June 1, 2012

Kosher Bookworm: new Talmud translations Page 5 Who’s in the kitchen: homemade shawarma Page 7 Binny Freedman: gratitude & birkat Kohanim Page 13 Kosher critic reviews Ladino, tapas bar, Page 14

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VOL 11, NO 21 ■ JUNE 1, 2012 / 11 SIVAN 5772

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Opinion

Leket Israel:

Saluting Israel

closing the gap between waste and want

By Juda Engelmayer This Sunday, New York will celebrate 64 years since Israel declared its independence by hosting what has become an institution for 48 years. The largest gathering of Jews outside of Israel to commemorate and celebrate the forming of the Jewish State is the Israel Day Parade which has in the past been arranged by the Israel Tribute Committee with respect and dignity. June 3rd, however, will mark a new era for the parade and for those who support Israel. Not only will school groups, Jewish organizations, temples, synagogues, Zionistic artists and the like be proudly proclaiming their love for Israel, but this year’s parade will have the distinction of finally becoming a true paragon of diversity, by having people who actively work to undermine Israel march, too.

When I served on the Israel Tribute Committee’s board for several years between 2002 and 2009, my fellow members and I used to argue over themes, color schemes and logo designs. We sometimes fought over whether a band or an act was too parochial, too secular or too awful, but we always agreed that no matter what we chose, it would highlight the very best of Israel and those who wish her well every day and on parade day in particular.

Jews for Jesus wanted to march, and we believed that they probably really do love Israel for many of the same symbolic reasons that the mainstream Jewish community did, with some differing ideologies that this article will not delve into. Yet, we also believed that we had to decline the request because it may cause the parade to take a tone that none of us felt was what the day called for.

We never once disagreed on the one fact of the parade - that it was a demonstration that would send ripples across the political and even global spectrums by showing the stunning and overwhelming support Americans had for Israel. The parade would send a message to anyone who doubted America’s resolve in its ally, that Israel had a true friend in the United States, filled with hundreds of Continued on page 2

See story on page 3

Rabbi Eugene Labovitz, alav hashalom

By Malka Eisenberg Rabbi Eugene Labovitz passed away on the third of Sivan at the age of 82. One of the original kiruv rabbonim before it was even called kiruv, Rabbi Labovitz was born in Pittsburgh and was sent to Yeshiva Torah Vodaas in Brooklyn to continue his studies. He attended Brooklyn College and the Mesivta of Torah Vodaas, learning one year in Lakewood where he met Rav Shlomo Carlebach.

He returned to Torah Vodaas to get smicha and became a rav in Houston, Texas in 1953.

He met his wife Annette through a congregant in Houston. They married and when a position for a shul in Miami Beach opened in 1958 they moved there. He was the rav of

Ner Tamid from then until 1998 and retired after the population there shifted and moved north. The Labovitz’s moved to Woodmere, to be closer to three of their four children.

Together they opened their home in Miami Beach during those 40 years, hosting 15 to 20 at Shabbat meals, with songs, stories, and Torah, inviting the unaffiliated to “taste Shabbos.” Rav Shlomo Carlebach would come to their house teaching, singing sometimes till 3 A.M., recalled Dr. Annette Labovitz. Together, Rabbi and Mrs. Labovitz published four books of stories and later a history series, a timeline of Jewish history through stories. Many were brought to Judaism through their warmth and teachings.

One of their students, Devora Preiss-

Bloom, wrote: “what a sweet man he was and how he had a great laugh and always seemed so happy. It is true that he projected a stately, smiling presence and radiated a fullness of joy, intellect and sincere interest.

Through both your and R' Eugene's example I learned what a Jewish house could be like.

Gone was the tight, dark and muted Shabbos of my youth. Instead there flowered a vibrant young couple with four beautiful children who had a higher consciousness and acted in a G-dly way. I will always be grateful to you both and will always think that Hashem sent me "malachim" to show me the way.”

He is survived by his wife, Dr. Annette Labovitz, four children, and grandchildren.

Yehay Zichro Baruch.

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Saluting Israel at the Parade

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way to describe it. The Jewish Community Relations Council, funded largely by the UJAFederation, now controls the parade. The parade is no longer referred to as a Salute to Israel, but it is now the expansive Celebrate Israel Parade, so many more people can now march under this undefined moniker.

Now, Jews for Jesus may as well be invited to march – they at least are happy missionaries who love Israel. Also, the clown of a man, Yisroel Dovid Weiss and his Zion hating lemmings who proudly stand with, hug, kiss and present gifts to Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, Iran’s lunatic president, as he denies the Holocaust and declares his intent to kill Jews and demolish Israel.

Weiss loves Israel – the land and biblical symbols that is, but not the modern State or Zionism. So he and his Neturei Karta should be invited this year alongside their radicalized Islamic strange bedfellow brothers across from the Plaza Hotel to not merely stand on the sidelines and declare God’s wrath and death to Jews in Israel, but to celebrate the version of Israel they love.

This year, the parade should be open to Hamas and Hezbullah, as they too wish to celebrate the land Israel exists over. They may call it Palestine, and they hate the Jewish presence and even the name Israel, but they so love and want to celebrate on all of its land.

Oddly enough, these groups are not yet included. Maybe they were unaware of the open enrollment period that the New Israel Fund, a group that financed the effort to convince the Norwegian government pension fund to divest from Israel, knew about.

Meretz USA, which urges a boycott of Israeli products, including Ahava cosmetics, and the group B'tselem, whose chairman publicly calls for "Effective Sanctions" against Israel, were also given marching privileges by UJA this year.

Richard Allen, founder of JCCWatch.org has been promoting the effort to rally at the parade against these groups. He said, “It is not surprising that the UJA-Federation is pushing these bash Israel groups to march in the parade. John Ruskay, UJA’s head, worked one of the first political bash Israel groups called “CONAME” (Committee on New Alternatives in the Middle East).”

Allen said that he and a committee he helped form to “give the parade back to the people who want to see a thriving Israel” are working hard to get the message out.

"We have an open call for all friends of Israel to attend the Israel Day Parade and give out a loud Bronx cheer to New Israel Fund, Meretz USA and B'Tselem as they march by.

There should be no room at the Israel Day Parade for those groups that support Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions against Israel,” Allen said.

It would be a very different parade if the Neturei Karta and Hamas marched, and even if missionaries did, too. The message, the spirit, and the reason the event begun in 1964 to salute will all be lost. In its own words on its website, the parade states its purpose being to “enable the tri-state community to celebrate in a non-partisan, apolitical show of unity with Israel.” Maybe unity means something else to the UJA, but it is still defined as harmony to most.

People should come out in the largest numbers ever this year to both unite against those who would work so hard to see Israel fail and to show the Jewish organization that seems to have lost sight of its mission that those who truly love Israel will no longer stand for the dilution of its hopes. Israel and the Israelis who keep it alive should be saluted.

Juda Engelmayer is an executive with the NY PR agency, 5WPR

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Continued from page 1 thousands and, even over one million strong some years, of people willing to march up the avenue or cheer on the sidelines, in heat, cold, rain and every other climate.

The parade has since been consumed by a larger organization, one that used to have just a vote or two on the Board, but which now controls the whole agenda. Agenda is the operative word here, because there is no other

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By Malka Eisenberg Just days after the holiday of Shavuot and the reading of Megilat Ruth with its emphasis on chesed (kindness) and the agricultural mitzvah of leaving peah, leket and shikcha for the needy in the fields of Israel, another reality of the agricultural tie of need and charity comes to the Five Towns from Israel this weekend.

Joseph Gitler, Founder and Chairman of Leket Israel, the country’s largest food bank and food rescue network, will be speaking this Shabbat at Beth Sholom and Young Israel of Lawrence Cedarhurst to raise awareness and funds for an organization that works to close the gap between waste and want.

“I had a sense of a lot of people knocking on my door asking for tzedaka (charity) and news reports of people in need,” said Gitler, recalling the impetus for the organization in a phone interview from Israel. “And seeing the other half, so much waste in restaurants, so much waste and so much poverty.

I started calling catering firms and asked if they had food that wasn’t being used and if they would be willing to donate if I would be willing to gather it. They said ‘come down!’

That’s the whole story of Leket Israel. If you have a resource that you are not going to utilize, let it go to the poor.”

Gitler grew up in Washington Heights.

Twenty years ago, his parents moved to Teaneck. He attended Moriah in Englewood, MTA, and graduated from Yeshiva University in 1996. He studied law in Fordham and after a “brief legal career in New York” made Aliyah with his wife and daughter in 2000.

He and his wife currently live in Raanana with their five children.

Leket Israel began with one man’s efforts in 2003 and has grown to a massive organization with a staff of 90 employees principally in logistics—truck drivers, warehouses, professional pickers in the fields. The strength

Photo courtesy of Leket Israel;

Joseph Gitler, Founder and Chairman of Leket Israel to speak at YILC of Leket, said Gitler, is its professional, highly motivated staff and its base of 40,000 volunteers. They own ten refrigerator trucks and rent 10,000 square feet of warehouse space and collect and distribute food from Metulla to Eilat. Collection ranges from crops in the field, food in restaurants, catering halls, manufacturers, army bases, corporate cafeterias, synagogues, shopping malls, and hotels.

