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THE JEWISH Parshas Vayechi • Candlelighting 4:14 pm • Luach page 14

Dec. 25, 2015 • 13 Tevet 5776

Vol 14, No. 49 • TheJewishStar.com

THE NEWSPAPER OF OUR ORTHODOX COMMUNITIES

Hope and Hatikvah at survivor’s levaya

By Judy Joszef little over two months ago, I wrote a column in honor of my dear friend, Debbie Shafran’s father Harry Engelman, Aâ€?H. My husband Jerry and I met with Engelman to hear his stories of growing up in Czechoslovakia, and how well he and his fellow Jews were treated, due to the democratic constitution put into place under that country’s ďŹ rst president, Tomas Masaryk. He spoke of the hakarat hatov to Masaryk.

Engelman was a holocaust survivor, a war hero who arrived in Israel on Aliyah Bet and navigated the ship he was on, The Hatikvah. In Israel, he was part of the Haganah and Golani Brigade.

While in a detention camp on Cyprus, after the war, he made two plaques, by hand with crude tools he made himself — one was for Presi-

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dent Masaryk and the other, a memorial stone, was for the six million Jews who never had a matzevah. An image of that handmade plaque adorns the entrance of his family’s burial society in the cemetery where survivors of his region are buried.

Last week, after a short illness, Harry Engelman A�H passed away peacefully, with his daughter Debbie by his side. t the levaya, Debbie spoke eloquently and beautifully about her father. She said that he didn’t want her to cry, and that it shouldn’t be a sad day. After all, “he was blessed to have lived 91 years, which was 70 more than he ever thought he would ever live to see.�

Continued on page 4

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Sometimes, weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re not what we appear to be

By Rabbi Binny Freedman omeone recently sent me this story about Moe Berg, the strangest Jew ever to play baseball: When baseball greats Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig went on tour in baseball-crazy Japan in 1934, some fans wondered why a third-string catcher named Moe Berg was included. Although he played with ďŹ ve majorleague teams from 1923 to 1939, he was a mediocre ball player. But Moe was regarded as the brainiest ballplayer of all time.â&#x20AC;&#x2122;â&#x20AC;&#x2122; â&#x20AC;&#x153;In fact, Casey Stengel once said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;That is the strangest man ever to play baseball.â&#x20AC;?

When the baseball stars went to Japan and Moe Berg went with them, many people wondered why he went with â&#x20AC;&#x153;the team.â&#x20AC;? The answer was simple: Moe Berg was a United States spy, working undercover with the CIA. Moe spoke 15 languages â&#x20AC;&#x201D; including Japanese â&#x20AC;&#x201D; and he had two loves: baseball and spying.

In Tokyo, garbed in a kimono, Berg took ďŹ&#x201A;owers to the daughter of an American dip-

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This week on pages 10-11

lomat being treated in St. Lukeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Hospital, the tallest building in the Japanese capital. He never delivered the ďŹ&#x201A;owers. The ballplayer ascended to the hospital roof and ďŹ lmed key features: the harbor, military installations, railway yards, etc. Eight years later, General Jimmy Doolittle studied Bergâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ďŹ lms in planning his spectacular raid on Tokyo.

His father disapproved of his baseball career and never once watched his son play.

In Barringer High School, Moe learned Latin, Greek and French. He read at least 10 newspapers every day.

He graduated magna cum laude from Princeton, having added Spanish, Italian, German and Sanskrit to his linguistic quiver. During further studies at the Sorbonne and Columbia Law School, he picked up Japanese, Chinese, Korean, Indian, Arabic, Portuguese and Hungarian â&#x20AC;&#x201D; 15 languages in all, plus some regional Continued on page 18 dialects.

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By Dexter Van Zile, JNS.org Ninety-million evangelical Protestants are part of the backbone of American civil society. These Bible-believing Christians have eclipsed mainline Protestants who comprised the Protestant establishment that led the United States in the decades before, during and after World War II. Many elites in the Washington-New York beltway regard evangelical Protestants with contempt, but this does not diminish their influence. Evangelicals have had a huge impact on presidential and Congressional elections since helping Ronald Reagan win the presidency in 1980.

Because evangelicals regard the Bible as a reliable expression of G-d’s word, they have been some of Israel’s most ardent supporters in the modern era. Polling data indicates that evangelicals are more likely than American Jews to believe that G-d gave the land of Israel to the Jewish people. Moreover, ardent evangelical faith corresponds with higher levels of patriotism; evangelicals are more unashamedly pro-American than many other segments of American society. This helps explain why military enlistment rates are higher in the American Bible Belt than in other parts of the country, particularly the northeast.

In light of the role evangelical Protestants play in the American body politic, it’s no surprise they have been targeted by anti-Israel activists in both the U.S. and the Middle East.

During the early 2000s, Palestinian Christians and their allies, many of them affiliated with Sabeel, a Christian anti-Zionist organization headquartered in Jerusalem, worked

to delegitimize pro-Israel evangelicals in the U.S. by portraying them as zealots intent on engineering a showdown between Christianity and Islam. This message resonated strongly in some quarters, particularly with mainline Protestant churches that have been losing market share to evangelical churches since the mid-1960s.

Another group of Palestinian Christians, often affiliated with Bethlehem Bible College, a nondenominational school located in the West Bank, has worked with allies in the U.S. to influence American evangelicals from the inside by holding biannual “Christ at the Checkpoint” conferences in Bethlehem, where attendees are told that Israel is unworthy of Christian support because it is the homeland for the Jews—the people who rejected their messiah. Speakers at these conferences also state that evangelical support for Israel hinders efforts to proselytize in Muslim-majority countries in the Middle East.

In response to the challenge of anti-Zionism in American evangelicalism, the Committee for Accuracy in Middle East Reporting in America (CAMERA) will host a conference titled “Evangelical Christians, Jews and Israel: Looming Threats To An Historic Friendship,” in Los Angeles on Jan. 18, with speakers including such prominent evangelical leaders such as Laurie Cardoza-Moore, founder and president of the pro-Israel group Proclaiming Justice to the Nations; Rev. Gerald McDermott, Anglican Chair of Divinity at Samford University Beeson Divinity School; and Brad Young, professor at Oral Roberts University.

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the student did not know about the symbol’s Nazi associations.

The spokesman also insisted that last month’s sixth-grade assembly not only discussed the swastika’s peaceful meaning, but also its connections to Nazi Germany and the Holocaust. He added that the school is investigating Post accounts of at least eight other incidents of swastika drawings, but that those incidents have not been confirmed.

A version of this report first appeared in the Riverdale Press.

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By Isabel Angell Controversy over the way an elite Riverdale school handled a student’s drawing of a swastika-like symbol has reportedly led the school to add more education about the Holocaust.

The Ethical Culture Fieldston School has reached out to Holocaust education experts to hold a series of events and will overhaul its middle school curriculum to include more information about the Holocaust, according to Rubenstein Communications, which the school hired to handle inquiries about the matter. Fieldston officials declined to answer any questions themselves.

The moves come after The New York Post reported that at an assembly, the swastika was described as a symbol of peace — overlooking its use by Nazis — after a student made a drawing resembling a swastika in a sixth-grade art class. The Post also quoted a parent who said a notebook had been found on the middle school campus with the words “Hitler rocks” written on the cover.

According to The Post, the assembly focused on the swastika’s use as a symbol denoting peace in several cultures, but barely mentioned its more recent history as a symbol of Nazism.

The Rubenstein spokesman said that while the school had some lessons that touch on the Holocaust, Fieldston educators realized they need to do more. In the short term, the school will host a series of events, including screening a documentary from the Museum of Tolerance and an assembly featuring a Holocaust survivor.

“We will use this experience to consider whether our curriculum should be enhanced to incorporate these lessons and values earlier in our students’ educational experience to ensure greater awareness and sensitivity,” Head of School Damian Hernandez and Board of Trustees Chair Caryn SeidmanBecker said in an email to parents.

The school will maintain its partnership with both the Museum of Tolerance and the Simon Wiesenthal Center, which partly focus on educating people about the Holocaust and its legacy, and faculty will work with staff from the center to incorporate lessons about the Holocaust and Nazi Germany into its curriculum, the Rubenstein spokesman said.

School officials were also planning to meet with Riverdale rabbis, including Rabbi Steven Exler of the Hebrew Institute of Riverdale.

Former Community Board 8 Chairman Charles Moerdler, who escaped Nazi Germany as a young boy, said in his view, it is clear the school did not adequately teach its students about the Holocaust and the atrocities of World War II. “I’d like to see them commence a program of Holocaust teaching within the school that is mandatory for all students, because it is painfully clear that these kids have not been taught,” said Moerdler, current chairman of CB 8’s Land Use Committee.

“What does it take for people to understand that if you don’t teach, you have a problem?” he added.

Some details of what the student drew and how Fieldston reacted are in dispute.

The Rubenstein spokesman said that the student came from a Hindu background, in which an image visually similar to the swastika represents peace, and contended that

THE JEWISH STAR December 25, 2015 • 13 Tevet 5776

Furor over swastika at elite Riverdale school

Hope, Hatikvah, at Harry Engelmanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s levayaâ&#x20AC;Ś Continued from page 1 He wanted the day to be a celebration of his life with balloons instead of a funeral. He also wanted Chopinâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Funeral March to be played. He had heard it when he was a young boy and loved it.

As she spoke to her dad in the hesped, she apologize to him, in that she wasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t sure she was allowed to play the music or have the balloons.

She spoke of her fatherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s concern, that the six million Jewish neshamot never be forgotten. She told of a father who doted on her and then his grandchildren.

She spoke of his heroism, determination and ďŹ erce love of Israel. She spoke of how many people were touched by him in one way or another â&#x20AC;&#x201D; from the little kids who +DUU\ (QJHOPDQ ZLWK KLV would delight in the candy GDXJKWHU 'HEELH he gave out in shul, to the teenagers who headed over to him each Shabbat to get a kiss on the forehead, to the multitude of people he met and touched in his lifetime.

He couldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t understand why there was just one day, set aside to remember the Shoah. He was also upset that the Hatikvah wasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t played at every Jewish function.

There were tears and a few laughs and a room full of family and friends that hung onto

He experienced the humiliation of the Holocaust, the witnessing of the valley of bones and the devastation of the human spirit in Majenekâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s slave labor concentration camp. He was as starved as the skin and bones of the breathing human ďŹ gures which stood and breathed, broken and despairing, in Yechezkel.

Although â&#x20AC;&#x153;our hope is lostâ&#x20AC;? might have been ephemerally felt by him during his devastating experiences, his spirit and capacity to hope were ultimately revitalized and we honored that rekindling by singing Hatikvah that day.

Once at the cemetery, instead of going straight to the burial plot, the Aron was brought ďŹ rst to the monument which Mr. Engelman designed and erected at the entrance of his familyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s burial society, to honor his family and the six million Jews who were murdered. As Debbieâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s son-in-law recited the Kel Malei Rachamim, words cannot properly express the beauty and meaning we felt at that moment.

After the burial, and when most people had left the cemetery, Debbieâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s son-in-law played Chopinâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Funeral March on his iPhone.

It was played very low and we had to strain to hear the beautiful sounds. Debbie made sure that her fatherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s unique request for his funeral would be met. Without question he would have loved his funeral. The only thing missing were the balloons.

Debbie, always there to help her parents, made sure her fatherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ďŹ nal wishes were honored as he left this world to join his parents and family that he lost so long ago.

When I arrived the next morning to pay a shiva call, two small balloons, one white and one blue, were tied to the mailbox outside. I smiled. Kol hakavod, Mr. Engelman, Kol hakavod.

-XG\ -RV]HIÂśV IURQW SDJH VWRU\ DERXW +DUU\ (QJHOPDQ IURP WKH 2FW -HZLVK 6WDU

Debbieâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s every word describing her father.

After Debbie, three of her daughters spoke, beautifully expressing the love, admiration and respect they had for their grandfather.

Each of them shared the intimate personal journey they shared with this special man. fter all the hespedim, Debbieâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s son-inlaw led everyone in singing The Hatikvah.

A funeral chapel, ďŹ lled with men and women, young and old, stood, and in unison began to sing the Hatikvah, most with tears in their eyes. I canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t even begin to describe the scene and the feelings we felt at that very moment.

Israelâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s national anthem was inspired by and derived from the poem â&#x20AC;&#x153;Tikvatenuâ&#x20AC;? written in 1878 by Naftali Herz Imber. The words â&#x20AC;&#x153;od lou ovdoh tikvatenu,â&#x20AC;? meaning â&#x20AC;&#x153;our hope is not lost,â&#x20AC;? was speciďŹ cally intended to respond to the famous prophesy in Yechezkel (Ezekiel), chapter 37,1-14, of the vision of the dry bones. The dry bones symbolized Israelâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s feeling of loss and despair following the devastating bloodshed and defeat experienced by our nation during the destruction of Jerusalem. In his vision, Yechezkel is commanded to prophesize to a valley ďŹ lled entirely by dry

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bones. Yechezkel witnessed the bones come together with sinews, ďŹ&#x201A;esh and skin appearing on them. Finally they began to breathe; they stood up, now physically revived.

Afterwards, Yechezkel receives another prophesy (37,11-14 ) which integrates the vision of the dry bones with the devastatingly hopeless feelings which pervaded the Jewish people in his time. Hashem informs Yechezkel that the â&#x20AC;&#x153;bones are the people of Israel. They say â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Our bones are dried, and our hope is lostâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;â&#x20AC;Śâ&#x20AC;?

Debbieâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s father Aâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;H survived the valley of dried bones in Gunskirchen, an annex of Mauthausen, which was an extermination camp as well as a slave labor camp. Under Nazi ideology, Jews were subhuman or even nonhuman, and the Nazis created dehumanizing humiliating dominating conditions in the concentration camp, designed to not only starve and destroy the Jewish victims physically, but to destroy their human spirit, stripping the victims of all vestiges of humanity. Fundamentally, they were designed to exterminate all notions of the concept â&#x20AC;&#x153;hope.â&#x20AC;?

These are perhaps the most fundamentally crucial points in understanding the importance of Hatikvah being sung passionately at Harry Engelmanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s funeral.

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an additional lane dedicated to public transportation, and then you divide that section into two parts, there are now four parts and the arrangement is much more complicated. A pedestrians needs to cross all of these components and when crossing needs to look left, right, left, right— or sometimes right, right, left. Unfortunately, this also has its expression in accidents.”

In Tel Aviv, where the weather is more welcoming to pedestrian commutes, there has been a successful thrust for use of bikes instead of cars. But without bike lanes, says Oron-Gilad, people are getting hit.

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By Maayan Jaffe-Hoffman, JNS.org Honk. Honk. Hoooonk. It’s the sound of the Israeli street.

Israelis have a reputation for aggressive driving, but according to a 2014 report, 263 people lost their lives on Israel’s roads in 2012, a 40-percent decrease from the number of accidents causing death in 2000.

“There has been a real increase in the awareness of the need for road safety,” says Dr. Victoria Gitelman, a researcher at the Transportation Research Institute of Technion Israel Institute of Technology in Haifa.

So what has changed?

First: public transportation. According to Dr. Tal Oron-Gilad, tenured associate professor at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev (BGU), there has been a major shift toward Israelis increasing their use of public transport. In urban areas such as Jerusalem, the establishment of the light rail has reduced city traffic.

There’s also a slogan. A decade-long Ministry of Transportation campaign to “calm the traffic” in Israeli residential areas has resulted in a nearly complete eradication of pedestrian casualties in those areas, says Gitelman.

Another major factor has been Israel’s investment in infrastructure upgrades. Sophisticated technologies, such as rumble strips and forgiving roadside designs that include soft shoulders have helped mitigate the consequences of runoff type road accidents where the vehicle leaves the road and enters the roadside.

A Bank of Israel study found that sharp turns increase the number of accidents by as much as 21 percent. The addition of tunnels that cut through the mountains and remove the ups, downs, and curves in areas like the entrance to Jerusalem off Highway 1, as well as the entrance to Haifa, “is changing driving dramatically,” says Oron-Gilad.

A final major shift has been Israel’s policy of checking for drunk drivers. For decades, there was a popular belief that alcohol-induced traffic accidents were not a trend in Israel. But when officials started to measure the number of alcohol-related traffic incidents, they found that “we do have a problem,” Gitelman says.

As such, traffic police now dedicate a certain amount of time to this issue, with random checks, especially on holidays and weekends.

In May, BGU researchers and students released a sophisticated lifesaving mobile app that classifies drivers based on their driving style and phone usage while driving. The system uses a smartphone’s sensor to collect and store multiple types of data on driving in the cloud, which is then analyzed and provided to the user. It provides an opportunity for remedial training and awareness of one’s driving style and level of addition to the smartphone while driving. The hope is that reducing how much drivers text while behind the wheel could help in fighting a growing and dangerous pandemic.

In June, a BGU study addressed the contributing factors of music to traffic violations and human error. In his book, “Driving and Music: Cognitive-Behavioral Implications,” BGU professor Warren Brodsky explains, “The research is irrefutable that listening to music in the car affects the way you drive. … Ideally, drivers should choose tunes that do not trigger distracting thoughts, memories, emotions, or hand-drumming along to the beat.”

While officials celebrate the increased use of public transportation, Gitelman says arrangements have not been made to help pedestrians navigate the aforementioned public transportation lanes.

“Imagine a road, you have two directions: north and south,” says Gitelman. “Usually, that road is divided into two parts. Now, if you build

ZIVA’S TRAVEL

THE JEWISH STAR December 25, 2015 • 13 Tevet 5776

Road fixes and research eye better Israeli driving

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December 25, 2015 • 13 Tevet 5776 THE JEWISH STAR

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As the war draws ever closer…

BEN COHEN VIEWPOINT

T

he most recent Republican presidential debate was a breath of fresh air on the terrorism challenge that is front and center in American politics right now.

To begin with, it was heartening to see Jeb Bush, whose quest to secure the nomination is all but over, remind Americans that he can be a clear and insightful thinker and leader.

As he lambasted Donald Trump for the latter’s stupid and bigoted proposal to ban Muslims from entering the United States, Bush pointed out a few indubitable truths, most importantly concerning the Kurds.

“We need to arm directly the Kurds,” Bush said. “The Kurds are the greatest fighting force and our strongest allies.”

Then came a fairly obvious point of information, but you can legitimately wonder whether Trump was in fact of aware of it.

“They’re Muslim,” Bush added helpfully regarding the Kurds, as he advanced the broader argument that defeating Islamist terrorism means we need to cement existing allies in the Muslim world, and make new ones.

The Kurdish struggle for self-determination and against Islamist extremism hasn’t exactly been appreciated by the Obama administration, and it was good to hear a Republican underscore why that needs to change (and why it won’t if the catastrophe that would be a Trump nomination comes to pass).

Then there was the small matter of Iran and its ally, the Bashar al-Assad regime in Syria. To listen to the Obama administration’s rhetoric in the wake of the Paris and San Bernardino massacres, you would never know that the mullahs running Iran have played a central role in the rise of Islamic State. Not so with the Republican frontrunners.

