March 2, 2012

Kosher Bookworm: Purim Redo Page 7 Modern orthodox band hits high notes with fans Page 8 OU advises sandwich generation Page 8 Who’s in the kitchen: Purim Seudah Page 9

THE JEWISH

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VOL 11, NO 9 ■ MARCH 2, 2012 / 8 ADAR 5772 WWW.THEJEWISHSTAR.COM

One Israel A JEWISH STAR EXCLUSIVE Fund honors Bolton to Obama: radio talk Don’t tie show host Israel’s hands

By Juda Engelmayer

“Jews are very good neighbors; you can’t say any more about them.” John Batchelor maintained, when I had the opportunity to sit with him this week. He was sanguine about his opportunity to speak before the One Israel Fund’s 18th Gala Anniversary Dinner on Wednesday, March 14.

Batchelor, the nationally syndicated radio talk show host will be honored by the organization dedicated to not only supporting Israel, but promoting the unification of Judaea and Samaria as a pivotal mainstay of the Jewish State.

The distinction of advancing the eternal attachment of the West Bank to the Greater Israel, John Batchelor makes the support of someone like Mr. Batchelor unique among non Jewish advocates for the only democracy in the Middle East.

However, while raised as a Protestant in the Presbyterian church and married to a pastor, he does not attribute his attitude toward Israel as so much a religious consideration as it is a practical levelheaded belief in the people.

Growing up outside of Philadelphia, in Lower Merion Township; he said that all of his childhood friends were Jewish, “except for the fact that you don’t know that when you’re growing up together.”

He does recall noticing that his last name was the “funny” one, not having some of the Continued on page 2

on Iran nukes

By Malka Eisenberg In an exclusive one-on-one interview with The Jewish Star, John Bolton, past U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, policy commentator, and senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute for Public Policy Research, stressed that Iran presents “Israel’s biggest danger.”

“Iran’s nuclear weapBolton, Beck ons program is a threat to the existence of Israel, “ speak at Gush stated Bolton. “This country is a physical reality Katif dinner that they can’t ignore. It’s Page 3 down to very unattractive options. The Obama administration is pressing Israel not to use force.

Nobody is saying that it’s an attractive option.

Pre-emptive action is on the table; it’s a decision for Israel to make.”

Continued on page 3

Photo by Jason Jacobs Photography

John Bolton was hailed as he took the podium at the Gush Katif Museum dinner on Feb. 22.

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Fund honors talk show host Continued from page 1 more discernible Jewish suffixes, but the Judaism of his childhood friends is not something that he identified with until later in life. “Later on, in the Sixties, Jewish identity became something we talked about as teenagers.”

During the Six-Day War, he would go door-to-door with his friend collecting money for Israel. He said that he did not have a good grip on the politics back then, but they knew Israel was existentially threatened and that was enough for him. His opinions on Israel “evolved as [his] education about the world evolved, and Israel became a vital ally of the United States.”

The state of Israel and its safety was on the mind of the radio host, but not a central focus or a calling of his. The attacks of 9/11 on the United States changed his political views. “I wasn’t educated… I didn’t understand the scale of the threat.” He remembered, “I didn’t understand the duplicity of Riyadh, or Damascus, or Cairo. I didn’t understand the intractability of the Islamists and the Jihadists.”

When he used to hear the term “Land for peace,” he said, “I guess I remember hearing ‘they live in a tough neighborhood’ as a way to dismiss the problem.” Then he added, “Israel would have no conflict if its neighbors were not predators.”

Mr. Batchelor sees the events unfolding in the Middle East as a prelude to a protracted war.

“The demise of Egypt and the Brotherhood, the demise of Syria, and losing Iraq as we are,” appear to be an indication that “we will look back at these events in twenty years and see these at the catalysts that lead us to this.”

As for Iran, he says the Tehran is a predator state. He sees a conflict as inevitable, “I do not see a way for a negotiated settlement to this issue with Iran.”

But he is confident of Israel’s preparedness. “Israel is ready and knows what to do when the time comes,” he said. “Iran will send its bombs via its agents, Hezbollah and even Hamas… They supply the weapons and give the orders.”

Batchelor’s sense is that terrorist factions will begin putting more heat on Israel in an effort to get the Jewish state to launch an all out attack, with the hope of using media and political pressure to show the world how Israel is a war mongering nation.

Mr. Batchelor believes that Israel has a true partner in Jordan. “The King of Jordan is a close confidant of the prime minister of Israel... and that mean a lot of stability for the United States.

When asked about President Obama, he said, “you cannot say he isn’t a friend of Israel, but he is ineffective.” Mr. Batchelor sees President Obama’s belief in a the possibility of Palestinian acceptance of Israel as a flaw in his thinking.

However, the one thing that remains constant in Bachelor’s mind is the support of Congress. “Congress is well informed and extremely vigorous in its support of Israel and the one thing you can say that unites Congress and ends partisanship is the question of the survival and prosperity of Israel.”

“Administrations come and go, but Congress is an organic institution,” he said, “The Senators and Representatives, whether they are Jewish or not, or even if they have Jewish constituents or not, are very well educated on the matter of Israel.”

When asked why people like him support Israel so fervently, he said, “What I’ve learned in the many years of travel to Israel is that the Israelis are very good neighbors, very good very sensible people… and they are trustworthy.”

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3

By Malka Eisenberg “The message of Gush Katif will not be forgotten.”

In that one sentence, Dr. Joseph Frager, chairman of the board of the World Committee for the Land of Israel, declared the mission statement of the Gush Katif Museum dinner.

“We today are witness to the shattering of dreams. First they built the land of Israel, land that was considered never arable. We all want peace now, but not a false peace.”

“The borders are in the Torah,” explained museum founder Rabbi Sholom Ber Wolpe.

“Not one inch for somebody else. We gave 25 beautiful towns to the Arabs, murderers and terrorists, and we got more missiles, more getting killed.”

“It was so horrible,” recalled New York State Assemblyman Dov Hikind, about the last days of Gush Katif, when he was there.

“Don’t make concessions to our enemies; they are not interested in peace, we don’t have a partner.”

Over 600 men and women gathered in a Crown Heights ballroom to show support for the Gush Katif Museum in Jerusalem and its director, Rabbi Sholom Ber Wolpe.

The museum, at 5 Shaarei Tzedek Street, opened in 2008 to educate the public about the dire conditions of those expelled from the Jewish communities in Gaza and to thwart any future attempts at dismantling any other Jewish towns in Israel.

Close to 10,000 people were dislocated from their homes and businesses in Gush Katif; even cemeteries were emptied of their dead.

Synagogue structures left behind were ravaged and desecrated by Arab mobs. The museum has had over 100,000 visitors to date, including members of Knesset and congressmen.

Keynote speaker Glenn Beck, conservative radio and TV host, author and political commentator, compared Israel’s land giveaways to the events prior to the Holocaust. “Compare it to 1938,” he noted. “When the world had a madman spell out exactly what he was going to do. And they ignored him. Here we are again. When madmen are spelling out exactly what they are going to do and no one listens and this time around, with the media aiding and abetting.”

Fellow keynote speaker former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations John Bolton spoke about Iran and its threat to the world.

“While Israel faces many challenges,” pointed out New York State Assemblyman Phil Goldfeder, “Iran is the number one threat to the safety of Israel and its people.

The administration has been given the tools

by Congress and this administration has to use these tools to put the pressure on Iran.

Tough economic sanctions are the only tool that will bring Iran to the table.”

Photos by Jason Jacobs Photography

Clockwise from top: Museum backers, from left, Robin Ticker, Sarah Lehmann, Odeleya Jacobs, Assemblyman Philip Goldfeder, Dr. Paul Brody, Rabbi Sholom Ber Wolpe, Rabbi David Algaze, Dr. Joseph Frager, Assemblyman Rory Lancman and Assemblyman Michael Simanowitz.

Dr. Joseph Frager, addresses the press.

Glenn Beck, renowned media personality, was a guest speaker at the Inaugural Dinner for the Gush Katif Museum of Jerusalem. He is pictured here with, from right, Dr. Joseph Frager, Odeleya Jacobs and Dr. Paul Brody.

John R. Bolton, who spoke of the Iranian nuclear threat, with Dr. Joseph Frager (to Amb. Bolton’s right), Dr. Paul Brody (to his left), Odeleya Jacobs (front row center), and Rabbi David Algaze (front row right), Executive Director of Americans for a Safe Israel (AFSI), Helen Freedman, and Rabbi Dr. Elie Abadie of the Saffra Synagogue.

Bolton to Obama: don’t tie Israel’s hands on Iran Continued from page 1 Sharing his thoughts before the Gush Katif Museum dinner at Razag Ballroom in Crown Heights, Brooklyn, on Feb. 22, he noted that although Israel would be roundly condemned by the Arab countries, as well as by the rest of the world, for destroying any Iranian nuclear installations, they would all turn aside, especially those countries on the Arabian Peninsula, and silently thank G-d for Israel’s saving them, as well, from this threat.

Even the Reagan administration joined the international outcry over Israel’s strike against Iraq’s French and Italian supplied Osirak nuclear reactor in 1981, but there “wasn’t an uproar,” Bolton pointed out, when

Israel similarly destroyed a North Korean supplied nuclear installation in Syria in 2007.

“It was a joint venture with Iran, Syria and North Korea,” he said.

