Jewish Home LA - 2-9-17 by Jewish Home LA

The Week In News

FEBRUARY 9, 2017 | The Jewish Home

3.16.17

MR AND MRS IRVING

& LINDA RUBENSTEIN GUESTS OF HONOR

SHLOMO FUCHS MR EZRA LANIADO HAKARAS HATOV AWARD MR

DAVID STRIKS BANQUET CHAIRMAN DR

ARNIE ROSS

JOURNAL CHAIRMAN

FIFTH

ANNIVERSARY BANQUET

MARCH 16, 2017 6:00PM RECEPTION 7:00PM DINNER $600 couple

UNIVERSAL HILTON 555 UNIVERSAL HOLLYWOOD DR UNIVERSAL CITY, CA 91608 To make a reservation or for more information

EVENTS@YKLA.ORG / 818.766.7610 / WWW.YKLA.ORG

FEBRUARY 9, 2017 | The Jewish Home

The Week In News

CONTENTS

COMMUNITY

Community Happenings. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7

JEWISH THOUGHT It was Bashert: The Story of Holocaust Survivor Eva Kohan. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Vision for Greatness. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20

FEATURE Interview with Gregory Martayan. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 An Activist President. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 A “Shabbos of Kodesh HaKadoshim” at Dirshu’s 20th Anniversary International Convention. . . . . 36

PARENTING Dr. T.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34

LIFESTYLES Book Review: No Stories to Tell: The Psychologist Meets Infinity by Steve Sherr. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 Memoirs Of A Forgotten Rabbi

The Troubled Life Of Rabbi Tzvi Hirsch Ferber . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32

Notable Quotes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42

NEWS Israel News.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28

The Jewish Home is distributed bi-weekly to: ANAHEIM AGOURA HILLS BEVERLY HILLS BURBANK CALABASAS CAMARILLO COSTA MESA ENCINO GLENDALE HUNTINGON BEACH IRVINE LONG BEACH LOS ANGELES -BEVERLY HILLS

LOS ANGELESFAIRFAX LOS ANGELESLA BREA LOS ANGELESS. MONIA LOS ANGELES-PICO LOS ANGELES -WESTWOOD MALIBU MANHATTAN BEACH MARINA DEL REY MISSION VIEJO MOORPARK NEWBURY PARK

NORTH HOLLYWOOD PALM SPRINGS PACIFIC PALASADES PASADENA REDONDO BEACH SHERMAN OAKS SIMI VALLEY STUDIO CITY TEMECULA THOUSAND OAKS TORRANCE VALENCIA VAN NUYS WOODLAND HILLS

FEBRUARY 9, 2017 | The Jewish Home

Dear Readers, What is it that some people have against winning? It’s almost as if it’s a problem when they do. You won? Great, now apologize for doing so. Sounds noble, but is it healthy? Surely we would celebrate Dovid winning the fight over Golias even if he were the bigger one. Being the underdog doesn’t make one right and being the superior one doesn’t make one wrong. Or how about the recent protests across the country? For years you couldn’t find a minyan protesting the killing of the Syrian people by dictator Bashar al-Assad and his Russian and Iranian backers. The nieces, uncles or grandparents of these very refugees might have been killed or lost limbs to Russian bombs or Iranian Revolutionary Guards but nope, nothing. The same is true with the widely held anti-Semitic views in Muslim countries and even by a vast amount of Muslims in Europe. Not a word of protest. It’s as if it doesn’t exist. It seems clear that not all victims were created equal. Christian populations being persecuted in Muslim countries – meh. Muslims being terrorized by other Muslims – nu, nu. America is unsure how to safely keep trouble makers out and it’s a call to arms! This is a serious issue and there’s no perfect solution, but the outcry of all those who were silent the past five years shows one thing: it isn’t about the victim as much as it is contempt for those successful. America is seen as successful so she must be in the wrong. Progressive activism in a nutshell: using emotions to decide what’s right no matter the reality on the ground. How this will all play out is anyone’s guess. Will there G-d forbid be a Pearl Harbor-like event? Will the peaceful Muslim countries help reign in those killing in the name of their religion? Will peace come through a strong and united West? As yidden we have our age old tried and tested weapons of a kapitel tehillim, an additional mitzvah, or a bit more Torah. Its merit has kept us around till now, surely now, at the end or long exile it will do so again. One last time. Wishing you a wonderful Shabbos,

Shalom

T H E P R E M I E R J E W I S H N E W S PA P E R H I G H L I G H T I N G L A’ S O R T H O D OX C O M M U N I T Y The Jewish Home is an independent bi-weekly newspaper. Opinions expressed by writers are not necessarily the opinions of the publisher or editor. The Jewish Home is not responsible for typographical errors, or for the kashrus of any product or business advertised within. The Jewish Home contains words of Torah. Please treat accordingly. FOR HOME DELIVERY, OR TO HAVE THE LATEST ISSUE EMAILED TO YOU FREE OF CHARGE, SEND A MESSAGE TO EDITOR@JEWISHHOMELA.COM

The Week In News

FEBRUARY 9, 2017 | The Jewish Home

WE SUPPORT OUR COMMUNITY’S CANDIDATE A

U S

MARTAYAN 4 D T IS T R IC

MARTAYAN FOR SCHOOL BOARD

PICTURED FROM LEFT TO RIGHT: MAN, ESQ. MR. ANDREW FRIEDMAN, EL MR. STANLEY TREITEL TAYAN MR. GREGORY MARTAYAN RABBI YOEL GOLD Y RABBI ZVI BOYARSKY

VOTE ON MARCH 7, 2017

Mr. Terry Hara Ms. Jacqueline Castillo Mr. Andrew Friedman, Esq. (Campaign Co-Chair) *Children’s Advocate (Campaign Co-Chair) *LAPD Deputy Chief (ret.) *Los Angeles County Commissioner "The top ten reasons why I believe in "Martayan proved time and time again that he “A great leader! Gregory Martayan Gregory Martayan for District Four was willing to put his life on the line to protect has always partnered with our School Board Member is: the community of our City. On many occasions he community and has been a true ally 1) He will keep our schools and stepped up to the plate and stepped into harms since day one. His recent visit to communities safe way in order to thwart evil. He is an honest and Israel is a perfect display of the 2) He is a person of integrity compassionate human being." type of leader he will continue to 3) He will protect our children be on the LAUSD Board. A great 4) He is compassionate collaborator and a protector of our 5) He believes in children and families. He is the accountability only one I trust to lead our schools. 6) He believes in transparency My family, friends and I continue at all levels to call upon all those we know to 7) He is committed to the join us in supporting Gregory. He success of all students has a proven track record on 8) He is relentless policies which keep our 9) He has a vision for the communities safe and in supporting future of our schools policies abroad which keep our 10) He is a leader! brothers and sisters in Israel safe.” Vote YES for Gregory!"

Ms. Nancy Pearlman *Los Angeles Community College Trustee "Gregory Martayan's platform includes green schools and sustainability which continue to be two of many reasons I have endorsed him and believe in his goals to educate our young people. Gregory understands the issues and has solutions which will work. Join me in supporting our community's candidate for School Board, Gregory Martayan."

Mr. Matthew Dababneh *California State Assemblymember "Greg Martayan has been a great supporter of my effort to improve educational opportunity in our community and across our state. I am proud that he has decided to run for public office. I know that Greg has the background and knowledge to be a great school board member who will make sure that all our schools are providing the best education possible to students in our community. I also know that Greg’s experience working with law enforcement has provided him with the knowledge that will serve him well to make sure that all LAUSD schools are safe places for learning. I wish my friend Greg Martayan great success in his campaign and look forward to serving with him in the future." *For Identification Purposes Only

SAFE SCHOOLS

ACCOUNTABILITY

TRANSPARENCY

www.VOTEMARTAYAN.com 650 S Hill Street, Suite 331 Los Angeles, CA 90014

Paid for by Martayan for Los Angeles Unified School Board 2017 ID# 1391482

(213) 725 - VOTE

TheHappenings Week In News

FEBRUARY 9, 2017 | The Jewish Home

DEAR EDITOR, In regards to Rabbi Lipschutz article "The Sun Rises Over Yerushalayim. The news that the democrats lost dozens of congressional seats flooded the media from television, radio, and Internet. It was vital that Americans and the word became aware of it. Nothing was held back or lost. Clinton won the populous vote by nearly 3 million votes while Trump won the electoral points. So in that light, the Democrats do represent the majority of Americans.

Since Trump took office, he went back on his promise to move the embassy to Jerusalem. He has warned Israel regarding increasing the settlements in the West Bank. He now says he will not get rid of the Iran Nuclear deal as he promised. Antisemitism in America is on the rise. Recently, a Chicago synagogue was vandalized and swastika symbols place on walls. Same in a NY subway, more in Houston. Over sixty JCC's in America reported bomb threats. Trump purposely omitted mention-

ing Jews on Holocaust Remembrance Day. Trump chose a well know Antisemite Bannon to be his top advisor. This week Bannon described US Jews as enablers of Jihad. Yet, there is silence from Trump, Netanyahu and Rabbi Hier except defending Trump and calling his omission a rookie mistake only to learn later it was intentional. Today, Iran vowed to destroy US military base in Bahrain and said they'd bomb Tel Aviv if Trump makes a mistake.

We have an emotionally and mentally unstable man in office that is a grave danger to Israel and to the world. I am very concerned what is going on and for the Jewish people. In a time we should all join together, there is a great divide. Partisan politics and propaganda deserves much of the blame. Best regards, Fred Zaidman

RABBI LIPSCHUTZ RESPONDS

Attention High School Seniors & their Parents

DO YOU PLAN TO STUDY IN ISRAEL?

Touro College Los Angeles invites High School Seniors & their Parents to an information session

SEMINARY / YESHIVA

Getting the most out of your year + Financial aid opportunities • • • • •

Choosing a School Planning your year TCLA Israel Option Affording study in Israel Planning for after Israel

AUDITORIUM | YULA GIRLS HIGH SCHOOL 1619 S. Robertson Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90035 WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2017 | 7:00 PM RSVP: barbara.avitan@touro.edu | 323.822.9700 x 85150 Light dinner will be provided

Touro College Los Angeles strives to provide its students with an education based on Jewish values to prepare them for a life of value.

TOURO COLLEGE LOS ANGELES A DIVISION OF TOURO UNIVERSITY WORLDWIDE

Where Knowledge and Values Meet

tcla.touro.edu |

@TouroCollegeLA

Touro College Los Angeles is a division of Touro University Worldwide, which is accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC): 985 Atlantic Ave. #100, Alameda, CA 94501-6444: Tel. 510.748.9001. Touro College Los Angeles is an Equal Opportunity Institution.

It is folly to portray as anti-Semitic a man whose Orthodox son-in-law is his closest confidante. He and his father donated to Jewish causes and cultivated friendships with many high profile Jewish people. It is equally folly to blame a man who has been in office for less than a month for anti-Semitic incidents in this country. Trump beat Clinton in every state where the election was contested. Neither of them campaigned in New York, California or the other big liberal blocs. Clinton took them for granted, Trump spent his time more productively elsewhere and demonstrated his popularity in rust belt states Democrats though they had in the bag. He concentrated on states necessary for the electoral college and that is what counts. What might have happened had California and the other large states been contested is conjecture. As for Israel and Iran, so far all we know is from superficial media reports. Next week Mr. Netanyahu will be in Washington and we should know more about what is really going on. For all we know, Israel may have asked the president to tone down talk of his promise to move the embassy. Perhaps they are fearful of what the move would cause and decided that life is more important than political statements. Everything is unknown as a young administration finds its footing and learns much about hotspots around the world. I am not a Trump apologist, but a realist who analyses the facts and follow them to where they lead us. Respectfully, Rabbi Pinchos Lipschutz

TheHappenings Week In News

FEBRUARY 9, 2017 | The Jewish Home

Press Release: KBY Honors the Memory of the Life of Eli Klein Over 150 men and women attended an azkara program honoring the memory of the beloved longtime director of Yeshivat Kerem B’Yavneh (KBY) in Israel, Mr. Eli Klein, z”l. The event was held on February 2nd at the Yeshiva University campus in upper Manhattan. Starting in 1964, Mr. Klein served KBY with great distinction for more than 50 years, and is credited with developing the Yeshiva’s beautiful campus and securing its position as one of Israel’s leading hesder yeshivos today. He was widely trusted and revered as a father figure for the Yeshiva’s extended family around the world. Born in Germany, Eli Klein, along with his parents and siblings, escaped the Nazis and arrived in the United States in 1940. He studied at Yeshiva University, served in the U.S. military, and was Director of Bnei Akiva of North America before making aliyah to Israel with his wife, Chava, in 1955. The hour-long azkara program featured several prominent speakers. Rabbi Mordechai Willig, a Rosh Yeshiva at YU’s Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary (RIETS), served as the Master of Ceremonies. Rabbi Willig had known Mr. Klein for more than 50 years, and revered him as a model of selfless dedication to KBY and its student. Rabbi Menachem Mendel Blachman, the dean of the KBY Overseas Students Program, described Mr. Klein’s unique personality. He compared Eli Klein to Rav Safra, a role model in the Talmud for his ability to internalize classic qualities of holiness (kedusha) into his daily life. According to Rav Blachman, Eli Klein presented himself to the world as a distinguished, perfect gentleman, known for his understatement and reticent silence. Whenever he did speak, Mr. Klein’s words always commanded the deepest respect. Rav Blachman called Mr. Klein a role model for all who wish to make this a better world. Rav Hershel Schachter, the Rosh HaYeshiva of RIETS, recalled Eli Klein and his family as neighbors and friends when he was growing up. Rav Schachter also shared his fond memories of several visits to Mr. Klein’s home on the KBY campus years later, and spending Rosh Hashanah there. Rav Gavriel Saraf spoke on behalf of himself and Rav Aharon Friedman, both of whom were present to represent KBY as newly appointed Assistant Roshei Yeshiva. Speaking in Hebrew, Rav Saraf noted that he had been a regular Talmud study partner with Eli Klein for the past 20 years. Their learning association had begun when Mr. Klein was 70 years old. Rav Saraf believes that Mr. Klein was blessed to live long enough to complete

the study of the entire Talmud with him as a reward from G-d for his many years of selfless dedication to the Yeshiva. He was constantly aware of Mr. Klein’s deep love for Torah because whenever he studied Gemara, he would do so to a little song from his heart. Manny Adler, of Teaneck, New Jersey, is a partner in the nationwide law firm of Blank Rome. He attended KBY 44 years ago, and spoke at the azkara on behalf

of thousands of his fellow KBY alumni around the world. He recalled Mr. Klein treating him and all other KBY student as “young princes, bnei m’lachim,” who deserved nothing but the very best, and that Eli Klein dedicated himself to building up the KBY campus to meet that high standard. Mr. Adler also recalled that Mr. Klein always spoke of the Roshei Yeshiva and rabbis on the KBY faculty with the greatest reverence.

“With the passing of Rav Goldvicht (the founding Rosh Yeshiva), Mr. Bernard Hochstein (American Friends of KBY’s longtime president), and now Mr. Klein, we have lost our last link to the founding fathers of the Yeshiva,” Mr. Adler said. “The first two were giants of Torah and philanthropy, and Eli taught us all profound lessons of derech eretz and ahavas yisrael (courtesy and love for Israel) which will endure for eternity.” Yeshivat Kerem B’Yavneh is developing plans for a permanent tribute on the yeshiva campus. The announcement of this tribute will be forthcoming. To make a tax deductible donation in Mr. Klein’s memory, please contact the American Friends office at (718) 645-3130 or ny@kby.org.

Help provide a home, love, and education to thousands of poor, orphaned, and at-risk children across Israel. Lift them from the deepest of despair to a bright, dignified and productive future. Visit migdalohrusa.org.

Lighting the way. AMFO_Ad_LaJewisHome_JRPage.indd 2

2/2/17 2:09 PM

TheHappenings Week In News

FEBRUARY 9, 2017 | The Jewish Home

Rabbi Hier Goes to Washington Rabbi Arye D. Gordon

On Motzei Shabbos, January 28, 2017, the Religious Zionists of Los Angeles hosted a melaveh malkah at the home of Mr. Jack and Mrs. Gita Nagel. The special guest was Rabbi Marvin Hier, Dean and Founder of the Wiesenthal Center, who was invited to speak

about his recent experience at the inauguration of the President Donald J. Trump. Prior to the melaveh malkah, the RZLA hosted a shabbaton weekend, with various guest speakers at shuls in the Pico/Robertson community. The

Photo: Arye D. Gordon

L R Mr Jack Nagel Rabbi Gideon Shloush and Rabbi Dr Ernie Agatstein

cheaper than online. BUSINESS CLASS FLIGHTS

luxusfly@gmail.com

732.534.6740

www.flyluxus.com

weekend topic was “Trump’s America and its Israel Relations.” The guest presenters for the shabbaton included Rabbi Shaul Robinson of the Lincoln Square Synagogue of New York and Rabbi Gideon Shloush, Executive VP RZA-Mizrachi and Rabbi Cong. Aderet El in New York. Introductory remarks at the melaveh malkah were given by Rabbi Dr. Ernie Agatstein, a member of the newly created presidium of the Religious Zionists of America. Rabbi Hier spoke of the great honor to recite the invocation at the inauguration. He was the first Orthodox rabbi so honored at an American president’s inauguration. The last time a rabbi of any denomination was asked to recite the invocation was at President Ronald Reagan’s second inauguration in 1985. “It was quite an event to see so many presidents of the United States – political opponents – sitting on the dais. That’s the greatness of America on Inauguration Day.” Rabbi Hier described how he picked the particular quotes from tehillim and other Jewish sources for the invocation. Many found the sight of a Jew wearing a yarmulke – with millions throughout the world listening – stand and declare, “Bless all of our allies around the world who share our beliefs, ‘By the rivers of Babylon, we wept as we remember Zion... If I forget you, O Jerusalem, may my right hand forget its skill.’” (Tehillim 137) to be an awesome experience. While Rabbi Hier was castigated in social media by Jews and non-Jews alike for appearing at President Trump’s inauguration, he stood firm in his acceptance of this invitation and staunchly stated, “Jews have flourished, thanks to the system of government we have here. To refuse the request of a President-elect of the United States to offer a prayer – he didn’t invite me to give a political discourse – would be an insult to the country where Jews are flourishing. And I wouldn’t consider insulting the United States of America.”