“Assad is a puppet of Iran,” said Marco Rubio, who then explained that the Syrian tyrant’s brutality towards Sunni Arabs “led to the chaos which allowed ISIS to come in and take advantage of that situation and grow more powerful.” There was also Chris Christie, who

said, “We need to focus our attention on Iran, because if you miss Iran, you are not going to get ISIS. The two are inextricably connected because one causes the other.” Indeed, the only candidate who hasn’t grasped the deadly dynamic between Iran and ISIS is Trump, who made it clear that he regards Russia, Iran and Assad as allies against ISIS and cautioned that we can only do “one thing at a time.”

The overriding consideration here should be that, currently, we are not doing very much at all. You might think that we are in a position to strike a death blow at ISIS, given how its corridor between Mosul and Raqqa has been disrupted in recent weeks—but we are not.

As for Iran, America is finally leading from the front, but not in a good way. On Dec. 17, Secretary of State John Kerry told the Senate Foreign Relations Committee that Iran is fulfilling its obligations under the JCPOA, the nuclear deal reached last summer, in a “transparent” and “verifiable” way. As a result, the Tehran regime can look forward to the lifting of sanctions as early as January.

Continued on page 16

Hillary ignored Blackberry warnings JEFF DUNETZ POLITICS TO GO

I

f she is elected president, Hillary Clinton would have access to the most sensitive secrets held by the government. The ongoing email scandal puts her suitability for that kind of access in question.

The latest revelation: The ambassador in charge of security in the State Department under Hillary, strongly recommended that she and her top aids avoid using blackberries. The fact that this recommendation was ignored is just the latest example of how the presumptive Democratic Party nominee’s insolent attitude toward sensitive information.

Via a Freedom of Information Act court order, Judicial Watch received more than 50 emails, many marked “sensitive,” revealing the internal State Department debate about the use of Blackberries by Clinton and her staff. These included a 2009 internal memo from the assistant secretary for diplomatic security that warned of “vulnerabilities and risks” of Blackberries in executive suites.

Not only did Clinton ignore warning by using her Blackberry in the executive offices, but she used it outside the friendly confines of Foggy Bottom. Making matters worse, documents released in August revealed Clinton’s Blackberry was not issued by the State Department and thus did not include government fire walls and other security application.

The key document in this latest batch of emails is a March 2, 2009, internal memorandum from Assistant Secretary for Diplomatic Security Eric Boswell, entitled, “Use of Blackberries on Mahogany Row.” Mahogany Row is government slang for the senior executive floor, a reference to the paneling of its walls. n that memo, Boswell strongly advised that Blackberry devices not be allowed, especially for senior staff. Sent to Clinton and her Chief of Staff Cheryl Mills, the memo explains “the vulnerabilities and risks associated with the use of Blackberries in Mahogany Row considerably outweigh their convenience.”

The internal debate began with a Feb. 9, 2009, email from an unidentified source to State Department Director of the Office of Physical Security Programs Gentry Smith and Senior Coordinator for Security Infrastruc-

I

ture, Bureau of Diplomatic Security, Donald Reid. The sender, whose name was redacted, advised, “I wanted to share with you, back channel, a little insight into current thinking in the secretary’s inner circle on technology issues.” That same day, Reid responded by acknowledging the “vulnerabilities of portable devices” and saying he would expand the discussion to include Clinton Chief of Staff Cheryl Mills who wanted “to correct urban myths … re other agencies.”

Boswell’s internal memo forcefully warned of the security risks involved in the use of Blackberries by Clinton and her staff: “Our review reaffirms our belief that the vulnerabilities and risks associated with the use of Blackberries in the Mahogany Row [REDACTED] considerably outweigh the convenience their use can add to staff that have access to the classified OpenNet system on their desktops. [RECACTED] We also worry about the example that using Blackberries in Mahogany Row might set as we strive to promote crucial security practices and enforce important security standards among State Department staff. (…) I cannot stress too strongly, however, that any unclassified Blackberry is highly vulnerable in any setting to remotely and covertly monitoring conversations, retrieving e-mails, and exploiting calendars.”

In an email responding to the Boswell memo later in the day on March 2, 2011, Reid wrote they were working on a memo to warn Clinton (referred to as “S”) about possible cyber security breaches: “We have a DS Memo to S re

malicious cyber activity directed toward Dept. seniors that is circulating in final clearance.”

An email issued nine days after Boswell’s memo reported that Secretary of State Clinton was aware of the contents of “Use of Blackberries on Mahogany Row.” This March 11th email was from a redacted source and sent to Reid, and Patrick Donovan (Director of the Diplomatic Security Service) and others whose names were redacted. According to the email: “After this mornings ‘management meeting’ with the A/Secys, Secretary Clinton approached Ambassador Boswell and mentioned that she had read the IM [internal memo] and that she ‘gets it.’ Her attention was drawn to the sentence that indicates we (DS) have intelligence concerning the vulnerability during her recent trip to Asia.”

Many Democratic members of Congress will call this a witchhunt, as they have with similar Clinton scandals. This Blackberry story is not conjecture, it is narrated via internal State Department emails and memos turned over by the department. When considered along with the news about the former Secretary of State using an unsecured email server located in her home, it should motivate voters on both sides of the aisle ponder this: If Hillary Clinton took such a cavalier attitude to our nation’s secrets as secretary of state even after being warned, what makes one think she would be any different if she sat in the Oval Office and had access to even more secrets?

7

STEPHEN M. FLATOW

T

he Arab journalist whom the New York Times has hired to report on Israel has come up with the most “terrifying” example yet of Israeli oppression: The issuing of parking tickets to Palestinians.

The reporter, Diaa Hadid, who describes herself as “an Australian of Lebanese and Egyptian descent,” previously served as public relations officer for the pro-Palestinian group Ittijah. Its director, Amir Makhloul, is in an Israeli prison for espionage on behalf of Hezbollah terrorists.

Hadid’s resume also includes a stint as a columnist for the anti-Israel website ElectronicIntifada.net. With that kind of track record, you might have expected that her articles for the Times would exhibit a pro-Palestinian bias, and she has indeed lived up to those expectations.

But one would hope that her editors in New York would exercise a little more discretion before rushing her dispatches from Jerusalem into print.

Last week’s blast from Hadid is a good example of what I mean.

In her Dec. 17 report, Hadid played the usual moral-equivalence game with the casualty statistics: “Since the uprising began in October, Palestinians have killed 18 Israelis and an American citizen. More than 115 Palestinians have been killed in the same period.”

Get it? Six times as many Palestinians “have been killed” as Israelis. This, of course, makes the Israelis the bad guys and the Palestinians the innocent victims. Anybody who knows the casualty figures for Americans and Germans in World War Two will instantly understand that body counts tell you nothing about right and wrong.

Hadid later mentions that of those 115 dead Palestinians, “60 have been shot dead while attacking Israelis.” What about the oth-

er 55? Her implication is that 55 innocent, defenseless Palestinian civilians were murdered by Israelis.

Was there some horrendous Israeli massacre of 55 Palestinians that the rest of us never heard about? Not quite. Those 55 were shot dead while hurling deadly firebombs and rocks at Israeli soldiers, who fired back in self-defense. But mobs of Palestinians throwing Molotov cocktails don’t count as “attackers” in Diaa Hadid’s book. They’re “protesters.” So they were killed while “protesting.” ut the most inventive aspect of Hadid’s Dec. 17 article [weblinK: http://nyti. ms/1kenGi3] on was the ghastly new example of Israeli persecution that she has uncovered: “Palestinians say the Israelis are going too far, taking vindictive steps meant to remind them who is in charge. Residents of one East Jerusalem neighborhood awoke one day to find vehicles blanketed with parking tickets, in an area usually ignored by the police.”

Parking tickets on illegally parked cars! What will those dastardly Israeli oppressors come up with next?

If Diaa Hadid thinks that a parking ticket is an example of “vindictive” Israelis trying to show the Palestinians “who is in charge,” she ought to try a little experiment. On her next visit to New York to meet with her bosses in midtown Manhattan, she should park her car illegally.

Then, when her car is “blanketed” with tickets, she can report on how the New York Police Department is persecuting her, an innocent Arab journalist, in order to show her “who is in charge.” Perhaps the Council on American-Islamic Relations will hold a press conference to denounce this outrageous example of “profiling,” and the American Civil Liberties Union can sue Mayor de Blasio. You think I’m kidding? Hey, crazier things have happened.

Stephen M. Flatow, an attorney in New Jersey, is the father of Alisa Flatow, who was murdered in an Iranian-sponsored Palestinian terrorist attack in 1995.

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8

Rabbis at Calvary discuss end-of-life decisions Calvary Hospital, in collaboration with the National Association of Chevra Kadisha (NASCK), hosted a forum on â&#x20AC;&#x153;Halachic End-of-life Care: Practical Information Every Community Rabbi Should Know.â&#x20AC;? The objective was to educate people on the complex issues surrounding end-of-life (EOL) care under Jewish law, so that people can make the right decisions for their families.

The Dec. 17 event attracted rabbis, doctors, social workers and rabbinical students from throughout the New York area, including attendees from Yeshiva University, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Vaad Harabonim of Queens, Chabad Care, Daughters of Israel, Jewish Community Council of Canarsie, the Young Israels of Fort Lee, Kew Gardens Hills, Monsey, Wesley Hills, and other organizations.

The program featured presentations by Rabbi Elchonon Zohn, founder of NASCK; Rabbi Mordechai Willig, rosh yeshiva, Yeshiva University; Christopher C. Comfort, MD, medical director, Calvary Hospital; and Tony Susi ACSW, ACHP-SW, director of supportive services, Calvary Hospital Hospice Program.

Participants learned about EOL care in accordance with halacha; essential medical terminology for EOL decisions; Calvaryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Home Hospice; and the Hospitalâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Dawn Greene Hospice in Manhattan. They visited Calvaryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Shabbos Lounge and Kosher Hospitality Room; and learned about its 116-year history

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of caring for Jewish patients, from Michael J. Brescia, MD, Executive Medical Director.

