July 6, 2012 by The Jewish Star

Sanitary district 1 election Page 3 Kosher Bookworm: Revisiting Munich Page 5 Who’s in the kitchen? smoothies Page 10 New immigration policy hailed Page 13

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VOL 11, NO 27 ■ JULY 6, 2012 / 16 TAMMUZ 5772 WWW.THEJEWISHSTAR.COM

Allegria Hotel: Back on top and out of the red

Yitzhak Shamir, Five Towner Allen Rosenberg z”l, 96, fighter, focuses on the future leader, true Zionist By Anthony Riﬁlato

By Malka Eisenberg Called a tiger, a rock and a giant, by admirers as well as adversaries, Yitzhak Shamir, the seventh prime minister of Israel, was at the forefront of much of recent Jewish and Israeli history and garnered respect for his honesty, stability, and beliefs. He died this past Shabbat at the age of 96. Shamir was Prime Minister of Israel from 1983 to 1984 and from 1986 through 1992, and Foreign from 1980 to 1986. “He was a great man,” said Rabbi Pesach Lerner, Executive Vice President, Emeritus, National Council of Young Israel. “He was an integral part of the modern State of Israel. He fought for the freedom of Israel throughout his life…part of the underground, the IDF, a leader in the government. He was a visionary, but pragmatic and realistic. He will be remembered as a true Jewish leader.” “Of all the prime ministers of Israel, Yizhak Shamir was the most principled,” said Rabbi Hershel Billet, Rav of the Young Israel of Woodmere. “He never bowed to external pressure. He was prescient when he said, even before the Oslo accords, that the Israelis do not have a “partner” in the Palestinians. Decades of Israeli leaders inYitzhak Shamir cluding members of Mr. Shamir’s own Likud party, including PM Ariel Sharon and the current PM Binyamin Netanyahu, continued to treat the Palestinians as partners. We paid a heavy price in Jewish blood because Shamir’s views were rejected.” “Shamir was a Jew and a Zionist,” said Naftali Bennett, formerly Benjamin Netanyahu’s chief of staff and co-founder of the movement MyIsrael. “He nevContinued on page 13

“This project is breaking the first rule in Real Estate 101: Don’t fall in love with the bricks,” said Allegria Hotel owner Allen Rosenberg, 49, sitting at a table in the hotel’s lounge overlooking the rooftop pool — the only one of its kind on Long Island — as guests and servers roamed about. “[The hotel] became a labor of love.” Rosenberg’s development company, Alrose King David LLC, which owns the hotel, filed for Chapter 11 protection in July 2011, claiming between $10 million and $50 million in liabilities to more than 50 creditors, but a year later, Rosenberg, dressed in tan linen pants and a light-colored dress shirt, seemed relaxed, and he had good reason to be. On June 18, U.S. Bankruptcy Court Judge Dorothy Eisenberg gave final approval to a reorganization plan allowing Alrose King David to emerge from bankruptcy and pay off or restructure its debts. “We’re very excited that we were able to navigate through one of the toughest recessions in U.S. history,” Rosenberg said. “It allows me to retain control of the hotel … The judge recognized that I was the right operator and had the right team in place.” The 143-room, nine-story Allegria, where guest rooms run from $300 to more than $1,000 a night, has had its shares of highs and lows since it opened in 2009. In 2007, Rosenberg, who owns the Manhattan-based Alrose Group, purchased the

Photo by Penny Frondelli

Allegria hotel owner Allen Rosenberg said that the hotel’s spa is expected to open next year, now that the property has emerged from bankruptcy. former King David senior-citizen home property for $21 million to build a boutique-style, oceanfront luxury hotel and spa with an upscale restaurant and other amenities.

“There was a niche to fill … it was just so obvious that this has to be a hit, especially with the Long Island Rail Road four blocks away, and Long Beach

Shabbat Candlelighting: 8:10 p.m. Shabbat ends 9:17 p.m. 72 minute zman 9:40 p.m. Torah Reading Parshat Balak. Sunday is the Fast of the 17th of Tammuz.

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July 6, 2012 • 16 TAMMUZ 5772 THE JEWISH STAR

Inside

The Jewish Star Classified Ads From the Heart of Jerusalem Hebrew Only Please! Kosher Bookworm Miriam’s Musings On the Calendar Parsha Politico to Go Who’s in the Kitchen

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Gilad Shalit welcomed by Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations Former Israel Defense Forces soldier and captive of the terrorist Hamas government in Gaza - and now sportswriter - Gilad Shalit, is welcomed to a special gathering of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations in celebration of world Jewry’s efforts and those of many righteous gentiles to secure his release after ﬁve years of captivity. Shown are (L-R) Malcolm Hoenlein (Executive vice chairman of the Conference), Sergeant Major Gilad Shalit, Great Neck resident Jeffrey S. Wiesenfeld and Richard Stone (chairman of the Conference).

Hebrew only please!

The Yitzchak Shamir you didn’t know In 1946, Yitzchak Shamir was arrested by the British for his activities in the Lehi and sent to prison in Eritrea. During his incarceration (and before he escaped!), he sent many letters to his wife, Shulamit. They were later published in a By Rabbi Noam book, and through Himelstein them we can study and appreciate his love for his wife, his country, and his people. 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.

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3 THE JEWISH STAR July 6, 2012 • 16 TAMMUZ 5772

Sanitary District 1 Election:

Vilardi looks ahead By Karen C. Green Appointed in 2005 to a seat vacated by then Commissioner Chester Cafasso and elected in 2007, Commissioner James Vilardi is running unopposed for reelection in the upcoming Sanitary District One election. Despite the fact that he faces no challenger, Villardi is looking forward to constituents coming to the polls on Monday night July 9 to vote. Embarking on his second five year term. Villardi currently serves alongside four other Sanitary Commissioners, Lino Viola, Frank Argento, Irving Kaminetsky and Harry Beltrani who as a cohesive body are constantly striving to strike a balance between budgetary constraints and improving the delivery of services. Vilardi and colleagues at the District are cognizant of meeting the needs of the community and make special note of the District’s efforts in addressing increased demand prior to the Passover holiday. “Ask any community leader about Passover collections, we went over and above. There was a policy in place that Mayor Parise, and former Mayor Jack Levenbrown of Lawrence established at train stations and we expanded on that. We mobilized to meet the needs of the community. We had trucks out till 6 p.m. that evening. We are very proud to deliver that level of service to accommodate con-

stituents.” Villardi, who describes himself as someone who is energized by what local government provides, is very proud of the management of District one. Currently, the district is projecting its budget for the next twenty-five years. “We are evaluating what the payroll is going to be. The district has older, higher paid sanitation workers aging out and younger workers are filling the vacancies earning lower salaries. There is an ability here to evaluate how much money is available for future capital projects.” Additionally, under Villardi’s tenure the District recently identified savings of $4,000 per worker for new hirees with the introduction of a revised health plan. The District’s audit committee which is under Vilardi’s purview recently scaled back the life insurance benefit policy for Commissioner’s, including himself. The 53 year old Hewlett resident who by day manages a real estate development company, and serves on the Nassau County Bridge Authority, strives to run the District like it’s a small business. “We utilize zero based budgeting. We look at every line item in the budget. We ask ourselves, do we really need it? How can we do this more cost effective? How can we do it better? Every line item is evaluated so we don’t have to raise taxes while at the same time we look at measures to improve service. “ Specifically

Sanitary District One Commissioner James Vilardi looks forward to serving constituents. Vilardi highlights the District’s cost effective management and realized savings by comparing 2011 $18M budget with the current 2012 $17.9M budgeted total. On the service side, the District engages a management roundtable, comprised of two commissioners, Superintendent Phil Mistero, Deputy Superintendent George Pappas, two union officials, and two rank and file sanitation workers with the prime purpose of increasing communication to improve service. The District just recently invested in a $ 7,500 customized computer software map-

ping system that can monitor the delivery of services in real time. “Often elected officials receive problematic constituent calls, and our response time is generally within the hour, “ noted Vilardi. The district continues to focus on recycling and improving efforts to comply with the Department of Environmental Conservation’s source separation mandate. In the coming months an E-waste program will be rolled out. Sanitary District One is located at 2 Bay Boulevard in Lawrence, behind Costco. Polls are open between 6 p. m. and 10 p.m.

Five Towner Allen Rosenberg focuses on the future Continued from page 1 being such a colorful, diverse community,” Rosenberg said. “This is definitely the platform for a year-round facility such as the Allegria, which can really offer four- or five-star accommodations and catering.” For years, a number of developers had proposed hotel projects that never got off the ground. The King David, which closed two years before Rosenberg bought the property, was already zoned for hotel use. Rosenberg, a native of Mill Basin, Brooklyn, who lives in the Five Towns, said that of all the properties he owns, the Allegria became a project close to his heart. He named the hotel after his late mother. The Solomon Schechter attendee, and Baruch College graduate additionally honored the memory of his late father, a Polish born Holocaust survivor, at the hotel’s rooftop venue, “Jack on the Rocks.” “There have always been developers that have come to this area to build a hotel, and they never did it,” he said. “I was for real — I put the money in and opened up the place. I knew that once we took off, there was no going back.”

