Jewish Voice and Opinion September 2014 by Susan Rosenbluth

THE JEWISH VOICE AND OPINION Promoting Classical Judaism

September 2014

Vol. 28 • No. 1

Tishrei 5775

Operation Protective Edge: Did Israel Win on the Battlefront and Lose at the Negotiation Table? Bibi Says No; Others Not So Sure defeated. He, therefore, decided unilaterally to accept the ceasefire, at least for a while. According to Mr. Netanyahu and many others, the purpose of Operation Protective Edge was not to get rid of Hamas, but rather to debilitate the terrorists, leaving Israeli forces free to fight on other fronts if necessary. “When I look around and I see Al Qaeda on the border fence and ISIS galloping into Jordan and already in Lebanon, and, in Lebanon, there is

Operation Protective Edge

was fought on two fronts. Militarily, IDF troops confronted Hamas terrorists on the ground and in the air. Politically, Israeli diplomats discussed terms for a ceasefire. When a ceasefire agreement was finally reached at the end of August, fifty days after the conflict began, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was aware that many Israelis, including a significant number in his Cabinet, wanted the war to continue until Hamas was

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Hamas’s Terror Tunnels: Children Died Digging Them, Men Were Killed for Them, The IDF Saved Rosh Hashana from Them When Israel mounted the

military operation Protective Edge against Hamas this past summer, the action came as no surprise to most Israeli officials. According to many analysts, they had long been aware of the existence of the underground system of tunnels dug by Hamas for the purpose of committing acts of terror against Israelis. The officials also knew that the terror organization was planning to use the tunnels to conduct a large-scale op-

IDFsoldiers dismantle terror tunnel meant to be a catastrophic Rosh Hashana surprise

Protesting the Met......................................3 New MDA Ambulance..............................5 Kol Ami: Protective Edge?................... 6 The Current Crisis............................... 7 J Street Challenge............................10 Shop Your Closet...............................14 Holy Name Helps Parkinsons.............16

Inside the Voice

JEC’s New Development Director....17 Strategies to Reduce Stress.................18 OHEL Cares for the Elderly...................20 Frumster. Becomes JWed.....................22 The Log..........................................................24 Mazal Tov.............................................30 New Classes This Month................31

eration against Israeli soldiers and civilians, possibly on Rosh Hashana. Hamas’s plan was for large numbers of terrorists to emerge simultaneously from many tunnels. Many Israeli civilians were to be massacred; others were to be abducted back to Gaza where they would be held to be traded for virtually every Palestinian terrorist serving time in Israeli prisons. “It would have been catastrophic, and we knew it was

continued on page 40 Ess Gezint: LIquer for the Holidays....38 Index of Advertisers ........................41 Not Worth It........................................42 Honor the Professional...................43 Letters to the Editor ........................44 Hate Incident.....................................46 Walk to Shul...................34, 35, 36, 42

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Bergen County Raises Funds for New State-of-the Art Ambulance for Magen David Adom For Elie Y Katz, a business-

man and Teaneck’s current Deputy Mayor, anguish at watching Israel’s war this past summer spurred him to raise funds for one of Israel’s most pressing needs. Mr. Katz is determined to raise $100,000 for Magen David Adom (MDA), Israel’s national emergency medical, disaster, ambulance, and blood bank service. Calling it the Bergen County MDA Fund Drive, Mr. Katz sees the effort as necessary to help American Friends of MDA purchase a new life-support ambulance. “The current situation in Israel demands our attention and

action here in Bergen County, and our Magen David Adom Fund Drive’s mission is absolutely crucial,” says Mr. Katz. A life-support ambulance does not merely transport patients to hospitals. It is a medical-care site in which emergency medical technicians and paramedics can monitor vital signs and initiate therapies. It is equipped with state-of-theart heart and blood-pressure monitoring equipment, including electrocardiograms, pulse oximetry to measure oxygen saturation in the blood, IV pumps, oxygen-delivery services, and advanced medications used to treat a variety of illnesses and injuries and provide pain relief.

Depends on Donations MDA was established in 1930 in Tel Aviv as a volunteer organization to work with other emergency and security authorities, including police, firefighters, and the military. It quickly opened branches in Jerusalem and Haifa, and then was extended to become a nationwide service five years later. In July 1950, the Knesset recognized MDA as Israel’s national emergency service, charged with maintaining firstaid and pre-hospital emergency medicine services; transporting patients, doctors, nurses, and medical auxiliary forces; evacuating the wounded and dead; and maintaining a stor-

age service of blood, plasma, and their by-products. “Although MDA’s work is mandated by the Israeli government, it still relies heavily on donations to ensure that its dispatch centers are equipped with the latest communications technology, ambulances are stocked with cutting-edge lifesaving equipment, and paramedics receive the most upto-date training,” says Mr. Katz. Reliance on Volunteers Today, MDA commands a fleet of more than 1,000 ambulances, nearly 200 medical emergency motorbikes, mobile intensive care units, and other specialized vehicles. There

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THE JEWISH VOICE AND OPINION, Inc. © 2014; Publisher and Editor-in-Chief: Susan L. Rosenbluth Phone (201)569-2845 Managing Editor: Sharon Beck, Advertising: Rivkie Stern The Jewish Voice & Opinion (ISSN # 1527-3814), POB 8097, Englewood, NJ 07631, is published monthly in coordination with The Central Committee for Israel. A one-year subscription is $25. Periodicals postage is paid at Englewood, NJ and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to the Jewish Voice and Opinion, POB 8097, Englewood, NJ 07631. All advertising in the Jewish Voice and Opinion must conform to the standards of the Orthodox Rabbinic kashruth. Editorial content reflects the views of the writer and not necessarily any other group. The Jewish Voice is not responsible for typographical errors.

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Kol Ami: Was It a Protective Edge? In Israel, they are arguing: Why did 70 Israelis, including 4-year-old Daniel Tragerman, z”l, die this summer? The ques-

I do not see that Hamas changed its position or ideology in any way. Many soldiers said with more time, Israel could have accomplished more. But the casualty numbers were mounting, and for the Israeli public, the ceasefire came at the right time. Until, if ever, the PA can take over Gaza, this is the entity to be dealt with, especially since Hamas might win any new elections. George Schultz had it right about the Middle East conflict: The same damned thing over and over again. Phil H. Kestenbaum Fair Lawn, NJ

Israel should have annihilated Hamas, but Israel is probably the most moral army in the world, and is under punctilious scrutiny of the US and the international community. The Jewish state was super careful where she hit, and this prolonged what could have been a very short affair. Batya Harris Teaneck, NJ

tion this month was: Did Operation Protective Edge resolve anything? Y

On one hand, despite Hamas’s fallacious boasts, all the objectives of Operation Protective Shield were successfully met. The IDF discovered 32 tunnels, which could have been used to launch widescale terror attacks against the Jewish state; since the end of the war, there has been relative quiet from rockets and missiles, many of which were destroyed along with the terrorists who designed and operated them. On the other hand, Hamas is reportedly already rebuilding the tunnels, manufacturing new rockets to reach into

central Israel; and smuggling in new weapons from Iran. Hamas leaders threaten to resume rocket attacks if the “blockade” of Gaza is not lifted. This is not an end to the conflict. If anything, it is a “hudna,” a temporary ceasefire during which Hamas can regroup. But I am not the prime minister of Israel, who has to look into the eyes of families at the funerals of their beautiful Israeli soldiers. While it’s tempting to be an arm-chair prime minister, no one knows whether, if Hamas were destroyed, another group like the Islamic State might come to fill the void. Many of us remember the respect generated by Israel after the 1967 Six-Day War, when we were able to travel north to Quenetra (now in Syria) , south to Sharm al-Shek (now in Egypt), and walk through “Arab East Jerusalem” at night. No one would dare bother us. To survive in the Middle East, we will have to remove our silk gloves and replace them with boxing gloves. Please G-d, if Israel is forced again to go to war, may she that time have a clean and decisive victory that will restore fear of and respect for the Jewish state, so that missile or terror attacks against it will be unthinkable. And may Israel’s neighbors learn, once and for all, that the modern Jewish state of Israel is here to stay. Sarah Stern Endowment for Middle East Truth (EMET) Washington, DC

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The Current Crisis: “Even in Laughter, the Heart Can Ache” Writer Noah Beck, author of The Last Israelis, an apocalyptic novel about Iranian nukes and other geopolitical issues in the Middle East, decided to tackle the relationship between Hamas and the Islamic State. IS is the outfit that started out as the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS),morphed into the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL—which let them include Eretz Yisrael), and wound up simply IS (Islamic State). We wondered what will happen when they take over Italy—as they say they must someday. Will that make them Italian ISIS? Or Italian IS? Being a novelist who deals in apocalyptic end-of-the-world-as-we-know-it, Mr. Beck wondered what would happen if Hamas were to write an unsolicited Dear Abby to IS, a sympathetic dispatch from one Islamist-terrorist group to another, especially one who’s just getting oodles of bad press, enough to make a grown man cry as he cuts through some poor journalist’s carotid artery. The letter Mr. Beck imagines (call it a Hamas tunnel-side chat) begins with an offer to share some pointers, given that Hamas has been at this Islamist terrorist gig for decades. And just to show they’re all on the same page, Hamas offers IS chizuk, by telling them how much they love the goal of establishing a Caliphate, especially one that could overrun Jordan and allow the two groups to team up to get rid of that pesky little Jewish state that thinks it has a right to live. To begin with, Beck has Hamas tell its new friend that if the US ever insists that IS participate in elections in a place where no one knows anything about democratic traditions, for heaven’s sake, say yes. Hamas did it, and won half the seats in the PA’s legislature. But, if power-sharing is not IS’s thing, not to worry. Hamas found that staging a violent coup makes an Islamist group feel right at home, which is just how Hamas feels in Gaza. When the Jews were there, it was green, with flowers and vegetables growing everywhere. Now, it’s hot and dusty. Perfect. Hamas doesn’t need to tell IS about how to apply a little brutality to the political system. On that score, IS is doing fine all by themselves. What IS still hasn’t figured out is how to attack Jews. Somehow some members

of the press got the idea that IS thinks it’s more important to kill Muslim infidels than to go after Israelis. For heaven’s sake, IS had a real live American-Jewish Israeli in their paws, and they managed to dispatch Steven Sotloff as though he were an ordinary American. They didn’t even make him go through the Daniel Perl confession. This is a PR mistake, says Beck. If IS expects to skyrocket its international popularity, it must attack Israel. Better still, compel Israel to defend itself militarily “That’s when you can literally surf a tidal wave of global support,” says Beck, who understands why Hamas screams at

Israel for closing the Erez Crossing, but never says a word about Egypt’s closing the Rafah Crossing. Nobody cares when Muslims kill or abuse Muslims. No one cares that Hamas killed 160 children who were forced to work in the terror tunnels, or dozens of Muslim men who looked like they might talk to anyone about a tunnel. The world doesn’t care who dies; the world cares only if it’s Jews or Americans who do the killing. Shana Tova. May it be a year blessed with health, happiness, success, and peace (with security) for you, your loved ones, and Klal Yisrael. SLR

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New MDA Ambulance are more than 125 MDA emergency medical stations and 11 dispatch stations throughout Israel, enabling paramedics to respond quickly to emergencies throughout the country. MDA provides nearly 97 percent of Israel’s blood supply, and 100 percent of the blood needed by the IDF. Although MDA boasts a professional staff of approximately 1,200 emergency medical technicians, paramedics, and emergency physicians, it still relies heavily on more than 10,000 volunteers who serve in both operational and administrative capacities. First-Hand Knowledge Mr. Katz is a lifetime member of the Teaneck Volunteer Ambulance Corps. He rode on MDA ambulances during his post-high school year in Israel in 1993 and knows firsthand how important emergency services are. He says he was prompted to initiate the current Bergen County MDA drive on August 26, which marked the 50th day of Operation Protective Edge. “I watched as Israel continued to defend itself against Hamas’s cowardly attacks in Gaza, as terrorists continued to fire rockets and mortar shells on Israel’s civilian populations. Each attack meant MDA workers and volunteers would risk their lives to attend to the injured,” he says. During Operation Protective Edge, some 1,000 ambu-

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lances were in service 24-hours a day, seven days a week. “This is about three times the total number of Israeli ambulances operating in an average shift. It caused an extra expense to MDA of more than half-a-million dollars per day,” says Mr. Katz. Helping Civilians During the conflict, MDA staff and volunteers offered first-aid training to the public and distributed first-aid kids to more than eighty public shelters throughout the country. Despite Israel’s war efforts against Hamas, MDA provided ambulance transport for critical patients who needed to be transferred from Gaza into the Jewish state—in keeping with the country’s insistence that it was not at war with the civilians,. On July 10, for example, a Palestine Red Crescent team transported a newborn infant with congenital heart disease by ambulance from a hospital in Gaza to the Erez Crossing, where the baby was taken by an MDA ambulance to Tel Aviv for lifesaving treatment. Judea and Samaria While no one doubts the effectiveness of MDA and its heroic efforts during the recent conflict, the organization has not been exempt from politics. Blackballed for decades by Arab states from membership in the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), MDA

finally won recognition in 2006 as the national aid society of the state of Israel under the Geneva Conventions. However, it was stipulated that MDA no longer be allowed to use its iconic red Star of David as its symbol outside the borders of Israel, and that included Judea and Samaria. In those areas, MDA must use a red diamondshaped symbol, sometimes called the Red Crystal. MDA still uses its Red Star of David in the eastern neighborhoods of Jerusalem and on the Golan Heights because those areas have been officially annexed by Israel. According to the ICRC, the only national aid society permitted to operate in Judea and Samaria is the Palestine Red Crescent. MDA has closed some of its stations in Judea and Samaria, but the organization says that was for budgetary, not political reasons. MDA maintains that even in those areas no longer served by its stations, its ambulances—with or without the Star of David—rescue people and bring them to hospitals in Israel. Hatzalah In Judea and Samaria, residents say they are more likely to call on Hatzalah than on MDA. United Hatzalah founder, Eli Beer, is not surprised. “We’re not going to let anyone be in danger. If people need to go to the MDA stations that are closed, we go there with our people and bring ambulances and open the stations,” says Mr. Beer. Mr. Katz says that while the allegations about MDA bowing to the dictates of the ICRC and not fully servicing Jews in Judea and Samaria are “disturbing,” he has not wavered in his intention to support MDA. “The Teaneck Ambulance Corps does not service every-

one throughout Bergen County, but that doesn’t mean the people it does service are any less deserving. I hope MDA services all of Israel, but if it takes care only of those within the Green Line, they need the help, too,” he says. Rabbi Feinstein He is dedicating the current drive to the memory of his father-in-law, Rabbi Joseph Feinstein, z”l, in honor of his 25th yahrzeit. Rabbi Feinstein, a leader of the Los Angeles Jewish community, was kashrut director for the Rabbinical Council of Los Angeles and designed its kashrut symbol, which is still used today. A major blood donor to Cedar Sinai Hospital, he also instituted a kosher kitchen for the hospital, placed mezuzahs on all patient rooms, and taught classes to Jews of all backgrounds there. A US Army chaplain who achieved the rank of lieutenant, he was director of placement at the Jewish Federation, responsible for winning employment for teachers and rabbis in more than 150 yeshivot and day schools in the Los Angeles area. His reputation as an educator and lecturer made him a natural for a slew of Pesach programs in Palm Springs and Arizona. He and his wife, Doris, led marriage workshops as well. Rabbi Feinstein’s quick wit and sense of humor came to the attention of many media personalities in the Los Angeles area. A frequent guest on Dennis Prager’s radio program, “Religion on the Line,” he was also asked by one of his congregants, a producer, to write a story for the sit-com “Sanford and Son.” The script, “Funny, You Don’t Look It,” became one of the popular series’ most highly rated episodes.

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“The J Street Challenge: The Seductive Allure of Peace in Our Time” Coming to a Theater near You Dr. Charles Jacobs is not

an ordinary film producer, and his film, “The J Street Challenge: The Seductive Allure of Peace in Our Time,” is not your ordinary documentary. Both the film and Dr. Jacobs will be at the Cedar Lane Cinemas in Teaneck on Wednesday, September 17, for a screening jointly sponsored by three unabashedly pro-Israel groups: the NJ chapter of the Zionist Organization of America; StandWithUs, dedicated to informing the public about Israel and to combating the extremism and antisemitism that often distorts the issues; and CAMERA, the Committee for Accuracy in Middle East Reporting in America. There will be a reception for Dr. Jacobs at 7:30pm. The film will be shown at 8pm, followed by a question-and-answer session with the producer. Tickets are $12.50. The meet-the-producer reception is $25, which includes admission to the film. For more information, Laura Fein, executive director of ZOA-NJ, can be reached at 201-424-1825. Not-So-Secret Mission Produced earlier this year, the film takes as its goal to reveal J Street’s hardly secret

mission to destroy the bipartisan nature of Congressional pro-Israel support, especially as represented by the efforts of lobby and advocacy groups such as the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC). Although the film is about J Street, especially its polemics, funding, and followers, the arguments presented by the organization are the same as those propounded by many left-wing, anti-Israel groups. J Street not only criticizes Israel, but also advocates boycott, divestment and sanctions (BDS), and accuses Israel of practicing apartheid. On campuses, J Street activists have called on Birthright Israel, whose mandate is to give every young Jew a free trip to Israel, to emphasize the importance of the “Palestinian narrative” and arrange Jewish student pilgrimages to the gravesite of Yasir Arafat in Ramallah. Reviewers across the US have said that the film’s focus on well-reasoned responses of thoughtful, articulate pro-Israel supporters is not just satisfying, but also profoundly useful. Well-Funded J Street was founded in 2008, presumably to help thenDemocratic Presidential candidates Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton solidify a position

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in opposition to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his supporters in the Jewish state and the US. With seemingly unlimited funds from George Soros among others, J Street introduced itself by taking credit for convincing Mrs. Clinton not to appear at a bipartisan pro-Israel rally at the UN alongside thenRepublican Vice-Presidential candidate Sarah Palin. In some circles, J Street and its founder and executive director, Jeremy Ben-Ami, call the organization “pro-Israel and pro-peace,” insisting that the only way for Israel to survive is to be pressured into a full retreat to the indefensible pre1967 borders, relinquishing not only all of Judea and Samaria, but eastern Jerusalem as well. But on some campuses and other venues in which its positions are heavily supported by outright anti-Israel factions, including some Muslim groups, J Street has found it advisable to drop the “pro-Israel” part of its description, calling itself merely “pro-peace.” “The J Street Challenge” points out that at least 50 percent of the organization’s budget comes from donations raised outside the United States.

Ambulance

One-Sided Argument In all its efforts, J Street persistently portrays Israel as the culprit for the current lack of a solution, ignoring both the vicious hatred, incitement, and blatant antisemitism promoted by the Palestinian leadership, as well as any mention of the Jewish perspective in the historical context of the conflict. J Street’s critics, some of whom took an active role in the film, question the appropriateness of a political lobby group that wishes to circumvent the Israeli electorate and the country’s democracy by demanding that the US government impose a solution that favors the Arab position. In its effort to accomplish just that, J Street has served to divide the Jewish community and weaken communal support for Israel. The cavalcade of leaders featured in the film may give the impression that it is little more than a pro-Israel version of a Sunday television “talking heads” brigade. Have no fear: the film makes its point using pithy observations supplemented with illustrations, maps, videos, and images both delicious and devastating.

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Events The kickoff event for the MDA fundraising drive was held at the Young Israel of Teaneck on September 6. Gary Perl, the Northeast Region Director of American Friends of MDA, and Dr. Jason Nehmad, a former MDA volunteer in Israel, shared their emotional first-hand experiences with the organization. Those who wish to participate in this drive are asked to send donations made out

to American Friends of Magen David Adom (or AFMDA), to AFMDA, 172 W Englewood Ave, Teaneck, NJ 07666. The memo line should note “BergenDonate.” “I look forward to the community coming together to assist Israel during this urgent time of need by raising money to provide a state-of-the-art, fully equipped new ambulance and emergency equipment,” says Mr. Katz. S.L.R.

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J Street Challenge

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Those who appear in the film include: Alan Dershowitz, Professor of Law at Harvard; Carolyn Glick, the Jerusalem Post’s managing editor; Andrea Levin, CAMERA’s executive director; Daniel Gordis, vice-president of Shalem College in Israel; Josh Block, formerly with AIPAC and now CEO and president of The Israel Project, a non-profit group that provides resources on Israel and the Middle East for international journalists; Lenny Ben-David, former Deputy Chief of Mission at the Israeli Embassy in Washington and AIPAC’s Director of Information and Research; Noah Pollak, executive director of the Emergency Committee on Israel; Richard Landes, the American historian who coined the term “Pallywood” for “productions staged by Palestinians in front of (and often with cooperation from) Western camera crews, for the purpose of promoting anti-Israel propaganda by disguising it as news”; Bret Stephens of the Wall Street Journal; and Ruth Wisse, Professor of Yiddish at Harvard. Hollow Cry Mr. Ben-Ami’s plentiful public footage guarantees that the film shows his side of the debate as well. Towards the beginning, he is shown arguing that, since the “majority of the people on all sides share a desire for a peaceful world for their kids and grandkids,” it is natural for them to “want to figure out how to compromise in order to live together in peace.”

Mr. Ben-Ami’s message is seductive, but Israel’s supporters point out the hollowness of his cry: The only side he expects to do any compromising is Israel, and if that leads to the demise of the Jewish state, it is not J Street’s concern. Israeli Democracy? Further, J Street has no intention of waiting for Israeli voters to hearken to its call. J Street expects the US to dismantle Israel with or without Israelis’ consent.’ In this, J Street differs from the leftwing Americans for Peace Now, which claims to support its Israeli counterparts. In the film, speaking about Americans, Mr. Ben-Ami says, “It is up to us to get Israel back to the1967 lines, and we must push our leaders to do what is right. We do support the President’s vision for two states, but we do think he could be pushing harder. That’s part of our call to action.” Nevertheless, Mr. Ben-Ami was surprised that no one in the Knesset pushed for him to be allowed to make a presentation to Israeli lawmakers; no one in the current government even made time to speak to him during a recent visit. “Imperialistic” In the film, Mr. Pollak calls J Street’s position “imperialistic.” “They know they can’t sell their ideas in Israel, so they sell them in Washington, pushing the government to pressure Israel,” he says. In the film, one of Mr. Gordis’s complaints is that while J Street advocates a complete expulsion of all Jews from Judea and Samaria, Mr. Ben-Ami expects it to be accomplished “without alerting anyone to what the real dangers are.” Not Canada Mr. Stephens fills in the blanks by looking at history. “The moment Israel withdrew from the [Gaza] Strip entirely, the rocket fire didn’t abate; it expanded. The Palestinians didn’t take the greenhouses so generously left by the Israeli settlers. They trashed them. The Gaza Strip did not become a showcase for Palestinian moderates to prove what they might do with a state — turn Gaza into a little Hong Kong or Singapore, or Dubai even. They turned it into a giant terrorist entrepôt,” says Mr. Stephens. He would be in favor of a two-state solution if the country next to Israel could be Canada.

