South Florida Jewish Home 1-27

JAN. 27 – FEB. 9, 2011

A Publication of the South Florida Jewish Community / Distributed in Dade, Broward & Palm Beach Counties

Dew of

HERMON Experiencing one of the most beautiful places in Israel.

Buy and Sell Tickets: Sports, Concerts and Theater Events

Team Lifeline Runs To Benefit Seriously Ill Children

UL

A DAY

.9

9

K ORDER

34

99*

OR

ONLY

D TF

Fresh, Gourmet, Kosher, Delivered Daily!

EG

ER FRESH

IE

H OS

$

*R

THE SOUTH FLORIDA JEWISH HOME ■ JAN. 27, 2011

2

A R LY $ 4 4

Glatt Kosher and

Cholov Yisroel

Why The Kosher Fresh Diet ?

• Created by a Cordon Bleu Institute trained Chef • Choice of breakfasts, lunch, dinner and 2 snacks per day • No need to count calories, weigh or measure • No additional shopping necessary!

• Never frozen, freeze dried or vacuum packed We are Your Personal Gourmet Chef

1-800-917-9663 KosherFreshDiet.com *Limited Time Offer Under the Kosher Supervision of the

3

THE SOUTH FLORIDA JEWISH HOME ■ JAN. 27, 2011

THE SOUTH FLORIDA JEWISH HOME ■ JAN. 27, 2011

4

>> Community COMMUNITY HAPPENINGS

8

FLAG FOOTBALL COMES TO FLORIDA 11

>> World News SFJH WORLD REPORT

26

>> Israel WHY ISRAEL IS A ROGUE STATE

16

HEARTBEATS FROM THE HEARTLAND KEDUMIM PART 2

18

DEW OF HERMON

22

FORGOTTEN HEROES

25

>> Parenting MRS. HEBEL’S TOP TEN TIPS

31

EMPOWERING OUR CHILDREN WITH RESPONSIBILITY

32

>> Torah Portion FROM THE RABBI’S DESK

35

TORAH THE ETERNAL CODE

35

BUDDY CAN YOU SPARE A DIME

38

SPIRITUAL DNA

39

>> Health & Fitness CHILDREN AND COLDS

25

FOODS THAT FIGHT AGING

36

FROM THE EDITORS ‘Our Home – And Yours’

W

hile many of you are enjoying or anticipating winter break the world still goes round. We are excited to bring you another great issue of The South Florida Jewish Home. This week’s cover story is about a quiet town in the Hermon that was created by a handful of families. Read about how these families offer an oasis for Israelis and foreigners throughout the year. You may be surprised to learn that they bring in almost NIS 50,000,000 a year in revenue.

Speaking of Israel – don’t be fooled by the title of the article. Of course, Israel is not a rogue State. You will be inspired by the case 19-year-old Cambridge student, Gabriel Latner, made for Israel at a recent debate of the prestigious university’s debating society. Also, enjoy Avi Heiligman’s thrilling account of a historical operation by the legendary Haganah.

Also, take a moment to read up on the Chai Lifeline – ING marathon going on in town. It’s sure to be an exciting event. Go cheer on the 300+ Chai lifeline runners who will be raising funds for Camp Simcha, and various other activities for ill children. The race starts early, but cheering is a lot easier than running.

As always, you will find innovative and entertaining articles pertaining to parenting and education. Also enjoy our regular features highlighting health, lifestyles, homemaking and more. Our community happenings section is bigger and better with news from all across the community. Be entertained by great jokes, hard hitting politics and highlights from around the world.

We hope you enjoy the latest issue of The South Florida Jewish Home. We are always looking for your comments and suggestions; you can contact us anytime at editor@SFjewishhome.

The Editor January 26, 2011

>> Lifestyles TAX RELIEF

33

THE RIGHT WAY TO PAY OFF YOUR MORTGAGE

34

>> Humor CENTERFOLD

40

KIDS

42

>> Politics LET THE GAMES BEGIN

>> Kosher Dining Guide >> Sports THE PROBLEM WITH JUNIOR TENNIS

19 4

43

4180 N. 42nd Avenue Hollywood, FL 33021 phone: 305-767-3443 fax: 954-416-6407

editor@sfjewishhome.com ads@sfjewishhome.com The South Florida Jewish Home is an independent bi-weekly magazine.

Opinions expressed by writers are not necessarily the opinions of the publisher or editor.. The South Florida Jewish Home is not responsible for typographical errors, or for the kashrus of any product or business advertised within.

Dovid Gutman

CONTRIBUTING EDITORS

PUBLISHER/EDITOR david@sfjewishhome.com

Yocheved Orlofsky

Bentzi Itzkowitz

Naftali Halpern Steve Nichol Rabbi Efrem Goldberg

MANAGING EDITOR bentzi@sfjewishhome.com

Jeffrey (Yitz) Stern

Chana Billet Sarit Lasry

Gabe Seghi

AD SALES REPRESENTATIVE

Danny Kay Shlomo Kay

Benji Stern Gerald Mayerhoff Rabbi Sholom Lipskar Aliza Beer Rabbi Tzvi Nightingale Rabbi Aharon Dovid Singer

DESIGN & PRODUCTION

The Jewish Home contains words of Torah. Please treat accordingly.

THE SOUTH FLORIDA JEWISH HOME ■ JAN. 27, 2011

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

5

THE SOUTH FLORIDA JEWISH HOME â– JAN. 27, 2011

6

UPCOMING LOCAL EVENTS

Great Deals on Sports, Theater

Miami Heat VS. Cleveland Cavaliers

JAN 31

Florida Panthers VS. St. Louis Blues

FEB 8

Andrea Bocelli Bank Atlantic Center

FEB 14

For more upcoming events visit us on the web, or just give us a call!

and Concert Tickets.

800-750-4248 tickets@primetimestubs.com

$10 OFF

ANY ORDER

Use promo code TENOFF For online and phone orders EXPIRES 06 / 1 / 2011

7 HURRICANE

WINDSTORM

FIRE

<di EgdeZgin 9VbV\Z4 ;^a^c\ Vc >chjgVcXZ 8aV^b4

86AA JH 7:;DG: NDJ ;>A: I]Z ^chjgVcXZ XdbeVcn hZcYh i]Z^g dlc VY_jhiZg### Ndj cZZY gZegZhZciVi^dc id bVm^b^oZ ndjg XaV^b =JC9G:9H D; H6I>H;>:9 8A>:CIH :ME:G>:C8:9 69?JHI:GH B>AA>DCH >C G:8DK:G:9 H:IIA:B:CIH 8dbbZgX^Va GZh^YZci^Va 7jh^cZhh Adhh d[ >cXdbZ GZ"DeZc DaY 8aV^bh CVi^dcl^YZ GZegZhZciVi^dc

8Vaa (%*#(.+#.&&% Egd[Zhh^dcVa >chjgVcXZ 8aV^b GZegZhZciVi^dc ZbV^a/ >c[d5HiZaaVg6Y_jhi^c\#Xdb ;Vm/ (%*#-,(#-,&. ')*% C: B^Vb^ <VgYZch 9g^kZ! Hj^iZ &%%! B^Vb^ ;A ((&-% lll#HiZaaVg6Y_jhi^c\#Xdb A^X# Cd# E&,'-&'

WATER DAMAGE

ROOF LEAK

VANDALISM

COLLAPSE

THE SOUTH FLORIDA JEWISH HOME ■ JAN. 27, 2011

FLOOD

Make Every Step Count...

Run To Bring Joy And Hope To Children Living With Serious Illness

J

Simcha Special, located in New York, and brings campers from all over the country to be lavished with love in a positive environment that imbues them with the confidence and fortitude they need to navigate the forthcoming year’s trials.

And now runners and walkers from all over the country will be Every summer, 400 seriously sick children with embarking on their own personal trial cancer and blood-related illnesses get to visit an oasis of running a half or full marathon and of hope, love and friendship and forget about their raising money every step of the way for these kids illnesses. For a few weeks, these sick children can just through Team Lifeline. be normal kids.

Team Lifeline is the innovative endurance training The oases is called Camp Simcha and Camp and fund-raising program that raises support for Chai Lifeline, the international BOCA RATON SYNAGOGUE ST c h i l d re n ’s 21 ANNUAL JOURNAL DINNER health supMONDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2011 port netCONGREGATION B’NAI ISRAEL, BOCA RATON work. The AT 6:30 PM Chai LifeHONORING: line mission is to ALAN & SUSIE BERGER ¡ ¡£ ¨ ¡£ £ ¨ ¤ ¤ ­ ¡ ၹၹ ­ ¡£ န ¤ ¡ ¤ ­ enhance ¡ ª ¡ ¦ ¬ ® ¡ ¤¯¨ ¤န ­ ¡ ¤ ¤ ¤ ¦ ¤® the lives of ¤ ª £ ¦ ¤® ¤ ¡ ¨ ¡® ª ­န ¤ ဠ£ ¨ £ ¤ ထ ¤ ¤ ­ £ ª £ ဣ¤ ¡¥ £ ¦ ­ ဤ ¤ £ ¦ ª £ ¡ ¤ န ¦£ ¡ ¤ seriously ¤ ££ ¨ ¤£ ££ထ ¨ ¡ ££ ¦ ¤ ¤ ¡ ill children ¡¥£ ª ¨ ¡ န ­ ¡ ¤¢§ ¡£ £¤ ¡ £ ¤ ¦ ¤®န and their families through DR. RONI & GINI RAAB The Raabs have been members of BRS for nearly 20 years. In their role as pioneers, Roni and activities

ª ¡ ¤ Ŋ¡£¤ ­ ¦ ¡¢ ¦ £ ¤ ¤ ­ ¡ ¤ ¡ န ª ¤® ­ ¡£ ထ £¤ £ ¦¡ £ ­ £ £ ¡© £ £ ¤£ ¤ န that offer ¨ ¡ ¤ ­ ¡£ထ ¤ £ ¨ £¤ ¦ ¡ ¦£ ¡ £ ¤ ¨ £ ¡ ¤ £ထ ­ friendship, ª ¡£ န ¤ထ ¤ ¤ ထ ၹၿ ¡£ ဠ£ ­ ¨ ª ¤ ဠ£ ¤£¤ £ ¡ ¦¡¢ ¤ ­ ¨ ¤ ­ ¡ န ­ ¨ ¦ ª ¨ ¡ ¤ good times, ¤ ª £ ထ ¤ ¡ ¦¤ ¡ ª £ ¦ ¤ £ £¤¢ ¤ ¤ ¤ great memState of Israel. ories, and emotional and social support. Camp STAN & JOY SMITH Simcha and Camp Sim ¤ £ ¨ Š ¨ ထ ¤ ¤ ­ ¡£ န ¨ ထ ¤ ­ ª ¡ ¨ ¨ ª ¤ ¤ ¦¡ န Ť ¡ ¤ ­ ¡ ¯ ¤ ¡ ª £ ¡ cha Special are Team ¡ ¯ ¤ ª ¤ ¡ ¤ ¤ £ ¤ ¤ ¡ ª £ ¦ ¤® ¦¤ Lifeline’s primary fund ¦ ¤®ထ ¡¢ £ ¤ ¨ ¤ ¤ £ ª£န ¤ Ŷ ­ ¨ £ ¤ ¡ ¤ ¤ ¦¡ ¡ ¯ ¤ Ť ¡ ¦ ထ ¡£ £¤ ထ ¤ ထ ¤ ¦¡ raising effort, with year ¦¤ ¦ ¤® ¤ Š§ ¤ £ ¦¡¢ ¤ ­ ¤ ¡ ¨ န ¡ ¦ ¤ ¡ Ń ¡¥£ထ ¤ ­ round support of other ¨ ¡ ¡§ ¤ ¨ ¡ ၼၸ ¨ ¦ ¤ ¡£ ¤ ¤ ¨ £ ¤ ¤ ¤£ ¤ ¡ £ £ ¤ £ထ £ £ထ ¦¡£ £ထ ¡ ¤ ¤ ¤ ¡£ထ ¤ £ ª ¡ ¦ န ­ ¡ ¨ ª ¤ programs provided by ¤¢ £ ¡¥ ¤ ¤ ¤ ¡ ¤ ¤£ထ ¢ ¡® £ ထ £ Ń ¡ ¡ £ ¤ ¤ ­ ¡£ ¡ န ¤ ­ ¤ ¢ ¤ ¡ ¤ ¦¡ ¡ ¢ န ­ ¡ ª ¡ ထ the Chai Lifeline organi ¡ ¦£ထ ¡ ¦ ¡ ª ¡ § ¡ £ ££ ¤¯¨ ¤န zation.

For more information regarding placing an ad in the Commemorative Journal or to purchase tickets to attend This year’s amazing the Annual Journal Dinner, please contact Matthew Hocherman via email at mjh@brsonline.org. race will take place on

J

THE SOUTH FLORIDA JEWISH HOME ■ JAN. 27, 2011

8 COMMUNITYHAPPENINGS

Sunday, January 30, 2011, in Miami, FL. Once you commit to a fund-raising level, Team Lifeline takes care of everything else to make your marathon experience a truly memorable one.

Team Lifeline provides: roundtrip airfare to the destination race, hotel accommodations for three nights, guaranteed paid race admission, pre-run pasta party on Saturday night, post-run victory party on Sunday, optional Shabbat meals on Friday night (dinner) and Saturday (lunch), transportation to and from the race on Sunday and Team Lifeline running shirts and camaraderie during the weekend.

Additionally, each participant gets the benefit of receiving running tips from professional runner and philanthropist Toby Tanser, who is the official Team Lifeline running coach. He publishes weekly training videos and information and he will be on hand at the Miami race to offer last minute tips during the Team Lifeline weekend.

This year’s Team Lifeline marks the sixth year since its inception with last year’s proceeds allowing more than 400 children to attend Camp Simcha and Camp Simcha Special.

The support for the races has gone from two dozen to more than three hundred participants in just four short years.

Established in 2006, Team Lifeline was the brainchild of Ari Weinberger, a Chai Lifeline supporter who trained for a half-marathon to raise money for another charity. He was so impressed by the amount of pre-race support given to runners, most of them complete novices, that he thought someone should be doing that for a Jewish organization.

Team Lifeline was born.

If you want to receive the training, tools and motivation to participate in a great cause to support children with cancer, bloodrelated illnesses and other life-threatening illnesses, please visit www.teamlifeline.org or call 888-4-team-lifeline. For further information about Team Lifeline, please contact (888) 4-TEAM LIFELINE

9

Realizing Dreams: The Miami Beach Choshen Mishpat Kollel

There was once a man who dreamed of creating a kollel. This kollel would be different from others.

The men who would join this one would not learn the same way as they had always learned, the way that men in kollelim across the world usually learn Gemara. This would be a kollel among those uniquely devoted to learning Choshen Mishpat, the laws that guide man’s actions in business and finance. This would be a kollel that could potentially breed dayanim, judges who would work to lead Batei Din and guide the people in the ways of justice.

This man was Rabbi Dovid Schoen, and his dream is coming into reality in the Miami Beach Choshen Mishpat Kollel. Rabbi Yochanan Zweig invited him to hold his kollel in the beis medrash of Yeshiva V’Kollel Beis Moshe Chaim. This relationship is beneficial on both ends, by bringing a new dimension to the Yeshiva, while simultaneously giving the kollel a productive learning environment among others involved in To r a h s t u d y.

Not only does this relationship take p l a c e among the men learning, but their f a m i lies also take part.

They have moved in among the families of the Yeshiva, and they are able to partake of the warmth and welcoming of the Yeshiva community as well as the general Miami Beach community. The people of Miami Beach have provided the opportunity and the inspiration for the kollel to learn and expand their

learning to the greater community.

The Choshen Mishpat Kollel consists of Yeshiva yungerman who were hand-picked by Rabbi Schoen after searching across America and Eretz Yisrael for people who would be fitting for the position. These people had to have the capacity to learn the complex issues of Choshen Mishpat, the people smarts to form bonds and chavrusas with baalei batim in the community, and the ability to form a solid, strong group among themselves. Avrohom Orlofsky, Zecharia Zweig, Yitzchak Winkler, Avraham Feldheim, Dr. Chaim Herman, Rabbi Yitzchak Tenenbaum, and their part-time comrades Avshalom Baskin and Zecharia Holtzer, are fulfilling these parts with dignity and devotion. (A final push to becoming part of this kollel is to have the name Avrohom, Yitzchak, or Zecharia).

Together with Rabbi Schoen, these young men have begun their quest. Aside from day and night toil in Torah, delving into the depths of the laws of Choshen Mishpat, the kollel is involved many other projects as well. They have a very successful Sunday morning program, where baalei batim from the community join the kollel in breakfast, learning, and a shiur.

The kollel also opened a new institution, the South Florida Center for Jewish ethics, which runs seminars in medical and legal ethics thatv physicians and attorneys can attend. Here they have the opportunity not only to be inspired by hearing the Jewish approach to ethics in their fields, but they can also receive credit as part of their continuing education requirements.

The kollel recently hosted a Yarchei Kallah for the Miami Beach community, giving insight on complex but practical halachos that are applicable on a daily basis.

Members of the community have expressed their excitement and been uplifted by the kollel’s outreach programs. The Miami Beach community has shown time and again that they have a thirst for learning, which is what has given the kollel the strength and ability to continue planning, producing, and

By: Yocheved Orlofsky

expanding.

In addition to these, members of the kollel are involved in various projects on a constant basis, such as learning with members of the community, tutoring boys who need a boost in their learning, and giving shiurim in shuls across Miami Beach. Avraham Feldheim gives a shiur every night from 9:00 to 10:00 at the Ahavas Torah shul. Yitzchak Winkler teaches Hilchos Shabbos in the Yeshiva Beis Medrash three nights a week.

Avrohom Orlofsky and Zecharia Zweig have regular, consistent chavrusas from the community. Everyone is welcome to join those who have already done so, and establish a steady chavrusa with one of the kollel members.

With all of the work and involvement that is constantly going on in the Choshen Mishpat Kollel, one of the most beautiful aspects that can be observed is the care and bonding between the men of the kollel, as they grow together, learning with each other and from each other. As they continue in their mission, they will surely develop an invincible force that will be able to conquer worlds.

THE SOUTH FLORIDA JEWISH HOME ■ JAN. 27, 2011

COMMUNITYHAPPENINGS

THE SOUTH FLORIDA JEWISH HOME ■ JAN. 27, 2011

10 COMMUNITYHAPPENINGS

Seat At World Series Of Poker Up for Grabs At: All In 4 Education’ Charity Poker Tournament

T

Hebrew Day School Students To Benefit From March 22 Event

wo South Florida charities have organized a “Texas Hold’em” tournament that will not only raise scholarships for Hebrew Day School students but also earn the winner an entry into the highly coveted annual World Series of Poker’s Main Event in Las Vegas.

The “Texas Hold'em” tournament will be Tuesday March 22 at the BankAtlantic Center in Sunrise. Proceeds will benefit The Jewish Education Scholarship Fund and The David Bensmihen Foundation.

“There is a tremendous financial challenge facing Jewish families today,” said Rabbi Efrem Goldberg, Senior Rabbi of The Boca Raton Synagogue and founder of The “No Jewish Child Left Behind Committee. “There are many families I provide counsel to weekly in efforts to keep their children enrolled in Jewish day schools.”

The David Bensmihen Foundation, headed by Boca Home Care Services CEO Joseph Bensmihen, has raised $350,000 in scholarships for public and private school students since 2001.

“Rabbi Goldberg and I brainstormed and agreed a popular way to raise scholarship funds would be to capitalize on the ESPN televised Texas Hold’em tournaments in Las Vegas. With the growing interest in the games and the near cultstatus of its players, admission is now $10,000. So we decided to make our event stand out by offering the

children get the kind of education they and their parwinner a seat at the World Series of Poker.” ents desire,” Lurie said.

Organizers have dubbed the local event “All in 4 The No Jewish Child Left Behind (NJCLB) ComEducation.” Advance registration is $225 and availmittee was founded in 2009 and has provided scholable on-line at www.allin4education.com. Same arships to students attending Hillel Day School of day registration is available at Boca Raton, Torah Academy of Boca Raton and BankAtlantic Center for $250 Weinbaum Yeshiva High School. beginning 6:15 p.m. Cards fly Since 2001, the Bensmihen Foundation has 7 p.m. provided assistance to students attending Florida All in 4 Education tourAtlantic University, Hillel Day School of Boca Ranament Presenting Sponsor is ton and Weinbaum Yeshiva High School. OthBoca Home Care Services. Host ers beneficiaries have included students at Hobe Sponsors include Sunrise Sports Sound Christian Academy and Yeshiva University & Entertainment, The Florida Panin New York. thers, and BankAtlantic Center. Official Sponsors are Saveology.com BankAtlantic Center, home of the Florida Panthers hockey team, and Support Squad. is located off the Sawgrass Expressway.

