June 7, 2013

Exclusive interviews with John Bolton and Danny Danon Page 3 New Jewish Star Publisher Page 4 We need a hero: Welcoming Rabbi Mendelevich Page 6 Who’s in the Kitchen: ‘Hockfleish’ Page 12

THE JEWISH

STAR www.thejewishstar.com

Vol 12, No 22 n June 7, 2013 / 29 Sivan 5773

5 Towns in NYC to ‘Celebrate Israel’

Photos Tom Callan/Jewish Star

Joyous HAFTR marchers cheered the State of Israel.

By Malka Eisenberg Schools, shuls and individuals from the Five Towns joined hundreds of thousands of people from throughout the tri-state area and beyond to demonstrate support for the State of Israel, at the 50th Annual Celebrate Israel Parade and Israel Day Concert in Manhattan on Sunday.

The parade line-up included 16 marching bands, 30 floats, over 80 schools and organizations, street performer groups and political and civic dignitaries — 35,000 marchers in all — led by Grand Marshals Martin and Melode Scharf of Lawrence.

Security with a heavy police presence was evident and welcomed in and around the parade route. The enthusiastic marchers, in spite of the humidity and warm sun, were a sea of blue and white Israeli flags, colorful T-shirts and banners proclaiming the parade’s theme, “Picture Israel: The Art and Craft.”

Among participating Five Towns-area schools were the Hebrew Academy of Five Towns and Rockaway, Hebrew Academy of Long Beach, Hebrew Academy of Nassau County, North Shore Hebrew Academy, Shalhevet, Shulamith, Rambam, and Yeshiva Bitachon of Belle Harbor.

Spectators hugged the barriers, waving flags, applauding and cheering as the marchers flowed down the street.

Danny Frankel, executive director of the Young Israel of Woodmere, proclaimed, “We are very, very, very happy to be here.”

“It was terrific,” said Karen Ostrove, creative director of the Jewish Community Relations Council, NY. She praised the colorful groups, T-shirts, banners and improved music systems. “The rush of feelings of love for Israel was palpable,” she said.

As for preparations for next year’s parade, “We first take a couple weeks to clean up, evaluate, and then start all over again — July sounds about right,” said Ostrove. “It takes a whole year to create this incredible celebration! See you again next year, tentatively on June 1.”

First time marchers in this year’s parade included Kids of Courage, Ohel/Camp Kaylie and the Cyprus Federation of America. Standouts included West Point Cadets, Israel’s soccer team, and two camels with the Zone Camp float. Upbeat Israeli and Chasidic music from boom boxes and bleachers along the route alternated with the brass and drums of the marching bands. The Maimonides Academy traveled from Los Angeles to participate.

HAFTR students carried their banner along Fifth Ave.

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photos in centerspread PAGE 8,9 n Exclusive Jewish Star interviews with Danny Danon and John Bolton PAGE 3

Hebrew Academy of Long Beach students represented both their school and their South Shore communities with unbounded youthful enthusiasm along the parade route.

Everyone from Hebrew Academy of Nassau County seemed quite happy on Sunday.

prst std US Postage Paid Garden City, ny 11530 Permit No 301

HAFTR students took to heart the parade’s theme: “Picture Israel…”

Photo by Malka Eisenberg

“Picture Israel: The Art and Craft” was on display on Sunday by youngsters from Midreshet Shalhevet High School for Girls in North Woodmere.

Shabbat Candlelighting: 8:06 p.m. Shabbat ends 9:14 p.m. 72 minute zman 9:36 p.m. Torah Reading Parshat Korach. Rosh Chodesh Tammuz on Shabbat and Sunday.

June 7, 2013 • 29 Sivan 5773 THE JEWISH STAR

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3 THE JEWISH STAR June 7, 2013 • 29 Sivan 5773 Courtesy Manny Vider/vider@ajwv.org

At Sunday’s Israel Day Concert in Central Park (left to right): “JM in the AM” host Nachum Segal, concert chairman Dr. Paul Brody, former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations John Bolton, Israel Deputy Defense Minister MK Danny Danon, and concert organizer Dr. Joseph Frager.

Bolton: Preemptive strike ‘legitimate self defense’ Iran remains top threat to Israel

By Malka Eisenberg “Israel has the legal and moral responsibility to protect its citizens from violence” and a preemptive strike by Israel would be “legitimate self defense,” former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations John Bolton told the Israel Day concert audience in Central Park on Sunday.

He added that he believed American military action was unlikely.

In an exclusive interview with The Jewish Star, Bolton stressed that “Iran is still Israel’s most serious threat,” not only for its nuclear weapons capacity and existential threat, but as an exporter of terror and nuclear capability.

“Iran is perfectly capable of giving nuclear weapons to a terrorist group,” he told the Star.

He pointed to Pakistan as another nuclear threat, and said Saudi Arabia and Turkey were potential threats to Israel if they also develop nuclear capability.

As for Syria, he said there are “no good options.”

He said that the U.S. assumed that Russia agreed to “get Assad out of power” and that the Administration therefore “wasted two-and-a-half years. The violence grinds on with no near term solution.”

Bolton said there was “enormous opposition” and “resistance” by the people of Iran to its government and that the U.S. and Europe should provide communications and financial support for that resistance. “Public opinion is there,” he said.

The United States has tried “diplomacy, sanctions and bluster” to deal with the Iranian nuclear threat, Bolton told the concert audience, but the “ayatollahs are determined” to procure nuclear weapons.

Israel has struck twice to stop the development of nuclear weapons by countries hostile to Israel. When then Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin ordered the destruction of the Osirak reactor in Iraq in 1981, “even [then U.S. President Ronald] Reagan criticized Israel,” said Bolton.

In 2007, Israel destroyed a reactor in Syria, “built by North Korea, financed by Iran,” which created “an existential threat … the prospect of a nuclear holocaust.”

Bolton declared that the U.S. “should support Israel with weapons, intelligence and if Israel makes this difficult decision, stand by Israel militarily.”

He said the U.S. should defend Israel in the U.N. and everywhere, and should re-supply Israel for the losses they would sustain in a war with Iran and in the suppression of Hezbollah.

The overwhelming majority of Americans will stand with Israel, Bolton said.

MK Danon: Be not afraid, Israel

By Malka Eisenberg We should “not be afraid to accept a decision to benefit the Jewish nation [and not say] it is not a good time,” Deputy Israeli Minister of Defense Danny Danon told The Jewish Star.

If Israel had listened to the naysayers, Danon said, the State would not have been declared in 1948 and Jerusalem would not have been freed in 1967.

Danon spoke in Hebrew in an exclusive interview with the Star, before briefly addressing the Central Park Bandshell concert on Sunday. The large turnout for the concert and the Celebrate Israel Parade demonstrated overwhelming support for Israel of Jews from a wide range of groups, both Jewish and gentile, he said.

He discussed various issues in the news in Israel, emphasizing the importance of dealing with the Chareidim with kiruv (drawing them closer through dialogue and not with conflict). “We must speak with them in another language” than we are now using, he said.

He insisted on the need for Arabs to do community service as well.

Israel is currently experiencing a housing crisis, Danon said. It is “important to deal with it, to open land and help Israelis buy homes in Israel.”

With the instability in Syria, Danon said he hoped that the body of Israeli spy Eli Cohen would be returned to Israel, and that information about the four missing in action Israelis — Ron Arad, Zechariah Baumel, Tzvi Feldman and Yehuda Katz — might be made available. The longer they are missing the less likely they are to be found, he said.

It is “important to stand with Israel, even if it is not popular,” he emphasized.

“People must stand with Israel and should continue to do this. Come visit, for vacations, studies, trips and come on Aliyah,” he added. “It strengthens us.”

Thousands at the concert cheered when Danon stepped up to the microphone and called out “Shalom m’Yerushalayim!”

(Shalom from Jerusalem). He said that the “nation of Israel is strong, there are Jewish satellites in the sky developed in Israel.”

