You are on page 1of 60

NORTH JERSEY/ROCKLAND

JUNE 7, 2019
VOL. LXXXVIII NO. 38 $1.00 88 2019

THEJEWISHSTANDARD.COM

Sunday
by the park,
with Israel

CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED

Teaneck, NJ 07666
1086 Teaneck Road
Jewish Standard
JS-2

An Evening with Jimmy Choi


American Ninja Warrior and Parkinson’s Disease Advocate

Wednesday, June 19, 2019 Englewood Health – Main Campus


6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. Chiang Auditorium
Light refreshments will be provided 350 Engle Street, Englewood, NJ

At the age of 27, Jimmy Choi was diagnosed with young onset Parkinson’s disease. Upon receiving
the diagnosis, Jimmy went into denial and “did nothing” for the next 7-8 years to manage his
Parkinson’s symptoms. Physical therapy led him to running and other activities that helped both his
physical and mental symptoms. His passion to push beyond his limits led him to the national stage
as he took on a new challenge and competed as an American Ninja Warrior in 2017, 2018, and 2019.

The event is free, and open to all, but registration is required. Send e-mail confirmations to
parkinsons@jewishhomefamily.org, visit englewoodhealth.org/calendar, or call 855-JHF-PARK.

2 JEWISH STANDARD JUNE 7, 2019


JS-3*

Grasshoppers swarm
Page 3
into Israel from Syria
● Just days after two rockets were fired from Syria to- obvious source.
ward Israel’s Mount Hermon in the Golan Heights, an in- Buki Nagari of the Hebrew University told the Kan
truding force of a different kind crossed the border. public broadcaster Tuesday that he did not recall ever
Grasshoppers. seeing so many grasshoppers at one time.
Despite the lack of any open skies agreement between “It’s a bit annoying,” Natan Ziffer, a moshav member,
the two countries, which officially are at war, thousands told the broadcaster, as the insects munched away on the
of the insects have crossed into Israel over recent days leaves of the vegetables he has been growing and his chil-
and invaded Moshav Alonei Habashan, close to the bor- dren imitated the creatures jumping. “They get into your
der on the heights — and Syria seems to be the most house, your car, your hair.”
Scientists think that grasshoppers are the most an-
cient group of herbivorous chewing
insects still extant.
Yaron Dekel, a researcher at Haifa Univer-
sity’s Shamir Research Institute, which deals
with wildlife ecology, said it was pointless
trying to eradicate the grasshoppers with
chemicals.
“If you kill 200 in one day, an-
other 2,000 will come during
the night,” he said. (Of course,
even if you don’t kill those 200,
the others will come anyway.)
The new arrivals are expected to move else-
where fairly quickly, but not before the females have
laid hundreds of thousands of grasshopper eggs in
Alonei Habashan’s soil. SUE SURKES/TIMES OF ISRAEL
CONTENTS
NOSHES .........................................................4
BRIEFLY LOCAL ....................................... 20

Cuddly canine comfort for Pittsburgh


COVER STORY ...........................................26
JEWISH WORLD ........................................31
OPINION ..................................................... 42
● Meet Zane, the newest and ficers suffering from trauma. KEEPING KOSHER................................... 46
THE FRAZZLED HOUSEWIFE ............. 48
youngest recruit at Pittsburgh’s As for his name: “It’s Hebrew for
CROSSWORD PUZZLE .......................... 48
Bureau of Police. ‘gift and prayed for,’” a department
D’VAR TORAH .......................................... 49
Zane is a golden retriever spokeswoman said. “We felt that CALENDAR ................................................ 50
puppy. And after he finishes his was very fitting after Tree of Life.” OBITUARIES ...............................................53
training, he will be the police (For Hebrew-speakers whose CLASSIFIED ADS ..................................... 54
department’s first comfort dog. ears perked up at this etymology REAL ESTATE.............................................56
Unlike the dogs in the traditional — zane is not a Hebrew word — a
K9 squad, which are not to be bit of dogged research determined
touched by the public, Zane is that Zane may be an Italian varia-
PUBLISHER’S STATEMENT: (USPS 275-700 ISN 0021-6747)
pet-able. In fact, that’s part of his tion of John, which is from the He- is published weekly on Fridays with an additional edition
job description — civilians are brew Yonatan or Yochanan — and every October, by the New Jersey Jewish Media Group, 1086
Teaneck Road, Teaneck, NJ 07666. Periodicals postage paid
invited to touch him — along with those names do mean God’s gift or at Hackensack, NJ and additional offices. POSTMASTER:
comforting crime victims and of- God’s grace.) LARRY YUDELSON Send address changes to New Jersey Jewish Media Group,
1086 Teaneck Road, Teaneck, NJ 07666. Subscription price
is $30.00 per year. Out-of-state subscriptions are $45.00,
Foreign countries subscriptions are $75.00.

The appearance of an advertisement in The Jewish Standard


does not constitute a kashrut endorsement. The publishing of

Lebanese monkey still on the run in northern Israel


a paid political advertisement does not constitute an endorse-
ment of any candidate political party or political position by
the newspaper or any employees.

The Jewish Standard assumes no responsibility to return


unsolicited editorial or graphic materials. All rights in letters
● Seems like a job for a man with a key was too smart to be caught. and unsolicited editorial, and graphic material will be treated
yellow hat. Police confirmed that they were as unconditionally assigned for publication and copyright
purposes and subject to JEWISH STANDARD’s unrestricted
A monkey who escaped from a assisting the Nature and Parks right to edit and to comment editorially. Nothing may be
small farm in Lebanon and made it to Authority in efforts to capture reprinted in whole or in part without written permission from
the publisher. © 2019
Israel last week was spotted on Mon- the small, albeit cute, beast.
day. It still was enjoying life on the run So far, all efforts to capture the
as it continued to evade capture. monkey, who climbed over the
The monkey was filmed sightseeing highly protected border security Candlelighting:
at the village of Deir al-Assad in the fence last week, have come up Friday, June 7, 8:07 p.m.
Upper Galilee, about 15 miles south empty handed. Shabbat ends:
of where it escaped from the Ship of The police also reported that Saturday, June 8, 9:16 p.m.
Peace farm run by Beatrice Maugerin, if the monkey is captured, they
a French nun, in the village of Qouzah, near Bint Jbeil were considering returning it to Lebanese territory via
in southern Lebanon. the border crossing at Rosh Hanikra.
For convenient home delivery,
A few hours later the primate was seen again. This The vervet monkey, whose species hails from Africa,
time it was near a school in the village and local resi- was spotted earlier in the Israeli communities of Zar’it, call 201-837-8818
dents placed a trap in the schoolyard but the mon- Shtula, and Hurfeish. TIMES OF ISRAEL or bit.ly/jsubscribe

JEWISH STANDARD JUNE 7, 2019 3


JS-4*

Noshes “Yiddishkeit”
— The first word in last week’s Scripps National Spelling Bee finals,
defined as “Jewish way of life.” Rishik Gandhasri, a seventh grader
from San Jose, California, spelled it correctly.

JEWISH NOMINEES:

The Tribe goes


to the Tonys:
2019 edition
The Tony Awards, up in West Orange in commemoration of
for excellence in and had a bar mitzvah. the Holocaust.
the Broadway theater, GIDEON GLICK, 30, The Tony nominees
will be presented on who plays the child for best play revival in-
Sunday, June 9, at 8 character “Dill” in the clude “Waverly Place,”
p.m. (See it on CBS.) new stage version of “All My Sons” by the
Here are the confirmed “To Kill a Mocking- late ARTHUR MILLER,
Jewish nominees in all bird,” is nominated in and “Torch Song
but the technical the same category. His Trilogy” by HARVEY
categories. This is parents are both pro- FIERSTEIN, 64.
atypical year in that no fessors and they met
Jewish playwrights at the Hebrew Univer- Rolling Thunder
were nominated for sity in Israel. He, too, Kenneth Lonergan Brandon Uranowitz Gideon Glick rolls again
best new play. was bar mitzvah. In 1974-75, BOB
ELAINE MAY, 87, Best director, musi- DYLAN, now 78,
is nominated as a cal: RACHEL CHAVKIN, toured the country
leading actress in a 38, “Hadestown,” with many other
play. She co-stars in which grabbed more musicians. The Rolling
a revival of the 2001 Tony nominations than Thunder Revue, as it
play “The Waverly any other show this was called, was heavily
Gallery” by Oscar-win- year. It’s a retelling of filmed because Dylan
ner KENNETH LO- a Greek myth, reset intended to use the
NERGAN, 56 (whose in the 1930s. Chavkin footage in an upcom-
mother was Jewish). won best director of a ing fictional move
May plays the Jewish musical Tony in 2015. called “Renaldo and
owner of a Manhattan Also SAM MENDES, Clara.” “Renaldo”
art gallery who is de- 53, was nominated for Rachel Chavkin Larry Hochman Bob Dylan (1978) got pretty bad
clining gradually due best director of a play, reviews. However, the
to Alzheimer’s. May “Ferryman.” Mendes is score (music & lyrics). RODGERS. Adam’s ten by Richard Rod- footage was invaluable
became famous in the British and his moth- Yazbek’s mother is mother, the late MARY gers, is Tony-nomi- to Martin Scorsese,
late 1950s as the part- er is Jewish. He won Jewish. He competes RODGERS, also com- nated this year in the who is the director of a
ner of the late MIKE an Oscar for directing in this category with posed (“Once upon a best musical revival new documentary
NICHOLS in the bril- “American Beauty” and his old friend ADAM Mattress”) and wrote category. “Oklaho- (“Rolling Thunder: A
liant comedy team of he directed the James GUETTEL, 54, who (the original “Freaky ma!” vies with “Kiss Bob Dylan Story”) that
Nichols and May. Later, Bond films “Skyfall” wrote the score for “To Friday” movie). Me Kate” for this premieres on Netflix on
she wrote and directed and “Spectre.” Kill a Mockingbird.” Guettel won the best Tony. Fair Lawn native Wednesday, June 12.
the hit film “The New DAVID YAZBEK, In the ‘90s, Guettel score Tony in 2005 LARRY HOCHMAN, Footnote: RAMBLIN’
Leaf” and she directed 58, is nominated for and Yazbek played for “The Light in the 65, is nominated for JACK ELLIOTT, now
“The Heartbreak Kid.” writing the original in a band togeth- Piazza.” Yaszbek and his “Kiss Me, Kate” 87, played the whole
BRANDON score for the stage er. In 2000, Guettel Guettel compete with orchestration. He’s tour. Born Elliott
URANOWITZ, 32, is a musical version of the declined an offer to MATTHEW SKLAR, 45, won four Emmys for Adnopoz in Brooklyn,
best featured (sup- hit film “Tootsie.” Last write the score for who wrote the music his compositions and a he headed out West as
porting) actor in a play year, the musical “The “The Full Monty” and for “The Prom,” a show Tony for orchestration a young man and
nominee (“Burn This.” Band’s Visit,” about recommended Yazbek about a lesbian teen (“Book of Mormon”). became Woody
It’s a 1987 play with the interaction of instead, giving him going to a prom in His works include the Guthrie’s long-time
many gay themes). Egyptians and Israelis, his big career break. a conservative Mid- orchestration of a sidekick. Guthrie and
This is the third swept the musical cat- Guettel is the grand- west town. Chanukah album and Elliott were big early
Tony nomination for egories, and Yazbek son of the late great “Oklahoma!,” the composing the song Dylan influences.
Uranowitz, who grew won the Tony for his composer RICHARD 1943 musical co-writ- poem “In Memoriam” –N.B.

Want to read more noshes? Visit facebook.com/jewishstandard California-based Nate Bloom can be reached at
Middleoftheroad1@aol.com

High Performance cars are really attractive.


So is high performance service.

Englewood, NJ | Orange County, NY BenzelBusch.com Meadowlands, NJ

4 JEWISH STANDARD JUNE 7, 2019


JS-5

JEWISH STANDARD JUNE 7, 2019 5


JS-6*

Local
Going clubbing
Kaplen JCC finds ways to stimulate senior adults with early dementia
LOIS GOLDRICH

T
here are clubs, and then there
is the Club, a highly successful
project of the Kaplen JCC on
the Palisades, filling an import-
ant role for seniors in the community.
Conceived and created last year by
Judi Nahary, the JCC’s director of senior
adult activities, the senior social group
was started “because a lot of people in
SAC” — the Senior Activity Center — “had
the beginning signs of cognitive decline
but were not yet ready to move into
ARC,” the Senior Adult Reach Center,
Ms. Nahary said “Neither was appropri-
ate, so we had to figure out a different Marlene Ceragno Judi Nahary
way to engage them.”
In addition, she said, “We had just
finished unrolling a platform of special
interest clubs for the ARC program, and
we saw the success of that.”
The Club — the JCC chose that name
to make the program enticing — is a
hybrid between SAC and ARC. It started
with seven members and now works
with about 27. With 24 different clubs to
choose from, “it’s a much easier place
for people to start” before working their
way into ARC,” Ms. Nahary said. “You
start someone in a comfortable atmo-
sphere and they move as needed.”
Among the most popular of the clubs
“are things like music appreciation,
drama, travel, and the virtual art gallery
tours, which draw between 18 and 20
participants at a time,” Ms. Nahary said.
“Other clubs are also amazing, but fewer
people participate.” she said. Cook-
ing and jewelry-making each attract
between seven and 10 people. “They
can choose what they want from mul-
tiple options,” Ms. Nahary said. “They
have control of their day.” Other clubs
include such offerings as photography,
games, art, dance, boxing, and history.
Ms. Nahary is proud of the artwork
the Club’s art cohort has created. For
some projects, members engage in
“upcycling,” recycling common prod- These are some of the artworks created in the Club.
ucts to make art. Among their projects —
whose individual pieces were created by
members and assembled by the instruc- “Some members are so surprised,” memory, how to get dressed — tasks we make their own decisions about what
tor — is a heart made from wine corks, Ms. Nahary said. “They didn’t realize take for granted. We try to give them an they want to do for certain parts of the
“donuts” made from cement and then they had the ability, talent, capabil- opportunity to feel successful.” day. We don’t say something like, ‘now
decorated, poppies created from com- ity. When it’s put together and framed, Marlene Ceragno, the coordinator it’s time for exercise.’ Instead, they can
ponents of egg cartons, and a negative they’re so proud, they can’t believe they of the senior adult department pro- choose to go to senior boxing or photog-
space project where members painted did it. They feel successful, that they gram and caregiver services, described raphy, art group or pet therapy. Fortu-
around contact paper letters to form have something to give society. They’re the Club as “a social group for people nately, we have enough space to accom-
words such as LOVE and CARE. increasingly failing at things — words, in the early stages of dementia, who modate it all.”
6 JEWISH STANDARD JUNE 7, 2019
JS-7

Local

Ms. Ceragno said she finds it gratify- so different,” she said. “When you get it was heartbreaking to hear caregivers
ing to see people find a new passion or a in your 70s or 80s, Medicare will already say they were not able to go to family
new hobby at this time in their lives. One have kicked in and your spouse is proba- functions because their loved one with
man, who has produced magnificent pho-
tographs for the program, is especially
bly retired.” When someone is diagnosed
with Alzheimer’s younger, neither of
We’re offering dementia, who used to love to social-
ize, now got confused,” she said. “Now
proud. Until this program, he never had those factors is likely to exist. something they can drop them off here and go
realized that he had artistic ability.
The program is particularly valuable
“When I started researching, I saw how
few benefits and resources there are for
so important, off to, say, a barbecue, knowing their
loved one is also happy and having fun.
for people “who can still do exercise with people with younger onset,” Ms. Ceragno and while it can Caregivers get to refresh and recharge.”
SAC and enjoy entertainment, but when
there’s a lecture and they can’t sit still that
said. “In addition, stigma drives people
away.” Ms. Ceragno wants people to con-
be depressing, Ms. Ceragno said the JCC senior adult
program must be seen in order for some-
long, can now go to one of the clubs,” Ms. nect, and she hopes to start a support we have given one to understand its unique nature.
Ceragno said. “It’s a wonderful bridge,
and people are finding ways to be stimu-
group. She already has connected one
couple to someone who has early onset
someone a “Where else do you see children march-
ing down the halls?” she asked. “Most
lated. We try to work with their strengths.” dementia and runs a support group for gift during the senior centers have only old people, but
Leading the clubs are members of the
JCC staff, volunteers, and some profes-
people in a similar situation.
While her work is challenging — not
last chapter of they want more stimulation and social-
ization. We’re constantly connecting,”
sionals brought in from the outside. For only is she immersed in issues such as their life. she said, for example, taking videos and
example, “someone comes once a month dementia during working hours, but she photos of the children and sending them
from the Metropolitan Museum of Art to spends hours outside the JCC research- to older members. Some seniors become
do an art gallery program, and the direc- ing the issues. The results make it worth- We’re offering something so important, grandparents to a particular class. “We
tor of our dance program leads the dance while, she said. “I see the smiles on their and while it can be depressing, we have call them “grandfriends,” she said.
club.” She hopes that ultimately some faces,” and that inspires her to carry on. given someone a gift during the last chap- Ms. Nahary said that what you must
clubs may be led by members who are In her caregiver support group, she ter of their life.” remember about seniors with dementia
particularly interested in a certain area tells loved ones that they “can’t do it all.” The JCC also offers a Sunday pro- is that “they’re still in there. We have to
and might want to run a program. They have to have their spouses, or par- gram for people in adult daycare, change our expectations and meet them
Ms. Ceragno said the JCC also offers ents, in a program. “You can’t keep them created in response to families who where they are.” She cringes, she said,
a memory café for people affected by being successful all day long. But here as a reported how hard it is to keep these when people do not do that. “It’s been
dementia or Alzheimer’s at an early age, group we can. We send them home happy loved ones busy two days in a row. The incredibly profound for me,” she added.
in their 50s or 60s. “Their challenges are and tired. What more would you want? program runs from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. “It “I’m learning every day.”

CALLING ALL PARENTS OF KIDS 3 mo to 5 yrs.


NOW OPEN EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION
WITHIN THE SYNAGOGUE
provides YOUR CHILD with the
#1 BEST EXPERIENCE
3 TOP REASONS WHY: CALL NOW TO REGISTER!!!
1. Synagogue-based Early LOOKING NEAR
Childhood Education serves YOUR HOME or OFFICE???
as the first connection for a
HERE ARE 5 SYNAGOGUE-BASED
lifetime of Judaism.
EARLY CHILDHOOD
The Most Exciting New Retirement Community 2. Seeing the Rabbi, Cantor,
Torah scrolls, ritual objects,
EDUCATION PROGRAMS:
GLEN ROCK
Has Arrived in Rockland County. and Israeli, Hebrew & Holiday
Glen Rock Jewish
pictures in the synagogue
Center Nursery School
reinforces their Jewish identity. 201-652-6624
Brightview brings carefree, resort-style living – with no large
3. The Entire Synagogue ORADELL
entrance fee – to Rockland County. Community envelopes your Kol Dorot Early Learning Center
child in a warm, caring 201-768-3726
Brightview Lake Tappan offers access to tri-state shopping,
environment. TENAFLY
culture, entertainment, and endless on-site opportunities for a Temple Sinai Early Childhood Center
rewarding retirement. 201-568-6867
WOODCLIFF LAKE
Early Childhood Program at Temple
Reserve your Emanuel of the Pascack Valley
apartment today! 201-391-8329
Call Cindy or Dorothy to WYCKOFF
schedule your visit. Andrew Friedman Early
Childhood Learning Center
Independent Living • Assisted Living
Dementia Care 845.205.7102 at Temple Beth Rishon
201-891-4466
31 Hunt Road | Orangeburg, NY 10962 | On the Reservoir We look forward to becoming your partner in creating strong Jewish roots...

JEWISH STANDARD JUNE 7, 2019 7


JS-8*

Local Over the last two months, two very different men, both of
whom were active in the community and very dear to it, died.
Here we remember Jerry Nathans, who died at 91 on April 21,
and Rabbi Lawrence Troster, who died at 65 on May 24.
May both of their memories be blessings.

Remembering Jerry Nathans


The founder of the Jewish Historical Society of North Jersey died in April at 91
JOANNE PALMER

History is an abstract thing. It’s the study


of issues and responses, of battles and
armies and ideas and treaties, of tribes
interacting with other tribes, with geog-
raphy, with meteorology, with biology,
with economy, with sociology, with
disease, with death. It’s about forced
change and the refusal to change. It’s
about demographics and linguistics.
It’s a story told in so very many words,
so many of them written down in inde-
cipherable script, others never written,
irretrievably lost to time.
But there’s also the history embodied
in physical objects, in farm implements
and photographs and lintels and man-
tels and cookware and crockery. Those
objects tell homier, smaller-scale sto-
ries, and it’s only when you put them
together with the abstractions, when
you try to imagine the sensation of but-
toning those buttons on that dress, that
you can get some sense of what life
— which is after all at history’s heart —
might possibly have felt like.
Jerry Nathans, who died, just short of
his 92nd birthday, on April 21, under-
stood that.
Mr. Nathans was a man of many pas-
sionate interests. He was a historian,
thwarted in his desire to become a Jerry Nathans held frequent openings in his art gallery; here he’s at one in around 1978.
professor of history by the need to go
into his family business. That business
began as a framing shop, but later also
included an art gallery; although he was
not an artist, his eye for the right setting
for a piece of art came right up to the
line that separates art from craft, and
that eye allowed him to recognize the
artists whose work he sold.
He had a passion for Jewish life and
history, and for local life and history.
So Mr. Nathans — Jerome Nathans, to
be formal, or Jerry, to be real — was not
only the owner of Nathans Picture Fram-
ing and Art Supply, later Nathans Picture
Framing and Art Gallery, which moved
from Paterson to West Paterson, and
remained open until Mr. Nathans retired
in 2008, but also became the founding
president of the Jewish Historical Soci-
ety of North Jersey.
Mr. Nathans’ penchant for looking at
things — photos, books, objects — and
seeing the stories they hide and tell, and
the history of his own life, made that an Left, Jerry and Rita Nathans in 1984; at right, the family in 1968. Clockwise from left, it’s Rob, Rita, Jerry, David, Sari,
entirely natural move for him. and Bill.
Mr. Nathans was born in Paterson in
1927. It was a center of Jewish life then; later moved to Franklin Lakes.) Paterson eventually left the city; like so many after just a year of college. In 1954, Mr.
he was born at Barnert Hospital, named was a textile center, and many of those others, Mr. Nathan’s family moved to Nathans moved to Wayne, where he
after the philanthropist Nathan Barnert, textile workers included Jews. Fair Lawn, where he lived when he was lived for the rest of his life.
as was Barnert Temple. (The synagogue The Jewish community of Paterson drafted into the army at the war’s end, SEE NATHANS PAGE 10
8 JEWISH STANDARD JUNE 7, 2019
JS-9*

Local

Remembering Rabbi Lawrence Troster


Teaneck-based rabbi was environmentalist, bioethicist,
interfaith leader — and in so many ways, magician
JOANNE PALMER pretty new,” Dr. Kahn added.
Lawrence Troster was born in Toronto in 1953,
If you just read the list of what Rabbi Lawrence and he earned his undergraduate degree from
Troster of Teaneck did, you’d see clearly he was a the University of Toronto. “We met at a party,”
man of deeply passionate vision, always informed Dr. Kahn said. It was 1975.
by Jewish wisdom and insight. But what was he doing at that party? He was
He was a Jewish environmentalist before there a magician; he’d always loved magic, and that’s
were environmentalists who not only happened how he earned extra money, starting in high
to be Jewish but who saw the world and all that school. “He used to hang out in magic stores in
endangered it through a specifically Jewish lens. Toronto, and he met a lot of the great magicians
He was not only a believer in interfaith dialogue who came through Toronto then,” Dr. Kahn said.
but a practitioner of that form, not only when it “He was on TV, on a kids’ show, a few times.”
was easy but specifically when it was not. So when they met, Rabbi Troster — just Larry
He not only believed that egalitarian Jewish life then, way before he was ordained — “was doing
was possible but worked and wrote and thought a magic show, and he asked me to help him with
and fought to make it possible, even as a rabbinical the ring trick.” That’s when the magician flour-
student at the Jewish Theological Seminary, where ishes apparently solid metal rings in front of an
he was ordained. audience, perplexing them as they go inexpli-
What you might not see, at least if you weren’t cably from linked to separate. “He was a total
looking carefully, was that Rabbi Troster, who died stranger, and he just asked me to do this trick.”
on May 24 at 65, was also a man of unstoppable He was a friend of a friend, though, and three
intellectual curiosity and openness, whose work days later, walking on campus, she saw him with
was driven by that curiosity. her friend. “I hadn’t been so observant before,
And what you also might not see, but what his but I was starting to get interested in Jewish stuff,
wife and daughters know to be the most basic because of the Zionism is racism issue” — that
truth, was that much as he loved all those things, was the infamous United Nations Resolution
he loved his family more. 3379, which equated the two — “and I saw that
“Larry was interested in absolutely everything,” Larry was wearing a kippah.” That was it. They
his wife, Elaine Kahn, said. Dr. Kahn is a writer, and were married the next year, in 1976.
also a native Canadian. Her doctorate is in global “A few months after we were married, a friend
affairs, from Rutgers, and her book “Been Hoping talked him out of being a professor, and into rab-
We Might Meet Again: The Letters of Pierre Elliott binical school,” Dr. Kahn continued. He’d wanted
Trudeau and Marshall McLuhan” came out earlier Larry Troster cuddled with his grandson, Jacob, last year. to study and teach medieval Jewish history. “His-
this year. “At some point he got interested in sci- tory was a lifelong passion,” she added. So he
ence, and then he taught himself physics. He’d had no it helped him understand the science behind it.” went to the Conservative movement’s flagship institu-
interest in that in high school. But it started before and Oh, and yes, it also fueled his work as a bioethicist, tion, the Jewish Theological Seminary, in Manhattan.
then overlapped his interest in environmentalism, and “which he started getting interested in when it was still SEE TROSTER PAGE 10

Elaine and Larry Troster took two


of their grandchildren on a march Rabbi Troster was the magician at his
The whole family posed together in March. warning about climate change. grandaughter Liora’s fifth birthday party.
JEWISH STANDARD JUNE 7, 2019 9
JS-10*

Local

Nathans McIntyre said. “He would have gone arts, building arts, places where
FROM PAGE 8 places. But he was only 27 when he fine art meets applied art, all are
The strands of his life continued to died. He was one of the first to be the pursuits in which this family
plait together there. claimed by AIDS.” That was in 1988. finds meaning and joy. They got
Rita Kitzis Nathans, his wife, was a Her brother Robert died only it from Jerry. “My father was not
sculptor; they had four children, David, three years ago; he and David were an artist, but his eye for color and
Robert, William, and Sari. diagnosed with AIDS at the same simplicity and design was very
For the last two years, Sari — whose time, but Robert lived with it for 30 good,” Ms. McIntyre said. “He had
full name now is Sari Nathans McIntyre years, Ms. McIntyre said. Robert was such a good eye. He could picture
— has lived with her father; she moved an artist. “He was fantastic. He was things and imagine things.” Just as
up from Georgia to do that, and she’s very famous in the Fort Lauderdale he could imagine the community.
still here. Her father left many objects, Broward County area; he also was a Rabbi Joseph Prouser, who
many of great historical interest, behind. teacher, and instrumental in the art leads Emanuel of North Jersey,
“I was the youngest, and I can remem- world there.” found Jerry Nathans to be a won-
ber going to Lambert Castle and the Until David died, and then Jerry’s derful man. He gave the eulogy at
Dey Mansion and the Van Riper Hooper mother, Bertha Siegel Nathans, died Mr. Nathans’ funeral.
House with him,” she said; those are all just the next year — his father, Theo- “Jerry was, as long as health
places of local historical interest. “We’d dore Nathans, had died a long time permitted, a faithful, weekly
go to those places where he did his vol- before — her father’s interest in his- worshipper at Temple Emanuel
unteer work, organizing, and later on I tory was generally local, Ms. McIn- of North Jersey, where he was
was responsible for helping him cart all tyre said. “But then he became more much loved and revered,” he said,
the boxes from one place to another, religious, and that’s when he began Robert Nathans was a well-known artist; before the funeral. “However, he
because the historical society didn’t his work with the Jewish Historical these are two of his many works. steadfastly refused to accept an
have a permanent home yet,” she said. Society.” aliyah or any liturgical honor. He
“Everybody always knew him. He also was a founding member and His survivors include his son Bill, a embodied the statement of the Rab-
“He would always be doing things the second president of Temple Bnai Brooklyn-based architect; Bill and his bis (Taanit 29B): “The place does not
like going to the cemetery to trace head- Tikvah in Wayne. wife, Claudia Opel, have two children, bestow honor on the man; the man does
stones; if people said they couldn’t find Rita Nathans, Mr. Nathans’ wife, died in David and Joanna, as well as his daughter honor to the place.”
relatives, he’d go to the cemetery to try 1999; after that, Mr. Nathans joined Tem- Sari, whose husband, Norman McIntyre, And then he added the final, perfect
to find them.” ple Emanuel of North Jersey in Franklin has died. All his children were artists, his note to his eulogy.
The Nathans family was defined not Lakes, a synagogue that, like Mr. Nathans, daughter points out; she had started her “It is somehow fitting that Jerry
only by art and deep love, but also by had begun its life in Paterson. That career “as a computer geek, but now I departed this life on Passover, the fes-
tragedy. became his permanent Jewish home, and am teaching sugar arts — I teach how to tival on which Jews devote ourselves to
“My brother David was a screenwriter his beloved Historical Society also found make things out of sugar.” recalling, telling, and transmitting our
and an off-Broadway director,” Ms. a permanent home in Fair Lawn. So performing arts, baking arts, visual history,” Rabbi Prouser said.

