The Jewish Star February 18, 2011

CPAC convention insider stories Page 12 NEW Crossword puzzle Page 14 David’s Harp: Liberals Anonymous Page 7 Local multi-talented artist Page 8

THE JEWISH

STAR

VOL 10, NO 7 ■ FEBRUARY 18, 2011 / 14 ADAR I, 5771

WWW.THEJEWISHSTAR.COM

The settlements according to Gorenberg

Still illegal

By Sergey Kadinsky With his wild hair, bushy beard and American background, journalist and author Gershom Gorenberg could be mistaken for a West Bank settler. He has written numerous news stories and books on the territories.

“Israel needed greater territorial width, but as Levi Eshkol said, with the dowry came the bride. The bride was the Palestinian people,” said Gorenberg, quoting the Israeli Prime Minister at that time. “But this was not the Israeli goal, it was an accidental empire from an accidental war.”

Gorenberg, who opposes settlements, spoke on their disputed legality at Touro Law School on Feb. 10, invited by the school’s Jewish Programs Committee.

“I heard him speak a couple of years ago and it was informative,” said Eileen Kaufman, who teaches constitutional law and tort law.

“There are a host of human rights and legal issues involved in this.”

Kaufman picked up Gorenberg’s book “Accidental Empire,” published in 2006, on the background and growth of the settler movement. The book connects the hilltop outposts to the kibbutzim of British Palestine, where claims to land were established with “facts on the ground.”

“Where you settled is what you got. If the border got in your way, you move it,” said Gorenberg, describing kibbutzim that influenced the design of borders for the future Jewish state.

In his career as a reporter and author, Gorenberg dug up documents from the Six Day War demonstrating an unclear government policy towards its newly acquired territories.

“In the lack of an agreed policy, things started to happen because politics isn’t static,” said Gorenberg. He explains that peering across the vanished border, young secular kibbutzniks wanted to continue an earlier Continued on page 2

Courtesy of the Israel Consulate

Israel’s media man One on one with Joel Lion

By David F. Nesenoff David F. Nesenoff: You are the Israel Consul for Media Affairs for the tri-state area. So how is Israel doing?

Joel Lion: Baruch Hashem. From an economic point of view we are doing quite well. We achieved membership in the OECD (Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development.) If you

try to think that 62 years ago the State of Israel was a third world state with refugee camps, with programs for food and water there. And now from the first of January we became a member of one of the 33 most developed countries in the world. Ben Gurion once said that the one who does not believe in miracles is not a realist in Israel. So I think this proves Ben Gurion true. Right now Israel is export-

ing flowers to Holland, beer to Germany, and vodka to Poland. So that’s how the State of Israel is doing. There is no state in the world with such a number of companies that trade in the NASDAQ in New York. It’s Baruch Hashem.

DFN: You’re involved in public relations, publicity, hasbara, and a lot of times people say that Israel is brilContinued on page 3

Shabbat Candlelighting: 5:15 p.m. Shabbat ends 6:17 p.m. 72 minute zman 6:45 p.m. Torah Reading Parshat Ki Tisa

Like us on Facebook The Jewish Star newspaper (Long Island, NY) Follow us on Twitter www.twitter.com/JewishStarNY

PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID GARDEN CITY, NY 11530 PERMIT NO 301

Stay up to date with The Jewish Star. Sign up for our weekly newsletter. Send us an e-mail with “sign me up” in the subject line to newsroom@thejewishstar.com

Inside

The Jewish Star Ask Aviva Classified Ads Crossword David’s Harp Editorial From the Heart of Jerusalem Hebrew Only Please!

Kosher Critic Letters to the Editor Mensch on the Street On the Calendar Parsha Photo of the Week Politico to Go

14 15 14 7 6 4 3 11 6 9 13 4 10 12

How to reach us: Our offices at 2 Endo Blvd., Garden City, NY 11530 are open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. every weekday, with early closing as necessary on Erev Shabbat. Contact us via e-mail or telephone as listed below.

Facsimile: The Star prefers e-mail, but we are equipped to accept your letters, releases, etc. by FAX. Please dial 516-569-4942.

To subscribe: The Star is available free of charge in many kosher food establishments, other stores, synagogues and street-side news boxes in Nassau County and New York City. To have The Star mailed to your home or office each week call our circulation department at 516-569-4000, extension 7. You may charge your subscription to VISA, Mastercard or American Express. Subscriptions in Nassau County or Far Rockaway are $9 per quarter, charged to your credit card, or $48 per year by cash or check. Elsewhere in New York, New Jersey or around the United States, they are $15 per quarter on your credit card or $72 per year. Please allow four weeks to begin delivery.

To place a display ad: Reservations, art and copy for display advertising in the general news sections of The Star must be in our office by Tuesday at 1 p.m. for publication that week. An advertising representative will gladly assist you in preparing your message. Please e-mail or call for an appointment.

To place a classified ad: Please call 516-569-4000 during regular business hours and ask for The Star classified department. All classified ads are payable in advance. We accept all major credit cards.

News and Calendar Items: News releases of general interest must be in our office by Friday at noon to be considered for publication the following week.

Releases for our On the Calendar section must be in our office by Wednesday at 5 p.m. to be considered for publication the following week. To report a breaking news story or for further information call 516-569-4000 ext. 291 or e-mail newsroom@thejewishstar.com.

Letters to the editor: The Star provides an open forum for opinions and welcomes letters to the editor. Letters should be e-mailed, must be signed, and should be accompanied by an address and daytime phone number for verification. You may offer longer submissions for inclusion on our Opinion pages. Letters and Opinion articles must be in our office by noon Friday to be considered for publication the following week.

They are subject to editing for length and clarity.

Gershom Gorenberg

According to Gorenberg Continued from page 1 generation’s legacy of settling the land, and religious Zionists were attracted to locations mentioned in the Torah.

“When Levi Eshkol decided to rebuild Kfar Etzion, he went to Theodore Meron, the top expert in the Israeli government on international law,” said Gorenberg. In a secret memo, Meron argued that reestablishing the pre-1948 West Bank community was in violation of the Fourth Geneva Convention.

“When I interviewed him in 2000, he said it was not difficult to write, it was clear in international law,” said Gorenberg.

The Israeli government disagrees. “Israel has valid claims to title in this territory based not only on its historic and religious connection to the land, and its recognized security needs, but also on the fact that the territory was not under the sovereignty of any state and came under Israeli control in a war of self-defense, imposed upon Israel,” according to a May 2001 statement by the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Shomron Regional Council spokesman David Ha’Ivri blasted Gorenberg’s reliance on Merom’s memo.

“A memo is not international law. The area was not captured from a country that had legal standing on it,” said Ha’Ivri, referring to Jordan. Raised in Far Rockaway, Ha’Ivri lives in Kfar Tapuach, a community of some 170 families deep inside Samaria.

Aside from legal issues, Gorenberg, an oleh from California who made aliyah in 1977, also argues that the demographics of the territories do not favor Israel.

“It is in Israel’s interest to leave the West Bank as an end in itself. The Talmudic lesson is that if you try to take too much, you will end up with nothing,” said Gorenberg.

Dan Subotnik, who teaches estate law at Touro expressed fears in the cost of evacuating 300 thousand settlers. “After Yamit, I said that it would be a scandal. Everybody expelled would expect a pot of gold. How much would it cost?”

Gorenberg said that most settlers he has spoken to understood that there is a presumption that their homes may not be permanent. But he also conceded that he has no solution of his own, and that peace will not be achieved overnight. “Politics doesn’t deal with solutions, it deals with arrangements to make issues more manageable.”

450208

Advertising newsroom@thejewishstar.com Nassau County hparsons@thejewishstar.com 516-569-4000 extension 290 Manhattan & Queens hspitz@thejewishstar.com 516-569-4000 extension 319 Classified ereynolds@thejewishstar.com Community Calendar items jscalendar@thejewishstar.com Letters to the Editor letters@thejewishstar.com News and Sports items newsroom@thejewishstar.com Press Releases pressreleases@thejewishstar.com Publisher dnesenoff@thejewishstar.com 516-569-4000 extension 291

Coming Soon!

Valuable coupons from great local businesses arriving in your mailbox soon.

Bargain Book Warehouse

Affordable Eyewear for the Entire Village

Yonah Yavne Phone: 516-371-9555/718-471-1700 Fax: 516-371-9412

Tzirel Farkovits 202B Rockaway Turnpike Cedarhurst, NY 11516

And Many More!

To reserve space in upcoming books please call 516-569-4000 ext 286

450042

February 18, 2011 14 Adar I 5771 THE JEWISH STAR

2

3

Continued from page 1 liant in so many things but when it comes to putting forth its message of how great they are, everybody’s kvetching about a lack of hasbara.

JL: It’s always easy to criticize and say how bad you are than to say how good you are. Look how many good articles are about Israel in all the newspapers every day. Anyone who wishes to know about Israel can do it. Today it’s not only to watch TV or radio.

There is huge media consumption. People are looking at their iPads and Blackberries.

