antverpeneshaigetz

War heroes

2005-08-25T11:14:00.000-07:00

At the end of the WWII Srultchik was left wandering nearby his shtetl now surrounded by American troops that came to bank what was left to be saved. He knew the war was over, yet the wounds were still fresh and the only welcoming that actually consoled him was food and warmth. However being alone with no one to share all the thoughts flashing thru him was only causing tears welling up. He was a young man when the war broke out and still hears the pounding of the SS as they barged down his door evicting his family and dragging them out in the middle of the night. This was the last he saw of them, now all he carries are memories.

After rummaging around for days Srultchik met familiar faces from his home town, they quickly bonded and set out to look around for any relatives hopefully left alive, to no avail. The Red Cross, the army’s information booth all had no evidence stating anyone they were looking for was still alive.Saddened by the truth but hardened by their experiences they were determined to regain their composure and restart from where they left off.

There were many men and women that were unfortunately single once again and many were eager to move on. Some in order to avoid being lonely, others to rebuild a home.Srultchik and his new group of friends felt the need to restart in a place where they would feel comfortable and secure, not needing to worry of another war.

It did not take long for them to conclude that the only place they would have these feelings would be in a place they could proudly call ‘home’!And so it went, Srultchik and his friends decided that they are moving to Eretz Yisroel! What other country can help rebuild a Jewish home and live without fear of our neighbor turning into a Gestapo?

It was not easy trekking to this home away from home. It was days of roving, but all in good spirit and with something to look forward to, which is more than any of them had in the last few years.Their arrival was welcoming and a chill awoke down their spines when they saw once again so many Jews living collectively and little Jewish children playing together on the streets.

It did not take long for Srultchik and his friends to restart families of their own, trying to build a future with a better forecast. Interestingly enough it was very rare to find war victims that wanted to forget where they came from, what they had been thru and what and whom they left behind. This was part of what they wanted transpired among the next generation, not allowing anyone to forget what had happened and most important, and probably more important then catching any Nazi on the flee would be to ensure that no one ever denies the Holocaust from happening.

It was people like these that ensured places like Yad Vashem would eventually be created. It was thanks to such heroes that moved on but didn’t leave go that a Simon Wiesenthal center got erected. And last but not least, it is because of such accidental heroes that people like Eichman y”s were brought to trial.

Srultchik used to meet his Aliya’h friends quite often, and they would always note how they owe Israel so much for helping them regain their raison d’etre. They decided to think of something they can do for Eretz Yisroel as a token of appreciation.

Not too long after, at one of their regular get-togethers, Srultchik had brought up the interesting concept about how the government would help support people moving into remote areas in order to create new “Yishoevim.” This he felt would be the nicest way to give back, if they could settle in an area that makes a statement of a Jew and his country he calls home.

There was not much hesitation about the idea being grand, yet some felt they could not move again and it was too much for them, however they would assist in convincing their families, friends and children to hopefully help Israel by branching out on all four corners of the map and proving their love for the Holy land.

It was hard, and after time it only became harder, but determination was what kept some of these people alive to begin with, and no struggle like this was going to blow away because of hardships. Finally it started to pick up and people started moving into settlements and caravans were being set up, water was being channeled in, eventually even electricity reached some of these popular new hot-spots. It was the Zionistic thing to do, and it set off with a bang!

The government was encouraging more and more people to build up such areas and all over this little country with only a dot on the map, towns were being allocated and new area names were being endorsed.

Love, devotion, dedication and sacrifice are what built up such Yishoevim! The sweat, the time, the money and the patience is irreplaceable to any of these people, young and old for becoming the heroes of that era, and helping Israel spread its wings and conquering every corner of the land.

Years and years later, came this heavy knock on a front door. Srultchik who is known in his area today as Srulik or Yisrael and over the years became one of the few original Aliyah friends still alive from his little group, lives in one of the Shtachim and uses a cane to walk, slowly approaches to answer his door. He opens it up to be confronted with three Israeli soldiers who march right into his house. They have little time and came with a paper and a message, “You are evicted and have one week to leave the premises or we will use all force necessary and granted by law to drag you out, have a nice day.” With that they left.

Srulik was speechless, he had to sit down, his legs would not hold him up anymore, and he felt like he aged 20 years in one minute. He sat down and felt something he had not felt happening in years, his eyes were welling up and tears were streaming down. He was once again being evicted! He was once again not wanted! He was once again feeling helpless and alone. “How could this happen? How could this happen again to me? How could the Israeli government want us out of something they supported? Over something that belongs to us? Over something we fought wars, battles and built from sand? How could the same person who led our armies into battle be the one to hand it over to the enemy?”

He felt a sense of ‘deja vue’, a Pandora box being opened. Everything he believed in, everything he strived for was being taken from him once again, the place he called ‘home; the place he once called secure, the only place where he thought this could never happen just flashed back as he recalled the banging on his door back in Europe evicting everything and everyone he felt close to.

He was Srultchik again! He went up to his small attic, pulled out a suitcase he thought he would never use again and put in his personal belongings, his tallit and teffilin, a few seforim and some pictures he only looked at on assumed Yarzheits and Yamim Naraim.

He then removed his small satchel that was put away neatly in a corner, and he felt warm tears streaming down his cheeks as for the first time in years he pulled out his uniform he still had from when he was a prisoner at the war camps, and a Yellow Star Of David.He had to cut the pants a little so they would fit him now, and put on a belt to hold up the pants, and attached the Yellow star to his shirt, and an old small torn siddur with Viduy written in a beautiful handwriting on the inside cover.

He took his suitcase with him, and exited his house not turning back and walked across the street and into the Shul. He opened the Aron Kodesh and started reciting Ani Maamin slowly word for word with tears constantly flowing creating a dampness on his precious treasured Siddur.Saying “Ani Maamin Be’Emunah Shleima Beviyas HaMashiach, Ve’Af Al Pi Sh’Ysmameia Im Kol Ze Achake Lo Bechol Yom SheYavo!”

It is beyond our imagination what such a person could feel like during such times, but the closest we could come to imagining a such would be if one day police would evict any Jew living on the other side of the train tracks here in our Antwerp ghetto, stating that this land now belongs to the ethnic people that outnumber the Jews.

How would we react? Would we not be furious and have the desire to fight back. This is not even scratching the surface of what our brethren in Israel are fighting for, but it could and should give us an idea.

Though the story saddens us we must do our part of support, we must move on yet not forget, and pray for the true Geulah Bimheira Beyameinu, Amen.

Am Yisrael have no fear

2005-07-14T15:44:00.000-07:00

One of the hardest things to deal with is fear. Fear is not always something that just comes and goes, at times it simply takes time to pass like once one gets older while sometimes one needs help overcoming the fear. Actually the harder thing besides the actual fear is admitting we are scared.

Another funny possibility is when a person tells you not to worry about something, and all of a sudden you see the person who just tried to calm you down take all necessary precautions in event of.

After the UK bombings, the Belgian media advised its citizens that there is no reason to worry here and no threats were made. Yet this week it seemed like an urgent call was made to various security firms to present their products onto the open area for all to see.

A couple days ago, anyone to walk down the Hoveniersstraat could not help notice the wires hanging, and interesting electronics being placed in specific places. It seems that an open bid was quickly dispatched in order for major security firms should show off their toys. Ironically even an English company participated to show how good their security is.

Companies from all over Europe were found installing temporary surveillance cameras, hidden eyes, speed bumps on the street with cameras installed to allow police to see the mechanics under each vehicle that passes among other nifty gadgets.

I was hoping to hear that after the bomb that already occurred on the Hoveniesstraat many years ago, and since 9/11 and since the major heists that occurred in our area, one could only hope that the Diamond district would be by now the safest place at least in Antwerp.

Yet it seems that either there were threats or the brains actually were summoned together and actually figured out that maybe just maybe the street is not that well protected after all.

What struck as strange were especially those speed-bump security bumps. Our street is already closed off to all cars. I figure since there are no restrictions YET for pedestrians maybe they would like to be a little more careful, but cars? Cars that have access to the street already must of passed heavy scrutiny in order to get their pass, now we have to fear that someone may have placed TNT or whatever under the hood of someone else’s automobile.

I guess this is what I mean by fear. If it was not enough having extra police man the streets and stand post sometimes even with machine guns at the for-ever breaking down poles that restrict unauthorized cars from entering, then according to me, adding extra security again is more out of fear and not precaution anymore.
This is how government entities admit their fear. You can’t expect them to openly address the public and state “we are worried of an attack and are taking extra precautions,” that could frighten the people. Instead they just increase the security.

What bothers me the most of increased security is not the fact that people that have no business being in certain places cannot enter, merely the fact that the way to protect the people working in the Diamond District is to lock them up to keep intruders out. Its what we would call an ‘Ipcha Mistabre’ we get jailed so the villains cannot attack us, while they walk around freely. This situation is very common in areas like Johannesburg where life could be luxurious in your own home, having maids and pools and richer lifestyles for many that live there. However once you leave your cage your on your own, you even don’t drive away from your driveway without watching the gates close properly.

I can’t blame the police here for needing to do take these extra measures however looking at it from the other end of the lens, it seems funny that the honest and working folk have to be locked up so the bad guys can’t reach them.

Hopefully these precautions are simply because one can’t be too careful, yet will never have to be proven affective.

Antverpeneshaigetz@yahoo.com

Olympic bombs

2005-07-07T13:07:00.000-07:00

Tragic is the only way to formulate while looking at pictures and reading up on statements being said about the crazy attack on London. Disaster struck the center of town and left everyone on the trot like chickens without a head!

It appears like hundreds were wounded and quite a few dead. The last report I heard was 45 deaths. I am sure this number will still go up; the English are fortunate not to know about such happenings and are maybe naïve of the consequences. We on the other hand have had our share of excitement in our Homeland. The numbers rise as simple casualties do not recover from their wounds and are usually not counted with the actual numbers released of deaths as they were not declared DOA.

The results of such occurrences are devastating and should affect all of us. It should be a sad moment worldwide. Though agreed that the result could have been worse, as there were at least 5 bombs that went off in central locations at crucial times…we should all be thankful it was not worse, yet be saddened by the violence and the type of world we now live in.

There are no boundaries left in society. Someone gets angry; there are no working things out anymore. Our instincts have been reformatted to no longer think before we act. As soon as someone steps on our toes the control panel in our system bridges over the antivirus system that cleans out the trouble nicely. And instead we return with a vengeance. We react with yelling- back, fighting, arguing, and giving the silent-treatment or what-not.

The big boys are even worse, if they are not happy, let’s attack them, let’s place bombs and kill innocent people, let’s recruit suicide bombers to teach them a lesson. No more of the “let us meet and see how we can work this out in a civilized manner.” Moreover no one is allowed to differ with anyone. So what that you and I don’t have the same opinion about certain matters, therefore I have to revolt and riot against you? Therefore we cannot be friends, family or neighbours? Rarely is this the only way to solve matters.

There is no denying that the use of force by the big guns and sometimes returning in anger would be normal and maybe even the correct remedy for certain situations, but under no circumstances should anyone on the side get hurt!

We too should take a lesson in anger management. It sounds a little much to compare our verbal abusing between family and friends to a tragedy like today’s occurrence. We too blow up sometimes at friends, family or colleagues without thinking, hurting not only our direct opponent but it could affect people not directly involved simply because we did not think before we blurred out our feelings and emotions.

We could and should learn from anything that happens around us, and today for us should be a good training-day to reprogram our systems and ensure that we do not negotiate with terrorists!

Antverpeneshaigetz@yahoo.com

"Get" divorced

2005-06-30T15:05:00.000-07:00

It’s a strange mannerism to wish Mazel-Tov upon hearing of a divorce in our religion. Though offering our congratulations is one of our customs. Actually in the figure of speech, a couple would approach their counsel and state that “they would like to get divorced.” A slight play of words here seems to go unnoticed. The word ‘like’ is actually a synonym to ‘being fond of’.

As sad as it may sound, divorces are quite popular. Never before in Jewish history had the divorce rate within our religion been so high. Though we offer our congrats on hearing news of a divorce, the response in return is not “Bekarov bei dir,” unless you know the guy your saying it to.

However here is a newsflash for y’all. According to logistical compassing it seems like the divorce rate has potential to rocket thru the roof in one of the New Jersey ‘Yeshiva’ communities.

This ever-so-fast growing ant farm township called Lakewood, homes the largest American Talmudic college for young men. Over the past number of years, the town no longer caters solely to the Biblical students, but it has become a harbor for many younger and older families to flock in the surrounding of holiness in what is known as a ‘Yeshiva community’.

It would sound strange or shocking to hear that in such a place the divorce rate will increase?!

So here is the fun part. Many of the community residents are enrolled as full time scholars. Though many of their wives are the breadwinners in order to support their rabbinical husbands, there are many that receive government funding and aid in order help provide a low mortgage and food-stamps and what not to certain families.

Now before I reach the punch-line of this fun story, I wish to take a moment and anchor my view cautioning readers that the following does not tell truth about all residents and/or students in that town. Yet I am not denying that I would be naïve to believe that this only affects one or two rotten apples in the basket.

Now that I have your full attention, here it comes. It seems that if a person already receiving government aid gets divorced, the government forks out more benefits, as the husband now has an additional payment of support for alimony and more.

So the latest fad is getting divorced. Basically it is now proven that divorce actually enhances your marriage. I wonder if a marriage counselor though this one up when his patients came in stating that their marriage is a wreck and mainly due to financial stress.
“Oh, no problem, get divorced and all you will live happily ever after!”

“That will be 100 dollars for the consult please.”

I wonder if the Rabbanim posted a signed statement about this too?

Antverpeneshaigetz@yahoo.com

Hot and cold

2005-06-23T13:05:00.000-07:00

The heat is on! Meteorologists and global warming scientists had warned us over the past years that summers will intensely increase in delivering a heat that Europe and the world is not used to. In the 20th century the last 15 of them were the hottest recorded. It is suspected to keep getting warmer in our 21st century.

The heat affects us in so many ways, especially making daily tasks much tougher. Concentration is one of the difficult issues. Cooking, working or anything for that matter is much more tiring.

Growing up in Europe I cannot recall anyone in our neighbourhood that had air-conditioning. I do remember the searing days, and boy were they hot, but anyone that had a fan was already considered lucky and was admired. Then fans became quite popular, especially those handheld ones that all the kids had. Even driving with your windows open was at times unbearable and people installed small fans to ventilate while driving.

What did we do about it? Cold showers, water fights, swimming, drinking fresh lemonade or cold tea or the best was to play with the garden hose with all our friends.
But our daily lives continued ‘ business as usual’ we did not fathom about air conditioning. Truth be told, we loved spending the day or evening al fresco.
Even staying out late was allowed, as it only got dark at crazy hours.

Nowadays, we live in altered society. Even convertibles have air conditioning! Who makes cold tea? Did nobody then hear of Lipton? The only places that reason far beyond my understanding is still without air-condition are the Belgian hospitals! I don’t expect the hospitals to be fully equipped like a hotel, but in today’s day and age and with the current “greenhouse effect” it seems only unintelligent to check in any patient into such places to survive, let alone a victim of dehydration or heat stroke.

In the new world we live in, besides installing the not-such-a-luxury-anymore air-conditioning, people feel that a certain respectfulness or appearance is no longer required when hot. The attire that walks the street during such hot days is seemed to mesmerize our brain cells and instil forgetfulness in getting dressed before going off to work or play.

Men whom are generally found wearing ties or jackets seem to have even trouble buttoning their top few shirt buttons. Women seem to be so forgetful they don’t even put on…. anything. The only ones that should actually impress us are the Hassdic folk. Hot or cold, they are wearing the wool Tzitzis, hats, jackets and the works!!

Maybe not everyone has installed central air at home yet, but we are all well acquainted with it. Most of us could not bear a moment of working or driving without the a/c on. Some of us that don’t have a/c in our cars rather drown in their own sweat then get caught with the window down. It’s important here too for people to think that you have a/c.

The fun and entertaining aspect of the revolution in a/c is to watch people at the workplace or even at home fight about it. “It’s so cold in here” or “is it on?” “If you’re the only one that’s hot in here then you have a problem, we are cold!!” or “if your cold put on a sweater”.

And if you want to broaden your grin about these quotes, try and figure out which comment was a male quote and which was a female quote?

Stay cool!
Antverpeneshaigetz@yahoo.com

And for slanderers let there be no hope...

2005-06-16T15:54:00.000-07:00

Recently we had been confronted again with unfortunate events within our community. The arrest of two religious Chassidim came as a shock to many around us. Sadly they are still doing time in Belgian prison and are in need of urgent Heavenly interventions and mercy.

The regrettable truth is that under ordinary circumstances innocent people don’t get arrested. Yet here in Belgium we have learned that the use of ‘Code Napoleon’ could actually brand a person guilty until proven innocent.

However it seems that mainly evidence has caused them added trouble, it seems that it was not only the long hand of the law that put them into this malevolence. They seemed to have had their phones tapped and were apprehended with taped evidence against them.

The interesting part that culminated herein was the forensic intelligence that seemed to have translated their ‘Yiddish’ conversation into local tongue.

