THE JEWISH VOICE AND OPINION Promoting Classical Judaism
January 2015
Vol. 28 • No. 4
Tevet 5775
The ICC: Sufficiently PC and Just Anti-Israel; or a Real Court That Will Indict the Terrorists and Destroy the PA? After its failure to convince
the UN Security Council (UNSC) to adopt the Jordanian draft resolution recognizing Palestinian statehood and demanding that Israel vacate all of Judea and Samaria, including the Old City of Jerusalem, by 2017, the Palestinian Authority lashed out at the two countries it held responsible for its disappointment. PA president Mahmoud Abbas applied immediately to join the International Criminal Court (ICC) with the intention of su-
On the Fatah Website, the PA celebrates its application to join the ICC: the International Court’s logo and photo of Benjamin Netanyahu next to a noose with the word “Soon” in Arabic and Hebrew
ing Israeli officials, including soldiers, for “war crimes.” And Abbas Zaki, a member of the Fatah Central Committee and a former representative of the PLO to Lebanon, went on the Russian news network, RT, to threaten the US. In addition, the PA made immediate plans to resubmit its bid to the UNSC, hoping that the pro-Palestinian views of the nations holding the nonpermanent seats in 2015 might shame the US into withholding
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Israeli Elections: No “Centrists” —Just a Right Wing and a Left Wing with Nothing in the Middle With new elections scheduled
in Israel for March 17, Israeli voters and their supporters abroad need a scorecard to keep the candidates and their parties straight. It is generally recognized that Likud is head of the right-wing nationalist bloc and Labor leads the leftwing liberals. But except for Jewish Home led by Naftali Bennett, which is clearly on the Right, and Meretz, which is far-left, the ideology of most of the other half-dozen parties is not clear-cut.
Women In Green launch campaign to vote for MKs who support sovereignty in Judea-Samaria
Holy Name’s Jewish Hospice.................3 Kol Ami: Mike Huckabee?................... 6 The Current Crisis............................... 7 Financial Advice at Bruriah...........10 Passover Resorts in Valencia.........11 A Mendy Vim Pesach..............................12
Inside the Voice Kosher Diet Fantasy................................14 The Log..........................................................24 New Classes........................................29 Mazal Tov.............................................30 Chesed Ops.................................................32 Ess Gezint: Kids’ Activities......................38
The Arab factions have never served as part of an Israeli government coalition, but most of the smaller parties may be able to see their way clear to join a government headed by either Likud’s Benjamin Netanyahu or Labor’s Yitzhak Herzog. For most of last month, ever since the current government decided to dissolve itself at the beginning of December, polls have shown Labor and Likud running neck and neck,
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Children’s Kosher Vitamins............39 Index of Advertisers ........................41 Honor the Professional...................43 Letters to the Editor ........................44 Club Kosher Pesach.........................46 Lasko Miami Beach or Orlando...47
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National Jewish Hospice Reaccredits Holy Name The National Institute for
Jewish Hospice (NIJH) recently re-accredited Villa Marie Claire, Holy Name Medical Center’s residential hospice. The hospice is in Saddle River, New Jersey, about 15 minutes from the medical center in Teaneck. Established in 1985 by Rabbi Dr. Maurice and Shirley Lamm, NIJH takes as its mission to help alleviate suffering in serious and terminal illness. The organization serves as a resource and educational center for hospices, hospitals, family services, medical organizations, and other health-care agencies, educating them about the is-
sues and challenges of serving terminally ill Jewish patients. A noted authority on Jewish observances related to dying and bereavement, Rabbi Lamm has set up a 24-hour toll-free number to offer counseling to families, patients, clergymen and caregivers of all faiths. Those who call 800-446-4448 can also be directed to local hospices, hospitals, and healthcare professionals. Conference This past November, Villa Marie Claire staff members joined representatives from hospice programs across the country at the NIJH Annual Accreditation and Training Con-
ference, held in November in Newark. The Villa’s clinical supervisor, Julie McGaffin; liaison, Tracey Arnauer; social worker, Michelle Gardiner; and community social worker, Sandra Guzman, participated in sessions including “Jewish Medical Ethics-End-of-Life Care,” “Understanding the Jewish Home,” “Getting the Most out of Jewish Hospice—Caregivers, Families, Patients,” “Giving Dignity until the Soul Reaches Heaven,” and workshops related to observances of Jewish life, customs, and laws. Villa Marie Claire is one of 225 hospice programs through-
out the US to receive NIJH accreditation. “We have assisted facilities in planning conferences, training staff, and designing appropriate workshops to better serve the Jewish terminally ill,” said Rabbi Lamm. In addition to Rabbi and Mrs. Lamm, NIJH, which is based in North Woodmere, New York, boasts a board which includes nationally known leaders in the business, academic, government, and religious spheres who give their support to the cause of terminally ill Jewish patients. Welcoming Surroundings Holy Name’s hospice serves
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Why wait until Passover to escape the cold? Pampered family escapes in Anguilla. Gourmet Kosher packages available. Mention “Jewish Voice & Opinion” when you inquire for a special offer. www.anivillas.com | +1-264-497-7888 | Follow @AniVillas THE JEWISH VOICE AND OPINION, Inc. © 2015; 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: Mike Huckabee? Mike Huckabee, former governor of Arkansas and 2008 Republican Presidential primary candidate, just announced that he is leaving his Fox News program while he makes up his mind whether or not to run once again for President. It would be hard to find a more pro-Israel candidate anywhere than Mr. Huckabee, who is just 59, and thanks to his weekly
He is a fringe candidate and will be seen as an extremist. Politics is about compromise and forming alliances, while religion can be absolutist and inflexible. US Jews have traditionally been liberal and would vote for a (covertly) Israel-hating Muslim rather than a Republican. Claire Bennett Denver, CO
It takes more than being a friend of Israel to be President of the US. His views are very conservative and he thinks that government and religion go together. A person like that in government would be a big disaster. Berta Goldgaber St Louis, MO
program, well-financed and probably one of the most skilled public speakers in the country. The question posted on our Facebook page was: What do you think of Mr. Huckabee’s chances to win the Republican nomination and face-off against the Democrat in November 2016? Y
I think many people were afraid of him initially. However, the way he has presented himself on his show may have alleviated many of those fears and made him more electable. Harry Grossman Spring Valley, NY
I would love it. I think he would be a fabulous President, not only for Israel, but especially for America. Unfortunately, he doesn’t have a snowball’s chance in a hot place of winning. More’s the pity! Catriel Sugarman Jerusalem, Israel
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The Current Crisis: “Even in Laughter, the Heart Can Ache” Okay, we get that major movie chains were afraid to show Sony Pictures’ “The Interview” because of North Korea’s threats of terrorism. What we don’t understand is why the theaters simply didn’t post “Gun-Free” and “Weapons-Free” posters outside the box offices. Wouldn’t that have done it? The anti-gun lobby thinks it will stop criminals. Why not North Korean terrorists? A young friend actually went to see the film, billed as a “political satire.” After a few minutes, we received a text: Won’t someone please bomb this theatre! *** The Palestinian failure in the UN Security Council (by one vote) to win recognition of their state and an official decree that Jews must vacate Judea, Samaria, and eastern Jerusalem was bemoaned by the eight countries that voted for the Resolution, six of them “civilized” (Russia, China, France, Luxembourg, Argentina, and Chile) and two others that do not receive quotation marks (Jordan and Chad). Five other timid souls (the UK, Rwanda, Nigeria, Lithuania, and South Korea) abstained. The UK’s vote proved that, despite his brave words touting support for Israel, when push came to shove, David Cameron is no Margaret Thatcher. Only the US and Australia opposed the PA. Brave, wonderful Canada sent word that had it been on the Security Council at the time, it would have joined them. The PA’s supporters in the EU wailed that “Palestine” is the only “national group” without a country. Not so, says our friend, Prof Steven Plaut of Haifa, who, being an academic, has a suggestion (more of a geographical
tutorial) on how Israel should respond. For example, since France has recognized “Palestine,” Israel must recognize the separatist movements of the Basques in France, Brittany, Northern Catalonia, Savoy, Occitania, and, of course, Corsica; recognize their right to set up their own states; and arm them generously. Last November, the Spanish parliament approved a nonbinding motion calling on the government to recognize Palestine by a vote of 319-2. Therefore, Israel should recognize the rights of the Basques, Andalusians, Aragonese, Asturians, Balearic Islanders, Cantabrians, Leonese, Galicians, and the Portuguese living in Spain to set up their own states. Sweden has recognized Palestine. Therefore, Israel should recognize the separatist movement of the Scanians and officially endorse their right to set up their own state. Israel should inform Turkey, which recognized Palestine back in 1988, that the Jewish state will recognize all the separatist movements, first and foremost, of course, the Kurds. Israel should absolutely arm them to the teeth. Last October, the UK’s House of Commons called for the government to recognize Palestine, leading Prof Plaut to ask Israel to recognize the rights of the Welsh, Manx, Cornwall, Ulster, Shetland Islands, Orkney Islands, and the Outer Hebrides to set up their own states. He would ask for that right for the Scots, but they too have recognized Palestine, and demanded the UK open an embassy. Since Russia voted for the Palestinians’ resolution in the UN, Israel should recognize all the separatist movements there, but that list would take up the entire Jewish Voice. Happy winter break, everyone. S.L.R.
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Bruriah Students Get Financial Advice from Experts (including a Bruriah Alumna) L ast
month , students at Bruriah Yeshiva High School for girls in Elizabeth spent a day immersed in financial-literacy training from a team of specialists from the multinational financial firm of PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC). Especially exciting for the Bruriah students and faculty was the presence of one of the school’s alumnae, Ilana Schwartz,
from Fair Lawn, who was part of the PwC team. PwC was at the school as part of the firm’s “Earn Your Future” program, through which PwC has committed $160 million over a five-year period to provide financial-literacy education in schools across the country. The program was introduced to various schools associated with the Jewish Educational Center (JEC), through the ef-
Holy Name’s Jewish Hospice terminally ill patients of all faiths as well as their families through home hospice care, in-hospital and in-nursing home consultative support, as well as at Villa Marie Claire itself. Located on 26 acres in Saddle River, with views of the entire estate from every room, Villa Marie Claire features high ceilings, wood floors, comfortable furnishings, fireplaces, and open gardens and grassy walkways. The in-ground pool adjacent to the backyard opens in warm weather for use by patients and visitors. According to the Villa’s medical director, Dr. Charles Vialotti, who resides on-site, the center was designed to avoid the sterility of a hospital or traditional clinical setting. “Our family-focused philosophy, sensitively educated healthcare team, and welcoming overnight accommodations for loved ones, speak to our profound belief that quality can be achieved at every stage of life, no matter what an individual’s medical diagnosis or physical
forts of Brian Ness of Hillside, NJ, a PwC partner who is also a JEC board member and parent. Over the past two years, PwC has been at JEC’s Yeshiva of Elizabeth elementary school and the Rav Teitz Mesivta Academy (RTMA) high school for boys. Momentum According to Mr. Ness, who served as the PwC team leader, the decision to bring
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and cognitive abilities,” said Dr. Vialotti. Life and Hope The overall philosophy that as long as there is life, there is hope, permeates the Villa as well as Holy Name Medical Center’s new Department of Palliative Medicine. “Hope means different things to different people. We are all on a journey, and wherever an individual is on that journey, there is healing and comfort. We recognize that death is a natural part of life, and we advocate ‘living the journey’ by providing resources, tools, and a compassionate presence,” said Dr. Vialotti. To that end, all key members of a patient’s support system, including family, significant others, caregivers, neighbors, and even pets are welcome and encouraged to participate. Palliative Care Dr. Richard Rosenbluth, director of Holy Name’s Department of Palliative Medicine, said the emphasis is on “quality of life.” Like Dr. Vialotti, Dr. Rosenbluth said
palliative care and hospice offer patients “the right to feel better.” Dr. Rosenbluth pointed out that many laymen harbor under the misconception that hospice and/or palliative care hastens death. “In fact, the opposite is true. Hospice residents and those receiving palliative care at home, whether or not on hospice, often live longer than might otherwise be expected. We think that’s a result of increased physical comfort and well-being as well as the sense of relief that a burden has been lifted from family members and loved ones,” he said. Addressing a Need Michael Maron, president and CEO of Holy Name Medical Center, said Villa Marie Claire was established to meet a need that was not being addressed in the community. The result, he said, was a freestanding, independent, innovative, “one-of-akind place.” “It’s a place in which people can accept that all of us will die, but it doesn’t have to be a terrible, lonely process. You can actually find comfort and satisfaction with those you love and make the last days of life about living,” he said. Living for Today Dr. Vialotti said that many hospice patients experience relief simply from no longer receiving medical interventions, repeated visits to the Emergency Room, and unnecessary hospitalizations. For more information on Holy Name’s Department of Palliative Medicine, call 201833-3000. For Dr. Vialotti and more information on Villa Marie Claire, call 201-783-8870. “At Villa Marie Claire, the patient is allowed to be present in the moment and live for today,” said Dr. Vialotti. S.L.R.
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Passover Resorts’ Seventh Year in Valencia Passover Resorts is returning for its
seventh consecutive year at the Hyatt Regency Valencia, just thirty minutes from Los Angeles, making this the longest-running, most popular, and lowest-priced program in California. In fact, Passover Resorts has been making Pesach guests happy for more than twenty years. “Our crowd of approximately 300500 guests is what we like to call a ‘modern mix.’ Some to the right, some to the left, with the majority in the middle,” said Passover Resorts’ Jeanne Litvin. Passover Resorts has attracted guests from all over the US in addition to many other countries, including Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, England, Ireland, Israel, and Mexico. Family Choice Many experts say Valencia is the number one family choice for a vacation getaway with the best of both worlds: a relaxing atmosphere with opportunities such as nature walks, and boutique window shopping with benches to allow views of the fountains and the mountains. Walking at night is an atmospheric treat. The weather is similar to Palm Springs: warm, dry, and sunny. Six Flags Magic Mountain is a two-minute drive from the hotel. Nearby lakes have jet skiing, boating, fishing, and hiking. With golf, tennis, bungee jumping, trampolines, and many other family-fun economical activities close by, many guests wouldn’t think of leaving Valencia to enjoy their vacation. But 30 minutes away are most of LA’s world-famous attractions, like Venice Beach with its boardwalk and Santa Monica Pier Amusement Park with bike and skate rentals. In the Valley and Hollywood areas, there are Universal Studios, Universal City Walk, Madame Tussaud’s and the Hollywood Wax Museum, and the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Other attractions include: Griffith Park with its observatory, zoo, pony rides, carousel, and horseback riding; The Grove; and television studios with tours and tapings. Museums and Sports Museums include The Getty, La Brea Tar Pits, the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, Peterson Auto, Ronald Reagan, and the Natural History Museum.
This year, during chol hamoed Pesach, there will be a Dodger baseball game and a Laker-Clipper basketball game. A little further from Valencia, guests can visit Disneyland, California Adventure, Knotts Berry Farm, and the Movieland Wax Museum. A full list of attractions and their walking or driving distance from the hotel is available at www.PassoverResorts.com. Fine Food and Activities At the hotel, Passover Resorts’ menus are designed to delight the most sophisticated palette while satisfying those seeking traditional and healthy foods, meals for children, or special diets. The chefs and staff will see to it that guests are served the finest quality food, with all meals cooked and prepared on-site, using only fresh food-
stuffs and produce. A fine selection of fine kosher wines and cordials is stocked. Passover Resorts is glatt kosher under strict rabbinical supervision. The roster of scholars and rabbis has been chosen to enlighten, entertain, and amuse. Family entertainment will include comedians, Jewish and Israeli vocalists, magicians, hypnotists, and other surprises. There is a pre-school day camp, a day camp for children ages 5-12, and a teen program. Shul services are held three times a day. For more information, contact Passover@ PassoverResorts.com, or call 1-800-PASSOVER. “Our guests are treated like royalty by a caring, warm, and experienced staff during your festive and fun-filled kosher vacation,” said Mrs. Litvin. Y
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Mendy Vim Offers Pesach in Saratoga Springs and Southbury, CT Renowned Pesach vacation
planner Mendy Vim is offering two choices for Pesach 2015: The Gideon Putnam Resort in Saratoga Springs is less than three hours from New York City; The Heritage Resort in Southbury, Connecticut, is only an hour from the Whitestone Bridge. The programs at both locations will reflect Mr. Vim’s forty-year tradition of outstanding service. Describing the Gideon Put-
Financial Advice the program to JEC’s Bruriah was based on the “momentum” he and other members of the team felt from the visits to the elementary and boys’ high school divisions. “We felt it was extremely important to share our program with the young women of Bruriah because opportunities in finance ought to be made equally available to both men and women,” he said. The 25 PwC professionals who came to Bruriah ranged from first-year associates to senior managers. The “Earn Your Own Future” program consists of modules which cover topics such as money management, budgeting, credit, trustworthiness as it pertains to lending money, and investing.
nam Resort, Mr. Vim says, “It’s not every day you can stay in a beautiful, historic hotel tucked away inside a state park, surrounded by natural mineral springs where the water is believed to have special healing powers.” Now a glatt kosher Passover hotel destination, the Gideon Putnam effortlessly blends its historic character with exceptional service in an inspiring setting. Historic Landmark While Vim’s Passover program at the Heritage in
Southbury has been popular for seven years, this will be the program’s first time at the Gideon Putnam. “We were looking for a new and exciting Passover hotel experience to offer our guests within comfortable driving distance of Metropolitan New York and New Jersey, in addition to the Heritage.” In the Gideon Putnam, he found a national historic landmark and the only hotel in the park, offering all the
upscale amenities expected from a first-class resort with a world-class spa next door. For the Rich and Famous Guests will be able to relax and soak up the natural mineral waters that made Saratoga Springs famous, or walk in the 2,300 acres of Saratoga Springs State Park, home to miles of wooded hiking and biking trails, several museums, a towering pine-tree forest, and gushing mineral springs.
Role Models Another young member of the PwC team was Sammy Rosenzweig of Hillside, NJ, who graduated from RTMA in 2008. This was Mr. Rosenzweig’s second year as a PwC representative to present the program to students of JEC. Mr. Ness said he was gratified to see the inclusion of former JEC students in his PwC team roster. “It’s a really nice opportunity for alumni who have grown in the business world to get a chance to return as role models and give back to the school in such a dynamic manner,” he said. Alumni Programs The December PwC visit is one of several “Financial Literacy and Personal/Professional Development” programs
planned for JEC this academic year. PwC will be back in the spring of 2015 to visit the Yeshiva of Elizabeth and RTMA students. At the beginning of January, the school held an Alumni Networking for Young Professionals event which was held at Congregation Ohav Shalom in Manhattan. A future event for this group planned for later this year will feature a panel discussion on Estate Planning, which will cover logistic, financial, legal, and halachic topics. In the spring, executive coach Raleigh Mayer will address the alumni group on “Lessons in Self-Preservation.” For more information about any of these programs, call the JEC at 908-355-4850 ext. 6248, or contact alumni@thejec.org. Y
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continued from page 10 Nostalgia For Ms. Schwartz, who graduated from Bruriah just four years ago, returning to the school was “nostalgic.” Since graduating, she went onto the Michlalah College for Girls in Jerusalem and then Yeshiva University’s Stern College, where she earned a degree in accounting. Now a CPA, she joined PwC three months ago. She credited Bruriah with giving her “a strong work ethic and a very well-rounded education overall, which really prepared me for my career.” “Finance and financial management is something important to know for life. It’s never too early to start understanding what goes into saving, planning, and moneymanagement,” she said.
