Shiur Times Magazine by queendeb

Pesach: “The Kitniyot Affair”

Making a Difference: March of the Living

Eldad Regev:

The Hope for Freedom

Pesach

Special Supplement

Exclusive Interview

with the Mayor of Jerusalem

Psychology

No Boundaries AUSTRALIA . . . . . . .$3.50 CANADA . . . . . . . . . $2.50 europe . . . . . . . . . €2.00 iSRAEL . . . . . . . . . . nis 10 sOUTH aFRICA . . . . . r20 U.K. . . . . . . . . . . . . . £ 1.50 U.S.a. . . . . . . . . . . . $2.50

VOL. 2, ISSUE NO. 16 april 2008

TAZRIA, APRIL 4, 2008 Candle lighting Shabbat Ends BET SHEMESH: 6:44 PM 7:39 PM GUSH ETZION: 6:43 PM 7:38 PM JERUSALEM: 6:21 PM 7:38 PM MODI’IN: 6:44 PM 7:39 PM TEL AVIV: 6:45 PM 7:40 PM NEW YORK: 7:06 PM 8:07 PM LONDON: 7:21 PM 8:32 PM

METZORA, APRIL 11, 2008 Candle lighting Shabbat Ends 6:48 PM 7:44 PM 6:48 PM 7:44 PM 6:25 PM 7:43 PM 6:39 PM 7:44 PM 6:49 PM 7:45 PM 7:13 PM 8:15 PM 7:33 PM 8:45 PM

ACHAREI -MOT, APRIL 18, 2008 Candle lighting Yom Tov Begins * FOR YOM TOV 6:53 PM 7:49 PM CANDLE LIGHTING 6:53 PM 7:49 PM PLEASE SEE 6:30 PM 7:48 PM THE SHIUR TIMES 6:53 PM 7:50 PM SPECIAL PESACH 6:54 PM 7:51 PM TRAVEL GUIDE 7:21 PM 8:23 PM 7:44 PM 8:58 PM

| April 2008

‫בס‪¢‬ד‬

‫כבודו¨†אני†חייב†לקפוץ†לדיסקונט‪Æ‬‬ ‫יש†שם†בומבה†של†תנאים‪ÆÆÆ‬‬

‫בולטון‬ ‫פוטנציאל‬

‫עובדי†מדינה†עוברים†לדיסקונט‬ ‫וזכאים†לבומבה†של†תנאים‬

‫‪†#‬הלוואות†מדינה†‪†#‬מעמד†לקוח†‪ �#��v.i.p.‬משכנתא†מסובסדת‬ ‫‪†#‬פריסת†סניפים†נרחבת†‪†#‬כרטיס†הטבות†‪¢‬מקס†בונוס‪¢‬‬

‫וזאת†רק†ההתחלה‪ÆÆÆ‬‬

‫להצטרפות†לבנק†הרשמי†של†עובדי†המדינה‬

‫חייגו∫†≤≤‪†††ππ‬או†∞∞≥‪∞≥≠π¥≥π‬‬ ‫™‬ ‫או†חייגו†באותיות∫ ™ מ ד י™ נ ה ≤‪™ ¥≤µ¥‬‬ ‫‪www.discountbank.co.il‬‬

‫‪3‬‬

‫‪www.shiurtimes.com‬‬

® April 2008 Our Sages offered several reasons why the holiday of Pesach is so named. One explanation is that Pesach is a combination of the two words “Peh Sach,” “the mouth converses.” On Pesach, G-d gave us our freedom again. Our physical freedom came with our spiritual freedom. And we commemorate this freedom in the most appropriate manner; in a way which demonstrates that we recognize the totality of the freedom. A way which demonstrates that we recognize the responsibility of the freedom: with our mouths; with songs, questions and answers, with stories, with speech. Pesach couldn’t be a more appropriate name. Hashem should bless us all with the light of freedom. Chag Sameach!

Freedom 2008 6 Tidbits 10 Parshat Tazria by Rav Berel Wein

12 Finance by Douglas Goldsteinn

14 Parshat Metzora by Rabbi Yaacov Haber

16 E xclusive Interview by Elie Rubin

18 Psychology b y Chana Frumin & David Kaufman

20 Healthy Living

22 Music by Shiur Times Staff

23 Art by Mira Raanan

24 Parshat Acharei Mot by Anne Gordon

26 In Focus: Captive 2008 by Yehudit Singer

Pesach Supplement: 30 The Seventh Day of Passover by Rav Menacham Leibtag

32 The Fifth Redemption

33 The Kitniyot Affair by Rabbi Professor Daniel Sperber

34 P re-Pesach Freedom by Beth Shapiro

36 Community Profile by Ilene Bloch-Levy

38 T ravel by Rabbi Mordechai Weiss

40 Making a Difference by Yehudit Singer

42 Real Estate Classifieds 50 Recipes

by Rav Ephraim Sprecher

by Dr. Simcha Shapiro

Second Year, No. 16 April © 2008 by ShiurTimes, Inc., 1 Ben Yehuda Street. All rights reserved. To contact one of the staff with your questions, concerns, subscriptions or advertising needs, please call: 02-6256225 or e-mail: staff.editors@shiurtimes.com. Managing Publisher & Editor-in Chief: Elie Rubin Editor: Yehudit Singer Marketing Manager: Hillie Roth Art Director: Deb Houben Studio Rubin & Co: 054-723-4520 Stock Photography: istockphoto.com. Copyrighting laws apply to all articles, and nothing may be reprinted without express permission from the Publisher. ShiurTimes is not responsible for the content of the advertisements. The Opinions of the articles within the ShiurTimes rest solely upon the authors. Reproduction of any parts of the ShiurTimes is forbidden without permission. PLEASE REFRAIN FROM READING THE SHIURTIMES IN THE BEIT KNESSET DURING TIMES OF TEFILLA.

Tidbits

Israel’s Newest Social Entrepreneurs

he Israel Venture Network (IVN) has announced the winners of the 2008 Social Entrepreneurship Fellowship. The IVN is a venture philanthropy network of hightech entrepreneurs, business executives, venture capitalists, corporations and philanthropists philanthropists. Together, they aim to empower the educational, social leadership and business communities in order to contribute to Israel’s success in the 21st century. With its partner, the New Israel Fund, the IVN supports and incubates sustainable and innovative projects that will create positive, sustained social change within Israeli society. The winners for the IVN Social Entrepreneurship Fellowship were chosen from over 212 outstanding applications. Fellowships include a monthly stipend and mentoring by an IVN Member.

Congratulations to the following winners: The SOS Center for Violence Studies (Yony Choona and Georg Roessler): The center is committed to preventing violence and also promotes the topic as an academic discipline. It will include teacher training, and work with parents, students, youth movements and local police authorities. The Israel Energy Forum (Yael CohenParan): The forum aims to develop the first sustainable energy plan for Israel, advocate its adoption and enable its implementation. The forum will build a framework for planning the future of Israel’s energy supply and consumption, and will initiate public discussion, urging policy-makers to push forward sustainable solutions for Israel’s energy needs.

Tsofen (Yossi Coten and Smadar Nehab): This project will enable the general Northern Israeli population and the Arab job-seeking population in particular, to join the mainstream hightech success story of Israel by centralizing and establishing an innovative high-tech employment and training nucleus, first of all, in Nazareth. “Retirement - the Window of Opportunity” (Linda Mosek): This innovative initiative aims to create valued occupational opportunities for the elderly by establishing a vocational center that will provide work-related prospects. The project will embrace a wide range of elements such as community involvement, business development, volunteering, inter-generational interaction and Diaspora partnerships. °

New Hospital Emergency Wing for Jerusalem’s Children

uring the week of Purim, Jerusalem’s Shaare Zedek Medical Center officially opened the Glaubach Department of Pediatric Emergency Medicine. The new facility is more than ten times the size of the pediatric emergency room that it will be replacing. Shaare Zedek Director General Professor Jonathan Halevy said that the recent terror attack at the Merkaz Harav Yeshiva highlighted the continuing need for the Jerusalem community to always upgrade its medical infrastructure. A 14 year old boy seriously injured in the attack continues to be treated at Shaare Zedek. The new Department includes a Shock and Trauma Unit specifically designed to treat pediatric patients in critical care situations such as those caused by terror

attacks or major vehicle accidents. With brightly-lit hallways combined with color-filled rooms, the facility is intended to limit the emotional distress that comes with a child’s hospitalization. It is being outfitted with new equipment and beds designed to respond to the highest standards in modern pediatric medicine. The new Department also offers immediate ambulance access. In the past

pediatric patients would be delivered to the main ambulance bay and have to be transported through the hospital to the old pediatrics emergency department. Professor Francis Mimouni, Director of Pediatrics at Shaare Zedek, said the new Emergency Department will significantly improve the level of urgent care on behalf of Jerusalem’s children. “Through this new facility headed by Dr. Mati Ehrlichman, Shaare Zedek which sits in the heart of Jerusalem will be best positioned to provide children with the customized and individual level of care they require in emergencies,” he said. “At a time when our city continues to confront all sorts of emergency scenarios, including acute diseases and trauma, we are now able to offer a Pediatric Emergency Department that can best assist children and their families.” °

| April 2008

Tidbits

Connecting Consumers to Advertisers: inC2 by Raz Caro

t’s your mother-in-law’s birthday, and you forgot that you had promised to have her garden redesigned as a gift! She lives in Brooklyn; you live in Jerusalem, and you want to send her a gardener who can start the job by this afternoon. A regular internet search may give you a long list of gardeners in Brooklyn, but they won’t tell you if they can do exactly what you need them to at short notice and at the requested time. So your search will turn up a long list of gardeners, but you’ll have to scour each website for details, or call them to make your special request. inC2, a promising young startup, founded and managed by experts in the local search and yellow pages industries will solve this problem for you (via your preferred search engine). inC2’s Automated Concierge Services will enable you to directly search, find and connect with a matching gardener. Backed by VC Jerusalem Capital and angel investors, the Israel-based inC2 takes the search engine concept to a new level.

To date, advertisers could only buy online ads, and select their search keywords and pay for clicks. Instead, the inC2 solution places the advertiser directly into the search process, enabling them to know when their service is being searched for and to respond in real time to the request by sending their details to the system –not directly to the consumer, eliminating potentially unwanted solicitation calls. Based on revolutionary Real-time Brokered Search technology, inC2’s web and mobile (SMS and WAP) solution makes contact with businesses during the search process facilitating timesensitive queries (Can you find a dentist that can see me this morning?) and very particular capabilities (Do you have the right starter for my car?). The consumer can enter very specific requests that need to be met by the vendor, for example, you need a plumber to fix the leaky pipe under your kitchen sink. You search via computer or mobile phone for a plumber in your area who can fix the pipe after 7 PM when you return from work.

Using proprietary self-learning technology, InC2 identifies the most appropriate advertisers and broadcasts the request. Available plumbers respond and within moments, InC2 sends you a list of plumbers in your area that can come fix the pipe when you get home, or connects you automatically by phone. The inC2 solution is already in use with excellent results at Dapaz, Israel’s leading Yellow Pages company (www.d.co.il). Because it is an internet Yellow Pages service, Dapaz can offer a lot of information to the consumer, and saves them a lot of leg work by providing accurate connections or a direct telephone link with the provider. InC2 will also launch the service with selected search companies in North America. ° Raz Caro is the CEO of InC2. He is a technology leader of directional advertising and brings over 18 years of in-depth experience in business, product and technology development

Do You Have Insurance? by Shimon Cohen

eder night is traditionally Leil Shimurim, when God guards Jewish houses, as He did on the night of Yetziat Mitzrayim, but every other night of the year, the thieves are out. Break-ins and car thefts are on the increase in Israel, despite all the technology that we deploy to protect our homes and vehicles One of our clients equipped his valuable jeep with an alarm, a tracking system AND an immobilizer - all checked by the insurance company’s installers - but it still got stolen! His insurance company contested the claim because they found that the tracking system was not working. The judge ruled in favor of our client, because he had no way of knowing that it wasn’t working. After all, even if we install every available gadget,

the purpose of insurance is to cover you if all else fails! Shabbat is a particularly popular time for thieves to target religious areas, and it is always worthwhile to take basic precautions, such as setting a time switch to make your home look occupied, especially if you will be away for several days over the Chag. Property insurance doesn’t take away the sting of a break-in, but it certainly helps you to replace some of the items that have been lost. As part of the process, a shamai (assessor) will visit your home and value all your possessions – clothes, books, jewelry, electronic equipment, and any antiques that you have. You may find out that something in your home is actually very valuable! Moshe’s father rang him one day and told him he really ought to get insurance cover for his collection of Judaica and antiques. Moshe came to us to arrange

property insurance, and we sent the assessor over to do a full evaluation. Two months later, while the family was away, there was a problem with an American appliance which shorted. Because it was plugged into an American transformer (110 volts) instead of an Israeli one (220 volts), the electricity did not trip, and a fire broke out, destroying everything on the top floor of their home. They lost many valuable items, but because they were insured, we were able to claim for their loss, and Moshe used the money to rebuild his collection. We all hope that it will never happen to us, but hoping is not enough. Bitachon has to be balanced by Hishtadlut. Wishing everyone a Happy, Kosher and Safe Pesach. ° Shimon Cohen is the Director of Egert & Cohen Insurance Company in Jerusalem & Bet Shemesh. | April 2008

www.shiurtimes.com

Parshat Tazria

The Concept of Chazaka The Torah recognizes that human nature, like all of reality, is not so susceptible to changing greatly.

