Independence Day pledge in question Page 5 Girls’ drama for life Page 11 Two best shwarma places in New York Page 13 HAFTR graduation photos Page 8
THE JEWISH
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VOL 10, NO 25 ■ JULY 1, 2011 / 29 SIVAN, 5771
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Rabbis and activists react to gay marriage vote By Sergey Kadinsky The month known for marriages will now include same-sex unions, following a closely watched June 24 vote by the New York State Senate recognizing gay marriage. Bitterly opposed by leading Orthodox organizations, the law makes New York the sixth and most populous state in the nation to recognize the unions. “It’s been an extraordinary year in Albany,” said Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos. “I voted against it, but members should be able to vote their own consciences. The law has very strong religious protections.” In the end, four Republicans came out in favor, breaking the tie, but only after Governor Andrew Cuomo assured them that clergy and religious institutions would be exempt from performing the ceremonies. “I believe we managed to craft a product that met the ends that we sought,” Poughkeepsie Republican Stephen Saland said in a statement. “Not enough I’m sure to satisfy religious entities that wanted no such bill to pass, but to afford them greater protection nonetheless.” Soon after the vote, Agudath Israel Executive Vice President Rabbi Chaim Dovid Zwiebel slammed the bill’s passage. “While the law permits religious groups to not recognize same-sex marriages with regard to their employment policies and employees’ benefits, it does nothing to protect such groups from being penalized for their position, for instance being denied government funding for their social service projects,” Rabbi Zwiebel said. Advocates of same-sex unions disagreed, arguing that if a Jewish organization does not check an employee’s adherence to other mitzvoth, personal relations should also be overlooked. “Like taharas hamispacha, it’s a Continued on page 2
Cold;
so cold it cuts through the rags
that were once clothes, straight to the bone. A new column by Rabbi Binny Freedman, Page 3
Shabbat Candlelighting: 8:13 p.m. Shabbat ends 9:20 p.m. 72 minute zman 9:41 p.m. Torah Reading Parshat Chukat Rosh Chodesh Tammuz begins on Shabbat and Sunday
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Gay marriage reaction by leaders Continued from page 1 private issue. Harping on homosexuality is ridiculous,� said Queer Jewish Youth founder Mordechai Levovitz, who grew up in Lawrence. “The halachic issue should be making sure that they are not made fun of. Families suffer in silence and youths are at risk for suicide.� Another self-identified “gay Orthodox Jew� is Rabbi Steve Greenberg, a Yeshiva University alum who publicly came out in 1999. Greenberg said that while he would perform ceremonies of commitment, he would avoid kiddushin, arguing that the ritual was designed for heterosexual couples. Prior to the vote, he wrote a letter to Saland, concluding with a note on Rabbi Shmuel Salanter’s “liberal sense of goodness and fairness.� Greenberg concedes that it would be unlikely for Rabbi Salanter to endorse homosexuality. “I wanted Steve Saland to identify not with the Orthodoxy of his ancestor, but his sense as a leader in uniting the disparate elements of his community. This is a secular matter. After all, we wouldn’t want Catholic rules defining secular marriage law,� Greenberg said. With gay marriage dominating headlines, Rabbi Kenneth Hain of Congregation Beth Sholom said that parents should discuss the issue when asked about it by their children. “At the appropriate age, it should be discussed with our children. Homosexuals should be included, even if we feel opposed to the legislation,� Rabbi Hain said. “Hopefully in time we will find that balance, continuing to be open while affirming our principles.� Rabbinic leaders who lobbied the lawmakers understood that recent polls were tilting in support of gay marriage, but nevertheless felt a duty to speak out. “There is the halacha of rebuking even if someone won’t listen, you must rebuke them at least once,� said Rabbi Jonathan Muscat of Young Israel of Oceanside. “You need to express your opinion so that no one will say that you did not take a stand.� Rabbi Muscat said that if a child were to ask him about gay marriage, he would strike a balance between tolerance and Torah. “You can have good people who hold different and incorrect perspectives, but the Torah is our fundamental value. You have to have sympathy for the individual without condoning their behavior.�
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July 1, 2011 â&#x20AC;˘ 29 SIVAN, 5771 THE JEWISH STAR
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Cold; so cold it cuts through the rags that were once clothes... Cold; so cold it cuts through the rags that were once clothes, straight to the bone. There was a time this cold so occupied your very being you could concentrate on nothing else. But that was long ago. Darkness; so dark it sometimes seems more than the mere absence of light; it seems almost tangible. You vaguely recall a time when you were obsessed with determining exactly where you were, pacing in the darkness to examine your environs. You figured out you were in some sort of a concrete cell, perhaps six feet square, but not much more than that. You used to wonder what color the walls were, never having been allowed to see them, but that curiosity has long ago been replaced with more basic needs. Something scurries across the stone floor, FROM THE HEART running across your OF JERUSALEM bare foot. There was a time your screams would then echo into the darkness, but you no longer have the energy to even react. You don’t know what time it is, you don’t know what day it is; you’re not even sure what year it is. You used to try to figure out what season it was, and whether the cold damp Rabbi Binny on the walls and in the Freedman air was an indication of winter, but it seems to be cold here year round. And even if you could figure out what season it was, or even what year; what difference would that make? Does anyone know you are here? Does anyone still care? Could today be your birthday? Is anyone still thinking of you? Do they remember you? Do they even care? A sudden noise: the sound of metal on concrete, as a tray with some undistinguishable food substance slides through a slot in the cell door. You never figured out how they do that without making a sound, or letting in any light. You used to call out, screaming into the darkness, hoping for any response, any human voice… Do the guards wear padded shoes? And is your cell within a cell that prevents any light from entering with the opening of the grate in the door? Sudden panic; what if you are blind? What if they blinded you only it was so long ago, you just don’t remember? What if you are mad? The panic begins to rise, threatening to overwhelm you, and not for the first or even the thousandth time, you manage to get a grip, and hang on. But for how long? And to what end? If your name was Gilad Shalit, this might well be the life you have been living for the last five years. This past Shabbat, a silent, painful anniversary was marked: it is now five years since that fateful day in 2006 when Hamas terrorists tunneled beneath the
