THE JEWISH VOICE AND OPINION Promoting Classical Judaism
May 2015
Vol. 28 • No. 7
Iyar 5775
Analyst: It’s Not Shi’ite vs Sunni; It’s Shi’ite Iran vs All Arabs—and Jews While most commentators
view the current strife in the Islamic world as the continuation of the ancient battle between Shi’ite and Sunni Muslims, one security analyst believes the conflict has been instigated by Iran for the purpose of dividing and then conquering the Arab world and incidentally destroying Israel. “This war isn’t between Shi’ites, led by Iran, and Sunnis, led by Saudi Arabia. It’s actually a war between the Persian-Iranians and all Arabs,
and, unfortunately, the Arabs are being played as fools by their Persian-Iranian puppeteers,” said Mark Langfan, a New York-based attorney who writes on security issues for Arutz Sheva and other publications. He also serves as chairman of Americans for a Safe Israel. According to Mr. Langfan, the Iranians have purposefully provoked Sunni and Shi’ite Arabs to fight each other, seemingly to the death. “The Persian-Iranian goal is not for all Shi’ites to win, but,
rather, for all Arabs—Sunnis and Shi’ites—to kill one another and be so divided that that they will have no energy left when the Persian-Iranians come in for the kill and take the entire Arab ‘Persian’ Gulf containing 56 percent of the world’s oil supply,” said Mr. Langfan. Why else would Iran, with its population of 75 million Shi’ite Muslims, insist on sending Arab-Lebanese Shi’ite Hezbollah forces—that total at most 7,000 men—to fight and die in Syria, Iraq, and now Yemen? Mr. Langfan asked.
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Pollard Applied for—and Was Denied—Parole; Now Even Those Initially Not Supportive Demand a Pardon The American-Jewish community has long been di-
vided on the issue of Jonathan Pollard’s incarceration, now in its thirtieth year. The community has also been divided on how to help him win his freedom. Some have sided with Mr. Pollard, who is now 60, in insisting that he be granted Presidential clemency or a pardon. Others have advised him to ask for parole, especially when he became eligible for a hearing after serving ten years in prison.
Orange for Persecuted Christians.......3 Kol Ami: Conversion Law?.................. 4 The Current Crisis............................... 5 Special in Uniform.............................. 6 “Believers in the Police”..................10 Holy Name Honors..................................17
Now, because there is doubt that Mr. Pollard can ever win parole, some strong voices are issuing harsh words for the Jewish community, insisting that at every meeting with officials in the Obama administration, leaders of Jewish organizations, and especially financial political contributors, raise the issue of Mr. Pollard’s release. Last month, for example, an editorial in Hamodia held the community accountable for not seizing the moment when President Barack Obama tried some damage-control with leaders of
Inside the Voice
The Log..........................................................19 Israel Day Concert............................20 JewishVoiceandOpinion.com......23 New Classes This Month................27 New Minyanim...................................28 Chesed Ops.........................................28
major Jewish groups. The President was hoping to paper over harsh public remarks made by the White House regarding Israel and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as well as the sense that the administration, giddy with prospects of a deal with Iran, seems no longer to value the relationship with American Jewry. “It would have been the perfect opportunity for them to plead with the President about something that ought to have been at the very top of the list of priorities, and tragi-
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Mazal Tov.............................................28 Sephardi Center Cruise..........................29 Ess Gezint: Olive Oil..................................30 Index of Advertisers ........................33 Honor the Professional...................35 Letters to the Editor ........................36
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Christians Beheaded and Burned Alive by Muslim Terrorists; “Never Again” Means Wear Something Orange and Take Action Ten years ago, supporters of the
Jewish state, in Israel and abroad, wore orange to show solidarity with the 10,000 Jewish residents of Gush Katif who were evicted from their communities. This year, in a project initiated by The Jewish Voice and Opinion, Jews are being asked to join other men and women of all faiths in wearing orange as a sign of support for the persecuted Christian communities in Muslim-majority countries in the Middle East, Africa, and Asia. According to Rev Frank Karwacki of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Church in Mount Carmel, PA, orange was selected because it represents the jumpsuits captives of the Muslim terrorist
group Islamic State are forced to wear, especially just before beheadings. “We hope to draw attention to the plight of persecuted Christians by encouraging people to wear orange ribbons and other articles of clothing,” he said. Proud of the Barbarity Just last month in Libya, 21 Egyptian Coptic Christians in orange jumpsuits were forced to kneel on a beach in front of knife-wielding ISIS terrorists dressed in black. Their beheadings were filmed and sent out on the Internet as a video entitled “A Message Signed with Blood to the Nation of the Cross.” A scrolling caption in its first few seconds says it is directed to “People of the cross, followers of the hostile Egyptian Church.”
Since last June, when ISIS declared its “caliphate,” the terror group has killed more than 2,000 people, about two-thirds of them civilians. The group seems to revel in its barbarity, videoing its executions and producing a glossy propaganda magazine in which the group insists that capturing “infidel” women and forcing them to serve as sexual slaves is mandated by Islam. Grisly Choice Rev Karwacki, who said he was thrilled to be joined by the Jewish community in this project, said he was spurred to action by the destruction and executions carried out by ISIS.
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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: Conversion Law? In Israel, the so-called “Conversion Law,” a bill that would allow local rabbis, rather than only members of the Chief Rabbinate, to initiate and complete the conversion process, is on the table in the negotiations to form a new government. Some say the bill represents a necessary reorganization of the bureaucracy
Synagogue and communal rabbis, by the very nature of their personal involvement with the people of their area and congregation, are more prone to succumb to outside and personal influences in such sensitive matters as conversion than are the ivory tower, disconnected, and scholarly rabbinical courts of the Chief Rabbinate. The populist demands to solve this by Knesset legislative action are largely motivated by politics and basic misunderstanding
I absolutely favor the Conversion Bill. Let’s look to Ruth, grandmother of King David, whose two-part vow is essentially all we need: Your people are my people and your G-d is my G-d. Carol Greenwald Chevy Chase, MD of the concepts of halachic conversions. Handing the power to convert to local and communal rabbis will, in the long run, cause more problems than it solves. Rabbi Berel Wein Jerusalem, Israel
that currently controls the conversion process in Israel. Others believe that, even though it stipulates that the Chief Rabbinate must give final approval, the new law would still “water down” the process. On The Jewish Voice’s Facebook website, the question last month was: Do you favor the conversion bill? Y
Conversion to Judaism is a total disgrace. Fraud, corruption, theft, extortion, and sexual favors are routine. Conversions can cost thousands of dollars and destroy families, all because of a lack of organization, standards, and oversight. It must stop. Only Israeli courts, under strict supervision—which does not include unnecessary hareidi customs or non-halachic requirements—should be allowed to oversee conversions. Avigael Ester Jerusalem, Israel
I favor it, because no one has the moral or ethical right to coerce another to abide by anyone else’s religious dictates. If a person decides to follow Judaism, that is a private matter and no one should dictate how he goes about it. Michail Kalman Haifa, Israel
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The Current Crisis: “Even in Laughter, the Heart Can Ache” Our friend Anne Bayefsky, human rights activist and editor of Eye on the UN, may have to find a new place to hang out. The big glass box on 42nd St and First can’t be good for her health. Last month, she announced that once again, tiny Israel had distinguished itself in that august international body, not for sending the first rescue delegation to Nepal after the earthquake or for coming up with an “electronic nose” that can improve and simplify the diagnosis of often deadly stomach cancer. No, Israel was selected as the UN’s top violator of women’s rights. Not Syria, Ms. Bayefsky tells us, “where government forces routinely use rape and other sexual violence and torture against women as tactic of war.” Not Saudi Arabia, where women are physically punished if caught not wearing the right clothes, are almost entirely excluded from political life, and cannot drive or travel without a male relative beside her. Not Yemen, where, Ms. Bayefsky says, the penal code goes easy on those who kill women for “immodest” or “defiant” behavior. There is no minimum age for “marriage,” and don’t even ask about a woman’s chances of accessing equal rights to property, employment, credit, pay, education, or housing. The UN Commission on the Status of Women had no concerns about Somalia. Never mind that female genital mutilation is ubiquitous, sexual violence is rampant, and women are systematically subordinated to men. Not Sudan, where domestic violence is not against the law; there is no minimum age for “consensual” sex,; the legal age of marriage for girls is ten; and 88 percent of women under the age of 50 have undergone female genital mutilation. And Ms. Bayefsky says especially not Iran, where every woman who registered as a presidential candidate in the last election was disqualified; “adultery” is punishable by death by stoning;
and women who fight back against rapists and kill their attackers are executed. And it’s not only Muslim countries that were overlooked in favor of Israel. There was no report on the half a billion Chinese women and girls who have no civil or political rights and still face the prospect of forced abortion and sterilization. Ms. Bayefsky says she considered registering a complaint about the lack of criticism of Iran at the meeting of the UN’s Commission on the Status of Women, but then she remembered: Iran is an elected member of the CSW. She couldn’t say a word against Sudan—whose president has been indicted for genocide and crimes against humanity— because Sudan is currently a CSW Vice-Chair. “The 2015 CSW resolution on Israel will repeat, as it does every year, that ‘the Israeli occupation remains the major obstacle for Palestinian women with regard to advancement, self-reliance, and integration in the development of their society,’” says Ms. Bayefsky. She notes that the CSW says nothing about the obstacle Palestinian men represent for Palestinian women. Nor anything about Muslim religious edicts or traditions. Nothing about the culture of violence or the educational system “steeped in rejection of peaceful coexistence and tolerance.” Somehow, the CSW has decided that it is the fault of the Jewish state that only 17 percent of Palestinian women are in the labor force as compared to 70 percent of Palestinian men. The CSW members who control the agenda include human rights luminaries such as Qatar (which also bankrolls Hamas), China, Pakistan, Russia, and Saudi Arabia. And the Obama administration? It votes against the UN resolutions, but insists on paying the fees to run the bodies that adopt them. Your tax dollars at work, kids. S.L.R.
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“Special in Uniform” Allows Special-Needs Youngsters to Join the IDF—and It’s the Army and Society Who Benefit Several years ago, when an
Israeli commander was asked about the place for specialneeds individuals in the IDF, his response was that the army was not “a social-service agency.” Lieut.-Col. Tiran Attia does not necessarily disagree, but, he said, soldiers with disabilities are increasingly playing a role that not only makes the IDF better and stronger, but is also changing the way Israelis in general view those with special-needs. “It’s not usually discussed, but former Prime Minister Golda Meir had a grandchild with Downs Syndrome at a time when special-needs children were shunted aside so as not
Christians
to shame the family. She always said she had a dream that, one day, disabled Israelis would be part of the general Jewish community. It is my decision to fulfill that dream,” he said. Mr. Attia made his remarks last month at the Young Israel of Fort Lee as part of a Lunchand-Learn program. Officially, the program he now heads is called “Special in Uniform.” Funded through the Special-Needs Task Force of the Jewish National Fund, the program is often referred to in Israel as the IDF’s “Great in Uniform.” Its purpose is to allow youngsters with special needs to volunteer to serve in the IDF for four years, integrat-
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Last year, in Mosul, Iraq, ISIS set fire to a 1,800-year-old church. The Islamists have de-
stroyed an ancient tomb, recognized traditionally as that of the Biblical Prophet Jonah.
ing them into the army with the ultimate goal of preparing them for an independent life in Israeli society. A Chain Mr. Attia, who served for 30 years in the IDF as a commander of Sar-El, an official army program through which volunteers engage in non-armed support tasks, retired a few months ago. He had already earned degrees in law, logistics, and marketing, leading to an MBA, but he knew he wanted to spend the next phase of his life doing something “to help the six million Jews in the Middle East face our 250 million neighbors, many of whom are not
so fond of us and ready to do their best so that we will no longer be there.” He said it occurred to him that the Jewish people as a whole is “very much like a chain in which every member throughout the world is a link.” “It starts in Israel and radiates to all parts of the globe, and then finds its way back to the Jewish state. Some links are very strong; some a little weaker; but for the whole to survive, each part must be as sturdy as possible. I decided to devote my life to strengthening that chain,” he said. “Miracle” His decision to do this by
On set days, ISIS officials give Christians a deadline by which time they must either convert to Islam, pay a “second-class citizen protection tax,” flee, or be killed. Destruction Before 1948, when Israel declared its independence, there were 135,000 Jews in Iraq. Currently, there are seven. Now the Muslim terrorists have turned their attention to the Christians. Iraq had been home to an estimated 1 million Christians, but, like Christians elsewhere in the Middle East, most of the community has fled. Church officials say the community there still numbers around 450,000. “They destroyed these ancient churches and killed so many Christians. I’m hoping that others join the orange campaign. America cannot afford to be silent about what’s going on,” said Rev Karwacki. Rev Patrick Mahoney, spiritual leader of the Church on the Hill in Washington, D.C., said every five minutes, a Chris-
tian somewhere in the world dies for his or faith. “That’s over 100,000 per year,” said Mr. Mahoney. The situation is especially horrifying for women. Some of have been sold into sex trafficking operations and many are subjected to forced marriage. Ribbons for Rescue Lydia O’Leary wants people to wear orange, but only as a reminder to do more. Her group, Ribbons for Rescue, encourages people to call on lawmakers to provide more financial assistance for Christian refugees in the Middle East and offer them safe havens in the US. Ribbons for Rescue, which has been active in Boston and New Hampshire, has a threefold mission: to raise awareness of the plight of persecuted Christians, to respond to hate with love, and to provide information and resources to get people involved, whether through prayer, financial donation, or action. Wear orange today. S.L.R.
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Special Soldiers
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working with special-needs youngsters who want to join the IDF was based on an incident that occurred in the summer of 2006. During the Second Lebanon War, he was hospitalized after a car accident. Lying in bed, in severe pain, he did not want any visitors until a group of specialneeds youngsters came to the hospital on a bikur cholim mission to visit the sick. “I had asked to be left alone, but one young girl asked if she could rub my leg. I told her no, but she did it anyway. It seemed as if she was trying to absorb my pain,” he said. Although his doctors had told him not to expect to walk for another six months, three weeks after the visit of the special-needs delegation, he was out of the hospital and biking again. “Maybe it was a miracle, but I realized my project had to be including these special-needs youngsters into the IDF. I saw the love and sympathy they gave to injured soldiers, and I realized they have so much to give,” he said. His next step was to start advocating for special-needs youngsters to be able to join the Sar-El program. Focusing on Abilities At the Young Israel, he was quick to point out that the IDF benefits greatly from their presence, and not just from intangibles, such as building compassion and forging unity among the soldiers, but also from tasks the special-needs soldiers can accomplish. “We focus not on disability, but, rather,
on ability. Special-needs soldiers are often capable of taking on tasks that regular soldiers cannot do as well,” he said. For example, he recalled that during Operation Protective Edge last summer, autistic special-needs volunteers sat for hours in front of electronic maps, sent by satellites and drones, checking for the minutest changes that led the IDF’s Satellite Intelligence Unit to determine the location of Hamas missiles. “This helped Iron Dome perform better. They saved lives. Many specialneeds youngsters have abilities others lack, such as the patience to stay with a task, doing the same thing repeatedly. It becomes very important,” he said. Important Jobs Some special-needs soldiers manned the copy machines, producing flyers to be dropped from planes over Gaza to warn Palestinian civilians to leave an area. Special-needs soldiers routinely clean the components of gas mask kits, arrange batteries, and dismantle computers and separate the parts. They work in supply rooms, dining rooms, and print shops. “Before they come to us, many of these kids were in special-education schools. When they turn 18, and everyone in their neighborhood goes to the army and they can’t, they feel like failures. This project allows them, in fact, to join the army, to contribute, and to give of themselves, just like everyone else,” said Mr. Attia. The result, he said, is an increase in self-esteem and dignity for everyone.
Training For the individual soldiers, the program begins with a week of basic training that includes team-building and evaluation of skills. For some of these youngsters, this is their first time ever away from home. They learn to sleep away from their families and deal with life on a military base. During those early weeks, they receive job training and spend time learning the values of the IDF, especially “v’ahavta le reyacha kamocha,” love thy neighbor.” Just like their regular colleagues in the IDF, at the end of basic training, the Special in Uniform soldiers engage in a beret trek. Wearing orange caps and green fatigues, they march through the country, carrying Israeli flags, saluting when appropriate, and greeting well-wishers along the way. Some march on their own, others use crutches and braces. Some are pushed in wheelchairs. All express pride in what they are doing. A Blessing In a film shown by Mr. Attia at the Young Israel explaining the program, it is clear the trek and the program itself is a blessing especially for the parents of the special-needs youngsters. “It’s hard to believe,” said Ronit Aviv as she watched her son march with the others. “We’ve waited for this moment a long time, and I’m glad we made it.” When Ravit Ashkenazi’s son finished the trek with a proud, “I finally did it,” his mother called the program “a real gift for these kids.” “It makes them feel like equals,” she said. Winning a Beret After the trek, each of the special-needs soldiers receives a beret. Then their everyday work in the IDF begins. They are placed on bases participating in the program, including the Air Force base at Palmachim, Naval base in Eilat, and Home Front Command bases at Ramla and Bilu, where they receive jobs compatible with their abilities. In the film, entitled “Great in Uniform,” Major Motti Dayan, commander of the Rehav’am base, characterized the special-needs soldiers as “part of us.” “They are here as an inseparable part of our unit. They eat with us in the mess hall, work with us on everything, and contribute to everything, just like regular soldiers,” he said.
