Google Play Store for Android. beth AARoN oFFiCeRs. 2016-2017 .... he mentions that while he and Ellen were dating, they
August 2016
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Kol Beth Aaron
INDEX
From the President Monthly Review Beth Aaron Officers There’s an App for That Profile: Ellen & George Friedman Beth Aaron Contacts How the (Siyum &) Sausages Are Made The Road to Aliyah A Trip to Germany Beit Yatir The PayPal Giving Fund Rabbi Hammer Speaks on IDF Beth Aaron News Who to Contact at Beth Aaron Weekly Shiurim See Someone, Say Something Programming Volunteering Condolence Cards Candy Bags Tree of Life Memorial Plaques Movie Rentals NCSY Children’s Corner by Gavriella Hagler The Impact of our Fighting Word Search Word Unscramble Banim Mitpalelim Men’s Club Kiddush
the august CALENDAR will be available shortly. we will send out a message with a link AUGUST YAHRTZEIT lIST Please note that you must be logged into the website to view the yahrtzeit list. 1
Tammuz/Av 5776
From the President
“An educated consumer is our best customer” Are you one of those people who buys a smartphone and follows directions to learn about all of its useful features, or do you just take it out of the box and use the basic, obvious features, leaving the user manual in the box? Personally, I like to ask my children to give me a tutorial on all the uses of the phone and the most critical apps that I “must” have, so I don’t miss any “cool stuff.” Afterwards, I tend to go online and look at the other uses specific to my new phone, or apps that my children may not have thought important for me. But don’t tell my children that; they don’t know that I can actually go online and do my due diligence. One such app is Yidkit,which gives me a package that includes a siddur, where to find a minyan, some key zmanim, and various data points. Another app gives me the exact time, including seconds, so I can make sure that davening starts on time, including at my work minyan and the one in Grand Central Terminal (between tracks 41 and 42) when the gabbai is not there. Our Beit Knesset is akin to the smartphone and apps we download. Most people know about the basics “without reading the directions,” which means they know about the daily and Shabbat minyanim, the various daily/weekly chaburahs and shiurim, youth groups on Shabbat morning, and the kiddushim prepared by the Men’s Club, etc. Our version of the “user manual” consists of our weekly announcements and the monthly Kol Beth Aaron. In addition, if one delves down deeper into the “user manual,” you will learn about all of the various committees that will help members gain the most from their Beth Aaron experience. These committees encompass chesed opportunities, a gemach, notification of yahrzeits, teen information, etc. For some time, the KBA has included pages (in this issue, pages 11 and 12) that list these committees. Unless you are “following the directions,” you probably have flipped over this page monthly without noticing it. To help provide you with even clearer “directions,” we have added a column that explains what each committee does and when to contact them. I hope this will be useful for you. As a large shul, we are able to provide our members with the amenities that smaller shuls might not be able to offer. I like to think of Beth Aaron as having all the benefits of a big shul, with a small shul feel. Whether you are a person who uses directions or one who likes to figure things out on your own, I encourage you to take advantage of the many opportunities that Beth Aaron makes available to you. Most recall the clothing store Syms, whose commercials always ended with the line “an educated consumer is our best customer.” Similarly, the more you know about Beth Aaron, the more you can get out of Beth Aaron. By the way, Congregation Beth Aaron has its very own app that is quite good. It allows you to view the calendar, get the zmanim, and see the membership directory and your personal account. Have you downloaded it yet?
Beth Aaron Officers 2016-2017 President Isaac Hagler 1st Vice President Steven Hoenig 2nd Vice President Moishe Singer Vice President Finance Josh Klavan Vice President Programming Mordechai Ungar Treasurer Micah Kaufman Secretary Ariel Zell Financial Secretary Pinny Wechter
THERE’S AN APP FOR THAT Check out the free Beth Aaron app at the Apple app store and the Google Play Store for Android.
MONTHLY REVIEW: JuLY at congregation beth aaron • On Shabbat, July 2, Parashat Shelach, between Mincha and Maariv, Rabbi Leib Zalesch discussed the “Priorities in Mikvah Building: Shuls, Schools, and Where to Put Those Men.” Through a careful reading of halachic sources, as well as teshuvot from Rav Moshe Feinstein, Rabbi Zalesch helped us understand the prioritization of building a community mikvah and balancing it against other communal needs such as shuls and schools. Rabbi Zalesch has taught Judaic studies, primarily middle school, at the Denver Academy of Torah (DAT) since 2008 and also serves as Director of Operations for the DAT Minyan. A graduate of Yeshiva University and a musmach of RIETS, Leib and his wife Yona (Schaap) live in Denver with their three children. • On Shabbat, July 9, Parashat Korach, between Mincha and Maariv, Rabbi Neil Lauer spoke on the topic of “Out of the Blue? Korach’s Tallit of Techeilet.” With a primer on the role of midrash and a closer look at Rashi’s use of the midrash regarding Korach and tzitzit, Rabbi Lauer offered insight as to why Rashi felt compelled to include this midrash in his understanding of the “simple peshat” of the pasuk, while giving us a broader understanding of the story and the motivation of Korach and his followers. • The Sisterhood’s annual Seudah Shlishit Summer Potluck Series got off to a great start on Shabbat afternoon, July 16. More than thirty women came together to share food and recipes, shmooze and hang out at Rachelle Mandelbaum’s beautiful home. The menu included several interesting salads, fish, and the usual Seudah Shlishit fare, but the hit of the day was Naomi Kraus’s coconut cookies. Several people asked her for the recipe, a sure sign of true love. After about an hour of socializing and meeting some new faces, Shulamis Hes gave a wonderful dvar Torah about the hidden meaning of Moshe’s famous interaction with the rock. The afternoon was a great escape from the heat and long Shabbat day, and Sisterhood members look forward to the next event in August. Stay tuned for email updates with the sign-up link. • Rabbi Pesach Wolicki delivered the shiur following Mincha on Shabbat, July 16, Parashat Chukat. The topic of the shiur was “The Rambam’s View of Christianity and its Relevance to Our Times.” Rabbi Wolicki noted that the Rambam considered Christianity Avodah Zarah, and explained how that view has had both a negative and positive effect throughout the world. Throughout the ages and in many parts of the world, Christianity has mostly been a negative for Jews. Nevertheless, it is a positive for the goyim who believe that redemption eventually will take place. Rabbi Wolicki is Associate Director and Senior Lecturer at the Center for Jewish-Christian Understanding and Cooperation in Efrat, Israel. He spent the previous 11 years as Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshivat Yesodei HaTorah in Ramat Beit Shemesh, where a number of Beth Aaron members have studied. He is widely respected in the world of Jewish education as an innovator and is known for his engaging, welcoming, and interactive teaching style. Rabbi Wolicki formerly served as a communal rabbi in Fairfield, CT, and Newport News, VA. Rabbi Wolicki and his wife Kate live in Bet Shemesh with their eight children. • On Shabbat, July 23, between Mincha and Maariv, Dr. David Blass presented the topic “Comparing the Jewish Calendar to the Civil (Christian) Calendar -- Why the Chaggim Fell Out So Early in 2013.” Dr. Blass reviewed the history behind the Gregorian calendar, how it derived from the Julian calendar, and why the various changes were necessary. He also explained how the history of the Jewish calendar, which governs our religious lives, is rather straightforward, but the methodology behind it is rather complicated. Dr. Blass explained how the Jewish calendar works and how it determines when the chaggim fall out. He pointed to a gemarah in Masechet Sanhedrin in which Chazal determine the criteria for a leap year and how those criteria fell into place in 2013 when the chaggim came out as early as they did. Dr. Blass concluded by showing that in our everyday lives we all go through some very tough times in which our emunah is tested, but that Hashem has his purpose; through trying times,our character and emunah are only strengthened. • On Shabbat, July 30, the Sisterhood Book Club met at the home of Esther Toporovsky to discuss “A Marriage of Opposites,” by Alice Hoffman, who also is the author of “The Dovekeepers,” an earlier Sisterhood Book Club selection. Once again, Ms. Hoffman chose a strong Jewish female character and successfully created the atmosphere of a past place and time. She brought to life the Jewish community of St. Thomas through the character of the mother of Camille Pissarro and then introduced us to the artist himself and how he became the impressionist painter we admire to this day. The story is surprising and satisfying and always interesting. Every four to six weeks, the Sisterhood Book Club meets to discuss a (continued on page 23)
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Profile:
Beth Aaron Contacts
Ellen & george friedman
Kiddush Ari Gononsky
[email protected]
Everyone has a good reason for moving to Teaneck. For Ellen and George Friedman, the reason was parking. George has related, in public places and more than once, how it was a free parking that hooked him on moving to Teaneck.