“Do we think Israel should be party to the birth of the 23rd Arab state, another Iran hard on its borders?” says Mr. Stephens. Dangerous Map J Street’s own map of the region, which is featured in the film, makes clear how vulnerable Israel would be with its narrowest width reduced to nine miles and its population centers open to attacks from rockets, missiles, and other threats as yet unknown. Kowtowing to Arab—and J Street’s— demands would require Israel to surrender control of the Jordan Valley, creating for terrorists a land bridge from Baghdad to Tel Aviv. “This is a map that will enable the Arab world to see Israel’s total vulnerability. No sane country would ever do this,” says producer Dr. Jacobs. His point is proven by a prominent Fatah member who is shown publicly declaring: “What will be with Israel? Israel will come to an end.” Small wonder that Prof Landes calls J Street’s pressure on Israel “literally, a genocidal threat.” Retroactive “Occupation” Unraveling J Street’s logic is, in large part, the role taken by Prof Wisse. The issue of “occupation” is an example. J Street claims Israel’s control of Judea, Samaria, and eastern Jerusalem is the cause of Arab hostility. Prof Wisse argues that since the “occupation” was the consequence of the Arabs’ 1967 Six-Day War against the Jewish state, “it cannot retroactively have become its cause.” “So anyone who claims the ‘occupation’ of those territories is the reason for Arab aggression against Israel is simply inverting historical reality,” she says. Moreover, she says, “there is no such thing as an Arab-Israeli conflict.” “There is an Arab war against Israel. There is an Arab war against the Jewish people’s right to a state. It is the conflict of over 20 countries, with an enormity of land, more land than they know what to do with, that refuse to allow one people its sliver of land,” she says. When Mr. Ben-Ami tries to argue Jewish values—“We raise our children to not treat other people the way we want not to be treated ourselves, but we make a real mistake if we tell those children to check their Jewish values at the door of

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Zionism”—he runs into Prof Dershowitz, who reminds viewers that “the greatest Jewish value of all is pikuach nefesh, the saving of lives, and that includes the protection of the 6 million Jews who now make their home in the Jewish state. “Anything that undercuts Israel’s ability to defend itself against nuclear or terrorist attack is inconsistent with Jewish values,” says Prof Dershowitz. Peace and Tolerance The film’s chief production staff has been involved in promoting Jewish values and pride for a long time. Dr. Jacobs produced “The J Street Challenge” as part of his role as leader of the Boston-based Americans for Peace and Tolerance (APT). Founded to promote “peaceful coexistence in an ethnically diverse America by educating the American public about the need for moderate political leadership that supports tolerance and core American values,” APT has taken a leading role in exposing American-based Islamic extremism; all too often, this extremism has changed into antisemitism and anti-Zionism. Often that exposure is the result of detailed investigatory work that includes extensive videotaping. An example was APT’s recent efforts at Northeastern University in Boston, where professors and members of the school’s Spiritual Life Office were videotaped while using their classes and the school’s Holocaust Remembrance Week to promote an anti-Israel and antisemitic agenda. APT’s videos exposed extremist activity and incitement by student groups, including the Islamic Society of Northeastern University and Students for Justice in Palestine. As a result of APT’s efforts, the university’s administration dismissed the school’s extremist Muslim chaplain, Imam Abdullah Faaruuq, and the director of the Spiritual Life Office, Shelli Jankowski-Smith. Some members of “Students for Justice in Palestine” were suspended. The Spiritual Life Office was re-organized as the Center for Spirituality, Dialogue, and Service, and mandated to adopt new safeguards. Earlier Endeavors APT is not Dr. Jacobs’ first groundbreaking initiative to present Israel’s position as part of a larger effort to promote American ideals of fairness and justice. In 1989, he co-founded CAMERA. Four years later, working with Muslim and Christian Africans, he established the American

Anti-Slavery Group, which was dedicated to bringing international attention to the enslavement of black Africans in Sudan at the hands of Arab warlords. For his efforts, Dr. Jacobs was presented with the Boston Freedom Award by Coretta Scott King. In 2002, Dr. Jacobs co-founded The David Project, which bolsters the Jewish community’s response to ideological assaults on Israel with educational programs, advocacy training, and easyto-implement campaigns on campuses, high schools, churches and synagogues, the media, and in the general community.

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“The J Street Challenge” was written and directed by Avi Goldwasser, a cofounder with Dr. Jacobs of The David Project. Mr. Goldwasser was also the executive producer of “Columbia Unbecoming,” a documentary about the intimidation of Jewish students at Columbia University, and the award-winning “The Forgotten Refugees” about the plight of Jews from Arab countries. Mr. Goldwasser’s co-writer and director on “The J Street Challenge” was Ilya Feoktistov, APT’s director of research.

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Nothing to Wear? Try “Shopping Your Closet” If there is a Jewish woman

who doesn’t want at least one new outfit for the Holidays—or who has not looked into a closet jammed with chaos and declared she has “nothing to wear”—Eve Cantor has not met her. But one call to Mrs. Cantor could net that woman not only one new outfit, but perhaps as many as a few dozen, and all without buying anything new or going to a store. Mrs. Cantor, a member of the Passaic-Jewish community, is the owner and mastermind of Shop Your Closet. A former professional personal shopper, she now works with women to reevaluate their existing wardrobes, helping them donate or toss what they don’t wear, and teaching them to maximize what they already own. “Clients show me their closets, and I show them what they can do with the clothing in it, using their styles and their tastes. My motto is ‘There’s more in your closet than you think,’” she says. Professionally Trained Mrs. Cantor learned her trade professionally with degrees in fashion, merchandising, and marketing from the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York, followed by several years as a merchandiser for companies including

Burlington Coat Factory and Donna Karen. She opened her own women’s and children’s boutique in Chicago. When she later moved back to the New York area, she served as a personal shopper at Barney’s, where “serious customers would drop $20,000 or more in one shopping trip,” she says. To keep her customers satisfied and loyal, she often visited them at home to help them assess and organize their wardrobes. “This way, they developed a clear idea of what they did and didn’t have, and they happily came back to Barneys to shop with me,” she says. Born of Adversity While she did not spend as much as they often did, her customers’ lifestyle was one she understood. A self-described “shopaholic” who loves fashion, Mrs. Cantor describes her own style as not too trendy while still “just a little bit different,” with an aversion to anything uncomfortable. Her life changed in all ways first when she got married (and had three children) and then when her father died. During her year of aveilus, she could not buy new clothes. As a result, she began creating different outfits based on articles of clothing she already owned. “I love to shop, and I couldn’t do that for a year, so I had to shop my own closet

and work with the pieces I had,” she says. Finding this eminently satisfying, she morphed from “a personal shopper to a closet shopper.” Watching Body Language The idea behind Shop Your Closet is to save clients time and money while still allowing them to dress well. A visit from Mrs. Cantor begins with her watching as the client tries on each item of clothing in her wardrobe. Using her sense of style as well as experience reading body-language and facial expressions, which say something about the wearer’s comfort level, Mrs. Cantor proceeds to put together entirely new outfits. These are usually completed with accessories, such as jewelry, scarves, belts, and shoes. In the process, several piles are created: seasonal articles, styles, and colors. Clients set aside the items they like and wear regularly, and put pieces they know they don’t in a bag. After just one visit (usually about three hours), some clients find themselves with as many as 30 new outfits. And there’s no danger of forgetting which top now goes with which skirt or piece of jewelry, because as part of the service Mrs. Cantor presents each client with a pho-

Challenge

to album of herself in every “new” outfit. Giving It Away This is not to say that Mrs. Cantor suggests keeping everything she finds in every closet. To the contrary, one of her more valuable services is to help clients rid themselves of the clutter. Some items must be tossed, or donated if possible, even (or perhaps especially) if they are unworn or just lightly worn. Stained or damaged items can sometimes be donated to a charity that sells unusable clothing to rag shops. Some items can be altered. And Mrs. Cantor knows just the seamstress to do it. For some clients, giving up a piece of clothing can be traumatic. “Sometimes, people need just to talk about the nostalgic value of an item before they give it away,” she says. Perhaps most difficult of all is the “maybe” pile, consisting of items that will fit if the client loses five pounds or if the style comes back into fashion. She suggests keeping a few such items at most. “If you’re really unsure about a piece of clothing, flag the hanger. If you don’t wear the item by the following year, give it away,” she says. Defining Success She knows she has been

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Dialogue While many pro-Israel supporters have tried to downplay the importance of J Street and the anti-Israel left or squelch their voices, Dr. Jacobs says he disagrees. “Although some organizations have tried to deny J Street a voice in the community, J Street’s proactive outreach has been very successful in allowing it to present its view in synagogues and Jewish community centers,” he says.

He encourages those concerned with the issue to see the film. “In keeping with our tradition, we should work through our differences with respect, vibrant discussion, and open dialogue. It is in this spirit that ‘The J Street Challenge’ was produced. The film’s goals are to enlarge the discussion and to educate the community about the challenges it faces both from within and from without,” says Dr. Jacobs.S.L.R.

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Exercise Program from Holy Name to Delay Parkinson’s Symptoms and Keep Children Healthy With news that research-

ers are now focusing on the genetic link between Ashkenazic Jews and Parkinson’s disease, members of the local community may be interested in a lunchand-learn program to be sponsored by Holy Name Medical Center next month about Parkinson’s and the medical center’s Delay the Disease (DTD) program. Scheduled for October 10th at 12:30pm at the medicallybased fitness center, HNH Fitness, 514 Kinderkamack Road in Oradell, the program will feature Dr. Fiona Gupta of the North Jersey Brain and Spine Center. Following the lecture, a complimentary DTD class will be held from 1:30-2:3pm.

Shop Your Closet

DTD is designed to empower people with Parkinson’s by optimizing their physical function and helping to delay the progression of symptoms. DTD classes, recognized as the premier Parkinson’s exercise program, are geared toward counteracting the movement challenges experienced by people with the disease. Essential Part According to Dr. Gupta, there is mounting evidence that exercise is an essential part of managing Parkinson’s disease. Research studies cited by the National Parkinson Foundation indicate that when people with Parkinson’s incorporate exercise into their daily routine, impairments have been reduced, mobility is improved, and brain function is enhanced.

Other beneficial steps include adequate sleep and good nutrition. There are currently 1 million Americans suffering from Parkinson’s; between 50,000 and 60,000 new cases are diagnosed each year. One-hour DTD classes at HNH Fitness are offered on Fridays at 1:30pm. A single class is $15; five classes are $60; and ten classes are $100. The class is free for HNH Fitness members. YouthFit DTD is not the only program offered by HNH Fitness. On Tuesdays and Thursdays from 4-5pm, the center offers YouthFit to make fitness fun for children and adolescents ages 8-15. YouthFit is designed to improve cardiovascular condition, increase muscular

strength and endurance, enhance flexibility, and develop agility and coordination. Classes incorporate cardio kickboxing, group cycle, trekking, circuit training and obstacle courses, strength training and stretching, TRX-suspension training, and Xbox Kinect workouts. Participants also learn about nutrition and healthy lifestyle choices as they achieve greater confidence and build self-esteem. Individualized options, such as targeted assessments and tracing, personal medical evaluations, and one-on-one programs are also available. For more information about the Oct 10th program, DTD classes, or YouthFit, call 1-888236-4236 or visit hnhfitness. com. Y

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successful when a client ends up with “a beautiful distinguished look that is right for her.” “Together, we create a full line of wearable outfits that have been there all along and are just not being utilized,” she says. Often, she says, the most significant change is the client’s perception of herself and her own closet. “She may end up with fewer clothes, but she will surely have more outfits,”

says Mrs. Cantor. She points out that the cost of her service, while not cheap, is much less than a woman would have to spend to purchase a similar number of new outfits. A threehour, in-home session is $225, and each additional hour is $65. She will work longdistance by skype for $175 for a three-hour session, with each additional hour $45. Mrs. Cantor can be reached at 646-

584-7540 or by email at evecantor@gmail. com. The website is www.shopyourclosetnow.com. Shopping After she “shops” a client’s closet, Mrs. Cantor sometimes realizes a physical shopping trip is important. She can also help in this case, making sure that a purchase is good value and something the client really can use. She sees some clients just once, and others for a long time. She can help with “seasonal wardrobe updating” and with choosing items for a special occasion. “Some clients check in with me while shopping on their own,” she says, noting that a “selfie” on a cell phone can very useful. Her satisfaction with Shop Your Closet is more than professional. She feels it’s how she helps people, and says she has her father to thank for it. “My father gave me the gift of starting my own business. G-d has given me this field to be able to help people. I really enjoy how a woman feels when I am finished with her closet. It’s a lot of work. We usually never eat; we just power through. I want her to have a clean closet, and it happens with every single client,” she says. S.L.R.

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JEC’s New Development Director: Passionate about Jewish Education and the Charitable Support It Needs The Jewish Educational Center in Eliza-

beth has announced that Andrew Schultz will serve as its new director of development, who will develop fresh sources of financial growth for the synagogueschool-community organization. An amalgam of schools, shuls, and adult education, the JEC has been synonymous with the Elizabeth Orthodox Jewish community since the center’s founding by Rav Pinchas Teitz, z”tl, in 1941. The JEC currently encompasses the Yeshiva of Elizabeth, for boys in pre-kindergarten to fifth grade and girls in pre-kindergarten to sixth grade; the Rav Teitz Mesivta Academy (RTMA) for boys in grades 6-12; and Bruriah High School for girls in grades 7-12. It is affiliated with Yeshivas Be’er Yitzchok, a post-high school yeshiva in Elizabeth, offering a Bachelor’s degree in Talmudic Studies. Its affiliated congregations include its flagship Elmora Avenue Shul, Congregation Adath Israel, Congregation Bais Yitzchok Chevra Thilim, Congregation Adath Jeshurun, and the Elmora Hills Minyan in Union, New Jersey. These institutions offer numerous opportunities for Jewish learning and communal activities. Increase Donor Base Mr. Schultz said that his first objective is to increase the number of new donors, including alumni, who have yet to make a charitable commitment to the JEC. “Whether recent alumni or those of decades past, I believe engaging—and re-engaging—JEC alumni is a key component to successful fundraising. I have also learned that a paramount quality to this work is stewardship, which will include my efforts to maintain consistent dialogue and connection with donors beyond the solicitation,” he said. He comes to the JEC with 13 years of communal experience, most recently as executive director of Community Alliance for Jewish-Affiliated Cemeteries. Relationships JEC officials said they were impressed by his keen expertise in areas of donor cultivation and stewardship, securing grants and sponsorships, and dealing with benefactors—current, potential, and lapsed—to ensure that their experience with the institution is always meaningful.

“Fundraising has been a critical component of my career in Jewish communal work,” said Mr. Schultz, explaining that he has made efforts to build relationships and engage a diversity of individuals, helping each to develop his or her own connection to an organization. “At JEC, I will work to create new bases for charitable support,” he said. Necessary Funds His background and goals have impressed the JEC staff and administration. “Personally and professionally, he pos-

START THE YEAR WITH DESTINATIONS..

sesses the qualities needed for success in the difficult task of ensuring that the JEC has the wherewithal to accomplish its spiritual and academic goals,” said Rav Elazar Mayer Teitz, dean of the JEC. Dr. Steven Singfer, president of JEC’s Board of Trustees, agreed, calling Mr. Schultz “passionate about putting his skills and experience to work to benefit the world of Jewish education.” Indeed, Mr. Schultz has called Jewish education “the bedrock of Jewish life

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Stress: The Rambam Recognized It; Now There Are Strategies to Reduce It By Chana Simmonds, MSW, LCSW There are as many definitions of stress as there are people suffering from it. But however it is defined, those who feel it need to understand more about it, and, even more important, need practical how-to’s in order to cope with it. In the 12th century, the Rambam, Moshe ben Maimon, or Maimonides, wrote prolifically on the importance of lessening stress in order to achieve health and healing. For example, while he did not believe in amulets, he wrote in his Laws of the Sabbath that a patient should be allowed to wear charms or talismans even on Shabbat because it might reduce distress. “One should never forget to strengthen the patient’s vitality with nourishing food and to strengthen the spiritual powers with fragrant odors, music, and by telling him happy stories that expand the heart and

distract his mind with things that make him and his friends laugh,” he wrote in The Art of Healing. This recognition that the human mind and body are inter-connected could have been written by a 21st century practitioner. Modern Research The Austro-Canadian endocrinologist Hans Selye, known as the “father” of stress research, found in the mid-20th century that the organs involved in a functioning immune system— adrenals, thymus, spleen, and lymph nodes—were damaged during prolonged periods of stress. He concluded that people who suffered from chronic or high levels of stress had compromised immune functioning. Research that has continued today supports his work concerning the impact of stress on physical and emotional wellbeing. In his 2004 book, Mind-Body Unity: A New Vision for Mind-Body Science and Medicine, published by

New JEC Director and the key to Jewish survival.” Mr. Singfer said Mr. Schultz’s “palpable” enthusiasm makes him “a valuable asset to the JEC.” Sincerity and Commitment Rabbi Eliyahu Teitz, JEC’s associate dean, noted that Mr. Schultz is joining the JEC’s senior administration team “at a pivotal point as we embark on innovative curriculum development and growth.” “Andy’s sincerity and commitment to Jewish education and continuity are obvious, and are punctuated by his bright and engaging personality, which make him an excellent fit within our organization,” said Rabbi Teitz, thanking the search com-

Johns Hopkins University Press, Henry Dreher describes mindbody interconnectedness as a “dynamic communication network,” whose goal is constantly to monitor adjustments that need to be made in order to maintain health and wellbeing. As the Rambam would probably concur, Mr. Dreher found that this communication network can be disrupted by stress, meaning that how an individual copes or self-regulates can contribute to either a balanced healthy state or to an outcome of symptoms, such as somatic symptoms, manifest illness, difficulty focusing, irritability, and difficulty with relationships. Coping with Life The usual dictionary definition of stress is “a state of mental or emotional strain or tension resulting from adverse or demanding circumstances.” Actually, stress is the body’s reaction as it attempts to adapt or cope with the dynamic process called life, the

moment-to-moment changes and challenges that confront all of us. It is an automatic biological response to demands made on the individual, and it has physiological and psychological ramifications. These demands sometimes come from external sources, such as work, family, toxins in the environment, very hot or cold climates, traffic jams, or just lost keys. Sometimes the pressure comes from an internal source, such as self-imposed demands and/or unrealistic expectations. Good and Bad Stress To complicate matters, it is important to recognize that stress comes in two flavors. There is good stress, called eustress, which adds challenge, excitement, and a sense of vibrancy. Eustress enhances life, heightens alertness, and promotes creativity and productivity. It makes the individual feel in control and excited. Bad stress causes distress

In his personal life, Mr. Schultz is committed to the communal causes for which JEC and the Elizabeth-Jewish community are well known. He has served on chevrot kadisha and facilitated the funerals of indigent Jews who in many cases had no surviving family members. He and his wife, Jessica, and their three sons, Ari, Coby, and Rafi, reside in Fairlawn, where Mr. Schultz enjoys sports, physical workouts, and listening to cantorial music. Excited and Inspired He said he is excited to be part of the JEC team and “personally inspired” by the JEC’s humble beginnings. He noted

that the school’s flourishing reputation is due to the “tireless and selfless commitments” of Rav Pinchas Teitz, who built Elizabeth’s Orthodox-Jewish community and the JEC from the ground up. While he expects to reach out to many in the community, those who would like to contact him can do so by calling 908355-4850, ext. 6206, or emailing him at aschultz@thejec.org. “Because I believe in Jewish education and the work of the JEC, I am motivated to make the case for Jewish education to relevant stakeholders and the broader Jewish community,” he said. Y

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mittee for recommending him for this position. “I personally look forward to partnering with him to identify and secure the funding necessary for the further development and enhancement of our programs and offerings,” said Rabbi Teitz. Commitment Although Mr. Schultz did not attend JEC himself, many of his friends were students of the center’s various schools. “Today, many of those same individuals are professionally successful, committed to halachic observance, and nourishing strong Jewish values in their own families,” he said.

