South Florida Jewish Home Feb 2 by David Gutman

FEBRUARY 2, 2012

Tu B'Shvat A time to grow Community

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World News

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Israel

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Jewish Thought

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inside this issue ■ 10 Week in News ■ 20 Tu B'Shvat ■ 25 Community ■ 28 Politics ■ 30 Pesach Review

from the editors This week the Jewish nation will celebrate the holiday of Tu Bshvat, the New Year for the trees. It symbolizes new beginnings and growth for all of us. In this issue we have wonderful examples of people who had their own rebirth and starts as well as growth even when it seems almost impossible. The settlers of Gush Katif were expelled from their homes and communities. They were forcefully removed and their lives destroyed for no reason other than trying to live in what is our land. But, they do not sulk in their sorrows, they choose to move forward and rebuild. They have begun to construct homes, businesses, shuls, and schools. They are moving on to a new beginning with the same strength they all did once before in Gush Katif. Read about a few individuals whose stories give strength and prove that if there’s a will there’s a way.

■ 31 Opinion ■ 33 Restaurant Review ■ 34 Finance ■ 35 Travel ■ 37 Health ■ 46 Parenting

This week South Florida had the privilege of once again hosting the Miami Marathon. One of the various organizations to participate was Yachad. The people who work with the members of Yachad are witnessing growth on a daily basis. Despite the handicaps and illness that these children have, they persevere and live life to the fullest they possibly can. Don’t miss the inspiring article in this issue. Unfortunately there must be endings in order for there to be new beginnings. This week the world lost a precious beautiful princess, Ayelet Galena. She and her parents battled disease for over year with such bravery while allowing us and themselves to laugh despite the pain. They posted updates regularly for those who wanted to follow and be part of their fight. The faith and bitachon in hashem they have is heroic. May they continue to have the strength they have shown Ayelet and the rest of the world. Even though those of us here in the warmth seem to forget that seasons change, it’s hard to believe that Pesach is not too far away. Don’t forget to catch this issues Pesach program profile. We highlight the Lasko family and their pesach opportunities this year.

David Gutman, Editor/Publisher editor@SFJewishHome.com Editor welcomes all comments and questions which may be addressed in "letter to the editor" Director of photography Joey G Director of sales and PR Steve Nichol Sales V.P. Ronnie Steinberg Design & Production Michael Bass Contributing Writers: R Jonathan Gewirtz Barabara Fogel Menucha Levin David Harris Daniel Bensimon Brendy Siev Lily Rosenblatt

On a personal note have in mind in your prayers a young mother of 4 small children who is critically ill – Chaya Esther Bas Faiga Yenta Thank You for reading and for all your feedback. Until next issue…. The Editor

SHABBAT TIMES Friday, February 3 Parshat Beshalach Light Candles at: 5:46 pm Shabbat, February 4

Shabbat Ends: 6:42 pm

Friday, February 10 Parshat Yitro Light Candles at: 5:51 pm Shabbat, February 11 Shabbat Ends: 6:46 pm

The South Florida Jewish Home 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 productor business advertised within.

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This week in news National: College Administrator Falsifies SAT Scores Pamela Gann, President of California’s Claremont McKenna College, told staff members and students that a senior administrator at the college has resigned after admitting that he falsified SAT scores to publications such as U.S. News & World Report for years. He took sole responsibility for the act and said that falsified the scores in order to inflate the school’s ranking amongst the nation’s other colleges and universities. Gann said that she became aware of the discrepancies earlier this month and after subsequent investigations, the administrator admitted his guilt and resigned on Monday. The scores were “generally inflated by an average of 10-20 points each.”

Obama to Chat with the Public President Barack Obama has plans of embracing new media and technology in what his aides our proudly calling the “first completely virtual interview from the White House.” The idea behind the project is to bypass journalists and solicit questions directly from the public with no third-party involvement. It will be an online chat and of course it will be heavily moderated. Start composing your lists… Texas Town Trucks in Water This year has been the driest in Lone Star State history. Many towns have come close to running out of water. This week, the town of Spicewood, population 1,100, has had to truck in water from nearby towns. The town has been getting their water from its wells, but recently, the water levels have plummeted—last week, the water level dropped 1.3 feet overnight. The town has decided to truck in water as opposed to implementing another solution. It has decided to wait until it can thoroughly explore other alternatives. Currently, the town is paying $200 per truckload of water. “The hauling of water is just a Band-Aid approach. It’s

just a short-term approach,” said Joe Don Dockery, a commissioner in Burnet County that oversees the Spicewood area. 37.8 Million Watch State of the Union Address Kantar Media monitors media for global clients and analyzed the behaviors of 100,000 households across the U.S. in regards to Obama’s State of the Union address on Tuesday night. They studied the tuning behavior of the moments that lead up to, during, and after the speech. They examined eight networks that broadcasted the speech live, ABC, Bloomberg, CBS, CNN, FOX, Fox News Channel, MSNBC, and NBC. Kantar used second-by-second audience data gathered from set-top boxes connected to TV sets from 9pm to 10:30pm. The data showed that 27% of the audience tuned away within the first five minutes. Tune-away continued throughout the address gradually, it didn’t seem as if any individual topics drove away a significant portion of the audience. CBS and FOX showed sharp losses in viewers at the top of the program, while ABC and NBC showed noticeable gains. After the speech ended, Fox News Channel gained viewers, becoming the second-most watched network after NBC. The gain is attributed to the anticipation of the Republican response which aired right after the State of Union address. Across the 14 networks that aired the program, there were 37.8 million viewers. Obama’s Image Used as a Bullseye The Secret Service is currently investigating a disturbing photo found on Facebook. Police officer Pat Shearer of Peoria, Arizona posted a picture of a group of armed youths posing in a desert with what appears to be a bullet-ridden image of President Obama. In the photo the youths’ faces were blanked out. The picture has since been removed from Shearer’s Facebook page.

International:

Spanish Airline Deflates Spanair, Spain’s fourth-largest airline, collapsed on Friday, resulting in more than 200 cancelled flights. Over 20,000 passengers were stranded across Europe and Africa, scrambling to obtain other flights home. The Spanish government said that the airline could be fined 9 million euros ($11.9 million) over the collapse. The bankruptcy is a reflection of the weak demand for air travel to Spain. Pakistani Doctor Helped Capture Bin Laden Defense Secretary Leon Panetta is acknowledging publicly for the first time that a Pakistani doctor provided key information to the U.S. in advance of the successful Navy SEAL assault on Osama bin Laden’s compound last May. Panetta claims that Shakil Afridi helped provide intelligence for the raid on bin Laden’s compound in Abbottabad, Pakistan. Afridi ran a vaccination program for the CIA to collect DNA and verify bin Laden’s presence in the compound. Since May, he has been charged by Pakistan authorities with treason. Panetta is “very concerned” for the doctor. Despite any real proof that Pakistan knew bin Laden was hiding on their territory, Panetta is convinced that someone in the Pakistani government must have had an idea that a person of interest was hiding in the compound. The compound had 18-foot walls and was the largest in the area. It is only reasonable that someone would have had questions regarding what was going on inside.

Hawaii To Track Citizens’ Internet Activity

Israel Worried Over Advancement in Iran’s Nuclear Program

Hawaii’s legislature is proposing a plan that could compromise the privacy of residents. The proposal suggests requiring internet providers to keep track of every website their customers visit. The new bill says “internet destination history information” and “subscriber’s information” such as name and address must be saved for two years.

Ehud Barak, Israel’s defense minister reaffirmed that Israel’s ultimate goal is to prevent Iran from turning nuclear and no option is out of question, including possible military action. Mr. Barak said, “It seems to us to be urgent, because the Iranians are deliberately drifting into what we call an immunity zone where continued on page 15

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This week in news

Sarkozy to Impose Tax Hike French President Nicolas Sarkozy is expected to announce tax raises, including a hike of 1.6 percent of sales tax on goods and services. The goal is to transfer the burden of paying for social security from employers to consumers. This reform has been condemned by opposition socialists. They accuse Sarkozy’s center-right government of simply wanting to push this through before elections in April. Photo of Chavez’s Daughter Sparks Anger An innocent photo of Hugo Chavez’s 14-year-old daughter, Rosines, that was posted online sparked controversy in Venezuela. She is seen peering out from behind a wad of greenbacks and flaunting her fistful of U.S. dollars. The reason this photo raised such ire among Venezuelans is because obtaining the U.S. dollar is a nightmare in the tightly regulated economy for most Venezuelan citizens. The government limits the amount of dollars that can be bought at an official fixed rate. Those with inside connections can obtain extra cash; those without the special “protektzia” must take their chances with the illegal black market which charges double for dollars. Some people responded to the image with mockery of Chavez who is flamingly against capitalism and consumerism. Others posted satires of the photo by posing with cooking oil, coffee, sugar, and other staples that are occasionally scarce in Venezuela. For many natives, this picture depicts the underlying theme in the country. Easy access for those “close” to Chaves and severe restrictions for the unlucky ones with no connects. Some defended the young girl by noting that the bills were in small denominations and were not worth a lot of money. This is second time Rosines made a splash for flaunting her family’s lavish lifestyle. She previously posted a photo of herself meeting a famous American pop star, a privilege exclusively reserved for the rich and famous. Chaves is seeking a third six-year term later this year. He originally dragged his youngest child into the spot-

light in 2006 when he credited her with an amendment to the national flat and coat of arms. His then8-year-old daughter suggested that the image of the horse should gallop right to left rather than left to right. Her father agreed and the national assembly approved the change. U.S. To Send Floating Base to Middle East As tensions rise in Iran, with al-Qaeda in Yemen, and with Somali pirates, the Pentagon is hurrying to send and park a huge floating base for commando teams to the Middle East. This request came from the U.S. Central Command oversees military operations specifically in the Middle East. The Navy responded by converting an aging warship that was supposed to be decomposed into a makeshift staging base for the commandos. This floating base could accommodate smaller high-speed boats and helicopters. Special Operations forces are a key part of the Obama administration’s strategy to help the military cut its budget. The Pentagon is looking at least $487 billion in spending cuts over the next decade.The Navy Fleet Forces Command declined to elaborate on the floating base’s purpose or where exactly it will be positioned in the Middle East. Based on certain Navy documents, many suspect that it may be headed to the Persian Gulf where Iran has threatened to block the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial shipping route for much of the world’s oil supply. Some Navy officials acknowledged that they were moving with unusual haste to complete the conversion and send the ship to the region by early summer. Putin Criticizes U.S. Vladmir Putin has accused America of being a nation which “wants to control everything.” This verbal attack was made during an election campaign in Siberia and shortly after a demand for tougher controls on foreigners flouting immigration rules in Russia. He continued on to say, “Sometimes I have the impression that the United States does not want allies, and instead that it needs vassals.” He sneered at US tactics in seeking to influence other countries’ policies. He vowed to prevent foreign governments exploiting the opposition for “their own foreign policy goals with regard to our country.”

Israel: Newt Gingrich Strong Ally of Israel Republican Presidential Candidate Newt Gingrich is defending himself after being criticized for calling Palestinians an “invented” people at the GOP presidential debate. When asked by someone of Palestinian descent how Gingrich could say Palestinians are “in-

vented,” Gingrich answered by explaining that prior to the 1970s they were simply recognized as Arabs and only earned the title Palestinians in the 1970s. He reiterated that this would in fact make the Palestinians “invented.” Gingrich is also trying to make it crystal clear that he is strong supporter of Israel. He feels that President Barack Obama has not supported Israel consistently amid ongoing tensions with the Palestinians. He vows to be a committed and dedicated supporter of Israel if he makes it to the White House. Shas Publication Condemns IDF The Shas party published a pamphlet that condemns the IDF for being “a depraved army with indecency and therefore does not enjoy Heaven’s help.” One contributor wrote, “For over a decade, the Israeli army has pushed the religious Zionist soldiers into a corner when they refused to hear women’s singing. Moreover, in the past decade, the IDF opened its gates to female soldiers in sensitive and central positions. The minimal boundaries of modesty have completely fallen apart in IDF camps. When lust and reckless abandon are in the camp of Israel, the holy Shechina spreads its wings and disappears.” The article went on to explain that if the army does enjoy operational success, it is only thanks to G-d’s protection. “The decadent army, despite its immorality, cannot tear down the heavenly protection that we receive thanks to Torah studiers.” Upon the article being reported and spread through the media, the Shas party immediately announced it would dismiss the writer of his position in writing the weekly paper. MK Chaim Amsallem, who broke away from Shas to start his own movement, reacted severely to the article. “Shas is taking the large Sephardic public that voted for it and wants to turn it non-Zionist, just like the extremists from Beit Shemesh and Meah Shearim,” he warned. Jordan Pressuring Israel to Make Changes Jordan’s King Abdullah is pressuring Israel to make changes and is alluding to a possible deterioration in Amman’s relationship with Jerusalem unless Israel will “demonstrate it is willing to make considerable moves” to reignite the stalled Israeli-Palestinian peace process. Abdullah expected Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu’s government to “make significant concessions which will allow the Palestinian leadership to justify their return to the negotiating table.” The king is fed-up and speaking of possibly reducing or suspending diplomatic ties with Israel, and consequently bolstering ties with both the Jordanian Opposition and even Iran. Israel and the Palestinian Authority are both supposed to present their updated positions on security and the

THE SOUTH FLORIDA JEWISH HOME ■ FEB. 2, 2012

practically no surgical operation could block them.” Israel’s fear that soon it may be too late to launch military action were reinforced earlier this month when Iran announced that it had begun to enrich uranium at its Fordow plant, which is buried so deep within a mountain it may be impossible for Israeli warplanes or missiles to destroy. Mr. Barak’s ministry believes that once the bulk of uranium enrichment is carried out at Fordow, Iran will be in the immunity zone. Israel also reckons that Iran could be in a position to build a bomb within months.