A labor of love Things didn’t exactly go smoothly, Rosenberg acknowledged. After the economy tanked in 2008, he said, construction of the hotel went over-budget by approximately $25 million, and construction delays resulted in a late opening in the fall of 2009. “It was a big undertaking,” said Michael Kerr, president of the Long Beach Chamber of Commerce, adding that he believes the hotel has become an important part of the community, bringing in visitors and benefiting local businesses. “… [Rosenberg] is trying his best, and hopefully he’ll have a busy

summer and be able to do well.” “I was of the opinion, build it and they would come,” said former City Councilman Denis Kelly. “… [I]t’s just that they started to do it during the worst recession in years.” Efforts to build a spa fell through, and parking proved problematic as well. The hotel was given a temporary certificate of occupancy when it failed to meet all of the city’s off-street parking requirements, but Rosenberg said that Judge Eisenberg’s ruling would help him resolve those issues, though he declined to discuss specifics. Although the hotel received mostly positive reviews and business began to pick up in 2010, the property had racked up a number of liens from contractors who sued for money they claim they are owed. Additionally, Alrose owed both the City of Long Beach and Nassau County approximately $375,000 in back taxes. In 2010, after Alrose defaulted on a loan, Brooklyn Federal Savings Bank, which held the $38 million note on the property, began marketing the debt and threatened to foreclose. Rosenberg stood to lose the hotel and millions of dollars of his investment. He ultimately filed for Chapter 11, but stressed that the move had nothing to do with the hotel’s operations. “It would have killed me to see somebody take over this property after I put my heart and soul into it,” he said. “When you’re cre-

ating a new business in a brand new market, these things happen. But you can’t focus on the negativity. I had to keep my eye on the overall goal, which was to build the most successful and elegant hotel on Long Island. The formula was always correct, but there were growing pains.”

It would have killed me to see somebody take over this property after I put my heart and soul into it.

Out of the red

Rosenberg said that Eisenberg’s confirmation of the reorganization plan means that he can continue to focus on making the Allegria hotel an “icon” on Long Island. Court documents show that the principal value of the debt was cut from $38.2 to $24 million and list the property’s estimated market value at $22 million. The agreement also allows Rosenberg to pay any back taxes owed — officials said that he has already paid back the city — and pay a percentage of what Alrose owed to creditors. “The contractor liens, they end up going way,” said Louis Scarcella, an attorney with Farrell Fritz P.C., the firm that is handling the case for Rosenberg. “The tax debt has been paid, and reducing the bank debt down to $24 million makes it far more manageable.” Scarcella said that Rosenberg held roughly $4 million of his own money in escrow to help him pay back some debts. “Having a successful boutique hotel is an extremely important part of having a vibrant, dynamic downtown,” said City Manager Jack Schnirman, “and that’s why we are so pleased to see the Allegria moving forward

in a positive direction financially.” Rosenberg said that the hotel is finally starting to turn a profit, and that his new management team has been focusing more on attracting corporate clients, especially airlines. General Manager Mike Witte said that despite rumors that the hotel is “dead” in the offseason, the Allegria has survived three winters by hosting events and with a strong catering and restaurant business, which have driven room sales. Additionally, the Allegria welcomes all kosher caterers. With advance notice hotel guests can also have kosher food delivered to their rooms. According to Witte, the hotel attracts an average of 60,000 patrons per year, including hotel and banquet guests and restaurant and bar patrons. This past winter, he said, its occupancy rate was over 60 percent, a significant improvement over previous years. “We’re a year-round hotel,” Witte said. “We are trying different things to attract not only the local community, but people in the tristate area. We’re confident that the plan we have in place with Allen is the right direction.” The Atlantica restaurant, and hotel amenities that range from massage suites to surfing lessons, have also been a boost. Witte said that the Jack’s on the Rocks rooftop bar and lounge, which opened last year and boasts stunning ocean views, has become popular as well and will soon be offering brunch. The rooftop pool and deck is now open to the public Monday through Thursday, and the hotel recently launched a series of salsa, reggae and disco-themed nights. And now that the property is out of the red, the hotel’s eighth-floor spa is finally slated to open next year, Rosenberg said. “All of the growing pains are behind us,” he said, “and the vision is to become the crown jewel of Long Island.”

July 6, 2012 • 16 TAMMUZ 5772 THE JEWISH STAR

Opinion Chief Justice Roberts: Coward or Evil Genius B

oth sides of the political spectrum were shocked by the Court’s Obamacare decision. For weeks, discussions have surrounded whether the Justices would merely strike down the individual mandate or the entire law. The President and his supporters had already begun to attack the court as extremely conservative, racist, etc. Conservatives were already crafting which twitter hashtags they would use when the law was struck down. Obviously the progressive community POLITICO was overjoyed by the TO GO surprise Supreme Court decision upholding the vast majority of the Obamacare legislation. And I will admit that many of my conservative colleagues were ready to sit Shiva for the future of this country. There was another reaction by some conservatives called Justice Roberts is an Evil Jeff Dunetz Genius (OK maybe not evil but very crafty). Justice Roberts was seen as a strict constitutionalist, a conservative judge. But he is also aware of the role of the court in the constitution and its legacy. This theory says the Chief Justice purposely ruled in a way that would extract the court from the health care argument, but making a major victory for conservatives by limiting the government interference on our everyday lives, and making President Obama look bad by pointing out his tax vs. mandate hypocrisy. I don’t buy that argument in the least. At the heart of the argument is Robert’s decision to limit some significant government excesses. The ruling limited the broad interpretation of the Constitution’s Commerce and Necessary and Proper clauses significantly and it limited the Federal Government’s power to coerce the states into altering their laws. What that argument doesn’t take into account is by calling the mandate a tax, Roberts gave the government an end-around any assaults on the Constitution’s Commerce and Necessary and Proper clauses. The Chief Justice ruled the Obamacare mandate violated the Commerce Clause (joined by the Court’s

Chief Justice Roberts conservative justices) but he also said that the mandate fell within Congress’s power to tax (joined by the Court’s liberal justices). This restraint on federal power had no real restraint, and worse, the Chief Justice had to rewrite the statute, calling the mandate a tax, in order to salvage it. According to many reports, including the liberal-leaning CBS news, Roberts had originally voted against the law, but crumbled under the public pressure from the President and progressive groups. There were countless news articles in May warning of damage to the Court - and to Roberts’ reputation - if the Court were to strike down the mandate. Leading politicians, including the President himself, had expressed confidence the mandate would be upheld. Some even suggested that if Roberts struck down the mandate, it would prove he had been deceitful during his confirmation hearings, when he explained a philosophy of judicial restraint. According to the reports, it was around this time that it also became clear to the conservative justices that Roberts was, as one put it, “wobbly,” the sources said. That’s when Roberts came up with calling the mandate a tax gambit. Throughout the original Obamacare discussions in Congress, President Obama argued that the mandate was not a tax (as that would be a violation of his promise not to raise taxes on middle class Americans). During a Sept 20, 2009 appearance on

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the ABC Sunday Interviews program, This Week, George Stephanopoulos argued with the President about his contention that the individual mandate in Obamacare was not a tax increase, “That may be,” Mr. Stephanopoulos responded, “but it’s still a tax increase.” (In fact, uncompensated care accounts for about only 2.2% of national health spending today, but that’s another subject.) Mr. Obama: “No. That’s not true, George. The—for us to say that you’ve got to take a responsibility to get health insurance is absolutely not a tax increase. What it’s saying is, is that we’re not going to have other people carrying your burdens for you anymore . . .” In other words, like parents talking to their children, this levy—don’t call it a tax—is for your own good. Mr. Stephanopoulos tried again: “But it may be fair, it may be good public policy—” Mr. Obama: “No, but—but, George, you— you can’t just make up that language and decide that that’s called a tax increase....” However, during court arguments, the government said it was not a mandate but a tax. Immediately after the court decision was announced last Thursday, the White House went back to its position that the mandate was a penalty not a tax. On Friday, press secretary Jay Carney said the “penalty” would affect only about one percent of Americans, those who refuse to