The news cycle is so quick and so different than it was 10 years ago. You don’t need to watch World News Tonight with Diane Sawyer in order to know what’s happening in the world today. You don’t need Brian Williams to tell you about the Middle East or Ann Curry or Katie Couric to tell you about Egypt. Everyone knows it when it happens. Look how many people were searching for the story about the 1500 year old church that was discovered in Israel. Even our biggest opponents know that Israel is number one in combating cancer and so forth. But you can always look at the Monty Python quote, “Look at the bright side of life.”

DFN: Like any place, Israel has external relationships and internal problems.

There are different groups of people. It’s one big synagogue, when you look at it.

Is there a way to quantify the difficulties?

JL: The culture of Israel can only be understood if you understand Jewish history.

Jewish history for centuries was Jews sitting in the beit medrash and studying gemara.

One was saying this and the other was saying the opposite and the third one was jumping about why they were saying these two things. And that’s what we have. That’s what they say about two Jews and three opinions.

That’s genuine democracy. Every 4 years, there are elections, and even less sometimes; it’s the time in a democracy to judge what your representatives have done or not done.

It does seem to be like a huge synagogue, but that’s exactly what it is. It’s this tradition of discussion of openness, and to take everything and put it on its head and what’s inside of it. So perhaps from the outside it seems terrifying, but it’s terrific. It’s great.

DFN: What’s the status with regard to people going to Israel, either moving there or visiting?

JL: For tourism I know that we hit 3 million tourists this year. The number 3 millionth tourist was a priest from Brazil; he received a nice basket with fruit for being number 3 million. This is great when you consider that the State of Israel has only 7 million inhabitants and 3 million tourists; it’s not bad for a state that began with nothing …only deserts and war. I think it was Chaim

Photo by Sergey Kadinsky

The hustle and bustle of Allenby Street in Tel Aviv. Israeli tourism hit the 3 million mark this year.

Weizmann who wanted the Jews to come to Israel not because they have to, but because economically it’s better to live in Israel than somewhere abroad. I think today we see this; Jewish people are coming to Israel because it’s better to live in Israel. And the majority of those coming are from the U.S. DFN: How did you become the Israel Consul for Media Affairs? Is it a nice way to spend your life?

JL: I was 18 years old when I made aliyah to kibbutz Sdeh Eliyahu and then we went to the army and then the Lebanon war and then the Intifada. It’s a way to serve your country. Zionism is not giving money to a second person to go to Israel. Zionism is to do it yourself to serve your country. To quote Kennedy, it’s not what your country can do

for you it’s what you can do for your country.

There’s still the feeling that we can do something for our country and that’s why I chose to be here. Not only here in New York, but in my long career.

Joel Lion was born in France and raised in Luxembourg. Consul Lion made aliyah at age 18, settling in kibbutz Sdeh Eliyahu. He served as Sergeant Major in the artillery corps during the First Lebanon War, and as a reservist during the First Intifada. Within the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Lion represented Israel in various European states before embarking on his current assignment in New York. During the 2008 Operation Cast Lead, Lion worked as director of the MFA Press Center in Sderot. An ordained Orthodox rabbi, he is the proud father of eight children.

Hebrew only please!

A Jewish newspaper should have a Hebrew column. So here it is. We will try to maintain a level of vocabulary so that it will be easy enough for students to read and interesting enough for those more fluent to enjoy. If you would like to write a story in Hebrew, please submit to: newsroom@thejewishstar.com

My cow is sick !

By Rabbi Noam Himelstein

Rabbi Noam Himelstein studied in Yshivat Har Etzion and served in the Tanks Corps of the IDF. He has taught in yeshiva high schools, post-high school women’s seminaries, and headed the Torah MiTzion Kollel in Melbourne, Australia. He currently teaches at Yeshivat Orayta in Jerusalem, and lives with his wife and six children in Neve Daniel, Gush Ettzion.

THE JEWISH STAR February 18, 2011 14 Adar I 5771

Israel’s local media man

Parshat Ki Tisa

Gap-Year Yeshiva Students Beware

A veil of light How did Nathaniel Hawthorne dream it up? How did he come up with his short story “The Minister’s Black Veil?” The Puritan minister of an old New England town one day inexplicably covers his face with a black veil that casts a shadow of gloom between him and his community to the day of his death. Hawthorne read this week’s parshah, no doubt.

After Moshe received the second Luchot, all the way at the end of the parshah, we are told that Moshe’s face beamed forth with Divine light (“karan or panav”), a light so strong he needed to cover his face with a masveh, a veil, to shield his Rabbi Yehuda frightened people Septimus from that light.

Let’s perform a thought experiment. Imagine an everyday interaction between Moshe and the people, on a typical day during their forty years in the wilderness. Now, in that picture was Moshe wearing a veil? He should have been. Because our parshah depicts Moshe’s beaming face and the veil it required as a permanent reality. Indeed Rav Saadya Gaon and Ibn Ezra confirm what is implicit in the passage itself – that the veil was necessary for the entire forty years from the day he donned it to the day of his death.

Didn’t Moshe’s veil get in the way of his teaching the People Torah and facilitating

their relationship with HaKadosh Baruch Hu? Did such a major barrier really exist between Moshe and the Jewish People? Is it possible that Moshe’s light-blocking veil had the same impact as the minister’s black veil?

The answer to these questions is a resounding “no!” Because the veil, that hid the face of the giver of the Torah – and by extension HaKadosh Baruch Hu Himself – did not symbolize darkness; it symbolized light. How different was Moshe’s light-hiding veil from the minister’s veil of darkness! So long as Moshe wore the veil the people knew that behind it was hidden an immensely powerful Divine light. While the veil’s presence was consistent, it was not constant. In fact the Torah informs us that on two regular occasions the veil was consistently lifted. Firstly, when Moshe spoke to God, receiving the light from Him, and then when he spoke to Bnei Yisrael, transmitting that light to the People!

“Peliah daat mimeni, nisgava lo ukhal lah”; “The Torah’s wisdom is wondrously far from me, exalted out of reach.” Thus says David HaMelech, whose own Torah wisdom, the Gemara tells us, was indeed exalted beyond the reach of any normal human being. The more of God’s light we see, the more we realize is hidden behind that veil. The veil and the light become inextricably bound to each other.

May our hard work to see the light be rewarded with moments of Divine illumination. At the same time, may we take inspiration rather than frustration from the more common moments of seeing only the veil. Indeed, may we recognize the veil for what it truly represents – the luminous treasure that lies behind it.

T

hey call it “Hitting the Wall.” Three or four months after arriving in Israel many first-year Yeshiva students feel morose, anxious, even depressed. I hit the wall back in December.

Each day I would spend eleven hours in the Beit Midrash pouring through texts, analyzing intricate argumentations, and discussing volatile issues in my life. Each night I would go to bed with strained eyes, my mind yearning for a respite, FROM THE HEART from the study and debate.

OF JERUSALEM And in this state of utter fatigue I would lie awake and wonder what I had done that day. In the midst of rigorous activity, I would feel listless, aimless, and purposeless.

Let’s backtrack to high school for a moment. Maimonides School was no joke.

The nine-hour school day was a mere overture to the long night of restless toil. Stuffed in between were hours of extra-curricular activity. ExSamuel Fisher haustion was a constant cloud in my mind. Also weighing on my mind was the perpetual stress imposed by the report card, a stress that permeated my entire day.

But as tired as I was, I was full of some inner energy that gave me tremendous momentum. I felt direction and purpose driving me on. I was never depressed. I was filled with a sense that all my endeavors were deeply worthwhile.

Now I’ve come to see that tests and deadlines were actually the source of these positive feelings. High school life was deadline-oriented. You work, you finish, you repeat. Every step of the way my goals were concrete and definite. I wanted a high grade; the formula to success was fairly straightforward—I needed

to study and complete my homework.

Yeshiva was a culture shock. The tests were gone, sleep was plentiful and I was free to study as I pleased. It was a dream come true. But without the deadlines my life was left with a gaping hole. Sure I had my greater goals for the year—to develop a lasting relation with Judaism and sharpen my skills.

But these targets were far more abstract. I didn’t know how to achieve my goals and certainly didn’t feel concretely closer to success at the end of each day. Without regular, numeric evaluations, smallscale progress was indiscernible. And therein lay the crisis. I worked arduously and felt immobile.

So I hit the wall. But all it took was one fundamental shift in mindset to hurdle the wall.

Torah study has no deadline. Until the day the scholar dies he is infinitely far from the finish line.

The value of the learning rests in the journey itself. If you’ll pardon the analogy—on the trip up an endless staircase, each step brings you no closer to the top but nonetheless lifts you farther from the bottom. Torah study brings the learner no closer to the ideal but still elevates him far above the person he used to be.

Understanding and internalizing this mindset is the key to a meaningful Yeshiva experience. The year of learning doesn’t culminate in any final exam but instead represents the very tip of a lifelong process that never ends. The process itself must become the ultimate purpose. The most life-changing aspect of the gap-year experience is this shift.