Troster think that in some ways he never would have said that, was always engaged.
FROM PAGE 9 but one of the reasons he found such a home in the envi- “His favorite books were the ‘Lord of the Rings,’ and
During his time there, he and Dr. Kahn were among the ronmental interfaith movement is because a lot of Chris- he passed down to us an abiding love of science fiction
founders of the Group for the Rabbinic Ordination of tian environmentalists have been building the idea of and fantasy. He would do dramatic readings of key
Women. (Ultimately, they were successful.) ‘creation care,’ and he found people in that movement moments in the story.”
After he graduated, Rabbi Troster and Dr. Kahn, by with whom he could have deep conversations.” “And he always was their father,” their mother said.
then the parents of twin daughters, Rachel and Sara Rabbi Troster was the founder of Shomrei Breishit: “He was not their rabbi. He was their father.” “We did
Kahn-Troster, moved back to Canada for 11 years; he Rabbis and Cantors for the Earth, a rabbinic fellow our bat mitzvah tutoring with the cantor,” one of their
was the assistant rabbi of Beth Tzedec Congregation in for the Coalition on the Environment and Jewish Life, daughters said. “Of course he could have done it, but
Toronto and then rabbi of Shaarei Chaim, a synagogue and Hazon’s rabbinic advisor. “For the longest time he he wanted to be our daddy.”
outside the city that later became part of Beit Rayim. would go around with a copy of Al Gore’s ‘Inconvenient Like her father, Rachel Kahn-Troster is a rabbi. Also
When the twins were 14, the family moved to Ber- Truth,’ and he’d screen it,” one of his daughters said. like him, she’s driven by the need to advocate for
gen County, where the girls graduated from the school “And he’d always end up with pictures of the two human rights — she’s the deputy director of T’ruah:
now known as the Golda Och Academy in West Orange of us, and then later also of his grandchildren,” she The Rabbinic Call for Human Rights and like him, she
and their father headed Oheb Shalom Congregation added. “He’d say, ‘I am doing this for my children and was ordained at the Jewish Theological Seminary. Rabbi
in South Orange. Four years later, they moved to the grandchildren.’” Kahn-Troster loved knowing her father as a colleague,
Bergenfield-Dumont Jewish Center; when that closed, His interfaith work took him to Tehran, Iran, in 2005, and it made her happy to know how well respected,
Rabbi Troster went to Kesher Israel Congregation in where he was the only rabbi among 50 people invited and even loved, he was. “We had overlapping friend-
West Chester, Pennsylvania. to a two-day international conference on the environ- ships,” she said. They both were active in the Institute
Throughout all these changes, Rabbi Troster kept ment. Although he was suspicious about the set-up, “It for Jewish Spirituality. “When I introduce myself and
working on the issues he cared about so intensely. “He was really important for people to see a rabbi in this sit- people sort of knew my name, I would say, ‘You proba-
was involved with environmental work while we still uation, speaking about the Jewish tradition,” the Jewish bly know my dad.’ And then I would hear from people
were in Toronto,” Dr. Kahn and their daughters said. Telegraphic Agency reported. that he also was introducing himself as my father.”
“And he did a lot of interfaith work in Toronto, where he Rabbi Troster wrote books and essays — “Mekor Rabbi Troster’s survivors include his wife, Dr. Kahn,
was part of a regular television panel.” Hayyim: A Source Book on Water and Judaism” among and their daughters, sons-in-law, and grandchildren.
Rabbi Troster called himself an eco-theologian, and them — but he always was a father first. Sara Kahn-Troster, a health policy researcher, lives
attributed much of his passion to the summers he spent “Especially for a rabbi in the 1980s,” when his daugh- in Portland, Maine, with her husband, Rabbi David
in the parks and woods where he grew up. There are ters were young — “he always was home for us,” his Freidenreich, who teaches Jewish studies at Colby Col-
many wild northern places very close to Toronto, and daughters said. “He was home for dinner. He often lege, and their two children, Jacob and Naomi. Rachel
he was affected by their mystery and grandeur. made dinner. He was a wonderful cook; he made com- Kahn-Troster lives in Teaneck with her husband, Dr.
“There were so few people doing environmental work plicated, ungepatchked meals. He always was present Paul Pelavin, a pediatrician, and their two children,
through a Jewish lens at the beginning,” Dr. Kahn said. “I as a father. He took us to doctors’ appointments. He Liora and Aliza.
10 JEWISH STANDARD JUNE 7, 2019
JS-11

Gentleman's Hardware
6 piece stainless steel
manicure set and
canvas case with
leather trim.
Sale $22.50

Peroni light-weight travel


cap. Adjustable strap, one
Flowers for dad? Yes! Vertu silk size fits all. No logo - perfect
ties in vibrant colors and for summer. Black, blue or
patterns from stripes to grey. Reg. $45.00
geometric. Reg. $39.99, Sale $29.99
Sale $29.99 or 3 for $75.
Sunday

16JUNE

Fathers Day Gifts for


DADS
GRADS
Oliver cotton pique polos in
assorted colors. Sale $29.50
Mercerized cotton polos in bold
new patterns. Sale $59.50

Nardelli new canvas toiletry


bag. Reg.$119, Sale $59
Boss logo swim
trunks, assorted
Florsheim classic colors. Reg. $74
NY Yankees & Mets official MBA logo penny loafer in Sale $59.
cuff links. Silver-plated with enamel black or cognac.
finish, beautiful box perfect for gift Sale $89.99
giving. Reg. $75, Sale $49

Nardelli Weekender duffel/


Cole Haan ultra light weight and
garment bag. On sale $249,
comfortable oxfords in woven
or 3 piece set includes tie case
textiles with leather accents. and new toiletry bag, just $299
Blue or black. Reg. $180,
Sale $159

emporioclothing.com
BORO PARK: FLATBUSH: LONG ISLAND: LAKEWOOD: TEANECK:
5020 13th Avenue 1505 Coney Island Ave. 467 Central Avenue 1700 Madison Ave. 215 W. Englewood Ave.
718.972.4665 718.676.7706 516.295.5006 732.987.9480 201.530.7300
Sunday & Legal Holidays 10 - 6, Sunday & Legal Holidays 10-6, Sunday & Legal Holidays 10-6, Sunday & Legal Holidays 10-6, Mon.-Thurs. 10 - 9, Friday 10 - 3
Mon. - Wed. 10 - 7, Thurs. 10 - 8, Friday 10-3 Mon. - Wed. 10-7, Thurs. 10-9, Fri. 10-3 Mon., Tues. & Thurs. 10-7, Wed. 10-9, Fri.10-3 Mon. - Thurs. 10-7, Friday 10-2:30 Closed Saturday & Sunday

SUMMER SALE GOING ON NOW! GIFT CARDS AVAILABLE SAVE UP TO 50% ON ALL SUITS

JEWISH STANDARD JUNE 7, 2019 11


JS-12*

Local

All in the family?


Local students, in parents’ and siblings’ footsteps,
win USA Bible Quiz awards
ABIGAIL KLEIN He attended a weekly Bible
LEICHMAN Quiz prep session led by Yavneh

S
faculty member Karen Kedmi and
ome traits clearly run in also did a lot of cramming on his
families. Physical features own. “Mainly I read the text a lot
— dimples, maybe, or curly because it’s the most genuine way
hair. Or innate talents, like to study and get all the knowl-
perfect pitch or a way with words. edge into your head,” he said. He
An intellectual and spiritual did not study with a private tutor,
passion for the Bible seems to run something many Bible Quiz con-
in the Zinberg and Vinar families testants choose to do.
of Teaneck. One of the most seasoned of
On May 5, 14-year-old Yavneh these tutors is Rabbi Neil Win-
Academy student Yehuda Zin- kler, who coached Bible Quiz
berg placed first in the annual contestants at the Moriah School
USA Bible Quiz in the eighth-grade in Englewood for about 30 of the
Hebrew-language division, qualify- 36 years he was a faculty member
ing him to compete in the Interna- there. He counts approximately 35

DAVID KHABINSKY
tional Bible Quiz in Jerusalem next top scorers among his protégés.
April on Israeli Independence Day. Retiring from Moriah and from
His father, David Zinberg, came his pulpit at the Young Israel of
in second nationally in 1979, when Fort Lee and moving to Israel in
he was an eighth-grader at the 2014 did not end Rabbi Winkler’s
Yeshivah of Flatbush, and he par- Ezriel Vinar fills in his answers at the USA Bible Quiz at Yeshiva University on May 5, 2019. coaching career. Aware of his
ticipated in the international success at Moriah, the Torah
round in Israel the next April. Academy of Bergen County
Organized by the Jewish asked him to coach students
Agency’s Department for Jew- interested in participating in
ish Zionist Education, the the quiz. He does so via video
annual contest is called Chidon conference on Sundays. “I was
HaTanach in Hebrew; “Tanach” amazed and very impressed
is the Hebrew acronym for the that high-school boys would
Torah (Five Books of Moses), devote Sunday afternoons to
Nevi’im (Prophets) and Ketu- this,” Rabbi Winkler said.
vim (Writings). Each year the On May 5, Rabbi Winkler
syllabus covers a different part was elated to learn that his
of the canon — this year, much student Ezriel Vinar, a TABC
of Exodus and the entire books sophomore, placed second in
of Judges, Jonah, and Esther. the USA Bible Quiz in the high-
The quiz requires an ability school Hebrew division, quali-
to match biblical quotations fying him for the internation-
ANDREA WINKLER
DAVID KHABINSKY

with the person who said als next spring. And on May 9,
them or about whom they he watched proudly from his
were said, recognize where a seat at the Jerusalem Theater
passage is from and its narra- as Ezriel’s brother Nathanael,
tive context, pinpoint where a a TABC senior, finished sixth
particular event occurred, and Left, Yehuda Zinberg receives his first-place prize from USA Bible Quiz coordinator Rabbi Dovi in the International Bible Quiz.
engage in other, similar feats Nadel. At right, Nathanael Vinar stands at the International Bible Quiz with his coach, Rabbi “Nathanael and Ezriel were
of textual familiarity. Neil Winkler. regulars in my class,” Rabbi
More than 240 middle- and Winkler said. “This past year,
high-school students from about 80 day and supple- three sons “study Tanach at home for fun, and Yehuda Nathanael didn’t have to be in the class because the
mental schools across the country qualified for the has always participated very actively in that voluntary American test I was coaching them for wasn’t the same
national finals, held at Yeshiva University in Manhat- learning. He has a natural affinity for Tanach and Tal- as the international, but he wanted to study together
tan. Students at supplemental schools take the quiz mud, as well as for all types of secular learning.” with his brother.”
in English. Yehuda was the top scorer in the nationals in sixth “We asked each other questions so it made us notice
Yehuda said that when he was in fifth grade, he and seventh grades as well, but a new rule enacted two things in the text that we would not have noticed oth-
started reading sections of Nevi’im and Ketuvim that years ago stipulates that only high-school students can erwise,” Nathanael said.
he hadn’t learned in school, just out of curiosity. One compete in the International Bible Quiz. Rabbi Winkler taught Nathanael in seventh grade at
thing led to another, and soon he was poring over the “This was my third year winning in my division but Moriah. “He was an exceptional student. You never know
syllabus for the Bible Quiz. “It seemed like a fun way to the first year of being eligible to go to Israel,” Yehuda who will win but you know there’s real potential when
learn the material,” he says. said. He will enter ninth grade next September at the you only begin to ask a question and they give not just
Mr. Zinberg said that he and his wife, Yael, and their Idea School in Tenafly. the correct answer but the whole verse the answer comes
12 JEWISH STANDARD JUNE 7, 2019
JS-13* JS-26

Local

from. I saw this from both Nathanael and Ezriel. The


commitment and love of the subject is remarkable.”
This was Ezriel’s third time competing in the
nationals. What motivates him to study Tanach? “It’s
the word of God,” he said. “You can learn from it
about our history and how to conduct our future.”
Nathanael and Ezriel are the oldest children of Dov
and Michal Vinar, and they have a younger sister and
a younger brother.
When Ezriel comes to Israel next spring for the
International Bible Quiz, he also will be able to visit
Earn your Master’s in Social Work
Nathanael, who plans to spend his gap year at Yeshi-
vat Birkat Moshe in Ma’aleh Adumim.
at Touro | Apply Now for Fall ‘19
Rabbi Dovi Nadel, the coordinator of the USA Bible
Quiz for the Jewish Agency, scheduled phone calls

The quiz requires Eden M.


an ability to match Touro MSW ‘20
biblical quotations Career goal: working
with the elderly
with the person
who said them or
about whom they
were said, recognize
where a passage
is from and its
narrative context.

gssw.touro.edu
last week with the parents of each of the contestants
who qualified for the free trip to Israel. In addition
to Yehuda and Ezriel, Ilan Eisenberg of Kehilla High gssw.touro.edu
School, California, and Nossi Shelds of the Yeshiva of
Greater Washington are eligible for the trip next spring.
“The syllabus covers two-thirds of Tanach, and
you don’t get to do the international more than once,
so it’s helpful to understand what is going to happen
there,” Yehuda said.
Semifinalists coming to Israel are treated to a two-
week “Bible camp” and take more qualifying tests to fill
16 finalist slots. During that time, they have the oppor-
tunity to befriend and study with contestants from
more than a dozen countries. Nathanael said one of Manhattan or Separate classes 100+ clinical Full time, Part- Dr. Steven Huberman
Brooklyn campus for men & women placements time or Blended Founding Dean
the highlights of the Bible camp for him was rooming
Online
with contestants from Israel and from Ethiopia.
For Rabbi Winkler, the highlight was sitting in the
audience of the televised International Bible Quiz APPLY NOW! ELIGIBLE STUDENTS WHO APPLY BY JUNE 30 MAY
next to his former student Shlomi Helfgot of Teaneck,
RECEIVE $7,500 SCHOLARSHIP TOWARDS FIRST YEAR’S TUITION.
who placed fourth overall in the International Chi-
don HaTanach in 2017.
Shlomi’s brother Ephraim, an 11th grader at TABC,
finished in fifth place in the high-school Hebrew-lan- FOR MORE INFO CONTACT:
guage division of the national round on May 5. Miriam Turk, LCSW • miriam.turk@touro.edu • 646.630.1471
Alan Singer, PhD, LMSW • alan.singer4@touro.edu • 347.532.6348
Like we said, a passion for the Bible seems to run
in families.
JEWISH STANDARD JUNE 7, 2019 13
JS-14*

Local

Looking at the Whitney Biennial


JCC U lecturer explicates the cultural significance of the challenging new show
JOANNE PALMER

It’s amazing how much context adds.


If you are going, say, to an art exhibit of
challenging work, of course you want to
react to it from your own heart and mind.
But it also never hurts to have some out-
side idea of what you’re looking at.
Janine DeFeo is a Whitney Museum
teaching fellow, an accomplished
speaker and art interpreter, and she’s
working on her doctorate in art his-
tory at CUNY, focusing on performance
and body art from the 1960s and 70s.
So she’s a perfect guide to the Whitney
Biennial, now on display through late
September at the Whitney Museum in
downtown Manhattan.
She’ll talk about the show at the sea-
son’s last session of the JCC U at the
Kaplen JCC on the Palisades in Tenafly.
(See box.) Kota Ezawa (1969-), National Anthem (Denver Broncos), 2018. Watercolor on paper, 9 x 19 in. (22.9 x 48.3 cm).
This will be her third talk at the JCC, IMAGE COURTESY THE ARTIST AND HAINES GALLERY, SAN FRANCISCO
Ms. DeFeo said; she’s already spoken
about its Grant Woods and Andy Warhol unique. “This show has a very different “It’s really more about the reportage
shows. “I try to give a balance of what character from the last one,” Ms. DeFeo than the event itself. The artist worked
the curators intend and my own per- said. “The last one was heavier on paint- with archived newspaper pages, and
sonal take on it,” she said. “That maps ing, for one thing. And also the contro- highlights certain pages.”
to what I do at the museum. One of the versies that erupt are different. Overall, she said, “I will lay the
primary things I do is lead tours, so the “With the last one, the conversation groundwork, in case the viewer is going
lectures are a spin-off of that. that was hard to ignore was the contro- to see the biennial. It’s a framework. The
“I will highlight specific works — some versy over the painting about Emmett biennial always becomes a flashpoint.
of them are the ones that get the most Till.” (That was when a white artist, Dana “And if you’ve seen it already, it will
press, and some are the ones that I like Schutz, made a painting based on the deepen what you saw, and provide a
best, or that tell something interesting open-coffin photos of Emmett Till, the context. Someone else’s perspective
about the show or speak to some of the teenager who was murdered by white always sheds a different light on a work.”
other works in it.” men in 1955 for the crime of being black.
This biennial, like all such exhibits, She meant the painting as a reverential
Who: Whitney Museum teaching
“is an attempt to take a snapshot of con- and provocative memorial, she said, but
fellow Janine DeFeo
temporary American art by American Janine DeFeo others saw it as a thoughtless and cruel
artists. The vast majority of the art in appropriation. The controversy was pas- What: Will talk about “The Whitney
the show is made in the last two years, the show,” Ms. DeFeo said. “There is a sionate and loud.) Biennial — The Pulse of the Con-
temporary Art Movement” at the
although a few were from 2015 or 16.” lot about what. And also whether it is Much has happened since then. “The
JCC U
This year, “there are about 75 artists political. world changes, and the biennial changes
and collectives in the show,” Ms. DeFeo “That’s been a bit of an open ques- around it,” Ms. DeFeo said. When: On Thursday, June 13, start-
ing at 10:30 a.m.
said. That’s a rather high number, she tion. Several reviews have said it is not This year, she continued, “the cura-
clarified. “And it’s a really young show. political enough, particularly given the tors made a pretty deliberate decision Where: At the Kaplan JCC on the
About 75 percent of them are under last two very fraught years. And others that because the show is about emerging Palisades, 411 East Clinton Avenue,
the age of 40. So there’s a real concen- say that particularly in terms of the iden- artists, they would not bring back artists in Tenafly
tration of emerging artists. Also, this is tity representation, there is too much whose work they already have shown. AND ALSO
the first biennial in which the majority box-checking. There are only about five repeat artists. Who: Composer, conductor, author,
of them are people of color, and the gen- “So I want to talk about what counts It is an attempt to wipe the slate clean and NPR and PBS commentator
der balance is just about equal.” In fact, as political expression in contemporary and provide access to people who hav- Rob Kapilow
she added, there might be slightly more art. en’t had it before.” What: Will “unravel the wonders of
women than men represented. “Also I will address some of the contro- She plans to talk about the work by Mozart’s Eine Kleine Nachtmusik”
Although sometimes curators ask art- versies roiling the museum in terms of its Kota Ezawa; the image, she said, “is a
When: After Ms. DeFeo’s talk and
ists for specific pieces of art for the show, fund-raising. Several of the pieces in the still from a stop motion animation the lunch at the JCC U
most of the time the commission is to show address that, so I will as well.” artist has made of footage of the NFL
How much for everything (except
the artist, not a particular work. Some- Although, as its name makes clear, the national anthem protests.”
lunch): $35 for members, $42 for
times the artist creates something new Whitney stages the biennial every two She’ll also talk about a series by Alex-
nonmembers
for the biennial, and sometimes he or years — that doesn’t give anyone much andra Bell called “No Humans Involved
she uses something already made. time in between, and generally society (After Sylvia Wynter).” For more information and to reg-
ister: Call (201) 408-1454 or go to
“I think I will speak specifically and the doesn’t change that radically in two-year “It’s about the news reporting after
www.jccotp.org/adult-jcc-university
place of the body and disembodiment in intervals — it tries to make each show the Central Park jogger case,” she said.
14 JEWISH STANDARD JUNE 7, 2019
JS-15

WHAT THE BEST DRESSED BABIES


IN JERUSALEM ARE WEARING.
More than 22,000 babies a year are born at Shaare Zedek Medical Center — among
the most of any hospital in the world. With Shaare Zedek’s reputation for excellence
and focus on compassionate care, women know that their concerns and comfort will
receive the attention and respect they deserve.

Founded in 1902, Shaare Zedek has spent more than a century helping patients heal
through exceptional caregiving and cutting-edge treatments. Jerusalem’s preeminent
hospital, Shaare Zedek relies on the generosity of donors from around the world.
Join us in our life-saving mission at www.acsz.org/donate.

www.acsz.org | national@acsz.org | 212.764.8116

JEWISH STANDARD JUNE 7, 2019 15


Local

FIRST PERSON

Losing — and gaining — the future


A look at the path to a new Jewish life through UpStart’s Collaboratory 2019
RABBI ELCHANAN WEINBACH

W
e are losing the future.
We are losing millions
of Jews right now — and
other Jews, who are
connected now, have a responsibility to
find them and give them a chance at a
meaningful Jewish future.
Even as Orthodox institutions con-
tinue to grow, and despite the noble
efforts of many organizations, non-tra-
ditional Jews are disappearing rapidly.
Our synagogues are built for receiving
worshippers, not seeking them out, and
most of the established institutions have
been rejected overwhelmingly. Most
Jewish professionals I’ve spoken with
think that without significant change
within the next 15 years, those millions
who have left us will not have anything
to return to. Yet from under the rubble
comes a most unique Jewish generation,
and an opportunity: Millennials.
Millennials are people who have
reached young adulthood in the early
21st century, which roughly translates Priya Parker, author of “The Art of Gathering,” talks at UpStart’s Collaboratory2019 in Brooklyn. UPSTART
to birthdates in the 1980s and 90s. They
are a generation that is hard to charac- both to new Jewish ventures as they get more environmentally sustainable world a revival of Jewish life in North America,
terize because they are rarely found off the ground and to established insti- for all. The mix of group singing, Torah and then we had to whittle that number
in familiar places on the spectrums of tutions as they reimagine their offerings thoughts, and brilliant storytelling fos- to two. To appreciate the diversity and
identity, politics, and religion. Most and adapt to the changing Jewish com- tered a sense of comradery, and while innovation of the conference, allow me
millennial Jews don’t remember a time munity. UpStart also connects organi- the presenters and their presentations to briefly describe the panelists: David
when Israel was a unifier, received little zations that are building the future of were far removed from my traditional Yarus, founder of the popular Jewish
in the way of Jewish literacy, and were non-traditional Jewish life with funders worldview it was easy to see how other dating app JSwipe; Rabbi Sarah Luria,
educated at a time when the lessons of looking for guidance as to where and viewpoints and innovative models could who is both the executive director of
Judaism and the Holocaust were increas- how to invest in the growing network spark positive change and growth in the Beloved, a self-described home-based,
ingly universalized, so the most partic- of initiatives. Jewish community. open-hearted Jewish community that
ularly Jewish platforms on which much The conference attracted almost the The next morning’s group session was has been compared to a Reform-led
of our institutional life is based do not full range of Jewish identification. One led by author Priya Parker, who shared Chabad-style house, and the founder
support them. of the great challenges of such a gather- her expertise in both designing effective of ImmerseNYC, a feminist community
Simply put, these are Jews who ing is how to make all participants feel gatherings and conflict resolution. I rec- project that reconnects Jews with the
through no fault of their own have lit- comfortable despite the wide range of ommend her excellent and highly prac- beauty and meaning of mikvah; Elad
tle motivation to remain connected and ritual practice. Of course the food at the tical book “The Art of Gathering” to all Nehorai, founder of Hevria, described
therefore need new pathways into the conference was strictly kosher, but its Jewish organizations, and being present on its website as “a home for the creative
Jewish world. organizers went beyond that minimum. as she modeled these skills was a treat. an out-of-the-box Jews who feel they
Now the good news. There are hun- For example, it was both sensitive and In line with the goals of UpStart, this don’t have one”; Rabbi Amichai Lau-La-
dreds of Jewish millennials who have innovative that at the opening cocktail was a deep dive into how we gather, why vie, the spiritual leader of Lab/Shul NYC
chosen to build these new pathways. reception there was a well-displayed we gather, and how we can design inno- and a passionate advocate for Shabbat as
I know this because in May I went to poster that offered lapel buttons offer- vative forms of gathering that will attract a tool for social change; and Sarah Hur-
Brooklyn for Collaboratory2019, a con- ing four different options for greeting young Jews. witz, formerly a senior speechwriter
ference hosted by UpStart, an organiza- others, ranging from shomer negiah (no Most thought-provoking for me was for President Barack Obama and head
tion that partners with the Jewish com- touching) to handshake to high five to the session called “building the Jewish speechwriter for First Lady Michelle
munity’s boldest leaders to expand the full-on hugging. This is exactly the kind community of the future,” created and Obama and the author of the upcom-
picture of how Jews find meaning and of inclusive sensitivity that our increas- led by UpStart board member Harry ing “Here All Along: A Reintroduction
how we come together. Whether some- ingly diverse community requires. Nathan Gottlieb. The session brought to Judaism,” about her rediscovery of
one is starting a new Jewish venture or Among the sessions I attended three together five exciting voices from the Judaism, and a passionate advocate for
reimagining what an existing one has to stand out. Jewish community, four of them millen- Jewish literacy.
offer, UpStart gives them the entrepre- The first evening was highlighted by nials, who contributed 10 ideas to revital- As the reader can see, these panelists
neurial tools and network they need to CollabraStory: Why We Gather, which ize the Jewish future. Imaging ourselves represented a wide range of opinions,
build the non-traditional Jewish com- was led by Yoshi Silverstein of Hazon, as proxies for the Jewish world, attend- and all of their ideas were valuable, but
munity of the future. This includes busi- an organization dedicated to strength- ees were asked to decide which five of for me the greatest value of the session
ness, creative, and technical support ening Jewish life and contributing to a those 10 ideas would best contribute to was to hear from mostly millennial Jews
16 JEWISH STANDARD JUNE 7, 2019
a0c0487@allstate.com
Allstate gives you money back every 6 months
Allstate gives
you’re you moneyYep, back
andevery
no other6company
months

pays
pays
accident-free.
you’re accident-free.
does that. Sign up Yep, andDriving
for Safe no other
Bonus®company
today.
More than Driving accident-free Allstate
Allstate
does that. Sign up gives
gives
for you Driving
you
Safe money
money back every
back every
Bonus® 6 months
6
today.
Local

pays
Driving accident-free
311,000 likes.
Call me to you’re
months
you’re
no
does other
that.
learn more.

company
accident-free.
accident-free. Yep, andYep,
does
Sign upAZZARONE that.
for Safe
and company
no other
Sign up
Driving Bonus® today.
Driving accident-free
Call me to learn more.STEPHEN
for Safe Driving Bonus® today.
201-773-1630
Call me me to to251learn more.
Like us on Call STEPHEN GLEN
ROCK
learn RD
more.
AZZARONE
ROCK
201-773-1630
a0c0487@allstate.com

who were on the outside and now are building and


Facebook. 251 ROCKSTEPHEN
STEPHEN
RD
AZZARONE
AZZARONE
contributing to innovative Jewish organizations. GLEN ROCK 201-773-1630
a0c0487@allstate.com
251 ROCK RD
I would be remiss if I did not admit that as an
GLEN ROCK,
Have any other coverage needs?
GLEN ROCK NJ
attendee I was not much in my comfort zone politi- Call any time.
a0c0487@allstate.com
s.azzarone@allstate.com
cally, religiously, or strategically. At the same time,

10371584
Join us for our NOT AVAILABLE IN EVERY STATE. Feature optional. Subject to terms & conditions.
Allstate New Jersey Property and Casualty Insurance Co. © 2018 Allstate Insurance Co.

I know that without these Jewish entrepreneurs,


who are contributing ideas, ener�y, and personal
GRAND OPENING
resources to the Jewish future, it is possible that
CELEBRATION!Have any other
Havecoverage
any other coverage
needs?

all of nontraditional Judaism soon will be lost. Our


facebook.com/ Call any time.
Saturday, June 15 · 1-3pm needs? Call any time.
Have any other coverage
STATE.needs?
jewishstandard

10371584
movements, federations, Chabad houses, et al Refeshments · Raffles NOT AVAILABLE NOT AVAILABLE IN EVERY Feature optional. Subject
IN EVERY STATE. Feature optional. Subject to terms & conditions.
Call any
to terms
Allstate New Jersey & time.
conditions.
Property and CasualtyAllstate New
Insurance Co. ©Jersey Property
2018 Allstate and Co.
Insurance
won’t even meet these Jews on their way out of the Giveaways Casualty Insurance Co. © 2018 Allstate Insurance Co.

10371584
chain of Jewish history. Yet there is still a chance, NOT AVAILABLE IN EVERY STATE. Feature optional. Subject to terms & conditions.
Allstate New Jersey Property and Casualty Insurance Co. © 2018 Allstate Insurance Co.
there still is time, and there is so much youthful
ener�y that we still can save our future.

Have any other coverage needs?