One of the negaim (afflictions) described in this week’s Torah reading is a type of nega that infects one’s house. alacha, or for that matter, all The kohein that inspects the house to systems of law in the world, determine if the nega has spread has is based on the concept of to decide the issue upon the inspection reasonable presumptions. In of the premises. The Talmud asks that Jewish law this is called the perhaps the nega spread or shrunk in concept of chazaka– the presumption the few seconds that it took the kohein that what was, still is. Thus, halacha to leave the house, for only then is he to presumes that a husband is still alive render his opinion regarding the nega. even if he has somehow disappeared from Thus, any decision that he may make sight. It presumes that things found in a regarding the impurity or purity of the certain place were at that place before nega is not really provable in fact. The and were not dragged there. It presumes Talmud therefore resorts to the idea of that if there are no known faults in a chazaka – the presumption that whatever person’s pedigree, then that person’s size the nega was an instant ago when the pedigree is deemed to be faultless. There kohein inspected it is still the same size are many other examples of how chazaka when he departs from the house. works as an operating principle in Jewish “One cannot ignore the realities that law. In fact, the Talmud exclaims: stare one in the face even if those realities “gedolah chazaka” – chazaka is a great do not conform to one’s ideology or and overriding principle of law. The basis wishful view of life.” Presumptions in life for this halachic reliance on chazaka is are valid. People are judged on their past found in this week’s Torah reading. behavior, on family history, on pedigree and on past experiences. It is foolish to

by Rabbi Berel Wein

ignore presumptions that are based on legitimate grounds. One cannot ignore the realities that stare one in the face even if those realities do not conform to one’s ideology or wishful view of life. This applies in all areas of personal and national life. One cannot presume that one’s child will turn out alright if he or she is not given the basis of a strong Torah education. There is a chazaka that speaks against such wishful thinking. One cannot wish one’s enemies away and become convinced that the tiger is no

‘‘

One cannot presume that one’s child will turn out alright if he or she is not given the basis of a strong Torah education.” longer carnivorous. But the main lesson of chazaka is to be aware that human nature does not easily change and that what was is most likely what will be now as well. The lessons of Jewish history, of what works and what fails, form a strong presumption: gedolah chazaka All of the “newness” of ideas in today’s Jewish society has, in reality, existed before and failed to contribute to Jewish continuity and national strength and security. The past is a hard taskmaster and a coercive instructor with regard to current choices and where decisions are concerned. Ignoring the past and its chazaka is a perilous course, one that certainly should be avoided at all costs. Shabbat shalom. ° Rabbi Berel Wein is the founder and director of The Destiny Foundation. He is widely known for popularizing Jewish history through worldwide lectures, audiotapes, books, seminars, educational tours and documentary films. For more information, see www.rabbiwein.com

| April 2008

Ehud Goldwasser

Eldad Regev

Gilad Schalit

BRING THEM HOME www.habanim.org www.shiurtimes.com

Finance

Why Do People Bequeath Their Estates to Swiss Banks? Keep your assets secure, but don’t hide them from your nearest and dearest. by Douglas Goldstein, CFP

ery few people would choose to bequeath their hardearned money to a bank or a foreign government, but after the Holocaust that became the default for many. Jews in Europe squirreled away their cash in secure and secret bank accounts. Then, after the war, many heirs were unaware of the money. Decades later, much of that money still hasn’t been reclaimed, and probably never will be. The problem of lost money remains even today. Clients sometimes mention to me that their father had set up a few accounts in different countries, and since he died no one knows the details. We have undertaken to find those funds, and though we have successfully found millions of dollars for various people, I suspect that there is a lot more money hidden. If you want to have your money pass to your family or your preferred charities, you must set up your accounts in a jurisdiction that works through the normal probate channels and will allow your heirs to access the money. A bank in an offshore jurisdiction won’t go looking around the world to see if you had a son

or daughter who should get the money. Instead, they will wait to be contacted. Moreover, many of these countries have strict secrecy laws, which means that they are statutorily forbidden to disclose information, even to your children, about the accounts without a local court order. If you live in Israel or America, reconsider the mystique of a Swiss Bank or other offshore account holding your funds. Apart from the fact that there could be adverse tax consequences to putting your money offshore (ask a respectable accountant about that), it’s

‘‘

A bank in an offshore jurisdiction won’t go looking around the world to see if you had a son or daughter who should get the money.” expensive to maintain such overseas banking services. Consider using a local firm that has access to the various financial instruments you require (bank deposits, mutual funds, stocks, bonds, checkbooks, Visa cards, etc.). When setting up accounts, ensure that there are relatively easy systems in place for your next of kin to get hold of your assets. When I hide the afikoman at the Pesach Seder, I choose a spot that would challenge my children for a few minutes, but ultimately, I want them to find the prize. Likewise, when you set up your accounts, it’s fine to keep them private, but don’t go overboard lest your family never finds the matzah.

Douglas Goldstein, CFP®, (doug@profilefinancial.com) is the director of Profile Investment Services. He offers securities through Portfolio Resources Group, Inc., member FINRA (formally NASD), SIPC, MSRB, SIFMA. Accounts carried by National Financial Services LLC, member NYSE/ SIPC, a Fidelity Investments company. His book, Building Wealth in Israel: A Guide to International Investments and Financial Planning, is available in bookstores, on the web, or can be ordered at www.profilefinancial.com, Israel: (02) 624-2788, USA: 1 (888) 327-6179. °

over 30 years experience

planning, producing, and directing

Maximize the success of your event Call Lenny Davidman T: (02) 673 07 21 F: (02) 673 07 22

M: 054 557 31 01 ldevents@netvision.net.il | April 2008

www.shiurtimes.com

Parshat Metzora

Lift Up Your Hand Open your eyes, lift your hands and you will receive great blessings.

by Rabbi Yaacov Haber

hile visiting London last year, I heard the following story from a 19 year old Jewish girl. She was vacationing in a beach house in Thailand when the Tsunami hit. Within moments she was underwater. Running on pure adrenaline she tried to get her head above water, but couldn’t. The debris that was floating on the water prevented her from lifting her head to breathe air. As she desperately looked for a break in the debris, she realized that she was going to die. Her life, her family, and G-d flashed through her mind. As her strength began to diminish, she impulsively found a way to lift her hand through the debris. She still couldn’t breathe, but she remembers how at that moment she felt a fresh breeze on the palm of her hand. Somehow just touching life gave her hope. At that moment, a miracle took place. A rescue worker somehow saw her hand, grabbed it and saved her life. Life is not always simple. Sometimes we get between a rock and a hard place with no place to go, no one to turn to and no air to breathe. Every once in a while, we all feel a little like this young lady— stuck under water. Personally, since hearing that story, I lift up my hand, and somehow a miracle occurs. I daven three times a day — but when I really want to daven, I lift up my hand! The seforim teach us that the way to invoke a blessing from above is to do something — even something small — on our part. “Open up an opening, even like the point of a needle, and G-d will send abundance of the greatest magnitude.” In Chasidic thought, this is called Itaruta d’letata. We cause an awakening below, to merit an Itaruta d’leyla, an awakening and blessing from above.

If we can just lift our hands up in a desperate gesture before G-d, some blessing will be created in Heaven. At the time of the Exodus from Egypt, the Jewish people had sunk to the lowest depths. We passed through 49 gates of impurity. There was hardly any reason or merit to save us from the inhumane persecution we were living through. Yetziat Mitzrayim started with

‘‘

Sometimes we get between a rock and a hard place with no place to go, no one to turn to and no air to breathe. G-d. It was almost complete Itaruta d’leyla; almost all from above. Our part was tiny: we cried out to G-d. We lifted up our hands. We stood by the sea with no place to go, and we really didn’t know what to do. What mitzvah is appropriate? Which chapter of Tehilim is correct? What kavanah can we have? Moshe told the people, “Hashem will fight your battle. You can be silent!” All you need to do is open up your eyes and hearts to the miracles of Hashem. This was almost complete Itaruta d’leyla. All we had to do was lift our hand! Every time we approach the Seder, the same energy reappears. It’s not our merit. It’s not our mitzvot. It’s just the opening up of our hearts. “Kan haben shoel”: here the son asks. Just ask! Just lift your hand and an abundant blessing will be created in Heaven. At the Seder, everything is about seder, or order. We even sing the Seder before we begin the Seder. “Kadeish, Urchatz, ...” But the seder seems reversed! Usually, to achieve holiness, “Kadeish,” we have

to prepare ourselves with “Urchatz,” a process of purification. Shouldn’t the seder be “Urchatz, Kadeish, ...”? That may be true the rest of the year, but not on Pesach night. Hashem makes the first move: “Kadeish” first, then “Urchatz.” As long as we are ready — if we just raise our hand, we will be holy! Today, there are so many things that we need to do for ourselves and for our people. Who knows how? Who has the strength? Who knows the answer? It is as if we are trapped before the sea, with the enemy behind us, ready to attack. We hear about family tragedies daily. Sometimes when I hear men or women tell me their stories, I really don’t know what to say. Who is the Rav, or even the Gadol, that does know what to say? When there is nothing to say or do— lately I find myself lifting up my hand. When I look out of my window in Yerushalayim, at the hundreds of buildings and tens of neighborhoods I ask myself— where did this come from? It wasn’t even there when I was a yeshivah bochur! Groups of emaciated concentration camp survivors organized an army, learned how to fly jets, make tanks and build skyscrapers. And they built a country! The Jewish people after the Holocaust lifted up their hands, and Hashem saved us — just as He did when we left Egypt. Itaruta d’leyla! It’s all from above! So if you want to have a Seder this year that will change our situation forever, just lift up your hand! In this way, may we all merit the ultimate gift from Hashem — the final Geula. ° Rabbi Yaacov Haber is the President of Torahlab, www.torahlab.org, an organization serving the world of Jewish education with unique and meaningful learning material.

| April 2008

www.shiurtimes.com

Exclusive Interview

Mayor of Jerusalem Uri Lupolianski Meets with Elie Rubin, Publisher of ShiurTimes Mr. Lupolianski, everyone knows the Mayor and the founder of Yad Sarah. As mayor, you are so busy with the daily running of Jerusalem. Do you have time to promote Yad Sarah? How are you still connected to Yad Sarah? As you rightly said, I am extremely busy with Jerusalem matters. This is a unique city, the mosaic of its residents, its size and the challenges of the capital city, the eternal capital of the Jewish People. Nevertheless, when children get married, they are still their parents’ children, and that’s how I feel about Yad Sarah. Yad Sarah has an excellent executive director and a superb staff. I come to Yad Sarah House some evenings and some Fridays. Sadly, I no longer know every volunteer by name, but I am most definitely involved in what is going on, in the development of new services and new branches, since the demand for Yad Sarah’s services is growing. I am happy to take part in the periodic gatherings of volunteers. I always served Yad Sarah as a volunteer and please G-d will continue to do so. Through Yad Sarah, too, I am still serving the residents of Jerusalem. Why did you decide to move from the NGO sector to the public sector? I don’t see this precisely as you put it. I see my work in City Hall as a public servant

exactly in the same sense as my work in Yad Sarah. Yad Sarah’s thousands of volunteers also work for the welfare of the capital’s citizens. They have their areas of action and their individual ways of contributing. You can’t deny the fact that there are differences between the volunteer sector and the work in City Hall, but in the end we are all there to help and to serve. Yad Sarah was founded in memory of your late grandmother, your father’s mother, who perished in the Holocaust. Tell us about her and your family. I never knew my grandmother Sarah z”l. She was killed in the Holocaust and Yad Sarah, as you said, is named after her. My late father told me many times that she was a paragon on chesed and used to help people in her neighborhood. They say I look like her. I was born in Haifa in 1951. I served as a medic in the IDF, studied public administration and worked as a teacher for some years. As a young man I entertained the idea of being an actor, and even signed up for theater studies. When I married I moved to Jerusalem,

to the Ezrat Torah quarter, where Yad Sarah started in our own apartment in 1976. Our flat kept a supply of vaporizers and inhalators to help neighbors whose children had breathing problems. The great success of this little “center” propelled my late father, Jacob, to donate the money he had received for the sale of his small shoe store to expand the Gema”ch I had founded. We called it Yad Sarah in memory of my grandmother. With time, the stock of equipment grew to include wheelchairs, crutches, walkers, blood pressure meters, baby scales and more. In 1978 we moved to Sanhedria where we still live. The little lending center moved with us, and still operates in our apartment. I was elected to the City Council in 1989, served as Deputy Mayor and Chairman of the Planning and Building Committee, and was elected Mayor in 2003.

| April 2008

Exclusive Interview impressed by what the volunteers do. The most meaningful achievement of Yad Sarah, in my opinion, is our ability to connect with people who need help, to listen to their distress and to find real solutions. I believe that every new project or service has to come from the heart. When you are committed and give your all to the goal, you succeed. And that is how Yad Sarah succeeded. The numbers are truly impressive: every second family in Israel has been helped by Yad Sarah. Nearly 400,000 people were helped in the past year.