STAR

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

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Karen C. Green Malka Eisenberg Helene Parsons Miriam Bradman Abrahams Rabbi Avi Billet Jeff Dunetz Juda Engelmayer Rabbi Binny Freedman Alan Jay Gerber Rabbi Noam Himelstein Judy Joszef Kristen Edelman Alyson Goodman Christina Daly Bari Zund

get health insurance. “It’s a penalty, because you have a choice. You don’t have a choice to pay your taxes, right?” Carney said. In the end, this decision gives the federal government unlimited power to impose new purchase mandates. The Supreme Court will find them constitutional as long as Congress calls them taxes. The Government wants you to buy a Chevy Volt? Put a major tax on those who don’t buy one. Hate broccoli? Tough! The government can now put a tax on Americans who don’t eat broccoli. Seem far-fetched? Well not after Justice Roberts’ decision. Understand that we almost never hear about the inner-workings of the Supreme Court, how votes change, etc. In fact, when the justices discuss cases and cast their initial votes, the meetings include only the nine members - no law clerks or secretaries are permitted. The justices are notoriously closelipped and so are their clerks. But there is nothing standard about this case, and word of Roberts’ unusual shift leaked widely within the Court, and is known among law clerks, chambers’ aides, secretaries and eventually the press. In the end, what makes the Supreme Court’s decision so disturbing, was the lack of independence of the court’s decision. Just imagine if the Warren Court listened to Democratic Party pressure that segregation was right for America. Whether one agrees or disagrees with the court’s decision, the fact is the reason behind the decision was wrong. Obamacare will always be the decision made by a Chief Justice who did not have the courage to take a stand either way—a jurist who reinterpreted a law instead of ruling on its constitutionality. Instead of doing his job, Chief Justice Roberts succumbed to pressure because he didn’t want to be remember as the man who struck down Obamacare—a very sad day for the constitutional separation of powers. Jeff Dunetz is the Editor/Publisher of the political blog “The Lid” (www.jeffdunetz.com). Jeff contributes to some of the largest political sites on the internet including American Thinker, Big Government, Big Journalism, NewsReal and Pajama’s Media, and has been a guest on national radio shows including G. Gordon Liddy, Tammy Bruce and Glenn Beck. Jeff lives in Long Island.

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Wishes a hearty mazel tov to our own Alan Jay Gerber and his lovely wife Helene Gerber on the birth of a grandson to their children Joey and Devorah Schmeltz. May he be a source of much nachas to the entire family and Klal Israel.

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The Three Weeks and reliving the tragedy of Munich 1972

n a recent essay entitled, “Ignoring Munich Massacre Reminds Us Olympics Are Pure Baloney” [Commentary, May 18, 2012] Jonathan Tobin makes the following observation: “In the history of the modern Olympic Games there have been many scandals but only one terrorist massacre. The 1972 Games in Munich will forever be remembered because Palestinian terrorists murdered 11 Israeli athletes there in cold blood. But this summer when the Games reconvene in London there will be neither an official remembrance nor even a moment of silence in honor of the fallen Israelis. Jacques Rogge, the president of the International Olympic Committee, flatly denied requests from the State of Israel and members of the United States Congress for a moment of silence at Alan Jay Gerber the opening ceremonies in London. The reason for this refusal is clear. Any reminder of that historic crime would offend the vast majority of member nations that participate in the Games who don’t want any mention of an event that puts the Palestinians in a bad light.” This year marks the 40th anniversary of this tragedy. In anticipation of the upcoming summer Olympiad, efforts were made worldwide to help sensitize all involved in the

importance of this tragedy that was played on the world stage then, and that should be remembered unto this day. But, alas, that is not to be so. Against this tragic backdrop comes the timely publication of a most literate and comprehensive narrative of this tragic event entitled, “Munich 1972” [Rowman & Littlefield, 2012] by the veteran historian Dr. David Clay Large. Dr. Large’s literary experience on this topic first came to my attention some five years ago with the publication of his classic, “Nazi Games: The Olympics of 1936” that was reviewed by this column at that time. This current work under review is by far the most comprehensive treatment of this latest Munich tragedy. Just about every detail, personality, and emotion is given both a caustic as well as humane treatment. Large’s exquisite and eloquent literary style makes this book a very reader friendly book, a pageturner from beginning to end; a joy to read, yet a somber and sober literary experience to behold and remember. Given the fact that Large himself was present in Munich during this time only gives its content a greater heft in terms of the flair and awesome detail that further helps to enhance both its value as a literary work and as a historical document. As Jews, we should come to appreciate Large’s current and past literary efforts, for within his work are to be found valued, and until now, not too well known chapters of history that impacted upon our people and our friends at a time of great vulnerability for

all peoples of good will. By way of background, Dr. Large is a professor of history at Montana State University. He has also taught at Berkley, Smith College, and Yale. Among his other works are, “Where Ghosts Walked: Munich’s Road to the Third Reich” and “Berlin.” In my interview with the author, several points were given emphasis, the first being the gross incompetence of certain German law enforcement agencies throughout this whole ordeal, and the gross indifference of the Olympic hierarchy to the fate of the Israeli athletes. Taken together we have before us a tragedy of Olympian proportions. Large noted that with the Olympics in constant peril of terrorist crimes and with the 40th anniversary of the 1972 tragedy now upon us, he felt that the Munich story needed a detailed and scholarly treatment for all the world to see, read, and learn from.

In that endeavor, Dr. Large has succeeded beyond measure. With the Three Weeks now upon us, this work, written by a true Oheiv Yisrael, makes for very timely reading. This book represents an appropriate literary tribute to those who perished solely because they were Jews. In addition, and as an aside, I would like to make note of the following historical irony. Given the celebration this past week of American Independence Day, please take note of the following. In Parshat Balak which we read on July 7th, the 17th day of Tammuz, we learn once again about the evil efforts by the Moabite King Balak to have the people of Israel cursed. His plot was foiled by the failure of his stooge, the pagan prophet Balaam, to deliver the curse, and instead delivered a blessing whose text serves as the introduction to our daily worship service unto this day. It should also be noted that on this date, July 7, 1607, marks the day that the song, “God Save the King” was sung for the first time.

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THE JEWISH STAR July 6, 2012 • 16 TAMMUZ 5772

The Kosher Bookworm

July 6, 2012 • 16 TAMMUZ 5772 THE JEWISH STAR

A people with a different set of priorities

remember, as a high school student, hearing our Rosh Yeshiva Rabbi Shlomo Riskin relate one of the questions he used to ask when interviewing prospective rebbe’im (rabbinic teachers) for our yeshiva high school. Amidst a flurry of questions designed to test their knowledge of halachah (Jewish law) and Talmud, he would ask them what they would do (and what the halachic requirement would be), if after sending away for an electric shaver, the company accidentally sent two shavers. He was amazed at how many FROM THE HEART young rabbis would reOF JERUSALEM spond by delving into the question of whether, once the company sent the extra shaver, they were giving it to you, and whether the laws of theft applied equally to non-Jews. Needless to say, he was only interested in hiring the teachers who responded without thinking, that they would send it back! Rabbi Binny Where is the balance Freedman between spiritual development and our quest to develop a deeper relationship with G-d on the one hand, and the importance of ethical excellence on the other? How can we ensure, not only in ourselves, but in our children and students, that spiritual growth does not come at the expense of simple ‘mentschlechkeit’: the value of being a good person? This week’s portion, Balak, gives us some valuable insight regarding this question, from a most unlikely source. At the beginning of any siddur (prayer book), is a beautiful poem, known as the ‘Ma Tovu,’ traditionally recited as one enters the synagogue. “Ma tovu’ O’halecha Yaakov, Mishke’no’techa Yisrael....” “How goodly are your tents, oh Yaakov; and your dwelling places, oh Israel....” Ask most Jewish six-year-olds in Hebrew

school, and they will most likely be able to sing the opening words of the first stanza. And yet, most people don’t realize the source of these beautiful verses. Three thousand years ago, these words were recited by a non-Jewish prophet, bent on cursing the Jewish people and seeing their destruction, who G-d caused to bless and praise them instead. Fresh from its successes on the battlefield against the armies of Og and the Amorites, the Jewish people are about to encounter a new and perhaps even more sinister challenge. Balak, king of Moab, realizes he can never defeat the Jewish people on the battlefield; their G-d is just too strong. He approaches Balaam, a non-Jewish prophet, who, after initial hesitation, finally agrees to climb the mountain overlooking the Jewish camp and curse the Jewish people in the name of their own G-d. After all, reasons Balak, if this people, blessed by G-d, becomes cursed by G-d, all their seemingly magical powers will disappear, and the Moabite armies will make short work of them. At first, G-d does not want to let Bilaam go, but eventually acquiesces, on condition that he will only say what G-d tells him to. So Balaam travels to the mountain range of Emor, intent on cursing the Jewish people, but G-d performs a miracle and instead, beautiful words of blessing and praise pour forth, and the Jewish people’s destiny as a blessed nation is sealed forever. Interestingly, Rashi (medieval super-commentary 1040-1105) suggests that there was something Balaam saw that caused him to bless the Jewish people. In other words, it wasn’t that G-d just spoke through Balaam’s vocal chords, because then it wouldn’t have been Balaam blessing the Jewish people, it would have been G-d. Rather, Balaam saw something that actually caused him to want to bless the Jewish people all on his own. And what was this incredible sight that caused even an evil prophet like Bilaam, motivated by bribery (Balak was willing to pay a huge sum of money for this curse), to want to bless the Jews? Rashi relates that Bilaam noticed that amongst

