THE JEWISH VOICE AND OPINION Promoting Classical Judaism
February 2011
Vol. 24 • No. 6
Adar I 5771
The Arab World Erupts in Violence Prompting an Old Debate: Dictatorial Stability or Democracy That Can Lead to Terrorism?
A
s one Arab country after another erupted into violence and political upheaval last month, Israel watched with trepidation, worried about future security problems, the fate of Jewish embassy workers and tourists, and, in Tunisia, one small Jewish community trapped in the chaos that led to an arson attack on the shul and its Torah. On January 15, as Tunisia was swearing in a new interim president for the second change of power in less than 24 hours, Israel was quietly preparing to extract its citizens.
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According to Yossi Levy, a spokesman for the Israeli Foreign Ministry, from the moment it became clear that Tunisia was “going up in flames,” Israeli officials were on the phone with contact partners in Europe, asking for help in securing the safety of the Jews. The complicated rescue mission involved a number of different agencies, but finally, Israeli tourists were lifted from the island of Djerba, home to most of Tunisia’s Jewish community, and flown first to Germany and then to Ben
Gurion Airport. Resident Jews Then there was the matter of the 2,000 Tunisian Jews who reside on the island. While there are other Jews in Tunisia, most of whom commute between the capital city of Tunis and Europe, the island has most of the community’s institutions, which were deemed vulnerable to looting given the lack of physical security in the street. In 1948, the Tunisian-Jewish population was estimated at 105,000, but by 1967, most had left the country for France and
Israel. In the Muslim world, Tunisia’s Jewish community is still second in size only to Morocco, with its Jewish population of 4,000. According to Yacov Hadas, the Israeli Foreign Ministry’s deputy director-general for Middle East and Peace Process Division, after the European contact was asked to help Israeli tourists get to safety, a further request was made to safeguard the Jewish community’s institutions. It was generally assumed
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Slew of Anti-Israel Programs at Rutgers Puts Pressure on Jewish Students and the Administration on Notice
utgers University found a unique way to commemorate International Holocaust Remembrance Day last month. A program held at the school equated Israel with Nazi Germany and suggested that Palestinians who fled their homes after being prompted to do so by fellow Arabs or who reside in Gaza and must have all packages inspected to ensure they do not contain materials that can be weaponized, have suffered “discrimination” equal to that experienced by Holocaust survivors.
Rutgers Hillel president Sarah Morrison of Edison during the Jan. 29 protest
Inclusion.......................................... 3 The Current Crisis.......................... 4 Kol Ami:Exchange for Pollard?....... 5 Ask OHEL: The Bullied Child . ..... 14 Ma’ayanot: Carmel Fire Shame... 16 Ma’ayanot: On Madoff................ 16
Inside the Voice
Medical Ethics/Jewish Journey.... 18 Ramote Expeditions..................... 18 P’TACH honors the Kirshners..... 20 The Log........................................ 28 New Classes................................. 36 Mazal Tov.................................... 38
Further, when Jewish students from Rutgers and members of the Highland Park-Edison Jewish community came to the publicly advertised program, admission, which had been publicized in some places as “free and open to the public” or, at most, a “suggested donation,” suddenly necessitated a $5 ticket—but only from the Jews. The program, entitled “Never Again for Anyone,” was presented by BAKA, a
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Chesed Ops.................................. 39 Ess Gezint: Quick & Kosher........ 42 Index of Advertisers . .................. 47 Walk to Shul . .............................. 49 Honor the Professional ............... 51 Letters to the Editor .................... 52
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February 2011
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February is Yachad/NJCD’s North American Inclusion Month
The Orthodox Union’s Yachad, the National Jewish Council for Disabilities (NJCD), announced that February will once again be designated as North American Inclusion Month (NAIM). To that end, the OU has designed a number of programs geared to raising awareness of and developing sensitivity to those who live with disabilities. The organization is striving to include these individuals in the larger Jewish community. Programmatically, NJCD has two divisions: Yachad, for children and adults with learning and developmental disabilities; and Our Way, for the deaf and hard of hearing.
“For over 20 years, Yachad NJCD has championed inclusion of individuals with disabilities within the broad Jewish community,” said Dr. Jeffrey Lichtman, national director of YACHAD NJCD. Our Obligation Dr. Lichtman, who initiated NAIM in February 2010, plans to use the month to prompt Jewish communities and institutions to understand that it is “our obligation to welcome and facilitate the inclusion of all children and adults within our synagogues, schools, and communities.” Further, he said, he hopes
to make the Jewish community aware “of the many abilities that individuals with disabilities have and how much they have to offer our community.” Last year, working with more than 200 partners, Yachad coordinated over 50 guest speakers throughout the US and Canada and more than 75 events. Taking a page from Yachad, the US Congress passed HR 1014, establishing every February as North American Inclusion Month. Hundreds of Events This year promises to be even busier. There are NAIM 2011 events scheduled to take place in Baltimore, Los Angeles, Miami, Toronto, Dallas,
and Houston. In New York, there will be events in Long Island and all five boroughs of New York, City. In New Jersey, events are planned for Elizabeth, Fair Lawn, Livingston, West Orange, and Ocean County. Other communities across the country are being added to that list. Almost 1,000 synagogues and schools received “Save the Month” cards announcing the fact that February would be NAIM. In addition, email blasts and brochures were sent out, alerting members of Orthodox-Jewish communities of the types of events Yachad is suggesting.
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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 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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February 2011
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The Current Crisis: “Even in Laughter, the Heart Can Ache”
Is anyone surprised that two Israeli boys took first prize in the World Universities Debating Championship? Meir Yarom, a law student, and Michael Shapiro, who is studying philosophy and general history, are members of the Haifa University Debating Society, which has won the national debating championship five times in the past ten years. The fellows competed in the English as a Second Language category, although they defeated native English-speaking teams on their way up to the top. Have you ever tried to out-talk an Israeli? *** We always smile when we see something in the email inbox from Rabbi Arthur Ocean Waskow, who is so off the wall, you figure it’s got to be a set-up. He and his partner in crime, Rabbi Phyllis O Berman (she didn’t take his last name, so maybe she took his middle name?) bill themselves as “award-winning spiritual and social-justice leaders” and have no trouble announcing that they are “leading thinkers.” This month, they are starting to think about Pesach, and here’s the pitch: How does the Passover story relate to struggles facing people today. Who are our present-day Pharaohs? Well, remember, these are the Ocean-Waskows, so it’s not so much “who” as “what.” For example, how would you ask the climate crisis to let my people go? Do you think environmental destruction needs to have its heart hardened? Corporate greed? Personal arrogance? *** We were pretty upset at the news that we won’t get to see “The Kennedys” anytime soon.
The multi-million dollar series was scheduled to air this spring on the History Channel. But, we’re told, Kennedy family members and friends were not particularly happy with director Joel Surnow’s concept. The director of the series, “24,” he’s one of Hollywood’s few conservatives, and he wanted to tackle the project “warts and all.” Unfortunately, Kennedys don’t like warts, especially not conservative blemishes. Kennedy family historian and JKF advisor Theodore Sorenson called the first draft of the script “vindictive” and “malicious.” Now we’re pretty sure JFK’s daughter, Caroline, might like a liberal’s interpretation of the warts, but probably not Surnow’s. He’s a conservative and has to answer to a higher authority. The show is scheduled to air in Canada on March 6 and then internationally. Everywhere but here. One thing you can be sure of. In this version, Sirhan Sirhan won’t speak with a southern accept. *** Oh, we don’t know who she is, but, it seems, singer Macy Gray, lets her travel plans be determined by her social network. Last month, she let the number of tweets she received on the issue tell her whether she should head for Tel Aviv for a performance or boycott place. Don’t think the boycotters didn’t try. According to Macy, they even got nasty. But to no avail. Just last week, she announced that she was off to Israel. And so she is. Stay warm, everybody, and safety first, SLR
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Kol Ami: What in Exchange for Pollard?
Supporters of Jonathan Pollard, who has been imprisoned for 25 years for passing information to Israel, feel the time is ripe for President Barack Obama to pardon the former Naval intelligence officer who was accused—but never indicted—of treason and sentenced to life in prison. Certainly the list of prominent Americans who believe the pardon is long overdue is growing and includes former CIA director James Woolsey; Denis DeConcini, former chairman of the Senate’s Select Intelligence Committee; and President Bush’s former US Attorney General Michael Mukasey. Although he is eligible to apply for parole, Mr. Pollard has never done so. Some observers question whether he has ever adequately expressed remorse. While Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu formally requested a pardon for Mr. Pollard last month, some pundits predict that if Mr. Obama acquiesces, it may be in exchange for huge concessions on Israel’s part towards the Palestinians. At the JCC in Tenafly last month, the question was: What, if anything, should Israel be willing to relinquish for Pollard’s release? Y
There should be no concessions in exchange for Pollard’s release, because whatever Israel gives will never be enough. They will always want more. Honey Hantgan Englewood, NJ
The only demand the Obama administration could make is for Israel to give up land, but land is Israel’s security and no one should ask Israel to do that. George Hantgan Englewood, NJ
Pollard has already paid his dues, and it would be wrong to ask Israel to make concessions in exchange for his release. But if Israel feels it can safely make a concession, they may have to do it. Robert Rosner Teaneck, NJ
It’s always dangerous to make concessions, because once you start, there is no end. David Tell Demarest, NJ
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February 2011
YACHAD Inclusion Month
“We believe that every synagogue, school, and community organization can be involved in NAIM to bring ‘inclusion’ to their members and students,� said Dr. Joe Goldfarb, NAIM’s co-coordinator. “Inclusion� Programs He explained that once an organization expresses interest in NAIM, Yachad works very closely with the group, determining which sort of involvement would work best for its members or students. The possibilities include sensitivity seminars, guest speakers, innovative programming for college students, scholars-in-residence, theme-Shabbats for synagogues, and many other options. According to Batya Jacobs, director of the National Association of Jewish Schools Serving Special Children, a
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division of Yachad, schools throughout the US have requested workshops on sensitivity training geared to middle and high school students. These programs are designed to educate students about the different types of disabilities their peers may have. The same workshops can be offered to teachers and school administrators, she said. “We are already booked to run this training program in Milwaukee as well as communities in Florida, New Jersey, and New York,� she said. Convenient Website Programs suggested by Yachad for NAIM events include: dynamic speakers, such as parents of children with disabilities and, in some cases, the disabled individuals themselves; scholars-in-residence for Shab-
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bat to inspire congregants with compelling stories and insights into how “inclusion� enriches Jewish communities; Yachad Shabbatonim, offering a funfilled weekend for both individuals with disabilities and participants from the mainstream community; Disability Awareness Day, highlighting the importance of “inclusion;� resource fairs, fundraisers, and recreational programs. The official NAIM website, which lists events as they are added, can be accessed at www.naim4inclusion.org. In addition to listing all participating NAIM events, the website provides easy access to program ideas and resources provided by Yachad. Reaching Young People On Wednesday, Feb 16, the OU’s Department of Synagogue Services Youth Professionals Network will present a live webcast entitled “How to Promote and Facilitate Inclusion in Youth Programming,� featuring Dr. Lichtman. The program, which can be accessed at www.ou.org/ webcast_synserv, will begin a 5pm EST at the OU’s headquarters in New York, with an audience of youth professionals expected to log-in from across North America. “The best place to begin learning, teaching, and enhancing the inclusion of those with disabilities is through the community,� said NAIM co-coordinator Eli Hagler. “If synagogues are able to better facilitate ‘Inclusion,’ then inclusion will be able to spread to other branches of our life as well—in the work force, in schools, and in our own homes. We can all strive to be more inclusive of those living with a disability.� Shabbaton and Mission At the end of February, Yachad NJCD will mark the
conclusion of NAIM with its first “Leadership Shabbaton� in Washington, DC, for Yachad members and participating high school students. Scheduled from Friday, February 25, to Sunday, February 27, at the National Synagogue, the Shabbaton will serve to jump start Yachad’s second annual Leadership Mission, run in conjunction with the OU’s Institute for Public Affairs (IPA). “Jewish high school students from across the country, together with Yachad members and community leaders, will have the opportunity to meet and greet Congressmen to discuss legislation which, if approved, would drastically improve the lives of families with children with disabilities,� said Mr. Hagler. Last year’s mission successfully helped pass several bills, including the reauthorization of the Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA) and the Able Act, which allows families to establish tax-exempt accounts of up to $500,000 to save for their disabled children’s futures and help pay for their expenses. For more information on NAIM and the many events in which communities and individuals can participate this month, Yachad officials can be reached at 212-613-8229 or by email at naim@ou.org. For information on or register for the live webcast for youth professionals, contact Penny Pazornick, director of the OU’s Youth Professionals Network, at pazornickp@ou.org or 212613-8149. “NAIM seeks to build a more open, more vibrant, stronger community that will benefit each of us individually and collectively,� said Dr. Lichtman. S.L.R.
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Rutgers
February 2011
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pro-Palestinian Rutgers student group (Students United for Middle Eastern Justice; the name itself is an acronym for “Belief, Awareness, Knowledge, and Action”) in collaboration with American Muslims for Palestine, the International anti-Zionist Jewish Network, and the Middle East Children’s Alliance. “Ethnic Cleansing” According to publicity for the program, it was designed to coincide with the United Nations’ International Holocaust Remembrance Day (IHRD), but its focus was “the on-going ethnic cleansing of Palestine.” IHRD, commemorated on January 27, marks the anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau, the largest Nazi death camp. In 2005, over the objections of most Arab and Muslim countries, the UN General Assembly designated
IHRD as a time to honor the victims of the Nazi era. “Never Again for Anyone” maintains that Palestinians are currently undergoing “genocide” at Israel’s hands. “By invoking the Nazi genocide, this event defames the Jewish state and trivializes the systematic murder of 11 million people in the Holocaust, including six million Jews,” said Andrew Getraer, executive director of Rutgers Hillel. He stressed that while he and Hillel respect the right to free speech, “the comparison of Israeli acts of self-defense to the gas chambers of Auschwitz is morally repulsive and has no place on the campus of our State University.” Protest Mr. Getraer and Sarah Morrison, president of Hillel, decided the best way to show their displeasure with
the program was to stage a counter-protest and organized walk-out of the event. After Shabbat on January 29, more than 400 Jewish students, local community members, and non-Jewish supporters of Israel showed up for the program at the Douglass Campus Center in New Brunswick. Some came with Israeli flags, others brought signs. All came prepared to respect Mr. Getraer’s request for no verbal or physical altercations of any kind, no matter what the provocation. Infuriating Program According to Ms. Morrison, it was not difficult convincing people to come to the protest. The BAKA event “crossed the line for all of us,” she said. “Every student I talked to about it literally could not believe that such an event could take place on a campus with such a strong Jewish population and such a tolerant campus for all points of view,” she said. “This is the new antisemitism under the guise of anti-Israel activities, and they are using the mass murder of six million of our people to discredit the founding of the very country that later absorbed those survivors. It is one of the most insulting things that can be said about Jews.” The protest was endorsed not only by Hillel, but also by several Federations, a number of synagogues (some of which announced the protest in their shul bulletins), and political and Israel advocacy groups. According to Alyssa Farah, members of the NJ branch of Young Americans for Freedom were in attendance “to protest the discrimination against Jewish students.” According to Miss Morrison, all were “just as disgusted and shocked as we were.”
Four-to-One When the Jewish protesters began arriving, they quickly saw they were going to outnumber the program’s anti-Israel participants about four to one. The program’s hosts asked the Jews to line up separately and then began demanding at least $5 to enter the auditorium. When students showed the advertising that said either “free” or “suggested donation” to Sara Kershnar, founder of the International Jewish Anti-Zionist Network and a spokeswoman for the program’s hosts, she said, “That’s a mistake.” When pressed, Ms. Kershnar suggested the students file a complaint accusing BAKA of “false advertising.” Changing the Rules Several of the pro-Israel contingent clearly saw the program’s officials offering free admission to their anti-Israel supporters, often identified by anti-Israel tee-shirts, keffiyahs, or hijabs. “They were taken aside, given green wristbands, labeled as event ‘staff’ and given free entrance,” said Aaron Marcus, a Rutgers junior and Hillel student activist. At one point, the hosts of the event took a flyer, which mentioned a “suggested donation,” and tore the paper such that it appeared as an admission fee. No Police Assistance Rutgers campus police showed up and although they were shown the advertising associated with the program, did nothing to enforce it. “A suggested donation is not the same as a fee or the price of a ticket,” one woman explained to the Rutgers security agent. “Why does Rutgers not insist that a group using its
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Rutgers
February 2011 Tell Our Advertisers “I Saw It in The Jewish Voice & Opinion”
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facilities live up to its word?” The campus police said they could not respond to the question or even suggest why 400 people would be turned away from a public event. One officer said security was called late and “we’re really not sure what is going on.” Trying to Exclude Rabbi Akiva Weiss, who, with his wife, Nataly, serves as the Orthodox Union’s Jewish Learning Initiative on Campus Torah educator, saw clearly what was happening. “They started charging money as soon as they saw Zionists outside,” he said. Liran Kapoano, a Rutgers senior who founded a pro-Israel student group called “Scarlet Blue and White,” said the charge itself was a calculated attempt by the organizers to exclude Israel’s supporters. “They knew that every single person that showed up would not donate a penny to get in,” she said. Giving it one more try, one of the students asked the Ms. Kershnar if this was her idea of fairness or democracy. When she did not reply, hundreds of the Jewish
protesters began clapping and chanting, “Palestinian Democracy.” Explanation The following day, Ms. Kershnar posted an explanation that still did not explain the fraudulent behavior. She claimed that before the program took place, pressure from Rutgers Hillel prompted the university to designate BAKA as the group that merely secured the theater. Because the sponsoring groups were not student organizations associated with Rutgers, the university charged a full $1200 to rent Trayes Hall inside the Douglass Campus Center. “The cost for the room was no longer at the student group rate, forcing organizers to charge $5 to cover those costs,” she said. She also maintained that because so many Zionists showed up to protest, the group was forced to hire two additional security personnel. Fraud Mr. Getraer accused her of being disingenuous. “When they saw the proIsrael supporters, they pulled the ‘free’ sign down,” he said, adding that Hillel
intends to investigate whether any policies were violated and, if so, will present its findings to the university. When the Jewish students, led by Mr. Marcus, understood they were going to be denied entry to the program, they gathered in the lobby and sang religious songs in Hebrew. “We wanted to protest this event because, as children and grandchildren of victims of the Holocaust, we believed it to be absolutely absurd to compare Israeli acts of self-defense to the vicious, systematic murder of millions of Jews, Catholics, Gays, Gypsies, Russians, and others,” he said. Anti-Zionist Jews While none of the pro-Israel students had the opportunity to see them, the program featured two virulently anti-Israel Jewish Holocaust survivors, Hajo Meyer and Hedy Epstein. Born in 1924 in Germany, Mr. Meyer fled to the Netherlands alone in 1938. After spending time in hiding, he was arrested in 1944 and spent 10 months in Auschwitz. After retiring from his position as a
Dutch physicist, Mr. Meyer became an anti-Israel activist. His book, written in Dutch in 2003, translates as “The End of Judaism.” It accuses Israel of “abusing the Holocaust to justify crimes against the Palestinians.” He maintains that the Gaza “is a large concentration camp.” A supporter of boycotting Israel, he was charged in Scotland, in 2008, with “racially aggravated conduct” when he interrupted the Edinburgh Festival performance of the Jerusalem Quartet. Meets the Criteria The other survivor on the program, Hedy Epstein, was also born in 1924 in Germany. In 1939, she fled Nazi persecution via the Kindertransport to England. Most of her family died at Auschwitz. In 1948, she immigrated to the US, first to New York and then to Minneapolis and St Louis, where she became an activist for affordable housing, the pro-abortion movement, and the anti-war movement. When she heard about the episode at Sabra and Shatila, the Palestinian refugee camps in Lebanon which were attacked by Lebanese-Christian militias, she became an anti-Israel activist. In 2003, she traveled to Judea and Samaria to work with the zealously anti-Israel International Solidarity Movement. She said she has returned each year since, “despite being strip- and cavity-searched by guards at Ben Gurion Airport.” The ADL has characterized her talks as “an example of anti-Israel activism” which “would meet both the US government’s and Natan Sharansky’s definitions of antisemitism.” Slew of Programs “Never Again for Anyone” was the 11th anti-Israel program on the Rutgers campus since November, most them organized by BAKA. They ranged from a lecture entitled “Arabs and the Holocaust: A History of Competing Narratives,” to films such as “Occupation 101,” which features interviews with people who are critical of the “injustices and human rights abuses stemming from Israeli policy in the West Bank, East Jerusalem, and Gaza,” and “Breaking the Silence,” about the 2002 Israeli military operations, “depicting aggression and occupation from multiple perspectives.” In February 2010, the Palestinian Children’s Relief Fund was chosen by the Rutgers Student Assembly as their
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designated charity, led by then-student president Yousef Saleh. Students could choose to donate to the selected charity, which usually raises about $10,000. The PCRF has been accused of being politically motivated and aiding Hamas. Mr. Saleh was unfazed. “Until the FBI declares them to be a terrorist organization, I will defend them with my life,” he said. Breaking the Law This past fall, BAKA applied for and received $2,500 from Rutgers for a fundraising event to support a group called “US To Gaza,” an organization raising money to purchase an American ship to run the Israeli military blockade. Held on November 4, the event was
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called “US to Gaza Fundraiser, for the Gaza Freedom Flotilla.” When the event was publicized, Hillel, realizing it was potentially in violation of several federal laws, brought it to the attention of Rutgers President Richard McCormick as well as to the school’s chief legal counsel. Problems for the School The first problem was that BAKA would have to give any money raised at the fundraiser to a legal, tax-exempt, charitable organization, which “US To Gaza” is not. BAKA could find another group that is tax-exempt but connected to “US to Gaza,” but that would be problematic for the university.