These newly, truly connected nontraditional
Jews will have a different way of manifesting Juda-
ism, they will present complex problems of Jewish
lineage, and they will be increasingly progressive,

Call any time.


both socially and politically. It is hard to know how
they might integrate with the existing committed
Jewish community. Still, our community has fum-
bled away two generations of opportunity, and in
doing so we can no longer dictate how the future
might look. Our responsibility is to a Jewish future
that undoubtedly is better served by having a mil-
lion truly connected Jews.
There still is time for this generation to save the

NOT AVAILABLE IN EVERY STATE. Feature optional. Subject to terms & co


remnant of American Jewry for Jewish life. The mil-
lennial Jews I have met at this conference, at retreat
centers like Camp Isabella Friedman, and through
the UpStart network, give that future a real chance.
To quote UpStart CEO Aaron Katler, “We must allow
ourselves to imagine … and we must take every
Allstate New Jersey Property and Casualty Insurance Co. © 2018 Allstate Insur
opportunity to do that together. We believe that
the collective wisdom, vision, and hard work of our
network will lead us to a thriving Jewish future”.
To this hope and prayer, let us say Amen!

Elchanan Weinbach is the rabbi of Congregation


Shaarey Israel in Montebello. He has been a pulpit
rabbi for 13 years, a school head for 15 years, and a
consultant, presenter, or scholar in residence in New
York, Kansas City, and Florida, and at LimmudLA.

Participants at the conference wore tags


showing which greetings they chose, rang-
ing from shomer negiah — no touching — to
hugging. UPSTART

JEWISH STANDARD JUNE 7, 2019 17


JS-18*

Local

Donor’s priorities are no puzzle


Gift to Wayne’s Shomrei Torah will benefit educational programs
LOIS GOLDRICH Marvin Grosswith, suggested that she co-write a book

H
with him, “since you know about IQ testing and other
ow do you address a puzzle master, long- testing.” She knew quite a bit more than that. She held a
time Mensa member, licensed psycholo- doctorate in education and was a full professor and psy-
gist, and university professor? chology department chair at Montclair State University.
Clearly, precisely, and hopefully with- In an article on the history of the university’s psy-
out too much stammering. chology department, Professor Thomas B. Perera docu-
When that formidable woman also is a philanthropist, mented Dr. Salny’s contribution: “In 1970, a School Psy-
the intimidation factor is even greater. But so too is your chology Certification Program was created by Professor
admiration for her dedication to the cause of education. Herbert Hauer with the assistance of Dr. Abbie Salny….
“Education is the path to success,” said Dr. Abbie During the years that Abbie Salny (nee Shapiro) was at
Salny of Wayne, 93, a member of the town’s Shom- the helm of the School Psychology program, Montclair
rei Torah, who recently made a large contribution to State graduated dozens of students who went on to
the synagogue. A woman of considerable knowledge, become the psychologists of school systems throughout
Dr. Salny wants to ensure that the next generation is all the counties of the state of New Jersey as well as out
equally well prepared. To that end, she has asked that of state. Dr. Salny was particularly active in recruiting
her donation be used for education. Hispanic students, and Montclair graduated an impres-
“Her generosity will allow us to do the kinds of things sive number of Hispanic school psychologists.”
we only dreamed about,” Shomrei Torah’s rabbi, Randall Dr. Salny also found time to write puzzle books,
Mark, said. “Her gift will help the synagogue provide schol- including “The Mensa Genius Quiz a Day Book,” “The
arships for our members’ children and enable us to do True Cognoscente’s Culture Test: You Know Your I.Q.—
programs that in the past we would have skipped because Now Learn Your C.Q. (Culture Quotient),” “The Mensa
of the costs involved. It also will help to bolster the syna- Book of Words, Word Games, Puzzles, & Oddities,” and
gogue’s adult education program, covering costs of speak- several other works designed to challenge the mind.
ers who previously would have been beyond our capacity.” The daughter of Carl and Edith Cooperman Feinstein of
In speaking with Dr. Salny — an honorary president Dr. Abbie Salny Elmwood Park (despite the Perera article, she was not nee
emerita of Mensa international, who still is consulted Shapiro — that was her first husband’s last name), Abbie,
on Mensa Foundation matters — this writer’s first mis- “I don’t do crossword puzzles,” Dr. Salny said. “I do born on July 3, 1925, graduated from New York Univer-
take was in volunteering the information that I, too, math, logic, and English. Fewer people do that.” Her sity and received her master’s and doctoral degrees from
love crossword puzzles. puzzle career began when a friend, fellow Mensa officer Montclair State and Rutgers University, respectively.

Joshua Cohen to head Jewish Federations of New Jersey


New public affairs body to replace State Association of Jewish Federations

J
LARRY YUDELSON “Jewish Federations of New Jersey will department of the UJA-Federation of
serve to coordinate relationships for the New York. “Four months into working
oshua Cohen has been hired to helm the Jewish organized Jewish community.” These there, I realized this is the job I wanted,”
Federations of New Jersey, the new public affairs include relationships to the state govern- he said. So much for law school. “It
arm of five of the state’s leading Jewish federations. ment, to the New Jersey general commu- spoke to my personal and professional
The Jewish Federations of New Jersey replaces nity, and to the government of Israel. “In values. The idea of being on the front
the State Association of Jewish Federations, which Jacob addition, the Jewish Federations of New lines to enhance the quality of life for the
Toporek has led by since 2007, and which will close up Jersey will leverage strategic partner- Jewish community and beyond. To have
shop on June 30. ships with non-profit groups throughout that kind of impact on the community
“Jewish Federations of New Jersey will focus on govern- New Jersey,” he said. was an amazing experience.”
ment relations, fighting anti-Semitism, Israel advocacy, He said the group will fight anti-Sem- In New York, he was part of a team
state-wide collaboration, and security coordination,” said itism and BDS, while promoting ties of seven or eight professionals. In New
Jason Shames, the CEO of the Jewish Federation of North- between New Jersey and Israel. Joshua Cohen Jersey, he’ll be a one-man office. “I’m
ern New Jersey. “New Jersey has 500,000 Jewish resi- Mr. Cohen, who is married and has grateful for this opportunity to join this
dents, and it’s important the federation takes an active two children, lives in Union County. He was born in exciting endeavor,” he said.
leadership role in protecting their interests.” Englewood, and grew up in Rockland County. “Until Jacob Toporek has been the executive director of the
The JFNNJ is one of the federations that will support I was about nine I lived in Monsey,” he said. “Then we State Association of Jewish Federations for nearly a dozen
the new organization. moved to Pomona.” After graduating from Ramapo High, years. “We’ve accomplished a great deal,” he said.
Mr. Cohen previously was the director of the New he lived on a kibbutz in Israel for a year, and then stud- The State Association will hold its final board meeting
Jersey regional office of the Anti-Defamation League. ied political science at the State University of New York at later this month. “There have been a lot of high points,”
“Anti-Semitism is on the rise,” he said. “Hate is increas- Albany. After graduation, he first worked outside Boston, Mr. Toporek said. “From Iran sanctions to anti-boycott
ing. Israel’s safety and well-being is challenged.” before deciding to move to New York. “I wanted to work legislation to security grants.”
In this environment, the federations “are providing in the non-profit community for a little while and then go As for the new grouping, “I hope whatever is being cre-
leadership and strong partnership with elected officials, to law school,” he said. ated has the same positive impact on the Jewish commu-
law enforcement, and policy makers,” he continued. He started working in the government relations nity,” he said.
18 JEWISH STANDARD JUNE 7, 2019
JS-19*

Local
Sandi M. Malkin, LL C
She married Jerome ( Jerry) Salny in 1973 — the
wedding was performed by the late Rabbi Jerome
Interior Designer
Blass, longtime religious leader of Congregation Beth
Israel of Northern Valley in Bergenfield, family coun- (former interior designer of model
selor, and former columnist for this newspaper — and rooms for NY’s #1 Dept. Store)
was forced to put down her pencil when her husband
died, in 2005. “I’m legally blind,” Dr. Salny said. “I
relied on my husband,” who was her proofreader.
Jerry Salny, a graduate of MIT, “was an engineer,”
For a totally new look using
his wife said. “He sold foreign car parts.” Before they
married, he served in the Air Force, she added; she
your furniture or starting anew.
clearly is proud of her husband’s military record. “He
went in July 1941 as a second lieutenant and was dis- Staging also available
charged in October 1945 as a lieutenant colonel, with
a Bronze Star.” 973-535-9192
While Dr. Salny did not lose family members in
the Holocaust, many of her husband’s relatives were
murdered. The youngest of 15 children, Jerry Salny
came to the United States on his 13th birthday. He
never could trace exactly what happened to many
of his relatives who stayed in Europe, Dr. Salny said.
Rabbi Mark recalled that the Salnys used to go to
Paris for the High Holidays. Although Dr. Salny no
longer travels, she would return to Paris if she could,
she said. She’s fluent in French, and she loves the OPEN HOUSE
food, art, and culture of that European city.
Dr. Salny is very matter of fact about joining Mensa.
“I took the exam,” she said. “They had a record of my
IQ.” Describing her work with the organization, she
said that she was very active in the Mensa Founda-
tion, “which is committed to education and scholar-
ship,” awarding scholarships and research grants and
holding social events.
“They do a lot of educational work,” she said.
Through the organization, “I’ve met some very
SEE DONOR PAGE 52

Marlene Herman of Edison, the president of the


State Association, said she doesn’t understand the
need for the reconfiguration. One difference between
the old State Association and the new Jewish Federa-
tions of North Jersey is that the new body does not have
its own board of lay leaders running it and setting its
priorities. Instead, Mr. Cohen will report directly to the
executives of the five participating Jewish federations.
“I’m always worried when you have to make some-
Experience the Best
thing new when the old isn’t broken,” Ms. Herman
said. “The aims and goals seem to be the same as
what we’re doing now. They’re changing some of the
OF ARBOR TERRACE
nomenclature.”
Looking back on her years as a leader of the State
SUNDAY, JUNE 9 | 11 A.M.–2 P.M.
Association, Ms. Herman said the highlights were Arbor Terrace Teaneck - 600 Frank W Burr Blvd, Teaneck, NJ 07666
attending bill signings with governors Chris Christie
and Phil Murphy.
One possible difference between the old and new Come in for hors d’oeuvres and refreshments and a tour
groups is the new emphasis on responding to anti-Sem- of our beautiful community.
itism. “Our board has had the idea that we refer those RSVP by calling 201-836-9260 or email mwerner@arborcompany.com.
cases over to the ADL,” Ms. Herman said said.
Ruth Cole of Ridgewood led the State Association
as president from 2011 to 2013. “We had a board and
assignments each of us were working on,” she said of
the group’s structure.
Ms. Cole praised Mr. Toporek. “Jac was well
known in Trenton before coming to the State Asso-
ciation,” she said. “He had entree to a lot of people
he could talk with.”

JEWISH STANDARD JUNE 7, 2019 19


JS-20*

Briefly Local

Areyvut breakfast inspires Jewish community service


More than 100 people honored Sara Blau, who received
the Young Leadership award, and Alan Levine, who
won the Community Leadership award, at Areyvut’s
annual breakfast in Teaneck last month.
Established in 2002, Areyvut (Hebrew for mutual
responsibility) reaches out to Jewish day schools, con-
gregations, and other organizations, offering unique
opportunities for creating innovative programs to make

Photos courtesy Areyvut


chesed a meaningful reality for students, educators,
and community members.
An exciting partnership with high school senior
Sara Blau, which will take Game Changers New York,
the nonprofit that she launched, to the next level, was
announced at the breakfast. GCNY collects and distrib-
utes new and gently used sports equipment for chil-
dren in need. Under Ms. Blau’s leadership, GCNY has
collected more than 6,500 pieces of sports equipment Alan Levine, left, and Daniel Rothner Daniel Rothner, left, with Sara Blau
and donated them to over 20 partner organizations
around the world. That has helped thousands of chil- athlete and leader; she has been a member of the UJA Mountain YMCA, and he has worked for the South
dren. Aryevut’s partnership with Sara will double the of New York’s Center for Youth Philanthropy and Lead- Orange/Maplewood Refugee Resettlement Project,
number of items that they donate within the next year. ership and and a Youth Ambassador Council member Families with Children from China, Bergen LEADS,
They will achieve this goal in two ways — by setting up for the Jewish Teen Funders Network. Northern New Jersey Professionals in Transition, and
Game Changers chapters in other communities, and by Alan Levine of South Orange has been a dedi- JESPY House.
organizing massive large-scale community collections cated Areyvut board member. He also has been on To learn how to organize a service activity for your
to fill trucks of sports equipment for those in need. the boards of Family Connections, the Pickals Foun- community, email Daniel Rothner at daniel@areyvut.
Ms. Blau is a Solomon Schechter School of Long Island dation, Temple Sharey Tefilo-Israel, and the South org, or call (201) 244-6702.

Let’s talk college


Five college students from Temple
Emanuel of the Pascack Valley —
from left, Andie Kent, Alec Stewart,
Stephanie Reifman, Lauren Cohen,
and Jordyn Freedman — participated
in a college panel for the community
at the Woodcliff Lake shul. They dis-
cussed their college lives in front of
an audience of high school students
and their families.

Memorial Day ceremonies in Fort Lee Milestone Shabbat in Teaneck

Members of the JCC of


Fort Lee/Congregation
Gesher Shalom
marched holding the
shul’s banner in the
Fort Lee Memorial Day
parade. Pictured are Al
Sussman, JCC of Fort
Lee /Gesher Shalom
congregant and
Barbara Balkin

World War II veteran


of the Battle of the
Bulge, and Rabbi Ken
Stern, presenting the
congregation’s wreath.
Cantor Ellen Tilem and Rabbi Steven Sirbu stand with the honorees.
Courtesy Gesher Shalom

On May 17, Temple Emeth honored its congregants who have been members for
multiples of five years, ranging from five to 60. Each member was given a certifi-
cate and was blessed by Rabbi Steven Sirbu and Cantor Ellen Tilem.
20 Jewish Standard JUNE 7, 2019
JS-21

UPCOMING AT KAPLEN JCC on the Palisades


JCC U Spring Term PA

KEEP LEARNING
In the morning Whitney Museum Teaching Fellow
Janine DeFeo will present The Biennial—The Pulse
of the Contemporary Art Movement; and in the
afternoon in a JCC U special event composer/
conductor and creator of the What Makes It Great?
series at Lincoln Center Rob Kapilow will unravel
the wonders of Eine Kleine Nachtmusik in his
All You Have to Do Is Listen presentation.
Thur, Jun 13, 10:30 am-2 pm, $35/$42
Visit jccotp.org/jccu

Asbury Shorts PA

AN EVENING OF THE WORLD’S BEST SHORT FILMS

Join us for our annual presentation of Asbury Shorts,


a nationally acclaimed short film exhibition, featuring
award-winning comedy, drama, and animated films
curated from the top global film festivals. This show
always sells out quickly so get your tickets now!
Sponsored in part by Brad–Core, Humanism in Building.
Tue, Jun 25, 7:30 pm, $16/$20.
Premium reserved seating $35

20th Annual
Sandra O. Gold
Founder’s Day
Concert PA

Join us for a joyous event honoring


Dr. Sandra O. Gold’s vision of a
community music school at the
JCC AND celebrate the 90th
birthday of Eva Holzer, our dear
friend and long-time supporter!
Supported by the Sandra O. Gold
Founder’s Fund, established by
Russ and Angelica Berrie.
Mon, Jun 17, 6:30 pm, Free

CHILDREN MUSIC SENIORS

Looking for a Hebrew After SHIRAH Choir PA


Social Adult Day Care for people
School Program? Try Emek! 25TH ANNIVERSARY CONCERT with Alzheimer’s and Dementia
Emek is an after school program for children Marsha Bryan Edelman, Conductor Montessori-style social day care program promotes
grades pre K-10th that teaches modern, Honoring SHIRAH’s Founders: Bernie independence, self-esteem and cognitive abilities for
spoken Hebrew language and Israeli culture and Ruth Weinflash z”l, Avi Lewinson, those living with dementia, in a vibrant, community
in a fun, hands-on way. Open to native and and Matthew Lazar. With celebratory center atmosphere. Aides and companions are welcome.
non-native Hebrew speakers. songs in Hebrew, English, and Yiddish. Mon-Fri, 9 am-4 pm, Sun, 11 am-4 pm,
Registration now open for the Featuring the world-premiere of Partial day options available. Ask for a FREE trial!
2019-20 school year! “Do Justice,” by Benjie Ellen Schiller. Visit jccotp.org/senior-services
For more info, please contact Adi at Dessert reception to follow.
201.408.1469 or visit jccotp.org/emek. Sun, Jun 23, 7 pm, $18/$25. TO REGISTER OR FOR MORE INFO

Sponsor options available. VISIT jccotp.org


STAY IN THE KNOW! LIKE US ON
For more info, 201.408.1466 or
Program offered as part of the JCC Patron of the Arts
facebook.com/KaplenJCCOTP
PA

Program. Find out more at jccotp.org/patrons. jccotp.org/concerts-and-events.

KAPLEN JCC on the Palisades TAUB CAMPUS | 411 E CLINTON AVE, TENAFLY, NJ 07670 | 201.569.7900 | jccotp.org

Jewish Standard JUNE 7, 2019 21


JS-22*

Briefly Local

JTS holds 125th commencement ceremony


The Jewish Theological Seminary held
its commencement ceremony at the his-
toric International House in Manhattan
on May 23. JTS Chancellor Arnold Eisen
delivered the commencement address
to the institution’s graduating class of
rabbinical, cantorial, and bachelor’s,
master’s, and doctoral students. Honor-
ary degrees also were presented to inno-
vative leaders.
“No responsible commencement
speaker can pretend that all’s right
with the world as you go forth to it, or
that you and I won’t be sorely tested by
events, or that the situation of the Jewish
people today is uncomplicated, or the
Jewish future secure,” Chancellor Eisen
said in his address, which focused on the JTS Chancellor Arnold Eisen speaks at the graduation. Courtesy JTS
importance of truth telling. “But if we
have taught you anything at JTS, I hope mess — and that is the truth.” will pursue advanced degrees or have Holocaust Memorial Museum; David
it is that the knowledge and wisdom The school’s newly graduated stu- accepted offers at leading companies Golinkin, president of the Schechter
stored up in Jewish tradition are a valu- dents will go on to lead congregations and organizations. Institutes, Inc., and president emeri-
able fund for you to draw upon, and that at synagogues all over the world, as well Honorary degree recipients were tus of the Schechter Institute of Jew-
your learning of this tradition empow- as serve as leaders at Jewish communal Dr. Bruce A. Beutler of the University ish Studies; and Martha C. Nussbaum,
ers you to make the changes, extend the organizations, in academia, and in other of Texas Southwestern Medical Cen- Ernst Freund Distinguished Service Pro-
compassion, perform the acts of justice, educational institutions. The students ter, who won a Nobel Prize in 2011; fessor of Law and Ethics at the Univer-
that are required to get us through the who have earned bachelor’s degrees Sara J. Bloomfield, director of the U.S. sity of Chicago.

Teens are honored in Woodcliff Lake


Valley Chabad’s Teen Leadership Initia-
tives, co-directed by Rabbi Yosef and
Estie Orenstein, held its annual teen gala.
More than 200 people were at the party,
held on May 19 at the Woodcliff Lake
Hilton. The sold-out event recognized

Photos by Chaya Laine


more than 140 teen volunteers from the
Pascack Valley and Saddle River commu-
nities in Valley Chabad’s five Teen Lead-
ership Initiative programs — Friendship
Circle, Linking Hearts, CTeen, CTeen
Academy, and Eternal Flame
“CTeen has allowed me to connect Lily Gordon, Caroline Cohen, Alyssa Kovar, and Ashley Jack Silver, Ben Kalb, Billy Gold, and Adam Yunaev of
with my Jewish heritage and meet new Trattner of Upper Saddle River. Woodcliff Lake were among the honorees.
friends in a fun and welcoming way”
said Pascack Valley High School sophomore Ava
Quinn of River Vale. Other teen speakers represented
each of the programs and described how the pro-
grams affected them.
Ruth Raiker, whose son Josh participates in Friend-
ship Circle, talked about the benefits its programming
gives her family. Friendship Circle, which works with
many teen volunteers, promotes inclusion and accep-
tance for children with special needs. The participat-
ing teens received a certificate and a gift for their vol-
unteer work.
Teens, parents, friends, and community members
were at the gala; so too were District Assembly 39 rep-
resentatives Holly Schepisi and Robert Auth. The pro-
gram is under the auspicious of Valley Chabad’s exec-
utive director, Rabbi Dov Drizin.
For more information, go to Valleychabad.org or
call (201) 476-0157.

Rabbi Yosef Orenstein, far right, and Estie Orenstein, far left, with teen leadership volunteers.
22 Jewish Standard JUNE 7, 2019
JS-23

We are grateful for having a successful Mission with our membership, who were
received by the majority of the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives on
May 21st to hear and discuss our issues about the safety and security of America
and its greatest ally in the Middle East, Israel.

We thank the attendees this year who numbered over 1,100 who took time
from their busy schedules to come with us to Washington, D.C. and speak from
their hearts about the U.S.-Israel relationship to our nation's legislators. There
are few more effective ways of guiding our blessed America than personally
making the case as citizen advocates.

We most gratefully acknowledge the volunteers who made this day possible.
Spanning many areas in the Tri-State region, you have worked tirelessly to
mobilize your respective communities to make this Mission a success.
MISSION CHAIRS
Laurie Baumel, PhD • David Steinberg • Trudy Stern
MISSION LOGISTICS CHAIR MISSION TALKING POINTS CHAIR
Jeff Schreiber Allen Friedman
MISSION COMMITTEE
Bergen: Alan Berger, Caren Eisenstadter, Reuven Escott, Mollie Fisch, Jerry & Anne Gontownik,
Robert & Irene Gottesman, Leon Kozak, Galina Datskovsky Moerdler, Zvi Plotzker, David Schlussel
Bronx: David Frankel, Jason Muss, Stanley & Ethel Scher, Leslie Tugetman Brooklyn: Nathan Hershkowitz,
Edison/Highland Park: Andrew Freedman, Marc Hanfling
Five Towns/Long Island: Stanley & Trudy Stern Manhattan: Dan Feder, Charles Gross
New Rochelle: Marc Berger West Hempstead: Richard Kolchin
West Orange/Livingston: Barbara Bortniker Queens: Howard Neiman

STAFF
Avi Schranz - Executive Director
Bracha Berg - Development Director
Bracha Berg • Rebecca Bick

PRESIDENT
Ben Chouake, MD (Dr. Ben)

Paid for by NORPAC

Jewish Standard JUNE 7, 2019 23


JS-24*

Briefly Local

Kids spread a little kindness


Students from Hackensack’s public schools gathered at CareOne at
Wellington on May 24 to pack lunches and decorate cards for the
needy. The students spent their day off participating in the Kindness
Hour, under the direction of Rabbi Mendy Kaminker, the co-director
of Chabad of Hackensack. “Kindness Hour aims to change a day off
into a day of giving to others,” Rabbi Kaminker said. “Hackensack’s
schools emphasize the importance of empathy and kindness to oth-
ers. This is a chance for students to put those values to practice.”
The Kindness Hour initiative came after the Hackensack City
Council proclaimed April 16 to be Education and Sharing Day and
encouraged all residents to reach out to young people to work to cre-
ate a more hopeful city for all. The proclamation read, in part, “The
character of our young people is strengthened by serving a cause
greater than self… By instilling a spirit of service in our children, we
create a more optimistic future for them.”
The day also recognized the late Lubavitcher rebbe, Rabbi Men-
achem M. Schneerson, who brought education and sharing to the
forefront of public discourse. “The rebbe wanted all of us — regard-
From left, among the participants, are Charlotte Sodora, the administrator of Care-
less of background or standing — to become givers,” Rabbi Kaminker
One at Wellington in Hackensack; Hackensack’s Deputy Mayor David Sims; and Rabbi
said. “Each and every one of us has something we can share with
Mendy Kaminker of Chabad of Hackensack. Courtesy Chabad
others; some way we can improve someone else’s life.”
For more information, go to KindnessHour.com.

HaZamir Sings
for Pittsburgh
Singers from 20 chapters of HaZamir: The Inter-
national Jewish Teen Choir joined HaZamir
Pittsburgh at a free concert on May 19 at Temple
Sinai in solidarity with the city of Pittsburgh.
The concert included the music
of Nurit Hirsh and the Pittsburgh

Photos courtesy HaZamir


premiere of two new works, one by
Cantor Gerald Cohen and the other
by HaZamir alumnus Samuel Ros-
ner. The concert showcased Jewish
musical styles from across the globe
and throughout history.
The concert was conducted by
Matthew Lazar and sponsored by Inset, Conductor Matthew Lazar, left, and Rabbi Jeffrey Meyers of Tree of Life Synagogue in
the Zamir Choral Foundation. Pittsburgh. Right, HaZamir choir.

Holocaust remembrance at
Daughters of Miriam Center
Daughters of Miriam Center/the Gallen Institute hosted a Holocaust
remembrance ceremony that included nursing home residents and
apartment tenants who are Holocaust survivors, children of Holocaust
Courtesy DOMC

survivors, or fought against the Nazis and their allies. The program
was led by Rabbi Moshe Mirsky, DOMC’s director of religious services.
Survivor Milton Yudkowitz was sent to work at a factory near the
Mauthausen concentration camp in Austria. After the war ended, he
lived in a refugee camp; he immigrated to the United States in 1949,
and met his late wife, Gloria. Mr. Yudkowitz owned kosher butcher Left, Holocaust survivor Milton Yudkowitz, who lives at the Daughters of Miriam Center
shops in the Newark and Passaic area, for years he supplied kosher apartments, shows the number tattooed on his arm he got at Auschwitz. He was
meat to Daughters of Miriam Center. accompanied by pianist Rhoda Rosenfeld. Right, Mr. Yudkowitz lights a memorial candle
for the victims killed in recent anti-Semitic shootings at the Chabad of Poway and the
Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh. His daughter, Rita Fleischman, is with him. Rabbi Ira
Kronenberg, the former director of religious services at Daughters of Miriam, left, and Rabbi
Moshe Mirsky, right, the new director, are with them.
24 Jewish Standard JUNE 7, 2019
JS-25
10”

SAR High School Congratulates the Class of 2019

Ayelet Bar-David! Adam Cohen Brenna Pearlstein Lia Solomon


Leora Belitz
Esther Ben-Meir
Illeana Cohen
Emanuel Cohen
‫ מזל טוב‬to Our Graduates Shamma Pepper Fox
Yoni Perla
Sarah Sommer
Moshe Sopher-Harelick
Yakira Bergman Orli Cohen Elisheva Picker Eliezer Spirgel
Yona Bergman Leo Danishefsky Micah Gentin David Kahane Aliza Meller Jonah Pitkowsky Aryeh Stein
Zoe Bernstein Sarah Daube Adin Gitig Gavi Kaplan Zoe Melzer Maxim Roitman Shelomzion Steinmetz-Silber
Sarah Best Zachary Davis Jacob Glasman Gavriel Karsch Rebecca Metzman Malkey Rosensaft Benjamin Stern
Andie Bigio David Dinkevich Aura Glazer Raffaella Kestenbaum Shira Michaeli Zachary Rothstein
Gabriel Storfer
Dean Bilenker Danielle Dorfman Daniella Goodman Henri Kolb Abigail Minkove Zachary Saks
Abe Teicher
Zachary Blitz Isaac Duitz Ethan Green Coby Kranz Ari Mitchell David Samuels
Sophia Teitel
Rachel Blumenstein Amir Eaddy Drew Greenbaum Talya Kronisch Elinoa Moerdler-Green Eliana Sastow
Emma Tropper
Aaron Blustein Benjamin Eden Daniel Greenblatt Eli Landes Tal Najman Isaac Schildkraut
Joseph Tropper
Hanna Botbol Andrew Eisenberg Darius Gross Gabriel Lang Ezra Najman-Franks Amichai Schleifer
Ruben Tsigutkin
Shira Bousbib Meital Eisenberger Akiva Haberman Matthew Leifer Yonatan Najman-Licht Leora Schloss
Lindsay Brandwein Renna Ekstein Jonathan Haims Jordan Levine Abigail Nelkin Eliana Schochet Louis Tuchman
Ranya Braverman Goldstein Lela Fand Matt Shapiro Hannah Vorchheimer
13” Seth Halper Hannah Levinson Noah Niyazov
Kyra Wachtenheim
Jonah Brooks Samuel Feder Leo Heller Liat Levy Judah Oppenheimer Rebecca Shillingford
Sophia Bruder Rita Feder Debo Helwaser Kobi Lindenbaum Adira Orbach Simone Shteingart Nathaniel Waxman
Amalia Cedar Kellner Danielle Feit Adina Hirschfield Ariella Linhart Emily Packer Naftali Silvera Aytan Waxman
Adi Chen Leah Fenster Tamar Hoch Jessica Major Jenna Parker Aron Simkhayev Moshe Wolff
Dani Chutter Jonah Garbuz Julia Hornblass Ryan Meiteles Max Parness Rosalie Sohn Ellie Zafrin

