SFJH6-2

JUNE 2 - JUNE 15, 2011

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

An Inside look at the

US Navy SEALs

By Avi Heiligman

No more ‘tips’ in San Francisco page 44

THE SOUTH FLORIDA JEWISH HOME ■ JUNE 2, 2011

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THE SOUTH FLORIDA JEWISH HOME ■ JUNE 2, 2011

THE SOUTH FLORIDA JEWISH HOME â– JUNE 2, 2011

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THE SOUTH FLORIDA JEWISH HOME ■ JUNE 2, 2011

THE SOUTH FLORIDA JEWISH HOME ■ JUNE 2, 2011

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FROM THE EDITORS

INSIDE THIS ISSUE >> Community COMMUNITY HAPPENINGS

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>> Cover Story US NAVY SEALS

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NO MORE TIPS IN SAN FRANCISCO

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>> World News SFJH WORLD REPORT

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>> Israel MY ISRAEL HOME - ISRAEL: ENERGY GIANT

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HOW TO BARGAIN IN THE MIDDLE EAST

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THE SHAMIR WATER DRILL

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FORGOTTEN HEROES - PETER MALKIN

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>> Parenting PARENTS’S STRIFE

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PEER PRESSURE

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MRS. HEBEL’S TOP TEN TIPS

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>> Finance EXLINE

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SHIVAH LINE

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>> Jewish Thought SHAVUOS

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FROM THE RABBI’S DESK RABBI PERRY TIRSCHWELL

A

s we approach the mid-year mark, we are very excited about our magazine and about our South Florida community.

The Heat take on the Mavs in the NBA Finals, so far so good - Go Heat. The Marlins continue to put a good and competitive team on the field and Lychee fruits and mangos are in full bloom.

We wish a Mazel Tov to Jonah Wasserstrom who celebrates the second anniversary of his bar-mitzvah and we usher in Shavuous, the anniversary of the giving of the Torah. We love hearing from our readers, especially when they tell us how much they love the product we tirelessly work to publish for you. We hope that you will continue to show us your support by supporting our advertisers, whether you are looking to lease a new car or you need to lose some weight—we hope you will look at our magazine first.

We bring you some great exciting developments from Israel and an inside look at the US Navy SEALs. We continue to bring you current community events as well as national and global news that effects us here in South Florida. Again, we would love to hear from you, a Simcha to announce, a joke to share, comments, criticism and encouragement, editor@SFJewishHome.com.

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The Editor

>> Health SUMMER SAFETY TIPS

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>> Lifestyles KOSHER SALES

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THE CHOSEN ONE

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RECIPES

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GETTING THE MOST OUT OF YOUR SHAVUOS FLOWERS

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editor@sfjewishhome.com ads@sfjewishhome.com

>> Politics ISRAEL’S FOLLY

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>> Humor SAY WHAT - NOTABLE QUOTES

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BUMPER STICKERS IN THE MILITARY

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>> Kosher Dining Guide

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

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The South Florida Jewish Home is an independent bi-weekly magazine.

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

Dovid Gutman PUBLISHER/EDITOR david@sfjewishhome.com

Chana Billet Sarit Lasry Sarki Galbut Roy Seransky Jeff Schiff Mitch Rubinstein AD SALES REPRESENTATIVE

Danny Kay Shlomo Kay DESIGN & PRODUCTION

CONTRIBUTING EDITORS Keith Wasserstrom Rabbi Perry Tirschwell Rabbi Dov Silver Esty Hebel Moshe Berger Avi Heilligman Talia Borvick Moshe Sharon Rabbi Moshe Scheiner David Greenfield Elliott Grossbard Gerald Mayerhoff Isaac Bachor Dr. David Simai Benjie Stern Jeff Jacoby Rabbi Kalman Packouz Shiri Feldman

COMMUNITYHAPPENINGS

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early 60 ninth graders from Hillel embark on an inspiring 2 week trip to Israel today. This is the annual trip’s 11th year, a tradition of The Samuel Scheck Hillel Community Day School | The Ben Lipson Hillel Community High School.

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“Through archeological digs and hikes along paths their ancestors once took, Hillel students literally will study their history from the ground up,� said Rabbi Pinchos Hecht, Hillel’s Head of School. “We will bring to life what our students have studied throughout the year, speaking to Hillel’s mission to deepen young people’s commitment to Judaism, the Jewish people and the State of Israel.�

The annual Israel trip is the ultimate demonstration of Hillel’s International Baccalaureate Middle Years ProgrammeÂŽ, connecting secular and Judaic Studies in the form of a single initiative. Hillel was named Florida’s ďŹ rst Jewish IB World SchoolÂŽ in March.

Every year, Hillel, generous foundations, students and their parents commit to and raise funds to ensure every Grade 9 student has the opportunity to attend the trip. The students will tour the country from north to south.

About Hillel From early childhood through Grade 12, Hillel inspires students to become exemplary Jewish global citizens through an innovative curriculum of secular and Jewish studies enriched by a comprehensive extracurricular program set within a nurturing, diverse, traditional Jewish community. For information, please visit www.hillell-nmb.org.

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Nearly 60 Teens Embark on 2 Week Israel Trip

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THE SOUTH FLORIDA JEWISH HOME ■ JUNE 2, 2011

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Sheryl Tepper Weitman Executive Director

Evie Asness Registered Representative

Sara Levy Registered Representative

Vladi Yurovsky Registered Representative

305.895.4700 • 800.704.2663 Development Corporation for Israel State of Israel Bonds 1801 NE 123rd Street, Suite 410 N Miami, FL 33181 miami@israelbonds.com • www.israelbonds.com Follow Israel Bonds on Facebook and Twitter

This is not an offering, which can be made only by prospectus. Read the prospectus carefully before investing to fully evaluate the risks associated with investing in State of Israel bonds. Issues subject to availability.

Hillel Day School of Boca Raton 5th graders perform Daglanut, Israeli flag dance, at the Yom Ha’atzmaut festivities hosted by the Jewish Federation of South Palm Beach County on Israel’s 63rd birthday.

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THE SOUTH FLORIDA JEWISH HOME ■ JUNE 2, 2011

THE SOUTH FLORIDA JEWISH HOME ■ JUNE 2, 2011

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COMMUNITYHAPPENINGS

Aventura Turnberry Jewish Center Elects New President of the Board: Marcy S. Resnik Aventura Turnberry Jewish Center, under the leadership of Chairman of the Board William W. Landa, Rabbi Jonathan Berkun, Cantor David Muchnick and Executive Vice President, Dr. Amir Baron, inducted their newest President of the Synagogue, Marcy S. Resnik in April 2011. Marcy grew up in North Miami Beach and from an early age, synagogue life and Jewish education have been very important to her. During high school, she served as President of the local chapter of B’nai B’rith Girls. She continued to make Jewish Education paramount in her growing family’s life by serving as Chairwoman of the Board of Education and President of ATJC’s Tauber Academy, for ten years. Marcy, an attorney specializing in Commercial Litigation and Family Law, is married to Dr. Barry I. Resnik. Together, they have 3 wonderful children Sydney, age 19, Chad, age 16 and Lindsey, age 13. All of the Resnik children attended the Tauber Academy prior to moving to The Pine Crest School.

In addition to the many positions Marcy has held at the Tauber Academy, she served as a Vice President of the Synagogue for many years as well as a member of the Executive Board for the past 15 years. She is also the Past President of the Pine Crest Lower School

Mothers’ Club and served on the Pine Crest School Board of Advisors. Other members of the Resnik family have been closely associated with ATJC. Marcy’s mother, Brenda Stone, was a teacher in Tauber Academy for many years. Dr. Barry Resnik also led the Brotherhood as its President for two years and succeeded in revitalizing their programs.

Dr. Amir Baron, ATJC’s Executive Vice President remarked, “Marcy has already been an inspiring leader for our congregation for many years. We genuinely look forward to implementing her innovative approaches to improving our synagogue.” Other officers of the board include Neil Bernstein, Victor Cynamon, Dr. Malcolm Dorman, Commissioner Billy Joel, Eugene Kessler, Gary Krevat, Mayor Jeffrey Perlow, Dr. Beny Rub, Rose Rubin, Carol Soffer, Dr. Paul Tartell and Herman Tauber.

About ATJC: Aventura Turnberry Jewish Center is a vibrant and diverse conservative congregation in the heart of Aventura and home to Tauber Academy.

This exciting multi-cultural and multi-generational community was recently recognized as one of the “top Ten Jewish Neighborhoods” in the United States. Under the spiritual guidance of Rabbi Jonathan Berkun

and Cantor David Muchnick, ATJC provides a stimulating environment for long standing members as well as newcomers to the area. Encompassing spiritual, social, educational, and cultural programming for all ages, ATJC is the center for Jewish life in Aventura.

Friday Night Live services (6:30pm) and Shabbat services (9:00am – 12:00pm) are opened to the community.

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Over 100 people attend presentation on preparing for wealth, transferring wealth The Jewish Community Foundation of the Jewish Federation of Broward County once again joined forces with the Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital Foundation and Memorial Foundation to offer an illuminating presentation titled “Challenging Conversations With Clients.” The speech was subtitled “You Have Prepared the Wealth for the Family … But Have you Prepared the Family for the Wealth?” and was presented by Lee Meyerhoff Hendler, President of the Harvey and Lyn P. Meyerhoff Fund.

“We were delighted to repeat the success of our first joint PAC luncheon and see a significant turnout,” said Mark Krill, Chair of the Professional Advisory Council for the Jewish Community Foundation. “Lee Meyerhoff Hendler provided interesting and challenging concepts that made the professionals in the room give thought to how they handle clients.”

The PAC luncheon was designed specifically for wealth managers and other professionals who deal with clients that may be able to create a legacy to important causes, whether through their own personal assets or through a foundation. In attendance were attorneys, accountants, and financial advisors throughout Broward County.

Featured speaker Lee Meyerhoff Hendler has significant experience working with donors and foundations.

She noted that wealth does provide opportunity but it is not always accompanied by wisdom. For those who handle foundations, she believes it is critical to tell the story of the founder, and that a foundation is judged not only by the donations it distributes but also by how it

transmits values and ideals.

“Lee’s presentation was both interesting and intriguing,” said Alan Cohn, Board Chair for the Jewish Community Foundation. “She sprinkled numerous biblical references in her address which made it particularly meaningful for the Jewish Community Foundation.”

Hosted at the Tower Club in downtown Fort Lauderdale, the luncheon’s Legacy Sponsors were Cypress Trust Company and Morrison, Brown, Argiz & Farra,

LLC. Founding Sponsors include BNY Mellon Wealth Management; Friedman, Cohen, Taubman & Company, LLC; Goldstein Schechter Koch; Katz Baskies, LLC; and Morgan Stanley Smith Barney, The Friedlander Group.

Builder Sponsors were Associated Financial Consultants, Inc., Associated Investor Services, Inc.; Atkinson, Diner, Stone, Mankuta & Ploucha, PA; BB&T Wealth Management; Bernstein Global Wealth Management; Conrad & Scherer; Florida Health Law Center; Gelbwaks Executive Marketing Corp.; GrayRobinson; Greenspoon Marder, PA; Kaufman Rossin & Company, PA; Northern Trust; RudenMcClosky; and the Law Offices of Sandler & Sandler.

The Jewish Federation of Broward County raises funds to support the crucial work of 30 social and humanitarian agencies that help Jews in need in our own community, in Israel and around the world.

The Jewish Community Foundation is the endowment arm of the Jewish Federation.

The Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital Foundation & Memorial Foundation support the mission of Memorial Healthcare System to provide safe, quality, cost-effective, patient- and family-centered care regardless of one’s ability to pay, with the goal of improving the health of the community it serves.

Be a part of it ...

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11 THE SOUTH FLORIDA JEWISH HOME ■ JUNE 2, 2011

Jewish Community Foundation of the Jewish Federation of Broward County & Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital & Memorial Foundations Present 2nd Annual Professional Advisory Council (PAC) Spring Luncheon

THE SOUTH FLORIDA JEWISH HOME ■ JUNE 2, 2011

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NTIONAL STUDENT ATHLETES: Aaron Braun, Wesley Butensky, Kyle Brutman, Kami DJamal, Aaron Kosh, Zachary Stillman, Zachary Zieper, Sivan Fraiman, Samantha Jackowitz, Corey Brutman, Siri Babkas, Gabrielle Doobrow, Allie Schrock, Ari Mendelson, Joseph Garatti and Aviv FraimanAlyssa Zlatkin, Joseph Schertzer, Justin Etzine, Danit Azoline, Julia Sumkin, Sharon Ghelman, Matal Sapir, Talli Gafen and Samantha Schertzer.

Athletic Director Mitch Evron, Justin Roseman, Julia Sumkin, Aviv Fraiman, Jordan Cohen, Aaron Kosh, Joseph Garatti, Kami DJamal and HS Principal Dr. Marjorie Freedman

Gatorade Players of the Year Nominees — Sivan Fraiman- Girls Varsity Swimming, Jonah Wasserstrom- Boys Varsity Golf

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COMMUNITYHAPPENINGS

Laurence I. Blair begins third year as JFS Chair, Danielle N. Hartman starts second year as CEO logical testing to our clinical services, and started the Caring Doctors Program for those who cannot afford essential health care,” Hartman continued. “We’ve also made internal improvements including rebranding our image and leveraging partnerships with other community organizations.”

The 2011-2012 JFS Board of Directors slate was approved, and members installed, with Laurence I. Blair beginning a third year as Chair.

“We are very proud of our achievements this year and the progress we have made Laura Litinsky and Jane Gortz, 2011 Annual Meeting co-chairs as an agency,” said Blair. “Amid continuing widespread economic challenges, we’ve procomprehensive range of programs and services which supvided exemplary service to a greater number port people of all ages and beliefs. With locations in Boca Ivan Gefen, Immediate Past Chair; Larry Blair, Chair; Danielle N. Hartman, of clients with a smaller budget. This is a tesRaton and Delray Beach, JFS programs and services inPresident & CEO; Arnie Friedman, VP Marketing and MC for the evening tament to the generous, committed efforts of clude food and financial assistance, senior services, counour volunteers and lay leaders. Our more than Nearly 200 enthusiastic Ruth Rales Jewish Family seling and mental health services and many volunteer op300 volunteers have continued their critical role, providService fans gathered on May 3 at the Shirley & Barton portunities. Funding is provided by private and corporate ing over 25,000 hours of service in the community during Weisman Delray Community Center, for the agency’s support, grants, special events and individuals who reach the past year. “ 2011 Annual Meeting. While they enjoyed cocktails and thousands in need each year. For more information, contact Among others installed were those who will now hors d’oeuvres, the clear attractions were installing the 561-852-3333 or visit www.rrjfs.org serve on the JFS Board’s Execunew Board of Directors, and the opportunity to recognize tive Committee: Judi Donoff, the collective efforts of the volunteers, supporters, staff Vice Chair Financial Resource and board who ensure JFS’s success. Chaired by Laura Development; Ron Gallatin, Litinsky and Jane Gortz and emceed by Arnie Friedman, Vice Chair Strategic Planning; the evening celebrated the year’s accomplishments with a Lisa Goodman, Vice Chair Food video slideshow by Emily Grabelsky, and looked ahead to Pantry; Roger Leavy, Vice Chair a bright future.

Personnel; Kenneth Pritzker, “We’ve made great strides toward the goals we set last Vice Chair Board Development; year, with a long and impressive list of programs and serBMA Early Childhood: Jon Kimmel, Treasurer; Natalie vices that we continue to refine and enhance to best meet TEACHING through Pelavin, Secretary; Ellen R. Sarthe needs of our community,” said Danielle N. Hartman, the lens of Torah. noff, Chair, Jewish Federation on completing her first year as JFS President & CEO. of South Palm Beach County; Using middot and parsha as the starting “Opening the Shirley & Barton Weisman Delray ComJill Viner and Bart Weisman. point, we integrate Language and munity Center last November was a momentous occasion Also installed were Ivan Literacy, Science, Math, Dramatic Play, that opened doors to much needed diverse opportunities Gefen, Nominating CommitMusic and Art into our curriculum. for learning, socializing and more. tee Chair and Immediate Past With a strong focus on Reading and “This year we’ve also added psychiatry and psychoBoard Chair; Danielle N. Phonics, our students leave Early Hartman, President & CEO; Childhood as budding young readers, Carol Dickman, Leonard Epready to embark on the challenges stien, Beverly Feurring, Sheiof Elementary School. la Furr, Rebecca Greenspoon, Come spend some Talia Klein, Rabbi Dan Levin, time with us and see Roxane Frechie Lipton, Robin Struhl and Drew Waldhow young minds grow. man. Charles Cohen, NorBMA educates children 18 months – 8th grade. man Rales and Gavin Robin Located in Hollywood, FL just west of I-95. became Honorary Board Call Risa Kahane in our Admissions OfÀce for more information Members. or to schedule a tour of our classrooms and campus.

(954) 989-6886 • www.brauser.us Ruth Rales Jewish FamBMA Early Childhood is NAEYC accredited, a recipient of the Gold Seal from the State of Florida ily Service (JFS) offers help, Michael Lipton; Roxane Lipton, new board member; Ron Children and Families and is a VPK provider. BMA is the winner of the 2009 U.S. Department of hope and humanity through a Gallatin, VP Strategic Planning; Meryl Gallatin Education Blue Ribbon Award. All of our programs are AISF/SACS and CITA accredited.

