Philadelphia Jewish Link - November 28, 2019 by Jewish Link Marketing Solutions

Philadelphia

JEWISH LINK

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AMIT Celebrates in Philly By Sara Bleier and Robbie Pearlstein, AMIT Regional Staff

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Issue #6 Published Biweekly November 28, 2019 30 Cheshvan, 5780

n Sunday evening, November 17, over 100 AMIT supporters came out to the Hilton Philadelphia City Avenue to honor longtime lay leaders, Linda and Norman Garfield. Linda is one of the founding members of our local chapter and has been involved and supportive since the 1970s when AMIT was called Mizrachi Women. The evening also featured the AMIT NewGen Philadelphia Board, Danielle Daitch, Aderet Frager, Sara Hirsch, Talya Kaye, Larah Kirschner,

By Gwen Horowitz

Are you concerned about your child’s development?

November 29, 2019 1 Kislev, 5780 Parshat Toldot Candle Lighting: 4:19 pm

Philly Jewish Communities Pitch Nearly 2,000 Jews to Relocate at OU Jewish Community Fair

Cherry Hill booth at the OU Jewish Community Fair (credit: Zush Photography) (Courtesy of the OU) Linda & Norman Garfield, the honorees and long-time AMIT lay leaders

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epresentatives of the Philadelphia Orthodox community traveled to New York City on Sunday, November

MY TRUTH at Lower Merion Synagogue

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vihai Shorshan, the founder and Director of MY TRUTH, spoke at Lower Merion Synagogue on November 21. He was accompanied by Matan Dansker, an active MY TRUTH volunteer and the founder of the organization Speak Up. MY TRUTH is an Israeli NGO that gives a voice to IDF soldiers and their efforts are crucial in the fight against the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement. The organization has extraordinary support from members

across the Israeli population spectrum. Religious, political and geographic differences are put aside when it comes to combating the slanderous and libelous accusations being leveled against IDF soldiers. Rabbi Avraham Shmidman of Lower Merion Synagogue introduced the speakers. He emphasized the critical importance of Israel supporters educating themselves about the BDS movement and ensuring their voices are heard. He noted that in an age of “fake news” being created and spread on

24 to participate in the Orthodox Union’s (OU) Seventh International Jewish Community Home & Job Relocation Fair

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See our produce specials in store and online at houseofkosher.com orders@houseofkosher.com 215.677.8100 We reserve the right to limit quantities. No rain checks. 9806 BUSTLETON AVE PHILADELPHIA PA 19115 While supplies last. Not responsible for typographical errors.

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W ISRAEL DEPORTS HUMAN RIGHTS WATCH DIRECTOR OMAR SHAKIR FOR ADVOCATING BDS

(JNS) Human Rights Watch’s IsraelPalestine director will be deported under Israel’s anti-BDS law for promoting a boycott of the Jewish state. Omar Shakir, a U.S. citizen, was ordered to leave the country after Israel’s Supreme Court upheld an expulsion order under a 2017 law that allows Israel to deport foreigners who support the boycott movement aimed at economically isolating Israel, but has also been accused of anti-Semitism and ties with terrorism. “This has never been about BDS. It’s always been about the Israeli government’s efforts to muzzle Human Rights Watch,” Shakir said in a statement. “But it’s had exactly the opposite effect. The world has seen through this for what it is. It’s an attack on the human-rights movement.” Nevertheless, a watchdog group said that Shakir has long targeted the Jewish state. “Shakir’s career, including at HRW, has been devoted to uniquely and intensely targeting Israel. His personal involvement in campaigns concerning Israeli banks, Airbnb and FIFA membership was meant to trigger far-reaching boycotts, divestment and sanctions. Two courts carefully reviewed the evidence we provided and came to the same conclusion,” NGO Monitor said in a statement. “Now that Shakir has lost, he and HRW have suddenly forgotten the due process and exceptional access that he enjoyed,” it said.

VANDALS SCRAWL SWASTIKA ON MONUMENT TO SHOLEM ALEICHEM IN KIEV

(JNS) An unidentified group of vandals painted a swastika on the monument honoring the father of Jewish literature, Sholem Aleichem, according to a report posted on Sunday night by Chief Rabbi of Ukraine and Kiev, Moshe Reuven Asman, on his Facebook page. It is yet another case of anti-Semitism in Ukraine in the past several weeks. In September, for instance, unidentified criminals desecrated a monument dedicated to the Jews who perished in a massacre in Bogdanoka village in Nikolayev region. The attackers this week spray-painted a swastika in red and left a note with threats to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky; former transportation minister Yevgeny Chervonenko; and head of Ukrainian Jewish Committee Eduard Dolinsky. Haim Ben-Yakov, CEO of the Euro-Asian Jewish Congress, addressed the

RLD NEWSBRIEFS

Ukrainian government, saying “to our great dismay, recently we have been witnessing an increasing number of anti-Semitic incidents all across Ukraine. The country’s law-enforcement agencies must do everything possible to find and prosecute the criminals. Desecration of monuments is an alarming symptom of a troubling condition, which can develop into a more acute form. “It is urgent that we act promptly and decisively in order to avert further escalation of anti-Semitic sentiment in the country,” he stressed.

GENESIS PRIZE FOUNDATION LAUNCHES ‘SPEAK OUT FOR ISRAEL’ TO COUNTER ANTISEMITISM

(JNS) The Genesis Prize Foundation (GPF) and the 2019 Genesis Prize winner Robert Kraft announced the launch of “Speak Out for Israel”—an international campaign designed to help combat the global rise of anti-Semitism and attempts to delegitimize the Jewish state. Through this campaign, GPF and Kraft plan to award $1 million in grants to Israeli nonprofit organizations capable of delivering an innovative response to this grave challenge. “The theme of the 2019 Genesis Prize focuses on combating global anti-Semitism and increasingly aggressive efforts to challenge the legitimacy of the State of Israel,” said Stan Polovets, co-founder and chairman of the Genesis Prize Foundation. “These grants are designed to help Israel’s nonprofit sector stand up to this scourge by promoting a truthful, inspiring narrative of Israel to audiences around the world, countering Israel’s detractors with factual, positive messages of what the Jewish state truly represents. We invite other donors to join Robert Kraft and our foundation in this effort.” “Speak out for Israel” grants will be awarded on a competitive basis to entities that propose programs designed to tell the story of Israel by emphasizing democratic values, such as tolerance and respect for the rights of minorities, as well as scientific, technological and cultural achievements. The programs will aim to build cross-community bridges, dismantle stereotypes, and educate Jews and non-Jews alike about Israel. “Israel is so special to me and my family,” Kraft, owner of the New England Patriots, said in a statement. “It’s where I took the love of my life on our honeymoon in 1963. Since then, I have sponsored dozens of missions and countless other trips for people to experience Israel for the first time. “Spiritually, there is no place like it on

earth,” he continued. “The more people learn about its history, its diverse culture and its innovation, the more we can do to change stereotypes and end antisemitism. That’s why Speak Out for Israel is so timely and important to Israel’s future.” The Genesis Prize Foundation invites interested nonprofits registered in Israel to apply for “Speak Out for Israel” grants until Dec. 12. The competition is being administered by Matan-United Way Israel, with winners to be announced in April 2020.

ISRAELI EXPORTS REACH A RECORD $114 BILLION IN 2019

(JNS) Israel’s exports should grow to a record $114 billion in 2019 from $109 billion last year according to government data, Reuters reported. The Central Bureau and Statistics and Economy Ministry assessed that Israeli exports stood at $84 billion during the first nine months of 2019 – a 4.6 percent increase from the same period last year. The rise in exports is mostly due to almost a 12 percent rise in services exports, which includes the main high-tech sector, according to the Economy Minister, noted the report. The strong shekel, a weak diamond market and a slowing global economy have led to a weak year in goods exports. Exports make up around 30 percent of Israel’s economy, according to the report.

HEZBOLLAH LASHES OUT AT US, ACCUSING IT OF INTERFERENCE IN LEBANON

(JNS) Hezbollah accused the United States of meddling in the formation of a new Lebanese government amid one of the country’s worst economic crises. “The first obstruction in the formation of the government is America because it wants a government that resembles it, and we want a government that resembles the Lebanese people,” Hezbollah deputy leader Sheikh Naim Qassem told Reuters. “Let them leave us alone so we can reach an understanding among ourselves. The more they intervene the more they delay the solution.” Qassem also said, according to the report, that “the corrupt must stand trial in Lebanon regardless of who they are … we support all measures that limit corruption and that recover looted wealth.” The Hezbollah deputy leader also accused the United States of attempting to create “security problems” in Lebanon. “I do not see signs of a civil war in Lebanon. Hezbollah is determined not to fall into strife that America wants. But we

TABLE OF CONTENTS World Newsbriefs.........................................….4 Israel News….................................................7, 10 Publisher’s Perspective............................….8 Editor’s Letter……....................................…….8 Op-Ed…………...................................………….9 Community Happenings…...................12-13 Community News….................................11-22 Features………......................................…..24-27 Divrei Torah……................................…….28-31 Torah from Eretz Yisrael by Rabbi Moshe Taragin…............…..30 Sta”m Matters by Rabbi Yonah Gross……….......……31 Health & Wellness…...............................32-34 Something in the Water: The Debate on Fluoride by Dana Kupfer, DMD…....................…32 ADHD Series: Part II by Dr. Dovid Levy….............................….32 The Biopsychosocial Jewish Brain by Dovid Halpern…..............…………..33 Food & Wine……….............................…35-36 House to Home by House of Kosher and Esther Chana Schechter..................................................…35 Recipes From the Rebbetzin by Rebbetzin Deborah Epstein…….35 One Size Fits All by Jonathan Chodosh…........................36 Fun Corner……………………........................37 Schools......................................................…38-40 Sports…..................................................................41 Home & Living….......................................42-43 Knock on Wood (Flooring) For Its Timeless Appeal submitted by Israela Haor-Friedman….......................42 What is a Mortgage Pre-Qualification? by Anne Goldberg…............................….43 have information of American attempts to create some security problems,” he said. Last week, protesters gathered outside the office of Lebanese legislator Mohammed Raad, the head of Hezbollah’s parliamentary bloc, chanting “the people want to bring down the regime,” the AP reported. One used a metal rod to knock down a sign bearing Raad’s name, while the others cheered, according to the report. Shi’ite Hezbollah, along with the Shi’ite Amal Party, has always counted on support for the country’s Shi’ite community. However, the current popular protests engulfing Lebanon are directed against the ruling elite, including Hezbollah.

Where can I pick up a copy of the Philadelphia Jewish Link? See page 19 for a complete list of pickup locations 4

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ISRAEL NEWS Israeli Defense Firm Develops Cutting-Edge Cyber Defenses To Protect Critical Infrastructure Rafael Advanced Defense Systems built a Cyber Security Operations Center for Israel Railways—a critical infrastructure that faces 10 million cyber-attack attempts a month.

ANNUAL COMMUNITY GALA

A view of the new Tel Aviv-Jerusalem fast train seen over the HaArazim Valley (“Valley of Cedars”) just outside of Jerusalem, Sept. 25, 2018. (credit: Yossi Zamir/Flash90) By Yaakov Lappin of JNS

he cyber threat posed by Israel’s enemies to the country’s critical infrastructure and other key targets is high, and Israeli authorities are working closely with defense companies to build up cutting-edge defenses. In recent years, Rafael Advanced Defense Systems has won major cyberdefense contracts totaling tens of millions of dollars in Israel and abroad. The company has become a significant cyber player over the past seven years. Clients now include Israel Railways, the Bank of Israel’s National Credit Registry and Israel’s Computer Emergency Response Team center, known as CERT (a civilian center that deals with cyber challenges), in Beersheva. Israel’s rail network is considered critical infrastructure, and Rafael has constructed a Cyber Security Operations Center (CSOS) for Israel Railways to help the organization deal with the more than 10 million monthly cyber-attack attempts aimed at gathering critical intelligence and other forms of hacking against the train’s subsystems. Rafael also built defenses for Argentina’s Defense Ministry and military ahead of preparations for the G20 summit held last year in that country. “The things we do are certainly challenging and innovative,” Michael Arov, cyber-technology product-line manager at Rafael, told JNS. “The Israel Railways project is one of them.” Arov, who is responsible for all of the company’s cyber activities, said trains are becoming more computerized, which means that the cyber “attack surface” rail networks present to those with hostile intentions is also increasing. November 28, 2019 / 30 Cheshvan, 5780

“Israel Railways is considered critical infrastructure because of the damage that can be caused [to the country through it]. Our first goal is to safeguard human lives and create a situation in which it will be hard—in the cyber world, we don’t say ‘impossible’ because nothing is impossible—but to make it very hard to harm lives,” said Arov. Preventing catastrophic scenarios like collisions and derailments is a top priority, he added. In order to achieve this, “one has to understand first what the cyber situation is, in all of the subsystems,” said Arov. “A train network is a system of systems. There are lots of subsystems, and they all have to be in tune with one another. If not, the entire system goes out of sync.” The critical control panels, the power supply, the train doors and most importantly the signaling system all require close monitoring and defense. “The real-time signal system is what decides which train, with which driver, is where and on what track. This is the holy grail of every attacker. It is the most critical system for train safety,” said Arov. The train system’s Cyber Security Operations Center (CSOC) provides a constant overview and will sound a real-time alert when something suspicious takes place. The CSOC draws attention to problems as they are detected. Operators can then manage the risks—like deciding whether or not to halt train traffic or avoid using a certain part of the track. “In the end, the solution is stable, holistic and does not harm functionality,” said Arov. “We understand we have to support the main process and not disrupt the train’s functions.”

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CONTINUED ON P. 10 Philadelphia JEWISH LINK

THE PUBLISHER’S PERSPECTIVE

hen the colonial Pilgrims enjoyed a feast in 1621 celebrating the harvest, little did they know that meal would beget an annual tradition which would be celebrated by families across the United States for generations. While Thanksgiving brings with it a strong focus on delectable delicacies, including turkey, stuffing, cranberries, and pumpkin pie, as well as the sacrosanct tradition of watching football, there is another essential element of the day. The concept of “giving thanks” is central to the Thanksgiving holiday. In fact, many families have a tradition of going around the Thanksgiving table, one by one, to declare what each person is thankful for. “I am thankful for my family,” says Grandma. “I am thankful for my toys,” says the young boy. “I am thankful for the new bicycle I got for my birthday,” said the young girl. “I am thankful for the wonderful vacation we were able to take this year,” says Mom. “I am thankful that

the Sixers are playing well,” says the teenage boy. This ritual of “giving thanks” is often replete with a degree of formality and seriousness as each family member nods in approval as their parent, child or sibling bares his or her soul while the turkey is sitting on the table getting cold. While I agree that there is something noble about this tradition that has taken hold in many homes, I take exception to the fact that “giving thanks” in this fashion is something that is limited to a once-a-year experience for far too many people. As Jews, we give thanks every single day of our lives. Our spiritual being and entire religious experience are predicated on the notion of “giving thanks,” whether it be to God or to our fellow man. We thank Hashem for everything we have and everything we are able to do. We thank Him for allowing us to wake up each morning and we thank Him for the food He provides us with. We thank Him for keeping us healthy or helping us recover from an illness and we thank Him for the privilege of living life as Jews.

EDITOR’S LETTER

raffic is a necessary evil in our world today. In order to get from Point A to Point B, you can almost be guaranteed that you will experience traffic at some time during your journey. The Wednesday before Thanksgiving and the Sunday following the holiday take this routine nuisance to a whole new level. The Sunday after Thanksgiving is widely known to be the busiest travel day of the year in the United States. Even

with the advent of Waze (shout-out to Israeli programmer Ehud Shabtai who developed the app) which determines the fastest travel routes, one can expect to sit in many hours of traffic on this particular day. I sometimes think “how many hours of my life have been wasted sitting in traffic?” How much more could a person accomplish over the course of their lifetime if they could tap into those hours? Jurek Grabowski, research director for the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety notes that, “The amount of time the average [American] driver spends behind

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As Jews, we begin each day by uttering the words “Modeh Ani Lefanecha,” a tefillah through which we thank Hashem for restoring our soul within us, even before we venture out of bed. Each time we recite Shemoneh Esrei, we say “Modim Anachnu Lach,” we give thanks to You. The list goes on and on, and the ways in which we give thanks to God are virtually endless. Giving thanks is at the very core of our existence as Jews, and it is something we do habitually and assiduously. While it is nice that people put their annual Thanksgiving feast on hold for a few moments so each family member can announce with great fanfare what he or she is thankful for, it simply is not enough. Our world would be a far better place if people took more time to regularly reflect on what they have, ruminate on the precious gifts they have been given in life, and say “thank you” for all of it. It should not merely occur once a year on the fourth Thursday of November. For Jews, every day is Thanksgiving. Nachi Troodler, Publisher

Philadelphia JEWISH LINK

the wheel each year is equivalent to seven 40-hour weeks at the office.” That’s CRAZY!!! I would venture to guess that this number increases significantly for people in our community who often travel to New York and New Jersey to shop and visit family. Living out-of-town is a commitment to a future of lengthy car trips. While there are times when I actually enjoy spending a few hours being able to have a conversation with my fellow travelers without the intrusion of technology, oftentimes these trips also include many wasteful hours due to traffic. Over the years, I have come up with a formula for road travel for my family. The goal is to spend at least as much time at the destination as it took to travel back and forth to the location. We do not always achieve this goal, but I have found it to be a useful threshold to bear in mind when deciding to attend an event several hours away. In this issue of the Jewish Link you will find an article by Avrumie Goldfein, owner of Schwartz Hardware, in which he discusses ways to winterize your home for the upcoming season. I would recommend adding to that list checking that your cars are winter-ready as well. Refilling windshield washer fluid, checking the power of your car battery, and making sure your brakes are in good working order, are essential. Experiencing car trouble while stuck in traffic will only exacerbate the problem. All in all, there is very little a person can

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 Carly Chodosh Jonathan Chodosh Dovid Halpern David Magerman Sam Maron Ari Nestlebaum Dr. Frani Pollack Yaeli Sokolic 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.

do to avoid traffic. My suggestion would be to try listening to audible books, downloading your favorite playlist, or engaging in conversation with your fellow passengers and driver. Even with this daily inconvenience, I, for one, wouldn’t change living out-of-town for anything. I hope you enjoy your Thanksgiving whether you are staying local or hitting the road, and if you are headed out, I wish you safe travels! Lisa Stein, Editor November 28, 2019 / 30 Cheshvan, 5780

OP-ED

The PFLP: Abbas’s Dirty Little Secret The entire premise of the Oslo accords and various “peace processes” that followed was that the Palestinian Arab leadership, headed by Yasser Arafat and his deputy, Mahmoud Abbas, had sincerely given up terrorism and the goal of destroying Israel. By Stephen M. Flatow Amid all the hubbub over the latest wave of Palestinian Arab rocket attacks against Israel, one extremely important part of the story passed almost unnoticed. I call it Palestinian Authority president Mahmoud Abbas’s dirty little secret. A news brief carried by one of the wire services reported that the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) announced that it has “expanded its rockets’ range beyond Gaza border communities.” The significance of the news, as presented by the media, was that a terrorist faction was boasting of new rocket ranges that could intensify the conflict. But the real significance is the fact that the PFLP is being coddled by “moderate” Palestinian leaders, even as it continues to play an active role in the terrorist war against Israel. Remember: The entire premise of the Oslo accords and the various “peace processes” that followed was that the Palestinian Arab leadership, headed by Yasser

Arafat and his deputy, Mahmoud Abbas, had sincerely given up terrorism and the goal of destroying Israel. Arafat and Abbas claimed that they had become “moderate,” and that the Palestine Liberation Organization and Palestinian Authority—which Arafat led, and which Abbas now leads—were committed to peace. The PLO consists of 10 individual factions. The largest, headed by Abbas, is Fatah. The second largest is the PFLP. Since joining the PLO at its inception in 1967, the PFLP has perpetrated numerous heinous terrorist attacks, including hijackings of airplanes and the murder of an Israeli cabinet minister. That was all supposed to have come to an end when the PLO claimed to give up terrorism at the Oslo signing in September 1993. Except that the PFLP never gave up terrorism. It’s just that nobody talks about it. The U.S. government knows that. That’s why the PFLP remains on the official U.S. list of terrorist groups to this day, even after other PLO member-factions were removed from that list. Former President

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Bill Clinton didn’t take the PFLP off that list. Neither did George W. Bush or Barack Obama. Neither has Donald Trump. But how could it be otherwise, when the PFLP’s post-Oslo résumé includes such atrocities as the synagogue massacre of five rabbis (four died at the scene, and one died 11 months later from head injuries) and an Israeli Druze police officer in Jerusalem’s Har Nof neighborhood five years ago this week? Despite that massacre and other outrages, Abbas has never taken any action against the group. He never expelled the PFLP from the PLO. He never outlawed the PFLP. He never sent his security forces to confiscate their weapons or shut down their safe houses. He has knowingly tolerated the terrorists of the PFLP. And so, the PFLP has continued to grow—to the point that it even took part in the latest rocket terrorism against Israel. Which is why American advocates of the Palestinian cause, such as J Street, never mention the PFLP. Because calling

attention to it means acknowledging that Abbas aides and abets them. And that would make it much harder to convince people that Abbas (now in the 14th year of a four-year term as president) should be given a fully sovereign state in Israel’s backyard. Understandably, Abbas is hoping that the rest of us won’t notice the terrorists who are operating under the umbrella of his PLO. American Jewish and Zionist groups should be making the PFLP problem a major issue. They should be confronting our elected officials, educating the public and speaking out in every possible forum about the shocking fact that Israel’s socalled “peace partner” is actually a partner of terrorists. Stephen M. Flatow, an attorney in New Jersey, is the father of Alisa Flatow, who was murdered in an Iranian-sponsored Palestinian terrorist attack in 1995. He is the author of “A Father’s Story: My Fight for Justice Against Iranian Terrorism,” now available on Kindle.

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ISRAEL NEWS Israeli Defense Firm Develops Cutting-Edge Cyber Defenses To Protect Critical Infrastructure CONTINUED FROM P. 7 ‘Privacy is a central issue’ When it came to setting up a defense program for the Bank of Israel’s National Credit Registry, Rafael faced a different set of demands. Unlike the country’s rail system, cyber attacks on the registry were not potentially life-threatening, according to Arov, but could still cause significant damage to the country. The registry contains plenty of sensitive data in one location, and Rafael had to devise a way that allowed non-governmental organizations, like credit bureaus, to access the figures without leaks. “We built a system that intimately supervises what information is being accessed, grants authorizations, conducts checks and monitors all connections between the computer system and the business-transactions world,” said Arov. “This was a different kind of problem that required a different solution from the train network.” Yet here, too, Rafael built a CSOC that creates a single picture of all cyber activities and provides real-time alerts. “Privacy is a very central issue in this kind of project. There is data here that would be very interesting to others. Even

registry employees cannot access restricted data without triggering an alert. Privacy is severely enforced here,” he added. In recent years, Israeli authorities have created more order in terms of defining their jurisdiction in the sensitive world of cyber defense, after years of uncertainty. The Israel National Cyber Directorate is responsible for policy on defending core

national infrastructure. The Shin Bet domestic-intelligence agency plays a central role in national cyber defenses, too. Ultimately, Arov said, despite the appearance of so many companies and so much investment into cyber defense, the threat is here to stay. “Our sense is that products are not the ‘be all and end all’ in this world. Even if you have a really good lock on your door

at home, it doesn’t mean that someone can’t breach it. The solution has to be comprehensive. One also has to deal with windows, and intruders can come in through the ceiling and walls. Locks are great, they are part of the solution, but they’re not enough,” he argued. “It is important to understand the big picture. In the end, cyber defense is not a one-off event.”

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COMMUNITY NEWS AMIT Celebrates in Philly CONTINUED FROM P. 1

Jennifer Rachel Sherby, Jenny Sved, and Dassi Zhivalyuk, the leaders of the new effort to inspire and involve the 40ish-and-younger crowd. The theme of the gala, “Painting Our Future; Continuity and Collaboration,” celebrated AMIT’s critical work with children in Eretz Yisrael and reiterated the integral role American chapters play by raising charity dollars at fun local programs.