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Rutgers
February 2011
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Further, Hillel pointed out to the school officials, the blockade runners will attempt to deliver goods, services, or technical assistance to Hamas, a designated Foreign Terrorist Organization, which is crime. The Neutrality Act makes it a felony for private citizens to undertake any naval expedition against a friendly nation. “Given that Israel’s maritime blockade arises from, and is part of, an armed conflict, it is likely that a US court will agree that the gathering of funds, the organization of individuals, and the purchasing and using of a vessel to violate that blockade is prohibited
under the Neutrality Act. It is possible that the BAKA event and related planning constitutes an illegal criminal conspiracy to break the laws. By funding and providing space for this event, the State University itself may be part of any illegal criminal conspiracy,” said Mr. Getraer. Etzion Neuer, regional director of NJ ADL, said he believed the NJ State Legislature “would be dismayed to learn a state-funded university funded such a gross violation of US foreign policy.” Blaming the Messenger Hoda Mitwally, BAKA’s public relations officer, de-
fended the event and accused Hillel of trying “to stir up controversy.” “It is not illegal,” she said. “If there is anything that is illegal, it is the Israeli blockade itself. Hillel holds their own events that have a political spin and nobody ever gives them an issue with it or launches a smear campaign against them as they have done with us.” Nevertheless, Rutgers officials informed BAKA that it must let people at the door know that the money will not be going to “US to Gaza.” In fact, the money cannot go anywhere until all legal issues are settled, said the school.
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Gaza Vigil In the middle of January, BAKA ran a program called “Gaza Vigil” which featured lit candles and a moment of silence to commemorate “the second anniversary of the Gaza massacres in which 1400 lives were lost.” The program did not deal with the fact that Operation Cast Lead came only after Israel had vacated Gaza and then lived through five years of rocket attacks into Jewish civilian areas. It also did not mention that more than half of the lives lost were Hamas terrorists. “This may be the first time that university students were exposed to paying tribute to fallen terrorists under the guise of ‘innocent civilians,’” said Rabbi Weiss. One-Sided According to Ms. Mitwally, the purpose was “to spread awareness about Palestine and the brutal criminal siege that killed hundreds of nonviolent civilians in Gaza.” “The injustice continues today, and it must stop,” she said. In a speech at the vigil, BAKA member Murtaza Husain discussed Palestinian children’s emotional issues, but not those of Israeli children who had seconds to reach a safe room before a rocket attack. “Israel’s campaign in Gaza included burning people down to the bone with white phosphorous. It also left permanent emotional scars. Most children in the area have post-traumatic stress disorder, with 30 percent suffering from involuntary urination,” she said. For Mr. Getraer just as bad—if not worse—was the front-page article on the vigil that appeared in The Targum,
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The Jewish Voice and Opinion
February 2011
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Ask OHEL: What Should a Parent Do When a Child Is Bullied?
Q
uestion: My 14 year old son came home and told me he is being bothered by some boys at school. He said that for the last three days, they have been knocking his backpack off his shoulder and when he bends down to pick it up, they say just loud enough for his classmates to hear “What a wimp! Can’t even hold onto his backpack.” He thought that if he ignored them, they would stop. They haven’t. Is this bullying or just typical behavior of teenagers? Donny Frank, M.Ed, LMFT, in OHEL’s Northern NJ Regional Office in Teaneck, responds: Addressing the issue of bullying has become the focus of many schools and mental health professionals to the extent that virtually all hurtful interactions between youngsters are now being viewed as symptomatic of a “bully” problem. Such broad sweeping judgments, which have produced cries for overhauling entire school systems with
Rutgers
great expectations, can have its drawbacks. For starters, that perception can create tensions between parents and school administrators, which is itself an important issue. Moreover, without discriminating between aggressive behaviors, teenage mischief, and bullying, we may end up mistreating the problem. It’s important to remember that the needs, motivations, and values of youngsters struggling with anger-management problems may be very different from those experienced by actual bullies. Consequently, the appropriate interventions for each will also be different. Defining the Problem So what exactly is bullying? According to Dan Olweus, an internationally renowned researcher in the field of bullying, a person is bullied when he or she is “exposed, repeatedly and over time, to negative actions on the part of one or more other persons, and he or she has difficulty defending himself or herself.”
In other words, bullying occurs when an aggressor repeatedly capitalizes on an imbalance of power to gain pleasure by hurting others. Bullying involves a perpetrator with a deficit in empathy, not one who struggles with, for instance, poor conflict management. With bullying, there is no conflict. Therefore, conflict resolution or communication skills are not what is needed. In this light, and without the benefit of being able to ask you further questions, we will safely consider your son’s experiences as a case of bullying. And having said that, we can bring to bear the research that suggests that ignoring bullies does not help. Empowering the Victim Your son needs to be empowered. He needs your support, as well as the support of staff and friends, and, most importantly, his own increased confidence. I encourage you to work towards these goals. For starters, you should meet with his teachers and
principals to discuss what bullying programs the school has in place. You may also offer your son the chance to speak with someone who can coach him towards being assertive. In any case, do not drop the ball. You were fortunate that your son brought this to your attention. Many parents won’t hear about the problem until the situation has greatly deteriorated. Catching It Early Knocking your son’s knapsack off his shoulders is a sign of bully behavior, one that’s been around since the advent of knapsacks. And it is hurtful. Unfortunately, today, bullying can get much worse. Through technology, bullying has been brought to new heights—or, rather, lows—as cyber-bullying tends to be more vicious and, if it goes viral, much more difficult to contain. It’s key to intervene before it reaches that medium. To learn more about bullying, see OHEL’s latest video at http:// www.ohelfamily.org Y
County in South River. Those interested in attending can call 732-432-7711 ext 23. “The relentless and ongoing series of anti-Israel events this year constitute a steadfast and
determined effort to delegitimize Israel, Israel’s supporters, including Hillel, and borders on overt antisemitism. We are facing a crisis at Rutgers,” said Mr. Getraer. S.L.R.
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Rutgers’ daily student paper. Entitled “Vigil Pays Tribute to Thousands Killed on Gaza Strip Commemorating the Second Anniversary of the Gaza Massacres,” the piece uncritically accepted Baka’s spin.
The situation at Rutgers has prompted a meeting to be scheduled at 7:30pm on Wed., Feb 16 (snow date Wed, Feb 23), at the Jewish Community Relations Council of the Jewish Federation of Greater Middlesex
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NJ Yachad 2nd Annual
Special Needs Parent Conference & Resource Fair Co-Sponsored by the UJA of NNJ’s Jewish Council for Special Needs
Sunday, February 27th, 2011 9:00 am-2:30 pm
The Rosenbaum Yeshiva of North Jersey (YNJ) 666 Kinderkamack Road, River Edge, NJ
Keynote: Dr. Daniel J. Tomasulo
Interactive-Behavioral Therapy: Group Treatment for People with Intellectual Disabilities
Workshops on accessing services, nutrition, fitness & health, navigating special education services, The Essential Life Plan, financial planning, transition to adult services, and interventions for autism…….
Presenters: • Dr. Miriam Goldstein • Mrs. Shira Richman • Mr. Eric Chessen
Special Lunch Presentation: What Inclusion Means to our Youth. - Presented by a panel of teens
• DDD Representatives • Mrs. Sharyn Gallatin • DVRS Representatives
Cost of the Program: • $25 for one adult (includes dairy lunch) • $36 for whole family to attend (Includes lunch & child care services)
• Mr. Stephen Ehrens
• Mrs. Amanda Levy • Ms. Abbe Greenberg
Limited scholarships available
Bergen County Special Services • AND MORE!
Child Care for ages 2-6 years old Fun Sibling Programs for ages 7-13 years old Yachad program for kids with special needs ages 5-16
Register and pay online at: www.njcd.org/naim/event/njparentconference For more information, contact: Chani Herrmann at herrmann@ou.org
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The Jewish Voice and Opinion
February 2011 Tell Our Advertisers “I Saw It in The Jewish Voice & Opinion”
Ma’ayanot Yeshiva High School for Girls Journalism Students Speak Out on Israel after the Carmel Mountain Fire and What to Do with Bernie Madoff
ast month, a number of students in Rivki Nyer’s journalism class at the Ma’ayanot Yeshiva High School for Girls in Teaneck submitted Op-Eds for publication. Their subjects ranged from controversial to righteous indignation. Some were spiritual; others pleading. Over the next few months, we plan to publish several of these pieces. This month, we begin with Ilana Weinberger’s rebuke to the Israeli government after the Carmel Mountains wildfire and Daniella Steinreich’s suggestion for what to do with Bernie Madoff. S.L.R.
The Mount Carmel Wildfire Was a Stain on Israel’s Reputation
By Ilana Weinberger, 10th Grade, Ma’ayanot Yeshiva High School for Girls While fires, earthquakes, and other natural disasters are inevitable in any country, a relatively affluent, industrialized nation such as Israel has no excuse for not being better prepared than it was when the devastating wildfire struck the
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Carmel Mountains last December. The effects of the fire, Israel’s worst in modern times, were shattering: 13,000 people were evacuated from their homes and many more were injured or killed, including passengers in a bus in the Carmel Mountains. The 44th victim, a firefighter who had been hospitalized for two weeks, died last month. More than 7,000 acres of land were destroyed before the fire was brought under control. Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called the fire, which was apparently triggered accidentally by Druse teens, an “unprecedented disaster.” The fire was controlled after about 5 days, in large part due to the help provided by other countries. Italy, Cyprus, Russia, Greece, and the U.S sent experienced firefighting professionals with necessary equipment. Even Turkey sent help, despite the diplomatic conflicts between Ankara and Jerusalem following the flotilla incident last spring. While Netanyahu expressed hope that Turkey’s efforts would “serve as an opening to improve relations” between the two countries, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan tersely repeated his demand for an apology for “Israel’s attack” on the flotilla. Israel also requested financial assistance from Jews abroad, and the Jewish Federations of North America obediently donated $2.4 million to the cause. The tragedy of the fire itself was compounded by Israel’s embarrassing dependence on other countries and foreign Jews. A government’s primary responsibility is to protect its citizens. How is it possible that the fire caught the Jewish state so unprepared that it had to rely on others, including potential enemies? Clearly, Israel’s priorities need to be adjusted. While it pours resources into the army, it has never budgeted for a fireextinguishing plane, such as the one sent by Greece. These planes cost about $15 million each, not much more than a fighter jet or tank, and they would have saved many lives. Israel needs to strike a better balance in allocating its resources between civil defense and military security. Israel’s Arab enemies have noticed
http://jewishvoiceandopinion.com this problem, which they interpret as weakness. Hizbullah terrorists in Lebanon publicly celebrated the effects of the fire and applauded the civilian deaths. When Arab governments and terrorist groups perceive Israel as weak or poorly prepared, they are more likely to launch terrorist or military attacks. Paradoxically, therefore, neglecting civil defense to fund military preparedness may be counterproductive. Justifiably, the responsible government officials have come under criticism. Many Israelis have called for the resignation of Interior Minister Eli Yishai. Given the magnitude of the government’s ineptitude that was revealed by its response to this fire, Yishai’s resignation should be just the first corrective action. The entire Netanyahu government must publicly accept responsibility, and immediately propose a remedial plan, allocating more budgetary resources to protecting the Israeli population from similar disasters in the future. By all means, ministers and other officials in charge of these efforts must be required to have experience in modern methods of managing the most common scenarios. Israel can no longer afford to ignore not just the possibility of natural disasters, but, rather, their probability.
Adar I 5771 FBI should use him to catch future criminals. The government could require him to cooperate with psychologists brought in to study his personality and psyche, allowing law enforcement to understand the characteristics of a person who commits fraud. This could assist them in catching future criminals. This creativity would be a matter of life imitating art. The USA Network’s television show, “White Collar,� is the story of a white-collar criminal who is hired by the FBI to assist them in catching other such offenders. Who would know better than Madoff the sort of techniques and ideas future law-
The Jewish Voice and Opinion
breakers may employ? Because he was able to steal billions before he was caught, he would be well-suited to tell the FBI what to look for and what to monitor. At the age of 71, Madoff no longer poses a direct threat to society. While his days of financial fraud are over, others who would like nothing better than to try to pull off a similar scheme are still out there. Using Madoff’s mind may be society’s best chance to prevent a similar future calamity. All those whose future life-savings could be at risk would certainly prefer that Madoff serve a useful purpose rather than a meaningless life sentence. Y
Bernie Madoff: Public Service Makes More Sense Than Prison
By Daniella Steinreich, 10th Grade Ma’ayanot Yeshiva High School for Girls Bernie Madoff unquestionably committed a horrible crime that caused untold suffering, but imprisoning him is not only inappropriate, it is a pure waste of talent. On March 10, 2009, Madoff was charged with 11 counts of fraud. He pled guilty to having led a $50 billion Ponzi scheme, stealing from hundreds of individuals and charitable organizations, and ruining countless lives. Nevertheless, and despite popular belief, putting this man, who, for decades, successfully carried out the world’s largest Ponzi scheme, in jail is a waste of his brilliance and taxpayers’ money. There are any number of public services for which his mind could be used. For example, instead of letting him rot, the
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February 2011
Tell Our Advertisers “I Saw It in The Jewish Voice & Opinion”
Torah in Motion Announces Medical Ethics Conference in Vermont and Eastern European “Journey through Jewish History”
T
orah in Motion (TiM) announces two stimulating programs for the summer of 2011. The third International Conference on Jewish Medical Ethics will take place at the four-diamond Stoweflake luxury resort, in beautiful Stowe, VT from July 7th-10. Featured speakers include Dr. Daniel Eisenberg, Dr. Michelle Friedman, Rabbi Dr. Aaron E. Glatt, Rabbi
Dr. Avraham Steinberg, Rabbi Dr. Tzvi Hersh Weinreb, and Rabbi Dr. Richard Weiss. CME application is pending A typical reaction to last year’s conference was: “I left the conference on a total high. It was such a wonderful Shabbat experience. It was a Kiddush Hashem in so many aspects. The Torah learned, the Divrei Torah, and being in the
presence of true role models was a wonderful experience.” The second program is Dr. Marc Shapiro leading A Journey Through Jewish History July 21-31. With visits to Budapest, Vienna, Prague, Bratislava (Pressburg), Eisenstadt, Sopron and many other sites off the beaten track, this tour promises to be an unforgettable experience with a
focus on Jewish history. Torah in Motion brings teachers and students together to facilitate the study of Torah in an intellectually open and stimulating manner through live events and online learning. For further information on these & other Torah in Motion programs, visit www.torahinmotion.org or call 1-866-633-5770. Y
Ramote Expeditions: Where Adventure Meets Inspiration in a Torah Atmosphere
By Hindy Fishman ords like “extreme,” “exploration,” or “adventure” elicit images of faroff places and intense activities. Can these very terms, in their literal sense, accurately denote methods towards selfawareness, motivation, and determination? Yes they can, and Ramote Expeditions was founded on exactly that principle. Since its inception in 2000, Ramote has empowered hundreds of participants through its unique approach, infusing adventure with inspiration, challenge with education, and all-out fun with sustainable lessons for life. An exciting and positive Torah atmosphere is coupled with road-trip adventures across the Northeast and California. Our participants include teens
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from Orthodox-Jewish communities around the world. The core ingredients of our program are passion, experience, and vision. Passion The passion for adventure travel and experiential education is deeply rooted in each of the staff members of Ramote Expeditions. This enthusiasm is an expression not only of our own love for wilderness sports and travel, but more so of our understanding of how Ramote Expeditions will empower and transform our participants and ourselves. Each year, we are enthralled as we see how our activities build trust, responsibility, and determination. Our passion is contagious and our energy level is quickly reflected both in the group’s excitement and
in the internalization of essential lessons. While the participants engage in the action-packed road trips, the leaders of Ramote use our passion to weave life-skills and Torah insights into the fabric of each adventure. Experience With a combined total of several decades of experience, Ramote Expeditions’ team is well equipped to provide a program that is unmatched in its field. From mountain biking to backpacking, survival skills to canoeing, our experience and professionalism is deftly applied to each detail of every adventure. Rabbi Ariel Fishman and Chanoch Spetner, Ramote Expeditions’ directors, are NYS licensed guides and experts in the sports and in the regions which they guide. As seasoned educators, they effectively instill the tools for growth, in both the physical and spiritual realms. The co-leaders are homegrown Ramoters and are eager to share their knowledge and skills with all participants. The relationship among the staff is far beyond mere employment; rather it is one of friendship and genuine appreciation. Each of us strives to be a transparent role-model, harnessing all our
talents and experiences to implement safe, challenging, and empowering road-trips. Vision Ramote has always been at the forefront of experiential education and adventure travel, and we take pride at having brought our methodology to the world of Jewish education and recreation. Our goal is to imbue in each of our participants a keen selfawareness, firm self-confidence, and the motivation to excel, in all areas of their lives. We continually work to improve our program towards this end; consequently, we have high expectations for ourselves and for those who join the Ramote Expeditions family. It is this vision, and our understanding that this vision is attainable, that makes Ramote Expeditions at once strikingly unique, remarkably powerful, and incredibly fun. The author, and her husband, Ramote Expediton’s codirector, Rabbi Ariel Fishman, live in Israel with their four children. They work year-round in teen-education and adventure programming. For pictures, videos, and information about Ramote Expeditions Summer 2011, visit www.ramote.org or call 516-784-0382. Y
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Jewish Medical Ethics
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The Jewish Voice and Opinion
February 2011 Tell Our Advertisers “I Saw It in The Jewish Voice & Opinion”
Adina and Michael Kirshner to Be Honored by P’TACH
t the P’TACH Annual Scholarship Dinner, scheduled for Sun evening, Feb 27 at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in NYC, the organization which has pioneered Jewish special education and remains at the cutting edge of the field, is proud to honor Adina and Michael Kirshner with its prestigious Chesed Award. Over the last 35 years, P’TACH, an acronym for Parents for Torah for All Children, has serviced more than 100 children from Bergen County alone. P’TACH provides children with learning differences the environment and skills to succeed and build their self-esteem as well as a regular yeshiva education. These skills enable every Jewish child, regardless of background to take his or her rightful place in the Jewish community and build healthy homes and families. With the cost of a Torah education itself a challenge to some, P’TACH’s additional educational skills and materials dramatically increase this challenge for all of its parents. To that end, P’TACH annually awards over $1 million in scholarships to families who cannot meet this high tuition.
For reservations to the dinner, or to place a journal ad, please call 718-8548600 or email ptachmain@aol.com Meeting at Sea The Kirshners’ relationship with P’TACH began 17 years ago on a P’TACH Young Leadership Division annual singles fundraising boat ride on the Circle Line around Manhattan. Although the idea of being “stuck” on a boat for three hours was daunting, they were separately convinced to attend through the efforts of Steve and Chary Fox, current P’TACH board members who organized the event. Sixteen years and three beautiful children later, Mr. and Mrs. Kirshner are continuously awed by the talent, patience, and dedication of the P’TACH staff. Adina Mrs. Kirshner grew up in Wappingers Falls, NY, where her involvement with NCSY led her to become more religiously observant. Her parents, fully supportive of her decision, sent her to the Frisch Yeshiva High School in Paramus, where she received a rigorous Jewish and secular
education and served on the regional board of NJ Etz Chaim Region of NCSY. Mrs. Kirshner graduated from Queens College with a degree in Economics and then received an MBA in Finance from Fordham University. She currently serves as the executive administrator of Congregation Rinat Yisrael in Teaneck. Michael Mr. Kirshner grew up on the Upper West Side of Manhattan until he was nine, when his parents and he moved to the Teaneck-Bergenfield community, which, at the time, was just in its infancy. Mr. Kirshner became involved with Congregation Beth Abraham, then just a fledgling synagogue, and, over time, has served has served as the shul’s gabbai, treasurer, and ba’al koreh. After graduating from YU, Mr. Kirshner became a CPA and now serves as corporate controller at Federation Employment & Guidance Services (F.E.G.S.), a non-profit agency which has served the Jewish community and beyond for more than 75 years. Y
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Arab Uprising
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that, for the moment at least, the Jews in Morocco were safe. “There is no reason to believe that what is happening in the rest of the Arab world will affect them at all,” said Mr. Hadas. Arson But as Tunisia went through the riots that have been dubbed “the Jasmine Revolution,” the European protection for the Jews proved insufficient. On January 31, arsonists set fire to the synagogue in the southern Gabes region, not far from Djerba. While security police did nothing, the shul and the Torah scrolls burned. “What astonished me was that there were police not far from the synagogue,” said Trabelsi Perez, a leader of the local Jewish community and head of Djerba’s Ghriba synagogue, the oldest Jewish house of worship in Africa. In April 2002, the synagogue was bombed by Al-Qaeda terrorists, killing 21 people, 16 of whom were European tourists. According to Reuters, attacks on the Jewish community in Tunisia are rare, but, in the wake of the turmoil, sporadic looting and sabotage broke out across the entire country. Scapegoating In Israel, Nissim Taito, director of the World Organization of Tunisian Jews, told Arutz Sheva that the Jewish community in Tunisia was closely monitoring the political situation in the country out of a concern that the Islamic radicals could turn on local Jews, blaming them for the current political and social uncertainty. “We still do not know what their situation is, but we are willing to help absorb them [in Israel] if they decide to come here. After all, Israel is their home, too. They should have been here with us a long time ago,” said Mr. Taito. He stressed that no one knows whether it is dangerous for the Jewish communities in Tunis or Djerba. “The events in Tunisia were surprising, even for us. If a democracy results from this coup, then all of us—Jews, Arabs, the democratic world—will profit. But if, G-d forbid, the Islamists take over, you do not have to be very smart to understand how serious it will be for everyone, especially the Jewish community.” From the Frying Pan Tunisian Jews in Israel were able to
contact their relatives only through a third party in France. According to Mr. Taito, the third party also raised questions about the future of the Jews in Tunisia. Mr. Taito said if the Tunisian Jews want to make aliyah, they will be greeted warmly. He warned that there is “no reason for them to go to France.” “After all, that would just be a temporary haven. Muslims make up at least 15 percent of the population there,” he said. Domino Theory The “Domino Theory,” which has not discussed in the US since the Vietnam War era, never seemed more relevant. It was ap-
plied not to Asian countries falling, one by one, under the sway of Communism, but, rather, to Arab populations deciding, each in turn, to throw off the yokes of their autocratic rulers. While some pundits wondered what had happened to cause such upheaval all at once across the region, others pointed to the comprehensive coverage given to the riots in each city by Arab satellite television. The pan-Arab station, Al-Jazeera, not only broadcast footage of the riots and interviews with people on the street, but also Facebook
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Arab Uprising
Posts from protesters as they were posted on the internet. What Next? As the protests raged, the question plaguing policy makers in Israel, the only Western democracy in the region, was: What comes next? President Barack Obama and his administration seem to be banking on Jeffersonian democrats emerging from new elections in Tunis, Cairo, Amman, and Beirut. But many Middle East experts fear this is just the opportunity for which the Muslim Brotherhood, the best organized group in the region, and other Islamists have been waiting. The debate is not a new. It pits democracy on the one hand against stability on the other. In most of the Muslim world, as happened in Gaza in 2005, the democratic process could result in a murderous terrorist group’s coming to power, rather than a dictator
February 2011
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continued from page 21 who is eager for peace. The branch of the Muslim Brotherhood with which Israelis are most familiar is Hamas, the terrorist organization that now rules in Gaza. One leading Brotherhood cleric has said the organization’s philosophy is: Kill Jews—to the very last one.” Another Brotherhood leader told an Arab newspaper at the end of January, “Egyptians should prepare for war against Israel.” Helping Hamas Recently, Atiyeh Jawwabra, a political scientist at Jerusalem’s Al Quds University, told the Wall Street Journal that if the Muslim Brotherhood secures a prominent place in the new Egyptian government, “this would definitely help consolidate Hamas’s hold on Gaza.” Two years ago the ADL posted on its website a sermon by one of the Muslim Brotherhood’s leading preachers, Sheikh Yusuf al-Qaradawi,
who is based in Qatar. On AlJazeera, Mr. Qaradawi said, “I will shoot Allah’s enemies, the Jews, and they will throw a bomb at me, and thus I will seal my life with martyrdom.” Two days later, Mr. Qaradawi gave another speech in which he claimed that Adolf Hitler was sent by Allah “to punish the Jews.” On another occasion, he declared, “I support Hamas, the Islamic Jihad, and Hezbollah. I oppose the peace that Israel and America wish to dictate. This peace is an illusion. I support martyrdom operations.” Can They Win Some analysts argue that, as opposed to the Mullahs in Iran in 1979, the Muslim Brotherhood will not be able to win control of Egypt. On CNN, Mustafa Abulhimal said the Muslim Brotherhood is “a small minority among those who are out on the street.”