Parshat Balak

The Deed in the Desert A

t the beginning of Chapter 24, the Torah informs of us of Bilaam’s third attempt to curse the Israelites – which will once again turn into a blessing, in this case, the most famous of the three. “When Bilaam realized that G-d desired to bless Israel, he did not seek out the occult forces (“nechashim”) as he had done before. Instead, he set his gaze toward the desert. When Bilaam raised his eyes, and saw Israel dwelling at peace by tribes, G-d’s spirit was on him.” The word used to describe the occult, Bilaam’s source of strength, is “nechashim” – which Ramban and others take to Rabbi Avi Billet literally mean “snakes.” Bilaam had intended to cause snakes to come attack the Israelites. Rashi and others say that “nechashim” refers to Bilaam’s unique ability to divine when the occult forces were in his favor. On this last attempt however, he saw his own tricks would not work, so he looked to the desert. If he looked to see if the snakes’ curse

would work (Ramban) – looking to the desert would send him to last week’s parsha, when a plague of snakes was defeated through the creation of the copper serpent which was visible to all. If his divination skills were of no use (Rashi), why was he looking to the desert? Rashi said on the previous phrase (on “nechashim”), that Bilaam’s intent was to recall their sins, such that his curse could fall upon the remembered sin. And the sin? Rashi says, in one word, what it was – and why Bilaam needed to look to the desert. Rashi, in a typical example of the brilliance of his simplicity, says, “K’targumo,” which means – look at the explanation of Targum. Targum Onkelos, Targum Yerushalmi and Targum Yonatan all say, “He looked to the desert to remember the (Golden) Calf, and the sin they had committed there.” The Targum Yonatan goes on, in the second verse of the chapter, to describe what he saw now, as “Israel dwelled at peace by tribes.” He quotes the same Midrash that Rashi quotes about how the openings of their tents did not face one another, so there was privacy, but he adds that when they dwelled by tribes, they were “in their houses of study.” With one word, Rashi told us “I might have my own feelings on this, but what you need to see is what Targum says about this.” And

all the Jewish tents, there was not one single tent opening that faced another tent opening. In other words, no-one’s tent opening looked into anyone else’s. Modesty and valuing someone else’s privacy is important, to be sure, but is this what caused Balaam to bless us? And is this so important that it becomes the theme of the beginning of our prayers every day? The Torah tells us there were approximately 600,000 men between the ages of twenty and sixty (the census for the army) who left Egypt. Depending on the size of the Jewish family then, and adding the people who were younger or older than this age, that means there were probably hundreds of thousands of tents! How could Bilaam look at every tent, and be able to say that there was not a single tent that faced another’s opening? What is the easiest way to ensure that there is not one tent-opening facing another? Just have them all facing the same way. In other words, Balaam saw rows and rows of tents all facing the same direction, in rows that must have stretched on for miles. Which means they had to have a system when they encamped. This must have been a new phenomenon, to have so impressed Balaam; that an army, indeed an entire nation took the time to set up their tents facing a particular direction, to such an extent that it was visible to the naked eye from a distant mountaintop. And perhaps this is why we recite these verses when we enter our synagogues, because 3,000 years ago, a people entered the scene with a different set of priorities. And whenever they laid camp, they actually had a system designed to ensure that no one person’s privacy was compromised at the expense of another. It must have taken some thought to set this up; millions of tents all facing the same direction (most probably by tribes, three on each side of a large square). Maybe they set flags up when they encamped, and everybody faced the flags, but whatever the specifics, they had a system that took every individual’s feelings and respect into account, and this came before anything else.

It is easy, when entering shul (synagogue) to become so focused on the awesome challenge of developing our relationship with G-d, that we forget the person sitting right next to us. And it is equally understandable, with all the prayers in our hearts for ourselves and our loved ones, to forget what it is really all about. But a careful look at the beginning of the Jewish prayer book will make abundantly clear Judaism’s focus on our relationships with our fellow human beings. The Talmud tells us that the second Temple (the Beit HaMikdash) was destroyed through blind, wanton hatred, or sinat chinam. It is difficult to understand how any hatred can ever be chinam, which seems to mean “for no reason at all.” The Netziv (Rav Naftali Tzvi Yehuda Berlin, Rosh Yeshiva of Volozhin in 19th century Lithuania) suggests that this wanton hatred refers to disliking or even detesting someone because their views are different from yours, even if you know (or believe you know) that their viewpoint is wrong. This becomes critical because Rav Kook suggests that if the Temple was destroyed through sinat chinam then it will only be rebuilt through ahavat chinam, or wanton, baseless love. This may mean that the secret to a better world and all that we dream of is simply learning to see the common ground and the beauty in someone else’s viewpoint and perspective, however different it may be from our own. And so it is Balaam, the most unlikely of sources, a non-Jew who seems to detest all that we stand for, who is given the opportunity to see things in an entirely different way. And maybe this is why we do not traditionally recite the Ma Tovu, at home in private prayer, but rather when we enter the synagogue and join the community. The Torah does not really tell us where we can find G- d, but it does tell us that every human being is created in the image of G-d. Allegorically, there is a little piece of G-d inside every human being, Jew or Muslim, Christian or Buddhist, even friend or foe. And if we cannot see the little piece of G-d inside the person standing next to us, we will have a hard time finding G-d anywhere at all.

unlike the many commentators who quote Rashi in full and then either choose to agree, disagree, or explain their own understanding of what Rashi meant, Rashi just passes the source along. Rashi may have been referring specifically to Onkelos, but I like to think he was giving the credit to all the Targums , since the lesson we see from the Targum Yonatan goes a step beyond just plain modest living, which is hopefully a universal concept all citizens of the world might appreciate. Targum Yonatan says they were engaged in Torah study, which is a level of greatness Bilaam could not comprehend in the slightest, or even attempt to understand or appreciate. And it was the antidote to what Bilaam saw as being the desert-downfall of the people. But the lesson is a profound one. Bilaam wanted to attack the Israelites for a sin done by the current generation’s parents, 39 years earlier, for which the nation had been punished, had achieved atonement, and from which, as much as possible, they had moved on. Not only were they way past it, but they were currently engaged in Torah study, a sure sign that the sin of the Golden Calf episode was not part of who the people before him were. Whether it’s a political campaign or just the way we relate to people we know, we cannot define people solely by their past deeds. Some people don’t change, they’re still doing the same thing (just in an older version of their past). Their influences from their formative years still resonate strongly in defining who they are. And if they haven’t changed, perhaps there is room to allow for

treating them based on past impressions, if they are confirmed in the here and now. But some people do change, even dramatically, over time. They do allow positive influences to effect change in them, and they work hard to become better, more wholesome people. And to judge them based on their past alone would be completely out of line – we need to see what they are doing in the here and now. Bilaam saw the people in their Batei Midrash – which meant nothing to him – and he still saw the Golden Calf. He judged the children based on their parents, not realizing that the children were not only a different generation, but were their own individuals and communities. In today’s media-driven age, it is a Herculean task to hide from one’s past. Those who try often fail, no thanks to the Internet and newspapers. But those who seek to move on from past foibles do best when they face and embrace their past and make it clear that the experiences of yesteryear “are part of what made me who I am. Here is where I learned from a mistake, and here is how I grew from that setback.” And if, unlike Bilaam, we can learn to see that over 40 years, people might change and become more impressive, and certainly are not carbon copies of their parents (though in many cases, being a carbon copy would not be a bad thing!), our overall experience with other people can be more fulfilling and more gratifying as we cross paths with others time and time again, each in our own journey through life.

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Who’s in the kitchen

Smooth”ie” homecomings T

he older kids are in sleep away camp and most have gotten over the trauma (and expense) of sending them off. Now it’s time to send the little ones to day camp. In my day, day camp meant walking to the YMHA on 14th Ave in Boro Park. From there we boarded a bus and traveled to Staten Island (it was “greener” there). We didn’t have orientation, we couldn’t request certain friends or counselors to be with. We didn’t have designer Tory Burch flip flops nor did we pack our bathing suits in Juicy beach bags. We didn’t have bug spray, suntan lotion, sunglasses or “cover ups.” We got bitten up, burnt and wore dorky white terry bathrobes to the pool. And trust me, there was no way we got out of getting into the pool unless we had a cast on. There were no trips to local gyms for aerobics, trips to the bowling alleys, chocolate making classes or baking. We played punchball, machanayim (I ruled that game!) volley ball and tether ball; do they still have tether ball? Who invented that game anyway?? My, have times changed. I was a counselor in a Judy Joszef local camp in the Five Towns before my youngest was born. My two sons were in camp there, and I had friends working there as well; shout out to Jill Sider, Haviva Zwickler, Lea Bernstein and Stefanie Zauderer. Having never been a counselor before, I was a bit nervous. There I was at orientation, greeting all my campers. There were 22 in all, each entering kindergarten after the summer. There were 22 kids, 22 moms and dozens of special instructions being given to me. “My daughter doesn’t like very many foods so she has to have pasta every day for lunch,” “my daughter is allergic to most insect bites so make sure she is sprayed with insect spray a few times a day.” And my very favorite, “my daughter hates nap time so it would be great if you can do a special project with her every day during that time.” By the time I left orientation, I was second guessing my summer plans. In the end, it wasn’t so bad. There were so many activities to keep the kids busy (I had to hold myself back from beating the kids when we bowled each week) that the day went by