Library Mitch First & Josh Zakheim
[email protected]
There actually are several parts to the story, some of which appeared in the Jewish Link in George’s column about life in Teaneck in the 1970s. In one 2014 column, he mentions that while he and Ellen were dating, they were stuck in a Route 4 traffic jam heading toward Queens that backed up into Teaneck. As he fumed about the traffic, he noticed a sign on the side of the road near Belle Avenue that said “If You Lived Here, You’d Be Home.” The Township, and the sign, really didn’t register at the time, he said, but, in another column, George detailed how when the couple was looking at apartments in Queens, he was really bothered by the lack of easy parking. Ellen’s brother Eddie Greenberg and his wife Barbara already lived in Teaneck, in the State Street area. In addition to securing an apartment in their complex for the new couple, “describing the shuls, shopping, proximity to transportation; and explaining their belief that Teaneck was an up-and-coming Jewish community,” Eddie used the magic words “parking is plentiful and not metered.” Ellen and George have been Teaneck residents ever since, moving here following their wedding in 1976. They’ve been members of Beth Aaron just about as long. “When George and I first came to Teaneck, we were searching for a shul,” Ellen recalled. “Back then, we didn’t have so many shuls to choose from. We lived in the apartments on State Street, and the choices were B’nai Yeshurun and Beth Aaron for an Orthodox synagogue. George and I both grew up in Conservative shuls, so we checked out the Jewish Center of Teaneck, too. Beth Aaron was the best fit for us, mainly due to its size and friendliness, and also the feeling that our presence (despite our limited religious backgrounds) made a difference to the shul. In 1977, when they joined, Beth Aaron met in a house. George sat in the “talking section,” which was in the back near a fireplace. “The Rabbi couldn’t see you in that area,” he explained. “We were part of ‘Aliyah Bet,’ joining right after the founders,” said Ellen, noting that they were perhaps the 40th family to join. Kiddush on Shabbat was in the hall upstairs, she added, pointing out that “hall” meant “here is one bedroom and this is the hall to walk to the other bedroom.” At that time, “Kiddush was a treat usually served on top of an ironing board.” Rabbi Fass, the Morah de-Atra at that time, “made a great effort to welcome every new person to the shul,” Ellen said. “When your shul has less than 100 people, everybody has an impact on its development. What was great when we joined was the camaraderie among members. George and I had a Talmud Torah background. I always felt out of step with the Orthodox world, but having gone to NCSY in my teen years, I wanted to be part of it. The members were so accepting. If I didn’t know something, all I had to do was ask, and answers were given graciously. Beth Aaron felt like ‘family.’” Today that “family” has grown so large,” she said. “Beth Aaron is still the ‘friendly’ shul in town, and George and I love to see that there are so many activities for new members. We may not know all the members these days, but the ones we do know, we are close with. I believe the uniqueness of Beth Aaron in 1976 or 2016 is that the people are really concerned about each other and are willing to do whatever it takes to celebrate the good times and help each get through the bad times.” Even though Beth Aaron is much, much bigger now, it is still a warm, friendly, welcoming place. “It’s a place where you make friends for a lifetime,” Ellen said. “All ages make up the Beth Aaron community, but it’s wonderful to see young families joining the shul, just as we did so many years ago.” George and Ellen feel so fortunate to have been guided by several Rabbanim that they have the good fortune to call their friends, to this day. “Leadership is crucial to the growth of a shul,” they said. “There isn’t enough time and there aren’t enough words to sing the praises of Rabbi and Chaviva Rothwachs (continued on page 23) 3
Membership Sheryl Dubin
[email protected] Men’s Club Moishe B. Singer, President
[email protected] Sisterhood Deena Fisher & Sari Samuel, Co-Presidents
[email protected] Youth Erica & Jason David
[email protected] Security David Fisher & Yakov Eizik
[email protected]
How The (Siyum &) Sausages Are Made by David Goldberg My good friend Rabbi Dan Rosen has been making a Nine Days siyum for as long as I can remember. It’s had different locations; sometimes it’s been held at one of Teaneck’s finer dining establishments, sometimes it’s been at a mutual friend’s house. Last year, it ended up in my backyard, and, after the siyum was over, I thought, “Wouldn’t this be awesome on a grander scale?” Cut to: The Men’s Club Kiddush Crew has its share of foodies. We talk restaurants, food, and drink (I know, shocking!) all the time. When Jack’s brand sausages came onto the market a few years back, those were a frequent topic of conversation. They’re really good, and we all spoke of them quite highly. Recently, other brands of sausage have come to the market, alongside Jack’s. They, too, sparked conversation: “Have you tried them? Which ones? Are they any good?” And then, as conversations turn – as they do, from theoretical to practical – someone said, “We should really have a sausage tasting.” The rest, to garble a phrase, will soon be history. Now, ideas are cheap; execution is another matter entirely. For me, the first step in transforming any idea into reality is running it by others. So I talk to people: “Will this work?” “Is this a good idea?” “Would you attend such an event?” Once I feel confident enough, I approach the Men’s Club leadership and get their backing. It’s important to have an organization like the Men’s Club support the event, as they can provide the assistance and resources that help get things done. I also reached out to Larry Kahn, who was supportive of the idea from the very beginning, and he agreed to assist in running the event. Next, I approached Rabbi Rosen and pitched the idea to him. He was all for it. (This was fait accompli… sausages are staples at his Shabbat table.) With all the approvals I needed, it was time to pick a time. Rabbi Rosen was the star of the show; he said Wednesday was good. As I was planning for this to be held in my backyard (hey, it worked well last year, and the shul has no grill), I had to be mindful of daylight: 7:00 p.m. sounded reasonable. Budget was the next step. I set a reasonable but solid menu and went to Costco and Shop-Rite, noting prices down in a Google Sheets spreadsheet I created. That will tell me how much stuff costs – sausages, sides, paper goods, drinks. From there, I could figure out cost per person and tack on a few dollars so the shul raises some funds, and we’re good to go. I ran that by Mo-b Singer and Larry, too. I do nothing in a vacuum. I also decided to make the event men-only, modelled after the Sisterhood’s Potluck Seudah Shlishit Series. When was the last time the shul had a men-only event? I couldn’t recall. Next was publicity. I needed a name for the event, something easy and catchy. I bounced around a few ideas and settled on “Siyum & Sausage”: straight and to the alliterative point. I also wanted to generate some buzz for this event, so I thought a movie-style “teaser” poster would get people talking. A quick Google image search for “Sausage” brought me a grilled sausage on a fork. And while a similar search for “siyum” brought me nothing I liked, I hit on “Gemara” quite easily. I like working with graphics in PowerPoint, as it’s a strong balance between easy-to-use and powerful. I played around with the images until I found something I liked. I sent it off to Mo-b and Larry for thoughts and comments. And, as with everything I do, my wife Marianne is my best sounding board. All good on that front, I sent it off to Costco for printing on poster board and picked it up the next day. I also sent a digital copy to Judi in the office, so she could get the teaser out by email to the entire Beth Aaron membership. Similar teaser text went out to include in the weekly announcements. I took a break from planning the event for a week, to clear my head. I had received feedback on the teaser poster and started thinking about ways to cut the budget if I needed to. Spending more is easy. Spending less is a personal challenge: Can I get a better deal at Restaurant Depot vs. Costco? Can I pay less for food in Rockland County vs. Bergen County? After the break, I designed the full flyer for the event, based on the original teaser. I also reached out to Mo-b and asked him to set up the website for registration. I dropped the poster off in shul and sent digital copies to Judi in the office for email distribution. Isaac also asked me to write this article promoting the event for the KBA. There’s plenty more left to do. I need to shop for the event and find volunteers to assist with the event, from setup to cleanup. Mostly, I need people sign up to attend. I’m grateful that Beth Aaronites already have approached me, excited about the event, and I do hope they all sign up soon (and not at the last minute, y’all. I got to shop). I think it’s going to be a great event. We’ll have some Torah, we’ll have some food, but most importantly we’ll get together as a community to do both these things together. And coming together the way we do at this event will help us make up for a past that brought the destructions of our Batei Mikdash. I do hope you’ll be able to join us. Look for the flyer in this issue of the KBA, and sign up today at www.bethaaron.org/event/siyumsausage!
