Magic in the Air
Dear Editor:
“Hi, I have an open slot this afternoon. Can I do a magic show in your house?”
This was the unexpected phone call I received last Tuesday, at about 3:30 p.m., from Mr. Allen Sakowitz. Allen is a well-known lawyer in Florida who had an upcoming family simchah in Eretz Yisrael. He wanted to come for the event and decided to grab the opportunity to get in more z’chuyos, as well as a sh’mirah for himself. He decided to buy a few magic tricks and trained himself to become a magician – in just a few days! Did you know that magic is not real? But happiness is very real! To watch a magic show and receive a nice toy would bring pure happiness to any child in the world!
Mr. Sakowitz was able to do just that for many children in Eretz Yisrael. Allen came with a goal to bring simchah and smiles to at least 1,000 children, by performing magic shows and distributing new toys. He far exceeded his expectations! He came for three weeks and performed over 25 shows throughout the country. He had a combined audience of a whopping 2,500 people! Intending to help the children forget the current situation and lift their spirits, the goal was reached, as was apparent on the faces of all the children and their parents.
The shows were performed in English, or in Hebrew with a translator. They were performed in numerous hotels throughout Yerushalayim, where displaced families from the North and South are currently residing. He performed in Efrat, Neve Daniel, Beit Shemesh, Kiryat Gat, Beitar Illit, and many other places.
Adina Bloom, a 13-year-old girl living in Ramat Beit Shemesh, came along to many performances where she did face-painting. Her artistic talent brought joy to many children who enjoyed the numerous different characters and designs painted on their faces. Tizki l’mitzvos!
We hosted two magic shows on that Tuesday: one at 5:30 p.m. for about 50 girls, with face-painting by Adina, followed by a 7:00 p.m. show for well over 50 boys. They loved the show, and they loved the toys! One day, when Mr. Sakowitz was returning to his hosts’ house after a full day of performances, a young girl approached him and asked if he would be performing another magic show in the area. She said that her friend missed the first show and would love to see it. Without missing a beat, Allen planned a show for some 25 or so kids that evening. To say no to any child would not even enter his mind.
“Olam Chesed Yibaneh.” Mr. Sakowitz, the amount of chesed you have done for so many people in Eretz Yisrael during this challenging time is definitely building worlds. Thank you for showing us that it always pays to grab any opportunity to do more chesed.
Abracadabra! Keep waving your magic wand!
Keep doing chesed, keep bringing simchah, and with that we should be zocheh to greet Mashiach speedily in our days!
Chana Miriam (Serle) Chaitovsky
magic
Dear Editor:
I read Rabbi Schonfeld’s column last week. I certainly agree with the main thrust: We are living in a time in which we see very clearly that we are an am l’vadad yishkon, which is a brachah in some senses and a tragedy in others.
Very respectfully, I’ve shared with Rabbi Schonfeld that I disagree with his assessment about the presence of the ADL and Ambassador Lipstadt in fighting the Jew-hatred on college campuses. One need only look at the ADL website to see how visibly they are fighting for Israel. CEO Jonathan Greenblatt has received much media coverage for his fierce response to anti-Zionist propaganda. The ADL spearheaded petitions to Congress and to the Secretary of Education, demanding that they take action against the recent surge in anti-Semitism. They are working with Hillel right now to create a hotline for reporting, investigating, and responding to anti-Semitism. In Greenblatt’s words, “We don’t need a cancel culture on campus. We need a consequences culture.”
As far as Ambassador Lipstadt is concerned (who herself attends an Orthodox synagogue), her recent book on anti-Semitism deals head-on with anti-Zionism. In her words, “The negation of Jewish nationhood is a form of anti-Semitism, if not in intent, then certainly in effect.” She, too, has been working with the current administration and has made media appearances describing what she called a “tsunami” of anti-Semitism based on current events. All of this information is available. Her track record shows that she is not shy about calling out anti-Semitism on the far Left.
