" /

245 Lex Front Doors Open as Construction

Commences on ·Seventh Floor Beit Midrash
BY CHAYA CITRIN two new classrooms, complete she said. "There's nowhere else "Facilities, in order to change the
Since the bookshelves sup-
with state-of-the-art audio-visual to sit in 245 Lex; it will give stu- planted the usual seating space,
fa9ade of the building, asked the
After a semester of dust, technologies, to serve as settings dents a chance to breathe easier." library to give up space," Lubetski arranged for Room 250
noise, and obstructed entrances, for business and science courses, Unterman also noted the lobby's explained Edith Lubetski, head
to be reserved for library-users.
the students of Stem College for as well as guest lectures. As the more polished appearance, librarian at the Hedi Steinberg
"Construction projects are diffi-
Women (SCW) were · rewarded first-floor renovations come to a · which, she explained, "helps [to] Library at SCW. "The library's
cult to cope with since there is
for their previous forbearance close, work will begin shortly on give a more academic, serious main concern was that the collec-
dislocation and noise, and we
with the sight of a near- look forward to return-
ly-completed and trans- ing to normal," she
formed ground floor at remarked. "We are
245 Lexington Avenue. happy to say that staff
The new renovations interaction with faculty
marked the first sign of and students has not
progress in the college's been affected and there
ongoing construction has been no interruption
project, which com- of service."
menced last summer. The success of the
A broadened front lobby. renovations por-
lobby complete with / tends well for other areas
gleaming white floors The seventh floor of245 Lexington Avenue The newly renovated lobby of 245 Lexington Avenue of the building, especial-
and wood paneling ly the seventh floor.
awaited the undergraduate the next target area: the long- look to the building, allowing a tions remain available to the stu- Plans call for an expansion of the
women upon thcir return from awaited seventh floor Beit serious institution to present itself dents and faculty and that alter- floor onto its balconies and its
winter break. The comely Midrash. seriously." nate seating be provided. conversion into a large Beit
entrance ball generated a wel- Tiffy Unterman, president of While efforts were underway Working together with Facilities, Midrash, -with one additional
coming atmosphere, furnished the Student Life Committee at to improve 245 Lexington's we shifted books so that the fmal room remaining for class usage.
with armchairs and tables to pro- sew, related her excitement fa9ade and first floor, the build- arrangement, while somewhat The new Beit Midrash is set to
vide students with a sizeable seat- about the construction on cam- ing's second floor library had to inconvenient and crowded, pro- replace the current overly crowd-
ing area. The space maintained its pu·s. "The lounge area is going to grapple with the disruptions vided the needed accessibility to
academic character by housing be a great asset to the students," posed by the construction. the collections." continued on page 13

Spring Semester Sees New women's

Unprecedented Increase of Fellowship Marks
.

Students on Beren Campus

'
Watershed in CJF-SCW
Alliance
BY HILLY KRIEGER reported Dr. Fisher. The number students are looking for the BY SARA LEFKOVITZ leadership skills of participants,
of students leaving after the fall Jewish aspect of college that the fellowship grants students
-----srem College for Women semester was matched and even Stem offers." Transfer students The Center for the Jewish exposure to prominent Orthodox
(SCW) has nearly caught up with exceeded by the number of those have mostly come from Brandeis Future (CJF) unveiled its most women through a series of week-
its counterpart on the Wilf entering in the spring. As such, a University, Barnard College, recent initiative with the com- ly seminars. The guest lecturers,
Campus, enjoying the largest total of 1,046 undergraduate New York University, and mencement of a new Women's among them Dean Karen Bacon,
enrollment in the school's history, women stayed approximately the University of Pennsylvania. Leadership Fellowship during the the Monique C. Katz Dean of
according to University Director same. As in the fall, 80% of those Foreign students often enroll first week of the spring semester. Stem College for Women (SCW)
of Enrollment Management Dr. entering in the spring were Israel · in January, due either to delays in Responding to the dearth of and Virginia Bayer Hirt, vice
John Fisher. The 2006-2007 aca- returnees, while the remaining receiving their visas or because female Jewish communal leaders, president of The Jewish Center, a
demic year has seen the highest 20% was divided between trans- the academic year in their native as well as to previous periods of synagogue on the Upper West
number of matriculating students fer and foreign students. countries such as Venezuela· and detachment from the Beren Side, share their expertise and
at sew, a trend which is expect- Dean Zelda Braun, associate Argentina begin in the spring. As. Campus, the center has realized experience in assuming active
ed to continue in the future. dean of students, delineated a few such, the spring semester often plans to develop its fust program roles within their respective com-
"In a typical year the spring of the reasons undergraduates furthers the geographic diversity geared specifically to the under- munities. The seminars cover an
semester sees a 30 to 40 student provide for transferring to sew. on campus, bringing women graduate women of Yeshiva· array of subjects, including the
decrease from the fall semester, "Often the [former] college does- fro~ across the United States and University (YU). balance between power and mod-
but in the past two years, we have n't meet the expectation of the Aiming to strengthen the
seen a change in this student, but the transfer

January
2007
Dean Meets President Lman Achai Mjssion 10,000th Oleh The Story of Joseph
Page 8 Page 10 Page 15 Page 18
 I!

EDITORIALS THE OBSERVER

Letter to Have an
Issue With
·the Editors: This
Dear Madame, in light of her admitting that she Editors Note: benefit their students, seeing how .·
Having graduated a coed has never experienced a coed We would like to dispel women prosper {n single-sex Iss~ue?
high school class in which both academic · culture. If Ms. some of the erroneous general- educational facilities.
izations made in the above letter. Furthermore, research has

Co~tact
editors-in-chief of the student Wieder's sexist argument is the
newspaper, the salutatorian, and best reason for maintaining a sin- The letter references the break- shown that one of the main rea-
the valedictorian were female, I gle sex structure, it is not surpris- down of "every high quality sons that all male colleges began
maintain serious doubts to ing that some of the women .in school in the nation. " To the best opening their doors to women •
Adinah Wieder's argument in her SteJ;n are spending more than a of our knowledge Wellesley was to increase their funding.
nameless column in the
December edition of The ...,
nanosecond ruminating over the
articles in circulation about the
College,
Wesleyan
Barnard College,
College, Tulane
Secondly, the women
referenced in the above letter are
the Editors
Observer. Her claim that women
can only succeed in all female
value of coeducation. College, Smith College and Bryn
Mawr College are among many
exceptional women. Each is
hard working, intelligent and afrubens@
environments flies in the face of Eitan Kastner YC '08 single-sex institutions still in motivated. Currently, two of the
40 years of progress toward sexu- existence today. While universi-
·- ties which had previously been
women are students at Columbia
University, one is a student at
yu.edu
al equality and begs the question
of why every high quality school
in the nation has broken down
all men institutions have· opened
there doors to women, this only
Massachusetts Institute
Technology and the fourth is a
of
arwieder@
their single sex system over that proves the point that a co-ed graduate ofNew York University.
same time period. Does Stem environment is beneficial exclu- It y;ould be unfair to attribute the yu.edu
know something they don't? It is sively to men. These institutions accomplishments of these women
insulting for her to make such a of higher learning have wel- to their co-ed high school instead
broad generalization that women comed women while many of to their personal strengths and
cannot compete with men for women s colleges have remained characteristics.
high power positions, especially single-sex. They are doing this to

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PAGE 2 THE OBSERVER JANUARY 2 007

 -
THE OBSERVER EDITORIALS

The Backseat is Not an Curtains Can Only Cover

option so Much

ADINAH WIEDER ALANA RUBENSTEIN

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

I spent my formative years in I have had the unique opportunity of learn- The decision to attend Stem before but do we have a better college?
institutions that dictated very specific roles ing in places that each profess to have very College for ~omen (SCW) guarantees Though the Beren Campus is the loca-
for women. · We were taught to be amor- different views toward women and many things, some of which are the tion of sew, it is not the same thing as
phous; in this way we would be able to women's roles in society. However, while very reasons I decided to attend the col- SCW. Our campus has been, and is
adapt to any situation, for a woman must in some sects the effects of the different lege. By committing to SCW I was constantly being, expanded and beauti-
always be the flexible one. We were taught views may be more dramatic than others, committing to living in a big city with a fied but this isn't sufficient. We cannot
to be amenable. Being amenable and amor- there are some issues that plague societies diverse group of women in a modem let the external amenities distract us
phous enables women to very quietly come from all across the spectrum and impact the Orthodox environment. All three of from what is still lacking in terms of
into a situation of conflict, resolve the con- women in those sects equally negatively. these aspects excited me. Manhattan academics and services. Our college is
flict and then slip out, unnoticed. I must say that Stem College for has always been one of my favorite lacking in many important things -
A woman's role was not the only Women (SCW) is the place that provided places, I had never been in a non-coed things the women of sew deserve both
thing that was very much specified. It w~s me with opportunities that I only dreamed academic institution, and I. knew that as intelligent university students and
written clearly in our school policy hand- of. sew bestowed me with the forum to the 12 years I had of yeshiva education because as members of the Yeshiva
book how long our skirts had to be. They create change, as well as the ability to stand werfl not enough. While college life University (YU) community we are
were to rest four inches below the knee but up for what I believe. It is here that I dis- would still be full of unforeseen experi- - entitled to as much as our counterparts
at least two inches above the ankle because covered passions I never knew I had and ences and challenges, · the aforemen- uptown.
if they were too long then the look was no here that I formulated opinions on ideas tioned aspects of sew were both We are getting pretty decora-
longer refmed. To further emphasize the and topics that I was previously told I expected and welcome. tions, but exterior upgrades can only be
importance of modesty, guest speakers fre- should not concern myself with. However, There is however, one thing I used to mask the real problems of sew
quently delineated what it was that made sew has left me in a quandary. While we did not realize would be ever present for so long. Energies need to be refo-
women so special. We were diamonds. are pushed to excel and demand much of during my three year stay on the Beren cused if the Beren Campus is ever going
However, what makes diamonds special is ourselves, at times we are approached with Campus: Construction. Since 2004, the to be a place that can contend with the
that not everyone has them, and those that the same attitude that I thought I left presence of yellow tape and construc- Ivy League universities President Joel
do, keep them covered for fear of them behind back in grade school. The academ- tion workers has been a on both often references when he addresses our
being defiled by outside factors. The more ics and learning opportunities appear to be Lexington Avenue and 34th Street. I campus. Considering the cost of our
precious ·something is, the more covered greater on the Wilf Campus rather than on began my sew experience when the tuition, the students of sew need to be
and hidden it should be. That was a synop- the Beren Campus. construction of Le Bistro was in its offered more serious and more equal
sis of the usual lecture. Despite the fact that SCW has fmals stages and will graduate as the options.
Those years very much positively made tremendous strides in women's for- Beit Midrash is being worked on. The More and better quality classes
influenced who and what I am today. They mal Torah learning, which ranges from the exercise room and lounges in the need to be offered across the board in
served as a foundation upon which the rest institution of five-credit Tanakh and Brookdale Residence Hall are ilot those every department, from the sciences to
of my education was built. However, as I Gemara tracks to the renovations on the I saw on my frrst day of orientation. Judaic Studies. What makes YU unique
matured, my desire for something greater women's beit midrash, which is currently The -offices I trekked to in the amidst the vast amount of universities
continued to grow. I wanted to learn for the underway, we are still sorely lacking. The Shottenstein Cultural Center are no in the United States is its dual curricu-
sake of knowledge and I wanted to be in an men enjoy numerous batei midrash while it longer there. The Registrars Office and lum. Many women come to SCW with
institution that supported that type ofleam- took the women months of discussion and deans offices are not where they used to the sole purpose of continuing their for-
ing. I wanted to be in a place that afforded hard work in order to have construction be. The furniture in the cafeteria has mal Jewish education. Therefore,
me the opportunity to hear lectures on dis- commence on our single beit midrash. been modernized and the centerpieces wouldn't it make sense for the adminis-
ciplines other than modesty. I did not want While the limud Torah on campus is make the tables a bit homier than I frrst tration to make sure the Judaic studies
to wait until I got home from school to be incr:easing, the establishment of a central remember them being. Unlike my frrst at SCW are top notch? Yet, this is not
challenged intellectually, spiritually, and . community on the Beren Campus consist- few months as a SCW student, I can the case. I have heard numerous
emotionally. I wanted to forge my own ing of halakhic women who wish to fulfill now eat a dairy dinner if I am in the women complain about the lack of
path and form expectations for myself that certain mitzvot in the presence of an all mood. options and overload of Judaic studies
were very different from the expectatiop_s female community is still absent. · These improvements have requirements. Students are taking
that my teachers and principals had for me. While our campus may boast a enhanced our campus. The facilities in classes they have to take, rather than
I entered high school excited by cafeteria that costs millions of dollars as midtown are modem, airy and nice to classes they want to take. I have heard
all the opportunities that awaited me in a well as enough sushi to send ·tuna and look at. It is precisely for these reasons many Judaic studies majors express
new institution with a different approach to sa1mon to the endangered species list, the that . our campus hosts confe.r ences, their disappointment in both the·classes
Judaism and learning. I spent my high classes here need improvement. Students speakers and. guests on ·a regular basis. being taught and the level they· are
school years trying to mentally create a are not appeased by the beautiful buildings It is rare to not see individuals congre- b_eing taught on. If one of SCWs main
vision of 'what kind of Jewish woman I and classrooms thatliave technology th~t i~ gated in the Levy Lobby for some sort selling points is nothing to brag abou,t,
wanted to pe. I wanted to clearly defme seldom ever used. The Beren Campus may of meeting. The lounges in the . why should students come here for that .
that role for: myself. I no longer wanted to have the ·most posh lounges in·tb.e history Shottenstein Resid.,:nce Fi~ll are often in in the first place? While taking a Judaic
conform to the· role of the amorphous of undergraduate lounges, but stUdents use. The Beren Campus is both central- studies course at another university ·m ay
woman. I. did not want to be the woman · would forego the lounges"in exchange for a ly located and aesthetically pleasing. not be the same as learning Torah· from
who spends hours·creating an idea and then wider selection of courses, as well as for Who can ask for anything more? a talmid chachq.m on the Beren
lets someone else walk off and market it as · more advanced courses. Stud~nts want pro- We can; and we should. Campus, it is interesting to note that my
his own. I didn't want my sole aspiration to fessors who can explain information well All the aforementioned friends at Rutgers University and
be the woman that my teachers lauded; the enough so that three-quarters of the class changes are great: I like sushi and-com- .Massachusetts Institute of Technology
one with dinner on the table and a little bit doesn't need to higher private tutors. Every fortable areas to sit in. I like not having seem more enthusiastic about the Judaic
'of blush on her cheeks waiting anxiously dorm building may have, a gym, but only to trek uptown for every · concert and studies courses they are privy to than
for her.husband to walk through the door. I one out of the three is functioning. speaker. Having been on The Observer many of the women at sew.
didn't want to be the woman who helps However, the responses that staff for three years, I am extremely Similarly, it . speaks. volumes
clean up the mess but never gets to pitch women receive here upon voicing their happy and grateful that construction on about the academic departments in mid-
ideas. concerns fqr what is lacking on campus are the Beit Midrash has fmally begun. town when a biology major feels she
Through all my years of education continued on page 22 Yet, it is not enough. We have
a more beautiful campus then ever continued on page 22

JANUARY 2007 - THE OBSERVER PAGE 3

 OPINIONS THE OBSERVER

Sinking into the Muck: A Place That Can Make

Why Auschwitz Must Be
Renovated You Cry
BY PEREL SKIER rotting and warped, along with BY JAIMIE FOGEL we visited, the teacher instructed
the generation that constructed the Israeli students to ask us
Rebuild Auschwitz. it? 1 Everyone has a story to tell questions about ourselves in
It's an ugly thought, not The latter option is undeni- about this past winter break. English and based on the answers
something people like to think ably appealing. There's a meas- Many students from Stem we were supposed to construct a
about. Auschwitz, the death camp ure of poetic justice, however College for Women and Yeshiva Venn diagram. On one side we
that witnessed the horrific mass woefully inadequate, in allowing College spent the break in Israel were told to list what typified
murder of millions and every the camps to decay and fade, partaking in a life-changing mis- Israeli society, on the opposing
structure was designed to inflict denying them the immortality the sion to help those affected by this side qualities of American socie-
brutality. Rebuild it? We do not Nazis sought. Looking at them, summer's war in northern Israel. ty, and in the middle we were
want to·rebuild it. We do not want we feel a sense of defiance: they I also traveled up north to · a instructed to list the commonali-
to fortify it. We do not want to thought they would wipe us off small, quaint town called ties.
renovate the machines of the the face of the earth and reign Ma'alot, located a mere nine I was surprised at how excit-
Nazis. It feels evil to prolong the forever but it is they who are slip- kilometers away from the ed the girls were to sit and talk
functionality and existence of ping, rusted, into oblivion. Lebanese border. Around 10 stu- with us. Many of them had never
Auschwitz, as though by rein- In reality though, we cannot dents from different local univer- spoken with Americans and were
forcing these structures we are allow this to happen. We may sities embarked on this small trip baflled by the fact thatfrum Jews
condoning the atrocities they wish to forget the Nazis and to to help the town of Ma' alot existed outside of Israel, a con-
caused. refuse them even passing notori- recover from the physical and cept which, unfortunately, does-
What an ugly thought. Yet, ety but the price is too steep. As emotional damage caused by the n't baflle us all. What shocked
our generation faces an ugly Jews, we have been victims to the 20,000 rockets that hit during this them even more was when I
choice, one in .which there are no world's convenient lapses of past summer's war. shared with them my desire to
true winners. Two of the memory since our people's The men who came on the move to Israel with them. With
Auschwitz gas chambers are inception. The crimes committed trip were assigned to work on such naivete and idealization of
sinking into the ground and against us, and consequently physical repairs in the boys' ele- American life (you know, where
reports indicate that if nothing is ignored, span the spectrum: mer- mentary school. Windows had everyone's rich and has the time
done they will disappear from chandise stolen under the noses been left shattered with broken to laze around their mansions),
sight entirely within the next two of police who 'saw nothing,' pieces of glass scattered on the they could not believe that some-
decades. This is hardly surprising entire towns decimated without ground beneath them. Some one would want to leave perfect
given that the death camp is more culpability, all of it declaimed as classrooms were still filled with America to come rough it in the
than 65 years old. The Nazis did- fabrication and exaggeration-eas- debris and dust, left in disarray. Holy Land. Aside for this differ-
n't design these site.S with perma- ily dismissed by those who prefer The maintenance staff had not ence in perspective, the diagram
nence in mind; the original plan not to believe. We're just Jews, had enough time to complete all illuminated the many similarities
was to exterminate all the unde- after all, relying on trickery and the repairs before the school sea- between us. The middle columns
sirables within 10 years. deceit to elicit sympathy for our- son resumed and, until we in our diagrams quickly began to
Structures hastily flung up to last selves where none is deserved. showed up, there had been no one fill up with the important things
a few years are now eligible for There is only our word to rely on, available to do the job. in life. Yes, we may not have to
retirement, and their age is start- to prove that we have been The women on the trip spent wear uniforms in school and they
ing to show. The question is: do wronged and our word can be the two mornings in the all-girls may go to the army, but we all
we rebuild Auschwitz, cementing gainsaid by anyone. religious high school . and ele- have families we cherish, a reli-
its place in the world as physical Auschwitz, however, is hard- mentary school. The teachers had gion we respect as the truth, and a
testimony to the cruelty perpetu- er to explain away. Confront prepared Jesson plans that incor- land we both love.
ated there? Or, do we let it sink? someone with a gas chamber and porated us into their English When we entered the
Do we let it sink into the mud, classes. In the ninth grade class
continued on page 7 continued on page 7

Death-Warrant for The Family: Forbidding

Knovvledge
BY CHANA WIZNITZER answer he wished, any man could other people, cultures and ideas is capacity to be understood in a
betray us. necessary for being and acting as light which relates it to Judaism
Education is a tricky As I understand it, the a committed Jew. Rather than and our lives. We can learn from
task. concept behind Yeshiva putting on blinders and shutting all things.
To educate a child, stu- University, behind Stem College out the world, we embrace the The sage Elisha Ben
dent, or adult, and to educate for Women, is a kind of synthesis world and believe that we can Avuyah was so brilliant an indi-
them in a manner that allows for of Torah u-Madda, to use Richard join it, believe that we have the vidual that even when he defied
questioning and thought, but Joel's expression, an environ- ability and capability to act as God, and acted under the impres-
simultaneously exposes them to ment conducive to forming the leaders and revolutionaries in a sion that he was unable to return
ideas helpful for their personal "klei-kodesh" (holy vessels) and world where change is necessary to God, his student accompanied
growth is a difficult thing to do. "lay-kodesh" of tomorrow. We and vital. him and learned from him. While
And yet, nearly all of us are the future, and for this reason, This is why we do not some disagree with his student's
(excluding various tyrants, dicta- we must learn both Judaic and live in ghettos and do not attempt actions, there is a · definite
tors, and other less exemplary secular studies, must be exposed to block out American society approach which suggests that the
figures) believe in the dissemina- to ideas beyond our own, and and culture. Rather, we sift student was able to take the "ker-
tion of information. The question must look to other sources and through American culture. We nel" of good from Elisha ben
becomes, how much? How much philosophers and believers. Of discover what is beneficial to our Avuyah and ~scard the chaff. We
information is good for us, and is course, we have the option of tak- growth, what helps us to learn, admit that this approach is at least
there a concept of a limit? For ing or refusing to take a certain and we take that unto ourselves possible.
example, I am not priyy to gov- ~ourse, and we are not forced to while discarding all that which is And yet, today we
ernment secrets; neither do I take classes that might perhaps unhelpful. I personally . believe negate that possibility.
know the name of our country's conflict with our philosophical that "nothing in the world is Because today we sim-
spies. And this is for the good of outlook. good or bad, but thinking ply erect barriers. We close off
our country, for if every man The idea behind this makes it so," as Shakespeare doors. We forbid women from
could demand to know govern- system is that information is states, hence every idea has the
ment secrets and receive the helpful to us. Knowing about continued on page 7

PAGE 4 THE OBSERVER JANUARY 2007

 THE OBSERVER OPINIONS .