His face from that last walk, haunts me still... border fence coming up behind Israeli lines inside an IDF position and kidnapped Gilad Shalit. Five years since Gilad’s parents last saw their son; five years since Gilad last saw daylight, and five years since he could take for granted that the plans he had for the rest of his life: travel, university, marriage and children, would unfold as planned. Mention the name Gilad to any Israeli today and they will undoubtedly know exactly who you are talking about. Indeed one of the most controversial issues in Israel today is how much we should be willing to pay to bring one captured IDF soldier home? How many Arab terrorists, with how much blood on their hands, representing how many potential future lives lost should we be willing to free in order to live up to Israel’s and the Israeli army’s credo that no soldier is left behind.? I do not envy the politicians who have the difficult challenge of making this decision, but it seems we have already crossed this line long ago. Because if you ask many of these same Israelis who Zack Baumel, Tzvi Feldman, Yehuda Katz, Ron Arad, or Guy Chever are, (with the possible exception of Ron Arad, in IAF navigator shot down over Lebanon in 1986 and MIA ever since) many of them would probably have no idea. Yet if your name was Zack Baumel, this same daily routine might well be the reality you have been living with since the battle of Sultan Yacoub, in 1982. Yet, somehow, he, along with Yehuda Katz and Tzvi Feldman seem to have been all but forgotten. I remember first meeting Zack at Yeshivat Har Etzion when I came as a young American student eager to spend a year studying in Israel before heading off to college. I was a real ‘greener’ and long before programs became more accommodating to overseas students, those were the days when Israelis expected you to tough it out. But Zack, (perhaps because he had grown up in the U.S. only making aliyah at age 14) was an exception, and took me under his wing. I can still remember late night basketball games and discussions in the study hall and in the dorms and his wide grin as Zack told me of his plans to finally finish with the army (he was part of a Hesder unit whose boys sign up for five years instead of three in order to split their time between army service and Jewish studies) and attend university in the fall. It was the spring of 1982 and Zack aged
About Rav Binny Freedman Rav Binny Freedman, Rosh Yeshivat Orayta in Jerusalem’s Old City is a Company Commander in the IDF reserves, and lives in Efrat with his wife Doreet and their four children. His weekly Internet ‘Parsha Bytes’ can be found at www.orayta.org
This past Shabbat marks the fifth anniversary of Gilad Shalit’s capture by Hamas 22 had his whole life ahead of him; you could was pushing Yitzchak Rabin to sign the Oslo see on his face that after so many long years accords, he suddenly produced Zack Bauof service, he could taste it; he mel’s dog tags, and gave them was finally about to begin the to Uri Lubrani who was then the rest of his life . government official responsible And I can still remember, just for negotiating the safe return a couple weeks later, on that of these MIAs. Arafat promised fateful night in June, walking that if Rabin signed the accords him off to the bus that was waithe would furnish information ing to take him and his comrades as to how he got those dog tags up north, as life turned upside (especially as Syrian troops down, and the Lebanon War bewere seen taking over the area gan. I never imagined that night after the battle.) No such explathat it would be the last time I nations were ever forthcoming, would most probably ever see and Arafat took that information Zack Baumel. His face from that to his grave. Zack Baumel last walk haunts me still…. These men, Israel’s MIA’s, Just a few days later, in the represent the challenge of beterrible battle of Sultan Yacoub, ing alone. There is little in this Zack, along with the rest of his world that is more challenging, tank crew, went missing in the more painful, and more overmidst of the most intense battle whelming, than the feeling of of the first Lebanon war. being alone. Whatever our opinAnd most of all, I can still reion about the acceptable price member on my wedding day in worth paying for the safe return 1989, when his parents Yonah of Gilad Shalit, it behooves us as z”l and Miriam came over after well to ensure that the families our chuppah to say goodbye. I of Israel’s other MIAs feel equalfelt that it was too painful for ly enveloped by that same love them to stay, and as I looked into and solidarity. Tzvi Feldman Miriam Baumel’s eyes, the eyes If politicians today are sugof a mother who so desperately gesting we must pay any price just wanted to hug her long lost to bring Gilad home so that the son, it suddenly hit me; she had next generation of Israeli solnot been standing at my chupdiers will know they will never pah, she had been dreaming be left behind, then at the very of Zack’s: Who was the girl he least they need to make that might never meet? Would they same statement and be equally ever bounce his children, their determined regarding all of Isragrandchildren on their knees? el’s MIAs wherever and whoever Just a couple weeks ago, on they may be. June 11, another silent, painful anniversary was marked: it is Yehuda Katz now twenty-nine years since that fateful day in 1982 when Zack, Zvi Feldman and Yehuda Katz went missing. The Jewish Star is honored to welcome RabBut no-one marked this day, no newspaper bi Freedman as the new “From The Heart of articles asked where they are, and few Israe- Jerusalem” weekly columnist. lis even noticed. In 1993, when Yasser Arafat
THE JEWISH STAR July 1, 2011 • 29 SIVAN, 5771
Opinion
July 1, 2011 • 29 SIVAN, 5771 THE JEWISH STAR
4
Opinion Delta is ready when you are… Sunni Muslim
T
