The Jewish Star 01-24-2025

As DC power shifts, Cruz says airlines will return

Senate big cites anti-Israel politics, not safety worries, for prolonged cancellations

By The Jewish Star

There’s a new marshal in town and his sheriffs are preparing for high noon.

For some time, Texas Senator Ted Cruz has been asking the US airlines to resume flights to Israel. Now his demands are carrying considerable weight.

“Look, I’m the incoming chairman of the Senate Commerce Committee that has jurisdiction over, among other things, over 40 percent of the US economy, including aviation.

“A lot can be done. I think this will be fixed,” he told The Free Press’ Bari Weiss on Monday.

“I think US airlines need to resume flights to Israel. We have El Al that has flights. We have regional airlines in the Middle East and in Europe that are hav-

ing flights go in and out. I think it is politics that is driving that decision rather than their stated concerns.”

Particularly, the politics of the flight attendants union “that has been very vocally anti-Israel and in fact has supported the antisemitic protests on college campuses,” he said.

Cruz said he was “going back to drawing a line in the sand.”

“I’m going to predict within 30 days they’ll resume flights.”

Meanwhile the resumption of international flights to Israel is gaining momentum, with the Lufthansa Group preparing to restore service through six of its carriers within two weeks

On other matters, Cruz told Weiss that changes were coming to how the federal government treats acts of al-

leged antisemitism, Title VI violations, and threats of violence on university campuses. He singled out elite schools — which receive material percentages of their budgets from federal sources — as places most likely to have their funding reduced.

“I do believe one of the most significant shifts under Trump is that the Department of Justice is going to go after any university that looks the other way, that tolerates antisemitic threats of violence, intimidation and threats directed at Jewish students,” said Cruz.

“And Columbia [University] is right at the top of the worst, worst offenders. And so if they don’t change their conduct dramatically, I think you’re going to see the Trump administration cut off their federal funds.”

Joy and sadness at Riverdale’s hostage march

Sunday’s Run 4 Their Lives — a weekly walk through Riverdale calling for the release of Hamas’ captives — reflected a mix of joy and sadness.

“We never imagined we would be here a year after we started this walk,” said Netta Pack, a Riverdalian who is a junior at The Leffell School in Hartsdale. She began the walks on Jan. 19, 2024, with family friend Ari Vogel, a junior at The Heschel School near Lincoln Center.

In exchange for 33 hostages Hamas commited to release in the first phase of the current ceasefire deal (including Romi Gonen, Emily Damari and Doron Steinbrecher who were freed on Sunday), Israel pledged to release hundreds of prisoners, including Abdullah Sharbati, Majdi Zaatari and Samer al-Atrash, masterminds behind a 2003 bus bombing that killed 24 people including seven children.

While thrilled that three hostages were released on Sunday, Pack explained her personal frustration with the deal.

“In 2012, my great-grandfather Yitzchock was on a bus in Jerusalem on a quiet morning. A suicide bomber walked onto the bus and detonated his bomb, blowing up the bus and injuring 20 people, including my great-grandfather,” she said. “He lost his hearing and was in pain from the injuries he sustained in this attack. The quality of his life was dramatically impacted and he died shortly after.

“In this deal, that suicide bomber, who actually wanted to die that day but somehow managed to survive, will be released from jail.”

“This shows us what has been happening not just for the last 471 days but for years. We all must remain together to sustain who we are and overcome this pain together,” Pack said.

“Three beautiful souls are coming home today but there are still 96 left.”

Every Sunday at 10 am, Riverdale residents set out from Seton Park, parading through the community and congregating at the Memorial Bell Tower while chanting “Bring them all home!”

See Joy, sorrow on page 10

After meeting a hostage family, Senator Ted Cruz presented PresidentElect Trump with pictures their children drew for Trump. @tedcrux, X

After their march ended at the Bell Tower in Riverdale, there was singing. Ed Weintrob, The Jewish Star

By The Jewish Star

Art of the (hopefully not all bad hostage) Deal

In-depth analysis by Alex

Traiman, JNS

On Sunday, Israel and Hamas entered into a temporary ceasefire, 470 days after the horrific Oct. 7 massacre in which Hamas murdered some 1,200 Israelis, kidnapped over 250 and injured thousands more. A bitter 15-month war ensued, leaving tens of thousands dead and much of Gaza in ruins.

Phase 1 of the deal will see 33 of the remaining 97 hostages (who include 10 non-Israelis — eight from Thailand, one from Nepal and one from Tanzania) released by Hamas, most of whom are supposedly alive, over a period of six weeks. In exchange, Israel will release 1,000 Gazan prisoners of war — many of them arrested for this specific purpose — and more than 700 convicted Palestinian terrorists serving terms in Israeli jails. Many of the terrorists are first-degree murderers with blood on their hands.

Israel will withdraw from population centers in Gaza, allowing residents to return to their homes — if they are still standing.

Phases 2 and 3 of the deal have yet to be negotiated. Those phases would potentially return all of the remaining hostages, including those no longer living, and put a permanent end to the Israel-Hamas component of a wider war between Israel and Iran’s network of terror proxies.

who managed to break free from their captors were inadvertently killed by IDF soldiers in the heat of battle. Unconfirmed Hamas claims allege that other hostages were killed by Israeli airstrikes. At another point, Hamas captors killed their hostages when IDF troops seemed to be closing in on their whereabouts.

The fate of hostages was a major consideration guiding whether or not the IDF would move into areas where they were believed to be held. Meanwhile, a temporary ceasefire agreement barely seven weeks into the war saw 105 hostages released in November 2023, demonstrating that negotiation, while not preferred, was the most successful method of bringing hostages back.

As a consequence, perhaps the current ceasefire/hostage-exchange deal was one that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu felt he had to accept. Aside from the long-awaited return of the first 33 of the remaining hostages, entering into the deal may have silver linings in the form of side understandings that may or may not become apparent in the weeks ahead.

‘All hell to pay’

A “breakthrough” in negotiations was reached after incoming President Donald Trump

‘Temporary ceasefire’

Hamas suddenly backed off key demands that had prevented it from accepting the Biden administration’s earlier versions of a ceasefire/ exchange deal. Previously, Hamas had demanded a permanent ceasefire before releasing any hostages. Second, Hamas had demanded that Israel relinquish control of the Philadelphi Corridor — the border between Gaza and Egypt — a smuggling route critical to the rearmament of Hamas.

Yet with Hamas suddenly on board to accept the prisoner exchange framework, within the framework of a “temporary ceasefire” agreement, Witkoff then pressed Netanyahu to agree to the terms he “accepted” back in May.

So much for surrender

Israel had always hoped that the hostage release would come as part of a surrender deal. The hostages would come home in return for the release of prisoners of war, plus the surrender and exile of Hamas leaders including Yahya Sinwar. Sinwar was killed in October, following the killings of several other senior terrorist leaders.

On Sunday, Israelis welcomed the first three of their long-lost hostages home with celebratory open arms, but that doesn’t mean Israelis

Negotiating with terrorists

The very thought of negotiating with terrorists represents a strategic disaster. Hamas’ purpose in taking the captives was to hold all of Israel hostage until it would end its offensive on Gaza. That Israel would negotiate with terrorists represents a failure to alter the paradigm of hostage taking. Giving back 1,700 Palestinian prisoners to get back fewer than three dozen hostages will teach terrorists across the Middle East, and the world over, that taking hostages is a strategy that works.

By negotiating, Hamas has gotten exactly what it hoped for. And Israel should expect that Hamas, Palestinians in Judea and Samaria, or Jerusalem, or Hezbollah in Lebanon, may try taking hostages in the near future. The only way to deter terror organizations from taking hostages is to make the price of taking them too difficult to bear.

Failed hostage rescues

Sadly, IDF operations to rescue the hostages did not yield the desired results. Through military operations, Israel was able to rescue only eight hostages. On another occasion, hostages

insisted that there would be “all hell to pay” if the hostages were not released prior to his inauguration. Trump sent his Mideast envoy Steve Witkoff to Israel last weekend to pressure Netanyahu, presumably with a package of both carrots and sticks, to reach an agreement with Hamas.

Witkoff — apparently with Trump’s backing — called Netanyahu’s months-long bluff. Earlier in the war, with the Biden administration threatening to cut off key weapons and munitions supplies and remove American support for Israel at the United Nations, Netanyahu needed to demonstrate that he was the party willing to move toward a ceasefire, while Hamas remained intransigent. When the Biden administration presented a similar framework for a hostageprisoner exchange back in May, Netanyahu took the risk that Hamas would reject the terms — which it did.

Hamas’ rejection was key in buying Netanyahu more credit in Washington to continue advancing Israel’s military campaign. By doing so, the IDF created the conditions and leverage that — when backed by incoming President Trump’s threats — forced Hamas’ hand ahead of the inauguration.

Throughout the war, Hamas has released videos of hostages making scripted remarks blaming Netanyahu for the continued crisis. In some cases, videos of living hostages were quickly followed by horrific images of the same hostages murdered shortly after the recordings were published. The videos represented a cruel form of psychological manipulation and even torture of the entire Israeli society.

The psychological warfare played directly into the hands of the Hostages and Missing Families Forum, which has been relentlessly blaming Netanyahu for the crisis since Oct. 7, 2023.

’

‘Bring them home

Many of the organizers of the forum were also the organizers of anti-Netanyahu protests during a series of five consecutive elections in the past six years, and the organizers of the massive protests against Netanyahu’s judicial reform program. Even the slogan “Bring Them Home” was designed as an alternative to “Let Them Go,” to put the burden of returning the hostages on Netanyahu, instead of on the Hamas hostagetakers.

Sadly, over the next six weeks, Hamas may have many opportunities to continue this manipulative strategy. Even in the hours before the first release, Hamas was refusing to release the names of the first three hostages to come home, as Israel intensified last-minute airstrikes before the ceasefire went into effect. Few Israelis are naïve enough to believe that the release of the rest of the 33 hostages will go smoothly.

Are Israelis celebrating?

According to polls published since the deal was announced, a majority of Israelis support it. (It should be noted that polls in Israel are often carefully manufactured to get the results desired by those commissioning them.) Polls indicate that about 90% of voters who supported the opposition in the last election, and about half of voters who supported parties in the coalition, support the hostage deal. In part, their support stems from being conditioned to believe that negotiating with the terrorists is the only way to get the captives home.

Additionally, after 15 months with loved ones, friends and colleagues enlisted in continuous military service and fighting on multiple fronts, Israelis are tired of war. And Israelis have been conditioned over years of conflicts to believe that “total victory,” as Netanyahu touted earlier in the war, is not actually attainable even if it may well be within grasp.

Yet even with public acquiescence to a deal, both those who have been pressuring Israel to get its hostages back at any cost, as well as those who believe the war aims of removing Hamas as a military and political force are more important than returning the hostages, are rightly complaining about the terms of the agreement.

Ben-Gvir’s resignation

are celebrating the deal. On the face of it — 33 hostages out of 97 in captivity, in return for more than 1,700 security prisoners, many of whom have blood on their hands and will likely return to terror activity, plus Israeli withdrawals from areas that will soon be retaken by Hamas — this is a heavily lopsided deal.

Even if Hamas makes good on its obligation to return the 33 hostages — again, including the living and the dead — male hostages under the age of 50 are not included in the deal. In other words, even with the return of some captives, there will still be a hostage crisis if phases 2 and 3 of the deal are not successfully negotiated.

Psychological terrorism

The 33 hostages set for release will be sent home in small batches over a period of six weeks. Further, it is not known how many of the 33 are alive. Netanyahu, in his first public address since reaching the phase 1 agreement, told Israelis that it is believed that “most” of the hostages are alive. It is not known what percentage this “most” constitutes.

The right flank of Netanyahu’s coalition, the six-member Otzma Yehudit Party led by firebrand National Security Minister Itamar BenGvir, has resigned in protest of the deal, calling it a “capitulation to terror.” The resignations still leave Netanyahu’s governing coalition with a slim majority. Further, a significant portion of the Israeli public has come to view Ben-Gvir’s ideology, when combined with his relentless political threats, as extreme, even if many hold similar ideological views.

Netanyahu’s stubborn refusal to give in to Biden administration demands to stop fighting at many earlier stages in the war can be at least partially attributed to Ben-Gvir’s threats to leave the government. Had Israel caved in at earlier stages, it may not have accomplished many of the war’s greatest gains, including entering Rafah, taking the Philadelphi Corridor, launching ground operations in Lebanon, and assassinating Hamas and Hezbollah terror leaders in Gaza, Lebanon, Syria and even Tehran.

Once Netanyahu shored up his coalition with the addition of newly appointed Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar’s New Hope Party, Ben-Gvir’s Continued on next page

Emily Damari, 28, at Sheba Tel Hashomer Medical Center in Ramat Gan after her release from Hamas captivity on Sunday.

Maayan Toaf, GPO

ultimatums no longer threatened Netanyahu’s ruling majority. Ben-Gvir has offered to return to the government should Israel resume its offensive against Hamas. But even if the IDF resumes operations in Gaza, Netanyahu is unlikely to invite Ben-Gvir to return.

Will Bibi survive politically?

At the same time, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, who, similar to Ben-Gvir sits to the right of Netanyahu, has opted to remain in the government for the time being. Yet, he has threatened to bolt, along with his Religious Zionism Party, from Netanyahu’s coalition if Israel does not return to fighting in Gaza at the end of phase 1.

Should Smotrich follow Ben-Gvir into the opposition, Netanyahu would lose his majority in the Knesset. What was once viewed as a stable right-wing coalition is being heavily tested by this agreement and its aftermath, leaving Netanyahu to choose between appeasing the incoming American administration, satisfying the demands of those who want the hostages home at any cost, and his own ability to remain in power.

Many have been calling for Netanyahu’s ouster since Oct. 7, 2023, and many more believe that sooner or later, Israel’s longest-serving prime minister will be forced to resign over the major security lapse that led to the deaths of some 1,200 and the ongoing hostage crisis. Yet Netanyahu, as usual, has remained resolute and has conducted the war and navigated its associated diplomatic and political challenges with skill many believe only he is capable of.

Most would have predicted that Netanyahu would no longer be in office. Yet, his potential challengers have all fallen by the wayside, and Israel’s seemingly indispensable man is still in control.

The embattled prime minister is facing several major domestic issues in addition to fighting the war, including public demand for the return of the hostages. These also include an agreement to force stringently religious sects to join the military while remaining in Netanyahu’s coalition, and the reintroduction of a judicial reforms package that will alter the nepotistic selection process of Supreme Court justices and allow the government to select its own attorney general.

Netanyahu hopes that bringing the hostages home — as has been demanded of him — will buy him political capital toward dealing with some of his other complex domestic challenges.

Palestinians celebrate

Optics are certainly not everything in the Middle East. But projecting strength in the region, even when severely weakened, is a key component of maintaining public support. Hamas is claiming that the ceasefire deal is a victory for it.

Some Palestinians in Gaza, Judea and Samaria, Jerusalem and elsewhere are celebrating the deal that sees a halt to Israel’s offensive in Gaza and the release of 1,700 Palestinian prisoners. The price Hamas needs to pay for halting the Israeli military campaign is only 33 Israelis — some of whom are dead.

This was the Hamas strategy from the beginning: Kidnap as many Israelis as possible, dead or alive. Use them as trade bait, along with an international pressure campaign, to stop the IDF in its tracks. While the IDF inflicted much more damage in Gaza than at any other point in the history of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and certainly more than at any point since the ill-fated Israeli withdrawal from the Palestinian-majority enclave in 2005, the Hamas strategy appears to have worked as planned.

With phase 1 of the deal, Hamas retains political control of Gaza, and continues to place its hands all over the so-called humanitarian aid entering the Strip. And in the weeks leading up to the agreement, Hamas was reorganizing as a heavily damaged but not destroyed fighting force. Hamas is still alive and seemingly still in control of Gaza, and it is doing its best to give the impression of a victory.

Not buying the spin

And while many Palestinians, left without much other sources of hope, will buy the propaganda that somehow Hamas has won, there are just as many who reject the spin. First, they can

see with their own eyes just how much damage Israel has caused to Gaza following the unprovoked Oct. 7 massacre. The damage and death tolls caused by Israel are greater than the damage Hamas caused by orders of magnitude. Tens of thousands have been killed. Hundreds of thousands of Gazans remain displaced, living in tents instead of the nice houses they once occupied.