For Your Protection: Who Should Decide What's Best For

You
BY CHAVA ZAKHAREVICH frightened. Yet, the Big Apple has Do not mismterpret the bla- perpetuates an unhealthy depend- the Belmont smoking ban is con~
finally decided to step up to the tant tongue in my cheek as a sign ency-mindset, whereby it tingent upon the reports of
My usually sleepy, retire- task of 'keeping the doctors that I condone smoking, eating becomes natural ·to expect gov~ 'informed' citizens conjures up
ment-oriented Northern away,' proposing a ban eliminat- trans fats, or advertising junk ernment intrusion in even the images of the totalitarian regime
California hometown of Belmont ing the use of trans fats in restau- food to children. I do not smoke, most mundane issues. my_family left behind. Neighbors
had made some rather 'progres- rants. This change would incur hate the noxious fumes, and The creation of government informing upon one another was
sive' changes since I had last significant costs from retailers frankly wish smoking would dis- agencies and committees to a daily reminder of Marxist
been home. Joining the bandwag- and the end of most pareve appear altogether. I prefer good resolve an issue like smoking is brotherly love, and Paulik
on of almost any city you can kosher baked goods which are . old monounsaturated olive oil to another confirmed method to Morozov, a kid who duly
think of, the Belmont Cou,ncil of usually made with margarine. margarine, and, in the future, assure the continued existence of informed Soviet authorities of his
Elders decreed a ban on smoking. This trend of increased gov~ may even be opposed to my chil- the problem, for if the issue is parents' treachery, was a national
Unlike other dinkier smoking ernment intrusion does not stop dren watching commercials for ever resolved the agency loses its hero. These scenarios beg the
bans that prohibit smoking in at U.S. shores, but continues to dairy products. However, the idea raison d'etre. This violates the question: is the proper role of
public places, the new law passed grow and prosper in supposedly of a government dictating what fundamental precept that a given government to serve the people,
in November 2006 has not only democratic countries around th~ otherwise legal activity' a person power is not likely t~ be given or to be served by the people? As
made it illegal to smoke in all globe. In an effort to curb can do inside his own home or back. While much uproar has a person who has experienced
public indoor· and outdoor loca- increasing occurrences of child automobile is one that is ostensi- · been made regarding the loss of both, I would prefer to stay in the
tions, but also inside private cars, obesity, the British have waged a bly hazardous to our freedoms. privacy due to increased security first mode, not the latter.
apartment complexes, and con- campaign against the producers Childhood obesity is a horrifying measures as a result of the War
dominiums. As the law is diffi- of,junk food, banning broadcast- phenomenon, but the solution is on Terror, relatively little has
cult to enforce, caring folks who ers from showing advertisements not a heavy-handed ban on all been said regarding another,
happen upon their neighbor for unhealthy snacks during chil- foods deemed unhealthy or the seemingly invisible global war.
smoking inside a car or apart- dren's television shows. Thanks penalization of those companies This war is so invisible that even
ment are welcome to inform the to this protective measure chil- who legally engaged in sales of those waging the war are
authorities, who will issue a fme dren will fmally be able to retain those goods. Such measures sup- unaware that they are sabotaging
reminding the misguided individ- their slim physiques and their pose that parents are unfit to the same harrowed tenets of free-
ual of his error. innocence. They will be shel- make decisions regarding their dom so eagerly cited as justifica-
Perhaps if this were an iso- tered from dangerous foods such children's upbringing, and on a tion for imposing the limitations
lated event limited to the as cheese, one of the foods that larger scale, the acknowledgment we have suffered for the War on
People's Republic of Northern was vict~ed as a result of that people are too stupid to Terror. The fact that
California I would not be so 'nutritional profiling.' know what is good for them. This the enforcement of such laws as

PO.llNT~COUNTERPOINT
Should SOY Join with TAC~ to Create the
Annual Seforim Sale?
BY SHOSHANA FRUCHTER
AND
ES'fli,ER GENUTH

With the advent of winter, the ly represents the proper acknowledg- The Student Organization of Officially joining with SOY to run
time of year has come again for ment of the students on both the Beren Yeshiva's (SOY) unwillingness to join the the sale may seem like a worthwhile project
seforim seekers to s~arm the Wilf and Wilf Campuses. The SOY annual SOY Seforim Sale with the Torah for TAC, but as the only religious activities
Campus in search of Jewish books, Seforim Sale may be a fundraiser for Activities Couricil (TAC), its counterpart on council on the Beren Campus, (as opposed to
Jewish music and various other the students of Yeshiva College, but the Beren Campus, is not an act ·of random the four councils for religious activities at
exclusivity or chauvinism. SOY created the Yeshiva College {YC), one for each morning
Judaica. For 35 years the Student with proper negotiations the women's
SOY Seforim Sale. This impressive book program), TAC has a lot to do. While on
· Organization of Yeshiva (SOY) has work could be acknowledged without
sale is a project of Mazer Yeshiva Program paper SOY and TAC's mission statements
operated the Seforim Sale. However, lpsing subst!ffitial funds for the men's may be the same, their roles on their campus-
students who are proud to have their very
since the number of joint programs campus. es are very different from one another; while
own sale bear the name of their very own
between SOY and Stem College for Considering that the joint pro- student council. So it has been for over 30 at YC a great system of many overlapping
Women's (SCW) Torah Activities grams between SOY and TAC have and so it should remain. communities of organized learning and
Council (TAC) has been on the rise, been on the rise, it is only appropriate Why? Because sometimes student prayer is in place and SOY largely functions
there are a variety of reasons as to for YU's greatest student operated councils projects make it big. The confluence as a facilitator to that existing system, TAC's
why the partnership should extend to business and book sale to acknowl- of filling a great student need or interest, place at Stem College for Women (SCW), .
the Seforim Sale as well. edge the work of sew students and fmding a viable and .practical iinplementa- where organized learning is just beginning to
Currently, the primary student . bring them to the forefront of the tion, and keeping the students continuously take shape, is to continue to build up such a
council representing students of the planning and implementation of the engaged throughout a sustained period of community. Joining TAC with SOY to work
Mazer Yeshiva Program within sale as well. Giving credit to the time is what makes a very popular program. on the sale would drain the women on the
Yeshiva University (YU) operates the women, although they may be a That confluence · is hard to come by. SOY TAC board of much needed time and energy.
Seforim Sale, which has come to minority, is crucial in setting the stage made it huge 35 years ago with the ·creation Instead of working long and hard to cultivate
assume the role of North America's for more collaboration between both of a Jewish book sale to service the entire a more involved religious lifestyle for the
largest Jewish book sale. Despite the student councils. Jewish comi:nunity. Certainly the entire strong Torah community that SCW has
fact that the majority of workers at the Modem Orthodox community in New York become, as they do now, the board members
seforim sale are men, women have celebrates the SOY Seforim Sale and makes would be stretched thin working on the sale.
use of its great selection. Why should SOY The SOY Seforim Sale has come
come to assume important roles. The
have to share that success? again and, like every year, it appropriately
women of sew have been integral
SOY's joining with TAC would not carries the name of only SOY. SOY invented
in the book sale's success by taking
only leaye the organizers without a name for the sale and deserves to run its project on its
on the roles of floor managers, own.'. Considering that TAC's joining with
the sale but also leave SOY with many fewer
cashiers, and accountants. These funds · for events on campus. In contrast to SOY would also distract the TAC board from
women often travel daily, or at least TAC, whose resources come exclusively very necessary work at . SCW, the SOY
every other day, uptown and dedicate from the student activity fee paid by each Seforim Sale should continue to be run by
many hours to the sale. student, SOY raises money for its events and for SOY alone.
Although some may view the through the sale. The creators of the SOY
labeling of the Seforim Sale as a joint Seforim Sale are rightfully concerned about
SOY and TAC effort as merely a the idea of joining with TAC since that will
semantic difference, it more accurate- require splitting their funds with TAC.

JANUARY 2007 THE OBSERVER . PAGE 5

 II

OPINIONS THE OBSERVER

Welcome back! . A new from last year. Oh yes, it's true; semester. If AIS is something that
semester welcomes new faces Survivor, otherwise known as peaks your interests and gets your
and old familiar ones. It allows us Assassin, is back new and even creative juices flowing, email me
the opportunity to meet new peo- better then before! For all those at [email protected] for further
ple as well as to reconnect with who remember that crazy week information. I anxiously await
those we haven't seen these past last year, tell your friends, spread your emails.
two weeks. Hopefully, everyone the word, and get ready for anoth- As I hope I have made clear
is well rested and ready to start er crazy week on campus. throughout this article, I am
the semester with a bang. SCWSC and Yeshiva Student ecstatic about the spring semester
Stem College for Women's Union are also in the midst of and all that it brings. I hope that
Student Council (SCWSC) has planning major off campus activ- all my fellow students are also
been planning a wonderful ities in February and March, so excited and ready to jump in!
semester so look forward to fresh stay tuned for more information
id~as arid amazing programming and keep your planners open and
and activities to participate in ready to p~ncil in student council
with your fellow students. activities.
-LIZ SHELTON Student Council is a great forum Another thing I would like to
PRESIDENT OF SCW to meet students with the same announce is that SCWSC is mak-
interests as you all wl?lle having a ing a sub-student council board
great time. called AIS, Activists In Stem.
Contact Liz at We started the semester by AIS will work closely with
bringing back last semesters used SCWSC in creating new and
[email protected] book sale and later this week we innovative programming for their
will be bringing back a favorite fellow students throughout the

CU@CU! Stem College for Women (SCW). ing a homeless shelter. The pro-
We are here. We've T Cubed stepped up the commu- gram is great for consistent par-
arrived at second· semester. nity of learning on the Beren ticipation since you can join a
Looking back at ftrst semester, Campus. That makes all of us, specific group and really form a
it's unbelievable to realize what those of us who go each week, relationship with those you visit
we the student body has accom- those of us who stopped in a cou- weekly. For those who can
plished. The Batei Midrash are ple of times and even those ofus only come once in a while,
clean and neat thanks to the Beit who haveJ;J.'t been able to attend
Midrash Committee. Rosh but aspire to, so proud.
it's great since the chesed
Chodesh is a time for the commu- This semester, schedule opportunities are easily
nity to join together in festive your learning for the T Cubed accessible and require little
prayer, song and breakfast, .as it hour. Learn with a friend or be set training.
should be, thanks to the Rosh up with a learning partner to learn Torah Activities Council
Chodesh Committee. The Israel something you're interested in, (TAC) and Stem College for
Club created an amazing mission improve your text skills or help Women Student Council
to the north of Israel to learn someone else with their skills. (SCWSC) are so proud to present
about Israel in the aftermath of Tuesday nights at 7:30 p.m. on Chesed Unites! and are so excited
the war, and with it a great com- the 6th floor of 245 Lexington - to CU there!
munity of enthused Israel be there or be squared. For more information on CU!
SHOSHANA FRUCHTER activists to step up the Wilf and AU of this is so exciting. Email Rebecca of TAC at mbar-
TAC PRESIDENT Beren Campuses' love of Israel And there's · more. Many have [email protected] or Rena of SCWSC
and Israel action. The Chabad asked about chesed on campus at [email protected].
Club worked with tens of stu- and now it's here. CU, Chesed
Contact Shoshana at dents outside Brookdale, which Unites! is every Thursday after-
was a public display of the mira- noon at 3:15p.m. Each week has
srfruchl @yu. cle of Chanukah, explaining the
holi9ay to those interested and
a bunch of ·different chesed
organizations waiting on hand for
·edu giving out Chanukah cards and
chanukiyot.
volunteers. Some of the opportu-
nities include visiting elderly
And Torah on Tuesdays homebound in the area, pac~ag­
with TAC has become standard at ing food for City Harvest or visit-

I was recently reminded of a (SSSB). In a scenario familiar to towards the future I want to
conversation I had during my many students which takes place remind seniors not to forget to
senior year of high school. At that on the fust day of the semester in take advantage of their last .
time, with our upcoming gradua- many classes, is one in which the semester here. The opportunities
tion bearing down on us, my professor asks students for vary- which you take advantage of in
classmates and I were discussing ing information usually asking these last few months while you
whether this monumental time in them to go around and say their are at sew will cause you to cre-
our lives was the beginning of the name, year, major and so on. This ate memories which will last you
end or the end of the beginning of year in many classes I encoun- a lifetime.
life. That meaningless conversa- tered a different follow up ques- On the same note, for all
tion which I partook in about four tion from the teacher. This ques- incoming freshmen and sopho-
years ago seems to be very perti- tion is the one most dreaded by mores· who have just begun your
nent to the stage that I, along with the majority ·of graduating sen- time here, I challenge you to sim-
many of my fellow seniors, cur- iors; "What are your plans for ply look around. Open your eyes
rently ftnd myself in. next year? That simple sentence to all the opportunities which will
Upon the beginning of this is just horrifying. Many seniors be presented right in front of you
semester coupled with the usual are still at loss to the direction for the next three or four years. If
ESTHER BIRNBAUM · excitement which comes natural- which they will be taking next you partake in what Yeshiva
PRESIDENT OF SSSB ly with the beginning of any year. University has to offer you I
semester, for many graduating I personally am ftlled with promise you will enjoy your time
Contact Esther at students there is a sense of anxi-
ety and angst with the knowledge
anxiety at the prospect of gradu-
ating at the end of this semester.
here. The next few years are what ~
you make of them, so do not hes-

[email protected] that this is the last semester

which will be spent in Stem
It is daunting to think that at the
end of this year I will no longer
itate to begin getting involved
right now in anything and every-
College for Women (SCW) or Sy be at SSSB. Although this time of thing which interests you.
- Syms School of Business the year is ftlled with this anxiety

PAGE 6 THE OBSERVER JANUARY 2007

 THE OBSERVER OPINIONS

A Place That Can Make You Cry Why Auschwitz Must Be

Renovated
continued from page 4 hostile .northern neighbor. These dents all returned once the rock- continued from page 4
sibility of all. If the Holocaust
events no longer shocked them, ets stopped falling. They were becomes a meaningless term, if it
elementary school the next morn-
ing we .were told to sit down and especially after having lived determined to continue living they will definitely sweat a little fails to evoke that gut reaction of
listen to a short English presenta- through the frightening events of normal lives, rebuild that which as they attempt to tell you the sorrow,.regret, anger, and mol,llll-
tion prepared by the sixth this past summer. was damaged, and look towards Holocaust never happened. We ing, then what is there to stop its
graders. The six girls chosen I sat in my seat astonished. I the future with the same have a rarity in the world court: repetition? United Nations reso-
entered the room nervously and fmally understood the shocking resilience that enabled the com- unmistakable evidence. . lutions? Not a very comforting
photos I had noticed hanging on munity to . build this candid Auschwitz is there. Auschwitz prospect, is it?
began to tell us about the events
that took place in that school on the walls when we. entered the memorial. Not only did this town happened. You can see it with It's true that even if we do
May 15, 1974, not coincidentally room. The school had decided to open up my eyes to a side of your own eyes. fortify Auschwitz-if we touch it
take the top floor, the site of the Israel tourists often miss on their If we lose that, we lose at all-we open~ourselves to the
the 26th anniversary of Israel's attack, and tum it into a living insular tours from the Inbal Hotel everything. same allegations Holocaust
independence. What is now memorial. There were graphic to the David Citadel, but it also Yes, there is documentation, deniers lay daily at the doors of
referred to as "The Ma'alot pictures of wounded students and reminded me of the reason Israel yes there is footage, and yes there museums and memorials. One of
Massacre," was a terror attack in a small monument with 21 can- still exists today. are museums. Any reminder is a the concerns mentioned by the
which Lebanese gunmen, dles"burning for those who per- A teacher of mine who lives good reminder; any education is International Auschwitz Council,
demanding the return of 23 polit- ished that day. The school's prin- in Israel gave me a book to read necessary and then some. But · which recently voted to modern-
ical prisoners, took approximate- cipal explained to us that the over this past vacation. In 1998, memorials can be biased and ize the exhibition, was that even
ly 100 students hostage on the top town had decided against con- Daniel Gordis, a well-known footage can be doctored. Any simple repair work might enable
floor of the school we were sit- structing a memorial that the chil- author and teacher, decided to secondary source can be slan- people to claim that the gas
ting in. The students had returned dren would visit just one day of travel to Israel with his family on dered. Furthermore, if we allow chambers themselves had been
to sleep in the school after a long the year and then lock the doors a year long sabbatical. He began ·Auschwitz to disappear then we tampered with. Frankly, it's a risk
day of hiking and 21 of the stu- on until the following May. to 'write beautiful, passionate lose the emotional impact. we must take. There may be a
dents were ultimately killed. Instead they chose to rebuild the emails to family members and Reading a placard in an exhibit at way to circumvent those claims
Having just arrived for a day of library in that same room, so that friends about his family's experi- a clean, humane museum is not (perhaps, as one suggestion goes,
what we thought would be color- it would become a memorial ences living in a new country, the same as staring at the cham- by placing cement beneath the
ing and singing with the elemen- filled with the sound of life and explaining their eventual decision ber which was the last building ground), and there may not. But
tary school children, we were not the silent screams of death. to stay despite the breakout of the many people ever entered. The we cannot let Auschwitz sink out
caught off guard by the serious At first I was taken aback by Second Intifada. These emails memory of these horrific, despi- of sight; we cannot let the evi-
tum our morning had taken. The this confrontational attitude have been collected in a book cable acts--ones we desperately dence be erased.
chjldren spoke to us as . if the toward the event. But the more called "If A Place Can Make You want the world to remember and They say those who forget
words they were reading were thought I gave it, the more I real- Cry." The line from which the be appalled by to prevent ever history are condemned to repeat
from a common storybook and ized that it is this attitude which title was taken has · not stopped reoccurring-will fade, just like it. We cannot let Auschwitz be
were more focused on correctly enables Israel to survive. The running through my mind since I the buildings in Auschwitz. They forgotten.
pronouncing the foreign words principal told us that this past read it, and it seems to typify the will dwindle in elementary
written on their paper than relay- summer the majority of the resi- Israeli resilience I felt so strongly school curriculums. They will
ing emotional sympathies. They dents fled to the center of the present in Ma'alot. I think it is as become just another chapter in a
had grown up witli this story; the country. A few stayed ·back, Gordis says: "For after all, if textbook. They will hold little
legacy of these . students has guiltily feeling they could not there's a place in this world that relevance for subsequent genera-
always been present in their lives abandon their homes and town. can make you cry, isn't that tions.
along with the awareness of a But he also told us that the resi- where you ought to be?" And that is the deadliest pos-