“There are constantly changing sources,” he said. “A lot of companies learn to do business better so there is less waste. It’s good on the one hand but difficult on the other hand.

The organizations we feed are relying on the food we collect.”

Some of the organizations they distribute to include Ezer Mizion, Yad Ezra VShulamit

and Meir Panim. “The primary focus is on smaller organizations that people in the U.S. haven’t heard of but are doing great work.

Our food makes a huge difference to them in terms of the budget,” said Gitler. They also distribute to homeless shelters, soup kitchens, meals on wheels, battered women programs, and Holocaust survivors. “It runs the gamut,” he pointed out. “There is a lot of waste and a lot of organizations feeding the poor, primarily collecting funds to purchase food.”

He pointed out that although 10% of their budget is overhead he noted that that is “without taking into account the value of the food. If you add the cash value of the food collected then the overhead is under 1%.”

He compares Leket Israel to City Harvest, emphasizing that it is an umbrella organization and a food bank. “A typical Tomchei Shabbat would be a client of ours. We serve dozens of Tomchei Shabbat organizations all around Israel.”

Gitler stressed that they do “a lot of work finding out about the organizations they distribute to” devoting time and staff to “trying to get to know the organizations and get comfortable with them” to know that they are “honest. It’s not a perfect science; we do our best.” He said most of the poverty is in the large urban areas. “We don’t always help every organization but we try.”

Volunteers are one time volunteers, army groups, Birthright, hi tech, family missions, federation missions, and bar and bat mitzvah trips. Volunteer activities include picking produce from fields, collecting food from restaurants and bakeries and other sources, making sandwiches for poor children, and preparing and delivering food packages.

He recounted two food collections that illustrate what Leket Israel does. “Over the summer we had a call from a kibbutz in the south that had over three million potatoes with a peel that didn’t fully develop; it was

not as thick as normal. It meant that there was no market for the potatoes; no supermarket chain would take them. We spent $18,000 and brought up $300,000 wholesale worth of potatoes; we harvested them and spent donor dollars. Retail these potatoes are worth $1 million. That’s what we try to accomplish—distribution. Potatoes last a long time and every organization wants potatoes. It’s not a hard thing to give out. It’s what we’re about.”

He pointed out another “wonderful opportunity in the Dead Sea. We enlisted Egged bus drivers to pick up leftovers from hotels in the Dead Sea area. You can see the hotel employees coming out as the bus goes by. They come with trays of food. We put them in insulated containers in the luggage part under the buses.”

“Leket is unquestionably the most effective and comprehensive way to provide food for needy Israelis, regardless of their background,” said Rabbi Kenneth Hain, Rav of Congregation Beth Sholom of Lawrence. “I am a huge Leket fan. On my last trip to Israel, I even harvested beets for Leket.”

Leket Israel has some supporters in the Five Towns area, noted Gitler, specifically YILC. His talk this weekend, he said, “is a way of introducing us to the communities, for fundraising, developing new contacts and hope for more volunteers when they come to Israel.”

The goals of the organization are “ultimately that Israel’s economy continues to grow and give people better wages and get out of poverty,” he said. But meanwhile, “trying to have an organization for food charities, a one-stop shop for food needs.

We would love to shut down, but it’s not that realistic, unfortunately.”

For more information go to: Elena@leket. us or info@leket.org. In the U.S.A. call 201 331-0070. In Israel call 09-744-1757.

Opinion

Candidate Crowley calls Israel “a distraction”

By Steve Orlow and Eli Hertz Given the extraordinary threat that Israel faces from her neighbors, we were shocked to read in the New York Times this week that one of the candidates for New York’s 6th Congressional District, Council Member Elizabeth Crowley, called Israel “a distraction.”

This is a wake-up call to all voters in Queens who value our country's relationship with Israel that despite the Iranian nuclear threat, the growing Islamist movement in Egypt, the virtual civil war in Syria and the continuous rocket attacks from Gaza into Israel, there are still some seeking federal office who do not take threats to Israel seriously.

This flippant attitude towards Israel’s safety and security shows that certain candidates in Queens are simply not fit for the responsibilities of national office, and should caution any voter in the 6th CD going to the polls on June 26th. We need someone in Congress who understands the threat faced

by Israel and the United States, and who has the record to back it up.

We've endorsed Rory Lancman in his campaign for the 6th District, because he is the only candidate, in our minds, who will be successful in advancing a mutually respectful and vibrant U.S.-Israel relationship

as a member of Congress. Rory, without any hesitation, has stood up to members of his own party and members of the media who may not fully comprehend the realities and history of the Arab-Israeli conflict, and it is this kind of bold voice that is needed at the Federal level. As a former platoon leader in New York's 42nd Infantry Division and a graduate of Columbia Law School, Rory has the background and the expertise needed to lead on issues of national security and protecting Israel.

It's difficult for an ordinary member of the State Assembly to have an impact on foreign policy and national security, but Rory has gone out of his way to lead on those issues.

He continues to fight against the Palestinians' "lawfare" campaign, combat the insidious "boycott, divestment and sanctions" movement against Israel, and help pass legislation barring New York State and its municipalities from doing business with Iran's nuclear sector.

Less than two weeks ago, Rory Lancman stood with Eli and members of the Queens Jewish community to commemorate Yom Yerushalayim, and call out the U.S. State Department for failing to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, refusing to move the American embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, refusing to put "Israel" on identification

Courtesy Lancman for Congress

Sixth district Congressional candidate Rory Lancman rallies with Queens Jewish leaders. to commemorate Yom Yerushalayim. given to American children born in Jerusalem and trying to interfere with the construction of Jewish population centers on Israeli land.

U.S. interests in the region are tied to Israel’s, as the only place of stability in a region roiling with unrest. There is no other country the U.S. can depend on as a base should U.S. interests be threatened in that part of the world. Israel is crucial to the security of our own country.

Come November, there will be a vacuum of strong, pro-Israel leadership in Congress, especially from our area of New York. Central

and Northeastern Queens, areas comprising the 6th CD, deserve a knowledgeable, bold leader in Congress who understands the importance of Israel's relationship with the United States and has the courage to fight to strengthen that relationship. We sincerely urge readers to vote for Rory Lancman for Congress in the Democratic Primary on June 26th.

Steve Orlow, is a lawyer, former New York City Councilman, and President of One Israel Fund. Eli Hertz, is president and author of Myths and Facts.

THE JEWISH STAR June 1, 2012 • 11 SIVAN 5772

Leket Israel: closing the gap between waste and want

June 1, 2012 • 11 SIVAN 5772 THE JEWISH STAR

4

Opinion Barack Obama’s “NewSpeak”

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inston Smith, the main character in Orwell’s novel 1984, worked for the Ministry of Truth, an enormous building made of pristine white concrete which housed over 3000 rooms. On the outside wall are the three slogans of the ruling party: “WAR IS PEACE,” “FREEDOM IS SLAVERY,” “IGNORANCE IS STRENGTH.” If Orwell was writing today, he might change his description of that building. He would make it a bit smaller, fix its address at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, and based on the President’s latest campaign attacks, the slogan down the side of the building would be, FREE ENTERPRISE POLITICO ISN’T FREE. TO GO President Obama has been relentlessly attacking Mitt Romney’s work at Bain Capital.

During the NATO summit in Chicago, Obama made a point of delivering some of his version of Orwell’s NewSpeak.

The President said he understands private equity’s role of maximizing profits is a Jeff Dunetz “healthy part of the free market.” But he said “that’s not always going to be good for communities or businesses or workers,” and he defended his campaign’s decision to scrutinize Romney’s Bain record.”(Romney’s) main calling card for why he thinks he should be President is his business experience,” Obama said.

He went on to say the job of President is “not simply to maximize profits” and that he has to take “everybody” into account -- suggesting Romney would not do the same.

“And so if your main argument for how to grow the economy is, ‘I knew how to make a lot of money for investors,’ then you’re missing what this job is about,” Obama said.

Let’s put aside for a moment the fact that those on the left and the right have universally panned this tactic. This view of the free enterprise system that made our country great has been a constant throughout the first three-

and-a-half years of the Obama presidency.

Remember his attacks on the greedy insurers and the greedy banks and other greedy corporations? His Bain attacks represent a frightening expansion of that presidential venom and strikes at the very heart of our free enterprise system.

Obama’s reelection campaign ran a commercial featuring former employees of a Steel Mill, which was closed by Bain Capital a few years after they purchased the plant (and two years after Romney left the company).

Here’s the part that Obama didn’t mention.

Bain didn’t shut down that plant, the consumers of its product shut it down. If a steel mill owned by Bain wasn’t making money it means the mill couldn’t compete with more efficient mills, or ones that produced better product.

Another piece of truth is that when it purchased the steel mill, Bain extended its life.

It was already losing money when Bain made the purchase, but the turn-around attempts were too late.

Make no mistake about it, with his latest attacks, Barack Obama is not simply targeting Mitt Romney, as much as he is attacking Americans for being too ignorant to make the correct marketplace choices.

Capitalism is the most democratic of economic systems. We (the consumers) choose with our wallets which brands make it and which ones fail. There is a truism in advertising (an industry I’ve worked in for thirty years) that nothing kills a bad product like good advertising. What it means is once advertising gets a consumer to try a product, if it doesn’t work or doesn’t provide the expected value, it will not be purchased again.