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In Englewood, OHEL Hosts Program on Caring for Elderly Loved Ones On Tuesday evening, September 16,

OHEL Children’s Home and Family Services will present a lecture offering different strategies for family members caring for or concerned about elderly and/or frail relatives. The lecture will begin at 7:30pm at Congregation Ahavath Torah in Englewood, New Jersey. Called “Caring for Your Loved Ones,” the program will include estate-planning and administration, Medicaid planning and applications, as well as geriatric-care management. The program will begin with open-

ing remarks from Rabbi Shmuel Goldin. Addressing options for at-home care will be Eleanor R. Frenkel, a certified social worker who serves as executive director of the Visiting Homemaker Home Health Aid Service of Bergen County. Elder Law The keynote speaker will be Benjamin Eckman, an attorney who has lectured and written extensively on the issues of Elder Law, Special Needs and Disability Planning, and Estate Planning. Congregation Ahavath Torah is located at 240 Broad Avenue in Englewood,

New Jersey. For more information on the September 16th program or OHEL Geriatric Services, contact Devorah Sinensky at 201-692-3972 or nj@ohelfamily.org. The website is www.ohelfamily.org. Since 1969, OHEL Children’s Home and Family Services has worked in the Jewish community to provide individual and family support. Its mission is to help people of all ages manage disabilities effectively, meet everyday challenges, heal from trauma, and cope with strength and dignity during times of crisis. Y

Stress

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and makes the person feel powerless or out of control. Interestingly, individuals often respond differently to the same stressor or demand of the moment. The way an incident is perceived or interpreted effects the experience. For example, a tennis match can produce good stress for an individual who enjoys the physical challenge, but it can produce bad stress for someone who is, perhaps, over-invested in winning to the exclusion of enjoying the game. Thoughts, attitudes, beliefs, and expectations affect the way people perceive and interpret stressors and stress. This, in turn, effects whether what is felt is distress (feeling powerless, inadequate, overwhelmed, and out of control) or eustress (feeling competent and confident in the ability to cope). Here’s an experiment: Think about your own experience with distress. What did (or does) your body feel? What were (or are) your thoughts? How did (or are) you respond(ing)? Fight-or-Flight Most salient to the stress experience are two parts of the autonomic nervous system. The sympathetic division continuously evaluates safety and danger levels by processing sensory information from the environment as well as from the body’s own internal organs. A threat—real or imagined— of danger triggers a body-wide emergency response within milliseconds. A biological cascade of hormones produces the fightor-flight response, which goes into full bio-

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chemical momentum before the individual even becomes aware of the danger. This is why a person can jump out of the path of an oncoming car before thinking about what is happening. Fight-or-flight is experienced by the body with an increased heart rate and blood-pressure level, faster breathing, and muscle tension. Hearing and vision become more acute, and hands and feet grow cold because blood is directed away from the extremities as well as the digestive and reproductive systems in order to flow into the large muscles that assist in fighting or fleeing. These physiological changes are interconnected with thoughts, attitudes, and general feelings about the particular danger. What any particular individual perceives as dangerous may be a generally accepted fact, or it may be unique to that person based on prior experiences and how those experiences were processed. The other nervous system division, the parasympathetic system, controls the psychophysiological state of relaxation that is triggered by the resolution of the threat or danger. The parasympathetic system returns the body to a balanced state, which allows the respiratory, circulatory, digestive, neurological, immune, and reproductive systems to resume functioning optimally. Heart rate and blood pressure return to normal levels, breathing deepens, and blood returns to the digestive and reproductive systems as well as to the extremities. The muscles relax, and the individual feels good. Human Relationships Dr. Steven Porges, former director of the Brain-Body Center in the Psychiatry Department at the University of Illinois in Chicago and current Professor in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill, has studied the neurobiology of social behavior. His Polyvagal Theory links the evolution of the autonomic nervous system to the emergence of social behavior. There is, perhaps, no greater example of social behavior than the need for human relationships. In the Biblical story of Adam and Eve, G-d declares, “It is not good for man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.” Modern-day psychological literature and research concur. People need rela-

tionships for healthy development. All individuals need safety, expressed in loving, emotional connection and touch, eye contact, soft voice, and responsiveness to verbally and nonverbally expressed needs. Shaped by Early Experience But how individuals perceive the relationship is shaped by their early experiences and beliefs, attitudes, thoughts, expectations, and instinctive responses— all of which exist on an unconscious level as the filter through which present-moment experiences are taken in and given meaning.

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If the filter misreads danger or safety, that is, if the fight-or-flight response is triggered when there is no threat, or is nullified when the individual is indeed in jeopardy, the consequential responses can place the individual at high risk of emotional, social, and physical difficulties. Sigmund Freud understood that, under stress, people can instinctively retreat to old and unconscious ways of responding. Some of these responses were learned in infancy and were ingrained by observations of how parents and significant others handled stress. Some responses are based

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As Frumster.com Transitions to JWed.com, Derek Saker Rejoins Managing Team With over four weddings

each week and nearly 2,500 couples happily married, the most successful Jewish dating-for-marriage service continues to grow. Recently, there has been a very significant shidduch at JWed. Derek Saker, co-partner from the early years at Frumster, is back on board, working with Ben Rabizadeh, CEO of JWed.com. It is is no coincidence that Mr. Saker has returned as the firm re-brands from Frumster. com to JWed.com. “JWed seeks to meet the diverse needs of our

Stress

core observant membership base, while at the same time helping thousands of less-affiliated and, perhaps, less observant Jewish singles to meet others with an eye towards marriage. Derek is deeply entrenched and engaged in Jewish communities far and wide, and, as such, we are grateful to have him again on board,” said Mr. Rabizadeh. Getting Better He pointed out that while the name of the organization has changed from Frumster to JWed, the online service is exactly the same. “It’s only

getting better,” said Mr. Rabizadeh. Mr. Saker agreed. “For our observant members, the service has improved, with more controls and filters ensuring better dates and more marriages. In addition, now that we have non-observant categories, the pool of observant members has become more genuine and sincere,” he said. At the same time, JWed’s fresh new branding and positioning as a dating service that is “Exclusively Jewish and Exclusively for Marriage” is daily yielding a record number of new members representing

all levels of observance, from Modern Orthodox to Chassidic, as well as non-observant, but halachically Jewish singles looking for marriage. “When Frumster.com first launched, skeptics questioned its impact, but today we know. JWed.com has seen close to 2,500 members matched and married,” said Mr. Rabizadeh. To mark this significant milestone, JWed plans to host a celebration together with its singles as well as matched members—and of course the many young children who are the products of so many shidduchim. Y

good beginning. Reflective function is the ability to think about one’s own and another’s feelings, thoughts, and intentions, and to see how they are connected to expectations and behaviors. Perhaps most important are self-regulation skills which forge the ability to monitor one’s own physical and emotional states and identify them as aroused, depressed, or balanced. When needed, skills can be used to return the mindbody to a balanced state. These skills can empower the individual, enabling him or her to choose behaviors that can enhance relationships. These skills prompt the parasympathetic nervous system to return the body to a relaxed state in which safety can be experienced, allowing the individual to think clearly, problem-solve, and participate fully in treasured and needed relationships. Self-regulation skills that work to calm, sooth, and activate the relaxation response include: relaxation breathing, mindfulness (paying attention

to the present-moment experience), meditation, prayer, ritual, guided visualization, self-hypnosis, exercise and movement, music, journaling, and many others. Mastery of these skills leads to psychophysiological wellbeing and improvement in interpersonal relationships. There are many venues in which these skills can be learned. There are numerous self-help books, including workbooks; mind-body skills groups, where the skills can be learned and practiced; yoga and meditation classes; and, of course, psychotherapy. Y Ms. Simmonds has worked with children, adults, couples, and families since 1974. In addition to her psychotherapy practice, she is a group and workshop leader. She has completed advanced clinical training programs in: Fertility Focused Psychotherapy, Couples and Sex Therapy, Child and Adolescent Psychodynamic Psychotherapy, Mind/ body Skills Groups, Becoming a Cancer Guide, Healing Sexual

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on how difficult and painful experiences were processed. Skills Fortunately, there are skills

which can be learned to compensate for faulty filters and the difficulties they cause in relationships. Self-awareness is a

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Hamas Ceasefire Hezbollah that is a little larger than Hamas and Iran backs it, and Iran itself—and I say, in the face of these combined threats, we set a goal in the Cabinet to deal Hamas a very severe blow, and we did this, with the thousand terrorists we killed, the senior commanders, the tunnels we destroyed, the rockets we decimated. I decided not to put all our resources into this single arena and not have them when we need them in other areas,” said Mr. Netanyahu after the ceasefire was announced. Muslim Brotherhood While, for 50 days, Israel was technically the only country at war with Hamas, the Jewish state is not the terrorist organization’s only enemy. In some ways, the conflict between Israel and Hamas can be seen as a microcosm of the Middle Eastern world clash. Qatar, Turkey, and Hamas are the Muslim Brotherhood axis with Iran a co-supporter but not quite accepted because the first three are Sunni and Iran is Shiite. The Islamic State (formerly the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria, ISIS, or the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, ISIL) is also a member of the axis. Turkey, a member of NATO, keeps its borders open to allow jihadists (many from Europe, Canada, and the US) to cross into Syria and join IS. IS fighters who need to recover from injuries received while fighting in Syria often receive medical care in Turkey. Connections Qatar, a leading sponsor of the Muslim Brotherhood, has been the financial source for Hamas and IS, with funds generally channeled through Turkey. During Operation Protective Edge, Qatar increased its emergency aid to Hamas by $13 million, for a total of $23 million.

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continued from page 1 Off and on since 1999, Hamas’s political leader Khaled Meshaal has resided in Qatar. Until 2012, Iran was giving Hamas $20 million per month, but the support decreased when Hamas sided publicly with the Sunni rebels fighting President Bashar Assad in Syria. Mr. Assad, an Alawite Muslim affiliated with the Shiites, is supported by Iran and its proxy Hezbollah. There has been a slight rapprochement recently between Iran and Hamas, but the Islamic Republic generally supports Islamic Jihad in Gaza. Turkey and Qatar have taken up some of the slack. Since 2013, Turkey has been Hamas’s chief sponsor. At the end of July, in the midst of the fighting, Israeli customs officials at Israel’s Ashdod port discovered hundreds of ball-bearings and cement mixers in a Turkish shipment of “humanitarian aid” to Gaza. While both items have civilian uses, they have also played central roles in building Hamas’s rocket arsenal (ball-bearings maximize the lethal capacity of Hamas-made short-range Qassam rockets) and its terror tunnels. Moderate Sunnis When the Obama administration championed Iran, reducing some US sanctions against Tehran in hopes of convincing the Islamic Republic to relinquish its nuclear program, it prompted the moderate Sunni Arab countries to recognize that they had more to gain by working with Israel than by trying to make accommodations with the Muslim Brotherhood axis. The moderate Sunni-Arab world—Egypt, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and a few others—consider PA President Mahmoud Abbas a member of the club,

but only insofar as he is opposed to Hamas. Israel shares interests with this group, especially because it and the Jewish state have the same enemies. The Enemy of My Enemy Egypt and Jordan have peace agreements with Israel, and while countries such as Saudi Arabia will not say so publicly, it is becoming increasingly clear that they and the other moderate Sunni regimes are working closely with the Jewish state—bearing out the old saying that “The enemy of my enemy is my friend.” Egyptian President AbdelFatah al-Sisi recognizes Hamas as the Palestinian chapter of the detested Muslim Brotherhood. Egypt agreed to serve as mediator for a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, giving the PA a commanding role as the Palestinians’ only representative. Mr. al-Sisi’s predecessor, Mohamed Morsi, was a member of the Muslim Brotherhood. From June 2012 until July 2013, Mr. Morsi facilitated the importation of weapons into Gaza from Iran, Qatar, and Turkey, by using the Rafah border crossing, which links Gaza with Sinai, Egypt. When Mr. al-Sisi’s forces ousted Mr. Morsi, and Mr. al-Sisi assumed leadership of Egypt, he closed the Rafah border and

blocked the tunnels that had been dug between Gaza and Egypt. Most of those tunnels were used for smuggling, which had become a significant part of the Gazan economy. In addition, Egypt blocked the entry into Gaza of cement, construction materials, and free fuel from Qatar. Because Israel closely monitors the Erez Crossing between Gaza and the Jewish State, Hamas has not been able to smuggle this way either. Pushing for Qatar When it became clear that Egypt would be the ceasefire mediator, Hamas quickly registered its displeasure, and demanded that Qatar be substituted. Egypt refused, citing Qatar’s antagonism towards Cairo after Mr. Morsi’s ouster. Israel and the PA followed Egypt’s refusal, leaving Hamas no choice. On Monday, August 4, Egypt demanded that Hamas and Islamic Jihad submit to a three-day ceasefire. The terrorists agreed, but not until they called on Palestinians in Hebron, Ramallah, and Shechem (Nablus) to converge on their main squares to demand that Hamas be permitted to retain its rockets and tunnels to be used against Israel. Israel’s chief demand was the demilitarization of Gaza

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September 2014 / Tishrei 5775

Tell Our Advertisers “I Saw It in The Jewish Voice and Opinion”

The Log: Do It Now

Jewish Federation of Rockland County is offering a limited number of free tickets for High Holiday services at participating synagogues, including Orthodox shuls, to those who have not been members of a congregation in the area for the past two years, 845-362-4200 ext 170

Fri., Sept 12

Last Day to Purchase CitrusFlavored, Made-in-Israel Honey from Nerot of Cong Rinat Yisrael, Teaneck, www.rinat.org/honeysale Exhibit: “Shanghai-BerlinAmerica: The Multiple Lives of John H. Less Retrospective,” JCC. West Orange, through Oct 26, 973-530-3421 NJ Jewish Film Festival Reel Film Series: “The Jewish Cardinal,” includes discussion with David Bossman, JCC, West Orange. 10am, 973-530-3417 “The Power of Teshuva with Love: The Personal Story of a Prisoner for Zion,” Rabbi Yosef Mendelevich, Scholar-in-Residence, Cong Shomrei Emunah, Englewood, 6:45pm, 201-567-9420 or chanie@shomreiemunahnj@org An OU Weekend: “The Reenactment of the Covenant,” Rabbi Steven Weil, scholar-in-residence, Cong Bais Torah, Suffern, 6:45pm, 845-352-1343 Dinner and Oneg Shabbat, for teens, to welcome new teen leaders of Cong Keter Torah of Teaneck, Ilan Casper and Ilan Itzkowitz, private home in Bergenfield, after mincha/Kabbalat Shabbat, 6:55pm, ktteenminyan@gmail.com Shabbat Israel Services

and Dinner, Rabbi Ken Spiro, Synagogue of the Suburban Torah Center, Livingston, 7:30pm, 973-994-2620 Yad Eliezer Shabbos, to help the poor in Israel, with Rabbi Yossi Kaufman, scholar-in-residence, Cong Beth Abraham, Bergenfield, through Shabbat, Sept 13, 201-384-0434 Tish, with the Biale Rebbe of Bnai Brak, Rav Yaakov Menachem Rabinovitz, Cong Ahavas Yisrael, Edison, 9:15pm, he is available for appointments through Sun night, Sept 14, 917-272-4045

Shabbat, Sept 13

“Shabbat Israel,” Rabbi Ken Spiro, Cong Etz Chaim, Livingston, 9am, 973-597-1655 Educational Prayer Service, spons by the Jewish Learning Experience, includes discussions and commentary, prayers in English and Hebrew transliteration, at Cong Zichron Mordechai, Teaneck, 9:45am, 201-966-4498 or 201-836-4334 Explanatory Shabbat Israel Service, followed by community Kiddush, Synagogue of the Suburban Torah Center, Livingston, 10:30am, 973-994-2620 Rabbi Yosef Mendelevich, Scholar-in-Residence, Cong Shomrei Emunah, Englewood, “The Mitzvah of Viduy: Confessions of a Jewish Hijacker,” 10:30am; “From Mesirat Nefesh for Eretz Yisrael to Mesirat Nefesh for Torah and Mitzvot during 11 Years in Prison,” includes lunch, noon; “My Miraculous Exodus from the Gulag to Israel,” seudat shlishit, 6pm, 201-567-9420 or chanie@ shomreiemunahnj@org

Rabbi Steven Weil, scholar-in-residence, Cong Bais Torah, Suffern, “The State of Marriage and the Family in the Orthodox Community,” 10:30am; “The Fascinating World of the Rosh Hashana Machzor,” noon; “What Is the Akeidah Doing in the Machzor?” seudat shlishit, 6pm, 845-352-1343 “Baruch Spinoza and the Rabbis of Amsterdam: Are There Limits to Dissent in Jewish Beliefs?” Rabbi Robert Pilavin, spons by Cong Sons of Israel, private home in Manalapan, noon, 732-786-0228 EMUNAH Shabbat Tea, featuring “Activism for Israel, What We Can Do,” Dina Muskin Goldberg, honoring women in the community who have performed National Service in Israel: Jessica Abergel, Molly Berger, Ariella Gluckstadt, Ariela Harcsztark, and Gabreille Kolhagen, private home in Englewood, 4pm, 917-673-0254 Pre-Rosh Hashana Shiur: “Taking Personal Responsibility: An Essential Part of Teshuvah,” for women, Elisheva Kaminetsky, Cong Ohr HaTorah, Bergenfield, 5pm, sobokofsky@aol.com Pre-Holiday Pot Luck Seudat Shlishit, includes “Penitent Rabbis and Pretty Women: Competing Paradigms of Teshuva in Rabbinic Literature,” Simon Fleischer, spons by Cong Netivot Shalom, private home in Teaneck, 5pm, 201-836-3360 “Rav Kook’s Orot HaTeshuva,” Rabbi Yaakov Glasser, Young Israel of Passaic-Clifton, 5pm, 973-246-3125 Women’s Shabbos Shiur, Cong Adas Israel, Passaic, 5pm, marstrul@aol.com Reading and Discussion: “Contemporary Poetry with a Chassidic Emphasis,” Yehoshua November, Cong Rinat Yisrael, Teaneck, 5:35pm, 201-837-2795 “Teshuva: What Exactly Does It Take?” Rabbi Jay Weinstein, Young Israel of East Brunswick, 5:45pm, 732-254-1860

Motzei Shabbat, Sept 13

Havdala Under the Stars, followed by “drive-in” film: “Field of Dreams” and refreshments, parking lot of Cong Sons of Israel, Manalapan, 8:15pm, 732-446-3000 Shiur, Rabbi Mordechai Willig,

Young Israel of Riverdale, 8:30pm, 718-548-4765 Highland Park/Edison Connects Potluck Melave Malka, for women, especially those new to the community, private home in Highland Park, 8:30pm, HighlandParkEdisonConnects@yahoo.com “After the Apocalypse: The Orthodox Response to Jewish Assimilation in America,” Rabbi Steven Weil, Cong Bais Torah, Suffern, 8:30pm, 845-352-1343 Middle School Movie Night, Young Israel of East Brunswick, 8:30pm, 732-254-1860 Book-Signing: “Unbroken Sprit,” Rabbi Yosef Mendelevich, Scholar-in-Residence, Cong Shomrei Emunah, Englewood, 9-10pm, 201-567-9420 or chanie@shomreiemunahnj@org Tiferes Chofetz Chaim Heritage Foundation Program, for women, featuring the DVD: “The Gates of Elul: Finding Your Own Gate through Prayer and Perspective,” with Rabbi Don Krancer and Shoshie Nissenbaum, private home in Edison, 9pm, siegelmom@optonline.net or 732-558-4917 “Yad Eliezer’s Activities This Past Summer and Where to from Here,” Rabbi Yossi Kaufman, includes film of Yad Eliezer’s work with the IDF troops and families in Southern Israel during the war, private home in Bergenfield, 9pm, 201-387-0746, 201-637-7470, or 201-384-0434 Kumzitz Concert with Benny Friedman, for adults and children, includes refreshments, Cong Etz Chaim, Livingston, 9:30pm, www. shabbatisrael.com

Sun., Sept 14

Last Day to Order Wine and Grape Juice for the Holidays through Nerot of Cong Rinat Yisrael, Teaneck, orders over $150 delivered free, 201-837-2795 Highland Park Township Wide Yard Sale, featuring Cong Ahavas Achim, at the shul, and EMUNAH, private home in Highland Park, both are accepting and selling “junk”, 8am-5pm, leslie.ostrin@gmail.com, and 732-558-4917 “Swimming in the Deep End: Learning Sefer Yonah,” Rabbi Nathaniel Helfgot, Cong Netivot Shalom, Teaneck, 8am, 201-801-9022

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September 2014 / Tishrei 5775

The Jewish Voice and Opinion

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“Separate Yourself Not from the Community” Grand Opening of Krav Maga—Israel Self-Defense Center, programs to benefit LIBI for IDF soldiers’ medical, educational, and religious needs, at Krav Maga, Livingston, adults, 8am, 9am, and 10am; ages 8-17, 11am; and families, noon, 973-446-5656 or www.kravmagalivingston.com Parent-Child Learning Breakfast, includes a demonstration on safrut of tefillin/mezzuzot by Rabbi Yitzchok Weinberger and a Rosh Hashana arts-and-crafts activity, Cong Shomrei Torah, Fair Lawn, 8:45am, aviva@springbird.net Hebrew Institute of Riverdale Bayit Retreat, at Eden Village, Putnam Valley, NY, includes nature walks, boating, farming, music-filled tefillah, group study, oven baking, includes breakfast and lunch, 9am-3pm, 718-796-4730 Hadassah Trip to Atlantic City’s Tropicana Casino, to support Hadassah Hospital in Jerusalem, leave the Fair Lawn Jewish Center, 9am, 201-791-0327 or 201-791-5213 “Bagels, Tefillin, and Breakfast,” Rabbi Eliezer Zaklikovsky, Chabad Jewish Center of Monroe, NJ, 9:30am, 732-656-1616 MaTaN Mother-Daughter Bat Mitzvah Program, for 6th grade girls and their mothers, Rebbetzin Sharon Weinstein, includes lives of Jewish role models from Tanach to modern-day leaders, using texts, drama, art, and music, Young Israel of East Brunswick, 9:30am, 732-354-5913 Bike Ride for the Israel Guide Dog Center for the Blind, includes lunch and a custom CanVelo biking jersey; two routes: 25 miles with some hills and 35 miles with challenging hills; begins at 83rd St and Riverside Drive, 9:30am (the midway point is the JCC on the Palisades, Tenafly), 215-343-9100, http://bit.ly/1uKjJlg, or info@israelguidedog.org Fair Lawn Gown Gemach, under the auspices of Chabad of Fair Lawn, appointments available 9:30-11:30am, 201-797-1770 “How to Write Your Own Torah Scroll: The Fascinating Revival of Judaism’s Forgotten Commandment,” Rabbi Avrohom Rapoport, Chabad at the Shore, Ventnor, 10am, 609-822-8500

“Elul, Rosh HaShanah, and Yom Kippur,” for women, Rebbetzin Esther Baila Schwarz, Jewish Education Program (JEP) of Rockland, Monsey, 10:30am, 845-425-7556 Techniques for Braiding and Shaping a Beautiful Homemade Challah for Rosh Hashana, for children and adults, with the Challah Fairy Chanalee, Cong Rinat Yisrael, Teaneck, 10:30am, 201-837-2795 “A Day of Learning and Yom Iyun: Rising to the Occasion: Serving as G-d’s Retinue: A Study of the Steps of Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur,” for men and women, spons by the Foundation Stone, private home in Monsey, reception, 10:45am; Rabbi Simcha Weinberg, 11am; lunch, 12:30pm; Rabbi Michoel Gutmacher and Sara Salvay, 1pm; Rabbi Simcha Weinberg, 1:45pm, 862-245-1782 American Friends of House of Hope/Bayit V’Tikvah “Friendraiser” BBQ, to support Israeli orphaned and at-risk girls, private home in New Milford, 929-900HOPE or 917-475-0744, 11am-3pm; special presentation, 12:15pm Kosher Chef Productions: Shidduch and Shadchan BBQ, for Orthodox (yeshivish and Modern Orthodox) singles ages 20s and up in separate groups, private home in Monsey, 12-7pm, 845-397-7271 Beyond Bar Mitzvah Club, for boys in grade 8, Rabbi Yitzchok Kahan, Chabad Center, Cherry Hill, 12 noon, 856-874-1500 Apple-Picking, for families, spons by Cong Ahawas Achim Bnai Jacob and David, at Wightman’s Farm, Morristown, 1pm, AABJDyouthdirectors@gmail.com TeleShiur: “Preparing for the Yamim Noraim: Inspiration and Practical Tips on Teshuva for Women,” Dina Schoonmaker, 2pm, 732-665-6202 or womensvaad@gmail.com Matan: Discover How the Bat Mitzvah Girl Can Connect to Traits Such as Kindness, Faith, Power of Prayer, and Zionism, for girls nearing their 12th birthday in Essex, Morris, and Union Counties, Jennifer Romanoff, private home in Livingston, 2pm, 305332-6036 or 973-900-1341