I’ve changed from goal-oriented living to growthoriented living. Enjoying this endless process itself is the key to endless fulfillment. While ambitions with deadlines are terminal and fleeting, life’s journey contains infinite opportunities.

Samuel Fisher grew up in Newton, Massachusetts and graduated from Maimonides School in 2010. He is spending the year studying in Yeshivat Orayta in the Old City of Jerusalem after which he will attend Harvard College.

A NEW WAY TO PLAN YOUR VACATION TO ISRAEL.

INTRODUCING

AFFORDABLE, INCLUSIVE VACATIONS IN ISRAEL: FLIGHTS, HOTELS, CAR, TOURS AND MORE. EL AL VACATIONS is the most affordable way to experience Israel. It’s the perfect guide to customize your special trip to our homeland. Our 60 years’ experience and insider connections get you great deals on airfare, hotel packages, car rentals, tours and so much more. For more details and to start planning your vacation, visit www.elal-vacations.com or call 800-223-6700.

THE MOST NONSTOP FLIGHTS TO TEL AVIV FROM NEW YORK (JFK/NEWARK) AND THE ONLY NONSTOP FLIGHTS FROM LOS ANGELES, IN ADDITION TO NONSTOP FLIGHTS FROM TORONTO

SkyWordsWithELAL.com

EL AL Israel Airlines USA

ELALUSA

www.elal.com

448505

February 18, 2011 14 Adar I 5771 THE JEWISH STAR

4

5

date of Moshe’s death?”

The Mechilta (Beshalach, Vayisa 5) raises three possible answers to this question: Rabbi Yehoshua confirms the Talmudic approach that Moshe’s death took place in Adar of a regular non-leap year. Rabbi Eliezer Hamodai says Moshe died in the first Adar of a leap year.

Rabbi Elazar raises the suggestion that Moshe died on the 7th day of Shvat in a regular year.

With the addition of the 7th day of Shvat only one possible date remains that no one suggests. Moshe may have died on the 7th of Adar II in a leap year.

Rabbis Eliezer and Elazar are working with the premise that Moshe’s death preceded the entering of the land of Israel by 63 days (Midrash Sechel Tov Shmot 15:35), while the straightforward Talmudic position is that Moshe’s death took place 33 days before crossing the Jordan River on the 10th of Nissan.

The difference between these opinions lays the groundwork for establishing the answer.

Rabbi Elazar’s opinion is not really accepted, so we confine the remainder of our answer to the 7th of Adar opinions.

There is a debate between Rabbi Yosef Karo and Rabbi Moshe Isserles in the Shulchan Arukh 568:7 as to observing a yartzeit during the leap year, in the event that the death took place during a regular year. Rabbi Karo believes it should take place in Adar II, while Rabbi Isserles calls for it to be observed in Adar I in order to observe the day as soon as possible. He also notes the practice that some observe the yartzeit in both Adars.

While others argue that when a birthday or yartzeit takes place in a leap year, the proper date to observe the event in a different leap

year is the exact date – an Adar I date in Adar I, and an Adar II date in Adar II (Mishneh Brurah 55:43).

The Magen Avraham disagrees with this idea, arguing that one ought to count year by year, instead of paying attention to a leap-year birth date. It is his opinion that all bar mitzvah birthdays, for example, will only be observed in Adar II, regardless of whether one was born in Adar I. Rabbi Jacob Emden was asked this very same question regarding Moshe’s yartzeit in Adar I or Adar II (She’eilat Yaabetz 1:117), and he explained that it all depends on how one views Moshe’s yartzeit.

Haman rejoiced that his lottery fell in Adar

because he knew of Moshe’s death in Adar and felt it was a bad month for the Jews. As such, the miracle of Purim is inextricably linked to the yartzeit of Moshe. With this logic, the month in which we observe Purim is the month when Moshe’s yartzeit should be observed.

In the final analysis, the jury is still out on the exact month of Moshe’s death – Adar I of a leap year, or Adar of a regular year.

Those who want to follow the practice of the Shulchan Arukh (580:2) to fast are encouraged to do so. If you want to fast twice, like the Rema suggests in 568:7, kudos to you.

But if you’re looking to get out of tachanun twice, I’m pretty sure that’s not what Rabbi Isserles was suggesting.

Have you checked out our new website?

You can post your own photos and videos to the website, all you have to do sign up for an account.

Like us on Facebook at The Jewish Star newspaper (Long Island, NY) Follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/ JewishStarNY

www.thejewishstar.com ARI’S INSURANCE ASSURANCE Dear Ari, I have a $1,000,000.00 “universal” life insurance policy I purchased about 15 years ago when I was 25. The premium is the same, which is helpful, but my life needs have changed. I have 4 children in Yeshiva, a heavy mortgage, and would like to increase my benefits without significantly increasing my costs.

Laser B. Dear Laser, You should strongly consider a 30 year term life insurance policy. The rates are quite competitive now and significantly less expensive than a universal policy.

Your rate for $4,000,000.00 of 30 year term coverage can be less than your current premium. Although you will not keep the same rate forever, you will be locked to that rate until you are 70 when your life needs should be quite different.

For a nominal fee, you may also be able to acquire a “cash back” policy, which if living at the end of the term, would pay all of your premiums back to you.

Thank you.

ARI ROSENBERG YALE BROKERAGE CORP. All Forms of Insurance 427 Fifth Ave. 5110 12th Ave Cedarhurst, NY 11516 Brooklyn, NY 11219-0009

Direct Voice- 718•977•5754 Direct Fax-718-977-5763 J fax-718-504-4692 ari@yalebrokerage.com

448503

449951

Mendele Mokher Seforim, the nineteenth century Yiddish writer, famously wrote, “Among Jews, a birthday is no holiday. But the anniversary of a death; that a Jew remembers.”

Last Friday’s (2/11) Hebrew date was the 7th of Adar I, the date of the death of Moshe Rabbeinu, as well as the date of his birth. (Kiddushin 38a) One of the recurring debates is how to best observe the anniversary of the death of the ultimate Jewish leader.

There are those who try very hard to avoid saying tachanun on the 7th of Adar. I will not pass judgment on these individuals, but I will say there is no real precedent in halakha to do this.

There are those who might fast on a yartzeit Rabbi Avi Billet – any yartzeit. This is highly appropriate – the Talmud (Nedarim 12a) and Shulchan Arukh (Orach Chaim 580:1-2) recommend this for many dated events, or for one’s parent or deceased rebbe.

The question that comes up in a leap year is “Which Adar is the one in which we mark the date of Moshe’s death?”

While one approach to the question could be answered through the choice we might make of which Adar is the real month, versus which one is the additional month (most people believe the first Adar is the extra month), a more pressing question is “What is the actual

THE JEWISH STAR February 18, 2011 14 Adar I 5771

Observing Moses’ Yartzeit in a Leap Year

February 18, 2011 14 Adar I 5771 THE JEWISH STAR

6

Opinion Letters to the editor

Editorial

It was leprosy for a reason

W

e all know that Lashon Harah is “gossip” and the “evil tongue.” And we all know that the Torah actually, and almost uniquely, assigns a specific punishment for Lashon Harah; it is leprosy. And we all know that you don’t see much leprosy around anymore even though Lashon Harah exists. The question begs as to why if it still exists don’t we see the boils and lesions on those who speak Lashon Harah? The only reasonable answer is that Hashem, out of His great compassion and love, chooses not to condemn the Lashon Harah sinner with this skin affliction. And why does Hashem make that choice to abstain from planting these grotesque abnormalities of the derma on those who deserve it? The answer lies in understanding the guidelines of Lashon Harah.

It is Lashon Hara even if it is factual, even if the listener strongly requests the speaker or writer to tell, even if the actual names and places are not mentioned, even if it is about the teller’s own family, even if the speaker or writer reveals that he or she is not in the best light. It is Lashon Hara even if it is an opinion about someone that cannot be verified. It is Lashon Hara even when details are left out and implications are pronounced. And listening to the Lashon

Harah makes one a conspirator to the sin.

This is by no means a complete compilation or an authoritative presentation of law regarding Lashon Hara but rather a common knowledge offering of which we are already aware. In fact we are even aware of the exception to the rule of when Lashon Harah is permitted, and that is during very specific circumstances when there is an emergency and a constructive outcome is needed. Some will unilaterally hang their hat on that exception, although it should be highly recommended that as with most cases of halacha, especially those dealing with human interaction and ones stemming from the Torah with grave punishment, an individual should speak to their rabbinic authority before making any drastic move with their mouth, pen or keyboard.

It becomes quite clear as to why Hashem offers such compassion of forgiveness with regard to one speaking Lashon Harah with the penalty of leprosy. If He didn’t, it would be a very ugly world.

The Jewish Star abhors Lashon Harah and will go about our job to deliver original journalism while endeavoring to not write or listen to such highly punishable and offensive words.

Letter to the editor IDF YouTube To the Editor: I read with great curiosity Ari Fleischer’s suggestion that Israel use “the power of video” to better influence world opinion (Jewish Star 2/11). The Israel Defense Forces YouTube channel, “idfnadesk,” debuted its first video clips a day after Israel began Operation Cast Lead in December 2008. The images included precision fighter jet attacks by the IDF, aborted bombings when civilian - or possible civilian vehicles - entered the target areas. Additionally, the content displayed enemy weapons being fired from mosques and schools at Israeli civilian targets.