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The Road to Aliyah: Double Aliyah From Teaneck’s Edgemont Place by Pearl Markovitz (This article originally appeared in the Jewish Link and is reprinted with the permission of the publication and the author.)
Amanda & Avi Moskowitz with Yehoshua, Nechama and baby Mindy
Atara & Zach Bienenfeld with Shalom and Asher
Atara Staiman and Amanda Alexander grew up side by side on Edgemont Place in Teaneck, New Jersey. Atara, daughter of Aliza and Kal Staiman, and Amanda, daughter of Sharon and Benjamin Alexander, both attended Yavneh Academy and Maayanot. Atara continued her studies at Shaalvim for Women and then went on to earn her Bachelor’s Degree from Stern College and a Master’s in Jewish Education from Azrieli. She taught fifth, sixth and seventh grade limudei kodesh at Westchester Day School until this past June. Amanda spent her gap year at Midreshet Harova and then went on to study for a Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology at Baruch College. She earned a Master’s in Education at Hunter College and went on to become a participant in Teach for America through the NYC Board of Education for six years. Now 25 and 28 respectively, Atara and Amanda will once again connect as they embark upon one of the most momentous events that a young family from America can partake in – their Aliyah to Israel. On August 16, Atara and husband Zach Bienenfeld, proudly accompanied by their sons Shalom, aged 3, and Asher, aged 1, will join Amanda and husband Avi Moskowitz, proudly accompanied by Yehoshua, 4, Nechama, 2, and Mindy, 2 1/2 months, on the second Summer 2016 Nefesh B’Nefesh flight to Israel. As we write this article, NBN is welcoming its 50,000th participant aboard its flight from Kennedy Airport. What factors have made the lives of these two Teaneck young women intersect once again in such a pivotal, life-altering experience? For StaimanBienenfeld, it is no doubt the strong connection to Israel she grew up experiencing in her home. Many winter breaks were spent in Israel as well as summer trips. Participating in Yachad’s Yad B’Yad program and Counterpoint in Dimona where she taught English as a Second Language to Ethiopians added to her feelings of commitment and connection. She is looking forward to being surrounded in Israel by many members of her extended family, including a grandmother in Yerushalayim. Husband Zach Bienenfeld grew up in Scarsdale and attended SAR and Ramaz. After two years at Yeshivat Kerem B’Yavneh, he returned to Yeshiva University where he earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Math and Computers. He is currently completing a Master’s from Georgia Tech in Computers while working as a software developer for Amazon. He will continue working in the field of technology upon arrival in Israel, commuting from their apartment in Raanana. For Zach, the motivation to make Aliyah comes primarily from the values he imbibed in his home, which was infused with a love of Israel. Avi Moskowitz hails from Hillside, New Jersey. He attended JEC through high school and then studied for one-and-a half years at Rabbi Greenwald’s Tiferet Yerushalayim. He earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from Touro College and a Master’s in Social Work. Avi and Amanda met early on in Elizabeth where she would often visit her grandparents. For both, the passion and commitment to Israel comes from the previous generation of grandparents and parents who had seriously entertained dreams of making Aliyah but somehow were unable to fulfill these dreams. Amanda’s Sabba served as a pilot in the US Air Force during World War II. He had seriously intended to join the “Above and Beyond” US Air Force mission that aided the Israeli Defense Forces in the War for Independence in 1948. Though his intentions never came to fruition, four of his eight children reside in Israel, which will provide their Moskowitzes with a large extended family to greet and assist them upon their Aliyah. Included in this extended family will be Amanda’s 90-year-old savta, who just recently made Aliyah and resides with a daughter in Hashmonaim. In anticipation and preparation for their eventual Aliyah, three years ago the young Moskowitzes purchased an apartment in Ramat Beit Shemesh, specifically the Mishkafaim community, which will be available to them within a few months of their arrival. A crucial component in their planning is Avi’s current employment as an Assistant Product Manager for an Israeli technology company specializing in video surveillance, based in Rosh Ha’ayin, where he will be working. (continued on page 24) 5
A trip to Germany by Mollie Fisch
Pictured above is a Holocaust memorial near the Brandenburg Gate. Pictured to the right are some of the “Stumbling Blocks,” brass cobblestones placed in the sidewalk with names of people who had lived in that location, the date they were deported, the year of death, and the name of the camp in which they were murdered.