his week Delta Airlines received much criticism as Saudi Arabia Airlines joined the alliance of airlines, which Delta is a part of. As Saudi Arabia does not recognize Israel, as Saudi Arabia is known for grave human rights violations, and as Saudi Arabia requests information from its passengers regarding their religion in order to maintain some of their apartheid cities, Delta’s new bed partner is causing them some insomnia. “Ahalan wasalan and asalam alekem to all our passengers today, this is your faithful pilot, DAVID’S HARP Mahmood Mahmood. We are so glad to have you on board as we fly to the holy city of Mecca. We appreciate that many of you booked your flight through Delta Airlines. We know that Delta’s Chairman Daniel Carp and CEO Richard Anderson used some of your hard earned money to hire a PR company to send out press releases explaining that Delta Air Lines does not discriminate nor condone discrimination in regards David F. Nesenoff to age, race, nationality, religion or gender. Some airlines charge bag fees and pillow fees. We here at the Delta Saudi alliance group of airlines don’t even request surcharges from our passengers to compensate highpowered public relations firms. These companies assist us in projecting the image of non-bias as we fly to a city where most of you will need to jump out of the plane prior to our arrival as you are not permitted to step foot in Mecca because of your religion or gender. Please find a parachute under your seat at this time, which you will need to use about an hour before landing. “Our in-flight food and beverage service will begin in a moment. There is a slight charge for alcoholic drinks and Muslims will not be permitted to have any. However if you can declare that you are a non-Muslim, you will need to fill out a form acknowledging that you are a heathen, infidel and a lover of Satan, and then we will gladly provide you with a Michelob. Our duty free shop is now open and credit cards are accepted with a driver’s license. Since Saudi Arabian women are not permitted to drive they should have their husbands pay. If they do not have a husband and are gay, then kindly inform the flight
attendant. Saudi Arabian law does not permit such deviant behavior and the penalty is a public execution by beheading, although lashing is on occasion mercifully followed by imprisonment. All HIV infected passengers will be deported immediately. “Please be assured that there is no need to fear any embarrassment from any of these Saudi laws as freedom of speech, the press and other forms of media, including television and radio broadcasting and Internet, are actively censored by the Saudi government. That is why you haven’t really heard very much about the thousands of beheadings in the last decade and the government hand and feet amputations of those found guilty of stealing. “We ask you to understand that we do not just discriminate against all religions, genders, races and nationalities except for Muslims. We can confidently say, in no uncertain terms, that we thoroughly discriminate against all non-Sunni branches of Islam as well. “And by the way, our in-flight film will begin in a moment, the headset is free, but please return it afterwards, if you wish for your hands to remain attached to your arms. The movie today is ‘Saudi Arabia, What a Country’ featuring most of the 9-11 terrorists as 15 of them were Saudi nationals. Also the movie highlights our very own Jerry Lewis of telethons where Saudi Arabia raised money to pay 102 families who were awarded $5,000 each for proudly having a suicide bomber relative. You’ll also see that Saudi Arabia was on NBC news, which reported that 55 percent of foreign soldiers fighting against Americans in Iraq are… yes, you guessed it, Saudi Arabians. And even British news is featured explaining how Saudi Arabia seems to have difficulty in convicting Saudi nationals for financing terrorism. Osama bin Laden, Saudi, of course. And who charges over $100 for a barrel of oil, Saudi Arabia, that’s us. Finally, what’s a Middle East cinematic story without an Arab Spring; you’ll see that we shot bullets at Shiite protesters, hitting many who had to be carried away. “Yes this is going to be some flight, and Delta helped. Remember just because Delta is now joined with Saudi Arabian Airlines, nothing has really changed about Delta except maybe their slogan. They are thinking of going from ‘We love to fly and it shows’ to ‘We love to fly with racist Sunnis, and make a buck no matter what values we need to give up… and it shows… who we are.’ Thank you for choosing Delta.”
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What you should know about the second Gaza flotilla
T
his week, ten boats carrying approximately 600 anti-Israel activists will be approaching the waters surrounding the Gaza Strip. It is not known whether there will be some sort of confrontation as there was last year when a flotilla, run by Turkish terrorists, attacked members of the IDF as they attempted to board the ship and turn it around. What is known is that the mainstream media, which is not a big fan of the Jewish State, will misrepresent the flotilla. So what follows is some of the background on the boat trip that the mainstream media will not tell you: Purpose: The purpose of the second Gaza flotilla is the same as the first, to delegitimize the Jewish State of Israel and turn her into a pariah nation. During the past year, the HamasPOLITICO run Gaza has opened new shopping malls, theme parks TO GO and resort hotels. Not shabby for an area supposedly being strangled by an Israeli naval embargo. As for humanitarian aid, Israel transfers 5,000 to 6,000 tons of humanitarian supplies per day to Gaza. Who is behind it? This flotilla has many parents, however the two most significant are leftist Americans and Turkish terrorists. The Americans have named their boat after their favorite American, President Obama. Called the Audacity of Hope, their hate boat includes progressive activists, long term supporters of the Palestinian cause and 9/11 “truthers” (people who believe 9/11 was an inside job.) Some of the passengers include: Greta Berlin, a member of the anti-Semitic InternaJeff Dunetz tional Solidarity Movement (ISM); Linda Durham, who was part of the Gaza protests in 2009 supported by former Presidential candidate Senator John Kerry and led by Bernadette Dohrn, the wife of longtime Obama ally Bill Ayers. Hedy Epstein, board member of both the St. Louis Workers Rights Board and the Palestine Solidarity Committee, which in the past has endorsed PLO terrorist activity. Code Pink activist Ridgely Fuller; Kathy Kelly, a longtime pacifist, who was honored by the Chicago Communist Party; Richard Levy, member of the Progressive Jewish Alliance, who sued the Simon Wiesenthal Center to stop them from building a tolerance center in Jerusalem on what he claimed was a Muslim cemetery; Ray McGovern of Veteran Intelligence Professionals for Sanity, who was one of 100 “prominent Americans” who signed an Oct. 2004 statement circulated by 911Truth.org calling on the government to investigate 9/11 as a possible “inside job.” Robert Naiman, peace activist who attended a meeting in Sept. 2010 with Iranian President Ahmadinejad, and Continued on page 6
Yankie & Luzer For America’s Birthday. It’s already the Second of Tammuz?