While the Israeli “hasbara” effort should have more effectively harnessed video content and social media at a much earlier stage, the IDF YouTube channel was viewed by hundreds of thousands during the war and continues to post information that relates to IDF activities in Israel and also abroad (e.g. Haiti relief mission).

Although the Operation Cast Lead videos clips are often too short and heavily edited, making then less convincing, with bad audio, still, to the IDF’s credit effectively inform and affect public opinion.

Judah S. Harris Photographer, Filmmaker, Writer www.judahsharris.com

THE JEWISH

STAR

Independent and original reporting from the Orthodox communities of Long Island and New York City All opinions expressed are solely those of The Jewish Star’s editorial staff or contributing writers Publisher and Editor Assistant Editor Account Executives Contributors

Editorial Designer Photo Editor

David F. Nesenoff Sergey Kadinsky Helene Parsons Hy Spitz Rabbi Avi Billet Jeff Dunetz Sandy Eller Samuel Fisher Keith Flaks Alan Jay Gerber Zechariah Mehler Aviva Rizel Michael Salamon Rabbi Yehuda Septimus Alyson Goodman Christina Daly

2 Endo Boulevard, Garden City, NY 11530 Phone: 516-569-4000, Fax: 516-569-4942 E-mail: newsroom@thejewishstar.com The Jewish Star is published weekly by The Jewish Star LLC, 2 Endo Boulevard, Garden City, NY 11530.

Subscription rates: $9 per quarter on a credit card in Nassau and Far Rockaway, or $48 a year. Elsewhere in the US, $15 per quarter or $72 a year.

Newsstand Price: $1.

Copyright © 2011 The Jewish Star LLC. All rights reserved.

Brain dead debate still alive To the Editor: Rabbi Jeremy Rosen’s piece about organ transplants (“Brain dead about brain death,” Jan. 28) demonstrates how this subject has been transported from the sphere of halachic discourse to the sphere of public opinion.

Rabbi Rosen derides opponents of the brain-stem-death criterion as “extremists” who oppose “change and progress.” He lacks comprehension of the core issue. The question of whether death can occur while the heart still beats is not a scientific one but a halachic one. If one errs in this matter, he is committing murder! Thus, the “extremists” actually are those who refuse to endorse the possible taking of a life.

Rabbi Rosen writes confidently that Rabbi Moshe Feinstein supported brain-stem death as halachic death, in fact Rabbi Feinstein wrote (Igros Moshe, Yoreh De’ah 2:174, reaffirmed in Choshen Mishpat 2:72) that removing the heart from a transplant donor is murder.

There are two legitimate views regarding brain death. When someone is faced with the overwhelming ques-

tion of how to act, the only recourse is to consult a world-class halachic authority.

Avi Goldstein Far Rockaway To the Editor: I take great exception to Rabbi Jeremy Rosen’s Opinion piece about brain death.

It is very clear that there are serious Halachic questions at stake namely murder, according to those Halachic authorities that death does not occur with “brain death” anyone removing the heart of such patient commits murder.

Rabbi Tendler’s view is not universally accepted, fact is that as far back as 1991 the Agudath Israel of America challenged Rabbi Tendler’s assertion that Rabbi Feinstein agreed with his view.

Rabbi Rosen has no Halachic or moral authority to call Dayanim “moral cowards”. All the relevant opinions have been rendered by Dayanim and Talmidei Hachamim.

Steven Weisz Lawrence

Yankie & Luzer Ahmedinejad !

Assad !

Al-Zahar !

Nasrallah !

El-Baradei !

Gezuntite !

7

Liberals Anonymous

“H

i, my name is Heshy; I’m a liberalholic.� Everyone in the synagogue basement room, sitting on folding chairs, responds, “Hi Heshy!�

Heshy speaks, “I’m a little bit nervous to share my story. I guess I’ve always been a liberal-holic. Ever since I was a kid I can remember not really caring about anyone but wanting to make it look like I cared.� Moans of understanding emanate from the crowded room.

Heshy shares, “It became so easy as a teenager to promote such DAVID’S HARP irresponsible thinking as I had no responsibilities and never read the paper or intelligent political writings or had any concept of fiscal stability or global insurgent threats. What made it worse was that everyone around me encouraged such behavior. It was the thing to do. Peer pressure dominated over sensibility.

David F. Nesenoff And then as I got older I learned to binge on the catch phrases ‘social justice this’ and ‘environmental that.’ Any sobering thought of reality and common sense was immediately tossed out of my head for fear that I would be either shunned by the welcoming liberal community around me, by my parents and their friends or by teachers and professors who I so much wanted acceptance

from. “The television and radio broadcasted over and over again images and stories and concepts that made me drunk with self satiated aloof feelings of correctness and a dreamy false sense of security and elitism over my fellow citizens. The media became my gateway drug fostered by my peers. I couldn’t get enough of liberalism; and one useless futile liberal cause led to another. I would sometimes have blackouts and not even remember what the purpose of a solidarity boycott stood for and what a liberal political candidate was even talking about. I would wake up on a street curb with a ‘Save the Dolphins’ brochure in my torn jeans’ pocket and lipstick stains on my collar left

by Ralph Nader. Children would pass by and taunt me about how I was the cause of their grandchildren’s monetary deficit. I learned to hide my anti-social behavior and counterproductive mindset by labeling everything I did as “human rights.� My liberalism got so bad that even if it would impoverish an entire community, I would support all types of programs and entitlements just to maintain my feel-good high. I was not a substance abuser; I was a form abuser. Yes, now that I am socially sober and on a road of recovery, I can see everything more clearly. I had been living a life of form over substance.�

Some in the room applaud, while others wipe the tears from their sympathetic once government co-dependant eyes. Heshy continues, “It was so difficult to try to go against or separate from the seemingly happy go lucky group who filled their bottles with terms like “open mindedness� and poured out the words

“free thinking� into their mugs and steins. I certainly didn’t want to be close-minded and obstinate. Who wants to be a downer? Who wants to be the killjoy of the (liberal) party?

I didn’t want to be accused of attacking and standing in the way of races and genders and ovaries and sperms and cells and unwanted fetuses and bi, tri, and trans lifestyles. I didn’t want to be a right wing religious nut. I just wanted to fit in and be liked, and that meant always being anti-war, anti-guns and anti-military; and blindly support any and all underdog global regimes. I thirsted for the ‘saccharinated’ feigned sugary liberal Kool-Aid. I couldn’t give it up. I needed it. I was too weak to even try going dry. Do you know what it takes to not support UNICEF? Children, children, children was the magic mushroom that brought hallucinations of immediate self-satisfaction to my mind. Worry about the welfare of the children of terrorists, legalize drugs for our children, open the Arizona border for their children‌ as long as I put the word children in the serum I could stick the justification needle in my liberal arm and get high. “I really believed at that time that the only way to stand up for justice, social issues and the civil rights of all citizens and humanity was to smoke the liberal pipe. I didn’t know at the time that I could support real social justice issues and care about all races, religions, genders and lifestyles and still breathe within a different political community. I so much wanted to be compassionate and caring and fair. That form over substance mantra kept gnawing at my gut. Did I care about the perception and the reception, or the consequences and the cost? And then finally I hit rock bottom. There I was, smiling, holding hands with an entire community singing Kum Ba Ya while chew-

ing gum that was manufactured without the harming of baby seals; I was living the dream. “And then something happened. I noticed that I was holding hands and singing at a party that didn’t understand that Iran has nuclear weapons a breath away from destroying Israel.

I didn’t mind hugging trees but I was nauseous with the thought of embracing any faction or entity that did not understand the moral integrity of Israel and its right for security and a life without constant terror and fear. I was incensed with any group that didn’t comprehend that Jews are indeed indigenous to the land of Israel. I was awakened with a cold wind of knowledge that I was standing with uncompassionate cold-hearted stoners who had no care for the fright of the citizens of Sederot and who rationalize and validate the murderous actions of Palestinian terrorism. How could I hold hands with those who, for their own liberal political and religious agendas, would hijack Israel, threaten Israel, and extort Israel?

How could these people who supposedly stand for justice, civil rights, and social welfare try to suffocate the living breathing existing paradigm of justice - modern day Israel? “How could the liberal president travel all over the world and visit every dictator, monarch and despot without running to the very nation of social political democratic justice, Israel? Israel, the place where all genders, lifestyles and social issues and causes are part of the fabric of its society. Israel, where debate and ethical discussion live in democratic security, while being surrounded by a geography of lands that blatantly obstruct the downtrodden fight, the feminist plight, and the human right.

