July 29, 2011 - The Jewish Star

Rockaway’s Peninsula Hospital closing Page 2 Halachic adventures in exotic kashrut Page 3 In my view: Majority rule Page 11 Worst wine I’ve ever tasted Page 13

THE JEWISH VOL 10, NO 29 ■ JULY 29, 2011 / 27 TAMMUZ, 5771

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In a widely circulated photo, Norway Foreign Minister Jonas Gahr Støre visits an anti-Israel activity at the youth camp one day before the shooting at the site.

Norwegian campers were taught to hate

Shabbat Candlelighting: 7:55 p.m. Shabbat ends 8:59 p.m. 72 minute zman 9:24 p.m. Torah Reading Parshat Masei Rosh Chodesh Menachem Av is on Monday

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Rockaway hospital closing: bleeds $13 million

By Sergey Kadinsky The Rockaway peninsula may be left with only one hospital, with Peninsula Hospital Center set to close in less than three months as it faces deep debt to its unionized workforce, receiving far less public reimbursement than it costs to treat uninsured patients.

“Without a long-term solution that puts Peninsula Hospital Center on the path to fiscal recovery, an organized closure may be the only option,” said spokesman Ole Pedersen.

The decision was announced at a hospital board meeting on July 22, where it was revealed that the hospital is bleeding in $13 million of red ink.

“It would be a catastrophe for the Rockaways. For many residents here, the emergency room is their only clinic and they already wait many hours to receive care,” said Esther Schenker, executive director of Jewish Services Coalition, which assists low-income and elderly members of the community in various assistance programs.

Without the 200-bed facility, only St. John’s Episcopal Hospital would remain to care for the approximately 130,000 residents on the 11mile peninsula.

If it closes, Peninsula would be the fourth hospital to close in Queens since 2008, taking away 1,000 jobs. “Among the factors is the payments they get back from Medicare and Medicaid do not equal to the services they pay. This is a recipe for disaster and a systemic problem,” said City Councilman James Sanders, who represents Far Rockaway. “We need to apply pressure to make sure that the payments the hospital receives are what it should be.”

For Hatzalah, the volunteer Jewish ambulance service, the hospital is a vital option that reduces traveling time, especially in the isolated Belle Harbor community. “Losing a hospital is devastating and while St. John’s is good, it would be under severe strain. For Belle Harbor residents, they would likely be driven to Brooklyn,” said Rabbi Elozer Kanner, coordinator of Hatzalah of the Rockaways and Nassau County. Rockaway Park activist Lew Simon said that with traffic, an emergency ride from Belle Harbor to St. John’s Episcopal Hospital could take up to 30 minutes, which could be a matter of life and death. “Medicaid is not widely accepted in this community but we also have the highest number of nursing homes in New York,”

For many residents here, the emergency room is their only clinic and they already wait many hours to receive care.

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July 29, 2011 • 27 TAMMUZ, 5771 THE JEWISH STAR

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By David F. Nesenoff It seems that no matter what the topic, news story, fashion, rage, epic disaster or front headline, the tiny state of Israel can be found meandering through the narrative.

With the case of the Norway massacre, the Jewish State went from having no part in the event, to offering condolences, to then finding itself front and center in an international debate.

The controversial discussions stem from various circumstances including: 1. The gunman being a white supremacist racist, an anti-Muslim activist and a possible pro-Zionist.

2. Norway’s strong support against what they call Israel’s “occupation” of the “Palestinian people.” 3. Norway’s trade union federation divesting from Israeli companies. 4. Norway’s arms ban to Israel. 5. More ironically poignant and specific to the matter, the “boycott Israel” banner held by children at the camp in front of Norway’s Foreign Minister Jonas Gahr Støre, one day before the shooting.

Certainly within Israel, emotions were complicated and conflicted as reports surfaced telling of anti-Semitic lessons being taught at the children’s camp, including games, which involved acting out the breaking of the Gaza blockade. But following the

details of the bloody episode and hearing about the man behind the bombing and the killings, feelings changed. “At first, many Israelis reacted with they got what they deserved,” said Adi Gold, New York Bureau Chief for the Yediot Ahronot, Israel’s largest newspaper. “But when people heard the killer wasn’t just some psycho killer and possibly pro-Israel, their reaction was muted by the depth of the tragedy and its details.”

Norway, which has not shown sympathy to the plight of the ongoing terror against the Jewish people within Israel and worldwide, faced a taste of Israeli life. “Israel’s basic human reaction is always to help people,” Gold said. “In this case it is also true, but there is also the matter that Norway experienced the sadness we deal with on a regular basis.”

Blogs and numerous online comments were sated with discussions that teetered on the politically incorrect to the apologetic sensitivity surrounding the killing of young people who were involved in hate themselves.

Blogmacracy.com noted, “When the shooting began, some thought it was a simulation of what they are taught Israel does in Gaza.”

The website of the Australian Broadcasting Company quoted a surviving camper Adrian Pracon saying, “Many people think on the island that it was a test ... comparing it to how it is to live in Gaza. So many people went to him and tried to talk to him, but they were shot immediately.”

Anonymous Internet comments illustrated the cynicism of some of the population. “If they were simulating a Palestinian state then they should give the murderer Breivik a Nobel Peace Prize just like they did Arafat.”

One comment was linked to a Wikipedia page “Antisemitism in Norway” which includes descriptions of Norwegian society’s degradation of Jews in the Middles Ages, Norway’s collaboration in the mass murder of Jews during the Holocaust and the present day Norwegian government’s push to ban shechitah, the Jewish ritual slaughter of kosher animals.

“When the shooting began, some thought it was a simulation of what they are taught Israel does in Gaza.”

Publically, all official Israeli comments have been offered with utmost diplomacy.

“We in Israel followed what was going on in Norway over the weekend and the harm to innocents broke our hearts,” President Shimon Peres told Norwegian King Harald V. “This is a tragedy that hurts and touches every human being.” While the Israel Foreign Ministry offered Oslo assistance without any historical commentary, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s statement hinted at the true history and ongoing life of Israeli citizens, “We have experienced it from other directions and we know the families’ and the nation’s agony. Therefore, I again send the condolences of the state, government and people of Israel to the Norwegian people, state and government.”

Although the story of the Norway camp massacre was prominent in Israeli media, the socio-economic discussion throughout the country has still led in importance. “The big story in Israel are the tents being set up throughout the country protesting the high housing costs,” Gold said. “People are not necessarily paying attention to anything else; Israeli’s only know that Norway is against Israel; and the Norwegians don’t know anything about Israel; ultimately it’s really a shame that people died for nothing.”

Halachic adventurists with a palette for the exotic

By Brigitte Fixler When planning a summer trip, Uganda is a less common destination than, say, Florida or Israel. But for Rabbi Dr. Ari Zivotofsky and Dr. Ari Greenspan, a trip visiting Jewish communities throughout East Africa was nothing out of the ordinary. The two have been traveling to far-flung communities for the past 30 years, collecting ancient traditions and mesorahs as a way to preserve links to Jewish history. On their most recent journey, the itinerary included Egypt, Ethiopia, Bahrain, Djerba, Somalia, Kenya and Croatia.

Zivotofsky and Greenspan have done extensive research on exotic kosher animals, studying everything from water buffalo to locusts to swordfish. Their interest in this field began at Yeshivat Har Etzion (“The Gush”) where the two met and studied the laws of shechita together. At the time, someone wanted to know if they could shecht a pheasant, which led to the question: Is a pheasant actually a kosher bird?

The Torah lists twenty-four birds that aren’t kosher, implying that every other bird is permissible to eat. However, we are unsure of the identity of these birds, and therefore only treat as kosher those birds with a reliable mesorah from our ancestors.

“We realized that in the last 70 years, all shechita of birds is commercial,” said Greenspan. “The birds that are [typically] slaughtered are only the four or five birds that are commercially viable.”

Zivotofsky and Greenspan learned that different communities had maintained their own mesorahs regarding the kashrut of local birds, and that many of these traditions are disappearing as the older generation of rabbis and shochets is passing away. “[We] started understanding the significance of mesorahs,” said Zivotofsky. “[We saw many] different communities and rich traditions that are being lost.”