The Week In News

FEBRUARY 9, 2017 | The Jewish Home

A Vital Test for ALL Jews

‫בס"ד‬

Sephardim are just as susceptible to genetic disease as Ashkenazim.

Genetic diseases have been shown to affect Jews regardless of descent, which is why Sephardim worldwide are utilizing Dor Yeshorim’s specifically designed panel of testing to screen for genetic diseases. Sephardim and Ashkenazim considering entering a relationship also undergo genetic screenings as some harmful diseases are shared among both cultural groups, including Tay-Sachs and Cystic Fibrosis.

Safeguarding the health of our future generations! For more information please contact:

718.384.6060 info@DorYeshorim.org www.DorYeshorim.org

Sephardic ad, Mishpacha, 1-19-17.indd 1

1/19/2017 3:12:50 PM

TheHappenings Week In News

FEBRUARY 9, 2017 | The Jewish Home

LINK Kollel Hosts Rav Ahron Lopiansky Eli Stern On January 20 and 21, Parshas Shemos, LINK Kollel in Los Angeles was privileged to host Rav Ahron Lopiansky, Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshiva of Greater Washington. Rav Lopiansky offered a series of shiurim primarily designed to offer chizzuk and hadracha for the avreichim of the Kollel. Rav Lopiansky, a talmid of the Mir-

rer Yeshiva in Yerushalayim for 25 years – during which he became the son-in-law of its rosh yeshiva, Rav Beinish Finkel, zt”l – has been the Rosh Yeshiva in Silver Spring, Maryland, since 1995. He is also the author of a number of sefarim and articles on Torah hashkafah. On Erev Shabbos, Rav Lopiansky spoke to the yungerleit for two and a half hours. He first gave an esoteric shiur on the dialectic of a yungerman’s goals in

learning. Torah is infinite and klal yisrael is compared to the stars which are infinite, yet at the same time, David Hamelech says that each star has a name, thus implying that there is a way for each yachid to reach his potential in a finite realm. He developed this theme both in terms of each avreich’s tafkid in his individual learning, as well as in his teaching of others. Rav Lopiansky then answered a wide-ranging series of questions from the yungerleit on various topics. Over Shabbos, he gave two talks for the avreichim and four shiurim for the baal habatim who attend the Kollel. Addressing the yungerleit and their wives at the Friday night seudah, he spoke about the chal-

lenges of technology. He outlined three ways that the yetzer hara seduces us into addiction in this area and delineated strategies of how to combat them. He then answered a number of practical questions on the subject. He also gave a shiur Shabbos afternoon for the avreichim on the parshah, based on his encyclopedic sefer, Yesodei Hatorah, which deals with the salient hashkafic themes of the sedra. During davening Friday night, Rav Lopiansky gave a brief shiur on the difference between Avraham Avinu and Moshe Rabbeinu when it came to serving Hashem. Since Avraham lived before Matan Torah, his avodah was to reveal where Hashem is hidden in this world; “Derech eretz kadmah l’Torah.” However, Moshe Rabbeinu was the revealer of the infinite Torah, and his tafkid was to show us that everything in this world is truly the essence of Hashem. In his drashah Shabbos morning, Rav Lopiansky offered a profound understanding of the secret code «pakod pokaditi” that the redeemer of klal yisrael was to utter to prove his authenticity. He explained that the nature of a pikadon is to show the unbreakable nexus between the owner and the object, regardless of the distance of time and space. In essence, the redeemer of klal yisrael (whether Moshe or Moshiach) will be one that will return klal yisrael to its original state of connection to Hashem, restoring the glory of its observance and its Torah study. All of the ersatz “redeemers” of klal yisrael throughout its history (whether individuals or movements), have always sought to innovate rather than restore the pristine state of klal yisrael. Thus, Moshe Rabbeinu’s revealing of the Torah to klal yisrael at Sinai was indeed the proof that he was the true redeemer – the restorer of klal yisrael’s spiritual greatness. At a communal luncheon attended by over 100, he articulated the need to serve Hashem with both our mind and our heart. Referencing the Gemara that a mother and father contribute distinctive parts to their baby’s anatomy (the woman providing the more emotional, flexible aspects and the man providing the more cerebral, rigid parts), he proceeded to delineate how all of these play an integral role in various aspects of our avodas Hashem. At shalosh seudos, Rav Lopiansky deciphered a cryptic passage in the Zohar that compared the various aspects of our suffering in Mitzrayim to several dimensions of limud HaTorah. He explained that just as the suffering of the slavery brought out a refinement and edification of our middos and of our attachment to Hashem, so too do the extreme exertions and (physical) deprivations of limud HaTorah bring a person’s mind and heart to a rarefied level of purity, truthfulness, and deveikus with Hashem. Concluding his very productive but brief visit, Rav Lopiansky was the featured speaker at a community-wide hesped for his rebbe in machshava, HaRav Moshe Shapiro, zt”l, held at the Kollel of Los Angeles.

The Week In News

FEBRUARY 9, 2017 | The Jewish Home

F R O M

#29

O U R

VOICEMAILS

The Gordon Family & Chabad oF The Valley

‫בס"ד‬

Cordially inViTe The CommuniTy To The

My sister gave us the best present; a Kollel Chatzos Partnership, as a zechus for zara chaya v’kayama.

Ya h r

z e i t c o m m e m o r at

ion

of our beloved

Rabbi Joshua b. GoRdon ‫ז"ל‬

It’s exactly one year later – and we are celebrating our firstborn’s Kiddush. We don’t have enough words to thank her. D. W., Queens

join us For The launCh oF a hisToriC

InternatIonal Sefer torah CampaIgn in supporT oF The

r abbI JoShua b. gordon lIvIng legaCy fund S unday, f ebruary 26, 2017 ‫ תשע"ז‬,‫א' ד'ראש חודש אדר‬

7:30 pm - 9:00 pm Chabad oF The Valley The TeiChman Family soCial hall

‫להצלחת בן ציון‬ ‫בן חי' נחמה‬ '‫וכל משפ‬

18181 burbank blVd | Tarzana, CaliFornia

TheHappenings Week In News

FEBRUARY 9, 2017 | The Jewish Home

Chayim Aruchim Offers L.A. Rabbis Guidance on Medical Halachah On February 6th, over 30 leading local rabbonim gathered at Cedars-Sinai to participate in a very sophisticated and important half-day work shop on medical issues and halachah. The program was presented in coordination with Chayim Aruchim, a project of Agudas Yisroel, and in conjunction with the Rabbinical Council of California, Ateres Avigail of Los Angeles, and Cedars-Sinai Medical Center’s Spiritual Care Department. Chayim Aruchim is Agudas Yisroel of America’s center for culturally sensitive health advocacy and counseling. They receive over 350 calls a month to assist with complicated medical situations, ensure Jewish patients are treated in accordance with halachah, and answer complex shaylos. Chayim Aruchim sent one of their

senior poskim and counselors, Rav Eliezer Gewirtzman of Lakewood, New Jersey, to provide in-depth training to the local rabbonim. In addition to covering common medical shaylos and strategies for navigating hospitals and the healthcare system, the five-hour session covered thorough presentations and discussions of dementia, congestive heart failure, heart attacks, kidney failure, strokes, septic shock, and end-stage cancer. The rabbonim in attendance had the opportunity to learn all of the relevant medical details, what the common shaylos

are, strategies for navigating them, and the approaches of the leading poskim. In addition to Rav Gewirtzman’s PowerPoint presentation, the rabbonim engaged in lively discussion of real-life scenarios and case studies. Rabbi Jason Weiner, Cedars-Sinai’s senior rabbi, welcomed everyone to the conference and

Dor Yeshorim School Screening Coming to L.A. Dor Yeshorim’s premarital school screening program exemplifies its mission to ensure healthy generations for klal yisrael. It makes it quick, easy and affordable for boys and girls to be tested for recessive, genetic diseases which can be horrifically debilitating or even fatal. We went behind the scenes with Dor Yeshorim’s Director of Development, Chaim Brown, to find out more about the organization. Dor Yeshorim has become a rite of passage for boys and girls around the world entering shidduchim. How did the organization evolve? It is bittersweet to note that Dor Yeshorim grew out of one father’s anguish. Rabbi Ekstein lost four children to Tay Sachs, a genetic disease that is no longer prevalent in the Jewish community thanks to Dor Yeshorim. He turned his pain and suffering into action. Now, 30-some years later, Dor Yeshorim has grown from a grassroots movement into a global genetics organization. It is practically unheard of for a shidduch to move forward without checking with Dor Yeshorim for genetic compatibility; the realization of Rabbi Ekstein’s mission to ensure healthy genera-

tions b’ezras Hashem. Can you explain the basic premise, protocols, and policies for parents and young adults who have not yet encountered Dor Yeshorim? The beauty of the system is its simplicity. Blood samples are taken and a unique Dor Yeshorim ID number is given to each participant. The samples are sent to our affiliate laboratories for analysis, and results entered into our database. Redundant security checks ensure the accuracy of all data. When a shidduch is suggested, each side calls in to check compatibility. Confidentiality is paramount; no names or identifying information are ever exchanged. Within a couple of business hours, a representative calls the number on file to confirm whether or not a match is compatible. Compatibly checks are free and limitless. To what do you attribute the success of the Dor Yeshorim program? As Rabbi Ekstein always says, “Only siyata d’shmaya.” Our mission has been the same since day one. We are here to help protect klal yisrael from the pain and anguish of having children born with recessive genetic diseases. We take our responsibility very seriously, and this fuels

our commitment to remain at the forefront of genetic research and development. Everything we do is guided by rabbinical and medical authorities of the highest caliber. One of the most integral aspects of our success – and the reason we are respected and endorsed by communities across the spectrum – is the confidentiality of the system which avoids any potential stigma associated with being labeled a carrier. Our mass screening and school screening events makes it easy and affordable for everyone to get tested before starting shidduchim. This is pivotal! And our automated system makes it simple and quick to check compatibility. Is Dor Yeshorim solely a genetic compatibility testing program? Not at all! Most people have no idea just how major a role Dor Yeshorim plays in the field of genetics. Dor Yeshorim conducts ongoing research into identifying disease causing genetic mutations and developing accurate, reliable testing. We invest hundreds of thousands of dollars annually to study the ramification of diseases and evaluate whether or not they should and can be added to the testing panels. The results are groundbreaking. In fact, Dor Yeshorim is often called upon to provide

explained its importance and relevance. The attendees unanimously had very high praise for this important and engaging gathering and are already actively discussing follow-up and further similar learning sessions.

its expertise to for genetic research around the world. Thanks to our ongoing research, we recently added a Sephardic testing panel that includes many diseases prevalent in the Sephardi, Mizrahi, Assyrian, Persian, and Iranian communities. We also provide extensive counseling, guidance and specialized testing to families struggling with genetic disease. Our goal is to do all we can to protect everyone in klal yisrael from giving birth to a child with a recessive genetic disease. What would you consider the most important aspect for parents to know? Take advantage of the mass school screenings when they come to your area. Make sure your children are tested before they enter shidduchim and check compatibility early on in the shidduch process! This saves time, expense and potential heartache. Dor Yeshorim will be conduction mass school/yeshiva screenings on Monday and Tuesday, February 14th and 15th at: Bais Toras Menachem Bais Yaakov Bnos Esther Bnos Devorah Hebrew Academy-Chabad Mesivta Birchas Yitzchok Mesivta of Los Angeles Ohel Chana Valley Torah Yeshiva Gedola YULA For more information, please contact Dor Yeshorim’s main office at 718-3846060 or visit us at www.doryeshorim.org.

TheHappenings Week In News

FEBRUARY 9, 2017 | The Jewish Home

Interview with Gregory Martayan, Candidate for LAUSD School Board District 4 Alisa Brooks Tell us a little about your personal background? My family has been in the City of Los Angeles for over 75 years. My grandparents came to the city around 1938, migrating from the East Coast, and established themselves in the West Los Angeles area. I grew up in Hancock Park, in a great, diverse community with folks who hailed from around the world. Growing up I was particularly close with friends of my father – who were part of the Orthodox Jewish community – and their children. What started your interest in politics? I was drawn into politics from an early age, because I realized that in order to effect change, one must work from within. Being on the outside helps no one and gets nothing done. Why did you decide to run for the LAUSD school board? There was a case of young female student who was repeatedly molested and raped. Rather than protect her, the school district countersued her. They claimed she was the one who seduced the predator and that she was responsible for her own rape, basically re-victimizing the victim. LAUSD elected officials have had a policy of working against students and families for many years, focusing on special interests and lobbyists. I’m going to change the narrative. Families, especially Orthodox Jewish families who have been ignored by the LAUSD for decades, will have a voice in my office and a vote at the table. What are the main policies you support?

At the knesset

Our campaign stands for safe schools, accountability, and transparency. We believe in treating communities equally and providing them with services across the board. Our safe schools initiative will focus on supporting our school police and placing more resources in the schools. The current elected officials have disarmed and dismantled the school police, by rejecting federal support and ordering the school police to stand down. We will put more money into the Restorative Justice program, and heavily fund training in Restorative Justice for counselors on all campuses. Currently only one counselor is assigned per high school, with no resources in junior highs or elementary schools. We will increase accountability by opening the books and bringing the bidding process for projects into the public venue. We will assign a civilian oversight committee to watch over the budget. Equality and transparency is key to everything. What do you most hope to change if elected? Our plan will continue to be to represent the residents of the City of Los An-

Meeting with tomorrow's IDF heroes

geles equally. We want to bring back what used to be the educational crown jewel of the United States of America. What has been your favorite moment from the campaign so far? The response of the community and outpouring of support. I’ve been speaking to groups around the city, and at one such event we were approached by a mother and daughter. The daughter was a victim of bullies, and she thanked me for standing up for children. What is your relationship to Los Angeles’ Orthodox Jewish community? The chair of my campaign is Mr. Andrew Friedman, and much of my support and many of my endorsements come from the Orthodox Jewish community, because of the crucial nature of this election. Others in this race want to continue the attack on Jewish schools and their ability to function in the City of Los Angeles. We stand in support of our continued platform, which includes funding programs, bringing kosher food into public schools with high populations of Orthodox Jewish students, adding Hebrew as a language, and

incorporating a zero-tolerance policy on anti-Semitism amongst faculty. We will also give the Orthodox Jewish community, as well as others whose voices should be heard, the representation they deserve on the board. It is time for the Orthodox to be represented, and represented well. You recently visited Israel. Can you tell us about that trip? We felt that it was crucial for our campaign to stand with Israel, especially in the wake of all the teachers and professors who have turned their backs on Israel in schools and universities across the country. While in Israel, we visited schools from the town of Keshet in the North all the way to Southern Israel. We identified best practices, and talked with educators and administrators at every level about how they best served their students. We met with leadership of the Knesset and visited with United Hatzolah. I am committed to the State of Israel and to my brothers and sisters in the Jewish community of Los Angeles. For more information, visit www.VOTEMARTAYAN.com

American Society For Yad Vashem Opens Permanent Office In Los Angeles The American Society for Yad Vashem (ASYV), established in 1982 and dedicated to advancing Yad Vashem, the Holocaust Martyrs’ and Heroes’ Remembrance Authority on the Mount of Remembrance in Jerusalem, has opened its first permanent office outside of New York City in Los Angeles, it was announced by Ron Meier, ASYV Executive Director. According to Meier, the west coast opening was prompted by the many hundreds of committed donors to ASYV who live in the area. “The Board of Directors of ASYV, along with our national chairman, Leonard Wilf, join me in expressing our enthusiasm and delight with the establishment of our Los Angeles office,” said Meier, “For many years, we have known that we have

a dedicated group of donors and friends in the Los Angeles area. Deepening our relationships with them is a high priority. We believe the efforts of a superbly qualified staff, working with a well-established constituency and developing new friends and supporters will significantly contribute to the growth and development of Yad Vashem for future generations.” William S. Bernstein has been named Director of Institutional Advancement, ASYV Western Region and will lead the Los Angeles office, located at 11911 San Vicente Blvd., in Brentwood, (424-2734460.) He is joined by resource development, marketing and public relations professionals, Brooke Spencer and Donna Elyassian. In addition to an annual June

Benefit gala, ASYV offers a wide array of programs and projects designed to inform and educate donors on the continued development of Yad Vashem. A priority for the Los Angeles office will be to reach out, strengthen ties, and build on-going relationships in the community. “I am honored to have been chosen to serve as the first Western Region Director of Institutional Advancement for the American Society of Yad Vashem,” said Bernstein, “For me, Yad Vashem represents one of the most important institutions of Jewish life in the world. Educating the next generation concerning this horrific period in our history, I believe, can contribute to a greater appreciation of human rights and the respect for the dignity of all men and

women throughout the world. We have an important mission to fulfill and I am looking forward to working with our Los Angeles friends and supporters to achieve our goals and objectives.”