Due to my very prescient grandparents, I have the good fortune to be a second-generation American; both of my parents were born in this country and were observant Jews to boot, making my brother and me anomalies among our Jewish friends. Table talk at home often included discussions of world affairs, and, by the tail end of World War II, even as a young child, I was well aware of the role of the Nazis in the fate of our people. Although none of our immediate relatives were at risk, my family’s anguish over Jewish suffering was palpable. We packed relief packages, checked for surviving family members, and were all active in age-appropriate Zionist ventures. My husband’s family was much more intimately affected by the War; although my father-in-law and his two brothers came to America before WWII, only one of his remaining brothers and one cousin survived. The rest of the family did not. With all that history in mind, I never expected or wanted to visit Germany. But an opportunity arose to join a Jewish history tour, to explore the significant development of Judaism in Germany from the 10th century to modern times, through all the significant changes leading to Modern Orthodoxy and to Reform Judaism. We would learn about many key figures, including rabbinic giants Rabbeinu Gershom, the Maharam, the Maharil, the Noda bi-Yehuda, Rav Hildesheimer, Rav Samson Raphael Hirsch, and many more. We’d visit Worms, where Rashi studied, and see the Rashi shul, and even “his seat”– which clearly postdates him by 100 years or more! We’d visit old shuls, refurbished shuls, cemeteries, and ancient mikvaot (one was 25 meters below ground, with freezing water). More personally, we would also have the opportunity to visit Buchenwald, where my late husband Stan’s uncle, enlisted to cook and bake for the camp’s SS officers, narrowly escaped a death sentence for smuggling food to prisoners, because he made the Commandant’s favorite dessert. Knowing that Germany is one of the EU countries with a generally favorable Israel connection, I decided to go, not really knowing what to expect. I found that Germany is the only country that has taken responsibility for the horrors they initiated in the Holocaust. That’s a positive development that gives me some hope, particularly when you see the large numbers of young people at every exhibit. Holocaust education is mandatory throughout the school experience. Reminders are very much in your face wherever you look or step. You cannot avoid them. A display at a bus stop in Berlin indicates that the beautiful Hotel Sylter Hof just off the corner replaced the building where Eichmann worked. Other memorials in Berlin include “The Missing House” – from which Jews were deported, the house destroyed and not rebuilt; “The Deserted Room” – a table with one chair standing and one knocked over in obvious disarray; and “Stumbling Blocks” – brass cobblestones placed in the sidewalk with names of people who had lived in that location, the date they were deported, the year of death and in which camp they were murdered. Just across from the Brandenburg Gate is a massive and somewhat strange block-wide memorial to Jewish Holocaust victims; it looks like rows of various sized blank tombstones, but was purposely left that way to be open to personal interpretation. The amazing Berlin Jewish Museum traces and explains Jewish history and Jewish life. Designed by Leibeskind, the whole building is a tribute to Jewish memory and history. The building itself sets an inescapable tone – soul-stirring “voids, a “voidable void,” and a void whose floor is covered with thousands of iron face plates. When you walk in that space, iron faces clang together, sending a shiver up your spine – a sound of suffering, and perhaps also a sound of alarm – REMEMBER, DON’T FORGET! BEWARE! The thrust throughout Berlin and in some other cities is to shine a bright light on what is MISSING – and it’s us Jews! Very chilling and sobering. In terms of Jewish history and life, one display in the museum that I loved showed a single mishna on a desktop screen. You are instructed to blow on the screen lightly, and the gemara text fills in; blow again and again, Rashi and Tosafot fill in. The concept is explained for the untutored visitor. (continued on page 24) 6
BEIT YATIR:
BEIT RABBAN
by Tzvi ben Gedalyahu
“”אין העולם מתקיים אלא בשביל הבל תינוקות של בית רבן I usually daven at the 5:45 a.m. or 6:30 a.m., minyan, but one day this summer I got up late and davened at the third minyan, at 8:00 a.m. As I was putting away my tallit and tefillin, I was amazed to hear a dozen children reciting mishnayot. That is when I began to discover how one or two people can change the world. Michael Admoni moved to Beit Yatir when he married Hodayah, one of the daughters of the Zilberman family. Michael is of Yemenite descent. Hodayah’s father is pure Ashkenazi, while her mother is from pure Moroccan descent. That’s what is called in Israel a Glatt Kosher mixed marriage. Michael, like many descended from Yemeni families, learned Torah from the day he was conceived. It was no surprise that on Simchat Torah, when children also read from the Torah, his and Hodayah’s three-year-old son stepped up and read three verses without missing a beat. Admoni did not stop there. He has pushed to rejuvenate Yatir’s after-school Talmud Torah program, which I was privileged to help teach 25 years ago. Since then, it limped along until Michael, and Yakir Shapira, whose father Ze’ev is Yatir’s veteran security officer, took the initiative to breathe new life into the Torah learning program, with the help of Hodayah, who has been teaching the children during after-school hours. Yakir explains that nearly a dozen 5-8 year-olds learn every morning for 20 minutes, with a sweet treat. Another dozen older children who were in summer camp (Kaytana) until late July, along with those were not in summer camp, learn for more than an hour every morning. They are to conclude the mishnayot in Mo’ed Katan by Tisha B’Av. They also learn Halachot of Loshon ha-Ra and other subjects that the children raise by themselves. What is surprising is that the children are from a wide spectrum of families and not just from those whose fathers are rabbis or teachers. Most importantly, there is no coercion, and the children learn because they want to. Yakir says he has an extra benefit from teaching the children because he learns from preparing for the morning lessons, as well as from questions children ask.
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THE PAYPAL GIVING FUND At Beth Aaron, we are always looking for new ways to better our service to our members. For the last few years, our members have been able to pay for seats for the High Holidays and special events, as well as membership fees, with credit cards through PayPal. This process has made it easy for members to pay their obligations to the shul. At the same time, the shul has enjoyed decreased administrative costs and increased collections. The downside to the use of credit cards is the fee charged by PayPal. This expense is borne either by the person making the payment through PayPal or by the shul. We recently have found an additional method, the PayPal Giving Fund, for accepting online credit card donations and payments that doesn’t charge eiher the payor (you) or the payee (the shul) an administrative fee. Similar to the Jewish Communal Fund and other charitable funds, the PayPal Giving Fund is a non-profit to which people can make donations. In turn, the Fund supports programs like ours. When you make a donation through our link, Beth Aaron will receive 100% of your donation, with no credit card expense for either party. The Fund can be used in two ways: 1) For one-time donations 2) For monthly recurring donations For example, if a full member wanted to pay the $1000 annual membership fee at the rate of $200 a month for five months, a payment plan can be set up, and Beth Aaron will receive 100% of the money, at no expense. Donations made through the Fund will be posted to members’ accounts the month after they are given, as PayPal will transfer the money to us once a month (in the month after the donation is made). Visit bethaaron.org/givingfund for more details or to pay shul obligations using this new method.
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rabbi hammer speaks on the IDF Rabbi Shalom Hammer, a contributing editor to the Jerusalem Post and the author of four books, will discuss “A Time to Unite with Tzahal: The Challenges of Ideology in the IDF Today -- Purification and Preservation” on Sunday, August 7, at 10:00 a.m., in the shul. A light breakfast will be served before the presentation. Rabbi Hammer will relate the experiences he had as he traveled the course of the border of Gaza handing out supplies and offering words of inspiration for various divisions of the IDF during Operation Protective Edge in the summer of 2014. Traveling on this journey with Rabbi Hammer will help you understand and appreciate the emphasis Judaism places on the value of preserving life. The presentation concludes with a fascinating PowerPoint presentation depicting Rabbi Hammer’s activities in the IDF and field of the operation. Rabbi Hammer, who serves as a lecturer for the IDF, is the founder of Makom Meshutaf, www.makommeshutaf.com, which offers lectures on Judaism to secular kibbutzim throughout Israel. The proceeds of books and CDs available for sale following the lecture will go to Tzahal. Program sponsors include Judy Saden-Barach & David Barach, the Fisch/Mellul family, Gila Berkowitz & Arvin Levine, and Etta & Isaac Novick. To join in sponsoring this program, please contact Jeff Neugroschl,
[email protected].