“Inventing Odessa: Jewish Culture on the Edge of the Russian Empire,” Prof Olga Litvak, spons by the Bildner Center for the Study of Jewish Life, at the Zimmerli Art Museum, New Brunswick, guided tour of art exhibit “Odessa’s Second Avant-Garde: City and Myth,” 2pm; lecture, 3pm; second tour, 4:15pm, 848-932-2033 Hoboken Jewish Book Club: “If Kennedy Lived: The First and Second Terms of President JFK, an Alternate History” by Jeff Greenfield, Panera Bread, Hoboken, 3pm, HobokenJBookClub@gmail.com SINAI Special Needs Institute Fall Yom Tov Boutique, Marriott Glenpoint Hotel, Teaneck, 5-9:30pm, 201-837-8309, 201387-8218, or 201-833-1134 ext 105 Young Israel of East Brunswick Sisterhood Membership Dinner, featuring dairy dinner, make-up artist Miriam Plumer, Hats by Susan Richmond, and raffles, at the shul, 6:30pm, 732254-1860 or 732-257-2679 Kol Halayla Choir Auditions, Rutgers Hillel, New Bruunswick, 6-8:30pm, Kolhalayla@gmail.com Rockland and Bergen County Adoptive Families Meet-Up and Support Group, for those who have already adopted or are in the process of adopting, internationally and domestically, private home, 7:30pm, www. meetup.com/Rockland-and-Bergen-Adoptive-Families “The IDF, the Golani Brigade, Bereavement, and Hope,” Miriam Peretz, “Mother of the Chayalim” and her own two fallen IDF Golani

officer sons, Ariel (Lebanon) and Eliraz (Gaza), spons by the town of Eli, private home in Riverdale, 7:30pm, dchamudot@gmail.com “The Mechanics of Teshuva,” for women, Rabbi Jonathan Rietti, to benefit Teaneck’s upcoming Chai Lifeline Shabbaton, private home in Bergenfield, 8pm, 201-960-7758 “Protecting Our Children from Sexual Abuse,” panel discussion with Rabbis Yosef Adler and Yosef Blau, David Cheifetz, Shira Berkovits, and Seymour Adler, spons by Congs Keter Torah, Netivot Shalom, and Rinat Yisrael and Chabad of Bergen County, at Cong Rinat Yisrael, Teaneck, 8pm, 201-837-2795 Salon Minyan Tiferet, for scholars and intellectually curious adults with diverse Jewish backgrounds for an interdisciplinary experience of engagement with Jewish texts, Rabbi Nathaniel Helfgot, private home in Englewood, 8pm, 201-567-3323 or hochberg@post.harvard.edu “Do We Really Believe? Are We Really Committed? Introspection for Yomim Noraim 5775,” Rav Mayer Twersky, Cong Beth Abraham, Bergenfield, 8pm, 201-384-0434 “Are Sports Kosher? A Torah Perspective on Sports,” Rav Mordechai Willig, Cong Beth Abraham, Bergenfield, 8:45pm, 201-384-0434

Mon, Sept 15

“The High Holy Days: An Opportune Time to Affect My Fate and That of the Jewish Nation as a Whole,” for women, Rebbetzin Leah Kohn, private home in Teaneck, 9:45am, 201-692-3757

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The Log

September 2014 / Tishrei 5775

Tell Our Advertisers “I Saw It in The Jewish Voice and Opinion”

continued from page 25

Rep Shelly Moore Capito (R-WV), spons by NORPAC, private home in Englewood, 6pm, 201-788-5133 or 201-894-9163 “Preparing for the Yomim Noraim,” for women, Blimie Lampel, spons by Ateres Bracha Neve Passaic Torah Institute, private home in Clifton, 8pm, 973-365-2484, 908278-4059 or nevepti@gmail.com “Insights into the Tefilot of the Yamim Noraim: Can’t We Just Forget and Move On? Embracing the Challenge of Yom Ha-Zikaron,” Rabbi Larry Rothwachs, Cong Beth Aaron, Teaneck, 8:30pm, 201-836-6210

Tues, Sept 16

Lunch and Learn: “Understanding the Process of Teshuvah,” Rabbi Shmuel Goldin, Cong Ahavath Torah, Englewood, noon, 201-568-1315 “Caring for Your Loved Ones: Strategies for Caregivers, including Estate-Planning and Administration, Medicaid Planning and Applications, and Geriatric Care Management Services,” Benjamin Eckman, Esq, Rabbi Shmuel Goldin, and Eleanor Frenkel, spons by OHEL, at Cong Ahavath Torah, Englewood, 7:30pm, 201692-3972 or nj@ohelfamily.org Hadassah Education Night: “The Community’s Shaliach,” Timma Mekaiten, Rockland YJCC, West Nyack, 7:30pm, 845-639-5388 “How the Jewish Community of Middlesex County and Our Brothers and Sisters in Israel Faced the Gut-Wrenching Summer of Operation Protective Edge,” speakers include those who were in Israel during the fighting and others who led the fight here in NJ, Cong Ahavas Achim, Highland Park, 7:30pm, 732-828-7415 “Touched by Trauma,”

Marlene Greenspan, focusing on coping and relaxing skills to strengthen resilience to the trauma of war (personal experience or having close relatives in dangerous places), diagnoses of devastating illnesses, and bullying, Cong Bnai Yeshurun, Teaneck, 7:30pm, 201-836-8916 or CounselingForBetterLiving@gmail.com Pre-High Holiday Program for Bereaved Jews: “Cries of the Shofar,” Rabbi Steven Exler and Anna Kirshblum, Hebrew Institute of Riverdale, 7:30pm, 718-601-9714 or 718-796-4730 ext 108 Cong Bnai Yeshurun Partners with Sister Community of Eli, with Eli Mayor Kobi Eliraz and Miriam Peretz, “Mother of the Chayalim” and her own two fallen IDF Golani officer sons, Ariel (Lebanon) and Eliraz (Gaza), private home in Teaneck, 8pm, 201-801-9060 “Women and Sexuality: A Torah Perspective,” for women, Jody Wachpress, private home in Teaneck, 8pm, franweinberg@gmail.com Hat and Tichel Show, featuring Helen Baker and Helene Kravits, Cong Ahavas Yisrael, Edison, 8pm, sisterhood@AYedison.org “Reconnecting to the Light of Creation,” for women, Miriam Jaffe, private home in Clifton, 8:30pm, 973-471-4160 TV: “The Projected Image: The Jewish Experience on Film— Israeli Classics,” with Robert Osborne and Dr. Eric Goldman, Turner Classic Movies (TCM), “Hill 24 Doesn’t Answer,” 8pm; “Sallah,” 10pm; “Sword in the Desert,” midnight Pre-Rosh Hashana Shiur, Rabbi Baruch Simon, Cong Beth Aaron, Teaneck, 8:15pm, plustiger@ gmail.com

Wed., Sept 17

TV: “The Projected Image:

The Log is a free service provided to the Jewish community in northern and central New Jersey, Rockland County and Riverdale. Events that we list include special and guest lectures, concerts, boutiques, dinners, open houses, club meetings, and new classes. Announcements are requested by the 25th of the month prior to the month of the event. Due to space and editorial constraints, we cannot guarantee publication of any announcement. Please email them to : susan@jewishvoiceandopinion.com

The Jewish Experience on Film— Israeli Classics,” with Robert Osborne and Dr. Eric Goldman, Turner Classic Movies (TCM), “Exodus,” 2am Walking Tour of the Lower East Side, with guide Marty Schneit, includes Daily Forverts Building, oldest bialy factory in the US, only family-owned matzoh factory in the US, the Educational Alliance, Henry Street Settlement, Schimmel’s Knishes, a visit with a Torah scribe, Eldridge Street Synagogue, and the Beit Knesset Hagadol, leave JCC, Edison, 9am, 732-494-3232 ext 3614 “Preparing for the Yomim Noraim,” for women, Goldie Cohen spons by Ateres Bracha Neve Passaic Torah Institute, private home in Passaic, 9:30am, 908-278-4059 or nevepti@gmail.com Pre-Yamim Noraim Lecture: “Life Lessons from Sefer Yonah,” for women, Rabbi Jay Weinstein, Young Israel of East Brunswick, 9:45am, 732-254-1860 or 732-354-5912 “How to Write Your Own Torah Scroll: The Fascinating Revival of Judaism’s Forgotten Commandment,” for women, Rebbetzin Dinie Mangel, Chabad of Cherry Hill, 10am, 856-874-1500 “High Holiday Shiur,” for men and women, Rachel Friedman, spons by Lamdeinu, at Cong Beth Aaron, Teaneck, 10:15am, info@ lamdeinu.org “Jewish Views on Issues Facing Seniors,” JCC, Tenafly, 11:15am, 201-569-7900 Rosh Hashana Luncheon, for seniors, with Rabbi Steven Exler, Riverdale YMHA, 11:30am, 718548-8200 “A Stop off at the Red Apple Rest on the Way to the Catskills: A Family Story,” Norman Cohen, JCC Rockland, West Nyack, 12:30pm, 845-623-7606 Fair Lawn Gown Gemach, under the auspices of Chabad of Fair Lawn, appointments available 1-2:30pm and 7-9pm, 201-797-1770 “The Holocaust in Hungary and Current Debates,” Paul Hanebrink, spons by the Master Teacher Institute in Holocaust Education, Bildner Center for the Study of Jewish Life, Rut-

gers University, New Brunswick, 4:30pm, 848-932-2033 Teen Scene, for special-needs young adults 13-21, includes sports, at the Frisch High School, Paramus, 6pm, 201-262-7172 Volunteers Needed for Tomchei Shabbos Packing and Delivery, warehouse in Passaic, women and girls, 6pm; men and boys, 7pm; drivers, 8pm, yona@idt.net Sisterhood Pre-Holiday Hat Show, hats by Steven Brody, Cong Ahawas Achim Bnai Jacob and David, West Orange, 6:30pm, 973- 736-1407 Hillel Israel Leadership Initiative Seminar: “Israel and Its Changing Borders,” Rutgers Hillel, New Brunswick, 7pm, 732-545-2407 “The J-Street Challenge: The Seductive Allure of Peace in Our Time,” with producer Charles Jacobs, spons by the NJ chapter of the Zionist Organization of America (ZOA-NJ), Stand with Us, and CAMERA, at Cedar Lane Cinemas, Teaneck, reception with the producer, 7:30pm; film, 8pm, 201-424-1825 “Behind the Scenes: An Insider’s Perspective from Israel’s Top Journalist,” Avi Issacharoff, JCC, Tenafly, 7:45pm, 201-408-1456 or 646-360-1522 “Chicks with Sticks Knitting Circle,” hats for preemies, children with cancer, and IDF soldiers in Israel, private home in Highland Park, 8pm, 732-339-8492 Shomer Shabbos Boy Scout Meeting, for boys in 6th grade or 11 years old and up, Bais Medrash L’Torah, Rabbi Davis’s shul, Passaic, 8pm, HFishman@rafterpllc.com Rav Hershel Schachter, Cong Ahawas Achim Bnai Jacob and David, West Orange, 8pm, 973- 736-1407 Makhela: An Israeli-Style Choir, for those who can read and sing in Hebrew, Zvi Klein, JCC, Tenafly, 8pm, 201-408-1427 Cooking for Rosh Hashana: Salads, Sides, and an Easy, Delicious Honey Cake, in English and Hebrew, for families, Sharon Peri, JCC, Tenafly, 8pm, 201-408-1427 “Rosh Hashana: The Power, the Promise, the Potential,” for women, Chani Juravel, Cong

http://jewishvoiceandopinion.com Bnai Yeshurun, Teaneck, 8:30pm, 201- 836-8916 Kol Halayla Choir Auditions, College Ave Student Center, New Brunswick, 9-11pm, Kolhalayla@ gmail.com

Thurs., Sept 18

“Elul, Rosh HaShanah, and Yom Kippur,” for women, Rebbetzin Esther Baila Schwarz, Jewish Education Program (JEP) of Rockland, Monsey, 9:30am, 845-425-7556 PJ Storytime for the Jewish New Year, for children, Barnes and Noble, Menlo Park Mall, Edison, 10am, 732-588-1816 TeleShiur: “Preparing for the Yamim Noraim: Inspiration and Practical Tips on Teshuva for Women,” Dina Schoonmaker, 2pm, 732-665-6202 or womensvaad@gmail.com “Tainted Blood: Nazi “Scientific” Propaganda,” Marc Sorondo, Center for Holocaust/Genocide Study, Drew University, Madison, 4:30pm, 973-408-3000 Kol Halayla Choir Auditions, Livingston Student Center, New Brunswick, 6-8pm, Kolhalayla@gmail.com Boys Town Jerusalem Gala, with Rabbi Ronald Gray, at the Edgewood Country Club, Rivervale, 6pm, 732-901-8561 “A Strong Start to a New School Year,” Dr. Elliot Grossman, JCC, West Orange, 7pm, 973-966-6333 Cooking Demo and Dinner, for women and girls age 16 and up, Levana Kirschenbaum, Chabad Center, Cherry Hill, 7:30pm, 856-874-1500 “Intimacy and Shalom Bayis,” for men, Rav Yeruchem Pitter, Cong Knesses Yisrael, Spring Valley, 7:30pm, 845-354-1037, 845-3546493, or dirshumoney@gmail.com “Sweet Round Yuntif Challahs: A Hands-On Baking Class,” JCC, Tenafly, 7:30pm, 201-408-1418 “Raising Kids: Expert Advice,” Israeli Super Nanny Michal Dalyot, JCC, Tenafly, 8:30pm, 201-408-1427

Fri., Sept 19

NJ Jewish Film Festival Reel Film Series: “The Pale of Settlement” and “The Lady in Number 6,” discussion with Rea Bochner, JCC, West Orange. 10am, 973-530-3417 Rosh Hashana Celebration with Grandparents, for preschoolers and a grandparent, includes story

September 2014 / Tishrei 5775

and arts and crafts, JCC, Tenafly, 3:15pm, 201-408-1418 Carlebach Davening: Musical Kabbalat Shabbat, Jewish Center of Teaneck, 6:40pm, 201-833-0515 Carlebach Minyan, Torah Academy of Bergen County, Teaneck, 6:40pm, 347-443-2199 Friday Night Tisch, for teens in grades 9-12, Rabbis Ezra Wiener and Joshua Schulman, Cong Rinat Yisrael, Teaneck, 9:30pm, teenminyan@rinat.org

Shabbat, Sept 20

Carlebach Minyan, Cong Darchei Noam, Fair Lawn, 8:45am, rabbidonath@gmail.com Tefilat Shlomo: The Carlebach Tefila of Riverdale, includes light and healthy Kiddush, at the Hebrew Institute of Riverdale, 9am, 718-796-4730 “Paradigm Shift: Synchronize Yourself with Your Mission,” Rabbi Mendy Kasowitz, Chabad of West Orange, 11am, 973-325-6311 Torah Tots Kiddush, Cong Keter Torah, Teaneck, 11:30am, chayaweisberg@yahoo.com Women’s Torah Institute, Ruthy Glass, spons by Cong Ahavas Achim of Highland Park, at a private home in Highland Park, 5pm, 732-247-7225 “Rav Kook’s Orot HaTeshuva,” Rabbi Yaakov Glasser, Young Israel of Passaic-Clifton, 5pm, 973-246-3125 Study Group: “Zohar as Midrash,” Prof Alan Brill, private home in Teaneck, 5:30pm, safek7@gmail.com or shalomk@ hotmail.com “Understanding and Appreciating Selichot,” Rabbi Jay Weinstein, Young Israel of East Brunswick, 5:35pm, 732-254-1860

Motzei Shabbat, Sept 20, Selichot

Challah-Baking, Plate Decorating, for girls in grades 5-6, Cong Ohav Emeth, Highland Park, 8pm, 732247-3038 or oechildren@gmail.com Documentary: “Dressing America: Tales from the Garment Center,” discussion led by Rabbi Lawrence Zierler, Jewish Center of Teaneck, film, 9pm; selichot services, 10:30pm, 201833-0515 ext 200 Selichot Concert, Dr. Elli Kranzler, Hebrew Institute of

The Jewish Voice and Opinion

Riverdale, 10pm, 718-796-4730 “The Sound of Silence: Quiet Versus Loud Prayer as the Idea,” Rabbi Nathaniel Helfgot, Cong Netivot Shalom, Teaneck, shiur, 10:15pm, slichot, 11pm, 201-801-9022

Sun., Sept 21

“Swimming in the Deep End: Learning Sefer Yonah,” Rabbi Nathaniel Helfgot, Cong Netivot Shalom, Teaneck, 8am, 201-801-9022 Davening and Bikur Cholim at Daughters of Miriam in Clifton, meet at Cong Shomrei Torah, Fair Lawn, 8:15am; davening, followed by breakfast and bikur cholim, 8:45am, samapprais@aim.com Fair Lawn Gown Gemach, under the auspices of Chabad of Fair Lawn, appointments available 9-10:30am, 201-797-1770 Help Build the Sukkah, Cong Beth Aaron, Teaneck, 9am, 201836-6210 The Great Shofar Blowout, an effort to establish a new Guinness World Record, includes live demonstration of how a shofar is made, Israeli Krav Maga demonstration, shofar-blowing clinic, Bnai Jazz performance, arts and crafts, Shofar Mural Art activity by Rabbi Yitzchok Moully, merchandise and food sale, PJ Library story time, Aidekman Family JCC, Whippany, registration, 9am; demonstrations and activities, 9-10:30am; all shofar blowers on campus, 10am; shofar blowers begin official assembly, 10:30am; record-breaking shofar blowing, 11am; fair, demonstrations, activities, and picnicking, 11:30am, http://www.thepartnershipnj.org/shofar

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“Sins Are Good: How to Make the Most of Our Mistakes,” Rabbi Avrohom Rapoport, Chabad at the Shore, Ventnor, 10am, 609822-8500 Pre-Holiday Hat and Jewelry Sale, featuring Hats by Susan and One-of-a-Kind Jewelry by Sima, Cong Rinat Yisrael, Teaneck, 1011:30am, 201-837-2795 Apple-Picking, spons by the Young Israel of East Brunswick, at Giamarese Orchards, East Brunswick, pre-K –grade 2, 10am; grades 3-5, 11am, youthdirector@ yieb.org or 732-821-9494 Bubble Soccer, for children, Riverdale Jewish Center, noon, 718-548-1850 “Shake It Up,” a social group for special-needs adults 18 and up, spons by NJ Yachad, at Color Me Mine, Ridgewood, 11:30am, 201-833-1349 Eat, Drink, and Play for Israel, for students and families, includes live music by Sons of Tikvah, The Dumbwaiters, and Avi Maza, catered BBQ by Dougies of Teaneck, kosher wine and beer garden, lemonade stand, rock-climbing wall, mini-golf, potato sack races, basketball, face-painting, henna, baseball, hockey, proceeds to benefit American Friends of the IDF, Yashar Lachal, and the Jewish Federation of Greater Middlesex County, at Eagle’s Landing Day Camp, North Brunswick, 12-5pm, 732-545-2407 Apple Picking, for children, includes picking, hay rides, corn mazes, and the playground, spons by Cong Ohr HaTorah of Bergenfield, at Wightman’s Farm in Morristown, 1pm, sobokofsky@aol.com TeleShiur: “Preparing for

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The Log

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Tell Our Advertisers “I Saw It in The Jewish Voice and Opinion”

continued from page 27

the Yamim Noraim: Inspiration and Practical Tips on Teshuva for Women,” Dina Schoonmaker, 2pm, 732-665-6202 or womensvaad@gmail.com High School Scavenger Hunt, for grades 9-12, spons by the Young Israel of East Brunswick, at the Information Kiosk of the Brunswick Square Mall, 3:30pm, youthdirector@yieb.org Jewish Family Services of North Jersey 70th Anniversary Gala Celebration, honoring David Goodman and Daughters of Miriam, Fair Lawn Jewish Center, 5pm, 973-595-0111 Yeshiva Ohr Simcha of Englewood Dinner, honoring Mr. and Mrs. Michael Abitan and Mr. and Mrs. Eli Markovici, at the Woodcliff Lake Hilton, 5:30pm, 201-816-1800 or 201-832-4771 Rep Chris Smith (R-NJ), spons by NORPAC, private home in Teaneck, 6pm, 201-788-5133 Rockland Federation Campaign Kickoff Party, with speaker Alina Spaulding, cocktails, dinner, and silent auction, honoring Simona and Jerry Chazen and Lisa Green, Comfort Inn and Suites, Nanuet, 6:30pm, 845-362-4200 “An Evening of Learning, Luscious Baking, and Cooking Demonstration: What Is the Light in Your Life? Finding Your Light for This New Year,” for women, Rebbetzin Esther Dubinsky and Alissa Joseph, Chabad of Passaic-Clifton, Passaic, 7:45pm, 973-246-5251 “Embracing the Power and the Potential,” for women, Chani Juravel, spons by Ateres Bracha Neve Passaic Torah Institute, private home in Passaic, 8pm, 973365-2484, 908-278-4059 or nevepti@gmail.com Teshuva Lecture: “Repen-

tance and the Power of Oneness,” Rabbi Mordechai Becher, Cong Ohr Torah, Edison, 8pm, 732777-6840 TV: Great Performances: “Rejoice wth Itzhak Perlman and Cantor Yitzchak Meir Helfgot,” includes Elie Wiesel, Joel Grey, and Neil Sedaka PBS channel 13, 9pm

Mon, Sept 22

Last Day to Contact Bonim Builders for Sukkah-Building, volunteers will help seniors or those who are physically challenged to put up a sukkah, building from Sun., Sept 28 through Sun, Oct 5; to volunteer or be put on the schedule to have a sukkah assembled, 201820-3903 or staceyo@jfnnj.org “Sins Are Good: How to Make the Most of Our Mistakes,” for women, Rebbetzin Dinie Mangel, Chabad of Cherry Hill, 10am, 856-874-1500 Rosh Hashana Celebration, for seniors, with singer and guitarist Rabbi Tuvia Bolton, JCC, Tenafly, 11:15am, 201-569-7900 “Insights into the Tefilot of the Yamim Noraim: Don’t Use Your Words! Discerning the Shofar’s Eloquence,” Rabbi Larry Rothwachs, Cong Beth Aaron, Teaneck, 8:30pm, 201-836-6210 TV: POV: “Ed Koch: An Inside Portrait of the Man and the City at a Time of Crisis and Re-invention,” Public Broadcasting,” Public Broadcasting, 10pm, www.pbs.org/pov/koch

Tues., Sept 23

“David Wilentz: A Powerful NJ Legend,” Harvey Hauptman, JCC, Edison, 10:30am, 732-494-3232 Rosh Hashana Celebration: Apple Tasting, JCC, Tenafly, 3-5:30pm, 201-408-1418 TV: “The Projected Image: The Jewish Experience on Film—

There Is Always Something Happening in the Jewish Community! Check our website http://www.JewishVoiceAndOpinion.Com for classes, shiurim, lectures, and events that came in after issue went to print!

