not give you that koach. But learning and reviewing with accountability can enable everyone to know the entire Torah!” Then, one of the most climactic moments of the night arrived. As the music began to play with all the various singers and bands joining together in achdus, the entire assemblage erupted in song. The gedolei Yisrael were holding hands and dancing. All the mesaymei haShas were invited down to the floor of the Prudential Center to dance with them. As the circle went around and around, the feelings of simchas haTorah, of true Torah accomplishment, were simply indescribable. Only someone who experienced that simcha can feel what it was like. February 20, 2020 | 25 Shevat, 5780

They say that the hardest thing to appreciate is something you’ve always had. It’s hard to appreciate your good eyesight when you’ve always had twentytwenty vision. It’s hard to have full appreciation for a spouse when you’ve been married for many years. It’s hard to appreciate how lucky we truly are to be Hashem’s chosen people. We are lucky when Hashem opens our eyes to see how truly fortunate we are. We hope that these wake-up calls don’t come in a negative form; an illness to appreciate our health or a death to appreciate life. I was lucky enough to have my eyes opened to how fortunate I am to be a Jew, at the Dirshu World Siyum last Sunday at Prudential Center. As a woman observing this incredible event, and a woman who is not one of the Nishei Dirshu, my perspective is wrapped in the emotional aspect of such a beautiful and unifying experience. I left with a feeling of “Ashreichem Yisrael,” a theme mentioned by many of the gedolim who spoke at the event. How fortunate is Yisrael that they are the chosen people. Ashreichem that we choose to sit and learn Hashem’s Torah. Ashreichem that we spend our entire lives striving to serve Hashem in all we do. I saw many things that night at Prudential Center that reminded me how fortunate I am to be part of such an elevated and holy group of people. When a chashuve looking attendee approached one of the security personnel to quietly thank him for keeping us all safe, I thought “Ashreichem.” When hundreds of women rose to join the men to daven Maariv, I thought, “Ashreichem.” When tens of thousands of people fell silent to soak in the words of each speaker, I thought, “Ashreichem.” This is the sound of the Jewish people. Can the weekly sporting events at this arena boast a crowd that is 100% captivated by what is going on in the arena below? Can they boast absolute February 20, 2020 | 25 Shevat, 5780

silence when someone gets up to address the crowd? Can they boast emotional dancing that unifies every member of the crowd, no matter their differences? Plainly spoken, the answer is “No.” Devil’s games often have empty seats and disinterested viewers. No one play would ever captivate every single person sitting

in that arena, simply because many of them are probably on their cell phones. And no matter how incredible a goal any team scores on the ice, fans from both teams will not be dancing together with hearts uplifted. The Dirshu World Siyum was a true example of the gadlus of the Jewish

nation. That tens of thousands of people took buses, trains, cars and planes to participate in this major accomplishment of Klal Yisrael says, “Ashreichem.” As was sung at the event, “K’Ish Echad B’Lev Echad.” This is something unique to Klal Yisrael. No other nation can claim responsibility, love and connection to every member of their nation. Yet thousands of years after being exiled, Jews can still say, “K’Ish Echad B’Lev Echad.” The Hadran at the siyum was recited by HaRav Reuven Feinstein, shlita, Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshiva of Staten Island, followed by the Kaddish, recited by HaRav Malkiel Kotler, shlita, Rosh Yeshiva of Beth Midrash Govoha. The simcha in the room peaked at that moment and poured out of very person’s heart as tens of thousands of men broke out in synchronized dancing and song. Even the women’s section of the arena was powered with an emotional charge, connecting the hearts of everyone in that room. As we say multiple times a day, and as we sing on Simchas Torah, “Ashrei Ha’am Shekacha Lo.” Fortunate is the nation that the Torah is theirs. Fortunate are those who joined together with their brothers in the holy pursuit of learning Torah with accountability. Fortunate are their wives who can support such dedication to Torah, and who came out in droves to commemorate the accomplishments of their husbands. “Ashrei Ha’am SheHashem Elokav.” Fortunate is the nation that Hashem is their G-d. How fortunate am I to be a Jew!

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“From where do you get your emunah? From where do you get such iron-clad bitachon? Please tell me, I need to know!” The answer? One, unequivocal word: “From Dirshu!” This intriguing question and even more intriguing answer were told over at the deeply inspiring Dirshu World Siyum for ladies at Newark Symphony Hall on Sunday night, 15 Shevat/February 9. Thousands of women converged on Newark, New Jersey to revel in the Torah accomplishments of their husbands and celebrate true simchas haTorah at a siyum event catering specifically to women.

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A Multi-Faceted Night It was a night to remember; a night that began with crowds of women lining an entire city street and stretching around the corner for another half a block; a night filled with chizuk stressing the pivotal role played by each and every woman when they support their menfolk’s learning; a night replete with uplifting song and dance, expressing the joy felt by women at their share in limud haTorah… Indeed, a night to remember! The program, which offered live hookups to the main siyum which was taking place simultaneously a few blocks down,

was interspersed with magnificent musical performances by the worldrenowned singers, Mrs. Bracha Jaffe and Mrs. Malky Giniger, and a chizukinfused speech by Rebbetzin Sarah Meisels, daughter of the Bobover Rebbe, Rav Shlomo Halberstam and wife of the Bobover Rov and Rosh Yeshiva in Eretz Yisrael. The Dirshu Answer What in fact was the story behind the question and answer cited at the outset? A powerful story about a mother who was unable to accept the fact that her baby had been born deficient; about a father

who firmly and with tremendous strength declared that just as Hashem accepts and loves all of his children despite their deficiencies, they, as parents would also accept this child with all of her deficiencies. The unexpected climax of the story was the father’s declaration that it was Dirshu that provided him with the strength, the emunah and bitachon to accept the test that Hashem had thrust upon them with a physically blemished child. He explained, “Just this week I got back my first Dirshu test with a very high mark. When I saw that mark, I said, ‘Eibishter, I got the message! You want me to use this Torah to get a high mark in life, in middos and maasim tovim.’ When our baby was born I realized that it was a moment when I was being tested and I decided to show Hakadosh Baruch Hu that just like I could learn Torah and get a high mark on the test, having taken achrayus in my learning like never before, I can also get a good mark in life, in this new test that He sent us! My yiras shamayim has taken on a different level since I joined Dirshu!” This remarkable story told over at the women’s event, by Mrs. Jackie Bitton, was but one highlight of the highly

February 20, 2020 | 25 Shevat, 5780

anticipated, emotionally charged Dirshu event for women to celebrate the siyum haShas in the Newark Symphony Hall. A Woman’s Esek Rebbetzin Meisels pieced together a magnificent tapestry of chizuk, explaining with numerous stories and examples, how a woman’s tafkid, a woman’s very purpose in life is to infuse her husband, her home, her family with Torah, with spirituality.

“Have you ever wondered,” the Rebbetzin asked, “about the bracha that we say every morning? The bracha of ‘la’asok bidivrei sorah’? In what way are we osek in Torah? In what way is a woman’s job Torah? A woman’s esek, a woman’s job is to encourage our husbands and children! When they begin their day each morning, it is our job, our tafkid to infuse them with simcha. Yes, when your husband dashes in, grabs a

few bites of supper and runs out again, wish him hatzlacha! When the kids are crying, you’ve had a long day and you want nothing more than your husband’s help, be mevater, that is your chelek in Torah! That is what infuses your entire family with yiras shamayim! “When Hakadosh Baruch Hu instructed Avraham Avinu, ‘kol asher tomar Sarah, shema bi’kola – whatever she says, listen to her,’ he was infusing the woman with the power, the responsibility to infuse ruchniyus into our families. Did you ever wonder why, when Hashem created the world, He created Adam without Chava? All other living beings were created with one zachor and one nekeiva. It was only after Adam was commanded in the sheva mitzvos bnei Noach that Chava was created. Not only that, she was created from Adam. Adam was created from the adamah, from Olam Hazeh. Chava, however, was created from Adam himself, from Gan Eden. Why? Because Chava was given a very different tafkid! Her tafkid was to infuse Gan Eden into Olam Hazeh, into her family! “We learn that ‘Hashoreh bilo isha shoreh bilo Torah, one who learns without [having] a wife, his Torah is incomplete.’ But he is learning?! Yes, he is learning, but he is lacking the ‘powers’ of his wife, the spirituality, the serenity, the yiras shamayim!” The Woman Behind the Man It was a truly poignant moment when Mrs. Malky Giniger introduced Mrs. Shiffy Hofstedter with a magnificent song expounding on the words ‘Eitz Chaim Hi’ – how Torah is a tree of life, not just for the one learning the Torah, but for his wife. The uplifting rendition was followed by Mrs. Bitton calling upon Mrs. Hofstedter and presenting her with a magnificent clock because, “She is the woman behind Dirshu! She more than anyone, has shown each and every one of us the value of every single moment!” Another pinnacle of emotion was the remarkable pantomimed dance and song created by the world-famous Mrs. Miriam Israeli and sung by Mrs. Malky Giniger.

February 20, 2020 | 25 Shevat, 5780

The picture of a young boy living in a poverty-stricken home with barely any food to eat… the vivid portrayal of the parents collecting one ruble every day, day by day, in order to be able to buy a piece of cloth for new clothes for yom tov… the father’s trip to the marketplace to buy the precious cloth… climaxing in the husband’s decision to use those very six rubles, those painstakingly collected six rubles to buy the brand new, Gemara Bava Basra with the sincere hope that his wife, his eishes chayil will be happy with his decision… But of course, “She’s an eishes chayil and Torah is her life too. No question, she will agree!” Throughout the evening, Mrs. Bracha Jaffe sang an entire potpourri of slow, haunting melodies and lively, uplifting songs, each one introduced with a connection to Torah and to the siyum haShas. The sight of so many joining in hodaah to Hakadosh Boruch Hu for gifting them with a life of Torah was a sight that will remain with the attendees for many years to come. The ‘Voice’ of Torah In truth, the kol Torah that emanated from the Dirshu World Siyum in Newark, was not the voice of the speakers, nor was it the voice of the singers! As Rebbetzin Meisels said, quoting the Vietzner Rov, “A delegation of rabbanim came before Empress Marie Theresa to plead on behalf of Klal Yisrael, and one rav screamed in pain. The Empress remonstrated, ‘Raising your voice to me??!’ The rav replied, ‘That voice is not MY voice! It is the voice of thousands of fathers, mothers and children crying out in pain through me!’ The Vietzner explained that when Basya found Moshe Rabbeinu crying she said, ‘miyaldei ha’Ivrim zeh’, with the word zeh referring to the voice of all the children being thrown into the Nile.” So too, the ‘voice’ that echoed throughout Newark was the voice of the daf, the voice of thousands of pages of Gemara which the neshei chayil empowered their husbands to learn… a voice that will continue reverberating for many years to come!

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COMMUNITY NEWS Baltimore Rabbi Chosen as Next Executive Vice President of the Orthodox Union

! N O I L L I B 5 $ R E V SA

“In 2014, the lay leadership of the OU urged Allen Fagin, then a lay leader abbi Moshe Hauer, the senior himself, to assume the EVP role. He rabbi of Bnai Jacob Shaarei Zion agreed to accommodate the request Congregation in Baltimore, will albeit for only a brief period of time but become the executive vice president of has generously extended his tenure for the Orthodox Union (OU), the nation’s more than six years,” said Bane. “Allen has oldest and largest umbrella organization served as a transformative professional for the North American Orthodox Jewish leader, growing the organization in community, following the retirement of creative and impactful ways. His vision has not only significantly Allen Fagin later this year. expanded the OU’s reach Rabbi Hauer has built and effectiveness, but his synagogue into one of also under his guidance the most dynamic centers and leadership the OU for prayer and learning has evolved into an in Baltimore during a impressively professional 25-year career. He is and disciplined institution. active in local communal For many years to come, leadership in many areas, successors to Allen will with an emphasis on be the beneficiaries of his education, children atincredible achievements.” risk, and social service “I am humbled by the organizations serving the opportunity to work with Jewish community. His the exceptional lay and commitment to the OU Rabbi Moshe Hauer professional leadership of has been longstanding, delivering frequent keynotes and lectures the OU and our community’s synagogues at major OU events and conferences. He in this new capacity. I look forward to has been a leading source of rabbinic working with Allen through this transition guidance to both OU lay and professional and developing a vision and specific leadership and to other pulpit rabbis plans later in the year,” said Rabbi Hauer. around the country. “The past five plus years have been Fagin notified the OU’s executive tremendously fulfilling. We were able to committee last year that he planned to double the OU budget and significantly retire in the fall of 2020. The committee expand our programs and services then created a comprehensive in areas of key communal needs that succession planning process that led to have positively affected every corner the conclusion that the best direction for of the Orthodox community. We have the OU going forward was to bifurcate the an outstanding team of professionals professional leadership role. As a result, and lay leaders who give of themselves the next executive vice president would daily to help klal Yisrael and I am be a rabbinic leader to lead its communal- enormously grateful for their help oriented efforts and to serve as the and support. I am so pleased that professional religious and policy leader Rabbi Hauer has been chosen for of the organization. A second person will this new role and I am confident he serve as the senior professional officer, will be an outstanding leader for the functioning like a chief executive officer. organization,” said Fagin. A search is underway for an experienced In addition to his synagogue, business executive to fill that position. Rabbi Hauer serves as a trustee of “Rabbi Hauer is one of North America’s The Associated: Jewish Federation foremost contemporary Torah thinkers of Baltimore and is a member of the and rabbinic leaders who is most qualified national council of the American Israel to be our next executive vice president in Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC). He our new formulation. His leadership will is a member of the Rabbinical Councilbe key to the continuation of the OU’s Vaad HaRabbonim of Baltimore and the increasing role in meeting the significant Rabbinical Council of America (RCA). material and spiritual challenges facing Rabbi Hauer received his rabbinic the Orthodox community and elevating ordination, Doctor of Talmudic Law and its religious experience by ensuring the Bachelor of Talmudic Law degrees from accessibility of Torah knowledge and Ner Israel Rabbinical College in Baltimore. halachic observance to the broadest range He received a Master of Science degree of the American Jewish community,” said from the Whiting School of Engineering at Johns Hopkins University. Orthodox Union President Moishe Bane. (Courtesy of the OU)