It would have been bad enough needing to believe that there may be actual people behind the scenes within the police system that actually mastered our ancient speech.

Honestly it would probably be sad to discover that they even felt a need to include someone with this knowledge onto their payroll. It would be a black mark on the Jewish community, making us appear to be on a list that requires such personnel to monitor the seemingly frequent transgressions made.

Thankfully this is not the case, though I am unsure which we would prefer. It seems that the local authority does NOT require a Jewish linguist on their payroll, as it is very rare and sporadic when they seem to need one for our rare instances of felonies.

The troublesome part is that they searched within the local Jewish community for one to do the Jewish work. A local Jewish female, obviously very knowledgeable bilingually (Flemish and Yiddish) was employed to translate these recorded conversations.

Though I admit, the job sounds original. It sends shivers down my spine! The thought of a local person of our community working close knit against our own people should have been left in Germany after WWII!

Were this to be a Jewish person offering their language skills on an occasional basis to local hospitals or in the event that someone needs police intervention and has difficulty conversing with the local languages would be one thing.

This mind-boggling truth was far beyond the wildest dreams. The audacity of any Jewish individual translating taped conversations in order to assist in apprehending Jewish people is stepping into a minefield.

It is fascinating that this story is only leaking out now and I wonder what our community leaders can and will do about it.

According to criminal law, crimes are offences against social order. Even in common law, there is a legal fiction that crimes disturb the peace of the sovereign. The government officials who in turn act as agents are responsible for the prosecution of offenders. Hence the criminal law “plaintiff” is the sovereign, which in practical terms translates into the monarch or the PEOPLE. The crime herein proves what is known as ‘mens rea’ (guilty mind). This is one of the distinct elements to consist with a criminal offence. Which in simple English by default places the translator in the hot seat as a criminal. I know that according to the Jewish law she is guilty but here thanks to the laws of the land, we may be able to prosecute the translator.

A wise man once said. “A society should not be judged on how it treats its outstanding citizens but how it treats its criminals.” (F. Dostoyevsky)

Has the jury reached its verdict? What say you? We find the translator guilty on all accounts!
Antverpeneshaigetz@yahoo.com

guilty plea

2005-06-09T12:36:00.000-07:00

Children seem to fall victim of their parents failures and crimes all too often.
There are so many different places where we find a child suffers his entire life for something he had little or actually no control over. The most interesting type being the MAMZER. What was his crime? Simply the fact that he was born crucified his simple existence.

This is a very interesting concept and should not even be that simple to explain. However, one of the many responses to this question of WHY, is simply because the adults who acted immorally must suffer the consequences. This is one of the biggest or probably the biggest lesson one must learn is that we are all responsible for our actions, and at times one can jeopardize lives and standards in a split second just for acting on a moment of weakness.

However it still remains a hard assignment for an innocent child to live with. Even if we agree that the consequences are harsh, still this child could be challenged for the rest of his life.

So too the school system and /or the parents! There seems to be a problem that until recent past I had been convinced that this problem was one that occurred outside of Antwerp. However I have gotten wiser and less naïve lately upon learning that there are young children that are not invited back to school due to their parents’ lack of funds or their willing to spend their money on education.

I am not blatantly exposing guilt solely on the schools or on the parents for every action. There are unfortunate cases of parents that could afford but feel they don’t have to pay tuition for some G-forsaken reason. These parents besides my opinion that they be tarred and feathered, their kids will be forced to suffer.

Unfortunately some of us were only blessed with brains or good looks, while others have been blessed with fortunes. It is funny how at times we find that the less fortunate with no funds finds it easier to at least try and pay in order to ensure their children’s education, while some richer folk demand a discounted rate. Yet there are those that simply cannot afford education costs especially since they were blessed with larger families and have high expenses, still at times there are stories of schools that will evict the children of non paying parents.

What I find most troubling is the fact that our schools will have less problems not letting a girl attend her classes if her parents didn’t pay tuition, than a boy. As boys must get an education, while girls can be taught how to cook, clean, sew by the best teachers on the planet, MOMMY. Though I do not wish to mingle or mess with our sages, personally such exploitation sounds worse to me than the blessing of “Shelo Asani Isha!”

However the schools that take this unanimous decision probably consult a Rabbi or minister and after deliberation, they probably fight who is to sign the letter which they don’t have the guts to actually sign, unless they have some leader or quote that they can blame it on.

To be honest, it actually terribly sad knowing that this is happening in our little township as the Schar Limud compared to England and America is only a fraction of the cost from there to here. We are quite fortunate to have such low scholastic dues that it only should sadden us to learn that some in our midst cannot attain even these low rates.

Fact is that this is yet another MAMZER story, because the school authorities or the in some cases the parents are Mamzeirim the child has to suffer.

What a beautiful world we live in!
Antverpeneshaigetz@yahoo.com

Woe is to us

2005-06-02T04:24:00.000-07:00

The tragic passing of the towns chief Rabbi hit us like a cars skid marks that are seen after observing a car wreck. Skid marks usually affirm to authorities that the driver was trying to steer away from an upcoming obstacle. Unfortunately as in this case, either the driver was not alert or it was just inevitable to occur and alas, the story has a sad ending.

One of the questions to crop up was it the drivers blunder that the person in the back did not survive or was it the driver himself that did not survive and this due to not wearing a protective device like a seatbelt.

Let me elaborate on what actually seems troubling to me.

The most important part of my ‘investigation’ is the back seat injury I described. This case plainly describes an individual that was put somewhere and told to sit and look pretty, just follow instructions. The other narrative where the driver loses his life simply describes either a person that doesn’t mind being told to drive or sit in the back and just follows orders, or a type of person that ignores the warnings and the signals one gets told when reading the drivers manual on what the consequences could be should one not adhere to the laws of the land.

I have written in the past advocating the Rabbis that may have been insulted that an alien was chosen, seeming that locals were not good enough. There even had been rumors stating that it has been claimed that our town will not have someone taking position after the late Rav Kreiswirth zt”l. Again, this may have been speculation and I do not wish to think that they should of seen it coming, however I do bend to the side that tells me that there were some warning lights that should of sent of a signal and make sure that no one will have negative feelings about an imported Rabbi.

The grief of this family is heartbreaking and very disturbing. Besides all that this family went thru to move to Antwerp leaving their friends and family behind, changing atmosphere and schools for children. Then the sudden lightening struck and gloom entered the family home with a saddening ordeal and a terrible consequence.

Yet one can never know the plans that our Father had planned and we accept as true it was for the best. Truthfully, who knows whether there would have been funds to cover all the medical bills had he not of been sought in Antwerp, even more, probably no one would of been able to help with an income for the family in the future had he kept his position in Israel. So after all, accepted wisdom that this was deemed to happen, doubtless in a sense lucky it happened here.

Truth be told, that the amounts collected from private individuals here in Antwerp in order to cover top of the line medical treatment was incredible. No doors were closed and extravagant sums of money were displayed and flaunted in order to endow with the most advanced medical treatment by the most decorated doctors in the field. It was also quite comforting knowing that many Antwerpians still have the ability to furnish.

However, this is where I come in. It came to my realization that certain board members from the community needed to be commended for their amazing dedication they provided to the Rov zt”l and his family while he was with us. Always at his side, being morally, financially and especially medically, always available to assist their needs and ensure their comfort.

This seemed incredible to all that noticed, and besides being impressive it deserved recognition and applaud for their extreme interventions and dedication.

Or so I thought. The bubble had to burst at some point. Once the game was over and the Rov was no longer with us, it seemed like there was a sign of relief from the committee, just akin to a burden that was removed from their shoulders.

Besides sending the Dayen of the community and someone from the Chevra Kadisha whom it seems was begged to join the transfer, not one of the late Rov’s zt”l s “committee friends and/or colleagues” tagged along. It was much easier to pack him, wrap him and ship him.

I must say, I am stunned that they didn’t even care what people would say about this, but am not shocked that these gofers did not have the decency to escort the human remains of a person that seemingly was holier than many Rabbis we know (as he was handpicked over many other candidates).

Hopefully this slap in the face will leave bells ringing at least until the next time they want me to write about something!

Antverpeneshaigetz@yahoo.com

Save us!!!!!

2005-05-26T12:56:00.000-07:00

What’s with this bashing in Hatzala? I finally thought there is a good organization in this town one that I had nothing to write about; lo and behold they obviously felt left out. Many of you asked what my opinion is on this matter per email, and though I cannot really think of a real opinion, I will write about what I do know.

I actually never had to use them, but have heard decent reports about these guys in their garbage truck jackets. What is up with that? It was quite humorous the first time I saw them. I actually ridiculed the Yellow ambulance coats, but figured it was needed for visibility, but orange??

From what I have come to know they actually have saved a few lives from what I understand but the internal politics were never polished since their inauguration. Fights and squabbles actually commenced on their opening day and have been going out at each other ever since!

It is weird, maybe purely my imagination, but is it that that wherever there are Satmere guys involved; it is like a heads up warning sign. These guys are everywhere, heck…even in Palestine! They seem to enjoy the podium and all too often will cross too many border lines to get attention and a focused spotlight.

Power is this drug you can acquire but if you do not measure your dosage it becomes an addiction and takes total control over your life. It seems that this may have been the case here and I am happy to hear that there were wise characters involved that were able to put this ordeal to an end.

I shouldn’t rant that there are no organizations here in Antwerp that seem to be functioning nicely as I am convinced that there are, but this Hatzala issue came to me quite as a surprise.

It seems that no organization can avoid politics and even the ones that are created by the good-will, the good hearted and are passionate of volunteering their precious time it can actually turn out to be no better than the next.

I would not deem feasible for me to do the work that they are supposed to be doing, yet reading about their stories I was not content hearing that such individuals or groups are part of the team. Hence glad to hear of the good riddance.

I have all too often seen these guys run out during prayers and have admired them, yet I tend to feel safer in my little world where the truth can be written and no one can spit on you. I am sure that whoever this Satmere guy is, he surely did quite a bit for his organization, yet personal friends of mine have ranted about this certain individual for so long, yet out of respect for their accomplishments I never wished to step on their tails.

However now that he is no longer part of the organization, I definitely hope the organization has surpassed their growing pains and will continue to be the Neturei Karte of our town.
Antverpeneshaigetz@blogspot.com

Shkoiach, Merci, Dank u, Thank you, dzenkuje, Keuseunem, Toda

2005-05-19T13:15:00.000-07:00

As I was reading this past Shabbat Be’Shabbato issue, I came across the words of wisdom published in a letter by some anonymous sage in our midst and I too felt the urge to join him in tears. How long can one live in this town and have to wait to notice that Achdus and righteousness is not one of our strengths? We needed an Eiruv to fall for this guy to see the light?

In short, this epistle consisted of how the author realised how lost we were when the Eiruv fell, and brought this occurrence as a similarity to our lives here in Antwerp. Especially mentioning how thankful we should be to this special town we live in.

I don’t know how many of you actually had the opportunity to read his letter to the editor, but upon conclusion, I couldn’t help think of the ‘oh’ so many things I cannot thank this town for.

Actually the one lone thing I may not ignore was the Eiruv, which they almost sabotaged as well. If that were gone, there is in point of fact nothing left for me to pay membership dues any longer.

Where should I start? How can I thank all the wonderful organizations in this town?

Let me try,

Thank you for the wonderful continued education you offered our boys in order to be someone or something in our society so we don’t have to import all our Rabbonim and Dayonim.

Thank you for producing cheaper meat available to the ones that has difficulty affording such luxury. After all thanks to you they did not have the option to finish studying to be able to work at a proper job in order to be able to afford meat.

Thank you for making cheaper meat available, this created another job so more people can open up shop selling ‘cheap meat’ and making it easier for the existing ¨and fighting for survival¨ current butcher shops. After all, competition is good for business.

Thank you for not choosing Rav Toivye Shlit”a as our Rov, you wouldn’t of been able to offer him the Kavod he now gets.

Thank you for not helping Rav Broyer shlit¨a keep his function in this town, he would of never reached his full capacity.

Thank you for throwing out all (or almost all) the principals of the Beth Jakov girls’ school. It helped prove to our children how money had more power than knowledge.
(Thank the Lord He has mercy on his children and finally appointed someone intelligent and someone for our daughters to look up to, lets see how long he can stay, he’s too good to be true)

Thank you for making the restaurants pay such a high fee for their Mashgichim, not only did this ensure that should a Masgiach die, he will have been able to save up enough and have insurances to help his family survive, but it also ensured that only a few restaurants owners will have the strength to make a living in this field.

Thank you for helping the Kollel in Antwerp be so popular and famous, it ensured that our kids that want to sit and learn would remain in Israel where they probably should be. (And where we will probably all end up soon)

Thank you for charging so much to be a member in the Machzikei Hadass, ensuring that many of the young couples moving here will not affiliate with a Mafia organization, since they cant afford it yet anyway.

I am sure I can go on for quite a while, but I think my point was made.

Oh yes, one more thing…thank you for reading!
Antverpeneshaigetz@yahoo.com

When in Rome do as the German

2005-04-19T16:19:00.000-07:00

I recall receiving a text message on my cellular phone announcing that a new Rabbi was picked to head the Machzikei Hadass here in Antwerp. Lehavdil Elef Havdalot, I received such an sms today broadcasting the outcome of the new Papal.

I figured that though it is important for the Jews to illustrate interest in major world events, I assumed that there was some humour within the message. Then I started getting more text messages and even a phone call about it.

Now I would agree that this would definitely be of major interest to us had the Polish candidate won. He (Cardinal [Aaron] Jean-Marie Lustiger) is Jewish. Born to Jewish parents, losing his mother in Auschwitz he converted to Catholic. When he was asked in Jerusalem if he thought he would become pope he replied, “that’s meshuggeh!”

Personally I figure that if the Christians were able to choose a Jew to be there G-d, why not a pope?

Though I consider this information important and vital to our relationship with the Vatican by showing a spark of interest, there are a few additional points I found interesting in this pontiff funeral and heir to the throne legacy.

At first, after seeing photos and/or coverage of the late John Paul’s funeral, we must admit that a Gentiles funeral is definitely nicer than a Jewish funeral.

Besides all this tumult we have seen the incredible way that cardinals elect their future leader.

We in our small little town, had to run collecting signatures and for electoral votes in the community with negotiations and travelling and insults, all in order to select the leader for a small town. Here, the largest or today its probably only one of the largest religions in the world is able to select a leader within 24 hours.

As any nice German boy, Joseph Ratzinger was enrolled like many other regular boys in Hitler’s Nazi Youth movement, which he claimed was mandatory. However due to his wishes to study for priest he was dismissed. Two years later interestingly enough he was ‘drafted’ into the Nazi anti-aircraft unit. I wonder if this is because the Nazis wanted priests in their battalions and regimes or was it because he dropped out of class?

This was all before the age of 18, nevertheless when he did reach the ripe age for combat…he enrolled as a soldier. We dubbed the word over the years from soldier to Nazi, however once again this did not last long. Not due to the fact that he wished to resume studying to become priest, simply because the war ended before he finished basic army training.

To me personally, as much as John Paul II was recognized for his compassion to mankind and his assistance to Jews, the new ‘blessing’ or as he wishes to be called Pope Benedict XVI seems to carry different luggage.

All we can do is hope that the Pontiff-elect should reign a long pontificate that should turn to be contrary to his youth and help us regain strength, courage and respect amongst alien nations foreign and domestic.

Chag Kosher Vesameach
Antverpeneshaigetz@yahoo.com

Baruch Shehigianu La’ZMAN haze’h

2005-04-14T07:21:00.000-07:00

It's nice to have the boys and girls back in town. Just when I thought that they all looked unperturbed and rested, one family member of ours who is the finest lad in the Mir (aren’t they all) decided that he truly merits a Bein Hazmanim and along with his married brother in law started blowing the dust off their ski-paks. Mind you, it’s a real vacation as it is a men only expedition.

Now I may be a lot older than these folks, but I tend to envision my days off in the summer when I am off work, as a time to take along my wife and get to spend quality time with her and the kids, not with the chevra. Ok, maybe I would take my family along with a chevra, but where did they learn to leave the significant other at home? I thought that was a Chassidishe excuse during the High Holydays.

I figure that if the husband needs a vacation not only from Torah but from his wife as well, he is not in Yeshiva too often. Such a person is spending maybe too much quality time with his wife considering that he is enrolled as a full time student.

Now, if the wife is a local it is probably not as terrible where an alien wife from say London would be forced to spend excruciating time with the mother-in-law alone, just so they feel that everyone will be impressed on how nice she is to let the Choshever Kollel husband sip his hot chocolate after lang-laufing. (Not too worry, the Eishes Chayil packed along Cholov Yisroel milk)

It’s a shame Totty wasn’t totally clear on what he really sought from his kids, he imagined them being involved in his diamond business; instead they prefer the black diamond ski slope. At least they were close.

I do recall my day’s way back when, trying to make the most of my time off when we all came home. Some dreaded being under parent surveillance others got away with anything they or we wanted anyway, so we enjoyed being home, it even had laundry and good food benefits.