TheHappenings Week In News

FEBRUARY 9, 2017 | The Jewish Home

Working for the Klal: A Conversation with the Outgoing President of the OU, Martin Nachimson Yehudis Litvak The Orthodox Union (OU) began this year with a new president, Mark Bane, who assumed this position in January. At Jewish Home LA, we spoke with the outgoing president, Martin Nachimson, who lives in the San Fernando Valley. Originally from Brooklyn, NY, Mr. Nachimson moved to California with his family about forty years ago. A CPA by profession, he relocated due to his work. His children attended Emek Hebrew Academy and, later, YULA High School. At the time, the West Coast OU office consisted mainly of “a fledging NCSY [youth group] operation,” says Mr. Nachimson. He got involved, initially serving on the youth commission. Eventually, he became president of the West Coast region. On his frequent business trips to New York, Mr. Nachimson met and developed relationships with the OU leaders in the national office. “The key people on the national level realized that the OU required a strong West Coast presence,” explains Mr. Nachimson. “My responsibilities evolved to forming a fully functional office and bringing the full range of OU services to the West Coast.” To that end, over twenty years ago the OU hired Rabbi Alan Kalinsky as its OU West Coast Director, and under his leadership the West Coast office became a model for other regional OU offices. The OU services include synagogue and community services, advocacy, Yachad (the National Jewish Council for Disabilities), NCSY (a youth group connecting Jewish teenagers), JLIC (Jewish

Learning Initiative on Campus), and Birthright trips to Israel. “People don’t realize the full extent of the OU services,” says Mr. Nachimson. “Each of our programs on a standalone basis is a full organization.” Over the course of his presidency, Mr. Nachimson sought to revamp OU’s management structure on the national level in order to significantly expand the services OU provides. “We realized that we needed a person with management skills, along with a commitment to serving the klal,” explains Mr. Nachimson. The OU hired a new executive vice president, Allen Fagin, a retired attorney, whose skills enabled the OU to expand each one of its programs. For example, two summers ago, 700 young adults participated in the OU summer programs in Israel, while this year, about 1500 people participated, both from public high schools and from day schools. The JLIC campus program added five more campuses in the US and Canada. OU’s Birthright program not only increased in the number of participants, but also added a follow up program, organizing reunions and other events that keep former participants involved in Jewish programs after they return from Israel. In an effort to deal with the tuition crisis, the OU has increased its presence in securing government grants. Mr. Nachimson is “cautiously optimistic” that the new administration would improve the current situation. “It’s an uphill battle,” he says. “But it can be a game changer for parents. The OU cannot remain passive. We hired

Mr Nachimson, third from the left meeting with US policymakers in support of Israel. Here with Senator Ted Cruz

At Israel's Knesset

lobbyists who are involved in discussions with government personalities.” One of the highlights of Mr. Nachimson’s presidency, a meeting with Prime Minister Benjamin Netaniyahu, came about through the OU’s advocacy program. “The OU took a very strong position in opposition to the Iran deal, and it was appreciated by the State of Israel,” says Mr. Nachimson. The Israeli government invited the OU leadership to a meeting,

where the prime minister thanked them for their support. “It was an awesome experience,” says Mr. Nachimson, “that showed the role we can play in deepening our relationship with the Israeli government.” At the meeting, Mr. Nachimson explained the OU’s approach. He says, “The OU does not believe that it is appropriate for American organizations to interfere in matters of Israeli foreign affairs, national security, and religious integrity as these are best left to the democratic State of Israel and its institutions to decide. We do not condition our support to Israel on its compromising these matters.” Another highlight of Mr. Nachimson’s presidency also took place in Israel, where he participated in a gathering of young adults spending their summer in Israel though the OU programs. “It was amazing to see the ruach, the celebration, their reaction to being in Israel,” says Mr. Nachimson. “It’s something I wish all people could experience.” Overall, the OU presidency was a powerful and rewarding experience for Mr. Nachimson. “I cannot imagine anything in life to be more meaningful than being president of the OU and serving the klal,” he says. “Working for the klal does more for me than I do for them.” We asked Mr. Nachimson what advice he would give to aspiring leaders. “Just do it,” he says. “The opportunities are always there. The more you get involved the more you want to be involved.”

RZA’s Mizrachi Shabbaton features Rabbis Shloush, Robinson, and Hier The RZA, in conjunction with the Religious Zionists of Los Angeles, held a Mizrachi Shabbaton this past weekend, January 29, 2017. Featured guest speakers included RZA National Director Rabbi Gideon Shloush and Rabbi Shaul Robinson of the Lincoln Square Synagogue. On Motzei Shabbat a special melaveh malkah featuring Rabbi Marvin Hier was held at the home of distinguished philanthropists Jack & Gitta Nagel. Rabbi Hier, who is the founder and director of the Simon Wiesenthal Center in Los Angeles, shared highlights of his experi-

ence having just returned from delivering the benediction at the inauguration of President Donald J. Trump. He discussed why he felt it was important for him to participate, and he spoke about the history and unique importance of the RZA-Mizrachi. RZA Presidium member Dr. Ernest Agatstein said, “The excitement and the buzz prior to the melaveh malkah was something I had never seen before. I’ve produced dozens of RZLA events going back twenty years and this melaveh malkah was unprecedented. The event was oversubscribed, and we had lots of people who

were waiting outside at the gates desperate to get in to hear Rabbi Hier’s remarks.” Rabbi Shloush spoke on Friday night at Congregation B’nai David-Judea and delivered the sermon at the Young Israel of Century City. In addition to sharing new initiatives of the RZA, Rabbi Shloush challenged the audience asking them what they will be doing to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the reunification of Jerusalem. He said, “If you aren’t going to Israel, then you ought to be thinking about what you can do to help celebrate this rare milestone in your city and community.”

Rabbi Robinson delivered the sermon at Congregation Beth Jacob and spoke at seudat shlisheet at the Young Israel of Century City. He emphasized the importance of remaining united as a Jewish community despite the great divisions currently being experienced in America right now. The RZA is deeply appreciative to our presidium member, Dr. Ernest Agatstein, for his incredible leadership in making this such a wonderful and impactful Shabbat. Dr. Yaakov Agatstein, President of the RZLA, also played a key role in organizing the shabbaton.

FEBRUARY 9, 2017 | The Jewish Home

The Week In News

Torah Musings The Week In News

FEBRUARY 9, 2017 | The Jewish Home

It was Bashert: The Story of Holocaust Survivor Eva Kohan Sarah Pachter

I recently wrote an article for The Jewish Home entitled, “Delaying Gratification Makes us Happier.” A woman by the name of Eva Kohan submitted a comment online agreeing with the power that delaying gratification has on our lives. In her case, it was a matter of life or death. Now 95, Eva (Gryka) Kohan – née Kochan – is a Holocaust survivor. She described how during evening roll call in Auschwitz, they were each given one quarter of a slice of bread. Knowing they would not get another portion until the next evening, she and her sister put away half of their ration – a mere ⅛ of a piece of bread! Although it was practically impossible, they controlled their hunger and saved the other half for the morning. The

ration they had put aside gave them the strength to continue their work day. Conversely, their friend Rachel, just a young girl herself, could not help her hunger, and ate the entire portion every night. This left Rachel with nothing to eat the following day. Their friend became more and more emaciated, and was ultimately sent to the line that went to the gas chambers. Eva and her sister survived. Eva, however, does not actually attribute her survival to actions of her own courage or discipline. She says, unequivocally, that the fact that she is alive today is merely because of G-d’s hand. “There

were many times I was supposed to die, and my death just kept being avoided, miraculously. For example, once my entire group was written down to go to the gas chambers, and by a miracle, my number just wasn’t there. Every other person around me was sent, but my number just wasn’t written down on their sheet. It was bashert for me to stay alive. That’s it. It was not my strength, my smarts, or my connections. It was bashert. The hand of G-d alone.” Here is her story. Eva was from a small town in Poland called Wohyn. Her father owned a grocery store, which her mother helped run. The

store was right next to their apartment. Eva was the youngest of six children, and only she and her sister survived through the war. The family was deeply religious. “When I was merely 17 years old, on September 1, 1939, the war broke out. Eight days later, the entire Jewish area was firebombed, and every Jewish home was burned down. In moments, our lives were transformed drastically; people were lying on the streets, homeless. We had nothing.” How did the Nazis know which homes were Jewish? The SS had picked up a maintenance guy that was always around Jewish people. He was friendly, and even knew how to speak the Jewish lingo. But he turned on the Jews, and showed the Nazis exactly where the Jewish area was and

American Friends of Yeshivat Kerem B’Yavneh wishes to thank over 150 members of the community who participated in the Azkara (Memorial) program in honor of Mr. Eli Klein, a”h, which took place on the evening of February 2, 2017, at the Fischel (Old) Beis Madrash on the Yeshiva University campus in Manhattan. We also thank the distinguished Roshei Yeshiva and alumni who participated: Rav Aharon Friedman, Assistant Rosh Hayeshiva of KBY (left); Rav Mordechai Willig, Rosh Yeshiva of RIETS (2nd from left); Rav Menachem Mendel Blachman, Associate Rosh Yeshiva of KBY (2nd from right); and Rav Aharon Friedman Assistant Rosh Yeshiva of KBY (right); Manny Adler, KBY alumnus-1972 (pictured above). Not pictured: Harav Hershel Schachter, Rosh HaYeshiva of RIETS.

FEBRUARY 9, 2017 | The Jewish Home

Torah Musings The Week In News

exactly which houses to bomb. purposefully when searching.” couldn’t help herself, regarding the bread; baton. “I fell to the ground, and blacked Soon after the attack, the Nazis forced Headcounts became a daily part of life she was hungry. out. When I woke up, my bread was gone. young people to perform Polish labor. for Eva. “Every evening, they would count “One day, the commanders were do- That hurt more than the injury itself. That “I was sent to work on a farm,” Eva ex- us to make sure no one disappeared. One ing selections. They used a big barn with was Bergen Belsen.” plained. “Eventually, we lived in the raf- time, I was so sick that I could not stand on two doors. One side was the entrance, and Finally, on April 15, 1945, the camps ters of a barn. There were fifty cows living my feet any longer. There was a chair up the other was the exit. They stripped us, were liberated. The soldiers came in below us, and the stench was unbearable. against the wall. If you were ready to die, and we had to wait to see if they would trucks, and called through microphones My sister also worked on another farm. I you sat in the chair. The chair meant that write down our numbers. If they wrote my “You are liberated! This is the English had no family members with me. We con- you would taken be to the hospital, which number down, I was dead. Sometimes, just Army – now you are free!” sidered ourselves lucky, because getting was merely a holding ground until there because they didn’t like the way a person One woman was dying on the ground jobs like these required connections.” was room in the crematorium. I had al- looked, they would write their number, beside Eva as this happened. Eva kneeled Meanwhile, the Nazis took beside her and said, “Look, away Eva’s parents and brothers take some coffee, put it to the gas chambers of Treblinka. in your mouth, you’ll be There, they fought for survival unokay,” but she still died. til May 1943. People were dying left and From the farm, Eva and her right, from typhus, starvasister were taken to to Majdanek, tion, and other diseases, a concentration camp in Poland, but her body was immune near Lublin. because she had contracted “My first memory of Majdanek typhus a few years earlier. was seeing a 16-year-old girl tryShe walked out of the camp ing to run away. Right away, the a free woman. SS wanted to show us that this Eva is still shomer shabcannot be done. Therefore, they bat today. When asked how hung the girl in front of us, forcshe had the strength to mainWedding of Eva and Mendel in Pfaffenberg Germany, 1946. To the right of Eva is her ing us to watch. They let her body tain her religious beliefs sister Miriam and between them, Miriam's husband Chaim (of their same town). To the Rose Kochan (Orlinsky) and Eva Gryka (Kohan) hang there overnight. She was when so many survivors left of Mendel is his sister Rose. They are surrounded by other survivors living nearby Rose was bunked with Eva and promised that if such a beautiful girl. turned away from G-d, she one of her brother’s survived, she would make a “My brother, Moshe, was explained, “The reason my shitach with her brother Mendel and Eva also in Majdanek. He was workfaith is strong is because I ing with the commander, and somehow ready been standing for hours and I could and that was it – they would go to the cre- believed that it is because of Hashem that I had a comb. He risked his life to pass the not stand any longer, so I went to the chair. matorium. Rachel went ahead of me that survived. There was no other explanation. comb into my hand when the command- I knew what was going happen. I was go- day, and when she came out, she called, None. Not because I was smart or savvy, ers passed by. It was not a regular comb; ing to be killed, but I didn’t care anymore. ‘Chava, Chava [Hebrew name for Eva], just Hashem – it was bashert.” it could also take the dirt out of one’s hair. So I sat, and I knew my life would be over they wrote down my number!’ I knew She did confess that there were not al“One day in Majdanek, I saw a group soon. what would happen next, but I wanted to ways times in her life that she kept kosher of small children with barbed wire con“But that was not G-d’s plan. It was make her feel better, so said to her, ‘Maybe or Shabbat, for example, when she was taining them in a small area. I thought to bashert – meant to be – that I would live. this time they wrote numbers of the peo- liberated from the camps. “In the beginmyself, ‘I wonder if the children of my I went to the hospital where there was lice ple who will survive.’ But we both knew ning, we were so hungry. As long as we sister are there,’ but of course, to no avail. everywhere. I scratched my skin so much it was the end. had food, even if it wasn’t kosher food, we A few days later, the whole group of chil- that it was maddening. I should have been “Rachel knew she would be summoned ate.” Once she got married, however she dren disappeared. We realized then that the sent to the crematorium, but my sister had to death, so during roll call that evening, and her husband resolved to keep kosher, barbed wire pen was a holding ground for somehow made connections in the camp. she hid under the bed. We stood in line for and they haven’t stopped since. the children until they had space for them Through the help of a nurse, she got me extra hours because she was hiding. If one “We were not always able to keep in the gas chambers.” out. I would never have survived without person was missing from their records, Shabbat because we needed to make a livEva and her sister were only in Maj- my sister. they would make us all stand until the per- ing.” She felt it was no excuse at the time, danek for about three months when the “In Auschwitz, if you got close to the son was found. Eventually, they found her, but eventually they were able to keep it up. Nazis needed to liquidate. They were all gate, you were killed. A new transport of and she was never seen again.” Today, Eva is 95 and says she lives for sent to Auschwitz. people were nearly always waiting outIn the end, Eva and her sister were Shabbat. She cooks fresh food for herself “I don’t have to describe what hap- side the gates to get in. The line was two transported to Bergen Belsen. Once there, at every meal, especially for Shabbat. She pened in Auschwitz. They shaved our blocks long, and they had no idea that they Eva cleaned the toilets in exchange for an- attends synagogue every week, and menheads, tattooed numbers on us, stripped were next in line for the crematorium. other bowl of soup each day. The job was tioned that if for some reason she is not our clothing off. Then began the selec- They naively thought they were waiting to very, very dirty, but she was starving. there, the rabbi comes to visit and tells her tions: Who will live, and who will die? get jobs. The Nazi’s couldn’t burn us fast In Bergen Belsen, Eva saw a new how much she was missed. She is conThey assigned us to a barrack. We were enough. There were too many Jews for the transport of townspeople from Hungary, stantly visited by friends and family and like sardines on the boards they called the amount of ovens, and people always who came in late 1944. They had bread has strong social connections. beds. It was just so cold; we could see the had to wait. in their baskets when they arrived. She Thank you, Eva, for the life-changing ice on the ceiling in the winter. “I had the the smell from the flesh in called out from inside the gate to the entire opportunity to learn your story, and to “I passed through lots of selections, my nostrils for years, and I could not rid group, “They are going to take everything share how the hand of G-d protected you somehow. It was as though their eyes were myself of it. away! Throw it here over the gate. I’m in the absolute worst of circumstances. blind when they saw me. Twice, I escaped “My dear friend Rachel, who ate her telling you, they are going to take it away May your story of survival be a source of Josef Mengele. The first time I encoun- bread up quickly, slowly became sickly. from you anyway.” Only one person threw inspiration and strength to all who read it. tered him, he let me through. The second She was such a beautiful girl. Her cheeks bread over, and Eva grabbed it. The Gestatime, I was hiding in bed, and the nurse were pink and full of life, but slowly her po at the gate saw that she picked up the didn’t see me. I think she looked away cheeks started becoming purple. She bread, and he hit her in the head with his

The Week In News

FEBRUARY 9, 2017 | The Jewish Home

We invite you to a

yeshiva university/Riets l.a. community weekend february 23–26, 2017 • Parshat Mishpatim

We lo ok

Rabbi HeRsHel scHacHteR

Rosh Yeshiva and Rosh Kollel, RIETS

yu aluMni sHiuR

Rabbi MeiR GoldwicHt

tHuRsday niGHt

Rabbi JeReMy wiedeR

fRiday MoRninG

Rosh Yeshiva, RIETS

Rabbi MenacHeM PenneR

fRiday niGHt

Max and Marion Grill Dean, RIETS

Rabbi yaakov GlasseR

David Mitzner Dean, YU Center for the Jewish Future

sHabbat MoRninG

sHabbat afteRnoon

Dean, Azrieli Graduate School of Jewish Education and Administration

For more information about the Yeshiva University Shabbaton, please contact Joey small at jsmall@yu.edu

Rabbi JeReMY WiedeR Ger Vetoshav: Immigration Laws Through a Torah Perspective

Riets RosHei yesHiva and yesHiva univeRsity faculty visit scHools acRoss l.a. Rabbi MenacHeM PenneR Dvar Torah after Kabbalat Shabbat linK Kollel Rabbi Yaakov GlaSSeR Dvar Torah after Kabbalat Shabbat WeStSide Shul

Rabbi Yaakov GlaSSeR Drasha beth Jacob congregation Rabbi HeRSHel ScHacHteR Drasha yavneh hebrew academy

Assistant Professor of Jewish History, Yeshiva University

Weekend generously sponsored by Joey and Tracey Goldstein Dr. Ron and Cheryl Nagel Steven and Helena Usdan

at the home of Dr. Steven and Danielle kupferman • 8:30 p.m. • RSVP to westcoast@yu.edu

