8 Gifts of Value to Give Your Children

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1 n e w j e r s e y $3.95 Winter 2005 t h e m a g a z i n e o f t o r a h l i n k s Special Chanukah Issue Being Jewish in America A Look at Campus, Sports and Entertainment A New Celebration: Jewish Unity Live 8 Gifts of Value to Give Your Children An Interview with Mortimer B. Zuckerman p63 Dr. Bruce Feinberg #247, 10,000 Jews in the Know inspired living

2 a letter from rabbi aaron gruman 2 10,000 Jews in the Know, an exciting Jewish literacy campaign where thousands of Jews all over the country will commit to begin and complete a meaningful selection of Torah study. In addition, we take a look back at some of those who made Jewish Unity Live 2005 a smashing success and anticipate an even greater one for Jewish Unity Live We would love to hear from you! Please do not hesitate to offer constructive feedback on what you see and share with us what you would like to see in the future. The soul of Torah Links is our dedicated staff of enthusiastic, knowledgeable, and non-judgmental men and women. Currently, we offer scores of dynamic, interactive, formal and informal Jewish programming for people of all ages. And we d love to do more. The entire Torah Links family joins me in wishing all a freilichen Chanukah. Welcome to the inaugural issue of the New Jersey Jewish Spirit, the new magazine of Torah Links. Surely, Chanukah, which comes from the Hebrew word to inaugurate or to dedicate, is a most propitious time to launch a magazine dedicated to sharing the light and warmth of Judaism. Those of you who know us, know our passion. You know we are passionate about bringing the joy, vibrancy and wisdom of Torah to Jews from all walks of life. You know that we sincerely believe that Torah study is the greatest unifier for our people. And you know the delight we take in sharing the excitement of Mitzvah experiences and in translating authentic, timeless messages of Torah into everyday living. The New Jersey Jewish Spirit is an expression of that passion. Throughout these pages we trust you will find an inspiring selection of some of the highest quality Torah journalism, with contributions from some of the Jewish world s finest teachers. We hope you find these articles inspiring and relevant. We also hope to provide a glimpse of breakthrough projects designed to further educate and unite our fellow Jews. This issue features a look at Administration Rabbi Aaron Gruman Rabbi Ezriel Munk Rabbi Yehuda Farber Rabbi Moshe Katz Cherry Hill Rabbi Mordechai and Yitty Rhine Rabbi Yisroel Tzvi and Shoshana Miriam Serebrowski Middlesex County Rabbi Dovid and Chani Gross Rabbi Shlomo and Shaindy Landau Eastern Monmouth County Rabbi Moshe and Russi Lichtenstein Western Monmouth County Rabbi Gedalia and Malky Liebes Rabbi Yitzchok and Toby Oratz Rabbi Yossi and Tamar Sobel Personnel Naomi Ellenbogen Orna Sabbah Nechama Kanarek Elisheva Katzman Administrative Address Torah Links 601 Private Way Lakewood, NJ

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6 an interview at l e v i n, s h e a, p f e f f e r, P.A. 58 When 10,000 Jews in the Know was first launched, the response was overwhelming. From doctors to housewives, engineers to entrepreneurs, thousands of Jews have joined hands in an exciting learning adventure, taking the time off their busy schedules to engage in Torah study. not what you d call observant, I think that Torah study is one of the most important things a Jew can do. It opens your mind. And it has positively affected the way I look at the world. DM: So are you planning on participating in the Torah Links 10,000 Jews in the Know, goal-oriented program? Michael: I m actually looking forward to it. When you reach my age you end up doing a lot of the same things again and again. It takes something refreshing and novel like this to sort of elevate you above the routine. Photo credit: Robert Charles What motivates busy professionals to gladly devote slices of their precious time to learn Torah? Dov Milovsky, marketing director of a New Jersey health facility, recently conducted a round table interview with a diverse cross section of Torah Links participants, and discovered some revealing answers. DM: Michael, how do you find Torah study impacts your life? Michael: Well, for one, I find it has a soothing effect. I find that studying the weekly parsha with Rabbi Ezriel Munk, director of Torah Links Executive Learning program, provides the added benefit of learning to handle life s challenges. Although I m a lawyer, I now will often prefer a handshake to a written contract. Torah study generates a certain moral compass that has definitely enhanced my professional career. DM: So that s what motivates you to study Torah? Michael: I wouldn t say that. As I mentioned, that s a side benefit of studying. For the first fifty years of my life I had almost no connection to Torah study, although I was very involved as a Jew both socially and politically. When I went on a UJA mission to Israel in 1992, I was approached by a fellow at the Western Wall, who suggested I attend a lecture at Aish HaTorah. That first exposure made me realize that I d been missing a lot as a Jew. Although I am DM: Lauren, as a mentor what s your take on the current TL learning program? Lauren: I m particularly enthusiastic about it because of my own background. I completed my undergraduate degree at Princeton, and my husband graduated from Yale Medical School. We both had extensive contact with so many Jews who were intelligent and intellectually motivated, yet were incredibly ignorant of Judaism s intellectual side. They were really under the impression that the Torah is just a collection of some old folklore, and were completely unaware of the breadth and depth of it. Because I come from a less observant background, I understand exactly why they have those misconceptions; the majority of secular Jews have simply never had the opportunity to learn the multiple facets of philosophical, moral, ethical and practical knowledge that the Torah has to offer. DM: Is that what motivated you to teach others? Lauren: Definitely. But there s another point, as well. As Michael mentioned, the Torah happens to be a great resource for coping with life s situations. When I was studying for my Masters degree in social work, I was amazed to find that many of the concepts my professors discussed regarding how to deal with other people and their problems and issues, were already familiar to me from various Torah sources, such as Maimonides, Rashi, Rav Moshe Chaim Luzzato, and others. DM: Adam, how about you? Does Torah study enhance your career in any way, or does it interfere? Adam: I think that Torah insights and wisdom helps me in the business world, by setting parameters, moral guidelines, and also by creating a

