NJ LEGISLATURE PASSES ANTI-BDS BILL page 7

DUDU FISHER COMING TO BERGENPAC page 8

NEW MILFORD SCHECHTER WINS GRANT FOR NEW CURRICULUM page 10
BELIEVING IN KAFKAS SONpage 37
JULY 1, 2016
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Jane Riley, Cresskill, NJ

Surviving stage four cancer got Jane

back to the one stage she truly loves.
Music has always been Janes passion. When she was diagnosed with multiple
cancers including in her brain, she thought that part of her life was over. Our surgeons,
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with one goal: the best treatment for Jane. Today, this mom, wife and drummer is back
onstage, looking forward to many more encores. A personalized treatment plan
created by a dedicated team of cancer experts one more reason to make
Englewood Hospital and Medical Center
your hospital for life.

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2 JEWISH STANDARD JULY 1, 2016

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Page 3
Jewish father puts
matchmaking plans on pause

Would-be ninja
warrior rabbi to try again
l On Monday nights episode of Amer-

ican Ninja Warrior, Orthodox rabbinical

student Akiva Neuman competed wearing his kippah, tzizit, and a T-shirt that
showed a muscular rabbi lifting a Torah
over his head.
Usually rabbi goes along with pot
belly, so Im gonna try and change
that, Neuman, who lives in Queens and
is in rabbinical school at Yeshiva University, told NBCs cameras.
Neuman competed to chants of
rabbi, rabbi and made an impressive
run on the challenging course. Early on,
he struggled on the rope, the second
obstacle, but bounced back. Ultimately,
Neumans upper body strength failed
him, however, as he slipped off what
looked like a punching bag into the water below.
Neuman didnt make it to the next
level of the competition, which would
have required some last-minute planning and potentially some special
scheduling it was set to take place on
a Friday night.
Still, the 25-year-old remained confident and smiling throughout.
Some might think its Christmastime
in Hollis, Queens, exclaimed an announcer, referencing Run DMCs classic
1988 track. But I think its Chanukah

time! Hes celebrating!

And Neuman remains undeterred,
saying he plans to compete again.
The commentators nicknamed
me the Rookie Rabbi because most
people come back and compete a few
times, he said.
While Neuman doesnt plan to increase the number of hours he works
out after all, getting his ordination
and studying taxation at St. Johns University, as well as having a job (youth
director at the Young Israel of Holliswood) and new baby do get in the way
of workouts sometimes he is going
to focus on building his upper body
strength.
I want to be able to do a one-handed salmon ladder and a one-handed
pull-up, he said.
Next time you see a rabbi walking in
the street, dont just think, He cant do
any of that, Neuman told the Ninja
cameras. Maybe hes gonna be the
next Ninja Warrior.
And while he may have cited Maimonides in an earlier interview, this time
he drew upon the wisdom of a different
sort of man, one famous for his brawn:
Arnold Schwarzenegger.
Ill be back, Neuman said.
Lucy Cohen Blatter/JTA Wire Service

Moroccan Jewish dialect on the Knesset agenda

l In recent weeks, weve written about

Yiddish and Ladino, the two bestknown Jewish languages.

This week, a dialect of Judeo-Arabic
gets its turn in the spotlight, with a
report in Yedioth Ahronoth that the
Knesset is about to offer a course in the
language spoken by Moroccan Jews.
The course will be given to interested
Knesset members and Knesset employees, and will be taught by members of

the National Library.

The course is the brainchild of MK
Yaakov Margi, a native of Morocco who
chairs the Knesset Education Committee. Margi left Morocco in 1962, part of
the large exodus of Moroccan Jews to
Israel at that time. He was two years old.
To get you started on your Moroccan
Jewish vocabulary, heres the word for
Knesset member: Saheb el-Knesset.
Larry Yudelson

l The Jewish father

who took out a fullpage ad in an Idaho
newspaper seeking a
wife for his 48-yearold son has postponed the interviews
with prospective
brides that resulted
from his ad.
Arthur Brooks,
78, of Beverly Hills,
decided to delay his
interviews of potential wives for his son,
Baron, at a resort in
Coeur dAlene, Idaho,
over the weekend after the resort
got a little scared about people losing their privacy, People magazine
reported Sunday.
Ive decided now to let a few
weeks go by, then well reschedule,
Brooks told People.
The Spokesman-Review, a Spokane newspaper, reported that at
least a dozen women, only one local,
responded to the ad. The story has
been picked up by media outlets
throughout the United States and
internationally.
Brooks reportedly was surprised
by the amount of attention his ad
generated.
I thought I might get a couple of
women to respond, then Id quietly set up a few interviews and
that would be that, he told People.
I want my son to be happy and I
thought I was doing a good thing.
But it took off in an entirely different
direction.
Brooks took out the ad last week.
He did not tell his son.
Baron Brooks, a broker in the health
food trade, told the Spokesman-Review that he was shocked and infuriated to learn of the ad.

Father and son met at the Salt Lake

City International Airport on Saturday
evening, where Baron Brooks gave his
father a scolding then wrapped him
in a warm hug, according to People.
Id hoped to be married by now
and have children, but its very challenging in Salt Lake City for a Jewish
guy, Baron Brooks told People. Most
of the women I meet are in their 40s
and are done having kids. I came
close to getting married a couple of
times, but it didnt work out. So I think
my dad felt there was an urgency to
make something happen.
Baron Brooks has agreed to be
present for the interviews, which
will be held in Salt Lake City, when
they do happen. Hes going to do it
anyway, the younger Brooks said, according to People, and I dont want
to hurt anybodys feelings. So if any
of these women are truly willing to
meet me and theyre not just crazy
people out for a free trip, I want to do
the honorable thing. And if it happens
to lead to something, well, great.
If nothing else, the story provides
an important lesson for us all: newspaper advertising works.
JTA Wire Service

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ASK RABBI ZAHAVY 35
Dvar torah............................................36
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Jewish Standard July 1, 2016 3

Noshes

When theres thunderous laughter

when the chief speaks, theres Jews in the
movie house balcony.
Mel Brooks, who turned 90 this week, talked to Tablet about audience reaction
when the Indian chief in his 42-year-old classic, Blazing Saddles, opens his
mouth and Yiddish comes out.

A WRITERS FINALE:

Poignant back story

to Spielbergs BFG
Theres really good
buzz around the
new STEVEN
SPIELBERG film BFG.
The basic plot: a girl
named Sophie encounters the (monstrous
looking) Big Friendly
Giant. He turns out to be
a kindhearted soul who
is not liked by the other
giants because, unlike
them, he refuses to eat
children. The screenplay,
from a Roald Dahl novel,
is by Melissa Mathison,
who died of cancer last
year. She was 65. The
film is dedicated to her.
Mathison and her
ex-husband, HARRISON
FORD, 73, had two
children together. She
and Spielberg, 69,
co-wrote his childrens
fantasy masterpiece,
E.T. (Opens Friday,
July 1.)
If the usually
reliable Variety
review is correct,
the film Swiss Army
Man, a surrealistic
comedy-drama co-starring DANIEL RADCLIFFE, 26, has some
brilliant parts, but long
stretches of it dont work.
Paul Dano plays Hank, a
guy stranded on a desert
island. A corpse named
Manny (Radcliffe)
washes onshore; the
corpse and Hank form an
unusual friendship. Even
though hes dead, Manny
has the ability to talk and
possesses many supernatural powers.

The ninth episode

of HBOs Game of
Thrones, called
Battle of the Bastards,
aired on June 19 and fans
and critics raved about
it, and particularly about
the way in which its
almost nonstop action
was directed. The battle
scenes were better than
in most feature films
and most shows dont
have two battle scenes
which seamlessly work in
computer-generated
flying dragons and a
mega-giant warrior. The
episode was directed by
MIGUEL ROSENBERGSAPOCHNIK, 35ish. He
also directed this
seasons finale, which
has not aired yet as I
write this. Last season,
he directed two episodes, including episode
8 (Hardhome). Thats
the one that featured
the epic battle in which
Jon Snow and the
Wildings fought the
white walker leader and
his zombie-esque army
of the dead. It was
hailed as one of the best
episodes in the series,
and the action sequences, in particular, were
brilliantly staged.
Sapochnik says he
viewed thousands of
hours of real-life and
dramatized battle
footage to prepare for
the Battle of the
Bastards, which took a
month to film.
Sapochniks family line

Steven Spielberg

Harrison Ford

Miguel RosenbergSapochnik

Alexis Raben

Jill Kargman

Will Kopelman

is on an ancestry site,
courtesy of a relative. But
curiously, his exact age is
not listed. Its clear that
his ancestors on both
sides are Eastern European Jews who settled in
Argentina in the late 19th
or very early 20th century. The director appears
to have been born in
England, and certainly he
was raised in the U.K. Of
one thing I am certain
talented directors of action sequences are in high
demand. I expect him to
get mucho offers to direct

big-budget action films.

Sapochniks wife of
eight years is actress
ALEXIS RABEN, 35. She
was born in Moscow, but
raised in the States and
is a Wesleyan University
graduate. Shes hasnt
landed a big role yet.
The Bravo scripted
series Odd Mom
Out got pretty
good reviews when it
started in June 2015.
JILL KARGMAN, 41,
stars as Jill Weber, a
Jewish woman who
marries into a rich

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STANDARD1 JULY 1, 2016
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WASP family and lives

on Manhattans swanky
Upper East Side. Shes a
stay-at-home mother
with three kids and her
husband is an attorney.
Kargman, too, grew up
on the East Side and has
three kids. However,
unlike her fictional
character, Kargman is
very active outside the
home (shes a columnist,
novelist, and actress)
and unlike her characters husband, hers
HARRY KARGMAN,
42 is Jewish.

Jill Kargman certainly knows her shows

rich and fashionable
milieu her father,
ARIE KOPELMAN, 77,
was head of Chanel,
and her mother, COCO
FRANCO KOPELMAN,
77ish, is a celebrated
East Side fundraiser.
Coco, who is of Greek
Sephardi background,
reportedly is very funny,
charming, and knows
everybody. Jills brother,
WILL KOPELMAN, 38,
is a fine-art consultant.
He married actress Drew
Barrymore in 2012 in a
Reform Jewish ceremony. The couple quickly
had two daughters before splitting up in April.
Jill Kargman recently
told an interviewer that
shes still great friends
with Barrymore, and
that her two young
nieces were being raised
Jewish.
Barrymore will appear
as a guest star this season on Odd Mom Out
(episode first airing July
25). Shell play a really
crazy mom. However,
right now look for encore
showings of the second
episode (Fast and Furious) of this season (first
aired June 27). In it, Jill
Webers parents come
to NYC to observe Yom
Kippur. Jewish content
like this is not unusual
in the series very first
episode, Jill Weber wore
a T-shirt that said: Chai
N.B.
Maintenance.

California-based Nate Bloom can be reached at

Middleoftheroad1@aol.com

The
All-New
2017
E-Class
Sedan
6/20/16 4:26 PM

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JEWISH STANDARD JULY 1, 2016 5

Local
Faith in action
Vigil in Park Ridge remembers Orlando victims, includes calls for reform
JOANNE PALMER
When a gunman murdered 49 people and
wounded another 53, some of them grievously, at Pulse, an LGBTQ nightclub in
Orlando, on June 12, it is fair to say that the
whole nation went into shock.
What was behind the murderers
spree? People immediately came out
with a wide range of possible motives and
explanations, ranging from homophobia
to mental illness to Islamic terrorism to
anti-Latino bias to the lack of proper gun
control. Because the murderer attacked
an LGBTQ club on Latin night, because
he had pledged allegiance to ISIS in the
midst of his attack, because he had a
semi-automatic attack rifle, and because
it was clear both from his actions and
then from his history that he was mentally unbalanced, there was evidence for
every single one of those theories, and
probably he was motivated by more than
one of them.
So, given the horror, and given the lack
of clarity, most officials responded immediately with platitudes rather than action;
to be fair, there were not many actions that
suggested themselves immediately. But a
week or so after the carnage, it seemed to
many local religious leaders, thoughts and
prayers by themselves were not enough.
The Upper Pascack Valley Clergy Council decided to respond with a prayer
vigil last Wednesday night at the Pascack
Reformed Church in Park Ridge. During
the vigil, the dead victims were named,
one by one, and then participants were
asked to call their U.S. representative,
Scott Garret (R- 5th District) and the two
New Jersey senators, Bob Menendez and
Cory Booker, asking for help on passing
laws on background checks for would-be
gun buyers.
Because the crime was so complex, so
was the response to it, Rabbi Debra Orenstein of Congregation Bnai Israel in Emerson said. There were a number of different impulses. Obviously people wanted to
pray for the victims, to get together and
make a statement of solidarity and peace
in the face of violence. Solidarity with the
LGBT community and with all people of
faith. Thats how it started and thats
where it became interesting.
First, she said, the group was troubled
by the fact that all the council members
are Jewish or Christian. Thats not because
local Muslims refuse to join, but because
there are no mosques or other Islamic
organizations in the councils catchment
area. So we reached beyond our borders
to three Muslim groups we had worked
6 JEWISH STANDARD JULY 1, 2016

Young Israeli LGBT equality activists lighting candles at Zion Square in Jerusalem in solidarity with the victims of the
shooting attack in Orlando on June 12.
HADAS PARUSH/FLASH90

community is so excluded by
everyone, to make it the center.
To say that its not about terror,
not about guns, not about the
Latino community.
My initial impulse was for
greater inclusivity, she continued. The more the better, and
I saw no conflict between these
things. I have a tendency to
think about the worst-case scenario from a congregants perRabbis Deborah Orenstein and Noah Fabricant
spective. If you were the parent of an adult schizophrenic,
and your greatest fear is that one day your
with before, she said. Because it was
child will acquire a gun and commit a simiRamadan, and because there was less than
lar act, and you walk in and are told that
a weeks notice, none of them could join in
this has nothing to do with guns or mental
the evening, but it was a good thing to have
illness, its only about the LBGT commudone, she said.
nity, then we have just alienated someone
Next, there was the question of what
we didnt need to alienate.
do we mean when we say we stand with
There were other clergy who looked at
the victims, Rabbi Orenstein continued.
the same situation and said, Yes, but given
What community? Does it mean the LGBT
that the violence was directed at the LGBT
community? The Latino community? Are
community, given that it is the last comwe standing with victims of gun violence?
munity that it is safe to hate publicly, dont
It led to a good conversation among the
they need us to make them the center?
clergy. Obviously its not either/or. We want
The solution to that dilemma emerged
to stand with all these people. But there
organically; the LGBT community was at
was a felt need, perhaps because the LGBT

the center of the vigil, but the others were

acknowledged as well.
The service was simple. It started and
ended with a hymn, three ministers
divided up the names and read them all,
as a candle was lit for each, and then Rabbi
Orenstein chanted El Maleh Rachamim.
A little more talking, a little more singing,
some phone calls, and it was over.
Wait. Phone calls. What?
The calls were Rabbi Noah Fabricants
idea. Rabbi Fabricant leads Temple Beth
Or of Washington Township. He thought it
was necessary, he said, because the concern I had with the idea of a prayer vigil
and I also was hearing this from other people was fatigue with the idea of thoughts
and prayers.
Thoughts and prayers are not enough.
Its an easy way of not doing anything.
So I asked if any sort of action was
contemplated.
There hadnt been yet the vigil was
pieced together quickly so Rabbi Fabricant volunteered.
His idea, he said, was based on something Rabbi Elyse Frishman of Barnert
Temple in Franklin Lakes had done during
SEE PRAYER VIGIL PAGE 27

Local

New Jersey legislature takes stance against BDS

Bill to divest from companies boycotting Israel awaits Christies signature
LARRY YUDELSON

ew Jersey pension and annuity

funds will divest from companies that boycott Israel, if Governor Chris Christie signs the
bill the New Jersey legislature passed on
Monday.
The bill, which was strongly supported
by the Jewish community, passed 69 to 3
with 2 abstentions in the state Assembly,
and 37 to 0 in the Senate.
We are sending a statement that we
do not want to delegitimize our partner
in freedom, explained Assemblywoman
Valerie Vainieri Huttle of Englewood, one
of the bills sponsors.
We are grateful that once again members of the Senate and Assembly have
made a strong statement in recognition
of the historic cultural and economic ties
between New Jersey and Israel, Mark S.
Levenson, president of the N.J. State Association of Jewish Federations, said.
Nine states already have passed similar
laws targeting BDS, the Boycott Divestment

Valerie Vainieri Huttle

Mark Levenson

Sanctions movement Palestinian activists

launched against Israel in 2005. The first
anti-BDS bill to be signed into law was in
Illinois; it was implemented in 2015. In
Rhode Island, a bill has been passed by the
legislature and is awaiting the governors
signature.
While the BDS movement has claimed
a handful of high-profile victories, including a 2014 decision by the Presbyterian
Church USA to sell its holdings in Caterpillar, Hewlett-Packard, and Motorola

Jacob Toporek

because of those companies activities in

Israel, there has been little actual financial
impact on the Israeli economy.
Israeli leaders have made fighting BDS
a major priority in recent years. They
have compared the BDS campaign to terrorism. It is just like suicide bombings,
said Knesset member Anat Berko, who has
written two books on suicide bombers.
BDS supporters say their call for boycotts and sanctions constitute non-violent
protests.

Jacob Toporek, executive director of

the N.J. State Association of Jewish Federations, said that the bill sends a strong
message in support of the New JerseyIsrael relationship and in opposition to
BDS and discriminatory practices against
Israel and Israeli businesses.
Mr. Toporek said that the anti-BDS legislation was the top legislative priority
for his group, which handles lobbying for
the states Jewish federations in Trenton.
Among its activities was a coordinated
letter-writing campaign, which sent 2,200
letters to leaders in Trenton in support of
the legislation.
The New Jersey chapter of the American
Civil Liberties Union opposed the measure
as an unconstitutional restriction of free
speech.
According to a letter sent in June to legislative leaders signed by NJ-ACLUs executive director Udi Ofer and senior staff
attorney Alexander Shalom, the anti-BDS
bill opens up a hornets nest of constitutional concerns.
SEE BDS PAGE 27

JEWISH STANDARD JULY 1, 2016 7

Local

From Jerusalem to bergenPAC

Chabad references Temple ritual with Dudu Fisher concert
LARRY YUDELSON
Forget Elvis.
It turns out that Dudu Fisher is the king
at least, if you take the religious underpinnings of his upcoming bergenPAC concert seriously.
Mr. Fisher, star of Broadway and bimah,
will perform Wednesday night in a concert
sponsored by the nine Chabad chapters of
Bergen and Hudson counties.
The occasion?
A commemoration of the ancient Jewish practice of having the king in Jerusalem
publicly read from the Torah every seven
years on Sukkot.
When all Israel is come to appear
before the Lord thy God in the place which
He shall choose, commands Deuteronomy, thou shalt read this law before all
Israel in their hearing. Assemble the people, the men and the women and the little
ones, and thy stranger that is within thy
gates, that they may hear, and that they
may learn, and fear the Lord your God,
and observe to do all the words of this law.
The ritual is known as hakhel, for the
Hebrew word for assemble. According
to the Mishnah, it is the king who should
read from the Torah. And not the entire
Torah, but rather selected passages from
Deuteronomy.
While the hakhel ritual ended with the
fall of the Kingdom of Judea back in the
year 70, it was revived with public readings of the Torah in Jerusalem in 1945. It
has featured the participation of Israeli
government officials, including chief rabbis and presidents.
Chabad, though, takes the idea of hakhel
less literally.
While this practice doesnt have any
technical enforcement today, spiritually the concept is still relevant, according to Rabbi Chanoch Kaplan, who heads
the Chabad Center of Northwest Bergen
County in Franklin Lakes. It was all about
unity, about bringing the Jewish people
together, and strengthening our communal resolve and commitment to the ways of
Torah and the teachings of Torah.

Dudu Fisher

The rebbe Rabbi Menachem Mendel

Schneerson, who led the Chabad Lubavitch
movement until his death in 1994 always
emphasized that this be a year for public
gatherings of Jews to strengthen connections and commitments to Torah and mitzvot, Rabbi Kaplan continued.
Which led the local Chabad rabbis to
plan an event to bring together as many
Jews from as many parts of county at one
time, one place, he said. This is the first
countywide Chabad event.
It was a bit of a challenge, figuring
out something that would be relevant to
every type of Jew and would have a Jewish
theme, he said.
The answer: Dudu Fisher, a successful
cantor and a Broadway performer who,
as the performer for hakhel, will be playing the part of the king though his set

list will probably not include very much of

Deuteronomy.
It is a special production he has that
features a mix of Jewish songs and some of
the Broadway songs he is most well known
for, Rabbi Kaplan said. The main theme
we want to emphasize is bringing together
Jews from every corner of the county.
We want to draw people from as many
different and diverse communities and
backgrounds as possible to create a unity
event. Seating at the concert will not be
separated by gender.
Since it is a Chabad event, and since
it is a couple of days before the rebbes
yarhzeit, the evening also will feature a
15-minute tribute to the rebbe and his
vision as it relates to hakhel and uniting
the Jewish people, Rabbi Kaplan said.
Chabad houses all over the world have

been doing hakhel events all year, Rabbi

Kaplan said.
We did one on Sukkot where our
Hebrew school and the Valley Chabad
Hebrew school did a joint program, he
said. Yesterday my family participated in
an online event that was brick-and-mortar
at six or seven different locations, and
there were tens of thousands who participated online.
Who: Chabad of Bergen County
What: Unity Concert with Dudu Fisher
When: Wednesday, July 6, 7:30 p.m.;
doors open at 6:45
Where: Bergen Performing Arts Center
30 North Van Brunt St., Englewood.
(201) 227-1030, unityconcert2016.com,
or bergenpac.org.

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Local

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Dressing the needy

Local synagogue brings clothing
to Bronx nursing homes
Abigail Klein Leichman
Not long ago, a member of Teanecks
Temple Emeth noticed a small ad in the
back pages of the Jewish Standard soliciting gently used clothing for nursinghome residents.
She brought it to the attention of Eva
Sandrof, co-chair of the temples social
action committee. Ms. Sandrof immediately put out a call for donations.
The response by our members
was overwhelming, Ms. Sandrof said.
Within a short period of time, 18 large
bags of clothing were donated to needy
residents in Daughters of Jacob, a nursing home in the Bronx.
The ad was placed by Dr. Sam Carr,
a podiatrist who lives in Fair Lawn and
has tended the feet of residents of several nursing homes for the last 20 years.
He discovered, to his surprise, that
many of his patients could not afford to
buy clothing.
After giving some of his own lightly
used shirts and pants to grateful residents, I was overwhelmed by how
much they appreciated and needed and
wanted them, he said.
For the last few years he has appealed
to fellow members of the Bergen
County Jewish community, first on the
Teaneckshuls email group and then
in Jewish newspapers, to donate for
residents of six or seven nursing homes.
Lately he is concentrating his efforts on
two Bronx facilities, the 515-bed Daughters of Jacob and the 240-bed Grand

Manor Nursing Home.