And so, the two men set out to preserve the chains of history and halacha before they became lost forever. They began looking for shochtim from different cultures who could

Photo courtesy of Halachic Adventures

Rabbi Dr. Ari Zivotofsky and Dr. Ari Greenspan in Uganda with Rabbi Shlomo Riskin in search of exotic kosher animals. teach them about ancient mesorahs that have been passed from generation to generation.

“These men were in their 70s or 80s, and today they’re dead,” said Greenspan. “We were able to touch this link to Jewish history.

We try and garner from them their memories and traditions.”

Last Shabbat, Zivotofsky (who grew up in West Hempstead) and Greenspan spoke as scholars-in-residence at the Young Israel of West Hempstead. They described the Jewish communities of Africa, the mesorot and signs

of exotic kosher animals, and the “search for the holy snail” of tekhelet.

In addition to their public speaking appearances, the two men seek to preserve ancient traditions by organizing mesorah yom iyuns and halachic seudahs around the world. On Sunday July 24, they ran a mesorah dinner in Chicago, where participants learned about halachic issues and Jewish customs from around the world while dining on exotic kosher foods such as elk, quail, red deer, fleishig eggs, and shibuta.

The first mesorah dinner was held in Jerusalem in 2002. Two subsequent events were held in conjunction with the Orthodox Union: one in New York (2004) and one in Los Angeles (2007). Last summer, a second Jerusalem dinner was held, featuring a “dessert” of locusts that had been raised by the Agriculture Ministry.

“Our goal is to preserve traditions,” said Zivotofsky. “It’s important to open your mind, and not to be narrowly attuned just to your surroundings.”

THE JEWISH STAR July 29, 2011 • 27 TAMMUZ, 5771

Irony: Norwegian campers taught to hate Israel

July 29, 2011 • 27 TAMMUZ, 5771 THE JEWISH STAR

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Opinion Window seat S

o I board a Southwest Airlines plane in West Palm Beach to return to Long Island. Before we even pull away from the gate the pilot announces that due to lightening the ground crew cannot be outside and therefore there would be a delay. After one hour the pilot informs us that there is good news and bad news. The good news is that the lightning has stopped. The bad news is that while we were grounded it was discovered that one of the engines was not functioning and therefore the mechanics are being called in. It would be some time before they arrive and once DAVID’S HARP they arrived it could take some time for the repair if it would even be deemed repairable and flight worthy. He adds that it was fortunate that we did not take off an hour ago, as this would have been a graver problem once in the air.

Because we had not left the gate we were permitted to wait in the airport at our gate lounge. I proceeded to the lounge area with the large window and looked out at the plane to watch the repairmen and mechanics. There was a lot of shrugging and pacing and walkietalkie activity. They actually tried to get David F. Nesenoff the pilot’s attention by banging on the nose of the plane. Then there were the thumbs down signals and the shaking of the heads in bewilderment and disappointment. Finally after what seemed forever they signaled the pilot and he tried the engine and it turned on. It ran for a moment and then they turned it off; and then the announcement came over the public address system that all passengers should return to the plane, as we were now ready to leave.

Personally I thought they should try the engine a second

time. Even with my lawn mower I always give it a second test. As I was finding my way back to my window seat, there certainly were a number of passengers grabbing their carry on bags from the above compartment and scurrying off the plane without interest to fly on this aircraft. I decided to stay and fly. People always say, “If it’s your time, it’s your time; so don’t worry there’s nothing you can do about it.” I always wonder about what if it’s not my time, but it’s the time for the guy next to me?

After numerous passengers finished fleeing the plane and the door was shut and sealed and we pulled away from the gate, the guy next to me turned and said, “The bets have been placed, now let the roulette wheel spin to see who made the right choice.”

It turned out that this guy next to me was a famous motivational speaker and he revealed to me concepts about positive and negative thoughts and actions. In fact he said that he is an Italian Catholic and that he had recently gone with his church to Italy, which was always his dream. He said that before he traveled on his journey he went to his barber for a haircut and when he told his barber that he was going to Italy the barber seemed very negative.

The barber asked, “How are you flying there?” He told the barber that he was taking Continental Airlines. The barber bemoaned that airline and said, “It’s an old fleet and you should take Alitalia, Italy’s airline.” The barber then asked him, where he was staying and he said, “We’re going to be staying at the La Plaza Hotel in Rome.” The barber said that it’s famous but run down and really not very nice anymore.

“What are you going to do in Rome?” the barber asked him.

He said, “We’re going to the national museum.” The barber said, “You don’t go to Italy for museums; you go to France to the Louvre for museums.”

It turned out that this guy next to me was a famous motivational speaker

Yankie & Luzer

Letter to the editor Extremism from anywhere and anyone To the Editor: The attacks in Norway are a stark reminder of the broad range of violent terror threats faced around the world and in the United States. These attacks underscore the serious and potent threat of violence posed by a variety of dangerous extremists from across the ideological spectrum. This includes the ‘lone-wolf’ extremists, who have access to extremist ideologies on the Internet from around the world.

Abraham Foxman National Director, Anti-Defamation League

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David F. Nesenoff Sergey Kadinsky Helene Parsons Hy Spitz Sandi Stanger Rabbi Avi Billet Jeff Dunetz Brigitte Fixler Rabbi Binny Freedman Rabbi Noam Himelstein Alan Jay Gerber Zechariah Mehler Aviva Rizel Ariel Rosenbloom Alyson Goodman Christina Daly

My new flying friend then told me how he explained to the barber that he was looking forward to going to the Vatican and hoping to see a glimpse of the Pope. The barber at this point laughed and said that the Pope is hardly ever there, rarely goes out in public anymore and when he stands on the balcony it’s like looking at a dot from far away.

The man finished getting his haircut and he was ready for his trip to Rome where he did spend ten days with his church group. He went on to tell me that when he returned he went back to his barber to inform him of his journey.

He said to his barber that as luck would have it he flew on a brand new Continental Airlines beautiful jet and was actually upgraded to first class. The La Plaza Hotel in Rome was just fully refurbished and he was given a huge suite with a balcony. The national museum was exhibiting masterpieces from the Louvre and he actually saw the Mona Lisa on display for the first time in Italy.

The barber asked, “What about the Pope, how did that work out, was he even in the country?” The man told the barber that the Pope was there; he waived from the balcony and one church group was selected to actually enter the Vatican and pray in the same room with the Pope.

The man gleamed and explained to the barber. “Our group was selected to enter the Pope’s private prayer chambers.

And as we all sat in the room with the Pope and prayed, the Pope actually in a very rare occurrence got up off his chair and he walked over to our group and he came right up to me and spoke. The Pope spoke to me. The Pope whispered in my ear; he said, ‘Where’d you get such a bad haircut?’”

(As we learn in Tehillim 30: “Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes in the morning.” Remove the negativity.

Live positive.)

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We shouldn’t be funny during the three weeks.

But it’s our parnasa.

5 THE JEWISH STAR July 29, 2011 • 27 TAMMUZ, 5771

Opinion MSNBC and Sharpton: a match made in… ic driver from the scene. A city ambulance picked up Gavin Cato and his cousin, Angela, soon after.

Caribbean and African-American residents of the neighborhood rioted for four days fueled by rumors driven by Sharpton that the private ambulance refused to treat Cato which was an outright lie. Sharpton was fully aware the Hasidic ambulance was directed by the police to leave.

During Cato’s funeral, Sharpton screamed about “diamond merchants” a code word for Hasidic Jews. He charged them with shedding “the blood of innocent babies” and told the Jews to “pin their yarmulkes back and come over to my house.” He continued to agitate the crowd by leading marchers through Crown Heights shouting “No Justice No Peace.” Stirred, in part by such rhetoric, hundreds of Crown Heights blacks took to the streets committing violence against the local Jews. Sharpton reacted to the riots by stating, “We must not reprimand our children for outrage, when it is the outrage that was put in them by an oppressive system.”

In 1995 a Jewish-owned store named Freddy’s Fashion Mart canceled the lease of the Black-owned record store that sublet part of the property. Freddy’s, which had been on the premises for over 30 years, wanted to expand. Sharpton, for months, led rallies to scare the Jewish businessman away and called for a boycott of all Jewish-owned businesses. He charged that, “there is a systemic and methodical strategy to eliminate our people from doing business off 125th Street.