Much of the Palestinian manipulation machine has come into focus, both during the IDF campaign, and now in the ceasefire deal. While before the war, Gaza was referred to as an “open air prison,” it is now also referred to as the Mediterranean paradise that Israel destroyed. And while Israel was accused of committing “genocide” during its military campaign, now Hamas claims it has defeated the IDF. For Palestinian propaganda artists, apparently you can have your poison cake and eat it too.

of developing a nuclear weapon, and expanding the regional circle of peace including normalizing relations with Saudi Arabia.

Neither of those two goals proved achievable alongside the Biden administration. Trump, in his first term, pulled out of the disastrous JCPOA Iran nuclear deal, and he has repeatedly spoken about how dangerous a nuclear Iran would be for global stability. When asked whether Israel should strike nuclear facilities in retaliation for a barrage of 200 ballistic missiles Iran fired at Israel in April, Trump said that Israel should strike the nuclear facilities first and foremost.

Yet at present, it is not clear that Israel has the military capabilities to attack facilities buried deep under Iranian mountains. The United States can provide Israel with bunker-busting capabilities to attack the sites on its own, or potentially join in a military strike.

Value of Israeli life

And while many surmise that Gazans are getting the upper hand with this deal, others can clearly see the value that Israel places on the lives of its citizens, including hostages and soldiers. Palestinians can see how little their leadership values their lives, using Gazans as human shields, using elevated death tolls as a strategy in forcing international pressure on Israel. By contrast, Israel is willing to trade hundreds of hardened criminals to get back a handful of hostages. It is a powerful message of light triumphing over darkness.

And while Israel is releasing 1,000 prisoners of war, plus an additional 700 plus terrorists, the totals can also be framed in the context of the total number of Hamas terrorists Israel has killed — believed to be well over 15,000. Even with the return of 1,700 terrorists, the numbers remain staggeringly in Israel’s favor.

Another unfortunate consideration is the difficulty Israel has in maintaining such large numbers of Palestinian prisoners in its penitentiary system, from a cost, infrastructure and manpower perspective.

Day 1 Trump victory

Incoming President Trump has been adamant in his pledge to end the wars between Russia and Ukraine, and the war between Israel and Iran, along with its network of terror proxies including Hamas, Hezbollah and the Houthis.

While Trump warned there would be “hell to pay” for Hamas if it did not release the hostages by the time he was inaugurated, his envoy Steve Witkoff put significant pressure on Netanyahu to ensure that his new boss would get the international diplomatic victory he wanted from Day 1.

Striking Iran and Saudi normalization

Netanyahu has much to gain from a Trump presidency. In an interview I conducted with the prime minister ahead of the most recent Knesset election, Netanyahu insisted that there were two accomplishments he would seek in his current term: ensuring Iran never crossed the threshold

incoming National Security Advisor Mike Waltz said that “Hamas will never govern Gaza. That is completely unacceptable.” He added that he wants Israelis “to hear me loud and clear” that “if Hamas reneges on this deal and Hamas backs out, moves the goalpost, what have you, we will support Israel in doing what it has to do.”

Together with incoming US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee, a longtime supporter of the Jewish state, the new administration looks like a pro-Israel dream team. The appointments likely led Hamas to recognize it had better agree to a hostage-release deal.

These statements from the incoming administration are fundamentally different from the types of nuanced and unproductive messaging led by outgoing Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin and National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan, who all stated that “while they support Israel’s right to self-defense, how Israel conducts its operations matters.”

In an exit interview with the New York Times, Blinken recently acknowledged that perceived pressure on Israel led Hamas to harden its demands in negotiations.

Wildcard Witkoff

While virtually no one questions the proIsrael bona fides of Rubio, Hegseth, Waltz and Huckabee, many in Israel are beginning to question the loyalties of Trump’s Mideast envoy Steve Witkoff. Witkoff undoubtedly placed tremendous pressure on Netanyahu to reach a ceasefire deal ahead of the inauguration, just as it seemed that Israel’s negotiating power would have gotten much stronger had it waited until Trump was back in the White House.

Similarly, as the broker of the original Abraham Accords agreements, Trump insisted that there were as many as five or more countries willing to sign normalization agreements with Israel — including Saudi Arabia. The Biden administration did not possess the acumen to get a deal done, which would have included placing full political backing behind Israel while properly incentivizing Muslim-majority nations to enter into agreements with the Jewish state.

Bibi wants Trump. Does Trump want Bibi?

Netanyahu is hopeful that Trump will help Israel on both fronts. The prime minister believes that this combination has the potential to transform the Middle East for decades to come. For Netanyahu to get Trump’s full backing and the resumption of the flow of critical weapons for Israel to conduct the current as well as future potential wars, Netanyahu contended that it may be best to accept a seemingly bad hostage deal.

While Netanyahu clearly prefers Trump over what might have been an administration led by outgoing Vice President Kamala Harris, Trump may not be limited to such black and white options concerning potential Israeli leaders.

Netanyahu has a long record of standing up to American presidents when he felt it was in Israel’s best interests. Trump for his part recognizes that a new Israeli prime minister would have little choice but to play nicely with the incoming president. And as Netanyahu’s future success depends on Trump, agreeing to a temporary ceasefire on one front of a larger war may have advantages over making Trump believe that he was difficult to work with.

Pro-Israel dream team?

The Trump administration promises to be one of the most pro-Israel in history. During his confirmation hearing, incoming Secretary of State Marco Rubio asked regarding Israel, “How can any nation … coexist side-by-side with a group of savages like Hamas?” Incoming Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth said in his hearing, “I support Israel killing every last member of Hamas.”

In an interview on CBS’ “Face the Nation,”

Many around Netanyahu are suspicious of Witkoff’s connections to Doha, after the Qatar Investment Authority sovereign wealth fund purchased the distressed Park Land Hotel in Manhattan from a Witkoff-led company for $623 million in 2023. Witkoff told Fox News‘s Sean Hannity last week that the Qataris, who have housed Hamas leaders for decades and funneled billions to the Gaza Strip, were doing “G-d’s work” in negotiating the hostage release-ceasefire deal. Witkoff fills the role once held by Jason Greenblatt, a strong Trump-appointed Israelbacker. Israelis remember bad hires during the first Trump administration, including Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, who was later fired and replaced by major Israel-supporter Mike Pompeo. Perhaps Witkoff will experience the same fate as Tillerson. Otherwise, he may be a force Netanyahu needs to contend with over the next four years. Witkoff will now have his work cut out if he wishes to prove to Israelis he is on their side.

Major strategic questions

Now that the ceasefire deal is signed, several major strategic questions remain. The first is whether the war is grinding to halt, or merely seeing a pause in the action. Will Hamas deliver all the hostages without further manipulations? Will Hamas be willing to release all of the remaining hostages in phase 2 or 3, and can such phases be successfully negotiated.

Did Netanyahu agree to the deal in exchange for guarantees on the flow of American weapons to Israel, or American guarantees on Iran? Will Israel continue the war against Hezbollah in Lebanon? Will Israel and the United States team up to tackle the Houthis, who continue to fire ballistic missiles at Israel and interrupt international shipping by blocking the Bab el-Mandeb strait that leads to the Suez Canal?

Will Hamas be the governing force in Gaza following the implementation of this deal? And if Hamas is not in charge, who will be? Will Israel setup a provisional military government to rule the Strip, to ensure that humanitarian aid is not hijacked by terrorists and that any and all rebuilding efforts are tied to a process of deradicalization?

Will Israel permanently take land in part or all of the Gaza Strip, or in Southern Lebanon and southern Syria, to permanently shame the terror groups that attacked it and deter future attacks? And will Gazan civilians finally be afforded the basic human right of leaving the Strip if they wish, to restart their lives elsewhere, after their homes and neighborhoods have been destroyed?

The answers to the above questions will determine whether or not this bad hostage deal was a deal worth making.

Israelis watch the release of three hostages from Hamas captivity “Hostage Square in Tel Aviv on Jan. 19. Tomer Neuberg, Flash90

Woodmere man bicycles in Africa for a purpose

By Nechama Bluth, The Jewish Star

For Woodmere native Jonah Adelsberg, bicycling is more than a hobby.

He had participated in the NYC 2021 marathon on Team Lifeline for Chai Lifeline, raising money for children fighting cancer and chronic illnesses. This year, Adelsberg chose to fundraise for The Next Step, an organization that supports children and adults suffering from limb-loss.

In a recent conversation with his friend David Farhi, managing director of The Next Step explained how the organization provides prosthetics and prosthetic guidance, mental and physical therapies, sports programs, community initiatives, and lobbying/advocacy for the Israeli amputee community.

When Adelsberg learned about The Next Ride, their event in Nairobi, Kenya, that begins on Feb. 24, he knew he had to get involved.

Cycling over 200 miles for three days through the mountains of Kenya to raise funds for those in need felt like a meaningful way to contribute — and an incredible opportunity to visit Africa, a place he’s always dreamed of exploring.

While this is Adelsberg’s first biking fundraiser, he hopes that through his participation in this event he will be able to help others make their lives a little easier to navigate.

Adelsberg knows a thing or two about navigating a challenge.

He recalls that when he had cancer as a child, there was a boy in the hospital bed next to him eating popcorn with his hands for the last time before undergoing a double-arm amputation the next day. Because of Adelsberg’s chemotherapy, the smell of the popcorn made him extremely nauseous. He wanted to ask the boy to stop, but even at 8 years old, he understood that he had to suck it up.

That moment taught Adelsberg a powerful lesson — no matter how hard things may seem, someone else may be going through something even more difficult. That memory has stayed with him, shaping his perspective and empathy.

To prepare for his 200 mile spin, he exercises in the gym Monday through Friday, doing general cardio and weight training, understanding that the ride will be something he’s definitely not used to. He’s been focusing much more on lower-body workouts, endurance exercises like swimming, incorporating yoga into his daily routine, and getting advice from anyone he can along the way — including on YouTube and in Reddit groups.

For the New York City Marathon in 2021, his goal wasn’t to achieve a specific time but simply to complete the 26.2 miles and prove to himself that he could do it. This ride presents a different kind of challenge. With three consecutive days of 50+ miles and a 2000-foot vertical climb, it’s a much more sustained physical and mental effort.

Living on Long Island, the lack of mountains makes conditions difficult to simulate, so he’s been trying to replicate the event by biking for one to two hours three days in a row. As he always says, “I’ll figure it out.”

Professionally, Adelsberg is the creative director of business development at a music production agency called UFO, where they produce commercials for pro-audio and lifestyle brands. He is fortunate to have a flexible schedule, which allows him to fit in proper training days.

He wants to prove to himself and others that bold, “crazy” ideas only seem crazy if you don’t act on them. If you commit to a vision, everything else tends to fall into place. And honestly, he’d love the chance to pet an elephant!

As for what’s next, he’s not entirely sure yet, but completing a triathlon has always been on his bucket list. This ride feels like a step in that direction, and he’s excited to see where it leads him.

Around 4,600 people have been beneficiaries of The Next Step’s programs. To make a donation to The Next Ride, visit thenextride.org/ jonahadelsberg

Nechama Bluth is associate for The Jewish Star. To reach her, write: nbluth@TheJewishStar.com

Jonah Adelsberg at the NYC 2021 marathon.

Courtesy Jonah Adelsberg

UGHTS.

SPEAK OUT! SPEAK OUT! VERSATION. SHAPE T SPEAK UP! SPEAK UP! SHARE YOUR

AK UP!SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS U

THOUGHT LEADERS IN ISRAEL ARE LISTENING, THIS IS YOUR CHANCE TO SHARE YOUR OPINION.

*MEET THE 2025 HONOREES*

REAL ESTATE DEAL OF THE YEAR Joseph Farkas

EXCELLENCE IN COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

Michael T. Puntillo

Managing Partner PX4 Development

TOP ENGINEER

Stephen A. Hayduk, P.E. Senior Principal Hayduk Engineering LLC

INNOVATIVE ENGINEERING SOLUTIONS IMEG

EXCELLENCE IN RESIDENTIAL COMMUNITY CITIZENSHIP

Christopher Capece

President Heatherwood Luxury Rentals

OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT IN COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE AWARD

David Orwasher

Chief Development Officer Breslin Realty

PIONEER IN RESTORATION & RECOVERY

Jeremy Longo

General Manager Belfor Property Restoration

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT LEADERSHIP

Sheldon L. Shrenkel

Chief Executive Officer & Executive Director Nassau County IDA

TOP MORTGAGE BROKER OF THE YEAR

Nicholas Ceccarini

President Weatherstone Mortgage Corp

ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN EXCELLENCE

Willy Zambrano, FAIA, LEED AP, NCARB

Founder & Design Principal in Charge Zambrano Architectural Design LLC

INDUSTRY LEADERSHIP & IMPACT

Patricia Oliva

Chief Executive Officer Consumer Direct Title

EXCELLENCE IN REAL ESTATE FINANCE

Vito Giannola

Executive Vice President & Chief Banking Officer Provident Bank

KITCHEN AND BATH DESIGNER OF THE YEAR

John Starck

President & Chief Executive Officer Showcase Kitchens

EXCELLENCE IN REAL ESTATE & TITLE

LAW

Paula Parrino, Esq

Chief Administrative Officer

Lipstadt prefers a ‘barn builder, not barn burner’

By Mike Wagenheim, JNS

Curbing Jew-hatred became an official national US strategy in May 2023, and after Hamas’ Oct. 7 terror attacks later that year, local, state and federal bodies focused increasingly on surging antisemitism. Along the way, Deborah Lipstadt’s portfolio and office as special envoy to monitor and combat antisemitism at the State Department has expanded, the outgoing envoy told reporters last week.

“I think that we have raised the profile,” said the noted Holocaust historian, who taught at Emory University prior to her role in Foggy Bottom.

Instead of “only screaming and yelling and condemning what was going on,” Lipstadt told reporters that she sought “to somehow get governments to take it seriously, to address it as a foreign policy concern that this has direct implications on your foreign policy, irrespective of whether you have a large Jewish community or not.”

In July 2024, Lipstadt and her office were a part of the Global Guidelines for Countering Antisemitism, a non-binding framework onto which Washington and dozens of countries and global bodies signed.

The guidelines carry the full weight of US foreign policy and enshrine combatting Jew-hatred with other human rights priorities, according to Lipstadt and Aaron Keyak, her deputy special envoy. “We have a policy of protecting vulnerable populations or promoting democracy. This is now just one of those pillars.”

The guidelines also signal to other countries that their actions when it comes to Jew-hatred domestically — like in other areas, including religious freedom and women’s rights — will impact their relationships with Washington, according to Lipstadt.

One place that does need more change is the United Nations, according to Lipstadt.

“There are officials inside the UN who have engaged in overt antisemitism, but I don’t want to

throw the baby out with the bathwater,” she said. “If we can start to get it to take this issue seriously, then that would be worthwhile. Its record has not been great.”

She said that a long-stalled plan to fight Jewhatred at the UN, which the global body worked on with Jewish groups, remains “in the works.”

“Is it serious? A plan could be serious, but it’s only a plan,” she said. “It’s what’s done to implement it.”

Lipstadt told reporters about a previously unreported exchange that she had with UN SecretaryGeneral António Guterres at a Munich synagogue.

After thanking Guterres for meeting often with the families of hostages being held in Gaza, Lipstadt mentioned the frequent antisemitic remarks of Francesca Albanese, the UN special rapporteur for Palestinian rights, who has drawn criticism from the US, German and French governments. Critics have said often that Guterres and the UN haven’t sufficiently denounced Alba-

nese, who is considered an adviser to the global body and not an employee.

Lipstadt told reporters that Guterres said of Albanese, within earshot of the press gaggle at the synagogue, that “she’s a horrible person.”

Fritz Berggren, a US foreign service officer revealed to be the creator of a white nationalist website, is no longer a State Department employee, Lipstadt said. “The legal details are not fully open, but it was an ending,” she added, declining to specify if Berggren opted to leave or was fired.

Lipstadt and Keyak told reporters the person who carved a swastika into a State Department elevator in July 2021 has yet to be identified. The department’s headquarters in Foggy Bottom is closely guarded by officers, but there was no camera in the area of the elevator, they said.

Asked if Jew-hatred was more prevalent at the State Department after Oct. 7. Lipstadt said that mid-level staffers, who came out publicly against the department’s positions and policies on the

Israel-Hamas war, shouldn’t be seen as antisemitic. Her office faced “some internal resistance” from “some misinformed people,” who thought that it was essentially running cover for Israel, she added. She told reporters that no one ever approached her with such concerns.

She wouldn’t comment on or endorse a successor, but said only that she hopes the next envoy “will be a barn builder, not a barn burner.”

Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee to replace Blinken at the State Department helm, takes Jew-hatred seriously, according to Lipstadt. “That gives me hope on this issue,” she said.

“Some of the things I’ve done have been done quietly. Sometimes they’ve succeeded. Sometimes they haven’t. Speeches that were given, lines that were delivered, weren’t delivered,” Lipstadt told reporters. “I don’t want to speak out too much on everything. At some point, you’ll be dismissed as a partisan hack.”

Israeli President Isaac Herzog with Deborah Lipstadt in Israel on Jan. 8.

Poster tear-downs a target of 5 Towns senator

By The Jewish Star and JNS

The fight to protect the free-speech rights of American Jews has been put into the New York State legislative hopper by the state senator who represents the Five Towns and Long Beach.

The New York Antisemitism Act, cosponsored by Senator Patricia Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick, would criminalize the destruction of pro-Israel public materials. This follows widely publicized vandalism directed at the expression of pro-Israel sentiment, including the tearing down of posters referencing the hostages seized by Hamas.

Anyone who damages or removes a “banner, poster, flyer or billboard” in a public space, “where the intent or purpose of such banner, poster, flyer or billboard is to bring awareness for Israeli individuals who have been victims of a crime, or to positively support the country or citizens of Israel in any way,” would be guilty of a class A misdemeanor, according to Senate Bill S531, introduced on Jan. 8.

Class A misdemeanors are “the most seri-

ous type of misdemeanor” and are punishable with up to a year in jail. Misdemeanors are the lowest level of crime, more serious than violations but less so than felonies.

“There are posters put up all the time that feature the names and photographs of hostages held in Gaza, constantly reminding us that we need to bring these hostages home and get them released,” Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick said. “That is the goal of those posters, and we have seen many of them vandalized, torn down. Even at local railroad stations, they’ve been taken down.”

“We are trying to say that we are allowed to speak out in favor of pro-Israel concepts and bringing these hostages home, and that should be protected as our freedom of speech,” she added.

The bill, which is under committee review, could face opposition passing the legislature, according to Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick.

“Some of the people that are not in favor of the bill will probably make a speech argument that they are entitled to tear down something,” she said. “I would argue that the

person that put the poster up is obviously the one speaking, and therefore their speech should be protected.”

Michael Helfand, a professor and chair in law and religion at Pepperdine Caruso School of Law in Malibu, Calif., told JNS that

the legislation could be deemed unconstitutional.

“The Supreme Court has, in some contexts, upheld hate crime legislation, which could provide support for S531,” he said. “However, the challenge the statute is likely to face is that it specifically targets conduct with a particular viewpoint, which could generate serious free speech challenges to its constitutionality.”

Avi Posnick, executive director of StandWithUs Northeast and New England, said he believes the bill could effectively target Jewhatred in the state.

“Since Oct 7. 2023, we have seen the vandalism and destruction of many signs on public and private property that call for the return of the hostages or general support for Israel,” he said.

“They try to hide their antisemitism by claiming they are just against Israel or Zionism, both of which are part of Jewish identity,” he said. “Hopefully, this bill will make people think twice before committing such hateful acts.”

Jewish professor sues Penn over suspension

Professor Amy Wax, a senior lecturer at the University of Pennsylvania Law School, has filed a lawsuit against the university following her year-long suspension during which she will receive only half her salary. Wax claims the university violated her constitutional rights and implemented racially discriminatory speech policies.

In a lawsuit filed with the US District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, Wax claims the university operates under a double standard that disadvantages her. According to documents reviewed by The Wall Street Journal, the lawsuit alleges Penn allowed other professors to make “far more harmful comments about Jewish people without disciplining them in the same manner.”

The legal filing argues that “the racially discriminatory Speech Policy has created and facilitated a racially hostile environment at Penn because antisemitic speech is given special solicitude, while academic speech discussing race in ways that Penn finds unacceptable, such as Plaintiff Wax’s, is punished.”

The university contends that Wax demonstrated “callous and flagrant disregard” for students, faculty, and staff, subjecting them to “intentional and incessant racist, sexist, xenophobic and homophobic actions and statements.”

In an interview with the Wall Street Jour-

By Canaan Lidor, JNS

Israel’s Supreme Court last week dismissed a petition against a law that compensates the victims of Palestinian terrorist attacks using Palestinian Authority funds.

Attorney Asher Stub from the Justice for Terror Victims group, which initiated the law submitted by MK Yitzhak Pindrus and others, told JNS on Monday that the Supreme Court’s ruling “cleared the last hurdle” between victims and compensation.

The petition dismissed was filed last year by the Palestinian Authority against legislation passed by the Knesset in March 2024 titled the “Compensation of Victims of Terrorism Bill (Exemplary Compensation).”

It asserted that the Palestinian Authority, which spends hundreds of millions of dollars annually on paying salaries to terrorists in Israeli prisons, is encouraging terrorism and is, therefore, liable to pay damages in civil lawsuits. The money is to be deducted from tax revenue that Is-

nal, Wax defended her position, arguing that her words were taken out of context and explaining that her views are more nuanced and complex than portrayed. “I only regret that I am sufficiently frank, and blunt, and forthright,” she stated. Wax, born in 1953, grew up in a traditional Jewish family in Troy, New York. Her academic achievements are remarkable: she graduated with great honors from Yale in biochemistry and molecular physics, earned a Marshall Scholarship to study at Oxford, and simultaneously completed medical and law degrees at Harvard. Before entering legal academia, she practiced as

a neurologist for five years in New York.

Throughout her career, Wax has become a controversial figure in American academia due to her provocative statements on race and culture. In 2017, she published an article asserting that “not all cultures are equal” in preparing people for an advanced economy, and stated in an interview that “everyone wants to migrate to countries ruled by white Europeans” due to their “superior” values. That same year, she ignited controversy by claiming she had never seen a Black student finish at the top of their class at the law school — an assertion strongly refuted by the faculty dean.

At a conservative conference in 2019, Wax sparked further outrage when she stated that the US would be better off with “more white people and less non-whites.” She also criticized Asian immigration, declaring that «as long as most Asians support Democrats and help to advance their positions, I think the United States is better off with fewer Asians and less Asian immigration.

The University of Pennsylvania was among the prestigious academic institutions in the US where clear antisemitic and anti-Israel incidents emerged during the Iron Swords War. University President Elizabeth Magill was compelled to resign following criticism of her lenient approach to antisemitism on campus.

The resignations followed a turbulent week during which the presidents of three leading

universities — Pennsylvania, Harvard, and MIT — testified before Congress. During their testimony, they avoided defining calls for Jewish extermination as violations of university regulations. In response, 74 lawmakers (71 Republicans and three Democrats) called for their dismissal.

Concurrently, the University of Pennsylvania suspended the “Delta Sigma Phi” student fraternity for 18 months after its members posted materials mocking the Israeli hostages’ flyers. The fraternity must undergo a “cultural change process” before it can resume activities.

As previously reported, responding to the university presidents’ congressional testimony, one of the University of Pennsylvania’s major donors announced the cancellation of a $100 million donation. This decision followed University President Elizabeth (Liz) Magill’s evasion of providing a clear answer regarding antisemitic expressions on campus.

In a letter, Ross Stevens, owner of Stone Ridge Holdings, withdrew his donation after being “horrified” by the university president’s stance. “I have clear grounds to rescind Penn’s $100 million of Stone Ridge shares due to the conduct of President Magill. At risk of stating the absolutely obvious, any employee of Stone Ridge that made equivalently discriminatory statements about any group would be immediately terminated for cause,” he wrote.

rael collects on behalf of the Palestinian Authority on goods passing through border crossings.

The Palestinian Authority claimed the law abused punitive damages mechanisms, adding the law would cause its “collapse.” It also said Israel lacked legal justification to confiscate its tax revenue. Justice Yitzhak Amit wrote in his ruling that the Palestinian Authority’s petition omits how it “pays terrorists and members of terrorists’ families money and benefits at significant rates, in close connection to the criminal acts of terrorism they committed.”

The Palestinian Authority’s Martyrs’ Fund, also known as the “pay for slay” policy, is a cornerstone of PA law, granting terrorists or their next of kin the right to receive payments as long as they live.

The ruling clears the path for terror victims or their relatives to file civil lawsuits and receive compensation, Stub said. His organization, Justice for Terror Victims, is handling lawsuits for about 35 families on a nonprofit basis, he said,

adding that the statute of limitations on relevant lawsuits is seven years.

According to the Palestinian Authority’s estimates in its petition, it stands to lose approxi-

mately NIS 2 billion shekels ($562 million) from immediate tax revenues plus another NIS 5 billion ($1.4 billion) in funds that Israel is already holding that belongs to the Palestinian Authority, it argued.

In the ruling, Justices Khaled Kabub and Yael Wilner condemned the Palestinian Authority’s “reliance on Israeli constitutional law, which primarily protects human rights, to avoid the consequences of its support for terrorism against the state and its citizens.” They called this “repugnant both morally and legally.”

“We are proud to assist many victims in filing lawsuits under this new law and will persist in fighting terrorism and its financial backers,” Stub said.

In a statement after the court’s decision, Stub and Sander Gerber, a global investment manager, called the petition’s dismissal “a groundbreaking step in our efforts to stop the Palestinian Authority’s’ pay for slay’ policy and secure rightful compensation for terror victims.”

By Adi Nirman, Israel Hayam

State Sen. Patricia Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick. Tim Baker

Amy Wax.

Security and rescue personnel at the scene of a terrorist attack on Route 1 near Ma’ale Adumim, on Feb. 22, 2024. Chaim Goldberg, Flash90

mountsinai.org/southnassau

YU’s Rabbi Berman prays at Trump inauguration

This is the prayer voiced by Rabbi Dr. Ari Berman, president of Yeshiva University, at Monday’s presidential inauguration.

Let us pray.

Almighty G-d, your prophet Jeremiah walked the streets of Jerusalem and blessed its inhabitants with the Hebrew words, “Boruch hagever asher yivtach b’Hashem” — blessed is the one who trusts in G-d.

Thousands of years later, this great nation, which adopted these words as its motto, “In God We Trust,” stands at a moment of historic opportunity. Americans are searching for meaning.

Our Merciful Father, help us rise to meet this moment. Bless President Donald J Trump and Vice President JD Vance with the strength and courage to choose the right and the good.

Unite us around our foundational biblical values of life and liberty, of service and sacrifice, and especially of faith and morality, which George Washington called the indispensable supports of American prosperity.

Guide our schools and college campuses, which have been experiencing such unrest,

to inspire the next generation to pair progress with purpose, knowledge with wisdom and truth with virtue.

Hear the cry of the hostages, both American and Israeli, whose pain our president so acutely feels. We are so thankful for the three young women who yesterday returned home and pray that the next four years brings peace to Israel and throughout the Middle East.

Almighty G-d, grant all Americans the opportunity to realize our shared dream of a life filled with peace and plenty, health and happiness, compassion and contribution. Stir within us the confidence to rise to this moment.

For while we trust in G-d, G-d’s trust is in us, the American people.

America is called to greatness, to be a beacon of light and a mover of history. May our nation merit the fulfillment of Jeremiah’s blessing that like a tree planted by water, we shall not cease to bear fruit.

May all of humanity experience your love and your blessing. May it be thy will, and let us say, amen.

Trump ‘not confident’ Gaza ceasefire will last

By Akiva Van Koningsveld, JNS

President Donald Trump told reporters at the White House on Monday he’s not confident that Israel’s ceasefire deal with the Hamas terrorist group will hold through all three phases.

“It’s not our war. It is their war. I am not confident. But I think they’re very weakened on the other side,” he said in response to a question in the Oval Office while signing orders in the first hours of his presidency.

Asked about the future governance of the Gaza Strip, the president said he believed “you certainly can’t have the people that were there,” in an apparent reference to the Iranian-backed Hamas terror organization.

“Most of them are dead, by the way, right?” continued Trump. “But they didn’t exactly run it well. Run viciously and badly. You can’t have that.” Gaza must be rebuilt “in a different way,” he continued.

“I looked at a picture of Gaza. Gaza is like a massive demolition site. That place is — it’s really got to be rebuilt in a different way,” he said. “It’s a phenomenal location. On the sea, the best weather. You know, everything is good. It’s like some beautiful things could be done with it.”

On Sunday, three Israeli women taken hostage during the Oct. 7, 2023, massacre and held captive in Gaza for 471 days were freed as part of the first phase of the US-brokered agreement with Hamas.

Trump hailed the deal on Sunday as a “first step toward lasting peace in the Middle East,” crediting his incoming Mideast envoy, Steve Witkoff, with pushing the deal through.

“Our incoming administration has achieved all of this in the Middle East in less than three months without being president. We’ve achieved more

without being president than they’ve achieved in four years with being president,” Trump said at a pre-inauguration rally in Washington, D.C.

Over the weekend, Trump warned in an interview with NBC that the ceasefire with Hamas in Gaza “better hold,” or “all hell will break out.”

Trump claimed he had told Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu: “Just keep doing what you have to do. You have to have — this has to end. We want it to end, but to keep doing what has to be done.”

Jerusalem has said that 25 of the 33 people on the list of hostages to be returned in the first stage remain alive. Ninety-four hostages are still held in Gaza, at least one-third of whom are believed to be dead.

Talks on the second phase will begin 16 days after the implementation. The first stage spans 42 days. The Gaza deal is expected to conclude with the release of all remaining hostages, a permanent truce and the full withdrawal of Israeli troops. Witkoff may visit the Gaza Strip in an effort to

keep the ceasefire, he confirmed in an interview with Israel’s Channel 12 News on Monday.

“I think the execution of the agreement was tough; it is going to be the implementation of the agreement that will be, perhaps, more difficult,” said Witkoff. “So going to the Gaza Strip is making sure that what we intend to do here, at the Netzarim line and the Philadelphi Corridor, that what we intend to do gets implemented in the correct way.”

The Middle East envoy confirmed that the deal pushed by the incoming administration was similar to the one proposed by former President Joe Biden in May 2024. “It follows it almost exactly,” he told Channel 12 News. “When we came into the negotiation, we were operating under that agreement.”

“We needed to create the incentives for both parties to push forward and get that deal done,” the presidential envoy said. Asked to elaborate on possible US incentives provided for Jerusalem to back the deal, Witkoff stated, “The incentives were to get these people home.”

Senior Hamas terrorist Musa Abu Marzouk told the New York Times on Sunday that the Islamist group was ready for “a dialogue” and “achieving understandings on everything” following Trump’s inauguration.

Marzouk said Hamas was prepared to welcome Witkoff to the coastal enclave and vowed that the US-designated terror group would even provide representatives of the Trump administration with protection.

“He can come and see the people and try to understand their feelings and wishes so that the American position can be based on the interests of all the parties, and not only one party,” said Marzouk.

Joy, sorrow at Riverdale rally…

Continued from page 1

“Nothing is more important than our brothers and sisters coming home today,” City Councilman Eric Dinowitz said after the crowd assembled at the Bell Tower. “I can only hope and pray that all of the hostages will return.”

“I feel like I can say ‘good morning’,” he said. “So many times we’ve been speaking to each other and saying ‘good’ just didn’t feel right. For the first time in a long time I feel good.”

“It’s an upbeat moment but a heavy moment,” remarked Avi Weiss, founding rabbi of the Hebrew Institute of Riverdale (the Bayit).

“Zion is ecstatic for its children, that the hostages are coming home.”

He said that sometimes two emotions come together as one and we may have joy in moments of sadness and sadness at times of joy, referencing the breaking of a glass at the culmination of Jewish wedding.

“We have hoped and hoped and hoped, and cried and cried and cried,” said Ari Vogel, “but we will always choose life, the life of a baby, the life of a mother or a father, because that’s who we are.

Organizers said the walk will continue every Sunday morning until all of the hostages return.

President Donald Trump signs executive orders in the Oval Office on Jan. 20. Jim Watson, Pool, AFP via Getty via JNS

Rabbi Dr. Ari Berman, president of Yeshiva University, delivers a benediction as President Donald Trump and former President Joe Biden listen at Monday’s inauguration ceremony. Shawn Thew/Pool via Reuters, JNS

Shouting “Bring them all home now,” Avi Vogel and Netta Pack (holding sign, left and right) march past stores on Riverdale Avenue. Ed Weintrob, The Jewish Star

City Councilman Eric Dinowitz speaks at the Bell Tower on Sunday. Ed Weintrob, The Jewish Star

Proudly Jewish. Proudly Zionist.