Additional sponsorships are available including naming rights to tables and recognition on the event web site, said tournament organizer Jeremy Lurie. “Companies are encouraged to Families at a Distance Seminar Helps child ties; keep in touch with siblings and purchase sponsorArea Residents Bridge the Gap With Loved their families; nurture ties with grandships but if someOnes Far Away children; cope with illness and death at a body has a friendDo you have close distance and use the inly neighborhood family living far away? ternet effectively to stay game and wants Do you wish you could connected. to move it to our have a closer relationship Families at a Disevent they are cerwith them?

Are you wortance is available to the tainly encouraged ried about coping with entire community. Acto do so.” the illness or death of a cording to Rabbi Efrem Event and loved one at a distance?

If Goldberg, Senior Rabbi sponsorship inforso, Families at a Distance of the Boca Raton Synamation can be obis tailored-made for you. gogue, “We welcome tained by emailing Sponsored by the z Raton participants of all deinfo@allin4eduSynagogue, it will take place on Sunday, nomination and all faiths.

This project is cation.com. “We February 13th from 9:30 a.m.

– 12:30 being viewed as a model for other commuwant people to p.m. at the synagogue located at 7900 nities to replicate nationwide as a service know that this Montoya Circle, Boca Raton, FL for its members.” is about helping It is estimated that close to 50% of the The Seminar is being coordinated people in South Florida are part of a family by Rochel U. Berman, author of Oceans constellation in which some members live Apart: A Guide to Maintaining Famhalf a country away or half a world away. ily Ties at a Surprisingly few, if any, services exist for Distance. those dealing with these issues. Families at a Distance is a trailblazing approach to For further information and a regisincreasing family bonding. tration form, please Through information sharing and call the Synagogue problem-solving workshops, the Seminar (561) 394-5732 or will provide support for those who are suf- email: OceansAfering from the rupture in family ties, con- part@bellsouth.net nections with roots and familiar cultures.

During workshops, led by mental health and education profressionals, participants will discover how to maintain parent /

Families at a Distance Seminar Helps Area Residents Bridge the Gap With Loved Ones Far Away

11

COMMUNITYHAPPENINGS

Ya c h a d / The National Jewish Council for Disabilities, will present its Second Annual “Special Needs Family Day” on Sunday, February 13, at JARC of Boca, 21160 95th Avenue South Boca Raton. The event, in conjunction with the Special Needs Department of the Jewish Federation of South Palm Beach County, will feature keynote speaker Dr. Rona Novick, discussing “Bully Proof Your Child” and other workshops for parents of children and adults who have special needs.

“Yachad,” the flagship division of the National Jewish Council for Disabilities (NJCD), provides inclusive social, educational, and recreational programs for Jewish youth and adults with special needs throughout the United States and Canada.

Dr. Rona Novick is the Clinical Director of the Alliance for School Mental Health at North ShoreLong Island Jewish Health System. She is recognized for her expertise in child behavior therapy and has published scholarly articles on children and trauma,

bully prevention in schools and behavior management.

She has delivered numerous presentations at national and inter national conferences.

Also joining us will be Laura Pincus, the Director of Exceptional Student Education for the Palm Beach County School District, who will be giving a workshop on the wide variety of programs and services available in the County. Other workshop topics include information on benefits coordination and long term planning, The Medicaid Waiver program and caregiver supports.

All family members will find something for them with activities geared toward children and adults with or without special needs - sports, arts and crafts, music, and much more. A resource fair will take place throughout the day for families to acquire more information for their children and to network with other parents and professionals.

According to South Florida Yachad Directors Tzippi Rosen and Esther Anton, “All of our events are Inclusive; where Yachad members participate together

with mainstream high school students. The smiles on our Yachad members tell it all. They enjoy being included in the same activities as their peers, and they love the feeling of belonging that it brings them. We want to enhance those feelings and bring more people into the Yachad family. We are confident that this day will be beneficial to all families who have children with or without disabilities.”

For further information on this event, contact Tzippi Rosen at (347) 239-5703 or Esther Anton at (305) 761-0608.

For more information about Yachad and its resources, visit www.njcd.org.

North America Jewish Flag Football tournament comes to South Florida turnout”.

Despite the strong talent from the out of town teams, the team from Miami Beach won the tournament. Dov Lamet, the captain of the Miami Beach

Talent from around the country convened this past Sunday at the Lakes of Emerald Hills field in Hollywood, FL for the 2nd Annual North American Jewish Flag Football tournament. The Tournament was held over the Yeshiva day school break to allow families from the North and Midwest to attend.

Mark Kandelman, commissioner of the Chicagoland Jewish Flag Football (C.J.F.F.L.) brought a large delegation from his league, and was “pleased with the

team, won tournament MVP honors, after throwing 7 touchdowns, including 4 touchdowns in the final game. The hometown Hollywood team finished in 2nd place, after a comeback victory against the Chi-

cago team, that included them scoring 4 touchdowns in the 2nd half. The all tournament team included Dov Lamet (7 touchdowns thrown), Elie Baratz (2 touchdowns caught, 3 sacks),), Yaakov Marmor (3 touchdowns, 2 interceptions), Bentzi Itzkowitz( 2 touchdowns, 2 interceptions ,3 sacks), Chanan Richtman , and Nate Montrose. The C.J.F.F.L would like to thank Mr. Gabe Seghi for the ceremonial coin toss and officiating the games.

THE SOUTH FLORIDA JEWISH HOME ■ JAN. 27, 2011

SOUTH FLORIDA YACHAD/NJCD PRESENTS SECOND ANNUAL ‘SPECIAL NEEDS FAMILY DAY’, FEBRUARY 13th AT JARC OF BOCA

11

COMMUNITYHAPPENINGS

Ya c h a d / The National Jewish Council for Disabilities, will present its Second Annual “Special Needs Family Day” on Sunday, February 13, at JARC of Boca, 21160 95th Avenue South Boca Raton. The event, in conjunction with the Special Needs Department of the Jewish Federation of South Palm Beach County, will feature keynote speaker Dr. Rona Novick, discussing “Bully Proof Your Child” and other workshops for parents of children and adults who have special needs.

“Yachad,” the flagship division of the National Jewish Council for Disabilities (NJCD), provides inclusive social, educational, and recreational programs for Jewish youth and adults with special needs throughout the United States and Canada.

Dr. Rona Novick is the Clinical Director of the Alliance for School Mental Health at North ShoreLong Island Jewish Health System. She is recognized for her expertise in child behavior therapy and has published scholarly articles on children and trauma,

bully prevention in schools and behavior management.

She has delivered numerous presentations at national and inter national conferences.

Also joining us will be Laura Pincus, the Director of Exceptional Student Education for the Palm Beach County School District, who will be giving a workshop on the wide variety of programs and services available in the County. Other workshop topics include information on benefits coordination and long term planning, The Medicaid Waiver program and caregiver supports.

All family members will find something for them with activities geared toward children and adults with or without special needs - sports, arts and crafts, music, and much more. A resource fair will take place throughout the day for families to acquire more information for their children and to network with other parents and professionals.

According to South Florida Yachad Directors Tzippi Rosen and Esther Anton, “All of our events are Inclusive; where Yachad members participate together

with mainstream high school students. The smiles on our Yachad members tell it all. They enjoy being included in the same activities as their peers, and they love the feeling of belonging that it brings them. We want to enhance those feelings and bring more people into the Yachad family. We are confident that this day will be beneficial to all families who have children with or without disabilities.”

For further information on this event, contact Tzippi Rosen at (347) 239-5703 or Esther Anton at (305) 761-0608.

For more information about Yachad and its resources, visit www.njcd.org.

North America Jewish Flag Football tournament comes to South Florida turnout”.

Despite the strong talent from the out of town teams, the team from Miami Beach won the tournament. Dov Lamet, the captain of the Miami Beach

Talent from around the country convened this past Sunday at the Lakes of Emerald Hills field in Hollywood, FL for the 2nd Annual North American Jewish Flag Football tournament. The Tournament was held over the Yeshiva day school break to allow families from the North and Midwest to attend.

Mark Kandelman, commissioner of the Chicagoland Jewish Flag Football (C.J.F.F.L.) brought a large delegation from his league, and was “pleased with the

team, won tournament MVP honors, after throwing 7 touchdowns, including 4 touchdowns in the final game. The hometown Hollywood team finished in 2nd place, after a comeback victory against the Chi-

cago team, that included them scoring 4 touchdowns in the 2nd half. The all tournament team included Dov Lamet (7 touchdowns thrown), Elie Baratz (2 touchdowns caught, 3 sacks),), Yaakov Marmor (3 touchdowns, 2 interceptions), Bentzi Itzkowitz( 2 touchdowns, 2 interceptions ,3 sacks), Chanan Richtman , and Nate Montrose. The C.J.F.F.L would like to thank Mr. Gabe Seghi for the ceremonial coin toss and officiating the games.

THE SOUTH FLORIDA JEWISH HOME ■ JAN. 27, 2011

SOUTH FLORIDA YACHAD/NJCD PRESENTS SECOND ANNUAL ‘SPECIAL NEEDS FAMILY DAY’, FEBRUARY 13th AT JARC OF BOCA

THE SOUTH FLORIDA JEWISH HOME ■ JAN. 27, 2011

12 COMMUNITYHAPPENINGS

HALLANDALE HEBREW CLUB: THE PROGRAM YOU WANT FOR YOUR CHILDREN

Imagine a Hebrew Club on Sundays in which kids don’t want to miss a day. They come in with a smile and leave humming a Hebrew song. Walking through the halls, you can hear the sounds of lively discussion, of singing, laughter and prayer. Imagine a child who feels the warmth and spirit of Judaism. Imagine the pride of his/her parents.

Welcome to Hallandale Hebrew Club, an exciting and innovative educational program in Hallandale.

Our Club enjoys a well-earned reputation as a trend setter in creative Jewish education for children ages 5-12. Girls at the age of 11 enter into our fabulous Bat Mitzvah Club, & boys at the age of 12 enter into Bar Mitzvah Club. Hallandale Hebrew Club has exciting new programs, a dynamic staff and interested students. Our student body is made up of children from various backgrounds and affiliations. Synagogue membership is not required. Hallandale Hebrew Club has the option to meet either Sundays, from 10am till 12:15pm, or Wednesdays, from 3:45pm till 5:15pm.

The mission of Hallandale Hebrew Club is to provide and promote the highest quality after-school Judaic education to a diverse community of Jewish children.

Our aim is to nurture and build the foundation of your child(ren)’s Jewish identity through our interdisciplinary educational approach. The focus of our dedicated teachers is to inspire a two fold love. A love for learning and and a love for Judaism while fostering a feeling of familiarity within their heritage for each individual child.

A well-balanced Hebrew Club education will de-

velop in our students a commitment to using Torah values as a guide to the decisions of life, community, and life-long learning and teaching.

Hallandale Hebrew Club prides itself in our staff.

Staff members are imbued with a desire to impart their love and knowledge of Judaism to their students. Recognizing that Hebrew Club is an academic after-school program in addition to their regular school hours, our teachers endeavor to create an engaging program that keeps the interest of the child.

Our Hebrew Club directors , Rabbi Levi & Dassy Tennenhaus have years of experience teaching and directing Hebrew Club. Their extensive experience with children and adults alike make them a valuable asset to our Hebrew Club.The Hallandale Hebrew Club is a project of Chabad of South Broward, with over 30 years of leadership in Jewish Education Social Services and Outreach.

Our philosophy is that every Jewish child is entitled to a Jewish education. To achieve this goal, we opened a Hebrew Club in Hallandale to bring this opportunity to the children of our community. Hallandale Hebrew Club offers a warm and lively Jewish atmosphere where children can attain a unique and exciting awareness of their Jewish identity.

At Hallandale Hebrew School we endeavor that our students should...

• Attain a strong sense of love of Judaism and pride in being Jewish.

• Discover & explore the Torah (Bible), the incredible history of the Jewish people & see its relevance in today’s day & age.

• Gain an understanding of the practices & traditions of Judaism.

• Know the morals, values & ethical behavior mandated by the Torah.

• Have a hands-on experience & appreciation for all Jewish holidays.

Master Hebrew skills of reading & writing.

• Understand basic Hebrew words.

• Learn basic prayers so that the students will feel comfortable when attending services.

• Identify with the land of Israel and its inhabitants.

• Allow for students to express their opinions and questions about G-d, Torah & religion.

Indeed, a child equipped with an education and a feeling for Judaism’s beautiful teachings, traditions, and historical lessons is a child better equipped to face the awesome moral challenges of today’s society.

Our Club’s underlying approach is for the children to enjoy the time spent so that they are left with positive feelings and fond memories of their Jewish education. Our program is thus carefully blended with songs, games, incentives, arts and crafts, drama, field trips, family celebrations and other exciting co-curricular activities.

Many parents have expressed amazement how their children are so excited to attend the Hallandale Hebrew Club: Sandra Cohen: We are very Happy with the School, the activities, the Programs, everything.My kids love to come here every Sunday, Thank you.

Mark Lewis: When choosing a Hebrew School for my child I looked for a Hebrew School where there were happy faces on the children. Seeing your students race into Hebrew School - I knew I wanted my son to be educated in your program. Now, I watch my son run into Hebrew School and I am so proud. Thank you!

Karen Davis: Your Teachers are superb! The care and devotion that they show each child is unparalleled. I know that when I drop off my daughter she is in the care of amazing teachers who love what they teach and make my daughter their first priority.

To register your child(ren) or for more info go to HallandaleHebrewClub.com or email Rabbi Levi at LTChabad@gmail.com or call 954-558-7005.

13

COMMUNITYHAPPENINGS

Led by Executive Vice President Rabbi Steven Weil, the Orthodox Union will send its highest-level delegation to South Florida to serve as scholars-inresidence and speakers for “Community Weekend” February 3-6, Parshat Terumah. Organized in conjunction with Florida NCSY, the visit is to strengthen the already strong ties between the local Orthodox community and the OU. “The goal of ‘Community Weekends’ is to focus on thriving areas of Orthodox life and to go there to address a variety of topics and to meet community leaders,” declared Rabbi Weil. “Depending on where they go and the interests of the community, the delegation will discuss topics such as Torah study, kashrut (kosher), Israel, government relations and so on. We will explain the variety of programs the OU offers to its synagogues and ask what programs they would like us to develop. We have chosen communities where our relations are already close and seek to strengthen the bonds that already exist between us.”

In addition to Rabbi Weil, who will be scholarin-residence at Boca Raton Synagogue, the delegation will consist of: • Rabbi Dr. Tzvi Hersh Weinreb, OU Executive Vice President, Emeritus: to be scholar-in-residence at Beth Israel Synagogue of Miami Beach; • Stephen J. Savitsky, OU Chairman of the Board and immediate OU Past President: to be scholarin-residence at Young Israel of Deerfield; • Rabbi Steven Burg, International Director of NCSY: to be scholar-in-residence at Young Israel of Bal Harbour, accompanied by Rabbi Todd Cohn, Executive Director of Southern NCSY; • Nathan Diament, Director of the OU’s Institute for Public Affairs: to be scholar-in-residence at Young Israel of Hollywood; • Rabbi Avi Berman, Executive Director of OU Israel: to be scholar-in-residence at Young Israel of Kendall; • Rabbi Dovid Jenkins, Rabbinic Coordinator for OU Kosher: to be scholar-in-residence at Anshei Chesed Congregation in Boynton Beach; The delegation will be accompanied by OU Synagogue Services team Laya Pelzner, Associate Director; Penny Pazornick, Project Coordinator; andYehuda Friedman, Project Coordinator.

“We are privileged to be having our second OU Community weekend in Florida,” declared Laya Pelzner. “We always send high-level delegations as part of our Community Weekends, but usually they are in smaller numbers. This is the first Community Weekend that will include seven scholars-inresidence.”

Kicking off the weekend’s events, Rabbi Weil and Rabbi Weinreb will address “Greatest Challeng-

es and Opportunities Facing the Orthodox Community in the 21th Century” on Thursday, February 3 at 8 p.m. at the Young Israel of Deerfield Beach, 202 Century Boulevard.

Rabbi Weil will discuss a variety of topics from early morning until the third meal on Shabbat. These include “The Clothing of Kohanim (priests);” “What is the Haftorah?” “Men are from Mars, Women from Venus: The Orthodox Version;” and “Why Tefilah Doesn’t Mean Prayer: Redefining Our Relationship with God.” Wrapping up the weekend, the OU Community Services Department will present “Super Marriages on Super Sunday” with Rabbi Weil as Breakfast and Keynote Speaker. The event will be at the Young Israel of Hollywood, 3291Stirling Road, Fort Lauderdale, at 9:45a.m. Presentations will also be given by “I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change: Conflict Resolution,” with Aliza Schulman, L.C.S.W. at 10:45a.m.; and “The Successful Disagreement,” with Dr. Raphael Wald, Ph.D. from 11:40-12:30p.m.

Rabbi Weil will be returning to South Florida in March as a scholar-in-residence at Palm Beach Synagogue, as a continuation of the Community Weekend.

Besides South Florida, OU Community Weekends have taken place in Atlanta; Chicago; Greater Washington; Memphis; Kansas City (Overland Park), KS; and Westchester County in New York.

For further information, contact synagogue@ou.org or call 212.613.8149.

OU Synagogue Se

rvices presents

nd e k e e W y t i n mu Florida Com THURSDAY EVENING, FEBRUARY 3 Young Israel of Deerfield Beach at 8:00 pm

Greatest Challenges & Opportunities Facing the Orthodox Community in the 21st Century Rabbi Steven Weil OU Executive Vice President Rabbi Dr. Tzvi Hersh Weinreb OU Executive Vice President, Emeritus

Hear These OU Leaders on Shabbat in Your Synagogue:

Boca Raton Synagogue Rabbi Steven Weil

Young Israel of Deerfield Stephen J. Savitsky

Beth Israel Congregation Rabbi Dr. Tzvi Hersh Weinreb

Executive Vice President

Chairman of the Board

Executive Vice President, Emeritus

Young Israel of Bal Harbour Rabbi Steven Burg

Anshei Chesed Rabbi Dovid Jenkins

Young Israel of Kendall Rabbi Avi Berman

Managing Director OU; International Director, NCSY

Rabbinic Coordinator, OU Kosher

Executive Director, OU Israel

Stay Tuned Weekend of March 4-5 Young Israel of Hollywood Nathan Diament

Palm Beach Synagogue Rabbi Steven Weil

Director, OU Institute for Public Affairs

Executive Vice President

Plus, the OU Synagogue Services Team: Laya Pelzner

Yehuda Friedman

Penny Pazornick

Associate Director

Project Coordinator

Project Coordinator

Super Marriages on Super Sunday, February 6 Young Israel of Hollywood at 9:45 am BREAKFAST AND KEYNOTE Rabbi Steven Weil, OU Executive Vice President “I LOVE YOU, YOU’RE PERFECT, NOW CHANGE: CONFLICT RESOLUTION,” Aliza Schulman, L.C.S.W. “THE SUCCESSFUL DISAGREEMENT,” Raphael Wald, Ph.D.

Orthodox Union Community Weekends Bringing the best of the OU to the most vibrant Orthodox communities.

A program of the Karasick Department of Synagogue Services

THE SOUTH FLORIDA JEWISH HOME ■ JAN. 27, 2011

OU’s ‘Community Weekends’ Program Will Visit Seven South Florida Synagogues, February 3-6, As High-Level Delegation Brings Organization’s Message From Miami To Palm Beach

THE SOUTH FLORIDA JEWISH HOME ■ JAN. 27, 2011

14 COMMUNITYHAPPENINGS

After his sold out performance in January 2010, MATISYAHU returns to South Florida for a special acoustic performance sponsored by Birthright Israel NEXT at the Adrienne Arsht Center.

Few artists make an impact as complete as the one Matisyahu made with his Top 40 hit “King Without a Crown.” Here was a true original, the song announced – a Hasidic Jewish musician from New York City singing reggae songs about his religious devotion. Fans responded to this one-of-a-kind voice, driving Youth, Matisyahu’s Grammy®-nominated 2006 studio disc, to the top spot on Billboard’s reggae albums chart. That album, as well as Matisyahu’s previous recording Live at Stubb’s, went Gold. His new album, Light, debuted in the top 20 on the Billboard charts, and features the single “One Day” which was used as the official NBC anthem for the

2010 Winter Olympics broadcast. The result is a bold new direction for an artist who has transcended cultures and genres Matisyahu comes to Miami on the heels of his February 1st CD/DVD release, Live at Stubbs, Vol. II, promising to give new and old fans alike an intimate and powerful evening from a true original.

For more information about Birthright Israel NEXT South Florida, visit our website at http:// southflorida.birthrightisrael.com or call (786) 361NEXT.

Mikvahcalendar.com A new website created especially for the modern-Jewish-woman-on-the-go makes it easier than ever to observe taharas hamishpacha, Jewish family purity laws Mikvahcalendar.com, created by Hollywood-resident, Rivkah Bloom, is an innovative website where women impute all the necessary information to privately track and calculate the important dates and times in their cycle. The program generates text and email reminders before a woman’s expected date of ovulation, as well as when her next visit to the mikvah should take place.