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Beth Aaron News mazal tov TO • Chev & Gilad Barach, on their recent marriage. Mazal Tov also to Gilad’s parents, Judy Saden-Barach & David Barach. • Elana & Max Baruch, on their recent marriage. Mazal Tov also to Elana’s parents, Sharon & Jeff Rosen. • Nechama & Yosef Bauman, on their recent marriage. Mazal Tov also to Yosef’s parents, Esther & Mark Bauman. • Tamar & Avi-Gil Chaitovsky, on the birth of a baby girl. Mazal Tov also to Avi-Gil’s parents, Esther & Myron Chaitovsky. • Barbara & Kal Feinberg, on the Bar Mitzvah of their grandson Netanel Gershon Feinberg, son of Sara & Daniel Feinberg, in Ramat Beit Shemesh. • Shira & Rabbi Steve Golden, on the engagement of their daughter Navah to Adam Kerman of Middlesex, NJ. • Renee & Harry Harcsztark, on the birth of their grandson Ethan, born to their children Lissie & Kenny Harcsztark of Denver. • Estelle Harris, on the engagement of her granddaughter Odem Harris, daughter of Mayrav & Avraham Harris of Ma’alei Chever, Israel, to Refael Weinstein of Chashmonaim, Israel. • Elizabeth & Michael Horowitz, on their recent marriage. Mazal Tov also to Elizabeth’s parents, Sheryl & David Blass. • Noah Isaacs, on his engagement to Ayelet Prero of Chicago. Mazal Tov also to Noah’s parents, Reshi & Yosef Isaacs. • Sara Kinstlinger, on making aliyah. • Abby & Steve Leichman (former Beth Aaron members residing in Israel), on the birth of a granddaughter, born to their children Miriam & Chaim Leichman of Geva Binyamin. • Paul Metzger, on his Bar Mitzvah and siyum on Masechet Megillah. Mazal Tov also to Paul’s parents, Tamar & Yaacov Metzger. • Nechama & Steven Pudell, on the birth of their grandson Dovid Eliyahu, born to their children Shoshanna & Ben Gabbai in Israel. • Emily & Avi Schwartz, on their recent marriage. Mazal Tov also to Avi’s parents, Bonnie & Ronnie Schwartz. • Sandy & Eddie Steinberg, on the Bar Mitzvah of their grandson Yehoshua Steinberg, son of Dini & Rabbi Avraham Steinberg of Bala Cynwyd, PA. • Marcia & Bob Trinz, on the birth of a granddaughter, born to their children Yael & Moshe Trinz of Teaneck. • Gitl Viswanath, on being featured on the cover of the Jewish Standard, upon the publication of The Comprehensive English-Yiddish Dictionary.
CONDOLENCES TO
• Sam Berkowitz, on the passing of his beloved mother, Charlotte Berkowitz.
Welcome to our New Member
• Jessica Veroba, who lives on Fairidge Terrace.
WELCOME TO OUR New neighbors
• Gitty Eisner, who lives on Minell Place. • Uri & Tamara Lieber, who live on Kings Court • The Yudelson family, who live on Queen Anne Road.
PARNAS HAYOM DEDICATIONS Dedicate a day of learning at Beth Aaron on the occasion of a yahrtzeit, in the zechut of a refuah shelaima, or in honor of a simcha, a birthday or any other occasion. Each week’s dedications are prominently displayed in the shul lobby and sent out to the membership via email. For more information, or to sign up, please go to www.bethaaron.org/parnashayom. Parnas Hayom dedications in July were made by: • Arlene & Arthur Eis, in honor of the yahrtzeit of Arthur’s father, Philip Eis, Pinchas ben Yaakov Asher • Rachael Zuckerbrot & Jeffrey Kantowitz, in honor of the yahrtzeit of Rachel’s father, Yitzchak Alter ben Yechiel ha-Levi, Irving Zuckerbrot • Tamar & Yaacov Metzger, in honor of the yahrtzeit of Yaacov’s father, Eliezer ben Chaim Yitzchak • Meryl & David Rubin, in honor of the 20th yahrtzeit of David’s father, Abraham Rubin, Avraham Yitzchak ben Moshe • Lynn & Dov Silverberg, in memory of Dov’s mother, Leah bat Menachem Mendel • Phyllis & Sandy Zlotnick, in honor of the yahrtzeit of Sandy’s father, Chaim Zlotnick, ha-Rav Chaim ben ha-Rav Alexander
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Beth Aaron News donations to the RABBI’S DISCRETIONARY FUND Razel & Yosef Adler Elaine & Howard Alt Tamar Appel Justin Bocian Congregation Rinat Yisrael Congregation Shomrei Torah Carrie & Stanley Cooper, in honor of Gavriel and Shevi’s wedding, and in appreciation of Danny Chazin’s help Tal & Marc Felsen David First Sharon & Mitchell First Susan & Shalom Fisch Roz & Ira Friedman Menachem Genack Robert Greenberg Felicia & Steven Hoenig Elisa & Steven Kadish Zahava Kraus Rebecca & Jeremy Kurz Dena & Nosson Rich Miriam & Izzy Salomon Arlene & Michael Sand Chana Simmonds Aliza & David Simons Bonnie & Mark Sommer, in memory of Elliot Ross Yaffa & Mordechai Ungar
YAHRTZEIT DONATIONS • Bernice & Mishel Greenberg • Marlene Greenspan • Marcy & Jeff Manas
Yizkor DONATIONS • Sorah (Terry) Ruchlamer
donations to the Stanley Fisch Youth Fund
• Mollie Fisch, in honor of Judy Saden-Barach and David Barach, on the marriage of Gilad to Chev • Mollie Fisch, in honor of Esther & Myron Chaitovsky, on the birth of a granddaughter • Mollie Fisch, in honor of Shira & Rabbi Steve Golden, on Navah’s engagement to Adam Kerman • Mollie Fisch, in honor of Abby & Steve Leichman, on the birth of a granddaughter • Mollie Fisch, in honor of Marcia & Fred Schulman, on the marriage of Adina to Josh • Mollie Fisch, in honor of Marcia & Bob Trinz, on the birth of a granddaughter • Mollie Fisch, in honor of The Viswanath Family, on Arun’s marriage to Tali, and on Gitl’s achievement of completing the Yiddish dictionary • Mollie Fisch, in honor of Linda & George Weiss, on the birth of a granddaughter • Mollie Fisch, with condolences to Sam Berkowitz on the loss of his mother
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who to contact at BETH AARON
There are many Beth Aaron members who ensure that our davening, learning, activities, and other events all run smoothly. If you would like to become involved in or have a comment or suggestion related to a particular area, please contact the appropriate person, as indicated below. Area
Contact
Email Address
Bar/Bat Mitzvah Gifts
Judy Gellerstein
[email protected]
Provides gifts to our children becoming Bar and Bat Mitzvah
Calendar
Joel Richter
[email protected]
Responsible for the printed monthly calendar, including the zmanim
[email protected]
Assists with cemetery arrangements and the sale of BA cemetery plots at Riverside Cemetery, Saddle Brook, NJ
Cemetery
Louis Karp
Centerpiece Gemach
Michele Cooper
[email protected]
Contact for the rental of centerpieces, accent pieces, and artificial trees, with proceeds going to tzedakah
Chanukah Toy Drive
Evie Leifer
[email protected]
Coordinates the BA Chanukah toy drive
Chesed
Toby Feder
[email protected]
Coordinates members who require chesed with those who can offer chesed
Chevra Kadisha
Shelley Mermelstein
[email protected]
Performs Chevra Kadisha activities for BA
Financial Arrangements
David Barach
[email protected]
Assists with special financial arrangements
Fundraising/Parnas HaYom
Steve Hoenig
[email protected]
Responsible for all fundraising activities
Gabbai Main Minyan
David Horowitz
[email protected]
Responsible for allocating Shabbat Main Minyan kibbudim, including davening and aliyot
Gabbai Hashkama Minyan
Avi-Gil Chaitovsky/Josh Dubin
[email protected]
Responsible for allocating Shabbat Hashkama Minyan kibbudim, including davening and aliyot
High Holiday Seats
Micah Kaufman/Lenny Presby
[email protected]
Coordinates seats for the Yamim Noraim
House
Abe Leidner/Larry Kahn
[email protected]
Responsible for all day-to-day aspects of the building, including HVAC, lighting, grounds, etc.