Bolton also discussed the conflict in Syria and why America is not rushing to assist the rebels. “Iran has hegemony in the area,” Bolton explained. “The conflict in Syria is an Iranian backed proxy war between the Assad regime of Alawite-Shiites against the Sunni opposition. They need to be prepared to take on Iran if they attack Syria. And Obama still thinks he can negotiate with Iran” regarding their nuclear aims, he continued. “Obama doesn’t want to confront Syria.”

Bolton has stated recently that for the

last three years the U.S. administration has pressed Israel not to take military action regarding Iran’s nuclear aspirations, a stance that had been private and is now out in the open.

He noted that it is up to Israel to decide if it will permit this nearby existential threat to remain or not, but it appears that the Obama administration is more concerned about an Israeli military attack than about Iran acquiring nuclear capabilities.

He is a staunch defender of Israel and Israel’s right to self defense. “Israel is a close friend of the United States,” he wrote in an e-mail follow up to his Star interview, “shares our interests and values, and is threatened by

the same enemies.”

Bolton is a dedicated conservative who traces his activism back to his support of Barry Goldwater’s presidential campaign in 1964. He is a graduate of Yale Law School, and has practiced at a number of high-profile Washington law firms. He has had an extensive public policy career, working in the State Department, the Justice Department, and the U.S. Agency for International Development under Presidents Reagan and Bush.

He has served and continues to serve on conservative, Republican, and pro-democracy groups and committees.

He is known for his long term criticism of the United Nations and its policies.

THE JEWISH STAR March 2, 2012 • 8 ADAR 5772

Bolton, Beck speak at Gush Katif Museum dinner

March 2, 2012 • 8 ADAR 5772 THE JEWISH STAR

4

Opinion Is “Drill Baby Drill” a Big Lie or is President Obama a Big Liar?

“Anyone who tells you we can drill our way out of this problem doesn’t know what they’re talking about -- or just isn’t telling you the truth. It’s the easiest thing in the world to make phony election-year promises about lower gas prices. What’s harder is to make a serious, sustained commitment to tackle a problem. And it won’t be solved in one year, it won’t be solved in one term, it may not be solved in one decade.

POLITICO But that’s the kind of TO GO commitment we need right now.”

So who is telling the truth, President Obama or those who claim there is ample energy resources underneath the United States to meet our needs for many years to come.

To answer this question I refer to a 2010 report by the Congressional Research Service Jeff Dunetz (CRS). The CRS reports to the Congress, it is charged with providing research and analysis that is authoritative, confidential, objective and nonpartisan.

Released in November 2010, U.S. Fossil Fuel Resources: Terminology, Reporting, and Summary, details the scope of our energy reserves.

President Obama and his progressive al-

lies say the U.S. possesses just two or three percent of the world’s oil. This figure narrowly relies on America’s proven reserves of just 28 billion barrels. Of course you can’t have “proven reserves” until you drill for them.

a distant second followed by China in third place. The CRS cites America’s recoverable coal reserves to be 262 billion short tons. For perspective, the U.S. consumes just 1.2 billion short tons of coal per year. The CRS also states: “...U.S. coal resource estimates do not include some potentially massive deposits of coal that exist in northwestern Alaska. These currently inaccessible coal deposits have been estimated to be more than 3,200 billion short tons of coal.”

Oil The non-partisan CRS compiled government estimates which show that the United States has 163 billion barrels of recoverable oil. That’s enough oil to meet all of U.S. needs without importing any oil for more than 50 years. Our combined recoverable oil, natural gas, and coal endowment is the largest on Earth. America’s recoverable resources are far larger than those of Saudi Arabia (3rd), China (4th), and Canada (6th) combined. And that’s not including the United States’ huge oil shale and methane hydrates deposits.

Oil Shale Oil shale was not included in the CRS totals. But the Green River Formation located within Colorado, Wyoming, and Utah contains the equivalent of 6 trillion barrels of oil. The Department of Energy estimates that, of this 6 trillion, approximately 1.38 trillion barrels are potentially recoverable.

That’s equivalent to more than five times the conventional oil reserves of Saudi Arabia.

When the entire U.S. resources (except for shale oil) are aggregated we see the United States has more fossil fuel reserves than any other country in the world.

The President also pointed out that drilling is not a quick fix. Indeed, many people accurately point out that it can take 5-10 years once drilling begins for that supply to reach the pipeline.

That claim ignores the fact that speculation is driving up the cost of oil. Some of you may remember when crude oil prices jumped in 2008. The high point was $145 a barrel in early July. When President Bush lifted the

Natural Gas The CRS report refers to a 2009 assessment from the Potential Gas Committee that estimates that America’s future supply of natural gas is 2,047 trillion cubic feet (TCF).

This figure is more than 25 percent higher than the same Committee’s 2006 estimate. At today’s rate of use, this is enough natural gas to meet American demand for 90 years.

Coal The CRS report also shows that America has the most coal resources in the world. In fact, our coal resources account for more than 28 percent of the world’s reserves. Russia is

CHABAD OF HEWLETT SEFER TORAH WRITING Dan Vaknine, accompanied by his children, writes in the Torah with Sofer Moshe Klein. The Torah writing marks the inauguration of the Chabad of Hewlett which is in honor of the Assis and Greenfeld families. Chabad of Hewlett is located at 1160 Broadway in Hewlett. www.jewishhewlett.com Photo by Susan Grieco

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 Executive Contributors

Editorial Designers Photo Editor

Karen C. Green Malka Eisenberg Helene Parsons Miriam Bradman Abrahams Rabbi Avi Billet Jeff Dunetz Juda Engelmayer Rabbi Binny Freedman Alan Jay Gerber Jonathan Greenstein Rabbi Noam Himelstein Judy Joszef Zechariah Mehler Aviva Rizel Alyson Goodman Marina Russian Christina Daly

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executive ban on offshore oil drilling on July 14th, prices immediately began to drop. By the end of December 2008, crude oil spot price fell to $30.28 a barrel. Just the threat of new drilling drove down costs.

Along with dropping fuel costs, the added benefit to President Obama aggressively tapping our own energy reserves would be the almost immediate creation of energy related jobs. Those brand new energy related jobs would create new jobs in other industries including the consumer goods those new energy employees would now be able to purchase.

According to President Obama, anybody who claims that we can drill our way out of the present high cost of energy is a liar. Based on a report created by the non-partisan Congressional Research Service (published at a time when the Democrats controlled both houses of Congress), it is the President who is being less than honest with the American public. Our oil reserves are much larger than he claims and history shows even the threat of new drilling serves to depress oil prices pumped up by speculators.

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.

Condolences

Pearl Billet, aleha hashalom The Jewish Star expresses our heartfelt condolences to Rav Hershel Billet, Rabbi of the Young Israel of Woodmere on the passing of his beloved mother Pearl Billet, aleha hashalom.

The burial has taken place in Israel. Shiva will be observed in Israel at the Jacobson residence, until Wednesday night, February 29th.

Shiva will continue at the residence of Rabbi Hershel Billet, from Thursday morning, March

1st, until Sunday morning, March 4th.

On Saturday night, March 3rd, Rabbi Billet will observe shiva in the Young Israel of Woodmere Saul Kaufmann Social Hall from 7:45pm - 10:45pm.

‘May her soul be bound up in the bond of eternal life.’

(Please note that the attendance of minyanim at the residence of Rabbi Billet will be arranged by the Chevra Kadisha)

Check us out online at

www.thejewishstar.com News, photo galleries, calendar events and more.

Plus sign up as a user and add your own photos, events and comment on stories.

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6

The honor and the beauty: Appreciating what’s important

P

does not fulfill the entire service when the clothes aren’t as beautiful as they are meant to be, is because in this case, the beautification of the mitzvah is not separate from the fulfillment of the mitzvah, it is the mitzvah.

The entire point of the Kohanim wearing beautiful clothing is in order to make the service more beautiful; as such, if I am not wearing beautiful clothes (i.e. they are ripped or stained) then I might as well be wearing jeans.

And it is no accident that this mitzvah, whose essence is the beautification of service to G-d, is based in the Temple. After all, what is building a Temple (or the Mishkan, the temporary predecessor to the Temple our portion speaks of) all about? Why, indeed do I need to serve G-d in a particular place, and in a particular space? Isn’t G-d everywhere?

The entire point of the mitzvah of building a Mikdash, or Temple, is to allow us the opportunity to create one place, one environment that is so pure, and so inspirational, so beautiful and so holy, that we almost cannot help but be inspired, and in awe, when experiencing it.

How often do we become so focused on the insignificant, that we are missing the point of all that we are trying to do?

Maybe the entire exercise of having a Temple, including the special garments we were meant to see the Kohanim wearing, was an exercise in taking a step back to appreciate the really important moments and the purpose of all that we do and all that we are.

A simple handshake, full of power and promise, life and vitality, appreciated by two men, bound for a moment by shared experience and common goals. Most would have missed the moment and most certainly not remembered it. But for me, this Battalion Commander, with all his other responsibilities and challenges--he got it.

Shabbat Shalom from Jerusalem, Binny Freedman

riorities; sometimes, we need to take a step back and appreciate the things that are really important in life, if for no other reason than the opportunity it affords us to take note of the things that occupy so much of our time that really aren’t so important….

A few years ago, I found myself walking in to Har Herzl, Israel’s national military cemetery, for the thirty-day memorial service for Yosef Yitzchak Goodman of blessed memory, a paratrooper who fell to his death after cutting his lines to save his commander.