Tackling Prejudice,” with Robert Osborne and Dr. Eric Goldman, Turner Classic Movies (TCM), “The House of Rothschild,” 8pm; “Gentleman’s Agreement,” 10pm

Wed., Sept 24, Erev Rosh Hashana

TV: “The Projected Image: The Jewish Experience on Film— Tackling Prejudice,” with Robert Osborne and Dr. Eric Goldman, Turner Classic Movies (TCM), “Crossfire,” 12:15am; “Focus,” 2am; “The Life of Emile Zola,” 4am Fair Lawn Gown Gemach, under the auspices of Chabad of Fair Lawn, appointments available 1-2:30m, 201-797-1770 Carlebach Community Rosh Hashana Services, with speaker Channah Schafer and chazans Steve Styler, Rabbi Richard Wolpoe, and Ben Sandler, Library of the Jewish Center of Teaneck, 6:30pm, 917-796-7428

Thurs., Sept 25, Rosh Hashana

Carlebach Community Rosh Hashana Services, with speaker Channah Schafer and chazans Steve Styler, Rabbi Richard Wolpoe, and Ben Sandler, Library of the Jewish Center of Teaneck, 8:30am, 917-796-7428 Jewish Learning Experience Free Explanatory Rosh Hashana Service, Rabbi David Pietruszka, includes Kiddush, at Ma’ayanot Yeshiva High School for Girls, Teaneck, 10am, rabbip@ jle.org or 201-966-4498

Fri., Sept 26, Rosh Hashana

Shabbat, Sept 27

Educational Prayer Service, spons by the Jewish Learning Experience, includes discussions and

commentary, prayers in English and Hebrew transliteration, at Cong Zichron Mordechai, Teaneck, 9:45am, 201-966-4498 or 201-836-4334 “The Year of Shemita, Yom Kippur, and Our Commitment to Eretz Yisrael,” Rabbi Jay Weinstein, Young Israel of East Brunswick, 6:30pm, 732-254-1860 Motzei Shabbat, Sept 27 Shiur, Rabbi Mordechai Willig, Young Israel of Riverdale, 8pm, 718-548-4765

Sun, Sept 28, Tzom Gedalia

Davening and Bikur Cholim at Daughters of Miriam in Clifton, meet at Cong Shomrei Torah, Fair Lawn, 8:15am; davening, followed by bikur cholim, 8:45am, samapprais@aim.com Yom Iyun, for men and women, featuring “Why Remember: The Role of Memory in Jewish Life,” Leah Herzog; “Going His Way? An Analysis of V’halachta B’darchav,” Rivka Kahan; “Will Hashem Accept Teshuva from Anybody?” Elana Flaumenhaft; “Two Voices: Trei Kali in Jewish Law and Thought,” Rabbi Donny Besser; “Kol Nidrei: The Communal Experience of Yom Kippur,” Dena Block; “Teaching Our Children Gratitude: Yonah and Connecting,” Rabbi Dr. Jay Goldmintz; “Ideal Idealiam: Distinguishing between Dissent and Defiance in Sefer Yonah,” Ora Laufer; “Gedalia ben Achikam: Finding Hope in a Lost Generation,” Shifra Schapiro; “Pinocchio, Finding Nemo, and the Book of Yona: Life Lessons from the Belly of the Fish to G-d,” Yael Weil; Ma’ayanot Yeshiva High School for Girls, Teaneck, 9:30am, 201-8334307 ext 265 MaTaN Mother-Daughter Bat Mitzvah Program, for 6th grade girls and their mothers, Rebbetzin Sharon Weinstein, includes e lives of Jewish role models from Tanach to modern-day leaders, using texts, drama, art, and music, Young Israel of East Brunswick, 9:30am, 732-354-5913 “Broken Promises: Kol Nidrei’s Message of Hope,” Rabbi Avrohom Rapoport, Chabad at the Shore, Ventnor, 10am, 609822-8500

http://jewishvoiceandopinion.com Aseres Yemei Teshuva Shiur, for women, Yael Kaisman, spons by Ateres Bracha Neve Passaic Torah Institute, private home in Passaic, 10:30am, 973-365-2484, 908-2784059 or nevepti@gmail.com Pre-Sukkos Fun: T-Shirt Designing, Challah-Making, Snacks, and Friends, for children in grades 1-4, Cong Ohav Emeth, Highland Park, 1:30pm, 732-247-3038 or oechildren@gmail.com TeleShiur: “Preparing for the Yamim Noraim: Inspiration and Practical Tips on Teshuva for Women,” Dina Schoonmaker, 2pm, 732-665-6202 or womensvaad@gmail.com JACS Meeting, 12-steps meeting for Jews in recovery, Rabbi Steven Bayar, Cong B’nai Israel, Millburn, 6pm, 973-379-3811

Mon, Sept 29

“The High Holy Days: An Opportune Time to Affect My Fate and That of the Jewish Nation as a Whole,” for women, Rebbetzin Leah Kohn, private home in Teaneck, 9:45am, 201-692-3757 “Away for a Health Cure: German-Jewish Encounters at Central European Spas in the 18th Century,” for faculty and graduate students, Natalie Naimark-Goldberg, includes lunch, Bildner Center for the Study of Jewish Life, Rutgers, New Brunswick, 11am, 848-932-2033 Smile on Seniors, for senior men and women, includes brunch, Chabad House, Wayne, 11:30am, 973-694-6274 “The Seven Keys to a Successful Retirement,” Evan Kessler, CFA, CFP, Riverdale YMHA, 6:30pm, 718-548-8200 “Sara Levy’s World (17611854): Music, Gender, and Judaism in Enlightenment Berlin: In Sara Levy’s Salon,” concert with Rebecca Cypess, harpsichord and fortepiano; Steven Zohn, transverse flute; Frederick Urrey, tenor; Yiheng Yang, fortepiano; and Dongmyung Ahn, viola; works by J.S. Bach, C.P.E. Bach, W.F. Bach, J.N. Forkel, Frederick the Great, and their contemporaries; commentary by Christoph Wolff, spons by the Bildner Center for the Study of Jewish Life, at the Nicholas Music Center, New Brunswick, 7:30pm, 848-932-2033

September 2014 / Tishrei 5775

“Preparing for the Yomim Noraim,” for women, Blimie Lampel, spons by Ateres Bracha Neve Passaic Torah Institute, private home in Clifton, 8pm, 973-365-2484, 908278-4059 or nevepti@gmail.com “Insights into the Tefilot of the Yamim Noraim: Cry Here— Viduy; Heartless Procession or Heartfelt Confession?” Rabbi Larry Rothwachs, Cong Beth Aaron, Teaneck, 8:30pm, 201-836-6210

Tues., Sept 30

“Sara Levy’s World (17611854): Music, Gender, and Judaism in Enlightenment Berlin,” spons by the Bildner Center for the Study of Jewish Life,” in Shindell Choral Hall, Mortensen Hall, Rutgers, New Brunswick, “The Worlds of Sara Levy,” Nancy Sinkoff, 8:30am; “Judaism and Gender in Enlightenment Berlin,” Shmuel Feiner, Natalie Naimark-Goldberg, and Liliane Weissberg, 9am; “Philosophical and Musical Aesthetics in Sara Levy’s World,” George Stauffer, Steven Zohn, and Yael Sela-Teichler,” 10:30am, 848-932-2033 “Sara Levy’s World (17611854): Music, Gender, and Judaism in Enlightenment Berlin,” spons by the Bildner Center for the Study of Jewish Life,” “Klopstocks Morgengesang” by CPE Bach (a work whose publication Sara Levy and her family helped underwrite), performed by the Kirkpatrick Choir of Rutgers, Voorhees Chapel, New Brunswick, 12:45pm, 848-932-2033 “Sara Levy’s World (17611854): Music, Gender, and Judaism in Enlightenment Berlin,” spons by the Bildner Center for the Study of Jewish Life, in Nicholas Music Center, New Brunswick, “Boundaries of Tolerance in the Enlightenment,” Michael Marissen, Martha Helfer, and Elias Sacks, 1:30pm; Semi-Staged Reading of Excerpts of Aaron Halle Wolfssohn’s Play “Leichtsinn und Frömmeli,” with Shmuel Feiner, Natalie NaimarkGoldberg, Joel Berkowitz, and Nahma Sandrow, 3pm; Roundtable Discussion and Summation, Christoph Wolff, 4pm, 848-932-2033 “Debunking Myths about the Middle East: Examining Human Rights Violations against Minorities in the Islamist World,” Brooke Goldstein of the Lawfare Project, Rutgers Hillel, New Bruns-

The Jewish Voice and Opinion

wick, 8pm, 732-545-2407 TV: “The Projected Image: The Jewish Experience on Film—The Way We Were,” with Robert Osborne and Dr. Eric Goldman, Turner Classic Movies (TCM), “The Young Lions,” 8pm; “The Way We Were,” 11pm

Wed., Oct 1

TV: “The Projected Image: The Jewish Experience on Film—The Way We Were,” with Robert Osborne and Dr. Eric Goldman, Turner Classic Movies (TCM), “Hearts of the West,” 1:15am; “The Chosen,” 3:15am Pre-Yamim Noraim Lecture: “Life Lessons from Sefer Yonah,” for women, Rabbi Jay Weinstein, Young Israel of East Brunswick, 9:45am, 732-254-1860 or 732-354-5912 “Broken Promises: Kol Nidrei’s Message of Hope,” for women, Rebbetzin Dinie Mangel, Chabad of Cherry Hill, 10am, 856-874-1500 “High Holiday Shiur,” for men and women, Rachel Friedman, spons by Lamdeinu, at Cong Beth Aaron, Teaneck, 10:15am, info@ lamdeinu.org “The Soviet Encounter with the Nazi Camps,” Jochen Hellbeck, includes pedagogical workshop, spons by the Master Teacher Institute in Holocaust Education, Bildner Center for the Study of Jewish Life, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, 4:30pm, 848-932-2033 Teen Scene, for special-needs young adults 13-21, at the Frisch High School, Paramus, 6pm, 201262-7172 Volunteers Needed for Tomchei Shabbos Packing and Delivery, warehouse in Passaic, women and girls, 6pm; men and boys, 7pm; drivers, 8pm, yona@idt.net Bar Mitzvah Club, for boys in grades 6-7, Rabbi Yitzchok Kahan, includes light dinner, Chabad Center, Cherry Hill, 6pm, 856-874-1500 Contemporary Israeli Poetry Group, in the original with English translation and discussion, Atara Fobar, Hebrew Institute of Riverdale, 7pm, 718-796-4730 Jewish 12-Step Meeting, JACS—Jewish Alcoholics, Chemically Dependent Persons, and Significant Others, Jewish Family Service, Teaneck, 7:30pm, 201-

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837-9090, ask for IRA (Information and Referral) or 201-981-1071 Shomer Shabbos Boy Scout Meeting, for boys in 6th grade or 11 years old and up, Bais Medrash L’Torah, Rabbi Davis’s shul, Passaic, 8pm, HFishman@rafterpllc.com Makhela: An Israeli-Style Choir, for those who can read and sing in Hebrew, Zvi Klein, JCC, Tenafly, 8pm, 201-408-1427 “Understanding the Teen Years,” for Israeli parents raising children in the US, Shiri Itzhak, JCC, Tenafly, 8:30pm, 201-408-1427

Thurs., Oct 2

“Elul, Rosh HaShanah, and Yom Kippur,” for women, Rebbetzin Esther Baila Schwarz, Jewish Education Program (JEP) of Rockland, Monsey, 9:30am, 845-425-7556 TeleShiur: “Preparing for the Yamim Noraim: Inspiration and Practical Tips on Teshuva for Women,” Dina Schoonmaker, 2pm, 732-665-6202 or womensvaad@gmail.com “Integrating Local Resources into Your Holocaust Curriculum,” for teachers, Updike Farmstead, Princeton, 4pm, 609-921-6748

Fri, Oct 3, Erev Yom Kippur

Free Jewish Learning Experience Kol Nidrei Explanatory Service, Rabbi David Pietruszka, at Ma’ayanot Yeshiva High School for Girls, Teaneck, 6pm, rabbip@ jle.org or 201-966-4498 Shabbat, Oct 4, Yom Kippur Jewish Learning Experience Free Explanatory Yom Kippur Service, Rabbi David Pietruszka, at Ma’ayanot Yeshiva High School for Girls, Teaneck, 10am, rabbip@ jle.org or 201-966-4498 Sun., Oct 5 Areyvut’s Mitzvah Clowning Program Initial Training and Site Visit Information,” for anyone from 6th grade through age 120, Daniel Rothner, at the Jewish Home at Rockleigh, 8am, 201-244-6702 MaTaN Mother-Daughter Bat Mitzvah Program, for 6th grade girls and their mothers, Rebbetzin Sharon Weinstein, lives of Jewish role models from Tanach to modern-day leaders, using texts, drama, art, and music, Young Israel of East Brunswick, 9:30am, 732-354-5913

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Tell Our Advertisers “I Saw It in The Jewish Voice and Opinion”

continued from page 29

“Conquering Everest: The Three Stages of Spiritual Mountain Climbing,” Rabbi Avrohom Rapoport, Chabad at the Shore, Ventnor, 10am, 609-822-8500

Mon, Oct 6

“Newark Then and Now,” a trip that includes a nostalgic look at Newark, leave YJCC Rockland, West Nyack, 9am, 845-362-4400 “The Seven Keys to a Successful Retirement,” Evan Kessler, CFA, CFP, Riverdale YMHA, 6:30pm, 718-548-8200

Tues., Oct 7

“Rescuers during the Holocaust: One Person Can Make a Difference,” Jeannie Opdyk Smith, includes video and questions-andanswers discussion, Dolan Performance Hall, College of Saint Elizabeth, Morristown, 9:15am, holocaustcenter @cse.edu

Wed., Oct 8, Erev Sukkoth

Trip to Trinity Church Cemetery and Derfner Judaica Museum, includes Ed Koch’s and John Jacob Astor’s burial sites as well as the museum and art collection at the Hebrew Home in Riverdale, home to art owned by Jews before the Holocaust as well as works by Marc Chagall and Alex Katz, kosher lunch included, leave YJCC Rockland, West Nyack, 9am, 845-362-4400

Oct 9 Sukkoth

Sukkah Hop, Cong Beth Abrhaam Bergenfield, for children in Pre-K and K; grades 1-2 girls; grades 1-2 boys; grades 3-4 girls; grades 3-4 boys; grades 5-6 girls; and grades 5-6 boys, 3pm, 201-384-0434 Sukkah Hop, for all ages, grades 1 and younger with an adult, Cong Ohav Emeth, Highland Park, 3:30pm, 732-247-3038

Shabbat Chol Hamoed Sukkoth, Oct 11

Educational Prayer Service, spons by the Jewish Learning Experience, includes discussions and commentary, prayers in English and Hebrew transliteration, at Cong Zichron Mordechai, Teaneck, 9:45am, 201-966-4498 or 201-836-4334 Seudah Shlishit Siyyum Tanach in the Sukkah, adults and children are encouraged to choose a sefer—preferably one of the “less popular” books of Navi or Ketuvim—for independent study, Cong Arzei Darom, Teaneck, 5:30pm, mlevin18@aol.com

Motzei Shabbat, Oct 11

Chol Hamoed Sukkoth Shiur, Rabbi Mordechai Willig, Young Israel of Riverdale, 7:30pm, 718-548-4765

Mazal Tov Mazal Tov to the Bat Mitzvah Girls: Rebecca Adler, Allison Bernstein, Cayla Eis, Bracha Bayla Erlbaum, Mia Hahn, Daniella Holler, Riva Jaskoll, Maya Kanovsky, Tzippora Kaplan, Atara Meyers, Michal Mermelstein, Kayla Miodownik, Shoshie Sheffey, Daniella Shlagbaum, Tamar Waltuch, Maayan Miriam Werthentheil, and Ronit Shifra Wolfson; and the Bar Mitzvah Boys: Joe Baron, Shloimy Bassman, Eli Bursztyn, Yisrael Cohen, Josh Farkas, Yehuda Farkas, Shlomo Fink, Yoni Ginsberg, Yonah Hook, Jacob Leon Karpel, Dovi Kwalbrun, Avi Lebovic, Bailey Leman, Rafi Lewis, Danny Lundner, Shaya Murad, Sammy Nat, Zakkai Notkin, Yoni Perla, Alexander Shlomo Pizov, Jake Rabinowitz, Noam Rothner, Joshua Schanzer, Eli Schloss, Menachem Mendel Shemtov, Nussie Stern, and Eitan Waldman Mazal Tov to Rabbi Dr. Ephraim Kanarfogel, Professor of Jewish History, Literature, and Law at Yeshiva University, on being named to the Executive Committee of the American Academy for Jewish Research, the oldest organization of Judaic scholars in North America. Mazal Tov to Judy and Manny Landau on their 50th wedding anniversary Y

Sun., Oct 12

Chol Hamoed Sukkoth Davening and Bikur Cholim at Daughters of Miriam in Clifton, meet at Cong Shomrei Torah, Fair Lawn, 8:15am; davening, followed by breakfast and bikur cholim, 8:45am, samapprais@aim.com “Bagels, Tefillin, and Breakfast,” Rabbi Eliezer Zaklikovsky, Chabad Jewish Center of Monroe, NJ, 9:30am, 732-656-1616 Bergen County Friendship Circle Sukkot Festival, for specialneeds children and teens, private location in Teaneck, 10am, 201-262-7172 Beyond Bar Mitzvah Club, 8th grade boys, Rabbi Yitzchok Kahan, Chabad Center, Cherry Hill, noon, 856-874-1500 Matan: Discover How the Bat Mitzvah Girl Can Connect to Traits Such as Kindness, Faith, Power of Prayer, and Zionism, for girls nearing their 12th birthday in Essex, Morris, and Union Counties, Jennifer Romanoff, private home in Livingston, 2pm, 305332-6036 or 973-900-1341 Joint Jewish-Muslim Dinner in the Sukkah, Rutgers Hillel, New Brunswick, 6pm, 732-545-2407 Simchat Beit Hashoeva, Rabbi Pesach Raymon Yeshiva, Edison, 6:30-9pm, 973-214-8577 Chol Hamoed Bowling, for boys in grades 5-6, spons by Cong Ohav Emeth, at Brunswick Zone, North Brunswick, 7pm, 732-2473038 or oechildren@gmail.com Rockland and Bergen County Adoptive Families Meet-Up and Support Group, for those who have already adopted or are in the process of adopting, internationally and domestically, private home, 7:30pm, www. meetup.com/Rockland-and-Bergen-Adoptive-Families

Mon, Oct 13

Chol Hamoed Sukkoth Davening and Bikur Cholim at Daughters of Miriam in Clifton, meet at Cong Shomrei Torah, Fair Lawn, 8:15am; davening, followed by breakfast and bikur cholim, 8:45am, samapprais@aim.com AMIT Englewood Sukkah Hop, for parents and children, various private home sukkahs in Englewood, ending at the East Hill

Synagogue Sukkah with pizza and ice cream, 10am, 212-7925690 or sarac@amitchildren.org Caregivers Support Group, for those caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s disease, JCC, Tenafly, 7pm, 201-569-7900 Sushi in the Sukkah, Rutgers Hillel, New Brunswick, 8pm, 732-545-2407

Tues., Oct 14

Chol Hamoed Sukkoth NJ Deadline to Register to Vote in the Nov 4 General Election, download registration application and absentee ballots at www.njelections.org “Echoes and Reflections: Leaders in Holocaust Education,” explore numerous primary source materials, including the visual history of over 50 survivors and other witnesses of the Holocaust, includes lunch, Kean University, Union, 8:30am-4pm, 908-737-4664 Caregivers Support Group, for those caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s disease, JCC, Tenafly, 10:30am, 201-569-7900 Café Europa, for Holocaust survivors, featuring “A Different Perspective on the High Holy Days,” Rabbi Alberto Zeilicovich, includes lunch, spons by the Jewish Family Services of North Jersey, at the Fair Lawn Jewish Center, 11am, 973-595-0111 Lunch in the Sukkah, for seniors, includes lunch by Tokyo Hibachi Glatt Kosher restaurant, with singer Rob Taube, JCC, Edison, 11:30am, 732-494-3232 Sukkot Celebration: How Many Edible Things Come from the Lulav?” JCC, Tenafly, 3pm, 201-408-1418 Bereavement Support Group, Rabbi Bryan Kinzbrunner, Stein Hospice, Somerset, 4pm, 732-227-1212 Hebrew School and Torah Tots Dinner in the Sukkah, Cong Sons of Israel, Manalapan, 4:30pm, 732-446-3000 Sisterhood Program in the Sukkah, Cong Sons of Israel, Manalapan, 7:30pm, 732446-3000 Graduate Student Wineand-Cheese Tasting in the Sukkah, Rutgers Hillel, New Brunswick, 8-10pm, 732-545-2407 Y

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The Jewish Voice and Opinion

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New Classes This Month Sundays

Gemara Chaburah: An Amud per Week: Masechet Makos, Moshe Glick, Cong Ahawas Achim Bnai Jacob and David, West Orange, 8:30am, MGlickUS@gmail.com Halacha Chaburah: “Onaas Devorim—The Laws of Verbal Abuse” followed by shiur Halacha L’maaseh, for men, spons by the Business Halacha Institute, at Cong Bais Torah U’Tefilah, Passaic, 9am, 917-510-6006 Shalom Cemetery Elul Visits, New Brunswick, main gate open for cars, 9am-5pm; small side gate for pedestrians is always open “History and Halacha,” Rabbi Joshua Hess, Cong Anshe Chesed, Linden, 9am, 908-486-8616 Sefer Yonah, for women, Rabbi David Bassous, Cong Etz Ahaim, Highland Park, 10am, 732-247-3839 “Get Ready for Shmittah: Meseches Sheviis,” Rabbi Gershon West, Yeshiva Ner Boruch-Passaic Torah Institute, 8:15pm, 973-5944774 or 862-371-3186 Pilates Fusion, for women, Arielle Sheinbein, Cong Rinat Yisrael, Teaneck, 8:15pm, 201-837-2795