We are proud of our graduates who will attend outstanding yeshivot The universities and colleges our graduates will attend reflect their
and programs in Israel for the 2019-2020 academic year. commitment to learning, Jewish life and their individual aspirations.
Women’s Yeshivot: Men’s Yeshivot: Coed Programs: Barnard College Fashion Institute of Mercy College Queens College
Amudim Yeshivat Aish Gesher Bar Ilan XP Baruch College Technology University of Miami Rutgers University,
Midreshet Amit Yeshivat Ashreinu Beit Yisrael Binghamton Hofstra University University of Newark and
University Hunter College Michigan, Ann Arbor New Brunswick
Midreshet Emunah v’Omanut Yeshivat Eretz Hatzvi Hevruta
Midreshet HaRova Yeshivat Hakotel Kivunim Brandeis University Indiana University, Muhlenberg College University of
Bloomington Southern California
Midreshet Lindenbaum Yeshivat Har Etzion Kol HaNearim Brown University New School
List College/Jewish SUNY Polytechnic
Midreshet Moriah Yeshivat Hesder Birkat Moshe - Nativ University of Chicago New York University
Theological Seminary Institute
Midreshet Torah V’Avodah Maale Adumim
City College University of North Syracuse University
Yeshivat Lev Hatorah We are proud of our students Macaulay Honors
Midreshet Torat Chessed Carolina, Chapel Hill
who will be serving in the IDF Columbia University College of the CUNY Technion – Israel
Migdal Oz Yeshivat Maale Gilboa
and Sherut Leumi next year. Cooper Union Northwestern Institute of
Shaalvim for Women Yeshivat Migdal HaTorah University of University
Cornell University Maryland, College Technology
Tiferet Yeshivat Orayta University of
Dartmouth College Park Washington
Yeshivat Reishit Yerushalayim Pennsylvania
University of University in St. Louis
Yeshivat Shaarei Mevaseret Zion Drexel University Princeton University
Massachusetts, Yale University
Yeshivat Torat Shraga Duke University Amherst Purchase College - Yeshiva University
Yeshivat Torah V’Avodah Emory University SUNY

Israel Guidance Department: Michael Courtney, Director of College Counseling


Laura Frank, Director Rabbi Akiva Block Eliana Mitnick Cari Cohen, Associate Director of College Counseling
Lisa Birnbaum Rabbi Shua Lindenbaum Shuli Taubes Lisa Birnbaum, Assistant Director of College Counseling
Rachel Margolin Jamie Vichinsky, Coordinator, College Counseling

SAR High School: 503 West 259th Street • Riverdale, New York 10471 • 718-548-2727 • www.sarhighschool.org
Rabbi Tully Harcsztark, Principal Nancy Lerea, Associate Principal, Director of Admissions Dr. Rivka Press Schwartz, Associate Principal
Gloria Schneider, Director of General Studies Lisa Schlaff, Director of Judaic Studies Rabbi Daniel Kroll, Assistant Principal

It’s not just what you learn. It’s who you become.
JEWISH STANDARD JUNE 7, 2019 25
Cover Story

‘A very happy day’


The community celebrates Israel as it marches up Fifth Avenue

T
Joanne Palmer

here is something glori-


ously countercultural, or
at least counterintuitive,
about walking in the Cele-
brate Israel parade.
First, there’s the simple fact that
you’re walking north up Fifth Avenue.
That would be like the Hudson River
flowing north, taking ocean water up
to Lake Tear in the Clouds (and talking
about glorious things, how is that for
a glorious name?) instead of dumping
pure clear upstate water into the Atlan-
tic. No cars. Going the wrong way. It hap-
pens only by force of will.
The city shows itself at its loveliest
that day too; as we walk, we can marvel
at the great brick and stone architecture
to our right and the lush green-and-sun-
lit-stone park to our left.
Students from the Frisch School in Paramus marched up Fifth Avenue. And more even than that is the
26 Jewish Standard JUNE 7, 2019
JS-27

Cover Story

Rabbis Paula Mack Drill and Craig Scheff, both from the
Orangetown Jewish Center, walk together. Students from Yavneh Academy in Paramus beam as they march.

political truth that once a year, all sorts This year, as they do every year, repre- it better? Okay, a better — view of the opened for a limited run downtown, at
of Jewish (and some non-Jewish) groups sentatives of schools and shuls and feder- parade than most marchers or onlook- the Folksbiene’s home at the Museum of
from across the spectrum come together, ations from across northern New Jersey ers could manage. For most of the Jewish Heritage at Manhattan’s southern
groups not in the least united in their and Rockland County joined people from route, Mr. Mlotek, as the artistic direc- tip, last July, and now will remain open
feelings toward Israel’s politicians and the city’s five boroughs, Long Island, tor of the National Yiddish Theater uptown until January.
policies but entirely together on their Westchester County, and places much Folksbiene, was riding with members of When they passed the viewing stand,
love for the country and their under- farther away in their trek up Manhattan. the cast of “Fiddler on the Roof” — aka the men in the cast left the float and per-
standing of its centrality to Jewish life. No Zalmen Mlotek of Teaneck had a dif- “A Fidler Afn Dakh” — the Yiddish-lan- formed “L’Chaim.” (The group was one
matter how you define Jewish life. ferent — Why not be honest and call guage version of the classic musical that of about a dozen performers on floats,
Jewish Standard JUNE 7, 2019 27
JS-28

Cover Story

Zalmen Mlotek of Teaneck, left, the Folksbiene’s artistic director, marches; the troupe performed L’Chaim, and later the company won a Drama Desk award.

and they were joined by about 10 march- perform there. Next he did a sound check said. “It was interesting, because we Fifth Avenue, in front of crowds of peo-
ing bands, Jewish and not, from around for the L’Chaim performance. had to lip sync” — it’s far too noisy on ple in the Celebrate Israel parade, you
the area.) Then there was the parade itself, the street for even heavily miked danc- may. You should feel free. But no one
Mr. Mlotek had a long day. where the Folksbiene cast shared a float ing men to sing audibly — “and we had will hear you.
First, “we did a sound check, before with a group from the Hampton Syna- to rehearse with the recording.” (The He did not perform, he added. “I just
the parade, at Town Hall, for the Drama gogue, out on eastern Long Island. sound track for the show will be out stayed on the float, shepping naches.”
Desk awards,” he said. The group was Then the performance. “We did soon, he added.) And yes, if you’re lip Next, after the parade, “we went
nominated for an award for the out- L’Chaim because it’s one of the most syncing and the spirit moves you and back to the theater for the 3 o’clock
standing musical revival, so it was able to iconic tunes from the score,” Mr. Mlotek you just want to sing as you dance, on performance.”

Charles Temel, head of UJA’s JCRC, in sunglasses, walks next to Dani Dayan, Israel’s consul general in New York, Andrew Cuomo, and other dignitaries.
28 Jewish Standard JUNE 7, 2019
JS-29

Cover Story

The Jewish Federation & Foundation of Rockland County sent an enthusiastic group of supporters to the parade.

Why, given that schedule, were in the free air of New York. The parade To learn more, google “Folksbiene Sum- Incidentally, he said — and given
the Folksbiene players in the parade? also lets people hear the sounds of Yid- merStage 2019.) the huge number of local schools at
“Because as the National Yiddish Theater, dish and of Jewish culture.” “And while our cultural institution has the parade, it’s not at all surprising —
we felt it important to have a presence,” (This year, Folksbiene’s annual con- nothing to do with Israel or politics, as although the Folksbiene float followed
Mr. Mlotek said. “The parade is public. cert at SummerStage, the annual free Jews we are supportive of the state of marchers from Birthright Israel, the
“It’s the same as the way we do Sum- outdoors festival in Central Park, will be Israel,” Mr. Mlotek continued. “We want group immediately behind them was
merStage, where we reach 5,000 people a cantorial concert that Mr. Mlotek will to make sure that everyone there knows from Yeshivat He’Atid in Teaneck.
and let them hear the sounds of Yiddish conduct. It’s set for Wednesday, June 12. that we are supportive of Israel.” That wasn’t the end of Mr. Mlotek’s

Drs. Howard Friedman, Christopher Weiss, Shana Kaye and Maggie Love
of Washington Avenue Pediatrics are delighted to announce that
Dr. Steven Schuss and Dr. Pnina Marciano
of Teaneck Pediatrics will be joining our practice.
As of August 26, 2019, they will be seeing patients at our office in Bergenfield.
We look forward to welcoming them and the patients of Teaneck
Pediatrics to the Washington Avenue Pediatrics family.

95 North Washington Avenue • Bergenfield, NJ


Phone – 201 384 0300 • Fax – 201 384 9518
www.washingtonavenuepediatrics.com
Jewish Standard JUNE 7, 2019 29
JS-30

Cover Story

day, though. Later, at the cere- is the largest intergroup Jewish event
mony, he learned that the National in the world.
Yiddish Theater Folksbiene’s pro- “And there’s such a great breadth of
duction of “A Fidler Afn Dakh” won Jewish organizations, that represent all
the Drama Desk award. the things that Jews do. They all came
Charlie Temel of Manhattan is to march, and they all march right next
the president of the Jewish Commu- to each other, one right after the other.
nity Relations Council of New York. “So regardless of who you are, how
The JCRC — an agency of UJA-Feder- you observe, what you do, as long as
ation of New York (just as the JCRC you are willing to walk up Fifth Ave-
in northern New Jersey is a Jewish nue to celebrate Israel, we are happy
Federation of Northern New Jersey to have you.
agency, and the JCRC in Rockland “We are not political. You will not
is a committee of the Jewish Feder- see signs advocating one political pol-
ation of Rockland County) — is the icy or protesting another. This is all
parade’s sponsoring agency. about celebrating Israel, the homeland
He marched next to New York’s Yavneh students wave flags as they march. of the Jewish people.”
Governor Andrew Cuomo, who, he And it’s not only for Jews. “Our
says, is a strong supporter of Israel. “He held a little who is not running for president, so it’s not that.) non-Jewish friends participate — marching bands,
news conference before we marched, and he said some He’s been in almost every parade for decades, Mr. police departments, public officials. They’re our neigh-
important things,” Mr. Temel said. “He made a strong Temel said; he thinks that this year’s crowds were bors, showing their support.”
statement; he had stickers made up that said, ‘We are all bigger than they have been recently, and he suspects How many people showed up to march? “We have
Jewish.’ Fighting anti-Semitism has been very important they might have been in defiant reaction to growing between 35,000 and 40,000,” Mr. Temel said.
in his family, starting with his father,” former N.Y. gover- anti-Semitism. “The breadth is important,” he concluded. “The
nor Mario Cuomo, “and his mother,” Mathilda Cuomo. The parade’s changed too, and in the direction of breadth of the Jewish community, and the breadth of its
“He will be going to Israel sometime after the legislative increased inclusivity. support for Israel. People are saying that we’re proud
session in Albany ends to show solidarity with the Jew- “We have made an effort — and I think we’ve suc- to be Jewish. We’re proud of the State of Israel. We’re
ish state in the face of growing anti-Semitism.” (And no, ceeded — in making this parade as inclusive as it can proud to be Americans.
Andrew Cuomo is one of the few Democratic politicians be,” he said. “Every type of Jew participates, and this “It was a very happy day.”

Check Out Our Great CD Rates!

6 Month CD* 1 Year CD*

2.15 %APY
2.50 % APY

Visit our Monsey branch today! 75 Route 59, Monsey Town Square (Evergreen Kosher Market Center)
Anita Levine, VP, Branch Manager • 845-425-0189

Open Sunday from 9AM - 1PM

www.applebank.com Established 1863 · Member FDIC


Annual Percentage Yields (APYs) disclosed are effective as of 6/4/2019 and may be changed by the Bank at any time. *CDs require a $1,000 minimum balance to open and earn inter-
est. Early withdrawal penalty may apply. CDs must be opened in person at an Apple Bank branch. Offer may be withdrawn at any time without prior notice.

30apple
Jewish
bk - JEWISHStandard JUNE
STANDARD - TWO CDS 7, 2019
6-4-2019.indd 1 5/24/2019 1:49:54 PM
Jewish World

Former British premier: Corbyn is anti-Semitic


Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair called “The row over anti-Semitism is shameful,” Blair said. something you would accept, understand and even sup-
Labour Party head Jeremy Corbyn anti-Semitic, and “Anti-Semitism is something you must confront as soon as port. The other point of view has to be put, the argument
said that “some of the remarks are not explicable you see it, because it is a poison throughout society.” has to be made forcefully, especially by people outside of
in any other way,” adding even though “he doesn’t He also spoke about the need to reframe global miscon- Israel and the Jewish community.
think he is at all.” ceptions about Zionism and Israel. “There is an urgent “Israel’s security is about our security in the West, and
If Parliament and its members do not defeat need for people to go out and explain to a new generation it is important that we support Israel, which is a nation,
anti-Semitism and root it out, “it will imperil the of younger people what Zionism is,” he said. “Many peo- but it is also an idea,” he added. “What Israel and the Jew-
Labour Party — and it should,” Blair, who is a ple don’t know what it means, but for them it is a word ish community around the world stand for are creativity,
Labour Party member, said at the Bar-Ilan Univer- that would denote something that is criticized rather than innovation, and giving back.” JNS.ORG
sity 2019 Board of Trustees gala.

Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair


CHATHAM HOUSE/FLICKR/CREATIVE COMMONS

American Jewish Committee


elects Harriet Schleifer as its
first female president
JOSEFIN DOLSTEN

The American Jewish Committee has elected its


first female president.
Harriet Schleifer, a longtime lay leader, was elected
president of the New York-based advocacy group this
week during its annual Global Forum conference in
Washington. She succeeds John Shapiro.
AJC was founded in 1906.
Schleifer, who lives in Chappaqua, New York, has
been involved with the AJC since 2004, most recently
as the chair of the board of governors. She is a lawyer.
“I am deeply honored, and thankful, to be entrusted
with leading over the next three years, in partnership
with AJC staff and lay leaders, the most dynamic, pio-
neering and effective organization in American Jew-
ish life,” Schleifer said in a statement.
David Harris, the organization’s CEO, praised the
new president in the statement. “Harriet Schleifer’s
passion for the Jewish people, for core American
democratic values, for Israel, for Yiddishkeit, com-
bined with her unbounded energy are distinctive
attributes that, under her leadership, will propel
AJC’s pioneering work in confronting the many
challenges facing Jews in the U.S., Israel and around
the world,” he said.
Schleifer and her husband, Leonard, have also
helped revitalize the Chapel Haven Schleifer Center,
a residential school in New Haven, Connecticut, for
people with developmental and social disabilities.
 JEWISH TELEGRAPHIC AGENCY

JEWISH STANDARD JUNE 7, 2019 31


Jewish World

Israelis say conversion too hard


JOSEFIN DOLSTEN more stringent and 13 percent don’t know. Among
secular Jews, 68 percent want conversions to be
A slight majority of Jewish Israelis want it to be easier for easier; that number is only two percent among the
people to convert to Judaism, according to a new survey. charedi Orthodox.
Respondents were asked about whether they want con- The survey, performed by the Guttman Center
versions to be performed as leniently as possible accord- for Public Opinion and Policy Research of the Israel
ing to Jewish law. Fifty-two percent of Jewish Israelis want Democracy Institute, comes amid a debate about con-
that to happen, while 35 percent want conversions to be versions in Israel.
The chief rabbinate, which controls Jewish mar-
riage, divorce, conversion, and burial in Israel, largely
is run by charedi leaders who have stringent rules for

Doctors Discover
potential converts. The rabbinate does not recognize

e l
any conversions performed abroad by non-Orthodox

s r a
rabbis, and has rejected some done by Orthodox rab-

I
bis. People whose conversions are not recognized can-
not marry in Israel or be buried in a Jewish cemetery
October 24 - 29, 2019 there.
Respondents were asked about who should have
the authority to perform conversions in the country.
A plurality of 31 percent want a new conversion
system to be set up, while 27 percent of respondents
are happy with the current system. Fifteen percent
of respondents want the authority to rest with pri-
Jewish Federation vate conversion courts in Israel (the chief rabbinate
is state-sanctioned), while 7.5 percent want private
invites you to an courts in Israel and abroad to be in charge; 568 men
and women were interviewed on line and by phone
exclusive delegation last month as part of the survey, which has a margin of
error of 3.7 percent.
for physicians to
JEWISH TELEGRAPHIC AGENCY

explore the medical


field in Israel Woody Allen to start
shooting a new movie
in July
JOSEFIN DOLSTEN

Woody Allen will start shooting his newest film in


Highlights July in Spain.
The film, a romantic comedy about an American
couple who attend the San Sebastian Film Festival,
• Meet top doctors, tour hospitals, and learn about the latest
is being produced by Allen and Spanish company
innovations and challenges within Israel’s healthcare system Mediapro, Deadline reported.
The 83-year-old Jewish director has seen support
• Experience local history, culture, cuisine, and people
for his work shrivel up at home after allegations he
• Learn about medical care in Israel during times of crisis assaulted his then-7-year-old daughter, Dylan Far-
row, in 1992, received renewed scrutiny during the
• Take a behind-the-scenes tour of northern borders with an #MeToo movement. Allen denies the allegations,
IDF briefing which Farrow has stood by. In December, model
Babi Christina Engelhardt said that Allen had a sex-
• Experience the warmth of Israeli hospitality, including a ual relationship with her when she was 16.
Publishers rejected a memoir Allen wrote,
home hosted Shabbat dinner
according to reports last month. In February, he
• See how Federation’s programs are impacting and filed a lawsuit against Amazon for killing a $68 mil-
lion movie deal, claiming it was based on what he
transforming lives in Israel
called “a 25-year-old, baseless allegation.”
A film already shot under the Amazon deal, “A
Rainy Day in New York,” starring Elle Fanning and
Timothee Chalamet, has been shelved in the U.S.
but will be shown in various European countries by
an Italian distributor.
Mediapro defended working with Allen in a state-
To register and for more information, please contact ment to The New York Times in February. “We have
Ethan Behling at ethanb@jfnnj.org or 201-820-3955 a 10-year relationship with Mr. Allen and, like all proj-
ects we produce, we judge the creator by its work,”
the company said. JEWISH TELEGRAPHIC AGENCY

32 JEWISH STANDARD JUNE 7, 2019


JS-33

Jewish World $180 is all it takes to provide 7 weeks of


nutritious meals to a homebound JFCS senior
REGISTER or DONATE today!

13 Democratic candidates
delivered videos to this Jewish
conference. The different
messages hint at what’s to come
Ron Kampeas Here’s what the candidates said and
how they differed:
WASHINGTON — Everyone started
by praising the American Jewish Com- The rise of
mittee, naturally enough. But in their the extreme right
video greetings to the group’s annual Every one of the 13 candidates noted
policy forum here, 13 Democratic can- the rise of the extreme right and at least Sunday, June 23
didates proceeded to demonstrate a
party grappling with what story they
alluded to the two deadly attacks since
October on synagogues, in Pittsburgh
Temple Emanu-El, Closter, NJ
should tell to one of its most important and in Poway, near San Diego. 3, 10, 25 and 50-mile Routes or 2-mile Hike
demographics: Jewish voters. Some spoke of the threat in gen-
Some candidates started by decry- eral, almost vague terms as if it were a back page Use Promo
2019_Annual mtg Code JSTAND
card 4/29/2019 for
9:33 AM 30%
Page 1 off Registration Fees
ing anti-Semitism. Others started by deadly version of whack-a-mole.
holding up the U.S.-Israel relationship. “We’ve got a lot of issues that we www.RidetoFightHunger.com
A couple didn’t mention Israel at all. need to work on in this country,
Some remarks lasted less than a min- combating anti-Semitism here in the
ute, and one went over six minutes. United States and abroad,” Ryan said.
Then there were the backgrounds, “We’re seeing it pop up periodically Y OU ARE CORDIALLY INVITED TO ATTEND THE
from the Capitol to inside a hotel room all over in communities around the
to what appeared to be the exterior of United States.”
a shipping container. Frontrunner Ber- Others spoke in personal terms. Ins- ANNUAL MEETINGS
nie Sanders, the Independent from Ver- lee recalled attending a memorial ser-
mont, posed in front of a poster touting vice after the Pittsburgh attack at a syn- OF THE
the band the Red Hot Chili Peppers. agogue in his home state, and Sanders
Taken together, the 13 videos show a describing his meeting with the Tree of
field of Democratic presidential candi- Life rabbi. Gabbard devoted a chunk of
dates united in a determination to com- her video to describing the discrimina-
bat right-wing extremism, but divided tion she has faced as a Hindu American
in their interpretations of the U.S.-Is- — in particular, in the form of biased
rael alliance. expressions from Republicans in her
The AJC invited most of the 24 home state.
declared candidates to contribute a Harris, whose husband is Jewish and
video, and 13 complied. Candidates who has adult Jewish stepchildren,
who are leading in the polls or who brought it home with an image that
have had longstanding relations with parents could identify with: “No one
the group had their videos streamed should have to worry about their chil-
during plenaries. People attending dren’s safety when they drop them off
the conference and others streaming at the JCC,” she said.
online were directed to AJC’s YouTube Biden and Sanders, leading in the
channel to watch all 13. polls, named Trump as a factor in the
The participants included six sen- rise of bias. Biden noted Trump’s equiv-
ators — Kamala Harris of California, ocation after the deadly neo-Nazi riot in
Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts, Charlottesville, Virginia, in 2017, echo-

TUESDAY, JUNE
Sanders of Vermont, Kirsten Gillibrand ing his attack on the president in the
of New York, Cory Booker of New Jer- video he released in April launching 18, 2019
sey, and Michael Bennet of Colorado. his campaign.
The governors were Jay Inslee of Wash- “We are in a battle for the soul of our 6:00 P.M. BBQ DINNER
ington and former governor John nation,” he said.
Hickenlooper of Colorado. Former Sanders, as he has done in the past,
6:45 P.M. ANNUAL MEETING
Vice President Joe Biden sent a video, identified Trump with rising authori-
as did representatives Tulsi Gabbard tarianism worldwide.
of Hawaii and Tim Ryan of Ohio, for- “We see political leaders who exploit TO BE HELD AT THE
mer Rep. John Delaney of Maryland, people’s fears by amplifying resent- JEWISH HOME AT ROCKLEIGH
and South Bend, Indiana’s Mayor ments stoking intolerance and fanning 10 LINK DRIVE, ROCKLEIGH, NJ
Pete Buttigieg. ethnic and racial hatreds among those
AJC asked President Donald Trump who are struggling,” Sanders said. “We
to contribute a video. He did not. His see this very clearly in our own coun-
PLEASE R.S.V.P. TO SHARI BUCHWALD
Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo, pre- try. It is coming from the highest level
recorded an interview with AJC CEO of our government.” 551-444-3183 OR
David Harris, but spoke mostly about Only Delaney alluded to allegations SBUCHWALD @ JEWISHHOMEFAMILY . ORG
foreign policy and did not campaign for of anti-Semitism on the Democratic
his boss. Party’s left wing, including in Congress,
Jewish Standard JUNE 7, 2019 33
JS-34*

Jewish World

where Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.), has apologized for


trafficking in anti-Semitic tropes.
“We can’t enable it, we can’t brush it aside, we have
to call it out, we have to call it out on the left and we
have to call it out on the right,” he said.
Israel or anti-Semitism first?
Sanders, Delaney, Inslee, Gabbard, Biden, Booker,
Gillibrand, and Ryan started with decrying the rise
of anti-Semitism. Hickenlooper, Warren, Bennet,
Harris, Buttigieg started by touting their pro-Is-
rael credentials.
Booker and Gabbard did not mention Israel at all,

Getty Images/JTA Montage


which made sense in Gabbard’s case: She has galled the
pro-Israel community by accusing Israeli Prime Minis-
ter Benjamin Netanyahu of spurring the United States
to war with Iran.
Why Booker would not mention a country he has
visited many times, and with which he is closely iden-
tified, was not clear.

How to assign blame From left, Democratic presidential contenders Elizabeth Warren, Tim Ryan, Joe Biden, Kamala Harris
in the Middle East and Bernie Sanders. All five, along with several others, delivered video messages at the American Jew-
Republicans have sought to depict Democrats as soft ish Committee’s 2019 Global Forum.
on the threats Israel faces, and of becoming estranged
from the Jewish state. Democrats have little love lost for way each candidate crossed it reflected intraparty ten- for Israel must remain “bipartisan.” The word has
Netanyahu, seeing him as having exacerbated tensions sions. Here were some of the approaches, advanced at become a code for a perception that the party is drift-
with President Barack Obama and of embracing Trump times by the same candidate: ing from Israel.
too closely. The “b” word: Harris, Bennet, Biden, and Butti- The “c” word: Criticizing Israel does not mean you
That has created a minefield for Democrats, and the gieg all offered some version of saying that support are not pro-Israel, a number of candidates asserted.

SUMMER FUN &


Ready for our Baby Shark YEAR-ROUND FITNESS
first swim lesson do do do do do do
Baby Shark
TAKE A TOUR & GET A ONE-WEEK PASS
at the J! FOR YOUR ENTIRE FAMILY
do do do do do do INDOOR & OUTDOOR AQUATICS CENTERS WITH
BABY POOLS & SPLASH PARK
RED CROSS SWIM LESSONS FOR ALL AGES
NEWEST TOP-OF-THE-LINE CARDIO EQUIPPED
FITNESS CENTERS
NEARLY 100 COMPLIMENTARY GROUP EXERCISE
SPECIALTY CLASSES
FULL BASKETBALL, RACQUETBALL &
OUTDOOR TENNIS COURTS
DEDICATED YOUTH/TEEN FITNESS CENTER
COMPLIMENTARY BABYSITTING
LUXURIOUS FULL-SERVICE SPA CENTER
RENOWNED NURSERY, MUSIC, DRAMA & DANCE SCHOOLS,
& SUMMER CAMPS
ACCESS TO EXTENSIVE YOUTH PROGRAMMING

Stop by the membership desk, call


201.408.1448, or email join@jccotp.org

JOIN BY 6/30 & GET


1 MONTH FREE!
AT THE KAPLEN JCC on the Palisades
*

*Valid on new, annual memberships; may not be


combined; offer good through 6/30/19. No building
Not just a gym, A Family Wellness Center fund or bond required. Individual, family, youth &
senior membership options available. Must take a
TAUB CAMPUS | EAST CLINTON AVENUE, TENAFLY, NJ 07670 | jccotp.org tour to receive guest pass. The JCC is proud to be an
inclusive environment, open to all.