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Relationships Others noted the deep relationships that develop between the two groups of soldiers. “The soldiers get to know them, to love them, to accept their differences, and appreciate them. Slowly but surely, they become an integral part of the unit, and the soldiers wait for them to arrive every morning,” said Liat Lugassi. Einat Dabush, manager of a technical equipment storage unit on a base that participates in the program, said she is glad the IDF includes special-needs soldiers. “We love them and enjoy being with them,” she said. Beyond the Army In his quest to work for special-needs youngsters, Mr. Attia serves also as the head-manager of the non-profit Yad Layeled HaMyeuchad (Lend a Hand to a Special Child). In the film, Rabbi Mendi Belinitzki, CEO of Lend a Hand, said that while Special in Uniform begins with the army, “it doesn’t end there.” “We could clearly see how afterwards, it leads to better integration into society, the community, and the work force,” he said. Mr. Attia agreed, “In Israel, army service is the gateway to successful integration into society and the workforce,” he said. He pointed out that the Chevrat Chashmal Electric Company, located near the home front command base in Ramle and the logistics base near Kiryat Malachi, where special-needs soldiers are frequently stationed, now has 260 special-needs employees. “Ripple Effect” He called the increased work opportunities as well as the reaction of regular soldiers “the ripple effect.” “Other soldiers on the base think less of their own problems and regard the soldiers with disabilities as role models. Discipline problems on bases that include special-needs soldiers have decreased dramatically,” he said. Many people involved in the program say regular soldiers who work with the special-needs volunteers will never regard a disabled individual as anything less than a fellow citizen worthy of respect. Two Tracks At the end of the special-needs soldiers’ tours of duty, they receive substantial release grants and are integrated into
the work force. As of June 2014, the program had integrated 80 soldiers into two tracks, depending on the individual’s capabilities. After an eight-hour day at the military base, those in the community-based track, which works in collaboration with the Ministry of Social Affairs, return to a communal residence which houses 20 special-needs soldiers with full-time counselors. Each soldier receives an individually tailored plan of therapy, entertainment, classes, culture, and recreation geared to promoting personal advancement and group interaction. The home-based track is for those special-needs soldiers who are unable
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to be away from their families overnight. This program allows these soldiers to be bused every day from their homes to their bases and back. After work, they are bused to special centers offering programs for them, including dinner, and then are returned home. At the Young Israel, Mr. Attia was joined by Yossi Kahana, co-founder of Special in Uniform and Director of the JNF Special Needs Task Force, which funds the special-needs IDF program. Expensive Not surprisingly, Mr. Kahana said, the special-needs program is expensive. To date, 100 special-needs youngsters have
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“Believers in the Police” Is the Hesder Yeshiva of the Israeli Police Force, Infusing Faith, Ethics, and Compassion Where None Existed There is no institution in Israel which carries more approval from the citizens of the country than the Israeli Defense Forces, an army which is viewed by the vast majority of Israelis and their supporters throughout the world as the planet’s most ethical fighting force. By contrast, there is almost no organization in Israel which engenders less admiration than the country’s police force. Throughout the country, the Mishteret Yisrael is viewed as uncaring at best. Many Israelis, whether on the political right or left, describe the police as abusive, corrupt, inept, and immoral. But if Uriel Cohen has his way, that image will be changing. As CEO of the new Maaminim B’Mishtara, “Believers in the Police,” Mr. Cohen is rapidly
Special Soldiers been through the program, benefitting from its training in life- and work-skills. According to Mr. Kahana, there are 2,000 special-needs youngsters who now want to join. Because there are large state subsidies for the program, it will cost donors $100,000 to adopt a Special-in-Uniform
instituting a system to recruit highly skilled and ethical candidates culled from the ranks of the Israeli-Orthodox community. The double-entendre in the name of the organization is intentional. Mr. Cohen said the goal is to invigorate the public’s belief in the efficacy, ethics, and integrity of the country’s police force by bringing to its ranks Orthodox, G-d-fearing policemen who believe it is their duty to serve the Jewish state well. Future Commanders Mr. Cohen, who will be in the US this month to discuss the new program, notes that in recent months, no fewer than seven senior Israeli police commanders have either been dismissed or forced to resign due to allegations of serious moral violations.
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unit of 20 soldiers, covering all their expenses for a full year. Mr. Kahana is hoping Jewish communities throughout the world will see fit to participate in this program. Other sponsorships are also available, such as the cost of a Special in Uniform life-skills and occupational-training program
“As insiders, we have long been aware that such problems existed, but now the issue has reached the attention of the media, which is having a field day with it,” he said. He is convinced the police officers who come through the Maaminim B’Mishtara program will change not only the police force, but the way the public views law enforcement in Israel. “We are developing the commanders of the future for the Israeli Police, policemen who come from the beit midrash and who know that our moral level is of the utmost importance to the Jewish people in general and to the police in particular,” he said. Forged in Amona Forged in combination with top police officials as well as the Internal Security Ministry, and
blessed with the haskamas of many Israeli rabbis, Maaminim B’Mishtara was conceived originally by Nachi Eyal, directorgeneral of the Legal Forum for Israel. Mr. Eyal began thinking about the need to reform the Israeli police in the winter 2006, after then-Prime Minister Ehud Olmert sent members of the Yassam police to destroy the community of Amona, a hilltop outpost near Ramallah that the government said had been built without official approval. Supporters of Amona said the government had shown its approval by allowing the community to be connected to the water and electrical grids. Nevertheless, the violence displayed by the police in Amona in February of that year convinced many Israelis
($50,000), the community home for Special in Uniform soldiers ($36,000), and a mechina program to prepare special-needs youngsters to join Special in Uniform ($25,000). For more information on these projects as well as the Special in Uniform program, Mr. Kahana can be reached at the Jewish National Fund, 888-JNF-0099. Mr. Attia can
be reached at tiran.attia@ gmail.com. Mr. Attia had his reason for wanted to help special-needs youngsters; Mr. Kahana has his: He has an older son who serves in the IDF, and a nine-year-old son, Gershon, who is autistic. “My dream is that my younger son will one day join his brother in the army,” said Mr. Kahana. S.L.R.
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Orthodox Policemen that what transpired was nothing less than a police riot by a band of thugs. Wounding Citizens When the police arrived on horseback, they found some 5,000 unarmed right-wing demonstrators, mostly religious teenage boys and girls, who were determined to sit peacefully in the homes designated for destruction. Although the police tried to break cameras and destroy all photographic evidence of the brutality visited on the youngsters, some surreptitious films were taken, showing officers who had removed their name tags beating youngsters and even trampling them with horses. There are pictures of police officers on horseback charging into groups of protesters on the ground and beating them back with batons. The police also fired water cannons, soaking many of the rooftop protesters on a cold winter’s day. There were reports that some of the young girls were threatened and actually groped by officers. Among those most severely injured at Amona were two right-wing MKs: Effi Eitam, who was taken to the hospital with a bleeding head wound, and Aryeh Eldad, who suffered a broken arm. Mr. Eyal’s 15-year-old son, Yechiam, was beaten unconscious by a policeman and brought to Hadassah hospital by ambulance. Behavior Unbecoming While the boy was comatose in the
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continued from page 10 hospital, Mr. Eyal and his wife stayed constantly at his bedside, except for a few hours when their older son, then serving in the IDF, came to take their place. Many hospital officials said they were “beyond moved” at the sight of the young IDF officer sitting by his comatose younger brother. But that sentiment was not shared by a police officer who happened to arrive at the hospital while the older brother was sitting with Yechiam. When told by a reporter that the younger boy had been wounded at Amona, the policeman loudly declared, “He should have died.” The policeman’s comment remained with Mr. Eyal long after Yechiam regained consciousness the next morning and eventually left the hospital. The fact that an Israeli law-enforcement official could make such a remark about a child convinced Mr. Eyal that existing conditions in police recruitment and training had to change. Part of the Solution He learned to his amazement that only 6,000 of Israel’s 29,000 police officers were even considered “traditional” in terms of religious practice. Only seven percent identified as observant. By contrast, a full 50 percent of the IDF’s officers identify as Orthodox. The same thoughts on changing the police force in Israel were occurring to Mr. Cohen, who had run the hesder yeshiva in Eilat for nine years and had recently taken over the management of the hesder yeshiva in Tel Aviv. In hesder yeshivot, which are greatly admired in Israel, young men combine Torah study with IDF training and terms of duty. “After I heard what had happened in Amona, I realized the IDF is just part of the security puzzle in Israel. We in the dati community need to be part of the solution to taking care of security inside the state and not just at the borders. We must deal not just with the enemy outside, but also with the community inside the state, especially those who are in danger of being caught up in the cycle of violence and criminality. We need to become part of the police force, just as we are part of the IDF,” said Mr. Cohen. Finding Candidates Three years ago, Mr. Eyal and Mr. Cohen met and quickly realized that their thinking on this issue matched. They then
brought in Rabbi Rami Brachyahu, the spiritual leader of the Samarian community of Talmon, to serve as the head of the new Maaminim B’Mishtara beit midrash. Based in Tel Aviv, it is charged with turning out religious, knowledgeable police officers, filled with Jewish spirit and ready to join the force. Their first task was finding suitable candidates. Maaminim B’Mishtara looks for religious IDF soldiers, ages 22-32, who have finished their tours of duty. Most of them have been through pre-military yeshiva study and training and then have participated in a hesder yeshiva program. Unsurprisingly, most Maaminim B’Mishtara candidates are from the national-religious community, which Mr. Cohen said is perfect for the goal of bringing to the police force the “Jewish mindset and Israeli spirit found in the IDF.” He hopes soon to recruit more members of the hareidi and Ethiopian-Jewish communities as well. Training and Halacha Upon joining the Maaminim B’Mishtara program, recruits spend two years combining regular police basic training with Torah study, focusing on the relevant halacha and ethics necessary to become a model police officer. While the typical Israeli police program requires five years before candidates can qualify as police officers, the specialized Maaminim B’Mishtara program manages to prepare its students in two. According to Mr. Cohen, the similarity between the hesder yeshiva system and Maaminim B’Mishtara is by no means coincidental. “We are looking to produce the best of the best, police officers who are ethical, well-trained, and come with a strong sense of duty and commitment to the community. They have already served the country with pride in the IDF, and they bring a sense of nationalism and religious and ethical integrity to the police force,” he said. To date, Maaminim B’Mishtara has produced 60 policemen who are currently serving throughout the country. The organization’s goal is to supply 500 new religious police officers to the Israeli force over the next six years. Feeling Their Presence As a result, an increasing number of police stations now have at least one member
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of the Orthodox community on the force. According to Mr. Cohen, their presence can be felt in many ways, large and small. For example, crude language, long considered routine in most police venues, is heard much less often in those station houses with members of Maaminim B’Mishtara. Kashruth, which is supposed to be observed in all Israeli installations, has not been strictly observed by the police. But with the arrival of a member of Maaminim B’Mishtara, extra attention is paid to the dietary laws. Like soldiers’ duties, police work is often considered pikuach nefesh, necessary to save a life and, therefore, permissible and even mandatory on Shabbat and holidays. So it is no more surprising to find a member of Maaminim B’Mishtara at work on Shabbat than it would be to find a soldier with a kippah doing what is necessary in the field. But just as army bases provide services, Kiddush, and Shabbat meals, these are also now available and enjoyed in many police stations. Working Together And not just by the Orthodox. According to Mr. Cohen, as a result of the influence of Maaminim B’Mishtara, the desire to be closer to Judaism is catching on among many non-Orthodox police officers. Some of them now regularly call on Rabbi Brachyahu for guidance, especially as it pertains to police work. While some of the questions posed to the rabbi concern actions—can a cat be extricated from a tree on Shabbat? (the answer was no, unless there was some possibility of danger to people if the cat remained up there)—increasingly, there are ethical and moral dilemmas that must be explored. “There are halachic rules for how a prisoner can be interrogated and officers must know the halachic parameters,” said Mr. Cohen. Learning Together Because of Maaminim B’Mishtara, many non-Orthodox police officers are studying ethics alongside their more religious colleagues, he said. “It’s not unusual to hear policemen who have Maaminim B’Mishtara colleagues, quoting from the booklets on halacha prepared by Rabbi Brachyahu. They are learning and relearning what it means to be a police officer in the land of Israel,” said Mr. Cohen. As part of the program, Rabbi Brachyahu makes routine visits to station houses, asking and answering questions and
giving lectures which are attended by a wide variety of police officers, religious and not. He is now preparing a book of halacha to be used by all members of the Israeli Police Force, and it will include a curriculum on ethics. Proper Direction While Mr. Cohen does not expect to see dramatic changes in the Israeli police force overnight, he said there is already evidence that things are moving in a more positive direction. For example, the infusion of ethics and compassion that are part and parcel of the Maaminim B’Mishtara program is expected to have an impact on police work with at-risk youngsters and in situations of
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domestic abuse. Mr. Cohen believes that when police serve as proper role models, they can have a beneficial effect on the entire community, especially youngsters who show early signs of delinquency. “We need to show young people how to behave, not send them to jail. Sending them to jail is like sending them to a school for criminals,” said Mr. Cohen. One of the unintended consequences of bringing religious and non-religious police officers together is that in many cases, positive relationships have been fostered between these two groups, who under normal circumstances would never see each other, let alone work together—
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Iran
May 2015 / Iyar 5775
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continued from page 1
According to Mr. Langfan, the Iranians use their Hezbollah proxies to enrage Sunni Muslims throughout the Arab world “the way a bullfighter uses a red flag.” Nothing New His position has been backed up by a leading anti-Hezbollah Lebanese cleric, Muhammad Ali Al-Husseini, who heads the Arab Islamic Council in Lebanon. In an interview with the Iraqi daily Al-Zaman, which was translated by MEMRI, Mr. AlHusseini insisted that Iran’s plan to take over Arab countries “is nothing new.” According to Mr. Al-Husseini, it began in 1979 when Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini assumed leadership in Iran and determined to export his Islamic Revolution to the world. To win favor among Sunni Muslims, the Iranian mullahs named streets after the assassin of Egyptian President Anwar Sadat, supported the Sunni Islamist Muslim Brotherhood in Algeria and Egypt; and allowed Sunni Al-Qaeda leaders, including the family of Osama bin-Laden, into Teheran after they were forced to flee from Afghanistan. “Using this strategy, the Iranian regime managed to infiltrate Iraq, Syria,
Orthodox Policemen especially in an environment that most Israelis see as aggressive and brutal. Rabbi Brachyahu calls it “a beautiful partnership, bringing something Gdly into something that has historically functioned as not G-dly.”
Lebanon, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and other countries, in order to realize its ambitious plan to take over our Arab countries,” said Mr. Al-Husseini. Joined by the President According to Mr. Langfan, the Iranian plan became much more dangerous when US President Barack Obama decided to ally himself with the mullahs in their quest to continue their state-sponsored terrorism, much of it against Israel, and their progress on the path to acquire a nuclear bomb. “Obama is Iran’s co-conspirator-inchief, acting as Teheran’s forward-deployed special forces, enabling Iran to lay waste to the entire Arab world and, while they’re at it, Israel,” said Mr. Langfan. He suggested that the first step towards stopping the Iranians’ grand plan is to expose it. Then, he said, working as a team, Israel and the Arabs could defend themselves. Mr. Al-Husseini had a similar suggestion. Referring to Iran, he said, “Cut off the serpent’s head, because if we do not, it will remain alive and continue to pose the same danger by giving rise to more terrorism.”
Yemen The Sunni Arab world does not seem prepared to do that yet. So far, they are still battling Iran’s Arab proxies, but Mr. Langfan believes the situation in Yemen is a game-changer. When the latest Iranian Shi’ite-Arab proxies, the Houthis, assumed power in Yemen last February, it was the final straw for the Saudis. With a Sunni coalition that includes Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, and Qatar, the Saudis launched an air campaign against Houthi targets in Yemen, carrying out almost 2,500 missions. In only a few weeks, more than 80 percent of the Houthis’ weapons supply was destroyed. The death toll in Yemen reached 944. The US has provided logistics and intelligence support to the coalition, including refueling coalition warplanes, which the Pentagon viewed as a way to pressure the Houthis to return to the negotiating table while reducing civilian casualties. No “Half Measures” According to some reports, Saudi officials rebuffed US demands to scale back their attacks. The Saudis reportedly told
continued from page 13 Funding Like any new project in Israel, Maaminim B’Mishtara’s problem is funding. First and foremost, there are salaries. Police recruits are paid 65 percent of the regular police salary while they are in training. And the
rabbis who train them must also be paid. Rabbi Brachyahu and Mr. Cohen are already looking for additional rabbinic students to study complex police issues in order to address them in textbooks and in classes. Mr. Cohen hopes Maaminim B’Mishtara’s website will be up and functioning very soon. Until then, he can be reached at uriele.cohen@gmail.com. One of Maaminim B’Mishtara’s earliest supporters has been Rabbi Pesach Lerner, the former director of National Council of Young Israel who now serves as the group’s vice-president emeritus. According to Rabbi Lerner, even the small routine police functions carried out by Maaminim B’Mishtara recruits will have “a major ripple effect impacting Israeli society, transforming the Israeli police force, and providing new opportunities for the Israeli-religious community.” “It is important that a Torah presence be part of the national police force so that all parts of society can see the beauty and ethical behavior of Torah as they interact with policemen,” he said. S.L.R.