Launched in March 2009 by Bloom and her colleague from MIT, mikvahcalendar.com was originally designed in English, but now features options for Hebrew, French and Spanish users. The times for sunrise and sunset are adjusted automatically, based on the user’s current location, explains Bloom, who is constantly improving the site.

“We worked on this website for four years in response to requests for help that I’d received from women learning about mikvah observance,” says Bloom, who received a bachelors and masters degree in computer science and electrical engineering from MIT. “We recognized a huge need of having a computer program calculate their important dates.”

MikvahCalendar.com is recommended by many leading rabbis, including Rabbi Fishel Jacobs, author of “Chochmot HaTaharah” and “Family Purity,” which Bloom cited as being especially inspirational in bringing her service to fruition.

“We have women using the website from all different backgrounds, including charedi, modern orthodox, Chabad, and chassidic,” said Bloom. “When women register, they can choose customs within the Ashkenaz, Chabad, or Sephardic program.” Unique in its concept and design, this individualized guide to Taharas Hamishpacha observance helps women calculate dates, times, and patterns of this ritual. As the users log into the completely secure and confidential website, they are greeted by warm, welcoming words and blessings about the importance of Jewish family purity.

Although the observance of mikvah is primarily relevant to married women, Bloom said that she believes single women and men, and even people of other faiths will enjoy the new website.

“I think they will find it interesting because the website helps them understand in a tangible way how every aspect of a Jewish life can be holy,” Bloom said.

About Birthright Israel NEXT South Florida Birthright Israel NEXT South Florida is the local branch of a national organization that inspires TaglitBirthright Israel trip participants and their peers to expand their connections to the land and people of Israel, to deepen their personal commitments to Jewish life, and to find or form a community where Jewish responsibility, learning, and celebration thrive.

For more information, please visit http://southflorida.birthrightisrael.com, e-mail southflorida@birthrightisraelnext.org, or call (786) 361-NEXT.

Sha’arei Bina’s First Annual Father/Daughter Learn- A-Thon Sha’arei Bina Torah Academy for Girls is located in North Miami Beach, Florida. The school is now in it’s seventh year and caters to girls grades 6-12.

On Friday, December 24th, was an obvious choice of date where fathers could be invited to join their daughters in learning a Jewish topic together.

“After we decided on the date, we needed to decide on a theme that everyone could be comfortable with” said Rabbi Abramchik Principal of the school. In discussion with Mrs. Sprung, the school’s Mechanechet, it was decided to deal with the portion of the week read in the Synagogue on Shabbos.

Putting together the learning booklet, both in Hebrew and in English, took time, as the specific information desired, needed to reach the entire cross section of the school. The program began by everyone being invited to breakfast followed by Father/Daughter learning and ending off with a question/ answer game period between the fathers and daughters. For those fathers who could not be in attendance, staff members filled the role of teacher and every student felt comfortable.

“Getting fathers to come to the school is a unique idea, as for the most part they are extremely busy people” said Rabbi Abramchik. “December 24th, a day that most people were not working was a great opportunity for fathers to join their daughters” continued the Rabbi. “In most instances mothers are always available to come to the school and by creating this learning program we succeeded in getting almost 100% attendances” added the Rabbi.

One of the goals of this program was to strengthen a father/daughter bond, which because of time constraints, does not always occur. Using the vehicle of learning an unseen passage and studying it together, helped solidify this bond. Girls don’t always have the opportunity to study with their fathers.

We created the atmosphere and opportunity for this to occur.

Every student in school participated in the program and communicated their desire to have another one real soon.

For more information about the school, please contact Rabbi Abramchik at 305-956-3755

15

COMMUNITYHAPPENINGS

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla —The 11th annual Jewish Lifestyle Show is scheduled for Sunday, January 30, 2011, 11:00 am-3:00 pm at the Hilton Deerfield Beach / Boca Raton. The hotel is located at 100 Fairway Drive, off I-95 at Hillsborough Blvd. The show is expected to attract a large crowd from the South Florida area.

Featured are displays by a variety of companies and services available to the Jewish community, with an emphasis on Bar/Bat Mitzvahs, Weddings, Anniversaries, Corporate Events and other catered celebrations. Additional themes include travel and cruises, Judaic art and Jewish interests. Plus, many community organizations also are featured.

Show sponsors are Elegant Parties, Jewish Journal, and Hilton Deerfield Beach / Boca Raton. Some of our vendors include Lawrence of Florida, Moonstruck Photography, Jammin’ Express Entertainment, Power Parties, Fredda’s Place, Glow Wellness Spa, About Invitations, Alexander Muss High School in Israel, America’s Backyard and Game Wars. They, as well as a variety of other exhibitors, look forward to providing displays and valuable information of interest to attendees. There will also be hors d’oeurves, entrée and cake samples.

The show is presented by Jewish Bride…& More! For further information or to inquire about exhibit space, call (954) 721-5660 and ask for Anna Karden or Belle Reynolds, show coordinators, or visit our website at www.jewishbride.com.

Winter Break Adventures The children of Young Israel of Hollywood-Ft. Lauderdale put some adventure in their winter break this year with Winter Break Adventures, a day camp program created by the shul’s Youth Director Avi Frier.

Activities at the shul included sports, arts & crafts, cooking, and even laser tag! They also went on plenty of trips, including Miami Seaquarium, Kabooms, bowling, Lion Country Safari, airboating in the Everglades, and Museum of Discovery & Science.

The program was created to provide activities for the children of families that did not go out of town for winter break, but even those who went away sent their kids for individual days.

One parent whose two daughters attended Winter Break Adventures for the full seven days said, “Thanks to this program I’m not afraid of winter break any more!”

For more information on the innovative youth activities you’ll find at Young Israel of Hollywood, visit www.HollywoodJewishYouth.com.

Yeshiva Elementary School First Grade Chumash Mesiba

THE SOUTH FLORIDA JEWISH HOME ■ JAN. 27, 2011

JEWISH LIFESTYLE SHOW 2011 PROMISES ANOTHER EXCITING EXHIBIT SHOW

The first grade boys celebrated a tremendous milestone this week, as each boy received his very own Chumash. On Tuesday, parents and grandparents gathered in the library for the momentous event. The boys marched in, dressed in Shabbos shirts and special “Torah hats.” Under Rabbi Levin’s direction, the boys sang a heartfelt rendition of Tov L’hodos. Rabbi Janowski then addressed the boys, telling them that they were the guarantor of Klal Yisroel, guaranteeing our keeping the Torah. The boys then read Tehillim aloud, each boy individually, impressing everyone with their fabulous Kriah skills, which they have been developing since the beginning of the year. Rabbi Levin took out his flashcards and presented a challenge between two teams, Emes and Chessed. As each set of boys was called to step forward, they were challenged to translate a series of Lashon haKodesh Shroshim, prefixes, suffixes and more. Whoever answered first would earn a point for their team.

The problem was, however, that Rabbi Levin had done such a wonderful job with the boys that they simply knew the words as they came out of Rabbi Levin’s mouth. Naturally, the result was a perfect tie!

Rabbi Levin spoke passionately about retaining the purity evident on the faces of the young, budding talmidei chachamim. Rabbi Janowski then called each boy up and handed out the Chumashim. Everyone enjoyed refreshments after the event, and left with hearts full of nachas!

Winter Break Adventurers head out on an airboating expedition on the Florida Everglades.

THE SOUTH FLORIDA JEWISH HOME ■ JAN. 27, 2011

16 ISRAEL

Why Israel is a Rogue State Gabriel Latner

T

The remarkable speech below was presented by Gabriel Latner, a 19-year-old Cambridge student, at a recent debate of the prestigious university’s debating society. UN Watch is proud to announce that Mr. Latner will be coming to the United Nations in 2011 as an intern with the organization.

The Cambridge debate centered on the motion that “Israel is a rogue state.” It was proposed by England’s Lauren Booth, an extreme opponent of Israel who works for Tehran’s state-run global TV channel, and who recently converted to Islam on a visit to Iran. Her side of the debate was joined by Mark McDonald, founder of the Labor Friends of Palestine, and Mr. Latner. Gabriel’s presentation earned him a lifetime banning from the Cambridge Union: he won the debate for the opposing side.

He received a standing ovation from a majority of the audience, but not from Lauren Booth, who was also on the proposing side.

The Irish Independent has called Mr. Latner’s speech “the most brilliantly audacious defence of Israel since Moses parted the Red Sea.”

Lauren Booth

his is a war of ideals, and the other speakers here tonight are rightfully, idealists. I’m not. I’m a realist. I’m here to win. I have a single goal this evening - to have at least a plurality of you walk out of the “Aye” door.

I face a singular challenge - most, if not all, of you have already made up your minds. This issue is too polarizing for the vast majority of you not to already have a set opinion. I’d be willing to bet that half of you strongly support the motion, and half of you strongly oppose it.

I want to win, and we’re destined for a tie. I’m tempted to do what my fellow speakers are going to do - simply rehash every bad thing the Israeli government has ever done in an attempt to satisfy those of you who agree with them. And perhaps they’ll even guilt one of you rare undecided into voting for the proposition, or more accurately, against Israel.

It would be so easy to twist the meaning and significance of international “laws” to make Israel look like a criminal state. But that’s been done to death.

It would be easier still to play to your sympathy, with personalized stories of Palestinian suffering. And they can give very eloquent speeches on those issues.

But the truth is, that treating people badly, whether they’re your citizens or an occupied nation, does not make a state “rogue.” If it did, Canada, the U.S., and Australia would all be rogue states based on how they treat their indigenous populations. Britain’s treatment of the Irish would easily qualify them to wear this sobriquet. These arguments, while emotionally satisfying, lack intellectual rigor.

More importantly, I just don’t think we can win with those arguments. It won’t change the numbers.

Half of you will agree with them, half of you won’t.

So I’m going to try something different, something a little unorthodox.

I’m going to try and convince the die-hard Zionists and Israel supporters here tonight, to vote for the proposition. By the end of my speech I will have presented five pro-Israel arguments that show Israel is, if not a “rogue state,” than at least “roguish.”

Let me be clear. I will not be arguing that Israel is

“bad.” I will not be arguing that it doesn’t deserve to exist. I won’t be arguing that it behaves worse than every other country. I will only be arguing that Israel is “rogue.”

The word “rogue” has come to have exceptionally damning connotations. But the word itself is valueneutral. The Oxford English Dictionary defines rogue as “aberrant, anomalous; misplaced, occurring (esp. in isolation) at an unexpected place or time,” while a dictionary from a far greater institution gives this definition: “behaving in ways that are not expected or not normal, often in a destructive way.”

These definitions, and others, center on the idea of anomaly - the unexpected or uncommon. Using this definition, a rogue state is one that acts in an unexpected, uncommon or aberrant manner. A state that behaves exactly like Israel.

The first argument is statistical. The fact that Israel is a Jewish state alone makes it anomalous enough to be dubbed a rogue state: There are 195 countries in the world. Some are Christian, some Muslim, some are secular. Israel is the only country in the world that is Jewish. Or, to speak mathmo for a moment, the chance of any randomly chosen state being Jewish is 0.0051%. In comparison the chance of a UK lotto ticket winning at least £10 is 0.017% -- more than twice as likely. Israel’s Jewishness is a statistical aberration.

The second argument concerns Israel’s humanitarianism, in particular, Israel’s response to a refugee crisis. Not the Palestinian refugee crisis - for I am sure that the other speakers will cover that - but the issue of Darfurian refugees. Everyone knows that what happened and is still happening in Darfur is genocide, whether or not the UN and the Arab League will call it such.

There has been a mass exodus from Darfur as the oppressed seek safety. They have not had much luck. Many have gone north to Egypt - where they are treated despicably. The brave make a run through the desert in a bid to make it to Israel. Not only do they face the natural threats of the Sinai, they are also used for target practice by the Egyptian soldiers patrolling

the border. Why would they take the risk?

Because in Israel they are treated with compassion - they are treated as the refugees that they are and perhaps Israel’s cultural memory of genocide is to blame. The Israeli government has even gone so far as to grant several hundred Darfurian refugees citizenship. This alone sets Israel apart from the rest of the world.

But the real point of distinction is this: The IDF sends out soldiers and medics to patrol the Egyptian border. They are sent looking for refugees attempting to cross into Israel. Not to send them back into Egypt, but to save them from dehydration, heat exhaustion, and Egyptian bullets.

Compare that to the U.S.’s reaction to illegal immigration across their border with Mexico. The American government has arrested private individuals for giving water to border crossers who were dying of thirst - and here the Israeli government is sending out its soldiers to save illegal immigrants. To call that sort of behavior anomalous is an understatement.

My third argument is that the Israeli government engages in an activity which the rest of the world shuns - it negotiates with terrorists. Forget the late PLO Chairman Yasser Arafat, a man who died with blood all over his hands - they’re in the process of negotiating with terrorists as we speak. Yasser Abed Rabbo is one of the lead PLO negotiators that has been sent to the peace talks with Israel. Abed Rabbo also used to be a leader of the PFLP - an organization of “freedom fighters” that, under Abed Rabbo’s leadership, engaged in such freedom-promoting activities as killing 22 Israeli high school students.

And the Israeli government is sending delegates to sit at a table with this man, and talk about peace.

And the world applauds. You would never see the Spanish government in peace talks with the leaders of the ETA - the British government would never negotiate with Thomas Murphy. And if President Obama were to sit down and talk about peace with Osama Bin Laden, the world would view this as insanity. But Israel can do the exact same thing - and earn international praise in the process. That is the dictionary

ISRAEL

17

definition of rogue - behaving in a way that is unexpected, or not normal.

Another part of the dictionary definition for rogue is behavior or activity “occurring at an unexpected place or time.” When you compare Israel to its regional neighbors, it becomes clear just how roguish Israel is. And here is the fourth argument: Israel has a better human rights record than any of its neighbors.

At no point in history, has there ever been a liberal democratic state in the Middle East - except for Israel. Of all the countries in the Middle East, Israel is the only one where the all types of people are treated equally.

Israel’s protection of its citizens’ civil liberties has earned international recognition. Freedom House is an NGO that releases an annual report on democracy and civil liberties in each of the 195 countries in the world. It ranks each country as “Free,” “Partly Free,” or “Not Free.” In the Middle East, Israel is the only country that has earned designation as a “free” country. Not surprising given the level of freedom afforded to citizens in, say, Lebanon -- a country designated “partly free,” where there are laws against reporters criticizing not only the Lebanese government, but the Syrian regime as well. I’m hoping Ms. Booth will speak about this, given her experience working as a “journalist” for Iran.

Iran is a country given the rating of “not free,” putting it alongside China, Zimbabwe, North Korea, and Myanmar. In Iran, as Ms. Booth I hoped would have said in her speech, there is a special “Press Court” which prosecutes journalists for such heinous offences as criticizing the Ayatollah, reporting on stories damaging the “foundations of the Islamic republic,” using “suspicious (i.e., Western) sources,” or insulting Islam. Iran is the world leader in terms j j , with 39 reporters p of jailed journalists, (that we know of) in prison as of 2009. They also kicked out almost every Western journalist during the 2009 election. (I

don’t know if Ms Booth was affected by that.)

I guess we can’t really expect more from a theocracy. Which is what most countries in the Middle East are. Theocracies and autocracies. But Israel is the sole, the only, the rogue, democracy. Out of every country in the Middle East, only in Israel do antigovernment protests and reporting go unquashed and uncensored.

I have one final argument - the last nail in the opposition’s coffin - and it’s sitting right across the aisle. Mr. Ran Gidor’s presence here is all the evidence any of us should need to confidently call Israel a rogue state. For those of you who have never heard of him, Mr. Gidor is a political counselor attached to Israel’s embassy in London. He’s the guy the Israeli government sent to represent them at the UN. He knows what he’s doing. And he’s here tonight. And it’s incredible.

Consider, for a moment, what his presence here means. The Israeli government has signed off to allow one of their senior diplomatic representatives to participate in a debate on their very legitimacy. That’s remarkable.

Do you think for a minute, that any other country would do the same? If the Yale University Debating Society were to have a debate where the motion was, “This house believes Britain is a racist, totalitarian state that has done irrevocable harm to the peoples of the world,” that Britain would allow any of its officials to participate? No. Would China participate in a debate about the status of Taiwan? Never.

And there is no chance in hell that an American government official would ever be permitted to argue in a debate concerning its treatment of prisoners at Guantanamo Bay. g toBut Israel has sent Mr. Ran Gidor to argue night against a “journalist”-cum-reality TV star, and myself, a 19-year-old law

student who is entirely unqualified to speak on the issue at hand.

Every government in the world should be laughing at Israel right now - because it forgot Rule No. 1. You never add credence to crackpots by engaging with them. It’s the same reason you won’t see Stephen Hawking or Richard Dawkins debate David Icke. But Israel is doing precisely that. Once again, behaving in a way that is unexpected, or not normal. Behaving like a rogue state.

That’s five arguments that have been directed at the supporters of Israel. But I have a minute or two left. And here’s an argument for all of you – Israel willfully and forcefully disregards international law. In 1981 Israel destroyed Osirak -- Sadam Hussein’s nuclear bomb lab. Every government in the world knew that Hussein was building a bomb. And they did nothing. Except for Israel. Yes, in doing so they broke international law and custom. But they also saved us all from a nuclear Iraq.

That rogue action should earn Israel a place of respect in the eyes of all freedom-loving people. But it hasn’t. But tonight, while you listen to us prattle on, I want you to remember something: while you’re here, Khomeini’s Iran is working towards the Bomb.

And if you’re honest with yourself, you know that Israel is the only country that can, and will, do something about it. Israel will, out of necessity, act in a way that is the not the norm, and you’d better hope that they do it in a destructive manner. Any sane person would rather a rogue Israel than a Nuclear Iran.

Except Ms. Booth.

The author, a Cambridge University law student, will be a 2011 intern with UN Watch.

THE SOUTH FLORIDA JEWISH HOME ■ JAN. 27, 2011

Why Israel is a Rogue State Continued

THE SOUTH FLORIDA JEWISH HOME ■ JAN. 27, 2011

18

ONE ISRAEL FUND Heartbeats From the Heartland

KEDUMIM: The Vanguard of Jewish Resettlement in Samaria Part II

K

Celebrating 35th Years

By: Raphaella Segal, Assistant Mayor of Kedumim

edumim’s first priority has always been to did not find the right path to the boys’ hearts and school’s success and, inevitably, a serious strain on strengthen its hold in the Shomron, but at the minds. These boys did not have the tools and the the school’s budget. same time Kedumim did not neglect other self-confidence to actualize their potential and many Bnei Chayil maintains a staff of skilled teachers issues that trouble Israeli society en masse and, as had stopped believing in themselves altogether. with experience in corrective teaching. They are such, took it upon itself many projects that help the Their inability to keep up often had disastrous effects able to evaluate each student’s individual needs and people of Israel. on their lives, including a tendency to “drop out” establish a custom-made learning/study program One of these that fits each boy’s projects is the own special Bnei Chayil requirements.

Yeshiva which The teaching the residents staff (along of Kedumim with a guidance established with counselor and great effort and social worker) without any accompanies the resources. student in an In 5758 ongoing fashion (1998), a group throughout his of parents from studies in the Kedumim joined yeshiva and offers forces with the dynamic solutions goal of providing and realistic Starting to build immedieately after the freeze Proposed Bnei Chayil Yeshiva Building in memory of terror victims for the special goals to suit his needs of their children. development and The group developed a clear and forthright approach, both from academic endeavors and from religious advancement. This multi-pronged approach makes based on the belief that there was no room for all the difference to our students, who finally find commitment. compromise when it came to finding an appropriate Bnei Chayil is the only religious school of its kind that they can learn, absorb, integrate, and succeed. place for their children to study. Rather, they believed in the center of the country and as a result nearly In response to urgent requests by parents of that only the most professional and superior approach 50% of the students are bused in from outside the children who live far away from the yeshiva which could produce a solution to a situation, which until Shomron. To accommodate the special needs of our made the journey to and from school every day that point, had not been handled adequately in any pupils, there is a maximum of 15 boys per class. This virtually impossible, the management of the yeshiva other framework, anywhere in the country. high teacher-to-student ratio is a key factor in the decided to establish a dormitory facility.