THE SOUTH FLORIDA JEWISH HOME ■ JUNE 2, 2011

JFS 2011 Annual Meeting Celebrates Accomplishments, Looks Ahead

THE SOUTH FLORIDA JEWISH HOME ■ JUNE 2, 2011

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COMMUNITYHAPPENINGS

Mashgiach Appreciation Shabbaton in South Florida Orthodox Rabbinical Board and Kosher Miami Share Spotlight Submitted by Rabbi Moshe Berger “I have goose bumps.” “Mamash gevaldik,” marveled Rabbi Ephraim Shapiro, Rav of Congregation Shaarey Tefila, as he addressed almost fifty mashgichim representing two kashrus agencies during Shabbos Parshas Behar at a Shabbaton of appreciation for their ameilus baTorah. “I cannot express deeply enough my hakaras hatov to each of you individually and to all of you as a group” for providing South Florida with strong kosher supervision,” said Rabbi Shapiro.

“Minhag Miami,” the perception that anything goes, has clearly gone the way of the horse and buggy, noted Rabbi Avrohom Stone.

A seasoned and nationally-respected kashrus expert, Rabbi Stone, who shared davening, Shabbos meals, and a Melave Malka with the mashgichim and their families, noted that the ORB [Orthodox Rabbinical Board of Broward and Palm Beach Counties] and KM [Kosher Miami] have “changed the perception of what kashrus is like in South Florida” in a manner that is “absolutely astonishing.” “The entire world of kashrus sees and notices,” he quipped.

Rabbi Stone commented that he interfaces with over 500 factories worldwide on a daily basis, sits on a North Jersey Vaad HaRabbonim, and is a Rabbinic Coordinator for the OU. “Nothing [that I do] compares to the difficulty in effecting local kashrus,” but the ORB and KM have made it look easy.

“Being nice to mashgichim? Treating them like human beings? This is almost unheard of!

Nobody ever makes a Shabbaton just to express their appreciation for their mashgichim,” insisted Rabbi Stone. But Kosher Miami and the ORB have done just that. “The world takes inspiration from how seriously you have brought up the standards,” noting that the ORB and KM have for several years jointly sponsored a twoweek mashgiach training course, collaborated on a joint vegetable inspection policy, have a single mashgiach standards and pay rate guide, and are currently writing a unified kashering guide. “If you can do it here [in Miami], we can do it anywhere else,” insisted Rabbi Stone, implying that raising kashrus standards in almost

Rabbi Avraham Stone

any community is within our grasp.

Rabbi Hershel Becker, a local Rov on the Kosher Miami board, reminded the assemblage that “we are all working together in HaShem’s service. Mashgichim need to know they have support from the rabbis.” When the people cry out “mah nuchal,” “what will we eat,” it is the mashgichim and the local kashrus agencies who must do the right thing and make the right calls to insure that what goes into our mouths is just as kosher as what comes out.

The weekend’s sumptuous intellectual buffet included an intense shiur by Rabbi Stone Friday night regarding chometz she’avar alav haPesach, Shabbos table divrei Torah by several mashgichim, and Rabbi Stone’s Motzoei Shabbos divrei chizuk. But perhaps the highlight of the weekend was breaking into several groups of mashgichim Shabbos afternoon, each group discussing a particular topic relevant to their work. After presenting their conclusions,

Rabbi Stone addressed various points made by the mashgichim, challenged their assumptions and conclusions, and offered insights into resolutions of the problems.

The weekend of chizuk provided an unexpected result. One wife expressed a newly-found level of appreciation for when her husband calls her erev Shabbos to tell her he won’t be home as soon as he originally thought. “I always get so upset,” she said. “Here it is, almost Shabbos, and there is so much to do: finish the cooking, bathe the children, clean the house. And now my husband calls to say he’ll be late. But now I see what goes on and better understand the dynamics at work and the challenges he faces.”

Another result of the Shabbaton was the request by some of the younger wives and wives of less-experienced mashgichim to establish a communications network with the more senior wives as mentors and confidants. With over twenty-five years’ experience each by at least two of the kashrus administrators, their wives too have decades of experiences living with husbands who work both early and late hours, who have to listen to and argue with disrespectful store owners, have meetings in their homes morning and night, are often away, and who deal with unpleasant kashrus situations right up until licht-bensching – and sometimes even during Shabbos!

Rabbi Stone commented that, at the end of the day, everyone wants good kashrus: the mashgichim, the rabbonim, even the baalei batim. The latter two often meet for seemingly endless hours to work through issues, but it is the mashgichim who, despite whatever challenges they face, whatever wars they wage, will return the next day to “the scene of the crime” to continue their avodas Hashem in helping to keep the world a more kosher place.

Rabbi Moshe Berger is the Operations Manager for the Orthodox Rabbinical Board of Broward and Palm Beach Counties (the ORB). He has over 25 years kashrus experience in Atlanta, Boston, Dallas, Miami, and Upstate New York and has for many years worked closely with all the national kashrus agencies.

More Community Happenings on page 29

17 THE SOUTH FLORIDA JEWISH HOME ■ JUNE 2, 2011

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THE SOUTH FLORIDA JEWISH HOME ■ JUNE 2, 2011

18

An Inside Look at the

U.S. Navy SEALs

by Avi Heiligman

I

n November 1943, the U.S. Marines sustained heavy casualties in raiding the Central Pacific island of Tarawa.

The main reasons being that no one in the navy knew that the reefs were going to be an obstacle and that the landing vehicles would be sitting ducks for the Japanese. To avoid this disaster from happening again, underwater demolition teams were formed to take hydrographic surveys of the coastlines and to blow up any obstacles in the water.

The Underwater Demolition Teams, UDTs, were personnel taken from existing navy units. They were trained at Waimanalo, Hawaii, and went through a grueling week of training that became a tradition known as Hell Week. At first, they were trained only in shallow water demolitions and hydrography, the charting of the underwater coastline, and the deep-water demolitions were left to the army. Eventually, their role was expanded to the deep water missions as well.

They took part in many amphibious landings including the invasions of Normandy and Okinawa.

The end of the war signaled the end for most of the teams, as they were not needed in huge numbers. Still they trained new members, and kept on adding new skills to their operational abilities. These included learning how to use SCUBA gear, rebreathers and the Fulton Skyhook- a long rope attached to the end of a plane or helicopter that would be used in extracting men from a combat zone. Entering

Seals in Vietnam

and exiting submerged submarines was also added to their training.

During the Korean War, the UDTs kept a low profile, but contributed greatly towards the war effort.

They cleared the way for the amphibious landings, and spent much of their time cutting Korean fishing nets. They also experimented with new tactics that broadened the scope of their capabilities.

At the beginning of the Vietnam War, some inside the UDTs saw the need for the frogmen to learn how to operate on land. The UDTs would still be around and continue to do their jobs, but some frogmen would join a new team. This team was sanctioned

by President John Kennedy, and began operations in

1961. The team was called the Navy SEALs. SEAL stands for SEa, Air and Land. The Seals are trained in hand-to-hand combat, parachuting, demolitions and were taught foreign languages. This training was called SBI, or SEAL Basic Indoctrination training, and upon completion they would be sent to a platoon and would be deployable to combat zones. All of this training was deemed unconventional, and therefore the SEALs were considered part of the Special Forces community.

When they were created there were two units, one on the Pacific coast and one on the Atlantic. SEAL Team 1 was based at Coronado, California, and SEAL Team 2 was based in Little Creek, Virginia.

From the beginning of their creation, the CIA would recruit operators from the SEALs. The Special Activities Division (SAD) and the elite Special Operations Group (SOG), which were under the CIA’s control, date back to the Vietnam War. It was not shocking at all to hear that the killing of Osama Bin Laden was done by the SEALs. Even though there are other anti terrorist groups, namely the Delta Force, the Seals were chosen in all probability for their constant cooperation with the CIA. The CIA funded programs in Vietnam to train the locals in guerilla tactics against the communists. The trainers of this program, called Operation Phoenix, were SEAL team members. They specifically targeted local Viet Cong leaders and were very successful in doing so.

SEALs continued

will break bones and sustain other injuries and everyone will experience pain. Most candidates to become SEALs know that that’s their goal before joining the navy. Out of 1500 applicants, approximately only 100 make it to BUD/S (Basic Underwater Demolitions/ SEALs), and of those only 20 will complete the

men train together.

Phase one is basic conditioning. It’s nine weeks long with the sixth being the infamous hell week.

This is where most candidates drop out. The command doesn’t usually dismiss potential SEALs; they leave under their own volition. They are yelled at, do a daily four mile run in boots, swim long distances (up to two miles), told to do push-ups until the instructor gets tired and go through an obstacle course that just by looking at it one would become dizzy. Their times must improve or they are told to do it again. In Vietnam, two SEALs, who were on a training exercise fell into the water with their hands tied behind their backs, panicked and drowned. To avoid this, trainees are taught drown proofing at this stage of training.

Hell week is the epitome of SEAL training. Its five and a half days where the tadpole (slang for a trainee) gets four hours of sleep, are cold and wet the entire time, Navy SEAL trainees undergo surf conditioning at the Special Warfare Center gets little food and are subject to at the Naval Amphibious Base on San Diego Bay certain tortures that the instructors call “evolutions.” Surf torture is training. Candidates must be between the ages of 18 where they sit with their heads in the freezing water, and 28 (although it’s extremely rare, a special waiver arms locked and the surf comes rolling over them. can be granted to older applicants) and be in the best They also learn how to deal with large inflatable boats physical shape of their lives. Most people think that and when not in the water they carry it with them SEALs are all brawn and no brains, but that can’t be everywhere they go. Teamwork is the key, as an infurther from the truth. One common denominator dividual will fail because most of the tasks need to that all SEALs have is very good street smarts. The be done in unison. If one person is slacking his boat ones that don’t have this skill will fail during BUD/S. mates will feel the pain. Part of PT (physical trainBUD/S is divided into three phases. Over the ing) is to walk around carrying a 150-pound log over their heads. “Lucky” boat crews get to carry a 350 pound telephone pole named Old Misery, hence the quote “misery loves company”. The final three weeks of phase one are devoted to learning how to conduct a hydrographic survey.

Those who survive hell week and phase one move onto the second phase, the diving portion of the intense training. Here they learn to use SCUBA gear (an open circuit unit that creates surface bubbles and are rarely used in combat zones) and Dreagger rebreathers (100% oxygen that gets recycled). Students are taught how to use diving as a means of transportation and how they can use this skill to become combat divers.

The third phase is land warfare. Most navy personnel don’t have basic weapons training and instructors start from the beNavy Seal swimmers ginning. This is where they learn everything from how to shoot a gun and at the years, it has varied in length and composition, but the end they all become expert marksmen. This is where basic structure is the same. There are certain axioms they concentrate on teaching land navigation, smallamong the trainees; “The only easy day was yesterunit tactics, patrolling techniques, rappelling, infanday,” “it pays to be a winner”, and “misery loves comtry tactics, and military explosives. pany.” BUD/S is unique in that it is the only training After completing the six month BUD/S traincourse in the U.S. military where officers and enlisted ing they move onto the 28-week SEAL Qualification

19 THE SOUTH FLORIDA JEWISH HOME ■ JUNE 2, 2011

The first frogmen in Vietnam were sent in 1962 and were UDTs that were sent to reconnoiter the coastline. Most of the ground troops that were sent in at the beginning were in advisory positions only, and this included the SEALs. When the U.S. started to send in other conventional ground troops, the SEALs started ground operations that took the fight directly to the enemy. They mounted most of their missions at night, and brought terror to the enemy. Many Viet Cong taught their children to be afraid of the “men with green faces,” much like the way our children are taught to be afraid of the boogeyman.

The SEALs painted the faces with green camouflage in order to blend in with the surroundings. Most of Vietnam is jungle and waterways and the SEALs would need to be inserted into the combat zone by special boat units.

Vietnam proved to be a great place for the SEALs to learn and hone their skills. As they were a new unit, many higher commanders detested their unconventional ways of waging war. When the SEALs started showing results while the rest of the military was being hit hard, the opinions of the higher ups started to change. In conventional military tactics, planes would saturate the area with bombs or they would use artillery to pummel a suspected enemy position. Then the regular units would come in and sweep the area. Often the bombs and shells would hit in empty areas or sometimes land on U.S. troops. Then when the other units would come in, Charlie (the military nickname for the communists) would ambush them.

Casualties started to mount and the war was becoming unpopular at home. The SEALs on the other hand, would mount a nighttime raid, and come back reporting that they had killed several enemy men and returned with many prisoners and sacks of captured material, which proved to be a vital source in information on what the enemy was doing. There was even one SEAL, Mike Walsh, who killed three generals, one in a hand-to-hand fight. Still, when they came home on leave, people would call them baby killers, to which one SEAL responded, “I don’t call someone shooting at me quite innocent.”

Their intense training paid off, and at the height of operations they had over 300 SEALs in Vietnam at any given time. There were only a couple of dozen fatalities by the time they were pulled out in 1972.

Compared with the rest of the military, this amazing stat kept them alive during the post war cuts in military spending.

Before we delve further into SEAL history, let’s take a deeper look into their training. The training is considered by top experts as one of the toughest military schools in the world. Many drop out, some

SEALs continued

THE SOUTH FLORIDA JEWISH HOME ■ JUNE 2, 2011

20 Training (SQT) program. Parachute training takes three weeks, mostly devoted to night jumps. They also learn how to perform the very dangerous HAHO (high altitude- high opening) and HALO (high altitude- low opening) freefall parachuting. Here they hone in their combat swimming and land warfare skills, as well as new tactics such as CQC (close quarter combat) training. Some students are sent to a 26-week medical training course, while others go the scout and sniper school. They are taught how to use SDVs (SEAL Delivery Vehicle), and underwater “bus” that can transfer them to their target. They must be wearing SCUBA gear and hours are spent just getting use to the loneliness of the deep.

For most SEALs, it takes two years before they go on their first mission, and even then training is still a major part of their vocation.

The best of the SEALs are recruited into the elite DEVGRU (Development Group). Formally known as SEAL Team Six, which was founded in 1980 and was known as a bunch of rouges.

Their founder, Dick Marcinko, was a hard-drinking swindler who liked to intimidate his subordinates. It wasn’t until 1983 that changes for the better started to happen. Under the command of Robert Gormly, the team began to develop an elite status and the best men started to join.

Although the average ages of a SEALs is the mid-20s, most of Team Six are in their 30s or even 40s. These men are smart and have such fire discipline, knowing exactly when to shoot, that they are usually the first choice for counter-terrorist operations.

Operation Urgent Fury, the U.S. invasion of Grenada, handed the SEALs two missions. One was to take control of the only radio tower in the country, and the second was to rescue Governor-General Paul Scoon, a great friend of the U.S. The assignment was given to SEAL Teams 4 and 6, but they had very little time to prepare. The first attempt to drop SEALs ended in tragedy. Eight SEALs parachuted in the dark and into the pitching ocean and tried to reach the two boats that were dropped with them. Four of them drowned and their bodies were never recovered.

At the radio station, they had to beat off Grenadian and Cuban troops just to get there, and after beating off several attacks, the enemy started bringing in BTR-60s- a Russian made armored vehicle bristling with machine guns. With their communications out, the SEALs, under Kim Erskine, decided to get out of there while they still had a chance, and before they left they blew the tower to smithereens. The SEALs that went to rescue Scoon had a helicopter so badly damaged that it had to evacuate, and in it were half the assault troops and most of the communication devices. Still they proceeded into the mansion

and secured Scoon and his family. Soon their only radio ran out of power, and they had to use the landline inside the house to call in fire support on the advancing enemy. The assault team under Duke Leonard, had to radio the enemy coordinates to Fort

Hell week

Bragg, North Carolina, who relayed them to Captain Gormly on the island, who then relayed them to a C-130 gunship. A long process but it worked. They held out all night until they were relieved by Marine Force Recon troops.

In 1989, during Operation Just Cause, the U.S. ousting of Panamanian dictator Manuel Noriega, the SEALs were handed three missions. One was to isolate the PDF (Panamanian Defense Forces) on Fla-

Seals jumping out of a helicopter

menco Island. The second was to capture if possible his private jet at Paitilla airfield. The third objective was to blow up his personal boat anchored in Balboa Harbor. There were 48 SEALs assigned to the Paitilla airfield mission, a huge number considering their usual way of conducting operations. As they got out of their boats, the SEALs came under heavy fire and

instead of capturing the plane they had to blow it up.

Four were killed and 13 were wounded, and this mission was heavily scrutinized afterwards because it was given to the SEALs and not other units trained to take airfields. The other two objectives met with better results. Four divers, equipped with C-4 explosives packed in haversack canvas bags, swam towards Noriega’s boat, the Presidente Porras, and succeeded in blowing it out of the water.

The Persian Gulf War saw only a limited use of the SEALs, as the overall commander, General Norman Schwarzkopf, didn’t fully understand their value. They succeeded in staging a false landing, sending in divers to set charges on a beach, thereby fooling the Iraqis as to where the actual invasion was to take place.

In the 1990s the SEALs were active in smaller conflicts in which the U.S. didn’t want to use conventional forces. The killing of Columbian drug king, Pablo Escobar, was a joint effort between the U.S. and Columbia in which Escobar’s reign of terror and huge drug network was taken down. SEALs were reportedly involved in the evacuation of the U.S. embassy in Mogadishu, Somalia. Three Bosnian war criminals wanted for mass genocide were killed or captured in a joint SEAL and British SAS undercover operation.