Judaic Enrichment
Jeff Neugroschl/Josh Dubin
[email protected]
Responsible for Judaic Enrichment programming and sponsorships
Kiddush
Ari Gononsky
[email protected]
Responsible for all Shul Kiddushim and events serving food
Kol ha-Ne’arim Tallit
Myron Chaitovsky
[email protected]
Contact to add names to the Kol ha-Ne’arim Tallit or select a dedication.
Library
Mitch First/Josh Zakheim
[email protected]
Responsible for the upkeep of and donation to the library in the Beit Midrash
Lulavim
Rich Feldman
[email protected]
Responsible for ordering Etrog and Lulav sets
Membership/New Members
Sheryl Dubin
[email protected]
Responsible for welcoming new members to our Beit Knesset
Memorial Plaques
Aviva Leffel
[email protected]
Contact to order memorial plaques
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Men's Club
Moishe Singer
[email protected]
Responsible for Men’s Club programs, shul social activities and food projects
Mishebeirakhs
Moshe Teitelbaum
[email protected]
Contact for adding names to or removing names from the Mishebeirakh list
Mishmar
Chanani Sandler/Moishe Singer
[email protected]
Contact for questions about the Mishmar program and/or sponsoring a Mishmar session
NCSY
Rabbi Rael Blumenthal
[email protected]
Responsible for NCSY activities
Programming
Mordechai Ungar
[email protected]
Responsible for overall shul programming and ensuring there are no calendar conflicts
Reflector Belts
Harold Gellis
[email protected]
Contact to obtain reflector belts
Security
Yakov Eizik/David Fisher
[email protected]
Responsible for ensuring the security of the building and surroundings, as well as requesting grants relating to security
Seforim Repair
Mark Sommer
[email protected]
Contact for the repair of seforim
Seudah Shlishit
Sam Berkowitz
[email protected]
Responsible for Seudah Shlishit sponsorships
Sisterhood
Deena Fisher/Sari Samuel
[email protected]
Responsible for the shul Sisterhood, shul social activities and food projects, primarily for women
Teen Minyan
Moshe Kinderlehrer/Steve Knapp
[email protected]
Responsible for the Teen Minyan
Torah Reading Main Minyan
Daniel Chazin
[email protected]
Responsible for arranging for laining in the Main Minyan on Shabbat
Tree of Life
Aviva Leffel
[email protected]
Contact to dedicate Tree of Life leaves
Website/Technology
Moishe Singer
[email protected]
Responsible for the BA website infrastructure and maintenance
Welcome Baskets
Felicia Hoenig
[email protected]
Contact to advise of new families in the neighborhood so they can be welcomed
Yahrtzeit Calls
Mark Sommer
[email protected]
Responsible for calling members to notify them about yahrtzeits
Youth Department
Erica & Jason David
[email protected]
Responsible for BA youth programming
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WEEKLY SHIURIM
• Daf Yomi in Teaneck: For Daf Yomi shiurim and resources in Teaneck, go to www.teaneckshuls.org/daf/. • Daf Yomi shiur: Monday-Thursday evenings, at 9:45 p.m. • Tanya shiur by Rabbi Moshe Rosenberg: Tuesday evenings at 9:00 p.m. • Rabbi Rothwachs’ Sanhedrin shiur: ON HIATUS • Mishmar Program: ON HIATUS • Morning Mishna Chavura: Monday, Thursday: 6:55 a.m.; Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday: 7:00 a.m.
SHABBAT SHIURIM
• Daf Yomi: one hour and ten minutes before mincha • Women’s Learning: one hour and ten minutes before mincha • Meir Hirsch’s shiur: one hour before mincha
See someone, say something!
In order to continue making everyone feel our shul is a welcoming and open place, please make an extra effort to say “hi” to any new faces you may see. If you meet anyone new or know of anyone moving onto your block or into our area, please send an email to
[email protected] to ensure they are properly welcomed!
programming
Beth Aaron welcomes input from our shul members for ideas for improving/expanding current programming or instituting new programming. If you have an idea or programming suggestion, email
[email protected] or call Mordechai Ungar, 201-741-3920.
volunteering
There are many active committees at Congregation Beth Aaron and many opportunities to help our kehilla grow. We always are looking for people to volunteer their time and talents. It does not need to be a huge commitment, as even a few hours a week can have a tremendous impact. The VP of Programming, Men’s Club, and Sisterhood always appreciate volunteers and people with leadership qualities, too. To volunteer, contact the office,
[email protected], with your interests and skills.
CONDOLENCE CARDS
Sisterhood condolence cards are available from the office for $8 each or $50 for 10. To order, please contact Judi at the office,
[email protected], 201-836-6210.
CANDY BAGS
Sisterhood can arrange for bags of candy for smachot at a cost of $1 per bag. Two weeks’ notice is appreciated. To order the bags, please contact Lisa Breen, 201-966-8958.
TREE OF LIFE
The Tree of Life commemorates the birth of a child or grandchild, honors someone, or celebrates a marriage or other family simcha. Leaves on the Tree of Life are $100 each. For further information, please contact Aviva Leffel,
[email protected].
MEMORIAL PLAQUES
Memorial plaques commemorate the passing of a loved one and perpetuate his or her memory. Plaques are $350 each. For further information, contact Aviva Leffel,
[email protected], or Larry Kahn,
[email protected].
MOVIE RENTALS
The following movies are available for rent for a month at a time in exchange for making a donation to Congregation Beth Aaron. The titles from the Ma’aleh Film School of Jerusalem, are “Newspapers and Flowers,” “Shira,” “Prague,” and “The Divide.” Trailers can be viewed at www.maale.co.il/default.asp?PageID=74&CatID=1. Thanks to Mordechai Ungar, “Follow Me: The Yoni Netanyahu Story” also is available. To borrow the films, please contact Sandy Zlotnick,
[email protected].
NCSY
For information about NCSY events, or if you have questions, comments, or ideas, please mail
[email protected]. Join us on Facebook or email us,
[email protected]. 14
CHILDREN’S CORNER The Impact of our fighting by Gavriella Hagler “Morah Sandy!” Bracha yells, running over to the bench her counselor is sitting on. “Morah Sandy, Abby stole my gum!” Before Morah Sandy could respond, she heard screaming coming from behind her. “No, I didn’t!,” says Abby. “I already told you. My gum is from my bag!” “Nu-uh,” Bracha protests, crossing her arms over her chest. “Cuz you asked me if you could have a piece of my gum. Why would you ask me if you had your own gum?” “Because I forgot my mom put gum in my bag. I remembered after.” “That’s not true!,” Bracha whines. “Then how come I’m missing a piece? Huh? Before I had seven, and now I have six. Morah Sandy, she’s lying!” Abby shakes her head. “No! She’s lying!” Both girls stare at Morah Sandy, waiting to be told that they’re right. “Okay, guys, first let’s calm down. Before we continue, I think this is important enough for the whole bunk to hear.” Five minutes later, all of Bunk 1 was sitting on the bench.