5
One nation under question: An Independence Day message
S
unday June 19th, 2011, two weeks ago, witnessed yet another sad episode in the struggle for the soul of America. During the opening broadcast of the U.S. Open, NBC showed a montage that included children reciting the pledge, but the words “under G-d” and “indivisible” were omitted twice. The reaction by an alert and devout public was immediate and fierce prompting an apology, prompt, but lame. Controversy over these phrases in the pledge has dogged us for over the last half century since its adoption. As Jews, any public mention of G-d has always evoked an element of sensitivity. As Alan Jay Gerber the faith that brought the belief in one G-d to the world we have always taken pride in its adoption, in however a modified form, by other faiths and civilizations. A recently published book, “The Pledge: A History of the Pledge of Allegiance” [St. Martins Press, 2010] by journalists Jeffrey Owen Jones and Peter Meyer, goes into some detail on the origins of the pledge and the “under G-d” flap.
The first public use of the term “under G-d” according to the authors was during a pledge recitation on February 12, 1948, at a Lincoln’s Birthday celebration in Chicago at the Illinois Society of the Sons of the American Revolution recited by their Protestant chaplain Louis A. Bowman. The authors claim that Bowman wanted the pledge to reflect the words Lincoln used in his famed Gettysburg Address: “This nation under G-d, shall have a new birth of freedom and that government of the people, by the people, for the people shall not perish from the earth.” Much has been written concerning Lincoln’s intent in the use of G-d’s name both here and in many other speeches throughout his life. For a brief, yet comprehensive analysis of this I refer the reader to James Piereson’s essay, “Under G-d” from The Weekly Standard of October 18, 2003. By 1951 the politically powerful Knights of Columbus, a Catholic group, joined the movement to include “under G-d” into the text of the pledge thus gaining a whole new set of religious advocates nationwide. By the spring of 1953 the first congressional resolution supporting inclusion was introduced thus setting the stage for a final resolution to this issue. According to Jones and Meyer, the event that finally brought this issue to a head took place on February 7, 1954 at the New York
Celebrating Our 24th Year
Avenue Presbyterian Church in the presence of President Eisenhower, who frequently attended services there sitting in the very same seat once occupied by President Lincoln. On that date the Rev. George MacPherson Docherty delivered an impassioned sermon in tribute to Lincoln wherein he, “hit every point of political and religious patriotism of the day. He focused specifically on what he considered the missing element of the pledge that he noticed when hearing his children recite it.” In rousing tones the reverend stated, in part, the following: “There was something missing in this Pledge and that which was missing was the characteristic and definitive factor in the ‘American Way of Life.’ Indeed, apart from the mention of the phrase, the United States of America, this could be the Pledge of any Republic. In fact, I could hear little Muscovites repeat a similar Pledge to their hammer and sickle flag in Moscow with equal solemnity, for Russia is also a republic that claims
to have overthrown the tyranny of kingship.” Further on he states, “In Jefferson’s phrase, if we deny the existence of the ‘G-d who gave us life,’ how can we live by ‘the liberty he gave us at the same time?’ This is a G-d fearing nation.” Other themes that are fully enumerated in this valuable book were woven into the texture of the reverend’s remarks that helped further to convince Eisenhower of the justice of this cause. Thse words ultimately prompted Eisenhower to sign the bill adopting “under G-d” that very next June 14th, 1954, Flag Day. The sentiments uttered that day, fifty seven years ago, have not diminished among the American People today as witnessed by the spontaneous reaction two weeks ago this Sunday. As we are about to celebrate, once again our nation’s birth I trust and hope that these sentiments will come to also resonate among those who are in power today in our nation’s capitals.
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THE JEWISH STAR July 1, 2011 • 29 SIVAN, 5771
The Kosher Bookworm
July 1, 2011 • 29 SIVAN, 5771 THE JEWISH STAR
6
Parshat Chukat
Hebrew only please!
A big Og? Ugh! I
n the battles that round out the end of Parshat Chukat, Moshe and the Israelites defeat Sichon and Og, and their respective nations. Before the battle with Og, Moshe is told by G-d not to fear for “I have given him into your hands.” (21:34) The Torah describes both kings as “giants,” though the nature of their actual size is never discussed in the Torah itself. The size of Og’s bed is mentioned in Devarim 3:11, but it was nowhere near the height of a tall tree. The Talmud (Niddah 64a) further tells us the two kings were brothers, and the rabbis talked about their individual stories, including discussions about how they each merited the longevity they enjoyed Rabbi Avi Billet in their lives. Some accounts indicate they may have been living since the time of the flood (around 800 years – See Rabbenu Bachaye on Bamidbar 21:34) while others say they were living from the time of Avraham (500 years). The one with greater merits was Og, who is attributed with being the “palit” or refugee from the Sdom war of Bereishit 14, who came to tell Avraham about his nephew Lot’s capture. It was the merit of helping Avraham save Lot that caused Moshe to fear Og’s infallibility (Niddah 64a). Moshe was more concerned with Og’s merits more than his size. The Talmud (Brachot 54b) describes the battle encounter of Moshe against Og. “Og uprooted a mountain of three parasangs and placed it on his head [to cover the Israelite camp with it.] G-d set grasshoppers upon it, and they burrowed a hole in the mountain and it fell round his neck. He tried to pull it off his head with his teeth but could not… How tall was Moshe? Ten cubits. He grabbed hold of an axe ten cubits long, leaped ten cubits, struck Og in the ankle and killed him.” On a simple literal level, Moshe was no slouch himself. A height of ten cubits would be somewhere between fifteen and twenty feet tall. While such a height is not something we see as likely, it is almost in the realm of the explainable. At the same time, if Og’s ankle was 30 cubits high, we can only imagine how big he was – a few hundred feet tall! He would make King Kong (25 feet) look smaller than a teddy bear in his eyes. In an article entitled “The biology of King
Kong” (Forbes.com, December 2005) the author quotes John Hutchinson, a researcher of large animals, who estimated Kong would weigh anywhere from 20 to 60 tons. He would not be athletic and would barely be able to move, supporting such weight on two legs. In his book “Sacred Monsters” Rabbi Natan Slifkin indicates a giant of such magnitude (skyscraper height) would weigh in the millions of pounds. Given that the indicated height of Og as suggested in the Talmud is likely not meant to be taken literally due to the biological improbability, how then are we to understand the Talmud? In an essay that appeared in “Professors on the Parashah,” Bar Ilan Prof. Admiel Kosman quotes the Rashba, who explains each image as a metaphor to merits. “The “mountain” that was Og’s weapon alludes to the merits of our patriarchs,” in his case Avraham, whom he had helped to save his nephew. “The grasshoppers, an allusion to the prayers of the Israelites, caused the merits of this “mountain” to disintegrate… Moses joined in the fray, countering the merits of Og with three other merits: the merits of the patriarchs (ten cubit leap into the past) Moses’ own personal merits (ten cubits tall); and the merits of the people of Israel as a whole (ten-cubit ax)…. All these formed the weapon that Moses wielded against the merits of Og, and through them Og was ultimately vanquished.” The Maharsha (Brachot 54b) wonders why Moshe would be concerned that the merit of the forefathers would work more strongly for Og than for Moshe himself. He suggests instead that Og carried with him “Kochot HaTumah” (strength of impurity) that could come head to head with Moshe’s spiritual powers. He suggests that the 10-cubit ax represents the merit of the 2 tablets which contained the 10 Commandments. The 10-cubit jump represents the Mishkan which was 10-cubits tall, and had been erected by Moshe all by himself. Not everything we read in the Torah and Midrashim is meant to be taken absolutely literally. While some things can be rationalized and explained as a supernatural creation or act of G-d, not everything must be explained in such a manner. We are challenged to find satisfactory explanations for the Aggadic tales that are difficult to explain on a simple level. Only when we have sought the depths of Torah and its lessons to the point we are happy with the explanations can we truly say we have fulfilled our obligation of Torah study.