Operation Enduring Freedom, the invasion of Afghanistan, was led by Special Forces including Navy SEAL Teams 3 and 8. Most of their missions were special reconnaissance (SR) and hunting down Taliban leaders, including the hunt for Osama Bin Laden. One of the first successful operations of the war was when a CIA Predator Drone spotted Taliban Mullah Khirullah Said Wali Khairkhwa leaving a building. Less than two hours later, SEALs, arrived in Pave Low helicopters, and apprehended the terrorist.

The SEALs were kept busy the entire time in Afghanistan. Task Force K-bar, comprising of SEALs, Green Berets, Air Force Special Ops and Special Forces from seven other countries, killed or captures over 200 Taliban and Al-Qaeda leaders. They also destroyed networks and tons of weapons and ammunition. In one case, a 12-hour reconnaissance mission ran into a huge enemy network of caves that led to a 9 day cleaning out party to get rid of all the munitions, thus depriving the enemy of a huge source to attack coalition forces. During operation Anaconda, Neil Roberts, was thrown from his helicopter while under intense enemy fire. The rescue operations were unsuccessful and several Special Forces soldiers were killed and wounded. The stranded SEAL fought off dozens of enemy for about an hour before he was killed. Lieutenant Michael P. Murphy was killed during Operation Red Wing while leading his four-man team in June 2005. There was only one survivor, and Murphy was posthumously awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor. continued on next page

“When In Doubt, Empty The Magazine!”

“Sniper Talk - You can run, but you'll just die tired!”

“My Kid Fought In Iraq So Your Kid Can Party In College.”

“A Dead Enemy Is A Peaceful Enemy.

Blessed Be The Peacemakers.”

“Machine Gunners Accuracy By Volume!”

“Except For Ending Slavery, Fascism, Nazism and Communism, War has Never Solved Anything!”

“U.S. Marines - Certified Counselors to the 72 Virgins Dating Club!”

“U.S. Air Force - Travel Agents To Allah!”

“If You Can Read This, Thank A Teacher. If You Can Read It In English, Thank A Veteran.”

“If your world is exploding around you, it is probably Army Rangers” And finally: “Some people spend an entire lifetime wondering if they made a difference in the world. But the United States Armed Forces don't have that problem.” Ronald Reagan

“Stop Global Whining!”

“Naval Corollary: Dead Men Don't Testify.”

“Send Army Rangers - When It Absolutely, Positively Has To Be Destroyed Overnight!”

“Death Smiles At Everyone.

Rangers Smile Back!”

“What Do I Feel When I Kill A Terrorist?

Recoil!”

“Marines - Providing Enemies of America an Opportunity To Die For their Country Since 1775.”

“Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Anyone Who Threatens It.” “Happiness Is A Belt-Fed Weapon.”

“It's God's Job to Forgive Bin Laden. It's Our Job To Arrange The Meeting.”

“Artillery Brings Dignity to What Would Otherwise Be Just A Vulgar Brawl.”

“One Shot, Twelve Kills U.S. Naval Gun Fire Support.”

SEALs continued

Operation Iraqi Freedom saw the SEALs attack several oil platforms alongside Special Forces troops from England and Poland. As they jumped off their helicopters they became entangled in concertina wire. They were immediately engaged by the enemy, but help from above saved them. An A-10 Warthog ground attack plane drove off the enemy and an advancing armored vehicle and the Special Forces team was able to secure the platform with no casualties. The Iraqis suffered five dead and sixteen captured. They also captured the Mukarayin Dam and oil fields off the Al Faw Peninsula with similar results.

In April 2009, Somali pirates captured the Maersk Alabama, an American freighter captained by Richard Phillips. Most of the crew was able to escape, but the pirates held Phillips and moved him to their small skiff. Upon learning of the details, SEAL Team Six parachuted into the ocean and climbed aboard the USS Bainbridge. For five days they shadowed the skiff until it became clear that Phillips’s life was in danger.

Three snipers sitting on the Bainbridge’s tail simultaneously shot and killed three pirates with a single shot to the head. This was done when they were about 100 yards away and in choppy seas. Phillips was rescued and brought back home.

Then on May 2, 2011, Team Six mounted the operation that changed the war on terror. By killing Osama Bin Laden they proved that no terrorist is safe, and if the U.S. wants you badly enough they will come and hunt you down. The 24 SEALs landed in two helicopters with another platoon of 14 SEALs ready to come in as backup. They came into the compound in Abbottabad, Pakistan and swept the house until they came to the third floor and found Osama near weapons. They shot him twice, once in the head the other a body shot.

This operation involved the largest amount of SEALs since the attack on Manuel Noriega’s plane in 1989. At least, that’s what has been told to the media. Most SEAL missions are classified and probably will never be known. As one SEAL said, “my most important mission took place in a country that I will never be able to tell you about.”

Disclaimer: These articles are meant to be informative only. If you have any questions, comments or feel that I left anything out or have suggestions for future articles, please email me at aviheiligman@ gmail.com

THE SOUTH FLORIDA JEWISH HOME ■ JUNE 2, 2011

Bumper-Stickers Seen On Military Bases:

21

ISRAEL REAL ESTATE

THE SOUTH FLORIDA JEWISH HOME ■ JUNE 2, 2011

22

Israel: Global Energy Giant?

by Gedaliah Borvick

PLEASE NOTE: Although this title appeared in our last issue, the incorrect text for the article was inadvertently used.

Here is the correct article.

from shale, that technique can be exported to other shale oil-rich countries, thereby shifting our oil reliance away from countries such as Iran and Saudi Arabia.

Updated reports verifying the scope of Israel’s gas and oil shale inventory will be forthcoming within the year. Other existing challenges will have to be overcome, but the prevailing sentiment is that Israel has a good chance, paraphrasing former Israel ambassador to the UN Dore Gold, “to become a powerful energy giant, and not a weak client state that must be pressured.”

“My Israel Home” is a real estate agency focused on helping people from abroad buy homes in Israel. You may contact Gedaliah Borvick at gborvick@myisraelhome.com. To read previous articles, please visit his blog at www.myisraelhome.com.

A

few months ago we discussed the Israeli company Better Place whose electric car concept is on the verge of revolutionizing the auto industry.

I enjoy discussing these topics because technological advances bolster Israel’s economy, including its real estate market. More importantly, these issues help us see the hand of G-d moving the pawns on the global chess board.

Gas Fields In the spirit of “now I’ve seen it all,” Israel is poised to become a leading fuel exporter. In 2004, Israel discovered a significant gas field named “Tamar” in the Eastern Mediterranean. Tamar is expected to pump enough oil to supply all of Israel’s domestic requirements for at least 20 years. In 2010, another gas field aptly dubbed “Leviathan” (Hebrew for whale) was discovered, which is at least double the size of Tamar.

Oil Shale Less well-known but potentially more dramatic is Israel’s burgeoning oil shale industry, led by Israel Energy Initiatives (IEI), which is owned by the American telecom company IDT. There has recently been a spate of articles written on this issue in major global papers including The Times of London, The Australian and The Jerusalem Post. In November 2010, banker Lord Jacob Rothschild and Rupert Murdoch purchased an 11% stake in Genie Oil & Gas, the parent company of IEI. Furthermore, Genie’s advisory board includes such luminaries as Michael Steinhardt and former vice president Dick Cheney. This is big stuff.

Late last year, IEI presented data showing Israel’s oil shale reserves at the equivalent of 250 billion barrels. To put that in context, Saudi Arabia, the second largest oil-producing country in the world, has proven oil reserves totaling 260 billion barrels. If IEI’s numbers prove out, Israel will emerge as having the third largest oil shale deposits, after the US and China.

Problems and Solutions Shale oil has historically been environmentally problematic because the mining process requires tremendous amounts of water and energy. Yet new technologies being developed seek to separate the oil from the shale rock hundreds of meters beneath the earth’s surface using a process that actually produces water, rather than using it up. If Israel can develop an ecologically friendly method for separating oil

23 By: Moshe Sharon

No peace, No peace plans, No price for Peace (A short guide to those obsessed with peace) “Everybody says that his donkey is a horse.”

“There is no tax on words.”

(Two Arab proverbs)

O

n December 24th 1977, at the very beginning of the negotiations between Israel and Egypt in Ismailia , I had the opportunity to have a short discussion with Muhammad Anwar Sadat the president of Egypt . “Tell your Prime Minister,” he said, “that this is a bazaar; the merchandise is expensive.” I told my Prime Minister but he failed to abide by the rules of the bazaar. The failure was not unique to him alone. It is the failure of all the Israeli governments and the media.

On March 4, 1994, I published an article in the Jerusalem Post called “Novices in Negotiations” The occasion was the conclusion of the “Cairo Agreement.” A short time later, Yasser Arafat, proved yet again that his signature was not worth the ink of his pen let alone the paper to which it was affixed, and his word was worth even less. Then, as in every subsequent agreement Israel was taken aback when her concessions had become the basis for fresh Arab demands.

In Middle Eastern bazaar diplomacy, agreements are kept not because they are signed but because they are imposed. Besides, in the bazaar of the Arab-Israeli conflict, the two sides are not discussing the same merchandise. The Israelis wish to acquire peace based on the Arab-Muslim acceptance of Israel as a Jewish state. The objective of the Arabs is to annihilate the Jewish state, replace it with an Arab state, and get rid of the Jews.

To achieve their goal, the Arabs took to the battlefield and to the bazaar diplomacy. The most important rule in the bazaar is that if the vendor knows that you desire to purchase a certain piece of merchandize, he will raise its price. The merchandise in question is “peace” and the Arabs give the impression that they actually have this merchandise and inflate its price, when in truth they do not have it at all.

This is the wisdom of the bazaar, if you are clever enough you can sell nothing at a price. The Arabs sell words, they sign agreements, and they trade with vague promises, but are sure to receive generous down payments from eager buyers. In the bazaar only a foolish buyer pays for something he has never seen.

There is another rule in the market as well as across the negotiating table: the side that first presents his terms is bound to lose; the other side builds his next move using the open cards of his opponent as the starting point.

In all its negotiations with the Palestinian Arabs, Israel has always rushed to offer its plans, and was surprised to discover that after an agreement had been “concluded” it had become the basis for further demands.

Most amazing is the reaction in such cases. Israeli politicians, “experts” and the media eagerly provide “explanations” for the Arabs’ behaviour. One of the most popular explanations is that these or other Arab pronouncements are “for internal use,” as if “internal use” does not count. Other explanations invoke “the Arab sensitivity to symbols,” “honour,” “matters of emotion” and other more patronising sayings of this nature. Does Israel possess no “sensitivities” or does it have no honour? What does all this have to do with political encounters?

It is therefore essential, as the late President Sadat advised, to learn the rules of the oriental bazaar before venturing into the arena of bazaar diplomacy.

The most important of all the rules is the Roman saying: “If you want peace -- prepare for war.” Never come to the negotiating table from a position of weakness. Your adversary should always know that you are strong and ready for war even more than you are ready for peace.

In the present situation in the Middle East and in the foreseeable future “peace” is nothing more than an empty word. Israel should stop speaking about “peace” and delete the word “peace” from its vocabulary together with such phrases as “the price of peace” or “territory for peace.” For a hundred years the Jews have been begging the Arabs to sell them peace, ready to pay any price. They have received nothing, because the Arabs have no peace to sell, but they have still paid dearly. It must be said in all fairness that the Arabs have not made a secret of the fact that what they meant by the word “peace” was nothing more than a limited ceasefire for a limited period.

Since this is the situation, Israel should openly declare that peace does not exist as an option in the Arab-Israeli conflict, and that it has decided to create a new state of affairs in the Middle East , compelling the Arab side to ask for peace; and pay for it. Unlike the Arabs, Israel has this merchandize for sale.

From now on Israel should be the side demanding payment for peace. If the Arabs want peace, Israel should fix its price in real terms. The Arabs will pay if they reach the conclusion that Israel is so strong that they cannot destroy it. Because of this, Israel s deterrent power is essential.

Therefore, if anyone asks Israel for plans, the answer should be: no “plans,” no “suggestions,” no “constructive ideas,” in fact no negotiations at all.

If the Arab side wants to negotiate, let it present its plans and its “ideas.” If and when it does, the first Israeli reaction should always be “unacceptable! Come with better ones.” If and when the time comes for serious negotiations, once the Arabs have lost all hope of annihilating the Jewish state, here are ten rules for bargaining in the Middle Eastern bazaar: .

Never be the first to suggest anything to the other side. Never show any eagerness “to conclude a deal.” Let the opponent present his suggestions first.

Always reject; disagree. Use the phrase: “Not meeting the minimum demands,” and walk away, even a hundred times. A tough customer gets good prices.

Don’t rush to come up with counter-offers. There will always be time for that. Let the other side make amendments under the pressure of your total “disappointment.” Patience is the name of the game: “haste is from Satan!”

Have your own plan ready in full, as detailed as possible, with the red lines completely defined.

However, never show this or any other plan to a third party. It will reach your opponent quicker than you think. Weigh the other sides suggestions against this plan.

Never change your detailed plan to meet the other side “half way.” Remember, there is no “half way.”

The other side also has a master plan. Be ready to quit negotiations when you encounter stubbornness on the other side.

Never leave things unclear. Always avoid “creative phrasing” and “creative ideas” which are exactly what your Arab opponent wants. Remember the Arabs are masters of language. Playing with words is the Arab national sport. As in the market, so also at the negotiating table, always talk dollars and cent Always bear in mind that the other side will try to outsmart you by presenting major issues as unimportant details. Regard every detail as a vitally important issue. Never postpone any problem “for a later occasion.” If you do so you will lose; remember that your opponent is always looking for a reason to avoid honouring agreements.

Emotion belongs neither in the marketplace nor at the negotiating table. Friendly words as well as outbursts of anger, holding hands, kissing, touching cheeks, and embracing should not be interpreted as representing policy.

Beware of popular beliefs about the Arabs and the Middle East -- “Arab honour” for example. Remember, you have honour too, but this has nothing to do with the issues under negotiation. Never do or say anything because somebody has told you that it is “the custom.” If the Arab side finds out that you are playing the anthropologist he will take advantage of it.

Always remember that the goal of all negotiations is to make a profit. You should aim at making the highest profit in real terms. Remember that every gain is an asset for the future, because there is always going to be “another round.”

The Arabs have been practising negotiation tactics for more than 2000 years. They are the masters of words, and a mine of endless patience. In contrast, Israelis (and Westerners in general) want quick “results.” In this part of the world there are no quick results, the hasty one always loses.

Moshe Sharon is Professor of Islamic History at the Hebrew University

THE SOUTH FLORIDA JEWISH HOME ■ JUNE 2, 2011

How to Bargain in the Middle East

THE SOUTH FLORIDA JEWISH HOME ■ JUNE 2, 2011

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O

Blessed are You, Lord, Who Gives Summer to Students.

ur children don’t realize how good they have it! A two month summer vacation certainly doesn’t exist is the “real world”.

However, students get out of the routine of studying and the discipline of getting up early. They have to spend weeks reviewing subjects like math at the beginning of each school year. Are the advocates of year-round school correct?

A well-planned summer vacation provides opportunities for students to do important things they just don’t have time to do during the school year. This is doubly true for Jewish day school students who take twice as many core subjects as their public school counterparts.

The essential elements in a teenager’s summer should include; Reading- The college counselors aren’t lying when they say that there is no substitute for regular reading when it comes to SAT scores. Many students don’t have the time to read voraciously during the school year. Whatever they are interested in- just get them to read!

Work- Work builds character- meeting the expectation of supervisors, doing your best, getting along with co-workers, etc. The small paycheck that

teenagers receive (“Who is FICA and why did he take all my money?”) also sends an important message to them about the importance of pursuing higher education and obtaining degrees.

Non academic talents- Those they may take an instrument (for example) once a week during the school year, students have the time to get really good at something they love over the summer. These hobbies add spice to life, make them interesting people to potential employers and spouses, and can sometimes develop into careers.

Explore possible professions- Unfortunately, doing well at school only teaches one that they are good at “doing school”. Whether exploring careers through the internet, shadowing professionals or actually performing an internship, being able to identify possible career paths (or reject them) is priceless.

Physical activity- most of our children don’t get daily physical activity during the school year. In this era of epidemic childhood obesity, it is an important lifeskill. This is all the more so true for traditional Jews, whose diet includes two weekly large Shabbat meals and frequent, elaborate smachot.

Most important is religious maintenance.

Most of a teenager’s waking hours are scripted dur-

Dear Friends, Have you ever sat down to a Glatt Kosher dinner together with 10,000 people in the same room, who all care passionately about the future of Am Yisroel and the State of Israel?

I just returned from attending the AIPAC Policy Conference in Washington, DC. For those who have never attended such an event, let me just say that this is a transformative experience.

As we approach the Yom Tov of Shavuos, we are reminded of the importance of Jewish unity. When the Torah describes the Jewish people’s arrival at Har Sinai in the desert it states, “Vayichan sham Yisrael neged hahar” – “and Israel encamped there, opposite the mountain,” using the singular verb Vayichan.

Rashi is bothered why the word “vayichan” is written in singular tense if it refers to all of Bnei Yisrael. Rashi answers, by citing The Mekhilta who notes the use of the singular, to say that the Jewish people camped at Har Sinai as though they were an individual, “Kish echad b’lev echad” – “as one person with one heart”.