7 very healthy perspective in not getting too carried away with the pursuit of a deal or particular venture. At the end of the day, there s a controlling force in the world, so you don t torture yourself about missed opportunities or the like. I also find that it assists me in making sound business decisions. And I have developed a clearer perspective on what exactly constitutes wealth, and it is definitely not limited to dollars and cents. DM: I ve been hearing about how the Torah provides a certain sense of stability sort of an anchor of calm and moral guidance. That s true when your particular study is ethics or maybe philosophy. What about when you study things like the Talmud where there s lot of discussion about all aspect of Jewish laws and their minutiae. How does that fit in? Adam: Firstly, it so happens I m studying a compendium of business law that addresses very real situations like how to determine fair pricing, luring employees from their jobs to work for you - things like that. But the real answer is that G-d is real, and His existence is expressed in the Torah and its laws. Studying His Torah keeps you more connected with Him, and aware of His existence and control. It invariably contributes to a more balanced life. Lauren: If I could interject, I would say that when you experience the intricacy and myriad interconnected details of the Torah, especially in a text such as the Talmud, you realize that this just could not have been the product of any human mind it s so complex that it has to be Divinely authored. Once that idea sets in, you re confident that the answers to life s difficult and abstract philosophical issues are all within Torah texts. Adam: It s interesting how different people find the Torah resonates within them in different ways. As for myself, I grew up on a culture of self-help you know, Tony Robbins and so on. Well, as I discovered the Torah, I found it to be the ultimate self-help. Much of what I had seen until then was very motivational, like feel-good kind of stuff, but without much substance. This was real. DM: Any particular text that you found that in? Adam: I would take Genesis as an example, although it s not exclusive. All the things you know to be true about life, happiness, success, relationships, things which make sense they re all right there in the Torah. continued on page 62 59

8 continued from page DM: Michael, you re involved in AIPAC and other Jewish advocacy groups. Do you feel that these groups could benefit from Torah study? Michael: Well, let s just say I feel that Jews in a Jewish organization would surely benefit from something that is at the core of being Jewish. I find the younger generation actually more receptive than some of my older colleagues, some of whom have a certain resistance. But history and anecdotal evidence suggest that there s no greater guarantee for Jewish continuity than education. Michael: One of the things that I appreciate about the current learning project is that it doesn t emphasize observance or practices just Torah study as an intellectual pursuit. There s a great sense of commonality in that. It s something all Jews can do, regardless of their level of commitment to observance or institutional affiliation. Years ago the language was a real obstacle. If you couldn t read or understand Hebrew, you were out of luck. But today everything is in such lucid English, there s almost no excuse not to do it! DM: Michael I think you ve summed it up beautifully sort of captured what the campaign is all about. On that note, I d like to thank you all for your time, and now let s hit the books! Lauren: If I could just add my experiences in the universities I ve attended and in teaching many different types of Jews have shown me that people who are resistant to Torah study invariably feel that way because they have never experienced it. They have preconceived notions, for example, about the role of women in Torah Judaism, or about theodicy, which are actually not consistent with true Torah views. The biggest barrier to Torah study is not knowing what the Torah really says.

9 Adam Lieberman is a business consultant who services a broad spectrum of executives and industries. He is also the executive director of a non-profit organization that helps Jews of all backgrounds to see the beauty and relevance of their heritage. He lives in New Jersey with his wife and children. Lauren Roth holds a BA in Molecular Biology from Princeton University, and an MSW from Rutgers University. She lectures extensively throughout the United States on parenting, marriage, healthful eating, and numerous Torah topics. She and Rabbi Dr. Daniel Roth are the proud parents of five children, and raising them properly is Mrs. Roth s most important and most cherished vocation. Michael Levin graduated NY University School of Law and is a partner at Levin, Shea, and Pfeffer in Jackson, NJ. He has helped found and direct several banks in the tristate area. A former Township Committee member and mayor of Lakewood, NJ, Michael is also an active advocate of Jewish causes, serving as a past president of the Jewish Federation of Ocean County, NJ, and a current member of the Board of Directors of AIPAC. Michael will also be the Guest of Honor at Torah Links Jewish 63 Unity Live 2006 event. He currently resides in Marlboro, NJ with his wife and children. 10,000 Jews in the Know On November 1, 2005, Torah Links launched an exciting and bold campaign entitled 10,000 Jews in the Know. The mission? To engage 10,000 Jews in seven different cities in the study and completion of a Torah text by March of A grand gala celebration will be held in honor of our proud graduates on March 12 at the Hyatt Regency of New Brunswick. The age and academic requirements? None! Both novices to Jewish texts and seasoned scholars alike have joined the ranks of this ambitious project. Soccer moms, corporate dads, or anyone in between - there s something for everyone! Adults, teenagers, and school children from all Jewish threads have already commenced their course of study. The selection is unlimited! The choices include diverse topics such as Jewish history, Jewish Law (did you know about the Laws of Disparaging Talk?) Bible, Talmud, Beginner s Hebrew and even Alef-Bet! Torah Links provides texts, resources, and mentors to assist participants. It s still not too late to sign on to this exciting program - just give us a call at 877-UNITY-2006 or log onto and we ll supply you with everything necessary to be a proud member of 10,000 Jews in the Know!

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