Three rabbis care for hundreds of Jewish inpatients and home hospice patients at Calvary each year. In addition to kosher food upon request, Jewish inpatients and their families can expect a daily visit from a rabbi, food from an expanded kosher hospitality

room, dedicated Shabbos lounge, Kabbalat Shabbat service, and celebrations of all major holidays. Calvary Hospital is part of the Pelham Parkway eruv.

Calvary recently embarked on a year-long restoration of a historic Torah, No. 515, on permanent loan from the Memorial Scrolls Trust. A fundraising initiative related to this

project will support Calvaryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s comprehensive care for all patients and families at their inpatient facilities, Home Hospice patients throughout the greater New York area, and at the Dawn Greene Hospice. To support this important initiative, visit calvaryhospital. org/torahrestoration.

The hospitalâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s outreach to the Jewish community, and the Torah restoration, has been spearheaded by Dr. Brescia.

Since 2012, Calvary has partnered with Yeshiva University to educate people in the Orthodox Jewish community about how to access excellent end-of-life care in accordance with halacha. The goal of this partnership is to provide observant Jews with the information they need to make the right end-of-life care decisions for their families.

To learn more about the YU program or to submit questions, visit yu.edu/riets/end-oflife-care and click on the button called â&#x20AC;&#x153;Rabbinic Consultation Form.â&#x20AC;?

The National Association of Chevra Kadisha (NASCK) was founded in 1996 to form a united and cohesive group of Jewish burial societies in the United States and Canada, dedicated to promoting awareness of traditional Jewish end-of-life decisions and burial practices. It acts as an umbrella organization to assist afďŹ liated groups in deďŹ ning, establishing, and achieving the highest degree of respect for life and kovod hames as deďŹ ned

by Jewish law.

â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;TEAMâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Shabbos promotes â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;end-of-life awarenessâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;

By Meira Bauman, NASCK There are few instances in halachah where one is obligated to override other mitzvos in the Torah in order to keep one mitzvah. Two such instances are pikuach nefesh, when a life is threatened, and mes mitzvah, when a fellow Jew may not be given the respect that Jewish burial provides.

The Torah explains the reasoning for the value of life, when prohibiting the taking of anotherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s life, by saying â&#x20AC;&#x153;ki bâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;tzelem Elokim osah es haâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;adom,â&#x20AC;? man was created in the image of Hashem.

The same reasoning is used when the Torah mandates the respect given to the body after death, as the Torah says in Ki Saitzai, â&#x20AC;&#x153;ki killas Elokim talui,â&#x20AC;? the image of Hashem would be deďŹ led if a body is not buried immediately.

The common thread connecting these two mitzvos is the recognition of and the prominence given to each and every individual, as every person represents a tzelem Elokim.

Many people do not fully understand the modern-day practical applications of these concepts. Pikuach nefesh today involves making the proper medical decisions to ensure that oneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s life is prolonged. Mes mitzvah is no longer a body found in the ďŹ eld that needs to be buried, but rather someone in good health making a choice to be cremated instead of choosing traditional Jewish burial.

This Shabbos Parshas Vayechi (12.26.15) is the Shabbos designated by TEAM, the Traditional End-of-Life Awareness Movement, to generate awareness about the inherent sanctity of life, the signiďŹ cance of making appropriate end-of-life decisions, and the importance of traditional Jewish Burial.

Todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s medical ethic deďŹ nes life by its quality. Hospitals and medical institutions frequently push patients to pull the plug and minimize medical procedures, ending their lives prematurely.

There is a widespread lack of knowledge and awareness about the importance of ev-

ery moment of life, the Torah view on the afterlife, and the requirements of kevurah kâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;halachah. Therefore, people within our community, and certainly many of our relatives, acquaintances and co-workers, make end-of-life choices that are contrary to Torah values.

We have an overriding obligation to educate our community. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s time we open the conversation.

With the involvement of over 250 rabbis in more than 130 communities, TEAM Shabbos hopes to engender awareness of the meaning of these issues, the severity of the current situation, and the steps we can take to bring about change.

Utilizing the teachable moment of Parshas Vayechi, which covers the topics of Yaakov Avinuâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s illness and direction to his children, his request for chessed-shel-emes and his arrangement for burial, TEAM will encourage people to consider and deal with these infrequently discussed issues.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Preparing people to make proper endof-life medical decisions and educating klal Yisroel about kevurah kâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;halachah are very important causes,â&#x20AC;? says Rabbi Shmuel Fuerst of Chicago. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I encourage every Rav to join Rabbi Zohn and NASCK (the National Association of Chevra Kadisha) in this TEAM Shabbos movement.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;TEAM Shabbos is a very important initiative, and I encourage all rabbanim to join and create a national awareness about these topics,â&#x20AC;? says Rabbi Moshe Heinemann of Baltimore.

The Parshios in the Torah that mention the topic of death are called Vayechi and Chayei Sarah, which both have the noun â&#x20AC;&#x153;lifeâ&#x20AC;? at their roots. Because death is not the end, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the transition to eternal life.

The Torahâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s perspective on end-of-life matters is not easy to talk about. TEAM is looking to change that now.

If your shul has not yet signed up to join the TEAM, visit teamshabbos.org.

Achiezer trumpets volunteers at fun Chanukah event

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Achiezer volunteers and board members joined together for an annual evening of appreciation, on the third night of Chanukah.

The diversity of Achizer volunteers spans a large spectrum, including drivers, doctors, counselors, mentors, surgeons, educational consultants, lawyers, cooks, ďŹ nancial advisers, coordinators, and more. They are available to assist members of the community around the clock. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re humbled by the incredible turnout,â&#x20AC;? said Rabbi Boruch Ber Bender, founder and president of Achiezer. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Without [our volunteers], we would not be able to accomplish even one iota of what we do.â&#x20AC;?

Rabbi Bender spoke of the tremendous value of Achiezerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s work.

John Pizzi, master ventriloquist and comedian, entertained the guests.

Achiezer thanks Scott Fagan of Traditions for sponsoring the very generous ďŹ&#x201A;eishig buffet and dessert spread and Moshe Ratner and Yoeli Steinberg of Gourmet Glatt of Cedarhurst for the beautiful sushi spread.

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THE JEWISH STAR December 25, 2015 • 13 Tevet 5776

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Shomrei Torah, Fair Lawn, NJ | Cong. Sons of Israel, Allentown, PA | Cong. Tiferes Yisroel, Baltimore, MD | Cong.

Toras Chaim, Dallas, TX | Cong. Toras Emes of Staten Island, NY | Cong. Torat Emet, Bexley, OH | Cong. Zera Abraham, Denver, CO | Cong. Zichron Eliezer, Cincinnati, OH | Cong. Zichron Mordechai, Teaneck, NJ | Cong.

Zichron Yaakov, Lakewood, NJ | Darchei Tzedek, Baltimore, MD | Degel Israel, Queens, NY | Derech Chaim, Baltimore, MD | Elmora Hills Minyan, Union, NJ | Etz Chaim Cong., Flushing, NY | Fountain View Shul, Monsey, NY | Great Neck Synagogue, NY | Greater Community Kollel of Las Vegas, NV | HILI Beth Medrash, Far Rockaway, NY | Hebrew Orthodox Cong., South Bend, IN | JEM Center of Beverly Hills, Beverly Hills, CA | Jewish Heritage Ctr., Flushing, NY | Kahal Ahavas Yitzchok, Wesley Hills, NY | Kehal Tiferes Avraham, Brooklyn, NY | Kehilas Moreshes Yaakov, Brooklyn, NY | Kehilat Chovevei Tzion, Skokie, IL | Kehilat Ohr Yitzchak, Flushing, NY | Kehilat Sephardim Ahavat Achim, Flushing, NY | Kehilath B’nai Torah, Baltimore, MD | Kehilath Jacob Beth Samuel, Chicago, IL | Keneseth Beth Israel, Richmond, VA | Kesher Israel Cong., Harrisburg, PA | Keter Torah, Teaneck, NJ | Kew Gardens Synagogue, NY | Khal Adas Yereim, Kew Gardens, NY | Khal Ahavas Yisroel Tzemach Tzedek, Baltimore, MD | Khal Ateres Yeshaya, Lakewood, NJ | Khal Mekor Habracha, Flushing, NY | Khal Nachlas Avos, Richmond Hill, NY | Khal Nachlas Yitzchok, Flushing, NY | Kingsway Jewish Ctr. , Brooklyn, NY | Lake Park Synagogue, Milwaukee, WI | Landfield Ave. Synagogue - Chabad, Monticello, NY | Lido Beach Synagogue, NY | Lubavitch Chabad of Northbrook, IL | Mercaz Torah U’Telfilah, Baltimore, MD | Mt. Sinai Jewish Ctr., NY, NY | New Springville Jewish Ctr., Staten Island, NY | New Synagogue of Palm Beach, FL | Ohev Tzedek Synagogue, Cleveland Heights, OH | Ohr Chaim , Miami Beach, FL | Ohr Hamizrach, Baltimore, MD | Old Broadway Synagogue , NY, NY | Orlando Torah Ctr., FL | Passaic Torah Institute, NJ | Persian Hebrew Cong. of Skokie, Skokie, IL | Pittsburgh Shul - Chabad, PA | Plainview Synagogue, NY | Queens Jewish Ctr., NY | Rockwood Park Jewish Ctr., Howard Beach, NY | Schomre Israel of Poughkeepsie, NY | Sephardic Jewish Cong., Flushing, NY | Sephardic Torah Center of Dallas, TX | Shaaray Tefillah, N. Miami Beach, FL | Shaare Torah Cong., Pittsburgh, PA | Shearith Israel Cong., Baltimore, MD | Sons of Israel, Cherry Hill, NJ | S.E. Hebrew Cong., Silver Spring, MD | Suburban Orthodox Cong., Baltimore, MD | Synagogue of the Suburban Tifereth Shlomo, Forest HIlls, NY | Torah Ctr., Livingston, NJ | T.I.C.K. Chesterfield, MO | The Bialystoker Synagogue, NY, NY | The JEC Elmora Ave. Shul, Elizabeth, NJ | The Jewish Learning Exchange, LA, CA | The Ohel Leah Synagogue, Hong Kong | Torah Ctr. of Hillcrest, Flushing, NY | Union Hill Cong., Manalapan, NJ | Utopia Jewish Ctr., Hillcrest, NY | White Shul, Far Rockaway, NY | Woodside Synogogue Ahavas Torah, Silver Spring, MD | Yeshiva Kesser Torah, Flushing, NY | Yeshiva of New Haven, CT | Y.I. of Century City, LA, CA | Y.I. Ezras Israel of Potomac, MD | Y.I. Jamaica Estates, Queens, NY | Y.I. Lawrence-Cedarhurst, NY | Y.I. of Bal Harbour, Surfside, FL | Y.I. of Boca Raton, FL | Y.I. of Briarwood, Jamiaca, NY | Y.I. of Cherry Hill, NJ | Y.I. of Deerfield Beach, FL | Y.I. of E. Northport, NY | Y.I. of Far Rockaway, NY | Y.I. of Flatbush, Brooklyn, NY | Y.I. of Forest Hills, NY | Y.I. of Great Neck, NY | Y.I. of Greater Cleveland, OH | Y.I. of Greater Miami, FL | Y.I. of Harrison, NY | Y.I. of Hewlett, NY | Y.I. of Hillcrest, NY | Y.I. of Hollis Hills-Windsor Park, Queens, NY | Y.I. of Hollywood, FL | Y.I. of Houston, TX | Y.I. of Huntington, NY | Y.I. of Kendall, FL | Y.I. of Kew Gardens Hills, NY | Y.I. of Monsey and Wesley Hills, NY | Y.I. of Main Line, Bala Cynwyd, PA | Y.I. of New Hyde Park, NY | Y.I. of New Rochelle, NY | Y.I. of N. Bellmore, NY | Y.I. of N. Woodmere, NY | Y.I. of Orange Cnty., Irvine, CA | Y.I. of Ottawa, ON | Y.I. of Pelham Parkway, Bronx, NY | Y.I. of Phoenix, AZ | Y.I. of Queens Valley, Flushing, NY | Y.I. of Riverdale, NY | Y.I. of St. Louis, MO | Y.I. of Staten Island, NY | Y.I. of Sunnyside, Queens, NY | Y.I. of West Hartford, CT | Y.I. of Woodmere, NY | Y.I. Shomrai Emunah, Silver Spring, MD