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their American counterparts that “half measures” and a “half war” would leave the Houthis in a position to resume their campaign later. It was the same argument Israel had used when fighting Hamas in Gaza in 2014. The show of Sunni strength in Yemen seems to have convinced Sunni members of the Yemeni army to look to the Saudis as their champions. Resupply Efforts Having supported the Houthi militia with weapons, supplies, funds, and training, the Iranians did not take the looming Houthi defeat lightly. While Teheran made plans to resupply their proxies, the Saudis, with the help of their coalition, instituted a blockade on Yemen to prevent any such replenishment. “To the Saudis, an Iranian-controlled Yemen 600 miles from Mecca is an existential threat,” said Mr. Langfan. In an obvious attempt to placate the Saudis and reinforce their refusal to allow any new weapons to reach the Houthis, Mr. Obama ordered the USS Theodore Roosevelt Aircraft Carrier battle group to Yemen’s shores. “Red Line” “This essentially announced that any Iranian attempt to resupply the Houthis would be crossing an American red-line,” said Mr. Langfan. But, given Mr. Obama’s previous reversals on other red-line issues, Mr. Langfan said there are doubts as to how serious the President is this time. “What’s clear is that if Obama caves [in] to the Iranians, letting them dock in Yemen with weapons for the Houthis , he will be betraying the Saudis and neither they nor the rest of the Arab Sunnis would wait for another false promise from Washington. With nothing to lose, the Sunnis would surely attack Iran, and the Middle East would burst into a flaming all-out Arab-Sunni-Persian-Shiite war,” he said. On the other hand, Mr. Langfan suggested, Mr. Obama’s goal in placing the US ship off Yemen might be merely an attempt to protect the Iranian nuclear deal, at least until after it is signed. In that case, he may be hoping the American presence would be sufficient to keep both sides at bay. Ramping Up the Tension If that is the plan, it has so far been unsuccessful. At the end of April, the
Saudis resumed bombing some Houthi targets. On April 29, the naval wing of Teheran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps seized a Marshall Islands-flagged cargo ship, the MV Maersk Tigris, traveling through the Strait of Hormuz. The strait, one of the world’s busiest oil-shipping waterways, is technically in Iranian waters, but there is an internationally acknowledged shipping corridor which is used by commercial boats. When the Tigris initially refused to follow the Iranian patrol boats further into Iranian waters, the Iranian naval forces fired warning shots across the ship’s bow, which the Americans saw as an “inappropriate” step. A former US colony, the
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Marshall Islands retains close defense ties with Washington. When the Tigris sent out a distress call, the US Navy sent the USS Farragut in pursuit. Drama at the Airport The same day, the Saudi-led coalition prevented an Iranian commercial plane from landing in Sana’a airport. According to Sunni coalition spokesman, Brig-Gen Ahmed Asiri, the Iranians were told that before landing in Sana’a, the plane had to stop in Bisha Airport in southwestern Saudi Arabia so it could be searched, a routine measure following the coalition’s enforcement of a blockade over Yemeni airspace.
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Iran
May 2015 / Iyar 5775
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Mr. Asiri said that although the pilot had consented to the procedure, the plane bypassed the agreed-upon route and headed directly for Sana’a. When the Iranian pilots did not respond to calls from Sunni coalition warplanes, the coalition’s planes bombed Sana’a airport’s runway to prevent the Iranian plane from landing. Escape to Oman Informed that the runway had been targeted, the Iranian pilots promptly changed course and headed toward Oman. According to Mr. Asiri, the plane’s actions were “unacceptable,” especially because the destroyed runway will delay the arrival of humanitarian aid to Yemen. These situations, Mr. Langfan said, show that the US has allowed conditions to develop in which a full-blown war in the Middle East is virtually inevitable. The only question is whether the Arab world wakes up in time to understand that its Shi’ite and Sunni population should be on one side, with the Persian-Iranians on the other, he said. Mr. Langfan maintained that one thing is clear: However the sides line up, Israel may be working behind the scenes with the Sunni coalition, but the Jewish state can count on no one. The Obama administration, on the other
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hand, will insist on standing with Iran. Obama’s Achievement Dr. Mordechai Kedar, a scholar of Arabic literature who teaches at Bar-Ilan University and served for twenty-five years as an IDF military intelligence specialist in Arab affairs, decried the lack of logic behind the US foreign policy decision to reach a nuclear agreement with Iranian leaders “at any price.” He said that as a result, the deal will be good for the Iranian leaders and bad for the US, Israel, and the rest of the world. Knowing how much Mr. Obama wants an agreement, the Iranian negotiators have “hardened their positions,” and, in exchange for doing the US the favor of signing the agreement, they will expect to be permitted to maintain their nuclear program, said Dr. Kedar. He listed several reasons explaining why it is “imperative” that Mr. Obama not sign any agreement at all with Iran, beginning with the fact that even the President recognizes it will not prevent the Iranian leaders from obtaining nuclear weapons. “Perhaps it will take them longer to get them, but Iranian nuclear weapons will go down in history as the achievement of President Barack Obama,” he said.
Taqiya Shi’ite culture also acts against the agreement, he said, noting that Iranian leaders “look for ways to lie, cheat, pull the wool over our eyes, and hide the truth—all permissible under the rubric of ‘taqiya,’ a Shi’ite legal dispensation which allows them to lie and cheat if it serves their interests.” According to Dr. Kedar, one form of “taqiya,” took place when Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ali Hosseini Khamenei, publicly issued an injunction against nuclear weapons. “After all, if he forbade them, why do they need a plutonium processing plant the nature of whose products is solely military?” said Dr. Kedar. Another reason to reject the agreement is that signing it amounts to “a betrayal of tens of millions of Iranians and an abrogation of their right to lead normal lives” according to values that the West and
particularly the US claim to espouse, he said. Accused of Taking Sides He is convinced that an agreement with Iran will spark a nuclear-arms race in the entire Middle East, with the strong possibility that dangerous nuclear materials will find their way to terrorist groups. Dr. Kedar said that nuclear agreement between Iran and the West will also play a role in the Shi’ite-Sunni power struggle, leading militant Sunni Islamist groups spawned by the Muslim Brotherhood, such as Hamas, Al Qaeda, Islamic Jihad, ISIS,
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HNMC’s Chief Nursing Officer Honored Sheryl Slonim, DNP (Doc-
tor of Nursing Practice), who serves as executive vice-president of Patient Care Services and Chief Nursing officer at Holy Name Medical Center (HNMC) in Teaneck, has been named one of NJ’s 2015 Best 50 Women in Business by NJBIZ business news publication. The Best 50 Women in Business awards program honors NJ’s most dynamic women in busi-
ness, those who are making headlines in the field. An independent panel selected the top 50 winners based on their dedication to business growth, professional and personal accomplishments, community involvement, and advocacy for women. At Holy Name, Dr. Slonim is responsible for all aspects of management of care. Under her leadership, HNMC has twice received Magnet recognition
from the American Nurses Credentialing Center, which recognizes healthcare organizations for quality patient care, nursing excellence, and innovations in professional nursing practice. HNMC has also won the Beacon Award for its Intensive Care and Telemetry Units. Michael Maron, President and CEO of HNMC who was also just honored himself by the SINAI Special Needs Insti-
tute, said the medical center was delighted that Dr. Slonim’s dedication to Holy Name and the nursing profession has been recognized statewide with this prestigious honor. “She is a valued member of my executive management team, and her extensive experience, extraordinary talent, and nurturing leadership motivate not only the nursing staff, but the entire organization,”
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Iran
May 2015 / Iyar 5775
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Boko Haram, al-Shabaab, al-Nusra, and others, to accuse the US and Europe of strengthening the Shi’ite faction of Islam at the Sunnis’ expense. This could lead to increased Sunni terror throughout Europe and the US, he said. Retaking Mecca and Medina One of the motivating goals of the Iranian leaders is their declared desire to control Mecca and Medina in order to restore Islamic rule to the followers of Ali ibn Abi Talib, the fourth caliph who founded Shi’ism and was murdered in 661 CE.
According to Dr. Kedar, a nuclear agreement with the US will inspire Iran to pursue that goal, which can be achieved only by going to war to destroy the Saudi regime. The billions of dollars that will flow into Iran’s coffers once the imposed sanctions are lifted would pay for the war as well as Iranian-sponsored terrorism throughout the world. “Any agreement with Iran that does not include a complete end to the Iranian nuclear program will encourage the Ayatollahs to view it as proof that Allah himself granted them victory over the nonbelievers—Christians, Americans,
Jews, and Europeans. That feeling of victory will send the entire Middle East into a political, military, and governmental maelstrom, whose characteristics are already obvious in Yemen, which is itself a continuation of the bloodshed for which the Ayatollahs bear responsibility in Syria, Iraq, and Lebanon,” he said. Dr. Kedar agreed with Mr. Langfan that the agreement could ignite a general war in the Gulf and the destruction of oil and gas production in the region. “One doesn’t need much imagination to predict what will happen to the price of energy worldwide if that should occur,” he said. Strong Letter The only alternative, he said, is a nononsense letter to the Ayatollahs that should be signed by the leaders of the US, UK, France, Australia, and Germany, telling the Iranians “the party is over and so are the negotiations.” The Iranians should be told they have “one week, starting this very minute, to dismantle all the nuclear installations in Fordow, Natanz, Arac, Parchin, and the rest. Dismantle the centrifuges and ship the parts to us by sea.” The letter should conclude with a warning that the countries’ “‘land, sea, and air forces are surrounding you and are already revving up their engines. ‘One week from today, if you do not do as we demand, we will begin to flatten you down to the ground’,” he said. “The more serious and credible this threat seems, the less chance there is that it will be have to be implemented,” said Dr. Kedar, pointing out that the Ayatollahs are not suicidal. “At the head of their list of priorities is preserving their power, their country, and their aspirations regarding the return of Islamic hegemony. They will elect to stay in power even if that means relinquishing their nuclear arsenal, and this is the only way to convince them to abandon their military nuclear plans. No other approach—certainly not an agreement— will prevent their nuclear armament and the catastrophic results for the world,” he said. “The only question remaining is whether the West’s leadership has really resolved to prevent the Ayatollahs from achieving nuclear weapons.” S.L.R.
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The Log: “Separate Yourself Not from the Community”
Mon., May 4
Last Day to Donate to CareOne’s Drive for New Mothers’ Supplies, including baby wipes, clothes, formula, diapers, and other essentals, to be given to Holy Name Medical Center’s Pastoral Care Division, drop off at CareOne in Teaneck, 201-287-8505 JCC Spring Boutique, to benefit the JCC’s Early Childhood Special Programs, JCC, Tenafly, 9am-4pm, 201-408-1435 Politz Day School of Cherry Hill Scholarship Dinner, honoring Rabbi Yitzchok and Baily Kahan, Dan and Rory Eisenstein, and Alan and Debbie Klein, z”l, at the school, 5:30pm, 856-667-1013 “Considering Buying an Apartment in Israel? Biggest Mistakes Made by Overseas Buyers—and How to Avoid Them,” Gedaliah Borvick, Eliezer Goldberg, and Ruthie Yudin, Cong Keter Torah, Teaneck, 8pm, 347-897-9943 Parlor Meeting for Mechinat Keshet Yehuda Pre-Military Academy In Israel, Yogev Gilboa and Pilot “Efi,” private home in Livingston, 8pm, sullman.trmc@gmail.com “Turning Mazal Tough into Mazal Tov: How to Successfully Guide Anyone through Shidduchim,” for dating individuals, parents, friends, and shadchanim, Rabbi Shmuel and Dr. Chani Maybruch, private home in Clifton, 8:15pm, DrChaniMaybruch@gmail. com or 646-937-5264 Megillat Ruth, Rabbi Yosef Sharbat, Cong Ahawas Achim Bnai Jacob and David, West Orange, 8:15pm, 973-736-1407
Tues., May 5
Spring Boutique, JCC, Tenafly, 10am-4pm, 201-408-1435 “Go West Young Jew: Not All Immigrants Stayed in New York,” Chaim Lauer, includes lunch, Cong Ahawas Achim Bnai Jacob and David, West Orange, 11:15am, 973-735-1407 ext 240 Sushiana Restaurant Donates 18% of its profits to CNJKIDS, to support Jewish K-8 day school education, Highland Park, 5-6pm, 732-640-0111 Artist’s Reception: “Enveloped in Quandary: Ties to Judaism and Feminity,” oil paintings
by Toby Gotesman Schneier, JCC, Tenafly, 6-8pm, 201-569-7900 Refa’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, 7:30pm, dena@ refaenu.org, www.refaenu.org “The Book of Daniel: The Challenges of Exile and Assimilation,” Dr. Michelle Levine, Cong Ahavath Achim, Highland Park, 7:30pm, 732-247-0532 “What to Expect after You’re Done Expecting: From Birth Control to Menopause,” for women, Yoetzet Halacha Nechama Price, The Synagogue of the Suburban Torah Center, Livingston, 8pm, 201-888-6999 The Shefa School Parlor Meeting: Pluralistic Jewish Day School for Children with Language-Based Learning Disabilities, for parents with children in grades 2-6, private home in Teaneck, 8pm, Office@ shefaschool.org “Social Justice from a Jewish Lens,” Ben Azzai, Rutgers Hillel, New Brunswick, 9pm, 732-545-2407
Wed., May 6, Lag B’Omer
“Ziegfeld Girls: Irving Berlin, Anna Held, Fanny Brice, Joseph Urban, and Ruth Etting,” Marty Schneit, JCC, Tenafly, 11:15am, 201-569-7900 Teen Scene, for special-needs teenagers, includes games, sports, and dinner with volunteers, Friendship Circle, Livingston, 5pm, 973251-0200 Bar Mitzvah Club, for boys in grades 6-7, Rabbi Yitzchok Kahan, includes light dinner, Chabad Center, Cherry Hill, 6pm, 856-874-1500 Contemporary Israeli Poetry Group, in the original with English translation and discussion, Atara Fobar, Hebrew Institute of Riverdale, 7pm, 718-796-4730 “Strength to Strength,” support group for parents whose children ages 15-25 are dealing with chemical dependency, psychological disorders, and/or cooccurring issues, Dr. Jeffrey Berman, JCC, Tenafly, 7pm, 201-408-1403 Jewish National Fund Special Needs Task Force,Yossi Kahana, private home in Fair Lawn,
7pm, 973-593-0095 ext 823 or 201797-0051 Abused Women’s Confidential Support Group, Jewish Family Service, Teaneck, 7:15pm, 201-837-9090 Jewish 12-Step Meeting, JACS—Jewish Alcoholics, Chemically Dependent Persons, and Significant Others, Jewish Family Service, Teaneck, 7:30pm, 201837-9090, ask for IRA (Information and Referral) or 201-981-1071 Beyond Bar Mitzvah Club, for 8th grade boys who have recently celebrated their bar mitzvahs, Rabbi Yitzchok Kahan, includes light dinner, Chabad of Cherry Hill, 7:30pm, 856-874-1500 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 know how to read and sing in Hebrew, Zvi Klein, JCC, Tenafly, 8pm, 201-408-1427 Lag B’Omer BBQ Kumzitz, includes music and bring-your-own instrument, spons by Chabad of Hoboken, at the Residences at the W Hotel, Hoboken, 8pm, rabbi@ chabadhoboken.com Lag B’Omer Bonfire, for families and the community, includes singing, live music, and dancing, Bais Medrash L’Torah (Rabbi Davis’s Shul), Passaic, 9:15pm, avi@ unicomtelecom.com “Learn How to Live a Healthy Life Naturally,” Sharon and Pinny Cohen, Cong Etz Ahaim, Highland Park, 8pm, 732-247-3839
Thurs., May 7, Lag B’Omer
Meet the New CEO of the Jewish Federation of Greater MetroWest: Dov Ben-Shimon, Jerusalem Pizza, Elizabeth, 8am, 973-929-3042 “Echoes and Reflections: Leaders in Holocaust Education Training Program: Different Dimensions of Holocaust History,” College of St Elizabeth, Morristown, 4pm, 973-290-4000 or holocaustcenter@cse.edu Lag B’Omer Family BBQ with an Israeli Twist, includes “IDF Bootcamp,” decorate and fly kites, Jaffa oranges, rides, and music, Chabad Jewish Center, Basking Ridge, 5pm, chayas@ chabadcentral.org Lag B’Omer Picnic, for families, includes live entertainment, pony rides, treats, rides, kite-making and flying, and arts and crafts, spons by Chabad of Riverdale, in Seton Park, Bronx, 5pm, 718-549-1100 Lag B’Omer Family Fun Day, includes live music, bonfire, face-painting, pony rides, petting zoo, rides, and kosher food, Chabad of Rockland, New City, 5pm, 845-634-0951 Lag B’Omer Celebration, includes BBQ, bonfire, skateboard stunt show, Chabad of Cherry Hill, 5pm, 856-874-1500 Lag B’Omer CommunityWide Happening, coordinated by the Mekor Chaim/Steinsaltz Ambassadors Program and Rabbi Shmulie Greene, Grove 1, Donaldson Park, Highland Park, 6pm, 973-214-8577 Lag B’Omer Bonfire and