He argued there is “no comparison between Egypt today and Iran in 1979.” “The Muslim Brotherhood has nothing to do with the Iranian model, has nothing to do with extremism as we have seen it in Afghanistan and other places. The Muslim Brotherhood is a religiously conservative group. They are a minority in Egypt,” he said. Not Just Paper Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned that the rebellion, mayhem, and violence in neighboring Arab countries should serve as a warning to the Jewish state against rushing, without proper security guarantees, into the establishment of the Palestinian Authority as a new Muslim nation. “We need to lay the foundation of security in any agreement that we make. We cannot simply say, ‘We are signing a peace
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Arab Uprising
agreement,’ close our eyes, and say, ‘We did it,’ because we do not know with any clarity that the peace will be honored.” PA senior negotiator Saeb Erekat promptly accused Mr. Netanyahu of “using Tunisia’s violence” as an excuse to refuse to submit to the Palestinians’ demands. “If there was a tsunami in Asia, a flood in Latin America, or a lunar eclipse, Netanyahu would use it as a pretext not to negotiate,” said Mr. Erekat. In fact, Israel has been pressing for negotiations. The PA has refused any meetings until Israel agrees to halt all building in eastern Jerusalem, Judea, and Samaria. Many analysts concurred with Mr. Netanyahu, seeing last month’s sudden changes in Arab governments as reason to adopt a wait-and-see attitude, just to be certain that PA officials with whom Israel might be negotiating will keep their positions. Lebanon
February 2011
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continued from page 22 The first Arab country to explode in January was Lebanon, where the resignation of 11 cabinet ministers allied with the terrorist group Hezbollah sparked fears that that the country would erupt into civil war. At the beginning of the month, Hezbollah, which is armed and funded by Syria and Iran, pulled its cabinet members out of the Lebanese coalition government, effectively toppling it. Hezbollah acted when it was unable to force Prime Minister Sa’ad Hariri to reject the UN Special Tribunal’s indictment of a number of Hezbollah senior terrorists in connection with the 2005 assassination of his father, former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri. It is widely suspected that Syrian leader Bashar Assad was behind the murder of Rafik Hariri, who was killed in a car bomb attack along with 22 others. Rafik Hariri opposed Syrian interference in Lebanese
affairs, especially the thousands of Syrian troops which Mr. Assad had stationed on Lebanese soil. Hezbollah leader, Hassan Nasrallah, blamed Israel for the murder of Rafik Hariri and then called the indictments against the terrorist group a “Zionist and American plot to push their Middle East agenda.” Although Saudi, Turkish, and Qatari officials tried to bring Hezbollah back into the government, they failed, reportedly because Mr. Nasrallah insisted that Sa’ad Hariri not be permitted to return as prime minister. Hezbollah Prime Minister Iran’s semi-official Fars News Agency quoted a retired Lebanese general who predicted that Lebanon’s next prime minister would come from the ranks of Hezbollah. The powerful Druse leader, Walid Jumblatt, once Mr. Hariri’s strongest ally and now head of the Progressive So-
cialist Party with 11 seats in the coalition, announced that he would throw his support behind Hezbollah. That was sufficient for Hezbollah to score a bloodless coup on January 25 when the parliament gave billionaire banker Najib Makati, widely believed to be close to Hezbollah, a solid majority to replace Mr. Hariri. Dangerous The prospect of Hezbollah taking control of Lebanon was viewed in many parts of the country as well as in Israel as dangerous. Many residents of Beirut fled the city when it was rumored that Hezbollah was training its troops to assume control of the city’s airport and highways. “Hezbollah is a party sponsored by Iran. Has anyone thought of what will happen to us if they take over? We will turn into Gaza,” said Lebanese nationalist leader Samir Jaja. Israeli Deputy Prime Min-
http://jewishvoiceandopinion.com ister Silvan Shalom agreed. “Hezbollah is no longer merely a terrorist group operating with Iran’s backing, but a terrorist group in control of the country,” he said, adding that Israel would be following the situation closely and would be “prepared for all future developments.” In Israel, it was reported that Hezbollah operatives have infiltrated Gaza, where they are teaching local terrorists new techniques, especially rocket attacks on civilians. Israelis have produced evidence that Hezbollah funds terrorist groups in Judea and Samaria, too, and helps train terrorists from those regions and Gaza who make their way to Syria. “Day of Rage” At the end of January, Beirut and the port city of Tripoli erupted into a “day of rage” declared by supporters of Sa’ad Hariri. The Lebanese army struggled to reopen major roads that were blocked with tires and vehicles set on fire by Sunni Muslims who feared Hezbollah’s Shi’ite rule, even though Mr. Makati is a Sunni and denies that he is controlled by the terrorists. Mr. Hariri, who lost to Mr. Makati 60 to 68 in the Lebanese Parliament, said his bloc, called the Future Movement, will not join the government until Mr. Makati clarifies his position on the UN’s Tribunal for Lebanon. The resulting chaos prompted Elias Bejjani, a spokesman for the Canadian Lebanese Human Rights Federation and media chairman for the Canadian Lebanese Coordinating Council, to call on the Free World and other Arabic countries to recognize their “obligation to help the Lebanese people by all available means, including military force, in a bid to stop Iran and Syria, through their armed terrorist proxy, Hezbollah, from taking over Lebanon and turning it into an arena for evil wars against all the de-
mocracies in the world.” “The confrontation with the Axis of Evil is inevitable and now is the right time to act, before it is too late and before a new Nazi dragon starts goose-stepping in to devour all the Arab countries and Europe,” he said. No US Intervention The US was not interested. Although the Obama administration expressed its concern over developments in Lebanon, it made clear it was not ready to intervene to prevent the terror group from installing its government. Nevertheless, there were reports that the US and France were increasing their naval presence off the Lebanese coast. “We do know that political tension, unrest, and especially any violence that might follow are threats to regional stability and security,” said Pentagon spokesman David Lapan. He noted that the US “has a valuable relationship with the Lebanese Armed Forces” and is “committed to do what we can to strengthen the sovereignty of the institutions as well as the government of Lebanon.” Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said the US would not cooperate with Hezbollah, however, she said, the make-up of the government is an internal Lebanese matter and Washington would not get involved. “A Hezbollah-controlled government would clearly have an impact on our bilateral relationship with Lebanon,” she said. “Our bottom lines remain as they always have been. We believe that justice must be pursued and impunity for murder ended. We believe in Lebanon’s sovereignty and an end to outside interference.” Tunisia The next Arab country to go up in flames was Tunisia, where chaotic protests left
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dozens killed and hundreds wounded. It began when Mohamed Bouazizi, a 26-year-old student, set himself on fire in protest over high unemployment and inflation. Tunisian President Zine el-Abidine Ben Ali, who had ruled the country since 1987, first tried appeasing the demonstrators, promising to create 300,000 new jobs for college graduates, sacking his Minister of the Interior Rafik Belhaj Kacem, appointing an investigatory committee to study the recent violence and the charges of official corruption, and releasing some of the protesters who had been arrested. His government blamed Islamist and leftist groups for inflaming the protests, which is why schools and universities were shut down and military reinforcements were deployed around ruling party headquarters and its radio station. At no time, however, did he blame the Jews or Israel.
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According to Mr. Taito, Mr. Ben Ali “was very good towards the local Jews, even more than his predecessor, Habib Bourguiba, who had been known for his great appreciation of the country’s Jewish community.” “Unfortunately,” said Mr. Taito, “corruption destroyed [Ben Ali] completely.” Stable Dictator Mr. Ben Ali had the support of neighboring European Mediterranean countries, such as France, Italy, and Spain, who understood that if Tunis collapsed, the number of Tunisian migrants to their countries would swell. Mrs. Clinton voiced US concern over “the use of excessive force” by Mr. Ben Ali’s government against the demonstrators, but she balanced that by praising “the very positive aspects of our relationship with Tunisia.” Only a few days after the riots began, Mr. Ben Ali fled
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the country to Saudi Arabia, leaving Prime Minister Muhammad Ghannouchi temporarily in charge. When a new president, Fouad Mebazaa, former head of the lower house of Tunisia’s parliament, was sworn into office, it closed the option of a return for Mr. Ben Ali. By January 21, Tunisia declared three days of national mourning for the dozens of people killed during the riots before and after Mr. Ben Ali’s ouster. Jordan As pictures of the violence in Tunisia made their way onto televisions and computers, thousands of Jordanians took to the streets in an unprecedented protest. In Jordan, unlike the demonstrations in other Arab countries, there were no calls for an overthrow of King Abdullah. Mr. Hadas insisted that the Jordanian demonstrations were “completely different and over different issues” that the ones in Tunis. “Organizers in Jordan were planning those demonstrations in advance; they were just able to take advantage of the Tunisian upheaval” for an extra publicity push, said Mr. Hadas. He stressed that, in Jordan, the real issue of importance to the protesters was the high price of food.
February 2011
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continued from page 25 Not a Jewish Issue As during Lebanon’s “Day of Rage” on behalf of Mr. Hariri and the protests in Tunisia, there were no calls in Jordan for “death to Israel.” The Muslim Brotherhood did not participate in the protests, and even university students were not in evidence. According to Arab media, Jordan’s King Abdullah surrounded his palace with tanks as a precaution. In Jordan, protesters scoffed at a government announcement earlier in the week that $169 million would be invested to reduce food and fuel prices, and create jobs. Protesters’ banners declared: “Jordan is not only for the rich,” “Bread is a red line,” and “Beware of Our Starvation and Fury.” IAF While the Muslim Brotherhood in Jordan initially stayed away from the protests, by January 20 the group was planning to lead a second protest against the government. In Jordan, the Islamic Action Front (IAF) serves as the political arm of the Muslim Brotherhood and is the chief opposition party to the Jordanian government. Co-opting the popular sentiment against rising food prices, the IAF said it would lead a movement to censure the monarchy over rising prices for
foodstuffs and fuel. In a claim similar to the ones made by the opposition leaders in Iran, IAF leader Hamza Mansour told reporters that Jordan’s November 9th parliamentary elections had been “rigged.” He neglected to mention that the Muslim Brotherhood had boycotted the polls. Mr. Mansour said his organization demanded that King Abdullah “dismiss the cabinet and allow for the formation of an interim government that enjoys the confidence of the people until a Cabinet elected by the people is in place.” Learning Lessons Although Arab League Secretary-General Amr Moussa warned Arab leaders to learn from the uprising in Tunisia, the only country that seemed to take the riots seriously was Israel. Calling the events in Tunisia an example of the “big social shocks” that await Arab societies, Mr. Moussa said, “It is on everyone’s mind that the Arab self is broken by poverty, unemployment, and a general slide in indicators. This is in addition to political problems that have not been resolved.” Analysts said that despite significant military backing, Arab rulers are increasingly concerned over their vulnerability to popular uprisings by disgruntled citizens. And Israelis are growing increasingly concerned over
terrorism that could become rampant if Islamist groups take over Arab countries. Leaders vs People It did nothing to calm Israelis’ nerves when, on January 23, Jordan’s Prime Minister Samir Rifai said his country’s relationship with Israel was at an “all time low, at the worst level since the signing of the peace treaty” in 1994. In an interview with a Qatari newspaper, Mr. Rifai said Israel’s continuing “violations of the rights of the Palestinian people” was behind the deteriorating relations. Despite Mr. Rifai’s analysis, there was no indication that Israel was on the minds of any of the protesters. Their chants concerned forcing their political rulers to leave or requiring them to make food more readily available. If there were anti-Israel slogans, they were kept well-hidden. New Government At the beginning of February, as the street protest revolution spread in Jordan with demands for reforms and lower prices, King Abdullah abruptly dismissed his government, firing Mr. Rifai and naming Marouf al-Bakhit, a former army general, as prime minister-designate. The Jordanian Cabinet resigned. A statement from the Royal
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!
MISSION TO WASHINGTON !
Wednesday April 6, 2011 Register at: www.norpac.net or Call (201) 788-5133
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Do It Now
OU Kosher Essay Contest, for grades 7-12, 750-1,000 words on “How Does Eating Kosher Enhance Your Jewish Identity?” “What Does the Kosher Symbol on the Label Mean to Me?” “Is Eating Kosher More Than Just a Way of Eating?” or “Kashruth and Kedusah: A Connection?” Students in grade 12 may produce a 15-minute video/DVD entitled “Going Kosher: What Do I Do? How Do I Do It?” Deadline is March 24, prizes include gift certificates, for more information, contact Rabbi Eliyahu Safran, Safrane@ou.org Abe Oster Holocaust Remembrance Award, open to students in grades 10-12 who reside in Bergen County or are enrolled in a Bergen County public or private high school. Write a poem that conveys the lessons the applicant has learned from a comprehensive study of the Holocaust and how those lessons may be applied to present communal or global issues. First place prize is a $1,000 college scholarship, deadline is March 31, call Rabbi Steve Golden at the JCC, Tenafly, 201-408-1426 Registration for Yavneh Youth League, open for boys and girls, grades 1-8, who attend any Hebrew Day School in the North Jersey area, http://yavnehyouthleague.com/ Mostly Jewish Softball League Registration, for men over 18, games are played on Sunday mornings, April-September, in Bergen County, 9am and 11am, lamaloh@verizon.net
Fri., Feb 4
“A Taste of Shabbat,” for
February 2011
children 2-4 with adult, Aviva Kohl, JCC Rockland, West Nyack, 11:45am, 845-362-4400 Teen Oneg, Rabbi Shmuel Greene, private home in Highland Park, 7:30pm, 732-545-5686 Nok-Hockey Tournament and Cholent, for grades 2-5, Cong Beth Aaron, Teaneck, 7:45pm, bethaaronyouth@yahoo.com “Maimonides on Parables: Introduction—Three Purposes of Parables,” Yair Lorberbaum, Davar, Teaneck, 8pm, 201-8371995 or lkrule@aol.com Leil Limud, spons by Cong Ahawas Achim Bnai Jacob and David, topics dealing with issue of “Inclusion,” at private homes in West Orange, 8pm, 973-736-1407 A Shabbat with Rabbi Yechiel Eckstein, Cong Bnai Yeshurun, Teaneck, 8pm “Enhanced TSA, Pat-Downs, and Kavod Habriyot,” Rabbi Steven Miodownik, River Ridge, Highland Park, 8pm, 732-247-0532
Shabbat, Feb 5
Shabbat Shalem, dedicated to the memory of Joel Daner, z”l, promoting awareness of those living with disabilities, Cong Ahawas Achim Bnai Jacob and David, West Orange, 973-736-1407 “The Women in Sefer Shmot,” for women, Miriam Krupka, Cong Etz Chaim, Livingston, 10:15am, 973-597-1655 “The Founders of the Church: Rabbinic Double Agents? An Examination of the Early Jewish Response to Christianity and Its Implications for Modern-Day Interfaith Discussions,” Shuli Taubes, Cong Netivot Shaom, Teaneck, 11am, 201-801-9022
Tell Our Advertisers “I Saw It in The Jewish Voice & Opinion”
“Apples of Gold in Silver Settings: The Well-Constructed Parable,” Yair Lorberbaum, Davar, Teaneck, 11am, 201-8371995 or lkrule@aol.com “Who Is a Zionist and What Is Zionism Today?” Rabbi Lawrence Zierler, Jewish Center of Teaneck, noon “Terumah: The Delicate Balance of Giving and Taking,” for men and women, Tzippy Staum, Shiur Ramat Rachel, in memory of Rachel Lerner, z”l, Cong Beth Aaron, Teaneck, 3:50pm “Christian-Jewish Relations: Past, Present, and a Look toward the Future,” Rabbi Yechiel Eckstein, Cong Bnai Yeshurun, Teaneck, 3:55pm “Cutting Edge of Medicine— Halachic Perspectives,” Rabbi Dr. Avraham Steinberg, Seudah Shlishit, Riverdale Jewish Center, 4pm, 718-548-2307 “Parables and Commandments,” Yair Lorberbaum, Davar, Teaneck, 4:30pm, 201-837-1995 or lkrule@aol.com Sheloshim Siyum Mishnayos, in memory of Doug Stahl, z”l, Cong Ohr Torah, Edison, 4:45pm, 732-572-5991 “Inclusion,” Dr. Jeffrey Lichtman, Cong Ahawas Achim Bnai Jacob and David, West Orange, 5pm Rabbi J.Z. Spier, seudah shlishit, grades 7-12, Cong Keter Torah, Teaneck, 5pm “The Real Threats to the Survival of Israel, Jews, and Judaism,” Rabbi Yechiel Eckstein, Cong Bnai Yeshurun, Teaneck, 5:15pm Motzei Shabbat, Feb 5 Parent-Child Learning, Cong Arzei Darom, Teaneck, 6:45pm, hallrental@arzeidarom.org Cong Beth Aaron Sisterhood Book Club: “Identical Strangers: A Memoir of Twins Separated and Reunited,” a memoir by Elyse Schein and Paula Bernstein, private home in Teaneck, 7pm, 201-837-0651 Melovie Malka, grades 2-3, Cong Rinat Yisrael, Teaneck, 7:15pm Film: “The Klezmatics: On Holy Ground,” JCC, West Orange, 7:30pm, 973-530-3400 Cong Beth Aaron Sister-
The Log: hood Spa Night, at Lillian Lee Salon, Teaneck, 7:30pm, 201836-4644 Frisch Yeshiva High School Dinner, honoring Ronnie and Marc Schlussel, Penny Rabinowitz, Paul Rolnick, and Dr. Marie Conroy, at the Teaneck Marriott at Glenpointe, 7:45pm, 201-267-9100 “Mission and Vision of Open Orthodoxy,” Rabbi Avi Weiss, Hebrew Institute of Riverdale, 8pm, 718-796-4730 Gil Atzmon, Hebrew Institute of Riverdale, 8pm, 718-796-4730 “An Evening of VeNahafoch Hu: Meet the Members,” Cong Beth Abraham, Bergenfield, 8pm, 201-385-3245 Soulfarm in Concert, spons by Jewish Federation of Rockland, Rockland JCC, West Nyack, 8pm, 845-362-4200 SAR Academy Dinner, honoring Giti and Jack Bendheim, Benay Meisels, and Rabbi Jonathan Kroll, Riverdale, 8pm, 718-548-1717 Senior NCSY Plurvie: Pizza, Learning, and a Movie, for grades 9-12, Cong Ahawas Achim Bnai Jacob and David, West Orange, 8pm, 973-736-1407 Café Tif Ex-TRIVIA-ganza, featuring multi-media trivia game, Cong Tifereth Israel, Passaic, 8:30pm, 973-773-2552
