Fleisher on ShalomTV: ‘Let’s Not Live in Fear, Let’s Live in Reality.’

Yishai Fleisher on ShalomTV

Yishai Fleisher, managing editor of JewishPress.com, appeared on L’Chaim, a show that has been running on ShalomTV for years. The segment appears on their new live channel, as well as on-demand.

Fleisher spoke with Rabbi Mark Golub about the fear preventing a strong, united Jewish future. He described the challenges the Jewish people face today and split them into three categories – delegitimization, division, and most importantly, fear. “Fear is everywhere,” he said. “[People] go silent when I talk about fear because they realize how much fear they live with…we need to be proud.” Fleisher wants to eliminate the fear, and in doing so, bring Jews home. He touched on many subjects during the interview ranging from the reasons behind the fear in the U.S. and the problems in the Middle East that induce it.

First, many American Jews fear that their own relationship with America will suffer if they move to Israel, or even develop a stronger connection with it than their own country. He revealed his desire to connect the American Jew with the Israeli Jew. Citing the Atlantic Ocean as one of the deepest physical boundaries between the two cultures, he said that he wants to make that border feel smaller. American Jews push their connection to Israel aside, due to a fear that choosing Israel makes them appear disloyal to the country they have lived in for years. “We’re culturally American, we watch Seinfeld, but the Jew always feels that at the end of the day, this is not his home,” he said. Fleisher’s determination is the reason he continues to appear on television and speak at college campuses and other communities throughout America. ”We have to put Israel first,” he said. “…We have to get together to build the Jewish state.”

Further, there is a duality among American Jews. They not only fear the Arab nation, but feel conflicted about how the Israelis treat them due to the negative media coverage. Fleisher pointed out that most American Jews are liberal. They’re liberal because they believe in the “intrinsic value of every human being.” He doesn’t sugarcoat it. There is a clear understanding that some liberties need to be abrogated in order for Jews to protect themselves. But what many American Jews don’t understand is that there is a mitzvah in place that sanctions such self-defense. It’s written in the Talmud that when someone intends to harm you, you have a responsibility to fight back. Jews want to live as a righteous community, but in order to do so they must survive first. It’s immoral for Israel to allow rockets to be amassed by people who will use them, Fleisher explained. “We are only 60 some odd years after the Holocaust,” he said. “It’s not a joke. Let’s not live in fear, let’s live in reality.”

Fleisher was born to Russian parents in Haifa, where he lived until age 8. His family moved to America for economic reasons. Although he went to Jewish schools, he craved more of a connection to Israel and couldn’t stay away for long. He skipped his senior year and at 17, went back to Israel to study in Yeshiva and serve in the army as a paratrooper. After an injury, Fleisher returned to America to study at Yeshiva University and obtain a post-graduate degree at Cardozo Law School. There, he met his wife Malkah. The two moved to Israel to get married and establish their home. In the interview, Fleisher didn’t deny that there’s an atmosphere of tension in Israel and that they have to be vigilant, but living in Israel and raising a family there is something he never questions.

Fleisher emphasized that at the end of the day Israel is the homeland of the Jews. Residents can be critical of the nation’s politics and of the current state of warfare, but they should do it without fear and argue about it in their own nation. There are many enticing countries out there, Fleisher said, but Israel needs to be number one.

On the Money By David Suissa

What do you do when you run out of money? When you're about to be evicted from your home, or having trouble feeding your kids, or simply can't afford the basic necessities of life? What happens, also, when you can't afford certain things you consider crucial - like sending your children to a Jewish day school?

And what if you don't want to go through the formal hoops of organized charity to fill out a bunch of forms to see if you qualify for help?

Over the past few weeks, I've met some people who have taken on these issues in distinct and refreshing ways.

The first is Shlomo Rechnitz, a 40-year-old Orthodox businessman who lives in the La Brea/Fairfax area. For the past seven years, Rechnitz and his family have followed this simple model for helping those in need: You ask, they give.

No forms to fill out, no matching grants, no performance metrics. Just a check.

The scene unfolds every Saturday night, and you'd think you were in a Polish village in the 18th century. A line of people extends outside the Rechnitz house and leads right to a dining room where Shlomo Rechnitz, dressed in a white shirt, sits at the head of a long table, waiting for people to come.

Each person in need sits next to him for a few minutes of conversation, receives a check, says thank you and then goes home. Some might bring "evidence" of their despondency - like an eviction letter from a landlord - but they hardly need it. Everyone walks out with a check.

He sees about 100 people on an average Saturday night, and they are diverse: religious, secular, old, young, Sephardic, Chassidic, mothers, fathers, businessmen down on their luck, young people out of work, etc.