continued on page 22
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The Log
May 2015 / Iyar 5775
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Kumzitz, spons by Chabad of West Orange, at a private home in West Caldwell, 7pm, 973-325-6311 “Centennial Commemoration of Armenian Genocide: Turkey’s Industry of Denial,” Ragip Zarakolu and Nanore Barsoumian, Ramapo College, Mahwah, 7:30pm, 201-684-7409 Jewish Film Festival of Central NJ: “The Art Dealer,” Rialto Theater, Westfield, 7:30pm, 908-889-8800 Parsha Shiur, Rabbi Eliezer Rubin, Cong Rinat Yisrael, Teaneck, 8:30pm, 201-837-2795
Fri., May 8
“The 49-Step Program: Sefirah’s Seven-Week Plan for Personal Reform,” Rabbi Avrohom Rapoport, spons by Chabad at the Shore, at the Linwood Library, 12:15pm, 609-992-4100 Weekend Bash(eirt) Modern Orthodox Singles Shabbaton, for singles ages 25-35, Cong Ohav Emeth, Highland Park, and Cong Ohr Torah, Edison, through Shabbat, May 9, AWeekendBasheirt@gmail.com National Council of Synagogue Youth (NCSY) Spring Regional, at the Hudson Valley Resort and Spa, Kerhonkson, NY, through Sun, May 10, http://newjersey.ncsy.org/ Manhattan Jewish Experience Shabbaton, at Cong Keter Torah, Teaneck, through Shabbat, May 9, 201-907-0180 Yachad Shabbaton, for special-needs teens and adults, Cong Shomrei Torah, Fair Lawn, through Shabbat, May 9, 201-791-7910 Prof Nechama Price, Yoetzet Halacha Scholar-in-Residence, Cong Ahavath Torah, Engle-
wood, through Shabbat, May 9, 201-568-1315
Shabbat, May 9
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 Rabbi Mark Wildes, part of Manhattan Jewish Experience Shabbaton, at Cong Keter Torah, Teaneck, 10:30am, 201-907-0180 “What’s in a Jewish Name?” Barbara Schneider, Jewish Center of Teaneck, noon, 201-8330515 ext 200 Sisterhood Welcome Luncheon, with Yoetzet Halacha Nechama Price, Cong Ahavath Torah, Englewood, noon, 201-568-1315 Dessert Reception, part of Shabbat Beth Aaron: A Hachnasat Orchim Program—Be a Guest or Invite a Guest for Lunch, at the shul, Teaneck, 3pm, 201-928-0897 ATARA of Cong Keter Torah Spring Tea, for women, featuring “Are You My Mother? The Trials and Triumphs of the Imahot,” Yael Weil, honoring Elissa Katz, Deena Seelenfreund, and Zeeva Sklar, at the shul in Teaneck, 4:30pm, 201-907-0180 “European Antisemitism: Past and Present,” Dr. David Berger, Cong Rinat Yisrael, Teaneck, 6:25pm, 201-837-2795 “Let Me See That Good Land: The Story of a Human Life,” Avivah Zornberg, Hebrew Institute of Riverdale, 7pm, 718-796-4730
Motzei Shabbat, May 9
Shiur, Rabbi Mordechai Willig,
Young Israel of Riverdale, 9:30pm, 718-548-4765 Spa Night, for girls in grades 5-8, Cong Ahawas Achim Bnai Jacob and David, West Orange, 9:30pm, aabjdjrteens@gmail.com Tiferes Chofetz Chaim Heritage Foundation Program: “Lightning Bolts of Chizuk: Insights That Illuminate the Darkness of Life’s Challenges,” for women, Miriam Jaffe, private home in Edison, 9:45pm, 732-572-4408 or siegelmom@optonline.net
Sun., May 10
Davening and Bikur Cholim at Daughters of Miriam in Clifton, meet at Cong Shomrei Torah, Fair Lawn, 8:15am; davening, followed by breakfast and bikur cholim, 8:45am, samapprais@aim.com “Bagels, Tefillin, and Breakfast,” Rabbi Eliezer Zaklikovsky, Chabad Jewish Center of Monroe, NJ, 9:30am, 732-656-1616 Megillat Esther and Torah Dedication, in recognition of Rabbi Avi and Toby Weiss for 40 years of service, Hebrew Institute of Riverdale, 10am, 718-796-4730 Jewish Youth Encounter Program Open House, for children looking for a Sunday-only Hebrew program, at JYEP, Teaneck, 10am, 201-833-5937 Sibshops, support group and day trip for siblings, ages 9-13, of individuals with developmental disabilities, Jewish Family Service, Clifton, 11am, 973-777-7638 Beyond Bar Mitzvah Club, for boys in grade 8, Rabbi Yitzchok Kahan, Chabad Center, Cherry Hill, 12 noon, 856-874-1500 Yeshiva Shaarei Tzion 25th Anniversary Dinner, honoring founders Yossi and Ruchi Stern, Renaissance Woodbridge Hotel, Iselin, 5:30pm, 732-266-9354 “Improving Your Interpersonal Relationships That Count: Improving Your Relationship with Yourself,” Rabbi Michael Bleicher, spons by the Jewish Family Service of Passaic, private home in Passaic, 8pm, 973-777-7638
Mon., May 11
Deadline to Apply for a JCC College Scholarship, for collegebound Jewish students in Bergen
County, including students with special needs, 201-569-7900 Caregivers Support Group, for those caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s disease, JCC, Tenafly, 7pm, 201-569-7900 Jewish National Fund Israel Action, Chuck Fax, private home in Montvale, 7pm, 973-5930095 ext 823 “The Ten Commandments vs The New Moses Movie,” Rabbi Dr. Meir Soloveitchik, includes dinner, The Frisch School, Paramus, 7:30pm, 201-267-9100 “A Conversation with the Divine,” for women, Chabad Jewish Center, Basking Ridge, 7:30pm, mherson@chabadcentral.org
Tues., May 12
“The American Civil War: A 150-Year Retrospective,” Dr. Edward Shapiro and “Take Control of Your Health,” Nancy Cohen, MSW, in memory of Marlene Feldman, z”l, includes lunch, Cong Ahawas Achim Bnai Jacob and David, West Orange, 11:15am, 973-735-1407 ext 240 Bereavement Support Group, Rabbi Bryan Kinzbrunner, Stein Hospice, Somerset, 4pm, 732-227-1212 Yeshiva University High Schools Dinner, honoring Rabbi Steven and Rachel Burg, Aleeza Lauer, Ruth Fried, Rabbi Al Cohen, and the MTA and Central Classes of 1990, Marina Del Rey, Bronx, 5:30pm, 212-960-5337 Gush Etzion Foundation, Shani Simkovitz, spons by the Jewish National Fund, private home in Teaneck, 7pm, 973-593-0095 ext 823, 201-928-1321, or 201-928-0840 Author Talks: Dorian Mintzer, Rockland JCC, West Nyack, 7:30pm, 845-354-2121 “The Book of Daniel: Dreams, Prophecies, and the World’s Destiny,” Dr. Michelle Levine, Cong Ahavath Achim, Highland Park, 7:30pm, 732-247-0532 “Project SARAH: Stop Abusive Relations at Home,” Sara Levine, Cong Etz Chaim Monroe Twnshp Jewish Center, 7:30pm, 732-251-1119 Megillat Ruth, Rabbi Yosef Sharbat, Cong Ahawas Achim Bnai Jacob and David, West Orange, 8:15pm, 973-736-1407
http://jewishvoiceandopinion.com Wed., May 13
NORPAC Mission to Washington: Je Suis NORPAC, I Stand for Israel, for adults and students in grade 7 and up (with a parent), 201-788-5133, 201-836-9229, or 201-906-3715 Hadassah Southern NJ Education Symposium: “The Medium Is the Message: Israel through the World’s Lens,” includes “Israel and the Notion of Social Justice: A Personal Experience,” Shahar Azani; “The Challenge of Israel Engagement on US Campuses,” Jerome Enis and Andrew Getraer; “”Media War for Israel,” Howard Joffe; Forsgate Country Club, Monroe Twnshp, 8:45am, 732-643-1100 “Echoes and Reflections: Leaders in Holocaust Education Training Program: Different Dimensions of Holocaust History,” Ramapo College, Mahwah, 9am, 201-684-7409 or holgen@ ramapo.edu Honoring the 70th Anniversary of their Liberation: “Survivors Empowering Voices for Tomorrow,” featuring “From Living Memories to History: The Impact of the Survivors,” Dr. Michael Berenbaum, for grades 5-12 and their teachers, Brookdale Community College, Lincroft, 9:30am, 732-224-1889 Yiddish Concert, Howard Leshaw and The Golden Land Orchestra, includes lunch, JCC, Tenafly, 11:30am, 201-408-1451 Efshar Circle, for independent special-needs young adults, includes sports, cooking, and Judaic activities, Friendship Circle, Livingston, 3pm, 973-251-0200 Cancer Support Group, Holy Name Medical Center, Teaneck, 4pm, 201-833-3336 “Justice Beyond the Holocaust and Rwanda: How the Memory of the Holocaust Has Shaped Ideas about Justice, Human Rights, Military Intervention, and Property Restitution,” Bildner Center for the Study of Jewish Life Master Teacher Institute in Holocaust Education, Rutgers, New Brunswick, 4:30pm, 732-932-2033 A Night with Susie Fishbein: A Three-Course Dairy or Parve Meal in Preparation for Shavuot, Riverdale Jewish Center, 6:30pm, 718-548-1850
May 2015 / Iyar 5775
Kosher Take Shape for Life: Medifast Workshop, private medical office in Englewood, 6:30pm, 914-912-7902 orRubyKaplan@aol.com Nechama Comfort: A Support Group Dedicated to Helping All Family Members Who Have Experienced Infant and Pregnancy Loss at Any Time in Their Lives, Jewish Family Service, Teaneck, 7pm, 201-837-9090 “The Times of Israel,” Rebecca Shimoni-Stall, spons by the Jewish National Fund, private home in Teaneck, 7pm, 973-593-0095 ext 823 or 201-692-9686 Holding Hands Support Group, for families who are grieving the death of a child of any age from any cause, Jewish Family Service, Teaneck, 7pm, 201-837-9090 “A Discussion on Elder Law and Estate Planning,” Benjamin Eckman, esq, includes wills, trusts, living wills, Medicaid planning and application process, guardianship, powers of attorney, probate, veterans’ benefits, and specialneeds trusts, CareOne, Teaneck, 7pm, 201-862-3300 Sisterhood Book Chat: “Bookseller’s Sonnets” by Andi Rosenthal, led by Jane Goldstein, Cong Sons of Israel, Manalapan, 7:30pm, 732-446-3000 Jewish Film Festival of Central NJ: “Gett: The Trial of Viviane Amsalem,” Rialto Theater, Westfield, 7:30pm, 908-889-8800 “Wisdom, Wine, and Cheese: Be the Best Parent to Your Child— Discover Your Own Parenting Style,” for women, Shimona Tzukernik, spons by Chabad of Riverdale, at a private home in Riverdale, 8pm, 718-549-1100 Makhela Israeli-Style Choir, for those who know how to read and sing in Hebrew, Zvi Klein, JCC, Tenafly, 8pm, 201-408-1427 Tehillim Group, Cong Shaare Tefillah, Teaneck, 8:15pm, 201-2895474, 917-902-9303, or 201-836-3431 “Speaking and Communication Skills in Bi-Lingual Kids,” for Israeli parents raising children in the US, JCC, Tenafly, 8:30pm, 201-408-1427
Thurs., May 14
Joseph Kushner Hebrew Academy/Rae Kushner Yeshiva High School Dinner, honoring
The Jewish Voice and Opinion alumni who served or are serving in the IDF, at the school, Livingston, 5:30pm, erosenfeld@jkha.org Yeshiva High School Alumni Basketball Association Evening, honoring Marvin Teicher, z”l (MTA, 1952), Dr. Allen Helfer (BTA, 1953), Aaron Grandison (YHSQ, 1973), Andrew Weitzen (RJJ, 1974), Dr. Jerry Stahl (Rogosin, 1975), Barry Berg (MTA, 1976), Susan Rifkin (JEC, 1981), Zach Mishaan (Flatbush, 1983), Dr. David Ruchelsman (Frisch, 1994), Stephanie Amos (Central, 1998), Max Feldstein (Ramaz, 2010), and Richard Hagler (League Commissioner), to spons a basketball court in Tiberias for Yeshiva Kfar Zeitim for children at risk to be dedicated in memory of Mitch Merlis, z”l, at Cong Keter Torah, Teaneck, 6pm, 201-615-0222 “It’s Good to Laugh,” comedienne Carol Leifer, for women, spons by Women’s Philanthropy division of the Jewish Federation of Rockland County, at Rockleigh Country Club, Rockleigh, meet-andgreet, 6pm; buffet dinner, auction, and program, 7pm, 845-362-4200 One Book, One Community: “The Golem and the Jinni” by Helene Wecker, spons by the Jewish Federation of Northern NJ, includes dessert reception, Temple Emeth, Teaneck, 7pm, NancyP@jfnnj.org Alexander Mussi High School in Israel Parlor Meeting, spons by the Jewish National Fund, private home in Tenafly, 7pm, 973-593-0095 ext 823 Volunteer Celebration, honoring Friendship Circle volunteers who work with specialneeds children and teens, at the Friendship Circle, Paramus, 7pm, 201-262-7172
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Riverdale Shavuoth Bake and Flower Sale, to benefit the Riverdale Mikva Maintenance Fund, private home in Riverdale, 8:15pm, lzrosenblum@gmail.com or oweinroth@optimum.net Shiur, Rabbi Dani Rapp, Cong Adath Israel, Elizabeth, 8:30pm, 908 355 4850
Fri., May 15
Shabbat with Rabbi Gary Katz, for seniors, JCC, Tenafly, 11:30am, 201-569-7900 “Cash Up-Front: Lessons from Contract Law,” Rabbi Avrohom Rapoport, spons by Chabad at the Shore, at the Linwood Library, 12:15pm, 609-992-4100 Mitzvah Clowning, with Areyvut, at CareOne, Teaneck 4pm, 201-244-6702 Prospective Member Shabbaton, Cong Anshe Chesed, Linden, through Shabbat, May 16, 908-486-8616 Englewood Girls Community Chai Lifeline Shabbaton, spons by the Englewood Shuls to support children with lifethreatening illnesses, through Shabbat, May 16, 212-894-8223 OU Community Shabbos, with Rabbi Steven Weil, Cong Ohr Torah, Edison, through Shabbat, May 16, 732-985-2593 Shabbos of Song and Inspiration: Yehuda Green, at Bais Medrash L’Torah-Rabbi Davis’s Shul, Passaic, mincha and Kabolas Shabbos, 7pm; seudah with Zmiros, 8:30pm; Shabbos and Oneg and Kumzits for the community, 10:15pm, 973-250-6132 Carlebach Davening: Musical Kabbalat Shabbat, Jewish Center of Teaneck, 7:48 pm, 201-833-0515
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The Log
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Tell Our Advertisers “I Saw It in The Jewish Voice and Opinion”
continued from page 23
Carlebach Kabbalat Shabbat, Cong Ahawas Achim Bnai Jacob and David, West Orange, 7:48pm, 973-736-1407
Shabbat, May 16
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 Shabbos of Song and Inspiration: Yehuda Green, at Bais Medrash L’Torah-Rabbi Davis’s Shul, Passaic, davening and gala Kiddush, 9am; communal seudah with zmiros, 12:30pm; mincha followed by seudah shlishit, 7pm, 973-250-6132 Green Shabbat: Drasha Highlighting the Importance of Climate Change, the Torah’s Mandate to Protect Our Environment, and How We Can Incorporate That Teaching into Daily Living at Home, Rabbi Steven Exler, Hebrew Institute of Riverdale, 10:30am; Green Kiddush, 11:30am, 718-796-4730 “Jerusalem: The City That Unites All of Israel,” Rachelle Fraenkel, mother of Naftali Fraenkel, z”l, who was kidnapped and murdered along with two other Israeli teens in 2014, Cong Rinat Yisrael, Teaneck, 11am, 201-837-2795 IDF Kiddush in Memory of Ilan Tokayer, z”l, Cong Rinat Yisrael, Teaneck, 11:30am, 201837-2795 Teachings of Rav Aharon Lichtenstein, z”l, Prof Alan Brill, private home in Teaneck, 5:30pm, shalomk@hotmail.com Shiur, Rachelle Sprecher Fraenkel, Cong Keter Torah, Teaneck, 6:40pm, 201-907-0180 “The Seductions of Sefarad: The Hebrew Poets of Spain Struggle with the Sacred and the Profane,” Rabbi Ronnie Perelis, Cong Netivot Shalom, Teaneck, 7:20pm, the.rogovins@gmail.com Green Shabbat: Range of Recycling and Composting Opportunities, Ann Rauch and Alisa Eilenberg, Hebrew Institute of Riverdale, 7:30pm, 718-796-4730 Israel Bonds Seudah Shlishit, Pinchas Landau, Synagogue of the
Suburban Torah Center, Livingston, 7:50pm, 973-994-2620
Motzei Shabbat, May 16
Yehuda Green in Concert, Bais Medrash L’Torah-Rabbi Davis’s Shul, Passaic, 9pm, 973-250-6132 Evening of Comedy: Modi, Cong Ahavath Torah, Englewood, 9:30pm, 201-568-1315 Film: “Above and Beyond: The Creation of the Israeli Air Force,” Cong Rinat Yisrael, Teaneck, 9:45pm, 201-837-2795
Sun., May 17, Yom Yerushalayim
Englewood Shalom 5K, to benefit The Center for Food Action and Tomchei Shabbos, includes music, children’s babysitting and activities, and refreshments, spons by The Moriah School, Cong Ahavath Torah, Kehilat Kesher, East Hill Synagogue, Cong Shomrei Emunah, Ben Porat Yosef, and Yavneh Academy in separate teams, at Cong Ahavath Torah, Englewood, Packet Pick-Up, 7-8:25am; 5K Run and Walk, 8:30am; 1 Mile Fun Run: 9:15am, es5krun@ gmail.com or 908-245-3000 Completion of a New Sefer Torah, in memory of Asher Wien, z”l, includes filling in final letters, Torah Parade, music, hakafot, dancing, and a dairy simcha lunch, Cong Ohr Torah, West Orange, 9am, 973-669-7320 Soccer Circle, for specialneeds children, spons by the Friendship Circle, Livingston, 9am, 973-251-0200 Color Me Fun Family Run/ Walk, Yeshivat Noam, Paramus, 9am, 201-261-1919 ext 126 Communal Day of Learning in Honor of Yom Yerushalayim, includes “Torat Yerushalayim,” “Historical/Modern Yerushalayim,” “Yerushalayim in the Arts,” “Yerushalayim as Return to Zion,” “Yerushalayim as a Golden Crown for All Denominations and Nations,” and “American Zionism,” Hebrew Institute of Riverdale, 9:30am-4pm, 718-796-4730 Hebrew School, for older special-needs children and teens, holidays, traditions, and Hebrew, Friendship Circle, Livingston, 9:30am, 973-251-0200 Trip to Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty, spons by the Synagogue of the Suburban Torah
Center, Livingston, leave Livinston at 10am, 973-994-2620 Jumping Jellybeans, for children ages newborn-5 years, with a parent, Cong Ahavath Achim, Highland Park, 10:30am, aayouth100@gmail.com Carnival, featuring rides, shows, activities, petty zoo and pony rides, raffles and prizes, Kol Chaverim Preschool, Fair Lawn, 11am2pm, 201-509-8433 or 917-750-7679 Jewish Educational Center’s Yeshiva of Elizabeth Walk-a-Thon and Family Fun Day, Nomahegan Park, Cranford, registration, 10am; walk-a-thon, 10:30am; carnival, entertainment, and food, 11:30am, yeshivapta@thejec.org Run for Rachel: Supporting Jewish Victims of Domestic Abuse, participants in age groups from 5-85 and over, at Livingston Memorial Oval, Livingston, 5K, 9:30am; 1 Mile Fun Run/Walk, 10:15am, 908-902-8587 Jerusalem Day PJ Family Concert, with Rick Recht, spons by the PJ Library in Rockland, at the New City Jewish Center, 1pm, 845-638-9600 Friendship Circle Bowling, for special-needs children and their families, Rebbetzin Chani Gurkov, Holiday Bowl, Oakland, 1:30pm, 973-694-6274 Cong Beth Abraham BBQ, at the shul, Bergenfield, 3:30pm, jeslanda@gmail.com or cehas48@aol.com SINAI Schools Get-Ready for Summer Boutique, Marriott Glenpointe, Teaneck, 5-9pm, 201213-5701 or 201-759-6091 End of Year Celebration: 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 Cong Sons of Israel Dinner, honoring Sam and Laurie Landy, includes entertainment by Six13 Jewish A Capella Group, at the shul in Manalapan, 5:30pm, 732-446-3000 Cong Darchei Noam of Fair Lawn Dinner, honoring Doris and Lenny Eis and Rachel