\
Death-Warrant for The Family: Forbidding Knovvledge )

continued from page 4 programs equivalent to B.A. Why the waters of Noach? may or may not be ideal for use tiative is immediately cut down
studies, other programs for peo- Because Noach is blamed for the in the modern day, the .point ... everyone says the women must
learning.
ple involved with understanding flood; perhaps he could have pre- remains- he associated with oth- be the breadwinners, fme ... but
Does this sound discon-
and helping those with learning vented it had he pleaded on ers, had initially been like them, let me make a decent living for
certing? Good, because it is.
impairments, and imposes a new behalf of the others. He ought t~ and brought others close to my family."
The newspaper Ha'aretz
requirement that "graduates of have . followed Avraham's later Judaism. His tent was open to all; While I personally differ
displayed a shocking headline on
· teacher seminaries will be able to example and pleaded on behalf of he was not an isolated individual on the matter ofthe philosophy of
January 2: "Rabbinical Panel bars
apply for teaching certificates the wicked men, men similar to like Noach was. As Rashi cites, an approach which limits one's
Ultra-Orthodox Women from
only after a hiatus of at least one those who inhabited Sodom and while Noach was righteous in his learning based on fear of heresy,
Continuing Education
year - to enable them to get mar- Gemorrah. Instead, as Rabbi generation, had he lived in feeling that approaching the mat-
Programs."
ried." Chaim Shmulevitz states so beau- Avraham's generation he would ter in an open forum is much
"What?" we may ini-
And why all this? tifully, he refrained, acting off of have been an ordinary man, but more conducive to fmding truth,
tially think. How could this pos-
Because of fear. cold rational judgment rather not particularly righteous in com- the practical ramifications of
sibly be?"
Rabbis are apparently than emotional feeling- and for parison. It is clear thatAvraham's closing down women's attempts
disturbed by women's "academic this he was punished. way of interacting with people is at further study and learning are
It appears .that "for
studies, career ambitions," and Look at Avraham! considered to be greater. much more dire. In effect, forbid-
years, haredi women high-school
the fact that they are studying in Avraham was the son of Terah, The people who live ding women these degrees is to
graduates have continued their
programs that are not entirely the son of an idol-worshipper, amongst us are not the seven sign a death-warrant for their
studies in teachers' seminaries. In
overseen by rabbis, which means and according to the midrash, the nations we are commanded to family, for how will they be able
two years, they receive a certifi-
that "all manner of heresy" can owner of a shop for idols! And destroy, but rather Noachides, to make a living? What are they
cate enabling theiJ?. to teach in the
creep in; Freud and Western psy- yet he was able to find and dis~ commanded to keep the supposed to do?
haredi schools. Thep. they contin-
chology appear to be the worst cover God. Not only that, but he N oachide laws. While it is true I do not know.
ue to study for a third year for a
offenders. was -able to "create souls," to that some do not, . and perhaps Forbidding knowledge
degree equivalent to B.A. and
And I have to wonder engage in conversation with oth- some are wicked people, the vast causes a chain of dire events,
take continuing education pro-
grams specializing in certain sub- why there is the need for such ers of different faiths and bring majority of them are normal peo- some with terrible consequences.
fear. them close to God. The Gemara ple attempting to lead normal As well as write a death-warrant
jects. Thi~ . enables them to obtain
Remaining inclusive, itself describes how Avraham lives and m11ddling their way for a peaceful family existence.
higher teaching positions and, in
keeping apart, attempting to shut would accomplish this, some- through, just as we do. Ascribing Because under these circum-
turn, receive higher wages."
oneself away in a ghetto in order . times using coercion. He would to them the desire to destroy or stances, that seems impossible.
But the Rabbinical
to keep out the outside world- tell those who had supped with . hurt the lives of others through
decree changes all of this.
why do these things when our him to praise and thank God after subversive ideas seems absurd.
It forbids women to par-
very predecessors did not? We the meal. If they refused, he Suggesting that their words are
ticipate in these programs, caus-
ing them to be unable to function see that Noach followe4 a similar named an exorbitant price ~s the the cause of "women students'
approach in excluding himself cost of their meal. If they became defilement" seems irrational.
as the primary breadwinners in a
and keeping himself away from alarmed and upset, he asked, Perhaps the most
society that supports kollel-learn-
the wicked, but he was consid- "Where else; would you find an poignant part of this issue is the
ing, forcing them to tum to other
ered in the wrong for doing this oasis in the middle of the desert, following excerpt of a letter from
jobs, if they will still exist for the
as is later made evident in and someone willing to give you a haredi ·woman: "You don't
new uneducated crop of minds
Yeshaya, where the flood is food?" allow the yeshiva students to
this law hopes to create.
termed the "waters of Noach." While Avraham's tactics work for a living, every new ini-
The new laws cancel

JANUARY 2007 THE OBSERVER PAGE 7

 I I

THE -OBSERVER

NEWS
Dean Bacon, Along with President Joel,
Attends White House Meeting
Sole Female Representative of Higher-Ed Institutions
Communicates Voice of Jewish Women

BY SARA LEFKOVITZ attendance. The largest institu- Though initially sched- world," Dean Bacon said of the them." President Joel recalled a
tion in this category, Yeshiva, fit- uled for 30 minutes, the meeting U.S. President. "It was interest- moment when President Bush
Dean Karen Bacon, the tingly constituted·the largest del- was adjourned after nearly an ing to see that he was so attentive used an expletive when referring
Monique C. Katz Dean of Stem egation to the meeting, as it was hour, as the president thoroughly to the role, importance, and to a certain demagogue, upon
College for Women (SCW), visit- represented by both Dean Bacon addressed the most salient issues power of women." which he turned to Dean Bacon,
ed the White House in mid- and President Joel. of concern to the Jewish commu- It is this idea, the notion who was seated next to him, and
December, attending a meeting Though both YU 'nity, namely the general state of of the centrality of women, apologized to her. President Joel
of Jewish educators convened by administrators have been previ- world affairs, Israel, and govern- which originally prompted cited his amusement at hearing
U.S. President George W. Bush. ous guests at the White House, ment support for higher educa- President Joel to request that the response of the unfailingly
She was the only administrator to this is the first time the two were tion. In that venue, President Joel Dean Bacon be present at the r.efined dean of sew, who
accompany Yeshiva University invited to meet with President shared the university's mission of White House meeting as well. replied with "say it again,
(YU) President Richard M. Joel, B~sh as part of a formal confer- "ennobling and enabling," stress- During the table discussion, she because that's what he is."
as the two comprised the school's ence of ·Jewish leaders. Both ing the importance of educating referred to the efforts of sew The significance of
delegation to the conference. recounted the thrill of the experi- and instilling students with val- students on behalf of the crisis in Yeshiva's presence at the confer-
Since his inauguration ence. "I was very impressed to be ues. Darfur, Sudan. "I. was happy to ence was not lost on the universi-
in 2001, the U.S. President has in the White House in this fash- According to the univer- represent our students," the dean ty's representatives. "The meet-
held formal discussions with ion," _said Dean Bacon. "Being sity president, President Bush of sew continued. "There's no ing certainly gave prominence to
Jewish leaders before hosting his part of a direct conversation with spoke without notes for 25 min- question. that being the only YU," asserted Dean Bacon. "The
annual Chanukah dinner, which the president is not something utes, demonstrating a relative woman who was acting as a rep- fact that they have this kind of
brings together prominent most people experience in their ease in discussing a range of sub- resentative of an institution made thing [demonstrates] a recogni-
American Jews from across the lifetime." jects. He offered his assessment wom~n's presence in the conver- tion that the Jewish community is
ideological spectrum. Previous "[My] overwhelming of the nation's president as "an sation much more pronounced." contributing very profoundly to
meetings have convoked organi- reflection has nothing to do with intelligent man, a religious man, "Dean Bacon adds .a the development of the U.S."
zational leaders, community rab- the president himself," remarked but not a fanatic, who is comfort- dimension to any space she occu- President Joel concurred:
bis, and day school educators. President Joel. "It's really a state- able in his skin." pies," said President Joel. "She is "Though this really was just a
This past December, ment as to the Jewish journey. It's Dean Bacon said she a grand woman and a premier proforma meeting, we got a sense
President Bush broadened the a dual statement- it's a statement was specifically encouraged by educator who conveys a passion of strength from the president.
scope of his dialogue with the about netzach yisrael (the conti- the 43rd President's distinct for education and our values. She We felt like we were part of his-
Jewish community, inviting those nuity of Israel) and the goodness focus on the repression of women is a great representative of the tory."
individuals at the forefront of and greatness of the opportunity throughout the woi:ld. President Jewish people and of Jewish
higher Jewish education. Arnold provided by the United States." Bus~ expressed his belief that women."
Eisen of The Jewish Theological With a hint of candid levity, these women would eventually Despite her uniquely
Seminary, Dr. Bernard Lander of President Joel also admitted his rise up in the name of freedom, conferred status as the confer-
Touro College, Rabbi Zalman_ excitement at seeing the Oval reclaiming their individual rights. ence's leading female, . Dean
Gifter of the Rabbinical Co}lege J Office. "From a little boy's point Bacon harbored no scruples in
."This is a man who values .
of Telshe, as well as four under; of view, I always wanted to be in women and their extraordinary partaking in the meeting's dis-
graduates, were among the 14 in the West Wing," he said. ability to effect change in the course "along with the rest of

University
. President Ahead
in Nevysvveek "Baby Boomer" Poll

BY SHAYNA HOENIG "wide cross-range" of candidates Summers, and Massachusetts students, alumni and the rest of online polls boasted President
for each of the survey's cate- Institute of Technology President the community rally around and Joel's nomination, a university-
In a recent survey conducted gories. "[President Joel is a] Susan Rockfield, among others. vote for the university because it wide email was circulated by
by Newsweek magazine, Yeshiva good representative of both the Despite the prestige of his really was a vote for Yeshiva Jonah Raskas (YC '07), presi-
University (YU) President religious and education~ aspects competitors, President Joel University more than anything dent of the Yeshiva College
Richard M. Joel was nominated that we were looking for," he claimed an early lead in the poll, else," he said. "It shows that Student Association, encourag-
for the title of "Most Influential explained. Other nominees in the earning ~6% of the 30,313 votes Yeshiva University's name is out ing students to participate in the
Baby-Boomer" in the category of category of "Religion and cast as of January 19, 2006. there and it was a nice showing survey. Coatney reported that "it
"Religion and Education." Education" include Archbishop Coatney suggested that the statis- of spirit. The key thing is that it's was pretty clear when all of you
Though the victor has yet to be guys decided to vote," recalling
announced, the university presi- the sudden influx· of ballots cast
dent has enjoyed a comfortable in favor of President Joel.
lead over the other contenders. "I think it's important to
The aim of the survey, cur- show that a Jewish leader can be
rently in its second year, was to recognized for his impact beyond
designate successful and promi- just our inner circle of Jews,"
nent individuals who are mem- remarked Shani Chesir (SCW
bers of the baby boomer genera- of Atlanta Wilton Gregory, Tom tics reflect the widely-held per- a vote for the university." '08). "It's important that other
tion, which is roughly defined as Vander Ark of the Bill and ception that YU is a well-estab- President Joel's selection by people can recognize that there is
those born during the postwar Melinda Gates Foundation, lished university. News.week did in fact amplify [an] interaction between Jews
period, between 1945 and 1964. Sandy Kress of the "No Child Rabbi Josh Joseph, chief of feelings of school solidarity and and [the] world at large."
According to Newsweek's Left Behind" project, Secretary staff to President Joel, shared his pride in both students of the uni-
Projects Editor Mark Coatney, of Education Margaret Spellings, enthusiasm about the survey. "It versity and in the Jewish com:
the magazine was looking for a former Harvard President Larry was fun and exciting to see the munity at large. Shortly after

PAGE 8 THE OBSERVER JANUARY 2007

 THE OBSERVER NEWS

First SCW Dean of Students President Richard.Joel

Remembered for Her Chairs Panel of
Dignity and Dedication NYC University
Presidents
BY ESTHER BARUH tion. She remembers Dean
BY DEBORAH ANSTANDIG senting multiple voices and opin- F~llow for Institutional - rsaacs as a strong supporter of
ions pertaining to issues of anti- Advancement at YU, Menachem Elizabeth Isaacs
women's education and as some-
Last month the presi- Semitism and anti-Israel bias. Menchel (YC '06), was inspired Gilbert, the first dean of students
at Stem College for Women one who empowered students to
dents of the three top-ranking President Joel subse- by the dialogue that ensued "give better than their best."
universities in New York City quently posed a question con- between the presidents. "For (SCW), passed away in late
Dean Braun reflected on her role
participated in a colloquium enti- cerning Bollinger's and Sexton's Presidents Bollinger and Sexton, December at the age of 104.
in comparison to that of Dean
tled "Academic Integrity, the responses to allegations that their the purpose of a university educa- Dean Isaacs, as she was known
Isaacs. "The dean of students
Middle East, and the State of the universities tolerate anti-Semitic tion is exposure to both scholar- by her students, left an indelible
and student affairs has · always
Academy" at The Jewish Center and anti-Israel activity on cam- ship and the complexity of impression on all who passed
through the doori; of the college been [to deal with] the non-aca-
on the Upper West Side. Yeshiva pus. The most recent example ideas," he noted. "Yet for demic side of student life and
University (YU) President occurred in September, after Lisa Yeshiva, academic study on its during her 12 year tenure at
that's consistent," she noted.
Richard M. ·Joel moderated the Anderson, dean of Columbia's own is incomplete. While educa- sew.
However, the life of
panel discussion between himself School of International and tion for its own sake is signifi- Dean Karen Bacon
women in the 1950s is substan-
and his counterparts at Columbia Public Affairs, invited Iranian cant, Yeshiva teaches that knowl- remembers Dean Isaacs vividly. tially different from what it is
University (CU) and New York President Mahmoud edge must be channeled to serve "Highly cultured, with enormous today, and with the changing of
University (NYU): Lee C. Ahmadinejad, who has achieved . the community at large. Listening dignity and a regal bearing the times, the role of the dean of
Bollinger and John Sexton, notoriety for his anti-Israel invec- to President Joel express this .despite her diminutive height, students has shifted as well. The
respectively. The dialogue, part tives and denying of the message makes me feel like I am she inspired generations of Stem growth of the university and
of the Rudin Lecture Series, Holocaust, to speak at the un1ver- a part of something glorified py College Women to develop sew itself has also impacted the
focused on the core ,elements of sity's World Leaders' Forum. being .connected to Yeshiva." themselves both intellectually nature of the position.
undergraduate education and was After much student opposition, Hindy Poupko (SCW and personally," she said. Fundamentally though, the core
attended by over 600 people. Bollinger withdrew the invita- '05), a former presidential fellow "However, that inspiration did elements of the job have not
The Jewish Center tion, explaining that he could not · for YU's Center for the Jewish not come without a price. Dean changed. "Student Affairs still
serves not only as a synagogue, ensure adequate security for the Future and current Wexner Isaacs was demanding of herself has the same richness," Dean
but also as a center for life and event. Graduate Fellow pursuing a mas- · and of others. In ¢-at sense she Braun emphasized. "The office
learning in the broader Jewish Both Presidents discred- ter's degree in both public policy often intimidated the meek who is still very much concerned with
community. Rabbi Ari Berman, ited the notion that their institu- and Israeli studies, was also in olily discovered over time that the well-being of the students of
an alumnus of Yeshiva College, tions are anti-Semitic and anti- attendance. "As a graduate of under her stem demeanor was a sew and each individual stu-
the Bernard Revel Graduate Israel. In fact, Sexton asserted Yeshiva I felt proud to be a mem- woman who truly cared for and dent's experience."
School of Judaic Studies, and the that "we charge our faculty not ber of the audience," she said. believed in each and every stU- Dean Braun is involved
Rabbi Isaac Elchanan only with imparting to the stu- "And a current student at NYU, I dent." in the planning of a special lec-
Theological Seminary (RIETS), dents frxed and permanent truths, appreciated hearing how much Dr. Samuel Belkin, then ture to be held on January 24,
serves as the synagogue's rabbi, but extending our comprehension President Sexton values the president of Yeshiva University 2007 in memory of Dean Isaacs,
and was the coordinator of the of truth." "There's a difference Yeshiva dual curriculum system. (YU), asked Dean Isaacs to serve entitled "When Ordinary People
event. between trying to inculcate an I actually bul:nped in to President as an advisor and director of Do Extra<;>rdinary Things."
"We created the panel ideological agenda and teaching Sexton the next day on campus general student affairs in 1955; Rochel Berman, author of
in order to consider issues about techniques which try to explore and he told me how much he felt she became the first dean of stu- "Dignity Beyond Death: The
the nature of today's university," the complexitY of the subject," like he gained from the evening." dents at sew. sew had been Jewish Preparation for Burial,"
explained Rabbi Berman. Among added Bollinger. A transcript of the event founded the previous year, estab- will speak about the purification
the topics of discussion were how Despite the serious is available at The Jewish Center lishing itself as the foremost process performed on the
a university develops its mission, nature of some of the issues website at wwwjewishcenter.org Jewish liberal arts college for deceased in accordance with
to what extent a university is addressed, the tone of the women. As an alumna of Jewish law. Dean Isaacs herself
responsible for the moral educa- evening was both pleasant and Barnard College, Dean Isaacs was a member of the
tion of its students, and how engaging. Rabbi Berman credits aspired for her students to Westchester chevra kadisha
Israel is portrayed on campus. President Joel with facilitating achieve parity with undergradu- (Jewish burial society), and the
Rabbi Berman also mentioned conversation that was both "deli- ate women from other institu- lecture was designed to honor
that this was the ftrst forum for cate and ·insightful while deliver- tions of higher learning. Dean her legacy as well as to further
Presidents Bollinger and Sexton ing an evening of humor, charm, Isaacs introduced her own per- the causes which Dean Isaacs so
to speak publicly about these and pointed conversation about sonal vision, which was for the strongly championed.
issues. the essence of higher education. women ofSCW to become com- Klein reiterated her
Bollinger articulated hjs President Joel was the natural munity leaders, said her daugh- mother's dedication to the YU
belief that a university should person to moderate this discus- ter, Nancy Klein. "The idea was community. "I have to say that
teach students how to "hold in . sion because of his background hopefully that they were training her twelve years at sew were
one's mind the complexity of a and knowledge of a variety of women to go out and be active in probably the happiest and most
subject and see things in a com- universities from his careers at the Jewish community, not only productive years of her life," she
plicated way." Sexton agreed, both Hillel ~d now at Yeshiva," as teachers but as community said. "What really interests me is
explaining that universities must he said. "As a Modem Orthodox leaders, in the business world, that I'm getting letters from
serve as havens for "scholarly congregation, The Jewish Center scientific world - everywhere women [who were students
temperament" and critical think- feels very connected to Ye.shiva they went, they should be lead- under Dean Isaacs]. They
ing. The presidents also and its ideals." ers." describe her as a role model, dig-
expressed their views about pre- Eisenberg Presidential Dean Isaacs, as the first nified, regal, and they really
dean of students, was instrumen- respected her a lot."
tal in laying the groundwork for "Mrs. Elizabeth Isaacs
what later developed into a full- Gilbert was ali unusual woman,"
fledged Offic_e of Student eulogized Dean Bacon. "She
Affairs. "[She] really set up the
Want To Get More Involved? student counseling," recalled
Klein. "She kind of invented the
moved into her later years with
the same vigor and ·dignity that
defined her youth, and she
Join The Observer! job. She handled all the prob-
lems that the women had with
passed away surrounded by a
large and respected family who
teachers, friends .... " Dean cherished her wisdom and her
Isaacs also initiated a Shabbat fortitude." Dean Isaacs lived to
hospitality program where she
Contact the Editors at arranged for undergraduates to
be housed with various families
see four generations of descen-
dants, from her two children,
down to her seven grandchil-
[email protected] or in the vicinity.
The current associate
dren, 35 great-grandchildren,
and 11 great-great grandchil-
Dean of Students at SCW, Zelda
arwieder@yu. edu Braun, attended SCW as an
undergraduate while her prede-
dren.

cessor still occupied the posi-

JANUARY 2007 THE OBSERVER PAGE 9

 FEATURES THE OBSERVER

FEATURES
YU Students Travel Across the Globe Over Winter
.B reak

YU Undergraduates Volunteer in Guatemala

1BY KAYLA ARONS . program. The concept of travel- its functioning, YU students poverty, social activism, and "These kids come to school and
ing to a third-wofld country in an worked alongside members of the globalization. One afternoon the are so enthusiastic about learn-
A group of 14 Yeshiva effort to help indigent people was community with shovels and students visited a small, very ing, the whole time they are just
University (YU) students devoted introduced to the YU student hoes in an effort to improve the impoverished section of the vil- sitting and waiting for their books
one week of their winter break to body last year by Rebecca Stope, school's construction. htge. "We looked at the clothes to arrive," he said. "When they
a humanitarian mtsston in a Presidential Fellow who sought "Our day was completely on the laundry lines and saw are at school, they are happy;
Rabinal, Guatemala. The trip the integration of YU students holes in all of them," recounted there are no signs of poverty. We
took place from January 7-14 and into the already existent AJWS Pelzner. "Then we saw the little really .forget how fortunate we
was facilitated by YU's Center Alternative Break humanitarian children running around wearing are."
for the Jewish Future (CJF) in programs. After last year's initial clothes that had holes every- P~lzner explained that all of
affiliation with the American trip to Honduras proved a suc- where." the participants made a commit-
Jewish World Service (AJWS). cess, YU was assigned this year The next afternoon the group ment to get involved in social
The mission was headed by CJF to the small town of Rabinal, met with the founder of the New activism upon their return from
Director of Operations Alan Guatemala for the concentration Hope Foundation, a man whose their trip and to achieve that goal,
Brava and Presidential Fellow of their aid efforts. The students · entire family, with the exception the group will meet in the coming
Laya Pelzner. With a presence on were required to attend four of his sister, was killed in a 1982 weeks to discuss plans for contin-
both the Wilf and Beren meetings prior to their trip to pre- massacre that occurred in the vil- ued humanitarian aid efforts.
Campuses, the CJF exists to com- pare them for the work expected, lage. The students also visited an
bine and utilize YU's intellectual as well as possible halakhic artisan quarter in which they
resources in an effort to enrich, issues that would arise in the for- packed," explained parttctpant learned how to make pottery.
enable, and empower the Jewish eign, secular environment. Gabi Goodfriend (SCW '09). "We really gained great
community. The CJF strives to The group was assigned to "We got up at six in the morning, insight into something otherwise
cultivate an intense sense of pride dig a trench, which served as a worked on the trench until lunch, unknown to us," observed
and spirit among students, while draining system in a school. The and then tried to integrate our- Pelzner. "T~ese people have so
offering communities the tools participants, who stayed on the selves into the kids' daily activi- much less than anything we are
needed to perpetuate and upper level of a woman's house, ties; we played soccer with them, used to seeing, it just really made
strengthen their Jewish affilia- worked with the New Hope and they taught us some of their us appreciate what we have, and
tion. Foundation, an organization that gam_es as well." we realize our responsibility to
The 14 participants were focuses on bettering community The YU group also attended give back to the community."
. chosen from a group of more than ~ducation. Since constant flood- afternoon seminars and discus- Participant Benjy Neren (YC
60 applicants to the winter break ing of the school interfered with sions centered on the issues of '07) echoed this sentiment.