• Leibedik One Man Band/Singer • DJ with DANCE MOTIVATORS • Projector/Screen Rentals • Full Orchestra • Karaoke • Shabbos Ruach A Capella Singers
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The Diet Fantasy: Lose Weight, Get Healthy, Just Open the Front Door Now that the holidays are
over, and before Purim and Pesach creep up, it’s time to make a resolution: to lose weight and adopt a healthier lifestyle. These are simple words that most people find difficult to impossible to implement and follow in their day-to-day lives. The solution is Diet Fantasy, a strictly kosher answer to the weight-loss conundrum, a solution that makes getting fit and staying healthy easy and delicious. The Diet Fantasy is a customized gourmet-meal delivery system that brings to your door
Vim Holidays
daily a kosher breakfast, lunch, dinner, two snacks, and a soup. All you have to do is heat and eat. Not Cookie-Cutter These are not (pardon the metaphor) cookie-cutter meals. They are individualized menus, custom-created to meet your food preferences. Each meal contains foods you crave, geared to help you make eating right that much simpler. The Diet Fantasy sends you portions based on your height and weight. Our nutritionist uses this information to determine how much food you need to receive every day.
But the client gets to pick and choose menu options, online or over the phone. You will always know what you are getting. Strictly Kosher The kashruth of the entire program is under the supervision of Rabbi Zushe Blech. Chicken used by The Diet Fantasy is from Rabbi Vagshal; meat is from Solomon’s. The program utilizes credentialed gourmet chefs who use only natural ingredients. Nothing is processed or fried; we do not use sugar or white flour. All grains are organic. Our satisfied clients include
diabetics, new mothers, and those who have simply had enough of being overweight and unhealthy. Customer Support Customer support and access to our nutritionist is available Monday through Thursday, 8am to 7pm, and Fridays, 8am to 1pm. For more information, visit www.TheDietFantasy.com or call 1-855-DIET (3438). The Diet Fantasy is so certain you will love this program, they will give you the first day free. You have nothing to lose, except the weight. Y
Today, the architecture in Saratoga Springs is diverse and lovely, and village streets are lined with boutiques and art galleries. There is a flourishing art district, Italian sculpture gardens, and mineral springs where people still come to taste the water and fill up bottles to take home. Visitors can see the Victorian mansions, visit the museums, tour the battlefield where the American Revolution was fought, or enjoy terrific Adirondack skiing and snow-tubing just 30 minutes away. New England Resort Closer to home, Vim’s Holidays has the Heritage Resort in Southbury, Connecticut, a full-featured New England resort with a world of amenities in a rural location, still super convenient for guests coming from New York City or Boston. At the Heritage, Mr. Vim’s guests will enjoy elegant ambience and a stellar cast of internationally renowned speakers, lecturers, and entertainers, including Chazan Nachman Schneider, Rabbi Aaron E. Glatt, Rabbi Dovid Hirsch, and Yoel Sharabi, as well as some new speakers and entertainers, making for an interesting blend.
The Heritage boasts manicured grounds and spacious and contemporary rooms and suites, many overlooking the Pomperaug River or the resort’s challenging par 35 nine-hole USGA-rated golf course, club house, and putting green. There are two championship indoor racquetball courts, indoor and outdoor swimming pools, outdoor tennis and basketball courts, hiking trails, a full-feature fitness club, sauna, hot tub, daily exercise and yoga classes, mountain bike rentals, and an on-site spa offering rejuvenating skin and body treatments. Meals and Trips Meals at both Vim locations will include everything from delicious entrees to luscious desserts, traditional Pesach dishes, and timeless favorites, all made with the freshest local and regional ingredients. Both locations will feature chol hamoed trips, outstanding programs, and children’s day camps. For more information about the Gideon Putnam Resort in Saratoga Springs or the Heritage in Southbury, call 718-9984477 or 410-484-5533, or visit www.VimsHolidays.com. Y
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There are championship golf and tennis, a fitness center, bicycling tours, a reflecting pool, horse-drawn carriage rides, ice skating (if it’s cold enough), the European-style Roosevelt Spa, and wonderful suites and guestrooms that overlook the
lush, sprawling view. “Saratoga Springs has long been known as a popular vacation destination. The rich and famous built lush mansions for the season. FDR and Hollywood greats stayed here, too,” says Mr. Vim.
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monthly tax funds that the Jewish state collects on the Palestinians’ behalf. This blow to Mr. Abbas’s strap-cashed government was met with indignation. “Now there are sanctions. That’s fine. There’s an escalation. That’s fine. But we’re pushing forward,” Mr. Abbas said, adding that Israel was trying to starve the Palestinians as a form of mass punishment.
The PA’s chief negotiator, Saeb Erekat, called Israel’s decision to freeze the funds “a new Israeli war crime.” The PA is at least $4.8 billion in debt. It regularly fails to stand by its agreements and owes Israel a staggering amount of money, including more than $360 million in unpaid electric bills. US Anger
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change its current policies.” Funds He neglected to mention that before the PA signed the Rome Statute of the ICC, the US and Israel had been supplying the funds that have kept the PA afloat. After Mr. Abbas applied to the ICC, Israel announced it will be withholding from the Palestinians $127 million, which is December’s portion of the
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its veto, a right Washington enjoys as one of the UNSC’s five permanent members. “The whole world should understand that the US is an enemy, pushing Israeli extremists to carry on with their actions, depriving us of our rights, and supporting Israel in everything,” Mr. Zaki told RT, comparing the US administration to a “cobra’s head” and vowing retaliation “if America doesn’t
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Israel is not the only furious party. US State Department spokesman Jen Psaki told reporters that Washington was “deeply troubled” because the PA’s attempt to join the court “is entirely counterproductive and does nothing to further the aspirations of the Palestinian people for a sovereign and independent state.” “It badly damages the atmosphere with the very people with whom they ultimately need to make peace,” she said, adding that the US “continues to strongly oppose actions—by both parties—that undermine trust and create doubts about their commitment to a negotiated peace.” The US issued a similar statement before and after the PA’s draft resolution was presented and voted on in the UNSC. The State Department said it opposed the resolution because it would “prejudge the outcome of the negotiations” between Israel and the PA and “set a specific deadline for withdrawal of Israel’s security forces.” Cutoff Under American law, any PA case against Israel in the ICC would trigger an immediate cutoff of US financial support. However, the application for membership, in and of itself, does not automatically incur US punishment. Nevertheless, many US Congressmen are preparing bills to cut off America’s $400 million in annual funding to the PA. Some of these legislators also
want to stop funding the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) for Palestinian Refugees in the Near East. The US is the single biggest donor to UNRWA, giving the agency $130 million per year. In 2011, Congress froze its $192 million aid package to the PA after the Palestinians submitted a failed unilateral bid for membership. Later, only $40 million in economic and humanitarian funding was released. In its current spending bill, Congress specifically said that financial assistance to the PA will stop “if it becomes a member of the UN or UN agencies without an agreement with Israel.” The American spending bill prohibits funds for Hamas, while allocating $3.1 billion in total aid for Israel plus $619.8 million in defense aid. Counterproductive Although the PA complained bitterly about the shut-off of funds, Mr. Abbas had said before the vote in the UNSC that if the resolution failed, as it did, the PA would cut off all relations with Israel. Nevertheless, the Obama administration said it opposes Israel’s refusal to transfer tax revenues to the PA, calling it a step “that raises tensions as others do.” The US has officially branded the PA’s move to seek ICC membership as “counterproductive” and designed “only to push the sides further apart.” Blaming the Left Canada, too, condemned the PA’s ICC application, calling it “a concerning and dangerous development.” “Such a provocative decision only furthers the divide between Palestinians and Israelis, and will carry unfortunate consequences,” said Canadian Foreign Minister John Baird. “The path chosen can be reversed, and, instead, the PA can recommit to a negotiated solution.” In Israel, Intelligence Minister Yuval Steinitz (Likud) said part of the blame for the PA’s unilateral actions lies with Labor Chairman Yitzhak Herzog and his new political partner, former Justice Minister Tzipi Livni, whose Hatnua political party has been subsumed into Labor in an alliance they call “the Zionist camp” for the next elections. “They are responsible for the situation. They are [inappropriately fawning
over] the Palestinians,” he said, recalling that Ms. Livni traveled to Ramallah after the Palestinians refused to continue negotiating with Israel. Celebrating with a Lynching The PA has been threatening for years that it would sign the Rome Statute, which is required of all ICC members, thus paving the way to institute action against individual Israelis for what the Palestinians say are war crimes. To celebrate its application for membership in the ICC, Mr. Abbas’s Fatah faction of the PA posted on its Facebook page at the beginning of January an image of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu awaiting execution by lynching. This image replaced an earlier one on the Facebook page which showed the PA’s flag flying over skulls imprinted with Jewish stars. When asked about the image of the skulls, a member of Fatah’s Central Committee told CNN that a “lone poster” had put up the image and that it and the text “do not reflect the opinions of Fatah.” Shortly after the interview, the image was taken down, only to be replaced a few hours later by the photo of Mr. Netanyahu and a noose. Incitement Fatah has often used its Facebook page as a vehicle for incitement. In November, after several acts of terrorism, including stabbings and “car rampages” murdering Israelis near the Jerusalem light rail, Fatah’s Facebook page featured a slew of cartoons, videos, and other media praising the attacks and calling for more terrorism against Israelis and Jews. Last summer, Fatah was instrumental in spreading a trend in which Palestinians Arabs and their supporters worldwide posted photos on social media of a three-fingered gesture, which indicated support for the abduction and murder of three Israeli teenagers. Experts say evidence such as this would work against the PA in any investigation and trial conducted by the ICC. Funded by Europe Prompted by a number of NGOs, such as Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, and the European-funded Palestinian Center for Human Rights (PCHR), Al Haq, Diakonia, and International Fed-
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eration for Human Rights (FIDH), the PA as said its ICC membership will pave the way for prosecutions against Israeli officials for Jews’ presence in Jewish areas of Judea and Samaria and the eastern neighborhoods of Jerusalem. PCHR is funded by the European Union, Norway, and Ireland; Al Haq by Ireland, Belgium, Spain, and Norway; and FIDH is funded by France, the EU, Sweden, Norway, and Ireland. Diakonia is a Swedish church-based NGO which gets most of its funding from the Swedish government. According to Anne Herzberg, the legal advisor of the Jerusalem-based NGO Monitor, the foreign-funded NGOs have engaged in intense “lawfare” and propaganda against Israel for decades. “Attempting to litigate the highly charged Arab-Israeli conflict in the ICC could spell the end of the court, and the NGOs and their European funders will be responsible. While the Palestinian leadership and the NGOs may get some shortlived propaganda victories in their political war, they may soon find they got more than they bargained for,” she said. Operating in Ramallah She explained that the Europeanbacked NGOs wage their “lawfare” against the Jewish state through the Secretariat, a joint framework of funding by Denmark, the Netherlands, Sweden, and Switzerland managed by the Institute of Law at Birzeit University, near Ramallah. This mechanism allows the NGOs to wage legal campaigns aimed at delegitimizing Israel and advancing the PA’s narrative and goals. “Ironically, in order to convince governments to support the ICC, Human Rights Watch has argued for years that the court would never be exploited for political maneuvers by the Palestinians. Once again, Human Rights Watch has been proven wrong,” said Ms. Herzberg. She said there are also foreign-funded NGOs functioning inside Israel, including Adalah and Yesh Din, which advance the false accusation of a lack of due process in Israel’s justice system in order to push for international “war crimes” cases. “Given that the Palestinians have committed tens of thousands of war crimes against Israeli civilians, they may find themselves facing prosecution not only for war crimes, but for crimes against humanity
and genocide,” she said. Interpol If the PA is successful in its application to join the ICC, the court will be the latest of more than 35 international agencies the PA has joined, all in breach of conditions established by the Oslo Accords and the peace talks that had been conducted by US Secretary of State John Kerry. One of the agencies the PA has elected to join is Interpol, the International Criminal Police Organization. The PA submitted a request to join the organization in 2011, but it was accepted only as an observer and not a full member because
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it had not been recognized as a state at the time and did not have control over its borders. Ahmad al-Rabie, head of “international relations and cooperation” in the PA’s Ministry of the Interior, said he was certain Interpol will think differently now. Mr. al-Rabie said joining Interpol will give the PA the ability to take part in “fighting cross-border crimes and terrorism, money laundering, corruption, arms trade, and human trafficking.” Israel is a long-standing member of Interpol, which has a station in Jerusalem.
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End of Oslo At the beginning of January, a leading Israeli think-tank concluded that, in the face of the PA’s recent actions, “Israel has the legitimate right to declare that the Oslo Accords are no longer valid and now has the right to act unilaterally in order to protect its essential legal and security interests.” Writing for the Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs, Ambassador Alan Baker, a former deputy director-general of Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said that by “aggressively pursuing a unilateralist strategy,” including petitioning the UN, the ICC, and other international organizations to be recognized as a full member state, and unifying with the Hamas terror organization, “the Palestinians have knowingly and deliberately bypassed their contractual obligations pursuant to the Oslo Accords in an attempt to prejudge the main negotiating issues outside the negotiation.” He called Israel “the injured party.” Might Not Pass There is still a chance the PA’s ICC application will not be accepted. UN SecretaryGeneral Ban Ki-moon must review the so-called instruments of accession and notify state members on the request within 60 days. The PA’s envoy to the
UN, Riyad Mansour, seemed convinced its approval will be routine. “We are honored that we are the 123rd state-party of the ICC, which will be effective in about 60 days from now, in accordance with the rules and procedures of the ICC,” he said. He added that the PA had also filed a request with the ICC to grant retroactive jurisdiction to the court to cover alleged “war crimes” committed by Israel during last summer’s Operation Protective Edge in Gaza. Troops Will Be Defended Mr. Netanyahu said he would expect the ICC “to reject out of hand the hypocritical request of the PA, since the PA is not a state.” “The PA is an entity that has a treaty with Hamas, a declared terrorist organization like ISIS that commits war crimes, and the state of Israel is a lawful nation with an ethical army that observes all international laws,” he said. Asked whether Israeli troops could be in danger, the Prime Minister said, “We will take steps in response and we will defend the soldiers of the IDF, the most moral army in the world.” Making it clear that Israel would not allow IDF soldiers and officers to “be dragged to the ICC in The Hague,” he
said, “The soldiers of the IDF will continue to defend the State of Israel with strength and determination, and, just as they defend us, we will defend them with the same strength and determination.” He said that just as Israel warded off the Palestinian turn to the UNSC, the state would “repel this latest effort to force diktats on us.” PA Obligations Mr. Erekat, told James Rawley, the UN’s Deputy Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, that, by signing onto many international conventions, “the state of Palestine” was obligating itself to change its laws in accordance with them. Mr. Erekat, who said this process was a “legitimate right,” expressed the desire to see “Palestine back on the map.” “We guard our people in every place, and the crimes committed against our people in eliminating them, settlements, destruction, and aggression against Gaza, they haven’t passed statutes of limitations, and those who commit the crimes need to deal with the results,” said Mr. Erekat. Insisting that “Palestine relies on international law,” he issued the “demand that the US again consider its relations with Israel, stop treating
it like a nation above the law, and stand at the right hand of international legitimacy regarding the end of Israeli settlement and eliminations.” “Whoever wants to defeat terrorism in the region must deal with the roots of the Israeli occupation as a preface to defeating terror,” he said, adding that the Jewish communities in Judea, Samaria, and the eastern neighborhoods of Jerusalem, “settlements,” will be the main focus of the PA’s lawsuits at the ICC. The PA’s Risk Many observers, including some members of the PA itself, have understood the calculated risk it is taking in joining the ICC. Shurat HaDin, an Israeli non-governmental organization that operates against terrorists through the courts, has warned that if the PA joins the ICC, it will lodge a “tsunami” of criminal complaints against senior PA officials. It is a fear that many Palestinian officials recognize. Ibrahim Khreisheh, the PA’s envoy to the UN’s Human Rights Council (UNHRC), has said publicly that the PA has no hope of pressing charges against Israel in international courts because Palestinian terrorists are far worse violators of international law themselves.
http://jewishvoiceandopinion.com Giving Warnings During last summer’s Operation Protective Edge in Gaza, in a PA TV interview translated by MEMRI, Mr. Khreisheh contrasted Israel’s conduct in its efforts to stop rocket fire from Gaza with the actions of Hamas and other armed groups. Noting that Israeli forces warned civilians before launching airstrikes, Mr. Khreisheh said any move to charge Israelis in the ICC “would surely backfire.” “The missiles that are now being launched against Israel—each and every missile constitutes a crime against humanity, whether it hits or misses, because it is directed at civilian targets,” he said. He maintained that Israel, too, was guilty of such crimes during conflict, and mentioned contested claims about the legality of Israeli building in Judea and Samaria. However, he recognized that human rights abuses by Palestinian terrorist groups were
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far worse, especially regarding harming civilians. Television Evidence In order to launch an appeal to the ICC, Mr. Khreisheh said, all “Palestinian factions” would have to commit in writing to refrain from targeting Israeli civilians. He recognized that none of them is likely to do this. “Many of our people in Gaza appeared on TV and said that the Israeli army warned them to evacuate their homes before the bombardment,” he said. “In such a case, if someone is killed the [international] law considers it a mistake rather than an intentional killing, because [the Israelis] followed the legal procedures.” “As for the missiles launched from our side,” he continued, “we never warn anyone about where these missiles are about to fall or about operations we carry out.” A Biased Court Nevertheless, Nitsana Darshan-Leitner, director of Shurat
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HaDin, does not hold out much hope for Israel’s chances in the ICC. She assumed Israel would defend itself, even though, as a non-member, it would have no obligation to do so. “But chances are they will lose, and, if they lose and are convicted of war crimes, it would be a game-changer. It would drop Israel to the bottom tier internationally,” she said. Her pessimism, she said, is not based on any lack of confidence in Israel’s legal position. Rather, she said, her concern is that the ICC is probably politically determined to make the case against Israel. Israel’s ability to argue the legality of the Jewish communities in Judea and Samaria as well as the lack of any evidence of “war crimes” which never took place would fall on deaf ears, she said.. “This is a biased court,” she said flatly. Pressure on the Court She had no doubt that Is-
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rael could bring international legal experts to explain that Judea and Samaria are disputed, not occupied, and that Jordan never had a legal right to those areas in the first place. “But,” she said, “Europe and many other countries have a different perspective, and it’s from that political angle that the ICC would analyze the case.” She explained that, since its inception, the ICC has been criticized for focusing primarily on “third-world” countries, especially in Africa. The court, she said, has felt heavy pressure to begin trying Western countries. “They need to take a different type of case, and they would gladly take upon themselves the Arab-Israeli conflict. It’s a more interesting and sexier issue to be involved with, and there is tremendous pressure from countries all over the world for the court to get involved,” she said.