AMIT has been there to help Israel and its children for almost 95 years, and now has 107 schools and residences in 33 cities with more than 36,000 students. 70% of AMIT’s children come from the socio-economic and geographic periphery. AMIT enables all of its children to dream big by giving them the highest quality education and services, thereby leveling the playing field and reducing the opportunity gap. AMIT was founded on providing academic

excellence within a framework of Jewish values and remains steadfast and focused on preparing its students to thrive, succeed, and become productive members and leaders in every sector of Israeli society. AMIT NewGen inquiries may be directed to Sara Bleier at SaraB@AMITChildren.org. All other inquiries may be directed to Robbie Pearlstein at RobbieP@AMITChildren.org.

AMIT student, Roni Ashkenazi, presents her nationally award winning app for autistic students and their caregivers (note: it is called “What Should I Do?”, and in Hebrew “‫)”כדי לי‬

AMIT National President, Audrey Axelrod Trachtman, addresses the gala guests

Left to right: Aderet Frager, Talya Kaye, Larah Kirschner, Jenny Sved, Jennifer Rachel Sherby, Dassi Zhivalyuk, Sara Hirsch, Sara Bleier

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November 28, 2019 / 30 Cheshvan, 5780

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COMMUNITY HAPPENINGS YOUNG ISRAEL OF CHERRY HILL

Young Israel of Cherry Hill held its first mother-daughter learning program of the season on Motzei Shabbos, Parshas Vayera. Nearly 50 participants joined together for a night of Torah learning and studied the mitzvah of Emunah using prepared source sheets. Dinner and prizes completed the evening

with a great learning discussion led by Sarah Bienenfeld.

CHALLAH BAKE AT LOWER MERION SYNAGOGUE (credit: Yoni Danielli/Eight x Ten Photography)

THE THINK PINK CHALLAH BAKE IN CHERRY HILL

NCSY Teens from all over Philadelphia came together to volunteer for JRA. The Jewish Relief Agency is an independent organization that serves over 6,000 diverse low-income individuals across Greater Philadelphia by relieving hunger, improving lives, and strengthening our community. Teens from multiple Jewish Student Unions (JSU) donated their time

and efforts to an organization that helps provide for Jews, especially the elderly. Every single person both enjoyed the experience and had a meaningful time. Pictured are members of the JSU from Wissahickon at JRA.

BENSALEM OUTREACH CENTER CHALLAH BAKE

The Bucks County and Greater Philadelphia Great Big Challah Bake, which was organized by the Bensalem Outreach Center.

YOUNG ISRAEL OF ELKINS PARK

Fathers and sons enjoyed a kumzitz following the Motzei Shabbos Avos U’bonim learning program at Young Israel of Elkins Park.

TEACH PA

Teach PA, a leading advocate for equitable funding for Pennsylvania’s non-public schools, encouraged attendees at The Mesivta High School of Greater Philadelphia’s annual dinner to sign thank you cards to PA state legislators to thank them for their support of the EITC and OSTC programs, which greatly benefit our local Jewish day schools. The project was spearheaded by Teach PA Executive Director Arielle Frankston-Morris.

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November 28, 2019 / 30 Cheshvan, 5780

COMMUNITY NEWS HAPPENINGS THE MESIVTA HIGH SCHOOL OF GREATER PHILADELPHIA

(credit: Yoni Danielli/Eight x Ten Photography) The Mesivta High School of Greater Philadelphia celebrated its annual dinner on Tuesday, November 19. A large crowd assembled at Lower Merion Synagogue to support the school and pay tribute to the worthy honorees, Shlomo and Ronni Troodler.

Honoree Shlomo Troodler addressed the crowd

POLITZ HEBREW ACADEMY

From L-R: Rabbi Avraham Steinberg, the Rosh Mesivta, Dinner Chair Rabbi Joshua Weinberger, and honorees Shlomo and Ronni Troodler

Politz Hebrew Academy recently hosted over 100 educators from the tri-state area, including Baltimore and Washington, D.C., for an In-Service program sponsored by the Consortium of Jewish Day Schools. One of the presenters was Larry Thompson, M.Ed, author of “Roadmap to Responsibility” and “Give ‘em Five,” who delivers keynote presentations for state and national education conferences, helping thousands of educators and

schools throughout North America break away from their traditional discipline models to a model that creates a responsible climate and responsible students. Responsibility-centered discipline allows students to take ownership of their behavior and to decide on ways to channel that behavior in a positive way.

From L-R: Rabbi Avraham Steinberg, the Rosh Mesivta, Shlomo Troodler, and Honorary Chair Gary Erlbaum

COMMUNITY NEWS Aish Chaim to Celebrate Annual Gala on December 10 By PJL Staff

ince the birth of Aish Chaim nearly a year ago following the merger of Etz Chaim and Aish Philadelphia, this newly formed entity has established itself as a central part of Jewish communal life in the Greater Philadelphia area. With a rich blend of learning and engagement programs, as well as their spiritfilled Shabbat services with optional learning groups, Aish Chaim has something for everyone. On Tuesday, December 10, Aish Chaim will hold its Annual Community Gala and pay tribute to Dr. Paul and Jordanna Ufberg, who will receive the Community Leadership Award, and Seena Elbaum, who will accept the Aishes Chayil Award. The gala, which will begin at 6:00 pm, will take place at the Green Valley Country Club at 201 Ridge Pike in Lafayette Hill. Paul Ufberg is an Attending Physician in the Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, and Jordanna Ufberg is an Aesthetician and Marketing Coordinator at The Main Line Institute of Plastic Surgery. Seena Elbaum has been licensed as a Pennsylvania Social Work Practitioner since 1989, working with women and November 28, 2019 / 30 Cheshvan, 5780

couples. She is also certified as a yoga teacher and owns a boutique studio for women. In 2014, she completed her Doula certification with CAPPA International, and goes by Birthing Mindfully in her prenatal and postpartum practice. “Aish Chaim is an organization that is very dear to our hearts,” said the Ufbergs. “It is a place that our whole family feels comfortable going to pray, to learn, and to grow. We strive for continued growth of Aish Chaim as it serves the Philadelphia community.” Aish Chaim is a collaboration between Etz Chaim and Aish Philadelphia, both of which were founded in the later part of the 20th century to engage Jews with the pursuit of Jewish living and learning in meaningful ways. Etz Chaim was founded in 1988 by Rabbi Dovid Wachs, who partnered with Rabbi Moshe Ungar to spread the light of Torah across the region. Through its journey, Etz Chaim was based in Northeast Philadelphia, Center City and Elkins Park, but always reached Jews across the greater city with an array of classes, programs, events, study partners and special trips. Aish Philadelphia was founded in 1994 by Dr. Herb Caskey and reached out to Jews primarily on the Main Line. During that time, several Aish Rabbis and

Rebbetzins touched thousands of Jews with an incredible selection of enlightening programs that brought so many Jews closer to Torah and love of Hashem. On January 1, 2019 Etz Chaim and Aish Philadelphia joined together and officially became known as Aish Chaim. Seena Elbaum, Dr. Paul and Jordanna Ufberg, “A year ago, Etz recipient of the Aishes recipients of the Community Chaim and Aish Phila- Chayil Award Leadership Award delphia joined together to make a blended organization called involved with and inspired by their JewAish Chaim,” said Rabbi Binyomin Da- ish heritage by offering them a monetary vis, the Executive Director of Aish Chaim. incentive for learning a vast array of Jew“Our two organizations had similar mis- ish topics. sions, and over the past year we have “It’s been such an amazing first year strengthened the dynamic outreach and for Aish Chaim,” said Rebbetzin Gevura engagement efforts of the organizations Davis, Director of Engagement at Aish under one banner.” Chaim. “We have been thrilled to engage In addition to weekly prayer services so many people in various areas and deon Shabbat and holidays, Aish Chaim of- mographics in our greater city. We are fers an array of weekly classes and spe- looking forward to celebrating our first cial programs. It recently launched “Juber year of success at our annual gala on DePhilly,” a program that is geared towards cember 10th.” young adults, ages 16-26, who have limTo make dinner reservations and to purited Jewish education. Juber Philly is chase ads, visit Aish Chaim’s new website intended to help people become more at www.aishchaim.com.

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COMMUNITY NEWS MY TRUTH at Lower Merion Synagogue CONTINUED FROM P. 1 social media, it is more important than ever that the truth of what is really going on in Israel is shared. Rabbi Shmidman spoke about how he visited Israel during Operation Protective Edge and spoke with soldiers who had put themselves at risk in order to avoid causing any harm to civilians. “We have to share our narrative and to do that, we need to know what is happening on the front lines in Israel,” he said. Both Avihai Shorshan and Matan Dansker have spoken in hundreds of venues ranging from synagogues and Jewish community centers to European parliaments and college campuses. “College campuses see the worst of anti-Israel sentiment,” Dansker said. “Pro-Israel students are being intimidated into silence.” He added that the problem is simple. “Jews returned to Israel to build a Jewish country. The world did not like this. In 2014, when Naftali Frenkel, Gilad Shaer, and Eyal Yifrah were kidnapped, Israelis knew why we had our own army; to ‘fulfill a sacred duty to protect Jews in our homeland.’” Dansker was a Commander in the Golani Brigade during Operation Protective Edge. He recalled receiving orders on Erev Shabbat to prepare to enter Gaza. As Shabbat began, the soldiers made an improvised kiddush and davened with

kavanah. Then, they were informed that there would be a 24-hour delay. Hamas had trapped civilians in the area where the IDF would be entering. The result of the delay was the death of seven IDF soldiers. The IDF had made the moral decision to protect civilians even though their own soldiers were put at heightened risk. “The IDF is crippled by this use of civilians as human shields,” Dansker noted. As a strategic advisor and public relations specialist, Dansker knows the importance of messaging. “We should not be in the position of apologizing,” he said. “We need to get in front of the message and share what is going on. Share the human rights violations Hamas commits against Palestinian civilians, particularly women and children. Israel is portrayed in the international media through the lens of terrorism, war and

MY TRUTH in the British Parliament (courtesy of Inbal Gilmore)

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the military. It is not portrayed the way it is; a diverse people living together in their homeland with a vibrant economy and landscape. This is a new type of Intifada; one intended to delegitimize Israel. We need to change the narrative.” Avihai Shorshan began his presentation by sharing a difficult childhood memory. His family had moved to Gush Katif so his father could fulfill his dream of being a farmer and cultivating the land. They lived in a rental apartment and his father tended to his farm. During a particularly bad winter storm, Avihai’s father went out to check his fields and was shot pointblank by three Palestinian terrorists. Avihai was seven years old at the time. At the end of shloshim, his mother bought a house in the community, telling the children that their duty was not to run but to put down deeper roots. She said that her husband was killed simply because he was a Jew living in Israel. In 2015, Shorshan noticed media reports portraying the IDF in a false light. A theme seemed to run through these stories that the IDF did not stick to its own moral code. In frustration, he posted his thoughts on his Facebook page before going to sleep and asked if anyone else felt the same way. He awoke the next morning to find thousands of responses and shares. His post had gone viral and his phone started to ring. Shorshan, with his newly formed organization MY TRUTH, was invited to speak by numerous media outlets and by the European Union’s Human Rights Council. They did not even have a website at the time. MY TRUTH volunteers stood on the HRC’s stage; the first time Israeli soldiers had done so. To date, over 200 IDF reserve soldiers have given formal testimony detailing their army experience. The testimonies are given in their true names and using their exact wording. This is in stark contrast to organizations like Breaking the Silence, which publishes many reports anonymously and without any ability to verify the statements. MY TRUTH testimonies have brought to light the extensive use by Hamas of civilian human shields during military operations and during the “March of Return.” The

findings have been shared in Washington, DC, and in parliaments in a number of countries, including Belgium, Sweden, and Finland. MY TRUTH says it is protecting IDF soldiers who are fighting on two battlefields; terrorists in Israel, and the media. Shorshan and Dansker noted wryly that perhaps Breaking the Silence did them a favor as it forced IDF soldiers to come forward and share their stories. These soldiers share the complexities of the situations they face in dealing with the endless and unceasing terrorizing of Israeli citizens. MY TRUTH is a volunteer organization which relies solely on donations. While BDS movements have vast financial support from anti-Israel governments, individuals and organizations, MY TRUTH runs on a shoestring budget and is seeking funds to expand its efforts. Visit www.mytruth.org.il/en/ to learn how you can help.

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COMMUNITY NEWS

A Spectacular Shabbaton at Ahavas Torah By Sam Maron

hat does a mezuzah say about a married couple who live inside the house? “It’s not placed totally standing straight up—it’s not placed totally down… it leans on its side,” explained Rabbi Aharon Pessin, a well-published Rosh Kollel from Israel. “It shows that inside this house there is compromise.” Rabbi Pessin, addressing the subject of shalom bayis, made his remarks to some 100 people gathered at a Melavah Malkah on Parshas Vayera at Congregation Ahavas Torah in Northeast Philadelphia. The Melavah Malkah was the climax of the event, which began Friday night. “In every single room where a mezuzah is found there is compromise…compromise…compromise,” Rav Pessin said. He decried that divorce rates are rising because of what he termed the “disposable generation,” his reference to the many folks who just throw things away and get new ones when something displeases them. “When a car does not work, you get a new car… a job is not good, you get a new job…so if a husband isn’t what you want,” he asked somewhat cynically, “you get a new husband?” Citing a Gemara in Maseches Yevamos, Rav Pessin admonished, “A husband has to honor his wife more than himself and love her more than himself.” He also said

Rabbi Aaron Pessin (credit: Ariel Boroda/AReal Photography & Video)

(From L-R) Mr. Reuven Horowitz, Rabbi Aaron Pessin, Rabbi Rabbi Isaac Leizerowski, Rabbi Mordecai Terebelo, Rabbi Yona Burr, and Mr. Yaakov Yarmish (credit: Ariel Boroda/AReal Photography & Video) a man can make his marriage function even better if he tells his wife: “Honey, you’re beautiful…I love you, and I’m sorry,” even when he has not wronged her. Rav Pessin also said the opposite is true, explaining, “A wife should honor her husband as a Melech or a Minister…If she looks up to him as a Melech, he’ll look at her as a Queen.” He also recalled a Gemara in Maseches Kiddushin that says when you say something critical about someone else, you have some of that element within you as well. “The worst middah (character trait) to have is ka’as (anger),” he said, adding, “This is as if one did avodah zarah.” He focused on tefillah as well, being dan l’kaf zechus, and being in a constant state of simcha. In his remarks on tefillah, Rav Pessin said Hashem is disposed to hear the tefillos of anyone. Citing a Ramban on Parshas Mishpatim, Rav Pessin said it reads Hashem “… is gracious and accepts the supplications of every person even if he is not worthy…” “…so you should not think that Hashem will take and return security from a righteous person but will keep the security of one who is not righteous.” Hence, Rav

Pessin noted, God said, “for I am gracious and I hear the cries of all who extend supplications to me.” Rav Pessin also mentioned a note on tefillah in Maseches Kallah Rabasi, the 6th Chapter, 3d mishpat, noting that Reb Eliezer’s disciples asked him for a final vort as he passed away. He told them: “My sons…This is it…Be exceedingly careful with the honor of your friends and

know before whom you are davening… and with this you will merit to go to the next world.” Turning to engaging in mitzvos in simcha, he cited Avraham Avinu who, he said, as noted in Maseches Shabbos, (30B), unless he engaged in the akeidah with simcha, he would not have been able to hear the voice of the Malach commanding him not to slay Yitzchak.

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COMMUNITY NEWS Philly Jewish Communities Pitch Nearly 2,000 Jews to Relocate at OU Jewish Community Fair CONTINUED FROM COVER where they worked on recruiting new families and individuals to relocate. “We are a warm and growing community with over 40 families that have moved here in the last 2 years,” said Rabbi Yehoshua Yeamans of Bnai Israel Ohev Zedek in Northeast Philadelphia, who represented his community at the fair. “We live in such an affordable community and very close to larger communities such as New York City, Baltimore and Lakewood that make us a desirable place to live.” “Elkins Park is located right outside Philadelphia with only 95 families,” said Michael Feinberg who represented Elkins Park at the fair. “We attract people from all different backgrounds and personalities. We are looking to expand our membership base and continue to grow. This is our fourth time here, and last year we

got seven new families. We’re hoping to replicate that this year.” “For various reasons, including the high costs of tuition and housing in the New York City area, there is a growing cadre of Orthodox families exploring other locations throughout the country and Israel to establish their homes,” said Orthodox Union President Moishe Bane. “We are pleased to have been able to assemble so many Torah communities and to enable them to showcase to these families the attractiveness and advantages of their respective communities.” “The enthusiasm shown by the representatives from Philadelphia as they demonstrated the vibrancy of their community’s Orthodox Jewish life was truly extraordinary,” said Orthodox Union Executive Vice President Allen Fagin. “As dozens of community fair participants crowded around their table, they had an opportunity to be introduced to a welcoming community which is rich in the infrastructure necessary for a full and meaningful Orthodox life.”

Elkins Park booth at the OU Jewish Community Fair (credit: Zush Photography)

An Enlightening and Enjoyable Womens’ Shabbaton in the Somerton Area By Chana Rochel Hoffman and Esther Chana Schechter

n Friday night, November 22, women in the Somerton area gathered in the beautifully decorated basement of Agudas Achim to be inspired and empowered by the one and only Yaffa Palti. Over 50 community members from all different Jewish backgrounds united towards a common goal of yearning for inspiration. The Congregation Beth Solomon (CBS) Neshei, under the leadership of Rebbetzin Penina Riber, brought in Yaffa knowing what an inspiration she

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has been for many other communities. The Friday night shiur titled “What are We Living For?” challenged us to ponder the thought of being a victim to life instead of a force of life. Besides for local women, the community extended Shabbos invitations to families outside of the Somerton area and many eagerly accepted. Following lunch on Shabbos there was another workshop focused on “Empowerment vs. Entitlement,” which was a huge perspective changer in how we think of our relationships. This was followed by a special workshop for our teenage girls who crowded around Yaffa absorbing all the Divrei Torah and chizuk she had to offer. On Motzei Shabbos, women from all of the surrounding Philadelphia

communities gathered at the transformed CBS shul for an evening of learning, laughter, and a delicious gourmet meal catered by Espresso Café. Yaffa spoke about how “Happy is the New Pretty.” We all laughed at her stories relating to the message of focusing on the internal versus the external in our lives. Her concluding lecture was followed by a deluxe waffle bar, which provided yet another opportunity for women to socialize. The CBS community has a strong learning program for men, and many women are supportive of their husbands coming out several nights a week to learn Torah and grow in mitzvot. However, sometimes women also need to learn, laugh, and enjoy an amazing gourmet meal followed by waffles smothered in ice cream, whipped cream, and toppings. November 28, 2019 / 30 Cheshvan, 5780

COMMUNITY NEWS

AIPAC Policy Conference Registration Open By Gwen Horowitz

IPAC’s next Policy Conference (PC) will be held from March 1-3, 2020, at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C. As the largest annual gathering of the American pro-Israel community, attendance exceeds 18,000 each year and includes more than two-thirds of Congress. The first two days are packed from early morning to late evening with dozens of sessions on topics which include Israel’s start-up community, missile defense, technology, Israeli innovations, international security concerns, and cybersecurity, all presented by experts in their respective fields. The last day provides an opportunity for each attendee to meet with their Congressional representatives to advance the U.S.Israel partnership. When asked why she makes AIPAC involvement a priority, Alisha Abboudi of Bala Cynwyd spoke about the importance of furthering the U.S.-Israel relationship. “A few years ago, I found myself able to attend Policy Conference, so I grabbed my daughter Zoe who was a senior in high school, and we went,” Abboudi said. “From the moment it started, I was awestruck by the positive energy and the coherent message and mission of uniting people in a bipartisan fashion. They bring people together who agree that Israel matters not only to the Jewish people but to America and the world, and who are committed to nurturing the gift of a strong American-Israel relationship.” “I am deeply grateful to the countless individuals who are involved in AIPAC and help to ensure daily that our country remains committed to this relationship,” Abboudi added. “It guarantees my hope and dream that my kids who will make their home there (and mine and Jack’s home too, soon!) remain safe and secure and successful.” Dr. Janet Michaelson, a resident of Merion Station, also spoke about the energy and excitement of the Policy Conference and the critical role that AIPAC plays. “I was first introduced to AIPAC by my daughter-in-law Talia Alter Gevaryahu, now Deputy Political Director for AIPAC in the Midwest,” Michaelson said. “Members of Talia’s family have been AIPAC activists for three generations. I attended my first AIPAC Shabbaton and Policy Conference with them in 2016 and was amazed and exhilarated to be part of a group of 19,000 supporters of Israel. I discovered that AIPAC is bipartisan and diverse, and its members are not of one opinion, except that they all support the State of Israel.” November 28, 2019 / 30 Cheshvan, 5780

Ambassador David Friedman at AIPAC’s 2019 Policy Conference While AIPAC has active involvement from a diverse segment of the Philadelphia area Jewish community, attendance by members of the Philadelphia Jewish community has been relatively sparse when compared to other communities that are similar in size. Both Abboudi and Michaelson noted the disparity between attendance by smaller Jewish communities and that of the Philadelphia region, which has the 9th largest Jewish population in the country. Despite its relatively small attendance, Michaelson noted that new Congressional Representative Madeleine Dean was “overwhelmed that 150 of her constituents came to discuss pro-Israel legislation; we were the largest group to visit her since her inauguration.” Francine Lipstein of Merion Station, who has been involved with AIPC for 25 years, believes that AIPAC provides the best opportunity for Israel advocates to see the results of their efforts and make a real difference. On a local level, AIPAC enables members to form relationships with their Congressional members and to engage in substantive conversations about the U.S.-Israel partnership. “I joined AIPAC at the Congressional Level so that I could deepen my

Representatives Nita Lowey (D-NY) and Eliot Engel (D-NY) at AIPAC’s 2019 Policy Conference (Photos courtesy of AIPAC) involvement and be part of the efforts to provide nationwide education on why supporting Israel is critical to our country and to the world,” Lipstein said. “I also noticed the dearth of women involved at this level and see what a difference I can make, particularly when meeting with female Congressional members.”

Abboudi, Michaelson and Lipstein all shared that the AIPAC Policy Conference is a unique and incredible experience for Israel supporters and welcome anyone who is thinking about attending for the first time to speak with them. Information about the Policy Conference is available at www.policyconference.org.

