THE JEWISH VOICE AND OPINION Promoting Classical Judaism
October 2010
Vol. 24 • No. 2
Cheshvan 5771
PA Wants an Israeli “Freeze,” but Not if the Price Is Recognition of a Jewish State; Bibi Says It’s That or Nothing
When Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu made clear that he might agree to extend the freeze on building throughout Judea and Samaria for an additional 60 days, but only if the Palestinians were to agree to recognize Israel as the Jewish state, he articulated a sentiment that has resonated not only in Jewish communities throughout the world, but in the halls of the US government. The Palestinians, backed by the Arab League, have refused to return to the negotiating table unless Mr. Ne-
tanyahu’s 10-month freeze, which expired on September 26 to jubilation in the affected areas, is reinstated. Mr. Netanyahu has not insisted on recognition as a Jewish state as a precondition for talks, however, he said, a moratorium on building would depend on such recognition. The Palestinians, led by PA President Mahmoud Abbas, have categorically refused such recognition, arguing that a Jewish State, despite guarantees of rights to other minorities, would be “racist.”
PA Pres Mahmoud Abbas and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu: No recognition, no freeze
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In Chicago, the Orthodox-Jewish Republican is Endorsed by Alan Dershowitz, the Secular-Jewish Democrat by Helen Thomas and J Street (Really!) Joel Pollak, an OrthodoxJewish 32-year-old attorney who is running as a Tea Partyendorsed Republican in one of the most reliably liberalDemocratic districts in Illinois, smiles when he recalls the event last summer when Harvard law professor and author, Alan Dershowitz, a lifelong Democrat, journeyed to Chicago to endorse him. A few weeks earlier, Mr. Pollak’s opponent, Democrat incumbent Jan Schakowsky,
Joel Pollak, who gained national fame after debating a Democratic Congressman and is now running for Congress in Illinois’s 9th District
Amy Neustein Wins Big................... 3 Kol Ami:Thanking Wallenberg........ 4 The Current Crisis.......................... 5 Helping Israel’s Neediest................ 22 The Log........................................ 24 Thinking About Chanukah........... 32
also had a fundraiser featuring a celebrity endorsement: Ms. Schakowsky was endorsed by former White House correspondent Helen Thomas. Barely two weeks after the event, Ms. Thomas, whose anti-Israel views were never a secret, publicly announced that Jews should “get out of Palestine” and go back to Poland. She was consequently forced to resign her position as a columnist for UPI. “My supporters received
Inside the Voice
RYNJ’s First Day......................... 32 Mazal Tov .................................. 33 New Classes................................. 33 Ess Gezint:For Teens and 20s...... 38 Index of Advertisers..................... 39 School Open Houses.................... 40
photos of themselves with Alan Dershowitz and my wife and me. My opponent’s supporters received photos of themselves with Helen Thomas. I wonder who is going to be prouder,” said Mr. Pollak. Jewish District Mr. Pollak and Ms. Schakowsky, who is also Jewish, are vying for the Congressional seat she has occupied since winning election in 1998. Illinois’s heavily (20 percent)
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Honor the Professional................. 41 Mourning Israel’s Defenders ...... 42 Florist Esther Katz ...................... 43 Letters to the Editor .................... 44 Mike Agosta ................................ 46 Walk to Shul . .............................. 47
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Amy Neustein: Victory in Court Could Lead to a Personal Victory, Too
F
or more than 20 years, Dr. Amy Neustein -- author, scholar, activist, and Orthodox rabbi’s daughter -- has been tackling the sticky issue of child molestation, especially in the Jewish community. It has often been a lonely struggle, with some in the community castigating her for even suggesting there might be a problem. But some of Dr. Neustein’s most painful challenges, it seems, have arisen from within her own family. Last month, after an eightyear court battle with her brother, Joshua Neustein of Riverdale, Dr. Neustein, who lives in Fort Lee, scored a judicial knockout, winning the $1 million-plus home in Manhattan Beach that the
court agreed her parents, Rabbi Abraham and Rebbetzin Shirley Neustein, deeded to her in 2001, together with hundreds of thousands of dollars in damages for being denied access since her parents’ deaths. The loss will not greatly affect Joshua Neustein’s pocketbook. According to newspaper reports, he is a self-made real-estate mogul, the owner of scores of apartment buildings in Upper Manhattan and the Bronx and is worth an estimated $30-$40 million. However, he has also achieved notoriety as one of “New York City’s Worst Landlords,” according to a newly created website administered by NYC Public
Advocate Bill de Blasio. The Public Advocate’s list shows Mr. Neustein with more than 2,200 Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) violations on some of the buildings he owns. More than 170 of the violations are listed as “Class C,” the most serious of the housing infractions recorded by NYC officials. Other Motives According to Dr. Neustein, one of her brother’s chief motives in maintaining the court battle against her was to prevent her from waging her campaign against sexual abuse in the Jewish community. She says he has regarded her struggle to subject the issue to the light of day as “bad for the Jews.”
“I never anticipated that my brother would turn against me. Or that I would not be the only one at risk when he did,” Dr. Neustein told the Jewish Voice and Opinion. With her court victory last month, Dr. Neustein hopes to continue to fight for victimized Jewish children, including, perhaps, her niece, Sandy Neustein, Joshua Neustein’s “developmentally delayed daughter. Damages On September 13, Judge Diana A. Johnson of Brooklyn Surrogate’s Court ruled that Mr. Neustein illegally blocked Dr. Neustein from access to the
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THE JEWISH VOICE AND OPINION, Inc. © 2010; Publisher and Editor-in-Chief: Susan L. Rosenbluth Phone (201)569-2845 Managing Editor: S. Edelman, Advertising: Rivkie Lichstein-Stall The Jewish Voice & Opinion (ISSN # 1527-3814), POB 8097, Englewood, NJ 07631, is published monthly in coordination with The Central Committee for Israel. A one-year subscription is $18. Periodicals postage is paid at Englewood, NJ and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to the Jewish Voice and Opinion, POB 8097, Englewood, NJ 07631. All advertising in the Jewish Voice and Opinion must conform to the standards of the Orthodox Rabbinic kashruth. Editorial content reflects the views of the writer and not necessarily any other group. The Jewish Voice is not responsible for typographical errors.
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Kol Ami: Thanking Raoul Wallenberg
By Susan Rosenbluth From Oct 28-Nov 21, Wallenberg, a new musical drama, will be playing at the White Plains Performing Arts Center. Last month, we offered a free ticket to see the show to readers who best told us: How does one say thank you to Raoul Wallenberg who gave his life to save 100,000 Jews? How does one acknowledge what he accomplished? Y
Every synagogue in the world should hold a Raoul Wallenberg Dinner, complete with speeches and plaques. We should never forget what he did for our people, and he should be a role model for anyone who thinks great things cannot be accomplished. Carolyn Gelber Winfied Park, NJ
My son’s official name is Raoul Jacob Milgraum. We call him Jacob, and his Hebrew name is Yisrael, because of the similarity to “Raoul.” He was born in Ann Arbor, Mich, a few blocks from where Wallenberg lived when he studied in the US. We named him for a man who did great things. Sima Milgraum Edison, NJ
Thank you for letting me be here today! You told my great-grandmother to leave the deportation station to return to her four young children. You let them stay in your hospitals and houses. You provided them with food. You saved their lives and the lives of their 100 descendants. Thank you! Dani Gross Teaneck, NJ
The Raoul Wallenberg Unit of B’nai B’rith in Melbourne, Australia, launched a Raoul Wallenberg stamp sheet, which comes with photos of Wallenberg, his biography, and an envelope with a “Schutzpass,” similar to the “protective passport” he used to save thousands of Jews. Everyone should order one from http:// www.raoul-wallenberg.eu/art/ australian-raoul-wallenbergstamp-sheet/ Sylvan Zeidman Linden, NJ
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The Current Crisis: “Even in Laughter, the Heart Can Ache”
Okay, so when Israel sent a field hospital to Haiti, complete with 40 doctors, 24 nurses, an emergency room, two surgery units, and separate wards for incubation, children, maternity, and more, capable of treating 500 patients a day, to say nothing of its experienced search-and-rescue teams, the Jewish state’s efforts did not merit any recognition from President Barack Obama, who graciously thanked everyone else. After all, if he couldn’t thank Saudi Arabia and the Palestinians, the President was not going to jeopardize the peace process by mentioning Israel. Fair is fair you know. Such subtleties did not bother Chilean President Sebastian Piñera as he rejoiced over the rescue of 33 men pulled from a mine after 69 days of captivity. He happily thanked everyone who had helped in the effort, including many South American heads of state, British Prime Minister David Cameron, Mr. Obama, and…Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The ebullient Mr. Piñera did not seem to mind that he had no reason to thank any Muslim leaders, who probably, if asked, might have thrown a Quran down the escape shaft. According to reports, Bibi told Piñera that the Chilean rescue operation, which shows how that country values each life, served as an “inspiration” to the world. Bibi invited Piñera to Israel for the signing of a free-trade agreement between the two countries, and the Chilean President responded by saying he would be glad to visit. “We want to learn your technological and scientific wonders,” he told Bibi. Hey, can we vote for Mr. Piñera for anything? Let’s have a parte del té?
*** It probably would have been hard for Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak to participate in the Chilean effort. Reports from Cairo indicate he doesn’t like to be involved in anything unless he is out in front—even when he isn’t. On Sept. 1, when Bibi and PA President Mahmoud Abbas were invited to Washington, along with Jordan’s King Abdullah II and Mr. Mubarak, a photo was taken showing all the leaders led in formation down a red carpet, headed by Mr. Obama. That image went over like a lead balloon in Cairo, where Al Ahram ran the photo, just doctored slightly. In the Egyptian version, Mr. Mubarak leads the pack with Mr. Obama following and Bibi bringing up the rear—where all good dhimmis belong. When Al Ahram editor Osama Saraya was confronted with the doctored photo, he explained in a hastily written op-ed that the version his paper ran was an “expressive” picture, meant to show “Egypt’s historic role in the peace process.” Maybe the fact that, in the photo, Obama is shown walking ahead of Abbas and Abdullah is an indication that, for the Egyptians, the American President really is a Muslim leader, just not as important as his Egyptian counterpart. *** Things must be really bad for the Dems. In early Oct, leftwing billionaire George Soros, a major backer of liberal Democrat candidates for the past three election cycles, admitted he was not funding any candidates in 2010. “I don’t believe in standing in the way of an avalanche,” he told reporters. From his mouth to G-d’s ear. S.L.R.
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Court Victory
family house—which the judge determined was Dr. Neustein’s upon her parents’ death—for more than seven years, changing the locks to the house even as Dr. Neustein sat shiva for her father, a prominent Talmudic and Hebraic scholar, at the end of June 2002. Judge Johnson found that Dr. Neustein was denied access to her property until Mr. Neustein surrendered it to her, under court order, on December 1, 2009. The judge ordered Mr. Neustein to pay his sister a whopping $534,000 in damages, plus interest dating back to July 2002, which could well add another $200,000 to the total. “I know my parents wanted me to have the house—unfortunately, I had to fight Josh to see that their intent was respected,” says Dr. Neustein. “And I also know that they would want me to make sure Sandy is safe. So that’s my task too.”
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continued from page 3 Family Pains Dr. Neustein, the co-author (with Michael Lesher, Esq, of Passaic) of From Madness to Mutiny: Why Mothers Are Running from the Family Courts—and What Can Be Done about It, is also the editor of Tempest in the Temple: Jewish Communities and Child Sex Scandals, published by Brandeis University Press in 2009 as part of their prestigious American Jewish History, Culture and Life series. Both books were received by reviewers with praise and admiration, recognizing Dr. Neustein as an accomplished scholar in the field. But Dr. Neustein’s scholarship was born of personal pain. In 1986, her late mother accused Dr. Neustein’s former husband, Dr. Ozzie Orbach, of sexually abusing their then-sixyear-old daughter, Sherry. In court testimony, Rebbetzin Neustein said she actually witnessed Dr. Orbach abusing his daughter.
Ignoring Evidence Ignoring mounds of evidence substantiating the mother’s claim, including the child’s demonstration on anatomically correct dolls and Sherry’s own reports of her father’s abuse that experts believed were genuine, a Brooklyn Family Court judge decided Dr. Neustein had “coached” Sherry to believe she had been abused. He granted Dr. Orbach full custody of the child and allowed Dr. Neustein visiting privileges only under supervision. Even that scant contact with her only child came to an abrupt end in 1989, when Dr. Neustein became alarmed at Sherry’s drastic weight loss while in Dr. Orbach’s custody. Ignoring the family court judge’s admonition not to seek medical care for her child without the father’s permission, Dr. Neustein—accompanied by her visitation supervisor, Rebbetzin Rachel Anolick—took Sherry to the Kings County Hospital Emergency Room, where the pediatrician on call, Dr. Jeffrey Birnbaum, found the young girl “by far the worst case of emaciation I have ever seen.” Dr. Birnbaum testified that Sherry could have died had her mother not brought her for treatment; he also noted that he had been struck by the 8-yearold’s sexualized behavior “that seemed grossly inappropriate
Dr. Amy Neustein for a girl her age.” But Family Court Judge Leon Deutsch punished Dr. Neustein by suspending all her visitation privileges. She has not seen her daughter since. “Bad for the Jews” Since losing her daughter, Dr. Neustein has sublimated her own pain by becoming a champion of women throughout the US whose experiences in family court are all too similar to her own. Her advocacy for women forced to fight for custody of their children, after the father has been credibly accused of child sex abuse, prompted the New York Chapter of the National Organization for Women to recognize her as a symbol on “Childless Mother’s Day.” In 2006, the Battered Mothers Custody Conference, held in upstate New York, honored her with its Woman of Valor Lifetime Achievement Award. This year, Dr. Neustein received a Pro Humanitate
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Award from the North American Resource Center for Child Welfare for an article co-written with Mr. Lesher. Too Outspoken But according to Dr. Neustein, her outspokenness precipitated a break with her older brother, Joshua. “When I was quoted in the New York Post by columnist Doug Montero saying that clergy abuse wasn’t just a Catholic problem; Orthodox Jews were suffering from it too, Josh called me and said that a statement like this was ‘bad for the Jews,’ that people in his synagogue didn’t like it, and that if I didn’t retract the statement he would have nothing more to do with me,” she says. Shocked that her brother seemed to care less for victimized children than for his public image, Dr. Neustein says she began to wonder if this attitude
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continued from page 6 had affected his way of dealing with other people—including the tenants in the dozens of buildings he owns. Shocking Conditions What she found, she says, horrified her. For years, published news stories, in English and Spanish, have detailed complaints of the conditions in Mr. Neustein’s buildings. In May 2008, the Spanishlanguage newspaper El Diario printed a front-page story that quoted a contractor who said he was owed thousands of dollars and six years of back pay by Mr. Neustein. Tenants at 78 Post Avenue—a Section 8 building owned by Mr. Neustein through his corporation, 1071 Home Corp—went to court against him, pointing out that the city had been forced to make 11 emergency repairs to the building over two and a half years. The Village Voice reported
that in November 2008 the locks on the doors of that building were still broken. Tenants told the magazine of deplorable conditions, of gunshots coming from the building’s courtyard, of drug dealers conducting business right out of the central lobby. “I went to that building and I saw for myself the appalling conditions. After that, it was easier to understand Josh’s behavior. It wasn’t just about me. I understood what I had been hearing from his daughter Sandy,” says Dr. Neustein. “Now I was convinced that I wasn’t the only one being hurt. This was Josh’s attitude about everyone.” Saving Sandy Perhaps the most sensitive— and most disturbing—issue that has arisen between her and her brother concerns the welfare of his daughter Sandy Neustein, a 26-year-old woman who has been diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome. According to Dr. Neustein, in 2006, even as she continued the fight for access to her parents’ house, her niece telephoned her from a Manhattan psychiatric hospital. According to Dr. Neustein, Sandy said her father had attempted to have her committed. An ensuing string of rambling emails convinced Dr. Neustein that her niece was indeed at risk. Dr. Neustein,
the child advocate, had found another family problem—and another relative who seemed to need protection. “I was never able to help my daughter, Sherry, but I wanted to help my niece Sandy,” she says. Dickensian Nightmare The emails from “Sandy” to her Aunt Amy read like a Dickensian nightmare. The writer describes herself as in “danger,” and focuses particularly on her father, whom she accuses of repeatedly “calling the police on me.” His real intention, she writes, is to have her “locked away.” “They all keep telling me they will lock me in a group home and recently they have been threatening to call the cops on me more,” one of the emails claims. In other passages, the writer accuses Joshua Neustein of beating her, and of lying to the police to blame her for her injuries: “My father thinks he has his own personal police force. They work for him…He lies to them and makes up stories when he calls. He calls the police when he does things wrong and says he’s angry at me, and he is getting the cops angry at me. The police yelled at me and think it’s my fault since he keeps calling and I can’t
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stop him. He thinks it’s a joke and does not care,” she writes. Professional Concerns Dr. Neustein is not alone in her concerns about Sandy. Charles Hargrave, who was appointed by the court to represent Sandy when her father sought—and gained—her guardianship last year, confirmed a great deal of her story, especially her fear that her father was trying to have her “locked away and drugged up.” Mr. Hargrave says he spent hours explaining to Mr. Neustein that his guardianship over Sandy does not mean he can have his daughter committed. “He just doesn’t seem to understand that has to be a medical decision, not one
he can make because he finds Sandy an embarrassment,” says Mr. Hargrave. Unpaid Bills Sandy also seems to have reason to believe her father, both before and after he was granted permanent guardianship, has used her social security number to run up bills with New York City ambulances that have transported her to hospitals at his insistence, as well as to psychiatric emergency room visits. When Sandy began receiving letters from a collection agency, implying that the unpaid bills would damage her credit, Dr. Neustein suggested her niece send her the information so she could help
sort it out. After Dr. Neustein explained the situation to the collection agency, she was told the case would not be closed, but would remain “dormant.” Asked about this activity, Mr. Hargrave said that if it occurred it was clearly problematic, because the court had given Mr. Neustein guardianship over Sandy’s “person” but not her “property.” He said he intended to write a letter to the court about it. He is not the only one concerned. At least one doctor, as a mandated reporter, has informed New York authorities about injuries Ms. Neustein sustained that he did not think were just accidents. Dr. Neustein says that although she has talked to some law enforcement authorities on Sandy’s behalf, she has been told that this issue is being considered a family matter. Since her father was granted guardianship over Sandy, officials have been particularly reluctant to become involved, Dr. Neustein says. Going to the Press But that has not stopped her from trying. When a child advocate at one government office suggested engaging the press, Dr. Neustein reached out to the Village Voice with her concerns about her niece. A reporter, Elizabeth Dwoskin, agreed to investigate. The ensuing story—a cross between Orwellian nightmare and Marx Brothers farce—never appeared in the Village Voice, but Dr. Neustein says she learned all of it from Ms. Dwoskin herself. (Ms. Dwoskin declined to comment for this article.) According to Dr. Neustein, Ms. Dwoskin knocked on the door of Joshua Neustein’s Riverdale home on a Friday evening and was met by another of Mr. Neustein’s daughters, who confirmed that the reporter had found the right home. When Ms. Dwoskin asked for Sandy, saying “your Aunt Amy is concerned about her,” the young girl said that her sister Sandy was indeed at home. “After Elizabeth stood at the door for about ten minutes, during which there was terrible screaming, Josh appeared and told Dwoskin she had reached the ‘Newfield’ home, not the ‘Neustein’ home,” says Dr. Neustein. Ms. Dwoskin’s story had a grim resonance for Dr. Neustein; it was not the first time screams had reportedly come from her brother’s home. According to a former neighbor who has since moved away from Riverdale, such incidents were not unusual.