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This week in news issue of borders. Chief Israeli and Palestinian negotiators Yitzhak Molcho and Saeb Erekat are scheduled to meet for what is likely to be the last round of Amman talks. According to some reports, Abdullah has been able to convince Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas that Jordan should be given a chance to broker the IsraeliPalestinian talks. Others insist that Abbas “refuses and will continue to refuse to prolong the talks…He sees today’s meeting as the last chance to broker an agreement that will allow the preliminary talks to continue and eventually mature into full-fledge negotiations.” Palestinians emphasize that “the ball is in Israel’s court.” The Palestinian Authority will convene its executive committee in Ramallah in the next few days to decide on the PA’s next move. The Arab League’s Middle East Committee will convene in mid-February to review possible diplomatic moves in the matter. Major Israeli Gas Field to Run Out This Year The Yam Thetis consortium said its ability to produce natural gas at its Mary-B well off of Israel’s southern Mediterranean coast has declined and a further drop is expected by Noble Energy, the project’s operator. The companies did not quantify the production decline at the Mary-B well. The Israeli partners in the conglomerate, Delek Drilling and Avner Oil, are studying the implications of this drop in production as well as what measures they might be able to take to narrow this decline. “This drop in supply is expected to have a negative effect on the financial results of the partnership until the start of commercial production from the Tamar project, which is expected in the first half of 2013,” the companies said, adding they could not yet estimate the size of the impact. Texas-based Noble Energy leads the group developing the Tamar prospect, which contains an estimated 9.1 trillion cubic feet of gas. A nearby site, Leviathan, is nearly twice as large and due to be online around 2017. In the meantime, Yam Thetis said it is going ahead with the development of the Noa North field with an estimated 1.2 billion cubic meters of gas as well as examining the development of small satellite wells. Mary-B, Israel’s first natural gas field, has been depleted faster than expected and is projected to run out this year, as Israel has been forced to compensate for a lack of Egyptian gas. The supply of natural gas from Egypt has been disrupted after the pipeline to Israel was blown up by militants 10 times in the past year. State utility Israel Electric Corp has been forced to increase its use of more expensive alternatives such as diesel and fuel oil. A recent cold snap has aggravated the situation, leaving the electric company with few reserves.

The use of gas in Israel has quadrupled since 2004, and is now the primary source for generating electricity.

Financial: Apple Inc. Crowned King of the Economic World Exxon Mobil and Apple Inc. have been battling over the title for world’s most valuable company. The stakes are high and competition is tough. Earlier this week, Apple officially reclaimed the title from Exxon Mobil. Exxon claimed the title from Apple on October 27. Apple’s market capital is about $419 billion while Exxon Mobil’s market is close behind at $415 billion. Apple sold approximately 37 million iPhones and 15.4 million iPads in the last three months of 2011. Apple reported $127.8 billion in sales during the 2011 calendar year. That’s a whole lot of zeros.

$1 Million for Obama-car Psst…wanna buy a car? How about one for $1 million? No, it doesn’t fly and it doesn’t include a chauffeur. This car, a 2005 Chrysler 300C, was owned by Obama. The current owner, Tim O’Boyle, is auctioning the car on eBay. The minimum bid is $1 million. So far, there have been no takers, but O’Boyle feels that a car owned by a president should fetch that amount. The current value of the car, based on estimates by Kelley Blue Book, values the car around $14,000. Brian Chanes, a specialist in historical artifacts, says that the car would be worth around $1 million if something noteworthy happened in the vehicle. “I’d say $100,000 is a fairer bet…if all the proceeds were going to charity, people are more liberal about throwing money at something.”Top of Form U.S. GDP is Pitiful A just released Gross Domestic Product report revealed the growth number for 2011. The final percentage increase for last year is…drumroll please...1.7%.

From 2010 to 2011, the real GDP increase was a pathetic 1.7%. In 2010 we saw a larger increase of 3.0%. Hopefully next year won’t charter into negative number territory.

Workers Biggest Expense: Coffee and Lunch In a recent telephone survey of 1,000 employed Americans ages 18 and older, it was revealed that on average an American worker spends $1,000 a year on coffee. Participants listed coffee as one of their work-related expenses. The study determined that more men spend on coffee than women and the younger generation, 18-34, spends almost twice as much on coffee than their older co-workers. On average, the young worker spends $24.74 a week, and older employees spend an average of $14.15 weekly. It seems that throughout this economic crisis people don’t usually recognize what a large expense coffee can become. Instead they focus on larger tickets items like furniture or their commute. Similarly, many workers spend money on lunch; 66 percent of Americans buy lunch every day for an average expense of $37 a week. (That number probably nearly doubles for those purchasing kosher food.) The same gender and age trends are seen with purchasing lunch as with buying coffee. That adds up to almost $2,000 a year on lunch. This goes to show that an average American worker’s basic day-to-day life without really “spending” costs $3,000 a year for food and drink during the work day. Often times that average exceeds the average worker’s commuting expenses which is about $1,500 a year. Ironically, workers still prefer to be reimbursed for their commuting costs instead of lunch costs highlighting the fact that most do not even realize how food and coffee expenses add up. For those looking to cut their budget…buy a container of Taster’s Choice from Costco, and while you’re there grab some rolls and Empire vacuum-packed pastrami. Taxers Owe the Most Taxes This headline caused quite a stir since Obama’s main theme in his campaign has been that every single

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This week in news American has an obligation to pay their “fair share” of taxes. The Internal Revenue Service recently reported that 36 of President Obama’s executive office staff owe a total of $833,970 in back taxes. This comes after previous reports have shown that Obama’s White House staff is well-paid. His 457 employees earned a collective $37 million last year. That’s a $4 million increase in salary since the previous president’s administration. One-third of Obama’s aides make more than $100,000. Twenty-one of them earn $172,000 each year. Many U.S. Citizens Giving Up Citizenship According to a recent study, about 4,000 Americans gave up their citizenship between 2005 and 2010 in order to avoid paying income taxes. During the first two quarters of 2011, 1,024 more Americans passed up their U.S. citizenship. Taxpayers abroad say they are confused “by the complex legal and reporting requirements they face and are overwhelmed by the prospect of having to comply with them.” They are also accusing the IRS for using “bait and switch” tactics, telling Americans they can resolve their unpaid taxes under an “older voluntary disclosure programs with the promise of reduced penalties, only to find themselves subjected to steeper penalties.” The only real consequences these citizens face is that they are now nonresidents and can only spend up to 120 days visiting the U.S. per year. This law changed in 2008; previously anyone who visited for more than 30 days during any of the 10 years following expatriation could be treated as a U.S. resident for that year.

Facebook’s revenue is driven by its advertising business, as big brands rush to the site to interact with consumers through display ads and fan pages. Facebook has been able to increase its world-wide advertising revenue from $738 million in 2009 to $3.8 billion in 2011, according to some estimates. An IPO will also test the ability of Chief Executive Mark Zuckerberg, age 27, to manage a global company whose financial performance will be scrutinized every three months by investors. Mr. Zuckerberg started the company in 2004 out of his Harvard University dorm room. Generally about 500 million users now log into the site daily.

That’s Odd: Jumbo Lens This is one giant patient for optometrists in Amsterdam! Win Thida accidentally scratched his left cornea while playing and his eye was constantly watering. The treatment that was prescribed? A contact lens for the eye. But that’s not what makes this story so intriguing. Win Thida is an elephant—a 44-year-old Asian elephant—living in the Artis zoo. “Win Thida is the first elephant in Europe with a contact lens,” the zoo’s website boasts. The procedure lasted about an hour. Talk about big eyes… Runaway Turtles Authorities intercepted smugglers at an Indonesian airport. But that’s not unusual, as I am sure that happens every day. What made this story out-of-the-ordinary were the goods being smuggled: 1,495 live turtles, in two suitcases. The reptiles were headed for Jakarta, the heart of the country’s animal black market. These particular “pig-nosed turtles” are a threatened species native to Indonesia; they are popular pets and are sometimes consumed for food. Wrong Address?

Update Your Statuses: Facebook to Go Public Facebook Inc. can file paper for its initial public offering very soon. Anticipation mounts as people await what could possibly be the biggest debut for any U.S. company in history. Potentially the company could raise as much $10 billion and value the social network between $75 billion and $100 billion. The site is less than eight years old but has attracted more than 800 million members. It has caused huge societal changes including the way people across the globe communicate, sharing special moments and pictures and organizing political protests.

If you were asked to make a list of 10 places where it’s not smart to deliver illegal substances, would the United Nations be included? Apparently one smuggler forgot to take it off his list. Authorities are currently investigating a package of 30 pounds of cocaine that was received in the mail room of the U.N. The package was received on January 16. No details are available yet but The New York Police Department and Drug Enforcement Agency are thoroughly involved in the probe.

Smile—You’re On Candid Camera A peculiar situation unfolded in a school in Mustang, Oklahoma. A ninth-grader at Mustang Public School took a picture of a snoozing substitute with a cellphone. Instead of reacting strongly to the conduct of the teacher, the school suspended the student. Parents were tremendously disturbed by the school’s response. First and foremost, they want disciplinary action taken against the substitute since sleeping on the job comprises the safety of students. They also believe the bigger issue at hand is that the student had the phone all together. Perhaps the student was simply gathering his evidence... The Mysterious Jackpot Winner There has been much speculation as to who bought a winning $14.3 million lottery ticket in Iowa. The mystery got even stranger when the winner announced through his lawyer that he has decided to withdraw any claim on the money. The winner delayed his original claim on the money for almost a year. Barely two hours before the ticket’s expiration, he had his lawyer come forward to claim the prize. The state law requires lottery officials to verify that the winning ticket was purchased legally, possessed, and presented to them in order to distribute winnings, and they have confirmed that they are satisfied with the validity of this ticket. The only information that state officials have is that the ticket was bought at a convenience store in December 2010. They say they do not know who actually purchased it. In an attempt to gain insight into who the buyer was, investigators have examined in-store security recordings. They say the tape clearly shows the sale but they have not shared the details of the description of the purchaser with the public. Apparently even Crawford Shaw, the attorney representing a trust attempting to claim the Hot Lotto jackpot, doesn’t know the identity of the person or persons behind Hexham Investments Trust, the group that sought the prize. The trust is a corporation located in Belize, a small Central American country. The country has a population of about 330,000 people in a land area about one-sixth the size of Iowa. The withdrawal ends nearly a month of wrangling between lottery officials and Shaw that included a proposal from Hexham to donate the after-tax proceeds from the jackpot, more than $7 million. to Iowa charities. But without the name of the people behind the trust, the lottery couldn’t release the prize, even to a charity. “It doesn’t get much weirder than this,” says Mary Neubauer, Iowa Lottery spokeswoman. The Iowa Di-

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This week in news

$14.3 Million Sitting on His Kitchen Table Now for another interesting but far less mysterious lottery story…On January 14, the lottery drawings of Wisconsin’s Megabucks revealed that there was a winner. The prize was worth $14.3 million, and that ticket was bought at a Mobil station. For several days, no one claimed the ticket. The clerks at the station asked Napoleah Elvord if he had bought the ticket since he was a daily customer. He said it wasn’t him. Several days later, the store manager, Corky Wunderlin, asked him again and this time it sparked a realization for Elvord. He realized that it was possible that he had mixed up the drawing days. Mr. Elvord still didn’t believe it until he found his $1 ticket sitting on the kitchen table at his home. Upon presenting it to the Wisconsin Lottery office, Elvord received a lump-sum payment of $10.2 million, which comes out to $6.87 million after taxes. The winner admits he is still in shock and, “it’s still going through my head.” Elvord goes to the gas station several times a day to buy coffee and sometimes lottery tickets. On the day he won, he let another customer go ahead of him before playing the winning numbers. His picks, 17, 26, 27, 28, 37 and 42, were computergenerated, and the fact that he bought the ticket at all may have been an accident. “I think it was a mistake because I was trying to play the Powerball,’’ he said. Elvord’s big win was also a jackpot for the Mobil station, as the owners earned a $100,000 commission from the lottery for selling the winning ticket. A semi-retired construction worker, Elvord plans on returning to his native Texas and putting the money towards health insurance. He has received regular kidney dialysis for the last five years and is awaiting a kidney transplant. Let’s hope Elvord continues to beat the odds!

