The Jewish Link

Spending a gap year in Israel can be a wonderful experience for any young person. Many of Los Angeles high school graduates choose to attend seminary or yeshiva in Israel for the year after high school. But many of them come back to Los Angeles confused about what to do afterwards. Some find jobs, while others focus on continuing their schooling. However, by attending Touro College Los Angeles, one can do both. The schedule at TCLA enables most students to be full time students while also holding part-time or even full-time jobs. Classes are offered on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons/evenings for women and Monday and Wednesday nights for men. Mornings and alternate days are free for most students, allowing them to work during those hours.

TCLA offers students the opportunity to complete a full 4-year degree program in less than four years. Students frequently graduate with a Bachelors degree in Psychology or Business after two and a half to three years (after attending a year in seminary or yeshiva). TCLA also offers pre-requisite science classes for those interested in pursuing health science fields. Students who have completed their year in seminary or yeshiva generally transfer in with approximately 30 transfer credits while also fulfilling the Judaic Studies requirement for graduation. In addition, students who begin Touro College Los Angeles immediately after their year in Israel and spend their entire academic career at TCLA are able to take every course needed for graduation within a two and a half year period. This is especially important when one compares the time the same result would take at state or community colleges, all highly impacted by reduced funding from the state of California.

The Touro College and University System has many graduate schools where students can continue their schooling and become experts in their fields. Graduate schools include: New York Medical College, Touro Schools of Osteopathic Medicine, Touro School of Law, Touro University Worldwide and other schools of Business, Social Work, Physician’s Assistant, Pharmacy, Psychology, Nursing, and more. Students who graduate from Touro College Los Angeles receive preferential opportunities at Touro graduate schools. TCLA has an excellent placement record for its graduates. Graduates have enrolled at; Columbia, UCLA, USC, Touro University, Pepperdine and others.

Hey you, working so hard to pack for your summer family trip—I see you’re forgetting something! Oh, and you, over there, struggling to pack up your teenage boy for sleepover camp! You both are leaving out the most important part of your preparations: your “Natural First Aid Kit For the Summer!” Besides rubbing alcohol, band-aids and thermometer, you should bring a little box filled with treasures for your natural first aid kit. I will quickly introduce you to a few wonderful items to help you treat bug bites, cuts and bruises. These natural products are safe and easy to use and most of them are available at your local health food store. If not, ask them to order for you. You can easily teach your children going away to summer camp or traveling on their own how to use these items.

Green Clay — This has to be one of my most favorite healing tools. French green clay is pure clay from the earth. Green clay is fabulous for bug bites. Mix one teaspoon of green clay in a cup with just a few drops of water to form a paste. Paint over the bug bite with the paste and let the paste dry. If the bite is very sore you can paint over the existing green clay 2-4 times (letting the clay dry in between) or every hour until the healing begins. The bug bite should stop itching and will heal quickly. Green clay paste is also wonderful for kitchen burns: apply as above and you will be amazed at the way it cools and heals burnt skin (not for use on sunburns). Also, you can use the powder directly (not mixed with water) on diaper rashes and heat rashes.

Arnica 30c — This is a homeopathic remedy that is placed under the tongue for falls and bumps. When you use any homeopathic remedy put a few pellets under the tongue and let it dissolve slowly. (It is best if you refrain from eating 15 minutes before and 15 minutes after the remedy, but this is not necessary in an emergency.) Ordinarily this remedy is given every 3 hours as needed for pain in about 3 doses, but if it is a true emergency the remedy can be given every 15 minutes until you seek out medical attention.

St. John’s Wort Oil — I just love this oil; it is wonderful and soothing. The oil is great for sunburns, muscle aches and stiff necks. You can liberally apply this oil after a nasty sunburn (but do not go out in the sun directly after you put on the oil; let it soak into the skin first). You can also add two drops of pure lavender oil to the St. John’s Wort oil to help soothe the burn. This can also be used with aloe vera gel. The oil can also be massaged into sore and bruised muscles. It is also very helpful if you wake up with a stiff neck. The best quality oil is from Woodland Essences at (315) 845-1515.