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Individuals, Not Countries Like the US and Russia, Israel is not a member of the court. This means that the ICC has no jurisdiction over Israeli, American, or Russian citizens, as long as they do not venture into countries in which the ICC can operate. Established in The Hague in 1998, the ICC defines itself as an international tribunal established to prosecute war crimes, genocide, and crimes against humanity. Although President Bill Clinton signed the Rome Statute, the US Senate refused to ratify it and no other US President or Israeli official has attempted ICC membership. The ICC, which can try individuals, but not a country as a whole, admits it is not a substitute for a country’s national courts, which are expected to exercise criminal jurisdiction over those responsible for international crimes. The ICC can intervene only in those cases in which it has been determined that a state is unable or unwilling to carry out the investigation and prosecute the perpetrators. To prosecute Israeli citizens, the ICC would first have to condemn the entire Israeli court and judiciary system. May Take Years For that and other reasons, it is by no means certain that the ICC will agree to open an investigation requested by the PA. According to ICC prosecutor Fatou Bensouda, the court’s approach to Pal-
estinian requests “will be no different” from the way it looks at other appeals. According to Alex Whiting, a senior official in the ICC prosecutor’s office from 2010-2013 and now a Harvard law professor, the process requires an initial review, which dictates whether an investigation should be launched. Depending on the findings of the investigation, charges may be filed or dropped. And then there could be a trial. “Cases can take years,” he said, adding that war crimes allegedly committed during combat are among the most difficult to prove. He suggested that a Gaza war complaint would face such challenges. No Trust The chief reason Israel, the US, and Russia refuse to join the ICC is lack of trust that the international court will be a force for law rather than an instrument to allow its members to play politics, rendering the ICC an international kangaroo court. Citizens of countries that are not members of the ICC are nevertheless entitled to bring individual complaints against countries and governments that have signed the Rome Statute. This means, even though Israel is not a member of the ICC, the court is permitted to hear individual Israelis’ complaints against those who are under the court’s jurisdiction. Thus, if the PA becomes a member, no Israeli who might be charged has any obligation to present himself to the court. However, if an individual Israeli charges a PA official, the official, as a representative of a member state, must appear. This means, the PA—and particularly its unity partner, Hamas—will be exposed to potential individual Israeli lawsuits for war crimes, including the deliberate targeting of Israeli civilians and use of Palestinian civilians as human shields. Last spring, a former chief prosecutor of the ICC warned the PA to proceed with caution regarding pursuing war-crimes charges against Israel. Luis Moreno-Ocampo told the PA that if it accepts ICC jurisdiction, Gaza’s Islamist Hamas rulers could be investigated for rocket fire and suicide bombings against Israeli civilians. Initial Praise At first, Hamas seemed unconcerned about any potential peril the PA’s venture with the ICC might hold. The Hamas-
controlled Daily Sabah called Mr. Abbas’s application to join the ICC “a step in the right direction.” Hamas was particularly pleased that after losing in the UNSC, the PA could be held to its agreement to cut off all ties with Israel. The terror organization called for all Palestinian groups to devise plans for halting all bilateral negotiations and security coordination with Israel on a permanent basis. Hamas’s initial embrace of the PA’s bid to join ICC contrasted with the terror group’s utter rejection of the PA’s UN draft resolution. Hamas was furious that the draft resolution declared a Palestinian state only in Judea, Samaria, and the eastern neighborhoods of Jerusalem. The fact that Israel was allowed to exist at all infuriated the Hamas leaders. Hamas considers all of Israel to be “historic Palestine.” Second Thoughts By January 2, Hamas seemed to be having second thoughts on the ICC application. Ahmed Bahar, acting speaker of the Palestinian parliament, said Mr. Abbas had no authority to join the international court. Mr. Bahar stressed that signing onto any treaty or international agreement “requires national responsibility and the entire Palestinian parliament must approve it.” Mr. Zaki, who excoriated the US for helping defeat the Palestinian statehood resolution in the UNSC, told PA TV that he was opposed to the ICC application because signing the Rome Statute would hinder terrorism. “I’m against signing the Rome Statute as long as our country is occupied,” he explained. “If tomorrow you shoot, they’ll say: you signed an agreement.” Military Option He acknowledged that “none of us, especially in Fatah, has ruled out the military options” against Israel, which he called “an advanced instrument of evil.” “Allah will gather them so that we can kill them,” he said, explaining that any agreement Mr. Abbas might reach with Jerusalem is merely “the first stage” in destroying the Jewish state. In 2011, he told PA TV that it was clear “if Israel withdraws from Jerusalem, evacuates the 650,000 settlers, and dismantles the wall, what will become of Israel? It
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will come to an end.” “If we say that we want to wipe Israel out…C’mon, it’s too difficult. It’s not [acceptable] policy to say so. Don’t say these things to the world. Keep it to yourself,” he warned. Extradition Nevertheless, many Israelis are concerned. If Israel actually went to the ICC and lost, the Jewish state would be asked to extradite to the court those individuals or officials, including IDF commanders and soldiers, who would be individually charged with war crimes. Ms. Darshan-Leitner has no doubt Israel would refuse. “Israel is not insane, so it’s not going to extradite its own people to be blamed for war crimes. But, as a result, Israel would be sanctioned and there would be a real boycott against Israel from the court’s member states,” she said. In addition, she said, the ICC would issue arrest warrants against those individuals, “and Interpol would make it international.” “Those people would not be able to leave the country,” she said. The Antidote However, she and Shurat HaDin are working on the antidote. “If the ICC is Abbas’s doomsday weapon, Israel’s hope lies in deterrence,” she said. Last fall, the organization filed ICC complaints for war crimes and human rights violations against Mr. Abbas and Hamas’s Qatar-based terror chief, Khaled Meshaal. At the beginning of January, Shurat HaDin filed war-crimes complaints against three more PA leaders: Jibril Rajoub, Deputy Secretary of the Fatah Central Committee and second to Mr. Abbas within Fatah; Majid Faraj, head of Palestinian General Intelligence; and Rami Hamdallah, previously PA Minister of the Interior and the current Prime Minister. Messrs Abbas, Meshaal, Rajoub, Faraj, and Hamdallah are all Jordanian citizens. Because Jordan is a member of the ICC, they are automatically under the court’s jurisdiction. “As such, the chief prosecutor can immediately launch an investigation,” said Ms. Darshan-Leitner. Jordanian Citizens There is a long list of other Palestinian leaders to target with a wide variety
of charges, she said, pointing out that almost all of the PA’s leadership possess Jordanian citizenship. “It could be crimes committed during the Intifada against Israelis—all the suicide bombings, all the drive-by shootings. All the heads of the different armed factions have superior liability over what was done by their forces,” she said. There are also crimes committed by the PA and Hamas against the Palestinian people, ranging from torture to public executions and the use of human shields. Already Liable She explained that the ICC’s jurisdiction over acts committed within a state’s
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territory begins from the date the country joined the court, which means, even if the PA is accepted by the ICC, Mr. Abbas can complain only about future events which occur in the presently undefined PA territory. “The PA leadership, however, may be tried by the ICC for the many terrorist acts and human rights abuses, including the Second Intifada, for which they are responsible, dating back to 2002, because they are Jordanian citizens, and that is when Jordan joined the court,” she said. She stressed that the ICC is “compelled” to investigate “immediately” the
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war crimes and international law violations perpetrated by PLO officials who retain Jordanian citizenship “without waiting for the PA’s membership application to be approved.” “Abbas and his colleagues in the Hamas terrorist organization believe the ICC is a weapon to be used against Israel, and that the crimes of Palestinian leaders against their own people and terrorist attacks against Israeli civilians will go unpunished. All PLO and Hamas officials need to understand that the ICC is a two-edged sword and their years of murder, terrorism, and hate will now be brought before the prosecutors for investigation,” she said. A Deterrent Asked if the ICC might not just dismiss such cases for the same political reasons that it will indict Israelis, Ms. DarshanLeitner said no one knows.
“And that’s why it’s a deterrent for the Palestinians, because they don’t know how the court will take these cases,” she said, adding that she would find it hard to believe that the ICC would agree to prosecute Israel and not the Palestinians. However, she said, even if PA leaders will also likely end up in the dock, it would not undo the damage to Israel, which is why she recommends the threats of counter-prosecution coupled with concerted political pressure. She noted that since the PA relies almost entirely on American and Israeli funding, stopping the flow of funds might serve as a good deterrent. In fact, some experts say the cutoff of funds could cause the collapse of the PA entirely. It could cost Mr. Abbas his job, damage ties with the US, and end the cause for Palestinian independence entirely.
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American Trial In the US, Shurat HaDin is currently helping to represent 11 families who charge the PA and PLO with inciting, supporting, planning, and executing seven terror attacks which killed American citizens between 2000 and 2004. The families are asking for a judgment of $1 billion. According to Ms. DarshanLeitner, this marks the first time the PLO will be held legally responsible for its actions, and, she said, a positive verdict for the plaintiffs could set a legal precedent against other terror organizations. The PA tried desperately to stall the trial, but its petitions to the US District Court in New York were all rejected. The court found there is sufficient evidence to present to a jury that PA employees conducted the terrorist attacks against civilians in Israel and that the PA and PLO provided weapons, money, and other material support in violation of anti-terror laws. In addition, the court found that the jury could rule on whether the PA provided safe haven and material support to the terrorist organizations Hamas and the Al-Aqsa Martyrs’ Brigades, the “military wing” of Mr. Abbas’s Fatah faction. The trial, Sokolow vs. PLO, was is set to begin on January
12, 2015. Ms. Darshan-Leitner said there will be evidence showing that the PA to this day supports terrorism and finances the terrorists. “The inevitable conclusion will be that they don’t deserve a state,” she said. Financial Ramifications In addition, there are financial ramifications. It is unclear how the PA would pay a $1 billion judgment against it. “Nevertheless, they will have to pay their debt. If they want to become a state, they have to show they can meet their obligations,” said Ms. Darshan-Leitner. Asked how the defense might proceed, she predicted the PA will attempt to spin the Second Intifada as a series of “lone wolf” attacks outside their realm of control. It would be a “very weak” defense, she said, in light of the evidence against them. “We have thousands of pieces of evidence—documents—that prove the PA not only controlled the attacks, but wanted to initiate the attacks and set up a policy to carry out attacks, wanted to direct their officials and commanders to perpetrate attacks against Israelis, and incited to carry out attacks. I don’t think the PA’s argument will hold,” she said. S.L.R.
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Motzei Shabbat, Jan 10
Cong Beth Aaron Sisterhood Book Club: “Like Dreamers” by
Yossi Klein HaLevi, private home in Teaneck, 6pm, 201-837-0651 Cooking Night, for grades 3-5, includes pizza pinwheels, salad, and dessert, JCC, Tenafly, 7pm, 201-569-7900 Movie, Manicures, and Snack Night, for girls, Cong Ahawas Achim Bnai Jacob and David, West Orange, 7:30pm, aabjdyouthdirectors@gmail.com or 973-736-1407 Yavneh Academy Dinner, honoring Nancy and Eric Fremed, Shoshana Susie Ammer, Rabbi Yitzchok Furst, and Howard Eisenstadter, at Cong Keter Torah, Teaneck, 7:30pm, 201-262-8494 ext 309 Cake-Off, teams of bakers compete, Young Israel of East Brunswick, grades 1-4, 6:30pm; grades 5 and up, 7:30pm, 732254-1860 Salanter Akiba Riverdale (SAR) Academy Dinner, honoring Lynette Tulkoff, Marjorie Jacobs, Marcia Jacobowitz, and the school’s chayalim, those who served in the IDF during the summer of 2014, at SAR High School, Riverdale, 8pm, 718-548-1717 ext 1275 Moriah School of Englewood Dedication of the New Rabbi J. Shelley Applebaum Library and Technology Center, at the school in Englewood, 8pm, 201-567-0208 Tiferes Chofetz Chaim Heritage Foundation Program for Women, includes DVD: “How do I Know Hashem Loves Me?” with Rabbi Jonathan Rietti and Tzippy Reifer, private home in Edison, 8:15pm, siegelmom@optonline. net or 732-572-4408
Sun, Jan 11
“Ladies Got Talent” Auditions, for women by women, at the Mt. Sinai Jewish Center, Washington Hts, NY, 9am-5pm, ladiesgottalent@gmail.com Greek Synagogue Tour: Cong Kehila Kedosha Janina, for men and women, includes lecture, tour, and lunch, meet at the Young Israel of East Brunswick, 9:15am, 732-254-1860 “Bagels, Tefillin, and Breakfast,” Rabbi Eliezer Zaklikovsky, Chabad Jewish Center of Monroe, NJ, 9:30am, 732-656-1616
Tell Our Advertisers “I Saw It in The Jewish Voice and Opinion”
Fair Lawn Gown Gemach, spons by Chabad of Fair Lawn, 9:30-11:30am, 201-797-1770 Women’s Program: Film: “Purity (Tahara): Breaking the Codes of Silence,” includes discussion on the film and mikveh, Rebbetzin Maxine Pilavin; a trip to the mikveh in Morganville; and a kosher Italian lunch at Capri, Cong Sons of Israel, Manalapan, 9:30am, 732-446-3000 Echo-National Jewish Institute-Health Breakfast Reception, honoring Rabbi Y.Y. Jacobson, private home in Wesley Hills, 10am, 845-425-9750 Feeding the Hungry at Eva’s Kitchen, spons by the Young Israel of Passaic-Clifton, meet at a private home in Passaic, 10am, 973-471-5376 or 973-472-2531 Documentary: “Beneath the Helmet,” Cong Anshe Chesed, Linden, 11am, 908-486-8616 Beyond Bar Mitzvah Club, for boys in grade 8, Rabbi Yitzchok Kahan, Chabad Center, Cherry Hill, 12 noon, 856-874-1500 Sunday Circle, for specialneeds children, includes activities and lunch, spons by The Friendship Circle, Rosenbaum Yeshiva of North Jersey, River Edge, 12 noon, 201-262-7172 Celebrate Party Showcase and Bone Marrow Drive, spons by Mitzvah Market, Park Ridge Marriott, 12-4pm, 516-445-2394 Open House, JCC, Bridgewater. 1-4pm, 908-725-6994 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 Drum Circle, for specialneeds children and their families, includes “How to Manage Challenging Behaviors,” for parents, Tobey Lass, spons by Yachad, at the East Brunswick Jewish Center, 2pm, middlesexyachad@ou.org Uncle Moishy and His Mitzvah Men, in concert, spons by the Jewish Educational Program (JEP) of Rockland, at Ramapo Se-
The Log:
nior High School, Spring Valley, 2:30pm, 845-459-3160 Tax Seminar, especially for Israeli families in the US, Oren Adler, CPA, JCC, Tenafly, 4pm, 201-408-1427 Rosenbaum Yeshiva of North Jersey Dinner, honoring Leah and Jonathan Silver and Ann Robbins, at Cong Keter Torah, Teaneck, 5pm, 201-986-1414 Tomche Shabbos of Rockland County Dinner, at The Atrium, Monsey, 5pm, 845-356-0202 Bat Mitzvah Club, for girls in grades 5-6 (girls 11-13), Shterna Kaminker, Chabad of Cherry Hill, 5pm, 856-874-1500 Torah Links of Middlesex County Dinner, Radisson Hotel, Freehold, 6pm, 732-613-1613 Beyond Bat Mitzvah Club, for girls in grade 7 and up who have recently celebrated their bat mitzvahs, Shterna Kaminker, includes crafts and refreshments, Chabad of Cherry Hill, 6:30pm, 856-874-1500 Super Sibs, support group for brothers in grades 1-5 of special-needs siblings, Zeesy Grossbaum, Friendship Circle, Paramus, 6:30pm, 201-262-7172 “Positive Jewish Marriages and Parenting,” Rachel Pill, LCSW, Cong Ahawas Achim Bnai Jacob and David, West Orange, 7pm, 973-736-1407 “The Zone” Camp Open House, for parents of children age 9 and up, private home in Teaneck, 7pm, 201-669-0639 or 201-833-0891 Clifton Cheder Meet and Greet, for parents of boys and girls from nursery to grade 8, at the school, Clifton, 7:45pm, 973472-0011 Taharat Hamishpacha Shiur: “Navigating the State of Constant Change,” for women, Yoetzet Halacha Shoshana Samuels, spons by Cong Ahavat Shalom of the Teaneck Apartments, at a private home in Teaneck, 8pm, 201-836-3828 or Sisterhood@teaneckapartments.com Camp Mesorah Parlor Meeting, for parents of children in grades 4-11, private home in East Brunswick, 8pm, 845-362-7778