Rechnitz allowed me to play observer one recent Saturday night, because he wants to encourage other wealthy people to pitch in. He feels there is too much suffering in our community, and too much money out there that is not being used to help those in need.

I know what you're thinking: This is not the best way to give charity. Rechnitz should be helping people "learn how to fish" rather than just handing out the fish; he should be checking their qualifications to make sure they really need the money; and he should be monitoring where his money is going.

Yes, he should be doing all those things, but then he wouldn't be Shlomo Rechnitz. Many of these people have nowhere else to go, and they need immediate relief. That's why he makes it so simple.

Rechnitz gives to many causes, including the school where he serves as president (Toras Emes Academy), but it's the Saturday night ritual that makes him stand out. Obviously, he doesn't expect every wealthy Jew to give this way, but, especially in this rough economy, he'd love to see them give more than they're currently giving.

A week after witnessing the old-school approach of Rechnitz, I met three Jews who are fighting another community problem - the soaring costs of Jewish education - in a whole other way. Instead of offering financial aid, they have started a new school, Yeshiva High School, which reduces tuition costs dramatically through an innovative "blended learning" model of education.

The model combines online learning with traditional learning in a classroom setting, with a teacher/facilitator addressing the individual needs and pace of each student. It is a fully accredited college-prep program with national standards and a daily flow of data to monitor individual progress.

But here's the upshot: Because the model is so cost-effective, instead of paying an annual tuition of $20,000 to $30,000, parents will pay $8,000 a year when the school opens next September.

The founders of the school, Rabbi Gabriel Elias and Rabbi Moises Benzaquen, and its director, longtime local educator Rebecca Coen, speak about the blended model as a "new paradigm" that will give them a sustainable model of Jewish education for years to come. Rabbi Benzaquen will lead the Jewish studies program, which will follow Orthodox tradition with an emphasis on Jewish values and interactive learning.

The new school has already created a buzz. I went to its open house last week - the school will be located at Congregation Mogen David on West Pico Boulevard - and the place was packed.

Will the school succeed? No one can say until we see results, but I can tell you this: There's something very Jewish - and very brave - about trying all kinds of approaches in order to tackle chronic problems.

For those who need immediate relief, there is the refreshing hands-on approach of Rechnitz, who meets people face-to-face in his own dining room, feels their pain and never says no.

And for those desperate for a more affordable Jewish education, there is now an alternative school that uses new technology in a way our grandparents would never have dreamed possible.

Either way, this is what it means to be Jewish. We are restless, we feel others' pain, we try to improve things any way we can, and we all want our kids to become the first Jewish Doctor-Mensch-President of the United States.

Whether we have money or not. 

David Suissa is President of Tribe Media Corp and Jewish Journal. He can be reached at davids@jewishjournal.com.  

Valedictorian Chooses Faith Over Speech

I am very impressed with the courage this young Jewish woman, valedictorian of her high school class in Sacramento, displayed in her choosing of her faith over her valedictorian speech honor.
From CBS Sacramento:

A local valedictorian will not be giving a graduation speech in person in order to observe a religious holiday, but her message will still be heard.

Vacaville High School valedictorian Carolyn Fine said has struggled over the past few weeks to find a balance between her Jewish faith and her duties as valedictorian, which include the honor of speaking at her graduation ceremony Thursday.

Carolyn said she will begin observing the holiday of Shavu’ot, and that means she can’t use anything that requires electricity until after dark on Thursday.

“It’s not going to work out so well if I’m standing in front of thousands of people and I can’t use the microphone,” she said. “I don’t think my voice is that loud.”

After considering her dilemma — giving the speech with a microphone or following her faith — she chose the latter. Fortunately, school officials came up with a plan to let her do both.

“They prerecorded my speech and they are going to play that while I’m standing up there,” Carolyn said.

“It was a tremendous relief,” she added. “It seemed like I had reached a compromise where I could keep to my faith and accept this, because it’s a huge honor.”

Observing the holiday also means Carolyn can’t use a car to get to graduation, so she’ll walk; she’ll also forego graduation pictures, since a camera requires power.

In the end, Carolyn said she’ll always remember graduation day as the day she put her faith first.

They found a compromise, and I wonder if people understood she was not speaking, as her message was pre-recorded and she stood at the podium while it was played. Is it maris ayin? I don't know, but she refused to let it get the better of her, and she put the priority to her faith.

Reb Amos Bunim Zatzal - A Tribute

Unfortunately, this past Shabbos, Reb Amos Bunim a”h passed away in Mount Sinai hospital.

There is a TaZ in Hilchos Aveilus that states that one can lie a little bit when one is eulogizing a deceased individual. The TaZ explains that it is permitted to do so, because it could be true. There is no need to do so here. If anything, we are dealing with a man – who not enough could be said about.