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JANUARY 21 ‒ MARCH 11, 2020 26

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February 20, 2020 | 25 Shevat, 5780

February 20, 2020 | 25

COMMUNITY NEWS

Shvut Rachel – A Community Built On Faith By Gwen Horowitz

abbi Tzvi Tal (Teich) visited Lower Merion on Shabbat Parshat Beshalach, February 7-8. While the primary purpose of his visit was to raise support for the Israeli community of Shvut Rachel, he took the time to give a talk at Lower Merion Synagogue during seudah shlishit on the development of religious-secular dialogue in academia. Rabbi Tal received semicha from Merkaz HaRav, Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from Bar Ilan University and is a Captain in the IDF. In 1984-1985, he was a shaliach from the Gush Emunim movement to New York and taught students at MTA and HANC high schools. He has continued as an educator at numerous Yeshiva high schools, Ulpanas, and at Bar Ilan University where he focuses on religious-secular dialogue. “Rabbi Tal gave a fascinating description of the Religious-Secular Dialogue Program that he helped create at Bar Ilan University,” said LMS member Steven Weiner, who introduced Rabbi Tal. “He explained that this program is designed to cultivate tolerance and respect for differences between religious and non-religious Israeli Jews. It’s not an ‘outreach’ program; it’s about understanding each other and living together with mutual respect, not about pushing anyone to become ‘more religious.’” “Jews all over the world depend on each other, now more than ever,” Weiner added. “In Israel, that interdependence is existential. Rabbi Tal’s vision of greater mutual respect across very different Jewish communities feels critical to our future.” Weiner also noted that Rabbi Tal shared information about the Israeli community of Shvut Rachel, and its efforts to raise funds in order to build a centralized synagogue and Torah-study center serving the ethnically diverse men and women of that community. The synagogue will bring together Yemenite, Sephardi and Ashkenazi families in a single facility, accommodating prayer services for each tradition as well as joint celebrations and social and educational activities. Shvut Rachel is located 30 miles north of Jerusalem near Shilo. It was established in 1991 in memory of Rachela Druck, z”l. Rachela was murdered by a Palestinian terrorist along with Yitzhak Rofe, z”l, the driver of the bus she was riding in. February 20, 2020 | 25 Shevat, 5780

Shevat, 5780

Rabbi Tzvi Tal (Teich)

Tent of Mourning at the site of the terror attack

Mobile homes arriving at the site

Army tents at the site Ester Katz Silvers wrote about the emotional founding of Shvut Rachel in her article “They Murder; We Build.” The title echoed the words spoken by Prime Minister Netanyahu to young Tamar Fogel when she was sitting shiva for her murdered parents, two brothers, and baby sister.

CONTINUED ON P. 28 Philadelphia JEWISH LINK

COMMUNITY NEWS Shvut Rachel – A Community Built On Faith CONTINUED FROM P. 27 Twenty years* ago, [*now 30] my neighbor, Rachela Druck, Hy”d, was murdered along with the bus driver, Yitzhak Rofe, Hy”d, when their bus, full of women and children, was attacked by Arab gunmen. Although Rachela had not been a close friend of mine, my world turned upside down. For the first time in my life someone I knew personally had been murdered and murdered for one reason only: Because she was a Jewess. With her murder, the cemetery in Shilo was established the following day. All morning long, I heard the rumble of tractors and forklifts preparing her resting place down below my house. In the afternoon I, along with hundreds and hundreds of others, made my painful way to her funeral. In the evening my daughter and I stood on our porch and watched as ten mobile homes rolled by. At the same time the cemetery had been prepared, the site for a new village, Shvut Rachel, was cleared. With tears in my eyes and my arm around my daughter, I sang softly, Shavu Banim, The Children Will Return, as the mobile homes moved into place… They murder; we build. For some of the women in Shilo, horrified by the murder of a young mother leaving seven children behind, they felt they had to do more and called out to the women in the area for help. Women from Beit El and Kedumim responded and joined the women from Shilo. They made their way to the site of the murder, less than five kilometers from the Tapuach Junction, and erected a tent of mourning... On the first night of Chanukah that year, our menorah lighting was very emotional for me. I could not help wondering how the Druck family would be able to celebrate the holiday a mere thirty-four days after Rachela had been murdered. For my children’s sake, I made a great effort to pull myself together and join in the singing. Later, as we were in the middle of our Chanukah supper, a neighbor knocked at the door. In a hushed voice, he told my husband that there had been another shooting. Zvi Klein, from Ofra, had been shot in the head and was in critical condition… Zvi Klein, Hy”d, succumbed to his injuries the following day. In the midst of the grief it was decided that we would not be satisfied with a mourning tent or memorial marker at the site of Rachela’s murder. We would start another village. I remember leaving Shilo right after lighting the menorah on the second night of Chanukah. It was dark, cold, and drizzly. Many of us were scared to be on the roads after dark. In spite of all that, we had filled our van with some of our children and neighbors. With a prayer for a safe journey we joined others on their way to Rachela’s murder site.

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As we gathered there, more and more carloads arrived. There must have been speeches, but I do not remember any of them. What I do remember is the euphoria when three mobile homes accompanied by a convoy of cars filled with supporters arrived. In the rain, the men dashed to greet them dancing and singing Shavu Banim. Again, I felt a bit of comfort. Those three mobile homes were dropped haphazardly, and the Israeli flag raised on top of one of them. A number of people returned to their warm, dry homes. Many others, though, stayed and camped out in the mobile homes. It was decided the new village would be named Rachelim, plural for Rachel and named for three Rachels. Rachela Druck, Rachel from the Torah, and Rachel Weiss, Hy”d, another young mother who had been murdered in a firebomb attack on the bus she was riding in ten years earlier. The whole week of Chanukah people stayed in the mobile homes. Others put Rachelim on their Chanukah vacation itinerary and stopped by to give moral support and food. It felt good. We were showing the world that we would continue to grow and stay strong… They murder; we build. With Hashem’s help, we will continue to build and rebuild until the time comes when new villages will not be built in memory of our murdered; rather to honor our living. And then there will be the ultimate rebuilding, the third and eternal Holy Temple. May we see it swiftly, in our times. Today, Shvut Rachel is a warm and welcoming community built on faith and Zionist values. To accommodate its rapid growth, infrastructure is needed, and plans are underway for a synagogue to serve the community. It will have spaces for Ashkenazi, Sephardi and Yemenite minyanim, and a Beit Midrash. It will also serve as a much-needed communal center for area families to come together. The cornerstone of the building was laid on erev Shavuot 2019 with the approbation of Rabbi David Lau, Ashkenazi Chief Rabbi of Israel, and Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef, Sephardi Chief Rabbi of Israel. To learn how you can partner with Shvut Rachel, email Rabbi Tal at talzvi24@gmail. com or contact him via WhatsApp at 972.52.476.7463. Ester Katz Silvers grew up in Wichita, Kansas. She met her husband while in college and they moved to Phoenix, Arizona where they became observant. After 12 years in Phoenix, they made aliyah with their five children to Shilo. Two more children were born in Israel. Ester’s writings have appeared in a number of publications including Horizons, The Jewish Observer, The Jewish Press, Aish.com and others. Her latest book, “Growing With My Cousin” is available in Jewish bookstores and on Amazon.com.

Is Your Jewish Day School Meeting Your Child’s Special Needs? By Lisa Woodward

wenty-five years ago, I had a “mom friend” who couldn’t wait to tell the other fourth grade moms that her son’s report card was so amazing that she wrote the report card comments on index cards and strung them across her fireplace mantle. Comments like “brilliant,” “beyond the pale,” “best writer,” “accelerated,” etc., decorated that mantle as if they were holiday cards. Other moms smiled weakly, knowing that they would never be able to celebrate their child’s accomplishments like this, as their kids were in the “lower” reading group, or were constantly being reprimanded for not paying attention. Now we have more precise labels and diagnoses to describe our kids – dyslexic, Asperger’s, autistic, lack of focus, ADD, oppositional/defiant, non-verbal, and many others. Still, the labels can be jarring, and can define our children, denying them their individuality. However, your child is having challenges with reading, or math, or writing, or attention, anxiety or behavior. Your child may have a combination of diagnoses, and you don’t know what to deal with first. Again, you dread the report card, or narrative, or upcoming conference, because you don’t want to hear, “Yonatan has difficulty making friends,” or “Shlomo won’t be ready for middle school with his inability to get his work done,” or “Hanna has no number sense.” Hearing such comments causes you to feel a knot in your stomach and a lump in your throat, but you are not shocked. And you’re looking for an answer, for a magic word or a wand or pill that will take all of the hurt and disappointment away. Where do you start? Here are some tips on how to determine if your child is in the right school for their learning and emotional needs. Your child has been evaluated, she has a diagnosis, and you want her in a school where she can learn, be successful, and be appreciated and embraced for who she is. You don’t need to compare her to others; you need her to be her best self. First and foremost, you want your child in a Jewish day school. Although many of the supports may be available in your local public school, you are looking for a Jewish education and all that it will

offer your child. Here are some tips on what to look for in your child’s school: Kind and caring attitude. Does kindness extend to your child in every encounter, and does that kindness help your child to feel safe and calm when the learning or emotional situation gets intense? Communication. Does the teacher contact you when there is a problem? Email is fine, but a phone call, where you can hear tone and feeling, is even better. Student Support Team. Have you met with the support team at your child’s school? A “support team” is usually comprised of teachers, learning specialists, resource specialists, administration, and others in a support capacity, sometimes including outside professionals. Extra Support. Is your child getting extra support in a resource room, in the classroom, or somewhere else? Is the support one-on-one, small group, or push-in model? How is that extra support different from what is going on in the mainstream classroom and do all of the teachers communicate regularly? Comprehensive Strategies. Do your child’s teachers use appropriate differentiated learning and behavioral strategies, accommodations, and modifications in order to “level the playing field?” Outside Professionals. Have you been given recommendations for outside professionals to become involved with your child? A private learning specialist, an occupational therapist, or a speech and language therapist recommendation may signify that the “team” has noted specific issues with learning skills, or sensory needs, an expressive or receptive language disorder, or self-regulation concerns. Learning Plan. Has the support team created a special learning plan or action plan for your child, and have you had input into its creation and implementation? Does the plan include strategies for you to use at home? Flexible Furniture. Is there flexible furniture provided in the classrooms, and resource or support room, such as floor seats, huge balls for sitting on, crates with balls inside or cushions on top, moveable desks and chairs, and special areas for “taking a break”? A child feels empowered when she can choose the seating that helps her to learn best, and

CONTINUED ON P. 36 February 20, 2020 | 25 Shevat, 5780

Anna Heyden

FEATURES

By Rabbi Ira Budow

his week I saw a very touching ceremony of the 75-year anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz. Survivors walking together through Auschwitz was an emotional experience for all to see. The world understands that the survivors are getting older and this type of meeting of the survivors could be the last reunion of its kind. At Abrams, I was blessed to know Anna Heyden. Anna was in charge of the Abrams lunch program and she worked at the school for over 30 years. I made it my business to speak to Anna every day – and it was such a blessing. She told me her background of losing everything in the Holocaust. She lived in Sweden for six years and then eventually settled in Trenton, New Jersey. Even in the United States she had to face many tragedies. Her son, Jerry, died when he was only three years old. Her husband, Eli, was a very observant man and he died tragically while walking home on a Shabbat night. He was killed by a car only a few yards from his house. Through all this, Anna remained steadfastly religious. She was like a mother to me and when I was single 37 years ago, Anna always made sure that I had a home-cooked dinner. I remember, in her role in the kitchen, she had a demeanor that was not liked by everybody. She refused to throw out any food and our Board of Directors was incredulous with her behavior. So, I interceded and went into the kitchen and told Anna that she had to throw out any stale leftovers. She looked at me and said, “Rabbi I can’t throw the food out. This food would be holy for all of us that were in the camps.” She broke down and cried. Oh, what I learned from Anna of the Holocaust. She suffered even after being freed and their children did not have an easy life. Seeing the survivors 75 years later walking through Auschwitz was a real miracle. One would think that the world would learn from this disastrous war and that every human effort would be made to wipeout anti-Semitism. I was in a store of a Jewish merchant; I liked the owner and I enjoyed speaking with her. She said to me, “When we were growing up in the sixties and seventies do you think there was more anti-Semitism than there is today?” I smiled at her and basically said that I believe there is more anti-Semitism today than ever before. Unfortunately, there is a very strong example of anti-Semitism coming straight from one of our Congressional February 20, 2020 | 25 Shevat, 5780

representatives. In my role as Head of School, I understand that I must be politically neutral; however, in this case there’s no room for neutrality. Recently, a Palestinian boy died in a pond by drowning. There was a tweet that went out that accused the Jewish people of drowning the boy in a well. Top Palestinian officials retweeted a tweet that the boy was kidnapped by Israeli settlers, assaulted and thrown in a water well and found frozen to death. Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib, a Democrat from Michigan, retweeted this tweet. Tlaib has over 900,000 followers and so this vile Jewish behavior was being read about all over the world. This accusation was totally false. Hanan Ashrawi, to her credit, acknowledged her error, apologized, and said she would be much more careful in the future. Representative Tlaib retweeted Ashrawi’s statement but did not apologize. She said that Jews over the years were victims of blood libel. Tlaib sent this statement to 900,000 people and she did not send out an apology for her false statement. This is what the Jewish people have been dealing with over the centuries. In 2020, this case of blood libel is still alive. I’ve been talking about being more unified in the fight against anti-Semitism. Purim is coming and the chapter before the holiday of Purim is Zachor – Remember. There is a mitzvah for men and women to go to synagogue and hear this chapter about how the nation of Amalek attacked the Jewish people without any reason. It’s read right before Purim because the evil Haman could be linked to the Nation of Amalek. The Torah is warning us that Amalek is not an isolated incident. The mitzvah of remembering Amalek is that Jews have to eradicate Amalek. Why? Amalek defines evil. We the Jewish people, must be unified in this memory of Amalek and never forget! Rabbi Budow has been the Head of School at Abrams Hebrew Academy for 39 years. One of his greatest accomplishments has been taking 700 people to Israel. His favorite pastime is seeing his grandchildren grow up.