Sun., Feb 6
Siyyum and Gala Breakfast, honoring the Mishna Shiur’s completion of Masechet Brachot and Rabbi Avi Herzog, Cong Darchei Naom, Fair Lawn, 8:15am “Nishmat HaMishna: A Window to the Inner World of the Mishna—Prayer (Brachot Perek 4) and Family Relations (Kiddushin Perek 1),” Rav Yakov Nagen, Cong Rinat Yisrael, Teaneck, 8:30am, 201-837-2795 Tefillin and Mezuzot Checked, Cong Darchei Noam, Fair Lawn, 9am, 201-686-9680 UJA Bonim Builders, take down water-damaged sheetrock and insulation in the basement level of the Jewish Association for Developmentally Disabled, in Bergenfield, those 14-18 must be accompanied by an adult, 9am-4pm, 201-820-3903 Michlelet Mevaseret Yerushalayim Yom Iyun, for men
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“Separate Yourself Not from the Community”
and women, featuring Rabbis Yedidya Berzon, Alan Haber, and David Katz, Hudi Elsant and Nechama Price, includes breakfast, Cong Beth Abraham, Bergenfield, 9am, 212-444-1657 Shomer Shabbat Cub Scout Pack 613 Den Meeting: Resourcefulness, Cong Ahavat Achim, Fair Lawn, 9:30am, jschachter2@gmail.com Cong Ahavas Yisrael Journal Breakfast, featuring Lenny Solomon of Shlock Rock, honoring Avi and Cyndi Berger and Bruce Jacobi, at Cong Ahavas Achim, Highland Park, 9:30am, 732-580-5055 Skiing for Beginners and Snow Boarding at Tuxedo Park, spons by the Jewish Outdoors Club, group will help with carpools, meet at the group ticket sales window, 9:30am, wolcowitz@yahoo.com “The Power of Reinvention,” Dr. Yona Nelson-Shulman, spons by Hadassah, The Pines Manor, Edison, 9:45am, 732-828-7415 Bat Mitzvah Club, shiur on Hadlakat Nerot and a craft project, Rebbetzin Jessica Klein, Cong Ahawas Achim Bnai Jacob
and David, West Orange, 10am, 973-736-1407 “The 2011 Baseball Season,” Bob Klapisch, spons by the Men’s Club, Cong Beth Aaron, Teaneck, 10am Arts and Crafts, for ages 3-8, Synagogue of the Suburban Torah Center, Livingston, 10:30am, 973994-2620 or 973-994-0122 Bnei Akiva Family Carnival, featuring games, Mifkad, BBQ lunch, Israeli theater and dance, charity raffle, and prizes, Cong Ahavath Torah, Englewood, 11am-2pm, www. bneiakiva.org/moshavabair “The Menucha Principle in Relationships,” workshop for single and married women, spons by Passaic Torah Institute and Jewish Family Service, private home in Passaic, 11am, 908-278-4059 or nevepti@gmail.com Matthew Fishteyn in Concert, piano and flamenco guitar, YMHA, Wayne, 1pm, 973-5950100 ext 237 Pre-Super Bowl Shlock Rock Concert and the Game on Big Screen, to benefit Hazon Yeshaya Humanitarian Network,
Riverdale Jewish Center, concert, 5pm; game and food, 6:20pm, 718-548-1850 ext 113 Junior NCSY Super Bowl Party, for grades 6-8, sandwich competition, private home in Teaneck, 5:30pm, 201-836-6210 Chocolate Making: Decadent Chocolate Creations, for women, spons by Cong Rinat Yisrael, Teaneck, at Matisse, Englewood, 8pm, shpnwi@yahoo.com Rabbi Aaron Weinberg, nephew of the Nesivos Shalom, Rabbi Horowitz’s Shteible, Highland Park, 8pm, 732-985-1698 “To Kindle a Soul: Painless Parenting—Introduction to Painless Discipline,” Rabbi Yehoshua Kohl, for parents of preschool, elementary, and older children, private home in Passaic, for women, 8pm; for men, 9:15pm, 973-685-4215
Mon., Feb 7
Deadline for “Early Bird” Discount for the NORPAC Mission to Washington, scheduled for Wed., April 6, 201-788-5133 or www.norpac.net “Applied Judaism,” Rabbi Steve Golden, JCC, Tenafly, 9am,
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201-408-1426 Café Europa Holocaust Survivor Group, Linda Storfer, Riverdale YMHA, noon, 718-548-8200 Israel Program and Falafel, Rabbi Ely Allen, Ramapo College Hillel, Mahwah, 1pm, 201-820-3905 “Towards a Meaningful Life: Discovering Your Personal Mission Statement,” Rabbi Mendy Kasowitz, Chabad Center, West Orange, 973-486-2362; Rabbi Boruch Chazanow, Chabad House, Manalapan, 732-9723687, 7:30pm “Who Are Our Friends? How Do We Define Our Religious Neighbors and Our Relationships with the ‘Other?’” Rabbi Lawrence Zierler, Jewish Center of Teaneck, 7:30pm “The Myth of the MindBrain Dichotomy: Considered from Neurobiologic and Theologic Perspectives—The Effect of Genes and Childhood Adversity on Brain Development and Who We Become as Adults,” Dr. J. John Mann, Riverdale Jewish Center, 8pm, 718-548-1850
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Confidential Divorce Support Group, Dr. Carol Glaser, private location in Teaneck, 8pm, 201-833-8822 “The Centurions—14th Century CE,” Rabbi Steven Pruzansky, Cong Bnai Yeshurun, Teaneck, 8:15pm Tele-Class: “Tiger Moms: How Do We Deal with Chutzpah, Disrespect, and Knowing When to Push Our Kids?” Slovie Jungreis-Wolff, spons by MetroImma, 8:30pm, events@ metroimma.com
Tues., Feb 8
“Towards a Meaningful Life: Discovering Your Personal Mission Statement,” Rabbi Boruch Chazanow, Chabad House, Manalapan, 732-972-3687, 10am; Rabbi Michael Gurkov, Chabad Center, Wayne, 973-694-6274, 7:30pm; Rabbi Meir Konikov, Chabad of Fort Lee, 201-8861238, 7:30pm; Rabbi Levi Azimov, Chabad Jewish Center, North Brunswick, 7:45pm, 732-3989492; Rabbi Dov Drizin, Valley Chabad, Woodcliff Lake, 7:45pm, 201-476-0157; Rabbi Mordechai Shain, Chabad House, Tenafly, 8pm, 201-871-1152 ext 112; Rabbis Levi Shemtov, Yitzchok Dubov, and Hershel Weiszner, Riverdale YMHA, 8pm, 718-549-1100 Israel Program and Falafel, Rabbi Ely Allen, William Paterson University Hillel, Wayne, 12:45pm, 201-820-3905 Israel Program and Falafel, Rabbi Ely Allen, Bergen Fairleigh Dickinson Hillel, University Chapel, Teaneck, 3:30pm, 201-820-3905 “Torah and Learning: Jewish Holidays,” inclusive program for special-needs young adults 1525, spons by Yachad, at EJ’s Pizza, Teaneck, 5pm, 212-613-8229
Meeting for Those Interested in Joining Team One Family, training to participate in the NYC triathlon to raise money to help Israel’s victims of terror; there will be training options in Northern NJ, bike, ride, swim, spons by the One Family Fund, at Asphalt Green, Manhattan, 7pm, 646-289-8600 ext 203, 866-913-2645, or michelle@ onefamilyfund.org Film: “Iranium,” featuring Bradley Gordon, AIPAC, at AMC, East Hanover, 7pm, 973-534-7795 “Stop Surviving, Start Living,” for men and women, Rabbi Ben Tzion Shafier, the Sephardic Center of Fair Lawn, 7:30pm, 201-873-7511 “Pressures Faced by Today’s Families of Special-Needs Kids,” Dr. Vincent D’Amico, South Orangetown Middle School, Blauvelt, NY, 7:30pm, 845-359-6090 “Dream Interpretation According to the Torah,” for women, Rebbetzin Chana Bracha Siegelbaum, private home in Teaneck, 8pm, 201-906-0572 or ajcarnie@optonline.net
Wed., Feb 9
“What Is ‘Social Purchasing’ and How Can It Help Your Business,” kosher snacks served, private firm in Pompton Plains, 10am, 973-839-9062 Free Testing for Jewish Genetic Diseases, by NYU Department of Genetics, at Rutgers Hillel, New Brunswick, 9am-1:30pm, rifka.wieder@nyumc.org “Women in Halacha: Af Hein Hayu B’oto Haneis,” Shayna Goldberg, Ma’ayanot Yeshiva High School, Teaneck, 11am, 201-833-4307 Open House for Gan Aviv Nursery School and Daycare, Bergenfield, 6:30-8:30pm, ganaviv@yahoo.com
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.
Tell Our Advertisers “I Saw It in The Jewish Voice & Opinion” “Towards a Meaningful Life: Discovering Your Personal Mission Statement,” Rabbi Mendy Herson, Chabad Jewish Center, Basking Ridge, 7:30pm, 908-6048844; Rabbi Boruch Chazanow, Chabad House, Manalapan, 732972-3687, 7:30pm; Rabbi Chanoch Kaplan, Chabad House, Franklin Lakes, 8pm, 201-848-0449; Rabbi Ephraim Simon, Chabad House, Teaneck, 8pm, 201-907-0686 “Towards a Meaningful Life: Marriage, Love, and Intimacy,” Rabbi Mendel Mangel, Chabad Center, Cherry Hill, 7:30pm, 856-874-1500 Munch and Learn: Dessert Tasting and Baking Demonstration, pastry chef Paula Shoyer, spons by Cong Arzei Darom, private home in Teaneck, 7:45pm, 201-287-1623, 201-928-1714, or rsvpdessert@gmail.com “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 “Sephardim and Ashkenazim: History, Customs, and Culture,” Rabbi Ely Allen, spons by Torah on Cedar Lane, Teaneck General Store, 8pm, 201-530-5046 “The Secret of Challah and the Feminine Tikun (Rectification),” with spiritual teachings, meditations, and challah braiding, for women, Rebbetzin Chana Bracha Siegelbaum, private home in Spring Valley, 8pm, 845-354-2318 “Jewish Law Addresses the Threshold between Assimilation and Isolation,” Lauren EskreisWinkler, Cong Ahawas Achim Bnai Jacob and David, West Orange, 8:15pm, 973-736-1407 “Marriage Renewal: Shalom Bayit and Relationships,” for women, Rebbetzin Karen Pruzansky, Cong Bnai Yeshurun, Teaneck, 8:30pm
Thurs., Feb 10
“Sensitizing Your Students to Their Peers’ Learning Challenges,” workshop to help sensitize students to a variety of learning challenges their peers may be experiencing, including hearing loss, autism spectrum issues, reading and writing challenges, visual loss, and fine and gross motor
issues, spons by Yachad, at Bruriah High School for Girls, Elizabeth, 10am, 212-613-8229 “When Halachic Texts Talk History: How Much History? How Much Halacha?” Prof Gershon Bacon, Union for Traditional Judaism, Teaneck, 10:30am, 201801-0707 ext 200 “Israel Program and Felafel,” Rabbi Ely Allen, Bergen Community College Hillel, Paramus, 12:30pm, 201-820-3905 Infant Massage, for mothers and babies, Faye Levy, Finkelstein Library Health and Wellness Center, Spring Valley, 1:30pm, levyfaye@gmail.com “The Relationship Building Course,” for adults over 25 with special needs, includes dinner, at Yachad, Teaneck, 5pm, herrmann@ ou.org or 917-885-7178 Special Needs Book Club, for college-age students, includes opportunity to learn and practice appropriate behaviors and interpersonal skills, JCC, West Orange, 6:30pm, 973-530-3400 “The 188th Crybaby Brigade: A Skinny Jewish Kid from Chicago Fights Hizbollah,” Joel Chasnoff, JCC, Bridgewater, 7pm, 908-725-6994 x210 Zayin Adar Dinner, featuring Rabbi Zvi Romm, Cong Shomrei Torah, Fair Lawn, 7pm Jewish 12-Step Meeting, JACS—Jewish Alcoholics, Chemically Dependent Persons, and Significant Others, Jewish Family Service, Teaneck, 7:30pm, 201-8379090, ask for IRA (Information and Referral) or 201-981-1071 “Bullying and the Dangers of Social Media: ‘Glee’ Cast Member Speaks Out about Being Bullied on and off TV,” for teens and their parents, JCC, Tenafly, 7:30pm, 201-408-1469 Rabbi Ed Leibowitz, Rutgers Hillel, New Brunswick, 8pm, 732 545 2407
Fri., Feb 11
Family Kabbalat Shabbat, Cong Netivot Shalom, 5pm, 201801-9022 “Beit Din or Secular Courts: Where Should One Go?” Rabbi Yona Reiss, at Cong Ohr Torah, Highland Park, Community Shabbat Dinner,
http://jewishvoiceandopinion.com 6pm, srschoenfeld@hotmail.com Shabbat with the Netiv Aryeh Staff, including HaRav Aharon Bina, Rabbanit Malka Bina, Rav Yitzchak Korn, Rabbi Dr. John Krug, and Rav Chanan Bina, private home in Teaneck, seudah leil Shabbat, 6:45pm; Oneg Shabbat, 9pm, 201-833-1317 or 201-907-0742, through Shabbat, Feb 12 Rabbi Jonathan Schachter, Oneg Shabbat, for grades 8-12, Cong Keter Torah, Teaneck, 7:45pm Rabbi J.Z. Spier, tish for high school students and their parents, Cong Ahavath Torah, Englewood, 8:15pm, 201-568-5780
Shabbat, Feb 12
Israel Social Action Shabbat: “Our Soldiers Speak,” Sgt Benjamin Anthony, Cong Ahawas Achim Bnai Jacob and David, West Orange, 8:45am, 973-736-1407 Mommy and Me, for children 0-3 with a parent, Cong Arzei Darom, Teaneck, 10:45am Kol Neshama A Cappella Choir from Toronto, Jewish Center of Teaneck, noon Kiddush, for Kindergarten children and their parents, Cong Keter Torah, Teaneck, noon Shabbat with the Netiv Aryeh Staff, HaRav Aharon Bina, Rabbanit Malka Bina, Rav Yitzchak Korn, Rabbi Dr. John Krug, and Rav Chanan Bina, private home in Teaneck, “Shalom Bayit,” 3pm; shiur, Rav Korn, 4pm; mincha and seudat shlishit, 4:45pm, 201-8331317 or 201-907-0742 Bat Mitzvah Girls Learning Program, Rebbetzin Peshi Neuburger, private home in Bergenfield, 3:15pm, shiragreenberg18@gmail.com
Motzei Shabbat, Feb 12
Parent-Child Learning, Cong Beth Aaron, Teaneck, 6:30pm, 732-618-9473 Film: “On the Town” with Wine, Dessert, and Discussion, Prof Jason Lucero, Riverdale YMHA, 7pm, 718-548-8200 Theater: “Annie,” JCC, West Orange, 7pm, also Sun., Feb 13, 2pm; Motzei Shabbat, Feb 19, 7pm; Sun, Feb 20, 2pm; and Mon, Feb 21, 11am and 3pm, 800-494-TIXS Bowling Night, spons by Cong Arzei Darom, at Bowler City, Hackensack, 7:30pm, 201-357-5220 Movie Night for Children,
grades 3-6 in pajamas, Cong Netivot Shalom, Teaneck, 7:30pm, smazel@gmail.com “The Intersection of Mental Illness and Domestic Violence,” for rabbis and their wives, Dr. Ephraim Nudman and Dr. Cheryl Kramer, spons by Project SARAH, at the Jewish Educational Center, Elizabeth, 8pm, 973-777-7638 ext 137 Theater: “The Diary of Anne Frank,” Camden County Community College, Blackwood, 8pm, also Sun, Feb 13, 2pm; Motzei Shabbat, Feb 19, 8pm; and Sun., Feb 20, 2pm, 856-227-3091 “Challenges for Today’s Orthodox Rabbinate,” Rabbi Yona Reiss, spons by The Orthodox Forum of Edison-Highland Park, at Cong Ahavas Achim, Highland Park, 8pm, hpedisonorthodoxforum@gmail.com Nshei Tifereth Israel Melava Malka, for women, includes hot dairy dinner, gifts, games, and dvar Torah, Salad-and-Dessert Contest for everyone who brings a dairy or parve salad and/or dessert, private home in Passaic, 8pm, 973773-2552 or 973-458-1705 “The Sandwich Generation,” spons by the Orthodox Union, presentations include “Responsibilities of Kibud Av v’Em (Honoring Father and Mother,” “Commitments of Raising Children,” “Emotional Factors for the Caregiver, Families, and the Patient,” “How to Research Physicians and Health Care Options,” “Available Resources and How They’re Accessed,” “Impact on the Family and Quality of Life,” and “What You Can Expect Insurance to Cover,” Rabbi Zvi Sobolofsky; Dr. Harvey Gross; Toby Weiss, MSOD; Batsheva Schreiber, RN; and Eytan Kobre, Esq, Cong Bnai Yeshurun, Teaneck, 8:15pm, 212613-8188 or 212-649-5585 Yeshiva High School Rekudiah, for women and girls, featuring dance teams from Central, Frisch, Hebrew Academy of Nassau County, Hillel, Moshe Aaron Yeshiva High School, Ramaz, Stella K Abraham (SKA), and Shulamith, to benefit schools’ scholarship funds, at Moshe Aaron Yeshiva High School, South River, 8:30pm, sweinstein@mayhs.org Art Auction, includes hors
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d’oeuvres, dessert, and coffee, Synagogue of the Suburban Torah Center, Livingston, preview, 8pm; auction, 9pm, 973-994-2620 Melava Malka Reception for Waterbury Yeshiva, for men and women, featuring Maggid Rabbi Paysach Krohn, honoring Rabbi Chaim and Miri Cohen, to benefit Yeshiva Gedolah Ateres Shmuel of Waterbury, private home in Highland Park, 9pm, ubenjamin@msn.com
Sun., Feb 13
Deadline to Enter MatzaFun Essay Contest, for high school and college students, in 500-750 words explain what Passover means to you. It can incorporate a personal experience, an historical event, text from the Hagaddah, or an original idea, include MatzaFun experience if applicable, lauren.sutter@gmail.com Rock Climbing at Gravity Vault, for grades 2-5, spons by Congregations Bnai Yeshurun, Keter Torah, Rinat Yisrael, and Shaarei Tefillah, meet at Keter Torah for davening and breakfast, 9am, jkatz@yavnehacademy.org or youth@rinat.org UJA Bomin Builders, install new insulation and sheetrock in the basement level of the Jewish Association for Developmentally Disabled, in Bergenfield, 9am-4pm, 201-820-3903 Shomer Shabbat Cub Scout Pack 613 Meeting: Resourcefulness, Cong Ahavat Achim, Fair Lawn, 9:30am, jschachter2@gmail.com Matan B’Sefer Bambi, for women, to benefit aniyei Eretz Yisroel, Rebbetzin Rochel Chalkowski, private home in Passaic, 10:30am, 973-219-6928 Sibshops, for children 7-12 who have a special-needs sibling,
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JCC, Tenafly, 10:30am “Bully Proofing: How to Put Our Best Faces Forward in the Facebook Generation; Safeguard Yourself from Bullies by Learning to be Assertive on Behalf of Yourself and Others,” workshop for bat mitzvah girls and their mothers, Cong Ahawas Achim Bnai Jacob and David, West Orange, 10:30am, 973-736-1407 Kimmy Schwimmy in Concert, for children, to benefit the Early Childhood Library, JCC, Tenafly, 10:30am, 201-408-1438 “I Only Want to Get Married Once,” for women, Chana Levitan, Cong Beth Abraham, Bergenfield, 11am Carolyn Enger, pianist, American and Israeli compositions, YMHA, Wayne, 1pm, 973595-0100 ext 237 Shlock Rock 25th Anniversary Concert, Cong Rinat Yisrael, Teaneck, 3pm, events@rinat.org Mitzvah Day Planning Meeting, for grades 9-12, JCC Rockland, West Nyack, 3pm, 845-362-4400 Story Hour, in Hebrew, for children 3-5, Shiri Wirtzler Kler includes activities, JCC, Tenafly, 4pm, 201-408-1427 Biblical Stories, in Hebrew, for children 6-8, Zahava Streit, JCC, Tenafly, 4pm, 201-408-1427 SINAI Special Needs School Dinner, honoring Dean Laurette Rothwachs, Rabbi Alvin and Marylin Marcus, Scott and Abby Herschmann, and Dr. Bruce and Sheryl Schainker, Marriott Glenpointe Hotel, Teaneck, 4:45pm, 201-8330213 or 201-833-1134 ext 105 Film: “Rainman,” with refreshments, Riverdale Jewish Cen-
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ter, 7pm, 718-548-1850 ASHAR Parlor Meeting, private home in Monsey, 7:30pm, 845-357-1515 “To Kindle a Soul: Painless Parenting—Practicum: Putting It to Use,” Rabbi Yehoshua Kohl, for parents of preschool, elementary, and older children, private home in Passaic, for women, 8pm; for men, 9:15pm, 973-685-4215
Mon., Feb 14
“Destination Torah: Different Paths of the Jewish Textural Tradition,” Rabbi Steve Golden, JCC, Tenafly, 9am, 201-408-1426 “Sensitizing Your Students to Their Peers’ Learning Challenges,” workshop to help sensitize students to a variety of learning challenges their peers may be experiencing, including hearing loss, autism spectrum issues, reading and writing challenges, visual loss, and fine and gross motor issues, spons by Yachad, at Rae Kushner Yeshiva High School, Livingston, 10am, 212-613-8229 Esther’s Closet, collecting Purim costumes for resale to benefit Early Childhood programs, Riverdale YMHA, noon-2pm, 718-548-6200 “Towards a Meaningful Life: Marriage, Love, and Intimacy,” Rabbi Mendy Kasowitz, Chabad Center, West Orange, 973-4862362; Rabbi Boruch Chazanow, Chabad House, Manalapan, 732972-3687, 7:30pm “The Myth of the MindBrain Dichotomy: Considered from Neurobiologic and Theologic Perspectives—Brain Biology, Determinism, and Free Choice: Implications for Transgressions,” Dr. J. John Mann, Riverdale Jewish
Center, 8pm, 718-548-1850 “One Voice: Israeli and Palestinian Youth Leaders,” Rutgers Student Activities Center, New Brunswick, 8pm, 732-545-2407 “The Centurions—15th Century CE,” Rabbi Steven Pruzansky, Cong Bnai Yeshurun, Teaneck, 8:15pm
Tues., Feb 15
Deadline to Apply for the Alisa Flatow Memorial Scholarship Fund, for those planning to be spend the academic year 20112012 pursuing Jewish studies in Israel, contact Dr. Wallace Greene, www.alisafund.org Deadline to Enter Manischewitz’s “How Do You Tam Tam” Recipe Contest, log onto www.facebook.com/pages/Man-OManischewitz and upload a recipe using any flavor Tam-Tam crackers, winner receives $500 American Express gift certificate Deadline to Submit an Essay Entitled “Why It Is Important for Me Not to be in the City, but in a Frum Environment Camp This Summer,” for boys in day schools or yeshivoth, grades 3-8, ten winners will receive one-month free tuition at an Orthodox boys sleep-away sports camp in the Catskills, summerinafrumenvironment@gmail.com Registration Opens for Taglit-Birthright Free 10-Day Trip to Israel for May-June 2011, for students 18-22 and young professionals, 22-26, 201-820-3909 “Towards a Meaningful Life: Marriage, Love, and Intimacy,” Rabbi Boruch Chazanow, Chabad House, Manalapan, 732-972-3687, 10am; Rabbi Michael Gurkov, Chabad Center, Wayne, 973-694-6274,