“Israel will do what they need to defend the Jewish people,” he said. “People tell me ‘we love Eretz Yisrael’,” and show “unconditional support.”

The “real threat is Iran,” he said. “We will not allow Iran to become nuclear, with or without the U.N., with or without bunker busters.”

Danon recalled that Israel was condemned when then Prime Minister Menachem Begin (a”h) bombed the Osirak

The Celebrate Israel Parade’s Grand Marshals are residents of Lawrence, Marty and Melodie Scharf. reactor in Iraq. Danon gave a blessing to the “pioneers —our brothers and sisters in Yehuda and Shomron” — and said that the towns of Eli and Shilo are the real Iron Dome (Israel’s missile defense system). Going “back to the ’67 lines will not happen. Eretz Yisrael belongs to Am Yisrael.”

4 June 7, 2013 • 29 Sivan 5773 THE JEWISH STAR

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 Published weekly by The Jewish Star LLC, 2 Endo Boulevard, Garden City, NY 11530 Phone: 516-622-7461 ■ Fax: 516-569-4942 News releases: Newsroom@TheJewishStar.com ■ Calendar listings: Calendar@TheJewishStar.com Letters for publication: Letters@TheJewishStar.com ■ Ads: Advertising@TheJewishStar.co Publisher Editor Account Executive Editorial Designer Photo Editor

Ed Weintrob Malka Eisenberg Helene Parsons Kristen Edelman Christina Daly

EWeintrob@theJewishStar.com 622-7461 ext.291 MEisenberg@theJewishStar.com 622-7461 ext.240 HParsons@theJewishStar.com 622-7461 ext.241

Contributors: Rabbi Avi Billet, Jeff Dunetz, Juda Engelmayer, Rabbi Binny Freedman, Alan Jay Gerber, Rabbi Noam Himelstein, Judy Joszef, Rabbi Simcha Weinstein.

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Copyright © 2013 The Jewish Star LLC. All rights reserved.

A refusenik’s new mission

B

ack in the 1970s, refuseniks galvanized the Jewish world. While their primary, urgent mission was to bring hope and inspiration to our imprisoned brethren in the Soviet Union, their sacrifices produced a bonus: the reawakening of the Jewish neshama (the soul) that is indelibly imprinted on every FROM THE Jew. PUBLISHER Idealistic youth on American college campuses, by then weary of protests over the Vietnam War, discovered a fresh cause to fight for, a new struggle for tikun olam (healing the world). They proclaimed “Od Avinu Chai” (our Father lives) and demanded freedom for Prisoners of Zion behind the Iron Ed Weintrob Curtain.

We’re reminded that this is quite a contrast to the unfortunate experience on too many campuses today, where Jewish students — many of them unaware of their precious heritage and of the unbreakable spiritual bonds that unite all Jews — stand by apathetically as their young colleagues and professors

spew venom toward both the State of Israel and to Jews in general. In some cases, young Jews themselves join in the hate-fest.

In the Five Towns and Flatbush, we are blessed, thank G-d, that our youngsters mostly understand who they are and what they must do. But not everyone is as blessed, and not every Jewish community is as steeped in Yiddishkeit. Even on Long Island, in New York City and in New Jersey, where Yiddishkeit flourishes on a high level undreamed of just a few decades ago, there are children who do not care, often because they do not know.

Thus we were doubly delighted last weekend, over Shabbat Shelach, to welcome to the Five Towns Rabbi Yosef Mendelevich, a leading refusenik who brought Torah and emunah to the gulags where he was imprisoned, and who has now embarked on a mission to spread yiddishkeit among those removed — temporarily, ken yehi ratzon (may it be G-d’s will) — from its source.

Rabbi Mendelevich has launched “Od Avinu Chai,” an educational campaign that is adapting the theme song of the movement to Save Soviet Jewry to a campaign to save young American Jews.

Just as we dared not be silent while Prisoners of Zion sat in the gulags, we must not be quiet now while the neshamot of our children are on the line.

New chapter for the Jewish Star

I

am pleased to have assumed the position of Publisher of The Jewish Star, and appreciate the many welcoming words already received from friends in our communities.

Our editor Malka Eisenberg and I look forward to hearing from our many readers in the Five Towns, in Flatbush, and elsewhere, as we work to improve and expand our newspaper and its related website and social media channels.

While newspaper journalism may be ailing in other places, it continues to flourish in our Orthodox Jewish communities, where the contributions of this newspaper, and others, are still valued.

We have ambitious plans for The Star which, b’ezrat Hashem, will be developed in coming weeks and months, as we cover the news of the Jewish communities in the Five Towns and throughout the South Shore, and provide a forum for the discussion of Torah,

Yiddishkeit and Israel.

Ultimately, the success of our efforts will rest with those who read us and support us.

Please let us know how we’re doing, and what we might do better; both pointed criticism and cheerful compliments will be graciously accepted.

If you’d like your comments publicly aired, send a letter for publication to: Letters@The JewishStar.com.

To reach us personally, email or call— Ed Weintrob, Publisher: EWeintrob@The JewishStar.com, 516-622-7461 ext 291 Malka Eisenberg, Editor: MEisenberg@ TheJewishStar.com, 516-622-7461 ext 240 This Sunday, Malka and I will be at the Kulanu Fair in Cedarhurst’s Andrew J. Parise Park, from 12:30 to 5 pm. I hope you’ll stop by and say hello.

Until then… Shabbat Shalom Ed Weintrob

Mensch of Steel J

erry Siegel and Joe Shuster, the two fix “El” is one of the ancient names for God, ordinary young men who created an used throughout the Bible. It is also found in extraordinary hero, lived 12 blocks the names of great prophets like Samuel and apart from each other in Cleveland. The pair and Daniel and angels such as Michael and collaborated on stories for their high school Gavriel. We may never know whether Sienewspaper and shared a passion for science gel and Shuster were aware of these precise fiction and pulp comics. It was the 1930s, Hebrew translations; nevertheless, the name and comic book publishing was could not be more apt. in its infancy. Like many young Like the biblical Moses, SuperHIPPEST RABBI Jews with artistic aspirations, man is discovered and raised in a Siegel and Shuster yearned foreign culture. Baby Moses is found to break into this fledgling inby Batya, the daughter of Pharaoh, dustry. Comic book publishers and raised in the royal palace. Suactively hired Jews, who were perman is found by Jonathan and largely excluded from more “leMartha Kent in a Midwestern corngitimate” illustration work. field and given the name Clark. From The 1930s were also, arguthe onset, both Batya and the Kent’s ably, the most anti-Semitic perealize that these foundling boys riod in American history. Nazi are extraordinary. Superman leads sympathizer Fritz Kuhn of the a double life as the stuttering, specGerman-American Bund led tacle-wearing reporter whose true legions of rabid followers on identity no one suspects. In the same marches through many cities, way, for his own safety, Moses kept including Siegel and Shuster’s his Israelite roots hidden for a time.

Rabbi Simcha hometown. Radio superstar FaWhile the invincible Superman Weinstein ther Charles E. Coughlin of the may have stood the test of time, the pro-fascist Christian Front was lives of his creators were not as trione of the nation’s most powerful men. And umphant. From the beginning, Siegel and Ivy League colleges kept the number of Jew- Shuster were so busy they had to hire asish students to a minimum, while country sistants, but while DC Comics was making clubs and even entire neighborhoods barred millions, Superman’s creators weren’t sharJews altogether. ing the wealth. The two men were paid a salSo Siegel and Shuster began submitting ary, but their initial payment back in 1938 treatments under the pseudonym Bernard J. had included all rights. They had sold their Kenton, just to be on the safe side. Through- percentage of a goldmine for $130 and were out the Great Depression, the two boys eventually fired from their own creation. scraped together every penny they could just Lawsuits followed. None were successful. to cover postage. Shuster sketched on cheap Siegel and Shuster tried and failed to create brown wrapping paper. new characters. Their names were familiar From these humble beginnings, Shuster only to comic book aficionados. Then, ruand Siegel carved out a character that em- mors began to circulate in the early 1970s bodied their adolescent frustrations, served that a big budget Superman movie was in the as a mouthpiece of the oppressed, and be- works. DC Comics received $3 million for the came an American icon. Many years later, rights to film Superman. Once again, Siegel Jerry Siegel recalled the birth of Superman: and Shuster were left out of the equation.