I want to make it clear that we will not stand by and allow them to move this brother so that some white interloper can expand his business.”

Sharpton’s colleague, Morris Powell, said of Freddy’s Jewish owner, “We’re going to see that this cracker suffers. Reverend Sharpton is on it.” In December one of the protesters, Roland Smith, stormed Freddy’s with a pistol, screaming, “It’s on now: All blacks out!”

In addition to shooting, he burned the place down, eight people died. Sharpton first lied about being involved. When confronted with a tape showing his presence, he said: “What’s wrong with denouncing white interlopers?”

Well “Rev” what’s wrong with a man standing idly by when eight people die? Is that the make-up of a “Reverend?” Apparently it is the make-up of an MSNBC host.

Remember the case of the Central Park Jogger who was brutally raped and left for dead by a gang of youths? During the trial Sharpton led a mob outside the court, which claimed, without a shred of evidence, that “the boyfriend did it,” and screamed that the victim was a “whore.”

This is what MSNBC hired, an anti-Semite and racial agitator. Even their usual biased version of the news would be preferable.

Jeff Dunetz is the Editor/Publisher of the political blog “The Lid” (www.jeffdunetz.com).

Jeff contributes to some of the largest political sites on the internet including American Thinker, Big Government, Big Journalism, NewsReal and Pajamas Media, and has been a guest on national radio shows including G. Gordon Liddy, Tammy Bruce and Glenn Beck.

Jeff lives on Long Island.

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hen CNN gave Elliot Spitzer his own show, many complained engaging the disgraced former governor was a new low in cable news. But by hiring “Reverend” Al Sharpton as their 6pm host, MSNBC has smashed through CNN’s record, establishing a new low which may never be topped. With Sharpton, MSNBC contracted a man who’s incited two anti-Jewish pogroms, bears false witness against innocent people and is linked to the demise of at least eight innocent people.

In 1987, Sharpton helped make the Tawana Brawley false rape charge big news. To this day he refuses to admit that it was proved a hoax. He falsely named Steven Pagones, an POLITICO Assistant District AtTO GO torney in Dutchess County who was working on the case, as one of the rapists. Sharpton and Brawley’s lawyers asserted “on 33 separate occasions” Steven Pagones “had kidnapped, abused and raped” Brawley.

There was no evidence, so Pagones was soon cleared.

Sharpton accused Jeff Dunetz district attorney William Grady of trying to cover up Pagones’ involvement and demanded Governor Cuomo immediately arrest the two “suspects.” Sharpton refused to provide evidence, saying only that he would reveal facts when the time was right, and that revelation never came.

A grand jury had plenty of facts the story was a hoax, including rape kit results which didn’t indicate sexual assault; despite her clothing being charred there were no burns on her body indicating that she took them off to burn them. The racial epithets written on her were upside down; indicating Brawley herself had written the words, and testimony from her schoolmates revealed she had attended a local party during the time of her supposed abduction.

Three months after Sharpton’s accusation, his aide, Perry McKinnon, stepped forward to tell the truth. McKinnon testified “Sharpton acknowledged to me early on that ‘The [Brawley] story do sound like bull---t, but it don’t matter. We’re building a movement.

This is the perfect issue. Because you’ve got whites on blacks. That’s an easy way to stir up all the deprived people, who would want to believe and who would believe—and all [you’ve] got to do is convince them—that all white people are bad. Then you’ve got a movement.”

Does MSNBC believe that its hosts should be ruining people’s lives with false charges of rape, or trying to create a race war?

Beyond the Brawley case, Sharpton has twice used false claims to stir up Anti-Semitic pogroms; one resulted in deaths of innocents.

The Crown Heights pogrom occurred after a car accident when the Lubavitcher Rebbe’s motorcade accidentally killed a young boy, Gavin Cato. The riot was sparked after a private Hasidic ambulance arrived, and on the orders of a police officer removed the Hasid-

July 29, 2011 • 27 TAMMUZ, 5771 THE JEWISH STAR

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Parshat Masei

Hebrew only please!

The accidental murderer

A Jewish newspaper should have a Hebrew column. So here it is.

We will try to maintain a level of vocabulary so that it will be easy enough for students to read and interesting enough for those more fluent to enjoy.

In the history of mankind, rulers have often had the power over who will live and who will die. In some cases, one’s prison sentence might be linked indefinitely to the grudge of the ruling power, and reprieve might come about upon the latter’s death.

Much would depend on the nature of the crime of which the individual stood accused, while in many cases, there may not have been a crime committed at all.

The Torah presents a seemingly odd circumstance in which those who were accidental murderers, destined to live out their lives in cities of refuge to avoid avengement from the deceased’s relatives, were allowed to emerge from the city upon the death of the High Priest – not the king.

The relatives had a free pass, so to speak, to avenge the blood of the deceased, until the death of the High Priest granted clemency and freedom to the accidental murderer. Any relative who carried out personal justice after this point would be considered a deliberate murderer, subject to the laws of murderers, Rabbi Avi Billet and not avengers.

While the fact that accidental crime was not a politically rebellious act, it would seem that a safe haven or a city of refuge would nonetheless be a politically sanctioned area. Maybe it is unfair to suggest that the death of the king would bring about freedom for those taking refuge. But it makes less sense to tie the reprieve to the death of the High Priest! The High Priest position is spiritual and holy. In the classic Rabbinic literature, the High Priest is considered the holiest Jew! How could his death be intertwined with the release or reprieve of the accidental murderer?

The Yerushalmi Yoma 7:3 declares that the death of the High Priest is the Torah’s definition of the achievement of atonement for this act. This stands to suggest the High Priest is very connected to the advent of accidental murders.

There are a number of classic explanations for this connection.

The Talmud (Makkot 11b) faults the High Priest with not praying that the person’s trial return an innocent verdict.

Rashi (Bamidbar 35:25), based on the Sifrei, promotes a contrast between the High Priest’s representing G-d’s presence and the lengthening of Israelites’ lives on earth, while the murderer (even the accidental one) removes G-d’s presence from Israelites and shortens their days on earth.

He, therefore, is not worthy to stand in the presence of the High Priest and must remain in exile until the High Priest passes on. This approach blames the accidental murderer.

Rashi offers a second opinion that the

Rav Amital ob”m Truth at all costs!

By Rabbi Noam Himelstein

The relatives had a free pass, so to speak, to avenge the blood of the deceased, until the death of the High Priest granted clemency and freedom to the accidental murderer.

High Priest was supposed to pray that such unfortunate mishaps not occur during his lifetime. His lack of prayer, or unanswered prayer, is therefore responsible for the death of the victim and the exile of the perpetrator. The end to the chapter will come when the High Priest, himself, dies.

Rabbenu Bachaye follows this sentiment saying the relatives of the deceased might truly blame the High Priest, believing his leadership flaw caused the death of their loved one. As such, the High Priest’s death might be a comfort for them, closure if you will, that the real person responsible for their relative’s death has received his just desserts. They can now let go of their desire for revenge against the accidental murderer, who was G-d’s unfortunate messenger to bring about the death of the victim.

Either way one looks at it, says Rabbi Moshe Shternbuch, we see that the High Priest shares in the blame for the incident.

His prayer should have either prevented the accident in the first place, or should have delivered an innocent verdict to the defendant after the fact.

Rabbi Shternbuch says, “This is the job of the righteous [leaders] of Israel. It is their job to advocate for G-d’s compassion to erase the sins of those who err accidentally or out of ignorance, so He may accept their repentance with mercy…”

In this period of the three weeks, let us call upon our leaders to find the compassionate trait the High Priest was required to hone within himself, so they may be the best advocates for those who sin accidentally or out of ignorance.

In this Age of Information, “lack of access” is no longer a good excuse for ignorance. Leaders are needed to help guide those in seek of the information they need, and those leaders need to be able to relate to people of all colors and stripes, and to present Judaism in a way that is relevant and appealing to a techno generation.

The time is ripe for there to be an overabundance of love and reaching out to those who seek a connection to Judaism and our way of life. If our prayers are sincere and our connection to G-d is real, perhaps we will merit to see the Jewish people live fulfilling lives as Jews, following the Torah as best as they can, with a commitment to G-d that reaches the heavens.