The principal, Kevin Peters, and teacher, Nate Resh, trapped the deer inside the school and directed the other students to safety. The doe was trapped inside the foyer and tried escaping and succeeded on its second try and took off. The principal has said, “We’re incredibly lucky it was not more serious with so many students being there.” Although it was a little while after the buses already left campus, there were still around 150 students remaining, who either walk home or get picked up by parents. The father of the victim watched the scene unfold. He first saw the deer hit a fence in the field, run across the parking lot, through the main doors, and right into his son who was walking out. Doe a deer, a female deer…

Following her admission to hospital, Ms. Irvine has conceded that the diet is having a negative impact on her health. She said, “I am starting to realize this is really bad for me. My main meal is always chicken nuggets every day. McDonald’s chicken nuggets are my favorite…But I also like KFC and supermarket brands.” A 20-piece portion of McNuggets contains 58g of fat and 926 calories, which exceeds the recommended 56g daily fat allowance and is almost half of the adult guidance of 2,000 calories a day.

Chicken Nugget Addict Bittersweet Presley and Ethel Bradshaw got married 73 years ago on October 21, 1938 in Somerset and have been together ever since. Sadly, but romantically, the couple from Louisville, Kentucky died within hours of each other at the same nursing home. The unit manager of Meadowview Health and Rehabilitation Center described the couple as the “epitome of the word ‘love.’” Although Ethyl suffered from dementia, nursing home administrator Shannon Bass suspects that Mrs. Bradshaw recognized that her husband was missing from their shared room after his death and died just four hours later. According to an obituary, Presley Bradshaw was 101 years old and Ethyl Bradshaw was 99. Ever since she was a toddler, Stacey Irvine has eaten little else but chicken nuggets. She admits to never having tasted fresh fruit or vegetables. She occasionally varies her food intake by eating a slice of toast for breakfast. Now, at the age of 17, she got a severe wakeup call to change her habits. Earlier this week she was rushed to hospital when she collapsed after struggling to breathe. Doctors found that this 15-year “chronic chicken nugget addiction” has left the teen with anemia and inflamed veins on her tongue. Her body is deficient of significant vitamins and nutrients, which doctors had to inject intravenously.

Oh Deer! Dismissal time on Wednesday at Red Lion Area Junior High School in York, Pennsylvania was quite a commotion. Students and parents watched as a doe leapt through the main doors of the school and collided with an eighth-grade student, knocking them both to the floor. The student was not harmed and quickly got up and ran outside. As a precaution, the student was taken to the hospital.

her to see a specialist. She is deeply concerned about her daughter, worrying that “she will die if she carries on like this.”

Stacey has been hooked on chicken nuggets since her mother gave her them to taste in a McDonald’s when she was just two-years-old. She recalls, “I loved them so much, they were all I would eat. I just couldn’t face even trying other foods. Mum gave up giving me anything else years ago.” Stacey’s mother, Evonne, is exasperated by her daughter’s refusal to eat a healthy and varied diet and wants

A Really Bad Dream Michael Sweat, 34, was sleeping in his Connecticut apartment when a car landed on top of him. Hamden police were pursuing a BMW that was wanted for motor vehicle violations. The driver of the car refused to pull over and the police pursued the car throughout the state. In New Haven, the driver lost control of the car, and the car crashed into Sweat’s apartment. He was trapped under the car for several hours and was taken to the hospital to be treated for burns. The police and emergency crews will be checking to ensure that the house is structurally sound after the incident.

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vision of Criminal Investigation and attorney general’s office have issued a joint statement saying they have opened an investigation into the case. You know what they say…hey, you never know!

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TuB'Shvat

The Greenhouses of Gush Katif Menucha Levin

Editor’s Note: Tu B’shvat is the Rosh Hashana L’Ilanos, the New Year of the Trees. On this holiday, we celebrate the fruits and products of the land, namely the shivas haminim, the seven special fruits of Eretz Yisroel. Hashem promised the Jews that Eretz Yisroel will blossom and flourish, producing dates dripping with honey and olives dripping with oil. We saw these miracles, just a few years ago, when pioneering families settled in what was once barren land in Eretz Yisroel and worked the soil to produce luscious fruits and vegetables. The residents of Gush Katif, men, women and children, built up communities that were vibrant and full of life. The tragedy of the expulsion in 2005 brought along anguish and despair. They were yanked from their homes, brother against brother. But their will to survive and flourish is still there, and their determination to rebuild is still there. In August, 2005, a few days after Tisha B'Av, 1,700 Jewish families who had settled in Gush Katif were tragically evicted from their homes and communities in an expulsion known as the ‘Disengagement.’ Forcefully evacuated, they were faced with the terrible decision of whether to leave their homes intact or to destroy them to deprive the enemy of a victory. Gaza was emptied of its 10,000 Jews; its twenty-one close-knit communities uprooted, 48 graves relocated, 38 beautiful shuls dismantled along with 42 day care centers, 36 kindergartens, 7 elementary schools and 3 high schools. All were gone. In addition, flourishing agricultural businesses were wiped out overnight. The Katif ’s unique greenhouses, which used advanced technology to grow bug-free leafy vegetables and herbs, had to be left behind. The greenhouses were owned by 200 farmers and exported around $200 million of produce a year. The farming industry in Gush Katif had been a highly successful contributor to the Israeli economy. Of all goods exported from Israel, 70 percent of the organic vegetables, 60 percent of the herbs, 60 percent of the flowers and 15 percent of all agricultural exports came from the Gush. Additionally, the Atzmona community housed Israel’s largest plant nursery and the Katif dairy was the second largest dairy in all of Israel with 800 dairy-producing cows. All this came to a sudden, tragic end. The hard-working farmers who had

created a thriving industry over the years were left with no land or funds to rebuild their businesses. In the years following the expulsion, most former Gush Katif residents are unemployed and forced to spend most of their compensation money on dayto-day expenses, leaving them without the funds to build a new home. Today, only 157 families, just 9 percent of those evacuated, have completed construction on their new homes. Many of them had to face the bleak prospect of living in trailers or tents for the foreseeable future. They had also hoped to stay together in one area but the 23 communities from Gush Katif are now scattered in 23 communities throughout Israel, ranging from the Golan Heights to the Negev. The Gush Katif communities housed 380 agricultural farms. At first many believed that the government would help them relocate so that, despite the trauma they had suffered, they could start anew. However bureaucratic problems and lack of infrastructure delayed progress for years. Currently, only 28% of the farmers have re-established their farms. And many have met with much difficulty. One farmer, impatient to wait for the government to get its act together, took out loans and purchased an old greenhouse, attempting to go it alone. Unfortunately, despite all his efforts, he ended up losing money and his business. Rami Yaacov moved to Mavki’im after the expulsion. Because he lacked the money to rebuild his farm, he invested in a greenhouse that grows organic vegetables. But success was not certain nor immediate. “The first year, the greenhouse flooded, the second year, frost took the crop. And this year, I hope to have produce to sell in November and December,” Rami said. As the Gush Katif farmers had no land of their own, other companies saw the opportunity to grow insect-free produce and opened their own greenhouses. Some of these companies hired former Gush Katif residents for their expertise but only as workers, not managers. Soon there was a lot of competition in the market that had originated in Gush Katif. The ‘Alei Katif ’ company relocated to Shaar Hanegev (‘the gate to the Negev’) near the town of Sderot, which unfortunately has endured years of Kassam rocket attacks. So, in addition to all the difficulties in starting their business over again, the farmers have the constant stress of being targeted by Hamas. Other farmers who were given land elsewhere in the Negev had to cope with lack of infrastructure such as roads and at times their communities were flooded with rainwaters. Some Gush Katif communities such as Atzmona are now relocated in the Negev next to the Egyptian border. The area, known for its illegal smuggling operations, is now developing organic vegetable farming. Despite all the challenges they have to face, the people there are starting to feel optimistic about their future.

Anita Tucker, an American and early pioneer of the Gush Katif settlement enterprise, became one of the leading spokespeople for the residents during

In 1976, she and her husband Stuart had moved southward to develop a new agricultural community named Netzer Hazani – the first in Gush Katif – with the encouragement of the Ministry of Agriculture. The area was originally filled with empty sand dunes. As one former resident said, “There were no birds, insects or even weeds. Even the amount of rain was small compared to today’s rainfall measurements. Local Arabs, who called the area El Gerara, ‘the cursed land,’ were happy when the Jews returned because the land began to produce and the rain started again.” In fact, when Anita and her husband moved to the area, the Arab Mukhtar of Dir Al-Balah, a nearby Arab village, came to welcome them with the traditional items of bread and salt as a sign of hospitality. But he was puzzled as to why they chose to live in the area. “Why are you living here?” he asked. “Don’t you know you can’t grow anything here, in this cursed land? According to our tradition, the last people who lived here who grew anything were Abraham and Isaac.” Eventually, though, through their efforts and efforts of our pioneering souls, the desert began to bloom. For 29 years, the Tuckers lived in Gush Katif, building up Netzer Hazani, a vegetable-raising and packing business, with their family of five children. They owned an insect-free celery farm. Their son grew organic cherry tomatoes for export to Europe and the United States. When they were ultimately expelled in the Disengagement, they lived for 11 months in temporary lodging in dormitories, and then moved to temporary quarters in Kibbutz Ein Tzurim. Anita worked to help the Gush Katif communities retain their unique, pre-expulsion character of Torah and Land of Israel values, friendly communal relations, and pioneering spirit. She also speaks in Jewish communities around the world about the difficulties that the Gush Katif people overcame in order to remain united. She writes, “All those from Gush Katif share a yearning for home. It is not the yearning for my private home, but the yearning for that part of the land of Israel that we helped turn into a flourishing and blossoming paradise, and now lies in a pile of rubble. This sensation of strong yearning becomes more intense as each year passes.” It is this despair and the mourning of the loss of their accomplishments and their homes, literally and figuratively, that shadows those who were displaced.

greenhouses. But even that is not sufficient to help the residents build their businesses from the ground up. Building a greenhouse costs around $26,000. That means that those who wish to build a new greenhouse would have to spend over $10,000 of their own money or take out loans for that amount to complete the project. With all the delays involved, by the time the new businesses are built and all the loans are paid off, Anita explains that the situation would be difficult even for young people but her pioneering spirit is still strong and she is determined not to give up. Doron, another farmer from Gush Katif, found a warehouse to rent in the south near Netivot and moved his business there after a tiring search for a location. Formerly a resident of Ganei Ohr, Doron currently packages produce from farms in the Negev. “There was no help from the state,” Doron said when asked how he was funding his move and how he will rebuild his hot houses. He went to the bank for a loan but was turned down because of a lack of financial assistance and with problems paying workers. He turned to friends and volunteers for help. Some of those volunteers, a group from Yeshivat Hamivtar in Gush Etzion, helped package the produce for the day after they heard about what Doron was going through since the expulsion. “Regardless of one's political views, people who lost their homes and had their businesses uprooted are certainly going to have difficulties,” said Yitzhak Blau of Alon Shevut, one of the volunteers for the day. “We thought it was important to help those who are struggling with their business losses to minimize those losses.” It is this unity, this camaraderie, between Jews that Anita sees as paramount to the rebuilding of their lives. “Our big challenge today in building a new town in Israel is how to connect to Am Yisrael, the People of Israel.” She says that living in Netzer Hazani, a community near the ultra-Orthodox community of Yesodot and the secular commu-

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“This was a pretty successful area,” explained Anita. And after the Disengagement, they were all unemployed. Hardworking fathers and families, those who worked and put their hearts and souls into developing the barren soil, were left with nothing. “[The] greenhouses...in tax terms, they didn’t have any value anymore.” Only after a battle in the Knesset, a compromise was made and they were promised 60 percent of the value of the

the long, intense struggle against the Disengagement. She is known as the Mother of Gush Katif.