“The story would begin with you as a child This time, the two men tried a new apon far-off planet Krypton. Like the others of proach. They bypassed their lawyers and that world, you had super-powers. The child’s went straight to the media. Newspapers scientist-father was mocked and denounced across the world picked up the story of Sieby the Science Council. They did not believe gel and Shuster, the poor boys who’d created his claim that Krypton would soon explode an American icon, made DC Comics rich-from internal stresses. Convinced that his and were now penniless and forgotten. That prediction was valid, the boy’s father had Shuster was now going blind added to the been constructing a model rocket ship. As story’s poignancy. the planet began to perish, the baby’s parents Legally, DC Comics owed Siegel and Shusknew its end was close. There was not space ter nothing, but bad publicity was costing the enough for three people in the small model company dearly. A financial settlement was craft. They put the baby into it.” reached, and the names “Siegel and Shuster” The idea of for this new superhero came appeared in Superman comics once more. to them in 1934. It would take another four In 2013, “Siegel and Shuster’s” assimilayears before Superman would be transformed tionist immigration archetype returns to save from a feverish dream to a full-fledged hero. the world and in today’s post-recession age of In 1938, Detective Comics, Inc., was looking uncertainty and political tension we need our for a character to launch its new magazine, Man of Steel more than ever.

Action Comics. They paid young Siegel and Rabbi Simcha Weinstein — voted “New Shuster $130 for the first thirteen pages of York’s Hippest Rabbi” by Channel 13 —chairs Superman. Action Comics #1 came out in the religious affairs committee at Pratt InJune of that year. stitute. His best-selling book, “Up Up and Oy Superman’s original name on Krypton also Vey,” was published in 2009. His latest book reveals Biblical underpinnings. Superman is is “The Case For Children: Why Parenthood named Kal-El and his father Jor-El. The suf- Makes Your World Better.”

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timately, Korach questioned Moshe’s motives, own slander, but how was he punished when for which he was punished, along with many his coat was dipped in blood?

Rav Chaim Shmuelevitz, in his Sichot Musof his followers, by being swallowed up by the earth in what may have been the first record- sar, points out that middah ke’neged middah is less about punishment and more about a ed earthquake in history. message. Every event that affects There is a principle that when our lives really carries a message G-d metes out punishment, it is FROM THE HEART for us; we need only be sensitive done “measure for measure” (midOF JERUSALEM enough to recognize it. dah ke’neged middah) with a punAs an example, the Baal Shem ishment chosen to mirror the crime, Tov points out that if we see a thus making it clear why the perperson desecrating Shabbat, it petrator is being punished. So why does not mean we are supposed was an earthquake G-d’s choice of to scream “Shabbos” at them, it punishment? means there is a flaw in our own Jewish tradition teaches that just Shabbat. And if this is true on an as Korach and his followers opened individual level, it is certainly so their mouths to speak ill over G-d’s on a national level. prophet Moshe, the earth in turn I recall in the summer of 2005, swallowed them and silenced them during the Israeli disengagement forever. from Gush Katif (the Jewish This concept is found often; antowns in the Gaza Strip) feeling other example was the story of Jothat if Israeli soldiers could be Rabbi Binny seph. The Torah tells us that Joseph expelling 8,000 Jews from their slandered his brothers by telling his Freedman homes, resulting in terrorists father Yaakov of their misdeeds. dancing on the rooftops of burnRashi (Genesis 37:2) says Joseph said the brothers ate unslaughtered meat, ing synagogues, something was dreadfully degraded the maidservants’ children by call- wrong. The Hebrew word for the disengageing them slaves and that they were suspect of ment was hitnatkut, literally meaning to be licentious behavior (infidelity). Joseph was cut off. Perhaps we underwent the terrible punished measure for measure: The brothers events of that dreadful summer because we dipped his coat in the blood of a slaughtered were, and in many ways still are, cut off from goat (showing they did indeed slaughter their each other.

Here in Israel, many of us live in our island animals before eating them), he was sold into slavery, and he was jailed when his master’s communities, religious or secular, Chassidic or Litvish, right wing or left, and as a result have wife attempted to seduce him.

One of these “measures for a measure”s very little to do with those who are outside of does not seem to make sense. Joseph might our comfort zone. How many religious Jews realize he was punished by being enslaved (whatever THAT term means) who live in for his slander regarding the maidservants’ settlements in Yehuda or Shomron have close children, and he might realize the connection secular friends who live in Tel Aviv? And how between his master’s wife’s seduction and his many modern Orthodox Jews (another label

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needing much more of an explanation) have close friends in the ultra-Orthodox world?

How many of us even have healthy avenues to dialogue with each other?

Indeed, the Talmud tells us that the second Temple was destroyed, along with a sizable portion of the Jewish community of the time, due to sinat chinam (baseless hatred). But a normal person does not hate someone for no reason; he does have a reason — so it’s not really baseless hatred, is it?

The Netziv (Rav Naftali Tzvi Yehuda Berllin, Rosh yeshiva of the famed Yeshivat Volozhin in the mid- to late-1800s) suggests, in his introduction to Genesis, that sinat chinam refers to someone who hates his fellow Jew because that other person’s pathway to a relationship with G-d is different from his own.

When you hate someone because of the way they choose to practice their Judaism, however different from your own, and regardless of whether it is halachically (traditionally) correct, then that is sinat chinam.

Interestingly, the Netziv suggests this leads to the destruction of the land of Israel and the forfeiting of a Jewish connection to the land, which may well be what was really happening in the summer of 2005, and if the events of a few weeks ago are any indication, we are still struggling with the same issue.

Perhaps, when we read of all the dangers that abound today for the State of Israel: a nuclear Iran, missiles in the hands of Hezbollah in Lebanon, dangerous trends on our borders with Syria and Egypt and so on, we need to look inwards and not only outwards towards our dangerous neighbors.

And if hating our fellow Jew for his or her different opinions leads to the destruction of the land, then learning to love each other even whilst disagreeing on how Judaism asks us to relate to G-d, is the solution.

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WE DO REPAIRS

Lenny Koegel 516-594-6010

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few weeks ago, at a now much publicized Rosh Chodesh prayer service at the Kotel, things got ugly.

As they have been doing for nearly 25 years, a group of women from a range of Jewish backgrounds, known as the Women of the Wall, gathered at the Kotel to pray the special morning prayers of Rosh Chodesh, celebrating the new month in the Jewish calendar. This group included women wearing tallitot and Tefillin, and reading from a Torah scroll. Many ultra-Orthodox Jews (a label that needs defining--beyond the scope of this article) arrived to protest, and things soon got out of hand.

A group of my students from Yeshivat Orayta happened to be at the Kotel for the traditional Rosh Chodesh services and were caught in the middle of it, later describing to me a horrendous scene which included Jews throwing chairs, spitting at their fellow Jews, and even pummeling and knocking down a policewoman. While the group of Jews displaying such violence was certainly a small fringe element, one wonders how we have arrived at such a sorry state of affairs.

Just a week earlier similar scenes occurred, though over a different issue that is a major topic of news here in Israel: The drafting of ultra-Orthodox Yeshiva students who believe their study is as much a service to the nation as is serving in the army.

So how did we get here and what can we do about it?

••• This week’s portion contains the story of Korach’s rebellion against Moshe and Aaron and an interesting perspective on this topic.