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COMMUNITY NEWS StandWithUs to Hold its Philadelphia Fourth Annual Defenders of Israel Gala Dinner By PJL Staff

s anti-Israel sentiment continues to increase and antiSemitism becomes more and more widespread, there is a dire need to dispel the myths about these two issues that are so critical to the Jewish community through education and countering the falsities that are propagated Shaqed Tzabbar, 2019-20 on a daily basis. StandWithUs High School Marcus Bernstein, 2019-20 2019 Defender of Israel Since its inception in 2001, Keynote Speaker, the mayor of Intern from Jack M. Barrack StandWithUs Emerson Fellow Honoree Jeffrey A. Barrack StandWithUs has been at the foreEfrat, Israel, Oded Revivi Hebrew Academy at Drexel University front of the effort to do just that. An international and non-partisan Is- materials, films, weekly newsletters and Catering and is being co-chaired by Neil her work as a high school intern, havrael education organization, StandWi- missions to Israel. Cooper, Andy Cherry and Bruce Risler. ing produced almost twenty programs thUs inspires and educates people of On Thursday, December 19, the local Local philanthropist Jeffrey Barrack is at JBHA, even while she was spending a all ages and backgrounds, challenges community will have the opportunity to the organization’s 2019 Defender of Is- semester in Israel. misinformation, and fights anti-Semi- support this important organization at rael Honoree. A partner in the law firm of The event will also feature Mayor tism. With chapters on five continents, the StandWithUs Philadelphia Fourth Barrack, Rodos & Bacine who has repre- Oded Revivi of Efrat, Israel, who will StandWithUs empowers and energizes Annual Defenders of Israel Gala Dinner. sented plaintiffs in securities fraud, anti- serve as the keynote speaker. A statesstudents and communities with leader- The event, which will feature the group’s trust and other class actions since join- man, orator, lawyer, and prominent adship training and educational programs outstanding high school and college stu- ing the firm in 1996, Barrack is a strong vocate for the Israeli communities in on hundreds of college campuses, high dent leaders, will take place at Har Zion supporter of StandWithUs. Barrack firm- Judea and Samaria, Mayor Revivi is a schools, and middle schools, as well as Temple, which is located at 1500 Hagys ly believes in StandWithUs’ mission of staunch advocate of co-existence and informs and influences public opinion Ford Road in Penn Valley. The dinner will supporting Israel and recognizes the im- fostering improved relationships with through social media, print and digital feature Glatt Kosher catering by Elite portance of providing our students with Efrat’s neighboring Palestinians villages. the education and resources they need He has met with the StandWithUs Leadto combat anti-Israel rhetoric and anti- ership Missions in Jerusalem and spoSemitism in their schools. In addition ken about how the work of StandWithUs to his affiliation with StandWithUs, Bar- helps keep his community strong. rack, who is very active in Jewish com“I am so thrilled to join StandWithUs munal life, is a member of the National and to be a part of this generous and Development Committee of the Alexan- dedicated community that loves and der Muss High School in Israel and has supports Israel and is committed to the served on several boards, including Na- fight against anti-Semitism,” said Paula Providing quality pediatric tional Young Leadership Cabinet of the Joffe, Associate Regional Director of Jewish Federations of North America, the StandWithUs Mid-Atlantic Region. dental care in a warm, Jewish Federation of Greater Philadel- “I look forward to building on the imnurturing environment phia, and Hillel of Greater Philadelphia. portant work we accomplished togethFocus on preventative care He is a Senate Club Member of AIPAC er and to expanding and reaching new and serves on AIPAC’s Philadelphia audiences with factual information and State of the art facility Leadership Council. programming. Most impressive are our At the December 19 event, Stand- StandWithUs students – our high school WithUs will also present the Campus interns and campus Emerson fellows – Member of the American Award to Marcus Bernstein, a 2019-20 who continuously and bravely educate Academy of Pediatric StandWithUs Emerson Fellow at Drexel about Israel and combat anti-Semitism Dentistry University. Among Bernstein’s many at their schools and beyond. programming accomplishments, he “We’re proud to honor Jeff Barrack, Diplomate of the American brought Cherie Goren, a Holocaust sur- who so clearly understands the imporBoard of Pediatric Dentistry vivor, to speak and organized a silent tance of defending Israel at our schools “Walk To Remember” around campus and universities,” added Joffe. “I’m excited Miriam Friedman, DMD during Drexel’s Yom HaShoah program. to welcome keynote speaker Mayor Oded Last year, Bernstein was a BICEP Fellow Revivi, who voices his support for Stand(Building Israel Connections Engage- WithUs and our fight against BDS. He ment Project) and worked closely with meets with the StandWithUs Leadership Drexel Hillel and StandWithUs on pro- Missions in Israel and now, the Greater gramming. Philadelphia region can meet him too!” www.brightsmilesforkidsofbala.com Shaqed Tzabbar, a 2019-20 StandWiTo register for the StandWithUs 141 Montgomery Avenue (2nd Floor) thUs High School intern from Jack M. Philadelphia Fourth Annual DeBala Cynwyd, PA 19004 Barrack Hebrew Academy (JBHA), will fenders of Israel Gala Dinner, visit receive the High School Award. Tzabbar w w w. sta n d w i th u s .c o m / p a ga l a 2 0 1 9 brings a great degree of enthusiasm to or call 484.730.8544.

Tel: 610.664.7244 x 404

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November 28, 2019 / 30 Cheshvan, 5780

COMMUNITY NEWS

When Your Child Hates to Read By Lisa Woodward

hava (not her real name), a fourth grader, complained: I hate reading! I don’t sound good when I read out loud. I sound like a robot, with a stutter, and the good readers? They sound like they’re singing. That’s why I never raise my hand to read. Those words, “hate” and “I never raise my hand,” are not words that parents want to hear from their children. When low self-esteem and anger are not resolved, they can cause a child to become a poor student who may see school as a place of dread that makes them feel badly about themselves. This can lead to frequent complaints of aches and pains, and anxiety. However, these negative feelings can be turned around with the right support, both academically and emotionally. Chava has had a reading problem since she began in Gan at her Jewish day school. She just wasn’t catching on to the sounds of letters and wasn’t able to blend them together. During first, second, and third grades, the gap between Chava and her classmates widened. Her reading specialist describes her as a friendly, yet quiet student, with a ready smile, and a love for art and soccer. Chava, along with many others, has the

benefit of learning at a school where individual differences are not only accepted, but embraced. Because of her struggles with decoding and fluency, she also has some challenges with understanding what she reads. Therefore, she gets additional assistance in subject areas that involve reading, which means that she needs help in almost every subject area – social studies, Jewish studies, writing, and even math. She offers insightful comments during class discussions, and she understands math concepts, but her lack of fluency and challenges with memorizing math facts causes her self-esteem to plummet. Fortunately, her Jewish day school is supporting her and, with that extra help, she is moving forward, gaining skills and self-confidence. Ben (not his real name), a seventh grader, told his parents: I hate reading. When I look at the page, I just see all of the words on the page and I just give up. Ben has abundant knowledge about World War II and he knows a lot about the various systems in the human body. He loves to show off his knowledge to teachers, friends, and family members. Ben has three older brothers and two little sisters. He’s a middle child, not a great student like his eldest brother, and not adorable like his sisters. Ben has recently had a growth spurt and his voice is deepening. Like Chava, Ben is fortunate to attend another Jewish day school where stu-

dents are appreciated for who they are and challenged to achieve to their highest levels. He is sensitive and shy, the best older brother in the world. His fluency rate is low, his accuracy is low, and, as a result, his comprehension skills are impacted. Until recently, he never read out loud, always comparing himself to the other fluent students. Now, the extra support he has been receiving is paying off. He is reading graphic novels, non-fiction books about World War II, and putting forth his best efforts in the classroom. Chava and Ben have been diagnosed with dyslexia, but there are many other learning differences that impact reading. Parents need to advocate for their children and, though they don’t have the professional knowledge of a specialist, there are steps that parents can take to help their children to become better readers.

TIPS FOR READING SUCCESS

Early Intervention. If you notice that your five-year-old is lacking phonemic awareness skills (such as, not being able to rhyme, not learning letters and sounds, not putting sounds together), check with your child’s teacher. Extra Support. Contact your school’s learning coordinator and find out what your options may be, in and out of school. Ask about evaluations. Positive Reinforcement. Appreciate your child’s strengths. Praise him for the

way he treats his siblings, or how he has learned to cook, or play soccer. Positively reinforce your child when she reads, even if she isn’t as fluent as you would like. Your attitude is a powerful motivator for your child. Reading Nook. Help your child to create a comfortable reading area at home. Build Reading Confidence. Let your child read to himself. He wants to feel confident and independent, and doesn’t want to see that worried expression on your face when he can’t sound out that word that you know he read just a few days before. You can take turns reading a page, a paragraph, even just a sentence. Visit the Library. Go to the library on a regular basis and let your child choose books that he likes - graphic novels, nonfiction books with lots of photos, books in a series, etc. Seek Other Reading Opportunities. Look for Book Clubs and Readers Theater opportunities for enjoyment and confidence-building. There is no magic pill that will turn your child into a proficient reader. Follow these tips, let the teacher do the heavy lifting, show your pride, and hopefully your child will start saying, “Okay, I’ll give this book a try,” instead of “I hate reading.” Lisa Woodward is the Educational Director for OROT, the special needs initiative in Philadelphia Jewish day schools. She can be reached at lwoodward@orotkids.org.

NYT Writer Takes Center Stage at Jewish Federation’s Main Event By PJL Staff

he cavernous Kimmel Center was once again the site of the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia’s (JFGP) Main Event on Thursday, November 14, which featured a talk by Ms. Bari Weiss, a writer and editor at The New York Times. With hundreds of people from a cross section of Philadelphia’s Jewish community in attendance, her message of combatting anti-Semitism crossed all social, economic and political lines. The hosts of the evening, Main Event Co-Chairs Jamie and Warren Klein, and Marc and Amy Brownstein, along with JFGP Board Chair Susanna Lachs Adler, opened the program and spoke about the need to work together on the issue of safety. A video about the Secure Community Network played into Bari Weiss’s talk, including her upbringing in Pittsburgh and the anti-Semitic murders in the Tree of Life synagogue just one year ago. Weiss introduced her talk by questioning if America really is different than other November 28, 2019 / 30 Cheshvan, 5780

countries when it comes to anti-Semitism – and maybe we are not immune to it at all. Her new book, How to Fight Anti-Semitism, focuses on ten main ideas. Her book, a quick and straightforward read, was given out at the end of the evening to all attendees. Many of Weiss’ ideas were not surprising but hearing them all together was significant. At the forefront is better education of our children, with Hebrew immersion, while making day school attendance tuition free, avoiding the sometimes-poisonous American college experience by attending college in Israel, and in Israel, focusing on the large and sometimes marginalized non Askhenazic population. Weiss makes clear in the book that antiSemitism comes from the far right, but also in an even more dangerous way from the far left. She notes that we need to go back to our roots to not lose who we are and be proud of it by taking action, not just talking. Federation President and CEO Naomi Adler closed the evening with a thank you and appreciation for the strength of our community.

Where can I pick up the newspaper PJL Pickup Locations Bucks County: Abrams Hebrew Academy Bensalem Jewish Outreach Center Community Torah Center of Bucks County Knesset Hasefer

Center City: B'nai Abraham Chabad Congregation Mikveh Israel Mekor Habracha/Center City Synagogue

Cherry Hill:

Lower Merion:

Chabad Lubavitch of Camden County Cherry Grill Congregation Sons of Israel Politz Day School of Cherry Hill The Bagel Spot Young Israel of Cherry Hill

Acme in Narberth Northeast Philadelphia: Caskey Torah Academy Chabad of the Main Line Beit Harambam Congregation Congregation Beth Hamedrosh Congregation Ahavas Torah Kohelet Yeshiva Congregation Beth Solomon Lower Merion Synagogue Congregation B'nai Israel Ohev Zedek New York Bagel Espresso Café Shalom Pizza House of Kosher Star of David The Mesivta High School of Greater Philadelphia Young Israel of the Main Line Elkins Park: Zagafen Young Israel of Elkins Park

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COMMUNITY NEWS

Eruvin in the Greater Philadelphia Area and South Jersey By PJL Staff

he Philadelphia region has numerous eruvin which serve thousands of observant Jews. While the eruvin are a helpful amenity to all, they provide a critical service for those who need a wheelchair, walker, or other assistive device. For individuals who are mobility impaired and for families with young children, an eruv determines whether one stays at home or is able to attend shul. The laws of eruvin are complex and questions regarding what you may do (or carry) within its boundaries should be discussed with your Rabbi. Our region’s eruvin require countless volunteer hours every year. The eruv must be regularly inspected, particularly after a storm or heavy winds. Repairs are often made in the hours leading up to Shabbat. It is incumbent upon community members to know the boundaries of the eruv and to share in the upkeep through donations and reporting a potential issue. With winter approaching, please remember to report any problems you may see to the relevant office.

CHERRY HILL EAST ERUV

Eruv status updates are posted at www.tlsnj.org/eruv. For questions about the Cherry Hill East eruv or to report a problem, contact Eruv Coordinator and Halachic Advisor, Rabbi Baruch Gore, at BaruchGore@gmail.com or 818-687-4673.

CHERRY HILL WEST ERUV

Eruv status updates can be heard by calling Congregation Sons of Israel after 3:00 pm on Fridays at 856-667-9700, extension 8. For questions about the eruv or to report a problem, contact Rabbi Ephraim Epstein, the Rabbi of Congregation Sons of Israel, at www.soicherryhill.org. The website also has a map of the eruv.

ELKINS PARK ERUV

Sign up for weekly email notifications by emailing Rabbi Reuven Goldstein, the Rabbi of Young Israel of Elkins Park, at Rabbi@yiep.org. Questions or eruv problems should also be reported to Rabbi Goldstein.

JFCS to Present an Addiction & Substance Use Program for Parents (Courtesy of Jewish Family and Children’s Service of Greater Philadelphia)

ewish Family and Children’s Service of Greater Philadelphia (JFCS) will present a program for parents of elementary age students (K-5) focusing on addiction and substance use entitled “Have You Had the Conversation? How to Talk to Your Kids About Substances.” The program will take place on Thursday, December 12 from 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm at the Barbara and Harvey Brodsky Enrichment Center of JFCS, which is located at 345 Montgomery Avenue in Bala Cynwyd. The cost to attend is an $18 minimum donation ($20 at the door) and proceeds from this event benefit JFCS’ community-wide Family Life Education programs. Knowing how to talk to young children about substances and substance use can be challenging. Parents are invited to join JFCS, a Certified Family

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Recovery Therapist from Be A Part of the Conversation, and Max Hirsh, a young man in recovery, to learn more about having these important conversations with special sensitivity towards young children. There will be an empowering conversation about the reality of when and how kids are introduced to substances, how to have a conversation about those who struggle with substance use and understanding risk factors and protective factors. Free parking is available in the JFCS lot, and there is metered two-hour parking on surrounding streets. Attendees are asked to use the Montgomery Avenue entrance. Please be aware that due to increased security all attendees will be asked to show ID. For more information about the program, call 267.256.2018. To register for the December 12 event, please go to www.j fcsphilly.org/e vents/how-to talk-to-your-kids-about-substances.

LOWER MERION ERUV

To sign up for weekly email notifications, call the Eruv President Gilad Gevaryahu at 610-667-7415 or 610-608-8026. For questions about the Lower Merion eruv or to report a problem, contact Gilad Gevaryahu or visit www.lowermerioneruv.org.

NORTHEAST PHILADELPHIA ERUV

To check the status of the eruv, call 215-333-ERUV before Shabbat. To report a problem with the eruv or to volunteer, contact Jay Press at 215-7223766. The Northeast Philadelphia eruv includes Rhawnhurst. To view the eruv map, visit www.jcor.org/eruv/. An email notice goes out every Erev Shabbos via the Jewish Community of Rhwanhurst “list serve” regarding the status of the eruv. You can sign up for the list serve by emailing j c o r- su b s c ri b e @ ya h o o g ro u p s .c o m or you can text 215-668-8354 to ask about the status of the eruv. For additional eruv information one can go to the JCOR web site at www.jcor.org

and click on the “Eruv” tab.

UNIVERSITY CITY ERUV

Sign up for weekly email notifications at www.universitycityeruv.org/signup. In addition, updates are generally posted on Facebook (www.facebook.com/UniversityCityEruv), Twitter (www.twitter.com/PennEruv), and by WhatsApp (215-792-3942). For questions about the eruv or to report a problem, email Tzvi MerczynskiHait, the President of the University City Eruv Co., at info@universitycityeruv.org or call 215-792-3942.

WYNNEWOOD ERUV

Sign up for weekly email notifications by emailing bethhamedrosh@verizon.net or call Congregation Beth Hamedrosh at 610-642-6444 for recorded updates. For questions about the Wynnewood eruv or to report a problem, contact Rabbi Yonah Gross, the Rabbi of Congregation Beth Hamedrosh, at 484-318-9303 (call/text/WhatsApp).

Rabbi Dovid Gottlieb Coming to YIML

oung Israel of the Main Line is set to welcome Rabbi Dovid Gottlieb as a Scholar-in-Residence on Shabbos, Parshas Vayishlach, December 13-14. Rabbi Gottlieb is a Ra”m at Yeshivat Har Etzion (Gush) and the rabbi of Kehillat Ha’Ela, in Ganei Ha’Ela, a new community co-founded by Rabbi Gottlieb, and located in the suburbs of Ramat Beit Shemesh. Prior to his aliyah to Israel, Rabbi Gottlieb served as rabbi of Congregation Shomrei Emunah, in Baltimore, MD. Since moving to Israel, Rabbi Gottlieb has also taught at a number of yeshivot and seminaries and was commissioned by the OU Press to write a book about the laws of Yom Tov. Rabbi Gottlieb studied at Yeshivat Sha’alvim and then at Yeshiva College and the Bernard Revel Graduate School, where he concentrated on General and Jewish Philosophy. He received Semicha from the Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary, where he was also a member of their prestigious Wexner Kollel Elyon. In addition to co-editing two rabbinic journals, Rabbi Gottlieb is the author of

Ateret Yaakov, a book of indepth essays about a wide range of halachic topics. Over 450 of Rabbi Gottlieb’s classes and articles are available online at www.yutorah. org. On Friday night, Rabbi Gottlieb will be speaking at a special oneg at 8:00 pm at the home of Adam and Tamar Fleisher (184 Summit Avenue, Bala Cynwyd) on the topic of “Talking to the Shepherd –What Does Being ‘Frum’ Really Mean?” Rabbi Gottlieb will give a dvar Torah before krias haTorah at the hashkama minyan on Shabbos morning at the Young Israel of the Main Line on Montgomery Avenue. In addition, he will deliver a drasha before Musaf at the main minyan, which is entitled “A Part Of and Apart From: Yaakov’s Dual Legacy.” Furthermore, Rabbi Gottlieb will give a shiur following Mincha on the topic of “Civilian Casualties: Moral Dilemmas and Halachic Values in Israel’s War on Terror.” All events will take place at The Mesivta High School of Greater Philadelphia, located at 314 Levering Mill Road in Bala Cynwyd, except where noted otherwise. November 28, 2019 / 30 Cheshvan, 5780

COMMUNITY NEWS

Kosherfest 2019

By Dr. David Stein

n two cold and rainy days in November, over 6,000 people from 21 countries came to the Meadowlands Exposition Center in Secaucus, New Jersey, to learn from one another, share ideas and make connections – the focus was not about politics or education – it was about kosher food. Welcome to Kosherfest, the world’s largest and most attended kosher-certified products trade show. This annual event has been going on for 31 years and keeps getting larger (insert joke here about kosher food and getting larger). Over 400 exhibitors showcased a wide variety of kosher products - some that we see in our supermarket aisles and others that restauranteurs use behind the scenes. People representing supermarket chains, corner grocery stores, caterers and foodservice establishments came to learn about new products, create business-to-business connections and of course sample some of the featured items. When Kosherfest was launched in 1989, there were 69 exhibitors and 600 visitors. In addition to the exhibits, educational sessions addressing a wide variety of topics were held on the exhibit hall floor. Highlights included a session about the State of the Kosher Industry by Menachem Lubinsky, founder of Kosherfest, a session on Myths and Misconceptions About Dieting by nutritionist Tanya Rosen, and a session on The History of Jewish and Kosher Marketing by marketing expert Elie Rosenfeld. There were also annual awards for the best new kosher products and even one for the mashgiach of the year. Walking the floor of the exhibit hall one could smell the wonderful aromas of the products being prepared -some highlights included cheese ravioli that boils and is ready-to-eat in three minutes and mini pizzas that showcased an Israeli pizza dough company. Exotic cheeses were located right near some more standard products such as kosher oils and vinegars. Low-carb and low-calorie ice pops contrasted with the MealMart station where samples of sausages, pastrami kishka and beef cigars were being passed out like it was a ball game. Their slogan – “Completely unnecessary and absolutely delicious – stuffing kishka and you since 1946.” You cannot make this up. All of this was happening as mincha minyanim were cycling all afternoon. Bringing together representatives from all sectors of the food industry who are interested in kosher is an extraordinary fete. This expo has become a showcase of the industry where a large number November 28, 2019 / 30 Cheshvan, 5780

Philadelphia Jewish Link Editor Lisa Stein with Moshe Kinderlehrer, the Publisher of the Jewish Link of New Jersey, at Kosherfest. (credit: Dr. David Stein)

(credit: Dr. David Stein)

of new products are unveiled each year with an extensive focus on foods that are Kosher for Passover as well as specific

health categories such as gluten-free and organic foods. In a sign of the times there was even kosher cannabis chewing gum

to help with chronic pain. All in all, this business-to-business exhibition was truly remarkable to behold.

(credit: Dr. David Stein)

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COMMUNITY NEWS

Thanksgiving at Abrams Hebrew Academy By Rabbi Ira Budow

ne would think that after the destruction of European Jewry Europe would repent. But, as you know, this is the furthest thing from the truth. France had Jews living in its country for close to 900 years. Today many French Jews are fleeing to Israel. Near the Kotel there is a striking development with beautiful condominiums. It was told to me that this development is practically all French due to the rise in anti-Semitism there. Last Pesach I prayed in Israel in a beautiful synagogue very close to the beach area. I was surprised that the language of the

synagogue is French. I was happy to see that Baruch Hashem our people are able to go to Israel and live a real Jewish life. On the other hand, it saddened me to see Jews having to flee from the rampant anti-Semitism currently gripping Europe. There was a minister in France that recommended for Jews not to wear kippahs in public. He suggested that they wear some type of baseball hat instead. How sad! Recently, a few synagogues in the United States have suffered from tragic events, the result of which has been a call for heightened security measures. Jews in America, however, have not had to flee the United States. American Jewish life is incredibly vibrant. Yardley, Pennsylvania, is exactly 45 minutes from Lakewood, New Jersey. Do you realize that Lakewood is the only city in the United States where the majority of the population is Jewish? It’s a great community for the Jewish people. Whatever one needs for their Jewish life, it is there. I find visiting Lakewood to be very heartwarming. My daughter lives in Baltimore, Maryland, and Jewish life there is thriving as well. There are many synagogues in my daughter’s neighborhood and every synagogue has hundreds of congregants. The same is true in many major cities across the United States. Miami, Chicago, Los Angeles, Cleveland, Brooklyn, Manhattan, and Teaneck all have huge Jewish populations. I even visited Monroe, New York, home of Kiryas Joel, and I, along

with my wife, was amazed by the Satmar community. Rabbi Yissocher Frand, Torah scholar from Ner Israel Rabbinical College, said that the United States has been the greatest country to the Jews in exile. Many synagogues say a prayer for the welfare of our country. Rabbi Pinchas Mordechai Teitz, of blessed memory, flew the U.S. flag in front of his house on every American secular holiday. We, as Jews, must recognize the good that the United States has done for our people. This brings me to the holiday of Thanksgiving. At the Agudah convention on Thanksgiving many years ago, turkey was served to the convention participants. Today, Agudah does not serve turkey. Many religious Jews do not observe Thanksgiving and many do.

What do we do at Abrams? We are honored to celebrate Thanksgiving fully. The eve of Thanksgiving is Grandparents Day at Abrams Hebrew Academy and we have an elaborate Thanksgiving production. The teachers put together skits about Thanksgiving and the dress of the day is of the Pilgrims and Indians. The culmination of the day is when we serve a Thanksgiving feast for students, parents, children and staff. In the wee hours on Wednesday, November 27th, Aaron Weinstein, an Abrams parent, will fry close to 20 birds, as he likes to say. He is one of many volunteers. The menu is complete and everybody leaves as a happy American. As Head of School, I believe we have to find ways to celebrate being citizens of the United States. The United States has been a real haven for the Jewish people. In Europe, one is recommended not to wear a kippah. In America, the style for young men is to wear tzitzit and to let it all hang out. It is Abrams Hebrew Academy’s honor to celebrate being American. A note to my colleagues at fellow day schools: We have a full house on the eve of Thanksgiving and it’s a winning combination. I am proud to be an American and I enjoy the turkey and all. 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.