When you opened Yad Sarah in your apartment, did you imagine it would grow into this size? How do you explain the enormous growth in its scope? What do you see as the most meaningful achievement of Yad Sarah? Of course I didn’t know and never imagined the Yad Sarah would grow into the huge proportions of today. Maybe if I had known, I would have been put off. It grew little by little, branch by branch, service by service. Today Yad Sarah has more than 100 branches all over Israel, 11 of them located within hospitals. Yad Sarah has become a synonym for mutual social responsibility and the giving of chesed. Travel agents know they can refer tourists to us if they need medical equipment while visiting Israel, or special transportation in a wheelchair-carrying van. People come from all over the world to learn about Yad Sarah and to copy our model in their home countries. We are goodwill ambassadors for Israel around the world. The U.N. Secretary General even visited Yad Sarah and was www.shiurtimes.com

Yad Sarah is built on volunteers. By the way, the volunteers come from every sector of the population, including many English speakers, and that is a blessing in itself. But one of the advantages of volunteers is their desire, their passion to be attentive, inviting, understanding, and really trying with all their might to give a full solution to every person who needs help. Our goal is to keep improving. That’s the only way we can continue deserving the great love and confidence that the public gives us today. What do you see as Jerusalem’s main challenge today? When I began the job as Mayor, I set myself the goal to improving the service given to citizens. I set up the Center for Quality Service in the municipality to increase the service and minimize the municipal bureaucracy. From the start of my term we prepared a multi-year strategic plan for Jerusalem with the goal of strengthening the city’s economic and civil status. The plan included drastic cuts in personnel and in the municipal apparatus, and instead the city invested large budgets in restoration and building of parks, giving the city a

facelift especially downtown, and raising the level of service to the residents. We improved the absorption division with the aim of helping thousands of new arrivals from the United States to fit in quickly into the social and economic fabric of the city. What does the City of Jerusalem do to encourage aliya and to blend the English speaking olim into the city’s life? In the past year, 3,011 of the country’s 20,955 new immigrants came to Jerusalem – about 14.5 percent. Most of the immigrants from the U.S. and Canada belong to the middle and upper socioeconomic levels. The olim in Jerusalem live in all parts of the city – Har Nof, Bayit Vegan, Ramot, Arnona, Katamon, Baka, Homat Shmuel and more. The English speaking population contributes a great deal to Jerusalem in many areas. This is a quality population, a population that leads the way and has already become part of the city’s fabric. They fit in smoothly in the areas of culture, tourism, and business and I hope we will see many more of them in our city. Jerusalem is waiting for you with open arms. The municipal Klitah Authority is working hard for the new olim. They receive support and assistance every step of the way, personally and professionally. Some of them are part of the community aliyah project and others receive other forms of help. What message would you like to bring to the English speaking community and to the many who make the traditional pilgrimage to Jerusalem for Pesach? I am happy that so many guests come to Jerusalem for Pesach. Jerusalem is not only the capital of Israel, it is the capital of the entire Jewish People, and I hope every person visiting Jerusalem feels that way. I invite them all to visit every part of the city, to enjoy the holy places, the museums, the historic sites, the culture and the beauty of this city. I also recommend that the visitors meet and talk with Jerusalemites. You will enjoy the warmth and love that they have to give… . °

Psychology

Freedom of Expression and Boundaries Learning to free ourselves from our inner Pharoah will allow us to express ourselves. by Chana Frumin & David Kaufman

s any good artist knows, learning and refining the use of technique are the tools for good expression and are far from limiting. In the worlds of emotions, unbounded expression is confusing and often damaging. Falling in love is a freeing transcendent experience which lifts a person above their boundaries and dares a person to be more than they are. And then comes the question of marriage where love finds a boundary in the details of daily life. The passionate love that creates a child is bounded by nine months of gestation and the birth of the child. A whole world is created. The parents of this child must then expand the boundaries of their self definition andtime, to include the nurturing and care for this child. The initial chaotic exploration and impressions that the child develops about his world are then honed by the

educational boundaries which narrow his focus. Like the child, we yearn, explore and share our unique perceptions and discoveries. The two year old that learns the word “NO” and teenager that is in search of his/her own identity are both creating their sense of self through the freedom of self expression. Toddlers and teenagers come into conflict with their world because they are experimenting with existing boundaries, which often feels like a rebellion to parents and teachers. Freedom of expression when tempered by boundaries permits creative expression rather than limits it. People who excel in life are those who have learned to use these boundaries to their advantage. Most lives are lived with familiar paths and ways of interacting that, while safe, are closed to new possibilities. At work, we have many ideas and creative directions we would like to take, but we don’t want to rock the boat, or experience rejection or failure. It is so much more secure to avoid conflict.

We rightfully feel that there is so much more to us than what we express in our daily lives. We are often listening to the voice of enslavement of expression in place of freedom of expression. What does this voice sound like? It says in a whisper, “Don’t take any chances”, “You might get fired or hurt someone’s feelings.” “It’ll never work.” So instead of making a plan for change, we limit ourselves with thoughts of enslavement. One of our tasks during this season is to free ourselves from the voice of our inner Pharaoh. To do this we need to fight against Pharaoh’s influential voice and build upon our aspirations and dreams to find our true freedom. ° Chana Rachel Frumin MS CNT is a marital and family counselor, shadchanit and director of the Jerusalem Narrative Therapy Institute. For appointments, she can be reached at 0544 799 441. David Kaufman is a Narrative & Solution Focused Therapist at the Jerusalem Narrative Therapy Institute. He can be reached at 0542 545991.

| April 2008

New Subscriptions & Renewals ®

12 ISSUES - ISRAEL: NIS 100 US: $60 UK: £30 EU: €40

Call Now! +972 (0)2 625 6225

email to: staff.editors@shiurtimes.com www.shiurtimes.com

Healthy Living

Health Q&A With Dr. Simcha Shapiro Suggestions for “real” foods that are kosher for Pesach and life-sustaining.

Q: Dr. Shapiro, Whenever Pesach comes around, I end up having digestive problems throughout the whole week, followed by another week trying to get back to normal. Is there anything that I can do to help my tummy troubles this Pesach? — Fed Up A: Dear Fed Up, Human beings are

naturally creatures of habit. We like to have our seder (order). Our digestive systems are no different. The significant changes that most of us make to our diets on Peach upset the status-quo, and also end up upsetting our stomachs. Wait, isn’t that what it’s really about... upsetting the status-quo? All through the year, we our trapped in the world of our enslavements; our “status-quo’s.” On Pesach, we get an opportunity to break out of patterns which have been trapping us and holding us back. Imagine Chaim, who has difficulty

dealing with anger properly. He is given an opportunity to break free from his tendency towards anger for one week. Alas, anger is a really comfortable reality for Chaim. He comes up with a solution. It looks like anger, tastes like anger, but isn’t really anger. What is going on here?! Being the creatures of habit that we are, when faced with an upset in our normal order, our response is often to feel deprived and to do anything that we can to reconstruct that order, including recreating a totally fake replica of the order that was just upset. This is just what happens in most Pesach kitchens. Our upset at being deprived of chametz knows no bounds! It looks like cake, tastes like cake, feels like cake, but isn’t cake! Well.... what is it? It certainly has no significant potential to support life! That is the problem with creating a fake alternative to real things. It is never as good as the real thing, and is simply defined by its lack of whatever is trying

to be avoided. No wonder so many Jews suffer from digestive problems at this time of year! They aren’t eating “real” food! This year let’s try something different; something healthier. Remember, it’s just one week. Try something new! Below are some ideas for real food that is kosher for Pesach and life-sustaining: BREAKFAST 1. Yogurt 2. Fruit salad (try with #1) 3. European breakfast: cut vegetables, olives, cheese- bon appetite! 4. Matzah with jam or cream cheese (try them together!). Non-gebruchts- try butter. 5. Matzah cereal (broken-up pieces of matzah in a bowl with milk) SNACKS 1. Cheese slices/sticks 2. Nuts 3. Fruit (kids like it more when it’s already cut up for them) 4. Cut-up veggies in baggies (carrots, cucumbers, peppers, celery... etc.) | April 2008

Healthy Living

LUNCH/DINNER 1. Fish- From fresh salmon to tuna salad, this is good stuff all year around! 2. Meat- In your oven, on your grill (get a table-top grill for Pesach!), or on the stove. 3. Cheese- How about double stuffed baked potatoes with melted cheese? Get creative! 4. Salads- Think outside the box. There is more to salad than just lettuce. Put some cheese, fish, or grilled meat on top! Try coleslaw, carrot salads, and/or Israeli salad. 5. Soup- Chicken, vegetable, creamed, gaspacho, hot, cold- try them along side any of the above! 6. Quinoa- Tastes like a grain and with similar texture, but a real food in its own right. Very healthy, and a good side dish all year around! See the following article for more information on quinoa and Pesach. (http://www.star-k.com/kashrus/ kk-passover-quinoa.htm) 7. Sephardi- Go for some brown rice, tofu, or a pot of beans! DESSERT 1. Apple sauce 2. Fruit salad 3. Chocolate www.shiurtimes.com

‘‘

No wonder so many Jews suffer from digestive problems at this time of year! They aren’t eating “real” food!” Pesach is a wonderful opportunity to change your diet for the better, and too few people take advantage of it. These are just a few suggestions. Some of them may be a bit outside of your box, but go outon-a-limb for one week. You may not like everything that you try, but I guarantee that you will find some new favorites. This year don’t be enslaved by feeling deprived! Choose something different, and choose freedom! Chag Kasher v’Sameach! ° Dr. Simcha Shapiro is a US trained physician and osteopath. He is the founder and director of the Listening Hands Institute in the Maalot Dafna neighborhood of Jerusalem. He can be contacted via his website www.listeninghands. co.il

Music

RNY/TightRope Productions believes that Jewish Music Rocks! Bringing Jewish Alternative Music into Mainstream Israeli Culture.

Experience the magic... RNY artists over Pesach! Monday 21 April

The Dead Sea Jewish Rock and Soul Festival Solarium Beach, Ein Bokek, Dead Sea

featuring The Moshav Band, haMAKOR, YOOD, Haakevot and more! Tuesday 22 April

stablished 9 years ago, by Jonty Zwebner, RNY (the Hebrew letters for Jewish Rock and Soul Music – Rock ve-Neshama Yehudit) has today become a leading management and production company representing musicians in Israel within the genre of Jewish alternative music. RNY also produces the best known Jewish music festivals in the country, including the upcoming Dead Sea Festival this Pesach. With early recognition that “Jewish Roots” music has a wide appeal to mainstream Israeli culture, RNY fervently believes that the genre deserves a central place within it. The production company has therefore begun forging the way to promote this genre as an integral part of the Israeli music scene. Their artists are among the brightest stars in a burgeoning subculture of hip, highly professional musicians who have not only made Jewish Root Music relevant, but have established it as the

Carlebach on the Beach soundtrack for a whole generation of people who appreciate good music, and are grateful that it can also speak the language of their collective Jewish soul. Major festivals created and produced by RNY productions include the annual three-day Beit Shemesh festival during Chol Hamoed Succot and the two-day annual Dead Sea Jewish Rock and Soul Festival during Chol Hamoed Pesach. The Tanach Festival production of “Women sing Carlebach” joins Neshama Carlebach with mainstream Israeli stars such as Mika Karni, Etti Ankri, Leah Shabbat, Ruti Navon and others. “Songs of the Levites – from Shlomo Hamelech thru to Shlomo Carlebach,” joins Israeli stars such as Avihu Medina, Zion Golan, Hamadregot, Evyatar Banai and others from various cultures. The annual Reb Shlomo Carlebach Memorial concert, initiated by the Shir L’Shlomo Foundation, and produced by RNY/Pirsumeinisa is held annually in Binyanei HaUma in Jerusalem. °

featuring BenZion Solomon and Sons, Chaim Dovid, Shlomo Katz, Yehuda Katz and Reva L’Sheva, Yehuda Solomon and Duvid Swirsky plus others… Wednesday 23 April

Tribute to R’Shlomo Carlebach Shuni Roman Amphitheatre, Binyamina

Thursday/Friday 24/25 April

Jewish Music Stage, Bombamella, Nitzanim Beach For

more info and advance tickets call 077-216-4436 www . rny . co . il info @ rny . co . il

| April 2008

Art

Pharaoh and the Daughter of the King by Mira Raanan Art is a metaphor for life. This painting illustrates that inspiration is a gift and many times also a challenge, which, when we emerge on the other side of the struggle, proves to be a gift as well. My husband Yoram Raanan started this work painting with his hands, freely and spontaneously. Often when he begins a new work, he has no particular idea in mind – only to free the inner flow of creative expression. He began with a limited palette, seeking to achieve the effect of golden luminosity by using just gold and yellow. To add contrast, he rubbed purple paint with his hands onto the canvas, when suddenly a profile of a woman emerged, on the left side. As he recalls, “I was excited because she was painted so perfectly, and yet she wasn’t painted at all— she was a gift of inspiration.” He started searching for a partner for her, but another image would not emerge. He stopped working with his hands and picked up a palette knife. He tried to impose an image of a beloved for her, but instead a chiseled angular face emerged. It projected a lot of power but little humanity. It looked like Pharaoh! When Yoram tried to control the process and impose his will, what came up was the master of control and ego! He couldn’t conjure the image he wanted, but he did get something that was so interesting that he couldn’t ever have conceived of it. It came to him despite himself and that, too, was a gift. Now the painting had two sides. On one, stood Pharaoh, the ancient ruler of Egypt; cold and cruel. On the other, his daughter; compassionate and merciful. Although the Torah does not give her a name, she is called Batya in the Jewish tradition, which literally means “daughter of G-d.” Because she made a doomed Jewish child her son, G-d made her His daughter. Thus, the daughter of the King of darkness became the daughter of the King of the universe. Pharaoh tyrannized the Jews, drowning their new-born sons. And yet it was his daughter that rescued Moshe from the Nile. www.shiurtimes.com

The Midrash tells us that her hand miraculously extended to reach him. This extension is a metaphor for reaching beyond the limitations symbolized by Pharaoh. Although he is the ruler, he is trapped in his hard-hearted world, while she is set free by her love. Pesach is “the time of our freedom”. Sometimes, in order to feel freedom we must first confront our places of darkness. In the end this could also be a gift. ° Mira Raanan is currently writing a book entitled “The Art of Jewish Visualization”. She also teaches Jewish meditation and is a serious student of Kabbala and Chassidut. She is a resident of Moshav Beit Meir.