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“We used to hear the little girls screaming for hours, ‘Let us out of here.’ I don’t know where they were locked up, but their screams were pitiful,” says the former neighbor. Sandy Who? At the door, Mr. Neustein reportedly told Ms. Dwoskin that his daughter Sandy was now married to someone whom Dr. Neustein said sounded like “Fitzgerald.” Astonished when Ms. Dwoskin told her about this turn of events, Dr. Neustein contacted Mr. Hargrave, who denied that his client was married to anyone. “How could she possibly have married if Josh is her legal guardian?” said Mr. Hargrave. “Fitz” On the Monday after Ms. Dwoskin’s visit to Riverdale, Dr. Neustein received an email from someone who had “fitz” as part of her email address. The writer, who evidently had no idea “Sandy Neustein” had been in touch with her aunt
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for almost two years, opened her message by informing Dr. Neustein: “This is your relative, your neice [sic] (sandy).” The writer claimed to have found Dr. Neustein’s email address—the same address Sandy Neustein had apparently been writing to for years—from Dr. Neustein’s website. “I do not want to be in a newspaper arcticle [sic],” the writer said, adding that she did not know why her name was mentioned. “But I do not know you. I have nothing to do with you. I am separate from family issues on that side of the family.” The writer suggested that Dr. Neustein “call the newspaper and have them not print an arcticle [sic].” “If No One Knows Me” Meanwhile, at the Village Voice, Ms. Dwoskin received her own email from “Sandy Fitzgerald,” also making disparaging claims about Dr. Neustein. A few hours later, Dr. Neustein
received yet another email from her “neice (sandy)” (with “fitz” in the address), admitting that she had tried to contact Ms. Dwoskin but that the reporter had questioned her identity. “I don’t know what you told her about my family or me, but if no one knows me enough to be able to know if it’s me or not, then they don’t know me. I have nothing to do with anyone on this side of the family. I barely know anyone on the father’s side,” the writer said. Looking for Sandy In an effort to contact the real Sandy, The Jewish Voice and Opinion telephoned Joshua Neustein, who transferred the phone to someone he introduced as “Sandy.” However, a few questions revealed that the woman on the line was not familiar with basic facts about Sandy Neustein. When confronted with this information, Mr. Neustein became irate, threatening to “dig
up dirt” on The Jewish Voice reporter and give it to his “friends at the New York Post.” Rounding out the tragicomedy, The Jewish Voice and Opinion next received a telephone call from someone else claiming to be Sandy Neustein, who admitted—this time—that she had repeatedly contacted her aunt, Amy Neustein, but added that everything she had told Dr. Neustein in the emails, for nearly two years, “was a lie.” The young woman on the phone went on to say, however, that she hated her father and needed practical help to escape from his home. According to Dr. Neustein, she has heard from her niece, Sandy, just once since then, by telephone. “She seemed distraught,” says Dr. Neustein. “And now there’s only silence. It’s clear that Josh has effectively severed contact between Sandy
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and me—for reasons I’m afraid are all too obvious. I’m terribly concerned about Sandy.” Big Brother While no one may ever know who actually wrote the emails purportedly from “Sandy Fitzgerald”—a person who does not seem to exist—or “Sandy Neustein,” there is little room for doubt about what Joshua Neustein did to his sister when he realized she had just inherited the family house in June 2002. Just days after the death of their father—a scholar, educator, and lawyer who served as chief rabbi for what was once the largest congregation in Brooklyn, the Jewish Center of Brighton Beach—Joshua Neustein kicked his sister out of the house, changed the locks, and told her the house was his, according to court records. “He told me he was the first-born son,” remembers Dr. Neustein, “and that gave him the power to do whatever he
October 2010
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wanted. As a woman, I was just supposed to get out of his way. He demanded that I sign over to him whatever legal rights to the house I had. I think he really believed I would do it, he is so used to intimidating people.” Legal Obstructions Mr. Neustein was not so sucessful in court, although no one could accuse him of not trying. According to Mr. Lesher, who has provided legal work for Dr. Neustein for eight years on this case, her brother was able to delay and complicate the legal proceedings. “We’ve been up against every type of legal obstruction that you could have faced, but our persistence appears to have paid off and I think we’re finally seeing justice,” Mr. Lesher told the New York Post. Dr. Neustein’s claim to the house was based on a deed made out by her parents on May 9, 2001, according to which the entire house became hers upon
her parents’ deaths. But, after Rabbi Neustein died on June 23, 2002 (his wife had died earlier), Joshua produced a deed dated June 6, 2002, purportedly signed by Rabbi Neustein, transferring the house instead to him and another sister, Frima Burger. Fraud Dr. Neustein challenged that deed as fraudulent; Richard T. Picciochi, a handwriting expert who formerly headed up the New York Police Department’s Questioned Documents Unit, concluded in a detailed written report in March 2005 that the signature was a likely forgery. Mr. Picciochi found that “the manner of execution differs fundamentally between the questioned signature and known signatures of Abraham Neustein.” To date, no one has produced a handwriting expert’s report to rebut Mr. Picciochi’s opinion that the signature on Joshua Neustein’s deed was “a simulation and not written by Abraham Neustein.”
Judge Johnson awarded the house to Dr. Neustein without ruling on the forgery allegation, because Joshua Neustein’s deed was not presented to the County Register for recording until after Rabbi Neustein’s death. Under New York real estate law, this rendered the deed meaningless against the earlier one held by his sister. No Undue Influence The judge also rejected Joshua’s claim that Amy used “undue influence” to obtain the May 2001 deed. Finding that Joshua wrongly evicted his sister from the house, and that he had deliberately kept her out for over seven years, Judge Johnson awarded Dr. Neustein damages for lost rental value, concluding that Joshua’s claim to have been acting to protect his father’s estate was “specious.” Tripling a portion of the damages due to Joshua’s “intentional” conduct, the judge arrived at a total damages figure
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Pollak for Congress Jewish 9th District encompasses many of Chicago’s northern suburbs, including Evanston, Skokie, Wilmette, Park Ridge, Des Plaines, and Rosemont. It also includes a large portion of Chicago’s North Side bordering Lake Michigan. In the six elections in which she has competed to gain and hold her seat, Ms. Schakowsky, a close ally of Speaker Nancy Pelosi and a strong supporter of President Barack Obama, has never pulled less than 70 percent of the vote. In 2008, she won 75 percent of the vote.
Court Victory
of $534,000, to which she added annual interest of 9 percent since July 1, 2002—a calculation that could add hundreds of thousands more to the total. Evelyn Haies, an Orthodox woman and Jewish activist who lives a block away from the Neustein’s Brooklyn house and has known Dr. Neustein since 1980, sees her court victory as righting a wrong. “This will allow her parents, Rabbi and Rebbetzin Neustein, to rest in peace,” says Ms. Haies. “How can the brother, who is a multimillionaire, face himself and the community after stealing the house from his sister who is an academic writer and in need of sustenance? Amy’s loss is our loss: we lost Amy from the Manhattan Beach Jewish community for the eight years
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But this year, most observers say, things may be different. The non-partisan National Journal has ranked Ms. Schakowsky as one of the most liberal Democrats in the House of Representatives, and that position seems to have brought her into close association with individuals and groups whose anti-Israel animus is often overwhelmingly apparent. Helen Thomas Ms. Thomas is a case in point. Even before her most recent antisemitic comments became widely disseminated,
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she was known as an antiIsrael firebrand. For decades, she used questions at White House press conferences to air radical denunciations of Israel. During the first Gulf War, she defended Saddam Hussein’s launch of Scud missiles against Israel and characterized the Jewish state’s security barrier against suicide bombings as an “illegal land grab.” In 2006, she accused Israel of engaging in “collective punishment against all of Lebanon and Palestine,” prompting then-press secre-
tary Tony Snow to describe her perspective as “the Hezbollah view,” a position with which she did not take issue. Nevertheless, Ms. Schakowsky not only happily accepted Ms. Thomas’s endorsement, the candidate praised the White House correspondent as “awesome.” Shortly after Ms. Thomas was forced to resign, Mr. Pollak asked Ms. Schakowsky to repudiate the former White House reporter’s antisemitic remarks. She would not.
painful as it is to face such issues within her own family, she cannot ignore them any more than she has ignored child abuse issues in the larger American and Jewish communities. “The New York Public Advocate’s office is posting complaints on building after building owned by Josh. If he
deals with those complaints the way he tried to deal with me in court, what will happen to those people? And what about Sandy? I wish I didn’t have to be involved, but I am. I just don’t think Josh is ever going to change on his own. Someone has to step up. So far, I’m that someone,” she says. S.L.R.
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continued from page 14 she was forbidden by Josh from entering her family home. Now her victory is our victory.” Who Wins, Who Suffers? But to Dr. Neustein, the victory will not be complete until she knows where her niece Sandy is, and how she is being cared for. As for the Brooklyn house, if the deed Joshua Neustein produced in court was in fact a forgery, the question is: who forged it, and will anyone face the music for that act? There is also the issue concerning how the Riverdale Orthodox community, which, according to Mr. Neustein, was apparently ready to condemn his sister for supporting abused Jewish children, will view Joshua Neustein’s behavior now. Dr. Neustein says that,
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“Rep Schakowsky knew in advance of Thomas’s anti-Israel views. If she does not share the ‘Hezbollah view’ echoed by Helen Thomas, let her say so. If not, we will know where Rep Schakowsky stands,” says Mr. Pollak. J Street Many observers point out that, given Ms. Schakowsky’s close alliance with the notoriously far-left wing organization, J Street, her association with Ms. Thomas should come as no surprise. J Street, the lobby group whose self-avowed mission is to counter the pro-Israel positions adopted by AIPAC, has given Ms. Schakowsky at least $50,000, making her one of J Street’s top financial recipients in the 2010 election cycle. While J Street claims to be both “proIsrael and pro-peace,” Israel’s very moderate Ambassador to Washington, Michael Oren, condemned the group as “a unique problem in that it not only opposes one policy of one Israeli government, it opposes all policies of all Israeli governments. It’s significantly out of the mainstream.” There is not a single Israeli flag or symbol on J Street’s website. Just recent-
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continued from page 15 ly, the group’s college program dropped “pro-Israel” from its slogan. It has actively denounced the Israeli government and the US for not accepting Hamas into the “diplomatic process.” Chicago Chapter Last February, Ms. Schakowsky helped open the Chicago chapter of J Street. “I’ve been a supporter of J Street since its inception, and I’m proud to be among J Street’s first round of endorsed candidates,” she told the lobby’s members. In October 2009, she co-hosted J Street’s first gala dinner and, while participating on a panel at its conference in Washington, she boasted that she had ignored those in her district who had warned her not to attend the meeting. “It was never under consideration for me to pull out,” she told the J Street supporters. Foreign Money This past month, J Street was forced to retract earlier statements and admit that its major funder is pro-Palestinian Authority billionaire George Soros, who has publicly acknowledged that AIPAC’s pro-Israel polices angered him. According to the Washington Times, Mr. Soros
and his two children gave J Street nearly $750,000 between 2008 and 2010. The Washington Times reported that J Street has also received more than $800,000 from Consolacion Esdicul, a Hong Kongbased Filipino businesswoman, as well as substantial donations from Iranian- and Saudi-based Muslims. J Street’s use of foreign donations to back American candidates, such as Ms. Schakowsky, has cast a shadow over the organization’s credibility and ethics. After the revelations from the Washington Times, Mr. Pollak asked Ms. Schakowsky to return the J Street donations. She has not. “In June, she publicly thanked J Street for its money. Today, it’s time for her to cut her ties to J Street and give back the cash,” he said. Backing Obama Like Mr. Soros, who is also Jewish (his Hungarian-Jewish family reportedly changed the name from Schwartz in order to escape growing antisemitism), Ms. Schakowsky is a strong apologist for Mr. Obama’s policies towards Israel. “As a Jewish member of Congress
http://jewishvoiceandopinion.com who has unfailingly voted with Israel, I genuinely believe President Obama is entirely supportive of the needs of Israel,” she said. Her statement led Mr. Pollak to assume that she is in favor of the Obama’s administration’s confrontational approach to Israel and that she approves of the US exerting pressure on Israel to make concessions while asking virtually nothing of the Palestinians. “She has failed to indicate that she would support a military option against the Iranian regime if necessary to protect the US and Israel,” said Mr. Pollak. More Concessions? While Mr. Pollak has criticized Ms. Schakowsky’s silence on certain key issues regarding Israel as well as her questionable views and alliances, he does not deny that her voting record on Israel is acceptable. She has not signed letters against the Jewish state and she has voted in favor of its foreign aid. Nevertheless, Mr. Pollak said the differences between them on the issue of Israel are substantial. For example, when both candidates were asked: “What concessions should the US support from Israel and the Palestinians to ensure lasting peace between these two?” Mr. Pollak said Israel should not be pressed to make any additional concessions; Ms. Schakowsky said Israel “must work toward a viable Palestinian state and work with Washington to find a solution to the settlement issues that allows the peace process to continue. Both sides must strive for reasonable solutions on issues like Jerusalem, borders, and refugees.” “Israel has made many painful concessions over the last two decades, for little in return,” said Mr. Pollak. “We ought to press the Palestinian leadership to fulfill its obligation to fight terror and stop incitement. We must stop US aid to the Palestinian Authority until it complies with these basic requirements. We must also stop Iran from funding, arming, and encouraging Palestinian terror groups.” Onus on Israel Ms. Schakowsky recognized that the US “cannot impose peace,” however, she said, “US leadership is critical in bringing the parties to the table.” The Palestinians, she said, “must recognize Israel as a Jewish state, halt incitement,
Cheshvan 5771 and abide by previous agreements.” Mr. Pollak said her response shows Ms. Schakowsky wants the US to pressure Israel into making more deep concessions; believes settlements are the main obstacle to the peace process; thinks Israel’s security is conditional on creating a Palestinian state; does not understand the role Iran plays in fueling the conflict; and blames Israel for its declining relations with the Obama administration. “Jan Schakowsky is not anti-Israel, but she is clearly failing to lead on Israel. Worse, she wants to pressure Israel at a moment when it is in greater danger than ever before,” said Mr. Pollak.
W
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Repeal ObamaCare The two candidates have differences on domestic issues as well. At a recent debate with Ms. Schakowsky, Mr. Pollak argued that Mr. Obama’s health plan will work “exactly as intended—but its intention was never to cut costs, improve quality, or increase access. Its intention was to increase government control over one-sixth of our economy.” He wants to see the law repealed (‘it was passed over the objections of the American people and will raise the cost of insurance for millions while lowering the quality of health care”), and, he said,
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Pollak for Congress
Congress should start again, this time helping people with pre-existing conditions; providing tort reform by awarding costs against frivolous lawsuits to bring down malpractice insurance fees; allowing people to buy insurance across state lines to create more competition; and expanding medical savings accounts. While Ms. Schakowsky has argued that Mr. Obama’s stimulus bill has created “millions of new jobs” and that the economy has “turned the corner,” Mr. Pollak said the country needs a 10 percent investment tax credits. He favors lowering capital gains and corporate taxes, cutting $1.3 trillion in wasteful spending, and “putting jobs ahead of regulations.” Keeping the FBI Out Their views on domestic terrorism are starkly different. In early October, at a talk before the American Muslim Task Force, Ms. Schakowsky was asked what could be done about FBI agents “spying” on mosques. Although as a member of the House Intelligence Committee and chair of its Investigation and Oversight Subcommittee, Ms. Schakowsky was clearly in a position to discuss the importance of monitoring for terrorism, she told her audience that she would use her post “to work on these issues.”