The community and leadership of Kedumim The staff that decided on the dormitory - the pioneering Jewish settlement in Judea framework was fully aware of the special and Samaria founded in 1975 - felt that theirs needs of the student body. Therefore, the was the perfect environment for this type of model that was created is that of an extended educational institute. Kedumim, with its history family life. This is a large house where about of idealism and social awareness, believed fifteen students live together with a family in that the planned school would be an integral residence. The family takes care of the physical and essential part of the national educational needs – food, pleasant surroundings in addition system. to providing a sympathetic ear for any special As a result of the concerted efforts of many needs. interested parties, the Bnei Chayil Yeshiva With G-d’s help, the yeshiva has been was established in Kedumim. It offers a warm blessed with success using this approach to home and a fertile environment for growth establish a dormitory. It is fully occupied. and development for religious boys, grades Its success is thanks to the warm personal 9 through 12, who face challenges, such as relationships that were developed between the ADD, ADHD, and other learning disabilities family and students. The day-to-day operation stemming from emotional difficulties. of the dormitory and the personal responsibility Before coming to the Bnei Chayil Yeshiva, of the students give them a feeling of full Dinner at the dormitory house many of the students suffered numerous failures participation in the operation of the yeshiva. and setbacks and many had tried other schools that Continued on Page 20

19

POLITICAL CROSSFIRE

By: Naftali Halpern

o what will happen in 2011? I don’t claim an ability to predict the future. If I did, I would be no less delusional than, well, some of the politicians we are about to discuss. Even if I was able to predict the future, we all know that Washington politicians are as predictable as groundhogs on Groundhog Day. The only difference is, we would all rather the politicians stay in the cave. We would gladly take 6 more weeks of winter.

But certain events are bound to take place in 2011.

Because of the new balance of power in Congress, all activity in Washington over the next two years will merely be a game. No significant legislating will be enacted (yes, I can hear your sigh of relief). Only legislation with heavy bipartisan support—such as a Congressional Proclamation recognizing Tuna Fish Appreciation Day—will be able to navigate its way into law.

Another reason nothing will get done is because we are now rapidly headed into the 2012 election season. Granted, the presidential elections seem like a while away, however, in the wacky world of politics, the elections are just around the corner. The political posturing will rapidly get intense, as the chips fall into place for the presidential elections.

Health Care Reflux Anyone with acid reflux dreads the pain of heartburn, as acid rises and falls within their esophagus.

The Republicans will spend the next 2 years giving the nation Obamacare reflux.

The Republicans plan on repeatedly voting to repeal Obamacare knowing that President Obama will repeatedly veto their repeal, hence re-starting the repeal cycle by sending the vetoed bill back to Congress. The reason the Republicans want to give the nation Obamacare reflux is because they need to keep Obamacare front and center until the 2012 elections.

This might be a good strategy considering that well over 50% of Americans are opposed to Obamacare. However the Republicans run the risk of Americans starting to blame them for the national ulcer. I could see President Obama’s 2012 campaign slogan being: “R-O-L-A-I-D-S spells ‘Fire the Republicans.’”

Raising the Roof on the Debt Ceiling Whether or not to raise the debt ceiling is going to be one of the biggest battles in Washington over the next few months. In fact, the theatrics has already begun.

The debt ceiling is the legal limit that Congress allows the federal government to borrow. It currently stands at $14.3 trillion, a level that the government is expected to hit in the next few months. If Congress does not raise the debt ceiling, then the United States will not be able to meet its financial obligations, causing the nation to go into default on its debts.

According to Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner,

not raising the debt ceiling would cause “catastrophic economic consequences that would last for decades.”

Never in the history of the United States has Congress failed to raise the debt ceiling when called upon to do so. In a pointed letter to Congress, Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner stated, “Failure to increase the limit would be deeply irresponsible.”

Some Republicans have signaled that they will refuse to vote to raise the debt ceiling even if it means that the United States will consequentially default on its loans.

The Republicans are not suicidal and they will certainly vote to raise the debt ceiling. The purpose of their threat is to try to get spending cuts in return for their vote to raise the debt ceiling. “I can’t imagine voting to raise the debt ceiling unless we’re going to change our ways in Washington,” said Sen. Rand Paul, R-KY. The Democrats, on the other hand, know that the Republicans will ultimately raise the debt ceiling and are therefore tempted to call the Republicans’ bluff by not negotiating on spending cuts.

Perhaps most interesting in this debate is the fact that in 2008 Obama voted against raising the debt ceiling and stated, “The fact that we are asked to raise the debt ceiling is a failure of leadership.”

Now when the Republicans make the same argument, the Democrats and Obama call them reckless. “H-Y-P-O-C-R-I-S-Y spells Washington D.C.” Palinism: The belief that Sarah Palin is the only viable Republican presidential candidate Over the next several months the field of Republican Presidential candidates will begin to take shape.

The media will fashion themselves as Palinists, but not because they believe in Sarah Palin— who governed Alaska for 2 years before abruptly resigning—but rather because they know that if she wins the nomination, then Obama will easily be re-elected. Why? Because Sarah Palin can’t win a

general

election. Period.

On the other hand, if the f o cus starts shifting to more qualif i e d candidates, such as Mitch Daniels— who in his first year as Governor of Indiana turned a $600 million deficit into a $300 million surplus and was reelected to his second term with 58% of the vote—then Obama may actually face a viable candidate in the general elections.

So, I Started this article by telling you that there is no way to predict the future. I then contradicted myself and did exactly that. And i did it boldly, Hey, maybe I have a future in Washington?

THE SOUTH FLORIDA JEWISH HOME ■ JAN. 27, 2011

S

2011: Let the Games Begin

THE SOUTH FLORIDA JEWISH HOME ■ JAN. 27, 2011

20

ONE ISRAEL FUND Heartbeats From the Heartland Continued from Page 18

*** First-hand accounts Amichai Zuaretz – Twelfth Grade Student From Karnei Shomron

I was accepted just the way I am. They began to teach me at my own pace, until I was able to understand.

Together, the staff and I decided on goals that I could achieve and suddenly I began to have successes.

I was very successful in my matriculation exams, the “Bagrut” (to the credit of the yeshiva). As a result, I have obtained a full Bagrut – a statewide recognized high school diploma and I am now preparing to enter a post-graduate yeshiva. I feel wonderful and very happy.

I feel that I have finally succeeded in life and have a direction for my future.

In first through sixth grades I attended the Lapidim grammar school in my hometown of Karnei Shomron. I often argued with my friends and I was a violent child. My studies were satisfactory in general, but I took pleasure in disturbing *** the teachers.

Wednesday, March 28, 2001 will In the seventh grade I forever be remembered in Yeshivat Bnei began to take Ritalin, which Chayil. It was on that day that a suicide Nechemia Amar helped somewhat.

For bomber blew himself up at a bus stop seventh grade I attended the occupied by students waiting for an Shomron Yeshiva. I suffered from my contacts with armored bus which would take them to school in the teachers. There was no personal relationship, nearby Kefar Sava. Eliran Rosenberg and Naftali they did not know how to teach me, and I did not Lantzkorn were killed and four others were injured, succeed in my studies. I threw firecrackers into the two of them seriously. All six victims were students of principal’s office and I hated Yeshiva Bnei Chayil in Kedumim. him. I felt depressed when I At the end of Shabbat on February was in school and I tried to 16, 2002, another suicide bomber blew find reasons to stay home. himself up at a shopping center in Karnei It was in eighth grade Shomron. In this explosion, three people when I heard about Bnei were killed, including Nechemia Amar, Chayil from some friends, also a student in Yeshivat Bnei Chayil. my parents and from my The Bnei Chayil yeshiva high school counselor at school. I took and the residents of Kedumim have the entrance tests and was taken upon themselves the task of accepted. I was immediately establishing a memorial for the three impressed by the attitude of murdered students: Eliran Rosenberg, the teachers (personal and Naftali Lantzkorn, and Nechemia Amar. encouraging). Everything was The Ministry of Education gave approval Naftali Lantzkorn always positive and it had in principal for the establishment of the a profound effect on me. In permanent structure of the building six my studies, I achieved much more than I had ever years ago. done before. I love coming to school and this is There have been long delays with this project, but very important. I feel that I am with G-d’s help the Yeshiva managed to progressing and most of all, I overcome the setbacks. Immediately am happy. None of this would after the freeze was lifted the Yeshiva have been possible had I not began to promote the construction of found Bnei Chayil. a structure. In these days they started to build a dining room and the Beit *** Midrash. The yeshiva has obtained a Natanel Kozol – Graduate promise from the government that an of the Yeshiva appropriate budget will be available for

the project on condition that they will In grammar school I was not also collect contributions from other able to keep up with the class in sources. writing skills. I was slower than the other students and suffered As Solomon wrote in Proverbs: Eliran Rosenberg from outbursts of anger. I would “Teach your children to choose the become very agitated and I would right path, and when they are older, they then burst out and cause trouble. I was a failure in will remain upon it.” my studies!!

Then I saw an advertisement about Bnei Chayil.

For more information how to visit Kedumim, support this wonSo I registered for the yeshiva. In Yeshivat Bnei Chayil

derful community or help Yeshivat Bnei Chayil, please contact Scott Feltman at One Israel Fund – scott@oneisraelfund.org or Raphaella Segal at raphaella@kedumim.org.il. You, too, can become partners in the pioneer spirit of building the land of Israel.

Psagot Merlot 2007

O

ne of the great things about wine tasting is that it really doesn’t get boring as there are always new vintages to taste. What makes things even more exciting, is that you get to taste the same wine a year later to see how it changed.

Sometimes for the better and sometimes, well…it’s gotta go bad at some point.

I’ve had, and written about, Psagot Merlot 2007 a couple of years ago, twice. Each time, the wine was different.

First, it was ..Eh. Second, about six months later, it was better. This time, well, here it goes.

At first when you open the wine, the wine’s aroma is a little bit soft and frankly, boring.

However that quickly changes after about 5 minutes. It develops into a nice, yet soft, fruity aroma which is pleasantly accompanied with hints of toasted oak (which it sat in, rather comfortably for 13 month). This was very pleasant, although not much of a surprise.

What did catch me off guard, however, was the taste. I find that wines of this type are often one dimensional. Meaning they often have typical, soft, innocuous, flavors with nothing to distinguish it from others. I am pleased to write to you, that, this was not the case. The Psagot Merlot 2007 that I tasted today has evolved in the bottle to a far better Merlot then I expected. The texture has matured to a velvety, almost Bordeaux like, texture with pleasant and intense berry fruit. What made the wine really stand out though, was the tannins that in maintained which kept this Psagot Merlot 2007 in perfect balance. I’d say this one is definitely a keeper. With good storage, I imagine it will stay like this for another year as well.

Adam Neustadter A wine is like a box of Chocolates….Nah, its way better.

21

ISRAEL REAL ESTATE

B

uying a home in Israel is very different than in the United States. The language is different, the payment structure is usually different, the legal process is different, and the numbers are different. Let’s focus on some of the numbers: Floors In the US, if you look at an apartment on the third floor, you’re standing on the third floor. Pretty obvious, right? Not so simple. Here in Israel the third floor apartment is on the fourth floor. The first floor is called “0” or “karka” (ground), the second floor is called “1”, and so on.

Meters Yes, our elementary school teachers were right when they told us that the world is moving to the metric system – the world has, except for the US. Here’s the quick calculation: 1 square meter (sm) = 10.76 square feet (sf), therefore a 100 sm apartment is 1,076 square feet. (A square meter should not be confused with a linear meter which equals 3.28 feet; e.g., a 2 meter tall person is a little over 6’6”.)

Dunam It sounds like a Hebrew word, but dunam is actually a unit of land area that was used during the era of the Ottoman Empire. In Israel, a dunam equals 1,000 square meters, equaling 10,764 sf, or just

about a quarter of an acre. Dunam is an important word for people who are buying land or a single family home to redevelop.

Room count I was an investment sales broker in the US for many years, and a 3-room apartment in New York had one bedroom and a 4-room apartment had two bedrooms. In Israel, a 3-room apartment has two bedrooms and a 4-room apartment has 3 bedrooms.

The kitchen, mirpeset (porch), basement and attic don’t count in the room count, although they offer tremendous development upside.

Arnona Municipal taxes (think of it like real estate taxes in the US) must be paid on every property. Unlike in the US, the tenant – not the landlord – pays the arnona (unless the apartment rental is short term). This is done for one simple reason: the tenant’s status affects the tax rate. For example, reductions are given to retirees, soldiers, the disabled, single parent families, and in some cases, for residents with very low salaries. The arnona rate in the country ranges from 34 shekels to over 100 shekels per meter, depending on the municipality. In Jerusalem, the average arnona rate in or near the center of town is 88 shekels per meter. So a 100-meter apartment’s annual arnona bill would be 8,800 NIS ($2,400+).

Gedaliah Borvick created “My Israel Home,” a real estate brokerage firm focused on helping people from abroad buy homes in Israel. If you have questions that you would like addressed in future columns, or would like to explore purchasing opportunities, you may contact him at gborvick@myisraelhome.com. To read previous articles, visit www.myisraelhome.com and click on the blog page.

Wishing continued success for the

South Florida Jewish Home From

by Gedaliah Borvick

THE SOUTH FLORIDA JEWISH HOME ■ JAN. 27, 2011

Real Estate by the Numbers

THE SOUTH FLORIDA JEWISH HOME ■ JAN. 27, 2011

22

Dew of

HERMON I

BLESSINGS TRICKLE DOWN

wish it would be dollars snowing from the sky.

Has that thought ever crossed your mind while shoveling the snow for the fourth time in two days?

For the members of Moshav Nevei Ativ in uppermost Golan, this wish does come true. Snow means business and business is booming, or at least falling softly from the heavens in splendid colors of white, for the owners of the only ski resort in Israel.

Moshav Nevei Ativ, established in 1971, is a small alpine village of just thirty two hard working families.

They purchased the rights to Mt Hermon from the Jewish Agency and built a ski resort on the mountain that ranks high on vacationers list of places to visit in Northern Israel.

The Moshav‘s ski resort is small, yet extensive as it boasts five ski tracks, a chairlift up to the top of the mountain and an “extreme” mountain slide, comparable to a self manipulated roller coaster. It also includes ski equipment rentals, restaurants, a ski school and privately owned guest houses.

Vacationers come in droves, driving up revenue in the Moshav coffers into the millions. And while Nevei Ativ members are thankful for the business, they are still quite wary. Their mountain has been bargained off too many times for them to trust the land they are living on.

WHOSE FLAG IS ON THE SUMMIT? When I was planning a visit to the Hermon, reportedly the most beautiful place in Israel, I did some research into its ski facility and its owners in the neighboring settlement of Nevei Ativ. I was both shocked and intrigued with the information I

received from Wikipedia. It reported that leaders in Nevei Ativ have expressed hope to open the mountain as a joint venture between Israel and its neighboring country, Syria, thereby planning to create an international tourist attraction.

“I don’t know what you are talking about,” said an Israeli woman abruptly in a strong voice, when asked if Israel and Syria could work the snowy mountain together. “It’s a pipe dream,” says Daphna of Ski Her-

Israelis enjoying the snow

mon. Although many Israelis would love to live with neighborly grace, they are all too aware that that is not happening anytime soon. It is unfortunate that Syria, who has a larger part of the mountain, doesn’t even use it.

A Druze village next to Nevei Ativ, sits on the border of Israel and Syria. Some of the Druze natives, who work on the mountain as ski teachers or maintenance crew, hold onto their Syrian citizenship. They have lived in the Golan for years as Syr-

ian citizens and are not about to change now. Other Druze people have switched over to the Israeli side.

“They know that better education opportunities, better health insurance and abundant benefits lie with us,” declares a moshav’nik. Although some families are torn and split over their loyalties, Druze neighbors of both Israeli and Syrian citizenship are cordial.

They know not to spit into the well they drink from.

Mt Hermon is shared between three countries with one part of it belonging to each Israel, Syria and Lebanon. Wedged between unfriendly neighbors, with the resort’s farthest trail on the border of Syria, the area has nevertheless been relatively quiet. Still, Ski Hermon has adequate shelter in case of danger, but, thank G-d, they have not had to use it in a while.

The mountain is a strategic military zone with a special unit of the IDF assigned there. The soldiers in Israel’s alpine army division wear white camouflaging uniforms. The nightlife on the mountain takes on a whole new look and the resort closes daily at four o’clock in the afternoon. The fun begins once again at eight in the morning after the soldiers give the “all is clear” signal. Although this is much to the chagrin of the skiers, the resort strictly adheres to its policy.

ROLLING IN IT Ski Hermon, the site on Mount Hermon owned

by Moshav Nevei Ativ, attracts a crowd of 350,000 visitors yearly which translates into millions of dollars for the ski resort which is communally owned by all thirty two Moshav members. Although Moshav members are reluctant to share their financial statements with anyone other than their accountant, simple calculations reveal staggering numbers. Entrance to the mountain and the basic cable car ride alone bring in more than 50 million shekel annually. continued on next page

HERMON from previous page

visitors can stay. Some of these charming houses were handcrafted by their owners. Log cabins with large saunas, family suites with lofts and balconies for the children and Swiss style chalets dot the village.

THEN AND NOW

Blooming trees being watched by snow capped mountains

mountain air. Lastly, tourism takes its place. Skiing is a comparatively modest business next to the others, even when the mountain is flooded with people on a regular ski day.

Most Nevei Ativ men work the fields as well; their backyard hill profits have not made them lazy. “Call back after six when my husband is back. He is working in his cherry orchard now,” says the owner of a Mill’s Swiss style lodge. She tells me her husband has other fruit orchards as well. While she maintains her chalet that can accommodate ten couples or families, her husband is out cultivating the land.

The hospitality on the Moshav is exceptional with most of the Moshav’s families owning a guest house, bread and breakfast, or a small hotel where

Settling in the uppermost village of the Golan and founding the resort did not come easy. Driven by the motivation of settling recently attained Israeli land in 1971, families came to live in the uppermost village of the Golan. But it did not come easy and neither did the founding of the resort. When money for electricity for their own homes was non-existent, Moshav members invested their last penny in building the first cable line. Sweat, blood and bitterly cold unheated homes were all part of the building of the Ski Hermon Resort.

The Moshav is currently run largely by the second generation. Some third generation youngsters are also active, but most have left. “This is not Jerusalem, where you can continue living in the same place your great grandfather lived. Hermon is a small quiet place with few opportunities.” Nevei Ativ is a miniscule settlement with the only action and noise coming from the constant flow of visitors. Many children of the original founders opt for city life and return only to play with the snow.

Summer in the Hermon

continued on next page

23 THE SOUTH FLORIDA JEWISH HOME ■ JAN. 27, 2011

Additionally many visitors stay overnight in the guest houses and take ski lessons which are offered for an additional fee.

Ski Hermon’s manager, is quick to smudge up the figures. She explains that although revenue flows in a steady stream of cash, profit is much lower. A permit to run the place costs them plenty, as does insurance.

250 workers are needed to run the hill, clear it from snow, and make it operational. And all the while the resort constantly invests to make the place bigger, better and more fun. The end profit is a yawning gap from the colorful shekels that fill the registers daily.

Still, when the pie is cut evenly between all Moshav members, everyone gets a generous slice.

This industry only ranks fourth in the many activities centering on the blessings of the Hermon. The biggest business is Mei Eden, a water bottling plant that provides a large part of the country’s drinking water from the refreshing streams of molten Hermon snow. The second to largest industry is agriculture, as lush vegetation grows in the fertile Golan grounds.

This includes very famous wineries like the Golan Heights winery that has won many international prizes and exports millions of dollars worth of wine.

Third place goes to the cattle that are raised for meat in the rarefied

THE SOUTH FLORIDA JEWISH HOME ■ JAN. 27, 2011

24

HERMON from page 23

FOR EVERY SEASON A SPORT

With the fortieth birthday of Ski Hermon being celebrated this year, Nevei Ativ residents are very proud of their accomplishments. Yet they are all well aware that the business is totally dependent on Heavenly mercy. “Last year we only had eight days when we could sell ski passes,” says Daphna. She explains that at Ski Hermon global warming is very real.

Moshav members hope that during the summer, the resort will be at least half as full as the winter time. In the meantime, they are waiting for snow.

This year, the mountain saw ten days of snow in December and residents are anxiously waiting for more. One day last week, entrance to the mountain was free because there was hardly any snow left to play with. “We still had about a thousand visitors yesterday,” said a Ski Hermon representative.

WHITE IS NOT THE ONLY COLOR ON THE MOUNTAIN Beaches, deserts, ancient rocks… and snow; you name it, Israel has it all. For a tiny country, traversable by car in less than a day, the mix of climates is astounding. While one in Jerusalem could stroll down the street in a thin t-shirt, just a three hour drive away at the peak of Mount Hermon, snow swirls in frenzy. Sara, a visitor, describes the snow capped mountain in the midst of utter heat as breathtaking. “I saw its cap of snow in front of me, on this perfectly hot day. It was awesome.”

At 2,000 feet above sea level, the air is cold and fresh, crisp and snowy. The mountain top sees snow during a large part of the year, but is not thick enough with the white stuff for skiing during all seasons. Ski season is mostly during the winter and early spring. On most days, the sun is shining, reflecting on the snow like beautiful diamonds on the snow.

The site sees over thousand people on a slow day and up to twelve thousand on a busy skiing day. Both American and European visitors come, but the mountain sees mostly Israelis. While many Israelis like to take a skiing trip to Europe it cannot be compared to the convenience of a local ski site. At Ski Hermon an Israeli could enjoy skiing in the Hermon one day and being back at work the next morning. Many Israelis are excited to see the snow, something they rarely see in another part of the country. “This is the only ski resort where people come to see snow. Most ski resorts have skiers. We have that too, but we are open for people who just want to fool around,” says Ski Hermon manager. People can always be seen building snowmen or throwing snowballs, enjoying the freezing thrill.