Mondays

Parshanut HaMikra, for women, Rachel Friedman and Shira Schiowitz, spons by Lamdeinu, at Cong Beth Aaron, Teaneck, 10:15am, info@lamdeinu.org Jewish Women’s Issues, JCC Rockland, West Nyack, 1:30pm, 845-362-4400 Tzofim—Israeli Scouts, Gil Grady, JCC, Tenafly, Shachbag meetings, 1:30pm; meetings 4pm, 201-408-1427 Beginning Hebrew, JCC, West Orange, 5:30pm, 973-530-3400, begins Oct 6 Biblical Hebrew, JCC, West Orange, 6:45pm, 973-530-3400, begins Oct 6 JRecovery Anonymous, peer support group and 12-step program for Jewish alcoholics, addicts, and anyone affected by addiction, including family members and friends, Jewish Family Services, Miltown, 7:30pm, 732-777-1940 Zumba, for women, Riverdale Jewish Center, 7:30pm, 718-548-1850 Shomer Shabbat Boy Scout Troop, for boys in grades 6-12, Scoutmaster Daniel Chazin, Jewish Center of Teaneck, 7:30pm, 201836-7019 or DChazin@aol.com Live Teleconference Shiur: “Think Positively, Become a Happier You: Personalized and Practical Step-by-Step Torah-Based Program,” for women, Chaya Hinda Allen, 8pm, 201-281-8702 or elissa. jpthink@gmail.com Shiur, Rabbi Benjamin Yudin, Cong Shomrei Torah, Fair Lawn, 8:10pm, 201-791-7910 Women’s Navi Class: Sefer Melachim Bes, Perek 6, Aviva Orlian, private home in Monsey, 8:15pm, 845-300-4880 Amud-a-Week Chabura: Seventh Perek of Brachos, Rabbi Gershon West, Yeshiva Ner Boruch-Passaic Torah Institute, 8:30pm, 973-594-4774 or 862-371-3186 “Teachings of the Slonimer Rebbe,” Rabbi Andrew Markowitz, Cong Shomrei Torah, 8:40pm, 201-791-7910 Gemara Masechet Makkot, Rabbi Steven Miodownik, spons by Cong Ahavas Achim, at a private home in Highland Park, 9pm, 732-565-0744 Teleconference: Women’s Chaburah—Life-Changing Personal Development Program, Rabbi Aryeh Nivin, 9pm, 646-863-4123

Tuesdays

Torah Gems, for men, Rabbi Moshe Goldberger, Cong Ahavas Achim, Highland Park, 8:30am, 732-247-0532 Mishnah Bava Metzia, for men, Rabbi Akiva Weitzner, Cong Ahavas Achim, Highland Park, 8:30am, 732-247-0532 Torah in the AM, Cong Keter Torah, Teaneck, Chavurah Studying

Personalities in Chumash: Sefer Bereishit, 9am; Talmud Shiur on Masechet Sanhedrin, chapter 1, Rabbi Menachem Meier, 9:45am, 201-907-0180 Parshat HaShavua, for women, Rabbi Eliezer Zwickler, Cong Ahawas Achim Bnai Jacob and David, West Orange, 10am, 973- 736-1407 “Introduction to Talmud: Berakhot Chapter 4,” for women, Rabbi Dr. Aaron Segal, spons by Lamdeinu, at Cong Beth Aaron, Teaneck, 10:15am, info@lamdeinu.org “Understanding Viduy,” for women, Rabbi Ari Zahtz, Cong Bnai Yeshurun, Teaneck, 11:15am, 201-836-8916 Lunch and Learn, Rabbi Joshua Hess, Cong Anshe Chesed, Linden, noon, 908-486-8616 “Sharing the Journey” Non-Denominational Bereavement Program, spons by Holy Name Medical Center Hospice and Palliative Services, at Villa Marie Claire, Saddle River, 12:30pm, 201-833-3000 ext 7483 Intermediate Yiddish, JCC, Whippany, 12:30pm, 973-428-9300, begins Oct 7 Lunch and Learn, Rabbi Yonah Lazar, private office in Verona, 1pm, 973- 736-1407 Parsha Hashavua, for women, Rabbi Eliyahu Kaufman, Cong Ohav Emeth, Highland Park, 1:30pm, 732-247-3038 Bubbe’s Kitchen: Traditional Shabbat and Holiday Treats, for preschoolers, Kat Joseph, JCC, Tenafly, 2pm, 201-408-1436 Advanced Hebrew, JCC, West Orange, 6:30pm, 973-530-3400, begins Oct 7 Frum Alateen Meeting, Ricky Wisotsky, for girls ages 9-19, who have friends or family with addiction (i.e. codependency, internet addiction, gaming, ocd, food addiction, eating disorders, internet addiction, or substance abuse), Cong Tifereth Israel, Passaic, 7pm, 973-249-7435 NJ Yachad Inclusive Arts Program, for junior and senior high school students and individuals with special needs ages 12 and up, Debbie Greenwald, private studio in Englewood, 7pm, 201-833-1349 Intermediate Level Ulpan, for men and women, Tamar Appel, Ma’ayanot Yeshiva High School for Girls, Teaneck, 7:30pm, 201-8334307 ext 265 Yemima Class, in Hebrew, Smadar Taub, JCC, Tenafly, 7:30pm, 201-408-1427 “Tricking the Satan,” Rabbi Andrew Markowitz, spons by Cong Shomrei Torah, private home in Fair Lawn, 8pm, 201-797-1949, 201-791-7910 Pilates Fusion, for women, Arielle Sheinbein, Cong Rinat Yisrael, Teaneck, 8:15pm, 201-837-2795 Parshat HaShavua, in Hebrew, for men and women, Rav Meir Goldwicht, Cong Bnai Yeshurun, Teaneck, 8:30pm, 201-836-8916

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September 2014 / Tishrei 5775

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Gemara, with Rabbi Shlomo Nusbaum, Young Israel of East Brunswick 8:30pm, 732-254-1860 Daf Yomi B’Iyun: Explore In-Depth a Topic from the Week’s Daf Yomi, Rabbi Shlomo Landau, Young Israel of East Brunswick, 8:45pm, 732-254-1860, or online at http://ouradio.org/daf or http:// www.dafyomi.org Shiur Mishnayos, Rabbi Yisrael Kenner, private home in Riverdale, 9pm, 718-644-9417 Igros Moshe, Rabbi Dr. Mel Zelefsky, Cong Bnai Yeshurun, Teaneck, 9pm, 201-836-8916

Wednesdays

Women’s Shiur, Rabbi Benjamin Yudin, Cong Shomrei Torah, Fair Lawn, 9:15am, 201-791-7910 “It’s My Busines,” for small-business owners, in Hebrew, JCC, Tenafly. 9:15am, 201-408-1427 Parshat Hashavua, Yael Weil, Cong Keter Torah, Teaneck, 10:30am, 201-907-0180 Chabad Women’s Torah Class, Rebbetzin Tova Rapoport, Chabad House, Margate, 11am, 609-822-8500 “Derech Acheret: A Program for Women in Phases of Change,” in Hebrew, JCC, Tenafly, 11:30am, 201-408-1427 Teleconference: Women’s Chaburah—Life-Changing Personal Development Program, Rabbi Aryeh Nivin, noon, 646-863-4123 Lunch and Learn, for seniors, Rabbi Michael Taubes, includes lunch, Cong Bnai Yeshurun, Teaneck, 1pm, 201-836-8916 Instructional Hockey, for 1st graders, Aharon Goldwasser, Ben Porat Yosef, Paramus, 4:45pm, goldwasser@gmail.com “Religious Thought of Rambam in Mishneh Torah,” includes “What Should Every Jews Know about G-d?” “What Should All Jews Know about Themselves?” “What Are the Different Mitzvot Designed to Accomplish?” and other machshava topics, Rabbi Menachem Meier, Cong Bnai Yeshurun, Teaneck, 8pm, 201-836-8916 “Is This Land Your Land: Introduction to Shemittah,” Rabbi Andrew Markowitz, Cong Shomrei Torah, Fair Lawn, 8:20pm, 201-791-7910 Shiur, Rabbi Ari Elbaz, Cong Ahawas Achim Bnai Jacob and David, West Orange, 8:30am, 973- 736-1407 In-Depth Talmud Class, Rabbi Yaakov Weinstein, Young Israel of East Brunswick, 8:30pm, 732-354-5912 Havruta Learning: Sanhedrin, Library, Cong Ahawas Achim Bnai Jacob and David, West Orange, 8:45pm, 973- 736-1407 Shiur, Rabbi Zvi Sobolofsky, Cong Bnai Yeshurun, Teaneck 9:15pm, 201-836-8916 “From Judges to Kings: Exploring the Lives of Shmuel and Shaul,” Rabbi Yosef Sharbat, Sephardic Wing, Cong Ahawas Achim Bnai Jacob and David, West Orange, 10am, 973- 736-1407

Thursdays

“The Meaning of Minhag,” Rabbi Lawrence Zierler, Jewish Center of Teaneck, 7:45am, 201-833-0515 Gemara, for men, Rabbi Shlomo Nussbaum, Cong Ahavas Achim, Highland Park, 8:30am, 732-247-0532 Torah in the AM, Cong Keter Torah, Teaneck, Chavurah studying personalities in Chumash: Sefer Bereishit, 9am; Talmud Shiur on Masechet Sanhedrin, chapter 1, Rabbi Menachem Meier, 9:45am; “Religious Thought of Rambam in the Mishne Torah,” Rabbi Menachem Meier, 10:45am, 201-907-0180 Gan Miriam Mommy and Me, Nurit Bacharach, for children ages 15-24 months, Riverdale Jewish Center, 9:30am, 718-543-2553 Sefer Yirmiyahu, for men and women, Shira Schiowitz, spons by Lamdeinu, at Cong Beth Aaron, Teaneck, 10:15am, info@lamdeinu.org Parsha Teleconference, Rabbi Ari Zahtz, 12:30pm, call in 530881-1212, access code: 784-494-382#

Bubbe’s Kitchen: Traditional Shabbat and Holiday Treats, for preschoolers, Kat Joseph, JCC, Tenafly, 2pm, 201-408-1436 Instructional Hockey, for 2nd graders, Aharon Goldwasser, Ben Porat Yosef, Paramus, 4:45pm, goldwasser@gmail.com “Thoughts on the Parsha,” Rabbi Yosef Sharbat, Sephardic Shul, Cong Ahawas Achim Bnai Jacob and David, West Orange, 8pm, 973- 736-1407 Mishmar, includes a shiur with a guest scholar, pizza, and open Beit Medrash, Rutgers Hillel, New Brunswick, 8pm, 732-545-2407 Masechta Ta’anis, Rabbi Elozor Preil, Cong Beth Abraham, Bergenfield, 8:15pm, 201-384-0434 Gemara Class: Masechet Beitzah, Rabbi Eliezer Zwickler, Cong Ahawas Achim Bnai Jacob and David, West Orange, 8:30pm, 973- 736-1407 Parshat Shmuz, John Teitelbaum, Cong Shomrei Torah, Fair Lawn, 8:30pm, 201-791-7910 Amud-a-Week Chabura: Seventh Perek of Brachos, Rabbi Gershon West, Yeshiva Ner Boruch-Passaic Torah Institute, 8:30pm, 973-594-4774 or 862-371-3186 In-Depth Chabura, Rabbi Pesach Skulnick, Bais Medrash of Bergenfield, Hachana, 8:30pm; ma’ariv, 9:15pm; chaburah, 9:30pm, 201-637-7470 Chumash Shiur, Rabbi Yissocher Frand, via satellite, Cong K’Hal Zichron Mordechai, Monsey (845-356-7188);Young Israel of Fair Lawn (201-797-1800); Cong Keter Torah, Teaneck (201-907-0180); Cong Ohr Torah, West Orange (973-669-7320); Cong Tifereth Israel, Passaic (973773-2552); Cong Ahavas Achim, Highland Park (732-247-0532); Kehillas Bais Yehudah, Wesley Hills, (917-623-4711), Cong Knesses Yisrael, Spring Valley (845-354-6493); Cong Bais Torah, Suffern (845-352-1343), 9pm Hilchot Teshuva, Dr. Howie Nuer, Cong Shomrei Torah, Fair Lawn, 9:15pm, 201-791-7910 “Halacha L’Ma’aseh: Issues Brought to Life through the Teshuvot of Rav Moshe,” Rabbi Elozor Preil, Cong Beth Abraham, Bergenfield, 9pm, 201-384-0434 “Parsha and Halacha,” Rabbi Michael Taubes, Cong Bnai Yeshurun, Teaneck, after 10pm ma’ariv, 201-836-8916 Chabura with Mikraos Gedolos, Rabbi Elozor Preil, Cong Beth Abraham, Bergenfield, after 10pm ma’ariv, 201-384-0434

Fridays

Challah-Baking Workshop, Rebbetzin Tova Rapoport, spons by Chabad at the Shore, at Burger.org kosher restaurant, Margate, 10am, 609-822-8500 Chumash Shiur, Rabbi Shlomo Besser, Yeshiva Ner Boruch-Passaic Torah Institute, 10:30am, 973-594-4774 or 862-371-3186

Shabbat

Kahal Kadosh, followed by an authentic Moroccan Kiddush/ Dafina, held in Cong Bnai Yeshurun, Teaneck, Ben Ish Chai Chaburah learning, 8am; shacharit, 8:45am, erav@dahanicn.com Parsha, Rabbi Eliezer Zwickler, Cong Ahawas Achim Bnai Jacob and David, West Orange, 8:30am, 973-736-1407 Cocoa Club, ages 2-grade 2, Young Israel of East Brunswick, 9am, 732-254-1860 Daven and Dunkin, for girls in grades 7 and 8, Jordana Burstein, includes breakfast, meaning behind the Tefilot, and then joining the Teen Minyan, Cong Keter Torah, Teaneck, 9:15am, jordana. burstein@gmail.com Teen Minyan, includes study of Mishna Shevi-it after davening and Kiddush, Cong Keter Torah, Teaneck, 9:15am, leiser144@aol.com Teen Minyan, for middle school, high school, and college, Young Israel of East Brunswick, 9:45am, 732-254-1860 Children’s Groups, for ages 2-3 (without a parent), Pre-K and K, Grades 1-2, Grades 3-5, Young Israel of East Brunswick, 10am, 732-254-1860 Open Play, ages 2 and under, with a parent, Young Israel of East Brunswick, 10:15am, 732-254-1860

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September 2014 / Tishrei 5775

Torah Tots, for children and parents, Chaya Weisberg, Cong Keter Torah, Teaneck, 10:45am, chayaweisberg@yahoo.com Mommy, Daddy, and Me, for babies under age 2, with a parent, Young Israel of East Brunswick, 10:45am, 732-254-1860

Special Daily

Chumash, Rabbi Yisroel Kenner, private home in Riverdale, 2pm, 718-644-9417 Lilmod U’lilamed, for fathers of boys in grades 5-8 who want to keep up with their sons’ learning, spons by Ohr Samayach Monsey, every night of the week, 845-422-5314 or aw@os.edu

Chesed Ops

Bikur Cholim of Raritan Valley is looking for men who can go to hospitals on Rosh Hashana to blow shofar for Jewish patients, 732-690-7193 or volunteers@bikurcholimrv.org

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KosherTroops is looking for volunteers (cooks and drivers) to help with meals for two Jewish West Point cadets who keep strictly kosher. Contact atrasabol@friedwaldcenter.com Riverdale Lifeline to Israel is raising funds to buy a mobile bomb shelter for Ashdod, Israel’s fifth largest city. Checks greater than $5 can be made out to PEF Israel Endowment Fund with “Riverdale Lifeline/Ashdod” in the memo and sent to Riverdale Lifeline to Israel, POB 630211, Bronx, NY 10463. Contact info@ IsraelLifeLine.org Adopt-a-Soldier Program, to receive the name of an IDF soldier to add to your daily prayers, einyaaron@gmail.com West Orange Jewish Connection, a collaboration of local chesed committees, is looking for those who can host individuals or families for a friendly meal during the holidays, 973-818-7871 or WestOrangeJewishConnectionZ@gmail.com Y

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September 2014 / Tishrei 5775

Hamas Ceasefire in order to end any future attacks and threats against the Jewish state. Hamas dismissed Israel’s demand, and enumerated its own list: a seaport and an airport; opening the Erez Crossing into Israel and Rafah Crossing into Egypt; and the release of hundreds of convicted terrorists serving time in Israeli prisons. “We want serious negotiations that lead to an end of the aggression on Gaza and granting of the Palestinian demands,” said Mr. Meshaal. Seaport and Airport Since 2007, Israel has maintained a blockade on Gaza, carefully monitoring all imports in an effort to prevent the terrorists from amassing weapons. The Palestinians refer to the blockade, which supporters of Israel say is legal under international law, as “the siege.” Israel and Egypt view a sea port or airport in Gaza as a grave security risk that would allow weapons to flow freely into the Hamas stronghold. Construction of either would be a major political victory for Hamas. According to some reports, Turkey and Norway are prepared to build and operate a seaport for Hamas. No Cease, Only Fire Although Hamas agreed to the ceasefire, its operatives in Gaza continued launching missiles at Israel.

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continued from page 23 According to a report in the Arabic daily Al-Hayat, a senior member of Fatah, Mr. Abbas’s own faction of the PLO, said Hamas’s decision to breach the ceasefire was a result of a demand by Qatar. According to the source, officials in Qatar told Mr. Meshaal they would “force him to leave” if Hamas agreed to the Egyptian truce proposal. An unnamed security source told Israeli papers that the rocket salvo on Be’er Sheva, launched while the ceasefire was technically in effect, was orchestrated by Mr. Meshaal, who had bypassed Hamas’s “military wing,” the Al-Qassam Brigades, and ordered a specially-assigned unit of Hamas operatives to carry out the attack. No Negotiations under Fire Vowing that Israel would not negotiate “under fire,” Mr. Netanyahu said Israel’s campaign would continue “until the mission is completed,” which he defined as “an extended period of quiet in southern Israel,” which abuts on Gaza. He said Israel would not acquiesce to international pressure, and Defense Minister Moshe Ya’alon said Israel refused to be the only party abiding by the ceasefire. “If Hamas thinks it could exhaust us, it is wrong. We will return to negotiations only after a ceasefire. We will not compro-

mise on a ceasefire and an end to terrorism,” said Mr. Ya’alon. In Cairo, the only movement came from Egypt. In a draft agreement with the PA and Hamas, Egyptian officials agreed to open the Rafah Crossing if it were under the PA’s jurisdiction and not under Hamas control. Terror Can’t Pay At an Israeli Security Cabinet meeting, which convened after the truce was broken, Israeli Interior Minister Gidon Sa’ar of Likud stressed the importance of destroying Hamas’s military power. He emphasized that Israel must complete the operation to allow residents of the Gaza belt area to return to their homes. Ashkelon Regional Council head Yair Farjoun said that 60 percent of residents in communities close to Gaza had fled their homes. Nearly 80 percent of them expressed reluctance to return home following rocket fire. Foreign Minister Avigdor Liberman said that above all, Israel must not allow Hamas or any terrorist group to benefit from engaging in terror against the Jewish state. He stressed that if the terror group, its leaders, or the Palestinian public were to receive even a hint that Hamas’s demands were being met, all the terror groups surrounding Israel “will understand that terror pays, and we will pay dearly for it.” He said that the issue of granting Hamas a seaport or airport in Gaza was “not even open for debate.” Further, he said, the captured bodies of Second Lieutenant Hadar Goldin, z”l, and First Sergeant Oron Shaul, z”l, must be returned to Israel for proper burials. Moderate’s Money On August 11, news that Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates were interested

in pledging financial aid to rebuild Gaza served to renew Hamas’s interest in the negotiating table in Cairo. Saudi and UAE interest in the negotiations seems to have come at the behest of Israel and Egypt. The Saudis said their funding was conditioned on its use only for legitimate civilian projects, specifically barring the rebuilding of terror tunnels. It was not clear who would monitor the Saudi funds to ensure that Hamas does not construct civilian buildings that are also used for military purposes. Misreading The entry of other Arab and Muslim countries into the Hamas-Israel negotiating mix led to an American misreading of the situation and a subsequent delay in the truce. The Americans initially were convinced that the Muslim Brotherhood axis would be the group to end the conflict in Gaza. Mr. Meshaal believed he had the support of Secretary of State John Kerry to bring in Qatar as mediator. The Qatari foreign minister offered a ceasefire proposal, which had been drafted by Hamas and included all of the terror group’s demands. This proposal was given to the Americans. When presented with the proposal, Israel turned it down. American Antagonism The Obama administration, which had taken an aggressive position against Israel throughout the operation in Gaza, responded by attempting to pressure the Jewish state into accepting the truce. This included a phone call between President Barack Obama and Mr. Netanyahu that US officials called “particularly combative.” Mr. Obama called on Mr. Netanyahu to push for a “sustainable” ceasefire with Hamas.

http://jewishvoiceandopinion.com This surprised some Israelis and their supporters because the US recognizes Hamas as a terrorist organization and does not negotiate with terrorists. Israel was being asked to do something that Washington would not. Seemingly as retaliation, at the height of Protective Edge, Mr. Obama blocked a routine shipment of Hellfire missiles to Israel and ordered greater scrutiny on all future arms requests from Jerusalem. In Israel, several analysts said the Obama administration’s position made things very difficult, and actually prolonged the fighting. No American Role By the time the August ceasefire proposals were offered in Cairo, it was clear that the Obama administration’s role in the negotiations would be limited, if it existed at all. Former IDF General Amos Gilad, who was a member of the Israeli negotiating team, said the indirect negotiation process between Israel and Hamas was exhausting. “You sit for hours in a room, waiting for the minor changes made by either Hamas or the Egyptians to the agreement, many of them designed to trick you into making a bad deal,” he said. The negotiations took place in a Cairo hotel, with Israeli and Hamas terror officials sequestered in different rooms. Egyptian officials ferried proposals and changes to the deal between the two sides, who never met face-to-face. “For Hamas, Israel does not exist. Even if I wanted to conduct direct talks with them, they wouldn’t accept this. We also did not speak with members of the PA delegation. Everything was done by the Egyptians,” said Mr. Gilad. No Demands Met Mr. Meshaal was forced to accept the Egyptian initiative, which