There is a quiet unique to cemeterFROM THE HEART ies, which is especially OF JERUSALEM powerful in Mount Herzl, and even the young soldiers were talking in hushed tones with none of the usual horsing around….

Yosef was in an elite commando unit with an extremely difficult training course.

The boys who make it through must share a certain determination, a certain aspiration to Rabbi Binny excellence that they Freedman demand of themselves, even more than the unit demands of them. In the process, they become bound together as one, something that is the backbone of any serious army unit, because it is the framework that allows these young men to know, with absolute certainty, that they can put their lives in their comrades’ hands, any time, any place.

All of which is part of why the energy in such a place, with such a group, on such a day is indescribably unique.

At one point, their commanding officer, wearing the less fancy uniform used in the field with no medals and only his rank of Lieutenant Colonel on his shoulders, strode up to the microphone to eulogize the young man he had lost.

I couldn’t help but wonder, of all the moments soldiers share in the field, what one of them he would choose to speak about.

He began to describe the end of the ‘maslul’ or course of training, when, after a year and a half, the boys of Maglan, this elite commando unit, have finally finished the full course.

The last night of these boys’ training course, their commander revealed, this unit has a tradition that all the graduates climb a very steep mountain in the Negev desert near their base, simply known as ‘The Mountain.’

And when they get to the top, with all their gear, the rest of the battalion is waiting for them at the top, and along with the fireworks and the celebrations into the night, there is a very special ceremony where each soldier entering the family of this unit receives his commando wings (worn alongside the paratrooper wings on the opposite breast). Their tradition is that they take off the pin covers and slam the wings, pin-point-first, through the boys’ shirts something that can involve no small amount of pain….

As such, he described how he always takes note of how different soldiers approach this moment, some more hesitant, some eager, but apparently, none quite like Yosef did.

Unbeknownst to the battalion commander, Yosef, at the bottom of the mountain, had confided to one of the men, that when he got his handshake, along with the wings, he was going to make sure it was a moment neither of them would ever forget, and so it was.

When Yosef ( a tall, strapping fellow, who was a supreme athlete, and after many months of army training in which he excelled, was also six feet plus of pure muscle), stepped forward to receive his wings he shook his commander’s hand and, not letting go, squeezed it so hard, the commander finally had to say ‘dismissed.’ Rubbing his hand as he spoke over Yosef’s grave, with the hint of a smile across his face, he looked straight into Yosef’s parents’ eyes and said he could still feel the strength of that handshake. Like everything else Yosef did, he gave it his all. In that moment, the entire world was all about a handshake.

I have not stopped thinking about that

handshake, and that moment on Mount Herzl, since I heard this story. Of all the stories I am quite sure this commander could have shared, what made him choose such a seemingly benign experience; the experience of a handshake?

This week’s portion, Tetzaveh, in a seemingly insignificant verse, may perhaps suggest a response to this question: “Ve’asita’ bigdei kodesh le’Aharon achicha, le’chavod, u’letifaret.”

“And you shall make holy clothes for Aaron your brother, for honor and beauty.”

(Shemot (Exodus) 28:2) In addition to all the details regarding the special clothing for the Kohanim (priests) known as the Bigdei Kehuna, the Torah takes the trouble to stress, right from the start, that these priestly garments have to be made le’chavod, u’letifaret, for honor and beauty.

The obligation for Kohanim to wear special, beautiful garments when they serve in the Temple would seem to be in order to lend an air of honor and respect to the Temple service.

Service in the Temple should not be done in just any old clothes, but rather in special clothing, because this is special work.

Now this, in and of itself, makes sense.

But Jewish tradition gleans from this verse much more than just an exhortation to make the service special. In fact the Rambam (Maimonides) points out (Hilchot Klei Hamikdash 10:4-5) that if a Kohein was missing any piece of his attire, (or even if he added something not meant to be worn) his entire service was completely invalid. Indeed, Maimonides points out that in the event a Priest did wear torn or stained clothing while performing a service in the Temple, it would again completely invalidate the service.

Why? Why would a small stain on a Kohein’s shirt mean that all the otherwise pure activity was completely invalid? Are clothes and external trappings really so important?

You see, when it comes to the Bigdei Kehuna, the priestly garments, the reason one

Rav Binny Freedman, Rosh Yeshivat Orayta in Jerusalem’s Old City is a Company Commander in the IDF reserves, and lives in Efrat with his wife Doreet and their four children.

His weekly Internet ‘Parsha Bytes’ can be found at www.orayta.org

Parshat Tetzaveh

every house.”

In three cases, the people are told to bring the items either to Moshe or for themselves, while the Terumah commandment is the sole difference, when they are told to bring the donation to God. The idea of taking something to God in the context of the Mishkan is quite understandable. What is the purpose of the entire edifice, if not to become a Sanctuary for God’s presence to rest on Earth?

On the other side, it is curious that the instructions for taking the oil and heifer are formulated in the same way, “V’yikchu ei’lekha” – to “and they will take to you.” To Moshe?

Why? Ramban says the oil is to be brought to Moshe so he could be sure it is perfectly pure oil – that it follows halakhic specifications.

Chizkuni says there is a practical reason involved – because he is the first one to enter the Mishkan, he will be the first one who needs the light to see in that windowless sanctuary.

The Gemara, on the other hand, offers a different perspective, painting a contrast between Moshe’s “needs” and God’s non-needs.

“Bring them to you, and not to Me, for I do not need their light.” (Menachos 86b) In other words, while God does not need their light, you, Moshe, and the Jewish people, need the light of the Menorah.

Moshe is also told that the people should take to him the Red Heifer, which Rashi points out will always be called “the cow [ritual] that Moshe performed or instructed in the wilderness.” Similar to the Gemara, the Midrash Vayikra Rabba 30 says, “Is the [heifer] for Me? It is for you, to purify [the people].”

Moshe personally needs the light, and Moshe needs to provide the light. This is one of the two main components of Moshe’s job, of Moshe’s role as a “guide, advisor, leader” for the Jewish people.

With the red cow ritual, Moshe after whom the Red Heifer ritual is named, is not supposed to be doing a job the people can do for themselves, but he nonetheless serves as the conduit that brings about spiritual purity to the people – their taharah.

In this sense, Moshe is more like the “spiritual guide” who is meant to bring the people to live a life of purity. In the event that they have strayed, he is to guide them on the path that brings them back to purity.

Oil and heifer are brought to Moshe himself – to him, but for the people. Firstly, he needs to tap into his innermost being, to be able to achieve his maximum potential as a leader.

Moshe’s job essentially serves two functions: As the source of light, he is meant to bring enlightenment, to help people find all

the answers. At the same time, Moshe’s other role as spiritual leader was to be the source of purity – to help people tap into the essence of their souls.

This double job is discussed by Rabbi Joseph B. Soloveitchik in his essay “Engaging the Heart and Teaching the Mind,” which appears in “Reflections of the Rav,” Volume II. He spoke about the differences between the spiritual guide who takes care of only the spiritual side of one’s experience, while the other leader or guide actually shows people how to live.

In order to achieve either end, we need to take something – a lamb, some oil, or a red heifer, and appreciate the value of the freedom, light or symbol of purity it evokes. We take it for ourselves because it is not God who needs it, but we who need these symbols to help us connect to God. Rabbi Norman Lamm said in a sermon on this parsha in the 1960s, “The Torah, with all its difficulties and demands and disciplines, is a gift by God to man, and our observance of the Torah is no gift by us to God.” In other words, it is all for us, to help us refine who we are, to aim to perfect our ways, so we can aim to achieve the completeness that comes from living an enlightened existence and a pure existence in the service of God and in the perfecting of Man.

Take For You T

here are four times in the Torah when the people are instructed to “take” an item or material for a purpose which is then described, using the Hebrew word “v’yikchu” (with a shva under the vav) – meaning, “and they will take.”

Two of the instances appear at the beginning of last week’s parsha and this week’s parsha. “They will take ‘terumah’ to Me.” (25:2) “Command the people, and they will take to you pure olive oil to light and raise a candle forever.” (27:20). (This is repeated in Emor, Rabbi Avi Billet Vayikra 24:2).

The other two instances are in Bamidbar 19:2, “Tell the Israelites and they will take to you an unblemished Red Heifer;” and Shmot 12:3, “They will take for them each a lamb for

A simple handshake, full of power and promise, life and vitality

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A Purim Literary Redo 5772

L

ast week’s essay centered upon the valued commentary, “Majesty and Mystery” (OU Press, YU Press, Ktav, 2012)

by Rabbi Norman Lamm on Megillat Esther.

As noted then, that work also includes an impressive and comprehensive commentary on the Maariv evening service that frames the reading of the megillah. Accordingly, this week I wish to share with you a sampling of that liturgical commentary for your edification.

The first paragraph of the evening service revolves around the theme of the cosmos.

This opening prayer states in clear language that the Almighty “arranges the stars.”

Rabbi Lamm teaches us the following: “When the artist Van Gough was asked about his famous expressionistic painting, ‘The Starry Night,’ he said, ‘I felt a need of – shall I say the word?

– religion, and so I Alan Jay Gerber went out and painted the stars.’

“It is the very permanence of the stars and the solace they offer to an unstable society that makes them the symbol of religion. It is this fixity amidst flux that Torah offers and that the Messiah will teach. The religion of Torah does not change with the times. It is not subject to the whims of the public opinion poll. Its strength derives from its perennial reliability.”