Times constantly change and we have to go along with the flow. Its not like the days when Buchrim came home and appeared in Shul on Shabbos filling up the seats, when even elderly would show up to shul and tell the Bein hazmanim guest that he need not get up and he may use their seat, as a formal sign of respect to a person learning Torah. Nowadays by the time these guests actually show up to shul, anyone would gladly give them their seat, as it’s basically time to go home, prayers have ended.

But a few nice things should not go unnoticed. The fact that none of these Bouchrim even try and fake taking out a sefer or five to put at their table as if they are going to actually learn from them. That’s definitely a step up from my days where we used to take out all the Seforim in shul to impress the common working folk.

Also, the Achdus and caring for one another is more than we had once upon a time.
Today, they seem to be all makpid that all trips are done together, and they are all caring enough not to disturb anyones bein Hazmanim to go shteig a little.

Actually I recall that even the weaker or cooler boys in my days would approach towns Rabbis along with the ‘grease-balls’ and ask them to deliver us shiurim and enjoy a seder with us for an hour or so each day.

Wouldn’t it be nice if these young men that come home from abroad to spend time with their families, would come over to us parents and say something like “Totty, I never get to see you and spend time with you, take off a day or so from work and let's go away.” I know that even if I were too busy to take off, at least I would feel that my money wasn’t wasted!

Enjoy your guests!

A kosher pessach to all!

Antverpeneshaigetz@yahoo.com

Troubled waters

2005-04-07T07:28:00.000-07:00

A terrible weather condition has been known to be a problem throughout Europe, now even a type of typhoon has been spotted in Antwerp.

For a while the clouds predicted heavy downfall with unpredictable consequences. The storm was hovering for a while over specific locations around the Greater Antwerp area with possibility to darken other areas as well. Like most typhoons, without proper monitoring, it may be unpredictable which direction it may take.

Our ‘Armand Pien’ from our community had been closely monitoring this dark cloud, and warned its viewers “though the typhoon is unpredictable in time and location, it was a matter of time before this vicious typhoon affects us, like a volcano waiting to erupt.”

Some residents were so worried they refused to leave their homes until the white flag would hang announcing the all clear, while others proceeded their daily routine with caution.

Miracle upon miracles, the storm passed with limited damage. It seems like though tension can still be felt in the air, the worst has passed and our scientists have concluded that even the damage that did occur should be censored from the media in order to avoid panic should the storm decide to return.

It seems that our very own Armand Pien and his team of scientist have managed to distract the storm and send it on its way, trying to forget the past and have Antwerp’s community back to normal.

The scientists under the auspices of their mentors and after long meetings and discussions decided that trying to eliminate the cloud by figuring out its mind and what triggers it to thunder would be a cost too heavy for our little township at this time.

However, they may have figured out a way to drag the cloud out of the Antwerp area and send it to an area that has the required teams to monitor and deal with it carefully.
Also according research it has been proven that besides baroclinic weather conditions, all heavier category 4 and 5 types of tropical cyclones like this one should be found in the Northwest Pacific and once every approximately 4/5 years in the Atlantic region, hence the scientists feel that we should be able to direct the typhoon there.

Until then, due to the fact that it seems like our scientists have figured out what makes this dog bark, they will closely have a specific team monitoring this now silent cyclone and report any change in the Saffir-Simpson scale to the committee.

It was obviously taken into consideration the fact that this typhoon has hovered over us in the past, yet it seems to have only been a category 1 or 2 never causing damage like the present. However the monitoring team feel confident they were able to pinpoint the problem and the team will be on standby 24/7 should they notice a change in the inertio-gravity waves on their MU radar requiring immediate action.

At this time the board has also decided not to name this cyclone, as it has not reached its fullest strength, hence requires no reason to mark it for the historical archives.

We at the news desk remain in the line-of-fire updating you in order to monitor the truth behind this catastrophic occurrence and encourage the teams to take action after the anger has passed so all can be well thought out and dealt with. We pray for our leaders and the victims to have courage, strength and ability not solely to overcome but to prevent any future occurrences. May the force be with you!

That’s all from the Antverpenshaigetz news at five.

Antverpenshaiget@yahoo.com

Two rights could make a wrong

2005-03-30T14:51:00.000-08:00

Purim could be a fun holiday. As per last column I described this holiday more as a celebration of ‘giving’. We all felt the load that was removed from our….wallets. Though it was not as long and as busy as any regular year due to the fact that it was on a Friday. Still we were granted the opportunity to fork out the cash.

There were many diverse ways to be Mekayem the Mitzva of Tzedakah and “Kol Hapoishet Yad…” Such a variety of schools, organizations and less fortunate families appearing at the local doorsteps collecting for themselves, their friends, their cause. Yet lo and behold, there were two things that actually bothered me.

Bothering me is not really something that anyone should care about, because it should be bothering you not me. Since I am persuaded it would bother you as well, I will describe my gut feeling for one to enter comprehension.

There are many that were fortunate enough to be blessed with good fortune. Though not necessarily would I Heaven forbid advise one to change monetary happiness for genuine inner happiness, I do understand that sometimes these wealthier hombres that are expected to be behind their beautifully set table with a pen in hand ready to write out the next check get a little sick and tired of this fiasco and run away. The Purim fever gets to them and they need to head off to a quiet place with no pounding on the doors.

Maybe I don’t know what it s like to be Ritchie Rich, but why on Purim? The authentic day when one ought to be ready and bestow to natives that need, should not be the time to skip town.

However, I did ponder the thought for a while and resolute that I truly want to believe that the motive is because they detect and are afraid they will not be able to say no when they must. There will be no limit to their right column of the expense bookkeeping details, with no one keeping track of the left column.

So I solved one of my botherings. The other issue bothering me I am hoping you can help me solve.

There are several great ideas that were implemented in order to raise money for certain ‘projects’ in town. On Purim one organization decided to get together and sell Mishloach Manot packages for Matan Beseiser. I will not even start implying the necessity and importance of this organization. What I will say is that it is probably an immense amount of work that goes into creating these packages, bringing them to people in order to sell them, collecting the remaining boxes that were not sold, offering to and actually delivering these packages on Purim day and last but not least collecting the money and distributing it to the needy (probably on the same day).

This amazing Tzedakah initiative was beneficial to our town and instead of simply saying “wow that was a great idea” or “thank you for putting your heads and hearts together to come up with such a wonderful project,” nope! Instead, along comes the greedy character, and says “that’s cool if they can do it so can we.”

Now we have competition in Tzedakas! Oh, but it gets worse. The original organization, calculating last years approximate success, worked harder this year to create something special, and thanks to the unoriginal successor not only were left with unsold packages, the Matan Beseisar committee have unanimously decided to seize this project.

I really hope they reconsider. I will miss those cookies!Antverpeneshaigetz@yahoo.com

Happy days

2005-03-26T12:20:00.000-08:00

A time to be overjoyed is these months of Adar. This year we were added the bonus of having two months of Adar, and as we are well aware that Mishnichnas Adar Marbim besimcha. Is it the month that brings joy or are we supposed to add an extra smile during this time?

The month alone has many interesting dates in our Jewish history. Besides the obvious, which is Purim, we have the birthday and the passing of Moshe Rabeinu on the 7th day of Adar. Not to mention the many other prestigious and infamous scholars that passed away during the month of Adar.

I believe Adar to be the month where every one of us should know that this month is when we must be happy. Its like a vacation, we have a set date when we go on vacation, we have a set date for so many things in our lives, it is beneficial and brilliant to create a date when we have to make time to be happy.
It is almost like the Hallmark creation of Fathers day. “Happy month;”

Hence in Adar one should try and add a task to ensure that in this/these month/s every year we do something to ensure that we did something that makes us happy. For those that are not as imaginative as others and may have difficulty creating their reason to smile and for others that simply have difficulty smiling, for them our scholars dedicated Miyogoin Lesimcha! We shall call it Purim. Lets make a day of happiness.

It is a once a year deal, where we raise the boundaries a tad in order for people to feel they can do something extra in order to be happy. If necessary, even the alcoholic beverage is permissible and even recommended. The goal is to ensure happiness, some dance to remember…. some dance to forget!

I rather not categorize myself, but there are many in our midsts that seriously dread Purim. Truth is, its quite understandable, besides this year where it is more complicated and short, it still demands husbands to put on the chauffeur cap and drive the kids to deliver the mishloach manos that the wives prepare in a way that will no doubt fall apart when the kids carry it in to the recipient. Not to mention that just after the car is loaded with the 70 packages and all the kids making sure that they have all their accessories in their hands and pockets to show off their full costume while balancing the Mishloach manot and toy gun or cane, car door is closed and one of our kids need the bathroom urgently. Let me remind you that the only kid that will need the bathroom at this point is the one with the full body costume that is a shlep to take off. By this time we are already either stopping the other kids from crying or fighting in the car, or bickering with our wives. But after everyone is ready once again, the men look at their watch and realize that the race is on, because they have to deliver packages to half the town, especially to the Shwartz’s whom we have no contact with, but we want them to see our amazing expensive mishloach Manos we created. Besides all this, in 35 minutes is Mincha and I still have to deliver some envelopes to all the kids Rabeim the Rov, the Dayen and the private tutor!

Shoin, nisht gedaiget Yieden, es vert shoin balt kan cholem mer nisht zain! Purim is around the corner, and we got to pay our dues. We should try and look at all this in a different light or from a different perspective. Sure it comprehensible that the above is the truth of most households we know, hence we developed a bad taste for this whole Purim Shpiel. Yet it is a day that when using a loupe to find the good things and trying to see things from a wider angle, then all you will see is the following.

You get to spend the day with your kids and watching them have a great time, after all we live and work for them. You get to take them to their Rabbeim and even to the local Rabbonim and show them that they know how to be fun as well and have a bright side to them. You can teach them about the importance of giving Tzedakah and supporting Klei Kodesh. All in a days work!

If however you still cant brighten up about this hectic day, come join me for another Jack Daniels!!!
A freilichen Purim

Antverpeneshaigetz@yahoo.com

Go Diva

2005-03-17T15:02:00.000-08:00

I was speculating what festival is approaching in the near future. In addition to noticing that some shuls refrain from Tachnun these happy months of Adar, I discovered an attention-grabbing way to identify which holiday is on the Jewish calendar in Antwerp. Am I the only one that notices these things?

As we live in a small town, we are sandwiched by many Jewish shop owners around us. Besides the average 2 Jewish groceries per square kilometre, we can shop for many other needs and desires by our Jewish brethren. Be it do-it-yourself stores (never thought that would be a Jewish owned store!), disposables, bakeries, appliances, toys, linen, clothing, gift stores there are stores for practically all our wants.

Yet the one thing that I find most interesting is the fact that it seems to me that the first store to hang Jewish seasonal greetings in Antwerp is the Godiva store located on the Quinten Matsijslei.

Please forgive me, I am not denying that other store-owners mention Purim or Chanukah in their windows, but the Godiva store is usually nicely decorated and in a timely fashion, well in advance with a greeting for the upcoming Purim as they were for Rosh Hashanah.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with such behaviour. Particularly since it has even recently come to our attention (thru the forum) that Godiva is not Treif. Though maybe not Chalav Yisroel, but doubtfully Treif. Moreso, I am pretty sure that though open on most Jewish holidays, a Jew owns the location.

All this is just an appetizer to what truly bothers me on this topic. The actual cherry on top is the fact that I have noticed one of the frum proprietors here in our township who did not (yet) garnish their window for Purim, wasted no time or expense to professionally decorate their porthole before the Christian New Year.

I am the last to be bothered by who runs what edifice how. It is probably none of my business to even be minutely curious about the why-they-do-this, yet consider that it is worthwhile bringing it to attention.

I don’t cite these things so that we should start or stop buying by people for reason that they tend to ignore ‘our’ holidays. Simply I like to brain-pick and enjoy noticing/observing people’s habits and twitches.

It would be a comical thought if we were to assume that the religious owner who sells for example dishes or what not caters mainly to the non-Jewish clientele, hence feels the necessitate to advertise the non-Jewish holidays more than the Jewish holidays. Whereas the Godiva store caters more to the Jewish clientele, hence beautify for the Jewish holidays. Isn’t it ironic, don’t you think?

The only other non-Jew in Antwerp that knows all our holiday schedule by heart with the exact dates thru and thru are the non-Jewish secretaries working in jewish offices! They have their vacations all planned out, so if you need to know what holiday is coming up and for some reason cant rely on the display of the Godiva store ask a Shaigetz!

Antverpeneshaigetz@yahoo.com

Made in the USA

2005-03-09T12:32:00.000-08:00

This is not a brush off, but I have received the following letter from my account manager and it has been a while since I have chuckled so loudly over a well written letter that I decided to share her writing skills and humor with you instead of my general bashing.
Enjoy!

The attached is an actual letter that was sent to a bank by a 96 year-oldwoman. The bank manager thought it amusing enough to have it published inthe New York Times.To whom it may concern;I am writing to thank you for bouncing my check with which I endeavored topay my plumber last month. By my calculations, three nanoseconds must haveelapsed between his depositing the check and the arrival in my account ofthe funds needed to honor it. I refer, of course, to the automatic monthlytransfer of funds from my modest savings account, an arrangement which, Iadmit, has been in place for only thirty-one years.You are to be commended for seizing that brief window of opportunity, andalso for debiting my account $30 by way of penalty for the inconveniencecaused to your bank.My thankfulness springs from the manner in which this incident has caused meto rethink my errant financial ways. I noticed that whereas I personallyattend to your telephone calls and letters, when I try to contact you I amconfronted by the impersonal, overcharging, faceless prerecorded entitywhich your bank has recently become.From now on, I, like you, choose only to deal with a flesh-and-blood person.My mortgage and loan repayments will therefore and hereafter no longer beautomatic, but will arrive at your bank, by check, addressed personally andconfidentially to an employee at your bank whom you must nominate. Beaware that it is an offense under the Postal Act for any other person toopen such an envelope.Please find attached an Application Contact Status form which I require yourchosen employee to complete.I am sorry it runs to eight pages, but in order that I know as much abouthim or her as your bank knows about me, there is no alternative. Pleasenote that all copies of his or her medical history must be countersigned bya Notary Public, and the mandatory details of his/her financial situation (income, debts, assets and liabilities) must be accompanied by documentedproof.In due course, I will issue your employee a PIN number which he/she mustquote in dealings with me. I regret that it cannot be shorter than 28digits but, again, I have modeled it on the number of button pressesrequired of me to access my account balance on your phone bank service. Asthey say, imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.Please allow me to level the playing field even further. When you call me,you will now have a menu of options on my new voice mail system to choosefrom.Please press the buttons as follows: 1. To make an appointment to see me.2. To query a missing payment.3. To transfer the call to my living room in case I am there.4. To transfer the call to my bedroom in case I am sleeping.5. To transfer the call to my toilet in case I am attending to nature.6. To transfer the call to my mobile phone if I am not at home.7. To leave a message on my computer, a password to access my computer isrequired. Such passwords will be communicated to your Authorized Contactat a later time and date as is comfortable for me.8. To return to the main menu and to listen to options1 through 7 over again.0. To speak live to my pet cat that is in charge of litterTo make a general complaint or inquiry, press buttons as indicated above.The contact will then be put on hold, pending the attention of my automatedanswering service.While this may, on occasion involve a lengthy wait, uplifting music willplay for the duration of the call.Regrettably, but again following your example, I must also levy anestablishment fee of $50 to cover the setting up of this new arrangement.Please credit my account after each occasion.May I wish you a happy, if ever so slightly less prosperous, New Year.

Your Humble Client

Remember: This was written by a 96 year old woman
Antverpeneshaigetz@yahoo.com

Ich bin ein Belginer

2005-03-04T06:54:00.000-08:00

Thank you for raising my ego in the recent past. More and more people are emailing me about my weekly column. Some with positive input, many have this one question that seems to be bugging many of you terribly. "Who are you?" That was the most common asked question I got. Some emails are actually quite witty as their author decides who I must be or tries guessing.

I admit that besides being amused and happy to see that people enjoy reading my columns, I at times should be offended by whom some of you think I am.
On the other hand, some guesses were quite complimentary, thank you.

What did bother me a little was that many of you emailed me for my name but signed off your email with a pseudonym yourselves! What's with that? I sense a little of Antverpenishkeit in your question. This conforms to the desire of knowing without giving anything for the information, simply to satisfy the inner 'want' enabling attention seekers that they 'know'.

This particular email urked me, then I decided that actually there maybe something deeper involved here. Even in the Emails I received that were not John Doe's, it seemed that very few of us actually know who we truly are.

Put aside my name or title, did you ever question yourself who you are? Especially after many of you signed with a nickname or fake name, does that mean you’re a scared someone? Maybe ashamed of something or merely a desire to be that person or type of personality?

There is no question, like Purim where one who dresses up, is occasionally trying to make a statement. Now I am not implementing that any kid or even adult that dresses up as a woman is trying to have people note that they have a transvestite issue or enjoy cross-dressing, though it may be a thought but that’s not my point.

However, let's think of a typical example. A child that dresses up as a police officer could be a partial desire of being as such. So too when one signs a name it may be way of broadcasting an inner desire or feeling that one wishes to express but cannot due to various inner-circle complications of whom he or she HAVE to be.

Then we have those that opt to do what they do best, and that’s hiding behind a mask even on Purim. Finally on the day where one can get away with being someone else, some remain uncomfortable in public.