September 2014 / Tishrei 5775

meant Hamas received none of its demands. Weapons will not easily be smuggled into Gaza from Iran, because both Israel and Egypt would intercept them. The terrorists may be able to manufacture their own homemade rockets, but the curtailment of materials will force them to work on a much smaller scale. They will not be resupplied as they were after Operation Cast Lead in early 2009 or Operation Pillar of Defense in 2012. While the reality has changed, the rhetoric has not. Even while Mr. Meshaal was being confronted with the Egyptian proposal, Hamas’s Al-Qassam Brigades issued a statement insisting that it has no intention of desisting from its goal to wipe Israel off the map. The statement made clear that in Hamas’s eyes, a truce is seen only an opportunity to rearm for the next terror war. “The warriors in Gaza are waiting with Allah’s help to renew the fighting, or to return to planning the next campaign. There’s no escape. Either jihad or planning (for the next jihad),” said the statement. Victory? There were cheers as well from Iran and Qatar. Leaders in both countries called the ceasefire a victory for Hamas. In Iran, the foreign ministry said the Palestinians in Gaza had d brought their Israeli foe “to its knees.” In Qatar, leaders of the gas-rich Gulf emirate offered to help rebuild Gaza. But the joy was not shared by Mr. Meshaal who expressed disappointment with the deal, which he called a “Hamas failure.” However, his counterparts in Gaza, led by former Hamas Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh, proclaimed victory and said Hamas agreed to the ceasefire only after

The Jewish Voice and Opinion

“inflicting a defeat” on Israel. Thousands of Islamic Jihad fighters paraded in a show of force wearing military fatigues and carrying assault rifles and different types of rockets. Their spokesman, Abu Hamza, praised the group’s Iranian backers and Hezbollah allies in Lebanon, and declared that Islamic Jihad would “redouble efforts” to rearm. He called Israel “a state ready for extinction and defeat in the face of any army of our Muslim nation.” More Victory The bravado did not impress Israeli officials in Mr. Netanyahu’s office, who also declared victory. Asked what Israel had achieved, Liran Dan, head of the National Information Directorate in the Prime Minister’s Office, said the “opposite question” should be asked. “What has Hamas achieved with this campaign? It set out with very clear goals and did

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not achieve them,” he said, ticking off Hamas’s failures: not getting a sea or airport; no funding allowed into Gaza; the blockade of Gaza remaining; no terrorists released; and mediation by Qatar foiled. “Hamas thought the Israeli public’s spirit would break after one week’s fighting, and was proved wrong,” he said. Future Negotiations Many Israelis were angered that according to the agreement, Hamas can negotiate for these goals later. Dissenting voices in the government prompted Mr. Netanyahu to avoid holding a Cabinet vote on whether to accept the ceasefire. Relying on legal opinion that allowed him to make the decision unilaterally, the Prime Minister did not allow ministers including Naftali Bennett (Economy), Gilad Erdan (Communications), Yitzchak Aharonovich (Internal Affairs), and

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Hamas Ceasefire Mr. Liberman to speak. Mr. Liberman insisted all six of his party’s ministers oppose any ceasefire deal with Hamas. Mr. Liberman demanded nothing less than the overthrow of Hamas. Concessions and Threats The head of the PA delegation team in Cairo, Azzam alAhmed, did not help when he said Israel had already agreed to ease the borders on Gaza and allow humanitarian and even some construction goods to enter. Restrictions on the fishing zone in Gaza have also reportedly been lifted. Senior Hamas official Mahmoud Al-Zahar declared that the organization intends to build a seaport and an airport with or without Israel’s permission. He implied that any construction materials brought into Gaza for the purpose of reconstruction will also be used to construct a seaport and an airport. “We will build our airport and our seaports and we will not ask for anyone’s permission, and whoever will attack our ports and our airport, we will attack their own ports and will once again attack their airport,” he said, referring to an episode early in Operation Protective Edge in which the Obama administration declared the Tel Aviv Airport off limits to American planes.

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continued from page 35 Good for Us Defense Minister Ya’alon dismissed the Hamas statement Speaking to Channel 2 News, he said “there is no chance” that Hamas will receive a seaport. Mr. Ya’alon said Israel had won a clear victory in Gaza and vowed that if Hamas were to resume rocket fire, the organization “would pay.” “From a military perspective, the victory is clear—everything the IDF touched, it defeated the other side,” he said, adding that the military achievements led to a ceasefire which is good for Israel and bad for Hamas. Hamas was forced to accept the Egyptian initiative over the one from Qatar, which was more favorable to the terrorists. “Hamas accepted the terms of the ceasefire as we wanted it, without conditions, without all the issues it tried to bring up, such as a seaport, airport, and prisoners. There is no chance Hamas will receive a seaport. It is not in the interests of Israel, the Egyptians, or even the PA,” he said. Surrender to Terror Nevertheless, local government leaders in the Gaza Belt also saw the ceasefire as surrender. “If the reports in the media are right, and the agree-

ment for a ceasefire is for one month only, in which Hamas’s demands for constructing ports will be discussed, then this is a surrender to terror,” said Tamir Idan, head of the Sderot Negev Regional Council. Ashkelon Mayor Itamar Shimoni said his constituents “wanted to see Hamas defeated and begging for its life. Instead we see Israel running to the negotiating table at every opportunity.” “We did not sit in the shelters and protected spaces for almost two months for this ‘achievement.’ We did not take a harsh economic blow, in which businesses collapsed, for this ‘achievement.’ We expected a lot more than this,” he said. “Hamas raised demands through violence, and it seems they can expect to get what they wanted. The conclusion is that the path of terror pays off, and therefore the next round of fighting is just a matter of time. As far as I am concerned, a ceasefire agreement in this reality means starting to prepare the systems in Ashkelon for the next round, and it will be more grave and lethal than anything we have known up to now.” Not a Victory By the end of August, a poll conducted for Channel 2 News found that a full 59 percent of Israelis did not believe their country had emerged victorious from Operation Protective Edge. Only 29 percent said Israel had won. Fifty-four percent opposed the ceasefire, while 37 percent supported it. Respondents made clear that their disappointment was not with the military. Eighty-three percent said they were satisfied with the way the IDF had performed. The respondents’ anger

was reserved for the politicians, in particular Mr. Netanyahu. When Operation Protective Edge was launched, a whopping 82 percent of Israelis supported the Prime Minister, prompting an angry President Obama, who was demanding concessions from Israel, to respond that Mr. Netanyahu had “too much public support.” The President said Mr. Netanyahu needed “internal pressure” in order to make land concessions to the PA. But when concessions were made in the form of accepting a ceasefire and negotiations with Hamas, the Israeli public was furious. Four days before the ceasefire , Mr. Netanyahu still garnered a 55 percent approval rating. After the announcement of the truce, Mr. Netanyahu’s approval level fell to 38 percent; two days later, it dipped to 32 percent. A full 59 percent said they were not satisfied with him. Eager for Terror In contrast, according to a poll by the Palestinian Center for Public Opinion, in mid-August during a six-day humanitarian ceasefire, 54 percent of Gazans said they were satisfied with Mr. Abbas’s performance during the conflict in Gaza, while 38.6 percent were not. Almost 89 percent of Gaza residents said they support rocket attacks on Israel: 60.3 percent “strongly supported” the attacks, while 28.6 percent supported them somewhat. Last January, 49 percent of Gazans favored rocket attacks. Not surprisingly, given the UN schools’ assistance to Hamas during the war, especially allowing terrorists to store weapons in their facilities, 71.2 percent of respondents rated UNRWA’s performance

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September 2014 / Tishrei 5775

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Ess Gezint: Liqueurs for the Holidays Sukkah Hill Spirits, a family-owned business created by California-based couple Marni and Howard Witkin, offers two felicitously named liqueurs: Etrog and Besamim. Mrs. Witkin, the company’s taste-mistress, created her original Etrog Liqueur as a solution to the perennial Jewish question about what to do with the fruit once the holiday ends and the sukkah is put back in the garage. Some people save etrogs as an aromatic refresher for the following Tisha B’Av; Mrs. Witkin used them to make a liqueur. “Marni shared the home-made liqueur with our friends, and soon dozens of people were bringing her their etrogim after the holidays. Before we knew it, we had our own distilled spirits plant, national distribution, kosher certification, and a hand-

Etrog Honey Cake

ful of gold and silver medals,” said Mr. Witkin. He is a lifelong technology entrepreneur who originally wrote video games for Atari, then built and sold a network systems integration company, followed by an internet marketing business. Today he serves as director of business development for Sukkah Hill. Sukkah Hill’s lightly sweet, lemony, high-proof Etrog Liqueur won the 2013 SIP award as the best fruit liqueur. The company’s Besamim won the SIP Gold Medal as the best herbal/ botanical liqueur. As its name suggests, Besamim Liqueur is a sweet aromatic mixture of nutmeg, cinnamon, and vanilla. Widely available, these liqueurs make great gifts for Sukkoth. In addition to being a delicious drink on its own or for Havdala, it works wonders in these recipes provided. Chag Sameach, everyone.Y

Besamim Yams

4 large carrots Cinnamon to taste, 1 cup strongly brewed black 3½ cups flour 3 medium yams usually 3-6 tsp tea, cooled to room tem1 cup sugar 3 Tbs Besamim Liqueur perature ½ cup brown sugar 3 large eggs Preheat oven to 400°. Arrange carrots and yams, cut to size, 2 tsp baking soda ¹/3 cup plus ½ cup Etrog Liin a baking pan. Spoon liqueur over the vegetables and sprinkle 2 tsp baking powder queur, divided with cinnamon. Bake for 45 minutes, or until tender, stirring oc2 Tbs ground cinnamon 1 cup plus 2 Tbs applesauce casionally. 1 cup plus ½ cup honey, 1 tsp vanilla divided Confectioner’s sugar, optional Grilled Red Trout with Etrog 1 cup vegetable oil Red trout fillet Black pepper Preheat oven to 350°. Grease three 8x4-inch loaf pans. ComEtrog Liqueur Vinegar bine flour, sugars, baking soda, baking powder and cinnamon Brown sugar in a large bowl. In a small bowl, combine 1 cup honey with the Combine last four ingredients to make a marnade. Marinate oil, then add to the dry ingredients and whisk in tea, eggs, ¹/3 the fish, skin on, for up to 4 hours. Spray grill with olive oil and cup Etrog Liqueur, applesauce, and vanilla. Combine thorough- the skin side of the fish with a thick coat of olive oil. Lay fish on ly. Pour batter into prepared pans and bake for 45-55 minutes, oiled grill. Grill fish until the top starts to become opaque. Shake until a tester tests clean. Cool cakes in pans for 10 minutes. Mix a light rub of brown sugar and pepper over the trout. Lightly mist together the remaining ½ cup of honey and ½ cup of liqueur. with olive oil. Flip the fish so the skin is down. Drizzle remaining Then poke cakes all over with a skewer, and, very slowly, spoon marinade over the fish, sprinkle with brown sugar rub, and cook the honey-liqueur mixture over the cakes, allowing the liquid a few minutes until flaky. to saturate the cakes. When cool, remove from pans. Wrapping and storing the cakes for a day improves the flavor. To serve, dust with confectioner’s sugar, if desired.

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Hamas Ceasefire

September 2014 / Tishrei 5775

The Jewish Voice and Opinion

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as “good;” 21.8 percent said it was “fair;” and 6.8 percent called it “bad.” The respondents opposed the presence of a UN peacekeeping force in Gaza, similar to the multinational force deployed in southern Lebanon, by a majority of 61.2 percent to 29.3 percent, with 9.5 percent declining to respond. They also did not care for the idea of an EU-monitored arrangement whereby the PA would take control of Gaza’s crossings into Israel and joint Egyptian-Israeli control over crossings into Egypt. Just 37.7 percent supported that idea, while 56.6 percent opposed. Asked how they felt about “disarming the Palestinian resistance,” 93 percent of Gazans objected, saying those arms were needed to fight Israel. “Opportunity” Asked for his response, Secretary of State Kerry said that while he felt “strong support” for the truce agreement, he saw it as “an opportunity, not a certainty.” “We are approaching the next phase with our eyes wide open. We have been down this road before and we are all aware of the challenges ahead. Today’s agreement comes after many hours and days of intensive discussions about how a sustainable ceasefire might provide the space and the opportunity to address long-term issues,” he said. He said “certain bedrock outcomes,” such as a cessation of terror tunnels and rocket attacks on Israel would need to be incorporated into any long-term agreement. Asked if Mr. Kerry had plans to restart the peace process anytime soon, US State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki said no. Mr. Kerry’s last attempt failed last April when the PA signed a unity-government deal with Hamas. Keeping Soldiers Safe Addressing the issue of why he opted for a ceasefire rather than continuing the war, Mr. Netanyahu told reporters that when the mission to destroy the tunnels was complete, he saw no point in placing Israeli soldiers at risk, “We continued to strike from the air and killed around 1,000 enemy terrorists, including officials in the command echelon. I figured: Why do I need to go in? If I can hit them from the air and grind them down without risking soldiers’ lives,

why should I go in?” he said. He said it was still possible the IDF will eventually topple Hamas completely, but, he said, he looked at the example of how the US in Iraq dealt with a similar situation in Fallujah, which is one-tenth the size of Gaza. US troops fought valiantly and then pulled out, which was a cue for the Islamists to take over again. “In order to prevent this from happening in Gaza, after Hamas is toppled, Israel would have to remain there, and this would be very costly,” he said. Not only would soldiers die, but the

cost of rebuilding Gaza would fall to Israel as the occupying force. Just maintaining Palestinians’ civil life there would cost $2.8 billion annually. The negotiator Mr. Gilad agreed with Mr. Netanyahu that the Gazans and Hamas had nothing to celebrate because the ceasefire deal had gained them nothing. “There is no connection between reality and the celebrations in Gaza. Hamas agreed to a deal because we broke them militarily, not for any other reason. In the end, Hamas did not get anything, and agreed to the deal against its will.” S.L.R.

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Hamas

September 2014 / Tishrei 5775

Tell Our Advertisers “I Saw It in The Jewish Voice and Opinion”

continued from page 1

coming,” said Yedidya Atlas, an analyst and senior officer in the IDF reserves. Needing Cover However, while many Israeli officials believed the threatened tunnel attack was sufficient cause to mount an assault on Hamas, they were also convinced more tangible grounds would be politically beneficial. “As much for domestic purposes as for foreign powers,” said Mr. Atlas. Hamas gave Israel what it needed in the form of three Israeli teenagers, Eyal Yifrah, Gilad Sha’ar and Naftali Frenkel, whom the terrorists kidnapped and murdered in June. Coupled with an ever-increasing number of missiles, rockets, and mortars fired into Israel from Gaza (especially into central Israel, including Tel Aviv and Herzliya), the deaths of the three teens mobilized Is-

raelis behind their leadership when the decision was made to launch Operation Protective Edge. More than Lawn-Mowing Even officials in Europe and the US felt unable to criticize when the Israeli operation first began. It was only after a few weeks that condemnations against the Jewish state became vitriolic. Israeli attacks were said to be “disproportional” (many more Palestinians than Israelis were dying) and against inappropriate targets. Pictorial proof that Hamas was using its own citizens as human shields—and institutions like schools, hospitals, mosques, and cemeteries as rocket-launching sites—did little to quell the denunciations and protests. Even a descriptive one-liner from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu—we use our weapons to protect our civilians;

they use their civilians to protect their weapons”—worked well only where Israel’s position was appreciated. Initially, some Israelis referred to the early airstrikes over Gaza as “mowing the lawn,” a periodic action necessary to set Hamas back, but it soon became clear that Operation Protective Edge would be a bigger campaign than either Operation Cast Lead in 2008 or Operation Pillar of Defense in 2012, both also against Hamas in Gaza. The tunnels changed the course of public opinion. When Did They Know? No one doubts that the IDF was determined to destroy the tunnels, but there is disagreement about when the Jewish state recognized how many tunnels there were, how extensive and sophisticated they were, or how Hamas planned to use them. Some reports said that while the IDF certainly knew about the tunnels, no one was aware of the extent of the problem before Operation Protective Edge began and several soldiers were killed by terrorists who penetrated Israel through them. These reports claim Israeli officials learned of the planned Rosh Hashana attack through confessions made by Hamas terrorists taken captive. Mr. Atlas disagreed, pointing out that there had been cabinet meetings about the issue and the IDF was able to send troops directly to the tunnel shafts. “We may not have known exactly how many there were, but we knew they were deadly,” he said. Video An IDF-produced-andcirculated video showing an incident in which 13 terror-

ists emerged from a tunnel near Sufa in the northwestern Negev on July 17, struck the Israeli public like lightning. The video shows terrorists scuttling back into the tunnel before an Israeli missile blast hits the shaft’s entrance. There were no reports of terrorists killed in the incident. Hamas claimed they all made it back to Gaza safely. The video became a major factor in galvanizing Israeli public support for the ground offensive in Gaza. Whether or not it was an afterthought, Israelis wanted those tunnels destroyed. According to Mr. Atlas, before the war, Israeli officials thought there were between nine and thirteen cross-border tunnels. Israel found fourteen. Some were old; others very new. Child Labor In all Israel destroyed 31 tunnels. Most led from Gaza to just under the border fence with Israel. In some of the tunnels, IDF troops found tranquilizers and plastic handcuffs that would have been used to kidnap Israelis. Others contained weapons and even motorcycles. According to a 2012 paper in the Journal of Palestine Studies, many of those who dug the tunnels were children, chosen for their “nimble bodies.” The author, Nicolas Pelham, said that police knew this, but nothing was done to help the children, at least 160 of whom died while digging. Other Victims Children were not the tunnels’ only Palestinian victims. At the beginning of Operation Protective Edge, in an attempt to prevent the tunnels’ secret locations from being revealed to Israeli security forces, dozens of Gazan tunnel diggers were

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September 2014 / Tishrei 5775

The Jewish Voice and Opinion

Index of Advertisers Events/Entertainment

Ad With Coupon

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9/16: OHEL Planning for Caregivers . . . . . 7 9/22: Rally against Pro-Terrorist Opera.. . . 3

Burial Services

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Eden Memorial Chapels . . . . . . . . . . . . 46

Camps & Summer Programs

Camp Regesh . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33

Car Service

Teaneck Taxi . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

Catering Services

Simcha Hall . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31

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Donate Your Car . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Umbrella Tzedaka . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36

Computer Services

Aldine Web & Print . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38 Rivkie.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

executed by Hamas, according to a report on the Israeli website, Mako. “They would take the diggers, about 100 men, in vans with blindfolds so that they wouldn’t know the location of the tunnels and, at the end of the day, would blindfold them again and return them to their homes. They feared that maybe one of them was collaborating with Israel,” said M, a former tunnel digger and himself an Israeli collaborator. According to M, masked Hamas officials would conduct daily strip searches on the diggers to make sure they were not wearing recording devices or hidden cameras. “They knew Israel was constantly tailing them,” said M. Hard Labor He said diggers worked an average of between eight and 12 hours per day with breaks, and received a monthly wage of between $150 and $300. Most tunnels were built under civilian homes, chicken coops, and pens, located about two kilo-

Home Products & Services

Kosher Restaurant, Take-Out

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Medical Services

Holy Name Medical Center . . . . . . . . . . 2 Inspire Vision & Learning Center . . . . 24 Psychotherapy, Chana Simmonds . . 43 OBGYN, Dr. Efrat Meier-Ginsberg . . . 43 Ohel Regional Family Center . . . . . . . 20

meters from the border. Once the tunnels were completed, Hamas executed dozens of the diggers who were suspected of collaborating with Israel. “They were very cruel,” said M. “They annihilated some of the diggers because there was a rumor circulating that a few had worked with Israel or had been in touch with Israeli civilians. They feared Israel would learn the location of the tunnels and who was involved in making them.” During Operation Protective Edge, the IDF and the Israel Security Agency (Shin Bet) captured about 300 terrorists, among whom were dozens of tunnel diggers. Confirmation Some information came from a letter written by a 30-yearold Palestinian and smuggled out of Gaza to Itzik Azar, an Israeli living in the coastal region who had been a friend of the writer’s deceased father. After his father was murdered by the Hamas terrorists who seized his metalwork shop

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Miscellaneous

Anshei Lubavitch Sukkah Sale . . . . . . 25 Friends of IDF Thank You . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 JONAH . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Glitter Galore . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 Natali Ladies Wear of Monsey . . . . . . . 21 One Israel Fund . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 Shop Your Closet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Sukkah Hut . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Sukkah Outlet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Insert

Musician

Jeff Wilks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Real Estate

Bergenfield, NJ FSBO . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Bergenfield, NJ FSBO Split Level . . . . Ruby Kaplan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . West Orange, NJ FSBO . . . . . . . . . . . . .

35 42 34 40

Travel & Vacations

Destinations by Yossi Zablocki . . . . . . 17 Kosherica . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48 Walking Israel Tour . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

to produce rockets, the penniless son seized a mysterious job offer. He wrote about being picked up in a windowless truck with five other men and brought to a building from which they dug tunnels in intense shifts lasting ten days. He realized what he had done after reading about the tunnels. “We pray that the world will help to free us from the fearful and cruel Hamas rule in the Gaza strip/ I pray for death to all Hamas members and that we will get freedom and a chance to live a normal life for our children in Gaza, Allah willing,” he wrote. Expertise Israel learned that the tunnel diggers used electric and pneumatic jackhammers, advancing four or five yards a day. The tunnels were mostly dug 60-82 feet underground, although one was discovered at a depth of 115 feet, a depth equivalent to the height of a ten-story building. Digging such tunnels re-

quires engineering and geological expertise. The tunnels were usually dug through sandy soil and their roofs were supported by a more durable level of clay. As they were dug, the tunnels had to be reinforced by concrete panels, usually manufactured in adjacent workshops. Many of these workshops were also targeted by the IDF during Operation Protective Edge. Leaving Hamas in Charge Whether or not attacks on the tunnels were an afterthought, Israel’s initial stated aim in going after Hamas was to reduce the number of rockets in the terrorists’ arsenal and degrade the terrorists’ ability to use them. “From the beginning, we promised to return the quiet to Israel’s citizens, and we will continue to act until that aim is achieved. We will take as much time as necessary, and will exert as much force as needed,” Mr. Netanyahu said publicly at the beginning of August

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September 2014 / Tishrei 5775

Tell Our Advertisers “I Saw It in The Jewish Voice and Opinion”

Palestine Is Not Worth a Judenrein Europe By Richard Mather One of the most alarming experiences as a European is to see how our politicians and the media continue to criticize Israel but not the murderous Palestinians, whose pseudonational aspirations garner more attention than Syrian war casualties, Chinese hu-

Hamas

man rights abuses, and the plight of women and girls enslaved by Islamic terrorists. It is strange that the Palestinians—who have no historical, cultural, or legal rights to the land of Israel—are endowed with international and economic patronage by the US, the EU, and the UN.

