Documente Academic
Documente Profesional
Documente Cultură
INSIDE
Shidduch Crisis
Barry Holzer, MD 18
Dates And Double Dates
Hannah Reich Berman 34
MindBiz
Esther Mann, LMSW 36
Passover 1945
Dr. Rafael Medoff 66
Four Sons
Nison Gordon 69
“Az Yashir” by Yonah Weinrib – The drama of K’rias Yam Suf is captured majestically in
The Illuminated Torah, wherein the twelve rows for the twelve tribes of Israel are depicted. Fruit trees and
water were miraculously provided, as the Pillar of Fire brought punishment upon Egyptians.
March 26 – 7:16 PM
March 29 – 7:18 PM
March 30 – 8:15 PM*
*or later
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FROM THE EDITOR South Florida—and this includes and August. hotel for Pesach. Still, that would mean
Continued from Front Cover many areas beyond Miami Beach—has I know it is starting to sound as though that somewhere between thirty- and
become a home away from home for almost everyone in my cloistered world is sixty-thousand people are packing into
such a dynamic combination? Well, you Jews from all over the world. It has going to Florida or some other vacation Pesach hotels in New York, Florida,
would have to search all of our personal become so much of a bigger and better destination for Pesach, and that is clearly Arizona, California, New Jersey, the
family histories for the appropriate Poconos, and a variety of other luxury
insight. spots over the next week.
Let’s place the relationship of the I know some people that have not
Jewish people and South Florida in con- spent Pesach at home in more than 35
text. Simply stated, we have good reasons
for going there. Up here in New York, it’s
It’s not one of those American years. And I also know plenty of people
who have never spent Pesach away from
frequently damp and cold with even the their home and would not even consider
possibility of snow at this time of year. In locations that temporarily sets up it. Each feels strongly about their position
Florida, on the other hand, even though on the matter. Some used to say that
there was a pretty tough winter this year,
you can rest assured that come Pesach it’s
shop to make things user-friendly ensuring the stringencies of kashrus that
are central to a proper Pesach observance
going to be all warmth and sunshine. is just not possible away from home, in a
And warm and sunny on a festive holi- for observant Jews and is then just hotel preparing meals for a thousand peo-
day like the upcoming one is always ple or more.
preferable to cold, rainy, or snowy. But
our relationship with South Florida is not
as quickly dismantled. But the kashrus systems and proce-
dures in all these hotels have been
simply built on a tropical climate and a streamlined and perfected. Weeks prior
nice getaway from the freezing tempera- to yom tov, the kashrus staff is down
tures up north. It’s not one of those there scouring the kitchens, blowtorch-
American locations that temporarily sets tourist draw that it is an almost twelve- not the case. I have informally concluded ing the ovens, and carefully checking and
up shop to make things user-friendly for month-a-year place to take a vacation that only about 5 to 10 percent of the rechecking the thousands of pounds of
observant Jews and is then just as quickly in, despite the exceedingly high temper- Orthodox Jewish population in the U.S. foodstuffs that will make the culinary
dismantled. atures and elevated humidity in July makes the move into a usually pricey aspect of the chag fulfilling (or filling) and
enjoyable. There are strict controls on
what comes in and what goes out of
those kitchens. These days it’s not unlike
your own home.
Still, while Pesach at home costs a
great deal of money, going to a hotel
costs many times more. Many of those
who have the material wherewithal to
enjoy this type of indulgence see no rea-
son not to pack up and move into a
hotel for the chag.
This year, as was the case last year, per-
haps the best buys for Pesach away from
home are in Israel, where you can find
nice hotels to accommodate you for a lit-
tle more than $1,000 per person. Add air-
fare to that—and figure in the fact that
you are in Eretz Yisrael and not Broward
County—and you might have a pretty
good thing going there.
But let’s pay tribute for a moment to
those who are in the overwhelming
majority—those who will not be going
anywhere but from the kitchen to the
dining-room table and back over the hol-
iday. For them, the hard work started a
long time ago. There are the lists of fami-
ly and guests who will be joining the fes-
tival meals. There’s making sure there is
significantly more than needed, as is the
usual custom in our homes. And then the
cooking begins.