Korach, Moshe’s first cousin, challenged his authority, claiming that the appointment of Elitzafan (another cousin, from a younger brother than Korach’s dad) as tribal prince was nepotism, and not the word of G-d. Ul-

THE JEWISH STAR June 7, 2013 • 29 Sivan 5773

KORACH / Loving each other even when we disagree

June 7, 2013 • 29 Sivan 5773 THE JEWISH STAR

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Hero for America’s Jewish youth: Rav Mendelovich

By Malka Eisenberg They asked him for a bracha (blessing). He raised his eyebrows, his eyes behind wire-rimmed glasses clear, gentle and still the same intensity as years ago. Pointing to himself and shrugging his shoulders, he shook his head slowly as if to say, “who me?”

After some persuasion, he accedes to the father’s request, a young rebbe from Yeshiva Darchei Torah, and stands and blesses each of the children, gently placing his hands on each boy’s head, standing bowed in front of the girls.

He pronounces the words meticulously, with devotion, eyes closed, “Yisimcha Elokim k’Ephraim v chi’Menashe” (“May G-d make you like Ephraim and Menashe”) for the boys.

Rabbi Yosef Mendelevich, former Prisoner of Zion, Soviet refusnik, one of 16 who attempted to hijack a small plane in 1970 to escape to freedom and bring attention to the plight of the Soviet Jews, is now a rebbe in Israel, and visiting the Five Towns.

The beautiful irony hangs in the air: A Yosef, a former prisoner, invoking Yaakov’s blessing using the names of the sons of the first Yosef, a former slave whose actions ultimately led to the molding of Am Yisrael. Through those painful actions 43 years ago, Yosef Mendelevich and his fellow refuseniks forced the first crack in the Iron Curtain, only to then languish in labor camps and prisons as the trickle of Jews finally allowed to emigrate turned into a flow of over a million, and ultimately led to their freedom as well.

••• He said that in 1964, in Riga, Latvia, he wanted to study medicine and took the exams, excelling in physics and chemistry but was told he didn’t do well in Russian composition.

Another irony: Readers of his book, “Unbroken Sprit: A Heroic Story of Faith, Courage and Survival,” recently translated into English, have described it as similar to a classic Russian novel. He realized that his Jewish name kept him out of medical school. “Thank G-d I didn’t succeed in that,” he said in Hebrew in an interview with The Jewish Star.

“Hakadosh Baruch Hu prepares you for something else, a different mission. I was a little upset when my mother died; I wanted to be a doctor to help people. But you can help people in many ways. I fought for freedom of aliyah, so people can be free, not just me. I thank Hakodosh Baruch Hu for the merit to be a part of this.”

••• Mendelevich was born in 1947 in Riga, Latvia into a family that toed the Soviet line but maintained limited Jewish ties, discussing Jewish history at Pesach seders and acknowledging Chanukah. In the 1960s, he became active in the Jewish underground movement, obtaining some books and reading up on Jewish history and Chumash with Russian translation, ultimately organizing a weekly parsha group. He became involved with fellow Jewish students in high school, cleaning the mass graves of Jews killed by the Nazis.

After the Six Day War, the USSR broke off relations with

Photo by Malka Eisenberg/Jewish Star

Rabbi Yosef Mendelevich came to the Five Towns and tri-state area to motivate Jewish youth.

Israel. Anti-Semitism, always a fixture in Russia, and pressure on the Jewish citizens increased; study of Jewish subjects and Hebrew was forbidden, and the difficulty in obtaining exit visas to emigrate to Israel became increasingly difficult. The refusniks were refused visas with claims by the government that they were privy to sensitive Soviet secrets.

At age 22, Mendelevich joined a group of refuseniks who planned to fake a wedding trip to Sweden to flee to Israel.

The Soviet secret police halted the move, beating and arresting the group before they entered the plane. Two of the activists were sentenced to death at the First Leningrad Trial, but after international pressure, their sentences were changed to 15 years in prison. Mendelevich, the youngest of the group, also received 15 years.

Mendelevich survived 11 years in labor and prison camps in the Ural Mountains, clinging to Judaism, doing his best to maintain his identity and help his fellow prisoners learn and grow Jewishly, in spite of the harsh conditions and brutality.

He was deported after 11 years of his sentence and went to Israel, met his wife through the Soviet Jewry movement in Israel, studied in yeshiva, became a rabbi and currently teaches in Mechon Meir in Jerusalem. He teaches Talmud to Russian students, usually in Hebrew but helps them understand when necessary in Russian.

One student was aghast that the famous Yosef Mendelevich, who helped free the Soviet Jews, was now a rebbe in a yeshiva. “So small!” Mendelevich smiled. “As if I should be riding on a white horse! I teach men in yeshiva. You can’t always do great things. If I do one thing great, I am satisfied.”

••• American Jews asked him to translate his book into English “to influence the youth in the U.S. to keep from assimilation, to let them know that we have our own heroes, that is the main thing, to talk in the schools, to give positive motivation to be strong Jews.”

He said that that is the framework of his organization, “Od Avinu Chai,” again a reference to the first Yosef, when he asked his brothers if their father Yaakov was still alive, but also a reference to Shlomo Carlebach’s Am Yisrael Chai song that became the theme of the Soviet Jewry movement that was spearheaded by students and housewives.

Mendelevich noted that it was their protests and actions that pushed governments to ultimately force the Iron Curtain open. Mendelevich is traveling throughout the U.S. and speaking to groups to motivate people, in particular the youth, to be strong in their Judaism, to see what he did to hold on through great adversity and to continue to grow in his Judaism.

He attributed his tenacity and interest in Judaism to his character, not his education.

“Many had the same thing but didn’t do the same thing or did the opposite. When someone doesn’t do what he thinks is good, he doesn’t feel good. How is it that you know to do it and didn’t try to be happy with yourself? If I didn’t do it, I would have hated myself, how can someone not do what is right to do?

“Besides, I so wanted not to be like the Soviet type, to be like them, to think like them. I felt disgust for this, that’s exactly what I left, to be myself.

“In the end, it was G-d’s watchfulness (hashgacha), He pushed me.”

Mendelevich said he could have stayed in Russia and lived that lifestyle, but that “I worried for myself, I wanted to be as I was before prison.

“Prison destroys you. The things you have to do are difficult. I was worried that I would forget who I am. I needed to hold tight to Yahadut (Judaism) and not to sink and be like the others. Like in life, we live with many worries, livelihood, relationships; you can fall and sink.

“I chose a Jewish life — it saved me from sinking.”

Rav Kook visits Rambam Mesivta in Lawrence Students in Rambam Mesivta in Lawrence had the special privilege of hearing divrei Torah from HaRav Simcha HaCohen Kook this week.

Rav Kook, who serves as the Chief Rabbi of Rechovot, davened Shachris with the talmidim and spoke afterwards about the special mission they all have. He recounted the leadership qualities of Kalev ben Yefuneh who stood up to the crowd against the overwhelming tide of the other meraglim (spies).

He single-handedly captured Yericho and vanquished the mighty warriors who sought to defend that city.

Rav Kook explained that Kalev’s success was tied to his commitment to Torah and his faith in Hakadosh Baruch Hu (G-d). ”The Torah teaches us, Baruch HaGever Asher Yivtach B’Hashem - V’Haya Hashem Mivtacho, when we put our trust in Hashem ... we merit that Hashem will come to our aid,” said Rav Kook.

Rav Kook described the critical role that Torah plays in uniting the Jewish community saying that, “Without Torah there is no Jewish people.” He said that it is the responsibility of all of Klal Yisrael to study Torah and gain knowledge of Halacha whether or not someone becomes a Rabbi or teacher. “The Torah is what sustains us.”

As the Chief Rabbi of Rechovot, Rav Kook has become world-renowned for the inspiration he provides to the people in the city. Rechovot, the home of the world famous Weitzman Institute, had many anti-religious residents until they met Rav Kook. He was successful in establishing a yeshiva in memory of his brother who was tragically killed in a car accident. The yeshiva, which started with just 20 talmidim, today has hundreds who come every day to learn. Additionally, he established high schools and elementary schools which currently educate approximately 1000 students a year.