Rabbi MenacHeM PenneR Drasha adas torah

dR. cHaviva levin

dR. Rona novick

! u forward t o y h t o spending Shabbat wi

Rabbi MeiR GoldWicHt The Key to Redemption: Honoring Our Parents and Educating Our Children women’s shabbat afternoon shiur home of Jackie and bruria segal Rabbi HeRSHel ScHacHteR Pre-Mincha Shiur 4:45 p.m. young israel of hancock park

Rabbi JeReMY WiedeR The Use of Ancient Near Eastern Sources in the Study of Tanakh b’nai david-Judea congregation 6:30 p.m. • Dinner and Lecture to register for dinner call 310-276-9269

Rabbi MeiR GoldWicHt, Rabbi MenacHeM PenneR, Rabbi JeReMY WiedeR Friday Night Oneg • 8:30 p.m. adas torah

Rabbi JeReMY WiedeR Drasha: V’eileh Hamishpatim: Tzelem Elohim as a Foundational Principle in Jewish Law b’nai david-Judea congregation

DR. Rona noViCk Drasha: Becoming a People, Being Human: Mishpatim and Bein Adam L’Chavero young israel of century city meeting at mogen david ashkenazi minyan

DR. ChaViVa LeVin Drasha: Adolescents, Anxiety and Medieval Ashkenaz following 8:25 a.m. minyan b’nai david-Judea congregation DR. ChaViVa LeVin What to Do With Something New? Coffee, Coffeehouses, and Early Modern Jewry mincha and seduah shlishit - 4:50 p.m. b’nai david-Judea congregation Rabbi MeiR GoldWicHt Misheh Nichnas Adar: Simchat Purim and Life Lessons seudah shlishit adas torah

Rabbi MeiR GoldWicHt Shiur: Na’aseh V’nishmah: Attaining the Right Perspective adas torah after shacharit Rabbi Yaakov GlaSSeR, DR. Rona noViCk, Rabbi MenacHeM PenneR Panel: Inspiring Our Children: Are we Succeeding? mincha and seudah shlishit – 5:30 p.m. young israel of century city (at bais yicc)

insPiRational sefeR toRaH PRoGRaM in HonoR of Rav HeRsHel scHacHteR

Motzei sHabbat

Private Residence in the Hancock Park area • 8:00 p.m. • RSVP to westcoast@yu.edu

WitH Rabbi HeRSHel ScHacHteR and YU RoSHei YeSHiva OppOrtunity tO inscribe and dedicate a letter in the sefer tOrah being written tO hOnOr rav schachter’s cOntributiOns tO yu and the Jewish cOmmunity

kollel yoM RisHon and bReakfast

sunday MoRninG

Sha’arey Zedek Congregation • 10:00 a.m. Breakfast

10:30 a.m. Shiur #1: inyanei Rosh chodesh Rabbi HeRSHel ScHacHteR

11:15 a.m. Shiur #2: building Resilience in ourselves and our Children in Challenging Times DR. Rona noViCk

Book Review The Week In News

FEBRUARY 9, 2017 | The Jewish Home

No Stories to Tell: The Psychologist Meets Infinity by Steve Sherr (Miklat Press 2016) Reviewed by Deborah L. Gordon

Steve Sherr calls his new memoir, No Stories to Tell, a “modern-day spiritual adventure story.” With vivid detail, insight, and self-deprecating humor, Sherr describes growing up as a typical, assimilated Jew in New York in the ‘50s and ‘60s, his education and career in psychology, and his journey to an observant Jewish lifestyle. In his early years, Sherr’s greatest joy came from playing basketball and guitar. What is most evident – and what he does a fine job getting across in his conversational tone – is his increasing disillusionment with life. In his reflections about college, Sherr shares a flippant remark made by his abnormal psychology professor, which resonated deeply with him, “‘[L]ife is essentially a race between physical and mental illness.’ If one didn’t get you, the other would.” Part of Sherr’s lack of inspiration included his negative feelings toward Judaism. While he had Jewish friends and felt most comfortable with them, he associated the rituals and practices of Judaism with “embarrassing displays of excess, and a fairly meaningless tradition. It had little to do with modern life, and was certainly not worth living or dying for.” Steve’s wife Marianne had an equally uninspiring experience of Judaism as a child; however Sherr writes that their feelings about their Jewish identities “ran surprisingly deep” and it wasn’t easy to walk away from the tradition. As the memoir proceeds, Sherr traces both his personal and professional frustration. The couple eventually moves for Sherr’s job as a university counselor at San Diego State University (where he ended up spending his entire professional career). Like everything that Sherr encounters, however, he is looking for purpose. That search was underscored given the tumultuous time period of the late ‘60s. “We wanted everything to be as meaningful as possible...That’s why a lot of disenchanted people were dropping out, in search of alternative lifestyles that would be more personally fulfilling, and better suited to themselves as individuals.” Although Sherr never truly “drops out,” he sure comes close. Steve and Marianne settle into their new community, but suburban life is hard to get used to after the spontaneity and openness of graduate school. Sherr struggles to find a community, to parent, and, professionally, feels “that [he] had nothing to offer anyone,” which made life itself, as well as counselling, feel like futile endeavors. Just when the pointlessness reached

its apex, Sherr had a spiritual awakening, described with raw honesty in the chapter, “Sandpiper.” Until this point, Sherr’s discontent led him to consider all sorts of other options – including various psychological approaches, the ‘60s movement, martial arts, Eastern thinking – yet never his very own religion. Together with Sherr, the reader experiences this moment as one of relief, hope, and encouragement. After this midlife spiritual awakening, the real journey begins. From here on, the memoir picks up pace, detailing Sherr’s search for a spiritual path, explorations of the various strains of Judaism, and his ultimate commitment to Orthodoxy. Sherr describes how little he knew about the Torah as “staggering;” “I was even a little hazy about the difference between Moses and Charlton Heston.” Sherr spent years exploring Judaism and mitzvos, trying to discover who he is, how frum he wanted to appear, and the like. By the end of the memoir, he identifies as, “a religious Zionist with Hasidic and secular overtones who still likes to shop at Marshalls.” As Sherr progressed on his quest, Marianne grappled with her husband’s abrupt change to frumkeit. He depicts this tension to a certain degree, but we are left wondering how it resolved, and how committed Marianne became to Orthodox Judaism. The brushstrokes we are given contrast sharply to the details of the first half of the book. Yet, by now I felt I knew Steve, and was interested in learning more. I walked away feeling somewhat shortchanged.

Similarly, the Sherr children, Jonathan and Samantha, are slightly mysterious, including their ages in relation to the story. We do learn that Jonathan went to Aish HaTorah in Jerusalem as a young adult. However, we are left wondering about his observance, as well as Samantha’s. Samantha is mentioned only in passing and the reader has no idea what her experience was. The Sherrs move to Israel take us into Book II, “Journey to Hispin.” With his sardonic wit, we ride the aliyah rollercoaster with the Sherrs, complete with bureaucratic nightmares, ulpan, terrorist attacks, and the search for a community. Book III, “Stories Along the Way,” is replete with thoughtful insights and anecdotes. However, these chapters would have been more meaningful had they been inserted into the flow of the narrative. Placed at the end, I found myself trying too hard to figure out where each piece might fit.

In “Exodus,” one of the final chapters, Sherr paints a portrait of the American Jew whose family and nation “were lost in a Holocaust of Success” and the “Holocaust of Idiocy and Assimilation.” His description makes the assimilated Jew ponder his decision to live in America, to settle for being “a good person,” yet being ignorant of his own heritage and special calling as a Jew. After many years and much consideration, the Sherrs were able to escape this conundrum and begin a new life in the Golan Heights. At once idealistic and realistic, Sherr admits that although there are real dangers in Eretz Yisrael, “it’s the right place for us to be.” After getting to know Steve so well, it’s clear that it is right for him, and he also makes those of us in America think that, perhaps, the time is right for us to be there, as well.

Living with In theNews Times The Week

By Rabbi Pinchos Lipschutz Publisher of the Yated Ne’eman

This week’s parshah of Beshalach is associated with the parting of the sea at Kriyas Yam Suf, where the Jewish people completed their departure from Mitzrayim. It was there that they beheld the splendor of Hashem, as never seen before. It was there that they realized the words of Hashem, “lokachas lo goy mikerev goy,” not only achieving independence from Mitzrayim, but becoming a nation in the process. Coupled with this theme is that of “re’iyah,” the ability to see and to perceive the truth and appreciate reality. The posuk (Shemos 14:30-31) states that at the shores of the Yam Suf, “Vayar Yisrael,” the people saw and thought that they beheld the ultimate judgment and precision of Hashem’s rule. First, “vayar Yisrael meis al sefas hayom,” they saw the Mitzrim lying dead on the banks of the sea, and then “vayar Yisroel es hayod hagedolah asher asah Hashem b’Mitzrayim,” they appreciated the might of the hand of Hashem. And then “vayiru ha’am es Hashem vaya’aminu baHashem uveMoshe avdo, they feared Hashem and believed in Him and His servant Moshe.” As they became a nation, they saw the truth and appreciated it, and it caused them to fear and believe. However, shortly thereafter, the people veered from Hashem, as they complained that they didn’t have enough food to sustain them in the desert. Hashem sent them slav – birds in the evening so they would have meat – and in the morning, He sent them a type of food coated with protective dew. The posuk (ibid. 16:15) states that in the morning, when this food was spread out for them to eat, “Vayiru Bnei Yisroel,” the Jewish people saw the food and asked each other what it was. They called it mann. Again, we encounter the word “re’iyah,” seeing. This time, they saw something they didn’t understand, so they turned to Moshe, who explained to them what they had seen. They followed his instructions and were blessed. They were satiated with mann for the rest of their sojourn in the desert. Moshe told them that it was the food that Hashem promised to send them so that they would have what to eat. He told them how to gather it. “Vayaasu kein Bnei Yisroel,” they

FEBRUARY 9, 2017 | The Jewish Home

Vision for Greatness followed Moshe’s instructions, and “lo hechsir ish,” nobody was lacking, for each person received what they needed. Further in the parshah (ibid. 16:29), we encounter “re’iyah” again, when Moshe admonishes the Jewish people about Shabbos. He says, “Re’u ki Hashem nosan lochem es haShabbos - See that Hashem has given you the day of Shabbos.” Re’u - see. See the Shabbos. See that Hashem gave you Shabbos. Use your eyes, use your gift of vision, and you can understand and appreciate the gift of Shabbos. See that you are getting a double portion of mann on Friday (Rashi), and see that no mann falls

swamp of entrenched career politicians and return the government to the people. He was elected on promises to strengthen the country’s borders, keep out dangerous people, nominate constitutionalist justices for vacant court positions, reform the punishing tax code, do away with restrictive regulations, replace the disastrous health care system instituted by his predecessor, and act in other ways in concert with the will of the majority of hardworking, taxpaying Americans. The people who voted for him are proud of the way he talks, what he says, and what he does. They are thrilled that he is keeping his promises and doing his best to make

Seeing involves more than good eyesight. It takes focus, clarity and a passion for truth. on Shabbos. Observe and you will be observant. The truth of Shabbos is plainly evident. Our people were conceived in a parshah of “re’iyah.” We are blessed with vision, on a basic level as others do, but beyond that we have the ability to perceive what is beneath the surface, comprehending what is really transpiring and how it relates to us. When we don’t comprehend what we see, we turn to the Torah for guidance. In times when there are smokescreens that blind the eye from seeing what is going on and, more importantly, block us from understanding events, we don’t have to feel lost. We can turn to the Moshes of the generation. Witness what is currently going on in this country, the strange, unprecedented situation in which we find ourselves. Take a step back and contemplate what has happened here. A populist who was given no chance of winning, beat out seventeen professional, experienced politicians and ascended to the highest office in the land. He promised to drain the Washington

America great again. They look on as he works, works, and works, delivering on his promises one after another. They realize that he doesn’t always talk or act the way more seasoned or polished politicians do, but they accept it as part of the package. The party that went down to failure in losing to a man they viewed as a clown is incensed. They are sickened that they were defeated by the man they outspent and worked so hard to defeat. They were so sure that they would beat him in the election that they failed to plan for the possibility of his victory. He had no pollsters, no advisors, no political consultants, and no political fundraising machine. Not only that, but he spoke rashly, undiplomatically, and without regard to political correctness. Even mainstream Republicans didn’t want to see him elected. He had the entire media aligned against him, coupled with the culture gurus and Republican never-Trumpers. With everything stacked against him, Trump won. Not only was he elected, but upon entering office, he did what he said he

was going to do. He worked from early in the morning until late at night, not only dismantling the previous administration’s agenda, but redoing the very way government works and presidents act. He didn’t play by the usual clubby rules. He spoke strongly and waved a stick and tweeting phone. The media slammed him and Democrats were reduced to tears, for as hard as they tried to stymie him, they failed. He ignored them and mocked them, and found strong, capable people to run the government and its offices. He tapped into something others didn’t see. He sensed that the people across America hungered for change and had enough of being mistreated by so-called judges, as well as their local senators, congressmen, legislators and everyone else associated with any type of power. Just as he detested it, he realized that everyone else who doesn’t benefit directly from the system would be prepared to topple it, if only there were a way. People are loath to be the lonely guy fighting city hall, but if a person stands up to the big-shots and the little guy figures he has nothing to lose by supporting the insurgent, he will. And multitudes of little guys across the country supported him. They were proud of him. They flocked to his rallies. They ignored everything they were being told and supported the man who said he was going to break the oppressive might of big brother. The minority party and its followers are prisoners of their own self-imposed bubble. They believe what they write, say and read in their echo chambers, and as they do so, they remain out of touch. When they lost, they descended into a state of shock from which they have not been able to recover. Instead of a rational introspection of what went wrong and how to rectify it, they remain in denial that anything so right could overtake their leftist truths. They believe that the new president is inept, that he won by illegitimate means, and that he cannot be viewed or treated as the leader of the country. Instead of recognizing the truth, they descend into lunacy and employ tactics doomed to prolong the tailspin of the defeated. They act irrationally as they scream, cry, burn and boycott normal government action. Charles Schumer, the great tactician and political leader, leads chants of “Dump Trump” at political rallies, as if that is the responsible and constitutional way of dealing with a new president from the opposition party. People who speak of tolerance, openness and working together show themselves to be consumed by hate and totally intolerant of anyone who disagrees with them. They will do anything, except focus inward and draw the conclusions that would force them to change their ways and engage in actions that would lead them to become a majority party once again. It is fascinating and troubling, and like everything in this world, it is a parable for our own reality and journey through the world, where the yetzer hara attempts to block us from seeing. The one who seeks to lead us to sin knows that if he can paint things a certain way, delusion and negius will take over. Like what is occurring to the liberal left in this country, a person can descend into an abyss of anger, accusations and deception, leaving

Living with In theNews Times The Week

FEBRUARY 9, 2017 | The Jewish Home

him no way out. Seeing involves more than good eyesight. It takes focus, clarity and a passion for truth. The left drowns in its own rhetoric while we work hard to keep our focus. The types of moral lives we lead, coupled with Torah study and mitzvah observance, perfect our vision so that we are better able to see things clearly. “Re’u.” We are encouraged to see and think, to have opinions and insights, to exist not in an echo chamber but on an island where we clarify for ourselves “mah chovaso be’olamo,” what life is all about. We remain honest to our purpose and are not overwhelmed by what others say and see. These parshiyos of Yetzias Mitzrayim and Krias Yam Suf introduce us to our destiny, to who we are. But in order to realize it, as we study the parshiyos, we have to keep our eyes wide open and appreciate the significance and relevance of each posuk. “Re’u ki Hashem nosan lochem…” Our task is to learn to see what we are being given and what is going on all around us. So many times, we go wrong because we take certain things for granted and mess up our thought process. Having the right information alone is not enough, for if we do not think we make mistakes. Rav Aharon Yehuda Leib ben Gittel Faiga Shteinman would recount that Rav Chaim Soloveitchik asked children riddles to sharpen their minds. He would tell them of a blind man who would raise one finger to signal that he wanted to eat. When he wanted to drink, he would raise two fingers. The great Rav Chaim would then ask the children what the blind man did when he wanted to eat and drink. The children – and most adults – wouldn’t realize that he said the man was blind. He didn’t say that he was dumb and unable to speak, so when he wanted to eat and drink, he would simply say so. They had all the information they required, but their minds were conditioned to process it incorrectly. Our egos, our patterns of thought, and the way things have always been done impede us and hamper our thought process. We think we know everything. We think we understand everything. We may have perfect vision, but if we impair our comprehension with preconceived notions, then we will not be able to come up with the proper response to the questions of the day. People look at the same sets of facts and figures yet understand them differently. Everyone sees the same information, but they process them according to their own biases. Where some see bravery, others see cowardice. Where some see love and concern, others see hate and cynicism. Some see freedom fighters, others see terrorists. The facts don’t change. The perception does. Numbers don’t lie, but people from different backgrounds explain them differently. If you doubt this, just look at polls that concern Donald Trump. People become trapped by the way they perceive the world and are unable to see things differently than they have been conditioned to, so their thinking is skewed and their reactions are off target. They are encumbered by what they have always done and by what they have been taught, so their

predictions are expected and often wrong. We were infused with the drive to be great, to study Torah day and night, to seek the truth, to constantly engage in introspection and self-improvement. We never rest in our pursuit of knowledge and excellence. We set high goals for ourselves. We are not locked into anything. As we learn Torah, our minds are trained not to take anything for granted. We learn a Gemara and think we understand it, and then the Gemara brings a proof disputing what we had thought was the halachah. One Amora concurs and another disagrees. Rashi explains the dispute so carefully and succinctly, and we think we

AT&T

8:15 AM

understand the concepts. But then we look in Tosafos and everything is turned upside down. We realize that we understand nothing. And so it goes. In this fashion, we plumb the depths of sugya after sugya, daf after daf, masechta after masechta. We realize that it is only with honesty, consistency and hard work that we can even hope to understand anything. We deal with the world the way it is, not the way we want it to be. We do not create alternative universes in which to operate, but rather deal forthrightly with the facts. We do not become entombed in our bubbles of fantasy, blinded and unable to confront reality.