pretty quickly. Having two boys ages 3 and 5, I was shocked when I asked the girls to line up the first day and they did so immediately. “Hmm,” I thought, “that was cool, I said it once and they listened. I’m going to have to have my kids learn this trick.” Lunchtime was always fun. I think about four kids out of the group ate the actual meal; all the others wanted substitution, except of course when we had “zingy pizza;” that was a winner. I always ate as a kid, no one ever had to ask me twice, the same with my husband Jerry. When he was in camp the first year, they placed a plate of blintzes in front of him. Having been in Grossinger’s many times, and being served huge portions, he thought the plate was for him. When the counselors and kids screamed, “What are you doing, take one and pass it around!” he replied “You’ll get your own, haven’t you ever been to Grossinger’s?” and continued to eat from the serving plate. Needless to say, he wasn’t voted most popular that summer. That and the fact that his mom told him there would be a special company to deliver his linen (campus linen). Campus linen came around and asked who ordered camp linen. Jerry said he was waiting for the “special company” by 11 p.m. that night his younger brother came in asking when the special company was coming….At that point the counselors realized what had happened and got the kids some blankets. Jerry looked at his younger brother Seme, and said, “Only 57 more days; if our parents lasted in the concentration camps, we can survive here.” In the end, Jerry survived that summer and so did I. Best part was picking up my boys from the bus area. I had to sign more waivers than I would if I were skydiving. For heaven’s sake, they were my kids, it wasn’t as if I were kidnapping them, I was just driving them home instead of them taking the bus. And what was with showing our ID? Wasn’t it enough that the kids were pulling me by the hand saying “Mommy, let’s go.” Come on, you remember those days when you wanted to pick up your child, if you didn’t call by 2 p.m. there was no way they were releasing your child to you; they were going to go home on the bus. We had to beg and plead and promise to never call the last minute again. Best part of the day was getting home, turning the air conditioning on high and sharing a smoothie with my kids. Low

in calories, refreshing and a healthy snack, it held us over till dinner. Why not try some with your kids or grandkids.

Berry Banana Smoothie ■ 1 cup plain Greek yogurt ■ 1/3 cup frozen blueberries ■ 2/3 frozen banana ■ 5 frozen strawberries ■ 2 ounces of skim milk

Add the yogurt, blueberries, banana, and strawberries into the blender. 2. Add in a splash of skim or soy milk. Place the blender lid on tightly. Blend smoothie until it is smooth and creamy. Whatever your summer plans are, enjoy them and your families, and remember to tip those counselors well. They earn it, trust me. Judy Joszef can be contacted at Judy.soiree@gmail.com.

Five Towns’ Best Kept Secret

hat is the best kept secret in this neighborhood? Where can you learn, create, and experience something special six days a week? How can one benefit from a broad range of support services from early childhood to senior citizen age? Which organization benefits 16,000 individuals at 18 locations in the Greater Five Towns and beyond? The answer is the Jewish Community MIRIAM’S MUSINGS Center (JCC), which resides in a modest house on Grove Street abutting the Long Island Railroad’s train tracks. Although so many enjoy its programs, some Five Towners still don’t even know it exists! I’ve been teaching yoga there since March and have gained a “fly on the wall” insight into the goings on there and Miriam Bradman can verify that it’s one Abrahams of the most precious resources we have. In 1992, I signed up our son Rafi to attend nursery at a house with a bright red door on Grove Street. My two year old called it Tempo Bef-O; Temple Beth El nursery was a warm personal program run by the JCC. In the years since then, my family has par-

ticipated in cooking classes, book groups and lectures. Witnessing the wonderful Café Europa program for seniors held at my shul, Congregation Beth Sholom, made me want to get involved with the JCC. Now I teach a weekly women’s yoga class and volunteer on the arts & leisure advisory committee there. Each time I’ve met with Executive Director Rina Shkolnik, I have found her to be warm, engaging, dedicated and competent. You can feel the energy Rina exudes and gives this organization. She raves openly about her staff and co-workers as second to none. I asked her what she envisions for the JCC and she responded she’d like to see this full service JCC as a neutral place where the entire community can meet comfortably, not associated specifically with any one stream of Judaism. She has been working tirelessly to find a new home for the JCC where we can come together for all programs and services in one location. When the JCC has one address, everyone will know exactly where it exists and avail themselves of its offerings more fully. The JCC’s schedule runs from A-Z… literally. You can learn about or create Art, Bake or Cook in the Kosher Culinary Institute, play Bridge, Canasta or Chess, Choir, Computer classes, Dance Israeli (or belly!), Drama, Film, Food Pantry, Guitar, Karate or Krav Maga, Lunch and Learn, Mah Jongg, Nursery school, Photography, a full Russian Division, varied Support groups and Special Needs programs, Tutoring, Violin, Web design, Yid-

dish, Yoga and Zumba. I haven’t yet seen letter “Q” or “X” activities, but I wouldn’t be surprised to see Quidditch and Xylophone on the calendar soon. The JCC’s Temple Israel Nursery school and summer day camp provides a loving environment for hundreds of children. Social activities for kids and teens abound. Seniors meet at the Shalom club at Temple Hillel, “Come Alive” and “Remember When” at Congregation Sons of Israel, Friendship Circle, Tish and Dish and the Caregiver’s Support group at JCC’s headquarters. I’m naming just a few of a roster of activities held at locations in the Five Towns, Malverne, West Hempstead and Valley Stream. Unfortunately, the economic crisis has hit everywhere, including our own neighborhood, but the JCC can help. The Kol Ditzrich Kosher Food Pantry, located on Central Avenue between Franklin and Irving Streets, provides families and singles with nutritious, non-perishable food packages and toiletries. UJA Federation’s Connect to Care provides help through our JCC for job networking, debt counseling, legal services, and spiritual care. Everyone can be involved somehow in this wonderful organization, whether you need aid or are able to help out. One way is by purchasing and donating an item or two and dropping them directly in the bins located at Brach’s, Gourmet Glatt or Season’s. There is a constant, urgent need, which can be filled

in creative ways. A friend of mine requested that food items be brought to her home at a recent party. She then gathered and shlepped all the collected goods to the pantry. What a great mitzvah! Some join Oceanside’s JCC to use its pool. Others comment about beautiful JCC’s elsewhere and wonder why ours isn’t so. As Hadassah’s author events coordinator, I network with JCC staff from around the country and know that though ours is spread out in many locations it strives and succeeds in providing the same services. How great would it be to consolidate all of our JCC’s programs into one building with an indoor swimming pool for us to enjoy year round? Hopefully this will soon be a reality. We can increase awareness of our community’s and JCC’s needs and rally together, volunteering to improve ours. We are active in our schools, shuls and other organizations, but there has to be a spot in our hearts as well for our own Jewish Community Center, which can unite us during both leisure time and times of need. The JCC is a place where we may give to and receive from each other and truly be a cohesive community. Miriam Bradman Abrahams is Cuban born, Brooklyn bred and lives in Woodmere. She organizes author events for Hadassah, reviews books for Jewish Book World and is very slowly writing her father’s immigration story. She is teaching yoga at Peaceful Presence Yoga Studio. mabraha1@optonline.net

Little Israel, the root of all the woes in the world, so Obama stays away

Deputy Commander Hossein Salami said, “The maneuvers are an answer to the rude words spoken against Iran.” On another front, Syrian forces shot down a Turkish warplane on June 22. The incident has put deeper strains on its relationship with Turkey, and Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has expressed regrets for the incident hoping to stay a more forceful hand from Turkey, whose Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan referred to Syria as a “clear and present threat.” While Syria continues to slaughter its citizens, Israel has stayed away from the situation, yet Assad suggested that Syrian troops may have mistaken the Turkish jet for an Israeli plane. Assad commented, “The plane was using a corridor which Israeli planes have used three times before.” Then the rub, when he gratuitously said, “Of course I might have been happy if this had been an Israeli plane.” This should further set the record straight for anyone thinking that any of this activity in the Middle East is about the economics of the region or the individual countries involved. Both Iran and Syria, heavily involved in non-Israel related difficulties right now, still try to drag Israel into the conflict. Which brings the conversation back to the United States where Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney has announced that he intends to travel to Israel this summer to tour the state and region

and to meet America’s ally in a troubling time. A gratuitous gesture in an election period, and we can all call it what it is; yet it is one that the sitting president has not found time to do in four years, even while traveling to 30 countries since being elected, and some within a stone’s throw from the Jewish state. While President Obama is seemingly making a point by not visiting the state, he has been relatively soft on Syria in terms of action, even though he has talked tough. Meanwhile, the leader of a country that continues to back Syria, and also is easy going with Iran as well, Russia’s Vladimir Putin, traveled to Israel last week. What does Putin know that Obama refuses to appreciate? Russia, for all of its posturing on Israel and its close ties to Israel’s opponents, shares substantial ties with Israel. Many of Russia’s wealthiest citizens have substantial business and financial stakes in Israel’s markets, and some even call Israel home. So when Putin held talks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Shimon Peres, then helped unveil a WWII memorial in the oceanfront town of Netanya, Putin is playing statesman and appearing to genuinely take an interest in the well being of the country and region. Romney will likely have a similar agenda when he goes; to appear as a statesman looking for the best solutions. It is still a