He is renowned for building bridges with the secular community and is greatly respected even by those who do not agree with his religious outlook. His house is open to the entire community on Sukkot and police officers and firemen are frequent guests. Those who come in contact with him find themselves inspired and oftentimes renew their commitment to their Torah heritage. Rav Kook is able to accomplish all that he does because of his non-judgemental, loving approach of all of Klal Yisrael. Rather than lecture, he inspires.

The boys in Rambam Mesivta got a flavor of Rav Kook this week and await his return visit next year at which time he said he would daven Schachris with the Sephardic minyan so that he can join them in Birchas Kohanim.

Rav Kook speaks at the Rambam Mesivta in Lawrence

7 THE JEWISH STAR June 7, 2013 • 29 Sivan 5773

Five Towns Rep. says she has lung cancer McCarthy prepared for ‘latest challenge’

By Mary Malloy Carolyn McCarthy, who represents most of the Five Towns in Congress, revealed this week that she has been diagnosed with a treatable form of lung cancer — and that she’s committed to beating this latest challenge.

“I am a fighter, as many people know,” McCarthy said.

“Several diagnostic tests have led to a diagnosis of lung cancer. A treatment plan will begin soon and I look forward to its successful completion.”

McCarthy is being treated at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York, and has asked for privacy while she undergoes her treatments.

“I’m grateful for the support and love of my family, friends, colleagues, and staff,” she said. “I look forward to a successful treatment and returning to continue the mission that I’ve started as a member of Congress.”

McCarthy said that there will be some tough days ahead for her, and that she will be forced to miss activities in Washington, D.C. during treatment.

“I will continue to be a strong advocate

Jewish Star File photo

Five Towns Rep. Carolyn McCarthy has begun her latest fight: against cancer. for the 4th Congressional District, and I remain committed to improving Long Island’s schools, improving public health and safety, improving our economy, and protecting our seniors and veterans,” she said. “My capable and longtime staff will continue to support the needs of my constituents.”

Mary Malloy is editor of the East Rockaway/Lynbrook Herald.

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June 7, 2013 • 29 Sivan 5773 THE JEWISH STAR

8

Photos by Tom Callan/Jewish Star

Teachers, administrators and students wearing light blue T-shirts, carried colorful posters with the parade theme at the Celebrate Israel Parade on Sunday.

HAFTR students in bright orange sing and hold fake torches as they march.

Brandeis students in pale green carry their banner up Fifth Avenue.

The Merrick and Bellmore Jewish communities of Long Island marched together, united in their support for Israel, in the modern state’s 65th anniversary year.

9

Rambam Mesivta students and Rabbis Zev Friedman and Yotav Eliach marching.

Photo by Daniel Perez

The JCRC-Long Island cluster in blue.

Edon Pinchot, whose meteoric rise to popularity with his appearance on “America’s Got Talent” earned him the nickname of “Jewish Justin Bieber,” was one of the entertainers at Sunday’s Israel Day Concert. Brief remarks by former U.N. Ambassador John Bolton and Deputy Israel Minister of Defense Danny Danon preceded the music. Bolton and Danon also spoke exclusively with The Jewish Star (see page 3).

The Hebrew Academy of Long Beach students and staff show solidarity with Israel, holding their banner and the American and Israeli flags, as they march.

THE JEWISH STAR June 7, 2013 • 29 Sivan 5773

Long Beach synagogues showing unity and revival in the wake of the hurricane.

June 7, 2013 • 29 Sivan 5773 THE JEWISH STAR

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Politicians come out to support Israel

Photos by Tom Callan/Jewish Star

A delegation from Israel took part in Sunday’s Celebrate Israel Parade on Fifth Avenue.

The parade wouldn’t be whole without Gov. Cuomo.

Mayor Bloomberg helped kick off Sunday’s parade.

Mayoral hopeful Anthony Weiner attracted a good deal of attention along the parade route. Weiner said he’s been a longtime ally of the State of Israel.

Sen. Schumer boasts strong support for Israel.

11

I

n addition to being one of the more colorful characters in the Torah, Korach is even more colorful as he is portrayed in the Talmud and Midrash.

A simple look at the commentaries brings one to understand his brilliant mind, his ability to twist Torah, mitzvot, and halacha to conform to his agenda of criticizing Moshe’s leadership (which is less apparent in the Torah) and Aharon’s role as Kohen Gadol, his primary objection.

One of the more seemingly inconsePARSHA OF quential details raised THE WEEK is that Korach was exceedingly wealthy.

(Pesachim 119a) We know that when the ground swallowed up those who had burned the K’toret on the copper firepans, the Torah states, “The earth opened its mouth and swallowed them, and their homes, and all the people that were with/belonged to Rabbi Avi Billet Korach, and all of the property.” (16:32) With the exception of when a person takes property that is unavailable – such as Achan taking from the “cherem” (Yehoshua 7) – property is not generally subject to the punishment that befalls a sinner. “You can’t take it with you” because it goes to your family.

If Korach’s property was not ill-gotten, as the Talmud assumes, and if Korach’s children did not participate in their father’s rebellion (Bamidbar 26:11) — Radak on the first verse in Shmuel explains (based on Divrei Hayamim I:6) that Korach’s children were prophets — they should have by all rights inherited their father’s possessions. Why was the property swallowed with the evildoers?

One line of thinking follows the passage in the mishnah towards the bottom of Sanhedrin 54a which punishes a seemingly blameless animal for a sin committed by a human (based on Vayikra 20:15-16). The reasoning?

Because a human was brought to the lowest level of sin on account of the animal.

On a parallel plane, Nachshoni suggests Korach’s wealth did the same thing to him.

The Talmud describes the number of keys to Korach’s treasures as being equivalent to the loads carried by three hundred mules (might not be a number meant to be taken literally).

This tremendous wealth brought him to a

level of unsurpassed arrogance, in which he felt he should have whatever he wanted, and was willing to go to whatever extreme necessary in order to get it.

Since his wealth caused him to sin, commentators argue, his wealth was punished as well. It wasn’t taken from his inheritors – it was destroyed for bringing about his downfall.

The history of mankind in general, and of Jewish communities specifically, has always included individuals on all ends of the financial spectrum. That more people have less and fewer people have more is a reality just about everywhere.

What do the minority who are blessed with more do with their wealth? Do they go the Korach route? Do they confront leadership, dictate policy, expect the world to bow to them? Do they try to run the schools they support, the shuls they support, the organizations they support, etc. in their image? Are they seeking the “kavod” that comes from being the giver?

Or do they give to reflect their appreciation to their G-d? Do they give back to the community? Do they give magnanimously, with grace and charm? Do they sometimes give anonymously? Do they let those in the trenches use their skills to do their jobs best, while the donors stand on the sideline shouting words of encouragement and support, ever ready with the blank check to help out in whatever way possible?

Korach failed and perished because he let his wealth get to his head. He felt he was more suited to be the Kohen Gadol, and he was so arrogant that he could not accept that G-d might have chosen someone else over himself.

We tremendously appreciate the philanthropists and the givers who enhance our lives. We recognize that G-d has blessed them, and we wish them to find continued success so they may continue to do so much good with their wealth.

And those of us who are “not yet” philanthropists, continue to pray that were the tables ever to turn, we be blessed not only with the ability to do good for others, but with the level-headed thinking that will keep us out of the Korach camp and in the camp of those who are magnanimous, gracious, and giving simply because we can.

May G-d bless us with opportunities to do amazing things with His gifts. May we merit to keep our priorities in order, to make the gift about how we can help and about how those on the other end of the spectrum can benefit from our generosity.

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The color blue: It’s part of a Jew’s tradition

T

he color blue has always played a role in both the religious and political traditions of our faith. This can be seen in the references in the ritual requirements of the mitzvah of Tzitzit in scripture, in prayer, and in ritual practice.