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January 2015 / Tevet 5775
The Jewish Voice and Opinion
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“Separate Yourself Not from the Community” Telephone Study Group: “My Mother, My Father, My Child,” Simon Yisrael Feuerman, PsyD, LCSW, 8pm, 973-249-8111
Mon., Jan 12
Support Group: “Eating for Energy: Ten Ways to Increase Your Energy by Eating the Right Foods,” for mothers with children with special-needs, Gila Guzman, JD, includes breakfast, spons by Yachad, Cong Rinat Yisrael, Teaneck, 9:30am, 201-833-1349 or herrmann@ou.org Lunch and Learn: “The Cornea Transplant of 1905: When Medical Achievement Confronts Jewish Law,” Rabbi Yechiel Shaffer, Young Israel of Fort Lee, noon, 201-592-1518 or 201-592-5970 Caregivers Support Group, for those caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s disease, JCC, Tenafly, 7pm, 201-569-7900 “Pain Management: The Latest Options,” Dr. Asher Goldstein, Holy Name Medical Center, Teaneck, 7pm, 201-833-3336 “Young Child Parenting Class and Discussion Group: Sleeping/Not Sleeping—Sleep Arrangements in the Early Years,” Hava Finkel, MSW, Cong Shomrei Emunah, Englewood, 8pm, chanie@ShomreiEmunahNJ.org “Serving Our Creator with a Healthy Body, Mind, and Soul: Genetic Testing and Preventive Medical Intervention in Halacha and Hashkafa,” Rabbi Larry Rothwachs, Cong Beth Aaron, Teaneck, 8:30pm, 201-836-6210 “Emunah and Bitachon,” for men and women, Rabbi Avigdor Miller, Young Israel of East Brunswick, 8:30pm, 732-254-1860 “Parshas Shmos: Halachic and Hashkafic Perspectives on Names,” for women, Rabbi Simcha Scheinberg, Young Israel of Riverdale, 8:30pm, 718-548-4765
Tues., Jan 13
Caregivers Support Group, for those caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s disease, JCC, Tenafly, 10:30am, 201-569-7900 “My Favorite Stories,” Rabbi Ely Allen, Jewish Family Service of Northern NJ Café Europa, for Holocaust survivors, includes lunch
and possible transportation, at the Fair Lawn Jewish Center, 11am, 973-595-0111 “Unchained at Last: Helping Women Leave Arranged and Forced Marriages,” Raidy Reiss, includes lunch, JCC, Bridgewater, noon, 908-725-6994 Dor LeDor Lunch and Learn, Cong Ahavath Torah, Englewood, 12 noon, 201-568-1315 Bereavement Support Group, Rabbi Bryan Kinzbrunner, Stein Hospice, Somerset, 4pm, 732-227-1212 “Lose Weight Naturally with Hypnosis,” certified hypnotist, Holy Name Medical Center, Teaneck, 7pm, 201-833-3336 “Comparing Rambam with Tur and Shulchan Aruch: Why the Codes Were Established and How They Differ,” Joel Rich, Cong Ahawas Achim Bnai Jacob and David, West Orange, 8pm, 973-736-1407 Study and Schmooze: An Attitude of Gratitude, the Benefits of Being Grateful,” for young professionals, Rabbi Avrohom Rapoport, spons by Chabad at the Shore, private home in Ventnor, 8pm, 609-822-8500 The Shabbos Project in Bergen County “Keep It Together” Planning Program, for men and women, Cong Keter Torah, Teaneck, 8:30pm, 201-928-0511 or 917-334-0937
Wed., Jan 14
Cong Ahavas Achim of Highland Park Mission to Israel, return Mon, Jan 26, aamission@arieltours.com “K’tav V’Kabbalah: The Story of the Sidrah as Told by the Sages of theTalmud,” Rabbi Zev Prince, Ma’ayanot Yeshiva High School for Girls, Teaneck, 12:20pm, 201-833-4307 Fair Lawn Gown Gemach, spons by Chabad of Fair Lawn, 1-2:30pm, 201-797-1770 Tomchei Shabbos of Passaic Needs Volunteers, private location in Passaic, women and girls, 6pm; men and boys, 7:15pm; drivers, 8:30pm; yona@idt.net Seminar: Chair Yoga for Diabetes Control, Deidre Treitler,
BSN, Holy Name Medical Center, 7pm, 201-833-3336 Abused Women’s Confidential Support Group, Jewish Family Service, Teaneck, 7:15pm, 201-837-9090 Sisterhood Book Chat: “The Interestings” by Meg Wolitzer, facilitated by Jane Goldstein, Cong Sons of Israel, Manalapan, 7:15pm, 732-446-3000 Film: “The Prime Ministers, Part II: Soldiers and Peacemakers,” JCC, Tenafly, 7:30pm, 201408-1418 Haftorah Class, Donn Gross, Chabad of West Orange, 8pm, 973325-6311 Tehillim Group, Cong Shaare Tefillah, Teaneck, 8:15pm, 201-2895474, 917-902-9303, or 201-836-3431
Thurs., Jan 15
Salanter Akiba Riverdale (SAR) Academy Information Session, for parents whose children will attend SAR, at the school, Riverdale, 9:30am, 718548-1717 ext 1206 Hands-On Educator Workshop: “Illuminating Images: A
Hundred Year Remembrance of the Armenian Genocide,” Center for Holocaust Education, Brookdale Community College, Lincroft, 11:15am, 732-224-1889 “Israel through Film: How Israeli Society Is Reflected in Films,” JCC Rockland, West Nyack, 1pm, 845-362-4400 JCC Rockland Sports Dinner, honoring Steven Beldock and the Hon Stephanie Hausner, featuring Boomer Esiason, at the Crowne Plaza, Suffern, 6:30pm, 845-362-4400 Parsha Shiur, Rabbi Tully Harcstzark, Cong Rinat Yisrael, Teaneck, 8:40pm, 201-837-2795
Fri., Jan 16
Tot Shabbat, for parents and children ages birth to 24 months, JCC, Tenafly, 9:30am, 201-408-1435 Shabbat with Rabbi Gary Katz, for seniors, JCC, Tenafly, 11:30am, 201-569-7900 Rabbi Yehuda Sarna, scholarin-residence, Cong Ahavath Torah, Englewood, through Shabbat, Jan 17, 201-568-1315
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The Log
January 2015 / Tevet 5775
Tell Our Advertisers “I Saw It in The Jewish Voice and Opinion”
continued from page 25
Carlebach Davening: Musical Kabbalat Shabbat, Jewish Center of Teaneck, 4:30pm, 201-833-0515 “The Igbo Jews of Nigeria,” Shai Afsai, scholar-in-residence, includes dinner, Cong Sons of Israel, Manalapan, 4:30pm, 732-446-3000 Shabbos in Mexico: Culinary Tour Highlighting Mexican Shabbos Cuisine, Chabad Shul, Ventnor, 6:15pm, 609-822-8500 Rosh Chodesh with Rebbetzin Ruth Glasser, spons by the Young Israel of Passaic, private home in Passaic, 7:45pm, 973-330-2285
Shabbat, Jan 17
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 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 Shai Afsai, scholar-inresidence, Cong Sons of Israel, Manalapan, “The Traditions of the Ethiopian Jews,” 10:30am; “Benjamin Franklin and the Jews,” 4pm, 732-446-3000 “Rabbi Akiva: When Optimism Prevails,” CB Neugroschl, Cong Netivot Shalom, Teaneck, 4:30pm, 201-801-9022
Motzei Shabbat, Jan 17
Café Chabad, for men and women, featuring comedian Eric Golub, Chabad Center of Cherry Hill, 7pm, 856-874-1500 Dafna, in concert, for families, includes dinner and activities, Hebrew Institute of Riverdale, 7pm, 718-796-4730 Shiur, Rabbi Mordechai Willig, Young Israel of Riverdale, 7:30pm, 718-548-4765 “Saturday Night at the Movies: “Tevye” in Yiddish, includes cheesecake, Young Israel of Fort Lee, 7:30pm, 201-592-1518 Shiur, for men, Rabbi Dovid Baum, Yeshiva Ner Boruch-Pas-
saic Torah Institute, 8:30pm, 862371-3186
Sun., Jan 18
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, spons by Chabad of Fair Lawn, 9:30-11:30am, 201-797-1770 Winter Break Artsy Crafts: Every Day Another Masterpiece, for girls ages 9-12, Elisheva Ansel, private home in Passaic, 10am, through Fri., Jan 23, 973-440-9731 or ArtsyCraftsClasses@gmail.com Movies, Smoothies, Free Play, for children ages 5-11, Hebrew Institute of Riverdale, 1pm, 718-796-4730 Jewish-Russian Cultural Club, Jewish Federation of Greater Middlesex County, South River, 3:30pm, 732-698-9213 Taharas Hamishpacha, for women, Debbie Selengut, spons by Ateres Bracha Neve Passaic Torah Institute, private home in Clifton, 8pm, 908-278-4059 or nevepti@ gmail.com
Mon, Jan 19 Martin Luther King’s Birthday
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 Magic with Joe Fields, for children, includes playground, gym, and swim, JCC, Tenafly, 9am-3pm, 201-408-1467 Martin Luther King, Jr Day Concert: the SAR High School Choir and the Green Pastures Baptist Choir, Hebrew Institute of Riverdale, 8pm, 718-796-4730
Tues., Jan 20
Fitness Boot Camp, for children, includes playground, gym, and swim, JCC, Tenafly, 9am-2pm, 201-408-1467 Rafa’enu Peer-Led Mood Disorder Support Group, for those with depression, bipolar disorder, and/or related anxiety and their loved ones, Ben Porat
Yosef, Paramus, 7:10pm, dena@ rafaenu.org “Everything You Wanted to Know about Your Computer but Were Afraid to Ask: Computer Literacy and Security at Hadassah Hospital,” Michael Beberman, spons by Hadassah, Highland Park Senior Center, 7:30pm, 732819-9298 or rachel@weintraubworld.net “Soulmates: Jewish Secrets to Meaningful Relationships— Synergizing and Sanctifying Love and Desire,” for women, Rebbetzin Altie Kasowitz, spons by the Rosh Chodesh Society, Chabad of West Orange, 8pm, 973-325-6311 Jewish Learning Initiative on Campus Back to School Rosh Chodesh Event, for women, Rebbetzin Sara Frieberg, spons by Rutgers Hillel and the Orthodox Union, Rutgers Hillel, New Brunswick, 8pm, 732-545-2407
Wed., Jan 21
Trip to Funplex, for children, includes playground, gym, and swim, JCC, Tenafly, 9am-2pm, 201-408-1467 JCC Nursery School Open House, for parents of prospective students, JCC, Tenafly, 9:30am, 201-569-7900 Book Discussion: “Toward a Meaningful Life” by Rabbi Simon Jacobson,” for women, Malkie Herson, Chabad Jewish Center, Basking Ridge, 7:30pm, Chabad@ chabadcentral.org 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 Israeli-Style Choir, for those who can read and sing in Hebrew, Zvi Klein, JCC, Tenafly, 8pm, 201-408-1427 Haftorah Class, Donn Gross, Chabad of West Orange, 8pm, 973325-6311
Thurs., Jan 22
Movie Day at the J, for children, includes playground, gym, and swim, JCC, Tenafly, 9am-3pm, 201-408-1467 Film: “Next Year in Jerusalem,” with shaliach Yuval Shefi, JCC, Margate, 10:30am, 609-822-
1167 ext 138 Friendship Circle Adult Program, for special-needs adults, in conjunction with J-ADD, private home in Paramus, 6pm, 201262-7172 Parsha Shiur, Rabbi Tully Harcstzark, Cong Rinat Yisrael, Teaneck, 8:40pm, 201-837-2795
Fri., Jan 23
Speaker and Dessert, Torah Links of Middlesex County, East Brunswick, 7:30pm, jweb@ TorahLinks.org
Shabbat, Jan 24
Shiur, Prof Alan Brill, private home in Teaneck, 3:45pm, shalomk@hotmail.com Motzei Shabbat, Jan 24 The Beit El Winery: Shmittah and How It Pertains to WineGrowing and Wine-Making,” Hillel Manne, includes wine-tasting, Cong Shomrei Emunah, Englewood, 8pm, 201-567-9420 Chabad of Riverdale Dinner, honoring Hadassah Lieberman, at the Tappan Hill Mansion, Tarrytown, NY, 8pm, 718-549-1100 ext 10
Sun., Jan 25
UN Holocaust Remembrance Day Men’s Club Scotch-Tasting Breakfast, Cong Sons of Israel, Manalapan, 9:30am, 732-446-3000 “Kaddish: Women’s Voices,” Debbie Jonas, Dr. Rachel Mesch, Dr. Chaya Gorsetman, and Amy Koplow, moderated by Barbara Ashkenas, Hebrew Institute of Riverdale, 10am, 718-796-4730 Chugei Ivrit, for men and women, spons by Hadassah, private home in Highland Park, advancedbeginners, 10am; intermediateadvanced, 11am, 732-819-9298 or rachel@weintraubworld.net Theater: “The Three Challahs,” for children, JCC, Tenafly, 10:30am, 201-408-1427 Bat Mitzvah Club, for girls in grades 5-6 (girls 11-13), Shterna Kaminker, Chabad of Cherry Hill, 5pm, 856-874-1500 Jewish Girls Club, for 8th grade girls, Mussie Mangel, includes crafts, food, and relevant Jewish themes, Chabad of Cherry Hill, 5pm, 856-874-1500 “An Interrupted Life,” Lisl Malkin, includes film, “Words of
http://jewishvoiceandopinion.com Wisdom,” to commemorate UN Holocaust Remembrance Day, JCC, Tenafly, 5:30pm, 201-408-1418 Chabad of Passaic-Clifton Dinner, honoring Yehoshua and Shaina Greenhous, Rabbi Craig and Michal Miller, George and Phyllis Matjewicz, and Reuven and Leslie Russel, at Cong Bais Shalom, Clifton, 6pm, 973-246-5251 JACS Meeting, 12-steps meeting for Jews in recovery, Rabbi Steven Bayar, Cong B’nai Israel, Millburn, 6pm, 973-379-3811 Beyond Bat Mitzvah Club, for girls in grade 7 and up who have recently celebrated their bat mitzvahs, Shterna Kaminker, includes crafts, scrap-booking, and refreshments, Chabad of Cherry Hill, 6:30pm, 856-874-1500 Taharas Hamishpacha, for women, Debbie Selengut, spons by Ateres Bracha Neve Passaic Torah Institute, private home in Clifton, 8pm, 908-278-4059 or nevepti@ gmail.com
Mon, Jan 26
Smile on Seniors, for senior men and women, includes brunch, Chabad House, Wayne, 11:30am, 973-694-6274 “Glaucoma: Latest Updates,” Dr. Andrew Brown, Holy Name Medical Center, Teaneck, 11:30am, 201-833-3336 “Young Child Parenting Class and Discussion Group: Setting Limits with Young Children,” Hava Finkel, MSW, Cong Shomrei Emunah, Englewood, 8pm, chanie@ShomreiEmunahNJ.org Documentary: “Night Will Fall,” untold story of Nazi concentration camp atrocities, commissioned by the Allies, directed by Alfred Hitchcock, HBO, 9pm; also Tues., Jan 27, 4:40am; Thurs., Jan 29, 12:30pm; Fri., Jan 30, 12:30am
Tues., Jan 27
Jewish Educational Center’s Rav Teitz Mesivta Academy Parlor Meeting, for parents of 8th grade boys, private home in Hillside, 8pm, 908-355-4850 Friendship Circle Volunteer Orientation, for parents and youngsters who want to learn how to work with specialneeds children, Cong Beth Tefillah, Paramus, 8pm, 201-262-7172 Cong Ahavas Achim Sisterhood Book Club: “The Rosie
January 2015 / Tevet 5775
Project” by Graeme Simsion, private home in Highland Park, 8:30pm, 732-572-6741 “Jewish Resistance during the Holocaust: What We Know, What We Guess, What We Think,” Dr. Igor Kotler, Synagogue of the Suburban Torah Center, Livingston, 8:45pm, 973-994-2620 Documentary: “Night Will Fall,” untold story of Nazi concentration camp atrocities, commissioned by the Allies, directed by Alfred Hitchcock, HBO2, 10:30pm; also Tues., Feb 10, 12:50am
Wed., Jan 28
JCCU: “ISIS: Short-Term Threat or Long-Term Challenge,” Dr. Josh Gleis, and “Fundamentalism: Religion, Ideology, and Politics,” Ben Nelson, JCC, Tenafly, 10:30am, 201-408-1454 Tomchei Shabbos of Passaic Needs Volunteers, private location in Passaic, women and girls, 6pm; men and boys, 7:15pm; drivers, 8:30pm; yona@idt.net Second Generation, for children of Holocaust Survivors, Jewish Family Service, Teaneck, 7pm, 201-837-9090 Cong Etz Chaim Men’s Club Dinner, at Etc Steakhouse in Teaneck, leave the shul in Livingston, 7pm, kweissm@aol.com or etzchaim@etzchaimnj.com Abused Women’s Confidential Support Group, Jewish Family Service, Teaneck, 7:15pm, 201-837-9090 Tehillim Group, Cong Shaare Tefillah, Teaneck, 8:15pm, 201-2895474, 917-902-9303, or 201-836-3431 Israeli Women’s Circle, includes dinner, JCC, Tenafly, 8:30pm, 201-408-1427 Online Fireside Chat: “Marriage and Family, with a Focus on Parenting,” Rabbi Doniel Frank, 9:30pm, dfrank@mapseminars. com or 646-493-5597
Thurs., Jan 29
Felafel and Film: Films from Jerusalem’s Ma’aleh Film School, includes dinner, JCC, Margate, 5:30pm, 609-822-1167 ext 138 Yoga for Stress Reduction, Karen Schmidt, MSN, spons by Holy Name Medical Center, at the Puffin Cultural Forum, Teaneck, 7pm, 201-833-3336
Fri., Jan 30
Last Day to See Exhibit:
The Jewish Voice and Opinion
“Fabric of Life,” wall-hangings made by members of Kibbutz Kishorit, 160 adults with debilitating mental illnesses or developmental disabilities, JCC, Tenafly, 201-569-7900 Deadline to apply for scholarship for March of the Living, for students in grades 9-12, offered by the JCC on the Palisades, Tenafly, 201-569-7900 Tu B’Shevat Celebration, for children ages 2-4½ and a parent or grandparent, JCC, Tenafly, 3:15pm, 201-408-1418 Jewish Orthodox Feminist Alliance Shabbaton, Hebrew Institute of Riverdale, through Shabbat, Jan 31, 718-796-4730 Matti Friedman, scholar-inresidence, Davar, Teaneck, through Shabbat, Jan 31, https://davarsample.wordpress.com/contact-us/ Rabbi Adam Mintz and Rebbetzin Sharon Liberman Mintz, scholars-in-residence, Cong Ahavath Torah, Englewood, through Shabbat, Jan 31, 201-568-1315 Sisterhood Shabbat, includes dinner and a program, Cong Sons of Israel, Manalapan, 5:30pm, BethKrinsky@optonline.net Cholent Cook-Off, for middleschool and high school students and adults, individuals and teams, Young Israel of East Brunswick, 6pm, 732-254-1860 “The Status of Jerusalem in Christianity, Islam, and Judaism,” Rabbi JJ Schacter, Jeffrey Berger/Stephanie Shatkin Memorial scholar-in-residence, includes dinner, Cong Ohr Torah, West Orange, 6pm, 973-669-7320 or bruce.g.bukiet@njit.edu Children’s Shabbat Dinner, Chabad at the Shore, Vent-
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nor, 6:15pm, 609-822-8500
Shabbat, Jan 31
Tefillat Esther Women’s Tefillah, Hebrew Institute of Riverdale, 9am, 718-796-4730 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 Cholent Cook-Off Tasting Kiddush, Young Israel of East Brunswick, 11:30am, 732-254-1860 Rabbi JJ Schacter, Jeffrey Berger/Stephanie Shatkin Memorial scholar-in-residence, Cong Ohr Torah, West Orange, “American-Jewish Life in the 21st Century: The Challenge of Choice,” 11:30am; private sponsors luncheon with Rabbi Schacter, noon; “Did Moshe Rabbenu Know Everything? Printing and the Unfolding of Human Knowledge,” seudah shlishit, 973-669-7320 or bruce.g.bukiet@njit.edu
Motzei Shabbat, Jan 31
Family Havdalah and Pajama Movie Night, for children, parents, and grandparents, includes pizza, Young Israel of Fort Lee, 6:30pm, 201-592-1518 Saturday Night Learning, for children in grades 1 and up, Rabbi Joshua Hess and Maor Tiri, includes pizza, sports, and a movie, Cong Anshe Chesed, Linden, 6:30pm, 908-486-8616 “Torah, Text, and Tradition: An Evening of Learning and Sharing,” for men and women, includes collation and socializing time, Cong Shomrei Torah, Fair