Rabbi Noam Himelstein studied in Yeshivat Har Etzion and served in the Tanks Corps of the IDF. He has taught in yeshiva high schools, post-high school women’s seminaries, and headed the Torah MiTzion Kollel in Melbourne, Australia. He currently teaches at Yeshivat Orayta in Jerusalem, and lives with his wife and six children in Neve Daniel, Gush Etzion.

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7

By Sergey Kadinsky They officially converted to Catholicism a half millennium ago, but a combination of discrimination, geographic isolation, and persistence kept the approximately 18,000 Xuetas of Mallorca as a distinct ethnic community, Jewish by ancestry, but not in practice. On July 11, Rabbi Nissim Karelitz, a leading halachic authority in Israel, recognized the Xuetas as Jewish, in no need of conversion.

“Since it has become clear… that throughout the generations most of them married among themselves, then all those who are related to the former generations are Jews, from our brethren the children of Israel,” Rabbi Karelitz wrote. According to their history, the Xuetas are descendants of local Jews who were forcibly converted in 1435.

But Inquisition authorities on the Spanishruled eastern Mediterranean island continued to accuse them of secretly practicing Judaism, as crypto-Jews.

Branded as outcasts, the converts married amongst each other, retaining their Jewish ethnicity. “There are 15 distinct Xueta family names. Because of the historical circumstances and endogamy, it is relatively easy to document and prove their ancestry,” Freund said. Within the families, vestiges of Jewish customs remained. “At home, we have never eaten pork. We didn’t know why, but it was a custom in the family. And we don’t mix food like milk and meat,” said Palma de Mallorca resident Miyella Madraigal, in a 2008 promotional film by Shavei Israel.

The celebrated halachic ruling comes af-

Photo courtesy of Michael Freund

Shavei Israel founder Michael Freund, on a recent visit to India, where his organization educates the Bnei Menashe community about Jewish observance. ter years of efforts by Westchester-born oleh Michael Freund, whose Shavei Israel organization has traveled the world, documenting descendants of Jews, claimants of lost tribe membership, and others with Jewish roots, interested in returning to the fold.

“There was a particular sense of urgency as in the past two generations, intermarriages have begun and most of them could simply disappear,” Freund said. “We are not looking to compel them to wear yarmulkes, but simply the opportunity to return to their roots.” Freund’s own activism began in his

Celebrating Our 24th Year

youth, inspired by his grandmother, an “oldtime Zionist,” in his words, who served as president of Hadassah, the women’s Zionist organization.

After completing his MBA, Freund made aliyah and served as a spokesman for Benjamin Netanyahu during his first term as Prime Minister. “We received a letter from the Bnei Menashe and they’ve been writing to Prime Ministers at least since Golda Meir and possibly Ben Gurion. I decided to reply to their letter. It was a very big deal for them, but I was only a lowly bureaucrat,” Freund said. “They

were sincere in wanting to be Jews and we should be embracing them.”

Under his new organization, Freund traveled to the Indian states of Manipur and Mizoram to research their claims of Jewish ancestry. Undergoing conversion, members of this tribe settled largely beyond the Green Line in Gush Katif and Kiryat Arba, among other places. “Because of the economic situation and lack of government funding, the only communities that embraced them were in Judea and Samaria, to their credit,” Freund said, denying that the Bnei Menashe conversion was political. “In 2006, we began directing them to the Galilee, places like Maalot and Upper Nazareth. They should be able to live anywhere in Israel.”

Currently, Shavei Israel works with descendants of Jews not only in India and Spain, but also Poland, Brazil, and China.

Freund stresses that his intention is neither missionary nor demographic, but to educate these descendants about their Jewish roots.

Those who seek conversion are referred to Orthodox rabbis recognized in Israel.

Soon after Rabbi Karelitz made the ruling, Freund’s organization held a press conference on Mallorca, seeking to publicize it in the local press. “Many Xuetas attended and burst into tears. They never thought this would happen, where they would be welcomed back as Jews.”

But the Inquisition was not only in Spain and Portugal, its reach included southern Italy. “There is a Jewish awakening in southern Italy right now,” Freund said. “Together with the Italian Jewish leadership, we will have programs starting this fall in Italy.”

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THE JEWISH STAR July 29, 2011 • 27 TAMMUZ, 5771

Michael Freund welcomes back crypto-Jews

July 29, 2011 • 27 TAMMUZ, 5771 THE JEWISH STAR

8

Photos of the Week

Photo by Shachar Azran

Is there a doctor on board?

Photo courtesy of Kulanu

Kulanu floats through the summer with success Camp Kulanu, the Cedarhurst-based special needs summer camp, has just completed its fourth successful week. The campers and interns have enjoyed on and off-site activities including: kayaking, carpentry, art, music, cooking, computers and swimming. Kulanu’s trips include the Queens Museum, Cold Spring Harbor Fish Hatchery and Whaling Museum, Tanglewood Preserve, and Rock Hall Museum. To support these activities, Kulanu is holding its Night on the Bay on Aug. 11 to raise funds. For more information, see calendar page. If you child is in need Kulanu, apply by contacting Jonathan Cooper at 516-569-3083 ext. 135.

Ten doctors and dentists were among the 121 olim on board a Nefesh B’Nefesh group aliyah flight which departed from JFK International Airport on July 25, joining over 2,500 olim arriving this summer from the United States.

“I am leaving a great job in the USA because I believe that as a Jew I belong in Israel, the home of the Jewish people” said Jerusalem-bound radiologist Ilana Moche, 35, originally from New Jersey. Among the doctors on the flight are Michael Malen from Great Neck, Shira Markowitz from Staten Island, Haim Fuerte from Brooklyn, and Darrell Ginsburg from West Hempstead.

Since 2002, Nefesh B’Nefesh has brought over 250 doctors and over 60 dentists to Israel. “Nefesh B’Nefesh is proud to help increase the population of physicians and dentists in Israel,” said Nefesh B’Nefesh Vice Chairman Erez Halfon. “The impending shortage of doctors in Israel is a vital issue, which is why we established the Physician Aliyah Program in order to help doctors integrate more smoothly into the Israeli medical establishment.”

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9

By Ariel Rosenbloom

What is your ideal match?

“Pretty, nice, smart and funny. And they shouldn’t know about each other beforehand.”

“I’m more of a simple man. I want a girl who is attractive and will laugh at my jokes.”

DANNY TENNENBAUM manager at “Crawford’s” Cedarhurst

DANIEL SALEMAN Queens College grad Kew Gardens Hills

“She should be like an etrog — beautiful on the inside and outside.”

“My husband. He has patience for me.”

HENRY BERNSTEIN Queens College student, new Hatzalah member, ”Sushi metsuyan” waiter Cedarhurst

BAILA STAIMAN seven years old Jerusalem “He must wear black and white, and be glatt hot.”

TALIA FRIEDMAN HAFTR graduate Woodsburgh

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EFRAT HEIMOWITZ Queens College student, Woodmere

“A talmid chacham.”

THE JEWISH STAR July 29, 2011 • 27 TAMMUZ, 5771

Mensch on the street

July 29, 2011 • 27 TAMMUZ, 5771 THE JEWISH STAR

10

Opinion

My cousin Benji hy”d D

edicated to the memory of my cousin Binyamin ben Daniel ve’Yehudit, Benji Hillman, hy”d, of blessed memory, a Company Commander in Golani’s elite Egoz unit who fell leading his men into battle in the Second Lebanon War on the 24th of Tammuz in the summer of 2006.

Sleep; such a precious commodity, and so hard to come by those days; I remember it was a glorious day, that Shabbat morning, and truth be told, if I had been left to my own devices, I probably would have slept all day.

But he, of the mischievous eyes and a shy smile, could not leave well enough alone. He FROM THE HEART was sitting on the edge OF JERUSALEM of the bed with his older sister Abigail, who could not have been more than six, and they were impatiently waiting for me to wake up so I could pad into the kitchen and reach high in the cupboard where their mother kept the Shabbos treats. Even then, there was no stopping Benji when he was on a mission.

