In my early twenties, I managed one of my family’s stores. On slow days, or when I had downtime, I would visit a fellow shopkeeper across the street to shoot the breeze. He was a community member, about 25 years my senior, from a different generation, yet we enjoyed each other’s company and got along despite the differences. Our conversations would always start the same, “So, how’s business?”
As we grew more comfortable with each other, we covered an array of subjects such as politics, religion, and life. The more we spoke, the more I admired him, both for his knowledge and his insightful wisdom.
One day, I walked into his store, and announced that I had become engaged the night before. After a congratulatory hug, I shared the exciting details, then asked, “Joseph, if you could give me only one piece of advice to take into my marriage, what would it be?” And without missing a beat, came the surprising answer, “Every Friday, without fail, be sure to bring home an arrangement of flowers.”
It was a simple answer to a complex question and I suppose I looked puzzled. So, he continued, “Doing this will help you remember the value of three important things: Shabbat, Hashem’s beauty in nature and the love you feel for your wife.”
It wasn’t the answer I expected, so I changed the subject. However, later on, I found myself following his advice, if only because buying flowers seemed like the right thing to do. It became part of my Friday afternoon routine. I would buy them from street corner vendors, or I would chose a convenient flower shop on the way home. I adopted the habit and it stuck. I didn’t think much about why I was buying them, or my old friend’s advice, I just did it.
I am now approaching the age that my shopkeeper friend was when he planted this seed of advice in me, and I believe I finally see exactly what he meant. Over the last year, I find myself driving to the other side of town on Friday afternoons to pick up flowers—and it’s all starting to make sense.
I walk into the small flower shop and as the proprietors—a lovely husband and wife team—prepare my arrangement, we make small talk about how welcome this Shabbat will be after such a hectic work week. I am reminded of the tranquility and calm that the fast approaching Shabbat will bring, and I smile, realizing that my friend was right.
As the door closes behind me, I’m struck by the fragrant botanical scents, brilliant variety of colors and characteristics of the lush collection of flowers before me. Once again, the man was on the mark, I am reminded of Hashem’s beauty in nature.
As I inhale and savor the scent of my selection, I’m imagining the look on my wife’s face when she sees this week’s choice of flowers—and my friend’s advice becomes clear, for I remember again how much I love my wife.
It took nearly 25 years to understand, but now I know—sometimes it’s the simple things in life that can be the most extraordinary.q
One hundred years ago two small local synagogues combined to form Or Ve Shalom (which means Light and Peace). Congregation Ahavath Shalom was founded in 1910 and Or Hachiam in 1912. The names were combined to form Or Ve Shalom. The congregation has decided to celebrate this significant anniversary with a year long series of spiritual, educational, fund raising and entertaining events.
Congregants are primarily from Rhodes and Turkey, but Jews, who can trace their roots to North Africa, the Middle East, Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union are also members.
The synagogue and its members have a rich history and tradition of serving the Jewish community and the city of Atlanta. Many of us are familiar with the family names Arogetti, Alhadeff, Benator, Capeluto, Franco, Habiff, Maslia, Shemaria and Tourial among many others. Those families are as committed to Jewish values today as in the past.
The kickoff event for this year of celebration was an address by Rabbi Marc Angel. He is Rabbi Emeritus of Congregation Shearith Israel, the historic Spanish/Portuguese Synagogue in New York City, whose origins date back to 1656.
Born in Seattle’s Sephardic community, his family’s roots are from Turkey and Rhodes; he grew up in a Ladino speaking home. He received a BS, MS, PhD, Th.D
honors causa and a rabbinal semicha from Yeshevia University. As if those degrees were not impressive enough, he also earned an MA in English Literature.
Rabbi Angel was the spiritual leader of the congregation until 2007, when he established the Institute for Jewish Ideas and Ideals; an organization focused on fostering an intellectually vibrant, compassionate and inclusive Orthodox view of Judaism.
He has written more than 30 books and scores of enlightening and stimulating articles; his awards, honors and achievements are too numerous to list.
Rabbi Angel’s address to Or Ve Shalom was entitled Applauding the Past, Appreciating the Present, and Planning the Future.
In his address, he said many profound things, including: we have a unique rich history and culture and our lives resound with the voices and teachings of our ancestors.
Prior generations, while often not highly educated were wise, brave, bold people who loved life, lived with risk and were optimistic for their future. Our current generation, while highly educated, can learn much from reflecting on the lives of our ancestors.