I make these points because while we can disagree with those to the left of us on many issues and their approaches, we should recognize that there is a strong voice on the liberal ends of the Jewish community that is just as horrified as anybody else about what happened on October 7 and what is happening in America. We can certainly ask ourselves and others to do more. But my observation is that while there is a far Left contingency that has betrayed the Jewish people, there is a strong outcry among liberal Jews, and they are more numerous than the fringe progressives. We need them and we need to boost them. We need to give them our full respect for their work in fighting hatred of Israel and the Jewish people. We only gain from recognizing our partners in this fight, including those with whom we may have different ideologies and approaches in other respects. For if there is anyone who has a chance of reaching the far Left progressives, it is the more liberal part of the Jewish community that has a far better chance than do most Orthodox Jews and organizations. I pray that we are all, the entire Jewish community, successful in our efforts to bring light to the truth about Israel.
Rabbi Judah Kerbel
Trump vs. Biden on Israel
Dear Editor:
I would like to express my agreement with both Mr. Stark and Mr. Behar re: Biden’s treatment of Israel. President Obama could barely hide his hatred of Israel, and his close ties to Louis Farrakhan and Reverend Wright likely fueled his hatred of Jews, as well.
Biden, on the other hand, has attempted a more nuanced approach. He took a trip to Israel and initially expressed public support for Israel in their war against Hamas. Now it appears he is ready to cave to the woke left wing of the Democratic Party as his nonsensical suggestion of a “pause” in Israel’s offensive suggests.
I don’t think Biden possesses the toxic hatred Obama had for Israel, but he certainly is not enamored with the Jewish state. Biden’s approach with Israel though, is consistent with his domestic approach at home. Biden simply does not care about the lives of American citizens. Some 100,000 Americans die annually of poisoning from the fentanyl that comes through the border he has left open. And that’s merely one of many negative effects of Biden’s de facto legalization of illegal immigration. If Biden does not care at all about American lives, how can we possibly expect him to care about the lives of Jews in a foreign country, 6,000 miles away?
Warren Hecht and others say that Biden has been a strong supporter of Israel, but I remain puzzled as to why Jews of any political persuasion would offer lavish praise of Biden for his performance to date. It appears that Mr. Hecht has hit the delete button on years 2017-2020, as his ludicrous implication that Israel would somehow be treated worse under Trump than Biden suggests.
We often wonder how supposedly civilized people side with the evil Hamas over Israel, but that can be explained away by anti-Semitism. How a supposedly rational person reaches the conclusion that Israel enjoys better treatment under Biden than Trump defies any explanation.
T.R.
Hindsight
Dear Editor:
If one were to peruse the letters to the Queens Jewish Link from the Trump haters in the run-up to the 2020 election warning us of the dangers of not electing Joe Biden for president, one would expect that we’d be very much enjoying this time period in history.
We finally got rid of the Bad Orange Jew-hater in Chief in the White House, and as predicted, anti-Semitism came to an end. Jews throughout the Diaspora are living in harmony with their gentile neighbors. Shul security that commenced after a few shootings that were likely caused by White (or Orange) supremacists supporting the illegitimate president is now deemed superfluous and has been relaxed. With the Bad Orange man who hated Jews long gone, Israel is now more secure than ever and has enjoyed years of peace and tranquility under Joe Biden’s new, enlightened Middle East policies.
Iran has responded nicely to the hundreds of billions of dollars in bribes the Biden administration sent them, and now that they have completely renounced terrorism, they are a reliable peace partner with the West. The entire world looks at Joe Biden’s America as a beacon of strength, and respects America’s might so much more under Joe Biden’s steady leadership than they did when the unpredictable Orange Jew Hater with the mean tweets was in office.
Reality can be rough sometimes. This is not a letter in support of Donald Trump’s candidacy for president or another critique of Warren Hecht’s obvious hatred of Trump robbing him of any objectivity. This is merely an observation. Sometimes it’s a worthwhile endeavor to take stock and look back at positions taken from the not too distant past and realize how ridiculous they sound now with a little hindsight.