Acharei Mot

Abomination, Why? A look into why the word “abomination” really is that bad.

by Anne Gordon

he word “abominable” is probably most associated with the Snowman, but Englishspeaking Jews will also know it from the Torah, including one notorious appearance of the term in Parshat Acharei Mot. “Abomination,” or its Hebrew original, “toevah,” is a hot-button word. It triggers people’s visceral emotions—whether in intuitive, irrational, shuddering agreement, or in outrage that the Torah would use the term. Essentially, the antithesis of “political correctness,” the label “abomination” also seems to be the antithesis of the bedrock of Torah: chesed. Let us therefore investigate its meaning and application, as derived from its biblical origins, in the hopes of understanding better not only the term, but also its power to evoke the strong reactions that it does. The base word “toevah” appears in the Torah 27 times. Surprisingly, the first time it appears is to give Yosef an explanation for not “breaking bread” with his brothers: “…the Egyptians could not eat bread with the Hebrews, for it is an abomination for the Egyptians” (Gen. 43:32). Still masking his identity, Yosef takes refuge in the Egyptian’s professed disgust. The language, however, seems unduly harsh (especially given that antiSemitism was not yet in vogue). Radak explains that the “abomination” in the meal is the eating of meat—in particular, lamb. The Egyptians’ pantheon of gods included the form of sheep, and Radak knows that later, Yosef enables his

brothers to settle in Goshen, a fertile neighborhood apart, by encouraging them to identify themselves as shepherds, for “all shepherds are an abomination to the Egyptians.” Thus, those who meddle with the object of their idolatry are considered disgusting to them. Perhaps it is no accident that the

“Perhaps it is no accident that the term ‘toevah’ appears in the context of prohibitions to engage in the practices of Egypt.” term “toevah” appears in the context of prohibitions to engage in the practices of Egypt. The eighteenth chapter of Vayikra is known best for its list of illicit sexual practices and opens with the injunction to shun the ways of Egypt, the land from which Bnei Yisrael came, as well as the ways of Canaan, the land to which they were to go. While Rashi identifies these practices as the crude entertainment of those lands (18:3), Ramban links them with the list of forbidden sexual partnering that follows. R. Hirsch offers an explanation: “it is to the social and moral degeneration…in Egypt and Canaan that the introduction to the laws regulating sexual life and the building of families refers…” (18:3). | April 2008

Acharei Mot He implies that the Torah prescribes a society that is built from the family unit; the incestuous (and other) sexual mores of the ancient world undermine even the possibility of that foundation. Moreover, R. Hirsch connects this morality to the idolatry of animal images in the ancient world: â&#x20AC;&#x153;â&#x20AC;Śworshipping the animal life of instinctâ&#x20AC;Śled men into the most bestialâ&#x20AC;Ś practices.â&#x20AC;? He explains that animal instinct is divinely wrought; humanity, however, is challenged to master and control â&#x20AC;&#x153;this most powerful of allâ&#x20AC;Ś instinctive urges.â&#x20AC;? Unfortunately, to some extent, this explanation begs the question. The practices that society deems to be immoral are called â&#x20AC;&#x153;abominations,â&#x20AC;? and these specific practices are immoral because the Torah calls them â&#x20AC;&#x153;abominationsâ&#x20AC;??! Moreover, though R. Hirsch connects morality to the â&#x20AC;&#x153;toevahâ&#x20AC;? of cross-dressing

(Devarim 22:5), and Egyptian worship is called â&#x20AC;&#x153;toevahâ&#x20AC;? several times, we are hard-pressed to understand how the laws of Kashrut are an abominationâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;except to the Egyptiansâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;especially after the Rambam describes them as the decree of the King, for which we do not know the reason (â&#x20AC;&#x153;hokâ&#x20AC;?). Perhaps the answer lies in the application of the term. Of the 27 times the term appears in the Torah, two are in Bereishit and two are in Shemot, with all four times referring to Egyptian sensibilities and practice. All six occurrences in Vayikra label the â&#x20AC;&#x153;immoral,â&#x20AC;? if perhaps instinctual, sexual norms. The 17 remaining instances of the term â&#x20AC;&#x153;toevahâ&#x20AC;? are in Devarim, a book that is largely addressed to a generation of people who did not experience Egypt first-hand, but who were raised in the shadow of its culture. Perhaps

Moshe therefore uses the strongest vocabulary of Egypt to ingrain in Bnei Yisrael a revulsion towards the norms of their neighbors: disgusting, repugnant, abomination. Rather, they are to be a distinct people, keeping G-dâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s statutes, to establish a society that is sanctified to G-d. Â° Anne Gordon holds an M.A. in Judaic Studies and a B.A. in History and Philosophy from Harvard University. She is currently pursuing a (slow) doctorate in Jewish Education at Yeshiva University, and teaching at Midreshet HaRova. Before making aliyah, she spent many years learning in the womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s batei midrash of Jerusalem and New York, and teaching in both high school and post-graduate settings.

Open-Kosher for Pesach

,PTIFS M NFIBESJO

.VMUJQMF EJTDPVOUT XJMM OPU CF IPOPSFE www.shiurtimes.com

In Focus

Captive 2008: In the Hands of the Enemy Exclusive Interview with Benny Regev, brother of Eldad Regev

hiurTimes had the opportunity to welcome Benny Regev, older brother of reserve soldier, Eldad Regev, into our offices. Eldad was kidnapped with his patrol partner, Ehud Goldwasser on July 12, 2006, as they patrolled Israel’s border with Lebanon. The subsequent chain of events that followed the kidnapping of Eldad and “Udi” spurred the beginning of the Second Lebanon War.

The interview with Benny was unmistakably seen as an older brother’s heartfelt plea for Eldad’s safe return. His voice quivered when we asked him what Eldad means to him. At that point, the pain that his family has been suffering became palpable. Beyond the sheer discomfort in anticipating Eldad and Udi’s release is the unequivocal frustration that Benny and his family feel; at policymakers, states, international bodies, politicians, individuals, organizations. Frustration at the inaction of the very entities who have signed treaties promising the “immediate release” of captives. It’s been one year and eight months since Eldad and Udi have been kidnapped, and there has been absolutely zero indication on their condition or their whereabouts. The word “helpless” is an understatement, so we hereby offer excerpts from the interview in effort to publicize the current situation, and ask our readers to act in all ways possible to help bring these young men home safely.

| April 2008

www.shiurtimes.com

In Focus 1. Can you please tell us about Eldad? What does he represent to you? Eldad is supposed to be 27 today; he is my little brother (pauses). At the time that he was kidnapped, he was studying pre-Law, and the official acceptance to the faculty of Law arrived after he was kidnapped. Who is he? I think his most prominent character traits was his firmness. He is very principled, on political issues, personal issues… Whenever he had a stance on something, he stuck to it with all his strength. 2. Is there something that you remember specifically about Eldad? I remember him most recently playing with my son-- his nephew. He has such a great connection with kids, especially with his nephews… 3. How does a religious family deal with such a difficult situation? If you’re asking about the event, our faith or asking Hakadosh Baruch Hu why it happened, our education has taught us not to ask such questions. This is from shamayim. We are trying to change it, we are trying to bring him and the others back. From the perspective of faith, we have the same thoughts and the same actions as always. I can’t say that we’ve changednot me, not my brothers, not my father. It’s a lot to deal with; not just the kidnapping in itself, but the long absence. It happens when you lose someone. I, myself, lost my mother 9 years ago and I didn’t lose my faith. It didn’t change in me. Maybe it changed for Eldad…. But as a religious person, I still believe, I still pray. You’re supposed to bless the bad and the good. It’s not simple to bless the bad, but no one promised a life of goodness only…So we deal… 4. How does your community help you? There is a definitely support. Close friends, community members and in general, people that recognize me in the street, there’s definitely encouragement, support, and unity to return our brothers. 5. Are there specific things that they do to help you go on? Words of encouragement definitely help and strengthen us. Letters from children, inquiries, phone calls, especially my father gets a lot. There is an obligation to the world, according to the UN, to call for an immediate release. Fine, we know

that we won’t get an immediate release, but of course we want a release. So whoever is disturbed by this, think of ways that they themselves can help. If someone is influential in his/her community or in some organization, let them exercise that influence for the cause. That’s how we’re asking people to help. 6. Is there a strategy? What is the overall picture right now? Where do things stand? The State has a strategy. Ministers of the State had said that immediately after the war, they would open negotiations with Hizbollah. They are first trying to first discern if they are still alive, and then they want their return to Israel. But that’s been the strategy that they’ve been carrying on for a year and a half already. There are negotiations going on, but we haven’t made any progress in over a year and half. We don’t even know if they are alive! And what have we done? We had a war, although we now know that the liberation of Eldad and Udi was not one of the goals of the war. 7. Are the negotiations going on constantly? The negotiations are not continuous, nor are they direct. It’s not like there are people sitting around a table, one side Israelis and one side Hizbollah. They are conducted through a UN-appointed mediator who goes there, comes back, goes there, comes back. They take place once every 1-2 weeks… very slow, over a long period of time. People are talking, but we haven’t made any progress. 8. Are there specific institutions, organizations or any particular public figure that gives you disappointment? Anyone who could do more, but isn’t? First of all, there are the states that signed the declaration in the UN calling for an immediate release. They signed this paper, but no one has fulfilled what they promised. Not releasing Eldad and Udi is a breach of international law. It’s against UN conventions, against UN declarations, and no one is saying anything about it. They are not even demanding their immediate release. The one public figure who is most disappointing is the one who has conducted the negotiations both during and since the war: Ehud Olmert. This is his responsibility; he is the man that must

change the current situation. I don’t think he’s apathetic... he’s a father, too. When he sits with my father, I do think he understands our pain. 9. Are there points of breaking down? Any despair? There are certain moments where you really have doubts. You’re in a situation where you just don’t see the end. Nothing is happening and days pass by and there’s nothing happening. There’s a lot of frustration with the current situation… it’s been a year and a half of negotiations and absolutely nothing has progressed. Eldad and Udi still aren’t here. It also comes from the fact that the State isn’t getting any information about their fate. It’s really about frustration; not despair. 10. How do you feel about comparisons with Gilad Shalit or Ron Arad? There are very distinct differences with Gilad Shalit. First of all, we know that he is alive. He is living in captivity. We don’t know what his condition is, but we do know that he is alive. With regards to Ron, we did know that he was alive, but we don’t know right now. The comparison with Ron Arad is conceivable. We’re talking about the same country, the same organization... The comparison itself doesn’t do anything for me, except to say that Ron Arad is still in captivity. What I mean is, the situation with Ron Arad is a warning sign; it’s been years and nothing has happened, we still don’t know what his condition is. It shows us what will happen if we don’t work on releasing them now. 11. What is your connection with the Shalit and Goldwasser families? We are very connected. We give each other updates and report to one another. 12. To what extent do you receive aid or support from the Jewish community in the Diaspora? The Goldwassers and the Shalits go abroad a lot. There is massive support. Every synagogue I went to on shabbat said a special prayer for the return of the MIA’s. I definitely feel that there is a desire to help us and influence other governments to do what they can. I think the main issue right now is on the Israeli side, and that is a problem of courage. There is not enough courage to act. We are expected to risk our lives for the country when we are in the army, but | April 2008

In Focus when something like this happens, the country doesn’t risk itself for you? As I see it, Hizbollah doesn’t see any obligation to release them. Absolutely no obligation, and Israel is lacking the courage to act. 13. If there’s a particular messge that you have for the Jews in the Diaspora, what would it be? If it disturbs you that there are soldiers who have been in captivity for a year and eight months, and no one knows whether they need medical attention, or whether they are even alive and their families haven’t heard anything and Hizbollah refuses to give any information, then everyone in your particular place, you should do something. Wherever there is action, there is influence. Hizbollah has aspirations to be a legitimate political body, not just a terror organization. Their way of getting to this

is by using Eldad and Udi as a ploy, and not giving any information on them. As long as they are withholding information, it is a breach of international law, and against human rights. Everyone in their community should exercise their influence however way they can. 14. What is the first thing Eldad will do when he is released? He will come to his family. Family is very important to him. He has to meet his new nephews who have been born... and G-d willing, there’s another child on the way. That’s what he’ll first do- he’ll be with his family. 15. If someone wanted to volunteer in Israel or abroad, where should they turn? We work with an organization called Habanim (www.Habanim.org) and whoever would like to get involved can find information through the website.