10,000 people traveled from all over the country came to Washington “Kish echad b’lev echad”, united as one with a common goal - to show solidarity and support for Israel. They were Orthodox, Conservative, Reform and unaffiliated Jews, but they all shared a burning love for Israel and the future of Am Yisroel. When you experience in person that kind of unity and selfless dedication, you literally feel in every bone of your body that AM YISROEL CHAI - the Jewish People are alive.

With Warm Wishes,

Rabbi Moshe Scheiner

ing the school year. Without this structure, teens can fall in so many ways. Every teen’s summer plans should include daily prayer and a religiously appropriate wardrobe (Kippah, modest clothing, etc). Those long shabbos afternoons can be productive or destructive, depending on how well they are planned.

The opportunity to recharge one’s batteries and start fresh in the fall is perhaps the greatest benefit of summer vacation. There are certainly years where I have wished I could have such a “reset” button in December or February.

However, a bad summer can undue all the good accomplished by parents’ hard-earned tuition dollars and students’ many school-year accomplishments. Make this summer growth-filled and productive!

Rabbi Perry Tirschwell is the Head of School of the Weinbaum Yeshiva High School in Boca Raton. He welcomes comments

at rpt@wyhs.net.

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The Gates of Heaven Aren’t Closed for Summer

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NEW YORK - Rudy Giuliani Leads New National Poll Is Rudy gearing up for another run?

A new CNN/ Opinion Research Corporation national poll shows the former New York City mayor atop the still-forming Republican primary field.

The survey shows Giuliani getting 16 percent of independents and Republicans, with Mitt Romney a point behind at 15 percent and Sarah Palin at 13 percent.

Neither Palin nor Giuliani are confirmed candidates for the 2012 nomination. Palin, the former Alaska governor and Republican vice presidential nomi-

ISRAEL - IDF to Move to a More ‘Comfortable’ Combat Uniform

nee, has increasingly sent signals that she might jump in, and has launched a bus tour for the first time since the 2008 race.

“Giuliani has the top spot in a 12-candidate field, but he doesn’t generate a lot of enthusiasm.

Only about a quarter of Republicans nationwide said that they would be enthusiastic if Giuliani won the nomination,” said CNN Polling Director Keating Holland. “But he’s not alone — only a quarter would be enthusiastic if Palin got the party’s nod, and only one in five would feel the same way if Romney became the GOP’s standard bearer in 2012.”

JERUSALEM - Netanyahu: UN Statehood for PA is Like Declaring the World is Flat Prime Minister Netanyahu has told the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Security Committee that there is no way to prevent the Palestinians from declaring statehood in the UN. However, he added, “If the United Nations in September declares the Palestinian Authority to be a state, it might as well decide the world is flat.

He said Israel cannot stop the resolution from going forward and has few friends in the international body, but a veto from any member of the United Nations Security Council would block the proposal from reaching the General

Assembly, whose anti-Israel majority likely would approve it.

A recommendation for a new member of the United Nations must come from the Security Council, whose permanent members are the United States, Britain, France, China and Russia. U.S. President Barack Obama stated last week that it would be a mistake to declare the Palestinian Authority as a state without negotiations, but he has not specifically stated he would order a veto when the Arab League proposal comes up for a vote. .

The IDF Technological and Logistics Directorate has decided to replace the combat uniforms with ones worn by US Marines in Afghanistan and Iraq. This comes after years of complaints by IDF soldiers that the combat uniforms they wear during exercises, operations and on their bases are uncomfortable.

At first glance, the new uniforms are similar to those currently used. The

main difference is that the new model is wrinkle- free and has extra pockets and more “breathing holes”.

“We are trying to make combat more comfortable for soldiers and more practical with the new uniforms,” an IDF source said.

Whether soldiers will be able to keep their new shirts untucked or not has not yet been decided.

WORLD REPORT

SYRIA to End Nuclear Secrecy According The Associated Press, Syria is pledging full cooperation with U.N. attempts to probe compelling evidence that it secretly built a reactor that was to be used to make nuclear arms.

Syria’s sudden readiness to cooperate comes after a recent IAEA report that “assesses that the building destroyed in the Israeli raid... was a nuclear reactor.” It also seems to be an attempt to derail the U.S.-led attempts to have Damascus referred to the U.N. Security Council amid already strong international pressure on the Syrian leadership to end its crackdown on pro-de-

mocracy demonstrators.

Syria’s maneuvering will complicate Western attempts to bring its nuclear secrecy to the attention of the Security Council. Still, Washington said it remained committed to trying.

Syria has denied hiding a nuclear program. But it has refused to allow IAEA inspectors to revisit the bombed site after an initial mission found traces of uranium and other materials that strengthened suspicion that the site was nuclear.

ISRAEL - IDF Intelligence Gets First Yeshiva Student Officers “I went to the best yeshivas until I was 25, but it was clear to me that one day I’ll enlist,” said Yisrael. “I come from a charedi family, but my grandfather is a Holocaust survivor… My wife’s family reacted a little differently to my decision. I had to explain it more.”

The two are now the first and only charedi officers in the Military Intelligence Branch, which gives them great satisfaction.

“It’s a small piece of history,” said Dudi.

In a move to bolster the Hamas government in Gaza and deal a setback to Israel, Egypt has lifted a 4-year-old blockade of the Gaza Strip, greatly easing travel and weapons smuggling restrictions on the 1.5 million residents of the Palestinian territory.

Israel and Egypt imposed the blockade after the Islamic militant Hamas seized control of Gaza in June 2007. The closure aimed to weaken Hamas. But the Iranian-backed group remains firmly in power.

In Israel, fears were heightened that militants and weapons will soon pour into the territory. Israeli Deputy Foreign Minister Danny Ayalon said the Rafah opening puts “additional responsibility on the Egyptians about what happens in Gaza.”

“Mubarak is gone, there is a new government and we already see how Israel-Egypt relations are substantially deteriorating,” an Israeli lawmaker said.

“A significant security breach was created today under our noses.”

ISRAEL - Bank of Israel Governor Stanley Fischer Considers IMF Chief Position Bank of Israel Governor Stanley Fischer is considering whether to become a candidate to head the International Monetary Fund, according source familiar with the situation.

“He will be talking to decision-makers throughout the world the next two weeks and then make a decision,” the source told Reuters. “If there will be more and more voices and more and more support from different countries, he would consider it.”

Zambian-born Fischer, 67, is a former

deputy managing director of the IMF. He has been widely credited with helping Israel’s economy weather the global financial crisis by starting to lower Israeli interest rates sharply in 2008. He has since raised rates 10 times to contain inflation and prevent an overheating economy set to grow another 4.5 percent in 2011.

“It’s one of the best jobs in the international system but I have a terrific job at the moment,” Fischer said in an interview, referring to his post as head of Israel’s central bank.

JERUSALEM - Olmert Urges Netanyahu to Make Radical Concessions

FRANCE - G8 Leaders Omit Mention of 1967 Borders in Middle East Statement – Thank You Canada After Canada’s objection to a specific mention of the 1967 borders in a statement issued by world leaders calling for resumption of Israel-Palestinian peace talks, The G8 leaders had to soften their blow.

Canada’s right-leaning Conservative government has adopted a staunchly pro-Israel position in international negotiations since coming to power in 2006, with Prime Minister Stephen Harper saying Canada will back Israel whatever the cost.

While most of the other leaders

wanted a mention of the 1967 borders, “The Canadians were really very adamant, even though Obama expressly referred to 1967 borders in his speech last week,” one European diplomat said.

Harper has made his position on Israel very clear, saying last year: “When Israel, the only country in the world whose very existence is under attack, is consistently and conspicuously singled out for condemnation, I believe we are morally obligated to take a stand.”

As if Former prime minister Ehud Olmert has not caused enough damage as Prime Minister he has now slammed Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu in an opinion piece he wrote for Yediot Aharonot.

“Peace will not be achieved with speeches to Congress or the Knesset, but rather with the courage to make decisions that will change a reality that is increasingly creating a substantive threat on the State of Israel’s stature, on the international support it receives, and on its future as a Jewish democratic state,” Olmert wrote.

Olmert, who has not ruled out a political comeback if he is cleared in the criminal investigations against him, said

Netanyahu should withdraw to borders based on the pre-1967 lines, and give up Arab neighborhoods in Jerusalem.

In his own negotiations with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, Olmert offered 100 % of West Bank land (minus 6.8% in land swaps), 10,000 Palestinian refugees returning to within Israel’s final border, and the holy basin around Jerusalem’s Old City coming under joint Israeli-Palestinian-American- Jordanian-Saudi control.

“The two-state solution is vital for Israel’s security and existence,” Olmert wrote. “The basis of the 1967 lines is the key to this, and we have nothing to fear in this context.”

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Two charedi yeshiva students finished an IDF Intelligence course specially designed for charedi soldiers and received their officer ranks.

Since this special course began, nearly two years ago, close to 200 charedi and religious soldiers ages 22 to 27 have enlisted into the Military Intelligence Branch. The project consists of professional training, including learning to become a programmer, a computer network supervisor, and a software analyst, allowing them to integrate in the job market.

EGYPT - After 4 Years, Egypt Reopens Its Border with Gaza

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Hollywood Sara’s Kosher Restaurant Chalav Yisrael, Shomer Shabat Vegetarian, Vegan, Pizza, American, Mexican, Chinese, Fresh Fish, Italian, Middle Eastern, Breakfast, Kids, Desserts.

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“Say WHAT?” A collection of notable quotes “Sarah Palin may run for President. Doesn’t that thought make you nostalgic for last week when you only thought the world was going to end?”

–Jay Leno “I tell you what; Hawaiian, Kenya, Irish – this guy truly is the Epcot Center of presidents.”

– Jimmy Kimmel, on President Obama

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“This weekend Sarah Palin begins a naƟonwide bus tour, which I think is a good way for her to learn the names of all the states.” –Jay Leno “Herman Cain, the former CEO of Godfather’s Pizza, announced that he’s running for president. And this is cool — if his campaign isn’t over in 30 minutes or less, you get your pizza for free.’’

-Jimmy Fallon “I don’t want to say Tim Pawlenty is boring, but Joe Biden is accusing him of idenƟty theŌ.”

– Jay Leno.

“President Obama visited the Irish village where his great-great-great-grandfather was born. Of course, that was always disputed by his great-great-great-grandfather’s archrival, Donny McTrump.”

–Jimmy Fallon

“Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels emailed his supporters over the weekend to tell them he’s not running for president. In response, his supporters were like, ‘Dad, we live in the same house. Couldn’t you just tell us in person?”

–Jimmy Fallon “Last night at a Texas Ranger game, ex-President Bush almost got hit with a foul ball. He vowed revenge on the player, but we all know Obama will be the one to actually get him.”

–Conan O’Brien “President Obama told the Irish people that America will always stand by them, to which Israel laughed.”

–Jay Leno “Obama was also in England, where the Queen suggested that we go back to the pre-1776 borders.”

– Jay Leno

COMMUNITYHAPPENINGS

YACHAD SHABBATON IN HOLLYWOOD

achad of South Florida had its final shabbaton of the year at the Young Israel of Hollywood on May 13-14th. We had 16 Yachad members, 8 advisers and close to 50 high school students from the local Yeshiva’s, including Weinbaum, Hebrew Academy, Toras Chaim and Shaarei Bina. It was an AMAZING Shabbos and a wonderful experience by all who attended.

For many of the high schoolers it was their first Yachad shabbaton. They became entrenched in the spirit right from the beginning – singing, dancing, schmoozing with the Yachad members, b’yachad – it was a beautiful sight. There were d’var Torah’s by the Yachad members, there was improvisation from everyone – advisers, high schoolers, Yachad members alike. Friendships were made over this Shabbos

www.warrantyofamerica.com

that will continue for years. As one parent of a 16 year old Yachad member said, “Yachad has given my daughter a social life”. Special T-shirts were given out to all the participants as a keepsake of this outstanding Shabbos and as Mutti, one Yachad member said, “The tshirts are awesome!

We look forward to more Shabbatons.

Everyone should come!!!!

There is nothing left to say. Come join us as a Yachad member, high school students, adviser – everyone is welcome!! Thank you to the Young Israel of Hollywood for hosting us and to the community for opening up their homes and hearts to Yachad. Please call Tzippi Rosen at 347-239-5703 or e-mail floridayachad@ou.org for more information.

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ONE ISRAEL FUND Life in Judah and Samaria

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Israel’s Folly

T

he State of Israel spent the first 30 years of its modern existence reclaiming its territory, and the next 33 years negotiating the terms on which it would be returned to the neighboring countries which had made war on it, as well as an entirely new terrorist state created in the name of peace and maintained in the name of war.

33 years after the country’s first ‘hawkish’ conservative PM allowed himself to be browbeaten by Jimmy Carter into turning over territory three times its own present size to an Egypt whose new leaders are now disavowing the accords-- its current ‘hawkish’ conservative PM is readying himself to offer a whole new raft of concessions in the hopes of preempting a unilateral solution by Obama or Abbas.

For all the furious New York Times articles, there is little to distinguish Israel’s hawks from its doves once they take up their residence in Beit Aghion on the corner of Lord Balfour’s street.

Like their American counterparts, they rapidly trade in the rhetoric about an “Undivided Jerusalem” and “War on Terror” for the burden of realpolitik built on a copy of the Art of Appeasement.

The governing mandate of every Israeli PM since 1992 (and perhaps even earlier) has been to try and make a deal with the Palestinian Arabs work. The folly of this has been amply demonstrated time and time again, filling Israel’s cemeteries and hospitals, destroying its security and international standing, and dividing its people against themselves. And yet all these factors have only spurred on the perception that the deal

must be somehow made to work.

Somehow.

The doves have tried multilateral negotiations. The hawks tried unilateral concessions.

The sum total of their efforts is the creation of two terrorist states, one recognized by the international community, one by the far left, and both at war with Israel inside its own borders.

The first state is run by the KGB trained funder of the Munich Massacre and backed by the international community. The second state is run by the local affiliate of the Muslim Brotherhood and funded by the Muslim world. These two states, popularly known as the Palestinian Authority and Hamas run Gaza, differ only in their tactics, not their aims. Neither are anything but unelected leaders of terrorist groups dedicated to Israel’s destruction.

Almost two decades of negotiations have led to nothing but eighteen years of terror. A state of affairs ignored by everyone except the people living on the firing line, their family sedans scarred by bullets, their kindergartens equipped with bomb shelters and their children equipped with emergency cell phones to check in after every attack. As the international community, the media and the government push forward for more concessions and negotiations, they have no way to push back except through the occasional unheard protest.

Year after year, and leader after leader, the Israeli response has been to

By David Greenfield push forward in the hopes of finding light at the end of the tunnel. But the tunnel has only gotten darker and narrower. And it is growing obvious to even the dimmest observer that the tunnel of peace is really a dead end. Talk of a ‘breakthrough’ keeps alive the hope that Israel can slim down enough to squeeze through a pinhole that simply doesn’t exist.

Israeli leaders are surrounded by technocrats and diplomats who favor retreating from territory, rather than from bad policies. So the land goes, the people die and the bad policies remain.

Though Rabin had remained dubious about the illegally negotiated Oslo Accords, the inevitability of an agreement has been adopted by the entire political establishment. Even the ‘hawks’ spend most of their time moving border lines on a map to find some acceptable formula for a Palestinian state. No one asks anymore whether there should be a Palestinian state. Only how big it should be. And how many Israelis should be evicted from their homes in the name of a lasting peace.

But few Israelis believe in a lasting peace anymore. Instead they expect that some form of negotiated sep aration will keep their sons at home and away from the firefights in Gaza and the West Bank. Never mind that such a separation is even more of an illusion. Barak’s unilateral withdrawal from Lebanon and Sharon’s unilateral pullout from Gaza put Hezbollah and Hamas into power and brought on the Second Lebanon War and the kidnapping of Gilad Shalit.

Caught between Israelis who want security and an international community that demands passivity, the government has innovated PassiveAggressive Warfare. Israel’s security barriers meant to stop suicide bombers, traded in the

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ONE ISRAEL FUND Life in Judah and Samaria

while their grandchildren don keffiyahs and stone Israeli soldiers in the company of protest tourists from Norway and Scotland.

The logic of pushing forward to an agreement has little to do with stopping terrorism anymore.

Not when all it takes to make your own terrorist group is a dozen friends and a Dubai bank ac-

count. The Palestinian Authority and Hamas are umbrella groups supported by numberless militias, any of whom can form their own terrorist group at any time, or moonlight between working as police, running a protection racket and their own splinter terrorist organization for which the official leadership claims plausible deniability.

Israel’s culture minister said this week that her nephew was murdered by a terrorist disguised as a security officer. But the difference between terrorists and security officers in the Palestinian Authority is that they’re called security officers when they draw paychecks from the US and the EU, and terrorists when they murder Israeli civilians. This formal distinction allows Western diplomats their own plausible deniability, pretending that they aren’t funding terrorism.

When that’s exactly what they’re doing and have been doing since Arafat got his first aid package.

But if they were to admit that Palestinian security

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bombings for constant shelling instead, now its new Iron Dome defense system is meant to stop the shelling, which doesn’t mean an end to terror, but the beginning of another form of terror.

From security measures to drones to counter-missile defenses, Israel is revolutionizing the passiveaggressive war on terror. And minimizing the pain of its self-destructive policies with new technological feats that address the symptoms, not the problem.