WINE AND DINE

There’s more to Tu B’Shevat than the ‘boxer’

was about 6 or so and off to Sunday school to celebrate Tu B’Shevat, which begins this year on the evening of Feb. 12. I learned that this holiday was a birthday party (for trees!). Ok. Well, at least there would be birthday cake? Wrong!

Instead, I was handed some bark-like, inedible food that my teacher called, “boxer.” I sat there trying to look happy with my “candy” (as my teacher called it) but found it hard to reconcile my idea of candy with this tasteless hardtack I was trying to chew. No cake, and no one that looked like a boxer, and a birthday for trees. I quickly relegated this holiday to events like my tonsillectomy.

A few years later, I learned that “boxer,” was “boksor” or carob, an almost chocolate-like food, (though I never tasted anything resembling chocolate in what I had been given) and that somewhere in Israel, where spring had begun, No? Sadly, another busted myth of my childhood, but I was beginning to get the gist of this holiday.

Only when I sent my children to Day School did I come to appreciate the beauty and the significance of this day that heralds spring in Israel. Tu B’Sh’vat is, probably, the most ecofriendly and vegetarian-friendly holiday we have. It celebrates foods that grow naturally from the earth and all the trees that provide us with so many delicious foods; nuts and berries, olives and figs, and then there are the grains that grow in the fields. On this day, we are supposed to eat some kind of fruit that we have not eaten since Rosh Hashanah, but with the modern conveniences of air freight and better food storage, that is often hard to do. Perhaps that is why they fed us boksor in Hebrew School –no one would actually buy that stuff. Still, this holiday is a day to acknowledge the beauty of the earth and miracle of the foods that plants and trees provide for us. Given our mostly urban/ suburban lives, we probably don’t think of the trees that give us the olives or the nuts or fruits, or where the wheat berries come from.

So, even though we have many weeks of winter left and probably (maybe) more snow to endure, think about the earth and the trees and how we need to respect and take care of them so they can provide for us forever. And, especially, this year, please plant a tree in Israel — even if your name won’t be on it.

Tu B’Sh’vat Salad (Pareve)

This is a salad that can include as many fruits as you like.

• 2 seedless oranges, Cara Cara, Naval Tangerines or 2 cans orange segments, drained

• 1 grapefruit, segments removed from membranes, juice reserved

• 1 bunch watercress, rinsed, dried thoroughly

• 1 head romaine lettuce, torn into bitesized pieces

• 1 handful pitted dates, chopped

• 1/4 cup dried cranberries

• 1/4 cup walnuts, coarsely chopped

• 1/4 cup Pomegranate seeds

OPTIONAL: Slilced red onion, sunflower seeds, sliced toasted almonds

Divide the oranges into segments and, if large, cut in half. Cut the grapefruit in half and remove each segment from the membrane. Squeeze the juice into a cup and reserve. Place in a large salad bowl.

Cut the watercress and the lettuce into bite sized pieces. Add to the salad bowl. Add the dates, cranberries, and walnuts. Toss well. Add dressing (recipe below or your favorite) and plate each salad. Top with some pomegranate seeds on each salad.

Add some of the optional ingredients, if you like. Makes 4 to 6 salads.

Sweet and Sour Citrus Dressing (Pareve)

• 1 tsp. celery seeds

• 1/2 tsp. salt

• 1 tsp. dry mustard

• 1/2 tsp. paprika

• 1/2 cup sugar

• 1 Tbsp. grated onion

• 1/4 cup plus 2 Tbsp. apple cider vinegar

• 3 Tbsp. raspberry vinegar

• 3 Tbsp. orange or tangerine juice

• 3 Tbsp. grapefruit juice

• 1 tsp. freshly squeezed lemon juice

• 3/4 cup canola oil or extra virgin olive oil

Mix the first 6 ingredients in a Tupperwarestyle container. Add all remaining ingredients, except the oil. Mix well. Set aside or refrigerate. Just before serving, add the oil slowly, whisking continually to make an emulsion. Add some dressing to the Tu B’Sh’vat salad just before serving.

Refrigerate any leftover dressing in a tightly closed container. Makes about 1-1/4 cups.

Chicken with Dried Winter Fruits (Meat)

Choose the fruits your family likes best.

• 2 chickens, cut into eighths

• 2 cups mixed dried fruits such as apricots, prunes, cranberries, currants, cherries, raisins, peaches, pears, nectarines, etc. Do not use dried pineapple or apples.

• 1 cup freshly squeezed orange juice

• 1 head garlic, cloves peeled and minced, about 1/4 to 1/2 cup minced, to taste

• 1-inch piece ginger, peeled, grated, about 1 Tbsp.or more to taste

• 1/4 to 1/2 cup dry white wine

• juice of 1 or 2 lemons, about 1/3 to 1/2 cup

• 2 Tbsp. dark brown sugar, more to taste

• 4 Tbsp. canola oil

• salt and pepper to taste

Combine the fruit and orange juice in a bowl that is large enough to eventually hold the chicken pieces also. Let sit for about 15 minutes. If some of the fruit pieces are very large, cut them into smaller pieces.

In another small bowl, place the garlic, ginger, wine, lemon juice, brown sugar, and canola oil and mix well. Pour the mixture into the bowl with the fruit and mix well.

Add the chicken pieces, toss to coat, cover and refrigerate for about 3 to 4 hours or overnight, turning the pieces a few times.

Arrange the chicken pieces in a roasting dish, and bake in a preheated, 375 degree oven for about an hour. Place the chicken pieces on a platter and pour the pan juices and fruit into a serving bowl. Skim off the fat and serve.

Chicken with Olives and Lemons (Meat)

This version is very Greek/Mediterranean.

• 1 chicken cut into 8ths or 4 boneless skinless chicken breast halves

• 4 Tbsp. flour

• 1/2 tsp. garlic powder

• 1/4 tsp. salt

• 1/2 tsp. freshly cracked black pepper

• 2 to 3 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil

• 1/2 stick, pareve, trans-fat-free margarine

See There’s more on page 14

Chicken with Dried Winter Fruits.

There’s more to Tu B’Shevat than the ‘boxer’…

Continued from page 12

• 1/2 tsp. red pepper flakes (optional)

• 1-1/2 cups white wine

• 1/2 cup chicken stock or broth

• 1 cup green olives, as many olives as you like

• 1/4 to 1/3 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice

• 1 Tbsp. fresh tarragon leaves, finely minced

• 1/4 cup fresh flat-leaf parsley, finely minced

• Garnish: 1 lemon thinly sliced

Place the flour, garlic powder, salt and pepper in a zipper plastic bag. Add the chicken pieces a few at a time and shake to coat. Place on a plate. Heat a large Dutch oven or deep skillet and add the olive oil and pareve margarine. If you want a bit of heat, add the red pepper flakes to the oil mixture and mix well. Add the flour coated chicken pieces to the skillet and cook about 2 to 3 minutes per side, just until lightly browned. Add the wine, stock and olives and mix.

NOTE: Some people like to gently flatten each olive with the flat side of knife to help release the oils and flavor before adding them to the pot. You can, if you like.

Add the lemon juice and mix well. Partially cover and simmer about 10 minutes. Add the tarragon and parsley and mix well. Taste and adjust the wine and lemon juice, salt and pepper. Cook, partially covered, until the chicken is cooked through, about 30 more minutes for cut up chicken, less for breasts.

Garnish with lemon slices and more parsley. Serves 4.

Barley, Kasha, and Millet Salad (Pareve or Dairy)

You can substitute farro for the kasha or millet, or even just add it to the mix for chewier grains.

• 1 cup pearl barley

• 1 cup kasha (buckwheat)

• 1/2 cup millet

• 1/2 cup minced fresh flat-leaf parsley

• 1/2 cup finely diced celery

• 3/4 cup thinly sliced scallions

• 1/2 finely diced red onion

• 1 red pepper, seeded and finely diced

• 1 cup (more if you like) cooked and cooled orzo

• Small tomatoes, cut in half

• Black and/or green olives for garnish

• Lettuce leaves

• Sweet and Sour dressing or your favorite salad dressing

OPTIONAL: dollops of labneh or sour cream, crumbled Feta cheese, or cubes of cheese

The three grains can be cooked simultaneously in three pots to decrease the cooking time or consecutively in one pot which will increase the preparation time.

In a large pot, boil 2 quarts of water. Add 1/2 teaspoon of salt. Add the barley and simmer for 25 to 30 minutes until tender. Drain well, place in a large bowl, cover and refrigerate.

In the same pot boil 2 more quarts of water. Add 1/2 teaspoon of salt. Add the kasha and simmer 5 to 10 minutes until chewy tender. Drain well, add to the bowl with the barley, cover and refrigerate.

In a smaller saucepan, bring 1-1/4 cups of water to a boil. Add a pinch of salt. Add the millet slowly. Reduce the heat, cover the pan and simmer for 30 minutes. Fluff with a fork. (If using processed millet, follow the cooking directions on the box.) Transfer to the bowl with the barley and kasha, cover and refrigerate.

The above steps can be done the day before.

Mix the parsley, garlic, onions, celery, pepper and scallions in a small bowl. Toss well. Add to the bowl with the grains and toss well to mix them thoroughly. Add the vegetable mix and toss again to thoroughly blend the grains. Add the Sweet and Sour dressing or your favorite dressing and toss well.

Serve on lettuce leaves and garnish with olives, pepper slices, tomatoes and scallions. Serves 6 to 10.

Middle Eastern Sweet Wheat Berries and Barley (Pareve)

Wheat berries are unprocessed whole wheat grains. They are extremely high in fiber and their nutty, chewy texture and mild flavor blends well with either sweet or savory additions. Wheat berries must be soaked overnight prior to cooking.

• 1 cup whole wheat berries

• 1 cup pearled barley

• 8 cups water

• 1/4 to 1/3 cup sugar or honey

• 1/4 to 1/3 cup pure maple syrup

• 1 cup raisins

• 1/4 cup dried cranberries or fresh, chopped cranberries to give a tart flavor

• 1/4 cup dried fruit such as cut up dates, figs, cherries, or currants

• 1-1/2 cups mixed nuts such as almonds, walnuts, pistachios, pine nuts, etc.

• Pomegranate seeds for garnish, if desired

• OPTIONAL: cinnamon, to taste

Bring the water to a boil and add the wheat berries. Simmer for about 30 minutes. Add the barley and simmer for another 30 to 40 minutes until the barley and berries are chewy. Drain. Add the sugar or honey and maple syrup and stir over low heat about five minutes.

Remove from heat and add the fruit and nuts. Serve warm or chilled.

NOTE: If this seems too sweet for you, substitute some pomegranate syrup for the maple syrup for a more tart flavor. You can also add some lemon juice or season with cinnamon.

Date-Apricot Loaf (Dairy)

• 1 lb. package pitted dates, chopped

• 1 cup (packed) dried apricots, chopped (measure after chopping)

• 2 tsp. baking soda

• 1-1/2 cup sugar

• 1/2 cup butter

• 1-3/4 cups boiling water

• 2 eggs, slightly beaten

• 2-1/2 cups flour, sifted

Place dates, apricots, baking soda, sugar and butter in a bowl. Add the boiling water. Mix just a bit. Let cool about 3 to 4 minutes. Add the eggs and flour. Mix by hand until moistened. Batter will be lumpy.

Pour batter into 2 standard well-greased loaf

pans. Bake at 350 degrees 1 to 1-1/2 hours. Let cool before cutting. Makes 2 loaves.

Fruit and Nut Bites (Pareve)

• 1 cup chopped walnuts

• 1 cup chopped dates

• 1 cup chopped dried fruit of your choice (we like apricots) such as cherries, cranberries, plums, figs, pears,

• 1 cup raisins

• 1/3 cup sugar

• 2 extra-large or jumbo eggs

• OPTIONAL: 1/2 to 3/4 cup flaked coconut

Place the walnuts, dates and other fruit (except the raisins) and fruits in the bowl od a food processor. Chop with quick on/off pulses until coarsely, but evenly, chopped. Remove the fruit to a bowl and add the raisins and sugar. Mix well. Beat the eggs until foamy and add to the fruit. Mix well.

Generously grease a small cupcake tin thoroughly. Or use mini-cupcake liners that have been sprayed with non-stick spray. Fill only level with the pan. Do not overfill or the fruit will burn. Bake in a 350 degree oven (325, if your oven runs hot) for about 20 minutes. Let cool and carefully remove with a small fork or spoon.

These are delicious and not too bad on the fat and calories if you can limit yourself to just one or two. These tins usually have 12 tiny cupcake holders in each tin. There should be enough mixture to fill just about 2 tins. Makes about 20 to 24 “bites.”

To reach Joni Schockett, write: Columnist@ TheJewishStar.com

Middle Eastern Sweet Wheat Berries and Barley.

• Obstetrics & Gynecology

• Maternal-Fetal Medicine

• Gynecology-Oncology

• Breast Surgery

• Urogynecology

• 3-D Digital Mammography

• Diagnostic Ultrasounds

• Breast Biopsy Procedures

• Bone Density Testing

• Nutrition Services

תבש לש בכוכ

Jewish Star Torah columnists:

•Rabbi Avi Billet of Anshei Chesed, Boynton Beach, FL, mohel and Five Towns native •Rabbi David Etengoff of Magen David Yeshivah, Brooklyn

•Rabbi Binny Freedman, rosh yeshiva of Orayta, Jerusalem

Contributing writers:

•Rabbi Sir Jonathan Sacks zt”l,

Contact our columnists at: Publisher@TheJewishStar.com

Five Towns Candlelighting: From the White Shul, Far Rockaway, NY

Fri Jan 24 / Teves 24

Shabbos Mevarchim • Vaera Candles: 4:44 • Havdalah: 5:55

Fri Jan 31 / Shevat 2

Bo Candles: 4:53 • Havdalah: 6:03

Fri Feb 7 / Shevat 9

Beshalach Candles: 5:02 • Havdalah: 6:12

Fri Feb 14 / Shevat 16

Yisro

Candles: 5:10 • Havdalah: 6:20

Fri Feb 21 / Shevat 23

Shabbos Mevarchim • Mishpatim

Candles: 5:18 • Havdalah: 6:29

Fri Feb 28 / Shevat 30

Rosh Chodesh Adar • Shekalim • Terumah Candles: 5:27 • Havdalah: 6:37

Freedom and truth: It’s OK to lie to Pharaoh

former chief rabbi of United Hebrew Congregations of the British Commonwealth •Rabbi Dr. Tzvi Hersh Weinreb, OU executive VP emeritus •Rabbi Raymond Apple, emeritus rabbi, Great Synagogue of Sydney •Rabbi Yossy Goldman, life rabbi emeritus, Sydenham Shul, Johannesburg and president of the South African Rabbinical Association. rabbi Sir

Why did Moses tell Pharaoh, if not a lie, then less than the full truth? Here is the conversation between him and Pharaoh after the fourth plague, arov, “swarms of insects”:

Pharaoh summoned Moses and Aaron and said, “Go, sacrifice to your G-d here in the land.”

But Moses said, “That would not be right. The sacrifices we offer the L-rd our G-d would be detestable to the Egyptians. And if we offer sacrifices that are detestable in their eyes, will they not stone us? We must take a three-day journey into the wilderness to offer sacrifices to the L-rd our G-d, as He commands us.” Exodus 8:27-28

Not just here but throughout, Moses makes it seem as if all he is asking for is permission for the people to undertake a three-day journey, to offer sacrifices to G-d and then (by implication) to return to Egypt. So, in their first appearance before Pharaoh, Moses and Aaron say:

This is what the L-rd, the G-d of Israel, says: “Let My people go, so that they may hold a festival to Me in the wilderness.”

Pharaoh said, “Who is the L-rd, that I should obey Him and let Israel go? I do not know the L-rd, and I will not let Israel go.”

Then they said, “The G-d of the Hebrews has met with us. Now let us take a three-day journey into the wilderness to offer sacrifices to the L-rd our G-d, or He may strike us with plagues or with the sword.” Ex. 5:1-3

G-d even specifies this before the mission has begun, saying to Moses at the Burning Bush: “You and the elders of Israel will then go to the king of Egypt. You must tell him, ‘The L-rd, G-d of the Hebrews, revealed Himself to us. Now we request that you allow us to take a three-day journey into the desert, to sacrifice to the L-rd our G-d’.” (Ex. 3:18)

The impression remains to the very end. After the Israelites have left, we read:

The king of Egypt received news that the people were escaping. Pharaoh and his officials changed their minds regarding the people, and said, “What have we done? How could we have released Israel from doing our work?” Ex. 14:5

At no stage does Moses say explicitly that he is proposing the people should be allowed to leave permanently, never to return. He

When your people are enslaved, you have to liberate them by whatever means are possible.

talks of a three-day journey.