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THE JEWISH VOICE AND OPINION
Promoting Classical Judaism
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The Log
January 2015 / Tevet 5775
Tell Our Advertisers “I Saw It in The Jewish Voice and Opinion”
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Lawn, “Unconventional Remedies,” Dr. Adam Karp, 7pm; “Dos Pintele Yud: Issues in Safrus,” 7pm; “Two Jews, Three Opinions: Halachic Perspectives on Machlokes,” Dr. Howard Neuer, 7pm; “Why Do We Stand for the Aseres HaDibros?” Rabbi Howard Gershon, 8pm; “The Role of Midrash in Rashi’s Commentary,” Rabbi Martin Rosenfeld, 8pm; “The Mitzva of Bikkur Cholim,” Dr. Yael Mayefsky, 8pm; “Medical Marijuana in Halacha,” Rabbi Dr, Wallace Greene, 9pm; “Differentiated Instruction in the Torah,” Aliza Strassman, 9pm; “The Lost Ark and Its Contemporary Relevance,” Zach Stern, 9pm, wmg14c@gmail.com Paint Night, for women and girls over age 12, Young Israel of East Brunswick, 7pm, 732-254-1860 “It’s Easy: An Anti-Bullying Musical,” for families, Riverdale YMHA, 7pm; also Sun, Feb 1, 4pm; Motzei Shabbat, Feb 7, 7pm; and Sun, Feb 8, 4pm; 718-548-8200 Shiur, Rabbi Mordechai Willig, Young Israel of Riverdale, 7:30pm, 718-548-4765 Cong Shaare Tefillah of Teaneck Dinner, at the shul, 8pm, 201-370-5523 Glassworks, for women age 18 and up, Cong Bnai Yeshurun, Teaneck, 8pm, 201-836-8916 “Impact Investing and the Israeli Connection,” Yali Harari, JCC, Tenafly, 8:30pm, 201-408-1427 Couples Cooking Event, Cong Ahabath Torah, Englewood, 8:30pm, 201-568-1315
Sun., Feb 1
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 Highland Park Community Kollel Breakfast, with HaRav Yaakov Busel, honoring Chaim and Raizy Krauss, at Cong Ohr Torah, Edison, 9:30am, 732-247-3038 Israel Bonds Women’s Division Brunch, at Rockleigh Country Club, 9:30am, 800-724-0748 Sunday Circle, activities for special-needs children, spons by the Friendship Circle, at the Rosenbaum Yeshiva of North Jersey, River Edge, noon, 201-262-7172 Super Bowl Party and Grid, Cong Sons of Israel, Manalapan, 5pm, 732-446-3000 CPR/AED/First Aid Class, for women, Lisa Silvey, private pool in Highland Park, 7pm, 732977-3308
Mon, Feb 2
Taglit Birthright-Israel Registration, especially for college students who have not yet taken the trip to Israel, Rutgers Hillel, New Brunswick, noon, 732-545-2407 “Serving Our Creator with a Healthy Body, Mind, and Soul: Shemirat Shabbat vs Shemirat Ha-Nefesh—Health Management and Medical Treatment on Shabbat,” Rabbi Larry Rothwachs, Cong Beth Aaron, Teaneck, 8:30pm, 201-836-6210
Tues., Feb 3
Deadline to apply to Chapman University’s Holocaust Art and Writing Contest: “Through Discovery to Action: Making Meaning from Memory,” students can express themselves through art, writing, or film, winners receive cash prizes and an expense-paid study trip to Washington in June, 714-628-7377, 714-532-6002, or cioffi@chapman.edu
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
Sushiana Restaurant Donates 18% of its profits to CNJKIDS, to support Jewish K-8 day school education, Highland Park, 5-6pm, 732-640-0111 Rafa’enu Peer-Led Mood Disorder Support Group, for those with depression, bipolar disorder, and/or related anxiety and their loved ones, Ben Porat Yosef, Paramus, 7:10pm, dena@ rafaenu.org Tu B’Shevat Farbrengen: An Evening of Inspiring Torah, Exotic Fruit, and Live Music, Synagogue of the Suburban Torah Center, Livingston, 8pm, 973-994-2620
Wed., Feb 4, Tu B’Shevat
Tu B’Shevat Seder, for seniors, with Rabbi Garry Katz, JCC, Tenafly, 11:15am, 201-569-7900 Book Club: “The Invention of Wings” by Sue Monk Kidd, facilitated by Lucille Schroeder, JCC Rockland, West Nyack, 1pm, 845-362-4400 Tu B’Shevat Celebration: 7 Species of Fruits and Grains, JCC, Tenafly, 3pm, 201-408-1418 Bar Mitzvah Club, for boys in grades 6-7, Rabbi Yitzchok Kahan, includes light dinner, Chabad Center, Cherry Hill, 6pm, 856-874-1500 Hadassah Tu B’Shevat Seder, for members and non-members, Highland Park Senior Center, 7pm, 908-227-4869 Contemporary Israeli Poetry Group, in the original with English translation and discussion, Atara Fobar, Hebrew Institute of Riverdale, 7pm, 718-796-4730 Tu B’Shevat Seder Celebration, Hebrew Institute of Riverdale, 7:30pm, 718-796-4730 Beyond Bar Mitzvah Club, for 8th grade boys and those who have recently celebrated their bar mitzvahs, Rabbi Yitzchok Kahan, includes light dinner, Chabad of Cherry Hill, 7:30pm, 856-874-1500 Jewish 12-Step Meeting, JACS—Jewish Alcoholics, Chemically Dependent Persons, and Significant Others, Jewish Family Service, Teaneck, 7:30pm, 201-8379090, 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 Israeli-Style Choir, for those who can read and sing in Hebrew, Zvi Klein, JCC, Tenafly, 8pm, 201-408-1427
Thurs., Feb 5
Gift of Life Bone-Marrow Drive, Rutgers Hillel, New Brunswick, 9am-5pm, 732-545-2407 Arzei Darom Bake Sale, includes desserts and Shabbos food, Cong Arzei Darom, Teaneck, 7-10pm, agemittan@gmail.com
Fri., Feb 6
Yachad Shabbaton, for special-needs teens, Hebrew Institute of Riverdale, through Shabbat, Feb 7, 718-796-4730 Moriah School of Englewood Shabbaton, at Cong Ahavath Torah, Englewood, through Shabbat, Feb 7, 201-567-0208 Leil Limud Program, spons by Cong Ahawas Achim Bnai Jacob and David, in various private homes throughout West Orange, 7:30pm, 973-866-9111 or 973669-0374
Shabbat, Feb 7
“Soulmates: Jewish Secrets to Meaningful Relationships— Beloved Friends: Synergizing and Sanctifying Love and Desire,” for women, Rebbetzin Sarah Shemtov, Chabad House, Riverdale, 12:30pm, 718-549-1100 Shiur, Prof Alan Brill, private home in Teaneck, 4pm, shalomk@ hotmail.com
Motzei Shabbat, Feb 7
Rosenbaum Yeshiva of North Jersey Melava Malka and Chanukat Habayit, at the school, River Edge, 7:30pm, 201986-1414 Casino Night, for those over 21, Cong Sons of Israel, Manalapan, 7:30pm, 732-446-3000 Frisch Yeshiva High School Dinner, honoring Dr. Monique and Mordecai Katz, Abby and David Flamholz, Alisa and Jonathan Gellis, and Rabbi David and Yael Goldfischer, Marriott at Glenpointe, Teaneck, 8pm, 201-267-9100 Shiur, for men, Rabbi Dovid Baum, Yeshiva Ner Boruch-Passaic Torah Institute, 8:30pm, 862371-3186
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New Classes This Month Sundays
Hilchos Aveilus, Rav Zvi Sobolofsky, Cong Ohr HaTorah, Bergenfield, 7:15am, 201-244-5905 or 201-385-1761 Men’s Insanity Exercise Class, Cong Rinat Yisrael, Teaneck, 8am, bcohen@azardisplays.com or seidmanconsult@hotmail.com “Inspired Jewish Living (and Eating): Insight into Our Daily Jewish Practices,” Rabbi Zev Goldberg, includes breakfast, Young Israel of Fort Lee, 8:30am, 201-592-1518 Halacha, Yisroel Kenner, Young Israel of Riverdale, 9am, 718-
The Log
548-4765 “Sundays in Shushan,” Synagogue of the Suburban Torah Center, Livingston, 9am, 973-994-2620, begins Feb 1 “Breakfast with the Bible: Miriam, The Older Sister,” Cong Ahavas Yisrael, Edison, 9:15am, info@ayedison.org “The Art of Parenting,” Chabad, Franklin Lakes, 9:45am, 201848-0449, begins Feb 1 Youth Instructional Hockey, for grades K-2, Aharon Goldwas-
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Sun, Feb 8
Shoot for Shalom: 3-on-3 All-Day Basketball Tournament, to support Shalom Torah Academy, East Windsor, includes Coach’s Clinic with Bill Cartwright, games, kosher food and refreshments, and Gala Awards Banquet, to participate, form an original team or join an existing one, winning team will have dinner at an upscale kosher restaurant in Manhattan with NY Knicks star Anthony Mason, tournament at the Monroe (NJ) Sports Center, 9am, 240-723-2653 Rockland County Federation Super Sunday, Rockland JCC, West Nyack, 9am-5pm, 845-3624200 ext 121 “Bagels, Tefillin, and Breakfast,” Rabbi Eliezer Zaklikovsky, Chabad Jewish Center of Monroe, NJ, 9:30am, 732-656-1616 “Sunday Morning with Dad,” for fathers and their 3- and 4-yearolds, Cong Ahawas Achim Bnai Jacob and David Nursery School, West Orange, 10am, 973-736-1407 “The Many Sides of Israel,” for students in grades 8-12, JCC, Tenafly, 10:15am, 201-569-7900 Israel Teen Leadership Summit: Israel Advocacy Program, for grades 10-12, to learn to address anti-Israel propaganda on college campuses, at The Moriah School of Englewood, 10:15am, 201-820-3946 Cong Ahavas Yisrael of Edison Brunch, honoring Rabbi Dani and Chaya Davis and Andrew Kellman, at Cong Ohr Torah, Edison, 10:30am, info@ayedison.org “Pete Rose—An American Dilemma,” Kostya Kennedy, includes brunch, JCC, Tenafly, 10:30am, 201-569-7900 Yachad Parents’ Conference: Ensuring That Every Child
Belongs,” for parents of specialneeds children, with Beth Aune, Dr. Robin Brewer, Dr. Kathy Johnson, Dr. Jeff Lichtman, Michelle Mintz, and Sibshops for Siblings, topics include “How to Foster Constructive Relationships between Educators and Families,” “Why My Child Struggles in School,” “Promoting Social Skills with Your Children,” “Hope and Help for the Home,” and “Social Skills Development for Children with ASD,” includes lunch, Cong Keter Torah, Teaneck, noon, 201-833-1349 Sunday Circle, activities for special-needs children, spons by the Friendship Circle, at the Rosenbaum Yeshiva of North Jersey, River Edge, noon, 201-262-7172 Beyond Bar Mitzvah Club, for boys in grade 8, Rabbi Yitzchok Kahan, Chabad Center, Cherry Hill, 12 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, 305-332-6036 or 973-900-1341 Sifriyat Pijama Be’America: Story Time in Hebrew, bring old books to swap, JCC, Tenafly, 4pm, 201-408-1427 SINAI Special Needs Institute Schools Dinner, honoring Shelley and Ruvan Cohen, Holy Name Medical Center President and CEO Michael Maron, Dr. Elie and Nancy Elmann, Rabbi Brian and Laurir Gopin, Rabbi Shimshon and Ashley Jacob, and Judy and Nathan Rephan, Marriott Glenpointe Hotel, 4:45pm, 201-833-1134 Bat Mitzvah Club, for girls in grades 5-6 (girls 11-13), Shterna Kaminker, Chabad of Cherry Hill,
5pm, 856-874-1500 Jewish Girls Club, for 8th grade girls, Mussie Mangel, includes crafts, food, and relevant Jewish themes, Chabad of Cherry Hill, 5pm, 856-874-1500 Beyond Bat Mitzvah Club, for girls in grade 7 and up who have recently celebrated their bat mitzvahs, Shterna Kaminker, includes crafts, scrap-booking, and refreshments, Chabad of Cherry Hill, 6:30pm, 856-874-1500 On-Campus Self-Defense with the Rutgers University Police Department and Krav Maga Workshop, Rutgers Student Center, New Brunswick, 7pm, 732-545-2407
Mon, Feb 9
“Getting into the Mindset of Millennials with BirthrightNext,” spons by the Synagogue Leadership Initiative, includes dinner, Jewish Federation of Northern NJ, Paramus, 6:30pm, 201-820-3914 Caregivers Support Group, for those caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s disease, JCC, Tenafly, 7pm, 201-569-7900 Volunteer Educational Seminar, for those in grades 6
and up who want to work with special-needs children, spons by The Friendship Circle, at Cong Rinat Yisrael, Teaneck, 7pm, 201-262-7172 “How to Effectively Encourage Your Kids,” for Israeli parents raising children in the US, JCC, Tenafly, 7:30pm, 201-408-1427
Tues., Feb 10
Women’s Philanthropy “Reach for the Pomegranate” Event: Trip to the Jewish Museum in Manhattan for “Helena Rubinstein: Beauty Is Power” Exhibit, includes lunch and guided tour, leave Jewish Federation of Northern NJ, Paramus, 9:30am, 201-820-3953 Bereavement Support Group, Rabbi Bryan Kinzbrunner, Stein Hospice, Somerset, 4pm, 732-227-1212 Volunteer Educational Seminar, for those in grades 6 and up who want to work with special-needs children, spons by The Friendship Circle, at Cong Rinat Yisrael, Teaneck, 7pm, 201-262-7172 “Ten Mistakes Keeping You from the Mikveh,” for women, Yoetzet Halacha Nechama Price, Cong Etz Chaim, Livingston, 8pm, 201-888-6999 Y
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New Classes
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ser and Jordan Glick, Yavneh Academy, Paramus, Grades K-1, 9am; Grade 2, 10am, Aharon.goldwasser@gmail.com or jg5433@aol.com “The Art of Parenting,” Valley Chabad, at Park Ridge High School, Woodcliff Lake, 10am, 201-476-0157, begins Jan 18 Zumba, for girls in grades K-5, with Shari, Cong Rinat Yisrael, Teaneck, 4:15pm, 201-837-2795 “Oorah Chillzone: What It Means to be a Jew,” for children, Cong Ahavas Achim, Highland Park, 6:15pm, www.chillzone.org “Hollywood Idol: Debate the Life-Messages of Hollywood’s Most Popular Box-Office Films,” for teens, includes dinner, Chabad Center, Cherry Hill, 6:30pm, mussie@thechabadcenter.org “The Art of Parenting,” Rabbi Avrohom Bergstein, Cong Anshei Lubavitch, Fair Lawn, 8pm, 201-362-2712, begins Jan 18
Mondays
“Understanding the Language of the Torah: Study of the Tabernacle and the Laws in the Book of Exodus,” Etia Segall, JCC, Tenafly, 9:30am, 201-408-1418, begins Jan 26 Parshanut HaMikra: Bereishit, for women, Rachel Friedman and Shira Schiowitz, spons by Lamdeinu, at Cong Beth Aaron, Teaneck, 10:15am, begins Feb 2, 201-906-9124 Hebrew Reading: The Books of Jonah and Esther in Hebrew, Etia Segall, JCC, Tenafly, 11:30am, 201-408-1418, begins Jan 26 Lunch and Learn: “Major Halachic Responses Affecting Us in Modern Times,” Rabbi Jay Weinstein, spons by the Young Israel of East Brunswick, at Giddy’s Pizza, East Brunswick, 12 noon, 732-254-1860, begins Jan 26 Tanya, Rabbi Mendel Mangel, Chabad of Cherry Hill, 4:30pm, 856-874-1500 Parent Support Group, for those struggling with older children’s (18 and older) alcohol and/or drug abuse, eating disorders, depression, and other issues, Bergen Regional Medical Center, Paramus, 6pm, 201-967-4000 Hebrew Reading Crash Course, Sara Kinberg, Hebrew Institute of Riverdale, 6:30pm, 718-548-2461 Support Group: “Establishing Financial Freedom,” Jewish Family Service, Teaneck, 7pm, 201-837-9090 Bible Class: “Let My People Know—From Exodus to Ecstasy,” Rabbi Asher Herson, Chabad Center of Northwest NJ, Rockaway, 7:30pm, 973-625-1525 ext 227 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, Milltown, 7:30pm, 732-777-1940 “Jewish Law and Ethics,” Rebbetzin Maxine Pilavin, Cong Sons of Israel, Manalapan, 7:30pm, 732-446-3000
Mazal Tov Mazal Tov to the Bar Mitzvah Boys: Ezra Baron, Ari Baruch, Yoni Besser, Ari Chasman, Shmuel Friedman, Idan Glickman, Ari Green, Dov Ber Greenspan, Josh Jerome, Ethan Kessler, Ohr Klein, Ari Kolb, Yoni Mann, Reuben Melzer, Ezra Nissel, Akiva Prager, Drew Rabinowitz, Matan Rosenthal, Saadia Scher, Shimmie Schwarcz, Akiva Schwartz, and Immanuel Shmidman; and the Bat Mitzvah Girls: Gabriella Bak, Halle Bernstein, Ariana Borck, Naomi Fogelman, Molly Glicksman, Tiferet Grossman, Leora Hikind, Ayelet Kurz, Amalia Littwin, Temima Macklin, Meira Papier, Ayelet Schochet, Ayelet Wasserman, and Avital Leora Zelig Mazal Tov to The Jewish Voice’s own Shira Hes on making Aliyah. Y
“The Art of Parenting,” Valley Chabad, Woodcliff Lake, 7:45pm, 201-476-0157; Rabbi Mendy Kasowitz, Chabad of West Orange, 8pm, 973-325-6311, begins Jan 19 “Laws of Shmiras HaLashon,” for women, Leah Drillman, spons by the Women’s Learning Initiative, private home in Highland Park, 8pm, 201-410-1893 Gemara and Chickies, for boys in grades 6-8, Cong Bnai Yeshurun, Teaneck, 8pm, 201-836-8916 Advanced Hebrew Ulpan, Sara Kinberg, Hebrew Institute of Riverdale, 8pm, 718-548-2461 Advanced Talmud, Rabbi Yisrael Hollender, Hebrew Institute of Riverdale, 8:30pm, 718-796-4730 Chabura on Bilvavi Mishkan Evneh, Rabbi Ari Zahtz, Cong Bnai Yeshurun, Teaneck, 8:40pm, 201-836-8916 Chabura on Hilchos Shabbos, Rabbi Ari Zahtz, Cong Bnai Yeshurun, Teaneck, 9:20pm, 201-836-8916 Gemara Skills, Rabbi Rich, Cong Bnai Yeshurun, Teaneck, 9pm, 201-836-8916 Learn to Crochet, for women and high school girls, private home in Passaic, 9pm, RachySellsStuff@gmail.com
Tuesdays
Gentlemen’s Kollel: Talmud “The Real Breakfast of Champions,” Rabbi Zev Goldberg, includes breakfast, Young Israel of Fort Lee, 8am, 201-592-1518 “Tricks, Loopholes, and Legal Fictions: Does Halacha Allow Us to Deceive G-d?” Rabbi Uri Goldstein, Yeshivat Noam, Paramus, 9:45am, psp@YeshivatNoam.org Introductory Talmud: Berakhot Chapter 4, for women with Hebrew text skills, Rabbi Daniel Fridman, spons by Lamdeinu, at Cong Beth Aaron, Teaneck, 10:15am, begins Jan 27, 201-906-9124 Support Group: “Establishing Financial Freedom,” Jewish Family Service, Teaneck, 11am, 201-837-9090 “Meeting the Tannaim: The Heroes of the Talmud,” Rabbi Ari Hart, Hebrew Institute of Riverdale, 11am, 718-796-4730 “The Life and Times of Leonard Bernstein,” Michael Reingold, JCC, Tenafly, 1:30pm, 201-408-1457, begins Feb 3 Mincha, spons by Cong Anshe Chesed, at Yeshiva Zichron Leyma, Linden, 1:45pm, 908-486-8616 Klezmer Band Practice, JCC, Tenafly, 6:30pm, 201-408-1465 Alateen, for girls ages 9-19 with friends or family members with addiction (food addiction, OCD, codependency, eating disorders, gambling, shopping addiction, alcoholism, etc), Rikki Wisotsky, LCSW, completely anonymous and confidential, Cong Tiferet Israel, Passaic, 7pm, 973-249-7435 Inclusive Art Program, for special-needs and typically-developing junior and senior high school students over the age of 12, Debbie Greenwald, spons by Yachad, at The Art Place, Englewood, 7:30pm, 201-833-1349 or judasr@ou.org, begins Feb 3 Intermediate Level Ulpan, for men and women, Tamar Appel, Ma’ayanot Yeshiva High School, Teaneck, 7:30pm, 201-833-4307 ext 265, begins Jan 27 Shirah Jewish Community Chorus Rehearsal, Matthew Lazar, JCC, Tenafly, 7:30pm, 201-408-1465 Yemima Class, Smadar Taub, JCC, Tenafly, 7:30pm, 201-408-1427, begins Jan 13 “Foundations of Judaism: Shabbat I,” Rabbi Ari Hart, Hebrew Institute of Riverdale, 7:30pm, 718-796-4730 “The Art of Parenting,” Chabad of Nyack, 7:30pm, 845-3566686, begins Jan 13 “The Art of Parenting,” Chabad Jewish Center, North Brunswick, 7:45pm, 732-398-9492, begins Jan 27