Beyond the focus of the great miracles
our people experienced during the
Exodus from Mitzrayim, the next big
thing was originally the succulent roast-
ed Paschal sacrifice, eaten without much
in the way of side dishes. My, how things
have changed since those days of that
massive Pesach take-out order!
Pesach is hard work, no matter how
you cut it. It requires weeks of prepara-
tion whether you are indeed going to
sunny Florida or staying closer to home
(or actually at home). So whether you’re
making a list of kugels your guests and
family will dine on or a list of which out-
fits to take along with you on your trip,
you are already deeply immersed in the
holiday preparations.
Either way, it will hopefully be a won-
derful yom tov for all, whether Jet Blue is
included in your plans or not. Chag
sameiach. ❖
Comments for Larry Gordon are welcome at
editor@5tjt.com.
12 March 26, 2010 SOUTH FLORIDA JEWISH TIMES
America’s relations with Israel; he’s trying
Collusion to organize Tzipi Livni’s campaign for
Continued from Front Cover
prime minister, or at least for her inclusion
President Joe Biden in the first, and in a broad-based centrist government,”
President Barack Obama in the second. Goldberg wrote. “The goal,” he explained,
Some nationalist analysts think this is “is to force a rupture in the governing
no coincidence, and the conspiracy theo- coalition that will make it necessary for
ries are making their rounds. One nation- Netanyahu to take into his government
alist newspaper sees collusion between Livni’s centrist Kadima Party . . . and form
Obama and Israeli opposition leader a broad, 68-seat majority in Knesset that
does not have to rely on gangsters, mes-
sianists, and medievalists for votes.”
Continued on Page 22
SOUTH FLORIDA JEWISH TIMES March 26, 2010 21
only be ventured, with humility and hello, to get to know a certain man, misguided and uninformed, and the
Sinning Against Singles sensitivity, if the relationship with the since his wife is a shadchan. (I should damage from these remarks can be
Continued from Page 21
other person and the situation call for have recommended an etiquette spe- tremendous and difficult to undo. True
know what’s holding the single back it. The above declaration is just the cialist for her, but refrained.) A stranger leaders know their limitations and don’t
from getting married so he can try to opposite; it is arrogant and insensitive, approached me and pronounced tread in areas outside their expertise
fix the problem. Needless to say, and it will only hurt, not illuminate. “Speedily! Speedily!” (I wished the without due diligence.
despite the good intentions, the ques- Generally people will make this same for him, though we probably had
tion is entirely tactless and bound to remark to lash out at a single and different things in mind.) Yet another Individuals: Sins Of Action
be hurtful. strike at a raw nerve, not to direct him distant acquaintance sat down next to Individuals sin against singles through
Furthermore, the question presup- on a productive path. They will ration- me and asked me straight off what action primarily in three ways. The first is
poses that there is a clear reason why alize otherwise, but this comment can hishtadlus I was doing. (My response: by setting them up in negligent fashion.
one person may have been fortunate to never be rationalized. “None of your business.”) It is not a mitzvah to set two people up
find the right person and get married on a whim with the rationalization that
while the next person has not been so “it’s only a date,” “you never know,” or
fortunate. That is far from true. Most “you can’t leave a stone unturned.” Save
singles don’t need to be fixed before the flippant attitude for your own shid-
they are marriageable, and plenty of
married people have tremendous prob-
We create dating events that duch search if you really believe in it, and
show a little more concern for the wel-
lems and issues that may make their fare of others.
relationships very unpleasant. If things resemble bad game shows and Bad experiences, and even a series of
worked out a little differently, plenty of neutral but unsuccessful experiences, can
singles would be married and plenty of
married people would still be single.