How did the Palestinians and their Arabist-Islamist backers manage to achieve such a feat? A Hoax First, the Palestinians have learned that violence is rewarded. Acts of terror against Israelis have only strengthened the West’s belief that a Palestin-

ian state is of paramount importance. The latest round of fighting in Gaza confirms this. Second, the Palestinians have managed to convince most of the world that they are a landless, suffering people, whose plight is equal to that of the Jews in the 1930s and ‘40s.

and Egypt, and we both want to prevent the terrorists from gaining too much power. But it keeps Hamas effectively in control of Gaza,” said Mr. Atlas. No Palestinian State While Israel believes it is in its best interest for Mr. Abbas to be in charge of the Rafah Crossing, few believe the PA president will be able to keep Hamas in check. Israelis say that scenario underscores the reasons the Jewish state cannot relinquish Judea and Samaria to the PA. “Don’t talk to us about giving away Judea and Samaria if Abbas can’t take control of Gaza,” said Mr. Atlas. “When the Americans want to talk about security solutions, we need to tell them to study the situation in Gaza. Until Gaza is under control, there can’t be a Palestinian state.” Brought to Its Knees Instead, Mr. Atlas said, Israel opted to bring Hamas to its knees, and force the terrorists to accept a ceasefire on Israel’s terms. “The terrorists’ boasting notwithstanding, all anyone has to do is look at Gaza to see what has been left,” he said. Aerial photos tell the story. Gaza looks as if it had been hit by massive earthquakes. Israel struck more than 6,000 targets. Thousands of buildings, many of them the homes and apartments of Hamas com-

manders and operatives of all ranks, have been destroyed completely; tens of thousands will require major construction work. Hundreds of thousands of Gazans are homeless. The Hamas infrastructure, including stores of weapons, weapons-manufacturing workshops, offices, and banks, was demolished. Casualties According to Israeli officials, there were 2,127 casualties on the Palestinian side. The IDF said it has determined with “100 percent certainty” that Israeli forces killed 616 terrorist officials and operatives, most of them affiliated with Hamas, but some with Islamic Jihad. According to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office, approximately 1,000 terrorists and 706 civilians died during Protective Edge. More than 400 have yet to be identified. Hamas, which claims 80 percent of those killed were civilians, cites figures from the Palestinian Health Ministry, which is run by Hamas operative Dr. Ashraf Al-Qurda., Many journalists now concede the public relations war on Israel is a matter of numbers, and the Palestinian arithmetic just does not add up. For example, the PHM maintains that men between 20 and 29 represent 34 percent of the death toll, but only 9 percent of Gaza’s 1.7 million residents.

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after some earlier reports indicated IDF troops may have been withdrawing. According to Mr. Atlas, there was never an intention to topple Hamas. Hamas was to be left in charge of Gaza so that it could enforce a ceasefire policy not only on its own operatives, but also on the other Gaza-based terror groups, such as Islamic Jihad. No Alternative Mr. Atlas explained that while Israel might prefer for Gaza to be ruled under the auspices of Mahmoud Abbas, president of the Palestinian Authority (PA), no one has any idea if he could take control, militarily or politically. The fact that he would be entering Gaza only because Israel made it safe for him to do so would have been problematic. For years, some Israelis have harbored the hope that Egypt, which relinquished control of Gaza under the 1979 Camp

David Accords, might agree to take it back. Thus far, the Egyptians have rejected that possibility. While many Israelis—especially those who had been expelled from Gaza in 2005 by then-Prime Minister Ariel Sharon—thought the time was ripe for Israel to retake and resettle Gaza, Mr. Atlas, who opposed the 2005 “disengagement” from Gaza, said going back would have required 100,000 troops and billions of dollars. Working with Egypt Instead, Israel, working with Egypt, devised a plan that may suit everyone, except Hamas. The planned agreement calls for the PA—not Hamas — to oversee the Rafah Crossing and be responsible for reconstruction materials and funds coming into Gaza. “This means Hamas will be under the supervision of Israel

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September 2014 / Tishrei 5775

The Jewish Voice and Opinion

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“Honor the Professional According to Your Need”

That is also the group most likely to be Hamas operatives, and it is so over-represented in the death toll, that it would be nearly impossible for 80 percent of them to be civilians. Playing with Numbers Proof has surfaced that Hamas repeated names more than once in casualty counts given to major media outlets, such Al-Jazeera. And nobody knows if Hamas includes among its civilian casualties those whom the terror group assassinated or killed accidentally when bombs misfired. According to Israeli intelligence, Hamas began the war with more than 10,000 rockets. It is estimated that 2,5003,000 are left. Almost 25 percent of the rockets fired by Hamas landed in Gaza. Some had been fired at Israeli soldiers during the ground offensive, but others landed short, which means

Hamas dropped explosives on its own people. Israelis and their supporters point out that no army in history worked as hard to avoid civilian casualties as the IDF did during Operation Protective Edge. Civilians were warned with leaflets, text-messages, and loudspeakers to flee before attacks, which were often aimed with precision at Hamas and terrorist targets. Hamas, on the other hand, worked to convince civilians to remain in their homes, acting as human shields or propaganda fodder. Missiles were launched from densely populated civilian areas, as well as from schools and hospitals, which often were used to store ammunition. Who Pays? The conflict has left Gaza in ruins. “If we had reoccupied Gaza, rebuilding would be

our responsibility. Now it is up to Hamas. If the international community wants to help them, they are welcome to it,” said Mr. Atlas. Still, he said, without new technology including the Iron Dome defense system and precise weapons, Israel might have had to reconquer Gaza, where the military death toll and cost would have been high. There are still tens of thousands of armed, wanted terrorists in Gaza. Going after them would require tanks or armored personnel carriers. The cost of maintaining Palestinians’ civil life in Gaza would be more than $2.8 billion annually. “Is that what Israel needs right now?” said Mr. Atlas. Message to Hezbollah Most analysts agree that Hamas has been set back at least ten years in its capability. Even if it could get the mate-

rials—which Hamas vows it will—it would take more than five years to rebuild just the tunnels. Just as important, said Mr. Atlas, was the message sent to Israel’s other enemies, especially Hezbollah. “During the Second Lebanon War in 2006, we destroyed dozens of buildings in which Hezbollah terrorists were hiding. In Gaza, we destroyed thousands. Hezbollah can do the math, and now they know we are not afraid of attrition. We have the stamina, patience, determination, and the ability to withstand their attacks and beat them badly,” said Mr. Atlas. Nevertheless, Hezbollah’s intentions in the north furnish another reason that Israel opted not to retake Gaza. “We can’t have all our soldiers involved in Gaza when we need them also to be prepared in the north,” said Mr. Atlas. S.L.R.

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September 2014 / Tishrei 5775

Promoting Classical Judaism

The motto of your magazine is “Promoting Classical Judaism.” After reading The Jewish Voice and Opinion for years, I would like to know just how your magazine promotes “classical Judaism.” Month after month, we read articles about Israeli politics, the Palestinians, news about upcoming conferences, and other current events issues. Often, lots of sarcasm (and cynicism) is thrown in as well. However, I am not here to quibble about the merits of these articles, or their value to your readers. I just question how your magazine is truly promoting the Jewish religion by such articles. A “classic” connotes something that has endured the test of time. Yes, way before there was a State of Israel, there was “classical Judaism,” although one would not know that from the articles in your magazine. And that religion is centered around the Torah. Would it therefore be so difficult, if you truly wanted to promote “classical Judaism,” to be mindful of this in your publication, and incorporate appropriate articles that further the goal espoused by your motto? Name Withheld Passaic, NJ SLR responds: For almost 28 years, The Jewish Voice and Opinion has been an attempt to speak out forcefully and unashamedly for the unique concerns of what we have termed “classical Judaism.” As a politically conservative Jewish publication, we take it as our mission to present news and feature articles not generally available elsewhere in the Jewish and secular media. In fact, it is our conviction that if they are informed by the Torah, subjects such as politics, conferences, and other secular issues, including the outrage expressed in “The Current Crisis” under the rubric that “Even in Laughter, the Heart Can Ache,” from Mishlei, constitutes “classical Judaism.” When The Jewish Voice and Opinion cites a religious authority, it is an Orthodox rabbi. When we run human-interest pieces, we aim to show services or activities that lend themselves to an observant lifestyle, or observant people who are doing interesting things. The Log is full of lectures, classes, and celebrations that are part and parcel of the observant-Jewish community. The header for The Log is from Pirkei Avos, “Separate Yourself Not from the Community.” The events we encourage readers to enjoy are the embodiment of “classical Judaism.” The recipes we feature in Ess Gezint are kosher, usually taken from cookbooks or companies that serve the Orthodox-Jewish community. We often run real estate ads under our editorial exhortation to “live where you can walk to shul.” Even the ads we run are mindful of the community we reach. At the beginning of each issue, we remind readers that “all advertising in The Jewish Voice and Opinion must conform to the standards of Orthodox Rabbinic kashruth.” The paper will not knowingly accept ads that would encourage anyone to violate the Sabbath or holidays. The Jewish Voice and Opinion is not a journal of religious thought or rabbinic exegesis. It is a publication of Jewish interest, inspired by our classical Jewish religious tradition.

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Letters to the Editor

Just Doing My Job, Too

“Don’t thank us; we are just doing our jobs.” What is a job? Is it merely an occupation or task? Is it a set of goals that one wishes to accomplish? A “job” may mean different things to different people, but while the interpretation of what a job is may differ, very few would deem doing something that risks life and limb a mere job. Knowing this, how must I come to terms with what I experienced and consistently heard last week on the Israel Solidarity Mission I was part of? When I arrived in Israel I was nervous how I would be perceived. At home I generally feel some level of self-worth, but how can I feel worthy of anything when kids my age and younger are fighting and risking everything for my people and beliefs. When I arrived at my trip’s first army base, I felt embarrassed and my feeling of self-worth escaped me. I was wearing a polo shirt, J Crew shorts, and sneakers, while my Israeli peers were wearing army green uniforms and black boots. I was wearing a watch and the soldiers were wearing weapons; I was nervous about a stomach ache and the soldiers were focused on the Hamas terrorists only a couple miles away in Gaza. As I was becoming more and more embarrassed, and a bit ashamed, I was caught off guard by the cheerful and overly gracious voices of Israeli soldiers. “No! Thank You!” was all I heard coming from the mouths of the amazing soldiers we were continuously meeting. While I was attempting to show my immense appreciation and admiration for those I considered to be heroes, those heroes were treating me as if I was the hero and I was the one risking everything. I was in shock. Every solider I visited, whether it be on an army base, hospital, or rehabilitation center, was thanking and praising me for merely jumping on a plane and riding a bus to come see him or her. My initial feelings of self-worthlessness and embarrassment were beginning to transform into confusion and awe. I kept asking myself how the heroes and warriors of the Jewish people could possibly thank me when they were the ones fighting and they were the ones risking everything. I felt that my trip was outside of the war, merely an aid and means of supporting the effort against the most recent enemies of the Jewish people. The soldiers were making it seem like I was part of the effort itself. This contrast was forcing me to reevaluate what I was doing and what exactly my mission to Israel was about. Going into the last day of my trip, I found myself utterly amazed and bewildered at the Israeli soldiers and civilians we had met. I came to Israel in order to thank and show how much I appreciated them, but the exact opposite kept on happening. Why were these people who were physically suffering and experiencing terror thanking me for merely coming to see them? I found my answer on my last army base visit. I was greeted by a reservist who was commanding a tank unit on the border with Gaza. Upon seeing him, I immediately began thanking him and showing my appreciation for what he was doing and the sacrifices he was making. This solider, similar to the countless others I had met, began emphatically thanking me for coming to see him. But in addition to thanking me, this soldier said something that completely changed my understanding and resolved what had been bothering me since the

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September 2014 / Tishrei 5775

The Jewish Voice and Opinion

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“Thought Is the World of Freedom” (R’ Dov Ber of Mazeritch) moment I first heard a soldier thank me: “Don’t thank us; we are just doing our jobs”. A job is more than a task or occupation. It extends beyond one’s goals. A job is a role that one must fill. According to the soldiers, their service and sacrifices was the role they were playing in the ultimate Jewish fight against terror and antisemitism. The appreciation and gratitude they showed toward me was a result of this belief and understanding. The courageous soldiers believed that what I was doing was another role being filled by another “soldier” in the war. My trip to Israel and the soldiers I visited helped me realize that what I do to defend and support Israel in the US is significant. It is the role I am filling; it is the job I am fulfilling. We must be active in our service to the Jewish People. For just as we need and appreciate those on the battlefield of Gaza, those in Israel need and appreciate us on the battlefields abroad. Ethan Stadmauer Livingston, NJ

Bill Pascrell Equates Israelis and Palestinians

At the end of August, I went to a Town Hall meeting hosted by Rep Bill Pascrell (D-NJ) in Clifton. To be fair, I arrived late to the meeting, so I did not hear his full, prepared remarks. What I did hear was a question from a middle-aged man who identified himself as “a Jew and a Zionist,” who opined that he “did not like what Israel was doing in Gaza” and requested that the US stop sending money to Israel. Of course, the handful of our kehila in the audience booed him loudly. The Congressman silenced us, asking that we “show respect,” and reminding us that the man had the right to his opinion. Fair enough. What was not fair was that Mr. Pascrell did not then ask the man what was his objection, nor did he emphasize that Israel is our staunchest ally in the Middle East, as evidenced by the Senate’s August 1 approval of $225 million in funding for the Iron Dome. What Mr. Pascrell did was equate the Palestinians with the Israelis—something to the effect that, “I don’t agree completely with either side, but I think both sides want peace.” Ever the politician, he made sure to name Hamas as the villain, and he allowed the questioner to fire a final salvo, branding the Israelis of 1948 as terrorists—no better than Hamas. Mr Pascrell repeated that he agreed Israel is not perfect. I wanted to make sure the community was aware of this exchange. Esther Liba Krause Passaic, NJ

Kidney Donor Needed

We have lived in Teaneck since 1983 and are members of Congregation Bnai Yeshurun. I am very much in need of a kidney transplant, and am appealing for someone willing to perform this life-saving mitzvah. I have been approved for a renal transplant and am on the national list, the United Network for Organ Transplant. I am also working with Project Renewal. Without a donor, the wait list is 3.5 years (if I live that long) and I will receive only a cadaver kidney, with a much lower success rate and life expectancy. Halachic issues of organ donation are discussed at Project Renewal’s website. Healthy donors can donate and live a full life with one kidney. The Government covers all a donor’s costs. Any not covered (travel, etc.) are picked up by Project Renewal. Anyone considering this life-saving mitzvah should call Project Renewal at 718-431-9831 or Donna Walton at 973-3225047 at Barnabus Health and mention David Sarna. You can also speak to Elenor Simchera, RN at 973-322-2331. Even if a prospective donor is not a match for me, Barnabus will arrange a three-way swap through the Alternative Living Donor Program. A donation can also be arranged through Cornell in New York. Please spread the word, as the need is great. Call me at 201-357-2084. David E Y Sarna Teaneck, NJ

Helping Jews in France

We have been very concerned about attacks on Jews and synagogues in France, so I contacted a good friend currently living there to ask what we can do. Anyone interested in donating to their security efforts, which sadly now include buying bulletproof vests for security volunteers and supplying Krav Mmaga lessons for the community, can contribute here in the US directly through a synagogue in France. We need people to spread the word. If you have questions feel free to send me a message at Laviemarg@gmail.com. Lavie Margolin West Orange, NJ

The Jewish Voice and Opinion welcomes letters, especially if they are typed, double-spaced, and legible. We reserve the right to edit letters for length and style. Please send all correspondence to POB 8097, Englewood, NJ 07631. The phone number is (201) 5692845. The FAX number is (201) 569-1739. The email address is susan@jewishvoiceandopinion.com

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September 2014 / Tishrei 5775

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A Hate Incident By Elon Gold

This past Friday night, instead of en-

joying a peaceful Shabbat in my home, I had three compassionate LAPD officers standing in my kitchen explaining the difference between a “hate crime” and a “hate incident.” My family was the victim of the latter. We were walking home in Los Angeles after a Friday night dinner at a friend’s house, dressed nicely for Shabbat, easily identifiable as a Jewish family. We waited for a light to change on a corner of a major intersection when a black Mercedes SUV pulled up alongside us. Four Middle Eastern men in their 20’s were in the car. The one in the back rolled down his window and yelled, “Free Palestine!” I immediately turned to face them, knowing I was in danger and, like the incident involving the rabbi who was

Not Worth It

gunned down in Miami on his way to synagogue or the young couple walking to shul on the Upper East Side of New York, this was the beginning of either a hate crime or a hate incident, but either way, hate was coming our way. Free Palestine We all know too well, that “Free Palestine” means free Palestine of every Jew. The chant is “Free Palestine, from the river to the sea.” That doesn’t mean they want a two state solution. They want Hitler’s final solution and a Jew-free Middle East. The Arab young man opened the car door, stepped onto the street, and yelled at me, my wife, and four young children: “I hope your children die! Just like you are killing children in Gaza!” We all stood silently in utter horror and fear. Then he got back in the Mercedes and they drove off.

Shock We were in a state of complete shock. My ten-year-old daughter started crying and couldn’t stop. She kept yelling, “I’m scared.” My five-year-old daughter asked me why they want her to die. My other kids were too rattled to say anything. I was stunned that I could no longer feel safe walking on Shabbat with my family in my city. I’ve read about all the antisemitism throughout Europe, but here in the US? That my innocent children were exposed to this level of antisemitism shook me to my core. These people were wishing my children dead, right to their angelic faces. This was beyond appalling. I couldn’t believe someone could go so far as to wish my children dead and blame me for the death of children in Gaza. Me? I’ve been killing children in Gaza? I’m a

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This has to be one of history’s biggest hoaxes. And it is a very dangerous hoax indeed. Why? Because the “Palestinian issue” has enabled Europe to reconnect with its Jew-hating past by blurring the line between anti-Zionism and antisemitism. No Longer Safe The fact that Jewish businesses across the world are being boycotted is testament to the perverse success of the Palestinian movement. Jews in France have been murdered. Synagogues in Belfast and London have been vandalized.

Antisemitic chants and references to the Holocaust are commonplace in Europe’s cities. Countries that pride themselves on their enlightened and liberal societies—such as Sweden, Germany, and Norway—are all places where Jews no longer feel safe. At last, the shocking rise in antisemitism in Europe is garnering some media attention. But the issue is still not taken seriously by the liberal-left, the police, and most politicians. This is because much of the antisemitic abuse is carried out by Muslims who claim it is retribution for

their “brothers” in Gaza. And the liberal elite either agrees or looks the other way. The situation cannot continue. It is incomprehensible that Jews are suffering the same hatred as they did during the 1930s and 1940s. The curse of antisemitism is once again strangling Europe’s hard-won freedoms. The post-1945 consensus that Jews will never again be made to suffer at the hands of fascists is falling apart. Is It Worth It? Perhaps Europe’s leaders should be asking themselves one simple question: is the creation of a Palestinian state really worth the aggravation? After all, the people who call themselves Palestinians have had at least seven opportunities since 1937 to establish a state alongside Israel and each time they have refused. Since it is clear that the Palestinians are not interested in peaceful co-existence, it is surely incumbent on the international community to focus on more important matters (such as the liberation of the Kurds from Islamist imperialism). Will Europe listen? Or will it continue to advance the Palestinian issue until not a single Jew is left in Europe? Only time will tell. But in the meantime, don’t be surprised if the number of Jews making Aliyah continues to rise. Y

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comedian. The only killing I’m personally responsible for is when I’ve killed an audience. The only time I bomb is when I don’t connect with the crowd. No Discussion I would have loved to have shared with those men that I’m against war and the loss of innocent life. But they didn’t want to hear it. They wanted to spew hatred. I would have gladly had an intellectual discussion with them about the fact that all of humanity should join together against terrorists like Hamas and ISIS who are slaughtering innocents. I would have been happy to debate them on the fact that Israel has a right to defend itself against a terrorist group who is firing barrages of rockets at civilians. Or that had Hamas accepted the first ceasefire, no children in Gaza would’ve been killed. But those men didn’t want a debate. They just wanted to hate. They wanted to terrorize my family and they did. As I explained to my crying and shaken kids as we walked home, “They said they wanted us dead. Now imagine living in Israel where every day they don’t just say it, they actually attempt to kill all of the Israeli children.” Not the most comforting words, but now that their innocence was shattered, I wanted them to understand the reality of the world in which they live. LA’s Finest The LAPD officers who were dispatched to our house were kind and compassionate. The first officer who showed up was Jewish. It was comforting to the children and to me that there are Jewish men and women protecting the citizens of Los Angeles. This officer put my kids at ease and told them not to be scared. It didn’t hurt that he told us he and his wife enjoyed my work, especially when I’ve hosted the Chabad Telethon. Then two more officers showed up to take the report. They explained it would have been a hate crime if our harasser had said he was going to kill us, instead of merely hoping we got killed. That made it a hate incident. Try explaining the difference to a ten-yearold girl who was just told to die. Lost Innocence I am sad that my children’s innocence was lost, that they were initiated

September 2014 / Tishrei 5775

into the “We hate you because of what you are club.” Now they know they are subject to death threats simply because they were born into a Jewish family. They can be blamed and scapegoated for things that have nothing to do with them. They are hated. Where does the hate come from? There are so many culprits. The media, who instead of reporting on every single rocket fired into Israel and the fear and chaos it causes, choose to focus on every Arab civilian casualty of this war. Never mind that the war was instigated and perpetuated by Hamas. I can blame my fellow “comedian” Russell Brand who has the audacity to say that Hamas is firing “harmless” rockets. Tell that to the Israeli family of the four-year-old boy who was murdered by a “harmless” Hamas rocket.

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Media Intifada The world is buying into this propaganda. They’re allowing the terrorists to win this media intifada. They are listening to celebrities like Javier Bardem and Roger Waters use the phrase “genocide against the Palestinian people,” when the only genocide occurring in the Middle East is by folks like Assad who has murdered 170,000 innocents, or ISIS who are murdering innocent Christians and others who are not of their beliefs. Oh yeah, and the attempted genocide against every Jew by every Hamas operative adhering to the Hamas Charter. I can also blame the pro-Palestinian rallies withe signs that say “Death to Jews” and praise Hitler. But I won’t, because I have jokes to write and I’m trying to make the world a better place with laughter. Y

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