The definition of 'who we are' is a virtue that is worthwhile attaining. It is a start getting to know oneself better and truly and then acting like that person and not covering up our real-self and living a fraud with a constant desire to break lose. Truth be told, it can only be helpful getting the full Monty on your personality and the ' real you' can only beneficial and will get you off my case for a while too.

I remain,

AntverpeneshaigetzAntverpeneshaigetz@yahoo.com

The art of giving

2005-02-24T17:08:00.000-08:00

One of the interesting phenomenon's to be found throughout the Jewish brethren is the act of giving. Giving is a gift that our creator instilled in mankind. When G-d created the human, the world was to be a gift from G-d to him, as when G-d gave us the Torah and anything and everything else He showered upon us as gifts in order for our world to be a better and easier place to live in. This is probably one of the reasons we tend to click on our auto-pilot when any of us are in dire straits and need our assistance morally and financially from our friends.

Giving is not necessarily something that one is born with. The art of being a 'giver' has to be taught and worked on. A baby is usually born with an instinct to take and get its way, being food, attention or toys. It is a parent's job to actually remove the need from a child without giving in every time to the child's weep.

We all know that educating a child is not a simple task. Hence we send our child to schools and make sure they are surrounded by other children, and one of the most important talents we enforce is the act of sharing. Being with a sibling or friend, sharing is one of the first and basic steps toward giving.

Under normal circumstances the basic act of giving is surely taught in all homes, and some turn out to be more giving then others, which is not a bad thing and is simply a character trait once again not necessarily a bad one either. While often it could be a monetary reason why one can be more giving than others, but a true full fledged giving person will find a way to give even when his financial status does not allow him to pledge towards a needy cause.

Giving, which here and now we will translate to donating, does not always have to translate into contributing sums of money. It should be perfectly acceptable by anyone collecting for a needy cause to accept a low dosage of money towards a cause when approaching one that cannot allow himself to donate a large sum at the present time.

Others which feel since they cannot fork out the aid they wish to help with,may always offer to assist via another funnel. Being hosting a tea, diner, making phone calls and so on are just some of the ways people have found ways to help out when they wish to be 'givers.' These are probably the nicest way to give when cash is not readily (unfortunately) available.

This brings me back to the art of giving. There are so many nice ways to involve oneself with "giving." There are so many charities, organizations, personal people, in-town difficulties, out-of-town difficulties that people cry for help, yet there seems to be so many of us trying and willing to help out each and every one of these.

Also the part of giving need not be deemed necessary to envelope solely people or entities in distress, this could also include what an organization can bring back for this town. For example a Hassidic school, a Mikva or similar that any Hassidic cult in our town planted was at least a strive to create something for the town. Whether the school is used by all or just by some and so too a Mikva, it still remains a haven for people in our town to live easier and should be appreciated.

We have so many various Hassidic diversity in our town, and most of them have created an extra sacrifice to become bigger and better, forgetting the financial burden this imposes and hoping that Jewish people will be able to use their facilities in other words being involved and giving back to the community intheir manner
.
However I have noticed one major faction in the Hassidic sector of our town that must be the smartest of all. Besides building and now even expanding their house of worship, they seem to constantly live on others expenses. They seem to have gotten away with ever building a school or mikva, yet they must be a growing part of our community as they are expanding. They are rarely considered from the big money givers to the local charities and it seems one can barely count a minyan of real giving individuals in their chapel.

Yet "it is not what you know it is who you know." Probably since many of their congregants seem to be highly influential characters within our community at large and internationally renown they seem to be untouchable.

The art of giving was definitely not acquired to these, and the weirdest part is that is that no one opposes them publicly for it. Maybe it is their parents that can be blamed? Maybe they fall into the category of people that just don’t know better. Either way it seems disgraceful that such an entity should be inactive whilst being surrounded by so many special organizations that know nothing but giving.

Alas, I am once again bringing up a taboo topic, hence I sign….

Antverpeneshaigetz@yahoo.com

Ahhh-Jeeww, bless you!

2005-02-17T13:33:00.000-08:00

Maybe the word celebration is not the word I need for the 60th year of Dresden and the latest get-together in Auschwitz. But some probably did use this word to describe these current events.

Recently we learned about our young friend in Buckingham Shteeble that showed his true colors attending a costume party. Everyone was so busy stating his or her disbelief that no one publicly asked where he actually got that nazi uniform? Is that the dress code in the palace behind the scenes? Actually, better not to ask where he got it from.

Now the next Downing Street buster trots along and tampers with foolish words like comparing nazi jail wardens to a Jewish reporter that both are 'just doing their job'.
Sadly enough Ken Livingstone's recorded interview and statement hardly made national media. One would hope that the Mayor of London would know better than to be versed with such linguistic and fascist comparisons.

Even the French President Chirac was never caught mouthing off the Jews publicly, the French were only branded as Arab lovers and Arab compassionates. Who were to believe that while the French love the Arabs, the English hate the Jews?

I don’t have to reiterate how much we are loved no matter where we live, even in our country. Though we hoped to assume that certain governments would be wise and politically trained at least enough to know that there are certain doors that must remain closed. There are certain statements that one best refrain from making, especially whilst in the political arena, moreover when you are surrounded by many influential Jewish communities.

It goes without saying that we can/must debate whether to remain silent upon hearing such disturbing remarks or clowns dressing up or to ‘blare’ it out. Some may believe that the general public will feel obligated to hush up such remarks and the Jewish people don’t or shouldn’t get involved. While others shout and stand up for their defense, and will never allow such rascals to have the ability to ever make such a statement again and a warning to anyone else that may of planned a verbal attack on Jews.

How many officials in Germany publicly left their government chambers when all were asked to stand a minute of silence for holocaust victims only a couple of weeks ago? Even the Belgian newspapers tried finger-pointing at the Vlaams Belang right wing party for not willing to appear in Auschwitz.

So, on one hand we do see that there are certain individuals that will stick up for the Jewish population, but as the world turns people try and forget. How many of us are actually keeping track today of how many lives were lost in the Tsunami? Even certain Asian countries decided that life must go on and asked people to come rebuild by spending their holidays once again in disaster stricken areas in order to help prosperity. Vacationing there will maybe help fill the wallets, but it will also erase terrible memories and historical events and moments. Easing a hardship is fine deleting a hardship is not!

Though we may not let it happen, we sometimes do forget, maybe not willingly but we do. Yet there are so many groups and organizations like Yad vashem that try and make sure that certain world-events do not get forgotten, still the respect is lost. It doesn’t help to know that the holocaust museum exists, but we must actually visit and learn from the history the museums can teach us.

There is no question about it, we must demand answers from people that think wrongly or people that publicly advocate statements that are not appreciated. Especially when coming from people we help get elected to provide a happy, healthy and prosperous future.

This is OUR FINAL SOLUTION of trying to ensure history should NOT be repeated!
Antverpeneshaigetz@yahoo.com

Israel and Palestine, peace or piece by piece?

2005-02-10T08:28:00.000-08:00

Once again Israel makes the spotlight. Yet again, there seems to be talk of peace. Shortly after the visit of the U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, the handshake took place. The newly elected Palestinian leader succeeded in signing the treaty that Abbas's predecessor started with then Prime Minister Ehud Barak .

It is maybe not surprising that this could not take place under the auspices of President Bush and actually needed the intelligent Rice to complete the deal. "Israel don't worry, America is behind you and Bush don’t worry, Rice is behind you."

It seems that this US Secretary of State besides being the center of attention and making some great PR for the President, I couldn’t help notice the areas where she reminded me of Dan Quale. Though she is an amazing politician and 'on the ball' she makes a comment that flies by you while she speaks but then you start realizing what a great politician she really is.

On her recent interview with CNN reporter in Turkey, Andrea Koppel asked the US secretary what the US will do if Hamas wins the legislative elections coming up. To which Rice replied that there is a long time till then, where Koppel reminded her at this point that its about 6 months away, without blinking an eye Rice responded "well that’s a long time in politics!"

Yet my favorite quote still remains where Rice was explaining in an interview about what the future may hold and if the US is ready for drastic changes in war zones throughout the world. Here is a great answer: "we've all learned that we can never predict how history turns out, and therefore it's really not a good thing to speculate about how it might." Whatever!!!

Basically it seems that we couldn’t have chosen a better companion for President Bush, at least she sounds smart when she talks.

The topic at hand however remains the focus on Israel. Though we cannot avoid signing such a roadmap to peace, though we know better than coinciding with peaceful neighbors, for some reason we always give in. Maybe it’s the Pintele Yid sticking out like a sore thumb reminding us that we are a peaceful nation and having a soft spot for trying to live in peace.

What comes to mind though is how Rice did not visit certain countries now on her Jules Verne voyage in less than 80 days, simply due to the fact that the US is insulted that these countries removed their troops from Iraq. Yet they force Israel to negotiate and sit at the table again and again with terrorists and we have to oblige and smile upon request.

Maybe a solution could be to ask the US if they are interested in investing in a Billion dollar project and in return Israel will become a 51st state, at least temporary. Let America run the show for a while, then we will see whose boss!
Antverpeneshaigetz@yahoo.com

Hassidim are from Mars, Litvaks from Venus

2005-02-03T23:16:00.000-08:00

This title reminds me of a book I once read. It is ironic how it is possible that Dr John Gray may have meant us but afraid of a ‘CHAPTZEM’ he just blamed the title on men and women. I probably would do the same.

He uses his metaphor for role-playing and we can easily translate this to our types of personalities. First of all we too are difficult to understand and be understood, secondly we can actually quote a difference that he mentions in his book as follows when upset, Martians "go to their caves" (to sort things out alone) while Venusians "go to the well" (for emotional cleansing). Sounds a little familiar?

I don’t really have a reason why I need to poke into the differences of one another. Most of it is elementary, yet I feel the urge and desire to try and comprehend what goes thru various minds. Probably since I gave up trying to understand the woman’s R complex, limbic system and neocortex (brains in short).

Recently I witnessed this Chasid waiting for me in my office to get off the phone and address him. In order to keep entertained while waiting, he started going thru some of my office papers on my desk. Now, to some this may some understandable as our hands are “askunius” (like to move around and play), yet I hope that there are some that understand the fumes exiting my ears at this point.

Trying to smile I asked him to please return the paper he is now diligently reading, explaining that it is private. In which he responds in a matter-of-fact tone with a touch of explanatory detail "nah, its nothing, its not confidential it just has prices on it for items I don’t need anyway!" This guy is a Ringling brother! This guy is what makes Prince Rainier III of Monaco cry when he attends the grand opening of his circus.

This troubles me. I am not bringing in Torah ethics into this picture, not because I don’t find them important, solely because this should be a given. People who are non-observant or not even Jewish (or don’t admit their Jewish) still should carry a weight of ethics they live up to.

One thing I actually am not sure of is whether the non-Chasid would have acted differently. There is a big part of me that wishes to say no, yet I think I know better.

Truth to be told, I don’t really care if the Litvak walks into my office and does the same. Truth to be told, I should have guessed that this could happen and should of avoided confidential documents from laying around, even in my office and on my desk. Truth to be told, I doubt the gentile would do this in my office.
I was actually thinking that maybe this is the best way to advertise any news that needs to be spread around town, or maybe this how I can get more readers.
All we have to do is write in big letters the word CONFIDENTIAL and leave it intentionally on your desk. Word will probably spread like wildfire.

Antverpeneshaigetz@yahoo.com

Its raining man(na)

2005-01-27T05:58:00.000-08:00

I lost count of how many emails I received reminding me that it is R Mendel of Riminov’s yarzeit. I think after about 20 I stopped counting. I even received text messages if emails werent enough.

I wonder if it werent for the precious prayer one should recite on his Yarzeit if we would be so eager to recall his blessed memory. OK, maybe it helps those that need to avoid Tachnun if his Yarzeit happens to be on a Monday or Thursday. Though this Yarzeit would be one that many observe, making it easier to avoid Tachnun as a true obsevance not merely an excuse.

Whats this prayer all about? It’s the Tefilla for Manna, which translates to Parnassah.
This prayer has many bonuses. The Yerushalmi brings down that one who recites Parshas Hamon daily is assured that he will not lack any food. However on certain dates in our calendar there are extra bonuses and opportune occasions to say this prayer, i.e. the Yarzeit of R’ Mendel Mi’Riminov zt”l.

It is awesome to actually read thru the parshas Hamon and notice that even in the times where a miracle was witnessed openly on a daily basis, still when the people were told that on the Sabbath there will be no manna don’t go out searching for it, there were atheists or whatever one wishes to label them that went to check. Lo and behold…. they did not find the food supplement.

It reminds me of the guy that begged and cried for help from above to win the lottery, but forgot to buy a lottery ticket.

Browsing thru my email and sms messages and noticing the unusual times I received these during the day, I couldn’t help but notice how many solely put their faith into prayer. If not, please explain how I got some early morning, yet most came during working hours. I guess you can consider praying for money as work too.

It’s like the shnorrers in our town that frequent our daily early minyanim, up early to start their business. We can learn a lot from these holy beggars. Rain or shine, Slichos or BeHa’B, be prepared to fork out the cash. The regulars usually don’t complain if you give them just a small donation, while some (usually foreigners) have the courage or maybe even audacity to ask/demand more.

Then there are those kids that usually appear like ants on any given Rosh Chodesh.
Just like we all know much we hate ants, that’s how much we hate when these kids pop up. Actually that too, but I guess the real comparisment is how hard these little creatures work. I meant the ants, nah whatever.

Either way, these guys are up and ready to perform what they must to make a living. If we would consider coming to synagogue every morning as part of our job, we might actually come every day and even on time. This is the real way to pray for parnassah/manna.

The only part that actually did feel good out of all those emails that flooded my inbox was seeing on how many lists I am on!
Now lets see if the Tefillah helped!? Hopefully it works for you!

Antverpeneshaigetz@yahoo.com

Reading maketh a full man; speaking a ready man; writing an exact man (Francis Bacon)

2005-01-19T13:39:00.000-08:00

A milestone has been reached, a true moment for celebration. This actually adds up to the 100th edition of the most outspoken, true Hyde Park style weekly up to date news weekly.
http://membres.lycos.fr/antwerpforum/index.html

Though there are many that use Hyde Park as a forum for information to be publicized, they are missing the most integral asset to its fame. The real Hyde Park is famous for people daring to show their face while arguing or motioning their sometimes politically incorrect or taboo feelings and thoughts.

The ability to locate time, energy and most importantly the ‘scoop’ on major topics is a rarity. However its success has proven itself over and over again. The weekly forum has always emerged, covering all and I really mean all the events locally and internationally and on time. It takes great courage in order to publicly advocate ones true thoughts and actually sign your real name. I should know.

There are many readers that will never admit they read this weekly online paper; some feel quite threatened by it. However word spreads around quite fast, even if it were true that there are some who do not read this weekly manuscript, they will be cussing about it during Davening. It is quite unfortunate that some people feel more threatened that they or their actions may appear in this ‘forum’ than the actual fear of doing something wrong.

Years ago someone asked Charles Spurgeon, “How can I communicate like you do?” “It’s very simple,” he answered. “All you’ve got to do is pour a bucket of kerosene over yourself and set yourself on fire, and people will come watch you burn.”

It is warped to contemplate the way people react. Under normal circumstances any individual that brings out truth and discusses the untouchables is a hero, especially if he takes full responsibility for his pen. There are however matters that would be better not being discussed nor is the point to dig under the cobwebs. Yet people prefer reading about issues that they get angry and frustrated about and then yapping to others on the matter.

Taking the time to actually write your thoughts on the matter and sharing views with readers can only be an asset to the weekly forum and a way to draw interest to the likings of its readers. In addition you may feel like you actually did something to help think differently. All this has an amazing benefit in the long run. Openly discussing and publicly replying to the editor will bring out the greatest fear among us, the fear of saying how we feel in the open.

Wouldn’t it feel great if many of us would actually get up and agree with for example issues at the school Jesodei Hatorah? It would cause a little tumult, then anger, which will possibly and probably lead to truth that they can’t handle. Where is the education from the past gone? Where has vast sums of money disappeared to? Why did the classes get split in certain grades with prejudice interactions? The same goes for many of the topics that were brought up for your weekly bull session. We silently agreed, we even shmoozed about it when it’s not during our Loshon Hora hour over the phone with friends. But to actually do something about matters that bother us, nah…for that we are cowards.

“The secret of achievement is not to let what you’re doing get to you before you get it.”

Keep it up!
antverpeneshaigetz@yahoo.com

The Rebbe, the Chosid and the Litvak

2005-01-06T15:52:00.000-08:00

Living in Antwerp surely explains the word “chulent,” such a vast amount of dialects just of the Yiddish tongue is mind-boggling. Antwerp has its charm and it has its charmers.
It is truly incredible to watch the different types of Jews mingle.

This is true for weekday and Shabbos. Walking down the street of the Diamond exchange, you are bound to hear Yiddish in nearly every corner. Sit down and eat something at any of the restaurants in either Diamond Exchange Building and you will be hearing Yiddish. Even the Indians flocking the once ‘only Jews allowed’ (not that bad!) Diamond trade area has learned the tongue twister.