The political application is seen in the blue color component that we see in the flag of the State of Israel, both in the two stripes and the Star of David that serves as the emblematic centerpiece of the flag.

A recently released book titled “The Rarest Blue: The Remarkable Story of an Ancient Color Lost to KOSHER History and RediscovBOOKWORM ered” by Baruch Sterman and Judy Taubes Sterman [Lyons Press, 2012] goes into great historical and technical detail in explaining every facet of the color blue in our spiritual tradition as well as to its role in western civilization.

Especially endearing to me, as detailed Alan Jay Gerber in this work, is the role played by the late Chief Rabbi Isaac Halevi Herzog in the scholarship that helped to clarify our contemporary understanding of this mitzvah. Hopefully, iy”H, a future review will go into further detail on this fascinating saga.

I first came to know of Stermen from a detailed reference by him in a fascinating study published in 1996 by Rabbi Alfred Cohen and cited by Dr. Stephen Bailey in his work, “Kashrut Tefilin Tzitzit” [Jason Aronson, 2000].

In this prior work, Sterman informs us of the historical antiquity of the ritual use of the color blue.

According to Rabbi Cohen, “Sterman notes that at the time of the Exodus, te’chelet and argaman [purple] were well-known commodities throughout the ancient world. They are mentioned in the Torah in the list of materials needed for the Tabernacle, and it is generally assumed that the Jews brought these with them from Egypt.”

Bailey, noting the royal use of this color, points out that, “A remnant of this exclusivity is apparent in our contemporary idiom of ‘royal-blue’ or royalty’s ‘blue-blood’.” Humor aside, blue can also express mood both in emotion and in musical mode.

The Torah readings for this time of year give the color blue a high profile. The mitzvah practice itself is self-evident in this past week’s readings, and the midrashic references to Tzitzit and blue in the Korach rebellion are highlighted in two very interesting essays.

The first is by the distinguished theologian from Jerusalem’s Pardes Institute, Rabbi Michael Hattin titled, “Korach and the Garments of Sky-Blue” [vbm-torah.org]. The centerpiece of Rabbi Hattin’s essay is the now well known classic midrashic reading in Bemidbar Rabba wherein we read a deliberately fabricated irony in the following: ”Korach sprang forth and said to Moshe: ‘If

a garment is entirely colored with sky-blue techelet dye, is it or is it not exempt from the obligation of tzitzit?’….’If a garment that is colored entirely with sky-blue techelet dye cannot exempt itself, shall four small threads then exempt it?’”

Rabbi Hattin skillfully parses this midrash to lay bare the inner, deeper meaning both as to Korach’s intentions and the reply by Moshe.

As always, Rabbi Hattin’s analysis warrants close scrutiny for the deeper meanings he brings to what otherwise might seem on the surface to be simplistic stories and tales.

However, the author cautions us with the following admonition: “When they read a narrative in the Torah, they [the Sages] paid scrupulous attention to its grammatical structure, to its linguistic nuance and to its major and minor themes.”

Read further on in Rabbi Hattin’s teachings for further elaboration on his theme and analysis.

Another essay titled, “Tzitzit and Korah”

by Bible Professor Amos Frisch of Bar Ilan University also deserves your time and attention. Prof. Frisch’s essay is predicated on the theme that, “In this homily, the passage on fringes which preceded at the end of Shelach serves as a tool for Korah to attack Moses. We would like to take a closer look at both tzitzit and the Korah story to show how this commandment actually undermines the words of Korah and his followers.” Of major importance to this method are the seven detailed footnotes that give to the author’s thesis a fuller meaning and definition of purpose.

FOR FURTHER STUDY Given contemporary events stemming daily from our nation’s capital concerning honesty and ethics in government, I would like to bring to your attention a most timely teaching from Dr. Elishai Ben-Yitzhak of Sha’arei Mishpat College, titled, “On Accountability in Public Affairs” [Parashat Hashavua Study Center] based upon the verse from Parshat Korach, “I have not taken the donkey of any one of them.”

To be direst in this matter the author states the following: “The duty of reporting stems …from the verse, ‘you shall be clear before the L-rd and before Israel’ [Num.32:22]. The Sages deduced from this that everyone in general, and public figures in particular, are obliged to avoid situations which might lead people to talk or suspect them of having exploited their position and used public resources for their personal enrichment or benefit.”

In this regard, the author appropriately cites the timely examples of Garmu and Abtinas and of how scrupulous they were in their service in the Temple as cited in Mesechet Yoma 38a.

And, last, there is the reference from Nechama Leibowitz’ remarks on the crucial stand taken towards those who engage in public service: “Human beings are …petty, suspicious, seeing everything great through their petty vision, ready to slander, to blacken that which shines.” [Iyunim Hadashim Besefer Shmot, page 479] How true then, and how much is this all the more true, now.

THE JEWISH STAR June 7, 2013 • 29 Sivan 5773

The wealth of Korach, swallowed in a moment

June 7, 2013 • 29 Sivan 5773 THE JEWISH STAR

12

Who’s in the kitchen

Hamburger today is a lot more than ‘hockfleish’ G

rowing up in Brooklyn, I don’t remember ever having a barbecue. We ate “hockfleish,” which was basically a hamburger, pan fried.

It was thick and juicy and we ate it without a bun … at least that’s how I remember it. I could be wrong; I’ll let you know after my sister reads the column. She has a much better memory than I do. I do remember my mom soaking challah (crust removed) in waWHO’S IN THE ter, squeezing out the KITCHEN excess water and mixing it into the mixture.

My mom said it made it “shvamik” (soft and fluffy). When the first glatt kosher hamburger joint, Kosher King, opened up in Coney Island, I remember looking at the burger and doing my Clara Peller imitation, “Where’s the beef?”

Actually, she might have imitatJudy Joszef ed me, as it was years later that she appeared in the Wendy’s commercial.

Hard to believe, but my husband has no far-fetched funny stories about burgers, so I’ll go with the history of the burger…

The exact origin of the hamburger as we in America know it, is unknown. Most historians believe that it was invented by a cook who placed a Hamburg steak between two slices of bread.

Most claims made by the potential inventors of the hamburger occurred between 1885 and 1904, and was food associated with major events such as amusement parks, fairs and festivals.

One of the possible fathers of the hamburger is Charlie Nagreen (1870–1951) of Seymour, Wisconsin, who, at the age of 15, sold Hamburg steaks from a street stall at the annual Outagamie County Fair.

Americans like to think that they were the first to combine two slices of bread and ground beef into a “hamburger sandwich.”

Part of the controversy over the origin of the hamburger is because bread and beef were prepared and eaten separately for many years all over the world, before their combination.

Europeans like to think that the hamburger was created first in their countries.

In the 12th century, the nomadic Mongols carried meat, by horse or camel, on their journeys. The cavalry-dominated army was fast moving and sometimes unable to stop for a meal, so they were often forced to eat while riding. They would place a few pieces of meat under their saddles so that it would crumble with the constant jogging and be cooked by the heat from the animal.

Chopped meat (or minced as they called it back then) was a rare delicacy and meat itself was an ingredient restricted to the higher classes. Russian ships brought recipes for steak tartare to the Port of Hamburg during the 17th century. During the period of the European colonization of the Americas, many immigrants became a kind of “bridge” between the old European recipes and the future development of the hamburger in the United States.

During the first half of the 19th century, Hamburg established itself as one of the largest transatlantic ports in Europe as it became a hub for both passenger and freight shipping. Europeans began their voyages to the United States from Hamburg, introducing their culinary customs to their host country.

New York City was the most common destination for ships traveling from Hamburg and

various restaurants in the city began offering the Hamburg-style steak to attract German sailors. In the late 19th century, the Hamburg steak became popular on the menus of many restaurants in New York. The oldest document that refers to the Hamburg steak is a Delmonico’s Restaurant menu from 1873, which offered customers an 11 cent plate of Hamburg steak that had been developed by an American chef.

During the following one hundred years, the hamburger spread throughout the world.