Hachnasat Orchim in Tourist-Friendly Philadelphia By Gwen Horowitz

he city of Philadelphia is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the country. In 2018, over 43 million people visited the city, which is also a destination for students and their families visiting the region’s 100+ colleges and universities, and for those seeking medical care at its world-class facilities. An increase in requests for Shabbat hospitality has grown alongside our region’s popularity. Historically, such requests were primarily from those visiting for a simcha or having a work obligation which would prevent an individual from returning home in time for Shabbat. In recent years, more requests are coming from people seeking to include a Shabbat stay during their vacation. Synagogues have had to balance prioritizing requests with their desire to provide hospitality to as many visitors as possible. Mekor Habracha/Center City Synagogue receives over 100 email and phone requests each year from people planning

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trips to Philadelphia. These are often general information queries including kosher restaurants and groceries, kid-friendly activities, the eruv, and Shabbat-friendly hotels. In addition, the synagogue tries to accommodate approximately 60 requests for Shabbat and Yom Tov meals throughout the year. While Mekor does not have regularly scheduled meals, they periodically organize a “Mekor Shabbat Across the City” and have special Yom Tov celebrations which visitors are welcome to attend. Rabbi Levi Haskelevich, the Director of the Perelman Center for Jewish Life at the Lubavitch House at Penn, says he receives the most hospitality requests during the summer and holiday seasons. While lodging is only provided in limited circumstances, efforts are made to provide meals for those traveling for medical and business purposes, and for those coming to visit local universities. Lubavitch House hosts weekly Friday night dinners but these are only open to students.

Congregation Mikveh Israel is the oldest synagogue in Philadelphia and a popular tourist destination. The synagogue offers prepaid Shabbat meals which can be reserved through their website where you can also find detailed information about their services. Suburban synagogues field a smaller number of requests than those in Center City, but these can still be beyond what can be met. Lower Merion Synagogue primarily gets requests for simcha, medical, and business reasons, but there are also many requests from families wishing to extend their vacation with a Shabbat stay in the community. LMS has a dedicated team of families who open their homes to visitors, but the synagogue draws the line at those coming solely for vacation purposes. Instead, these individuals are given information about the eruv and other resources to help visitors find accommodations. In contrast, Congregation B’nai Israel Ohev Zedek receives about 20 such requests a year, primarily from those wishing to visit the

community with an eye on possible relocation. If meals are needed, both synagogues match visitors with community hosts. Hospitality Contact Information: • Mekor Habracha/Center City Synagogue: For meal requests, email the Hospitality Committee at mekorhospitality@gmail.com. For all other hospitality and information, visitors are welcome to email mekorhabracha@ gmail.com or phone 215.525.4246. • Congregation Mikveh Israel: Call 215.922.5446 or email info@mikvehisrael.org. • Lower Merion Synagogue: Contact the synagogue at shul@lowermerionsynagogue.org for your request to be shared with the Hospitality Committee. • Congregation B’nai Israel Ohev Zedek: Contact Rabbi Yehoshua Yeamans and Rebbetzin Sarah Yeamans at 215.742.0400 or rabbi@biozshul.org. • Perelman Center for Jewish Life at the Lubavitch House at Penn: Contact Rabbi Levi Haskelevich at rabbi@pobox.upenn.edu or call 215.746.6115. November 28, 2019 / 30 Cheshvan, 5780

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November 28, 2019 / 30 Cheshvan, 5780

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A Gadol in Our Midst By Rabbi Evan Aidman

estled on a quiet block in the Overbrook neighborhood of Philadelphia sits a worldclass Jewish organization, the Talmudical Yeshiva of Philadelphia. Young men from around the globe compete for entrance into this exalted institution of higher Jewish learning. The Rosh Yeshiva (spiritual leader) of “Philly” is Rabbi Shmuel Kamenetsky, a man recognized across the Jewish world as a Gadol. And yet, this 94-year-old giant is known for much more than his incalculable Torah knowledge and filial connection to one of the Gadolei Hador of the last generation, his father, Reb Yaakov Kamenetsky, zt’’l. “Rav Shmuel is a person who loves people and who would do anything for another person. Wherever he goes, people love him.” That is how Rav Shmuel is described by Rabbi Shlomo Caplan, the Rav of Congregation Beth Hamedrosh from 1979 to 2012. “The biggest factor is how very personable he is. He is very much a people person. He recalls people’s names with a friendly, warm smile, never says no to requests, is very accessible for questions of halacha, requests for aitsas, etc. He is so easy to talk to. His accessibility is what is so unique for a man of his tremendous Torah stature.” “It is said that when Rabbi Chaim of Volozhin would go to speak to the Vilna Gaon, he would be shaking all over. You don’t shake when you speak to Rav Shmuel. Our generation needs someone like that. People feel so comfortable calling him for a bracha. For example, my son’s wife, who is a nurse at camp, will call him for a bracha in her work. This is not because my son learned at the Yeshiva, but because Rav Shmuel is so accessible and never turns down a request. He lives for others. That is his mantra.” “He feels a real achrais to the Yeshiva, the community, to Klal Yisrael. He is always there for the various events for the different Jewish institutions. If they want him to come, he will come. If they want him to speak, he will speak. If there is a boy who needs someone to learn with, he will reach out to help. He will particularly seek out another bachur who doesn’t often come forward to learn with others. He sends Yeshiva students to the various shuls as part of the Pirchei program. He sends bachurim to the shuls to help with leining when there is a need. The Yeshiva has a Mishmar program where boys from the community can come to the Yeshiva

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and find a Torah learning partner.” “There isn‘t a worthy Jewish cause Rav Shmuel doesn’t get behind, whether it’s the Chofetz Chaim Heritage Foundation, Adopt a Kollel and much more. When the Philadelphia Community Kollel came to town, he was a big supporter from the very beginning.” “He has such a remarkable personality. I recall a speaker at a convention who mentioned that his mother had wanted to attend but couldn’t. The speaker gave out his phone number and asked people to call his mother if they liked what he had to say. Who do you think was the only one to call? Rav Shmuel.” “Whenever I would drive him anywhere, he would take off my E-ZPass and put his on. Then when I dropped him off at the end of the trip, he would take his back and put mine back up. Before EZPass, he would jump out of the car with his credit card. That’s who he is, always thinking of others. A person with that attitude inevitably is going to have a major impact on the community.” ****** Rabbi Ephraim Goldfein’s initial encounter with Rav Shmuel was in the early 80’s as part of the administration of Torah Academy, together with Rabbi Abraham Shemtov and Rabbi Abraham Levene. These three rabbis formed the Rabbinic Advisory to the Vaad Hachinuch. According to Rabbi Goldfein, “Rav Shmuel came to virtually every meeting. He listened a lot and didn’t make his position known unless it was really necessary. He didn’t offer his opinion on non-controversial matters, only on challenging issues that mattered. He had then, and has now, a very good sense of the right thing to do and when it was necessary to take a stand and when it wasn’t. He didn’t want to influence the board on less important matters as his word tended to end the discussion. His inspiration, guidance, and imprimatur were invaluable.” Rav Shmuel didn’t like to waste time at these meetings. Rabbi Goldfein recalls one meeting that dragged on and on, even getting into such trivial matters as a roller skating event. He announced that he was leaving, prompting a board member to mention that the meeting was not over. Rav Shmuel then said that Rabbi Goldfein and he were going roller skating. The message was so stark that never again was his time wasted by trivia. “This is a man who the whole world is and was trying to reach about matters of importance and he didn’t want to sit through nonsense.” People knew that on the other side of City Line was someone who was and still is world recognized. That gave and

continues to give a certain gravitas for the community. “People in our community, as part of a new generation, maybe don’t appreciate the position he occupies in the world and the impact he has. They should be more honored to have him in our midst, within walking distance. He is called upon by so many organizations all over the world. He sits on committees of the greatest leaders in this country, quite a serious position to be in. His energy level hasn’t diminished. He still flies here and there. His accessibility is very unique. You don’t have to go through five secretaries or the gabbaim. This is unbelievable for someone on his level.” Rav Shmuel was and is willing to listen and guide within his halachic, spiritual and hashkafic stance. “He has a way of making you feel good and was very accommodating to the Vaad. He was never harsh.” Rav Shmuel provides guidance when requested by the various local shuls and schools. One instance involved the boys high school which was considering a nearby Conservative shul for housing until their new building was ready. “The school board was not sure if this was the right thing to do. Rav Shmuel courageously told the board that they could do this for that year. He didn’t see a problem since they were not attending services there. The school used the classrooms and the social hall for lunch, and it worked out fine.” Rav Kamenetsky attends special programs at the Philadelphia Community Kollel and shakes the hand of every little boy. He poses for photographs with each boy from Torah Academy, while holding up their new Sefer Mishnayos. He recognizes the authority of the local

rabbanim. He respects their rabbinic authority and understands the line between the Yeshiva and the shuls. Each has their own role and he understands this very well. “When you are in his presence you feel you are in the presence of greatness, but you don’t feel that you are being minimized. He is genuinely interested in you and it is a privilege to be able to interact with him. He has an aura that is part of who he is, yet he is also very down-toearth. You could go knock on his door and he would see you and that’s a special thing. He is so humble. He answers his own phone. He humbly says, ‘This is Rabbi Kamenetsky,’ rather than identifying himself as the Rosh Yeshiva. He answers calls all day and greets everyone kindly. He doesn’t chitchat, but he does give each person their due.” “He doesn’t like people to do for him. He runs ahead to open his own door and quickly goes up the steps so that no one has to wait for him. He flips on the light in his house to let you know he is inside. He doesn’t like when people stand for him. You can see this in his mannerisms, urging all to sit.” The Rosh Yeshiva respects the medical and legal experts and seeks out consultations for such things as end-of-life issues. Rabbi Goldfein has consulted with him more than a few times on beis din issues. At weddings, Rabbi Goldfein “marvels at the line of people who seek him out for advice, to ask shaylas, to get a bracha. He doesn’t have a minute to himself. He might be trying to eat his meal, but he still will smile and show his concern for everyone. He has a good word for everyone. He knows the people. He has a charm that makes you feel good in his presence.” “I recall a wedding in Canada to which we were traveling together. We were on the plane and he did not think we would make the 8:00 a.m. minyan. I was sleeping. When I woke up at 7:00, he was putting away his teffilin. He davened early since he was nervous that we would not make the minyan. He figured that we would have to daven b’yechidus anyway and he wanted to daven early and not wake me.” “When my granddaughter was of school age, my son, Moshe, called him to discuss the schools in Brooklyn. I doubt if he deals with the schools there on a regular basis. Nevertheless, the advice he gave worked out very well for my granddaughter and the other grandchildren who went to this school. It was my honor to have Moshe come under his influence and direction as a student at the Yeshiva in the mid 90’s.

CONTINUED ON P. 25 November 28, 2019 / 30 Cheshvan, 5780

FEATURES

Wisdom Cannot Be Democratized By David Magerman

veryone is talking about democratizing everything. Uber promises to democratize transportation. Amazon and ecommerce was supposed to democratize shopping. Bitcoin and cryptocurrencies promise to democratize money. Peloton has democratized boutique fitness classes. So, what does it mean to democratize an industry? Democratization, in the context of industry, involves changing the nature of the way a product is produced, delivered, or presented so that the user can control the product in a democratic way. Uber democratizes transportation by letting customers decide when, where and how their taxis pick them up, instead of relying on a taxi company to decide for them. Amazon allows you to shop for all sorts of products, from all sorts of stores, from the comfort of your home, informed by the popularity of products based on what other people are buying, not based on what the retailers want to stock on their shelves. Cryptocurrencies free money from governmental monetary policy and allow people to decide how they want to store and reveal ownership of money, independent of government control. Each of these companies has failed to live up to its promise, largely due to the human frailty and profit motives of their leadership. But their failures are in execution, not in theory. One could imagine each of these companies succeeding in truly democratizing

A Gadol in Our Midst CONTINUED FROM P. 24 “I recall a story about a reporter who called him and quoted him in a troubling way in a story. She had not identified herself as a reporter. This puzzled him since honesty is so important to him. He would never lie about anything and lying is just foreign to him.” ****** Mr. David and Dr. Kineret Shakow moved to Bala Cynwyd in 1982. The influence of the Yeshiva and Rav Shmuel Kamenetsky on the Shakows began soon thereafter. Dr. Shakow says that the yeshiva was not “over there; it was part of the world we lived in. Because the community was so small back then, the Yeshiva was part of everyone’s life.” Both of the Roshei Yeshiva “were extremely, extremely available people, integral parts of our lives and extremely humble.” Rav Shmuel “was available in every way.” “Just by his presence in the community, November 28, 2019 / 30 Cheshvan, 5780

their industries. And someday they might. Democratizing information, and therefore wisdom, is another story. The greatest promise of the Internet when it was first unleashed on society two decades ago was that it would democratize information. It promised to allow individual members of society, and the democratic mass of information consumers, to decide what information is available, how it is presented and consumed, and how it is disseminated to others. The premise of this promise was that information was curated and controlled by the intellectual and financial elites of society, and the masses’ access to information was designed to control them for the benefit of these information power brokers. This promise has failed to materialize for two significant reasons: 1. Due to human nature and 2. Due to the nature of the information itself. The main impediment to actually democratizing information is that the process was left in the hands of human beings operating in a capitalist system, with profit motive as the absolute arbiter of success. Google, Apple, Microsoft, Facebook. These companies, and their flawed human management teams, have been put in charge of democratizing information. So, the critical democratization, “man-of-the-people” role has been entrusted to the likes of Larry Page, Steve Jobs, Bill Gates, and, of course, Mark Zuckerberg. These billionaires became billionaires by utterly failing to democratize anything. They simply replaced the intellectual elites that served as editors and curators of information with financial elites. They changed what was perhaps

an Ivory Tower perspective from those elites with a profit-motive approach that encourages people to behave in a way that helps enrich their companies. Forgetting about which flawed system is better, they clearly have not put the flow of information in the hands of the democratic masses. If you have ever tried to control what shows up in your Facebook feed, you know what I’m talking about. The bigger problem with the effort to democratize information is that, fundamentally, information is not an end-product. It is a means to an end, and that end is wisdom. Some people may want information for the sake of knowing things. But most people use information as a building block of knowledge and wisdom. We want to aggregate information to help us understand the world around us, and usually to understand things we don’t really understand as well as the “elite” experts understand it. And that is the source of the flaw in the design of democratizing information. We used to get our detailed knowledge about the world from encyclopedias (Brittannica), newspapers (The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Boston Globe), and magazines (Time, Life, National Geographic, even People). Now we depend on uncurated, mass-curated, or self-curated sources like Wikipedia, Breitbart, Google News, and Facebook feeds. We used to get opinions about world events from the Op-Ed pages of national and local publications. Now we pick and choose from celebrity-driven blogs of questionable knowledgeability. We can argue that newspapers and magazines have been biased and

intellectually skewed for decades. They are a flawed source of information. But they are not democratically run. Editors may vote on what stories are pursued and published, but they don’t vote on what facts are true. They publish what they believe to be true, and if the truth of what they write is disproven, they correct the factual errors and don’t repeat those mistakes. Editors depend on experts in all fields of study to decide what to present. Celebrity bloggers and social media newsfeed vendors present what they want you to think is true and what sells. The end goal of accumulating information is to gain wisdom. Wisdom cannot be democratized. Without bearing direct witness to all events, facts can be in dispute. But, as Torah-observant Jews, we believe that wisdom is absolute. In most cases, we don’t have an easy path to identify the best wisdom in each situation. We have Torah, and we live our lives to varying degrees according to the wisdom dictated by the Torah. For mundane matters, we rely on flawed human sources of information and interpretation. The flawed system of old may have been elitist and patronizing. But the “democratized” system of news by celebrity and news by Facebook likes and Twitter shares is worse. The old system failed to achieve a noble goal. The new system has a different goal. David Magerman is a co-founder and managing partner of Differential Venture Partners, an early stage technology venture fund manager. He is also a data privacy advocate and founder of Freedom From Facebook. He lives in Merion Station with his wife and four children.

he had a positive influence on everyone.” Dr. Shakow adds, “People are amazed that members in the community who are not involved directly with the Yeshiva have a relationship with a Gadol like Rav Shmuel.” When their son, Yakov, was 4 or 5, a friend’s son from the Yeshiva made an indelible impression on him. Yakov remarked, “He’s so beautiful. I want to be like him when I grow up.” There were periods of time when Yakov would not go to sleep unless he got to go see the boys learning at the Yeshiva. Just a few short years later, Yakov got his wish. The Shakows’ sons, Yakov and Tuvia, both attended the Yeshiva. When Yakov expressed concern about finishing high school and wished to skip 12th grade at the Yeshiva, the Shakows contacted Rav Shmuel at their son’s request. Yakov thought that going into full-time learning would be better than attending the secular program. He was interested in showing his commitment

to learning by foregoing his high school diploma. Rav Shmuel paskened that he should get his diploma. Both boys are now young men in their 30’s. They are both in learning and their parents believe they will continue on this path. They are financially independent and don’t look to their parents for support. Tuvia lives a simple life in “Old Lakewood” with his wife and daughter. Yakov is a member of a very small Kollel in Flatbush where he receives a stipend and housing. They are “very serious learners.” David learned with Rabbi Taub at the Yeshiva “for many, many years.” Dr. Shakow learned with Rebbetzin Temi also for many years. Rav Elya Svei, zt”l, attended meetings at the Shakow home. The Roshei Yeshiva were active at the local day school, Torah Academy. Rav Shalom Kamenetsky taught in the boys’ school and Mrs. Kamenetsky taught in the girls’ school and influenced the Shakow’s daughters. There simply was no barrier between the Kamenetskys and the community.

The Kamenetskys remain available to the Shakows even today and to the community as well. “He’s not our Rav. He doesn’t want to be everyone’s Rav, but he’s available. He would, I’m sure, make time to see us, particularly regarding issues involving our sons or something that impacts them.” ****** The purpose of this article is not just to show how a great and extremely busy luminary can still find time to be accessible, empathetic, kind and helpful. The goal is to show that we have an extraordinary role model in our midst and to highlight behavior each of us can and should, in our own way, emulate. From shuls, to schools, to the rest of the Jewish community, Rav Shmuel Kamenetsky is a Gadol in our midst, until 120. Rabbi Evan Aidman is a 1983 graduate of Penn Law School. He has a solo law practice in Narberth where he focuses on personal injury litigation. He lives in Bala Cynwyd with his wife, Ayala and their five children.

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A Mere Column on Personal Financial Management By Amir Goldman

he rule of the matter is that a person should make it his aim that his property be profitable (lit., ‘to be successful with his property’) — not to appear a little well-off for a short time or benefit a little and [then] lose much.” (Mishna Torah, Chapter 5, Law 12) People approach me regularly asking for suggestions on how to invest their money. The truth is that, while I attended two quality business schools, they don’t actually teach you how to manage your money or invest to create wealth. Most of what I know about personal financial management is easily accessible to everyone and can be summarized in the six musings below: 1. KISS — Keep It Simple, Stupid. If you don’t understand what you’re buying, don’t buy it. For the vast majority of people, that means you should skip annuities, whole life insurance, bitcoin, private equity, art, antiques or any other asset that doesn’t have an obvious market value. For most people, it also means not

buying individual stocks. 2. Believe in the power of compounding. You can’t really save your way into wealth, unless you take advantage of the power of compounding. Take a look at this tool https://www.investor.gov/additionalresources/free-financial-planning-tools/ compound-interest-calculator, and plug in what happens when you invest $1,000 a year and have it compound by 6% a year for 30 years. Voilà! You’ve saved a million dollars. In order to really benefit from the power of compounding, you need to be patient — you need to put away money early and often, and let it grow. 3. Understand the treachery of transaction fees and taxes. The enemy of compounding is transaction fees. And taxes. That is why the best investment products charge very low fees and rarely turnover (i.e., they rarely sell the underlying assets) so they don’t create taxes. 4. Embrace ETFs. ETFs (or Exchange Traded Funds) are the most efficient way to get exposure to the public market — they rarely generate transactions, so the annual tax bills are extremely low. And the fees are really minimal. This is a much more efficient way to invest your money than through mutual funds.

We are blessed to have Vanguard in our backyard, one of the pioneers of low-fee indexing — when in doubt, revert to Vanguard. 5. Learn about the Lazyman Portfolio. The Lazyman Portfolio basically recommends that you stick to 2-4 ETFs, never sell them, and just keep investing whenever you have excess capital. My recommendation would be to stick with the Vanguard three fund portfolio with 60% to U.S. Stocks (VTSMX), 20% to International Stocks (VGTSX) and 20% to Bonds (VBTLX). The more time you have to save, the more you should skew towards stocks and away from bonds. Check out this website for more information, https://www.iwillteachyoutoberich. com/blog/lazy-portfolio/. 6. Maximize gifts from the government. Government gifts are tax free savings plans, the most prominent of which are 401Ks or IRAs. You should maximize the amount of money you put into these plans, which basically have the government contribute 25-40% to your savings by allowing you to save tax free. On top of that, many companies provide some form of matching against 401K plans, which means for every dollar you save,

$2 is put into the account. Also consider utilizing 529 College Savings Plans which allow you to save on your Pennsylvania taxes and invest your money tax free. Although you might worry that your money is locked up for a long time, the fact is that these accounts are the very best place for your money to compound tax free over many years. 7. Get Educated. You don’t need to go to the Wharton School to learn how to manage your finances. In fact, they don’t teach anything about personal financial management in business school. Here’s my recommended reading on how to start understanding your earnings and putting together a plan: a. The Millionaire Next Door (Thomas J. Stanley and William D. Danko) b. The Little Book of Common Sense Investing (John C. Bogle) c. Rich Dad, Poor Dad (Robert T. Kiyosaki) Here’s wishing you much success in your financial endeavors! Amir Goldman is a venture capitalist who invests in expansion stage private software companies. He lives in Merion Station.