The signature prayer in the Purim liturgy, Al Hanissim, is inserted into the Amidah and Grace throughout the day. Included in the Purim version is the following phrase, “when the wicked Haman rose up against them.” From this Rabbi Lamm teaches us the following: “There is a remarkable passage in the Talmud {Hullin 139b}: ‘How do we know Haman is mentioned in the Torah?’ And the Talmud cites a verse in Genesis: After Adam and Eve have eaten of the forbidden fruit of the Tree of Knowledge, G-d said to Adam: ‘Did you eat from the tree…?’ {Genesis 3:11}. The first word in this accusation is ‘ha-min’, which, in a play on words, sounds like Haman. Thus we know of Haman from this verse.

“Now, this is a remarkably peculiar passage – unless it is but an example of Talmudic humor, which it may be occasionally but certainly not always.

“Why does the Talmud have to seek a source for Haman in the Torah? The answer – and it is a remarkably perspicacious insight – was offered by the late sage of Kletsk and then Lakewood, Rav Aharon Kotler, zt”l. The Talmud, he tells us, is pointing to a remarkable similarity between Haman and Adam in their approaches to life. Both Adam and Haman are guilty of partially unfulfilled rising expectations, causing them to insist that they must get everything, without exception. Thus, Adam in the Garden of Eden would seem to have had everything a man

could want: an inexhaustible food supply, the loveliness of Paradise, a wife, rivers and trees and mountains of gold and silver, everything – except for one little tree the fruit of which is forbidden to him. Everything he has means nothing; it is only that one tree which he must have. Hence, his expulsion from Paradise.

“Haman goes through a similar process. He has everything that a politician can want: power, glory, the envy of his colleagues and subordinates, riches, and a large household. He is a man who effectively runs the entire Persian Empire, because the king is, after all, a fool. “ Only one little thing is denied Haman: a solitary Jew outside the court refuses to bow to him. This proves to be such a maddening factor to Haman that he proposes a plan for genocide and ultimately is ruined and executed because of it.

Each of them is, therefore, undone by rising expectations.

“Rising expectations, while certainly justifiable and necessary for constituting a moral and fair and equitable society, entail dangers in the realms of psychology, politics, and morality. Perhaps the most moral and Jewish approach to rising expectations, both of the Purim epoch and our own, should lead us to a modification of this theme. Rising expectations, yes – but not expectations of others; rather, of ourselves.”

Our festival calendar, besides its religious character, is both a history lesson and a val-

ued teaching on current events. A clear reading of both Rav Kotler’s and Rav Lamm’s take on the Purim theme as seen above can serve as an apt lesson for all of us to better understand the divine intent as it was played out in the past and as it is being played out now, right before our eyes.

How uncanny is the similarity in the behavior of the Persian leaders of antiquity to that of the contemporary leadership of that same country. The blind hatred toward the Jews as demonstrated in the megillah can be seen in the very policies and ideologies of Nazism, Communism and Islamic Fascism.

This is the purpose for our observance of Purim, to gain strength through faith and fortitude by example as we face the travails in the days yet to come.

FOR FURTHER STUDY Purim marks a major publishing event in Jewish history, the publication in 1975 of “The Megillah” by Rabbi Meir Zlotowitz and Rabbi Nosson Scherman. This literary gem marked the genesis of the Artscroll revolution. Designed initially as a memorial to our mutual friend, Marty Fogel, a”h, the Artscroll Megillah set the pace for a publishing effort that was to revolutionize English literary Judaica forever, sure proof that good intentions do get rewarded.

Also, please note that among Artscroll’s latest works is an updated version of the biography of Rav Moshe Feinstein, “Reb Moshe” by Rabbi Shimon Finkelman. With Rav Feinstein’s yahrtzeit coming up just before Purim, this work deserves attention.

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THE JEWISH STAR March 2, 2012 • 8 ADAR 5772

The Kosher Bookworm

March 2, 2012 • 8 ADAR 5772 THE JEWISH STAR

8

Backpages: Let’s hear it for the band

By Karen C. Green They may be “taking care of business everyday”, as the Bachman Turner Overdrive lyrics suggest, but the five musicians who make up Backpages, look forward to their ‘gigs’ as a way of both escaping the daily grinds of life, and getting a bit nostalgic by reconnecting to their youth.

Born out of an encounter at a bar mitzvah years back, founding members “Crazy” Peretz Buchsbaum, lead singer and Michael Kaufman, keyboard, were later joined by Five Towns residents Mark Beinstock, lead guitar, and Don Simon, bass. Barry Simon, Don’s brother, also a Long Islander, soon after came on board. Together almost ten years, the band that covers classic rock hits from The Beatles, The Doors, Rolling Stones, The Kinks, as well as Motown tunes, attracts a broad spectrum of the Orthodox community that travel from Brooklyn, Staten Island, New Jersey, and Manhattan for an evening of classic rock.

Frontman Peretz Buchsman, who is self described as a “renaissance man” gets nostalgic when he speaks about his upcoming “gig” at Backstage in Woodmere on March 10, where the band has played several times. “It’s a chance for people to see others that they haven’t seen in a long time. People that they grew up with.” The band which has also played at notable venues such as Kenny’s Castaway’s, the Lion’s Den, Tavern on the Green and the West End Café, is happy to keep coming back to Backstage for their faithful following. “When I see the crowd enjoying the music as much as we enjoy playing it, it’s a certain high derived from that, a euphoria in a sense,” noted bandmember Michael Kaufman. “We keep coming back to Backstage for all the faithful fans, it’s a great outlet, a cathartic experience.”

Mark Bienstock, lead guitarist, who has been playing guitar since he was fifteen, and had been with several bands in his past finds the experience “as a way to relax with people that you enjoy being with, no pressure, a way to have fun.”

When reminiscing about the bands several performances one especially came to mind. “When my oldest son Lee, was old enough to see the me play, at Kenny’s Castaway’s, he remarked, ‘Dad I knew you could play guitar, but I never really

Photo coutesy of Peretz Buchsbaum

Bandmembers, Don Simon, bass, Michael Kaufman, keyboard, Peretz Buchsbaum,lead vocals, Mark Beinstock, lead guitar, and Barry Simon, drummer, look forward to their upcoming gig on March 10 at Backstage thought you could play guitar.’ Lee was seemingly in awe to see his father play a rendition of Guns and Roses’ Sweet Child of Mine”, as Mark recalls. “All in all ,its just a lot of fun,” added Beinstock.

Bandmembers who professionally have careers in healthcare, hospital administration, banking and graphics, are each affiliated in their respective communities. Peretz, who often leads services at Young Israel of Staten Island , “takes pride in playing classic rock, and keeping rock –n- roll pure, while being Orthodox and connected to G-d at the same time” He’s happy to have a foot in two worlds and feels that “one identity doesn’t preclude the other.”

West Hempstead resident and faithful Backpages fan, Jerry Richter, is excited about their upcoming performance on March 10. “I’m a good friend of Peretz and know him for over 30 years. I so enjoy watching Backpages perform, not just for the music. It’s like walking into a time warp and being transported to Kosher Country or Subo at Brooklyn College. Bumping into old friends who you used to hang around with and listen to music with 30 years ago. For me it’s a bit of a surreal experience because I get to see people I haven’t seen in years. The old chevra. It’s like Facebook, but with a soundtrack.”

OU brings the sandwich generation to the table

By Malka Eisenberg “One of the most important things, from a religious and psychological perspective, is to take care of our family. This is what I’m supposed to be doing. That’s what I’m here for, to take care of our own parents and our own children.”

Rabbi Marc Penner, Rav of the Young Israel of Holliswood, addressed the importance of taking care of our parents from a halachic standpoint, the commandment of kibud av v’em, as part of a panel discussion on the “Sandwich Generation”presented by OU Community Services Motzaei Shabbat at the Young Israel of Holliswood. “Look around,” he continued. “Why did G-d put me in this family?

And if we have to push aside other things in our life—it’s our job.” He also noted that the Rambam points out in Hilchot Av v’Em that if you can’t take care of your parents yourself you can have others take care of them but “we must take care of the old and the young.”

The panel of two social workers, a physician and director of palliative care, and an eldercare attorney spoke in turns to the beit midrash full of attentive, note-taking, concerned listeners. The 70 men and women who attended received a booklet of information from the OU and a blue packet with literature from MJHS, and other literature including a printed out version of Agudath Israel’s Halachic Medical Directive. “I know you’re here because you’re dealing with these issues,” said Toby Weiss, MSOD, and Director of Cultural Sensitivity and Jewish Programming at Metropolitan Jewish Health Systems.

Some of the key recommendations of the discussion were that it is halachically the responsibility of the adult child to take care of

parents, that it is vital to get to know your parent’s doctor before a crisis occurs, that everyone should have a health care proxy, always designate one liaison, one family member to communicate with medical personnel to facilitate communication and be cognizant of HIPA restrictions, and long term care insurance is a good idea. Another point noted that Holocaust survivors should have a separate account for their reparations and that can be arranged through the Claims Conference, from Germany. Survivors are eligible for additional free services and their reparations are exempt from assets for applying for Medicaid.