For non skiers the Extreme mountain ride is the perfect way to enjoy the mountain. Visitors can travel

Homes in the Hermon

up the mountain in cable cars and enjoy the beautiful view on the way down in the Extreme mountain ride car at a speed controlled by the rider. The car can slow down, speed up and take surprising turns for a very unique “skiing” experience.

The serious skiers in the country have their ears glued to the radio for Golan weather reports. On days following a snow storm, lines snake at the entrance of Ski Hermon way before its eight o’clock opening time and the resort’s two black Olympic trails for experienced skiers fill up fast.

Hermon doesn’t look that impressive standing at the bottom, but it does get nice after a cable ride to the top. The air is breathtaking. The mountain affords a view of neighboring mountain ranges. On a

Skiers enjoying Mount Hermon

perfectly clear day, visitors can see all the way to Jerusalem. It’s miraculous.

The ski resort doesn’t bed down for hibernation in the summer. On the contrary, a new, brave sport is taking the nation by the horn. Have you ever zoomed down a mountain with only the handlebars of your bike for support? Pike Bike, offers that thrill as an extreme sport and is a new way for visitors to enjoy the mountain in milder weather. Experienced bikers go to the top of the slope and zoom down, full speed, all the way to the bottom. Even the most advanced bikers wear protective gear for this activity and sign that they are riding at their own risk before they begin.

For the less adventurous, the Hermon is a beautiful place to explore with a guided tour of the flowers and animal life in the area, as well as the battle history. The beautiful surrounding mountains can be observed on the way up with the year round cable cars and on the way down with the extreme car ride. In the summer, pure, crystal water streams flow down the mountain. The streams feed wading brooks and waterfalls that visitors can enjoy. The well known Banias waterfall is barely ten minutes away.

With its crystal clear mountain air, the Hermon is operational even in the heat of the summer. The mountain maintains most of its activity, even when its thin layer of snow melts under the glare of the Mediterranean sun. The “extreme” bike ride is not at all dependant on the weather, and is open all year round as well as the cable cars.

IS THAT FUN? Mt. Hermon is not always associated with just fun and games. Often the Golan is put onto the chopping block, for negotiations as a peace chip with Syrian or Lebanon neighbors. “Hermon is the eye of our country!” This is the phrase that has been used to praise the vital mountain of Hermon ever since soldiers recaptured it in the Yom Kippur war. As the tallest vantage point in the country, the view from the mountain is panoramic. “I’m not a political person, but just from living in this country and serving in the army I know that if Israel gives up the Hermon, the safety of this small tiny beautiful country will be jeopardized” said one Moshav resident.

Are Israelis worried? This uppermost strip of land has always been considered a bargaining chip between Israel and Syria. But the area is silent and has been relatively calm. The Israelis are nonchalant. One man in Moshav Nevei Ativ plants a tree every time the Golan comes up on the negotiating table. He believes he will stick around in time to see it blossom.

In the meantime, Moshav Nevei Ativ residents shovel their walkways and pray. With forty years of growth behind them, they acknowledge their success with a nod of the head. The snowmen on Mount Hermon smile back.

25

A ‘Pirate Operation’

by the

Hagana By: Avi Heiligman

had two of the engineers aboard the Argiro, Ovidio necessary repairs, with the arms already loaded onto del Pino and Angelo Luche, ready to help them with the Lino. Ada used her contacts in the Italian governtheir plan. Two Palmach members, Oved Sadeh and ment to delay the ship there indefinitely. This gave David “Dudale” Bentime for saboteurs to deChorin, were to intervelop a plan. At first, they cept the ship and dethought about a bombliver the arms to two ing raid, but that became Israeli ships that were impractical when finding waiting off the coast of the necessary aircraft and Crete. bombs proved too diffiThe plan worked cult. They decided to send perfectly. The two ena team of three operatives gineers slowed the ship into the harbor and attach at a predetermined a mine onto the Lino. Yosspot, and the Palmach sele Dror, a former memThe Lino team, dressed as Italian ber of the Ha’Chulya – the officers, boarded. They underwater sabotage unit fter the Holocaust, many of the Jews who were told the captain that of the Palmach created stranded in Europe were finding their way to they were sent by the a homemade mine from Eretz Yisrael through various channels. Many navy to inspect the carscratch.

The materials organizations that existed in the yishuv sent operatives go, and since it was so were mainly bought from to Europe to help the survivors get to Eretz Yisrael, The Argiro important that it reach pharmaas well as to prepare for life in the its destination, they were to be given cies, and were ingreMiddle East. One of the important control of the Argiro.

The captain complied with this dients that would not arouse suspifunctions of these operatives was order, and David became the new captain of the ship. cions.

The actual mine was stuffed to get the refugees past the British In middle of the journey, Oved and David changed into an inner tube from a motorcycle blockade that prevented refugee and their stories.

They said that they were really Egyptians and stuffed with TNT. supply ships from reaching Palestine. sent by the Italians so they would be able to navigate The team, consisting of Benni Soon, secret training camps were the Mediterranean. This would explain the reason Kravitz, Meir Falick and Yossele, opspringing up in countries including why they spoke poor Italian. Like everything every erated out of a small boat that was Hungary, Poland and Italy. One other detail of their phony story, the crew bought it used to take them to the ship.

After of these organizations, the Hagana, without question. From time to time David would tell an unsuccessful fi rst try, too many was training refugees to fight, so the captain about some message that the Syrians had searchlights prevented them from that when they came to Israel they sent. The messages were in fact from Israel and the getting close, they made a second would be able to fight in the war Israeli office in Rome. Meanwhile, Syria had no clue attempt on the night of April 10, that was inevitably going to break why they had lost contact with the Argiro.

1948.

This time the British destroyer out when the British left Palestine.

As the Argiro got close to Crete, the Israeli corthat was to protect the Lino from atThese operations in Europe were Oved Sadeh tack and was docked next to it, was vettes, the K-18 Wedgewood and K-20 Hagana, were all part of a unit operating with the sent away.

Ada had convinced her contacts sent to intercept the cargo ship. They transferred all name Mossad Le’aliyah Bet. that it was not necessary to have a warship protectthe arms to an Israeli ship, and were immediately sent The Palmach, the elite armed branch of the Hagaing just one merchant vessel, and the Palmach team to the front where they were badly needed. The Italna, also had spies and saboteur operatives in Europe. was able to operate in darkness.

The team managed to ian crew was interred, as were the two “Egyptian” ofWe will explore their exploits in those place the mine without detection, and fi cers.

This was done so that they did not attract any uncertain first days of Israel in future slipped away to be as far away from the suspicions from the crew. The Argiro was sunk as articles, but for now, we will turn our explosion when the timer was detonatsoon as the arms were transferred and the crew was attention to a shipload of arms and amed.

It worked, and no one suspected eventually released.

The Syrians had to pin the blame munition that was destined for Syria, the Israelis of sabotage. on somebody, and the scapegoat was Captain Bey, and but were to be handed to the PalestinHowever, that was not the end of he was accused of betraying his country. ians once the fighting started. the journey for the rifl es.

The Syrians This part of the operation, dubbed Mivtza ShodedThe Palmach that were stationed in had managed to salvage 85% of the the Pirate Operation, played a major part in winning Italy, headed by Ada Sireni, heard that guns and with the help of the Italians, the War of Independence.

This amazing modern day the Lino, an Italian ship, was loaded they found another ship, the Argiro.

In piracy on the high seas was the precursor to many with 8,000 rifles and 6 million rounds addition to the rifl es, two million buloperations that the Israeli Navy Special Forces were to of ammunition. Shaul Avigur, head lets along with 11 crates of spare parts undertake in the newly founded country. of the arms procurement team in Euwere added to the cargo. The Syrian rope, immediately decided to capture If you have any questions or comments, you can email Avi at in charge, Major Mardam Bey, a relathe load or in the least prevent these David -Dudale- Ben-Chorin aviheiligman@gmail.com tive of the Syrian Prime Minister, was weapons from getting into the hands of to make sure that there were no more the Arabs. sabotage attempts on this shipment of arms.

The Palmach received a break when they heard Even though the crew was Italian, the Palmach that the Lino was to head to the harbor of Bari for

A

THE SOUTH FLORIDA JEWISH HOME ■ JAN. 27, 2011

FORGOTTEN HEROES Highlights of Jewish Heroes who made a difference in defending their countries

SOUTH FLORIDA JEWISH HOME■ ■JAN. JAN. 2011 THETHE SOUTH FLORIDA JEWISH HOME 27,27, 2011

26 26

NEW JERSEY – Massive Kiddush Hashem as Thousands of Orthodox Lakewood Residents Pour into the Streets to Mourn the Brutal Murder of a Police Officer Thousands of frum Lakewood residents, led by the Roshei Yeshiva of Bais Medrash Gavoha attended the funeral of Lakewood Police Officer Christopher Matlosz. Hundreds of young children lined the streets in an orderly fashion – in a massive Kiddush Hashem. According to The NJ State Police over 5,000 police officers attended the funeral on Thursday.

Officer Matlosz was brutally shot and killed last Friday while on patrol in a residential neighborhood in Lakewood that had been the scene of several shootings. He pulled his police cruiser up to a person on the sidewalk and began talking to him in a non-confrontational manner when the pedestrian pulled out a handgun and opened fire, shooting the officer three times.

WASHINGTON – Historic Progress: Two Senators Agree To Sit Together For President Obama’s State of the Union Address Republican Senator Tom Coburn of Oklahoma and Democrat Chuck Schumer of New York have announced that they’ll break tradition and sit together during President Barack Obama’s State of the Union address.

The decision comes amid calls for greater civility in politics following the fatal shootings last

weekend at a political event in Tucson, Ariz.

Schumer and Coburn hope that their symbolic move will set a more civil tone and encourage other lawmakers to follow their example and skip the partisan seating arrangements that usually come with joint sessions of Congress.

WORLD REPORT JERICHO - Russian President Reassures Abbas Regarding Palestinian State

CUPERTINO, CA - Apple’s Steve Jobs Announces Medical Leave Apple chief executive Steve Jobs wrote in an e-mail to employees Monday that he is taking a new leave of absence from the technology company so that he can focus on his health. Jobs’ health has come into question before, creating large fluctuations in Apple’s stock price. Jobs had surgery for pancreatic cancer in 2004 and also underwent a liver transplant in June 2009.

The letter Jobs sent reads as follows: Team, At my request, the board of directors has granted me a medical leave of absence so I can

focus on my health. I will continue as CEO and be involved in major strategic decisions for the company.

I have asked Tim Cook to be responsible for all of Apple’s day to day operations. I have great confidence that Tim and the rest of the executive management team will do a terrific job executing the exciting plans we have in place for 2011.

I love Apple so much and hope to be back as soon as I can. In the meantime, my family and I would deeply appreciate respect for our privacy.

Steve

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has told Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas Tuesday that his country recognizes the PA as a state. The reassurance from the Russian President came on his first-ever visit to the PA. Israel was to be part of the visit as well but plans were canceled due to an Israeli Foreign Ministry strike.

The Soviet Union was one of the first supporters of the PA from the time Yasser Arafat announced his

declaration of independence in 1988. “Russia stated its position on this issue in the 1980s, in the last century, and we fully support the inalienable right of the Palestinian people to the establishment of an independent, united and viable state with east Jerusalem as its capital,” the Russian leader said in Jericho, where he dedicated a Russian-funded museum.

Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak has announced that he is leaving his Labor Party and forming a new party, called Independence, inside the governing coalition. Barak’s departure has completed a split in the legendary party over the handling of peace talks with the Palestinians.

The unexpected move appears to have strengthened N e t a n y a h u ’s hard-line coalition by leaving it with a smaller and mostly like-minded majority. The departure of most Labor ministers leaves Netanyahu with 66 seats in the 120-seat Knesset, a smaller majority but lacking

the dissenting voices of the Labor ministers.

Announcing his decision, Barak said he was tired of the infighting within Labor. He accused his former partners of moving too far to the dovish end of the political spectrum. “We are embarking on a new path,” he said at a news conference, “We want to wake up without having to c o m p ro m i s e , apologize and explain. We are forming today a faction, a movement and in the future a party that will be centrist, Zionist and democratic.” The new party is called Independence.

DIMONA, ISRAEL – Revealed by New York Times: Worm Called Crucial in Iran Nuclear Delay was Tested in Israel The heavily guarded Dimona complex in the Negev desert, believed to be the home of Israel’s never-acknowledged nuclear arms program, was the secret location where the now famous Stuxnet worm was tested.

According to intelligence and military experts, over the past two years the Dimona facility has been the testing ground in a joint American and Israeli effort to undermine Iran’s push for nuclear weapons.

Behind Dimona’s guarded fence, sources say, Israel has spun nuclear centrifuges virtually identical to Iran’s at Natanz.

Experts tested the effectiveness of the Stuxnet computer worm, a destructive program that appears to have wiped out

roughly a fifth of Iran’s nuclear centrifuges and helped set back Tehran’s ability to make nuclear arms by several years.

New details about the way the worm works have come to light in recent weeks.

The first component of the worm was designed to send Iran’s nuclear centrifuges spinning wildly out of control. The second component appears to have been a computer program that secretly recorded the normal operations of the nuclear plant, then played those readings back to plant operators so that it would appear that everything was operating normally while the centrifuges were actually being destroyed.

JERUSALEM - Israeli Boy Convicted in Japan Is Granted Early Release from Prison

ISRAEL – In Defiance of American Disapproval Israel Plans to Build 1,400 Apartments in Contested Part of Jerusalem The Israeli government has announced that they are moving ahead with a new proposal to build 1,400 apartments in Gilo, a contested part of Jerusalem.

Palestinians are enraged at the new proposal denouncing it as another settler land grab. The move is seen as another blow to the peace talks which have been broken off by Palestinians over Israel’s refusal to halt construction in east Jerusalem and the West Bank.

Jerusalem officials confirmed they were aware of the plan, but would not say when the city’s planning committee, which needs to approve such projects, would vote on it.

“Jerusalem City Hall continues to advance construction for Arabs and Jews alike according to the master plan,” the spokesman’s office said.

“New construction in Jerusalem is necessary to the development of the city.”

The new plan drew a new round of U.S. condemnation.

“We find unilateral actions of this sort to be counterproductive in efforts to get the two sides to negotiate on the core issues,” U.S. Embassy spokesman Kurt Hoyer said. The criticism comes after the U.S. harshly criticized Israel for demolishing a historic hotel in east Jerusalem to make way for 20 apartments for Jews.

Yosef Bando, the youngest of the three Israeli boys imprisoned in Japan for smuggling drugs, is now free after receiving time off for good behavior and having his sentence reduced by Israeli president Shimon Peres.

In 2008 three chareidi bochurim were apprehended in Japan after drugs were found in a suitcase they were allegedly carrying for someone else. The three boys, who professed their

innocence, passed a polygraph test and the owner of the drug laden suitcase is now serving a three year prison sentence in Israel.

Bando was transferred to Israel from Japan last March after serving the first part of his sentence in Japan. The sentence was reduced by Israeli President Shimon Peres after receiving the blessing of Japanese authorities.

Got $1.1 Billion to Spare? Buy a Yacht The world’s most expensive yacht, recreating the billionaire’s playground of Monaco, is currently being designed in the UK. The staggering 500 foot Streets of Monaco yacht is expected to cost over $1.1 billion to build and is modelled on a section of Monte Carlo.

The private ship will feature

smaller versions of the state’s famous landmarks such as the Monte Carlo Casino and racetrack, as well as swimming pools, a beach, tennis courts, a cinema, a go kart track and a Hotel de Paris. Want to fly off or go under water? No problem. The ship is equipped with helicopters and submarines as well.

27 27 SOUTH FLORIDA JEWISH HOME■ ■JAN. JAN. 2011 THETHE SOUTH FLORIDA JEWISH HOME 27,27, 2011

JERUSALEM - Israel’s Defense Minister Abruptly Quits Labor Party

THE SOUTH FLORIDA JEWISH HOME ■ JAN. 27, 2011

28

29

Children Dear Readers, First, I would like to express my gratitude to all the readers for all the positive feedback and the warm words that were expressed to me since starting to write this column. I hope that Beezrat Hashem I will be a fit shliach (messenger), to suggest helpful advice to my precious readers.

I was personally asked this week to discuss common colds. Being that I just experienced one myself, I thought it was a great opportunity to share with you some tips that I found in one of the American Academy of Pediatrics publications.

As was mentioned by our sages centuries ago (Ketubbot 30a): “everything is in the hand of shamayim (G-d) except for common colds”. It seems that our sages felt that there was some measure of prevention given to us humans when it comes to colds. Therefore, in addition to the publication, I tried to blend in my own “recipe” for treating colds.

My child seems to get a lot of colds. Is this normal?

Your child probably will have more colds, or upper respiratory infections, than any other illness. In the first two years of life alone, most youngsters have eight to ten colds. And if your child is in child care, or if there are older school-age children in your house, she may have even more, since colds spread easily among children who are in close contact with one another.

That’s the bad news, but there is some good news, too: Most colds go away by themselves and do not lead to anything worse.

How colds spread: Colds are caused by viruses, which are extremely small infectious organisms (much smaller than bacteria). A sneeze or a cough may directly transfer a virus from one person to another. The virus also may be spread indirectly, in the following manner.

A child or adult infected with the virus will, in coughing, sneezing, or touching her nose, transfer some of the virus particles onto her hand.

She then touches the hand of a healthy person.

This healthy person touches her newly contaminated hand to her own nose, thus introducing the infectious agent to a place where it can multiply and grow—the nose or throat. Symptoms of a cold soon develop.

The cycle then repeats itself, with the virus being transferred from this newly infected child or adult to the next susceptible one, and so on.

Signs and symptoms of a cold Once the virus is present and multiplying, your child will develop the familiar symptoms and signs: • Runny nose (first, a clear discharge; later, a thicker, often colored one) • Sneezing

and

Colds

•

Mild fever (101–102 degrees Fahrenheit [38.3–38.9 degrees Celsius]), particularly in the evening • Decreased appetite • Sore throat and, perhaps, difficulty swallowing • Cough • On-and-off irritability • Slightly swollen glands • Pus on the tonsils, especially in children three years and older, may indicate a strep infection.

If your child has a typical cold without complications, the symptoms should disappear gradually after seven to ten days.

When to seek medical attention An older child with a cold usually doesn’t need to

see a doctor unless the condition becomes more serious. If she is three months or younger, however, you should see the pediatrician at the first sign of illness.

With a young baby, symptoms can be misleading, and colds can quickly develop into more serious ailments, such as bronchiolitis, croup, or pneumonia.

For a child older than three months, see the pediatrician if: • The nostrils are widening with each breath, the skin above or below the ribs sucks in with each breath (retractions), or your child is breathing rapidly or having any difficulty breathing.

• The lips or nails turn blue.

• Nasal mucus persists for longer than ten to fourteen days.

• The cough just won’t go away (it lasts more than one week).

• She has pain in her ear.

• Her temperature is over 102 degrees Fahrenheit (38.9 degrees Celsius).

• She is excessively sleepy or cranky.

Your pediatrician may want to see your child, or he may ask you to watch her closely and report back

Dr David Simai M.D.

if she doesn’t improve each day and is not completely recovered within one week from the start of her illness.

Treatment Unfortunately, there’s no cure for the common cold. Antibiotics may be used to combat bacterial infections, but they have no effect on viruses, so the best you can do is to make your child comfortable.

Make sure she gets extra rest and drinks increased amounts of fluids.

Pain Control If she has a fever and is very uncomfortable, give her single-ingredient acetaminophen or ibuprofen.

Ibuprofen is approved for use in children six months of age and older; however, it should never be given to children who are dehydrated or who are vomiting repeatedly. (Be sure to follow the recommended dosage for your child’s age and the time interval for repeated doses.)

Beware of Cold Medicines It’s important to note, though, that over-the-counter (OTC) cough and cold medicines should not be given to infants and children under two years old because of the risk of life-threatening side effects. Also, several studies show that cold and cough products don’t work in children younger than six years and can have potentially serious side effects. In addition, keep in mind that coughing clears mucus from the lower part of the respiratory tract, and ordinarily there’s no reason to suppress it.

Irrigation with nasal Saline If your infant is having trouble breathing or drinking because of nasal congestion, clear her nose with saline (salt water) nose drops or spray, which are available without a prescription. This can then be followed by suction with a rubber suction bulb every few hours or before each feeding or before bed. For the nose drops, use a dropper that has been cleaned with soap and water and rinsed well with plain water. Place two drops in each nostril fifteen to twenty minutes before feeding, and then immediately suction with the bulb. Never use nose drops that contain any medication, since excessive amounts can be absorbed. Only use normal saline nose drops.

When using the suction bulb, remember to squeeze the bulb part of the syringe first, gently stick the rubber tip into one nostril, and then slowly release the bulb. This slight amount of suction will draw the clogged mucus out of the nose and should allow her to breathe and suck at the same time once again. You’ll find that this technique works best when your baby is under six months of age. As she gets older, she’ll fight the bulb, making it difficult to suction the mucus, but the saline drops will still be effective.