The President is correct when he says it’s all about profit. As my kids might say to him, “Duh!” Of course it’s all about profit. That’s what keeps the marketplace honest. The marketplace has no prejudice. It does not care if the president of a company is Black, White, Asian, Jewish, Christian or Sikh. It is the fairest system of all. In capitalism the way to maximize profits is to develop the best products at the lowest cost, in other words, listen to the consumer.

The money Bain spent on the Steel Mill was moved to another company where it would benefit the consumers and create more

jobs and, yes, the motivation to Bain is profit.

When the government gets involved “taking everyone into account” as the President insists, it messes up the system and produces higher prices and/or lousy product (like the exploding Chevy Volts).

In fact the housing/banking crisis was caused by government regulation, forcing banks to make loans to people who couldn’t afford them. Insurance costs grew partially because state governments stifle competition, and would not allow companies to compete across state lines. Even the high gas prices have more to do with government devaluation of the dollar than supply and demand.

The only job of the government in a capitalist economy is to play umpire—that is, make sure companies are not lying to, or defrauding the public, enforcing an even playing field and making the marketplace as free as possible. That’s what creates a successful economy with a growing private sector and more jobs.

Many leading Democrats have disagreed with Obama’s attacks on free enterprise. Adding their disapproval were Newark’s Mayor Cory Booker (who called the attacks “nauseating” but had to walk the statement back after he got his hand slapped by the White House), former representative Harold Ford, Obama car czar (and former head of venture capital firm Quadrangle) Steven Rattner, Senator Mark Warner, former Pennsylvania governor (and Obama mouthpiece) Ed Rendell and others.

That is the essential difference between Mitt Romney and Barack Obama, between the conservative and progressive approach. Romney believes in the American people’s ability to pick winning products and companies.

Obama believes we are too dumb to make that choice and need the government to choose for us. Hence we have the oppressive EPA regulations, failed energy companies such as Solyndra, Obamacare mandating that you buy insurance, Dodd/Frank, etc.

In the end, that is what the attacks on Bain Capital are really about: a paternal “nanny state” where government makes your choices for you vs. free enterprise where you are allowed to make your own market choices.

nothing more than allow these anti-Israel groups, who we would all like to see the end of, to claim hosts of invisible backers of their Jeff Dunetz’s opinion piece in which he venom since based on what he would like to states that he is not going to the Israel Day see, no one would be present to protest their Parade and urges others to do the same, does presence as they march down the street.

A more productive way of showing solidarity to Israel and our vehement nausea HE EWISH TAR and rejection of these groups Independent and original reporting from the Orthodox communities of Long Island and New York City would be for a large showing All opinions expressed are solely those of The Jewish Star’s editorial staff or contributing writers upfront at the parade to boo and hiss them as they march Publisher and Editor Karen C. Green 2 Endo Boulevard, Garden City, NY 11530 down the street and even hold Assistant Editor Malka Eisenberg Phone: 516-622-7461, Fax: 516-569-4942 Account Executive Helene Parsons E-mail: newsroom@thejewishstar.com placards against them to emContributors Miriam Bradman Abrahams barrass and humiliate them as The Jewish Star is published weekly by The Rabbi Avi Billet much as possible.

Jewish Star LLC, 2 Endo Boulevard, Garden City, Jeff Dunetz Just staying home solves NY 11530.

Juda Engelmayer nothing other than to give Rabbi Binny Freedman Subscription rates: $9 per quarter on a credit them the opportunity to push Alan Jay Gerber card in Nassau and Far Rockaway, or $48 a their agendas with no one to Rabbi Noam Himelstein year. Elsewhere in the US, $15 per quarter or dispute its acceptance and Judy Joszef $72 a year. more recognition of a positive Zechariah Mehler Editorial Designers Sean Doyle Newsstand Price: $1. note because no one would be Alyson Goodman there to show the world our Copyright © 2012 The Jewish Star LLC. Photo Editor Christina Daly disgust of their existence.

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Anessa Cohen

Parade, May 25 issue

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Letters to the editor Pro-Asaifa, May 25 issue I find the vitriol directed against the Citifield asifa not only to be unfounded but downright offensive. Yes, the internet is an inescapable part of our modern world, but to be inattentive to the enormous dangers that lurk in this medium is naive and foolhardy. To demand that we supervise our children and ourselves is no less than absolutely necessary, and is the “price” to be paid for our indulgence in this area of society. Call it Torah U’Mada or Torah im Derech Eretz, or what have you, neither the Rambam nor Rav Hirsch, not Rav Soloveitchik believed that our participation in society means embracing ALL aspects of society. What is crude, crass, coarse and demeaning; what is nothing more than the yetzer harah garbed in a screen and keyboard must be recognized for what it is, and studiously avoided! The Rambam in Hilchos Dayos writes of running away from an environment which is morally bankrupt and perverse,even at the cost of living like a hermit in a cave. We don’t have to go that far because nearly all of the most corrupt elements of popular culture are imported

by US into OUR homes via electronics.

In his infinite wisdom, the Ribono Shel Olam gave us the off button on the remote.

Rabbi David Friedman Oceanside

Anti-Asaifa I wish to congratulate you on publishing the article by Juda Engelmayer on the first page of your paper. Many publishers would shy away from any disagreement with those ultra-orthodox who are determined to create new biblical commandments to further impose themselves on our everyday lives. Actually, this propensity is itself a violation of a Torah commandment. Chapter 4, Verse 2 of D’varim (Deutoronomy) not to add to what the Lord commands, nor subtract therefrom.

Yet, some rabbis are determined to add their own interpretations to further impose themselves on our daily lives.

Some years ago, a rabbi (I believe from Far Rockaway) determined to expand the concept of kashrut from dietary laws to hair announced that he was able to determine if a wig was kosher and directed all women wearing wigs without his hashgacha to burn their wigs. It was reported that when somebody with a miniscule of common sense inquired why these women were burning their wigs when there are many women, not of the Jewish faith, being treated for cancer, who had lost their hair and would be happy to have these unwanted wigs, he ruled that they must be burned as they were tref.

Silly interpretations, such as that of the wig rabbinical expert and those who (as Mr. Engelmayer noted) convened in two large sports arenas to discuss the internet, without allowing the presence of any women will ultimately destroy our continued existence.

Saul I. Weinstein Woodmere

5

Two Takes on Two New Talmud Translations

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his past week witnessed two events that brought the Talmud into central focus, one positive, the other negative.

First, we have the positive, which involved the first publication of an English translation and commentary of the first volume of the Talmud in the Land of Israel.

Entitled, “Koren Talmud Bavli:Berachot,” this work encompasses a basic translation of the Talmud text, with an elucidation of the same text. Further, there are sidebar segments that highlight relevant Halacha, brief biographies of relevant personalities, clarifications of Aramaic words derived from Arabic, Greek, Persian and Latin origins, as well as a section dealing with historical background information.

Also featured are portions of the Talmud that were suppressed by non-Jewish auAlan Jay Gerber thorities down through history, most fully restored based upon careful study of medieval manuscripts.

This expansive commentary is based upon the original historic Hebrew commentary by Rabbi Adin Even-Yisrael [Steinsaltz] who personally oversaw the translation of this work together with the staff of the Shefa Foundation and the Koren Publishers.

Complementing this work, is the inclusion of an enhanced version of the Vilna Shas,

completely digitally reset with both the Talmud and Rashi commentary vocalized and punctuated to help facilitate the proper and efficient pronunciation and comprehension of the sacred text and commentary.

This work is of great sentimental value to me inasmuch as I studied from this original work in my years at Yeshiva University. Also, the current work has as its editorin-chief, Rabbi Dr. Tzvi Hersh Weinreb, the former Executive Vice President of the Orthodox Union and a former teacher of mine at the Rabbi Jacob Joseph School from where Rabbi Weinreb received his rabbinical ordination.

In his introduction, Rabbi Weinreb states that, “Rabbi Steinsaltz excels in his ability to weave helpful explanations into the text without compromising its integrity. He has also supplemented the translation with informational notes, providing the readers with essential context for a full understanding of the subtleties of each Talmudic passage.”

“In this masterful Hebrew translation, Rabbi Steinsaltz does not merely facilitate the task of the novice Talmud student. Rather, he provides the student with the skills to eventually study the text on his or her own, without resorting to the translation.”

The history of English translation began in earnest in the 1960s in England with the publication of the Soncino Talmud.

This work was primarily a translation with brief footnotes aimed at further explaining the core text.

The Artscroll editions two decades later further developed this concept and enhanced the footnotes into a full supplemental commentary to the basic elucidated translation that became the hallmark signature of that work.

Today, this American produced work can be found in just about every Jewish educational institution and synagogue of every denomination and has served as the foundational element to popularize the study of Talmud worldwide.

With the publication of the expanded Koren edition in Israel, the translation skills projected in this work gives us a further enhancement of the quality of the English translation that makes it far more understandable from all previous cognate works. This fact alone gives this new work a dimension that is surely worthy of your consideration and patronage.

Now the negative event of this past week: The Middle East Studies Center, [MESC],

based in Jordan, issued an introduction to a projected Arabic translation of the Talmud.