Specifically for English speakers, putting pressure on Hizbollah is crucial. The most effective pressure comes from western countries. Through conferences, forums, speeches, rallies, demonstrations... Anything that gets to the media or to politicians definitely helps. 16. If Eldad can hear you, what would you want him to hear? We’re doing everything we can, with all of our strength, to get you out of there. My wife and I had a son shortly after the kidnapping. We named him Et’ah (in time) Pedu’el (G-d will redeem). That is my message: that G-d should release Eldad and redeem him soon. °

Brothers Regev (left to right): Eldad, Eyal, Ofer, Benny.

www.shiurtimes.com

Pesach Supplement

THE SEVENTH DAY OF PASSOVER The holiday that gives direction to our freedom. by Rav Menacham Leibtag

he commonly accepted reason for celebrating the seventh day of Passover is based on the Midrash which says that the splitting of the Red Sea took place seven days after Bnei Yisrael left Egypt. (See Rashi on Shemot 14:5) However, that reason never appears in the Chumash. Furthermore, the Torah’s original commandment to eat matzah for seven days was first given on the day we left Egypt; way before the splitting the Red Sea ever took place. (See 12:15-20 & 13:1-8). In fact, seven seems to be a “magic number” in regard to most all of the Biblical holidays. Not only is Passover seven days, but we also count seven weeks to Shavuot. Then in the seventh month, we celebrate Succot for seven days. (see Devarim 16:1-16) So why do so many holidays revolve around the number seven? The reason may have more to do with agriculture than history. The historical reasons for the three Pilgrimage Holidays (the “shalosh regalim”) are well known. On Passover, we commemorate the Exodus from Egypt. On Shavuot, the giving of the Torah, and on Succot, G-d’s special Providence during our forty-year sojourn in the desert. However, when these holidays are first presented in the Torah, they are described primarily as agricultural holidays. Pesach is the “spring” holiday (chag ha’aviv), when the fruit trees blossom and the grain begins to ripen; Shavuot is the celebration of the grain harvest (chag ha’katzir), while Succot marks the completion of the year’s fruit harvest (chag ha’assif). Note however, that “chag ha’aviv” is celebrated for seven days; “chag ha’katzir” after seven weeks (Shavuot), and “chag ha’assif” also for seven days. Note as well, the repeated mention

of the number seven in the detailed description of these shalosh regalim in Devarim 16:3-15. Why seven? Especially since it was common in ancient times to attribute the success (or failure) of these yearly crops to an array of agricultural gods, G-d’s special nation must make a positive statement of their firm belief that the outcome of their harvest is controlled by the One and only G-d. Therefore, the significance of the number seven in relation to these holidays stems from the centrality of that number in the Torah. Any time we find the number ‘seven’ in the Bible, we can assume that it relates in some manner to the name ‘Elokim,’ which denotes G-d’s true power behind all the phenomena that we refer to as nature. This explains why we celebrate Passover for seven days when nature begins to blossom in full force. We then count for seven weeks—the critical time of our grain harvest— and celebrate Shavuot. Finally, at the conclusion of the fall fruit harvest, we celebrate the seven days of Succot, not only to thank God for His produce, but also to recognize His Providence over our agriculture. (Devarim 11:13-20) So why do we need a historical reason for these holidays as well? It would appear that G-d had orchestrated the timing of these key events in national history to coincide with these critical times of the year. From an agricultural perspective, the spring marks a new beginning, and clearly marks a new start. From the historic perspective, our freedom from Egypt was the new beginning of our national history. In particular, the miracle of Kriyat Yam Suf (splitting the Red Sea), just like the spring, marked a new beginning, as Bnei Yisrael were now free to determine their own destiny. Throughout the seven weeks in the desert, G-d tested the faith of Bnei

Yisrael, thus preparing them for the spiritual challenge of the covenant at Sinai. Just as it took another seven weeks until we reaped the fruits of our grain harvest in the early summer, it will take us seven weeks of preparation, to internalize the spiritual message of Passover. This may be why the Torah set aside a special holiday on “shvii shel Pesach”, the seventh day of Passover, to contemplate the purpose of our freedom, and develop the proper sense of direction for the year that has just begun. ° Rav Menachem Leibtag, founder of the Tanach Study Center (www.tanach.org), is one of the pioneers of Torah education via the internet.

Send a special baby gift to your loved ones in Israel to be a part of their Simcha

For more info visit our website www.week1gifts.com 054-723-4614 (Israel Number) 1-888-42GIFTS (US Number) email: info@week1gifts.com | April 2008

www.shiurtimes.com

Pesach Supplement

The Fifth Redemption: Should We Drink The Fifth Cup at the Seder? If there is such deep significance to the number four at the Pesach seder, why would we drink five cups? by Rabbi Ephraim Sprecher

he number four seems to play an inordinate place in the Pesach Seder. We have four questions, four sons, four verses and of course, the four cups of wine. The Mishna is very specific about the four cups, requiring the community ensure that the poor have four cups even if it comes from public charity. (Pesachim 10:1) Since the Torah says nothing whatsoever about wine in describing the Pesach ritual, the question arises as to the origin and meaning of this practice. Why wine at all and why four cups? To begin with, wine does appear in the Torah in ritual contexts. It was used as libations on the altar (Exodus 29:40) and was considered a special drink that caused people to rejoice. As we read in Psalms, “And wine makes the heart of man joyful…” (104:15) As such, it was taken over from the Temple rite into the synagogue and the home, so that we use it when reciting Kiddush, Havdala and Grace After Meals. The weddings and Brit Milah (circumcision) ceremonies are also solemnized with wine. Since wine was served during festive meals specifically to “make the family rejoice” (see Tosefta Pessachim10:4), it is only natural, then, for the festive Pesach meal to begin and conclude with wine (cups 1 and 2.) The third cup was associated with the recitation of the Maggid, the telling of the story while the fourth cup is recited over Hallel. Different explanations were offered in the writings of the sages as to the significance of the number

four. Among them were: four empires that oppressed Israel, four cups of punishment of those empires, four cups mentioned in connection with Pharaoh, four cups of fury, four decrees of Pharaoh against Israel and four exiles. The most popular and most generally accepted one was that the four cups stand for the four promises of redemption that G-d uttered: “I will free you from the labors of the Egyptians, and I will deliver you from their bondage, and I will redeem you with an outstretched arm and through extraordinary chastisements, and I will take you to be My people.” (Exodus

‘‘

We have been privileged to live in a time when the fifth expression of redemption has actually materialized.” 6:6-7) The Hebrew words are v’hotzeiti, v’hitzalti, v’ga’alti, v’lakahti. If we accept that these four promises parallel the four cups, the question arises about the fifth expression of redemption in Exodus 6:8: “And I shall bring you (v’heiveiti) to the land that I swore to give to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.” And so Rabbi Tarfon taught, “On the fifth cup, one finishes the Hallel and says the Great Hallel [Psalm 136].” (Talmud Yerushalmi Pessachim 10:1) The Cup of Elijah probably also has its origins in the 5th cup. Since not all agreed that we should drink

a fifth cup, the intention was that it was set aside until Elijah comes and decides the issue along with all other halachic complexities. It may be that the majority of the Sages demurred because that promise was painfully unfulfilled after the exile of the year 70 C.E. Both Rav Amram Gaon and the Rambam mention using the fifth cup, although they see it as optional, but not required. On the other hand, Rabbi Menahem Kasher, in his edition of the Haggada, strongly advocates the drinking of the fifth cup. He believes that we have been privileged to live in a time when the fifth expression of redemption has actually materialized. The Jewish People has returned to its own land and established the State of Israel. Therefore, it is right and proper that we drink a fifth cup to recognize that reality and express our gratitude and thanksgiving to G-d for it. According to Rabbi Kasher, the Cup of Elijah can be passed to all the participants as the fifth cup. Considering the fact that so great a sage as Rabbi Tarfon advocated the fifth cup and that such great authorities as the Rambam and Rav Amram Gaon permitted it, it would seem that not to do so would be an act of ingratitude to G-d for the partial redemption (represented by the State of Israel), that has come about in our time. How many cups does it take to express our gratitude at the Seder? I believe that the answer is five. ° Rabbi Ephraim Sprecher is the Dean of Students at the Diaspora Yeshiva on Mt. Zion in Jerusalem.

| April 2008

Pesach Supplement

The Kitniyot Affair The background to the Ashkenazi custom of not eating kitniyot on Pesach. By Rabbi Professor Daniel Sperber

s Pesach draws closer, we Ashkenazim frantically search through the supermarket shelves examining the lists of contents on packages, making sure we don’t purchase anything with traces of kitniyot (legumes). We scrutinize the hechsherim to see whether they are “for Sephardim only” or “hashash kitniyot” (possibly containing legumes). All this because of the stern prohibition for Ashkenazim against eating kitniyyot in any form. This prohibition is usually termed “gezerat kitniyyot.” However, this gezerah has no mention in the Talmud or the literature of the geonim. The Talmud only knows of five kinds of grains that can become chametz, and there is also a discussion concerning rice. But nothing about kitniyyot. From where, then, does the prohibition come? The prohibition first appears at the end of the 12th and beginning of the 13th centuries in France. Sefer Mitzvot Katan (R. Isaac of Curbeil), tells of a custom practiced by some of his contemporaries who do not eat certain legumes on Pesach. His brother-in-law relates that Rav Yehiel of Paris ate “white beans.” Apparently, the prohibition had not spread to Paris. Rav Samuel of Falaise (13th century Normandy) writes: “There is a custom to be stringent with regard to kitniyot other than if they have been boiled in water. However I heard from R. Yehuda of Paris that he himself would eat them, and so do his followers…In my opinion, one should desist from this prohibition for it is a mistaken custom on the part of our forefathers.” In a similar vein, Rabbenu Yerucham from Provence writes “those whose custom it is not to eat types of boiled kitniyot on Pesach, it is a mistaken custom, except if they wish to take upon themselves a chumra (stringency), but I don’t know why [they should do so.]” R. Asher, in his codex of Jewish law, the Tur (14th century), states “there are those who prohibit” but then adds www.shiurtimes.com

“this is an excessive stringency (chumra yeteira) and it is not the practice here.” In the 16th century, R. Moshe Isserles (the Rema), writes in Darkei Moshe, “But it is the custom of the sons of Ashkenaz to take the stringent path,” [i.e. to prohibit eating kitniyot on Pesach]. The Rema was following the rulings of the great Ashkenazi authority of the early 14th century Rav Yisrael Moellin (the Maharil), and his followers. His disciple, R. Israel Isserline, in his Terumot HaDeshen, permitted using kitniyot oil to light lamps, arguing that the prohibition was only for eating them, but not other forms of benefit. Fom this we may deduce that he forbade using kitniyot oil for food purposes.

‘‘

The Talmud only knows of five kinds of grains that can become hametz... where, then, does the prohibition come from? ” There are various reasons for this prohibition. The sacks that stored these products were also used to store grains and therefore it was possible or probable that real grains mixed in with the kitniyyot, but had gone unnoticed; or that one can make with them products that look like hametz. Whichever reason be the right one, we would assume that whole kitniyot such as peas or beans, could be eaten on Pesach since any admixture of grains would be clearly visible. Yet, strangely enough, these too were forbidden by the poskim. Regarding kitniyot that had been guarded over (shimur) from the time of harvesting and had never came into contact with water, and were even baked within eighteen minutes, surely they would be permissible since they would have been treated in the same way we produce matzah shemurah. But actually, quite a number of authorities ruled that they too are prohibited.

Since the exact definition of kitniyot is by no means clear, there has been a tendency to include a wide variety of species, including some that were not even known in medieval times (such as soy), and could not have been intended by those who innovated this prohibition. Over the years there have been attempts to annul the gezerah. The Chaham Zvi, in early 18th century Amsterdam, tried to do this within his Ashkenazi community, but was confronted with such great opposition that regretfully, he gave up. Wistfully he remarks: “But I say that he who succeeds in annulling this prohibition …my place be with him. And want that the great authorities of our generation would agree with me to take upon themselves this mitzvah (of annulling this prohibition.)” In our time there have been a few rabbis who have taken the position of the Chaham Zvi, especially in times of crisis, war or famine. They too suffered the slings and arrows of their opponents. Perhaps this is because rabbis of the Conservative movement have permitted the use of kitniyot and the Orthodox authorities do not wish to be seen as following a Conservative initiative. But should this argument really influence an objective examination of the evidence? In summary, what started off as a local custom limited to a small number of legumes in certain areas of 13th century France, and was rejected by several leading Baalei HaTosafot as being a great mistake, now monopolizes the Ashkenazi “kosher lePesach” market. Should not this issue be re-examined anew? It would certainly make our Pesach cooking easier, its menu more diverse and we could all eat together with our Sephardi colleagues. ° Rabbi Professor Daniel Sperber is the President of the Ludwig and Erica Jesselson Institute for Advanced Torah Studies and Bar Ilan University. He has authored many publication on the history of Jewish customs, Jewish art history, Jewish education and Talmudic studies.

Pesach Supplement

6 Ways to Maximize

Pre-Passover Freedom Practical ways to free yourself from our household “enslavements.”

South American Grill

all-you-can eat Kosher L’mehadrin

Ask them to bring a dish, help you clean or buy the wine. Arrange play dates for kids, hire a teenager to babysit or send them to Pesach camp.

by Beth Shapiro he weeks leading up to Passover can be some of the most stressful times of the entire year. Below are some tips that I have found to organize and lighten the load so that I can enjoy the holiday of freedom.

Make a list– When there is so much to do, it can all get jumbled in your head and feel overwhelming. By making a list, you take it off of your brain and can see what is in front of you. My master list might read “take care of myself, shop, clean house, organize seder, make sleeping arrangements for guests, worry about Uncle Chaim’s bad temper, plan Chol Hamoed trips.” Each major topic in the list will have sub-lists. The “Clean House” list might include rooms in the house and supplies needed. “Uncle Chaim’s temper” list might say “discuss with trusted friend or Rav, daven, keep him away from cousin Bob.”

Learn the difference between want and need– You might really want to repaint the living room or scrub the bathroom tiles before Pesach. This is not the time to get your house into perfect condition. I suggest using the long Fridays the summer for household projects and concentrate on getting rid of Chametz.

Put away the cape– No one needs you to be superwoman except you. Get help. Are you having guests for seder?

Take care of YOU- So often we get involved in preparations and forget to take care of ourselves. As Pesach gets closer, you need energy. It is important to eat well, exercise and take time for yourself. Go to a Yom Iyun, go for a walk or for a cup of coffee. You’ll come home refreshed and ready to move forward.