Dec 26 14 Teves

Sale Dates: December 27th - January2nd 2016

Weekly Starkist Solid White Tuna

Snapple Iced Teas

Red Pack Tomatoes

All Flavors 12 Pack - 12 oz

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699

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¢ 89 ......................................................

General Mills 11.8 oz Cocoa Puffs; 10.7 oz Trix; 12 oz Golden Grahams; 11.2 oz Cookie Crisp; 13 oz Peanut Butter Puffs $ 49

2

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Vitarroz Bravos 7.4 oz

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99¢

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2/$

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449

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4/$

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7 oz

Except Lasagna, Jumbo Shells, Manicotti, Gluten-Free & 150 Calorie - 12 oz - 16 oz

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38 oz

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$ 99

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Heinz Ketchup

Assorted 15 oz/16.3 oz

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399

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$

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Regular or Lactose-Free - 64oz

7 oz

299 ...................................................... $

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3

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Ha’olam Shredded Cheese

Dozen

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3

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All Flavors - 6 oz

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Fleischman’s Margarine

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Axelrod Cottage Cheese

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Assorted 16 oz

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Oronque Pie Shells

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(516) 569-2662

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FRIDAY 7 AM UNTIL 2 HRS. BEFORE CANDLE LIGHTING

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December 25, 2015 • 13 Tevet 5776 THE JEWISH STAR

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11 THE JEWISH STAR December 25, 2015 • 13 Tevet 5776

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5 lb Bag

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299ea. $ 49 Matbucha Pre-Packaged 3 ea. $ Hearts of Palm Salad Pre-Packaged 449ea.

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Red Lentils At the Counter ORZ IDW $599lb.

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$

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800696

Golden Delicious Apples

December 25, 2015 • 13 Tevet 5776 THE JEWISH STAR

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JEWISH STAR Schools HANC High completes Tanach to honor Ezra Schwartz HY”D In an emotional and moving assembly, HANC students, faculty and parents joined for a Siyum Tanach in memory of Ezra Schwartz HY”D. Ezra, a young man from Sharon, Massachusetts, was spending his gap year in yeshiva in Eretz Yisroel when he was gunned down by terrorists.

The HANC Israel Action Committee, led by Zehava Weiss, immediately initiated a drive to fulfill Ezra’s unfinished dream of completing Tanach this year. The siyum and commemoration was held on Dec. 21, the morning of the shloshim of Ezra’s murder. It was livestreamed to the HANC community.

Rabbi Eliyhu Alpert recited a soul-stirring Hadran and Kadish that left many in tears. Students Zehava Weiss and Eric Lenefsky delivered addresses as well. A siyum breakfast was sponsored by numerous parents and patrons.

HANC is proud to have undertaken this accomplishment. May we be zocheh to see the ultimate geulah and no longer know of tragedy and suffering.

A tasty lesson in writing ‘how to’

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As part of their language arts lesson on writing “how to” stories, first graders at HANC’s Samuel & Elizabeth Bass Golding Elementary School, in West Hempstead, brainstormed on “how to” bake cookies. Students were then tasked with writing down all the steps in the baking process.

The students learned the important transitional words: first, then, next and last.

The first grade teachers surprised their students by bringing the lesson to life and actually baking cookies!

In honor of Chanukah, the Early Childhood Division of Shulamith School for Girls went to Cup o Fun in Valley Stream where they enjoyed exercising their gross motor skills — jumping, running and playing in the bouncy house, ball pits and climbing structures.

E2K at HANC Sixth graders at HANC’s Samuel & Elizabeth Bass Golding Elementary School, in West Hempstead, are having an amazing time participating in E2K, an after-school enrichment program designed to increase student interest and literacy in math and science and to emphasize scientific thinking.

This month, E2K students are learning about computers, including what components go into making a computer and how they work together to power the computer and give it functionality. One lesson involved taking apart and putting back together the insides of a computer, including the motherboard and the RAM.

Send news to Schools@TheJewishStar.com

13 THE JEWISH STAR December 25, 2015 â&#x20AC;˘ 13 Tevet 5776

THANK YOU FOR YOUR GENEROUS SUPPORT IN 2015 We would like to share some highlights with you:

204,000

$

1,082 791 191 162 114 13

community members have saved through our staff in THERAPY & REHAB costs.

individuals have received professional services in our CLINICAL SERVICES division.

families have received guidance and support on a regular basis through our CASE MANAGEMENT team.

WORKSHOPS conducted by our staff for teens, young adults and parents. people participated in our WEEKLY SUPPORT groups.

youth came to THE LOUNGE on any given week.

schools have utilized our

SCHOOL BASED SERVICES PROGRAM, in collaboration with Gruss Life Monument Funds.

CLINICAL SERVICES 24 Hour Support Line Assessments/Referrals Case Management Crisis Intervention Support Groups COMMUNITY RESOURCES Community Education Educational Enhancement Job Placement School Based Services YOUTH PROGRAMS Holiday Retreats The Lounge Year Round Events

Please have our organization in mind as you make your end of the year donations. for more information about sponsorship opportunities please contact Rabbi Josh Zern at jzern@madraigos.og

810517

516-371-3250 EXT 5 | WWW.MADRAIGOS.ORG | 936 BROADWAY, WOODMERE, NY 11598

14 December 25, 2015 â&#x20AC;˘ 13 Tevet 5776 THE JEWISH STAR

The puzzling bracha Yaakov gives Naftali RABBI AVI BILLET PARSHA OF THE WEEK

O

n his deathbed, Yaakov gives blessings to all his children. The ďŹ rst three sons â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Reuven, Shimon and Levi â&#x20AC;&#x201D; receive farewell wishes which are not as pleasant as those given to the rest of their brothers. The remaining blessings are shrouded in depth, meaning, and a sense of prophesy. It seems that Yaakov is talking to each tribe in their present, sometimes referencing their past, but also speaking to future generations and events.

Some commentaries go into great detail to try to explain these blessings, while others lay off, as the interpretation of the blessings is a bit overwhelming.

The blessing given to Naftali is one of the shorter ones, only six words (Gad also has six, and Asher has seven words), but it is probably one of the more misunderstood blessings.

The common translation suggests Naftali is comparable to a hind â&#x20AC;&#x201D; â&#x20AC;&#x153;Naftali is a deer running free; he delivers words of beauty.â&#x20AC;?

But, as Rabbi Aryeh Kaplan notes in his Chumash, each word has other possible meanings. The word ayalah â&#x20AC;&#x153;can also be translated as a tree or plain.â&#x20AC;? Of course, once we are possibly talking about an intangible object, such as a piece of land or a tree, the phrase translated as â&#x20AC;&#x153;running freeâ&#x20AC;? will have to be retranslated as well.â&#x20AC;?

This is why he offers the other translations of â&#x20AC;&#x153;Naphtali is a spreading tree, that puts out beautiful branches,â&#x20AC;? quoting the Baalei Tosafot and the Malbim, and â&#x20AC;&#x153;Naphtali is a full-bearing ďŹ eld, that bears beautiful trees,â&#x20AC;? following the view of Chizkuni, HaKtav Vâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Hakabbalah.