Lrnan Achai Israel Leadership Experience: Learning and

Teaching for Israel
BY ABBY ATLAS he mentioned the idea of a chesed Leadership Experience was very Furthermore, having each of Israel where the mission offi-
mission, his parents had a change different than most other mis- American student speak about his cially began. On the second day
In November 2006, when of heart. sions to Israel. Instead of the or her personal responses to the of the mission, when the time
students submitted their applica- During the three four- usual activities like painting war would show that this respect came to present these programs
tions for the Lman Achai Israel hour long leadership training ses- bomb shelters, volunteering at and concern for Jews in Israel is to the high school students of the
Leadership Experience,_a Yeshiva sions held prior to the mission, soup kitchens, and planting trees manifested in actions. Creating Amit School in Karmiel, the
University (YU) Israel Club mis- Shuki Taylor, who flew in from with the Jewish National Fund, presentations that focused on this group ofYU students was skepti-
sion to the north of Israel to be Israel specifically to conduct the the activities of the Lman Achai relationship between the Jews of cal as to how the program would
held during winter break, many · -training seminars, emphasized mission mostly involved meeting Israel and the Diaspora and per- turn out and whether or not the
did not fully understand the goals the unique goals of the mission. with people. Taylor emphasized forming them in Israeli high Israeli eleventh and twelfth
of the trip. The application Taylor, an English speaking in the training sessions that meet- schools was therefore a major graders would care at all about
included a "social contract" that Israeli on staff at the YU Israel in focus of the mission. the message of the program.
each applicant signed, promising office in Jerusalem, worked from In these training s·emi- During the programs, it
his or her commitment to bring- Israel to design the mission, nars, the group was divided into became apparent that the feelings
ing back efforts on behalf of together with the input of the YU four subunits which each pre- of guilt that the American stu-
Israel to campus after the mis- Israel Club. He identified the pared a forty-five minute presen- dents had and the indifference
sion. Even after signing their goals of the mission as education- tation focusing on Israel- they anticipated from the Israelis
names to this document, many al,_to learn the effects of Israel's Diaspora relations. These pro- were unfounded. The Israeli stU-
students remained in the dark war with Lebanon in the summer grams used various media, such dents were touched by the pre-
regarding the purpose of the mis- of 2006. However, more than as PowerPoint presentations anCl sentations. The students of YU
sion and what exactly they were educational, the goal of the mis- skits, to demonstrate not only were surprised to learn that the
supposed to bring back to cam- sion was to simply talk to Israelis with people in Israel and talking what was done in the Diaspora Israelis knew nothing of the mul-
pus. who had suffered through the to them would have a much more for the war effort but, more titude rallies, tehillim groups, and
Each student, therefore1 war, by providing them with a powerful effect than the typical importantly, why it was done. other initiatives that took place in
had his or her own motivation for forum in which they could talk chesed mission activities. Talking After preparing these presenta- the Diaspora during July and
participating. One student noted about the war, a topic which with people, such as the high tions, however, one junior com- August of 2006. "It was shocking
that her incentive for wanting to many Israelis have avoided dis- school students in Karmiel and mented that she "was not com- to learn that these high school
join was that her airfare would be cussing for the past few months, Tsfat, two cities in the North of _fortable going into Israeli schools students truly had no idea that the
subsidized by the Center for the· though emotionally, needs to be Israel, could reshape their self and telling them what was done world cared about them," said
Jewish Future (CJF). Another addressed. Taylor also stressed images. Telling the Israelis about in America. I was afraid they Ezra Sutton (YC '09).
student noted that he wished to the importance of informing the the respect the American students would respond 'so what, I sat in a While the Israelis were
return to his alma mater yeshiva Israelis about what was done in hold for them as settlers of the bomb shelter, my brother was in impressed when they learned that
in Israel to learn for the two America in response to the war. land of Israel could change the the war."' they had what one woman called
weeks but his parents did not Reflecting the unique way these students see them- The group met in Israel at the a "strong back" of support in the
think that was reason enough for goals of the mission, the itinerary selves, from "victims" to YU office in Jerusalem. From
him to make the trip. But, when of the Lman Achai Israel "heroes,"'- said Taylor. there, they traveled to the North continued on page 22

PAGE 10 THE OBSERVER JANUARY 2007

 • I FEATURES
-
CJF Organizes Coast to Coast Program of Jevvish Outreach . .

BY YAFFI SPODEK ning and extensive programming. thing to them ... they have been ticularly impressive. Together Congregation Beth Israel and
According to Abrams, the trip imbued with 'a deep, deep sense they discuss how to raise their enhanced the Shabbat atmos-
This winter break, 20 men was geared towards giving stu- of Jewisl:). identity." kids and imbue them with JeWish phere by giving shiurim to the
and women from Yeshiva dents a closer look at different The. trip commenced on values. They work very hard to community.
University (YU) had the privilege communities and what makes January 2, when the group trav- sustain Jewish life in their small From there, they flew ·to
of spending 12 days traveling them successful. To achieve that, eled by. bus from New York to communities." Miami, where they spent the day
down the East Coast to different in each place that the group trav- Baltimore, Maryland, where they The group then headed to at .Hillel Academy and
Jewish communities, granting eled to, they spoke with some visited the JCC of Park Heights. Atlanta, Georgia, where they vis- Maimonides Day School and ran
them the opportunity to spread leaders of the local community, Baltimore was one of the larger, ited the Young Israel of Toco several programs for the students.
their Jewish knowledge and their rabbis and educators, and they more developed communities Hills. Rabbi Michael J. Broyde At the Highland Lakes Beit
love and enthusiasm for learning, also ran programming for the that the group visited. "It was a spoke to the students about his David Synagogue, the partici-
while simultane- great model of a thriving out-of- experiences being a rabbi outside pants facilitated an adult learning
ously educating town community," Shuman of the New York area. After that program. After that, they traveled
those around observed. they flew to New Orleans, where to Boca Raton, where they coor-
them. The trip After Baltimore, the next they saw the areas of the city that dinated an educational program
was organized by stop was Richmond, Virginia, were hit hardest by Hurricane for adults at both the Boca Raton
the Center for the which had a much smaller popu- Katrina. They saw a shu/ which Synagogue and the Boca Kollel.
Jewish Future lation of Jews. In Richmond, the had been completely destroyed The second and last Shabbat of
(CJF) as part of group had the opportunity to by the water from the hurricane the trip was spent in Boynton
its new Jewish speak with the local Jewish lead- and were given a tour of the ninth Beach and Highland Lakes with
Life Coast to ers of Knesseth Beit Israel and ward. They also did some clean- local families who hosted them
Coast Program. they stayed overnight in commu- for the week-
The goal of nity members' houses. end. There
the program was The next leg of the trip took . they met with
to expose the par- the students farther down South, high school
ticipants to into Charleston, South Carolina, students and
Jewish communi- Addlestone Hebrew Academy in Charleston, which is one of the oldest Jewish ate meals with
ties outside of the South Carolina communities on the East coast. members of
tri-state area. While dining on southern fried the communi-
Each community that the group children in the synagogues and chicken, the group implemented ty. While the
visited was at a different stage in schools. \ family learning programs at Brith group was in
their development, with some "By going into the schools, Sholom Beth Israel. On their sec- Florida, Rabbi
thriving and vibrant, full of we were tryinp to show the kids ond day, they conducted pro- Kenneth
Orthodox Jews of all ages, while that you can be normal and cool, grams for third through eighth Brander, dean
others were made up of only a and also religious," · said Laura graders at the Addlestone Hebrew of the CJF,
handful of people, some of them Shuman (SCW '08), one of the Academy, where they also met came down
pluralistic and completely non- worrien on the trip. She explained with and spoke to the school prin- and spoke to
religious. "Through this trip, our that in some of the out-of-town cipal. Shuman described the shu! Congregation Beth Israel in New Orleans, Louisiana the students
students got a closer look at communities, especially the there as "beautiful" and she and the com-
Jewish communal life and leader- smaller ones, the kids just did not enjoyed the lecture that they munity. He
ship," said. Rabbi · Ari Rockoff, feel a strong connection to heard from the local rabbi, Rabbi ing and restoration work around spoke about how he had built up
director of the CJF's Department Judaism. By the same token, the Ari Sytner, whose words she con~ the area, and volunteered with the community of Boca over the
of Community Initiatives. "Many YU students discovered that there sidered "an inspiration, _full of NECHAMA, a group that facili- last 10 years; making it the thriv-
of them have already expressed is Jewish life outside of New clarity and energy." President of tates disaster response volunteer ing community it is. today com-
interest in the communities York and that there are communi- the Student Organization of projects. One project that the plete with shuts, schools, and
they've visited, and we hope that ties· who are struggling with the Yeshiva (SOY), Josh Vogel (YC group undertook was gutting a mikvahs.
interest will inspire them to pur- reality that they face in terms of '07) was particularly impressed damaged house that had literally The trip was deemed very
sue future roles as leaders in dwindling numbers of p·eople. . by the dedication of the coillmu- not been touched since Katrina. successful and the YU students
Jewish life." But, Shuman observed, "there is nity. Many members are not reli- Wearing hard hats, masks, and who participated gained a lot
Rabbi Rockoff accompanied a whole set of traditional Jewish gious yet, they go to shu! every gloves, they cleared out the entire from their experiences. They
the group on the trip, as did Aliza values that we think have been week because they believe that house and took off all the panel- really felt that they made an
Abrams, who, in her role as coor- lost, but the South has kept them "it is important for the communi- ing from the walls. The students
dinator, was involved in the plan- alive, because it means some- ty," he said. "Their·unity was par- · also spent Shabbat there with continued on page 22

Student Volunteers Build Houses in Georgia

BY ALIZA VISHNIAVSKY third world countries on almost rience." power tools was awesome, and I impressed,"· she said. "It was a
every continent. According to the When they arrived at the found some really fun stuff to buy great kiddush Hashem."
This past winter break, while organization's website;-'Habitat building location in Eastman, at the thrift shop," she said. The week also had a great
some students were relaxing at for Humanity,founded in 1976, GA, the participants were imme- Under the guidance · of impact on those who participated.
home or enjoying a leisurely has built 200,000 houses which diately put to work, rotating Habitat for Humanity, the group_ Weis.el observed that it made her
vacation, a woup of 23 students . were then sold to families at a no- between the physical labors of built the entire house, from nail- view . her· o:wn house differently
· were hard at work, using their profi~ rate ·and_with affordabie ing · the shingles to lifting the - since she' now knows firsthand
bare hands to build a house in loans. The organization p)ides entire roof onto the house. about the great imiount of physi-
Georgia. The mission, organized itself on fighting the housing cri- ''Nothing was too small or too big car effort it takes to put a house
by Bnei Akiva, a Zionist youth sis that has developed around the for the people at Habitat to show together. "It makes me appreciate
group, was coordinated by world. Two billion people world- us how to do," Weisel explained. my own house more," she said.
Rachel Weisel (SCW '08) and wide live in conditio:Q.s of pover- "They taught us the small things "It was a week of giving to a
David Wermuth (YC '07). The ty, enduring overcrowding and like hammering nails and they community through physical
group consisted of 20 . Yeshiva lacking basic necessities, while taught us the more complicated tzedakah." As for a highlight of
University (YU) students, as well affordable housing is becoming things like using huge power the mission, Weisel could not
as one student from Yale, one more and more limited. tools." pinpoint one specific moment,
from Columbia, and another from To travel down to Georgia, Last year Bnei Akiva ran the saying, "everything that week
New York University. The stu- the group rented vans and drove program for the first time and due was amazing."
dents joined forces with Habitat over twenty hours to their build- to its success, organized it for the
for Humanity to build a house, .ing site. On the way, they stopped second time this year. According
which will eventually become in Atlanta for Shabbos and ran to Ausubel, Habitat for Humanity
home to a family that cannot programming for the youth there. said that the YU group from last
afford a house at market price. "It really made our group bond," year was the best they had
Habitat for Humanity is an commented Miriam Ausubel building the house and working encountered all year, and that this
international nonprofit organiza- (SCW '08), one of the volunteers in the thrift shop Habitat for year's delegation was no differ-
tion that serves communities all on the trip. "Listening to some Humanity operates to raise funds ent. "They said that they antici-
over the world, from developed ·people play geography for six for its cause. Weisel enjoyed both pated that it would be the same
countries like the United States to hours straight was quite an expe- parts of the experience. ''Using success, and they . were very

JANUARY 2007 THE OBSERVER . PAGE 11

 \\ l

FEATURES THE OBSERVER

Beyond 34th Street

BY JACKIE FAST The Strand with a large tote bag Broadway between 4th and 5th continually operated bookstores 8. Crawford Doyle
because the guards will make you Streets, two blocks away from in New York. Many Stem Booksellers - Madison Avenue in
The beginning of a new check it in. Washington Square Park in College for Women (SCW) stu- the Upper East Side is one of the
semester is the time of year when Getting there: Located on Greenwich Village dents shop at J. Levine to pur- most pleasant shopping areas in
students visit the Barnes and Broadway and 12th Street Walk or take the 6 to Astor chase required books and texts Manhattan, combining high-end
Noble on 18th Street and 5th Walk or take the 6 to 14th Place and walk around the comer. for their Judaic Studies courses. stores with the relatively quiet
Avenue more than they'd care to, Street-Union Square and walk 4. Complete Traveler - In addition, the store includes a and relaxing air of the surround-
sometimes venturing half a dozen down two blocks. Although this store has been · fme selection of Jewish music ing residential neighborhood.
visits within a week in order to 2. New York Public Library mentioned previously in Beyond and will happily order books that Located among expensive
locate all of their required text- (NYPL) Gift Shop- It's not a sur- 34th Street, it is such a treasure, are out of stock upon request. Be European clothing boutiques is
books. Looking at the bookstore prise that the largest -public and so nearby, that it's worthy of sure to ask about their sew stu- Crawford Doyle Booksellers, a
visits penciled over my to-do list, library in America also has an another reference. This small dent discount. small old-fashioned bookstore
I think it's appropriate to dedicate expansive gift shop. Since the bookstore contains an enviable with a remarkable selection
Central Branch of the NYPL collection of rare travel guides. . packed into its minimal square-.
this column of "Beyond 34th
doesn't place its collections on footage.
Street" to my favorite independ- Be sure to check out the 19th
publicly viewable shelves, the Getting there: Located on
ent bookstores in Manhattan. century manuals for visiting the
books in the gift shop are the only Madison Avenue between 81st
Since the borough is so Holy Land and the piles of beau-
books in · the library one can and 82nd Streets
densely populated and on the tiful antique maps.
peruse at their leisure. Books _in Walk or take the 6 to 77th
whole' very educated, the city Ge~ing there: Located on
the gift shop primarily explore Street and walk about five
manages to support more book- Madison at 35th Street
the history of New York and of blocks.
stores than almost anywhere else You might as well walk over.
the library. 9. Judaica Treasures and JT
in the world, including many that 5. Argosy- Located on 59th The Strand Bookstore
Cafe - Located on the Upper West
specialize in specific interests. As · Street, in one of the most presti- Getting there: Located on Side, Judaica Treasures is one of
the "Big-Box" bookstores, gious streets in the city for high- 30th Street between 5th and 6th my favorite Judaica stores in
Borders Books and Barnes and end boutiques, Argosy fits into avenues New York. Although the Hebrew
Noble, begin to take over the the neighborhood perfectly. J. Levine is a five-minute seforim selection is a little bit dis-
country, we should recognize the Among its five stories of used walk from the Beren Campus. appointing, there is a wide selec-
value of the small independent and rare books is an outstanding 7. The Old Print Shop- For tion of English Jewish books of
bookstores that remain. The fol- selection with very high prices. students living in Schottenstein all types, as well as gifts and art-
lowing are my ten favorite small Although you may not be inter-
The New York Public Library Residence Hall, the Old Print work in styles ranging from tradi-
bookstores in Manhattan. ested in buying anything, the Shop is right around the comer tional to sleek and modem. The
1. The Strand Bookstore - ambiance makes for a wonderful
Gettj.ng there: Located on 5th on Lexington Avenue. The shop fmest feature of this store, how-
This East Village bookstore Avenue and 4 0th Street browsing 'experience so long as contains an absolutely remark- ever, is the fact that it is also a
claims to have over 18 miles of the employees don't stare at you
Walk· or take the 6 to 42nd able selection of prints, maps, dairy cafe, complete with cute
used books and it is quite possi- suspiciously for "just looking."
Street and walk over to 5th and fme art from 18th and 19th wicker chairs among the book-
ble that this isn't an exaggeration. Getting there: Located on
Avenue. century American history. It is shelves where patrons can enjoy
Lauded by many as the world's 59th Street between Park and
3. Shakespeare Bookstore - certainly worth a visit but one can their lunches.
largest used-13ook store, The Lexington Avenues
Although the selection some- also peruse the collection on their Getting there: Located on
Strand has a . small store feel Walk or take the 6 to 59th
times leans toward cutting-edge, website, www.oldprintshop.com. 72nd Street between Broadway
while containing almost every street and it's on the block when
recently published novels, there Getting there: Located on and West End Avenue
title imaginable. Most of their you exit.
is also a broad variety of fascinat- Lexington Avenue between 29th Take the 1 from 34th Street to
paperbacks .are priced extremely 6. J. Levine and Sons Jewish
ing non-fiction titles about histo- and 30th Streets; it's a four 72nd Street and walk over one
reasonably and the books dis- Books and Judaica - This shop
ry and politics. minute walk from the school block.
played on their sidewalk sales are claims to be one of the oldest
Getting there: Located on buildings.
dirt-cheap. Make sure not to visit

Thinking About Your Summer Plans?