34 Jewish Standard JUNE 7, 2019


JS-35

Jewish World

That can be interpreted as “friends Harris, by contrast, said, “a resolu-


sometimes disagree,” or placing part tion to this conflict cannot be imposed
of the blame for any rift with the by outside parties.” That comes across
Democrats on Netanyahu. Cue Sand- as a rejection of the approach of previ-
ers, Warren, Hickenlooper, Biden, ous Democratic presidents (and some
and Buttigieg. Republicans) who pushed hard for a
“The relationship has never been resolution. It’s also a salvo in advance
about individual leaders,” Biden said. of Kushner’s plan, which reportedly is
“It’s been about the kinship, the val- detailed, and which Kushner has sug-
ues. We also have to tell each other the gested will be implemented with or
truth, and that includes offering criti- without Palestinian cooperation.
cism on policies that are counterpro-
ductive to peace.” Tale of the tape
Warren, notably, was the only candi- Longest video: Sanders, at 6:45.
date to start her video referring to the Shortest: Booker’s, at 1:07.
U.S.-Israel alliance and also to argue
that it was okay to have differences. Jewish signaling
That is in line with her reputation for What a difference an election cycle
delivering hard truths. makes: Sanders, who would bristle
“In a world of complicated threats ahead of the last election when asked
and challenges, America is stronger about his Jewish heritage, launched
when we work with our allies,” said right into it on his video.
Warren, a progressive who sharply crit- “As many of you know I am Jewish,
icized Netanyahu for intimating that he and very proud of my heritage,” said
might annex parts of the West Bank. “A Sanders, who raised Jewish eyebrows
candid expression of concerns does not in the last election when he referred to
diminish our friendship.” his father as Polish, without adding Jew-
Sanders, who set new standards ish. “My father emigrated from Poland
for explicitly criticizing Israel in his to the United States at the age of 17 to
2016 bid for the Democratic nomina- escape the poverty and widespread
tion, was the most explicit in taking
on Netanyahu.
anti-Semitism in his country. Anti-Sem-
itism is not some abstract idea for me.
“Picasso and Rembrandt
“As someone who believes absolutely
and unequivocally in Israel’s right to
exist in peace and security, who as a
It is very personal — it destroyed a good
part of my family.”
Biden mentioned his friendship with
would be jealous.”
young man lived in Israel for a number Golda Meir, as he inevitably does in — Bernice, JHAL Resident and Artist
of months, [and] as someone who is Jewish settings. And Booker, who has
deeply concerned by the rise of global studied Jewish texts and led a Jewish
anti-Semitism, we must say loudly and society at Oxford, mentioned Hillel’s OMA (Opening Minds through Art) is a
clearly that to oppose the reactionary encomium beginning “If I am not for
specially designed art program, developed
policies of Prime Minister Netanyahu myself, who will be for me,” and threw
does not make anyone anti-Israel,” in a “yashar koach,” Hebrew for “more to enrich the lives of individuals with
Sanders said. power to you.”
dementia, encouraging them to make
Hickenlooper was the only candidate
to mention confronting Iran, the coun- Set design choices and express themselves
try Israel sees as its direst enemy. He Some candidates took care with their creatively. It’s just one of the ways
and Delaney also were the only ones presentations, above all Gabbard,
explicitly to reject in their videos the who appeared to be in her office, and that life on our Memory Lane unit
boycott, divestment, and sanctions used professional lighting. Harris and is unique, engaging and inspiring.
movement targeting Israel. Bennet went for the old reliable Capi-
tol background. Come see what it’s all about,
Two states Sanders conveyed his earnest mes- call us today for a tour and
Of the 11 candidates who mentioned sage with a poster for the Red Hot Chili
Israel, only Hickenlooper did not Peppers in the background. Lest you more information.
include a commitment to bringing worry that the Vermont senator hums
about two states. The Trump adminis- “Californication” to himself, there
201.666.2370
tration and Netanyahu have retreated seems to be a more prosaic explana-
from advocating a two-state outcome, tion: the band fundraised for him in
and it seems likely that the detailed the 2016 cycle.
peace plan drafted by Trump’s son-in- Hickenlooper, with the top of his
law, Jared Kushner, will not include Pal- head cut off and speaking in an empty
estinian statehood. warehouse, conveyed the impression
Biden talked up the Obama admin- of an audition for a dispensable char-
A Member of The Jewish Home Family
istration’s record on Israel, which was acter in “The Sopranos.” www.jewishhomefamily.org
notable because he was part of a team Ryan, posing in front of a corrugated
that pressed the Netanyahu govern- metal wall (the outside of a container?)
685 Westwood Avenue
ment to come to an accommodation seemed ready to break into a 1980s-era River Vale, NJ 07675
with the Palestinians. music video. Jewish telegraphic agency Lauren Levant, Executive Director Scripps

Jewish Home Assisted Living

JHAL MemoryLaneAd FINAL.indd 1 Jewish Standard JUNE5/12/16


7, 2019 35
10:29 AM
JS-36*

Jewish World

Social network is secret to success of this


surprisingly popular college Torah study course
aliX wall International’s Office of Innovation and “It gave us an opportunity to explore educator at the Hillel Jewish Univer-
aimed at Jewish college students who oth- taboo subjects that you can’t always sity Center of Pittsburgh, said she
When Sophie Tannenbaum, a senior at erwise might not encounter Jewish texts. talk about in every Jewish space.” never could have anticipated just how
the University of Pittsburgh, found herself Meeting for two hours each week, the The fellowship, now in its 11th year, important the fellowship would be
wondering if she’d ever meet her soulmate students explored such issues as whether stands out for its relatively unique after the deadly shooting in October
— and if there even is such a thing — she love is an emotion or an action, how to approach for engaging moderately at the city’s Tree of Life synagogue,
knew she could discuss it with her friends. cope with being queer and Jewish, and affiliated and unaffiliated Jewish college which killed 11 congregants.
But she also turned to another source — whether “the one” exists. Their sources students — with serious Torah study “Having the fellowship as a Jew-
the Babylonian Talmud. ranged from the Torah to the poetry of requiring considerable time commit- ish identity-focused group when the
Tannenbaum was a member of an Yehuda Amichai. ment. The idea is to introduce young shooting happened was a real source
unusual 10-week class on sex, love, and “We had a very diverse group of stu- Jews to Jewish communal life and Torah of strength and comfort to the stu-
romance in Jewish sources. The class dents in the room,” Tannenbaum said, study in a group setting. It’s been sur- dents during that time,” Kranjec said.
wasn’t for credit, but part of a Jewish from the very religious to those who prisingly popular, organizers say. “We ended up opening our group to
Learning Fellowship developed by Hillel hadn’t ever really gone to Hillel programs. “We literally have a waiting list of anyone who wanted to come that
students who would like to be study- week to process, and many who came
ing Torah at Hillel,” Erica Frankel, the that night ended up joining the next
director of the Meyerhoff Center for cohort. It really ended up being part
Jewish Experience at Hillel Interna- of the heartbeat of Hillel this year.”
tional, said. “If you had asked us 10 The course has many curricula. The
years ago if that would be the case, we introductory one used at most cam-
might have laughed at you.” puses is called “Life’s Big Questions,”
The program has nearly tripled in but there are three other introductory
the past year alone, from 51 to 141 cam- courses: on romance, on justice, and
puses, and more than 3,300 students on Judaism as art. Hillel’s Office of
participated this year. Several hundred Innovation writes the curricula, and
more are on a waitlist to participate. Hillel educators on each campus adapt
The secret to the program’s success it as appropriate.
is the group approach, which acts as The introductory curriculum
a social network for the students, said exposes the students to classic Jew-
Get the lift Dan Smokler, Hillel’s chief innovation
officer. The students also receive small
ish texts like the Mishna Pirkei Avot
(the Ethics of the Fathers), the Torah,

you need. stipends to participate, which Hillel


implemented to allow students to par-
and the Passover Haggadah, as well as
contemporary writings like “A Letter
ticipate who might otherwise have had in the Scroll” by the former chief rabbi
to work. of Great Britain, Jonathan Sacks. The
“We found that what they were classes range from 15 to 25 students.
most getting out of it was a group of a Leah Kahn, a senior Jewish educator
friends, a mentor and a sense of com- at the Hillel at the University of Califor-
munity,” Smokler said. nia, Berkeley, said that students often
Smokler was a graduate student finish the 10-week course and then ask
when he and Rabbi Yehuda Sarna, for more.
the executive director of New York To satisfy that demand, she devel-
University’s Bronfman Center for Jew- oped her own advanced course cur-
ish Student Life, built on the content riculum on “Life’s Bigger Questions”
of the basic program that Sarna had and was hired by Hillel International
Shabbos mode option available on all our lifts. launched in 2007. It remained an NYU to standardize it for use by other cam-
project for seven years, until Smokler puses. The classes include “#Blessed:
Custom StairLift Home Elevator Patient Lift Wheelchair Lift decided to try to scale it. The Inner Life vs. the Public Persona”
Frankel, whose job has been to and “I’m Not Religious, I’m Spiritual:
grow the program, said that at first she Toward a Vibrant Jewish Lifestyle.” A
thought she would spend a lot of time few more curricula are in development,
convincing Hillel directors to try it. including one on Mussar, or Jewish spir-
But after the first five campuses came itual practices, created in partnership

ShabbosLift Solutions™ on board, Hillel was bombarded with


emails by other eager campuses.
with the Institute for Jewish Spirituality.
“Students come away with a clearer
Call for FREE consultation (646) 543-8811 Danielle Kranjec, the senior Jewish sense of how Jewish tradition can
Ask about our bonus additional-year warranty and our pre-owned StairLifts

WE OFFER REPAIRS 1245 Teaneck Rd.


AND ALTERATIONS
We want your business and we go the extra
Teaneck
TALLESIM CLEANED • SPECIAL SHABBOS RUSH SERVICE mile to make you a regular customer 837-8700
36 Jewish standard JUne 7, 2019
JS-37*

Jewish World

impact their contemporary lives,” Kahn great conversation of ideas,” Frankel


said. “They realize as emerging adults said. “They are looking for a place to
that the tradition has something to say ground and root themselves during
to them. We use the Torah to answer a period of their lives marked with
universal human questions, and they uncertainty. Torah is one way to
feel more connected to their tradition.” engage with those questions.”
Hillel educator Daniel Levine, who Emma Dorn, a junior at Cal Irvine
works with students at the University of who grew up in a “very secular”
California, Irvine, Chapman University, home, said the program “came at
and Cal State Fullerton, ran the pro- the perfect time, when I’m thinking
gram this year for students from those about what I want to do with my life
three schools. The community that and getting more in touch with my

Jackson Krule
formed among the cohort was remark- Jewish side of myself.”
able, he said. Now Dorn is considering becom-
“We don’t have a building,” Levine ing a Hillel professional after gradua-
said. “We’d meet at the student center tion. She credits the Jewish Learning
at Chapman from 7 to 9 p.m., and for Students at New York University participate in a Hillel-run course designed to Fellowship.
those two hours and afterwards it really introduce young Jews to Jewish communal life and Torah study in a group setting. “I’ve learned so much about what
felt transformed into a Hillel or JCC. Jewish culture is, as well as the many
There were nights where, after class, other students things, from a historical and cultural perspective — like different ways Jewish culture is in my life without my
from past sessions would come and join us to hang out. getting more insight into the Passover story,” Janai said. realizing it,” she said. “I love learning about the dif-
Without a building, this was something that really has “Our teacher was great at playing devil’s advocate and ferent perspectives in Judaism, as well as the fact that
helped us out in building a community.” getting us to look at the different sides of an issue.” we’re supposed to ask questions.”
First-year Chapman student Itai Janai was among the Frankel said the curriculum is a great way to intro- The Jewish Learning Fellowship, operated by Hillel’s
participants. duce Jewish students with little formal Jewish education Office of Innovation, is the largest Jewish educational
“Even though I identify as an agnostic Jew, I liked to their own tradition. program on North American college campuses.
learning what the Talmud had to say about certain “Students come to college and want to engage in the Jewish Telegraphic Agency

Brightview.
Bright Life!
This summer…
Be in Israel.
Be in Jerusalem.
Be in

Starting from
$180 per night
Independent Living: It’s the carefree
retirement you’ve dreamed of! At Brightview,
Let Your all you have to do is what you want to do.

Bright Life Assisted Living: Highly trained


associates provide the care you need.

Shine Wellspring Village®:


at Bergen County’s Premier Compassionate professionals
deliver our highly specialized
Senior Living Community dementia care program
in a state-of-the-art
neighborhood.

Call Mary or Marianne to


schedule your personal visit.
201.479.9437
396 Forest Avenue • Paramus, NJ 07652 www.jerusalemramadahotel.com | reservations@herzlhotel.com | +972 2 659 9950
www.BrightviewParamus.com Prices do not include VAT and are subject to change without notice
Ask us about the WE LOVE KIDS deal | Glatt Kosher Cuisine

Jewish Standard JUNE 7, 2019 37


Jewish World

BRIEFS

American Jewish Committee gives


Japanese prime minister its highest honor
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe will “I would like to express my deep appre- Abe expressed his “respect for AJC’s efforts to forge a
receive the highest award from the influ- ciation on the bestowal of the ‘Light Unto close relationship with Japan for more than a quarter
ential American Jewish Committee, the the Nations Award’ from AJC to Japan’s century.”
organization announced. Prime Minister Abe,” said Kiyoto Tsuji, The Japan-Israel relationship has expanded greatly
“The Light Unto the Nations” Award will Parliamentary Vice Minister for For- in recent years, with trade growing by more than 25
be given to the Japanese leader later this eign Affairs, at the AJC Global Forum percent in the past two years. The Japanese Ministry
year, according to AJC. this week. “I take the award as a sign of of Foreign Affairs publicly credited AJC for the “patient
AJC Asia Pacific Institute chair Jeffrey acknowledgement of the leadership that diplomacy” that led to Japan’s reversal of its position
Stone said the “steadfast defense of dem- he has shown for many years in promot- and to cease complying with the Arab boycott against
ocratic values and unwavering commit- ing the partnership between Japan and Israel during the 1990s.
ment to friendship with the United States the Jewish community, including Israel.” Previous recipients of AJC’s “Light Unto the Nations
and Israel are hallmarks of your leader- Japanese Prime Abe spoke two years ago about his Award” include Romanian President Klaus Iohannis,
ship and models for other nations to emu- Minister Shinzo Abe country’s robust relations with the United German Chancellor Angela Merkel, French President
late. Japan is a democratic powerhouse in States and the American Jewish commu- Nicolas Sarközy, U.S. President Bill Clinton, Chilean
Asia, an essential ally and partner of the United States, a nity in a strong message of support delivered to the President Ricardo Lagos, and Cypriot President Nicos
close friend of Israel and an anchor of stability in a vital 2017 AJC Global Forum. Anastasiades.
part of the world.” “Japan attaches great importance to ties with the Jew- The AJC Global Forum, which met in Washington,
AJC, the leading global Jewish advocacy organiza- ish people,” Abe said, in a message read by Japanese D.C., from June 2 to June 4, is the advocacy organiza-
tion, has uniquely engaged Japan over the past 30 years Foreign Minister Kentaro Sonoura. “Our exchanges tion’s signature annual event, bringing together nearly
through its pioneering Asia Pacific Institute. Meetings with the Jewish community in the United States form 2,500 civic, political, and Jewish leaders from across
with Abe have occurred regularly during the annual API an important tie supporting the Japan-U.S. alliance.” the United States and 50 countries around the world.
delegation visits to Japan since he took office in 2012. In a video address to the AJC Global Forum in 2015, JNS.ORG

B”H

The Golden
Vessel Project

ARE YOU READY? Join The Golden Vessel Project!


We offer the best choice ever!
With ONLY 18 days left till trunk pick-up begins
Summer Packers is here to help... Strive to be a Mench and get paid
OR
We will label, organize, and pack your kids’ duffels and Strive to be a Mench by doing a great Mitzvah
trunks with care and precision in your home on time for of helping another Jew!
pick-up!
The most spiritual business opportunity ever!
Simply gather all belongings in one area with your
trunks, containers, and preferred method of labelling and we
How to seize the business opportunity of your lifetime?
will do the rest… worry free!!! Be humble, Be generous... Be blessed!
DON'T Delay... Book your appointment today! Additional income available on a part or full time basis.
For additional
addi information contact Summer Packers
at summerpackers@gmail.com
summerpackers@gmail.com" Monday, June 17
Double Tree Hilton, Fort Lee
7:45 PM registration, 8:00 PM start of the event.
Come, listen, question, be surprised!
We do it so you don't have to! Space is limited. RSVP required by visiting
https://tgvp.eventbrite.com
First 10 attendees will be eligible for special seating and monetary incentives!

+1 (551) 255-5551 • Golden.Vessel.Project@gmail.com


38 JEWISH STANDARD JUNE 7, 2019
Our truck-mounted cleaning systems deep clean your carpets
Jewish World and upholstery to remove embedded dirt and stains. Your
carpet will look bright and new. Most importantly, we remove
hidden pollutants, allergens and bacteria from your carpet,
improving the air you and your family breathe.
In first, Israeli
diplomat elected to FREE
leadership position TRIAL OFFER!!!
on UN economic 250 square feet of carpet
committee cleaning, if scheduled by
In a historic first, an Israeli diplomat, Anat Fisher June 30, 2019!
Tsin, was elected as deputy chair of the U.N. Eco-
nomic and Financial Council.
Her selection comes at the same time as the United
Nations elected the next president of the General
Assembly. That’s the Nigerian ambassador to the
G&D
United Nations, Tijjani Muhammad-Bande. It also
CARPET CARE
elected the heads and deputies of the organization’s
various committees. Call now for your FREE On-Site Evaluation 201-569 -5920
Fisher Tsin’s election was the latest of Israel’s
recent successes at the world body. In 2016, Israeli
Ambassador Danny Danon was elected to serve as
chairman of the U.N. Legal Committee, the first time
in the history of the organization that Israel led a per-
manent committee.
Danon congratulated Fisher Tsin on her election,
PLEASE JOIN US FOR THE
CONGREGATION AHAVATH TORAH
saying, “This is further proof that we are changing
the U.N.’s hostile atmosphere. The election of Anat
adds to the many victories we have reached in recent
years that promote the status of the State of Israel in 5779/2019
the international community.”

ANNUAL DINNER
JNS.ORG

honoring our
Volkswagen to fund an
ADL office in Germany CSS TEAM MEMBERS
Volkswagen will be a financial driver behind an Past, Present and Future
Anti-Defamation League office in Germany, amid the
rise of anti-Semitism in Europe.
“The initiative will focus on assessing the root
causes of anti-Semitism, extremism and bigotry in
society and develop programs to counter it through
advocacy and education,” the ADL announced.
This office will be the first ADL operation in Europe Thursday, June 13, 2019
in more than 10 years, a Volkswagen spokesperson
told the Jewish Telegraphic Agency. “We have more
obligation than others,” said Volkswagen Group CEO
Congregation Ahavath Torah
Herbert Diess. “The whole company was built up by
the Nazi regime.”
The Parker Family Ballroom
“The generous support of dedicated companies
like Volkswagen, who share our values and stand
240 Broad Avenue, Englewood, NJ 07631
behind our mission, provides added strength to our
common cause,” the ADL’s CEO and national direc-
tor, Jonathan Greenblatt, said. JNS.ORG
Martinis & Dinner at 007 PM
Brief presentation to begin at 9:00 PM
More than 411,000 likes.
Special tribute in memory of Rabbi Isaac L. Swift zt”l on his Yahrzeit
Like us on Facebook.
RSVP: www.ahavathtorah.org/dinner2019

facebook.com/jewishstandard

JEWISH STANDARD JUNE 7, 2019 39


Jewish World

BRIEFS

Argentina’s embassies in 20 cities to mark 25 years since AMIA Jewish center bombing
BUENOS AIRES — Argentina’s embassies in 20 cities On Monday in Santiago the president of the local “It is fundamental to share with the world the expe-
around the world will mark the 25th anniversary of Jewish community, Gerardo Gorodischer, remembered rience of international terrorism that hit Argentina.
the terrorist bombing of the AMIA Jewish Center in the Chileans who were killed in the attack: Carlos Aven- We must maintain the need to face this scourge with
Buenos Aires in a joint initiative with the World Jew- daño Bobadilla and Susana Kreiman. The Argentinean the rigor of law and justice. We hope these actions will
ish Congress. ambassador to Chile, Jose Octavio Bordon, called for alert the international community to the scourge of ter-
The July 18, 1994 blast killed 85 people and injured international cooperation from “the democratic coun- rorism,” said Adrián Werthein, president of the Latin
more than 300. tries of the world to put on trial in Argentina the Iranian American Jewish Congress.
The international commemorations began on citizens that are under an international arrest warrant” The global commemoration is a joint initiative
Monday in Santiago, Chile, and are scheduled to con- for their alleged responsibility in the attack. between the Latin American Jewish Congress — the
tinue this week in Berlin. Some of the other cities No one has been convicted of the bombing yet, though regional branch of the World Jewish Congress — and
that will hold events through July 18 are New York, Argentina — and Israel — have long pointed the finger at Argentina’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. At every event,
London, Madrid, Moscow, Brasilia, Canberra, Tel Tehran, implicating several former Iranian officials, and the local Jewish community will participate at Argenti-
Aviv, Rome, and the United Nations Human Rights Hezbollah in the AMIA attack and also in the March 17, 1992 na’s diplomatic mission in the city.
Committee in Geneva. terrorist attack on the Israeli embassy in Buenos Aires.  JEWISH TELEGRAPHIC AGENCY

Moscow gets 1st major


Holocaust monument
CNAAN LIPHSHIZ

Russian President Vladimir Putin attended the unveil-


ing of a memorial seen by some as Moscow’s first
Holocaust monument.
SUMMER SEMESTER 2019 Register at lamdeinu.org The monument, showing hands pulling open
a door’s shutters, was unveiled at Moscow’s Jew-
MAY/JUNE SEMESTER ish museum. It commemorates Jewish resis-
MONDAY Parshanut HaMikra: Sefer Bereishit tance fighters.
Dean Rachel Friedman, Open to women only, Tuition: $45 June 3, 17
10:15 AM -12:30 PM “Although about half of the victims of the Holo-
caust were citizens of our country, Moscow had no
MONDAY Pre-Shavuot Shiur: Aspects of the Revelation separate monument” for the genocide, German
Rabbi Hayyim Angel, Open to men and women, Tuition: $25 June 3
1:00 - 2:15 PM Zakharyayev, the president of the STMEGI associa-
tion of Mountain Jews, told the Moskvich magazine
TUESDAY Talmud: Masekhet Berakhot, Perek 4 NEW TOPIC
Rabbi Gedalyah Berger, Open to women only, Tuition: $70 June 11, 18, 25 in an interview last week.
9:15 - 11:00 AM
Moscow did have busts for saviors of Jews during
The Later Days of Yehoshua the Holocaust and a plaque for the Jewish Anti-Fascist
WEDNESDAY May 25, June 5
10:15 - 11:45 AM Dean Rachel Friedman, Open to men and women, Tuition: $45 Committee, he acknowledged. But it had no prom-
inent monument to match those of Berlin, Warsaw
THURSDAY Halakhot of the Ketubah or Budapest.
Rabbi Gedalyah Berger, Open to men and women, Tuition: $90 June 6, 13, 20, 27
11:00 AM - 12:15 PM Soviet authorities rarely acknowledged the speci-
ficity of the Holocaust in literature and monuments
THURSDAY Parashah & Haftarah Pointers June 6, 13, 20, 27 that mentioned only “Soviet citizens” killed in Word
12:30 - 1:30 PM Rabbi Daniel Fridman, Open to men and women, Tuition $90
War II.
Putin called the Holocaust one of the “greatest trag-
JULY/AUGUST SEMESTER edies” and “most extraordinary chapters in history,”
Reimagining Vayikra: during the unveiling Tuesday at the Jewish Museum
MONDAY Taking Our Cues from Vayikrah Rabbah
10:15 - 11:30 AM
July 15, 22, 29 and Tolerance Center.
Dr. Tammy Jacobowitz, Open to men and women, Tuition: $70
Putin and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Net-
Jerusalem and Eden: Tanakh's Relationship with Sacred Space anyahu attended jointly the laying of the monument’s
MONDAY August 5
Ms. Miriam Krupka-Berger, Open to men and women, Tuition $25 foundation stone last year.
10:15 - 11:30 AM
Viktor Vekselberg, chairman of the museum’s
WEDNESDAY Three Obscure Prophets: Hoshea, Ovadiah, and Mikhah board of trusties, funded the monument’s construc-
Rabbi Hayyim Angel, Open to men and women, Tuition: $70 July 17, 24, 31
10:15 - 11:30 AM tion, which cost about $276,000.
His father’s entire family was imprisoned in a
WEDNESDAY Villains of Sefer Bereishit July 17, 24, 31,
Prof. Nechama Price, Open to men and women, Tuition $90 August 7
ghetto near his hometown Drohobych in what is now
11:45 AM - 1:00 PM
Ukraine, he said. “Only my father managed to survive
THURSDAY Keynotes on Kinnot PREPARE FOR
TISHA B'AV July 25,
because he had fled earlier to join the militia,” added
Rabbi Tzvi Sinensky, Open to men and women, Tuition: $70 August 1, 8 Vekselberg, who called the monument’s completion
11:00 AM - 12:15 PM
a “symbolic watershed” moment and milestone.
THURSDAY Parashah & Haftarah Pointers July 11, 18, 25,  JEWISH TELEGRAPHIC AGENCY
Rabbi Daniel Fridman, Open to men and women, Tuition $90 August 1
12:30 PM - 1:30 PM

Lamdeinu at Cong. Beth Aaron 950 Queen Anne Road Teaneck, NJ | Email: Lamdeinu613@gmail.com
Dean Rachel Friedman | Program Director, Esti Mellul www.thejewishstandard.com

40 JEWISH STANDARD JUNE 7, 2019


JEWISH STANDARD JUNE 7, 2019 41
JS-42*

Editorial
Shavuot and
TRUTH REGARDLESS OF CONSEQUENCES

D-Day Cory Booker whitewashes


his betrayal of Israel
T
his year, Shavuot and D-Day come within days of

L
each other, so we, as Jews, as Americans, as free
people bound by law and decency, can live as free ast Thursday, the Washington Post ran It’s a ridiculous assertion, if only because Cecil
people bound by law and decency. We know that a front-page story by Pulitzer prize-win- Rhodes was a noted imperialist and racist, and the
we can live this way because of the nearly unimaginable sac- ning journalist Kevin Sullivan titled: “Cory Rhodes program, though admirable in many other
rifices made by those who came before us. Booker and the Orthodox rabbi were like respects, has yet to repudiate his dark and plunder-
D-Day — the day of heroism and planning and carnage and brothers. Now they don’t speak.” ing legacy properly. But what makes the comment
terror and death and survival and blood and saltwater — was The story duly notes how Cory and I met — my wife especially hurtful is that I know that it was not only
on June 6, 1944. It remains the biggest land, sea, and air mil- found him idling at our Simchat Torah dinner, where the Rhodes program but especially the endless hours
itary operation ever undertaken, and without it, it is likely he’d been stood up by a date — and how we studied, steeped in Torah learning. I know that because he
that the world would be a very different and much worse talked, and bonded over Jewish texts for thousands of spent those hours with me.
place than it is today. hours during our years together at Oxford. The deep- And everyone else at Oxford knew it, too.
There don’t seem to be firm statistics about how many dive and thoughtfully written piece also explains the The article notes that Cory’s “spiritual life really
people died on those five French beaches, but the esti- impact of these years on Cory’s life and politics, as well took off at Oxford,” and emphasizes his connection
mates are that about 10,000 Allied soldiers were killed, as the evolution and abrupt end to our to Judaism, as related to the Washing-
wounded, or went missing. That is a mind-boggling num- decades-long friendship in the wake of ton Post by his fellow Rhodes scholars.
ber of deaths in such a short time. There is no way of know- Cory’s vote for the Iran deal. “Studying the Torah was really sooth-
ing how many deaths those sacrifices averted, but Europe What I did not expect from the piece, ing for two years,” Cory told Sullivan.
then was a charnel house, a charnel continent, and D-Day however, was that it would itself mark “It showed me there really is just one
was the beginning of the end of the Nazis’ grip on it. The one of the single lowest points of our human family.”
liberation of most of the concentration camps didn’t come friendship. It’s sad to see him, now that he’s
until a year later — Majdanek was liberated in 1944 — so Lowest, because Cory, in interviews running for president, refer to the
millions of Jews were tortured and murdered after D-Day, provided for the story, went further Torah simply as a soothing pas-
but without it, that liberation would have come even later. than he’s ever gone before to obscure time while the Rhodes program is
There are fewer and fewer D-Day veterans still alive. the truth behind our relationship. Rabbi Shmuley given credit for shaping his political
Some of them were at the commemorations on Thurs- When Cory published his memoir Boteach philosophy.
day. We are eternally grateful to them, and to their friends “United,” I expected him — because And it’s not true.
whose lives ended three quarters of a century ago, for he publicly quotes passages from the Cory learned his inclusive politics
keeping us free. Torah that I taught him — to have brought the wisdom from Judaism. I remember all that we studied, espe-
Shavuot, which starts on Saturday evening, is the ancient of Jewish texts to one of its widest platforms, yet I was cially when I taught him the Torah’s idea of going
story of what happened to the freed Israelites, on their trek shocked when, having completed the book, I found “beyond tolerance,” not just stomaching people’s
out of Egypt. It’s a story about unity and law. barely a trace of anything Jewish. Cory had buried right to be different but embracing it and creating a
It marks the day when everyone was summoned, made nearly all his Jewish friendships and influences. This, multiethnic society. We were discussing the story of
to stand together at the foot of Mount Sinai, watching and from a man whom I knew had found in Judaism a Moses the shepherd being chosen as the savior of the
listening with what must have been an extraordinary mix- foundation for so many of his most central beliefs. Hebrews because of his decision to save the smallest,
ture of excitement and fear and anticipation and dread and The Washington Post article, I still thought, would weakest sheep that had gotten lost. Judaism teaches
joy, as the hills shook and the thunder lit up the sky and the be different. After all, it was about his years in Oxford, that he didn’t save the sheep for its own sake but
lightning roared and the Law was given. where the Jewish connection was simply undeniable. rather for the that of the entire flock, which would
There was no straight path from that day to settled life Cory was famously my student president at Oxford. be incomplete without every constituent part.
in a self-governed country, subject to the rule of law and Would Cory finally give due credit to the Jewish texts Most would agree that the plundered fortune of
the dictates of decency. The road, in fact, ran through the that fed his convictions and fueled his rise? Cecil Rhodes, even if handed back to humanity in
wilderness, and it took 40 years to travel; even after that, No. Three paragraphs in, I’d read this: Cory, scholarships, are not nearly as inspiring.
it was hard. the article claimed, “credits the Rhodes program His attempts to bury the influence I had on his
The road to D-Day and from it also was hard, but it was with nurturing the politics of ‘common ground’ life, in light of my efforts to publicly pressure him
necessary, and it brought us where we are now, free to and ‘love’ that he now espouses as a Democratic on the disastrous Iran deal, is to be expected. But
study all night, gorge on cheesecake should we want to, presidential candidate.” his decision to barely cite Judaism as a founding
and remember the honor and courage of the people who
died so we could reach this day. Rabbi Shmuley Boteach of Englewood is the author of 30 books, including his most recent, “The Israel
We wish our readers a chag sameach. —JP Warrior.” Follow him on Twitter @RabbiShmuley.