Yunnan Paiyado powder — Wow, great name! This is a superb Chinese powder mix. It will almost instantly stop a cut from bleeding. Two summers ago I was in the country and a neighbor sliced her finger opening a tuna fish can. She had been trying for almost one hour to stop her bleeding finger. She was on her way to the doctor but stopped at my place first. I put some of this powder over the cut as she was on the phone deciding who was going to take care of her children while she was at the doctor, and by the end of the phone call her finger had stopped bleeding. It works like magic. It also helps promote healing of the wound. If you suspect a wound needs stitches do not apply this powder unless under the guidance of a professional. If stitches are needed I would take Arnica homeopathic remedy under my tongue on the way to getting those stitches! You can order this powder from New York’s Chinatown by calling (212) 962-0447.

Rosemary, Lavender, Citronella Essential Oils — These oils are great as a bug repellent! You can purchase a small water spritz bottle. Fill the bottle up with water and add 20 drops each of all three of these oils. You can then spray on you or your children’s clothes all day long as needed. You can also burn these oils in a diffuser (You can find most essential oils and diffusers at your health food store.).

There is so much more to learn but my time has run out. Start with these items this summer and you will be amazed at how much you can help yourself, your kids, and your neighbors heal. Have a safe and productive summer, and happy healing!

By: Sara Chana Silverstein

In the May 31, 2013 edition of Community Links I wrote an article titled “The Cost of Jewish Living.”  In this article I made a proposition that the various merchants and service providers who service the Jewish community in Los Angeles make a commitment to donate 3% of profits to support Jewish day school education by donating that 3% to any Jewish day school’s financial aid fund.  By doing so, we would create a cycle of community support:  patrons support Jewish business, businesses support Jewish education and involvement for children, schools receive additional funds to disperse for financial aid, families experience some element of financial relief, families have some spending money to shop, etc.  Assuming merchants and service providers do not raise their fees in order to make the donations, theoretically as more business owners choose to participate, the collective impact could be quite substantial in support of financial aid for day schools.

As always, I provide my email and contact information in case any readers wish to share their thoughts.  The very first email I received in response to the May 31st article read as follows, “What a wonderful idea. Now you should “put your money where your mouth is” and be the first to post such a sign in your office.  Cheers, dr.p.”  Here is my exact reply, “Thank you, I actually give 10% but I don’t think most would consider that so I chose 3%. Would you like to join? What is your name? Best, Mia” I guess Dr. P wasn’t ready to commit since I received no reply to my invitation to participate in the initiative.

To my knowledge, not a single business owner has decided to commit to this 3% idea of a solution to better support families to be able to afford Jewish day school education for the community’s children in Los Angeles.  I’m not sure why.  Perhaps times are tough.  Perhaps business owners are not confident that what is given away comes back ten-fold.  Or, perhaps no one actually reads this column.  Any one of these is reason enough for it to not take off.  But I am not someone who quits, and I am also a woman of action.  What Dr. P’s email did for me is cause me to dig deeper and ask myself—am I doing everything I possibly can to contribute?  Am I doing everything I possibly can to inspire others to give?  What else can I personally do to help motivate others to give a percentage of their earnings to Jewish day school education financial aid funds?  I decided the answer was no—I am not doing all that I can do.  I need to do more, and what follows is my plan of action to motivate and inspire YOU to get involved.

As a woman who has married, divorced, and remarried; As a mother to nine kids—three of mine, four of his, and two of ours (ranging in age from 18 years to 20 months); As a professional psychotherapist, writer, and educator; As the wife of a general contractor/rabbi; As an Ashkenazi woman married once to an American Ashkenazi and now to a Sephardic Israeli Iraqi; As a woman who has over 20 years of experience in the world of education and Jewish education, I’ve gathered some skills and some wisdom. I’d like to share it for the benefit of raising money for financial aid for Jewish day schools.  At first I considered starting a foundation of sorts, but then I realized that I truly don’t want that responsibility (and work).  So what I realized I can do instead is to become a channel for the money—a conduit of sorts—to connect donors with schools by offering up some of my wisdom and experience.