Rabbi Binny So many Shabbatot Freedman I‘d arrive at the Hillman doorstep, often unannounced from the army, with a pile full of dirty wash and a pair of dusty boots, and I always got that trademark shy smile from Benji when I walked in the door.

I remember how they loved to pick through my army gear, and how I had to hide my M-16 from two curious mischievous boys.

And I remember how fine a picture they always were: Benji & Shimon, walking to shul with their father Danny.

But most of all I will always remember his wedding; we didn’t know it then but the entire family got together and had a chance not just to see Benji one last time, but to see him at the highest moment of his life. At a wedding, all the different pieces of a person’s life come together - the family and friends, the army buddies and the high school friends, the uncles and aunts who bounced you on their knees, and the cousins who knew your dreams from your earliest moments.

It was a storybook wedding; such a fine picture they cut, the handsome young Israeli officer in slacks and a white shirt, dancing with his young beautiful bride; it could have been a movie, only it was so much better than

a movie, because it was real. They had been going out for so long, many of his friends did not even know Benji without Ayala in the picture, and the palpable joy that was etched into her smile was infectious.

There is a moment etched into my mind forever, of Benji, who decided to surprise his bride with a song that was part of their history together, and grabbing the mike began to sing, serenading her to the amusement of the hundreds of guests gathered around.

And the image of him, with his shy smile and twinkling eyes standing in the middle of the dance floor, as everyone, and particularly Ayala, his bride, simply reveled in the moment, stayed with me long after the wedding was over. And I remember thinking: this is a poster.

And then, three weeks later, we had a chance to get together with the entire family all over again, only this time there was no dancing and no smiles, no twinkling eyes and no tinkling glasses. And Ayala was not smiling in a magnificent white wedding dress, she was broken, in black; Israel’s latest young widow.

I have lost many friends to military funerals over the years, some of them my closest comrades, but it has never been family.

There is something about losing a cousin that is entirely different, because it’s not just a fallen soldier, its parents and siblings, uncles and aunts, cousins and grandparents and everyone in the entire family. It’s every family get together that we will ever have together, every wedding and bar mitzvah, funeral and bris; and even every family barbeque and birthday; none of it will ever be the same.

It’s every time I will ever see a shy smile like that anywhere, and every little boy jumping up and down in his uncle’s lap, and every time I look into my cousins’ eyes and know that they are not as bright as they used to be because he, Benji was part of that light.

And that is one family, and one boy who became a man who is now a legend. Multiply that by twenty thousand families, who all share that terrible price that seems too great to bear.

So how do you go on? How do you keep smiling? On the one hand, the question de-

fies response, and yet, more than anything Benji represented to me the way our best and brightest have always responded: A shy smile, a determined look, a hug across the shoulders, and a load that has just gotten heavier.

Little Benji became a Company Commander in one of the elite commando units of the Israeli army, but he didn’t talk much about it; he was not a talker; he was a do-er.

I recall hearing about one particular Shabbat when Benji was due to go home on leave.

It’s difficult to describe, to anyone who has not experienced it, just how valuable a weekend pass is in the army. After weeks spent in the dreary life of olive grey and green, sleeping on cots, or in jeeps or even in sleeping bags on the dirt, eating army food which can sometimes consist of cold army rations grabbed in the darkness, and often going without showers and proper toilets for days at a time, the prospect of a weekend at home with mom’s cooking and a soft bed with real pillows is as close to heaven as a person can get in this world.

But that particular Shabbat Benji found out some of the men under his command who were ‘chayalim bodedim’ (lone soldiers who have no home here either because they have volunteered to serve despite the fact that they grew up overseas where their families still remain or because they come from broken homes) were staying on base for Shabbat because they had no-where to go. So he came home for a few hours and went back to base for Shabbat giving up his weekend pass to be with his men so that they would know that in his unit no soldier is ever alone.

In all the years I was in the army both in regular service and later in the reserves, I never heard of such a thing. I never heard of, nor have I ever met, a commander, who ever thought of, let alone did such a thing.

Many people talk about the fact that we are all meant to be one, but occasionally one is privileged to meet someone who actually lives it; such a man was Benji Hillman.

Benji Hillman, of blessed memory, died leading his men into battle and fell as he

In all the years I was in the army both in

regular service and

later in the reserves,

I never heard of such a thing.

Photo courtesy of the Hillman family

Golani Commander Benji Hillman hy”d lived with actions that speak far louder than words ever could. He leaves behind him a challenge and a legacy: few are those in this world who merit living up to such a bold and shining example of what Jewish leadership is all about: carrying the Jewish people and the State of Israel on his shoulders.

May Benji’s memory forever be a blessing for us all, and a source of comfort to his family and all those who loved him and will love him, forever.

Yehi Zichro’ Baruch.

Shabbat Shalom, from the Old city of Jerusalem Note: In the aftermath of his death, Benji’s family decided to build a home for lone combat soldiers Bayit Shel Benji , to give them a home while they put their lives on the line to serve and defend the State of Israel. To find out more about how you can help in this worthy endeavor see www.benjihillman.org

Rav Binny Freedman, Rosh Yeshivat Orayta in Jerusalem’s Old City is a Company Commander in the IDF reserves, and lives in Efrat with his wife Doreet and their four children.

His weekly Internet ‘Parsha Bytes’ can be found at www.orayta.org

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11

Majority rule is a Jewish rule

A

mericans like to take credit for creating modern democracy. The notion that we the people would be ruled by the people for the people lay dormant for centuries, until the founding fathers of this nation expressed such an idea as their national goal of statehood. We would all be free, but subject to majority rule. Two hundred years later, it is still safe to say that democracies IN MY VIEW based on majority rule are the most successful economically, politically and socially, by any standard.

As Jews, we should appreciate the fact that the concept of majority rule not only originated in Jewish tradition, but is in fact encrypted in halacha. Our Torah begins the very story of creation with G-d Evan W. Klesztick speaking to the angels stating naasa adam lets us make man, Berashis 1:26. Rashi is quick to point out the universal principle that one must take counsel from others before acting. The Talmud picks up this theme by demanding that Jewish courts be made of uneven number of judges so that

there would never be a tie, but at all times a decision by a majority, Sanhedrin 3:a. The concept of majority rule is so cherished by Judaism that its absence leads to an automatic acquittal in capital cases. Thus, an amazing anomaly exists whereby a majority can convict a defendant of murder. Yet, a unanimous verdict of guilt is deemed inherently flawed, as cited in Sanhedrin 17a.

In addition to the judicial system, Jewish governments in ancient times respected the majority rule doctrine. Jewish kings were limited on many matters, including the most significant issue of going to war, requiring a majority ruling of the high court, Sanhedrin 20b.

Even spiritual leaders were constrained by this concept, as all gezarot, religious edicts, are only binding if accepted by the majority, Chulin 6a. The exceptionally high value on majority rule that Judaism places is highlighted in the story of Rabbi Eliezer, who held a minority opinion on a topic of Jewish Law. Despite the fact that he produced open miracles to prove his point, and was even able to elicit a heavenly voice to corroborate his view, his contemporaries refused to concede their position. They argued that “Torah is not in heaven, but exists here on earth…. and we are obligated to follow the majority opinion,” to which even G-d smiled down from heaven, Bava Metzia 57a.

In addition to recognizing its value in politics and the judiciary, Judaism interweaves the majority rule concept throughout Judaic law. Thus, a succah must produce a majority of shade to be kosher, Succah 22a. A mikvah must contain a majority of free spring water to be valid, Mikvaos 7:2, and ritual slaughter requires that a majority of the trachea and esophagus be severed quickly and painlessly for its meat to be kosher, Chullin 27a.

This list goes on and on, finding its way in hundreds of topics of customs, traditions and laws. Why such emphasis on majority rule?

The answer is both practical as well as philosophical in nature, and the two are intertwined. From a practical prospective, one cannot escape the fact that life is filled with uncertainty and doubt. The Torah therefore endows us with a practical tool, of following the majority, allowing us to overcome such obstacles. At the same time, the idea of majority rule, encapsulates the lofty virtue of respect. When we listen and yield to the

“majority opinion,” we are showing respect respect for the process of law, and ultimately respect for others. The Torah thus provides a unique and powerful tool for dealing with life’s unknowns, and embedded in this tool is the moral compass of “respect.”