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Tell Our Advertisers “I Saw It in The Jewish Voice & Opinion” 7:30pm; Rabbi Meir Konikov, Chabad of Fort Lee, 201-886-1238, 7:30pm; Rabbi Levi Azimov, Chabad Jewish Center, North Brunswick, 7:45pm, 732-398-9492; Rabbi Dov Drizin, Valley Chabad, Woodcliff Lake, 7:45pm, 201-476-0157; Rabbi Mordechai Shain, Chabad House, Tenafly, 8pm, 201-871-1152 ext 112; Rabbis Levi Shemtov, Yitzchok Dubov, and Hershel Weiszner, Riverdale YMHA, 8pm, 718-549-1100 Support Group for Mothers of Children with an AutismSpectrum Disorder, Rochel Leiser and Michelle Steinhart, Finkelstein Memorial Library, Spring Valley, 10am, 845-352-5700 or 917-837-9076 “Real to Reel: Holocaust Film,” facilitated by Carol Simon, Aidekman Family Center, Lautenberg JCC, Whippany, 2pm, 973-428-9300 Interviews for Counselors for the Union YMHA Day Camp, applicants must be going into 11th grade or older, 7-8:30pm, 908-289-8112 Book Club of the Sisterhoods of Cong Ahawas Achim Bnai Jacob and David and Cong Ohr Torah: “The Space Between Us” by Thrity Umrigar, private home in West Orange, 8pm, 973-669-0938 “Social Interaction and the Laws of Kashruth,” Rabbi Yosef Adler, spons by Torah on Cedar Lane, Teaneck General Store, 8pm, 201-530-5046 Mach Hach Ba’Aretz Informational Evening, for parents of 10th graders, religious Zionist summer touring program in Israel, Steve Frankel, private home in Highland Park, 8pm, 212-465-9536 “The Lost Jews of Kaifeng, China,” Shi Lei, descendant of one of the original Jewish families in Kaifeng, live from the 92nd Street Y, by satellite, at JCC Rockland, West Nyack, 8:15pm, 845-362-4400
Wed., Feb 16
“Critical Traits You Need for Finding Success in the 21st Century,” Eli Amdur, spons by Project Ezrah, at Cong Keter Torah, Teaneck, 11am, 201-569-9047 “Women in Halacha: Eino
Metzuveh V’oseh,” Shayna Goldberg, Ma’ayanot Yeshiva High School, Teaneck, 11am, 201-833-4307 The Literature of the Nanking Massacre: “The Rape of Nanking: The Forgotten Holocaust of World War II” by Iris Chang and “In the Making of the Rape of Nanking” by Takashi Yoshida, Holocaust/Genocide Resource Center, Library, West Windsor Campus of Mercer County Community College, 4:30pm, 609-570-3355 Girls Shorashim Swim and Gym Groups, for grades 4-7, Jewish Center of Teaneck, 6:45pm, 201-833-0515 ext 205 Book Club: “Now They Call Me Infidel” by Nonie Darwish, facilitated by Arlene Sander, JCC Rockland, West Nyack, 7pm, 845362-4400 “Interfaith Cooperation on behalf of Soviet Jewry by Catholic Nuns and the America Jewish Committee,” Fred Lazin, spons by the Bildner Center for the Study of Jewish Life, Rutgers Student Center, New Brunswick, 7pm, 732-932-2033 Confidential Abused Women’s Support Group, Jewish Family Service, Teaneck, 7:15pm, 201-837-9090 “Towards a Meaningful Life: Marriage, Love, and Intimacy,” Rabbi Mendy Herson, Chabad Jewish Center, Basking Ridge, 7:30pm, 908-604-8844; Rabbi Boruch Chazanow, Chabad House, Manalapan, 732-972-3687, 7:30pm; Rabbi Chanoch Kaplan, Chabad House, Franklin Lakes, 8pm, 201-848-0449; Rabbi Ephraim Simon, Chabad House, Teaneck, 8pm, 201-907-0686 “Towards a Meaningful Life: Home and Family,” Rabbi Mendel Mangel, Chabad Center, Cherry Hill, 7:30pm, 856-874-1500 Jewish Community Relations Council Briefing on the Anti-Israel Campaign at Rutgers University, Martin Raffel, Andrew Getraer, Lee Rosenfeld, and Liran Kapoano, Jewish Federation of Greater Middlesex County, South River, 7:30pm, 732-588-1815 “Jewish Law Addresses the Threshold between Assimilation
http://jewishvoiceandopinion.com and Isolation,” Lauren EskreisWinkler, Cong Ahawas Achim Bnai Jacob and David, West Orange, 8:15pm, 973-736-1407 “Building People Using the Power of Words,” spons by Sisterhoods of Congs Beth Abraham and Bnai Yeshurun, at Beth Abraham, Bergenfield, 8:30pm
Thurs., Feb 17
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 “Ask the Doctor about Osteo-Arthritis,” Dr. James D Girardy, spons by CareOne, at The Shops at Riverside, Hackensack, 12:30pm, 21-287-8511 Rabbi Avi Weiss, Rutgers Hillel, New Brunswick, 8pm, 732-545 2407
Fri., Feb 18
“The History of Jewish Food,” Doug LeBlang, Riverdale YMHA, 10:30am, 718-548-8200 “A Taste of Shabbat,” for children 2-4 with adult, Aviva Kohl, JCC Rockland, West Nyack, 11:45am, 845-362-4400 Shabbat at Rabbi Ely’s, for college students, Rabbi Ely Allen, Northern NJ Hillel, private home in Bergenfield, through Shabbat, Feb 19, 201-820-3905
Shabbat, Feb 19
Kiddush, for grades 1-2 and their parents, Cong Keter Torah, Teaneck, noon Shabbaton at the Woodcliff Lake Hilton, Rabbi Shmuel Hain, Scholar-in-Residence, through Mon, Feb 21, 800-522-1850
Motzei Shabbat, Feb 19
“Improv and Dramatic Readings,” spons by Black Box Entertainment and Matt Okin, Jewish Center of Teaneck, 8pm Film: “Faces of Israel: A Discussion about Marriage, State, and Religion in the Jewish Homeland,” discussed by Amy Beth Oppenheimer, spons by Cong Netivot Shalom, private home in Teaneck, 8pm, 201-8019022 or 201-530-9594 Senior NCSY Dodgeball, for grades 9-12, Cong Ahawas Achim Bnai Jacob and David, West Orange, 8pm, 973-736-1407 Atara Meet the Members
Melave Malka, spons by Cong Keter Torah, private home in Bergenfield, 8pm, 201-387-9116 Wine, Cheese, and Jazz, Cong Rinat Yisrael, 8pm, ladler@ moriahschool.org Junior NCSY Ice Skating, for grades 6-8, spons by Teaneck, Fair Lawn, and Paramus chapters, at the Ice House, Hackensack, 8pm, 201-836-6210 Enhancing Marriage Melava Malka, Cong Bnai Yeshurun, Teaneck, 8pm “Strangers in a New Land: American-Jewish History through 1880,” Dr. Melissa Klapper, Cong Ahavas Achim, Highland Park, 8pm, 732-247-0532 Chinese Auction, for women, spons by Yeshiva K’tana Ladies Auxiliary, Ohel Rivka Hall, Passaic, 8:30pm, 973-471-3127
Sun., Feb 20
Sort and Bag Food for Families in Need, for grades 6-12, JCC Rockland, West Nyack, 9am, 845362-4400 ext 173 Shomer Shabbat Cub Scout Pack 613 Den Meeting: Resourcefulness, Cong Ahavat Achim, Fair Lawn, 9:30am, jschachter2@gmail.com Defensive Driving Course, held at Yeshiva Shaarei Torah, Suffern, 10am, 845-445-8445 “The Cantorial Trio” in concert, featuring Cantors, Yanky Lemmer, Shimmy Miller, and Zevi Muller, produced by Charlie Bernhaut, Merkin Concert Hall, Manhattan, 2pm, 212-501-0330 “3 on 3 Basketball Tournament,” Yachad and Rae Kushner Yeshiva High School students, at Kushner, Livingston, 3pm, 212613-8229 “Make Your Own Pizza,” for grades 6-12, spons by the Riverdale Jewish Center, at Judean Hills Pizza, Riverdale, 4pm, 216952-3435 Cooking Class for Men: “Preparing a Special Beef Dinner,” Chef Avram Wiseman of the Center for Kosher Culinary Arts, spons by EMUNAH, private home in Teaneck, 5pm, 201-317-2000 Junior NCSY Winter Regional Psych-Up Night, for grades 6-8, make chapter t-shirts, chapter cheers, skits, Cong Beth Aaron, Teaneck, 5pm, 201-836-6210 Rabbi Jacob Joseph Yeshi-
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va Dinner, honoring Lorne and Debbie Schachter, at the Hyatt Regency Hotel, New Brunswick, 5:30pm, 732-985-6533
Mon., Feb 21, Presidents’ Day
Gym Activities and Tie Dye T-Shirts, for grades 3-5, Riverdale Jewish Center, 10:30am, 718-548-1850 Movie and Gym Activities, for grades K-2, Riverdale Jewish Center, 10:30am, 718-548-1850 “The Tribe” and Other Videos and Kosher Chinese Food, Rabbi Ely Allen, Ramapo College Hillel, Mahwah, 1pm, 201-820-3905 “The Jewish Soldier in Modern Jewish Memory: Willing Patriot or Forced Conscript— Two Competing Narratives in the Wake of the Holocaust, the Establishment of the State of Israel, and Attitudes towards Jewish War Veterans in the Diaspora and Veterans of Israeli Wars,” Derek Penslar, spons by the Bildner Center for the Study of Jewish Life, Brower Commons, New Brunswick, 7pm, 732-932-2033 “Towards a Meaningful Life: Home and Family,” Rabbi Mendy Kasowitz, Chabad Center, West Orange, 973-486-2362; Rabbi Boruch Chazanow, Chabad House, Manalapan, 732-9723687, 7:30pm Confidential Divorce Support Group, Dr. Carol Glaser, private location in Teaneck, 8pm, 201-833-8822 “The Centurions—16th Century CE,” Rabbi Steven Pruzansky, Cong Bnai Yeshurun, Teaneck, 8:15pm
Tues., Feb 22
“Creative Mess and Art,” for children with special needs, Andrea
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Dworkin, spons by The Friendship Circle of Passaic County, includes pizza lunch, Chabad Center, Wayne, 11am, 973-694-6274 “Towards a Meaningful Life: Home and Family,” Rabbi Boruch Chazanow, Chabad House, Manalapan, 732-972-3687, 10am; Rabbi Michael Gurkov, Chabad Center, Wayne, 973-694-6274, 7:30pm; Rabbi Meir Konikov, Chabad of Fort Lee, 201-886-1238, 7:30pm; Rabbi Levi Azimov, Chabad Jewish Center, North Brunswick, 7:45pm, 732-398-9492; Rabbi Dov Drizin, Valley Chabad, Woodcliff Lake, 7:45pm, 201-476-0157; Rabbi Mordechai Shain, Chabad House, Tenafly, 8pm, 201-871-1152 ext 112; Rabbis Levi Shemtov, Yitzchok Dubov, and Hershel Weiszner, Riverdale YMHA, 8pm, 718-549-1100 Kosher Experience Trip, Rabbi Ely Allen, Bergen Fairleigh Dickinson Hillel, University Chapel, Teaneck, 3:30pm, 201-820-3905 Cong Ahavas Achim Sisterhood Book Club: “The Best of Everything” by Rona Jaffe, private home in Highland Park, 8:30pm, 732-572-8925
Wed., Feb 23
“Women in Halacha: Women and Talmud Torah,” Shayna Goldberg, Ma’ayanot Yeshiva High School, Teaneck, 11am, 201-833-4307 Jewish Holiday SOS, for seniors, Rabbi Gary Katz, JCC, Tenafly, 11:15am Holocaust Lunch and Learn, survivors, liberators, and POWs, facilitated by Barbara Wind, Aidekman Family Center, Lautenberg JCC, Whippany, noon, 973-428-9300 Pre-Pesach Wine Tasting
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and Shmurah Matzo Sale, meet the wine-makers, Cong Ahavath Torah, Englewood, 7pm, 201-638-6239 Kosher Pasta, Chef Meredith Spiegel, JCC Rockland, West Nyack, 7:30pm, 845-362-4400 “Towards a Meaningful Life: Home and Family,” Rabbi Mendy Herson, Chabad Jewish Center, Basking Ridge, 7:30pm, 908-6048844; Rabbi Boruch Chazanow, Chabad House, Manalapan, 732972-3687, 7:30pm; Rabbi Chanoch Kaplan, Chabad House, Franklin Lakes, 8pm, 201-848-0449; Rabbi Ephraim Simon, Chabad House, Teaneck, 8pm, 201-907-0686 “Towards a Meaningful Life: Work, Charity, and Wealth,” Rabbi Mendel Mangel, Chabad Center, Cherry Hill, 7:30pm, 856-874-15 “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 “Defining the Boundaries of a Community,” Rabbi Larry Rothwachs, spons by Torah on Cedar Lane, Teaneck General Store, 8pm, 201-530-5046
Thurs., Feb 24
Theater: “Dear Esther,” by Richard Rashke, inspired by letters from students to Esther Raab, author of “Escape from Sobibor,” at the Goodwin Holocaust Museum and Education Center, Cherry Hill, 10am, 856-751-9500 ext 1249 “Sensitizing Your Students to Their Peers’ Learning Challenges,” workshop to help sensitize students to a variety of learning challenges their peers may be experiencing, including hearing loss, autism spectrum issues, reading and writing
challenges, visual loss, and fine and gross motor issues, spons by Yachad, at Hillel Elementary School, Ocean, 10am, 212-613-8229 Cong Arzei Darom Bake Sale, all parve, non-refrigerated and nut-free, Teaneck, 6-8pm, lauriekleid@gmail.com
Bat Mitzvah Girls Learning Program, Rebbetzin Peshi Neuburger, private home in Bergenfield, 3:15pm, shiragreenberg18@ gmail.com Color War: Zimriah, grades K-5, Cong Ahavath Torah, Englewood, 3:45pm
The Israel Club, for seniors, SAR high school students facilitate a group discussion about Israel’s culture, geography, and politics, Riverdale YMHA, 10:30am, 718-548-8200 Scholar-in-Residence Rabbi Hanoch Teller, Cong Etz Chaim, Livingston, through Shabbat, Feb 26, 973-597-1655 Junior NCSY Winter Regional Shabbaton, for grades 6-8, in Cherry Hill, through Sun, Feb 27, 201-247-7961, 908-414-4235, 732572-4408, or www.njncsy.com Rayim Yachad Shabbaton, for special-needs young adults over age 26, Young Israel of East Brunswick, through Shabbat, Feb 26, 212-613-8229 Junior Yachad, with students of Yavneh Academy, at Cong Ahavat Achim, Fair Lawn through Shabbat, Feb 26, 212-613-8229 Senior Yachad (Special-Needs Young Adults 16-25) Shabbaton with Students from Rae Kushner Yeshiva High School, at Kushner, Livingston, through Shabbat, Feb 26, 212-613-8229
Parent-Child Learning, Cong Beth Aaron, Teaneck, 7pm, 732-618-9473 Pottery Painting, for grades 3-6, spons by Cong Ohav Emeth, at Make Me Take Me, Highland Park, 7pm, OEgroups@gmail.com David Hazony, Hebrew Institute of Riverdale, 8pm, 718796-4730 “The Israel Project: ProIsrael Public Relations and How the Non-Jewish-American Electorate Views Israel,” Eli Orits and Chevy Weiss, Riverdale Jewish Center, 8pm, 718-548-1850 Khal Chassidim of Highland Park Melava Malka, featuring Rabbi Hanoch Teller, at Cong Etz Ahaim, Highland Park, 8pm “Making America a Jewish Promised Land: American-Jewish History Since 1880,” Dr. Melissa Klapper, Cong Ahas Achim, Highland Park, 8pm, 732-247-0532 Film: “Shalom Bon Jour,” introduced and moderated by Prof Samuel Heilman, about Montreal Hassidic and French Catholic neighborhoods, Cong Bnai Yeshurun, Teaneck, 8pm, 201-410-8292 EMUNAH Art Auction, Cong Ohr Torah, Edison, dinner, 8pm; auction preview, 8:30pm; auction, 9pm, 732-777-0462 Lubavitch Center of Essex County Melave Malka, honoring Ida and Robert Dick and Michael Kessel, featuring wine and scotch tasting, feature film, and music by Bnai Jazz, at Cong Ohr Torah, West Orange, 8:30pm, 973-486-2362 Moriah School of Englewood Dinner, honoring Beth Bernstein, Claire Kershenbaum, Debbie Stern-Blumenthal, and Leah Levi, Cong Keter Torah, Teaneck, 8:30pm, 201-567-0208
Fri., Feb 25
Shabbat, Feb 26
“I-Wish-I-Understood-Everything-I-Was-Saying Minyan,” Rabbi Steven Weil, Cong Keter Torah, Teaneck, 8:45am Color War: Mishna, grades 2-7, Cong Ahavath Torah, Englewood, 3pm
Motzei Shabbat, Feb 26
Sun., Feb 27
Guided tour of the National Museum of American Jewish His-
tory, Philadelphia, PA, includes lunch, leave Cong Ahavas Achim, Highland Park, 8:45am, 732-247-0532 Yachad Parent Conference and Resource Fair, featuring “Interactive-Behavioral Therapy: Group Treatment for People with Intellectual Disabilities,” Dr. Daniel Tomasulo, includes workshops for parents of special-needs children, networking, lunch, programs for special-needs children’s siblings ages 7-13, programming for special-needs children, 5-16, and childcare for ages 2-6, at the Rosenbaum Yeshiva of North Jersey, River Edge, 9am, herrmann@ou.org or 917-885-7178 Shomer Shabbat Cub Scout Pack 613 Scout Ski Day: Resourcefulness, leaves Cong Ahavat Achim, Fair Lawn, 9:30am, schacter2@gmail.com Bubble Mania, for children 2-8, Bubble Artist Seth Bloom, Riverdale Jewish Center, 11am, 718-548-1850 Esther’s Closet, collecting Purim costumes for resale to benefit Early Childhood programs, Riverdale YMHA, noon-2pm, 718-5486200, through Fri., March 4 Teen First Aid/CPR Course, Rabbi Becker, Cong Ahavas Achim, Highland Park, noon, 310-625-3481 Tasting and Sale of Kosher Wines, from Queen Anne Wine and Spirit Emporium of Teaneck, at Temple Beth Sholom, Fair Lawn, 3pm, 201-797-9321 “Suit Yourself”: Custom Suit Sale, also shirts and ties, Rutgers Hillel, New Brunswick, 3-6pm, 732-545-2407, also Sun, March 6, 3-6pm Rabbi Pesach Raymon Yeshiva Dinner, honoring Rochelle and Ralph Dessau, Debbie and Milton Erdfarb, Associate Principal Nachum Sorkin, and the RPRY Class of 1990, DoubleTree Hotel, Somerset, 5:30pm JACS Meeting, 12-steps meeting for Jews in recovery, Rabbi Steven Bayar, Cong B’nai Israel, Millburn, 7pm, 973-379-3811 Film: “Rebel without a Cause,” with refreshments, Riverdale Jewish Center, 7pm, 718548-1850 ASHAR Parlor Meeting, private home in Monsey, 7:30pm,
http://jewishvoiceandopinion.com 845-357-1515 “Act and Emotion in the Service of Hashem,” Rabbi J.J. Schachter, to commemorate the yahrzeit of Sarah Rein, z”l, Cong Shomrei Torah, Fair Lawn, 7:30pm Rutgers Hillel Theater: “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown,” Scott Hall, Rutgers, New Brunswick, 8pm, 732-545-2407
Mon., Feb 28
“Destination Torah: Different Paths of the Jewish Textural Tradition,” Rabbi Steve Golden, JCC, Tenafly, 9am, 201-408-1426 “Ask the Rabbi” and Kosher Sushi and Pizza, Rabbi Ely Allen, Ramapo College Hillel, Mahwah, 1pm, 201-820-3905 Film: “The Pianist,” discussion led by Stan Goldberg, JCC, Tenafly, 1:30pm, 201-408-1457 “Towards a Meaningful Life: Work, Charity, and Wealth,” Rabbi Mendy Kasowitz, Chabad Center, West Orange, 973-486-2362; Rabbi Boruch Chazanow, Chabad House, Manalapan, 732-972-3687, 7:30pm “The Myth of the MindBrain Dichotomy: Considered from Neurobiologic and Theologic Perspectives—The Power of Treatment or Personal Desire for Change to Help Conditions Due to Genes and Childhood Adversity,” Dr. J. John Mann, Riverdale Jewish Center, 8pm, 718-548-1850 “The Centurions—17th Century CE,” Rabbi Steven Pruzansky, Cong Bnai Yeshurun, Teaneck, 8:15pm
Tues., March 1
Deadline to Enter Essex County Essay Contest, for grades 4 and 7, 250-450 words on “Why My Essex County Park Is Important to Me,” www.essexcountynj.org “Towards a Meaningful Life: Work, Charity, and Wealth,” Rabbi Boruch Chazanow, Chabad House, Manalapan, 732-972-3687, 10am; Rabbi Michael Gurkov, Chabad Center, Wayne, 973-6946274, 7:30pm; Rabbi Meir Konikov, Chabad of Fort Lee, 201886-1238, 7:30pm; Rabbi Levi Azimov, Chabad Jewish Center, North Brunswick, 7:45pm, 732-3989492; Rabbi Dov Drizin, Valley Chabad, Woodcliff Lake, 7:45pm, 201-476-0157; Rabbi Mordechai Shain, Chabad House, Tenafly, 8pm, 201-871-1152 ext 112; Rabbis
Levi Shemtov, Yitzchok Dubov, and Hershel Weiszner, Riverdale YMHA, 8pm, 718-549-1100 “All You Ever Wanted to Know about Breastfeeding,” spons by La Leche, Elly Gail Egenberg, JCC Rockland, West Nyack, 10:15am, 845-362-4400 Interfaith Women’s Program, Rabbi Ely Allen, William Paterson University Hillel, Wayne, 12:45pm, 201-820-3905 Contemporary Israeli Poetry Group, in the original with English translation and discussion, Atara Fobar, Hebrew Institute of Riverdale, 7pm, 718-796-4730 “Changes in New York State Special-Ed Regulations,” Michelle Fenster, South Orangetown Middle School, Blauvelt, NY, 7:30pm, 845-359-6090
Wed., March 2
Parenting University “How to Prevent Children from Becoming Bullies and Being Bullied,” Dr. Stephen Glicksman, spons by the Orthodox Union and the Sephardic Bikur Holim, at the Sephardic Bikur Holim, Oakhurst, 10:30am, 732-531-1117 or 212-613-8188 “Women in Halacha: Women and Tefillah,” Shayna Goldberg, Ma’ayanot Yeshiva High School, Teaneck, 11am, 201-833-4307 Film: “Sweet Smell of Success” with Wine, Dessert, and Discussion, Prof Jason Lucero, Ruverdale YMHA, 6:30pm, 718-548-8200 Girls Shorashim Swim and Gym Groups, for grades 4-7, Jewish Center of Teaneck, 6:45pm, 201-833-0515 ext 205 Confidential Abused Women’s Support Group, Jewish Family Service, Teaneck, 7:15pm, 201-837-9090 “Cartooning Jewish New York,” Robert Mankoff and Eddy Portnoy, spons by the Bildner Center for the Study of Jewish Life, Trayes Hall, Douglass Campus Center, New Brunswick, 7:30pm, 732-932-2033 “Towards a Meaningful Life: Work, Charity, and Wealth,” Rabbi Mendy Herson, Chabad Jewish Center, Basking Ridge, 7:30pm, 908604-8844; Rabbi Boruch Chazanow, Chabad House, Manalapan, 732972-3687, 7:30pm; Rabbi Chanoch Kaplan, Chabad House, Franklin Lakes, 8pm, 201-848-0449; Rabbi