thorn in the sides of pro-Israel American Jews, who still support Obama largely over the Republican, that Obama has yet to visit and seemingly refuses to do so. Obama is playing a game of brinkmanship with Israel, rather than playing statesman and actually coming to its turf, holding meetings with leaders and even touring communities there to discuss his views, and even offer his ideal solutions for the issues facing the country and region. It would seem logical, that with Iran and Syria consistently trying to make Israel the issue when they have so many other obvious difficulties, Washington might see it in a different light. Then, also, in Egypt, the Moslem Brotherhood’s victory now leaves a cloud of doubt as to whether, with all the financial and civil tribulations facing that country, it will sooner focus on altering or breaking the treaty with Israel. Add to that the President of Russia, who by no means needs to make the trip, steps onto Israel’s soil. Mitt Romney’s visit will be heralded. If someone in the Obama camp does not realize that his boots on the ground in Israel will send a powerful message, the stubbornness of President Obama will stand out as a symbol of what many believe to be his disdain for the Jewish State. Juda Engelmayer is a senior vice president of the New York public relations agency, 5WPR.

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n July 3, Iran claimed to have successfully tested missiles capable of hitting Israel. At the same time, Israel said that it could strike Iran if the efforts at diplomacy fail to stop it from developing nuclear weapons capabilities. Calling it the “Great Prophet 7” missile exercise, Iran launched its test on Sunday after the European embargo against Iranian oil went into effect. In invoking the name of the Prophet Muhammad for their missile test, there should be no questions to anyone, including President Obama, that the Iranian leadership are extremists, and seemingly willing to head into a devastating war to impose what it interprets to be the will of God and prophet. Neither money, nor sanctions can alter diJuda Engelmayer vine will, and that is what those who tread lightly with Iran seem to miss. To be clear, the Shahab 3 missile with a range of 800 miles is able to reach Israel. Fit a nuclear warhead on that and there is nothing to stop them from trying. Referring to Israel, and ignoring the irony in its own rhetoric when it says it will wipe Israel off the map, Revolutionary Guard

THE JEWISH STAR July 6, 2012 • 16 TAMMUZ 5772

Opinion

July 6, 2012 • 16 TAMMUZ 5772 THE JEWISH STAR

July 11 Laws of Family Purity Review Series Chabad of The Five Towns. First of a three part in depth review of the laws of Mikvah with Mrs. Rivky Brikman At the home of Mrs. Naomi Abesera, 565 Kenridge Road, Lawrence, 8:00 p.m. Suggested donation of $18 per class or $50 for all three. For more information please contact 516-295-2478 or www.chabad5towns.com

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.

July 13-15 7th Summer Marriage Enrichment Retreat The Orthodox Union invites you to this retreat where parents can learn how to resolve disagreements and fight fairly, how to work as a team, and many other important communication techniques. Skill based workshop presenters include Alex Bailey, Rachel Pill, and Rabbi Eliezer Zwickler. This retreat is $750 per couple which includes room, meals, and tips for wait staff. The event is at the Hudson Valley Resort and Spa in Kerhonkson, NY. For more information, visit www.oucommunity.org or call Hannah Farkas at 212-613-8351.

July 15 LI Film Festival screening of the film Kinderblock 66 Kinderblock 66: Return to Buchenwald is the story of four men who, as young boys, were imprisoned by the Nazis in the notorious Buchenwald concentration camp and who, sixty-five years later, return to commemorate the sixtyfifth anniversary of their liberation. The film tells the story of the effort undertaken by the camp’s Communist-led underground to protect and save Jewish children who were arriving in Buchenwald toward the end of the Holocaust. Kinderblock 66 also tells the story of Antonin Kalina, the head of the block who was personally responsible for saving 904 boys in Buchenwald. The film is narrated by New York City raised Hollywood film star Liev Schreiber. It is a feature film documentary that contains subtitles and is a Long Island film premiere. The tickets for this film can be purchased at

July 23 Long Island Job Fair Hosted by Congresswoman Carolyn McCarthy Nassau Community College Multipurpose room 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. Vendors such as Hofstra University, North Shore-LIJ, Nassau Community College, Molloy College, Stoney Brook School of Health and Technology and Management, Winthrop University Hospital, South Nassau Communities Hospital,the Soldier’s Project of Long Island, AFLAC, the Visiting Nurse Association of Long Island, Sanford Brown and more. For more information please contact Rep. McCarthy’s office at 516-739-3008.

Free National Teleconference and Webinar Stay current on emerging research regarding gynecological concerns before and after a breast cancer or ovarian cancer diagnosis. Topics to be discussed include birth control, fertility, pregnancy, nursing, early onset menopause, hormone replacement, and bone health. Ask questions to our experts during a live question and answer session following the presentation, 8 p.m. Panelists Tessa Cigler, MD, MPH, Weill Cornell Breast Center Elizabeth Poynor, MD, PhD, FACOG, Private Practice Shera Dubitsky, MEd, MA, Sharsheret Cancer Survivor in Sharsheret’s Peer Support Network A transcript and audio recording will be available following the event at www.sharsheret.org. To register call 866.474.2774.

King, 15 Generals, 40 Members of the Knesset and a Few Taxi Drivers.” Finally, Mr. Savitsky will lead a Shabbat afternoon discussion on “Major Issues in Jewish Life with Possible Solutions. For further information, contact Alison Barnett of OU Synagogue Services at syngagogue@ou.org or call 212.613.8155.

July 25 Annual Shidduch Meeting

On June 16th the Young Israel of Oceanside held an installation of their newly elected officers. From left, President Leon Winchel received the inscribed commemorative tribute from incoming President Harley Greenbaum. the Bellmore Movies, which is located at 222 Pettit Avenue, Bellmore, through the mail, or online at: http://liifilmexpo.org/sections/tickets.html https://web.ovationtix.com/trs/cal/34127 A Screening Pass is $10.00, while Senior Citizens, Students and Filmmakers Connection Members pay $8.00, which allows you to see all the films in a screening block. A Festival Day Pass is $25.00, which allows you to see every film on a given day. A Festival Gold Pass is $65.00, which entitles you to see every film in the festival. There are also 2-for-the-price-of-1 tickets available for Senior Citizens and Students for film blocks that begin at 5:00pm or earlier Monday–Friday.

Second Annual NYC Schlep

July 21 Scholar-in-Residence Stephen J. Savitsky, Chairman of the Board of the Orthodox Union, a three-term OU Past President, and himself a Long Island resident, will be Scholar-in-Residence at Congregation Ohav Sholom in Merrick for Shabbat Parshat Matot-Masei. The synagogue is located at 145 South Merrick Avenue. Mr. Savitsky’s visit is the highlight of an OU Community Weekend presented by the Orthodox Union Karasick Department of Synagogue Services. Shabbat morning, Mr. Savitsky will discuss “The OU and Ohav Sholom: A Partnership that Guarantees Jewish Continuity.” He will also speak following Kiddish, presenting“Israel Through the Eyes of One Prime Minister, One

Young Israel of Oceanside, 150 Waukena Avenue, Oceanside is hosting its Annual Shidduch Meeting, 7:45 p.m. All are welcome to attend to present themselves or anyone seeking a shidduch. For blank profile forms and any questions, contact: YIOShidduch@gmail.com

Aug. 2 Bereavement Group The JCC of the Greater Five Town would like to announce the beginning of a Phase I Bereavement Group for the loss of a spouse. The initial stages of grief can be a painful and lonely time. You are not alone in those feelings and you should not be alone in your grief. If you are coping with the loss of a spouse please join us at the JCC for support, guidance, information and friendship. This six week group, facilitated by a certified social worker will take place from 11:00 – 11:50 a.m. at the JCC, 207 Grove Ave., Cedarhurst. Pre-registration is a must. For more information please call Janet Zimmerman, LCSW-R at (516) 569-6733 ext. 224.

The second annual NYC Schlep, Jewish Breast & Ovarian Cancer Timed 5K Run/Walk in historic Battery Park, overlooking Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty, in downtown Manhattan. Registration begins at 8 am, Race starts at 9am Battery Park (Opposite 17 State Street) – in front of Battery Gardens Restaurant Nearest Subways: 1 – South Ferry, 4/5 – Bowling Green, R – Whitehall Street Price: $36 for Adults, $18 for Kids/Survivors Telephone: 212-279-2522 Email: Afrmc@afrmc.org Website: www.afrmc.kintera.org/nycschlep2012 Proceeds from this event benefit the Early Breast Cancer Detection Clinic at Israel’s Rabin Medical Center, the only clinic in Israel specializing in the detection of the BRCA gene mutation to provide early diagnosis of potential breast and ovarian cancer. On a recent visit to LIFE HOUSE in Cedarhurst, Assemblyman Goldfeder and Assemblyman Weisenberg speak with Rabbi Simcha Lefkowitz, CEO about the social services being provided in the Five Towns and across Nassau County.