The Rav Peninim Chumash has an entry explaining the blessing of Naftali. We need to see the Hebrew words to understand: Naftali ayalah shluchah hanoten imrei shafer.

Ayalah â&#x20AC;&#x201C; comes from the word Ilan, which means a tree, as per the verse in Isaiah 1:29 in which â&#x20AC;&#x153;Eilimâ&#x20AC;? reference trees.

Shluchah â&#x20AC;&#x201C; comes from a word which means to spread out, such as in Yechezkel 17:6, when the verb is used to mean â&#x20AC;&#x153;sent forth boughs,â&#x20AC;? or Tehillim 80:12, â&#x20AC;&#x153;It sent forth its branches to the sea.â&#x20AC;?

Hanoten â&#x20AC;&#x201C; means to give Imrei â&#x20AC;&#x201C; means branches, like in the verses in Isaiah 17:6,9 in which the word amir appears.

Shafer â&#x20AC;&#x201D; beautiful The Chumash Rav Peninim concludes that the passage contains a more profound message. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Naftali will be like a pleasant tree who gives off pleasant branches â&#x20AC;&#x201C; which grow from it. This suggests Naftali will have great leaders who will stand like branches at the tops of trees.â&#x20AC;?

He gives a parable to what this is compared. A man had a lazy son who would stay in bed half the day. The father would rebuke him, telling him that laziness is a bad character trait which is much better replaced with zerizut (zeal, enthusiasm). Eventually the young man decided to listen to his father, but took it

to such an extreme that even when he spoke, he exhibited zerizut, which is sometimes translated to mean â&#x20AC;&#x153;hurriedly.â&#x20AC;?

His father called him out on his smart aleck ways, as the son tried explaining, â&#x20AC;&#x153;But you told me to be fast about everything.â&#x20AC;? And the father responded that zerizut is a good character trait for actions. But when it comes to speech, what is better is to speak with pause and inďŹ&#x201A;ection so that people can understand what is being said.

The blessing to Naftali reďŹ&#x201A;ected that he had the trait of zerizut in all his deeds, but was super careful in his speech to â&#x20AC;&#x153;deliver words of beauty.â&#x20AC;?

This is an important lesson on possessing leadership skills. Actions speak louder than words. But words also need to be spoken loudly and clearly, so they can be understood properly. The question is which perspective of Naftaliâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s blessing is more profound.

In the perspective in which Naftali is like a deer spreading nice thoughts, he is running from place to place, maybe like a traveling salesman or even a traveling teacher, who leaves his mark, hopefully a good impression and a good reputation, when he departs.

The perspective which compares Naftali to the branches on a tree may, in fact, be more inspiring, because a tree stands there, is visible, and can serve as a source of continuing inspiration because it doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t go away. It is a constant presence in the lives of those who are reached by its branches.

We donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t need to be from the tribe of Naftali to recognize the gift that comes from those who represent either Naftali prototype.

We should be blessed to be articulate representatives of the Torah, our people and the nation of Israel, whether we are the kind of people who travel and share our message with the world, or people who become mainstays within our communities, powerhouses standing for who we are.

We should only be blessed to ďŹ nd success, and be great communicators within our people and to those who turn to us to see what a Jew is.

May we be articulate representatives of Torah, our people and the nation of Israel, whether we share our message with the world or become mainstays within our communities.

516-594-6010 www.distinctivewindowfashions.com

807930

Lenny Koegel

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I

n last week’s essay I discussed a wonderful new book, “Spark Ignited” (Menorah Books), that describes the spiritual journey taken by two women that culminated in their conversion to the Jewish faith. This week I will to devote the bulk of this column to its prime author, Michaela Lawson, describing, much in her own words, her biography and some of her frustrations during a journey from her previous Christian faith to her acceptance of Judaism.

Michaela Lawson was born in Michigan to non-Jewish parents. Her father served in U.S. Army Intelligence and later in the CIA, which, according to Michaela, made for some rather interesting childhood experiences. She lived in a variety of locations, including in Europe, the Orient and the United States.

Throughout her life she was tugged by an inner spiritual urge to connect with G-d. This connection was reflected in her initial devotion with the divine in fundamentalist Christianity, Messianic circles, and later in her activities in the Christian Zionist world. However, none of these experiences provided her with a genuine feeling of truth and connection with G-d, a sense that was to haunt her for some time. This spiritual gap was to ultimately lead her search to the Jewish faith, and by her early 40s she converted to Orthodox Judaism.

After her conversion she settled in Israel. A short time later she married and, in her words, “put down roots amongst the people and the land, building a bayit ne’eman with children

refused a work visa, forcing them to live in poverty throughout their conversion process and even beyond it, is maddening to me.

“The conversion process is so difficult here; this is why I always recommend that a ‘potential convert’ seek out the proper beit din in their own country in order to convert. There they have a common language, financial means, and the support of the Jewish community in which they convert. They have a reasonable beit din that has no agenda or ego to lord over them any power beyond their rabbinic duty to ensure that the converts are sincere and will be diligent in keeping the mitzvot. These various levels of support are vital to have in one’s life during that very special and challenging time of transition from being not Jewish to becoming part of the Jewish family with all that it means spiritually, emotionally and physically.”

In closing remarks, Lawson makes a very direct and personal plea on behalf of her book.

“Please read our book ‘Spark Ignited’ to have a clearer understanding of what we as converts go through and how it can affect your own life, as you read about individuals who made leaps and bounds in amazing life transitions filled with experiences good and bad, elevating, and at times, demoralizing.

“This book is first and foremost for the individual who is interested in Judaism as a way of life, but it is not only for them. It is also an inspirational read for one who was born Jewish, whether religious or traditional, to see how people outside of the ‘Tribe’ view us, to see what some individuals give up, and the gigantic sacrifices they make, to become part of the Jewish people.”

I read this book and fully understand Lawson’s heartfelt sentiments. After you hopefully read this book you will come to better understand the greatness of these new Jews and of their potential at enhancing further the spirituality of our faith and people. )25 )857+(5 678'<

Next week we begin reading and learning from Shemot, and it is my honor to inform you of the publication of two unique works dealing with Exodus.

The first work is entitled, “Shadal on Exodus” (Kodesh Press), a translation by Daniel Klein of the commentary and interpretation by Samuel David Luzzatto, the Shadal, one of the leading Jewish scholars in 19th century Italy. To say that his take on the text is different is an understatement. With the spring-like weather that we have been having of late, this work, themed to Passover, makes for timely reading.

The other work is entitled, “Every Picture Tells A Story Volume Two: Shemos (Menorah Books), an illustrated book of Torah verses and commentary for ‘“every age,’’ by Chaim Natan Firszt with illustrator Emil Yaakov Grunberg. When you see it in your favorite bookstore, do not pass it by. Consider it an apt supplement to your Haggadah at Pesach.

809940

KOSHER BOOKWORM

804163

ALAN JAY GERBER

and grandchildren in both Israel and America.”

For ten years she lived on a moshav south of Chevron and has many fond memories of riding horseback in the desert. Currently, both she and her husband live in Jerusalem where she continues her spiritual quest in study.

In my interview with her in Jerusalem last summer, Lawson devoted the bulk of her discussion to the conversion process, for which she had some pretty harsh impressions that she wishes to be shared with you. I requested that these impressions be written down for me to share with you.

The bulk of the rest of this essay reflects those sentiments: “The Israeli government does little to no justice to the conversion process in Israel. In fact, I would have to say that it is a disgrace.

Cases upon cases of caring ‘potential converts’ over many years have experienced the lack of compassion and understanding of Torah Jewish law in bringing a convert into the Jewish world as one of our own. Why the Israeli government is even involved in this process is beyond me.

“As a convert from 1994 — and yes, I had an Orthodox conversion in Israel — I have worked with so many people from all over the world who have wanted to convert in Israel … some earnestly desired to live here, to contribute their talents to the State of Israel and the Jewish people. The heartbreak of long drawn-out processes (some lasting years), of being under suspicion that they were Christian infiltrators, of suffering a lack of funds to the point of being barely able to live in Israel because they are

5904 13th Avenue Brooklyn, NY 11219 www.Renewal.org

THE JEWISH STAR December 25, 2015 • 13 Tevet 5776

‘Spark Ignited’: Inside difficult Israeli conversion

15

grape varieties needed to make high class champagne style wines. Another great Israeli option is Gilgal Brut, which is made from equal parts of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay grapes, and strictly according to the traditional method. Gilgal Brut is a fantastic option for the price conscious, giving great value for the money.

If youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d like to venture away from traditional champagne style, then Les Floreales imports a range of Lambrusco wines directly from northern Italy.

They offer both traditional red sparkling Lambrusco, as well as a sparkling Lambrusco Rose. If the idea of â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;pink champagneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; appeals to you, Yarden also offers a sparkling Rose. This elegant sparkling wine has good acidity with nice length of ďŹ&#x201A;avor (hints of strawberry and orange if you want to show off your wine tasting skills.)

For many people, the go-to sparkling wine is a Moscato. With a low alcohol content, typically around 6%, and readily available anywhere from the

By Catherine Green Toasting a special occasion with a glass of â&#x20AC;&#x153;bubblyâ&#x20AC;? makes any celebration into a party. Now the excellent range of imported kosher wines means that you are spoilt for choice when selecting a sparkling wine. To help you ďŹ nd the best bottle for your budget, here are some excellent options in at a range of prices.

Traditional champagnes tend to be the most expensive option. If youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re looking for the real champagne-from-France experience, then try excellent Brut Premier Cru from the Champagne BonnetPonson winery, who have been making champagne for six generations.