offer singles icebreakers suitable take a lot out of a person, and many such
experiences can be avoided by doing just
Hence, to presuppose that there is a a little homework. I am against the Secret
“reason” why someone is single is very for small children. Service-like investigations common in
shortsighted and even insulting. some circles, but one should take setting
Besides, even if there is a reason why people up seriously enough to get their
someone is single, what makes anyone so facts straight and put some serious
sure he is able to help—or that it is even thought into the matter. Ask the right
his business? “Im yirtzeh Hashem by you!” Singles Unless it is appropriate for fringe questions, pay attention to the answers,
“This is why you aren’t married.” This often bristle at this remark, which acquaintances and strangers to make sim- and never lose sight of what the other per-
is an incredibly presumptuous and offen- tends to come from people on the ilar well-intentioned comments to child- son is going through. Fail to do so, and it’s
sive comment that is nevertheless quite fringes of their life—if even that less couples, the severely ill, or those in a sin at worst, and a severely blemished
common. It is never appropriate for any- close—and only draws attention to dire economic straits, it is not appropri- mitzvah at best. Even if it works out, it’s in
one to say this to someone. Never. their single status. Personal remarks by ate to make such comments to singles spite of the effort, not because of it.
Unless one is a prophet, he cannot people on the fringes of someone’s life about their personal status. A little tact Individuals also sin against singles by
possibly know why anyone else is not are generally not appropriate, even if means more than a perfunctory blessing. broaching the idea of setting them up and
married, does not have children, or is well-intentioned. Rabbis and other people of influence then failing to follow through. It’s star-
otherwise not blessed in a certain fash- At one memorable wedding, a dis- should be especially careful before tling how common this is, and complete-
ion. The best anyone can manage is an tant cousin who has no relationship speaking about these issues. Much of ly inexcusable. Don’t start something you
educated guess, and even this should with me advised me, with barely a what is said by such people is terribly aren’t committed to seeing through.
Fingerling potatoes
Directions:
Preheat the grill or grill pan
to medium. In a large
saucepan, add the potatoes
and cover with water. Salt the
water and bring to a boil over
medium heat. Cook until
slightly tender; about 15 to 20
minutes. Remove the potatoes
from the water to a bowl and
let cool. Season with 3 table-
spoons of olive oil, 1 table-
spoon of salt, and 1 tablespoon
of pepper. Arrange on the pre-
heated grill and mark for 1 to 2
minutes on each side.
In a small sauté pan, toast
the pine nuts over medium
heat until lightly browned.
Add the parsley, oregano,
lemon juice, garlic, capers, 1
teaspoon of both salt and pep-
per, 3 tablespoons olive oil,
and the pine nuts to a food
processor. Pulse until the mix-
ture forms a smooth paste. Add
to the potatoes and toss to
coat well. Serve cold or at
room temperature.
Eating quality, delicious meals is easy
when all the work is done for you.
Hire a personal chef to prepare your
dinners, Shabbos meals, or small
parties. For more information, contact
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by calling 516-858-0215, writing to
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SOUTH FLORIDA JEWISH TIMES March 26, 2010 31
Shuvu
Continued from Page 29
to provide the drinks them-
selves.
Contrast that to what
occurred at the hilchos Pesach
quiz of Shuvu. The third and
fifth place prizes were switched
by mistake, awarding the fifth
place winner an expensive MP4
and the third place with a less
expensive basketball. After
enjoying having the MP4 in his
possession for a mere few min-
utes, the fifth place winner real-
ized the mistake and went over
to the quiz judges on his own,
pointed out the mistake, and
exchanged the prizes.
The winner of the contest
also showed exemplary midos.
His first place prize was a very
sophisticated camera—some-
thing any teenager would
crave. But when Yonatan
Geinkin noticed how excited
the second-place winner was
about the camera, he happily
switched prizes.
Rav Yochanan Reiner, Rebbe
in the school and coordinator of
the quiz, commented later, “We
thought we were emotional see-
ing the children’s knowledge.
But seeing the love between the
students and the tremendous
midos they displayed after-
wards, made us even more emo-
tional. We were holding back
our tears.”
It is therefore no wonder
that parents are knocking on
Shuvu’s doors to join the
unique network of schools.
Even parents initially opposed
to their children’s learning
about Yiddishkeit, feel it’s
“worth the risk of becoming
frum,” if their children pick up
the Shuvu midos.