Even fewer in Israel’s political establishment believe that terrorism will ever end. The obligatory Rabin festivals and video clips have taken on the air of a hippie festival, charmingly idealistic and completely unrealistic. Not even the left believes anymore. Whatever idealism it ever possessed has been replaced by a dedicated climate of hate. The New New Left is no longer interested in peace, but in assigning blame for the war. Haaretz columnists drag forward everyone from Netanyahu’s wife to the settler boogeyman,

ONE ISRAEL FUND Life in Judah and Samaria

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forces are nothing more than terrorists in uniforms, they would also have to admit that the Palestinian Authority government is nothing more than terrorists in suits.

At stake is Israel’s legitimacy, or at least that’s how the politicians see it. To maintain its legitimacy in the international community, its relations with the United States and Europe, it must continue working toward an agreement. But the more it has labored over an agreement, the more the boycotts and the culture war have grown. The withdrawal from Gaza has done far

more to feed hate against Israel, than any combination of checkpoints and security measures. Every effort to preserve Israel’s legitimacy endangers it further.

Israeli leaders search for some magic formula that will either achieve a peace agreement or convince the world that the gangs of suit decked Palestinian Muslim terrorists are not serious about peace. This futile brand of alchemy, with the goal of turning hate into gold, is futilely perverse. No amount of negotiated failures will ever convince international diplomats that the Palestinian Arabs aren’t serious about peace.

For Western diplomats, a Palestinian state isn’t the goal, but the means of convincing the Muslim world that they are serious about their concerns. For Muslim leaders, a Palestinian state isn’t the goal either, it’s only a means of diverting attention from their domestic misery. It isn’t even the goal for Palestinian leaders who have shown no ability or interest in running a state.

If a Palestinian state were declared tomorrow, regardless of what papers were or weren’t signed, this state would still be economically dependent on Israel and on Western aid, and it would still be full of terrorists taking potshots at Israelis.

The 1967 borders are as legally and demographically random as any other. The ‘Green Line’ is nothing but a convenient talking point.

With all the territory back to the 1967 borders in terrorist hands, their attention would turn to the territory beyond it. 1967 would give way to 1948. New terrorist attacks would be carried out in the name of claiming even more land for the ‘refugees’. Israeli Arabs whose MK’s already preach terrorism and align themselves as Palestinians would quickly scramble on board. And the international community would demand new concessions. And eventually a One State Solution.

Israelis have learned not to think about the future to avoid confronting this reality. The discredited leader of the last decade becomes the savior of the next, only to be discredited yet again. Peres, Barak and Netanyahu rise

from the ashes of their failures. The discredited plans of the last government become the template for the failures of the next. Each leader denounces the past, but refuses to part ways with it. As a dog returns to its vomit, so Israeli leaders repeat the folly of the past.

Netanyahu’s proposal will take the position of the kid who punches himself in the face half as hard as the bully would, in the hopes of dissuading the bully from beating on him. Or in the even fainter hope of gaining the sympathy of some well meaning observer.

And every time Israeli leaders have tried this, the bully hits them twice as hard anyway, while the observers cheer on the bully. The observers hope that cheering on the bully will save them from his wrath. And Israel’s leaders still think that they can minimize the pain, and outmaneuver the bully and the observers through some clever deal making.

The bully is Islam. His shouts about historical justice are motivated by a violent inferiority complex.

Despite his belligerence, he is weak. But America, Europe and Israel suffer from national inferiority complexes that prevent them from standing up to him.

So the bully rampages about the global playground.

There is no use bargaining with him. Even less use appeasing him. You can either stand up to him, or keep getting beaten by him. For all the idealistic songs and images of flowers in gun barrels, there has never been a third way.

The Israeli flag is the symbol of the House of David, a lad who built a nation by standing up to Goliath. To be worthy of the flag, is to be worthy of the act. Israel survived by standing up to the armies of Islam. Not willingly, but reluctantly. After all other options had been exhausted. Now it faces a political war in which all the diplomatic options will never be exhausted, until its enemies overreach themselves with a full invasion. And by then Israel may no longer be capable of defending itself.

Reprinted with permission from the writer Daniel Greenfield of www.sultanknish.blogspot.com

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PARENTING

by: Rabbi Dov Silver – Madraigos

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“Ssshhh. Don’t let the children hear.”

ow many of us have tried to shield our children from arguments and marital conflict? Even when tension in our homes is thick enough to cut with a knife, we persist in the fantasy that “what our children can’t hear can’t hurt them”.

Chazal teach us that there are three partners in each marriage: H-Shem, man, and woman. In order for our marriages to be successful, all three must work in concert. The essence of shalom bayis is continuous support, interaction, and love.

This concept was illustrated by the Maharal. (N’siv Hatorah, perek 4). He quotes the Gemara (Sanhedrin) that states that the generation of Reb Yehuda bar Elaye was a more righteous generation than that of Moshe Rabbenu and Yehoshua. The generation was exceedingly poor, and six men would be covered with one blanket. And yet, they were able to learn Torah without interruption.

Reb Chaim Shmulevitz, z”tl explains that the only way that six people could be covered by one blanket is that each person would be concerned only with the welfare of the other five. Pulling the single blanket towards him would cause constant struggle and no one would be warm. But if each person would generously give the blanket to the other five, all would find comfort.

In most marriages, couples quarrel when each spouse fails to see eye-to-eye with the other.

This is to be expected. However, marital conflict is not the result of diverging opinions, but rather how married couples deal with these differences. In a healthy relationship, couples can disagree vehemently without losing the respect they have for one another. In a dysfunctional marriage, actual or perceived disagreements can quickly escalate. Even if the escalation is nonverbal, children see it, feel it, and internalize it.

In a well functioning marriage, the husband and wife are concerned with the welfare of the other. Because they are generous in spirit, they

seek to share the blanket as the six men in Reb Yehuda bar Elaye’s generation. They love and respect their partner. On the other hand, marriages where each partner is symbolically pulling the blanket towards himself or herself inevitably become filled with strain and discord. The worse it gets, the more it affects a child’s emotional security.

The connection between marital discord and children’s mental health has been well established. More than 30 years ago, the National Survey of Children reported that more than half of all elementary school children felt afraid when their parents argued. It became clear that the higher the level of conflict within the marriage, the greater the level of fear experienced by the children. Other studies have shown that children’s internal perceptions of their parents’ marriages affected their long-term emotional ad-

justment. The level of tension and conflict appear to be the significant factor in the child’s emotional security.

Of course, none of this is news to Rabbanim, educators, mental health professionals, or anyone who works with children. We understand that children are astute and sometimes, unconscious, observers of family dynamics.

At Madraigos, we work directly with the teens and young adults whose emotional insecurity has caused their lives to spin out of control. The structure of Madraigos’ programs and the unconditional support of the staff give our members the tools and skills to make better choices and responsible decisions. As they gain confidence in their abilities, they develop emotional resilience that allows them to better cope with the underlying chaos of their lives.

In addition, we provide support to parents so they can recognize destructive patterns and offer suggestions for effective change.

For the past seven weeks, we have been preparing ourselves to receive the Torah anew. As we counted the days of sefira, we had a unique opportunity to reflect and work on our personal character defects. The Torah tells us that we approach the holiday of Shavuos k’ish echad b’lev echad, as if we are one person with one heart.

There was no separation at all; only one nation with one goal to serve H-Shem. What an inspiring message for families: we can overcome strife and be k’ish echad b’lev echad, like one person with one heart, to help our children successfully navigate their journey through life.

Wishing everyone a wonderful Yom Tov. Rabbi Dov Silver is the Founder and Executive Vice President of Madraigos. Madraigos is a 501c3 not-for-profit organization that provides a wide array of innovative programs and services for hundreds of teens and young adults who engage in at-risk behaviors. Madraigos has offices in New York and Chicago, and is a resource for communities across the country. For more information, visit www. madraigos.org

THE SOUTH FLORIDA JEWISH HOME ■ JUNE 2, 2011

Parents’ Strife Colors Childrens World

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COMMUNITYHAPPENINGS

Website to Help Sit Shiva May 2011 : There is no time more difficult for a family than when they lose a loved one.

ShivaConnect.com is a free resource created to help Jewish mourners find information about sitting shiva and to conveniently send funeral & shiva details to family and friends.

After a year of intricate web design and programming, a mourner or caring friend can now easily enter pertinent information on a private Shiva Registry. Much more than an online Jewish obituary, it includes funeral and shiva dates, times, places, interactive directions, mourners’ contact information, food notes, synagogue affiliations, family charitable requests and who to call if you have a question. A direct link to the personal Shiva Registry can then be emailed, tweeted or posted on Facebook.

With “just a click,” family and friends learn sitting shiva details, find local delis and send shiva platters, view and post food already sent, make charitable donations, find helpful resources, read eulogies and send thoughtful messages to mourners. Each “Shiva Registry” is typically viewed by more than 100 visitors, making it easy for them to express their condolences. It helps mourners by minimizing stress, unnecessary phone calls, confusion and wasted food.

Shiva Connect.com has educational articles

that are of interest to Jews and non-Jews about shiva customs and traditions, visiting mourners, Jewish prayers, poems, preparing your home for sitting shiva, kaddish, etc. Another unique feature is the “Yahrzeit Reminder” which is emailed each year to subscribers.

ShivaConnect.com was developed by Sharon Rosen, who turned to the internet for help when her beloved Mother passed away. She searched for local funeral homes and websites to learn about sitting shiva.

Emails were sent to friends thanking them for their support and to tell them of her mother’s passing. Another was sent with final arrangements information and one more with location, days, and times for sitting shiva. She found the internet to be the best way to quickly communicate, at such a difficult time.

Stress grew as the phone kept ringing with questions about food. Friends continued to call asking

what was needed, when to send it and people from out of town called not knowing where to order from.

An abundance of food was delivered, platters were taken back to delicatessens for overnight refrigeration and others were donated to a local shelter.

Exhausted and overwhelmed by this experience, Sharon thought, “There must be a better way!” and conceived the idea of an all- inclusive online resource to conveniently provide information, assistance and coordination of the bereavement period.

ShivaConnect.com has begun to list a wide range of helpful resources and is expanding throughout the United States. Jewish charitable organizations, Synagogues and Hospices are offered complimentary listings and a direct link to facilitate memorial donations.

Other resources include: funeral homes, bereavement groups, senior living facilities, nursing homes, geriatric care services, realtors, movers, consignment shops, legal assistance, financial and insurance consultants and pre-need planning.

Sharon’s vision of creating a comprehensive website to help others is now a reality.

ShivaConnect.com is a tribute to her Mother, who always gave love and support to family and friends.

New Personal Assistant Service Designed For Everyday People Coming To South Florida This type of service was once only afforded by wealthy individuals; EXLINE is bringing it to the masses.

Hallandale, Florida, May 11, 2011 – Express Line, Inc. or EXLINE for short is pleased to announce one of the first companies of its kind in South Florida. The service enables everyday people such as parents, professionals, business owners, elderly individuals or other busy people to have access to their own team of personal assistants to perform their errands on their behalf.

Recently due to the increasing demands of the workplace and family life EXLINE saw a need that people from all types of different backgrounds share.

They need more time to handle their individual, family, work and communal workloads. This commodity of time is something that is limited and people look to become more efficient. Thus the current EXLINE service was developed.

The concept is simple. The customer pays a small monthly membership fee of $5 a month to have access to EXLINE’S team of personal assistant when they need them. Then when they use any of EXLINE services they pay only $12 an hour; “Any Service, One Flat Rate”.

EXLINE offers the following services; Grocery

Shopping, All Other Shopping, Cleaning & Maid Service, Car Waiting, Pet Sitting, Elderly Assistance, Helpers, Transportation, House Sitting, Appointment Setting, Internet Research, Substitute Workers, Restaurant Takeout and Delivery, Dry Cleaning Dropoff/Pickups, Prescriptions Drop-off/Pickups, Postal/Print Runs, Courier/Messenger Service, Gift/ Flower Delivery, Movie Rentals/Returns, Event Tickets Pickup, Hurricane Preparation, Merchandise Returns/Exchanges and House Checks.

EXLINE offers new customers with a “Free 30 Day Membership” to try out service. To sign-up or for more information about EXLINE services, please visit http://www.myexline.com.

“We are focused on enabling everyday hard working Americans to have more time available for the things that matters most to them; such as family, work and hobbies,” said Shawn Snow, CEO of EXLINE. “Our number one priority is providing exceptional customer service to our customers.”

According to a recent study of the U.S. work force released by the Families and Work Institute, the average worker spends 44 hours per week on the job, and 36% of workers say they often feel completely used up at the end of the workday. And there is certainly no rest for the weary at home: 85% of

workers have daily family responsibilities to go home to, while 78% of married workers have spouses who are also employed. Weekends are consumed by errands and housekeeping; 70% of all parents feel they don’t spend enough time with their children.

About EXLINE The company Express Line, Inc. or EXLINE for short has been in operation since 2001. We started a shopping service to make extra money while still in college. For many years this continued and was offered and limited to a few select individuals. The company has recently expanded with the goal of reaching the masses with our unique service offering.

For more information about EXLINE services, please visit http://www.myexline.com.

EXLINE is headquartered in Hallandale, Florida. For information call 305-300-0364.

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KosherSales – Trusted sales and sales management advice your grandmother would be proud of. Real sales, successful sales are done through Relationships; and relationships don’t last without trust. Sales is a passion of mine rooted with the satisfaction of coming through for someone, delivering on a promise, and helping another human being in doing so. The best way to learn or sharpen your craft is to teach and if you love something you want to keep getting better at it.. I hope you enjoy reading this column as much as I enjoy writing it.

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f you have ever been part of a sales team, you have had your sales manager ask whether or not you followed up on the big account/potential customer. What you WON’T hear is, “Kevin, were you persistent with the Peterson account?”

Following up after a meeting, networking event, or sales call is no different than making sure your child makes their bed. Like most parents, you “follow up” two, four, six times. (Before you capitulate and end up doing it on your own.) If instead of following up, you are persistent, you are far more likely to produce a better outcome.

Whoever calls up a customer and says, “Hello, April? It’s Mike Broduer here following up after our meeting last week. Have you had a chance to look over the quote/proposal?” will be more likely to end up on a sales job ad board with the caption “I followed up” than to actually have made a sale. Has your response from that customer ever been, “Mike! Why yes I have reviewed it, and we are ready to give you the business!!!” EVER??? That never happens and do you know why? Because if he HAD reviewed it and WAS ready to move forward, he would have called YOU. As sales professionals, the hardest thing for us to

do is be in front of the customer 24/7, to be the first person they think of each and every time they need to purchase the service or product in our particular industry. So how does one do this without being obtrusive and in their face?

Advertising? Yes, some publications (such as the South Florida Jewish Home) are well worth the money if your company has managed to zero in on your target audience. However, too many companies do not have a clear focus. They throw away hundreds of thousands - even millions - of dollars in fruitless efforts to reel in new customers by assailing the wrong people with ads.

Calling the customer every morning, afternoon, and evening? If you look up the word “obtrusive” on Wikipedia, you will likely see an image of a smiling salesman making his umpteenth unproductive followup phone call and annoying potential customers in the process.

Salesman A and Salesman B illustrate perfectly the fine line between following up and being persistent.

Screaming Motors Co. makes motors for the obnoxious muscle cars that gleefully give us all headaches when the light turns green. They have also patented the perfect migraine-inducing muffler - truly a niche market. Salesman A calls or stops by once a month to drop off his company’s catalog for oil and motor parts. He is a very friendly guy and a pleasure to deal with. Salesman B does the same thing, but as he drops by, he casually mentions to the owner that the Chicago Bears were lucky to get a new quarterback. (He noticed a Bears banner behind the owner’s desk.) Salesman B also sends an inspirational quote a few times a week and occasionally emails news clippings that are relevant to the Screaming Motor industry. And Salesman A - well, he is a nice guy.

The day comes when the current provider of engine parts for Screaming Motors files for Chapter 11;

Screaming Motors is in need of a supplier to help them maintain their national contract. The owner has catalogs on his desk from Salespeople A and B; the catalogs and prices are nearly identical. Who do you think he is MORE likely to call? (Hint, it’s B) Persistence – in getting noticed, in sharing a joke, in building a relationship - will trump the follow-up phone calls on any day If you make sure on the same day, every week for as long as it takes; you place a call, send an email, or mail a joke to the prospect, they WILL respect your persistence. Follow up is just annoying and turns the buyer off.

The next issue will focus on standing out even more; what is going to make you different.

When you come to the end of your rope, tie a knot and hang on.

- FRANKLIN D. ROOSEVELT Or….just be persistent.

Elliot Grossbard is VP of Sales and Co-founder of WeSupplyYou. com, a company that offers a personal touch while supplying businesses with office supplies and products. With 17 years of sales and sales management experience, he has built sales cultures and run sales departments in different industries. A proud father of three and a devoted husband, you can reach Elliot for 20 – 60% savings on ink/toner and paper as well as sales guidance by contacting him at: koshersales@gmail, elliot@wesupplyyou.com on Twitter @koshersales or on the web @ www. wesupplyyou.com

- It’s not only business, it’s personal Mention you saw our logo in the South Florida Jewish Home and receive 15% off your first order and a printer cleaning free of charge.

Learn Financial Planning From Shavuos and the Book of Ruth

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haritable planning is one of the major components in a formal financial plan. Times are hard today, in the United States and especially in South Florida, as compared to the recent past. Charities are hurting, as many of their past contributors are giving less because they are earning less or they fear that they will earn less in the future.

The holiday of Shavuos is coming up. It is the time that we received the Torah. Even most professionals working in the financial services industry do not readily associate Shavuos with financial planning, so let me explain.