B’ezrat HaShem and bli neder, I plan to start offering workshops for women to offer support, empowerment, and inspiration for their work in this world.  My thoughts right now are to coordinate the events with Rosh Chodesh.  The events will be open to any women 18 years and older who wish to attend and ticket for admission will be a check for $18 or more written to the Jewish day school of that person’s choosing with “financial aid donation” in the memo.  I’m still working on the format, but we’ll touch on all aspects of women’s lives—home, work, parenting, marriage.  Much of what we will do will be in a Jewish context; however women of any faith are welcome to attend.  There will be opportunity for discussion, anonymous question and answer sessions, perhaps a guest speaker some times.  Maybe some retailers will offer freebie give-a-ways as favors.  Let’s see together what evolves!  But I will need some help to get the first event off the ground:  a space to host the event, people to greet the attendees and collect entrance fees, ways to get the word out (PTAs?  Flyers?  Synagogues?).  If you can find it within yourself to participate in any way—to volunteer to make things happen, or to attend and find others to attend as well—I think we can start to build something amazing to help Jewish families in our Los Angeles community and to help schools raise additional funds for financial aid.

I hope that more than five people read this, but if only five do, then I hope I get five replies with offers to get involved.  Any merchant or service provider that offers to assist will be recognized (I’m not sure how but it will be worth it).  I can be reached at mia@bhcounselingcenter.com and I am very much looking forward to seeing how we can come together and give it our all.

By: Mia Adler Ozair

Engagement-  Mazel Tov to Yoni Denitz  to Ariella Hill!

The eruv is sponsored this week by Melissa Spokojny for the refuah shelemah of Rav Shraga Fivel Ben Esther, Zev Ben Sarah, Yitzak Ben Basha & Aaron Ben Slata.

To View Status of the Eruv go to www.laeruv.com

JETS celebrated the many accomplishments of its students and graduates, as well as the ordination of ten Smicha students, at our June Banquet and the year end trip to the Grand Canyon.

Now entering its 9th year, JETS is a unique school that caters to the individual needs of each student, enabling him to be in a warm chassidishe environment while pursuing the career of his choice.

The ceremony was emceed by Yoni Amar, a JETS student who is working towards his career in architecture and interior design.

Rabbi Mayer Schmukler, the Founder and Director of JETS, welcomed everybody following the recital of the Rebbe’s letter. Rabbi Schmukler thanked the staff for their hard work and dedication to ensuring the future of our students, exclaiming that miracles are happening every day at JETS. To thank Rabbi Schmukler for his unconditional support of Jets, Yossi Engel, on behalf of the entire staff,  presented Rabbi Schmukler with a large canvas picture of himself receiving a dollar from the Rebbe, which elicited strong emotions.

Menachem Partouche, a third year student who received his Smicha this year in JETS and is currently pursuing a degree in business and property development, addressed the crowd with the following message: “At JETS I have learned a lot… a lot of information, a lot of ideas, and a lot of living examples of how to be a good Jew in the real world.”

One of our talented musical students, Shloime Cohen, composed and sang a rap about his wonderful and meaningful experience at JETS.

The overall feeling of gratitude and appreciation for the Rebbe’s moisad in Granada Hills California was palpable in the room.

Sholom Serraf, our student photographer, presented a video recapping memories of the year.

Rabbi Mendy Seewald, Judaic Principal, presented the teachers with gifts and heartfelt gratitude.   Rabbi Naftali Smith, Principal of JETS, awarded each staff member with a token of appreciation. Yossi Engel, Mehanel Gashmi, spoke about how fortunate we are to be a part of such a strong, growing community of individuals committed to the future generation.

Rabbi Perl. the Director of Development, introduced the honorary guests and supporters who addressed the crowd with  touching words. One remarked that of all his investments, the one he is most proud of is his support of JETS.

On behalf of Mrs. Schmukler, Mrs. Perl thanked all the wives and their families for supporting their husbands in their efforts at JETS and for hosting the Bochurim for Shabbosim.

 Ten students received their Smicha from Rabbi Elchonon Tauber, Dayan and Rabbi of Congregation Bais Yehuda of Los Angeles and Rabbi Kornwasser. As each student approached the podium to receive his certificate, the crowd broke out in cheers.  Third year student David Betesh finished off by thanking JETS for his success in receiving Smicha, his high school equivalency, and completing his courses in electrical fundamentals. The evening concluded with the presentation of awards and diplomas to the students. Many boys lingered long after the conclusion of the ceremony to farbreng with staff members and shluchim throughout the night, trying to take advantage of their last moments in the school that has become their second home.