The most intense part of the watching all this Yiddishkeit is actually divided into a few different aspects. There is the amazing part of respect, given to The Chosid at least as much as to the clean-shaven Litvak. Then there is the part where everyone gets along equally. The Chosid, the Litvak, the knitted kipah type and even the non-kipah bearer that is or is not religious conducting their business not feeling inferior to each other.

This is probably most noticeable in Antwerp. A town where even the Litvak stands on line to get knobbel from Rebbes. Where else can this be found? Even in places where people live in true harmony, it is usually divided into different sects. You can live in a Chassidishe neighborhood, a Litvisher neighborhood or for example a more modern neighborhood. Antwerp is nicknamed the ghetto solely for this reason.

There are so many aspects diversifying the Jew. We have so many varieties within Judaism it is not easy to always accept everyone and work along side each other peacefully. Not only can you find these totally different personalities buying and selling to each other, but commonly sharing offices, inviting each other for Shabbos, sharing in each others Simchas and even going on holidays together!

This is the true vision that anyone should have on the Antwerpian Jew. There remains an old fashioned weakness that keeps so much alive between the Jewish people. Yet, though still felt in the air, there seems to be a weaker generation changing this intense presence. It seems that the newcomers are more interested in the business rather than adding a personal touch.

Maybe this has to do with technology. Maybe the new computer age has narrowed the need to mingle and the importance of friendliness. Something new has been inflicted, maybe that the latest addition of young businessmen have less time and are preoccupied with their own lives and much less hellos and smiles being traded like we were used to.

Even on Shabbos I feel that the amount of people greeting me whilst passing has drastically decreased since I was younger. It seems to have become an issue whom and when to greet a fellow Yid. I don’t recall this years ago, when everyone greeted each other, no matter the amount of fur on your head or the pinches in your hat.

Maybe I am exaggerating and it’s just that no one wants to greet an Antverpeneshaigetz!

Git Shabbes
Antverpeneshaigetz@yahoo.com

Ma Noimar U’ma Nedaber?

2004-12-30T10:51:00.000-08:00

Tragedy has struck. A real disaster occurred. Death toll of 117.000 people are claimed to be dead. Many still missing and in hospitals fighting for their lives. Parents looking for their children and children looking for their parents. A horrific sight throughout Indonesia culminating into mass graves filled with locals and tourists.

Truth is, that it is impossible for any of us to truly comprehend this incident. As hard as we may try to feel the images we get to see, none of us truly understand.
Imagine meeting someone while you’re on vacation and he asks you where you are from, you tell him “Antwerp, Belgium” and he tells you “oh, did you hear that the 25% of Antwerp was wiped out?!” Or if rather have per capita a more accurate view, it is like all inhabitants living in Edegem, Mortsel, Knokke and Zaventem were wiped out. That’s the calamity that we are actually listening to but on the other side of the world.

Many of us probably imagined this to be similar to the ‘Mabul’ from the times of Noah.
Though this is not the case, and the storms back then came from other directions and destructed the world, it is probably the closest we will ever hear of, or at least we hope! Not that I am an atheist, but I just hope that we will never witness anything as large or Heaven forbid worse than Tsunami.

Though it is almost inevitable to have so many victims and not be able to identify with any names on the vast list of fatalities, still I doubted to hear a name so close to home.
A Jewish family from li’ll old Antwerp, enjoying their vacation are forced to reroute their trip in order to bury their 11month old baby in Israel. It is amazing hearing a statement from them saying, “all in all we were lucky to stay alive.” These people who lost their only child, their ‘gift’ (his name was Matan) are accepting their fait and thanking G-d to still be alive and have each other.

Yet there are many of us that simply missed the boat (no pun intended). Some really believe that this act of G-D was towards a country that obviously wronged His existence.
There are people that did not even take this as a warning sign that not only can this happen anywhere, but to anyone.

As terrible and unfortunate the circumstance is, we as Jews have to believe this to be a warning. A horrific signal of SOS, a reminder of Teshuvah! It is not a ‘happening’ that occurs every once in a while; it was not even something our amazing technology and scientists expected to take place. Yet in the highest peak of Happiness among people, when schools are out, Holiday season is allowing people to be happy and even get away, hell breaks loose. The timing seems so planned out!

The sign is clear, and the time is near! Young and old, Jewish and Christian, Black and Caucasian, we are all affected. We must build our boundaries; we are too lax in our daily activities. We lack respect to one another and conquer our desires before our needs. We are too slipshod in the rules we aught to obey.

The sadness is overwhelming, thoughts are agonizing, images are heartbreaking and feelings are crushing. We have to make room in our hearts to cry for these victims and help replace their losses. Monetary losses are surely beneficial, but building compassion and caring for one another, this is the structure that can keep us strong in order to avoid and need be, overcome future obstacles in our lives.

Chazak Chazak venischazak!
Antverpeneshaigetz@yahoo.com

Stranger among us

2004-12-22T16:25:00.000-08:00

It was not as if this week was uneventful with nothing to write about. Sometimes there are matters one wishes to avoid, yet creep up behind you and scare the living daylights out of us. How can we let such a scare just sneak passed us?

This passed Shabbos Antwerp Jewry reached a milestone. We have welcomed all different types and kinds into our ghetto. We have helped the good, the bad and the ugly in times of need. We welcomed the strange, smiled to the weird and assisted the wicked.
We rarely turned away anyone in need, anyone looking for help, anyone with no place to turn. When I say we, I am actually referring to the many individuals in our town that help so many locals and aliens.

The only thing left open in our books was to create a safe haven for the terrible!
Last week a young man, who carries the title Rabbi, left his abode to circumcise his son.
This Friedman Rabbi lives in Vienna married an Antwerp girl and figured here he will have less trouble making his Simcha here. The fact that he is a Rabbi, comes to no surprise. Many hooligans and dimwits carry the title Rabbi (see past articles from Prof. Rosenberg in his Forum on this matter).

To many an unknown fact that this wife beater belongs to the infamous Neturei Kartei cartel. He is one of their ambassadors and is one of the sick puppies that felt the need to say Tehilim at ‘Abu Amar’ Mohammed abdel-Rahouf As Qudwa Al-Hussaeini or better known as Yasir Arafat’s deathbed. I’m actually unclear if the unknown part is the fact that he is from the wife beaters club or that he is a pro-Arab/Anti Israel activist.

Whatever the case, he succeeded in bringing a Mohel to perform the bris ceremony for his son in our town. Are we so dim-witted to allow such individuals to feel comfortable in our midst? Or are we just typical Antwerpian that always says how wrong things are but are never the ones do actually do something about it.

How do we allow them to enter our place of worship and even our ghetto? These loony tunes are sick individuals and should not be allowed to approach our community. We have enough cartoon characters of our own. These guys should be avoided like the plague; they should be looked at like the missionaries that knock on our doors.

How dare we allow ourselves to allow this Friedman to feel even slightly comfortable, let alone the fact that there seems to be certain crack-heads that even give him and his cartel money.

It seems that some of these Neturei Karte fellows go around with receipt books of aliases covering up their shady origin. We must beware and not allow ourselves to be fooled.
There are many pictures of these wackos all over, even on their own website (which can even be read in Arabic i.e. http://www.nkusa.org/activities/recent/arafat110704.cfm. ). Maybe print them out and keep them posted near your wallet for quick identification before your next donation.

Well, as long as these guys call themselves the real orthodox Jews,
I will comfortably sign off here as the antverpeneshaigetz@yahoo.com

You’re my special friend

2004-12-19T04:18:00.000-08:00

There is a friend and then there is a friendship. What’s the difference? Truth of the matter is that friendship has an additional closeness embedded in its meaning. There are special occasions when friends are called upon like the ‘best friend’ that responds to your beck and call. There is ‘we’re just friends’, usually involving a more platonic relationship. There is the infamous ‘friend in need’, usually in regard to someone whom we have as a backup when all others fail. These even continue with ‘friendly advice’ usually coming from someone you hardly know but feels the urge to advise you on issues you didn’t ask for help with.

Then you have the ‘wanna be’ friends, these are the ones that worship you. The extreme of this is a dad who tells his son, “Though I’m your dad you should feel open enough to me as a friend.” There are so many different kinds of relationships we build with our acquaintances, far more than I can write about today.

This is where we come in. Many of us are so busy choosing our friends and nitpicking about them we forget how to be a friend in return. We are so busy with our own proclamation of what we expect of others, we (unintentionally?) forget how to treat them in return.

Though a matter of opinion and probably debatable, picking your friends could be advantageous. This does not mean that one has no obligation to be ‘friendLY’ to the ones that were not so blessed to be on your friend-list. Obligation is maybe a big word for this, but it falls into the obligation of having manners and being sociable.

There are a few different reasons for discussing this topic. One of them is the amazing lack of concern we feel when we are shmoozing to a good friend about a type C friend.
It sometimes reveals as if this was a fake friendship. We sometimes can gossip so harshly it would seem worse to tell someone after such idle chatter that we are actually friendly with this type of person.

The other category of being friendly is the common courtesy within. There used to be an understanding, more of a silent agreement when it comes to greeting each other. In old school it was standard for every one to greet each other. There was no question of who is older; there was no discrimination towards Jews or Gentiles. You didn’t have to actually be friendly with the other fellow.

Now I am not saying that every Tom Dick and Harry gets greeted with this big smile tipping your hat nor do I incline you to curtsy if that’s your gender. All I am referring to is the common friendliness that seems to be dissolving.

So next time you see me, I expect a smile in the very least!
antverpeneshaigetz@yahoo.com

Shaarei Dima’h Lo Ninalu

2004-12-09T14:49:00.000-08:00

I am starting to get fed up with having whom to write about almost weekly.
There seems to be an influx of people dying at an early age in our town.
The past few weeks alone should of instigated trepidation throughout our community.
Somewhere there must be a flaw in our behaviour or our attitudes. A Yom Tefilla should be made to evade disaster, not during the disaster. Maybe we should be fasting along with women and maybe even children could be an idea to be taken into consideration.

This past week our town is mourning the loss of a great person once again. Not just a young person, not just a father of younger children but also a fatherly figure to so many happy unfortunate children. Known to all as Shloime or Mr Berger, he was a soft-spoken individual with an angelic touch reaching into the lives of so many families.

His job was no easy task; it is not cut out for the weak individual, yet can only reach perfection for a soft leader. Some have the gift to work with children, some with adults. Few have the special gift to work with special needs of less fortunate children, fewer have the gift and talent and strength to deal with their parents.

Though most handicapped children come from ‘healthy’ homes, the child requires special attention and the parents become helpless. It takes an immense amount of knowledge and patience for one to involve oneself with both sides.

Someone that knows his talents and is productive in his field of expertise is surely a person that has gained our respect. This is the meaning of a ‘pillar’ in a community. Someone that has the ability to support the weight and can still stand strong while holding everyone atop. Such a person has no problem even when the people whom he is supporting, looks down at him. This is to me the true definition of a pillar.

Many oppose a ‘Hesped’ to be given during Chanukah. Hence, I will not lengthen my feelings and thoughts. There is so much to be said, but all in due time.

May he be a true Meilitz Yosher to his family and his extended family at Tikvatenoe, may the tears of the many children of the Tikvatenoe that shed a tear break down the gates of heaven and bring us to better times.

May the flame of our Chanukah candles kindle our internal flame to strengthen us and bring us closer to the end of our troubles with the bringing of Moshiach Bimheira Beymainu,
Amen.
antverpeneshaiget@yahoo.com

“Kama Zeh Oleh?”

2004-12-02T14:11:00.000-08:00

“Make for yourself a Rabbi (and) buy yourself a friend.” I have this sudden smirk on my face that is holding back laughter. Now last time I walked into my friends’ house, I don’t think I had to by my entrance fee nor do I recall folding bills in the palm of sweaty hands in order to sit near him. Yet some distant memory relives a vague recall of doing something similar while trying to gain a glimpse of the latter.

I feel your grimace curving as your reading this, but I mean no harm. I am just trying to get a better understanding of this concept and an in-depth meaning to the pearls of wisdom we learn.

Am I to understand that the Rabbi should not get compensated for being there for me and so many others, while my friend who it would be expected of, should get monetary benefit? Rather maybe we can grasp a truer meaning of the word “LISHMA-H” (For HIS sake)? Meaning that the Rabbi should be ready to accept anyone into his chambers and under his wing purely performing the task as a man of the cloth. While a friend, though it would be nice of him and maybe even expected of him to be there for his fellow during times of need, has no obligation to act without compensation.

Another idea could be that to learn the design of a “Kafei Tov” (ingrate). As a rabbi who is willing to act as your psychologist, doctor, mentor and father and decide your marketing strategy and so much more, he is really offering these inputs as a service; don’t take advantage of a wise man. Whereas a friend whom you may always wonder, should I buy him a present, he is a good friend he may not want a present. Him you should reimburse for being your friend, the Rabbi you reimburse so you wont feel bad returning for more advise, while the friend out of pure” friendship”.

Yet another consideration may be as follows. To teach you about “Kavod” (respect).
As close as you feel to your Rabbi don’t ever consider him your friend, distinguish between the two special bonds you have in your life. A Rabbi is there to guide you even with advice that you may not feel comfortable (or shouldn’t feel comfortable) speaking with friends about. A friend is someone you can even pay to help you out here and there.

Last but not least, how about the urge CHAZAL tries to impose on us to ensure we all have a Rabbi and a friend. Even if it may entail a price tag, a friend is a necessity!
Obviously this is true for a Rabbi as well.

So much for complicating things,

Your friend,antverpeneshaigetz@yahoo.com

He was a special person a shame I did not know him

2004-11-25T09:27:00.000-08:00

I am still saddened by the drama that befell our township the other week.
The thought of the little children reciting Kaddish and the young widow being pregnant is a haunting thought. This traumatic occurrence should make you shudder, but the reality should strengthen us.

It is once again a time to reconsider before getting upset about the “little things” and those maybe not SO important aspects in life. Anything that can be fixed and anything that can be replaced should be considered ‘little’ problems. Living this kind of life is dreaming in color instead of black and white.

Its maybe wishful thinking, but it would be a challenge that many among us would benefit from and surely our surrounding.

The other subject I wish to touch during the course of my writings this week is the issue of “practice what you preach.” A common phenomenon tends to unleash when a person has the spotlight pointing at him. It is humorous to see any individual offering a speech of condolence surrounded by family and friends in front of a corpse, usually not knowing the person but since the speaker is a community representative the job falls on the spokesperson.

But it is not humor that we find in time like this, maybe we should find a time to repent? Better, a time to reflect! Maybe if we reflect on the many opportunities we missed to help others, the chances we had to smile to each other, the chances we should have been there for our personal flesh and blood but were caught up with the word ME.

While you are reflecting about your own shortcomings let me help with something that bothered me. A young man gets shot in the head, he is laying in hospital surrounded by ten men reciting Tehilim at his side every precious moment of his final countdown. The hospital looks like a synagogue, women separating themselves from the men, arriving in flocks. Even the victims Rabbi and spiritual guide (Reb Leibush shlit”a) found time in His extremely busy schedule to perform the Mitzvah of visiting the sick.

Yet, the other leaders of our community felt to partake in the footsteps of the gentile leaders of our town, and did not appear to try and lift the spirits of the rundown family. The town’s mayor and entourage maybe should of known better and shield them in the event this turns out to be anti-Semitic incident by appearing for a brief visit. But that is political strategy, what about religious hearts?

It could have been a moment of smiles during a time of hell. Though, all the Rabbis from our community felt the need to be at the funeral in order that they look good on the eye of the public. Maybe they should of felt the need for un act-de-presence not only for the public spotlight but for the actual suffering families. Wouldn’t it be an uplifting moment for a Rabbi from the community to enter the patients room and lead the prayers for as little as 5 minutes? Wouldn’t it help the family who are known to be so fond of spiritual leaders, to have one come and sit with them for a few minutes? Are the local hospitals so far away from their abodes?

For this we have to travel world wide to import leaders? We have better in our own town! We need no longer seek far and wide for leaders that have no time to be there for us in our town during stressful times. There is also no reason for them to appear when the beams are already on; instead let them emerge from their quarters before the children tear Kriah.

This is how I reflect!
Antverpeneshaigetz@yahoo.com

Who dun it?

2004-11-18T14:11:00.000-08:00

What a story! There are no words that can calm down the angst felt in our community.
A young father of 25 years old with a pregnant wife and 5 children gets gunned down while unloading groceries from his car. The coward couldn’t even face his target and shot him from the back. Sadly enough he did not survive.

This all happened within the last 24 hours in our little town. It is a first, and it is worrisome. The victim and his family are quite respected members of the community.
They are not affiliated with any big wheelers and dealers just a hardworking honest family.

Still, it’s always the good guys that gotta go. It was a horrific scene at the hospital. People constantly coming and going, trying to console each other and even offer a helping hand. There was a constant minyan of men surrounding the patient and reciting Tehilim.