According to a translation of that introduction made available by the Anti-Defamation League,[ADL], the MESC stated the following: “These texts confirm the racist and hostile perception toward non-Jews, especially those who threaten the ‘chosen nation’ and stand in the way of its ambition and hopes.

There is no doubt that Israel is the best example of this racist position, both in the level of its daily crimes against the Palestinians and the level of its rejection and contempt for international resolutions and laws. For what applies to other countries in the world does not apply to contemporary Israel, as it is unique….Jews, according to this racist position [of the Talmud] are permitted to do what is not permitted for non-Jews.”

Further on the ADL states that, “Al-Jazeera has specifically promoted this book as a contribution to the ‘establishment of Arabic language Jewish studies’ as well as claiming that the translation ‘identifies the features of the Jewish character that blend elements of racial superiority with Mosaic teachings’.”

Not just for the fact that the Israeli produced Koren Talmud Bavli is such a high quality work of Torah scholarship, but, also given the rancid regard by certain bigoted elements in the Moslem world toward our basic holy writ, should we, as proud Jews, consider the patronage of this new work, the first of its kind to be published in Israel, as a mark of our firm support for the people and the State of Israel.

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THE JEWISH STAR June 1, 2012 • 11 SIVAN 5772

The Kosher Bookworm

June 1, 2012 • 11 SIVAN 5772 THE JEWISH STAR

6

Names, Not Numbers: HAFTR students impress audience Several HAFTR eighth grade students spent much of the year taking part in a unique and incredible program, entitled Names Not Numbers. The program, created

by Tova Fish Rosenberg, helps students learn about the Holocaust in a new way. Three students were assigned a survivor. The students researched the survivor using books, the internet and a trip to the Museum of Jewish Heritage in New York City. They composed their own questions for the survivor. The students learned video interview techniques from a professional filmmaker,

19th Annual Dr. Manfred R. Lehmann Memorial Israel Day Concert

including practiced use of the hi-tech equipment. Using documentary film tools, they conducted actual videotaped interviews with their survivors. They edited their own work with assistance from a professional and completed their own documentary film project.

The student project culminated last week in a celebration with a gala movie premiere at HAFTR High School with the community and participants invited. Members of the audience were blown away at the presentation, and there wasn’t a dry eye in the house.

Photo courtesy of HAFTR

Left to right: David Rubin, Mikayla Fuchs, Erika Drellich, (Holocaust survivor) and Justin Lish.

Knesset Deputy Speaker MK Danny Danon (3rd from right) will, once again, be the special guest speaker at the Carl Freyer Tribute 19th Annual Dr. Manfred R. Lehmann Memorial Israel Day Concert, this Sunday, June 3, 2012, from 2:30-7:30 PM, at Central Park’s SummerStage (enter at 5th Ave. & 72nd St.), rain or shine, free admission, after the Salute to Israel Parade.

Dr. Joseph Frager (left of MK Danon), long-time organizer, and Dr. Paul and Drora Brody (on right of MK Danon), Chairpersons, have announced the concert’s themes: Jerusalem United Forever--Never to be divided again, No further concessions of ANY part of the Land of Israel, and Stopping Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons NOW, before it is too late. Emcee Nachum Segal is pictured 2nd from left. The decorative Concert placard is displayed on the magnificent Central Park stage.

FIDF Inaugural Dinner Honors Area Lone Soldiers

By Karen C. Green On Wednesday, May 23, the Five Towns & Greater South Shore Inaugural Community Event to benefit the soldiers of the IDF was held at the Sephardic Temple in Cedarhurst. The event paid special tribute to local lone soldiers from our community. Ben Brafman who served as master ceremonies stressed to the packed room of over 500 participants, “There is no Israel if there is no IDF, we have to support the IDF with our hearts and money.”

Following a video highlighting the thirty-eight lone soldiers who come from the greater Five Towns and South Shore, Shaul Mizrachi, a reservist, and now a lawyer, spoke of how FIDF’s Impact Program had such a profound effect on his life. “Knowing that there are good people far away who care about me as if I were one of their own is incredible.”

FIDF National Director, Maj. Gen. (Res.) Yitzhak (Jerry) Gershon addressed the attendees and spoke about the many programs that the FIDF provides. “The best investment in the future of the State of Israel is the Jewish people,” he said.

“The best security is not just tanks, it’s stamina. It’s knowing where we came from.”

Proceeds benefit well-being and educational programs for Israel’s soldiers.

Sponsors can allocate their gift to Lone Soldiers, the Nachal Haredi Battalion or General Funds for FIDF programs.

In the coming weeks The Jewish Star will be showcasing these lone soldiers.

Photos by Shane Molanari

Above, Capt. Zadok Durlacher, and Lt. Nimrod Arat. Top right, Lt. Nimrod Arat & Pvt. Fanny Sommer. Bottom right, Master of Ceremonies Benjamin Brafman with FIDF National Director Major General (Retired) Yitzhak “Jerry” Gershon.

Parade Memories & Shawarma Over one hundred thousand people will line the parade route from fifty –ninth to seventy-ninth streets this Sunday as they join the Celebrate Israel parade. Thousands of Israeli flags will be waved enthusiastically by young and old alike. Sidewalks will be virtually impassable, filled with baby carriages, dogs of all breeds and proud parents and grandparents waiting to catch a glimpse of their children marching by. All will treated to colorful floats, magnificent marching bands, dancers, celebrities, politicians and thousands of yeshiva, day school and congregation children, in an endless array of colorful t shirts, along tree lined 5th Avenue, nestled between the park and the most Judy Joszef expensive real estate in America.

Seems like yesterday when I marched with my high school classmates of Central, Bklyn.

Before we knew it, we were there with our spouses, then our babies, toddlers and teens, always meeting on 72nd and 5th. How nice it was to touch base with friends from long ago. Facebook wasn’t around then so we all had a lot of catching to do.

As the years went by, it got harder to get there on time. No matter how early we

planned to leave, we were always a bit late, not easy with three kids. We then had to deal with traffic, finding a spot and then making our way to 5th Ave. As the kids started marching with HAFTR, we had to get there punctually in order to see them You know, the kid you just dropped off at school to board the bus to the parade…

The kid that barely said goodbye as you dropped him off?

Didn’t matter. As we saw the school banner we would move forward toward the front of the crowd, saying “excuse me, my kid is about to march by” We would scream their names and flail our arms around ...”there he is, take a picture!” Of course, without exception they would usually manage a slight wave, then make believe they didn’t see us till we picked them up at the end of the route. (Then they were only too happy to see us, as they didn’t have to take the bus back home). Was I too enthusiastic? Too loud? Ok, so I probably shouldn’t have ducked under the barricade to get a close up shot, but hey, I was excited. By the time my youngest,started marching, I knew I had to get there on time.

recipe for an old time favorite. Of course it’s always better in Israel, but if you can’t get there, why not whip one up yourself.

I can still taste the shawarma my daughter was eating in Tel Aviv, when I visited her during her year in Bar Ilan.

“No”, I said, “I’ll just have a bite; I don’t want a whole one”. Of course it turned into one bite for me, one for you, then two for me, one for you, then “Jord, you just might want to order another one......”

CHICKEN SHAWARMA IN A PITA OR LAFFA ■ 2 pounds boned, skinned chicken thighs cut up into strips ■ 1 small onion very finely chopped (optional if you do not like onion) ■ 1 tsp cumin ■ 1/4 tsp turmeric ■ 1/4 tsp nutmeg ■ 1/2 tsp onion powder ■ 1/2 tsp garlic powder ■ salt & pepper ■ small amount of olive oil ■ 6 thick pitas or laffas ■ Salad of your choice ■ Sliced sour pickles ■ Chumus and techina ■ Hot sauce, optional

Broil the chicken strips till golden brown and set aside.

In a pan sauté onions till soft, then add chicken and spices and sauté for a minute.

Heat the pitas or laffas, slather on the chumus and techina, add the chicken mixture, salad, sour pickles and hot sauce.

If any of you find yourselves on 72th park side this Sunday, come by and say hi. If you get there before the crack of dawn, say hi to the Webers.

Judy Joszef can be contacted at Judy.soiree@ gmail.com.

CAHAL & HAFTR announce the opening of a new Freshman High School Class with opportunities for mainstreaming for the 2012-13 school year For 20 years, CAHAL’S highly individualized program has enabled hundreds of children with learning disabilities to successfully complete the mainstream curriculum.

4 to 1 student to teacher ratio, maximum 12 per class, Certified Special Ed teachers and therapists Sunday June 3, 11am - 4pm 57th - 74th Streets, 5th Ave, NYC Rain or shine.

We have graduates who have returned to teach in our program, Westinghouse science finalists, high school honor roll students, and hundreds of other success stories.

SPEND THE DAY WITH A MILLION GOOD FRIENDS

For information about this new High School class or other CAHAL classes contact

516-295-3666

Watch the live telecast on Fox’s My 9 or on the parade website starting at noon.

A project of:

A special thanks to our sponsors:

Join the conversation

Facebook: Celebrate Israel Twitter: @celebrateisrael #TogetheronFifth

559367

540-A Willow Avenue • Cedarhurst, N.Y. 11516

CelebrateIsraelNY.org 558369

CAHAL

Don’t miss the 2012 Celebrate Israel Parade, the world’s largest public gathering in celebration of Israel, commemorating the 64th anniversary of the country’s founding, featuring floats, bands, marchers, dancers, performers and more.