Continued on next page

THE SOUTH FLORIDA JEWISH HOME ■ JAN. 27, 2011

YOUR HEALTH

30

Children and Colds Continued From Previous page

THE SOUTH FLORIDA JEWISH HOME ■ JAN. 27, 2011

Humidification Placing a cool-mist humidifier (vaporizer) in your child’s room also will help keep nasal secretions more liquid and make her more comfortable.

Set it close to her (but safely beyond her reach) so that she gets the full benefit of the additional moisture. Be sure to clean and dry the humidifier thoroughly each day to prevent bacterial or mold contamination. Hot-water vaporizers are not recommended since they can cause serious scalds or burns.

My Personal Tips: Honey: In recent years studies have shown that giving children 12 months and older honey relieved the coughs more effectively then the over the counter cough medicines (I would like to remind all the readers here, never to give honey to infants younger then 12 months old, lest they develop a life threatening paralysis known as Infantile Botulism.) Therefore, I always suggest that children should be given plain honey or chamomile tea with honey whenever they have colds.

How much tea? Adults should drink about 6 cups of tea per day, children 2-4 cups depending on their age.

Chicken Soup: Also known as the “Jewish Penicillin”. The use of Chicken Soup was actually scrutinized in the medical world and was found that it really works!!! Yes, your mothers were right again. Soup has a lot of beneficial vapors that loosen the mucus in the upper respiratory tracts

and that means fewer post nasal drips and ear infections.

Natural Remedies: Studies have shown that Sambucol (Black Elderberry) helps prevent and treat colds. Most health food stores sell this popular item. Other remedies such as Echinacea have conflicting reports on efficacy.

Vitamins: Vitamin C is a simple, affordable and effective way to prevent or shorten the duration of colds. If the brand that you use is very flavorful, make sure that the bottle is out of reach of your kids. Overdose of Vitamin C could cause serious kidney damage.

Rest: For both kids and adults, getting the recommended amount of rest is paramount for prevention and treatment of colds. When my patients ask me what I do for my colds I often answer: I cancel my evening plans, drink plenty of tea and soup (if available) and go to bed 2-3 hrs a head of schedule. I like to call this “listening to our body”.

In my opinion, taking pain medicine for colds in order to stay with the regular, demanding and rigorous daily routine is a form of abusing our bodies.

I only resort to taking pain medicines if they are accompanied by a healthy dosage of physical (and emotional) rest.

Prevention If your baby is under three months old, the best prevention against colds is to keep her away from people who have them. This is especially true during the winter, when many of the viruses that

cause colds are circulating in larger numbers. A virus that causes a mild illness in an older child or an adult can cause a more serious one in an infant.

If your child is in child care and has a cold, instruct her to cough and sneeze away from others, and to use a tissue to cough into and wipe her nose. Doing this may prevent her from spreading the cold to the others. Similarly, if your child would be in contact with children who have colds and it is convenient for you to keep her away from them, by all means do so. Also teach her to wash her hands regularly during the day; this will cut down on the spread of viruses.

By the way, the use of a tissue or a handkerchief is preferable to having your child cover her mouth with her hand when sneezing and coughing. If the virus lands on her hand, it can be transmitted to whatever she touches—a sibling, a friend, or a toy.

Wishing you a Healthy Winter,

David Elazar Simai M.D. Dr. David Simai is a Board Certified Pediatrician with a practice at 660 Central Avenue, Cedarhurst. He can be contacted at 516 374-2228 or via email at davidsimai@yahoo. com for consultations or to schedule public lectures.

NOTE: The above mentioned information is not intended to diagnose any specific disease. Always consult your personal physician before diagnosing or treating yourself or your child for any of the above mentioned diseases.

31

TIPS

Mrs. Hebel’s

1. EMPHASIZE QUALITY OVER QUANTITY - Winter vacation is often greeted with spirited cheers from the children as they envision endless of hours of freedom and fun. It is also unfortunately also greeted with anxiety – this from the parents – as they fret over how they will fulfill their children’s expectations.

Keep perspective: whether your child’s vacation spans two days or a full week, don’t feel that you need to entertain your children all day every day. Small but special can be just as effective, if not more so, than a full itinerary. You don’t need to hire yourself out as a full-time entertainer.

2. DON’T BREAK THE BANK - Current research on the correlation between memory and emotion suggests that the arousal of pleasant emotions is more significant than interest is in activating long term memory. If this is so, then it is not what you do that is critical but how you do it. You can spend fortunes of money and hours of your time on the most fantastic outings, but it the levels of joy and the bonding time, not the top entertainment, that will last in your child’s memory.

3. INTERACTIVE - Attention is one of the most precious commodities we can give our children and during the busy year, it is difficult to do, especially in a big family. Vacation is a great time for a heavy duty infusion of attention, the benefits of which will endure through the next hectic season. The more you interact with your children, chatting, listening to them and laughing with them, the better. A trip’s long term value is in the amount you interact with them on that trip, not the outing itself. And if this is so, then arts and crafts, cooking or baking, or an afternoon of games are all easy alternatives for having fun together. An added plus: tell your children that you are turning your phone’s ringer off for the duration of this activity and you will triple your emotional revenue!

4. PLAN IT TOGETHER - It is important that whatever you do with your children, appeals to them. The best vacation plans can be ruined by negativity and kvetching. Hear what their ideas are and afford them the chance to buy

Top Ten Tips FOR ENJOYING (OR SURVIVING!) WINTER BREAK into yours. If your child gets to choose between a third and fourth choice, he may be more receptive that if second choice was forced on him! Children have their own ideas of how they want to spend vacation running the gamut from creative to ludicrous so set ground rules before you start. Let them know in advance the budget, the distance and the range of what you consider acceptable options, so that you don’t have to nix their ideas again and again.

5. CONSIDER THE MULTIPLE AGES - One of the greatest challenges is dealing with the differing interests of the varying ages and genders in a family. But, it is also one of the greatest opportunities to teach compromising and consideration. In my family, because the age gaps are so wide, we do one day geared to older kids, and the younger kids tag along for the fun and then one day geared for the younger kids and the older ones take on a doting role, helping their younger siblings. There is no one model that will work for everyone, but teaching children to concede at times to others is an invaluable life skill.

6. KNOW WHAT YOUR LIMITS ARE - If your objective is joy and bonding, know your family’ limits and plan around them. Foolish optimism will lead to disappointment and even anger – the exact opposite of what you are trying to accomplish. The best trip, if followed by two hours of yelling at the kids in the car, will leave everyone in a sour mood. If your kids tend to fight in car, keep it local. Think about what will work well… not what you wish could work.

7. FIND THE HOT SPOTS - Do some research about the best activities in your area. There are great interactive museums, kids’ play areas, and more all within a short distance of wherever you are. AAA guide books have the most incredible

array of interesting or entertaining sites, which no one even knows about. You can go online and surf around – there are endless activities in your area if you think a bit out of the box.

8. TAKE A HOUSE TRIP - Going out can be exhausting or expensive, but you can take a trip in your own house. Go on a picnic on your playroom floor with all the paraphernalia, turn a room in your house into a beach or a zoo… once you get the kids started, they will do all the work for you.

9. IT’S OK TO DO “NOTHING” TOO Spending time together without the pressures of homework or making the bus is no small thing. You can leave your kids a bit to their own devices to a degree. Getting together with a friend or just whiling the day away with endless hours of play can be gan eden to a child.

You can recognize that vacation is special with a nice supper; the icing on the cake to a great day of “nothing”!

10. TAKE PICTURES - Whatever you do, build memories by taking lots of pictures. In the ensuing months, your children will look at them again and again, each time reigniting the good feelings they felt at the time. My daughter recently wrote a paragraph at school about how her family always does the best things together.

Her teacher asked me how we manage to do it.

The answer: we don’t! But my daughter looks at those pictures so often that the joy of those days envelops her all year long.

Mrs. Estee Hebel, MsED, is the General Studies Principal of Shalom Torah Academy, a preschool through eighth grade day school, in Morganville, NJ. Mrs. Hebel has over 15 years of experience in education and educational leadership. She is also a dynamic teacher trainer who has taught a graduate course in educational research. She presents innovative hands-on training workshops on a wide assortment of teaching methods, classroom management, motivational techniques and strategies for encouraging self-directed and higher-level learning. To learn more about her workshops or to schedule one, you can contact her at 732-536-0911x12 or esteehebel@yahoo.com.

THE SOUTH FLORIDA JEWISH HOME ■ JAN. 27, 2011

Parenting

THE SOUTH FLORIDA JEWISH HOME ■ JAN. 27, 2011

32 PARENTING TODAY

Empowering our Children With Responsibility

BY BENJIE STERN

A

local school has decided to make the job of the secretaries easier by breaking down the options on the school’s answering machine.

They created extensions so that the parents can be transferred to the proper department. The staff looked at several possibilities and finally agreed on the following: • To lie about why your child is absent – Press 1 • To make excuses for why your child did not do his work – Press 2 • To complain about what we do – Press 3 • To degrade staff members – Press 4 • To ask why you didn’t get information that was already enclosed in your newsletter and several flyers mailed to you – Press 5 • If you want us to raise your child – Press 6 • If you want to reach out and scream at someone – Press 7 • To request another teacher for the third time this year – Press 8 • To demand that your child get a higher grade – Press 9 Though this is a joke, staff members are all too familiar with many of these requests. School personnel have been concerned that over the years parents have been relinquishing more and more responsibilities from their children, and have been throwing it back onto the schools and teachers. Besides the lack of respect and compliance the child will have for the school, the parents are modeling for the children how to place blame as opposed to taking on responsibility and accountability.

In the real world, in order to be successful in all

areas of life, one must be able to be accountable. The time to learn this very important lesson is during the vital years of childhood. We must teach our children to be responsible for his/her own behavior, class work, and homework, and that it’s not always the teacher’s fault for the child’s lack of effort.

Sad to say, the teachers are recognizing a national epidemic. Dr. Jim Fay* (2003) calls it the “Jet-Powered Turbo-Attack Helicopter Parent Model” epidemic. Many of today’s parents are obsessed with the desire to create a perfect image for their kids. We, the parents, want to see the best for our children, and want to give them the perfect life, one in which our kids never have to face struggle, inconvenience, discomfort, disappointment or give. This perfect image, or perfect life, is one in which our kids never have to struggle. It is a life in which the child can be launched into adulthood with the best of credentials. These kids look great on paper. Their high

“In the real world, in order to be successful in all areas of life, one must be able to be accountable. The time to learn this very important lesson is during the vital years of childhood...”

school and college diplomas show high grades even if they were not earned. They lead a life where their mistakes are swept under the table.

Dr. Fay explains that these parents, in their zeal to protect their young, swoop down like jet-powered, attack helicopters on any person or institution who might hold their children accountable for their actions. Armed with verbal smart bombs, they are quick to blast away at anyone who sets high stan-

dards for behavior, morality, or achievement. Declaring their child a victim is a favorite tactical maneuver designed to send school personnel diving into the trenches for protection.

Do not get me wrong. It is extremely important for parents to be the child’s advocate and be able to work with the school to make sure that the child is safe, and that the school is giving them the proper support and accommodations. If we are not the child’s advocate, who will be! However, when parents go so far as to model a lack of accountability they will end up being disappointed. These kids learn to blame others for their lack of success, instead of becoming people who reach goals through effort and determination. Some parents are not satisfied with protection, but even prefer to destroy the infrastructure of the very agencies that are dedicated to helping their children grow into educated, moral human beings.

I have worked with many parents who have fallen into this trap. They all love their children. They all want the best for them. They talk about how they don’t want their kids to struggle like they did. Once they are made aware of the results of their actions and see the crippling effects of this parenting style, they are often willing to change their parenting style.

Many of these parents have said to me, “I now realize that changing my parenting style will help my child develop the character and resilience to compete in the business market.”

Is it possible for children who have never had to stand on their own two feet, never had to be responsible for their own actions, or never had to face and solve the smaller problems of childhood, to have the tools to face the rigors of adult life? We all know the answer to that. Can the young adult who gets that perfect job perform well enough to keep that job if his grades from school were the result of teacher intimidation instead of vigorous study? The company who hires this person, or the spouse that marries this individual, won’t be easily intimidated by parental pressure in the face of substandard performance or commitment. A perfect image and perfect school transcript are poor substitutes for the character, struggle, and perseverance that produces real achievements. *Fay, J. (2003) Parenting with love and logic: Make Your Kids Responsible For their Actions.

Benjie Stern, PhD (Candidate) in Counseling Psychology, MS in School Psychology, is a School Psychologist in Magen David Yeshiva and specializes in counseling children, teenagers and parents. He is a member of Nefesh International - Network of Orthodox Mental Health Professionals, the American Psychological Association (APA), and National Association of School Psychologists (NASP). For appointments (in Brooklyn or Five Towns), comments or questions please email at kidfriendlypsych@gmail.com or call (516) 232-7466.z

33 THE SOUTH FLORIDA JEWISH HOME ■ JAN. 27, 2011

Tax Relief in January 2011

By Gerald L. Mayerhoff, CPA, PFS

Last month the tax arena was abuzz with all the hoopla regarding the passage of the Tax Relief, Unemployment Insurance Reauthorization and Job Creation Act of 2010 (2010 Tax Relief Act). Everyone wanted to know how the passage of this act will affect them and what should they do before the end of the year to put themselves into a better tax position. In contrast, the month of January is passing relatively quickly and quietly as the tax forms trickle in and are put into the folder to bring to the accountant.

Retired or still working, there are two items in the 2010 Tax Relief Act that take effect at the end of January 2011.

If you are in the workforce you should be aware that for the year 2011 the 2010 Tax Relief Act reduced the employee share of Social Security Tax withheld by 2%, from 6.2% to 4.2%. There was no adjustment to the employers share. That means if you are an employee and you had no other adjustments you should be seeing 2% more in your paycheck. Since this change was passed so close to the end of the year employers have been advised by the Internal Revenue Service to implement the change as soon as possible, but no later than January 31st, 2011. This means that if you get paid on the 31st the adjustment should be in your check. Any paychecks received in January before the 31st may or may not have included the adjustment. Employers have until March 31st to make the adjustment for any January paychecks issued before the 31st. Employers

should let their employees know when this adjustment will be made. If your employer needs to make this adjustment and does not inform you then you should ask.

If you are over age 70½ and have a pension plan or traditional Investment Retirement Account (IRA) then you are probably required to take annual required minimum distributions (RMD). There is a penalty if the distribution is not made. The requirement for this distribution was suspended in 2009 only and was required again in 2010. Before 2009 there was a special rule allowing a direct transfer of up to $100,000 per year from such accounts to a qualified charitable organization which would count towards the required distribution, would not be included in taxable income and no charitable deduction would be allowed. In essence this allowed the charitable contribution to go from the IRA or pension plan directly to the charity and bypass your income tax return. The 2010 Tax Relief Act retroactively reinstated this rule for 2010 as well as 2011. Since the act didn’t pass until mid-December an extra month was given to make a direct charitable distribution for the 2010 tax year. If you have not taken a required minimum distribution for 2010 or you are not sure if you did then speak with your tax and/or financial advisor as soon as possible.

This article is intended to discuss current tax issues and should not be relied upon as personal tax advice.

Your personal tax situation should be discussed with a qualified tax advisor.

Gerald L. Mayerhoff, CPA, PFS practices tax and accounting focusing on taxation of individuals, trusts, estates and closely held businesses in Hollywood, FL. He is a Certified Public Accountant in the states of Florida and New York, holds the Personal Financial Specialist (PFS) designation from the AICPA and a Master’s of Science in Taxation from Pace University. He can be reached at glmcpa@bellsouth.net.

danny kay CREATIVE SERVICES & CONSULTING DESIGN Q ADVERTISING Q COMMERCIAL PHOTOGRAPHY Q VIDEO Q WEB Q MULTIMEDIA Q

DANNY KAY

347-PHOTO-25

www.dannykaydesign.com dannykay@mac.com We are excited to offer our 20+ years of experience to the businesses and organizations of South Florida.

Contact us for more information.

THE SOUTH FLORIDA JEWISH HOME ■ JAN. 27, 2011

34 Finance

Seeing the Math: The Right Way to Pay off the Mortgage

What’s the best mortgage arrangement, one that pays off the debt as soon as possible, or one that results in the lowest monthly payment?

I

Yes.

n a perfect financial world, everyone would be debt- free, at least when it comes to personal living expenses, like transportation and housing.

But, in the real world, most of us have to borrow.

When the bank lends money, it charges interest to the borrower. For example, a $100,000 mortgage at 6% interest, paid for 30 years will actually cost the borrower $215,838 to repay. While each monthly payment is the same ($599.55 a month); the payment is not divided into level amounts of interest and principal. At the beginning, the payments are mostly interest, which means the early payments don’t reduce your debt very much. At the end, the payments are almost entirely principal and no interest. This interest -at –the- beginning -principal –at- the- end arrangement applies not only to mortgage loans, but every type of loan with annualized interest.

In an effort to reduce this interest cost, some financial commentators recommend either making extra principal payments each month to the 30 year mortgage, or taking a shorter mortgage (i.e. 15 years instead of 30).

Making extra principal payments or taking a shorter mortgage term may not be the best method to repay a mortgage. The commentators aren’t wrong about the desirability of decreasing or eliminating debt. The problem is the method usually recommended to reduce debt is the most restrictive, and the one most counterproductive to your prosperity.

In the example mentioned above, if you were to increase the monthly mortgage payment to the bank by just $244.31 (to $843.86), the same $100,000 loan would be paid off in just fifteen years. This change would save you almost $64,000 in interest costs.

Mathematically, this concept is absolutely true. But

…it’s possible that making extra payments each month works better for the bank than it does for you! practically, it’s probably the worst way to accomplish the job! Here’s why: First, there’s no magic in putting the extra payments in the mortgage. As long as the extra payment of $244.31 was set aside, and earned a rate of return equal to the loan interest rate, the loan would still be paid off in the same amount of time. If an extra $244.31 a month in principal payments would pay off the 6% mortgage in 15 years, the same amount earning 6% in a savings/investment account would also grow large enough in 15 years to pay off the loan.

The magic isn’t in making the extra principal payment; it’s in setting aside the extra $244.31.

Second, you lose control of your money. The extra principal payment each month builds additional equity in your house. In our example, some would say it’s like a savings account earning 6%. But is it really the same as “saving”? What happens if you want “your money” that you have “saved”?

The only way to get it “out of the house” is by asking

For advertising opportunities please call

954-635-5509

or email to Ads@SFJewishHome.com

Jeffrey (Yitz) Stern the bank to loan it back to you, usually in the form of a home-equity loan at a higher interest rate! And just because you have the equity doesn’t mean the bank has to approve a loan. Access to home equity is at the discretion of the bank. The lender controls the asset, not you.

Not only do you lose control over access to your savings, you also lose the option of where to invest it.

Many savings vehicles will accept monthly deposits, and a number of these vehicles have consistently generated rates of return higher than mortgage rates. This is especially true now, when mortgage rates are low. In our example, think of how fast you could pay off the mortgage if you were earning 8% or 10% annually instead of 6%. Furthermore, when you make your extra principal payment to a vehicle outside the mortgage, you can also change your mind, stopping one investment or starting another. But if you’re locked into a shorter term mortgage, there’s really only one choice: to pay or not to pay the mortgage.

Finally, when you make extra payments on your mortgage, you decrease your tax deductions. Mortgage interest is usually deductible on your income tax return, but when you prepay against interest in the mortgage, you reduce the percentage of deductible interest in each regular payment.

Again, please don’t misunderstand; getting rid of debt is a good thing. And extra payments will pay off a loan early, thus decreasing the interest costs. But putting the extra payments into the mortgage is not the best way to accomplish this objective.

To maximize your financial options, the best approach is to take the thirty year mortgage, save your “extra” principal payments in a separate account, and pay off the mortgage in a lump sum. This strategy will not only pay off the mortgage just as early (perhaps earlier), but also will give you the greatest access, flexibility, control and tax breaks for your money.

One final thought: The reason interest comprises the greater portion of each payment at the beginning of the mortgage (or any loan) is because that’s when the bank has the greatest risk. The bank loaned you money, you purchased something of value with the loan, and all they have is your promise to pay (with the house as collateral). Money loaned to you can’t be loaned to someone else until you pay it back.

By encouraging you to pay more than the minimum each month, the bank reduces its risk exposure, gets your money back faster so it can make more loans (and earn money)- and still has your house as collateral. Given this information, it’s possible that making extra payments each month works better for the bank than it does for you!

Jeffrey (Yitz) Stern is a financial advisor and is the managing partner of National Planning Corporation in Hollywood, Florida. For a review of your financial plan and for career opportunities you can reach Yitz at 954-862-5440.

Parsha

35

our leadership has formed through partnering, community building and volunteering has yielded a deep respect and mutual admiration that culminates in achievements and moments like this.