Receive a free glass of wine or a dessert with the presentation of this coupon!*

Haneviim St. 54 Jerusalem Tel: 02-624-7432 *doesn’t apply to business menu

www.vaqueiro.co.il

Get a buddy– Time passes more pleasurably with a good friend. If you and your friend both have a lot to do, do it together. On Tuesday you can clean at her house, on Wednesday you can clean at your house, on Thursday go shopping together for Yom Tov clothes. Then after a tough week, let her cook the soup and you make the chicken for Shabbos.

Make a gratitude list– Note what you have accomplished each day. See who has helped you, what went well. Thank Hashem for all of your blessings and ask Him to continue to give them to you. This will give you strength and change your outlook. Remember: One of the points of Passover is to free ourselves of our enslavements. Freeing yourself from perfectionism, procrastination and self deprivation can make your holiday truly liberating and joyous. May you have a Chag Kasher v’Sameach. Beth Shapiro is a joyous mother of four and a recovering clutter-a-holic. She has learned that by letting go of the things we are fighting, you can free yourself to get things done. She can be reached at tafkid1@netvision.net.il

Looking for the best value to transport your belongings to and from Israel? Our network gives us great flexibility for moving anywhere in the world! Relocation services including assistance with accomodation search, customs regulations, etc.

ISRADEM-DEMECO www.demeco-isradem.com

Quality standards: Household Goods Forwarders Association of America and Canadian Association of Movers accreditation

YOSSEF DOVER T: +972.9.684.64.93 F: +972.8.684.64.94 info@demeco-isradem.com | April 2008

www.shiurtimes.com

Community Profile

Mitzpe Netofa A tightly-knit religious community with special accommodations for new immigrants. by Ilene Bloch-Levy

religiously observant community yishuv (kippa sruga) in the Lower Galilee. Mitzpe Netofa, originally a Nachal base was officially established in 1984 by a group committed to the Zionist ideal of “Hityashvut Hagalil” — settling the Galilee. Growing Community From this original cadre of 22 young families, others joined and slowly the yishuv began to grow. Today, there are 135 families with new plots being allocated for another 70 families in the “Stage 3” section, which will break ground after Pesach. Among the many features that make this vibrant community so attractive are the exquisite views from the Galilean hilltops and the lush vegetation that greets you everywhere. Sitting 400 meters above sea level means that the climate is moderate year-round. Similarly, the friendly and open yishuv atmosphere makes Mitzpe Netofa ideal for raising kids. Just ask the many new young married’s who grew up here and are now building their homes, like their parents, in Mitzpe Netofa. They add to the lovely mix of young and old, veteran Israelis and olim from around the world, including some 15% English speakers.

hour west. Being outside of the ‘hustle and bustle of the center’ means that traffic jams are fewer and far between. Religious Lifestyle Rabbi Eli Altschuller is the community rabbi, with a number of other rabbis, including several from Yeshivat Ma’aleh Gilboa, as active and involved residents. There are numerous community Torah study frameworks including small hevrutot (study partners) and regularly scheduled classes. A tightly-knit community by design, Mitzpe Netofa has only one synagogue and one minyan on Shabbat and holidays, and separate Ashkenazi and Sepharadi minyanim during the High Holidays. Nearly all children go to the regional religious elementary school in Lavi. For high school, most girls go to the Ulpana in Tiberias (by school bus) and boys choose from Chispin, Hazorim, Meron and Sdei Yaakov which are all private (mostly dorm) schools.

Unique Aliyah Program Mitzpe Netofa is particularly attractive to new olim (immigrants) interested in joining the community’s unique Aliyah Program. The cooperative efforts of the Jewish Agency, the Settlement Division of the WZO and other partners, led to the establishment of a local community-based Aliyah program. The program includes temporary housing, ulpan, job networking, tutoring, and other beneficial services. Now in its third year, the program continues to be filled to capacity. So, if you’re looking for a home with ample garden space, an easy absorption program, tranquil surroundings replete with plush vegetation, good educational facilities, and an ideologically-based community of nice, caring people, then Mitzpe Netofa should be high up on your list. For more information, see www.netofa.com. ° Community Research Profile has been contributed to ShiurTimes by the Kehillot Tehilla Communities department. www.kehillottehilla.com

Employment & Transportation Thanks to Mitzpe Netofa’s central northern location, nearly all the residents are employed in the north. The eventual opening of the #6 toll road nearby will also make employment in the merkaz (center of country) a viable option. Public transportation reaches the Golani Junction 5 km away. Tiberias lies 20 minutes east, Safed, Misgav and Karmiel 25 minutes north, Afula 30 minutes south, Migdal HaEmek and Yokneam 40 minutes west and Haifa one

| April 2008

www.shiurtimes.com

Travel

Ir David: The City of David Experience the sublime synthesis of ancient and modern

by Rabbi Mordechai Weiss

erushalayim, Jerusalem, The Holy City where the third Temple will be rebuilt speedily in our days, the city of gold where both Temples once stood. The “old” city, the Kotel, the Western Wall tunnel. There is so much to see when touring Jerusalem, both from ancient and modern times. The truth be told, the City of David, one of Jerusalem’s most popular tourist sights, the place “where it all started”, is a place you will probably want to visit with the assistance of a guide in order to appreciate what you are looking at. The good news is that pre-arranging for a guide is quite simple and can be done by contacting the City of David National Park. Of course that will mean an additional expense, but an expense I believe to be worthwhile. So where to begin? If you have the opportunity, my suggestion is to start at the ‘tayelet,’ the Haas Promenade in East Talpiyot which overlooks Abu Tur, facing north towards ‘Har Habayit’. From this vantage point you can appreciate the idea of Avraham Avinu, while traveling together with his beloved son Yitzchak, looking afar at Har HaMoriah up ahead, and the place of the ‘Akeida.’ And if the sun is shining at the right angle when you visit, you can also discern the outline of the hill jutting out just south of Har Habayit where Dovid HaMelech established his capital 3,000 years ago. The area is small (12 acres) when compared to the size of modern day Jerusalem, but what it lacks in size, it definitely makes up for in the amount of history it has. Indeed, it is the one of the world’s most excavated places! One of the most beautiful aspects of the City of David is that parts of the city’s ancient past are always being discovered. Before beginning your tour, enjoy the view of the Old City walls (actually, not that old when compared to the City of David itself!) and of the Mount of Olives. There, you can view a 20 minute film about the area. Definitely set aside some serious

time (2-3 hours), if you plan to visit this site. You can always choose to spend more or less time, as you wish. What will you see here? Remnants of what may have been King David’s palace. Remains of the “stronghold of Zion” captured by King David from the Jebusites. Remains from the time of the First Temple. The different water systems of ancient Jerusalem, all emanating from the Gihon Spring where King Solomon was anointed king and from where water was used for the services in the nearby Temple. The highlight of the trip through this ancient city is a walk through the water tunnel constructed by King Hezekiah over 2,500 years ago. If you decide to take this route, come prepared! (The kids will love it). It’s about a 40 minute walk and the water is about 70 cm deep. You will need a flashlight and proper shoes for walking through the water. After leaving the tunnel, you can visit the Shiloach pool and learn about all the recent discoveries in this area dating back to the times of both the second and first Beit HaMikdash (Holy Temple).

‘‘

One of the many beauties of visiting the City of David is that they are always uncovering and discovering more and more of the ancient city’s past.”

Check out the website of the City of David website www.cityofdavid.org.il or call *6033 for more information. ° Rabbi Mordechai Weiss is a licensed tour guide and currently resides in Mitzpeh Yericho. He can be reached at rabbiguide@gmail.com.

| April 2008

www.shiurtimes.com

Making a Difference

March of the Living Marking 20 years of commemorating the Holocaust in Auschwitz on Yom HaShoah. by Yehudit Singer

ince its inception in 1988, the March of the Living has set the stage for on-site Holocaust education. What began with a ‘small’ group of 1,500 people has brought over 125,000 participants to tour Poland, seeing historical sites of Jewish life before, during and after the Holocaust. The educational program revolves around Yom HaShoah (Holocaust Memorial Day). Participants visit various historic Jewish sites to learn about Jewish life pre-Holocaust. Places include the Ghetto Memorial, Mila 18, the

thousands of Jews were forced to make during the Holocaust itself. Every morning of Yom HaShoah since 1988, thousands of students, survivors, parents and educators join together at the infamous “Arbeit Macht Frei” gate in Auschwitz. After a shofar blows, the entire group begins a silent 3k march until they reach Birkenau. They then break into smaller groups to have their own ceremonies. This year, five thousand participants will continue to Israel, where they will also march from the Jerusalem Municipality to the Old City, as they celebrate Israel’s

restored Nozyck Synagogue in Warsaw, the Warsaw ghetto, Schindler factory, Ramah and Issac Shuls in Cracow, and various Jewish cemeteries. The tour focuses on concentration camps, as well. Groups are taken to the locations of concentration camps such as Auschwitz, Birkenau, Treblinka and Majdanek. The pinnacle of the program is the silent “March of the Living”, which begins on the morning of Yom HaShoah. This is contrasted to the “March of Death” that

60th year of independence. “Combining Auschwitz, Majdanek and Jerusalem into one visit has a tremendous impact in making you more of a committed Jew,” says David Machlis, Executive Vice Chairman of the International March of Living. Research conducted on the longterm effects of the program indeed show significantly positive influences on participants. The highest percentages relate to increases in commitment to Israel and taking actives stand against

anti-Semitism and discrimination. However, there are still obstacles. The greatest challenges today are twofold: the increasing amount of Holocaust denial, and combating the idea that Israel’s 60th year of independence equals the 60th anniversary of “al-Nakba,” or “the Catastrophe.” [“Al-Nakba” is how Palestinians refer to Israel’s Independence in 1948. They claim that this was the day when the Palestinians were dispossessed of their land. Israel’s day of celebration therefore equals Palestinians’ day of mourning.] Eli Rubinstein, Director of the March of the Living in Canada tells of the huge challenge involved in educating students about how “al-Nakba” is a corruption of history. “We need to teach these students how and why this history is simply not valid. It is a distortion of facts.” He recalls one situation where a survivor lectured before a group of high school students in Canada. One student raised his hand and asked about how, as a Holocaust survivor, the survivor felt about “what Israel does to the Palestinians.” The survivor heard the question and apologized. He said, “I must ask your forgiveness. If this question is asked after speaking of my experiences during the Holocaust, and how my entire family was murdered right before my eyes, then clearly I did not succeed in doing a good job at conveying what the Holocaust is.” Especially with the increase in Holocaust denial, and the decrease in survivors who are still able to join the March, the next few years are crucial to get as many people as possible to go on the program. “We are witnesses to a direct testimony [from the survivors],” says Rubinstein. “We must become their spokespeople, and become bearers of memory. In a sense, they are prophets. The survivors have greater insights into what they world was and what the world can be. We must listen very carefully while they are still with us,” says Rubinstein. ° Yehudit Singer is the Editor of ShiurTimes. She is a MA candidate in Jewish Education at the Hebrew University, and is focusing her studies on Holocaust Museum Education. |

march

2008

Ltd.

Beyond a Bathing Suit, Savvy, Certified Sun Protective, Modest

* Mix nâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; match pieces for all water sports. * Variety of coverage options. The freedom to enjoy the water like never before, HydroChic. Contact us: info@hydrochic.com www.hydrochic.com For a location nearest you 054-7253-964 / 054-4500-963

CLASSIFIED

BEIT SHEMESH FOR SALE Bnei Beitcha, 10-Room Villa, 4 floors w/ basement, Anglo neighbors, 360 meters, well-kept garden, very nice view, exclusive housing. For price, call RE/MAX NE’EMAN 972-2-992-2265 Yossi Lipsh, Agent: 972-52-396-0551 Nachal Raziel, Cottage in nice quiet area. 3 floors, 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, large salon with lots of air & light. Central A/C, large kitchen with dining area, big basement. 2 porches, huge garden, fantastic breathtaking view. Call for price: RE/MAX NE’EMAN: 972 2-992-2265. Yossi Lipsh, agent 972-52-3960-551 Nachal Refaim, 4 room apt. 3rd Floor. Very upgraded kitchen, beautiful flooring, spacious rooms, well-kept. Bright and airy, nice view, storage room with window. Parking Space. Call for price, RE/MAX NE’EMAN: 972-2-992-2265. Yossi Lipsh, agent 972-52-396-0551 Nachal Refaim, Duplex 5 rooms. 2 large porches with panoramic view. Great location, upgraded kitchen, elevator, storage room, private parking spot. Call for price: RE/MAX NE’EMAN: 972-2-992-2265. Yossi Lipsh, Agent:972-52-396-0551 Nachal Shimshon: 6 room fully detached cottage. Large living room/ dining room area. 100 m. Well-kept garden. Two porches with nice views. 4 pergolas. Private entrance, no steps, separate entrance for guest unit. Call for price: RE/MAX NE’EMAN: 972-2-992-2265. Yossi Lipsh, Agent 972-52-396-0551

Nachal Dolev: Very invested apartment 145 m, first floor. 5 rooms, big salon. Beautiful garden 180 meters, storage room and covered parking. Call for price: RE/MAX NE’EMAN 972-2-992-2265. Yossi Lipsh, agent 972-52-396-0551 Givat Savion- Bet Shemesh 292\375 m² Property, 8 Rooms, Free Standing Home, Central Air & Heating3 Upgraded Bathrooms, Lovely Kitchen, Large Bedrooms, Screens, Alarm System, Maintained Garden Private with Amazing View Must See To Believe !!! Asking Price – 2,4999,999 NIS Exclusive to Anglo Saxon 02-999-8422 Givat Sharett- Bet Shemesh COUNTRY HOME- 150\750 m², 5.5 Rooms, One level, Easy Access, Custom Kitchen, Separate Living Room & Dining Room A/C and Heating Unit, Spacious and Bright, Very Large Garden Nearby to Everything You Need ! Asking Price- 1,600,000 NIS Exclusive to Anglo Saxon 02-999-8422