7 THE JEWISH STAR June 1, 2012 • 11 SIVAN 5772

Who’s in the kitchen

Her main concern, was that I be waiting on 79th when the school turned off 5th Ave, and headed toward the busses. At that point, we were able to retrieve our kids and spare them the bus ride home. As luck would have it Haftr was the first to march . It took forever to get into the city, find parking and navigate my way around the closed streets . My daughter thought I had abandoned her. However, I did manage to snatch her right before she got shoehorned on the bus, but she was not happy. I decided I needed a David Weber tutorial. David always likes to be early. In fact, he used to get to Disney before Mickey Mouse was even awake. He insisted Aviva be ready to leave at least three hours before the Israeli Day Parade started. There they were, bright and early; folding chairs arranged front and center. I think they even got to witness sunrise Being early also meant choice of premium parking spots, or parking lots Of course there was the time the elevator broke in one of those garages and they waited over 3 hours to retrieve their car . Let me apologize now for having a laugh at your expense David.

Great memories, great times and great friends. These days, we still head to 72th, park side, but now we update each other on graduations, weddings and grandchildren.

So much has changed since the old days, but not our love of Israel, or showing support for the State!

In honor of the Israel Parade, here is a

June 1, 2012 • 11 SIVAN 5772 THE JEWISH STAR

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THE JEWISH STAR June 1, 2012 • 11 SIVAN 5772

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‫‪10‬‬

‫‪While Rachel‬‬ ‫‪Masters Science...‬‬

‫‪To Touch the Temple‬‬ ‫‪By Rabbi Noam‬‬ ‫‪Himelstein‬‬

‫‪94%‬‬ ‫‪of our most‬‬ ‫‪recent graduates are‬‬ ‫‪professionally employed,‬‬ ‫‪in graduate school‬‬ ‫‪or both.‬‬

‫‪Of Blowing,” which came from‬‬ ‫‪the roof of the mount, where on‬‬ ‫‪Fridays a horn would be blown‬‬ ‫‪to alert people that Shabbat was‬‬ ‫‪imminent. It is difficult to feel‬‬ ‫‪the lack of the Temple, as we‬‬ ‫‪were born into a world without‬‬ ‫‪it, and didn`t actually experi‬‬‫‪ence the loss; but it is incumbent‬‬ ‫‪upon us to realize that until the‬‬ ‫‪Temple is rebuilt, we are living‬‬ ‫‪in an abnormal reality.‬‬

‫‪Two thousand years ago,‬‬ ‫‪Jews would make the trip to‬‬ ‫‪Jerusalem three times a year.‬‬ ‫‪Today, at the southwestern‬‬ ‫‪corner of the Temple Mount,‬‬ ‫‪one can see the shops where‬‬ ‫‪the pilgrims would exchange‬‬ ‫‪money and buy animals for sac‬‬‫‪rifices; the mikvahs where they‬‬ ‫‪would purify themselves be‬‬‫‪fore ascending the mount; and‬‬ ‫‪a stone inscribed: “To the Place‬‬

‫"שלוש פעמים בשנה יראה כל זכורך את פני ה' אלוקיך במקום אשר יבחר‪ ,‬בחג המצות‪ ,‬ובחג‬ ‫השבועות‪ ,‬ובחג הסוכות‪ ,‬ולא יראה את פני ה' ריקם"‪) .‬דברים טז‪ ,‬טז(‪.‬‬ ‫בזמן שבית המקדש היה קיים‪ ,‬היו עולים אליו יהודים מכל מקום אפשרי; מיהודה ומהגליל‪ ,‬מסוריה‬ ‫ומרומא‪ .‬לפעמים הם היו מגיעים מכפרים קטנים שבהם גרו רק כעשר משפחות‪ .‬קשה לחשוב כיצד‬ ‫הם הרגישו כאשר הם עלו להר הבית‪ ,‬ושם פגשו עשרות אלפי יהודים! כמובן אז התקשורת‪ 1‬לא‬ ‫הייתה מפותחת‪ 2‬כמו שבימינו‪ ,‬והם לא יכלו לדעת מה לצפות ‪ ...‬אני בטוח שההתרגשות הייתה‬ ‫מיוחדת במינה‪.‬‬ ‫כשהיה עולה הרגל מגיע סמוך לכניסה הדרומית להר הבית‪ ,‬היה עליו לקנות בהמות לקרבנות‪ ,‬ואולי‬ ‫אף להחליף כספים; שהרי כל יהודי היה צריך להביא את מחצית השקל למקדש‪ .‬לשם כך היו‬ ‫ממוקמות‪ 3‬חנויות סמוכות לכניסה‪ ,‬ושם היה עולה הרגל יכול להשיג את כל אשר היה צריך‪ .‬כמובן‬ ‫שהיהודי היה צריך לטבול ולהיטהר לפני שהיה נכנס להר הבית‪ ,‬ולשם כך היו באיזור הכניסה‬ ‫הדרומית יותר מחמישים מקוואות!‬ ‫"תנא דבי רבי ישמעאל‪ ,‬שש תקיעות תוקעין ערב שבת‪ ,‬התחיל לתקוע תקיעה ראשונה‪ ,‬נמנעו‬ ‫העומדים בשדה מלעדור ומלחרוש ‪) "...‬בבלי שבת‪ ,‬לה‪(:‬‬ ‫בכל יום שישי‪ ,‬סמוך לכניסת השבת‪ ,‬היה עומד יהודי על הגג בפינה הדרומית מערבית של הר הבית‬ ‫ותוקע בתצוצרה‪ ,‬כדי להזהיר את העם שהשבת נכנסת‪ .‬ועד היום בארץ משמיעים סירנה‪ 4‬לפני‬ ‫כניסת השבת ‪...‬‬ ‫אבל‪" ,‬כל אלה בהיות ההיכל על יסודותיו‪ ,‬ומקדש הקודש על מכונותיו‪ .‬וכהן גדול עומד ומשרת‪ ,‬דורו‬ ‫ראו ושמחו‪ .‬אשרי עין ראתה כל אלה‪ ,‬הלא למשמע אוזן דאבה נפשנו"‪) .‬מתוך מוסף ליום הכיפורים(‪.‬‬

‫‪remarkable journeys‬‬ ‫‪nowhere but here‬‬

‫‪At YU, we understand the cost of Jewish living and the value of‬‬ ‫‪Jewish life. We’re making Jewish life affordable. Just ask the 78%‬‬ ‫‪of undergraduates who received help with tuition in 2011-2012.‬‬ ‫‪Our exceptional Torah scholarship and academic excellence and our‬‬ ‫‪commitment to affordability deliver remarkable value to students and‬‬ ‫‪parents alike. See for yourself. Call our Office of Student Finance at‬‬

‫אנו רגילים לחשוב שהיום הכל טוב ומצוין‪ ,‬ברוך ה'‪ ,‬יש לנו מדינה‪ ,‬ויש לנו צבא! ובעזרת ה'‪ ,‬כשיבנה‬ ‫בית המקדש‪ ,‬יהיה עוד יותר טוב ‪ ...‬אך יש לדעת שאנו חיים בעולם לא טבעי‪ ,‬לא נורמלי‪ .‬עולם‬ ‫נורמלי זה שיש מקדש! רק שלנו קשה לחשוב כך‪ ,‬כי כבר נולדנו לתוך מציאות‪ 5‬שאין מקדש‪ ,‬ולכן‬ ‫קשה להרגיש את חסרונו‪.‬‬ ‫אבל מעט מהשרידים‪ 6‬מכל התיאור הנ"ל )הנזכר למעלה( עוד אפשר לראות היום‪ .‬מי שמגיע לאיזור‬ ‫החפירות הדרומיות בהר הבית שעל יד מרכז דוידסון‪ ,‬ממש יכול לראות את מיקום החנויות ליד‬ ‫הפינה הדרום מערבית של הר הבית; יכול למצוא מקוואות‪ ,‬ובהם קיר מפריד בין היורדים לטבול לבין‬ ‫העולים מהמקוה‪ ,‬כדי שהטהורים לא יגעו בטמאים הנכנסים; יכול לראות את האבן שהיה מוצב על גג‬ ‫הר הבית‪ ,‬ששם היה עומד התוקע ביום שישי‪ ,‬ועל האבן כתוב‪" :‬לבית התקיעה להבדיל"‪ ,‬ועוד ועוד‪.‬‬ ‫אנו צריכים להתחבר לשורשים; לדעת מה היה לנו‪ ,‬ולאן צריך לשאוף!‬ ‫יהי רצון שיבנה בית המקדש במהרה בימינו‪ ,‬ושם נעבודך ביראה‪ ,‬כימי עולם וכשנים קדמוניות"!‬

‫‪212.960.5399 or email afford@yu.edu for a confidential consultation‬‬ ‫‪and start your remarkable journey today.‬‬ ‫‪*According to a YU Career Development Center survey with an 80% response rate‬‬

‫‪1‬‬

‫‪communication‬‬ ‫‪2‬‬ ‫‪developed‬‬ ‫‪3‬‬ ‫‪placed‬‬ ‫‪4‬‬ ‫‪siren‬‬ ‫‪5‬‬ ‫‪reality‬‬ ‫‪6‬‬ ‫‪remnants‬‬

‫‪559965‬‬

‫‪500 West 185th Street | NY, NY 10033 | 212.960.5277 | www.yu.edu/osf‬‬

‫‪Rabbi Noam Himelstein studied in Yeshivat 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 Etzion.‬‬

‫‪June 1, 2012 • 11 SIVAN 5772 THE JEWISH STAR‬‬

‫!‪Hebrew only please‬‬

11 THE JEWISH STAR June 1, 2012 • 11 SIVAN 5772

...We’ll Help You Master the Math on College Expenses.* Includensd room a ! board

$6,150

Photo courtesy of Ally Polansky

Ally Polanksy, a seventh grader at HAFTR Middle School, displays her tied and shorn locks to be donated to make wigs for cancer patients.