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DIVREI TORAH

Go Big or Remain a Slave By Rabbi Reuven Goldstein

n The New York Times bestseller, “The One Thing,” author Gary Keller describes a disease that he refers to as “megalophobia” – the irrational fear of big things. The prognosis of this disease is unfortunately devastating. “For if you fear big success, you’ll either avoid it or sabotage your efforts to achieve it”; in other words – go big or go home. This week’s parsha alludes to a similar concept. We begin Parshas Mishpatim with the laws of an Eved Ivri, a Jewish slave. The Torah writes that after six years of servitude the slave goes free. However, if the slave declares that he loves his master and his slave family he may remain until Yovel, the Jubilee year, with one small caveat; his master has to take him to the doorpost and pierce his ear. The Gemara (Kiddushin 22b) explains the logic behind this seemingly odd ritual. “Rabbi Yochanan ben Zakkai would expound this verse as a type of decorative wreath [chomer], i.e., as an allegory: Why is the ear different from all the other limbs in the body, as the ear alone is pierced? The Holy One, Blessed Be He, said: This ear heard My voice on Mount Sinai when I said:

‘For to Me the Children of Israel are slaves’ (Leviticus 25:55), which indicates: And they should not be slaves to slaves. And yet this man went and willingly acquired a master for himself. Therefore, let his ear be pierced.” The Gemara is explaining that the slave gets punished for remaining in servitude instead of embracing his freedom, which is in violation of the Torah that demands that one subjugate himself just to Hashem alone. (For an explanation as to why the slave is not in violation of this commandment when he was originally sold, see Panim Yafos on this topic.) However, even with this explanation the question still remains. What is wrong with the slave remaining in servitude? This was a decision made by the slave of his own free will and accord and we therefore could assume that he has made a wonderful life for himself under his benevolent master (since according to Torah law the master has to provide for him and is prohibited in treating him with cruelty). Indeed, he may even be a slave to a wealthy and righteous individual whereby both his physical and spiritual needs are completely taken care of. Why would we fault this slave for making such a seemingly proper decision? The Baalei Mussar explain that the slave is making one major mistake. With his decision to retain his current lifestyle, he is limiting himself. Despite being in an environment that caters to him both

physically and spiritually, being a slave has limitations. His time is not his, his decisions aren’t fully his own, and when his master requests something from him he is obligated to listen. In essence, he can only be as great as his master allows him to be. Chazal are teaching us that the desire to remain a slave is completely antithetical to the Torah’s approach to life. The Torah demands for us to be slaves to Hashem and not bound by anything but the infinite. We see from this parsha that we need to go big. We cannot sell ourselves short by placing arbitrary limitations on our abilities. I once saw a story about the Ponovezher Rav, Rav Yosef Shlomo Kahaneman. After the Nazis destroyed the Ponovezh Yeshiva in Lithuania, the Ponovezher Rav decided to reestablish the Yeshiva in Israel. He decided that Bnei Brak would be a good location for the Yeshiva. He described to his friends and donors the vision that he perceived, “Upon this hill will sit a large Yeshiva that will house hundreds of Talmidim.” Upon hearing this, they could only laugh. Klal Yisrael was first recovering from the devastation of the Holocaust, the State of Israel had not yet been established and Bnei Brak was nothing more than desert and sand dunes. They would tell the Ponovezher Rav, “You’re dreaming!” However, the Ponovezher Rav responded, “You are right that I am dreaming, but at least I am not asleep!”

Imagine what would have been had the Ponovezher Rav not thought big. With over three thousand students, the Ponovezh Yeshiva is one of the largest and most respected Yeshivos in the world. Would it exist today if the Ponovezher Rav was afraid to dream? “Avodim, v’lo avodim l’avodim” – [Hashem says] They are my slaves and not slaves to slaves. We are sometimes fearful to think big. We enjoy our comfort zone and get stressed at the thought of venturing out of it. We end up creating ceilings to our success which greatly hinder our abilities. As Keller continues to explain, “Don’t fear big. Fear mediocrity. Fear waste. Fear the lack of living life to your fullest... Only living big will let you experience your life and your work potential.” We are servants to Hashem and to none other. Go big or remain a slave. In addition to his full-time teaching responsibilities at The Mesivta High School of Greater Philadelphia, Rabbi Reuven Goldstein currently serves as the Rabbi of the Young Israel of Elkins Park and is a member of the Bais Din of Philadelphia. After receiving Semicha from Yeshivas Chofetz Chaim in Queens, Rabbi Goldstein attended Yeshivas Bais Yosef Novardok and received halachic training under noted author and posek, Rav Binyomin Forst. In addition, he holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from Touro College.

Still On the Way By Eliya Pe’er

arshat Mishpatim is a parsha of details. Most of the parsha deals with laws and rules – “These are the rules that you shall set before them.” (21:1) This proclamation is followed by a list of laws that in a very natural way find their sources in the Ten Commandments, given in the previous parsha. The Ten Commandments in Parshat Yitro are the roots of all mitzvot and can be divided into three categories: between man and God, man and his fellow, and man with himself. This covenant is expounded on in great detail in Parshat Mishpatim. Chapter 23, pasuk 20, brings change in the topics that are discussed in the parsha: “I am sending an angel before you to guard you on the way and to bring you to the place that I have made ready.” At this point, the Torah turns from timeless laws to matters involving the historical events of the moment – the travels of the Jewish people through the wilderness and their

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entry into the land of Israel. Two weeks ago, in Parshat Beshalach, we were standing with Moshe and b’nei Yisrael on the shore of Yam Suf. The Egyptians were chasing the people of Israel as they were stuck between the Egyptian forces and the sea, not sure how it was going to end. B’nei Yisrael were crying. Moshe replies: “Fear not; stand and see the salvation of the Lord that He will perform for you today… The Lord will make war for you, and you will be silent.” (14:1314) Hashem, however, tells Moshe, “Why do you cry out to Me? Tell the Israelites to go forward,” thereby shifting the responsibility to act to the people of Israel. Rashi comments on this pasuk that it was not the time for long prayer, it was time to take action. The Gemara in Brachot, page 3, tells us about Rabbi Yossi walking on the way (derech) and meeting Eliyahu Hanavi. It was taught, Rabbi Yossi said: I was once walking along the road when I entered a ruin among the ruins of Jerusalem in order to pray. I noticed that Elijah, of blessed memory, came and guarded the entrance for me and waited at the entrance until I finished my prayer. When I finished

praying and exited the ruin... Elijah said to me: ‘My son, why did you enter this ruin?’ I said to him: ‘In order to pray.’ And Elijah said to me: ‘You should have prayed on the road.’ And I said to him: ‘I was unable to pray along the road, because I was afraid that I might be interrupted by travelers.’ Elijah said to me: ‘You should have recited the abbreviated prayer instituted for just such circumstances.’ At that time, I learned three things: I learned that one may not enter a ruin; and I learned that one need not enter a building to pray, but he needs to pray along the road; and I learned that one who prays along the road recites an abbreviated prayer. Eliyahu Hanavi is teaching us a lesson about our active part in the geulah. Rabbi Yossi was on his way and needed to pray, so he paused on his journey to do so. Eliyahu tells him he shouldn’t have stopped his travel in order to pray. When you are on your way, baderech, it is not the time for lengthy prayers, you have to keep moving. Returning to our parsha, “I am sending an angel before you to guard you on the way and to bring you to the place that I have

made ready” (23:20), we can see that the idea of “on the way” has the same meaning as “on the way” in Rabbi Yossi’s story. Hashem is promising the people of Israel protection from the dangers of travel and military confrontation that await them upon entering the land of Israel. This protection will be provided when they are baderech, “on the way.” The onus is on the people of Israel. They are responsible to enter, fight, settle and build the land of Israel, together with Hashem’s support. This pasuk seems to bring change in the topics of the parsha. It seems to be a pause in the timeless laws being presented. However, this is not simply a historical event of the moment that will end when b’nei Yisrael arrives at the promised land. Rather, similar to the laws in the parsha, it is a guideline for us that as long as we are baderech, “on the way” to geulah, it is our responsibility to continue moving, building, growing and nurturing the land of Israel, knowing that Hashem will protect us. Eliya Pe’er is Bnei Akiva Shlicha of Lower Merion and a Tanach and Ivrit teacher at Kohelet Yeshiva High School. February 20, 2020 | 25 Shevat, 5780

DIVREI TORAH

In Position or Imposition? By Rabbi Avrohom Deutsch The Art of Gracious Giving We have all been in this position at one time or another. A friend, neighbor, or relative calls asking for a favor, some companionship or maybe they just want a listening ear. It always seems to come at a time when you find yourself in the middle of multi-tasking and trying to keep all your balls in the air. Between your family, job, and personal life, the list of things to do seems endless. How can you possibly manage to give your time to someone else when you can barely manage your own? What an imposition it is to even be asked to give of your time! The Solution The Torah tells us viyikchu li terumah m’eis kol ish (Shemos 25:2). The Torah seems to be obligating us to give terumah, however, the Torah says viyikchu, which means to take. So, are we taking or are we giving? I would like to share with you an explanation from the Sfas Emes that is a life changer. He explains that there are two components to the mitzvah of terumah. The hafrasha, which is the process of setting a

portion of the produce aside and declaring it terumah, and then there is the actual giving of the terumah. Which part of the mitzvah is considered the greater one? In a world where the bottom line is all that matters, naturally one would be inclined to think the actual giving would be the greater of the two. However, the Sfas Emes says that is quite the contrary. The hafrasha is the greater part of the mitzvah, for although it is still in his possession after the separating, it becomes almost second nature to give it away. Being that the person already declared it given away, the actual giving becomes effortless. Therefore, the Torah is stressing the setting aside (as terumah) as an integral part of the mitzvah to show its importance. Similarly, if someone asked you for tzedakah and the only money you had in your pocket was your own hard earned money that you needed to purchase items for yourself, you would view it as a tremendous imposition. However, imagine a person who has set aside his maaser money and is just waiting to find the right tzedakah to give it to. Then, when approached by someone in need, he would be able to give him that money graciously. Rav Chaim Brisker, zt”l, once traveled to

a city to raise much needed tzedakah funds for an individual. A wealthy philanthropist in the city took notice of how hard the great gaon was working to raise the money. Knowing how much it was taking away from his Torah learning, he approached Rav Chaim and asked him how much money he needed to raise. Rav Chaim told him that he still required another 10,000 rubles. The philanthropist assured Rav Chaim that he would give him the money shortly and Rav Chaim would not have to take away additional time from his regular learning schedule. Later that day, he gave Rav Chaim 5,000 rubles and assured him that the other 5,000 would soon follow. It took almost a week but the fellow handed Rav Chaim the other 5,000 rubles that he so desperately needed. Rav Chaim gave him a tremendous yasher koach, however, he had one question that perplexed him. Why had he not just given him the whole sum right away? Surely an individual as wealthy as this philanthropist did not have a hard time coming up with a sum like 10,000 rubles. The philanthropist answered that he was correct, it was not difficult for him to come up with the sum. However, although intellectually he wanted to give the money,

he had great difficulty parting with so much of his own hard-earned money. He therefore gave 5,000 rubles initially and then spent a week working on himself in order to be able to give the additional 5,000 rubles. Rav Moshe Feinstein, zt”l, writes that the same way a person has to give up a maaser of his money for tzedakah, so too he must give up a maaser of his time for people in need. If we would set aside a certain amount of time per day to help other people, when asked for help we would all find ourselves more than able to comply. I know a professional psychiatrist who sees patients constantly as he is quite sought after. However, the last ten minutes of every hour he will not see any patients as he gives up that time for those in need. During those ten minutes anyone that needs help can call him for free advice. May we all be zoche to the bracha of asser, bishvil shetisasher, that if we give up a tenth of our time and money, then Hashem will pay us back with a rich abundance of time and money. Rabbi Avrohom Deutsch, Menahel and 9th Grade Rebbi at Mesivta Yesodei Yisroel of Elkins Park, can be reached at ravdeutsch@yahoo.com.