æNofei Aviv, Beit Shemesh. Fantastic cottage, 6 rooms, custom Gepetto kitchen, patio with pergola, large garden, 183/350m². Asking price1,350,000nis. Anglo-Saxon Beit Shemesh. Ida 02-999-8422 or 057-777-2370 or 02-999-8422 Beautiful 7 room house, 180 m² (c.1,962 sq.ft), sought after location in Ramat Bet Shemesh Aleph,Separate living room/dining room, master suite with bathroom, eat-in kitchen, a/c, screens, large balcony, amazing view, private garden. Exclusive to Anglo Saxon For details: Sara Wolf 02-999-8422

AAA CERTIFIED A golden opportunity! 4 rooms, 110 sqm., private entrance, patio, completely renovated, fully a/c, 2 bathrooms, spacious, good directions, light and view, NIS 960,000. Contact Kobi Hemed 054-2460246, RE/ MAX AAA 02-6232680 AAA CERTIFIED First come first win! 4 room large cottage, 115 sqm., fully renovated, 30 sqm. Garden + 10 sqm. balcony, 2.5 bathrooms, parents unit + walking closet, mini central a/c, good directions, view. NIS 1,200,000. Contact Kobi Hemed 054-2460246, RE/ MAX AAA 02-6232680

Yossi Lipsh

AAA CERTIFIED Best deal! 4 rooms in entrance level, easy access, light, quiet and charming, Succah balcony, nice view. Price: only NIS 865,000. Contact Kobi Hemed 054-2460246, RE/MAX AAA 02-6232680

Real Estate Agent specializing in Ramat Beit Shemesh Neighborhood

AAA CERTIFIED Rare! In Adam St. huge 6 rooms apartment, 166 sqm on 1 level, option for a detached unit, 50 sqm garden, private entrance, storage room, 2.5 bathrooms, lots of light and view, $475,000. Contact Kobi Hemed 054-2460246, RE/MAX AAA 02-6232680

ABU TOR For elderly or handicapped: 4 rooms, ground floor with exit to garden. Balcony, private parking and storage. Contact Active Model Properties at 02-561-9854 or email active88@ bezeqint.net ARMON HANATZIV Spacious 4 rooms.Penthouse, calm, balcony, beautiful view. $259,000 ‘Hamishkenote” 052-8385401 Tovah

052-396-0551 yossi.lipsh@remax.co.il

www.remax-israel.com/neeman

ARNONA Exclusive! 7 room Pent-cottage on Revadim St. 50 sq.m. Terrace. 2 parking spaces and 2 storage rooms. Sonia: 050-5595773. Colony: 02-5611611 Spacious 3 rms., completely renovated, calm + studio (25 sq. meters) Hamishkenote 052-8980111 Mendel

ANGLO-SAXON BET SHEMESH Nachal Ze'elim 2/2 Ramat Bet Shemesh TEL: 02 999 8422 USA 201 234 4733 UK 0207 023 7576

JERUSALEM FOR SALE æNachal Refaim: Three floor cottage very impressive, beautifully fully invested and in great condition! Marble floors. 6 Bedrooms, big master suite unit, 3 bathrooms, Central A/C. 40 meter porch with pergola, Really nice kitchen plus dining area. Call for price: RE/MAX NE’EMAN: 972-2-992-2265. Yossi Lipsh, Agent 972-52-396-0551

NE’EMAN

AAA CERTIFIED Location! Location! Location! Caspi St. Penthouse, 185 sqm. renovated in high standard, magnificent view of the Old City, private elevator, quiet st., 5.5 rooms, 4 directions, 2 terraces + 50 sqm. roof, 3.5 bathrooms, private entrance, 2 parking lots, 3 storage rooms. Price $2,350,000. Contact Kobi Hemed 054-2460246 RE/MAX AAA 02-6232680

NEW PROJECTS – NO COMMISSION EXISTING PROPERTY – QUALITY HOMES FOR LESS ENGLISH SPEAKING AGENTS RELIABILITY & INTEGRITY OUR HALLMARK

march

2008

CLASSIFIED 5 room house. Designed and decorated by architect. Garden, Balconies, greenery, beautiful view. Hamishkenote 054-4671623 Dorit Arnona Hatzeira- 4 rms. Renovated, elevator, balcony, view, storage and parking Hamishkenote 054-4671623 BAKA Good deal! 4 rooms, 95 sqm,elevator,2 balconies, parking, Only 1,050,000 NIS Ben Zimra Real Estate 02-5633008 5 room apartment on the 1st floor. Arab style house. High ceilings + porch. Sonia: 050-5595773. Colony: 02-5611611 Arab house 290 sq.m. + garden 350 sq. m., lots of charm in a small, quiet pastoral street. For renovation. Hamishkenote 052-3202488 Michael Luxurious 6 rm. Penthouse, new, private elevator, pastoral, parking, view. Hamishkenote 052-3202488 Michael Pastoral, 4 rms. 1st. Fl., balcony, light and airy, parking + studio. Hamishkenote 052-8385401 Tovah Very beautifully renovated 164 m. apartment. First floor. Three porches. Huge living room, roomy kitchen, spacious separate guest room. Four very large bedrooms, laundry room, hallway with area for another den. Asking $1,500,000. Negotiable. EVA AVIAD REALTY Call 054-4999043 www. aviadrealty.com Wonderful townhouse. 400 meters. Private entrance. 6 bedrooms. Garden. Elevator inside. Newly built. For details call EVA AVIAD REALTY. Call 054-4999043 Magnificent penthouse, 160m2, luxurious, elevator, large balcony, beautiful view, storage-room, parking. Hamishkenote 052-3202488 Michael Rare! 220 sq.m + garden (300sq. m.), parking, decorated to clientâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s taste. Hamishkenote 052-8980111 Mendel New and modern building. Nice 2 rooms., 2nd fl., elevator, basement and parking. Hamishkenote 052-6787813 Emmanuel

BEIT HAKEREM Great location in classic Beit Hakerem. 5 room apartment for high class people. Batya: 050-7910000. Colony: 02-5611611 6 room penthouse in a quite and prestige location. Large terrace with view. Batya: 050-7910000. Colony: 02-5611611 CITY CENTER Arab house, 7 rms, 200 sq. meters, one fl., original fl., balcony, view, private entrance, immediate occupancy. Hamishkenote 02-6737725 Benny Very central modern (Yaffo-Shuk). 24 Hour Security. High Floor. Shabbat Lift. Private Parking with Direct Access. High Class Decoration. Air Conditioning. Amazing View. 70 sq.m USD$290K. Contact: Benyamin 0525404328/5 Very central modern (Yaffo-Shuk). Huge Penthouse with 100msq.Terrace. Private. 24 Hour Security. High Floor. Shabbat Lift. Private Parking with Direct Access. High Class Decoration. Air Conditioning. Amazing View. USD$450K Contact: Benyamine 0525404328/5 GERMAN COLONY Exceptional Penthouse. 200 sqm, 6 rooms, private elevator, large terrace, view, quiet, exclusive, $1,400,000. Ben Zimra Real Estate 02-5633008 Magnificent newly renovated 200 sqm Arab-style duplex. Quiet street. Private entrance, high ceilings & archways. Near Emek Refaim, walking distance to Old City. Can purchase with furniture & appliances. Call Eiferman Properties at 02-651-4030. German Colony/Old Katamon border. Three story house with huge garden. More than 400 sq. meters inside. Very high ceilings. For renovation. Asking $4 million. EVA AVIAD REALTY. Call 054-4999043 www.aviadrealty.com GILO Beautiful elegant new house.6 rooms. Available immediately. Hanan: 052-5951886. Colony: 02-5611611 HAR HOMA Luxurious 4 rms., large living room, beautiful kitchen, balcony of 50 square meters. 1,130,000 nis Hamishkenote 052-6787813 Emmanuel |

march

2008

CLASSIFIED HOLYLAND 5 room apartment + basement and large garden. Call Hanan: 052-5951886, Colony: 02-5611611

AAA CERTIFIED Splendid view of Jerusalem! 2.5 rooms apartment in a luxurious building with spa, 4th floor with Shabbat elevator, $290,000. Contact David Chaouat 054-7316699, RE/MAX AAA 02-6232680

4 rooms, third floor (elevator under way), renovated, 2 balconies, ensuite bedroom on Tchernichovsky st. Asking price: $395,000. Contact Yona 054-224-5121, RE/MAX Vision 02-6731661. KIRYAT YOVEL Retirement Home for the â&#x20AC;&#x153;golden years.â&#x20AC;? For elderly couple or single. Actual price $200,000, Asking price: $175,000 Maintenance fee includes reception services and medical services. Contact Yossi Spielman, Active Model Properties at 052-346-2990. Email active88@bezeqint.net MAALEH ADUMIM

Superb 6 rm. Cottage with potential, private entrance, parking. Hamishkenote 052-8385401 Tovah KIRYAT SHMUEL Rav Berlin St. Great location! 3.5 rooms on the second floor + office and an open porch. Batya: 050-7910000. Colony: 02-5611611 Large 4 rms., 1st. Fl., very large balcony (120m2), view, basement. Hamishkenote 052-8385401 Tovah

AAA CERTIFIED. Mitzpeh Nevo. Huge villa, in Anglo religious area, 11 rooms, 330 sqm on 5 levels; large dining room/living room with fireplace, large patio, gardens, 2 terraces, garage, amazing views. Contact Michael Brand 054-4408872 RE/MAX AAA 02-6232680. MALCHA Dishon St. 4 rooms + large porch and Garden. Private entrance. 2 parking spaces and a storage room. Hanan: 052-5951886. Colony: 02-5611611

AAA CERTIFIED Exclusive! Horkania St., 4 rooms, 3rd floor, beautifully renovated, 2 bathrooms, roofed 16 m. balcony with option for closing to an additional room, storage room and parking. Asking price NIS 1,280,000. Contact Shlomit Greenbaum 054-2556220, RE/MAX AAA 02-6232680 AAA CERTIFIED A rare bargain! On Tchernichovsky St., 4 rooms, 90 sqm., 1.5 floor, 2 bathrooms, light, nice view, lots of charm. Only $330,000! Contact Kobi Hemed 054-2460246 RE/ MAX AAA 02-6232680

www.shiurtimes.com

MEKOR HAIM Close to Baka. 4 large rooms, elevator, salon 30 sqm, renovated, quiet, parking. 1,350,000 NIS. Ben Zimra Real Estate 02-5633008 NACHLAOT Great vacation home, delightful newly built 2-room apartment. High ceilings, private ground floor entrance & private garden. Located on quiet street close to City Center, & the Old City. Call Eiferman Properties at 02-651-4030 or email info@ jerusalemrealestateinfo.com Beautiful new project seconds from Shaarei Chesed. 200 sqm. duplex, 6 rooms, highest building standard, sukkah balcony, Shabbat elevator. Contact Ilana 0545-341-403 ilana_n@ netvision.net.il or Dov 052-5533-739 shapirod@netvision.net.il

CLASSIFIED NAYOT Apartment with view! 4.5 rooms, beautiful! 3rd floor + 2 balconies + parking. Call Yossi Spielman at Active Model Properties at 02-561-9854 or 052-346-2990. Email active88@ bezeqint.net Near museums (Neve Hamuzeon) 90 sq.m. New apartment on the second floor. Elevator and 2 storage rooms. Haviva: 050-5525250. Colony: 02-5611611 NOF TSION Btwn. Abu Tor and Armon Hanatsiv. Facing Goldstein Promenade, private guarded residence . Luxurious penthouses+120msq apts. Large Terraces for Succah. Amazing View of Old City. 2 Synagogues + commercial center. Special Prices for Investors USD$3000/4000. Leave a message 050254269 OLD KATAMON Close to park. 4 large rooms,100 sqm, modern, first floor, elevator, parking, storage room, exclusive, $490,000. Ben Zimra Real Estate 02-5633008

Unique Arabic style house. On a plot of 600 sqm, huge charming garden, building rights, prime location. Ben Zimra Real Estate 02-5633008 In the heart of Old Katamon, on Bilu St. Rooftop apartment, 3 rooms, well-lit, beautiful balcony. Needs renovation. 3rd floor. Only 1,400,000nis. Exclusive to Active Model Properties at 02-561-9854 or 052-346-2990. Email active88@bezeqint.net 3 rooms on the 3rd floor, full of light, Sukka porch. Ohad: 050-9002142. Colony: 02-5611611

Small quiet street near Jerusalem Theatre. 3 rooms. 60 sqm., succah balcony. Asking price: NIS 1,6500,000. (at current dollar exchange rate). Call Edna 050-633 0850 RE/MAX Vision 02-6731661 Beautiful Arab house with garden. 5 large rooms, 100sqm., Succah balcony, private entrance. Asking price: $800,000. Call Edna 050-6330850, RE/ MAX Vision 02-6731661 Perfect holiday apartment with garden, 3 rooms, 70 sqm. Beautifully renovated. Asking price: NIS 2,000,000 (at current dollar exchange rate). Edna 050-633 0850, RE/MAX Vision 02-6731661. Edna 050-633 0850, RE/ MAX Vision 02-6731661 Charming apartment across from park, 3 rooms, 77 sqm.. Asking: NIS 1,275,000 (at current dollar exchange rate). RE/MAX Vision 02-6731661.