As a result, a new business model was born-the franchise.

The burger was born in a time when people needed to eat both fast and cheap, at the beginning of the Great Depression of 1929.

This environment was favorable for fostering inexpensive food, which was one reason why five-cent hamburgers were so popular.

“Walt” Anderson opened a hamburger stand in Wichita that used hygienic cooking methods, and impressed his Wichita customers so much that many would become regular patrons.

In 1926, Edgar Waldo “Billy” Ingram collaborated with Anderson to open the first White Castle restaurant. The restaurant was founded on the idea of cooking a hamburger quickly, giving it the honor of being the first fast food restaurant.

Bet most of you don’t know the origin of the name. Seems “White” was chosen to escape the public perception that hamburgers were unsanitary, and “Castle” to evoke a higher-class product.

Burgers may be fast food, but they’re also a craft. While researching the history of the hamburger, I found there are 20 clubs devoted to the cult of the perfect hamburger patty, and endless articles devoted to the best burgers you must “try before you die”... if they don’t finish you off first!

Grilled Mouthwatering Burgers Ingredients: •3 lbs ground beef •2 eggs •1-1/2 tsps salt •1-1/2 tsps ground black pepper •1-1/2 C bread crumbs (I use Jason flavored bread crumbs) •2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce (vegetarian) •2 onions chopped and sautéed till clear then blended with emersion blender till smooth Directions: 1.Preheat your grill to high.

2.In a bowl, combine all of the ingredients until evenly incorporated. Form into 8 equal sized burgers.

3.Place the burgers on the hot grill and cook for 4 to 6 minutes on each side, depending on how well done you like them. (Keep in mind that it’s recommended not to prepare rare in the middle.)

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, Soiree. She can be reached at judy.soiree@gmail.com

PC Gone Wild: THIS is what our Congress has time for? ‘Redskin’ mania

A

merica is fighting a war against Islamic terror. The economy is on the abyss of collapsing under its own debt and growth slow an/or non-existent. The IRS is targeting American citizens because of their political views, the Department of Justice is targeting the press just because. Obamacare is driving health care costs up. No one in the administration seems to be honest about the deaths of four hero POLITICS TO GO Americans who killed in Benghazi. And we cant find out who authorized the sale of automatic weapons to the Mexican drug cartels.

None of that seems to matter to some members of Congress who have a much different priority.

Ten representatives — including members of both parties — have Jeff Dunetz sent a letter to Redskins owner Daniel Snyder urging the team to change their name because it’s offensive to Native Americans. The letter says in part: “The current Chairman and Chief of the Penobscot Nation, Chief Kirk Francis, recently stated in a joint statement that the [R-word] is ‘not just a racial slur or a deroga-

tory term,’ but a painful ‘reminder of one of the most gruesome acts of … ethnic cleansing ever committed against the Penobscot people.’ The hunting and killing of Penobscot Indians … The usage of the [“R-word”] is especially harmful to Native American youth, tending to lower their sense of dignity and self-esteem.”

Oh come on! The “R” word?

The only massacre the name Washington Redskins reminds me of is Superbowl XXII (they beat Denver 42-10). This PC nonsense has to stop and these members of Congress need to get back to the real work or resign their seats! There is plenty of real work that needs to be done.

It’s not just Congress wasting time with this PC nonsense regarding football teams names.

Two months ago, Washington D.C. council member David Grosso raised the same issue.

He said a most of his fellow councilmembers agreed to co-sponsor a nonbinding resolution asking the team to change its name.

A group of Native Americans has launched a new court battle to deny the team federal trademark protection, which would essentially force a name change.

Grosso’s resolution suggests “Redtails” as a new nickname. He says it would honor the Tuskegee Airmen and allow the team to maintain its fight song and color scheme with a few minor changes.

Tell you what Mr. Grasso; before you

worry about pro football perhaps you should work on fixing the escalators in the Metro Stations. My daughter is working in DC for the summer and she hasn’t found one escalator that works!

Thankfully Redskins owner Dan Snyder has promised he would never change the team’s name, but just in case I will present this list of alternates below: •Here’s an idea, what about naming the team after former IRS chief Doug Schulman who recently couldn’t remember why he went to the White House so many times and call the teamThe Easter Egg Rollers.

•Thank God We’re Not The NY Jets: OK a little long but as a long-suffering Jets fan I understand that it’s a chant, which should be heard in every NFL stadium.

•An Animal Name? Many Pro-football teams have animal names, the Dolphins, Jaguars, Cougars, and Superbowl winner the Ravens. How about an animal associated with the nation’s capital such as The Lame Ducks.

•Washington D.C. is the seat of the federal government; other teams have taken their names from federal institutions such as the former baseball team the Senators. Football is a sport with large menacing athletes; perhaps they could adopt the name, The Bloated Bureaucracy.

•Since Washington DC is the center of American Politics, perhaps the team could take on a name related to politicians like The

Hacks or The Spinners.

•Tampa Bay has the Buccaneers, Oakland has the Raiders, so I thought Washington have The Stealers, but that won’t work because its too close to the Pittsburgh team. But how about The Taxers or even The Redistributors or even The IRS Hit-Squad?

•Baseball’s Nationals took the name because D.C. is the capital of our country. Nationals seems a bit soft for a football team, at first I thought of The Constitutions but then realized that very few in DC know what the Constitution is--as an alternate how about something tougher such as Criminally Trespassing Aliens which avoids the anti-PC term illegal aliens and certainly sounds tough?

•How about taking a number, after all the 49ers have a long history of winning football.

Why not call the team the Washington 17 Trillions after our growing deficit? The problem with this name is the team will have to change their name every year!

•The press is big industry in Washington; what about changing the team’s name to The DOJ Scandals or The Perjurers It’s timely!

There is one more option. There are teams with the name of an occupation associated with the city — like the Dallas Cowboys. Using that method the football team could be called the Congressmen and City Councilmen Who Ignore Their Real Jobs and Waste Time on Silly PC Issues.

Jeff Dunetz is the Editor/Publisher of the political blog The Lid.

13

By Jeffrey Bessen The end was as anticlimactic as the controversy was stimulating.

In a Lawrence High School guidance room, Board of Education President Dr. Asher Mansdorf read off the results of the May 21 budget vote on May 30.

Tova Plaut, who had 426 fewer votes than Jesse Lunin-Pack after the first vote count on Election Night, was officially declared the winner by 37 votes — 1,647 to 1,610 — after two election recounts. Dov Herman finished with 840 votes in the three-way race. Plaut will replace Dr. Solomon Blisko on the board.

He declined to run for re-election.

Lawrence school district officials admitted it was human error that initiated the recounts. When the votes were reported, the third digit was dropped twice when Plaut’s voting totals were recorded; 255 and 258 both became 25.

After the voting machines were impounded and taken to the Nassau County Board of Elections in Mineola, the first recount was conducted on May 22. A second recount was done two days later and paper ballots were reviewed on May 28. The district rents the machines from the Board of Elections, but recounts are the jurisdiction of the school district.

“The recanvassing was very detailed and done very, very carefully,” said Al D’Agostino, the attorney for Lawrence, who oversaw the recounts, along with other district officials and representatives from both the Plaut and Lunin-Pack campaigns.

At the board meeting, Lunin-Pack was permitted to make a statement and the At-

Ed Weintrob/Jewish Star

The Lawrence Board of Education met last Thursday to make Tova Plaut’s win official lantic Beach resident took the opportunity to congratulate his opponent, but also called on the district to review why the mistake occurred and fix the problem.

“While I understand what the mistake was on Election Night, I reiterate that I do not understand how it was allowed to happen,” he said. “The Lawrence community must have the utmost confidence in the integrity of elections. I call upon the board to investigate this thoroughly, and to report back to the community what went wrong, and the steps put in place to make sure this can never happen again. I look forward to helping with

that process in any way I can.”

Human error may never be totally eliminated from the process, but D’Agostino recommended that one possible control is having two people checking the reported numbers from each machine. “The numbers are very small, but reading them a second time could help,” he said.