Jewish Editor
Joanne Palmer
Correspondents
Warren Boroson
Advertising Coordinator
Jane Carr
Production Manager
Jerry Szubin
Founder
Morris J. Janoff (1911–1987)
Standard Associate Editor
Larry Yudelson
Lois Goldrich
Banji Ganchrow Account Executives
Peggy Elias
Graphic Artists
Deborah Herman
Editor Emeritus
Meyer Pesin (1901–1989)
1086 Teaneck Road Abigail K. Leichman Bob O'Brien
Community Editor Miriam Rinn Robin Frizzell City Editor
Teaneck, NJ 07666 Brenda Sutcliffe
Beth Janoff Chananie Dr. Miryam Z. Wahrman Mort Cornin (1915–1984)
(201) 837-8818
Fax 201-833-4959 About Our Children Editor Advertising Director Administrative Assistant Editorial Consultant
Heidi Mae Bratt Natalie D. Jay Jenna Sutcliffe Max Milians (1908-2005)
Publisher
James L. Janoff International Media Placement Secretary
P.O. Box 7195 Jerusalem 91077 Ceil Wolf (1914-2008)
Associate Publisher Emerita
Marcia Garfinkle Tel: 02-6252933, 02-6247919 Editor Emerita
Fax: 02-6249240 Rebecca Kaplan Boroson
thejewishstandard.com Israeli Representative

42 JEWISH STANDARD JUNE 7, 2019


JS-43*

Opinion

political influence runs not only them $150 billion, a huge chunk
counter to the truth, but also to of it in cash stacked onto mili-
the thousands of speeches he tary transport planes. He gave
gave before eager Jewish audi- them soaring economic oppor-
ences. I guess his relevant con- tunities, unprecedented inter-
stituencies have changed. national standing, and — had
I, for one, always credited Cory Trump not come along — my bet
with his victories. his vote would have given them
I sang his praises before a nuclear weapon, too.
packed synagogues and high- Amazingly, in his discussion
brow Jewish fundraisers. I put with the Washington Post’s
my own name on the line in inti- reporter, Cory dismissed the
mate recommendations to some entire Iran episode as nothing
of the most potent Jewish donors but a sideshow. “I have lots of
and political action committees friends I disagree with over the
— including AIPAC and NORPAC Iran deal,” he explained, “and
— in the country. I wrote about we’re still friends.”
his strengths in leading national He’s not wrong. It’s also not From left, Norpac mission chair Dr. Laurie Baumel of Teaneck, Rep. Eliot Engel
newspapers because, as a rabbi hard to determine who these (D-NY Dist. 16), Chana Shields of Teaneck, and Suzette Diamond of Cresskill stand
who is a columnist, I felt it was my “friends” might be, because, together in Washington.
duty to spread not only scandal apparently, to be friends with
but the tales of good deeds, too.
I simply couldn’t credit him
Cory Booker is to make amends
for Cory Booker. Norpac advocates
with his failures. Certainly not
when that particular failure would
Other Jewish leaders would
go further, allowing themselves travel to Washington

C
endanger a sworn American ally to be entirely recast as Book-
and the world’s only Jewish state.
Our relationship floundered for
one reason: Cory chose to support
er’s sycophantic apologists. In
particular, Rabbi Shmully Hecht
of Chabad of Yale, whom I had
“ itizen advocates are the best.”
These were the parting words
from Senator Barbara Mikulski
At the D.C. Warner Theatre, we heard con-
gressional leaders Senator Robert Menendez
(D-NJ), the ranking member of the Foreign
Barack Obama’s catastrophic deal introduced to Cory, later worked (D-Maryland) at our Mission to Relations Committee; Representative Lee
with genocidal Iran. In doing so, tirelessly to draw Jewish leaders Washington before she retired some years ago. Zeldin (R-NY Dist. 1), the most senior Jewish
he betrayed the people — both in into meetings with the senator I was impressed by this salt-of-the-earth sen- Republican in Congress; Representative Josh
the United States and in Israel — to preserve his standing in the ator, who stood about four-foot-six in heels and Gottheimer (D-NJ Dist. 5), co-author of the
whom he’d sworn to stand defend. Jewish community. could intimidate any NBA center of her time. Palestinian International Terrorism Support
As it happened, those people For Hecht, parenthetically, As a lifelong grassroots campaigner, she under- Prevention Act of 2019; Representative Mark
were mine. whitewashing Cory’s vote for the stood the value and genuine passion of citizen Meadows (R-SC), chairman of the Congres-
The threats the Iran deal posed Iran deal was only the beginning. advocacy. She also must have enjoyed our visit, sional Freedom Caucus; and Representative
to the Jewish people were simply He, among others, later would as she spent more time with us Eliot Engel (D-NY Dist. 16), the
undeniable. Ayatollah Khame- participate in the whitewash than we had expected, while the chairman of the House Foreign
nei regularly declares that the of Hamas-funding, anti-Semi- head of the FBI, sitting patiently Affairs committee, who took
“Islamic Republic will raze Tel tism-broadcasting Qatar, publish- in a nearby office, waited for his to the podium that morning to
Aviv and Haifa to the ground.” ing a sycophantic article in the turn to speak with her. deliver remarks on current leg-
“The Zionist regime is a regime Times of Israel about disgraced About 27 years after our orga- islation to sanction Hamas and
whose pillars are extremely shaky Washington swamp lobbyist Nick nization was founded by a small Hezbollah, to counter the BDS
and is doomed to collapse,” he Muzin, who took millions from group of concerned advocates movement, and to support con-
said in November of 2013, before Qatar to scrub clean its record in a Bergen County basement, tinued aid to Israel.
adding that Israelis “should not of funding terror against Israel. NORPAC held its 27th Mission Then we broke into 140 small
be called humans.” Another time, To date, Hecht has not revealed to Washington on May 21. It Dr. Ben groups of Norpac delegates,
he demanded that the “cancer- what financial relationship, if any, included approximately 1,100 Chouake each with just six to eight peo-
ous tumor called Israel must be exists between him and Muzin. people. Citizen advocates now ple, and we took shuttle buses
uprooted from the region.” There He is just one in a line of doz- join us each year from 12 regions to Capitol Hill to prepare for
are many more examples, and ens for whom maintaining polit- in New York and New Jersey, including Edison, their congressional meetings. We met with
that’s just the ayatollah. Iranian ical access meant overlooking Elizabeth, Englewood/Teaneck, Fair Lawn, more than 400 members of the U.S. House of
officials regularly peddle the Cory’s failings on Israel. All of the Five Towns, Highland Park, Long Branch, Representatives and Senate, from both par-
same plans, and Iranian state- them chose to do so because Monsey, New Rochelle, Riverdale, West Hemp- ties, that day.
owned websites have explained they wanted to be “still friends” stead, and West Orange. These teams discussed five talking points
why the destruction of Israel and with a senator whose presiden- We all came as volunteers to meet with any about the U.S.-Israel relationship with the leg-
the slaughter of its population tial prospects were bright, even member of Congress who was willing to lis- islators with whom they met.
would be justified. Jose Maria as they are cratering at the time ten to us make the case for Israel. We came The first point was a discussion of Israel’s
Aznar, the former prime minis- of this writing. prepared with talking points, legislation we importance to America. Examples include the
ter of Spain whom I honored at I chose a different path, one were advocating for, and mostly to empha- ways in which Israeli technology saves Amer-
our organization’s gala two years driven less by power and access size that this group of Americans cares about ican lives, the binational shared intelligence,
ago, recalled a meeting with the than by righteous indignation our issues and are willing to work to make and our shared security needs and shared val-
ayatollah where he was told in no and moral accountability. Besides sure our country’s leadership takes those ues. Given that there are more than 100 new
unclear terms of Iranian inten- when you can stop a genocidal issues seriously. SEE NORPAC PAGE 45
tions to annihilate Israel. regime bent on murdering mil-
Despite all of this and more, lions of Israelis, and you still
Cory Booker never once con- refuse to do so, I — and millions The opinions expressed here are those of the authors, not necessarily those of the newspaper’s editors, publishers, or
demned Iranian rhetoric against of others who love Israel — will other staffers. We welcome letters to the editor. Send them to jstandardletters@gmail.com.
Israel, even as he voted to give never “agree to disagree.”
JEWISH STANDARD JUNE 7, 2019 43
JS-44*

Opinion

The government that wasn’t papers claim that there is a direct link between Bibi’s
support of Bezeq and favorable news coverage of his on

N
Bezeq subsidiaries, particularly Walla! News.
u? Elections? representatives). Lieberman recognized that A fourth case involves charges of bribery leveled at Net-
That was the news from he held the power card and conditioned his anyahu administration officials connected with the deci-
Israel last week as Benjamin support on a binding coalition agreement sion to purchase naval ships from a German company.
Netanyahu failed to form a to pass a bill he had proposed years ago, The police recommended that Netanyahu be indicted as
government after apparently winning when he was the Defense Minister. The bill early as December 2018. Indeed, it was the threat of indict-
April’s national vote. would remove any exceptions to IDF service ment that compelled Netanyahu to call for early elections
The new election has been set for for army-aged ultra-Orthodox boys. The in April rather than waiting until the autumn, when Knes-
September 17. ultra-Orthodox parties refused to agree, set terms would have expired. Netanyahu’s goal was to win
What happened? and the necessary majority could not be the elections and assert a popular mandate to protect him-
The April 9 elections in Israel seemed Mark Gold obtained within the legal time limit. self. He hoped that in the course of coalition negotiations
to conclude with a close but definitive vic- In Israel, this is not normal. It is the first he could obtain an agreement to pass a new law shielding a
tory for Bibi Netanyahu and his right-wing time in Israel’s history that a governing sitting prime minister from prosecution. And to protect the
allies. It would have been a victory that coalition has not been negotiated after a Supreme Court from declaring this new law to be illegal,
would have made Netanyahu the longest national election. the proposal would include a section protecting his immu-
running prime minister of Israel, exceed- So much for the surface causes. There nity from Court review.
ing even David Ben-Gurion, the country’s was an important issue underneath them Clearly these provisions not only would pervert the
founding father. It would have been a vic- that was shaping the political dynamics. course of justice in the current cases but also would invite
tory that arguably was just one more man- Corruption. corruption in the future.
ufactured step toward Bibi’s hope to stay It has been public knowledge for some In response to the police recommendations for prose-
out of prison — as was the election itself. It time that charges of corruption and misuse cution, Likud sought Supreme Court intervention to delay
is important to note that the April 9 elec- Hiam Simon of office have swirled around Netanyahu the pending indictments. The court denied the requests
tions were not held because the prime personally, as well as against members of on February 28, 2019. That same day, Mandelblit officially
minister’s term had come to its end. No, his administration. Last February, police accepted the recommendations of the police and the State
they were called to give Netanyahu another lease on life, recommended that charges of bribery, fraud, and breach Prosecutor that Netanyahu be indicted. The indictment
in the very real shadow of being indicted on several crim- of trust be brought against Netanyahu. The police pro- would go into effect following a procedural hearing.
inal charges. (More about that later.) vided Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit with evidence Then Mandelblit aroused controversy by slow-walking
But the best laid plans… of crimes entailing four distinct actions on Bibi’s part. the procedure for unsealing the indictments, delaying the
On the surface, Bibi’s failure to form a government was The first case involves valuable gifts of fine wine, cigars, pre-indictment hearing for up to three months. This was
due to a policy dispute. Netanyahu’s Likud won the larg- and jewelry, valued at more than one million shekels, defended on the basis that Mandelblit did not want leaks
est number of votes, and no other party won more rep- given to Bibi and his family by Arnon Milchan, an Israeli to impact the April election. Because an indictment can’t
resentation — but it could not govern in the 120-seat Knes- Hollywood producer, and James Packer, an Australian busi- be unsealed before the hearing, Mandelblit’s decision
set by itself. Netanyahu needed partners. President Rivlin nessman. Netanyahu does not deny receiving the gifts but gave Netanyahu the necessary wiggle room to pursue his
gave Bibi the authority, within the limited time frame set claims these were presents given to him by well-meaning plan to evade prosecution.
by law, to create a coalition that could win the support of friends. The police believe that favors were exchanged. Everything seemed to work to Bibi’s benefit. His
a Knesset majority. This, in Israel, is normal. A second case charges that Netanyahu offered to ini- Likud list won a plurality of votes, and the right-wing
While the Likud is a secular Zionist party, many of its tiate legislation detrimental to a pro-Netanyahu daily, and ultra-Orthodox parties won a combination of seats
voters are comfortable with what has become a traditional Yisrael Hayom, if the more independent Yediot Achro- that in theory could constitute a majority in the Knes-
coalition between the Likud (which had earned 35 seats in not would agree to hire pro-Netanyahu reporters. Yisrael set. As negotiations dragged on, however, it became
this election) and a combination of Jewish ultra-Orthodox Hayom, owned by Sheldon Adelson, and Yediot Ach- apparent there was a problem. Lieberman would not
religious parties (which together had won 16 seats). Fur- ronot, edited by Arnon Moses, are Israel’s two largest back down. He would not join the coalition unless the
ther support could be obtained from that Netanyahu-engi- daily newspapers. A former Netanyahu aide, Ari Harrow, bill to draft Orthodox boys into the army became law.
neered grouping of extreme right-wing, primarily religious, has agreed to testify as a state witness. He is believed to Nobody, including Bibi, really knew what Lieberman —
settler parties, including the successor to Meir Kahane’s have been involved in discussions between Netanyahu once a close associate of Netanyahu’s but now a bitter
banned Kach party (the combination winning five repre- and Moses. Apparently, some of those discussions were rival — really was up to. Was he bluffing, building maxi-
sentatives). That put 56 seats in Bibi’s pocket. recorded on Harrow’s phone, which the police have mal leverage to enter Netanyahu’s next government from
Netanyahu likely would have won the support of Moshe seized. Netanyahu has said the discussions were meant a position of increased power? Or, either because of prin-
Kahlon’s right-of-center Kulanu party (four representa- to test Moses and that he meant nothing serious. cipled opposition to the draft law or animosity toward the
tives). Indeed, Kahlon, disappointed with his election A third case, and perhaps the most important, revolves prime minister (or both), was he truly willing to torpedo
showing, agreed to join the Likud going forward. That around Bezeq, the state-owned telephone company. the formation of a new right-wing government?
would have given Netanyahu 60 mandates under control. While no longer a monopoly and now only partially Not ready to concede, Bibi went looking for other
Close — but still no cigar. That still left the Likud-led coali- state-owned, Bezeq nonetheless is the dominant player partners he could buy. In a Chad-Gad-Ya chain of
tion one mandate short of a governing majority. in Israeli telephony. In 2012, Bezeq acquired Walla! Com- events, the prime minister of Israel turned the halls
The last few mandates that would tip the scale in favor munications, Israel’s leading internet portal. In 2015, it of the Knesset building into a Middle Eastern bargain
of Bibi were held by Avigdor Lieberman’s secular, right- acquired Yes, Israel’s main television provider. basement bazaar, trading ministries and government
wing, Russian immigrant-based party Yisrael Beiteinu (five In 2013, Natanyahu appointed Avi Berger as director leadership positions and policy promises just to win
of the communications ministry. Berger quickly initi- over the last missing mandate.
Dr. Mark Gold of Teaneck holds a Ph.D. in economics from ated a number of important reforms to increase internet He turned to the Labor party and offered it various
NYU. He is on the executive board of Partners for Progressive competition and lower consumer internet costs. Those ministries — including finance, which Likud also had
Israel, a member organization of the American Zionist reforms were contrary to Bezeq’s interests. In May 2015, promised to Moshe Kahlon. Bibi even promised that he
Movement and an affiliate of the World Union of Meretz. Berger fined Bezeq 11 million shekels (about $2.9 million) would abandon his efforts to pass a shield law. A Labor
for hindering implementation of the reforms. A week Knesset member, Shelly Yachimovich was offered the jus-
Hiam Simon of Englewood is the past chief operating officer later, Natanyahu fired Berger and took control of the tice ministry; a senior Labor MK, Amir Peretz, reportedly
of Ameinu, the leading progressive Zionist membership communications ministry. This case contends that Bibi was promised the presidency at the end of sitting presi-
organization in the United States. He lived in Israel for many halted Berger’s reforms and promoted other actions in dent Reuven Rivlin’s term.
years, where he was the dean of students at what is now the Bezeq’s interest, including the Bezeq — Yes merger. Simultaneously, Netanyahu’s negotiators were trying to
Alexander Muss High School, and he served in the IDF as a It is estimated that as a result of Bibi’s actions, Bezeq’s woo various members of Benny Gantz’s Blue and White (in
noncommissioned officer in the artillery. value grew by an estimated $500 million. The indictment SEE GOVERNMENT PAGE 52
44 JEWISH STANDARD JUNE 7, 2019
JS-45*

Opinion Letters

I pledge allegiance to three flags Unfair to talk


about forced marriages
I wish to comment on a misleading article that
The first flag, of the United States of America equally, regardless of race, appeared in 5-31-19 article entitled Unchained at Last.
And to the republic for which it stands religion, gender, or romantic First, the issues of child marriage and forced mar-
One nation orientation. riage have little if either Charedi or chasidic commu-
Under God In the short span of seven nities. The shidduchim are not forced at all but can be
Indivisible days, I will have paid honor accepted or rejected. It may speed up the courtship
With liberty and justice for all; in memorium to those who process quite a bit but it is not forced. Advocates such
The second flag, of the State of Israel sacrificed their lives so that as Fraidy Reis seem to have a vendetta against Ortho-
And to the hope for which it stands we could breathe freely as dox Judaism.
One People Americans, even as I lament Secondly, the article seem to present Ms. Reiss as
Sharing a prophetic vision of God’s sovereignty the treatment of families Rabbi Craig a heroine, Clearly, she is not. It is true that she came
United in diversity at our borders; I will have Scheff from a disfunctional childhood and later marriage but
With equal rights and religious freedom for all; marched up Fifth Avenue to does not entitle her to trash the community she came
The third flag, the Rainbow of Pride celebrate the State of Israel from. It is understandable why family members may
And to the sexuality and gender identities for which it stands and its remarkable achievements, even as I let it be known not want to talk to her since she attacks the commu-
One emanation of God refracted in a multitude of ways that I am a concerned stakeholder in the ongoing Zionist nity that is their world.
Indistinguishable as humans in the Divine image project; and I will have celebrated Pride Shabbat at our Thirdly, there is an assumption here that the newly
With love for and inclusion of all. synagogue as an introduction to a month of events in and secular mothers should always have custody. I do not
around our community, even as I know we have so much think so. Radical shifts in lifestyle may indicate ques-
My allegiance to any one of these three flags does not pre- education to do before “inclusion” no longer needs a tions on stability and such shifts are not in the best
clude my allegiance to any other. I can raise them side by committee of its own. interest of the children.
side and pledge myself to each, for they are in consonance So the next time someone asks how it is that one can In the future, please try to be fairer to the Orthodox.
with one another. In fact, each demands my allegiance to pledge allegiance to three different flags, tell them that it Alan Mark Levin
the others. To believe in that which the American flag sym- is your God-given right and responsibility to do so. And Fair Lawn
bolizes is to believe in that which the others symbolize. then ask them how it is that they don’t.
And though we sometimes fall short — as communities Thoughts on ‘Modesty, Adultery,
and as individuals — of the ideals to which we profess to — Rabbi Craig Scheff Homosexuality, and Abortion’
aspire when we wrap ourselves in those flags, in pledg- R. Engelmayer makes interesting points in his column
ing our allegiance we nonetheless commit ourselves to Craig Scheff is a rabbi at the Orangetown Jewish Center in about Torah values that are/were part of American
working toward the realization of the aspirations each Orangeburg, where he has been since 1995. Rabbi Scheff culture (“Celebrate Shavuot, then proclaim liberty
represents. We pledge to respect the rule of law; we has worked in various positions at Ramah Day Camp throughout the land,” May 31). He might have quoted
pledge to exercise our right to advocate, educate, and in Nyack for two decades and is an adjunct lecturer in a few more verses related to topics such as Modesty,
vote; we pledge to demand that every person be treated professional skills at JTS. Adultery, Homosexuality, and Abortion — which are
changing the texture of our society — but I don’t know
if his readers are interested in those verses.
Jacob Yablok
Hamas and Hezbollah. This took the form of the Pales- Teaneck
Norpac tinian International Terrorism Support Prevention Act
FROM PAGE 43
(H.R.1850) in the House of Representatives, and a request Thoughts on the Supreme Court
members of Congress, the “Why Israel” talking point had for a complementary bill in the Senate. What an interesting article in your May 31st edition,
to be reinforced. In addition to meeting with most members of the “Pursuing Justice From the Bench,” about Rabbi
The second point was a request to continue the annual House of Representatives, NORPAC members met with Joseph Prouser of Temple Emanuel of North Jersey
security aid package to Israel, as agreed upon in the Mem- the offices of congressional leaders including Speaker and two congregants, Mike Fisch, who talks about
orandum of Understanding, signed in 2016, which guar- Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer Justice Benjamin Cardozo, and Peter Safirstein, who
antees $3.3 billion in security assistance and an additional (D-MD), Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY), talks about Justice Abe Fortas. I thank you for your
$500 million in anti-missile procurement funds. and Senate Democratic Leader Charles Schumer (D-NY). absorbing account of these two Jewish Supreme Court
The third point was a request to co-sponsor an These leaders reaffirmed their strong support for the justices.
anti-BDS resolution in the House (H. Res. 246) and U.S.-Israel relationship and broadly pledged to support The Supreme Court’s interpretation of law affects
the Senate (S. Res. 120). That resolution establishes our talking points. our rights to freedom, justice, and equality. It affects
strong congressional opposition to BDS and lays out It was obvious to our mission’s leaders and members our daily lives. It is important we know about the nine
its harmful effects on the prospect of peace between that this year was especially important to attend because justices that sit on the Supreme Court. They are pow-
the Israelis and Palestinians. The main point here was of the rise in overt anti-Semitism. Never underestimate erful people.
to educate Congress about why the BDS movement what a group of motivated Americans can do. NORPAC For example, the court has made decisions on abor-
is anti-Semitic, and how to recognize the difference has grown in a short 27 years from a group of about 15 tion, the separation of church and state, class suits,
between fair criticism and bigotry. people, meeting in a basement, to become the nation’s death penalty decisions, obscenity, and school deseg-
As providence would have it, the day we came there largest pro-Israel political action committee, meeting regation, among many other decisions.
the secretaries of State and Defense provided a special annually in Washington with most of Congress and hold- As noted in the article, Abe Fortas defended Clar-
briefing on Iran for both the House and the Senate. This ing personal meetings with almost 20 percent of Congress ence Gideon, a poor convict in Florida, before the
made our discussions of our fourth point more impact- in our homes each two-year election cycle. Supreme Court, and won his right to legal represen-
ful, as we emphasized the malign activities and dangers Thank you to those who joined us, and to those who tation. The story of Gideon shows the workings of the
of Iran as a terror sponsor and instigator of conflict in the will join us in the future to defeat Israel’s enemies and Supreme Court and how it works. It is a landmark case
Middle East. Our goal was to remind our national leaders anti-Semitism! in American Justice. This decision is part of our Bill of
of the extent of Iran’s influence as both a bad actor and a Rights under the Fourteenth Amendment.
dangerous adversary. We did not recommend any specific Dr. Ben Chouake, MD, of Englewood is the national To quote Thomas Paine, “Those who expect to reap
action to Congress, just reminded them that this is a prob- president of Norpac, the largest pro- Israel political action the blessings of freedom must … undergo the fatigue
lem that needs to be a priority for them. committee in the United States. He runs a medical practice of supporting it.”
The fifth point was a request for sanctions against banks in Cliffside Park and is a board member of several Jewish Grace Jacobs
and businesses that help fund the terrorist organizations organizations on the local and national level. Cliffside Park
JEWISH STANDARD JUNE 7, 2019 45
Keeping Kosher

New gourmet cookbook is a winner


BETH JANOFF CHANANIE are mostly at hand, have a short and cookbook is to alleviate the stress of

R
clear instruction list, and be easy to pre- feeding families in record time,” Rivky
ivky Kleiman of Lakewood pare. The books that come minus pho- said. “I wrote this cookbook after
has done it again with “Sim- tographs and with complicated steps being urged by friends and readers
ply Gourmet,” (ArtScroll and ingredients are left to share with for a complete cookbook with easy,
Shaar/May 2019), a brand staff and donated to charities. With doable recipes that simply work! My
new cookbook that lets you create deli- that in mind, “Simply Gourmet” not style and niche have always been tradi-
cious gourmet meals simply and easily. only made the cut, but is a highly rec- tional leanings with an updated twist.
Readers might recognize her name from ommended book to add to your cook- I tried very hard to develop recipes
the popular Bais Yaakov Cookbook, book collection. that will work with our very fast-paced
which she co-authored; from her fea- The book features more than 135 society, where the average home cook
tures in Mishpacha Magazine’s Family recipes, from appetizers, salads, and has the desire to turn out nutritious
Table, or on Kosher.com. brunch, to lunch, and beyond, then and delicious meals but always is short
When the Jewish Standard staff adds soups, fish, meat, poultry sides, on time.”
receives cookbooks to consider for and desserts. The recipes are beauti- Whether you are a beginner in the
review, we know that they must fit the ful, enhanced with full-color almost 3D kitchen or a seasoned chef, there is
standards for our busy readers. Namely, photographs by Moshe Wulliger. something for everyone in the book.
they must be kosher, user friendly, “Life has become so fast paced that Here’s a terrific dairy recipe to make for
have a limited list of ingredients that one aspect of my goal in creating this Shavuot.

Creamy mushroom pasta


INGREDIENTS:
INSTRUCTIONS:
8 ounces fettucine pasta
Prepare pasta according to package instructions. Drain; rinse
2 tablespoons butter
1 pound sliced steak mushrooms or and set aside. Melt butter in a large skillet over medium-high
large baby bella mushrooms heat. Add sliced mushrooms and garlic. Stir until well coated.
2 cloves garlic, crushed Sauté for 10-15 minutes until all mushrooms are slightly
1 teaspoon pareve beef broth powder, browned. Transfer to a bowl. Combine pareve beef broth,
dissolved in 1⁄3 cup water wine, soy sauce, cornstarch, mustard, salt, and pepper in a
1
⁄3 cup semisweet or dry white wine small bowl. Add mixture to the skillet; bring to a boil. Stir until
1 1⁄2 teaspoons low sodium soy sauce mixture begins to thicken, about 1 minute. Add cooked pasta
1 teaspoon cornstarch and mushrooms; stir to coat. Add heavy cream and parsley

MOSHE WULLIGER
2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
flakes. Stir until well combined. Remove from heat and serve.
1 teaspoon sea salt
1
⁄4 to 1⁄2 teaspoon black pepper DAIRY — YIELDS 6 TO 8 SERVINGS
1
⁄2 cup heavy cream
1 tablespoon dried parsley flakes Reprinted with permission from “Simply Gourmet” by Rivky Kleiman

Challah baking in the community


COURTESY CHABAD

Zeesy Grossbaum, left, of the Friendship Circle of Bergen County, and her
daughter, Shaina, right, recently showed Holly Gold of Woodcliff Lake and The Preschool of Chabad of Fort Lee held an interactive “Mommy and Me
Beth Chananie of Paramus how to make challah. The hands-on challah bake Challah Bake” in anticipation of Mother’s Day. The ingredients were pre-mea-
was in memory of Lori Gilbert-Kaye, who was murdered by a terrorist at sured and set up on tables. Mothers and children donned aprons, added ingre-
the Chabad of Poway, Calif., during Passover services. Lori was active in dients, mixed and kneaded the challah dough, made the customary blessing,
Chabad’s Friendship Circle in Poway. and shaped them together.

46 JEWISH STANDARD JUNE 7, 2019


Keeping Kosher

Cedar Market is your go-to grilling place


Cedar Market is your summer time grilling head- great customer service. Fruit, vegetable, cake, and
quarters. The store carries a wide assortment of sushi platters always are available to order. Follow Kosher Market
high quality beef, lamb, veal, and poultry along with Cedar Market on Facebook and Instagram to see new
pre-marinated ready-to-grill items, and it offers an items, tastings, flash sales, and more. Cedar Market Meats ✡ Chicken ✡ Deli ✡ Appetizing
array of spices, sauces, and condiments to compli- just launched a redesigned website, filled with all the Prepared Foods ✡ Groceries ✡ Frozen Foods ✡ Catering
ment your choice of meats. Don’t forget the grill- store information, menus, delivery details, and more. 67 A. East Ridgewood Ave. · Paramus, NJ 07652
ready fruits and vegetables, or just enjoy them as a If you are not already signed up for the weekly savings
healthy snack. email, go to thecedarmarket.com and sign up today.
201-262-0030
www.harolds.com
There are a variety of new items in every depart- Cedar Market is at 646 Cedar Lane in Teaneck. For MON-WED 8-6; THURS 8-7; FRI 8-4; SUN 8-3; CLOSED SATURDAY
UNDER RABBINICAL SUPERVISION
ment. The team at Cedar Market strives to go above more information, call (201) 855-8500 or email info@
and beyond the needs of their customers and offer thecedarmarket.com.