AAA CERTIFIED Great business opportunity on charming Bilu St.! 4.5 rooms, 100 sqm. net., 2nd and top floor, high ceilings, for renovation. Huge potential, great location, quiet and green area. Contact David Chaouat 054-7316699, RE/MAX AAA 02-6232680

RAMAT DENIA 4 story Villa. 10 rooms. Covered parking for 3 cars. Large garden. High style planning. Hana: 052-3827037

#1 RE /M

t 3&"- &4T"5& t #6: t 4"-& t 3&/5

Mikael

Yehuda 10, Baka

02-673-7725 TPMM FrFF

e-mail: mikaelaz@bezeqint.net

www.azran.co.il

EM AX OFFICE IN JERUSAL

march

2008

CLASSIFIED

.RAMOT

Plot with building rights of 250 sq. m, has lots of potential. Hamishkenote 054-4671623 Dorit

Unique penthouse. 309 sqm. with over 100 sqm of balconies. Shabbat elevator, private parking, green vistas. Needs upgrade. Contact Ilana Nelson 0545-341-403, RE/MAX Vision AAA CERTIFIED Ramot 02 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Mishâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;olim: 02-6731661 5 bedroom cottage + studio apt. with separate entrance, Succah Desirable street, new 383 sqm duplex balcony, renovated, view. Asking with parking & elevator. 112 sqm price NIS 2,200,000. Contact Eli Buton balcony plus roof garden. Magnificent 0544-637720 RE/MAX AAA 02-6232680 views. Near synagogues, hotels & close walking distance to the Old City. Eiferman AAA CERTIFIED Ramot Alefâ&#x20AC;&#x201D; Spacious Properties at 02-651-4030 or email info@ renovated 4 room terraced apartment jerusalemrealestateinfo.com + building rights, private entrance, Metudela St, Very Rare Duplex. 67sqm.+19 Succah porch, storage room, no sqm.Terrace+45 sqm. Private Garden stairs, gorgeous view! Asking price registered in the â&#x20AC;&#x153;Taboâ&#x20AC;?. Private Parking. NIS 3,200,000. Contact Eli Buton 2 Entrances. Many Possibilities. Valued 0544-637720 RE/MAX AAA 02-6232680 at USD360K Asking only USD320K Urgent Private Contact: Marc 0525404325/8. AAA CERTIFIED Ramot 06 â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Unique 5 bedroom villa, garden and terrace, SAN SIMON excellent location, community services Shai Agnon â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Beautiful 5 room nearby. Asking price NIS 1,395,000. apartment, full of light, storage room, Contact Eli Buton 0544-637720 RE/ Shabbat Elevator and covered parking. MAX AAA 02-6232680 Batya: 050-7910000. Colony: 02-5611611 AAA CERTIFIED Cottage in Ramot 02. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Bayit Bâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Israelâ&#x20AC;? 4 rooms on 1 level, can be divided to 5. 110 sqm, big garden and Succah balcony, rare property! NIS 1,550,000. Contact Eli Buton 0544-637720 RE\MAX AAA 02-6232680 AAA CERTIFIED Ramot 02 - Beautiful 5 room cottage + separate unit of 2 rooms (income - NIS 2000 per month), 190 sqm, large garden. NIS 1,800,000. Contact Eli Buton 0544-637720 RE\ MAX AAA 02-6232680

TALBIEH Beautiful 4 room apartment. Renovated by an architect. Porch. Haviva: 050-5525250. Colony: 02-5611611 AAA CERTIFIED A presidential suite, 3 rooms, 115 sqm., 1st floor, balcony with view to the Presidentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Residence, 2.5 bathrooms, custom designed in highest standard. Contact Kobi Hemed 054-2460246 RE/MAX AAA 02-6232680 AAA CERTIFIED Best of Talbieh! Luxurious and spacious penthouse, full of light and charm, magnificent view, near the Jerusalem Theater, 4 rooms, 130 sqm., Succah balcony + additional balconies, option for elevator. Contact Kobi Hemed 054-2460246 RE/MAX

/>Â?LÂ&#x2C6;iÂ&#x2026;

RAMAT SHARET Next to Bayit Vegan, 4.5 rooms, 120 m. on 3rd floor. Elevator, private storage. Only $355,000. Call now! 02-5619854 or 052-3-462990 , Active Model Properties or email active88@ bezeqint.net

Â˘ÂŻ ÂĽÂ&#x;Â&#x2014;Â Â&#x161;ÂŽÂŻÂ¨Â&#x2030; fÂŁÂ˘Â&#x203A;Â¨Â˘ Â&#x203A;Â&#x2122;ÂŽÂ&#x; Â&#x;ÂŞÂ&#x203A;Â&#x; Â&#x161;Â˘Â&#x17E;ÂŚ Â&#x161;Â¨ÂŻÂ° Â&#x2030;ÂŁÂ&#x;Â˘ÂŻÂ&#x203A;ÂŽÂ&#x; -Â&#x2026;>Âż>Ă&#x20AC;iĂ&#x160; iĂ&#x192;i`

-Ă&#x152;Ă&#x2022;`Â&#x2C6;Â&#x153;Ă&#x160;-VÂ&#x2026;Â&#x2DC;iÂ&#x2C6;`iĂ&#x20AC;

RECHAVIA AAA CERTIFIED A rare opportunity! Unique 180 sqm. 5 rooms (1 level) apartment on Narkis St. near Shaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;arei Hessed, 1st floor, Succah balcony, light, for renovation. Contact Kobi Hemed 054-2460246 RE/MAX AAA 02-6232680

>Â&#x2026;>Â&#x2DC;iĂ&#x160; Ă&#x192;Ă&#x20AC;>iÂ?

,EADERS OF ,UXURY 2EAL %STATE IN *ERUSALEM

ce`hiddidd www.shiurtimes.com

>Â&#x201C;Â&#x2C6;Â?Â?>

Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x160; >Ă&#x20AC;VĂ&#x2022;Ă&#x192;Ă&#x160;-Ă&#x152;Â°Ă&#x160;/>Â?LÂ&#x2C6;iÂ&#x2026;]Ă&#x160; iĂ&#x20AC;Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x192;>Â?iÂ&#x201C; Ă&#x153; Ă&#x153; Ă&#x153; Â° V Â&#x153; Â? Â&#x153; Â&#x2DC; Ă&#x17E; Â° V Â&#x153; Â° Â&#x2C6; Â? 47

CLASSIFIED AAA 02-6232680 AAA CERTIFIED In the heart of Talbieh, 4 rooms, 100 sqm., fully renovated in high standard, 3rd floor with private Shabbat elevator, 2 bathrooms + Jacuzzi, storage room, green and sunny, close to the Jerusalem Theater and to synagogues, $700,000. Contact Kobi Hemed 054-2460246 RE/MAX AAA 02-6232680 Ehad Ha’am 105msq.+200msq.Private Garden. Jabotinsky 70msq. Otniel 147msq.+Private Garden. Leave a message 050254269. TALPIOT Close to Baka. 3 large rooms, first floor, balcony, quiet, parking, storage room, good investment.1,180,000 NIS. Ben Zimra Real Estate 02-5633008 ZIKHRON MOSHE Stauss/Blilious area. 3.5 Floors 700 msq. Private Building Many balconies. Building rights for 2 more floors. All apartments are actually rented to “Shomrei Mitsvot”. Attractive price. Good Rent potentials. Leave a message 050254269.

JERUSALEM FOR RENT ARNONA Beautiful 4 room apartment on the ground floor, renovated and fully furnished + garden. Yaniv: 052-8028526. Colony: 02-5611611 GERMAN COLONY Stylish 5 room garden apartment. Unfurnished. High ceilings, huge garden, equipped kitchen, 4 bedrooms, large living and dining room. Asking $5000. Negotiable. From May. EVA AVIAD REALTY. Call 054-4999043 For short term rentals, or long term, after the summer. Gorgeous, fully-furnished apartment of charm with terrace, separate entrance, three bedrooms. On two levels. Lots of room for extra sleeping. Asking $4500 long term. $5000 short term and special rates for Passover. EVA AVIAD REALTY. Call 054-4999043 GREEK COLONY First floor, 3 bedroom duplex, 2.5 baths, fully furnished, with all appliances, sukkah balcony, lots of light, wonderful condition. Asking $2500/month. Available immediately for 8 months. Contact Annette 054-255-6225, Annetterosen3@yahoo.com, RE/MAX Vision 02-6731661,

TALBIEH Talbieh. On Mendele St. Lovely two bedroom ground floor apartment with patio. Light. Renovated. 5500 NIS Unfurnished. From April. EVA AVIAD REALTY. Call 054-4999043 Talbieh. Lovely 2 bedroom, fully furnished apartment with terrace, high ceilings, separate entrance, in Arab style house of charm. Asking 6000 NIS a month. From April. EVA AVIAD REALTY. Call 054-4999043 Talbieh. Beautiful 4 rooms, renovated apartment with porch. Lovely views. 5th floor. Elevator. Covered parking. $2500 a month. EVA AVIAD REALTY. Call 054-4999043 HaNassi St. 4 room apartment on the ground floor. Renovated and furnished. 170 sq.m Garden. Yaniv: 052-8028526. Colony: 02-5611611 OLD KATAMON Old Katamon. For long term. Wonderful original Arab-style apartment with huge garden, very high ceilings, 5 rooms, great kitchen. Lots of light. Asking $5000, negotiable. EVA AVIAD REALTY. Call 054-4999043

ACTIVE MODEL REAL ESTATE AGENCY, EST.

1994

march

2008

Humor

HUMOR

Jerusalem Comedian’s Advice:

o not run away for Passover. Stay at home.

There is one threat much greater to the expulsion of Jews from their homes than the Israeli government. That is Passover cleaning. I have never seen an exodus such as this. New York Jews have even set up refugee villages at hotels in Puerto Rico (advertised in all Jewish newspapers) in protest. As I heard one New Yorker say, ‘If you don’t clean my house, I’m coming to yours!’ We are Jews living in Israel- we are better than that. We are immigrants; which means we have the ability to clean. You just need the right cleaning products and your very own child. I hate to say this, but after many years of endless cleaning, I have learned that the feather does not work all that well. My dad is convinced otherwise. ‘Put down the broom, I’ve got the feather. We are ready to clean.’ That is all he knows about cleaning. Thus, we sell our chametz. If you are worried you will not be able to get rid of all of your unleavened products by eating 5 kilos of pasta, 6 boxes of Corn Flakes and all of your leftover mishloach manot in one night, then you should have a rabbi sell your chametz. This food will be yours again- do not worry. A rabbi will find a non-Jewish friend to buy around $100,000 worth of food for $5. It is a bargain and chances are that

www.shiurtimes.com

you can find the same deal at Walmart. Do not worry though, the person buying your food is probably in a different country and does not want to get shot for trespassing- hence making it a halachic-ly legitimate sale. David can be seen performing at the Off The Wall Comedy Basement, in Jerusalem, every Thursday Night at 8pm. If you would like any issues on community living to be addressed, please contact your loved social worker, David Kilimnick at david@israelcomedy.com.

COMEDY BASEMENT Jerusalem’s 1st Comedy Club

'Your choice for birthdays, anniversaries & a good night out!'

SATURDAY NIGHTS MONDAY NIGHTS

English Open Mic THURSDAY NIGHTS

Hebrew Stand-up English Show

followed by Hebrew Show

KOSHER FOR PASSOVER COMEDY FESTIVAL! (see website for details)

02-624-3218

34 Ben Yehuda (corner of King George) down the stairs near the Mashbir

www.israelcomedy.com For groups, private parties and roasting, call

David Kilimnick JERUSALEM’S COMEDIAN

Creator and performer of the Aliyah Monologues, Find Me a Wife & Frum From Birth 8pm English stand-up starring David every Thursday (shows vary weekly)

050-875-5688 49

Recipes

Unique Pesach Recipes Submitted by ShiurTimes Readers

Non Gebrucht/Gluten Brownies:

PESACH COOKIES

4 eggs 2 c. sugar 1 c. oil 1/2 c. cocoa 3/4 c. potato starch

2 1/2 cups ground almonds 1 cup flaked coconut (or chunks processed up to flakes) 2 extra large eggs 4 medium bananas, mashed 3/4 cup light tasting olive oil 1 tsp. sea salt 1 cup coarsely chopped pecans

Mix ingredients in bowl and pour into well-greased pan 9x13. Bake for 50 minutes at 350 degrees (F).Cut when hot. Let chill to room temperature and serve. Faygeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Yummy Apple Cake: 1 c. oil 2 c. sugar 6 eggs (add one at a time) 1 c. cake meal 1/2 c. chopped nuts Topping: 4 apples chopped. 4 teaspoons sugar 2 teaspoons cinnamon Mix cake ingredients in bowl. Pour into well greased 9 x 12 pan. In separate bowl, mix topping ingredients. Sprinkle on top of cake.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees (F). Grind up almonds and coconut until they form a flour-like consistency. Add bananas and process well. Add eggs, oil and salt and process again until combined. Stir in pecans. Drop by tablespoon onto parchment lined cookie sheets and bake for 20 minutes until golden brown. Let cool for 5 minutes and then remove to a wire rack to completely cool. Do not store at room temperature; refrigerate or freeze the leftovers. Makes approximately 2 1/2 - 3 dozen cookies. Submitted by Chashie Gwertzman, Registered Dietician, Jerusalem

Bake for 50 minutes at 350 degrees (F.) Cut when hot. Let chill to room temperature and serve. Submitted by Yonina Rosenbluth

| April 2008

www.shiurtimes.com

| April 2008