Our roots have an impact on our lives today, far more than we realize. Judaism is flexible enough to withstand honest, sincere different points of view. Judaism welcomes a variety of viewpoints and encourages discussion.
We should not be judgmental toward other Jews and their religious practices, but seek to be understanding and inclusive.
Each Jew, with a sincere point of view, can make a contribution.
The challenge is to maintain a balance, adhering to old values while assimilating into the new culture. Over time, some old world practices and values are lost, but there is value in maintaining our links with the past.
Judaism is not meant to be a burden but a blessing. Its teachings and values are meant to enrich, guide and empower our lives.
Rules are offered to provide society with order and reduce chaos. Our lives are empowered and enhanced as we are more productive and we benefit society. We are taught how to appreciate the seemingly mundane parts of life and to recognize the miracle of our lives and all around us.
While a devout and committed Orthodox Jew, Rabbi Angel sees our Creator as a loving, kind, compassionate Father who, on occasion, needs to redirect our path.
He stressed that each Jew should strive to find a place in the Jewish community that is right for him. And from that point, he can begin to grow his Jewish values, education, and understanding. People should not feel intimidated by the synagogue process or its practices.
Two life lessons that Rabbi Kassorla of Or Ve Shalom learned while a student of Rabbi Angel were: Each time you teach, teach something new so that your efforts will impart enthusiasm and recognize and acknowledge the efforts of those who work on behalf of the community.
My own Jewish roots are similar to Rabbi Angel, my father, Sam Shams, was born in Beirut and my mother, Sylvia Levy, was born in Damascus. I was raised in a Syrian/Lebanese culture but attended an Ashkenazi synagogue in Pensacola, Florida.
We are looking forward to many more anniversary events.
There are action heroes, superheroes, and everyday heroes. Then there are those, like Eli Beer, founder and head of United Hatzalah of Israel, who seem to embody a little of all three.
Mr. Beer, 40, traveled from Israel recently to visit Bergen County as part of an ongoing crusade to promote the rapid-response EMS model that has allowed United Hatzalah to save thousands of lives throughout the Jewish state. It is the same model he has helped implement in Panama, Brazil and, soon, India, as well.
United Hatzalah is an independent, non-profit, fully volunteer-based team of emergency medical technicians who deliver fast, free first-response throughout the Jewish state. The volunteers work in what might be called a “pre-ambulance” capacit
Working with Ambulances
In Israel, emergency calls are placed to a central 911-like number and then a United Hatzalah volunteer is located via a GPS-enabled phone. The volunteer might be anywhere, from a yeshivah library to a restaurant or even in his office, when the call comes in, but when it does, he drops everything to attend to the emergency. Once the ambulance arrives, the volunteer’s job is over and he can return to his regular job or the library or the café.
According to Mr. Beer, sometimes the volunteer plays an equally important role by calling off the ambulance if it has been summoned and no longer needed.
“This frees the limited number of ambulances in Israel to respond more rapidly to true emergencies,” said Mr. Beer.
Some of the close to 2,300 United Hatzalah volunteers are paramedics, physicians, or nurses. All are trained EMTs, certified by the Israeli Ministry of Health after undergoing 200 hours of rigorous course work, practical training, and ongoing active duty.
As a group, they are on-call 24/7 to respond to more than 200,000 emergencies each year, and the number is climbing. It is estimated that 25% of the calls are for critical lifesaving situations.
Cooperation
While United Hatzalah serves the entire country of Israel, including all areas of Judea and Samaria, it is not always the only such emergency service called into action. Hatzalah Yehuda v’Shomron, for example, is a small local unit which serves only that area and is not connected to the larger organization. Nevertheless, according to Juli Kristof, a United Hatzalah spokeswoman, when the situation arises, volunteers from both organizations meet in the field and work effectively together.
“Both organizations provide critical lifesaving services to residents of the area,” said Ms. Kristof.
That cooperation frequently makes the difference between life nd death, especially after a terrorist attack, according to Yehudit Tayar, a volunteer with Hatzalah Yehuda v’Shomron. In the disputed areas, volunteers frequently work alongside the IDF, Israel Air Force’s Airborne Rescue, and security officers and personnel.
Ambucycle
In NJ, Mr. Beer met with Bergen County Executive Kathleen Donovan. He then toured the county’s EMS Training Center in Paramus and addressed the future EMTs.