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“The first thing I’m going to do when I go back [to Washington]—and I’ve been talking to Muslim advocates— is to talk about: What is this business of people going into mosques, of investigating peace activists, who are exercising their constitutional rights? What is going on here?” she said. Terrorist Apprehended Mr. Pollak pointed out that a few weeks before Ms. Schakowsky addressed the Muslim group, only a few miles away, the FBI had arrested Sami Samir Hassoun, a 22-year-old Lebanese immigrant, who had attempted to commit mass murder by planting what he thought was a bomb outside Wrigley Field as crowds left a Dave Matthews Band concert. “The FBI had been following Hassoun for over a year, and caught him because he had been talking about his various terror plans in the presence of FBI informants. The bomb he planted was a dud, but hundreds would have been killed or injured if he had succeeded,” said Mr. Pollak. He accused Ms. Schakowsky of being “evidently willing to put our country in danger to win votes.” “The FBI has been able to save thousands of American lives by monitoring violent extremists, including right here
in Chicago, just a few weeks ago,” he said. Mostly Cooperation He recognized that, by and large, the Muslim community has been working cooperatively with the US government, assisting in stopping terror before a strike. “Yet Schakowsky’s openended commitment to stop investigations of mosques and ‘peace activists’—and to uncover information about ongoing FBI investigations—is highly dangerous and irresponsible,” he said. A member of Mr. Pollak’s campaign suggested that in mentioning “peace activists,” Ms. Schakowsky was probably referring to the recent arrest of Service Employees International Union (SEIU) official, Joseph Iosbaker, and his wife, Stephanie Weiner, who are being investigated by the FBI for links with terror organizations in the Middle East and Latin America. According to reports, Mr. Iosbaker’s “peace activism” included support for anti-Israel groups and anti-government groups in Columbia. Different Backgrounds The differences in the two candidates’ approach to Israel and terrorism is reflected in their backgrounds. Mrs. Schakowsky, 66, was born and raised in Chicago. Before run-
ning for Congress, she served in the Illinois House of Representatives. Before this year, Mr. Pollak never ran for office. He was born in South Africa and immigrated to the US as an infant with his father, a transplant surgeon, and mother, a physical therapist, in 1977. He became a US citizen in 1987. In suburban Wilmette, the family, which now includes Mr. Pollak’s younger sister and brother, became part of the Chabad community, and Mr. Pollak attended a local day school. As an undergraduate at Harvard, he was the first student to combine the fields of Social Studies and Environmental Science. He graduated in 1999 Magna Cum Laude and Phi Beta Kappa, with a Rotary Foundation Ambassadorial Scholarship to study in South Africa. After completing his fellowship, he stayed on to work as a freelance journalist and a volunteer tutor for high school students in Khayelitsha, one of South Africa’s poorest and most dangerous communities. There, he started a chess club for children and assisted a local entrepreneur to develop a website for her bed-andbreakfast. After 9-11, he began working to improve relations between Muslims, Christians, and Jews.
http://jewishvoiceandopinion.com He lived with a Muslim family for two years and studied Arabic, all while teaching and running services at a local OrthodoxJewish synagogue. While always strongly proIsrael, he began writing academic and popular articles on how to revive the peace process. Another Degree In 2002, he became a political speechwriter for Tony Leon, leader of the opposition in the South African parliament, whose party stresses individual liberties, free markets, and non-racialism. At the same time, he earned a master’s degree in Jewish Studies at the University of Cape Town. His thesis was on the political roles played by Jews and other minorities in postapartheid South Africa. He returned to the US in the summer of 2006, just as Israel was engaged in the battle with Hezbollah that became known as the Second Lebanon War. Mr. Pollak organized a fundraising
concert for the victims. Law School That fall, he enrolled at Harvard Law School, where he worked as a research assistant for Mr. Dershowitz. While in law school, he published two books: The Kasrils Affair (2008) and Don’t Tell Me Words Don’t Matter: How Rhetoric Won the 2008 Presidential Election (2009). “In law school, I became fully shomer Shabbat—a risky thing to do in your first year. There’s a lot of competition and, in a sense, you’re missing a day of studying, but I loved it. It felt like it really just made my life manageable,” he said, adding that he still feels his Shabbat observance “preserves” his life. When he graduated in June 2009, he secured a position with the Hudson Institute on a new human rights initiative that seeks to counter the antiAmerican and anti-Israel efforts of dictatorships at the UN.
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Along the way, he also managed to get married. His wife, Julia Bertelsmann, also a Harvard graduate, now works as a defense policy researcher at the Heritage Foundation. Media Star Just before graduating law school, in April 2009, Mr. Pollak rose to national prominence after challenging Rep Barney Frank (D-MA), asking him at a town meeting in Massachusetts, “How much, if any, responsibility do you have for the financial crisis?” Mr. Frank lost his temper, but Mr. Pollak calmly put the question to him again. This exchange, which was recorded, became a YouTube and TV sensation, and support for Mr. Pollak poured in from around the country. He decided to run for Congress after attending a town hall organized by Ms. Schakowsky on health care. There, he discovered that she had paid organizers to prevent opposing questions and comments
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from being heard. “When I came home, I said to myself: I really have to run now because I can’t stand to see this happen in my own community,” he said. Donations Now in its closing days, Mr. Pollak’s campaign is still looking for contributions. His website can be accessed at www.pollakforcongress.com. The phone number is 312-848-8910. In endorsing him, Mr. Dershowitz said that, in 46 years at Harvard, he had never seen “a more promising political leader.” “He is original and creative. He looks at every problem and finds a fresh take. His slogan is Pollak for Congress: A Fresh Start, and that is exactly the right word. In Congress, we need a voice of moral clarity, one that will stand up and tell the unvarnished truth articulately, persuasively, and powerfully. That voice is Joel Pollak’s,” said Mr. Dershowitz. S.L.R.
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No Freeze
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In fact, the “Constitution of the State of Palestine” declares that “Arabic and Islam are the official religion. Christianity and all other monotheistic religions shall be equally respected.” When one PA negotiator issued a statement that seemed to indicate the Palestinians might give Mr. Netanyahu some wiggle room on the issue, the negotiator was quickly shot down by others on his team who said he did not speak for official PA policy. Two-Way Street The Obama administration, desperate to keep both sides at the table, has made no secret of its pressure on Mr. Netanyahu to re-impose the freeze. Nevertheless, a spokesman said publicly that the diplomatic process must be a “two-way
street, with both sides offering something and asking for something.” In a State Department briefing on Oct 13, spokesman PJ Crowley appeared to lose patience with an Arab journalist who asked if the US would pressure Israel to comply with the freeze even without Arab recognition as a Jewish State. Explaining that the US has recognized “the special nature of the Israeli state,” Mr. Crowley said, “A core demand of the Israeli government, which we support, is a recognition that Israel is a part of the region, acceptance by the region of the existence of the State of Israel as the homeland of the Jewish people, and that is what they want to see through this negotiation.” According to an October 2010 American
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Jewish Committee survey, 95 percent of American Jews support Mr. Netanyahu’s proposal that the Palestinians recognize Israel as a Jewish state in any final peace agreement. PA Reasons Most analysts agree that the Palestinians have refused this recognition based on their demand for their so-called “right of return.” “The Palestinians know that the moment they acknowledge the half-century established fact of Israel as the Jewish homeland, they give up their right to settle in Israel hundreds of thousands of Arabs—refugees and their descendants— who fled Israel in 1948 and 1967,” said Jim Sinkinson, director of Facts and Logic about the Middle East (FLAME), a proIsrael advocacy group. Dr. Daniel Gordis of the Shalem Center in Jerusalem, said the Palestinians’ insistence on the freeze is allied to their position on recognition of the Jewish State, which is also tied to the Israeli “Law of Return,” the policy that every Jew throughout the world can come to Israel and claim citizenship. He pointed out that, in its several evacuations, including the 1982 withdrawal from the Sinai and the 2005 “disengagement” from Gush Katif Gaza, the Israeli government proved that when it decides to abandon land, the presence of built-up communities and residents in the area are not insurmountable impediments. Israel’s Raison D’Etre According to Dr. Gordis, the reason the Palestinians do not simply agree to allow Israeli building, with the, at least tacit, understanding that, when they finally get a state, the land—with or without the structures— will be theirs anyway, is that they recognize that Israel’s raison d’être is building. “The freeze is a metaphor for the legitimacy of the idea of this as the home of the Jews,” he said. If Israel is denied recognition as a “Jewish state,” there is no justification for its Law of Return, he said. “Deny the Jewishness of this country, and there’s no morally justifiable basis for not admitting tens of thousands—or many more—Palestinian refugees from Lebanon, ultimately making Jews a minority here. Make Israel a Hebrew-speaking, but ethnically neutral country, and you have eviscerated it. There would be no point
http://jewishvoiceandopinion.com to the state, no power to its narratives, no passion left to sustain those of us committed to rebuilding it,” he said. Mutuality Mr. Netanyahu emphasized this point, saying that in order for any compromise between Israel and the Palestinians to lead to peace and not war, it must be accompanied by security arrangements and recognition by the Palestinians of Israel as a Jewish state. “For 100 years, the Palestinians have taught entire generations to believe that there is no Jewish people, that this land is their homeland alone. The refusal to recognize the rights of the Jewish people and its historic connection to its land is the root of the conflict, and without dealing with it, there will be no end to the conflict,” he said. “Because the Palestinians expect us to recognize the Palestinian state as their nation state, we expect them to recognize the Jewish state as ours.” He noted that after Israel’s experiences in withdrawing from Lebanon and Gaza without strong security arrangements, neither he nor the Israeli people are “willing to make do with a piece of paper.” Citizenship Loyalty Oath Understanding this, last month, Mr. Netanyahu, prompted by Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman and Justice Minister Yaakov Ne’eman, introduced an amendment to the Israeli Citizenship Act, which would require anyone aspiring to become an Israeli citizen to pledge allegiance to “a Jewish democratic Israel.” The bill, which easily passed the Cabinet and is expected to sail through the Knesset, would replace current law, which grants automatic citizenship to Jews and requires non-Jews to pledge loyalty only to the “State of Israel.” “Israel is the Jewish people’s homeland, in its essence, its government, its symbols, holidays, and language. That should be reflected by its Citizenship Act,” said Mr. Netanyahu. Ulterior Motive Some observers suggested Mr. Netanyahu has adopted this position as a means of convincing the nationalists in his government to go along with a reintroduction of the freeze. MK Dr. Ariel Eldad of the National Union party said he hoped the prime minister “isn’t scattering crumbs meant to boost Israel’s national pride because he is preparing to bulldoze communities
Cheshvan 5771 in Judea and Samaria and cut down entire parts of Israeli society on his way to forming a Palestinian state.” While Mr. Obama might appreciate Mr. Netanyahu’s doing just that, American Jews have another response. According to the AJC survey, only six percent of American Jews would agree to dismantle “all” Jewish communities beyond the Green Line; 56 percent might agree to “some,” and 37 percent say “none.” A majority of American Jews, 60 percent, continue to support a united Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, while 35 percent say Israel should compromise on the city’s status in a final peace agreement. The Palestinians have never wavered from their insistence that Israel vacate all
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of Judea and Samaria and eastern Jerusalem, delivering that land judenrein. Mindless Blame Nevertheless, the new proposal has created a fury. The PA as well as Israeli Arabs and their supporters in the Labor Party and in the European Union have called the proposed changes “racist.” Those who will be most immediately affected by the new law are Palestinians who seek to become Israeli citizens when they marry Israeli Arabs. In Rome, where Pope Benedict convened a synod of Middle Eastern bishops to discuss increasingly violent attacks on the Catholic Church in Muslim countries and the fleeing of Christians from these
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October 2010
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Keren HaTzadik: Helping Those Who Help Israel’s Neediest Rabbi Jordan Yasgur knows what frequently happens in Israel to leftover food from weddings and other simchas: volunteers from Keren HaTzadik appear, manning trucks to collect the leftovers and transport them to those in need. Because the organization constantly discovers new Jews in Israel who need to be fed, Keren HaTzadik is constantly looking for funds to buy and maintain refrigerated trucks, gas, and refrigeration at its storage sites. Because the leftover food is donated and the personnel is chiefly volunteers, each dollar raised by the organization is used to maintain the infrastructure necessary for the enormous task it has undertaken to complete. The Tzadik of Jerusalem On a recent Saturday evening, Rabbi Yasgur, who serves as president of Keren HaTzadik’s American affiliate, addressed members of the Teaneck community who came to a parlor meeting to learn more about this network of kindness, caring, and goodness. Named for Rabbi Aryeh Levin, zt”l, the legendary “tzadik” of Jewish prisoners in pre-state Jerusalem, Keren HaTzadik seeks to carry out his lifetime mission of caring for all Jews in need, regardless of
their level of observance. Rabbi Levin was known for his work on behalf of the poor and sick, especially those who had no family of their own. Acclaimed Role Operated almost exclusively by volunteers, Keren HaTzadik provides essential support, goods, and services to individuals and families throughout Israel. Its role as a responsive-aid organization has been widely acclaimed by rabbis and civic leaders, many of whom have written and commented on the compassion displayed by the organization and its volunteers. At the Teaneck parlor meeting, Rabbi Yasgur and Amos Ben Na’eh, Keren HaTzadik’s volunteer director in Jerusalem, offered first-hand testimonies attesting to the creative responses offered by the organization to Israeli citizens, young and old, in dire need. Expelled from Gush Katif Rabbi Yasgur became involved with the organization after the 2005 “disengagement,” in which 10,000 Jews were evicted from their homes, schools, and communities in Gush Katif, Gaza. Upon returning from Israel after the “disengagement,” one of Rabbi Yasgur’s colleagues described the plight of the displaced families, who
were being housed in cramped, often primitive conditions. One of their most pressing needs was for diapers. Moved by what he had heard—and eager to do something to alleviate the suffering of Jewish Israelis who had been uprooted by their own government—Rabbi Yasgur successfully mobilized rabbis and congregations throughout New Jersey and New York. Satisfied with the response, Rabbi Yasgur thought his work for Keren HaTzadik was completed. He was wrong. Without a Jewish civilian and military presence in Gaza, terrorists based in the strip became emboldened, sending missiles by the hundreds into Israeli civilian targets in Sderot. Keren HaTzadik volunteers became first responders in Sderot. “Sending in clowns and volunteers to offer help and support to the despondent civilian population, the cheerful volunteers had an inspiring message for the children, teens, and adults in Sderot: You are not abandoned. Your brothers and sisters stand by you,” said Rabbi Yasgur. Jews in the North One year later, in 2006, this level of kindness was extended to meet similar needs in Northern Israel, where Jewish civilians were being subjected to the missiles sent by Hezbollah during the Second Lebanon War. According to Rabbi Yasgur, his heart was deeply moved by the actions taken by Keren HaTzadik on behalf of all these Jews touched by national catastrophes. The volunteers were making a difference in people’s lives and Rabbi Yasgur wanted to play a part in this, too.