An Empathetic Nervous Response By Ari Nestlebaum

ne side advantage of teaching English is the way that discipline pushes both student and teacher to closely examine and truly consider the language they use every day. So many words tell a story; so many expressions and aphorisms paint a picture of the reality and values of the time in which they were born. In many instances, it’s the simpler terms that prove most beguiling. Recently, a class of mine discussed the difference between sympathy and empathy—two words which many people use interchangeably. I described sympathy as “reactive commiseration.” A person expressing sympathy does not (or cannot) know how the other person is feeling; they are simply identifying a negative and providing comfort and solidarity in response. Empathy, on the other hand, is proactive in nature. An empathetic person wants to walk a mile in others’ shoes; they want to truly know, as much as possible, what someone else’s mindset might be and anticipate how that person might be feeling. A sympathetic person will welcome you into their home and perhaps

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offer food if you’ve mentioned being hungry. An empathetic person will be stirring soup on the stove as you arrive. This class discussion crept back out from my mind’s memory banks a little while ago while I considered the story of Noah, the Torah portion we read in synagogues a few weeks ago. Specifically, I thought of the quintessential discussion held in Jewish schools everywhere about whether Noah is meant to be seen as a righteous man—full stop—or a man who was righteous only in comparison to his surrounding environment. This discussion often begins with Rashi’s commentary concerning the Torah’s use of the qualifier “perfect in his generation” when describing Noah (Genesis 6:9). Rashi informs us that our sages disagreed on how righteous we are meant to envision Noah to have been. In true yeshiva fashion, I intend only to deepen the question, not to answer it. On one hand, imagine the vast moral fortitude necessary to both diverge sharply from the norms of one’s surrounding culture and to take it even further by remaining in the public eye as a paragon of ridicule. It’s relatively simple to embarrass

oneself and then let the humiliation fade into the past; it’s quite a lot more difficult to continue embarrassing oneself on a daily basis. (If you’re having trouble connecting with this, imagine building an ark now.) On the other hand, what actually motivated Noah to throw 120 years of his life into the Great Ark Project? Was it the potential repentance and betterment of humankind, or was it the very current issue of saving his own skin? One clue in support of the latter possibility is the language of the prophet Isaiah, who quotes God as reassuring the Jewish people of his forgiveness by saying: “This is to Me as the waters of Noah, over which I swore that the waters of Noah would not again come upon the earth—thus have I sworn not to become angry with you nor to rebuke you (54:9).” The same terminology— the “waters of Noah”—is likewise sung in the Shabbat song Yona Motzah. It appears to be a running theme in our texts, but the language is somewhat mysterious when one thinks about it. Why would the Flood be called Noah’s waters? He certainly didn’t bring them about. Addressing this very issue, the Zohar

tells us that this choice of words is deliberate. When God informed Noah that “the end of all flesh has come before Me,” one can scarcely imagine what might have gone through Noah’s mind. The world was about to be destroyed! The entire world. Yet, Noah’s knee-jerk response was: “What will You do with me?” His initial thoughts were of himself, and the Zohar relates that this outlook did not change. Noah did not beseech God to spare any other potentially righteous humans, as Abraham did two parshiyot later when informed of the imminent destruction of Sodom. Noah merely went about his business, content that he and his own would be spared. For 120 years, he had the potential to inspire others to do better and he chose to remain silent. In God’s own view, this made Noah culpable. Noah expressed sympathy: He reacted to the horrors of such a worldwide disaster and did everything he could to ensure that he and his own would be spared, as well as the species which God instructed him to gather. Lacking, however, was any sense of empathy. He did not imagine

CONTINUED ON P. 37 November 28, 2019 / 30 Cheshvan, 5780

FEATURES No More Tuesdays at Hahnemann: The Painful Process of Closing a Surgery Department By David E. Stein, MD (Reprinted from Philadelphia Medicine, the Official Magazine of the Philadelphia County Medical Society) losing an academic surgical department has been a unique, lifealtering experience. The sense of loss is inescapable – it is palpable everywhere. It is so pervasive I need to walk out and catch my breath numerous times throughout the day, as I find myself suffocating in my office. As a leader of physicians, staff and residents, I have always strived to keep an even emotional keel. I try to be calm and reassuring, in order to encourage resilience among my team. There are times, of course, it becomes impossible to maintain composure, especially when something hits you so incredibly hard. The last time I had cried at work was when my friend, colleague and Vice Chair of our department, Dr. Andres Castellanos was diagnosed with a terminal illness. I had to break the news to everyone at our morning conference and I could not keep my emotions in check. Yet this feels completely different. It is not a death and cannot be compared to one, but it is a feeling of tremendous loss and sadness. When we experience a tragedy, we often understand how the tragedy occurred, but we still struggle with why it occurred. In the case of our closure, I understand both how and why it occurred, but it does not make me feel any better. It could be that some of the loss I feel comes from the end of a great and storied history. Drexel University College of Medicine’s Department of Surgery was built on the legacy of the Hahnemann Medical College and The Woman’s Medical College of Pennsylvania, which was renamed Medical College of Pennsylvania. In fact, I serve as the endowed Alma Dea Morani Chair of Surgery. Dr. Dea Morani graduated the Woman’s Medical College in 1931, completed a surgical residency there, and rose to prominence as the first female plastic surgeon in America. Hahnemann is known for many Philadelphia firsts; performing the area’s first kidney transplant and creating the first Level One Trauma Center, to being the first regional hospital to offer organ transplants from HIV positive donors to HIV positive recipients via the HIV Organ Policy Equity (HOPE) Act. Yet none of this storied history actually matters. When I think about the future of US Healthcare, there is a sense of foreboding and uncertainty. If I offered you an

November 28, 2019 / 30 Cheshvan, 5780

opportunity to invest in a free standing for profit academic medical center, with no feeder hospitals or regional referral base to drive patient volume, that needed extensive capital investment, that cared for the sickest and poorest patients of the city and had been losing money for years, would you actually invest? This describes the flawed business model of Hahnemann. Is the not-for-profit world any different? Sister Irene Kraus, a nurse who became the first President of the Daughters of Charity Health System is credited with coining the expression “No Margin, No Mission.” The bottom line is if you cannot cover your expenses and pay your staff, no matter how noble the cause, you will eventually close your doors. According to the American Hospital Association, there were 6,210 hospitals in the United States in 2017. As the trend in health system consolidation accelerates how many more hospitals will close? What will happen to those people that are our mission? Part of the pain I feel comes from the loss of a large extended family, a diaspora of people who have all come together for the singular purpose of helping the sick get better. The closure of Hahnemann impacted the training of over 500 residents, 2,500 employees and countless patients. Due to the closure, Drexel University College of Medicine gave notices of termination to all of their clinical faculty shortly afterwards, impacting almost a thousand employees, including physicians, nurses and staff. All told, the closure of Hahnemann and Drexel University Physicians is a devastating tragedy for Philadelphia healthcare, negatively impacting tens of thousands of patients. Many of these patients have Medicaid insurance plans that are not accepted at other Philadelphia hospitals, affecting their ability to seek care elsewhere. Those patients who have found new physicians cannot be seen for several months. These patients have a profound understanding of what has occurred. They feel abandoned and are powerless to do anything about it. Ms. S is a 56-year-old female who we first saw in our office for gastrointestinal symptoms. She hated doctors but trusted her nurse practitioner who referred her. She was HIV positive, had behavioral health issues and felt a mass. She was so anxious the first time we met she cried throughout the visit, and we encouraged her to come back again just to talk. Getting her to relax so we could do a thorough examination took us about 20 minutes. We eventually succeeded, biopsied the mass and diagnosed her with cancer. She underwent treatment and has

been disease free for the past four years. She routinely comes in for her follow up appointments, and there is always some anxiety around the visit. She came in last week crying hysterically, and we were concerned. Clinically, she was fine, but she was emotionally panicked and devastated by our closure. She told us that now she was going to die, because very few practices in Philadelphia take her insurance. Even if she finds a practice that does, no one will have the patience to put up with her like we do. She then said, “They just take, take, take and take, and we got no more to give.” She was despondent, and her emotion was so raw and palpable it impacted all of us in the room. I tried to reassure her. I told her not to worry. I said she will find care elsewhere, but inside I felt like these were platitudes and she saw right through them. For the first time since the announced closure, everything I had been able to keep suppressed hit me all at once. It was the first time I cried at work since Andres died. We hugged and said goodbye, and I felt empty – I felt I had failed her. As physicians, we strive to be empathetic with all of our patients and their family members. Empathy, defined as the ability to understand and share the feelings of another, allows us to establish a connection, a rapport, with a patient. As a colorectal surgeon this is incredibly important, because let’s face it, no one actually wants to see a colorectal surgeon when they are a patient. That rapport allows our patients to trust us, and then we can go through the treatments required as a team, whether it is a cancer diagnosis, Crohn’s Disease or even a simple hemorrhoid. That connection is the glue that helps us work together. That connection extends beyond the doctor-patient relationship, it also encompasses all of our departmental staff. Our teams look out both for patients and one another. Nurse H had been a Hahnemann operating room nurse since she graduated nursing school over 40 years

ago. Our administrative team had let it be known that they would help people looking for jobs by coaching and helping with resumes. Nurse H had never wanted a job outside of Hahnemann, and she never had the need to create a resume. When she showed our team her hand-written resume in block print, they took the request in stride: they typed up her resume from her paper, formatted it, and helped her submit it online for potential job opportunities. I am hoping she has found a position. Even patients have been helping the staff cope with this loss. Letters informing our patients that Drexel Surgery was closing went out earlier this month. Patients have been calling and trying to comfort our patient navigators, administrative support teams and even our physicians. My sense of loss is exacerbated by the guilt I feel in recruiting many people to our department. Our department’s administrative leadership team is an incredible group of highly industrious and intelligent people. They embody our departmental values of integrity, transparency and ownership. Their ability to engage with everyone and understand what is occurring on the front lines, and then develop sustainable solutions has been incredible to watch. Their drive and energy to make all of us better was contagious and allowed the department to fire on all cylinders. How strange is it that when I look at them, all I feel is guilt for recruiting them? Their energy and drive have been replaced by despondence, and the loss of their passion is painful for me to watch. They are all staying to the very end and will serve as a skeleton crew to ensure that every aspect of the department’s closure is handled perfectly, whether it is finalizing the disposition of all medical records and personnel files, decommissioning equipment or closing out business accounts. They have passed on job offers because it would have been wrong to leave these tasks to someone else, it is simply who they are. There is a profound sense of loss among each one of us, because this kind of team chemistry may not be replicable in whatever new positions we find. According to Wikipedia, grief is a multifaceted response to loss, particularly to the loss of someone or something that has died, to which a bond or affection was formed. Thankfully no one has died, but the grieving in our department is unrelenting due to the wide variety of people impacted by the closure. We said

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DIVREI TORAH

WE are the Architects of our Lives! By Mrs. Besie Katz

s a wife, mother, grandmother, and educator, I have been given the gift of great happiness, have had to deal with a myriad of challenges, and have faced sorrow. Experience has taught me that attitude plays a vital role in how we can manage the fluctuating vicissitudes of life. Positivity is an anchor that keeps us from floating adrift and prevents us from drowning in the waters of despair. We can choose to build a life based on smiles and seeing the intrinsic good in everything, or we can erode the foundation of our lives with negativity. The following parable may capture the essence of looking at life through the lens of positivity:

An elderly carpenter decided to retire. He told his employer, a contractor, that he would no longer be building houses. He wanted to live a more carefree life, traveling and visiting family. Finances would be constrained, but he would manage. The contractor was sorry to learn that his best carpenter wanted to end his career. He asked the carpenter to please build him one more house. The carpenter agreed and began to build the house. His heart was not in it and he even resented that he agreed to this one last job. As you can well imagine, this negative attitude led to less than quality workmanship and the use of inferior materials. How sad that the carpenter’s career ended in such an unfortunate way.

When the carpenter finished his work and the builder came to inspect the house, the contractor handed the front door keys to the carpenter. “This is your house,” he said, “my gift to you.” The carpenter was in a state of shock. If he had only known that he was building his own house, he would have done it differently. He now had to live in the house, a house that was built with carelessness and an attitude characterized by negativity. Hashem gives us the gift of a new day. We are the carpenters of our own lives. We can either bring our special tools to build well-constructed lives, or we can build our lives with shoddy materials. Unlike houses, we only get to construct one life. Building lives which will bring us

joy and happiness depends on us. Do we bring a toolbox filled with emunah, bitachon, grace, dignity, compassion and understanding? Or do we use a toolbox filled with regret, resentment and negativity? Just as the carpenter was given one house, we are given one life. Unlike the carpenter, we are given each day as a new beginning. We can “repair the flaws of our construction” from the day before and build an even stronger “house,” or we can choose to let it fall into major disrepair. The choice is ours. Let us be blessed with the wisdom to make the right choice. Mrs. Besie Katz is Head of School at Politz Hebrew Academy.

Understanding Tefillah Through Art By Rabbi Avraham Glustein

efillah – prayer – is one of the foundations of Jewish life and stands birum haolam – at the pinnacle of the world. But it also always needs chizuk – strengthening. This conundrum is one of the major focuses at Politz Day School of Cherry Hill this school year. I saw a letter that was written by a nonJewish woman to a respected newspaper around 9/11. Her tone was a pleading one and her message was, “Jews, pray to your God! You have the power of prayer and your God listens. Scream out to Him to help us survive this terror!” Her simple faith in our power of prayer was potent and poignant. If only our children would live with this sense of tefillah’s immediacy and efficacy, how different our classrooms, shuls, and batei knesiot would look. As the Head of School at Politz Day School of Cherry Hill, and prior to that as an English principal in a Chasidic boys’ school and head counselor of a kiruv overnight camp, I know that the challenges of conveying the lessons and beauty of tefillah to our middle school students can be an uphill struggle. It is also a pressing topic at Jewish educational conferences that have educators grappling with creative and disciplinary solutions that are only effective at varying levels. The words of tefillah are so meaningful, holy, and poignant, that one who is fully engaged will find davening to be a source of inspiration, comfort, and growth. The question on every educators mind is how can we

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engage our students to plant the seeds and provide the structure to ensure that our talmidim become lifelong daveners in their school years and beyond. We want them to see this exercise as an opportunity, rather than a chore, or “keva,” the term the Mishnah in Brachot uses to refer to a lifeless davening. This year, the educational team at Politz of Cherry Hill decided to tackle this vexing problem so that we can reach all of our students and inspire them to make tefillah a meaningful part of their lives. We recognized that after the initial excitement of the Siddur Play, and of learning how to daven the Shemoneh Esrei in the elementary grades wears off, there is a significant downturn in students’ enthusiasm. It is a long stretch of time before life’s challenges become serious enough to understand that we need Hashem to be involved in our everyday lives to help us be successful. To be sure, there are pockets of success and strong daveners. There are children who make that deep connection and are learning to appreciate the opportunities tefillah has to offer. But there are also those who have a glazed look at minyan. They are daydreaming during the Amidah and may be appropriately turning the pages every few seconds, while their minds are far away from the inspiring words of tefillah. Even hearing those who are participating by saying the words in unison with the chazan or their classmates, still leaves one wondering if anything is truly reaching their hearts. We decided to focus on the relational aspect between the “davener” and Hashem. If Hashem is an abstract concept, tefillah becomes challenging. However, once we make Hashem a real part of our

life, the act of tefillah will begin to take on a meaning in and of itself and become a cherished part of one’s day. In order to make Hashem a part of our day it is imperative that our students understand that He is actively engaged in our lives, and we have so much to be grateful for on a daily basis. Once our students notice and become aware of the boundless gifts He has given to humankind, the groundwork is laid. The next step is to understand that this gratitude and inspiration needs to be expressed. And finally, finding a connection between one’s inspiration and the text of tefillah that deals with that inspiration will allow a child to enjoy a true and sincere tefillah. The beauty of the Siddur is that it has something for everyone. In its hallowed words you can reflect and praise Hashem about: science, agriculture, the animal kingdom, medicine, food, wisdom, nature, war, governments, weather, the miracles of the human body, finances, holiness, our nation’s miraculous existence, Torah, emunah, peace and strength, to name a few. The only prerequisite is that you must first think, notice, and connect with what is going on when you engage in tefillah. We decided to utilize stories, discussions, and art to help our students uncover the inspiration of the Siddur. We began the year with an August workshop on tefillah by Rabbi Eliezer Abish, author of Portraits of Prayer and a Rebbe at Rosenbaum Yeshiva of North Jersey in Bergen County, NJ. He creatively engaged our staff in an exercise that allowed them to experience a student’s disconnect during davening. He proposed that by shining a light on specific parts of tefillah and creating meaning for them, we will reengage our children and open their eyes to their

inner connection to the tefillos. By focusing on quality and not quantity, we will eventually attain both. Our art program featured a joint effort by our in-school artist, Mrs. Donna Moskowitz, and visiting artist, Mrs. Gila Shnee. The goal was to highlight and build a connection with specific phrases of the daily tefillah. By utilizing experiential learning and having the children create their own stunning and interpretive depictions of the Siddur, we will be assured that every time they reach those words, the lightbulb will go off in their heads and the meaning and inspiration will be internalized. This will serve as a guidepost and foundation through which they will continue to see tefillah in a new light. This realization will establish a personal connection for the children that can be readily expanded upon. Each grade focused on different tefillot. Our younger grades worked on Ashrei, Birkat Hashachar, the “Hallelukas,” and Shema. After learning and discussing the beautiful ideas of these specific tefillot, the children had the opportunity to portray these through art. Our middle school is working on a mural that depicts the structure of Shacharit and some of its deeper concepts. Our younger students created beautiful projects that include a morning scene and rooster for the bracha of Asher natan lesachvi bina, eyes for pokaiach ivrim, stormy weather and hurricanes for the phrase of ruach sa’arah. The students even planted seeds to demonstrate that Hashem gives life! Morah Shayna Perlow, our middle school mechanechet, invited the middle school girls to split into groups and

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DIVREI TORAH

How Far Did the Apple Fall From the Tree? By Rabbi Aryeh Silver

s my Rosh Yeshiva, Rabbi Elya Levin, would tell us in yeshiva, we are currently in the period of the year when each week we get to live with the avos and shevatim. We are told that each of the avos represented a different trait with how to serve Hashem and that each of them was constantly tested throughout their lives with tests that would go against the nature of their midda. Avraham was known for his acts of chesed, kindness, Yitzchak for his traits of din and gevura, judgment and strength, and Yaakov for his characteristic of emes, honesty. However, this idea seems to raise a difficulty. The trait of chesed is the idea of going beyond what is required. Rabbi Shimshon Dovid Pincus on echad mi yodea explains that chesed represents things without limits, while din is the exact opposite, representing limitations and clear structure. How could Yitzchak, the progeny and true descendant of Avraham, have a midda that is the exact opposite of Avraham, while we see that even

Yishmael, Lot and others connected to Avraham showed aspects of chesed? I believe, with a closer look and understanding of Yitzchak and how he perceived his father, Avraham, we can answer this somewhat perplexing question and, by doing so, have greater insight into the greatness of Yitzchak. Yitzchak saw the chesed that Avraham performed and felt that Avraham performed chesed in its most perfect way. For Yitzchak, there was no way to improve upon what Avraham had done, and any attempt to do so would either be less perfect or an indication that what Avraham had done was less than perfect. To that end, Yitzchak certainly performed chesed; he performed it in the exact manner that he had grown up observing his father do. However, with Yitzchak, it was a din. There was no variance in how to perform the chesed. Yitzchak needed to perform it in the exact same way Avraham had done, otherwise his chesed would not have been perfect. We can see this hinted at throughout the Parsha of Toldos. Rashi points out that Yitzchak counted 10 years from when Rivkah was able to have children before concluding that she was an akara, barren, just as Avraham had done

with Sarah, and only at this point did he daven for her. When there was a famine, Yitzchak wanted to travel to Egypt just as Avraham had done, and when he was told he could not, he went to Gerar. Upon arriving in Gerar, he told Avimelech that Rivka was his sister, just as Avraham had done. The Torah makes a point of telling us that while Yitzchak was in Gerar he re-dug the same wells Avraham had dug and gave them the same names that Avraham had given them. Even his desire to give the blessings to Eisav, who was his firstborn, in some ways mirrors the love that Avraham showed to Yishmael. At each of these points, Yitzchak attempted to duplicate his father’s actions until he was forced to act differently. Rashi points out that, since Yitzchak was offered as a karbon olah, he did not want to marry a maidservant as Avraham had done. Hashem tells Yitzchak he was not allowed to go down to Egypt during the famine. When in Gerar, after telling Avimelech that Rivka was his sister, Avimelech kept his distance, and it was not until later that Avimelech discovered the truth on his own. It was only after re-digging Avraham’s wells that Yitzchak was forced to dig new ones and, if not for

Rivka’s intervention, Yitzchak would have given the blessings to Eisav. In each of the above scenarios, Yitzchak followed exactly what Avraham had done until he was no longer able to. It was only then that he searched and forged a new path. It was in this way that Hashem was testing Yitzchak. How would Yitzchak, whose midda was din and who did everything exactly as Avraham did, deal with situations where he could not follow the exact same path as Avraham? This was the test of Yitzchak; whether he was able to go against this din of copying Avraham when it was required. So, God forbid did Yitzchak not do chesed or follow Avraham’s ways. In fact, it is just the opposite. Yitzchak followed the trait of his father to such a degree that it was din, a law, for him, one that he would not deviate or change. Yitzchak’s greatness was that not only did he continue in Avraham’s ways, but while doing so he was able to add on and create his own path in how to serve Hashem, a path that would seem to contradict his father’s, but in reality a path that built upon what Avraham had already accomplished. Rabbi Aryeh Silver has been teaching as a Rebbe at Caskey Torah Academy since 2006.

The Power of a Little Light By Rabbi Moshe Chaim Arbiv

e just passed, less than two months ago, the beautiful, elevating, High Holidays. We all enjoyed touches of inspiration, feeling a closeness to ‫ השם‬and becoming more spiritual. However, we now begin the long, dark winter. Leaves settle to the ground and decay. Everything is silent and it seems like all that inspiration and growth has been exhausted. In reality, we know that the trees really do not die; rather, on the contrary, they are preparing themselves for the next season, strengthening their roots and innards to blossom in the spring. We are like the trees. The ‫ימים טובים‬ strengthen our roots as we brace ourselves for the challenges ahead. ‫ חנוכה‬is the time when we flex our spiritual muscles and shine. When each of us lights a candle, we are releasing our interior to the exterior. As ‫ חנוכה‬our holiday of light begins, the small candles reveal brightly illuminated flames from the.‫ מנורה‬By placing the‫ מנורה‬in the window, we brighten

our homes and the world, taking advantage of both aspects, internal and external. This time of year when we recall the miracles ‫ השם‬did for the Jewish nation, we are filled with gratitude, happiness and celebration. We remind ourselves of the past by reciting the blessings ‫בימים ההם‬ and seeing the miracles of ‫ בזמן הזה‬. This amazing message we are displaying to the world can be more understandable with this incredible true story which happened just a few years ago. Rabbi Metzger, one the Chief Rabbis of Israel, went to visit the American History Museum in Los Angeles. While looking at the exhibits, he noticed an interesting medallion with a menorah stamped on the back. At the edge of the medal the words “George Washington” were engraved. Rabbi Metzger wondered what the first president had anything to do with the menorah and our Jewish holiday. “Please tell me about this artifact,” Rabbi Metzger asked the tour guide next to him. “Ah, that has a very interesting story to it rabbi,” the tour guide answered and begins to tell the fascinating tale. During the dark nights at Valley Forge, George Washington took a stroll through the camp trying to think of ways

to emerge victorious against all odds. His men were unfed and cold, and their patriotic spirit was running on fumes. He was about to give up. Just then, Washington saw a flickering light in the forest. He walked toward the candle, which now revealed a shadow belonging to a soldier in his army. “What is this about?” George Washington asked the soldier. “It is a very long story, General,” the soldier replied. “I would like to hear it,” George Washington responded. So, the soldier began to tell the story of ‫חנוכה‬. He told Washington about how the Jews were persecuted by the Greeks and how they had to fight to preserve their Jewish values. Although being small in number and in strength, they defeated the Greeks. The soldier went on to explain that he was lighting these candles to commemorate ‫ השם‬saving the Jews and helping them with great miracles. George Washington heard the story and felt like this was the sign for him and he was motivated to keep fighting the enemy. Although facing a larger army, he battled hard against his foes. The story ends well, as we know that Washington and his men were victorious. After all this happened, years later George Washington invited the

soldier to the White House and gave him a special medal dedicated to the Jewish faith. This award is now stored in the Jewish Museum of Los Angeles. This amazing story shows how a little candle could ignite so much. A smile or nice word to another person can have such a positive effect. As the saying goes, “A little light can remove a lot of darkness.” It is a small expression of the growth we gained on the ‫ימים טובים‬. We are now unveiling our finished product. May we all merit to the ultimate light of ‫ במהרה‬,‫אור חדש על ציון תאיר ונזכה כולנו לאורו‬ .‫בימינו אמן‬ Rabbi Moshe Chaim Arbiv is a graduate of Or Elchanan Yeshiva in Jerusalem. After receiving his semicha from the Chief Rabbinate of Israel, he was sent to serve as a rabbi in Florida for two years and then moved to Philadelphia with his family and became a rabbi of Congregation Beit Harambam. Rabbi Arbiv, who gives classes regularly and has been active in reaching out to Jews through synagogues and various forms of more direct outreach efforts, has been recognized as one of the leaders in Sephardic congregations in bringing Jews back to their roots with love, happiness and kindness.