Sad but true, it seems that none of the Dayanim or community representatives besides Reb Leibish shlit”a and Hatzalah were there. It is such a shame that leaders of the community, the same ones that publicly advocate the good they do for our community and town, couldn’t even find a moment to visit. The patient may not be a VIP, but it is a member of our community, and it is a difficult moment. Isn’t that when a little decency could be requested? Is it so difficult or so beneath their dignity to come fulfill the Mitzvah of Bikur Cholim? It leaves little people like me heart broken and speechless.

The next chapter will be finding the killer. He may not even know that he succeeded to kill. Can we point fingers at our cousins living not too far from the crime scene?
Are we safe to say that it was definitely an Anti-Semitic reaction? Maybe a kid that just got his hands on a new toy, and decided to check if he can aim? It would not be right reacting with certainty on a suspicion.

However, there is an interesting point that was brought up. Wednesday night near the old city of Antwerp a group of about 25 AEL members held a candle ceremony out of respect for the late Yassser Ara(b)fat. One of the issues that were brought up at this event was the Palestinian stride and condemns Israel. They marched a little together, lit their candles and closed the meeting with a prayer.

I hope that all those AEL groupies from last night have a darn good alibi.
It would be so coincidental if some or any of these AEL members driving home from their ceremony see this Jew in the middle of the night with no one around and decide to ‘pop’ him in the head. In court he will probably say it was a sign from Allah and he had to act at the opportunity.

Lets hope I’m wrong and it was a catholic priest coming home from mass that was trigger-happy!

Hey, I’ve been wrong before!
Antverpeneshaigetz@yahoo.com

Crystal Ball and the Guardian Angels

2004-11-11T11:38:00.000-08:00

It seems like some of our predictions were pretty accurate last week.
They finally admitted that he died. Even Suha admitted it. By the way I have a shidduch for her, there’s this old guy living in Meah Shearim…. .
What were those religious looking guys doing? Reciting Tehilim at the hospital front?
Are these guys nuts? Two of these bastards even ended up in a nice picture of the Gazet Van Antwerpen wearing Arab shawls and Palestinian flag pins on their jackets. Lo and behold, one of them is actually married to an Antwerp girl! I hope that if this guy or any of the others ever step foot in this town, we will deal with them accordingly.

As predicted, they have established a way to blame his death on the Jews. He was poisoned via a Mossad mole inside the (kitchen) regiment last week. Funny, if we killed him, then he should have been dead already, and first reports were correct? I guess Israel was smarter than that, and wanted him to suffer by giving him a slow killing toxic. Yeah right!

Every newscast gave lots of precious airtime talking about Yasser’s biography today. The more you listened, the more you got frustrated with the Alfred Nobel peace award committee. Where was the European Humanitarian World Court when he was around?
Filing charges against PM Sharon echoes much nicer. As always, we remain targets.

I am waiting for the Arab nations to respond now, by informig the world how holy and spiritual Arafat was, as he officially died after the last day of Ramadan. Which according to Muslim belief is a time when your body went thru 40 days of purification and one reaches angelic tides.

Though, its nice that Belgium knew in advance that the 11th of November is a holiday!

Speaking about Belgium. One of the emails I received from a reader was about a point that I feel a responsibility to engage, concerning a certain setback that occurred.

Last week it was proclaimed how bad Arafat’s health is and that he may have matters of hours to limited days before he expires. Rumors started spreading how the Jews had something to do with his health deteriorating. Still, for some reason the Shmira was not active over Shabbos. Where were they? Wouldn’t this be a time when they are needed? Wasn’t this a good time to worry about several Arabs getting a little frustrated with the Jews over the weekend? Why only on major Holy days when we have the full support of the local police, do we need their Chillul Shabbos?

The Shmira has reached it limits. The patience of the Antverpene Jew should have tilted by now and either reorganize the Shmira or close it down.

I don’t care how many letters they get from local Rabbis. Anyone really wanting something can convince a Rabbi that they are on a mission from G-D and they need approval. Look how many distinctive qualified letters of recommendation this Friedman guy from Vienna that was reciting Tehilim for Arafat received when he put out his Sefer.

If it wouldn’t be the Satemere Dayen giving his blessing, they would of gone elsewhere.
There is no lack of rabbis that would like to have an organization under their auspices.
The Shmira consists typically of boys and girls that are not Shomrei Shabbos, and are constantly seen being Mechalel Shabbos amidst our circles.

Unfortunately many of the ‘Frum’ boys or young men belonging to this brigade, are very weak in spirituality resulting to lax observation of the certain problems not only with the Halachos of Shabbos, but subsequently interacting with the females working their shift.

Don’t be blindfolded to what WE are permitting on our front lawn. Our town has paid more than enough with tragedies happening amidst. Can we explain ourselves in front of our World Court for allowing these tribulations roam our streets?
Wow, all this is coming from the antverpeneshaigetz???

Friend or Foe

2004-11-04T11:05:00.000-08:00

In light of what is going on, there is a question I wish to bring up to whoever actually reads this Hyde Park voice of mine.
Mr. Yasser Arafat’s condition has been deteriorating in the recent past. Many believe that he is already dead. Others say he is comatose, semi-conscious.
All this makes you ponder about the future. Let us say that he dies of old age, should we believe that his heir to the throne would be better? As bad? Worse? We have no idea, I hate having to imagine someone worse, but I can believe it.

Another interesting issue at hand, at least I consider this interesting. If something were to happen and a funeral must be held, which dignitaries will actually show up to this mans funeral? After all he is a Nobel piece prizewinner? I wonder if that idiot in Meah- Shearim will tear kriah?

It will be a political danger and major news, hearing which of the VIP’s and the who’s who will show up and which countries will just perform a Shiva-call, merely being politically correct and courteous by calling in their condolences by phone.

Even deciding which dignitary will represent their country will probably be a tough one.
Well, at least Mr. Chirac from France was probably the last VIP to visit him today according to news reports about 2 hours before the first report that he died.

Still, I am convinced that somehow or another the Jews are killing or killed him, and oh how many countries will believe it to be true. I guess we can never win this battle.

The funny thing is, how America can once again shy away from all this. “I’m terribly sorry but we are in the midst of our elections and we share in your loss” or as the president or president-elect said during his speech upon being given first reports about Arafat’s death, “G-d bless his soul. That’s it, thank you for playing, you’re the weakest link...goodbye.

Arafat does have leukemia, he doesn’t have leukemia, his white cells are low, but they are going up. Lies, lies and more lies. He is dead, I know it and you know it.
I just wonder why they cannot admit it yet? Is it because today is the Christian calendar date of PM Rabin’s death? That’s something we can only speculate.

Wow, you just have to know when to die!

I would love to hear your opinion on this,antverpeneshaigetz@yahoo.com

The truth can make you ill

2004-10-27T15:47:00.000-07:00

This week feels different; I’m getting vibes of a deja-vue feeling all over again.
It sounds like I’m about to reiterate what has been voiced oh, so many times or at least should have been expressed in the open.

As you may have heard, our Marah de’Asra was taken to the USA for certain treatment.
I guess it was not just a minor malaise that took place when he was hospitalized.
The Kehilla kedarkom baKodesh failed to share truth with the town and instead put us thru guessing games and Yom Tefillot to understand how severe the case probably is.

There is rumor that a great Rabbi once mentioned that after Rav kreiswirth zt”l, no one will reign in this town in his position, truth or not it seems spooky.

Maybe we are missing the point? Maybe, just maybe there is a possibility that our lovely K”K (kehilath Kodesh) was oblivious to a term we know as the depths of Bein Adam Lechaveiro? How many people felt hurt or wronged when an alien rabbi was elected?
Did Antwerpians not collect signatures for locals to be elected? Were signatures even necessary? Couldn’t we admit ourselves that we have plenty of candidates that would have been entered in to the primaries and then to elections?

Our town has a nice amount of special and highly respected pious individuals, we could have been “happy with what we have.”

Instead we poured salt on open wounds, we stabbed our local rabbis in the back and turned the dagger as deep as possible. For some it turned out for the better, Rav Weiss shit”a got a position that many could not even dream of. Yet others were left in the dark.

I hope that this is not the reason why our town has been going thru so many hardships in the past. However I will point a finger at those that hold the strings and make everyone dance in their puppet show.

I am not blaming our new Rav shlit”a, I just hope that it is not our town that inflicted his anguish, and pray together with all of you for his speedy recovery!

Tidbits

2004-10-20T16:13:00.000-07:00

A new restaurant opened in our ghetto, situated conveniently near one of our main Kosher shopping areas. Cream Shnit has opened its doors and according to their posters hanging all around town, they are “under new management.” Seems like the term “Grand Opening” is not that catchy any more.

I have heard from friends that the food is pretty good and he offers a Thursday night kigel and chulent as well. I hope this place can stay clean and attract a nice constant clientele. I really hope so; it’s just a shame that parking remains such a hassle around there.

The new management is coming from around the corner on the Belgielei where the GB express opened its doors. I decided not to use the GB express, mainly because I oppose their opening in an area flooded with groceries.

Drifting off topic, the only wonder I have is in regard to the growing crime rate now in the area. This area was never threatened or never suffered from armed robberies, all of a sudden there is an armed robbery in the GB express. For such reason, maybe such landmarks should not be situated in the midst of populated areas; we have enough trouble as it is.

Sadly enough the burglars were able to get away, and even the police helicopter, which intervened, was unsuccessful in locating the criminals. Never the less the police did arrive quite fast. Though it is unfortunate that such a story can occur in a densely populated area in broad daylight!

We just have to become more alert when we walk our streets. Our streets are open to racial and anti Semitic problems, now criminal hoodlums are found here too.

It is amazing how much Antwerp has changed. Many probably recall how safe the streets of Antwerp used to be, not to mention how clean as well.
Those days are disappearing and we have to accept this living condition mainly by being extra careful.

It is time to stop sending our kids to school alone or by bikes and adapt the school bus pick up and drop off. It is time we don’t have an 8 year old watch a 4 year old on the streets any more.

Have a safe day,antverpeneshaigetz@yahoo.com

Hot off the presses, read all about it!

2004-10-13T15:56:00.000-07:00

Being a public figure is not an easy task. I am referring to a public figure in the Jewish world. A teacher, a Rabbi, a Judge a scholar and alike, are definitely public figures to us. These individual pious must live up not only to their standard of ethics but also to the standard of the public eye.

It is questionable to whether someone appointed to be a leader or the like, may be considered a public investment, and if so does the public have the right to know everything that goes on in his or her life? Surely they deserve privacy but maybe it is to an extent? I am sure many believe this thought to be true. Many figure they should have the right to know of ‘their’ Rabbi’s where about and at least certain details.

To some it is important to know what’s going on while to others its merely keeping track of their investment. Some feel that since an individual makes him or her-self available to the city, that persons life turns into a big brother house for all to see and critic.

We seem to forget that they are not the only public figure that must behave at all times. It is not because one takes a title upon him or her-self that only they are the ones under a constant spotlight. We are not talking about those that seek the spotlight, merely about the ones trying to live their private family life with the daily ups and downs any normal family can encounter. All this without having to cause ruckus any time some Tom, Dick or Harry decide that they need to interfere and dig for information.

The issue of privacy should be respected to all mankind. There is no question that we are not offering immunity to anyone from mischief, nor do I deny that a there is a certain amount of responsibility drawn to a persona on stage, and people do wish to know what their heroes are doing at all times to ‘save the world.’

However there must be a limit to our loose tongues and a way to stop mixing into business that is not ours.

Truth of the matter, it is not limited to these men of the cloth as being under constant watch. Lest I remind you that anyone bearing a skullcap not to mention side-curls and fur hats showing off their passion for being a Jew, should be in a constant awareness mode that he too is being watched at all times. And I do not only mean being watched by Above, I mean that a Jews wrongdoing makes a better headline in the papers!

Would any of us wish to feel like everything we do is public information? Though every time we walk down the street we are making a public statement. Which in turn makes us public figures. Are we adhering to all the rules of a public figure? Do we wish to share our life story with everyone?

Think about the stare you will get the next time you cross a red light or double-park your car. I wouldn’t want the whole town ranting on about my doings, right or wrong.
Lets try and live our lives without the gossip about the ones around us

Wishing our Rov a Refuah Sheleimah, and to all of us a gezinten Vinter
antverpeneshaigetz@yahoo.com

‘Tis the season

2004-10-04T08:25:00.000-07:00

I hope its ok to type on Chol Hamoed, typing is probably not considered writing, which allows me to write a few words. I actually feel the urge to install internet access in my Succah, and then I could even sit there when I’m bored. I figure that’s probably a very realistic way to turn my Succah into a dwelling or home away from home.

It is actually quite an interesting concept that we leave our houses and (some) actually camp out in this new abode. Besides eating and sleeping out there, we are actually supposed to make it a cozy atmosphere by awning its walls and ceilings with various types of décor. I wish to see anyone out there that actually would start hanging up pictures with thumbtacks all over their dining room, and use a staple gun to hang up plastic fruit or better yet, real fruit from the living room ceiling.

Many of us like Succah hopping searching the nicest Succah in the area. Some areas even turn it into a (hopefully) friendly competition, which possibly enhances the Mitzvah of the season, and the kids probably love it.

I in turn, have a different way of amusement. I like watching how my fellow Jews, yes us the chosen nation who can’t even change a tire of a car try and build 4 walls. It entertains me spiritually watching the realistic and genuine concern of the Jewish Contractor occupying himself with the blueprints of the Succah and Schach.

There is common controversy in regard to whether the Jew is smarter than the average gentile. I do not wish to argue on this matter, rather state what I consider a valid point that can help explain this debate.

The average Jewish individual that observes the Sabbath and Holidays does tend to have a knowledge exceeding the average gentile’s expectations. Let me elaborate, the Jew knows about stoves, crock-pots, electric timers, fruits, ingredients, palm trees, the difference between a lemon and an ethrog, bamboo, real leather and faux, rainbows, full moons, and so much more. I think you get my drift.

The best part is that behind every good Jew on an average shabbos stands a gentile!

A git Mo’ed
antverpeneshaigetz@yahoo.com

Neturei Karta

2004-09-22T15:16:00.000-07:00

Hope y’all had an uplifting and Happy New Year. It was a pleasure seeing all Jews united keeping 3 days of Spirituality. Even in Israel, a three-day festival was held due to Sabbath. Another nice view was watching all sects of our Jewish community proceed to Tashlich at the park. It was definitely a nice site to observe.

We must not overlook the incredible involvement offered to our community by the Police department. They assist us year after year with additional security and watch, especially during our Holy days. At Tashlich the undercover and police officers almost outnumbered the amount of Jews (figuratively speaking). Rain or shine the police did their utmost to understand the religious event that was, and deserve our respect and applause, bravo and thank you.

However, unfortunately though there still exists an entity that tried to receive respect, and posed to become more observant especially amongst the Religious environments.
The Shmira, has now added a number of Observant Jews to their elite taskforce, but it seems to be going no where. The amount of Chilul Shabbos and Yom Tov that was obviously occurring, tough maybe less than in previous years was still a disgrace to our Religion and especially to the Holy days.

The local Police have been there for us in the past, and deserve our fullest trust, not needing an alien group to interfere with their professionalism. If we do decide that it is worthwhile having our own watching guard, let them be there at all times. We had yet to find them during Mincha or Motzei yom Tov Maariv. They do not secure our sectors every Shabbos. So, unless they have a deal with the ‘bad guys’ that they know when to stand guard, they are wasting their time and ruining precious Jewish souls.

Though I do believe that if a Shmira is formed and these Guardian Angels want to be there for the community, there are many areas that should be watched at all times and there should be a number that offers emergency assistance as rapid as Hatzolah. Guarding should be whenever there is a large event in one location, a public area frequented by Jewish people and areas that are frequented at off-duty hours, like the streets that our children take to school, the Simcha halls, the Mikvaot for the women and so on.

I do not believe that the Orthodox community asked for a security group to watch us when they are in the mood of doing so like one week yes,one week not, morning yes, evening not etc. The Shmira probably sounded convincing to certain Rabbis and probably promised to avoid chilul Shabbos and Yom Tov for no reason and got the go ahead from leaders in our town. If they would only know!

So please, do wish them Gut Yom Tov and Gut Shabbos when they are standing outside, don’t harass them, they mean well. Maybe bring them out a Siduur, don’t shy them away, and bring them home!

Wishing you all a G’mar Chasimah Tovah, may all your Tefillos come true!
Antverpeneshaigetz@yahoo.com

“Do not enter into strict judgment with us, for no living creature would be innocent before You.” *40

2004-09-14T16:57:00.000-07:00

Maybe this time we should be a little more serious, maybe this time we should not knock anyone or anything. Difficult, then we have not got much left to shmooz about.
I will try and keep it brief, and cut out the piece of mind I like sharing, though I will briefly turn to an awareness we should all conceive especially at this time of our year.

We have all tried to keep our best behavior, be good, true, honest and maybe even pious throughout the year. However, unfortunately some of our brethren have been caught in the recent past involved in some mischief. I will not tend to the rights and wrongs of these persons, but I wish to dwell on the following for a little.

We are approaching the holiest days of our year; we are appearing before our Judge, have we been that good? Do we deserve to live a ‘free’ life? Aren’t we guilt on some accounts? Do we even dare show our face after promising to change our lifestyle?