Our Obligation To Assist By Rabbanit Rachelle Fraenkel

arshat Mishpatim is the main source for Mishpat Ivri – Jewish law – the ancient legal system developed throughout thousands of years of halacha. In modern use, the term refers mostly to the parts of halacha that regulate social behavior: the court systems, monetary issues, markets, torts, employment, social rights and obligations, neighbors, etc. Amongst the many mitzvot in the parsha is “hashev tashiveno” – the obligation to return lost items. Together with the prohibition of ignoring lost livestock or property in Parshat Ki Tetze, they create the mitzvah of hashavat aveda. This mitzvah often brings with it a taste of childhood – the sweet experience of finding someone’s wallet, locating the owner’s name on a document within, and returning it, with all the joy and gratitude that comes with that experience. As one learns more about this mitzvah from the Tannaitic and Amoraic sources, one gains a deeper understanding that hashavat aveda goes way beyond that sweet moment. Hashavat aveda does not constitute only returning property once it is lost, it includes February 20, 2020 | 25 Shevat, 5780

any prevention of monetary damage. If one walks down the street and sees a pipe burst and start gushing onto a neighbor’s property, the phone call he makes to let them know, or the choice to get wet putting the pipe back together, are part of the fulfillment of hashavat aveda. The Gemara continues, and learns further from the Torah verses, that returning a person, as it were ‘to himself’ physically, is also part of the mitzvah. In other words, any situation where one can prevent physical or monetary damage from happening to another is part of the positive commandment of hashavat aveda and the explicit prohibition to ignore such situations. The practical implication is dramatic: from a chance mitzvah that one might stumble upon, it turns into a state of mind; one is expected to shed the blinders and take interest in one’s surroundings, sharing the responsibility for what is going on. In so many instances we would rather look away and ‘unsee’ what we saw, forget what we just noticed... but the Torah commands lo titalam, do not ignore. This commandment to help stave off any material harm you are capable of preventing is often coupled with lo ta’amod al dam re’echa, do not stand passively by your neighbor’s blood, and is quoted

Weekly Dvar Torah F R O M E R E TZ Y I S R AE L

by halachic authorities as the halachic reason for the obligation to intervene, the prohibition to conceal problematic information and the general instruction to help your fellow Jew circumvent harm coming his way. As mentioned, our parsha teaches the basics of Jewish law. Interestingly, hashavat aveda stood in the center of one of the fundamental legal discussions (Hendels vs. Kupat Ha’am) determining the standing of Jewish law in Israeli courts. The final Supreme Court verdict, in that case, resulted in limiting Mishpat Ivri’s weight when interpreting the law, and a narrowing of its influence in Israeli courts. But the culture itself affected the Israeli legal system: the demand to actively get involved, when possible, to save another (halachically embodied in hashavat aveda and extended by lo ta’amod) was legislated in 1998. While many countries have Good Samaritan laws – protecting bystanders who choose to assist from future liability, the Israeli law carries

the Torah name “the law of lo ta’amod al dam re’echa,” and is part of the legal doctrine “Duty to Assist.” Therefore, when faced with serious danger, one must assist whenever possible or risk having legal charges brought up against him. Though the law has minor practical implications and is one of the few achievements of the effort to blend some Jewish law into the modern Israeli legal system, it reflects a deep cultural and religious stand: the demand to stay involved, to walk the streets of one’s society with one’s ear to the ground and eyes wide open, ready to head off damage and lend a helping hand whenever needed. It is a broad call for involvement and responsibility. One can no longer ‘mind their own business’ once they realize: my brethren’s wellbeing is my business! Rabbanit Rachelle Fraenkel teaches at midrashot in Israel. She is a member of the Mizrachi Speakers Bureau (www.mizrachi.org/speakers).

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DIVREI TORAH Sta”m Matters

Mezuzos on Inner Rooms – Part 2 By Rabbi Yonah Gross

y previous article discussed the mitzvah of placing mezuzahs on the interior doors of homes or other buildings. Mezuzahs should be placed on the right side of the doorway as we enter the room. Often, in modern homes where doors lead in both directions, it can be challenging to determine which direction is the entrance and which is the exit. Halachic authorities have developed the following hierarchy to help resolve the issue of which side to place the mezuzah. 1. The Inner Room – When a room only has one doorway, the mezuzah goes on the right side of the door heading into that room since the doorway is automatically the entrance to that room. If there are two doorways to a room, it is no longer considered an “inner room,” and we must look further down the hierarchy to determine the mezuzah placement. A possible exception to this rule is when the “inner room” is less than 16 square amos (approximately 7,569 square inches). Rabbi Akiva Eger, in his commentary to the Shulchan Aruch (YD 286:13), suggests that since a room of that size does not require a mezuzah, one should place a mezuzah on the right side of the door as he enters back into the larger room from which he came. This unique position will be discussed in a

future article on closets. 2. The Flow of Traffic – If there is more than one way to enter a room, the next thing to look at is the direction most residents take as they walk through the house (Shach YD 289:6). All residents of the home, both young and old, are considered, as well as how often they walk through. We also have to keep track of which door is more commonly used to enter the house. Note that this can change over time as different traffic patterns develop. In the accompanying diagram, let’s assume that most people regularly head to the kitchen as soon as they enter the house and from there head upstairs. If the front door is most commonly used to enter the house, and people regularly walk through the dining room, one would affix the mezuzah on the right side of the door as one walks from the dining room to the kitchen. However, if the side door is more commonly used, the mezuzah would go on the right side of the door as one proceeds from the kitchen to the dining room. It can get more confusing if

one spouse often parks in the driveway and uses the side door while the other spouse uses the front door. The door that children commonly use would be relevant as well. Sometimes the front door is used more often on the weekends while the side door is used during the week. If it is too difficult to fully decipher the directional traffic patterns, we move on to the next criteria. 3. The Main Room – When one is unable to decipher the flow of traffic, the mezuzah should be placed on the door leading into whichever room is considered the main room. Halacha considers rooms where one eats to be more important than rooms where one sleeps. Sleeping rooms are considered more important than rooms where other activities are performed. Therefore, a dining room is considered more important than a living room, and a bedroom is more important than a home office. A kitchen is considered more important than a dining room only if it has a table to eat at. If a family eats all or most of their meals in the dining room, it would be considered the main room. 4. Heker Tzir – The criteria that is used when all else fails is known as heker tzir, literally meaning ‘the direction of the pivot.’ The room into which the door swings will be considered the main room and should have the mezuzah on the right side as one heads into it. Some exceptions – As mentioned in the previous article, minhag Chabad is to consider heker tzir to be the first

criteria even ahead of an interior room. For example, if there is a single door leading up to the attic and the door swings away from the attic, minhag Chabad would be to place the mezuzah on the right side as one comes down from the attic (even though it is an inner room). Also, there are many authorities that switch the order of criteria 2 and 3. Rav Yitzchak Weiss (Minchas Yitzchak 1:89) disagrees with Rav Yaakov Breish (author of the Chelkas Yaakov) regarding this issue. They were mechutanim and the scenario they were discussing was a practical disagreement pertaining to their children’s apartment. There are times when correct placement of a mezuzah remains ambiguous even after following these criteria. For example, perhaps a questionable doorway doesn’t have a physical door so heker tzir can’t be relied upon, or perhaps it is a swinging door that goes in both directions. While under these circumstances some poskim exempt the doorway from having a mezuzah at all (see Igros Moshe YD 1:176), most authorities advise to do your best to use the criteria above to pick the side that is more likely to be considered the entrance (Sefer Hamezuza p. 252). Rabbi Yonah Gross is the Rabbi of Congregation Beth Hamedrosh in Wynnewood. He is also the founder of Mezuzah and More which checks and sells Mezuzahs, Tefillin, Megillahs and Sifrei Torah. For more information visit MezuzahMore.com.

LightPoints

Adapted from the teachings of the Lubavitcher Rebbe, ‫זצ”ל‬ By Rabbi Baruch S. Davidson, Chabad Shliach and Rabbi of the Shul Community – Chabad of the Main Line

‫וְ אֵ ּלֶה הַ ִּמ ְׁשּפ ִָטים אֲׁשֶ ר ּתָ ִׂשים לִ פְ נֵיהֶ ם‬ (‫ א‬,‫)שמות כא‬ And these are the ordinances that you shall place before them. (Shemos 21:1) Same Law, Different Court The Talmud (Gittin 88b) learns from this verse that we must bring our civil disputes only “before them” – the Jewish courts,

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and not have them adjudicated in a nonJewish court system. This is so even if the ruling of the secular court would be the same as if a Jewish court judged the case based on Torah law. When you seek and abide by the rulings of a court of Torah law, you are submitting yourself to the will of God. In contrast, when you seek and abide by the rulings of a secular court, even if their conclusions are identical to that of the Torah, you are merely acknowledging the justness of human conventions and logic. This principle is similarly found in the Talmud’s description of the work of the yetzer hara, the inner voice that tempts us to sin. The yetzer hara does not initially suggest that we transgress the most

grievous of sins, says the Talmud. Rather, “Today he tells him, ‘Do this’; tomorrow he tells him, ‘Do that’; until he bids him, ‘Go and serve idols,’ and he goes and serves.” (Shabbos 105b) Chassidus explains this to mean that the yetzer hara’s initial “suggestion” is not even to transgress on a minor prohibition. Rather, he begins by lending credence to mitzvah observance from a rational perspective. He says, “Do this!” meaning, “this mitzvah is justified even by my standards.” In this way, he slowly infiltrates a person’s attitude toward Torah observance. Instead of being centered on obedience to God’s will, one’s observance of the mitzvos now becomes defined by the degree to which he finds a particular

mitzvah sensible, useful, and personally beneficial. And after successfully diverting a person’s focus from obeying God’s will and God’s will alone, the yetzer hara can eventually lure him to transgress even the harshest of sins. For the same reason, the Torah tells us not to bring our civil disputes before a secular court even if their judgment will concur with Torah law. In order not to fall prey to the yetzer hara’s vices, our observance of the Torah may not be contingent on human rationalization alone. We must approach all the mitzvos with an attitude of kabbolas ol, obeying the mitzvos primarily because they are God’s will and we are His subjects. —Likkutei Sichos vol. 3, p. 900 February 20, 2020 | 25 Shevat, 5780

DIVREI TORAH Torah from Eretz Yisrael

The “Other” Book of Sinai By Rabbi Moshe Taragin

elineating the various religious m a n u a l s delivered at Har Sinai, the Torah mentions the luchot, or tablets, containing the Ten Commandments, and a Sefer Torah containing the word of God and His 613 commandments. After listing these two Divine ‘compilations,’ the pasuk includes a redundant phrase – “asher katavti” – which literally means these works were crafted by God. Obviously, both the luchot and the Torah were authored by God; why does the Torah stress this Divine authorship? Rabbi Meir of Dvinsk, a late 19th century Rabbi otherwise known as the Meshech Chochmah (the name of his commentary on the Torah), claims that this extra clause alludes to a SEPARATE “book” which was delivered at Har Sinai. In addition to the Torah and the tablets, God delivered a “book of Nature” at Sinai. What does this book contain and why was it bundled with the luchot and a Sefer Torah? Before Har Sinai and before direct revelation, humanity had discovered God through Nature. Most failed, but Avraham succeeded and launched the most dramatic revolution in human history. By probing our vast world, he sensed a Creator; he didn’t just observe cold science, but discerned moral energy in our world. The world was choreographed to support life and human welfare. Avraham sensed a world of prosperity and wanted to locate the Creator who possessed a “moral interest” in human welfare. In addition to the morality of God’s external world, Avraham also detected a corresponding “inner morality” – that God had created Man as fundamentally kind and moral. He sensed that God had vested every human being with inner nobility and virtue. Ultimately, Avraham craved to identify the “source” of the morality he discerned both in Nature and in the human heart. Four hundred years after this massive discovery, Har Sinai provided a far more direct source of interaction with God. Man no longer had to decipher God in the world around him or in the natural heart within him. Having received the Torah, we could now directly study God’s will. After Har Sinai and the provision of this more direct ‘delivery mechanism,’ what would happen to the original access point, the book of Nature? Would our pursuit of God through the world around us and the February 20, 2020 | 25 Shevat, 5780

world within us continue to be relevant? Would Har Sinai render that “book” obsolete? After all, why bother to trace God through the morality he instilled in the human heart when we can interview him by studying His directly revealed will? For this reason, God bundled this book of nature alongside the Torah and luchot of Sinai to remind us that revelation doesn’t supplant the book of Nature – it merely adds an additional level. Without question, the Torah isn’t merely an “additional” level of Divine interaction, but the primary avenue of accessing

book of Torah is actually a blueprint for all reality and for all of nature. By definition, all disciplines from math and science to psychology and neuroscience can be drawn from the depth of Torah wisdom. Of course, most of us are incapable of studying Torah deeply enough to access these areas of knowledge; those who desire knowledge in these areas typically must study them in a more frontal manner. However, fundamentally, Torah is the code upon which that “book of Nature” was formed. Though Torah is primary and seminal,

God. Torah contains clear, authoritative and immutable mandates from God and fashions a more detailed map of religious experience. Halachic fidelity isn’t a product of speculating how God would instruct our behavior but is built upon clear and concise directives. As much as Nature reveals God, it cannot offer a specific behavioral map. Torah is primary for a second reason: the

the book of Nature was still included at Har Sinai – as we are expected to continue our religious development based on the book of Nature and not just the book of Torah. A while back I visited a shul which had experienced some plumbing problems due to overstuffing the toilets. Glaring signs were hung admonishing that it was halachically forbidden to overstuff

the facilities since this would incur repair costs and would be considered theft or geneivah. Similarly, people were warned about drying their hands with too many paper towels as this was also a violation of halachic theft. Is our behavior solely governed by the parameters of Halacha? Shouldn’t our conduct in public washrooms be governed by moral conscience and politeness to others and not only by halachic strictures? In addition to improving our “frumkeit,” do we also work at our menschlichkeit? Frumkeit is detailed in the Torah while politeness and menschlichkeit reside within most human hearts. Many decisions and actions lie beyond the realm of halachic calculus but are impacted by basic norms of decency and civility. Have we become so sensitive to the lines of Torah text and Shulchan Aruch code that we ignore the murmurings of our noble hearts and the book of Nature which was also delivered at Har Sinai? Sensitivity to the “book of Nature” must also determine the types of role models we are inspired by. Obviously, our primary role models are those who excel at the study of Torah and the application of halacha. These people have mastered the book of Torah and succeeded in orienting their lives around Torah. However, we have much to learn from decent and noble-minded people who live morally excelling lifestyles even if their experience is severed from Torah. There are people who are naturally kind, compassionate, dedicated and selfless in a more natural fashion and not because they aspire to a halachic lifestyle. For example, there are many non-Jews whose lives exist outside the orbit of Torah who can inspire us with their behavior and character! They excel at the book of Nature even if the formal book of 613 mitzvot doesn’t apply to them. More importantly, our ability to fuse the two books must shape our overall view of religion. God’s law isn’t meant to counter our natural state of being but to uplift it and ennoble it. The book of Torah didn’t replace the book of Nature but augmented it. Our success in religion is meant to augment us as humans. It is meant to make us more religious, devoted and pious but also more successful as humans. Religion which augments our humanity is the ideal blend between the two books. Religion which shrinks us as human beings ignores the full package of Sinai. Rabbi Moshe Taragin is a rebbe at Yeshivat Har Etzion, located in Gush Etzion, where he resides.