By Malka Eisenberg A new directive of the United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced on June 15th by President Barack Obama, was hailed as beneficial to members of the Jewish community by Agudath Israel of America, a national Orthodox Jewish organization. “This program has a very significant impact on the Jewish community,” said David Grunblatt, Chair of Agudath Israel’s Legal Services Network Immigration Committee and a partner at Proskauer Rose. “There are many more families in the United States than people are aware of who came to the United States in a legal status, but have since fallen out of status, who brought young children with them, who have attended Yeshivas and other schools, only to discover when they became teenagers that they could not get drivers’ licenses, apply for certain government benefits, and travel outside of the United States because they were out of status. This program will allow these folks who entered as children, to apply for permission to work and for social security numbers.” Under this directive, explained Eva Hefter, Esq., a Cedarhurst based Immigration and Visa lawyer, “certain individuals who were brought to the United States as children and have been living here illegally since they arrived, may be eligible for work authorization. Effectively, since these individuals do not present a risk to national security, the President has directed the Department of Homeland Security to process them for significant benefits that will allow them to receive permission to work in the U.S., which may lead to receiving a social security card, a driver’s license, and educational benefits.” To qualify for this deferral of deportation for a period of two years, to be decided on a case-by-case basis, applicants, said Hefter, have to have come to the U.S. under age 16 and currently be under age 30. They have to be in the U.S. and to have been living in

Eva Hefter, Esq the U.S. for the last five years. In addition, they have to be in school, or been graduated from high school, or honorably discharged veterans of the Coast Guard or the Armed Forces of the U.S. and not been convicted of a felony, misdemeanor or threaten national security or public safely. “Our community has seen many Jews come to the United States temporarily as visitors, students, temporary workers or through some other means,” emphasized Hefter. “When parents bring their children to visit, and then remain in the U.S. after their permission to stay has expired, both the parent and the child fall into the category of an illegal immigrant. If the parent is an illegal overstay, the child that was brought to the U.S., in most cases, also becomes an illegal alien. It is unfair for children who have been brought to the U.S. as minors to be punished

for the acts of their parents. Since the child had no control over the fact that he was brought to this country, and that he subsequently became illegal, he should not be penalized or deprived of benefits. “ The “deferred action” referred to in the decision, explained Grunblatt, involves “deferring taking any negative action against the person. They might not deport (the person) but they have the power and authority to do it.” Hefter explained further that those eligible will not be deported and deportation will not be done for two years with the possibility of renewal. The initial eligibility provides them with authority to work and possibly acquiring a social security card, and a driver’s license. They will not be allowed to vote, said Hefter, “Only a citizen of the United States may vote. These individuals are neither being granted permanent residence nor citizenship at this time. “ She noted that this directive will apply to between 800,000 and 1.2 million persons. “The ages chosen were designed to parallel the ‘Dream Act’ which was targeted to those who came to the United States illegally, but innocently, because they were brought by their parents and are fully integrated into the American system because they grew up and went to elementary school and high school here.,” said Grunblatt. The DREAM Act, an acronym for Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors, was a legislative proposal introduced by senators Dick Durbin and Orrin Hatch in 2001 to allow permanent residency for those who entered the country illegally as minors, went to school and were here for at least five years and are of good moral standing. “Even though it is only for a two-year period, and this is only a first step, it will put a lot of pressure on Congress to do something to find a long term solution for these individuals,” Grunblatt continued. “Also, it creates facts on the ground, in the sense that it would be very difficult for a subsequent President to take the harsh action of cancel-

ling the deferred action or failing to renew it, given that this is basically a sympathetic group. Note that we are now within a 60-day period during which they will formulate the process and procedure for implementing this program.” In addition, he said, “it does not change anything with regard to eligibility for government benefits.” “I got so many calls over the years,” Grunblatt pointed out. “I regret that I didn’t keep records of them.” One representative case, he recalled, was of a husband and iwfe who separated and the wife was left here with the children. He noted that it will help them, enabling them to get social security numbers and register for college. He said that the Jews come from al over, Israel, France, Russia and are comfortable in the New York Jewish community. “Hundreds if not thousands will be impacted by this,” he said. “It’s not even a status,” he stressed. “They will be allowed to stay, but it’s not amnesty, although it may put pressure on Congress to do something about it.” The policy is both pragmatic and proper,” said Grunblatt. “These foreign-born individuals were brought to this country as youngsters, were educated here, have contributed their talents here and continue to live here. They should not live in the shadow of being expelled from the U.S. to a country where they have never lived and might not even speak the language.” “The policy addresses an urgent and unfortunate situation -- one that has affected many members of the Jewish Community that have sought our help but for whom little could be done,” added Rabbi Abba Cohen, Agudath Israel’s Vice President for Federal Affairs and Washington Director. “And, given our community’s history, we must be particularly sensitive that our immigration policies embody compassion and common sense. This is a positive step in that direction.” Eva Hefter can be reached at 516 3743737.

Yitzhak Shamir, z”l, fighter, leader, Zionist Continued from page 1 er wavered, never folded under pressure. He wasn’t religious, but he had a profound belief in the eternity of Am Yisrael and in protection of the land of Israel.” Born Yizhak Yzernitzky in 1915 in Ruzhany, Belarus, Shamir studied in a Hebrew school in Bialystok, Poland, joined the Betar youth movement and then studied law at Warsaw University. He left early in 1935 for what was then the British Mandate of Palestine and enrolled in Hebrew University. His parents and two sisters were murdered in the Holocaust; his father was stoned to death by childhood friends in Poland after he escaped from a German death camp train transport. He took on the name Shamir, a substance used to cut the stones of the Temple, that he had used on a forged underground identity card. He met his wife, Shulamit, in a detention camp; they married in 1944 and had two children, Yair and Gilada. Shulamit died in 2011. In 1937, Shamir joined Etzel (Irgun Tzeva’i Le’umi), an underground organization opposing British rule, and then joined a break away faction led by Avraham Stern, the Lehi (Lohamei Herut Israel-Fighters for the Freedom of Israel) becoming one of the three leaders. He was arrested and escaped twice from the British, the second time from Eritrea. He returned in 1948 to Palestine to the command of Lehi until it was absorbed into the IDF when

the State of Israel was established. He worked in a managerial role in private industry and then served in the Mossad from 1955-1965, and later worked to liberate Jews from the Soviet Union. He joined Menachem Begin’s Herut party in 1970 and in 1973 was elected a member of Knesset for the Likud; remaining there for 23 years. He held various government and ministerial positions. Shamir abstained over the vote for the Camp David Accords because of its proposal to dismantle settlements. As Minister of Foreign Affairs, he achieved closer ties with Washington and initiated diplomatic contacts with many African countries. He became Prime Minister after Menachem Begin resigned in 1983 and then again in 1986 through 1992. During that time, he dealt with the 1991 Gulf War and held off defending against Iraqi missile attacks to population centers in Israel when the U.S. claimed that Israeli attacks would undermine the Arab-U.S. effort, albeit warning the U.S. that there were limits to Israel’s restraint. In October 1991, Shamir attended the Madrid Conference, the initiation of talks between Israel and her neighbors, over his objections and only in exchange for President George H.W. Bush’s approval of loan guarantees to help absorb Soviet Jews. Shamir did not permit the PLO in, Arabs living in Judea, Samaria and Gaza participated jointly with Jordan and the talks were held with no prior conditions. Also during Shamir’s tenure, he spearhead

immigration from the Soviet Union, changing immigrants’ first stop on leaving the USSR from Vienna or the U.S. to Israel so that, as Shamir put it, they could see the choice first hand; many thus remained in Israel, with 450,000 entering between 1989 and 1991. In May 1991, 15,000 Ethiopian Jews were saved and airlifted to Israel in Operation Solomon. Shamir retired from the Knesset in 1996. He was known to speak his mind and strived to benefit Israel. His daughter said that he was a loving family man. He lived humbly. When he spoke at a ZOA dinner in 1995, he warned of the dangers of the Oslo Accords and the realization that the Arabs are not interested in peace. “The peace will not be a real peace,” he said. “It is not built on a readiness of these Arabs for a peace with us, but rather on an Arab plan to destroy Israel in stages.” Instead of attempting to make peace with the Arabs, said Shamir, “had we only been patient, we could have witnessed before long the collapse of our most extreme enemies.” Shamir also supported those building and living in Judea and Samaria. “Israeli settlers are the real defenders of the sacred covenant between the people of Israel and the land of Israel,” he said. “They deserve all the support and solidarity of Jews everywhere.” Shamir was a leader in the fiery re-establishment of the Jewish homeland, fighting the destructive forces of Europe, the British,

and the Arabs, to help re-create a strong and vibrant home for the Jewish people in their ancestral homeland in Israel. In a speech in 1984 to the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations, then Prime Minister Shamir said, “Sometimes when we are caught up in the problems of the day and weighted down by burdens and anxieties, we should pause and reflect on the great transformation that has taken place in our own lifetimes. Perhaps our greatest source of faith in the future is the knowledge that we have a wonderful and dedicated young generation that is ready and willing to defend the State and to develop it; that is capable of taking the helm in the constant striving to make Israel strong, secure and successful. We are after all an ancient people with a rich experience both in our own land and in the dispersion. In the course of our long history, we have experienced Jewish sovereignty over many hundreds of years and its destruction, once and twice. We have behind us an impressive record of achievements, and some blunders as well. This immense wealth of experience provides us with an exceptional guide in our inevitable march toward realizing the age-old Jewish dream of securing the permanent existence of the third Jewish commonwealth. We will continue to build it and strengthen it with confidence, tenacity and wisdom.” His intelligence, foresight and fortitude are missed. Yehi Zichro Baruch.