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Travel Guide

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nity of Hulda, has brought about a fortuitous consequence. For years these communities had no communication with each other, but now the former residents of Gush Katif are helping them connect by acting as a bridge between the two. In unity, there is growth. In our conversation, she mentions that almost one hundred years ago Rav Kook explained that Am Yisrael builds not only for ourselves but for future generations. Which is precisely what she – and all the brave former residents of Gush Katif – are attempting to do. Despite everything they have endured and the challenges they still face, they maintain their optimism and the will to continue. As the holiday of Tu B'shvat approaches, the New Year of the trees, symbolizing new life and growth, we pray for a better future for themselves, their children and grandchildren. The almond tree, with its lovely pink blossoms, is the first tree to bloom after a long, bleak winter. Like the almond tree, the former residents of Gush Katif are blossoming anew. Anita Tucker invites all those interested in learning more about her new venture to contact her at her new home in Netzer Hazani. Her email address is tucker.anita@gmail.com.

The position of the Holocaust Education Center

property or condemn the second floor when it was a nightclub before the City bought it, or when the City owned it, but now that the Holocaust Center owns the building, all of these longstanding violations are being enforcedon a building that the City sold us, and confirmed in writing didn’t have code violations! Our witnesses will testify that there has been selective enforcement against the Holocaust Center.

None of the substantial newspaper coverage of the dispute between the City of Hollywood and the Holocaust Documentation Education Center has given the point of view of the Holocaust Center. We hope that this will clarify our position.

The relationship between the City and the Holocaust Center has now deteriorated to the point that an amicable divorce seems like the best result for all concerned. We don’t want to continue to fight City Hall. We prefer to settle these issues amicably.

In 2004, the City recruited the Holocaust Center to come to Hollywood. They sold the Holocaust Center a building owned by the City for $1.2 million dollars. It is undisputed that at various times, city officials told the Holocaust Center that the City would at some point either give the property to the Holocaust Center, or change the sale to a dollar a year lease, like the City did for the Art and Culture Center, the Jaycees, and many other outstanding community organizations.

The Holocaust Center wants to move, the City wants the Holocaust Center out, but the Holocaust Center needs time to find another location, and do construction there. This will probably take 18-24 months. The alternative for the City is to initiate foreclosure litigation. That would be a mistake.

Before purchasing the building, the Holocaust Center insisted on inspections, and also insisted on estoppel letters from the City confirming that there were no code violations, other than minor ones that would be fixed by normal renovations. The City hired a General Contractor to perform the inspection, and paid for it. We received the inspection report and the estoppel letters. Both turned out to be wrong. Within a few months of the Holocaust Center taking possession of the property, we were told that the elevator violated code and we had to replace it. Similarly, the Center replaced the roof , changed the façade because of leaks, replaced the windows, and so forth. The City told the Holocaust Center to install sprinklers and approved plans where they should be, only to order them moved after they were installed. The Holocaust Center has still been unable to resolve all code issues. We have spent over $3 million dollars on renovations to this money pit, and there are still code and ADA violations that will cost at least another $500,000 to fix. Last year, the City condemned the second floor of the Holocaust Center, because of code violations that had been there for decades. The City didn’t issue code violations on the

The sale was a “non-recourse” sale, meaning that the only remedy available to the City is possession of the property, not fees or damages against the Holocaust Center. Representing the Holocaust Center are three law firms, Greenspoon Marder, Boies Schiller, and Jacobs/Offir . All are working completely for free, because they believe in the good work of the Holocaust Center. The outside law firm for the City will end up billing the City hundreds of thousands of dollars in legal fees. The legal team representing the Holocaust Center will vigorously defend the foreclosure lawsuit, will file counterclaims, and perhaps initiate a lawsuit in Federal Court, alleging a violation of the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act. The City has already lost two of these cases, and we think that Judges will frown upon the conduct of the City in condemning property which was fine when the City owned it. Litigation is unnecessary and unwise. The best possible result for the City through litigation is that in a few years, after spending hundreds of thousands of dollars in legal fees, the City will simply get the property back, and nothing else, after more time than they could negotiate today. The City could lose, and owe the Holocaust Center some or all of the millions of dollars that it invested in the property in reliance on the city’s representations. The Holocaust Center wants to end this dispute. We want to move, but need time to do so.

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This past weekend, Yachad, The National Jewish Council for Disabilities, had a group of close to 140 people spend Shabbos together and then Sunday morning run together in the Miami ING Marathon. Each person had to commit to raising a specified amount of money and was flown to South Florida from all over the country, including places such as New York, New Jersey, Chicago, Los Angeles, Houston and everywhere in-between, put up in a luxury hotel and given the opportunity to spend the weekend with an amazing group of individuals, culminating with the marathon run. Everyone who ran was invigorated and came back to the hotel on a high, which continued through a delicious barbecue and onto the buses back to the airport. Saturday night, South Florida Yachad invited their local participants to attend a kumzitz at the hotel. They were joined by many of the runners to sing, dance and then hang out together at the pre-race pasta party. Everyone had such a good time and the Yachad participants felt so included being with the runners, which is the premise of Yachad, inclusion. Sunday morning, Yachad sponsored a water table at the marathon and seven local Yachad participants manned it along with six amazing advisors. It was a wonderful experience for them and people loved seeing the Yachad participants participating and being included in the marathon experience. A GREAT time was had by all!!

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YACHAD MARATHON WEEKEND

In Memory by Rebbeca Sachs Finkelstein Today through Ayelet Galena's Gift of Life donor circle, the 21st match for someone in need of a bone marrow transplant was found. But today the world also lost a very special and brave fighter, Ayelet Galena. Ayelet, only two years old, had a very rare bone marrow illness and after a bone marrow transplant spent the past few months battling illness. From ordinary people to celebrities like 50 Cent, people from all walks of life became invested in Ayelet’s heartbreaking story, hoping for her speedy recovery, and inspired to do good deads in her honor and bring greater awareness to the bone marrow donation. The Jewish communities of South Florida helped with several bone marrow drives to help Ayelet find a match. Today, there are more than 5,200 people following story. Currently, Gift of Life has 13,000 donors on its wait list, needing donations to process their swabs. Put the phrase, "may her memory be a blessing," into action and do something special to put Ayelet’s light into the world; choose to say a kind word, do a selfless act, or give a gift of charity.

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Southern NCSY’s Hahn Family Weekend of Adventure A Huge Success North Miami Beach, FL ( January 22, 2012) - - - No fancy hotel; No impressive caterer; A Saturday night bowling activity that was no more exciting than it was 20 years ago. And yet more than 100 Jewish teens found themselves describing Southern NCSY’s Hahn Family Shabbaton in North Miami Beach as “amazing,” “incredible” and “like nothing I’ve ever experienced before.” This past weekend, over 100 teens from public schools and non-Jewish private academies gathered in North Miami Beach for the annual Hahn Family Weekend of Adventure, sponsored by Lillian and Elliot Hahn, in honor of his parents, Ludwig and Zelda. Too large of a gathering for any one synagogue, participants and onlookers gathered in a tent for spirited Friday night services. Jewish teens who had never experienced Shabbat, tefillah or the warmth of the Jewish community found themselves dancing alongside their peers, singing songs of Shabbat and eventually joining families in the area for exquisite dinners. Teens reconvened at Shaare Emunah for learning sessions, games and an oneg Shabbat. “Something new we did this time,” said Todd Cohn, Executive Director of Southern NCSY, “was to not even bother setting up chairs for the Friday night services. It was a gamble, but we figured it would encourage the kids to get more into the singing and dancing, and I was thrilled to see it work. And this from kids, many of whom have never seen the inside of a synagogue or temple and certainly had every reason to feel awkward around prayers!” On Shabbat morning, teens were charged to research and present their studies regarding the morning services. Groups taught their peers about the modeh ani, the morning brachot, the shemoneh esrai and even the weekly parsha. After a lavish Kiddush and volunteer advisor-led discussion groups, the teens gathered for a communal Shabbat lunch. The meal closed with singing and entertainment provided

by NCSY staff, and flowed into time for the teens to further bond with one another. As Shabbat drew to a close, the entire North Miami Beach community joined NCSYers for a rousing Seudah Shelishit and inspirational charge by Rabbi Ephraim Shapiro. Teens were applauded for their courage to grow as leaders in the Jewish community and were reminded just how powerful a single, small deed can be. Rabbi Shapiro commented, “We are truly blessed to host the NCSY family this weekend. We erroneously believed that we are the ones supporting NCSY and their outreach efforts this Shabbos, but the truth is that it really is they who are supporting us.” “The most powerful piece to me,” said one teen, “was getting to meet new families in the North Miami Beach community and to see how excited they were to host us. I’ve never experienced anything like this before.”

About Southern NCSY NCSY is a national youth group where Jewish teens are encouraged to grow into leaders. We strive to create an environment that empowers teens to make informed and educated choices that further their commitment to passionate Judaism. We provide a range of regional and local educational programs. We believe in teaching though example, and our hand-picked advisors and staff model a diverse, passionate, open–minded and enthusiastic approach to Jewish life. NCSY enables each teen to fulfill his or her personal potential as a Jew, as a leader and as a valued community member. NCSY is committed to provide a safe space where teens can celebrate their Jewish heritage; embrace Torah and Tradition; develop a positive Jewish identity; acquire invaluable leadership skills; connect with dedicated Jewish role models; and learn to live passionately Jewish lives. For more information, please visit http://www.southernncsy.org or email gonsherb@ncsy.org

Women across South Florida are finding care and compassion to help them cope with family illness and life’s challenges thanks to generous grants from the Jewish Women's Foundation from the Jewish Federation of Broward County. The Jewish Women’s Foundation was founded to make a positive impact in Jewish women’s and girl’s lives through strategic, effective grant making. Three years in existence and one year after its first grants totaling $16,000, the Foundation is fulfilling its mission of helping those facing serious personal or family issues. “The goal of the Jewish Women’s Foundation is core to the calling of the Jewish community and its organizations,” said Eric B. Stillman, President and CEO of the Jewish Federation of Broward County. “Coping requires compassionate care and professional guidance. That’s what these vital programs provide.” One of the first grant recipients was Seasons of Respite, a year-long, four-part series of workshops from Chai Lifeline (www.ChaiLifeline.org). It was designed to give mothers of seriously ill children the tools to take better care of themselves. Composed of four themes that encompass mind, body and spirit, the workshops are a mixture of laughter, friendship, information and inspiration. “When a child is sick, the mother often assumes full responsibilities for care giving,” said Ellen Weiss, director of Chai Lifeline Southeast. “Moms feel they have no time for themselves. Seasons of Respite are days where mothers relax and learn how to help themselves even when they are harried and pressured. Chai Lifeline recognizes how necessary the support provided by community services is to getting through the journey.” The other program is Empower Women. A combined initiative of Soref Jewish Community Center and Jewish Family Service of Broward County, these self-em-

powerment seminars educate, inform and offer support women from their 20s to 70s facing daunting challenges and in need of a safe place to join other women to learn effective ways to make positive changes in their lives. Workshops are led by qualified, highly trained professionals from JFS and the medical and financial fields. After the seminars, the women feel empowered – with some launching their own support groups, said Enid Brot with Jewish Family Service. “We encourage the women work toward self-sufficiency with the tools they are provided. The goal of the program was to have a ripple effect and impact on many.” “Empower Women seeks to help women with financial and emotional issues, joblessness and even abusive relationships and custody battles,” added Judy Kissel with the Soref JCC in Plantation. “These are critical needs that, when addressed by professionals, can provide women new job skills, personal coaching and the emotional assertiveness needed to take charge of their lives. We feel we are planting seedlings in the garden, and as the women gain strength and confidence, it’s like watching the seeds grow.” For Jewish Women’s Foundation founding trustee Esther Shacket – the daughter of Holocaust survivors – the grants are the realization of a dream: to help other women from Broward County to Israel aspire to achieve more. “One year into our giving, it’s rewarding to witness the successes we’ve seen with these organizations,” Shacket said. “This is why we are encouraging people to give. These programs do exactly what we hoped they would -- help women gain skills and confidence to know that they can succeed in a difficult environment, when facing life’s toughest challenges.”

The David Posnack Jewish Day School celebrated their first annual Gala Sunday, January 22, 2012. The gala, which coincided with the school's first anniversary at their new Davie campus, honored Cindy & Gary Marks. Also honored for lifetime achievement were Anne & Jeﬀ Sophsin, and Posnack alumna Lindsey Glantz. The Posnack community danced the night away to the tunes of DJ Chris Cruz on the DPJCC Campus.