As of this week, if someone needs to stay at the hospital to be with a loved one over a Shabbos, there is a room dedicated with a refrigerator stocked with kosher food, a bookcase filled with Jewish books, a comfortable place to sleep, eat Shabbos meals, etc. You see, Bikur cholim, visiting and supporting those who are ill, is listed in the mishna we recite each morning among those activities whose rewards are immeasurable. However, all too often, we focus exclusively on the needs, challenges and condition of the ill person while neglecting and ignoring their family. The existence of the BRRH Shabbos Hospitality Room will ease the burden of a sick individual’s relatives giving them the peace of mind to focus exclusively on their loved one and their recovery.

While we are tremendously grateful for the existence of this new room, we pray that it get little use and that all who are ill have a speedy and full recovery.

To follow Rabbi Goldberg daily, sign up at twitter.com/rabbigoldberg Rabbi Efrem Goldberg

Parshat Mishpatim: Torah - The Eternal Code “And” these are the laws that you shall place before them (the Jewish People)” (Ch.21 v1). The conjunction “and” which begins this portion of Mishpatim connects it to the prior portion of Yitro. This emphasizes that just as the content of the prior portion of (the Ten Commandments) were given by G-d at Sinai, so too were all the laws/rules of the Torah, Divinely revealed at Sinai. Not only were the statutes that are beyond rationality i.e. Kosher and Shabbos, commanded by G-d but every law of life, even the most elementary i.e. the treatment of servants and laws of civil damages were likewise dictated by G-d.

“That you shall place” means that you have to teach and explain these laws so they are clear and plainly understood. These laws obviously fit neatly into the human mind and can be logically and rationally explained. These are rules that do not require faith or acceptance of a “Higher Authority” to qualify their acceptance.

“Before them” teaches that you should adjudicate your legal matters before a Jewish Court (Beit Din) rather than a secular court though the ruling may be the same. Obviously, if these laws can be properly adjudicated in secular courts they conform with the practical needs and protection of society.

This very important preface to this portion which contains 53 laws, emphasizes a critical pre-requisite in accepting and living according to the Torah.

There are two types of laws. One is natural law constructed and adopted by society’s arbitrary decisions which result from community needs for civilized orderly living. These laws created by society include taxation, zoning, traffic laws etc. If not for an amalgamation of people who live together as a group community these laws would be unnecessary. In a world with moral and ethical relativism

these laws can constantly change in accordance to each period and its society’s perceived notion of right, wrong, good Rabbi Sholom and evil. In one decade abortion is murder where in another D. Lipskar it is freedom.

The other is Divine/Torah Law. These laws create society, forming the character of the people. Torah regulations are not developed by consensus of society’s needs but are given by G-d to make a complete, perfect world .that becomes the dwelling place for Him. These laws never change and apply to every single individual, as to all of society and in all locations. G-d’s laws are absolute and form the foundation of a healthy, balanced world.

Natural Laws are established after society is formed and lives in a particular geographic location. Torah laws were mandated before the Jews had a Land or were officially formed as a people.

Our Torah is the eternal code established by the Architect of Man and his Universe to develop all of creation in the most beneficial and holy way. That is also why the event and story of Revelation begins in last week’s portion and culminates at the end of this week’s portion serving as anchors before and after these laws.

They must all be accepted and adhered to unconditionally and beyond rationality because they were given by Hashem at Sinai.

Have a great Shabbos and a good week.

THE SOUTH FLORIDA JEWISH HOME ■ JAN. 27, 2011

T

here are moments that reassure us that we live in a community that ‘gets it.’

This past week, I had the privilege of participating in the dedication of the Shabbos Hospitality Room at the Boca Raton Regional (formerly Community) Hospital. In my remarks at the ribbon cutting ceremony I noted that while the name of the hospital has now changed, it is clear from this dedication that commitment to community remains at its core. Every square inch of space in a hospital building represents potential revenue for the hospital. Why would a hospital forfeit that revenue by allocating space to the specific needs of a relatively small and limited number of its’ constituents who are Shabbos observant?

This achievement is overwhelmingly due to the hard work of our beloved Stan Smith, head of the Bikur Cholim of Palm Beach County, together with Miriam Alexander, who has worked to provide 11 such Shabbos rooms in hospitals around the country. However, I would add that this accomplishment is also an expression of the successful integration and representation of the observant community within the greater Boca Raton community. The relationships

THE SOUTH FLORIDA JEWISH HOME ■ JAN. 27, 2011

36

NUTRITION & FITNESS

I

Foods That Fight Aging

awoke this morning only to discover a new wrinkle, an unwelcome addition with far too many friends to count. Aging is a natural phenomenon in a human lifecycle.

It cannot be prevented, and as we age our bodies will change and deteriorate.

Wrinkles and memory loss are just two of the many manifestations of aging. A higher risk of contracting diseases like cancer, developing Alzheimer’s, elevated blood pressure, and cardiac failures are all associated with aging.

We cannot reverse the aging process, but we can slow it down by eating the right kinds of food and living healthy. In general, keep your caloric and saturated fat intake down; eat plenty of whole grains, oily fish, fruits, and vegetables; cut down on salt and sugar. There are ten specific anti-aging foods that will help you in your fight against Mother Nature, and should be regularly included in your diet.

Avocado – this fruit is a good source of monounsaturated fat, and reduces the LDL cholesterol. It also is an excellent source of vitamin E that will prevent skin aging, and alleviate menopausal hot flushes.

Berries - All black and blue berries contain phytochemicals, which help protect the body against free radicals and aging. Blueberries are known to have memory-boosting potential.

Cruciferous Vegetables - includes cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, kale, turnip, brussel sprouts, radish, and watercress. These vegetables assist the body in its fight against toxins and cancer.

Garlic - Eating a clove of garlic a day helps keep cancer and heart disease away. A 1994 study in Iowa suggested that women who ate a clove of garlic at least once a week were 50% less likely to develop colon cancer. Another study in India found that garlic reduced cholesterol levels, and was more effective at blood thinning than aspirin.

Ginger - can be used to boost digestive and circulatory systems, and helps alleviate rheumatic aches and pains.

Nuts - They are high in calories and fat, but in small amounts are a good source of minerals, especially walnuts and brazi nuts. They enhance the digestive and immune systems, help control/ prevent cancer, and control cholesterol levels.

Soy - Helps menopausal women maintain estrogen levels, and assuage hot flush.

Whole meal pasta & brown rice - These are complex carbohydrates that supply energy throughout the day.

Watermelon - Both flesh and seeds are nutritious, and help against free radical damage and aging.

Water - Drink at least 8 cups of water a day. It helps get rid of toxins and waste from our bodies.

by: Aliza Beer

Scientists at the USDA have developed a ratio scale that measures the antioxidant content of various plant foods. The scale is called ORAC – Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity. They found that a small group of “super foods” have up to twenty times Food Prunes Raisins Blueberries Blackberries Kale Strawberries Spinach Raspberries

ORAC Score 5,770 2,830 2,400 2,036 1,770 1,540 1,260 1,220

the antioxidant power of other foods. It is recommended that one consumes 3,000 ORAC units a day, which is not too difficult since ½ cup of blueberries are 2,400 units.

We are what we eat. Fortunately though, many foods are proven to drastically make our life better.

A combination of the ten specific anti-aging foods mixed with the ORAC superfoods have the power to delay aging and make our bodies healthier. These foods will make you feel better, keep you younger, and fend off disease. An anti aging diet together with wrinkle cream will keep you looking and feeling marvelous!

Health

37

You may have seen his face on an I-95 billboard these prestigious diabetes societies. Sugar Crush has this month, or in one of over a 200 national TV ap- the potential to make a huge impact on the diabetes pearances including The Daily Show with Jon Stew- population, Jews and non-Jews alike, helping people art, FOX News and CNBC, Uri Man is a local entre- with diabetes maintain healthy blood sugar levels uspreneur who hosts a popular business radio show, ing natural organic herbs,” said Uri Man. the UriManReview.com, and recently starred as one For the nation’s 30 million people with Type 2 of Bravo’s bachelors on hit reality TV series, The Mil- diabetes, and an estimated 57 million pre-diabetics, lionaire Matchmaker. achieving healthy blood sugar levUri is proud of his Judaism els and maintaining them is a daily and eager to discuss his fambattle. NaturEra’s “Sugar Crush” ily’s Israeli background and the supplements are specifically designed importance Judaism has played to help people with diabetes and the in his upbringing, giving him products are supported by clinical strength to pursue many accomresearch conducted in Israel, the US plishments. After completing an and Russia. Clinical studies are now undergraduate degree at the Uniavailable in their entirety at www.Naversity of Michigan and an MBA turEra.com from Berkeley, Uri worked for Sugar Crush products are Kosher, financial giants Goldman Sachs all natural and organic, dietary supand Barclays Capital, was honplements backed by clinical research ored as “Young Real Estate Depublished by the most prestigious US veloper of the Year” by the Urban medical societies related to diabetes.

Land Institute for his contribuThe clinical research was published tions to the real estate industry, as an abstract at the American DiaUri Man and was most recently Vice Presibetes Association 70th Annual Sciendent of the Florida Panthers NHL Hockey Team. “I’ve tific Sessions in June 2010 and was also accepted for always been proud of my Jewish Israeli background, Poster Presentation at the 37th Annual Society Meeting and with a name like mine, people usually guess I’m of the American Association of Diabetes Educators in Israeli, so I’m always doing my best to represent.” said Uri Man. Uri’s latest project is an entrepreneurial venture, NaturEra, pronounced “Nature Era,” a natural products company dedicated to helping people with diabetes. NaturEra’s “Sugar Crush” products are all natural and organic Kosher dietary supplements that help people with diabetes maintain healthy blood sugar levels. While not a diabetic himself, Uri is passionate about helping people with diabetes as many of his friends and family have been affected by the disease’s complications.

In 2010, “Sugar Crush” dietary supplements became the first ever all natural products backed by clinical research published by the most prestigious US medical societies for diabetes, including the American Diabetes Association and the American Association of Diabetes Educators. “To my knowledge, this is also the first time a Kosher product has research accepted for publication by

August 2010. The clinical results show that NaturEra’s Kosher Sugar Crush and Sugar Crush Daily formulas used in combination help maintain healthy blood sugar levels for people with diabetes. The study shows that the two Sugar Crush supplements produce dramatic results for diabetics within the first 30 days of use. The detailed results of the study were released at the AADE meeting that brings together diabetes educators with some of the world’s leaders in diabetes research, reporting and activism. Sugar Crush products can be used by people with Type 1, Type 2 and Pre-Diabetes.

Uri’s company, NaturEra, manufactures its Sugar Crush products in Israel under the Kosher certification of Avraham Rubin, considered one of the most prestigious kosher certification available. All NaturEra products are produced to good manufacturing standards and have received a “Free of Sale Certificate” from the Ministry of Health from Israel, further indicating they are safe for use without interactions with medicines or side effects. A complete listing of Sugar Crush’s ingredients is listed on the web site at www.

BuySugarCrush.com.

THE SOUTH FLORIDA JEWISH HOME ■ JAN. 27, 2011

NATURERA’S “SUGAR CRUSH” PRODUCTS – ALL NATURAL AND ORGANIC KOSHER DIETARY SUPPLEMENTS FOR PEOPLE WITH DIABETES

THE SOUTH FLORIDA JEWISH HOME ■ JAN. 27, 2011

38 Parsha

Parshat Mishpatim: Buddy, Can You Spare a Dime?

Once I built a railroad, I made it run, made it race against time.

Once I built a railroad; now it’s done. Brother, can you spare a dime?

-Yip Harburg

O

ne would think that after having been enslaved for 210 years, the last thing the Jewish people would want to hear about as soon as they get out of Egypt are laws concerning slavery. Parshat Mishpatim is filled with all sorts of civil laws covering, murder, theft, damages, responsibility for borrowed object and numerous other everyday matters - but headlining it all are the laws governing slavery. It is the first Torah portion to feature a significant number of commandments and it seems odd that God would have chosen precisely the topic of slavery to begin His first major introduction of mitzvot.

Maybe give the people a bit of a break and leave the painful issue aside for a while? Even better, why have the institution of slavery altogether?

Isn’t there any generation of people other than this particular one that had just left Egypt that could appreciate the innate injustice of slavery?

To gain an appreciation of this problem we need to know some basic facts about the Torah’s perception of slavery. The usual

Rabbi Tzvi Nightingale Aish South Florida

image that comes to mind of a white man beating a black man with whips is totally unfounded and forbidden from a Torah perspective. Indeed, the Torah clearly points out that if the master physically injures his slave, then the slave immediately wins his freedom. Furthermore, the standard of living afforded the slave must be commensurate with other members of the household. The Talmud gives the example of a home with only one pillow and both master and slave wish to sleep with that pillow. The master must give the slave first dibs on it and sleep without one himself. Additionally, the Talmud states that the slave cannot be given degrading and demeaning work. Such laws prompt the Talmud to exclaim that one who purchases a slave, in truth, purchases a master.

In a Jewish society, slavery did not exist as a form of commerce where people would go looking for the less fortunate to purchase as cheap labor. Quite the opposite, it was seen as a means of assisting the less fortunate. Slavery was created in instances where a person was found guilty of theft and had no means to repay the victim for his wrong. What does society do with such a person?

Throw him in jail so he can rot and learn about more heinous crimes from the others there? Throw him out in the street? What exactly do we do with those unfortunate individuals who somehow find themselves in a position of having no capital but themselves and at the same time having a debt to pay?

How about allowing him to work for and thereby repay the money that he owes to the person he stole from? By doing this, not only is justice being served, but the thief is being rehabilitated in the process. By living within a normal and respectful family environment, he gradually rebuilds his belief in himself. This is why Jewish law demands that he be treated as an equal for all intents and purposes, and that when he completes his servitude, the master must leave him with things that the slave will be able to invest (seeds to plant, for example) in order that the slave may get back on his feet financially and become self-sufficient, independent and a contributing member of society. As such, the slave is by no means an outcast in society, living from bench to bench, but merely in a temporary state that gives him an opportunity to once again enjoy all the freedoms and pleasures of life that he once had.

The Torah begins Mishpatim - laws about creating a harmonious society with slavery because it is asking us to have compassion on the most unfortunate in our society. It is demanding from us a willingness to sacrifice for those who are in a difficult and precarious financial situation. This is one of the many mitzvot where we are required to feel empathy for the less fortunate and to translate that empathy into concrete action. It is these very expressions of tzedaka (charity) that have been the hallmark of the Jewish people since its inception and therefore the Jewish notion of slavery is a most fitting way to begin the first earnest list of mitzvot that appear in the Torah.

‘cause how ya gonna make some time when all you got is one thin dime and one thin dime won’t even shine your shoes -The Drifters/George Benson

arshas Yisro ends with an interesting halachah, which when understood properly provides us with a greater understanding of Parshas Mishpatim. After the aseres hadibros were given, the law of not building a ramp for the mizbeach out of steps, but rather leaving it smooth, is written. It seems odd that this halachah immediately follows the aseres hadibros and precedes the vast amount of halachos of Parshas Mishpatim.

Rav Avrohom Schorr Shlit”a once related a deeper understanding of this halachah. He explained that the difference between a ramp and a staircase is that one can stop on a staircase and take a rest when necessary. On a ramp,however, if one stops going up, he begins to slide down. A life of Torah is one which demands constant striving and effort. One must never be content with the spiritual level that he has reached, but rather must continue to grow higher and higher.

With this insight, we can understand why this halachah follows immediately after the aseres hadibros. Rav Saadiah Gaon says, the Ten Commandments contain the entire Torah. Every mitzvah somehow can be found in the original Ten

Commandments, similar to the DNA of a human being. Therefore, after mentioning the entire scope of the will of Hashem through the aseres hadibros the Torah states the greatest yesod of Torah life - the constant aliyah and growth in spirituality, represented by the ramp going up to the mizbeach.

We can also appreciate why this halachah serves

as an introduction to Parshas Mishpatim. Mishpatim in general deals with the laws that govern our everyday lives - our business deals, our favors that we perform for others on a regular basis, and so forth.

There is almost nothing that serves as a greater impediment to the growth and excitement of Torah than the everyday “mundane” events of life. There are tremendous trials and tribulations in life, dealing with other people and their idiosyncrasies. Therefore, before the Torah discusses the daily life of a Jew, it precedes with the law of the ramp, as if to say, “Don’t forget about the growth in ruchniyus! Don’t get lost in the daily mundane activities of life and neglect what is truly important!”

May it be the will Hashem of that we continue to grow and strive for a deeper connection to Hashem and his Torah, and merit to see the coming of Moshiach, speedily and in our days.

Rabbi Aharon Dovid Singer Rosh Kollel North Miami Beach Community Kollel

39 THE SOUTH FLORIDA JEWISH HOME ■ JAN. 27, 2011

P

Parshat Yisro: Aseres HaDibros - Spiritual DNA

THE SOUTH FLORIDA JEWISH HOME ■ JAN. 27, 2011

You Gotta be

EVERYTHING FEBRUARY (Birthdays, Inventions, Events)

Kidding!

J

oey decided to take a week off from the pressures of the office and went skiing.

Alas, no sooner did he reach the slopes than he heard an ominous rumbling: moments later a sheet of snow came crashing toward him. Fortunately, Joey was able to jump into a cave just before the avalanche hit. Just as fortunately, he had matches with him and was able to light a fire. Hours later, when everyone but Joey had returned, a rescue team was sent to search for him. After several hours they saw smoke curling from the cave and went to investigate. Poking his head into the entrance, one of the rescuers yelled, “Mr. Joey, are you there? It’s the Red Cross.” Bristling, the harried Joey called back, “Get lost. I gave at the office!”

Answer to Riddle: Flip any switch you want. Wait for about 5-10 minutes to let the bulb heat up. Flip that same switch off, and another one on. Go check the light. If it’s off and hot, it was the first switch, if it’s on it was the second and if it’s cold and off, it was the last one.

40

ANSWER KEY

DOWN 2. 1904 fire destroyed 80 blocks in this city.

4. The 9th planet discovered.

5. A day of shadows and predictions.

7. When February has 29 days.

9. 16th President’s birthday in February.

10. ______14 lands on the moon.

14. Every toddler has one, and its name is accredited to a president.

16. Feed the __________ Month.

ACROSS 1. This book has been dropped on our doorsteps since 1848.

3. 2003 Space Shuttle crash.

6. This union collapses in 1990.

8. February 11, 2011: 100 years since this president’s birth.

11. This dictator assumes power in 1959 and still holds the reins, beard and all.

12. Alexander Graham Bell’s prize invention.

13. The House that _________ Built.

15. US defeats Russia in hockey, 1980.

17. Andrew Johnson is the first US President to be _________.

18. This sport was invented, using a net and ball.

TALKING ABOUT COMMUNICATION!!!

In front of you are three light switches. Only one does anything, and it turns on the light downstairs. From here you can’t see the light, and it makes no sound. You must determine which switch operates the light, BUT you can only go check it once. How do you figure out which switch is for the light?

FOOTBALL

TRIVIA

O FF

Answer on facing page

Lincoln-Kennedy Link?

1. Who holds the Super Bowl record for the most yards receiving in one game? a) Michael Irvin b) Rickey Sanders c) Lynn Swann d) Jerry Rice 2. Which NFL player guaranteed his team would win Super Bowl III the week before the big game? a) Don Shula b) Joe Namath c) Johnny Unitas d) Earl Morrall 3. Which city has hosted the most Super Bowls? a) Los Angeles b) San Diego c) New Orleans d) Miami 4. Which head coach has taken his team to the Super Bowl the most times? a) Bud Grant b) Marv Levy c) Don Shula d) Tom Landry 5) Which team won the most Super Bowls? a) Patriots b) Jets (hardly) c) Cowboys d) Steelers 6) The winning Super Bowl team gets the following trophy: a) NFL Championship Trophy b)John Madden Trophy c) Uhavenoclueaboutfootball Trophy d) Vince Lombardi Trophy

Answers: 1) D - Jerry Rice had 215 yards on 11 catches for San Francisco in 1989.

2) B - Joe Namath famously guaranteed his Jets would beat the heavily favored Colts one week before the big game.

3) D-Miami has played host to ten Super Bowls.

4) C-Don Shula has been to the Super Bowl six times as a head coach, once with the Baltimore Colts and five times with the Miami Dolphins.

5) D- The Pittsburgh Steelers have won 6 Super Bowls. The Dallas Cowboys and the San Francisco 49ers, have each won 5.

6) D-In 1970 the championship trophy was renamed the Vince Lombardi Trophy, in memory of legendary Green Bay Packers head coach Vince Lombardi . It is created by Tiffany & Co., is valued at $50,000 and is a purely silver trophy. .

Answer Key:

5-6 correct: Congratulations!! You win tickets to the big game. Just go to Cowboy Stadium and wait outside Gate 83. We will meet you there.

3-5 correct: They should toss you instead of a coin: You always fall right in the middle.

Don’t you sometimes wish you just got all the questions right?

0-3 correct: See question #6 answer C. It sums you up to a tee.