Privacy In all matters of policy, the leaders of Keren HaTzadik follow the recommendations of the late Israeli Sephardic Chief Rabbi Mordechai Eliyahu, zt”l. During the parlor meeting in Teaneck, a video was shown featuring Rabbi Eliyahu who praised the organization, especially for its policy of preventing embarrassment by protecting the privacy of all recipients of aid. The former Chief Rabbi blessed everyone who works for and supports Keren HaTzadik’s “holy endeavor.” With winter coming, the organization is turning its attention to heaters that will be needed to protect young children and senior adults. In the past, the lack of such devices among Israel’s poorest citizens has resulted in hospitalizations for hypothermia, said Rabbi Yasgur. “While in Teaneck, home heating is a ‘given,’ for many Israeli families, it is a vital need which Keren HaTzadik has mobilized to provide,” said Rabbi Yasgur. Funds Are Needed He explained that now, before, during, and after the holidays, funds are particularly tight for the organization. Keren HaTzadik is currently waiting for final approval as a tax-exempt organization. Contributions made now will benefit from the exemption retroactively, as soon as the application is approved. For more information on the organization, visit the website www.KerenHaTzadki.org, email jewish@017.net.il, or contact Rabbi Yasgur at 201837-9358. Y
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Sign Up Now for Nov 21 Theater Trip to See “Wallenberg� the Musical Drama, in White Plains, spons by Cong Beth Aaron, Teaneck, 201-862-0191
Shabbat, Oct 16
Minyan Tiferet, Shir Hadasha-Style Service, private home in Englewood, 9:15am, 201-816-9308 Cong Darchei Noam Gala 4th Anniversary Kiddush, Fair Lawn, noon, youtakethekake@aol.com “The Contemporary Significance of the State of Israel,� Rabbi Jacob J Schacter, EMUNAH Shabbat Tea, honoring the nurses of the community: Rhonda Avner, Toby Eizik, Roberta Hirsch, Janis Klein, Cindy Kravetz,
October 2010 Tell Our Advertisers “I Saw It in The Jewish Voice & Opinion� Esther Levie, Karen Perl, Leah Shteingart, Lvia Weisinger, and Evy Yammer, in memory of Avi Blumenfeld, z�l, private home in Teaneck, 4pm, 201-833-2726 Shoresh Middle School Onegs, private homes in Teaneck, 4:30pm, 7th grade, 201-8620147; 8th grade, 201-837-1333 Shabbos Shiur, for women, Chana Frumit Stern, Cong Adas Israel, Passaic, 5pm Seuda Shlishit, with sushi, for grades 9-12, Cong Keter Torah, Teaneck, 6pm, 201907-0180 “What I’ve Learned about 18-YearOlds: A Post-High School Rosh Yeshiva’s Observations about Today’s Kids,� Rabbi Pesach Wolicki, Yeshivat Yesodei Hatorah, Cong Beth Aaron, Teaneck, after mincha
The Log:
Motzei Shabbat, Oct 16
Melave Malka, for grades 4-6, Cong Rinat Yisrael, Teaneck, 7pm Breslov Bar Band, in concert, Smokey Joe’s Kosher Restaurant, Teaneck, 7:30pm, 201-836-7427 “Resolving Apparent Contradictions between Torah and Science: Creation of the Universe,� Prof Nathan Aviezer, spons by the Orthodox Forum, at Cong Ohr Torah, Edison, 8pm, hpedisonorthodoxforum@gmail.com Melave Malka: “Latest Events in Israel,� Sha’i Ben-Tekoa, includes refreshments, Cong Tifereth Israel, Passaic, 8:30pm Mesivtha Tifereth Jerusalem Melave Malka, featuring Rav Reuven Feinstein, honoring Samuel Blumenfeld and Ricky Edelman, z�l, Cong Ohav Emeth, Highland Park, 8:45pm, 732-246-1037
Sun., Oct 17
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Tour of Kedem Winery and Gomez Mill House (the oldest surviving Jewish home in North America), both in Marlboro, NY, leave Cong Bâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;nai Jacob, Jersey City, 9am, 201-435-1172 Hebrew Institute of Riverdale Clothing Drive, 9:30am-12:30pm, 718-601-3586 Nefesh Bâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Nefesh Personal Pre-Aliyah Counseling, Noya Govrin, UJA, Paramus, 10am-5pm, 866-425-4924 HudsonJewish Architectural Tour of Hudson County Landmark Synagogues, meets at private location, 10am, www.hudsonjewish.org Animal Show, for nursery through 5th grade, Jewish Educational Center, Elizabeth, 10am, 917-583-5963 Petting Zoo and Pony Rides, Cong Rinat Yisrael, Teaneck, 10:30am-noon Cheder Nâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Shei Sefer Bereshis Fair, for girls and pre-schoolers, includes petting zoo, and pony rides, YMHA, Clifton, 10:30am-1pm, 973-767-2640 Trip to Fair Field Farms Corn Maze, spons by Shomer Shabbat Cub Scout Pack 613 of Cong Ahavat Achim, Fair Lawn, 11am, jschachter2@gmail.com Chug Ivrit Hebrew Club, for intermediate to advanced Hebrew speakers, spons by Hadassah, for men and women, not necessarily members of Hadassah, private home in Highland Park, 11am, 732-819-9298 Sunday Sojourn at Stuarts Farm, apple and pumpkin picking in Yorktown Heights, for early childhood families, leave Riverdale YMHA, 11am, 718-548-8200 ext 220 Regional Myrtle Wreath Luncheon, spons by Hadassah, honoring Lila Schwartz and Jennifer Mason, at Forsgate County Club, 11:30am, Monroe Twnshp, 732-828-6432 Identity-Theft Protection Free Shred-
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Cheshvan 5771
The Jewish Voice and Opinion
“Separate Yourself Not from the Community” begins 7:30pm, 732-432-7711
ding Day, for residents of Ramapo to dispose of unwanted personal and financial documents at no charge, Town Hall parking lot, Suffern, noon-4pm Exhibit: “Rebirth after the Holocaust: The Bergen-Belsen Displaced Persons Camp,” Holocaust Museum and Study Center, Spring Valley, 12-4pm, also Mon-Thurs, 9:30am-4pm; and Fri, 9:30am-noon, 845-356-2700 Mystery Lunch, for grades 6- 8, spons by Junior NCSY of Teaneck, Paramus, and Fair Lawn, at Cong Beth Aaron, Teaneck, 12:30pm, 201-247-7961 “Thriving in Today’s Economy: Developing Your Plan,” spons by the Jewish Family Service of Bergen and North Hudson, featuring “Declare Victory in Advance: Four Things You Can Do Right Now,” Eli Amdur; and “Manage Your Debt; Don’t Let It Manage You,” David Giller, Esq, at Holy Name Medical Center, Teaneck, 12:45pm, 201-837-9090 Theater Party to the Folksbiene Theater to see “Fyvush Finkel Live!” spons by the Riverdale Jewish Center Women, 2pm, 718-884-9494 In Honor of Rachel Imeinu’s Yahrtzeit, women’s groups are encouraged to form on Mon evening, Oct 18, and Tues, Oct 19, to recite Tehillim for the shidduch crisis and agunot. Names and bakashos to be read at Kever Rachel in Bethlehem can be sent by 4pm to keverrachel2010@gmail.com Kosher Indian Cooking: Rajma (kidney beans), Rice Pullao, Potatoes, Papad (Indian chips) and Dessert, Pammi Anandani and Diane Wallach, Riverdale YMHA, 5pm, 718-548-8200 “The Sheriff Is Coming to Town,” Bergen County Sheriff Leo McGuire, Cong Shomrei Torah, Fair Lawn, 5pm Chai Society Italian Night Dinner, Cong Bnai Yeshurun, Teaneck, 6pm Hadassah Book Club: “The Pity of It All” by Amos Elon, private home in Highland Park, 7:30pm, 732-545-3147 Dry Bones Cartoonist Yaakov Kirschen, Cong Ahawas Achim Bnai Jacob and David, West Orange, 8pm, 973-736-1407 PlaNeta Solo Dance, Neta Wygodzki, JCC, Tenafly, 8pm, 201-408-1493
Mon., Oct 18
Antisemitism on the Big Screen: “Gentlemen’s Agreement,” JCC, Whippany, 10:30am Debate between Republican Candidate for Congress Scott Sipprelle and Democratic Incumbent Rush Holt, spons by the Jewish Federation of Greater Middlesex County, moderated by Eric Scott, at Young Israel of East Brunswick, doors open 6:30pm, debate
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“The Forgotten Halacha: Do Broccoli, Lettuce, and Water Need to Be Checked for Bugs?” Rabbi Asher Klein, Cong Ahawas Achim Bnai Jacob and David, West Orange, 8pm, 973-736-1407
The Yahrtzeit of Rachel Imeinu Video: “Connecting to the Secret of Rachel Imeinu’s Voice: Elevating the Unique Gift of Women,” Rebbetzins Tehilla Jaeger and Tziporah Heller, and a message from Sara Yoheved Rigler, spons by Rayut, at Cong Ahawas Achim Bnai Jacob and David, West Orange, 8pm, DeborahDruce@gmail.com
Tues., Oct 19
Agunah Get Day in Honor of Rachel Imeinu’s Yahrtzeit, men who wish to give their
continued on page 25
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Member FINRA, SIPC
Page - 26
The Jewish Voice and Opinion
The Log
October 2010 Tell Our Advertisers “I Saw It in The Jewish Voice & Opinion”
continued from page 25
agunah wives a no-cost get can call L’maan B’nos Yisrael International at 917-573-8116 Trip: “Jewish Harlem,” leave JCC Rockland, West Nyack, 9am, 845-362-4400 “Living Successfully with a Mood Disorder,” Jewish Family Service of MetroWest, Florham Park, 6:45pm, 973-361-5456 Support Group to Help Orthodox Women Cope with the Painful Process of Divorce, Dr. Carol Glaser, private home in Teaneck, 8pm, 201-833-8822
Wed., Oct 20
Exhibit: “From the Warsaw Ghetto to Darfur: Photos, Texts, and Commentaries,” spons by the Mercer College Holocaust/Genocide Resource Center, Mercer County Community College, West Windsor, 9am-3pm, also Thursdays, 11am-3pm, closes Thurs., Nov 4 “How to Write a Stronger Cover Letter: What Employers Are Looking for and How to Personalize Your Letter,” Helen Faber and Ziporah Blavis, spons by Project Ezrah, at Cong Keter Torah, Teaneck, 11am, 201-569-9047 Sisterhood Harvest Dinner, Cong Ahawas Achim Bnai Jacob and David, 6pm, 973736-2437 Matan Mother-Daughter Bat Mitzvah Program, Rebbetzin Debbie Baum, Cong Keter Torah, Teaneck, 7pm, 201-907-0180 Book Club: “Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet,” by James Ford, facili-
tated by Arlene Sandner, JCC Rockland, West Nyack, 7pm, 845-362-4400 Women’s Evening, Cong Etz Chaim, Livingston, “Live It Up: Are You Actualizing the Potential in Your Life,” Shimona Tzukernik, 7pm; Boutiques, 8-10pm, 973-597-1655 Second Generation Children of Holocaust Survivors Discussion Group, Jewish Family Service, Teaneck, 7:15pm, 201-837-9090 Choose Freedom: Stop ObamaCare, Dr. Mal Mauney, Riverdale Senior Community Center, 7:30pm, 201-265-9087 or 973934-1775 “Modern Zionist History: Nationalism and National Movements in Turkish and British-Governed Eretz Yisrael, 1800-1945,” David Lando, Cong Ahawas Achim Bnai Jacob and David, West Orange, 8pm, 973-736-1407 Rabbi Joseph Telushkin, Graduate Student Lounge, Rutgers Student Center, New Brunswick, 8pm “The Avos: Two New Introductory Essays,” for women, Rebbetzin Peshi Neuburger, Cong Beth Abraham, Bergenfield, 8:30pm, 201-384-0434
Thurs., Oct 21
La Leche League of Bronx/Riverdale, Mia Damond Padwa, pregnant women, babies and small children welcome, healthy snacks, Riverdale YMHA, 9:30am, 718-543-0314 Fyvush Finkel Live and his sons, Ian
and Elliot Finkel, YJCC, Washington Twnshp, 2pm, 201-666-6610 Birthright Reunion, Rutgers Student Center, New Brunswick, 6:15pm, klandy@ eden.rutgers.edu “Bargain Junkie: Living the Good Life on the Cheap,” Annie Korzen, JCC, Bridgewater, 7pm, 908-725-6994 x210 “Jewish Renaissance in the Russian Revolution,” Kenneth Moss, spons by the Bildner Center for the Study of Jewish Life, at Trayes Hall, Douglass Campus Center, 7:30pm, 732-932-2033 “Maximizing Your Child’s Learning Potential,” for parents of special-needs children, Dr. Jane Petrozzino, YMHA, Wayne, 7:30pm, 973-595-0100 “We’re Not Religious, How Do We Keep Our Kids Jewish,” Doron Kornbluth, spons by Chabad Jewish Center of Suffern, at The Sheraton Hotel, Mahwah, 7:30pm, 201-476-0157 Kathe Donovan, Republican candidate for Bergen County Executive, spons by NORPAC, private home in Englewood, 8pm, bchouake@aol.com
Fri., Oct 22
Last Day of Bears from Bergenfield Drive, Ma’ayanot Yeshiva High School for Girls, Teaneck, stuffed animals to be delivered to children in Israel, Ariella Steinreich,
http://jewishvoiceandopinion.com
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Sun., Oct 24
Last Day to Contribute New Toys for Distribution to Needy Children for Chanukah, Sarah Gutweinâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s chesed project, donations from 7:30am-7:30pm, private home in Bergenfield, 201-244-5399 Blood Drive, Cong Keter Torah, Teaneck, 9am-2pm, 973-803-3118 Training to Volunteer at the Jacob Perlow Hospice, private location in Riverdale, 9am, 212-420-2562 Sunday Morning Slower-Paced In-
continued on page 28
The Jewish Educational Center
& AP
Motzei Shabbat, Oct 23
Russ Guerney Blues on Tap, in concert, Smokey Joeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Kosher Restaurant, Teaneck, 7:30pm, 201-836-7427 Movie and Pizza Night, for grades 3-5, Riverdale Jewish Center, 8pm, shlomoweissberg@gmail.com â&#x20AC;&#x153;Kosher Comedy College Tour,â&#x20AC;? Rutgers Hillel, New Brunswick, 8pm, 732-545-2407 â&#x20AC;&#x153;Hands on with the Art of Paper Cutting,â&#x20AC;? spons by Sisterhood, Cong Beth Abraham, Bergenfield, 8:30pm, 201-387-2749 NJ Yachad Game Night, to support the OUâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s National Jewish Council for Disabilities, includes a raffle and indoor go-karting, at Velocity-11, Maywood, 8:30pm, 212-613-8350 â&#x20AC;&#x153;Introduction to Kabbalah,â&#x20AC;? in Hebrew, Yehuda Ashkenazi, JCC, Tenafly, 9pm, 201-408-1427
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oring Roselyn Bell, Debbie Gerber, and Gustine Matt, spons by Hadassah, at Cong Ohr Torah, Edison, noon, 732-828-6432 â&#x20AC;&#x153;Quiche, Kugels, and Couscous: My Search for Jewish Cooking in France,â&#x20AC;? Joan Nathan, JCC, Bridgewater, 12:30pm, 908-725-6994 â&#x20AC;&#x153;Beyond Gefilte Fish and Chicken Soup: The Real Meaning of Shabbos,â&#x20AC;? Rabbi Avrohom Rapoport, JCC, Margate, 1pm Friendship Circle Walk, to raise funds for children with special needs, at the Kushner Academy, Livingston, 1:45pm SoreshMania, for grades 7-8, trip to Funtime USA, leave Cong Beth Abraham, 4pm, 7th grade: cbar77@gmail.com; 8th grade: cofuchs@gmail.com
35 Years of World Class Education
en
Shabbat, Oct 23
Beginners Shabbos Morning Service, followed by Kiddush, Rabbi David Pietruszka, spons by the Jewish Learning Experience, at the Jewish Center of Teaneck, 9:45am, 201966-4498 Rabbanit Chana Henkin, Riverdale Jewish Center, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Why Israel Needs a Religious Strategic Plan,â&#x20AC;? noon; Curators and Innovators in Jewish Law,â&#x20AC;? 3pm, 718-548-1850 Middle and High School Boys Seuda Shlishit, JEC, Elizabeth, 3pm, 917-583-5963 Shiur for Women: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Haggar: Victim of Banishment or Beneficiary of Redemption?â&#x20AC;? Shira Goldberg, private home in Highland Park, 3pm, 732-572-2285