Jonathan Goldgrab
Gennaro Speaks Out Against Anti-Semitic Rhetoric
Dear Editor:
I am appalled at the anti-Semitic rhetoric we have all been witnessing on college campuses and on our streets as Israel defends its right to exist. Posters created to highlight the suffering of hostages are being torn down in a blatant attempt to intimidate the Jewish community into silence. I continue to work with the NYPD to maintain the highest profile police presence possible. We must stand united against this escalation of anti-Semitism, whether it manifests as hateful rhetoric or acts of violence. It is our collective duty to foster a community where every individual, regardless of his or her faith or background, can live without fear, and with the dignity and respect they deserve.
And it is not only anti-Semitic hatred. Last week in our community, there was an act of anti-Muslim hatred that led to a confrontation between Jews and Muslims that required a significant police response to restore order and prevent violence. This is unacceptable, to say the least. I call upon all our residents to reject all acts of religious and ethnic hatred and intolerance.
This week, we observe the solemn anniversary of Kristallnacht – a day in which we must reflect on the horrors of the past and reaffirm our unwavering commitment to denounce anti-Semitism in all its forms. Kristallnacht, also known as the Night of Broken Glass, was among the darkest nights in human history, marked by the targeted violence against Jews, their homes, businesses, and places of worship. This pogrom, orchestrated by the Nazis, resulted in the loss of countless lives, untold suffering, and irreparable damage to communities. I cannot help but hear echoes of Kristallnacht as Jews continue being targeted, and, as I stated above, pictures of Israeli hostages are being torn down, in acts of visceral hatred.
While under better circumstances, my Kristallnacht message would urge remembrance and reverence, we are in a very different world right now. Hamas is waging a terrorist war on Israel, and Jews in our community and around the world are the recipients of hate, condemnation, and violence. The message of this year’s Kristallnacht commemoration, I believe, should be vigilance – keep your eyes open, look out for everyone in our community, and do not redirect the hate that is raining down on the Jews towards others. Vigilance and showing hatred are two very different things.
I pray for you and your loved ones here and in Israel, as I know you pray for my family. We can work together to ensure that the lessons of Kristallnacht are never forgotten and that we emerge from this war more united and vigilant than ever. Stay safe. If you see something, say something. #NeverAgainIsNow.
Council Member James Gennaro
Treatment of Trump vs. Biden scandals
Dear Editor:
Imagine if Donald Trump Jr. had a joint venture with some shady businessmen in China. For years, he was suspected of taking millions of dollars from China trading on his famous last name. When Donald Trump was asked in a presidential debate whether he took Chinese money, he vehemently denied receiving any compensation from China. Then, bank records revealed a $400,000 payment from the Chinese joint venture to a company owned entirely by Donald Trump Jr. Donald Trump Jr. then wired $150,000 to his Uncle Fred Trump’s company. Uncle Fred then cut a check to Donald Trump for $40,000.
Can you imagine the front-page headlines for weeks in The New York Times and Washington Post about the Trump money-laundering scandal? It would be the lead on CNN for months. Expert panels would pontificate how “the walls were finally closing in on Trump,” followed by an inevitable impeachment and conviction.
Okay, now stop imagining and back to reality. Substitute the names Donald Trump Jr., Uncle Fred, and Donald Trump for Hunter Biden, Uncle Jim, and Joe Biden, who are the actual participants in this money-laundering scheme. What are we left with? Despite House Republicans finally shedding some light on Biden’s long-suspected criminal activity, the mainstream press has treated it as a complete nothingburger.
The President of the United States repeatedly lied about payments his family and he himself received from an enemy country, and nary a word about impeachment, treason, or even a direct question to Biden from the lapdog press. For those of you who read this paper, we see the gleeful coverage from Warren Hecht week after week regarding the mostly phony and entirely partisan Trump indictments, yet Warren remains conspicuously silent about the Biden pay-for-play crimes.
For fans of the QJL’s “Your Say” Letters to the Editor section, we get David Pecoraro’s biased and frankly ridiculous descriptions of Joe Biden as a “mentch” and “honorable” when “corrupt,” “bought and paid for,” and “pathological liar” would be a far more accurate description for the head of Biden Crime, Inc. I believe readers of the QJL enjoy multiple political perspectives within the newspaper, but the application of consistent standards from the writers who slant left would be a welcome change.