and Izzy Sabo, Fair Lawn Jewish Center, 5:30pm, 201-773-4080 Rabbi Jacob Joseph Dinner, honoring Mr. and Mrs. Louis Glinn, Renaissance Woodbridge Hotel, 5:30pm, 732-985-6533 Heichal HaTorah Community-Wide Siyyum HaShas, with HaRav Shmuel Kaminetsky, Jewish Center of Teaneck, 6:30pm, 201-335-0633 Beyond Bat Mitzvah Club, for girls in grade 7 and up who have recently celebrated their bat mitzvahs, Shterna Kaminker, Chabad of Cherry Hill, 6:30pm, 856-874-1500 Mom’s Night Out, for mothers of special-needs children, at The Friendship Circle, Paramus, 8pm, 201-262-7172
Mon., May 18
Last Day to See Exhibit: “How to Spot One of Us,” by Second Generation Survivors Janet Kirchheimer and Aliza Augustine, paired with exhibit “The World Knew: Jan Karski’s Mission for Humanity,” Human Rights Institute Gallery, Kean University, Union, 11am-4pm, janetksivan11@aol.com Jewish Film Festival of Central NJ: “Kidon,” Rialto Theater, Westfield, 7:30pm, 908-889-8800 Pre-Shavuot Flower-Arranging Class, for women, spons by Cong Bnai Yeshurun, at Teaneck Flowers, 8pm, razelk@gmail.com Megillat Ruth, Rabbi Yosef Sharbat, Cong Ahawas Achim Bnai Jacob and David, West Orange, 8:15pm, 973-736-1407
Tues., May 19
Lunch and Learn, Rabbi Shmuel Goldin, Cong Ahavath Torah, Englewood, noon, 201-568-1315 “Heartbeats: A Night of Song, Dance, and Connection,” for women, performed by students from Ma’ayanot Yeshiva High School for Girls to benefit The Lone Soldier Center, at Temple Emeth, Teaneck, 7pm, 201-833-4307 or Maayanotheartbeats2015@gmail.com “Soulmates: Jewish Secrets to Meaningful Relationships— The Challenge of Divorce and What It Teaches,” for women, Rebbetzin Altie Kasowitz, spons by the Rosh Chodesh Society, Chabad of West Orange, 7:30pm,
http://jewishvoiceandopinion.com 973-325-6311 Refa’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, 7:30pm, dena@ refaenu.org, www.refaenu.org “The Book of Daniel: Kiddush Hashem in the Book of Daniel,” Dr. Michelle Levine, Cong Ahavath Achim, Highland Park, 7:30pm, 732-247-0532 Sisterhood Mitzvah Dinner, honoring Toby Parker and Leiah Moskowitz, Cong Ahavath Torah, Englewood, 7:30pm, 201568-1315
Wed., May 20
Kosher Take Shape for Life: Medifast Workshop, private medical office in Fort Lee, 6:45pm, 914-912-7902 or RubyKaplan@aol.com Cooking Demo to Benefit the Rockland County Holocaust Museum, Chef Rachel Harkham, includes mixed fruit sangria, watermelon feta salad, and traditional NY cheesecake, private home in Suffern, 7pm, Hillary@HolocaustStudies.org Bake Sale, to support ECHO National Jewish Institute For Health in Spring Valley, at a private home in Clifton, 7pm, 201-463-4695 “Strength to Strength,” support group for parents whose children ages 15-25 are dealing with chemical dependency, psychological disorders, and/or cooccurring issues, Dr. Jeffrey Berman, JCC, Tenafly, 7pm, 201-408-1403 Abused Women’s Confidential Support Group, Jewish Family Service, Teaneck, 7:15pm, 201-837-9090 “Chicks with Sticks Knitting Circle,” hats for preemies, children with cancer, and IDF soldiers in Israel, private home in Highland Park, 8pm, 732-339-8492 Shomer Shabbos Boy Scout Meeting, for boys in 6th grade or 11 years old and up, Bais Medrash L’Torah, Rabbi Davis’s shul, Passaic, 8pm, HFishman@rafterpllc.com TV Documentary: “Transformation and Remembrance: NJ Educators Visit Holocaust Sites,” WHYY and NJTV, 8pm
Thurs., May 21
Shavuot Celebration: Make
May 2015 / Iyar 5775
an Edible Torah, for children and parents, JCC, Tenafly, 3pm, 201408-1418
Fri., May 22
TV Documentary: “Transformation and Remembrance: NJ Educators Visit Holocaust Sites,” WHYY and NJTV, 2am “The More the Merrier: Why Judaism Has 613 Commandments,” Rabbi Avrohom Rapoport, spons by Chabad at the Shore, at the Linwood Library, 12:15pm, 609-992-4100 “G-d in Jewish Text and Thought: From Bible to Modernity,” Rabbi Dr. Dov Weiss, Shabbat-Shavuot Scholar-inResidence, Hebrew Institute of Riverdale, through Shavuot, May 25, 718-796-4730 Rabbi Dovid Gottlieb, scholarin-residence, Cong Ahavath Torah, Englewood, through Shabbat and Shavuot, May 25, 201-568-1315 Shabbat-Shavuot Scholarin-Residence, Rabbi Dr. Aaron Segal, Riverdale Jewish Center, through Shavuot, May 25, 718548-1850
Shabbat, May 23
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 Meet the Members Erev Shavuot Shabbat Lunch, for families, special program for children ages 5-12, Cong Rinat Yisrael, Teaneck, 11:30am, AmyVogel27@ yahoo.com or bpsz18@gmail.com Men’s Cholent Cookoff, Cong Ohr Torah, West Orange, 11:30am, 973-669-7320 Shabbat Lunch, includes entertainment for children ages 3 and up, Cong Bnai Yeshurun, Teaneck, noon, cbybnot@gmail.com Shiur, Rabbi Dovid Bashevkin, Synagogue of the Suburban Torah Center, Livingston, 8:10pm, 973-994-2620 Teen Dinner and All-Night Learning, Hebrew Institute of Riverdale, 10pm, 718-796-4730 Tikun Leil Shavuot: Torah All-Night Long, Synagogue of the Suburban Torah Center, Livingston, 11:30pm, 973-994-2620
Sun., May 24, Shavuot
The Jewish Voice and Opinion Rabbi Asher Crispe, Shavuot scholar-in-residence, topics include “The End of Work and the Spirit of Automation: The Inside Story of Shabbat,” “The Virtues of Imperfection: The New Heaven Is the Old Hell,” and “Songs of Myself: Ten Dimensions of Jewish Musical Experience,” Chabad of Riverdale, through Shavuot, Mon, May 25, 718-549-1100 Shavuot Learning Program and Ice Cream Party, for grades K-6, Cong Rinat Yisrael, Teaneck, 3pm, 201-837-2795 Shiur, Rabbi Dovid Bashevkin, Synagogue of the Suburban Torah Center, Livingston, 7:55pm, 973-994-2620
Mon., May 25 Shavuot and Memorial Day
Teen Tefillah and BBQ, Hebrew Institute of Riverdale, 9am, 718-796-4730 Shavuot Family Siyum and BBQ, Cong Shomrei Torah, Fair Lawn, noon, 201-796-1915 Siyyum Tanach, Riverdale Jewish Center, 4pm, 718-548-1850 Youth Cheesecake Baking and Afternoon Open Play, Cheesecake Eating, and Story Time, for children, Hebrew Institute of Riverdale, 4pm, 718-796-4730
Tues., May 26
Caregivers Support Group, for those caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s disease, JCC, Tenafly, 10:30am, 201-569-7900
Wed., May 27
Trip to Williamsburg, Brooklyn, with guide Marty Schneit, leave JCC, Edison, 9am, 732-494-3232 ext 3614 Cancer Support Group, Holy Name Medical Center, Teaneck, 4pm, 201-833-3336 “Justice Beyond the Holocaust and Rwanda: How the Memory of the Holocaust Has Shaped Ideas about Justice, Hu-
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man Rights, Military Intervention, and Property Restitution,” Bildner Center for the Study of Jewish Life Master Teacher Institute in Holocaust Education, Rutgers, New Brunswick, 4:30pm, 732-932-2033 Teen Scene, for special-needs teenagers, includes games, sports, and dinner with volunteers, Friendship Circle, Livingston, 5pm, 973251-0200 Chabad of West Orange Dinner, honoring Jack Silverman, William Silverman, West Orange Mayor Robert Parisi, Jordan and Susan Galatz, and Boruch and Lisa Frohlinger, at the Atrium Country Club, West Orange, 6:30pm, 973-325-6311 Second Generation, support group for children of Holocaust Survivors, Jewish Family Service, Teaneck, 7pm, 201-837-9090 Jewish Film Festival of Central NJ: “The Green Prince,” Rialto Theater, Westfield, 7:30pm, 908-889-8800 Makhela Israeli-Style Choir, for those who know how to read and sing in Hebrew, Zvi Klein, JCC, Tenafly, 8pm, 201-408-1427 Tehillim Group, Cong Shaare Tefillah, Teaneck, 8:15pm, 201-2895474, 917-902-9303, or 201-836-3431
Thurs., May 28
Last Day to See Exhibit: “Enveloped in Quandary: Ties to Judaism and Feminity,” oil paintings by Toby Gotesman Schneier, JCC, Tenafly, 201-569-7900 “Israel through Film” Timna Mekaiten, JCC Rockland, West Nyack, 1pm, 845-362-4200 ext 115 Bergen County High School of Jewish Studies Dinner, honoring Melvin and Lillian Solomon, Susan and Moshe Castiel, Walter Ramsfelder, Rabbi Ely Allen, and this year’s BCHSJS graduates, at the
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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
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Tell Our Advertisers “I Saw It in The Jewish Voice and Opinion”
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Fair Lawn Jewish Center, 5:30pm, 201-488-0834
Fri., May 29
“In Search of the Eighth Note: A Discussion on Music, the Great Levite Choir,” Rabbi Avrohom Rapoport, spons by Chabad at the Shore, at the Linwood Library, 12:15pm, 609-992-4100 Rabbi Shmuel Silber, scholarin-residence, Cong Shomrei Torah, Fair Lawn, through Shabbat, May 30, 201-791-7910
Shabbat, May 30
“Soulmates: Jewish Secrets to Meaningful Relationships— Happily Ever After? The Challenge of Divorce and What It Teaches about Marriage,” for women, Rebbetzin Sarah Shemtov, Chabad House, Riverdale, 12:30pm, 718-549-1100 Teachings of Rav Aharon Lichtenstein, z”l, Prof Alan Brill, private home in Teaneck, 5:30pm, shalomk@hotmail.com
Sun., May 31
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 Hebrew School, for older special-needs children and teens, holidays, traditions, and Hebrew, Friendship Circle, Livingston, 9:30am, 973-251-0200 Mekhelat Hamercaz Jewish Choir of Central NJ: From Baroque to Baruch, with Cantor Sheldon Levin, Anna West Ott, and the Highland Park Recorder Society, includes kosher dairy
reception, at Temple Emanu-El, Edison, 3pm, 732-322-1252 or 732-688-4146 Rockland Jewish Family Service Gala: An Evening of Celebration and Entertainment, Comfort Inn, Nanuet, 5:30pm, 845-354-2121 ext 177 JACS Meeting, 12-steps meeting for Jews in recovery, Rabbi Steven Bayar, Cong B’nai Israel, Millburn, 6pm, 973-379-3811 “Improving Your Interpersonal Relationships That Count: Improving Your Relationship with Your Spouse,” Rabbi Daniel Schwab, spons by the Jewish Family Service of Passaic, at a private home in Passaic, 8pm, 973-777-7638
Mon, June 1
Photo Exhibit: “Jewish Refugees in Cyprus En Route to Israel,” New City Jewish Center, 7pm, Hillary@HolocaustStudies.org “ADL Global 100: An Index of Antisemitism,” Joshua Cohen, JCC, Tenafly, 7:30pm, 201-408-1457
Tues., June 2
“Utilizing Resources in the Classroom to Teach about Bias, Bullying, Genocide, Holocaust, Prejudice,” Mercer County Community College, West Windsor, 8:30am, 609-586-4800 Sushiana Restaurant Donates 18% of its profits to CNJKIDS, to support Jewish K-8 day school education, Highland Park, 5-6pm, 732-640-0111 Clifton Cheder Dinner, at The Élan, Lodi, 5:30pm, 973-472-0011 Friendship Circle and Linking Generations Evening of Ap-
preciation, Chabad of Rockland, Suffern, 6pm, 845-368-1889 Refa’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, 7:30pm, dena@ refaenu.org, www.refaenu.org
Wed., June 3
Efshar Circle, for independent special-needs young adults, includes sports, cooking, and Judaic activities, Friendship Circle, Livingston, 3pm, 973-251-0200 Chabad of Cherry Hill Founders Dinner, honoring Dr. Allan and Suzanne Magaziner, Jeffrey and Haleh Resnick, and Drs. Alan and Karlene Turtz, The Merion, Cinnaminson, 5:30pm, 856-874-1500 Bar Mitzvah Club, for boys in grades 6-7, Rabbi Yitzchok Kahan, includes light dinner, Chabad Center, Cherry Hill, 6pm, 856-874-1500 Cong Beth Abraham of Bergenfield Dinner, honoring Rabbi Yaakov and Rebbetzin Peshi Neuburger, at Cong Keter Torah, Teaneck, 7pm, 201-384-0434 Cong Ohav Emeth of Highland Park Dinner, honoring the shul’s Holocaust survivors and Renee Silverstein, z”l, at the Rutgers Chabad House, New Brunswick, 7pm, 732-247-3038 Contemporary Israeli Poetry Group, in the original with English translation and discussion, Atara Fobar, Hebrew Institute of Riverdale, 7pm, 718-796-4730 “Strength to Strength,” support group for parents whose children ages 15-25 are dealing with chemical dependency, psychological disorders, and/or cooccurring issues, Dr. Jeffrey Berman, JCC, Tenafly, 7pm, 201-408-1403 Abused Women’s Confidential Support Group, Jewish Family Service, Teaneck, 7:15pm, 201-837-9090 Jewish 12-Step Meeting, JACS—Jewish Alcoholics, Chemically Dependent Persons, and Significant Others, Jewish Family Service, Teaneck, 7:30pm, 201837-9090, ask for IRA (Information and Referral) or 201-981-1071 Beyond Bar Mitzvah Club,
for 8th grade boys who have recently celebrated their bar mitzvahs, Rabbi Yitzchok Kahan, includes light dinner, Chabad of Cherry Hill, 7:30pm, 856-874-1500 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
Thurs., June 4
Dad’s Night Out: Hands On Grilling Demo and Dinner, for fathers of special-needs children, with Chef Craig Solomon, The Friendship Circle, Paramus, 7:30pm, 201-262-7172 Fri., June 5 “Stand up and Fight: Why Orthodoxy Is Not Complacency,” Rabbi Avrohom Rapoport, spons by Chabad at the Shore, at the Linwood Library, 12:15pm, 609-992-4100
Shabbat, June 6
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
Motzei Shabbat, June 6
Shiur, Rabbi Mordechai Willig, Young Israel of Riverdale, 9:30pm, 718-548-4765
Sun., June 7
Rutgers Jewish Experience Breakfast, Cong Ohr Torah, Edison, 9am, 732-674-0806 Friendship Circle Bowling, for special-needs children and their families, Rebbetzin Chani Gurkov, Van Houten Lanes, Clifton, 1:30pm, 973-694-6274 Hoboken Jewish Book Club: “The Boston Girl” by Anita Diamant, private home in Hoboken, 3pm, hobokenjbookclub@gmail. com Hebrew Institute of Riverdale Dinner, honoring Rabbi Avi and Toby Weiss for 40 years of service, at the shul in Riverdale, 5pm, 718-796-4730 Young Israel of PassaicClifton Dinner, honoring Rabbi Dovid and Chani Felsenthal, private location in Passaic, 5pm, 973-594-655 Y
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New Classes This Month Sundays
Sefer Ruth, Rabbi Nathaniel Helfgot, Cong Netivot Shalom, Teaneck, 8:30am, info@netivotshalomnj.org Kavvanah: Slower Tefillah, Rabbi Steven Exler, includes Shacharis, meditation, study, song, and breakfast, Hebrew Institute of Riverdale, 9am, 718-796-4730 Riverdale Y Sunday Market, includes food grown within 100 miles, music, and games, Riverdale YMHA, 9am-2pm, 718-548-8200 “Judaism Decoded: The Origins and Evolution of Jewish Tradition,” Rabbi Yanky Raskin, Chabad of Riverdale, 9:45am, 718-549-1100 Zumba, for girls in grades K-5, Cong Rinat Yisrael, 10:15am, 201837-2795 TorahKid Leagues: Sports Fun with an Emphasis on Middos Development in a Torah-Friendly Environment, Highland Park High School field , for girls, ages 5-13, with an all-female staff, 9:30am; and boys, ages 4-13 in three divisions, 11am, 732-985-1050 “The Key to a Successful Life,” for women, Rabbi David Bassous, Cong Etz Ahaim, Highland Park, 10am, 732-247-3839 YouTube Class: Kabbalah, in Hebrew, HaRav Shimon Dahan, https://www.youtube.com/user/AnAnonymStudent, 2:30pm Yiddle League, baseball for boys in grades Pre-K-8, at various locations in Passaic and Clifton, 4pm, scott@injurylawyer.com “Judaism Decoded: The Origins and Evolution of Jewish Tradition,” Rabbi Avrohom Bergstein, Anshei Lubavitch Congregation, Fair Lawn, 8pm, 201-794-3770 Women’s Beit Midrash: “Halacha from Text to Practice,” Rabbi Yitzi Genack; “Tanach,” Rabbi Gidon Rothstein, Riverdale Jewish Center, 8:15pm, 718-548-1850 Mussar Vaad Teleconference: Bitachon, for women, Dina Schoonmaker, includes questions and answers, 9pm, 732-665-6202 or 1-253-397-1495, pin #7462, then press 2#
Mondays
Women’s Support Group, for those who feel they are being controlled by a spouse, Robin Niman, LAC, and Rosie Golding, LCSW, spons by Project SARAH, Jewish Family Service, Clifton, 10am, 973777-7638 ext 612, begins May 11 Babyccino, for Jewish mothers and babies, ages 0-3, includes refreshments, music, art, and sensory activities, spons by Chabad of Hoboken, private location in Hoboken, 10am, rabbi@chabadhoboken.com Lunch and Learn, Rabbi Jay Weinstein, at Giddy’s Pizza, East Brunswick, noon, 732-254-1860 Community Emergency Response Team Class, Michael Onder, Passaic County Public Safety Academy, Wayne, 6pm, Monder@cliftonnj.org or 973-470-5801 Hebrew Reading, Cantor Menachem Bazian, Cong Shaarey Israel, Montebello, NY, 7pm, 845-369-0300 “Judaism Decoded: The Origins and Evolution of Jewish Tradition,” 7:30pm, Rabbi Mendy Kasowitz, Chabad of West Orange, 973325-6311; Chabad Center of Mountain Lakes, 973-551-1898 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 Zumba, for women, Patti, Riverdale Jewish Center, 7:30pm, Sharon.bardavid@gmail.com Parsha, for women, Rebbitzen Rivka Eichenstein, Cong Ohr Torah, Edison, 8pm, 732-572-4408 Women’s Navi Shiur: Sefer Melachim II, for women, Aviva Orlian, private home in Spring Valley, 8:15pm, morlian@verizon.net Talmud for Women, Rabbi Jay Weinstein, Young Israel of East Brunswick, 8:30pm, 732-254-1860
Tuesdays