There is an argument between him and Pharaoh as to who is to go. Only the adult males? Only the people, not the cattle? Moses consistently asks for permission to worship G-d, at some place that is not Egypt. But he does not speak about freedom or the Promised Land. Why not? Why does he create, and not correct, a false impression? Why can he not say openly what he means?

The commentators offer various explanations. Rabbi Shmuel David Luzzatto (Italy, 18001865) says that it was impossible for Moses to tell the truth to a tyrant like Pharaoh. Rabbi Yaakov Mecklenburg (Germany, 1785-1865, HaKtav veha-Kabbalah) says that technically Moses did not tell a lie. He did indeed mean that he wanted the people to be free to make a journey to worship G-d, and he never said explicitly that they would return.

The Abarbanel (Lisbon 1437 – Venice 1508) says that G-d told Moses deliberately to make a small request, to demonstrate Pharaoh’s cruelty and indifference to his slaves. All they were asking for was a brief respite from their labors to offer sacrifices to G-d.

If he refused this, he was indeed a tyrant. Rav Elhanan Samet (Iyyunim be-Parshot HaShevua, Exodus, 189) cites an unnamed commentator who says simply that this was war between Pharaoh and the Jewish people, and in war it is permitted, indeed sometimes necessary, to deceive.

Actually, however, the terms of the encounter between Moses and Pharaoh are part of a wider pattern that we have already observed in the Torah. When Jacob leaves Laban’s house, with all his family, we read: “Jacob decided to go behind the back of Laban the Aramean, and did not tell him that he was leaving” (Genesis 31:20). Laban protests this behavior:

How could you do this? You went behind my back and led my daughters away like prisoners of war! Why did you have to leave so secretly? You went behind my back and told me nothing! Gen. 31:26-27

Jacob again has to tell at best a half-truth when Esau suggests that they travel together after the brothers’ reunion: “You know that the children are weak, and I have responsibility for the nursing sheep and cattle. If they are driven hard for even one day, all the sheep will die. Please go ahead of me, my L-rd (Gen. 33:1314). This, though not strictly a lie, is a diplomatic excuse.

When Jacob’s sons are trying to rescue their sister Dina who has been raped and abducted by Shechem the Hivite, they “replied deceitfully” (Gen. 34:13) when Shechem and his father proposed that the entire family should come and settle with them, telling them that they could only do so if all the males of the town underwent circumcision.

Earlier still we find that three times Abraham and Isaac, forced to leave home because of famine, have to pretend that they are their wives’ brothers not their husbands because they fear

that otherwise they will be killed so that Sarah or Rebecca could be taken into the king’s harem (Gen. 12, Gen. 20, Gen. 26).

These six episodes cannot be entirely accidental or coincidental to the biblical narrative as a whole. The implication seems to be this: Outside the promised land Jews in the biblical age are in danger if they tell the truth. They are at constant risk of being killed or at best enslaved. Why? Because they are powerless in an age of power. They are a small family, at best a small nation, in an age of empires. They have to use their wits to survive. By and large they do not tell lies but they can create a false impression. This is not how things should be. But it is how they were before Jews had their own land, their one and only defensible space. It is how people in impossible situations are forced to be if they are to exist at all.

No one should be forced to live a lie. In Judaism, truth is the seal of G-d and the essential precondition of trust between human beings. But when your people is being enslaved, its male children murdered, you have to liberate them by whatever means are possible. Moses, who had already seen that his first encounter with Pharaoh made things worse for his people — they still had to make the same quota of bricks but now also had to gather their own

straw (Ex. 5:6-8) — did not want to risk making them worse still.

The Torah here is not justifying deceit. To the contrary, it is condemning a system in which telling the truth may put your life at risk, as it still does in many tyrannical or totalitarian societies today. Judaism — a religion of dissent, questioning, and “arguments for the sake of heaven” — is a faith that values intellectual honesty and moral truthfulness above all things. The Psalmist says: Who shall ascend the mountain of the L-rd and who shall stand in His holy place? One who has clean hands and a pure heart, who has not taken My name in vain nor sworn deceitfully. Psalms 24:3-4

Malachi says of one who speaks in G-d’s name: “The law of truth was in his mouth, and unrighteousness was not found in his lips” (Malachi 2:6). Every Amidah ends with the prayer, “My G-d, guard my tongue from evil and my lips from deceitful speech.”

What the Torah is telling us in these six narratives in Genesis and the seventh in Exodus is the connection between freedom and truth. Where there is freedom there can be truth. Otherwise there cannot. A society where people are forced to be less than fully honest merely to survive and not provoke further oppression is not the kind of society G-d wants us to make.

Ultimately, it is justice, not might, that rules

In January 1942, Reinhard Heydrich, at the behest of his boss, Heinrich Himmler, convened a conference in a villa in Wansee, a suburb of Berlin. Some of the top hierarchy of the Nazi party and the SS were invited, including Adolf Eichmann. They had finally concluded that there was nowhere to send all the Jews. When Hitler began his war of domination he initially had not intended to annihilate the Jews, he simply wanted them out of Europe. The Nazis may even have planned to fund their war machine by ransoming off their Jews.

In 1938, the Allies on the initiative of the

United States, convened a conference in Evian, France, to discuss the “world refugee problem” which everyone present understood as a euphemism for the Jews. The Nazis had taken over Austria and it was clear the Jews had to get out, but noone wanted them. Country after country expounded on why they could not take in any more refugees. Chaim Weizmann, one of the leaders of the Zionist movement, who would be the first president of the nascent State of Israel, understood this as early as 1936, saying:

Egypt’s own technological advances became the vehicle of its destruction.

“There are now two sorts of countries in the world: those that want to expel the Jews, and those that don’t want to admit them.”

Meanwhile, the Nazis were obsessed with creating a society where only the most productive would survive. Included in this monstrous philosophy was the idea that many were simply “unworthy of life.” This was a philosophy that did not appear from nowhere.

In the early 20th century, many European and North Americans subscribed to eugenics, which suggested that human progress depended on the genetic engineering of society whereby only “healthy” people would be allowed to reproduce. Hitler took this to its natural conclusions. One of the first laws the Nazis passed in 1933 made it legal for a doctor to sterilize a patient without consent. By 1939, over 300,000 people had been forcibly sterilized.

Then, during World War II, Hitler decided

that Germany would no longer care for “useless eaters,” such as the disabled. At that point, in 1939, the Nazis embarked on their first mass murder program, code-named action T-4 (after the address of its headquarters in Berlin, 4 Tiergarten). Medical personnel murdered their disabled patients using gas chambers built in asylums at Hartheim Castle and Sonnenstein. Ilse Geuze was an early victim; there is a haunting photo of her on display at the Museum of Jewish Heritage in Lower Manhattan.

In the 1930’s, Ilse left her parents’ farm in Austria to attend a school for children with disabilities. In December 1940, her parents received a letter from the director of Hartheim castle informing them that Ilse had been admitted to that institution but that visits and phone calls were no longer allowed. In January 1941, her parents received an Urn holding the ashes of 11 year old Ilse.

The truth is, there are no ‘innocents’ in

With all the discussion of a hostage “deal,” an overarching factor seems to be ignored: Israel is required to provide 600 aid trucks to enter Gaza over the next six weeks. Why? Because of all the “innocent” victims of this war who have been deprived of their freedom, livelihood, food and shelter.

Who are these “innocent” victims? Where are they? How many are there?

Let’s say there are some, but they are too in-

timidated and afraid to come forward. What is our responsibility? Do we have to act like Avraham Avinu did with S’dom and beseech Hashem to spare them if we can find 50, 40, 30 or even 10 innocents (Bereishit 18: 28-32)?

The question is as ludicrous as it is morally inverted.

Avraham was not threatened by S’dom. He was made aware of Hashem’s plans to destroy the city and pleaded on their behalf as a man of chesed . Had he been threatened, attacked or put in danger he would have had every right to defeat and destroy his enemy and certainly, not bargain with Hashem to spare them. The proof is seen in Avraham’s response to the hostage taking of his nephew Lot and his family (Bereishit 14:14). He went to war!

What, then, about the idea of collective punishment? Should these imaginary Gazan “innocents” be killed along with their guilty counterparts? Guidance around this false equivalency and moral inversion is easily available in our holy Torah. In this week’s parsha, Vaera, Hashem inflicts seven plagues on Egypt after Pharoah refuses to act when given repeated opportunities to release His people from bondage. These plagues spread devastatingly over all of Egypt — there was no inquiry of whether Egyptian “innocents” should be spared, no “humanitarian” aid was provided to those whose leaders ordered the death and persecution of multitudes of the Children of Israel.

Parshat Shoftim in sefer Devarim, chapter 20, is clear: “When you go to war“ and “come up to a city to do battle with it,” you are instruct-

Gaza

ed to ask your enemy to make peace — but if they refuse, you can make war and “besiege them.” Rashi there says you can “starve them, deprive them of water and kill them with mortal disease” (and that is allowed in a milchemet reshut, a discretionary war — so it would be moreso in a war of defense against an avowed enemy, a milchemet mitzvah).

All agree that in a milchemet mitzvah, a biblically mandated war such as a war of self-defense, no humanitarian measures are required. In fact, it is expressly forbidden!: “Lo tachos eincha aleihem, your eye shall not have pity upon them” (Devarim 7:16). Israel is engaged in battle with an enemy that has attacked it in the most barbaric ways imaginable, and has said that if they had the chance,

Danger of moving from success to self-worship

Rabbi DR. tzvi

In preparation for this week’s parsha column, I did a search for famous quotes about success.

I found hundreds of examples of high-sounding praises of success, ranging from Winston Churchill’s, “Success consists of going from failure to failure with no loss of enthusiasm,” to Benjamin Disraeli’s, “Success is the child of audacity.”

My own experience with successful individuals is based upon both my career as a psychologist and my years as a pulpit rabbi.

Long ago, I was part of a mental health clinic in suburban Washington. The clientele consisted mainly of “high profile” government officials whose identity I am forbidden to disclose to this very day. From those famous, colorful, and, yes, successful clients, I learned much about the downsides of success.

As a rabbi, I would often wish success, or hatzlacha, to individuals who sought my blessing in their professional careers or for personal projects. I cannot tell you how many of those individuals returned to me with the following complaint: “Rabbi, I credit you with the success I have achieved, but you failed to warn me of the challenges that inevitably accompany the achievement of success.”

In this week’s Torah portion, Vaera (Exodus 6:2-9:35), we encounter the Pharoah of ancient Egypt, a very successful and extremely powerful

One of the most difficult questions we face when looking at the narrative of the plagues in this week’s parsha, Vaera, in understanding verse 3 in chapter 7. In explaining how the plagues will go down, G-d says to Moshe, “I will make Pharaoh obstinate, and will thus have the opportunity to display many miraculous signs and wonders in Egypt.”

Why make Pharaoh obstinate? Why not let the man cave and let his slaves leave?

It should be noted that Pharaoh did not exactly need G-d’s help, as he is stubborn through the

first fives plagues without divine intervention. It should also be noted that there are two different terms which indicate Pharaoh’s inability to give in — one is kvd lev, a heaviness of the heart; the other is chzk lev, a strengthening of the heart. What do these terms mean, and what do they tell us about Pharaoh’s own transition from not giving in to finally letting his slaves leave? And what does this have to say about the seeming lack of free will (why would Pharaoh be deserving of the extra plagues if he is not being stubborn of his own accord, past plague 5)?

Ramban and others suggest that Pharaoh had it coming. Once he flippantly dismissed G-d and Gd’s role in the world, G-d helped make things worse for him, so He could punish Pharaoh accordingly.

Abravanel has great difficulty with this line of reasoning, because G-d does not desire the death of the wicked, but rather for him to turn from his

man. With his success came the cruel arrogance and unbending stubbornness which eventually led to his downfall.

The Midrash Rabbah (section 8, paragraph 3) informs us that so great was his success that he declared himself to be a G-d and indoctrinated his subordinates to worship him as a deity.

He went so far as to convince others that he was beyond human bodily needs and that the River Nile, the ultimate symbol of the Egyptian religion and culture, was his own creation.

The great Mussar Master, Rabbi Chaim Zeitchik, of blessed memory, waxes eloquent in his description of the moral and psychological flaws of those who are inebriated by their success in life. I should mention that Rabbi Zeitchik was a student of the Novardik Yeshiva in pre-Holo-

caust Eastern Europe, a disseminator of its teachings who spent the Holocaust years as a prisoner in Siberia and who left behind a treasure trove of brilliant moralistic essays. Many of those essays are included in a collection entitled Ohr Chadash. He reflects upon the above midrash as follows:

“The humans who made g-ds of themselves were drunk with success, crazed by their astounding achievements in life and by the extent of their capabilities. Their reign was so effective that they began to believe in their own powers and became certain that they were unique individuals, unlike all others. They experienced themselves as messengers from above, as possessors of hidden knowledge. They were convinced that they were granted divine authority and magical abilities to

evil ways to a path of righteousness. He focuses on the different forms of teshuvah a person can experience.

One who sins towards G-d can regret, cry, repent and return to G-d. But when one sins towards human beings, one must make peace with the people with whom there was a fallout. The Egyptians could cry to G-d all they wanted, but without payment for their misdeeds and crimes against the Israelites, teshuvah could never be complete. They were deserving of punishment in a way that could never be circumvented.

His second answer is that teshuvah, first and foremost requires a belief in G-d who grants the teshuvah. The Egyptians remained idolators. His third, and preferred answer, is that Pharaoh’s stubbornness was not as much brought on by G-d as through his own seeing that the plagues did not last very long, leading him to be-

lieve they were mere coincidences. What first truly got Pharaoh’s attention was when the fourth plague only affected Egyptians and not Israelites. At the same time, the break which existed between plagues was actually part of the divine plan. This pattern of “plague, cessation of plague, break,” Abravanel argues, is what caused Pharaoh’s heart to strengthen and harden. In other words, it is not that G-d changed Pharaoh’s ability to have free will. On the contrary, G-d played a game with Pharaoh, on account of Pharaoh’s past behaviors and trackrecord of stubbornness. Though I like this final interpretation very much, I also like the explanation shared by Rabbi David Forhman, that Pharaoh needed to be in a position in which he lets the people leave because it is the right thing to do, and not because he is under duress from the plague.

heRsh weinReb

Orthodox Union

Parsha of the week

Rabbi avi billet Jewish Star columnist

DR. alan

MazUReK

Great Neck and Baka

From heart of Jerusalem

Rabbi binnY

FReeDMan Jewish Star columnist

t heJewishStar.com

Honest Reporting • Torah-True • Kosher and Fat-Free

Published weekly except during certain religious and civil holidays by The Jewish Star LLC New York City office: 5676 Riverdale Ave Suite 311, Bronx NY 10471 • LI office: 2 Endo Blvd, Garden City NY 11530 here’s how to reach t he Jewish Star — Write: Editor@t heJewishStar.com. Call: 516-622-7461 ext 291

Editor & Publisher: Ed Weintrob

516-622-7461 ext 291

Jewish Star associate: Nechama Bluth

516-622-7461 ext 241

Content: The Publisher endeavors to ensure that our content is within the bounds of normative halachah and hashkafah. Anyone who feels anything we publish may be inappropriate in this regard is urged to bring the item in question to the attention of the Publisher.

advertising is accepted at the sole discretion of the Publisher and should conform to standards appropriate for distribution in an Orthodox community.

Send us your news! Editor@TheJewishStar.com

advertising: Publisher@TheJewishStar.com

Kashrut: The Jewish Star is not responsible for the kashrut of any product or establishment featured in its pages. If you have questions regarding any establishment or product, including its supervision, please consult your rabbi for guidance.

Submissions: All submissions become the property of The Jewish Star and may be edited and used by the Publisher, its licensees and affiliates, in print, on the web and/or in any media that now exists or will exist in the future in any form, including derivative works, throughout the world in perpetuity,

without additional authorization or compensation. The individual or entity submitting material affirms that it holds the copyright or otherwise has the right to authorize its use in accordance with The Jewish Star’s terms for submissions.

opinions: Views expressed by columnists and other writers do not necessarily reflect the position of the Publisher or of The Jewish Star LLC.