I am shaking from such treatment; but I am in recovery, sober, and clear-headed.� “My name is Heshy, I am a liberal-holic.�

! '2%!4 3!6).'3 2!4% !PPLE !DVANTAGE "ANKING¸ 3!6).'3 OR -/.%9 -!2+%4

!09

FOR BALANCES OF

s )NCLUDES 'RAND 9IELD !DVANTAGE ./7 #HECKING !09

s &REE NON !PPLE "ANK !4- TRANSACTIONS PER STATEMENT CYCLE

s &REE 0/3 TRANSACTIONS PER STATEMENT CYCLE

%STABLISHED s -EMBER &$)# s /NE OF !MERICA S 3TRONGEST "ANKS s 2ATEDÂ?Â?Â?Â?Â? BY "AUER &INANCIAL FOR CONSECUTIVE YEARS

&OR !PPLE !DVANTAGE 3AVINGS AND -ONEY -ARKET !CCOUNTS --!

INTEREST EARNED ON DAILY BALANCES OF OR MORE AT THESE TIERS !NNUAL 0ERCENTAGE 9IELD h!09v

!09

!09

!09

!09

OR MORE !09 4O EARN STATED !09 YOU MUST MAINTAIN AN ACTIVE 'RAND 9IELD !DVANTAGE '9! ./7 #HECKING !CCOUNT WITH A MINIMUM OF SIX CUSTOMER TRANSACTIONS PER STATEMENT CYCLE OTHERWISE THE !09 EARNED WILL BE REDUCED TO THAT BEING PAID ON THE LOWEST BALANCE TIER /NCE YOUR '9! ./7 #HECKING RESUMES REQUIRED ACTIVITY THE !09 ON YOUR !PPLE !DVANTAGE !! 3AVINGS OR --! WILL BE RESTORED TO THE CORRESPONDING BALANCE TIER BEGINNING WITH THE NEXT STATEMENT CYCLE !T OUR DISCRETION THE !09 ON YOUR LINKED !! 3AVINGS OR --! MAY ALSO BE LOWERED AND OR YOUR ACCOUNT CLOSED IF REQUIRED TRANSACTIONS IN THE '9! ./7 ACCOUNT ARE REPEATEDLY ONLY NOMINAL AND OR OFFSETTING DEPOSITS AND WITHDRAWALS &OR !! 3AVINGS OR --!3

MINIMUM DEPOSIT REQUIRED TO OPEN AND AVOID MONTHLY MAINTENANCE FEE &EES MAY REDUCE EARNINGS '9! ./7 #HECKING MAY BE OPENED WITH MINIMUM DEPOSIT

MINIMUM DAILY BALANCE REQUIRED TO EARN STATED !09 3EE SPECIFIC ACCOUNT DISCLOSURE FOR DETAILS !09S DISCLOSED EFFECTIVE AS OF AND MAY CHANGE AT ANY TIME &UNDS USED TO OPEN ACCOUNT CANNOT BE FROM AN EXISTING !PPLE "ANK ACCOUNT

!4- OR TERMINAL OPERATOR SURCHARGE MAY APPLY

449950

6ISIT US TODAY #EDARHURST !VENUE #EDARHURST -ONDAY &RIDAY AM TO PM 4HURSDAY AM TO PM 3UNDAY AM TO PM 3TEPHEN (AUFF "RANCH -ANAGER -ICHAEL ,UKIN "USINESS $EVELOPMENT

THE JEWISH STAR February 18, 2011 14 Adar I 5771

Opinion

8 February 18, 2011 14 Adar I 5771 THE JEWISH STAR

WOW DEALS!

Crazy Savings on Hot NEW Styles!

YEAR END CLEARANCE SALE LONDON OPTICAL

UP TO

HUGE SAVINGS

70% OFF

Hurry In For The Best Selection

By Sandy Eller His first creative works were classroom caricatures. His latest works can be heard in concert and read in published books. Yisroel Juskowicz takes on all talents at once.

The debut album “The Narrow Bridge” was released this past November and his Juskowicz’s book, “The Hidden Path,” is due out in the spring. But despite his busy schedule, Juskowicz’s music, paintings and his entire demeanor embody peaceful serenity.

Juskowicz, 33, began his career as an artist drawing caricatures during class at Talmudical Academy in Baltimore and selling them during recess in seventh grade. As Juskowicz matured, his drawings did as well. Not only did art become a means of getting closer to G-d, but the online shiurim that Juskowicz listened to, while he painted, sparked the thoughts and ideas that would eventually evolve into the full fledged chapters of his book.

Juskowicz took his writings to Rabbi Shimon Apisdorf, a well-known Baltimore author and publisher, who liked what he read and he agreed to publish the book. Juskowicz describes his upcoming book as “very eclectic and a little like Reb Aryeh Kaplan, with lots of Jewish spirituality and outreach and a lot of stories.”

Additionally, Juskowicz asked a guitarplaying friend to teach him the basics and then he added that instrument to his list of talents. As the songs kept coming to his mind, Juskowicz wanted to record an album and he started saving up money to finance the project.

“It was just amazing; I probably have two or three albums worth of songs, each one different than the next,” said Juskowicz. “I took them to C. Lanzbom, the most incredible guitar player on earth. I was flattered that someone like him, who had spent so much time accompanying Shlomo Carlebach, thought my songs were like Reb Shlomo’s songs.”

It took two years to record the twelve songs on “The Narrow Bridge,” eight of the

pieces are Juskowicz’s own compositions.

Aside from Lanzbom’s contributions, Juskowicz is joined on the album by singers Eitan Katz and Nochi Krohn, adding to the songs tranquil, heartfelt and beautiful simplicity.

Yoshi Fruchter who did harmonies on the album in addition to playing bass guitar and ukulele describes the songs on “The Narrow Bridge” as “incredibly heartfelt.”

“Yisroel really puts himself into his singing and playing and in comes through in his music,” said Fruchter.

While it is hard for a relative unknown to get noticed in the Jewish music world, the well-known names involved in the project piqued the interest of Sameach Music’s Benny Taubenfeld.

Between concerts, Juskowicz is creating paintings inspired by the songs on the album.

“Painting is so therapeutic for me,” said Juskowicz. “Not only does it take my mind off the stress that is part of life, it allows me the opportunity to create beautiful things about what I am most passionate about – namely Judaism.”

As he puts the finishing touches on his book, Juskowicz, who has also organized several concerts, including at the YU Book Sale, a venue that helped launch the careers of Blue Fringe and The Maccabeats.

When he is not drawing, singing, composing and writing, Juskowicz pays his bills as a physical therapist working with developmentally delayed children. He admits it isn’t always easy to juggle a full time job with so many projects, some of which are quite costly.

“I get very flustered and overwhelmed a lot and I keep taking breaks from painting because I am busy with the other things. I have to take it one project at a time; I try to keep the main focus in my life right now finding the right girl and settling down.”

What is next for this versatile and talented artist? Juskowicz has a few other surprises up his sleeve and if they are anything like his previous work they are sure to be both heartwarming and inspiring.

We’re In, When Your Regular Optical Isn’t FLEX SPENDING

FREE FRONT & REAR PARKING

DAVID B. COHEN, FNAO, FAAO, ABO

DOLLARS NOW!

494 Central Ave. Cedarhurst • 516-569-2335

449417

Yisroel Juskowicz: all creative talents at once

Serving the 5 Towns Since 1969

450207

Photo courtesy of Yisroel Juskowicz

CRAZY “COMMUTER” HOURS MON., TUES., WED. & THURS. 7:30-8AM LONDON OPTICAL AND MON., TUES., WED. & THURS. 8-9PM AND SUNDAY 9-12NOON USE YOUR

9 THE JEWISH STAR February 18, 2011 14 Adar I 5771

Mensch on the street What good advice would you give your children (or granchildren)?

“Frame your lives based on not what you can take from situations, but what you can give to situations.”

RABBI ARYEH LIGHTSTONE NCSY “Stay in school.”

SACHI KLINKOWITZ The Paper Place, Cedarhurst

“My mother always told me, when you’re in public, you’re not at home, behave yourself and act appropriately.”

CHAVIE LIEBER Lazer Marble & Granite, Cedarhurst

“Treat other people the way you want to be treated.”

“Derech Eretz and Kibood Av v’Aym; kids should grow up with respect for their elders, especially their parents.”

“Act like a mensch at all times.”

MAAYAN CHAIM David’s Den, Cedarhurst

RUBEN MARON Executive Director HAFTR

SANDY TAU AHC Appliances, Cedarhurst

• A Modern Orthodox Ivrit B’Ivrit Limudei Kodesh Program • An outstanding General Studies Curriculum Our 1st grad ers receive their first Siddur

• Dedicated and nurturing faculty • Quality Jewish education with Great Neck educational standards, grades Toddler-8th • Ivrit B’Ivrit Judaic Studies program for learners at all levels Equipped Clas

srooms

REGISTER NOW FOR THE 2011/2012 SCHOOL YEAR To arrange for a personal tour, please call Rabbi Yeshayahu E. Greenfeld, Dean at (516) 487-8687 ext. 136.