To say that Rabbi Amos Bunim zt”l was an Askan for Klal Yisroel would be an understatement. He lived and breathed doing for Klal Yisroel. His exuberance and energy infused and enlivened each and every project that he touched. The world would have been a different place without him. And the world will now be a vastly different place without him.

Reb Amos had a remarkable sense of right and wrong, combined with a Temimus – a gentleness combined with compassion and concern. He possessed a moral clarity - rare among people. Yidden loved him. Goyim loved him. Politicians and businessmen knew that here was a man who was sincere and passionate in his beliefs. A man whose unimpeachable honesty was genuine and indisputably authentic. Reb Amos’ moral convictions and determination to face and confront evil and apathy was legendary.

It was also inspiring.

Which is probably how he got others to do things with him. Somehow, one never felt alone when Reb Amos was standing with you on a project. He also made everyone else feel good about what they did.

He would write letters to the editor, passionate and forceful ones – well into his eighties. His respect for Daas Torah, for halacha and for Talmidei Chachomim was well-known and celebrated.

He hosted a parlor meeting for Yeshiva Gavoha of Lakewood for many, many decades in his home in Far Rockaway, and later when he moved to Lawrence, New York.

He was one of the founders of Torah Academy for Girls in Far Rockaway. He was one of the founders of the Sh’or Yoshiv Yeshiva in Far Rockaway, and now in Lawrence. He literally and figuratively built the Far Rockaway and Five Towns Jewish community – and beyond.

His father was the legendary Irving Bunim, head of the Vaad Hatzolah, lay leader of the Young Israel movement, and Talmid Chochom. Like Yoseph HaTzaddik, Reb Amos always had the visage of his father before his eyes. Reb Amos was his father’s right hand man – helping him in all his projects. Rav Aharon Kotler zatzal relied on Reb Irving Bunim z”l for almost everything. And Reb Irving relied upon his dedicated son, Reb Amos. Rav Moshe Feinstein zatzal, also perceived the remarkable capabilities of this remarkable duo and often utilized him for delicate assignments.

After Reb Irving passed away, it was Reb Amos that took up his father’s role. He dutifully flew to Washington on a moment’s notice to tend to some important topic or issue.

Reb Amos’ Kivud Av v’Aim was also beyond description. He spent years of his life, researching, documenting, his father’s exploits and accomplishments. His book “A Fire in His Soul” is a veritable history book of the American Jewish experience. He also commissioned a documentary entitled “Profiles in Courage and Mesiras Nefesh – Irving Bunim and the Rescue of European Jewry.” In this documentary, he spoke forcefully and passionately about what Gedolim did to rescue their brethren from the Nazi abyss. His eyes would tear up wistfully whenever he spoke about his father.

He helped countless Mosdos. Whether it was Yeshiva Chofetz Chaim in Queens, BMG in Lakewood, TAG or Sh’or Yoshiv or dozens and dozens of Yeshivos in Eretz Yisroel, all could count on him for support and advice.

He helped numerous people with their parnassah. He would start them off in business. He would give them ideas and advise them how to proceed. I was his next door neighbor for many years. When my father, z”l took ill and I stood by his bedside in a hospital thousands of miles from home without a parnassah – he commissioned me to do work for him.

He was a Talmid Chachom too – who delivered a Gemorah shiur in his house to Baal HaBattim each week. Those who attended were in awe at his clarity and knowledge. He imparted his wisdom with remarkable humility too.

He had numerous stories and interactions with Gedolim. He was careful never to boast not to discuss the numerous Mitzvos that he accomplished or performed. He helped Yesomas, poor people, almanos, and numerous people down on their “luck.” He did so not only with money, with joint partnership ventures, but also with kind words. Much of this will, unfortunately, never ever be known.

His respect for Rav Yosha Ber Soloveitchik, knew no bounds, and he was tremendously hurt when others mischaracterized him as supportive of modern innovations in Torah tradition. He would often explain that he was present when Rav Soloveitchik explained a certain point and those who characterized his view as left wing modern orthodox were grossly in error.

When his loving wife, Mrs. Sara Bunim a”h passed away, he was crushed. He would often burst in tears thinking of her. Later he dedicated the auditorium in TAG in her memory. Eventually, he remarried, and he and his wife the former Mrs. Lottie Wallerstein, still accomplished remarkable things. He continued his shiurim, his support of mosdos,his parlor meetings, and his business of askanus for Klal Yisroel. He took enormous pride in the accomplishments of her son, Rabbi Zechariah Wallerstein, whose Ohr Naavah Institution in Brooklyn has made remarkable inroads in Kiruv and Chinuch.