“Sharing the Journey” Bereavement Support Group, for those who have experienced loss this past year, Holy Name Medical Center’s Villa Marie Claire Hospice Center, Saddle River, 11am, 201833-3000 ext 7580 “Meeting the Tannaim: The Heroes of the Talmud,” Rabbi Avi Weiss, Hebrew Institute of Riverdale, 11am, 718-796-4730 “My Mother, My Father, My Money,” for therapists and “anyone interested in the relationship with money,” Dr. Simon Feuerman, New Center for Advanced Psychotherapy Studies, Passaic, 1pm, 973-249-8111 Parashat HaShavua, for women, Rabbi Eliyahu Kaufman, Cong Ohav Emeth, Highland Park, 1:30pm, 732-247-3038 “Sharing the Journey” Bereavement Support Group, for those who have experienced loss this past year, Holy Name Medical Center, Teaneck, 6pm, 201-833-3000 ext 7580 “Judaism Decoded: The Origins and Evolution of Jewish Tradition,” 7:30pm, Rabbi Meir Konikov, Chabad of Fort Lee, 201-8861238; Chabad of Rockland County, Nyack, 845-356-6686 “Judaism Decoded: The Origins and Evolution of Jewish Tradition,” 7:45pm, Chabad Jewish Center of North Brunswick, 732-3989492; Valley Chabad, Woodcliff Lake, 201-476-0157 Beginners Gemara Class, private home in Highland Park, 8pm, gidougweinstein@gmail.com Men’s Parsha Chabura, Rabbi Binyamin Krohn, spons by the Young Israel of Teaneck, at a private home in Teaneck, 8pm, 201-837-1710 Night Seder: Mesechta Succa, includes sushi buffet,Yeshiva Bais Mordechai (Yeshiva Gedola), Teaneck, 8:30pm, yomo1836@gmail.com Shiur in Tanya by Rav Shneur Zalman of Liadi, Rabbi Moshe Rosenberg, Cong Beth Aaron, Teaneck, 9pm, chanani.sandler@gmail. com or moishier@hotmail.com
Wednesdays
Parsha, for women, Miri Cohen private home in Highland Park, 9:15am, 206-376-9027 Continuing Education for Women, Goldie Cohen, spons by Neve Passaic Torah Institute, private home in Passaic, 9:30am, 908-278-4059 Sefirah Series: “The Power to Become Our Best Selves,” for women, Chani Juravel, Ohr Somayach, Beit Shvidler, Monsey, 9:45am, juravelinspiration@gmail.com “Sharing the Journey” Bereavement Support Group, for those who have experienced loss this past year, Holy Name Medical Center, Teaneck, 10am, 201-833-3000 ext 7580 Megillat Ruth, for men and women, Rachel Friedman, spons by Lamdeinu, at Cong Beth Aaron, Teaneck, 10:15am, 201-906-9124 “Judaism Decoded: The Origins and Evolution of Jewish Tradition,” Chabad House, Manalapan, 10:30am and 7:30pm, 732-972-3687 Free Tutoring, for students in grades 1-5, Ma’ayanot Yeshiva High School for Girls, Teaneck, 4:40pm, weineri@maayanot.org Community Emergency Response Team Class, Michael Onder, at the Passaic County Public Safety Academy, Wayne, 6pm, begins May 6, Monder@cliftonnj.org or 973-470-5801 Shimiras Haloshon Class, for women, Leah Drillman, private home in Highland Park, 7:30pm, 201-410-1893 or 732-777-6787 Schmooze B’Ivrit, Timna Mekaiten, JCC Rockland, West Nyack, 7:30pm, 845-362-4400 Talmud Class: Brachot, Rabbi Zev Goldberg, Young Israel of Fort Lee, 7:45pm, 201-592-1518 “Judaism Decoded: The Origins and Evolution of Jewish Tradition,” Chabad of Northwest NJ, Rockaway, 7:45pm, 973-625-1525, begins May 13 SemPlus Shiur, for post-seminary young women, private home in Highland Park, 8pm, 732-841-1885
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New Classes
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“Tzurva M’Rabannan” Text Studying the Halachot of Orach Chaim, Rabbi Steven Pruzansky, Cong Bnai Yeshurun, Teaneck, 8:15pm, 201-836-8916 Mesechta Sukkah, Yeshivas Bais Mordechai (Yeshiva Gedola), Teaneck, 8:30pm, yomo1836@gmail.com Parsha Shiur with a Focus on Emunah and Bitachon, for men and women, Rabbi Zvi Weiss, private home in Highland Park, 9:15pm, 732-777-1155 “From Judges to Kings: Exploring the Lives of Shmuel and Shaul,” Rabbi Yosef Sharbat, Cong Ahawas Ahcim Bnai Jacob and David, West Orange, 10pm, 973-736-1407
Thursdays
“B’chol L’vavcha U’vachol Nafshecha: The Interplay of Torah and Psychology,” for men and women, Rivka Kahan and Dr. Rayzel Yaish, Ma’ayanot Yeshiva High School for Girls, Teaneck, 11am, 201-833-4307 Seminar in the Musical Nusach of Shacharit for Shabbat, for baalei tefillah and aspiring baalei tefillah, Belz faculty, Cong Bnai Yeshurun, Teaneck, 8:30pm, 201-836-8916 Men’s Beit Midrash: “Chaburah in Massechet Makkot,” Rabbi Yitzi Genack; “Orot of Rav Kook,” Rabbi Oran Zweiter; “Minchat Chinuch,” Rabbi Josh Maslow, Riverdale Jewish Center, 8:30pm, 718-548-1850 Parshat HaShavua, for men and women, Rabbi Yosef Adler, Cong Rinat Yisrael, Teaneck, 8:40pm, 201-837-2795 Mussar Vaad Teleconference: Bitachon, for women, Dina Schoonmaker, includes questions and answers, 9pm, 732-665-6202 or 1-253-397-1495, pin #7462, then press 2#
Fridays
Mommy and Me, for Israeli mothers living in the US with babies up to 12 months, JCC, Tenafly, 9:30am, 201-408-1427 Tele-Class and Classroom: “The Repetition Compulsion and Beyond,” Robin Raina Benjamin, Dr. Rick Moss, and Dr. Simon Feuerman, The New Center for Advanced Psychotherapy Studies, noon, 973-249-8111 Call-In Shiur: “The Meaning of Shabbos,” Rabbi Mark Berman, spons by Cong Ahavath Torah, Englewood, 6:15pm, 1-857-232-0157, Code: 159954
Shabbat
“Potpourri on the Parsha: Meaningful Insights from a Variety of Sources,” Rabbi Zev Goldberg, Young Israel of Fort Lee, 8:15am, 201-592-1518 Pirkei Avos Shiur, for men and women, Rabbi Avrohom Her-
Mazal Tov Mazal Tov to the Bar Mitzvah Boys: Aryeh Alter, Azaria Bin-Nun, Tzviki Bodlander, David Cohen, Elliot Eisner, Yosef Eisner, Andy Elbaum, Eli Fisher, Avraham Frolich, Dovy Fuchs, Charles Gibber, Adam and Noah Gluck, Shmuel Gutwein, Evan Haimm, Meir Simcha Kahn, Jacob Kaplan, Aryeh Yisrael Katz, Moshe Klavan, Shmuel Aaron Komet, Gavriel Adam Landesman, Joshua Lando, Dovi Lederer, Benjamin Lindenbaum, Ezra Lynn, Malkiel Magder, Zachary Mankowitz, Yehuda Nachshon Mirwis, Donny Morris, Moshe Neustadr, Shaya Novogrodsky, Benny Rozenberg, Amichai Schapiro, Avrohom Zev Sobolofsky, Joshua Steif, Elchonon Stein, Yosef Chaim Thaler, and Zachary Wolf; and the Bat Mitzvah Girls: Shira Abrahams, Ariella Bulman, Leorah Burack, Hannah Dubroff, Avital Sarah Feuerstein, Ayelet Fischer, Eliana Friedman, Nechama Friedman, Nechama Goldenberg, Edna and Naomi Kraemer, Aviva Laskin, Tiferet Mondrow, Mindy Neubort, Tommi Ratzker, Yonit Salit, Darcy Schleifstein, and Talia Sperber Y
man, private home in Elizabeth, 5pm, 908-353-5357 Pirkei Avot Class, for women and girls, Cong Ohr Torah, West Orange, 5pm, 973-669-7320 Nesivos Shalom, for women, Yoni Gershan, private home in Passaic, 5:30pm, 973-777-8324 Pirkei Avot Class, Rabbi Zev Goldberg, Young Israel of Fort Lee, 6:10pm, 201-592-1518 Gemarah B’Iyun Shiur, for men and teenage boys, Rabbi Zvi Sobolofsky, Cong Ohr HaTorah, Bergenfield, 5:50pm, 201-244-5905 Learning Seudah Shlishit: “The Dead Sea Scrolls: A Lost Judaism,” AJ Berkowitz; “The Philosophy of Rav Kook,” Rabbinic Intern Mark Glass; “The Parsha Endgame: Liars, Lepers, and Lessons of the Haftorah,” Shana Posy; “Crash Course Jewish History: From Bereishit Bara to Modern Israel,” for teens, Jake Stern, Cong Ahavath Achim, Highland Park, 7:45pm, 732-247-0532
New Minyanim
Mincha Minyan, Riverdale Judaica Store, Mon-Thurs, 1:45pm, 718-601-7563 Mincha Minyan, Veggie Bistro & Café, Teaneck, Sun-Thurs, 4pm, 201-530-7644
Chesed Ops
Bikur Cholim of Bergen County (BCBC), a volunteer-driven organization guided by the Rabbinical Council of Bergen County, provides support, facilities, and services to ease the burden of families during stressful times. BCBC is looking for men and women to join its volunteer corp of sensitive and caring individuals. Volunteers can help with meal preparation, driving the elderly and ill to doctor appointments, visiting those in need, or giving respite to caregivers. Call 201-579-3066 New Gown Gemach in Edison, L’iluy Nishmas Rabbi Yitzchok Ben Binyomin, looking for donations of dresses and gowns, all sizes, for women, teens, and children, 516-526-0941 Leah’s Crib in Rockland County helps needy mothers with new (not used) baby essentials. To donate baby essentials or refer women, LeahsCrib@gmail.com Children’s Shoe Share, beautiful shoes for everyday and Shabbos in great condition, give or take a pair, ElishevaBlumberg@gmail. com or (347) 416-3693 Tables and Chairs Gemach, for at-home simchas at no cost, 732-572-9628 Baby Items, including portacribs, walkers, strollers, 732-777-1456 Bris Outfit, available to borrow, includes hats, booties, blanket, and pillowcase, 732-771-7378 or PenPaperWriting@yahoo.com Tablecloths and Party Accessories, donations benefit The Children’s Fund, 732-819-9738 White Damask Napkins and Antique Sterling Silver Napkin Rings, for simchas, 732-846-2259 Artificial Flowers-and-Vase Centerpieces, for loan, donations benefit Lev L’Nefesh, 917-593-3652 Eight-Foot Collapsible Projector Screen (not a projector), available for loan at no cost, 732-993-1090 The Fair Lawn Gown Gemach, a project of Anshe Lubavitch of Fair Lawn, has and needs adult and children’s gowns, many suitable for weddings and simchas, and toddler tuxedos, receipts given for donations, pick-ups can be arranged, 201-797-1770 Dress to Impress Gemach has a wide variety of new and gently used men’s and women’s outfits and accessories suitable for work and interviews, spons by Project Chizuk of the Jewish Family Service of Passaic, 973-777-7638 ext 145 or abbie@ProjectChizuk.com Men’s Black Hat Gemach of Passaic, in memory of Paige Mandelstein, z”l, afkalman@yahoo.com or 973-246-5223 Y
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Sephardi Center of Manhattan’s Gala East River Cruise Will Support New Immigrants from Europe Fleeing Antisemitism On Tuesday, May 12, the Sephardi
Center of Manhattan is offering a Glatt Kosher Sunset Cruise on the East River of Manhattan. The cruise, which will be the Sephardi Center’s fundraising gala, is open to the entire community. There will be a live music concert with an orchestra from Paris led by David Abitol and the opportunity to share piyoutim and other traditional songs of the rich, authentic Sephardi culture and heritage. There will also be a Chinese auction and a raffle with a round trip to Israel as a grand prize. Boarding for the cruise, which will leave from East 23rd Street at 2430 FDR Drive in Manhattan, will begin at 7pm, with sailing scheduled for 8. The two-hour cruise will return to dock at 10pm, but passengers may stay on the ship until 11. Formal attire is recommended and will add to the glamor of the festive evening. Value Sephardi Culture Just two years old, the Sephardi Center, located on West 100th Street and Columbus Avenue, has become an important anchor of Sephardi life on the Upper West Side of Manhattan. An Orthodox-Sephardi synagogue offering daily, Shabbat, and Yom Tov services as well as a cultural center featuring guest speakers, programs, dinners, and family activities, the Sephardi Center is a community, attracting a wide variety of Jews, including singles and married couples, some with young children. It attracts Sephardim from all backgrounds as well as Ashkenazim who enjoy the warm, inclusive nature of the synagogue. “What brings us together is that we value Sephardi history and traditions and are committed to advancing and celebrating all aspects of this rich heritage,” said Rabbi Avidan Elkin, the spiritual leader of the Sephardi Center. The center offers Torah classes and events to demonstrate support for the State of Israel, such as a shiur with Leehy Shaar, the aunt of Gil-ad Shaar, z”l, one of the three teenagers who was kidnapped and murdered by terrorists in June, 2014. In the ensuing Operation Protective Edge against Hamas terrorists in Gaza, the Sephardi Center held a dinner to support the IDF. Other recent speakers at the center include Rav Shlomo Bussu, grandson of
the revered Moroccan Rabbi and Kabbalist Baba Sali (Rabbi Israel Abuhaṣeira), z”tl, as well as Rav Elie Lemmel and Rav Yehia Benchetrit from France. Supporting New Immigrants Proceeds from the cruise will help the Sephardi Center, which relies on donations from members, to continue and expand its programming. But the donations will have another use as well. These days, there is a need to help the increasing number of students and families, most of them Sephardi, fleeing Europe due to the rise of antisemitism. “This is making our task very difficult due to our budgetary constraints and the newcomers’ limited funds once they relocate to the US,” said Rabbi Elkin. Echoing the aspirations of his congregants, the rabbi said he hopes the proceeds from cruise will enable the center to have a “positive effect on people’s lives, even beyond the metaphoric corners of our own community.” Counseling To that end, Rabbi Elkin and his wife, Rabbanit Oshrat Elkin, keep their door open to offer daily counseling whenever needed. Their home is available to families, students, and singles from throughout the world who frequently come for Shabbat and holidays. Known for helping Jews achieve spiritual and personal growth, they work actively with Sephardic and Ashkenazic singles, and frequently advise individuals on shidduchim. All members of the center’s board are volunteers, many with previous experience in other Jewish organizations in New York City and elsewhere. They represent the broad diversity of which the synagogue is so proud: There are Sephardim whose families come from Israel, Italy, France, and elsewhere, and Ashkenazim who come from New York and New Jersey. The center’s membership is also diverse, with members who practice law, information technology, finance, real estate, medicine, and education. “The Sephardic Center utilizes our members’ individual backgrounds, both cultural and professional, in a cohesive and harmonious manner. This allows us to continue building a community in which all can grow intellectually and spiritually
to ensure the transmission of Sephardi culture to generations of American Sephardim,” said Rabbi Elkin. Multilingual and Accomplished Fluent in English, Hebrew, French, German, and Arabic, Rabbi Elkin completed a bachelor’s degree from NYU in French and German Languages and Literature as well as Economics before spending six years learning in Yeshivat Ma’or Tuviah in Mitzpeh Yericho, Israel, where he received smicha. Since returning to the US, Rabbi Elkin has earned certification as a shochet (bisrakosher.com) and a specialist known as a menaqer, who does treboring of certain parts of the back half of kosher animals. Some of the cuts of meat from the back halves are available, such as skirt and hanger steaks, oxtails, and liver, but the muscles that require more time to be properly prepared have all but disappeared from the kosher table. Expertise such as that acquired by Rabbi Elkin could bring these cuts back. He is also a sofer, and recently received his certification as a mohel. He has written gitten (writs of divorce) for batei din throughout New York and New Jersey, including the Beth Din of Elizabeth, and served as the spiritual leader of sev-
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Tell Our Advertisers “I Saw It in The Jewish Voice and Opinion”
Ess Gezint: Olive Oil for Shavuot Although certainly not written for Shavuot, Cooking Techniques and Recipes with Olive Oil by Mary Platis and Laura Bashar (Two Extra Virgins) offers some delightful dishes that lend themselves beautifully to the holiday. While traditional Shavuot fare pays little attention to cholesterol, clogged arter-
Dark Chocolate Olive Oil Cake with Strawberries 1 cup unbleached all-purpose flour ½ cup unsweetened dark cocoa powder 2 tsp baking powder 1/8 tsp salt ¾ cup sugar
¾ cup nonfat plain Greek yogurt 3 large eggs 1 tsp vanilla ½ cup extra virgin olive oil ¾ cup dark chocolate chips 8 large strawberries, halved with the tops removed
Preheat oven to 350°. Apply nonstick spray to a 9-inch round baking pan and line the bottom with parchment paper. In a medium-size bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt. In a large bowl, mix sugar, yogurt, eggs, vanilla, and olive oil together until combined. In batches, mix flour mixture into yogurt and stir until combined. Stir in chocolate chips. Then pour cake batter into the prepared pan. Arrange strawberry halves over the top of the cake. Bake for 40-45 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Allow cake to cool in the pan for 15 minutes. Then gently run a knife along the side of the cake. Carefully remove cake from the pan and transfer to a cooling rack to cool completely. Serve alone, dusted with powdered sugar, or add a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
ies, or climbing numbers on the scale, scientists are continually discovering remarkable health benefits from consuming extra virgin olive oil. So, here is a chance to enjoy the holiday while substituting good fats for bad, like a chocolate olive oil cake instead of cheesecake. Chag Sameach, everyone. Y
Tuna with Citrus and Avocado Salad
Tuna 1 tangerine, peeled and Four 1-inch thick tuna steaks segmented ½ tsp salt ½ red onion, peeled and ¼ tsp freshly ground pepper sliced 2-4 cups extra virgin olive oil ½ cup sliced almonds, Zest from 1 orange toasted Vinaigrette 2 bay leaves Salad ¼ cup rice wine vinegar 1 large head butter lettuce ½ tsp salt 2 avocados, peeled and sliced ½ cup extra virgin olive oil 1 orange, peeled and segmented ½ cup fresh cilantro, chopped ¼ tsp freshly ground pepper 1 grapefruit, peeled and segmented Preheat oven to 225°. Choose an ovenproof baking dish or pan large enough to submerge tuna steaks without touching one another. Sprinkle both sides of tuna steaks with salt and pepper. Pour cold oil into the pan and place in oven until oil temperature reaches 180°. Add orange zest and bay leaves to the oil. Slowly drop in tuna steaks. Return pan to oven and cook for 20 minutes. Tuna must be cooked thoroughly and have an internal temperature of 130°. Place tuna steaks on a plate and keep warm. While tuna rests, prepare the salad. Tear lettuce into bite-size pieces, divide evenly on four plates. Add avocados, citrus fruits, and onion. Sprinkle almonds on top. For the vinaigrette, whisk to blend vinegar and salt in a small bowl. Slowly add olive oil and continuing whisking until blended. Add cilantro and pepper and whisk thoroughly. Place tuna steaks on the plate along with the salad. Add the vinaigrette. Serves 4.