Residents of Israel only keep one day of Shavuos.

The rabbis added the extra day for those who live

By: Gerald L. Mayerhoff, CPA, PFS outside of Israel’s boundaries as given by the Torah.

Those are the pre-1967, the pre-2000 years ago boarders which totaled more than twice the size of Israel today including all of Judea and Samaria, as well as parts of Jordan, Syria and Lebanon. South Florida is unquestionably outside those boarders so we must keep the holiday for two days. The financial planning aspects appear to be heavily incorporated into the davening on the second day.

The Torah reading the second day begins with the rules of tithing. As the holiday coincides with the first full harvest of the season it is important to review the tithing rules. Tithing should be a part of everyone’s financial plan as we should never forget that when Hashem gives us all that we earn and he

gives us the responsibility to properly administer the portion that should be given to others.

After the Torah reading and the Haftorah the Rabbi usually gives an inspiring sermon followed by Yizkor. Many synagogues will have an appeal before Yizkor, or if not then many will commit to the giving of charity at that point, as giving charity in the remembrance of a loved one benefits the giver as well as the soul of the one being remembered.

We read the Book of Ruth on the second day as well. This is where you can see financial planning with emphasis on charitable giving put in action.

There was a famine in the land so Elimelech took his family to live in Moav. Rashi and other commentators explain that Elimelech was wealthyContinued and a leader on pagein 49

THE SOUTH FLORIDA JEWISH HOME ■ JUNE 2, 2011

FOLLOW UP? NO IT’S BEING PERSISTENT

THE SOUTH FLORIDA JEWISH HOME ■ JUNE 2, 2011

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W

ith game 1 safely behind the Heat (and 2 as you read this), we focus our attention on Games 3-5 in Dallas. We contemplate, like every Jew and every news item, on how this impacts us. With over 600,000 Jews in South Florida, the second largest market for Jews outside of Israel, the Miami Heat has the second largest fan base of any NBA team. They soundly defeated the Sixers (275,000 Jews) and Boston (260,000 Jews) and Chicago (265,000 Jews) and face Dallas (90,000 Jews) who had a much less Jewish path to the finals. They defeated Portland (20,000), Los Angeles (560,000) and Oklahoma City (1,750). So, even if we subtract the 80,000 Cleveland Jews (and, Charles Barkley who claims to have among his friends Dwyane Wade, LeBron James and several Jews--probably an accountant, lawyer or agent), the Jewish fans of the Miami Heat still outpace the Maverick’s Jewish fan base by more than a 4-1 margin.

Both teams play in an American Air-

THE

CHOSEN ONE AND THE CHOSEN PEOPLE

lines facility, bringing at least $40 million in marketing benefit to the airline (if it only goes 4 games), making its $42 million deal (payable over 20 years) with the Miami Heat a real bargain—they pay $195 million over 30 years for the Dallas rights.

And, Mark Cuban (worth $2.9B, according to Forbes) has over 50 kosher restaurants to choose from during his five days in Miami.

Micky Arison (worth $5.9 B, twice Dallas’ Cuban—isn’t that how we Jews keep score?) will have a much more limited selection, two kosher restaurants (one being a grocery store) to choose from during his stay in Dallas. Cuban will have his choice of over 100 minyanim, and another 36 if he wishes to daven with Chabad. Arison can choose from among 7 minyanim. While both Cuban and Arison are generous contributors to Jewish causes, locally and nationally, as well as strong supporters of Israel, the Heat’s Lebron James is alone among the players to have donated six figures to Jewish causes—granted, that was to secure a Championship, but it is no sin to give tzedaka with an ulterior motive.

Israeli banking magnate and owner of Miami’s Carnival Cruise Lines (and the Miami Heat).

Mark Cuban

King James Goes Old Testament, LeBron Hires Rabbi. TMZ has obtained this exclusive photo of LeBron James in a business meeting with Rabbi Yishayahu Yosef Pinto ... a man known around New York as the “Rabbi to the Business Stars

ISRAEL

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Water for Future Generations By: Isaac Blachor, JNF Vice President for Israel Relations leading country in the world in recycling its waste water, and this now contributes about 50% of the water needs for agricultural use. Overall, recycled waste water has increased Israel’s water supply by 12% but there is still a huge gap in consumption versus availability. Therefore, the search for alternative sources of water continues.

Much of the funding for that search comes from JNF through its JNF Parsons Water Fund which is helping to maximize the water resources available to Israel, and fund research projects related to water conservation and usage, such as the drill in northern Israel’s Shamir region.

The water gushing forth from the Shamir Drill Site About six years ago, during a routine stood there, with my hand on the lever, and survey of the area, Israeli geologists disthought to myself that it would be appropriate covered the existence of an underwater aquifer deep to say the bracha “Shehechiyanu.” Yes, I was in in the ground under Kibbutz Shamir, in the Upper Israel, and no, it wasn’t my first time at the Kotel.

Galilee. Unfortunately, The Israel Water Authority Instead, my hand was on a lever that would send 9.5 did not have the money in its budget to drill and test million gallons of water a day down the Jordan River the amount of available water or its quality, in order and on to Lake Kinneret, Israel’s main water source. to determine whether it was economically feasible to This is the story about the Shamir Water Drill in pump.

Northern Israel, and its important contribution to the The Water Authority decided to transfer the dewater situation in Israel. velopment rights to the Galilee and Golan Heights Water is a critical issue in Israel, and years of Agricultural Associations, owners of the land on drought have taken their which the site is located. toll on the entire region.

Although would-be deExisting underground velopers quickly began aquifers have been overa fundraising effort, and used and are no longer a despite financial comreliable source for water. mitments from the Israel Furthermore, decades Water Authority and the of neglect have caused Agricultural Associations, many of these important they fell short of their tarsources of water to become get of more than 100 milpolluted and unusable for lion shekels – the capital all purposes. Pumping warequired for the project’s ter from the Sea of Galilee implementation.

Isaac Blachor JNF Vice President Israel Relations and Harold (the Kinneret), the largest Thus, five years Cohen, JNF COO at the Shamir Drill Site - March 24, 2011 body of usable water in Ispassed from the time of rael, has caused the Kinnerdiscovery of the new waet’s level to sink to its lowter source – years that est point in years, and it is fast approaching the “black were also five of the worst drought years in Israel’s line” beyond which, water experts say, all pumping history. must stop, or the water will become salinated and forFrustrated, the Water Authority in 2009 turned ever unusable. to JNF and its Parsons Water Fund with a request to Israel is looking to increase its water supply with consider supporting the immediate implementation the construction of six new desalinization plants along of the Shamir project. A series of meetings with all the the Mediterranean Sea. The initial two plants are now partners in Israel ensued while the research team inoperating, but the remaining plants are not scheduled vestigating the Shamir Drill water quality announced to come online and be fully functional until about they had identified water treatment methods that 2016. Other water comes from recycling waste water would enable the water to be used for both drinking and storing it in the more than 220 reservoirs built by and agriculture.

Jewish National Fund (JNF). Israel has become the With the generous help of major donors, the JNF

Parsons Water Fund was able to provide the developers with a philanthropic loan for the remaining cost of completing the Shamir Drill. JNF is providing 30% of the cost, the Israel Water Authority is providing 50% of the cost of the project and the water associations will provide for the 20% balance. The drill shafts go to a depth of 1,400 meters (almost one mile deep).

During the recent KKL (Keren Kayemet L’Yisroel) World Conference in Israel, I traveled up north to view the drill site myself. When I arrived at the drill site on Thursday, March 24, together with other participants from the KKL World Conference, we were greeted by

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L to R Isaac Blachor, Shabtai Glass and Harold Cohen at the Shamir drill site

Shabtai Glass, the chief project engineer and technical manager of the drilling site, with the news that the second shaft had been completed, and the drill tower had been moved that week to the site of the third shaft to be drilled, about a mile away. Shabtai revealed that based upon the findings produced by the first two shafts, that the underground aquifer has the capacity for producing 25 million cubic meters of water a year.

When Joe Hess, JNF Vice President for Government Relations asked Shabtai how long the water could be expected to produce at such a rate, Shabtai replied “until my grandchildren’s grandchildren”.

As of this writing, Shamir Drills 1 & 2 are operational and are pumping 400,000 gallons of water per hour (9.5 million a day) into the Kinneret. Upon the completion of Shamir Drill 3, expected to be completed at the end of 2011, it is estimated that the combined three drills will add 8.2 billion gallons of water to Israel’s water economy.

Along with Harold Cohen JNF COO, we went to the site itself, traveling across fields of mud and rutted trails. At the site we found the completed first shaft, with a fence already surrounding the site to protect it against damages. At the second site, Shabtai invited us to “turn on the water”. What we experienced was a rush of water that was truly a moment for saying “Shehechiyanu.”

THE SOUTH FLORIDA JEWISH HOME ■ JUNE 2, 2011

The Shamir Water Drill:

THE SOUTH FLORIDA JEWISH HOME ■ JUNE 2, 2011

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YOUR HEALTH

Summer Safety Tips Sun and Water Safety

Dear Parents, Before you head to the beach or the pool, review these tips from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) on sun exposure, water safety and heat stress.

Fun in the Sun Babies under 6 months: The two main recommendations from the AAP to prevent sunburn are to avoid sun exposure, and to dress infants in lightweight long pants, long-sleeved shirts, and brimmed hats that shade the neck to prevent sunburn. However, when adequate clothing and shade are not available, parents can apply a minimal amount of sunscreen with at least 15 SPF (sun protection factor) to small areas, such as the infant’s face and the back of the hands. If an infant gets sunburn, apply cold compresses to the affected area.

For All Other Children: The first, and best, line of defense against harmful ultraviolet radiation (UVR) exposure is covering up.

Wear a hat with a three-inch brim or a bill facing forward, sunglasses (look for sunglasses that provide 97% -100% protection against both UVA and UVB rays), and cotton clothing with a tight weave.

• Stay in the shade whenever possible, and limit sun exposure during the peak intensity hours - between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.

• On both sunny and cloudy days use a sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or greater that protects against UVA and UVB rays.

• Be sure to apply enough sunscreen - about one ounce per sitting for a young adult.

• Reapply sunscreen every two hours, or after swimming or sweating.

• Use extra caution near water and sand (and even snow!) as they reflect UV rays and may result in sunburn more quickly.

Heat Stress in Exercising Children • The intensity of activities that last 15 minutes or more should be reduced whenever high heat and humidity reach critical levels.

• At the beginning of a strenuous exercise program or after traveling to a warmer climate, the intensity and duration of exercise should be limited initially and then gradually increased during a period of 7 to 14 days to acclimatize to the heat, particularly if it is very humid.

• Before prolonged physical activity, children should be well-hydrated and should not feel thirsty. For the first hour of exercise, water alone can be used. Kids should have water or a sport drink always available

• • •

• •

•

•

and drink every 20 minutes while exercising in the heat. Excessively hot and humid environments, more prolonged and strenuous exercise, and copious sweating should be reasons for children to substantially increase their fluid intake. After an hour of exercise, children need to drink a carbohydrate-electrolyte beverage to replace electrolytes lost in sweat and provide carbohydrates for energy.

• Clothing should be light-colored and lightweight and limited to one layer of absorbent material to facilitate evaporation of sweat. Sweat-saturated shirts should be replaced by dry clothing.

• Practices and games played in the heat should be shortened and more frequent water/hydration breaks should be instituted.

Children should seek cooler environments if they feel excessively hot or fatigued.

Pool Safety Never leave children alone in or near the pool or spa, even for a moment.

Install a fence at least 4 feet high around all four sides of the pool.

The fence should not have openings or protrusions that a young child could use to get over, under, or through.

Make sure pool gates open out from the pool, and selfclose and self-latch at a height children can’t reach.

If the house serves as the fourth side of a fence surrounding a pool, install an alarm on the exit door to the yard and the pool.

Keep rescue equipment (a shepherd’s hook - a long pole with a hook on the end - and life preserver) and a portable telephone near the pool. Choose a shepherd’s hook and other rescue equipment made of fiberglass or other materials that do not conduct electricity.

• Avoid inflatable swimming aids such as “floaties.” They are not a substitute for approved life vests and can give children and parents a false sense of security.

• Children ages 1 to 4 may be at a lower risk of drowning if they have had some formal swimming instruction.

However, there is no evidence that swimming lessons or water survival skills courses can prevent drowning in babies younger than 1 year of age.

• The decision to enroll a 1- to 4-yearold child in swimming lessons should be made by the parent and based on the child’s developmental readiness, but swim programs should never be seen as “drown proofing” a child of any age.

Whenever infants or toddlers are in or around water, an adult – preferably one who knows how to swim and perform CPR – should be within arm’s length, providing “touch supervision.”

Avoid entrapment: Suction from pool and spa drains

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•

•

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•

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David Elazer Simai M.D.

can trap a swimmer underwater. Do not use a pool or spa if there are broken or missing drain covers. Ask your pool operator if your pool or spa’s drains are compliant with the Pool and Spa Safety Act. If you have a swimming pool or spa, ask your pool service representative to update your drains and other suction fitting with anti-entrapment drain covers and other devices or systems. See PoolSafely.gov for more information on the Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act. Large inflatable above-ground pools have become increasingly popular for backyard use. Children may fall in if they lean against the soft side of an inflatable pool.

Although such pools are often exempt from local pool fencing requirements, it is essential that they be surrounded by an appropriate fence just as a permanent pool would be so that children cannot gain unsupervised access.

Boating Safety Children should wear life jackets at all times when on boats or near bodies of water.

Make sure the life jacket is the right size for your child.

The jacket should not be loose. It should always be worn as instructed with all straps belted.

Blow-up water wings, toys, rafts and air mattresses should not be used as life jackets or personal flotation devices. Adults should wear life jackets for their own protection, and to set a good example.

Adolescents and adults should be warned of the dangers of boating when under the influence of alcohol, drugs, and even some prescription medications.

Open Water Swimming Never swim alone. Even good swimmers need buddies!

A lifeguard (or another adult who knows about water rescue) needs to be watching children whenever they are in or near the water. Younger children should be closely supervised while in or near the water – use “touch supervision,” keeping no more than an arm’s length away.

Make sure your child knows never to dive into water except when permitted by an adult who knows the depth of the water and who has checked for underwater objects.

Never let your child swim in canals or any fast moving water.

Ocean swimming should only be allowed when a lifeguard is on duty.

Wishing you a safe and enjoyable summer, David Elazar Simai M.D. Dr. David Simai is a Board Certified Pediatrician. He can be contacted at 516 374-2228 or via email at davidsimai@yahoo. com for consultations or to schedule public lectures.

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

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FORGOTTEN HEROES Highlights of Jewish Heroes who made a difference in defending their countries By: Avi Heiligman 1927 in Lower Silesia, a province of Germany prior to 1945, currently Zolkiewka, Poland. He was from an orthodox family that left in 1936 to move to Palestine. His sister and her three children were killed by the Nazis during the Holocaust. He vowed vengeance and soon was given the chance.

He started in undercover operations when he joined the Hagana at the age of twelve. He joined Eichmann trial courtroom - note Eichmann in a booletproof cage the Mossad soon after the State of Israel was n the night of May 11, 1960, Ricardo founded. All undercover agents need to be a Clement was coming off the #203 bus master of disguises and Peter was no different and walking to his home on Garibaldi as he often posed as a painter while gathering Street in the San Fernando suburb of Buenos intelligence. In actuality, he really was a paintAires, Argentina. He was running late and his er and was joking when he said, “Was being a wife and kids were waiting for him. Suddenly as he walked, a burly man approached him and painter my cover story for the Mossad, or was asked, “Un momentito, señor.” Clement then being in the Mossad my cover story for being appeared about to grab for a gun, and three men a painter? Sometimes, I’m not sure.” As was wrestled him to the ground. The three attackers the case with many agents, he had at least two picked him up, one by his legs, another holding passports.

One his body and the third cradling said he was born his head, and carried him to a in Poland and the waiting car. He was squealing other declared that the whole time, and in the car, British-mandated another big man sat on him Palestine was his to prevent him from escaping.

He was told that if he moved birthplace.

The he would get a bullet in his capture of Eichmann head. Clement then said in was just one of many German under his breath, missions that made “I am resigned to my fate.” him known as one of His kidnappers knew at that the best agents that point that they had their man. the Mossad has ever Clement was really Adolf had.

Eichmann, the man who There were seven coined the Final Solution and people involved in had sent many Jews to their deaths. His kidnappers were Eichmann’s kidnapMossad agents handpicked ping and they all have for this special job. The man a different version on who had approached him was how it actually hapPeter Zvi Malkin, who spoke pened. This is based the only words of Spanish that on Malkin’s account he knew. in his book entitled Zvi Malchin, (he changed Book published by Peter Malkin telling “Eichmann in My the story of Eichmann’s capture his name later in life) was born in

Hands.” After they had thrown Eichmann in a car and drove him to a safe house, Malkin asked him why he killed his sister and her three children. Eichmann just sat there stone faced and didn’t answer right away. Finally, he said, “But they were Jewish, weren’t they?” He was then taken on a commercial flight to Israel where he stood trial. He was executed on May 31, 1962.

After this amazing episode, Malkin continued his career with the Mossad. During the 1970s, he went back to South America to hunt for Nazi criminal Josef Mengele. His search led him to Brazil, and although he couldn’t locate Mengele, he uncovered a Soviet agent. This agent was wanted by the CIA for many things, including

O

Peter Z. Malkin

buying U.S. army materiel and bribing Brazilian officials. The one problem was that they couldn’t locate him, but Malkin somehow got his passport and visa and the Soviet was apprehended.