L-R Noel Hall, Randi Schwartz, Dr. Alexis Karstaedt, Justin Etzine

Louis and Adi Reinstein

L-R Jeff and Melissa Van Gelder, Lisa and David Goetz

27 THE SOUTH FLORIDA JEWISH HOME ■ FEB. 2, 2012

Jewish Federation of Broward County’s Jewish Women’s Foundation Funds Critical Services for Women Throughout South Florida

THE SOUTH FLORIDA JEWISH HOME ■ FEB. 2, 2012

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Politics Jimmy Carter Does It Again David Harris

When it comes to the Middle East, the former president never ceases to amaze. In an interview published in Time, he was asked: "What do you think it means that Iran seems to have its first nuclear fuel rod?" His complete answer: "Well, of course, the religious leaders of Iran have sworn on their word of honor that they're not going to manufacture nuclear weapons. If they are lying, then I don't see that as a major catastrophe because they'll only have one or two military weapons. Israel probably has 300 or so." There you have it. In 51 words, Carter demonstrates convincingly why he should stay out of the business of Iran analysis. Not that he was much better at it while in the White House. Remember his famous expression of confidence in the Shah -- "an island of stability" -- when one year later the Iranian leader was ousted and had to flee the country? And the catastrophic U.S. attempt, under Carter, to free the 52 American hostages taken by the Shah's successors, that failed for the lack of a working helicopter? And the fact that those hostages languished in Iranian hands for 444 days, only to be released the very first day Carter's successor, Ronald Reagan, took office? Carter did not understand Iran then. Judging by the Time interview, he still doesn't. First, how could any serious observer begin a response by mentioning that "the religious leaders of Iran have sworn on their word of honor that they're not going to manufacture nuclear weapons"? Of what possible relevance is such a comment, other than to suggest that Carter may actually give it credence? A regime that has been found to lie about everything else -- its leaders claimed there were no nuclear enrichment facilities, that there were no homosexuals in the country, that its women were the freest in the world, that the Holocaust never took place, and that its 2009 elections were transparent -- is actually given the benefit of the doubt by the former president. He begins the next sentence with the phrase, "If they are lying." Again, he himself isn't sure. Perhaps he thinks, in contradistinction to the International Atomic Energy Agency, UN Security Council, Obama administration, European and Gulf leaders, and Israel, that all the Iranian leaders really want is peaceful nuclear energy, nothing more. And then comes the clincher. Even if the Iranians by some chance are lying, he said, "then I don't see that as a major catastrophe because they'll only have one or two military weapons." How could anyone possibly know how many bombs Iran might build, if left unchecked? This year, it might be one or two; next year, ten or twenty; and so on. Second, at the end of the day, the real issue is not how many bombs Iran would

have, but the very fact that it possessed the weapon. That would change everything in its relations with its neighbors and beyond. Iran would derive incalculable power and confidence from the mere fact that it crossed the line. Going forward, all other countries would have to factor the nuclear element into their dealings with Tehran -- and, it should be added, with such allies as Syria, and such non-governmental partners as Hamas and Hezbollah. Third, one of the most ominous changes could well be a new arms race in the region, already the most volatile in the world. What countries might, in response, move towards nuclear-weapons programs of their own, driven by fear (think Saudi Arabia) or "prestige" (think Turkey)? Then the risk of catastrophe by design, miscalculation, or accident goes up exponentially. So, too, does the chance of a further spread of the weapons. Remember A.Q. Khan, the Pakistani scientist who ran the Walmart of nuclear-weapons technology? Impossible to conceive of Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez seeking nuclear help from his Iranian friends to achieve the same position in Latin America that Iran aspires to in its neighborhood? Not in my book. Fourth, Carter should go back and read the words of Hashemi Rafsanjani, the former Iranian president, who said: "[T]he use of even one nuclear bomb inside Israel would destroy everything." For Carter to imply that Israel is safe and secure from Iranian nuclear designs by dint of having more bombs is, well, naïve, all the more when Iran's defining eschatology is added to the picture. If religious fervor should trump rational behavior in Tehran, all bets are off. And finally, Carter once again displays his misreading of Israel, something he has regrettably made a habit of in recent years and also, incidentally, on vivid display in the same Time interview. Israel still lives with the shadow of the Holocaust. How could it not? A leader set forth a plan to establish a 1,000-year Reich and destroy the Jewish people. Few took him seriously. Indeed, there were those at the time -- all titled, confident and credentialed -- who sounded very much like Carter in his assessment of present-day Iran. They were dead wrong, and the world paid a horrific price for failing to grasp Hitler's intentions earlier. Of one thing we can be certain: Israel will not place its trust in Carter's reading of Iran. Nor should anyone else.

29 The Broward Center & Mazel Musicals present

Double chai THEATRICAL Series

TONY AWARD NOMINEE BEST PLAY

Mandy Patinkin in

Say Goodnight Gracie

Let Go

who we were, who we are, who we might become

The life, laughter and love of George Burns and Gracie Allen

March 14-25

February 26 –23

Written by 3-time Tony Award Winner Rupert Holmes

Melodies Memories Gold Standards of the American Songbook

Thanks for the Memories

At Last The Songs of Harry Warren

The Music of the Paramount Pictures Era

Special Guest Artist

Deborah Tranelli

Special Guest Artist

Mia Matthews

February 8 –12

February 8–12 Special Guest Artist

Special Guest Artist

Deborah Tranelli

Mia Matthews

For tickets call 877-311-7469 (SHOW) or visit AventuraCenter.org For Groups of 10 or more call Encore Theater Tickets 305.919.3731 or toll free 866.252.5278 3385 NE 188th Street, Aventura, FL 33180 All programs, artists, dates and times are subject to change.

Proud sponsor of the Aventura Center:

THE SOUTH FLORIDA JEWISH HOME ■ FEB. 2, 2012

The

THE SOUTH FLORIDA JEWISH HOME ■ FEB. 2, 2012

mozart review

Mmm…Mmm…Mozart, by Avigdor’s Great Décor…Great Service…Great Food By Hadassah Aryeh With most restaurants, you can go straight for the entrees. With Mozart, you must start with the appetizers. We arrived at Mozart on Sunday ready to taste a sampling of their offerings. The food, however, was delicious: Mozart makes its own sauces, breads, and hummus. We couldn’t simply taste: we ate and ate and ate. The hummus was, hands down, the best hummus (served with delectable garlic bread) I have ever had. The waitress (more about that soon) brought me a platter of toasted fresh rounds of bread that I enjoyed with nine different dips—including pesto, lebana cheese, schug, techina, sundried tomatoes, Italian dressing— that I could not merely nibble. Each dip was delicious and infused with different textures and flavorings. The soups were good—I recommend the potato soup—the rice was tasty and moist, the pasta was fresh and al dente. Many other diners ordered shakes on the side; fresh lemonade on tap ensures that you do not have to drink the usual commercial sodas. When I saw that, I ordered a cold, tall glass of a strawberry, mango, and banana shake that I truly enjoyed. I also had a wonderful triple cheese mushroom toast that I highly recommend. The textural and temperature combination of the crunch, melted hot cheese, and mushrooms is unprecedented at other establishments. We tried four fish mains, including the Asian salmon salad that came with a variety of greens (which I recommend), the fresh garlic and lemon salmon that was grilled with fresh slices of lemon and garlic to perfection (also a dish you must try), and the honey salmon that was good as well. A whole grilled fish had small whole eggplants and tomatoes on the side and was very well done too. The presentation was original and demonstrated the care and pride of the kitchen staff and chef. The piece de resistance of the meal was the sushi. I asked the chef to make me something original, not the usual California roll. What I received was a blow-me-away platter with three sauces, presented in a way that is more fusion cuisine than Japanese traditional. The chef brought me a sushi roll including imitation crab, salmon, cream cheese (though you wouldn’t know) and topped with two kinds of caviar. At the center of the plate was a rose made of thinly sliced pan seared tuna. Even the wasabi looked different: it was shaped and pressed to look like a leaf. I, who am never moved to do this, actually took a picture. I also personally thanked the sushi chef. The restaurant, with its modern-rustic décor and open kitchen, while completely full with Jews and non-Jews, families and couples, was not overwhelming or noisy. Food arrived on time, and the wait staff served with smiles, warmth, and grace. Good service ensured that we were not waiting for a long time, and that used plates were taken away; glasses were kept full; and we did not feel that the wait staff was hovering too closely. Desserts looked delicious. Alas, I was too full from my meal to enjoy some cake and ice cream (and white chocolate espresso). I will have to do that on my return…. Mozart by Avigdor’s has two locations: one in Deerfield Beach, FL, and one in Hollywood, FL: 4433 Stirling Road, in Hollywood/Fort Lauderdale; 1250 W. Hillsboro Blvd. in Deerfield Beach. Both are under the supervision of the ORB and are chalav Yisrael and pas Yisrael.

By Rabbi Jonathan Gewirtz

Through My Grandfather’s Eyes Though not quite forty, I can remember seeing a young R’ Aharon Kotler in heated Torah debate with his chavrusa, pulling at each other’s beards as they tried to make their points, until being told by the Alter of Slabodka that they shouldn’t go so far. I’ll never forget the pomp and circumstance in 1929 as R’ Boruch Ber Leibowitz was presented the key to the city by New York City Mayor Jimmy Walker. “Rabbi Leibowitz,” said the Mayor, “You and I have much in common. I wear the crown of the greatest city in the world, and you wear the crown of the greatest People in the world. The only difference is that I wear my crown ON my head, and you wear your crown IN your head.” (He must have had a great Jewish Speechwriter.) I saw my chasidishe great-grandfather sob as one of his young sons nibbled on a few cherries one morning. His face contorted in pain, he cried, “Cherries?! Before davening?! Oy, this is the first step to going off the derech!” This memory keeps me from being tempted to eat before davening. I saw R’ Dovid Leibowitz, great-nephew of the Chofetz Chaim and founder of Yeshivas R’ Yisrael Meir HaKohain in America, rushing down the stairs to open the door for a talmid and pulling his robe closed as he did. How could I have seen all these things, you ask, when those people left this world decades before I was born? It’s easier than you think. I saw them through my grandfather’s eyes. My grandfather, HaRav Abba Zalka Gewirtz z”l, left this world on 28 Teves 5772, January 23, 2012 at the age of 95. After a full career as a Shul Rabbi, he became the Vice President of Telshe yeshiva in Cleveland, at the request of his close friend, R’ Mordecai Gifter z”l, a position he held for over 40 years. People who knew him over the years marveled at his ‘pikchus,’ his keen understanding of people and at his ability to mingle with both Torah giants and financial juggernauts with equanimity. He raised tens of millions of dollars to support Limud haTorah and was not afraid to humble himself if need be. He didn’t put on airs; he was genuine. He put people at ease, he built close relationships. To me, though, he wasn’t the Vice President; he wasn’t the Rabbi or the principal. He was my Zaidy. And that title is more honorable and prestigious than any other you might try to come up with to describe anyone. He is the person who bought me shoes and taught me that the best part of a haircut is the way the Tefillen fit afterwards, and he is the one who used to bring me Hershey’s Big Block chocolate bars when he came to visit. He’s the one whose small megilla, in a beautiful olivewood case which his father brought him back from Yerushalayim nearly 80 years ago, I used to look into as I stood next to him in the Yeshiva Bais Medrash.

feet, and who knew that the tune we sang in yeshiva for Yedid Nefesh was composed by the chazan in his Shtiebel, R’ Luzer Meilech, the Melitzer Shochet.. My Zaidy is the one who would tell me, and everyone he came in contact with, stories of Gedolim, Rabbonim of yesteryear, and life in early-20th century New York. Those stories came alive when he told them, and you were transported back in time with him and saw through his eyes. The emotion, the mood, the majesty – all those came through when my Zaidy spoke. When Zaidy heard about the Holocaust’s atrocities in Europe, he decided to enlist. I was there when R’ Aharon Kotler told him that if he thought he could save Jews he should do it. R’ Aharon, R’ Dovid, R’ Boruch Ber, Ponevizher Rav, these people didn’t die decades ago. They left this world last week, when my Zaidy, their mouthpiece and conduit to the present, went to the Yeshiva Shel Maalah. But that isn’t entirely true. You see, my Zaidy passed along his memories to me. He passed along to me the power of the Alter’s Shmuess about Bain Adam L’Atzmo, and even if the images I see in my mind aren’t exactly the same as the ones he had, they are burned no less powerfully into my psyche. He also taught me something else. Just as I see things through his eyes, and my thoughts are influenced and molded by his, so do I have the power to help others see things as I do, and so do we all put images and memories into other people’s minds through what we say, how we say it, and the stories we tell. When I think of my Zaidy, I think of Royalty. Not because he wanted to be treated like a king, for he did not demand honor, but because he had the heart of a monarch and the regal bearing of one. He was fine with staying behind the scenes and making things happen, as long as he was part of Haramas Keren haTorah, bearing the banner of Torah high, as he sought only to be an eved haShem, a trusted servant of his Creator. I can only hope that when my grandchildren think of me someday, they will think of some of the same things, feeling some of the same fondness and longing; that they will be able to tell over to their grandchildren the stories that I share and hope to keep sharing, and keep my Zaidy’s stories and all the greats he met, alive and vibrant well into the future. Jonathan Gewirtz is a frequent contributor to these pages whose mission is to inspire and make people think. If you are inspired, act on it! Find a way to make this world a better place for yourself and those you share it with. One way Rabbi Gewirtz does this is by publishing a weekly Dvar Torah in English called the Migdal Ohr, now in its fourteenth year. Subscribe for free by emailing info@jewishspeechwriter.com and writing subscribe in the Subject line. Have a simcha coming up? Wow the crowd with thought-provoking, entertaining words. To order a custom speech for your next simcha, visit www.JewishSpeechWriter.com © 2012 by Jonathan Gewirtz. All rights reserved.