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Knowledge Is Power: The Green Smoothie Challenge Own Your Healthcare

By Christina Sciarretta

By Sheri Minkoff

very March, it feels like I am pulling myself of a genetic pit of here are no cures out for Jewish crappy and way too diseases, health but prevention through screening can enable couples many months of cold, dark, dampto have healthy biological Einstein weather, and if youchildren. live here at Victor Center recommends screening for the shore, you know that with the 101 preventable Jewish genetic diseases. weather we have had, this year is no The panel includes 47 genes relevant to different! I don’t37 know about you,tobut the Ashkenazim, genes relevant the itSephardi feels to and me like it has been raining Mizrahi communities, and for 87 years. I cannot understand 17 genes relevant to all people of Jewish ancestry. Thanks to advancements how people live in year-round rain,in technology the advocacy work inof like Seattle and or London. We, here organizations like Einstein Victor Center, Atlantic County, are beach people. counseling and screening is affordable We don’t thrive in gloom and darkand accessible. ness. We comecan to lifemake in sun,informed sand, Individuals and salty air. As such, I alwaysbefore find health decisions by screening becoming pregnant. A simple test myself needing a total recharge provides information that can help with in March. That recharge comes in family planning. Chani Yondorf, an the form of a giant cup full of MD, green Obstetrician/Gynecologist at Einstein awesomeness and good vibes. I use the month of March to replenish my depleted body with the vita-

Medical Center Philadelphia, believes that genetic screening is a way to empower young men and women to create healthy families. “The wonderful thing about utilizing Einstein Victor Center standards is that young adults are able to go through this process with the guidance of a knowledgeable genetic counselor,” says Dr. Yondorf. “This helps avoid fear and stigma that can sometimes mistakenly be associated with genetic screening.” “I recommend that this screening process takes place before young adults even think about having children, and before they find themselves carrying an unhealthy pregnancy with limited options at that point. Knowledge is power to make healthy reproductive choices for your family. If everyone makes the decision to have genetic testing done, even before they enter the datingthat world, becomes mins and nutrients it isit missing, the norm and removes the stigma, ” Dr. due to the over-abundance of carbs Yondorf adds.

and sugar and lack of anything green or healthy… anyone else? Come on, somebody! Enter the Green

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Dr. Chani Yondorf counseling a patient The goal of Einstein Victor Center in Philadelphia is to prevent life-threatening genetic diseases through preconception genetic screening, education, and counseling of individuals and couples with Jewish ancestry. The Einstein Victor Center for the Prevention of Jewish Genetic Diseases was founded in 2002 by Lois B. Victor in partnership with Einstein Healthcare Network. Ms. Victor lost two children to a Jewish genetic Smoothie. I have found that blending disease before a test for the disorder nutrient-rich leafy greens with other was available. The experience motivated

veggies, fruit, and liquid (yogurt, coconut water, almond milk, etc.) bring my body and mind back to life. It is a total rejuvenation! For 31 days, I commit to consuming a homemade green smoothie every single day. By the end of the month, I almost don’t even recognize myself. My skin is radiant, my hair is shinier, my energy level is sky-high, my mental clarity is improved, my sleep is deep, my wake is easy, I’m usually a bit more trim, I begin to crave healthier foods, and I feel unbelievably freaking awesome. I decided that I just couldn’t keep this magic to myself, so I created The Sciarretta Collection’s Green Smoothie Challenge! I can’t lie, it is a bit scary to see how much change happens, just from nourishing my body properly.

If you’re a parent like me, you know that healthy eating is just about last her to ensure that no other family would on the the to-do list for most the year, endure heartache of a of preventable so it’s important for us to take time illness. toThe stopEinstein and reset. If youCenter go too team long Victor includes Sheri Minkoff, who partners without proper nutrition, it will creep with community leadersliketochronic build back up in awful ways, awareness through education; genetic disease, illness, aches and pains, counselor, Joshua Stone, MS, LCGC, low energy, moodiness, etc. I’d like who interprets genetic test results and to encourage you alland to join our comprovides guidance; Obstetrician munity, take charge of Yondorf, your health, and Gynecologist, Chani MD, and provides consider taking the challenge who healthcare that honors the traditions of the Jewish community, while yourself or with your family or team! advocating screening (Of course,foraspreconception with anything healthof Jewish genetic diseases. related, it is always important to disMission-driven, Einstein Victor Center cuss the benefits and risks with your partners with community leaders physician.) All you have to do peace, from organizations, universities, and love, and good vibes, my friends! synagogues to prevent Jewish genetic diseases by building awareness through What makes a green smoothie? education. Staff and volunteers advocate Leafy greens of your choice spinach, kale, collards, swiss chard, etc CONTINUED ON P. 35 Other veggies of choice: carrot, cucumber, beets, etc Fruit of your choice (I almost always use bananas and one or more of the following: pineapple, mango, berries, cherries, papaya, avocado, apple, etc Liquid of your choice: yogurt, coconut milk, almond milk, ice, water, etc Extras: chia seed, flax seed, protein powder, hemp seed, cacao powder, etc Here are just a few of the benefits of green smoothies: • Increased energy • Improved digestion • Improved mental clarity and focus • Supports overall health • Improved mood • Glowy skin

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February 20, 2020 | 25 Shevat, 5780

The Green Smoothie Challenge Ad D’Lo Yada – Inner Knowledge, Purim, & Addiction

By Christina Sciarretta

very March, it feels like I am pulling myself out of a pit of crappy health and way too many months of cold, dark, damp Dovid weather, and if By you liveHalpern here at the shore, you know that with the ava said: A weather we have had, thisperson year is nois different! I don’t know about o byou, l i g abut ted it feels to me liketoit has beendrunk raining become on for 87 years. I cannot understand Purim until he does not between cursed how people live know in year-round rain, is Haman andhere blessed like Seattle or London. We, in is Mordechai.” (Megillah 7b) Atlantic County, are beach people. The above Gemara has caused much We don’t thrive in gloom and darkdiscussion about drinking on Purim and ness. come to life in sand, alcoholWe in our community in sun, general. The and salty air.highlights As such,theI always find Gemara itself tension about drinking with the ensuing story of the death myself needing a total recharge and restoration of Reb Zeira (Rabba in March. That recharge comes kills in him while drunk and then he is brought the form of a giant cup full of green back to life). One could argue: Hashem awesomeness and good vibes. guards those who fulfill mitzvot, so it was I use the month of March to replencorrect. Others, however, cite the fact that ish depleted body with Rebmy Zeira refused to return thethe nextvitayear

“R

– “Miracles do not continuously happen” – as proof the behavior was inappropriate. The actual halachic discussion of drinking on Purim is complex, as the Shulchan Aruch (O”C 695:2) cites the obligation verbatim with no caveats. The Rama, however, adds that some (the Kol Bo/Maharil combo) state one can simply drink “more than they are used to” and then sleep, thus fulfilling not knowing the difference while unconscious. The Beer Heitev (695:2) adds that one can fulfill their obligation by not knowing the equivalent gematriyot of “baruch Mordechai” and “arror Haman.” However, there is more to drinking on Purim than just this discussion. The obvious question a religious person seeks to know is: why should I drink on Purim?

Knowledge Is Power: Own Your Healthcare CONTINUED FROM P. 34

even “usual” activities. Everything can then be focused on spiritual pursuits while feeling interconnected with a yichud that is quite intense as brain activity diffusely decreases. Nevertheless, the dangers and concerns with alcohol use cannot be overlooked. Neurologically, alcohol decreases one’s inhibitions and ability to make appropriate decisions in real time, leading to accidents, injuries, and deaths. Additionally, the brain may be able to tolerate alcohol from time to time, but repeated drinking can solidify circuitry in the reward centers of the brain, primarily the dorsal and ventral striatal structures to our amygdala centered Smoothie.linked I have found that blending deep in our basic circuitry. When this cycle nutrient-rich leafy greens with other is activated a basic drive is set in motion veggies, fruit, and liquid (yogurt, co– the reward circuit. In an average person, conut water, almond bring the reward feels good, milk, and etc.) is balanced my body mind backbytotop life.down It is with other and considerations a total rejuvenation! For areas 31 days, processing from other cortical of theI brain. However, this is not true in addiction commit to consuming a homemade –green multivariate processes make it far more smoothie every single day. By difficult for other processes to overcome the end of the month, I almost don’t the activation in the striatal circuitry. This even recognize myself. My skin is racircuit itself is reinforcing and is used more my hairreinforced. is shinier,Thus, my drinking energy –diant, continuously level isdrinking. sky-high, my mental clarity is begets improved, my sleep is deep, my wake So, is drinking a bad thing? Conceptually Iiswould argue it is not and can easy, I’m usually a bit more have trim, aI higher purpose, as our mesorah teaches begin to crave healthier foods, and I us. Unfortunately, that does not mean the feel unbelievably freaking awesome. issues with alcohol and addiction can be I decided that I just couldn’t keep this ignored. This is especially true when it has magic to myself, so Iat-risk created The Scito do with exposing populations arretta Collection’s Green to alcohol. I speak here mainlySmoothie of teens/ young adults, and the consistent data Challenge! thatI can’t 1) alcohol drugsto have lie, it and is a other bit scary see much worse consequences long-term how much change happens, just

Jewish or have any Jewish ancestry; are Jewish members of interfaith or interethnic couples, or are considering the use of donor egg or sperm. Einstein Victor Center recommends screening for 101 preventable Jewish genetic diseases. Since carriers are generally healthy and being a carrier has no impact on an individual’s everyday health, a recessive gene can be passed down many generations without manifesting. Both

parents need to be carriers of the same disease in order to pass it on. Many of the diseases are devastating and fatal but, with counseling and screening, these diseases can be prevented. If both members of a couple are carriers for the same disease, they can have a healthy biological child. Through medical science and community support, they can choose egg/sperm donation, in vitro fertilization (IVF) with preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) and prenatal diagnosis. Financial assistance to support reproductive options is available through

Ad 1/4pregnancy of having a child affected by that disease. Preconception screening is recommended when individuals are 4.3 x 5.63

for affordable and accessible counseling and screening of these diseases for young adults. Carriers Can Have Their Own Healthy Children One in two Jews is at risk of being a carrier for preventable Jewish genetic diseases. If both parents are carriers of a mutation in the same disease gene, there is a 25 percent chance with each February 20, 2020 | 25 Shevat, 5780

What is the religious significance to it? The Biur Halacha on the Shulchan Aruch above states we drink to remember that the miracles at that time happened under the influence of alcohol, and not to engage in debauchery and drunkenness. Still the question remains, why wine? Purim is a day that Hashem was hidden, acting behind the scenes to save the Jewish people, much as He does today. This “secret” mechanism of action is often hidden from our consciousness. The Gemara states “Wine enters, secrets (sod) leaves” (Eruvin 65a, Sanhedrin 38a) – which implies that one becomes loosetongued they are drunk. However, mins andwhen nutrients that it is missing, our mesorah states this is more than just due to the over-abundance of carbs secrets, but the “sod” of the metaphysical and sugar and lack of anything green reality of our connection to Hashem and or else? Come howhealthy… He runs theanyone world. The Pri Tzaddik on, somebody! Enter explicitly the Green (on Purim Ch. 3) states that spiritually, when one is drunk their internal self is revealed, and the inner “kedushas Yisrael” allows even eating and drinking to be for a holy purpose. This highlights the fact that Purim is about revealing the secret metaphysical realities of even the most mundane experiences, making it the holiest day of the year for some, “Yom Kippur is k’Purim.” Neurologically, with alcohol consumption, there is a significant decrease in prefrontal cortex activity, a general decrease in GABA signaling, and a slowing of synaptic connections throughout the brain. This correlates to the possibility of “deafferentation” of the neural network, loosening connections internally and allowing for more spiritual and “out of body” sensations while doing

from nourishing my body properly.

If you’re a parent like me, you know that healthy eating is just about last on the to-do list for most of the year, so it’s important for us to take time to stop and reset. If you go too long without proper nutrition, it will creep when back used up in during awful neurodevelopmental ways, like chronic periods, a significant one which is the teen disease, illness, aches and pains, years; and 2) that alcohol addiction and low energy, moodiness, etc. I’d like other substance use disorders are much to encourage you all to our commore likely to develop in join someone with munity, take charge significant teenage use. of your health, Chronic alcoholtaking use also its own and consider thehas challenge problems: a decrease in cognitive yourself or with your family orabilities team! limits one’s ability to engage emotionally (Of course, as with anything healthwith their family, community, and Hakadosh related, it is always important to disBaruch Hu. It would seem obvious then cuss the benefits and risks with your that “clubs” for alcohol consumption physician.) All outside you have do peace, during davening our to youth groups love, andwould goodnot vibes, friends! Yet, in shuls be my acceptable. thisWhat still seems the smoothie? case at some makestoa be green synagogues in our community. urge Leafy greens of your choiceI spineveryone during this time of increased ach, kale, collards, swiss chard, etc simcha to look internally, to the true inner Other veggies of choice: carrot, Jew, and think about what we truly as a cucumber, beets, community and as etc ovdei Hashem wish of yourand choice almost alfor Fruit our children future(I generations. ways use bananas andcontinue one ortomore Let us hope that we can use the tools of the world that God gives us to of the following: pineapple, mango, create a world of true simcha where we see berries, cherries, papaya, avocado, Hashem’s apple, etc“hand” in all things, and this is enough to keep us dancing and singing for Liquid of your choice: yogurt, cocomany years to come. nut milk, almond A freilichen Adar! milk, ice, water, etc Extras: chia seed, Dovid Halpern was flax bornseed, andprotein raised powder, hemp seed, cacao in powder, (and still lives with his family) Lower Merion and is a third year Resident in etc Psychiatry andjust Human Behavior Thomas Here are a few of theatbenefits Jefferson University Hospital. He has a of green smoothies: BA in Psychology from YU, semicha from • Increased energy RIETS, an MD from Sidney Kimmel Medical • Improved digestion College, and recently published the book Improved clarity and “The• Rabbi’s Brain: mental Mystics, Moderns and the Science of Jewish Thinking” with Dr. focus Andrew Newberg. • Supports overall health • Improved mood • Glowy skin

community organizations. If you are interested in learning more about women’s healthcare, Dr. Yondorf along with other Einstein medical experts will be taking part in a Women’s Healthcare Symposium at Politz Hebrew Academy on March 22, 2020. For more information, visit einsteinvictorcenter.org or call 1.800. Einstein. Sheri Minkoff works at Einstein Healthcare Network and manages the Einstein Victor Center and the Dor L’Dor project.