In his 28 years of undercover work, he never killed anyone. He once said, “My most important weapon wasn’t a gun- it was my brain.” He undertook hundreds of missions including unmasking Israel Be’er, one of Ben Gurion’s aides as a Soviet spy. He also went to Egypt in the 50s and discovered Nazi scientists taking refuge.

After he retired, he moved to New York and settled in the Lower East Side. He died March 1, 2005 at the age of 77.

If you have any questions or comments, you can email Avi at aviheiligman@gmail.com

THE SOUTH FLORIDA JEWISH HOME ■ JUNE 2, 2011

Peter Z. Malkin - The Man who Apprehended Adolf Eichmann

PARENTING TODAY

Dealing with Peer Pressure Part 2

THE SOUTH FLORIDA JEWISH HOME ■ JUNE 2, 2011

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BY BENJIE STERN

Why’d the monkey fall outta the tree? ‘cause he was dead...

Why’d the other monkey fall outta the tree? ‘cause he was dead too...

Why’d the third monkey fall outta the tree?

Peer pressure...

P

eer pressure is one thing that all teens have in common. They can’t escape it. It is everywhere. Whether it is pressure to conform to a group norm or pressure to act, peer pressure is something everybody has to deal with at some time in his or her life.

Peer pressure may be fairly straightforward, with some teens pressuring others to take part in certain activities. In some cases, though, peer pressure is a little more subtle, with clues given to teens that they won’t be “cool” if they don’t participate, even without the overt pressure to do what everyone else is doing. Here are some statistics about peer pressure: The Adolescent Substance Abuse Knowledge Base reports that right around 30% of teens are offered drugs in middle school and high school.

According to the National Household Survey

on Drug Use and Health from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 74.3% of high school students have tried alcohol.

3.1 million teenagers smoke, according to the American Lung Association.

The Kaiser Foundation reports that about 50% of teenagers feel pressured with regard to relationships.

How successfully a teenager can handle peer pressure depends a great deal on how they feel about themselves and their place in the world. There are certain “risk factors” for peer pressure, personality traits that make them more prone to give in to peer pressure.

Some kids give in to peer pressure because they want to be liked, to fit in, or because they worry that other kids might make fun of them if they don’t go along with the group. Others go along because they are curious to try something new that others are doing. The idea that “everyone’s doing it” can influence some kids to leave their better judgment, or their common sense, behind.

A study conducted by the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University demonstrated that sitting down together as a family during the evening meal directly affected teen’s grades and self-esteem. According to the study, teens that only eat dinner at home with their families twice a week or less were more likely to try marijuana, smoke a cigarette, or try alcohol compared with teens who eat at home more regularly.

Even if you or your child doesn’t make it home in time for a regular meal, just sitting with him or her while she eats and listening to your teen talk about his or her day can make a difference. The more you are there, the more that you show you are interested in your teen’s life, the better they will feel about themselves and the less they need to go elsewhere to feel accepted; and the more likely they will be to make good choices when peer pressure is at its worst.

The key is for the parent to make the child feel that his parent is interested in him and the child is more important than the other things go-

ing on in the parent’s life. A child feels safe and protected if he knows that he is the focus of his parent’s world. The parent must give the child at least a little bit of “uninterrupted full attention” time.

It is not the amount of time we give our children each night that matters; rather it is the

Some kids give in to peer pressure because they want to be liked, to fit in, or because they worry that other kids might make fun of them if they don’t go along with the group. attitude and spirit with which it is given. The moment the child is in your company, the child needs to feel that in your eyes, at that moment, he is the most important person in the world, and indeed he should be. If a teenager feels understood and secure in our love, they will not have to worry about the acceptance of others with risk of making poor decisions. Unconditional love despite their imperfections is the type of love they need to get them through a day full of struggles. They will always feel secure through all the tribulations of the day, knowing that they have a safe haven, a house of refuge, which they can always run to at the end of the day. This will give our children the resiliency to take on the challenges of life head on and be proud of the values that their family stands for.

41

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THE SOUTH FLORIDA JEWISH HOME ■ JUNE 2, 2011

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THE SOUTH FLORIDA JEWISH HOME ■ JUNE 2, 2011

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

CHAI WOK 1688 NE 164 Street North Miami Beach, FL 33162 305-705-2110 Supervision: Kosher Miami

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

ASIA Sushi, Wok, Grill 7600 W Camino Real Boca Raton, FL 33433 561-544-8100 Supervision: ORB

CHINA BISTRO 3565 NE 207th Street Aventura, FL 33180 305-936-0755 Supervision: Kosher Miami

HOLLYWOOD DELI 6100 Hollywood Blvd. Hollywood, FL 33024 (954) 608-5790 Supervision: ORB

ASI’S 4020 Royal Palm Ave Miami Beach, FL 33140 305-604-0555 Supervision: Kosher-Miami

CINE CITTA MIAMI 9544 Harding Avenue Surfside, FL 33154 305-407-8319 Supervision: OK

JCC CAFE American 9801 Donna Klein Blvd at Cultural Arts Center Boca Raton, FL 33428 561-852-3200 x 4103 | Supervision: ORB

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

DAIRY BITES 660 W Hallandale Beach Boulevard Hallandale, FL 33009 954-457-2700 Supervision: Kosher-Miami

AT HAGI 5800 Stirling Road Hollywood, FL 33021 954-981-7710 Supervision: ORB

DECO SUBS 3919 Alton Road Miami Beach, FL 33140 305-672-7285 Supervision: Kosher-Miami

AVENTURA PITA 18129 Biscayne Blvd. Aventura, FL 33160 305-933-4040

ELIES CAFE 145 East Flagler Miami, FL 33131 786-594-0196 Supervision: Kosher-Miami

AVIGDOR’S MOZART CAFE 4433 Stirling Road, Hollywood, FL 33021 954-584-5171 Supervision: ORB 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 BOCA PITA EXPRESS Middle Eastern Israeli cuisine & grill 7185 N. Beracasa Way Boca Raton, FL 33433 561-750-0088 Supervision: ORB BON AMI CAFE 5650 Stirling Road Hollywood, FL 33021 (954) 962-2070 Supervision: ORB CAFE EMUNAH 3558 North Ocean Dr. Fort Lauderdale, FL 33308 954-561-6411 Supervision: ORB CAFE VERT 9490 Harding Ave. Surfside, FL 33154 305-867-3151 Supervision: OK

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 EUROPEAN CORNER CAFE 7300 Camino Real Boca Raton, FL 33433 561-395-1109 Supervision: ORB 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

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 Supervision: Kosher-Miami JONAS PIZZA 2530 NE Miami Gardens Drive North Miami Beach, FL 33180 305-918-8998 Supervision: Kosher-Miami JON’S PLACE OF BOCA Pizzeria 22191 Powerline Road Boca Raton, FL 33433 561-338-0008 Supervision: ORB JP BISTRO Pizzeria 5650 Stirling Road Hollywood, FL 33021 (954) 964-6811 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

South Florida Kosher Restaurant Guide ORIGINAL PITA HUT 5304 41 Street Miami Beach, FL 33140 305-531-6090 Supervision: ORD

SEVENTEEN 1205 17 Street Miami Beach, FL 33139 305-672-0565 Supervision: Kosher-Miami

L’CHAIM MEE CHINA ORIENTAL RESTAURANT 3940 North 46 Avenue Hollywood, FL 33021 954-986-1770 Supervision: ORB

PISTACHIO GOURMET GRILL 740 41 Street Miami Beach, FL 33140 305-538-1616 Supervision: Kosher Miami

SHALOM HAIFA RESTAURANT 18533 W. Dixie Hwy Aventura, FL 33180 305-945-2884 Supervision: ORB

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

PITA GRILL CAFE 658 W. Hallandale Beach Blvd. Hallandale, FL 33009 954-455-2118 Supervision: ORB

SHEM TOV’S PIZZA 514 41st Street Miami Beach, FL 33140 305-538-2123 Supervision: Kosher Miami

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

PITA LOCA 601 Collins Avenue Miami Beach, FL 33139 305-673-3388 Supervision: Kosher Miami

SUBWAY 18900 NE 25th Ave North Miami Beach, FL 33180 305-663-9883 Supervision: Kosher-Miami

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 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

PITA PLUS 2145 Stirling Road Hollywood, FL 33312 954-241-2011 PITA PLUS 1883w3 Biscayne Boulevard Aventura, FL 33180 305-935-0761 PITA PLUS 3801 N. University Dr. Sunrise, FL 33351 954-741-5844 PRIME SUSHI 726 Arthur Godfrey Road Miami Beach, FL 33140 305-534-0551 Supervision: Kosher-Miami Cholov Yisroel PRIME SUSHI 18250 Collins Avenue Sunny Isles Beach, FL 33160 786-284-8430 Supervision: Kosher-Miami 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

SUNRISE PITA & GRILL 2680 N University Dr. Sunrise, FL 33322 954-748-0090 SUNRISE PITA TOO 5650 Stirling Rd. Hollywood, FL 33021 954-963-0093 Supervision: ORB TASTI CAFE 4041 Royal Palm Ave. Miami Beach, FL 33140 305-675-5483 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 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

THE SOUTH FLORIDA JEWISH HOME ■ JUNE 2, 2011

KOSHER BURGER 5021 State Road 7, Davie, FL 33314 954-534-1158 Supervision: ORB

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THE SOUTH FLORIDA JEWISH HOME ■ JUNE 2, 2011

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Parenting

TIPS

Mrs. Hebel’s

1. SET THE STAGE FOR SUCCESS - With final exams just around the corner, the time is ripe to start planning for your child’s success.

Without a doubt, the best way to prepare for tests is to put forth effort throughout the lessons that precede it. The most successful test-takers tend to be students with good attendance, consistent homework, and solid study habits.

At this point of the year as teachers are finishing up and extensively reviewing, make sure that your child is in school every day and is doing all of the assignments that he or she is asked to do!

2. KNOW WHAT TO EXPECT - Most teachers share information about their tests well before the test date. If not, call the teacher and ask! Some things you want to find out as specifically as possible: What subject matter or skills are being tested? What’s the format? (essay, short answer, multiple choice, a combination...)

How will the class prepare in school? How is it graded? Are there any specific ways you can help your child prepare? With this information, you can create practice tests for your child or if your child is capable, he or she can do so reciprocally with a friend. (This is even better because making up questions is a fantastic processing activity which will improve your child’s retention of the material.) Your child’s confidence will be in proportion with his or her success on these “tests”.

3. USE THE FIVE SENSES - Children who have difficulty preparing for tests, especially in memorizing, can employ their senses to make information more memorable. Work out hand motions or dance steps, draw pictures or diagrams, think of an associated smell or taste, sing the information to a catchy tune or devise a clever rhyme of pneumonic device. The more parts of the brain the information is stored in, the more permanently lodged it will be.

4. MAKE NOTE CARDS - Teach your child to organize the information in bite sized bits.

Divide the facts into a set of categories that is appropriate for the subject matter (such as the Five W’s for history or divrei hamaschil, maa’marei chazal and pesukim for chumash)

Top Ten Tips FOR HELPING YOUR CHILD PREPARE FOR TESTS

and make different colored cards for each. Put the questions or terms on one side with the answers or details on the back. Flash cards provide a quick and easy study tool and your child will come to comprehend the information more deeply if he or she catalogues the information independently – so help devise categories if needed but don’t do the work!

5. PLAY GAMES - Many children don’t use their studying time effectively because studying is a chore and their homes are filled with far more enticing distractions! Try turning studying into a game. Flash cards are easy to use in games like Jeopardy or Go Fish. One of my daughters scatters her cards on the floor and jumps form card to card! If you and your children can think a bit out of the box, studying can become a great experience (…or at least a pleasant one!)

6. CONSIDER YOUR CHILD’S PAST PERFORMANCE - If they are available, read through old tests to find specific areas in which your child seems to falter. Then, instead of wasting time drilling what your child has already mastered, you can provide exercises that reinforce that subject; make them up, or find them online (www.echinuch.org or www.edhelper.

com are great sites!) Aim for activities that resemble the teacher’s testing style if you can.

7. AVOID CRAMMING - Encourage your child to study over a period of time rather than to cram the night before.

You can help your child map out a study schedule including which test to study for, when and for how long. Many children are willing to stick to a schedule – they simply do not know how to organize one.

8. BUILD BRAIN POWER - National polls of teachers consistently report teachers saying that the students who struggle the most on testing days are the ones who didn’t have enough sleep the night before or a good breakfast on the day of the test. To keep your child from exhausting his or her energy before the test even begins, make sure she has everything that is needed (pencils, an eraser, paper, etc.) packed up the night before; he or she will enter the test relaxed and focused.

9. THERE IS A BEST WAY TO TAKE A TEST! - Teach your child to read the test all the way through, answer the questions he or she can complete confidently first, and then to return to the rest of the questions afterwards. This will build your child’s confidence during the test, allow him or her to manage her test taking time best and help lay the groundwork for a lifetime of good study skills.

10. JUMP RIGHT INTO PREPARING FOR THE NEXT ONE! - After the test, be sure your child hears that you are proud and pleased with the efforts you saw even if the results are not what you had hoped for. As in every area of life, achievement on tests is a process and not an instant product! You will provide fertile ground for your child to grow if your child knows that as long as he or she puts forth real effort, you will be cheering him or her on! Good Luck!

Mrs. Estee Hebel, MsED is the General Studies Principal of Shalom Torah Academy, a preschool through eighth grade day school, in Morganville, To learn more about her workshops or to schedule one, you can contact her at esteehebel@ yahoo.com.

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TIPS

Mrs. Hebel’s

1. BE ON THE WATCH FOR RED FLAGS - For children who care about their grades (hopefully!) tests can be very stressful.

Children may not express their feeling verbally, but you can hear it loud and clear through their behavior. General irritability, lethargy or excessive complaining in the days preceding a test may be red flags of unexpressed anxiety. Step one is to help your child put the feelings into words by saying things like, “You seem pretty worried.” It’s always easier to deal with an emotion that is understood and acknowledged.

Top Ten Tips FOR HELPING YOUR CHILD PREPARE FOR TESTS - PART 2: COPING WITH TEST ANXIETY

8. EMPLOY STRATEGIC PLANNING Your child can be worried about a host of things, including the fact that he or she is too worried!

Work together to create a list of situations that might come up during the test, from not having enough time or not knowing an answer to getting panicky, freezing up or feeling sick. Then brainstorm solutions. For example, if your child can’t recall and answer, he or she will move on without it or for panic, he or she will take several deep breaths. Just having a plan is empowering and calming, plus it can prevent full blown anxiety when your child recalls the plan and employs it.

2. START WITH YOU - If you yourself are genuinely concerned about your child’s upcoming test, be very careful not to express it around your child, otherwise you will communicate to your child that he or she is right – that there is a disaster brewing! Even if your child seems calm, take care. It is very easy for parents to unintentionally transfer their nervousness to their children. You can worry the calm child and you can really terrify the already nervous one!

3. BE A ROLE MODEL FOR COPING. - As often as you can, openly share when you are feeling nervous about something. Then let your child hear you work through it. You can say things out loud like, “I feel nervous about…, but I’m going to do the best I can” or “ I am worried about … working out well, but of it does not, it’s not the end of the world.”

4. PROVIDE EMOTIONAL BOOSTS - If your child seems stressed by tests, provide what you want when you are stressed – lots of TLC and lots of understanding. Not only should you pump your child with your belief in his or her ability to succeed, but you can also practice positive thinking together. As many times as you can, encourage your child to say “I’m going to do my best” whenever thoughts of “I can’t do it” come to mind.

5. BUILD CONFIDENCE - The best antidote for fear of failure is reassurance of success!

Study with your child until he or she is well prepared, or for older children, guide them through the process. Keep the studying to a predictable

your child in advance can be a bonding activity for you and your child, one which he or she will probably remember and appreciate forever. If you need more guidance you can go online and easily research any technique and find step by step guidance.

and calming routine; a quiet room at a set time in a set way, with minimal distractions. Then create practice tests so your child can see that success is in arm’s reach.

6. REDEFINE “SUCCESS” - Doing your best is real success. It is critical that your child knows that you are proud of genuine effort and that your love is unwavering, whatever grade he or she brings home. More pressure than he or she can cope with will reduce your child’s ability to think, learn, and perform. For all that we want our children to excel, keep a healthy perspective; consider how important this test is in the full scope of his or her life and set goals accordingly.

7. TEACH RELAXATION SKILLS - There are many different relaxation techniques your child can learn such as deep breathing, counting, closing his or her eyes and creating a mental image (in this case, of coping well during a test) or positive self-talk. Practicing them with

9. AVOID THREATS AND REWARDS. Believe it or not, rewards can add to test anxiety just like punishments, because the thought of failing to earn the reward can be skewed by a child’s mind into a form of failure! While prizes or consequences can motivate some children to work harder, they are certainly not a good idea for an anxious child. If you want to reward success, an unexpected gift after the test conveys your pride without any of the pressure beforehand.

10. TAKE ACTIONS IF NEEDED - If your child’s anxiety seems extreme or is affecting his or her ability to function in other areas, you need to address it. It is absurd for any child to suffer needlessly from tests and this anxiety may be indicative of a larger problem, something you want to work on in its infancy. Start by talking to your child’s teacher about how the problem manifests itself at school and what she can do to help. Then, speak to the school guidance counselor. Lastly, if needed, seek professional help outside of school. Anxiety is a difficult thing to live with; helping your child to overcome it young is a priceless gift.