He’s the one who was a champion punchball player as a boy in Brownsville, when he stood even less than his full future height of 5 foot 3 in his stocking

THE SOUTH FLORIDA JEWISH HOME ■ FEB. 2, 2012

The Observant Jew

THE SOUTH FLORIDA JEWISH HOME ■ FEB. 2, 2012

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Book Review T

Under the Yarmulke: Tales of Faith, Fun and Football By: Rabbi Solomon Schiff After having known Jeff Schiff and his family for a dozen years, I finally meet his father, Rabbi Solomon Schiff. You cannot help but walk away with a smile after a Rabbi Schiff encounter. It was with the same anticipation that I sat down to read his book, which was readily and frequently offered for sale to me by Jeff. His book, Under the Yarmulke: Tales of Faith, Fun and Football, is an inspiring and touching collection of stories, lessons and jokes by a worldrenown rabbi and global leader of interfaith relations. It is immensely interesting, especially if you lived in Miami during the time Rabbi Schiff was here. The book is reminiscent of a Mr. Bean movie; fun, funny and captivatingly interesting enough to keep you turning pages to see where the good Rabbi will end up next, what dignitaries or A celebrities he will encounter and what jokes you wish you hadn’t read. He is self-effacing, humble and modest and funny. His stories hearken back to Peter Sellers in Being There. Rabbi Schiff, often, just happens to be in the right place at the right time. The magnitude and enormity of the events he participated in, trips he took to exotic places, awards he earned and people he has met during his career is both impressive and inspiring, bordering on the unbelievable. Readers will be amazed by some of his experiences and he tells them in such a folksy, grandfatherly sort of way. Under the Yarmulke is truly a joy to read. If you don't know Rabbi Schiff, you want to meet him. But the stories you read are like conversations with your grandfather. You can't imagine that one man could have had all these experiences, met all these famous people and explored all these places on earth. And in everything he does, he does it with Jewish pride. He is an upright person. He brings honor and respect to the Jewish people and everyone who reads his book will have tremendous pride in their Jewish identity. Rabbi Schiff was born amid the tenements of Brooklyn, grew up in the shadow of the Holocaust and, in 1954, stepped onto his first pulpit in Dubuque, Iowa—where a congregant remarked with a grin, “Rabbi, we didn’t know what sin was until you came to town.” From that day forward—and throughout the course of his distinguished 63-year career—Rabbi Solomon Schiff has continued to touch hearts, enrich minds and always provoke laughter. Rabbi Schiff recaptures his remarkable journey from local cantor in a Bronx Synagogue to internationally recognized rabbi, whose devotion to community service and interfaith relations has made him a beacon of inspiration for millions of all faiths. He has S shared thoughts with five American presidents, three Israeli Prime Ministers, two Popes and the Dalai Lama, along the way collecting a treasure chest of memories—from delivering the invocation on the floor of the U.S. Senate to his life-changing relocation to Florida with his beloved wife Shirley, where he would develop a deep and charming obsession with the Miami Dolphins. Like Rabbi Schiff himself, Under the Yarmulke reminds us of the richness of Judaism, the power of faith and the invincibility of the human spirit. Rabbi Schiff endeavores to bring justice to all. His four word motto, "Live and help live," is an example of making the world a better place. In his book, you will experience Miami’s history through his eyes, through desegregation, fights for equality and the joy and tragedy of Israel. Rabbi Schiff will be reading excerpts from his book and selling signed copies...

Wednesday: February 15th 8 pm Miller Center, University of Miami Thursday: February 23rd 7 pm S Young Israel Century Village, Pembrooke Pines Monday: February 27th 8 pm Books and Books, Coral Gables. www.thaitreat.com

· Commercial/Residential · Licensed and Insured · Full Service Company · Lawn Maintenance/Hedge/Trees · Sod, Flowers, Mulch, Fertilizing · Tree Trimming/Yard Clean Ups

· Over 10 years in business · Family Owned and Operated · Free Estimates · City of Hollywood Vendor · We service Broward (Hollywood, Dania, Hallandale)

What fabulous locations have the Lasko’s booked for this year? This year we are offering our guests a choice of two truly outstanding locations in sunny Florida – The Fontainebleau Miami Beach and Omni Resort Orlando at ChampionsGate. In whichever location of ours you choose to spend the holiday, you are assured a relaxing, stimulating and sun-soaked vacation with delicious five-star cuisine, fantastic programming for adults, teens and children and truly luxurious accommodations – these are two of the most desirable destinations in the world!! Besides sunshine, cuisine and our loving families - what other entertainment will be going on in the hotels? Nightly chol hamoed entertainment at each hotel includes themed dinners, casino night, dueling pianos, a mind-blowing mentalist, concerts and much more. Our guest speakers comprise esteemed rabbis and respected scholars and lecturers. We have the advantage of close proximity between our hotels and will be utilizing the talents of our scholars in both venues which is truly an extraordinary experience for all of our guests. Don’t forget we offer CME credits at either venue as well! Now that we’re on the topic of rabbis and respected scholars, tell me more about the spiritual aspect of the program?

Sounds phenomenal - makes me wish I was young again. Last but not least can you tell us a little about the hotels, location, amenities? This landmark hotel, situated in the heart of , is unmistakably among the choicest and most upscale, with its newly renovated rooms and mega million-dollar expansion. The 22 oceanfront acres and famous Boardwalk are matched only by the stunning views and premium in-room amenities. Many rooms feature balconies; and prime suites up the ante even more. Six pools, including a free form pool and numerous dipping pools as well as a children’s pool with water slide and sprayers are the centerpieces of the resort. Private cabanas and beach umbrellas and chairs are optionally available as well. Guests have complimentary access to the state-of-theart gym and world-renowned Lapis Spa. This two-level 40,000 square-foot oasis boasts a myriad of pampering treatments, in addition to full service hair and nail care. Omni Resort at ChampionsGate The multi award-winning resort marries four-diamond elegance with amenities and services ideal for the recreation enthusiast. On premises are 36 holes of championship golf, a par-3 nine-hole lighted golf course, basketball courts, tennis courts, beach volleyball, and a playground. The main feature is its water area – there is a resort pool, splash pool, and children’s pool with a sandy beach area, in addition to a waterslide and an 850-foot lazy river. Indoors is equally enticing; guests will find an arcade, a first-class fitness center, and a serene European spa. Accommodations at Omni include oversized guest rooms and suites, as well as two-bedroom villas, all equipped with plush amenities and added touches, including complimentary Wi-Fi and daily newspaper delivery. Those who wish to experience the magic of will appreciate complimentary scheduled shuttle service to all four Walt Disney World® Theme Parks.

There are daily Ashkenzaic and Sephardic Minyanim and Shiurim. Passover in Florida affords you the opportunity to experience a meaningful Yom Tov in one of our fabulous amenity-rich resorts set against a beautiful backdrop of palm trees and aqua waters. We have numerous seferim and scholars who are happy to learn individually or in small groups as well as lecturers who will continue a discussion well beyond their scheduled times. Daf Yomi is available too.

How can we find additional information about these amazing programs?

Now, onto my favorite part of the Pesach program… the food! What is the hashgacha? Who is catering? What can I expect? MOST IMPORTANTLY - Will there be a Tea Room? (I need to start asking that question first)

Website: www.laskogetaways.com Contact Info: 954-251-1940 or email info@laskogetaways.com Pricing: Call for rates.

So many questions, I almost don’t know where to begin! We can certainly appreciate your passion for food and we guarantee you will not leave here hungry. Lasko Kosher Getaways facilities are under the supervision of the ORB. Three sumptuous gourmet meals are served daily in the elegant ballroom. Each meal offers a full array of epicurean delights prepared by the culinary staff of RAM Caterers. We try to cater to anyone with special needs (vegetarian, nut-free, allergies, et. al.) as long as we are given advanced notice by our guests. Private and semi-private Seders are available as an option, as well as the option to join a Communal Seder, upon request. Both Shmura and regular matza are available throughout the Chag. A true Lasko trademark, our Tea Rooms are beyond lavish and world renowned and there is certainly “something special for everyone” each time the doors open. Daily poolside barbeques are an extremely popular favorite which take convenience to a new level as you don’t even have to leave the outdoors for a delicious lunchtime event!. Someone with your passion for the Tea Room, will certainly appreciate the setup we’ve got going on both indoors and out!. What about the children? Will they be having as much fun as me? Will I be taking care of them all day while I’m trying to enjoy the Tea Room , or playing golf, or getting a massage? (Just to name a few scenarios...) Are you kidding me? The children will be having the time of their lives!! Another of Lasko Kosher Getaways specialties is its Day Camp/Infant Care Programs. During our 24 years of Passover Programs, we have truly raised the bar for Day Camp standards throughout the industry as our backgrounds in education make this area essentially important to us. Year after year, kids relish the variety and adventure of indoor and outdoor activities, from sports and arts and crafts to surprise guests such as magicians and wild animal exhibitions. Led by experienced day camp directors who have been with Lasko Kosher Getaways programs for many years, the Day Camp accommodates infants through tweens, while the dedicated Pre-Teen/Teen Program lures those seeking to be entertained with outings to local attractions, daytime activities, evening lounge set-up and sports competitions.

THE SOUTH FLORIDA JEWISH HOME ■ FEB. 2, 2012

In this issue of South Florida Jewish Home we are privileged with profiling the Lasko family in Pesach Program Profiles. The Lasko family is well known throughout the Jewish Community for their superior programs and catering events all year round, today we have some questions about their Pesach programs for 2012.

THE SOUTH FLORIDA JEWISH HOME ■ FEB. 2, 2012

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Finance

Benefits and Detriments of Tenants-By-The-Entireties (“TBE”) Ownership What is Tenants By The Entireties? This form of joint asset ownership applies only to husband and wife. In a nutshell, it says that the Husband owns the entire asset and the Wife owns the entire asset; neither owns a divisible part of the asset. Therefore, when only the Husband has a creditor, the creditor cannot obtain a judgment against the asset because the Wife also owns all of it. Only a joint creditor on a joint obligation can claim the asset.1 TBE property is not divisible on behalf of one spouse alone, and therefore it cannot be reached to satisfy the obligation of only one spouse. While this form of ownership may seem appealing on the surface, there are built in pitfalls that one must be aware of. First, death is unpredictable. A tenancy by the entireties immediately terminates upon the death of a spouse. If Husband has his separate creditors and feels that he is protected from a lawsuit because all of his assets are titled as TBE, then upon his wife’s death, TBE ownership is severed and the Husband now owns all his assets in his individual name, where they are completely exposed to his existing creditors. Any subsequent asset transfer will likely be subject to Florida’s fraudulent conveyance rules (to be discussed in a later article). In short, if a transfer is deemed a fraudulent conveyance, the transfer will be unwound. Second, since TBE only exists between Husband and Wife, it is immediately severed by divorce. With the data we have, it is unfortunately statistically more likely than not that your TBE ownership will be severed. While one may not be worried about divorce, between death and divorce, the percentages are not in one’s favor of having assets remain as TBE over the long term. That’s why I like to think of TBE as short term asset protection. Once a client’s assets are titled as TBE, there are more elaborate “Trust based” planning that serves the client better over the long term, irrespective of death and divorce. Third, since TBE is a common law (i.e., non-statutory) exemption, the number of “exception creditors” that may access TBE property, using novel legal arguments, is continuing to expand. Just recently, in U.S. v. Barczyk,2 a married couple owned real property in Michigan as TBE. They filed their tax returns as “married filing separately”. The Husband had past due tax debts while the Wife did not. Under the general rule of TBE, since both the Wife owned 100% of the property and the Husband owned 100% of the property, the property could (theoretically) not be divided to satisfy the creditors of the Husband. However, it is common knowledge that “General Rules Are Generally Inapplicable”. The Sixth Circuit found that the federal government could force the sale of real property held as TBE where only one spouse was delinquent and that the sale proceeds should be distributed equally between the federal government and the non-delinquent spouse (i.e., the Wife). Accordingly, not only can joint creditors reach property held as TBE, the federal government (as a single creditor) can now force a sale of property (that is subject to a federal tax lien) held as TBE even if only one spouse is delinquent. Finally, if a couple titles their assets as TBE and there is a joint death (such as an automobile or plane crash), then there will be an automatic probate of the assets. Probate is the process of re-titling assets from the decedent to the beneficiary. It takes place in the State Court system, is a costly public proceeding, and can take between nine months and two years, at best, to conclude. Thus, if Mom and Dad get into a plane crash (G-d forbid), their bank account that was titled as TBE cannot be transferred to their Son until the probate process is concluded. Obviously, this result is highly undesirable. To conclude, TBE ownership should never be deemed a complete asset protection and/or estate plan. Rather, it should be used as a springboard (to avoid any fraudulent transfer assertions) to more protective forms of “Trust based” ownership that take into account both estate planning and asset protection DANIEL BENSIMON, ESQ. objectives. www.DorotBensimon.com BOCA RATON OFFICE, 6100 GLADES ROAD, SUITE 301 BOCA RATON, FL 33434 (T) 561.218.4947 (F) 561.451.8223 AVENTURA OFFICE, 2775 SUNNY ISLES BLVD., SUITE 118 NORTH MIAMI BEACH, FL 33160 (T) 305.921.9421 (F) 305.395.3978