The quizzes on hilchos Pesach
which took place at several of
Shuvu’s schools were only the
culmination of the intense
learning of the halachos which
took place at the dozens of
Shuvu schools throughout Eretz
Yisrael in preparation for the
yom tov. As an additional tool to
assist the Shuvu teachers in this
mission, Shuvu’s educational
director, Mrs. Brocha
Weinberger, produced another
thick volume to add to her
series of teachers’ manuals, this
one on Pesach. The volumes
already published include top-
ics of Chanukah, Purim,
Shemittah, and more. These
manuals include much informa-
tion about the subject matter
presented in an entertaining
way for both the teachers and
students, including puzzles,
word games, etc. These manuals
have been received with
extreme enthusiasm by the
Shuvu teachers and principals
as they make the learning more
comprehensive and memorable,
in a clear and enjoyable way.
Continued on Page 35
32 March 26, 2010 SOUTH FLORIDA JEWISH TIMES
SOUTH FLORIDA JEWISH TIMES March 26, 2010 33
those cakes to justify a warning. If the that some people bake and then tell
packaging and labeling were up to me, I themselves—and anyone else who will
would alert consumers never to stand listen—that it tastes every bit as good as
near a flame after eating a slice! regular bread. I’m here to tell the truth. It
Of course this is not a long-lasting does not! Pesach rolls are okay, but let’s
problem, since nobody in his right mind not get carried away here. They’re not
would eat that stuff once Pesach is over. A great. If they were, people wouldn’t be
cake that we consider to be tasty during stocking up on the aforementioned
Pesach is treated like poison as soon as snacks as if they were going out of style.
Dates And Double Dates yom tov ends. The only sweets that are as
good after the holiday as they are during
Well, it’s here now. The eight days of
Pesach are upon us, and hopefully we’ll
For years, I had thought double dating was in advance of the date, and then there are it are the home-baked ones. I don’t know enjoy every one of those days, starting
something that happened when two cou- other times that I have found the milk to why this is, but it’s a fact. with the Sedarim. Once again, I must say
ples went out to a movie or dinner together. be perfectly fine several days after the that I don’t know many people who are
But what was, was. That is no longer what expiration date. What is up with that? happy to have two Seders. Because there
double dating means to me. It now has a How is one to know? was once a time when, outside of Israel,
totally new meaning, one that has nothing I believe the answer to that last question A cake that we the exact date wasn’t known, people held
to do with social dating or couples. is that one is not supposed to know! They two Sedarim. (Again with the double
Double dating is something that is don’t want us to know. It’s simply a hoax consider to be tasty dates!) And once we take something
printed on milk containers. Whether the perpetrated either by the dairy farmer or the upon ourselves, we’re not supposed to
milk is in a plastic bottle or a waxed card- bottler—or maybe both of them. It’s done during Pesach is stop doing it. So two Sedarim it will be for
board container, it always has two dates. just to drive me crazy. And it’s working! those of us who don’t live in Israel.
One date, the later one, appears to be for Now that it’s erev Pesach, the date non- treated like poison as Personally this will be a very challeng-
the rest of the cow-juice-drinking world sense is even more perplexing. I’ve been ing time for me. For the first time in 48
and the second date, the one I usually fail known to pick up a quart of milk on a soon as yom tov ends. years, Hubby will not sit, dressed in his
to notice, is for NYC (New York City). That Monday that has a date indicating that it splendid white kittel, at the head of the
second date is always several days earlier will be “good” only until Wednesday. But table to conduct our Sedarim. And, speak-
than the other. And it drives me crazy. Do not if it’s for Pesach! Oh, no—if it’s for ing once again of dates, our anniversary
the cows know something we don’t? Pesach, the product will be good straight I love shopping in the supermarkets would usually fall during Pesach. This year,
I’m never sure if I should pay attention through the middle of May. This is true of before Pesach just to see what people are nobody will wish us a happy anniversary
to the NYC date. I don’t live in NYC. I live cream cheese, cottage cheese, hard cheeses, stocking up on. From what I’ve observed, as they have every year. But it’s still our
on Long Island, so I should be able to eggs, and even milk. The rest of the it appears that people buy five times the anniversary. That won’t change, so: Happy
ignore that “short” NYC date. However, I chametz-eating year it doesn’t work like amount of nuts, candy, potato chips, and Anniversary, Arnie; and our entire family
live on the most westerly part of the that, and I for one would like to know why. potato sticks before Pesach they buy at will do its best to enjoy the Sedarim as we
island outside the five boroughs, and The same is true of cakes for Pesach. any other time of the year. It’s yet anoth- know you would want us to.