Lorraine Whyte, director of social services at Daughters of Jacob in the South
Bronx, explained that formerly the typical nursing home resident was a senior
citizen whose family members could
provide new clothing as needed. However, the population of urban nursing
homes has changed significantly over
the past few years.
Today we have a lot of homeless people of all ages, and they dont have the
resources to purchase clothing for themselves, she said. They might get $50 a
month from the government for spending money, and thats clearly not enough.
We also have residents with family members who dont have the resources to provide for their loved ones. All of them are
so appreciative of the gently used clothing that Dr. Carr brings.
She said that a 100-year-old resident
received 11 sets of clothing that the staff
chose for her from the Temple Emeth
donation. I just got a call again from
upstairs that one of our other residents
needs clothing, and I will go into these
bags and find very nice lightly used
clothing for her, Ms. Whyte said.
Dr. Carr, who used to live in Teaneck,
says he is glad to be able to help so
many people.
He said that his parents always stressed
the importance of helping others, and he
has taken that value to heart. He volunteers weekly delivering food for Tomchei
Shabbos of Bergen County and picks up
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Local

Schechter wins $50,000 grant

Jewish Education Innovation Challenge awarded for new IB middle school program
JOANNE PALMER
Two weeks ago, we told you about the
International Baccalaureate program that
the Solomon Schechter Day School of Bergen County has begun to use in its middle
school.
The IB program teaches students to
make connections between various subjects in surprising but intellectually rigorous ways, and to make connections
between the Jewish and outside worlds
in ways that aid their understanding and
deepen their commitment to both.
As it turns out, the story doesnt end
there. Last week, the New Milford school
learned that it had won a $50,000 grant
and a two-year commitment for consultation and advice from the Jewish Education
Innovation Challenge for what the JEIC
calls its piloting of groundbreaking ideas
to achieve sustainable Judaism.
Ruth Gafni, Schechters head of school,
and Ingrid Goldfein, who has shepherded
the IB program there, went to Florida a
few weeks ago with the other two finalists chosen from 63 applicants for a
three-day session that was part learning,
part sharing, part competition, part pure
collaboration. We were the only nonOrthodox school, and the only women representing the school, Ms. Goldfein said.
They created such a spirit of collaboration
and inspiration; we learned together with
them and from them.
The three days in Florida were an amazing experience, Ms. Gafni said. We had a
day of learning, and that included speaking about the why of what we do, and connecting through conversation, in pairs or
larger groups, about why we are committed to doing what we are doing personally.
The personal really intertwines with
the professional. If you are passionate
about what you are doing and where you
are going, it affects the way you are going
to do your work. Its not just a workplace.
Its about the passion for the cause, for Jewish continuity, for Jewish kids to be able to
love Judaism.
We met with the two other finalists
one was the other school that won, Stars
of Israel in Brooklyn and they also invited
the people who won in previous years. The
first day was getting to know you, more
personal, and the second day was moving
from the personal to the general.
It felt like a marketplace, a hub of Jewish learning, of innovation, a look at the
richness of what is happening all across
this country. The conversations were rich,
and you learned from everybody. It really
was well beyond our expectations.
The third day was the presentation,
Ms. Gafni continued. I did feel a lot of
pressure. Important educators from all
10 JEWISH STANDARD JULY 1, 2016

Above, Ruth Gafni, left, and Ingrid Goldfein make their

presentation on the IB program at Solmon Schechter Day
School. Right, Rabbi Shmuel Feld listens to the discussions.

over the United States university professors, heads of schools, rabbis, including
Haskel Lookstein, who has retired from
both the pulpit of Congregation Kehilath
Jeshurun, the prominent Upper East Side
Orthodox synagogue, and as the head of
the Ramaz School.
Five of those distinguished people
served as judges, and Ingrid and I made the
presentation, alongside the other two, Ms.
Gafni said. Then, energized, excited, hopeful, and humbled by the breadth of wisdom
and skill theyd seen, the two educators
came home, and they waited.
I got the phone call on Tuesday night,
and I screamed so loud that they probably could hear me in Florida without the
phone, Ms. Gafni said. And then, more
soberly, she added, The main thing is
thinking about how we can make our
students and our graduates and the kids
who are going through our system really
love what they are learning, and stick to it
through their lifetimes.
It is about teaching our children with
love and compassion and understanding,
and about understanding as well that going
through the Jewish educational system is a
privilege that brings with it the added value
of truly connected kids who live authentic
Jewish lives.

We have to show why, when you have

free and appropriate and good public
school systems, Jewish education is necessary. So to be with other like-minded
people who talk about innovation and the
value of the education its big. Its really
big.
The executive director of the Jewish
Federation of Northern New Jersey, Jason
Shames, and Adi Rabinowitz, the Schechter schools president, were in the audience
as the finalists made their presentations.
Their presence was a statement about
how important the grant is; how transformative it could be, Mr. Shames said. I
was more than happy to be there, and to
be part of it. The grant is an opportunity
to change the way we teach our youth Jewish texts.
I would do the same for any of our
schools, he added.
If Schechter can transform itself from
being a yeshiva for Conservative kids to
a school that can help the entire community, that would be a very good thing, Mr.
Shames said. It would be good for kids
who are not necessarily interested in text
study and its not at the expense of kids
who are interested in text study.
It will give the school cachet and allow
it to diversify, he said.

The JEIC is a project of the Mayberg Family Foundation; Rabbi Shmuel Feld is the
JEICs managing director. We designed
this process to be different, Rabbi Feld
said. We figured that everyone else has
done the standard grant-giving; what we
really want to do is create a movement of
people who really know each other and
feel connected to each other. Even if they
do not get grants, they will have had a tremendous experience together.
That was our bet four years ago, and it
worked really well, so ever since, we put
a small group of intellectual, innovative,
creative, and dedicated people together,
in a place where they can only gain from
working together. We havent had a bad
year yet.
Although the process of being awarded
a JEIC is competitive, each competitor
school really is challenging and competing with itself. There is no fixed number of
finalists; similarly, there is no fixed number
of grantees. Although we have told them
several times, our finalists always are surprised to hear it directly everyone has
the opportunity to win a grant, Rabbi Feld
said. We can give grants to all of our finalists or none of them. The goal of the first
day and a half is to discover the opportunity of having intelligent, driven people in

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the same place. We never discuss the competition the

first day; we tell them directly that we are not judging
them on some bizarre metric for who is better at working together.
One of the bases of this is the fact that almost all
educators, and particularly the innovative ones, feel
isolated in their schools. You can look at the winning
schools this year and last they are all in the New York
area. (Of course, he conceded, out of 815 or so Jewish day schools in North America, about 450 or so are
within 30 miles of Times Square, so that does kind of
weight that statistic.) But despite how close the educators are geographically, most of them would never get
to know each other.
The unorthodox style of competition has its own
pressures. It is both a relief and even more stressful,
because if you dont win, you cant say that theyre better. If you dont win, its because you didnt seal the
deal. You didnt do it.
But there is another way to look at it, he added. You
wouldnt be in the finals if we didnt think that your
idea is game-changing. We wouldnt have invited you.
Our primary goal is to have a group of people getting
together who will create more and better ideas.
Rabbi Feld talked specifically about the Schechter
schools winning program. Its really fantastic, he
said. They are attempting something that no Jewish
day school has been able to do. There are a small handful of Jewish day schools that have applied the IB standard to general studies, but I have never even heard of
anyone trying to apply it to a Jewish studies program.
There are a few reasons for that. For one thing,
there is extensive training necessary. You have to have
a Judaic staff that you can invest in. You cant have
frequent staff turnover. The second reason is that
there is a concept that Jewish texts are somehow either
resistant or impenetrable to these kind of activities, to
applying a global or civic or secular or scientific lens to
a Jewish text. There is a component of that thats true.
If you teach history, or social studies, or language, you
want them to use the method as a tool, but often on the
Jewish side the thinking is that you already have a deep
connection to a 3,000-year-old tradition.
But that doesnt mean that it wouldnt be tremendously beneficial and also really interesting to discover
how you look at the central question or answer from
the Jewish text, understanding how point of view
might affect the answer, trying to think through, from
the IB sense, not just the simple idea of how the time
period affects the writer, but also the true intent of the
documents. What were they trying to say?
Take one of the prophets. Say Jeremiah. He was a
guy who had access to the king. What was he trying to
do? What was the information he was applying? And
how does it apply to our world?
From the prophet Micah there is a direct idea that
what God really wants of you is moral behavior, and
that there is the ability to create a peaceful world. That
concept might be a very interesting set of discussion
points in a Judaic class. It would be interesting to start
in middle school or high school, and then come back
after college and see that it still speaks to you.
Middle school is the time when the prefrontal cortex begins to develop. Thats where deep analytical ethical decision-making thought comes from. It provides
ideas of how my own actions will affect the world.
Its wonderful to think that when kids are becoming
bar and bat mitzvah, instead of a giant party they are
investing deeply in the text, in a systematized way.
I think that Ruth and Ingrid are outstanding thinkers, and I am deeply honored to have an opportunity
to work with them, Rabbi Feld concluded.

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Briefly Local
U.K. chief rabbi addresses Touro grads
Touro College gave Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis, the chief rabbi
of the United Hebrew Congregations of the Commonwealth of the United Kingdom, an honorary doctorate at
the schools annual commencement exercises at David
Geffen Hall in Lincoln Center on May 30. Rabbi Mirvis
spoke at graduation.
Celebrating its 42nd commencement, Touro awarded
652 baccalaureate and associate degrees to graduates from
Lander College for Men in Kew Gardens Hills, Lander College for Women The Anna Ruth and Mark Hasten School
in Manhattan, Lander College of Arts & Sciences in Flatbush, the School for Lifelong Education in Brooklyn, and
Machon LParnasa-Institute for Professional Studies.

Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis

Rabbi David Widzer of Temple Beth El leading Prayers on the Palisades

last year.
COURTESY TBE

Prayers on the Palisades

Temple Beth El of Northern Valley in
Closter invites the community to an
informal family-friendly Prayers on the
Palisades Shabbat service led by Rabbis
David Widzer and Beth Kramer-Mazer on
Friday, July 8 at 6:30 p.m., at the State
Line Lookout off the Palisades Parkway.
The exit is northbound on the Palisades
Interstate Parkway two miles north of
Exit 2. Bring a lawn chair and bug spray.
If the weather is inclement, services will

be held at the shul, 221 Schraalenburgh

Road, Closter.
Two more Prayers on the Palisades
services are set for this summer. The
next one, Friday, July 22, will be held
jointly with Temple Emeth of Teaneck.
The last one, Friday, August 19, will be
held jointly with Temple Sinai of Bergen
County of Tenafly. Call (201) 768-5112 or
go to www.tbenv.org for information.

DMC board member Dr. H. Louis Chodosh, left, Dr. Steven and Anne Weisholtz,
and DMC board president Jeffrey Silvershein. 
COURTESY DOMC

New board at Daughters of Miriam

Above, Aiden and Ben Englander at the start the Ohel

OXC Xtreme Challenge. Left,
Drora Arussy of Fair Lawn and
her son push through the challenges mudslide course. 

COURTESY OHEL

Ohels Camp Kaylie proves

an event of Xtreme success
Ohel held its second annual OXC
Xtreme Challenge at Camp Kaylie
in Wurtsboro, N.Y. More than 300
women, men, and children of all
abilities participated in a 5-mile and
1-mile obstacle course competition.
OXC committee founders and chairs
are Ben Englander, Aryeh Jacobson, and Jeffrey Schwartz and Etan

12 JEWISH STANDARD JULY 1, 2016

Kestenbaum.
Participants, ranging in age from
5 to 65, many with disabilities,
climbed, jumped, swam, crawled
and muscled their way through the
finish line.
Start training now for next years
annual OXC event. Preregister at
www.oheloxc.org.

The executive committee of the board of

trustees of Daughters of Miriam Center/
The Gallen Institute in Clifton appointed
board member Andrew Kanter to the
executive committee as vice president. It
also appointed Michael C. Rudolph and
Dr. Steven Weisholtz to the board. All were
welcomed at the annual board of trustees
dinner.
Andrew Kanter of Wayne is the owner
and vice president of the Hertz Passaic/
Clifton Driv-UR-Self Systems, Inc., a familyowned Hertz franchise for more than 50
years. The Kanter family has been involved
in the Passaic/Clifton area for more than
100 years. Mr. Kanter is co-chairman of the
DOMC golf classic. His family belongs to
Barnert Temple in Franklin Lakes.
Michael C. Rudolph has been an attorney
in New Jersey for more than 51 years and is a
member of the New Jersey State and Passaic
and Morris County bar associations, and the
National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys.
He is a member and past president of the
Wayne Rotary Club, a member of Temple
Beth Tikvah in Wayne, and legal adviser to

its board for nearly 30 years.

Dr. Steven J. Weisholtz of Tenafly, who
specializes in internal medicine and infectious diseases, has been practicing in Englewood for 33 years. He was chief of the infectious disease division at Englewood Hospital
and Medical Center for many years, and he
was president of the medical staff and on
the hospitals executive board. He and his
family are members of Congregation Ahavas Shalom in Newark, which is home to the
Jewish Museum of New Jersey.

Andrew Kanter

Michael C.
Rudolph

Keep us informed
We welcome photos of community events. Photos must be high resolution jpg files. Please include a detailed caption
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Briefly Local
NCJW helps expand infant/toddler program

WIN network launches website

The National Council of Jewish Women selected

Englewood-based Bergen Family Center to
receive a $20,000 bequest from longtime member Renee Guller. It will provide the funding to
create the National Council of Jewish Women/
Renee Guller Infant Toddler Center at the agencys Armory Street location, and increase its ability to help more young children.
We are so appreciative of this opportunity
because the need is so great, Mitch Schonfeld,
the CEO of the family center, said. This will allow
us to serve more children and enhance the program for the children we already help.
The National Council of Jewish Women/Renee
Guller Infant Toddler Center will fulfill part of
the agencys recent extensive and comprehensive strategic planning. Its goals include improving and expanding early childhood services so
more children receive quality care.
We have always worked closely with Bergen
Family Center in fulfilling our mission to help
women, children, and families, said Marcia Levy,
the presidium member responsible for community service for the National Council of Jewish
Women. This is a fitting way to recognize the

WIN, the Wayne Interfaith Network, a coalition of volunteers

from local houses of worship and
service organizations in the greater
Wayne area, provides non-perishable food and other basic necessities to Wayne residents who are in
need. It recently launched a website at www.winfoodpantry.org to
better inform area residents about
the organization and the services it
provides to the community.
Bags of non-perishable food and
other basic necessities, including

Mitch Schonfeld, CEO of Bergen Family

Center, accepts the NCJW donation. 

COURTESY NCJWBCS

generosity and memory of one of our members.

The construction will start in late August, when
the early childhood program is closed for annual
staff training. Although the cost of the work will
be greatly reduced because the contractor provided a discount and some materials have been
donated, the grant does not cover all the costs of
the expansion and added curriculum and staff
training. Anyone interested in helping with this
project should call Mary Connolly at (201) 5680817, ext. 122, or Marcia Levy at (201) 894-8739.

paper goods, toiletry items, and

cleaning products, can be brought
to one of the drop-off areas in town:
the Wayne YMCA, 1 Pike Drive
(donors can use the Jewish Family Service entrance) or the Preakness Branch of the Wayne Public
Library. Anyone who needs food
can call Regina Parks at (973) 6941800, ext. 3281. Groups and organizations planning to collect food and
other basic necessities can call the
WIN Food Pantry at (973) 595-1900
or email info@winfoodpantry.org.

Shoe drive benefits Hadassah

The Fair Lawn Chapter of Hadassah is holding a shoe collection
drive through July 4 to raise funds
for the Hadassah Medical Organization. The chapter will earn
funds from Funds2Orgs based
on the number of pairs collected.
Funds raised will benefit care and

medical research at Hadassah

Hospital.
Donate gently worn, used, or
new shoes at 13-03 Morlot Ave.,
Fair Lawn. All donated shoes will
be redistributed throughout the
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JEWISH STANDARD JULY 1, 2016 13

Editorial
American values

The lies have it

ometimes its good to remind

ourselves how good it is to be an
American.
For those of us who are worddrunk, like me, it takes just a recitation
of the second paragraph of the Declaration of Independence We hold these
truths to be self-evident, that all men are
created equal, that they are endowed by
their Creator with certain unalienable
Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty
and the pursuit of Happiness to induce
bleary-eyed joy. (This despite the bothersome use of the word men to mean all
people, of any gender, which normally
is a nails-on-blackboard offense. And it
comes with an acknowledgement that
the first paragraph, the one that begins
When in the Course of human events, it
becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another is absolutely
wonderful too.)
But not everyone is word-drunk, and
just like alcohol, any dose of words eventually wears off, and plain unvarnished
reality is left.
We are going through a very ugly time
in our history right now. Our politics are
full of idiocy, braggadocio, and venom;
serious discussion of issues seems to
have been replaced with insults, infantile
name-calling, and an aversion to truthtelling. The lamp that once was lit beside
the golden door, welcoming the homeless and tempest-tossed, seems in danger
of going out.
A personal anecdote I was in a coffeehouse in Ridgewood on a recent morning,
interviewing someone. We were sitting in
a pretty, sunlit room, one of a few such
rooms in the big store, drinking seriously
good coffee. My companion was expansive and good-tempered, and clearly
enjoyed telling his story.
There was a man sitting in the room.
There were many empty tables in other
rooms, so if he wanted quiet, he could have
found it. That man trim, middle-aged,
well-dressed, with fashionable glasses and a
balding head that hed shaved sat quietly
throughout most of the interview, making
halfhearted stabs at his laptop, pretending

oliticians lie here, and

that 350 million pounds a week would
everywhere else in the world. be redirected to the National Health
Lying is part of a politicians
Service. The official Leave campaign
armory.
adopted that preposterous pledge for
Only, as just the past few weeks dem- its posters and campaign literature.
onstrate, that lying has gotten out of
Just two days after the vote, Farage
hand.
admitted that it was a preposterous
The real problem, though, and espe- pledge.
cially for those of us for whom Jewish
In Brussels on June 23, Mahmoud
law is sacrosanct, is that we encourage
Abbas, president of the Palestinian Authority, appeared before the
the lying by our votes, by our financial
European Parliament and made two
support, and by passing on those lies
extraordinary statements during his
to others.
speech.
Some recent examples from around
The first statement was bad enough.
the globe:
Israel is responsible for world terror Two factors in the victory for the
ism. The way to have the terror you
Leave side of Britains so-called Brexit
face come to an end, you must bring
vote were immigration and making
an end to the Israeli occufunds paid to the EU availpation, and create a Palable for health care, espeestinian state in its wake,
cially for the elderly.
Abbas said.
Pro -Leave c ampaigners warned voters Britain
The second should have
was at a breaking point
caused parliamentarians
when it came to immito walk out in disgust.
gration. A Conservative
Instead, they gave Abbas a
Member of Parliament
standing ovation when he
who supported the Leave
finished.
Rabbi
effort, Daniel Hannan, Shammai
Just a week ago, a week,
who happens to be Jewish
a group of rabbis in Israel
Engelmayer
so he should have known
announced, in a clear
better, hammered away at
announcement, demanding their government, to poison to
the issue. Outside the EU, he assured
voters, we can control our immigra- poison the water of the Palestintion policy.
ians, he said. Is this not clear inciteHe did not mean it, and he admitted
ment to the mass murder of the Palesthat he had lied just two days after the
tinian people?
votes were cast. Frankly, he said, if
Two days later, in a press release,
Abbas said it was not true.
Britons think that they have voted and
Lies fall easily off the lips of Donthere is now going to be zero immigration from the EU, they are going to be
ald Trump, presumptive Republican
disappointed.
nominee for president, and have done
Regarding health care, Nigel Farage, so since the start of the primary sealeader of the United Kingdom Indepen- son. One Republican opponent after
dence Party, repeated the falsehood as
another accused him of lying, and usuoften as anyone would listen that Brit- ally proved it, but voters still went for
ain was spending 350 million pounds a
Trump. Recently, he leveled a long diatribe against Hillary Clinton, his preweek on the EU. (The amount is about
half that.) If Britain left the EU, he told
sumptive opponent. CNN, The Associaudiences (especially elderly ones), ated Press, Factcheck.org, and many

Jewish
Standard
1086 Teaneck Road
Teaneck, NJ 07666
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Fax 201-833-4959
Publisher
James L. Janoff
Associate Publisher Emerita
Marcia Garfinkle

to work, listening to us.

When my companion finished his story,
he started talking about politics. He began
with an opinion that I shared, and then
he moved out into less friendly territory.
I did not agree with him, but his point of
view was coherent, well-thought-out, and
well put. And even if it had not been any
of those things, clearly it is his right both
to hold that belief and to express it.
It seemed that the other man in the
room did not agree.
A few minutes after my companion
began talking about politics, the man got
up and stalked toward us. I cant stand it
any more, he spat. You are a f piece
of sh. (Sorry for the inane bullets; we
are a family paper.) The man continued
cursing, standing still for a few minutes,
spouting red-hot rage before he stomped
off like a taller Rumpelstiltskin, throwing
his feet at the ground as if he wanted to
drive them through it.
Yes, thats just one episode. Its quite
possible that this man, who looked so
upstanding, in fact is unhinged. But the
pent-up anger, the overt, uncontrollable
hostility, the feeling that its okay to attack
strangers for their beliefs not to start
conversations, not to try to persuade, but
to curse and stamp like an overgrown,
foul-mouth infant is new, and it seems
to be representative of our political culture right now.
So it is important for us to remember,
as the stories of Americans-by-choice that
were running this week show, how the
real values that underlie our democracy,
that admittedly are imperfect but always
strive toward unreachable perfection,
always are there. They might be hard to
see sometimes flying spittle can get in
the way but theyre there. We all are
created equal.
We hope that this Fourth of July, the
summer it ushers in, and the fall that will
follow somehow become a time when we
can remember the values that created
this country, as we all work together for
life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
We hope that we all can forget about
the ugliness and share a glorious Fourth.
JP


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g
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r
r
y

Opinion
others took that speech apart line by line; they
found that the overwhelming majority of his claims
were untrue, and others had only a modicum of
truth in them.
In a speech a few days earlier, this one to evangelical Christians, he warned against godless Hillary, saying we dont know anything about Hillary
in terms of religion.
Religion News Service has reported on Clintons
faith several times this year alone, noting that she
was, is and likely always will be, a social-justicefocused Methodist, and this has been evident
across her decades as a lawyer, first lady, senator
and secretary of state.
Time Magazine in 2014 ran an article headlined,
Hillary Clinton: Anchored by Faith.
Clinton, of course, has her own list of lies,
although not as many as her opponents claim. Still,
a lie is a lie (such as ducking under fire in Bosnia in
1994, which reportedly had Secret Service agents
laughing their faces off because they knew that
was a flat-out lie, according to one former agent).
Clintons newfound attack dog in the race is
Senator Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts, a possible vice presidential choice. On the stump with
Clinton this week, Warren unashamedly distorted
Trumps positions on a number of issues (which is
hard to do, considering that it is often hard to know
what Trumps positions are).
Politicians on both sides of the aisle lie routinely.
The real problem is that we seem not to care that
they do.
The Torah warns against putting a stumbling
block before the blind (see Leviticus 19.14), which,
as readers know by now, includes politicians telling
untruths in order to mislead voters.
The Torah and Oral Law, however, in their various warnings against lashon hara (bad speech),
say the one who lies is not the only one who sins.
According to the Babylonian Talmud, tractate
Pesachim 118a, Whoever relates slander, and whoever accepts slander, and whoever gives false testimony against his neighbor deserve to be thrown
to the dogs.
Halachically, then, it is as forbidden to encourage
verbal wrongs as it is to practice them.
In the case of political rhetoric, such encouragement can include voting for a candidate who lies
with impunity, and even passing along the lies to
others in order to influence them to accept the lies.
Not to vote for a candidate who lies is a tall order,
and not one that is easily filled.
There is another standard we could use in evaluating candidates, though. It is found in its original
form in Isaiah, Chapter 58. Only vote for those candidates who help you fulfill your responsibility to
loose the chains of wickedness, to undo the bands
of the yoke, and to let the oppressed go free, and
to break every yoke; to share your bread with the
hungry[and cover] the naked....
We may not be able to avoid violating halachah
when we vote, but at least the choices we will make
will be better informed and soundly based.
Forget about taking back our country. It is time
for us to take back our politics.
The opinions expressed in this section are those
of the authors, not necessarily those of the
newspapers editors, publishers, or other staffers.
We welcome letters to the editor. Send them to
jstandardletters@gmail.com.