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Ephraim Simon, Chabad House, Teaneck, 8pm, 201-907-0686 “Towards a Meaningful Life: Pain, Loss, and Anxiety,” Rabbi Mendel Mangel, Chabad Center, Cherry Hill, 7:30pm, 856-874-1500
Fri., March 4
“A Taste of Shabbat,” for children 2-4 with adult, Aviva Kohl, JCC Rockland, West Nyack, 11:45am, 845-362-4400 Pre-Purim Singles Shabbaton, for singles 24-37 and 38 and up, Cong Bnai Yeshurun, through Shabbat, March 5, 718-575-3962 or 646-529-8748
Shabbat, March 5
Carlebach Minyan, Cong Darchei Noam, Fair Lawn, 8:45am “The 3 Cs: Cholent, Cugel, and Conversation: Which Parents Know Best? Tiger Moms and Traditional and Contemporary Jewish Models of Parents,” Rabbi Lawrence Zierler, Jewish Center of Teaneck, 11:45am, 201-833-0515
Motzei Shabbat, March 5
Men’s Club Pre-Pesach Wine Sale, Cong Ahawas Achim
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Bnai Jacob and David, West Orange, 8pm, 973-736-1407 Cong Netivot Shalom Dinner, honoring David and Rena Schlussel, Richard Goldberger, and Joe Idler, Teaneck, 8pm, 201-801-9022 or neuroelf@aol.com Teaneck Volunteer Ambulance Corps Fundraising Gala, featuring Willie Asbury, Tom Caldora, and Kevin Israel; food samples from local restaurants and caterers; exciting raffle prizes, Jewish Center of Teaneck, 8pm, 201-3145033 or 201-926-9833 Café Chabad, featuring YLove (Yitz Jordan) in concert, Chabad Center, Wayne, 8pm, 973-694-6274
Sun., March 6
Matzah Baking Trip, spons by the Community Synagogue of Monsey, to the Shatzer Bakery, Brooklyn, 9am, 845-356-2720 Shomer Shabbat Cub Scout Pack 613 Den Meeting: Compassion, Cong Ahavat Achim, Fair Lawn, 9:30am, jschachter2@gmail.com Purim Crafts, for grades
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February 2011
Tell Our Advertisers “I Saw It in The Jewish Voice & Opinion”
New Classes this Month
Hilchos Niddah, Rabbi Zvi Sobolofsky, Cong Ohr HaTorah, Bergenfield, 7:15am Gemara, Rabbi Posen, Cong Agudath Israel of Highland Park, 9am, 732-819-8300 Shiur, Rabbi Israel Botnick, Cong Ohav Emeth, Highland Park, 9am The Adolescent Leadership Program, for high school students, program focuses on increasing self-confidence, healthy relationships, teamwork, resiliency, assertiveness, problem-solving, and communication skills, includes community service projects, discussion groups, and field trips, Rabbi Meir Mark, spons OHEL, Teaneck, 10am, 201-692-3972 or 973-919-7793 Intermediate Hebrew, Rachel Kushner, JCC, West Orange, 10:15am, 973-530-3400, begins Feb 6 Sefer Tehillim, for women, Rebbetzin Rivka Eichenstein, Cong Agudath Israel of Highland Park, 11am, 732-819-8300 or 732-572-4408 Intergenerational Theater Workshop, for children, teens, and adults to collaborate to produce a musical, Matt Okin, Black Box Studios, Jewish Center of Teaneck, 4pm, 201-567-6664 Krav Maga, hand-to-hand combat and self-defense developed by the IDF, Sensei Yuri Milshtein, private location in Wesley Hills, boys ages 4-6, 2pm; boys ages 7-11, level 1, 3pm; boys ages 7-11, level 2, 4:15pm; boys ages 12 and up, 5:30pm; 845-364-9111 Israeli Scouts, Tzofim Shevet Mezada, for Israeli children living in the US, JCC, Tenafly, 4pm, 201-408-1428 Tele-Shiur: Yiddish for Couples, Chaim Wedyger, 7pm, 516924-7694, begins Feb 6 “Midrash Agnon: Analyzing S.Y. Agnon’s Short Stories in English,” Rabbi Jeffrey Saks, broadcast via WebYeshiva.org from Agnon’s house in Jerusalem, 7:30pm, www.WebYeshiva.org Shiur, Rabbi Klughaupt, Cong Ohav Emeth, Highland Park, 8pm Tele-Shiur: Beginners Yiddish, for women, Chaim Werdyger,
9pm, 516-924-7694, begins Feb 6
Mondays
Gemara, Rabbi Mordechai Tendler, Community Synagogue of Monsey, 6:30am, 845-356-2720 “Understanding the Hebrew of the Torah,” Etia Segall, JCC, Tenafly, 9:30am, begins March 7 Shir Fun, for children 0-5 and a caregiver, Dafna, Cong Arzei Darom, Teaneck, 9:30am, 646-509-4210 Parsha, for women, Rebbetzin Leah Kohn, spons by the Jewish Renaissance Center, private home in Englewood, 11am, 212-580-9666 Advanced Intermediate Hebrew Reading, Etia Segall, JCC, Tenafly, 11:30am, begins March 7 An Hour of News and Inside Information on Hockey in Israel, from Jerusalem, with host Paul Shindman, www.israelsportsradio. com, noon, 718-305-5305 Gemara Moed Katan, Rabbi Guy Dvir, Cong Ahawas Achim Bnai Jacob and David, West Orange, noon Advanced Hebrew, Rachel Kushner, JCC, West Orange, 5:30pm, 973-530-3400, begins Feb 7 Non-Sectarian Bereavement Program: Sharing the Journey, spons by Holy Name Medical Center Hospice and Palliative Services, Teaneck, 6:30pm, 201-833-3188 ext 7580 “You Are Not Alone”: Widows and Widowers Support Group, Judy Brauner, JCC, Tenafly, 6:30pm, begins Feb 28, 201-408-1456 Intermediate Hebrew, Rachel Kushner, JCC, West Orange, 7pm, 973-530-3400, begins Feb 7 Shomer Shabbat Boy Scout Troop, for boys in grades 6-12, Scoutmaster Daniel Chazin, Jewish Center of Teaneck, 7:30pm, 201836-7019 Navi Shiur, Rabbi Ian Shaffer, Young Israel of Fair Lawn, 7:55pm Women’s Basketball, Cong Ahawas Achim Bnai Jacob and Da-
The Log
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pre-kindergarten-3, Cong Rinat Yisrael, Teaneck, 10am, youth@ rinat.org Arts and Crafts, for ages 3-8, Synagogue of the Suburban Torah Center, Livingston, 10:30am, 973-994-2620 or 973994-0122 Kids Extravaganza, featuring cartoon characters, shows, and games, JCC, West Orange, 11am-2pm, 973-530-3520 Conference for NJ Parental Rights Program Act, to promote a school-choice bill introduced by NJ Assemblyman Tony Bucco (NJ-25) that will allow parents to choose the proper school for their children, spons by the Alliance for Free Choice in Education, including Rabbi Israel Teitelbaum, director, Parents for Free Choice in Education, at the Robert Treat Hotel, Newark, noon, 973-2674213, info@allianceforfreechoiceineducation.com Esther’s Closet, used Pu-
rim costumes for $5 to benefit Early Childhood programs, Riverdale YMHA, noon-2pm, 718548-6200 Cong Beth Aaron Sisterhood Players: “Hay, Man— It’s Purim! A Musical Parody,” for women, CareOne, Teaneck, 2:30pm, 201-357-2029 Babysitter Training, for ages 11-15, JCC, West Orange, 3pm, 973-530-3400 Cong Rinat Yisrael of Teaneck Dinner, honoring Kenny Hoffman, Bernie Stahl, David Jacobowitz, and Bina Faber, at Cong Keter Torah, Teaneck, 5:30pm Ben Porat Yosef Dinner, honoring Mr. and Mrs. S Fitzgerald, Andrea Haney, Matt Epstein, Penna Grossberg, Mr and Mrs Israel, and Gila Wertentheil, at Lubavitch on the Palisades, Tenafly, 7pm Purim Masquerade Ball, spons by Rutgers Hillel, at Rutgers Student Center, New Brunswick, 8pm, 732-545-2407
http://jewishvoiceandopinion.com vid, West Orange, 8pm, netanah@aol.com “A Jewish Perspective of Jesus,” Rabbi Steve Golden, JCC, Tenafly, 8pm, begins Feb 28, 201-408-1458 Parsha, for women, Rebbetzin Rivka Eichenstein, Cong Ohr Torah, Edison, 8pm, 732-572-4408 Shiur on Tefillah, Rabbi Leon Glaser, Cong Ohav Emeth, Highland Park, 8pm Tefillah, Rabbi Dr Chaim Presby, Cong Agudath Israel of Highland Park, 8:30pm, 732-819-8300 Livingston Community Kollel, Synagogue of the Suburban Torah Center, Livingston, 8:30pm, 973-994-2620 Tele-Shiur: Beginners Yiddish, for men, Chaim Werdyger, 9pm, 516-924-7694, begins Feb 7 Tractate Niddah, Chapter 8, Rabbi Zev Khan, Cong Ohav Emeth, Highland Park, 9pm Hilchos Shabbos, Avi Bodlander, Cong Agudath Israel of Highland Park, 9:30pm, 732-819-8300
Tuesdays
Women’s Tehillim Group, Synagogue of the Suburban Torah Center, 9:15am, 973-994-2620 Knitting Woolen Hats for IDF Soldiers and Cancer Patients, private home in Monsey, 10am, 845-426-2980 Parshat HaShavua, for women, Rabbi Ari Zahtz, Cong Bnai Yeshurun, Teaneck, 10:15am Navi: Sefer Amos, Rabbi Shalom Baum, Cong Keter Torah, Teaneck, 11am The Halachos and Hashkafa of Taharas Hamishpacha, for women, Ayala Goldman, private home in Passaic, 11am, 973-4709492, begins Feb 8 Shiur for Women, Rabbi Eliyahu Kaufman, Cong Ohav Emeth, Highland Park, 1:30pm Shmuel Alef, for women, Rabbi Nachum Muschel, private home in Monsey, 4:15pm, 845-356-3832 Edison Scrabble Club, all levels welcome to play, watch, enjoy, at Panera’s, Menlo Park Shopping Mall, Edison, 7pm, 732-494-7741 “Project Cares: Learning to Work with Youth with Special Needs,” for teens, Sara Lewis, JCC, Tenafly, 7:30pm, 201-408-1469 Hebrew-Speaking Women’s Torah Class, Chabad House, Margate, 7:30pm, chabadofac@yahoo.com Men’s Only Spin Class, Dr. Michael Muschel, at Lifeplex, Monsey, 7:30pm, 845-356-1900 Tehillim, Rabbi Emanuel Schwartz, Community Synagogue of Monsey, 7:45pm, 845-356-2720 Tractate Kiddushin, for men, Rabbi Eliyahu Kaufman, Cong Ohav Emeth, Highland Park, 8pm Masechet Brachot, Rabbi Daniel Fox, Cong Etz Chaim, Livingston, 8pm, 973-597-1655 Masechet Berachot, Rabbi Tuly Polak, Cong Bnai Yeshurun, Teaneck, 8:15pm Shiur, Rabbi Meir Goldwicht, Cong Bnai Yeshurun, Teaneck, 8:30pm Shiur for Women, Dr. Chaim Presby, Cong Ohav Emeth, Highland Park, 8:30pm “Igniting Our Spirituality through the Character Ethics of Mesillat Yesharim,” Rabbi Mordechai Gershon, private home in Englewood, 8:30pm, 201-569-5945 Halacha, Avi Kamelhar, Cong Agudath Israel of Highland Park, 8:30pm, 732-819-8300 Arachim Lecture Series in Hebrew, Cong Etz Chaim, Livingston, 8:30pm, 973-597-1655 Gemara, Rabbi Dr Yacov Tendler, Community Synagogue of Monsey, 8:45pm, 845-356-2720 Igros Moshe, Rabbi Dr Mel Zelefsky, Cong Bnai Yeshurun, Teaneck, 9pm
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Tele-Shiur, Intermediate Yiddish, Chaim Werdyger, 9pm, 516924-7694, begins Feb 8 Gemara, Rabbi Nathaniel Helfgot, Cong Netivot Shalom, Teaneck, 9pm, 201-801-9022 Shiur, Rabbi Natan Kapustin, Cong Etz Chaim, Livingston, 9pm, 973-597-1655 Maseches Sukkot, Lieber Schachter, Beis Medrash of Bergenfield, 9:20pm, ryan@bmob.org
Wednesdays
Kitzur Shulchan Aruch Learning Group, Synagogue of the Suburban Torah Center, Livingston, 6:20am, 973-994-2620 Parsha, for women, Rebbetzin Miri Cohen, private home in Highland Park, 9:15am, 732-249-5116 “Henry IV Part One,” Teaneck Shakespeare Group, private homes in Teaneck, 9:15am, hfrisch@gmail.com Hebrew-Speaking Women’s Torah Class, Chabad House, Margate, 11am, chabadofac@yahoo.com Gemara Moed Katan, Rabbi Guy Dvir, Cong Ahawas Achim Bnai Jacob and David, West Orange, noon Tele-Shiur: Parshat HaShavua, Rabbi Mordecai Feuerstein, spons by the Synagogue of the Suburban Torah Center, Livingston, 12:15pm, 973-409-3117 or 866-266-3378, conference ID #973-9942620, Pin #994-2629 Lunch and Learn, for seniors, Rabbi Michael Taubes, Cong Bnai Yeshurun, Teaneck, lunch, 1pm; shiur, 1:30pm Israel Club, Goldie Minkowitz, Teaneck High School, 3pm, gomink@aol.com Advanced Hebrew, Rachel Kushner, JCC, West Orange, 6:15pm and 7:30pm, 973-530-3400, begins Feb 9 Tanach Shiur, for women, Rachel Frazer, Cong Beth Aaron, Teaneck, 7:30pm “Tehillim: Finding Ourselves in Conversation with G-d,” Rabbi Chaim Poupko, Cong Ahavath Torah, Englewood, 7:30pm Analysis of the Book of Job, Rabbi Mordecai Feuerstein, Synagogue of the Suburban Torah Center, Livingston, 7:30pm, 973-994-2620 Shmooze on the News B’Ivrit: Meaningful Discussions about News, Politics, Art, and Other Topics, in Hebrew, JCC Rockland, West Nyack, 8pm, 845-362-4400 Gemara Shiur, Rabbi Shlomo Ziegler, Cong Ohav Emeth, Highland Park, 8pm “Creating a Meaningful Shabbat: An Exploration of the Laws and Customs of Shabbat,” Rabbi Mordechai Gershon, Cong Ahavath Torah, Englewood, 8:15pm Mishna Berurah Hilchot Pesach, Rabbi Richard Wolpoe, Cong Beth Aaron, Teaneck, 8:20pm Gemara: Bava Kama, Rabbi Laurence Rothwachs, Cong Beth Aaron, Teaneck, 8:30pm Halacha, Rabbi Yisroel Hoffman, Cong Agudath Israel of Highland Park, 8:30pm, 732-819-8300 or radler@ebglaw.com “Hidden Secrets of the Three Mitzvot of Women,” for women, Mandana Bolour, Cong Ahavath Torah, Englewood, 8:30pm Tur, Rabbi Mordechai Tendler, Community Synagogue of Monsey, 8:45pm, 845-356-2720 Jewish History, Mel Kapustin, Cong Etz Chaim, Livingston, 9pm, 973-597-1655 Weekly Halacha Sugya, Rabbi Zvi Sobolofsky, Cong Bnai Yeshurun, Teaneck, 9:15pm
Thursdays
Parsha Shiur, Rabbi Shlomo Krupka, Cong Etz Chaim, Livingston, 11:30am, 973-597-1655 Gemara Moed Katan, Rabbi Guy Dvir, Cong Ahawas Achim Bnai Jacob and David, West Orange, noon
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New Classes
February 2011
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Tell Our Advertisers “I Saw It in The Jewish Voice & Opinion”
Non-Sectarian Bereavement Program: “Sharing the Journey,” spons by Holy Name Medical Center Hospice and Palliative Services, Teaneck, 1pm, 201-833-3188 ext 7580 Drop-In Center, for grades 5-8, to socialize, get help with homework, and learn Torah, high school students, parents, and rabbis will be on hand to mentor and help with homework, Cong Ahavas Achim, Highland Park, 6:45-8:30pm, 732-247-0532 Support Group for Parents of Children with ADD/ADHD, Nancy Zwiebach, private office, Paramus, 7pm, 201-843-1373 Boys Shorashim Swim and Gym Groups, grades 4-7, Jewish Center of Teaneck, 7pm, 201-833-0515 ext 205 Tractate Taanis, Dr. Chaim Presby, Cong Ohav Emeth, High-
Mazal Tov flowers, etc can be donated and borrowed, 732-514-9154 Mazal Tov to the Bar Mitzvah Boys: Tani Bednarsh. Tamir Bejar, Gabriel Billig, Tamir Felsen, Shlomo Fried, Jonah Ganchrow, Noah Greenwald, David Kirsch, Shlomo Kroopnick, Yair Yaakov Leibler, Shmuel Rosenblatt, Mordechai Schlussel, Avi Schwartz, Ariel Smith, Shalom Yitzchak Solomon, Azriel Steiman, and Yonah Waldman; and the Bat Mitzvah Girls: Nina Bernheim, Adi Brickman, Shira Levitt, Ayelet Richter, Adi Ronen, and Haley Schreiber Mazal Tov to Dr. Stanley and Charnie Waintraub on the engagement of their son, Doni, to Caren Abitol Mazal Tov to Aaron Horn on his induction into NCSY’s Ben Zakkai Honor Society Mazal Tov to Avriel Hershkovich of Yeshiva Shaarei Tzion, and Jeremy Shechter and Neta Chizhik of Rabbi Pesach Raymon Yeshiva on receiving the Middos Award established in memory of Dina Eisner Mazal Tov to Teaneck High School on now offering a kosher lunch program in conjunction with EJ’s Pizza Mazal Tov to Drs Nathaniel and Judith Leff, Rabbi Shlomo Singer, Kenny Mandel, Gitty Goldberg, and Tracy Kurland on being honored by Partners in Torah at the organization’s breakfast in Passaic Mazal Tov to Elisheva and Zev Davidovics, Dr. Tzipora and Rabbi Menahem Meier, and David Hollander on the birth of a daughter, granddaughter, and great-granddaughter Mazal Tov to Dr. Steven Katz on being elected president of the Orthodox Union Mazal Tov to the Pre-Collegiate Learning Center, a new Jewish day school high school scheduled to open in Highland Park this Sept with a tuition cap of $5,000 per year, on being awarded a $50,000 matching grant from the Marion and Norman Tanzman Charitable Foundation Mazal Tov to the Graduates of Rebbetzin Debbie Baum’s Matan Bat Mitzvah program at Cong Keter Torah, Teaneck: Avigayil & Gabrielle Altman, Sharona Bellin & Marcy Goldstein; Emily & Talia Farbowitz; Daniella & Esther Friedman; Talya & Alisa Gellis; Anna, Julia & Naomi Greenblatt; Arianna & Genene Kaye; Rachel & Naomi Klamen; Nechama & Esther Levie; Dalia & Darienne Planer; Atara & Aviva Rolnick; Michal & Edyie Rosenfeld; Simmi & Nikki Sausen; Atara & Aliza Schulhof; Julie & Nina Sohnen; Gila & Alisa Weinrib and Hannah & Francine Weisbrot Mazal Tov to Mrs. Sitta Dessau on the occasion of her 100th birthday last month
land Park, 8pm Avelut: A Study of the Laws of Mourning in the Talmud and Codes, Rabbi Mordecai Feuerstein, Synagogue of the Suburban Torah Center, Livingston, 8pm, 973-994-2620 Chabura: Sefer Nefesh Ha-Chaim, Rabbi Herschel Grossman, Cong Beth Aaron, Teaneck, 8:15pm Gemara Shiur: Masechet Makkot, Rabbi Chaim Poupko, private home in Englewood, 8:30pm, 201-227-0354 Krav Maga, hand-to-hand combat and self-defense developed by the IDF, Dr. Eitan Savir, Cong Ahawas Achim Bnai Jacob and David, West Orange, 8:30pm, 973-736-0969 Gemara, Rabbi Dr Yacov Tendler, Community Synagogue of Monsey, 8:45pm, 845-356-2720 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 (732-247-0532), 9pm Parsha and Chassidus, Rabbi Moshe Weinberg, Cong Bnai Yeshurun, Teaneck, 9:15pm Maseches Sukkot, Lieber Schachter, Beis Medrash of Bergenfield, 9:20pm, ryan@bmob.org Teleconference: Parenting Forum, Rabbi Yakov Horowitz, 9:30pm, cbecker@rabbihorowitz.com or 845-352-7100 ext 114 Parsha, Rabbi Y Eichenstein, Cong Agudath Israel of Highland Park, 9:30pm, 732-819-8300 “Halacha from the Parsha,” Rabbi Michael Taubes, Cong Bnai Yeshurun, Teaneck, 10:15pm
Fridays
Beis Medresh Program, for men and boys, Cong Ohr HaTorah, Bergenfield, 8pm, OHTFNL@gmail.com
Shabbat
“Rambam on the Parsha,” Rabbi Yaakov Glasser, Young Israel of Passaic-Clifton, 8:45am, 973-330-2285 Bnos Groups, for girls, Cong Adas Israel, Passaic, 2:30pm Women’s Parsha Class, private homes in Teaneck, 3:15pm, gomink@aol.com or 201 833 8533 Sefer Samuel, for men and women, Fair Lawn Commons Chevra Minyan, private home in Fair Lawn, 3:45pm, 201-796-8142 Sefer Tehillim, for women, Fair Lawn Commons Chevra Minyan, Private home in Fair Lawn, 4:40pm, 201-796-8142
Motzei Shabbat
Father-and-Son Learning, spons by Torah Links of Northern NJ and Yeshiva Ohr Simcha of Englewood, for boys in grades 1-6 with an adult, at the yeshiva in Englewood, 7pm, 484-620-6187 or NNJ@Torahlinks.org Parent-Child Learning, Cong Rinat Yisrael, Teaneck, 7pm Navi, Rabbi Yisroel Reisman, live via satellite, Young Israel of Fair Lawn (201-797-1800); Cong Ahavas Achim, Highland Park (732-2470532); 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), 7:30pm Shovavim: Shalom Bayis Plus, for married or soon-to-be-married individuals, Agudah of Passaic Park, 9pm, info@torahstream. org, 718-755-3515 Motzei Shabbos Shiur, Rabbi Michael Taubes, Cong Zichron Mordechai, Teaneck, 75 minutes after Shabbos, aryehr@juno.com
Special
Minchenberg Daf Yomi, Rabbi Mordechai Tendler, Community Synagogue of Monsey, Mon-Thurs. 5pm; Fri, 8:45am; Sun, 10am, 845-356-2720
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Arab Uprising
Palace announced that “Bakhit’s mission is take practical, quick, and tangible steps to launch true political reforms, enhance Jordan’s democratic drive, and ensure a safe and decent living for all Jordanians.” The Jordanian protests were led by trade unionists, leftists, and the Muslim Brotherhood, which remains Jordan’s largest opposition group, but unlike the demonstrations in Tunisia, there were no calls to overthrow the government. In his letter to Mr. Bakhit, King Abdullah said the new government’s task was to “take speedy practical, and tangible steps to unleash a real political reform process that reflects our vision of comprehensive reform, modernization, and development.” He told Mr. Bakhit to take his time and consult with all forces across the social and political spectra to put together his cabinet, choosing “from the