“You can and will save lives,” Mr. Beer told the students. “You’re young. Your whole lives are ahead of you. If your dream is like mine— and that dream is to help people—then chase it. Go out there, save lives, and do good.”
It is no wonder the students were impressed. Mr. Beer had motored to Bergen County from his Manhattan hotel on a United Hatzalah “ambucycle,” a souped-up motor scooter used by United Hatzalah volunteers when they need to traverse Israel’s traffic-choked streets while rushing to victims. The organization’s nearly 250 ambucycles are outfitted with trauma kits, defibrillators, and other emergency supplies.
Less Than 3 Minutes
In Israel, the ambucycles’ average response time is less than three minutes. Most ambulances take more than three times as long.
“Receiving initial treatment within five minutes of an incident assures a higher chance of survival in critical situations and speedier recovery in many other injuries and sicknesses,” said Mr. Beer.
“In fact, brain and heart death start to occur in four to six minutes after the onset of cardiac arrest, and a victim’s chances of survival are reduced by 7 to 10% with every minute that passes without defibrillation and advanced life support intervention,” he said.
Mike Taratino, director of the Bergen County EMS Training Center, called Mr. Beer’s visit an eye-opener and an honor.
“I hope it is the start of a relationship between us and him, a working relationship that I sincerely hope to build upon in the months ahead. Who knows where all of this will eventually lead?” he said.
Trauma-Inspired
As part of Mr. Beer’s visit, Ms. Donovan, Mr. Taratino, and the students learned about the founding of United Hatzalah.
On June 2, 1978, Mr. Beer was a five-year-old returning from school to his Jerusalem home on a Friday afternoon when the #12 bus exploded, its passengers victims of a terrorist suicide bomber. He has never forgotten the chaos of the incident, the wounded lying prone on the street, bloodied and begging for help, and the relative paucity of emergency rescue resources.
“I ran away that day out of fear, but I decided that, someday, I would make it my business—my dream—to help the people I wasn’t prepared to help on that day. I knew I would become an EMT,” he said.
True to his dream, at 14, still in school and working part-time in his family’s book and real estate businesses, he joined Jerusalem’s EMT squad.
Unnecessary Death
He still remembers the emergency call he received concerning a young Jerusalem boy who was choking on a hotdog. Caught in a Jerusalem traffic jam, Mr. Beer arrived 20 minutes after the call came in—too late to save the boy. A doctor working in the house adjacent to the boy’s knew nothing about the emergency next door until he saw the lights on Mr. Beer’s ambulance.
“If the doctor had known what was happening in the next-door home, he could have saved the boy, and he would be alive today,” said Mr. Beer.
Determined to establish a more flexible system to improve emergency response times, Mr. Beer, at the age of 17, began to organize a Hatzalah organization in Jerusalem based on the models he had seen in the US.
New Equipment
Mr. Beer’s new unit purchased its own communication gear, medical equipment, and supplies, and managed to get funding from the community.
Eventually, he forged a connection with NowForce, a Maryland-based high-tech company that was created to keep emergency response and security organizations connected, thereby minimizing response times and maximizing situational awareness.
NowForce created a GPS app which is loaded onto all United Hatzalah volunteers’ Smartphones. When an emergency call is fielded in Israel, this app locates the nearest five United Hatzalah volunteers, all of whom receive a “ping” followed by instructions. The volunteers then hop onto their ambucycles to respond to the victim’s location.
“Every town in the world should have this app,” Mr. Beer told Ms. Donovan. “Imagine if every nurse, doctor, EMT in the county had this app and knew when an emergency was occurring and where. If they were close, they could respond. They could arrive before the regular EMTs. They could save more lives.”
On several occasions, Mr. Beer stressed that the United Hatzalah model is not intended to replace traditional ambulance squads. Its function is to assist and act in tandem with them.
“It took a while in Israel because the EMT squads thought we were encroaching on their turf,” he told Ms. Donovan. “But now we work like a hand in a glove with them.”
Goal Is 90 Seconds
Mr. Beer is well aware that there is more to be done if he is to meet his goal of reducing United Hatzalah’s response time to under 90 seconds. First, it will require doubling his current ambucycle fleet, and each unit costs $26,000.
Because the organization charges no fees and receives no compensation, it must rely wholly on grants and donations. While the Israeli government provides limited funding and local municipalities provide some project-related support, the majority of United Hatzalah’s budget is funded by individuals and foundations in Israel and abroad.