In February 2015, President Barack Obama signs a bill in the Oval Office.

Nuance and
nastiness Part I

dont like the euphemism

the n-word. While the
actual word is unbelievably vile when hurled as a
racial epithet, hiding behind a letter when discussing rather than
using the word seems childish
and actually weakens our revulsion (unless an African American
Joseph C.
objects to its use).
Kaplan
So Ill try not to be guilty of
that error and mention up front
two other n-words that I believe are having a serious negative impact on our politics both national and Jewish as
well as on civil discourse: nuance (or the lack thereof ) and
nastiness.
Nuance means subtle differences in meaning, opinion,
attitude, analysis, or facts, and subtlety appears to be in
short supply today. We dont simply disagree strongly about
our president; rather, hes either the worst or the best president weve had in our history.
Or to bring things closer to home President Barack
Obama all too often has been called anti-Israel, even antiSemitic, although his administration, unlike previous ones,
has not permitted passage of any Security Council resolution
specifically critical of Israel. For example, it vetoed a resolution condemning Israeli settlements and blocked the Palestinians attempt to become full U.N. members. These extreme
attacks on President Obama also overlook the facts that under
the Obama administration, the United States often has stood
alone or been one of very few nations voting in support of
Israel in the General Assembly and other U.N. bodies; boycotted Durban II; authorized the sale of bunker-buster bombs to
Israel for the first time; reaffirmed Israels right to self-defense
after the release of a very negative U.N. report concerning the
Gaza War, and continued strong military funding and financial
support for the Iron Dome program.

SHAWN THEW-POOL/GETTY IMAGES

On the other hand, calling the Obama administration

the most pro-Israel one ever, as some have done, ignores,
for example, its frosty, perhaps arctic, relationship with
Israeli leadership; its harping on settlements as a core
issue in Middle East problems and objecting to any building in Jerusalem; its entering into the Iran nuclear agreement despite Israels strong objection and position that it
will be harmed by it; its unfairly pressuring only Israel to
resume negotiations with the PA, together with its unfairly
blaming only Israel for the negotiations non-restart; its
misstatements about the reason behind Israels creation
and the Jewish relationship to the Land of Israel; its stating that there should be daylight between the two countries; its supporting labeling foods from the West Bank;
and its publicly calling for a return to pre-1967 borders
with mutually agreed land swaps.
Anti-Israel? Really? The most pro-Israel? Really?
I understand that each camp would have additional
items to add to its side of the ledger and would dispute

Nuance means subtle

differences in meaning,
opinion, attitude,
analysis, or facts,
and subtlety appears
to be in short
supply today.
items on the other side. Ill leave that discussion to my
(and your) Shabbat table. (No, I dont intend to get into
partisan politics in my columns, although I make no promises since we all know whats at the end of the road paved
with good intentions.) But some of the items on both lists
are simply indisputable. What can be in dispute, however, and what should therefore form the core of any
SEE NASTINESS PAGE 18

JEWISH STANDARD JULY 1, 2016 15

Opinion

How might we engage students?

his past week, I

heard a speaker
lament the current state of
American society. He feels
it is a hedonistic wasteland,
a place devoid of values and
meaning that is churning out
citizens who care for nothTikvah
ing save the next fast food
Wiener
meal they can eat in front of
their flat-screen TVs.
He went on to attribute Americas
problems partly to the value-less educational system he feels we now have,
one that breeds citizens without proper
moral compasses. As I contemplated the
bleakness of the speakers vision, as fatalistic as any modernists apocalyptic nightmare, I wondered if it is a vision we really
have to embrace.
Now I dont mean to trivialize the
alarming and frankly dangerous circumstances of our world. Theres much to
concern us as U.S. and global citizens,
and theres much we can feed our fears
with. But we need not do so.

Purpose-driven work
Despite the assertion that America has a
value-less educational system, we have
data that show that millennials, some of
the most recent graduates of our schooling system, are highly purpose-driven
and want meaning in their lives. In a Fast
Company blog post written about a year
ago, Adam Smiley Poswolsky tells us that
millennials are not motivated by money.
Rather, they aim to make the world more
compassionate, innovative, and sustainable. He adds, More than 50 percent of
millennials say they would take a pay cut
to find work that matches their values,
while 90 percent want to use their skills
for good.
Poswolsky also notes that IBMs February 2015 millennial study found that
millennial career goals dont differ that
much from older generations. Baby
boomers, gen-Xers, and millennials all
want to make a positive impact on their
organization and help solve social and
environmental challenges.
In fact, not only do millennials want to

make an impact, but they

want to do it now; that is,
theyre unwilling to wait 5,
10, 15 years to solidify their
place in a company before
making their socially good
mark. If a company doesnt
speak to a millennials values immediately, s/he will
find an organization that
does. No, millennials arent
willing to delay that sense
of gratification, and in fact, Poswolsky
tells us, they will find employers who
are transparent about the way they use
resources, talent, and technology to
make a positive impact in the world.

Social entrepreneurship
Perhaps one of the best paradigms of the
kind of company Poswolsky describes
and millennials seek is Toms Shoes.
Toms made social entrepreneurship
hip and cool by donating a pair of shoes
every time someone bought one of theirs.
After he made this model of buying and
giving wildly successful, Toms founder,
Blake Mycoskie, wanted to do something
new. He took a gap year and returned to
Toms not with a creative shoe idea, but
with new ideas for buying and giving:
Toms now sells coffee whose purchase
goes to providing safe access to drinking
water and eyeglasses whose purchase
goes to help those who need eyeglasses,
sight-saving surgery, or ophthalmological
care. The company also works to provide
safe births and prevent bullying. When
I browse the companys website, I keep
having to remind myself that Im not
reading the mission statement of a nonprofit organization.

Problem-based learning
One of the reasons I advocate for ProjectBased or Problem-Based Learning is that
it also steeps students in an environment
thats meaningful and contextualized. Just
as an employee at Toms knows the value of
what s/he is providing to others throughout the work day, so too in a PBL classroom students know theyre engaged in
solving a real-world problem and creating
something thats valuable in the world. At

Despite the assertion that

America has a value-less
educational system, we
have data that show that
millennials, some of the most
recent graduates of our
schooling system, are highly
purpose-driven and want
meaning in their lives.
16 JEWISH STANDARD JULY 1, 2016

Shira Greenspan, left, a Judaic studies teacher at Yeshivat Noam in Paramus, and
Ilisa Cappell of the Schechter Day School Network imagine possibilities at last
years Summer Sandbox at Yeshivat Noam.
TIKVAH WIENER

Magen David Yeshivah High School, where

I work, our science department chairperson, Michal Ashkenazy, is launching two
new programs in the 2016-17 school year,
the Invasive Fish project and the Trout in
the Classroom project.
In the Invasive Fish project, students
will help scientists track the spread of
such invasive fish species as sea lamprey, Asian carp, round gobi, and snakeheads throughout New York State waterways, in an ongoing research project
with Cornell University. Students will
collect and analyze water samples from
local water sources for environmental
DNA from these invasive fish species,
and their findings and research will be
added to Cornell Universitys database,
which then will be made publicly available. The information provided by the
students will help New York State provide responses to the problem of invasive fish species.
In the Trout in the Classroom project,

students will breed brown and brook

trout from eggs, caring for the young
trout, monitoring the quality of their
tank water, and understanding their
ecosystems. The goal of this program is
to encourage students to care about fish
and the environment, and to connect
students to the local watersheds that
sustain them. They will end the year by
releasing their trout in a state-approved
stream or watershed.
Lest you think that problem-based
learning can happen only in middle or
high school, consider Portfolio School, a
PBL elementary school set to open this
fall. Dr. Shira Leibowitz, the schools
principal, has partnered with Team
Exponent, founded by a Google engineer, to develop a moonshot program.
This program will have kindergarteners
through fifth graders solving real-world
problems. As Dr. Leibowitz says, Why
should kids wait to grow up to solve
SEE STUDENTS PAGE 18

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Support Group
With Judy brauner, lcsW therapist

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With amy nellissen

Play Fore! the Kids Golf Classic &

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Come play with us and join the fun to enrich the
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golf or one of our exciting womens events including
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adults

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JEWISH STANDARD JULY 1, 2016 17

Opinion
Students
FROM PAGE 16

problems? We believe they can solve

problems from a very young age.

Design thinking: Developing

a how might we . . . ? attitude
Each summer the I.D.E.A. Schools Network, the organization I run, which helps
schools implement PBL, organizes conferences called the Summer Sandboxes.
Held at the facilities of our generous hosts,
Yeshivat Noam in Paramus and Adat Ari
El in Los Angeles, the East and West Coast
Sandboxes take educators through the
various components of PBL, give structures to PBL units, and provide ways to
make learning creative, appealing to all
learners, and relevant in the world. This
year, were starting both Sandboxes with
a Design Thinking workshop. In Paramus,
well even be joined by Marc Fein and
Emily Winograd of PresenTense, the Jewish Design Thinking organization.
The Design Thinking process, conceived of by IDEO Founder David Kelley, is all about problem solving in an
empathetic way that prizes prototyping, iteration, and re-iteration. During
the Design Thinking process, you have

Nastiness
FROM PAGE 15

serious discussion, is the weight given to

each item, together with a careful analysis
of what they really mean and the context
in which they arose. And thats the point;
such nuances, severely lacking in all too
many discussions, are critical, indeed
essential, to understanding this particular
issue, as well as so many more.
Another issue close to my heart is the
importance of First Amendment values
continuing to be a force on college campuses, and the claim that they are under
attack. While there are certainly real problems that must be confronted, like intersectionality and the stifling of views supportive of Israel, in some areas nuance is
lacking. For example, when a highly controversial speaker comes to campus, how
should students who oppose the speakers
view react?
Theres no easy answer, because there
are many different types of speakers and
many different types of reactions. A commencement speaker receiving an honorary degree is not the same as a speaker
invited by a student group to give an

to interview many stakeholders who are

plagued by a particular problem and
offer prototype solutions based on what
you discover about stakeholders needs.
Design Thinking is becoming a popular,
fun, and empathy-building way to tackle
some of the complex problems people
and organizations face. And thats something thats at the heart of Design Thinking: the idea that we can solve any problem presented to us or at least begin
to. And if we fail, we begin again, in an
iterative process that keeps us refining
our solutions.
As Marc Fein told the Magen David
High School teachers when he came
to the school, one of the first things to
do when confronted with a problem
is to add How might we . . . ? to it.
The teachers noted that changing Students arent engaged to How might we
engage students? transforms a closed,
intractable problem into one that has
solutions that we, as a team working
together, can find.
Tikvah Wiener of Teaneck is co-founder
and director of the I.D.E.A. Schools
Network and chief academic oficer at
Magen David Yeshivah High School in
Brooklyn.

address on a controversial topic followed

by a Q&A period, which is not the same as
a faculty member giving a class.
Similarly, barring a speaker from entering a venue or shouting her down so she
cant speak is not the same as hissing or
booing (full disclosure: I once wrote an
article entitled In Defense of Hissing),
picketing, or signing petitions, holding
up placards, or turning your back on the
speaker. And yet Ive seen too many articles and posts where easy, blanket answers
are given, lumping all these different
types of speakers and reactions into one
large ball, with no attention given to how
the specific circumstances relate to First
Amendment values.
Theres also the issue of safe intellectual and emotional spaces on campus. Of
course we want our children to feel safe at
school. But we also want them to be challenged by new, different, even difficult
and uncomfortable ideas and messages.
Thats a large part of a university learning experience, and it helps students grow
and mature. So which spaces should be
safe, how safe they should be, what they
should be safe from, and where students
should be allowed to be comfortable or

Magen David Yeshivahs business bulletin board pays homage to the mantra that
guided Rochelle Shoretz, the founder of Sharsheret.

But again, too many of the

discussions about these issues
make no distinctions we
are either coddling our
children too much or
unfairly putting them in
danger. Period.
uncomfortable these all are difficult
questions that cannot be answered in
broad-brush fashion. But again, too many
of the discussions about these issues make
no distinctions we are either coddling
our children too much or unfairly putting
them in danger. Period.
In all these discussions about the president, free speech, safe spaces, and all the
rest of the myriad of difficult issues that confront us what we need to do first is take a
deep breath (always a good idea) and then
use some nuance in understanding their
complexity. Many of us still wont agree
and thats how things should be. Discussions of complex issues resulting in a unanimity of opinion often is proof that there

was something wrong with the discussion.

But hopefully, at the end of the day well see
that many of our opponents are reasonable
people who have some basis for their positions, even if we still believe that ultimately
those positions are wrong.
Or perhaps well change our minds. Surprisingly enough, thats actually possible.
I see that I didnt get to the second
n-word nastiness. So Ill go back to the
title, add a Part I, and be back in a few
weeks (I hope) with the second half.
Joseph C. Kaplan, who has lived in Teaneck
for more than 31 years, frequently contributes
essays to Jewish publications when he is not
practicing law in Manhattan.

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!
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A joint project of Chabad of Bergen County:

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Anshei Lubavitch, Fair Lawn
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In Biblical times, the entire Jewish nationadults, children

and even infantswould convene every seven years in
Jerusalem for a gathering called HakhelAssemble! Its
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the Torahs teachings.

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Friendship Circle and Living Legacy, Paramus
Valley Chabad, Woodcliff Lake

This year is a Hakhel year, and although the mitzvah is only

in effect when the entire Jewish people reside in the Holy
Land, the Lubavitcher Rebbe repeatedly encouraged all Jews
to utilize this auspicious time to assemble and rejoice in our
Jewish identity and heritage.

JEWISH STANDARD JULY 1, 2016 19

Opinion

Netanyahus Russian realism

hese are the days

In geopolitical terms, Rusthat Vladimir
sia trades on fear of its hard
Putin has been
power in places like Eastern
aching for since
Europe and the Middle East.
the end of the Cold War.
But fear is not the only facOn December 5, 1989,
tor; national leaders lookthree weeks after the Berlin
ing for fresh opportunities
Wall was torn down, angry
in the face of American isocrowds stormed the Dresden
lationism and retreat are
Ben Cohen
headquarters of the Stasi,
looking more and more to
the brutal secret police of the
Putin for support. In that
Soviet puppet regime in East
regard, Israeli Prime MinisGermany. At the time, KGB officer Putin
ter Benjamin Netanyahu, who has met
was based in the office across the street,
with Putin four times over the last year
which was reserved for the representaand with President Barack Obama only
tives of the Soviet security apparatus.
once, exemplifies this new trend.
When Russias future president picked
Netanyahus most recent visit to Mosup the phone to demand military proteccow took place earlier this month, when
tion from the surging masses, he was told
Russia and Israel marked 25 years since
that nothing could be done without orders
the resumption of the diplomatic relafrom Moscow and Moscow, said the pertions severed by the Soviet Union after
son at the other end, is silent.
the 1967 Six-Day War. While he was
What a contrast that is with the presthere, the Israeli leader announced that
ent. The beleaguered KGB agent who perhis hosts would be returning an Israeli
sonally witnessed the collapse of comtank captured during the Lebanon War
munism, and has nursed the wound ever
of 1982, which had been on display in a
since, now is running Moscow a world
Russian museum. The symbolism here
capital that is very far from silent.
was uncomplicated and largely welcome:

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Russian President Vladimir Putin
meet in Moscow on June 7.
HAIM ZACH/GPO

Russia, the gesture seemed to say, regrets

its past hostility to Israel and henceforth
will treat the Jewish state with respect.
But beneath the smiles and outward
displays of reconciliation, Israel and

Russia have many practical matters to talk

about, and thats exactly what Netanyahu
and Putin have been doing. Back in January, the Reuters news agency opined that
Putin was the closest thing to a friend

T H E B R I S TA L A S S I S T E D L I V I N G W H E R E E V E RY DAY M E A N S M O R E

After 86 years, heres what

I know for sure

Lifes best moments

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Ive always tried to live in the moment. And when you get to be
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friends. Thats what we do every day here at The Bristal... me
and my buddies. Whether were shooting pool or just shooting
the breeze, taking a class or working out, attending a Mens
Club meeting, playing poker or simply trading tall tales. We take
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20 JEWISH STANDARD JULY 1, 2016

Opinion
RCBC
RCBC

Glatt Kosher Caterers

Thats why Netanyahus key
strategic concerns with the
Syrian war the status of the
Golan and the prospect of
spillover led by Hezbollah are
better addressed in Moscow than
they are in Washington, D.C.
that Israel has ever had in Moscow, citing the Russian leaders comment during
the 2014 Gaza unrest that he supported
Israels efforts to protect its citizens.
Yet the same article pointed out the
potential for tension between Israel
and Russia, in particular over the
impact that the S-400 surface-to-air
missiles that the Russians have stationed in Syria might have on Israeli
aerial operations against the Hezbollah
terrorist organization. In particular,
Israel wants to avoid being thrust into
the same position as Turkey was last
November, when its air force downed
a Russian jet that Ankara claimed had
violated its airspace.
By talking to Putin and keeping him
on his side, Netanyahu believes he can
avoid such mini-disasters in the future.
The same reasoning applies to Russias close relationship with the Iranian
regime, which now includes the provision of S-300 missiles to Tehran a
weapons transfer that has left the Israelis understandably nervous.
In return, the Israelis can expect
some degree of Russian diplomatic support. Netanyahu speaks for the vast
majority of Israelis when he says that
the Golan Heights, captured from the
Syrians in 1967, should remain a part
of Israel. The rest of the world doesnt
agree. If Putin sticks by Israel with this
demand, and Netanyahu apparently
thinks he will, Israels case for retaining
the Golan becomes significantly more
powerful it will be endorsed by the
same country that is sustaining Bashar
al-Assads regime in Syria. Thats why
Netanyahus key strategic concerns with
the Syrian war the status of the Golan
and the prospect of spillover led by Hezbollah are better addressed in Moscow than they are in Washington, D.C.
Rather than fretting about the conflicts of interest arising from an alliance
with Assad and Iran on the one hand,
and a productive friendship with Israel
on the other, Putin is positively embracing this novel state of affairs. Everyone
needs Russia, he will conclude, and
that might even allow him the wiggle
room to take unprecedented positions
on regional issues like, for example,

vetoing a U.N. Security Council resolution recognizing a Palestinian unilateral

declaration of independence that even
the United States supports. That is, after
all, how a tsar might have behaved.
Within the framework of power
politics, then, it isnt hard to understand why Israel and Russia are coming closer together. Yet even though
its difficult to fault Netanyahus realist logic in actively shopping for new
friendships and reviving old ones, such
as that with Turkey, Western supporters of Israel are correct to feel anxious
especially when it comes to Russia, a
nasty, violent, and corrupt dictatorship
with a nuclear arsenal. Historically,
Russia has treated its Jews abominably
over the centuries. Even now, its ultranationalists remain close to Putins
side. If you are going to bet on which
country is more likely to be ruled by an
anti-Semite in the next 50 years, Russia still looks a far surer prospect than
does the United States.
But Israel has more pressing matters to deal with, which is why there
is little patience for hypothetical discussions about the future of Russian
anti-Semitism. For that reason, there
is little purpose in demanding that
Netanyahu stop doing what any other
leader in his position, inside or outside Israel, also would do.
Ultimately, if we are to prevent the
Russification of Israel and, indeed,
our other allies by which I mean a general disdain for classically liberal values,
mute acceptance of Russian aggression
toward its neighbors, and a resigned attitude to the dilution of American global
power then the solution lies in Washington. Absent that political will, and as
much as it might break our hearts, the
Putin-Netanyahu bromance will continue to flower.
JNS.ORG
Ben Cohen, senior editor of TheTower.
org and the Tower magazine, writes
a weekly column for JNS.org on
Jewish affairs and Middle Eastern
politics. His work has been published
in Commentary, the New York Post,
Haaretz, the Wall Street Journal, and
many other publications.

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JEWISH STANDARD JULY 1, 2016 21

Cover Story

Choosing
to become
Three local Jews tell about leaving their homelands and joining us officially

There was a lot of anti-Semitic sentiment. At

the time, Argentina had one of the biggest
hink about the process of connew Nazi groups in all of Latin America. I
version to become Jewish. A
remember them vividly; groups like Tacuara
person who is born into one
a neo-Nazi nationalist youth movement
thing one identity, one way
that was notorious for its violence, including
of thinking, one state of being
torturing Jewish students, until it eventually
becomes something else. In a
went too far and petered out in the 1970s
way, that person becomes someattacked synagogues, attacked Jews, and
one else, although, of course, his or her history
killed a Jewish high school student.
has evolved. In some senses the change is radiI used to go to school with a chain in my
cal; in other senses its purely cumulative. Some
pocket, just in case, and from time to time I
things are assumed, some things are shed, some
had to fight.
things remain.
There was a not-tiny Jewish population in
Think, now, about the process of nationalizaArgentina then. In 1960 there was a census,
tion to become American. A person who is born
and over half a million people said that they
into one thing one identity, one way of thinkwere Jewish, out of a population of about 30
ing, one state of being becomes something else.
million, Rabbi Zeilicovich said.
Of course, this is a parallel that can be overThe Jewish community in Argentina was
stated, but those two narratives of change, of
steeped in cultural Judaism, national Judaleaving behind, and of taking on have much in
ism, and Zionism more than in religion, he
common, as these three stories three among
continued. Being a young Jew in Argentina
so very many! show us.
during the 1960s meant that you belonged
to a Zionist movement. Many of them we
Rabbi Alberto Baruch Zeilicovich
called them socialist Zionists made aliyah to
Rabbi Alberto Baruch Zeilicovich, who leads
the kibbutzim. And even in 2000, 2001, when
In his office at Temple Beth Sholom of Fair Lawn, Rabbi Alberto Baruch
Temple Beth Sholom of Fair Lawn, was born
there was the huge economic crisis in ArgenZeilicovich holds an American eagle the Fort Worth branch of the
in Buenos Aires in 1950. My daddy, Miguel,
tina, many Jews immigrated to Israel. It wasnt
Jewish War Veterans gave him when he and his family became citizens.
arrived from the Ukraine it was the Soviet
only because Israel facilitated the immigraUnion then when he was three months old,
tion, but also because the motto was Im not
in 1927, Rabbi Zeilicovich said. My mother, Clara GoldArgentina before the Second World War.
going to leave the diaspora to go to another diaspora. Id
It wasnt easy growing up Jewish in Argentina, he said.
feder, was born in Argentina; her parents emigrated to
rather go home.