Second flotilla: you should know Continued from page 4 other leaders of the “peace and social justice movements.” And also author Alice Walker who wrote “The Color Purple” and Medea Benjamin, founder of Code Pink. According to Leslie Cagan, former cochairman of Committees of Correspondence for Democracy and Socialism and coordinator of the American boat, the Audacity of Hope, will not be carrying any aid, simply letters. The group has received support by the Progressive Democrats of America, a group whose leadership includes Democratic politicians such as: John Conyers, Donna Edwards, Raul Grijalva, Barbara Lee, Jim Mc-
Govern, Lynn Woolsey and Dennis Kucinich. On other flotilla boats, there are terrorists from the Turkish organization IHH, which was involved in the deadly IDF raid on the Mavi Marmara in last year’s Gaza flotilla. Additionally two of the people participating in the flotilla have connections to Hamas. The first is Amin Abu Rashad, one of the Dutch organizers for the Gaza flotilla who had served in the past as the head of Hamas’ Charitable Foundation in Holland which was closed down by Dutch authorities, due to involvement in funding terror activities. The other Hamas figure is Mohammed Ahmed Hanon who is the head of the ABSPP,
A Jewish newspaper should have a Hebrew column. So here it is. We will try to maintain a level of vocabulary so that it will be easy enough for students to read and interesting enough for those more fluent to enjoy.
A famous story of Rabbi Nachman
By Rabbi Noam Himelstein
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. which is involved in transferring funds to terrorists. Just like last year, this guerilla flotilla is being launched under the false pretext of providing humanitarian assistance. But if humanitarian aid was their goal, they would send any supplies through Egypt, a solution which was offered last week. The truth is that this flotilla is being run by radicals within the American progressive movement and terrorists, designed to serve their extremist political agenda. Sadly this flotilla holds the potential for dangerous consequences. According to the IDF, some of the flotilla participants have prepared sacks with sulfur, which they plan to pour on the soldiers as they board the vessels. “This is a chemical weapon, and if poured
on a soldier it can paralyze him,” an IDF source told The Jerusalem Post. “If the sulfur is then lit on fire, the soldier will light up like a torch.” The objective of these “ships of fools” has nothing to do with helping the people of Gaza, or promoting peace. Its purpose is to delegitimize Israel and kill Jews. Jeff Dunetz is the Editor/Publisher of the political blog “The Lid” (www.jeffdunetz.com). Jeff contributes to some of the largest political sites on the internet including American Thinker, Big Government, Big Journalism, NewsReal and Pajamas Media, and has been a guest on national radio shows including G. Gordon Liddy, Tammy Bruce and Glenn Beck. Jeff lives on Long Island.
7 THE JEWISH STAR July 1, 2011 • 29 SIVAN, 5771
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July 1, 2011 • 29 SIVAN, 5771 THE JEWISH STAR
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Mensch on the street
By Ariel Rosenbloom
Why are you proud to be an American? “On a personal level, I have a special appreciation because its soldiers liberated my parents from the holocaust.”
“I’m proud because America is a capitalist country that recognizes everyone’s individual freedom, doesn’t discriminate, and gives everyone the ability to rise to the top.” YOSEF LIEBERMAN marketing executive, Far Rockaway “We are able to express our religious beliefs. Especially in the Five Towns, we have the opportunity to raise our children and provide for them financially.” CHAIM CHAYT owner of “Goldmine Jewlers”, Cedarhurst
“Lots of kosher food, lots of Jewish people, and freedom of speech.”
RABBI ZEV MEIR FRIEDMAN Rosh Mesivta at RAMBAM MESIVTA, Lawrence
RACHEL BLACK seminary student in Israel, TAG graduate, Lawrence
“Well, most of my family lives here and I feel very happy that on Sundays I don’t have to be stuck in school and I get to enjoy the park.”
“It’s the land of religious freedom for all. There are so many different ethnicities in Cedarhurst and it’s great to know so many people.”
LEA BOOK 9 and a half years old Bais Yaakov of Queens, Kew Gardens
WENDY BOARON volunteer at Levi Yitzchak Library, Cedarhurst
Photos of the week... around town Photo courtesy of Michael Steinberg
Young Israel of Far Rockaway marked its 46th anniversary with a dinner at the Ateres Nechama Liba Simcha Hall. Among those celebrating were the shul’s Vice President Nochum Wolf, Rabbi Shaul Chill, and shul President Michael Steinberg.