The organization’s budget last year was $3.5 million, of which approximately 92.4% went directly to services, including training, vehicles, equipment, and volunteer activities. Approximately 7.6% was applied to management of the organization.
A detailed account of projects and ways to help can be found on the organization’s website, www.IsraelRescue.org. In the US, Friends of United Hatzalah, a tax-exempt organization, can be reached at 646-833-7108.
“We need help. Nothing worthwhile or important or even essential gets done by one person alone, or even 2,300 volunteers. There are lives at stake and people lost every day that we can save,” said Mr. Beer.
SUCCESS OF FELDER’S TRANSPORTATION LAW
As his after 4 pm school bus program entered its second year, Senator Simcha Felder attended a workshop for non-public schools to discuss how the state’s education budget impacts the non-public school community. Assemblywoman Helene Weinstein and Assemblyman Dov Hikind joined him.
Approximately 70 schools were represented at the meeting, which was held at Ateres Chaya Hall in Borough Park.
Last March, the New York State Legislature passed Felder’s historic legislation, which made public, private and parochial schools, that hold academic classes from 9:30 am or earlier until 4 pm or later, eligible to receive pick-up and drop-off bus service within 600 feet of their students’ homes.
An initial allocation of $12 million had been earmarked for this initiative, but due to the program’s popularity, a total of $23 million in permanent funding has been made available.
“Getting this legislation passed was not only a matter of safety for me, but of equity,” Felder said. “For far too long, the city and state had denied our children bus service. My legislation has resulted in direct savings to parents and yeshivot.”
Senator Felder also addressed the education tax credit bill he is championing. “Yeshivot as a whole would have received $75 million in funding in the first year had it been implemented. That number would increase to $113 million and $150 million in the second and third years under the tax credit proposal,” he said.
“There’s still a glimmer of hope that we may get the education tax credit bill passed before the end of session. I will continue to fight until it is signed into law, and tuition-paying families get some of the relief they deserve,” he concluded.
FATAL COLLISION
Two vehicles collided in Marine Park, resulting in the deaths of Philbert Martin Williams, 20, and his 18 year old passenger, Christina Wipper.
The accident happened at the intersection of Flatbush Avenue and Avenue U, shortly before 6:40 pm. Williams’ car collided with an SUV that was making a turn. He was driving nearly 100 mph heading south on Flatbush Avenue and ran a red light at the intersection. The SUV was turning left onto Avenue U from Flatbush.
Williams passed away at Coney Island Hospital, Christina Wipper died at the scene of the accident. Two occupants of the SUV suffered minor injuries. They were taken to Kings County Hospital.
A horrific video, recorded by a security camera, provided a clear view of the intersection. Williams’ car flashed into view for a split second before the terrible impact. Afterwards, the car spun out and hit a telephone pole. Firefighters had to use tools to cut into the roof of the mangled car. Shortly thereafter, the NYPD announced that police officers would be cracking down on speeding drivers, citywide.
ENDING GUN VIOLENCE IN CONEY ISLAND
Councilman Mark Treyger was joined, at the corner of West 31st Street and Mermaid Avenue in Coney Island, by Congressman Hakeem Jeffries, Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams, Assemblyman Alec Brook-Kransy, Council Member Jumaane Williams, the Coney Island Anti-Violence Collaborative and concerned residents. The gathering was to denounce the gun violence that continues to plague the community.
Two individuals had been shot in that very spot, the day before, in broad daylight. “The fact that yet another shooting occurred in the middle of our community—on a weekend afternoon—is another reminder of the need to make ending gun violence in Coney Island a major priority for our city. We have a crisis that needs to be addressed through better education, job opportunities, security initiatives, expanded community programs and other resources. I will continue to stand with my partners in Coney Island, as we work to provide all residents with alternatives to crime and violence. We must end this epidemic,” said Treyger.
He went on to highlight his wide-ranging initiatives and proposals to help greatly reduce gun violence in Coney Island. He is calling on a number of city agencies to come together and create a comprehensive, all-out campaign to reach this goal, including more police resources, additional Parks Enforcement Officers dedicated to Coney Island’s boardwalk and amusement area, to relieve pressure from the 60th Precinct and allow its officers to focus on the residential areas.
Councilman Treyger is forming a neighborhood clergy council to bring together religious leaders from throughout Coney Island to develop programs and strategies to end the violence. The launch of this effort will be expedited in light of the recent shootings.