hence very close to NYC. So what is a per- The hard plastic domes that cover those er sweet mystery of life. Apparently, May we all—every one of us—enjoy
son to do? This person is never sure delicious-looking chocolate frosted cakes because there is no bread, there is a need them and have a chag kasher v’sameiach! ❖
about it. But my strong suspicion is that started to appear weeks ago, but their to feed our faces with other satisfying
none of the dates means anything—noth- labels indicate that they will be good for snacks. When I refer to not being able to Hannah Berman lives in Woodmere and is a
licensed real-estate broker associated with
ing, zippo, and zero. This is because there several weeks after Pesach ends. My guess eat bread, I mean real, honest-to-good- Marjorie Hausman Realty. She can be reached at
are times when I’ve had milk go sour well is that there are enough chemicals in ness bread, not those phony Pesach rolls Savtahannah@aol.com or 516-902-3733.
“What is there is
what remains vivid
in my father’s
mind. And I think
that gives it a deep
resonance.”
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SOUTH FLORIDA JEWISH TIMES March 26, 2010 41
This One Is Free
There is an old joke: A doctor on his desk.
approaches a lawyer in shul and com- So why am I telling you this joke?
plains to him that every time he comes Because I am regularly approached by
into shul, he always approached by people asking me a variety of real-estate
someone wanting him to give them a questions, such as, “Where do you think
free checkup in shul. The lawyer told the real-estate market is going in the Five
him, “I used to have the same problem Towns today?”; “Do you think I should
also. Then one time after a guy asked put my house on the market now or wait
me for advice, I sent him a bill and he awhile?”; or “How much do you think I
never asked me again.” The doctor can get for my house?”
thanked him and thought this was a Now let me answer some of these
great idea. Monday, when he went back questions that I’ve been asked—free of
to work, he found a bill from the lawyer charge!
We are teachers, to
be sure, but it is
not information
that we are
communicating; it
is identity.
Continued on Page 48
44 March 26, 2010 SOUTH FLORIDA JEWISH TIMES
SOUTH FLORIDA JEWISH TIMES March 26, 2010 45
46 March 26, 2010 SOUTH FLORIDA JEWISH TIMES
SOUTH FLORIDA JEWISH TIMES March 26, 2010 47
is in fact dependent on mothers. While a
Fours Jew’s tribal genealogy follows the pater-
Continued from Page 44
nal line, whether a child is a member of
aries but linked by history and destiny. the Jewish people or not depends entire-
We impress on them the fact that they ly on the status of his or her mother.
are links in a shimmering, ethereal chain It’s only speculation, but the recurrent
stretching back to the birth of the Jewish numerical theme in our exquisite
nation, to when our people was divinely Haggadah, employed each year to instill
redeemed from mundane slavery in Jewish identity, might be reminding us of
Egypt and entered a sublime servitude of that. After all, the Haggadah has its own
a very different sort—to G-d—at Sinai. number-decoder built right in, toward its
So, on Passover, as we celebrate the end, where most good books’ keys and
birth of the Jewish nation and plant the indexes are found. We’re a little hazy once
seed of Jewish identity in the minds of it’s reached, after four cups of wine, but
smaller Jews, we are giving life—giving it’s unmistakably there: “Echad Mi Yodea”
birth, one might say—to the Jewish or “Who Knows One?”?the song that pro-
future. And, while it may be the father vides Jewish associations with numbers.
who traditionally leads the Seder, he is “Who knows four?”
acting not as teacher but rather in some- If you don’t, you can look it up. ❖
thing more akin to a maternal role, as a
© 2010 Am Echad Resources. Rabbi Shafran is
spiritual nurturer of the children present. director of public affairs for Agudath Israel of
According to halachah, Jewish identity America. The above essay was distributed in 2003.