Rabbi Jeffrey Kobrin, Middle School Principal • Mr. Randolph Ross, General Studies Principal Mrs. Elana Helfgott, Director of Early Childhood

448504

450209

Technologically

Happy 103rd Birthday

Photo of the Week

Local survivor celebrates

Photo by David Ha’Ivri

Looking north from Mount Gerizim towards Mount Ebal. In ancient times this valley was the site of Shechem, where the Hebrew tribes gathered to hear the blessings and curses.

If you have a photograph with a description, from local or afar, please submit to: newsroom@thejewishstar.com

Specialized Services • Short Term Rehabilitation

WOODMERE REHABILITATION & HEALTH CARE CENTER

Physical, Occupational and Speech Therapies

• Certified Ventilator Unit • Hemodialysis In-Patient and Out-Patient

Serving the Five Towns Jewish Community

The Place for Caring

• Amputation Recovery Program • IV Therapy – Hydration, Nutrition and Medication Administration

• Wound Management • Alzheimer’s Disease/Dementia Care • Long Term Care • Hospice Care • Social Work/Discharge Planning • Glatt Kosher • Daily Minyan

For exceptional care, call (516) 374-9300 121 Franklin Place Woodmere, NY 11598 E-mail: woodmererehab@aol.com Website: www.woodmererehab.com Most Insurances Accepted

448543

The Jewish Star staff wishes Far Rockaway resident Ruth Blumenthal Meyberg a happy 103rd birthday. Mayberg survived 6 and a half years in various Nazi concentration camps, including Bergen-Belsen. Her daughter Marion Blumenthal Lazan of Hewlett keeps her story alive through the memoir “Four Perfect Pebbles.”

Meyberg continues to tell her story of survival at local schools, and she was honored by Germany last November, with a school named in her honor in her prewar hometown of Hoya (as reported by The Jewish Star.) Having told her story to more than a million students over the past 20 years, she is showing no signs of stopping. Meyberg will be speaking to the students of the Rambam Mesivta High School on May 1.

We extend wishes of ad meah esrim to Ruth and her family!

448544

February 18, 2011 14 Adar I 5771 THE JEWISH STAR

10

11 THE JEWISH STAR February 18, 2011 14 Adar I 5771

Gourmet home cooking

Deceptively simple & amazingly complex caviar; fennel salad with celery, cucumber, lemon and pomegranate; and the stuffed breast of veal with parsley and onions.

What I found really tremendous about these in particular is how gourmet they sound and yet when prepared and eaten they taste like home cooking and have the distinct feel of comfort food. Special notice need to be given to the chocolate truffles that originated in the kitchen of Francoise Tenenbaum, deputy mayor of Dijon.

These truffles, which are parve and kosher for Passover, are one of the most delicious, chocolatiest, and simple recipes I have ever made. I presented them with desert to a number of friends one Friday night and before I could blink they had disappeared.

Despite how much I enjoyed using this cookbook there were a few problems that I had with it as well. Mostly I felt that the instructions were less then clear. For me this wasn’t that much of a problem but I can see it being tedious for a beginner cook or someone who doesn’t have much desire to patshkie. At times I also found the stories to be superfluous. Without a doubt Joan has collected some of the best kosher recipes from France, not all recipes come with an intriguing background story. When this occurs the paragraph explaining the history of the dish feels a bit forced.

Lastly I felt that certain dishes didn’t really belong. A good example of this is the recipe for cholent. To me, cholent is one of those foods that are best made using a concept of ingredients rather then a set list. This

is compounded by the fact that the immediately proceeding the chulent instruction is adafina, which is a meat stew made with chickpeas and rice that seems comparatively

a little too close to its antecedent recipe.

These complaints however are mostly nitpicky as overall “Quiches, Kugels, and Couscous” is an excellent cookbook.

If you’re still out of work, there is no economic recovery.

For all the talk about an economic recovery, thousands of New Yorkers are still out of work and suffering. That’s why UJA-Federation’s Connect to Care offers employment counseling, financial and debt consulting, legal services, loans, Jewish spiritual care, and supportive counseling for people hurt by the economy. Need help? The Jewish community is here for you.

UJA-Federation Connect to Care Centers INFORMATION & REFERRAL SERVICE

MANHATTAN

STATEN ISLAND

UJA-Federation of New York 1.877.852.6951 connect-to-care@ujafedny.org www.ujafedny.org/connect-to-care

Jewish Board of Family and Children’s Services 1.212.632.4602 connect-to-care@jbfcs.org www.jbfcs.org

Jewish Community Center of Staten Island 1.718.475.5200 connect-to-care@sijcc.org www.sijcc.org

BROOKLYN

NASSAU

SUFFOLK

Met Council on Jewish Poverty in collaboration with F•E•G•S Health and Human Services System 938 Kings Highway Brooklyn, NY 11223 1.718.785.4141 1.718.336.2836 ext. 2 connect-to-care@metcouncil.org connect-to-care@fegs.org www.metcouncil.org www.fegs.org

Sid Jacobson Jewish Community Center 1.516.484.1545 ext. 212 connect-to-care@sjjcc.org www.sjjcc.org

The Suffolk Y Jewish Community Center 1.631.486.2521 connect-to-care@syjcc.org www.suffolkyjcc.org

QUEENS

WESTCHESTER

Samuel Field Y 1.718.224.0566 connect-to-care@sfy.org www.sfy.org

Westchester Jewish Community Services 1.914.470.5721 connect-to-care@wjcs.com www.wjcs.com

REGIONWIDE EMPLOYMENT & CAREER-TRANSITION SERVICES F.E.G.S Health and Human Services System 1.212.524.1790 connect-to-care@fegs.org www.fegs.org REGIONWIDE LEGAL & FINANCIAL COUNSELING New York Legal Assistance Group 1.212.613.5005 connect-to-care@nylag.org www.nylag.org

1.877.852.6951 • connect-to-care@ujafedny.org • www.ujafedny.org/connect-to-care www.facebook.com/ujafedny

www.twitter.com/ujafedny

449952

W

anting to experiment more with French cuisine, I recently began cooking using recipes from Joan Nathan’s cookbook “Quiches, Kugels, and Couscous.”

The book contains an interesting compilation of recipes and the stories behind them.

For each of the 200 recipes, Joan, who is the wife of esteemed chef and restaurateur Jeff Nathan, has written a brief paragraph that THE KOSHER explains their history CRITIC and often has a picture of the family or chef from which the recipe originated.

Sharing how food is made with others is quintessential to the experience of cooking and is why so many people keep notebooks filled with collected recipes. With her book Joan Nathan takes the concept of passZechariah Mehler ing down recipes and takes it a step further by traveling to France and gathering some of the best family recipes from a country that is known for its phenomenal cooking.

I tried making a number of dishes in “Quiches, Kugels, and Couscous,” finding them to be deceptively simple in their construction and amazingly complex in their flavor. I particularly enjoyed the eggplant

February 18, 2011 14 Adar I 5771 THE JEWISH STAR

12

Opinion What the Mainstream Media Didn’t Report: CPAC 2011

I

was among some 80 bloggers invited to cover the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in Washington DC last week. CPAC is more than an opportunity to interview political figures and report on politics. It’s like a Star Trek Convention for political geeks. Instead of carrying phasers and putting on pointy ears, we carried laptops and wore fedoras.

Our “blogger’s lounge” had a balcony that allowed us to observe the main events.

The mainstream media had the same setup on the other side of the auditorium. But their room must have had POLITICO some sort of filter beTO GO cause they left out so much of the real story.

Here are some examples:

Sarah Palin Did Not “Pull Out” Of Giving The Final Speech At CPAC. The prize speaking spot at CPAC is the final speech. Two years ago the final speaker was Rush Limbaugh, last Jeff Dunetz year it was Glenn Beck.

This year CPAC again tried to arrange for a conservative mega-star to give the final address. The press incorrectly reported that Sarah Palin had agreed to give the speech but pulled out because the gay conservative group GOProud, was participating in the event.

The truth is Sarah Palin never accepted the invite to appear at CPAC and she supported GOProud’s participation in the conference. She told CBN: “Well, I’ve never attended a CPAC conference ever, so I was a little taken aback this go around when I couldn’t make it to this one either and then there was a speculation well I either agree or disagree with some of the groups or issues that CPAC is discussing.”

NY Times Columnist Maureen Dowd May Be Suffering From Dementia.

The blogger’s lounge was very crowded and writers without credentials were not allowed in the room.

On the second day of CPAC, Dowd tried

The truth is Sarah Palin never accepted the invite to appear at CPAC and she supported GOPROUD’s participation in the conference

to get into the lounge, lacking credentials she was not allowed to enter. She indignantly asked the person who blocked her entry, “Do you have any idea who I am?”

What a sad picture; here was a woman who won a Pulitzer Prize in 1999 and only 12 years later she was wandering a hotel asking strangers if they knew who she was.

Ron Paul Supporters’ Hate Was UnderReported, Their Size Was Over-Reported.

Paul’s supporters don’t represent more than 15-20% of CPAC attendees. Their major contribution to CPAC is their passionate, sometimes unruly behavior, giving mainstream media its ammo to use against the “normal” part of the conservative movement.