***
“Ok, who knows what Tisha B’Av is?” Morah Sandy asks. Michael’s hand shoots up. “That’s a day when all the big kids don’t eat.” Morah Sandy nods. “That’s right. Can anybody add anything else?” No other hand goes up. “Tisha B’Av is a day when all the Jews fast to remember that we lost the first and second Beit ha-Mikdash. Tisha B’Av is a very sad day. Not only do we not eat, we also don’t wash or bathe, wear shoes, or put on lotions. Now who can tell me why the Beit ha-Mikdash was destroyed? Does anyone know?” “Maybe it’s because the Jews didn’t use enough cement or something so it fell down,” Roni guesses. Morah Sandy laughs. “Not quite, but a good guess. It was because the Jews weren’t getting along. Everyone was fighting with one another. So how can we learn from this?” Bracha and Abby share a quick glance and smile at one another. “We should share things with people,” Bracha says. “Like our gum.” “Yeah, and we should try not to get mad at each other. We should also be careful with our things and not blame people when we lose our stuff,” says Abby. Morah Sandy nods her head. “Very good. What else can we do to get along with each other?” Ari raises his hand. “Everyone should help one another. Like if you need help finding your goggles or putting on your shoe. Also, people should think of others and not themselves. So, like, if you were line leader yesterday, you should give someone else a turn the next day.” All the boys and girls in Bunk 1 nod in agreement. “That was beautiful, boys and girls!” says Morah Sandy. “Let’s all try to follow that advice and, hopefully, Mashiach and the third Beit ha-Mikdash will come soon!”
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CHILDREN’S CORNER word search by Gavriella Hagler
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AUGUST BUILDING CAMP DESTRUCTION DRINKS FASTING FIRST FOOD
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FRIENDS GUM JEWS LOTION OILS SECOND SHARING SHOES
CHILDREN’S CORNER Word Unscramble by Gavriella Hagler
1. idfren
_____________________________________________________
2. ifsangt
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3. esrmum
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4. ehoss
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5. oliotn
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6. bhiatgn
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7. getgnti lgona
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8. acmp
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9. das
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10. rmbeeerm
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11. iuedbrl
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12. oofd
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13. kidnr
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14. niihgftg
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LAMDEINU CLASSES, INCLUDING SPECIAL HIGH HOLIDAY SESSIONS, START AGAIN IN SEPTEMBER. CHECK WWW.LAMDEINU.ORG FOR DETAILS
Summer learning at Lamdeinu
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BETH AARON MEN’S CLUB KIDDUSH and the hashkama kiddush “society” As part of our ongoing effort to further the friendliness of Beth Aaron, we are happy to provide our weekly kiddushim. Kiddushim are held weekly, except when there are private events or rentals in the Social Hall. The Men’s Club is pleased to offer four options ( see below) for kiddushim, both single-sponsored as well as multi-sponsored. Our standard weekly kiddush is the “Weekly Cold Kiddush.” WEEKLY KIDDUSHIM: Weekly dairy cold kiddushim with chips, cookies, and soda. Become a Mezonot sponsor for only $54 or a L’Chaim sponsor for $100. If you are celebrating a simcha, commemorating a yahrtzeit, or simply want to say “thank you,” consider sponsoring an upcoming kiddush. Visit our website to sponsor. If you have any questions, contact Ari Gononsky,
[email protected]. It is hard to believe that the Hashkama Minyan Kiddush “Society” will be starting its fourth year. This true partnership between the mitpalilim of the Hashkama Minyan and the Men’s Club has allowed approximately 36 Kiddushim to be held following Hashkama. As interest increases in holding Hashkama Kiddushim, please note this updated information: • Hashkama Minyan Kiddush “Society” annual membership is $54. This fund allows us to ensure there is at least one monthly hot Kiddush following the Hashkama minyan. • Members of the “Society” who would like to enhance an already scheduled Kiddush can do so for an additional donation of $72. Enhancements can include salads, noodles, herring, etc. Contact
[email protected] at least one week prior to the Kiddush. • The cost of sponsoring a standard hot Hashkama Kiddush on a week that is not a “Society” Kiddush is $360. There also is an enhanced option for $500. Thank you again to everyone who has joined this partnership; we truly appreciate it. For more information, please contact Ari Gononsky or Moishe B. Singer,
[email protected].
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Join Grillmasters David Goldberg and Larry Kahn as we celebrate the completion of מסכת תענית by special guest star Rabbi Daniel Rosen $36 gets you a succulent selection of freshly grilled sausages alongside traditional BBQ sides Wednesday August 10th @ 7pm Poolside at the Goldbergs 180 Cherry Lane
This is an event for men only 21
http://www.bethaaron.org/event/siyumsausage
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PROFILE: Ellen & George Friedman (continued from page 3) and their children. Their support for our family has made a great difference in the way George and I have grown spiritually.” Encouraging new neighbors to become new members is easy, according to the couple. All you would need to say is “Walk in on a Shabbat and hear the quiet during the davening. Listen to Rabbi Rothwachs speak, and inevitably there will be some part of that speech that you will take home to discuss at your Shabbat table. Come to the Kiddush after shul and see how long people are standing around trying to catch up with their friends. Shul ends, but people are talking for at least 45 minutes after shul, because they don’t want to leave each other. “Read the shul’s weekly newsletter. You will find an activity, a class, a program for you and your family. “Finally, ask Rabbi Rothwachs a shayla. He is a remarkably humble leader and will answer you with all his brilliance, his spirituality and his heart.” When the couple was first married, George was working full time and going to law school at night. It was at that point that Ellen began to realize that life was going to be very lonely if she didn’t get out and make friends. “I went to my first Sisterhood meeting, and the rest is history,” she reminisced. “If you ever want to make friends, go to a Sisterhood meeting, raise your hand, and say ‘I want to volunteer.’ No doubt, you will bewelcomed back again, and again, and again.” Ellen has worked on many projects for the shul, including fundraising for Sisterhood, serving on the shul Board, and working on the negotiation committee for Rabbi Kanarfogel’s contract. “When our shul decided to go on several missions to Israel, I usually took care of organizing the chesed components of our trips,” she said. “Children wrote letters or decorated pictures to give to soldiers. Toiletries were collected to be distributed to soldiers. Children’s winter clothes were brought the first winter after the expulsion of the families from Gush Katif.” More recently, she has redecorated the Mommy and Me room, with the help of custodian Alberto Villafane. Her latest project, along with Toby Eizik, is creating a memorable tallit for the Kol ha-Ne’arim project. “I told you, once you go to a Sisterhood meeting and say ‘I’d like to volunteer,’ the volunteering never ends.” George, too, has been active in synagogue life. Over the many years of their membership he has served on the shul Board, the Seudah Shlishit Committee (25 years), the Bikkur Cholim Committee, and the Simchat Torah Kiddush Committee. Using his professional expertise, he also chaired a Constitution Revision Task Force. A lawyer, as well as an arbitration and mediation expert and consultant, George chairs the Board of Directors of Arbitration Resolution Services, Inc. (“ARS”). He “retired” – for about a month – in 2013 as FINRA’s Executive Vice President and Director of Arbitration. He previously held a variety of positions of responsibility at the American Arbitration Association. George also is an Adjunct Professor of Law at Fordham Law School, where he has taught arbitration for 20 years. George says that his name in Native American is “Wearing Many Hats.” And that Teaneck means “Place with Many Kosher Establishments.” Ellen was a teacher in the Teaneck public schools before she became a pre-school teacher in several of the Jewish schools in Bergen County. She retired from the Rosenbaum Yeshiva