/ VVhat About. __

TI I ·E YU ISRAEL
SUJVIIVl,ER EXPERIE~CE

Visit vvvvvv.yu.edu/summerinisrael
Contact [email protected] for more information
 THE OBSERVER NEWS

Increase of Students New Women's Fellowship Marks

on Beren Campus Watershed -in CJF-SCW Alliance
continued from front page work] is not 9 to 5. It's interesting Jewish community, the fellow-
UN, orientation activities and the to see what that means for these ship also seeks to redress prior
continued from front page esty, budgeting, boards, and vol- women practically as a daily deficiencies on the part of the
annual Sarachek Tournament unteer mobilization, and are usu-
abroad, including countries like experience." CJF in engaging the students of
have attracted prospective stu- ally followed by discussion
France, Canada, and South Though planning to initially the Beren Campus. "The CJF and
dents in greater numbers and thus amongst the students.
America. work at an accounting firm, Kahn Stem College see women as an
have encouraged greater enroll- "The Women's Leadership
The influx of _students in described her hopes to advance essential part of strengthening the
ment. Fellowship was born from the
recent years can be attributed to a into non-profit and administra- Jewish future and this is but one
However, the sudden influx excitement about the potential
number of factors. "Growth is the tive work in the future. "I am so attempt to educate and expose
of the last two years has placed contributions Stem graduates
plan of the university," said Dr. appreciative of the opportunity to them to opportunities, issues, and
serious space constraints on the could make to the Jewish com-
Fisher. "This is a planned and meet Orthodox women who are skills to guide them on their paths
already crowded facilities. "All munity," explained Jordana
expected phenomenon." He active in their communities and to success," concluded Schoor.
of these changes are wonderful Schoor, director of special proj-
pointed to the popularity of what can serve as role models for me Rabbi Kenneth Brander,
for the university and we're very ects at the CJF and the program's
has been commonly referred to as in terms of my career aspira- dean of the CJF, expounded on -.J
excited, but we're also suffering coordinator. "Already passionate,
the "Israel option." The S. Daniel tions," she continued. "This will the shifting focus of the center.
from growing pains," said Dr. learned, and experienced leaders;
Abraham Israel Program has help me see what's out there and "For all the years I was a student
Fisher. These growing pains have the selected fellows are upper-
expanded tremendously, and by what's realistic and will give me at YU, the community services
resulted in the extensive con- classwom~n who have exhibited
awarding credit for study in insight into a world [which] I division was located on the Wilf
struction of the lobby in the main their skills and commitment to
Israel it has encouraged many wouldn't normally have access Campus with almost no _interac-
college building and of the newly ·serving the Jewish people."
students to stay abroad a semes- to, in a very real way." tion with the Beren Campus. We
ter longer, causing them to enroll acquired 12th and 14th floors in Interestingly, the fellowship Nina Bursky-Tammam are trying to change that para-
in the spring instead of at the 205 Lexington. This space was not openly advertised, as (SCW '08), another participant, digm," he said.
beginning of the academic year. includes President Joel's Schoor requested CJF staff mem- viewed the new fellowship from "While there are many
The dramatic increase in stu- Presidential Suite with a state-of- bers, sew administrators, and ~n alternative lens. "It sound& women role models at Stem
dents can also be ascribed to the the-art boardroom which will be student leaders nominate candi- like it could be a great opportuni- College for Women and women's
recruiting efforts that have been used for classes as well as events. dates of their own choosing. ty to create a common sense of leadership, there's not enough so
specifically geared towards Housing has also been impacted After interviewing approximately responsibility and leadership," we wanted 'to give them more of
SCW. "We've been hiring new by the rising numbers of incom- 40 undergraduates, Schoor she said. "Once you create a core an opportunity to do that," Rabbi
admissions faculty for the Beren ing students, as approximately 80 assembled a small cadre of 11 of people who are equipped to do Brander continued. "The Wilf
Campus to close the gap between women have required accommo- participants, most of them sen- something, it has the potential to Campus has exposure to addi-
the men's and women's enroll- dations for the spring, a greater iors. Her decisions were based on spread to the entire community. I tional leadership models because
ment," Dr. Fisher explained. A amount than usual, said Rachel the applicants' previous commu- hope this can act as that core that they have the rabbinical school,
permanent admissions office, Kraut, director of residence life nal involvement and her desire to can spread the message of leader- so this is a program which we felt
headed by Geri Mansdorf, is now on the Beren Campus. create a multifarious group, rep- ship to Stem or the entire Jewish specifically applied to the Beren
located on the Beren Campus and resenting the varied religious, community." Campus."
has a full-time staff dealing social, and geographic elements Bursky-Tammam, who is Rabbi Brander placed the
exclusively with women's enroll- of the student body at sew. pursuing a degree in physics, Women's Leadership Fellowship
ment. "They represent the diversity acknowledged that many women in context of the overriding mis-
Moreover, the university has of Stem College and Orthodox refrain from taking more public sion embraced by the CJF, which
steadily increased and improved women in general," said Schoor. leadership roles because they are is to "convene the energies of
the_ events held on campus for "But they share a desire to con- hindered by feelings of self-con- Yeshiva University to help shape
parents and educators. Model tribute to the Jewish community sciousness. She pointed to the the future leaders of the Jewish
in significant ways, to grow as fellowship's "potential to prevent people and interact with commu-
individuals and professionals by women from taking the back- mtles around the worid."
meeting role models, learning seat." Initiatives like the fellowship, he
skills, and thinking about how By partnering with the explained, help to infUse students
they can enhance the Jewish Office of Alumni Affairs, Schoor with a sense of collective respon-
future using their talents and pas- hopes to better facilitate interac- sibility and empowerment, which
sion- now and in the future." tions between the undergraduates he hopes continue far beyond the
Freida Kahn (SCW '07), an and their mentors. Moreover, as duration of the program itself.
-accounting major at the Sy Syms most of the participants are sen- "This is not a one-time expe-
School of Business, related her iors, many of them will shortly · rience," Rabbi Brander empha-
enthusiasm at being afforded the become alumni themselves. The sized with · respect to the
chance to speak with individuals importance of networking with Women's Leadership Fellowship.
who have demonstrated through- community leaders is therefore "It's our hope to make this a
out their professional and private especially imperative and will many-year experience and I think
lives that Orthodox women can enable students to remain' active- we're starting in a very robust
have it all, achieving success ly involved, even after graduat- way."
both as mothers and community ing.
QJeemOftre leaders. "Being a Jewish woman, Aside from encouraging
l1l al591~111 it's an important value in my life women to attain greater leader-
to raise a family," she remarked. ship visibility in the general
"As in many jobs, [volunteer

What's New in the Library

New Online Database:

Construction Continues o-n the
Encyclopedia Judaica, 2nd edition, 2007, is available for the Beren Carnnpus
first time via remote access. It is also accessible in the library,
online and in print.
continued from front page floor will not entail "such major female community, allowing an
At Your Service: construction" and expects that the older, more diverse group of
ed facility on the sixth floor. Beit Midrash will be completed women to learn with undergradu-
Librarians are available to help in a variety of ways including Though construction on the sev- by next year. Jeffrey ates. "[This will be] a huge Beit
one-on-one assistance for students, faculty and staff and assist- enth floor was originally set to Rosengarten, the university's Midrash for women that will
ing with subject presentations for individual classes. commence during winter break, it associate vice president for hopefully only be the beginning
has been delayed, as a result of administrative services who has of what the Beit Midrash can be,"
Book Sale: difficulties in obtaining zoning overseen the construction project said Unterman. "This is a huge
permission for expansion onto thus far, could not be reached for step for Modem Orthodox
The library is selling a variety of books they no longer need. the balconies. Yet students came comment. women to have a large,
Some are new, others are in the field of Jewish studies, and back from winter break and were Providing space for 150 stu- respectable place to learn."
superseded textbooks will also be on sale. Prices are very rea- excited to see that some progress dents, the new prospective Beit
sonable. The sale will take place on the second floor of the · had been made on the seventh Midrash will raise the _level of
library. Please send suggestions or comments about this col- floor. Unlike the complete gut- seriousness of Jewish studies at
umn or about the library to [email protected]. ting and remodeling of the first SCW. It will also serve as a
floor, Unterman explained that venue for professors to present
the renovations on the seventh shiurim to the broader Jewish

JANUARY 2 007 THE OBSERVER PAGE 13

 ISRAEL THE OBSERVER

THE ISRAEL SECTION

Israel and Iran: Ho\1\1 much A Message from the
information is too much?
President
BY TALIA KAPLAN with kamikaze fighters, Shlomo Israel to announce their detailed
Brom, a former top Israeli mili- plans for attacking Iran. It seems
BY RACHEL GOLDSTEIN I would do Israel Club programs,
The information age is upon tary official who was an armed as though the element of surprise
I would think that what I was
us. We know basketball scores as forces chief of strategic planning, has been removed from modem
First, I want to welcome doing was not really productive
they happen, which movie stars discussed the different obstacles military warfare, something that
everyone back from winter break. since people in Israel don't really
were dumped before their own in the way of the Israeli attack. can undoubtedly affect how
I hope you all had a chance to care about the efforts people in
friends even know, and at the first He said it will be difficult to get . effective modem military opera-
recharge your batteries for the chutz la 'aretaz expend on their
ring of a fire alaim we know the airplanes used in the mission tions will be.
upcoming semester. behalf. But now, knowing much
where the.frre is located and how back after the attack takes place If Israel's goal in making
In the next few paragraphs I more than I used to, I realize that
many people are injured. Perhaps because Iran, with all its military these announcements is to scare
want to share some thoughts and people in Israel are thankful for
it is precisely for that reasou that capabilities, will notice a fleet of the Iranians, it does not seem to
experiences that I have from the the things we do from the outside
reading headlines about Israel Israeli F-15's and F-16's and be working. Iran has responded
L'man Achai Northern Israel and I feel a much greater sense of
possibly striking Iran should not by saying that Israel would never
Leadership Experience that took purpose in my work in America
be shocking. Maybe knowing dare to attack the country.
place over the break. The trip was on behalf of the people of Israel.
news before it happens should PresidentAhmadinejad directed a
amazing; that may even be an The itinerary was incredible,
not be surprising. Yet, it still is. similar statement towards the
understatement. The program but the trip would not have been
A British newspaper, The United States, the country it con-
was so unique because we actual- as great as it was without the
Sunday Times, announced that siders to be Israel's "master."
ly got to talk to the people in Yeshiva University (YU) under-
Israel is planning an attack on the Moreover, this seeming threat has
Israel about their experiences graduates who participated.
Iranian uranium enrichment not prevented Iran from calling
from this past summer. We didn't Despite being from varied back-
plants. These plants are the sites for the destruction of the State of
want this to be an ego-boosting grounds and having different
where the Iranian government is Israel.
trip where we would come back view.s, everyone meshed together
creating nuclear power. The This is not the only piece of
bragging that 'we painted' or 'we into one united group by the end
Iranian government claims that it information that has been leaked
built.' Rather, speaking and inter- of the trip. The individuals who
is producing nuclear power sole- to the press in recent months. In
Iran's uranium conversion acting with the people in Israel comprised the group taught me
ly for the purpose of energy, but December, Israeli Prime Minister
facility, Isfahan and learning frrst-hand what they how to be more open in two
this claim has been long ques- Ehud Olmert; included Israel in a
went through brought what hap- respeets. The frrst thing I learned
tioned and many believe that the shoot the planes down. group of countries that possess a
pened this past summer to a was the . importance of being
Iranian government, under the In - addition, Iran may nuclear arsenal. Israel has long
whole other level. Most people in receptive to people with ideas
leadership of President already be on high alert because held an ambiguous stance on its
the Diaspora just saw what hap- and views different than mine.·
Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, is creat- of UN Resolution 1737 which nuclear capabilities.
pened on Tv, not really getting a Even more than that, I learned the
ing a nuclear bomb. gave Iran until mid February to The question remains. Is the
sense of what the Israeli people importance of really considering
The Sunday Times gave · stop its increase of sensitive speed of information an aide to,
went through. But on the trip, we what others had to say and using
many details, including a March nuclear ·activities. They have·not or a deterrent for the State of
were able to hear about people's their insights to change my way
timetable for the attacks and yet indicated any cessation of Israel? Can Israel continue to
experiences frrst hand from a of thinking and s·eeing things.
specifying that the top Special their nuclear activities or ambi- protect itself when its military
variety of different angles. We The other kind of openness is in
Forces brigade, Unit 262, will be tions. Furthermore, Iran knows secrets are leaked to every lay-
interacted with and heard the per- being able to communicate in a
used for the attack. Furthermore, how Israel destroyed the site of man before they are implement-
spectives of college students, more effective way. Because of
100 U.S.-made BLU "bunker the Iraqi Osirak nuclear reactor in ed? The one thing that is certain,
social workers, . doctors, a jour- . our processing sessions and indi-
busters" were identified as key to 1981, which would also put them is that Israel must take notice and
nalist, high school students, a vidual discussions I was able to
an attack on the numerous under- on high alert. great care as to what is being said
military expert, a psychologist, open myself up more by the end
ground strategically-protected While Iran is undoubtedly in public and how to best protect
midrasha and hesder students, of the trip:
sites where the enrichment is tak- aware of the threats against them, itself from the growing threats it Throughout the semester,
regular citizens living in the
ing place. Contrasting the Israelis · it seems somewhat absurd for is facing. The Israel Club hopes to channel
<..
towns we visited, among others.
The point is that we were privi- its energy and passion from the
leged to come in contact with trip back on campus. Som~ of the

Israel News such different kinds of people

throughout our weeklong trip,
initiatives being undertaken
include an Israel newsletter, an
learning about their experiences aliyah group, Israeli culture proj-
Ashkenazi Replaces Halutz ects, a halachik symposium, an
and gaining insights from all of
!After Israeli Defense Force Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Dan Halutz resigned them. updated Israel Club website, Yom
rom his position after being found responsible for the mismanage- One instance that stands out Hazikaron and Yom Ha'atzmaut
lfnent of the war with Lebanon this past summer, Prime Minister Ehud in my mind is when we gave programs, and much more. We
Olmert and Defense Minister Amir Peretz named Maj. -Gen. Gabi informal sessions in two different hope this semester will bring
high schools about the world's great Israel programming tq cam-
V\shkenazi as his replacement response to the war this summer pus!
and why people living in chutz ..,.
Skiing on the Chermon la 'aretz cared to help. We came
!While in New York we are experiencing slim to no snow, the into the schools thinking that the
students would not care about
Chermon ski resort in Israel has been open to visitors with two to
what we had to say and would not
hree feet of snow to enjoy. pay attention. But, to our sur-
prise, most of them were very
Calls for Israel to Join NATO interested and told us after our
a
IFormer Spanish Prime Minister Jos Mar Aznar called on Israel to be presentations how much they
learned. They said they didn't
~ccepted to North Atlantic Treaty Organization. know what people outside of
Israel did to help this summer and
Israel Builds Fake Muslim City they felt so good knowing that
people from the outside care
nan attempt to prepare for further war with Palestinians, Israel has
about them and about what hap-
!built a fake Muslim city to train its soldiers in ground warfare. pens to them.
Conducting these sessions
Israeli Scientists Working with Stem Cells made me realize that people in
Israel actually care about and are
~eizman Institute scientists have been working with stem cells to
thankful for what we are doing
develop tissue that may eventually lead to the creation of a function- here. Sometimes when I would
·ng heart. collect money for Israel or when

PAGE 14 THE OBSERVER JANUARY 2007

 THE OBSERVER ISRAEL

TAC and SOY Conduct Programming in Israel over

Winter Break-
BY YAFFI SPODEK versities as well. When asked SCW 'T Cubed' tradition follows stoned to death by Arabs when lected at SCW and YC before
about the surprising number of us wherever we go," said Chani playing in a cave near their home winter break. Dinner was served
Although the men and students from other universities Schonbrun (SCW '08), one of the in Tekoa several years ago. They after the ·activities, and members
women ofYeshiva College (YC) that attended the event Fruchter program's participants. also spoke about Camp Koby, of One Family Fi.md told inspir-
and Stem College for Women says "it is appropriate and very On Friday January 5, from 10 which was established in their ing stories.
(SCW) were on vacation from exciting for the community at a.m. until 1 p.m., a blood drive son's memory, as a place where Fruchter described the theme
their official classes, the student Stem College to be a Torah center was held on Ben Yehuda Street. children and teenagers who have of the trip as" ... keeping an open
leaders of the Torah Activities for the greater community." Those who donated blood and lost loved ones due to terrorism mind and welcoming n~w ideas
Council (TAC) and Student The evening started out with presented their Yeshiva can go. The group was also while standing firm on our own
Organization of Yeshiva (SOY) refreshments of pastries and hot University identification cards served a hot lunch, and while eat- opinions. I feel that the trip
were busy planning programs for drinks as everyop.e assembled in were given vouchers for a free ing, was addressed by the mayor invoked thought and was a grow-
the many undergraduates who the Kotel Tunnels. After a short lunch at the Big Apple Pizza of the Gush community. The last ing experience. We are all excited
chose to spend their winter walk through the tunnels, the store. stop of the trip was Chevron. to build off those relationships
breaks in Israel. The various group sat down in a private room, On Monday January 8, TAC After a tour of the Avraham and experiences to work with the
events, organized by Shoshana secured . by the CJF, to hear a and SOY organized a day trip, Avinu Sl;ml, which contains a team to help continue energizing
Fruchter, president of TAC, and shiur given by Ms. Hudi Elsant. which cost $10, which attracted memorial to the victims of the the undergraduate campuses with
Josh Vogel, president of SOY, Elsant spoke about kedushat enough men and women to fill Chevron Massacre of 1929, love for Israel."
were held in Israel during vaca- Yerushalayim (the holiness of three busses. The first stop of the everyone recited afternoon Vogel described the goal of
tion from January 4-10,2007. Jerusalem) and how day was Kever Rachel, where prayers in Me'arat Hamachpeila. the trip . as a display of "support
The first event, held on Thursday Yerushalayim has a special power everyone had ample time to pray The last event, held on for people who put their lives on
night January 4, was a enabling it to connect all the dif- and say Psalms by the grave of Wednesday January 10, was the line so that we can hold on to
mishmar(leaming session) pro- ferent types of Jews that are Rachel. The next leg of the trip coordinated byYitz Novack, vice our precious land."
gram exclusively for men. Rabbi there. Fruchter and Atara was to Kfar Etzion, located in the president of SOY. The program
Kenneth Brander, dean of the Lindenbaum, another organizer Gush Etzion area, where there was in cooperation with One
Center for the Jewish Future of the event and treasurer ofTAC, was a sound and light show Family Fund, an organization that
(CJF), gave a shiur in the Kotel capped off the evening with describing the rich history of the provides financial aid to families
Tunnels and chulent was served remarks. All those present surrounding area. Next, the bus that have been affected by terror-
to all the attendees. received thermoses adorned with departed for Tekoa, another area ism. The event took place at the
A parallel program was held the logo of "T Cubed." "It was in the Gush, where the group was One Family Fund Headquarters
for women on Tuesday night incredible to be able to learn given a tour by Shani Simkowitz in Katamon. Students who partic-
January 9. The event, cleverly Torah in one of the holiest places and was privileged to hear inspir- ipated had the opportup.ity to do
called "T Cubed in the Square," in the world, mul kodesh ing words from Seth and Sherry arts and crafts projects with chil-
attracted a group of about 50 kodashim (opposite the Holy of Mandel. The Mandels spoke dren. They also distributed 1,500
women from sew and other uni- Holies), and it's so nice that the about their son Koby, who was stuffed animals that had been col-

Nefesh B'Nefesh Reaches its

Original Goal
BY TALIA KAPLAN tively. They married five years been part of this momentous jour- 1
-- - -
r-- The
The snow was falling in
Jerusalem, but the spirits couldn't
be higher in Tel-Aviv. On
ago with the dream of one day
moving to Israel. On this day
their dream became a reality.
The large number further
ney.
There was a ceremony for the
olim, their families, and friends
when they arrived. On this flight
1 Observer 1
December 27, 2006 the 10,000th
oleh (immigrant) landed along
with 219 other passengers on the
represents the desire of the Jews
in America willing to make
aliyah. This type of aliyah is dif-
former Israel.Ambassador to the
United Nations Dore Gold and
Head of Strategic Studies at the
1 ·s taff ·would 1
Nefesh B'Nefesh flight from ferent than previous mass aliyot Shalem Center Natan Sharansky
America. Nefesh B'Nefesh is a
grassroots organization whose
aim is to "revitalize aliyah and to
in which Jews fled their countries
of origin to find ~ safe haven in
the Land of Israel.
gave welcoming remarks. Former
Mosad Director Danny Yotam
was on hand as well. Sharansky
I like to I
substantially increase the num- of the threat of assimila-

: congratulate :
ber of future olim by removing tion and the importance of
the financial, professional and aliyah in the fight against losing
logistical obstacles that prevent the Jews in a war with numbers.
many individuals from actualiz- Hearing from Sharansky at such

1former Israel 1
ing their dreams." Nefesh an event is truly momentous, not
B'Nefesh has been successful in only for who he is now, but for,
assisting families and single he has gone through in his
individuals, old and young, life to get there. He is a former

1 Editor Sarah 1
orthodox and others, in realizing •nr'""'n,.rofZion from the former
their dream of returning to their Soviet Union. He is truly some-
homeland. one that appreciates the signifi-
The process of making cance of being able to live in our

I Matarasso I
aliyah has never been an easy ri.or Simcha and Rachel Gluck land with freedom to practice our
simple decision. Yet, Nefesh OlimlO,OOO and 10,0001 religion in the home of our ances-
B'Nefesh has eased the process ' .
tors.
somewhat, as evidenced by its Other new olim on this flight Nefesh B'Nefesh flights
included Samuel Haber, an 87 have landed during the hot sum-
five years of success. The signifi-
cance of this flight was that
10,000 was a goal that the
founders Rabbi Yehoshua Fass, a
year old who had worked on the
Exodus sb.jp before it had made
its' historic voyage to Israel many
mer, the cold winter, and all
weather in between. The faces on
· each flight may change, and each
: for making :
Yeshiva College graduate, and
Tony Gelbart had set up when
they originally dreamt up the
years ago. Following in the foot-
steps of that voyage, Haber
would now be coming home as
well.
story is remarkable in its own
right. What remains the same
however, is the determination of
the people and their family in I a aliyah. I
organization. The 1o,oooth oleh,