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sons of Jordan who are capable, qualified, and committed to the vision of comprehensive reform that upholds dialogue, openness, candor, and transparency, and reach out to our dear people.” Jordanian Fence In early January, even before the Jordanian riots began, Mr. Netanyahu and the Knesset’s Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, discussed the threat posed by terrorists in Jordan and mentioned that the Israeli government may build a fence in the Jordan Valley in order to keep infiltrators out. David Elhiani, head of Israel’s Jordan Valley Regional Council, said a fence in the proper location is “an excellent idea.” “I hope the prime minister means to build it on the east side of the western Jordan Valley. A fence like that would give us true security and it would also be a real diplomatic breakthrough,” he said, explaining that it would
New Minyanim & Chesed Ops
Mincha Minyan, Frisch Court, Paramus, Mon-Thurs, 1:30pm, pkx14@yahoo.com Maariv Minyan, Cong Bais Torah, Suffern, Mon-Thurs, 8pm, 845-352-1343 Shacharis, Cong Ohr HaTorah, Bergenfield, Sundays, 8am Shacharis, Westgate Apartments, Teaneck, Mon and Thurs, 6:30am; Tues, Wed, and Fri, 6:35am, morosenberg@gmail.com Shul on the Palisades, Rabbi Shmuley Boteach, private home in Englewood, Fridays and Shabbat morning, 10am, followed by Kiddush, 201-541-0958 or 201-567-6664
Chesed Ops
Sponsor a Shabbos for an American-Jewish Soldier; for $36 help a soldier stationed overseas celebrate Shabbos by sponsoring a care package, 845-354-7763 The Fair Lawn Simcha/Gown Gemach has bridal gowns and dresses for the mother-of-the-bride, bridesmaids, flower girl, and bat mitzvah girls, as well as a few toddler tuxedos, petticoats, veils, crowns, and shoes, no charge except for cleaning, donations accepted, 201-797-1770 The Fair Lawn Gemach distributes clothing, shoes, furniture, appliances, toys, and food, for confidential requests and donations, call 201-797-1770 New Gemach in Teaneck will collect and resell women’s dresses, head coverings, baby clothes, and toys, all proceeds to benefit The Lone Soldier Project, which supports IDF troops without families in Israel, IDFgemach@yahoo.com In Highland Park, there is a Simcha “Shtick” Gemach, from which arches, umbrellas, “chosson and kallah bears,” Mazal Tov signs,
Adar I 5711
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make the valley “an undeniable part of Israel proper.” A new project initiated by Likud MK Gila Gamliel, encourages students to come to the Jordan Valley with the intention of living there permanently. Right now, it includes transportation to the College of Judea and Samaria in Ariel, where their tuition is subsidized. Students who take part in the program agree to do volunteer work in the Jordan Valley communities in which they take up residence. Sinking into the Sand As Tunisia and Jordan were exploding and a week before Egypt, too, erupted into chaos, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton spoke prophetically in Doha, Qatar, telling the elites who had gathered at the “Forum for the Future” that the “Arab region’s foundations are sinking into the sand,” due to the “pervasive culture of corruption that discourages participation
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and hard work.” She explained that because ordinary Arab citizens were growing increasingly politically aware, it had not escaped their attention that the tiny Arab elite was the beneficiary of the petrodollars. This, she said, engendered attitudes ranging from apathy to anger. If the Arab regimes did not provide “vehicles for participation,” they would be outflanked by “extremist elements, terrorist groups, and others who would prey on desperation and poverty” and “are already out there appealing for allegiance and competing for influence.” The “Forum for the Future,” launched in 2004 by the G-8 to encourage Arab civil groups that would function as more than mere puppets of the various regimes, did not seem impressed with Mrs. Clinton. Referring to the fall of the Shah, whose ambitious plan to remake
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The Jewish Voice and Opinion
Arab Uprising Iran led, in part, to his downfall, participants at the “Forum for the Future” informed her that the pace of reform had to be “measured,” because too rapid change could play into the hands of extremists. No participants at the Qatar event seemed prepared for the events that followed in Egypt. Egypt On January 17, three young Egyptians, in three separate incidents, set themselves on fire while standing outside the country’s parliamentary building in central Cairo. It triggered the largest street demonstrations and riots in Egypt in more than 20 years. The protesters, for the most part, were ordinary Egyptians, most of whom were dressed in Western clothes. Very few of the protesters seemed affiliated with any of the Islamist movements. Those who were rioting wanted jobs and more food, but chief among their demands was that the country’s 82-yearold president, Hosni Mubarak, end his authoritarian 30-year rule. Mr. Mubarak, who is reportedly not in good health, came to power in 1981 after the assassination of his predecessor Anwar Sadat. Peaceful Muslim Brotherhood? Barely a week after the protests began last month, Mo-
February 2011
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continued from page 39 hammed ElBaradei, a leading member of the Egyptian opposition who has close ties to the Muslim Brotherhood, called openly for a revolt in Egypt, similar to the one in Tunisia. Mr. ElBaradei, a Nobel peace laureate, is a prominent antigovernment figure. He had been living in Vienna, but recently returned to politics after serving as head of the UN’s International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the UN’s nuclear watchdog, for 12 years. Some assume he will be the next elected leader of Egypt, but Malcolm Hoenlein, executive vice-president of the Conference of Presidents of Major American-Jewish Organizations, said Mr. ElBaradei “is nothing more than a stooge for Iran.” “A myth is being created that ElBaradei is a human rights activist—he is a stooge of Iran. When he was the head of the IAEA, for which he got a Nobel Prize, he distorted reports and covered for Iran. After he left, his successors said earlier reports were not accurate,” said Mr. Hoenlein. Those strong sentiments were extremely rare for the usually mild-mannered Mr. Hoenlein whose organization is arguably the most pluralistic in the entire Jewish community. In his official position with the UN, Mr. ElBaradei
maintained that Iran’s nuclear development is for civilian purposes, and he argued against Western-backed sanctions for the Islamic Republic. His criticism of Iran was limited to its lack of cooperation with the UN agency, while insisting that diplomatic engagement with Iran was the best way to promote a willingness to allow inspections of nuclear sites. Islamists’ Candidate The radical Muslim Brotherhood, officially outlawed in Mr. Mubarak’s Egypt, has backed Mr. ElBaradei to replace Mr. Mubarak. Mr. Hoenlein said the Muslim Brotherhood is “not in front of the protests [in Egypt] but is behind the scenes.” “They take advantage of the situation, as they always do when there is instability,” said Mr. Hoenlein. More than a few observers say Mr. ElBaradei is playing the role assumed by Sheikh Ruhollah Khomeini during the Iranian Revolution in 1979: a
popular personality who enthralls the public, but could prove very dangerous for the rest of the world. In an interview with Der Spiegel, Mr. ElBaradei expressed his pleasure with the Tunisians. “If the Tunisians have done it, Egyptians should get there, too,” said. “A regime change is inevitable.” He pointed out that while Tunisia has a thriving middle class, Egypt has widespread poverty. “Egypt may see a revolt by the poor and frustrated,” said Mr. ElBaradei, who denounced Mr. Mubarak’s vision for Egypt as a “one-party regime.”
http://jewishvoiceandopinion.com Riot Gear Once the riots began in Egypt, the mood on the street fluctuated widely. Sometimes, it was hushed, and, at other times, it seemed clear that no one was in control at all. During the first few days, when fresh anti-government protests erupted every few hours, riot police deployed across Cairo. The Interior Ministry said in a statement that police would not tolerate any gatherings, marches, or protests, suggesting that security forces would immediately resort to force at the first sign of protesters assembling. Thousands of policemen in riot gear, backed by armored vehicles, could be seem on bridges across the Nile, at major intersections and squares, as well as outside key installations such as the state TV building and the headquarters of Mr. Mubarakâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ruling National Democratic Party in central Cairo. Nevertheless, time and again, the protesters took to the streets, loudly defying Mr. Mubarakâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s government ban on protests. Their chief demand was that Mr. Mubarak resign. They were clearly hoping to replicate the protestersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; success in Tunisia, where demonstrations had brought an end to Mr. Ben Aliâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s rule. Police Oppression In Egypt, protesters seemed to take a perverse pride in how long they could bear up under police oppression. Reports of extreme brutality by government forces trying to contain the riots made the rounds of the social networking sights. The reports resembled those seen during the Iranian protests that followed the so-called â&#x20AC;&#x153;re-electionâ&#x20AC;? of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad more than a year ago. While thousands of Egyptians defied Mr. Mubarakâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s government ban on protests and
Adar I 5711
loudly insisted that he resign, the toll of dead and wounded continued to rise. At least 108 people were killed in the first few days as protesters and police clashed. At least eight protesters were killed by gunshots near the Cairo jail after several police stations and government buildings were set on fire. But the police seemed unableâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;or unwillingâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;to quell the demonstrations. The protests continued after nightfall,
The Jewish Voice and Opinion
with thousands remaining on the streets. Cutting Communication When the countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s four major Internet providers all cut service, disrupting mobile phone signals in an apparent attempt by the authorities to make it more difficult for protesters to organize or take footage of the demonstrations for international television, the organizers simply switched to contacting friends abroad on landlines. Footage and reports
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from protests were online almost instantly. Anr Salama, a protester who survived a brutal beating at the hands of the police near Tahrir Square, told his story in an article translated into English and then posted on Facebook. Mr. Salama said his goal was â&#x20AC;&#x153;a better Egypt where police protect the people rather than doing what was done to me and many other protesters
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The Jewish Voice and Opinion
February 2011
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Ess Gezint: Quick and Kosher
It’s hard not to smile when Jamie Geller, the “bride who knew nothing,” tells us that, five years after her chupah, “nobody prepared me for what it’s like to smell your dinner going up in smoke while you’re on your hands and knees behind the crib searching for a lost pacifier.” So she wrote a new cookbook, “Quick and Kosher Meals in Minutes” [Feldheim 2010] because “the way to cook with kids around is ‘as fast as you can.’” It’s a beautiful book, filled not only with recipes and pictures, but also recommended wines.
Individual Meat Loaves Canola oil cooking spray 1 Tbs canola oil 1 medium onion, finely chopped ½ green pepper, seeds and ribs removed, finely chopped 1 lb. ground beef 1 large egg, beaten
½ cup plain bread crumbs ½ cup matzoh meal 1½ tsp kosher salt 1 tsp freshly ground black pepper 1 tsp dried thyme leaves 1 Tbs kosher Worcestershire sauce (without fish) 1 clove garlic, minced
Preheat oven to 425º. Lightly spray 4 (6 oz) ramekins with cooking spray. In a small sauté pan, heat oil over medium heat and cook onions and pepper for 6-7 minutes. While the vegetables are cooking, combine ground beef, egg, bread crumbs, matzoh meal, salt, pepper, thyme, and Worcestershire sauce in a large bowl. Add garlic to the vegetables and cook for about 1 minute. Add vegetables to the ground meat mixture and mix until combined. Form into 4 balls and place in prepared ramekins. Place ramekins on a cookie sheet. Bake for 25 minutes. Serves 4.
Wasabi Mashed Potatoes
6 medium Yukon gold potatoes, peeled and quartered 2 cloves garlic
1 Tbs kosher salt ¼ cup vegetable broth 4 Tbs parve margarine 2 Tbs wasabi horseradish
In a large saucepan, boil potatoes and garlic in salted water. Cook for 15-20 minutes, or until potatoes are tender and break apart with a fork. Drain and return to pan. With a potato masher or hand mixer, mash potatoes and garlic with broth, margarine, and horseradish. Season with additional salt, if desired. Serves 4.
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Adar I 5711
The Jewish Voice and Opinion
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The Jewish Voice and Opinion
Arab Uprising
February 2011 Tell Our Advertisers “I Saw It in The Jewish Voice & Opinion”
continued from page 41
in every police department and street.” “A better Egypt where anyone can go to a police department to demand protection without fear of being ignored,” said Mr. Salama. He vowed to continue his protests, writing that he realized the soldiers who beat him “had no idea why they were doing it.” He said the soldiers appeared to have sympathy for him and “were probably more afraid of us” than he was of them. “I most importantly realized that there is hope, hope to see Egypt not only as liberated as Tunis, but also in a place better than I could ever imagine,” said Mr.
Salama. “A place I would want to have kids so they would live a good life full of dignity and make it even better.” Trying to Get Out While Mr. Salama and his colleagues planned to continue fighting, many Westerners in Cairo were devoted to finding ways to get out of the city. Approximately 90,000 Americans were estimated to live, work, and study in Egypt. Among the first to leave was the Mubarak family itself. Mr. Mubarak’s half-Welsh wife, Suzanne, 69, and their son, Gamal, 49, long expected to be his father’s designated successor; and Ga-
mal Mubarak’s daughter fled Egypt to London, along with 97 suitcases. Gamal Mubarak’s Twitter account was blocked to prevent a social network campaign to urge the ousting of Mr. Mubarak as the family headed for their six-story Georgian mansion just a stone’s throw from Harrods in Knightsbridge, West London. Hosni Mubarak is reported to have amassed a fortune worth more than $40.5 billion since assuming power in Egypt in 1981. Evacuation The US Embassy told its citizens to consider leaving the country as soon as possible, the same advice given to employees of some major firms. Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, and Jordan all organized flights to evacuate their citizens. By the last week in January, dozens of wealthy Egyptians had fled on private planes. Israel was the first country to evacuate its diplomats and their families. Israel’s Foreign Ministry brought in special flights to carry the diplomatic families and 40 other Israelis visiting Egypt who wanted to leave the country. On February 1, after virtually all Israelis in Egypt had been evacuated, armed men attacked the Israeli Embassy in Cairo. According to an Egyptian news report, an Egyptian military officer who was guarding the building was killed during the attack. The attackers withdrew from the embassy after clashes with other Egyptian forces who were on duty there. Unstable Future The Obama administration’s reaction to the protests in Cairo reflected the democracy vs stability debate, especially when the democracy in question could pave the way to state-sponsored Islamist fundamentalism. On one hand, most Americans and Westerners in general, including Israelis, supported the struggle for freedom in which the protesters were engaged. On the other, they worried that, if Mr. Mubarak were forced to resign, a long period of instability might follow. Even worse, if the Islamist Muslim Brotherhood wrested power for itself, it could turn Egypt into a duplicate of Iran and ally itself with every terrorist group in the region from Hezbollah to Hamas.
http://jewishvoiceandopinion.com Strong Ally During the first few days of the protests in Egypt, Mr. Obama’s reaction toward Mr. Mubarak was “mild.” When White House spokesman Robert Gibbs was asked if the US backed Mr. Mubarak, the spokesman merely replied, “Egypt is a strong ally.” Mr. Obama’s position infuriated the protesters who had been expecting his full-blown support. When Mr. Obama finally threw his backing to the protesters, making it clear he would not endorse Mr. Mubarak’s efforts to quash the protests or remain in office, others worried about the long-term repercussions of the US President essentially betraying a long-standing ally. Jimmy Carter Moment To those who felt supporting Mr. Mubarak was important, Mr. Obama’s actions demonstrated that the President of the US had no loyalty towards the leader of a friendly nation who, for decades, stood as a bulwark fending off the extremists. Those who were disappointed that Mr. Obama did not support Mr. Mubarak pointed out that with a new regime, it was likely that the extremist anti-Israel and anti-West Islamic Brotherhood would gain a great deal of power and might possibly assume the helm of the Egyptian government. Some equated Mr. Obama with former President Jimmy Carter who turned his back on the Shah of Iran, a long-term US ally, and sided with the radical Islamist Mr. Khomeini. “Carter in his naiveté thought that Khomeini would bring democracy and freedom to the Iranian people,” said Dr. Arash Irandost, an Iranian exile who founded the Pro-Democracy Movement of Iran. “Now Iranians yearn for the freedoms they once had, not to mention the democracy to which they aspired.” Not surprisingly, the beneficiaries of Mr. Carter’s naiveté, the mullahs of Iran, have taken a stand against Mr. Mubarak. Peace Treaty at Risk Former US Ambassador to Israel Martin Indyk recognized that, in Mubarak, an ally the US depended on to protect American interests and “stability in this volatile region will be toppled, and then a very unstable situation in Egypt will spread across the region and that can do great damage to our interests.” However, he said, “clinging to Mubarak,
Adar I 5771 when it’s clear that he’s lost his legitimacy among the Egyptian people and ends up using force and a great deal of bloodshed to retain his power, could produce the very instability we’re trying to avoid.” David Schenker, a Mideast specialist at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, said bluntly that he fears the Muslim Brotherhood will overrun Egypt and destroy the country’s peace treaty with Israel. Cold Peace It’s a scenario not relished by anyone in Israel, where no one denies the “cold peace” with Egypt has allowed the Jewish state to enjoy a quiet southern border, which everyone prefers to a “hot war.”