JOANNE PALMER

22 JEWISH STANDARD JULY 1, 2016

Cover Story

The community, which kept to itself as

much as it could, offered its children a strong
Jewish education. There were day schools;
and we had Hebrew school during the entire
week, and all Hebrew studies were no less
than 20 hours a week, and all in Hebrew,
Rabbi Zeilicovich said. Hebrew is my second language, and its ten times better than
my English. (Rabbi Zeilicovichs English is
accented but otherwise nearly flawless.)
Rabbi Zeilicovich graduated from high
school, studied in Argentina for a year and
in Israel for another year, and was certified
as a Jewish educator. Young men were mandated to serve in the armed forces for a year,
and Rabbi Zeilicovich did his service in the
air force, while studying psychology at the
University of Buenos Aires. Then the junta
came and closed the school of psychology, the
school of sociology, the school of anthropology, and the school of philosophy. Their suspicion was that we were all communists. We
were all subversives.
The junta, or military dictatorship, which
in 1976 overthrew Isabel Peron, the widow
of Juan and the successor as his wife to the
enshrined-in-musical-theater-history Evita,
ruled Argentina until 1983. It was a hard time
for most Argentines, but particularly for the
countrys Jews. I fled the country for a year
in 1978, when people started to disappear,
Rabbi Zeilicovich said. He went to Brazil.
Jews disappeared disproportionately, and
they were tortured disproportionately, he
said. Remember, this is a country where antiSemitism is very present.
Argentina is the only country in the world
where an Israeli embassy was blown to the
ground that was in 1992 and two years
later the Amia building Amia is similar to
the Jewish federation, the umbrella group
that managed Jewish cemeteries, schools,
and other institutions was blown to the
ground, he continued. There were 85 dead
and 300 wounded, and until today nobody
has been held responsible. When Alberto Nisman the federal prosecutor who began to
look into the bombing years later, and who
was Jewish was expected to talk to the
Argentine congress about his investigations
on Monday morning, conveniently his suicide was Sunday night.
When he returned from Brazil, Rabbi Zeilicovich worked as a director of education in a
Jewish community deep in the countryside,
at a prudent distance from Buenos Aires. It
was there that he met Graciela Vainstein, who
later became his wife. She is the descendant
of Jewish gauchos, and the fifth generation of
her family in Argentina, he said. They married in 1982, returned to Buenos Aires, and he
entered rabbinical school.
This is the story of Rabbi Zeilicovich, not

of Argentine Jews, but it is necessary to add

that the magnetic pull he felt to Judaism not
only as a culture but as a religion was a result
of the charismatic Rabbi Marshall Meyer, the
New York-born, Connecticut-raised, Abraham-Joshua-Heschel-influenced, opera-loving
Conservative rabbi whose time in Argentina
coincided with the junta. Rabbi Meyer took
the relative freedom his American citizenship gave him, along with the courage that
must have been inborn, to stand up to the
junta. He said that to be a rabbi you have to
have the Torah in one hand and the New York
Times in the other, Rabbi Zeilicovich said.
What he meant was that it is necessary for rabbis to know what is going on in the world, and
to respond to it. You can be involved in the
larger society, and practice tikkun olam for
everybody, Rabbi Zeilicovich said.

Alberto, his brother, and his mother

pose for a bar mitzvah photo in 1963.

We were in Fort
Worth for 11 years,
and I think I was
the rst rabbi to
become president
of a Rotary Club in
the state of Texas.
Rabbi Meyer led an influential synagogue,
Communidad Bet El, in Buenos Aires, and
he also founded the Seminario Rabnico Latinoamericano, which provided Conservative
rabbis with their first two years of schooling. Rabbi Zeilicovich finished his studies and
was ordained at the Schechter Institute in
Jerusalem.
And then he, his wife, and their two young
children, Daniel, now 26, and Ruth, now 24,
went from the frying pan of Argentina to
what soon became the fire. He took a pulpit
in Medellin, Colombia, which soon became
the headquarters of Pablo Escobars drug cartel. Rabbi Zeilicovich tells stories of how dead
bodies were left in ways that conveyed messages (bound hands and a bullet to the head
meant that the police did it; a body riddled
with holes was the work of Escobars guys).
The family stayed there for six years, but it
is an understatement to say that it was not a
place to raise children. Soon the Zeilicoviches
made their way to Puerto Rico, and after three
years at a shul there, when the children were
old enough to need a bigger Jewish community, to Fort Worth, Texas.
We were in Fort Worth for 11 years,
and I think I was the first rabbi to become
SEE ZEILICOVICH PAGE 26

Young Alberto Zeilicovich rides his

bike in Buenos Aires.

Alberto and Graciela Zeilicovich on

their wedding day.
JEWISH STANDARD JULY 1, 2016 23

Cover Story
Innessa Fatakhov
Innessa Fatakhov of Fair Lawn was born in
1980, and she was 11 when she came to the
United States with her parents, her older
sister, her younger brother, and her grandmother. Thats young enough to grow up
as an American but old enough to remember where she came from.
The Fatakhovs came from Uzbekistan
in the former Soviet Union. Three of her
grandparents were from Uzbekistan they
were Bukharian Jews; her paternal grandmother was from Ukraine. There were
many Jews in Uzbekistan, but the community was fairly insular. We spoke Russian,
and theres a version of a Sephardic language, Bukharian, that my parents spoke
we kids didnt, she said. We didnt speak
Uzbek at home. We werent really considered Uzbeks, because we were Jewish.
The dispassionate sense of not belonging went both ways.
There was a trickle of Jewish immigration to Israel beginning in the early 1980s,
and anyone who could leave then did,
she said. We werent ready then, and in
the late 80s immigration was closed, so
we couldnt leave.
Ms. Fatakhovs mother, Blor Maya, was
the head obstetric nurse at the one hospital in Kokand, the small city where they
lived, and her father, Boris, managed a
factory there. The family was prosperous. We had a huge house. My mom had
the kind of job where there was a lot of
money under the table. People would
pass money and say, Please be sure to
take care of my wife.
So leaving was hard and then it was
impossible.
Her parents prepared for the time
when things would change, though. You
were allowed I believe it was 12 huge containers, that could be shipped to you in
America. For a few years, they were just
getting the containers ready. I remember them being in the house. And then,
as soon as immigration opened up again,
we were ready.
That happened in 1991, with the breakup
of the Soviet Union. Jews werent welcomed anymore, and so a lot of Jews who
had positions of authority had a hard time
keeping their jobs, Ms. Fatakhov said.
They were forced to step down. It wasnt
that they were encouraged to step down;
they were forced to do it.
The next question was where to go.
Some family members had left with the
earlier wave of immigration. My moms
family went to Israel, and my uncle went
to America, she said. He moved to Forest Hills, in Queens, which is at the center of a Bukharian community. (If you
want to sample Bukharian food, just trying wandering on Queens Boulevard.) He
said that if we came here, and we brought
money, we could open a jewelry store, so
we came here because work was kind of
guaranteed for my father, and my mother
could get her medical degree back.
She did go back to school, but she no
24 JEWISH STANDARD JULY 1, 2016

Innessa Fatakhov with her son, Alan.

The extended Fatakhov family gathers for Thanksgiving in Forest Hills. In tribute
to their dinner, they wear turkey legs a new family tradition.

Russian, went to elementary school.

The first years were
very tough, Ms. Fatakhov said. There were
a lot of immigrant kids,
particularly from Uzbekistan. The culture was very
different.
There were kids from
Moscow and Ukraine and
Belarus, and from all over
the former Soviet Union,
and from a lot of other
places. Forest Hills was
very diverse, for sure, but
From left, siblings Innessa, Iosif, and Margarita Fatakabout 50 percent were
hov, not long before they left Uzbekistan.
Russian, and most of the
Russians were Jewish.
longer delivers babies. Now she works in a
There were different hygiene standards. We didnt shower every day, and we
hospital as a technician in a pathology lab.
Was she sad to leave? Yes and no, Ms.
washed our hair once a week. To everyone
Fatakhov said. All the kids who already
else, the kids from Uzbekistan smelled. So
had left used to write letters to the teacher
every day in homeroom, they would give
letters on paper! and the teachers
us a bar of soap and shampoo. It was very
would bring them to the class and read
embarrassing. The kids were all together,
them out loud. The kids talked about their
and no one gave the American kids a bar
lives here. Most of them ended up in Forof soap every day.
est Hills, and I was looking forward to
My mother was very old school. Shed
reconnecting with them.
say that your hair gets more oily if you
And of course it was exciting, the idea
wash it every day, but I didnt care.
They would give me the soap, and I
of a new life. Our parents presented it to us
would say, I showered this morning, I
like it was heaven here.
dont need it, but they would give it to
The family flew through Moscow, but
me anyway.
they didnt get to see much of it; Ms. FatakIt wasnt all bad, though. The school
hov isnt sure if that was her first plane trip
had Russian-speaking women sit with
the family might have gone on a vacation
to the Black Sea by air but she doesnt
every three or four kids in every classroom
remember much about any of it.
that first year.
When we got here, we went straight to
After 10 years with green cards, the
Forest Hills, and stayed with my uncle for
family all became naturalized. I was old
about three weeks, and then they found
enough to take the test on my own, Ms.
us a two-bedroom apartment. One of the
Fatakhov said. We all studied together.
bedrooms was huge, so all three of us kids
Not my brother, he was too young to have
and our grandma shared it. There was a
to, and my grandmother was too old. She
bed in each one of the four corners.
couldnt learn the language.
We all questioned each other at
The children went to public school
home. We were all really nervous par Margarita, who was 14, went to high
ticularly my dad, because his English still
school, Innessa, 11, to middle school,
wasnt very good and then we all did
and Iosef, who doesnt remember anywell. We celebrated. We found out the
thing about Uzbekistan and hardly speaks

results right away, and then we became

citizens right away.
When she became a citizen, Ms. Fatakhov changed her name, albeit slightly. She
had been born Inna Fatakhova, and it
wasnt until I came to America that I found
out that Inna was short for Innessa, which

And of course it
was exciting, the
idea of a new
life. Our parents
presented it to
us like it was
heaven here.
she thinks is much prettier. And she degendered her last name, taking away the
final a that told Russians that its bearer
is a woman.
She didnt feel very different once she
became a citizen, Ms. Fatakhov said. Our
lives had already evolved so much that it
really didnt make a difference. Having a
green card allows you to do everything
you want to do anyway, except vote.
Ms. Fatakhov earned a computer science degree at St. Johns University and
now works as a business analyst. She has a
10-year-old son, Alan, who goes to school
in Fair Lawn. Theyre not particularly
affiliated with the Jewish community, but
Shabbat dinner at her parents house is a
constant in their lives. My mother always
made sure that we would sit down as a
family, with all the kids, significant others,
and grandkids, she said.
Being an American, with all the rights
we have, its great. It was a great challenge
to my parents, going through immigration
Im surprised theyre still married! but
they were able to get back on their feet
and build a good life here. We all got good
educations, and knock on wood, we all do
very well here.

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Cover Story
the police would raid domestics living
quarters at night to round up and take
away the relatives who snuck in to visit
them. I remember that theyd come
to take them away in vans with bars on
the back window, she said. Ms. Lewittes
doesnt remember any such police raids
at her house, she said, but their domestics lived in a separate building, at the
back of their garden, and recently her
mother told her that there had been at
least one such raid on their property. It
was really terrible, she said.
The public school system was absolutely fantastic, Ms. Lewittes continued;
thats where she was educated. When
I turned 18 and finished high school, I
went to the University of Witwatersrand.
The country had something like 3
million whites and 8 million blacks.
Everything was segregated, and lots of
the blacks were not educated, or had a
subpar education, so only a small perAndi, right with her daughters, Farrah, left, and Tamar.
centage of the population went to college but it was a large segment of the
affluent population.
Andi Lewittes
Witwatersrand was the liberal university, and I
Andi Jacobson Lewittes of Closter had a idyllic childjoined the social work school, which was the most libhood except for the base of human misery it was
eral of the schools on campus; I was there from 1979
built on, a base she knew nothing about for many
to 1984. Because it was a very liberal department, a
years. When she found out, of course, everything
lot of our lecturers were the people fighting against
changed.
apartheid. I would get to class and they would tell us,
Thats a roundabout way of saying that Ms. Lewittes,
Sorry, your lecturer cant come to class today. Your
who now is the director of the leadership network at
lecturer was detained.
the Jewish Federation of Northern New Jersey, was
I came from a very sheltered community, and the
born in Johannesburg, South Africa, in 1962, when
fieldwork that I did was in the townships. I saw things
apartheid was flourishing.
then that I hadnt known. There was censorship of the
Her parents, Mavis and Sidney, also were born in
South Africa; Ms. Lewittes knows that her fathers
mother was British and her other three grandparents
were from Lithuania, but she knows little more about
their stories.
We that would be Andi and her sister, Elyse,
who died of breast cancer in 2007 had wonderful
childhoods. We thought that we lived in a beautiful
country and aesthetically it is beautiful and we
had domestics helping us. We all turned a blind eye
to the terrible situation for black people.
The Jewish community was very, very strong,
very tight, she continued. It was really successful.
It was made up of three groups of people. One group
was really fighting for freedom and against apartheid; they joined some of the underground movements, and a lot of them were jailed or imprisoned.
Then there was the group who supported the nationalist party, the one in power, because it protected
their interests. And then there were a lot of Jews
who felt that the situation was wrong, but did nothing about it. People had very very good lives and
in fact, the Jewish community was the most affluent
one in the country.
It was a ridiculous situation. This didnt happen
in my family, but in some families you would have
domestic workers who were really part of the family, looked after the kids from morning until night,
bathed the kids, fed the kids, loved the kids, the parents had no problem leaving their kids with them
but they locked up their cupboards, lest they take an
extra cup of sugar.
Domestic workers had to have special passbooks
Rabbi Adina, left, and Andi Lewittes on a hike in
that allowed them into the white neighborhoods that
Israel last summer.
otherwise would have been off limits to them. Often

Andi Jacobson Lewittes

Andi, her sister Elyse, and their

nanny, Mary, on vacation.

Andi did her fieldwork at Eldorado Park, a colored township just

outside Johannesburg.
JEWISH STANDARD JULY 1, 2016 25

Cover Story
newspapers, and the government owned
the TV station. In other words, what the
government didnt own, it censored.
You guys saw more here, on television
here, of what was going on there than we
did, she said.
Against recommendations, Ms.
Lewittes drove herself to her fieldwork.
I never went to Soweto, the black township where the anti-apartheid movement
began and where the evils of apartheid
were most visible. I went to a colored
township. In South Africas objectively
demented system, so-called colored people were of mixed racial heritage, or came
from backgrounds that were labeled neither black nor white. My parents were
not happy with it, but I went and did my
thing. I was not radicalized, but I was sensitized, and my eyes were opened to the
total inequality.
It was outrageous.
Once she graduated, a fledgling social
worker, Ms. Lewittes got a job working for
Kelly Personnel. I took it because I was

I was not
radicalized, but I
was sensitized,
and my eyes
were opened to
the total
inequality.
going to help people find jobs but it was
all sales, and I never went back to social
work. Instead, she became a headhunter,
and enjoyed her work immensely.
Ms. Lewittes then was married to a
computer programmer. Y2K was coming up, and Americans started to panic
that all their computer systems were
going to crash, she said. Y2K was the
shorthand for the turn of the millennium, the year 2000. Because computers had been programmed, 30 or 40
years earlier, without any thought to
what would happen when 19 turned to
20, if nothing were done to fix the problem, chaos would have ensued.
Luckily, it was a problem that could be
solved if enough money and brainpower
was thrown at it, and thats what happened. The brainpower came from people like Andi Lewittes and her husband,
and the money was thrown at them.
Many South Africans, it turns out,
specialized in the kind of mainframe
programming that Y2K work needed,
and many went to the United States. A
recruiter called Ms. Lewittes and offered
jobs, H1B visa sponsorship, and eventual green cards to both her and her
husband should they go to the United
States to work on Y2K. Hed program
computers, and she would recruit other
26 JEWISH STANDARD JULY 1, 2016

programmers.
It was a timely invitation. It was 1989,
she was 25, apartheid wasnt going to end
although of course she could not know
this until 1994. I was thinking of starting a family, and crime rates were starting
to rise, she said. Home break-ins were
on the rise, and so were carjackings. Life
became very cheap.
You would go to a shopping center
with your kids, and you would be panicking at the time it took to get your child
out of the shopping cart and into the car
seat and close the car door. You could be
hijacked. Or you could maybe be stopped
at a traffic light by someone with a gun,
who would take your car, and maybe
shoot you and maybe shoot your family.
High walls started going up around
peoples homes, with barbed wire and
electronic fences and panic buttons. People started hiring guards and stationing
them in booths at the end of the street.
People lived wonderfully inside their
walls, but there was no going to the park,
no jogging around Johannesburg. Life
started diminishing.
I knew I did not want to start a family in South Africa. I did not want to raise
kids in that environment.
When they came to America, the
recruiter who brought them over absolutely kept his word. Ms. Lewittes and her
husband became permanent residents,
and their daughters, Farrah, now 25, and
Tamar, 19, were born here.
You have to renounce your South African citizenship to get American citizenship, and life with a green card was easy,
but eventually I realized that I wanted
the same citizenship as my kids, Ms.
Lewittes said. And also, I was very grateful to the United States.
I am grateful for the opportunities
I have here. I was able to put my kids
through day school, and they availed
themselves of all sorts of opportunities in
the United States, and were able to travel
extensively.
Once she finally decided that it was
time to become an American citizen, she
had to face the paperwork. There are a
lot of forms, Ms. Lewittes said. A friend
who practices immigration law offered to
help, and when I got there an administrative assistant who was helping with the
paperwork handed me forms with boxes
that she had checked off on my behalf.
There were questions like have you ever
been a prostitute? Carried arms? Been a
terrorist? And instead of checking no no
no, she checked yes yes yes. I said, Do
you think I will get citizenship like that?
and she said, Thats why I gave it to you
to check.
You also have to document every
single time you went out of the country.
I had to sit with my passports and document everything.
I went for my interview about four
years ago, in Hackensack, and the official
calls me in to take the test. Before you

take it, you have to have an interview. He

looks at me, and he goes We have you in
the computer as Korean. I look at him,
and I said, Do I look Korean? So he goes
and here she mimics someone throwing
his hands up in exasperation and says,
Ill go and change it.
And then they ask the questions, which
was fine, and you also have to write something like I will pay my taxes, so they can
see if you can write English. And then they
go and tell you to wait, and then, at least
for me, they come back and say that they
can do the ceremony that day.
Then they move you into a very big
room. There must have been a few hundred people they didnt all have their
interview that day. I was lucky they had
to come back. And there is such a variety
of people! So many different ethnicities.
We are all sitting there, and someone
comes in and starts telling a story about
how she is not originally from this country, but from somewhere in South America. She says she remembers singing God
Bless America, and she said that she sings
it in the shower all the time, still. And
then she starts singing.
And then we all stand up there was
a big screen, and there are pictures of
waterfalls and forests and we all had to
sing. And they watch to make sure that
youre singing. There was one guy who
wasnt singing, and they pointed at him
and said Sing!
And then you had to say the Pledge
of Allegiance, and you have to say it out
loud. And they watch to make sure youre
saying it. And then you stand in line, and
they give your naturalization certificate,
and they shake your hand.
I felt strong gratitude. Obviously, the

Zeilicovich
FROM PAGE 23

president of a Rotary Club in the state of

Texas, he said.
In 2004, all four Zeilicoviches became
American citizens. It was really very
touching, Rabbi Zeilicovich said. I
think that many American Jews take it
for granted, but they dont realize what
it means to live in a place where for the
first time in 20 centuries we can be who
we want to be.
We have some power in the Congress
now, in the Senate, some power in the
government, so its easy to forget that for
2,000 years we lived in a cruel diaspora,
and we were powerless there.
The experience of becoming nationalized was emotional. They put us in a stadium, and there were people from all over
the world, every country you can think of.
And then my Jewish community threw us
a party with a band.
I make a distinction between citizenship and nationality, he continued. My nationality is Jewish. My

music evokes emotion music always

does but for me it was the gratitude for
being welcomed into this country, and
being given all these opportunities.
It is different being an American, Ms.
Lewittes said. Part of it is small, subtle
shifts in language the phrase just now
means in a little while in South Africa.
Here, it means right now, she said. I
made that mistake my first week at work
here. I never made it again.
South Africa is polite in a way that the
United States, or at least the New York
metropolitan area, is not. I realized the
first time I opened the door and held it
at Macys and a thousand people walked
in that I couldnt do that anymore, Ms.
Lewittes said. I realized that I couldnt
be polite and stand back and still get on
the subway. Id never get on the subway
that way.
The pace is different here too, she said.
Its faster. And the Jewish community is
different. There, you could be Orthodox
or Reform; here you have many more
choices.
Now, Ms. Lewittes is married to Rabbi
Adina Lewittes of Shaar Communities,
herself a Canadian-born American by
choice. They have a blended family of six
children, ranging in age from 15 to 24.
I am grateful to South Africa, and I
loved my life there, but it was a very sheltered place, Ms. Lewittes said. I am very
grateful that I was able to come here, to a
place of hope and freedom.
I understand that nothing is perfect,
but this country is big enough so that you
can be who you want to be, and you can
do what you want to do. Part of wanting
to get my citizenship was to acknowledge
that I am now an American.

citizenship is American and my citizenship

is Argentinean.
I am a citizen of this country, and I feel
blessed to be a citizen. Because this country, after Israel, is the only country in the
world where Jews have more rights than
any place else. Period.
Much of Rabbi Zeilicovichs family is in
Israel; his brother made aliyah decades
ago. His mother, who had been widowed,
made a new life for herself in Israel when
she was 78 years old. Rabbi Zeilicovich toys
with the idea of moving to Israel once he
retires, but as a Conservative rabbi, ironically he is far freer to practice Judaism as
he chooses here than he would be there.
This is the only country other than
Israel where you can have both. You can
be a successful citizen while continuing
to be a committed Jew, he said. After I
became a citizen, something changed
emotionally because you know that you
belong to the most powerful country in
the world.
It is a really shining light of democracy
and freedom.