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Philadelphia JEWISH LINK

‘Mocha Crème’ Launches at Mocha Bleu House to Home By Elizabeth Kratz

Courtesy of House of Kosher Recipe andbaked Photography resh pastries, new orby Shani Josefovits

ganic house coffees, croissants and muffins, not to menet Purim-ready with these easy tion gelatotopped crepes, Apple Rosettes featuringsmoothOxygen ies and milkshakes, two types Amazing Apricot and Preserve which is just divine. They are SUPER EASY to of graband- go savory sandwiches, make. And we can’t even call our Citrus are all part of Mocha Crème, a new Lemon Napoleon a “recipe” because meeting place now debuting at Moyou’ll be laughing longer than it takes to cha Bleu. make. But don’t let that fool you - this is Theto be new ofgoing yourcounter-purchase new go-to dessert that’s sure to impress at your next party. ferings are perfect to sample with a Happy friendPurim! while having morning coffee or an afternoon treat with the APPLE ROSETTES 1 sheet of puff pastry dough, kids; the ambiance is as thawed comfort1 jar Oxygen Amazing Apricot Preserve able at 7:30 in the morning as it is 3 red apples at 10 p.m.. Mocha Crème is open six juice of half a lemon (lemon juice works days a week and on motzei Shabalso) bat in for winter. Priced comparably to flour sprinkling surface other coffee options in the neighcinnamon borhood, Mocha Crème is launchconfectioners sugar for sprinkling 1. Prepare a microwave safe with ing as Mocha Bleu turns bowl 10 years

half water and half the prepared lemon juice. 2. Wash the apples (keep the peel on), cut in half and remove the core. Slice each half into paper thin slices and place in the lemon water. Microwave for 3 minutes or until soft and easy to bend. Use a strainer to drain out the water and set aside. 3. In a microwave safe bowl, place 3 tablespoons of Oxygen Apricot Preserve with 2 tablespoons of water and microwave for 1 minute. Mix to combine. 4. Lightly flour your surface. Roll out a sheet of puff pastry dough and using a rolling pin, shape into a rectangle. Cut into 6 strips along the width. 5. Spread an even layer of apricot jam on the dough. 6. Start on one strip of dough: place the apple slices slightly overlapping on

Ad 1/4 4.3 x 5.63 Is Your Jewish Day School Meeting Your Child’s Special Needs? CONTINUED FROM P. 30 can use fidget toys when necessary. Sensory Room. Is there a sensory room? A sensory room can benefit many of our kids when it is outfitted with small trampolines, ball pits, climbing walls, Lego walls, weighted stuffies, blankets, and other appropriate activities and supplies.

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Finally, if the school is doing all that it can to meet your child’s needs, and the school indicates that your child needs a different school placement, then you should listen to their suggestions because they are on your team. This is just a short list (not exhaustive) of what you should look for in a Jewish day school if your child has special needs. A child is not the sum of her labels – each child has her own strengths, challenges, feelings and

desserts with a higher level dessert case. Just in time to enjoy along with the new desserts, Mocha Bleu is also debuting a line of house coffees from Jim’s Organic. While Nespresso cappuccino, espresso and other Italian coffee drinks are still available, Jim’s Organic, a local New Jersey company that sources beans from all over the world, developed a smooth blend called Papua New Guinea just for Mocha Bleu. Mocha Bleu’s new iced house coffee and decaf coffee is another blend, called Sweet Nothings. “We developed this roast with them to get it just right. It’s smoother and sweeter than your average,” Abe-

the edge of the puff pastry strip so that the apple is slightly peeking out of the top of the puff pastry and sprinkle with cinnamon. Take the bottom of the strip and fold it upwards towards the top half of the strip. Pinch the edges closed. Starting from one side, roll the dough towards the other end and press with your finger to close. 7. Place in a sprayed cupcake pan. Continue with the rest of the Rosettes. 8. Bake on 375 degrees for 40-45 minutes or until the dough is fully cooked through. Sprinkle with confectioners naim and said. Chalav yisrael gesugar enjoy. Recipe yieldsItalian 6 Rosettes. lato, madeLEMON once aNAPOLEON week by an Italian CITRUS (two chef,variations) headlines the new menu ofFor theThe base:difference between ice ferings. Use either frozen is wonton wrappers or cream and gelato that gelato genMazor’s Puff Pastry Squares erally contains heavy cream rather 1 container Bakers Choice Lemon than milk as of theyour majority of (we its base, Creme fruits choice used givingpomegranate it a higher fat content and a HOK seeds, blueberries more decadent, creamy taste. “It’s and frozen raspberries, defrosted) Lemon, lime, or orange, for best to just close your zest eyes and For puff pastry squares: Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Place squares 2 inches apart and bake on 400 degrees for 10-20 minutes, until cooked through. For wonton wrapper: Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Place squares 2 inches apart, spray with cooking spray and bake on 400 degrees for 3-4 minutes until lightly browned. To assemble: Place puff pastry/ wonton wrapper on bottom. Smear a nice layer of lemon creme, alternate pastry square and lemon creme and top with a square. Smear a small amount of lemon creme on top, sprinkle fruits of your choice and top with zest from lemon, lime, or orange. Best served right away. Serves 4.

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aspirations. Make sure that you consult with the support team at your school on a regular basis to be sure that your child is getting everything he needs to become his best self. You will know in your heart and from your “team” that your child is progressing, gaining confidence, and succeeding. It’s certainly not easy to be the parent of a child with special needs, but many Jewish day schools will help you in every way possible. I am exceedingly proud to work for an

organization that strives to support every student with special needs in several Jewish day schools, differentiating support and instruction based on the needs of each student while providing that soul-enriching Jewish education that we seek for our children. Lisa Woodward is the Educational Director of OROT, the special needs initiative for diverse learners in Philadelphia’s Jewish day schools. For questions about OROT, email lwoodward@orotkids.org. February 20, 2020 | 25 Shevat, 5780

OnceLaunches Upon A Vine ‘Mocha Crème’ at Mocha Bleu By Jonathan

By Elizabeth Kratz Chodosh

e have all resh baked pastries, new orbeen croisthere. ganic house coffees, the sants and muffins, Planning not to menperfect Shabbos, tion gelatotopped crepes, smoothPurim and Seder. You ies and milkshakes, and types have everything figured out,two from the of grabandgofrom savory sandwiches, napkin selection Amazing Savings to are all part ofsides, Mocha a new appetizers and but Crème, unless you have vast experience, you can get lost in the meeting place now debuting at Mowine store trying to decipher which wine cha Bleu. suits This wine primer will Thewhich newfood. counter-purchase oflend some understanding of the basics of ferings are perfect to sample with what your dining room sommelier (wine a friend while having morning cofguy) is pouring. fee or an afternooncomes treat with the Food preservation in many kids; the ambiance is ascuring comfortforms. Drying, freezing, and smoking are common methods of able at 7:30 in the morning as it is saving food for later. A unique and at 10 p.m.. Mocha Crème is open six complex process called fermentation is days a week and on motzei Shabalso used. Fermentation is the process bat in winter. Priced comparably to of controlled ‘spoilage.’ This process other coffee options in the neighoccurs when an organism is introduced borhood, is food launchto the food Mocha where it Crème ‘spoils’ the and ing harmful as Mocha Bleu turns 10 years not pathogens (bad stuff). The

result is a different product but one that is still edible and has a longer shelf life. Milk ferments into yogurt, cucumbers to pickles, raw sausage to hard Italian salami and grapes to wine – these are examples of this process in action today. We will take a closer look at wine and attempt to demystify it. It may seem like magic but once we understand a little bit about the process of wine the product is more familiar. This is an attempt to unpack and give a general education of what to expect of your next bottle. There are many styles, varietals, regions and traditions associated with wine. The most obvious is the style. You may have seen something written on the bottle such as ‘dry red wine’ or ‘semi-sweet.’ This is a general statement of how sweet the wine will be. Some styles of wines are naturally sweet while others take a traditionally dry approach and stop fermentation early. What exactly is stopping to keep things sweet versus drying out? Ethyl Alcohol fermentation occurs when a specific type of yeast is exposed to sugar as a source of food without oxygen. This yeast multiplies when exposed to oxygen, and once the oxygen is depleted, they survive for a while by fermenting the sugar. Alcohol is the resulting byproduct of this biochemical pathway. Alcohol is not a hospitable host for most spoilage organisms effectively preserving the

old. A communal table for families, friends or small group meetings is in the new Mocha Crème area, perfect for high school students coming in for a quick gelato or sandwich. The couches and small tables just next to the coffee area are quiet in the morning and perfect for friendmeetups carpool and business grape mustafter for future consumption. Most of the yeast will fall to the bottom meetings, with coffee and muffins. of the fermentation vessel, but some There is ample space for children stays in solution. In order to make in strollers and free wifi. With aa stable and tasty product, winemakers new shiny white woodand- chrome add preservatives (sorbates and sulfites) Frigomecccanica ‘jewelry- style’ to the wine. The time spent in the pastry case, custom-designed in fermentation process will determine how Italy and intended to much sugar is left in for theeverything wine. Fortified wines such as port sherry use be seen easily fromand eye-level, Mo-a slightly different method. Upon reaching cha Bleu’s owner Naftali Abenaim is the desiredhisalcohol/sugar content, the bringing most exciting dessert must (what wine is called from when the and coffee ideas out into the open. grapes are punctured until they officially Temperature controlled to just the become wine) is spiked with additional right often degree, Abenaim explained spirits brandy to suddenly increase thatalcohol he could do more and different the content. This sudden increase

wine is needed to stand up to it. If a wine is too bold it will overpower whatever you are eating. Some wine will be too mild to stand up to rich flavors. Side note on red wines. Tannins are the chemical in red wine that make your naim said. Chalav yisrael Italian gemouth feel dry. They cut through greasy lato, made once a week by anthe Italian foods. The bolder the red wine more chef, headlines the new oftannins and the better theymenu pair with foods such grilled red between meats. Match ferings. Theasdifference ice the flavor strength the wine with the cream and gelato of is that gelato genrichness of your foods. erally contains heavy cream rather Considering the spectrum of wine, than milk as the majority of its base, I find the light red category the most giving it a higher fat content and a flexible choice. Containing some tannin, more taste. it can decadent, match withcreamy everything but“It’s the best tomeats. just Being closethe your andit fattiest mosteyes mild red can be drunk on its own or with any other food. Consider having a small variety in your cellar (aka cabinet). Learn which style wine suits your needs and palate. L’chaim! Jonathan Chodosh is the Nerdy Dad. You can find his products such as Raw Pestos, Dips, Chef Shortcuts and Spice Blends at Le Vin Wine Cellar, or order by reaching him directly at Jonathan@nerdydadfoods. com. Check out new products and services at www.nerdydadfoods.com. Delivery available to the Main Line. Private chef services available. Follow him on social media @nerdydadfoods.

in alcohol makes it impossible for the different from place to place. Much of your varietal preference will come from yeast to continue its life cycle. The chart shows select wines with trial and error. A wine journal is a great a distinct regional history and their way to keep track of your preferences. There are some rules when it comes to corresponding sweetness. Many popular wines today break these rules. For selecting a wine. When we are discussing example, a popular wine uses traditional the varietals, we will be discussing them red wine grape skin extraction (next in their classic preparation meaning a paragraph will introduce this) while dry wine varietal is dry and a sweet wine halting fermentation at semi-sweet and is sweet. Wines that ‘break the rules’ bottling un-oaked. Use these categories obviously don’t follow the general rules as a guide and see which style you fall introduced here. If there is a general rule it is as you get under. There are incredible wines under each of these categories. Don’t disqualify bigger in flavor the fattier the food should any of them! It simply depends on the be. Fat in food carries flavor so a bolder mood and the food. For white wines the grapes are Full bodied Light White Rose crushed and pressed from the White skins immediately and moved Pinot Gris, Most Rose Chardonnay, to a fermentation vessel. Nearly Varietal Sauvignon doesn’t Viogner all red grapes except from a few Blanc specify Rich varietals have white flesh. Rose Poultry, Light and Lean, Rich Fish is made from red grapes where Vegetables and and Heavy Fruit, Paella, the juice is pressed out quickly Salads, Very Dairy, Pasta Cheese similar to white wine. The red in Lean Mild and Lasagna, topped red wine comes from the grape Food Rule Quiche, Salads, Proteins such as skins. Red wine goes through a Creamy Strongly White Flakey skin extraction phase. The grape Fish Sauce, Rizotto Spiced must, skin and all, is allowed to Soups sit. There are mixing techniques Rich Dairy Balanced such as punch downs where the Low Fat, and Fish, dish, some floating skins are knocked down Note vegetable heavy Indian and fat but not into the juice with a paddle or Thai super rich pump overs where the must is

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February 20, 2020 | 25 Shevat, 5780

desserts with a higher level dessert case. Just in time to enjoy along with the new desserts, Mocha Bleu is also debuting a line of house coffees from Jim’s Organic. Whileon toNespresso pumped the floating raft of skin. The frequency, duration, intensity and method cappuccino, espresso vary from wine to wine. and other Italian cof- Often the same vineyard will use fee drinks are different still methods for different grape varieties. available, Jim’s OrVarietal is another term you will find on ganic, a local New Jersey company your bottle of wine. An example of this that sourcesSauvignon beans from all overWhat the is Cabernet or Shiraz. world, smooth it meansdeveloped is the grapeaused in thatblend bottle of wine is that specific varietal. Ajust varietal called Papua New Guinea for is a single named grape variety. Just like Mocha Bleu. Mocha Bleu’s new iced apples come in Red Delicious, McIntosh house coffee and decaf coffee is anand Honeycrisp, wine grapes come other blend, called Sweet Nothings. in many different varieties too. Some “We developed this roast with them are bigger, others smaller. Some grow to get in it just right.regions. It’s smoother and better different Some grow sweeter your ” Abein multiplethan places but average, taste completely