Doniel Behar
Dear Editor:
As a child, I was taught by my parents to have good manners, and that included saying “Thank you” to everyone for everything I was given, no matter how small or inconsequential. Naturally, I grew up hating to write thank-you notes, and to this day, I tell the chasan and kallah to save their stamps (60 cents?) and time, and skip the thank-you note for the ironing board that was on the registry. However, this is a well-deserved thank-you note that needs to be written.
In a million years, I never believed that US politicians would get a shout-out. However, President Biden, despite his Iranian missteps, does get a hakaras ha’tov for his support of Israel and fight against anti-Semitism. Nikki Haley deserves all the accolades that are being showered on her, and hopefully, this will lead to her rising to the status of a political megastar. Governor Hochul should be lauded for her trip to Israel during an unfathomably difficult personal time for her, as her father passed away while she was in Israel. Mayor Adams, despite his difficulties as mayor, has been a strong, articulate voice backing Israel.
Personally, I’d like to thank my colleagues for showing support and concern for me when I was in Israel. In addition, I’d like to thank my husband’s aides who called me when I was in Israel and upon my return. Finally, I want to thank all the chayalim and families in Israel who are risking their lives to ensure Israeli and Jewish survival. “Am Yisrael Chai!”
Debbie Horowitz
Dear Editor:
Election Day has come and gone. This reminds me of The Outer Limits, a 1960s television show. With the end of round-the-clock commercials by politicians, political parties, political action groups, and pay-for-play special interest groups, we now return control of your television back to you until the next election cycle. No more candidates’ campaign mailings clogging mailboxes and weighing down our hard-working postal employees. Finally, some peace and quiet!
Candidates who claimed that they cared about the environment can now do their part. Winners and losers should have their paid campaign staff and volunteers pick up all the thousands of campaign signs that litter our roads and highways to help clean up this waste. They could also use leftover campaign funds to hire homeless or unemployed people to collect this litter. Let some people sentenced by judges to perform community service be assigned this task. If candidates refuse to clean up after themselves, the Town or County Department of Highways or Public Works should do the job and send candidates the bill.
Sincerely,
Larry Penner
Objection to Promoting Alternative Lifestyles
Dear Editor:
Thank you for your wonderful weekly publication. I, like many others, appreciate the “Your Say” section of the paper for the diversity of opinion it offers, and I’m generally not in favor of censorship.
With that in mind, I want to take exception to one comment from Mr. Pecoraro’s letter last week. In his support of the LGBTQ+ community, he stated that they “deserve the fundamental right to love whom they wish.” While this may be true under evolving statutes of American law, we, as Jews, have a book called the Torah that is eternal and does not change according to societal whims. Our Torah has multiple verses in Parshas Acharei Mos and K’doshim explicitly forbidding the types of relationships that Mr. Pecoraro proudly promotes. Since this is a newspaper that aspires to conform to normative halachah, I don’t believe the public promotion of activity that is Biblically proscribed is appropriate.
Avi Goldberg
Democrats Doing Nothing To Combat Anti-Semitism
Dear Editor:
Many of my Democrat friends accused Donald Trump of fostering a rise in anti-Semitism when he was President. Some even blamed him for anti-Semitic incidents such as the Tree of Life Synagogue shooting in 2018.
Given all the vitriol he has spewed towards Trump over the years, I suspect Vice President of the former Rosedale Jewish Center David Pecoraro would concur with this point of view. My question to him and those with this twisted mindset is what do you think now? You have your man in office, the supposedly very pro-Israel and pro-Jewish Joe Biden. Do you feel safer now? Do you feel like Biden and his administration are protecting Jews in these perilous times? The mounting evidence seems to suggest otherwise.
Mr. Pecoraro’s criticism of Trump’s “anti-Semitism” seems to stem from the (well-earned) rebukes Trump has given to Jewish audiences of the years about their voting patterns, i.e., their unfailing loyalty to the Democratic Party despite their tolerance for anti-Semites within their ranks.