Yet, we come forward and ask for forgiveness, we once again vow to repent.
Yet once again, we approach the Bench and plead for our lives.
Yet again we are embarrassed of our own actions.
Yet…we are forgiven!!!!!

This year we have people we know that their lot was to end up behind bars, and their cry will be as powerful as the blowing of the Shofar. It will be anguished tears that will pierce the heavens in hope of a clean verdict.

We do not dare ask to comprehend the master plan of how or why our Father positions them or us in certain places at certain times. As difficult as this can be at times, we have to accept His decision and know that it is always done for the best.

In merit of those tears that will be shed by them and for them may G-D accept all our prayers and bless us with His ultimate compassion granting us health, strength and happiness to us all, Amen.

Incase I do not meet you over Rosh Hashanah let me tell you know,
For a good year may you be inscribed and sealed immediately, for a good life and for peace.
antverpeneshaigetz@yahoo.com

Your not as frum as you think I am

2004-09-09T14:33:00.000-07:00

In light of my recent article, I have chosen to answer some of your emails. Most emails were in regard to the words ‘being religious’. There is being Jewish followed by Orthodox and then there are those expected to be ultra-orthodox. These extremely pious individuals are supposed to be careful at dotting there I s and crossing their T s. These people are supposed to buckle up when getting into their car, never speed, always keep their cool, greet everyone and be considered by all as a special person equal.

I don’t care what you dress like, who you represent, what organizations you collect for. If the government does not agree with the way you lead your life, I am pretty sure G-D doesn’t either. Basically, don’t come to my door for sympathy if you lead a double life, and I hope this is not just my view. It is actually a stira miney ubey if you think about it. We are taught to be straight and honest, yet for those unfortunate which got caught, we are now supposed to do everything in our power in order to have the crook released.
What a funny concept? I will not act on behalf of your local Rabbi and my sermon will not include the explanation for this, but that’s the way it works.

Unfortunately today, jail across the globe includes optional Kosher meals and most if not all Jewish customs can be observed. I guess that should be considered fortunate, but unfortunate is the need for this ruling.

Actually we can be thankful that most ‘Jewish crooks’ are accused for tax evasion and the like. Most of these types of crooks, wish no physical harm on anyone, except the get rich quick program is very tempting.

Then comes the real problem. Once such a person is charged with any crime, his family gets judged as well. This is not always fair. Do the children of a crook have to suffer their parent/s misdemeanor and be ejected from their community or school? As difficult as it may seem, this may not affect them, au contraire we should try and embrace them into a good and proper system. If we reject these victims they too may turn out misdirected following the wrong paths, and we will be partially blamed for that.

The next step is understanding how to welcome an ex-con, once released, should he be welcomed back as if nothing occurred? If he actually did ‘do time’ he hopefully learned his lesson and hopefully repented, yet one who did no time only due to powerful friends and similar, this guy could be a serious problem.

The truth of the matter is, we are a forgiving nation, we live by the right to repent. Our Father always lets us return to Him, no matter how astray one wandered. Hopefully if we learn to accept these people who wish to repent amongst us, so too may G-D grant us His mercy for our sins granting us another year of health, happiness and no short-comings, Amen.

antverpeneshaigetz@yahoo.com

Are you 'Glatt" Kosher?

2004-09-02T04:42:00.000-07:00

Many of us recently returned from our trips, some of us have flown to our vacation resorts, and many of us have a story to tell, here is one of mine.

It is a great shame that certain airlines do not accommodate meals meeting proper standards of certain passengers. Many of us while traveling require Kosher meal, which is available on most if not all flights. However there are many Jewish passengers that do not find the standard Kosher adequate to their standards. Yet airlines offer plenty of choices to choose from besides Kosher, helping passengers maintain their diets and laws.

Passengers often have the option of requesting a Glatt (strictly) Kosher meal on board. Sadly enough this too at times can turn to be not kosher enough for certain religious travelers.

The interesting point herein was the passenger that during the flight was unhappy with her Glatt Kosher meal, as it did not meet ‘her’ Kosher standard adherence. She was swift in calling over the purser and demanding to form a complaint. The purser tried to calm her anger, to no avail. I was wondering if this too is protocol in the Jewish diet.

I personally do not adhere to the extra strict Glatt observance and was happy with what I received, but I do recall learning that one way a person can be identified/judged is by their outburst/anger. Then, I could not help but notice a different Jewish passenger approach this lady trying to tell her it is not the end of the world and he has sandwiches he can share with her, she reached into her hand luggage and produced a huge box of Kleinblatt pastries.

This was actually quite embarrassing, it is not that she was left hungry, she was just making a point. So this considerate individual who gestured to offer his sandwiches, added matter-of-factly “ma’am I’m truly sorry to remind you, but this is not a hotel. It is merely a flight to your destination, and the airline wishes you to be as comfortable as possible, but they can not please everyone with everything.” To which she blurted out, how she pays for the food on board and she demands the Kosher that she wishes and the best part was when she added “ and how in the world dare you take sides with them????”

Sitting quietly in my seat I felt bad for this steward (and the good Samaritan), besides being publicly ridiculed, he has absolutely no jurisdiction over these meals, more so I realized that this was actually quite a funny attitude. You board an aircraft, there usually stands a welcome committee at the door, and throughout the aisles assisting the passengers, your first encounter with these people is usually friendly and exchanging hello’s and warm welcome, however all of a sudden when someone is unhappy, instead of thinking, hey…this steward seemed friendly, let me try and explain him or her the problem maybe they can help me out? Certain people choose the other path. It is a sad phenomenon, but happens all to often.

On a separate note, I cannot believe that now being yelled at, this purser will do everything or anything in his power to ensure such a passengers comfort in the future.

Yes my friends, this is a typical adventure when it comes to the Ultra Orthodox. Yes, I have come to my conclusion that it seems that most trouble caused causing ruckus is ignited by a certain sect in our religion. Unfortunate but seemingly true. I am in no way addressing the entire Hassidic race, but I am pointing fingers at trouble makers that seem to be found more ‘here’ than by other Jewish entities.

I am unsure of whom is to blame for these seemingly uneducated groups. They seem to be growing by the mass. I beg someone to differ and prove me otherwise.
Until then I will try and figure out an easier way to get those stupid kosher meals open!

antverpeneshaigetz@yahoo.com

Let them eat cake

2004-08-24T15:37:00.000-07:00

Congratulations to the new grocery store in town. Located on the charlottalei across the Conciencestraat. What an original idea, I wonder why no one thought about it earlier?
We really needed another kosher grocery store, especially one planted in such a great geographical location. I mean come on, there was hardly another street left in Antwerp that did not have a kosher grocery store within a full minute walking distance.

The irony about this new grocery store will probably be divided into two full-fledged debates. One will be the fact that it was done only knowingly that the grocery located on the Conciencestraat (Grosz Hoekje) is moving, so there was no intentional misdemeanor involved. Secondly, to be brought up in due time will be on how disgusting it is that a Jew is planning to open a Kosher grocery in the near future on the corner Belgielei-Charlottalei, and it will ruin it for this guy that was ‘so’ considerate to others.

To the uneducated it would seem that either our talents are very limited to certain trades, or we are very hungry. True, the food business is very large and hopefully lucrative, but it is becoming an obsession.

The questions left for us are, where do we go? Can we not try and give the newcomer a fair chance and attempt to support them as well? Is it fair to our local and current grocery? Did we need another grocery? Is it our duty to help out the neophytes that pop up every few weeks? Most importantly is the realization that shopping elsewhere causes losses.

It is not only the grocery business that causes such dilemmas. Many pop up shops have tried to offer their services in the recent past, some are struggling, some succeeding and then there those that failed. Another example of the so-called Boots (UK) or Duane Read (US) affect was bakeries (ever notice how these stores are opening up on almost every corner?). So many of them gave it a shot, some with success others failed.

I do wish to acknowledge the courage that some of these young men have is not to be underestimated. It takes more than just guts to open up a store; it is true ‘Bitachon’. May G-D grant them all success without failure to others, and us the opportunity to sustain them.
One thing remains certain, while looking for other business ideas for the work-seekers, no one will go hungry.

AWGTHTGTTA - Are We Going To Have To Go Through This Again

2004-08-18T14:10:00.000-07:00

Welcome back, hopefully you all had a great time. Usually on vacations we meet new people, old friends long lost family and so on. The funny thing about this is, how we promise that from now on “we will for sure stay in touch.” Though we actually mean it at the time, its wishful thinking.

Truth is, neither side really expects it of each other. Deep down most us remain doubtful that we will ever receive an email, or the pictures from the summer spent together we promised to send. Still, it remains a friendship that was built, and no harm is intended.

Actually the best way to stay in touch will probably be via Internet, not only email but also the various methods available to us, like MSN Messenger and the like. These methods are considered almost as real as a phone call.

What came to mind though, was how unfriendly we can become using emails and these various types of instant messenger. How many times have we written an email, not even starting with something like “hi, how are you?” or signing our name. We just plummet down our message or the sentences in the email and since it is obviously coming from a friend or since you communicate quite often with each other, the need for politeness fades away.

Moreover, when we actually decide to end off a message or an email, we abbreviate with the infamous letters like ttyl, gtg, brb,btw,fyi,myob,lol,and so on. In my opinion, there remains one signature that really bugs me. After writing an entire email to someone, some people sign off with this: rgds, Jo.
Meaning, I had to write to you but have no time for the petty things, but I come from a good upbringing which forces me to end my letters in a polite manner, but I really do not have time for this. Though the entire email was pretty much at length, the important words ending the letter remain hastened and thoughtless.

Anyway, gtg catch ya later!
Rgds,
ttyl
antverpeneshaigetz@yahoo.com

There once was a time

2004-08-10T15:52:00.000-07:00

Once upon a time, there was a little shtetl called Antwerp. Many Jews settled there after the war, scraping together anything they had left and rebuilding homes.
Fortunately, business picked up and Diamonds became the main trade amongst our men.

Business was flourishing, money was being made, and money was being spent. Vast sums of monies distributed worldwide to charities. Every vacation was spent traveling abroad or at their residences near the ocean.

Most stories commencing with once upon a time, usually reveals fiction. Unfortunately, here it is pretty much true, and the words “once upon a time” are the most accurate.
From what I hear, Antwerp seems lifeless. People are away on vacation; streets in the ghetto are empty, nonetheless we admit the struggle being immense. Many businesses are sadly enough bleeding out, and many beg for jobs. The car service industry grows rapidly and Tomche Shabbos gets busier by the week.

Alas, there are some folks while sipping on their cocktails at the pool are upset. Why upset when you appear to be enjoying a holiday? Because Yankel who just borrowed money from you a month ago and didn’t pay back yet, is on vacation somewhere as well.

People facing bills way over their ability first turn to family and friends. In hope that at least these people will ease the pain and anguish, not to mention pride.

This person at the pool calls himself ‘the friend’, lends out money, yet cant live with the fact that Yankel is on vacation!?! I assure you, any individual that had to ask for a loan due to his terrible financial status, is in dire need of a vacation and no lender or borrower should ever be judging each other.

So, while we are all trying to enjoy our vacation, lets not be bothered by details. Lets relax, recharge batteries, spend quality time with the family, and if you have a chance…call up the guy that borrowed money from you, and make sure he is doing the same!

antverpeneshaigetz@yahoo.com

http://antverpeneshaigetz.blogspot.com

Kosher garbage

2004-08-04T09:31:00.000-07:00

There are three types of people in this world, those that can count and those that cant.
I personally dislike a certain type. Surely you’ve encountered the species I refer to, they are the ones that no matter how many people are actually standing waiting for the pedestrian light to turn green, they cross on red. Totally uncaring of a fact that children standing at this red light may learn from this idiot. Not to mention dangerous and illegal.

It is especially troubling when it is a Jewish idiot crossing; yes we have our village idiots as well. These same individuals are to be blamed for the kosher wrappers to be found on the streets, and probably other lack of good manner. One may not realize that our droppings boast a kosher symbol and get easily noticed by non-Jews, especially those wishing to point fingers at us.

It truly is bothersome witnessing these shteeble hoppers doing their thing whilst accepting our raison d’etre, which to some contains BISHVILI NIVRA HAOLAM.
They are not affected by the system, they have no worries, do not care about others and worst of all, are a terrible influence.

When was the last time someone of caliber in our community preached publicly about such protocols? Agreed that this is not the worst thing troubling humanity, but it is a sad act that could be easily mended.

It is now reaching the peak of our vacation; many of us are away from our homes in territory that does not fully understand our way of life or our mentality. It would be so nice if the only piece of paper our gentile summer hosts find, is a note saying thank you for their hospitality.

antverpeneshaigetz@yahoo.com

Its not who you are, its what you wear

2004-07-23T11:05:00.000-07:00

Its not who you are, its what you wear

Another scholastic year comes to an end. Schools are closing its doors, students are smiling again, teachers busy for the coming year, and parents are starting to worry!
The sun is shining; summer has embraced us with unusual heat, especially for our side of the globe. It is finally time to hit the pools, run off to camps, and go away for that long-needed vacation. What do we pack? Usually this would depend on the location you will be running off to, but we are once again limited to a certain ‘length’.

The complicating issue to some is the dilemma of not being able to unsweat by wearing less during the summer, especially the girls/women. Believe it or not, the issue of Tznius still remains of utmost importance during all 4 seasons and must be respected.
Though I may agree that at times this could be difficult to comprehend or at least very tempting especially when going to no-mans land on vacation.
Unfortunately, instead of talking ourselves out of changing (or removing) our garb by reminding ourselves that we ought to know better, we are solely petrified of who might find out. How often do we find ourselves not doing something semi-wrong due the fact that we are fearful of human consequences? Though this being a true phenomenon, in reality this may very well be a good thing, especially since at the very least we admit the act being wrong, and in many cases we don’t end up acting out our plan.

To many, at first this probably seems like a finger pointing editorial against the female reader. I assure you that the matters of tznius and ethics of dress codes apply from boys to men probably as much.

Let me get to my point,
Despite the fact that in our little ghetto for some odd reason, a dress code was implemented to the girls division, requiring them to sport uniforms whilst attending the local Beis Yaakov, however au contraire to the boys whom may dress as they please, with hardly a worry on their mind.
The issue of school uniforms is a well-known debate worldwide, not only among the Jewish circles but in many secular school systems, especially private schools.
Statistically speaking, it has been agreed that schools in which the student body can be identified by their way of dress (i.e. uniforms), usually results in higher admiration from the surrounding community.
Wearing a uniform demands a certain respect, which may even suppress the student with additional weight; fortunately there is no harm to be diagnosed while carrying this extra weight.
There are many benefits to be found with the implantation of school uniforms:

What is wrong with being an ambassador to ones school? It may keep a student out of mischief.
It seems quite a considerate act knowing that no one is showing off his or her latest Armani. (Yes this could happen by the boys too)
These points and many more are always winners at such debates. There is no reason to categorize uniforms as army tactics, and if you do find it to be so harsh, why should the girls be forced to wear it?
I hope it has come to peoples awareness that even the boys have modernized their look mingling into outside views and character, it should come as no surprise hearing from a parent stating that he or she would never dress like that. All this comes with the territory, there are certain characteristic changes that join when a youngster dresses a little too cool for his age or for whom he should be representing. Parents are commonly challenged by the simple fact that their son’s or daughters friends dress like that, or he/she only dresses like that when on vacation. The ultimate problem is when a child sees a different dress code at home to what he/she is used to; such acts of liberty can only confuse someone. So actually the school doors may be closed but as we all agree, education starts and/or continues at home.

Surely many greater scholars have thought of this, and its conclusion we know, since the boys do not wear uniforms. The question is, how long ago was this issue brought in front of the Rabbanim? Times change, and there is nothing wrong with moving forward in time and fighting stronger waves, but the Ben Torah look should still be respected.
I am not ranting that boys over the age of thirteen should not be caught on the street without their hats and jackets. But I tend to disagree at certain basics, like an open shirt over a turtleneck and similar. Maybe this could be a great topic for the next Agudah convention?
This can be great; Rabbis will only agree to send their children and grand children to boy schools that wear some kind of uniform, then we will find out that the uniform idea started in a Christian school, making the uniform concept unacceptable, forcing everyone to run home and burn them! This could be fun!

antverpeneshaigetz@yahoo.com

Tal Toire

2004-07-23T11:02:00.000-07:00

My writing this evening is concerning the recent happening that took place within the Tal Toire School.
I at first was unaware which individual was the culprit of these acts, and to be honest it doesn’t matter knowing who it is. Allow me to elaborate, I am a graduate from the Jesode Hatorah School and opted not to attend the continued education offered by the school at the time. However I obviously knew many of the student body enrolled at the time and it is a shame that the success of the school did not increase over the years.
I was not involved with this specific case that took place recently where a student was expelled, but did read some information in the forum and gathered some bits and pieces off the street. I will not dwell on the issue whether it was in the schools right or best interest to expel a student, as again, I did not witness any accounts that took place nor may I take sides in this case. Though I do hope that no effort was spared in order not only to try and work matters out between each other, but once the verdict was given to remove this student I really hope that the individual/s that is/are carrying the weight of throwing out this boy will help this boy get the education he needs and will do everything in their power to ensure his future. To an extent I believe that when a student is asked or forced to leave a school, that school should be aware that not since they rid themselves of their internal problem is it over, moreover it just became a larger weight on the decision makers of that school, as this student is no longer surrounded by his friends and educators and his lot is not in the hands of the school anymore. But if the decision makers of a school are true educators and not just desk-filling-smart-alec-serious looking puppet trying to make a difference, but real loving and caring of each Jiddishe Neshamah, then they know that it is up to them to make sure that this boy receives the attention needed for him to grow and become the person he is destined to be.
Now, returning to my statement that I started with, as a graduate I do know or at least do recall a little how the school functions (or at least functioned).
The ratio of rabbinical educators was closer to none. Yes, it is easy having a group of students that cause no or little trouble, but when matters got out of hand and certain students were more difficult to reach out to, there was absolutely no one, I repeat NO ONE that could handle such a situation, the student would be branded an outcast, a troubled child and get little help if any from the teachers. Maybe we should not blame these Rabeiim, as to the best of my knowledge none of the Rabeiim in the school were educators by profession, it just seemed like the right job and some were more successful with students than others, but were they taught how to teach? Though I cannot affirm this to be accurate, I do not think I have to be corrected. (However it is possible that this has changed a little in the recent past. Though if this did change it should sadden one more knowing that many of these new educated individuals in the school are still convincing children and their parents to avoid sending their kids to the Tal Toire if they want to do what is best for their child. This is a fact.) I have seen many students rejected and ejected from the system and later on some even from Judaism. I sincerely hope that these educated fools knew what they were doing and have a valid explanation and validation.
For this reason I pen my mind to paper, and pray that we have not just lost another soul.