1 In re Davis, 403 B.R. 914, 917. 2 No. 10-1498 (6th Cir. 8/17/11). This case was appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court and was denied review.

d n a l r e z t i w S , h Zuric

Zurich is the largest city in Switzerland and is located on the tip of Lake Zurich. No matter when you go, you will be treated to a relaxing vacation with breathtaking views. Visit in the summer and breathe in the fresh, clean air as you stroll along the lake. Stop by in the winter and take advantage of the slopes just a train ride away. The city basks in the majesty of the nearby snow-capped Swiss Alps. Switzerland is known for many things—its banking, its chocolate, its cleanliness and its punctuality. Visitors will enjoy its pristine streets, its polite citizens and its rich heritage. Take your time to get to know the city; one can take it all in in only a few days. Things You Won’t Want To Miss Bahnhofstrasse Dubbed the “most expensive street in the world” because of the high-priced jewelry shops lining the streets, Zurich’s main boulevard showcases luxury stores, boutiques and banks. The street is closed off from traffic; only the tram is permitted to “drive” down the road. Stroll along the boulevard and window shop to your heart’s content; the stores offer much to dazzle the eyes. Botanic Garden Lose yourself in in these gardens that contain 15,000 different species, including some rare specimens from New Caledonia and southwest Africa. The gardens are housed in a former private villa and are owned by the University of Zurich.

Museum Reitberg One of its kind, Museum Reitberg is the only museum in Switzerland that focuses mainly on art from Africa, Asia and ancient America. In the 1920s, Baron Eduard von der Heydt travelled the globe to procure “exotic, primitive” art. Most of his collection is featured here—visitors can view Cambodian Khmer sculptures, jade Chinese tomb art, Japanese Noh masks, and even ancient Swiss masks. Parade Square When you start to feel like you need to rest between all your vacationing, grab a chair and head over to Parade Square. Here you’ll be able to people-watch and get a feel for the citizens of Zurich—the banker, the lawyer, the busy shoppers. Grab a cup of coffee and enjoy the atmosphere. Zurich Zoo Set in a tree-filled park, this zoo houses over 1500 animals, including Asian elephants, snow leopards, otters and huge rhinos. It also contains an aquarium and open-air aviary. A huge dome mimics jungle-like conditions and houses different species of flora along with free-range fauna that can be found in the jungle. Don’t worry—the animals are small—and are sure to delight both young and old.

Zurich Toy Museum This attraction is a must for those travelling with children. This museum contains more than 1200 antique toys from all over Europe. Children will delight in the miniature railroads, dolls and dollhouses, books and Kunsthaus—Museum of Art wooden toys. The collection is displayed on The Kunsthaus houses a varied collection of the fifth floor of a house in one of the oldest art, including pieces from the medieval, parts of the city. Baroque and Impressionist periods. Picasso, Degas, Matisse, Munch and Kandinsky are all featured here.

THE SOUTH FLORIDA JEWISH HOME ■ FEB. 2, 2012

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THE SOUTH FLORIDA JEWISH HOME ■ FEB. 2, 2012

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Health

Lily Rosenblatt Registered Marriage & Family Therapist Intern The news is filled daily with stories of “The War On Drugs.” But as with so many other misguided battles, this is a losing one. The Federal Government spends over $15 billion dollars per year in the War on Drugs – almost $500 every second! Law enforcement is fighting the war on the wrong front – the core solution is not in reducing the supply but in elimination of demand – which means opening the way for the addict to get the help needed and spending the money on addiction treatment. So why is this article in a Jewish magazine; what’s all this talk about drug addiction, and what’s it got to do with us? Because we Jews are also on the wrong side of this battle – defending silence and denial instead of facilitating recovery. It is time to part the curtain and take a good look – addiction isn’t just ‘yenem’s’ problem, the others; it’s OUR problem - a Jewish Problem! Unfortunately there are no long-term studies with official statistics specific to the Jewish community, but if the population referred to my private practice is any indication, addiction does not discriminate. Reading about high profile cases in the news can divert us from our truth – therapy rooms and treatment centers have their fair share of ordinary, Shomer-shabbat, koshereating mommies and daddies, doctors, dentists, lawyers, teachers , principals, and yes, rabbis and rebbetzins – commonly referred for treatment only when too much has already been lost.

waste of human potential incalculable…and the effects on innocent bystanders are legion. So back to what does all this mean for the Jews? It means that it’s time to address the problem aggressively and transparently, not to dismiss patients and their families and relegate them to the shadows. Are you uncomfortable yet? Good! The only way to start getting comfortable is by having the unpleasant conversations. How would your thinking change if you knew that you have the capability not to point fingers, but to help point the way, not to berate and ostracize but to clear the path towards amelioration and healing – for this and ALL addictions that affect members of our community. What if we became informed – to recognize the signs - in others, in ourselves, so that we might act –get help proactively - when the first warning signs appear and BEFORE damage to lives and families is irreparable?

On the other side of every addict is the betrayed partner, parent, child, the ones who were just kissed goodnight before the door closed – the ones so readily labeled the ‘co-dependent,’ the ‘enabler.’ These are the peripheral casualties that are judged, dismissed and often, unfortunately left out of the treatment process all together.

Only by removing the stigma of seeking help – at school, at work, at home, is there any hope of tackling this giant elephant in the room. Asking for help MUST be rewarded, not punished. If one knows they will lose everything once they step up and ask for guidance, it will never happen! We can’t expect a damaged soul to seek salvation if we shame them away from admission. There isn’t a single person reading this who would bury their head in shame or denial in the face of a cancer diagnosis. You would rightly seek out all possible information and access the best possible treatment. Friends and family would rally and there would be round-the-clock support as they embarked on the journey to recovery. Addiction is a disease my friends, and requires the same united front – as much for those at the mercy of the addict, as for the addicted.

Lowering our collective blinds won’t make this go away; we are People of the Book and it’s time we get educated. Addiction is one of the least talked about, least understood of the issues facing our community, yet mortally wounds the ability to function or to create and sustain loving, healthy relationships, tears at the fabric of our families, affects our schools, and sometimes even kills while our families suffer in silence.

The sooner our chosen people wake up to our reality, the faster we can help our suffering souls and get them back on track to being productive family and community members. The road to recovery cannot be the lonely walk of shame. Only the addict can accept personal responsibility and own up to the problem; but only the community can pave the way - choosing action over silence, facilitation over banishment.

Let’s begin by gaining some insight into this condition. Studies at the National Institute of Health have established a biochemical link between brain biochemistry and addiction. Therefore we are treating not just a social lapse but the disease of addiction. Shifting the paradigm of understanding to a disease model does not absolve responsibility; it simply creates new avenues for intervention and reorients our thinking to help generate appropriate solutions. We must create an opening, a safe space for disclosure – for the addict, the family, the community, so that the sufferers are not terminally trapped. The scope of destruction of hidden addiction is immense, the

Lily Rosenblatt is a Registered Marriage and Family Therapist Intern providing therapy and treatment services for individuals, couples, families and groups dealing with a diverse range of mental health issues at The Institute for Essential Change in Ft. Lauderdale. For more information, www.LilyRosenblattTherapy.com For a quick substance abuse self-assessment test go to www.drtepp.com/pdf/substance_abuse.pdf

If you are experiencing the stress and anxiety of dealing with addiction in a loved one, you don’t need to feel alone. The STRENGTH BASED SUPPORT GROUP for families of addicts, facilitated by Lily Rosenblatt will begin February 27, 8-9:30 and is ongoing at the Institute For Essential Change, 2803 E. Commercial Blvd. #200. Please call Lily to reserve 954-540-1119.

THE SOUTH FLORIDA JEWISH HOME ■ FEB. 2, 2012

SO WHAT’S THIS GOT TO DO WITH US?

THE SOUTH FLORIDA JEWISH HOME ■ FEB. 2, 2012

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Health

A PLACE OF REFUGE by Lily Rosenblatt, Registered Marriage & Family Therapist Intern There is a gentleman in the Jewish community who is definitely NOT afraid of tough, often daunting conversations, of embracing the challenge of an unpopular cause, and there is a place where Jewish addicts and their families can find refuge, are never scorned, disrespected or turned away. That man is Rabbi Meir Kessler; that place is the Jewish Recovery Center, located in Boca Raton, which he has run with unyielding determination, energy and passion since its inception five years ago. The center is a Mecca for Jewish recovery from addiction in Palm Beach County, bringing Shabbat and spirituality into the lives of Jewish (and gentile) addicts and their families. Picture a Friday night, with vans pulling up from multiple rehab facilities and unloading over 100 men and women ages 16 to 85, in recovery from one day to 25 years, putting on yarmulkes, lighting Shabbat candles, eating a full Shabbat meal, singing zmirot, sharing stories of recovery, redemption and divrei Torah. Spending a Shabbat in the Chabad Shul of Boca Raton with Rabbi Kessler, his wife, Frumi and their four beautiful, happy, lively children is to begin opening doors, seeing the problem of addiction in ‘another way;’ and dealing with it not by the marginalization of our fellow Jews in trouble, but through love. acceptance and inclusion. Rabbi Kessler and Frumi define what it means to invite, to accept, to love and to mentor those who have fallen from the derech, the path of wellness and connectedness. Partaking of the essence of this atmosphere catalyzes the personal experience of how a dvar Torah is more than just inspirational dinner talk, but a true lifeline, the core of chizuk (strength) for a troubled neshama (soul) valiantly climbing their way back to the business of living clean, sober, productive lives. As chaplain for several Palm Beach Rehabilitation facilities, Rabbi Kessler acts as a spiritual advisor and guide, offering spiritual therapy which mindfully aligns itself– with the 12 step program of recovery. He likes to call it “mensch therapy,” guiding recovery from a Torah perspective. “Everything in the 12-step program can be found in the Torah,” the Rabbi points out. “Surrendering to a higher power is like bitul – nullifying yourself to G-d; cheshbon nefesh, the equivalent of taking moral inventory; acquiring a mentor parallels aseh lecha rav; fellowship corresponds to kneh lecha chaver.” These are but a few examples the Rabbi articulates. “The steps are not isolated from yiddishkeit, it’s a fusion.” Several years ago, Rabbi Kessler’s life began to intersect with Jewish men

and women whose lives had veered off course, and whose vitality had been swallowed up by a life of drugs and alcohol. He felt an immediate connection with them, with their pain and with their needs. Having developed an understanding of the dimensions of the Jewish problem, he endeavored to become part of a Jewish solution. In addition to the spiritual guidance he provided for many Palm Beach rehabilitation facilities, rabbi Kessler realized that there needed to be a place where post-rehab newly sober individuals could calibrate and fine-tune their skills before jumping back into ‘the real world.’ Enter the Jewish Recovery Center sober living apartments, separated by gender. Think rehab graduate program, facilitating greater fortification of resources and strengths to better avoid the risk of relapse, a very real and constant possibility for all rehabilitated addicts. So Rabbi Kessler provides the ear to listen without judgment, the mouthpiece to advocate for his yiddin, the shelter, a place to call home, a Shabbat experience to engender meaning, and the opportunity to include families, a vital piece in long term recovery. “Real love is doing what is right for your loved one, even when it feels awful,” says the rabbi in his quiet, compassionate tone. And now, after five years of helping ease and abet the transition of hundreds of sober individuals to sober and productive living, Rabbi K is now organizing a reunion and retreat of families who will have an opportunity to celebrate recovery together in a meaningful Jewish milieu. On February 24-26, over 150 people will come together for the FROM STRENGTH TO STRENGTH Shabbaton and Retreat, sponsored by Caron Renaissance, and featuring Dr. Abraham J. Twersky, an internationally renowned authority on the treatment of alcohol and substance dependency. This seminal recovery event will include workshops and group activities for all members of the family, including children. For information on the center, the retreat or to add your support call 561-450-5503 or click on http://jewishrecoverycenter.com. Never one to slow down, the Rabbi is always working on the next big vision. How does all this happen? Who stands behind this (literally) larger than life Moses with a shuttle service from the desert to redemption? Support comes from local communities and rehabilitation facilities. Benefitting families give back as well. But current and future steps can only materialize with the realization that this is ALL ABOUT US! Facilitating recovery of addicts and their families is a Jewish communal responsibility: Kol yisrael aravim zeh lazeh, all of Isarel is responsible for one another. Let’s acknowledge and embrace this responsibility as we battle this pervasive and daunting challenge to the well being of our children, our parents, brothers, sisters, spouses and community.