Plaut, who also read a statement at the May 30 meeting, said she was very excited about serving on the board. “I will always work to ensure that the children receive the services they deserve,” she said.

In addition to Plaut, Michael Hatten, who

defeated incumbent Rabbi Nahum Marcus, will also join the board. Longtime Trustee Dr. David Sussman, who ran unopposed, was reelected.

Having run for election and re-election, Mansdorf said he understands the stress created by waiting for results.

He said that both Plaut and Lunin-Pack should be applauded for their behavior during the recounts. “You handled it with grace and dignity that should serve as an example to the greater community,” Mansdorf said.

Jeffrey Bessen is editor of the Nassau Herald, where this story first appeared.

HAFTR students put engineering skills on display

By Jeffrey Bessen Challenging students to focus on science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) and having them use that knowledge to produce a project which could spur them to a career applying those principles is the mission of the Manhattan-based Center for Initiatives in Jewish Education.

The eight-year-old center hosted its second annual Young Engineers conference at the Hebrew Academy of the Five Towns and Rockaway (HAFTR) on May 30. Lawrence-based HAFTR, Stella K. Abraham High School for Girls in Hewlett and Davis Renov

Stahler (DRS) High School for Boys in Woodmere were three of 14 high schools that took part in this year’s conference that included 85 projects.

Throughout the school year, students are taught science, technology, engineering and math, and then apply that learning with the assistance of their classroom teachers to create a scientific-technological product. The project’s focus is not just on content, but also on the process, research and development.

“We felt this will prepare our students with the skills needed in the 21st century that they can understand and apply,” said Judy Lebovits, a Woodmere resident, who

is a center vice president and director. She pointed to biomedical engineering as a developing field where these skills can be applied.

Student projects that lined the gymnasium at HAFTR were grounded in science, but focused on social applications that could solve a range of problems from carbon monoxide poisoning to ensuring that football field goal kicks would be ruled good or not good correctly.

“Behind the engineering is to be socially minded,” said Sol Yousha, a HAFTR STEM teacher, who guided his students through their projects.

Google senior engineer Ronald Blum was keynote speaker between the morning and

afternoon sessions. His remarks focused on how best to fix problems and handle failure.

“The better engineers are always doubting themselves,” Blum said. “They are full of doubts and always improving.”

DRS student Yosef Pfeffer, who partnered with classmates Ezra Dweck and Ari Brandspiegel on creating sensors to ensure field goal ruling accuracy, said he learned more than just about science by creating this project. “Mostly working as team on a program and putting an idea of our own into action,” he said.

Jeffrey Bessen is editor of the Nassau Herald, where this story first appeared, with additional photos.

Broadway Veterinary Care Drs. G. Wexler, A. Kuperschmid, J. Mansfield

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(516) 374-5050

Low Cost Spay/Neuter/ Vaccine Program Photo by Jeffrey Bessen/Herald

The Bright ’Brella would have LED light strips and pressure sensors inside the umbrella. When rain strikes the umbrella the light strips turn on for better vision in stormy weather. From left were HAFTR students Alyssa Fuchs, Mikayla Fuchs and Elizabeth Wallach.

Economic Relief Exams $29 Tues., Wed., & Thurs. 2:30-4pm Extended Hours - Sundays By Appointment

632599

(in accordance with halacha)

THE JEWISH STAR June 7, 2013 • 29 Sivan 5773

Human error delayed Lawrence School Board tally

June 7, 2013 • 29 Sivan 5773 THE JEWISH STAR

14

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.

Thursday June 6 FDNOW annual dinner Lawrence Yacht and Country Club 101 Causeway, Lawrence, NY 11559 6 PM reception, 7 PM dinner For more information go to fdnow.org

Saturday June 8 Scholar in Residence at Young Israel of Hewlett One Piermont Avenue Rabbi Elimelech Goldberg of KidskickingCancer Rabbi Goldberg will be speaking at 9:30 AM after the Hashkama Minyan, at 10;45 AM before Mussaf in the Main Minyan, and at 7:15 PM before Mincha.

He will also be speaking at 8:20 PM in the South Shore gym, 1170 William Street,Hewlett, NY 11557

Sunday June 9 Breakfast talk Roslyn Synaguge Lecture and full catered breakfast follows 8:30 AM Shacharit, Reservatuibs reqyested: $36 oer adyktm $15 per child ages 5 through 12.

Speaker: Rabbi Marvin Tokayer

Breathing YI of Hewlett, downstairs 10:30 AM Seminar on Breathing for stress relief

Kulanu Fair 12:30 PM to 5 PM Cedarhurst Park, Cedarhurst NY Fun for the youngsters. Also, come meet The Jewish Star Editor Malka Eisenber and new Publisher Ed Weintrob.

Tuesday June 11 HASC Honor Haim Chera Ninth Annual Real Estate Dinner Tuesday, June 11th 666 Fifth Avenue, 23rd Floor, New York, NY 10019 Cocktail Dinner 6:30 PM, Business Attire www.hasc.net/dinner or call 718-686-5912

HEAD TO KULANU FAIR THIS SUNDAY

Monica Rzewski/Herald

Kulanu Center for Special Services will hold their annual fair on Sunday, June 9 from 12:30 to 5 p.m. at Andre J. Parise Cedarhurst Park. The fair will include a ferris wheel, a giant slide, turbo tubs and an obstacle course, carnival game booths, pony rides, face painting, games, and refreshments.

Above, Abraham Ashville held his grandson, Ishai, and with his daughters, Talia and Michal, went down the giant slide at last year’s fair.

Wednesday Sunday June 19 June 23 Chai Lifeline 2013 Awards Dinner Marriott Marquis, New York Reception 6 PM, Dinner 7:15 PM For more information contact Sam Zaks at szaks@chailifeline.org Or call 212 699-6601.

Breast Cancer Update 2013 An evening of Innovation, Information and Insppiration 6:30 PM- 9 PM North Shore University Hospital Rust Auditorium 300 Community Drive, Manhasset No charge for event.

For more information call 516-734-8727.

Registration onlne: NSLIJCancerCare.org go to: Events -click on June 19th.

Annual Breakfast to benefit Madraigos: Helping Our Youth Step By Step Featured Speaker: Rabbi Kenneth Hain, Senior Rabbi of Congregation Beth Sholom of Lawrence.

Shlomie and Malkie Scharf 384 Donmoor Road Lawrence, NY 9:30 AM info@madraigos.org

Thursday June 27 Successful Interviewing Sid Jacobson JCC Thursday, June 27, 2013 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Sid Jacobson JCC 300 Forest Drive

East Hills, NY 11548 For more information, please contact: Suzanne Feiner, Connect to Care, sfeiner@fegs.org, 516-484-1545, ext. 214

Ongoing Against the Odds: American Jews & the Rescue of Europe’s Refugees 1933-1941 Museum of Jewish Heritage: Exhibit on the bureaucracy and national opposition to immigration of the Jews at that time. 36 Battery Pl New York, NY 10280 (646) 437-4202

Calling 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.

15

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Florida Real Estate BOCA RATON, FLORIDA THE VISTAS AT BOCA LAGO Stunning 2 BR, 2 New Bths, 2nd Fl. Fully Furn'd, New A/C, New Kit, Granite Countertop, Stainless Steel Appliances, New Tile Flr, Crown Molding Throughout, New Carpet, Flat Screen TV's, Terrace Overlooking Golf Course. Golf & Tennis Club Membership Avail. Close to All! Rent 3 month w/option to buy or Rent all year round. Walk to Clubhouse. Call Today! 516-457-6046

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Business/Opportunities

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Financial Aid if qualified. SCHEV authorized. Call 800-488-0386 www.CenturaOnline.com

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Auctions

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AUCTIONS June 19 TH • (10) Long Island Properties

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THE JEWISH STAR June 7, 2013 • 29 Sivan 5773

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