When former VP, Dick Cheney and Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld rose to speak, the press correctly reported some Paulocks were calling Cheney and Rumsfeld war criminals, but omitted they were also screaming “shekels,” a reference to Ron Paul’s claim that Israel controls US foreign policy.

Ron Paul Purchased the Straw-Poll Victory.

Texas Rep. Paul’s second straight victory in the CPAC straw poll was top radio news.

Sadly, no one talked about how Paul’s political action committee Campaign For Liberty

e l a S

Interestingly, rookie Florida Rep. West delivered a traditional conservative speech.

It was the strong dignity of the man and his believability that made the retired Lt. Colonel’s speech special. The black Republican shot back at the charge that conservatives were racist saying, “Perhaps they should see who is standing up as your keynote speaker.”

He laid out the foreign policy differences

Jeff Dunetz is the Editor/Publisher of the political blog “The Lid” (www.jeffdunetz. com). Jeff contributes to some of the largest political sites on the internet including American Thinker, Big Government, Big Journalism, NewsReal and Pajama’s Media, and has been a guest on national radio shows including G. Gordon Liddy, Tammy Bruce and Glenn Beck.

Jeff lives in Long Island.

VOICE YOUR OPINION! E-mail letters to letters@thejewishstar.com or fax to (516) 569-4942.

a div. of Richner Communications, Inc

• 81/2 X 11 FLYERS • 50# Offset • 4 Color Process • 2 Sided Printing • Bleeds add just $6 per M. • 60# coated 2 side stock, add just $15 per M.

10,000

Send us your printing specs for prompt estimate.

Allen West Became a Superstar at CPAC.

QUALITY PRINTING No setup charges if files are prepared in PDF format

e-mail Jackie at print@liherald.com questions call 516-569-4000 ext 262

purchased the victory.

Paul doesn’t have enough supporters to win real primaries or caucuses; he usually gets about 2% of the vote. As they do at every CPAC, Paul’s Campaign for Liberty reserved blocks of tickets for CPAC and urged supporters to come out and support Paul.

Many of these unruly supporters were college students who volunteered (and some say paid) to make sure that Paul wins. They even bused in 700 kids for the effort.

between him and the Obama administration.

“Peace begins with courageous leaders who are willing to identify and defy our enemies and their objectives,” he said, “Political correctness has no place in our national security agenda.” Perhaps West’s biggest ovation was when he pledged that he would never allow America to abandon Israel.

Allen West’s speech during the last night of CPAC made him a political superstar.

While the media’s story for the end of CPAC was a skewed version of Ron Paul’s straw poll victory, the real story of the last day of the convention was not the meaningless victory of a man who would never be president, but the rise of a man who one day may very well be the Republican standard-bearer in the presidential race.

COLOR FLYERS $ ONLY

375

Rebates for the season. Savings all year long.

From January 14 through April 29, 2011, save $25 per unit on Duette® Architella® Honeycomb Shades from Hunter Douglas. Ingenious, insulating air pockets are the secret to these attractive, energy-efficient shades, which help reduce energy loss through windows by up to 50%. Enjoy luminous color, crisp pleats, and energy smart savings throughout the year.

Lenny Koegel • 516-594-6010 www.distinctivewindowfashions.com

Serving the Five Towns & Surrounding Areas Since 1988 We do repairs

*Manufacturer’s rebate offer valid for purchases made January 14 through April 29, 2011. Limitations and restrictions apply. Ask for details. © 2011 Hunter Douglas. ® and TM are trademarks of Hunter Douglas.

448506

Calendar

RIVERSIDENassau North Chapels

THE JEWISH STAR February 18, 2011 14 Adar I 5771

ON THE

13

Submit your shul or organization’s events or shiurim to jscalendar@thejewishstar.com.

Deadline is Wednesday of the week prior to publication.

YOUNG ISRAEL OF LAWRENCE-CEDARHURST is holding its 30th Annual Dinner at The Sands, located at 1395 Beech Street in Atlantic Beach. The event will begin at 8 p.m. The event will honor longtime members Elizabeth and Bezalel Mayer.

For more information, call 516-569-3324

NSHA vs. Har Torah Hockey Game YESHIVAH HAR TORAH, located at 250-10 Grand Central Parkway in Bellerose is hosting a hockey game between the school’s Hat Trix team, coached by Rabbi Tuvia Fried, and its cross-town rivals, the Lions of North Shore Hebrew Academy, coached by Dan Horowitz and Isaac Greszes.

The game will benefit OHEL, with 8 young OHEL clients participating in a min-clinic and hockey shootout. Admission is free. (See photo below)

February 20 Kollel Yom Rishon CONGREGATION SHAARAY TEFILA, located at 25 Central Avenue in Lawrence is hosting Yeshiva University’s Kollel Yom Rishon special winter series. Rabbi Yonason Sacks is speaking to men and women at 9:30 a.m. on “Lifnei Iver: Enabling a Jew to Sin” followed by Rebbetzin Abby Lerner speaking to women only on “A Gadol for all Seasons: the Teachings and Wisdom of the Sridei Eish”. Refreshments will be served. For more information, contact Julie Schreier at julie. schreier@yu.edu or 516-972-2920.

February 24 Jewish Job Fair YESHIVA UNIVERSITY is holding its annual fair promoting jobs in Jewish communal organizations. YU students and alumni are given first en-

February 26 HAFTR Annual Dinner HAFTR is holding its 33rd Annual Dinner at The Sands, located at 1395 Beech Street in Atlantic Beach. The event will begin at 8:30 p.m. and will honor parents Leslie and Joshua Wanderer as the guests of honor, and Alissa and Jonathan Nierenberg as the Yachad Awardees. To donate and make reservations, email shfried@haftr.org or call 516-569-3370, ext. 101.

March 4 Shabbat Across America SUBURBAN PARK JEWISH CENTER, located at 400 Old Westbury Road in East Meadow, will participate in National Jewish Outreach Program’s Shabbat Across America with an explanatory Friday night service at 6 p.m. led by Cantor David Krasner, followed by a traditional Shabbat dinner.

The donation for adults is $9. Reservations are requested by March 2. For more information, call 516-796-8833 or 516-520-5733.

For Generations A Symbol Of Jewish Tradition.

DAVID M. RUBIN 55 North Station Plaza Great Neck, New York 11021 (516) 487-9600 Continuing to maintain the high service standards of the Rosenthal, Grossberg and Alpert families.

Riverside Memorial Chapel is a participating member of The PRE Plan, TM an FDIC insured fund for pre-paid funeral arrangements.

450210

YILC Annual Dinner

try to the event at 6 p.m. The public is welcome after 7 p.m.

PRE-NEED COUNSELING AVAILABLE

March 6 Yeshiva Science Olympiad LANDER COLLEGE FOR MEN, located at 75-31 150th Street in Kew Gardens Hills will be hosting the Yeshiva Science Olympiad, a contest that measures high school students’ abilities in science, technology, and engineering. The event is co-sponsored by Jewish Education Project.

Participating local schools include Hebrew Academy of Long Beach, DRS Yeshiva High School for Boys; North Shore Hebrew Academy High, Stella K. Abraham High School for Girls, Samuel H. Wang Yeshiva University High School of Girls, and Yeshivah of Flatbush.

North Shore Hebrew Academy Middle School Lions Hockey Team prepares to face off against their rivals Har Torah Hat Trix for the benefit of OHEl on February 19th.

450216

February 19

February 18, 2011 14 Adar I 5771 THE JEWISH STAR

14

Ask Aviva

Smoking husband, fuming wife keep going. Tomorrow is a new day.” Here, a wife who supports her husband is a sponsor that is around 24/7.

So your job is to calm down, and tell your husband how much you love him. Tell him that you understand that this is not an easy thing for him. Say that you are his partner and will not judge him anymore. And that’s all you will say. Now you have to show him that you are serious. Don’t sniff, don’t confront and don’t dart your eyes to his pockets.

Once he feels safe (say about 2 weeks), you can gently ask, “How’s the smoking going?”

And if he feels safe with you, he will open up.

And you will say, “Wow, that’s so hard,” or “I’m really proud of you for trying.”

Another thing that may be worth looking into are the stress factors in his life and the way he relieves stress. Think of healthy outlets that would be good for you as a couple and present it as “couple time” as opposed to “your new, healthy, constructive ventilation system.”

Bike riding season is starting soon, and jogging is always in season. If he already has something in place (like the gym or basketball with buddies), make sure to encourage him. But don’t say, “Hey, it’s 8:00! You’re going to be late to basketball! C’mon, get up and leave!” No. Instead make side comments that he can overhear like, “Sorry Chani, but I never go out at 8 on Wednesdays. That’s hubby’s basketball time.”

Will he stop lighting up? Don’t hold your breath. But at least you’ll fire up his heart in your direction.

Dear Aviva, My husband quit smoking before we ever met, and when we dated I made it very clear that I will not tolerate him picking up the habit again. We’re married about 4 years and I’ve recently been noticing signs that he has gotten into it again. I confronted him, and he fessed up right away, but I am so mad at him!