39 THE SOUTH FLORIDA JEWISH HOME ■ FEB. 2, 2012

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Dining Guide

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

BAGEL TIME 3915 Alton Road Miami Beach, FL 33140 305-538-0300 Supervision: Circle K

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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 EURO FUSION 6877 SW 18th St Boca Raton 33433 561-395-1109 FRESH CAFE 2214 NE 123 Street North Miami, FL 33181 305-891-8848 Supervision: Kosher Miami GIGI’S CAFE 3585 NE 207th Street Aventura, FL 33180 305-466-4648 Supervision: Kosher Miami GRILL TIME 16145 Biscayne Blvd. North Miami Beach, FL 33160 786-274-8935 | 305-491-3325 Supervision: ORB

GRILL TIME RESTAURANT Fusion Steak House 8177 Glades Road Boca Raton, FL 33434 (561) 482-3699 | Fax: (561) 487-4044 Supervision: ORB HARBOUR GRILL 9415 Harding Avenue Surfside, FL 33154 305-861-0787 Supervision: Kosher Miami HOLLYWOOD DELI 6100 Hollywood Blvd. Hollywood, FL 33024 (954) 608-5790 Supervision: ORB JCC CAFE American 9801 Donna Klein Blvd at Cultural Arts Center Boca, Raton, FL 33428 561-852-3200 x 4103 | Supervision: ORB JERUSALEM PIZZA 761 NE 167th Street North Miami Beach, FL 33162 305-653 6662 | Supervision: Kosher Miami JONA’S GRILL & BAR 2520 NE 186th Street North Miami Beach, FL 33180 305-466-0722 JONAS PIZZA 2530 NE Miami Gardens Drive North Miami Beach, FL 33180 305-918-8998 JONAS PIZZA 544 w 41st Miami Beach Fl 33140 305-397-8395 JON’S PLACE OF BOCA Pizzeria 22191 Powerline Road Boca Raton, FL 33433 561-338-0008 Supervision: ORB KIKAR TEL-AVIV RESTAURANT Chinese and Continental Cuisine Carriage Club North 5005 Collins Avenue Miami Beach, FL 33140 305-866-3316 Supervision: OK Laboratories L’CHAIM MEE CHINA ORIENTAL RESTAURANT 3940 North 46 Avenue Hollywood, FL 33021 954-986-1770 Supervision: ORB

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Dining Guide

PITA PLUS 1883w3 Biscayne Boulevard Aventura, FL 33180 305-935-0761

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LUL GRILL CAFE 18288 Collins Avenue Sunny Isles Beach, FL 33160 305-933-0199 Rabbinic Supervision: OK

PITA PLUS 3801 N. University Dr. Sunrise, FL 33351 954-741-5844

SUNRISE PITA & GRILL 2680 N University Dr. Sunrise, FL 33322 954-748-0090

PRIME SUSHI 726 Arthur Godfrey Road Miami Beach, FL 33140 305-534-0551 Supervision: Kosher-Miami Cholov Yisroel

SUNRISE PITA TOO 5650 Stirling Rd. Hollywood, FL 33021 954-963-0093 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 MILKY CAFÉ 4579 N Pine Island Road Sunrise Fl 33351 954-533-5325 Supervision - ORB MOZART'S - 1250 West Hillsboro Blvd., Deerfield Beach, FL 33422, 954-531-1263 - 18110 Collins Avenue, Sunny Isles, FL 33160 - 4433 Stirling Road, Hollywood, FL 33021 954-584-5171 Supervision: ORB

NEWTIME Moroccan and Spanish cuisine 2120 N.E. 123rd Street North Miami Beach, FL 33181 305-891-6336 Supervision: Kosher Miami ORCHIDS GARDEN 9045 La Fontana Boulevard Boca Raton, FL 33434 561-482-3831 Supervision: ORB ORIGINAL PITA HUT 5304 41 Street Miami Beach, FL 33140 305-531-6090 Supervision: ORD PITA LOCA 601 Collins Avenue Miami Beach, FL 33139 305-673-3388 Supervision: Kosher Miami PITA PLUS 2145 Stirling Road Hollywood, FL 33312 954-241-2011

PRIME SUSHI 18250 Collins Avenue Sunny Isles Beach, FL 33160 786-284-8430 Supervision: Kosher-Miami RARE STEAKHOUSE 468 W 41st Street Miami Beach, FL 33140 305-532-7273 Supervision: Kosher-Miami RITZ RESTAURANT 1678 NE Miami Gardens Dr. North Miami Beach, FL 33179 305-354-9303 Supervision: Kosher-Miami SAGI’S MEDITERRANEAN GRILL 22767 US Highway 441 Boca Raton, FL 33428 561-477-0633 Supervision: ORB SARA’S 3944 N 46th Street Hollywood, FL 33021 954-986-1770 Supervision: ORB SEVENTEEN 1205 17 Street Miami Beach, FL 33139 305-672-0565 Supervision: Kosher-Miami SHALOM HAIFA RESTAURANT 18533 W. Dixie Hwy Aventura, FL 33180 305-945-2884 Supervision: ORB SHEM TOV’S PIZZA 514 41st Street Miami Beach, FL 33140 305-538-2123 Supervision: Kosher Miami

TASTI CAFE 4041 Royal Palm Ave. Miami Beach, FL 33140 305-673-5483 Supervision: Kosher Miami Dairy 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 URBAN BAGEL 2790 Stirling rd Hollywood Fl 33020

WEBER CAFE 3565 NE 207th Street Aventura, FL 33180 (305) 935-5580 Supervision: Kosher Miami WEST AVENUE CAFE 959 West Avenue Miami Beach, FL 33139 305-534-4211 Supervision: Kosher Miami YAMI YAMI 5021 State Road 7, Davie, FL 33314 954-534-1158 Supervision: ORB

THE SOUTH FLORIDA JEWISH HOME ■ FEB. 2, 2012

LEVY’S KOSHER OF HOLLYWOOD 3357 Sheridan Street Hollywood, FL 33021 954-983-2825 Supervision: ORB

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THE SOUTH FLORIDA JEWISH HOME ■ FEB. 2, 2012

46 ■

Parenting

Barbara Fogel

Food should be appealing to the eye as well as to the palate. I’ve been saying that for years; my kids can say it in their sleep. What is more appealing than a fresh bowl of fruit with its visual display of color and texture? As the winter sets in and we are stuck in the house, we get a gift of “Tu B'shvat.” This is our time to prepare, enjoy, and have fun with fresh fruit, dried fruit, and nuts. Of course it’s easy to order a fruit platter from your local store or to order the ready-made nut and dried fruit arrangements that pop up in every store. This year, have some fun—prepare it yourself, save a lot of money, and know you are using the freshest ingredients. One great way to enjoy fresh fruit and make it extra special is to make chocolate fondue with fresh fruit kebabs. Bed , Bath and Beyond has a small fondue pot, which sells for $19.99 and with that coupon that everyone has lying around or in the car, it’s a great presentation that you can use for Tu B'shvat or all year round. I even have one for Pesach for a fun dessert. Cut your fruit in cubes—pineapple, banana, strawberries, dried apricot, dried pineapple—and put them on the skewers. Pile them up around your fondue pot and watch them disappear. If you want to serve fresh fruit, try presenting it in a new way. Cut up the fruit into small pieces and arrange each type of fruit in a small, clear cup or martini glass. I like to showcase a similar color grouping. For example, arrange green grapes in one cup, kiwis in another and honeydew in a third. The different shades of green are elegant together and you can add a sprig of mint leaf as a garnish. Everyone always asks me how to choose the best fruit. Nowadays, every type of fruit is flown in and we can choose whatever we like. I feel the best thing to do is eat fruit seasonally. In the winter I eat apples, oranges, pears, honeydew, and grapefruit, and I enjoy watermelon, cherries, and nectarines for the summer. Here’s a secret for you—your best bet for good fruit is to have a good relationship with the people where you buy your produce. I also find that using your nose is your best guide. Pick up a melon and smell the stem end. If it smells like fresh fruit and is heavier than it appears, then it’s ready to eat.

Here are two warm fruit desserts that are healthy and delicious.

Mixed Greens with Persimmons and Lime Vinaigrette

2 Gala apples, unpeeled, halved and cored ¼ cup toasted pine nuts

2 endives, thinly sliced 2 bags of romaine lettuce 3 ripe but firm persimmons ¼ cup honey roasted pecans Dressing ¼ tsp lime zest (done on microplane) 1 and ½ TBS lime juice ¼ cup olive oil 1 tsp honey ¼ tsp salt

Dressing ½ tsp lemon zest (Meyer lemons if you can get them) 2 TBS Meyer lemon juice 1 tsp honey ½ shallot, chopped ¼ cup olive oil ¼ tsp salt

Mix dressing ingredients together, toss with salad ingredients.

Celery Root and Apples with Mixed Greens This unusual salad mixes fruits and vegetables. 2 bags of mixed lettuce 1 medium celery root, peeled

Baked Apples with Figs and Raisins 4 large apples, tops cut off and core removed 2 dried figs ¼ cup raisins 4 tsp honey ½ cup apple cider Cinnamon to taste Heat oven to 350°. Chop figs and mix with raisins. Stuff each apple with ¼ of mixture and 1 tsp of honey, sprinkle with cinnamon. Place in baking pan, pour in cider. Bake 30 minutes or till tender.

Whisk all dressing ingredients together. Using a mandolin, slice the celery root into julienne slices, matchstick size. You should have about 2 cups. Do the same with the apples. Toss with lettuce, add dressing and sprinkle nuts on top. Tu B’shvat is a wonderful time. It reminds us that spring is just around the corner. These are just a few ideas that can brighten up a simple meal and make your Tu B'shvat special. Enjoy!

Dazzling Fruit Dessert Kiwi Layer 16 kiwis, peeled and cut in chucks ½ can crushed pineapple, drained 1/3 cup confectioner sugar Strawberry Layer 2 lb frozen strawberry ½ cup crushed pineapple, drained ½ cup confectioner sugar Blend ingredients for each layer separately. Put the first layer on a spring-form pan and freeze. When totally frozen, add the next layer. Keep in freezer until ready to serve. Decorate with sliced strawberries and kiwis in concentric circles for a pretty effect.

Maple Poached Pear Sundaes 6 Bosc pears, peeled, cut in half 7 cups water ¾ cup maple syrup (real maple syrup) 2-inch piece vanilla bean 1 lemon peel, cut in 6 strips Place water, syrup, lemon peel and vanilla in heavy saucepan and bring to a boil. Lower heat to medium and slide in the pears. Poach for 1 hour, turning over once after 40 minutes. Shut off flame and let cool. This can be done in up to 2 days in advance. I would serve this in a stemmed glass with vanilla ice cream and warm chocolate sauce drizzled on top.

THE SOUTH FLORIDA JEWISH HOME ■ FEB. 2, 2012

Fun With Fruit on Tu B’Shvat

THE SOUTH FLORIDA JEWISH HOME ■ FEB. 2, 2012

49 THE SOUTH FLORIDA JEWISH HOME ■ FEB. 2, 2012

THE SOUTH FLORIDA JEWISH HOME ■ FEB. 2, 2012

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