It’s important to communicate with and develop a relationship with the parent’s doctor, said Dr. Martin Grossman, Director of Palliative Care Division at Forest Hills Hospital and Medical Director, Inpatient Unit of Peninsula Hospital Center. When the parent is hospitalized Grossman suggested looking at the wristband to see the name of the attending physician, “the point person for the family to know what’s going on.” He noted that in the U.S. the patient has the right to determine medical care but a doctor can determine whether the patient has the capacity to make a decision. He stressed the need for a health care proxy, noting that it “can only be done when the patient can make a decision. Everyone should have one, more so now than ever before, especially Jews.” Primary and secondary decision makers should be delineated and for how long. The list of people who can be a health care proxy are, in order, spouse, child, sibling, friend, physician. The proxy is called upon when the patient can’t make decisions; the proxy is appointed by the patient before they are unable to make the decisions. He also

emphasized that it is important to involve the patient’s Rabbi or a designated Rabbi when discussing options and decisions, for consultation on Halacha.

Grossman mentioned the benefits of palliative care, a basket of services that seeks to alleviate the patient’s pain and suffering, addressing their physical, emotional, and spiritual needs. He noted that patients whose comfort is dealt with, in one study he cited, lived longer. “The end of life is a fact,” he said. “Death is a natural part of life in Judaism.”

“All hospice is palliative but not all palliative is hospice,” explained Weiss. “Palliative care doesn’t preclude any other services.

It’s an added layer of support. Hospice care is when you are no longer seeking curative treatment of the disease and a physician certifies that it’s reasonable to believe the patient will die within six months. Why would you want it? Because it’s the best benefit in America.” The patient is cared for by a medical team and is completely covered by Medicare.

“There are people who graduate off of hospice,” she noted. The decision for care has to be “what’s best for you and the family member.”

Eytan Kobre, the eldercare attorney, stressed the importance of preparing “advanced directive documents. You can save a lot of headache down the road” if you prepare a health care proxy. He noted that it’s “better not to specify treatments, and have a conversation as to what their wishes are.”

He noted that Agudath Israel of America and the Rabbinical Council of America have downloadable Halachic Medical Directives or Health Care Proxies. There should be a

place on the form to designate a Rabbi as a Rabbinic decisor.

Another necessary document is the power of attorney, for financial decisions, continued Kobre. He said that there is a new New York State form that is free to download and is a few pages long. “You should do the new one,” he said. “It avoids the cost and headache of going for guardianship.” A will is also important, he stated. “It can be crucial.” It is necessary to have “something that properly disposes of your assets in a way that you want them disposed of.”

Kobre also stressed the importance of financial planning, looking into Medicare, Medicaid, and long term care insurance, suggesting a consultation with a long term care planner or elder care attorney. “Twenty years from now Medicaid may not be viable,” he said. “Long term care insurance is not as expensive as you think. It’s not rocket science.

Have a conversation with your parents and set it up for yourselves, too. You probably want to spare your children from this.”

Children or surrogates should have knowledge of insurance benefits and access to the parent’s id cards, record of past medical history, name and phone number of the primary care physician and medication profile and the location of financial records, instructed Leba Sonneberg a social worker of geriatrics and long term care at Woodmere Rehabilitation and Health Care Center. “Be prepared for difficult outcomes, be aware of options, be prepared for discharge,” she warned. “Call and ask questions.”

For more information contact the Department of Community Services of the Orthodox Union at www.oucommunity.org or call 212-613-8300.

9 THE JEWISH STAR March 2, 2012 • 8 ADAR 5772

Who’s in the kitchen

Purim: Be a guest at your own seudah age were too cool to dress up anymore. Not, me though, I loved the idea of dressing up and being creative. So, when I asked my dear friend Fay Levitz (Elefant) to dress as a clock, and she refused, I hounded her till she gave in. While all the other kids were delivering their mishloach manot packages in their mod patent leather (70s) boots, we were walking the streets with our faces painted (with eyeliner) with numerals and our noses adorned with the hour and minute hands.

Fay, I would like to take this opportunity to publicly apologize to you!

Whether you decide to send mishloach manot with a theme, an elegantly wrapped bottle of wine and some chocolate dipped hamantashen, or bake a load full of goodies, I’m sure you’re all going to be busy in the days leading up to Purim, and busy preparing for Shabbat right after, so why not opt for a buffet in place of the standard sit down formal dinner for your seudah.

You can prepare a lot of the dishes in advance and set them out right as your guests arrive. Then you can enjoy the seudah along with your family and friends.

For those of you who want to get a little creative, add different heights to your table.

Start with a tablecloth that comes down at least halfway to the floor. Then gather up some hatboxes, shoe or boot boxes or just about any boxes that will withstand the weight of a serving dish. Next take a matching tablecloth or one that will coordinate with the one already on the table. Cover the tabletop including all the boxes and then smooth the top tablecloth around the bot-

Young Israel of Hewlett Congregation Ahavat Yisrael Shabbat Across America – Scholar in Residence

Rabbi Lawrence Hajioff Faculty, Stern College for Women

March 2 - 3 2012 Friday Night: Once Upon a Time in Persia: Unmasking The Real Purim Story!

Shabbos Drosha: Remember Amalek! Who are they? Where are they?

And what do they want?

Shalosh Seudos: Moshiach: What Exactly Are We Waiting For? Simple Shabbohs Meal: Friday night March 2 immediately after davening Adults and Children 12 and older: $7 Children 4 to 12 $3 Children 4 and younger are free For reservations please e-mail Ivan Goodstein: Kiryah@aol.com

Young Israel of Hewlett Congregation Ahavat Yisrael 1 Piermont Avenue Hewlett, NY 11557-2109 (516)295-2282 • office@yihewlett.org

tom of the boxes so they are fully covered.

The top tablecloth will have a drapery look around the boxes, which is the effect you want to achieve. Some serving dishes should be placed on top of the boxes; others should be placed on the table. You can adorn the table with elegant feathered masks, or flowers, I’ll leave that up to you!

Below, find a sample menu you can follow and a recipe for Cornish hens. Feel free to add your favorites.

Menu Large challah and assorted rolls Garden salad mixed mixed with your favorite dressing (for an added crunch add a handful of Terra Stix) ■ Pasta salad with lightly stir fried vegetables glazed with Mikee Garlic Stir-Fry and Rib Sauce ■ Hot wings (to keep the kids happy) ■ Deli roll glazed with apricot sauce ■ Brick roast ■ Honey Ginger Glazed Cornish Hens stuffed with rice and cranberries ■ Colored peppers stuffed with wild rice, caramelized onions and cranberries ■ Cubed potatoes and sweet potatoes baked with strained sautéed onions, garlic, salt and touch of honey till golden brown.

■ Dessert...May I suggest when your family and friends ask what they can bring, tell them dessert would be great!

■ ■

Honey Ginger Glazed Cornish Hens ■ 12 Cornish hens, ■ 1 cup dry sherry

■ 1 cup onions, minced ■ 1/3 cup honey ■ 1/4 cup soy sauce ■ 1 tablespoon ginger root, minced ■ 1 tablespoon garlic, minced ■ 2 teaspoons salt

Place hens in one or more baking pans, breast side up. Combine sherry, honey, soy sauce, ginger root, garlic and salt in bowl.

Mix well. Pour over hens. Bake in preheated conventional oven at 375F for 1 1/2 to 2 hours or until chicken is no longer pink.

Baste occasionally with pan juices during cooking. Remove from oven. Transfer hens to clean pan. Strain pan juices into saucepan.

Discard solids. Cook over high heat for 7 to 10 minutes or until reduced by half, stirring constantly. Pour sauce evenly over hens.

Enjoy your seudah whether as a guest or a host, and if you happen to see any clocks walking around this year, remember, that was my original idea back in the 70s.....my good friend Fay will vouch for that.

Judy Joszef is a pastry and personal chef as well as a party planner. She spent 18 years as a pastry chef at Abigael’s, The Cedar Club, Centro and T42 in the Five Towns, before launching her current business, Soireé. She can be contacted at Judy.soiree@gmail.com.

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Purim, it’s that time of year again.

The most festive, feel good holiday of the year, with drink till you drop, feast till you’re stuffed and over the top partying while masquerading. And it’s the only holiday that will continue to be celebrated after Mashiach comes.

I have so many fond memories of Purim.

It was as if it were yesterday that I was dressed up as Queen Esther delivering mishloach manot. In reality I was about seven.

In those days, parents didn’t drive around the neighborhood stopping in front of every house as their kids grabbed a package from the trunk to deliver.

We left our homes, with three or four mishloach manot packages in tow and walked Judy Joszef to our destinations. We also didn’t have the over the top creations, each with it’s own theme, that abound today.

I remember so vividly, my mom placing about five pieces of pastry on each plate in it’s own gold foiled paper cup. Of course there had to be two brachot so there was either a shiny apple or a perfectly round orange placed in the middle of the plate. Try as I might, inevitably, no matter how careful I was, the apple or orange always ended up on top of one of the pastries.

Fast forward to age twelve, when kids our

March 2, 2012 • 8 ADAR 5772 THE JEWISH STAR

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By Karen C. Green The Sands of Atlantic Beach was the setting for the Hebrew Academy of The Five Towns’ 34th Annual Dinner on Saturday night February 25, where close to 600 supporters came out to pay tribute to Guests of

Photo courtesy Jerry Meyer Studio

Rabbi Dr. Gilbert Klaperman accepts lifetime achievement award.

honor Michelle and Scott Sulzberger, Yachad awardees Miriam and Avi Kestenbaum, and Rabbi Dr. Gilbert Klaperman, Rabbi emeritus of Congregation Beth Sholom. Everyone in attendance enjoyed a festive evening in support of the prominent five towns yeshiva.

Reuben Marons, HAFTR’s Executive Director, was “thrilled by the large turnout, which exceeded last years. The evening is a tremendous success.”