of North Jersey 13 years ago. She worked in the children’s department at Barnes and Noble and has had several businesses, all related to art. She has created chuppot, tefillin bags, and challah covers. In addition, she has taught art privately and through after-school programs. When the work on the Kol ha-Ne’arim tallit is completed, she plans to return to working on her own fine arts projects. As a child, Ellen lived first in Bayside, NY, and then New Hyde Park, NY. George was born in Brooklyn, but lived in Douglaston, Queens from the time he was 2. They grew up three miles apart, they noted, but didn’t meet until 1971, working as camp counselors. They feel incredibly lucky to have their children and grandchildren so close, as well as Ellen’s parents, Bernice & Mishel Greenberg, who also are members of Beth Aaron and live just a few blocks away from the Friedmans (and across the street from the Rabbi and Chaviva). George’s Mom still lives in the house in which he grew up. Their daughter Leyna is married to Jarred Goro and lives in Teaneck with their children, two boys and a girl. Their son Mikki lives in Fair Lawn with his wife Rachel, and their two children, a boy and a baby girl. Their son Ben and his wife Allison live in Fair Lawn, around the corner from Mikki. “Everyone lives nearby, and we see our parents, kids and grandkids all the time. That’s four generations. It’s a bracha,” George said. MONTHLY REVIEW: JuLY at congregation beth aaron (continued from page 2) book with Jewish content; all women in the shul are invited to read the title and join in the conversation. In addition to the discussion, the event offers snacks and an opportunity to meet new people and shmooze with old friends. They are a respectful group that always welcomes your comments and questions about the book. The more opinions, the better! Please come and share yours! • Prior to Mincha on Shabbat, July 30, Rabbi Rothwachs gave a shiur on “The Most Fascinating Shailot of the Past Year” (for the benefit of those who were unable to attend this shiur on the first night of Shavuot). The questions he discussed included whether one who regularly takes Ritalin may do so even on Shabbat, whether a lost ketubah must be replaced immediately, how one should relate to a parent who unfortunately has dementia, whether (under special circumstances) one may recite a bracha over food that may not be entirely kosher, whether one need be concerned that a kallah has the same name as her mother-in-law, the extent to which a cemetery monument must be inscribed in Hebrew, and whether permanent skin coloring comes within the prohibition of tatooing (ketovet kahkah). • Following Mincha on Shabbat, July 30, Rabbi Rothwachs gave a shiur entitled “Know Your Place: Changing One’s Seat in Shul During Aveilut.” The shiur explored the different approaches regarding the question of whether an avel should change his seat in shul on Shabbat, or only during the week. Among the issues considered was whether there is any basis for allowing a public display of aveilut on Shabbat, as well as whether changing one’s seat is actually a manifestation of aveilut (after all, one may decide to change one’s seat for many other reasons). The shiur concluded with an explanation of the shul’s minhag that an avel does change his seat, even on Shabbat, but only during the first 30 days of aveilut (shloshim). 23
A TRIP TO GERMANY (continued from page 6) The Berlin neighborhood that had the most Jews just before WWII was a mostly a Bohemian, intellectual-type neighborhood. It now has eighty metal signs posted above the street signs, illustrating the proclamations against rights of Jews and the date each was implemented. Each sign features a brightly colored Andy Warhol-type pictogram on one side and the explanation on the other, such as “As of this date, Jews are forbidden to have –” telephones, or gramophones, or schooling, etc. This attention to restoring Jewish rights does not always translate into a pro-Israel attitude among those living in Germany now, although we did not hear or see anything negative. However, one of our Berlin guides, a thirtysomething Israeli, said that in his age group among the intelligentsia, he hears no overt anti-Semitism, but he does hear criticism of Israel. It seems they swallow the anti-Israel Kool Aid. Maybe the terrible local attacks will cause them to re-think; who knows? There is a cemetery in Mainz that has 23,000 small name plaques going round and round the outer wall alphabetically for a square block, with the name of each Jew who fell in the Holocaust – it tears your kishkas out to see them all. We interacted with small and larger Jewish communities, all struggling to make their way. Young people feel there is a future, older people wonder whether there is. Small pockets of Orthodoxy grow slowly, and large numbers of secular Jews abound, because all of Europe is secular now. Yes, there are Liberal synagogues, including a large one in Berlin. But even the non-observant Jews, especially the Russians, want an Orthodox shul where they find somewhat familiar practices that they don’t necessarily want to observe. We met dedicated young Rabbinic couples who give their all to build and teach. Our local guide Gabrielle had just been charged to establish a Jewish education system in Frankfurt. The whole scene is impressive, yet so paradoxical. These communities desperately need our chizuk and our friendship, they are our brothers and sisters, and they need our moral support. In contrast, Mr. and Mrs. Bleiburg, the restaurateurs in Berlin where we ate well, are a German-born couple in their mid to late 60s, and are beginning to feel there is no future in Germany, with the low interest in religious practice among the entire population, combined with the new immigrants, taught from birth to hate Jews, who are pouring in. The Jewish and the Muslim populations are apparently the only ones having children, as compared to the others, who reproduce at less than the population maintenance rate. I suspect Europe won’t be Europe in the next generation – but then, maybe Mashiach will come first. I came back enthused with what I had seen and learned, and I am glad I went. But as the experience gels in my mind and heart, I cannot help but remember the centuries-old panorama just reinforced in my mind, that was repeated over and over – a period of quiet followed by a pogrom, often followed by expulsion – but not before those Jews were forced to clean up and pay for the mess their tormentors caused – and then a vacuum. “What will we do without our Jews?” the townspeople asked, time and again. “They really were vital to our economy and welfare.” Eventually, there was an invitation to return, and so the Jews went back, I guess because a Jew always has hope, and no place throughout those centuries guaranteed a safer or more permanent home. And now what? Germany has indeed made a yeoman effort to repent and repair, but will tomorrow be different? One couple we spoke with worries about the influx of immigrants from a culture of hatred for Jews, and for Christians as well. And what about the indigenous population? Will it even last? Birthrates are very low, not even Zero Population Growth (ZPG). Will history repeat, perhaps in a new guise? It always has…. And what about us? Be-ezrat Hashem, we finally have the zechut to have a home of our own. With the help of the Ribono shel Olam, we must be diligent to keep Israel strong and secure despite every challenge we may have to confront. That is our priority, but we must never fail to protect and help our mishpacha wherever they are.
THE ROAD TO ALIYAH (continued from page 5) When queried about the overall reactions of their families and friends to their decision to make Aliyah, their answers ranged from resigned to the inevitable to very supportive. Even family members who were hesitant at first have now become fully supportive and intend to visit often. What are they looking toward in this great move? For the Bienenfelds, it will be raising their children in a Hebrew environment that will become their native language for life. Their studies of Tanach and Jewish history will be in their native tongue, which will make it all come alive and be that much more meaningful. They have no doubt that for themselves and their children, Israel is “the best place to be.” For the Moskowitzes, who significantly will be landing in Israel on their wedding anniversary, living in a country where Shabbat and Chagim will be theirs to celebrate openly without compromise is one of the primary perks. They look forward to a simpler lifestyle in terms of material possessions, complemented with the more meaningful ability to tour the country from top to bottom. For both couples, the word that most often surfaced was that they are making Aliyah on August 16, to begin a new life guided by a big dose of EMUNAH! Hatzlacha Rabba!
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