“We need to stop the flood of guns onto our streets. I don’t believe that this is a reflection on the community of Coney Island or Brooklyn. This rally shows that everyday citizens are coming together to say they don’t accept what happened. This is a signal that Coney Island is not going to accept these acts of violence,” said Brooklyn Borough President Adams.
“We need to show our kids that there is light at the end of the tunnel. We have so many great organizations in Coney Island,” added Assemblyman Brook-Krasny.
THE 34TH BROOKLYN HALF MARATHON
More than 25,000 runners participated in the 34th Annual Brooklyn Half Marathon. The race began in Prospect Park; participants walked, jogged, and ran to Ocean Parkway, then continued to Coney Island.
There was tight security, and plenty of volunteers were on hand to help those overcome by exhaustion. All was going well, until an unidentified man collapsed at the finish line. On-site medical practitioners tended to him, then he was taken to Coney Island Hospital. Sadly, he passed away some time later. His name was not released and there is no word as to what caused his death.
IMPROVING TRAFFIC SAFETY
At the reopening of the rebuilt Hamilton Avenue asphalt plant in Brooklyn, alongside his commissioner of Design and Construction Feniosky Pena-Mora, Mayor de Blasio said he will repave 1,000 miles of streets and repair more than 400,000 potholes, to improve traffic safety in the city.
“This is a major investment in infrastructure,” he said. The $25 million rebuilt plant will help increase the Department of Transportation’s asphalt production and recycling capacity.
De Blasio has allocated more than $226 million in capital funds to repave city streets, and $670 million to completely reconstruct streets in areas affected by Hurricane Sandy.
Officials acknowledged that filling potholes serves as a temporary fix until the street is completely reconstructed, but, de Blasio added, “in many cases a pothole being filled is the right answer.”
Rachel Ament noticed that she and her friends often shared humorous anecdotes that were typically variations on a theme: overprotective, worrying Jewish moms who smothered them with love. That included Ament’s own mother. “My mom is probably every Jewish stereotype scrunched into one,” the Washington, DC, resident said. “At the root of all these stereotypical, worrying, overprotective moms, is love.”
Ament, a freelance writer, decided about three years ago that it would be fun to invite Jewish women writers she admires—mostly bloggers, stand-up comics, and actors—to contribute stories about their mothers for an anthology. The result, “The Jewish Daughter Diaries: True Stories of Being Loved Too Much by Our Moms,” features 27 essays and is set for release just in time for Mother’s Day. The youngest contributor is writer Lauren Yapalater, 24; the oldest is stand-up comedian Wendy Liebman, 53.
In putting the collection together, Ament contacted about 40 writers including, actress Mayim Bialik, producer Jena Friedman, and playwright Deb Margolin, who were all happy to contribute.
Many of the essays focus on dating and a Jewish mother’s strong desire to see her daughter married. That includes Ament’s chapter, “Seth Cohen Is the One for You,” in which she states her certainty that all Jewish women carry a particular chromosome for match making.
Ament said, “I was in second grade when my mother would point out different boys in the carpool lane at my school insisting that they were meant for me.” No matter that at the time, Ament wasn’t yet interested in boys.
Among Ament’s favorite essays is one by Lauren Greenberg. When Greenberg turned 30, her mother created a JDate profile for her. She didn’t follow up with any of the men her mother had pre-screened, although she concedes that it is “something I now regret. My mother put a lot of effort into screening potential sons-in-law and all I did was roll my eyes at her.”
Greenberg, however, figures she might have a second chance. “Maybe this year, I’ll send a video to ABC, explaining why I should be the next Bachelorette,” she said with a smile.
Ament doesn’t worry about perpetuating stereotypes with her book. “I don’t think as a culture we should ever be scared to talk about ourselves, to talk about our identity, but I do think we should be careful about how we talk about it, and talk about it in a very full, multidimensional way.”
While Jewish mothers in the past were often ridiculed and demonized, Ament said the writers in her book portray their moms in a very loving, heartfelt, affectionate way.
Not all the essays focus on mothers. Sometimes it’s a grandmother, such as blogger Almie Rose’s 5-foot-1, feisty Oma, a Holocaust survivor and “slip of a thing” who was “bawdy, blunt and sarcastic. But on the opposite side of that fire and sarcasm was a fierce love for her children and grandchildren,” Rose wrote in her essay. “Oma’s love was immense and unconditional.”