Light Red

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Medium Red

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Roasted Rich meats, clean Vegetables, Beef, flavors, Pizza, Dark Lamb, Cooked Cured Chicken, Poultry, Duck, Meat Meats, Rich Fish Ragu BBQ and Dairy Can go with almost anything

Full bodied Medium food for rich meaty full bodied foods wine

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OP-ED Why American Jews Must Prevent Anti-Israel Voices from Penetrating the WZO CONTINUED FROM P. 9 is maligned by the BDS movement and its goods mislabeled across the European Union. Additionally, the terrorism threat Israel faces daily has not dissipated. The issues we face as a community may seem overwhelming at times, but the main purpose of the World Zionist Congress is to strengthen our declaration of Jewish values and move forward on an agenda on behalf of Israel and Diaspora Jewry,” she wrote. Also, it’s fascinating to note that the progressive Jewish left is even throwing the liberal Jewish publication The Forward under the proverbial bus. As JNS editorin-chief Jonathan Tobin so eloquently stated, The Forward “appears open to publishing occasional dissent against its liberal editorial stands on American and Israeli politics.” It’s difficult to even enumerate how tone-deaf this should

Partners in Torah Turns to Community in Effort to Promote Jewish Learning CONTINUED FROM P. 17 would gain from learning with a mentor, Savitsky noted that mentors report that the rewards they reap from their weekly phone calls are literally off the charts. “I have had mentors tell me that they have developed a much deeper appreciation for their yiddishkeit, that they have more passion and find themselves thinking about things they never considered before, while also

sound to the lion’s share of world Jewry that generally loves Israel and supports the safety of its citizens, and for the most part appreciates America’s strong support of its special partnership, in both military and diplomatic realms. Diaspora Jewry has until Shushan Purim (March 11) to elect those who will hold seats in the World Zionist Congress (WZC), the legislative body that determines the policies of the world’s leading Jewish Rav Doron Perez, chief executive of World Mizrachi organizations: the World settlements in Israel. Zionist Organization, the Jewish Agency of Israel, the Jewish Shalom Achshav (Peace Now) and National Fund and Keren Hayesod. other progressive voices have been The congress awards major funding, largely out of power in Israel for many and thus impacts policy decisions that years now, ostensibly because Israeli affect the future of Zionism, aliyah and Jews now understand that appeasement absorption, Israeli advocacy worldwide, of the Palestinians doesn’t work, and that Jewish education, physical security, the Palestinians simply want to eliminate the war against anti-Semitism and the Jewish state. But the progressive voice

has the potential to get much bigger if the Hatikvah slate succeeds within the WZC, due to attempts to align with the liberal Diaspora Jewish community, some voices of which are already part of the WZC, such as the slates of Vote Mercaz (the voice of Conservative/ Masorti Judaism) and Vote Reform (ARZA representing the Reform Movement and Reconstructing Judaism). This means that every single vote counts in an election open to all Jews above the age of 18. There’s a minimal cost, but it’s worth it. Vote at: https://azm.org/elections. The opinions here reflect those of the author and the slate, and not of JNS. Elizabeth Kratz is associate publisher and editor of “The Jewish Link of New Jersey” and “The Jewish Link of Bronx, Westchester and Connecticut.”

COMMUNITY NEWS gaining a sense of confidence,” said Savitsky. “There are people who signed up to be mentors purely because they felt guilty saying no and have later told me ‘Partners in Torah is the best thing in my life.’” Partners in Torah founder and director Rabbi Eli Gewirtz emphasized that the program’s goal is simple - to help unaffiliated Jews build a proud, lifelong connection to Judaism. Mentors serve as positive role models of what Orthodox Judaism is all about and Partners in Torah hopes to attract thousands more volunteers to meet the increased demand.

Those who are reluctant to sign up as mentors because they may not have all the answers need not worry, advised Rabbi Gewirtz. “Partners in Torah is all about being authentic and there is nothing wrong with telling someone ‘I don’t know but I will get back to you,’” observed Rabbi Gewirtz. “Anyone who needs information or guidance can reach out to our staff for guidance, direction and source material. Rabbi Gewirtz described the studentmentor partnership as a match made in heaven, connecting those who have Torah knowledge with others who are thirsting for Torah.

“So many people today are searching for something and that curiosity, that wondering if they belong, isn’t going to go away,” observed Rabbi Gewirtz. “If we don’t make ourselves available to show them the beauty of Torah and Judaism, they will go looking somewhere else. We are working hard to make our resources more available, inspiring more people and infusing them with enthusiasm for Judaism that makes them feel that they are truly blessed in their lives.” Learn with a fellow Jew for 30 minutes a week and help shape the Jewish future. Sign up at www.partnersintorah.org/mentor

SCHOOLS CHEDER CHABAD

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February 20, 2020 | 25 Shevat, 5780

SCHOOLS KOHELET YESHIVA HIGH SCHOOL (KYHS)

Kohelet Yeshiva’s “Evening of Music and Art” featured performances by KYHS students and alumni in collaboration with Kohelet Yeshiva music teacher Sheridan Seyfried. KYHS student performers included Ido Crammer (Piano), Levi Gornish (Bass/Guitar), Gavriella Melman (Piano), Nistar Steinerman (Flute), Yoni Panitch (Piano) and Shira Ripsman (Violin).

(credit: Karen Kraftmann)

(credit: Rabbi Gil Perl)

(credit: Karen Kraftmann)

It was an exciting end to Color War 2020! (credit: Rabbi Gil Perl)

PERELEMAN JEWISH DAY SCHOOL FORMAN CENTER

Students sharing a Tu B’Shevat seder. The study and celebration of Tu B’Shevat enhances the students’ understanding of nature, ecology, and geology. Our Jewish traditions are the roots that support the students as they grow and learn!

(credit: Karen Kraftmann)

KOSLOFF TORAH ACADEMY (KTA) This year’s KTA production, Tip of the Iceberg, was a hit and drew big crowds to its performances on Motzei Shabbos, February 1, and Sunday, February 2.

STERN CENTER

Governor Ed Rendell joined Perelman to present its winning team with an award from The Rendell Center Citizenship Challenge. Third through fifth grade students attended the presentation and participated in a Constitutional debate, demonstrating their legal reasoning skills – tools they have honed through years of study and interpretation of our ancient texts.

11th grade Biology students isolated DNA from strawberries and from their own cheek cells to complement their learning about DNA replication and cell division. Perelman Teachers making challah together during Teacher Inservice Day. February 20, 2020 | 25 Shevat, 5780

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SCHOOLS POLITZ DAY SCHOOL OF CHERRY HILL

Politz students celebrated Tu B’Shevat with fun activities, a virtual reality tour of Israel, and delicious treats.

ABRAMS HEBREW ACADEMY

The first graders at Abrams Hebrew Academy did a beautiful job with this year’s Siddur play. Thanks to Morah Sonia Arusy for a wonderful production to celebrate this important milestone for the students.

Mazal Tov to the Politz first graders who received their first Siddurim!

POLITZ HEBREW ACADEMY

The first-grade girls at Politz Hebrew Academy put on a play as part of their celebration when they received their Chumashim on February 9. They are very excited and diligent in studying Chumash!

The Kindergarten had a party to celebrate the holiday of Tu B’Shevat. The students sampled many different fruits and sang holiday songs. Rick Abrams from JNF came to Abrams to celebrate the holiday and did programming with Grades K-8 centered around the theme “How Israel Makes the Desert Bloom,” including science experiments, yoga and text studies.

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SCHOOLS THE MESIVTA HIGH SCHOOL OF GREATER PHILADELPHIA

Mesivta students are back in full swing and are all ready and eager to learn in the second half of the year.

CASKEY TORAH ACADEMY (CTA)

Philadelphia Jewish Link Publisher Nachi Troodler spoke to the CTA 8th graders about interviewing techniques as they prepared to interview Holocaust survivors in connection with the school’s “Rosel and Jack Breitkopf Koleinu Program.”

Students enjoyed a special Father/Grandfather Tu B’Shevat Learning Sunday School Program.

MESIVTA YESODEI YISROEL OF ELKINS PARK

Students enjoyed a fun snow tubing trip.

CONGREGATION BETH SOLOMON PRESCHOOL PROGRAM

February 20, 2020 | 25 Shevat, 5780

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SCHOOLS KOHELET YESHIVA LAB SCHOOL (KYLS) Students in grades K-1 and 2-3 each held a Chagigat Siddur, where parents and children were able to celebrate the children’s growth in tefillah and help further their connection to tefillah both in school and at home. The students took time to focus on learning the meaning of tefillot, and shared their learning with their parents, grandparents and siblings. (Photo credit: Rabbi Gil Perl)

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Barrack Takes Season Series From Kohelet

By Noah Mogyoros

(Photo credit: Rabbi Gil Perl)

On Saturday night, February 8th, the Kohelet Yeshiva High School gymnasium was filled to capacity with fans who came to watch Barrack Hebrew Academy and Kohelet face off in their classic Saturday night showdown. As students, parents, and community members squeezed into the gym, they were excited to watch a game between the two rival schools. Kohelet senior guard Eric Dolitsky started the game off strong with a quick three to put the Kings up early. The game stayed close throughout the first quarter, with each team getting into foul trouble. With seconds remaining on the clock, Barrack threw up a prayer in an attempt to beat the buzzer. The ball bounced off the backboard and right into the hands of Barrack sophomore Yonatan Hassidim, who tipped it in and scored for the Cougars as the clock expired. Going into the second quarter, Barrack led the Kings, 13-9. With defensive stops on both ends of the floor and a couple of nice buckets from Kohelet, the game was tied at 13 apiece. Junior center Solomon Feldman got to the free throw line to put Kohelet up 14-13. However, midway through the second quarter, the momentum swung Barrack’s way and changed the complexion of the game.

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Senior Abe Wachs hit back to back-toback threes to put the Cougars up 2215. Senior Ben Bernstein attacked the rim and got a few shots to fall. Barrack went on a huge run to end the first half, heading into halftime with a 36-15 lead. The refs did not hold back on fouls, with a combined 22 fouls called at the half. Kohelet senior guard Noam Troodler was in major foul trouble with four fouls heading into the third quarter. The Kings looked to make a comeback early in the third quarter. Sophomore Jono Neuhaus contributed to that effort with two quick threes to open up the half, cutting the Barrack lead to 15. However, with Troodler on the bench due to foul trouble, the Cougars took advantage, once again going on a big scoring run.

After three quarters, the score was 52-24. With the game seemingly over, the fourth quarter was relatively quiet. The two teams traded buckets in the first few minutes as Barrack sustained their sizable lead. One highlight for the Kings, however, was when Noam Troodler got the ball on a fast break, put it through his defender’s legs, then got the ball back and scored the fast break layup plus the foul. When the final buzzer sounded, Barrack emerged victorious, 65-34, completing the series sweep. February 20, 2020 | 25 Shevat, 5780

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Abrams Hebrew Academy vs. Barrack The Abrams Hebrew Academy boys basketball team defeated Barrack Hebrew Academy on February 5th by a score 51 to 27.

Barrack Basketball Takes Home the Gold

The evening of February 11, 2020 will stand as one of the greatest in Akiba-Barrack sports history. It was on that magical night that the 2019-20 season for the Barrack boys and girls varsity basketball teams culminated with each squad winning their respective league championship. The Barrack boys beat Renaissance Charter, 51-41, in a hotly contested final of the Tri-County Independent Basketball League tournament to close out their terrific season with a league championship (their first since 1997) and an incredible 18-1 record. Itay Goldfarb scored 16 points for the Cougars and Ben Bernstein added 10. For the first time in 12 years, the Barrack varsity girls basketball team won the TCISL Championship, in a close and hard-fought game, 33-28, against the Perkiomen School. It was the first time ever that both of Barrack’s varsity basketball teams won the TCISL Championship, each capping undefeated seasons within that league. As this is the league’s final season, the TCISL trophies will be engraved and retired as the permanent property of Jack

M. Barrack Hebrew Academy. (Photo credit: Jordan Cassway)

Barrack vs. KYHS (Boys JV)

The Kohelet Yeshiva High School JV basketball team squared off against Jack M. Barrack Hebrew Academy on Sunday, February 9. Kohelet freshman Eli Wallace scored 24 points to power the Kings to a big win. (Photo credit: Rabbi Gil Perl) February 20, 2020 | 25 Shevat, 5780

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Kohelet Powers Past Pine Forge Academy By Nachi Troodler The Kohelet Yeshiva High School boys basketball team welcomed Pine Forge Academy to their home court on Tuesday afternoon, February 11. Kohelet, which only had eight players available for the contest, opened the game with solid play on both sides of the ball. Sophomore Jono Neuhaus demonstrated a deft shooting touch early, hitting three shots from behind the arc in the first quarter, while seniors Noam Troodler and Eric Dolitsky chipped in six and four points, respectively. The Kings had a 31-28 lead at halftime, but Pine Forge came out of the locker room with a renewed sense of energy and had a strong third quarter to take the lead. However, Kohelet fought back and cut Pine Forge’s lead to just 3 with 2:35 left in the game. The Kings hung tough and tied the game at 50 with 1:45 left to play. With a minute left in the fourth, Neuhaus calmly hit two free throws

to give Kohelet a 52-51 lead. With 20 seconds left, Dolitsky drained two free throws to extend the Kings’ lead to 54-51. The Kohelet senior followed that up with a steal and another two free throws with 4 seconds left, giving the Kings a 56-51 victory. Neuhaus finished the game with 17 to lead Kohelet, followed by Troodler with 13 and Dolitsky with 12. The win was a true

team effort, with Troodler and junior Isaac Melman controlling the tempo with adept ball handling, seniors Noam Blumenthal, Shmuel Zvi and Troodler playing solid defense under the basket against the bigger Pine Forge players, Neuhaus and Dolitsky hitting clutch free throws down the stretch, and senior Moshe Goodman and freshman Benyamin Niknam providing a spark off the bench.