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DIVREI TORAH Torah From Eretz Yisrael

Esav’s Folly By Rabbi Moshe Taragin

egend has it that 400 years ago, local native Americans relinquished ownership over the Island of “Manhattes” for the modern equivalent of about $1,000. In the public imagination, the trade of Manhattan for trinkets undoubtedly ranks as the worst deal in modern history. Even if this legend is true, this reckless exchange isn’t as laughable as Esav’s deal 3,700 years ago. To barter your status as the “chosen first-born child” for a plate of cooked lentils seems silly and absurd. Esav spends his entire lifetime recovering from this mistake, pursuing Yaakov and contriving to reverse this tragic decision. What caused this temporary lunacy? What was Esav thinking? Part of Esav’s mistake was precisely because he wasn’t thinking! Yaakov is portrayed as a tent-dweller living a contemplative and introspective lifestyle. Our Chazal elaborate that Yaakov was also a diligent student in the ‘tents of study.’ By contrast Esav, the “man of the field” who excelled at hunting, was just too busy. He

was a man of action and of energy but not necessarily wisdom, discretion, or longterm vision. Esav bursts into the room hungry and hurried, exhausted from his hunting expeditions. He specifically mentions how tired he is as he commands Yaakov for some “red food.” Esav doesn’t even have the time to identify the food he craves – it’s just a color rush of red as he tries to hustle his “power lunch.” In fact, he is even too busy to enjoy his meal. He barks at Yaakov to pour some of the red fuel down his throat – employing the verb hal’iteni – which is typically reserved for feeding animals. This man of action is too hurried and too harried for an enjoyable “meal”; he just wants to refuel and return to his hunting. He has converted eating into a visit to the petrol station. If he hasn’t the time or calm to enjoy his food, Esav certainly doesn’t have the inner quiet to consider the long-term prospects of his current station as firstborn. Our world has become as busy and as frenetic as Esav’s. Over the past generation, the pace of our lives has accelerated and the pressure has intensified. The speed of the Internet has shaped a world of quick and intense interactions. We prefer “communication platforms”

which allow for quick interactions, such as WhatsApp. We are always responding quickly - to people, to events without allowing ourselves proper time for inflection or contemplation. Even in our human ‘non-digital’ interactions we are forced to quickly ‘read’ the other rather than acquainting ourselves with that person and appreciating their complexity. It is no wonder that easy labels or stereotypes have become so popular - they are cheap excuses for real evaluation and real appreciation of the complexity of each individual. Why invest in actually understanding people when we can quickly assign simplistic labels? In the modern world we are far more productive and efficient but far less successful in deep and true relationships. Ultimately, we also pay the heavy price of Esav - sacrificing long-term prospects for quick hits and immediate needs. Speed has come at the cost of depth, efficiency at the cost of vision. Calculating the importance of the “long-term” demands time and vision, commodities which are rare in our hectic world of Esav’s “field.” However, Esav’s folly stems from an additional lapse of judgement. He responds to Yaakov’s proposal by reasoning “I will die and therefore this title is meaningless.” At a literal level, this dismissal reflects an

unhealthy attitude toward human mortality. Indeed, man is mortal and will pass from this earth, but during his time on this planet he can dramatically improve this world for the benefit of others who will walk in his wake. Rashi, however, imputes a very different basis for Esav’s worries. Recognizing that a firstborn would officiate as a priest, Esav inquired as to the terms of this position. Discovering the harsh punishments for priestly malfunction, he balked - he was literally worried that his office as firstborn/priest would kill him. The priestly experience in the Mikdash is highly regulated and the penalties for missteps are often strict. Apprehensive about this danger, Esav forfeited his title and his position. Religious duty was too frightening! Even ignoring Esav’s humiliating cowardice, there is a grievous error in his reasoning. Though there may be fearsome punishments associated with religion, religion isn’t defined as a system of punishments and penalties. It is a grand and glorious opportunity to encounter the Other, one which enriches and elevates the human experience. Punishments merely reflect the grandeur of the experience. This encounter with God is so formidable and so surpassing that it is highly regulated

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The Land Waits for Her People By Rebbetzin Shira Smiles

amine; food is scarce, the sheep have nowhere to graze, what does one do? Yitzchak decides to follow his father’s footsteps, do his basic hishtadlut (exertion, action) and move to a different country. At this point, God tells him unequivocally to stay in Eretz Yisrael and promises him that he, and his descendants, will inhabit and flourish in the Land. Why was he not permitted to leave Eretz Yisrael? Indeed, when Yaakov was about to leave the Land due to famine, God promises him that He will go down with him and bring him up. Yitzchak is unique that he was commanded to live his entire life in the Land. The classic answer offered by Rashi is that, from the moment he was tied on the altar, Yitzchak became sanctified to Above and needed to live his whole life in a place permeated with kedusha (holiness). Rabbi Ben Tzion Firrer expounds on this idea: The model of the akeidah represents Yitzchak’s mesirut nefesh (self-sacrifice) to do the will of God. He willingly, with humility and joy, was ready to give his life for God. In commanding him to stay in the

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Land, God wanted him to now be moser nefesh for the mitzvah of Yishuv Ha’aretz. Yitzchak models for us the ability to give of ourselves completely for God’s mitzvot. Rav Firrer adds that since Yitzchak did this chesed of not deserting the Land, the Land repays him, with tremendous bounty. The Chumash tells us that he planted that year, and he reaped ‘meah shearim.’ Rav Soloveitchik, in his classic essay ‘Kol Dodi Dofek,’ poignantly describes how the Land of Israel waited thousands of years until her children came back to give forth her bounty. Rashi, on the verse “And I will bring the Land into desolation,” (Vayikra 26:32) explains that this is good tidings, that the enemies will not find any goodness in the Land. Throughout the millennia, all the nations that tried to settle Eretz Yisrael were unable to cultivate it. The Land did not betray the people of Israel but waited until we would return to once again be fruitful. The Rav critiqued Orthodox Jewry at that time for not hearing the ‘knock of the beloved’ to come back to the ‘faithful wife’ who had waited so long for this moment of reunion. Yitzchak models for us this faithfulness to the Land, and how we will also reap the benefits. The Tur compares the three avot to the

three pilgrimages: Avraham is connected with Pesach, Yitzchak with Shavuot, and Yaakov with Sukkot. Rabbi Leib Mintzberg, in Ben Melech, explains that Avraham is promised to be a large nation, and, on Pesach, we became a nation. Yitzchak reaped a great harvest, which connects with Shavuot, and Yaakov is promised protection from God, which is the theme of Sukkot. Clearly, we need to understand the connection between Shavuot, and the productivity of the Land. There are two chagim that celebrate the harvest of the Land — Shavuot celebrates the beginning of the harvest — at that time we bring the first fruit; Sukkot is the time of the final harvest — when we bring the water libation. Ben Melech draws an important distinction between the two chagim. Shavuot celebrates Eretz Yisrael — it is time to thank God with the first fruit offering for the beauty and bounty of the Land. It is at this time, when we see the wheat fields in their abundance, that we are overflowing with gratitude to God for this special Land that He has given us. This corresponds to the second bracha in Birkat Hamazon, to thank God for the ‘eretz chemda tova u’rchava’ that is our

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

inheritance. Sukkot, by contrast, is the holiday that focuses on the special hashgacha (protection) that God shows to His people. The produce is already in the silos; we recognize that it is only through God’s protection that we will be able to maintain these blessings. This corresponds to the third bracha of Birkat Hamazon, wherein we speak about how God is our Shepherd — the One who cares for us. Yitzchak is the quintessential model of the av who is connected with the Land and is the only one which the Torah mentions who planted in the Land. Hence, Shavuot, which celebrates the gift of Eretz Yisrael, is the chag of Yitzchak. Parashat Toldot should inspire us to reconnect to the specialness of Eretz Yisrael and to be ready, like Yitzchak, to be moser nefesh for the Land and for Torat Eretz Yisrael. Rebbetzin Shira Smiles, a lecturer and author, is a member of the Mizrachi Speakers Bureau (www.mizrachi.org/speakers). November 28, 2019 / 30 Cheshvan, 5780

STA’’M MATTERS

Are My Tefillin (Still) Kosher? By Rabbi Yonah Gross

hen determining the kashrus of tefillin, the most obvious issue is how often, if ever, should tefillin be opened for the parshios (writing) to be examined. Many are surprised to learn that the Shulchan Aruch (39:10) records that tefillin that are in regular use need not be checked as they have a continued chazaka (assumption) of being kosher. Nevertheless, the Mishna Berura recommends that the parshios be checked as they can potentially be ruined from sweat. The Aruch Hashulchan adds an additional concern that ink today is made differently than in previous generations which warrants concerns about fading. (More on this in a future article.) The standard recommendation is that the parshios of high quality tefillin be checked every 15 years. Beyond the klaf (parchment), there are other issues that affect the kashrus of tefillin which can be seen by just looking at them. The Rambam (Hilchos Tefillin 3:1) records ten aspects of tefillin that were communicated directly by God to Moshe and passed on as an oral tradition (halacha l’Moshe mi’Sinai). While several of those deal with the placement of the parshios and are concealed from view, some of these requirements, which define whether the tefillin are kosher or not, can easily be inspected from the outside. 1. Squareness – There are three parts of the tefillin that must be square (Shulchan Aruch OC 32:39). These are the bayis (compartment) itself, the titura (base), and the giddin (threads) used to sew the tefillin shut (picture #1). Many authorities (ex. Igros Moshe YD 3:120:5) recognize that making a precise square is both impossible and unnecessary as halacha only demands that it appear as a square to the naked eye. Nevertheless, with today’s advancements in technology, they should be within two mm of a perfect square. A dented corner of tefillin is one of the most common issues that come up and it is very difficult to give precise parameters

Understanding Tefillah Through Art CONTINUED FROM P. 28 research different sections of the “Hallelukas.” They read through and discussed the meaning of the tefillot and found stories that brought the lessons from each tefillah alive in a practical and real way. November 28, 2019 / 30 Cheshvan, 5780

Picture #1

Picture #2 of when the tefillin lose their “square” appearance. The Aruch Hashulchan (32:77) points out that while there are experts who can make very precise tefillin, most are not able to do so, and “heaven forbid that we should label these as passul.” While the quality and precision of tefillin construction has improved since the time of the Aruch Hashulchan, this rule still holds true. However, we should do our best to treat tefillin with care to

ensure they maintain their integrity. If the corners of the tefillin begin to look rounded, it is best to bring them to an expert. Repairing tefillin is often not that expensive. Another issue related to squareness, and specifically of the head tefillin, is the separation of the compartments. While a small separation is not a problem if their square appearance is maintained, small splits can become larger over time.

These groups then created an artistic depiction of the tefillah to demonstrate it visually. The girls really enjoyed this project as it helped them understand the tefillot in a whole new way. Our students have not been shy about how the program has affected their tefillot. Tefillah through art has, “Helped me understand the words,” said third

graders Shayna Hollander and Dani Goldman. Fourth grader Yaeli Cantor shared, “I like knowing what I am saying when I am davening. I feel that when I know what the words mean, I am really davening to Hashem.” “This project has helped me picture the meaning of the tefillot as we say them each day,” said another first grade student.

Repairing these defects often require gluing the sections together, which has its own set of issues in halacha. 2. Giddin (threads) – The base of the tefillin is sewn shut with giddin which are made using the sinews of a kosher animal. These giddin can break. While tefillin can still be used if there is one break, a second break could make them passul. 3. Knots – The retzuos (straps) of both the head and arm tefillin have knots that form letters. The knot on the head tefillin forms the letter dalet and the knot on the inside part of the arm tefillin forms the letter yud (picture #2). These two letters, with the addition of the shin that is created on the head tefillin (see picture), form the word Shaddai which is one of the names of God. The Shulchan Aruch (32:52) requires these knots to be intact. While the head tefillin will not stay on one’s head without the knot intact, the knot on the arm tefillin could become undone. A bracha should not be made on tefillin that do not have their proper knots intact (Mishna Berura 32:233). 4. Retzuos (straps) – The two most common issues regarding retzuos are width and color. The opinions for the minimum width of retzuos range from 9mm to 11mm. Standard retzuos sold today are 15 mm wide. However, over the years, the retzuos of the hand tefillin tend to lose some width at the spot where they are tightened. It is important to monitor this to make sure that the retzuos do not become too narrow. Retzuos must be entirely black on one side. The Beur Halacha (33:3) suggests that even small scratches and specks may invalidate the retzuos. However, many authorities (ex. Halichos Shlomo 4:28) hold that retzuos are acceptable as long as the appearance of black is maintained. Tefillin paint and markers are available for touch ups. When blackening retzuos, one should vocalize that he is doing so for the purpose of the mitzvah (‘l’sheim mitzvas tefillin). 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. We are proud of this initiative and hope it will continue to spread appreciation and meaning to the beautiful words of tefillah. It is just another way that we seek to deepen our students’ understanding of the daily rituals they are performing. Rabbi Avraham Glustein is Head of School at Politz Day School of Cherry Hill.

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Something in the Water: The Debate on Fluoride The Green Smoothie Challenge By Dana Kupfer, DMD

By Christina Sciarretta

luoride is a very

hot topic very March, it feels likeinI denam tistry.ofI a often pulling myself out pit get of asked by patients crappy health and way too about prescription many months offluoride cold, dark, damp vitamins vs. weather, if you liveIf you heretry at toothpaste and vs. mouthwash. to the shore, you know that with the research online about the risks and benefits of fluoride, to weather we haveyour had,head thiswill yearstart is no spin! ThereI don’t is a large anti-fluoride contindifferent! know about you, but there that that fluoride itgency feelsout to me like it feels has been rainingis a neurotoxin and our exposure should be for 87 years. I cannot understand eliminated or limited. However, the facts how people liveis in year-round rain, are that fluoride a mineral that occurs like Seattle or London. here in naturally in many foods andWe, water. In fact, Atlantic County, are beach people. community water fluoridation is supported by major health science We don’t thrive in and gloom and organidarkzationsWe across theto country, the ness. come life in including sun, sand, American Dental Association, the World and salty air. As such, I always find Health Organization, and the Centers myself needing a total recharge for Disease Control and Prevention. The in March. recharge comes wain CDC states That that drinking fluoridated the form of a giant of green ter keeps teeth strongcup andfull reduces caviawesomeness and good vibes. ties by about 25% in children and adults. I use the month of March to replenish my depleted body with the vita-

Tooth decay is one of the most common health problems affecting children. Many people worldwide cannot afford the cost of regular dental check-ups, so adding fluoride can offer savings and benefits to those who need them. Tooth decay is more common among young children than any other chronic illness, including asthma and diabetes! In fact, about 42% of children aged 2 to 11 have had dental caries affecting primary teeth, according to The National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research. Interestingly, tooth decay is the most widespread chronic disease in cities. Untreated tooth decay plagues up to seven in ten children in India, one in three teenagers in Tanzania and almost one in three adults in Brazil. If untreated, dental caries can lead to tooth loss, chewing problems, malnutrition and infection. Despite that, only seventeen states have laws in place regarding fluoridamins and Pennsylvania nutrients thatisit not is missing, tion and one of due over-abundance carbs them.toInthe fact, lawmakers in PAofhave inand sugar and lack of anything green troduced more than a dozen bills over

or healthy… anyone else? Come on, somebody! Enter the Green

the last thirty years, with none of them passing. They have left it to each individual region to regulate. In the city of Philadelphia, water fluoride levels are kept around 0.7 parts per million, a very low, but effective, level. In Merion Station, where my office is located, there is no fluoride in the water. It is certainly important for infants and children between the ages of 6 months and 16 years to be exposed to fluoride. This is the timeframe during which the primary and permanent teeth come in and why it is important to bring your children to the dentist regularly and at a young age. However, adults benefit from fluoride, too. New research indicates that topical fluoride -- from toothpastes, mouth rinses, and fluoride treatments -- is as important in fighting tooth decay as in strengthening developing teeth. In addition, people with certain conditions may be at increased risk of tooth decay Smoothie. have found that blending and would Itherefore benefit from adnutrient-rich greensThey withinclude other ditional fluorideleafy treatment. veggies, fruit, and liquid (yogurt, copeople with dry mouth, gum disease,

conut 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.Viktor My skin is rathe field of psychology, Frankl, an Austrian who survived the diant, mypsychiatrist hair is shinier, my energy Holocaust, beautifully depictedclarity the imlevel is sky-high, my mental is portance of our capacity for behavioral improved, my sleep is deep, my wake control: is Between easy, I’mstimulus usuallyand a bitresponse more trim, I there begin to crave andtoI is a space. In thathealthier space is foods, our power feel unbelievably freaking awesome. choose our response. In our response lies our growth that and our freedom. I decided I just couldn’t keep this Individuals whoso doI created not have ADHD magic to myself, The Sciare better able to make the most of that arretta Collection’s Green Smoothie “space” by drawing on internal resources Challenge! of hindsight (learning from mistakes), I can’t (anticipating lie, it is a bitconsequences), scary to see foresight how encouraging much change happens, just and self-talk. However, from nourishing my body properly. since individuals who have ADHD do not

ADHD Series: Part II

history of frequent cavities, and existing If you’re parent like me, you know braces andacrowns. that healthy eating is justscientifically about last The only health problem proven be caused excessive on theto to-do list for by most of the fluoyear, ride is aimportant cosmetic for condition as so it’s us to known take time fluorosis. Fluorosis causes staining of to stop and reset. If you go too long teeth in children under eight and is most without proper nutrition, it will creep often mild and reversible. Fluorosis can back up in awful ways, likethe chronic be prevented by monitoring total disease, illness, aches and pains, amount of fluoride a child consumes. Total consumed includes low energy, fluoride moodiness, etc.what I’d the like child receives from supply, from to encourage youthe allwater to join our comfluoridated toothpaste, munity, take chargeand of from yourperiodic health, fluoride treatments at the dentist’s office. and consider taking the challenge However, to get an idea of how much toyourself or with your family or team! tal fluoride your child is getting, talk to (Of course, as pediatrician. with anything healthyour dentist or Altogether, related, it is always important to disthe exposure of children to a very safe local level, combination with with good your oral cuss theinbenefits and risks hygiene and All a balanced will help physician.) you havediet, to do peace, keep their teeth healthy and strong. love, and good vibes, my friends! Dr. Dana Kupfer is a General Dentist at What makes a green smoothie? Merion Family Dentistry in Lower Merion of children. your choice spinwhoLeafy treatsgreens adults and She can be ach, kale, swiss chard, etc reached at collards, 484.278.4441. Visit her online Other veggies of choice: carrot, at www.merionfamilydentistry.com.

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, cocobased off the negative reactivity of others toward their challenging behavior, nut milk, almond milk, ice, water,leadetc ingExtras: them tochia continue behave ways seed, to flax seed, in protein which fit with their internalized negapowder, hemp seed, cacao powder, tive labels. It is thus understandable why etc 20%-36% of individuals who have ADHD aredepressive just a fewsymptomatology. of the benefits alsoHere have of green smoothies: But what if we can change that around? What• if,Increased instead, we were able to verbally energy recognize everything they did right, fo• Improved digestion cusing even on the baby that they • Improved mentalsteps clarity and are making toward positive change? If we focus were fully committed to this, we would • Supports health internalnot just cover up overall their negative Improved mood ized •images, but we would be recreating • Glowy skin the internalized image of themselves as

Treatment: Cultivating the Power Within By Dr. Dovid Levy

ow that we have come to an understanding of ADHD as a disorder of underdeveloped executive functions, treatment formulation should be easy, right? Not exactly. One of the features of ADHD that makes it so unique is the disparity in its presentation across individuals that have this diagnosis. Meaning, not all individuals who struggle with ADHD grapple with all their executive functions. Some children primarily cope with behavioral inhibition and emotional control, reflected in the DSM-5 diagnosis subtype, Predominantly Hyperactive/Impulsive presentation. This is the child that is usually struggling with behavioral challenges that come up at home and in school. Others will primarily have to contend with issues of attention, organization, planning, and time management, reflected in the Predominantly Inattentive presentation. This child may be very well-behaved, yet presents as being “spaced out,” disorganized, and has a hard time engaging in

tasks that require mental effort. Others will be challenged across both domains, reflected in the Combined presentation. Thus, ADHD can look very different in its presentation from one child to the next. That is why a comprehensive assessment is needed to help identify which executive functions the child is struggling with. This assessment should include interviews and rating scales given to the parents, teachers, and child. Sometimes, neuropsychological testing is needed as well to help determine the specific executive functions that the child is struggling with. Results from such an assessment can lead directly to a tailored treatment plan. A comprehensive treatment plan for ADHD will include various interventions, such as behavioral parent training, medication, and mindfulness-based interventions. Since it is beyond the scope of this article to go through all these interventions in detail, we will focus on some key treatment strategies that parents and teachers can use to further develop a child’s capacity for behavioral inhibition, a core executive functioning deficit for children who have ADHD. In one of the most famous quotes in

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have those internal resources as well developed, they are relying on us as their parents and teachers to help foster internal motivation in other ways. Here are some ways we can help cultivate their own sense of “power” that they can draw on to make better choices when their instincts are telling them to go in the opposite direction: Constant recognition of when they are showing self-control: Children who have ADHD often have negative internalized images of themselves (“out of control,” “crazy,” “hot-headed,” “stubborn,” etc.),

someone who has great character qualities. For example, the more we can verbally recognize Meir for having the quality of self-control for not hitting his sister Atara, the more Meir will internalize that he is someone that has self-control. Once Meir has that internalized representation of himself, he can draw on his internalized quality of self-control during momentary urges to react poorly. Thus, verbal recognition is much more powerful than tangible rewards. Building the child up

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CONTINUED ON P. 34 November 28, 2019 / 30 Cheshvan, 5780

The Green Smoothie Challenge

The Biopsychosocial Jewish Brain – Insights From Ourselves About Ourselves

Activating the Power of Tefillah the morning, afternoon, and even through the dark. They sought God wherever He might be and found Him in the midst of their own minds, through tefillah. So, what are we expected to do with these seemingly opposite concepts of tefillah? The answer may lie in the concept of what kavana is needed for tefillah. Does one need to have simple and utter focus on what they are saying, be it linguistically or intellectually? The Rambam believes so and cites this as lev shalem (See Rambam Hilchos Tefillah 4:15-18). One should have utter focus on Hashem, our thoughts trained on Him and all excess concerns removed. One should be completely engrossed in the words they are saying, focusing on them with understanding and full comprehension. This is required for the Shmoneh Esrei (See ShulminsAruch and nutrients is missing, chan O”C 1:4 & that 98:1).itHowever, the due to the over-abundance carbs Rambam himself also implies of that one and be sugar and can yotzei thelack restofofanything Shmonehgreen Esrei simply by reciting the words, a seeming or healthy… anyone else? Come contradiction. (see Chiddushei on, somebody! Enter theRabbeinu Green Chaim Halevi, Hilchos Tefillah, Perek 4, Halachah 1 which resolves this by splitting the first bracha from the rest of the tefillah). Nevertheless, the implication that ideal tefillah is one with complete and utter intellectual focus is clear. Begging Hashem for sustenance may be one level of tefillah; however, that is not absolute intellectual focus in comprehending God and devoting one’s mind to tefillah. Intense intellectual connection is an important approach which speaks to many as an important element within our davening. However, there is another perspective. As the Ramchal in Derech Hashem implies (4:2-4), the simple recitation of Shema elicits a metaphysical truth to increase kedusha in the world even without the kavana discussed above. While increased kavana can change the world far

more significantly, simple recitation of the words also affects our inner spirit and the entire world. In further discussion, he implies that a much greater tikkun is made if one focuses on giving one’s life for God (specifically discussing kavana during the Shema). Tefillah can also be an entry point to the spiritual realm of one’s own soul and the greater metaphysical reality. The Chassidic literature is filled with stories of tzaddikim ascending to shomayim through their tefillah. The L’shem Yichud many say before parts of tefillah and other mitzvos highlights the concept of unifying the or (light) of God that has been split in the creation of the world. Lurianic Kabbalah emphasizes with this idea, and it speaks to many as a means of gathering in the varied “sparks of kedusha” spread within our own selves and minds Smoothie. I have found that blending through tefillah. nutrient-rich leafy withthing other After all is said andgreens done, one is veggies, fruit, and liquid (yogurt, cocertain: tefillah is a different experience for everyone. can stand still conut water,We almond milk,perfectly etc.) bring as soldierand or shake mya body mindback backand to forth life. Itacis tivating the motor cortex and amygdala a total rejuvenation! For 31 days, I within our brains. We can daven silently, commit to consuming a homemade with lower temporal lobe activity, or we green smoothie everycommon single day. By can daven aloud (more in Septhe end of the month, I almost don’t hardic tefillah), with increasing language even recognize My neuron skin is acracenter, frontal lobe,myself. and mirror tivity. canhair call out to Hashem, to diant,Wemy is shinier, my speak energy Him conversation and mental activate the social levelinis sky-high, my clarity is areas of our brain, or we can feel intellectuimproved, my sleep is deep, my wake ally stimulated and contemplate the oneis easy, I’m usually a bit more trim, I ness of Hakadosh Baruch Hu, and activate begin to crave and healthier and I our left temporal parietalfoods, lobes (areas feel unbelievably freaking awesome. enabling abstract rational thought). We can also focus onIspiritual experiences I decided that just couldn’t keep that this take us beyond ourselves, with decreased magic to myself, so I created The Scisensory input and parietal activarretta Collection’s Green lobe Smoothie ity, increased superior parietal activation, Challenge! and increased amygdala activation at our I can’t centers. lie, it isThese a bitfinal scary to see emotional neurologic how much just correlated may change allow onehappens, to experience body properly. afrom sensenourishing of oneness my or dveykus, fulfilling