Distribution: The Jewish Star is available free in kosher food establishments, stores, synagogues, and curb-side newsboxes on Long Island, in New York City and elsewhere. To request free delivery to your location, write Publisher@TheJewishStar.com.

Copyright: All content is copyright and may not be republished or otherwise reproduced without written permission by The Jewish Star LLC; to do so without permission is against the law and halacha. For content reproduction write to Publisher@ TheJewishStar.com.

The Jewish Star subscribes to the JNS news service. It, or its contributors, own the copyrights on material attributed to them. The length and content of JNS material and all other submitted material may be edited by The Jewish Star. This newspaper contains words of Torah. While it is not considered shaimos, please dispose of it properly.

Friends, foes should lower their expectations

The point about democracy is that sometimes the candidate and the party you backed are going to win, and sometimes they’re going to lose. And the beginning of wisdom about democracy is that victory for your choice will not mean the start of a golden age and defeat won’t be the end of the world.

That’s something that a lot of Americans — and Israelis — have forgotten about in recent years. So great has been the hatred for both President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on the part of their political opponents that many of them have resorted to the sort of existential arguments that are incompatible with a functioning democracy.

In Trump’s case, his first term was not so much opposed as it was “resisted” by Democrats, who never reconciled themselves with the results of the 2016 election. That was manifested by mass demonstrations protesting his taking office in January 2017. That bad behavior was matched by the bad grace with which Trump and many of his supporters refused to accept the results in 2020 — something that culminated in the Capitol riot on Jan. 6, 2021.

But as Trump is sworn in for his second nonconsecutive term, all that seems to be behind us. There is no sign of a “resistance” movement to Trump 2.0, and some of the Silicon Valley oligarchs who helped promote the Russia hoax and did their best to ensure Trump’s defeat in 2020 by fair or foul means have made their peace with him.

Regardless of who you supported last November, the appropriate stance for everyone at the start of an administration is to be willing to support the new president whenever possible and to oppose them when necessary.

That is a principle that seems to have been forgotten by a lot of people. The hype about what a second Trump presidency will mean has been so great that expectations on both sides of the political aisle are, to put it mildly, excessive.

•Trump’s opponents have been foolishly predicting the start of an era of fascism.

•His supporters have been acting like his victory is the beginning of the messianic era.

Both sides need to be ready to acknowledge that in the coming four years, there may well be plenty to support and oppose.

That is not to say that the stakes in 2024 weren’t high. As former President Barack Obama used to say when he was in power, “elections have consequences.” The list of executive orders that Trump is signing on his first day back in the White House makes that clear.

Trump will reverse the orders signed by his predecessor that imposed the woke catechism of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) throughout the federal government. Though Biden never seemed able to understand the implications of his administration’s embrace of radical leftist theories of government, the imposition of “antiracist” measures enabled racial discrimination.

The legitimization of leftist ideas that sought to reimagine and tear down American history and the foundation of Western civilization is a far more deadly threat to freedom than anything Trump might ever say or do.

It’s equally true that intersectional beliefs and the acceptance of critical race theory teachings also played a role in the surge of antisemitism that swept across the United States in the wake of the Hamas-led terrorist attacks in southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023.

What happened in the last election was in no small measure the result of a critical mass of citizens rejecting the troubling trends in society and government pushed by the left that Biden had facilitated. As is so often the case in the history of American politics, when one party goes too far, it is made to pay for it at the ballot box, and the other side is given a turn in power.

Trump’s rise, fall and his subsequent impressive comeback is a function of how the people felt not just about him but about his opponents and their growing contempt for working-class voters and traditional American values. A successful Trump presidency could realign American politics for the foreseeable future in a way that we haven’t seen for a century, which was the last time a plurality of voters identified as Republicans.

If, on the other hand, his efforts also go too far or displease most people, they will make that clear at the next election and perhaps return the Democrats to power. And that is how the Ameri-

Faith in democracy means for Trump supporters to be willing to acknowledge the possibility that he might be wrong at times and for his detractors to do the same about him being right.

can constitutional republic is supposed to work. Trump is likely to do much to please those who voted for him and dismay those who didn’t. But if history is any guide, there will still be moments when that will be reversed.

Many supporters of Israel, who rightly lauded Trump as the most pro-Israel president America has ever had, were reminded of this even before he took office. Trump’s pressure on the Israeli government to enable a ceasefire/ hostage release deal that will likely strengthen and enable Hamas to return to power in Gaza disappointed some of those who spent the last four years hoping for his return to the White House.

Though he’s likely to please pro-Israel voters more than anger them, this probably won’t be the last time he will do that. As much as he is far more sympathetic to Israel than a Democratic Party now split between those who hate the Jewish state and those who still support it, his priorities aren’t always going to be perfectly aligned with those that will protect Israel’s security.

Similarly, Democratic voters should put aside the demonization of Trump that has become integral to their party’s rhetoric. They need to be ready to accept that some of his policies on issues like trade and immigration will help struggling Americans — something that a party that used to claim to be their protectors should favor.

In particular, Jewish Democrats should be willing to acknowledge that Trump and the GOP may be far more interested in defending them and their children against the rising tide of global antisemitism than a Democratic Party that

sought to appease its intersectional left-wing. If he disappoints on this issue, Jewish Republicans will have to reassess their support.

Of course, the radical bifurcation of American democracy — aided by the way that politics now plays the role that religion used to play in many people’s lives — isn’t going away so quickly. The debate about Trump’s actions will almost always be split along party and ideological lines.

The point about a new presidency is that we should be willing to try to judge actions on their virtues and not merely engage in kneejerk support or opposition.

Trump 2.0 might turn out to be all his fans desire and a nightmare for those on the other side. But faith in democracy means for his supporters to be willing to acknowledge the possibility that he might be wrong at times and for his detractors to do the same about him being right. In these hyper-partisan times, few may be willing to leave their political silos and say as much. But win or lose, Americans will have a chance to render their verdict on his administration at the ballot box in two years and then choose a successor two years after that.

We should all wish Trump success but also lower our expectations, both good and bad, about what will unfold during the next four years. Turning down the temperature on our rhetoric about him and what he does will go a long way toward making America a better and saner country.

To reach Jonathan S. Tobin, write: Columnist@ TheJewishStar.com

Jonathan S. tobin

JnS Editor-in-Chief

Donald Trump takes the oath of office with Melania Trump at his side, in the Rotunda of the US Capitol on Monday. Morry Gash, Pool, AFP via JNS

Prisoner releases are terror victim’s nightmare

Iknew this day would come. Ever since Israel began to release prisoners as a “goodwill” measure and for hostages, I knew that the time would come when terrorists with “blood on their hands” would be released.

As if the result of freeing terror prisoners in 2011 in exchange for the release of Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit, who had been held by Hamas for five years, wasn’t enough of a warning, the next round of releases will be just as troublesome for Israelis.

Following the murder of my daughter Alisa in a 1995 terror attack in Kfar Darom, Israel was able to capture, convict and sentence to life in prison some of the terrorists involved in her death. While they sit today in a maximum-security prison under life sentences, I am sure they are smiling more than usual because of the potential of their being included in the list of those soonto-be released prisoners.

Sure, the Israeli hostage families are delighted over the prospect of being united with their loved ones who have been held captive for more than a year in indescribable conditions below ground in Gaza. I’m delighted, too, that families will be reunited, but my joy is tempered by knowing that these terrorists are being turned loose to commit terror again.

This is not my first experience coping with Israel’s determination to release prisoners.

Twice before in the last 25 years when prisoner releases were being carried out, I eagerly sought the list of prisoners being released. And when I did get it, I carefully combed the list of Arabic names transliterated into Hebrew looking for the names Nidal Moustafa Bouri, Ahmed Douad Abu Dachi, Maram Ibrahim Salameh and

Al-Halim Saheb Omar Balbasi, each serving life sentences for the Kfar Darom bombing. Unlike the United States, Israel does not have a death penalty for terrorists.

There are good reasons to not release convicted terrorists. While such decisions are often driven by diplomatic, security or humanitarian considerations, they carry significant risks and negative implications. The current deal to release prisoners is harmful to Israel, and, in the long run, Western society for several reasons.

The release of prisoners diminishes Israel’s deterrence against terrorism. If it is Israel’s policy of harsh consequences for those who commit acts of terror to deter potential attackers, releasing such prisoners undermines this goal, signaling to its enemies that even those responsible for the deaths of innocent citizens may eventually be

freed. The perception of accountability is weakened.

The release of terrorists emboldens groups such as Hamas and Palestine Islamic Jihad to commit terror attacks, believing that the price for their actions may not be permanent incarceration. When prisoners with blood on their hands are released, it is celebrated as a victory by terrorist organizations. They portray such releases as evidence of their strength and ability to pressure Israel. Public celebrations, parades and glorification of released prisoners not only boost the morale of these organizations but also strengthen their standing among supporters. This can lead to increased recruitment, fundraising and operational activity, thereby escalating threats to Israeli security.

Releasing prisoners, particularly those con-

victed of murder, can erode public trust in the government and judicial system as it is viewed as undermining the rule of law. Many Israelis feel that such decisions betray the memory of victims and the principles of justice. Victims and the families of victims often bear lifelong scars — both physical and emotional.

The outrage and anguish are palpable. We feel that they and their loved ones’ suffering has been tossed aside for political expediency.

Perhaps the most dangerous consequence of releasing prisoners with blood on their hands is the potential to incentivize kidnappings and hostage-taking. Terrorist organizations have historically used Israeli captives as leverage to negotiate the release of prisoners.

For example, the 2011 exchange of more than 1,000 prisoners, including many with blood on their hands, for Shalit set a precedent that such tactics can yield significant results.

Case in point: Yahya Sinwar, the orchestrator of the Oct. 7 attacks and their aftermath, was serving multiple life sentences for orchestrating the murders of both Israelis and Palestinians accused of collaborating with Israel. Released in the Shalit prisoner exchange, he ascended to a leadership position within Hamas, becoming its de facto leader in Gaza until he was killed by the Israel Defense Forces last year.

As David M. Weinberg, senior fellow and director of the Jerusalem-based Misgav Institute for National Security and Zionist Strategy, wrote last year, “The danger of mass-releasing Palestinian terrorists is clear. A deal that frees vicious murderers of Israeli Jews … in exchange for Israel’s innocent suffering hostages endangers even more Israeli lives down the road — and that road is not notably long.”

Stephen M. Flatow is president of the Religious Zionists of America and father of Alisa Flatow, who was murdered in an Iranian-sponsored Palestinian terrorist attack in 1995. To reach him, write: Columnist@TheJewishStar.com

Fragile smiles: Ceasefire and the shadow of war

In the realm of cinema, where the boundaries between good and evil are sharply drawn and the villains are unmistakably monstrous, one might imagine a collision as stark and tragic as the one currently unfolding in the Middle East.

The reality, however, is far from fiction.

The contrast between two societies — one fighting to protect its citizens and the other entrenched in a culture of violence — is painfully evident. The fragile ceasefire brokered to exchange hostages and prisoners has exposed not just a sliver of hope, but also the enduring abyss of hatred that fuels Hamas.

The scenes of joy accompanying the release of Israeli hostages like Romi, Emily and Doron — imprisoned for over a year in the brutal confines of Hamas’ regime — were a bittersweet reminder of human resilience. These young women, held captive in a society that thrives on terror, were finally returned to their families. Yet, their liberation only underscores the broader tragedy. More than 90 other hostages remain in captivity, their fate uncertain as negotiations continue.

In southern Israel, the rescue helicopters landed on the same grounds where Hamas committed atrocities during the Nova music festival massacre. The joy of the moment could not mask

Pressure to liberate Gaza from the Hamas grip remains elusive.

the persistent tension. Israeli soldiers, medical teams and journalists bore witness to the sobering reality: the war is far from over and the ceasefire remains tenuous. Political fractures within Israel, including the resignation of figures like Itamar Ben Gvir, reveal a nation grappling with its democratic values while prioritizing the immediate goal of saving lives.

Meanwhile, in Gaza, the atmosphere is chillingly different. The “liberation” of prisoners by Hamas is accompanied by triumphant rallies, orchestrated with the precision of a military parade. Thousands of men, armed and jubilant, crowd the streets, chanting slogans of defiance and displaying the ethos of an organization committed to perpetuating violence. The release of Palestinian prisoners — some of them hardened militants — signals Hamas’ intent to regroup and continue its so-called holy war against Israel.

Hamas’ celebrations are not a prelude to peace, but a calculated effort to rearm and reorganize. Despite agreements aimed at demilitarizing Gaza, evidence suggests that humanitarian aid, including truckloads of food and supplies, is being diverted to bolster Hamas’ infrastructure. The militant group has reinstated its control, complete with armed guards, green headbands and military-style parades.

The ongoing release of prisoners — 700 in the first phase, potentially rising to 1,700 — raises grave concerns. Many of these individuals have been convicted of terrorism and their return to Gaza risks further inflaming the region. Among them are young men likely to embrace the path of martyrdom, perpetuating the cycle of violence that has plagued the area for decades.

The ethos of Hamas, marked by hatred, violence, and the subjugation of dissent, continues to dominate Gaza. Reports of ideological purges and the brutal silencing of opposition underscore the regime’s stranglehold on the territory. A lone woman protesting against the celebratory dis-

tribution of sweets is a stark reminder of the oppressive environment that stifles even the smallest acts of defiance.

Israel has vowed to dismantle Hamas’ rule in Gaza, but the path forward is fraught with uncertainty. While the international community has called for peace, meaningful pressure to liberate Gaza from the Hamas grip remains elusive. Without global intervention, the people of Gaza risk being perpetually trapped under the shadow of an organization that thrives on war and oppression.

As Israel navigates the challenges ahead, the smiles of its rescued daughters serve as a poi-

gnant reminder of what is at stake. These moments of joy, though fleeting, embody the resilience of a nation determined to protect its people and uphold its values. Yet, the broader question remains: Can the world muster the resolve to address the root causes of this conflict and bring lasting peace to a region that has seen too much suffering? For now, Israel braces for an uncertain future, holding tightly to the hope embodied in the faces of those it has saved.

Fiamma Nirenstein is an Italian-Israeli author, journalist and senior research fellow at the Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs. To reach her, write: Columnist@TheJewishStar.com

Released hostage Emily Damari arrives at Sheba Medical Center at Tel Hashomer in Ramat Gan on Jan. 19. Yonatan Sindel, Flash90

stephen M. Flatow

FiaMMa nirenstein

Demonstrators protest against the current hostage deal, at the entrance to Jerusalem on Jan. 16. Chaim Goldberg, Flash90

Public Notices

LEGAL NOTICE

PUBLIC NOTICE OF

NASSAU COUNTY TREASURER’S

SALE OF TAX LIENS ON REAL ESTATE

Notice is hereby given that commencing on February 18th, 2025, will sell at public on-line auction the tax liens on certain real estate, unless the owner, mortgagee, occupant of or any other party in interest in such real estate shall have paid to the County Treasurer by February 13th, 2025 the total amount of such unpaid taxes or assessments with the interest, penalties and other expenses and charges against the property.

Such tax liens will be sold at the lowest rate of interest, not exceeding 10 percent per six-month period, for which any person or persons shall offer to take the total amount of such unpaid taxes as defined in Section 5-37.0 of the Nassau County Administrative Code. Effective with the February 2019 lien sale Ordinance No. 175-2015 requires a $175.00 per day registration fee for each person who intends to bid at the tax lien sale. Ordinance No. 175-2015 also requires that upon the issuance of the Lien Certificate there is due from the lien buyer a Tax Certificate Issue Fee of $20.00 per lien purchased. Pursuant to the provisions of the Nassau County Administrative Code at the discretion of the Nassau County Treasurer the auction will be conducted online. Further information concerning the procedures for the auction is available at the website of the Nassau County Treasurer at: https://www.nassaucount yny.gov/526/CountyTreasurer

Should the Treasurer determine that an inperson auction shall be held, same will commence on the 18th day of February 2025 at the Office of The County Treasurer 1 West Street, Mineola or at some other location to be determined by the Treasurer.

A list of all real estate in Nassau County on which tax liens are to be sold is available at the website of the Nassau County Treasurer at: https://www.nassaucount yny.gov/527/Annual-TaxLien-Sale

A list of local properties upon which tax liens are

to be sold will be advertised in this publication on or before February 06th, 2025. Nassau County does not discriminate on the basis of disability in admission to or access to, or treatment or employment in, its services, programs, or activities. Upon request, accommodations such as those required by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) will be provided to enable individuals with disabilities to participate in all services, programs, activities and public hearings and events conducted by the Treasurer’s Office. Upon request, information can be made available in Braille, large print, audiotape or other alternative formats. For additional information, please call (516) 571-2090 ext. 1-3715.