Then there’s Kerry Cohen, a child of bitter divorce, who looks to her grandmother as a model for relationships. “My grandmother could teach me things when it came to men,” Cohen wrote. “It wasn’t just because she’d been married for 57 years to a man who adored her until the end. It’s that her standards were so much higher than mine.”
“The Jewish Daughter Diaries: True Stories of Being Loved Too Much by Our Moms,”is sure to put a smile on your face.
The peace process in Israel that had been reinvigorated for the last nine months has reached a new dead end now that Fatah and Hamas have made a unity agreement. A senior Palestinian official said recently that the reconciliation between Fatah and Hamas does not signal an end to the peace process and that “any agreement signed between the Palestinian Authority and Israel will include the Gaza Strip.” The official is claiming that the agreement will be a positive step in the direction of a peace agreement with Israel. “This provides an answer to all those in Israel who claimed you could not reach a peace agreement as long as the PA did not control Gaza,” the source said. Officials in the Israeli government initially stated that the reconciliation move by Abbas indicated the end of the peace process.
Justice Minister Tzipi Livni, the government’s chief negotiator, said the agreement was a “very problematic development which harms peace talks. In light of the new situation, Israel must examine its implications, and consider its next steps accordingly.” But other officials in Jerusalem were not convinced that the reconciliation effort was sincere. “You need to wait and see what happens now,” said one Israeli source. “We have seen such moves in the past; it may all be a charade.”
Dore Gold, who is considered a close personal advisor of President Netanyahu called the agreement between Hamas and Fatah a game changer. He said, “Hamas is recognized by the world as an international terrorist organization; by the European Union, by the United States, by Canada and many others. And PA head Mahmoud Abbas has been working very hard with Secretary of State John Kerry, as our Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has worked hard, and all of a sudden, it seems that in the last month, Abbas just simply does not want a negotiated solution. He said ‘no’ to President Obama. He said ‘no’ to even discussing with Israel in the future the possibility of them recognizing Israel as the nation-state of the Jewish people—we’re asked to recognize a Palestinian state—and now he turns to hug Hamas. He wants a deal with Hamas and doesn’t want peace, and that’s a tragic development.”
“While the PA can hire some suits to talk about making peace, Hamas is in the back room controlling things,” he explained.
Asked if the peace process is dead, Gold said it is still possible to revive the process, but only if Abbas pulls back from the deal with Hamas. “He cannot embrace Hamas and say that he’s for peace with Israel. It’s a contradiction in terms.”
It became clear though from comments by President Netanyahu, supported by officials in the US State Department, that peace talks were off for now. As part of the agreement signed in Gaza, Palestinian officials will begin consultations on forming an interim unity government this month. Elections for the presidency, the Palestinian Legislative Council, and the Palestinian National Council will take place six months after a government is formed. The Israeli government will not continue the peace process with a Palestinian organization that includes Hamas, and this unity agreement between Palestinian factions will be seen as the direct cause for the latest peace talks’ failure. President Netanyahu, speaking said “It’s a blow to Israel; it’s a blow to peace. I think it’s a terrible blow to the Palestinian people, because they must choose, too, whether they want to go forward or go backward. With the pact with Hamas, the Palestinian people took a huge step backward, away from peace, away from a good future for themselves.”
Yom Yerushalayim—Jerusalem Day—is the most recent addition to the Hebrew calendar. It is celebrated one week before the eve of Shavuot. Although Jerusalem has been considered the capital city of the Jewish people since the time of King David—who conquered it and built it as the seat of his monarchy—there was never a special day in honor of the city until the Israeli army took over the ancient, eastern part of the city on the third day of the Six-Day War in June 1967.
Jerusalem was divided during the War of Independence and 19 years later was reunited as a result of the 6-Day War.
The battle of Jerusalem began on the morning of June 5, 1967 when the Jordanians opened fire along the entire cease-fire line. By that afternoon the Jordanians occupied the Governor’s Palace.
The Central Command of the Israeli Army tore through the enemy positions of “Har Adar” and “Abdul Aziz” and conquered “Nebi Samuel”.
By the morning of June 6 this force reached the Jerusalem-Rammalah road and stormed “Tel-El” and “Givat HaMivtar.” In addition, a paratroop brigade was moved up. Its instructions were to open the way to Mount Scopus and the Rockefeller Museum in order to position themselves to break through to the “Old City” of Jerusalem on very short notice.