So while America can be proud that it has taught the world to govern using the majority rule dictum, we must ever forget that as Jews we have been living and breathing this concept since the days of our founding fathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Though the torch of liberty may stand at Ellis Island, it was our grandparents, and great grandparents who in their every day living were truly a light unto the nations.

Even spiritual leaders were constrained by this concept, as all gezarot, religious edicts, are only

binding if accepted by the majority

Evan W. Klestzick, Esq. is a senior partner at McDonnell & Adels, PLLC, specializing in insurance law. He has been a guest lecturer at Manhattan College as well as CLE podcast courses on the topic of insurance fraud. He is a resident of Far Rockaway.

Adver tisin gettin g is all abo u g atte ntion t

Photo courtesy of Peninsula Hospital Center

Peninsula Hospital Center of Far Rockaway’s board announced its closing.

Continued from page 2 Simon said.

In 2006, the state-appointed Berger Commission recommended merging the two local hospitals into a single facility with up to 400 beds, arguing that both hospitals are “inefficient and outmoded.” The advice was never implemented. Instead, Peninsula joined the nonprofit MediSys Health Network of hospitals, in search of financial security. The hemorrhaging hospital saved on costs by deferring in union benefit payments to its staff.

Far Rockaway resident Jackie Bascom, who works as a nutrition coordinator at the

Jewish Community Council of the Rockaway Peninsula said that while both hospitals are too small to serve the entire population, each has its specialty. “St. John’s has dialysis, but Peninsula has orthopedics, ophthalmology, and a dental clinic. St. John’s does not have a pharmacy and it is not equipped to handle the load,” Bascom said.

For now, local leaders are expressing sympathy and openness to all possibilities in keeping the hospital open. “I’m not opposed to the state taking over, I’m not opposed to the union bailing out the hospital, I’m not opposed to any realistic solution,” Sanders said.

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THE JEWISH STAR July 29, 2011 • 27 TAMMUZ, 5771

Opinion

July 29 Boardwalk Shabbat Dinner BACH JEWISH CENTER, located at 210 Edwards Boulevard in Long Beach is holding its annual summer boardwalk dinner. Some 300 participants are expected for its Friday night rooftop Shabbat service, followed by an elegant outdoor meal on the Long Beach boardwalk. The event is led by Rabbi Eli & Beila Goodman, and Azi & Jessica Cutter. Reservations are required. The cost is $30 for adults and $20 for children. Visitors are encouraged to call Allegria Hotel for special event-related rates. For more information, contact 516-897-2473 or visit www.BachYouth.com.

July 31 The sandwich generation CONGREGATION ANSHEI CHESED, located at 1107 William Street in Hewlett, is holding a program on the simultaneous commitment of raising children while assisting elderly parents. The event begins at 7:30 p.m. The speakers include Rabbi Simcha Lefkowitz, Martin Grossman, and Toby Weiss.

Topics include “Impact on the family and quality of life. The event is cosponsored by OU and MJHS Hospice and Palliative Care. For more information, contact 212-613-8188.

Aug. 1 It’s All About Me AGUDATH ISRAEL OF THE FIVE TOWNS, located at 508 Peninsula Boulevard in Cedarhurst, is hosting noted author Rabbi Yissocher Frand, who will speak on the topic “Narcissism: Nowadays it’s all about me.” The lecture is sponsored by Helen & Steven Greenblatt. Rabbi Frand is the Magid Shiur at Yeshivas Ner Yisral in Baltimore. The event begins at 7:55 p.m. with mincha followed by the lecture. For more information, contact 516-3745364.

Bagel Babies Sign Up CHABAD OF THE FIVE TOWNS, located at 74 Maple Avenue in Cedarhurst is starting its Bagel Babies program for new mothers with children between 12-24 months old, led by Hadassah Geisinsky. This session will meet 8 times between the weeks of October 31, 2011 through January 9, 2012. The program costs $120. Registration begins at 9 a.m.

For more information, contact 516-295-2478.

ON THE

Calendar Submit your shul or organization’s events or shiurim to jscalendar@thejewishstar.com.

Deadline is Wednesday of the week prior to publication.

Aug. 2

Neck. The event is chaired by Lawrence resident Dr. Richard Berry. The guest speaker will be Ambassador Ron Prosor, who represents Israel at the United Nations. The event begins at 9 a.m.

For more information, contact 800-531-8001 or visit www.colelchabad.org

Expectations & Responsibilities GREAT NECK SYNAGOGUE, located at 26 Old Mill Road in Great Neck, is hosting Rabbi Dovid Hirsch as part of its Summer Learning Program. Rabbi Hirsch will be speaking on the topic “Kiddush Hashem: expectations and responsibilities.” A resident of Mount Vernon, Rabbi Hirsh is the rosh yeshiva of the Mazer School of Talmudic Studies, an affiliate of Yeshiva University. This event begins at 8:15 p.m. For more information, contact 516-487-6100.

Aug. 3 Sisterhood shidduchim YOUNG ISRAEL OF OCEANSIDE, located at 150 Waukena Avenue, is holding its sisterhood shidduch meeting. Women are encouraged to bring with them shidduch profiles of men they seek to match. The event begins at 8 p.m. For mroe information, contact Lenore Stamm at lenore. stamm@gmail.com

Yom Iyun for women LIDO BEACH SYNAGOGUE, located at One Fairway Road in Lido Beach is hosting a day of learning for women by women, sponsored by AMIT. The free seminar is titled “Multiple Messiahs: Understanding the true meaning of Biyat Hamashiach,” presented by Shuli Taubes. The event costs $60 per person, includes lunch and runs from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. For more information, contact the synagogue office at 516-889-9650.

Aug. 7

Aug. 11 Kulanu Benefit Night KULANU is holding its annual Night on the Bay, an evening of jazz music and fine dairy dining to benefit its programs serving local families with special needs children. The event will take place at Bridgeview Yacht Club, located at 80 Waterfront Boulevard in Island Park. The event costs $70 per person and $136 per couple. Those who respond by July 31 can enter for a raffle that includes baseball tickets and jewelry. For more information, contact 516-569-3083 ext. 102 or visit www.kulanukids.org

Aug. 13 Nachamu Kumsitz & Chizuk UTOPIA JEWISH CENTER, located at 64-41 Utopia Parkway in Fresh Meadows, is holding a motzei Shabbos Nachamu kumsitz & chizuk to support Yeshiva Madreigas HaAdam of Hillcrest, a popular local Torah institution. The event will feature a performance by Nochum Stark and an undisclosed surprise guest. The event begins at 10:30 p.m. For more information, contact 718-461-8347.

Ongoing Kindertransport Exhibit

Colel Chabad breakfast COLEL CHABAD, the social welfare arm of Chabad in Israel is holding its 27th annual benefit breakfast at the home of Adam & Arielle Parkoff, located at 985 Browers Point Branch in Hewlett

HOLOCAUST MEMORIAL AND TOLERANCE CENTER OF NASSAU COUNTY, located at 100 Crescent Beach Road in Glen Cove, is hosting “The Kindertransport Journey.” This exhibit describes the experiences of the approximately 10,000 Jewish children who were brought to safety in Britain from their homes in Germany, Austria, Czechoslovakia, and Poland. Most of their parents perished in the Holocaust. The exhibit runs through Aug. 30. Open daily from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Sunday 12 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Suggested donation is $10.00 for adults, and $5 for students and seniors. For information and directions call 516 571-8040 ext. 100 or visit www.holocaust-nassau. org.

Membership Drive

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July 29, 2011 • 27 TAMMUZ, 5771 THE JEWISH STAR

12

THE SUBURBAN PARK JEWISH CENTER, located at 400 Old Westbury in East Meadow, is conducting a membership drive. The Jewish Center has the lowest membership dues in the area and membership includes free Hebrew School tuition and free High Holy Days tickets. There is no building fund and special discounts are offered to new members. For more information, call the synagogue at 516-796-8833.