Guests in attendance enjoyed a lavish free flowing cocktail hour and buffet dinner which provided for an opportunity for lively interaction between parents, faculty, honorees and supporters in advance of the formal awards ceremony and video presentation.

HAFTR parent Gitty Steinfeld was delighted to share her thoughts about the evening. “I’m proud to be part of HAFTR. I have three children who have graduated the high school, and three who are currently attending, one in high school, two in middle

THE JEWISH STAR March 2, 2012 • 8 ADAR 5772

HAFTR Dinner honors Rabbi Emeritus school. I’m grateful that there’s a modern Orthodox Torah education that’s available to our children in the community; a school with great teachers, rebbeim, and administrators that care about each and every student. We wish mazel tov to the honorees on their well deserved honor.”

Yachad awardees Miriam and Avi Kestenbaum

Drs. Karen and Adam Lish, Chairman of the Board, enjoy the evening.

HAFTR Highlights

Talkin’ ‘bout my generation Look at the news today. Whether it’s turning on the TV or your computer, the news is all the same. From headlines such as “Manufacturing Giant Shuts Down Plant Following Bitter Labor Dispute” to “Stagnant Middle Class Feeling Pressure of Rising Tuition Cost,” millions of Americans have been forced to cut back, only spending their money when they have to.

Meanwhile, in Washington, while the government has taken action in trying to jumpstart the economy, gridlock has caused such action to only have a limited effect. The $787 billion stimulus package has barely had an effect on the state of the economy, while the national debt has increased to over $15 trillion. At the same time, interest rates are so low that banks can literally take out money for almost nothing. The Fed is essentially just printing money and infusing it into the economy. While the bureaucrats in Washington may have proper justification for taking such action, they seem to do so without regard for the next generation. While they raise the national debt and devalue our currency, they do so without realizing the future consequences. It seems as though they just “push it off,” waiting for someone else to fix the problem. And it’s not only limited to Congress and issues relating to the economy.

Just look at the Obama administration. For example, under heavy pressure from industrial corporations, the president chose to override a plan produced by his own Environmental Protection Agency to tighten the lax Bush administration standards on clean air to prevent toxic smog. The president, who had campaigned in ‘08 on restoring the role of science in decision-making, overrode the judgment of a unanimous panel of scientists, suggesting that he wanted to “study” the issue further. But until when does he want to wait? Will we have to wait until another environmental disaster like the Deepwater Horizon or Exxon Valdez oil spill occurs for proper action to be taken?

And how is my generation going to be able to fix these problems effectively? According to the PISA Exam, one a of a handful of tests that compare education levels across nations (and considered to be the most comprehensive), the United States ranked 14th in reading, 17th in science and 25th in math, placing

us behind countries such as China and Canada. Additionally, between 1995 and 2008, the U.S. fell from second to 13th place in college graduate rates, according to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development.

Furthermore, according to CNN Money, the average cost of college tuition at a public college had risen from $2,800 in 1988 to $6,500 in 2008. And that’s just in public colleges. At universities like Columbia and Northwestern, tuition rates are soon estimated to exceed $60,000 per year. How are parents and their kids expected to pay for this? People are barely making ends meet, yet tuition keeps going up. What meaningful action has the government taken to rectify the situation?

How can our nation remain competitive in today’s globalized economy when most of our nation’s students are only able to afford state and local educational institutions. Don’t get me wrong -- some public colleges offer outstanding educational programs (just look at California’s state college system as well as New York’s outstanding SUNY program), but compared to rest of the world, we are beginning to fall behind.

And again, the government has yet to do anything substantial to help the country “gain ground.” Instead, we only act in the short term, not the long term. Politicians stay in office, acting only when they need to and waiting until they pick up that Congressional pension. Additionally, in the current presidential race, there has been never a mention of how the candidates would balance their proposed plans between the long term and the short term. People need to wake up. The country can’t stay on its current course. Political leaders need to wake up and realize that there are consequences to their actions.

Neglecting the effects of these actions will only harm future generations.

Our nation’s leaders need to talk with college deans to find where colleges can cut costs and make themselves more affordable to all Americans. Additionally, we as the American people must be more aware of the way bureaucrats in Washington spend our money and what they are doing to ensure the continuity of this great nation. There needs to be accountability -- not pushing blame from one side of the aisle to the other. We as a nation need to think, act, and live smarter.

If we don’t, all that we have worked hard for over the past 236 years could be lost forever.

Guests of Honor, Michelle and Scott Sulzberger

NO NEED TO GO ANYWHERE ELSE!

Middle School Principal Rabbi and Mrs. Dovid Kupchik

V

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By Matthew Maron

March 2, 2012 • 8 ADAR 5772 THE JEWISH STAR

14

March 4 13th Annual Claire Kamhi Hachnossat Kallah Breakfast AT THE HOME OF NICOLE AND MARC GLEITMAN, 128 Willlow Road, Woodsburgh Guest Speaker, Charlie Harary, Introductory remarks by Rabbi Eli Brazil 9:15 a.m. For more information please call (516) 650-0498

ON THE

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

Deadline is Wednesday of the week prior to publication.

Dead Sea Scrolls Exhibition

SPARKS – For Women Only

March 5 Dr. Yossi Mandel on Battlefield medicine in Israel YOUNG ISRAEL OF LAWRENCE-CEDARHURST UJA FEDERATION OF NEW YORK in conjunction with American Physicians and Friends for Medicine in Israel sponsors this discussion by the former head of research and foreign affairs directorate for the Israel Defense Forces and Israel Ministry Defense. YILC is located at 8 Spruce Street. 7:30 p.m. Dessert reception to follow. For more information please call Irwin Gershon at (516) 677-1818 or gershon1@ujafedny.org.

March 6 Purim Shiur by R’ Eytan Kobre - For Men Only SPONSORED BY ECG RESOURCES AND DAVE GLASER. ECG Resources, 148 Doughty Blvd. Suite 312 1:00 p.m. followed by Mincha, IY”H Reservations appreciated, but last minute attendees welcome: (516) 374 7070, Ext. 16 or Hadassah@ECGresources.com Adar-ly delicious complimentary lunch will be served.

No charge. No solicitation. Just Torah!

DISCOVERY TIMES SQUARE in partnership with the Israel Antiquities Authority presents an exhibition on the Dead Sea Scrolls. The world premiere of the exhibition, located in New York City at 226 West 44th Street between 7th and 8th Avenues, ends April 15. For tickets and more information, please call 866-987-9692 or visit Discoveryts.com

From left: Sol Ripstein and Benjy Shreier pay homage to their Superbowl Champions at the Young Israel of Woodmere NY Giants victory celebration breakfast.

March 7

PREPARED BY TALENTED COOKS throughout the community, featuring a wide array of appetizers, salads, soups, challah, side dishes, kugels, cakes & desserts. Also available are Purim cards @$18 per pack. At the home of Shira Perl.

Tuesday 9 a.m. - 9 p.m., Wednesday 9 a.m.- 3 p.m. Contact Kulanu at 569-3083.

Chabad, 74 Maple Avenue, Cedarhurst at 5:30 pm To make your reservations please call 516 295-2478 or go online to www.chabad5towns. com/purimstadium

Chabad of The Five Towns Megillah Reading & Purim Bash, HAFTR High School Chabad Center for THERE WILL BE A SPECIAL MULTIMEDIA MEGILLAH READING for children and Moms & tots, followed Jewish Life, Merrick and by a Comedy Yo-Yo Unicycle show with John Bellmore Higby who has 3 Guinness World Records!

March 8

635 Central Avenue, Cedarhurst. Maariv at 6:20 pm Megillah reading starts at 6:30 pm

March 7-8 Purim Megillah Reading Center at Chabad HOURLY MEGILLAH READINGS AT CHABAD. Wednesday night every hour on the hour beginning at 7:00 pm through 11:00 pm.

Thursday there will be three minyanim for Shacharit: 6:00 am-Megillah reading at 6:20 am;7:00 am-Megillah reading at 7:20 am; 8:00 am-Megillah reading at 8:20 The hourly Megillah reading resumes on Thursday, Purim day, from 9:00 am through 5:00 pm Chabad, 74 Maple Avenue, Cedarhurst For more information 516-295-2478 or www. chabad5towns.com

March 6 -7 March 8 Purim Cuisine Sale to benefit the children of Kulanu

HEWLETT HADASSAH/DEVORAH GROUP Led by Guest Speaker Ric Michel of Owl 57 Gallery Maple Plaza, Cedarhurst 8:00 p.m. $25/person prepaid by March 5, $30/person at the door Men welcome! Great Raffles Prizes!

For more information contact Paula at 8894566 or pgach@optonline.net

Ongoing

March 4 A CLOSER LOOK INTO POST PARTUM DISORDERS. This poorly understood condition can wreak havoc on the entire family. Guest speaker, Meredith Zelman-Narissi, Polarity therapist and Dance Instructor, Kol Isha Women’s Choir of Monsey will be performing as well as the Desert Dance Group.

Dairy buffet will be served. Suggested donation $20, 7 p.m. Kulanu auditorium, located at 620 Central Avenue.

with a discussion of “Art as an investment”

Purim Meal at the “Stadium” in Chabad JOIN US FOR A DELICIOUS FOUR COURSE FESTIVE PURIM DINNER in the “Stadium at Chabad”. Tons of Purim fun “Stadium” style, activities for the whole fam ily. There will be a special children’s program. NOTE: you do NOT have to be athletic to join. Reservations are necessary. $40 per adult , $25 per child under 12 years old.