KYHS Girls Play Final Home Game of the Season By Nachi Troodler (Photo credit: Rabbi Gil Perl)

As they welcomed the team from Community Academy to their home court on Wednesday, February 12, the Kohelet Yeshiva High School girls basketball team remembered the last loss they suffered to the visiting team and resolved to play better this time around. As this was the last home game of the season for Kohelet, the team paid tribute to its

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graduating seniors, Ma’ayan Schwartz, Jordyn Guritzky, and Shira Ripsman. Ripsman, who was injured earlier in the season and has been unable to play since, was inserted into the starting lineup and made a brief appearance on the court before play was stopped and she went to the bench serenaded by her teammates’ cheers. Kohelet played tough from the opening tip and jumped out to a 6-2 lead behind two 3-pointers from junior Hilla Ben-

Shoshan. With 1:40 left in the first quarter, Ben-Shoshan scored another bucket and followed that up with her third 3-pointer of the quarter with 29 seconds left, to give Kohelet an 11-2 lead, although Community Academy scored just before the buzzer to cut the margin to 7. In the opening minute of the second quarter, Guritzky snagged an offensive rebound and had a put-back to put the Kings up 13-4. Freshman Roni Crammer hit a deep three with just over 6 minutes left in

the half to give Kohelet a 16-5 advantage. Community Academy began chipping away at Kohelet’s lead, but Ben-Shoshan scored with 2:50 left to put the Kings up by 7, and when the first half ended, Kohelet had an 18-14 lead. The talented team from Community Academy started the second half with a quick scoring burst and tied the game at 18. Soon thereafter, freshman Barbara Sasson hit a foul line jumper and followed that up with another basket to cut Community Academy’s lead to 24-22 with 2:45 left in the third quarter. Guritzky scored a minute later to make it a 26-24 game in favor of the visitors. With 10 seconds left in the quarter, sophomore Lauren Williams electrified the crowd with a steal and a finish at the other end of the court to make it a 28-26 game. Community Academy turned it on in the fourth quarter and had a 33-27 lead with 5:30 left, led by their talented guards who were hitting outside shots and driving into the lane, and their center and forwards, who used their distinct height advantage to score down low. Kohelet valiantly tried to narrow the margin, but Community Academy held on for a 40-31 win. February 20, 2020 | 25 Shevat, 5780

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CTA Bests AIM Academy The Caskey Torah Academy boys basketball team took the court against AIM Academy on Wednesday, February 12. It was truly a team effort for the Tigers, as the CTA crew shared the ball extremely well on the offensive end and were able to score most of their points in the paint. On the defensive end, CTA forced many turnovers, which led to numerous fast break points. The Tigers, who led from start to finish, walked away with a 32-9 win. (Photo credit: Shlomo Troodler)

Barrack vs. KYMS

On Sunday, February 9, the Kohelet Yeshiva Middle School boys basketball team went up against Jack M. Barrack Hebrew Academy. Kohelet’s Daniel Benjamini and Asher Liss led the way for the Kings en route to a win. (Photo credit: Rabbi Gil Perl)

February 20, 2020 | 25 Shevat, 5780

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CTA vs. KYMS

On Monday, February 3, the Caskey Torah Academy girls team took the court against the Kohelet Yeshiva Middle School girls team and earned the win by a final score of 18-15. (Photo credit: Rabbi Gil Perl)

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Understanding the Building Construction Index By Gedaliah Borvick

hen buying a property in Israel and determining your budget, there will be additional costs above the purchase price to keep in mind, such as the acquisition tax, lawyer’s and broker’s fees, and other sundry items. When buying an apartment

under construction, also known as buying “on paper” or “off plan,” an important additional cost to consider is the Building Construction Index. The Bank of Israel has a Consumer Price Index, or CPI, to track inflation. In addition, it has many subindices that reflect the inflation rate within various industries. The Building Construction Index covers all costs associated with the construction industry, including

construction materials, such as steel and concrete, as well as the cost of labor. Back in the early 1980s, when the Jerusalem neighborhood of Har Nof was being built, there was so much construction taking place – coupled with ridiculously high inflation that crippled Israel’s economy – that the price of labor, steel and other construction materials literally tripled. Consequently, many developers who sold apartments “on

paper” in projects under construction ran into financial trouble because they sold for prices based on construction costs calculated at the time of contract signing, prior to the costs spiraling out of control. To complete the building projects was a money-losing proposition and therefore many builders declared bankruptcy and walked away from the construction projects. These bankruptcies caused long

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Pet and Child Proofing Your Home By Israela Haor-Friedman

hildren and pets are a joy, but they also bring a new set of precautions with them. Sometimes we forget that things we deem as safe are actually unsafe for others. If your family is soon to grow, make sure to familiarize yourself with the best ways to child and pet proof your home in preparation for your new addition. In the Home Children and animals have the capacity to get into everything – nothing is off limits if it is accessible. To help prevent any kind of issue, ensure that anything that shouldn’t be played with or chewed on is put away in a cabinet that cannot be easily accessed. Cleaning supplies should always be stored out of arm’s reach and preferably in a cabinet with a lock. Household plants can also pose a risk to children and pets. Certain plants are toxic to animals – Asian Lilies, which are popular in flower bouquets, can kill cats. Other common household plants (Aloe, Asparagus Fern, Begonia, Bird of Paradise, English Ivy, Caladium, Cutleaf Philodendron, Corn Plant and others) are some of the most toxic houseplants

for pets. When it comes to plants that are dangerous to both children and pets, keep Peace Lilies, Devil’s Ivy, Sago Palm, Caladium, Poinsettia, English Ivy, and Cyclamen out of reach. If your home has a fireplace (wood or gas), invest in a fireplace screen to prevent burns and other mishaps that can result from small children or animals playing in or near the fireplace. Windows naturally attract a child’s attention. Make sure they are secured to prevent a child breaking the glass; windows on the second level of a home should have extra security to ensure children cannot fall out of them. If you

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have blinds, secure the cord or string out of reach of small children to prevent the threat of strangulation. In the Bathroom Bathrooms and laundry rooms are essential to the functioning of the home, but they also pose a lot of issues for children and pets. Cleaners, detergents, fabric softeners, bleach, medications, vitamins, dental floss, and fluoride toothpaste can all be harmful and toxic for humans and animals. If you can, store as many items as possible up high or in a cabinet to prevent someone from getting into them. It’s also important to remember to keep doors on appliances (like the washer and dryer) shut and if possible locked when not in use as both pets and children can climb into them. In the Kitchen For many households, the kitchen serves as a popular gathering place and a room that gets a lot of traffic by every family member. There are a number of hazards in the kitchen for children and pets that can easily be overlooked. While human members of the family benefit from a diverse diet, dogs and cats do not have the same luxury. Many foods children love are toxic to pets: grapes, raisins and avocados are all bad for dogs, and other items like

dark chocolate, macadamia nuts, raw salmon, onions, garlic, coffee, and sugar alternative xylitol are all toxic for dogs. Aside from food, many kitchen gadgets can be harmful to both children and pets (like knives, graters and other items that cut or have sharp edges), and while many children and pets would consider the garbage can an amazing new discovery, it can also be a reservoir of disease that can leave every member of the family sick. Keep garbage cans locked or stored in a cabinet to prevent little hands or paws from finding them. Other items in the kitchen that can be harmful are twist ties, plastic bags and other plastic or metal pieces. Keep as many things stored up high or in a locked cupboard to prevent harm. In the Garage The garage can often be forgotten where baby or pet proofing is concerned. The garage must be tended to when it comes to readying your home for a child or pet, especially if you spend any time in it. Chemicals for vehicles and yards can all be life-threatening for children and pets, and many yard tools that cut or dig can maim anyone, especially little kids or animals who have been left unattended. If you can, invest in multiple storage and shelving options to help keep all hazards out of reach. Having a child or getting a pet is a lifechanging event for anyone. As part of being a responsible parent, ensure your home is as safe as possible for your loved ones, especially those that can’t take care of themselves. And remember – invest in as many baby gates as possible, because they work wonders for children and pets! If you need additional suggestions on making your home safe, feel free to visit my website at israelafriedman.foxroach.com. Israela Haor-Friedman is a licensed Realtor with Berkshire Hathaway Home Services Fox & Roach Realtors in Haverford, PA. She is a member of the Gail Kardon Team and can be reached at 610.730.0731 or at israela.friedman@foxroach.com. February 20, 2020 | 25 Shevat, 5780

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Bathrooms 2020

By Anne Goldberg

friend recently asked about bathroom renovations that got me thinking about what is currently trending. Those of you who know me, know that I love real estate and that I also LOVE home renovations. I am a big HGTV fan and can spend hours looking at photos and redesigning rooms in my mind. Here are some takeaways from various blogs and articles that I have recently read, and from clients’ feedback. Bathtub vs. Shower: Most of us prefer taking a shower to a bath. So why not get rid of the baths and install great walkin showers in all your bathrooms? As a rule of thumb, I strongly suggest that you keep one bathroom with a tub, usually the hallway bath. This is particularly appreciated by families with little children, and it is a big plus for resale. However, in your master bath, you have design freedom. Go for a large shower. Yes, make it large, splurge on the shower head(s) and jets, and consider adding a bench. If you have plenty of space and want a little luxury, then add a freestanding soaking tub… and if you want some glitz, hang a chandelier over

Understanding the Building Construction Index CONTINUED FROM P. 46 delays, which hurt the apartment buyers and the entire industry. In response to this challenging experience, the government created the Building Construction Index to protect all parties’ interests. When someone purchases an apartment in a project under construction, the unpaid portion of the price becomes linked to the Index. Let’s say that Esther buys an apartment “on paper” for 2,000,000 NIS in a project that is expected to be completed in eighteen months, and the payment schedule requires her to pay 25% on contract and make additional 25% payments every six months. Upon contract execution, Esther makes her first payment of 25% or 500,000 NIS, and the 75% unpaid portion gets linked to the Building Construction Index based on the contract signing date. If the Index went up by 1% over the first six-month period, the second payment will be 500,000 x 1.01% or 505,000 NIS. The next scheduled payment is six months later, or one year after contract signing. If, during the last twelve-month period, the Index rose by 2%, the third payment would be 500,000 x 1.02% or 510,000 NIS. Esther’s final 25% payment is six months later, or eighteen February 20, 2020 | 25 Shevat, 5780

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the tub… and don’t forget the heated floor. Shower Ledges vs. Niches: Everyone needs a place in the shower for soap and shampoo bottles, and a niche does an adequate job. But niches are somewhat difficult to handle from a design and construction perspective, because they have to be recessed between wall studs. This requires extra planning and preparation. Meanwhile, you have to consider what you will use to tile the interior of the niche and how you will finish off its edges. That’s a lot of work for a small area that sometimes months after contract execution. If the Index increased by 3% during that year and a half period, the final payment would be 500,000 x 1.03% or 515,000 NIS. In this case, the Index adds a total of 30,000 NIS above the sale price. In this example, we grew the Building Construction Index 2% annually, which reflects the actual numbers over the past decade, where the Index rose an average of 1.95% annually. Over the past five years, however, inflation was lower, as the Index averaged 1.7% annually. Keep in mind that only the unpaid portion of the price is subject to the Index. Therefore, buyers who are risk-averse can accelerate their payment schedule and prepay the lion’s share of the purchase price, thus limiting their inflation risk. Even though the Building Construction Index, for all intents and purposes, raises the purchase price of the apartment, it takes the risk of bankruptcy due to rising construction costs out of the equation, allowing the builder – and buyer – to rest assured that rising construction costs won’t derail the project. Gedaliah Borvick is the founder of My Israel Home (www.myisraelhome.com), a real estate agency focused on helping people from abroad buy and sell homes in Israel. To sign up for his monthly market updates, contact him at gborvick@ myisraelhome.com.

isn’t even big enough to hold large bottles of shampoo and conditioner. A shower ledge is much more straightforward and requires a buildout of only a few inches into the shower space. Run it along the length of your shower stall, and you’ve got tons of space for shower essentials. Cap it with a piece of your bathroom vanity countertop material and call it a day. Double Sink Vanity vs. Single Sink: Most people are drawn to the double sink. There is something alluring about not sharing a sink. However, from the comments I read, most people, given the choice again, would opt for the single sink. They value the counter space and extra storage more than the double sink, particularly once they realize that they seldom brush their teeth at the same time as their spouse. Storage: Which brings me to another design aspect that I often find is overlooked in many bathroom renovation projects: Storage or the lack thereof. If you are redoing your bathroom, give some thought to where you plan to store the towels, toiletries, toilet paper, tissues, etc. Make sure that you take storage into account in your design.

Regardless of the room you are thinking of renovating, I suggest that you ask yourself, “how will this room be used, and by whom?” This will often dictate the choice of finishes, style, ease of use, etc. So, in terms of bathrooms, if it serves the whole family, you should aim for something that is solid, durable, that can withstand constant use, and some abuse. If it is a guest bathroom, you may want to consider what would make your guests comfortable, as I mentioned earlier, if it is the master, you can go all out – luxurious and spa-like. If you have downsized and are planning to age in place in your current home, you may want to think ahead and consider what amenities you will need to make your home safe and comfortable. Do a little research. Showers with no transition on the floor are more and more popular. This is a great option should you have mobility issues later on, as you can wheel right into the shower. You may also want to have the wall reinforced at strategic places, so that you can easily install grab bars later on if there is a need. A little planning ahead goes a long way. Thanks to the Internet, there is no lack of inspiration. Go to sites like houzz.com or even zillow.com – they have thousands of photos of room ideas – search by room, style, décor, etc. Find something you like, a look that resonates with you and use it as a starting point. Discuss your ideas with your contractor. A good contractor will also be able to share design ideas and suggest finishes; chances are, they have done similar projects in the past. In terms of resale value, bathrooms and kitchens are the first rooms buyers look at. So, it is definitely a plus. Anne Goldberg is a realtor with Keller Williams Main Line Realty in Bryn Mawr, PA. She can be reached at annegoldberg@kw.com or at 610.520.0100 (office) 973.985.9053 (mobile).

Are you, or someone you know, looking to buy or sell a home or invest in real estate on the Main Line or greater Philadelphia?

ANNE GOLDBERG, REALTOR® Mobile: 973-985-9053 Office: 610-520-0100

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