The Jewish Voice and Opinion
structional and Explanatory Minyan, includes bagels and learning afterwards, Rabbi David Pietruszka, spons by the Jewish Learning Experience, at Cong Beth Aaron, Teaneck, 9:30am, 201-966-4498 â&#x20AC;&#x153;A Day of Exploration: Cong Ahavat Achim and Fair Lawn,â&#x20AC;? spons by Cong Ahavat Achim, includes childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s activities, programs by Shomer Shabbat Cub Scout Pack 613, and babysitting, refreshments, tours, and a street fair, 10am-1pm, jschachter2@gmail.com Cong Ahavas Achim Environmental Cleanup Day, at The Meadows, Highland Park, 10am, 732-828-6317 Junior NCSY in the Walk to Cure Diabetes, at Cook Campus of Rutgers University, New Brunswick, 10am, 201-247-7961 â&#x20AC;&#x153;Mitzvah of Love,â&#x20AC;? Carol Charon, hon-
Op
201-833-4307 ext 233 Flu Shots, for senior residents of Riverdale, Riverdale YMHA, 10am-1pm, 718548-8200 â&#x20AC;&#x153;Great Moments in Jewish History,â&#x20AC;? Doug LeBlang, Riverdale YMHA, 10:15am, 718-548-8200 Community Shabbat Dinner, Chabad House, Ventnor, services, 6pm; dinner, 7pm, 609-822-8500 Shabbaton with Hillel of Northern New Jersey, at Rutgers Hillel, New Brunswick, through Shabbat, Oct 23, 732-545-2407 Junior Yachad Shabbaton, with Hillel Yeshiva, Deal, through Shabbat, Oct 23, herrmann@ou.org
Cheshvan 5771
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The Jewish Voice and Opinion
The Log
October 2010 Tell Our Advertisers “I Saw It in The Jewish Voice & Opinion”
continued from page 27
Kosher Indian Cooking: Snacks and Quick Meals, Pammi Anandani and Diane Wallach, Riverdale YMHA, 5pm, 718-548-8200 Holocaust Museum of Spring Valley Dinner, featuring Dr. Horst Freitag, German Consul General to the US, at the Dellwood Country Club, New City, 5:30pm, 845-356-2700 Sushi Dinner and Technique, Elissa Yurowitz, spons by Cong Netivot Shalom, private home in Teaneck, 7:30pm, yurowel@yahoo.com “Kavanah during Davening: Prayer and Redemption: Our Ticket to Olam Habah,” Rabbi Jay Weinstein, spons by Achieving Change through Torah, at Cong Etz Ahaim, Highland Park, 8pm, 732-572-8762 or 732-572-4408 Camp Shalom Parlor Meeting, private home in Bergenfield, 8:30pm, 917-207-4414
Mon., Oct 25
Antisemitism on the Big Screen: “Chariots of Fire,” JCC, Whippany, 10:30am Northern NJ Nefesh B’Nefesh Personal Aliyah Meetings, Avi Silverman, employment specialist, UJA, Paramus, 11am-7:15pm, 866-425-4924 “Go North” Personal Nefesh B’Nefesh Aliyah Meetings, UJA, Paramus, 12-8:15pm, 866-425-4924 Film: “Gentlemen’s Agreement,” discussed by Stan Goldberg, JCC, Tenafly. 1:30pm, 201-408-1458 Film: “An Education,” with Harold Chapler, JCC, Tenafly, 7:30pm
“Israel under Siege: Antisemitism in a Time of Apathy,” Dr. Charles Small, UJA, Paramus, 7:30pm, 201-820-3944 Cong Ahawas Achim Bnai Jacob and David Book Club: “Cutting for Stone” by Abraham Verghese, private home in West Orange, 8pm, 973-731-7241 “The Forgotten Halacha: Is It Mandatory to Take Off on Chol Hamoed, Purim, and Tisha B’Av? Is Techelet Necessary on Tzitzit? Is There Anything That Doesn’t Need a Hashgacha?” Rabbi Asher Klein, Cong Ahawas Achim Bnai Jacob and David, West Orange, 8pm, 973-736-1407
Tues., Oct 26
Lecture and Trip to See “The King Tut Exhibit: Tutankhamun and the Golden Age of the Pharaohs,” Dr. Jonathan Golden, JCC, Tenafly, 9:45am; leave JCC for Discovery Museum in Manhattan, 11:15am, 201-408-1458 “The Jewish National Fund: Water and Israel,” Tali Tzour, JCC, Tenafly, 11am Film: “The Pianist,” spons by the Mercer County Holocaust/Genocide Resource Center, Library, Mercer County Community College, West Windsor, 1pm “Let Your Life Grow,” Dr. Shirley Harrison, spons by New Beginnings of the Jewish Center of Teaneck, at the Senior Source Center, The Shops at Riverside, Hackensack, 1:30pm “My Aunt Golda,” Alice Golembo, niece of Israeli Prime Minister Golda Meir, spons
by Jewish Federation of Greater Middlesex County, private home in East Brunswick, 6:30pm, 732-432-7711 ext 10 “The Middle East Conflict: Will It Ever End?” Chanoch Eyal, Passaic Public Library, 6:30pm, 973-779-0474 ext 11 “Living Successfully with a Mood Disorder,” Jewish Family Service of MetroWest, Florham Park, 6:45pm, 973-361-5456 Israeli Authors Forum: Michael Gorvin, Bildner Center for the Study of Jewish Life, Rutgers, New Brunswick, 7:30pm, 732-932-2033 “Mikvah—Getting Beneath the Surface: A Text Analysis on Using the Mikvah in Special Circumstances,” Yoetzet Halacha Shayna Goldberg, Cong Rinat Yisrael, Teaneck, 8:30pm
Wed., Oct 27
“Enhancing Motherhood: Respect and Validation,” Coach Adina Lederer, private location in Bogota, 9:30am, 201-525-0054 Confidential Abused Women’s Support Group, Jewish Family Service, Teaneck, 7:15pm, 201-837-9090 “Modern Zionist History: Nationalism and National Movements in Turkish and British-Governed Eretz Yisrael, 18001945,” David Lando, Cong Ahawas Achim Bnai Jacob and David, West Orange, 8pm, 973-736-1407 “Chicks with Sticks Knitting Circle,” hats for preemies, children with cancer, and
http://jewishvoiceandopinion.com IDF soldiers in Israel, private home in Highland Park, 8pm, 732-339-8492 Benefit Performance of “Capitol Steps,” spons by Cong Darchei Noam, Fair Lawn, at the Bergen Performing Arts Center, Englewood, 8pm, drodavis@aol.com Prof Smadar Rosensweig, for women, Cong Bnai Yeshurun, Teaneck, 8:30pm
Thurs., Oct 28
Training to Volunteer at the Jacob Perlow Hospice, private location in Riverdale, 9am, 212-420-2562 Support Group for Caregivers, Vivian Green Korner, JCC, Tenafly, 11am, 201-408-1454 Ask the Rabbi and Kosher Indian Food, Rabbi Ely Allen, Bergen Community College Hillel, Paramus, 12:30pm, 201-820-3905 Couples Cooking “Date Night”: Mediterranean Madness, Isabel Plotch, JCC Rockland, West Nyack, 7:30pm, 845-362-4400 Theater: “Nuts,” YMHA, Wayne, 7:30pm, also Motzei Shabbat, Oct 30, 7:30pm; and Sun., Oct 31, 2pm, 973-595-0100 Mishmar with Rabbi Hayyim Angel, Rutgers Hillel, New Brunswick, 8pm
Fri., Oct 29
“Emotional Care of the Dying and Bereaved,” includes kosher lunch, spons by the Stein Hospice, Wilf Campus, Somerset, 8:30am, 732-568-1155 NCSY Oneg, for teens, Cong Beth Aaron, Teaneck, 8pm, 201-247-7961 “What’s It All About? The Essence and Focus of Orthodox Judaism--Imagining the Future, Imagining the Past: Two Jewish Works of Fiction and How They Help Us Rethink Our Religious Lives,” scholar in residence Rabbi Dr. Gidon Rothstein, Cong Arzei Darom, Teaneck, 8:20pm, info@arzeidarom.org
Shabbat, Oct 30
“What’s It All About: The Essence and Focus of Orthodox Judaism,” Rabbi Dr. Godon Rothstein, Cong Arzei Darom, Teaneck, “It Has to Be about Something: The Essential Mitzvot,” 11:15am; “The Essential Mitzvot, the Gemara’s View,” 5:25pm, info@arzeidarom.org Teen Cholent Cook-Off, Riverdale Jewish Center, noon, shlomoweissberg@ gmail.com Junior NCSY Oneg, for grades 6-8, Cong Beth Aaron, 3pm, 201-247-7961 Women’s Shabbos Shiur, Shany Gejerman, Cong Adas Israel, Passaic, 3pm Canfei Nesharim: Environmentalism and Halacha, Ora Sheinson, Cong Ahawas Achim Bnai Jacob and David, West Orange, one hour before mincha, 973-736-1407
Motzei Shabbat, Oct 30
King Django-Yiddish Ska, in concert, Smokey Joe’s Kosher Restaurant, Teaneck, 7:30pm, 201-836-7427
Sun., Oct 31
Cheshvan 5771 Jewish Association for Developmental Disabilities (J-ADD) Walkathon, Englewood Boat Basin, 9am, 201 457-0058 Shomer Shabbat Cub Scout Pack 613 of Cong Ahavat Achim Den Meeting, Fair Lawn, 9:30am, jschachter2@gmail.com Bat Mitzvah Club, for 6th grade girls and their mothers, Cong Ahawas Achim Bnai Jacob and David, West Orange, 10am, jensaibel@gmail.com “Mind, Body, and Soul,” for women, Esther Wein, spons by Neve Passaic Torah Istitute, private home in Passaic, 10:15am, 908-278-4059 “Step-by-Step Practical Advice to Help Those Looking for a Job Find One,” Lavie Margolin, Hebrew Institute of Riverdale, 10:15am Bris Avrohom Dinner and Gala Wedding
The Jewish Voice and Opinion
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Ceremony for former Soviet-Jewish Couples Who Had Not Previously Been Under the Chupah, featuring Rabbi Yona Metzger, Sheraton Parsippany, Hotel, 3:30pm, 908-289-0770 JACS Meeting, 12-steps meeting for Jews in recovery, Rabbi Steven Bayar, Cong B’nai Israel, Millburn, 7pm, 973-379-3811 “The Indomitable Destiny of the Jewish People,” Former Chief Chief Rabbi of Israel Israel Meir Lau, for State of Israel Bonds, Cong Ahavath Torah, Englewood, 8pm, marc. rosen@israelbonds.com or 800-404-3235 Installation of Rabbi Nathaniel Helfgot as Spiritual Leader of Cong Netivot Shalom, at the shul, Teaneck, 8pm, rsvp2netivot@aol.com Challah Baking, spons by Nerot of Cong Rinat Yisrael, Teaneck, 8pm, 201-837-2795
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The Jewish Voice and Opinion
The Log
October 2010 Tell Our Advertisers “I Saw It in The Jewish Voice & Opinion”
continued from page 29
Mon., Nov 1
“Sefer Bereishit: Prelude to the Beit Hamikdash,” Rabbi Menachem Leibtag, Cong Ahavas Achim, Highland Park, 8pm, 732-247-0532
Tues., Nov 2, Election Day
Election Day Mini Camp, for children 2-10, Coach Jay Owimrin, Jewish Center of Teaneck, 9am-3pm, 201-833-0515
Wed., Nov 3
Rutgers Jewish Film Festival: “Saviors in the Night,” Regal Cinema Commerce Center, North Brunswick, 3pm, 732-940-8343 Nefesh B’Nefesh, Rutgers Hillel, New Brunswick, individual meetings about aliyah, 4-8pm; general aliyah info session, 8pm, dbarta@eden.rutgers.edu
“Sweet Dates in Basra,” Jessica Jiji, JCC Rockland, West Nyack, 7:30pm, 845-362-4400 “Umotzoso Levovo Ne’eman Lefonecho: Philosophical Giant or Someone You Can Rely On?” for women, Rebbetzin Peshi Neuburger, Cong Beth Abraham, Bergenfield, 8:30pm, 201-384-0434
Thurs., Nov 4
Rutgers Jewish Film Festival: “Nora’s Will,” Regal Cinema Commerce Center, North Brunswick, 12:30pm, 732-940-8343 Rutgers Jewish Film Festival: “Ahead of Time,” Regal Cinema Commerce Center, North Brunswick, 3pm, 732-940-8343 Rutgers Jewish Film Festival: “Killing Kasztner,” Regal Cinema Commerce Center, North Brunswick, 7:30pm, 732-940-8343
Jewish 12-Step Meeting, JACS—Jewish Alcoholics, Chemically Dependent Persons, and Significant Others, Jewish Family Service, Teaneck, 7:30pm, 201-837-9090, ask for IRA (Information and Referral) or 201-981-1071 “Larry’s Kidney,” Daniel Asa Rose, JCC Rockland, West Nyack, 7:30pm, 845362-4400 Mishmar with Rabbi David Felsenthal, Rutgers Hillel, New Brunswick, 8pm
Fri., Nov 5
Lunch and Learn: “Israel Update,” Nat Cember, JCC Rockland, West Nyack, 12:30pm, 845-362-4400 Singles Shabbaton, for singles 23-37 and 38+, includes three Shabbat meals, mixers, discussions, speakers, tour of Fair Lawn, and Motzei Shabbat Show, Cong Shomrei Torah, Fair Lawn, through Motzei Shabbat Nov 6, 718-575-3962 Yachad/Yeshivat Noam Shabbaton, at Cong Rinat Yisrael, Teaneck, through Shabbat, Nov 6, 201-692-1866 Junior NCSY Shabbaton, Highland Park, jensaibel@gmail.com Northern NJ Hillel Shabbaton, Rabbi Ely Allen, private home in Bergenfield, through Shabbat, Nov 6, 201-820-3905
Shabbat, Nov 6
Beginners Shabbos Morning Service, followed by Kiddush, Rabbi David Pietruszka, spons by the Jewish Learning Experience, at the Jewish Center of Teaneck, 9:45am, 201-966-4498 Teen Cholent Cook-Off, for grades 6-12, Riverdale Jewish Center, noon, 216952-3435 Rabbi’s Tish: “Pay to Pray and for Other Things Jewish: Are We Making Organized Jewish Life Unaffordable?” Rabbi Lawrence Zierler, Jewish Center of Teaneck, 12:30pm, 201-833-0515 Women’s Shabbos Shiur, Rebbetzin Shoshana Rybak, Cong Adas Israel, Passaic, 3pm
Motzei Shabbat, Nov 6
David Licht Jazz Ensemble, in concert, Smokey Joe’s Kosher Restaurant, Teaneck, 7:30pm, 201-836-7427 Friends of the IDF Tribute Dinner, honoring the lone soldiers of the IDF, Sheraton Meadowlands Hotel and Conference Center, E Rutherford, 8pm, 212-244-3118 ext 14 Chinese Auction, spons by the SINAI Schools and Rosenbaum Yeshiva of North Jersey, at Cong Keter Torah, Teaneck, 8pm, 201-862-1549
Sun, Nov 7
Bone Marrow Drive for Ezra Jordan Fineman, 18 months old, who needs a stem cell transplant, Cong Ahavat Achim, Fair Lawn, 1-5pm, harveygoller@hotmail.com The Middlesex County Cultural &
http://jewishvoiceandopinion.com Heritage Commission and Folk-Life Program Opens, exhibit based on Shabbat, including ritual items, memorabilia, and stories celebrating Shabbat, 732-745-4489 or eva. walters@co.middlesex.nj.us Sunday Morning Slower-Paced Instructional and Explanatory Minyan, includes bagels and learning afterwards, Rabbi David Pietruszka, spons by the Jewish Learning Experience, at Cong Beth Aaron, Teaneck, 9:30am, 201-966-4498 Shomer Shabbat Cub Scout Pack 613 of Cong Ahavat Achim Den Meeting, Fair Lawn, 9:30am, jschachter2@gmail.com Rutgers Jewish Film Festival: “Israel in Short,” Regal Cinema Commerce Center, North Brunswick, 12:15pm, 732-940-8343 Rutgers Jewish Film Festival: “Saviors in the Night,” Regal Cinema Commerce Center, North Brunswick, 12:30pm, 732-940-8343 “I’ll Have the Meatloaf: The Meaning and Significance of Jewish Prayer,” for teens and adults, Rabbi Akiva Block, JCC, Tenafly, 1pm, 201-408-1426 Global Day of Jewish Learning: Celebrating Rabbi Adin Steinsaltz’s 45-Year Effort to Translate the Talmud, JCC, Tenafly, 201-408-1426; JCC, Bridgewater, 908-725-6994 x210; Rutgers Hillel, New Brunswick; JCC, West Orange; JCC, Whippany, 2:45 Rutgers Jewish Film Festival: “Anita,” Regal Cinema Commerce Center, North Brunswick, 2:45pm, 732-940-8343 Rutgers Jewish Film Festival: “Ahead of Time,” Regal Cinema Commerce Center, North Brunswick, 3:15pm, 732-940-8343 20th Yartzeit Commemoration for Rabbi Meir Kahane, z”l, and 10th Yartzeit for Rabbi Benjamin Zeev Kahane, z”l, and his wife, Talya, z”l, Ground Zero, Park Place and West Broadway, 3:30pm, 718-395-7405 Rutgers Jewish Film Festival: “To See if I’m Smiling,” Regal Cinema Commerce Center, North Brunswick, 5:30pm, 732-940-8343 Rutgers Jewish Film Festival: “The Klezmatics,” Regal Cinema Commerce Center, North Brunswick, 7:30pm, 732-940-8343
Mon., Nov 8