(L–R): Cholent Bowl Judges Alan Riesenburger, Elan Kornblum, Jeff Nathan,
Susie Fishbein, and Dr. Esther Joel.
author; Susie Fishbein, renowned tant for them “to be part of this because
kosher chef and bestselling author of it brings all of the students together and
Kosher by Design; Alan Riesenburger, shows the unity we have in our universi-
catering director and executive chef of ty. It also shows what great chefs we have
Fairway Market; and Elan Kornblum, among our students.”
president and publisher of Great Kosher After a three-way dead heat was
Restaurants magazine. announced, President Joel was called in
“One of the nice things about this to break the tie. Despite some humor-
year’s contest is that we tied it in with our ous attempts by the teams at winning
food drive for the Upper Manhattan Food over the president, Team Heerlijk,
Pantry,” said Jonathan Mantell, director Flemish for “delicious,” was crowned
of university housing and organizer of cholent champion.
the cook-off. “So that way it’s not just Jonathan Lamet, originally of Miami
about having fun, but it’s also about Beach, took home first prize in Yeshiva
thinking of other people.” University’s 2010 Cholent Cook-off. Along
Shloimie Zeffren, president of the with his three New York teammates, Eric
(L–R): Cholent Champs David Kupperman, Jonathan Lamet, Jason Wargon, Yeshiva Student Union—one of the Kupferstein, David Kupperman, and
and Eric Kupferstein. event’s sponsors—said that it was impor- Jason Wargon, Lamet beat out 15 other
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He found a local
dairy and
supervised the
milking of cows
himself.
Continued on Page 67
SOUTH FLORIDA JEWISH TIMES March 26, 2010 65
Passover 1945: A Controversial Twist On The “Four Sons”
BY RAFAEL MEDOFF no author’s name, but it had all the dra- European Jewry. Jewish community over the future of
matic hallmarks of the Academy Award “There Were Four Sons” was illustrat- Palestine. The first three are different
Many of us recall the use of Passover winning screenwriter Ben Hecht, who ed by the famed artist Arthur Szyk, who, types of American Jews who opposed, or
themes in such Jewish political activity as was the most prominent of the Bergson in between drawing covers for Time and at least were uninterested in, the fight
the “Freedom Seders” of the 1960s Jewish for a Jewish state.
student movement or the “Let My People The “Wicked Son” represents the
Go” campaigns by Soviet Jewry protesters wealthy, assimilated Jew who actively
in the 1970s and 1980s. opposed Zionism. This Wicked Son
But the appearance of Passover
imagery in contemporary Jewish politics
This Wicked Son asks, “What is this asks, “What is this nonsense about a
Jewish nation and an independent
goes back much further than that. With homeland? When all this fuss blows
Passover approaching in 1945, Zionist nonsense about a Jewish nation over, let them return to the countries
activists in the United States undertook they came from . . .” “Answer him,” the
an information offensive that utilized the
holiday’s themes to challenge the small
and an independent homeland?” pamphlet continues, in the style of the
traditional Haggadah, that “since he
but influential segment of the Jewish elects to hold himself aloof from a phys-
community that opposed Zionism. ical concern about his brother’s plight,
Shortly before Passover 1945, the he has disqualified himself from a voice
Jewish activists known as the Bergson Group’s publicists. Hecht had previous- Collier’s and political cartoons for the in the life and death affairs of a foreign
Group issued a pamphlet that retold ly authored a series of attention-grab- New York Post, put his talents at the dis- and persecuted people.” The Jews in
the “four sons” portion of the Haggadah bing full page newspaper ads for the posal of the Bergson Group. Szyk’s “four Europe and Palestine fear his involve-
with a starkly modern twist. The book- group that stoked controversy by bold- sons” are taken straight out of the ment in their affairs “more than the
let, titled “There Were Four Sons,” bore ly criticizing Allied policy towards debates then raging in the American plotting of the anti-Semites,” since “the
adverse testimony of a supposed friend
can be as scriptures in the mouth of the
devil.” Szyk’s depiction of the Wicked
Son looks suspiciously like Joseph
Proskauer, president of the American
Jewish Committee, who was one of the
most prominent and influential anti-
Zionists of that era. Later the AJC would
change its position and support the cre-
ation of Israel, but at that point, in 1945,
it argued that the existence of a Jewish
state would compromise the status of
Jews in the Diaspora.