A haircut for a cause

*A student from Illinois has two siblings in day school. The family has an adjusted gross income of $98,000 a year, and pays $6,150 a year for a YU education. Unlike other private universities, YU’s financial aid calculations consider K-12 tuition for siblings and do not consider the value of a family home and retirement savings.

By Ally Polansky For the past several years I have been growing my blonde hair and, like countless others, I made the decision to donate it to a worthy cause. The cause I am speaking of is specifically the creation of human hair wigs.

These wigs are then distributed to either woman or children who have a particular ailment (disease) called alopecia where you lose all your hair or, as in most cases, people lose hair from chemotherapy treatment used in fighting cancer.

For any female of any age the loss of hair can be devastating. In the United States, as well as many other countries, women spend thousands of dollars over their lifetime for the care and beautification of their hair. We put great importance on this particular part of our body. In fact, women have admitted that if they are having a "bad hair day" it effects their mood.

I decided I would cut my hair on Lag-

$17,600 *A student from New Jersey has four siblings—one in college and three in day school. The family has an adjusted gross income of $192,000 a year, and pays $17,600 a year for a YU education. Unlike other private universities, YU’s financial aid calculations consider K-12 tuition for siblings and do not consider the value of a family home and retirement savings.

B'omer, one of the few times between Pesach and Shavuot that one is allowed to cut one’s hair. I did it at Fairy Tales hair salon in Hewlett. A friend of mine, Ashely Kanarek, donated her hair to the beauty company PANTENE. I looked it up on line and learned that they have an association with the American Cancer Society. Both Ashely and I have mothers who are, thankfully, cancer survivors. We learned first hand at a young age the way women we love feel when losing their hair.

My last reason for donating my hair is to encourage both mothers and daughters to consider doing the same. For me, it is both a way to honor family and friends who survived cancer, and memorialize others who bravely lost their battle against such a powerful and malignant disease. I did it in honor of: my mom, Debbie, and in memory of: my grandpas Jack Kreitman and Al Harris, my family friend Jeff Kurtz, Cindy Hirchler and my great grandma Jean Gross and Shirley Gross and the countless others.

559966

Scenarios are based on the comprehensive cost of a YU undergraduate education for the 2011-2012 academic year, include all scholarships awarded, federal and state grants and loans received, and standard room and board. Additional fees are not included.

Financial aid awards are based on many factors, are subject to funding availability and may vary significantly. This is not a guarantee of your actual cost to attend YU.

Photo courtesy of Ally Polansky

Before and after photos of Ally Polansky’s hair, recording her hair donation .

June 1, 2012 • 11 SIVAN 5772 THE JEWISH STAR

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June 1 and 2 Joseph Gitler (founder of Leket Israel) speaking at Congregation Beth Sholom Mr. Gitler will be speaking at Congregation Beth Sholom (401 Roslyn Road, Roslyn Heights) on Friday night and Shabbat morning at various minyanim. He will also be giving a talk at Young Israel Lawrence Cedarhurst’s Seudah Shlishit. On the eve of the Celebrate Israel Parade, it is an especially fitting time for Joseph to educate the community as to the current situation of poverty and hunger in Israel and how Leket Israel is facing this growing crisis every day. Leket Israel works to alleviate the problem of nutritional insecurity among the growing numbers of Israel’s poor. Food that would otherwise have gone to waste is redistributed by nearly 300 nonprofit organizations.

June 3 CPR AND AED Certification Course (For Women) This event will teach emergency care to young mothers. A short video clip will be shown and Malky Tropper, a successful EMT, is holding the event. Space is limited, so all interested women must RSVP to rivkalock@gmail.com. The event will take place at 7:30 pm in the Shor Yosuv Dining Hall (1 Cedar Lawn Ave., Lawrence) This event costs 25 dollars.

Israel Day Parade in Central Park This parade has been an annual event in New York since its first year in 1964. It draws people of all ages from Jewish schools and synagogues,

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. and a variety of other organizations. The parade is a chance for the New York Jewish community to show their pride and support. It should not be missed! The parade will start at 11 am and go until 4 pm. The route of the parade is Fifth Avenue from 57th to 74th streets.

mother, Roaslie Reich. Guest speaker Sandra E. Rapoport will be attending, as well as another special guest from Israel, Noa Attias. The luncheon will be at 11:30 am in the Prince George Ballroom on 15 East 27 Street in New York City.

For information and reservations, call 212-5649045 ext 306.

19th Annual free Concert Friendship Circle-Evening in Central Park of Volunteer Recognition Come outside and enjoy the nice weather! Join us for a fun concert in the heart of NYC! Last year, more than 20,000 people attended this same concert. This event is in honor of the 44th anniversary of the miracle of the Six-Day War and the re-unification of Jerusalem. It will be held on Central Park’s summer stage. (Central Park S & 7th Ave New York, NY 10019)

Summer Scholarship Breakfast Project Extreme is holding a scholarship breakfast, aimed at helping teens at risk. The breakfast will take place at 9:30 am at the home of Michael and Michelle Edery, on 22 Meadow Lane, in Lawrence, New York. Guest speaker will be Rabbi Yaakov Feitman.

June 4 Spring Luncheon This spring luncheon is dedicated to honoring our many supporters of Emunah of America.

Amongst those being honored are women from the Five Towns community; Lisa Zaslowsky, her daughter Amanda Miller, Lisa Reich and her

This event is dedicated to honoring our helpful Friendship Circle volunteers. At 7 pm, there will be a salad bar and dairy dessert reception. At 7:30 pm, the awards ceremony will begin, and at 8:30 pm, Dimitriy Salita, an accomplished pro boxer and observant Jew, will speak. The event will take place at the Chabad on 74 Maple Avenue in Cedarhurst. The charge for this event is $50.00. Info: Call 516-295-2478* 13 or Email Batsheva@chabad5towns.com

June 5 Chai Lifeline 2012 Awards Dinner Chai Lifeline is an organization committed to helping children around the globe with life threatening illnesses. Please join us for a very special evening that brings hope and help to Chai Lifeline’s children and families around the world.

The reception will take place at 6 pm and the dinner will be at 7:15 pm. The event will take place at the Marriott Marquis (1535 Broadway, New York)

June 6 Young Israel of Hewlett Dessert Reception Have you ever wondered where your ancestors came from? If so, come to this event and eat some yummy dessert while Dr. Ausubel, a physician and author, will be speaking about his 3,000 year journey of tracing his ancestors! The dessert reception is located at the Young Israel of Hewlett. (1 Piermont Avenue, Hewlett) The speaker is from the UJA sponsors.

Ongoing Calling all 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.

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.

Recession impact group JCC OF THE GREATER FIVE TOWNS is sponsoring a support group for those affected by the recession. The group meets on Thursday mornings at 10:15 a.m. at Temple Israel, located at 140 Central Avenue in Lawrence. This group is part of the UJAFederation’s Connect to Care initiative. For more information call Talia Rapps at 516-569-6733 x213.

Photo by Ira Thomas Creations

Young Israel of Woodmere honorees Yaakov and Tzila Morgenstern, Max and Audrey Wagner, Stephen and Tammy Wagner, Stuart and Terri Wagner with Rabbi Herschel Billet, Rabbi Shalom Axelrod, Rabbi Dr. Aaron Glatt and Rabbi Eliyahu Wolf at recent dinner held at The Sands of Atlantic Beach.

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Take a drive up the south side of the Golan Heights, and you will see one of the most incredible vistas in Israel. As the road winds up the side of the Golan cliffs, the panoramic view deep into Syria is overshadowed by the Russian made Syrian Bunkers that bear silent testimony to the near suicidal challenge that faced the Israeli troops who made their way FROM THE HEART up the mountain under OF JERUSALEM murderous fire in 1967, breaking the stranglehold Syrian guns held over the Israeli towns and villages below.

Up on top of the Heights, as one drives across the open plains, one notices the occasional odd collection of trees that seem to grow in clusters above most of the Syrian positions that controlled Rabbi Binny the Heights. These Freedman trees are no accident; they are part of one of the most incredible stories in modern Israeli history, and bear witness to the fact that one man, in the right place, at the right time, can make all the difference.

In the early Sixties, after fifteen years of war and threatened aggression, the young State of Israel was still struggling for its right to exist.