.:·1,-2 1--0 7 j
Additionally, within the leaving the lifestyle they know
Simcha Gluk, along with his wife
Rachel, came from Queens, New
York. The Gluks will be working
crowd of guests were students
from seminaries in Israel towel-
and coming to a new land and the
tears in their eyes as they realize
I' I I
come their friends and peers, with they have come home.
as a life coach and realtor respec-
an impressive 96 singles ha'0ng

JANUARY 2007 . THE OBSERVER PAGE 15

> )i "

SCIENCE & HEALTH THE OBSERVER

SCIE_NCB AND BALTH

Pushing the Limits: Civilian Futuristic Cars Drive
.Space Flight Themselves
BY OLIVIA MATHIAs missions is that they rely heavily Over a hundred wealthy BY RACHEL-ALI ELBAZ parks the car automatically. No,
on government funding. The pub- civilians have already purchased this is not a misprint. Simply pull
Last month, space shuttle lic's enthusiasm is already there, their $200,000 tickets and others Seeing that most cars on the next to the spot, and hit the magic
Discovery ·took off at Kennedy but the costs are high. In order to are making large deposits. In the road today are equipped with fea- button. Using many technologi-
Space Center for a 12-day mis- progress in research and still long-run, Bezos says that he tures that were once exclusively cal sensors, the car will ftrst
sion, returning just before the maintain feasibility, incentives hopes to someday set up perma- reserved for expensive luxury measure the spot to make sure the
New Year. It was the ftrst night have been put forth in the past, nent colonies in space. Richard cars, many high-end car compa- car can ftt. This takes between 20
take-off since the Columbia dis- like winning large sums of Branson, owner of Virgin Music nies are developing new technol- and 30 seconds. If the car ftts into
aster in 2003. While in space, the money (up to $10 million) made and Vtrgin Atlantic Airways has ogy to set themselves apart from the space, the car will tum the
group's mission included three available by certain organizations ·been working on his own space- 'the mainstream. Unbelievable steering wheel, shift into reverse,
space walks, a two-ton segment in hopes of triggering competi- port in New Mexico. He promis- advances in safety, performance, and glide straight into the spot.
addition (a steel truss) and the es to be taking passengers to and pure conven- There is even a
rewiring of the international space by 2009. Even though it ience, have been sensor to watch
space station's orbiting laborato- seems that now only those with developed in just for the curb. It
ry, allowing for further research $200,000 to spend on space the past two years, will then shift
from space. This was the 117th tourism will be lucky enough to which means that back into drive,
space shuttle launch for America partake in this experience, it is things that could straighten the
and was an overall success. predicted that the price will even- only have been wheel, and align
Many advances have been tually drop to $1,000 per person. imagined ten · the car precise-
Mercedes S Class
made in the astronomic world A person could travel to space for years ago are now ly between the
since the 1957 launch of Sputnik the same amount that it costs to arriving in a showroom near you. other two cars with the exact
by the Russians and the 1969 tion. For the most part, however, travel to Europe. Zalmy Silver, a well versed car same space on each side of the
American moonwalk; however, is it is wealthy entrepreneurs who Although allowing for com- enthusiast, shared the details of car. This guarantees perfect
it possible that someone who was are bringing the world closer to mercial space travel would be an some of the most exciting tech- parking every time.
never .trained by National this dream. Men like Jeff Bezos, exhilarating and eye-opening nological advances, some of Unfortunately, as you may have
Aeronautics and Space founder of Amazon.com and experience for all, it involves which will astound you. expected, technology like this
Administration to experience Elon Musk of PayPal have put great risk and the potential for At the forefront of the fusion comes at a high price. Fully
space? Chances are looking up down millions of dollars for the failure must be nonexistent. of luxury, technology, and pure, loaded, this car has a price tag of
for civilian space travel in the cause. Bezos has already founded There are still too many risks that good old fashioned decadence, is about $90,000.
near future. In the summer of his own aero-space company, have to be eliminated before the new Lexus LS460L. This is Another car with enough
2004, Mike Melvill made history Blue Origin, and is building a civilian space travel can really by far the most advanced car ever technology to make a robot jeal-
as the fust commercial astronaut rocket-ship complex to be up and take off. The idea is not so far- assembled in history. Topping the ous is the new Mercedes S-Class.
on board the SpaceShipOne running by this year. He has fetched anymore. The 21st centu- list of an impressive array of fea- Aside from the usual slew of
which orbited the earth for only a recently purchased 165,000 acres ry has shown a substantial tures, including the world's ftrst Mercedes luxury features, such
few minutes and then landed in the vast plains of West Texas amount of promise as far as tech- eight speed transmission, is a as voice-activated navigation,
safely back on the same runway and hopes to eventually tum it nological progress is concerned, new, exclusive technology, called Bluetooth phone, and air-condi-
used for take-off in the Mojave into a space port where tourist and. it will only be a matter of Advanced Parking Guidance tioned seats (heated seats were
Desert of California. flights carrying three passengers time before space travel becomes System, which, as you can may becoming too common place, so
The setback to these types of can take off twice a week. a tourist attraction. have guessed, actually parallel continued on page 23

Nevv Advancements Made in Antiviral Medications

BY GRACE CHARLES replication and spread of viral ed ribonucleic acid (dsRNA). the cell. The protein kinase then have now will be useful in allow-
infections. Although much more This dsRNA is what turns on the stops all protein production. Just ing us to advance our understand-
If one has a bacterial infec- research· remains to be done, gene for the infected cell to pro- in case that's not enough to foil ing of them. Associate Professor
tion, then they have the ability to IFN's are clearly capable of and duce IFN. Although the infected the virus's plans, the RNase of Microbiology and
avail themselves of various med- effective in combating viral dis- cell is most likely doomed to destroys the precursor to any pro- Immunology at Baylor College of
ications to cure it. However, eases. ' death, the IFN is released to pro- teins the virus may be trying to Medicine in Houston, Dr.
antibiotics do not cure viral infec- There are actually three dif- tect surrounding cells from the produce. - Thomas Cate, cites one study
tions; one is left to "wait it out." ferent types of IFN; each is pro- same fate. The IFN's accomplish A recent study done in done which showed effective pre-
That may be about to change. duced by a different type of cell. Turkey showed that IFN is one of vention of the. common cold due
Scientists have rece~tly become The three major types of interfer- OH only two drugs that have proven to IFN introduced to the system
very excited about a small little on all induce the same overall to be effective in ftghting chronic through nasal spray. The Food
molecule that has the potential to biochemical changes in a speciftc 0 hepatitis B virus (HBV). HBV is and Drug Administration has
ftght viruses. In effect, this "little cell type and thus have largely a common infectious disease in already approved IFN for treat-
molecule" may save many lives the same range of antiviral activ- the world. Two percent of the ment for certain fon'ns of hepati-
and treat sick people around the ities. IFN's are not virus speciftc patients infected with chronic tis. IFN is also clinically used for
world. There is much history in that the IFN produced by one HBV develop cirrhosis every treating genital warts caused by
behind this "little molecule." virus will also act against other -year and die prematurely from papilloma ~ virus infection.
In 1957, Scottish virologist viruses. However, IFN's tend to Cortisol the cirrhosis or hepatocellular Although dosage, frequency, and
1
Alick Isaacs and Swiss researcher . be species speciftc in that the IFN carcinoma. The study found that other factors of IFN treatment
Jean Lindenmann published a produced by one species has no this through the use of three IFN provided sustained response must be further studied, IFN's are
paper on their fmding that virus- effect on the cells of another enzymes: ribonuclease (RNase), in one-third of the infected undoubtedly strong players in the
infected cells produce a soluble species. This means that, if a sci- a protein kinase, and 2-5A syn- patients. Unfortunately, once body's ftght against viral infec-
factor that protects other cells entist was to isolate IFN's pro- thetase. The IFN's attach to treatment was·stopped, the HBV tions. As shown by multiple stud-
from infection. They called this duced by a chicken to treat a receptors on nearby cells and reappeared in most patients. ies and clinical trials, IFN's can
factor interferon (IFN). Much human with them, they would induce the formation of the three These results seem very typical effectively ftght viral diseases.
research into IFN's has been done have no effect on helping the enzymes. Once the virus makes of the many IFN studies done. Just as we are so dependent now
since 1957. The IFN system is the individual to ftght his or her viral its way over to this cell, the cell is The IFN can be very effective in on antibiotics to ftght bacterial
body's fust response against viral infection. ready for it. The virus infects the ftghting off the virus; once the infections, IFN's may be our next
infection. This system functions To defend against viruses, pre-warned cell, but this time it IFN treatmenL is discontinued, big advance in ftghting against
to inhibit the spread of the viral IFN's use an indirect mechanism will have a much harder time tak- the patient is no longer protected viruses.
infector in the body, even at the to produce an antiviral state in ing over and killing the cell. The from the disease.
cost of accelerating the death of cells neighboring the original enzymes produced by the ~ get There is still much research
the infected cells. Studies done in infected cell. The IFN's take to work. The 2-5A synthetase to be done on IFN's. Availability
cell culture, murine model sys- advantage of the fact that most senses the dsRNA produced by of recombinant IFN's and the
tems, and clinical trials done in viruses make a special type of the virus and activates the other knowledge of toxicity, pharma-
patients have shown that IFN nucleic acid called double-strand- two enzymes. It is letting them cology, route of administration,
treatment can help to inhibit the know that the virus has entered and side effects of IFN's that we

PAGE 16 THE OBSERVER JANUARY 2007

II
THE OBSERVER SCIENCE & .HEALTH

Next Hot Spot:

How to Make a Bomb
Planet Earth
BY RENA KUKIN built and new forms of trans- BY YUDIT DAVIDOVITS tion ' betWeen hydrogen peroxide Instructions to make. acetone
portation were -invented. The and· acetone. In this reaction, an peroxide can be easily obtained
It has become commonplace, world's continued industrializa:- A drain cleaner, bleach, and acid helps the peroxide, which is from the internet. The simple
even trendy, to discuss global tion has led to urbanization and acetone are all the ingredients a nucleophile, react with the ace- steps consist of adding 30%
warming. One has either felt the
effects, read what is happening,
deforestation? as more living and
working space was needed. This
necessary to make a bomb. In
fact, the product of this recipe is
almost undetectable by bomb
tone which is a ketone. The
nucleophile donates electrons to
break the double bond present
hydrogen peroxide to acetone in
an ice bath. After cooled, 75%
sulfuric acid is .added with a
--
or has seen it on television or the vicious cycle required the usage
internet. Look around New York of more fossil fuels, such as coal detection systems, and has between carbon and oxygen in dropper and stirred continuously.
City. No one and oil, become .the explosive of choice the ketone. Since the acid is only After being kept in an ice bath for
is wearing which in for terrorists today. The substance used as .a catalyst to assist the up to 24 hours the white precipi-
winter coats turn leads was included in Richard Reid's reaction, it does not matter which tate product forms.
m January. to the shoe bomb with whic4 he acid is used so long as it is a Acetone peroxide is haz-
The ice caps release of attempted to down American strong acid. The trimer is the ardous in either form, so methods
are melting, addition- Airlines Flight 63. These ingredi- major product due to the instabil- are used to reduce its production.
and polar al gases ents are · also ·believed to have ity of the cyclic dimer because of These methods include shifting
bears face into the been used in the the pH to a more
extinction. atmos- July 2005 London basic environment,
When Al phere. bombings. In addi- adjusting the reac-
Gore's tion, the participants tion temperature,
movie, · "An Clearly, in the 2006 transat- and adding a solu-
Inconvenient Truth," earned $24 the current way the ·human race lantic ai.fcraft plot ble copper (II)
million at the box office, every- lives causes an increase in green- may have planned to compound. Besides
one began asking: what is global house gases. This clearly affects use this substance as for being used as
warming, and how did it happen? the environment. Of prime con- liquid bombs. The ....... ' an explosive, ace-
-~

What will the impact be for each cern is how long the warriring plan was to prepare tone peroxide is
of us? trend will continue and what bombs i!l airplane Reqipe for a bomb: drain cleaner, bleach, and acetone · used as a flour
In order to understand this effect it will have on Earth's lavatories, destroy- bleaching agent.
rapid increase in the Earth's tem- environment. There are some ing U.S. airliners flying from the. significant strain of its chem- Twenty four people were
perature, we must understand the critics to the outcry over global London to the United States. ical bonds. arrested in Britain for planning to
greenhouse effect. Basic gases, warming who theorize that glob- What is this destructive Decomposition of TATP smuggle the peroxide based liq-
referred to as greenhouse gases, al warming may actually impro~e chemical substance? Acetone forms acetone arid ozone produc- uid TATP aboard nine planes fly-
are absorbed from the sun and aspects of life such· as allowing peroxide is an organic peroxide ing very little. It is the rapid cre- ing between Britain and the
make the earth warm enough to better crop growth. However, that contains an oxygen~oxygen ation of a gas from a ~olid that United States. The goal was to
be habitable, Without these most scientists have concluded bond in its peroxide functional creates the "explosion. The blow up the planes midair. It is
gases, our planet would be that the consequences of global group. -The oxygen-oxygen bond decomposition is · an entropic estimated that 2, 700 people
notably cooler and unlivable. It is warming are probably harmful easily breaks to form free radi- explosion, favored by the would have been killed.
similar to the process in which a and irreversible. cals. It is this reactive property increase of disorder from the one In response to this terrorist
greenhouse allows light- to enter Global warming impacts that can initiate an explosion in ozone and three acetone mole- plot, all liquids were eliminated
through the glass while trapping plants, wildlife and humans, and materials. Acetone peroxide cules formed from one molecule from passenger carry-on luggage.
the heat. The absorption of too can potentially alter and possibly exists as two isomers; tricy- of solid TATP. Big crystals of Some reports suggest that such
much of these gases prevents destroy Earth's ecosystems. After cloacetone and dicylcloacteone, TATP are more dangerous, since bombs would not have been
heat from escaping, ultimately Hurricane Katrina there is a but most commonly refers to the they shatter easier than smaller effective due to the ~uspicious
forming a thick blanket arorind growing concern of more serious cyclic trimer called triacetone ones. When making acetone per- smell created in its preparation.
the earth and raising earth's tem- storms and hurricanes that will triperoxide (TATP). The tricylclo oxide, the crystals must be Also, if the explosive material
perature. . destroy the form is .both more stable and formed under 10 degrees Celsius had been created before boarding
Scientific lives and more powerful as an explosive, ip. order to be stable and safe to the plane, jts instability may have
research has homes of making it the preferred product. handle. Above this temperature resulted in its premature detona-
shown that the even more Acetone peroxide is formed by the dimeric isomer, which is far tion.
average global people. acid-catalyzed nucleophilic addi- more unstable, forms.
temperature has Our ability
increased about to breathe
one degree
Fahrenheit over
will likely
be affected Weighty Issues in the Chicago
the last century. by the
While
degree
one
may
i.licrease in
air pollu-
Jewish Community
seem trivial, tion and BY Nru SELESKI and many of them are Orthodox. Reports of the study's find-
scientists iniinunolo- This survey was the first public ings were published in October
believe that this gists see an Chicago is a semi-bustling health study ever conducted on a 2006 by · Maureen Benjamins,
is significant, increased city 712 miles away from New Jewish population. Therefore, the Ph.D., the program director from
even dangerous. An .increase. in risk for a variety of diseases. York. The streets of downtoWn. results of the study are relevant SUHI, Dana Rhodes, M.S. W, of
global temperatures may boost It is still possible to reverse Chicago are nowhere near as not only to the community that the Jewish Federation · of
the frequency and severity of the·damage already done, but we crowded as 34th Street, and the the survey examined, but to Metropolitan Chicago, Joel Carp,
weather occurrences such as heat must act soon. Some easy steps sun shines on the green of Lake Jewish communities everywhere, A.C.S.W., of the Jewish
waves, droughts, hurricanes· and we can all take are to save elec- Michigan, not the Atlantic Ocean. including New York. Federation of Metropolitan
tornadoes. Other consequences tricity by turning off lights and New York City itself has a popu- The inspiration for the study· Chicago, and Steve Whitman,
include melting glaciers, coastal computers when leaving a room, lation of over eight million resi- ' began after Sinai Health Systems Ph.D., of SUHI. The r~port dis-
flooding and the extinction of drive fuel efficient cars, and buy dents, and each of the five bor- formed the Sinai 'Urban Health cusses different health issues in
certain species. While the Earth recyclable products. Recently the oughs has at least two million Institute (SUHI) in 2000 to facil- the Jewish community in
naturally goes through cycles and U.S. government established a residents. Chicago only has a itate efforts to improve the health WRP/PP, but the findings may
the.climate has changed through- climate policy to slow the rate of population of about 2,842,518, and well-being of different com- shed light on some of the issues
out history, the widespread scien- emissions. Many organizations according to recent estimates. So munities in Chicago. SUHI stud- plaguing Jewish communities
tific opinion on the rapid change are attempting to bring a greater what do the two cities have in ied six Chicago area communities · everywhere.
in climate is that it is not a natu- awareness to the world as to how common? Both cities are home to in their Sinai's Improvi.r).g The communities of
ral event. Rather, it is the adverse to protect our environment and relatively large Jewish communi-~ Community. Health Survey. The WRP/PP showed strong religious
result of human ac~vity. prevent global warming. ties. Jewi~h Federation of observance: 81% reported being
Prior to the Industrial Although there is uncertainty to Between August 2003 and Metropolitan Chicago was a member of a synagogue, 79%
Revolution, human activity did the exact impact of global warm- January 2004, Sinai Health inspired by the publication of this reported keeping a Kosher home,
not release large amounts of ing, it certainly is a current and Systems in Chicago and the study, and expanded their already and 96% reported being married
greenhouse gases into the atmos- real issue. It is our responsibility Jewish Federation of existing correlation with the Sinai to a Jewish spouse. This is impor-
phere. The gases released stayed to not merely be intellectually Metropolitan Chicago conducted Health System in order to con- .tant because it means that the
within a range that could be toler- aware of global warming, but to a public health study in the com- duct a_similar study in the Jewish findings of the study could be
ated by earth's atmosphere. As take the necessary steps ·to pre- munities of West Rogers Park and community." Hence, the Jewish reproduced in other religious
technology advanced and vent these detrimental ·effects. Peterson Park of Chicago Community Health Survey of Jewish communities.
machinery made life easier, more (WRP/PP). These areas are high- West Rogers Park/Peterson Park A major problem in the
factories and power plants were ly populated by Jewish residents, was born. continued on page 23

JANUARY 2007 THE OBSERVER PAGE 17

 > )t "

ARTS & CULTURE THE OBSERVER

Arts and u It_ure

/

Movie Review: For One More Day

"The Pursuit of Happyness"
BY SARAH GUIGUI to make ends meet. Then, after with five dollars in his wallet, he BY YAEL WOLYNETZ excerpts fr.om Chick's journal
seeing a man coming out of a found the inner strength to make into his illustration of Chick's
Who said the story of Chris superb sports car in front of a his son believe his scanner was a Readers should be ready relationship with his mother. The
Gardner was the absolute recipe stock exchange, he decides that time machine, and, that at the with a tissue when they read excerpts are organized into tWo
for happiness? Who said that he has had enough of poverty and press of the black button~ he Mitch Alborn's newest bestseller, categories, "times when my
determination and a little com- misfortune and that he is worthy could go back in time. The kid "For Ohe More Day." Like his mother stood up for me," and
mon sense were enough to propel of being as happy and as rich as pressed the button and Gardner previous "times when I
a Mr. Nobody to the position of the sports car owner. _ suddenly began shouting that successes, did not stand up
stockbroker in a prestigious com- He ends up taking an intern- . dinosaurs are eyerywhere and "Tuesdays for mother." It is
pany? Who said that happiness ship with a stock company, strug- that they have to find a shelter, a w i t h clear that Chick
equals money? gling to support his son while Morrie," and is filled with
W!L .. receiving zero income. Gardner "The Five remorse over
never knew where he would be People You the times he did
forced to spend the night, yet, Meet in not defend his
tried to remain calm and brave Heaven," mother, which
for his young son's sake. Chris Alborn has include taking
finally got the permanent job of the ability his father's side
stockbroker, beating out the 20 through his at times and not
other interns, and finally storytelling defending his
achieved a steady salary and hap- to empower mother to
piness. readers by women in the
Chris Gardner
Yet, though it definitely illustrating the power of love. community who considered her
The trap one should not fall made his life easier, money is not "cave." He dragged Christopher Furthermore, the novel is full of to be loose because she was a
into after seeing Gabriele what made Gardner happy. The into the toilets and locked the life lessons as Alborn subliminal- divorcee. Yet, Chick continues to
Muccirio's "Pursuit of happiness Gardner pursued, and door without the boy even realiz- ly reminds readers to enjoy time relish in the memories of occur-
Happyness" is associating the eventually reached, is something mg that he would be spending the with loved ones. rences when his mother stood up
movie with a contemporary personal and almost unattainable. night in a public restroom. The The title of the novel reflects for him, including the time when
rereading of the Rockefeller What Gardner is really after is the kid fell asleep, happy and the centrality of the plot. Alborn she helped him shave for the first
myth. Yet, this mistake is easy to well being of his child, and his relieved to have escaped the fly- tells the story of a man who is time and when she yelled at the
make. After all, the film is not own happyness (as written on the ing dinosaurs and only then did granted the opportunity to spend librarian for not letting him take
only based on a true story, but walls of his school). his father collapse in tears. one more day with his mother's out a specific book.
. Will and Jaden Smith, who play The relationship between the While it would have been ghost. Similar to his style in "The · The miraculous day that
Gardner and his son Christopher, · father and the son, not the man easy for Gardner to look out for Five People You Meet in Chick spends with his mother's
are a real father-and~son team. and his money, is what the film is himself, leaving his kid with his Heaven," which bridges the gap ghost teaches him a lot about his
It's hard to get more touching really about. Even if you don't ex-wife as he tried to make a bet- between life and death by incor- mother and he gains a newfound
than that! know that they are father and son ter life for himself, he put his porating the character of a ghost, appreciation for her and the sac-.
In "The Pursuit of in real life, one can't help but child's well-being before his own Alborn brings the dead back to rifices she made to support their
Happyness," Will Smith plays notice that these two have a con- stability and happiness. Will life. family. Chick was shocked to
Gardner, a salesman unable to nection. Gardner made the well Smith played a man constantly The story revolves around learn that his mother took on an
earn a living from his medical being of his child his first priori- trying to preserve his child from Charles "Chick" Benneto, a has- .additional job as a cleaning lady
scanners. After unsuccessfully ty. One particularly moving an unbearable reality by creating been major league baseball play- in order to help pay for his col-
going from doctor's office to moment is when, while home- a more beautiful, though virtual, er who attempts suicide due to lege tuition. By the end of the
doctor's office, machine in hand, less, they are reduced to sleeping one instead. That is where the his depression over his life fail- gifted day spent accompanying
trying to sell them the product, in the subway's bathroom. Even beauty of the movie resides. ures, estrangement from hi& his mother, Chick is inspired to
Gardner found himself struggling when Gardner was at his lowest, daughter, and the death of his turn around his life and reconnect
mother. As Chick lies on the with his alienated daughter.
road, thrown out of his crashed In a concise book, Alborn