41 THE SOUTH FLORIDA JEWISH HOME ■ JAN. 27, 2011

Riddle:

+DSSLQHVV LV QRW D VWDWLRQ WR DUULYH DW EXW D PDQQHU RI WUDYHOLQJ

7KH -HZLVK +RPH )XQ 3DJH

%UDLQ %XVWHU

%UDLQ %XVWHU

0RVW RI WKH VKDSHV DUH WKH VDPH WKH\ ZHUH MXVW IOLSSHG RU URWDWHG %XW WKHUH LV RQH WKDW LV GLIIHUHQW FDQ \RX ILQG WKDW RQH" %

$

&

7KH QXPEHU LQ HDFK LQWHUORFN LQJ FLUFOH LV WKH VXP RI WKH WZR FLUFOHV RQ HDFK VLGH &DQ \RX ILOO LQ WKH PLVVLQJ QXPEHUV"

'

(

%H OLNH D SRVWDJH VWDPS ± VWLFN WR LW XQWLO \RX JHW WKHUH

)

3LFWXUH 3X]]OHU

$

%

&

%UDLQ %XVWHU (

6 4 8 ( ( = ( 5

6ROXWLRQV

' , 3 8 3 ( 5

3LFWXUH 3X]]OHU $

EOHQGHU ERZO FXS GLSSHU IRUN JUDWHU JULGGOH JULQGHU NQLIH ODGOH PDVKHU PLQFHU SDQ SLWFKHU SODWH VSDWXOD VTXHH]HU WHDSRW

:KLFK VTXDUH FRQWDLQV DOO WKH QHFHVVDU\ VKDSHV IRU WKLV FORZQ"

) 2 * 5 5 . 1 , ) ' ' / $ 7 ( ( 0 / $ , 3 $ 1 2 & 7 ( 5

&DQ \RX ILW DOO RI WKHVH NLWFKHQ XWHQVLOV LQWR WKH JULG"

% / $ ' / ( ( * 5 , 1 ' ( ' ( % 5 2 : 0 3 / $ , 6 3 $ 7 8 + & ( + * 5 $ 7 ( 5 5

:RUG :RUN 2XW

%UDLQ %XVWHU

THE SOUTH FLORIDA JEWISH HOME â&#x2013; JAN. 27, 2011

42

Â&#x2039; IXQSDJHV \RX FRP

Melbourne, Australia Later this week, one boy and one girl will win junior singles titles here at the Australian Open. There will be trophies, lots of smiles and some breathless talk about the future.

If history is any guide, however, it’s probably the last we’ll hear from them.

Since 1973, the first year that all four of tennis’s Grand Slam tournaments held junior events, only a handful of junior champions in Australia have gone on to lift the adult trophy.

Of the 35 boys who’ve won the Australian Open juniors during that span, just two, Andy Roddick and Stefan Edberg, have won a regular Slam, and only 10 have managed to advance as far as the quarterfinals.

As the top players become more athletic, tennis analysts say it’s actually becoming harder to tell whether youngsters will turn into great pros before their bodies have matured to the ripe old age of 21 or 22. There are currently no teenagers in the men’s top 100 and just one among the women’s top 20.

“You can’t read anything into who’s the best junior,” said Mats Wilander, the last male singles player to win the junior and senior editions of the French Open.

As the gap between the kids and the grown-ups seems to be widening, there’s never been a better time to ask a broader question: Have the junior tournaments outlived their usefulness? And can anything be done to make them more relevant?

Junior Slams are reserved for players 18 and under. They run simultaneously with the later stages of the men’s and women’s events. Among the Grand Slam juniors, Australia’s is the oldest—the boys’ tournament dates back to 1922. The French Open and Wimbledon started theirs in the 1940s and the U.S. Open welcomed juniors in 1973.

Junior events were conceived as a way to allow kids to compete against the world’s other top players and to help get them ready to turn pro. They later became hunting grounds for agents and equipment manufacturers looking to sign promising talents. In a sport where teens like Tracy Austin, Boris Becker, Michael Chang, Martina Hingis and Venus and Serena Williams have been fixtures for years, nobody ever thought the exercise might be a waste of time.

While the stars of tomorrow accumulated experience (and occasionally rubbed shoulders with the sport’s stars on the practice courts), their junior matches gave organizers an excuse to continue selling grounds passes at a point where a majority of players in the senior draws had already been sent home.

In recent years, however, prospects for the top juniors seem to have dimmed a bit. Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, who won the Australian Open junior event in 2006 and 2007, said she was questioning her readiness after losing in the third round of this year’s main event. She chalked it up to a deficit of experience, but others have said it’s probably a matter of getting stronger—and older. Even Bernard Tomic,

Andy Roddick

the promising young player who won the 2008 junior Australian Open and reached the third round of the senior event this year, said he’d added 11 pounds of muscle over the past 12 months.

Tom Ross, a former senior vice president of Octagon and now head of TPR Advisers, an independent sports marketing firm that represents tennis players, said endorsers who once flocked to juniors are getting more cautious. “Sponsors aren’t seeing the commercial benefits as rapidly as in years past,” he said.

Junior Slams don’t offer monetary prizes. They provide food and lodging but airfare is often the player’s responsibility.

Vladimir Novikov, who coaches his son Dennis, an American junior, said his wife’s salary as a tax adviser provides the bulk of the $60,000 to $70,000 needed to fund a full season.

“A lot of players choose not to go through the traditional junior route and they’re kind of skipping that and starting to play the lower level professional tournaments at a really early age,” said John Tobias, the president of the tennis division of Lagardère Unlimited, a talent management company.

High-achieving juniors can achieve great things. In total, 44 males since 1973 who’ve won a junior Slam, or 37% of the total, have gone on to reach at least the quarters of a senior Slam. A study conducted on behalf of the International Tennis Federation found that all 37 girls who placed among the top

five juniors between 1995-2002 were eventually ranked pros. Men’s No. 1 Rafael Nadal turned pro at age 15, but the best player of his era, Roger Federer, won Wimbledon’s junior event in 1998.

But Roger Rasheed, the current coach of Gaël Monfils, said there is often no better test than putting a junior in the main event. “It’s good to throw them in the deep end for sure to see what fight they’ve got,” he said.

Francis Soyer, director of the Australian Open’s junior tournament, acknowledged that it’s often hard to get the best juniors to come to Melbourne, but that things seem to be improving. “We’ve done very well this year to get seven of the top 10 for the boys and same with the girls,” Mr. Soyer said.

Perhaps the strongest argument to preserve the junior Slams may be this: It gives the growing crowds more tennis to watch. At Melbourne Park Saturday, the crowd of 51,276 set an all-time daytime record.

THE SOUTH FLORIDA JEWISH HOME ■ JAN. 27, 2011

The Problem with Junior Tennis

43

THE SOUTH FLORIDA JEWISH HOME ■ JAN. 27, 2011

44

South Florida Kosher Restaurant Guide BAGEL TIME 3915 Alton Road Miami Beach, FL 33140 305-538-0300 Supervision: Circle K

TASTI CAFE 4041 Royal Palm Ave. Miami Beach, FL 33140 305-675-5483 Supervision: Kosher Miami Dairy

GIGI’S CAFE 3585 NE 207th Street Aventura, FL 33180 305-466-4648 Supervision: Kosher Miami

CAFE VERT 9490 Harding Ave. Surfside, FL 33154 305-867-3151 Supervision: OK

WEBER CAFE 3565 NE 207th Street Aventura, FL 33180 (305) 935-5580 Supervision: Kosher Miami

GRILL TIME 16145 Biscayne Blvd. North Miami Beach, FL 33160 786-274-8935 | 305-491-3325 Supervision: ORB

JERUSALEM PIZZA 761 NE 167th Street North Miami Beach, FL 33162 305-653 6662 | Supervision: Kosher Miami

41 ON THE BAY 4101 Pinetree Drive Miami Beach, FL 33140 305-535-4101 Rabbinic Supervision: Kosher-Miami

HARBOUR GRILL 9415 Harding Avenue Surfside, FL 33154 305-861-0787 Supervision: Kosher Miami

JONAS PIZZA 2530 NE Miami Gardens Drive North Miami Beach, FL 33180 305-918-8998 Supervision: Kosher-Miami

ASI’S GRILL AND SUSHI BAR 4020 Royal Palm Avenue Miami Beach, FL 33140 305-604-0555 Supervision: Kosher Miami

J CAFE 18900 NE 25th Avenue North Miami Beach, FL 33180 305-778-5946 Supervision: Kosher-Miami

AVENTURA PITA 18129 Biscayne Blvd. Aventura, FL 33160 305-933-4040 Supervision: Kosher Miami

JONA’S GRILL & BAR 2520 NE 186th Street North Miami Beach, FL 33180 305-466-0722 Supervision: Kosher-Miami

B & H PIZZA 233 95th Street Surfside, FL 33154 786-245-5557 Supervision: Kosher Miami

KIKAR TEL-AVIV RESTAURANT Carriage Club North 5005 Collins Avenue Miami Beach, FL 33140 305-866-3316 Supervision: OK Laboratories

NEWTIME Moroccan and Spanish cuisine 2120 N.E. 123rd Street North Miami Beach, FL 33181 305-891-6336 Supervision: Kosher Miami PRIME SUSHI 726 Arthur Godfrey Road Miami Beach, FL 33140 305-534-0551 Supervision: Kosher-Miami Cholov Yisroel PRIME SUSHI 18250 Collins Avenue Sunny Isles Beach, FL 33160 786-284-8430 Supervision: Kosher-Miami RITZ RESTAURANT 1678 NE Miami Gardens Dr. North Miami Beach, FL 33179 305-354-9303 Supervision: Kosher-Miami SEVENTEEN 1205 17 Street Miami Beach, FL 33139 305-672-0565 Supervision: Kosher-Miami SHEM TOV’S PIZZA 514 41st Street Miami Beach, FL 33140 305-538-2123 Supervision: Kosher Miami

CHAI WOK 1688 NE 164 Street North Miami Beach, FL 33162 305-705-2110 Supervision: Kosher Miami CHINA BISTRO 3565 NE 207th Street Aventura, FL 33180 305-936-0755 Supervision: Kosher Miami CINE CITTA MIAMI 9544 Harding Avenue Surfside, FL 33154 305-407-8319 Supervision: OK DECO SUBS 3919 Alton Road Miami Beach, FL 33140 305-672-7285 Supervision: Kosher-Miami ELIES CAFE 145 East Flagler Miami, FL 33131 786-594-0196 Supervision: Kosher-Miami ELSIE’S CAFE Located in the North Miami Beach JCC 18900 NE 25th Avenue North Miami Beach, FL 33180 305-778-5946 Supervision: Kosher Miami

LUL GRILL CAFE 18288 Collins Avenue Sunny Isles Beach, FL 33160 305-933-0199 Rabbinic Supervision: OK MISTER CHOPSTIK 4020 Royal Palm Ave Miami Beach, FL 33140 305-604-0555 Supervision: Kosher-Miami NEW TIME 2120 NE 123 Street North Miami, FL 33181 305-891-6336 Supervision: Kosher Miami ORIGINAL PITA HUT 5304 41 Street Miami Beach, FL 33140 305-531-6090 Supervision: ORD PISTACHIO GOURMET GRILL 740 41 Street Miami Beach, FL 33140 305-538-1616 Supervision: Kosher Miami PITA LOCA 601 Collins Avenue Miami Beach, FL 33139 305-673-3388 Supervision: Kosher Miami

South Florida Kosher Restaurant Guide RARE STEAKHOUSE 468 W 41st Street Miami Beach, FL 33140 305-532-7273 Supervision: Kosher-Miami SHALOM HAIFA 18533 W. Dixie Hwy. North Miami Beach, FL 33180 305-936-1800 Supervision: ORB SHALOM HAIFA RESTAURANT 18533 W. Dixie Hwy Aventura, FL 33180 305-945-2884 Supervision: ORB SUBWAY 18900 NE 25th Ave North Miami Beach, FL 33180 305-663-9883 Supervision: Kosher-Miami THAI TREAT & SUSHI & BOMBAY GRILL 2176 NE 123rd Street North Miami, FL 33181 305-892-1118 Supervision: Kosher-Miami THE FAMOUS PITA BURGER BAR 18798 W Dixie Hwy North Miami Beach, FL 33180 305-682-9692 Supervision: Kosher-Miami WEST AVENUE CAFE 959 West Avenue Miami Beach, FL 33139 305-534-4211 Supervision: Kosher Miami AVIGDOR’S MOZART CAFE 4433 Sheridan Street Hollywood, FL 33021 954-584-5171 Supervision: ORB BON AMI CAFE 5650 Stirling Road Hollywood, FL 33021 (954) 962-2070 Supervision: ORB CAFE EMUNAH 3558 North Ocean Dr. Fort Lauderdale, FL 33308 954-561-6411 Supervision: ORB DAIRY BITES 660 W Hallandale Beach Boulevard Hallandale, FL 33009 954-457-2700 Supervision: Kosher-Miami

JP BISTRO Pizzeria 5650 Stirling Road Hollywood, FL 33021 (954) 964-6811 Supervision: ORB SARA’S 3944 N 46th Street Hollywood, FL 33021 954-986-1770 Supervision: ORB AT HAGI 5800 Stirling Road Hollywood, FL 33021 954-981-7710 Supervision: ORB HOLLYWOOD DELI 6100 Hollywood Blvd. Hollywood, FL 33024 (954) 608-5790 Supervision: ORB L’CHAIM MEE CHINA ORIENTAL RESTAURANT 3940 North 46 Avenue Hollywood, FL 33021 954-986-1770 Supervision: ORB LEVY’S KOSHER OF HOLLYWOOD 3357 Sheridan Street Hollywood, FL 33021 954-983-2825 Supervision: ORB PITA GRILL CAFE 658 W. Hallandale Beach Blvd. Hallandale, FL 33009 954-455-2118 Supervision: ORB PITA PLUS 2145 Stirling Road Hollywood, FL 33312 954-241-2011 Supervision: ORB PITA PLUS 3801 N. University Dr. Sunrise, FL 33351 954-741-5844 Supervision: ORB SUNRISE PITA & GRILL 2680 N University Dr. Sunrise, FL 33322 954-748-0090 Supervision: ORB SUNRISE PITA TOO 5650 Stirling Rd. Hollywood, FL 33021 954-963-0093 Supervision: ORB EUROPEAN CORNER CAFE 7300 Camino Real Boca Raton, FL 33433 561-395-1109 Supervision: ORB

JCC CAFE American 9801 Donna Klein Blvd at Cultural Arts Center Boca Raton, FL 33428 561-852-3200 x 4103 | Supervision: ORB JON’S PLACE OF BOCA Pizzeria 22191 Powerline Road Boca Raton, FL 33433 561-338-0008 Supervision: ORB ASIA Sushi, Wok, Grill 7600 W Camino Real Boca Raton, FL 33433 561-544-8100 Supervision: ORB BOCA PITA EXPRESS Middle Eastern Israeli cuisine & grill 7185 N. Beracasa Way Boca Raton, FL 33433 561-750-0088 Supervision: ORB GRILL TIME RESTAURANT Fusion Steak House 8177 Glades Road Boca Raton, FL 33434 (561) 482-3699 | Fax: (561) 487-4044 Supervision: ORB ORCHIDS GARDEN 9045 La Fontana Boulevard Boca Raton, FL 33434 561-482-3831 Supervision: ORB SAGI’S MEDITERRANEAN GRILL 22767 US Highway 441 Boca Raton, FL 33428 561-477-0633 Supervision: ORB MAOZ VEGETARIAN Town Center Mall 6000 Glades Road #1175 Boca Raton, FL 33431 561-393-6269 | Fax: 561-393-6532 Rabbinical Supervision: National Orthodox Rabbinical Organization

THE SOUTH FLORIDA JEWISH HOME ■ JAN. 27, 2011

PITA PLUS 1883 Biscayne Boulevard Aventura, FL 33180 305-935-0761

45

THE SOUTH FLORIDA JEWISH HOME ■ JAN. 27, 2011

46

47 THE SOUTH FLORIDA JEWISH HOME ■ JAN. 27, 2011

THE SOUTH FLORIDA JEWISH HOME ■ JAN. 27, 2011

48

LAW OFFICE OF SARA SHULEVITZ

Former State Prosecutor Former State Defender

Member of Federal & State Bar

LOCATED IN THE HEART OF DOWNTOWN

Sara Shulevitz Esq.

Courthouse Plaze 28 W. Flagler Street Suite 1022 Miami, FL 33130

• Former State Prosecutor • Former State Defender • Criminal Defense • DUI/DWLS • Felonies • Misdemeanors • Domestic Violence • Juvenile • Traffic • Robbery • Grand Theft • Drug Charges • Battery / Assault • ETC…

Off: (305) 728-1936 Cell: (786) 239-0855 Fax: (305) 779-5074 DAsarashul@aol.com

49 THE SOUTH FLORIDA JEWISH HOME ■ JAN. 27, 2011

BLIZZARD BLOWOUT SALE! OFFSET & FULL COLOR PRINTING · GRAPHIC DESIGN · WE SHIP NATIONWIDE

1110 N.E. 163rd Street North Miami Beach, Fl 33162

FULL COLOR BUSINESS CARDS 250 Gloss Finish - 4/4

500 Matte or Gloss Rounded Corners

1,000 Linen Finish - 4/4

$22.99

$39

$59

Upgrade for only $10 more!

1,000 Gloss Finish - 4/4

Upgrade for only $10 more! 1,000 for

NEW! 20pt Plastic Rounded Corners

$32.99

$49

500 for

$99

FULL COLOR POSTCARDS 4X6 Glossy, 1-Sided

$39 500 for $49 1,000 for $59 250 for

2nd Side Printed - Add $10

THE INVITATION STORE at Copymasters

FLYERS &BROCHURES

Invitations for weddings, Bar/Bat Mitzvahs and all occasions!

1000 4/4 Flyers or 3 Fold Brochure

WINTER BONUS! 100 FREE In-House Informal Notes With An Invitation Order of $200 or More *Printed black ink on white or natural 80lb in house stock.

FULL COLOR STICKERS & MAGNETS 1000 2x3.5

$59 Magnets $149 Stickers

$179

CALL: 1-305-940-8973 TOLL FREE FAX:1-888-524-3061 E-MAIL: COPYMASTERSNMB@GMAIL.COM CALL OR EMAIL FOR QUOTES ON ADDITIONAL QUANTITIES & PRODUCTS Above Prices are for supplied camera-ready artwork. File preparation or modification, if needed is extra. Shipping is extra.

Graphic Design and Typesetting are available for an additional charge. Sale ends 02/28/2011.

THE SOUTH FLORIDA JEWISH HOME ■ JAN. 27, 2011

50

• Elegantly appointed guest rooms complete with Egyptian cotton linens, Italian marble bathrooms, and 42” HD TVs

• Three pool areas, lazy river, and water slide

• Gourmet Glatt Kosher Dining by Avi Abikzer of Genadeen Caterers, supervised by the ORB of Broward and Palm Beach Counties

• Cantor-led or private Seders

• Exciting Day Camp Program

• Daily poolside barbeques and a lavish tearoom

• Featured Scholar-In-Residence: Rabbi Ephraim Buchwald, Founder and Director of NJOP, and Rabbi at Lincoln Square Synagogue

• A magnificent Rees Jones golf course

• A 24,000 sq. ft. Guerlain Spa

• Discounts to exciting nearby entertainment attractions

• Fully equipped fitness center

The food…the service…the luxury…it’s all here!

For early reservation discounts or more information, please contact Alan Berger at: 1-877-PESACH4 (1-877-737-2244) or 516-734-0840 Email: info@passovergg.com Visit our website at www.passovergrandgetaways.com GG WAO 9.375Wx11H Ad #2.indd 1

1/25/11 4:34 PM

51

the Goldwasser Family of Miami Beach and Edentours Presents

An Amazing Pesach Experience At t h e L e g e n d a r y, m i a m i F l o r i d a

D O R A L G O L F R E S O RT & S PA One of America’s Top Resorts

660 beautifully landscaped acres of carefully manicured grounds, sparkling lagoons, dramatic waterfalls andfountains, 5 championship golf courses

Secluded enclave, within magnificent resort, provides exclusive Shabbos & Yom Tov atmosphere

Dynamic, nationally renowned speakers

Highest of halachic & kashrus standards under the careful supervision of ORB

programs Incredibly successful camp and teen program

Non-gebrokst, Cholov Yisroel, Shmura Matzah only Separate swimming only, 2 gorgeous tropical swimming pools Elegant, Creative Catering by

Greenwald Caterers

Featuring World-wide Sensation Maccabeats!

Chol Hamoed COncertS with

Lipa Schmeltzer Baruch LEVINE and Eitan Katz!

Call us:

305.731.1338

Visit us online: www.edentourspesach.com • www.doralresort.com info@edentourspesach.com

THE SOUTH FLORIDA JEWISH HOME ■ JAN. 27, 2011

6 Continuous Years of Sellout Pesach Programs!!