The next son, whom English-lan-
guage Haggadahs typically call the
Simple Son, is here called the
“Indifferent Son.” He appears to be a
middle-class Jewish businessman, wear-
ing a fedora hat and chomping on a
cigar. “Why don’t we leave well enough
alone?” he asks. “Aren’t we doing okay
here?” He worries that paying too much
attention to European Jewry might
“prod anti-Semitism here in America.”
“Answer him,” the Bergson pamphlet
instructs, that fighting for a Jewish state
would ultimately help decrease, not
increase, anti-Semitism. Achieving “free-
dom and safety for your less fortunate
kin in the death valley of Europe will
create a sound moral foundation for a
world order of peace and security,” and
that would include “banishing anti-
Semitism.”
Szyk’s “Uninformed Son” (whom most
Haggadahs call “the son who does not
know to ask”), wearing a laborer’s cap, is
the stereotypical Jewish workingman. He
says he cannot understand why the Jews
“complain against the British [administra-
tion in Palestine].” After all, “Do Jews not
have freedom there to live, work, sing,
play, and worship as they please?”
“Answer him that Palestine is far from a
land of freedom today,” the pamphlet
asserts. “In Palestine there are concentra-
tion camps” (meaning the detention
camps where Jewish activists were held
without charges), “torture chambers”
(Jewish militants were often mistreated
by their British captors), “ghettoes” (a ref-
erence to the curfews and other restric-
tions imposed on many Jewish neighbor-
hoods), and “explicit anti-Jewish laws”
Continued on Page 69
66 March 26, 2010 SOUTH FLORIDA JEWISH TIMES
AROUND SOUTH FLORIDA
Continued from Page 63
appointed. Just picture having your Seder
next to a 30-foot-high wall of windows
overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. With top-
notch entertainment and activities on
chol ha’moed, a world-class day camp, and
a comfortable home-like atmosphere,
Yanni and Malka put together a remark-
able program everyone enjoys.
If you’re reading this and you are cur-
rently at the Marco Polo just take anoth-
er sip of your frozen smoothie from the
tea room, come visit me on the pool deck.
If you’re not already here, it’s not too late
to make reservations for the second days.
Well, back to my lounge chair overlook-
ing the Atlantic. Have a warm Pesach. ❖
It is offering that
ascends upon the pyre
of the Altar
(Vayikra 6:2)
Why is the word mokdah
(“pyre”) written in the Torah
with a miniature hei? To teach
us that the fire in one’s soul
should be understated; it
should burn within, but show
nothing on the outside.
(The Rebbe of Kotzk)
Continued on Page 71
68 March 26, 2010 SOUTH FLORIDA JEWISH TIMES
asks, “How can I help my fellow men in
“Four Sons” Europe and Palestine?” The pamphlet
Continued from Page 66
answers him by urging him to “join this
(such as those prohibiting most Jewish crusade [for Jewish statehood] with all
immigration and land purchases). his heart and all his soul” and “add his
The Bergson Group’s “Wise Son” con- voice, his influence among friends, and
trasts sharply with the other three. He is every penny he can honestly spare . . .”
a Jewish soldier in the U.S. Army. He The long dark night of Nazi persecu-
tion was drawing to a close, and the sides such as “There Were Four Sons,”
struggle for a Jewish state was about to which invoked ancient imagery to sway
begin in earnest. It was a struggle waged hearts and minds. ❖
in Palestine with guerrilla warfare, on
Dr. Rafael Medoff is director of The David S.
the high seas with refugee ships, and in Wyman Institute for Holocaust Studies,
the court of public opinion with broad- www.WymanInstitute.org.
It’s Raining
then I raise the temperature to 350 live on our corner, Rochel devised a plan
degrees until the challahs are complete to transport all the challahs in less time:
(that time varies). The theory behind the cookie pans. We were able to transport
extra ten minutes in the warm oven is to four small challahs at a time. With both
Lea missed the bus today (Monday), but can’t say that I keep to the exact schedule give it the maximum rising possible of us working in unison, we transported
that’s O.K. I was all dressed and preparing all of the time, but I have a general sched- before the final bake. eight challahs at one time! Fortunately
for the arrival of the roofers, so I didn’t ule that has served me well until now. I As I began the procedure of carefully the weather was with us on Friday, and
mind driving her this morning. I’m not typically make my challah dough before I transferring the challahs into the warm we had fun walking to the corner with
quite sure what is involved in preparing leave on my errands and/or work for the oven, I noticed that the oven was not our stock. In a short time, less than an
for roofers because the work is all exterior morning. So you see, a quasi-schedule, warm. In fact, it was totally cold. I checked hour, we were able to bake all our chal-
and they already know what is being since I never quite know for sure when I to make sure I had the oven on bake (yes, lahs and our chocolate chip cookies.