Photos courtesy of HAFTR
Above: HAFTR graduates Ethan Zanger, Josh Abramowitz, and Jonah Adelsberg smile with pride at their graduation. Right: HAFTR High School’s Class of 2011 celebrated their graduation with more than 1,500 attendees on June 23, at York College. Featured speakers included Valedictorian Rebecca Klahr and Salutatorian Lauren Hoffman.
Every year, the Lawrence Association presents its Good Citizen Award to local graduating students who display extraordinary character, a deep commitment to service in their schools and community, and overall excellence in their academic studies. This year’s honoree is HAFTR senior Lana Maidenbaum, who was commended for her work by her principals Naomi Lippman and Rabbi Gedaliah Oppen and Nassau County Legislator Howard Kopel. If you have a photograph with a description, from local or afar, please submit to: newsroom@thejewishstar.com
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By Brigitte Fixler When Shakespeare wrote “all the world’s a stage,” he must not have been thinking of frum actresses. Because until very recently, there have been few local outlets for religious girls to express themselves, which is why West Hempstead resident Rina Hirsch founded the Drama for Life! theater program for girls on Long Island. Since its inception in 2004, the program has given hundreds of girls the ability to show off their dramatic sides in a fun and Torah observant environment. “I realized that there was a need in our community to give girls the opportunity to express themselves in the arts, as we ladies are very limited in that respect,” Hirsch said. “I feel I’ve been able to fill a void in our community.” What began as a small program for elementary school girls quickly expanded over the past seven years to include a track for older girls. This year, for the first time, Drama for Life! was open to collegiates as well. On May 22, the younger girls of Drama for Life! performed “Beauty and the Beast” at Lawrence High School. The show was followed by a women’s only production of “Ella Enchanted” by the high school and collegeaged D4L Players. The proceeds from both shows benefited Madraigos, a nonprofit organization in the Five Towns. Na’ama Rosenberg, associate director and stage manager of Drama for Life! directed and wrote the script for “Ella Enchanted.” She said that drama is a great outlet and has helped many shy girls to come out of their shells.
“[Drama creates a] safe environment to deal with social conflict,” Rosenberg said. “There’s no fear of rejection, since they’re playing a role.” There are many other benefits to drama. Yocheved Kolchin, the assistant director and choreographer of “Beauty and the Beast,” said that drama teaches girls commitment, teamwork, and instills confidence. “It really builds self-confidence, presenting in front of people,” Kolchin said. “Girls who’ve returned to the program move more confidently. The way they present themselves [carries over] into their everyday life.” Kolchin was Rina Hirsch’s very first drama student, and is currently majoring in drama and English at Queens College. She says she has learned many positive lessons from her own experiences with drama. “A lot of things I’ve been learning in drama classes jive with Judaic ideas,” Kolchin said. “When you act, you need to put yourself in other people’s shoes. This helps with the idea of judging other people favorably. Drama helps us understand people.” Kolchin had worked backstage at several Drama for Life! productions while she was in high school. In 2009, the first year of the older girls’ program, Kolchin acted as Bert in “Mary Poppins.” Last year, she was the assistant director in “Wizard of Oz.” “There isn’t so much of an outlet for [Orthodox girls]; there are so many ways we can’t let loose,” Kolchin said. “It’s important to have an outlet where it’s ok to let loose.” Kolchin said that one of the biggest challenges that Drama for Life! faces is deciding which play to perform each year. “It’s difficult to find a play with good morals to show
THE JEWISH STAR July 1, 2011 • 29 SIVAN, 5771
Girls’ drama for life
Photo courtesy of thevuesonline.com
The Drama for Life! program for local young women provides an outlet of empowerment, self expresssion and fun. to the frum community,” she said. “We need a good play that will [also] be fun.” Drama for Life! has been that outlet for numerous girls. The program is inclusive, and has even accommodated girls on the autism spectrum. Drama for Life! is open to all girls, whether they have previous experience or not. “At the end of this play, I got a lot of really nice emails from parents saying what their daughters got out of the program,” Hirsch said. “It made me feel that this is about more [than just the play]; this is about giving these girls self-esteem.” In previous years, the program has served the Five Towns, Far Rockaway, and West Hempstead; Hirsch and Rosenberg are now
thinking of offering a class in Queens, if there is enough interest. “It keeps growing, and we’re excited for it to keep growing,” Rosenberg said. “Every year, we try to assess and answer the needs of the community.” The community, thus far, has been very receptive to the idea of Drama for Life! and to Hirsch and Rosenberg’s mission. “We believe that everyone has talent; there’s no one star of the show,” Rosenberg said. “Each child is a star, and a very integral part of the play. We’re trying to create a positive empowering experience; the play is almost a byproduct.”
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July 1, 2011 • 29 SIVAN, 5771 THE JEWISH STAR
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ON THE
Calendar
The Jerusalem Post Crossword Puzzle
Submit your shul or organization’s events or shiurim to jscalendar@thejewishstar.com. Deadline is Wednesday of the week prior to publication.
July 2
July 6
CHABAD OF THE FIVE TOWNS is holding an Oneg Shabbat for children with special needs and their families. Program includes games and songs. The event will be held at 3:30 p.m. at the Srulovich residence, located at 622 Aurbuckle Avenue in Woodmere. For more information, contact Batsheva at 516-295-2478 ext. 13 or batsheva@ chabad5towns.com
ONE ISRAEL FUND is holding its second annual Five Towns barbecue and wine tasting at the home of David & Malkie Neuberg, located at 7 Manor Lane in Lawrence. Funds raised at the event will be used to obtain medical and security equipment for Jewish communities in Judea and Samaria. The fund also continues to assist families displaced from Gush Katif. The cost per couple is $125. For more information and sponsorships, contact Ruthie at 516-239-9202 ext. 10.
Friendship Circle for special needs
July 3
Kalever Rebbe in Forest Hills
CHAZAQ is hosting Rabbi Moshe Taub, the Kalever Rebbe of Williamsburg. A Hungarianborn holocaust survivor, the rebbe will share his insights and give blessings on child-rearing, marital harmony, and livelihood. The event will take place at Congregation Beth Gavriel, located at 66-35 108 Street in Forest Hills. The rebbe will be meeting with the public from 1 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. For more information, contact 718-285-9132 or Info@Chazaq.org.