Desperate for information on Syrian troop build-ups, Israel needed intelligence on the military strength and array of forces being moved in to the Golan Heights. So Israel trained and dispatched Eli Cohen to be a deep cover spy whose job was to infiltrate

the Syrian high command and report on the Syrian fortifications and troop movements.

Masquerading as a successful businessman, Eli succeeded beyond Israel’s wildest dreams, cultivating the higher-ups in the Syrian Defense establishment to the point that he was being touted as the next Syrian Minister of Defense.

One fateful night, the Syrians received a complaint from one of the foreign embassies in Damascus that someone was jamming their radio frequency, preventing them from sending cables. It seems Eli Cohen had been using this embassy’s radio frequency at a time early in the morning he thought no one would notice. But an embassy staffer trying to send an urgent cable uncovered the problem just as the Syrians, who had already begun to suspect that someone was leaking military secrets, were patrolling his neighborhood with a radio detection truck.

Zeroing in on the source of the unauthorized transmissions, Syrian soldiers burst into his apartment, catching Eli Cohen in the midst of a transmission, with no way or time to hide his equipment or deny the charges.

Tried for treason by a military tribunal in a lightning six-hour military trial with no defense counsel (after forty-eight hours of horrific torture), Cohen was sentenced to death for treason, and, despite pleas for clemency

from all over the world (including the Pope and the Queen of England) was hanged in the main square in Damascus while his wife could do nothing but watch on television less than 300 miles away. His bones, buried with the bones of a dog, still lie in an unmarked grave in the Damascus Jewish cemetery.

The most poignant memorials to Eli Cohen are the trees planted as a result of what seemed at the time like an innocent suggestion.

On one of his many tours of the Syrian front lines, noticing the many Syrian soldiers sweltering under the heat of the sun, he suggested the Syrians plant fast growing trees over all the fortified positions, to both shelter the Syrians from Israeli aircover, as well as cause the Syrian soldiers to naturally remain at their positions, which became the coolest place to be in the summer…. He then informed the Israelis of this decision, so that in 1967, Israeli warplanes simply bombed all the tree clusters, taking out most of the Syrian positions on the Heights before a single shot was fired.

In 1967, many Israelis, viewing the Syrian troop buildup (and the diatribe on all the Arab airwaves calling for the destruction of Israel and declaring their intent to push the Jews into the sea) with alarm, were praying for a miracle. And one man, all alone and far from home, gave it to them in the guise of

It was certainly important for the Jewish people, right at the outset of their journey as a nation, to realize that the only true source of blessing in this world is G-d.

trees, which today sway silently in the wind on the Golan Heights.

This week’s portion, Naso, contains one of the most oft-repeated blessings in the entire Torah: the Birchat Kohanim, or priestly blessing.

Every Friday night, in hundreds of thousands of Jewish homes across the world, just before we recite the Kiddush, families pause to bless their children with this three thousand year old blessing. There is no moment in my week that is more special to me than this one, as the opportunity to bless each of our children gives me a moment to appreciate all that this child is, and all the hopes and dreams for who we hope they will be.

One wonders what this blessing is really all about, especially given the context within which this blessing is given in the Torah.

“And Hashem spoke to Moshe saying: Speak to Aaron and his sons saying: So shall you bless the children of Israel, saying to them: May Hashem (G-d) bless you & safeguard you.

May Hashem illuminate His countenance for you and be gracious to you.

May Hashem lift His countenance to you & establish peace for you.

And let them place my name upon the children of Israel and I shall bless them.”

(Bamidbar 6:22-27) Who is doing the blessing here? It seems the Kohanim (the priests) are commanded to give this blessing to the Jewish people, and yet at the end of this section (v. 27) it is G-d who will ultimately bless us, so why do we need the Kohanim?

Rabbi Yishmael in the Talmud (Hullin Continued on page 15

Parshat Naso

Embracing mitzvot properly The Yalkut Shimoni (Naso 6:710) raises an interesting non-halakhic debate between Rabbi Yehuda and Rabbi Shimon as to what was the motivation for becoming a Nazir.

Rabbi Yehuda claims the Chassidim Harishonim (the early pious ones) would take upon themselves the vow of Nezirut (abstaining from cutting hair, drinking wine, and becoming tameh to a dead body) in order to obligate themselves to bring a Sin offering on the completion of the vow.

Rabbi Shimon disagrees as he finds it unconscionable that people would take a vow of Nezirut for the sole purpose of having to bring a certain sacrifice afterwards. For instance, there are many offerings people could Rabbi Avi Billet commit to bringing without having to go through a process that, noble and ascetic as it may be, brings about an obligation for a sin offering upon its completion. In fact, claims Rabbi Shimon, they would never commit to be a Nazir because they did not want to have a sin – mild as it may be in the scheme of things – on their record. Regardless of the impetus, bringing a Sin-offering is a sure sign that the one bringing it has sinned.

The question of who is right is either a

question for historians to explore or for the philosophers to debate. My gut tells me Rabbi Shimon is correct. At the same time, I am fascinated by the thought Rabbi Yehuda ascribes to these early pious ones.

Chapter six describes the personal and spiritual responsibilities and goals of the Nazir during the Nezirut period, a time in which the Nazir is considered holy, and consecrated to G-d (Bamidbar 6:8). The Children of Israel certainly have a responsibility to achieve that end as much as we can (Vayikra 19:2).

But the method that is utilized by the Nazir, as it were, is highly criticized. What gives a person the right to withdraw completely from the world? To swear off wine – which is considered one of the sources of true joy (Tehillim 104:15, Kohelet 10:19)? During the minimal one month period of Nezirut, for example, the Nazir will miss four or five opportunities to perform Kiddush properly on Shabbos!

What gives a person the right to neglect one's grooming, to have the appearance of a mourner?

What gives a person, especially a non-kohen, the right to swear off becoming tameh to one's relatives?

To understand the thought process of the Nazir is to understand one who either is trying to commit wholly to G-d at a price, or who is looking to get away from the world because that seems the best choice at this time, in a manner that successfully pushes off one's problems for the duration of the Nezirut (of course there may be other reasons

driving a person).

According to Rabbi Yehuda, the early pious ones purposely sought this existence not necessarily because they felt being a Nazir was a good thing, but because they wanted to be able to fulfill a mitzvah they could not otherwise do without going through the process.

Imagine a person wants to make the Yom Kippur confession and repentance a more meaningful experience. A person might deliberately sin, might deliberately eat forbidden foods or engage in sinful behavior as a one-time shot, knowing full well that a one-time satisfied craving will be enough to last a life-time, such that it will never really be a challenge again, in order to be counted as sincerely penitent on Yom Kippur, in a manner the person knows can be maintained. A real baal teshuvah!

This method is certainly a lot easier than promising not to return to the sinful ways we nonetheless return to each year. And yet we know it is ludicrous. How does the future penitence justify the current wrong behavior? It doesn't!

Being committed to the Torah and its

mitzvot does not mean a person needs to fulfill every one of the mitzvot. It does mean that one's heart and mind is committed to the life-system that is ordered by the Torah. I don't need to kill an Amalekite, I never need to send away the mother bird, and I don't need to become a Nazir.

Any marriage that lasts a lifetime never needs to see the issuance of a get.

Even the prophet Shmuel chastised the people for asking for a King – there is an element of ideal in a Jewish king, but apparently it is not always the best option for the people of Israel.

A committed Jew seeks to perform mitzvot either because they are simply available without armtwisting, or because they enhance a person's life. But mitzvot that are set-up as a follow up to a less than ideal circumstance – such as denying certain pleasures we are encouraged to enjoy – are not meant to be for everybody.

Rabbi Shimon said it best when he said "Chas Veshalom" that a person feel obligated to take such a route. This is an aberration of the Torah's stance on commitment and obligation. It is a sign of weakness and false piety – certainly not a sign of strength.

A committed Jew seeks to perform mitzvot either because they are simply available without armtwisting, or because they enhance a person’s life.

THE JEWISH STAR June 1, 2012 • 11 SIVAN 5772

Gratitude and the blessings of the Kohanim

June 1, 2012 • 11 SIVAN 5772 THE JEWISH STAR

14

The Kosher Critic

Ladino, midtown Manhattan’s new tapas bar

W

hen you walk into Ladino, Midtown Manhattan’s new tapas bar, on a Saturday night you can’t help but notice the festive atmosphere. There is live music, a man in the corner hand rolling cigars, and even when the restaurant has just opened after Shabbat, it is filled with diners all talking and laughing in a way that suggests that they THE KOSHER are not simply enjoyCRITIC ing their meal but they are enjoying their evening. This may seem like a rather marginal distinction but it is one that I have come to recognize as the defining factor between a restaurant that you go to because it’s good and a restaurant that you go to because it’s a good time.

The spirit of Ladino Zechariah Mehler is one that embodies that essence of Tapas, the food that it serves. Tapas, which originate as a form of Spanish cuisine, are a variety of appetizers or small snacks. These appetizers can range from something small and simple and delicious like Aceitunas (marinated olives) to dishes that are bold, complex and rich like Pato Adobado (duck breast with onions and peppers). In Spain, it is common for people to go on Tapas Bar crawls where they have a drink and a meal that moves progressively with each tapas bar they go to. Ladino takes that concept and applies it to their restaurant by offering a wide assortment of tapas along with an atmosphere that

personifies the vivacity of a night out on a tapas crawl.