Local
Prayer vigil
FROM PAGE 6

a recent High Holy Days service. (Franklin Lakes is not

in the upper Pascack Valley, so Rabbi Frishman was not
at the vigil.)
The Reform movements understanding of Jewish law
does not prohibit the use of electricity or telephones on
Shabbat or chaggim. Still, Rabbi Fabricant said, it was shocking when Rabbi Frishman suggested to her congregants
that they pull out their phones during services, turn them
on, and call their representatives to lobby for measures to
control gun violence; it was a striking symbol of the issues
importance. (Rabbi Fabricant added that he had not spoken
to Rabbi Frishman about this he hadnt had time but he
was inspired by congregants reports of her action.)
The reading of the names was extremely emotional,
Rabbi Fabricant said. It is a powerful ritual, and one that
we know from yahrzeits and Yizkor. I think that hearing
those names, and lighting a candle for each one a tea
candle in a glass, that looked like a yahrzeit candle was
very powerful, and visually the connection to a yahrzeit
was very striking.
At the same time, it was unmistakable that we were
in a church, and joined by Christian clergy, wearing their

BDS
FROM PAGE 7

The bill stifles constitutionally protected speech by punishing unpopular political beliefs, they wrote. The government cannot institute regulations based on the desire
to punish First Amendment activities intended to influence
public opinion or public policy.
The legislation, they wrote, requires the government to
differentiate between those companies that do not do business with Israel for political reasons and those that do not do
business with Israel for all other reasons. Where two similar
companies do not invest in Israel, only the one whose leaders or employees have been outspoken about their motivations will be punished.
But Ms. Huttle defended the bill. I felt it was not a freedom-of-speech issue, she said. It was a business decision.
She said that when she went to Israel in February with
18 other legislators, We saw first that it really is the sole
democracy in that region.
The bill itself explains that Nationality-based boycott
actions are often veiled discrimination, and it is against
the public policy of New Jersey to support such discrimination. Boycotts, such as those against Israel, do not make

Dressing
FROM PAGE 9

leftover food from local kosher restaurants for distribution

to needy families through Shearit HaPlate of Bergen County.
For the ongoing clothing drive, he picks up donations
usually from individuals and brings them to the social
service department of the nursing homes for distribution.
This is the second time an organization has participated
as a group; Congregation Beth Tefillah in Paramus donated
previously, he said.
Ms. Sandrof recognizes this effort as an act of tikkun olam
fixing the world.
Dr. Carr deserves kudos for his concern for his patients
and for organizing and undertaking this ongoing act of tikkun olam, she said, adding that the synagogues social
action committee would certainly collect again next year
for the cause.
No Jewish story ever ends without a small-world twist.

vestments. I think that the commonality of the loss and of

the despair about the violence was very apparent.
One of the pastors is gay and a few are Latino, and that
helped personalize the tragedy, and also made it local,
Rabbi Fabricant added.
After the candles were lit it takes a long time to light 49
candles, and to clearly read 49 names aloud, Rabbi Orenstein noted Rabbi Fabricant made his call to action. I
said, I am going to ask you to take your phones out and turn
them on, he said. Participants were given the three phone
numbers, along with a suggested script, which prompted
them to introduce themselves as people of faith, and then
ask for support with legislation. There were three possible
areas on the script expanding background checks for
gun buyers, preventing people on the no-fly or other terrorist watch lists from buying them, and banning the sale
of assault rifles and similar weapons. Participants were not
asked to stick to the script, but to use it if it made them more
comfortable than ad-libbing.
I know that we often are told to call our representatives,
and most people dont do it, Rabbi Fabricant said. Often I
dont do it. But doing it all together made it different.
I made my calls from the pulpit, standing right beside
the 49 lit candles, he added. I know that for me this felt
like faith in action.

for effective business decision making, prevent a business

from making the best use of the resources available to it and
should be opposed as an impairment to the soundness of
commercial contracting performance.
The New Jersey bill is more moderate than other antiBDS efforts. It applies to Israel, not Israel-controlled territory, meaning the West Bank. And it applies to investments,
not contracts.
The bill allows the Department of Treasury 120 days to
identify those companies engaged in the boycott of Israel
and Israeli business. Once they are identified and a list of
their names is published, New Jersey has two years to withdraw investment of pension funds from those companies.
The state also is prohibited from investing further in any
companies boycotting Israel.
In Illinois, ten firms are on the list of companies banned
from state investment for boycotting Israel; one is contesting that designation. The same page on the states website
lists five companies most of them Chinese oil companies
that are on the prohibited investment list because they have
done business with Iran. More than 100 companies are on
the list for doing prohibited business with Sudan, including
such corporate giants as Hitachi, Sony, Toyota, Volkswagen,
and Volvo.

Ms. Sandrof found out that many years ago, the uncle of
one of the synagogues members was the director of Daughters of Jacob. She remembers visiting her uncle there, Ms.
Sandrof said.
Nate Goldman, the Daughters of Jacobs administrator,
said that the home was founded in 1896 as the first Jewish
nursing home in New York City. It first opened on Manhattans Lower East Side. When it moved to the Bronx, it had
a synagogue, a study hall, and kosher kitchens, for a largely
Orthodox population. In fact, Dr. Carr worked as a weekend
kosher supervisor there while he was in podiatry school.
Unfortunately it has not been a Jewish facility in years,
Mr. Goldman said.
But thanks to the Bergen County Jewish community, it
still benefits from the Jewish value of giving.
My philosophy is that there are two types of mitzvahs:
between man and man, and between man and God, Dr.
Carr said. I think the mitzvahs between man and man are
the most important of all.

BRIEF

Presbyterians support BDS,

criticize Israeli settlements
The Presbyterian Church USA passed a series of resolutions at its general assembly in support of the Boycott,
Divestment and Sanctions movement against Israel, while
calling on Israel to leave the disputed territories.
The measures include the approval of a report, in a 429129 vote, that seeks to examine the two-state solution for
the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The report says that Israels policy trajectory of continued settlements and brutal
occupation is deeply troubling.
Additionally, the church passed a resolution calling for
prayerful study of both the churchs support for the BDS
movement and opposition to that movement. A third resolution urged the real estate company RE/MAX to stop sales
of property within Israeli settlements. At its previous general assembly in 2014, the Presbyterian Church narrowly
passed a resolution calling for divestment from companies
doing business in Israel.
Leading American-Jewish groups criticized the churchs
moves.
We are deeply disappointed with the Presbyterian
Churchs decision to embrace motions which forward
arguments in favor of a bi-national state and of the antiIsrael BDS campaign, said Rabbi David Sandmel, the AntiDefamation Leagues director of interfaith affairs.
Emily Soloff, associate director of interreligious and
intergroup relations at the American Jewish Committee, said that a major Protestant denomination in the
U.S. with deep roots in the Middle East has chosen to be
a cheerleader for those whose vision of peace does not
JNS.ORG
include the State of Israel. 

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JEWISH STANDARD JULY 1, 2016 27

Jewish World

Jewish groups fight a growing epidemic of opioid addiction

BEN SALES
Eve Goldbergs son, Isaac, was in a panic.
He had to get out of college.
Isaac Goldberg Volkmar had been at
the University of Rhode Island for less
than a semester in 2009 when he called
his mother, desperate to escape. He had
joined a fraternity, where his brothers got
him to take the pain medications Percocet
and Oxycontin. After a few months, the
New York teen knew he was addicted and
that he needed help.
From there, Isaac was in and out of
rehabs in Pennsylvania and New York. He
overdosed the summer after freshman
year. At one point, a family friend burst
into Eves apartment, where she found
Isaac turning blue and had him rushed to
the hospital.
Isaac grew up in what his mother calls a
normal Jewish home in Tribeca, in downtown Manhattan. The family had no history of addiction, so by 2013, when Isaac
was recovered and working as a basketball coach at the United Nations International School in Manhattan, his mother

JULY
SEMESTER
2016

hoped that the worst was

together twice a month
behind him. He even was
to do activities like riding
set to move into his own
go-karts, knitting, or playing basketball. Its one of
apartment.
But Isaac began acting
several Jewish initiatives
oddly that Thanksgiving.
nationwide to combat
He woke up his mother
addiction, especially as
in the middle of the
opioid abuse increases
night, looking for aspirin.
across the country.
Death from opioids
In December, Goldberg
from prescription painwalked into his room and
killers like Oxycontin to
found him unresponsive,
Eve Goldberg, whose
controlled substances like
overdosed on opioids. He
son died of an opioid
heroin has increased
died after six weeks in a
overdose in 2013, now
in the United States since
coma. He was 23 years old.
runs an organization in
For Isaac, a lot of it
2000, according to the
his memory that seeks to
was he didnt feel good
Centers for Disease Concreate a community of
trol and Prevention. In
about himself, Goldyoung adults recovering
berg said. He was trying
2014, nearly 30,000 peofrom addiction. BEN SALES
to self-medicate, and to
ple died from opioid overescape. Things were bad
dose in America, a 14 perfor him. School was hard for him. That
cent jump from the previous year. And
was a big part of it trying to be numb
while data among American Jews is hard to
come by, statistics show a rise there, too.
and not feel.
More than 20 Orthodox Jews have
Last year, Goldberg founded BigVision,
died from opioid overdoses since last
a community for young adults in recovery
Rosh Hashanah in the New York area,
from addiction, where participants get

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9:30 AM - 12:30 PM

TUESDAY

10:15 - 11:30 AM

8:15 - 9:30 PM

Celebrate Rosh Chodesh at

Lamdeinu on July 7.
See lamdeinu.org for details.

WEDNESDAY

TUESDAY

10:15 - 11:45 AM

28 JEWISH STANDARD JULY 1, 2016

Explore the requirements for stipulating a valid tenai in multiple

halakhic contexts

July 6, 11, 13,

18, 20, 25, 27
August 1

Eichah Rabbah: Midrash as a

Response to Destruction

July 5, 12, 19

Prepare for Tisha BAv with rare insights into this powerful midrash
Dr. Tammy Jacobowitz, For men and women, Tuition $60

Drop-in rate for a class is $25.

Please consider dedicating
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Rachel Friedman, Dean

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All classes will cover new topics.
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according to Zvi Gluck, who runs Amudim, an organization that helps addicts
find treatment. At Beit Tshuva, a Jewish
long-term residential recovery center in
Los Angeles, applications have risen 50
percent in the past year, from 400 to 500
to 600 to 800. Rabbi Mark Borovitz, the
centers head rabbi, attributes that rise to
opioid addiction.
Borovitz and Gluck both say that middle-class American Jews typically are
more susceptible to opioid addiction
because painkillers are accessible in an
otherwise safe environment, where hard
drugs may not otherwise be present.
Borovitz, like Goldberg, also attributes
the rise in abuse to the overprescription
of medications.
The journal JAMA Psychiatry reports
that heroin use is no longer an innercity, minority-centered problem, but
one increasingly affecting white men
and women in their late 20s living outside of large urban areas. Heroin use
also is up because it is less expensive
and often easier to obtain than prescription opioids.

THURSDAY

10:15 - 11:30 AM

Four Aggaditot in the Talmud

Explore Talmudic visions of calamity & redemption
R. Daniel Fridman, For men and women, Tuition $80

Parashat HaShavua

July 12, 19, 26

August 2

July 6, 13, 20

Analyze the parashah with classical and literary sources

Rachel Friedman, Dean, For men and women, Tuition $60

Unsung Heroes in the Bible

Explore Shifrah & Puah, Pharoahs daughter, Hur, the Cushite
woman, On Bet Pelet and others
R. Hayyim Angel, For men and women, Tuition $80

July 7, 14,
21, 28

Jewish World
BRIEF

U.N. leader calls Israels Gaza blockade

a form of collective punishment
Isaac Goldberg
Volkmar, shown
here with his sister,
died of an opioid
overdose when he
was 23.
COURTESY OF
EVE GOLDBERG

We get opiate addicts all the time,

said Borovitz, whose wife, Harriet Rossetto, founded Beit Tshuva 30 years
ago. Doctors get them hooked on all
the opiates, Oxycontin, etc., and then
they turn to heroin.
Operation Survival, which has
worked to prevent drug abuse among
the Chabad-Lubavitch and non-Jewish
community in Crown Heights, Brooklyn, since 1988, launched the Opioid
Overdose Prevention Program in May.
The program trains people to administer naloxone, a drug that blocks or
reverses the effects of an opioid overdose if it is given quickly enough.
You give naloxone, it can only help,
said Operation Survivals program
director, Yaacov Behrman. If someone
is overdosing and you have access to
naloxone, in those five minutes you can
save the persons life.
A range of other groups are offering
Jewish responses to addiction in general and opioid abuse in particular. In
Brooklyn, the Safe Foundation gives lectures at Jewish schools about the dangers of drug and gambling addiction,
and provides outpatient treatment. The
Chabad Residential Treatment Center
in Los Angeles treats men for substance
abuse. In southeastern Pennsylvania,
Rabbi Yosef Lipsker serves as an addiction counselor at the Caron Treatment
Center, where he has provided religious
resources and counseling to 5,000 Jewish patients since 1999.
Orthodox Jews combating addiction
say that while the Orthodox community used to deny that drug abuse was
a problem, more people have sought
treatment as stories of overdose deaths
have spread. Gluck said that while an
insular community can perpetuate the

problem by trying to hide it, the community also can offer stronger support
once the problem is acknowledged.
Fifteen years ago it was very much
under the rug, he said. It was very
much not spoken about. Now a lot of
the rabbis are more familiar with it.
Everybody knows someone. You cant
say anymore that it doesnt exist in our
community.
Some of the Jewish counselors add a
Jewish tint to the recovery process. Lipsker has Jewish patients at his home each
week for Friday night dinner, and he provides observant patients with kosher food.
Borovitz relates the weekly Torah portion
to recovery in his weekly sermon, drawing a connection, for example, between
Gods encounter with Adam in the Garden
of Eden and an addict acknowledging he
has a problem.
One of the things addicts do is they
isolate, disconnect from family and
friends, lose whatever they have in
terms of their spirituality, Lipsker said.
In an institution, you can bring it back
to them with the warmth of a Jewish
home.
Eve Goldberg hopes to grow BigVision to the point where she can open
a permanent community center for
recovering addicts in New York City.
Her group is open to Jews and non-Jews
alike, but she said that Jewish parents
of addicts have to be more open about
acknowledging opioid addiction and
seeking help for their children.
Jewish parents, parents who come
from a good socioeconomic background, people like that want everything to look perfect, so they dont talk
about things, she said. I used to think
heroin was worse. Its not.
JTA WIRE SERVICE

United Nations Secretary-General Ban Kimoon criticized Israels blockade of the

Gaza Strip during his visit to the region
on Tuesday.
In a tour of a U.N.-run school in Gaza,
Ban said that the closure of Gaza suffocates its people, stifles its economy, and
impedes reconstruction efforts.
Its a collective punishment for which
there must be accountability, he said.
Ban also met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem, where the prime minister urged
Ban force Hamasthe Palestinian terror
group ruling Gazato return the bodies
of two Israeli soldiers killed in Gaza during the 2014 war there, in addition to two
missing Israelis who are believed to be in
Hamas captivity.

Hamas is cruelly and illegally holding

the remains of our soldiers and holding
our citizens. I ask you to use your standing to help return home these soldiers and
these citizens, Netanyahu said.
Hamas is a terrorist organization,
he added. Hamas has genocidal aims. It
doesnt merely practice terrorism. It says
openly that its goal is to wipe away from
the face of the Earth a member state of the
United Nations.
Netanyahu also reminded Ban of the
security need for the Gaza and the threat
that Israel faces from Hamas. I hope the
U.N. will highlight Hamass crimes and
understand that our security measures
are aimed only at keeping our citizens
safe from this threat, and we use judicious
JNS.ORG
force in this regards, he said. 

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Jewish World

Brexit splits UK from Europe,

Labour splits from Corbyn
CNAAN LIPHSHIZ

nly a week and a half ago, Jeremy Corbyn seemed to have

survived his biggest public relations debacle as the leader of
Britains Labour Party: the proliferation of
anti-Semitic rhetoric among its members.
But this week, the British vote to leave
the European Union achieved what Corbyns opponents failed to do in their
attacks against him over anti-Semitism.
On Tuesday, 172 Labour lawmakers
among the total 229 in the Parliament
said they had no confidence in Corbyn,
opening the door to a challenge that if cosigned by 51 lawmakers will lead to internal elections.
The previous day, the partys leadership abandoned Corbyn in a mass walkout
over his perceived failure to lobby effectively against the Brexit, which a majority
of British voters supported in a June 23
referendum.
Relying on strong popular support in the
Labour rank-and-file and ignoring calls to
resign by former supporters who quit in
protest of his leadership, Corbyn is holding on to his seat. Critics say he risks splitting and ruining a party that used to be a
natural political home for British minority
groups, including many from the Jewish
community.
On Monday and Tuesday, 24 Labour
shadow ministers senior lawmakers who
hold key portfolios within the opposition
party resigned their roles, citing Corbyns
handling of the Brexit vote. A former Eurosceptic, Corbyn led a stay campaign that
was so lackluster and low-key that he faced
accusations within his party of deliberately
sabotaging the party position.
Prime Minister David Cameron, a Conservative who campaigned vigorously for a
stay vote, announced his resignation after
the referendums result was reported, citing a need for leadership that reflects the
will of the majority of British voters.
Corbyn, however, dug in his heels. After
the walkout and no-confidence vote, he
issued a defiant statement saying he would
not betray those who voted for him by
resigning.
I was democratically elected leader of
our party for a new kind of politics by 60
percent of Labour members and supporters, and I will not betray them by resigning. Todays vote by MPs has no constitutional legitimacy, he said.
Among the Labourites bolting over the
Brexit issue was Luciana Berger, a Jewish
lawmaker who had resisted repeated calls
by Jews and non-Jews to distance herself
from Corbyn over the anti-Semitism issue
in the party.
30 JEWISH STANDARD JULY 1, 2016

Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn in London after the United Kingdom voted to leave the European Union on June 24.

ROB STOTHARD/GETTY IMAGES

I have always served the Labour leader

and our party with loyalty, Berger wrote
in her resignation letter, in which she also
noted Corbyn always served with great
principle and has shown her nothing
but kindness. Berger, the shadow minister on mental health, said she was resigning with deep sadness because loyalty
to the party must come first and because
we need a Labour leader who can unite
our party.
Like other senior Labour lawmakers,
Berger stuck with Corbyn throughout the
anti-Semitism controversy because she
wanted to make a difference in her field of
political engagement, David Hirsh, a British Jewish columnist and prominent sociologist at the University of London, said.
She was able to do so, added Hirsh,
who is a Labour member and is critical
of Corbyn, because while the anti-Semitism issue certainly hurt Corbyn, he had
temporarily defused it by setting up an
internal inquiry. But the Brexit vote has
led to such a political and economic crisis
in Britain that Corbyns Labour opponents
did not feel they could remain silent any
longer, he said.
With the Conservative Party in turmoil
over Camerons resignation, elections may
be around the corner, possibly this year.

Corbyn is widely seen as too radical to be

voted into a position of power.
Corbyn cannot win a general election,
so Labour politicians no longer feel they
have the luxury of waiting to see what happens, Hirsh said. They feel they need to
act now.
The attempted coup against Corbyn
comes amid a widening split within
Labour between its moderate center and
the left-of-center camp supporting Corbyn. A hard-core socialist who has major
traction with anti-establishment voters,
Corbyn used to vote left of Labour before
he came to lead the party. His rise within
Labour coincided with an influx into the
party of tens of thousands of his supporters a process that many observers said
also led to the proliferation of anti-Semitic
speech and conspiracy theories.
Under fire by senior party members
who accused him of either doing too little
to curb the phenomenon or of contributing to it with his open endorsement of
anti-Israel terrorists, Corbyn took a serious beating in the mainstream media. The
pressure mounted after Ken Livingstone, a
former mayor of London, said Adolf Hitler
was a Zionist. Livingstone was suspended
from the party.
Hirsh said the influx of left-of-center

supporters may mean that Corbyn is correct in asserting that he represents the
majority of Labour members. But the
growing gap between his supporters and
a substantial part of Labours leadership
and establishment risks tearing the party
apart, splitting it into centrist and radical
factions, he added.
The concern over a split in the Labour
Party into a radical and a moderate wing
also exists for the Conservative Party,
which also is divided on the Brexit issue.
If radical Conservatives prevail, it will be
at the expense of Camerons camp, which
many British Jews credit with leading an
essentially liberal democratic line and resolute opposition to racism. A right-of-center victory could encourage xenophobia
a prospect the Board of Deputies of British
Jews already warned about in the wake of
the Brexit vote.
Corbyn himself has stressed that he
rejects all forms of racism, including antiSemitism. But like many British Jews and
the communitys leadership, Hirsh insists
that the Corbynite wing of the Labour
Party carries anti-Semitic ways of thinking. To the extent that it is successful in
mainstream politics, he added, it will
carry that with it into British political life.
JTA WIRE SERVICE


Jewish World

Writer Calvin Trillin dishes about

civil rights, Judaism, and the art of reporting
CURT SCHLEIER
Writer Calvin Trillin may be most famous
today for his comic musings on food, family, travel and love.
But before he won the Thurber Prize for
Humor in 2013; before Uncivil Liberties,
his humor column for the Nation he
has affectionately called it a pinko magazine published on cheap paper where he
was paid in the high two figures and
before the recent flap over his tongue-incheek poem about Chinese cuisine, Trillin was one of Americas great longform
journalists.
I think a lot of nonfiction reporting is in
the details, Trillin says of his craft. When
I talk to a journalism class and someone
asks, How you go about describing a town
or community? I use the old ma nishtanah method: Why is this place different
from all other places?
Trillin, 80, began his career at Time
magazine, where he covered the civil rights
movement from the newsweeklys Atlanta
bureau. In 1963, he became a staff writer
for the New Yorker, where his earliest article, about the two black students who integrated the University of Georgia, became
his first book, An Education in Georgia.
His latest, Jackson, 1964: And Other
Dispatches from Fifty Years of Reporting
on Race in America, which came out on
June 28, is a collection of articles hes written on race in America since then. They
run the gamut from a 1964 story about New
Orleans Zulu Social Aid & Pleasure Club,
an African-American krewe that marches in
blackface during Mardi Gras, to a 1995 piece
about the Mississippi State Sovereignty
Commission, which in the 1960s and 70s
sent investigators to look into the ethnic
background of suspected biracial infants.
The highly readable stories remain topical today. And taken as a whole, the book
is a reminder of how graceful and seemingly effortless his prose is. Trillin has perfected the technique of exploring broad
societal issues while training a close lens
on a narrow yet compelling subject.
Trillin was born in 1935, in Kansas City,
Missoura, as he calls it, traces of his Midwestern accent still in place. His father,
Abe, an immigrant from Kiev later the
subject of his book Messages From My
Father was determined that Bud, as Calvin is known, remember he is both Jewish
and an American. Abe had read Stover at
Yale, a 1912 popular novel about undergraduate life at the school, and was determined that his son become a true American and go to college there.
Bud did. And on a whim, he signed on
to be a reporter for the Yale Daily News
he just happened to walk by the papers
office. Though he says he had no previous inclination toward journalism, Trillin

in my home, I think there was sort of a

general feeling about justice and peoples
rights.
As it happens, his being Jewish also
affected his humor writing. In fact, Trillin first realized he was funny in Hebrew
school.
Id been a pretty quiet child, he
recalls. But when we got to the part in
the Bible where it says, If I forget thee,