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cally wasn’t,” said the editorial. The paper suggested “the enormous unity that would have occurred” if the 30 Jews at the meeting had said: “Mr. President, the best assurance that Israel and the AmericanJewish community are indeed protected and favorably considered by your administration is the dispensation of equal justice. Don’t just tell us you care. Please, show us. End the travesty of justice perpetrated on an Israeli agent who has been sitting in an American prison for a grossly disproportionate 30 years, with no respite. Release Jonathan Pollard and send him home to Israel. That will reassure us more than all the fine words and expressions of solidarity that we are hearing
now. Thank you, Mr. President.” Supporters After being arrested in 1985, the former civilian naval-intelligence analyst pled guilty in 1987 to selling classified information to a US ally, Israel, and was sentenced to life in prison. Almost from the beginning, there has been a strong cadre of Pollard supporters who insist he was wrongly imprisoned in the first place. These supporters argue that Israel was entitled to the information he passed onto Jerusalem. Further, they add, the US government reneged on its own plea bargain with Mr. Pollard not to seek a life sentence in exchange for his guilty plea. He pled guilty, and thus averted an embarrassing trial for the US, but he
Sephardi Center
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eral Sephardic communities, including the Sephardic Center of Fair Lawn, before joining the Sephardi Center of Manhattan. A full-time faculty member in the Mechinah Program at Yeshiva University, he teaches students from throughout the world. Mrs. Elkin is similarly accomplished, with degrees in special education and occupational therapy from Israel’s Orot College for Women. She has taught Judaic studies to elementary-school children, and for the past six years has earned a reputation as teacher for kallahs both individually and in groups. She regularly counsels women on topics including Taharat HaMishpacha and Shalom Bayit. How to Help Those seeking to help the Sephardi Center of Manhattan continue to grow are asked to attend the Gala Cruise, and if possible to place a tax-deductible dedication in the journal, which this year will be devoted to a dating guide written by Rabbi Elkin
based on Kabbalistic teachings and his 12 years of experience as a Rav counseling hundreds of singles and couples on issues such as Shalom Bayit and finding one’s soulmate. The journal will be distributed at the event, sent to the center’s mailing list, and posted on the center’s website (TheSephardiCenter.com). Tickets to attend the gala cruise are $175 per person and $280 per couple. Journal ad prices range from $180 to $500. Patrons Patrons of the Gala Cruise who donate between $760 and $10,000 will receive a full-page ad, two tickets to the event, and two raffle tickets. Patrons can dedicate their support in memory of a loved one or may earmark their funds towards one of the new initiatives planned by the center for the immediate future, including renting a bigger location to accommodate the newcomers from Europe or buying new siddurim. For more information, visit the
was sentenced to life anyway. (The prosecutor agreed to, and had asked for, a “substantial” number of years in prison for Pollard, and did not pursue a life sentence. However, the judge at Pollard’s trial was not bound by the plea agreement. Upon receiving a damage-assessment memo from then-Secretary of Defense Casper Weinberger, the judge then sentenced Pollard to a life term in prison.) His supporters maintain that this is evidence that the government lied: who would plead guilty only to receive the maximum punishment? Other supporters recognize that Mr. Pollard broke the law, but assert that his punishment was not only disproportionate to his own crime, but also com-
pared to the offenses of others charged with much more serious incidents of spying. Opponents For many years, Mr. Pollard’s detractors, some of them in the Jewish community, said that he was not only guilty as charged, but deserving of the punishment. Writing in the Washington Post in 2012, four former directors of US Naval Intelligence, William Studeman, Sumner Shapiro, John L. Butts, and Thomas Brooks, decried “the myths that have arisen from this clever public relations campaign…aimed at transforming Pollard from greedy, arrogant betrayer of the American national trust into Pollard, committed Israeli patriot.” But even these Pollard
Gala Page on the center’s website, http://TheSephardiCenter.com/gala. “We look forward to seeing people from the wider com-
munity taking part in our big event while supporting this important cause,” said Rabbi Elkin. S.L.R.
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Pollard
May 2015 / Iyar 5775
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opponents argued that if as Mr. Pollard and his supporters claim, he has “suffered enough” for his crime, “he is free to apply for parole as the American judicial system provides.” For years, Mr. Pollard refused to do that. Esther Pollard, who is recognized as Mr. Pollard’s wife—they were married on August 9, 1985, in a civil ceremony in Venice, Italy—despite some reports that they were never married, insisted that they had been advised not to seek parole because, she said, after being denied, he would be given something she called “a 25-year set-aside,” which meant he would not be able to ask for parole
for another 25 years. Despite her claim, the “set-aside” is not a paradigm recognized by the legal community. A Dangled Prize To the frustration of many in the Jewish community, Mr. Pollard insisted on being granted Presidential clemency or an outright pardon. Over the years, he has sometimes come close to winning that prize, but, always, in the end, it was denied. In September 2011, Vice-President Joseph Biden reportedly told a group of rabbis that Mr. Obama was considering clemency until Mr. Biden himself forbade it. On that occasion, as on previous ones,
a pardon for Mr. Pollard was considered a prize to dangle in front of Israeli leaders as an incentive to acquiesce to Arab demands. Wye River Accords In 1998, then-US President Bill Clinton was reportedly so close to freeing Mr. Pollard as part of the Wye River Accords, in which Israel agreed to withdraw from 13 percent of Judea and Samaria’s Area C, that Mr. Pollard’s parents were advised to prepare for his release. During those negotiations, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had made it clear to the Americans that he wanted Mr. Pollard released. The deal to free him was reportedly scuttled when then-CIA director George Tenet threatened to resign if Mr. Pollard was released, a report that Mr. Tenet later denied. The real reason there was no Clinton pardon may have been revealed by then-US negotiator Dennis Ross in his 2005 book, The Missing Peace. Mr. Ross said he advised Mr. Clinton to keep Mr. Pollard in prison so that the spy could be used as a bargaining chip for final-status peace talks between the Arabs and Israel. According to Mr. Ross, when Mr. Clinton asked if Mr. Pollard was “a big political issue in Israel,” Mr. Ross said yes, “because he is considered a soldier for Israel and there is an ethos in Israel that you never leave a soldier behind in the field. But if you want my advice, I would not release him now. It would be a huge payoff for Bibi; you don’t have many like this in your pocket. I would save it for permanent status. You will need it later. Don’t use it now.” “Persian Carpet” According to reports, when Mr. Obama considered releasing Mr. Pollard in 2011, it was to pressure Israel into reinstating an expired freeze on Jewish building in Judea and Samaria. Critics say that Presidents Clinton and Obama were convinced that by holding Mr. Pollard in prison, the Arabs could receive more important concessions from Israel. “Over the years, Washington has routinely sold the same Persian carpetPollard over and over again to Jerusalem for increasingly higher prices, but never delivers,” Mrs. Pollard once said. Obama Hint On a visit to Israel in March of 2013, Mr. Obama himself as much as told Mr. Pollard and his supporters that his only path
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The Jewish Voice and Opinion
Index of Advertisers R. Mark Bauman, Professional Tutor . . 10
Bonim B’Yachad Online Education . . . 3 Chopstix . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Teaneck Road Bagels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Employment Opportunities
Burial Services
Events/Entertainment
Eden Memorial Chapels . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
Camps & Summer Programs
Camp Regesh . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Car Service
Teaneck Taxi . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
Catering Halls
Simcha Hall . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Charities
Donate Your Car . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Umbrella Tzedaka . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Computer Services
Rivkie.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
Education
Bonim B’Yachad Online Education . . . 3 to freedom lay in asking for parole. In an interview with Israeli television, the President made clear that he had no intention of granting Mr. Pollard clemency. However, Mr. Obama said, “What I am going to be doing is make sure that he—like every other American who has been sentenced—is accorded the same kinds of review and same examination of the equities that any other individual would be provided.” Mr. Obama said his obligation as President was to uphold American laws and ensure that they were applied consistently, “to make sure that every individual is treated fairly and equally.” Thus encouraged by the President, Mr. Pollard applied for parole in December 2013 and his initial parole hearing was scheduled for April 1, 2014. Just before the date, however, there were reports that Mr. Obama, despite his announcement in Israel, was prepared to free Mr. Pollard if Mr. Netanyahu’s government agreed to release another batch of Palestinianterrorist prisoners, many of them serving life sentences for having murdered Jews. According to Mr. Pollard’s supporters, he promptly withdrew his parole application so that it could not be connected to a trade for terrorists, which he and his supporters found abhorrent. Pollard for Terrorists In an extensive article published in
Broad Financial Employment . . . . . . . . 4 5/12: Sephardic Center Annual Gala 13 5/13: NORPAC Mission to D.C. . . . . . . . 15 5/17: Conversion Crisis Seminar . . . . . 8 5/18: One Israel Fund Dinner . . . . . . . . 7 5/31: Israel Day Concert . . . . . . . . . 20,21
Home Products & Services
American General Windows . . . . . . . . Devora Farrell, Spring Cleaning . . . . . Shalom Plumbing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Teaneck Locksmith . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
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Butterflake Bakery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Chopstix . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ma’adan Shavuos . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Teaneck Road Bagels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
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Medical Services
CareOne at Teaneck . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Certified Home Health Aide . . . . . . . . 19 Holy Name Medical Center . . . . . . . . . . 2 OBGYN, Dr. Efrat Meier-Ginsburg . . . 35 Psychotherapy, Chana Simmonds . . 35
Miscellaneous
Bergen Veterinary Hospital . . . . . . . . . . 6 Gabrielle Strauss Books . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5
Musician
Jeff Wilks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Real Estate
House for Rent, N. Riverdale/Yonkers . . 38 Ruby Kaplan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39 Passaic Apartments & Office Space . 38
Travel & Vacations 32 14 30 30
The New Republic, it was reported that this time, using Mr. Pollard as a bargaining chip was suggested by US Secretary of State John Kerry. According to the piece, written by Ben Birnbaum and Amir Tibon, Mr. Obama “wasn’t going to touch the option, unless it facilitated a true breakthrough.” According to the article, after a great deal of persuasion from Mr. Kerry, Mr. Obama told his Secretary of State, “I’m not doing this because I want to, John. I’m doing this for you.” According to the article, Mr. Netanyahu was prepared to release the terrorists in
Cape Code Summer Rental . . . . . . . . . Hudson Valley Resort Shavuos . . . . . . Kosher Culinary Travel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Kosherica . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Quality Hotel, Montreal . . . . . . . . . . . .