85%

AT&T

8:15 AM

85%

BEST DEALS

Infinity QX50 base 12,000 INT

2017 MI YR

In an upside-down world, we retain our ability to sense right from wrong, generosity from avarice, and justice from cruelty. No one can take that away from us, as long as we remember our mantra: “Re’u.” The parshah ends with our first encounter with our arch-enemy, Amalek. He and his progeny will always be there, until the coming of Moshiach, seeking to ensnare and destroy us. We stay ahead of him by keeping our eyes and hearts focused heavenward, until that great day we all wait for, which shall come speedily in our day.

85%

8:15 AM

AT&T

Infinity QX50 base, 2017 EXT

INT

MNTH

Infinity QX50 base

$ 303 add to showroom

enter Make and Model

INT

Infinity QX50 base

$ 311

or check out our best deals

ID: JK603490

add to showroom INT

Infinity QX50 base

$ 309

5 seats (bench)

4 doors

18"/8" wheels

GPS

6 CY L

INT

Infinity QX50 base

$ 315 add to showroom INT

Infinity QX50 base

$ 318

$ 309

navigation

24H /17C mileage

AW D

moon roof

automatic trans

12,000

MI YR

MNTH

I N C LU D I N G TA X E S

$1,312 due at signing

lease extras

LEASE

add to showroom

Lease your new car in three swipes, with free delivery, at the lowest price guaranteed!

Download our app, join Honcker, and enjoy your car-leasing.

honcker.com

The Week In News

FEBRUARY 9, 2017 | The Jewish Home

‫דברי חכמים נשמעים‬ S TO P T H E TA L K I N G I N S H U L !

CITICOM! 718.692.0999

WATCH OUR ADS IN THE COMING WEEKS, AS WE BRING YOU EXCERPTS FROM ADMORIM, ROSHEI YESHIVA & MECHANCHIM ON THE PROHIBITION OF TALKING IN SHUL

FULL VIDEO MESSAGES CAN BE SEEN AT THEYESHIVAWORLD.COM

The Week In News

FEBRUARY 9, 2017 | The Jewish Home

IN A SERIES

CITICOM! 718.692.0999

“ IS IT BEFITTING FOR A HUMAN BEING TO TALK IN SHUL? IT’S MISBEHAVIOR!” ~ Rav Shmuel Kaminetzky, Shlita Full video message can be seen at theyeshivaworld.com FOR A FREE DISPLAY FOR YOUR SHUL, PLEASE EMAIL STOPTHETALKING@GMAIL.COM

The Week In News

FEBRUARY 9, 2017 | The Jewish Home

February 12th - May 14th Cost: $230

Girls

February 12th - March 26th Cost: $195

N - Pre-1

12:00 - 1:00 PM

1st - 5th Grade

12:00 - 1:00 PM

LUTHER BURBANK MIDDLE SCHOOL - 3700 Jeffries Ave, Burbank, CA 91505 Centrally located, fenced with lots of parking, and 10 exclusive acres of pure soccer fun!

NEW! ASSOCIATE OF SCIENCE IN MANAGEMENT

LEARN. THRIVE. LAUNCH YOUR CAREER •

Prepare for a career in today’s fast paced, digitallyconnected business world.

•

Learn from outstanding faculty and connect with students from across the country.

•

Thrive in YU’s distinctive on-campus experience and dual curriculum.

•

Earn an associate’s degree at Katz then transfer to the BS in Business at Syms.

The two-year AS in Management degree integrates traditional business disciplines, such as management, accounting, and human resources, with emerging fields including data science, entrepreneurship, and digital marketing. This project-based curriculum will bring ideas to life and use New York City as a classroom. Each semester, students engage off-campus with real businesses and cultural institutions to enhance classroom learning. Admissions Criteria: SAT/ACT not required. Scholarships available. Application Deadline February 17, 2017 Register for an online Open House! February 15th 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM EST yu.edu/ASOH2 www.yu.edu | 646.592.4440 | yuadmit@yu.edu

The Katz School of Graduate and Professional Studies

APPLY NOW! YU.EDU/AIM

Yeshivat Kerem B’Yavneh is proud to anounce

Rav Aharon Friedman & Rav Gavriel Saraf have been appointed

Assistant Roshei HaYeshiva. Starting in Elul, 5777 (August), they will become

Co-Roshei HaYeshiva

while Rosh HaYeshiva HaRav Mordechai Greenberg, Shlit”a, will continue to teach at KBY, Iy”H, for many years to come. Rav Saraf, Shlit”a, and Rav Friedman, Shlit”a, learned in the Hesder program of KBY and have served as Ramim (lecturers) at KBY since 5768. Rav Saraf served for two years as a halachic advisor to the Chief Rabbi of Israel. Rav Friedman is known for his writings and his lectures in towns near the KBY campus. We wish Rav Friedman, Shlit”a, & Rav Saraf, Shlit”a, great success

Feature The Week In News

OCTOBER 29, 2015 The Jewish Home FEBRUARY 9, 2017 | The|Jewish Home

An Activist President A Look into President Trump’s First Ten Days – and All His Executive Orders By Nachum Soroka

Donald

Trump is now president, and if one had any reason to doubt the veracity of his campaign promises – ranging from domestic economic activities to immigration policies to foreign military campaigns – Mr. Trump has spent the last two weeks demonstrating that he means as much business as his celebrity persona dictates. In just his first week of office, the president issued over fourteen executive orders, some mundane, some controversial, and some just blown out of proportion by the mainstream media. Ordering the Commerce Secretary to build oil pipelines from U.S. material surely elicited yawns from even the most avid C-Span watchers, but his suspension of all immigrants from certain Muslim countries has made JFK Airport the most popular destination for Democrat protesters this week. It is important to note that an ex-

ecutive order from the United States president is no more than a directive by the president to the members of the federal organizations under his authority. It is by no means a law, which is something under the dominion of Congress, nor can it be used to appropriate additional funds to a matter, which is also Congress’s domain. An executive order is a skillful way for a president to direct agencies towards certain objectives which are already within the parameters of the law. As such, Trump’s suspension of certain refugees is merely a directive to the Department of Homeland Security regarding who to allow into the country and who to turn away. By creating an order to build a wall on the border with Mexico, the president is establishing the wall as a federal priority for the DHS and allowing it to use its already available funds towards the wall’s construction.

It is precisely the delicate nature of executive orders that make them so controversial. As the president is unable to rewrite U.S. law, the simplest avenue of opposition to it is to claim an executive order is a thinly disguised attempt to change the law. It is for this reason – along with the fact that use of an executive order conveys that a president cannot get things done together with Congress – that many presidents are reluctant to use executive orders too often. But that is not to say that President Trump is anomalously pen-happy in his first two weeks of office. Barack Obama signed over 2,000 various presidential memorandums over his eight years in office, including some 278 executive orders, the most famous of which being the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals — or DACA — and Deferred Action for Parents of Americans and Lawful Permanent Residents — or DAPA — which protect children of illegal

immigrants and parents of legal children from deportation. Like many new presidents in office, Obama also utilized his power of issuing executive orders in his first week of power to repeal some of his predecessor, George W. Bush’s, policies, such as the use of waterboarding. On Obama’s third day in office, he used a memo to revoke a Bush-era rule called “The Mexico City Policy” that barred federal funding for international groups that provide abortions. The rule was actually created by President Ronald Reagan, and it was volleyed in and out of use based on the political party of the current president. Indeed, one of the executive orders issued by President Trump in his first week of office was to reinstate the rule. In comparing Mr. Trump to Mr. Obama, in Obama’s first seven days in office, he issued 12 executive orders; Trump had issued 14. President George W. Bush did not sign any

Feature The Week In News

The Jewish Home | OCTOBER 29, 2015 FEBRUARY 9, 2017 | The Jewish Home

A Twitter tiff over who will pay for the wall separating the U.S. and Mexico cancelled a meeting between Trump and his Mexican counterpart

JFK Airport was clogged with protesters over the weekend

executive orders in his first week as president. The use of executive orders is not only a means for a president to mark his territory in his first few weeks in office. Some of the greatest changes to the social landscape of the United States were only able to be brought about because the sitting president at the time had the power of the Order at his fingertips. The Emancipation Proclamation was actually an executive order issued by President Lincoln, and President Eisenhower was able to send in U.S. troops to integrate the Little Rock, Arkansas, school system through an executive order. The internment of Japanese individuals in camps during World War II was also done through President Roosevelt’s use of executive order.

of the first detentions of banned foreigners at U.S. airports, sympathetic federal judges issued stays on the confinements. Such judicial injunctions, however, are limited to individual cases: a 1952 immigration law specifically gives the chief executive the power to bar “any class” of immigrants from the country if allowing

far, the orders issued by Trump which have received the most public attention relate to immigration, including illegal immigration from Mexico and the acceptance of refugees from the Middle East. Trump’s action with regards to the Mexican border calls for the hiring of an additional 5,000 Border Policemen and the empowerment of state and local police forces to act as immigration officers. It also calls for the construction of detention centers along the Mexican border which will house and adjudicate those caught trying to enter the U.S. illegally. Most importantly, it orders the planning of Trump’s “great wall” along the border which will serve to keep aliens from crossing into the U.S. The creation of the wall was the cornerstone of Trump’s presidential campaign, and it did not take him more than a few days to demonstrate how serious he was about it all along. The January 27 th order to reeval-

uate the country’s visa and refugee programs has become fodder for protesters around the world. The order, which cuts the number of refugees to be allowed into the U.S. in 2017 to 50,000 from 110,000 and suspends the refugee admissions program of the U.S. for 120 days, also denies all entry for members of the

A 1952 immigration law specifically gives the chief executive the power to bar “any class” of immigrants from the country if allowing them is deemed “detrimental to the interests of the United States.” majority-Muslim countries of Iraq, Iran, Sudan, Libya, Yemen, Somalia and Syria for 90 days. The move was meant to allow federal government time to create a proper framework to vet incoming foreigners to the United States and make sure they do not have ties to ISIS. It’s important to note that the seven countries included in Trump’s order had been deemed “countries of concern” for terrorism by the Obama administration. In December 2015 Obama signed into law a measure placing some restrictions on certain travelers from Iran, Iraq, Sudan or Syria. A few months later, Libya, Somalia and Yemen were added to the list. Trump’s order is way broader than Obama’s – banning all citizens from those seven nations from entering the country for three months. The immigration suspension highlights the weaknesses of a presidential executive order. Within hours

them is deemed “detrimental to the interests of the United States.”

Trump

also signed a series of executive orders which aim to undo some of the Obama administration’s actions. His first act as president of the United States was to sign an order which provided “relief” from Obamacare by allowing government officials to waive or delay the implementation of any Obamacare provisions that would impose a financial burden on any state or a regulatory burden on any individuals. In effect, the president is allowing full discretionary waivers for all Obamacare requirements, and it’s a sign of more permanent things to come in the health insurance arena. On January 23, three days after he was sworn into office, President Trump went ahead with his campaign promise to withdraw the

United States from the Trans-Pacific Partnership, or TPP. The TPP was negotiated by President Obama with 11 other Pacific nations and had not yet gone into effect, but by formally withdrawing from the deal, Trump made good on his campaign promise to scrap it. TPP was symbolic of the massive trend of globalization which Trump considers a threat to U.S. interests, and now it is up to him to renegotiate trade alliances which are more beneficial for the country. On January 24, the president ordered the review and expedited approval of two controversial oil pipelines, the Dakota Access and Keystone XL Pipelines, which were both opposed to by President Obama and environmental activists. He then instructed the Commerce Department to create a plan so that all pipelines created, repaired or expanded in the United States use materials and equipment produced in the U.S. “to the maximum extent possible.” Another group of Trump orders is related to his populist, “efficient government” and pro-small business platform. These include an order signed on his first day in office which effectively froze all pending regulations until they are approved by appointees of his administration. On January 29, the president issued another order which mandated that any executive department in the government which proposes a regulation must identify two other inplace regulations to be retired as well. A maximum total cost of regulations is to be implemented as well. These actions may be tied together with a January 24th order which attempts to expedite environmental reviews on infrastructure projects in the U.S. On January 23, the president froze all federal hiring, another move which is representative of his

Feature The Week In News

OCTOBER 29, 2015 The Jewish Home FEBRUARY 9, 2017 | The| Jewish Home

Thousands around the world protested Trump’s immigration ban, including those in Washington Square Park

small government agenda.

Trump’s

usage of executive action, while supported by history, may have created adverse diplomatic effects. The swift order to build the wall and the subsequent assertion that Mexico would foot the bill through an egregious import tariff forced Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto into an uncomfortable Twitter confrontation and forced the two leaders to cancel an upcoming meeting and all but suspend niceties with each other. The two countries

The Keystone Pipeline will soon be completed because of one of Trump’s first executive orders

Trump did away with Obama’s hard-fought TPP plan

ily composed order also bred mass confusion amongst the many government agencies in charge of monitoring U.S. borders. The timing of the executive order and the lack of advance warning had homeland security officials “flying by the seat of their pants” to try to put policies in place, one official told The New York Times. Presidents are aware that using executive action is not the ideal means to accomplishing permanent change. President Obama was forceful in his refusal to act on immigration by means of executive order say-

share a $531 billion trade relationship, and while Trump asserts that the affiliation is detrimental to the U.S., it is unclear who the winner would be if the countries were to enter into a cold period with each other. Trump’s hurriedly signed immigration ban was quickly attacked by Trump critics as a “Muslim Ban,” an idea Trump did float back in the Republican primary days. U.S. adversaries, such as Iran, called the order an “insult” and a “gift to extremists” and vowed to take reciprocal measures in order to “safeguard the rights of its citizens.” The hast-

ing, “I am president, I am not king. I can’t do these things just by myself,” and “I believe such an indiscriminate approach would be both unwise and unfair”— until he used an executive order to grant amnesty to certain illegal immigrants in 2014. As he moves beyond the unsettling first month of office, President Trump needs to prove that he is indeed a leader who can create lasting programs along with Congress and forge strong international alliances. He did away with the old rules; now it is time for him to rewrite them.

H O R T E E N L O N V E A W T E LY D

PRESENTERS R’ Mordechai Becher R’ Gavriel Friedman R' Jonathan Rietti R’ Yonason Shippel R’ Mordechai Suchard R’ Akiva Tatz R' Moshe Meir Weiss

GATEWAYS

LUXURY

PESACH 5777

MONDAY, APRIL 10 – TUESDAY, APRIL 18, 2017 H I L T O N

F OR

S T A M F O R D ,

M OR E

gatewaysluxurypesach.org

C T

I N F OR M AT ION

845.290.8710

office@gatewaysonline.org

CONNECTIONS Featuring Gateways Shadchanim CAMP DIRECTORS Master Storyteller & Mechanech R' Avi & Mrs. Tziri Frank CATERING Nesher of Weiss Brothers Hashgacha: R' Shmuel Dovid Edelstein, KAJ • Gourmet meals • Lavish Kiddushim • Fully stocked 24hr tea room • Grab and Go Café • Non-Gebrokts RETREAT FEATURES • Entire Hotel Exclusive to our Guests • Private Seder Rooms • Shabbos key locks & elevators • Indoor pool, Jacuzzi and fitness center • Walking paths & tennis courts • Wifi throughout • Complimentary parking • 45 miles from Brooklyn, Manhattan and 5 Towns

The Week In News

FEBRUARY 9, 2017 | The Jewish Home

White House: “Settlements May Not Be Helpful” In a controversially received announce-

AT&T

8:15 AM

ment, the White House said last week that construction plans in Judea and Samaria “may not be helpful” in promoting peace in the Middle East. The Trump administration also made clear that the president has not yet solidified his position on Israeli “settlement activity.” “The American desire for peace between the Israelis and the Palestinians has remained unchanged for 50 years. While we don’t believe the existence of settlements is an impediment to peace, the construction of new settlements or the expansion of existing settlements beyond their current bor-

85%

AT&T

8:15 AM

85%

BEST DEALS

Infinity QX50 base 12,000 INT

2017 MI YR

ders may not be helpful in achieving that goal,” said White House press secretary Sean Spicer in a statement. “As the president has expressed many times, he hopes to achieve peace throughout the Middle East region. The Trump administration has not taken an official position on settlement activity and looks forward to continuing discussions, including with Prime Minister Netanyahu when he visits with President Trump later this month,” added Spicer. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman recently announced the planned construc-

85%

8:15 AM

AT&T

tion of 3,000 new homes in Judea and Samaria. An “unnamed American official” told the Jerusalem Post that Trump has asked Israel to stop its unilateral announcements of construction projects as they “undermine” him trying to negotiate peace in the region. The 3,000 new homes are in addition to the 2,500 that were announced recently. Until last week, the Trump administration was silent regarding the building announcements. PLO Secretary-General Saeb Erekat later said he was “shocked” by the White House’s reticence and called on Trump’s administration to clarify its policy.

Bill Passes to Legalize Outpost Settlements

Infinity QX50 base, 2017 EXT

INT

MNTH

Infinity QX50 base

$ 303 add to showroom

enter Make and Model

INT

Infinity QX50 base

$ 311

or check out our best deals

ID: JK603490

add to showroom INT

Infinity QX50 base

$ 309

5 seats (bench)

4 doors

18"/8" wheels

GPS

6 CY L

INT

Infinity QX50 base

$ 315 add to showroom INT

Infinity QX50 base

$ 318

$ 309

navigation

24H /17C mileage

AW D

moon roof

automatic trans

12,000

MI YR

MNTH

I N C LU D I N G TA X E S

$1,312 due at signing

lease extras

LEASE

add to showroom

Lease your new car in three swipes, with free delivery, at the lowest price guaranteed!