The Collision of Creativity and car, he has an

out of body
takes the read-
er on an emo-
!?Xpenence as tional roller
Scholarship he reunites
with his dead
coaster
they are able
as

BY MICHELLE SCHIFFMAN ~tory of Joseph and his brothers. ter of the cloth is a piece of silk mother's spir- to both sym-
The story begins when Joseph dyed in pastels of orange, red and it. pathize and
If you have ever wondered was sold into slavery for 20 · pink, with a sketch of the figure One of empathize
what it would be like to travel pieces of silver. "They pulled of Joseph in the pit. The bright- the reoccur- with the reali-
back to the time of the Bible, a Joseph out of the pit. They sold ness and harshness of the colors ring themes in ty of Chick's
visit to the Yeshiva University Joseph for 20 pieces of silver to · used accurately portrays the the story is life. Alborn
(YU) museum on 15 W. 16th anguish Joseph must have been epitomized in appeals to a
Street is all that is required. In a feeling at the time of his sale. a statement wide spec-
special exhibit entitled "The Stitched around the silk are 10 made to trum of read-
Story of Joseph: Unveiling the pieces of Israeli currency, which Chick in his ers since
MitchAlbom
Text," Chana Cromer, the master- adds another more modem early child- Chick is a
mind behind the show, enables dimension to the artwork. The hood by his later estranged retired baseball player, and the
one to feel as if they have trav- artist was tying in the current sit- father. "You can be a mamma's elements of baseball nostalgia
eled thousands of years in one uation in Israel, a situation in boy or a papa's boy but you can't will be entertaining for sports
afternoon. which the Jewish people and their be both," the man tells his son. fans. However, at the core ofthe
Cromer was born in Italy and land are being bullied by their As a result, Chick is forced to novel is the heart-wrenching
was raised in Kansas City, adversaries. choose between his parents. One Clepiction of the strong bond
Missouri. She made aliyah and Another strong characteristic weekend, Chick leaves his moth- between mother and son which is
settled in Israel in 1972. She -of Cromer's work is the parallel er's soth birthday party to secret- appealing to most any emotional
t .,
spent many years studying sur- she makes between Jacob and ly join his father at a reunion being regardless of their sex, age,
face design and printmaking and Chana Cromer Joseph. Both were dreamers and baseball game. What he doesn't and interest in sports.
is therefore able to express her- younger sons hated by their older
know is that his mother will die
self fluently in fabric and paint. the lshmaelites." Cromer por- brothers and they both lived the next day and this is the last
Her creative mastery of the text trays this part of the story in her through hardships and danger.
time he will ever see her. Chick is
of the Torah raises the caliber of piece entitled "Joseph was She captured this idea in her
eaten up by the guilt of this
her work by serving as the inspi- Seventeen," which was crafted in piece called "Dreams," where she
betrayal? guilt which ultimately
ration for her textile designs. thai silk, taffeta, and numerous combines the elements of Jacob
contributes to his depression and
Cromer uses symbolism in dyes. This piece is approximately and his son's life. This piece is
rapid decline.
order to effectively tell the Bible 2x3 feet of beige silk. In the c:en- continued on page 23 Alborn brilliantly integrates

PAGE ll8 THE OBSERVER JANUARY 2007

 r

THE OBSERVER ARTS & CULTURE

Bon Appetite Dream Girls: .T he Triumphant

A Restaurant Return of the Movie Musical
Revievv: BY DEANNA FRAZIN which the story took place. These
musical · styles are not usually
she may have been the most well
known actress, she was not the
For the past few years a film found in Broadway musicals, and true star of the movie. Although
genre has been reemerging in this variety definitely adds to the she does have a great voice,
Makor Cafe Hollywood. It is a genre that
sparkles and shines and takes one
movie's appeal. The musical
score was so well placed that at
Beyonce's acting .skills are not as
wonderful. The true star of the
BY LAURA SHUMAN dusting of pepper. It could be back to the "good old days" of times the movie did not even film is former "American Idol"
said that Makor aims for flavor in film. This is none other then the seem like a musical since most finalist Jennifer Hudson, who as
Kosher restaurants have, to its food and shoots for good · revival of the movie musical. the songs were sung while the Effie White gave the most mem-
say the least, become redundant. looks in the presentation of the When this trend first began, group was actually performing on orable performance. Her rendi-
One may pass dozens of modem food. amazing films, like "Chicago" stage. tion of the powerful ballad "And
New York chic cafes only to set- With classic dessert options and "Moulin Rouge," were pro- Another crowning achieve- I Am Telling You I Am Not
tle for the regular kosher restau- such as cheese cake and the duced. Unfortunately, the trend ment of the filmwas its excellent Going" was the best perfomiance
rant that, for a student's budget, chocolate lover's cake (both $5), quickly soured as films like of the entire film and moved
may have.edible food but largely Makor also offers less traditional "Rent" and "The Producers," many to tears. Not only does
lacks in aura and style. Alas there dishes like poached pear a la which are embarrassing to both Hudson have a stunning and
is a modem, industrial, yet chic mode ($6). The pear is a deli- the film and musical theatre powerful voice, but her acting
restaurant for the New York cious choice, poached to a per- industries, were brought on to the ability is surprisingly outstand-
savvy, and it just happens to be fect tenderness in a fume blanc big screen. Yet, just when it was ing. She really embodied the
chalav yisrael as well. sauce, which makes it both easy thought that this genre was offi- character of the persevering
Makor, an offshoot of the to eat and easy to handle. cially a ·failure, a new film has Effie. One could truly
92nd Street , Y located in the M~or is successful in its emerged as a beacon of hope. The emphathize with the character. At
Upper West Side, encompasses aim to cultivate the "avant- movie "Dream Girls" shines and Dream Girls Anika Noni Rose, the end of the movie when
the concept of your grandmoth- garde" while simultaneously reminds moviegoers that the Beyonce Knowles, and Jennifer Hudson's name flashed across the
er's JCC movie musical can be extremely Hudson screen there was a roar of
effective if done properly. applause from the movie theater
Explor~
w hi 1 e
simulta- The movie is based on the hit costumes. The wardrobe was so audience. Although this was quite
neously Broadway musical "Dream extensive that its many costume unconventional, it was surely
modern- Girls," which originally opened changes could never have been well deserved, and the perform-
izing into a full fledged Jewish on Broadway in 1981. The show done live. There were many intri- ance won Hudson the Golden
cultural hub, complete with art helping people fmd their roots. ran for four years and picked up cate costumes, each being an Globe Award for Best Actress in a
shows, film festivals, classes, They pride themselves as a place six Tony Awards along the way. authentic salute to the fashion of Motion Picture Musical or
live music, and a cafe. The cafe, "where New Yorkers of all back- The muse of the movie/play, the 1960s and 1970s. The outfits, Comedy.
simply dubbed Makor Cafe, with grounds can feel comfortable although not blatantly stated, is winged eyeliner extravaganza, The movie's only major
its street level window is not nec- expressing themselves." In their the story of the real musical and the beautiful beehives of hair weakness was its length. It took
essarily the coziest place to sit cafe, this rings true to · the very group "Diana Ross and the styles, combined to create a true too long for the plot to develop
and unwind, but it provides areal last detail. Overhead large piping Supremes." The movie follows sense of the 1960s era in the film. and it would have been more
modem restaurant feel, a relaxed is paired with fresh flowers on three women: Deena, Effie, and The talent of the actors in the effective if the date of when
ambiance for the gathering of the tables, and cream colored old Lorell of the fictional group "The movie, however, was not as daz- everything was taking place was
young students and profession- brick walls are paired with pro- Dreams" as they go from zling. Jamie Foxx plays the revealed to the viewer. The his-
als, and comes complete with a truding silver sinks while the anonymity to stardom in the group's cocky manager Curtis torical allusions such as Martin
full dinner menu, desserts, and menu combines old American 1960s and 1970s. Along the way Taylor. Although Foxx previous- Luther King's "I Have a Dream"
fine wines. classics with Japanese, Mexican, the group faces many trials and ly won a best actor Oscar for his speech and the Detroit Riots,
Amidst the soft buzz in the Israeli, Italian, and Greek foods. tribulations, including jealousy, portrayal of Ray Charles, one intended to tell those watching
room of conversation, one may Just as telling is the fact that failed romances, and the price of never would have guessed so the film what year it was, were
expect to hear a band playing in the customers of Makor Cafe are stardom. from his performance in this sometimes lost on the audience.
the adjacent room, be it reggae, a tossed salad in their own right. The excellent songs in the movie. He was lacking beiiev- The movie is being marketed
jazz, or classic At a glance, movie help to highlight the story. ability in his role. Eddie Murphy, with the tag line of "All you have
rock. On this r;--,......,.,....,..,.....__,.,.-=~ ==--~ one could Unlike some musicals, which on the other hand, did a fine job to do is dream." Overall, the film
particular . see two seem to stick random songs in in his portrayal of James Brown. does show how a person has the
night, a man Israelis con- anywhere they please, all of the His character was more authen- power to overcome·obstacles and
could be seen versing in songs in "Dream Girls" height- tic, granting comic relief to the can thereby fulfill ·dreams. In
dressed in a Hebrew, ened the plot and logically fol- audience. another sense, the movie also
purple robe two older lowed the flow of the movie. The When the movie was mar- shows that the dream of making a
and a yellow women blend of Motown, jazz, blues, keted it seemed as though musical into a film is doable if
sitar through yapping soul, and disco showcased a well Beyonce Knowles, who plays the done in the excellent way that
the corridor about Boca developed and executed musical group's star Deena Jones, an "Dream Girls" is done.
that connects Raton, and score which invoked a sense of obvious parallel to Diana Ross,
the cafe to the MakorCafe a family in realism of the time period in was the star of the movie. While
music lounge. .the comer
A wide variety of foods are celebrating a special occasion.
offered on Makor's menu, with Fresh edginess, wholesome
The Chevra .3: Nevv Faces With a
the average price of a main food, varied company, and an
course ranging from $9 to $18. original spirit make Makor Cafe Fresh Nevv Sound
The Greek Salad ($9), an ode to a top choice on the kosher restau- BY BATYA H. CARL with great success, producing hits similar to the original group and
real Israeli restaurants, was large rant list. Anyone looking for such as "Yehai" and "Lecha." albums. In fact, the cover features
in portion and flavorful. While something new yet strangely Eli Gerstner, famed singer, However, Gerstner is well aware the same image of wholesome
the lettuce was fresh iceberg, as familiar should definitely make it producer, and songwriter in the that his Chevra has an adolescent young men in velvet kippot, but-
opposed to mix green, the tender a point to eat there in the near Jewish music industry, released following and believes that his ton down shirts, and ties, and
combination of fresh ingredients, future.
dill, and oregano vinaigrette, Makor is located at 35 West his much anticipated album "The current move will appeal to even the harmonies of the new
Chevra 3" this past November. young listeners and strengthen members are reminiscent of the
added a real twist to the tradition- 67th St between Central Park Yet, this is not the same Chevra the group's popularity. "If it did- way the original group sounded.
al Greek salad. West and Columbus Circle. The that fans remember from The n't happen this time it would have The album still features the same
Makor's grilled vegetable Makor Cafe is open for brunch Chevra 1 & 2. Three of the orig- happened at another point," said catchy beats and high harmonies,
platter ($9) is recommended for on Sunday from 11:00 a.m. until inal members, David :{>earlman, Gerstner. "I needed young fresh which has always distinguished
someone who wahts a delicate 3:00p.m. It is open for lunch on Avi Katz, and Donny Baitner faces to keep the Chevra going." the Chevra as the essential Jewish
combination of seasoned vegeta- Monday thru Thursday from have been replaced with Eli Don't get too attached though, boy band. "People always tell me
bles each grilled with a distinct 12:00 p.m. until 3:00 p.m. and Daitchman, Mordechai Askenazi, Gerstner warns, "It will probably that the sound of the group
consistency and flavor. The for Dinner from 5:30p.m. until and Chaim Frand. Only David happen again." sounds exactly the same as the
caramelized onions were espe- 10:30 p.m. on Sunday thru Nachman of the original Chevra Chevra fans should not fret old group," admitted Gerstner.
cially tasty, with a unique sweet- Thursday and from one hour remains in the group. about the big change as every- "This is my sound. I write the
ness, different from the rest of after Shabbat unti/12:00 a.m. on Why replace the members? thing about the new group and exact harmonies and I tell each
the dish, which was topped off Saturday. The Chevra 1&2 were ·both met the new album is remarkably
with fresh mozzarella and a light continued on page 23

JANUARY 2007 THE OBSERVER PAGE 19

 )o )i v

.FASHION TJ-IE. OBSERVER

F A s H I 0 N
Better With Age: All You Need to Know About
Vintage Shopping
BY SARA LEVIT made warmer and are quite love- machine washing anything.
ly in their own right. For those
When I recently witnessed a conscious of tzniut (modesty),
If you choose to bring a gar-
ment to a dry cleaner, be sure to
Great Places to Shop
friend's attempt to leave for a first clothes from certain eras happen
date wearing torn je~;tns, my to m{)re modestly cut. The Fifties,
tell them not to steam or heat dry;
this will set a bad smell. Also, be
Vintage
friend and I were both tickled for instance, were overflowing sure to ask if clothes are sent off
silly when her father reprimanded with full skirts and three quarter site to be cleaned. If they are, Shopping for vintage in New York can be a real
her on the matter. "You're going length sleeves. On then the garments will probably experience. While the prices ar~ a bit high, the
to wear those?" he demanded vintagevixen.com, scores of be sent to a large plant and will
with an inflection of disappoint- modest wedding gowns can be not be given the attention that,
funky aura and exquisitely chosen pieces are
ment and apparent disgust. "You found at startlingly low prices. given their, fragile state, they well worth it.
look homeless! What kind of On the site hemlockvintage.com, deserve. It addition, it helps to
impression are you trying to leave a dazzling array of long sleeved ftnd out if the store has worked Screaming Mimi's
on the guy?" My friend and I cocktail dresses from the fifties on vintage apparel before. If they Known for their great selection
smiled at each other, acknowl- can be found. have, then they will likely give of designer vintage including
edging her father's sheer misun- Another reason for choosing . your garme~t extra care. For Pucci and Valentino, clothes hail
derstanding of the here and now. vintage is that less people will be spots on the clothing, request that from the Fifties to the Eighties
We both knew exactly what kind wearing your outfit at any given the dry cleaners have a Spotter Located At: 382 Lafayette St.
of impression she was trying to moment. Many women who treat and remove the stains. (212)677 -6464
leave on the guy. She wanted to choose to express their individu- Aside from stain manage-
look modern and trendy, and, if ality through their appearance ment, the e~citing history behind Edith and Daha
you wish to arrive at the look of feel that there is nothing worse vintage apparel might give way to Although a little pricy, the exten-
the moment, you've got to hop on than someone stealing their thun- a more delicate item. This doesn't sive shoe and bag collections are
yesterday's train. der. For the most part, vintage have to be a problem as 'long as fabulous.
Stars are increasingly wear- shopping is an exciting way to the clothes are taken good care Located At: 104 Rivington St.,
ing vintage threads to events. At acquire a one-of-a-kind piece. of. Allow clothes to breathe and near Ludlow St. (212) 979-9992
the 2006 Golden Globes, Natalie Yet, there are exceptions to the avoid storing them in plastic
Portman wore a vintage Chanel rule. Sometimes stores carry mul- bags, since doing so may produce Amarcord
cocktail dress to accompany her tiples of a piece that have never mildew and odors. Also, keep the The owners travel the world in
newly short Audrey Hepburn- been worn. This occurs when garments out of direct light which search of clothes worthy of their
esque hairdo, while Jennifer warehouses fail to sell their entire can fade the fabrics. shop, which was voted "best vin-
Garner successfully donned a inventory. These pieces, referred While New York boasts an tage store" by New York
vintage Gucci gown froin the 70s to as dead stock. can be found at array of hip vintage shops, often- Magazine and the Village Voice.
to the award ceremony. Popular vintage shops with the tags still times the very best vintage shop Upscale European vintage cloth-
brands desperately try to mimic on. That is good news for those is your own mother or grand- ing and accessories vary from the
the look of the past with pre- that wish to don vintage duds but mother's closet. Keep your eyes Forties to the Eighties with lots
faded denim. The ever trendy dread the icky feeling of wearing opened for that psychedelic shag of unworn items. Brands range
Urban Outfitters carries an entire someone else's clothes. coat your mom wore in the 60s from the more upscale including
line titled ''Urban Renewal," hop- If you don't wish to limit and for your grandmother's · Fendi and Dior to the funkier,
ing to make the clothing appear yourself to dead stock, there is amazing fox fur stole from the including Pooh.
as old and used as something another remedy for the ick factor. 40s. You may just fmd a gem Located At: 84 East 7th St.
brand spanking new can possibly pepending on the quality of the even if it has a little bit of grime. between 1st and 2nd Ave.
look. With rising prices in New vendor, clothes which are So brush off the dust and rock (212)614-7133 (In the East
York vintage shops, it is clear that screened for stains, dirt and dam- that tom denim on your fust date, Village)
what is old is in. age are then washed and treated because one thing is for sure; if 223 Bedford Ave. between N 4th
There are many reasons why before being sold. If you still feel you want to appear fresh today, and N 5th. (718)963-4001 (In
someone would shun new cloth- uncomfortable with the cleanli- you've got to roll around in the Williamsberg)
ing for vintage apparel. With the ness of the garment, it is possible dirt a little. -
cold weather fmally coming upon to treat it yourself. Odors can be Chelsea Girl Couture
us, the goose bumps resulting eliminated by soaking the article The chic, flawlessly chosen,
from a darling, yet paper thin, of clothing for a long time in bak- pieces include lots of designer
coat from H&M are unnecessary. ing soda. Check for holes, weak labels but prices are a bit high.
The coats of yesteryear tend to be seams and the like before Located At: 186 Spring St.
(212)434-7090

Online vintage shops harbor an amaz- Clutch! Vintage Purses

As the name suggests, the hand-
ing variety and even greater prices so bag selection is huge. There are
many designer handbags and
be sure to check them out! most of them go for under $200.
LocatedAt: 219 Mott St. between
Prince and Spring St. (212)343-
www. vintagevixen.com www.hemlockvintage.com www.americanvintageblues.com 1011

Clothes are listed by meas- There are gorgeous buys This site has amazing prices. Suzette Sundae
urements or modem size, rarity here and lots of wonderful, one Bags range from $8 to $52 and With a belt collection to die for,
and condition. There is lots of of a kind pieces which are in coats are from $52. the owner takes old vintage
dead stocl<:., so some items come excellent condition. There are pieces and refashions them into
in multiples and there is a big . flapper hats from the 20s and even funkier frocks .
range of sizes. This sight has ,cocktail dresses from the 50s. Located At: 182 Ave. :g at 11th
amazing ftnds and steals; coats Consider shopping here for your St. (212)777-7870
can be found for $48 and up. next wedding! Buy quickly
They list -a lot of helpful hints because items go on reserve.
,.._ regarding how to care for your Clothes are listed by measure-
Online vintage shops harbor an ama_zing variety
vintage. I cannot sing the praises ments. and even greater prices, so be sure to check them
of this website enough. out!