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exchange for Mr. Pollard, but others in his coalition, especially Jewish Home chairman Naftali Bennett threatened to quit the government if the terrorists were freed. In an interview with Yediot Achronot, former Israeli Justice Minister Tzipi Livni blamed Mr. Bennett and his colleagues for Mr. Pollard’s continued incarceration. Neglecting to mention that Mr. Pollard objected to being freed in exchange for the terrorists, Ms. Livni told reporters, “We reached the point with the US that they were ready to free him. Those who want
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May 2015 / Iyar 5775
Pollard
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him free should ask themselves why he wasn’t freed. The settler leaders who call on every stage for releasing Pollard immediately must ask themselves what their contribution was to him remaining in prison.” Peres for Pollard Before any deal was made, actions by the Palestinian Authority, including unilateral appeals to the UN for recognition as a state without negotiations with Israel, convinced Jerusalem not to release the terrorist prisoners. Mr. Pollard then reapplied for a parole hearing, which was scheduled for July 1, 2014. Among those supporting him was then-President Shimon Peres. According to Israeli reporter Gil Hoffman, who wrote extensively in The Jerusalem Post about Mr. Pollard’s quest for parole, Mr. Peres’s role was “more than symbolic.” The Prime Minister at the time of
Mr. Pollard’s arrest, Mr. Peres did not alert the embassy staff to ensure Mr. Pollard would be let in, and he gave the US documents that incriminated him. “Many Israelis see Pollard’s continued incarceration as a lingering stain on Peres’s decades of public service,” said Mr. Hoffman. According to Mr. Hoffman, Mr. Peres had a message for Mr. Obama: “You don’t have to grant clemency. In fact, you can distance yourself from the matter completely. Just privately, let the US Justice Department know that you don’t oppose paroling Pollard and letting him leave for Israel.” “Obama would not need to get his hands dirty, just keep the commitment he had made to Israelis 15 months earlier to treat Pollard fairly, like any other prisoner, and let his parole be assessed naturally on the merits of his case,” said Mr. Hoffman. Strong Effort
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But the appeal for parole didn’t work, despite the fact that attorneys Eliot Lauer and Jacques Semmelman, who have represented Mr. Pollard pro-bono for 15 years, filed a supplemental submission to the US Parole Commission, stressing that Mr. Pollard had been a model prisoner with a top “salient factor score.” This is an actuarial device used by the parole commission as an aid in assessing a federal prisoner’s likelihood of recidivism after release, which is the main factor when considering parole. According to Mr. Hoffman, the attorneys’ document showed that an apartment had been rented for Mr. Pollard in the New York area and employment had been secured for him as an analyst in an investment firm. “Further incarceration would serve no purpose, as he has been severely punished,” the attorneys wrote. “The commission should set an effective date of parole so that Mr. Pollard can be released as promptly as possible.” “A Lynching” According to Mr. Hoffman, as soon as the commission convened, “all hopes that the hearing would be fair were dashed.” “The government’s representatives spoke menacingly, treated Pollard with contempt, prevented Lauer from making his case, and made it clear that [Pollard] would not see the Jewish state any time soon, if ever. Those present described the hearing as a ‘kangaroo court’ and even ‘a lynching,’” he said. In August, Mr. Pollard received his rejection letter. His supporters insist that the commission had relied on much information that has long been refuted. For example, the commission said, “The breadth and scope of the classified information that you sold to the Israelis
was the greatest compromise of US security to that date.” False Information This was based on a 1987 classified memorandum, written by then US-Defense Secretary Caspar Weinberger. “It was false at the time and has proven grossly inaccurate in hindsight,” said Mr. Hoffman, noting that Mr. Pollard was never indicted for harming the US or for compromising codes, agents, or war plans. He was never charged with treason. In 2002, Mr. Weinberger himself discounted the memorandum as politically motivated. “Over the years, Pollard was falsely accused of compromising American agents in Eastern Europe, when it was actually the head of the CIA’s Soviet/ Eastern Europe Division, Aldrich Ames, who had committed the crime and then blamed Pollard,” said Mr. Hoffman. (Mr. Ames is currently serving a life term in prison for espionage.) The commission maintained that Mr. Pollard had “passed thousands of top secret documents to Israeli agents, threatening US relations in the Middle East among the Arab countries,” and further complained that if Pollard had not given Israel this information, the US could have received intelligence from Jerusalem in exchange for the material he had provided gratis. “Given all this information, paroling you at this time would depreciate the seriousness of the offense and promote disrespect for the law,” the letter concluded. Unclear Future It is unclear what Mr. Pollard can expect next. Although he is entitled to another review of his case in July of this year, no one is optimistic. According to Mr. Hoffman, when asked whether the government will
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“Honor the Professional According to Your Need”
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May 2015 / Iyar 5775
Fire Safety First
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In light of the recent tragedy in Brooklyn in which seven children were killed: Do this now. Every bedroom and hallway should have a working smoke detector. Batteries should be changed religiously twice a year when you change the clock. Smoke detectors are effective in waking up sleeping residents in time to escape. If you have an alarm system, get smoke detectors hooked up to your central monitoring station. Plan an escape route with all home residents, even children. In case of fire, doors should be closed as a barrier to the fire spreading even if one is fleeing. Install Carbon Monoxide detectors on each floor as well. CO is odorless and is formed from incomplete combustion from any non-electric device such as ovens, ranges, dryers, or water heaters. CO causes people to fall asleep rather than flee, which is why CO detectors save lives. Use common sense when lighting candles or setting up hot plates. Keep them far away from fire hazards. The following advice is from a Hatzallah paramedic professional: Blechs are dangerous. No one should use off-brand hot plates, but rather only ULlisted ones, along with UL-listed heavy-duty timers (the kind approved for air conditioners) which turn them off when not in use. Ruth Mazurek Riverdale, NY Smoke detectors on each level are important (and the law!) but if they are needed, chances are it may be too late. Unfortunately, we cut corners when it comes to fire prevention. Case in point: Some years back, we bought an Israeli-manufactured Shabbat Warming Plate that possessed all the required rabbinical endorsements for Shabbat use. One Shabbat, my hand brushed against the cord and it seemed much too hot. After Shabbat, I ran my hand along the cord and the rubber felt soft. I disassembled the device, disconnected the cord, and brought it to Home Depot. When I asked an associate if, given the wattage of the appliance, the cord was acceptable, he laughed and gave me a cord at least two gauges larger (under $10). I connected it to the appliance and, to no one’s surprise, the cord is now not warm at all. I shudder when I think that I had this potential fire hazard in my house. Case in point: Anyone using a basement room as a bedroom has to make sure that all emergency egress requirements, as required by law, have been satisfied. Fixed, non-removable grates on the windows may be problematic. Case in point: Hot water heaters and furnaces are the two most dangerous appliances in your house. The new code for Gas Hot Water Heaters requires an increased exhaust duct size, an expansion tank, and proper shut-off valves. Anyone using an unlicensed plumber to install a hot water heater who will not request a town inspection is jeopardizing his or her family. Case in point: If you attend regular meetings or gatherings in a venue that has not been approved by the town and, therefore, does not have required push bars, you are at risk. Fire safety is not the place to save money. Ed Berliner West Orange, NJ
Letters to the Editor
(Editor’s note: For your safety, NEVER leave open flames (like candles) unattended.)
Je Suis Hitler?
The American Gathering of Jewish Holocaust Survivors and Their Descendants overwhelmingly condemns the Second Holocaust International Cartoon and Caricature Contest, sponsored by the Tehran-based House of Cartoons and the Sarcheshmeh Cultural Complex under the supervision of the Supreme Leader. This second contest, just as the first one, invites contributors to question the historical truth of the Holocaust and is more than offensive to those who were fortunate enough to survive the inhuman treatment they were forced to endure during World War II. We survivors, only a small percentage of the Jewish population to withstand the horrors and atrocities of the concentration camps, vehemently resent this offensive, malicious competition questioning the existence of the Holocaust, particularly when it is being organized under the auspices of the Iranian government. Hillary Kessler-Godin Director of Communications Conference on Jewish Material Claims against Germany New York, NY
Study to Examine SOCE Therapy
Two years ago when California passed a law to prohibit Sexual Orientation Change Effort (SOCE) therapy for minors, I began talking with several colleagues in our field about a study to examine the outcomes of adolescents who have undergone SOCE therapy. While gay activists have continued to advance laws to prohibit SOCE therapy for minors in California, New Jersey, and Washington, D.C., a study on the outcomes of adolescents in SOCE therapy has yet to be published in the scientific literature. After nearly two years, we are now recruiting subjects to participate in a study, which will be the first of its kind, examining the perceptions, both positive and negative, of adolescents who have undergone SOCE therapy. The purpose of the research is to discover the perceptions of adolescents undergoing SOCE therapy for same-sex desires and behaviors, as well as to understand some of the possible influences the therapy may or may not have on youth. The study will also seek to determine some possible causes or reasons why youth may experience same-sex attractions. The project is designed to ask adolescents to complete a comprehensive questionnaire dealing with their sexual desires and behaviors at the beginning of SOCE therapy and afterwards. Additionally, the adolescent minors will answer other questions about their well-being and if they felt the counseling or therapy they received was beneficial or harmful. The criteria for participating in this study are the following: 1. Subjects must have been under age of 18 when they first began SOCE therapy. If they are currently over 18, but began therapy before they turned 18, they may participate. 2. Subjects must have worked with a licensed mental health provider in their treatment. Because the laws proposing to prohibit SOCE therapy for minors are targeting licensed mental
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The Jewish Voice and Opinion
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“Thought Is the World of Freedom” (R’ Dov Ber of Mazeritch) health providers, the outcomes of clients seeing non-licensed therapists will not provide the evidence we are seeking. 3. If subjects are currently under the age of 18, a parent/ guardian must consent. If they are over 18 but are eligible to participate, their own consent is acceptable. Please contact us at IHFinfo@ComingOutLoved.com or 301-805-6111. Christopher Doyle, LCPC James E. Phelan, LCSW Walter Schumm, Ph.D Bowie, MD
A Small Shul in Paterson
A small shul in the basement of the Federation Apartment building in Paterson allows elderly residents of the building to have meaningful Shabbat and holiday services and helps them maintain their Jewish identity, giving them a spiritual high to look forward to throughout the week. Two factors help this shul to function. A small but dedicated group of Fair Lawn residents recruit a bal korei and organize a group of Jews to walk several miles (regardless of the weather) to help complete the minyan. The other important factor is the presence of two Torahs, donated many years ago by the Yavneh Academy and families who wanted to perpetuate loved ones’ names to be used by a shul. Those Torahs have seen heavy use over the years and unfortunately, like many things in life, are showing signs of their age and are falling apart. The group of Fair Lawn residents embarked on a project to bring those Torahs back to life, and contacted an experienced sofer, who is currently hard at work checking and fixing the text, mending the parchment, and replacing worn-out atzei chaim (wooden rollers) and mantels (covers). Our goal is to complete this ambitious project before Shavuot—very appropriate for celebrating Mattan Torah. If you might have a connection to Paterson or if you find this interesting enough to help out in any way and want to take part in this mitzvah, you might also want to help the shul replace some very old, worn out siddurim and chumashim and other accessories. To help, please contact me at JerrySchranz@ gmail.com or visit: www.patersonshul.com Jerry Schranz Fair Lawn, NJ
Disband the Palestinian Murder Incentive Fund
Our family has gone through what no one should ever experience. On November 10, 2014, our daughter, Dalya, was waiting at a bus stop just south of Jerusalem on her way home from work, and never made it home. An Arab, Maher al-Hashlamon crashed his car into Dalya, and then jumped out of the vehicle and stabbed her to death. The killer was caught by the IDF soon after. He confessed to the killing, and was tried and convicted of the cold blooded murder of our daughter. At the trial, we watched with horror in the court room as the killer smiled with joy and his whole family rejoiced as his sentence was pronounced. Why the glee? The PLO has used its administrative arm, the Palestinian Authority, to foster a “murder incentive fund,” to provide financial help to those who murder Jews and the murderers’ families. Some people say this is a Nazi idea. Yet historians of Nazi Germany find no instance in which a Nazi was actually honored for murdering a Jew. The Nazis kept their policy of murder under the radar. On the other hand, the PA in its official publications tells the world that it will pay anyone who murders a Jew and also remunerate the killer’s family with generous funds for life. This abrogation of justice must stop. No nation in the world would allow any entity to award those who murder their citizens. This month, Israel’s policy-makers are forming new guidelines for the new government of Israel. This is the time to bring pressure on the new government to adopt a clear guideline for government policy: The PA must disband its murder incentive fund. We demand that the PA cease and desist making payments to anyone convicted of murder or attempted murder of an Israeli citizen. When a US President, an EU official, or an Israeli peace activist asks that Israel provide humanitarian aid to the PA, the Israeli government can ask: Since when does rewarding someone for an act of murder constitute “humanitarian assistance?” Brenca Lemkus Tekoa, Israel 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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again oppose Mr. Pollard’s parole, a commission official replied, “Absolutely, vigorously.” Mr. Hoffman said this indicates the result will be no different. According to some legal opinions, based on a separate federal law, he could be paroled in November 2015, which would mark the end of 30 years in prison. According to that law, parole must be granted unless the parole commission determines that the prisoner has seriously violated prison rules or concludes that there is a “reasonable probability” he will commit a crime upon his release. There is documentary evidence in his file to negate either of these issues. The Federal Bureau of Prisons online information system gives Mr. Pollard’s prison release date as November 21, 2015. But the letter from the parole board mentions nothing about this possibility. It indicates that if parole is denied this year, Mr. Pollard will have to continue serving his life sentence. Given his health issues, which have required several hospitalizations, his supporters say his chances of surviving to 2030 are slim. “Tradable Item” Mr. Pollard’s attorneys are convinced that he remains in prison solely because the US government still wants him as a chip in a future Israeli-Palestinian peace process. “Pollard is still in prison
because he was transformed from an American who committed a crime and was sentenced unjustly, into a tradable item,” said Mr. Lauer. “Pollard became objectified because he served a purpose in the Arab-Israeli peace process. He’s an asset to be used and not given away.” Now that the parole gambit has been tried unsuccessfully, Mr. Pollard and his supporters are on firmer ground when they revert to asking the community to exert pressure for Presidential clemency as the only option left. Gaining Supporters Even those who have never been particularly supportive of Mr. Pollard now agree. Jonathan Tobin, the editor of Commentary magazine, has never viewed Mr. Pollard as a hero or a martyr, but he said after the parole board’s letter, “There is simply no rationale for keeping him in prison any longer.” Mr. Tobin maintained that Mr. Pollard “did great damage to the US” when he spied for Israel from 1984 to 1985 and he harmed the alliance between the two countries. Mr. Tobin also blamed him for “lending credence to those antisemites and foes of Israel who have tried to cast a shadow on the service of the many loyal American Jews who work in the defense establishment.” But Mr. Tobin does not accept the parole board’s view that Mr. Pollard was “somehow respon-
sible for the penetration of US intelligence by the Soviet Union,” especially in light of revelations that naval officer John Walker, national security analyst Ronald Pelton, and especially Aldrich Ames were actually working for the Russians. “Those facts now make the over-the-top claims by thenDefense Secretary Weinberger that Pollard’s espionage was the worst in American history look more like hyperbole than analysis,” said Mr. Tobin. Mr. Tobin pointed out that when considering that other spies for friendly foreign powers “have been routinely deported, exchanged, or given far less harsh sentences, the treatment meted out to Pollard is disproportionate and, therefore, unjust.” He dismissed the possibility that Mr. Pollard might still harbor military secrets. “There is literally nothing secret that he might still remember from his days at the Navy Department that is of the least utility to anyone 30 years later,” he said, adding that it is not necessary to “think well” of Mr. Pollard “to understand that there is something egregious about the desire of some in the government to see him die in prison after so much time served.” Letter to the President The roster of American leaders who support this position is growing. Shortly after Mr. Pollard’s application for parole was
denied, eight senior US officials with first-hand knowledge of the case, including a classified file the use of which has been denied to Mr. Pollard and his attorneys, wrote to Mr. Obama, strongly protesting the injustice of the commission’s action and charging that a false accusation had been used against Mr. Pollard to deny him parole. The letter urges Mr. Obama “to act expeditiously to commute Mr. Pollard’s life sentence to the 29 years which he has already served.” The letter, signed by Ambassador James Woolsey, former director of the CIA; Senator Dennis DeConcini (D-AZ), former chair of the Senate Intelligence Committee; Robert MacFarlane, former US National Security Advisor; Lawrence Korb, former Assistant US Secretary of Defense; Bernard Nussbaum, former White House Counsel under Mr. Clinton; Representative Lee Hamilton (D-IN), former chair of the Select Committee on Intelligence and Homeland Security Advisor to Mr. Obama; and Professor Angelo Codevilla, former Senate Intelligence Committee staff, argues that the claim that Mr. Pollard’s espionage put the US at risk “is false and is not supported by any evidence in the public record or the classified file.” The signatories take exception to the fact that “this fiction” was the reason given by the Parole Commission for denying parole.
supports commuting Mr. Pollard’s sentence to time served. His reasons deal with “compassion” as well as the fact that others, whose offenses are at least as serious, have received less severe sentences. Mr. Woolsey has told reporters that he believes antisemitism lies at the root of Mr. Pollard’s continued incarceration. “My view is that he should be treated like other intelligence assets of allies. We spy on some allies, and they have spied on us. Because they’re allies, usually they have only been in prison for a few years. What I said is that people shouldn’t be hung up on [Pollard] being Jewish or Israeli. Pretend he’s Greek and release him,” he told Jerusalem Post managing editor Carolyn Glick. Mr. Korb said it bothered him that the statements from Messrs Webster and Woolsey were ignored at the parole hearing. “Woolsey saw Pollard’s whole file, and Jim’s a tough guy. You’ve got to hope that the parole board so overreacted that it will persuade people to say this is really a miscarriage of justice. It already was before. They broke their plea agreement, for heaven’s sake,” he said. Renewed Efforts Mr. Pollard’s supporters say that especially in an election year, the American-Jewish community can exert meaningful pressure for a Presidential pardon. Malcolm Hoenlein, executive vice-president of the Conference of Presidents of Major American-Jewish Organizations, has recognized that winning Mr. Pollard’s freedom is a priority. “It is an outrageous situation, a tragedy that has got to end,” he said. National Council of Young Israel president Farley Weiss, whose organization has been supportive of Mr. Pollard for
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Hamodia’s from demanding action. Referring to the Jewish tradition of pidyon shevuyim, securing the release of a Jew unjustly imprisoned, the paper insisted that the next few weeks and months are vital in the effort to obtain Mr. Pollard’s freedom and that, “with the exception of the handful of individuals who have worked tirelessly on Pollard’s behalf for many years, all of us are at fault for what happened last month in the White House,” when Jewish leaders were silent on the issue while meeting with Mr. Obama. “It should now be clear to every intelligent observer that the reason Jonathan is still in prison isn’t because of what he did three decades ago. No one else who did what he did has served anything near the term that Mr. Pollard already has. He is still in jail because of who he is and whom he tried to help,” said the editorial.S.L.R.
years, believes the failed parole hearing could prompt a renewed effort to lobby Mr. Obama by convincing him that denying clemency “is hurting relations with Israel and it’s wrong.” Crossing Moral Boundaries In Israel Likud Knesset Speaker Yuli Edelstein agreed, saying the parole board’s position on Mr. Pollard “crosses every moral boundary.” Mr. Edelstein, who was the first Israeli minister to visit Mr. Pollard in prison, said he worries that Mr. Pollard’s failing health means he won’t survive. “If, heaven forbid, this transpires, it would be remembered for generations as a breach in the Israel-US relationship,” he said. “This fierce and outrageous denial of parole now will enrage the Jewish community,” said Mr. Weiss. Everyone’s Fault Others say that is naïve, but it has not kept voices like
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They also point out that the commission ignored the wealth of documentary evidence in favor of Mr. Pollard, especially all the recommendations from top-level officials with first-hand knowledge of the case who called for his unconditional release. For a Case Such as This They do not argue that he committed a serious offense and received a “justifiably severe sentence.” But they say that efforts to secure commutation of his life sentence began in earnest “only after Mr. Pollard had served 20 years as a model prisoner and adequately expressed remorse.” “We are deeply troubled that his grossly disproportionate sentence is now continuing into a thirtieth year of incarceration with no end in sight. Denying a man his freedom based on a claim of damage that is patently false while ignoring exculpatory documentary evidence and hiding behind a veil of secret evidence is neither fair nor just nor is it the American way,” says the letter, which points out that it is “precisely for cases like this, which clearly deviate from the standard of American justice—and compassion—that our nation prides itself on, that the Constitution grants the President of the US virtually unlimited powers of executive clemency.” In a phone interview, one of the signatories, Mr. Korb, told Mr. Hoffman that the parole commission should have taken into account not just Mr. Weinberger’s discredited opinion, but also the views of former CIA and FBI heads and the former chairmen of congressional intelligence committees who support parole. Antisemitism William Webster, for example, who was head of the FBI when Mr. Pollard was arrested and later directed the CIA, has told reporters that he
May 2015 / Iyar 5775
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