July 4
Gimmel Tammuz farbrengen
CHABAD OF THE FIVE TOWNS, located at 74 Maple Avenue in Cedarhurst, is holding a farbrengen in observance of the Sixth Rebbe’s famed release from Russian prison. Rabbi Elkanah Shmotkin will present never-before-seen documents on the Rebbe’s early life. Rabbi Shmotkin is the Director of Jewish Educational Media and is co-author of the upcoming book, “The Rebbe’s Early Years.” Light refreshments will be served. The event begins at 8p.m. The suggested donation is $18. For more information, contact 516-295-2478
July 5
Shidduchim to abuse: modern orthodox dilemmas
GREAT NECK SYNAGOGUE, located at 26 Old Mill Road in Great Neck is hosting psychologist and columnist Michael J. Salamon, who will speak on the topic of “From Shidduchim to Abuse: The Social-Psychological Dilemmas of the Modern Orthodox Jew.” Dr. Salamon is the director of the Adult Development Center and the Hewlett-based ADC Psychological Services. The event begins at 8:30 p.m. For more information, contact 516-4876100.
BBQ and wine tasting fundraiser
Influence of Yiddish humor
FRIEDBERG JCC, located at 15 Neil Court in Oceanside, is hosting historian Kenneth Libo, who will be speaking on the influence of Yiddish humor on American culture, including Yiddish expressions and contributions to theater and film. Libo is a professor at Hunter College and former editor at the English edition of The Forward. The event begins at 2 p.m. Suggested donation is $6. For more information, contact 516-766-4341.
July 13-15
Cedarhurst sidewalk sale
CEDARHURST BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT is holding its Sidewalk Sale, with deep discount sales, music, food, and other entertainment. The event will take place at Cedarhurst and Central Avenues. The fair hours are on July 13 from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; on July 14 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; and on July 15 from 10 a.m. to closing. For more information, contact Teri Schure at info@shopcedarhurst.com
Ongoing Recession support group
THE JCC OF THE GREATER FIVE TOWNS is sponsoring a support group for the economically distressed. Key themes will include unemployment, financial issues, empowerment and support. The meetings are held on Thursday mornings at 10:30 a.m. at Temple Israel, located at 140 Central Ave in Lawrence. This group is part of Connect to Care, an initiative funded by UJAFederation of NY. For further information and to pre-register, contact Talia Rapps at 516-569-6733 x213.
Community Bais Medrash
YOUNG ISRAEL OF QUEENS VALLEY, located at 141-55 77 Avenue in Kew Gardens Hills is hosting a weekly Torah learning event for men, to learn any topic with a kollel member of Yeshivas Chofetz Chaim. Every Wednesday from 8:15 p.m. to 9:15 p.m. Contact Rabbi Noach Rabovsky at 561702-9351 or noach.rabovsky@gmail.com
By David Benkof
Across
1. The ones over there 6. Bat ___ 9. Street ___ 13. Shemer and Wolf 14. Doc bloc 15. ___ Nagila 16. October 1981 assassination victim 18. Felon Boesky 19. Shade of blue 20. Anne and Margot’s mother 22. ___ Sinai 23. Auth. unknown 24. Not square 25. J___ (matchmaking Web site) 27. Wide’s partner 28. Letter before nun 31. Is appropriate for 33. Egyptian river 35. Bring down 36. It’s a free country 37. Pesto base 38. Daredevil’s trait 40. Wins and ___ 41. Queen, maybe 42. “And it was evening and it was morning, one ___” (Genesis 1:5) 43. French friends 44. Poetic contraction 45. Clobber 47. Uris hero 50. New Jersey Sen. Frank 54. Competes 55. D-I connector 56. “Love Story” novelist 58. Singer Guthrie 59. Particular rodent 60. “The Jews of ___ after the Black Death” by Anna Foa 61. Lichtenstein and Cohn 62. End of some Jewish names 63. College bigwigs
Down
1. Work that’s popular within Chabad 2. “Spartacus” novelist 3. Arab League member 4. Moses Montefiore, e.g. 5. Dead Sea sect 6. Archeologist Yigael 7. Amo, amas, ___ 8. Walter who played Oscar Madison 9. Wake-up call? 10. Oft-cited Talmudic voice
11. ___ and Jaron (Jewish pop duo) 12. Dungeonlike 13. Post-Torah Bible 17. Big deal 21. Terrorist’s weapon 23. One who showed up 26. ___ HaTorah (outreach organization) 27. It has many keys: Abbr. 28. 1989 Shoenberg/Boublil hit musical 29. “Night” author Wiesel 30. Blanc and Brooks 31. Vamp Theda 32. “Voice of Israel” author Abba 33. Some undergraduate degs. 34. Rabbi Judah Ha-___ (editor of the Mishnah) 36. Conservative teen org. 39. Salaried employees 40. Enjoyed Joy Behar’s show 44. Community spirit 45. God 46. Seminary for the “fourth” mvt. 48. Harvests 49. Cyprus, e.g. 50. Sitcom producer Norman (“All in the Family”) 51. ___-American 52. Nasty 53. B’nei ___ 54. Portland Mayor Katz, 1993-2005 57. Take to court
Answers will appear next week
Last week’s answers
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in with a little Americana, such as buffalo wings and hotdogs. At the center of Golan Heights’s offerings is the shwarma. Perfectly seasoned and exquisitely prepared, the shwarma at Golan Heights is, in my opinion, the best shwarma outside of Israel. Once ordered, your shwarma is brought to the front counter where you can pick from a number of additions to add to your sandwich. My personal favorite is the shwarma lafa with hummus, fries, pickles, fried eggplant, and onions. If you feel especially daring you can add either their homemade s’chug, which is a thick Yemenite hot sauce made from red peppers, or amba, a sauce made from pickled mango. Each of these sauces adds their own distinct flavor which goes excellently with the grilled flavor of the shwarma. One of the things I love most about Golan Heights is that they have adapted to the requests of their customers. When I lived in Washington Heights, I remember a number of students requesting a chetzy-chetzy which is a half shwarma half schnitzel. Within days of those initial requests Golan Heights began serving the chetzy-chetzy as a regular menu item. The other restaurant that does shwarma right is at the other end of Manhattan, University Pita at 21 East 12th Street. Modeled directly after an authentic Israeli shwarma stand, University Pita, is not much more than a food stall that has a small dining area up a narrow flight of stairs. Despite having a cooking space that is smaller than most walk-in closets they make a mighty tasty shwarma. Eating at University Pita was wonderfully reminiscent of eating at one of the shwarma stands I frequented while I was in Israel, and reminded me of the time when I first developed a love for this simple street food. On
Photo by Zechariah Mehler
Shwarma from University Pita comes very close to Israeli authenticity. University Pita’s menu is their own hybrid item, the Shawafle. The Shawafle brings together the roasted fattiness of shwarma with the crispy tang of falafel. The result is a unique flavor and texture combination that is simply marvelous. The one downside of University Pita is that they use American style shoestring french fries which don’t make for a good addition to a lafa or pita sandwich. So if you’re just returning from your year in Israel and looking for a fix or just feeling nostalgic about the last time you walked down Rechov
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Yaffo, please check out these two restaurants. I promise you won’t be disappointed. Special Note: I have no doubt that there will be response to this article regarding Ali Baba’s on the Upper West Side. While I recognize that they have a very serious and loyal group of culinary fans I consider their shwarma to be less then substandard.