This force cut through the frontline of the town and soon the way to Mount Scopus was cleared and the northeast section of Jerusalem was liberated.
On June 7th the General Staff issued the order to liberate the “Old City.” The Central Command activated the paratroop brigade that had conquered the Mount of Olives and the Mount Scopus ridge. These troops broke through to the “Old City” by way of the “Lions’ Gate” and hoisted the Israeli flag over the Western Wall.
Following the 6-Day War victory, on June 27, 1967, the government presented the Knesset with three law proposals. These proposals determined the effective unification of Jerusalem and sanctioned the application of Israeli law in the entire area of the unified city. The municipal boundaries of the city were altered and its area was increased threefold. At the same time, a law was adopted that enabled free access to the holy places by the members of every religion. In 1980, the Basic Law: Jerusalem was adopted. This law determined that Jerusalem was the capital of Israel and the location of all state authorities.
On May 12, 1968, the government, decided to make the 28th of Iyar the symbolic holiday, Jerusalem Day, a day that symbolizes the continued historical connection of the Jewish people to Jerusalem. Thirty years later, this holiday became anchored in the law: On March 23, 1998, the Knesset passed the second and third readings of the “Jerusalem Day Law,” which determined that the date that Jerusalem was liberated during the 6-Day War was a national holiday.
After the 6-Day War the city and its environs underwent an intensive and unprecedented process of restoration and development. Institutions were built, entire new neighborhoods were established and an extensive system of roads and transportation infrastructure was constructed. Ten new neighborhoods were built. This development enabled a significant increase in Jerusalem’s population and the absorption of considerable numbers of new immigrants. Today, according to the Central Bureau of Statistics, Jerusalem’s population stands at about 681,000.
Jerusalem, the capital of Israel, has become a large and expansive city. It stands as an inspiration not only to residents of Israel and the Jewish people but also to the entire world. Jerusalem attracts tourists, from around the world, who come to see her beauty, to imbibe of her past and make pilgrimages to the holy sites, which serve as places for prayer.
Moshe Amirav, a paratrooper, was one of the first men to arrive at the Western Wall in 1967. He described his first minutes, “We ran there, a group of panting soldiers, lost on the plaza of the Temple Mount, searching for a giant stone wall. Hurriedly, we pushed our way through the Magreb Gate and suddenly we stopped, thunderstruck. There it was before our eyes! Gray and massive, silent and restrained. Slowly, I began to approach the Wall in fear and trembling like a pious cantor going to the lectern to lead prayers. I approached it as the messenger of my father and my grandfather, of my great-grandfather and of all the generations in all the exiles who had never seen it—and so they had sent me to represent them. Somebody recited the festive blessing: ‘Blessed are You, O Lord our G-d, King of the Universe who has kept us alive, and maintained us and brought us to this time.’ But I could not answer Amen.”
“I put my hand on the stones and the tears that started to flow were not my tears. They were the tears of all Israel, tears of hope and prayer, tears of Jewish dances, tears which scorched and burned the heavy gray stone.”
Abraham Duvdevani, another soldier, described his first encounter with the Wall, “We marched fast, to keep up with the beating of our hearts. We were almost running. We met a soldier from one of the forward units and asked him the way and hurried on. We went through a gate and down some steps. I looked to the right and stopped dead. There was the Wall, in all its grandeur and glory! I had never seen it before, but it was an old friend, impossible to mistake. Then I thought that I should not be there because the Wall belongs in the world of dreams and legends and I am real. Reality and legend, dream and deed, all unite there. I went down and approached the Wall and stretched out my hand towards the huge, hewn stones. But my hand was afraid to touch and returned to me. I closed my eyes, took a small, hesitant step forward, and brought my lips to the Wall. The touch of my lips opened the gates of my emotions and the tears burst forth. A Jewish soldier in the State of Israel is kissing history—past, present and future all in one kiss.”
This day is extremely special to us as a nation who yearned to have our holiest city back in the hands of the Jewish people. So, we celebrate Yom Yerushalayim with happiness and a feeling of wholeness knowing that we may visit the Kotel as we please. It is such a special blessing to know the city is ours. This year Yom Yerushalayim is celebrated on May 28th.
This year, Lag B’Omer, the 33rd day of the Omer, is celebrated on May 18. Lag B’Omer is the 33rd day of S’firat Ha’Omer (the Counting of the Omer).