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January 2015 / Tevet 5775
“The Art of Parenting,” Rabbi Ephraim Simon, Chabad House, Teaneck, 8pm, 201-907-0686; Chabad House, Tenafly, 8pm, 201-8711152, begins Jan 20 Taharas HaMishpacha Revisited, for women, Chaya Reich and Betty Fromowitz, spons by Ohr Monsey, private home in Monsey, 8pm, 845-494-3201 Tanya, Rabbi Mendel Mangel, Chabad of Cherry Hill, 8pm, 856-874-1500 “Digging Deeper: The Aggadic Teachings of Talmud Brachot,” Rabbi Elie Mischel, Synagogue of the Suburban Torah Center, Livingston, 8pm, 973-994-2620 Pirkei Avos and Parsha Shiur, Rabbi Jason Finkelstein, Cong Bnai Yeshurun, Teaneck, 8:15pm, 201-836-8916 Megillat Esther, for men and women, Rabbi Dr. Yitzhak Berger, spons by Lamdeinu, at Cong Beth Aaron, Teaneck, 8:15pm, begins Feb 3, 201-906-9124 Jewish Learning Initiative on Campus Gentlemen’s Club, Rabbi Adam Frieberg, spons by Rutgers Hillel and the Orthodox Union, includes Chinese Food and shiur, private home in New Brunswick, 8:30pm, 732-545-2407 “Prohibitions of Shabbat,” Rabbi Shlomo Nusbaum, spons by the Highland Park Community Kollel, at the Young Israel of East Brunswick, 8:30pm, 732-254-1860 Mishnayos Shiur, Yisroel Kenner, Riverdale Kollel, 9pm, 718548-4765 Chavrusa Learning, Rabbi Jason Finkelstein, Cong Bnai Yeshurun, Teaneck, 9pm, 201-836-8916 Parsha Chaburah, for men, Rabbi Binyamin Krohn, spons by the Young Israel of Teaneck, at private homes in Teaneck, 9:15pm, 201-837-1710
Wednesdays
Yoga with Shifra, for women, Shifra Shafier, spons by Lamdeinu, at Cong Beth Aaron, Teaneck, 9am, 201-906-9124 “A Flock of Jewish Early Birds: Many Different Subjects,” Dr. Marty Cohen, Rockland JCC, West Nyack, 9:30am, 845-362-4200, begins Jan 28 “Heroes of the Holocaust,” Leslie Goldress, Rockland JCC, West Nyack, 9:30am, 845-362-4200, begins Jan 28 Parshat HaShavua, for men and women, Rachel Friedman, spons by Lamdeinu, at Cong Beth Aaron, Teaneck, 10:15am, begins Feb 2, 201-906-9124, begins Jan 28 “Wisdom Revealed: The Weekly Torah Portion,” Rabbi Zev Goldberg, Young Israel of Fort Lee, 10:30am, 201-592-1518 “The Art of Parenting,” Chabad House, Franklin Lakes, 10:30am, 201-848-0449, begins Jan 28 “The Art of Parenting,” Chabad House, Manalapan, 10:30am and 7:30pm, 732-972-3687, begins Jan 21 Women’s Parsha Class, Tova Rapoport, Chabad House, Margate, 11am, 609-822-8500 Intermediate Israeli Dance, Sara Burnbaum, Rockland JCC, West Nyack, noon, 845-362-4400 “Israel and the Jewish People (Schmooze in the News),” Timna Mekaiten, Rockland JCC, West Nyack, 12:30pm, 845-362-4200, begins Jan 28 Tomchei Shabbos of Bergen County Needs Volunteers, on a weekly, bi-monthly, or monthly basis, private home in Bergenfield, packing, 1pm; driving, 6pm, 201-314-1854 or sdwalzman@yahoo.com Friendship Circle Teen Scene, for special-needs teens ages 1321 to work with high school volunteers, The Frisch School, Paramus, 6pm, 201-262-7172 Beginner Level Ulpan, for men and women, Sar Meir, Ma’ayanot Yeshiva High School, 7pm, 201-833-4307 ext 265, begins Jan 28 “Living with Soul: An Exploration of Sefer Nefesh HaChaim,” Rabbi Mordechai Gershon, Cong Ahavath Torah, Englewood, 7:15pm, 201-568-1315
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Hebrew Institute of Riverdale Community Choir, Jonathan Dzik, new members welcome, at the shul, 7:30pm, 718-549-8520, begins Jan 21 Yemima Class, Smadar Taub, JCC, Tenafly, 7:30pm, 201-408-1427, begins Jan 14 Open Israeli Dance, not for beginners, Sara Burnbaum, Rockland JCC, West Nyack, 7:30pm, 845-362-4400 Intermediate Hebrew Ulpan, Sara Kinberg. Hebrew Institute of Riverdale, 7:30pm, 718-548-2461 “The Art of Parenting,” Rabbi Mendel Mangel, Chabad Center, Cherry Hill, 7:30pm, 856-874-1500, begins Jan 21 “The Art of Parenting,” Rabbi Asher Herson, Chabad Center of Northwest NJ, Rockaway, 7:45pm, 973-625-1525, begins Feb 4 Special Torah Learning, Rabbi Zev Goldberg, Young Israel of Fort Lee, 7:45pm, 201-592-1518 On-Line Shiur: “Beyond Bat Mitzvah: Unlocking Hidden Treasures,” for girls ages 11 and up, Nechama Laber, 8pm, www. JewishGirlsUnite.com Chaburah on Selected Teshuvos, Rabbi Ari Zahtz, Cong Bnai Yeshurun, Teaneck, 8pm, 201-836-8916 “The Inside That Counts: Emotional and Intellectual Mitzvot,” Rabbi Sammy Berman, Cong Ahavath Torah, Englewood, 8pm, 201-568-1315 “Tzurba M’Rabannan: Studying the Halachot of Orach Chaim,” Rabbi Steven Pruzansky, Cong BnaiYeshurun, Teaneck, 8:15pm, 201-836-8916 Sefer Yehoshua, Rabbi Yaakov Glasser, spons by the Young Israel of Passaic, at the Yeshiva Ketana Boys Building, Passaic, 8:30pm, 973-330-2285 Chaburah, Rabbi Ari Zahtz, Cong Bnai Yeshurun, Teaneck, 8:40pm, 201-836-8916 “Explorations in Masechet Ketuvot,” Rabbi Itamar Rosensweig, Cong Ahavath Torah, Englewood, 8:45pm, 201-568-1315 Parsha Focusing on Emunah and Bitachon, for men and women, Rabbi Zvi Weiss, private home in Highland Park, 9:15pm, 732-777-1155 Chabura to Study the Thought of the Rambam through His Rich Hakdamos to Mishna, Cong Beth Abraham, Bergenfield, 9:15pm, 201-384-0434 Chaburah on Gemara Rosh Hashana, Rabbi Ari Zahtz, Cong Bnai Yeshurun, Teaneck, 9:20pm, 201-836-8916
Thursdays
“Taste of Hebrew,” Miri Burman, Rockland JCC, West Nyack, 9:30am, 845-362-4200,begins Jan 29 Book of Shmuel, Rabbi Steven Exler, Henrew Institute of Riverdale, 10am, 718-796-4730 “The Later Prophecies of Yirmiyahu,” for women, Shira Schiowitz, spons by Lamdeinu, at Cong Beth Aaron, Teaneck, 10:15am, begins Jan 29, 201-906-9124 Beginners’ Hebrew, Deborah Ornstein, Riverdale YMHA, 10:30am, 718-548-8200
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“Great Thinkers of the 20th Century: Rav Kook, Rav Soloveitchik, and the Lubavitcher Rebbe,” for men and women, Rabbi Yosef Bronstein, spons by Lamdeinu, at Cong Beth Aaron, Teaneck, 11:45am, begins Jan 29, 201-906-9124 Live Teleconference: “Simchas Hachaim and Inner Peace,” for women, Dina Schoonmaker, spons by the Women’s Mussar Vaad, 2pm (sessions will be recorded and archived to access later), 732-665-6202 or WomensVaad.com Mishmar, for children ages 5-11, includes plan, dinner, divrei Torah, and Torah arts and crafts, Hebrew Institute of Riverdale, 4pm, 718-796-4730
Biblical Hebrew and Siddur Study, Sara Kinberg, Hebrew Institute of Riverdale, 7:30pm, 718-548-2461 Chabura on Gemara Makos, Rabbi Jason Finkelstein, Cong Bnai Yeshurun, Teaneck, 8pm, 201-836-8916 Mishmar: Prepare for Shabbat with Special Learning and Hot Cholent, Rabbi Zev Goldberg, with Cong Bet Yosef, at Young Israel of Fort Lee, 8:30pm, 201-592-1518 Parsha, for men and women, Rabbi Yosef Adler, Cong Rinat Yisrael, Teaneck, 8:40pm, 201-837-2795, begins Jan 29 Shmitta Shiur, Rabbi Jason Finkelstein, Cong Bnai Yeshurun, Teaneck, 9pm, 201-8368916
Riverdale Kollel Shiur: Divrei Halacha on Parshas Hashavua, Rabbi David Lowenthal, Young Israel of Riverdale, 10:15pm, 718548-4765
Fridays
Hospital Visitations, Rutgers Hillel, New Brunswick, 1pm, 732-545-2407 Chumash, Yisroel Kenner, spons by the Riverdale Jewish Center, at a private home in Riverdale, 2 hours after candle-lighting, 718-548-1850 Friday Night Beis Medrash Program: Yevamos, Rav Zvi Sobolofsky, Cong Ohr HaTorah, Bergenfield, 7:30pm, EricStobezki@gmail.com
Shabbat
Potpourri on the Parsha, Rabbi Zev Goldberg, Young Israel of Fort Lee, 8:15am, 201-592-1518 Halacha Shiur, Yisroel Kenner, Young Israel of Riverdale, 9am, 718-548-4765 Father-Son Program during Services, for boys ages 6 and up who come to pray with their fathers, raffle tickets and prizes, the Moroccan Minyan at Cong Bnai Yeshurun, Teaneck, by 9:30am, merav@dahaninc.com Intimate Learning Service with Explanations and Discussions, Rabbi Ari Hart, focusing on prayer and the weekly Torah portion, Hebrew Institute of Riverdale, 9:30am, 718-796-4730 Learning Seudah Shlishit, includes “Tefillah Tidbits: Strategies to Make Your Prayer More Meaningful,” Rabbi Ronald Schwarzberg; “Practical Halachot of Tefillah,” Rabbi Mark Glass; “Sefer Tehillim,” Rabbi Steven Miodownik; and “Mussaf Masters,” Yitzi Wolf, Cong Ahavas Achim, Highland Park, 732-247-0532
Specials
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each winning about 24 seats. But by the beginning of January, Likud’s fortunes improved. After the party’s primary resulted in the elimination from the race of the controversial right-wing Moshe Feiglin, polls began projecting that Likud would win 26 seats, followed by Labor at 23. There are 120 seats in the Israeli Knesset. After elections, the head of the party winning the most seats is asked by the country’s president to form a coalition of at least 61 seats.
Most polls show that a right-wing bloc, headed by Mr. Netanyahu’s Likud and including nationalist and hareidi parties, would receive between 70 and 84 seats. Throughout December, poll respondents have chosen Mr. Netanyahu as the next Prime Minister over Mr. Herzog by double digits. “Wasted Votes” Complicating the process is a trend that has progressed to become a new style of campaigning: parties joining forces so as to lessen the possibility of so-called
“wasted” votes— ballots insufficient in number to help the party achieve another seat, or to enter the next Knesset at all. Under new rules instituted last year, the threshold a party must reach in order to serve in the Knesset is 3.25 percent of all votes cast. Based on Israel’s current population, this means even the smallest parties in the Knesset need to reach four seats. In 2013, Mr. Netanyahu successfully used the joint-party concept to increase
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Likud’s chances of victory. By running jointly with Avigdor Liberman’s Yisrael Beiteinu Party, Mr. Netanyahu’s Likud managed to secure 31 seats, only 20 of which belonged outright to Likud. Last summer, Mr. Liberman formally dissolved the unity pact with Likud. In this election, both parties will run independently. Veering to the Left While Mr. Liberman is generally considered right-wing, some have noticed that recently his views have veered to the left. For example, Mr. Liberman’s plan for peace with the Palestinians includes relinquishing a great deal of land in Judea and Samaria as well as the so-called Triangle and Wadi Ara areas, which would extend the Palestinian state into the center of coastal Israel. His plan, which he said is necessary to pacify the European Union, calls for the expulsion of Jews from their homes in Judea and Samaria and for 300,000 Israeli-Arabs to relinquish their citizenship in the Jewish state to become citizens of the new Palestine. Polls show that Yisrael Beiteinu, which heavily depends on Russian-Jewish immigrants, would win just seven seats. When asked, Mr. Liberman said he would not rule out joining a coalition headed by the Labor Party. Making a Choice Tzipi Hotovely, Likud Deputy Minister of Science, Technology and Space, said Mr. Liberman would have to “choose if he is for splitting the land or not.” “One day, he is on the Right, and the next he is on the Left,” she said, adding that
once Mr. Liberman takes a consistent position “Likud might be able to consider including Yisrael Beiteinu in a right-wing bloc.” The characterization of his party as anything but “nationalist” prompted Mr. Liberman to backtrack. “Everyone understands that there is no government with Yisrael Beiteinu that is not a nationalist government,” Mr. Liberman said on IDF Radio. Political Motivations Some analysts suggest that Mr. Liberman’s flirtation with the Left is based on something other than ideology. At the end of December, Israeli police announced a corruption investigation against Yisrael Beiteinu Deputy Interior Minister Faina Kirshenbaum and the party’s former Tourism Minister Stas Misezhnikov, part of a massive effort that has so far implicated 30 senior Israeli politicians. Yisrael Beiteinu claimed the arrests were politically motivated, prompting former National Union MK, Dr. Michael Ben-Ari, to note that Mr. Liberman may be reacting the same way the late former Prime Minister Ariel Sharon did when faced with a similar investigation. In 2005, Mr. Sharon adopted the left-wing position of advocating the disengagement from Gaza and the expulsion of 10,000 Jews from their homes. Many analysts said that in so doing, Mr. Sharon managed to mitigate the effects of the left-wing media against the corruption investigation. “It turns out that with Liberman, [as] with Sharon, the deeper the investigation, the deeper the expulsion. Liberman
is trying to be saved from another corruption scandal, and, as with Sharon, pioneering Jews and the State of Israel will pay the price. Whoever votes for Liberman needs to know they’re voting for the radical Left,” said Dr. Ben-Ari. Israeli Police Chief Yohanan Danino dismissed the accusation that the Yisrael Beiteinu ministers were being politically targeted. Arab Parties In the current election cycle, the first group seriously to consider banding together was Israel’s Arab parties. Balad MK Hanin Zoabi, who supports Hamas and has been suspended several times from the Knesset for inappropriate behavior, said her party as well as the United Arab List (UAL) and Hadash would run together. If Likud MK Danny Danon has his way, their joint list will not include Ms. Zoabi, who, last summer, voiced sympathy for the Hamas murderers of three Israeli teenagers. Israel’s State Attorney Shai Nitzan has recommended that Ms. Zoabi be criminally indicted for publicly inciting Arab youths in Nazareth to attack police officers. In 2010, Ms. Zoabi participated in the Turkish-led terrorist flotilla that tried to break through Israel’s naval blockade on Gaza. Although Ms. Zoabi did not physically attack the lightly armed Israeli soldiers who boarded the Mavi Marmara ship, the Islamists she was supporting did, leaving several soldiers seriously injured. Israeli troops returned fire and killed nine of their attackers. Based on the Knesset Basic Law, which disallows candidates who call for “armed struggle by an enemy state or terrorist organization against the State of Israel,” Mr. Danon is working to have Ms. Zoabi banned from running. “Zoabi Bill” Last fall, a broad spectrum of right- and left-wing MKs passed the so-called “Zoabi Bill,” legislation that would make it possible for a 61-member majority in the Knesset to ban permanently an MK who supports terrorism or violence against the State of Israel. Although the bill was supported by members of nearly every faction in the Knesset, including members of her own Hatnua Party, Justice Minister Tzipi Livni filed an appeal against it, effectively burying it. Yisrael Beiteinu MK David Rotem, who had presented the bill, was outraged. “No
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country in the world allows people who undermine its very existence and support terror groups against it to serve as parliament members,” he said. Overcoming the Court Mr. Danon, who is collecting signatures from members of Israel’s Central Elections Committee to ban Ms. Zoabi, said he is confident he will succeed. He says that the only obstacle he faces is from Israel’s Supreme Court, which overruled the Committee in 2012 and allowed Ms. Zoabi to run for office. This time, Mr. Danon is relying on the same law that was applied to ban the late Rabbi Meir Kahane’s Kach Party back in 1988. In an animated cartoon video used for the Likud primary campaign, Mr. Danon is portrayed as a Western sheriff who throws the villainous Zoabi out of a saloon and prevents her from running for the Knesset. To the tune of “Oh Susanna,” Ms. Zoabi is told “there is a limit to every traitor/Say goodbye nicely.” It ends with the chorus: “Oh Zoabi, cry my dear/Because Danny has arrived/He is the real Right.” Claiming that the video contains “defamation, libel, and incitement to hatred and physical violence” conducted in a “miserable, cynical, and racist manner,” Ms. Zoabi’s Balad party has filed a complaint with the police against Mr. Danon. Distinct Change If, in fact, the Arab factions run as a joint list, it would represent a distinct change of attitude by these parties, who in the past have been notoriously vituperative towards one another. The UAL is
associated with Israel’s Bedouin population, while Balad’s support comes mostly from the Arab Galilee region. Hadash is Israel’s Communist party and is represented by Arabs and Jews. Ms. Zoabi predicted that, together, the Arab parties would win as many as 16 seats, but recent polls show that 1011 is more realistic. Currently, the UAL and Hadash have four seats each. Balad’s current three seats would mean it would not enter the Knesset at all. Although Mr. Herzog has pledged to continue the Israeli tradition of not including Arab parties in a Labor-led government, the Arab factions could be expected to be more cooperative with a left-wing government rather than a right-wing one. Yesh Atid’s Future Labor would still have other choices for coalition partners. Yair Lapid, head of the Yesh Atid party which surprised everyone with an astonishing 19 seats in the 2013 election, was part of Mr. Netanyahu’s coalition. At the beginning of December, Mr. Netanyahu fired Mr. Lapid from his position as Finance Minister, charging that the Yesh Atid leader had tried to disrupt the government not only by attacking policies, but also by trying to organize a “putsch,” by forming an “alternative” coalition with the hareidi parties. It is, therefore, doubtful that Yesh Atid would join a coalition headed by Likud this time around. Yesh Atid is expected to win nine seats at most.