PAGE 20 THE OBSERVER .JANUARY 2007

 THE OBSERVER FASHION

Fashion Week Producer Addresses SCW and SSSB-

Student Body
BY JULIEAST investors, hoping they will Students who attended the McCleary's visit. resources within your company.
finance flights for their employ- event have already made head- "Working at Fashion Week You have so many people that
Twice a year in Bryant Park, ees from Los Angeles and abroad. way in attaining internships, and was one of the best experiences have had years of experience who
New York Fashion Week show- As a young worrian in her some have even attended previ- that I have ever had in fashion," want to relate to you and really
cases designers' newest collec- mid twenties, McCleary was able ous New York Fashion Weeks. said Elefant. "I got to see what want to help you."
tions. A Fashion Marketing Club to secure a job at the epicenter of Lauren Elefant (SSSB '07) goes on behind the scenes. I was Both Kirschenbaum and
event brought in special guest the fashion world through hard interned for IMG during the 2006 there the day before the shows Elefant hope to work in the fash-
Marli McCleary, who works for work and internships. A graduate spring sen;tester and has worked started when everything was ion industry next year when they
-IMG, a sports, entertainment and of the crazy and chaotic graduate. As a junior, Filler is
media company which produces University of and I eventually interning at Kenneth Cole in their
Fashion Week. She explained the Florida with saw everything international licensing and mer-
responsibilities · of her job and a degree in come together." chandising department.
gave Stem College for Women Marketing, Kirschenbaum, Attending Fashion Week and
(SCW) and Sy Syms School of McCleary who went to finding a job in the fashion indus-
Business (SSSB) students an started work- Fashion Week for try may seem tough to current
inside look into Fashion Week. ing locally at one of her employ- college students. In reality,
McCleary works on selling what she ers as an intern, is McCleary and the Fashion
"Exclusivity and VIPness" to calls the currently interning Marketing Club prove that moti-
companies !hat sponsor a fashion "Village ' for Ralph Lauren in vation and a few well placed
show in hopes of increasing their Voice of their corporate phi- internships can help a student
own brand awareness and bene- Gainesville," lanthropy depart- break into the fashion world.
fiting from the designer's upscale a local town ment. She stressed
image. Previous sponsors include in Florida. the important role
M.A.C, Redkin, and Olympus. Her experi- The tents ofFashion Week take over Bryant Park. internships play in
This February, Mercedes Benz is ence there furthering a stu-
the marquee sponsor for fall led to another internship at on consecutive Fashion Weeks dent's career. "They really help
Fashion Week. Armani which in tum prepared since September 2005. As one of you strengthen and develop your
The companies that invest in her for working at IMG.. "You three heads of the Fashion skills," she said. "Sometimes you
Fashion Week also provide prac- need to proactively seek opportu- Marketing Club, along with fel- do a lot of tasks that_you don't
tical benefits for IMG. For exam- nity," she advised the sew and low SSSB senior Chani really want to do and it can be
ple, McCleary tries to include an SSSB women. "It's not· always Kirschenbaum and SSSB junior very frustrating at times. At the
airline sponsor in her slew of about who you know." Chana Filler, she helped organize same time, you have a lot of

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JANUARY 2007 THE OBSERVER PAGE 21

 > )I y

,.

THE _OBSERVER

CJF Organizes Coast to Coast Lrnan Achai Israel

Program .Leadership
dean of the CJF and Dr. and Mrs.
continued from page 10 David and Rachel Berger. Dr.
prior to the trip. "We stayed up want to let people know about the Berger is part of the faculty of
continued from page 11 Diaspora, the Americans were
until 2 a.m. almost every night communities that are out there," YU Israel and Mrs. Berger works
..... ~, J

impact on those communities planning the programs," she just as impressed to see the
explained ·shuman. Overall, for Nefesh B' Nefesh. At this
which they visited. "For many of explained, saying that much of incredible resilience of the
Shuman described the trip as point in time, the goals of the
the communities, just seeing peo- the programming was done on Israelis. One Israeli junior
amazing. "It was a completely mission and Taylor's unique
ple from YU was completely the trip itself. "We were really a described that she ran a day camp
different experience than any- ideas for how to implement them
new, and just that the fact that we very interesting group of people, for young children in the bomb
thing I had ever done before," she were understood. Now the chal-
were there, acting as young, who had the minds, dynamics, shelter that she was in. Another
explained. "I was honored to be a lenge of designing initiatives to
enthusiastic, and dynamic role and energy to create what was student, a junior named Or said
part of it. We were part of histo- bring back to America remained.
models was enough to make a needed." Shuman also observed that being with friends and fami-
ry." Over Shabbat, the group brain-
difference," said Adina Borg that going on this trip made many ly in the bomb shelter in her
Vogel described it as "the stormed various ideas of how to
' - (SCW '07), one of the partici- people, herself included, realize . best winter break experience in
home town was surprisingly
take what was learned on the trip
"fun."
pants. Borg was not a newcomer that there is a real need for Jewish my time at YU. It is quite a -""-~'""~ a n d
to the South; she participated in educators in certain communities reflection of YU students that
the Atlanta Summer Kollel in and that there are certain individ- they chose to travel to places to
2006. Through that program she uals whose job and responsibility help Jewish 'communities over
gave several classes to the com- it is to go into education. "At their winter break rather than just
munity, which enjoyed her visit every community we went to, the traveling to Florida for vacation.
so much that they requested that rabbis would ask which of us YU students chose to be active
she come again to give more shi- planned to go into chinuch (edu- Jews, participating in the world
urim. "We thought that running cation), and as the trip went on, · around them. We experienced
the different programs would be more and more hands went up Jewish communities outside of
our major educational tool," each subsequent time the ques- New York and found them to be
noted Borg. "But it was really tion was posed," Shuman said. very open." He also noted that
just our pres~:;nce there that made "Some of the communities and "the scheduling was well bal-
a difference." Shuman agreed, shuls were really beautiful, but anced between relaxation and
saying that she felt helpful just ~y they just need people to move in active time. It was a great oppor-
being there and running the pro- and fill them up." tunity to meet numerous commu-
of vari
grams. The CJF is planning to con- nities, make connections with
Shuman also thought that the tinue this trip in future years, and ous organizations. One highlight
kids and have fun." realistic implementation of these
group of students who came their goal is to target a different of the trip was a discussion with
ideas. Students suggested many
. worked very well together, coast of the country. Next year, the administrators of the
different ideas ranging from the
Sephardic Home for the Elderly
despite most of them having been they hope to organize a similar creation of a halakhic symposium
unacquainted with each other trip to the West coast. "They just in Haifa. In this discussion, the
· on the mitzvah of settling the
group was faced with the ques-
Land of Israel, to an Israel
Alana's Editorial tion of whether the home's
employees should be expected to
newsletter, and an aliyah group.
One Yeshiva College (YC) stu-
stay with their patients during an
dent even suggested creating a
alarm signaling that a rocket was
kollel program for next year's
required for majors and for graq- but what about more professors? going to fall in the area, or leave
continued from page 3 winter vacation in which YC stu-
uate schools. Yes we have sushi but what about their patients and flee to a bomb
dents would travel to an Israeli
received an inadequate science The Humanities depart- stimulation? Perhaps the next shelter (bringing the elderly to a
yeshiva to . learn. During this
education. Or how about the fact ments need to be revamped as thing restructured at sew and on bomb shelter in this 45 second
time, they would have program-
that women with near perfect well. It is not enough when a the Beren Campus should be the warning was not feasible). This
ming with the Israeli students of
grade point averages feel the department only offers two elec- academic requirements and discussion wa_s extremely
the yeshiva, allowing the cultiva-
need to shlep to a tutor because tives a semester and has the same course offerings, and anything thought provoking because, as
tion of positive relationships
they are not learning from their two instructors teaching every else will just be an added bonus. Deborah Anstandig (SCW '07)
between Israelis and Americans.
instructor and feel ill prepared for single course. Part of the college As a child I was always :Q.oted: "As a 22 year old
Over the course of the week-
their MCATs? I understand that experience is to learn from a wide taught "don't judge a book by its American, I have never experi-
long mission, the 23 students
professors are given tenure and variety of knowledgeable profes- cover." While a nice outside is enced war on the home front,
from YU gained a more informed
are thus entitled to job security sors and to get many different nothing to scoff at, it is , not never encountered questions ofto
perspective about the war in the
until they wish to retire, but what perspectives on a given subject enough. While it is great to keep what extent the individual must
summer and the effects of the war
about the wishes of the students? matter. Being forced to take the renovating and expanding, it is sacrifice or risk his or her life for
that are still felt. The students
The many students who are pre- same teacher over and over again important that we do not let the the whole of society."
learned what efforts are needed in
med in this college deserve more does not fulfill the aforemen- external improvements being The importance of this dis-
the area of Israel-Diaspora rela-
than one option of time slot and tioned criteria. Students should made on a daily basis distract us cussion was that it gave the
tions and collected ideas of how
more than one option of teacher not have to take summer school from the internal faults of sew. American students a small
to fill in those gaps. "The trip was
in the sciences weighed most to graduate in three years because The curriculum and academic glimpse into which issues the
an incredible and truly eye-open-
heavily by medical school admis- there are not enough courses offerings at sew need to be Israeli population of the North
ing experience," observed Ed
sions personnel. In addition, sen- offered in their chosen area of restructured just as much as any dealt with during the war.
Abramovitz (SSSB '09). "I am
_iors should not have to worry study. lobby, office or exercise room. Meeting with other people, such
glad to have been able to be
about getting closed out of labs. While comfort is nice, as an executive in the Rambam
involved in it."
More courses should be offered so is a challenge. Yes we have Hospital in Haifa, and Shula
and, at the very least, more than couches but what about more Menachem, director of social
one time slot and instructor classes? Yes we have paintings services in Karmiel, gave the stu-
t'.t -·J
should be offered in those classes dents the opportunity to see how
organizations had to make.choic-
Adinah's Editorial es of how to respond to public
need during wartime, even at the
personal risk of individuals with-
continued from p qge 3 that I attended in my youth may · ously been pushed?- I ask the in the organization. For example,
have a more obviously- close- , women here to continue pushing Menachem described that the
very much out of order. When minded view of what women's with me. Let us not sit and allow
inquiring about what the time leaders of Karmiel decided to
role in society should be, Yeshiva ourselves to morph to conforms distribute food packages and
frame is for the completion of the University (YU) is at times cul- of society, but rather to proceed
·"---"·- other supplies to bomb shelters
beit midrash, the responses refer pable of the same thing. Here at with our questioning, striving,
students to look at the front lobby throughout the city, even at great
YU, women are provided with and reaching because that is the personal risk to those who were
of 245 Lexington Avenue and be opportunity; we are_ given so only way we can continue to
happy with that. Why is it that the out on the roads to accomplish
much, yet we are then told okay, grow. this initiative.
women have niceties and com- that is enough. How can we be
forts such as lounges and an aes- Following a week oflearning
empowered to feel like the·sky is and speaking to Israelis about the
thetic campus and the men have the limit and then, when we are
more challenging courses, war, the mission spent Shabbat in
on our way there, we are stopped a beautiful youth hostel in
numerous batei midrash, and a because we wish to transcend
state-of-the-art gym? Hispin, a small town in the North,
boundaries that have not previ- with Rabbi Kenneth Brander,
While the institutions

PAGE 22 THE OBSERVER JANUARY 2007

 ., "

THE OBSERVER

Futuristic Cars Drive Themselves YU Museum Exhibit

tance is far enough away to allow to know that the computer sys- continued from page 19 is it your son's tunic or not? He
continued from page 16
other cars to slip in, and, makes tems that facilitate this technolo- constructed from silk dyed and recognized it and said 'my son's
Mercedes upped the ante). Silver tunic! A savage beast devoured
the car move further away from gy are very reliable. painted in fiber reactive dyes, and
described the amazing technolo- him! Joseph was tom by a beast!"
Another new technology is multiple silk screens using metal-
gy called DisTronic Laser (Gen 37:32). This work was
seen in the automatic lane lic pigments. The silk is dyed a
Cruise Control. Think of it as a made of 10 pieces of stained Thai
departure system, offered by deep blue and is about 2x6 feet.
regular cruise control with a few silk, representing the 1 0 brothers
Infinity. This works to sense the It is a picture of a sky where
extra tweaks. On a normal car,
area of the lane in which you golden triangles, representing the that sold Joseph. The pieces are
when you enter a cruising speed,
are driving. ·It does this by stars in Joseph's first dream, and mounted on plexiglass frames,
the car ·will automatically hold
tracking lane-stripes, and alert- double triangles representing the resembling slide specimens
the speed until you apply the
ing you with a warning bell if . sheaves in Joseph's second m~ant to be examined. The artist
brakes, at which point it auto-
the lane· is left accidentally. dream, are scattered around it. intended to add an additional
matically turns off. What
Lexus interior Also, if you are intentionally Also scattered around the cloth dimension to this piece in which
makes the DisTronic ·unique is
changing lanes, this system can are numerous dots symbolizing the bloodstains also correspond
the fact that it uses lasers similar to the State of Israel and the trag-
the new one. The cost of an S- sense ifthere is another vehicle in · Jacob's dream in
to police laser guns to automati- ic situation there
class car with this technology your intended path, and the warn- which the children
cally measure if a car ahead of today. Just like
will set your wallet back a whop- ing is sounded. The upgraded oflsrael were equat-
you is going slower than your Joseph was fighting
ping $120,000. version, due out by the end of the ed to the sand of the
preset speed. If this is the case, for the truth of his
Although the_se new features year, will actually turn the wheel earth since both are
the DisTronic system will acti- dreams and his
are incredible, most people fmd it and correct the direction of the innumerable. There
vate the brakes automatically and future, Israel also
very difficult to cede control to a car as well, which will signifi- are also horizontal
recalculate the speed so that you has to fight for the
cantly reduce accidents at a lines on the fabnc
will follow at a safe distance. If truth of her exis-
measurable percentage. representing tl.w lad-
needed, it can even come to a tence.
With cars that can park, der in Jacob's
full stop. In addition, this sys- Cromer,
accelerate, brake, and check famous dream on One piece of Cromer's on
tem can also automatically re- through her cre-
Ian~ change safety, one may Mount Moriah. This display at the museum.
accelerate to any speed up to the ativity, mastery
wonder how far away is the day piece incorporates the symbolism
original pre-set rate. The result over fabrics, and her love of
when human input is eliminated of the ladder in Jacob's dream
of this system is found in the Torah, fashioned a most stunning
and a car will drive itself? and the stars and sheaves in
fact that once the speed is set
Lexus luxury seats Technically, if all these features Joseph's dreams in order to and vivid exhibit in which one is
and activated, the vehicle can able to take a step into the story
were combined, such a future is emphasize the similarities
automatically accelerate and . of Joseph and appreciate it in a
computer, and naturally tend to not far away. We better start sav- between their lives.
brake, essentially driving itself. most profound way.
hover over the brakes until confi- ing our .money! Cromer's work is indicative
Steering is all the driver needs to Chana Cromer's "The Story
dence in the computer braking of the Torah's depth, with its mul-
do. The only real problem with of Joseph: Unveiling the Text"
system is gained. It is comforting tiple layers of meaning from the
this system is that the pre-set dis- ·runs through Mqrch 25, 2007.
most simple to the more com-
The museum, located at the
plex. Giving her textiles a multi-
Center for Jewish History at 15
Weighty Is_s ues in the Chicago layer design in which she is able
to impart her own commentary W. 16th Street is open on Sunday,
on the biblical text provides for Tuesday, Wednesday and

Jevvish Community multiple understandings of her

artwork. For example, her piece
Thursday
p.m. Museum
between 11
Admission
a.m. and 5
costs
continued from page 16 Another h~alth issue found are many seeking to be educators called "Recognize This" repre- $8.00 for adults, $6..00 for sen-
Chicago community is obesity. plaguing the WRP/PP area is or part of the health field. These sents the time Joseph's brothers iors and students and is free for
According to the study's calcula- depression. One fifth of the pop- positions now come with an deceived their father and showed YU museum members, children
tion of adult Body Mass Indexes ulation tested reported a diagno- added responsibility. As the him a torn robe with blood on it. under the age offive and YU fac-
ulty, administrators and students
(BMI), 31% of the population is sis of depression. However, these report says,_ "these educational "They had the ornamented tunic
overweight and another 25% is numbers may not be an accurate and awareness campaigns should taken to their father and they said who present a valid identification
clinically obese. The BMI is cal- reflection of the current people also target at least three groups: 'we found this, please examine it, card.
culated with the following formu- suffering from mental illness due rabbis and rabbis' wives, school
la: 703 multipiled by weight in
pounds, divided by height in
to the social stigmas against men- personnel, and physicians.
tal illness, which could have Individuals in· these positions
The Chevra .3
inches squared. These numbers caused hesitancy in the test sub- have an opportunity to affect
are high enough to pose a prob- jects to admit to the problem. The hundreds of individuals if they
lem and merit a widespread effort study reported that 17% of are more thoro).lghly trained in vision of bringing Torah into the
continued from page 19
to curb it. The report says, that "a depressed persons had a college detecting; referring, and possibly lives of young people through his
problem as widespread as obesity education or some higher form of treating (for physicians) depres- guy to sing the harmonies how I music. He acknowledges that
education, while 19% were not sion." would sing them."
needs to be addressed at both the Jews in a modern society are
college graduates. Low-income The Jewish Community Gerstner is the producer,
individual and commUnity levels more likely to listen to Torah
and must take a multi-pronged persons and people with financial Health Survey of West Rogers director, and composer of all of music with a modern sound.
approach. The endless number of worries were mor~ likely to be Park/Peterson Park was conduct- the songs on ' the album. He "When I first started the Chevra,
ways through which obesity depressed. This illustrates how ed geographically far from the derives his lyrics from his every- I thought it would sell only a cou-
could be addressed may seem important it is for college gradu- Jewish communities of New day experiences with Jewish texts ple ,of thousand and that's it,"
daunting, but it also gives each ates to be aware of the signs of York. Yet, the results of the study and incorporates his own life Gerstner remarked with a laugh.
community great flexibility. depression. Having a college hit close to home. Adult and events into the "I wouldn't
Communities can use this flexi- degree does not mean no finan- childhood obesity are· prevalent songs. "It is very have thought
bility to best use their strengths to . cial worries; it is something all everywhere, but because Jews are hard to find origi- it would go .·
deal with weight problems in graduates deal with when they a cohesive group, self-educate, nal words.
past that, but
their neighborhoods." leave college and head out into and coordinate various programs~ [When] davening, then I realized
Scarier than obese adults is the real world. it-has a responsibility to help stop - saying Tehillim it was some-
the percentage of obese children The report illuminates the the epidemic. Depression is an (psalms), or learn- thing that peo-
that researchers found during the goals in the area of depression. issue that can be masked with a ing Gemara, you ple really
study. Using a slightly modified "In particular, three messages smile in synagogue, but as future come across a wanted to
system of BMI's, researchers need to be delivered. First, indi- educators and members of the pasuk (verse) that
found that boys were more likely viduals in these. communities Jewish community, sew stu- is beautiful and hear." He uses
need to know how to recognize dents have the responsibility to just works," said Gerstner. The modem enhancers, such as voice
to be normal/underweight than first track, "Chizku;" has a partie- synchronizers, club beats, and
overweight, while girls had a when they (or a loved one) might be educated · about the issue to
qlarly special meaning to him. electric guitar, to make his music
higher chance of being obese. have a problem. Second, individ- · make sure that their own prob-
'"Chizku', means anyone [who trendy and to give his music a
Over 33% of girls in the WRP/PP uals need to be aware that depres- lems, and those uf their loved
sion can be effectively treated . ones, are not ignored. strives] to get closer to Hashem, rock/pop edge.
communities were calculated as Hashem will [help you] and give So far, sales for "The Chevra
obese. In addition, older children, with a variety of methods.
you Chizuk. I hope that people 3" have already surpassed that of
between the ages of six and 12, Finally, they need to know where
will take Chiiuk from [this . the Chevra 2. "Baruch Hashem,"
were more likely than·two to five to go for help."
song]." he _exclaimed. "I have to keep
year olds to be overweight, which Moreover, students at Stem
College for Women (SCW) have Gerstner has brought EG ~aymg Ba~ch Hashem beca~se it
is consistent with national sur- productions to life, with the ts an unbelievable response.
ve s. different career goals, but there

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PAGE 24 THE OBSERVER JANUARY 2007