THE SOUTH FLORIDA JEWISH HOME ■ JUNE 2, 2011

Parenting

THE SOUTH FLORIDA JEWISH HOME ■ JUNE 2, 2011

46

by Jeff Jacoby

O

The San Francisco initiative is an assault on Jewish religious liberty.

n the ballot in San Francisco this fall will be a proposal making it a crime to circumcise male children. If the measure passes, anyone convicted of circumcising a baby boy could be fined up to $1,000 and sentenced to a year in prison. Even for San Francisco, this is madness.

The circumcising of newborn boys is perhaps the most familiar type of surgery in the United States. According to the federal Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, US hospitals perform the procedure more than 1.2 million times each year. While there are wide variations by ethnicity and region, and while circumcision rates have declined in recent years, the great majority of American men are circumcised. And in nearly every case, the decision was made for them in their infancy by their parents -- just like the decision to breastfeed or bottle-feed, or to use cloth or disposable diapers. Even in the most childless major city in America, it’s hard to see voters approving what would be an egregious infringement on parental rights.

The health benefits of circumcision are clear, if modest. The Mayo Clinic website reflects the medical consensus, noting that circumcised men and boys generally have a lower risk of urinary tract infections, penile cancer, and sexually transmitted diseases; and that circumcision makes genital hygiene easier. At the same time, Mayo endorses the view of the American Academy of Pediatrics, which doesn’t consider the advantages of circumcision compelling enough to recommend that infant boys be circumcised as a matter of routine. The academy’s bottom line is commonsensical: “Because circumcision is not essential to a child’s health, parents should choose what is best for their child by looking at

the benefits and risks.”

In short, circumcision is something about which reasonable people can and do disagree.

But there is nothing reasonable about the fanatics trying to make it a crime.

The ballot campaign in San Francisco is being spearheaded by a group of self-described “intactivists,” political crusaders obsessed with the preservation of foreskins. Their mania might be laughable if not for two things: (1) they hijack terminology used to describe a dreadful type of violence against girls and women, and (2) they are attempting to criminalize a fundamental rite of Judaism.

Promoters of the San Francisco initiative call it the “MGM bill.” The initials stand for “male genital mutilation,” a dishonest phrase meant to link the safe and medically unobjectionable procedure of male circumcision with the frightful cruelty of female genital mutilation.

The two are not remotely comparable. “Female genital mutilation has no known health benefits,” the World Health Organization and nine other international organizations stressed in a 2008 report on the scourge, which persists in much of Africa and the Middle East. “On the contrary, it is known to be harmful to girls and women in many ways.” It is painful and traumatic; it makes childbearing “significantly” more risky; and it leads to higher rates of post-partum hemorrhaging and infant death. Long-term consequences of female genital mutilation “include chronic pain, infections, decreased sexual enjoyment, and psychological consequences, such as post-traumatic stress disorder.”

By contrast, the WHO report emphasizes, “male circumcision has significant health ben-

efits that outweigh the very low risk of complications.” Of particular importance in regions ravaged by AIDS, “circumcision has been shown to lower men’s risk for HIV acquisition by about 60 percent.” Precisely because circumcision is so benign, WHO and the other agencies are at pains to distinguish it from female mutilation, which is always dangerous.

Dangerous in quite a different way is the San Francisco initiative’s assault on Jewish religious liberty. Circumcision is the oldest practice of the world’s oldest religion. Irrespective of any medical value, it is the sign in the flesh that for nearly 4,000 years has marked Jewish males as heirs to the ancient pact between Abraham and God. Many Muslims also circumcise their sons for religious reasons.

But the law proposed by the “intactivists” radiates hostility to traditional religious belief: “No account shall be taken of the effect on the person on whom the operation is to be performed of any belief on the part of that or any other person that the operation is required as a matter of custom or ritual.”

The campaign to enact a law banning the most enduring obligation in Jewish experience amounts to what the American Jewish Committee calls a “direct assault on Jewish religious practice in the United States. . . . unprecedented in American Jewish life.”

Fortunately, even in California most ballot issues are rejected. When San Franciscans vote this fall, the disgraceful anti-circumcision initiative deserves a decisive defeat.

This article originally appeared in The Boston Globe.

T

AND HOW IS IT CELEBRATED?

he Torah calls Shavuot the “Festival of Weeks” (Numbers 28:26). The very word “Shavuot” is Hebrew for “weeks”; it refers to the seven weeks that one counts from the second day of Passover (when the Omer [barley] offering is brought) until the holiday of Shavuot.

It is one of the three Regalim, holidays, (Pesach and Succot are the other two) where every man in the land of Israel was commanded to come up to Jerusalem to celebrate the festival when the Beit HaMikdash, the Holy Temple, stood in Jerusalem.

Torah is the life blood of the Jewish people.

Our enemies have always known that when we Jews stop learning Torah, our assimilation is inevitable.

Without knowledge there is no commitment. One cannot love what he does not know. A person cannot do or understand what he has never learned.

A Jew is commanded to learn Torah day and night and to teach it to his children. If a Jew wants his family to be Jewish and his children to marry other Jews, then he must integrate a Torah study program into his life and implement the teachings into his home and his being. One can tell his children anything, but only if they see their parents learning and doing mitzvot, will they inherit the love for being Jewish. Remember: a parent only owes his child three things -- example, example, example.

How can we utilize this opportunity to grow and strengthen our self-identity as Jews? Just as a baby crawls, then toddles and then walks, likewise with the mitzvot (commandments). A person should undertake one more mitzvah, do it well and then build on it. For some mitzvot that you might enjoy taking on...

A FEW SUGGESTIONS 1. Read the Torah! The Almighty gave it to you as a gift. It is the instruction book for living -- how to be happy, choose the right spouse, make your marriage work, raise your children with values, get more joy out of life. I highly recommend the Artscroll Stone Chumash (Five Books of Moses).

4. Pick one non-kosher food item that you won’t eat -- just because you’re Jewish.

5. Say the Shema and the three following paragraphs at least once a day. Learn what the words mean and the ideas included. It will change your outlook and attitudes. Artscroll publishes a book on the Shema -- or look at the commentary in the Artscroll Siddur. Lisa Aiken’s book, Hidden Beauty of the Shema, is spectacular!

6. Do something to make Shabbat special -- light two candles with the blessing before sundown, have a Shabbat Friday night family dinner and make Kiddush and HaMotzei (the prayer before eating the Challahs -- the special loaves of bread). You might want to buy Friday Night and Beyond by Lori Palatnik which is a hands-on guide for the novice wanting to enjoy Shabbat.

2. Attend a Torah class -- or if you wish to listen to recorded classes, try 613.org or AishAudio.com to download over 2,000 classes for your mp3 player! Buy a copy of Pirkei Avot, (Ethics of the Fathers), and read one page a day. It contains concentrated wisdom about life.

3. Make sure you have a Kosher mezuzah on at least your front door. (A Jewish home should have mezuzot on all doorposts except for the bathrooms). Learn the deep, inner-meaning of mezuzah and reflect on it when you look at the mezuzah. To Be a Jew by Rabbi Hayim Donin nicely explains a lot of things.

The Talmud says, “All beginnings are difficult.” If you need help or have questions, please feel free to call me at (305) 535-2474 or e-mail to: kp@aish.com For the books or mezuzot, try your local Jewish book store, call toll-free 877758-3242 or JudaicaEnterprises.com.

On Shavuot there is a custom to stay up all night learning Torah. Virtually every synagogue and yeshiva have scheduled learning throughout the night ending with the praying of Shacharit, the morning service. The reason: the morning the Jewish people were to receive the Torah on Mt. Sinai, they overslept. We now can rectify the tendency to give in to our desires by demonstrating our resolve through learning the whole night. It is a meaningful experience to share with your children. It would be wonderful if you could find a synagogue, JCC or yeshiva with a program that night; at very minimum, how about reading the story of the giving of the Torah to your family (Exodus 19:10 -20:23).

Chag Sameach Rabbi Kalman Packouz Reprinted from AISH.COM

THE SOUTH FLORIDA JEWISH HOME ■ JUNE 2, 2011

Q & A: WHAT IS SHAVUOT

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THE SOUTH FLORIDA JEWISH HOME ■ JUNE 2, 2011

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The Aussie Gourmet Recipe

FISH QUESADILLAS

CREAMY FRUIT BLINTZES By: Naomi Nachman

I

have so many memories of walking into my grandparent’s apartment and smelling the cheese blintzes my Bubby used to make. She made the most delicious crepes and she would fill them with an amazing cheese filling. She always used to garnish them with strawberries. I took her idea and rolled them into one. I put the fruit straight into the cheese mixture. It was a winning combo.

I have used fresh strawberries, blueberries, even diced-up peaches. Another of my favorite crepe combos is to fill the crepe with some ground almonds and raspberry jam, then serve them with chocolate sauce and vanilla ice cream.

The crepe batter is very versatile. It’s not sweet, so you can make chicken, potato and/or mushroom blintzes with it too. Don’t leave out the step of letting the batter rest for at least 15 minutes. This helps make the gluten stretch - making for a better batter. Another helpful hint: buy a crepe pan and only use it for crepes to prevent scratching the surface area and ruining the crepes. I wash mine with warm water and soap and rub it with my fingertips.

1. BLINTZES

INGREDIENTS: • 3 eggs • 1-cup flour • 11/2 cups water • 1-teaspoon oil • ½ salt 2. FILLING

METHOD: 1. Mix in a food processor and let stand for 15 minutes 2. Pour approximately1/4 cup crepe batter in a 9-inchh crepe pan swirling with your wrist to cover the surface area of pan and cook until set.

3. Flip out of pan onto a plate.

4. Repeat until the entire batter is finished.

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 egg yolk • 2 tablespoons sugar • 1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, softened • 2 cups (12-ounce carton) dry or

creamed cottage cheese • 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract • Strawberry, blueberry or fruit of choice

METHOD: 1. In the bowl of an electric mixer combine egg yolk and sugar; beat until thickk and yellow. Add cream cheese, cottage cheese and vanilla extract; mix well.

Refrigerate until ready to use.

2. Spread 3 tablespoons of filling on browned side of each blintz. Add in somee fruit of choice on top of cheese mixture. Fold two sides in over filling, andd roll up from bottom, overlapping edges and covering filling completely.

A

quesadilla is a flour or corn tortilla filled with a savory mixture containing cheese and other ingredients, and then folded in half to form a half-moon shape. It is a dish that originated in Mexico.

The word quesadilla derives from the Spanish word queso, meaning cheese. Once the quesadilla is cooked, it is traditionally cut into slices, or wedges.

Any time you can get the kids to eat some fish it is always a good thing, as children are generally apprehensive about eating fish products. This recipe is great as it is a fun dish to create and the children have input in its creation. Each child can tell you what they want to put in their quesadilla. You can give them (or your hubby) options for what to put inside. I put out a variety of bowls containing sautéed mushrooms, peppers, slices of avocado, corn, black beans, sliced tomatoes, and the grilled fish, and each person gets to pick from these fillings what they want in their own quesadilla.

As a low fat option, you can use a roll-up wrap and use a panini-maker to toast it up.

INGREDIENTS: • 1 pkg flour or corn tortilla • 1 jar salsa • 1 8oz pkg shredded mozzarella cheese

• 2 pounds flounder • 1 tablespoon Cumin powder • 1 tablespoon Garlic powder • Butter

METHOD: 1. In a small bowl mix garlic powder and cumin.

2. Sprinkle some spice mixture on the fish and sear on a grill pan for a few w minutes on each side until cooked through. Fish may break apart butt that is okay.

3. On a tortilla spread salsa to cover the whole surface. Take a handful off cheese and spread over the salsa. Place fish over the cheese then coverr with another plain tortilla.

4. Melt some butter on a sauté pan. Once butter has melted place tortillaa on it and cook for a few minutes on each side and the cheese has melted.

5. Slice into wedges like a pizza. Serve with guacamole or salsa.

Naomi Nachman moved from Australia approximately 19 years ago and, in 2004, started “The Aussie Gourmet.” She can be reached at nznachman@yahoo.com.

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HOMEMAKING TIPS

By: Shiri Feldman

1. Treat your flowers well. Take care of your flowers by cutting them at a 45 degree angle and removing all leaves below the water line. This eliminates the growth of bacteria and helps water get absorbed into the stem. Re-cut and change the water in the vase every 2 days. This is the simplest way to ensure that your flowers will actually last!

2. Foliage is your friend. It is simply a myth that leaves and foliage will make your arrangement look cheap. Adding different foliage gives your arrangement depth, color and dimension and will give it a lush look.

Plus it will make your arrangement larger without having to add expensive flowers.

3. Use appropriate vases. If you want to highlight one or two flowers, simply put the flowers in a vase with a narrow opening.

Even if the vase is large, the arrangement will look proportionate because the neck of the vase is narrow. This way the flowers will be appropriate for the vase.

4. Cluster your flowers. Even inexpensive flowers look good when they are packed tightly and condensed. Flowers such as carnations look amazing when they are kept to one or two colors and arranged into a tight arrangement.

5. Look at what’s around you. It is spring! A flower lover’s favorite season. Cut down some branches from your backyard. Lilacs, tulips, and hydrangeas grow in abundance! Use what you have; you will be surprised what you can find!

6. Think beyond the vase. Anything that can hold water is a vase! Use things like teacups, Perrier bottles, jam jars, tea tins, etc. If something strikes your eye that is not waterproof you can always line it with a container that is waterproof thus creating an instant vase.

7. Tie up loose ends. ALWAYS tie your flowers before you place them into a vase.

This ensures that the shape that you create for them actually stays. You can tie the stems with a product call bindwire, which is a favorite of mine, or floral tape, wire or rubber bands. If your vase is clear, you can conceal your tied up stems by wrapping a large leaf around the inside of the vase.

8. Add fruit and vegetables. This is a tip that the pros know well! Food and flowers are a natural combo. Accent your arrangements with fruit or vegetables that speak to you. Simply attach the fruit to a skewer or stick and include it in your arrangement. I recommend using mini pears, clementines, grapes, limes and lemons, mini artichokes and baby eggplant.

Herbs like mint and rosemary will make your arrangement beautiful and smell delicious too!

9. Give it a lift. If you find that your stems are too short for a tall vase, fear not! Simply add decorative rocks or marbles to the bottom of the vase to add height.

10.

Ignore the rules. Have fun! Let your imagination guide you, use whatever inspires you in your arrangements, and let nature be your guide.

It is no coincidence that Shavuos is the absolute best season for flowers. All the flowers are lush and blooming during this chag. So flower lovers, enjoy the holiday – this one’s for you!

Originally educated in the interior design industry, Shiri Feldman has a keen understanding of color, texture, and proportion that she likes to entz with her passion for artistic floral design. Shiri can be reached at shirifeldman@yahoo.com

Continued from page 35

the tribe of Yehudah. As economic times in Israel were hard and getting harder he was approached by many impoverished people for support.

By moving out of Israel to Moav he avoided his duty to support the poor. As a result his fortunes dwindled. After he died his sons did not return to Israel either so they too witnessed the loss of the rest of the family wealth and died. Naomi recognized this so after the death of her two sons she returned to Israel impoverished together with Ruth. We see that Elimelech’s financial plan served his short term goals but miserably failed his long term goals.

The story then turns to Ruth gleaming in the fields of Boaz. Boaz was a cousin of Elimelech who was also a leader in the tribe. He may have been the judge who was the actual leader of the generation. We see that he remained in Israel following all the rules for tithing and leaving portions for the poor. He even told his field workers to pull some of the harvest out to let Ruth take and not to embarrass her. When he walked past the people they blessed him in the name of Hashem. It appears that his harvest was now abundant because he followed the Torah as his guideline. He was rewarded with inheriting all that belonged to Elimelech and his sons, including his marriage to Ruth and his lineage to the kingship of David.

Clearly Boaz’s financial plan was greatly successful.

Giving charity should be done as part of a financial plan including an accounting to assure that at least tithing is given. As we see from the book of Ruth it is not something to be taken lightly. You should do the calculation and you should catch up if you are behind. The opportunity to use Yizkor to catch up is one of many options available for your charitable giving. If you have any questions you should consult your tax and/or financial advisor. All of the financial professionals I know in South Florida would welcome the opportunity to discuss this. I would be happy to meet and discuss this on a professional level. Please call me and leave a message if you wish to make an appointment at (954) 829-8611.

Chag Sameach.

This article is intended to discuss current tax issues and should not be relied upon as personal tax advice. You should consult your qualified tax advisor to discuss your personal tax situation.

Gerald L. Mayerhoff, CPA, PFS practices tax and accounting in Hollywood, FL focusing on taxation of individuals, trusts, estates and closely held businesses. He is a Certified Public Accountant in the states of Florida and New York, holds the Personal Financial Specialist (PFS) designation from the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and a Master’s of Science in Taxation from Pace University. He can be reached at glmcpa@bellsouth.net or (954) 829-8611.

THE SOUTH FLORIDA JEWISH HOME ■ JUNE 2, 2011

10 Tips to Get the Most Out Of Your Shavuos Flowers

THE SOUTH FLORIDA JEWISH HOME ■ JUNE 2, 2011

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51 THE SOUTH FLORIDA JEWISH HOME ■ JUNE 2, 2011