I use the old

ma nishtanah
method: Why is
this place
different from
all other places?
O Jerusalem, let my right hand forget her
cunning and let my tongue cleave to the
roof of my mouth, I stood up and said, If I
forget thee, O Jerusalem, let my right hand
forget her cunning with my right hand laying there kind of helpless. And then I said,
Wet my tongue kweave to duih woof of
my mouf.
I got a big laugh and, I believe,
kicked out of the class, he adds.
As a break from his long, serious
articles, he started writing what the
New Yorker calls casuals light,
funny pieces. These attracted the
Writer Calvin Trillin, center,
attention of Victor Navasky, the ediinterviews John Lewis in Birtor of the Nation and a former Yale
mingham, Ala., in 1961, as the
classmate, who asked him to start a
Freedom Riders were boarding
humor column there. Several variathe bus for Montgomery.
tions of the column ran under variLIFE IMAGES COLLECTION
ous auspices (including in Time)
from 1978 through 2001.
took to it quickly.
Since 1990, Trillins also become
He eventually became the
known as the Deadline Poet, writing short, usually political verses for
papers chairman, a post once held
by Time magazine founder Henry Calvin Trillin says Judaism affected his humor writing, the Nation:
If Chris and Donald form a team,
Luce. Tradition at the time was and he first realized he was funny in Hebrew school.
RICHARD STAMELMAN
Would many voters pick it?
that all Daily News chairmen and 
Could there be folks who might
they were only men then automatically received an internship at Time.
he filed expense reports for trousers torn
support
Trillin impressed the powers-that-be and
in racial dispute. But one of his major conA schoolyard bullies ticket?
cerns was remaining objective, not locking
landed the Atlanta bureau job.
Or:
arms with protesters and singing We Shall
Being in the South put Trillin in the
The comics used to say of Trump,
Overcome.
midst of the biggest story of the time:
His childish boasts, his hair, his money
Still, his impulse to cover these stories
Between school desegregation battles, sitWill surely give us lots of laughs.
was at least partially motivated by his
ins and boycotts, he was full-time on what
But now, alas, hes not so funny.
Jewish upbringing. Trillin says he was
he calls the seg beat.
Recently, Trillin came across something
brought up to treat people fairly and not
That experience reaffirmed his career
else not so funny. In rereading his old seg
judge people by their color.
choice, he says. I found what I really liked
beat stories, he was somewhat shocked to
On the other hand, I cant say I wasnt
was reporting not on celebrities or politidiscover that old adage the more things
cians, but regular people involved in sort
brought up in a culture where schvartze
change rings true.
I was surprised a little bit at how a lot
of dramatic situation.
wasnt used as a synonym for maid, as in,
of them could have been written today,
There were dangers. He was knocked to
Dont bother with the dishes, the schvartze will do them tomorrow, he adds. But
JTA WIRE SERVICE
he says.
the ground covering the Freedom Riders;
JEWISH STANDARD JULY 1, 2016 31

Keeping Kosher
Psst, Cedar Market has secret deals

Former NFL quarterback

scores with superfood snack
A new kosher product, PHIVEbar, a nosugar-added, gluten-free, all-natural snack
bar thats loaded with nutrients, has hit
the market. The bar comes in three flavors
original, blueberry, and peanut and
was created by former NFL quarterback
Kyle Boller and his wife, Carrie Prejean, a
former Ms. California.
Wholesome, nutritious and loaded
with flavor, PHIVEbar is derived from an

ancient recipe using the PHI ratio a ratio

found within nature. Ingredients are a
blend of fruits, nuts, and seeds, selected
for better health, with nothing extra
added. The bars, loaded with superfoods
and packed with vitamins, minerals, and
nutrients, have no artificial ingredients,
added sugars, gluten, soy, or GMOs, and
are USDA Organic certified. PHIVEbar is
available online at www.phivebar.com.

You know that feeling when you find

extra money in your pocket?
In the spirit of continuing to give back
to communities in the North Jersey area,
Cedar Market, the Home of Fine Foods
and Great Savings in Teaneck, has been
sharing secret mid-week deals with its
customers.
The way it works is simple: Unadvertised deals are sent to the supermarkets
email subscribers and social media fans
each Monday night. The savings are
effective on Tuesday and Wednesday of
that week.
Were very proud that customers enjoy our weekly circular, said Eli
Langer, chief marketing officer at Cedar
Market, so adding our Secret Deals to

the mix is another way of putting more

money back in their pocket.
Cedar Market says it has tested the
pilot program for over six months and
has seen tremendous excitement on the
stores active Facebook page.
Each week we ask our fans what
their favorite deal of the week is and the
responses come pouring in, said Langer.
Its always a lot of fun communicating
directly with our shoppers.
For those interested in receiving Cedar
Markets Secret Deals, reach out to the
store via email at info@thecedarmarket.
com or visit its Facebook page.
The store is at 646 Cedar Lane in
Teaneck. For information, call (201)
855-8500.

New cookbook is full of suggestions

BETH JANOFF CHANANIE

he new Kosher Taste: Plan-Prepare-Plate

hardcover cookbook by Amy Stopnicki (Feldheim Publishers) includes more than 100
simple-to-replicate recipes, along with color
photos, weekly menus with planning tips, and a Pesach
index.
The recipes are very basic, with few steps, and include
nice ingredient additions. Heres a recipe for a perfect
salad to eat for lunch or as a first course for a brunch or
even a dinner party. Its especially pleasing when served
plated individually, as pictured. I like that it uses quinoa
as a healthier alternative theres even a recipe in the
book for quinoa schnitzel. Some of the serving suggestions are also interesting for
example, a faux crab pasta salad is shown served in a half of a red pepper. Enjoy!

Baby arugula and sweet potato salad

PAREVE - SERVES 6-8

If you dont have sweet potatoes you can use sauted

red peppers.
SALAD:
2 cups cubed and roasted sweet potato (see
roasting vegetable tips below)
2 Belgian endives, cleaned and checked, sliced
thinly
6 cups baby arugula, cleaned and checked
1/3 cup dried cranberries
1/2 cup cooked quinoa
1/2 cup chopped roasted cashews
Dressing:
1/4 cup red wine vinegar
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1 teaspoon sugar
salt and pepper to taste
For a sweeter salad add a teaspoon of sugar to the salad dressing.

32 JEWISH STANDARD JULY 1, 2016

Combine all the salad ingredients except cashews in a large mixing bowl.
In a small jar or cruet, combine all the

dressing ingredients. Pour dressing

over salad and toss well. Add cashews
and serve.

Roasting sweet potatoes in the oven:

Cut into 1/2 inch cubes. Coat them lightly with olive oil or vegetable spray, and
season to taste. Bake for 20-25 minutes

or longer for a crisper outside.

The cookbook includes a section on
grilling and roasting vegetables.


WITH PERMISSION FROM KOSHER TASTE

Keeping Kosher

Kosher Market
Meats Chicken Deli Appetizing
Prepared Foods Groceries Frozen Foods Catering
67 A. East Ridgewood Ave. Paramus, NJ 07652

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www.harolds.com

Mon-Wed 8-6; Thurs 8-7; Fri 8-4; sun 8-3; Closed saTurday
under raBBiniCal suPerVision

Serving The Kosher Way Since 1976

The sun is out, the whites are in

Gabriel Geller
or many, if not most people, the summer
is easily the best time of the year for a welldeserved vacation and diverse outdoor
activities.
The heat, the humidity, and the type of food that we
eat over the sunny season all are elements to factor in
when picking the wines that will offer the most enjoyable and refreshing experiences.
I would like to suggest and review here a selection of
white wines that are rather easy to find, are affordable,
and that will make your summer more pleasurable and
fun.
But first of all, please remember that for proper enjoyment, white wines must be served well-chilled. It is also
important not to pour too much wine at a time in your
glass, as the wine would warm up faster than in the bottle.
Ideally, when possible, the best is to maintain the open
bottle in an ice bucket to preserve the wines freshness
throughout the course of the meal.
I would like to highlight a few wines that would be
very nice, either sipped simply on their own or which
could also pair very well with a variety of light summer
dishes.
To start with, three light, off-dry, and aromatic wines
that, while enjoyable as aperitif, would be a nice accompaniment to salads and dips or, why not, with spicy
Asian foods as well.
An unusual blend, the Baron Herzog Chenin Viognier is made from two interesting varieties. Chenin
Blanc is one of the main white grape types of the Loire
Valley in France and can produce outstanding wines in
a wide array of styles. In this case, the Chenin grapes for
their wines are sourced from the Herzogs family vineyards in Clarksburg, California, one of the finest growing regions in the country. Viognier originates from the
Rhne valley, also in France, and is known for its fragrant summer fruit aromas. Some of the worlds most
sought-after whites are the Viognier wines that come
from the Condrieu appellation in the Rhne valley. This
wine proves that the variety shows also quite successfully in California. The resulting combination of these
two types of grapes here is a light, savory wine with
each variety contributing to the flavor profile and to the
texture as well.
Israels leading boutique winery, Tulip, also makes an
interesting blend. Made of 70 percent Gewrztraminer
and 30 percent Sauvignon Blanc, the White Tulip is the

perfect summer wine. Featuring notes of tropical and

citrus fruit with a subtle touch of sweetness, this is the
type of wine to enjoy with spicy fish or with watermelon.
And here is another fantastic Israeli white wine that
is quite the crowd pleaser: Flam Blanc. Like the aforementioned Tulip, it is also a blend based on Sauvignon
Blanc. However, the second variety here is Chardonnay.
While most Chardonnay are aged in oak barrels, here it
is not, as to retain all the freshness of the fruit and the
acidity. This wine really is a joy to drink! Vibrant and
lively, with aromas and flavors of stone fruits such as
peaches and apricots as well as Meyer lemons. Subtle
hints of spice such as white pepper are noticeable on
the finish.
There are also white wines that can pair remarkably
well with poultry or veal. Riesling is a noble variety
originating from Germany and also quite popular from
the neighboring region of Alsace in France. The Koenig
Riesling represents very high value for the money. Dry
and very well-balanced with good acidity, this wine has
all the characteristics of high-quality Riesling. Among
those, notes of green apple peels, beautiful minerals
and citrus pith. A very complex and affordable wine that
will highlight any meal, anytime but even more so in the
summer. There is even a worldwide festival among wine
lovers that is called Summer of Riesling, encouraging
the discovery of this wonderful variety.
Goose Bay is well-known for making some of the best
Sauvignon Blanc in the world. But their Reserve Fum is
simply one of the most interesting wines out there. Aged
for a few months in barrels to give it more structure and
a slightly smoky profile, this is a wine that would do
wonders with smoked chicken! While the classic grapefruit aromas prevail, some hints of flint make this a great
topic of conversation! For a fun tasting, I highly recommend trying it side by side with the regular Goose Bay
Sauvignon Blanc.
And for the sweet touch to end the meal in the most
satisfying way, the Ice Wine Vidal from Tzafona Cellars
is just perfect. This is a wine that is made in Canada. Yes,
in Canada! Produced with grapes harvested frozen on
the vines from vineyards grown in the Niagara Peninsula, as to concentrate the sugar and retain the highest
level of natural acidity, preventing the sweetness from
being cloying. This is a wine that has a mouth-watering
texture with flavors of candied pineapple, mango and
dried apricots. Paired with fruit pies or simply sipped
on its own, it will make for an unforgettable experience!
Have a great and sunny summer! Lchaim!

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Small Bank, Big Service

34 JEWISH STANDARD JULY 1, 2016

Dear Rabbi Zahavy

Your talmudic advice column

Dear Rabbi Zahavy,
I was at a public Jewish event where a rabbi
was speaking about the future of the Jewish
people. At one point in his talk he lashed out
at Jews who marry non-Jews. He said that
they are finishing Hitlers work, which I
took to mean they are destroying the Jewish
people.
This criticism disturbed my friends and
me, especially because I have a child who is
intermarried. So do others who were present
and heard this rabbi.
I was hurt and offended by this statement.
I did not say anything to the rabbi. Should I
have spoken up?
Offended in Oradell
Dear Offended,
Yes, as a rule, you may speak up and
let people know if you feel offended by
what they say. Thats how we maintain a
polite and orderly society. Even if the person speaking has a claim to respect and
authority because he is a rabbi, that does
not give him any right to say inane things
that offend others.
In this instance there is no debate about
it. This rabbis awful public comparison of
intermarried Jews to Hitler and the Holocaust is directly offensive to every Jew who
married a non-Jew and all their friends and
relatives.
It is wrong to equate intermarriage with
the Holocaust on every level. Most particularly, it demeans the validity of the love
of intermarried couples, and it debases
the heartbreak and catastrophe of the
Holocaust.
What then was the intent of the rabbis
remarks? It seems he felt he had the right
to shock and bully his fellow Jews with
harsh words because he was thereby doing
his job, that is, protecting the future of the
Jewish people.
The rabbi fell seriously short of his goal
because his words alienated sincere Jews,
like you, who listened to them. And even
within his distorted logic, his comparison
was not only hurtful, it was wrong.
Sociologists long ago argued that intermarriage in theory can be a statistical net
gain for the Jewish people. Consider a
hypothetical case of 100 Jews, 50 men and
50 women. If they marry each other, we
end up with 50 Jewish households.
But if every Jew married a non-Jew we
would end up with 100 households.
All the children of the 50 intermarried
Jewish women are by definition Jews, even
according to strict Orthodox Jewish law.
And if only one child of an intermarried
Jewish man embraces Judaism, that is a net
gain. If the non-Jewish spouse converts,
then even the most Orthodox rabbi would
be forced to admit the benefit of intermarriage to the future of the Jewish people.

And if there were no converthe food was not kosher. At

sion, there still is the case
first I ate vegetables and fish.
for considering the factors
But then one day I realized
of patrilineal descent that is
that I did not see the point of
determinative of Jewish identhe kosher laws anymore.
tity for Reform Jews.
Nowadays I cant imagine
You could argue that the
that God really cares what I
quality of Jewishness is lower
eat. And I cant see how keeping kosher is good for the Jewin households where one
Rabbi Tzvee
ish people, or humankind in
spouse is not a Jew. But who
Zahavy
general.
is to say that is the case? I
Can you give me some posiknow of instances where chiltive reinforcing thoughts about
dren of intermarriages are
the social and ethical value of our kosher
strongly identified with their Jewishness.
So you could have told the rabbi that he
laws and customs?
Eating Traif in Tenafly
did not do his math, that statistically intermarriage is not the continuation of Hitlers
Dear Eating,
work to exterminate the Jewish people.
Its not obvious to me that kosher laws
You also could have noted to the rabbi
have identifiable global social or ethical
that we do have some biblical cases to
value. Some would say that the main social
consider in the analysis of the dangers and
consequence is that these laws discourage
benefits of intermarriage.
fraternization among Jews and non-Jews.
The biblical heroine Esther married a
I spent a lot of time learning the intricanon-Jewish Persian king, and that led to
cies of our Jewish food rules and ponderthe salvation of the Jewish people. In the
ing their meanings. To become a rabbi, I
book of Ruth, we find the narrative of how
studied the tractate Hullin in the Talmud,
an upstanding Jewish man named Mahlon
which contains most of the materials permarried a non-Jewish Moabite woman
taining to kosher regulations, with the
named Ruth. When he died, eventually
famed Rabbi Joseph B. Soloveitchik.
another fine Jewish man named Boaz marI also studied the treatises relating to
ried Ruth, helping to carry on the family
milk and meat and to forbidden mixtures
line. Perhaps Ruth converted, so this was
not technically what we today call an
in Yoreh Deah in Joseph Caros Shulchan
intermarriage.
Aruch code of Jewish law. I had to pass
But the bottom line of that chronicle
rigorous tests to get affirmed as a scholar
is that out of that marriage of an Israelite
who could teach and rule on these matters,
man to a Moabite woman came a famous
determining what is kosher and what is not.
Subsequently, during my academic
great grandson, King David. We know for
career, I spent a three-year span translatsure that was a good historical result for
ing and publishing an English version of
the Jewish people.
the tractate Hullin in the Babylonian TalAnd furthermore, as Jews, we do believe
mud, the source, as I said, of so many of
that at some future date a descendant of
the details of our food regulations. (You
that very same King David will come into
can find and buy a Kindle ebook version of
our midst as a messiah to end the sufferings of our nation, and to usher in an age of
my work on Amazon under the title Babylonian Talmud Tractate Hullin.)
redemption and peace for all humankind.
As I recall, in all of that advanced TalIt seems reasonable that next time a
mud and halachic studies, it was not the
rabbi berates you about intermarriage,
case that we considered any philosophical
you might mention to him that we Jews
rationale for kashrut, any practical benefit
believe that in such notable biblical cases,
for it, or any hygienic basis for the laws.
intermarriage is the prerequisite for the
You asked, why should you care about
beginning of the salvation of our people.
kashrut? The Torah and the Talmud assure
And lastly, you might tell the rabbi that
us that God does care about what we eat.
even if all children of all intermarriages do
So your main motivation for keeping the
not identify as Jews, comparing that result
laws would have to be that by doing so you
with the murderous acts of Hitler is baseless, tasteless, ludicrous discourse.
Dear Rabbi,
I was brought up in an observant Jewish
home where we kept the kitchen kosher and
ate only kosher foods. We had milchig utensils and fleishig utensils. And on Pesach we
took out the pesachdig utensils. As I got older
I found it necessary when traveling and
doing business to eat at restaurants where

are following Gods commandments and

will be rewarded. And by violating those
laws you will sin and risk punishment, if
not in a human court, then in the court of
Gods judgments in the next world.
It appears from your question that those
rationales dont work for you anymore.
One famous Reform Jew assured me some
years ago that in growing up his family
would opine in rhyme about the health
benefits of not eating pork, We Jews / do
not get trichinosis / because we follow /
the laws of Moses.
But you may be asking yourself what
the benefits of not cooking milk and meat
together are? Or of kosher-salting raw
meats to remove the blood? Or of properly slaughtering a chicken? Or of abstaining from eating lobster?
Perhaps I can appeal to your cultural
and tribal identifications: We are Jews, and
these are core to our laws and customs,
and we ought to cherish and keep them.
And please do keep in mind that its
surely a lot easier to eat kosher now than
it was 50 years ago. There are many kosher
takeout stores around us. Many supermarkets have extensive kosher sections. There
are more than 600 kosher restaurants
around the New York metropolitan area
listed on the internet.
Of course there are 19,000 more local
eateries that are not designated as kosher.
You might have heard that there is even
one well-regarded pork-focused restaurant named Traif in Williamsburg,
Brooklyn.
At the end of the day, what you decide
to eat is your business. I do hope that you
find a motivation and keep on keeping
kosher. In any case, hearty appetite, bon
aptit, betayavon.
Tzvee Zahavy received his Ph.D. from
Brown University and his rabbinic
ordination from Yeshiva University.
He is the author of numerous books
about Judaism, including these ebooks on
Amazon: The Book of Jewish Prayers in
English, Rashi: The Greatest Exegete,
Gods Favorite Prayers and Talmudic
Advice from Dear Rabbi which
includes his past columns from the Jewish
Standard and other essays. And dont
forget his classic, Babylonian Talmud
Tractate Hullin.

Dear Rabbi Zahavy offers mindful advice based on Talmudic wisdom.

It aspires to be equally open and meaningful to all of the varieties and
denominations of Judaism. You can find it here on the first Friday of the
month. Please email your questions to zahavy@gmail.com.

JEWISH STANDARD JULY 1, 2016 35

Dvar Torah
Shlach Lcha:
Seeing ourself through our own eyes

love being a rabbi. There is honestly

nothing else that better suits who
I am, where I stand, and complements my skills and talents. I love
the ebbs and flows of the Jewish calendar,
how each loss and simcha is an opportunity to support people in need. In truth,
being a rabbi is my calling. And yet, one
aspect of the job that is often most challenging is that I know that all eyes are on
me (and, by default, my family).
Dont get me wrong, I have no problem
speaking in front of large crowds. I like it.
I have no problem schmoozing at kiddush
give me a cup of decaf and I am good-togo for hours. But I do know that whether
I have news to share or not, people inevitably find out about my life. I just need to
tell one person.
Ask any rabbi what it means to be
caught wearing jeans in public or
worse yet a bathing suit! Ask any rabbi
what it means to painstakingly write a sermon so carefully because we are not sure
how this-person or that-person will react
to our stance on an issue. I cant help, as a
rabbi and as human, to just wonder what
others are thinking.
But I know Im not alone. We all go
through this. In a world where many post
the best images of their lives on Facebook
and the like, we always want to show others our best self. We dress for others and
laugh for others. And lets face it, we compare ourselves to others. We sometimes
even think we know what others think of

us.
grasshoppers was not
In parashat Shlach Lcha,
enough, the scouts then
we read the story about how
ascribed the feelings of others towards them, claiming
twelve scouts were sent to the
that just as they looked like
land of Canaan to see what
grasshoppers to themselves,
kind of country it is. Are the
they must have also looked
people who dwell in it strong
like grasshoppers to othor weak, few or many? Is the
ers. Its funny how we never
country in which they dwell
Rabbi
hear the voice of the Canaangood or bad? Are the towns
Jennifer
ites, but apparently we
they live in open or fortified?
Schlosberg
understand what they were
Is the soil rich or poor? Is it
Glen Rock
thinking.
wooded or not? (Numbers
Jewish Center,
In our own lives, I wonder
13:18-20). Suffice it to say
Conservative
to what extent working on
that these scouts had a lot of
these two aspects of our lives
responsibility on their hands.
could lead us to greater happiness.
And just what did they say in their report
First, can we rid ourselves of the burwhen they went back to Moses, Aaron, and
den of letting others opinions affect us?
the Israelite people?
Instead of dressing, talking, working for
We cannot attack that people, for it is
others, how about we just do it for ourstronger than weAll the people that we
selves or the greater good of humanity?
saw in it are men of great sizewe looked
Instead of worrying or wondering how our
like grasshoppers to ourselves, and so we
decisions will be perceived by others, let
must have looked to them. (Numbers
us focus instead on how our actions can
13:31-33).
bring about good in the world. Rabbi MenThere are two parts of this report that
achem Mendel of Kotzk said it best by writI find interesting. First, let us take note
ing what Gods response to the scouts must
of the lack of confidence declared by the
have been:
scouts and how they judged themselves
Why are you so concerned about how
(in this case, their size) in relationship to
you look in the eyes of the Canaanites, to
the Canaanites, who they perceived as bigger. What prevented the scouts from being
the point that it distracts you from your
confident with who they were? What presacred task?
vented them from being hopeful and faithSecond, much like the scouts, we often
ful that all would be okay?
think we can predict what others think
Second, as if calling themselves
about us. Or, we ascribe a reason why

someone did something in general. Sometimes we do this because we are insecure.