For an equally exquisite drinking experience, at half the price, Yardenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Blanc de Blancs is made using the traditional champagne method entirely from chardonnay grapes grown in the northern Golan Heights in Israel. The cool climate in the Golan makes it the prime Israeli region for growing the

Wine & Dine

local supermarket to quality wine shops, Moscato has become a ďŹ rm favorite. Bartenura Moscato with its distinctive bright blue bottle is by far the most famous Moscato. There are some other excellent options on the market. Hermon Muscato is an great choice for fans of Israeli wines. With a light sweetness, this well-priced wine is perfect to accompany dessert. Golan Moscato also is made in the style of Moscato dâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Asti by using the Muscat Canelli variety grown in the Southern Golan. Exuberantly aromatic, its gentle sparkle and low alcohol content (6%) make it perfect for toasting the New Year.

With many different options available at your local wine store, whatever your budget, youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll be ready to whip out the perfect bottle and celebrate with your friends and family. Wherever you are, and whatever you have in your glass this year, have a very happy new year!

Catherine Green lives in Jerusalem. She writes frequently about food and wine trends.

dox LI The warâ&#x20AC;Ś o h rt O to y e k r u o y is r a t The Jewish S Continued from page 6

As the days get shorter, The Starâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s week gets longer. and Cedarhurst student 16 P. the guns of Hebron:

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What about the inconvenient fact that Iran was deemed by a United Nations panel to have violated U.N. Security Council resolutions when it tested, back in October, a ballistic missile that is capable of carrying a nuclear warhead? That wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t overly trouble the Obama administration, which is determined to keep the JCPOA operational regardless of what Iran actually does. Indeed, in a speech to the Atlantic Council, Adam Szubin, acting undersecretary for terrorism, played down any hopes that Iranian violations of the agreement, as well as wider actions that destabilize the region, would result in the reimposition of sanctions. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Our ďŹ rst impulse isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t going to be put sanctions in place,â&#x20AC;?

Szubin asserted. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s going to be to get Iran to immediately address it. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the path that is greatly in our interest.â&#x20AC;?

The Iranians have the same understanding of the word â&#x20AC;&#x153;interestâ&#x20AC;? in this context. The October missile test, said Defense Minister Hossein Dehghan, was meant â&#x20AC;&#x153;to tell the world that the Islamic Republic of Iran acts on the basis of its national interest.â&#x20AC;? In plainer language, Dehghan was essentially saying that Iran can do what it wantsâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;and why, given the Obama administrationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s record thus far, would it act with greater prudence and propriety? or the last four years, Syria has been the main arena in which Iran has pursued its goal of regional dominance. With Western countries now paralyzedâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;sometimes literally soâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;by the thought of further ISIS atrocities, Iran has wasted no time in playing the situation to its advantage. In the last couple of weeks, there have been rumors ďŹ&#x201A;ying around that Iran was actually in retreat from Syria. Yet the reverse is true; the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps is getting ready to deploy ďŹ ghter aircraft in Syria on Assadâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s behalf.

What this represents is a direct threat to Israel, whose air force has already been compelled to engage in occasional strikes against the transfer of weapons to Hezbollah. While a global crisis was averted after the Turks shot down a Russian jet in the border area with Syria, we might not be so lucky in the event of a clash between Israeli and Iranian ďŹ ghter planes.

For that reason, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not enough to close our eyes and wish we could fast forward to a new U.S. administration in January 2017. In the year between now and then, much can happenâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;will happenâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;unless the Iranians are told clearly to back off, with the consequences of not doing so unambiguously laid out. For years, President Obama told us that â&#x20AC;&#x153;all optionsâ&#x20AC;? were on the table in dealing with Iran. He has not, so far as I am aware, backed down on that formula, which now needs to be revived in the Syrian theater. Because if it isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t, the atrocities, the refugee outďŹ&#x201A;ows, and the spread of deadly Islamist ideology will reach new heights.

Some readers may ďŹ nd the suggestion that Obama should now tell the Iranians that further escalation in Syria will result in a reimposition of sanctions, or even military action, to be naive, ridiculous, absurd, and all sorts of other adjectives.

Maybe. But, as is often said, you go to war with the army you have. And the war is getting closer.

Ben Cohen, senior editor of TheTower.org.

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, and we can of our free world of wrong. It lars l Islamists to one particular sense . It was to never allow radica l rights to es these fundamenta to terrorize people Combined Sourc ary John Kerry was everything that we do stand use evil acts. Secret their Secretary of State justify attack and needs to m this week afreporters before Kerry is plain wrong drew heavy criticis tion between for,â&#x20AC;? Kerry told g with French .â&#x20AC;? correct the record ter he voiced a distincand the Janu- entering a meetin spokesman is Hollande.

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By Alex Costello The conviction of former state Senator Dean Skelos creates a power vacuum in Albany, and also puts voters in the 9th Senate District in a unique position to determine the balance of power in the Capitol.

The district encompasses the Five Towns of Lawrence, Cedarhurst, Hewlett, Woodmere and Inwood, as well as his home base of Rockville Centre, Oceanside, Long Beach, Baldwin, Lynbrook, East Rockaway, Malverne and parts of Valley Stream, South Hempstead, Elmont and Franklin Square.

On Dec. 11, Skelosâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s web page was removed, his name was scraped off his ofďŹ ce door in Albany, his local ofďŹ ce was closed and even his Facebook page was taken down.

It was a major win for U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara, who has made ďŹ ghting Albany corruption his main focus.

Skelosâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s removal leaves the 9th District without a direct representative for the time being. District residents can still call Skelosâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s old ofďŹ ces to receive help on issues from his staffers, although the staffers wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be able to send ofďŹ cial letters on behalf of the constituents.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo will announce a special election to ďŹ ll the vacancy. Many believe it will be on the same primary day in April when New Yorkers will vote for their partyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s presidential favorites. Manhattan voters would also vote then to ďŹ ll the vacancy left when former Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver was convicted of corruption just weeks ago.

Meanwhile, ot all is lost for Skelos. Sentencing has been scheduled for March, but his attorney, Robert Gage, said that he would ďŹ le an appeal.

And according to the Empire Center for Public Policy, a nonpartisan Albany think tank, Skelos will still receive a pension of more than $95,000 a year.

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With Skelosâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s removal, the state Senate is split evenly between Republicans and Democrats, with 31 members on each side of the aisle. Many Democrats currently caucus with Republicans, which will keep majority control with the GOP for now. But the special election will give a great deal of power to the voters of the 9th District. Electing a Democrat could shift the balance of power in Al-

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Courtesy Rick Kopstein / New York Law Journal

bany, while electing a Republican could help preserve the status quo.

At the top of the list for Democrats is newly elected Assemblyman Todd Kaminsky, who replaced Harvey Weisenberg in Long Beach. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I would say [Kaminsky] is certainly the ďŹ rst to come to many peopleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s minds,â&#x20AC;? said Nassau County Democratic Chairman Jay Jacobs. â&#x20AC;&#x153;But it doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t mean by any means that itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a sure thing, because there needs to be a fair screening process.â&#x20AC;?

Kaminsky did not directly address suggestions that he may run for Skelosâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s seat.

Skelosâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s â&#x20AC;&#x153;conviction is yet another troubling reminder that we need real change in Albany,â&#x20AC;? he said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I will do whatever it takes to make serious, lasting reform on behalf of Long Islanders, who have suffered more than most following the ďŹ nancial crisis and Superstorm Sandy, and need government working on their behalf now more than ever.â&#x20AC;?

Other Democratic names being ďŹ&#x201A;oated include Nassau County Legislator Carrie Solages and Rockville Centre attorney Laura Gillan.

The conviction brought a disgraceful end to Skelosâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s more than 30 years in the Senate.

He was well-known among his constituents for getting things done and, in the later years of his term, being able to bring money to the district to get projects completed.

In Rockville Centre, where he lives, the verdict has been felt sharply. For years, Skelos was the townâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s favorite son, able to use his power to beneďŹ t his community. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Senator Skelos has been a powerful force for Rockville Centre for many, many years,â&#x20AC;?

Neil McNally wrote on Facebook. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Our town has received much-needed state funds for roads, schools, parks, etc. due to his hard work. While I most certainly do not support any of the inappropriate acts for which he was convicted, I will also not forget the good he has done.â&#x20AC;?

One such beneďŹ t came in 2003, when Skelos helped secure money to build a sports complex on Peninsula Boulevard. In thanks, the village named it after him.

But since he was arrested in May, residents have been calling on the village to change the name. With the conviction, those cries have grown louder.

But village spokeswoman Julie Grilli said that ofďŹ cials will wait for a decision on the appeal before considering a name change.

Alex Costello is editor of the Rockville Centre Herald.

On the Republican side, Assemblyman Brian Curranâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s name is circulating as a possible candidate.

Other possibilities include county Legislator Howard Kopel and Town of Hempstead Councilman Bruce Blakeman.

No candidates from either side have yet to ofďŹ cially declare they are running. â&#x20AC;&#x153;No one has spoken to me about it,â&#x20AC;? said Kopel. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s natural to consider those who live in the district and know the district.â&#x20AC;?

Kopel added that, if he was offered the chance to run by the Republican Party, he would have to discuss it with his family. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve heard some rumors, but no one has of- :LWK VRPH UHVLGHQWV FDOOLQJ IRU D QDPH FKDQJH IRU WKH SDUN RQ 3HQLQVX fered it and Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m deďŹ nitely OD %RXOHYDUG 5RFNYLOOH &HQWUH RIÂżFLDOV VD\ WKH\ ZLOO ZDLW IRU D UXOLQJ RQ 6NHORVÂśV DSSHDO EHIRUH GHFLGLQJ RQ DQ\ FKDQJHV hristina Daly /Jewish Star not chasing it,â&#x20AC;? he said.

Who exactly is â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;distancingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Jews from Judaism?