If you’re a parent like me, you know that healthy eating is just about last the concept tefillah as a ofmeans for on the to-dooflist for most the year, yichudim. so it’s important for us to take time is why there are two diametrically toThat stop and reset. If you go too long opposed origins for tefillah: The ritualistic without proper nutrition, it will creep piece can never be forgotten. It structures back awful ways, like chronic our dayup andinour conversation. Its rules aldisease, illness, aches and pains, low us a means to connect no matter the circumstance. the avot us low energy, However, moodiness, etc. give I’d like the spiritual component, for to encourage you all tothe joinlonging our comsomething greater and beyond ourselves, munity, take charge of your health, and the potential dveykus b’or ein sof. The and consider taking the challenge Tanya (Igeret Kodesh Ch. 29) states that yourself or with your family or team! the karbanos are a lower level than the Sh(Of of course, asfor with healthema tzadikim justanything this reason, as a related, it is always important to distrue transcendent spiritual experience ties one directly to the Ribbono Shel with Olam.your cuss the benefits and risks Whichever All path one takes in tefillah, physician.) you have to do peace, shaking or still, quiet or aloud, a structured love, and good vibes, my friends! korban or an internal dveykus, Judaism is What makes a green smoothie? unique in that our tefillah attempts to conof your choice spintainLeafy both ofgreens these perspectives simultaneach, We kale, collards, swiss ously. cannot simply go offchard, on ouretc own Other veggies of choice: carrot, and daven, it must be with a minyan. Our inner world of the private cucumber, beets, etc Shmoneh Esrei is disturbed by the external Chazaratz Fruit of your choice (I almost alHa’Shatz, and the external call of Kaddish ways use bananas and one or more and Kedushah demands an internal reof the following: pineapple, mango, sponse of Kadosh as well. As we continue papaya, avocado, toberries, balancecherries, our spiritual and communal apple, etc needs, as well as our competing neural Liquidinternally, of your choice: yogurt, coconetworks we should recognize the place and opportunity thatetc tenutunique milk, almond milk, ice, water, fillah plays in ourseed, lives, flax andseed, hopefully reExtras: chia protein dedicate ourselves to having a more compowder, hemp seed, cacao powder, plete and meaningful tefillah for us all. etc Dovid Halpern was born and raised (and are just a few inofLower the benefits still Here lives with his family) Merion of green smoothies: and is a third year Resident in Psychiatry and Human Behavior at Thomas Jefferson • Increased energy University Hospital.digestion He has a BA in Psy• Improved chology from YU, Smicha RIETS,and an • Improved mentalfrom clarity MD from Sidney Kimmel Medical College, focus and recently published the book “The Rab• Supports health bi’s Brain: Mystics,overall Moderns and the Scimood with Dr. Andrew ence•ofImproved Jewish Thinking” • Glowy skin Newberg.

imagination, and if religion is pitched upon fear it is more difficult for it to settle into human identity. Furthermore, modern man, having braved the great challenges of the 20th century, views himself as courageous and intrepid. Religious experience framed by fear will not powerfully resonate within modern consciousness. Two hundred years ago Rav Yisrael Salanter, the pioneer of the mussar movement, based religion upon yiras ha’onesh - fear of

punishment. Though it was effective in that cultural context, today it is sometimes less successful and, for some, can become counterproductive. In place of “religion of fear” it is crucial to highlight “religion of grandeur” and of empowerment. All this being stated, we shouldn’t ignore the punishment and consequences. In our desire to avoid stressing a fear-based religion we cannot emulsify Judaism into a religion without costs. The concept of punishment

shouldn’t only induce fear but should underscore the gravitas of a life lived in the presence of God, the magnitude of responsibility and consequently the great tragedy of failure. Religion is a high-stakes encounter with God, and we must be visionary enough and courageous enough to embrace the power as well as the punishments. Rabbi Moshe Taragin is a rebbe at Yeshivat Har Etzion, located in Gush Etzion, where he resides.

By Christina Sciarretta

very March,ByitDovid feels Halpern like I am pulling myself out of a pit of e often daven crappy health and way too three times a many months of cold, day. dark, People damp weather, and if frequently you live ask, herewhy at the shore, you know that with the daven? However, even that this question weather we haveifhad, year is is anno swered, a further question remains: why different! I don’t know about you, but times? Brachot 26b itthree feels to meThe likeGemara it has in been raining has two answers. One is that the three for 87 years. I cannot understand tefillot correspond to the three avot. Avrahow people live in year-round rain,ham was metaken Shacharis, Yitzchak like Seattle or London. We,The here in Mincha, and Yaakov - Maariv. other Atlantic County, are beach people. is that the tefillot we say are based on the korbanot Mikdash. Tamid We don’tbrought thrive in the gloom and darkshel shachar, beintoha’arbayim, the ness. We come life in sun,and sand, burning of the eivarim u’pdarim (limbs and salty air. As such, I always find and fats). These two parallel stories about myself needing a total recharge the origins of tefillah highlight the differin comes entMarch. aspects That found recharge within tefillah itself. in the form a giant cup fullBeit of Hamikgreen With theof destruction of the awesomeness and good vibes. dash, we lost our central ritual service. A sinner not bring a chatas, praise I usecould the month of March tono replento Hashem throughbody a todah, or ish my depleted withshlamim, the vita-

nidavos. Our avodah had been stripped from us, and something had to be done. The Anshei Knesses HaGedolah therefore established a set ritualistic framework for davening. We daven with a minyan if at all possible, and have set paragraphs for the sections of Korbanot, Psukei Dzimra, and Shacharis. The fact that there is even a siddur at all is a remarkable concept: talking to God has been scripted in some way, just as the korbanot were in the Beit Hamikdash. On the other hand, the tefillah of the avot is the very personal, individualized experience that breaks through the standard texts. The inner realm of tefillah, our inner mizbeach as it were, burns with a passion for dveykus Ba’Hashem, to speak to God intimately, lay out our own inner struggles and requests. This is the tefillah of the avot, those who blazed new trails in

Esav’s Folly CONTINUED FROM P. 30

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and even minor missteps are punishable. A more relaxed environment would compromise the gravitas of the experience! However, Esav was unable to identify the power and the glory of religion and was instead obsessed and fixated upon the fear of punishment and of reprisal. When religion is presented as intimidating and fear-inducing it is often abandoned. The emotion of fear crushes November 28, 2019 / 30 Cheshvan, 5780

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HEALTH AND WELLNESS Treatment: Cultivating the Power Within CONTINUED FROM P. 32 through genuine verbal recognitions of when things are going right creates an internalized sense of motivation to make good choices, while tangible rewards externalize motivation that may not last for the long term and may always be contingent on getting that tangible reward (“I’ll take out the garbage, but what am I going to get if I do it???”). Clarity: Children who have ADHD need absolute clarity in both the rules that we want to set for them and the consistent consequences we are going to carry out when they break a rule. If we want to make a rule of “no hitting,” we cannot simply rely on their intuition to internalize the “no

No More Tuesdays at Hahnemann: The Painful Process of Closing a Surgery Department CONTINUED FROM P. 27 goodbye to our residents in July, all of whom found alternative hospitals where they will complete their training. Our surgeons routinely get together after our workday discussing job interviews, seeking advice from one another, and honestly, just to hold on a bit longer to the

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hitting” rule; rather, we must make it clear that “no hitting” is a clear line that we are drawing in the sand that they cannot cross. This can be done through posting the rules in the house, verbally reminding them of the rules when they are broken, and most importantly, verbally recognizing them when they are not breaking a rule. We don’t have to wait until they do something positive to recognize their behavior. We can recognize them when they are not breaking a rule (e.g., not hitting when they are upset), which will further reinforce clarity on the rules they need to follow. Also, the rules need to be concrete and specific (e.g., no pushing, no grabbing, no cursing, etc.), rather than ambiguous and general (no aggression, no impulsivity, no bad attitude, etc.). Regarding consequences, they should be brief and

natural, giving the child an opportunity to regulate his/her emotions and “right the wrong” if need be (e.g., doing something nice for his sister that he just slammed in the face). Patience: Without this element of treatment, everything else will fall to the ground. Remaining calm during stressful moments needs to be at the forefront of ADHD interventions. It is so easy to get triggered by some behaviors of individuals who have ADHD and, if we are not aware of our triggers and do not commit to working on ourselves to remain as calm as we can be during those times, we may undermine all of the other work we are putting in to help this child thrive, and it can also damage our relationship with our child. However, if we lead with patience and a sense of calm, even when

rules are being broken, we are strengthening our relationship with our child, and we are modeling good emotional regulation skills, which is key to controlling one’s behavior. We are also showing that perfection is not required, thus giving them the space to make mistakes and get back up to continue their path toward growth and self-development. Dr. Dovid Levy is a clinical psychologist who specializes in working with children and adolescents who have emotional and behavioral challenges. He provides individual and group psychotherapy treatment, and he runs various parenting workshops on raising children who have anxiety, ADHD, and emotional difficulties. He practices in Narberth, PA, and can be reached at 845.201.9748 or drdovidlevy@gmail.com.

camaraderie that has developed over time. My Tuesdays have had the same routine since 2003, and this has come to an end. For the last sixteen years, I saw patients in our office every Tuesday from 9AM to 5PM. I have seen over 3000 different patients over the past few years and thousands more over the prior decade. I have seen colleagues and staff, hospital leaders, University Presidents, Deans and Department Chairs come and go. Yet the constant throughout was my Tuesday clinic,

a day I loved to hate. Hated it because of all the paperwork and electronic health record documentation that the day generated. Loved it because I met and got to know so many fantastic people. Loved it because I was able to bond with the surgical residents, medical students and staff. Loved it because I had the opportunity to improve a patients’ quality of life or cure them of disease. It is now gone forever, and that last Tuesday was the last time I cried at Drexel.

David E. Stein, MD serves as a Professor and the Alama Dea Morani Chair of Surgery for Drexel University College of Medicine. He was the founder and director of Drexel University’s critically acclaimed Mini-Medical School Program, served as Chief Operating Officer for Drexel University Physicians as well as Associate Dean for Clinical Operations. He is also the lead faculty for Drexel’s Lebow College of Business’s Physician Leadership and Business Acumen Educational Program.

November 28, 2019 / 30 Cheshvan, 5780

House to Home ‘Mocha Crème’ Launches at Mocha Bleu By House of Kosher

By Elizabeth Kratz

Recipe and food styling by Esther Chanaresh Schechter baked pastries, new orFood photography by Shani Josefovits ganic house coffees, crois-

sants and muffins, not to menMEGA CHANUKAH tion gelatotopped crepes, smoothBREAKFAST ies milkshakes, and two types Weand bring you the ultimate Chanukah of grabandgo savory sandwiches, Breakfast - layers of crispy potato latkes, sweet waffles Crème, and pancakes, are alland partfluffy of Mocha a new sticky sweet maple and atsavory meeting place now syrup debuting MoParmesan with a perfectly executed cha Bleu. sunny side up. Oh, and it’s all in one The new counter-purchase ofdish. Don’t be fooled- though this dish ferings perfect towesample has manyare components, put the with ease a friend while having morning in easy by using Simple Farms coffee or an Pancake andafternoon Waffle Mix.treat It’s a with de- the licious shortcut that will change kids; the ambiance is as comfortthe youin view breakfast, able way at 7:30 the morning as it is guaranteed. Enjoy it with our Mom’s at 10 p.m.. Mocha Crème is open six famous hot cocoa for a complete days a week and on motzei Shabbreakfast. bat in winter. Priced comparably to All ingredients can be found other coffee options the atneighat House of Kosher and in online borhood, Mocha Crème is launchhouseofkosher.com. ing as Mocha Bleu turns 10 years BREAKFAST LATKE

Simple Farms Pancake and Waffle Mix

old. A (one communal for families, eggs egg per table serving) maple or syrup friends small group meetings is in grated the newParmesan Mocha Crème area, perfect chopped students coming forscallions, high school For the Latkes: in for a quick gelato or sandwich. Grate onions and potatoes and mix The eggs, couches small tables justa with flour, and salt and pepper. Heat next to theadd coffee area are latke quietbatin frying pan, oil and fry the the morning and perfect for friendter, 3/4 cup of batter per latke. Set aside when finished. meetups after carpool and business For the Waffle: meetings, with coffee and muffins. Preheat waffle maker for according to There is ample space children package instructions, pour in Simple in strollers and free wifi. With a Farms Pancake Mix and cook until waffle newset. shiny white woodand- chrome has Set aside. Frigomecccanica ‘jewelry- style’ pastry case, custom-designed in Italy and intended for everything to be seen easily from eye-level, Mocha Bleu’s owner Naftali Abenaim is bringing his most exciting dessert and coffee ideas out into the open. Temperature controlled to just the right degree, Abenaim explained that he could do more and different

Latke Batter 4 potatoes 1 onion 2 eggs 2 tbsp. flour salt and pepper oil, for frying

For the Pancake: Using more of the pancake and waffle batter, heat a frying pan, coat with nonstick cooking spray and pour 1/2 cup of desserts a highbatter per with pancake. Flip when the side down hasdessert set and case. slightly browned and er level remove Set aside. Just in when timedone. to enjoy For the Sunny Side Up Egg: along with the new In the same frying pan, gently pour in desserts, Mocha Bleu an egg (making sure it doesn’t break), is also a line and let debuting it cook until the whites are fully of house from cooked andcoffees has a nice crust. Remove and Jim’s Organic. set aside. To assemble: While Nespresso Place a cooked pancake into the frying cappuccino, espresso pan and heat over low flame. Drizzle maple and other Italian cofsyrup and sprinkle Parmesan. The Parmefee drinks are still san will begin to pop - that’s a good sign available, Or- Next, place a that your pan Jim’s is hot enough. ganic, a local New company latke on top and Jersey drizzle with maple that sources beans from all the syrup and Parmesan. Next,over place ¼ piece of a full waffle on top and add world, developed a smooth blend more maple syrup and Parmesan. called Papua New Guinea just for TopBleu. with another Mocha Mocha latke, Bleu’smaple new syrup iced and Parmesan. Finally add the sunny house coffee and decaf coffee is anside up egg, more maple syrup and otherParmesan. blend, called Sweet Nothings. By this time, the bottom “We pancake developed this have roastdeveloped with thema should to getreally it just right. It’s smoother nice caramelized crust and from sweeter than Abe-a the maple your syrup. average, Remove” with spatula. Feel free to drizzle more maple syrup on top and sprinkle with chopped scallions.

MOM’S FAMOUS HOT COCOA 1/3 cup cocoa powder 3/4 cup sugar 1/3 cup boiling water

naim said. Chalav yisrael Italian gelato, made once a week by an Italian chef, headlines the new menu of3 oz. semi-sweet chocolate ferings. The difference between ice 3.5 cups cream andmilk gelato is that gelato gen1 tsp. vanilla extract erally contains heavy cream rather 1/2 cup heavy cream than milk as the majority of its base, Mehadrin Cholov Yisroel Whipped giving it a higher fat content and a Cream more decadent, creamy taste. Combine cocoa powder, sugar and “It’s boilbest to just close your eyes and ing water in a pot over a medium flame. Bring to a boil and simmer for two minutes. Stir in chocolate and milk and heat until very hot but don’t bring to a boil. Remove from the flame and add vanilla extract. Ladle hot chocolate into mugs and cool off with a bit of heavy cream. Add a nice dollop of whipped cream and enjoy! This cozy drink has always kept us warm on those cold, snowy, winter days.

Recipes From The Rebbetzin

The Art of Challah Baking: Recipes and Rituals By Rebbetzin Deborah Epstein

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hallah is not just a fancy loaf of bread. This is the bread of the holy Sabbath. This is the dough that our matriarch, Sarah, the wife of our patriarch, Abraham, baked five thousand years ago. Challah is therefore unique to the Jewish people. Various laws apply to the taking and baking of challah. There are three mitzvot essential to the role of the Jewish woman. The mitzvah of challah, kindling the lights of the Sabbath, and the ritual laws of family purity (i.e. mikvah). This week’s recipe column is centered upon the laws essential to November 28, 2019 / 30 Cheshvan, 5780

challah baking. There is a biblical requirement after one mixes dough to separate a portion of the dough entitled “challah.” In the days of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem, this portion of dough was given to the kohen (priest) in the Temple in Jerusalem. Today, we maintain this mitzvah in the following manner. 1. If more than fourteen cups of flour was used we recite the blessing, “Blessed are You, Hashem, our God, King of the Universe, Who has sanctified us with His commandments and has commanded us to separate challah from the dough” (…lehafrish challah) and then separate a portion the size of an olive, lift it in our hands and proclaim “Harei zu challah,” “This is challah.” If 7.5-14 cups of flour were used we

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separate dough without a blessing. 2. We burn the double wrapped dough on the stove and dispose of it. At each of the three Sabbath meals, two loaves of challah are placed upon our Shabbat table. The blessing, “Blessed are You, Hashem, our God, King of the Universe, Who brings forth bread from the earth” (…hamotzei lechem min haaretz) is recited upon the challot. Challah is therefore of great significance in honoring the Sabbath. Enjoy! My best wishes for a tasty and peaceful Shabbat!

2 yahrtzeit glasses of lukewarm water 1 block of fresh yeast (or 5 tsp. yeast) 4 tbsp. salt 4 tbsp. sugar 4 tbsp. margarine Melt yeast in lukewarm water. Mix together the rest of the ingredients. It will form a loose dough. Let it rise covered for half an hour. Knead dough. Let it rise until doubled in size. Knead dough and allow to rise for a second time. Shape into loaves. Place on a cookie sheet coated with oil and sprinkled with flour. Brush challah with 1 beaten egg. Place in a preheated oven @ 350 degrees for twenty minutes. Enjoy a taste of yesteryear! Yields: 3 challot

Ad 1/4 4.3 x 5.63

GRANDMA’S CHALLAH (ENJOY A TASTE OF MY CHILDHOOD!) 6 yahrtzeit glasses of flour

CONTINUED ON P. 36 Philadelphia JEWISH LINK

May 10, 2019 / 5 Iyyar, 5779

FOOD & DINING

One Size Fits All By Jonathan Chodosh

his one is going to be short and ( b i tt e r ) s w e e t , just like making these chocolatey recipes should be. Dessert is a course that can take no time to buy ready-to-eat or a long time to sit decorating your little cartoon character Shalom Zachor cookies. Here is a one-size-fits-all chocolatey cake/ brownie/cookie recipe. One dry mix fits the bill for all three. Change the ‘wet’ part to make them what they need to be. Let’s explore a bit of what makes these desserts different, in addition to the different flavors contributed from the subtly changing ingredients. Two major differences contributed by altering the wet portion of the ingredients is the level of gluten development, and flour hydration. The wet portion contains primarily fat (oil, chocolate), and water (eggs, water, liquid). The other ingredients are for flavor or emulsion. We will explore how these factors affect the one-size-fits-all recipes. In this cake, the gluten (protein in wheat) is near fully developed but weakened by cocoa powder. Gluten traps the lift given off by the baking soda/powder. A fully developed gluten network gives us a light and airy cake. Weakening it gives us a smaller crumb and bubble (in the

The Art of Challah Baking CONTINUED FROM P. 35

WHOLE WHEAT CHALLAH 2 tbsp. salt 8 cups white flour 8 cups whole wheat flour 1-1/4 cups canola oil 2-1/2 cups sugar 10 tsp. dry yeast 6 eggs 5 cups lukewarm water

Topping: 1 egg yolk mixed with 1 tsp. sugar 1 tsp. rosemary 1 tsp. thyme 1 tsp. minced garlic 1 tsp. minced onion 1 tsp. za’atar Place yeast, water and 1 tbsp. sugar into a mixing bowl. Allow to stand for approximately ten minutes, until yeast is bubbly. Place dry ingredients into a large bowl, mixing together well. Add yeast mixture, oil, and eggs, and continue mixing. Knead for approximately ten minutes. Allow to rise for 1-2 hours in a warm area.

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cake) size. Fully hydrated flour will make the texture moist, almost wet. It will bake to be a texture like bread or cake. Cookies are as far from the cake as possible. The only water present in the recipe is contributed by the eggs. Gluten is only developed in gluten producing grains in the presence of water. Oil, despite being a liquid, is completely dry and devoid of any water. This near dry recipe will make the least amount of gluten. The cookies will spread when baked and have a slight well from the little gluten made. For cakey cookies look for recipes that contain more water. Want a chewier cookie? Try replacing your all-purpose flour with bread flour. Brownies are an anomaly. Really, they shouldn’t be good, but they are heavenly. Whether you like cakey or fudgy brownies, a good brownie is somewhere between a cake and a chocolate custard. They are super forgiving because it is a dough that you can’t overwork. The added melted chocolate makes the difference between an under leavened cake and this brownie. Many desserts require a dry bowl and a wet bowl. Here are three recipes I have come up with that leverage a single dry mix for three separate creations. Dry mix (per batch) 1 ⅔ cup flour 1 ½ cup sugar ½ cup light brown sugar

1.5 tsp. baking powder .25 tsp. baking soda 1 tsp. salt Mix 2 cups dry mix with the following wet ingredients to get your one size fits all cakes, cookies and brownies. Tip: put the wet phase on the dry mix to help prevent a face full of dust.

Brownie directions: Mix all the wet ingredients for the brownies so the chocolate is fully incorporated. Incorporate all the dry ingredients. Bake in your prepared brownie pan. Cookie directions: In a mixer or immersion blender put the eggs and vanilla. With it on, slowly add the oil. It will come together quickly. Add to the dry mix and toss in the chocolate chips. Spoon out the cookie dough and bake. Cake directions: Mix together the dry and wet ingredients except for the

It isn’t the fanciest dessert, but they are always crowd pleasers. Once committed to memory, throw it together in a flash or make the dry mix in bulk for a quick dessert on these short Erev Shabbos’. Jonathan Chodosh is a food scientist and the owner of Teavon Food Group. You can find his vegan products (gelato, tapas salads, and dips) at Jack Levin’s Wine Store, or order by reaching him directly at jonathan@teavonfood.com. Follow him on social media @nerdydadfoods and @teavonfoodgroup.

Shape challot into loaves, and glaze with egg yolk, and sprinkle with toppings. Let challot rise again for thirty minutes. Bake in a preheated oven @ 350 degrees for approximately 25 minutes, until golden brown. Yields: 6 challot

CHOCOLATE BABKA WITH CRUMB TOPPING

Garlic Knots: Shape challah dough into the shape of a knot. Top with 1 clove garlic, peeled and minced. Spray with oil spray and bake @ 350 degrees for 10-12 minutes. Garlic Bread: Challah which is “leftover” can indeed be repurposed. Slice baked challah and spray with olive oil spray. Sprinkle with 1/2 tsp. oregano and 1/2 tsp. garlic powder. Place in oven under broiler for 3-4 minutes. Croutons: Another option for “leftover” challah is croutons! My family enjoys them in a Caesar salad. Take sliced challah and cut into 1’’ cubes. Place croutons single layered onto a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper. Spray with olive oil spray and sprinkle with 1/4 tsp. paprika, 1/4 tsp. basil and 1/2 tsp. garlic powder. Bake in a preheated oven @ 400 degrees for 5-7 minutes until browned and crisp. Remove from oven and allow to cool. Croutons should remain uncovered for several hours in order to stay crunchy. Deborah Epstein is the Rebbetzin of Congregation Sons of Israel, Cherry Hill, New Jersey. She is also the Director of the Mikvah Ohel Leah, in Cherry Hill. She is a celebrated chef and has been a recipe columnist and developer for over a decade.

BREADMAKER CHALLAH

1 cup of warm water 2-1/4 tsp. dry yeast 3/4 cup sugar 1/2 cup oil 2/3 tsp. salt 2 eggs, beaten 4 heaping cups of bread flour Place all ingredients into breadmaker. Place setting on “dough.” Let dough rise for several hours. Shape challot into loaves, and place onto a cookie sheet, lined with parchment paper. Allow challot to rise for an additional thirty minutes. Glaze challot with eggs using a pastry brush. Sprinkle with sesame seeds, black sesame seeds, and onion and garlic powder. Bake in a preheated oven @350 degrees until golden brown. Yields: 2 challot

boiling water and baking soda. Mix for 2 minutes in a stand mixer or 4 minutes by hand. Add the boiling water with the baking soda dissolved in it. Mix completely. The batter will seem thin. Move cake batter to a prepared pan and bake. Toothpick test will come out clean.