He had two daughters, Sara Malka Winter married to Rabbi Kalman Winter of Silver Spring Maryland and Mrs. Mina Glick, married to Reb Shimmy Glick. Both daughters were by his bedside at Mount Sinai Hospital throughout his illness.

The levaya is scheduled to begin in BMG of Lakewood at 9:15 AM and will be held at the Sh’or Yoshiv Yeshiva at 1:45 PM. The Kevurah will be in Eretz Yisroel in Har Hazeisim.

A Jew Who Is Giving Away Millions of Dollars

A Jew by Choice: - Elizabeth Taylor, 1932-2011

Whereas Judaism, unlike some other religions, discourages conversions, there has always been a certain amount of giddy excitement when a star, from Marilyn Monroe to Sammy Davis Jr., converts to the Jewish faith. Few, if any, such conversions, however, made the lasting impact of the ceremony at Hollywood’s Temple Israel on March 27, 1959, at which a 27-year old Elizabeth Taylor took the Hebrew name Elisheba Rachel and converted to Judaism
.

Although some ridiculed this decision by Taylor, who died in the early morning of March 23 at age 79, she took it utterly seriously. Biographer Kitty Kelley quotes Taylor as stating: “I felt terribly sorry for the suffering of the Jews during the war. I was attracted to their heritage. I guess I identified with them as underdogs.”

Tellingly, Taylor had not converted before or during her marriage to Jewish film producer Mike Todd (born Avrom Hirsch Goldbogen), but instead achieved her goal nearly one year after Todd’s premature death in an airplane crash. In order to do so, she studied with Temple Israel’s Rabbi Max Nussbaum, a Bukovina-born Holocaust survivor who had led that congregation from 1942 onward. While Nussbaum often performed celebrity services, including the ill-fated wedding of Taylor and Eddie Fisher — as well as the high-profile funerals of Fanny Brice, Sam Goldwyn and Al Jolson — he was no star-struck pushover. A 1994 tribute recalled how Nussbaum would glare at anyone who dared to talk during services. And, in an ecumenical spirit, he invited such distinguished churchmen as Martin Luther King Jr. to speak to the congregation.

Nussbaum duly assigned Taylor reading material to prepare for her planned conversion, including Abram Leon Sachar’s once-popular, now out-of-print “History of the Jews,” and two still available works by fellow rabbis: Morris N. Kertzer’s “What Is a Jew?” (Touchstone) and Milton Steinberg’s “Basic Judaism” (Mariner Books). And, of course, the Bible.

After studying for about nine months and attending synagogue regularly, Taylor did indeed convert, shortly before her May 12, 1959, wedding to Fisher at Temple Beth Sholom, in Las Vegas. Anyone familiar with Carrie Fisher’s 2009 memoir,“Wishful Drinking,” in either book or stage format, would concur that proximity to the late Eddie Fisher would hardly rate as incitement to spiritual commitment.

To be sure, Taylor’s life in the headlines at the time of her multiple marriages — including twice to boozing, brawling actor Richard Burton — gave the impression of a personality, not a thinking person. Yet a number of her most intelligent colleagues, such as Paul Newman, her co-star in 1958’s “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof,” underlined Taylor’s acute, and indeed underestimated, artistry. Even in her early years, as in 1950’s “Father of the Bride,” Taylor was able to act alongside the monumentally talented Spencer Tracy, and this solid sense of self pervaded such films as 1963’s “The V.I.P.s,” in which Taylor was required to act only as a version of her own celebrity image. So it is unsurprising that, since Taylor was a person of this kind of substance, her personal decision to convert went far beyond any glitzy headline concubinages, as her later actions proved.

In 1977, JTA reported that Taylor had offered herself as a hostage for the Air France hijack victims being held captive by terrorists at Entebbe, Uganda, before Israelis rescued them. That offer, made personally to Israeli Ambassador Simcha Dinitz, was graciously declined, but Dinitz told Taylor, “The Jewish people will always remember it.”

Even more exemplary as an act of tzedakah, or charity, was Taylor’s unrelenting and indefatigable campaigning on behalf of AIDS charities, starting in the early 1980s, when Hollywood mainly followed the lethal example of President Reagan by simply ignoring the AIDS pandemic, thereby condemning its early victims to silent death. By reacting powerfully to this inaction on the part of those in power, Taylor heroically assumed a role that was not coveted by many stars of the day: campaigner for the rights of patients suffering from a stigmatized disease.

Given her commitment to the cause, it is fitting that Taylor’s family has requested that in lieu of sending memorial wreaths, donations be made to The Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation.

Jews and Baseball An American Love Story