“Terrorist Cop: The NYPD Cop Who Traveled the World to Stop Terrorists,” Mordechai Dzikansky, JCC Rockland, West Nyack, 7:30pm, 845-362-4400 “Moreshes Aviva: Focusing on Midot and Personal Spiritual Growth for Women,” Rabbi Ari Jacobson, private home in Monsey, 8:30pm, 845-426-6799
Tues., Nov 9, Kristallnacht
Young Couples Luncheon, Riverdale Jewish Center, 11am Rutgers Jewish Film Festival: “Anita,” Regal Cinema Commerce Center, North
Cheshvan 5771 Brunswick, 12:30pm, 732-940-8343 Rutgers Jewish Film Festival: “Killing Kasztner,” Regal Cinema Commerce Center, North Brunswick, 3pm, 732-940-8343 Kristallnacht Commemoration: An Evening of Remembrance, NJ State government officials, NJ Holocaust Education commissioners, Dr. Erich Bloch and music by the West Windsor-Plainsboro High School North Choir and The Nonettes and the Thomas Jefferson Arts Academy Choir of Elizabeth, at the NJ Assembly Chamber, State House, Trenton, 7pm, 609-292-9274 Rutgers Jewish Film Festival: “Green Dumpster Mystery” and “I was There in Color,” Regal Cinema Commerce Center, North Brunswick, 7:30pm, 732-940-8343 Holocaust Commemoration Film: “An
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Article of Hope,” Israel’s first astronaut, Col Ilan Ramon, z”l, and the tiny Torah he carried from the depths of hell to the heights of space, JCC, Tenafly, 7:30pm
Wed., Nov 10
Cooking Circle, for special-needs children ages 6-12, spons by the Friendship Circle, at the Rosenbaum Yeshiva of North Jersey, River Edge, 5:30pm, 201-262-7172 Union for Traditional Judaism Dinner, at the Jewish Center of Teaneck, 6pm, 201-801-0707 ext 201 Confidential Abused Women’s Support Group, Jewish Family Service, Teaneck, 7:15pm, 201-837-9090 Support Group for Caregivers, Vivian Green Korner, JCC, Tenafly, 7:30pm,
continued on page 32
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The Jewish Voice and Opinion
October 2010
Tell Our Advertisers “I Saw It in The Jewish Voice & Opinion”
Thinking about Chanukah Sun., Oct 17
“Book Fair Saves the Day,” includes toys and games, JCC, Tenafly, 10am-4pm, also Mon, Oct 18, 9am-4pm and Tues., Oct 19, 9am-1pm Fall and Winter Hat Sale, Cong Keter Torah, Teaneck, 4-6pm, francineweisbrot@verion.net
Sun., Oct 24
Sefer Celebration: A Festival of Children’s Books and Gifts,, UJCC, Washington Twnshp, 9am-4pm, also Mon.,Oct 25, 9am-3pm, 201-666-6610
Sun., Oct 31
Pre-Chanukah Boutique, Cong Israel of Springfield, 10am2pm, 973-467-9666
Sun., Nov 7
AMIT Chanukah Boutique, Cong Ahawas Achim Bnai Jcob and David, West Orange, 1-5pm, 973-669-8421 Pre-Chanukah Boutique, includes craft room for children, Cong Rinat Yisrael, Teaneck, 5-9pm, 201-692-9302 or 201-833-1370
Motzei Shabbat, Nov 13
Bead for Life Sale: Bracelets, Necklaces, and Earrings, Riverdale YMHA, 8-10pm, also Sun., Nov 14, 1-6pm
Sun., Nov 14
Pre-Chanukah Boutique, JCC, Tenafly 10am-5pm, also Mon., Nov 15, 9am-4pm, 201-408-1448 Breuers Chanukah Boutique, Washington Heights, Manhattan, 10:30am-2:30pm, 718-549-7582 Holiday Boutique, Montebello Jewish Center, Suffern, 11am3pm, zimbalison@aol.com Chanukah Mini-Mall, Cong Keter Torah, Teaneck, 3-7pm, rtjzme@gmail.com
The Log
cont. from p. 31
201-408-1454 “Unfinished Business,” Lee Kravitz, JCC Rockland, West Nyack, 7:30pm, 845-362-4400 “Chicks with Sticks Knitting Circle,” hats for preemies, children with cancer, and IDF soldiers in Israel, private home in Highland Park, 8pm, 732-339-8492 “Does This Make My Assets Look Fat? A Woman’s Guide to Finding Financial Empowerment and Success,” Susan Hirshman, JCC, Tenafly, 8pm, 201408-1457 Rabbi Isaac L. Swift Memorial Program: “Materialism in the Jewish Community,” Wall Street Journal’s Greg Zuckerman, in discussion with Orthodox Rabbi Shmuley Boteach and Conservative Rabbi Reuven Kimelman, JCC, Tenafly, 8:15pm, 201-408-1426
Thurs., Nov 11
Rally for Gilad Shalit: “1600 for 1600,” spons by the ZOA of the University of Maryland, at the National Mall in Washington, DC; this is Gilad Shalit’s 1600th day in captivity and the group wants at least 1600 people at the rally, contact Carla Davis, 1600for1600@ gmail.com Rutgers Jewish Film Festival: “Jews and Baseball,” Regal Cinema Commerce Center, North Brunswick, 12:30pm, 732940-8343 Rutgers Jewish Film Festival: “Berlin ‘36,” Regal Cinema Commerce Center, North Brunswick, 3:15pm, 732-940-8343 Rutgers Jewish Film Festival: “Ajami,” Regal Cinema Commerce Center, North Brunswick, 7:30pm, 732-940-8343 “Semper Cool: One Marine’s Fond Memories of Vietnam,” Barry Fixler, JCC Rockland, West Nyack, 7:30pm, 845-362-4400 Mishmar with Rabbi Steven Miodownik, Rutgers Hillel, New Brunswick, 8pm
Fri., Nov 12
Sixth graders at Rosenbaum Yeshiva of North Jersey enjoy the first day of school. RYNJ celebrated the start of the school year with the opening of its brand new building which will serve the lower school. The Yeshiva’s enrollment now tops 980 students in Nursery through 8th grade. From left, Gabrielle Safier, Meira Sheffey, Zahava Isaacs, and Shira Rothwachs
Minyan Tiferet Kabbalat Service, private home in Englewood, 5pm, minyantiferet@gmail.com
Motzei Shabbat, Nov 13
Parent-Child Learning, Cong Keter Torah, Teaneck, 6:30pm Middle School Bowling Trip,
leave the Jewish Educational Center, Elizabeth, 7pm Rutgers Jewish Film Festival: “Nora’s Will,” Regal Cinema Commerce Center, North Brunswick, 7:30pm, 732-940-8343 Am Kodesh with Asher Burstein, in concert, Smokey Joe’s Kosher Restaurant, Teaneck, 7:30pm, 201-836-7427 Rutgers Jewish Film Festival: “Father’s Footsteps,” Regal Cinema Commerce Center, North Brunswick, 9:30pm, 732-940-8343
Sun., Nov 14
Trip to the Franklin Mineral Museum, spons by Shomer Shabbat Cub Scout Pack 613 of Cong Ahavat Achim, Fair Lawn, 9:30am, jschachter2@gmail.com “The Asperger Parent: How to Raise a Child with Asperger Syndrome and Guns A’Blazing: How Parents of Children on the Autism Spectrum and Schools Can Work Together without a Shot Being Fired,” Jeffrey Cohen, JCC, Bridgewater, 10am, 908-725-6994 x210 Rutgers Jewish Film Festival: “Leap of Faith” and “Leaving the Fold,” Regal Cinema Commerce Center, North Brunswick, noon, 732-940-8343 Rutgers Jewish Film Festival: “Father’s Footsteps,” Regal Cinema Commerce Center, North Brunswick, 12:15pm, 732-940-8343 “This Is a Soul: The Mission of Dr. Rick Hodes,” Marilyn Berger, JCC Rockland, West Nyack, 2pm, 845-362-4400 Rutgers Jewish Film Festival: “Green Dumpster Mystery,” with a Genealogy Program, Regal Cinema Commerce Center, North Brunswick, 3pm, 732-940-8343 Rutgers Jewish Film Festival: “Jews and Baseball,” Regal Cinema Commerce Center, North Brunswick, 3:30pm, 732-940-8343 Rutgers Jewish Film Festival: “To See if I’m Smiling,” Regal Cinema Commerce Center, North Brunswick, 5pm, 732940-8343 Rutgers Jewish Film Festival: “Berlin ‘36,” Regal Cinema Commerce Center, North Brunswick, 7:30pm, 732-940-8343 Y
http://jewishvoiceandopinion.com Sundays
Cheshvan 5771
The Jewish Voice and Opinion
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New Classes this Month
Hilchos Niddah Shiur, Rav Zvi Sobolofsky, Cong Beth Abraham, Bergenfield, 7:30am “Practical Halacha Topics,” Rabbi Mordechai Gershon, Cong Ahavath Torah, Englewood, 8:30am “The Power and the Glory: Learning the Book of Shmuel,” Rabbi Nathaniel Helfgot, Cong Netivot Shalom, Teaneck, 8:30am, info@netivotshalomnj.org Breakfast and Learn, for grades 5-8, Rabbi Shalom Baum, Cong Keter Torah, Teaneck, 8:30am “Introduction to Chassidut: Messianism in Chassidic Thought,” Rabbi Bryan Kinzbrunner, private home in Highland Park, 9am, 732247-0532 Gemara Shiur, Rabbi Avrumy Fein, Riverdale Jewish Center, 9:15am, 718-548-1850 Gemara Shiur, Zev Felsen, Cong Etz Ahaim, Highland Park, 9:30am “Path of the Just,” for women, Rabbi David Bassous, Cong Etz Ahaim, Highland Park, 10am Nechama, support group for Jewish families who have experienced infant and/or pregnancy loss at any time in their lives, Holy Name Medical Center, Teaneck, 10am, 201-692-9302 Sefer Tehillim, for women, Rebbetzin Rivka Eichenstein, Cong Agudath Israel, Highland Park, 10am, 732-572-4408 Intermediate Hebrew, Rachel Kushner, JCC, West Orange, 10:15am Hebrew Reading Class, Rabbi Avrohom Rapoport, Chabad House, Ventnor, 11am, 609-992-4975 NJ Yachad’s Cultural Arts Program, for special-needs children ages 5-15, at the Rosenbaum Yeshiva of North Jersey, noon, Hermann@ou.org Exhibit: “The Many Faces of Yisrael: Paintings, Sculpture, Drawings, and Photographs,” The Jewish Museum of NJ, Cong Ahavas Sholom, Newark, 1-5pm, through Sun., Nov 14, 973-672-5752 or
The Log is a free service provided to the Jewish community in northern and central New Jersey, Rockland County and Riverdale. Events that we list include special and guest lectures, concerts, boutiques, dinners, open houses, club meetings, and new classes. Announcements are requested by the 25th of the month prior to the month of the event. Due to space and editorial constraints, we cannot guarantee publication of any announcement. Please email them to : susan@jewishvoiceandopinion.com.
973-485-7609 Avos U’Banim Father-Son Learning, snacks and prizes, Yeshiva Gedolah of Teaneck, 7pm, 646-724-0734
Mondays
Rochie Lerner, z”l, Women’s Tefillah Group, private home in Teaneck, 9am, keytfilla@gmail.com “Mommy and Me,” for mothers and babies, newborn through 2½ years, Chani Gurkov, Chabad Center, Wayne, 9:30am, 973-694-6274 “Mommy and Me with Jewish Themes,” for children 13-19 months, Chabad House, Teaneck, 9:45am, nechamys@aol.com Shir Fun, Hebrew music for children 0-5, Dafna Israel-Kotok, private home in Englewood, 10am, 646-509-4210 “Tehillim with a Taste of Parsha,” for women, Rabbi Steven Pruzansky, Cong Bnai Yeshurun, Teaneck, 11am “Every Day is Thanksgiving in Jewish Liturgy and Music,” Regina Lambert-Hayut, JCC, Tenafly, 11:15am, begins Nov 1, 201408-1426 Shir Fun, Hebrew music for children 0-5, Dafna Israel-Kotok, Cong Kesher, Englewood, 11:15am, 646-509-4210 Intermediate Israeli Folk Dance, Sara Burnbaum, JCC Rockland, West Nyack, noon, 845-362-4400 “The Gentlemen’s Kollel,” includes lunch, Riverdale Jewish Center, 1pm, 718-548-1850 Shir Fun, Hebrew music for children 0-5, Dafna Israel-Kotok, Atria, Riverdale, 4pm, 646-509-4210 “Let’s Take Out”: Take Home Your Dinner for Four, Nicky Zion, JCC Rockland, West Nyack, 4:15pm, 845-362-4400 Advanced Hebrew, Rachel Kushner, JCC, West Orange, 5:30pm Widows and Widowers: You Are Not Alone Support Group, Judy Brauner, JCC, Tenafly, 6:30pm, 201-408-1456 Karate Club, for boys age 6 and up, Cong Tifereth Israel, Passaic, 6:30pm, 973-773-2552 Learn B’Chavruta, for boys in grades 7-8 to learn with Torah Academy of Bergen County juniors and seniors, refreshments, TABC, Teaneck, 7pm, 646-706-2553 or 201-663-0818
continued on page 34
Mazal Tov
Mazal Tov to the Bat Mitzvah Girls: Rivkah Chelst, Rochel Leah Fischman, Maya Greenbaum, Sarah Gutwein, Eliana Loeb, Carlie Ratzker, Tamar Schwartz, and Aviva Sinai; and the Bar Mitzvah Boys: Zachary Abraham, Gideon Benchabbat, Yakir Judas, Aaron Kahane, Jonathan Rubin, Jonathan Seidel, Jordan Soclof, Yosef Ukraincik, and Jonah Waldman Mazal Tov to high school students from JEC, Bruriah, Rae Kushner Yeshiva High School, Torah Academy of Bergen County, Ma’ayanot Yeshiva High School for Girls, Bat Torah-The Alisa M Flatow Yeshiva High School, and Teaneck, Fair Lawn, and Northern Highlands High Schools for participating in the NJ NCSY’s Disaster Relief 101 course and traveling to Buffalo, Nashville, and Pine Island, Minnesota to provide physical support to help rebuilding efforts and spiritual support to their local Jewish communities. Mazal Tov to Aliza Abrams for leading a group of YU students, including Yechiel Shaffer, to Sao Paulo, Brazil, over Sukkot to serve the community’s Jewish Day School, Colegio Iavne Mazal Tov to Dr. Zev Tendler on completing Maseches Sota and making a siyyum at the Community Synagogue of Monsey in memory of Rebbetzin Sifra Tendler, z”l Y
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The Jewish Voice and Opinion
New Classes
October 2010 Tell Our Advertisers “I Saw It in The Jewish Voice & Opinion”
continued from page 31
Matan Bat Mitzvah Program, for sixthNavi: Sefer Shoftim, for women, Aviva grade girls and their mothers, Rebbetzin Gila Orlian, private home in Wesley Hills, 8:15pm, Miodownik, Cong Ahavas Achim, Highland 845-364-5148 or 845-364-0572 Park, 7pm, begins Nov 1, 732-565-0744 Uncoupling: Coping with Divorce and Intermediate Hebrew, Rachel Kushner, Separation Support Group, Judy Brauner, JCC, West Orange, 7pm JCC, Tenafly, 8:15pm, 201-408-1456 “Medicine and Morals,” Rabbis Efraim Sefer Shoftim, for women, Aviva OrMintz and Mendy Kasowitz, Lubavitch Cenlian, private home in Spring Valley, 8:40pm, ter of Essex County, West Orange, 7:30pm, 845-364-0572 973-731-0770, begins Oct 25 Telephone Shiur: “Emunah and BiShomer Shabbat Boy Scout Troop 226, for tachon,” for women, Chani Juravel, 9pm, boys 11-17, Scoutmaster Daniel Chazin, Jewish jungerh@aol.com Center of Teaneck, 7:30pm, 201-836-7019 Tuesdays Mishna Berura, Rabbi Kerner, Kehillath Retirees Kollel, Cong Ahavas Achim, New Hempstead, 7:50pm, 845-362-2425 Highland Park, shacharit, 7:45am; breakNavi Shiur: Melachim Aleph, Rabbi Ian In July 1944, Raoul Wallenberg left the quiet ofofneutral Sweden fast, 8:15am; “Gems Torah,” Rabbi Moshe Shaffer, Young Israel Fair Lawn, 8:30am; Mishnayot Yoma/Rosh andofwent into 7:55pm, the heartGoldberger, of war-torn Hungary. 201-797-1800 Hashana, Rabbi Avigdor Weitzner, 9:30am, By December he had over 100,000 lives. Gemara Shiur: Masechet Succah, Lu- saved 732-247-0532 lav Ha Gazul, Rabbi Yosef Adler, Cong Rinat Teleconference Class, “Parenting Based Yisrael, Teaneck, 8pm, 201-837-2795 on the Teachings of Rav Shlomo Wolbe, zt”l,” Parsha, for !"#$%&'()#*+&'%,-.,/#*0&1,$+&2%*$%,& women, Rebbetzin Rivka Rivka Levitansky, 9:30am, 216-397-2954 or ! Eichenstein, Cong Ohr Torah, Edison, 8pm, 641-715-3900 ext 49557 "#$%$&'%!Parshat HaShavua, for women, Rabbi 732-572-4408
1&3%4&56+#7)(&8,)/)& Book & Lyrics by Laurence Holzman and Felicia Needleman Music by Benjamin Rosenbluth Musical Direction by Darren Cohen Directed by Annette Jolles
'%,-.,/)*7%+&97$.:%,&;<&=&3.>%/:%,&;?& !"#$%&'()#*+&'%,-.,/#*0&1,$+&2%*$%,@&??&2#$A&'()7%@&!"#$%&'()#*+@&3B& Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings @ 8 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 4th @ 8 p.m.
Thursday, Nov. 18th @ 10:30 a.m.