Brownie

Cake

Choc.chip/chunk

1, Melted

Cups

Neutral oil of choice

3/4

1 Cup, 2 tbsp.

2/3

Cups

Eggs (large) liquid

Cups

(water/almond milk)

0.75

Cups

Boiling water, (add last)

1/4

Cups

Vanilla extract

Tsp.

Baking Soda

Tsp.

Bake Time

35+

@ 350 F

Challah Dough (see recipe above) 1/4 cup canola oil 1/2 cup sugar 1/3 cup 70% baking cocoa 1 tsp. vanilla sugar Mix all of the above ingredients in a small bowl. Crumb Topping: 1/2 cup flour 1/2 cup sugar 1/4 cup canola oil Mix all of the above ingredients in a small bowl. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Take a large piece of challah dough and roll out with a rolling pin onto a flat surface. Roll dough as thinly as possible. Pour babka mixture onto dough. Spread out mixture with a spoon onto the entire surface. Roll up dough to form a log. Place half of crumb topping onto bottom of a loaf pan. Place babka on top of crumb topping. Place the other half of crumb topping on top of babka. Cover and allow to rise for thirty minutes. Bake for 15-20 minutes. Remove from oven and allow to cool. Serves: 4-6 Other options:

November 28, 2019 / 30 Cheshvan, 5780

FUN CORNER 34. Andrew Lloyd Webber musical 36. Memphis team named after animals more likely to be seen in Western Canada 37. Ventimiglia of “This Is Us” 38. Poses 40. Wrestler Flair and rocker Ocasek 42. Looney Tunes company 45. You are, in Mexico 47. Like some criticism 50. Seer 52. Chew on a plastic ring, perhaps 53. It may be shifted or shouldered

54. Propelled a boat 55. Krispy treat that isn’t actually crispy 56. Asian bear 59. Londoner, for short 60. Ladder part 62. Apple desktop that debuted in 1998 63. Receives 65. Levi, to Leah 67. An Uber, e.g. Answers on page 41

YONI GLATT’S

JEWISH SPELLING BEE How many common words of 5 or more letters can you spell using the letters in the hive? Every answer must use the center letter at least once. Letters may be reused in a word. At least one word will use all 7 letters and have a direct Jewish connection. Proper names and hyphenated words are not allowed. Score 1 point for each answer, and 3 points for a Jewish related word that uses all 7 letters. Rating: 25=Good; 30= Excellent; 35= Genius

SNAP TO IT

By Yoni Glatt koshercrosswords@gmail.com Difficulty Level: Manageable

ACROSS

1. A bit wet 5. Hog-like animal with a long snout 10. Copy machine load 14. Actress Falco 15. Place of residence 16. Living on the ___ 17. *Literally it means “almond bread” 19. It might be dished 20. Cartoon character that’s small and blue 21. He shrugged, said Miss Rand 23. It might be offered with scones 24. Muddies 26. *AKA bowtie cookie 28. *Popular Osem snack brand 30. Avow 32. Actress Graynor or Director Aster 33. Bar Mitzvah host 35. Molten rock 39. Hockey great Jaromir 41. *Major name in Israeli snacks 43. Eighth-day rite 44. Musical orphan 46. New York University’s ___ School of the Arts 48. Kind 49. Walk or word lead-in 51. *They’re essential to a seder 53. *Carob...or food that sounds like a prize fighter 56. Rosie of “White Men Can’t Jump” 57. ‘Curb...” main character, for short November 28, 2019 / 30 Cheshvan, 5780

58. Native Israeli 61. Former Baseball boss Bud 64. Warrior god 66. Moment to be clutch...or a hint to a commonality among the starred clues 68. Office note 69. Hamilton known for playing Sarah Connor 70. Florida team named after the weather 71. Biblical paradise 72. Israel’s Keret 73. Some PC keys

DOWN

1. Opponents of Reps. 2. Founding father? 3. This: 4. Pitcher Martínez and actor Pascal 5. Dew, in Israel 6. Longtime Palestinian leader 7. Haifa has a large one 8. “American” singing show 9. Film a scene again 10. Color on the American flag but not Israel’s 11. Archie Bunker’s wife 12. Concur 13. Heavy genre? 18. One way to send in your taxes 22. Now it’s Thailand 25. Arm or leg 27. Sebastian in “The Little Mermaid,” e.g. 28. Peninsula south of San Diego 29. Where the Purim story took place, as it’s called today 30. Rounds before the Finals 31. Wix alternative

See answers on page 41

An Empathetic Nervous Response CONTINUED FROM P. 26 that anyone’s mindset might change, nor did he actively seek to change it; he was content to leave poor enough alone. Like the biological nervous response which is also called “sympathetic,” Noah reacted to a threat by boosting his own chances at self-preservation, but never did he look beyond that. Never did he develop an empathetic nervous response. The same theme occurs elsewhere in the story of Noah, further highlighting the importance of empathy. Having been spared from death, Noah resettles his family in the new world and soon plants a vineyard. From the wine of this vineyard, Noah overindulges himself and collapses, drunk and debased. The first

of his three sons to witness this debasement reacts immediately…by running to share the juicy gossip with the other two. The other two sons’ first thoughts are quite different: they imagine the shame of their father waking up to find himself in such a state, and they rush immediately to cover him up. (The Midrash relates that they made this trip walking backwards, so as not to further shame their father by viewing him in that state.) The first son’s descendants were later cursed by Noah, while the other two sons were blessed. Empathy is not always easy to cultivate, but its importance resounds across the generations of human history. If we are to learn any one thing about communicating and relating with one another, let it be that few things matter as profoundly as an open ear and an open heart.

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SCHOOLS ABRAMS HEBREW ACADEMY

POLITZ DAY SCHOOL OF CHERRY HILL

Abrams students in grades K-6 were able to participate in a traveling National theatre for children performance called “The Conservation Caper.” This program is provided by PECO. The students were encouraged to be energy superheroes just like Nikki Neutron. We were all encouraged to “Open your eyes to be energy wise!” It was an interactive and educational show where the students had a lot of fun!

7th Grade students, as part of their English Language Arts course, wrote their own children’s stories and then read them to the kindergarten and first grade classes. Students at Abrams Hebrew Academy learned about Parsha Chaye Sarah from Morah Sonia Arusy and Sharon Abergel. They dressed up as Avraham and Sarah to re-tell the weekly parsha and baked challah with the elementary school.

Morah Raya Benhaim’s sixth grade Jewish history class has been learning about David Ben Gurion and the Declaration of the State of Israel. They acted out the vote for the elementary students, read the Declaration, and concluded with Israeli dancing.

As our preschool students learned about Thanksgiving, they ‘experimented’ with ‘turkey feathers’ blowing them by mouth and then blowing them with the AC/heater in our classroom.

(credit: Abrams Hebrew Academy)

First through fourth graders learned about camels this week, as we see in the Parsha. We learned about how camels survive in the desert and then used a coding program on our iPads to create our very own camels.

CASKEY TORAH ACADEMY (CTA)

In our fast-paced Challenge 24 Enrichment Cluster, 4th and 5th grade boys tackled the math game Challenge 24. They learned new strategies and put their math skills to the test!

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Music and the Brain program

CTA middle school students

ECP student working on his Parsha Project. November 28, 2019 / 30 Cheshvan, 5780

SCHOOLS KOHELET YESHIVA LAB SCHOOL (KYLS)

Dr. Avi Cohen came to KYLS and taught the students about robots. He showed them some of the robots he helped design and build and students prototyped their own robots.

POLITZ HEBREW ACADEMY

KOSLOFF TORAH ACADEMY (KTA)

Boys and Girls in grades 2, 3 and 4, had an interactive experience via Skype with The Biblical Zoo of Natural History in Beit Shemesh, Israel.

KYLS students enjoying the outdoors. Representatives from local chesed organizations, including Chasdei Eliyahu, JRA, Bikur Cholim, and Friendship Circle, came to KTA for the Annual Chesed Fair. Students learned how they can take part in community giving and signed up to join. KTA students contribute 12 hours of chesed per semester; those who exceed 18 hours of giving earn a place on the Chesed Honor Roll.

MESIVTA YESODEI YISROEL OF ELKINS PARK

KTA first-year students gathered on Motzei Shabbos for the annual freshman Melave Malka. They enjoyed an inspiring guest speaker, dancing, pizza, a salad and ice cream bar, and, to top off a great evening, paint night with artist Carla Goodstein.

PERELMAN JEWISH DAY SCHOOL

Second graders were the proud recipients of their first siddur at Kabbalat Siddurim celebrations. Families wrote personal blessings that were affixed to the first page. The children love reading these blessings – words that will be a lifelong reminder of this precious moment in their Jewish education. (credit: Perelman Jewish Day School)

Stern Center November 28, 2019 / 30 Cheshvan, 5780

Stern Center

Forman Center

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SCHOOLS GAN CHABAD OF THE MAIN LINE

KOHELET YESHIVA HIGH SCHOOL (KYHS)

Students enjoyed spending time with friends and faculty at their schoolwide Shabbaton, which included bonding activities, thought-provoking programs, great ruach, and a festive Melave Malka on Motzei Shabbat.

KOHELET YESHIVA MIDDLE SCHOOL (KYMS) KYMS students Ivrit unit about food culminated with the students making various Israeli dishes such as shakshuka, Israeli salad, and homemade pita bread.

THE MESIVTA HIGH SCHOOL OF GREATER PHILADELPHIA

Students spent a day volunteering at the Jewish Relief Agency (JRA), where they helped fill up packages of food which would be delivered as part of JRA’s Food Distribution.

KYMS visited the National Museum of African American Culture in Washington, DC as part of their American history study.

CONGREGATION BETH SOLOMON PRESCHOOL PROGRAM

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November 28, 2019 / 30 Cheshvan, 5780

RTS

Mesivta Starts Season Off With A Win that their grit and talent would bring them a win. Led by junior Bennett Stein, the Mustangs got off to a quick start, torching DVFS’ manto-man defense. Stein continued to fill up the stat sheet throughout the game, finishing the game with an impressive 23 points and a memorable fast-break block. DVFS was quick to respond, switching their defense into a 2-3 zone. However, the Mesivta took the adjustment in

By Yosef Niknam

n Wednesday, November 20, the Mesivta Mustangs’ varsity basketball team trekked to Paoli, PA, to face the Delaware Valley Friends School (DVFS) for their first game of the season. Shorthanded, with senior Noah Mogyoros and junior Yosef Niknam unable to play, the Mustangs were left with only 10 players. However, they remained optimistic

stride, through excellent high-post play from senior centers Edan Bitas and Coby Romanoski. Their stellar passing opened up shots all over the floor, benefiting the up-and-coming Max Miller, a sophomore, who finished the game with 12 points and shot 4/7 from 3-point range. Heading into the second half with a sizeable lead, the excitement in the locker room was palpable. After a halftime pep talk from Coach and Dean of Students,

Rabbi Gershon Schwartz, and new Assistant Coach Mr. Elliott Eiseman, Mesivta came into the second half ready to defend their lead. The second half play of the Mustangs mimicked much of their first half success and they bested DVFS by a final score of 49-39. With a pivotal win under their belt, led by great offensive and defensive play, the Mustangs are sure to maintain their success going into a long season.

Philadelphia Flag Football

oys of all ages, from all over Philadelphia, are enjoying the second season of Philadelphia Fall Flag Football, which offers friendly competition and a lot of action, as well as the opportunity to acquire different sports skills, build friendships, and learn good sportsmanship. For more information about Philadelphia Fall Flag Football, contact R’ Michoel Shifrin at 267-499-8739.

Solution to crossword puzzle from page 37: 1

D A M P

E D

M A N D E

S M U R

S O

A R

32 39

B O K

A R

A R E

T 30

E D E N

E R S

A M B

S I

C H E

A R

M A

B R

Z O S

C R U N C H

66 69

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November 28, 2019 / 30 Cheshvan, 5780

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JEWISH SPELLING BEE ANSWERS (FROM PAGE 37): JEWISH ANSWER-

SHECHINAH. Here is a list of some common words (Yes, we know there are more words in the dictionary that can work, but these words are common to today’s vernacular)- ACHES, ACHINESS, ASHES, CACHE, CACHES, CHAIN, CHAINS, CHANCE, CHANCES, CHASE, CHASES, CHASSANEH, CHEESE, CHEESES, CHESS, CHINA, CHINESE, CHINS, CINCH, CINCHES, ENHANCE, ENHANCES, HASHES, INCHES, NACHAS (NACHES), NICHE, NICHES, SASHES, SCHACH, SHAHS, SHEEN, SHINE, SHINES, SHININESS, SHIES, SHINSQuestions/comments/ compliments- email Yoni at koshercrosswords@gmail.com

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Knock on Wood (Flooring) For Its Timeless Appeal Submitted by Israela Haor-Friedman

ood floors still rank high on home buyers’ wish lists. Let your sellers know about today’s design trends and product improvements so they might earn the best return on their investment. Knocking on wood is a superstition intended to bring good luck. Coincidentally, wood flooring improves the odds that a listing will appeal to more buyers and increase its value. Wood flooring’s increased pervasiveness in homes reflects its long-term durability, inherent natural character and warmth, low-risk of allergens, and range

of aesthetic choices that suit almost any decor. In fact, a wood floor can play a starring role in any room’s decor, which is why New York City-based designer Karen Asprea of Karen Asprea Studio makes flooring her first design decision when tackling a project. Wood is also a draw for buyers seeking low-maintenance options, says Jennifer Ames, a sales associate with Engel & Volkers in Chicago. However, when colors or designs are out-of-date, it can derail a sale. “Buyers don’t want to have to refinish old boards, or worse, take the time to install new floors,” she says. Because installing and refinishing wood floors is an expensive undertaking,

homeowners should carefully weigh all choices, says Brett Miller, Vice President of Education and Certification for the National Wood Flooring Association (NWFA) in suburban St. Louis. As you’re guiding clients who are preparing their homes for sale or buyers who are brainstorming renovations, offer them information on today’s wood flooring design trends and product improvements. Width. In recent years, manufacturers have made wider boards available, up to 24 inches, which can add to the cost. “No width is better than another; it depends on the aesthetic and budget,” says Jessica Lagrange, who heads Chicago-based Jessica Lagrange Interiors, a luxury

interior design firm. “Because of a greater range of widths, homeowners can create any kind of decorative style — from traditional to contemporary and everything in between — as well as achieve a seamless look.” Narrower widths look more traditional while wider planks give a more modern aesthetic. “Wider widths also yield fewer seams and may look more appropriate in expansive spaces,” she says. Some designers suggest mixing widths for a novel look, though the downside can be a busy appearance, says K. Tyler, a partner in interior design at Morgante Wilson Architects, also in Chicago.

CONTINUED ON P. 43

6 Pro Tips from Schwartz Hardware to Prepare for Winter By Avrumie Goldfein

very winter, I experience the same thing. Right before or right after the first snowstorm, people come running into Schwartz Hardware to find shovels, salt, etc. When it gets cold, we always get phone calls from people who need help because their pipes have frozen. Some older colonials have small powder rooms which are adjacent to the foundation wall which has little or no insulation. This can cause the house’s pipes to freeze when the weather gets cold. Unfortunately, it’s usually only after the pipes have frozen that people call us in a panic because their water isn’t flowing anymore, or because their pipes have already burst, which will send us into emergency mode to fix the problem. When this happens, we first have

to thaw out the pipes with jet heaters, then we need to figure out which pipe has broken, and then, finally, we need to repair the pipe. This could be solved by people being proactive and purchasing pipe wrap or pipe insulation ahead of time. You can also go the extra mile and install mini electric baseboard heaters to help ensure that your pipes don’t get too cold during the winter. Schwartz Hardware is always happy to help you choose the items you need and assist with the installation. As winter creeps up on us, there are a few things that can be done today to prevent future problems. Here are six pro tips: 1. Stock up before the storm; don’t wait until it starts to snow. Buy shovels, salt, and

I love Lower Merion & I am a Proud Resident! Please call me and together we can find the place you’ll love too.

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deicers, etc.- today. I also recommend purchasing a bucket and a scoop that can be kept near your front door for quick and easy access to throw down some salt before and after a storm. 2. Cover outdoor patio furniture with tarps and put all the cushions away in a dry location for the season. It’s also a good idea to bring in any toys or other equipment that aren’t being used during the winter, so they don’t break or rust from the rain and cold temperature. 3. Bleed your outdoor plumbing by closing the outside spigot and then shutting it off from the inside shutoff valve. The last step is to open the outside spigot, allowing any water to escape and making the line totally cleared to prevent it from freezing. In addition to doing this, it is also a good idea to check the garage plumbing too, since it is an area that gets affected by cold temperatures. 4. Put down some gravel under the downspouts to avoid water runoff from forming into an ice block. To elaborate on this tip, I would recommend adding some gravel in any flood drains or collection drums in your outside drainage systems. 5. Change air filters in your heating system for best heat results. In most cases, when heaters aren’t quite up to par, it could be the result of something as simple as a filter change. If you’re unsure how to change your filters, contact your HVAC service company. Usually there is a tag or sticker with the service company’s information found on the HVAC unit with the date it was last serviced.

6. Seal large windows and patio doors using a vinyl window-covering kit for draft protection, which will enable you to see savings on your energy bill. Another important thing to do is to check your home’s entry doors for the condition of the weather-strip, or the lack thereof. If you are feeling a draft, it may be necessary to have adjustments made or to replace the weather strip altogether. If you do not have weather-strips yet and you are feeling a draft, you should certainly purchase them since this will also increase your home’s ability to retain heat and will help you save on your energy bills. For more tips on winterizing your home, feel free to email us at schwartzhardware@gmail.com. Let our knowledgeable staff help you find the right snow shovel or bag of salt to prepare you for this winter. Avrumie Goldfein is a lifelong resident of the Philadelphia area and currently lives with his wife and children in Bala Cynwyd. He is the owner of Schwartz Hardware & Locksmith, which has been supplying high quality products and services to homeowners and contractors in Philadelphia and the surrounding areas since 1950, and which also provides home improvement services licensed by PA. He can be reached at 215.877.2121 or via email at schwartzhardware@gmail.com. November 28, 2019 / 30 Cheshvan, 5780

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What is a Mortgage Pre-Qualification? By Anne Goldberg

question I am often asked is “when should I talk to a lender?” If you are thinking of buying a home this coming spring then I strongly suggest you get a mortgage pre-qualification, even if you are in the “just starting to think about it” mode. Actually, it is never too early. There are many loan products out there and it is worth having a conversation early in the process to see what mortgage product best meets your needs and what you can comfortably afford.

A great loan officer will ask you several questions and, with your permission, they will pull your credit report to determine what loan programs best suit your needs. They will also calculate the sale price or loan amount that you can afford. This conversation, which can be had in person or over the phone, usually takes about 20 minutes, and doesn’t cost you a dime. There are several reasons why this is a very important early step in the home buying process: 1. This gives you the confidence to search for the home you want, with the knowledge you can qualify for financing.

2. It saves you time because you will be able to focus on a price range you know is within your budget. 3. You will be educated on the loan application and approval process so you can initiate your home search knowing what to expect. 4. A pre-qualification is a “must” to make an offer on a property; having one in hand will allow you to proceed in a timely fashion. In this low inventory market, time is often of the essence. It is important to work with a licensed and experienced mortgage loan officer. Don’t know one, no problem; I will be

happy to refer you to some of my preferred lenders with whom I work on a regular basis. They are all accessible, responsive and ready to answer any questions you have about mortgage financing. They can explain the different financing options and get you pre-qualified so you can start your home search with confidence. Please feel free to contact me at annegoldberg@kw.com or at 973.985.9053 with any questions you may have. Anne Goldberg is a Realtor with Keller Williams Main Line Realty and can be reached at annegoldberg@kw.com.

a chevron or hexagonal pattern, crafted from small hardwood parquet strips fitted together. Similar strips arranged in tile-style squares—popular in the 1950s and 60s—are making a comeback among some homeowners, though in a larger 24-by-24-inch scale, says Asprea. Texture can also be introduced through hand scraping or wire brushing. To play up a wood floor, New York City-based architect Joe Eisner likes to use wood in other places to coordinate, such as on walls, bedroom headboards, or in his own furniture designs. The downside of any personalization is that it narrows the buyer pool. Beyond the living room. Homeowners are installing wood flooring in all rooms of a home, even kitchens, powder rooms, and bedrooms where carpet and tile used to reign. “Many like the look of continuous wood throughout an interior,” says Tyler. Manufactured technique. Homeowners today have more options when it comes to choosing their wood boards. Solid wood can be sanded numerous times either on site or before it’s installed. It also comes in a myriad of species. Engineered flooring consists of multiple layers of hardwood veneers glued and pressed together to improve stability so the wood doesn’t expand and contract as much as solid wood, especially in humid weather. The thickness of the top layer will determine how often it can be sanded and

the board’s quality, says Eisner. Another advantage is that it can be glued to a concrete slab, making it popular in multifamily high-rise buildings. Either type can be prefinished or customized on site. Lagrange prefers staining on site. “You have much more control over the hue when you do so,” she says. “But you need a skilled contractor to achieve a specific shade.” Price is determined by several factors, from the quality of the wood to the skills of the manufacturer and wood contractor. Finish. Gone are the days when homeowners have to vacate their home (or a room) for days due to noxious-smelling products previously used to seal a floor. Many finishes today dry quickly and are better for the environment with lower volatile organic compounds, Clavin says. More buyers favor a matte or low-sheen rather than a high-gloss look, which also reveals fewer imperfections and dirt. “Dull is good,” Tyler says. This can be achieved with either a water-based or natural-oil finish. The prime difference is that they require different cleaning products afterward. If strong sunlight is a factor, buyers should be sure the product offers protection against ultraviolet light so the wood won’t fade, says Jennifer Kamenca, Vice President of Design Studio Operations at Residential Design Services in Anaheim, California, which provides design services to builders. Real estate practitioner Stephanie Mallios, with the Stephanie Mallios Team at Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage in Short Hills, New Jersey, often tells clients to consult a flooring expert to assess the condition of a wood floor before taking on a refinishing or replacement project. NWFA and Bona each list skilled floor refinishers by area. 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.

Knock on Wood (Flooring) CONTINUED FROM P. 42 Length. Longer planks are also in vogue, sometimes 10 feet in length, which are ideal for large spaces, says Zack Clavin, strategic project manager for Bona, manufacturer of products for hardwood. Shorter planks can look choppy, especially if the grain isn’t consistent, says Lagrange. “They take stains differently, too, creating a variegated look that can be unattractive because it’s too busy,” she adds. Species. Oak — and particularly domestic white oak — remains the most popular choice because it’s a hard material that can be resanded multiple times and accepts finishes and colors well. It can be cut in a rift, quarter sawn, or live sawn pattern, each revealing the wood’s different types of grain, says John Lessick, owner of Chicago-based Apex Wood Floors, a high-end wood contractor. Walnut follows as a second favorite choice, with softer woods, such as hickory, beech, and pine, less popular. For a contemporary vibe, Tyler suggests ash or maple. Color. Most extremes have gone by the wayside, whether it’s the darkest ebony, which tends to reveal every scratch and

strand of dog hair, or the lightest Scandinavian-style white and palest gray that have been popular as of late. For a safe, timeless look that will appeal to the largest group of buyers, Clavin suggests sellers consider a warm honey hue or a custom color developed by a professional. New finishes today can help keep shades from turning yellow or pink over time, which they did in the past, says Tom Segal, a Chicago-based designer with Kaufman-Segal Design. Decorative features. Inlays such as medallions and borders are passé, except in very traditional homes and certain rooms or hallways. A better way to personalize a wood floor is to lay boards in

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? I’d be happy to help. Give me a call!

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

Email: annegoldberg@kw.com Website: annegoldberg.kw.com

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Anne was extremely helpful throughout the process of buying our first home. She was responsive at all hours to our endless stream of questions and guided us through from start to finish with a steady hand. She found us a home that both suited our needs and budget.

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