Download our app, join Honcker, and enjoy your car-leasing.

honcker.com

On Monday evening, Israeli Members of the Knesset voted in favor of the Regulation Bill seeking to legalize government-backed outposts in the West Bank. The vote, which passed by a majority of 60-52, came after hours of heated committee discussions and after months of political maneuvering. The bill was brought for its second and third reading in the Knesset, despite Prime Minister Netanyahu’s request from Bayit Yehudi leader MK Naftali Bennett to postpone the vote until his return from his state visit to Britain where he met with Prime Minister Theresa May. The vote took place without the prime minister on Israeli soil. The final draft of the proposed bill seeks to regulate the status of thousands of homes in settlements located on land privately owned by Palestinians, amounting to around 2,000 homes. According to the proposal, the state will transfer the rights of the lands’ use to the Commissioner of Government Property in the West Bank while Palestinian landowners will be compensated with a financial package amounting to a sum exceeding the land’s actual worth, or receive alternative plots in accordance with their choice. There was a heavy amount of arguing during the vote. Opposition members and advocates of the bill took to the podium to voice their opinions. MK Isaac Herzog charged, “The Regulation Bill is de facto annexation. Our opposition to the bill stems from our opposition to annexation. It does not stem from the problem that there is a nation of residents (in the West Bank) or that there are communities (in the West Bank), but rather with the entry of thousands of Palestinians into the Jewish State.

The Week In News

FEBRUARY 9, 2017 | The Jewish Home

“There are a few more minutes to stop this train of horror before it proceeds on its way. This train will depart from here and stop at the final station of The Hague,” he warned. “International indictments will leave its carriages against Jewish soldiers and officers and Israelis. The prime minister of Israel [will be responsible] for these indictments.” Netanyahu had wanted to delay the vote on the bill. For one, he was out of the country during the vote. Additionally, the prime minister wanted to postpone the vote until he met with President Donald Trump on February 15. Bennett, though, was determined to push the vote through. Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit announced last week that he would not defend the bill in the High Court even if it did pass in the Knesset.

Israeli Wins Japan Prize

Among the three winners of the 2017 Japan Prize is Adi Shamir, an Israeli professor at the Weizmann Institute in Rehovot. Shamir won the coveted award, which honors achievement in science and technology, for his cryptology work. According to the prize’s website, Shamir was recognized for contributing to “information security through pioneering research on cryptography.” This marks the first time an Israeli has won the prize since Ephraim Katzir, a biophysicist and former Israeli president, was honored in 1985 when the prize was first awarded. This is not the first time Shamir has won an impressive award. In 2002, Ronald Rivest, Leonard Adleman, and Shamir all won the Turing Award, which is considered the world’s most prestigious computer science award. “My main area of research is cryptography — making and breaking codes,” Shamir explains on the Weizmann website. “It is motivated by the explosive growth of computer networks and wireless communication. Without cryptographic protection, confidential information can be exposed to eavesdroppers, modified by hackers, or forged by criminals.” The Japan Prize Foundation selected Shamir and the two other winners from a pool of 13,000 candidates. The winners will each receive the yen equivalent of approximately $443,000.

West Bank Relocation for Amona For the first time in 25 years, a new West Bank settlement is being planned. The community is to replace the outpost of Amona, which was evacuated and demolished on a court order. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced the new settlement. The prime minister’s office said that a promise had

been made to find a new home for the Amona residents after their community “failed” and that a team is looking for possible locations for the settlement. The team includes Netanyahu’s chief of staff, representatives of the settlement movement, and Defense Minister Avigdor Liberman’s adviser for settlement affairs. The High Court of Justice determined that Amona was built on privately owned Palestinian land. After years of battling, the court ordered the government to demolish the hilltop town by December 25, 2016. A compromise was originally worked out by

members in the Knesset and the residents which saw some of those living in Amona relocated to Ofra and others to a nearby plot of land on the same hilltop. However, the court has now ruled that the nearby plot is also Palestinian-owned and that the compromise will not be allowed. The new compromise may have been made easier to reach after Donald Trump took office. Trump has nominated a prominent U.S. supporter of the settlements to be his ambassador to Israel, and many settlement leaders were invited to the inauguration. Even so, the White House announced

MEET THE PEYD TEAM... GET TO KNOW OUR SALES TEAM! WE HELP YOU OPTIMIZE YOUR AIRLINE MILES AND CREDIT CARD POINTS FOR TOP DOLLAR. WE ALSO ADVISE YOU HOW TO TURN

YITZI

YOUR EVERYDAY PERSONAL AND BUSINESS SPENDING INTO CASH AND TRAVEL BENEFITS. Credit card rewards can be converted into income for you and increase your company’s revenue stream. Let us show you how.

CALL TODAY! 888.404 PEYD(7393) WWW.PEYD.COM | INFO@GETPEYD.COM

ABBY

MOSHE

The Week In News

FEBRUARY 9, 2017 | The Jewish Home

last week that constant and loud talk of settlements by Israel is “not helpful” to the peace process.

Pre-Schoolers Learning Cyber Skills Israelis are being taught computer skills at younger and younger ages these days. In

AT&T

8:15 AM

many Israeli schools, children as young as the fourth grade are being taught computer coding and, by the time they reach tenth grade, will attend classes in encryption tactics, coding and how to stop malicious hacking. The push for young computer-savvy minds is part of a national effort for Israel to become a world leader in cybersecurity and cyber technology. The country has established a national center for cyber-education which, once completed, will prepare children to be tech-minded and eventually make contri-

85%

AT&T

8:15 AM

85%

BEST DEALS

Infinity QX50 base 12,000 INT

2017 MI YR

butions to an increasingly tech-dependent world. “You students need to strengthen us with your curiosity,” Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told high school students at an Israeli cyber technologies expo. “Your years in the security services will be golden years for the security of the nation.” Israel has long been considered a leader in the cyber world. However, recently there has been a shortage of the cyber-talented people who are needed to keep up with the country’s defensive needs.

85%

8:15 AM

AT&T

Infinity QX50 base, 2017 EXT

INT

Terror Cell Thwarted

MNTH

Infinity QX50 base

$ 303 add to showroom

enter Make and Model

INT

Infinity QX50 base

$ 311

or check out our best deals

ID: JK603490

add to showroom INT

Infinity QX50 base

$ 309

5 seats (bench)

4 doors

18"/8" wheels

GPS

6 CY L

Infinity QX50 base

$ 315 add to showroom INT

Infinity QX50 base

$ 318

$ 309

navigation

24H /17C mileage

AW D

moon roof INT

automatic trans

12,000

MI YR

MNTH

I N C LU D I N G TA X E S

$1,312 due at signing

lease extras

LEASE

add to showroom

Lease your new car in three swipes, with free delivery, at the lowest price guaranteed!

Download our app, join Honcker, and enjoy your car-leasing.

honcker.com

Israel is not the first country to promote cyber skills amongst its youth. The United States National Security Agency co-sponsors free cybersecurity summer camps for children and teachers from kindergarten to the twelfth grade. In Britain, the GCHQ – a powerful signals intelligence agency – hosts youth outreach programs which include specially designed games that promote cyber knowledge and skills. Yaakov Katz, editor-in-chief of The Jerusalem Post and author of The Weapon Wizards, which was published in January, was recently interviewed on NPR about his new, sold-out book. He explained that Israel is a small country, and although it has weapons, the most important weapon of all is “the brain, the Jewish brain.”

A Hamas terror cell consisting of two Palestinians and an Israeli Arab has been shut down by the Shin Bet for planning to carry out a kidnapping, shooting and IED attacks. According to the security service, the information that led to the arrest of the individuals was provided by the Palestinian Authority. The two Palestinian suspects are brothers Hassan Sami Hassan Zidat, 23, and Muhammad Sami Hassan Zidat, 25. The younger Zidat fled to Israel illegally in 2015 after being accused of murder by the PA. The third man is 24-year-old Arab Israeli Mamdouh Younis from the northern town of Arara. The suspects have been charged with belonging to the Hamas terrorist organization, having illegal weapons, and entering Israel illegally. When they entered Israel, they were looking to gather intelligence ahead of their attack. The Shin Bet confirmed that they had entered Israel and returned to Hebron illegally at least one other time. The cell was controlled by Hamas agents in Gaza, who used Facebook to give instructions. They were planning to shoot, bomb and kidnap their victims in both Hebron and Israel. The security agency said that “exposing the infrastructure and activities which were planned and about to be carried out demonstrates once again the high level of threat from the Hamas terrorists, especially those who enter Israel and remain in the country illegally.” According to the Shin Bet, the cell members gathered the information on the targets while they were employed in Israel without legal work permits. The Shin Bet and other Israeli forces have discovered and captured hundreds of cells of this nature. In 2016 alone, 100 different Hamas cells were uncovered and disbanded.

The Week In News

FEBRUARY 9, 2017 | The Jewish Home

Yeshiva Ketana of Los Angeles is growing and looking for talented and motivated new team members. There are Rebbi, Morah, Lead Teacher and Teacherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Aide positions available in both the early childhood and elementary divisions. Also needed:

Executive Assistant

Competitive salaries commensurate with experience.

PLEASE EMAIL RESUMES TO OFFICE@YKLA.ORG ALL INQUIRIES WILL BE TREATED CONFIDENTIALLY.

Jewish The WeekHistory In News By Rabbi Pini Dunner Rav of Young Israel North Beverly Hills

FEBRUARY 9, 2017 | The Jewish Home

Jewish History

Memoirs Of A Forgotten Rabbi The Troubled Life Of Rabbi Tzvi Hirsch Ferber

Part II Rabbi Tzvi Hirsch Ferber (1883-1966) was a Lithuanian-born Torah scholar who spent most of his adult life as the spiritual leader of a small community in the West End of London. He remained there for over 50 years, struggling to maintain his dignity and his principles in a setting that was completely indifferent to the things he found important. His relationship with the lay-leadership of his community, as well as with his fellow employees, was fraught with difficulty and tension, as they were all people devoid of any sensitivity to Jewish ritual law, and they tended to run the synagogue as a moneymaking operation, without taking Jewish law or the rabbi into consideration. In the first article of this series, Rabbi Dunner began to tell the story of Rabbi Ferber’s memoirs, which he began writing as a cathartic literary project following the death of his wife in 1934. For reasons that remain to be revealed, the memoirs were not published during Rabbi Ferber’s lifetime, despite the publication of numerous other books he had authored, and despite the great effort he put into compiling them over many years. In this second article Rabbi Dunner reveals what happened to the memoirs manuscript after Rabbi Ferber died, and why it took almost 50 years for them to come to light. The fate of the memoirs seems to mirror the fateful life of their author, and the manuscript might easily have been lost forever, had it not been for an unexpected turn of events. Rabbi Ferber passed away on 20 Cheshvan, 5727 (November 3, 1966). His daughter, Anne Ferber, who was never married, and had looked after her father until his last day, was forced to sell a large portion of her father’s library and papers. Part of the library was sold to Mr Abraham “Adi” Schischa, a friend of her late father, and a well-known Judaica and Hebraica collector who lived in Letchworth, near London, and later in Golders Green, a suburban neighborhood in North West London. The remainder of the library was passed onto Rabbi Ferber’s only son, Rabbi Eliezer Yaakov “Jack” Ferber, who was the rabbi of Wanstead and Woodford Synagogue in East London. Rabbi Jack Ferber was a shy individual, and somewhat re-

clusive, and he had very little to do with the rest of the extended Ferber family. Together with his wife Sylvia, and their only daughter Joy, he lived quite a distance from the centers of Orthodox Jewish life in London, as the rabbi of a community which was not that different from his late father’s – nominally Orthodox, but in reality dominated by non-observant Jews with little regard for leading a halachically oriented life. But whereas the senior Rabbi Ferber was an outspoken advocate for the values he held dear, his son did not have the personality to combat the creeping deterioration of Jewish life that was affecting his community. Whatever he thought of his community’s less-than satisfactory standards, and the fate that had led him to become their rabbi, he simply discharged his basic duties as a religious functionary and kept his head down, using all of his spare time for Torah study. Among the literally thousands of his father’s books that he inherited after his father’s death were two inconspicuous looking exercise books. These two exercise books, written in a neat and easily deciphered handwriting, in a Hebrew that befitted an author of such stature, were the product of thirty years labour - the precious memoirs written by Rabbi Ferber. There is no question that the author’s son read them and appreciated them – he was himself a scholar, as his one published book can testify. But for reasons we shall never know he chose not to publish the memoirs - nor any of his father’s other unpublished manuscripts - during the many years during which he had the opportunity to do so. Rabbi Jack Ferber died on 7 Nisan, 5758 (April 3, 1998), and a couple of years later his wife moved into a nursing home. Their family home, where they had lived together with their only daughter for decades, was not owned by them – it belonged to the synagogue Rabbi Jack Ferber had served for so many years. And now that he had passed away and his wife no longer resided there, the synagogue board served notice that they wished to take possession of the house immediately. Their daughter, Joy Ferber, unmarried, and in a situation uncannily similar to that of her late aunt Anne, was suddenly faced with the task of disposing of a large library of books and papers, the importance of which, it is clear, she neither understood nor appreciated. Hoping that the books and papers were worth a lot of money, Joy Ferber contacted

an auction house that specialized in Hebrew books and manuscripts, who in turn put her in touch with a well known antiquarian Hebrew book dealer in New York, a man called Yossel Goldman. Goldman was someone with tremendous experience and expertise in his field, and after traveling to London to survey the collection, he offered Joy a fixed sum of money for everything, including the papers, which consisted mainly of correspondence received by the senior Rabbi Ferber from rabbis across the Jewish world during the fifty years he was a rabbi in England. Goldman made his offer conditional on nothing at all being removed from the collection. With seemingly no choice, and in a hurry to vacate her parents’ house under pressure from the synagogue board, Joy hastily accepted the offer, and Goldman took possession of the entire Ferber library – thousands upon thousands of books, along with dozens of boxes of papers. As it turned out, most of the books were of no interest to him, and he immediately passed them onto another London-based book dealer. His primary interest was the collection of papers – correspondence and manuscripts that charted almost a century of rabbinic communication and scholarly writings. Among the myriad boxes of papers Joy had sold to Goldman were the two exercise books containing Rabbi Tzvi Hirsch Ferber’s memoirs. Perhaps Joy knew about them and had forgotten to remove them, or perhaps she simply never knew they existed. Many other members of the family knew about them, but she had not contacted them to discuss the sale, and by the time they realised she was selling the library and tried to warn her not to let these precious records go, the memoirs had already vanished. The family desperately tried to buy the memoirs back from Goldman, but the more they showed interest, the more money he demanded for them. After months of negotiations the family ultimately refused to bow to his extortionate demands, and Goldman decided to offer the memoirs up for sale at a Judaica auction in New York. But the reserve price he put on them far exceeded the amount potential buyers thought they were worth and, once again, the memoirs were confined to a dusty shelf, this time at Goldman’s home in Flatbush. Several years passed, and the memoirs were forgotten. Then, while on a visit to New York, a friend of mine mentioned in

passing that Rabbi Ferber’s memoirs were in Goldman’s possession, and he had once seen them. “The memoirs are fascinating,” he told me, “full of candid revelations of the kind you never see in history books published about rabbis.”