The following morning, the boys left for the year end trip to the Grand Canyon, accompanied by staff Levi Blizinsky, Rabbi Mendy Seewald, and the Shluchim. The boys enjoyed three days of hiking, camping, jet skiing, and farbrenging.

We want to thank Chabad of Summerlin and Rabbi Schanowitz and family for hosting the JETS boys for Shabbos.

The boys will always remember what they referred to as the best trip of their lives, culminating a successful year of learning, growth, and friendship B’gashmius U’vruchnius.

Touro College Los Angeles (TCLA) conducted its Seventh Graduation ceremonies Wednesday evening, June 19 at Sapper Hall at the TCLA West Hollywood campus. The event was graced by a Keynote Address by Touro President, Dr. Alan Kadish, who noted that he insisted on attending these ceremonies, even though TCLA currently accounts for a small portion of the nearly 20,000 students educated by Touro Divisions and schools worldwide. “You are the pioneers,” Dr. Kadish said, “who have laid the foundation for the future of Touro’s growth and its increasing service to the Greater Los Angeles Jewish Community. The time has come to make Touro the institution that befits the second largest Jewish Community in the United States, and the third largest in the world. Your example,” he said, turning to the graduates beside

him on the stage, “of spirit, performance and dedication will serve as a shining example to your peers and will attract more young dedicated Jews to Touro.”

Dr. Kadish likened the students to the Bikurim—the First Fruits brought in the Temple—during which detailed recitation took place of the debt owed to those who came before and who defended the Land of Israel, cultivated its farms and whose effort allowed the first fruits to be harvested and brought. “Just as it is proper for you to thank all those who love you and who supported you in your efforts to reach this day, so will you be thanked in the future for laying the foundation and showing others the way.” Dr. Kadish then announced that, with the imminent opening of Touro’s fourth Medical School, Touro will become the largest educator of physicians in the world.

Valedictorian Leora Dahan delivered the Valedictory Address in which she spoke of how she was accepted and nurtured by the Touro community even though she was a very recent arrival in Los Angeles from her native Montreal. “Although we each had our own personalities and a diversity of backgrounds,” she said, “we approached our work and our school with a unified spirit—like the Israelites at Mount Sinai, who, though from many different walks of life and backgrounds, accepted the Torah, as the Midrash puts it, ‘with one heart, and as one person’.” She then outlined the extensive “Ru-ach”—school spirit—activities that made life at Touro a joyous celebration of Jewish tradition, particularly during the Jewish Holidays.

Dean Esther Lowy presented academic awards to Menucha Cohen and Sharona Harroonian, and the “Spirit of Touro” Award to Student Council President Brana Ratner–Stauber in recognition of her tireless efforts on behalf of enriching student life at Touro. Dr. Lowy and Pres. Kadish then conferred Baccalaureate Degrees on the nineteen graduates, presenting each graduate with their Diploma, and concluding with the ceremonial moving of the tassels on their cap, to the cheers and applause of the assembled.

In Dean Lowy’s concluding remarks, she pointed out that, though Touro was saying goodbye to these graduates, the Hebrew for goodbye is also the word for hello—Shalom—and has as one of its roots, the word for wholeness —Shaleim. One may derive from this that the most heartfelt expression of farewell is the one that conveys the idea that the parties who are parting will not consider themselves whole until they meet again and are reunited. “You are now Touro Alumni, joining the body of Touro alumni here in Los Angeles and around the world who are dedicated to furthering the goals and mission of the school and its founder, Dr. Bernard Lander, zt”l (of blessed memory). And just as all the parts of the body contribute to a whole to make a healthy organism, so must each and every one of you contribute your unique talents, insights and ideas to the health of this body and the furtherance of its ideals. Knowing these young people as I do, I look to that future with great hope, great expectations and joyful anticipation.”

The proceedings were concluded with a reception for the graduates, their families and guests and Touro faculty and administration.