Photo courtesy of Madraigos

Madraigos welcomes Eli Shapiro to staff Madraigos, the Woodmere-based nonprofit that offers programs for local at-risk teens, welcomed Eli Shapiro as its new clinical office director. Shapiro comes with over 15 years of social work experience, most recently at the Nassau County BOCES as a school social worker in yeshivas on behalf of local school districts, where he facilitated committees on special education, serving as liaison between the public and private schools. “Not only does Eli have an impressive track record of developing and supervising clinical programs, but his proven ability to manage the process from initial consultation through case management will serve our members well and strengthen the organization,” said Madraigos founder Rabbi Dov Silver.

Under the supervision of Madraigos school psychologist Faigy Blumstein, a team of social work interns provides individual and group support services in schools that focus on building interpersonal skills and emotional strength. Sample groups include, “Effective Decision Making”, “Time Management and Study Skills”, “Substance Abuse Awareness”, and “Healthy Eating and Living.”

During the school year, Madraigos offers “The Lounge,” an afterschool program for teens that promotes health and well-being in a safe environment with trained Madraigos staff.

“The Lounge” is a free program that includes special events, trips, and retreats. Boys have the opportunity to play basketball while girls exercise yoga.

Madraigos’ work and the cost of its programs were recognized by State Senator Dean Skelos in June, when he introduced a property tax exemption bill for Madraigos in May, citing its benefit to the community.

Shapiro’s experience includes working with schools on crisis management, school-wide student programming, and community and parent initiatives. “I feel fortunate to be joining the Madraigos team,” Shapiro said. “Their reputation of caring support for each individual is well deserved” A resident of Far Rockaway, Shapiro is currently pursuing a doctorate at Yeshiva University’s Azrieli Graduate School of Jewish Education.

13

“Intergalactic Judaism” and Rabbi Samson Raphael Hirsch

T

he recent visit to Cape Canaveral to witness the launch of the last space shuttle by a group of very talented students of Yeshiva Katana of Inwood and the publication of a new book dealing with that very subject will serve as the focus of this week’s review.

In his new book, “Intergalactic Judaism” [Urim Publications, 2011] by Rabbi David Lister of the United Kingdom, the subject of the Jewish take on space travel and related activities and studies is dealt with in depth.

Much of the theological discussion found in this book is based upon the teachings of Rabbi Samson Raphael Hirsch who, according to Rabbi Lister, “has had a major influence on my life and work.

Alan Jay Gerber His [Hirsch’s] deep love for the Torah, for his fellow Jews and for humanity as a whole, and his advocacy that one sublimate secular learning and culture into opportunities to serve G-d, have been inspirational for me in my work as a rabbi.”

In my communication with Rabbi Lister, he states that, “I discovered Rabbi Hirsch’s writings when I was a teenager and his thought was a revelation to me. He explained the Torah not just as a series of obligations with lots of technicalities but as a system for

perfecting oneself, one’s community and the whole of mankind through deeply symbolic and meaningful actions, underpinned by a history of interaction between G-d and His creation.”

Rabbi Lister noted how Rabbi Hirsch demonstrated “how each of the technicalities associated with the rituals is not there for its own sake or as a result of exegetical happenstance, but is, rather, ordained by G-d to add a further depth of meaning to what we do.”

Throughout his book Rabbi Lister references Rabbi Hirsch and clearly demonstrates the contemporary relevance that Rabbi Hirsch still has in Jewish theological methodology.

The method by which Rabbi Lister utilizes Rabbi Hirsch’s teaching is noted throughout the very text itself as well as in the footnotes.

British Chief Rabbi Jonathan Sacks in his foreword to this work states, “Here is a work that combines dazzling erudition in astronomy, theoretical physics and various other scientific disciplines, together with a fine knowledge of Jewish mysticism and biblical commentary, and – what is truly rare – an ability to combine them seamlessly into a view of the world that is both spiritual and humane. What Rabbi Lister has, and generously shares with us, is a capacity for wonder: at the majesty of creation and therefore of the Creator.”

In reading about the experiment that a group of students and staff at Yeshiva Ketana designed for the last space flight, dealing with the deposition and formation of zinc phosphate crystals in microgravity, I came to

further appreciate both Rabbi Hirsch’s ideological premises relating to the symbiosis between Torah teachings and secular knowledge and the current teachings of the same under the rubric of Torah U’Madda in the teachings of Rav Joseph B. Soloveitchik and Rav Norman Lamm.

Truly, the heavenward view of modern science is reflected in the religious teachings of our faith. Rabbi Lister makes note of this in the following teaching:

“If we look at the biblical accounts of Gd’s election of the Jewish people, one fact cannot escape our notice. Great stress is laid on the fact that the Torah was given to the Jewish people ‘from the heavens.’

“This is made clear during G-d’s instructions to Moses concerning the great revelation on Mount Sinai [Exodus 19:11-20].

“Immediately after the Ten Commandments have been pronounced, G-d repeats this idea: ‘You have seen that I have spoken to you from the heavens.’” [Exodus 20:19] “To this day, Jewish people refer to the Torah as ‘Torah min hashamayim - Torah from the heavens.’”

To the young students from Yeshiva Ketana and to their teachers, I wish them a hearty ‘yashar koach’ and that they should know full well that they were taught, through this experiment and experience, the practicality of the teachings of Rabbi Samson Raphael Hirsch, as well as the later teachings from Rabbi David Lister.

One last word to the students of Yeshiva Ketana. 25 years ago, after the Challenger disaster, I embarked upon a four year research project into the life’s story of Challenger astronaut, Dr. Judith Resnik. Much was learned concerning this talented young lady including two very memorable facts. One, that her dad, Dr. Marvin Resnik whom I interviewed, was a survivor of the Hebron massacre of August 1929, and that his favorite nickname for his beloved daughter was, Ketana.

Most disappointing wine I have ever drank A

s the temperature reached one 100 F last Friday, my air conditioning was working overtime to keep my apartment at a livable 76 F. In order to avoid straining the machine, my wife Chaia decided it would be best to utilize only the toaster oven and the outdoor grill to make our Shabbat meal.

The logic was that if we refrained from turning THE KOSHER on the oven, we would CRITIC not cause the AC to battle yet another heat source. I quickly created a menu that lent itself to this endeavor and went shopping for the ingredients. I came back with the makings for chicken wings, grilled mini pizzas with dried beef, roasted chickpea salad and an Asian slaw.

As I prepped the Zechariah Mehler ingredients, I realized that the only wines I had in the house were big bold reds and that the meal I was putting together needed something a little more refreshing. I jumped back in my car and went down the block to my local liquor store to pick up what I felt was a more appropriate wine. My intent was to grab a Prosecco, a dry sparkling white wine from Italy. I have always found Prosecco to be very refreshing and possessing just enough fruitiness to balance the flavor with

the dryness of the wine. But there was not a Prosecco to be had and so I needed to find a suitable replacement. That was how I came to purchase the Hafner Vineyards Sparkling Riesling. The wine was in an alluring long necked bottle filled with a pale honey colored wine.

Having never heard of Hafner Vineyards I decided to take a chance on this sparkling Riesling.

Logically I assumed that the Riesling grape would be versatile enough to stand up to being presented as a sparkling wine. I purchased the bottle that was neither expensive nor cheap and brought it home where I placed it in the fridge to chill. Hours passed, Shabbat was prepared, and my wife and I sat down to dinner. I removed this bottle of wine from the refrigerator and found that it was perfectly chilled and ready to be consumed. I removed the foil from the mouth of the bottle and that is when disappointment began to set in. Underneath the foil was a screw top. Relax; I said to myself, I had just read an article about how many good wines in the non-kosher world were beginning to use screw tops because of its low cost and superior ability to seal the bottle.

Perhaps Hafner had thought of this when they applied the use of screw top bottles to their wine. I cracked open the screw top

and heard the hiss of carbonation leaving the bottle. I poured the pallid liquid into my glass and took a tentative sniff. It had an unmistakably fruity odor but it was overlaid by a slightly bitter somewhat grapefruit-like scent. I made kiddush and brought the cup to my lips and drank. The first flavor to hit my mouth was carbonation. I know that most would say that is not a flavor at all but I contend that if the inherent flavor of a beverage is muddled by its overly carbonated state that it counts as a flavor unto itself. Once the bubbles settled down I was treated to a momentarily dry fruity flavor that was reminiscent of a Riesling but lacked any form of depth. What was worse was that the fruitiness was quickly overwhelmed by a bitter astringent taste that lingered in my mouth like some sort of bad punch line.