I began my meal at Ladino by trying their Guacamole and house tortilla chips. Without exaggeration, it was the best guacamole I have ever eaten. It was a simple creamy guacamole that was perfectly balanced with citric and salt and served beautifully in a stone bowl, but simple or not, it set the tone for the meal. That tone was simple but delicious food, nothing overly complex or confusing, no aioli or foam or other marvels conjured by chefs who consider themselves to be amongst the gastronomic elite. No, Ladino’s Chef and owner Alexandre Petard chooses to use his

formidable cooking skills to provide cuisine that is delectable, immaculately prepared, and has a simple but enchanting quality that is a very rare find in today’s world of celebrity cooking.

Over the course of the night, I sampled dozens of different dishes, all of them wonderful. I ran the gamut of Ladino’s different Ceviches, all of them refreshing, bringing out the inherent quality of the fish that it contained. I had the Remolacha Rostizada, which is roasted baby beets served with red onions and jicama. I don’t normally love beets, but the earthiness of the beet coupled with the sharp onion and sweet jicama made for a

dazzling combination that was perfect for a summer evening. As my meal progressed I tried Taquitos Con Pescado, which is a fish taco with cilantro and red onion. They were superbly seasoned and I really enjoyed how well the fish, onion and cilantro paired with the citrus dressing and soft taco shell. I also had the Barbacoa de Res, the braised short rib. The short rib has become a staple of kosher restaurants and each of them has their own signature preparation. What made Ladino’s short rib unique is that the emphasis was placed on the meaty flavor of the rib and so it was not covered in sauce or spice. It was simple, tender, and most of all delicious.

There were a dozen other fantastic offerings that I tried at Ladino and a dozen more that I intend on going back to try and therein lays the absolute brilliance behind the restaurant. If you are looking to have a full meal and spend eighty dollars a plate, you can easily do that. If you want to have a drink and spend thirty dollars a person, you can do that as well, and still have a sizeable quality meal.

That’s what makes tapas wonderful; it allows you to customize your meal and enables you to create the experience that you want around that customization. Ladino has done a marvelous job of embracing this ideal and, thanks to the animated surroundings, is able to transcend being a restaurant and become an evening destination. Ladino is the kind of place to go with friends and to enjoy a night with a bottle of wine and plenty of excellent tapas.

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

City Mouse, Suburb House

W

hen we got married I moved from Brooklyn to Queens to live close to the hospital where my husband interned. After our first child was born we moved back to Brooklyn to be closer to my family. David didn’t want to, claiming there weren’t any trees, to which I retorted that MIRIAM’S MUSINGS there are enough to have a book named for them “A Tree Grows in Brooklyn.” He relented for shalom bayit and because his commute to Manhattan would be more or less the same.

We spent three years there until we moved to the Five Towns, where there are a million trees.

Of course, there are Miriam Bradman trees in Brooklyn and Abrahams we spent free time at Marine Park, Prospect Park and at the beautiful Botanic Gardens, with photos of our babies under the famed cherry blossoms to prove it. But Brooklyn is most definitely urban, with the noises, crowds and no parking of the city.

On the other hand Lawrence and Woodmere are somewhat suburban. Although we started out in an apartment our first six years here, we were surrounded by trees. We lived in a garden apartment complex with plentiful foliage and a playground right across the street by the wonderful Peninsula library. I

pushed the stroller just a few blocks away to back Lawrence and felt as if I was in real suburbia. Grant Park and North Woodmere Park offered shade, water, ducks, squirrels, easy parking and plenty of space for the kids to play as freely as I would allow them.

I could never have imagined living in any suburb, neither here nor in New Jersey where my aunt and cousins live. Always a Brooklyn girl, I yearned to lose the bridge-and -tunnel stigma by moving to the city, the real metropolis just across the water. I loved working downtown, beginning with my job as a sales and stock girl at “Herb’s,” a small shop in the Village. I became a real adult when I moved on to a post college career at the World Trade Center and later on Lafayette Street. I loved the vibe of downtown’s City Hall neighborhood and would walk around during my lunch hours and hang out after work.

Although my husband didn’t care much for Brooklyn, he enjoys the city. His favorite place is Central Park which is filled with nature (including trees!) rather than roaming the crowded streets, which is my preference.

We passed on an opportunity to live in NYU hospital housing near the East River because our family was growing and it was expensive to crowd into even the tiniest apartment. I sometimes still regret that decision since it would have been an amazing experience. Instead, we rented in two of the boroughs and though the commute was longer, we lived in roomier, cheaper places.

Until recently I still hoped to one day trade our house for a small spot in Manhattan, but lately I’m not sure. We’d have to

downsize drastically, miss our friends and have no room for our guests and our stuff.

City or suburb, each have ups and downs.

Location, space, price, noise level, air quality are factors to weigh. Realtors sell “location, location, location” but I’ve become too comfortable with the peace and quiet of our neighborhood.

Now and then I need to get my adrenalin and culture fix by riding the train into another world. I gaze up at the vertical architecture, take in a museum exhibit or zoom through the crowds. I revel in the diversity of people and languages and the throbbing pulse of the city. I explore a variety of neighborhoods and eateries and browse bookstores and boutiques.

I people watch at the High Line, Madison Park, Union and Washington Squares and the subway. I also guiltily avert my eyes from subway panhandlers and recoil from the wacko who spat at my feet in midtown.

I avoid walking under precariously overhanging cranes and dodge fast and fearless messenger bikers. I’m amused by dog walkers holding a dozen leashes and perplexed by nursery school kids maneuvering traffic attached by rope around their waists to their teacher. I trek all day and into the evening

hours until I’m depleted and head back to the station for the ride home.

Arriving at Woodmere my blood pressure drops. I breathe in the cleaner air more deeply. I smell the ocean three miles away and my body begins to heal from the hectic day. I walk four blocks to our house on Pine Street, one of the “tree streets” (my husband got his wish!). I see verdant lawns and the Woodmere golf course, an oasis of bird life and greenery across Broadway. Sirens, car alarms and honking may disturb the peace at times, but it’s nothing compared to the ever present din of the city.

I feel blessed to have the best of both worlds; experiencing “the city that never sleeps” while living in our “bedroom community.” My mind craves the stimulation offered across the river, but my body requires the nourishment provided by a suburban lifestyle. It’s the contrast of yin and yang, sweet and savory, mellow and lively that keeps life balanced.

I feel blessed to have the best of both worlds; experiencing “the city that never sleeps” while living in our “bedroom community.”

Miriam Bradman Abrahams is Cuban born, Brooklyn bred and lives in Woodmere. Miriam can be reached at mabraha1@optonline.net.

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49a) suggests that G-d blesses the Priests, who then bless the Jewish people. But if all blessings come from G-d, why are we receiving the blessing by way of the Kohanim?

Maybe this blessing is not just about the blessing we receive, but indeed the relationship we have with the concept of Kohanim. Perhaps the fact that G-d wants the Kohanim to offer a specific blessing (which is really G-d blessing us), is not to portray the fact that the Priests are blessing us, but rather precisely the opposite.

Perhaps the entire point here is for us to realize that the Kohanim are indeed not the source of blessing, but merely tools of G-d, who created and continues to bless all of us, each in our own way, every day.

On one level, given the fact that a people that had just left behind the caste system of Egypt, where priests were not just vehicles for blessing, but actually often the repository for the blessings of the gods, it was certainly important for the Jewish people, right at the outset of their journey as a nation, to realize that the only true source of blessing in this world is G-d.

But of course it goes much deeper than that. How often do we get so caught up in our own pursuit of the things we perceive to be the ‘blessings’ in our lives, that we come to think, even subconsciously sometimes, that we are really at least a part of the source of those blessings.

We think that if we are blessed with much wealth, it is because we have earned

it. And if we are blessed with wisdom, we give ourselves credit for having acquired it.

Perhaps the opportunity to reflect on these blessings is actually the chance to recognize that they are gifts, which represent less what we are given, and more the challenge of being sure we know what to do with them.

And nowhere is this more apparent than in the contemplation of the marvelously wondrous blessing of children. No one can truly imagine that he or she has somehow deserved or earned on his or her own the gift of healthy children. Rather, children carry with them the enormous responsibility of being partners to some greater purpose, some majestic plan for making the world a better place. A child, more than anything else in this world, represents raw potential. And our challenge is how we allow ourselves to be a part of transforming that potential into something that makes a difference in the world.

And of course, this is why we offer this blessing on Friday night, at the beginning of Shabbat, which is a day that is all about appreciating who we are and all the things in this world we need not to take for granted.

Nearly 50 years ago, one man, representing so many, gave us a gift, and as we recall the miracles of the Six Day War, it behooves us to recall just how blessed we truly are and how many ‘Kohanim’ were vehicles to allow us to live in a time that is so blessed….

Shabbat Shalom, Rav Binny Freedman Rav Binny Freedman is Rosh Yeshivat Orayta in Jerusalem’s Old City.

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THE JEWISH STAR June 1, 2012 • 11 SIVAN 5772

CLASSIFIEDS

Kohanim as conduits

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June 1, 2012 • 11 SIVAN 5772 THE JEWISH STAR

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