Foodie alert: Tnuva’s Shavuot recipe booklet Serving The Kosher Way Since 1976

This year, Tnuva treated Jewish Standard readers


to a full-color booklet with 10 original delicious
dairy recipes in honor of Shavuot. Each recipe
was created by a gourmet chef, including some
by Tal Metuko of the Ramada hotel in Jerusalem. DELI • RESTAURANT • CATERING
The recipes range from easy to slightly complex
and include prep time for added convenience. Avi & Haim 894 Prospect Street
Cooks looking for unique ideas to enhance their Proprietors Glen Rock, NJ
Shavuot menu will find new, exciting recipes, Under Rabbinical Supervision Tel: 201-445-1186
www.koshernosh.com Fax: 201-670-5674
both salty and sweet, such as Feta & Honey Warm
Pastry and Spinach & Cheese Georgian Khacha-
puri, alongside old favorites, such as Chocolate
Cake with Whipped Cream and Cheesecake
with Berry Topping. There’s even a gluten-free Sweet The recipes are made with Tnuva’s high-quality prod-
Potato Quiche.
Yoram Behiri, Tnuva’s USA president and CEO, was
ucts, all of which are under the strict supervision of the
Badatz Vaadas Mehadrin. If you did not receive a copy Foster Village DINE
IN OR
delighted by this year’s creative collaboration with of the booklet in last week’s Jewish Standard, you can Kosher Delicatessen TAKE
OUT
Ramada. “These enticing dishes will make you feel like find it on Tnuva’s website, along with hundreds of other
you’re at a fancy hotel in your very own home!” he said. recipes, including the one below, at tnuvausa.com.
APPETIZERS · SALADS
SOUPS · ENTREES
Greek feta & honey warm pastry SIDE DISHES · DESSERTS

Great Food, Great Service, Reasonable Prices


TAL METUKO 6 teaspoons honey 469 S. Washington Ave. • Bergenfield, N.J.
1 package of Tnuva’s Light Feta Cheese, cut into 3 tablespoons olive oil 201-384-7100
3 rectangles (about 3"x4") 3 teaspoons sesame seeds
Tnuva Maadanot Frozen Puff Pastry Dough, 1 teaspoon dried thyme leaves
thawed, and cut into 3 rectangles (about 9"x10") Optional: 1 teaspoon black cumin (nigella) seeds

Preheat oven to 350°F. Cover the baking pan with baking paper. Toast the sesame seeds in a
dry pan on medium heat for 1-2 minutes, constantly shaking the pan to prevent the seeds from
burning. Spread the dough on the flat surface and brush with olive oil (make sure that each
sheet is evenly covered). Place the feta rectangles in the middle of the dough sheets. Fold
19-09 Fair Lawn Ave.
the sides over the cheese, covering it completely. Cut off excess dough if needed. Brush the fair lawn, nj 07410
201 796-6565 tel
resulting pastries 201 796-8501 fax
with olive oil and
transfer to the
baking pan — GLUTEN FREE, NUT FREE KOSHER BAKERY!
folded side down.
Place your Shavuot orders by Thursday, June 6
Bake for about 20
minutes, until the Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting · Artisan Breads FIRST PLACE FIRST PLACE
BAKERY CHALLAH
dough is golden- Mini Carrot Bundt Cakes · “No-Cheese” Brazilian Cheese Rolls 7 Time Winner 9 Time Winner

brown. Remove
from oven. Drizzle W A N F
with honey and
sprinkle with the
toasted sesame
seeds, thyme and NEW! 3 Varieties
of Bialys
nigella seeds.
Serve warm. All baking from scratch
and done on premises
YIELD: 3 PASTRIES, 204 Diamond Bridge Ave., Hawthorne, NJ • 973 - 304 - 4500
13"X9" BAKING PAN www.ibglutenfree.com • Wed.–Sat. 9 am–5 pm Challah · Pastries · cookies · bobkas · pies & More...
Production kitchen is certifi ed kosher dairy by OK Kosher
Store supervised by Rabbi Bernhard Rosenberg/Kosher supervision WHERE QUALITY AND FRESHNESS COUNT!
Only prepackaged pastry products bearing OKD symbol are certified by OK Kosher. All breads are kosher dairy but not certified by OK Kosher www.zadiesbakeshop.com · zadiesbakeshop@yahoo.com

JEWISH STANDARD JUNE 7, 2019 47


Kosher Crossword The Frazzled Housewife
“SHAVUOT”
BY YONI GLATT, KOSHERCROSSWORDS@GMAIL.COM
DIFFICULTY LEVEL: EASY

Graduation clichés
T
his is it. he and some other “new” friends were
The graduation column. invited to a boy’s house in Highland
The column that I have Park. That was the beginning of form-
been leading up to all year. ing these incredible friendships with
The column that probably will a group of truly amazing young men.
annoy you, especially if Some of these guys have
the other ones grated on spent a lot of time in my
your nerves. Yes, this is house. They are funny,
it. My baby boy is gradu- polite, and considerate.
ating from high school. And I love when they feel
My baby boy is leaving the like our home is their
nest. He will be a coun- home. I often have walked
selor this summer and into the kitchen to find
then he is off to Israel for one of these boys looking
the next undetermined Banji through my refrigerator
amount of time. I have Ganchrow and freezer, trying to find
subtly insinuated (well, something “substantial”
maybe not so subtly) how to eat.
sons #1 and 2 have been drifting off to When I say the four years have flown
the right — to the land of white shirts, by, I really and truly mean it. I have
back hats, and an inordinate number of watched these kids grow, both emotion-
books filled with valuable information ally and physically. Boys who started
regarding ownership of cows and other shorter than I am now tower over me.
assorted livestock. Son #3 knows what We have talked about school, about
his options are. Will he follow his broth- girls, about life. I have come to really
Across Down
ers down the black-and-white road? Will love them, and I am so happy that son
1. Sci. course 1. Overused phrases
5. Press at Ben-Gurion 2. Yom ___ he stay in Israel for the rest of time? Will #3 has made all of these new “brothers.”
10. Kind of tide or log 3. Expand a picture he join the army? Will he decide that he Many of them have asked to be in
14. Lois created by Jerry Siegel 4. Inadequate, in England wants to follow his father’s middle-of- one of my columns, and I always have
15. “On call” device 5. Thrown weapon the-road path? The possibilities are end- responded “one day.” Though I always
16. Say, to Amichai 6. Mission less, and as his mom, I have learned that say that I cannot mention their names,
17. Fisher who acts 7. Taj Majal city
I can only take it one day at a time and to protect the identity of the inno-
18. Shemoneh follower 8. “___ The Parents”
19. Some witches 9. Nobel, e.g. not have any expectations at all, except cent, and the chance that I will forget
20. Shavuot 10. Day to remember a loved one, to hope and pray that he has a healthy, to mention one of them and inadver-
23. Genre for Eli Roth in Judaism safe, and wonderful experience. That tently insult them. To one of these boys
24. Pepsin, e.g. 11. Actress Thurman he reaches his full potential. That he in particular, I want to thank him for
28. Zealous 12. ___ Ba’Omer finds happiness and contentment. keeping what happens in the house, in
29. First full month of spring: Abbr. 13. Ambulance destinations, briefly
That he has peace of mind and fullness the house. Thinking back to a particu-
32. “Groovy!” 21. Throng
33. Every other hurricane 22. Roadhouse of heart. That he learns to do his own lar incident when I could not get the sil-
34. Con artist’s art 25. ___ Vashem laundry — OK, maybe that last one is a verware drawer open and I had a minor
37. Raichel who sings “Lifney 26. Big Apple subway org. bit of stretch, but you get my point. As I (ok, major) meltdown, accompanied by
She’Yigamer” 27. Many, many moons possibly have said in previous columns, screaming, not-so-great language, tears,
38. Shavuot 29. Misbehave we don’t actually control anything, no and an epic hot flash. And he didn’t
40. Mideast carrier 30. Glances
matter how many lists we make, so we even make fun of me — well, maybe he
43. Tabernacles 31. Lake formerly of of daytime TV
44. It keeps an eye on TV 35. Lt.’s inferior, in the Navy just have to take things how they come did behind my back, but I will never
47. Original setting of Shavuot 36. “___ bad!” and hope they are all good. know for sure.
49. “___ Love You” (Beatles song) 38. It lays eggs and has a bill Back to graduation. So this is it. By the time you read this,
50. Success and acclaim 39. Type of house with plenty of meat Somehow, it has been four years since son #3 and his amazing friends will have
52. Walter and Dred 40. Start of a seder? son #3 started high school. Since he left graduated from high school. To my real
54. Most of Libya 41. Driver’s need: Abbr.
the safe cocoon of Yeshivas Noyam, his son and my not real sons, I wish you love
55. Shavuot 42. “I’ll take that as ___”
59. “Immediately!” 44. “The Silence of the Lambs” elementary school in Paramus. Since and luck. I wish you good health and
62. Itsy-bitsy bits heroine he was able to start wearing different amazing experiences, and as I have said
63. Amass, with “up” 45. College in Ramat Gan patterned shirts. I remember him not to the boys who have passed through my
64. Fisher who sings 46. Pollen-bearing flower parts being so enthusiastic about following in house before you, know that my home
65. Isaac’s boys, e.g. 48. Simpson case judge his brothers’ TABC footsteps and saying and my heart and my snack drawer are
66. “Open ___ of worms” 51. Jewish wedding canopy (var.)
to him (quoting a friend), “Over the next always open to you, no matter what
67. Not more 53. Whack, biblically
68. Cemetery poem 54. 1980 Oscar winner Spacek four years, you can choose to be happy color shirts you end up wearing.
69. Some kosher birds 56. Wolf sound and have a great experience, or you can On to the next chapter — hope it’s a
57. What some games end in choose to be miserable and have a hor- good one!
58. Gun sound rible experience. The choice is yours.”
59. B’nai B’rith org. Fortunately, he chose the former. I still Banji Ganchrow of Teaneck
60. Good name for a lawyer?
remember him coming home after the congratulates all of the graduates and
61. They can help business
first day of school and telling me that their families. Someone pass the tissues…

The solution to last week’s puzzle is on page 54.


www.thejewishstandard.com
48 JEWISH STANDARD JUNE 7, 2019
D’var Torah

Shavuot: How Mussar makes us mensches


T
he holiday of Shavuot has many fascinat- trait of “anavah” or “humility,” and experienced how team- between shooting and passing.
ing associations for the Jewish people, mates in game situations strive to find the right balance of Humility has been identified as the gateway to all
including celebrating the agricultural humility in terms of deciding when to take a shot on goal other character traits. Rabbi Bachya ibn Paquda, lived in
harvest and receiving the Torah. Some yourself and when to pass to a teammate. Balance is the Al-Andalus in the 11th century (modern day Spain) and
communities celebrate Shavuot with the beautiful key. Neither extreme is usually beneficial, meaning that it explained in his classic work Duties of the Heart that all
practice of staying up all night learning Torah. I usually does not benefit the team for a player to always character virtues or traits are dependent upon humil-
want to share some thoughts about a Jewish prac- shoot or to always pass, but rather to work on humility ity and how humility is at the core of teshuva or repen-
tice that gives us a roadmap to strive to attain the by finding the correct balance and practice it within the tance. He describes one method of acquiring humility
proper balance of humility within ourselves, and parameters of the hockey game. The top three career by explaining how human beings leave behind all pos-
the subsequent practical benefits this practice can National Hockey League (NHL) leaders in assists, Wayne sessions at death, including a visualization of imagin-
have on our everyday lives. Gretsky (1,963), Ron Francis (1,249) and Mark Messier ing one’s face in the grave “without its radiance and his
Imagine peering into (1,193) were iconic players because they found a balance SEE SHAVUOT PAGE 52
the deepest of the depths
of outer space to discover
and see a black hole,
something never seen
before. Some experts
probably opined it was
not possible. Earlier this
spring, scientists accom-
plished this magnificent
feat when they captured
Rabbi
a picture of a black hole
Keven Tzvi
within the galaxy known Friedman
Fair Lawn
as Messier 87 (no rela-
Jewish Center/
tion to Mark Messier 11 Congregation
for those Ranger hockey B’nai Israel,
fans out there), located Conservative
55 million light-years Rebice36@gmail.
com
away from Earth. It was
possible. A network of
eight telescopes across our planet assembled the first
image of a black hole. We are fortunate that we have
access to such telescopes that made viewing the first
black hole a reality.
Now imagine accessing a telescope to aid us in
peering into the deepest of the depths of something
right here on earth — ourselves. Our Jewish tradi-
tion has long known about such a telescope — called
Mussar character development — and the Mussar
va’ad or group to help us cultivate a Mussar practice
is making a revival in many Jewish communities.
The goal of Mussar is to provide us with practical
tools to help us do the work of looking within our-
selves, helping us to learn more about ourselves and
how we relate to others, one character trait at a time.
Proverbs 1:8 defines Mussar as “instruction,”
when it states “[m]y son, hear the Mussar [instruc-
tion] of your father, and forsake not the Torah of
your mother. It is fascinating to note that in this sen-
tence in Proverbs, the words “Mussar” and “Torah”
are both being used linguistically as synonyms to
express the same concept of “instruction.” In other
words, just as our Torah is an instruction book for
how to lead a Jewish life, so too is Mussar.
I teach Mussar character development and hockey
at Camp Ramah in the Berkshires (inspired by one of
my mentors, Spencer Rockman, who teaches Mussar
and soccer with NJ Rovers Soccer) and have found
that campers appreciate experiencing the practical
benefits of working on the various middot or char-
acter traits, not as an abstract teaching, but rather
within the actual context of the hockey game. The
campers experience the tangible benefits of how the
practice improves teamwork and affects the game.
For example, we worked on the middah or character
JEWISH STANDARD JUNE 7, 2019 49
Calendar
groups with Rabbi
Shavuot in Wayne:
Friday  Temple Beth Tikvah
Keven Tzvi Friedman
and Cantor Barbara
JUNE 7 joins Congregation Haimowitz, 9:30 p.m.
Shomrei Torah for Rabbi Friedman will
Shavuot study and lead “Why was Moses
celebration, 7 p.m., chosen to go up to
at Shomrei Torah, Mount Sinai?” and
30 Hinchman Ave. Cantor Haimowitz,
(973) 696-2500 or “Shavuot: A Time
shomreitorahwcc.org. for Social Justice?”
Shavuot in Dairy refreshments.
Orangeburg: The 10-10 Norma Ave.
Orangetown Jewish Reservations,
Center offers Tikkun (201) 796-5040.
Layl Shavuot:
Transformation and Wednesday 
Transition in the
Torah, beginning
JUNE 12
Shabbat in at 7:30 p.m.- 1 a.m.
Orangeburg: The Dairy dinner, family Identity theft/
Orangetown Jewish scam prevention in
cooking competition
Center has a barbecue River Edge: River
(9:15 — 10); a human
dinner, 5:30 p.m., a Dell Hadassah, the
board game, “Settlers
performance by the Friends of the River
of Canaan”; and
Israel Scouts, 6:30, Edge Library, and the
engaging Torah study.
and services, 7:30. 8 River Edge Cultural
8 Independence Ave.,
Independence Ave., Center host Detective
Orangeburg, N.Y.
Orangeburg, N.Y. Renata Sanches of
(845) 359-5920 or
(845) 359-5920 or the River Edge Police
theojc.org.
theojc.org. Department, discussing
Shavuot in Teaneck: useful strategies
Shabbat in Closter:
Temple Emanu-El
Temple Emeth and tips to protect
JUNE Gitl Schaechter-Viswanath, left,
offers erev Shavuot personal information,
and Elaine Kallenbach, both of
16
hosts “Blue Jeans at the River Edge
services and student
& BBQ”; dinner at
confirmation, 7:45 p.m. Public Library, 1 p.m. Teaneck and both members of
6 p.m., services at
7. 180 Piermont
1666 Windsor Road. Dairy refreshments. the Jewish People’s Philharmonic
(201) 833-1322 or 685 Elm Ave.
Road. Reservations,
emeth.org. (201) 261-1663, or Chorus conducted by Binyumen Schaechter,
(201) 750-9997. riveredgepubliclibrary. are among the performers in “Yiddish Flavors of
Combined Shavuot org. Love: A Musical Celebration,” a concert at Merkin
Shabbat in Closter: in Glen Rock: Temple
Temple Beth El offers
Israel & JCC joins the Concert Hall, that will include world premieres of
confirmation services
led by Rabbi David S.
Glen Rock Jewish modern choral arrangements of classic Yiddish
Center for an erev songs, 3 p.m. 129 West 67th St. Information at
Widzer and Cantor
Shavuot study session.
Elizabeth Goldmann,
Three local rabbis, kaufmanmusiccenter.org.
with the class of
David Fine, Leiah
5779, 7:30 p.m. 221
Moser, and Jennifer
Schraalenburgh Road. Goldmann welcome
Schlosberg, will
(201) 768-5112 or
tbenv.org.
discuss “From Sinai Thursday  Friday  the community to
Temple Beth El of
to AI: The Ethics of JUNE 13 JUNE 14
Artificial Intelligence Stuart E. Eizenstat Northern Valley for a
Saturday  and Technology in
Eizenstat in West Blood drive in Shabbat in Tenafly:
service in celebration
of the Temple Beth
the Modern Jewish
JUNE 8 World,” 9 p.m. Dairy Orange: Stuart E. Teaneck: Young Israel Temple Sinai of El community, 7 p.m.
Eizenstat, President of Teaneck holds a Bergen County has They will honor the
refreshments. Glen
Shavuot in Tenafly: Jimmy Carter’s chief blood drive with New a barbecue dinner, legacy of the shul’s
Rock Jewish Center,
Temple Sinai of Bergen White House domestic Jersey Blood Services, 6 p.m., and a rock past and prepare to
682 Harristown Road.
County has a dairy policy advisor, a division of New Shabbat service, 7:30. 1 transition with Temple
(201) 652-6624 or
dinner, 6 p.m., and discusses his book, York Blood Center, Engle St. Reservations, Beth Or to their new
(201) 444-9320.
Tikkun Leil service “President Carter: 3-9 p.m. 868 Perry (201) 568-3035 or shared congregation,
and learning, 7:30. 1 Shavuot in Fair The White House Lane. (800) 933-2566 Templesinaibc.org. Kol Dorot. 221
Engle St. Reservations, Lawn: The Fair Lawn Years,” at the JCC or nybloodcenter.org. Schraalenburgh Road.
(201) 568-3035 or MetroWest, 7:30 p.m. Shabbat in Closter:
Jewish Center/CBI (201) 768-5112 or
Templesinaibc.org. 760 Northfield Ave. Rabbi David Widzer
has back-to-back tbenv.org.
jccmetrowest.org. and Cantor Elizabeth
study/discussion

50 JEWISH STANDARD JUNE 7, 2019


Calendar

Shabbat in Wayne:
Temple Beth Tikvah
Jewish community.
1666 Windsor Road.
live music and art-
making workshops 9th annual bike ride to fight hunger
(201) 833-1322 on Fifth Avenue at
holds its Volunteer or viewpoints@ selected museums. Jewish Family & Children’s
Appreciation Erev emeth.org. (212) 606-2296 or
Shabbat, including Services of Northern New Jer-
MuseumMileFestival.
presentation of the sey will hold its 9th annual
annual Georges Rafes Monday  org.
JFCS Wheels-for-Meals –Ride
award and board JUNE 17 to Fight Hunger ride and hike
installation, 7:30 p.m. Saturday  on Sunday, June 23. This year’s
950 Preakness Ave. JUNE 15
Men’s club social: event, held rain or shine, has
(973) 595-6565 or
Temple Emanu-El of
templebethtikvahnj.
Closter’s Men’s Club ASL-Shabbat Across bike routes ranging from 3- to
org. 50-miles through the scenic
offers dinner, drinks, America in NYC:
Shabbat in Fair Lawn: and hatchet throwing Town & Village Hudson Valley, and a 2.3 mile
The Men’s Progress at Bury the Hatchet, Synagogue holds hike through Rockleigh Woods
7:30 p.m. 49 East an ASL-interpreted
Club and Sisterhood Sanctuary. The day— for the
of the Fair Lawn Midland Ave., Paramus. Shabbat service,
(201) 750-9997 or 10 a.m. 334 East 14th whole family — raises aware-
Jewish Center/CBI
hold installation during templeemanu-el.com. St. (212) 677-0368V, ness to fight hunger in the
services, 7:30 p.m. tandv.org, or email community. It will begin and
Celebratory oneg. Bram at bramweiser@ end at Temple Emanu-El in
10-10 Norma Ave. In New York usa.net.
Closter and there will be food

COURTESY JFCS
(201) 796-5040.
and beverages.
Shabbat in Teaneck: Tuesday  Singles The annual JFCS Meals-for-
Temple Emeth’s JUNE 11 Wheels, Ride to Fight Hunger
Viewpoint group was founded by David Feuer-
sponsors its annual
Museum mile festival:
Wednesday  stein in 2011 when he was 15. Danny Frenkel and David Feuerstein
Pride Shabbat in honor JUNE 19
of Gay Pride Month. The Jewish Museum Since then, the ride has raised
participates in the 41st
Elaine Barrett from over $900,000, with proceeds sup- Co., Holy Name Medical Center, NJ
PFLAG will discuss annual “Museum Mile Seniors meet: Singles
Festival,” 6-9 p.m. The 65+ of the JCC porting JFCS food assistance pro- Eye and Ear, Optima Fund Manage-
“I’m Good if They’re
opening ceremony at Rockland meets for grams including Kosher Meals on ment, Oritani Bank, Plan A Advisors,
Happy,” during the
service, 8 p.m., and the 5:45 is at El Museo del dinner at Rocco’s Wheels and the JFCS food pantries SB One Bank, ShopRite, Stop & Shop,
Temple Emeth choir, Barrio (Fifth Avenue Family Restaurant, serving nearly 200 families who visit and Tranzact.
at 104th Street). 6 p.m. 170 S. Main
Kol Emet, will sing.
Rain or shine. Free St. New City, N.Y. the Teaneck and Fair Lawn locations. For more information, call (201) 837-
Viewpoints is a shul Major sponsors include Becton 9090 or go to RidetoFightHunger.com.
committee that was museum admissions Individual checks.
formed to celebrate and outdoor art Reservations, Gene, Dickinson, Diamond Chemical Co., To rent a bicycle, call the Tenafly
the diversity of the activities for children; (845) 356-5525. Eastwick College, LB Goodman & Bicycle Workshop at (201) 568-9372.

COURTESY BERGENPAC
PHOTO COURTESY SINAI

Paintings on display
at bergenPAC
Sinai at Ma’ayanot Ellen Reinkraut of Bergen County will display her paint-
ings through June 30 in the Sandy Bennett Art Gallery.
student run There will be a reception on Tuesday, June 11, from 7
to 9 p.m.
Sinai at Ma’ayanot students capped off their year-
Ms. Reinkraut has exhibited her work in juried shows
long focus on health and wellness with a run around
internationally and had many solo exhibitions. Her art-
Votee Park in Teaneck. Friends, family, teachers,
work is recognized and included in permanent collec-
and therapists showed up to cheer the students
tions of museums, galleries, and private collections. A
along as they raced toward the finish line.
portion of the proceeds from sales of the prints sup-
port bergenPAC’s nonprofit mission. The Sandy Ben-
nett Gallery is on the mezzanine level of bergenPAC in
Englewood. For more information, call (201) 227-1030
or go to bergenpac.org. See more of her work at ellen-
reinkraut.com.

JEWISH STANDARD JUNE 7, 2019 51


Local/D’var Torah/Opinion

Donor Shavuot in conversations, and substitute them with words


FROM PAGE 17 FROM PAGE 49 like “I conceive,” “I apprehend,” “I imagine,” or
interesting people.” She has donated the copyrights for her books complexion darkened, how he will become “it appears to me.” Furthermore, when someone
to the foundation. wormy, decayed, and putrid, the marks of his asserted something Franklin thought was error,
Asked if anything has particularly pleased her over her almost physical beauty gone, his corpse emitting an Franklin would strive to “deny himself the plea-
94 years, Dr. Salny said she has had “a reasonably happy life and increasingly foul odor. . . when these and similar sure” of contradicting the person abruptly, and
a wonderful husband. That pleased me.” What bothers her now thoughts enter his mind, he will feel humbled and instead be more gentle in his response to the
is the rise of hate crimes. bowed. He will not become proud or arrogant, other. Franklin admitted that pride was difficult
She believes strongly in the power of education and said she haughty or self-important.” See Duties of the to subdue.
wanted to ensure that her estate would be used to perpetuate Heart, The Gate of Humility Chapter 5:3. I have found that the fleeting moment of gratifi-
that goal. She brought up the idea of the donation during a Purim About 700 years after Bachya ibn Paquda, Ben cation and feeling the sheer power of expressing
visit from Rabbi Mark. Franklin (1706-1790), identified 12 virtues or char- the comment containing too much ego, is often-
“They were longtime members,” Rabbi Mark said, noting acter traits as part of an ethical code, which held times followed by extended, sustained periods of
that the Salnys joined the shul in 1990, soon after they moved to both individual improvement and contributing sadness, remorse, and regret.
Wayne. Before that, they lived in Paterson and Elmwood Park. to the greater good of society as goals. Franklin Let’s pray together that this Shavuot and
Each Purim, it is the rabbi’s custom to check in on homebound added a 13th virtue of humility to his 12 character beyond we venture to access this powerful tele-
seniors in the congregation and bring them mishloach manot. traits when one Quaker friend helped him realize scope of Mussar character development, to help
After delivering his Purim basket, “We were sitting and chatting he was too proud. It is recounted in J.A. Walwik’s us peer into our own depths, to help us become
and she said that, with the change in tax laws, rather than leave book Rewarding Virtue (Hamilton Books, N.Y. more aware, and to help us attain our proper bal-
her money as a bequest, she wanted to give it to us now.” 2008) that Franklin’s excessive pride came across ance of humility. Hopefully our Mussar practice
As a result of the gift, “In the coming year, members won’t have as overbearing and insolent in conversations. will provide us with practical insights to facili-
to pay tuition on top of dues,” Rabbi Mark said. “The board also Franklin embarked on his own Mussar prac- tate attaining our own inner sense of peace and
voted to open our religious school to nonmembers of the shul.” tice, albeit with a different name, to work on the improve our relationships with others, by giving
And while this is wonderful news for the synagogue, “If her gen- proper balance of humility, by striving to avoid the us a practical roadmap and tools to strive every
erosity inspires others to give, we’ll be in a much better place.” use of the words “certainly” and “undoubtedly” day to be the best mensches we can be.

after only a month and a half, and to make a snap elec- its 118,000 voters support?
Government tion necessary. The third list is a centrist party led by Orly Levy, a daugh-
FROM PAGE 44
In another controversial decision, Mandelblit acceded ter of the late Likud politician David Levy. Will its roughly
Hebrew, Kachol-Lavan) party. Here, the promises to a request by Bibi’s legal team to defer the pre-indict- 75,000 voters support the Likud or the centrist Kachol-La-
included no fewer than five ministries and various ment hearing until October, giving Netanyahu a potential van list? Will Netanyahu try to create a marriage of conve-
ambassadorships. Blue and White representative Pnina second bite at the immunity apple. nience with either or both of these parties as well?
Tamano-Shavta, the first Ethiopian woman to sit in the Whether he gets that bite or not largely will be decided Will Arab voter turnout change? The April election
Knesset, was promised a renewed effort to bring the by the Israeli electorate. A number of interesting ques- featured a low turnout driven by disaffection, disunity
remaining Jews from Ethiopia to Israel if she would join tions now arise — questions that won’t have answers until among Israeli Arab politicians, and a blatant campaign of
the coalition. Haaretz columnist Bradley Burston wrote after the votes in the new election are counted. But those Arab voter intimidation. But there was an active debate
that “In recent days, a desperate Netanyahu sent word questions form the challenges for Likud and Bibi. about electoral participation among Arab Israelis. If Arab
to newly elected MK Gadi Yevarkan that if the Ethiopi- What will happen to the sponsors and voters for slates voter turnout is materially higher, election results could
an-born lawmaker agreed to desert his centrist opposi- that failed to breach the 3.25 percent vote threshold? Israe- be affected significantly.
tion Kachol-Lavan party and become the deciding 61st lis do not vote for candidates in Knesset elections. They Will secular right-wing voters support or reject Avigdor
vote to ratify a new Bibi-led government, the prime vote for party-sponsored lists. The number of representa- Lieberman? Bibi has blasted Lieberman as a “leftist” for
minister would name him Immigrant Absorption Min- tives selected from each list is determined directly by the his refusal to support the formation of a Netanyahu-led
ister. The message to Yevarkan was clear: Agree to the percentage of the total vote each list receives. Election rules government. Anyone who knows anything about Lieb-
deal, or the thousands of family members — some of establish that a list must receive at least 3.25 percent of the erman will find this charge laughable. Lieberman sup-
whom have waited decades in Ethiopia for rescue to total vote. Lists that fail to reach that threshold are denied ported the dissolution of the Knesset rather than permit
Israel — will remain as hostages to a government cal- representation; the votes cast for those lists are discarded President Rivlin from passing the authority to form a gov-
lous as concrete to their plight.” Sure that his far right- and the Knesset seats are reallocated. A large number of ernment to another party, and he is on record as saying
wing flank would “stick with him” Bibi even offered lists running in the last election failed to reach that thresh- he will not support the formation of a government under
the Druze community, in an appeal to Gadeer Mreeh, a old, but three came close. They controlled a significant Gantz after September’s election. But he has not ruled
Druze MK also from Kachol Lavan, to change the con- number of votes, votes that if directed elsewhere could out joining in a coalition with Gantz and the Kachol-Lavan
troversial nation-state law that Netanyahu had champi- change the results of the future election drastically. party at any time. Lieberman likely is looking to a post-Ne-
oned and only recently guided to passage. The largest of these lists, which garnered about tanyahu future, and he sees himself as playing a promi-
Diplomacy and stewardship of the government had 139,000 votes, just narrowly missing the threshold, was a nent role in that future. In any case, early indications are
been reduced to the trading of baseball cards in the play- right-wing party led by two ambitious politicians, Naftali Lieberman’s constituency supports his stand. Early polls
ground. But no one else was buying what Bibi was selling. Bennet and Ayelet Shaked. Will these politicians run their show his list gaining, not losing representation.
It was May 29, and the clock was running out. Net- list a second time or will they try to merge with another Finally, how will the votes of the electorate reflect the
anyahu had only three hours left if he was to form his group? Bennet and Shaked sought to appeal to a modern corruption charges, the efforts to manipulate press cover-
new government, and none of his gambits were work- Orthodox and secular right-wing constituency — a simi- age, and the attempt to evade accountability through the
ing. When the clock reached midnight, the law of the lar voter demographic to Likud’s supporters. Those vot- proposed shield law unchecked by Court review? More
land would empower President Rivlin to assign another ers might favor Lieberman and his views about military than Bibi’s future hangs in the balance.
leader, most likely former IDF Chief of Staff Benny Gantz, service. But they also might want to support a right-wing Recently, we have witnessed a broad assault on democ-
the leader of the centrist Kachol-Lavan list, a chance to government generally. racy and the rule of law, an epidemic now raging in West-
form a government. If Gantz would succeed, after 10 long Will Netanyahu court their favor during the four months ern democracies. Like the measles, this epidemic was
years Benjamin Netanyahu would no longer be prime until the next elections? What can he offer them to secure thought to be contained, but it requires the inoculation
minister and no longer would be in any position to shield their votes and strengthen his ability to stay in power? of transparency and civic involvement in every genera-
himself from the long arm of the law. He finally would be The second party that failed to earn even one seat tion. Let us hope that Israel’s voting public is sufficiently
indicted and tried. in the Knesset was a right-wing libertarian party with a inoculated to thwart the potential of an immunity bill that
There was only one option left, so the right-wing and program of West Bank annexation and recreational drug would threaten the rule of law and offer new playgrounds
religious parties combined to dissolve the 21st Knesset, decriminalization. Will it run again? If not, which lists will for the corrupt.
52 JEWISH STANDARD JUNE 7, 2019
Obituaries

Janine Draizin
Janine E. Draizin, 89, of Paramus, died May 30.
Predeceased by her husband, Paul, she is survived by a son, Joseph. A Traditional Jewish Experience
Donations can be sent to Wounded Warrior/Support for Veterans. Pre-Planning Specialists • Graveside and Chapel Services
Arrangements were by Gutterman and Musicant Funeral Home, Hackensack.