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Anyone who has ever been to Israel, be it for seminary, yeshiva, a family trip, on a business trip or through Birthright, will probably be willing to count shwarma amongst their favorite foods. For those not in the know, shwarma is mix of marinated meat (usually turkey, veal or lamb) and fat that is placed on a spit and then slow roasted. Often eaten in a pita or lafa, shwarma is unquestionably the most common street food in Israel. This omnipresence coupled with its low cost and THE KOSHER sheer deliciousness is CRITIC what so endears shwarma to Israeli tourists. The problem is that shwarma is a very complex dish to make and is nearly impossible to replicate in the home. Many American kosher restaurants make valiant attempts to replicate the common Israeli dish, but most times they fail to faithfully recreate the authentic Zechariah Mehler flavor of shwarma’s Middle Eastern roots. Thankfully out of the multiple dozens of restaurants that make the attempt there are two that succeeded. The first such place is Golan Heights, located at 2553 Amsterdam Avenue on the Yeshiva University Wilf Campus. Golan Heights opened seven years ago, and has been the most stable kosher restaurant in Washington Heights in the past thirty years. A modest-sized restaurant, Golan Heights serves a plethora of items that are common Israeli cuisine mixed
THE JEWISH STAR July 1, 2011 • 29 SIVAN, 5771
A street food called shwarma
Ask Aviva
Juggling Masters Dear Aviva,
My husband and I can’t seem to make ends meet. I know a lot of people have this problem. We are very, very frugal and can’t seem to tighten our belts any more. I am considering going back to school. I already have one semester of college credits from when I was single. But I am interested in going for a Masters, so it will be a very long haul. Is it a realistic goal to meet while still being a good wife, mother and homemaker? -Possible Juggler
Dear Possible Juggler,
Good for you! You have just completed the first step of attaining a degree—wanting it. Many people are in your situation, and many people have met their goals, while many have not even embarked on the road that would lead them there. Now that you’ve passed the first test of wanting it, it’s time to apply. Go online and just apply. Apply to any undergraduate program that seems like it could work for you. Apply to vocational programs that you might be interested in. Keep in mind proximity, cost, and level of difficulty. You should also look into distance learning. That has worked for a lot of moms. The commute time of going to real-time classes adds up. And in your situation, minutes are a hot commodity. I suggest jumping in. But jump in to ankle-deep waters. Pace yourself and take just one or two classes a semester. Don’t get me wrong—this will still add stress to your
life. But as long as you set up your environment properly, the stress won’t make you distressed. If you are not going to do an online degree, make sure that you schedule your classes realistically. If you have to grab your books and head off as soon as the kids are hopping off the bus, that’s kind of a bad recipe. If you can avoid this sort of situation, avoid it. Otherwise make sure that you have the childcare covered. I don’t want to see you scrambling last minute every Wednesday at 3:15 p.m. to farm out each kid to a different neighbor. And speaking of not neglecting your kids, just like you have classes rigidly scheduled, mark some quality time into your weekly schedule. There must be “mommy and me” time. You don’t have to take them for slurpees, but you do have to turn off your phone and focus on them. This way, when you have to study and opt out of a Sunday afternoon trip to the bowling alley, they will know that they have you to themselves later. Obviously, it will be hard for them and you to miss out on family events. This will be disappointing. If you tell them that you, like them, are sad and disappointed that you have to go to the library, this will help. Don’t take the position of, “Deal with it!” Instead, use this as an opportunity to identify and normalize negative emotions. And it almost goes without saying that if you want your marriage to remain strong and intact by the time you don the cap and gown, you will have to find time to nurture your relationship. A weekly date is advised. I
know it sounds unrealistic, so just try to hang out (distraction free) every 10 days or so. A date doesn’t have to mean going out. It can be an at-home date. Just as long as it is preplanned and uninterrupted. While we’re on the topic, how does your husband feel about this? Is he supportive? Does he recognize how this will be good for everyone? I hope he’s on board because there will be times when he will have to step up to the plate in a big way. No matter how involved he is already with the kids, cooking and housework, there will be times when he
will have to do more. Now for a little math lesson: If you are adding classes into your life, what can you subtract to keep you functional? Let your house get a little messier, and become a little more anti-social. Pick up the pieces when your wage increases. -Aviva Aviva Rizel is a Marriage and Family Therapist in private practice who can be reached at AvivaRizel.MFT@gmail.com.
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