CELEBRATE PURIM IN THE CIRCUS Megillah Reading 5:00 p.m. Circus Party & Dinner 5:30 p.m.

Circus themed dinner, Keith the juggler, clown on stilts, balloon twisting, popcorn, cotton candy,masquerade contest, face painting and more!

Circus venue: 228 Pettit Avenue, Bellmore (adjacent to Bellmore Fire Dept.)

R.S.V.P. by March 4: $8/person, $32 max/family Children ages 3 and under pay half and receive a free gift!

March 10 Pre-Passover Wine & Cheese Tasting Event THE YOUNG ISRAEL OF LONG BEACH in partnership with Gush Etzion, Har Bracha, Kadesh Barnea and Wellner Wineries Natural & Kosher, Sugar River and Les Petites Fermieres Cheeses Osem and Pereg 7:30 – 10:00 PM Young Israel of Long Beach is located at 120 Long Beach Blvd, Long Beach, NY 11561. No Cover.

No Admission.

March 12 Wine & Cheese & Dessert

Calling all Senior Song Birds THE JCC OF THE GREATER FIVE TOWNS, located at 270 Grove Avenue in Cedarhurst, hosts a choir for seniors every Tuesday morning at 11 a.m. for a joyful hour of singing with choir master Zvi Klein.

We sing songs in all languages and we perform for local venues. There is a $5.00 optional contribution requested per session. For information please call Sheryl at 516-569-6733 x222.

Support group THE JCC OF THE GREATER FIVE TOWNS will sponsor a new support group for the economically challenged as a result of the economic downturn. Key themes will include unemployment, financial issues, empowerment and support. Please join us on Thursday mornings at 10:15 a.m. at Temple Israel, 140 Central Ave, Lawrence until January 20th. This group is part of Connect to Care, an initiative funded by UJAFederation of NY. For further information and to pre-register, please contact Talia Rapps, L.M.S.W. at 516-569-6733 x213.

Movement class for special needs THE JCC OF THE GREATER FIVE TOWNS offers “Movement with Mary Moshos,” a class for children with special needs ages 5 and up, designed to enhance interaction with the environment through work with music, bubbles, and various textures. Wednesdays, 5:30-6:30pm at the JCC, 207 Grove Avenue, Cedarhurst. 12 sessions/$240. Please call Sharona Arbeit at 516569-6733 x218 for more information.

Parkinson’s Support Group THE JCC OF THE GREATER FIVE TOWNS, located at 207 Grove Avenue in Cedarhurst, hosts every Tuesday a Parkinson’s Support Group from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The purpose of this group is to bring together Parkinsonians, spouses and their families in order to help them better understand the nature of the condition, gain confidence and join in community activities. For further information, please contact Cathy Byrne at 516-569-6733 x220.

15

S

teak, by a wide margin, is easily the most ordered item in the world of kosher restaurants. It’s for good reason that steak holds such a position; after all there is just something about eating a steak that is so visceral and satisfying that the allure of ordering a thick cut of beef at a good restaurant is simply too much to pass up.

But what makes steak really wonderful is the simplicity of it, the sheer elegance of how THE KOSHER easily it can be preCRITIC pared. With just a little attention and a bit of know how, a home chef can cook a steak in their own kitchen that would be on par with the finest steakhouse in New York but at a fraction of the cost. So bear with me for several paragraphs and I will tell you how you can make the greatest steak you have ever Zechariah Mehler eaten with very little effort.

Now, if pressed, I would have to say that the absolutely best way to cook a steak is

by Sous-vide (pronounced Sou-Vee), a very old cooking method invented in 1799 by the German Count Benjamin Thompson. The method of Sous-vide is to seal food in an air tight container and then immerse it in water kept at a regulated temperature. This method went mostly unused until the mid-1960s when French chefs discovered that cooking Foie Gras using the Sous-vide method

resulted in perfectly even cooking without loss of mass. This is because once the food is sealed in an airtight package, say a vacuum seal bag; it will cook without losing any of its moisture. Also, since water is an excellent conductor of heat it is able to provide a more consistent and even method of cooking.

When you apply the method of Sous-vide to steak you get poetry in beef. You simply flash sear the outside of the steak, throw it in a vacuum bag with some rosemary and some salt and let your thermal immersion circulator do the rest.

What’s that? You don’t have a thermal immersion circulator? Well of course you don’t.

No one does. They cost thousands of dollars and take up quite a bit of counter space. Even most kosher restaurants don’t have immersion circulators because of how marvelously expensive they are. So the question becomes how can you use the principles of the Sousvide method without breaking your bank to cook a steak?

The answer to this question came to me several weeks ago while I was speaking with a chef friend of mine who suggested that I par freeze my steak before cooking. Let me explain. With Sous-vide, the key is to create even cooking without any loss of liquid. That same outcome can be achieved with a bit of a cheat. Just wrap your steak in plastic and freeze it for about an hour before you cook it. When you are ready to cook, remove your steak from the freezer and set your oven to about 200 degrees. Put your best sauté pan on the stove and turn on your burner to high.

Salt and pepper your steak to taste and once your pan is screaming hot add enough safflower oil (or equally low smoke point oil)

THE JEWISH STAR March 2, 2012 • 8 ADAR 5772

Steak to perfection satisfies your palate

Photo by Zechariah Mehler

Using the Sous-vide method to cook your steak is time consuming but yields a satisfying result to coat the pan’s surface. Sear the steak on each side for about two minutes or until the steak develops a nice golden crust. Searing the steak locks in all of the juice but would normally begin to cook the interior of the meat; however since in this case the steak is par-frozen the interior won’t actually cook.

Once it’s seared put the steak on a cooking sheet and place in the oven for forty-five minutes or a full hour if you like your meat well done. When you take the steak out of the oven, allow it to rest for five minutes to ensure that none of the juice is lost when you cut into it.

The result of this method is a perfectly cooked steak that can rival any major New York restaurant. I have tried this with inch thick rib steaks and get an amazing result but I am by far the most impressed by how well a thick London broil reacts to this method of cooking. So the next time you are having guests, making Shabbat or just feeling carnivorous give this method a try and I promise you won’t be disappointed.

Zechariah Mehler is a widely published food writer and expert in social marketing. Follow him on Twitter @thekoshercritic

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March 2, 2012 • 8 ADAR 5772 THE JEWISH STAR

16

SKA choir performs at HAFTR’s 5th Annual Girls’ Choir Competition.

Why I believe in Tikkun Olam: Early Intervention Providers Perform Mitzvot

By Assemblyman David Weprin

Photo by Malka Eisenberg

Yeshiva girls creating harmony

By Malka Eisenberg The harmonizing voices of four choirs reverberated through HAFTR High School’s capacity filled auditorium to resounding cheers and applause from the audience last Wednesday for HAFTR’s 5th Annual Girls’ Choir Competition.

The high school students’ efforts along with the tickets bought by the parents, teachers, administrators and fellow students and siblings in the audience succeeded in raising close to $2500 for this year’s charity, American Friends of Panim el Panim.

The theme of this year’s meet was unity, and as in past years, all participants embraced the idea, cheering each other on, greeting friends from “opposing” schools with hugs, and clapped or waved their arms in appreciation while the other choirs sang.

HAFTR’s principal, Ms. Naomi Lippman, greeted everyone and Mrs. Rachel Gerstley, HAFTR’s coordinator of the event, delivered a dvar Torah and described the importance of Panim el Panim. Mrs. Gerstley stressed the need for unity among Jews noting that we are “prisoners of our hatred for one another.” During the time of the Purim story, Haman was an existential threat, explained Gerstley, and now we have a nuclear threat. We were described then as being scattered and separate and the first course of action was to

“gather people together and reunite them.” She pointed out that in the spirit of Purim, “different schools are coming together to sing for Israel.”

She pointed out that the megillah uses the word vayikahalu, that the Jewish people gathered together against their enemies, the same root word for makhela, choir. She added that Rabbi Shlomo Carlbach, z”l, noted that when people speak, one can say one thing and another can say the opposite and that brings discord. But when one sings one note and another sings another note that brings harmony.

Gerstley explained that Panim el Panim “works to bridge the gap between the secular and the religious in Israel through education. They have connected tens of thousands with their Jewish roots.

On the choir front, all schools sang well. This year HANC was unable to attend but choirs from Central, HAFTR, Shalhevet, and SKA performed and, as in past years, Central won first place and SKA second place. But most importantly was the achdut, unity, when all the choirs climbed onto the stage to sing Purim songs and dance together.

“It was successful, we had a full house and nice spirit,” said Mrs. Gerstley. “It’s become something all the schools look forward to, seeing their friends.”

For more information on Panim el Panim go to www. panimelpanim.org.

Tikkun Olam translates from Hebrew to English to mean repairing the world, generally through public service or acts of kindness to others. During the holiday of Purim I often take time to reflect on what Tikkun Olam means to me as an observant Jew and as a public official. For me it means feeling responsible for the welfare of society at large and working everyday to ensure that the most vulnerable populations among us get the support they so desperately need. It means making sure our seniors have adequate housing, our disabled have access to support services, and our children have the chance to thrive in the world. It means providing help for those who need it or performing the mitzvot asked of us on Purim matanot la’evyonim.