It’s worth reviewing the actions of a few of these Democrats over the past few weeks. I pointed out last week that Biden traced his entire Presidential run to a few dozen crazies chanting anti-Semitic slogans in Charlottesville, yet he has been largely silent in the face of hundreds of menacing pro-Hamas protests including violent incidents against Jews that have occurred across the country.
Attorney General Merrick Garland was not shy at all last year when sic’ing the Department of Justice on school parents that protested woke policies at school board meetings, labeling dozens of them “domestic terrorists.” Yet he, too, lacks the moral courage to take action against the thousands of anti-Semitic Hamas supporters threatening the lives of Jewish people.
Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas, who has done nothing to protect American citizens from the invasion at the border, could at the very least initiate deportations for non-citizens who have expressed their approval of terrorist activities. He too has done nothing.
The Anti-Defamation League reports that, since October 7, anti-Semitic incidents have risen by about 400%. In response to this dramatic rise, Vice President Kamala Harris held a press conference on the need to combat Islamophobia.
Yes, my Jewish friends, listen up. Contrary to the contentions of Mr. Pecoraro, in your time of need, don’t go looking for friends within the Democrat Party. They’re too busy protecting the rights of LGBTQA+, Trans, BLM, Hamas, and illegal immigrants to care at all about your safety.
Jason Stark
Dear Editor:
Now that we see the official position of the Biden administration is a two-state solution, it is clear to everyone that Biden, Blinken, and the rest of the foreign-policy dolts hate Israel. We all know there cannot be two states, as one side wants to wipe the other one out completely. After October 7, our eyes were opened. The Palestinians elected Hamas in Gaza. Therefore, they are complicit and have demonstrated that they want all Jews dead. So, this failed 1990s foreign policy will not go anywhere and Biden is proven, once again, to hate Israel and the Jews, as Obama clearly did and does.
As the Left and Democrats ramp up their anti-Semitism throughout the country, the White House announced that Vice President Kamala Harris will be spearheading a national strategy to combat Islamophobia. The FBI Director, just last week, testified that Jews are just over two percent of the population, and over 60% of the hate crimes are against Jews. So, there’s a rise in anti-Semitism and the answer is we need to be careful of Islamophobia? How tone-deaf can you be? Further, Kamala Harris has not done a blessed thing to stop the illegal border crossings. We have had over five million illegals enter over the last two years. I guess since the problem doesn’t really exist, it will make her look good, since she completely failed with the border.
This past Saturday, there was a huge pro-Palestinian “rally” in Washington, DC. It called for violence against Jews. The protestors scaled the White House gate. This is akin to the George Floyd riots, where President Trump had to be taken to the bunker under the White House. The New York Times headline of November 5, 2020: “As Protests and Violence Spill Over, Trump Shrinks Back.” The second sentence in the article: “Nervous for his safety, Secret Service agents abruptly rushed the president to the underground bunker used in the past during terrorist attacks.”
Was President Biden rushed to the bunker? Did Biden shrink back? Trump was made to look weak and a coward by Maggie Haberman. Will she do the same to a man that actually looks weak and is a coward? He is an appeaser. It is he who completely botched the US withdrawal from Afghanistan. He is not arming Ukraine with weapons to win, only to fight. It is he who is calling for a Humanitarian Pause in the Gaza War, so Hamas can rearm and get more fuel.
“I think he has been wrong on nearly every major foreign policy and national security issue over the past four decades,” former Defense Secretary Robert Gates says of President Joe Biden. First, it was “Destroy America from within.” Now, it’s “Destroy America and its allies from without.”
Shalom Markowitz
Ceasefire Is Total Madness and Suicide for Israel!
Dear Editor:
It seems that every country, including the United States, the only country that saw the Hamas attack for what it was, and every mainstream news media outfit are demanding that Israel stop its operation to wipe out Hamas without demanding a stop to rockets and the return of hostages. That is total madness, since Hamas has stated that they are ready to repeat their attack on Israel as soon as they can regroup and reorganize.
Jacques Hakim
Bayside, New York