Other times its because we dont give
someone the benefit of the doubt. Perhaps we think they are out to get us even
if they are not. We allow our curiosity to
ascribe intent to others that is not even
there because we take things personally.
This leads us to utter unhappiness.
I invite you to join me in allowing the
story of the scouts to be a lesson in how
we relate to others. So maybe soon Ill do
something out of character for a rabbi
because its part of who I truly am. And
maybe Ill ponder this: As much as I know
that others have certain expectations of
me as a rabbi, if I allow those expectations
to completely dictate for which issues I
stand or what I choose to do with my time,
then I would be ignoring the sacred task
for which I am called.
Let us muster up the confidence to
appreciate the unique soul that each of us
is.
Let us not take things personally or
worry about others thoughts of us.
Let us unabashedly be our true self in
pursuit of goodness in the world.
By changing our mentality, by not
ascribing intentions to others, by adjusting our expectations, we have the ability to
bring about a world for ourselves that is a
bit happier. I am the only person who can
do that for myself. And so are you. But it all
starts with an acceptance that we, too, are
ready to change from within.

BRIEFS

School hides map of historic Palestine

during U.N. secretary-generals visit

Ben-Gurion University receives

historic $400 million donation

A United Nations-run school in the

Gaza Strip covered up a map of historic Palestine during a visit by U.N.
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on
Tuesday.
According to reports, the map
which shows Palestine as replacing
Israel was covered up with a white
cloth during Bans press conference at
the school. Officials of the U.N. Relief
and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East reportedly hid
the map to avoid the eruption of a

Ben-Gurion University of the Negev has

received a $400 million donation, the largest donation ever made to any Israeli educational institution. The funds come from the
estate of the late Dr. Howard and Lottie Marcus of San Diego.
The Marcuses first encountered BGU in
1997, and were captivated by its research primarily in the fields of water, desalination, and
desert studies. They supported research in
those fields, including a laboratory and student scholarships. They believed that water
solutions are the key to achieving peace in the

diplomatic controversy between the

Palestinians and the United Nations.
An UNRWA spokesperson in Gaza,
Adnan Abu Hasna, claimed that there
was no covered-up map during Bans
press conference in Gaza, Yedioth
Ahronoth reported.
In his remarks in Gaza, Ban
described Israels blockade of the
Hamas-ruled coastal territory as a
collective punishment of the Palestinians. 


JNS.ORG

Middle East. Shortly thereafter, they made the

decision to leave the majority of their fortune
to the university, said a statement by American Associates, BGU, the Israeli universitys
U.S.-based fundraising arm.
The Marcuses fled Nazi Germany in the
1930s and lost most of their family members in the Holocaust. They immigrated to
the U.S., where Howard Marcus worked as
a dentist and where they amassed their fortune through investments. Howard Marcus
died in 2014 at 104, and Lottie Marcus died
JNS.ORG
last December at 99.

WE OFFER REPAIRS
AND ALTERATIONS
TALLESIM CLEANED SPECIAL SHABBOS RUSH SERVICE

36 JEWISH STANDARD JULY 1, 2016

We want your business and we go the extra

mile to make you a regular customer

1245 Teaneck Rd.

Teaneck

837-8700

Arts & Culture

Fiction you will
want to believe
A review of Curt Leviants Kafkas Son
SIDNEY KESSLER

efore you begin reading Curt

Leviants latest novel, Kafkas
Son, you are confronted with a
curious bit of information.
There are a dozen quotes from French
reviews included in the first few pages
before the title page. Why? Because the
book first appeared in French translation
a few years ago before its publication early
in 2016 in the original English, and garnered incredible reviews. One reviewer on
French national TV called Kafkas Son a
work of genius.
Kafkas Son is a rollercoaster ride of
a novel that is a mystery, travelogue, love
story, literary analysis (the narrator has
a conversation with the legendary comic
genius Danny Kaye, who is interested in
starring in a movie of Metamorphosis),
and most important, a challenge to our
sense of historical timelines.
As our narrator meets one memorable
character after another, the action rushes
forward until the last page, which will
astonish and surprise the narrator and
delight the reader.
The big question is: Did Kafka have a
son?
Leviant opens the novel with no less
than seven beginnings, and concludes
with an equal number of endings.
Beginning #1 is a nod to Melville and
Moby Dick:
Call me Amschl. All right, so dont call
me Amschl. Nobody does anyway. Except
when Im called up to the Torah by my
Hebrew name: Amschl ben Moshe.
He is our narrator.
Beginning #2 tells readers they are
entering a world where imagination and
suspension of disbelief will launch them
on a great adventure:
This is a true story. True story!? Humbug. Either a narrative is true or its a
story. It cannot be both. Period. End of
story.
Let me unfold the plot just enough to get
you started. Giving you too many details
will spoil the fun. You will want to be
puzzled, startled, and enlightened as you
travel along with our questing narrator.
Amschl, a documentary filmmaker,
is prompted by an elderly Czech Jew he
meets in the Eldridge Street Synagogue in
the Lower East Side to go to Prague and
make a film about the true history of his

Franz Kafka

idol, Franz Kafka.

Everything seems possible in Prague,
a mystical city. With camera in hand he
visits the oldest synagogue there, the Altneushul, where the legendary Golem is
said to be asleep in the attic. Another character says he survived the German invasion in that same attic.
His other encounters include a man
with a golems face; the old beadle of the
synagogue, who insists there never was an
attic; Katya, the beautiful girl in the blue
beret who knows more than she tells our
narrator, agrees to go to a concert with
him, and then disappears; a man who

Multiply
two negative
numbers and you
get a positive.
You add up two
absurds and get
one truth.
swears he is Kafkas son and then also disappears, and the enigmatic Mr. Klein, who
does not disappear.
Mr. Klein becomes a companion, but
raises additional questions. His very
high energy level and obvious old age is

puzzling. Katya reappears and leads our

narrator to a synagogue that is not listed in
the Jewish sites brochure, where he spots
Mr. Klein praying quietly. The plaster lions
guarding the Holy Ark leap off and come
alive. Amschl is both frightened and frustrated, because he does not have his camera to record this fantastic scene.
Katya and Mr. Klein share knowing
glances and a few words to add to the
puzzle.
The whole thing didnt make sense to
Amschl, but he plods on, hoping to clear
up one implausible fact after another. At
one point the absurdities pile up and he
thinks, It reminded me of what I learned
in geometry, maybe algebra: multiply
two negative numbers and you get a positive. You add up two absurds and get
one truth.
The puzzle is compounded by the fact
that all of these characters are breathing, rational, real people. Along with our

narrator, you want to believe them. You

will also note that most of them have a K
as the first letter of their first or last names.
The narrator keeps moving forward,
looking for the breakthrough, and takes the
reader, who becomes a willing partner on
this whirlwind journey, to the startling ending I promised in my second paragraph.
Kafkas Son is a superb novel that can
be enjoyed on many levels. It keeps you
guessing and turning pages to uncover
the truth.
I agree with the French reviewer from
LIRE, a leading literary journal, who is
unequivocal in his praise: As to whether
Kafka had an heir, the answer is obvious.
His name is Curt Leviant.
End of story!
Sidney Kessler has contributed articles to the
Wall Street Journal, the Richmond TimesDispatch, and Anglo-Jewish periodicals in
the United States and Canada.
JEWISH STANDARD JULY 1, 2016 37

Calendar
Friday

Friday

JULY 1

JULY 8

Shabbat in Cliffside
Park: Congregation Beth

Shabbat in Tenafly:
Rabbi Levy Wineberg is
the guest for a special
Shabbaton hosted
by Lubavitch on the
Palisades in honor of
Gimmel Tammuz, the
22nd yahrzeit of the
Lubavitcher rebbe, Rabbi
Menachem Mendel
Schneersohn. Rabbi
Wineberg, an author,
teacher, and shliach to
Johannesburg, South
Africa, since 1983, will
speak on different topics
throughout Shabbat,
including Brain and
Soul Their Interface,
Nature vs. Nurture
or via Nurture? and
Happy with a Pebble,
Dissatisfied with a
Mountain. Special
childrens program and
dinner on Friday night.
(201) 871-1152.

Israel of the Palisades

holds an Independence
Day barbecue, 6 p.m.,
with musical Kabbalat
Shabbat services,
Maariv services, and
an Oneg Shabbat. 207
Edgewater Road. Dinner
reservations, (201)-9451759 or selkam3208@
icloud.com.

Sunday
JULY 3

Sunday

Film in Cliffside Park:

Congregation Beth Israel
of the Palisades screens
the film Operation
Thunderbolt in
commemoration of the
40th anniversary of the
rescue at Entebbe, 2 p.m.
207 Edgewater Road.
(201) 945-1759 or email
selkam3208@icloud.com.

Monday
JULY 4
BBQ in Paramus:
The JCC of Paramus/
Congregation Beth
Tikvah hosts an
Independence Day
barbecue, 12:30 p.m.
$5 per person. 304
E. Midland Ave.
(201) 262-7691.

Tuesday
JULY 5
Jewish learning in
Teaneck: Lamdeinu,
a center for Jewish
learning that meets
at Congregation Beth
Aaron, begins summer
classes today. They
include Midrash
as a Response to
Destruction by Dr.
Tammy Jacobowitz,
10:15 a.m.; Advanced
Talmud for Women by R.
David Nachbar; Eichah
Rabbah: Midrash as a
Response to Destruction
by Dr. Jacobowitz,
July 6, 9:30 a.m., then
Parashat HaShavua
by Rachel Friedman at
10:15; Unsung Heroes in
the Bible by R. Hayyim
Angel, July 7 at 10:15;

JULY 10
Atlantic City trip: Fair

The Summer Concert series at the Wayne

YMCA kicks off with a performance
by John Pizzi, who blends magic,
ventriloquism, and comedy, Thursday,
July 7, at 7 p.m. Hes appeared on Letterman, Good
Morning America, the Daily Show, and Showtimes
Comedy Club Network, and is a regular at Atlantic
Citys Borgata and Carolines Comedy Club in New
York. The Metro YMCAs of the Oranges is a partner
of the YM-YWHA of North Jersey. 1 Pike Drive.
(973) 595-0100 or www.wayneymca.org.  CLAY PATRICK M BRIDE

JULY

and Four Aggaditot

in the Talmud by R.
Daniel Fridman, July 12
at 8:15 p.m. 950 Queen
Anne Road. Register at
lamdeinu.org.

Wednesday
JULY 6
Alzheimers support in
Rockleigh: Alzheimers
New Jersey offers a
support group for those
caring for a relative or
a friend diagnosed with
Alzheimers disease or
other forms of dementia
at the Jewish Home at
Rockleigh, 10 a.m. Topics
can include long-term
care, financial planning,
legal concerns, and the
personal challenges of
caregiving. 10 Link Drive.

38 JEWISH STANDARD JULY 1, 2016

(973) 586-4300 or go to
www.alznj.org.

Blood drive in Teaneck:

Holy Name Medical
Center holds a blood
drive with New Jersey
Blood Services, a
division of New York
Blood Center, 2-8 p.m.
718 Teaneck Road.
(800) 933-2566 or www.
nybloodcenter.org.

Dudu Fisher in
Englewood: Chabad
of Bergen County
hosts its Unity Concert
with Dudu Fisher, the
voice of Jerusalem
and Broadway, at the
Bergen Performing Arts
Center in Englewood
on Wednesday, July 6,
Rosh Chodesh Tammuz,
at 7:30 p.m.; doors

open at 6:45. Rabbi

Moshe Bryski, director of
Chabad of the Conejo,
the guest speaker, will
give a tribute to the
Lubavitcher rebbe, the
late Rabbi Menachem
Schneerson. Participating
organizations include
Friends of Lubavitch of
Bergen County, Teaneck;
Anshei Lubavitch, Fair
Lawn; Lubavitch on
the Palisades, Tenafly;
Friendship Circle and
Living Legacy, Paramus;
Valley Chabad; and
the Chabads of NW
Bergen County, Fort
Lee, Hoboken & Jersey
City, and Old Tappan.
30 North Van Brunt St.
(201) 227-1030 or www.
bergenpac.org.

Lawn Hadassah travels

to Resorts Casino Hotel.
Bus leaves the Fair
Lawn Jewish Center/
CBI at 9 a.m.; be there
by 8:30. Breakfast on
bus. $30 with $25 slotplay money. Park on side
streets. Bring a valid ID.
10-10 Norma Ave. Varda,
(201) 791-0327.

Rummage sale in
Closter: The sisterhood
of Temple Beth El of

Northern Valley holds its

semi-annual rummage
sale, 9 a.m.-noon,
and 1-3 p.m. Gently
used clothing and
household goods. 221
Schraalenburgh Road.
(201) 768-5112.

Film in Paramus: JCC of

Paramus/Congregation
Beth Tikvah screens A
Man For All Seasons
with Paul Scofield and
Robert Shaw, 3 p.m.
Snacks served. Deli
dinner follows for those
with reservations.
East 304 Midland Ave.
(201) 262-7691.

Singles
Sunday
JULY 10
Seniors meet in West
Nyack: Singles 65+
meets for a social bagels
and lox brunch at the
JCC Rockland, 11 a.m. All
are welcome, particularly
if you are from Hudson,
Passaic, Bergen, or
Rockland counties. 450
West Nyack Road. Gene
Arkin, (845) 356-5525.

BBQ and concert in

Clifton: North Jersey
Jewish Singles 45-60s, a
group sponsored by the
Clifton Jewish Center,
hosts a barbecue at the
shul, 18 Delaware St.,
5 p.m. Afterward, there
will be a Swing, Rock,
Rhythm & Blues concert
at nearby Main Memorial
Park. (973) 772-3131 or
www.meetup.com.

Announce your events

We welcome announcements of upcoming events. Announcements
are free. Accompanying photos must be high resolution, jpg files.
Send announcements 2 to 3 weeks in advance. Not every release
will be published. Include a daytime telephone number and send
to: pr@jewishmediagroup.com 201-837-8818 x 110

Health and wellness fair

for Holocaust survivors
Jewish Family Service of North Jerseys Cafe Europa, a
monthly social and support program for Holocaust survivors, will hold a Health & Wellness Fair on Tuesday,
July 12, at 11 a.m., at Temple Beth Sholom in Fair Lawn.
There will be oral cancer, memory, and depression
screenings, blood pressure checks, nutrition and community resource information, and chair yoga. Lunch
will be served and special guest Rabbi Ely Allen will
talk about life in Israel. Reservations are requested
and are limited to Holocaust survivors. To make a
reservation or arrange transportation, call (973) 5950111. JFSNJ Cafe Europa is made possible through
grants from the Conference on Jewish Materials Claims
Against Germany, Jewish Federation of Northern New
Jersey, and private donations.

Calendar

Crossword

BINDING AGREEMENT BY YONI GLATT

KOSHERCROSSWORDS@GMAIL.COM
DIFFICULTY LEVEL: EASY

A group enjoying mah

jongg last year at the
Kaplen JCC golf event.

Tee off with Kaplen JCC

in Play Fore! the Kids
The Kaplen JCC on the
Palisades will hold its
16th annual Play Fore!
the Kids golf event at the
Alpine Country Club in
Demarest on August 1. The
popular, sell-out day funds
JCC programming for children with special needs.
It will include a day of
golf, $250,000 shoot-out,
hole-in-one competitions,
prizes, awards, brunch,
refreshments, a dinner
reception, and online and
live auctions. The day also
will feature Play Games
Fore! the Kids, where
Event sponsor Jeff Kurtz with golf buddies Joe
attendees can play tennis,
Spadaccini, Howie Bongiorno, and JB Bongiorno
bridge, mah jongg, canasta
at the 2015 event. Caddy Ryan Campanella, cenor Rummi-Q. Canasta and
ter, is with them.
mah jongg lessons will be
available.
Presenting sponsors include the
One of the JCCs core missions is to
Hechler family, the Kamson Corporaensure that all children with special
tion, and the Kurtz and Spadaccini famineeds in our community have access to
lies. Daniel Cohn, Cory Hechler, and
important life experiences, the JCCs
Tracy Reichel are event chairs; Tara Jagid
CEO, Jordan Shenker, said. Our annual
chairs the auctions, and Allison Hechler
golf and games event is one way we succeed in this effort.
chairs the games committee.
The JCC is taking reservations for fourFor information, go to www.jccotp.
somes, or games, as well as for the eveorg/golf, call Michal Kleiman at (201)
ning festivities. A wide range of sponsor408-1412, or email her at mkleiman@
ship opportunities are available.
jccotp.org.

Coming to
bergenPAC
The Bergen Performing
Arts Center in Englewood
offers tickets for Bret
Michaels: The Party Starts
Now, set for Wednesday,
October 5, and presented
by Westfield Garden State
Plaza and Overstock.com.
The Australian Bee Gees
The Maccabeats
Show: A Tribute to the Bee
Gees will be on Thursday, October 27, and stand-up comedian
eclectic array of Jewish, American, and
Israeli songs on Wednesday, December
DL Hughley will perform on Thursday,
November 10. All four shows are at 8
14, at 7:30 p.m.
p.m. The Maccabeats, originally formed
For tickets, go to www.ticketmaster.
in 2007 as Yeshiva Universitys stucom or call the box office, (201) 227-1030.
dent vocal group, are set to perform an

Across
1. Shalom ___ (Bill Clinton)
6. Snakes in Raiders of the Lost Ark
10. Israeli sign with a hand
14. Sam behind The Evil Dead
15. Supermans mother played by Ayelet
Zurer
16. Jerusalem Botanical Gardens
equipment
17. Fuller House grandpa Bob
18. Second plague animal
19. Chevron alternative?
20. Fiddler who played Beethovens
Minuet in G on Sesame Street
23. Tefillat ____ (dew prayer)
25. Troop grp. The Marx Brothers
performed for
26. States assuredly (before a beth din)
27. Designer who had a hit collection for
Target
32. Woody Allens Hall
33. Its equal to 10
34. Syringe 38-Down at Einstein
37. What Judah Maccabee refused to do
in his last battle
40. Izevel tried to have this prophet killed
43. Unclean though we ___... (Numbers
9:7)
44. Some YU degs.
46. Job for Mickey Cohen
47. Chief Sephardi Rabbi of Israel
51. Its last flight to Israel was in 1991
54. Hast thou not heard long ___ how I
have done it... (2 Kings 19:25)
55. Levy collector56. Co-star of The
Mindy Project and Neighbors
movies
61. Many (but not a majority) in Israel
62. Prophet believed to have anointed
Yehu king
63. Bathshebas Hittite husband
66. Theres often one (or more) in the
margins of the Talmud
67. Grandson of Eve
68. Notable work of Rav Shneur Zalman
of Liadi
69. Are we ___ not? (Possible
pre-shidduch date question)
70. Dispatched (like angels)
71. Jerusalem Botanical Gardens
equipment

Down
1. Greenberg hit a lot of them: Abbr.
2. Israeli bond rating
3. Moon Knight or The Punisher, e.g.
4. Its the truth
5. Puttin on the ___ (Young
Frankenstein number)
6. Last name of The Rif
7. Frances Nicolas whos against
boycotting Israel
8. Stage accessory in Fiddler
9. 6-Across, for one
10. Educator Alice who won the Israel
Prize in 2007
11. The Velvet Fog
12. One of three for Daniel Day-Lewis
13. Some kibbutz workers
21. Sing a niggun
22. Levis Stadium sound
23. Gadots Wonder Woman wears one
24. Ed of Up
28. El Al planes are up in it
29. Start of a chodesh?
30. Feel like Haman at the end of Esther
31. Anti-hate org.
34. Upending (making like some inflatable
boats in Eilat)
35. Kraft Stadium sound
36. Hangs ten in Bat Galim
38. See 34-Across (Abbr.)
39. Devil voiced by Mel Blanc
41. Like some cold Aroma drinks
42. Ming who David Stern announced as
the #1 pick of the 2002 draft
45. Tweed married to Gene Simmons
47. Lashon hara chatter, Down Under
48. Mother, to Matan
49. Like many who visit Yad Vashem
50. Rock and Roll, Hoochie ___ (song
David Lee Roth sang in 1975)
51. Joels instrument
52. Ohio sister city of Kiryat Ekron
53. Sababa, in 50s U.S. slang
57. Jewish deli staples
58. Actress Skye of Say Anything
59. King David might have strummed one
60. Many a Jewish practice: Abbr.
64. Scottys Yes, to Kirk
65. Herzl or Sinai

The solution to last weeks puzzle is

on page 43.
JEWISH STANDARD JULY 1, 2016 39

Jewish World

2 decades before Clevelands first NBA title,

LeBron James walked onto a JCC court
Bob Jacob and
Ed Wittenberg
The seed for the city of Clevelands first professional
championship in a major sport in 52 years may have been
planted at the Shaw Jewish Community Center on White
Pond Drive in Akron, Ohio, nearly 20 years ago.
Thats when a tall, lanky kid from Akron named LeBron
James walked onto the hardwood court and changed the
game of basketball forever.
Coach Keith Dambrot, now the head basketball coach at
the University of Akron, conducted those sessions, which
attracted between 50 and 100 players.
Little Dru brought him because Little Dru used to work
out with me, Dambrot said about the Sunday night sessions. Little Dru Dru Joyce was one of LeBrons coaches
in high school and one of Dambrots assistant coaches.
Thats where I first met him, Dambrot said about
James. Just a guy that wanted to be taught, wanted to be
coached, wanted to please you sponge-like.
Dambrot remembers his first impression of James.
Well, he wasnt a big kid, back then he was only about
5-11, which is still pretty good, but he wasnt monstrous,
Dambrot recalled. Even when I had him as a freshman
at Akron St. Vincent-St. Mary High School he was
only 6-4, 170 pounds. My first impression was a guy who
wanted to learn and had a really good skill set, but really
wanted to learn the game, and wanted to get better and
wanted to please the guy who was coaching him.
In high school, Jamess Dambrot-coached teams won
back-to-back state championships.
Dambrot texted James after the Cleveland Cavaliers 93-89 win over the Golden State Warriors in
LeBron James, center, and Dan Gilbert, left, the owner
Game 7 of the NBA Finals on June 19.
of the Cleveland Cavaliers, who is Jewish, celebrate
I always try to keep it brief with him, said
the Cavaliers NBA championship last week.
Dambrot. You could see the jubilation. I think
Cleveland Jewish News
hes very proud, and very happy for everyone and
just that he could do it at home.
Schools, Stein said. A lot of these kids dont finish high
Obviously, Im very happy for Northeast Ohio
school, and our goal is to graduate 100 percent of them.
and particularly happy for LeBron, because you
Joe Kanfer, chairman and CEO of Akron-based GOJO
know obviously he deserves this, and has put a
Industries, also has known James since he started honing
lot of time and effort into not only winning for
his basketball skills at the JCC. His son, Jaron, was a baskethimself but making this region proud.
ball teammate of James at Akron St. Vincent-St. Mary, and
I just really wanted him to win just for this
Jaron and James are business partners in Unknwn, a mens
region, he added. Obviously, hard economic
clothing store in Aventura, Fla., a Miami suburb.
times with the automobile industry, and steel
The boys got to know each other, and LeBron became
and rubber companies. The people of this region
a friend of the family, said Kanfer, who noted that Stein is
really needed something to look forward to, and
a second cousin of his wifes.
deserve to have a little optimism.
Todd Stein, who has known James since he
Kanfer said James had special qualities as a teenager
was about 13 years old and is now an advisory
growing up in Akron. I remember in one of the state tournament games, he ran through the court into some fans,
board member of the Akron-based LeBron
and he wanted to make sure the fans were okay, he said.
James Family Foundation, was not surprised
LeBron James waves to the crowd at the Cleveland Cavaliers
Its extraordinarily rare that a young high school player
that James sparked the Cavaliers to their first
NBA championship parade.
Cleveland Cavaliers
would have that kind of self presence and concern.
NBA title through an unprecedented comeback
Keith Mirman, vice president of the Shaw JCC in Akron
from a three-games-to-one deficit in the Finals.
1964. Its just been incredible watching it come to fruiand a member of the board of directors of the Jewish
At 73-9, Golden State had compiled the best regular seation for everyone [in Akron], including myself and my
son record in NBA history.
Community Board of Akron, said everybody in Akron is
This was nothing new for him, said Stein, president
family, he said.
excited because LeBron is like their son.
Stein said hes especially proud of James as an advisory
and CEO of Brunswick Companies in Fairlawn, Ohio. All
Because he was practicing and learning at the JCC, the
board member of the Akron-based LeBron James Family
the years Ive known LeBron, cant do something is not
Jewish community basically watched him grow up, and
Foundation, which seeks to affect the lives of children and
in his vocabulary. When he puts his mind to something,
then we followed him through the years at [Akron St. Vincent-St. Mary], he said. What he does to give back to the
young adults positively through education and co-curricuhe is very determined to get things done.
Stein, who was born and raised in Akron, said he has
lar educational initiatives.
community and the public school system is just amazing,
been starved for a championship since he was 6 years
His whole idea was to give back to the community
because there are plenty of people with his wealth who
Cleveland Jewish News/JNS.org
old, when the Cleveland Browns won the NFL title in
in such a way as to help all children in the Akron Public
dont do that.
40 Jewish Standard JULY 1, 2016

Obituaries
Martin Cantor

Martin Cantor, 81, of Paterson died June 24.