This is also why I introduced a Resolution in the Assembly, which passed unanimously, to mark March 1, 2012 as Early Intervention Day in New York State in order to bring much needed attention to one of the most critical aspects of childhood development. Early Intervention services allow children with developmental delays, such as autism, to become more autonomous, self-confident, and cognitively and physically ready to lead fulfilling and productive lives.

What better way to repair the world through healing than by providing our children the very tools they need to grow and flourish.

The New York State Department of Health Bureau of Early Intervention is currently authorized to provide early intervention services for more than 75,000 infants and toddlers with developmental delays and disabilities and their families throughout the state. Research shows that for every $1 spent on early intervention, at least $7 are saved in future costs to the state. Early Intervention services provide vital services that help families support and promote their child’s development.

The Early Intervention providers perform mitzvot every time a young child, who no one thought could function on their own, begins to speak, ask questions, and feed and take care of themselves.

It is work that as a community we must continue to support and uphold.

As an Assemblyman and an observant Jew who believes in the tenets of Tikkun Olam, I am proud to be part of declaring March 1, 2012 Early Intervention day and continuing to acknowledge and support Early Intervention Services in New York State.

David Weprin is the Assemblyman of the 24th Assembly district in Queens.

Jersey’s Gem

W

hat would compel this diehard New Yorker to spend a mild February Sunday voluntarily crossing two bridges and driving on the Turnpike to visit New Jersey? My family drove seventy miles from Woodmere to the quaint town of Princeton for a fun escape.

This place is arguably MIRIAM’S MUSINGS the state’s gem, with worthwhile cultural and historic attractions for local residents, visitors from around the country and overseas.

The main event is, of course, the university, humbly named the College of New Jersey from 1746-1896. Awed prospective students and parents tour the iconic Ivy League camMiriam Bradman pus which has been Abrahams used as a movie set.

Tourist groups take photos of this weekend destination. It is a suburban town a 75 minute train ride away from Penn Station. We enjoyed a first-hand experience of that method of travel when our car broke down the last time we visited.

The university is home to the Princeton Museum of Art, a miniature version of New York’s Metropolitan, and also the famous McCarter theatre with some Broadway-worthy productions. We’ve spent Shabbat at the Nas-

sau Inn and the Peacock Inn, both only steps away from the main drag, Nassau Street.

There is abundant upscale shopping and a variety of eateries though only one venue, a frozen yogurt place, has hashgacha. For kosher dining, bring a picnic to enjoy on one of many tree-shaded benches, eat buffet style at the Center for Jewish Life or buy snacks at the U-Store or WaWa! The Princeton Museum of Art houses a priceless collection with over 72,000 works.

We took a free, 45-minute tour of the museum’s highlights led by a knowledgeable student majoring in art history and dance. She was eloquent and charming, offering insights about the art we viewed while graciously inviting questions. Our guide discussed incredible works ranging from ancient to contemporary and geographically diverse. We studied a perfectly preserved, colorful 3rd century Roman mosaic, Tang Dynasty tomb guardians, a pre-Columbian codex vase, a life-sized portrait of George Washington, a beloved Monet and an Andy Warhol screen print of “Blue Marilyn” Monroe.

While viewing the portrait of our nation’s first president, our guide illuminated Princetonian and American history. Nassau Hall, a national landmark and the oldest Princeton building, was possessed by both the British and Americans. Princeton was our nation’s capital from July-October 1783 and “Old Nassau” housed the entire government. Congress met in the building’s library on the 2nd floor where it learned the British signed a

peace treaty granting the colonies independence.

The ornate gold frame of George Washington’s portrait had originally housed a portrait of King George II which hung in Nassau Hall during British rule. A cannon ball shot through a window beheaded the king’s image while leaving the frame intact. George Washington posed for an artist after winning the 1777 Battle of Princeton, a turning point in the Revolutionary War. His depiction replaced the king’s in that frame which now hangs prominently in the museum as a testament to our victory over the British.

Princeton University’s library began with students using books from the personal collection of its founder, Aaron Burr, Sr., father of our nation’s third president. Modern day libraries originated at Princeton in 1868 in a building designed specifically for that purpose. It was novel: open six days a week and employing a full-time professional librarian.

When that location filled up to capacity the current Firestone Library opened. In 250 years, the Princeton University library has grown from just 474 volumes in one room, to 15 buildings with collections totaling more than six million printed works, five million manuscripts and two million non-print items, increasing by 10,000 volumes a month, and taking up over 50 miles of shelves!

The McCarter Theatre was built in 1930 for the famed Princeton Triangle Club and houses the region’s leading performing arts center. It offers 200 theater, dance and music

presentations each year for 200,000 patrons per season. It was the first professional theater in America on a university campus and won the Tony award for Outstanding Regional Theater. We watched the annual Triangle show last November and were entertained by the all male kick line. But we were more amazed by the weird Ivy League experience as all the alumni in the audience stood up to sing “Old Nassau” while pumping their fists in the air. McCarter provides a stage for famed actors and playwrights…and upstart Rafi A. Though all of these attractions entice me, I must admit the best part of our Princeton visits is getting to see our son who is a junior there. I am one of those awed parents who can’t get over the fact that my son is living in that hallowed Hogwarts setting. After annoying him with the usual Jersey jokes, I remind him about how fortunate he is to be living and learning in that beautiful historic place.

No matter the season, whether moving him into his dorm before Labor Day, driving him home around Memorial Day, or visits in between, we’re making the most of our time in this special spot in New Jersey.

Miriam was born in Cuba, raised in Brooklyn and lives in Woodmere. She reviews books for Jewish Book World, organizes author events for Hadassah and teaches private and group yoga. Contact Miriam at mimiyoga27@ gmail.com.

17

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Dear Aviva, I am either spending my day worrying about money, or feeling guilty that I am worrying about a petty thing like money, and not appreciating my health or family. And I also feel so restricted since I’m watching every penny. I feel like it’s taking over my life.

-Dollarless Dear Dollarless, Ok, so what you are telling me is that you are just like every other red-blooded American in 2012 since you are worrying about money. I’m not going to try to balance your checkbook according to a budget. I simply want to try to help you ride through the anxiety of making ends meet and be able to live your life in an enjoyable, responsible manner.

First, I want to make it clear that you are not crazy for worrying about money. It is very difficult to make ends meet while gas prices are rising, and unemployment rates are not dropping fast enough.

It is very difficult to bear the responsibility of providing for a family when you are unsure if you are actually able to. And if you are restricting yourself daily, then you are really feeling the choke.

In terms of the guilt: what exactly are you feeling guilty about, that you have health and family and should be appreciating that? Or is it more like survivor’s guilt, where you compare yourself to those who have even more limited financial means than you? Either way, I want you to indulge the guilt. Don’t ignore. Instead, listen to what the message is. If you feel like you are under appreciating what you do have, then start compartmentalizing.

Yes, you have money woes. Yes, they overwhelm you. That is only one piece of your situation. Another piece is that you are very blessed in other areas. These can be two pieces that co-exist. They can run parallel to each other and not contradict each other. Now, try to feed the piece that tells you that you’re blessed. Try to once a day say to yourself, “I am blessed because ___”. Or, if you are in the middle of something that makes you realize

that you are fortunate for something, like a brisk walk or laughing with your family, take a snapshot of that in your mind and tag it as “Wow, I’m so lucky to be healthy!” Or, “What cute kids!” This can be true, even if you have empty pockets.

If the guilt is more like survivor’s guilt, where you see your friends or neighbors with less than you, the method is the same. Your guilt is nagging at you. Let’s turn it into something productive.

What is a small thing that you can do for them to help brighten their day? I’m not talking about giving them money, or lightening their expenses.

I want you to do a small, direct act of kindness for them. If you can’t think of anything, just keep your antennae out and the opportunity will surely present itself. And you may be surprised how the goofy feeling of giving may temporarily numb your asset anxiety.

Ok, now it’s time to make sure that you feel like a human being who is not fully restricted by price tags. First of all, you need a dose of leisure.

What is the dosage? Let’s start small, maybe ten minutes a week. What is leisure? That’s up to you.

But stay clear of the palm trees and hammock sort of leisure, and focus on things like a bike ride, a jog, a bubble bath, a cup of coffee sitting on your front porch. Or, just park in Bayswater by the part of the bay where you have a clear panoramic view of the Manhattan skyline and the planes taking off at JFK. But keep on driving if you notice a certain advice columnist who is relaxing there first!

When you do have a bout of intense anxiety over money, just try to ride the wave of it and keep breathing throughout. Tell yourself it will get better. Check out relaxation exercises online, like my favorite, Cook’s Hookup.

If you try all this and nothing can make you smile, it’s time to get a therapist. It’s an investment that you should not miss.

-Aviva Aviva Rizel is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in private practice in Lawrence. She can be reached at 347-292-8482 or AvivaRizel.MFT@ gmail.com.

Hebrew only please!

Menachem Begin - man of peace!

Points out that Begin (whose yartzeit is this week) was a leader who could take tough decisions, being aggressive when needed, but calling for restraint to avoid a civil war, or signing the peace treaty with egypt.

By Rabbi Noam Himelstein

THE JEWISH STAR March 2, 2012 • 8 ADAR 5772

CLASSIFIEDS

Ask Aviva: Worried about money

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March 2, 2012 • 8 ADAR 5772 THE JEWISH STAR

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19 THE JEWISH STAR March 2, 2012 • 8 ADAR 5772

The promised land

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20 March 2, 2012 • 8 ADAR 5772 THE JEWISH STAR

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