Tuesday, Nov. 9th @ 8 p.m., special performance in honor of Kristallnacht
'6,7")+%&$#7C%$+&:A&D".*%&<EEFGH<FI;IE&.,&.*(#*%&)$&4DD)7J7./J& Full season subscriptions and discount preview tickets available. K.,&0,.6D&+)(%+@&7)((&L?EFEHHFL<L<&.,&%/)#(&0,.6D+)(%+M4DD)7J7./J
Eliezer Zwickler, Cong Ahawas Achim Bnai Jacob and David, West Orange, 10am, 201973-736-1407 Shir Fun, Hebrew music for children 0-5, Dafna Israel-Kotok, Hebrew Institute of Riverdale, 10am and 11am, 646-509-4210 Basic Talmud, for men and women, Rabbi Shmuel Goldin, Cong Ahavath Torah, Englewood, 10:30am Parshat HaShavua through the Eyes of Classical and Modern Commentary, Rabbi Shmuel Goldin, Cong Ahavath Torah, 11am Navi Shiur: “Sefer Trei Asar—12 Small Books a Modern Jew Needs to Know,” Rabbi Shalom Baum, Cong Keter Torah, Teaneck, 11am, 201-907-0180 “Building Our Ruchnius through Our Home and Our Marriage: An Exploration in Ohel Rochel,” for women, Debbie Greenblatt, spons by Neve Passaic Torah Institute, private home in Passaic, 11:30am, 908-2784059, begins Oct 26 Intermediate Yiddish, Judy Bendory, JCC, Whippany, 12:30pm Cheder Nshei: Acting Adventure for Girls Interested in Drama, for ages 8-10, Etti Stern, Cheder, Passaic, 4pm, cheder. nshei@gmail.com “Starting out on Stage,” for Pre-K-1st grade, Matt Okin, Black Box Studio, Jewish Center of Teaneck, 4:30pm, 201-567-6664 “Continuing on Stage,” for grades 1-2, Matt Okin, Black Box Studio, Jewish Center of Teaneck, 5:45pm, 201-567-6664 Absolute Beginner Hebrew, Avital Nebel, JCC Rockland, West Nyack, 6:30pm, 845-362-4400 “Medicine and Morals,” Rabbi Meir Konikov, Chabad of Fort Lee, 201-886-1238; Rabbi Levi Dubinsky, Chabad of Mountain Lakes, 973-551-1898; Rabbis Yitzchok Dubov and Levi Shemtov, Riverdale YMHA, 718549-1100, 7:30pm, begins Oct 26 “Medicine and Morals,” Rabbi Levi Azimov, Chabad Jewish Center, North Brunswick, 732-398-9492; Rabbi Dov Drizen, Valley Chabad, Woodcliff Lake, 201-476-0157, 7:45pm, begins Oct 26 Advanced Beginner Hebrew, Avital Nebel, JCC Rockland, West Nyack, 7:45pm, 845-362-4400 “Medicine and Morals,” Rabbi Mordechai Shain, Chabad House, Tenafly, 201-8711152, 8pm,begins Oct 26 “Tefillah,” Rabbi Dr. Abraham Twerski, Kehillas Zichron Mordechai, Teaneck, 8pm, yitzshul@aol.com “Rabbinics,” Rabbi Moshe Silver, Cong Etz Ahaim, Highland Park, 8pm Parshat HaShavua, for women, Rabbi Eliezer Zwickler, Cong Ahawas Achim Bnai
http://jewishvoiceandopinion.com Jacob and David, West Orange, 8:30pm, 201973-736-1407 Parsha, Rabbi Jonathan Rosenblatt, Riverdale Jewish Center, 8:30pm, 718-548-1850 Parsha, Rabbi Binyamin Hammer, Englishtown Synagogue, West Orange, 8pm, 973243-0876 Gemara Shiur: Maseches Nedarim, Rabbi Dr. Yacov Tendler, Community Synagogue of Monsey, 8:45pm Parshat Hashavua, Rabbi Aharon Ciment, Cong Arzei Darom, Teaneck, 9pm, 201-233-1683 Gemara, Rabbi Nathaniel Helfgot, Cong Netivot Shalom, Teaneck, 9pm, info@netivotshalomnj.org “Ahavas Chesed,” Rabbi Chaim Schabes, Cong Knesses Yisrael, Spring Valley, 9:10pm, 845-354-1037
Wednesdays
The Shakespeare Group, reading, studying, and discussing Antony and Cleopatra, private homes in Teaneck, 9:15am, 201-6921613 or hfrisch@gmail.com Parsha Class, for women, Miri Cohen, private home in Highland Park, 9:15am, 732249-5116 Ulpan: Advanced Beginners, Nava Regev, YJCC, Washington Twnshp, 9:30am, 201-666-6610 “Mommy and Me with Jewish Themes,” for children 20 months-3 years, Chabad House, Teaneck, 9:45am, nechamys@aol.com “Emunah and Bitachon,” for women, Chani Juravel, Ohr Sameach’s Beit Shvidler, Monsey, 9:45am, 845-425-1370 Shir Fun, Hebrew music for children 0-5, Dafna Israel-Kotok, Hebrew Institute of Riverdale, 10am and 11am, 646-509-4210 Parshas Hashavua, for women, Sussi Brecher, private home in Spring Valley, 10:45am, 845-362-0693 Parsha Shiur and Jewish Spirituality, Rabbi Moshe Tzvi Weinberg, private home in Teaneck, noon, 201-928-0383 Women’s Chumash Class: Sefer Devarim, Rabbi Yosef Adler, Cong Rinat Yisrael, Teaneck, 12:30pm, 201-837-2795 Navi Shiur Sefer Shoftim, Rabbi Steven Miodownik, Cong Ahavas Achim, Highland Park, 2pm, 732-247-0532 Shir Fun, Hebrew music for children 0-5, Dafna Israel-Kotok, private location in Englewood, 4pm, 646-509-4210 “Pay It Forward Club,” Ma’ayanot students tutor elementary school students and help with homework, Ariella Steinreich, Ma’ayanot Yeshiva High School for Girls, Teaneck, 4:30pm, 201-833-4307 ext 233 Beginners Hebrew, Rachel Kushner, JCC, West Orange, 5pm Advanced Hebrew, Rachel Kushner, JCC, West Orange, 6:15pm
Cheshvan 5771 Matan Mother-Daughter Bat Mitzvah Program, Debbie Baum, Cong Keter Torah, Teaneck, 7pm, 201-836-2751 Intermediate Hebrew Conversation, Avital Nebel, JCC Rockland, West Nyack, 7pm, 845-362-4400 WISE: Women, Independent, Strong, Enriched, confidential integrated employment and counseling services for domestic violence victims, Allison Limmer, MSW, LCSW, at Jewish Family Service, Teaneck, 7:15pm, 201-837-9090 Advanced Hebrew, Rachel Kushner, JCC, West Orange, 7:30pm “Medicine and Morals,” Rabbi Mendy Mangel, Chabad Center, Cherry Hill, 856-8741500; Rabbi Boruch Chazanow, Chabad House, Manalapan, 732-972-3687; Rabbi Avraham
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Beckhor, Jewish Learning Institute, Randolph, 973-895-3070; Rabbi Michel Gurkov, Chabad Center of Passaic County, Wayne, 973-6946274, 7:30pm, begins Oct 27 “Medicine and Morals,” Rabbi Mendy Herson, Chabad Jewish Center, Basking Ridge, 8pm, 201-871-1152, begins Oct 20 “Medicine and Morals,” Rabbi Ephraim Simon, Chabad House, Teaneck, 201-9070686; Rabbi Chanoch Kaplan, Chabad House, Franklin Lakes, 201-848-0449, 8pm, begins Oct 27 Mishna: Masechet Shabbat, for women, Rabbi Yosef Adler, Cong Rinat Yisrael, Teaneck, 8pm, 201-837-2795 Chumash, for men, Rabbi Guy Dvir, Cong Ahawas Achim Bnai Jacob and David, West Or-
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The Jewish Voice and Opinion
New Classes
October 2010
Tell Our Advertisers “I Saw It in The Jewish Voice & Opinion”
continued from page 35
ange, 8pm Women’s Tehillim Group, for shidduchim and cholim, private home in Passaic, 8pm, 973-471-6329 Chumash, Rabbi Marc Spivak, Cong Ohr Torah, West Orange, 8pm, 973-669-7320 Zumba Dance-Fitness Workout, for women, Yeshivat Noam, Paramus, 8:15pm, aforman9@aol.com Bava Kama Shiur, Rabbi Larry Rothwachs, Cong Beth Aaron, Teaneck, 8:30pm Chug Ivrit Hebrew Club, Rutgers Hillel, New Brunswick, 8:30pm, 732-545-2407 “Medieval Jewish History,” Melissa Kapustin, Cong Etz Chaim, Livingston, 9pm, 973-597-1655 Women’s Tehillim Group, private home in West Orange, 9:15pm, 973-736-1407 Halacha Sugya Shiur, Rabbi Zvi Sobolofsky, Cong Bnai Yeshurun, Teaneck, 9:15pm Shiur, spons by the Teaneck Apartments Minyan, private apartments in Teaneck, 9:15pm, JDA211@aol.com
Thursdays
Retirees Kollel, Cong Ahavas Achim, Highland Park, shacharit, 7:45am; breakfast, 8:15am; “Gemara Sukkah,” Rabbi Shlomo Nussbaum, 8:35am; “Chassidic Insights into the Parsha,” Rabbi Mechel Horowitz, 732-247-0532 The Shmooze Talk Show, on Rusty Mike Online Radio, 8-10am, www.rustymikeradio.com and click Listen Live Advanced Hebrew, Judy Bendory, JCC, Whippany, 9:30am Teleconference Shiur: “The Holidays Are Over, Now What? How Do We Take the Holy Moment with Us?” for women, Rebbetzin Tziporah Heller, 10am, 613leah@gmail.com or 732-806-1578 Book of Job, Rabbi Menahem Meier, Cong Keter Torah, Teaneck,
10:50am, 201-907-0180 “Biblical Personalities,” for women, Rabbi Zev Prince, Ma’ayanot Yeshiva High School for Girls, Teaneck, 11:30am, 201-833-4307 Afterschool Hebrew School, for ages 3-5, includes songs, challah baking, art, Jewish holidays, and aleph-bet, spons by Chabad of Riverdale, 3pm, 718-549-1100 ext 11 “Musical Theater Workshop,” for Grades 2-6, Matt Okin, Black Box Studio, Jewish Center of Teaneck, 5pm, 201-567-6664 Advanced Yiddish, Judy Bendory, JCC, Whippany, 7pm “Teens Pro Musical Theater Workshops to Prepare for Performance of ‘Little Shop of Horrors,’” Grades 7-12, Matt Okin, Black Box Studio, Jewish Center of Teaneck, 7pm, 201-567-6664 Beginner Israeli Folk Dance, Sara Burnbaum, JCC Rockland, West Nyack, 7:15pm, 845-362-4400 Kol Dodi MetroWest Jewish Community Chorale, Joel Caplan, JCC, West Orange, 7:50pm Beginners Yiddish, Rebecca Levine, JCC, Whippany, 8:10pm Gemara: Masechet Brachot, for men, Rabbi Eliezer Zwickler, Cong Ahawas Achim Bnai Jacob and David, West Orange, 8:15pm Chabura on Sefer Nefesh Ha-Chaim, Rabbi Herschel Grossman, Cong Beth Aaron, Teaneck, 8:15pm Chumash Shiur, Rabbi Dov Kramer, Bais Medrash L’Torah, Passaic, 8:30pm, 973-473-3666 Israeli Folk Dance, Sara Burnbaum, JCC Rockland, West Nyack, 8:30pm, 845-362-4400 Shiur/Mishmar and Cholent, for boys in grades 7-8, Rabbi Dovid Rubin, Cong Knesses Yisrael, Spring Valley, 8:45pm, 845-354-1037 Gemara Shiur: Maseches Nedarim, Rabbi Dr. Yacov Tendler, Community Synagogue of Monsey, 8:45pm Chumash Shiur, Rabbi Yissocher Frand, via satellite, Cong K’Hal Zichron Mordechai, Monsey (845-356-7188);Young Israel of Fair Lawn (201-797-1800); Cong Keter Torah, Teaneck (201-907-0180); Cong Ohr Torah, West Orange (973-669-7320); Cong Tifereth Israel, Passaic (973773-2552), Cong Ahavas Achim, Highland Park, 9pm Parsha Shmooz Shiur, for men, Rabbi Eliezer Zwickler, Cong Ahawas Achim Bnai Jacob and David, West Orange, 9:30pm, 973736-1407 Parshas HaShavua Shiur, Rabbi Y Eichenstein, Cong Agudath Israel, Highland Park, 9:30pm, 732-985-1111
Fridays
Parsha Class, Rabbi Avrohom Rapoport, spons by Chabad at the Shore, private office in Linwood, noon, 609-822-8500 Taste of Shabbat, for children newborn-36 months, YJCC, Washington Twnshp, 1pm, 201-666-6610 Bais Medrash Program for Men and Boys, grade 3 and up, Cong Ohr HaTorah, Bergenfield, 9:30pm, 201-244-1021
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Cheshvan 5771
The Jewish Voice and Opinion
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The Jewish Voice and Opinion
October 2010
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Ess Gezint: For Teens and 20s
Susie Fishbein has her eye on the next generation, young adults who are busy but either like to cook or would like to learn how. Does she have a cookbook for them: Kosher by Design Teens and 20-Something (Artscroll). This is not for children who need to be supervised, but, rather, for those old enough to be responsible for their own healthy eating. Those dieting will have to look carefully and/or make substitutions, but the book is useful and, like the entire Kosher by Design series, just beautiful. “If you can read, you can cook,” she says. Y
Za’atar Cauliflower
Molten Deep-Dish Chocolate Chip Cookies
2 Tbs chicken or vegetable 1 head cauliflower broth 2 Tbs olive oil 4 cloves fresh garlic, minced 2 Tbs za’atar seasoning Place an empty jelly roll pan into the oven. Turn oven to 450º allowing the pan to heat as the oven does. Turn the cauliflower head stem up, Using a knife, cut the head in half. Cut the cauliflower off the core into small florets. Discard the core and the leaves. In a very large bowl, whisk the olive oil, za’atar, broth, and minced garlic. Add the cauliflower, including the tiniest florets that broke off. Use both hands to really toss until all the cauliflower is evenly coated with the spice mixture. Carefully remove the hot pan from the oven. Pour the cauliflower in a single, even layer into the pan. Using oven mitts, since the pan will be hot, return the pan to the oven and roast, uncovered, for 30-40 minutes, depending on the size of the florets. Ms. Fishbein suggests doubling this recipe because it is so good for snacking, it frequently doesn’t make it to the table.
1 tsp vanilla extract 2¼ cups all-purpose flour 2 large eggs 1 tsp baking soda 1 (12-oz) bag chocolate chips 1 tsp fine sea salt (2 cups) 1 cup m argarine (2 sticks), High heat cooking spray at room temperature for 1 (4 oz) sem isweet chocolate 15 minutes bar, broken into pieces on ¾ cup sugar the score marks ¾ cup light brown sugar Preheat oven to 350º. In a medium bowl, whisk the flour, baking soda, and salt. Set aside. In a mixing bowl, mix at medium-low speed the margarine with the sugar and brown sugar. Raise speed to medium-high and cream until light and fluffy. Turn down the speed a little. Add vanilla and eggs. Mix to incorporate. Add half the flour mixture. Mix. Add remaining flour mixture and mix until just combined. Mix in chocolate chips. Spray aluminum muffin tins with nonstick cooking spray. Fill each muffin cup a quarter of the way with a large Ping-Pong-size ball of cookie dough. Flatten slightly to cover the bottom. Stack 2 chocolate squares in the center. Cover with a second walnut-sized ball of cookie dough, flattening it to cover the chocolate completely. Place the muffin tin onto a cookie sheet and bake until tops are golden brown (not wet looking), about 20-25 minutes, depending on the size of the tin and amount of dough needed to fill it. Do not over bake.
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Ads with Coupons Chopstix..............................................39 Automobiles E.J. Auto Sales & Leasing.................... Burial and Bereavement Services Cemetery Plots....................................46 Eden Memorial Chapels......................28 Gutterman and Musicant/Wien & Wien..46 JewishDeathAndMourning.org..........17 Car Service Teaneck Taxi.......................................36 Camp, Sports, & Summer Programs Camp Dora Golding............................13 Camp “K” at Kutshers........................31 Camp Regesh......................................14 Camp Shalom......................................19
Classes
from p. 36
Motzei Shabbat
“Mesilas Yesharim,” Rabbi Heshy Grossman, private home in Teaneck, 8:15pm, yehuda.isenberg@axiscapital.com Navi, Rabbi Yisroel Reisman, live via satellite, Young Israel of Fair Lawn (201-7971800); Cong Ahavas Achim, Highland Park; Cong Tifereth Israel, Passaic; JEC, Elizabeth (908-591-5929); Cong Khal Zichron Mordechai, Monsey (845-356-7188); Cong Keter Torah, Teaneck; Cong Ohr Torah, West Orange (973-669-7320), 9pm Halacha/Navi Shiur: Sefer Melachim Aleph, Rav Yosef Viener, spons by the Passaic-Clifton Kollel, at Cong Agudas Yisrael of Passaic, 9:15pm, 718-755-3515 Y
Cheshvan 5771
Index of Advertisers
The Jewish Voice and Opinion
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Caterers & Catering Halls Majestic Kosher Caterers....................10 Menagerie Caterers...............................2
Medical Services Holy Name Medical Center...................7 Psychotherapy, Chana Simmonds.......41
Charities Donate Your Car..................................18 Umbrella Tzedaka...............................22
Miscellaneous AJ’s Cleaning Service.........................36 Frumster.com......................................21 Glitter Galore........................................8 NARTH/JONAH.................................43 RetroCollage.com.................................5
Education 10/25-26: Leah Sokoloff Nursery Sch..38 11/2: Rosenbaum Yeshiva of N. Jersey...30 11/7: Bruriah Open House..................27 Entertainment & Events 10/24: Cong. Ahavat Achim of Fair Lawn..40 10/24: Nefesh B’Nefesh Aliyah Fair...11 10/28-11/21: Wallenberg, a Musical...34 10/31: Rabbi Israel Meir Lau..............25 11/5-6: Singles Shabbaton...................15 11/6: IDF Tribute Dinner.....................24 11/21: ZOA Dinner...............................9 Financial Services Israel Bonds........................................25 Graphic Artists Seventh Strategy.................................41 Home Construction and Repair American General Windows...............41 Shalom Plumbing................................41 S&D Builders LLC...............................8 SH Rescue Locksmith...........................3 Kosher Restaurant, Take-Out Chopstix..............................................39 Shalom Bombay..................................35 Legal Services Mediation, Martin Rosenfeld, Esq......33
Musicians Jeff Wilks..............................................6 Symphonia..........................................18 Photography/Video Aptowitzer.....................................41 Judah S. Harris......................................6 Political Bill Pascrell - No Friend of Israel..........16 Anna Little.........................................,20 Amb. Oren for Steve Rothman...........23 Steve Rothman....................................36 Real Estate. Boynton Beach Home for Sale........... Riverdale Townhouse for Rent........... Teaneck Garden Apts.......................... Zimuki, Property in Jerusalem............15 Travel & Vacations Emunah in Israel.................................26 Gemstar Tours Passover......................12 Jewish Heritage Tours.........................29 Kosherica ...........................................48 Mendy Vim’s Holidays.........................4 Quality Hotel, Montreal......................39
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The Jewish Voice and Opinion
Freeze
from p. 21
areas, the bishops seemed more interested in castigating Israel, especially its new proposed citizenship bill, than they did worrying about physical aggression by Muslims against Catholics. When the synod blamed Israel for the mass emigration of Christians from Muslim countries, Rabbi Shmuley Boteach, who is attending the conference, called it “one of the dumbest things I’ve ever heard.” “Imagine if all the Jews gave up and left Israel tomorrow and decided to all go live in Malibu, would homosexuals in the Middle East still be killed? Would there still be honor killings of a sister by her brother? Would Christian churches suddenly open in Saudi Arabia? The blame for Christians leaving lies in the totalitarian regimes that trample on religious rights and are discriminatory and
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October 2010
Tell Our Advertisers “I Saw It in The Jewish Voice & Opinion”
Yeshiva and Day School Open Houses
Sun., Oct 17
SAR High School, for 8th graders and their parents, Riverdale, 9:30am, 718-5482727
Wed. Oct 20
SAR Academy, for prospective parents of grades preK-8, Riverdale, 7pm, 718-5481717 ext 1215 or 1262 Ben Porat Yosef, Paramus, 8pm, 201-845-5007
Thurs., Oct 21
Gal Alef-Pre K Open House, Gan Miriam Early Learning Center, Riverdale Jewish Center, 7pm, 718-543-2553
Mon., Oct 25
Leah Sokoloff Nursery School of Cong Shomrei Torah, Fair Lawn, for parents of children 2-5, 9:30am, also Tues., Oct 26, 9:30am, 201791-6744 Parlor Meeting for The Pre-Collegiate Learning Center, an innovative new Jewish high school, based in Middlesex County, that will
keep yearly tuition at $5,000, Lauren Ariev Gellman, private home in Highland Park, 8pm, 908-616-0321
Tues., Oct 26
Moriah School of Englewood, Grades pre-k-8, 8pm, 201567-0208 ext 376
Sun., Oct 31
Frisch Yeshiva High School, Paramus, 9:30am, 718548-2727 Yeshivat Noam, Paramus, 7:30pm, 201-261-1919 ext 113
Mon, Nov 1
Cong Bnai Yeshurun Nursery School, Teaneck, 8pm, 201836-6871
Tues., Nov 2
Rosenbaum Yeshiva of North Jersey, grades pre-K-8, River Edge, 7:45pm, 201-986-1414
Sun., Nov 7
Torah Academy of Bergen County, 8th grade boys and parents, Teaneck, 9:15am, 201837-7696 Bruriah High School for Girls, 8th grade girls and parents, Elizabeth,
9:30am, 908-355-4850 ext 653
Mon., Nov 8
Moshe Aaron Yeshiva High School, boys division, South River, 7:30pm, 732613-7460
Tues., Nov 9
JEC Rav Teitz Mesivta Academy, 8th grade boys and parents, Elizabeth, 7:15pm, 908-355-4850 ext 130
Wed., Nov 10
Moshe Aaron Yeshiva High School, girls division, South River, 7:30pm, 732613-7460
Sun., Nov 14
Kushner Yeshiva High School, 8th graders and parents, Livingston, 9:30am, 973597-1115 Bat Torah the Alisa M Flatow Yeshiva High School, 8th grade girls and parents, Paramus, 9:30am, 201-843-8103 Ma’ayanot Yeshiva High School for Girls, 8th graders and parents, Teaneck, 1:30pm, 201-833-4307 Y
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Cheshvan 5771
The Jewish Voice and Opinion
“Honor the Professional According to Your Need”
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I
The Jewish Voice and Opinion
October 2010 Tell Our Advertisers “I Saw It in The Jewish Voice & Opinion”
For These We Mourn: Carl Freyer, z”l, and Moshe Stillman, z”l, Intrepid Warriors for Jewish Rights and Survival
n September, Jews in Englewood, Israel, and throughout the world lost two of their most energetic and articulate defenders; The Jewish Voice and Opinion lost two close and dear friends, men who were ardent mentors, protectors, advisors, and supporters.