The image of Mr. Lapid’s courting the hareidim is astonishing. In 2013, his campaign attacked the hareidim, insisting that their schools offer a more secular curriculum and that their young men serve in the military instead of studying in yeshivas. After the 2013 elections, Mr. Lapid refused to allow his 19 crucial seats to be part of a government that included the hareidi parties, despite that the hareidim had been coalition members in governments headed by rightwing and leftist leaders for almost 30 years. Blocking the Hareidim After he was fired, Mr. Lapid accused Mr. Netanyahu of ridding himself of Yesh Atid so that a new government could be formed with the hareidim. Many sources close to Mr. Netanyahu agreed that a new election was not the Prime Minister’s first choice and that he would have preferred forming a new coalition without Mr. Lapid and with the hareidi parties, which would have given the government 61 seats. The Prime Minister was unable to accomplish this because Mr. Liberman, whose participation would have been necessary, refused. According to some reports, Mr. Liberman was unwilling to allow hareidim into the government, a charge denied by Yisrael Beiteinu. Postponing the Inevitable In a prepared statement, the party said it opposed forming an alternative government because it would just postpone the inevitable. The statement argued that in a 61-member government, “every single member of the Knesset could threaten blackmail” and the result would be “one more year of political instability.” “And then we’ll go to elections after wasting billions more to maintain a shaky coalition,” said Yisrael Beiteinu. Mr. Liberman denied that he was opposed to including hareidim in the coalition. “We believe there is no disqualification of sectors in Israeli society. The only consideration should be the national interest,” he said. Looking for Partners In the current election campaign, Mr. Lapid’s first move was to contact Ms. Livni, the controversial head of Hatnua. A former Likud MK, Ms. Livni has progressed leftward, first with Prime Minister Sharon’s Kadima, in which she supported
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the 2005 “disengagement” from Gaza, and then in 2013, her own Hatnua Party. Although Hatnua won only six seats in 2013, Mr. Netanyahu invited her to join his government and offered her the powerful positions of Justice Minister and chief negotiator with the PA during Secretary of State John Kerry’s most recent peace talks. Most analysts believe Mr. Netanyahu hoped Ms. Livni’s left-wing affiliation would moderate attacks from Israel’s often virulently left-wing media. To a large extent, it was a successful ploy. At the beginning of December, Mr. Netanyahu fired Ms. Livni along with Mr. Lapid, charging that they were working together against the government in general and against the Prime Minister in particular. Behind the Government’s Back Mr. Netanyahu accused Ms. Livni of meeting with PA chairman Mahmoud Abbas despite her being part of the Security Cabinet which reached the decision not to meet with him. Calling their behavior “subversion,” Mr. Netanyahu accused Ms. Livni and Mr. Lapid of using public venues in the US to speak out against Israel’s construction policies. Mr. Netanyahu said Mr. Lapid and Ms. Livni had reneged on the three main tasks agreed to by the coalition: to ensure that Jerusalem remains united, to recognize Israel as a Jewish state, and to maintain a strong stance against a nuclear Iran. “In recent weeks, including the last day, Ministers Lapid and Livni have sharply attacked the government I lead,” said Mr. Netanyahu. “I will not tolerate any more opposition from within the government. I will not tolerate ministers attacking the policy of the government and its leaders from within the government.” The situation made it “impossible” to govern, he said. Different Treatment Supporters of Mr. Lapid and Ms. Livni responded by saying that both Jewish Home’s Mr. Bennett and Mr. Liberman had publicly criticized Mr. Netanyahu without being asked to leave the government. Mr. Netanyahu said this was true, but added that both Messrs Bennett and Liberman “toned down their rhetoric” after being admonished directly by the Prime Minister. A Likud source confided to Arutz Sheva that another reason lay behind Mr. Netanyahu’s decision to sack Mr. Lapid and Ms. Livni: Not only would it humili-
ate and punish them, but it would render them unable to take advantage of their government positions during the upcoming election campaign. “They could in theory have changed regulations in the Finance or Justice Ministry to help them in the upcoming elections. That was something Netanyahu was unable to have a hand in,” said the source. Delaying the UN Vote Once elections were called, Ms. Livni used her relationship with Mr. Kerry, forged during her former position as negotiator with the Palestinians, to convince the Secretary of State to help defeat Mr. Netanyahu. According to a report in Foreign Policy magazine, Ms. Livni persuaded Mr. Kerry to
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work against last month’s UN Security Council resolution to recognize a Palestinian State and demand that Israel vacate all land beyond the 1967 Green Line by 2017. According to the report, Ms. Livni and former Israeli President Shimon Peres told Mr. Kerry that if the motion passed in the UN before Israeli elections, it would influence Israeli voters in favor of Messrs Netanyahu and Bennett. Mr. Bennett said the report showed that Ms. Livni “has hit rock-bottom in political subversion by going behind the back of the sitting government to help schedule operations that will harm Israel.” “Livni’s interests do not come before the state’s interests, and demanding
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January 2015 / Tevet 5775
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Ess Gezint: Kids’ Activities for Play and Treats If you’re going away for Winter Break, then perhaps your children will become the responsibility of the day camp director, Mickey Mouse, Harry Potter, or the lifeguard at the beach. But if you’re staying home, you might want to get a hold of 101 Kids Activities That Are the Bestest, Funnest Ever by Holly Homer and Rachel Miller (Page Street Publishing). The women, a former physical therapist (Ms. Homer) and a former teacher and
Edible Play Dough
(How to Play and Make Dinner at the Same Time) 1 egg Large mixing bowl ¼ cup sour cream Strong wooden or metal 1/3 cup milk (or vegetable spoon juice) 3 cups all-purpose flour 2-3 Tbs olive oil ½ tsp salt Beet or spinach juice to dye the dough (the amount depends on how dark you want your noodles) The authors add 2 Tbs of juice-dye to a cup of dough, but if the children like the taste of spinach, add more. This yields about 3½ cups of dough. In a bowl, mix all the dry ingredients together well with your hands or a strong spoon. Add the egg, sour cream, milk, and oil. Add the juice, if using. The dough will be incredibly stiff. Cover it and put it in the refrigerator for a few hours. If made in advance, store in an airtight container in the refrigerator. After the dough has “sat” a few hours, it becomes more elastic and less stiff. Knead and play with the dough. The more the dough is played with, the better the noodles will be. Form noodles by making dozens and dozens of “little worms.” For other shapes, make small balls of dough and flat-
mother of six (Ms. Miller), characterize their book as “the entertainment solution for parents, relatives, and babysitters.” Not only are there just fun things to do with materials most of us have the around the house, but also tips on how to modify the activities for older and younger children. The “Edible Play Dough” comes from a section called “Boredom Busters.” You get the idea. Happy yeshiva break, everyone. Y
Grape Structures
Grapes—lots of them Box of toothpicks Put the grapes in a pile and create geometric shapes by stuffing the toothpicks into the fruit. You can create circle dome houses, A-frame homes, tall towers, and bridges. If younger children have a hard time creating structures, try helping them make train tracks or stick lots of sticks into one grape and call it a porcupine. Older children can look at photos of architectural landmarks and see if they can be replicated with grapes and sticks. After an afternoon of building, this activity doubles as a snack. Just don’t eat the toothpicks. ten them. These dumplings ae delicious. You can also roll out the dough into a sheet and cut the noodles into thin strips. After all the noodles are done, bring a pot of water to a boil. Add some sea salt and boil until fully cooked, about 20-30 minutes. Younger children who are struggling to make the worms might enjoy a clean pair of safety or play scissors to cut up the dough into their own version of pastini. Older children (under supervision) can use tongs to lift the noodles out of the water, being careful not to burn themselves. This is a great opportunity to practice motor skills because the noodles can be very slippery. Creating a sauce could also be fun.
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Elections
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“Netanyahu and Bennett, instead of criticizing me, should call me and thank me for helping them in doing what they cannot,” she said, adding that the US and Israel should not interfere in each other’s elections. On the Israeli satirical television program, Matzav HaUma (State of the Union), Ms. Livni
called the Prime Minister “impotent” and said she and Mr. Herzog had decided to “take out the garbage.” She also referred to Mr. Netanyahu as “a zero.” Contacting the Hareidim Mr. Lapid also responded to Mr. Netanyahu with attacks. Denying that he or Ms. Livni
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that an attack on Israel fit her schedule crosses a red line,” said Mr. Bennett. Jewish Home MK Ayelet Shaked said Mr. Herzog and Ms. Livni “asked to postpone an ambush on Israel, not because it was not good for the country, but because it was not good for the Left in the elections.” Israeli Defense Minister Moshe Ya’alon (Likud) called Ms. Livni’s move “invalid to the core, because you can’t involve foreign sources in Israeli political matters.” Against Judea and Samaria When Mr. Herzog announced that as Prime Minister, he would shut down the World Zionist Organization’s (WZO) Settlement Division, which functions as an operational arm of the government to build and establish communities and infrastructure in Judea and Samaria, Mr. Ya’alon said it was clear that if Labor had been in power, “there would have been Hamastan in the West Bank for a long time already.” In closing the Settlement Division, Mr. Herzog would leave 389,250 Israeli Jews in Judea and Samaria without government representation. Since 2013, 15,000 more Jews have moved into communities in Judea and Samaria.
An additional 375,000 Jews reside in neighborhoods of Jerusalem located over the 1949 Armistice Line, sometimes called the Green Line. These neighborhoods include popular areas such as French Hill, Sanhedria, the Mount of Olives, and Mount Scopus. Mr. Herzog’s willingness to divide Jerusalem and make land swaps in a deal with the Palestinians would support the expulsion of more than 764,000 Jews. Mr. Herzog said he would open a Settlement Division to serve the Negev and the Galilee instead. Self-Praise Ms. Livni, who did not deny Mr. Netanyahu’s charges, responded to her dismissal by referring to herself as “the gatekeeper of democracy and the constitution in the state of Israel.” “Mazal Tov,” she told Mr. Netanyahu through the Israeli press. “Now the crazies can run amok.” She said she had had “turned to Kerry to safeguard the interests of the State of Israel, to prevent the world’s coercion of Palestinian demands on Israel.” Further, she said, Messrs Netanyahu and Bennett should be grateful.
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tried to conduct a putsch, he called Mr. Netanyahu “detached” and accused him of living in his “own aquarium.” However, Shas MK Nissim Ze’ev confirmed that while Mr. Lapid did not contact Shas directly, the Yesh Atid leader had sent “messengers” to Shas members to see if they were willing to form an alternative government. Mr. Ze’ev said Mr. Lapid’s efforts were “indicative of a method” that is “all about pure hatred of hareidim.” “Lapid used his seats to try to bring down the government so that he could reign and become Prime Minister. It shows how much bad blood is in this man,” said Mr. Ze’ev. Demonizing Settlers While Mr. Lapid’s 2013 campaign was all about demonizing the hareidim, his new campaign attacks Jews in Judea and Samaria. After he was fired as Finance Minister, his months-long freeze on fund transfers to Judea and Samaria regional councils was broken by the current Defense Minister Moshe Ya’alon. Mr. Lapid characterized this move, which provided sorely needed funds for Israeli citizens in those areas, as “election bribery.” Likud MK Yariv Levin accused Mr. Lapid of hypocrisy. “He apparently forgot that, in the short time he served as Finance Min-
ister, he chose to transfer many millions to Arab regional councils ruled by the Islamic Movement in Israel,” said Mr. Levin. Meretz chairwoman Zehava Gal-On attacked Mr. Lapid from the Left. She accused him of lying about the transfers to the WZO’s Settlement Division which he personally signed and approved for two years. Ms. Gal-On insisted that if Mr. Netanyahu had not fired him, Mr. Lapid would still be happily serving in the government. “We are sick of you,” she told Mr. Lapid, blasting him for declining to announce whether or not he would serve in another government headed by Mr. Netanyahu. Everyone’s a “Centrist” Mr. Lapid tried to resolve his problem by presenting himself as a centrist. In a talk at the Jerusalem Post Diplomatic Conference, he criticized the Left for blaming only Israel for the failure of negotiations. This is the Left’s “naïve assumption that it is possible to reach a peace agreement easily if you just say ‘yes’ to the Palestinians,” he said. On the other hand, he said that the Right believes that any agreement will be worthless, and therefore prefers “to sit back and do nothing.” He suggested that Israel reach out to moderate Arab regimes, including the Arab League, “to initiate a move that will lead to a regional agreement and separation from the Palestinians.” Without this, he said, “the Palestinians will never dare come to an agreement.” According to Mr. Lapid, Labor and Meretz are the Left, Likud and Jewish Home are the Right, “and there’s the center,” he said, indicating only himself. Rotation Government As soon as new elections were announced, Mr. Lapid and Ms. Livni began negotiating about running on a joint list. According to Meir Cohen, a Yesh Atid MK who had served as Welfare Minister, talks between his party and Hatnua fell apart when Ms. Livni demanded a rotation-led government in the event that either of them were to succeed as Prime Minister. It was a deal she went on to secure from Mr. Herzog in exchange for her allowing Hatnua to be subsumed into Labor. At a press conference on Dec. 10, Mr. Herzog and Ms. Livni announced that if Labor is successful, he will serve as Prime Minister for
the first two years, and she will serve as the head of the government for the last two. In addition, Mr. Herzog has guaranteed that the 8th, 16th, and 21st places on Labor’s list will go to former members of Hatnua. She won’t need that many spots. The pact with Labor coupled with Ms. Livni’s actions with Mr. Kerry prompted MK and Reserve General Elazar Stern, who was a member of Hatnua, to leave the party. According to some reports, Mr. Stern is considering joining Yisrael Beiteinu. Three other members of the original six Hatnua MKs announced they are simply leaving politics. With the departure of MKs David Tzur, Amram Mitzna, and Meir Sheetrit, only Ms. Livni and Amir Peretz are left to journey to the Labor list. Bringing Clarity Polls show that Ms. Livni and Mr. Herzog running together could net 23 seats or more, possibly besting Likud. However, Labor would separately win just 17 seats, and Ms. Livni’s Hatnua would not pass the Knesset threshold. It is unclear if their alliance will make room for MK Shaul Mofaz’s Kadima party, of which he is the only representative in the current Knesset. Polls show that if Kadima runs, the party will not make the threshold into the Knesset and will disappear. Likud Deputy Prime Minister Tzachi Hanegbi said the upside to the political union between Ms. Livni and Mr. Herzog is that Israelis now have a clear choice between the Right and the Left. More “Centrists” At the same time, discussions have been reported about a possible union between Messrs Liberman and Lapid, along with Moshe Kahlon, a popular former Likud MK who once served as Minister of Communications. Before the 2013 elections, Mr. Kahlon announced that he was “taking a break” from politics, but, this past November, he formed his own party, Kulanu. Mr. Kahlon’s interest lies in economic improvement for the middle class. As Communications Minister, he earned popularity by introducing new competitors and forcing Israel’s wireless cartel to lower mobile phone prices. His current platform promises to lower the high cost of living. Like Messrs Liberman and Lapid, Mr. Kahlon also identifies as a “centrist” who supports the two-state solution, which
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The Jewish Voice and Opinion
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Soul Doctor on Broadway . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 1/15-19: Kids of Courage Bermuda . . . . . 13 1/31: Torah, Text and Tradition . . . . . . . . . . 25 2/5: Arzei Darom Bake Sale . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 2/8: SINAI Annual Dinner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Miscellaneous
Home Products & Services
Musician
Shalom Plumbing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43 Starr Carpets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
Kosher Restaurant, Take-Out
Butterflake Bakery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 Cake & Co. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38 Chopstix . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34 Ma’adan Superbowl . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 Teaneck Road Bagels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46 The Diet Fantasy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Medical Services
Employment Opportunities
OBGYN, Dr. Efrat Meier-Ginsberg . . . Podiatry, Dr. Ella D’Atri . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Psychotherapy, Chana Simmonds . . Sovri Helpline . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
means relinquishing land, although he claims not to have strayed far from Likud ideology on that front. “We will not waste an opportunity for peace and will not hesitate to vacate territory,” said Mr. Kahlon, who still described himself as “a little to the right of center, like the Likud of the past, [which] used to be respectable.” Major Shift This represents a dramatic shift for Mr. Kahlon, who over the years was considered a nationalistic close ally of Mr. Feiglin’s. In April 2011, Mr. Kahlon responded to Palestinian threats of unilateral declaration of statehood by saying that if the threat materialized, Israel should immediately announce annexation of Judea and Samaria and stop all Palestinian funding. Mr. Kahlon had favored continued building in Judea and Samaria, even outside the established settlement blocs. Carmel Shama-Hacohen, another former Likud MK who is considered close to Mr. Kahlon, said the Kulanu leader has indeed changed his political views. “People are allowed to change their opinions and fit them to the changing reality,” said Mr. Shama-Hacohen.
Polls show that Mr. Kahlon’s Kulanu would win eight seats. No Deal Although as of the beginning of January, no deal had been reached, some say that Yesh Atid and Kulanu could win 24 seats if they run together. A Channel 2 poll in early December suggested that on a joint list, Messrs Kahlon, Liberman, and Lapid could win 33 seats, enough to be the largest party in the Knesset. Nevertheless, when asked about a possible deal, all three said no. Mr. Liberman said Yisrael Beiteinu would remain independent, and Mr. Kahlon denied that there had been any contact between his party and the others. “I don’t want any current politicians in my party,” said Mr. Kahlon. However, he has welcomed former Israeli Ambassador to the US, Michael Oren, to join Kulanu’s list. Surplus-Vote Agreement Although they are running separately, Kulanu and Yisrael Beiteinu have signed a “surplus-vote” agreement, a plan through which Israel allows extra votes to count; without the agreement, the votes would not amount to an extra seat.
Computer Services
Rivkie.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
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Senior Planning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Bergen Veterinary Hospital . . . . . . . . . Glam Parties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Glitter Galore . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Leah Klein, Professional Organizer . .
14 16 18 10
Jeff Wilks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Travel & Vacations
Ani Villas Passover . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Club Kosher Passover . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Costa Rica Kosher Adventures . . . . . . 39 Kosherica . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48 Lasko Kosher Getaways Passover . . 8,9 Leisure Time Tours Pesach . . . . . . . . . . 23 Marco Polo Pesach . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 MatzaFUN Tours Passover . . . . . . . . . . 37 Mendy Vim’s Holidays . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Passover with Booky . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35 Passover Resorts Valencia . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Quality Hotel, Montreal . . . . . . . . . . . . 40 Torah in Motion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
In Israel, the number of Knesset seats each party wins is determined by the proportion of votes it receives, which is allotted in round figures. In the upcoming election, parties will have to garner close to 50,000 votes for each Knesset seat. If they come up short, the votes between the threshold for the last seat won and the next seat, whose threshold was not met, are lost. This procedure results in fewer than 120 seats. To make up the difference, the parties are accorded additional seats based on guidelines set under Israel’s Bader-Ofer Law. Although the guidelines generally favor larger parties that win a larger number of votes, they also allow parties to sign surplus-vote agreements with one another, permitting the agreeing parties to be considered a joint slate when the seat distribution numbers are counted. The “surplus-vote agreement” allows the transfer of extra votes to the party closest to the next threshold. Independent Partners Kulanu and Yisrael Beiteinu are currently running as two separate parties. But when the votes are counted, they will be considered as one slate as far as
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the allotment of surplus seats is concerned. According to some reports, Mr. Lapid was offered a similar deal by Labor and Meretz, but he refused. According Labor MK Eitan Cabel, Labor and Yesh Atid do have a secret pact not to attack each other. Not Defense Mr. Kahlon has not ruled out being part of either a Likud or Labor government, although he said he was not interested in a specific ministerial post. “If you ask me which minister I do not want to be, then the answer is the Minister of Defense. People need to understand what they are doing, and my strength is social, economic, and housing issues,” he said. Ms. Hotovely suggested that Mr. Kahlon could “return to his roots” by agreeing only to join a nationalist government led by Likud. If he does not, she said, voting for either Mr. Kahlon or Mr. Liberman, to say nothing of Mr. Lapid, could be “dangerous” to those who want to see Mr. Netanyahu serve another term as Prime Minister. Not Centrists at All She said it is possible that Messrs Kahlon and Liberman, “whom we have already seen begin to wink hard leftward,
could steal votes from the Right and give them to the Left, and we would find ourselves in the opposition.” She said that some rightwing voters may be tempted to cast a ballot for Mr. Liberman because of the perception that he takes a hard stand against the Arabs. Others may be tempted to vote for Mr. Kahlon, “without taking into account that he may not recommend Binyamin Netanyahu for Prime Minister.” David Elhayani, chairman of the Jordan Valley Regional Council, explained that despite media efforts to portray numerous parties, including Labor, Yesh Atid, and Hatnua, as politically “centrist,” there is no such thing, and the efforts are an attempt to mislead the public. “This is an election campaign in which we need to decide between Left and Right, and, make no mistake, there is no center here. That’s only a word made up by media advisors,” he said. “Political Ambiguity” He said politicians such as Mr. Lapid try to maintain “political ambiguity” because “they know most of the public is right-wing.” “They’re trying to deceive the public and speak with ambiguous slogans while manipulating friendly media,” he said. Some analysts accused
Mr. Herzog and Ms. Livni of following that line when they vowed last month that no matter what agreement they sign with the Palestinians, they will keep the Western Wall in Jerusalem under Israeli sovereignty. Mr. Netanyahu responded by asking, “How will it stay in our hands? Swallowed up the middle of Palestinian territory? And how will we reach the Kotel? In a military convoy? In armed personnel carriers? We didn’t return to the Kotel after 2,000 years to reach it in APCs.” Not to be outdone, Mr. Lapid announced that his party would never divide Jerusalem, even if it means no agreement with the PA. Jewish Home and Likud Jewish Home and Likud have also signed a surplus-vote agreement. Polls at the beginning of January showed Jewish Home becoming Israel’s thirdlargest party with 17 seats. But while Mr. Netanyahu said the activities of the leftwing parties have served to unite the Right, both Messrs Bennett and Netanyahu ruled out their parties’ running on a joint ticket. Polls show that, if they run together, they could garner about 35 seats. Separately, however, they may receive a total of 48. “The Jewish Home will continue to stand up for its principles against a Palestinian state and against the dangerous ideas of the Left that led us
to disaster after disaster and will bring missiles to Highway 6 and terrorist tunnels to Kfar Saba,” said Mr. Bennett. Mr. Netanyahu was more circumspect, saying that while there will not be a joint list, “a union, if it is even considered, will happen only after the election.” New System: Just Two Parties One thing seems certain: Mr. Netanyahu wants this to be Israel’s last dizzying election. One of his campaign slogans is: “Vote Likud to change the system.” It means, he said, that he intends to revolutionize Israel’s multi-party system and transform it into one with two major parties, just like in the US. In the election after the one coming up in March, the leader of the party that receives the most votes will automatically form the government, whether or not there is a coalition. This will mean Israel will have two large parties: one the Likud and the other “whatever Labor wants to call itself in each election,” he said. The result, he said, is that the governing party “won’t be subject to political extortion.” Pointing out that Israel has had 33 governments in its 66 years, he blamed the current system that makes it too hard to govern. “With so many parties, the Prime Minister functions as a kindergarten teacher in an endless game of musical chairs,” he complained.S.L.R.