THE JEWISH STAR July 6, 2012 • 16 TAMMUZ 5772

New DHS immigration directive has impact on Jewish community

July 6, 2012 • 16 TAMMUZ 5772 THE JEWISH STAR

Media coverage of terror increases pain in patients By Malka Eisenberg A recent study found that watching media coverage of terrorist attacks increased the intensity of pain in those already suffering from chronic pain and elevated feelings of stress as well. In a study published online in the Journal of Clinical Psychology in Medical Settings entitled “Does War Hurt? Effects of Media Exposure After Missile Attacks on Chronic Pain,” Professor Golan Shahar and Dr. Sheera F. Lerman of BenGurion University’s Department of Psychology and Dr. Zvia Rudich of Soroka University Medical Center surveyed 55 chronic pain patients at a pain clinic. The members of the study filled out questionnaires describing their level of pain, depression and anxiety before and after a three-week missile attack during Operation Cast Lead in Israel’s Negev region. The results of the study indicate a connection between the reaction to terrorism and physical and emotional indicators and calls attention to chronic pain patients as more sensitive to stress tied to terrorism exposure. Dr. Shahar noted that such patients may also be more inclined to pursue reports on terrorism. “These findings are completely consistent with other stud-

Photo courtesy of Ben-Gurion University of the Negev

Professor Golan Shahar of Ben-Gurion University’s Department of Psychology ies that have found that exposure to trauma and the results of terror attacks, even in the form of secondary exposure, such as watching reports of trauma on television or reading written reports of it, may cause heightened anxiety, decreases in

self-esteem and even changes in cognitive processing skills,” said Michael J. Salamon, Ph.D., Senior Psychologist/Director, ADC Psychological Services, in Hewlett. “Changes in cognitive processing are often linked with heightened awareness of pain. Studies of this nature serve to highlight the fact that while it is important to be aware and knowledgeable about terror it is also important to take precautions in the degree of exposure to the information.” “Patients’ previous levels of emotional distress may affect their ability to cope with stressful situations, making stressors more prominent and influencing them to seek out more information about the situation,” Prof. Shahar explained. “War and terrorism have become part of daily life for a growing number of individuals throughout the world,” Prof. Shahar continued. “ Although there is evidence of the negative effect of stress on pain and physical health, few studies have explored the specific effect of war on physical pain in individuals who were not directly wounded.” Prof. Shahar is also affiliated with Yale University’s Department of Psychiatry in New Haven, Connecticut. The research was supported by The Israel Science Foundation.

JCC lauds local volunteers as new president comes aboard Volunteers are at the heart and soul of every community-based nonprofit organization and those who give of their time, without pay, truly make a big difference in the lives of others. Recently, five outstanding volunteers were honored by the JCC of the Greater Five Towns for their contributions in helping to improve the lives of those served by the JCC. The volunteer recognition ceremony was held at the JCC’s Annual Meeting on Wednesday, June 27th where Arnold “Arnie” Waldman of Woodmere was sworn in as President of the JCC’s Board of Directors and former president Dr. Kenneth Berman was named Chairman of the Board. The volunteers recognized for going above and beyond and helping to improve the quality of life for others are J.J. Goldstein, Arielle Bitton, Michal Hubert, Shari Hymowitz and Allen Fisher. Jonah “J.J.” Goldstein of Cedarhurst is a Kulanu student who started out as a toddler at the JCC’s Early Childhood Center and everyone at the JCC’s Nursery School was thrilled when he came back this year to volunteer in the classroom. Every week when J.J. came to the JCC he was happy and enthusiastic to be with the young children, never forgetting to bring coloring sheets that the kids loved to play with while sitting with him. The children enjoying hearing about how J.J. loves to run and that he actually ran a marathon. J.J. truly bonded with the kids and they always looked forward to the day he came to school. Arielle Bitton of Hewlett has been an active and invaluable volunteer in the JCC’s Children with Special Needs Department working with youngsters in the Social Skills, Music and Movement and ETGAR/Challenge programs. As a typically developing peer she was a role model for appropriate socialization skills for teens and young adults in the Young Adults through Pizza with Pals and Soul Mates for adolescents with special needs. Arielle was chosen as an ambassador for the JCC’s acclaimed Youth Leadership Conference in Bulgaria as part of the Tri Center Initiative the JCC is involved with, where she met with teens and young adults from around the world to discuss the needs of Jewish Camping in emerging Jewish communities. Arielle, who recently graduated high school, began her volunteer career with the JCC when she started middle school. She will be attending the University of Maryland

Volunteer recognition, left to right: Shari Hymowitz; Allen Fisher; Michal Hubert; Arielle Bitton and Jonah “J.J.” Goldstein. in the fall. Michal Hubert, a resident of North Woodmere, approached the JCC’s Children After School Department wanting to provide free art classes for disadvantaged children aged 5-7. She put together a 10-week program syllabus of creative and educational projects for the youngsters. The program ran on Sunday mornings. Michal recruited two of her friends who volunteered their time to work with the children. When the class started, there were just six children registered and by the end of the program the number of participants more than doubled to 13 kids due to her leadership and commitment. Shari Hymowitz of Hewlett delivers nonperishable food packages to recipients who are unable to come to the JCC’s kosher food pantry in Woodmere. The troubled economy has placed a great strain on many families’ ability to put food on their table and when homebound elderly or people with special needs call and says they are in need of food, Shari is called. She always makes herself available while bringing a warm smile and a comforting heart to the disabled adults, frail seniors or other people she delivers to. Allen Fisher of North Woodmere is an extraordinary individual who for several years has volunteered twice weekly at the JCC’s support program for persons with Traumatic Brain Injury and the activity center for persons

with Parkinson’s Disease. Allen demonstrates a great capacity to be empathic and is always willing to do any task that is sent his way. He easily engages with the JCC’s clients creating a bond of friendship and trust whereby they often seek him out for guidance and support. Allen has also created meaningful and therapeutic music programs for people suffering with TBI and Parkinson’s. He has gained the trust and respect of both clients and peers and continues to be a vital asset and wonderful addition to the JCC family. “Volunteering is a personal choice, not your job and on behalf of the entire staff of the JCC, I thank you for your extraordinary service,” said Rina Shkolnik, Executive Director, JCC of the Greater Five Towns in addressing the organization’s volunteers. “Volunteers are exceptionally vital to our organization in building organizational strength, taking ownership and becoming visible advocates throughout the community for the JCC and its mission.” The new President of the Board of Directors of the JCC of the Greater Five Towns, Arnie Waldman is Senior Vice-President of CBS Coverage Group, a leading full-service insurance agency based in Plainview, NY. Arnie has remained involved in Young Israel of Woodmere and held positions as Chairman of the Board, gabbai, chairman of the seating committee for the High Holidays and for

New Chairman and President, left to right: Dr. Kenneth Berman and Arnold “Arnie” Waldman. the shul dinner. He is especially committed to causes that concern the most vulnerable citizens among us. Arnie is actively involved with UJA Federation of New York and most recently, Arnie served as the Executive Vice President of the JCC. Chairman and immediate past-president, Dr. Kenneth Berman, a highly respected local dentist has been a longtime supporter of the JCC and is active in numerous causes and organizations including UJA Federation of New York. He is also a board Temple Beth El in Cedarhurst.

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Entire Stock of all Trees, Shrubs, Annuals & Perennials CASH & CARRY ONLY. CREDIT CARDS 30% OFF. WE RESERVE THE RIGHT TO RESTRICT ITEMS TO BE SOLD.

DE SETTAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S

144 FRANKLIN PLACE WOODMERE

1XUVHU\

295-1866

5(*8/$5 +2856 '$<6

MEMBER LONG ISLAND NURSERYMENâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S ASSOCIATION

Professional Installation is Available

Landscape Designers & Contractors SERVING THE FIVE TOWNS FOR OVER 40 YEARS

July 6, 2012 â&#x20AC;¢ 16 TAMMUZ 5772 THE JEWISH STAR