TEHILLA R. GOLDBERG VIEW FROM CENTRAL PARK

A

few weeks ago, the school I am currently teaching at, Solomon Schechter School of Manhattan, had the honor and pleasure of receiving a brief visit from the Israeli government minister Naftali Bennet.

In honor of Bennetâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s visit, the school gathered for its Rosh Chodesh shira bâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;tsibbur, a public singing of songs of the Jewish people, songs of Israel, songs of our heritage. No pretentious shows are put on at Schechter even if a government minister comes to visit. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not the schoolâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s style. The school embodies Jewish values that we all aspire to, including modesty.

We sat and sang together and Bennet, ďŹ&#x201A;owing with the warm informality of the school, joined in. He didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t see himself as

above anyone. Bennet sat right on the ďŹ&#x201A;oor, joining the students in their singing, even high-ďŹ ving some in the hallway.

Just as Bennet was about to leave he turned to the students. His parting words were something along the lines of, â&#x20AC;&#x153;I just want each and every one of you to know that no matter where life takes you, you have Jewish brothers and sisters in the land of Israel.

Know, you always have two countries, your United States of America, and your home in the land of Israel.â&#x20AC;?

It was a heartening moment.

Unfortunately, it has been marred by Ashkenazi Chief Rabbi David Lauâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s public criticism of Bennet. Whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s to criticize in the above scenario?

Rabbi Lau says that Bennet should not have visited a Conservative Jewish day school. His reasoning is that the Conservative education distances Jews from Judaism, from tradition, from the past, and from the future of the Jewish people.

As someone who has been profoundly inspired by Rabbi Lauâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s father, the beloved and

THE JEWISH STAR December 25, 2015 â&#x20AC;˘ 13 Tevet 5776

Up next: Pols eye seat long held by Skelos

17

distinguished child Holocaust survivor, the former chief rabbi of Israel, Rabbi Meir Lau, I feel disappointed in his son.

Manhattanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Schechter school is a traditional Jewish school that forges strong Jewish identities. The educational programming is Jewishly substantive. The kitchen is kosher. Even nuances and sensitivities are taken into consideration. For example, recently an email in preparation of the fast of the 10th of Tevet was sent out, requesting that if a staff member is not fasting, sensitivity and respect should be used, and no eating in public. Daily prayer, Shabbat, Rosh Chodesh, berachot before food, and holiday programming â&#x20AC;&#x201D; this is Schechter.

Beyond all this, Schechter is a microcosm of the Jewish community, where staff members are Orthodox, Conservative and Reform.

Everyone respects each other.

The kindness and menschlichkeit of this school permeate its hallways.

Whether intended or not, as often occurs in private education, preferential treatment is sometimes shown to students from afďŹ&#x201A;u-

ent or inďŹ&#x201A;uential families. At Schechter, every child is treated and supported with equal attention, nurturing and love. I have no clue whose parent is on the board or more ďŹ nancially well off than another.

All of this is irrelevant, though.

Rabbi David Lau should represent all of Am Yisrael. What if Schechter were not so traditional? What if it were not such a strong Jewish school? Then what? Ministers from the government of Israel only represent Orthodox Jews? The chief rabbi of Israel only represents Orthodox Jews?

As an Orthodox Jewish woman, I am offended by Rabbi Lauâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s comments While Bennetâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s visit modeled ways to unite the Jewish world and bridge differences, Rabbi Lauâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s comments sowed seeds of divisiveness and contentiousness.

Rabbi Lau said the Solomon Schechter School of Manhattan distances Jews.

Indeed, there is distance in this affair.

Not at Schechter, or by Bennet, but by Rabbi Lau. Copyright 2015 Intermountain Jewish News

Lesson of Moe Berg: Different twist…

Continued from page 1 While playing baseball for Princeton University, Moe Berg would describe plays in Latin or Sanskrit.

During World War II, Moe was parachuted into Yugoslavia to assess the value to the war efforts of the two groups of partisans there. The parachute jump at age 41 undoubtedly was a challenge. But there was more to come: Berg penetrated German-held Norway, met with members of the underground and located a secret heavy-water plant, part of the Nazis’ effort to build an atomic bomb.

His information guided the Royal Air Force in a bombing raid to destroy that plant. ut there still remained the question of how far the Nazis had progressed in the race to build the first Atomic bomb. If the Nazis were successful, they would win the war.

Berg (under the code name “Remus”) was sent to Switzerland to hear a lecture by leading German physicist Werner Heisenberg, a Nobel Laureate, to determine if the Nazis were close to building an A-bomb. Moe managed to slip past the SS guards at the auditorium, posing as a Swiss graduate student.

The spy carried in his pocket a pistol and a cyanide pill. If the German indicated the Nazis were close to building a weapon, Berg was to shoot him — and then swallow the cyanide pill.

Moe, sitting in the front row, determined that the Germans were nowhere near their goal, so he complimented Heisenberg on his speech and walked him back to his hotel.

Moe Berg’s report was distributed to British Prime Minister Winston Churchill, President Roosevelt and key figures in the team developing the Atomic Bomb. Roosevelt responded: “Give my regards to the catcher.”

Most of Germany’s leading physicists had

Get the

RABBI BINNY FREEDMAN THE HEART OF JERUSALEM been Jewish and had fled the Nazis mainly to Britain and the United States.

After the war, Moe Berg was awarded the Medal of Freedom, America’s highest honor for a civilian in wartime. But Berg refused to accept it, because he couldn’t tell people about his exploits.

After his death, his sister accepted the medal, which now hangs in the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown. Moe Berg’s baseball card is the only card on display at the CIA Headquarters in Washington. his week we read the portion of Vayechi and conclude the first of the five books of the Torah.

Strangely, despite a cardinal rule that we always end sections on a positive note, the portion ends (50:24) with the death of Joseph. In fact, the last words of the entire book of Bereishit are: “And he was placed in a coffin in Egypt.”

Why do we end the first book of Torah on such a sad note? This is especially strange given that Joseph’s death is mentioned again at beginning of the second book, Shemot.

Why not simply describe Joseph’s death at the beginning of Shemot, as the prelude it actually was to the Jews’ eventual enslavement in Egypt; why conclude Bereishit on such a negative and ominous note?

This also raises the question of why we do not start the book of Shemot with the actual Exodus from Egypt. After all, if the theme of the first book is how the avot and imahot cre-

T

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December 25, 2015 • 13 Tevet 5776 THE JEWISH STAR

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ated the family that would one day be the Jewish people, whereas the second book was the birth of the Jewish nation, then the enslavement in Egypt is the conclusion of the period of the family of Avraham, and the Exodus is the beginning of the nation of Israel — which makes the death of Joseph and his burial in Egypt a strange place to transition between these two books.

We have another principle (based on tractate Berachot 12a) that the essence of a book is found in its beginning and its end. Thus, if Bereishit ends with the burial of Joseph, this event must be linked to what the book is all about. To understand this, we must also see how it is connected to the beginning of the book.

Rashi (1:1) points out that since the Torah is primarily a recipe for the Jewish people about how to behave and fulfill our mission in the world, it should begin with the first mitzvah given the Jewish people. However, it begins with the creation of the world because, Rashi predicts, one day, when the nations of the world will claim we have “stolen” the land of Israel, we will be able to respond: G-d created the world and along with it the land of Israel, and it is G-d who decides who should reside therein. (Bear in mind Rashi wrote this at the end of the 11th century in Crusader Europe!)

The Lubavitcher Rebbe z”tzl (Likkutei sichos Vayechi 5747) notes how strange this is: Why should the entire beginning of the Torah be changed to satisfy a question the nations of the world might ask? After all, this is the Torah given to the Jewish people! It must be, he suggests, that this point is essential to who we are as a Jewish people, and critical to what the Torah and the book of Bereishit are all about.

The truth is, the mission of the Jewish people is to create a space for Hashem (a “dirah ba’tachtonim”) on earth, in the physical world. Indeed, that may well have been the entire message of the story of the binding of Isaac; the goal was not to die for G-d, but rather to live for G-d. The Jew was not meant to be an ascetic, leaving the physical world behind, but rather to sanctify the physical world within the context of the spiritual experience. And this was Joseph par excellence, a man of the world who successfully navigates the court politics of ancient Egypt without losing his Jewish identity. His knowledge of economics will change the balance of world power and he will, despite rising to one of the highest positions in the world, never forget his Jewish heritage.

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Indeed, it is easy to become so focused on Jewish ideals and Jewish study that we forget that the goal was never just the Jewish people. Indeed, we dream daily (at the end of the second paragraph of the Aleinu prayer): “On that day may Hashem’s name be one…” for the whole world. And we offer 70 sacrifices over the Sukkot festival as part of our prayers for the 70 nations of the world.

Perhaps the Torah begins with this contention precisely because it is important to us how the nations view us, and the book of Bereishit concludes with Joseph’s coffin being interred in Egypt because Joseph was a role model who made an impact not just on Jewish destiny, but on the world’s as well. On our journey to becoming the nation of Israel we are perhaps meant to remember that we are not the goal; the goal is to be a role model, a light unto all the nations. The goal is the world. Judaism was never just about us; we have always been a steppingstone to the way the world could and should be.

Interestingly, the nations, as Rashi implies, consider us a religion, and do not understand why we need a land. But the Jewish people are also a nation and we cannot accomplish our mission of being a light, a role model, without a land in which to create that model society.

And we will only accomplish that, for the benefit of the world, if we do not give up on our principles. Just like Joseph, who never gave up on his Jewish ideals and principles and whose burial in Egypt was a symbol of the impact of one human being who lives by his Divine ideals can have on the entire world.

Shabbat Shalom from Jerusalem.

THE JEWISH STAR December 25, 2015 • 13 Tevet 5776

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December 25, 2015 • 13 Tevet 5776 THE JEWISH STAR

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