replaced and/or repaired, so there is noth- will arrive at work, or complete my I often forget that vital ingredient). The Thank you so much for the kindness of
ing for me to actually do. But I needed to errands for that matter, but at least I usu- bottom oven was certainly set to bake, and our dear neighbors!
be prepared just in case my expertise was ally know that my dough is made and ris- in fact the red indicator light was on, signi- And so it is quite busy in the Lubin
required (no roofing expertise of course, ing! This past Friday, with guests joining fying that the oven was indeed on. I household these days. New carpet is being
but perhaps I would need to be on hand to us for Shabbos, I needed a bit more chal- thought perhaps the thermostat was possi- delivered for Rochel, Lea, and Rivka’s
sign off on any outstanding issues). lah than usual. With that in mind, I start- bly off the mark, so I raised the tempera- room tomorrow, the roof shall hopefully
As I turned on my cell phone as we ed my dough project a couple of hours ture all the way to 500 degrees, but it was be completed by Wednesday, and the new
were getting into the car, I noticed a voice earlier, and by about 6:30 in the morning, still cold. This oven was just not working oven is on its way hopefully before
mail message: It seems that the roofers the dough was on its way. In fact, I was so (my top oven is only good to heat things Thursday! And so today I am busy cooking
were not coming this morning after all— ahead of my usual schedule, that by 8:15 I up or to burn things i.e. the piece of chal- chametz, since when the new oven arrives
it was already drizzling, with heavier rain already had the challahs twisted and the lah dough). Yes, I know that I could have I do not plan on using it until we are com-
expected, henceforth not a great day for challah that was taken off as per run back to Gourmet Glatt at that point pletely pesadik. Chabad better have a good
exposing a bare roof! Unfortunately one halachah burning in the top oven, and and just purchased challah, but at this kiddush on Shabbos!
more thing that was to be accomplished my gefilte fish already boiled. point in my baking challah career I felt And so when it rains it pours, but at the
before Pesach that will have to wait until Before leaving the house, my hafrashat that I couldn’t break the chazakah as it end of the day I will have a perfect roof,
Wednesday (rain is expected for tomor- challah was nice and black and I was able were, and I needed to bake those challahs. clean carpet, and a totally pesadik oven in
row as well—let’s hope we will be rela- to put away my sort-of cooled fish. As After all, I had already recited the time for the holiday! It’s all good! ❖
tively leak free until the work is done). usual, time got away from me on Friday. hafrashat challah blessing!
Phyllis Joy Lubin is an attorney with Rosenfeld &
What is Murphy’s Law? If something Somehow between my typical trip to Another to-be-baked item: the choco- Maidenbaum, LLP, who resides in Cedarhurst
can go wrong, it will . . . or maybe also, Gourmet Glatt and unforeseen emergen- late cookies! I had prepared the dough with her husband Leonard and six children:
Naftali, Shoshana, Rivka, Rochel, Yosef, and Lea.
when it rains it pours (literally some- cies at work, I did not get home until the day before, but wanted to wait until She welcomes your questions and comments at
times)! I have a certain Friday schedule. I about 1:00 to find my rising challahs look- Friday to bake them to further insure that MothersMusings@gmail.com.
Steven Khadavi, Shomer Yisrael Awardee, presents check to One Israel Fund Executive
Vice President Scott M. Feltman for $75,000 to One Israel Fund on behalf of the Iranian
Bonei Awardees Dr. Yashar and Mrs. Perie Hirshaut flanked by One Israel Fund American Jewish Federation of NY. Steven and Scott are joined by (L–R) One Israel Fund
Israel Director Irwin Borvick (L) and Executive Vice President Scott M. Feltman (R). trustees Stanley Rosenberg and Jay Kestenbaum and President Steven S. Orlow.
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