Barry Wien - NJ Lic. No. 2885


Frank Patti, Jr. - NJ Lic. No. 4169
Obituaries are
Arthur Musicant - NJ Lic. No. 2544
prepared with
information provided
Frank Patti, Sr. Director - NJ Lic. No. 2693
by funeral homes.
Funeral Planning Simplified
Correcting errors is BergenJewishChapel.com
327 Main St, Fort Lee, NJ
the responsibility of
the funeral home. 201.261.2900 | 789 Teaneck Road, Teaneck, NJ 07666 201-947-3336 · 888-700-EDEN
www.edenmemorial.com
Owner/Manager Daniel W. Leber, NJ Lic. No3186

Robert Schoem’s Menorah Chapel, Inc


Jewish Funeral Directors
GORNY
Family Owned & managed FUNERAL SERVICE INC
973-919-4570
Generations of Lasting Service to the Jewish Community
Established 1902 • Serving NJ, NY, FL & • Our Facilities Will Accommodate

Headstones, Duplicate Markers and Cemetery Lettering


Throughout USA
• Prepaid & Preneed Planning
Your Family’s Needs
• Handicap Accessibility From
SPECIALIZING IN AFFORDABLE
With Personalized and Top Quality Service • Graveside Services Large Parking Area GRAVESIDE SERVICES
Gary Schoem – Manager - NJ Lic. 3811
Please call 1-800-675-5624
Jordan E. Schoem – Funeral Director - NJ Lic. 5146
www.gfuneralservice.com
www.kochmonument.com FOR MORE INFO
Conveniently Located
W-150 Route 4 East • Paramus, NJ 07652 Office: 240 Mt Prospect Ave · Newark NJ 07104
76 Johnson Ave., Hackensack, NJ 07601
201.843.9090 1.800.426.5869 John M. Gorny, Manager NJ NJ Lic #3563

Q&A on legacy with Gutterman & Musicant


Q: What is the “Your Life, Your Legacy” final arrangements in advance and the a child. All of the difficult decisions are The number one reason why a person
seminar? steps to take. Many people do not even made and paid, relieving the burden on prearranges is “so my family does not
A: Most of us plan for important life know they can prearrange a funeral or your family both emotionally and finan- have to be burdened with this,” followed
events, such as weddings, our children’s they may feel uncomfortable coming into cially. You and your family will have by “locking in today’s prices.”
education, and retirement. But few of our buildings. A pre-arranged funeral is peace of mind whether the prearranged For more information, call Patrick
us plan for the inevitable. This program one of the greatest gifts you can give to funeral is for yourself or for another fam- Biondo at Gutterman & Musicant, (201)
addresses the importance of making your yourself and to your family, especially ily member, such as an elderly parent. 489-3800.

Pre-arrange your funeral with You are personally invited to be our guest for

GUTTERMAN & MUSICANT


dinner and a free, informative presentation about
the benefits of pre-arranging your funeral
(Dietary laws observed)

JEWISH FUNERAL DIRECTORS Your Life.


Your Legacy.
402 Park Street, Hackensack, NJ 07601 • 201-489-3800 ...Plan to Make it Right Seminar
Alan Musicant, Manager, NJ Lic. No. 2890 • Patrick Biondo, Advanced Planning Director, NJ Lic. No. 4899 Wednesday, June 26th at 6 pm
Call to reserve your seat at our FREE informative seminar and dinner about the benefits of prearranging on Wednesday, Westwood Woman’s Club
June 26 at 6pm at Westwood Women’s Club, 205 Kinderkamack Rd, Westwood. RSVP by June 25th. 205 Kinderkamack Rd.
By pre-arranging your funeral: Westwood, NJ 07675
• ou will guarantee your family will never have Presented By:
to pay more for the funeral home services and Gutterman & Musicant Jewish
merchandise, no matter what happens with the
price of funerals in the future. Funeral Directors
Alan Musicant Mgr, NJ Lic. No. 2890
• You make all the important decisions well in 402 Park St., Hackensack, NJ 07601
advance, assuring the type of funeral that is 201-489-3800
appropriate for you.
Seating is Limited. Please RSVP by June 25th
• ou PROTECT your loved ones Patrick Biondo NJ Lic. No. 4899
EMOTIONALLY and FINANCIALLY 201-489-3800 ext. 111
from having to make difficult decisions at a Should this invitation reach your home where there is an illness or sorrow,
time of great stress. *Home appointments are available. we deeply regret the intrusion, for this is not our intention
DIGNITY MEMORIAL

JEWISH STANDARD JUNE 7, 2019 53


Classified (201) 837-8818
Furniture Refinishing Home Improvements
Florida Condo For Sale Situations Wanted Situations Wanted Handyman
COURTEOUS, professional
BESTof the BEST
COMPANION, PT,5-6 hrs/ B”H

BOCA WEST
Boca Raton, Forida
day,Mon-Fri,15 yrs experience,
excellent references, drives own
service; will shop, run errands,
drive to appointments; 11am-6pm
Cestaro’s Your Neighbor with Tools
Home Improvements & Handyman
Mon-Fri Marcia 973-413-7207
Custom Furniture Home Repair Service
2 Bedroom penthouse apartment car. Cindy 973-444-2557
with beautiful views.
reFinishing Carpentry Painting PAINTING · FINISHING
Lovely, furnished CAREGIVER looking for live-in/out EXPERIENCED woman seeking bedrooms Decks Kitchens CARPENTRY · HANDIWORK
Best area in Florida position. Reliable, pleasant. Will employment to take care of elderly. dining rooms Locks/Doors Electrical Shomer Shabbat · Free Estimates
Call Mrs. G do light housekeeping & cooking. Very reliable, own transportation, Ann Cestaro Basements Paving/Masonry Over 20 Years Experience
Bathrooms Drains/Pumps
914-589-4673 Drives, speaks English. Call me
201699-2233
live-in/out 347-640-8129
973-278-5570 Plumbing Maintenence
Ask us about our
investment property rates
Help Wanted Tiles/Grout Hardwood Floors
Adam 201-675-0816
General Repairs
A RESPONSIBLE WOMAN amark2@hotmail.com · NJ Lic. #13VH05023300
looking to care for elderly. Five Star Premier Residences of Teaneck NO JOB IS TOO SMALL Instagram: yourneighborwithtools
Live-in/out. Reliable! Pleasant! is currently hiring. 24 Hour x 5 1/2 Emergency Services
References. Waiting for your call. Shomer Shabbat Free Estimates
347-816-1363 All positions are listed on our website:
https://careers.fivestarseniorliving.com/ 1-201-530-1873
jobsearch/#||||1|1|0
Driving Service Plumbing
Roofing Positions Available:
• Waiter/Servers ~ Part Time MICHAEL’S CAR APL Plumbing & Heating LLC
ROOFING · SIDING
HACKENSACK GUTTERS · LEADERS
• Maintenance Technician/Worker ~ Full Time SERVICE
LOWEST RATES
Complete Kitchen &
Bath Remodeling
Free ROOFING
OOFING Roof
• Driver – CDL ~ Part Time
• Licensed Practical Nurse ~ Part Time
• Airports • Cruise Terminals
• Manhattan/NYC
Boilers · Hot Water Heaters · Leaks
Estimates CO. Repairs • Certified Nursing Assistant ~ Part Time
• School Transportation
201-836-8148
EMERGENCY SERVICE
Fully Licensed, Bonded and Insured
NO JOB IS TOO SMALL!
INC.
201-487-5050 83 FIRST STREET
HACKENSACK, NJ 07601 Senior Care
201-314-9592 201-358-1700 · Lic. #12285

Antiques Driving Service

Sterling Associates Auctions Reliable Transit Car Service


SEEKING CONSIGNMENT AND Covering all Metro NY/NJ airports or any drivable distance
Your safety and comfort is our primary concern
OUTRIGHT PURCHASES
Sculpture · Paintings · Porcelain · Silver
Jewelry · Furniture · Etc. For more information,
call or text 914-523-4000
TOP CASH PRICES PAID email: jshain@lanline.com
201-768-1140 · www.antiquenj.com
info@antiquenj.com
537 Broadway, Norwood, NJ 07648

ASK ABOUT OUR FREE APPRAISAL SERVICE.


CALL FOR AN APPOINTMENT.
Antiques
Call us.
Antiques Wanted We pay cash for We’re waiting for your
Antique Furniture classified ad!
WE BUY Modern Furniture 201-837-8818
Modern Art
• Oil Paintings • Silver
Paintings
• Bronzes • Porcelain Solution to last week’s puzzle. This week’s puzzle is
Bronzes ❖ Silver on page 48.
• Oriental Rugs • Furniture Chinese Porcelain & Art
• Marble Sculpture • Jewelry Men’s & Women’s Watches
• Tiffany Items • Chandeliers Top Dollar for any kind of
• Chinese Art • Bric-A-Brac Jewelry, including costume

Tyler Antiques ANS A


• Established by Bubbe in 1940! • Over 25 years courteous service to tri-state area
We come to you ❖ Free Appraisals
tylerantiquesny@aol.com Shommer
Call Us! Shabbas
201-894-4770 201-861-7770 ❖ 201-951-6224
Shomer Shabbos www.aadsa726@yahoo.com

54 JEWISH STANDARD JUNE 7, 2019


“ Being hungry affects your
appearance, how you act.
When I’m hungry, I’m not in “
the mood for anything.

Inspired by Jewish values and ideals, MAZON is a national advocacy


organization working to end hunger among people of all faiths and
backgrounds in the United States and Israel.

Help us end hunger. Please donate today.

10850 Wilshire Blvd. Suite 400, Los Angeles CA 90024


(800) 813-0557 | mazon.org

JEWISH STANDARD JUNE 7, 2019 55


JS-56*

Real Estate & Business


How to tile a kitchen Dear Randi: The answer to both of
your questions is yes. This area of
appearance. On the taller area over the
range, a more ornate pattern, such as
countertop backsplash the wall is called a backsplash in the
industry. If you do much cooking and
a diamond, with the same border will
become a focal point.
baking, no matter how careful you When you have decided on a pat-
JAMES DULLEY are, it will get splashed with foods tern, draw it on a large piece of card-
and liquids. Even though you try to board cut to the precise size of the
Dear James: The area of the wall behind the countertop clean it each time, wall paint is just backsplash. You might think drawing
always gets messy, and the paint gets stained. I have seen not designed to resist staining. it on the actual wall would be eas-
some decorative tiled ones. Will tile hold up well there, and In addition to just trying to keep the ier, but it is difficult to dry fit the tile
is this a simple do-it-yourself project?  - Randi H. backsplash looking clean and bright, pieces. Also, it may be difficult to see
finishing it with tile can give your the pattern through the mastic.
kitchen a newly remodeled appear- Once your pattern is drawn on
ance. The backsplash is often low the cardboard, dry fit all the pieces
SERVING ALL OF under a window over the sink, but in together. Plan on leaving a narrow
SOUTHEAST FLORIDA other areas, such as the range, it can
be quite high. This allows you to let
grouting gap between the pieces if
you are using regular glazed tiles.
Now Selling Valencia Sound your creative juices flow and plan a When using tumbled tiles, leave a
unique tile pattern and color scheme. larger gap between them because of
The first step is to decide if you pre- the irregular edges.
fer glazed or tumbled tile, which has a Spread the mastic on the wall.
dull surface and irregular edges. Tum- When using dark tiles, any mastic will
bled tile has a rustic yet soft appear- work well. When using lighter-colored
ance. Glazed tile, with its glossy sur- tiles, select a white mastic, which will
CALL face and regular edges, is easier to not show through or create spots on
TODAY work with if you are not familiar with the tiles. For a professional appear-
tiling projects. ance, put a little extra mastic on the
BUY • SELL • RENT Spend some time going through back of the border tiles so they extend
in active adult, country club, and beachside in kitchen magazines to get some design out a little further than the others.
BOCA RATON, DELRAY BEACH, BOYNTON BEACH
and the surrounding communities ideas. Some of the more ornate From top, porcelain and If you are using glossy glazed tiles,
designs may require the cutting of ceramic tile. Natural you can grout the gaps after the mas-
Advantage Plus
601 S. Federal Hwy • Boca Raton, FL 33432 some of the tiles, but don’t let this stone. Metal. Glass tile. tic has set up per the manufacturer’s
Elly & Ed Lepselter frighten you off. Tile cutters make  Creators.com Bob Cast instructions. For tumbled tile with a
(561) 302-9374 the job simple. Select various colors dull surface, applying a sealer now
that complement and contrast with the countertop will make it easier to wipe off the excess grout mate-
and the cabinets. rial. Once the grout has cured with either type of
BY APPOINTMENT Patterns with various sizes of tiles always look tile, apply sealer over the entire surface to make
õTEANECKö good. On the areas under the cabinets, a narrow sure the grout is well sealed. 
border around the larger tiles will give it a finished  CREATORS.COM

Send your questions to Here’s How, 6906 Royalgreen Dr., Cincinnati, OH 45244 or visit www.dulley.com. To
find out more about James Dulley and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit
the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.

Write a Torah scroll on Masada with JNF


Jewish National Fund-USA is offering an opportunity $90 for a word, $360 for a verse, a paragraph at $540,
to buy letters, sentences, portions, or an entire Torah a chapter at $1,800, a weekly portion at $3600, and
scroll handwritten by a scribe atop the ancient cliff full Torah for $100,000 (taking nine months to com-
C. Club Area. 4 BR Tri-Lev. 3 Full Baths. Fab Vaulted Ceil Mstr Ste+Glass Sit Rm, fortress of Masada. plete). With each Torah’s completion, Jewish National
Skylit Loft Study, FR, Fin Bsmt, C/A/C. Deck. Gar. $495,000 “Be Inscribed” is the perfect gift to honor or remem- Fund-USA donates it to a community in either the
Charm CH Col. LR/Fplc, FDR, Mod Kit/Bkfst Nook, Den. Mstr Ste/Dress Rm, 2 more ber loved ones, family, and friends, while contributing Negev Desert or the Galilee.
BRs, 2.5 Baths. Gar. $479,000 to the legacy, perseverance, bravery, and commitment “We’re building a safe and vibrant land of Israel
Spac 3 BR Col. LR/Fplc, FDR, Ceramic Tiled Kit/Grnte Cntrs/Bkfst Rm, FR, Porch. of the Jewish people. With Be Inscribed, anyone can be by scribing Torah scrolls on top of Masada that once
C/A/C. 2 Car Gar. For Rent $2,650/mo. $419,900 part of of a new Torah that is being hand scribed on the symbolized our destruction but now symbolizes our
4 BR Cape. 2 Full Baths. LR, Kit, Jr DR. Playrm Bsmt. H/W Flrs, C/A/C. Gar. very site where 2,000 years ago Jews revolted against life,” explained Ron Werner, of Denver, CO, Jewish
$369,000
Roman forces attempting to seize and enslave the last National Fund-USA’s national assistant secretary and
Bring Your Imagination. Quaint 3 BR, 2 Bath Col. Front Porch, LR,/Fplc, FDR, Encl
of the Jews rebelling against Roman rule. president of the board of directors at Alexander Muss
Rear Porch, Bsmt. $299,900
Today, a scribe is writing new Torahs for Jewish High School in Israel (AMHSI-JNF), whose campus
Renov Condo. Spac Rms. Oak Flrs. New MEIK, 1 BR, 1 Bath. Storage, Laund,
Off-St Pkg. $199,000 National Fund-USA’s Be Inscribed in the very same just outside of Tel Aviv received the first Be Inscribed
Great for Commuter/Investor. 1st Flr Condo. 1 BR, 1 Bath. Oak Flrs. Updated Grnt synagogue that once housed the Torahs of Masada. Torah last July.
Cntrd Kit/Bkfst Bar. Patio. Off-St Pkg. $184,000 In 2004, the synagogue was rebuilt and a Torah was “Torah is the soul of the Jewish people and our
placed there, and in 2008, a room was reconditioned to moral compass. By connecting people to Torah,
ALL CLOSE TO NY BUS / HOUSES OF WORSHIP /
HIGHWAYS / SHOPS / SCHOOLS comfortably house a scribe behind a glass wall, afford- we elevate the whole equation and will build better
www.RussoRealEstate.com ing visitors the opportunity to watch him at work. bonds between Jewry and Israel,” he said.
app.russorealestate.com The act of creating a new Torah is strenuous, with With Be Inscribed, every person has the ability to
304,805 letters to be written in Hebrew with a quill participate in the scared act of writing a Torah and be
on calfskin or parchment by a trained scribe. Be part of ancient history brought back to life. For more
(201) 837-8800 Inscribed prices vary and begin at $36 for a letter, information and details, visit beinscribed.org.
56 Jewish Standard JUNE 7, 2019
JS-57

Real Estate & Business

House calls Money for what matters.


Oral vs. written commitment
EDITH LANK lease. One wasn’t signed when he
moved in. Can we give him an ultima-
Dear Edith: I have applied for a mort- tum to get caught up, or at least be loyal
gage loan to buy a house. I have been with the weekly checks, or be forced to
told by the loan counselor that I quali- go? We discussed him making a large
fied for the loan. Should I ask for a writ- payment at income tax time, but that
ten commitment, or do you think that has not happened.
an oral commitment suffices? We would appreciate any feedback.
- G.H. - J.C.
Answer: What you have is the coun- Answer: If you’re asking whether you
selor’s personal opinion, based on the have the right to evict this young man,
information you furnished when you of course you do. I don’t know what
applied for the loan. A binding commit- state you’re in and how much notice
ment from the lending institution will you owe him. But as experienced land-
follow in time, if all goes well. lords, you must have realized already
Before you receive the loan, there that you should turn him out.
must be confirming documentation My guess is that you just want me to
about your debts, income, assets and tell you to go ahead.
credit rating. Equally important: The Only thing is: If you say so, you’d
house itself must pass an appraisal. better mean it, not a single compro-
mise or “letting it go this time.” Make
Problem Tenant one concession and you’ll be right
Dear Edith: My wife and I own a back where you are now. Whatever
building with four one-bedroom apart- you tell him, make it clear that this
ments. We have one tenant who, at one time you’re going to stick to it — and
point, was almost five months behind do so, no matter how difficult it is. The
on rent. It is an acquaintance of our slightest “Well, I guess we could wait,”
son, and we knew he was having trou- etc., will put you right back or worse
ble holding a decent paying job, but he than where you are now.
was never out of work for long. He was Let him decide what kind of pay-
always trying, so we held out hope that back he’ll follow, and make it abso-
things would turn around for him. lutely clear that you’ll give him notice
Well, finally, they did — so he said. to leave the very first time he doesn’t
Don’t settle for your mortgage. Get the terms you
He sent a lengthy text about how he felt live up to it. He’ll experiment with deserve from Visions. With the No Closing Cost
bad about being behind, how he appre- you, so to be fair, you have to explain
ciated us understanding, and how he in advance that you can’t afford to Mortgage from Visions, you get a low interest
had been appointed caregiver for his make any more exceptions to what-
brother on weekends and had another ever he promises. You might also
rate – and no closing costs* means you save
job Monday through Thursday. He said mention going to small claims court thousands right from the start. Learn more and
he would send $300 a week till he got for what he owes.
caught up. If you’re lucky, he’ll just leave apply now at visionsfcu.org/noclosingcosts
Well, that lasted three weeks. He promptly.
would send $100, $180 or maybe Good luck. Tell me how it works out!
nothing at all and wouldn’t contact us  CREATORS.COM
with a reason, or even respond to our
inquiries. Contact Edith Lank at www.askedith.
Well, we’re thinking maybe it’s time com, at edithlank@aol.com or at 240
to let this guy go. He does not have a Hemingway Drive, Rochester NY 14620.

visionsfcu.org
The Golden Vessel Project
An upcoming free event promises to on Monday, June 17, at 7:45 p.m. at the *Credit union membership required with a $25 minimum deposit – certain restrictions apply. Check with a Visions Federal Credit Union
representative for membership eligibility details. Promotion valid on the 10/1 Adjustable Rate Mortgage (ARM) product only. Applications
show how the concepts of Torah can Double Tree Hilton in Fort Lee. are subject to standard credit criteria. New purchase or refinance. One- to four-family, owner-occupied, primary residence only. Maximum
help to achieve the ultimate prize of RSVP at tgvp.eventbrite.com. mortgage dollar amount funded is based on region and property value. Estimated savings of closing costs, which varies by geographic market
and property, would be at least $3,370, including, but not limited to, the following costs: appraisal, flood determination, application fee,
financial freedom and freedom of For general inquiries on how The credit report, lender attorney fees, recording fee, title insurance, and mortgage tax. Borrowers are responsible for initial escrow setup, interim
interest, owner’s title insurance, tax service fee, borrower’s attorney fees, survey, and private mortgage insurance, if applicable. Property
time. If you are looking for the new Golden Vessel Project can help you insurance is required. Flood insurance may be required. This promotion is subject to change without notice (including the rate). Other
vessel for financial blessings and or your community, email Golden. restrictions apply. Rates are variable and can increase by up to 2% annually beginning in the 11th year, up to a lifetime rate adjustment of 5%.
Rate increases are based on the index at the adjustment time plus the margin. Please speak with a representative for current rate information
ready to take decisive steps towards Vessel.Project@gmail.com or text or visit visionsfcu.org/mortgage-rates. Cannot be combined with any other promotion or offer. Submit applications by Dec. 31, 2019.
the dream of financial freedom and (551) 255-5551.
freedom of time, attend this seminar

Jewish Standard JUNE 7, 2019 57


JS-58*

Real Estate & Business

Shiloh: Wines from the heart of the Holy Land


Elchonon Hellinger Recently I visited Amichai; he’s a jovial with notes of fruit, flowers, tobacco,

S
host and loves to cook. We tasted through and oak. This wine drinks well now
hiloh winery is internationally his garage wines — well, living room wines and will cellar for 10+ years.
renowned for its superior wines. to be exact, which he generously opened. The Shiloh Mosaic is a complex
No less known is the winemaker, From 2002-2005 Amichai made wines in his blend. I can clearly remember the
Amichai Lurie. house. As we tasted through these wines, it youth and vibrancy of the 06 when
Amichai is witty and full of humor. The was really incredible to see how well made I had it a couple of years ago, jammy
man is a genius but humble. If you probe they are and how perfectly they have aged. and spicy. Jump ahead 10 years, and
Amichai, you’ll find a man with infinite Shiloh isn’t made in his living room the 2016 is a profound and legendary
wisdom, who loves wine, the land, his anymore, but close by. The winery has wine with delicious perfume aromas —
family and slaughtering lambs. At his expanded drastically over the years with robust, intense concentration, deeply
house in Maaleh Levona he has an enor- more labels, many awards, and increased extracted fruit, strong cinnamon, and
mous hothouse where he cultivates every demand. Today’s production of 250,000 delightful balance.
vegetable and herb possible. bottles a year is in high demand, and the Perhaps Shiloh’s most unique
Amichai likes to point out the Gemara’s winery keeps expanding. wines, aptly named, are the Legend
statements that prior to the destruction Currently, a new state of the art winery series. Combining a blend of various
of the second Beit Hamikdash, the wines is in the process of being built. The facility grapes, Amichai has made the Shiloh
would age forever... but once the Temple will support expanded production with a Legend Honi and Shiloh Legend Fid-
was destroyed the wines spoiled quickly. beautiful tasting room and a meat restau- dler highly enjoyable wines. Sophis-
But Amichai’s wines age forever. rant, too. why. Sloping hills and towering moun- ticated wine lovers and novices alike
The wines of Shiloh are unique in many tains are the dramatic backdrops of the will truly appreciate these wines.
ways, but a few things really stand out. Avraham vineyards near Mount Abel. The blends are original; the nose and
For one, many of the wines are mevushal, A dedicated vineyard manager, the mouth are equally memorable. Enjoy
prompting noted wine critic Mark Squires years of hard work and being in the with any meal or on any occasion;
from Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate sun clearly show on Amichai’s face, drink now or in 10 years. No matter
to comment that the wines, although but the love and dedication to the the circumstance, you’ll be glad you
mevushal, are worthy for all crowds. vines sparkle in his eyes. Every vine had any of these wines.
Second, the wines age nearly endlessly. is carefully monitored and inspected; Summer calls for cool, crisp and
If you happen across a bottle of Shiloh the vineyards are in constant care. refreshing whites and Amichai deliv-
from 2006, Amichai’s first year, you will God blesses the region with rich soil, ers magnificently with a lovely, ele-
be truly rewarded with a magnificent wine abundant minerals, and the highest gant Shiloh Chardonnay. It tastes of
that has aged beautifully. quality grapes. rich fruit from a tropical paradise with
Reflecting the terroir in which they are Amichai scours all over the region balanced acid and just the right butter-
crafted, Shiloh binds ancient heritage with and contracts with vineyards and iness to make this wine a winner.
modern winemaking. The newest state of farmers, choosing for Shiloh the best Crisp and light, the Sauvignon Blanc
the art equipment stocks this winery just terroir where vines will flourish in har- dances on your tongue in delicate but
minutes from where the Tabernacle of Shi- mony with the soil. The high mountain delicious ways that will send you back
loh once rested. ranges provide for rich sunlight by day for refills.
Even though I’ve been here many times, and cool breezes by night. The results Driving to Jerusalem I feel like one
I’m always captivated and awestruck by are some of the most exceptional of the biblical pilgrims, dancing and
the endless mountain ranges and breath- wines to emerge from Israel, wowing singing as they made their way down-
taking scenery. and delighting the kosher consumer this very road with their first fruits to
Venturing deep into biblical Shomron, and mainstream connoisseur alike. give to God in the Temple, God willing
one feels the thousands of years of Jewish The Shiloh Secret Reserve Cabernet soon to be rebuilt. I know they will be
Wine maker Amichai Lurie tends to history and viticulture. Wine was made Sauvignon is one of Israel’s finest Cab- using Shiloh wines in the Temple’s ser-
his vines. here thousands of years ago and it is clear ernet Sauvignon wines, rich and spicy vices and festivities. Royal Wine

Jimmy the Junk Man


RESIDENTIAL & COMMERCIAL
J
Jim
im
RESIDENT
the
the
WE CLEAN OUT: WE
Basements •Basements
Attics • Garages • Fire Damage • Att
Construction Debris • Hoarding Specialists
Construction De
WE RECYCLE W
CALL TODAY FOR A FREE ESTIMATE CALL TODAY
201-66•1845-600-5941
201-661-4940 - 4940 201- 6
We do not transport solid or hazardous waste
We Amichai
do Lurie prepares tonot
sample one of his vintages.trans
58 Jewish Standard JUNE 7, 2019
JS-59

Making your real estate dreams come true


Ruth Miron-Schleider
Broker/Owner is our passion and our mission!
229 E. CLINTON AVE, $1,150,000 8 WOODLAND PARK DRIVE 136 OAK STREET 30 OXFORD DRIVE
J SO SO SO
LIS US LD LD LD
TE T ! ! !
D!

TE TE TE TE
NA NA NA NA
FL FL FL FL
Y Y Y Y

41-88 RYS TER, $879,000 2-06 37TH STREET 149 14TH STREET 124 PALISADE AVE, $968,000
J SO SO GO
LIS US LD LD CO RG
TE T ! ! LO EO
D! NI US
AL
!

CR CR
F F ES ES
LA AIR LA AIR SK SK
W W ILL ILL
N N

15 BROOK WAY 164 COUNTY ROAD 176 CHESTNUT STREET 24 PROSPECT STREET
SO SO SO SO
LD LD LD LD
! ! ! !

DE DE DE DE
M M M M
AR AR AR AR
ES ES ES ES
T T T T

70 OAK STEET 22 MAPLEWOOD ROAD 17 HENMAR AVENUE 41 MCCAIN COURT


SO SO SO SO
LD LD LD LD
! ! ! !

CL CL CL CL
OS OS OS OS
TE TE TE TE
R R R R

308 BOOTH AVENUE 286 ROBIN ROAD 170 HILLSIDE AVENUE 320 MOUNTAIN RD, $5,500,000
CO UND J J FA
NT ER SO UST SO UST I
ES RYT
RA LD LD TA ALE
CT ! ! TE
!

EN EN EN EN
GL GL GL GL
EW EW EW EW
OO OO OO OO
D D D D

Call us today for your complimentary consultation!


Office: 201.266.8555 Mobile: 201.906.6024
contact@mironproperties.com
www.MironProperties.com Jewish Standard JUNE 7, 2019 59
Shavuot CHAGSAMEACH
FROM CEDARMARKET

646CedarLaneTeaneck,NJ07666 |201-
855-
8500 |Fax201-
801-
0225|i
nfo@t
hec
edar
mar
ket
.com |www.
thec
edar
mar
ket
.com

You might also like