According to the Talmud, 24,000 students of Rabbi Akiva died in one short period, because “they did not show proper respect to one another.” And all of them died between Pesach and Shavuot as a result of a mysterious G-d sent plague that raged during the days of the Omer counting. For that reason, it is customary to observe a period of mourning during this time. Weddings are not held, hair is not cut, and music is not heard. This period is a time to reflect upon our midot (values) and improve our relations with others.
We are obligated to count the days from the second night of Pesach to the day before Shavuot—seven full weeks. This period is known as the Counting of the Omer.
These 49 days represent the 49 days of preparation from yetziat Mitzrayim (the exodus from Egypt) to Matan Torah (the giving of the Torah) on Shavuot, the 50th day of counting the omer.
Through the years, the Omer period has become identified with sad memories. Massacres occurred during the period of the Romans and later still during the Crusades. In the days of the Roman Emperor Hadrian, the Jews—led by Bar Kochba—attempted to drive out the foreign oppressors from Judea. The revolt was unsuccessful, and thousands of Jews lost their lives during the fighting.
Lag B’Omer, the 33rd day of the counting of the Omer, is observed as a day of rejoicing because on this day, the students of Rabbi Akiva stopped dying. Lag B’Omer is a festival in the middle of days of mourning that precede and follow it, when the ban on weddings and joyful occasions is lifted.
Lag B’Omer is also the anniversary of the death of the Talmudic Sage and disciple of Rabbi Akiva, Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai, author of the Zohar. The Zohar which means “The Shining Light,” deals with the mystical teachings of the Torah.
Tens of thousands of Jews congregate at Meron, the burial place of Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai, and his son, Rabbi Elazar. Rabbi Bar Yochai requested that his students celebrate his yahrtzeit. Even though the death of such a great Sage is a sad event, there is also joy surrounding the fact that he attained his final reward (as the Zohar explains), and the fact that he revealed many deep secrets of the Torah to his students on his dying day.
It is said that on the day Rabbi Shimon died, a great light of endless joy filled the day because of the secret wisdom he revealed to his students. That secret wisdom was recorded in the Zohar. The sun did not set until Rabbi Shimon had revealed all that he was allowed to reveal. As soon as he was done, the sun set and he died.
Lag B’Omer is characterized by a day of outings. In Israel and throughout the Diaspora, the day is celebrated with picnics, and it is customary to light bonfires and sing and dance around them.
The fire that surrounded the house, preventing any but Rabbi Shimon’s closest students from approaching, serves as a basis for the custom of lighting bonfires on Lag B’Omer. And because of the happiness back then, we celebrate with happiness now, as well.
Many parents wait until their son is three to cut his hair, and the first haircut is usually on Lag B’Omer.
Israel’s Independence Day is celebrated on the fifth day of the month of Iyar, which is the Hebrew date of the formal establishment of the State of Israel, when members of the “provisional government” read and signed a Declaration of Independence in Tel Aviv. This year, Yom Ha’atzmaut begins on MAY 5 and ends on the 6th. In Israel it’s a formal holiday.
Special plans are afoot for Israel’s 66th birthday celebration. On May 5, the theme of the ceremony kicking off Israeli Memorial Day and Independence Day events on Mount Herzl is “The Era of Women: Achievements and Challenges.” Independence Day torches, featured annually at the official state ceremony, will be lit exclusively by 14 notable women this year.
For those who have lost a parent, life’s joyous milestones can seem like a double-edged sword. There are times to celebrate, yet those times are often coupled with a sense of loss.
When You Listen to A Witness, You Become A Witness
Anti-Semitism rises in Eastern Europe, daily. Neo-Nazis lead supporters of Ultra Nationalist Parties in Hungary, Ukraine and Russia, promoting racist, prejudice and anti-Semitic views. The immediate need to stop fascism from growing is evident. However, hate breeds hate so rather than reciprocating the violent tactics Neo-Nazis practice, a more peaceful and effective method to counter their campaigns is to generate one of remembrance.
Many people eat rigidly and with restriction, constantly obsessed about getting thinner. Their eating is all about control. Others overeat or binge regardless of whether they are hungry or full. Their eating is all about losing control. Still others yo-yo back and forth between these two extremes.
The final New York budget bill passed on April 1, 2014 has many significant trusts and estates related provisions. For wealthy clients, there is potentially an estate tax increase in spite of an increase in the New York estate tax exemption.
New Equipment
Goal Is 90 Seconds
THE 34TH BROOKLYN HALF MARATHON
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