After Rabbi Tzvi Hirsch Ferber died in 1966, the manuscript of his memoirs passed onto his son, Rabbi Jack Ferber, a shy man who did nothing with it for over 30 years. Rabbi Jack Ferber was an accomplished scholar, who published a small but erudite pamphlet titled "Iyunim Behalacha" in 1940

Rabbi Tzvi Hirsch Ferber's signature on his own personal copy of his published commentary on the Torah, today in Rabbi Dunner's book collection

Rabbi Ferber's handwritten dedication to his son written in December 1950, on the fly leaf of his book "Sefer Hamo'adim", published that year

My interest was immediately aroused. I knew exactly what he meant. Most of the biographies published about rabbis are hagiographies – idealized portraits of saintly leaders whose shining example are meant to inspire the reader. Any controversies or less flattering aspects of their careers and personal lives are airbrushed out, or sanitized so as not to detract from the greatness of the subject. The thought that Rabbi Ferber, whose credentials were of the highest quality, had written a candid account of his life, including his observations of colleagues and situations in the Jewish world, was something that piqued my interest enormously. I had no thoughts at that stage of pub-

Jewish The WeekHistory In News

FEBRUARY 9, 2017 | The Jewish Home

lishing the memoirs – I just wanted to have the opportunity to read what was written, so that once and for all I would learn about this man of whom I had heard so much but knew so little. I decided to make discreet enquiries through a third party to see if I

New York based Judaica book dealer, Yossel Goldman, who obtained Rabbi Ferber’s memoirs from his granddaughter, Joy Ferber, when she faced eviction from her parents’ home. Attempts by the Ferber family to buy it back proved futile, and after Goldman failed to sell the memoirs in auction, the manuscript sat on a shelf in his home for years

Rabbi Ferber’s daughter, Anne Ferber, never married, and looked after her father after her mother died. After his death in 1966 she relinquished his library to her brother, Rabbi Jack Ferber. She died in 1989, and was buried next to her mother in Streatham, South London

might be able to obtain them from Goldman. Within a couple of days I was on the phone to Goldman – of whose notorious irascibility I had been duly warned. Thankfully, we hit it off very well on that first call, and it was a friendship that would endure until his untimely and sudden death in 2015. Goldman was renowned for his interest in and knowledge of any Jewish related or Hebrew books that had been published in

America. His “Hebrew Printing in America 1735-1926”, published in 2006, has become the standard reference work for this bibliographic interest, and his collection of published material and photographs encompassing this genre and anything related to it was and remains the most comprehensive collection of its kind in the world. Goldman asked me why I was calling, and I inquired whether he was familiar with a particular Hebrew book published in the United States during the nineteenth century. He told me he would check and get back to me. A couple of days later he called me back, and informed me that he had never come across this particular book before. “Oh, how interesting,” I replied. “I bought it as part of an estate sale some months ago.” “How much do you want for it?” he asked, trying desperately not to sound too eager. “Oh no,” I said, “I never sell anything. I just wanted to have any background information that might have helped me write a description.” A few weeks later I called Goldman again, this time with an inquiry about another American item in my collection. Once again, he revealed that he didn’t have a copy, although he had once seen one at the New York Public Library. When he pressed me to sell it to him, I gently declined, even when he promised to pay me “a very good price – you’ll be very happy!” And so the pattern continued over the next few months. I would call him about some seemingly random American Jewish piece, and he would discover that he didn’t have it, and that I was not going to sell it to him. Eventually he asked me if there was anything that I was interested in buying from him, and perhaps we could “make a deal”. I told him that I had a strong interest in the rabbinic history of British Jewry, and proceeded to tell him about some of the unique items in my collection that related to this interest, including the personally owned set of Rabbi Tzvi Hirsch Ferber’s commentary on the Torah, with his signature on the inside cover of each one. There was a long pause at the other end of the line. “I think I may have something of interest to you,” Goldman said quietly. And so, on a subsequent trip to New York, I went to Goldman’s home in Flatbush, the deal was done, and the two ex-

ercise books containing Rabbi Ferber’s memoirs were in my hands. I cannot describe the feeling. For weeks I hardly slept. Every spare minute was spent eagerly reading through the closely written lined pages of the two volumes. Line after line, page after page, chapter after chapter - I drank it all in. Through the author’s eyes I lived through the era of Rabbi Yitzchak Elchanan Spektor in Kovno and Slabodka. I got to know the author’s parents, his siblings, his teachers, the daily routine of his youth. Later I travelled with the author as he journeyed through England raising money for the recently founded Etz Chaim Yeshiva of London. I marvelled at the author as he launched a new yeshiva in Manchester, the first one in the city. I entered into the dilemma presented to the author as job opportunities were offered to him in both Leeds and London. I rejoiced for him as he made his mark on his new community in the West End of London. I cried for him as things began to go wrong. I grew angry at the scoundrels who made his life a misery. I suffered with him when his wife died. And as the pages, and the years, rolled by, I realised that this great man was the embodiment of all those distinguished Torah scholars, trained and ordained by the most respected rabbinic greats of their era, who through no fault of their own found themselves displaced in a foreign country, where their skills were unappreciated, and their convictions and integrity held them back from achieving the greatness and acclaim that would surely have been theirs in their home countries had circumstances in the world been different. Remarkably, while Rabbi Ferber would remain steadfast in his integrity and convictions throughout his difficult life, so many others in his position compromised their principles in one way or another, letting their standards slip, and turning a blind eye to others who had no standards at all, neither religious nor moral. Rabbi Ferber, and others like him whose names are long forgotten, were beacons of uncompromising tradition in surroundings where such perfection was scorned and rejected. And whilst their less principled colleagues eagerly joined with the establishment in the countries to which they had moved, blinded by honor and money, or sometimes simply because they had to provide a livelihood for their families, are remembered as the great rabbinic leaders and pioneers, even, in many cases, within

the strictly Orthodox world of today, the voices of those who suffered to preserve the tough standards with which we are familiar, and to which we adhere, were lost, it would seem, forever. But they came alive for me in the pages of Rabbi Ferber’s memoirs. Their pain, their dejection, their integrity, their important victories, however tiny, shone through with the description by Rabbi Ferber of his own eventful life, a life which he knew only too well was similar to the lives of so many of his colleagues who he mentions, and the many more he does not mention. What also shone through was Rabbi Ferber’s absolute determination that the trials and tribulations of his life, and by reflection, the lives of all those who suffered similarly to him, should be read by those who could learn from what they had been through, and who had somehow benefited from the things which they had stood for and fought over. Here he crossed out a word; there he added a sentence. Some names were deliberately obscured; others forcefully recorded. Certain incidents were entirely omitted; others repeated twice or even several times. And on more than one occasion Rabbi Ferber noted that he hoped those who read his memoirs would learn important lessons for themselves from the things he had achieved, from how he had achieved them, and also from the mistakes which he readily admits to having made throughout his life, causing him untold suffering. And so, as I reached the end of the memoirs, I decided I would make every effort to fulfil Rabbi Ferber’s mission. Not only would I publish the memoirs, but I would publish them in such a way that they would be read by the widest possible circle of readers, adorned with numerous illustrative photographs, and enhanced with well researched footnotes. It is over eighty years after Rabbi Ferber began writing the memoirs, and fifty years since he passed away, and now you will have the privilege of benefiting from the memoirs, as was Rabbi Ferber’s expressed intention when he wrote them. No doubt you will be as mesmerised as I was. Perhaps you will be struck by aspects of his memoirs that I did not notice. Or maybe you will be equally excited just by the opportunity to glimpse through a window into Rabbi Ferber’s life. Whatever it is, you will not be disappointed.

Quotes The Parenting Week In News

FEBRUARY 9, 2017 | The Jewish Home

Mischief…or Curiosity? Sara Teichman, Psy D

Dear Dr T., I am a first-time mother, so I’m not always sure about what I am doing. But here is my situation: My three-year-old son is super energetic. I wouldn’t say he is wild, but he is into everything, tries to take stuff apart, stops and looks at anything and everything and asks, “Why?” all the time. I wish I could be like the other mothers and just relax on the couch, but I feel I need to be on top of him all the time. My neighbor, an experienced mom, has suggested that I make it easy for myself and just chill and ignore him sometimes. But, although he certainly keeps me on my toes, and I would love a break, I don’t feel comfortable with her suggestion. What do you think? Though there’s no denying that your son is a handful, he seems typical, active, and actually quite wonderful. Very simply put, your son is curious – and that is a very positive characteristic. In fact, curiosity is critical for your child to learn and grow

throughout his lifetime and is well worth developing in our children and ourselves. Curiosity is the gap between what we know and what we want to know – and in a normal three-year-old that gap is wide. Your son’s behavior is both healthy and

age-appropriate, and you are positively doing the right thing by taking the time and energy to respond to his curiosity. The curious child explores, questions, wonders, and by doing so learns. While you may feel that you will scream if he asks, “Why?” one more time, those questions are a good thing. They are a sign of an active mind that is on overdrive. Curiosity leads to discovery and learning. So, for example, by switching the light off and on, the toddler learns cause and effect. By pouring water into different shaped containers, the child learns about smaller and bigger. By finding out “why” he gains some understanding of his world. Children are born curious: they touch, taste, watch, and listen to everything in their surroundings. Each experience is novel and fresh, and as parents, we want to reward our children’s curiosity by giving it the attention it deserves. We want to treat their curiosity with the respect, even though that requires more time and energy from us. As responsible parents, we want to go beyond feeding and clothing our children and develop those qualities that will serve our children well throughout their lifetime. There are many ways to stimulate our children’s curiosity. You can encourage questions and ask some yourself so that the everyday becomes a source of interest and fascination. You can introduce your child to a variety of interests – games, puzzles, books, music, crafts, and art. You can expose your child to his world – the market, the bank, and post office. You can explore different places, like parks, trains, gardens, aquariums, and zoos, and broaden your child’s horizons by having him read books about different people, times, and countries. By awakening your child’s natural curiosity and training him to take an interest in the world around him, you are helping him live a full life because our potential – emotional, social, and cogni-

tive – is maximized though the quality and quantity of our experiences. (Of course, all this is within the context of your family’s religious principles and beliefs.) Curiosity is not only for the young; it is an advantage for the adult as well. Curious people are interesting people. They are not self-absorbed and thinking about themselves all the time. Rather, they are interested in others and view the world through a wide-angled lens. Because their inquiring minds are always working, they are less dependent on being entertained – by others or by video games, shows, and other electronics. Curious people are active and alive, not passive and dull. But far too many children lose their sense of curiosity. We treat curiosity as though it is an annoyance, rather than the precious commodity it is. And we may inadvertently crush it by our attitudes and fears, to the detriment of our children. Our disapproval, even of the most casual sort, teaches our children to ignore their natural tendency to investigate and learn. Our “Don’t touch,” “Don’t ask,” “Don’t climb,” “Don’t do that,” spell disapproval. Our children desperately want our approval and love, and to maintain it, they learn to shut off an aspect of their curiosity. And while certainly there are times we cannot allow them to touch (a hot stove), and things they absolutely cannot do (jump off the roof into a snow bank), we do want to be mindful and avoid the constant “No!” So, for example, you may forgo expensive stuff on your coffee table to forestall the inevitable “Don’t touch.” And you may avoid have reading material around the house that you don’t want your children to read. But instead of having to stifle their curiosity and desire to read, you can stoke it by working on getting them books you are okay with them reading. Curiosity is a gift. A curious person is not bored: he finds meaning, knowledge, and adventure in his everyday life. By supporting your child’s curiosity right from the beginning, you gift him with a quality that will bring meaning and satisfaction to himself and those around him. The Book Nook: Dr Lawrence Shapiro’s How To Raise a Child with a High EQ is a parent’s guide to emotional intelligence. The author explains why the social and emotional skills are more important to a child’s success that intelligence. This book is very practical: It is full of games, checklists, and a variety of easy-to-use parenting techniques. Sara Teichman, Psy D. is a psychotherapist in private practice in Los Angeles and Clinical Director of ETTA, L.A.’s largest Jewish agency for adults with special needs. To submit a question or comment, email DrT@jewishhomela.com.

‫בס״ד‬

The Week In News DISCOUNTED MEMBERSHIP:

FEBRUARY 9, 2017 | The Jewish Home

F R O M

project: YHKSERVICES.COM

Going the extra mile!

TU B’SHVAT Ribnitzer PURIM Rebbe At the Holy Tzion of the

T H R O U G H

The Ribnitzer Rebbe’s Tzion is well-known as a sacred site, where Tefillos are answered with miracles and Yeshous.

40 Days

Tehillim Kollel Special Expiring Soon:

Time is Running Out! Sign up today for you and your family to Be a part of the special Tefillos at

The Tzion of the Ribnitzer Rebbe!

10 YEARS WITH THOUSANDS OF SECURE TRANSACTIONS.

732.987.7765 WWW.SELLMILESNOW.COM

hen I signed up for membership at the Tehillim Kollel, with a minyan davening for me each day at the Tzion of the Tzadik of Ribnitz, I had three requests: (1) A certain business deal in which I had invested should be completed successfully. (2) We should be blessed with kids, as we had been waiting for a few years for this Bracha. (3) My brother, an elderly bocher, should find his match. wo weeks after I signed up, the three yeshuos arrived! All of our requests were answered by heaven in the zchus of this Holy Tzadik!

Don’t miss the opportunity to storm the heavens with Tefilla for your personal salvation!

718.705.7174 info@tehillimkollel.org

Dirshu The Week In News

FEBRUARY 9, 2017 | The Jewish Home

A “Shabbos of Kodesh HaKadoshim” at Dirshu’s 20th Anniversary International Convention Chaim Gold

Introduction: It was shalosh seudos at the Dirshu Convention and HaGaon HaRav Dovid Schustal, shlita, Rosh Yeshiva of Beth Medrash Govoha of Lakewood was delivering the final address as Shabbos was leaving. “What I saw this Shabbos was kodesh hakadoshim! Such a tzibbur of special Yidden with their families! Such a tzibbur with remarkable hasagos in Torah! Truthfully, I must thank Dirshu for persisting in asking me to come. It was a zechus to spend Shabbos with such Yidden.” Indeed, the Dirshu International Convention, held on Shabbos Parshas Shemos at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Stamford, Connecticut, was all about celebrating the accomplishments of the lomdei Torah, the heroes of Torah and their wives who comprise the extended “Mishpachas Dirshu”. Gedolei Yisroel representing the entire cross-section of Torah Jewry joined in the celebration, displaying their deep admiration for the lomdei Torah. Let us walk through the convention highlights from its inception on Friday afternoon through Sunday when the lomdei

Torah returned home suffused with chizuk to not only continue what they were doing but adding to it as well. Although the majority of participants were from the tri-state area there was significant participation from locales across America and Canada as well as a distinguished international presence with a delegation from Eretz Yisrael, England and France. There was a deeply inspiring women’s program throughout the Shabbos featuring shiurim and divrei chizuk on myriad topics. There was a shiur on practical daily halachos delivered by Rav Zev Hofstedter. Other speakers who addressed the women multiple times throughout the Shabbos, included, Rebbetzin Shlomtzy Weiss, Mrs. Debbie Selengut and Mrs. Rochel Goldbaum. A number of Dirshu wives also gave moving testimonials about what being part of Dirshu had done for them and their families. HaGaon HaRav Reuven Feinstein, Shlita: Enabling the Holy DNA from the Avos to Shine Through

HaGaon HaRav Reuven Feinstein, shlita, Rosh Yeshiva of the Yeshiva of Staten Island, was introduced by his talmid, Rabbi Gabi Fried. Rav Reuven delineated how the Torah repeatedly tells us that we perform mitzvos zecher l’yetzias Mitzrayim, as a memorial of the exodus of Egypt. The wording however, should be ‘mi’Mitzrayim - from Egypt?’ The Rosh Yeshiva explained, we are essentially saying that the mitzvos are here to remind us to remove every iota of Egypt, of the culture of Mitzrayim and its excessive materialism from ourselves. Our task is to refine ourselves. This refinement comes as a result of limud haTorah. HaGaon HaRav Yitzchok Sorotzkin, Shlita: The Chiddush of Dirshu; Ol Torah After an wonderfully inspiring Kabbolas Shabbos, HaRav Shaul Pinter, Rosh Chabura of the Dirshu Amud Yomi Kollel in Lakewood, introduced the Telzer Rosh Yeshiva, HaGaon HaRav Yitzchok Sorotzkin, shlita, Rosh Yeshiva of Mesivta of Lakewood. Rav Sorotzkin gave a riveting address which encapsulated what he felt was the unique chiddush of Dirshu. “There are many chiddushim in Dirshu and

Dirshu Admin Roundtable

many maalos that learning in the Dirshu programs offer, but I think the overarching quality of Dirshu is the concept of ol Torah. Dirshu was mechadesh that a person is never ‘off’. Day in, day out, no matter what is transpiring in his life, he has the ol Torah. Every day he must learn anew and every day he must review what he previously learned. Following Maariv the assemblage gathered for the Shabbos seudah. In the men’s dining room, a drasha was given by HaGaon HaRav Dovid Schustal, shlita, Rosh Yeshiva, Beth Medrash Govoha, Lakewood. He was introduced by Rav Nuta Silber, a Daf HaYomi B’Halacha Maggid Shiur.In the couples’ dining room, HaRav Yonasan Abraham, shlita, a member of the London Beis Din and Rav of the Toras Chaim Shul in Hendon, North West London was introduced by Rav Naftali Levy, Director of Dirshu, France. The Terrace couples’ dining room was addressed by HaRav Chaim Weg, shlita, a Daf HaYomi B’Halacha Maggid Shiur. HaGaon HaRav Dovid Olewski, Shlita: “Dirshu Is a Program That Enables Yidden To Access Hashem” After the seudah the massive crowd returned to the tent where a fascinating, thoroughly enjoyable shailos and teshuvos

Dirshu The Week In News

FEBRUARY 9, 2017 | The Jewish Home

session was held with the Skever Dayan of Boro Park, HaGaon HaRav Yechiel Mechel Steinmetz, shlita and moderated by Rav Eliezer Ralbag. Rav Steinmetz was first introduced by HaGaon Dayan Binyomin Eckstein, shlita, Belzer Dayan of London and Yoshev Rosh of Dirshu Europe. Following Rav Steinmetz, a beautiful oneg Shabbos replete with warm niggunim was held. The guest speaker, HaGaon HaRav Dovid Olewski, shlita, Rosh Yeshivas Ger, was introduced by Reb Shaya Brauner. Rav Dovid Olewski cited the passuk, ‘Gedolim maaseh Hashem, dirushim l’chol cheftzeihem-great are the deeds of Hashem, accessible to all who want them.’