I’m worried that my kids will grow up with a bad role model while they’re inhaling second-hand smoke—which is way worse than regular smoking! How do I get him to stop?

-Not Breathing Easy

Dear Not Breathing Easy, There is only one person on earth who can get him to stop. And that is him.

Here’s how I see it: he is doing something that he is ashamed of (henceforth he did not tell you. You had to discover it and confront him). Now you are enlightened and you both know full well that his Achilles’ heel is injured. You can either pinch the injury by frantically sniffing him every time he walks in the door. You can follow him out to the porch like a mother hen. Or you can randomly use his car to see if there’s a lighter or Febreze stashed away. These are all good suggestions to keep you feeling involved while keeping your husband from ever telling you what is actually going on.

Ready for one of the hardest things you’ve ever done for your marriage? Accept the possibility that your husband may never quit. Be gentle. If you’re not playing principal, he will be more likely to open up to you when he fails. Make it ok for him to fail. Then he will only be fighting his temptation and not his parole officer as well.

I’ll give you an example of another difficult temptation. Men who have pornography

addictions can’t shake it so easily. But according to Barry Horowitz, men whose wives are on board with them and support them actually soar in overcoming their struggles. In Alcoholics Anonymous, they suggest having

The Jerusalem Post Crossword Puzzle

a sponsor—someone whom you are comfortable with, who you can check in with to let them know how you are doing. You say when it’s a good day; you say when you mess up.

And they are there to tell you, “It’s ok, let’s

By David Benkof

Across

1. Wheelchair access 5. Colorful artist Yaacov 9. Claude Lanzmann’s ninehour Holocaust film 14. Cousin of a bassoon 15. Actor Mostel (“Fiddler on the Roof”) 16. Release 17. Portuguese-Jewish statesman and philosopher 19. Canadian Histadrut backer Albert 20. “IQ Society” that’s 9 percent Jewish 21. Book of Yiddish Bible stories for women 23. Temple grp.

25. “In ___ age a hero or sage comes to our aid” (Chanukah lyric) 26. “Father of the Hydrogen Bomb” 32. Good ___ 33. Residents 34. Yitchak Rabin’s granddaughter 37. Where baby Moses was discovered 38. The Brisker ___ 39. Fate 40. “Maus” creator Spiegelman 41. Provided with fuel 44. Greek liqueur 45. “Parks and Recreation”

-Aviva Aviva Rizel is a Marriage and Family Therapist in private practice who can be reached at AvivaRizel.MFT@gmail.com.

actress 47. Like the writing in a mezuzah 49. Hebrew letter (literally, “hand”) 50. Kyra Sedgwick’s show 54. Barack’s Jewish choice for the Supreme Court 58. Where to hear Dennis Prager 59. Art Garfunkel’s onetime partner 61. Shalom, in a way 62. Rhodes, e.g.

63. ___ Days of Av (mourning period) 64. Some fruits 65. Those in ___ (the poor) 66. Chanukah candles do this

Down

1. Wander 2. Nightclub singer Lane 3. Haunted house sound 4. Convince 5. BBYO’s male branch 6. Sir 7. Greek war god 8. Dermatologist’s concern 9. They’re rolled up for laying tefillin 10. One who listens 11. Cousin of the ferret 12. Torment 13. Sharpen 18. Comedienne Roseanne 22. “Gimme a Break” actress

Carter 24. Org. founded by Rabbi Meir Kahane 26. Author Ferber (“So Big”) 27. 1948 site ___ Yassin 28. “Yiddishe ___” (NYC Jewish daily) 29. Literally, “teaching” 30. Rod-shaped germ 31. Washed, as for bread 34. “Jew,” e.g.

35. Gooey stuff 36. Israeli writer Elon 39. Sketching absentmindedly 41. Unfeeling 42. Site of 1993’s accords with the PLO 43. Unit of Creation 45. Bluer 46. Lieberman and Shuster 47. Cool place 48. The Jews have been accused of controlling it 50. Catch-22 51. “___ City” (Richard Kind TV Show) 52. Alleviate 53. Emulate King David 55. Theologian Fackenheim 56. Pork, to kosher-keeping Jews 57. One more time 60. Emulated King David

Answers will appear next week

15 THE JEWISH STAR February 18, 2011 14 Adar I 5771

CLASSIFIEDS To Advertise In This Section, Call 516-632-5205 Legal Services

Legal Services

Have you suffered a thigh bone/femur injury?

Attention

FOSAMAX® VICTIMS Spacious CH Colonial, 4+ BR's, 3.5 Bths on 1/2 acre.

Features O/S Den/ Fpl, FDR, LR, Mstr BR Suite/Jacuzzi & Sep Stm Shwr, Full Bsmt, CAC, 2 Car Gar. Room to Expand! Asking $1.299M.

516-295-0306 REAL ESTATE

&

aggressively and professionally. Our leadership experience in such national litigations as asbestos injuries, defective medical products and medicines, environmental toxic torts and others has given thousands of clients the confidence to entrust us with their most serious legal issues.

For a free consultation please call us today at 1-888-411-LAWS (5297).

WEITZ LUXENBERG P.C.

SELLING YOUR HOUSE?

700 BROADWAY • NEW YORK, NY 10003 BRANCH OFFICES IN NEW JERSEY, CALIFORNIA & COLORADO

We are also investigating

1.888.411.LAWS • www.weitzlux.com

ZIMMER NEXGEN CEMENTLESS KNEE INJURIES

ATTORNEY ADVERTISING. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.

We may associate with local firms in states wherein we do not maintain an office.

Run Your Ad in

LAW OFFICES

ASBESTOS • DRUGS/MEDICAL DEVICES • ENVIRONMENTAL • NEGLIGENCE

The Jewish Star Just Call Our Classified Department at 516-632-5205

ANNOUNCEMENTS

PLACE YOUR AD

Apartments For Rent

Just Call Our Classified Department at 516-632-5205

CEDARHURST NO FEE Modern 1BR, 2BR & 3BR. CAC, W/D, Storage, Private Entrance, Indoor P arking, Near All. Starting At $1450.

(516)860-6889/ (516)852-5135

The Jewish Star

NEW JERSEY FAMILY LOOKING FOR HOUSING

HEWLETT TRAIN STATION (1215 Station Plaza) 2,000 sf, Ground Floor (+1,800 sf Carpeted Basement) $3,950 ALSO 1193 Broadway 1,000 sf, $1,950 Ben 212-685-6500

during the week for a high functioning 15 year old boy with special nee ds, so he can attendJEWISH SCHOOL in the 5 Towns. Will Compensate the family. Please call J amie at 609-923-8841

Health & Fitness

Health & Fitness

Weightloss Medications

Autos Wanted

REPORTER NEEDED FOR ORTHODOX WEEKLY The Jewish Star is looking for a reporter who is familiar with the 5 Towns & Brooklyn Orthodox Communities.

Relationships with Community leaders a plus. Must be web savvy and must have good writing and people skills. We offer salary, health plan, 401K and more.

Send resume with salary requirements to dnesenoff@thejewishstar.com

Just Call Our Classified Department at 516-632-5205

C8903

/22. <285 %(67 Autos Wanted

c0456

www.MDThin.com

Help Wanted

SELL YOUR CAR

Phentermine, Phendimetrazine, etc 2I¿FH YLVLW RQH PRQWK VXSSO\ for $80

(631) 462-6161 (516) 754-6001

HIRING? Run Your Ad in

Just Call Our Classified Department at 516-632-5205

Announcements

Commercial Prop./Rent

EMPLOYMENT

One phone call, one order, one heck of a good price to run your ad in any state, or across the country.

Call the USA Classified Network today!

1-800231-6152

KEEP YOUR NEW YEARS RESOLUTION! BIG BOB’S Storage is the solution to your Home and Business Space problems • Make your house a home again!

• Declutter your closets!

• Store seasonal items!

• Store archives and files!

• Secure individual units!

GET THE ST month FREE

1

With a minimum of a 3 month agreement not to be combined with any other offer.

BIG BOB'S SELF STORAGE 2 Endo Blvd., Garden City • 516-227-0200 1 block south of Stewart Avenue, just west of the Meadowbrook Parkway (Exit 3M) Adjacent to north campus of Nassau Community College. Offer Expires 3-31-11.

432377

448212

WOODSBURGH 99 Willow Rd.

423604

OPEN HOUSE

SUN. 2/20 • 12-1PM

447138

Recent studies have indicated that use of the osteoporosis medicine Fosamax® can lead to fractures in the femur – the hip bone. These fractures can occur in low-impact situations, such as when stepping down stairs or even just falling from a standing height or less. This significant risk has been recently added to the Warnings and Precautions section of the label.

If you or your loved one has suffered a HIP fracture after taking Fosamax® it is your best interests to investigate your legal rights for possible compensation!

Weitz & Luxenberg can help you understand your legal options. We are one of America’s largest trial law and products liability law firms representing injured persons with total verdicts and settlements in excess of $3 Billion, and are committed to represent your interests

448545

February 18, 2011 14 Adar I 5771 THE JEWISH STAR

16