Morris Stillman, z”l Morris (Moshe) Stillman and Carl Freyer died just days apart. Mr. Stillman was already in Israel, where he and his beloved wife, Pearl, spent every Rosh Hashana through Sukkot; Mr. Freyer was on his way to Israel, where he and his beloved wife, Sylvia, looked forward to spending Sukkot and enjoying a grandson’s bar mitzvah. Mr. Stillman was 75; Mr. Freyer was 90. Both were long-time active members of the Englewood-Orthodox community. They left legacies in the hearts of their families and everyone who shared their passion for the rights of Jews to live safely and securely throughout their own homeland, the Jewish state of Israel, on both sides of the Green Line. The fact that both men were able to be buried in Israel without the necessity of complicated transportation issues brought a measure of consolation to their many admirers. In many ways, they both were teachers, striving to win the hearts and minds of the Jews whom they prayed would wake up in time to save not only themselves but Klal Yisrael. Hebron and Terror Victims Mr. Stillman was one of the founders of the Hebron Fund, undertaken to sup-
port the Jews who have re-established the Jewish community in the shadow of the Tomb of the Patriarchs, and a benefactor of the Israeli-based Almagor organization for victims of Arab terrorism. Before the era of paperless e-mails, he meticulously photocopied articles demonstrating and validating Jews’ right to live throughout the land of Israel. He would take these papers everywhere Jews gathered, convincing some, infuriating others, forcing all to confront the reality that, after 2000 years, Jews had returned to their homeland, never to leave it again. On Tuesday, Oct 12, a standing-roomonly shloshim commemoration was held for Mr. Stillman at Yeshiva Ohr Simcha of Englewood, where Mr. Stillman attended a shiur every Tuesday evening. Arranged by the school’s rosh yeshiva, Rabbi Yosef Strassfeld, and Robert Lunzer, a long-time friend of Mr. Stillman, the evening also included addresses by Rabbis Menachem Genack and Shmuel Goldin. Jewish Continuity The list of organizations and individuals who benefited from Mr. Freyer’s largesse would take volumes. Among those whom he especially appreciated were the Zionist Organization of America, Beit El and Arutz Sheva, Women in Green, and the National Jewish Outreach Program. He and Mrs. Freyer founded the Jewish Youth Encounter Program as an outreach to Jewish children who otherwise would have scant access to Jewish education. Organized with a bigbrother, big-sister format, JYEP also gives observant-Jewish teenagers the opportunity to reach out and help others. Mr. Freyer, who recognized that appeasement is the sure road to defeat, was a vocal critic of concessions by the Israeli government to the Palestinian Authority. He founded the annual Israel Day Concert, held in Central Park after the Israel Day Parade, as a forum to give information and chizuk to thousands who shared his passion. Together, the Freyers gave unstintingly of their time, efforts, and financial resources to those whose work they understood was vital not only for the present, but for the future of the Jewish people as well. Mr. Freyer had no fear of speaking his
mind. Those who opposed him did so at their peril. Those who recognized that his uppermost consideration at all times was the welfare of Jews, realized that his rock-solid determination could sometimes make him appear gruff. Inside, his heart was overflowing with love and it took all his grit to make
Carl Freyer, z”l sure his perspective was clear. At his funeral and in the subsequent eulogies and tributes his family has received, Mr. Freyer has been repeatedly characterized as “a Lion of Judah, a lion of the Jewish people, whose like we will not see again.” Love of Family For both men, the love and dedication they gave to Klal Yisrael began with the fervent devotion they felt for their families. In addition to his wife, Mr. Stillman is survived by his son, Dr. Ely Stillman, a pathologist at Harvard Medical School; his wife, Naomi; and their son, Avinoam; and by his daughter, Rebecca Linzer of Oranit, Israel; her husband, Moshe; and their children, Aderet, Ronit, Meital, and Avi. In addition to his wife, Mr. Freyer is survived by his daughters and their families, all residing in Efrat, Israel: Louisa, and her husband, Rabbi Yehuda Susman, who serves as rosh yeshiva at Yeshiva Eretz Hatzvi in Jerusalem; and Maura and her husband, Adam Ruskin, an attorney. The Freyers’ grandchildren are Dvoranit, Josh, Baruch, Amitai, Shani, Nadav, Noam, Aiden, Ro’i, Aviyah, Matan, and Hadar. T’hei Nafshoseihem Zrurot B’zror Ha’Chayim. S.L.R.
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Cheshvan 5771
The Jewish Voice and Opinion
Fifth Avenue Florist Esther Katz Now in Teaneck: Using Hashem’s Work for Hiddur Mitzvah
F
lowers have made Esther Katz, the creative and simcha director at the Teaneck Flower Shop, very aware of the Jewish value of hiddur mitzvah, the concept that all mitzvahs, from gracing a Shabbat table to designing a chuppah that is a work of art, should be beautiful. Trained at the Bronx Botanical Garden School, she worked for several years designing exquisite floral arrangements for Manhattan celebrity clients and wealthy socialites. Now a Teaneck resident and the mother of two small boys, Mrs. Katz says she gets just as much pleasure from Teaneck Flower Shop’s new endeavor, TF Flower Garden. “The most important thing is not to be intimidated. We will work within anyone’s budget, and no one will ever walk out of our store or away from our website without beautiful flowers,” she says. Custom Designs At TF Flower Garden, her mission is to create custom floral designs for business and residential settings, special events, and simchas of every kind. She can handle centerpieces for engagement parties, dinners, bar and bat mitzvah celebrations, corporate events, and, of course, weddings. She prides herself on attention to sophisticated, elegant designs with scrupulous devotion to detail. “Every bridal bouquet, centerpiece, and corsage we make must be extraordinary,” she says. To that end, she designs freshly cut flowers and other greenery and arranges them into beautiful displays of various sizes and shapes, integrating color, texture, and unique containers. Creative use of lights, candles, and other décor add to the drama.
“Whether your taste is simple and organic or elegant and ‘overthe-top,’ I will work to make sure to fit my clients’ style and budget. I want your special day to be as beautiful as possible,” she says. She feels the same way about flowers in people’s homes and makes daily and weekly deliveries available. For All Occasions In fact, since she arrived at Teaneck Flower Shop, she has no-
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ticed that many customers stream in every Friday afternoon for Shabbat bouquets. Now, she would like them to come in for simcha floral arrangements, too. To see what Mrs. Katz can do or for a free consultation, come into the shop at 1324 Teaneck Road, or call 800-8331401, 201-833-1400, or 201-220-2693. Her website can be accessed at tfflowergarden.com “Flowers are an amazing beauty from Hashem, and I’m blessed to be passionate about my work,” she says. Y
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The Jewish Voice and Opinion
October 2010
Tell Our Advertisers “I Saw It in The Jewish Voice & Opinion”
Kosher Tea for School Choice Election Day provides the Orthodox-Jewish community the incredible opportunity to join the political tsunami that is overtaking this nation. The power of this “revolution” is rooted in anger against overreaching government. Unlike liberals who get angry and instigate riots, bloodletting and burn down buildings, conservatives use their heads and are directing their anger in a positive direction. The grass roots are way ahead of their competition. The Orthodox-Jewish community has the potential to join together with this movement with lighting speed all across the US. Orthodox Jewry is very closely linked in almost every major population center, strategically clustered in a multitude of districts. We are like an enormous family who give of ourselves to help each other, once we recognize an urgent need. Once in action, there will be no stopping us. What has kept our community from getting involved politically are two major factors. 1. Our strong adherence to guidance from our rabbis. They, however, are prevented by law from endorsing or opposing political candidates. As a result, our rabbis are often prevented from speaking out on political issues, such as parental choice in education and other moral issues as they relate to public policy. 2. Although most Orthodox Jews believe school vouchers are just, and would be a major relief from double taxation, they are convinced vouchers are politically impossible to achieve. The current political tsunami has changed the political climate in the US, and anything is now possible. Not only can we win a majority in Congress, but by alerting our friends all across the country to vote for Tea Party candidates, we can win a vetoproof Congress and pass voucher legislation. It will be in Congress’s best interest to pass such legislation, because individual liberty is a central issue in this political revolution. Next year, when the entire NJ Assembly and Senate are up for election, we can vote for Tea Party candidates across the state. They would surely follow the example of their fellow Tea Partiers in Washington. To find the Tea Party candidate in your district go to www. TeaPartyPreferred.com. Israel Teitelbaum, secretary Alliance for Free Choice in Education Morristown, NJ Looking out for Gilad Shalit As Israel’s International Red Cross organization, Magen David Adom has launched a series of initiatives worldwide in order to gain Red Cross access to Gilad Shalit. Magen David Adom UK has set up an online petition to highlight Shalit’s plight and demand the basic human right, as set out in the Geneva Convention: for Shalit to be visited immediately by the International Red Cross. To sign their petition just visit the website below and please ask as many people as possible to do likewise: http://www.mdavisitshalit.org/?utm_source=MDA+Newsletter&utm_ campaign=d72440238f-Sept_eNewsletter6_1_2010&utm_ medium=email Rabbi Dr. Wallace Greene Fair Lawn, NJ
Letters to the Editor
Tempest in the Sukkah I am writing in response to the article, “Anna Little, NJ’s Sixth District Republican Candidate for Congress, Will Address ‘School Choice’ in the Sukkah in Highland Park: Will Democratic Candidate Frank Pallone Show Up?” [Sept, 2010]. The tenor of the article is misleading and unnecessarily antagonistic towards Congressman Pallone. Congregation Ohav Emeth, where the event took place, does not now nor has it ever endorsed or in any way supported any candidate for any political office. The statement in the article, “Some members of Ohav Emeth said they thought that Mr. Pallone was tacitly declining to attend, and they said they were not surprised,” is a reflection of your apparent bias against Mr. Pallone. Congregation Ohav Emeth made certain that both Mr. Pallone and Ms. Little as well as the individuals running for local office were invited exclusively for an informed discussion of vouchers and tuition tax credits. The invitation to the event was made sincerely with the hope that Mr. Pallone would appear. Any person’s belief as to why Mr. Pallone failed to appear is based upon his or her own speculation and is not and cannot be factually supported. It is the Congregation’s intention to have a strong relationship with all elected officials representing our community, whether that elected office is local, statewide, or national. Marc Scheiner, President Congregation Ohav Emeth Highland Park, NJ SLR Responds: While the Jewish Voice and Opinion does endorse the 6th District’s Republican candidate for Congress, Anna Little, in no way did we ever imply that the same is true of Cong Ohav Emeth. In fact, in the article, we went out of our way to inform readers that the shul had officially invited both Mrs. Little and her opponent, Democratic incumbent Frank Pallone, to address the congregation on the issue of School Choice. When we reported that “some members” of the shul were not surprised that he did not respond—and that he, in fact, did not show up for the event—that is the truth. We spoke to at least a dozen members of the shul who had nothing to do with planning the event, and they told us that by not responding at all, they believed Mr. Pallone was “tacitly declining to attend.” Some of the members we spoke to suggested that Mr. Pallone’s non-show reflected the fact he has persistently failed to offer any assistance to non-public school families. While you have every right to support Mr. Pallone—and if you had conveyed that to us before the event, it would have been included in the piece—it seems clear that the shul is, at best, divided on the issue of whom to support for Congress.
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Cheshvan 5771
The Jewish Voice and Opinion
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“Thought Is the World of Freedom” (R’ Dov Ber of Mazeritch)
A Vote for Roland Straten? Over the last year Bill Pascrell, NJ’s Eighth District’s Congressman, representing Passaic and West Orange, among other communities, has voted for or represented the following: 1) Voted for ObamaCare—the biggest increase in Federal bureaucracy since the New Deal. This misguided piece of legislation has done the following since it was enacted a few months ago: Increased health care costs in anticipation of full implementation; limited our civil right to choose; and increased taxes beginning in 2011. If you think that it is only the “wealthy” who are getting socked, Princess Nancy Pelosi has refused to extend the Bush tax cuts, claiming that $250,000 and above is rich. If you are a married couple, working just to pay the yeshiva bills and you earn this magic number bingo. In addition, people earning $50,000 will see their taxes increase. How can any of us forget last year’s town hall meetings at which our Congressman Pascrell refused to listen to his constituency? 2) Voted for the stimulus—the biggest give-away to the public sector, a massive waste of money and debt that our grandchildren will pay for. 3) Voted for “cap-and-tax,” which will increase our utility bills by over $3,000 by 2019 if enacted. 4) Voted for the recent bill bailing out the public employee unions which we will all pay for. Have you seen your own increase? How about benefits paid for or job guaranteed? 5) Backed the “Anointed One” (President Obama) in his Pro-Arab position by signing a letter chastising Israel. Pascrell’s subsequent reversal is embarrassing. Do not blame President George Bush for the current economic malaise. The Democrats have held Congress since 2006 and were warned about the impending mortgage crisis. Rep Barney Frank (D-MA), who heads the banking committee, said everything was great. It is time that we elected people who will understand and listen to the needs of their constituents. Every time the Democrats control Congress it costs us more, reduces our individual rights through mandates, and places the security of the State of Israel in jeopardy. That has been the record of the Democratic Party for the last 25 years. Rabbi Chaim Komendant, CPA Passaic, NJ
A Proper Boycott An anonymous letter writer proclaimed that he has been a subscriber to Time magazine for 50 years despite the fact that he long recognized it to be biased against Israel [“Letters to the Editor,” Sept 2010]. My question: Why are you still subscribing to Time? I subscribed to Time about 20 years ago and cancelled after two issues that contained biased coverage of Israel. I lasted a year or two with Newsweek and then cancelled for the same reason. The NY Times hasn’t crossed my doorstep in 30 years. I simply refuse to support any publication that is clearly antiIsrael. I do read books by Thomas Friedman, Noam Chomsky, and other self-hating Jews because I want to know what our enemies are thinking, but I take the books out of the library, I don’t buy them. And, of course, one can read just about anything these days for free on the internet. The message is: don’t complain about those who are unfair to Israel. Boycott them and let them know why you are boycotting them. Abe Krieger Highland Park, NJ Getting a Hand on Bullying The problem of bullying is one that transcends all communities. It was brought into the spotlight recently by the suicide of a Rutgers University student who was a victim of cyber-bullying. Bullying is a problem that all parents need to be aware of and learn how to deal with. WWOR-TV / My9 News, has produced an informative halfhour program on dealing with bullying. While it has already been shown on television, you can view the program anytime on the station’s website, www.my9tv.com. The web site also contains informative and resources that are worth checking out. I am proud to have been the senior producer of this program and I urge everyone to watch it. Noah Gurock Passaic, NJ The Jewish Voice and Opinion welcomes letters, especially if they are typed, double-spaced, and legible. We reserve the right to edit letters for length and style. Please send all letters to POB 8097, Englewood, NJ 07631. The phone number is (201) 569-2845. The FAX number is (201) 569-1739. The email address is susan@jewishvoiceandopinion.com
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By Alfred Medioli “The olive oil was thick and dark, and you could see the bits of olive in it—it had come right from the press, barely filtered. The next day, while I was flying another rotation back to Newark, there was a terror bombing in that same market, and I learned that the fellow who sold me that olive oil had been killed.” Michael Agosta, who is run-
October 2010
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Matzo Ball Soup With Mike Agosta ning for the US House of Representatives in NJ’s 9th District, was describing his experiences living and traveling in Israel while serving as a Federal Air Marshal on the Continental Airlines’ Newark-to-Tel Aviv run between 2002 and 2005. The Ha’Carmel market where Mike bought the olive oil, near the David Intercontinental Hotel, was one of the neighborhoods he frequented
between flights. The November 1, 2004, suicide bombing in the crowded food market killed four Israelis and wounded dozens. While we ate dinner at Noah’s Ark on Cedar Lane, Mike described how he ended up in that market in Tel Aviv. For this look into the service of a Federal Air Marshal flying in and out of Israel, go to jewishvoiceandopinion.com
No Freeze
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xenophobic,” he said. No Racism To correct any perception that Israel is singling out non-Jews, Mr. Ne’eman has suggested that the new citizenship law apply to Jewish as well as non-Jewish immigrants. All would have to swear allegiance. Countering the charges of racism in any case, Dr. Emmanuel Navon, a specialist in international relations in the
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Mike Agosta Israeli media, explained that “religion is central to the national identity of many nations.” He pointed to the Catholicism of Poland, Ireland, and Italy; Shinto for Japan; and Islam for the Arab countries and all “Islamic Republics.” He suggested that, in Israel, it should be accepted without apology that Judaism as a religion constitutes a part of Jewish identity. S.L.R.
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