Dated: January 23, 2025

THE NASSAU COUNTY TREASURER Mineola, NewYork

TERMS OF SALE

Such tax liens shall be sold subject to any and all superior tax liens of sovereignties and other municipalities and to all claims of record which the County may have thereon and subject to the provisions of the Federal and State Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Civil Relief Acts.

However, such tax liens shall have priority over the County’s Differential Interest Lien, representing the excess, if any, of the interest and penalty borne at the maximum rate over the interest and penalty borne at the rate at which the lien is purchased.

The Purchaser acknowledges that the tax lien(s) sold pursuant to these Terms of Sale may be subject to pending bankruptcy proceedings and/or may become subject to such proceedings which may be commenced during the period in which a tax lien is held by a successful bidder or the assignee of same, which may modify a Purchaser’s rights with respect to the lien(s) and the property securing same. Such bankruptcy proceedings shall not affect the validity of the tax lien. In addition to being subject to pending bankruptcy proceedings and/or the Federal and State Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Civil Relief Acts, said purchaser’s right of foreclosure may be affected by the Financial

Institutions Reform, Recovery and Enforcement Act(FIRREA),12 U.S.C. ss 1811 et.seq., with regard to real property under Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation(FDIC) receivership.

The County Treasurer reserves the right, without further notice and at any time, to withdraw from sale any of the parcels of land or premises herein listed.

The Nassau County Treasurer reserves the right to intervene in any bankruptcy case/litigation where the property affected by the tax liens sold by the Treasurer is part of the bankruptcy estate. However, it is the sole responsibility of all tax lien purchasers to protect their legal interests in any bankruptcy case affecting their purchased tax lien, including but not limited to the filing of a proof of claim on their behalf, covering their investment in said tax lien. The Nassau County Treasurer and Nassau County and its agencies, assumes no responsibility for any legal representation of any tax lien purchaser in any legal proceeding including but not limited to a bankruptcy case where the purchased tax lien is at risk. The rate of interest and penalty at which any person purchases the tax lien shall be established by his bid. Each purchaser, immediately after the sale thereof, shall pay to the County Treasurer ten per cent of the amount for which the tax liens have been sold and the remaining ninety per cent within thirty days after such sale. If the purchaser at the tax sale shall fail to pay the remaining ninety per cent within ten days after he has been notified by the County Treasurer that the certificates of sale are ready for delivery, then all amounts deposited with the County Treasurer including but not limited to the ten per cent theretofore paid by him shall, without further notice or demand, be irrevocably forfeited by the purchaser and shall be retained by the County Treasurer as liquidated damages and the agreement to purchase shall be of no further effect. Time is of the essence in this sale. This sale is held pursuant to the Nassau County Administrative Code and interested parties are

referred to such Code for additional information as to terms of the sale, rights of purchasers, maximum rates of interest and other legal incidents of the sale. Furthermore, as to the bidding,

1. The bidder(s) agree that they will not work with any other bidder(s) to increase, maintain or stabilize interest rates or collaborate with any other bidder(s) to gain an unfair competitive advantage in the random number generator in the event of a tie bid(s) on a tax certificate. Bidder(s) further agree not to employ any bidding strategy designed to create an unfair competitive advantage in the tiebreaking process in the upcoming tax sale nor work with any other bidder(s) to engage in any bidding strategy that will result in a rotational award of tax certificates.

2. The tax certificate(s) the Bidder will bid upon, and the interest rate(s) bid, will be arrived at independently and without direct or indirect consultation, communication or agreement with any other bidder and that the tax certificate(s) the Bidder will bid upon, and the interest rate(s) to be bid, have not been disclosed, directly or indirectly, to any other bidder, and will not be disclosed, directly or indirectly, to any other bidder prior to the close of bidding. No attempt has been made or will be made to, directly or indirectly, induce any other bidder to refrain from bidding on any tax certificate, to submit complementary bids, or to submit bids at specific interest rates.

3. The bids to be placed by the Bidder will be made in good faith and not pursuant to any direct or indirect, agreement or discussion with, or inducement from, any other bidder to submit a complementary or other noncompetitive bid.

4. If it is determined that the bidder(s) have violated any of these bid requirements then their bid shall be voided and if they were the successful bidder the lien and any deposits made in connection with said bid shall be forfeited.

Dated: January 23, 2025 THE NASSAU COUNTY TREASURER Mineola, New York 151098

Bibi in bind: He is not Churchill reincarnate

THANE ROSENBAUM Distinguished University Professor Touro College

President-elect Donald Trump warned Hamas that unless the hostages were returned by Inauguration Day, “All hell will break loose.”

Clearly, without Trump’s return to the Oval Office, no hostages would have been released on Sunday — or possibly ever.

Israel didn’t need 15 months to end this war. It could have been over soon after it began — and with more hostages still alive. All that Israel required was to have its American ally bolt the door on the gathering mob of hectoring antisemites and get out of the way.

We are, however, where we are. But make no mistake: This negotiated ceasefire will not end well unless Trump and his revamped foreign policy team ensure that all remaining hostages are released, the remains of dead hostages are returned and all members of Hamas, Islamic Jihad and Palestinian “civilians” who participated in the Oct. 7 massacre pay the ultimate price for their crimes.

Because the resolution to the conflict, as it now stands, positively stinks.

In the Middle East version of “Let’s Make a Deal,” I would have preferred skipping over this gambit and going straight to Door Number 2: The “all hell will break loose” option. I am curious to know what hell would look like for the millions of Palestinians still cheering for Hamas and celebrating the Oct. 7 bloodbath.

Almost instantly after the ceasefire was announced, Gazans took to the streets to bizarrely exult in some psychotic victory. If Gazans are celebrating the death of 44,000 of their own people and the ruination of the entire Strip, then this war is far from over.

Cheering in the streets is a telltale sign that Gazans have not quite had enough, and that Hamas’s promise of several more reenactments of Oct. 7 is something they are all actually counting on.

The world needs to understand what Israelis have long known: Palestinians are notably unlike the Confederate states at Appomattox, the British at Yorktown and Napoleon at Waterloo. They don’t seem to know when they have been defeated. Even complete decimation, in their minds, is construed as a win. Reality never sinks in. Such is the depth of their Jew-hating delusions.

This realization cannot be underestimated.

All of Trump’s primary Cabinet secretaries testified this past week that there can be no Hamas in a reconstituted Gaza. But pursuant to the deal, Israel is scheduled to release 730 Palestinian prisoners, many of whom have either murdered Israelis or built weapons used for that purpose.

Once returned to Gaza, the West Bank or elsewhere, expect none of them to have found religion — other than the one they were already devout adherents of, the very same one that requires dead Jews as an article of faith. No matter what this negotiated ceasefire expressly states, these newly freed Palestinians will most certainly return to the only actual “occupation” that applies to them: terrorism.

And what does Israel receive in return? Three hostages at the outset, followed by 30 of the 90 believed to still be alive.

Remember, the hostages were innocent civilians — elderly and children — who had been kidnapped and held for ransom and as bargaining chips for extortion. If the unbalanced moral ratio to this exchange sounds absurd, well … it is.

The resolution to the conflict, as it now stands, positively stinks.

Israelis know this to be dangerously true. But a sizable majority are prepared to accept even a bad deal if it means the eventual return of hostages. Will they all make it back? Are 90 still alive?

All throughout these negotiations, Hamas sought better terms on Palestinian prisoners because it knew what many terrorist aficionados had already suspected: far too many of the cards Hamas is holding are dead. That’s not a good look when you’re trying to focus the world’s attention on dead Gazans killed by genocidal Israelis. This legerdemain worked because it was only Israel that was expected to uphold humanitarian standards. The barbarism of Hamas was given a pass.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has largely supported this defective deal. He had little choice. He had to trust Trump and not undermine the new president’s Day 1 demand. But didn’t Trump mean all the hostages? Why are we still negotiating with terrorists? Why are we not unloading the Trumpian hellscape on Gaza?

In order to finalize this deal, Netanyahu had to convince his War Cabinet and governing coalition of its merits. He knew that ultranationalists like Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir would refuse to release any prisoners and thus add to the population of terrorists. Everyone also knew that, as it has always done in the past, Hamas would renege on its commitments. By then, Israel’s wartime pause would have normalized. A decision will then have to be made whether to reset the clock and resume the war or accept the status quo. Once soldiers return home, a nation naturally loses its will to send them back into battle. Hopefully Israel will at least retain a military presence in the Philadelphi Corridor where Gaza and Egypt share a border. That’s where Hamas doubtlessly smuggled in its arsenal that set this war in motion and allowed it to continue.

Bibi is in a bind. Israel needs to see the return of the hostages, especially the elderly and children. But he also wants to retain his new title as Winston Churchill reincarnate — a far more heroic legacy than being remembered for the national security debacle that was Oct. 7. He was on the precipice of vanquishing Hamas and Islamic Jihad once and for all.

Obviously, Bibi is betting Trump will not interfere if after the 42-day ceasefire all hostages are not returned, too many are no longer alive, rockets are still being fired and Hamas appears to be reconstituting with new recruits and old aspirations.

That’s not something Israel can accept, and the world needs to be prepared that this ceasefire could reignite.

Thane Rosenbaum is a novelist, essayist, law professor and Distinguished University Professor at Touro University, where he directs the Forum on Life, Culture & Society. To reach him, write: Columnist@TheJewishStar.com

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks with Donald Trump on Jan. 15. Amos Ben-Gershom, GPO

Pope pillories Israel, providing moral free pass

PRabbi abRaham CoopeR and Rabbi YitzChok adLeRstein

ope Francis’s abandonment of the Jews could not have come at a worse time, amid skyrocketing antisemitic hate crimes, the targeting of synagogues on four continents, the demonization of Israel by the large swaths of the international community and elite universities, and the normalization of Jew-hatred in leading democracies — all against the backdrop of Israel’s seven-front existential war, the hate fed by 24/7 attacks on social media.

This was a moment that cried out for moral clarity from Pope Francis to explicitly denounce Hamas’s genocidal terrorism and the murderous Iranian regime. Instead, the pope in words and actions has demonized Israelis and provided succor to the enemies of peace.

It is not a turn that we saw coming.

Pope Francis regularly denounced antisemitism at multiple audiences with the Simon Wiesenthal Center and other Jewish NGOs. He has Jewish friends in Argentina. His visit to Israel in 2014 included the Western Wall and Yad Vashem Holocaust Museum in Jerusalem.

But since the Hamas-led terrorist attacks in southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, Jewish concerns about the pope began as unease, grew to frustration and evolved into a feeling of betrayal.

The day after Oct. 7, he declared that “terrorism and war do not lead to any resolutions,” as if Hamas’s terrorism and the IDF’s anticipated response could be equated. This, before Israel had even entered Gaza to find a completely weaponized Gaza, above and below ground. The civilian infrastructure was included in the massive terrorist enclave.

By Oct. 29, Francis called for a ceasefire, say-

ing: “Stop, brothers and sisters: war is always a defeat — always, always!” In effect, he was calling for Israel to leave Hamas in power in Gaza, from where, as they explicitly bragged, given the chance they would prepare for the next massacre.

From the beginning of the war, the pope never mentioned Hamas by name a single time (except for once in November 2024 in a report that the Vatican has not confirmed). While always urging Israel to stop, he never once called on Hamas to surrender, which would have ended the war, freed innocent hostages and allowed the people of Gaza to begin reconstruction.

It got worse. On Oct. 25, 2024, Pope Francis denounced Israel’s long-delayed campaign to dislodge Hezbollah from their illegal (see UN resolution 1701) positions in Southern Lebanon, from where it decimated Israel’s northern communities for a year, killing, maiming and exiling 60,000-plus civilians.

His words didn’t address the plight of Israelis. But Pope Francis did say: “May the international community make every effort to stop this terrible escalation. It is unacceptable. I express my solidarity with the Lebanese people.”

Apparently, not the Jewish people.

On Sept. 29, 2024, he labeled Israel’s conduct of the war in Gaza illegal and immoral, hinting that the cause of it was that Jews believed in their superiority: “When there is something disproportionate, it is evident that there is a domineering tendency that goes beyond morality. A country that does these things with its forces — I am talking about any country — in such a ‘superlative’ way commits immoral actions.”

Even as Jews were targeted again and again

by raging antisemitism, the Pope dumped more fuel on those out-of-control fires.

On Oct. 6, 2024, the eve of the first anniversary of the Hamas orgy of mass murder, rape and hostage-taking, Pope Francis talked about a “spiral of revenge,” as if Israel pursued its battle not to protect its citizens from the carnage, but because it sought revenge, which it found in large numbers of Palestinian deaths. It is Jews acting on the biblical eye for an eye but demanding 10 for one instead.

A day later, he addressed his Oct. 7 letter not to Israelis but to Christians, urging them to pray more for peace: “Prayer and fasting are the weapons of love that change history, the weapons that defeat our one true enemy: the spirit of evil that foments war, because it is ‘murderous from the beginning,’ ‘a liar and the father of lies’.” (John 8:44).

That verse has a centuries-long history of depicting Jews as the spawn of Satan himself. Its choice would have been devastating to JewishCatholic relations in the best of times. During a time of global Jew-hatred, it was incendiary.

By Nov. 17 of last year, the pope had publicly blessed the campaign to libel Israel’s defensive war as “genocide.”

He said, “according to some experts, what is happening in Gaza has the characteristics of a genocide. It should be carefully investigated to determine whether it fits into the technical definition formulated by jurists and international bodies.”

Even if his words included “needs investigation,” the damage was done. Abetting the global campaign to demonize the Jewish state, the pontiff endangered the lives of Jews but got Palestinian residents of Gaza no closer to “the day after.”

Then on Dec. 7, Francis received a Nativity scene that placed the baby Jesus in a keffiyeh. While it was later removed, the pope gave life to the Palestinian rewrite of history in which the Holy Family was Palestinian, not Jewish (even though Palestinians did not exist then), while the Romans are replaced by Jews.

On the 21st of that month, he responded to the deaths of children in a targeted attack on Hamas operatives. “This is cruelty. This is not war.” He doubled down on this the next day with horrific, unfounded attacks on Israel. “I think of Gaza, of so much cruelty; of the children machine-gunned, the bombing of schools and hospitals. … So much cruelty!”

The machine-gunning, of course, was imaginary; the schools and hospitals had been commandeered by Hamas terrorists, who were targeted by the IDF to minimize, not maximize, civilian casualties.

The pope is no antisemite. However, his illconceived, one-sided statements on Gaza and Lebanon have profoundly hurt the Jewish people. Jews wonder whether they somehow now, in their time of greatest peril, mean less to the pope than the lives of others.

“War is always a defeat,” declares Francis, but what alternative does he offer to people under

Rabbis on page 22

On Israel, media sacrifices truth to woke ideology

Shoddy news coverage of Israel by mainstream media over the past month indicates they’ve learned nothing from their plummeting trust ratings. Rather, the media shamelessly continues to promote an anti-Israel agenda at the expense of truth.

Recent calumnies slandering Israel confirm a triumph of political bias over facts by legacy news outlets like NPR, NBC and CNN.

We shouldn’t be surprised, given statements justifying the media’s betrayal of truth from executives like former Wikipedia CEO Catherine Maher, now the CEO of NPR, who says, “our reverence for the truth might be a distraction” and that there can be many “different truths.”

Unfortunately, the nonfactual “truth” peddled by mainstream media promotes the false narrative that Israel is unjustly attacking poor, suffering Palestinians, mostly women and children, who’ve done nothing to provoke or deserve this injustice. Instigation of the war in Gaza by Hamas, and Hamas’ subsequent war crimes, are ignored.

Those who wonder why major media consistently distort the truth need only reference neoMarxist (woke) ideology that dominates college campuses and newsrooms.

Woke ideology holds that Israel and her Western allies are white colonial oppressors, and their enemies are oppressed people of color. Why don’t these media outlets ever disclose that the majority of Israel’s population are people of color? Because it doesn’t fit their narrative.

Rather than holding objective truth sacred, legacy media pursue a mission to achieve justice according to their ideological version of “truth.”

In just the last month or so, mainstream media committed any number of journalistic sins in the service of this nonobjective truth and its base ideology, including outright lies, half-truths, critical facts buried deep in articles, and many failures to report realities that contradict their goal of defaming Israel.