Before retiring, he was a letter carrier for the U.S.
Post Office in Paterson and served in the U.S. Navy
during the 1950s.
Predeceased by a sister, Eleanor, he is survived by
a sister, Barbara Klein, and nieces, nephews, greatnieces, and great-nephews.
Donations can be made to the Juvenile Diabetes
Research Foundation. Arrangements were by Louis
Suburban Chapel, Fair Lawn.

Dr. Norman Corwin

Dr. Norman D. Corwin of Westwood died June 27.

He graduated from Rutgers University School of
Pharmacy and Boston University School of Medicine.
He served as a U.S. Air Force captain in Georgia
and was board certified in internal medicine and
cardiology with a practice in Westwood.
Predeceased four months ago by his wife of nearly
60 years, Dorothy, he is survived by children,
Michael, Janice Linett (Robert), and Susan Yaros
(Mark); and four grandchildren.
Donations can be sent to the Animal Medical
Center in New York or Rutgers Athletics R
Scholarship Fund. Arrangements were by Gutterman
and Musicant Jewish Funeral Directors, Hackensack.

Claire Mann

Claire Mann, ne Brenner, 100, of New Milford, died

June 23.
An Army nurse during World War II, she was
buried with full military honors.
Predeceased by her husband, Morris, and a son,
Lloyd, she is survived by a son, Jonathan, and
grandchildren, Melissa and Erica.
Donations can be made to the New Milford High
School Holocaust studies program, 1 Snyder Circle,
New Milford. Arrangements were by Eden Memorial
Chapels, Fort Lee.

Mark of California; two grandchildren, and three

great-grandchildren.
Contributions can be sent to Jewish War Veterans.
Arrangements were by Eden Memorial Chapels,
Fort Lee.

Obituaries are prepared with

information provided by funeral homes.
Correcting errors is the responsibility
of the funeral home.

Claire Steinmetz

Claire Steinmetz, 96, of Fair Lawn died June 26.

Arrangements were by Louis Suburban Chapel,
Fair Lawn.

Dr. Jerome Solin

Dr. Jerome Solin, 89, died June 26.

Raised in Bayonne, he was a U.S. Navy World War II
veteran and a dentist in New York and New Jersey for
60 years.
Predeceased by daughters Nina and Alexa, he is
survived by his wife, Trudy, ne Palinsky, sons, Dr.
Seth ( Janet Poon) of Tenafly, and David of Leonia,
and three granddaughters.
Contributions can be made to the Jazz Society
at Lincoln Center. Arrangements were by Eden
Memorial Chapels, Fort Lee.

Robert Schoems Menorah Chapel, Inc

Jewish Funeral Directors

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Sidney Sternbach

Sidney Sternbach, 94, of River Vale, formely of Cliffside

Park, died June 17.
Born in Romania, he came to the U.S. at 16 with two
brothers, and owned businesses. He was a Chabad of
Fort Lee congregant.
He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Martha, ne
Fendrich, children, Harvey (Laura), Caryn Bross
(David), and Linda Schachtel (Stephen), and three
grandchildren.
Arrangements were by Gutterman and Musicant
Jewish Funeral Directors, Hackensack.

Our Facilities Will Accommodate

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We offer a variety of grief support booklets from

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collection is designed to help those who have

experienced the loss of a loved one or are walking
down the path of end-of-life issues.

Nathan Shapiro

Nathan Shapiro, 96, of Middletown, formerly of

Bayonne, died June 21.
Born in Bayonne, he was an Army Air Corps World
War II veteran, member of the Jewish War Veterans
Post 18, and a manager of Leons Photo Shop, both in
Bayonne.
Predeceased by his wife, Bette, ne Tulbowitz, in
1997, he is survived by sons, Eric of Weehawken and

Please call or visit us to obtain selected booklets

to help you cope with or preempt the complex
emotions that you may be experiencing.

www.thejewishstandard.com

A Traditional Jewish Experience

Pre-Planning Specialists Graveside and Chapel Services

Barry Wien - NJ Lic. No. 2885

Frank Patti, Jr. - NJ Lic. No. 4169
Arthur Musicant - NJ Lic. No. 2544
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MARTIN D. KASDAN, N.J. Lic. No. 4482
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Advance Planning Conferences Conveniently Arranged
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JEWISH STANDARD JULY 1, 2016 41

Classified
Apartment To Rent

Cemetery Plots For Sale

1 Bdrm, DR/Bdrm, 1
FBth, incl Washer/Dryer,
furnished. Englewood off
Grand Ave. Close to
House of Worship.
Mario 201-982-0903

. Cemetery Plots

Beth El/Cedar Park

Paramus, N. J.
Gravesites Available
$1150 each
Excellent Location
Call Mrs. G 201-429-2585
914-589-4673
beth Israel Cemetery, Woodbridge, N.J. 4 plots, section R, Perpetual care incld. Asking $2,000.00
each (negotiable). 201-390-9174

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BY OWNER!
Stately All Brick Center Hall Colonial in the Heart of Teaneck
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Call Chana at 201-836-1198

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Situations Wanted

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girl Friday -elderly disabled lady

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CHHA with 15 years experience

looking for live-in position. Cared
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Home Health Aide/Nurses Aide.

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seeking live-in/out position. Call
973-356-4365

veteran/college graduate
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affordable, professional, very
warm and compassionate Certified
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Good references. Expd driver.
732-318-1240
chha certified in CPR is looking
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time care - 15 years experience
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drive client to MD appointments.
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HEBREW EARLY CHILDHOOD TEACHER

The Moriah School, a coed Jewish Day School in Englewood,

New Jersey seeks a full-time Hebrew teacher for the Early
Childhood grades. Candidates must have prior experience
teaching Early Childhood and a fluency speaking Hebrew.
Candidates should submit cover letter and resume to:
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Antiques

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201-894-4770
Shomer Shabbos
42 Jewish Standard JULY 1, 2016

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Jewish standard JULY 1, 2016 43

Real Estate & Business

Two weeks of summer fun still available
at The Camp at Teaneck Creek
The Camp at Teaneck Creek brings the great outdoors
right into the neighborhood for children entering fourth
to seventh grades Sessions take place August 15-19 and
August 22-26. The prices are reasonable, thanks to a generous grant by the Puffin Foundation. Camp Creek is guided
by professional educators.

In a program called Fairy Tale Trials: Out of the Woods

and Into the Courtroom, children become immersed in
courtroom adventures through improvisational theater
activities. In the Nature and Discovery program , kids
explore the natural world of the Teaneck Creek. Each
experience is different for each session.

Both programs are tried, tested, and highly rated. These

experiences build confidence and self-esteem, encourage
social interaction, and provide outdoor experiences in a
beautiful and natural setting. Enrollment is limited, so register early.
For complete details about the program, hours, fees,
and registration, call the Teaneck Community Education
Center at (201) 833-5514, or Karen Yucht at (201) 836-0142.
Make end-of-summer a wonderful time of adventure and
discovery for your child.

Events abound
during Teaneck
Farmers Market

FOR SALE 573 Churchill Road, Teaneck

MORE sales. MORE sun. MORE summer fun.

V&N Realty 1401 Palisade Avenue Teaneck, New Jersey 07666 vera-nechama.com 201.692.3700
44 Jewish Standard JULY 1, 2016

If you havent had a chance to visit the Teaneck

Farmers Market on Thursdays, now is the time
to treat yourself to a visit. The market is blossoming with new vendors such as Pure Potential Power
Juices, which brews a natural, antioxidant filled elixir
drink from Peruvian purple corn, and other natural
fruits. This month, the special guest at the market is
Debbies Doggie Delights, which produces natural,
gluten-free canine treats with chicken, beef, peanut
butter, and other recipes that will make your dog beg
for more.
N.J. Bees now sells The Challah Fairys line of gourmet challahs in original, cinnamon crumb and chocolate chip flavors, which blends well with their line of
honey. At the market, farmers bring a wide variety of
things from their farms. Richard Sunden has produce
and brings beautiful plants and herbs, eggs, and more.
Amish farmer Melvin Stoltzfus sells corn, melons, portabella mushrooms, and season fruits and vegetables.
Hoboken Farms, Picklelicious, Nanas Home Cooking, Gourmet Nuts and Dried Fruits, Stellas Argentine
Empanada Grill are always the go-to stands that are
hopping with activity. Angela Logans Mortgage Apple
Cakes can make the end of the meal a treat. People
are lining up at The Amish Country Bakery for their
yummy baked items as well.
On July 21, the friendly team from Lefkowitz Wellness Center returns to the market. On July 14 is the
Third Annual Bergen Community Blood Drive. The
market will also have the Community Outreach group
from Holy Name Medical Center, conducting blood
pressure screenings. Additionally, there will be a
meet and greet, with the celebrity chef, Danielle
Saunders.
The Butterfly Day Festival is on July 21, featuring entertainer and musical educator Lauren Hooker.
Shell present two shows of Mariposa Butterfly, with
music, puppetry and storytelling. There will be facepainting with butterflies, arts and crafts and more.
Daniel Senter will have a demonstration of his beehives as well.
Dont forget to bring a bundle of some non-perishable food items to the blue container for Teanecks
Helping Hand Food Pantry. Contributions help families in our area with these supplemental donations.
For more information call (201) 907-0493, or visit
and like the Teaneck Farmers Market Facebook
page!

Real Estate & Business

Benefit raises funds for Soroka Medical Center

Rami Kleinmann of Canadian Friends of the

Hebrew University of Jerusalem, left, joins Beth
Asnien McCoy, AFHU national executive director,
in presenting a sculpture of Albert EInstein to
Ambassador Ido Aharoni.

Hechler Photographers

American Friends of
The Hebrew University
honor New York Consul
General Ido Aharoni
Friends and family gathered at the Waldorf Astoria in
Manhattan recently to honor Ambassador Ido Aharoni as he prepares to return home after five years as
Consul General of Israel in New York. The reception
was sponsored by the Albert Einstein Foundation, a
project of The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, and
American Friends of the Hebrew University (AFHU).
Ambassador Aharoni was a key proponent of the
universitys campaign to celebrate its connection to
the 20th centurys greatest scientist, Albert Einstein.
An early supporter of The Hebrew Universitys founding, Einstein chose it as the permanent repository of
his personal archive of documents.
Ido is a visionary in establishing the connection
between Einstein and the Hebrew University, said
Avner Mendelson, president and CEO of Bank Leumi
USA and a member of the Northeast Regional Board of
AFHU. We are proud that before he leaves, we have a
chance to put a cornerstone on this effort.
Ambassador Aharoni has represented the State of
Israel to communities throughout New York, New Jersey and Connecticut since February 2011. He has been
a member of Israels Foreign Service since 1991, and
has held positions in Los Angeles and New York.
The Albert Einstein Foundation commemorates
the 100th anniversary of Einsteins Theory of General
Relativity. In a historic agreement with the Smithsonian Institution, signed last month, the foundation has
planned a series of projects intended to inspire a new
generation of scientists, leaders and humanitarians to
draw upon Einsteins exemplary spirit and bring fresh
thinking to the problems facing our world. The foundation will also develop a visitor center that will allow
greater access to the Einstein Archive on the Hebrew
University campus.
The programs include a summit for leaders in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM), a
Dinner of the Century showcasing the greatest thinkers of our time and 100 Visions of the Future, a
3D-printed book in Einsteins image featuring leaders
in medicine, physics, chemistry, economics, literature, the arts and more.
In presenting the ambassador with a commemorative
sculpture of Einstein, AFHU National Executive Director Beth Asnien McCoy said, We are fortunate to have
developed a close working relationship during your
years in New York. We know that you will continue to
be a part of our shared vision for what the Albert Einstein Foundation will accomplish in partnership with
the Smithsonian Institution and the Hebrew University.

American Friends of Soroka Medical

Center, a New York-based nonprofit,
held its Blue and White Night at the
Mandarin Oriental in Manhattan. The
benefit dinner raised $350,000 to fund
the construction of a rehabilitation
medicine department in the Negev.
Sorokas new center will serve more
than a million people living in the fastest growing region in Israel.
Dan Abrams, chief legal affairs
anchor for ABC News, was the master of ceremonies, and the Grammy
Award-winning violinist Miri Ben-Ari
performed.
Ambassador Ido Aharoni received
Miri Ben-Ari
the Statesman for Israel award in rec
ognition of his advocacy for Israel
and his support for its institutions
during his term as counsel general for Israel in New
York. Professor Zehavi Cohen, Sorokas former director
of pediatric surgery, received the Distinguished Service
award.

Dr. Iuly Treger

Photos by Paul Bruinooge of Patrick McMullan Company

Speakers included Dr. Iuly Treger, chief of the Department of Rehabilitation at Soroka Medical Center, and Gadi
Yarkoni, mayor of the Eshkol Council. For more information, go to www.soroka.org.

TM

UPPER SADDLE RIVER

$1,590,000

Stunning colonial in Cider Hill neighborhood on cul-de-sac, Belgian block

driveway, grand foyer w/beautiful chandelier, gourmet kitchen w/9 ceiling &
fireplace, lower level w/rec room, gym & bath, oversized
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ALPINE/CLOSTER
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www.anhaltrealty.com

100' x 100' Prop. Updated CH Col. Oak Flrs. Lg Liv Rm, Den, Din
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Expand. $490's
Spacious Trilevel. Room For All. LR, DR, Beaut Beamed Ceil Fam
Rm/Fplc, Updated Kit. 5 BRs, 3 Full Baths. Grnd Flr Ofc/Lib, Gar.
$490s

ALL CLOSE TO NY BUS / HOUSES OF WORSHIP /

HIGHWAYS / SHOPPING / SCHOOLS & NY BUS
For Our Full Inventory & Directions 2015
Visit our Website
READERS
CHOICE
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FIRST PLACE

(201) 837-8800

Jewish Standard JULY 1, 2016 45

Real Estate & Business

Is someone illegally subletting rooms in your building?

Ari Teman learned the hard way that it was
illegal to list his rented New York City apartment on Airbnb. In March 2014, he was
evicted after an Airbnb client held a sex party
that trashed his apartment. It was worldwide
news.
Being a standup comic helped Teman find
the humor in this situation. Aside from the
illegal orgy destroying my apartment, it was a
lovely weekend, he tweeted at the time.
His entrepreneurial streak helped him turn
his misfortune into a business, and he came
to Israel to do that during a war, no less.
Two years ago, in the middle of Operation
Protective Edge, I flew to Israel to perform

standup for soldiers and folks stuck in shelters

and to incorporate Friend or Fraud, a cybersecurity and artificial intelligence company in
Tel Aviv, Teman, 34, tells ISRAEL21c.
Why in Israel? If you give Israeli developers a deadline and the perfect solution isnt
ready, theyll still get you a solution. Theyll
patch it together until they can get it perfect.
Using a proprietary combination of computer-vision and recognition technologies,
Friend or Fraud potentially could help clients in many different fields catch fraudulent
or inappropriate account activity or interactions, such as identity theft, hacking or content stealing.

SELLING YOUR HOME?

anonymous, says he gave SubletSpy information on three of his buildings,and they

found illegal sublets in each one, even
where I didnt suspect.
Teman adds, Landlords dont want
Airbnb sublets in their buildings even if its
legal because its a huge liability, and tenants dont like their building being used
as a hotel. Its also a headache for property management companies because
residential buildings are not designed for
that kind of huge turnover.
Exposing illegal listings on Airbnb
which has declined to comment on SubletSpy is not Temans ultimate goal. He
sees the Friend or Fraud core cyber-tech
powering many other services, from
banking to criminal investigations, to
locating the source of calls to emergency
responders.
Friend or Fraud is hardly the only
Israeli image-recognition and artificialintelligence technology. Teman acknowledges the competition while touting the
ease of use his team has built into the
product.
Were able to pull 60 million records
in under half an hour efficiently, and the
interface is very easy even for people who
are non-technological. We take massive
amounts of information and present it
elegantly and simply to the client.
Friend or Fraud, which is headquartered in New York and has seed funding
from two Israeli and two American investors, has a team of seven and is in hiring
Israel21c.org
mode.

Happy July 4tH

Call Susan Laskin Today

Successful One!

NEW YORK STATE PUBLIC AUCTION

Make Your Next Move A
July 21,To
2016
Auction will be held at the
BergenCountyRealEstateSource.com
kland County Legislative Chambers for Both Properties

Cell: 201-615-5353

NEW
STATE
PUBLIC
AUCTION
2016 Coldwell Banker Real Estate
LLC. YORK
Coldwell Banker
is a registered
trademark
licensed to Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC.
AnHaverstraw
Equal Opportunity Company. Equal
Housing
July
21,Opportunity.
2016 Owned and Operated by NRT LLC.
Church St, West

64-66
Minimum Bid $100,000

Auction will be held at the

Rockland County Legislative Chambers for Both Properties

Former group home with off street parking

NEW YORK
STATE PUBLIC AUCTION
64-66 Church St, West Haverstraw
NEW YORK STATE PUBLIC AUCTION
July
21,$100,000
2016
Minimum Bid
July 21, 2016
Auction will be held at the
Auction will be held at the
Former group home with off street parking
County Legislative Chambers for Both Properties
Rockland County Legislative Chambers for Rockland
Both Properties

Thursday, July 14

10:00 am - 12:00 pm

Thursday, July 14

ison Ave, Spring Valley

d $140,000

10:00 am - 12:00 pm

home in business district

ly 13

The first sister company powered by

Friend or Fraud is SubletSpy, launched
earlier this year to help landlords or
neighbors catch illegal sublets on sites
like Airbnb and Craigslist. In New York,
for example, renters who sublet their
entire apartment for less than 30 days
can be evicted, and in Chicago a license is
required for vacation rentals.
Though landlords in several US cities
are using the web-based service, New York
City is the main target market because
many of the 107,000 Airbnb listings there
are illegal despite clear guidelines on
the Airbnb website and landlords face a
$10,000 fine unless they detect the problem before the housing police do.
For a variable monthly fee, SubletSpy
users enter an address into the system,
along with photos and floor plans if
they like, and the software matches that
data with posted ads for sublets. Clients
receive a detailed report they can use in
housing court.
I have a bunch of ex-Israeli Air Force
signal-processing guys coding this thing,
Teman told New Yorks PIX11 News,
one of many media outlets to report on
SubletSpy.
Its really exciting if you can catch illegal subletters because you can avoid fines
and evict tenants who are running illegal hotels, Teman tells ISRAEL21c. We
caught over 200 in our first month, while
New York Citys Mayors Office of Special
Enforcement catches 300 a year.
One landlord, who wishes to remain

For Sale

Asking
$1,178,000

64-66 Church St, West Haverstraw

Minimum Bid $100,000
Beautiful colonial in Englewood East Hill. Half-acre

park-like property, Englewoods East Hill. Three floors,

completely updated and upgraded. High ceilings, original
10:00 floors.
am - 12:00
pm living room w/beamed ceilings and
hardwood
Formal
wood-burning fireplace. Formal dining room. Updated eatin-kitchen. 6 bedrooms, 3 baths. New windows, 2-zone
A/C, security system, 2-car garage, finished basement.

Former group home with off street parking

Thursday, July 14

South
12:00 pm - 2:008pm

Madison Ave, Spring Valley

Minimum Bid $140,000
Former group home in business district

8 South Madison Ave, Spring Valley

Minimum Bid $140,000
Open House:

64-66 Church St, West Haverstraw

8 South Madison Ave, Spring Valley
Minimum
Bid$140,000
$100,000
Minimum Bid

Former| group
home
business
Wednesday,
July
13 in12:00
pm -district
2:00 pm Former group home with off street parking
SStore.com | 518-474-2195
land.management@ogs.ny.gov
OPEN HOUSE:
Wednesday, July 13 12 pm - 2 pm

Former group home in business district

OPEN HOUSE:
Thursday,
July 14 10 am - 12 pm
Open House:
Wednesday, July 13

12:00 pm - 2:00 pm

Ayelet Hurvitz

Exceptional Service, Exceptional Results

Recipient of the NJAR Circle of Excellence Sales Award 2012-2015

Sterling Society Award Winner 2014-2015
Five Star Professional Award Winner 2015

Direct: 201-294-1844
www.NYSStore.com||518-474-2195
518-474-2195 |
land.management@ogs.ny.gov
www.NYSStore.com
| land.management@ogs.ny.gov
46 Jewish Standard JULY 1, 2016

Alpine/Closter Office: 201-767-0550 x 235

ahurvitz12@yahoo.com www.ayelethurvitz.com

www.NYSStore.com | 518-474-2195 | land.management@ogs.ny.gov

The Art of Real Estate

Wishing you a safe and meaningful holiday weekend

from our family to yours!

Ruth Miron-Schleider
Broker/Owner
MIRON PROPERTIES
ENGLEWOOD

J
SO UST
LD
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212 MAPLE STREET

TENAFLY

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30 OXFORD DRIVE

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29 FARVIEW ROAD

381 LINCOLN AVENUE

CLOSTER

ENGLEWOOD

1624 DOVER COURT

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Contact us today for your complimentary consultation!

T: 201.266.8555 M: 201.906.6024
Ruth@MironProperties.com
www.MironProperties.com
Jewish Standard JULY 1, 2016 47