Rav Olewski said, “Hashem’s deeds are great, they are so exalted they are beyond us. Every Yid, however, who seeks Him out, who is truly doresh, who truly desires to access Him can do so. That is the phenomenal power of Dirshu and lomdei Dirshu. It is a program that enables Yidden to access Hashem, to become close to Him and to attach themselves to Him. HaGaon HaRav Berel Povarsky Shlita: Dirshu is the Biggest Yeshiva in the World Morning dawned and before Shacharis the rooms and lobby areas of the hotel were full of lomdei Torah “chapping are-

in” that day’s limud and chazarah. A Daf HaYomi in depth, iyun shiur was delivered by Rav Dovid Hofstedter, Nasi Dirshu. Rav Hofstedter’s shiur covering, Gemara, Rashi, Tosafos and the primary Rishonim and Acharonim, was well received as could be seen by the spirited debate on the sugya that ensued following the shiur. One of the highlights of Shabbos transpired with the shiur klali delivered by the Rav Berel Povarsky. Rav Berel was introduced by Reb Shimshon Klein, a long time Dirshu learner. Rav Berel began by saying

that although he is primarily accustomed to delivering shiurim in yeshiva, here it is no different because, “Dirshu is also a yeshiva, the biggest yeshiva in the entire world!” Observing the simchas haTorah as Rav Berel gave the shiur was to see true simcha. The sight of the great Roshei Yeshiva who participated in the shiur including along with so many Rabbonim sitting and listening with bated breath; asking

Erev Shabbos

Dirshu The Week In News

questions and participating in the ensuing rischa d’Oraisah, fiery Torah debate- with Rav Berel presiding over the shiur like a master conductor of the most harmonious Torah symphony- was a sight that left the entire assemblage energized with simchas haTorah. The shiur was also a microcosm of Dirshu achdus. Litivishe Roshei Yeshivos, Chassidishe Rabbonim, Bnei Yeshiva, Chassidim from many different communities, Sephardim, Ashkenazim… all listening, asking, debating with Rav Berel. Maintaining the Enthusiasm Even After Many Tests Following the shiur, HaGaon HaRav Yehoshua Fuhrer, shlita, spoke at the morning seudah in the men’s dining room. In the couples’ dining room, HaGaon HaRav Moshe Mordechai Lowy, shlita, Rav of Agudas Yisroel of Toronto, was introduced by Rabbi Yossi Abramczyk, Dirshu’s Montreal coordinator. The Terrace couples’ dining room was addressed by HaRav Shlomo Cynamon, Rav of Kehal Bnei Torah and Rosh Kollel Dirshu of Flatbush. 10,000 Blatt! One of the most moving moments at the convention transpired at Shabbos Mincha. During the Shabbos morning tefillah, aliyos were given to the attending Gedolei Yisrael. Only one aliyah was ‘sold’ over Shabbos, shlishi at Shabbos Mincha. That aliyah was not sold for money, however, because the only “legal tender” for lomdei Dirshu is Torah! The bidding started: 1,000 blatt, 2,000... Furious bidding ensued until finally, after some twenty minutes the aliyah was sold for a whopping 10,000 blatt

FEBRUARY 9, 2017 | The Jewish Home

Gemara to be learned by this time next year. 10,000 blatt by one person! The person then presented the aliyah to Dirshu’s Nasi, Rav Dovid Hofstedter, as hakoras hatov for the transformation his life underwent as a result of joining the Kinyan Shas learning program. Indeed, during his remarks at shalosh seudos, Rav Schustal his voice suffused with emotion related, “Who would believe that a person could be mikabel on himself to learn 10,000 blatt in one year?! This is the koach of Dirshu. It is a zechus to be together with such Yidden!” Shalosh Seudos: HaRav Gips: Is Not Being Prepared an Answer?! Shalosh seudos was a fitting inspirational culmination to a Shabbos full of hergesh. Dirshu’s American Director, Rabbi Ahron Gobioff, chaired the event and paid tribute to the love of Torah of lomdei Dirshu. HaRav Yitzchok Zalman Gips, shlita, Rosh Yeshivas Nehardaah and Rav of Kehal Birchas Avrohom in Boro Park, began his speech by saying, “I am sorry. I am not prepared. I simply didn’t have time to prepare. I have a large family, a yeshiva, a shul. There just wasn’t time. If you will rightfully ask, didn’t Dirshu invite you to speak several months ago? How can you say you are not prepared? I have no answer, other than I couldn’t find the time.” Only when Rav Gips began his nimshal did the assemblage realize that his claim of lack of preparedness was only a mashal.

Rav Gips pivoted saying, “We all know that after seventy years of life - hopefully a bit more - we will be called to the bais din shel maalah for the great farher. They will ask us ‘What did you learn?’ What will we answer? ‘I was busy. I had a large family to feed, I had all kinds of tirdos, I simply couldn’t learn.’ They will retort, ‘Is that an answer? You knew you would be tested one day. You had years to prepare!’ Nevertheless,” Rav Gips explained, “the pace of our lives, raising our children, earning our parnassah and myriad social obligations make it so hard to learn. What Dirshu does is enable us to find the time that we don’t have. It gives us a misgeres wherein we can learn Torah and know Torah. Dirshu takes away the excuses! HaRav Zev Smith: It Has Never Been Easier Nor Has It Ever Been Harder to Learn! HaRav Zev Smith, shlita, Maggid Shiur Dirshu Daf HaYomi B’Halacha and Irgun Shiurei Torah, said “It has never been easier to learn in our generation and simultaneously it has never been harder! Yes, there are so many opportunities, so many shiurim, so many ways to tap into the power of limud haTorah, but there are also so many distractions, so many enticements that can bring a person down. What Dirshu does, is enables us to not to be distracted and avail ourselves of the opportunities to learn. It is the antidote to the nisyonos of our generation.”

HaGaon HaRav Dovid Schustal Shlita: Dirshu Makes Baalei Batim into Kollel Yungeleit! HaRav Dovid Schustal gave the final address at shalosh seudos. He said, “One of the beautiful things about our generation is the hisorerus in learning Daf Yomi. It is wonderful that so many Yidden learn Daf Yomi. Nevertheless, we must understand that when Rav Meir Shapiro instituted the Daf Yomi his intention was not that one should be ‘yotzeh’ with a short, superficial shiur, without chazara. What Dirshu has done is that it has elevated Daf Yomi to becoming once again-to paraphrase the Rambam when referring to Talmud Bavli written in Aramaic-, ‘The bread and meat’ of Torah learning. Dirshu makes baalei batim into kollel yungeleit. Rav Dovid Hofstedter has changed the world through the Dirshu programs.” Following havdalah, concurrent events were held. HaRav Usher Anshel Eckstein, shlita, Belzer Dayan, gave a shiur on kashrus and there were two roundtable discussions for Daf HaYomi Maggidei Shiur, one in Yiddish led by Reb Chaim Bauer and Reb Nechemia Bluzenshtein and one in English led by HaRav Asher Eisenberger, Rav of Agudas Yisroel of Detroit. There was also a fascinating, intimate question and answer session with three prominent American Roshei Yeshiva. A climatic culmination was the melave malka siyum on Masechta Bava Metziah where some 2,000 people attended. Before introducing HaRav Shmuel

Rav Povarsky Chinuch Roundtable

FEBRUARY 9, 2017 | The Jewish Home

Dirshu The Week In News

Main Motzei Shabbos Program

Rav Dovid Hofstedter greeting the '10,000 blatt' tzaddik

Dirshu The Week In News

Choueka, Rav of Congregation Ohel Simcha of Deal, Rabbi Ari Seidenfeld, a Rosh Chaburah from Lakewood, opened the evening, noting that this year was Dirshu’s 20th Anniversary and highlighting Dirshu’s myriad programs and its impact on the entire Klal Yisrael world over in the past twenty years. Rav Choueka explained how the Daf HaYomi B’halacha program not only enhances observance of halacha but the myriad details in the Mishnah Berurah with the biurim and musafim in the Dirshu Mishnah Berurah also enhance one’s yiras shomayim! Rav Berel Povarsky was then called upon to say the Hadran of Masechta Bava Metzia. In his remarks preceding the Hadran, Rav Povarsky exclaimed, “Dirshu was mechadesh that a person doesn’t just have set sedorim. Rather his whole day is full of chapping arein another bit of Torah learning.” The kaddish following the Hadran was recited by HaRav Moshe Mordechai Lowy after which the hall immediately exploded in simcha-filled dancing in celebration of the siyum. To watch the venerated Gedolim on the dais linking arms as they danced in honor of the Torah was truly moving. Rav Hofstedter: “We Are Not American Society; We Are The Mamleches Kohanim V’goy Kadosh!” Rav Dovid Hofstedter cited the wellknown Medrash that when the time came to redeem Bnei Yisrael from Mitzrayim they did not have mitzvos. Hashem therefore gave them the mitzvah of korban Pesach and bris milah. Rav Hofstedter asked, “They had no mitzvos? The Gemara says,

FEBRUARY 9, 2017 | The Jewish Home

“In the merit of righteous women we were redeemed from Egypt. The Medrash also teaches that we were redeemed because we did not change our language, our names, we didn’t speak lashon hara and we did not transgress the prohibition of arayos. How can we say that they had no mitzvos?” Rav Dovid answered by quoting the Medrash on the passuk, “‘The world was filled with them, (Shemos, 1-7).’ “The world was filled with theaters and circuses. The Shevet Sofer explains that the Jewish people became influenced by the culture of Mitzrayim. They enjoyed the Egyptian holidays, danced with them and mixed with the goyim…” “Thus, the only way to extricate themselves from the culture of Mitzrayim was with mesiras nefesh, with blood - blood of milah and blood of Pesach - real mesiras nefesh. Rav Hofstedter continued, “Our generation has so many zechusim! Look at the beautiful edifices of Torah that we have built on the ashes of the Holocaust. It is unprecedented. We have righteous women who are moser nefesh for Torah and who raise wonderful families. We have such chessed. “Still, perhaps in our generation we too have been inundated with goyish culture. We have ads in our publications for a Rosh Hashanah overlooking a beach. Yes, we go to kivrei tzaddikim for brachos oversees, we go to Eretz Yisrael for the Yamim Noraim, but during the trip are we viewing things we shouldn’t? How can we access bracha if en route we are immersed in the tumah of Mitzrayim? “Yes, we have zechusim but to be an oveid Hashem requires tochen pnimi. To

think that with a 30 or 40 minute, superficial seder or a 5 minute daily dose we are yotzeh and then we are done?! “We are not American society. We are not a nation obsessed with acquiring material possessions. We are not a nation of jealousy, of greed, with a superficial veneer. We are the am hanivchar. We are the mamleches kohanim v’goy kadosh!” Rav Hofstedter then introduced what can be an antidote to the superficial host culture that has infiltrated even the most sheltered of our communities. “Therefore morai v’rabosai, achai vera’ei, it is our zechus to present a new program, entitled Kinyan Chochma, a daily limud of mussar and hadracha culled from various mussar seforim, Tomer Devorah, Orchos Chaim l’Harosh, Orchos Tzaddikim and others…” Sample editions of the Kinyan Chochma kuntress were distributed so that lomdim can begin learning it daily and be tested monthly. “‘Yes we Can!’ ‘Torah First!” After a beautiful audiovisual presentation highlighting the last 20 years of the Dirshu revolution, Dayan Yonasan Abraham was introduced. He said, “If there is one enduring message that encapsulates the Shabbos it is that I feel humbled by being in the presence of the bnei aliyah here. For me, this Shabbos has been an absolutely shattering experience. Rav Abraham exclaimed, “If I can borrow a number of political campaign phrases, it is that Dirshu says, ‘Yes we Can!’ ‘Torah First! Right Here, Right Now!’ Rav Choueka said earlier, “Let’s Make Torah Great Again! It is not an empty slogan. That is Dirshu’s mission!”

Roshei Yeshiva Roundtable

HaRav Binyomin Eisenberger: “Consistency in a World of Bilbul The final drasha of the evening was given by HaRav Binyomin Eisenberger, shlita, Rav, Kehal Heichal Tefillah. In a commanding speech that addressed some of the difficulties facing our generation. “There was a time when people looked at the news once a day. They got their daily paper and that was it. Today, people need fresh news every minute. This constant desire for change, for something new, creates a tremendous bilbul hadaas –confusion. After a Shabbos Dirshu we see that Dirshu embodies kevius. You reside in the world where everything is a great bilbul but it doesn’t affect you. You have your kevius, your seder, your blatt Gemara, your daf of Mishnah Berurah…” Following bentching, the entire hall erupted in song and dance as the tables were moved and the simchas haTorah pulsated. It was well after 1:00 am, but one wouldn’t have known from the enthusiasm, the pace and the simcha that suffused the countenances of the participants. A Daf Yomi shiur was given on Sunday morning by Rabbi Ari Hofstedter. Following breakfast, a fascinating shailos and teshuvos session with Rav Berel Povarsky was moderated by Rav Shlomo Cynamon. Then it was time to leave. As they purposefully exited the hotel you saw that they were on a mission, a mission to learn, to chazer and perhaps add one more program to their daily schedule. That is what Dirshu does.

Dirshu The Week In News

FEBRUARY 9, 2017 | The Jewish Home

Shailos and Teshuvos with HaGaon Harav Yechiel Mechel Steinmetz, Shlita Yosef Sosnow One of the most popular components of the Dirshu Convention is the shailos and teshuvos session on all four orders of Shulchan Aruch with HaGaon HaRav Yechiel Mechel Steinmetz, shlita, Skverer Dayan of Boro Park and a prominent posek. It was a sight to see hundreds of talmidei chachomim gathered in the large tent used for davening listening with bated breath to Rav Steinmetz who, in his inimitable way, answered the shailos with a combination of warmth, humor and an encyclopedic knowledge of the entire corpus of halacha. The session was masterfully moderated by HaRav Eliezer Ralbag, shlita, Rav of the Lakewood Courtyard Shul and Daf HaYomi B’Halacha Maggid Shiur. We are proud to present a sampling of the Shailos. Question: If during the first two Shabbos seudos one is unsure whether he has recited Retzei during Birchas Hamazon the halacha is he must repeat bentching because we assume that he reverted to the way he is “accustomed” to bentching during the week without Retzei. What would be the halacha regarding a person who only washes for Hamotzi on Shabbos and never does so during the week – such as someone who is on a gluten-free diet or other special diet. Can we assume that he said Retzei because he never washes during the

week and thus he is “accustomed” to recite Retzei? Answer: We can assume that he did say Retzei and he does not have to recite Birchas Hamazon again. Proof can be brought from the Gemara in Masechta Bava Kama that says that an ox that only gores on Shabbos can be a mued, considered accustomed to gore only on Shabbos and not during the week. If a person accepted Shabbos upon himself before shekiah then realized that he had not yet davened Mincha, what should he do? Should he try to nullify his acceptance of Shabbos or should he just daven Maariv Shemoneh Esrei twice to make up for Mincha? He can still Daven Mincha. The Ramah in Even Ha’ezer writes that there is an obligation to stop one’s learning in order to attend a chupah. The Poskim say this is a chiyuv. Does that mean a person is obligated to attend a chupah every time there is a chupah? If that is true how will a person be able to learn at night, every night there is a chupah? Some poskim explain that this halacha is referring to a time when you physically see the chupah transpiring. Either you are in the same room or you are outside when you see a chupah taking place. Only then would you be obligated to stop learning to

Shalosh Seudos

attend the chupah. The fact that you are aware that a chupah is taking place somewhere does not constitute an obligation to stop one’s learning in order to attend the chupah. Is there an obligation to stand up for the wife of a talmid chacham? Yes, there is an obligation because of the concept of ishto k’gufo, one’s wife is considered like himself. This, however is only as long as the husband is alive. Once the husband passes away, we no longer say ishto k’gufo. Thus, the obligation no longer exists. Is a person who is making a bris for his son obligated to honor his grandfather as sandek before his father, based on the concept that his father is also obligated to honor his own father? Or perhaps we should say that honoring the baal bris’s own father comes first? The father of the baby has an obligation to honor his father before honoring his grandfather. It is a mitzvah d’Oraisah to honor one’s father. Honoring one’s grandfather is at most a mitzvah d’rabanan (according to the Maharik). That being said, the person should use his sechel. If he understands that his father really wants to honor his own father with the kibbud of Sandek then making his grandfather the sandek is, in-and-of itself a fulfillment of kibbud av.

A person’s father or father-in-law is eating at his house. Who is the wife obligated to serve first? Her husband who she is commanded to honor first or her father-in-law or father who her husband is required to honor? She must serve her husband first. If a person forgot to recite Birchas Hamazon where he ate, he is obligated to return to the place where he ate and bentched. The Mishnah Berurah writes that in an extenuating circumstance he is not required to return and can bentch where he is now. If a person forgot to bentch where he ate and now arrived in kollel or in the beis medrash to learn, would that be considered an extenuating circumstance, due to bittul Torah that would absolve him of his obligation to return to where he originally ate? Yes, bittul Torah would be considered an extenuating circumstance and he can bentch without even eating anything in the new place. People collect tzedakah during davening. Can a person absolve himself from giving due to the concept of “One who is engaged in one mitzvah is absolved from engaging in a different mitzvah?” Yes. He is not obligated to give tzedakah if he is davening.

Quotes The Week In News

FEBRUARY 9, 2017 | The Jewish Home

OCTOBER 29, 2015 | The Jewish Home

Today was Groundhog Day, the day where we predict six more weeks of winter if the groundhog sees his shadow. The groundhog has been predicting weather since 1887 and has been wrong 61 percent of the time. And yet, this is still front-page news every year. So I guess fake news isn’t a recent phenomenon.

You are picking up your child! GET OFF YOUR PHONE!!!! We have seen children trying to hand their parents their work they completed and the parent is on the phone. We have heard a child say, “Mommy, mommy, mommy ...” and the parent is paying more attention to their phone than their own child. It is appalling. GET OFF YOUR PHONE!! - Poster on the door of a day care in Hockley, Texas, that recently went viral

– James Corden

We think such words from a Fox News correspondent are unacceptable, insulting. We would prefer to receive apologies to our president from such a respectable television company. - Kremlin spokesman Dimitri Peskov addressing Fox News’ Bill O’Reilly calling Putin a “killer” in an interview with President Trump

You don’t have to be a fascist or a racist or even a Trumpian to not want to import people into your society who think cartoonists should be killed for drawing the prophet. That’s a totally irrational thing not to want. And the left has been demonizing anyone who will talk about this. - Sam Harris on “Real Time” with Bill Maher

We are never going to defeat terrorism if we are not going to reform Islam and we are not going to reform Islam if we can’t talk about it. - Bill Maher

MORE QUOTES

FEBRUARY 9, 2017 | The Jewish Home

The Week In News

Order your tickets to the Kosher Food & Wine Experience at kfwela.com. Use promo code eatupdrinkup to get 10% oďŹ&#x20AC; This is a kosher event. All guests must be 21 or older to attend.