Here are seven of the most egregious attacks on Israel in recent weeks, whose underlying purpose was to promote the victory of Islamist terrorists over the Middle East’s only democracy.

Israel “burns” Gaza’s Kamal Adwan Hospital. On Dec. 27, NBC issued the headline, “Israel burns northern Gaza’s last functioning hospital; patients and staff removed,” citing the Gaza Health Ministry. The media invariably cite this health ministry on factual matters, shamelessly validating a propaganda agency that is fully controlled by Hamas terrorists and notoriously dis-

honest.

In fact, the Israel Defense Forces didn’t burn the hospital. A small fire, not caused by the IDF, broke out in an empty building inside the hospital. Most importantly, the hospital served as a Hamas military base, and its director turned out to be a Hamas colonel, something not mentioned in most news reports.

Israel commits a “land grab” in Syria. After the fall of Bashar Assad in Syria, the IDF moved into the buffer zone separating Israel and Syria as set up following the 1973 Yom Kippur War — a temporary measure carried out due to the danger posed by Syria’s new Islamist rulers.

Yet the media portrayed Israel’s actions as a blatant land grab. CNN, for example, published the headline, “Watching with trepidation and glee, Netanyahu orders military to seize Syria buffer zone.” Netanyahu’s state of mind was a complete fabrication.

Amnesty International’s bogus “genocide report.” On Dec. 5, Amnesty released a report accusing Israel of genocide, inventing a new, only-for-Israel definition. Media such as NBC parroted this libel with headlines like, “Amnesty International accuses Israel of committing genocide against Palestinians.”

False Gaza casualty numbers. Major media constantly cite casualty figures from “local health officials” (who work for Hamas) under headlines like this one from PBS, “Palestinian officials say 44,000 have died in Gaza during Israel-Hamas war.” Yet it’s common knowledge that Hamas manipulates data on casualties, adding in natural deaths, combatant deaths, those killed by terrorists and even people who died before Oct. 7. Furthermore, Hamas intentionally inflates the number of women and children killed, listing men as women, and adults as children. Yet, 98% of media persist in basing Gaza war stories on such fictional data, while just 5% cite Israeli or US intelligence sources. Why?

Israel murders “journalists” in Gaza. Actually, no. Despite headlines claiming “Israeli strike kills 5 Palestinian journalists in Gaza,” from NPR, the truth was this: On Dec. 26, Israel killed five Islamic Jihad terrorists moonlighting as journalists for the terror-affiliated Al-Quds Today. Reuters embellished the hoax by featuring the photo of a burned-out van bearing the word “Press.” Gazans will perish without Hamas-linked UNRWA. A New York Times headline laments, “Israeli Threat to Banish Aid Agency Looms Over Gaza” claiming the aid organization is a “critical lifeline” to “Gazans who have endured more than a year of war” and whom “experts” say “famine is threatening.” While the article admits that “to the Israeli government, [UNRWA] is a dangerous cover for Hamas,” nothing is mentioned about hundreds of Hamas operatives on UNRWA’s payroll or UNRWA employees who took part in the

See Sinkinson on page 22

The CNN news center in Atlanta. WikiCommons

See

james

sinkinson FLame

Pope Francis in Rome. Brainforceone, Pixabay

Freedman…

Continued from page 17

An entire society had gone mad, and it happened quite logically. It was only a matter of time before people were being burned in ovens, and their body fat used for fat, their hair for pillows.

This week, we read the parsha of Vaera, which seems to be a rather strange bridge between last week’s portion of Shemot and next week’s portion of Bo.

Shemot views the chilling rise of anti-Semitism in ancient Egypt as the Jews multiply and are forced into bondage and servitude and unmitigated suffering. Next week, with the plague of the firstborn, Pharaoh finally lets the Jews go and we read of the great Exodus. But this week is all about the plagues and we watch as Pharaoh ignores the devastation of his country and refuses to free the Jewish people.

Why does the parsha end after seven plagues rather than reaching the conclusion we will see next week? What is it that happens in these seven plagues that needs to stand alone? And most challenging of all, why is there a need for all these plagues in the first place? Is G-d really at war with Pharaoh? With Egypt? If G-d is omnipotent, why not simply whisk the Jews out of Egypt straight to the land of Israel? And if indeed there was a need for retribution, why not simply start and end with the tenth plague, the death of the firstborn, or simply destroy all of Egypt? Instead of just splitting the sea, why didn’t Hashem send a tidal wave to obliterate ancient Egypt?

Two details in the story of the Exodus suggest a possible response to these questions.

One occurs in next week’s parsha. When the Jews finally go forth from Egyptian bondage, they are rich, Hashem engineering a “payback” of sorts when the Jews ask of their Egyptian “neighbors” for their gold and silver. Rashi, quoting the midrash, suggests that the Jews used the plague of darkness to search the Egyptians’ homes , so that when they came to ask the Egyptions for their riches, the Egyptians would could claim poverty.

Such a strange episode! Yet this idea that the Jews would be freed with great wealth was actually a prophecy, part of Hashem’s covenant with Abraham: “and after, they will exit with great wealth.” (Bereishit 15:14)

The second detail occurs during the sixth plague (boils or shechin). Only now are we told that “Hashem hardens Pharaoh’s heart” (Shemot 9:12). Indeed, from this point on, Hashem hardens Pharaoh’s heart; no longer can Pharaoh choose to deny the Jewish people their right to freedom — Hashem is forcing him to say no!

Indeed, the Torah tells us that specifically in the plague of hail, Pharaoh finally realizes he is wrong: “Hashem is the righteous one, and I and my people are wicked” (ibid. 9:27) and yet, Hashem refuses to let Pharaoh set the people free! Why?

In truth, this has always been part of the plan. Let’s take a closer look at the Covenant Hashem made with Avraham hundreds of years earlier: “And also I will judge the nation that they were enslaved by and after, they will exit with great wealth.” (Bereishit 15:14)

Think about it: if G-d had simply vanquished Egypt, the world would have learned that might makes right. This, suggests the Torah, cannot be the conclusion of the Exodus; the world must discover Justice: it has to discover Din

The Jews must leave Egypt with wealth because they must be given their wages! Ancient Egypt believed that the ends justify the means, and that the strong survive, and the weak are there to be subjugated. So babies that do not serve the purpose of supporting the monarchy can be tossed in the Nile, or used as bricks for mortar.

Indeed, what justified worship was whether nature served the purposes of man, hence they worshipped the Nile, which overflowed its banks and supported the entire Egyptian economy. So the plagues begin to demonstrate, one by one, that wealth and power are not the foundation of society, it must be justice. And the Nile, the god of Egypt, turns to blood, to signify its death. And the frogs take over until eventually they are all killed and their stench fills Egypt because, as

any ancient Egyptian immediately recognized, the Frog was the Egyptian god of fertility.

And the lice which visit this message on man himself are taken from the earth which is the agricultural foundation of the Egyptian economy, fed by the Nile.

And then the cattle are destroyed — the same cattle which represent wealth become meaningless. So what happens in the plague of boils? Moshe takes ash from the furnace and uses it to visit destruction on all of Egypt, the same furnaces that create the bricks, the foundation of Egyptian industry and its technology. Their own technological advances become the vehicle of their destruction. Sound familiar?

Even the wise men of Egypt can no longer stand before the obvious absurdity of ignoring his new reality, but the message is not clear enough yet; so the story must continue.

Then comes the hail, when nature itself no longer makes sense: fire and water mix together! And the stronger water, which always extinguishes the fire, does not! The ultimate source of power: the waters of the Nile, are no longer allpowerful, and might does not necessarily make right. The logical conclusion is inescapable, and Pharaoh knows he has been wrong all along!

And that is the purpose of the portion of Vaera — for the world to change for the better, people must learn on their own that they are mistaken and that one day, as an entire society, that there is something better than might, and that is the pursuit of what is right. Egypt cannot simply be vanquished, it must be judged. And the Jews cannot simply be freed by force, they must find freedom because it is right and true and just.

In its greatest moments, when the Allies won World War II, they did not repeat their mistake of WWI: No longer a Paris peace conference of 1919 humiliating the vanquished Germans and demonstrating that the mighty shall rule. This time, there would be a Marshal Plan that rehabilitated Germany and suggested that all nations deserve to live in peace and in prosperity that is earned. And, as well, the Nuremberg trials demonstrated that there must be justice, a reckoning of sorts. Evil cannot go unpunished, or else good will never truly prevail.

Something to think about.

Rabbi Freedman is rosh yeshiva at Yeshivat Orayta in Jerusalem. Write: Columnist@The JewishStar.com

the divine g-d. Rabbi Zeitchik maintains that we need not be astonished that a disciple of Yehoyada who kept all the Almighty’s mitzvot impeccably would suddenly revert to blatant, and senseless, idolatry and declare himself a god.

We can understand this seemingly inexplicable transformation of Yehoash, argues Rabbi Zeitchik, if we but consider Yehoash’s life experience from his childhood until his mentor’s death. It was a life of success, indeed miraculous success. What greater success can a person enjoy than survival in the attic of the Holy of Holies, a chamber even more sacred than the Holy of Holies itself? Such success could easily have gone to Yehoash’s head and lead him to affirm that he had divine powers and could be called a g-d.

We can, nevertheless, wonder about his compliance with his royal advisers. Are we not to assume that his teacher Yehoyada, who taught him all there is to know about the sin of idolatry, had also instructed him not to make a G-d of himself?

To answer this question, Rabbi Zeitchik refers us to a work by Rabbi Yonasan Eybeschutz, an outstanding Torah scholar of the eighteenth century. The work is a commentary on the haftaroth entitled Ahavat Yonasan and can be found in the haftarah for Parshat Shekalim.

There, Rabbi Eybeschutz explains that of course Yehoyada taught his royal pupil all about the prohibitions of worshipping false g-ds. But Yehoyada could not imagine in his wildest dreams that a person could come to think of himself as G-d. He could not imagine that a normal human being could be foolish enough to become so crazed, so possessed by the demon of excessive success, that he would come to consider himself a g-d.

Little did Yehoyada know that there are indeed such individuals, people so drunk by their mundane successes that they consider themselves g-d like. He could not conceive of flesh and blood humans who feel that they are immune to error and need never consult others for advice and who identify as quasi divine beings to whom we all owe unquestioning loyalty and total obedience.

Whereas the midrash only identifies four such individuals, history and current events indicate that success can overwhelm reason and result in people in power who think of themselves as gods and demand that others assent to their delusions.

To reach Rabbi Weinreb, write: Columnist@ TheJewishStar.com

Weinreb… Billet…

rule the world.”

Rabbi Zeitchik apparently had a thorough mastery of midrashic literature, for he can draw from a wide reservoir of such sources to prove his major thesis: Success breeds arrogance and selfcenteredness, which surprisingly transmute into literal self-worship.

Thus, he cites the Midrash Yalkut Ezekiel, chapter 28 item 367, which enumerates four historic figures who made g-ds of themselves and were harmed in the process. Besides the Pharoah of Egypt mentioned earlier, the list includes Hiram king of Tyre, Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon, and Yehoash king of Judah.

He comments elaborately on all four of these self-proclaimed deities, but I found his analysis of Yehoash’s illusion of grandeur particularly insightful.

You may recall from your study of the Book of Kings that Yehoash was confined as a youth in no less a secret hiding place than the Holy of Holies, the inner Temple sanctuary which was off limits to all but the High Priest on Yom Kippur. Yehoash had a mentor, Yehoyada, whose tutelage he followed punctiliously, always doing what was correct in the eyes of the L-rd. But the midrash relates that upon Yehoyada’s death, the princes of the tribe of Judah gathered about Yehoash and declared him divine. They insisted that all who entered the Holy of Holies were punished by death, but that he hid therein for several years and survived. They, therefore, concluded that he must be a g-d.

Tragically for all involved, Yehoash concurred with their conclusion and accepted the mantle of

Continued from page 17

“would do it 1000 times more.” In what insane, morally upsidedown universe do we have to provide humanitarian aid to such an adversary? If I had any one of my loved ones trapped in Gaza, and I could use any possibility to get them out, I would do so. Yet I am concerned that deviation from Torah true principles always ends badly.

This is a time where prayers are more powerful than protests. I pray that Hashem sees this as an et la’ssot la’Shem, a time when some halachic dictates are temporarily suspended for a greater good, and He mercifully grants us the positive results we so desperately seek.

Shabbat Shalom.

Dr. Alan A. Mazurek is a retired neurologist, living in Great Neck, Jerusalem and Florida. He is a former chairman of the ZOA. To reach him, write: Columnist@TheJewishStar.com

What these last two interpretations have in common is that G-d is less manipulating Pharaoh’s mind and thought process, as much as He is giving Pharaoh the opportunity to embrace his chance to set aright his over-extending his cruel arm of slavery. In many ways, this is a tremendous credit to Pharaoh’s ability to exercise his free will, had he only chosen to do so.

It can be argued that free will is in the eye of the beholder. When people succumb to societal pressures, whether it’s living up to the Joneses, spending money on things they can’t afford, or signing on to things they don’t believe in because “society demands it,” they are not free beings.

But when my free will pushes me to follow rules that I agree with, I am exercising my free will. In the world of Torah observance, that those who opt in do so of their own free will. But particular styles and cultures within the observant community sometimes creates a less than free will submission to groupthink.

Unlike Pharaoh who used his free will to deny G-d’s existence, let us use our free will to get closer to the divine. When we waste our free will choices on the kinds of things that contribute little to our humanity and instead turn us into unthinking sheep, we have indeed lost a spark of what raises us as humans above the herd.

We owe it to ourselves to seek, study, learn and discover, and to make free will choices that reflect deep thought processes rather than doing what everyone else is doing simply because everyone else is doing it.

To reach Rabbi Billet, write: Columnist@ The JewishStar.com

Continued from page 21

Oct. 7 massacre. The article’s overriding “narrative” is about suffering Palestinians. Meanwhile, mainstream media have refused to cover a new report by UN Watch documenting the deep, long-term “partnership” between UNRWA officials and Hamas leaders.

Media fail to connect terrorism to “globalizing the intifada.” When the media report terrorist attacks, like the recent car-ramming in New Orleans, they usually characterize the crime initially as the work of angry individuals. Hence, we saw headlines like PBS’s “FBI says driver responsible for deadly New Orleans rampage acted alone in act of ‘terrorism.’” No mention that the killer was a radical Muslim whose truck flew an ISIS flag. Likewise, virtually no media covered the next day’s pro-Hamas rally in New York City and connected it to the New Orleans mass murder with demonstrators’ cries to “Globalize the Intifada!”

Why do legacy media display such contempt for journalistic integrity when covering Israel and the global jihad?

When facts contradict the media’s preferred narrative of “good guys” and “bad guys,” depicting Israel and her democratic allies as oppressors and their terrorist enemies as oppressed, they dismiss or twist those facts.

As long as mainstream media prioritize their false narrative about Israel over journalistic integrity, they cannot be treated as reliable sources by those who want fact-based journalism on matters pertaining to the Jewish state.

A note of hope, however: Given Facebook’s firing of all its internal fact-checkers (censors) for their over-the-top “political bias” perhaps there’s hope mainstream media will reach the same realization. The vibe in America has shifted. Fake news is out. Telling the truth is in.

James Sinkinson is president of Facts and Logic About the Middle East (FLAME). To reach him, write: Columnist@TheJewishStar.com

Rabbis…

Continued from page 21

attack by murderous terrorists who weaponize their own civilians?

While the sainted Pope John Paul II stood at the Western Wall — the Kotek — and called Jews the “elder brother” of the church, the present occupant of St. Peter’s throne has reverted to an older antisemitic position of the church. Perhaps in the remaining time he sits on that throne, Pope Francis will undo some of this serious damage. But for now, Jews will remember him as part of the problem of antisemitism, not its solution.

Rabbi Abraham Cooper is the associate dean and director of the Global Social Action Agenda of the Simon Wiesenthal Center. Rabbi Yitzchok Adlerstein served as director of interfaith affairs for the Simon Wiesenthal Center. To reach them, write: Columnist@TheJewishStar.com

Kol Ram Concert

Featuring Kol Ram with special performance by SAR’s High School Choir

Tuesday Jan. 28th 8-9pm

Hebrew Institute of Riverdale - The Bayit

3700 Henry Hudson Pkwy, Riverdale, NY 10463

Tickets: Advance Registration: $15

Advance Registration for Students and Senior Citizens: $10

At the door: $20

Purchase tickets online at www.thebayit.org/event/kolram25

Online ticket sales close at 5:00pm on January 28.