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Letters to the Editor Constitutional Right, but Moral Abuse
The US Constitution guarantees the right of free speech and expression as long as other’s rights are not harmed in the process. Thus, the NY Metropolitan Opera had the right to produce “The Death of Klinghoffer,” but they had the moral obligation to refuse to do so (“The Klinghoffer Letter NY Times Refused to Print,” Letters to the Editor, Dec. 2014). Those who understand this have the right—perhaps obligation is the better word—to protest peacefully the Met’s decision. John Adams, the composer, and the Met made the woeful error of equating understanding the background of a conflict with the murderous pursuit of its resolution. Terror is murder. Murder is evil. Evil must never be rationalized. The terrorists who hijacked the Achille Lauro cruise ship and murdered passenger Leon Klinghoffer, a retired Jewish businessman confined to a wheelchair, were brutal psychopathic murderers. They must never be portrayed in the light of sympathy and/or empathy. To do so undermines our moral base. Jerrold Terdiman, MD Woodcliff Lake, NJ SLR responds: It has been suggested by at least one attorney that the entire American-Jewish community could seek to sue the Metropolitan Opera for acting as a vehicle of incitement, giving license for the murder of any American Jew.
Stop BDSers from Marching in the Israel Parade
It is wrong for the New York Jewish Community Relations Council in NYC and the UJA-Fed, the sponsors of the Israel Day Parade, to prevent simple guidelines from being enacted for participating groups to sign, stating they do not support Boycotts, Divestments and Sanctions (BDS) against Israel. Groups that call for a boycott of Israeli companies such as SodaStream and Ahava products have been allowed to march with their banners in the Israel Day Parade. The group “Partners for a Progressive Israel” calls for a boycott of Israel Companies openly on their web site. Other groups, like B’tselem, work to delegitimize Israel. The New Israel Fund finances BDS worldwide through groups they directly fund like “Breaking the Silence.” The New Israel Fund, Partners for a Progressive Israel and B’tselem have all been honored participants in past Israel Day Parades with the stamp of approval by the JCRC and the UJAFederation. I will be raising this issue publicly at every opportunity, and I hope you’ll join me. We can work to bring this issue to Jewish Day Schools, the public, and the Israeli Government which sponsors the Parade. I have already testified in Jerusalem at a Knesset Caucus concerning this issue and several esteemed Knesset leaders from various parties have publicly endorsed our efforts to stop the UJA-Federation and the JCRC from sponsoring BDSers within the Israel Day Parade. We will need a targeted informational campaign in the US and Israel. I call on everyone to please spread the word and join me in talking up this effort. It is time the JCRC and The UJA-Federation stop allowing BDS within the Israel Day
Parade. Let’s make sure this is the Year. Follow the progress at www.JCCWatch.org Richard Allen New York, NY
The Map of Israel
I had a non-Jewish girlfriend my first year at college some four decades ago. I remember being at her home one day and visiting with her and her mother. The mood was light and we were kidding one another, and then her mother said to me that I had the “map of Israel” on my face. Being caught off guard and not being familiar with the expression she tossed at me, I was at a loss for words. Sensing I had become uncomfortable, my girlfriend’s mother explained to me that I had a very Jewish-looking face. She then assured me I was an attractive young man and that it was not meant to be an insult. The idea that I had a Jewish look never bothered me. Today, I guess you could even say I wear my “map of Israel” face rather proudly. I always thought my girlfriend’s mother was a decent person. I did not believe she had spoken with any malice. It was not a big deal to me. I did not take what she said back then as an insult, and I do not consider it as an insult today. The real “map of Israel” insult came my way, however, just recently, when I found out that the New York City-based HarperCollins publishing giant omitted Israel from the atlases they sell to their Arab nation school customers. Not only did I see this action as a personal affront to me, but an affront to Jews everywhere and an obvious affront to the nation of Israel. As a matter of fact, by omitting the sovereign nation of Israel from their Middle East maps, HarperCollins has insulted the science of cartography and the great pioneer map makers of antiquity. Men like Anaximander and Eratosthenes, although not household names, were great contributors to society who shared one commonality regarding their map-making science: they pursued accuracy. But thanks to HarperCollins, a publisher that specializes in education, the science of cartography has taken one humongous step backwards, and Anaximander and Eratosthenes are probably turning over in their graves. Now that HarperCollins has been exposed, they have apologized, promised to purge their misleading and misguided maps, and said they will print accurate new ones. That is all fine and dandy, but I have a suggestion for their next future map-making business venture. I would like to see HarperCollins design and distribute a Northeast Asia map that omits North Korea. Harold Witkov Chicago, IL
The Miracle of Tu B’Shevat
Tu B’Shevat—the 15th of Shevat—is my favorite holiday. My rabbi laughs (he is blessed with great tolerance). He cites Pesach, the High Holidays, and so forth. I answer with the miracle of nature and the proof certainty of nature as a display of G-d’s power. Yes, G-d gave us Torah from a mountaintop in the Sinai
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“Thought Is the World of Freedom” (R’ Dov Ber of Mazeritch) Peninsula, so I’m told and so I believe. But there are skeptics who might retain 10 percent doubt of this miracle. And Elisha restored the dead to life, and the Red Sea split in two to create a passage for our fleeing ancestors. And so forth. Events reported to us in the Chumash, which the good Jew believes. But believing is one thing and seeing is another thing. Nobody has to tell me that a seed becomes a tree. I see it myself. I don’t have to rely on holy books or a prophet to tell me. I know a field sown with seed corn will soon be decorated with splashes of green. I can cite 10,000 more examples, like the birth of a child born of a microscopic speck of sperm. And don’t forget those magic wings on the back of the maple seed. I have seen both and they make the parting of the sea a stage set. These are true miracles. Why aren’t we impressed with the power of such a Creator? That’s why I love Tu B’Shevat. And it’s celebration of trees. The miracles are all underlined. Its proofs lie in my world— observable, tangible, non-disputable. In terms of credibility, it dwarfs all of our holidays. And how effectively can it be demonstrated to affect the faith of our young ones? Be as dramatic as you choose about the miracle of manna (say it was sugared, lo fat, no cal, and it lowered their cholesterol), and a six year old will politely listen and think that’s nice. But show him the oak tree you planted from an acorn five years ago and he’ll say, “Wow! You mean G-d transformed that pea-sized acorn into a condo for squirrels? That’s a miracle – that’s magic.” Yes, it is and bears witness to the transcendent ability of He who made oak trees, fathers, and sons and daughters. An obscure Midrash says that on the sixth day of creation, the Holy One practiced his seed-to-human metamorphosis magic with the birth of a fig tree for those that would follow Adam and Eve. The New Year of Trees, we call it. And if you wandered— only half shod—for 40 years over the hot sands of the Sinai, you’d develop the same love affair with trees that initiated Tu B’Shevat, because a tree meant more than an interruption of a vacant landscape. It meant shade, maybe fruit, and often a well. A prayer for trees would be on your lips when it was only a dot on the horizon.
And you might want to remember that it was not only the Baal Shem Tov who was taken by this most magical transformation, seed-to-tree, but that tzadiks immemorial have sat in the woods on a cushion of pine straw and pondered G-d’s power. Ted Roberts Huntsville, AL
A System for Giving to Charity
I used to try and give everyone, but I find the practice of giving to strangers at the door too full of problems and try to avoid it unless it’s Purim. More often than not, it’s a negative experience. If you keep the door closed and explain that you don’t open it at night for collectors, they don’t say thank you and move on. If you do open the door and give anything, chances are you’ll be harassed for more, and graciousness turns into obnoxiousness. All too often, I’ve found myself in the position of giving a collector a decent amount of money, only to have him return with a van-load of collectors, each knocking on the door one at a time. The driver gets one-third of whatever the donor gives, so if you give $2, which doesn’t divide evenly, well, you do the math. In Baltimore, the community has a voucher program. Here’s how it works, even though I’m making the numbers up: A person buys, say, a pack of 40 $1 vouchers for $50. Then, when collectors come, they are handed one or more of the vouchers and that’s it. The collectors then go to the kehilla office to exchange the voucher(s) for money. This way, the donation becomes tax deductible and collectors know what to expect. It also becomes something of a fundraiser for the kehilla. I would like to see it implemented in Passaic, but it does take a kehilla willing to be available with regular hours and acceptance by a substantial number of people in the community. Name Withheld Passaic, 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) 569-2845. The FAX number is (201) 569-1739. The email address is susan@jewishvoiceandopinion.com
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Club Kosher Pesach in San Juan Charles Rosenay and Danny
Levine, the men behind Club Kosher (CK), recognize that their Pesach programs fall into the category known as “Maven Best,” chiefly because their vacations are crafted with two goals in mind: to ensure that the tangibles and intangibles enhance the Yom Tov and even the most breathtaking destinations, and to ensure a level of value that is just as impressive. This year, CK will be taking Pesach guests to the Caribe Hilton in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Messrs Rosenay and Levine said it is a “Hilton legend, made even more legendary thanks to CK.” “Small wonder seriously experienced ‘mavens’ agree that if CK’s running the show, they’re ‘sold,’ said Mr. Rosenay. “No need to peruse entertainment, speakers, programming, types of rooms, number of pools and tennis courts, size of spa— or even the price. Fact is, when people who don’t know CK see what’s being offered in terms of property, personnel, and program, they immediately assume a price tag that is 25-30 percent higher. Then, when they see CK’s price, shock is replaced by elation and reservations about cost are replaced by reservations for rooms.”
Curated Experience Asked for CK’s secret to creating a stay that’s unique, clearly top-shelf while still comfortably welcoming, traditional while still showing cuttingedge thinking that can be expected in boutique resorts, Mr. Rosenay said he and Mr. Levine had worked to create “a more curated experience.” “From arrival to departure, every facet of a CK stay is literally tailored around our guests’ needs,” he said. Mr. Levine agreed, explaining that for Team CK, everything begins with personal attention and attentiveness. “Our mantra is we’re the place where everybody knows your name. You’ll be staying at a world-class resort, but, as far as we’re concerned, you’re our guest, so our focus is to make every moment you’re with us as amazing as possible. Bottom line? You give us your wish list and we’ll make it happen, and then some,” he said. Brand Ambassadors To ensure their vision, they have augmented their senior management team with Rabbi Avrumy “AJ” Jordan, a veteran of almost 20 years of programs throughout the US. Rabbi Jordan’s worldview starts with making every guest feel special, even though he has run programs with 800-1200 people, many of whom return
year after year. “He understands how to perfectly balance ‘gravitas and gashmiut’ so that everyone feels at home, always,” said Mr. Levine. Messrs Rosenay and Levine and Rabbi Jordan call themselves “Brand Ambassadors.” “We’re not one of these faceless corporate operators where everyone has a title and task. We all work for the same boss—our guests. If they’re happy, we’re ecstatic. It’s that simple,” said Mr. Levine. “Pride and Joy” The CK team is convinced this Pesach at the Caribe Hilton, which they said is the “pride and joy of Hilton’s portfolio,” will be worthy of the “massive accolades it has received from former guests.” “Thanks to a staff every bit as warm as the local weather, your stay there will be a relaxing vacation in every sense of the word. From tennis to full spa and fitness center, to multiple freshwater pools to stunningly stylized rooms and suites, it’s one of a kind,” said Mr. Rosenay. They are especially proud of the food being planned for guests, which they said represents “the kind of menus that can be created only by the best culinary talent anywhere.” Masterpiece Meals The hand-picked staff of culinary professionals were painstakingly chosen by the legendary Benny Azizov, one of the East Coast’s premier boutique kosher caterers. “These aren’t merely chefs, cooks, bakers, or soup-andsalad men, these are artisans who are inspired by the chance to create with fresh, regional ingredients as well as staple items of the highest quality— and kashrut. To them, every
meal is a chance to create a masterpiece. Plus, they’ll be augmented by Hilton’s own culinary staff of A-list professionals who cater to A-list dignitaries, including heads of state,” said Mr. Levine. At CK, “the foodie rules,” the men said, advising guests to pack their appetites. Menus will include Ashkenaz and Sephardic favorites as well as Asianinspired fusion, al-fresco breakfasts, pool-side barbecues and buffets, tempting kiddushim, and themed tea rooms. “It’s the kind of mouthwateringly memorable culinary magic other Pesach programs can only aspire to,” said Mr. Rosenay. Programs and Amenities The CK team says it isn’t necessary to expound on their full “tots-to-teens” day camp and programming, slate of scholars and personalities in-residence, entertainment line-up, or other highlights. “CK isn’t like most programs. Our reputation for end-to-end inspired excellence means every part of everything is addressed. Toddlers and teens will stay occupied so you can relax, secure in the knowledge that your single (for now) cousin, who prefers PBS and NPR, will be as enthralled by our speakers and shiurim as your music-loving daughter-in-law will be by our headliners,” said Mr. Levine. For more information, contact CK at 203-795-4737 or www.ClubKosher.com. “Whether you’re a seasoned Pesach-pro, ready to upgrade— everything but price—or if you’re a ‘first-timer’ who stays home because you think it’s impossible to find a program where you can really feel at home, a Club Kosher Pesach is what you’ve been waiting for,” said Mr. Ro senay. Y
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Lasko Offers Miami Beach or Orlando for Pesach Lasko Kosher Getaways
are offering two sunshine locations for Passover 2015. Whether oceanfront at the legendary Fontainebleau Resort and Spa in Miami Beach, or in the heart of magical Disney World at the Sheraton Lake Buena Vista Resort in Orlando, Lasko Kosher Getaways will provide a superior Passover experience. For more than twenty-five years, the entire Lasko family has prided themselves on being an intrinsic part of every program, event, and guest experience. Sam and Arlene Lasko, along with Hersh Taubenfeld and their extended families and staff, are on-site and completely engaged. “What sets the Lasko Kosher Getaways programs apart is our true passion for pre-planning and hands-on approach to all day-to-day happenings,” said Mr. Lasko. Fabulous Food and Seders Whether at the resort in Miami Beach or with Mickey Mouse in Orlando, Lasko guests will enjoy Ashkenaz and Sephardic minyanim, three gourmet meals daily plus the famous Lasko Tea Rooms and daily poolside barbecues, all glatt kosher under rabbinical supervision. For the sedarim, guests have the choice of participating in the communal seder, requesting an individual table, or even a private seder room for larger groups. Coach Yogev and his teams will offer their “Step It Up” teen program. For the adults, there will be very special scholars-inresidence, plus an accredited CME program for doctors and other healthcare professionals. Vistas in Every Direction This will be Lasko Kosher Getaways’ eighteenth sold-out year at the iconic Fontaineb-
leau Resort and Spa. “It is the one place that surpasses all the hype. Our returning and first-time guests enjoy the state-of-the-art resort, its first-class services and Art Deco style, all amid the sought-out destination of Miami Beach,” he said. At the Fontainebleau, guest rooms offer views in every direction. A variety of room and suite options include stunning ocean views and terraces. The hotel’s reimagined communal areas are designed to create an “immersive yet relaxing” experience as guests move through the resort: for example, to the luxurious 40,000-square-foot Lapis Spa with 30 private treatment rooms and over 100 rejuvenation services, where guests can take advantage of the stateof-the-art fitness center with optional aerobic classes and personal trainers. “It’s the perfect place to keep up an exercise regimen or work off the delectable cuisine presented by RAM Caterers,” said Mr. Lasko. Beach and Pools The entire family will enjoy the beautiful beach and boardwalk with optional watersports. The resort’s famous “Wall of Water” poolscape offers multiple pools, optional private cabanas, and children’s water-play areas. Lasko Getaways will once again offer its infant and children’s day camp programs with exceptional camp directors and counselors. The Fontainebleau is conveniently close to some of Miami Beach’s best golf and tennis facilities. Theme Parks Lasko’s Pesach vacation at the Sheraton Lake Buena Vista Resort in Orlando places guests just minutes from the
area’s most popular theme parks and attractions. There is complimentary transportation to all four Disney World Theme Parks. During chol hamoed evenings, Lasko guests can enjoy a “dive-in” Disney movie on pool rafts. The hotel’s guest rooms include family suites that feature parlors that are either bunk bed-style or comfortable living-rooms with a totally separate master bedroom. Accommodations feature deluxe king-size beds, two queens, or two double-beds. Each of the guest rooms and suites offers a combination of comfort and amenities, including high-speed Internet access, complimentary refrigerators, in-room safes, and Signature Sweet Sleeper Sheraton beds and bedding. Self-parking is complimentary as well. There is a fitness room
Spain
June 22 - July 1
at the Sheraton Lake Buena Vista, which can help work off the delicious gourmet cuisine offered by New Star Caterers. To enjoy the hotel’s boutique spa and nail salon, The Top of the Palms, appointments are recommended. Onsite, guests can enjoy two beautiful, spacious outdoor heated pools with wonderful children’s areas, including a waterslide and in-pool volleyball and basketball. Lasko guests can take advantage of discounted rates for the neighboring highly touted Grand Cypress Golf Course and Tennis Center, with complimentary shuttle service available. For more information on the Fontainebleau in Miami Beach or the Sheraton Lake Buena Vista in Orlando, call Lasko Kosher Getaways at 877-538-9948 or visit www. LaskoGetaways.com. Y
Journey Through Jewish History 2015 WITH DR. MARC SHAPIRO
Madrid, Córdoba, Gibraltar, Granada, Barcelona, Gerona
Italy
WITH DR. MARC SHAPIRO
Poland
WITH DR. SHALOM Z. BERGER
July 6-15
July 6-14
Rome, Tuscany, Florence, Pisa, Pitigliano, Venice Warsaw, Lublin, Krakow, Lodz, and numerous shtetlach in Galicia and throughout Poland.
Central Europe
WITH DR. MARC SHAPIRO
AFRICAN SAFARI
WITH RABBI NATAN SLIFKIN
August 6-16
Budapest, Vienna, Prague, Bratislava (Pressburg), Eisenstadt, Sopron
Victoria Falls, Capetown, Private game reserve, May 31 - June 11 Chobe National Park,
info@torahinmotion.org • torahinmotion.org • 1.866.633.5770
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Treating Cancer My passion: Our Patients
My job:
—Benjamin Rosenbluth, MD, Radiation Oncologist
Dr. Rosenbluth’s role at Holy Name Medical Center is grounded in an intense passion for helping others. To him, the Regional Cancer Center’s appeal is about more than the innovative practice of medicine. It’s about a deep, dynamic commitment to touch lives in a way that matters. Dr. Rosenbluth has displayed that dedication since arriving at Holy Name, bringing highly customized prone breast cancer radiation therapy to the Medical Center, making it one of the first in New Jersey to offer the pioneering treatment. That is the Holy Name difference.
To learn more about us, visit holyname.org or call 877-H OLY -N AME (465-9626).
Healing begins here. • 718 Teaneck Road • Teaneck, NJ 07666
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January 2015 / Tevet 5775
The Jewish Voice and Opinion
Page - 49
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