To make it palatable I macerated blueberries and peaches so that I could turn the rest of the wine into a Bellini. While my initial experience with Hafner was a disappointing one I have decided to try other wines in the selection in the hope that this sparkling Riesling was a fluke. I just hope that my experience will keep others from making the same mistake.

Having never heard

of Hafner Vineyards I decided to take a chance on this

sparkling Riesling.

Zechariah Mehler er is a widely published ublished food writer riter and expert in social marketing. g. Follow him on n Twitter @ thekoshercritic ekoshercritic

THE JEWISH STAR July 29, 2011 • 27 TAMMUZ, 5771

The Kosher Bookworm

July 29, 2011 • 27 TAMMUZ, 5771 THE JEWISH STAR

14

Ask Aviva

Crying for home Dear Aviva, My wife and I were planning on sending our son to an out-of-town yeshiva for ninth grade this September. He has always been socially anxious and has trouble making friends.

We thought that going away would help him refine himself.

He was not thrilled with the idea when we registered him, but now he expresses that he really doesn’t want to go. We don’t know what to do, because we think that he would benefit from having to make friends but we don’t want to have to fight him so much. He’s starting to cry to us almost everyday.

What’s your take?

-Freshie Father

Dear Freshie Father, I am so happy that you are writing to me before he embarks on a mission that we can call “Set-Up For Failure.” Sorry to be so harsh. But not that sorry.

Just like you have to listen to your own signals when you are too tired, too overwhelmed, too thirsty, you have to listen to the signals that your son is sending. And it sounds like he is very good at communicating his protests (hey, crying is a form of communication. Albeit a wet form.) Your son is telling you something.

A ninth-grader crying everyday is not a good signal. I’m not saying that keeping him home will alleviate his anxiety, but I think that sending a kid off like this is akin to shoving him off a cliff. It goes without saying that you had the best of intentions when these “push-him-off-a-cliff” plans were made.

You saw that there is an issue of social anxiety, and so you wanted to help him along. I think you should continue to go with that. Instead of shoving him along, try coaxing him along. Let him be in an environment that includes things that are not anxiety-provoking. If you were him, wouldn’t you feel less anxious to make friends during first period if you didn’t just wake up to having to figure out the best way to say “good morning” to your stranger roommate, your dorm counselor, and the kid who just walked in on you in the bathroom?

The social skills need to be addressed, but in a way that will set him up for success. Set realistic goals. For someone with severe social anxiety, a goal of inviting a kid to come over for a game on his Wii is a bit too ambitious. A more realistic goal would be to say “Hey” as he passes a classmate on Central Ave. Scaffolding, behavior modifications, social skills groups are just some of the methods that have proven successful. I don’t think you and your wife should be the ones who are encouraging him to improve. Not at this age.

There are so many awesome therapists out there who are great at helping with this issue. With the proper therapist (I would recommend a male therapist who has a lot of successful experience with adolescents) this kid can really work on things.

So aside from getting him a therapist, and scrambling to get him into a local high school, what else can you two do?

I recommend paying attention to your social lives. Your teen is still a kid, and can still reap the benefits of observational learning through your modeling. Do you or your wife talk on the phone to your friends? Do you hang out with neighbors Shabbos afternoon? Or are you two more of the hermit—I

mean “homebody” type? (It’s ok, I have license to make fun.

I hibernate in seasons other than winter.) What I’m trying to say is that I think it will give your son an extra boost to see live social interaction in front of him. The kind that he does not have to participate in.

Also, let him learn a skill. Guitar is so cool. You can just jam with another kid and not even have to talk. Even something like art, which is more of a one-person activity can make him “the art guy” or give him more confidence overall.

Ask him what he would be interested in.

Keep that kid close to home. And let me be the only one to dish out the tough love.

-Aviva Aviva Rizel is a Marriage and Family Therapist in private practice who can be reached at AvivaRizel.MFT@gmail.com.

The Jerusalem Post Crossword Puzzle

By David Benkof

Across 1. “Hey there!”

5. Nile reptiles 9. Light purple 14. Fill to excess 15. Kind of socks 16. ___ Malkeinu (“Our Father, Our King”) 17. Holy ark 18. Powerful D.C. lobby 19. Chances upon 20. Those who aren’t rabbis 22. “Beit Teshuvah,” for example 24. Marcel Marceau’s alter ego 25. Strongly conservative radio talkshow host 28. “Quiet!”

29. Expand again 32. Jerry Bruckheimer specialty (abbr.)

Last week’s answers

35. Like hand-me-downs 38. Sri Lankan language 39. Hero of Harry Kemelman’s mysteries 43. Judge Mikva 44. Formal introduction?

45. Vote in the Knesset 46. Eastern European country 48. Genetic stuff 51. English novelist and art historian 57. “Chicago” lyricist 59. One who makes dreams come true 60. Stiller’s comedy partner 61. Rabbi Isaac of Safed 63. Kinsler and Ziering 65. Director Reitman (“Ghostbusters”) 66. Kind of cookie 67. Choir part 68. Work station 69. Cosmetician Lauder 70. ___ Ziona (Israeli city) 71. Brews Down 1. #23 is famous 2. Abram’s significant other 3. Impassive 4. Tithes 5. Rap sheet letters 6. Tie-up 7. Nobelist, Prime Minister, and President Shimon 8. Descendants of a 1492 exile 9. Attacks 10. It may be added to impress 11. Senator Joe or Knesset member Avigdor 12. Kind of Semite?

13. Verge 21. One of God’s names 23. Hello from Josephus 26. Politico Barak 27. Pacific island 30. Actress Almagor 31. Philanthropist Kadoorie 32. Forbidden crustacean 33. ‘70s TV star Kaplan 34. 10th-century commentator during the Golden Age of Spain 36. Last pre-Islamic Persian empire 37. Early evictee 40. Broadway singer Shoshana 41. Provide water to the kibbutz’s fields

42. Lover of Aeneas 47. Western tribesman 49. ___ de guerre 50. The binding of Isaac 52. Author David (“Not in the Heavens: the Tradition of Jewish Secular Thought”) 53. They’re due the first of the month 54. Pupik 55. Bump off 56. Puts in order 57. Otherwise 58. Tramps 62. Wrath 64. “Help!”

Answers will appear next week

15

learning moment for Rabbi Perl

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THE JEWISH STAR July 29, 2011 • 27 TAMMUZ, 5771

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By Sergey Kadinsky The longtime Chabad shaliach to Mineola, Rabbi Anchelle Perl, is no stranger to contemporary events, often using them as a tool to promote Jewish observance. Following the cremation of British pop singer Amy Winehouse on July 26, Rabbi Perl used the news story to explain the halachic ban on cremation.

“Cremation puts the traditional Jewish burial in grave danger,” Rabbi Perl said. “I have recently received too many calls to help stop a cremation.” A nonobservant Jew, Winehouse, 27, wore a Star of David in public and her family is observing shiva at their north London home. Winehouse had a history of drug and alcohol abuse that may have contributed to her death.

Orthodox Jewish tradition holds that the body cannot be tampered with, and must be washed and buried in perfect condition, as testament to the belief that it will be revived after the arrival of the Moshiach. In recent years, cremations have picked up among the non-Orthodox, finding it to be less expensive in comparison to burials, and less burdensome in terms of visiting the dead, whose ashes are stored in small urns. “I was alarmed to find a growing number of Jewish families opting to cremate,” Rabbi Perl said.

Rabbi Perl explains that a traditional burial affirms the belief of life after death and its ultimate return to life, describing the body as an eternal partner of the soul. He attributed the rise of cremations among Jews to a lack of un-

Photo courtesy of Chabad of Mineola

Rabbi Perl holds an urn during a lecture on the prohibition of cremation. derstanding of tradition.

Describing one congregant’s visit to a cremation wake as awkward, Rabbi Perl said that it is difficult to imagine a loved one’s remains burned and stuffed into an urn. “Here was a group of people coming to pay their respects to a loved one. Try as she might, she was unable to make the association between her friend and the urn,” Rabbi Perl said. “Being cremated is unfair to the mourners. They cannot be expected to say farewell to an urn. They have no gravesite to visit. The soul has no resting place in this world.”

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