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“If there is a regime change, Israel will have to reassess its strategy to protect its border from one of the most modern militaries in the region,” said a senior official. Saudi Arabia, which fears a revolution from Muslim extremists within its own country, expressed support for Mr. Mubarak. “Egypt is a country of Arabism and Islam. No Arab and Muslim human being can bear that some infiltrators, in the name of freedom of expression, have infiltrated into the brotherly people of Egypt, to destabilize its security and stability and they have been exploited to spew out their hatred in destruction, intimidation,
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The Jewish Voice and Opinion
Arab Uprising
February 2011 Tell Our Advertisers “I Saw It in The Jewish Voice & Opinion”
continued from page 45
burning, looting, and inciting a malicious sedition,” said the Saudi kingdom in a prepared statement. Already Decided According to documents leaked by WikiLeaks, there was never any doubt on which side Mr. Obama would fall. According to leaked cables quoted by the London Telegraph, for the last three years, the US has supported “democracy activists” who planned to overthrow the Mubarak regime. According to US Ambassador to Egypt Margaret Scobey, three years ago, the Americans helped a young activist
outline his movement’s goals for democratic change in Egypt. Ms. Scobey evidently cautioned that she thought the plot was “unrealistic,” but contact was maintained with the activist, who was a principal source of information. Cronies When Mr. Obama made clear his alliance with the protesters, Mr. Mubarak appointed for the first time a vice-president, his long-time ally Omar Suleiman; and a prime minister, Ahmed Shafik, who like Mr. Suleiman is a military man. Some observers said that the appoint-
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ment of two military men signaled that Mr. Mubarak was “acting on the orders of the military establishment, who clearly value the country’s stability more than they do their president,” said John R. Bradley. Mr. Bradley predicted the military will offer Mr. Mubarak “a face-saving way out, perhaps by announcing he is ill again or that Suleiman is to take over until new Presidential elections can take place.” Israeli Reaction In Israel, Mr. Netanyahu told his Cabinet Ministers not to comment on the crisis in Egypt, but Binyamin BenEliezer, who left the Cabinet in the Labor Party shake-up, said he thinks calm will return to Egypt. Mr. Netanyahu sounded less sure. Reporting that he had spoken with Mr. Obama as well as Mrs. Clinton, he said, “Peace between Israel and Egypt has been ongoing for over 30 years, and we want to make sure the good relations between countries continues,” he said. Reforms and Concessions In addition to new appointments, Mr. Obama demanded that Mr. Mubarak introduce reforms and concessions, such as restoring the Internet and full mobile phone services. Ever since the street protests began, Egypt had been trying aggressively to control all cell phones and use of the Internet. When there was the slightest hint that Mr. Mubarak would not do Mr. Obama’s bidding, the US administration threatened to review and cut military aid to Egypt, which has totaled $28 billion since 1975. After it signed peace accords with Israel, Egypt became the largest recipient of US aid in the Middle East, except for the Jewish state itself, and annual military aid of nearly $1.5 billion includes F-4 jet aircraft. F-16 jet fighters, armored personnel carriers, Apache helicopters, antiaircraft missile batteries, and aerial surveillance aircraft. Heavy-Handed Tactics Until the US made clear that it wanted an end to the government’s heavy-handed tactics against the protesters, police in Egypt had used tear gas and water cannons to drive back the crowds. Protesters responded by throwing stones and shouting,
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“Down with Mubarak.” The same theme was heard in Jordan, where protesters who did not want to criticize the king had no problem calling Mr. Mubarak “a traitor and an American agent.” At the Egyptian Embassy in Amman, Jordanian Muslim and union activists ridiculed both Messrs Mubarak and Obama, insisting that “Saudi Arabia awaits” them. “We say to the Americans, do not interfere,” chanted the protesters. Jordanian Muslim Brotherhood leader Hamam Said told reporters, “Your control, which has lasted 100 years, is finished. We are living in a new era.” He warned the Jordanian kingdom “to draw lessons from the events in Egypt and start political reforms.” Israelis just hope those lessons do not involve government sponsorship of terrorist activities. Azzam Azzam Another voice insisting that Mr. Mubarak “must go” was that of Azzam Azzam, an Israeli Arab who spent eight years in an Egyptian prison after being convicted of spying for Israel. Mr. Azzam had been sent to Egypt as an employee of an Israeli textile firm and worked at a textile plant which was a joint business venture of Israeli management and Egyptian la-
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bor. In 1996, he was arrested in Cairo and accused of industrial espionage. He was accused of using women’s underwear soaked in invisible ink to pass information to the Mossad. In August 1997, Mr. Azzam was convicted of helping to send news about Egyptian industrial cities to the Mossad and sentenced to 15 years in prison with hard labor. He was freed in December 2004, after eight years, in exchange for six Egyptian students who were suspected of planning to rob a bank, capture a tank, and kidnap IDF soldiers. Mr. Azzam and the Israeli government have consistently denied that he was an Israeli spy. No Forgiveness Insisting that “the era of the dictators is over and Mubarak needs to go,” Mr. Azzam said he holds out hope for the Egyptian people. “You have suffered enough. You should earn your break with dignity. For 40 years, Egyptians were allowed to open their mouths only in the dentist’s chair,” he said. As for Mr. Mubarak, Mr. Azzam said he could not bear to look him in the eye. “I want to see him in the same jail cell in which he put me,” he said. No Law and Order When Mr. Mubarak announced that the police would
Tell Our Advertisers “I Saw It in The Jewish Voice & Opinion” no longer patrol the streets, the protesters took it as a victory. A great deal of their anger had been directed at the police who served as Mr. Mubarak’s henchmen, enforcing his rule with an iron fist, which often included torture. But when the police departed, the criminal element in the cities was free, not to protest, but, rather, to loot and terrorize residents in their homes and stores in wealthy areas of Cairo. Jails were emptied, too, adding to the lawlessness of the street. Rioting, looting, and general unrest spread throughout Egypt, but with many communications network not working, major events were not reported until hours and sometimes days later. Museum Destruction On Friday, January 30, Cairo’s National Egyptian Museum, with artifacts in its collection going back thousands of years, including ancient mummies, was attacked by a mob of looters. Mobs looking for gold ravaged museums, pyramids, and archaeological sites throughout the country. Witnesses reported utter destruction of irreplaceable historic items. Arabic news websites have carried stories of large groups of impoverished Egyptians who stripped museums bare, carrying off what they could and destroying the rest. Lost in the rubble have been many
works of art and historical artifacts. In several cases, mobs burned down museums and archeological sites. The Museum at Qantara, which held statues and works of fine art from the Roman and Byzantine periods, was totally laid waste. No One to Help In an interview, Muhammad Abed al-Maksoud, curator of the Egyptian Museum, explained that the collection had been looted, and mummies— possibly the grandparents of King Tutankhamen—were destroyed. “There is a feeling of total chaos. The thieves were sure they could find artifacts they could sell, but each item is numbered and catalogued, and if they try to sell them, they will get caught—so we have hope of catching the culprits and bring them to justice,” he said. Tarek Saadawi, the former Egyptian Minister of Telecommunications, demanded that the UN intervene and calm the situation in Egypt and that UNESCO do something to stop the looting. “These treasures must be returned and the law must be enforced here,” said Mr. Saadawi. “The UN and UNESCO should dedicate resources to identify and return these lost treasures.”
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At the UN, officials from UNESCO had no comment, which was pretty much the state of affairs when the Muslim Waqf in Jerusalem looted and destroyed ancient artifacts on the Temple Mount. Escaped Prisoners During the riots, when the Egyptian police vanished, several thousand Arab prisoners, including those from Hamas, reportedly escaped from Egyptian prisons. The Hamas terrorists reached Gaza through smuggling tunnels. The others, including Muslim extremists, scattered throughout Egypt. While the police were gone from the streets in Egypt, the military, which is not nearly as detested by Egyptians, was still very much a presence. In fact, most analysts maintain that, in the end, Mr. Mubarak’s fate will depend on whether or not the army decides to prop him up or desert him, too. The importance of the military was underscored by a report from Al Jazeera that the Egyptian army had requested riot-dispersal gear from Israel. Further, said the report, two Israeli planes landed in Cairo to deliver the equipment. Israel’s Foreign Ministry as well as Egyptian military sources denied the story. Stoking the Flames According to Arutz Sheva,
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the Qatar-based Al Jazeera, which identifies with the Muslim Brotherhood, has been stoking the flames of insurrection in Egypt. “A report that Egyptian security forces were using Israeli riot gear against the public would doubtless inflame the spirits there,” said Arutz Sheva reporter Gil Ronen. In Egypt, supporters of the Mubarak government also accused Al Jazeera of inflammatory reporting and ordered the station’s news hub overseeing coverage of the country’s massive street protests closed. Over the years, Al-Jazeera has faced numerous bans in the Arab world, including bitter complaints this month from the Palestinian Authority over allegations that its reporting favored rival Hamas. Freedom of Speech? Al Jazeera called the Egyptian ban “an act designed to stifle and repress freedom of reporting by the network and its journalists.” “In this time of deep turmoil and unrest in Egyptian society, it is imperative that voices from all sides be heard. The closing of our bureau by the Egyptian government is aimed an censoring and silencing the voices of the Egyptian people,” said Al Jazeera from its headquarters in the Qatar capital of Doha.
Tell Our Advertisers “I Saw It in The Jewish Voice & Opinion” Al Jazeera vowed to continue reporting, probably by having its reporters call into its central station without the use of names, thereby protecting the journalists against repercussions. Protective Fence The Al Jazeera report alleging the collusion of Israel with Egyptian military authorities came just as the IDF began blockading critical Egyptian border crossings to protect the Jewish state against infiltrators. According to a military spokesman, while there is no connection between the blockade and the uprising in Egypt, the fact that some Hamas terrorists have escaped from Egyptian jails and are making their way back to Gaza, from where they plan, once again, to launch attacks against Israel, makes the barrier a timely security measure. Planned well before the uprising in Egypt, an initial temporary barrier will be put up in an area where infiltration and smuggling are particularly common. If it is effective, the temporary barriers, which are not substitutes for permanent barriers, may be used elsewhere as well. The barriers will be tightly knit, with sharp edges to make it difficult for wouldbe infiltrators to pass. Thousands of Criminals One of those who escaped from Cairo was Hassan Wshah, a member of the Al-Qaeda-inspired Army of Islam, a Gaza-based terrorist group that wants to install Sharia Muslim law. Mr. Wshah was jailed three years ago when Egyptian security officials caught him in the Sinai Peninsula planning a terrorist attack against Israel. Mr. Wshah told Al-Jazeera that “the prisoners revolted and started breaking windows and
doors and fled from the cells.” He said Egyptian soldiers fired at the escaping prisoners, killing some and injuring others. Mr. Wshah was driven by another member of the Army of Islam to the Egyptian town of Rafiah, which borders Gaza. They managed to enter the Gaza Strip through one of the underground smuggling tunnels. Mr. Wshah estimated that thousands of prisoners have managed to escape from Egypt, noting that in his section alone, there were 1200 prisoners and an equal number in other sections. Setting the Stage Some analysts suspected it was no accident that Egypt’s streets were suddenly filled with escaped prisoners. It was suggested that Mr. Mubarak purposefully unleashed criminals, hoping Egypt’s middle class might request that he—and law and order—be restored. But the request never came. Fawaz Gerges, director of the Middle East Centre at the London School of Economics, said that while the Mubarak regime had decided to “crack down very hard on the protesters,” the “protesters and their popular uprising are much more deeply entrenched.” “The most important point is that the barrier of fear has collapsed, has fallen. Egyptians now are no longer terrified of the security apparatus as they used to be,” he said. Carefully Planned On January 28, the Muslim Brotherhood finally joined the demonstrations in Egypt. Some thought the Islamist group gave the anti-government protesters renewed strength. Others said they represented exactly what the demonstrators did not want. One Brotherhood leader told reporters that the next day would be “the day of the intifada.” He
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Protecting Egypt’s Coptic Christians As the executive vice-president of the International Christian Union (ICU), I hope that in the aftermath of the current uprising in the Middle East, a democratic Egypt will emerge that will respect and protect the rights of all of its people, regardless of religion—particularly members of the Egyptian Coptic Christian community. I want to insure that, during these times, there is a focus on the plight of the Egyptian Coptic Christians, because the way they are treated is in contravention to the Egyptian constitution. Their lives are continually in peril. Copts have been and continue to be discriminated against on the basis of religion and thus prevented from getting jobs, being promoted, and enjoying equal opportunity, all in contravention of Article 8 of the Egyptian constitution which states: “The State shall guarantee equality of opportunity to all Egyptians.” Article 2 of the Egyptian Constitution states that Islam is the religion of the State and the principal source of legislation is Islamic Jurisprudence (Sharia). The duplicity is obvious. If one is not a Muslim, all avenues of advancement are closed and there is no equality of opportunity. The ICU, whose members are tax-paying citizens of the United States, calls upon the Obama Administration to demand that the religious, civil, and political rights and equal economic opportunities for the Christian Copts are protected under Egyptian law including but not limited to assurances that: Coptic children will not be forced to memorize Koranic verses, that books and curricula be revised to remove any hostile statements against the non-Muslims, and that Friday sermons at the different mosques must not advocate hatred toward the non-Muslims. I can be reached at 201-832-8058 Joseph Hakim Executive Vice President of the International Christian Union\ North Bergen, NJ Seattle’s Buses Let me commend you on an excellent article and report covering the major aspects of a situation in which many of us in the Pacific Northwest were involved at grassroots levels to thwart the nefarious plan to place false and vicious anti-Israel ads on Seattle’s downtown buses[ Pro-Israel Jews and Christians Came Together in Seattle; Where there Was Absolutely No Sleeping on the Buses,” Jan 2011]. I write to you today primarily with respect to the Seattle bus outrage that was planned and organized by the anti-Israel Seattle Mid-East Awareness Campaign (SMAC). Led by the notorious Edward Mast, who has a long record, along with his wife, of involvement in boycotts and anti-Israel demonstrations, SMAC was dealt a temporary blow. However, though a battle against these Israel-haters was won, the war goes on and already SMAC is planning to sue the Seattle Transit Authority for allegedly denying the group’s free speech rights. Of course the fact that Jewish free speech rights would be infringed is predictably ignored by SMAC. Victor Sharpe Seattle, WI
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Boycotting Ariel I read your article about BSD [“Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions against Israel: Annoying by Non-Jews; Painful When Perpetrated by Israelis against Each Other,” Jan 2011]. While you correctly quoted me, you said the following: “Just recently, Israeli-Jewish actor Theodore Bikel, who resides in California, signed onto the Ariel boycott. Like most of those boycotting the theater, the 86-year-old Mr. Bikel has not been asked to perform there.” In fact, while the Ariel facility was still under construction, I was asked to appear at the opening and I refused—and for the same reasons. Theodore Bikel Los Angeles, CA SLR responds: In an op-ed written for Ha’aretz, Mr. Bikel says that while he doesn’t like “cultural boycotts,” he is willing to make an exception with the Ariel Performing Arts Center. As he explains: “Pablo Casals, the world-famous cellist, who chose life-long exile from his native Spain because of the fascist dictator who ruled the beloved country of his birth, said this: “My cello is my weapon; I choose where I play, when I play, and before whom I play.” We asked Mr. Bikel if he really meant to equate Israeli Judea and Samaria with fascist Spain. “I was not implying any equivalence between the settlements and Spain. My point in quoting Casals was to simply say that artists make a statement by appearing or refusing to appear— guided by their conscience,” he said. While we were awfully glad to know he doesn’t really think there is a comparison between Ron Nachman and Franco, we did tell him that, he and the other boycotters notwithstanding, it is the Jews of Judea and Samaria who will make it possible for all of our grandchildren—and, please G-d, their children after them—to daven in places like the Cave of the Machpela in Hebron. Having grown up on Mr. Bikel’s recordings, especially the Songs of the Russian Gypsy, we know it’s a real shame that Jewish youngsters in Ariel—many of them the offspring of RussianJewish olim—won’t be able to enjoy his performance, and won’t even know what they’re missing. Pity.
Taiwan and Israel President Obama’s much-publicized State Dinner in honor of Chinese President Hu Jin Tao, together with the diplomatic cordialities that are now developing between the United States and China, must be carefully followed by the Jewish community. Specifically, there is a significant chance that in order to please China, the United States may well abandon its diplomatic support of Taiwan. And if Obama can throw Taiwan (or any other nation) to the sharks, then how secure can Israel really be? Kenneth H. Ryesky, Esq. East Northport, NY
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“Thought Is the World of Freedom” (R’ Dov Ber of Mazeritch) What Is It with Iowa? A potentially tragic situation has again turned our eyes to Iowa, and I am convinced that we must act immediately on behalf of Mrs. Wendy (Weiner) Runge. Mrs. Runge is married to Pinchus Runge, the first bochur ever enrolled in the Wisconsin Institute for Torah Study here in Milwaukee. Pinchus is an “ehrlicher yungerman” and “ben Torah” and I have known Pinchus and his family for three decades. Mrs. Runge was invited to do business in Iowa by the Department of Economic Development. Upon conclusion of her project she received a monetary reward for complying with their codes and laws. The state was so impressed with her work and integrity that they requested that her companies to do more projects in Iowa, and she worked towards that goal in good faith. Shortly thereafter the state conducted a review of some of their economic initiatives and scrutinized the particular administration of the department in charge of this and similar ventures. After a close internal examination of the program, the governor shut it down and looked for someone to blame for the incompetence of his staff, six of whom were subsequently fired and one charged with a serious misdemeanor. In want of a scapegoat, and in the wake of the sensational Rubashkin scandal, they settled on the conspicuously Jewish Mrs. Runge and charged her with 15 felony counts that could place her in prison for 25 years! I met with Mrs. Runge and it seems clear to me that she has the evidence to prove her innocence on all counts. Moreover, it is quite evident to me that Iowa has a mission to discredit Jews who did business in Iowa. Scheduling her pre-trial hearing on the first day of Rosh Hashana with no offer to change the date even though the Attorney General’s office was advised that she is an observant Jew furthers the assumption that antisemitism plays a role in this crisis. The mitzvah of Pidyon Shevuyim is of first order importance. Iowa also knows she and her family do not have the funds to mount an aggressive defense. We must join in this mitzvah. Please mail your checks to the legal defense fund at Kenesseth Israel Synagogue, 4330 W. 28th Minneapolis, Minnesota 55416 Attn: Rabbi Chaim Goldberger. With personal brachos for a Kesiva Va’Chasima Tova, I am Rabbi Michel Twerski Milwaukee, WI
Save a Life Our friend, Eugene Salganik, is critically ill and running out of time and options. He is in desperate need of finding a donor for a stem cell transplant. The most likely donor would be someone who is of Eastern European Jewish descent. Being tested is a simple and non-invasive procedure. The information below explains how to be tested to see if you are a match. To order swab kits and have results reach Eugene’s transplant coordinator directly: 1. Please call LabCorp at 800-533-1037 and ask for a HLA typing test kit. (test name: ABDRb1) 2. You will receive a swab kit in the mail 3. The kit comes with all of the instructions you will need. Basically the test consists of using the provided Q-tips to swab the inside of your cheek to obtain a DNA sample. 4. After completing the swab test send the Q-tips back in the envelope provided by LabCorp. 5. In order to have this test matched to Eugene, you’ll need to provide the following information on the forms provided by LabCorp: Recipient’s name: Eugene Salganik Donor Matching is done out of New York Presbyterian Hospital Cornell Medical Center Ste Starr 341 520 E 70th St, New York NY 10021 Phone:(212) 746-2130 Fax:(212) 746-6678 Attention: Transplant Unit - Kevin McNamara 6. Once the testing kit is processed, you will be billed $150 by LabCorp. Most insurance plans do not cover the test. If you want to call me, I can be reached at 973-694-6274 Rabbi Michel Gurkov Chabad Center of Passaic County Wayne, 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 correspondence 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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predicted that many of the Brotherhood’s youngest members, some as young as 15, would take part in demonstrations. According to reports in Israel, Mr. Mubarak had reason for concern. It was clear that those who had organized the protests had planned his overthrow in great detail. Documents spelling out how to hold a rebellion reportedly included satellite images of strategic sites and major intersections. The documents given to activist leaders also included instructions on how to seize Mr. Mubarak’s presidential place, television and radio stations, and the seats of local government throughout the country. Yemen While street protests continue in Egypt, they have also spread to Yemen, where President Ali Abdullah Saleh said the tone of
ALAN L. MUSICANT
February 2011
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continued from page 50 Al Jazeera’s coverage “incited unrest, violence, and sabotage in Arab communities.” Thus far, the tens of thousands demonstrating in Yemen have been peaceful, but when riots spread to Algeria, they were accompanied by a spate of suicide attempts. One man died after setting himself on fire in an attempt to protest social and economic conditions. Winning Obama’s Support The Yemenis, shouting, “No delays, no delays, the time for departure has come,” demanded that President Ali Abdullah Saleh, who has ruled for nearly 32 years, step down. Led by members of the opposition and youth activists, the demonstrations have taken place in the capital, Sana’a, as well as in the southern provinces of Dali and Shabwa, where, according to reports,
police used batons to disperse the crowds. At the end of January, the Obama administration said he backed the right of Yemenis to hold peaceful demonstrations. That seemed to have encouraged the government to unleash its own supporters, who have been demonstrating in Sana’a holding signs with pictures of Mr. Saleh. The government supporters’ signs are decorated with a dusty pink insignia, which is apparently the color the government chose to distinguish itself from the sky blue insignia chosen by the opposition, Home of the Cole Attackers The Arab world’s most impoverished nation, Yemen has become a haven for alQaeda terrorists. According to reports, Mr. Saleh’s government is riddled with corrup-
tion and there is little control outside the capital. While the US has relations with Yemen, there is no question that the terrorists, including those who have attacked Americans, have received government support. In 2000, Yemeni terrorists attacked the US Destroyer Cole, killing 18 and wounding 39 Americans. In 2007, the Yemeni government released the mastermind of that attack after he had reportedly renounced terrorism. Even before that, some of the accused participants in the terrorist attack “escaped” from a Yemeni prison. In May 2001, UPI reported that US government sources were aware that one of the reasons the attack on the Cole succeeded was involvement by the “highest levels” of Mr. Saleh’s Yemenite government. S.L.R.
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