Reactions can be sent to my email address and /or to the forum.Antverpeneshaigetz@yahoo.com

“Our Father, our King, tear up the evil decree of our verdict.”

2004-07-23T02:24:00.000-07:00

Tragedy strikes again. Antwerp has seen too many catastrophes in a very short time span.
A father of 5 innocent young children was buried. The circumstances though surreal, remain unfortunate. It was very exceptional in Antwerp finding children saying Kaddish Lo Aleinu. As weird as this may sound, the children from a past tragedy, where a young mother died whispered their last Kaddish the day of the funeral of yet another tragic incident.
Definitely the most heartbreaking situations were witnessed at this funeral, parents burying a child, a wife burying her young husband, a child tearing Kriah and hearing the innocent voice of a child reciting Kaddish. What could be worse? It is surely not a time to be judgmental, yet we must be concerned of the latest happenings in our town.

Antwerp was once known for its financial success, for helping the needy world wide, it was a town that had leaders. Now known for being in trouble financially, many having no jobs, in need of additional police supervision, and worst of all we are lately getting hit by tragedies one after another.

Where have we gone wrong? What must we change? What should we do? Those were the questions asked at this funeral. The obvious answer remains “repentance”, this is a traditional answer offered whenever tragedy occurs. The answer is not wrong, but it should not be a one-word answer for such a difficult question.

There is a starting point that can only help. It could be a challenge to many of us, even a financial strain, but it surely can help.
If all Jews residing in Antwerp would at least try and purchase ‘all’ their needs at the Jewish stores, even if it may be a little more expensive at times we will be helping our brethren. Most items, being for the home or office can be obtained at Jewish stores locally. From toys to software, clothing to vehicles, banking to insurances, disposables to air conditioners could and should be purchased by your Jewish neighbor. Consent sometimes to even shell out that little extra and know that you are doing the right thing.

I agree every so often it can make a large difference in price, if you are able to look away, I hope you use your money wisely. If that dissimilarity causes you hardship, the very least you can do is mention it to the storekeeper, maybe he can work something out for you.

Another way of helping us out is, if you have an open position in your business, why not employ us. We are usually not stupid, very energetic, devoted and trustworthy. Some businesses feel threatened, they don’t want him knowing the secrets of their trade, their markups, their books or just because they ‘know’ how it is when you hire Jewish workers. Today a shidduch, then a bris, a wedding a this a that. It is understandable that we are sometimes not wanted at certain jobs, but if the boss would point out from the start what his rules are, I am convinced that in the long run he will be quite satisfied having a Jewish worker in his workplace.

The genuine “repenting” should be something that each and every one of us conclude as something we must fix in ourselves. Helping each other out should be our normal way of life. This can and will help our future!

May we merit understanding and living in true happiness with the ability to successfully overcome any challenges we endure.
antverpeneshaigetz@yahoo.com

Its time to vote off the weakest link

2004-07-22T14:14:00.000-07:00

The time draws near once again, and all Belgians are required to vote. If you are one of those that carry a green Belgian ID card or had the merit of being born in this lovely country, be aware that it is mandatory for you to vote.

This voting is not by invitation only, applying solely to those that pay their dues to be part of a Kehilla, nor is it a vote for a puppet to represent the town.
This vote is to ensure the right individuals a podium for directing traffic of commerce, violence, opportunity and more for all its citizens.

What knowledge do we have about voting? How do we know what or whom to vote for?
Sorry, but I will keep that matter in suspense. I am not the supplier of solutions; I merely creep into thoughts and make one contemplate what they already know. Decisions are those darned things we have trouble making when we have choices. But decisions are what help us move on, or at least we hope.

I received an email a while ago that I figure could capture an audience. Let me enthrall you with some questions and you will find a recap at the end, while I try and keep you in suspense.
It is time to elect a new world leader, and only your vote counts:Here are the facts about the three candidates. Candidate AAssociates with crooked politicians, and consults with astrologists.He's had two mistresses. He also chain smokes and drinks 8 to 10 martinis a day. Candidate BHe was kicked out of office twice, sleeps until noon, used opium in college and drinks a quart of whiskey every evening. Candidate CHe is a decorated war hero. He's a vegetarian, doesn't smoke, drinks
An occasional beer and never cheated on his wife.
Which of these candidates would be your choice?

Now while you are captured in thought, allow me to carry on yapping on about some idealism.

There are many choices to make as a citizen, and honestly some are very tricky. I can imagine many of the Jewish faith voting for the leftist party vlaams Blok, thinking that this is probably the wisest party to vote for as we find ourselves in troubled times. This party has been branded as discriminating and racial. They openly discuss the need to ‘Belgianise’ our county, mainly by removing any among us that do not seem to belong here.

Yet, due to the fact of increasing criminal activity and that Belgium seems to welcome trouble with open arms by offering asylum to the unwanted and the many other issues at hand, there is credible reason why to vote for someone that tries to end such problems.

But are we thinking ahead? What does the future hold for the Jews living in this little town if such a wing came to power?

Many elderly living among us are silently reminded of a certain deja vue sensation they encountered during nazi Germany, they seem to have a feel for disaster waiting to happen. They may be right, how do we halt such visions? Shouldn’t the fact that a party in the government was branded as racial and nazi-like bring up mistrust?

Voting for certain parties obligates us to be acquainted with the stranger among us. There is no doubt that many politicians are well versed, charismatic and have that special gift to enthrall voters, hence they are convincing about what they wish to carry out. Moreover it may very well be that these parties will ensure a quick fix to our dilemmas.

Though many a few probably assume, “what harm can one vote cause?” Wrong! That is not the attitude we as Jews were brought up with. That is not the message we try to deliver. We believe in unity, and we must remain strong, and that entails sticking together. We owe it to the next generation to be decisive and be well informed before entering the ballots.

I do not preach whom to vote for, and I debate the ones that vote for today and not for the tomorrow.

Please recall the statistical questions I imposed upon you earlier on, let me reveal the humor within:

Candidate A is Franklin D. Roosevelt. Candidate B is Winston Churchill.
Candidate C is Adolph Hitler.

It is rarely the good that seeks power, sometimes it is the bad, and at times it is the ugly, but for that reason we were imposed not only the right but also the need to choose. And hey, how should we know about voting we were merely the ‘CHOSEN’ nation.
antverpeneshaigetz@yahoo.com

We’ll know where we are going when we get there

2004-07-22T14:12:00.000-07:00

As we all heard, there was a woman and her child thought to be Jewish, recently traveling the metro in France while being ‘attacked’ by hooligans. The lady and her child suffered great pain and emotional distress in public. The issues that many of us noticed were not that she was beaten, nor was much attention placed to the swastikas drawn on her stomach. The mind-boggling factor was clearly that no one came to her or her child’s aid, and ironically she wasn’t even Jewish!

We are easy and common targets, and anyone scolds us for anything. People that dislike us usually hate us, they have no excuse, and we should not give them an excuse. We have never acted out our real anger, we are not the nation that spills cold blood, our soldiers stand in front of strollers protecting the children in them, not using them as shields. We value each person and every life; there is even no Hebrew word for Kamikaze. Though we are the nation who cries for peace we remain targets of war, hate and destruction.

This brings me onto the topic of our safety as a moving target. Many of us will be traveling during the vacation period. As Jews, we often have to be selective of our vacation or travel destination. We often try and settle near kosher accommodations, but even still this could be dangerous. The streets are never safe, not to anyone…especially not to us. Personally I have no fear taking the subway in Paris, busses in Israel, wearing my skullcap in Russia. I have yet to recall even putting on a baseball cap in order not to instigate trouble. But that doesn’t make it right; I guess that’s just me.
I do agree and I will persist, when away from home, it might be wise to TRY and avoid busses in Israel, and yarmulkes in other neighboring countries. I am not implying going bareheaded, but the baseball cap is a good invention.

The basic guidelines for the Jewish traveler should include awareness, keeping a low profile and being cautious. Another cause of frustration and even hatred against us particularly for those seeking an excuse to oppose us commences often after we leave our fingerprints behind. Leaving wrappers with Kosher labels on them, a mess in apartments we rent and so on surely does not make us welcome.

Let us not forget, we are facing many anti-semitic issues and traveling during turbulent times. We are a nation that has not found favor in the eyes of man but we strive for favor in the eyes of our Beholder. We cannot even find comfort and peace on our own soil, but pray for the land of milk and honey.

Wishing you all a happy and safe summer, and may our next destination be ‘HOME’ for good.

antverpeneshaigetz@yahoo.com
Thank you all for the emails I received, many topics seemed quite important, I hope to respond to these after the summer holidays.

The line is greener on the other side

2004-07-22T14:11:00.000-07:00

This week we should remain on a serious note, and contemplate the mischievous acts drawing nearer into our backyards.
This past week as most of you all know, a North African cousin of ours stabbed a young Talmudic student in the back. Approximately 15 hooligans running after him with what seems to be a premeditated act attacked the student. Fortunately he is now recovering from his near death experience.

The news traveled well, not only throughout our ghetto but it even dared into the political arena, demanding the local political parties to intervene with vengeance. Local authorities met with our leaders and we walked together, to some we walked as victims, some as Jews some as friends or neighbors, and many as Belgians.
There is nothing wrong with admitting that many amongst us walked as Belgians to enforce our rights, to enforce and demand that justice be met.
The finest speakers the house had to offer represented us. The mayor of our busy city made matters clear that he will not tolerate such acts, Rabbi P. Kornfeld reminded the politicos and media how the Jewish people of Antwerp have yet to be found guilty on accounts of vengeance. Even the father of the victim, a Rabbi, found it important enough to convey his special thoughts and truly sincere message thru televised media and radio. The other cronies of our community reminded us that they are still heads of organizations and found a podium to make it clear that we do not forget them and also that they condemn such acts.

How many sacrifices will our community have to make in order to receive peace and order? Is it up to the governments? Perhaps it is, surely they can do something about it. There are numerous acts of violence happening daily in Antwerp, not only towards the Jewish community but surely enough to flag warning signs that additional measures must be integrated in the system. We cannot deny that the police have proven that they are understanding towards our needs and will offer that extra security to the extent of their possibility. One can find them patrolling our schools and synagogues many a time, being midweek or during the weekend. There is no doubt that they are doing a fine job.
However it lays not only in their jurisdiction, if they were to arrest a felon, there are no guarantees of how long the criminal will be held for, even if found guilty. The justice system here is run unfortunately not by the scales of justice but by the blindfolded lady holding the scales.

We are found in troubled times, we are constantly reminded that no matter how we feel about ‘our’ town Antwerp, we are still not at home and we should not get too comfortable. There are so many ideas and solutions being offered, like building a fence around the Yeshiva, having guards remain on duty especially at certain times.
All these are truly ideas that must be considered, however there are two important factors not to be forgotten. One is that we should not build ourselves cages and try to live free, and secondly these are only precautions and not guarantees.

It would probably be wise to insist schools to offer awareness classes, especially to the younger ages. Children can be very naïve and extremely curious making them high risk for situations that are best to be avoided. Adolescents should not be forgotten either, they are many times prone to trouble, and as our recent victim unable to avoid terror.
The elderly could be forgetful at times, not locking up well at nights, and opening their front door because someone rang the bell.

I do not advocate parents to start teaching self defense to their kids, nor do I lobby violence and fighting to help our situation. But we must educate our children to be a little more street smart, children that play in the park without being watched by older siblings etc… should be constantly reminded to avoid dark areas, run away from fights, report suspicious objects and most importantly that under no circumstances should any child or teenager for that matter converse with strangers. The rule of thumb remains, if you have never met him before, you should probably not meet him now, even if he claims to be friends of your teacher or parents.

Sir Winston Churchill’s word seem very true to our situation at hand,
“This is not the end. It is not even the beginning of the end. But it is, perhaps, the end of the beginning.” We can only hope that with help of G-d we will find the ability to move on, until the ultimate redemption where we will be united as a nation to embrace Messiah in the very near future, Amen.
antverpeneshaigetz@yahoo.com

Sit down or get out

2004-07-22T14:08:00.000-07:00

An interesting thought came to ponder this past Shavouos while attending a shiur marathon at the Chabad Beth Hamedrash. The attendance was quite nice, and a sight of different chassidus was noticed, as Bordalinos swaying to and fro between shtreimlech and Kippot Srugot indulging the words of wisdom being offered by local Rabbis.

I wonder how many of us noticed though the following happening.

After the first Rabbi finished his discourse, he took seat at the head table near the other Rabbis on line to speak. However after the next finished sharing his words of wisdom, he wished all a Gut Yom Tov and made a quick exit. The next on deck took his turn to deliver his pearls of Torah, and upon completion wished everyone Gut yom Tov approached the first Rabbi apologizing that he must leave and departed leaving the first rabbi at his table all alone.

Were this story to be of a Rebbe, maybe it would actually befit the rebbe to be at his table alone, but being that we are ‘merely’ talking of the Chief Rabbi of the Shomrei Hadas Shlit”a, I beg to differ.

It is funny how many times we have come across articles and listened to sermons by local leaders to remind us how careful one should be with respect for others, moreover the elderly. Not to talk back, to get up for them, to respect them and so very on….

I am sure that all rabbis involved really had important matters at hand and were forced to leave, there is no doubt that these Rabbis were probably being expected elsewhere and could not stay. But but but but. No buts at all, it was not a very nice site and seemed wrong to us proletarians that assemble in order to nurture from the ultimate wisdom and try capturing from their capacity enabling us to carry this Torah lifestyle to our children by listening to their every word and copying their every move. This is not something I want to copy.

Where should we turn to for sincere, proper and old-fashioned education if not to the pious individuals that should be there to teach even when not asked? The Rabbis are the pillars of a Jewish community therefore they must be dressed immaculately at all times, be on time, be extremely cautious about derech eretz and excel in many areas where some of us can not.

Maybe I am wrong for creating a fuss about this matter; believe it or not…I have been wrong before. At this point I feel this may be categorized as ‘Chutzpah’ and what’s the worst that can happen? They will call me the shaigetz?
antverpeneshaigetz@yahoo.com

A scoundrel among us

2004-07-22T14:07:00.000-07:00

So this guy comes along and publicizes the wrongdoings of a public figure, which causes a tumult for a little while, everyone talks about it, culprit apologizes people talk about that as well and story is over. But here is the last chapter of this saga.
Many amongst you already know what this story in a capsule is about. Two prominent figures, calibers in the community visited the oppositions Rabbi. Probably with pure intentions but definitely not with a thought out mind. Carrying the L’Chaim in one hand and cups in the other, the visit took place. Word spread like wildfire, what chutzpah is this? As in all cases where ruckus is an issue, diplomacy awakes and excuses are coughed up. It seems to have caused enough anger in the air that one of the visitors actually called to apologies for entering territory, seemingly not trusting the proprietor’s strict kosher values. The entire episode was published for all to see, and this could have been a nice ending to a bizarre story. Then some nincompoop suddenly has the impudence to challenge a Rabbi’s piousness. Publicly advocating that this Rabbi has no right to be insulted since ‘he’ is not that perfect himself and so on.
This scoundrel is from the lowest to be found, oblivious to any Torah education and values. I am convinced he is scared to enlighten anyone he knows who is behind this posting, and am sure he has a hard time living with a secret this heavy. Good!
Do you know whom you are dealing with? Have you ever listened to a sermon delivered by Rabbi Lieberman? Have you ever dealt with this giant in learning on a personal issue? Do you know how many people stay religious thanks to him? Obviously not! Which makes me wonder if the idiot that wrote this Pashkevil, happens to be the same loser that wasted his time writing his words of wisdom about the Hoffman brothers in the Hyde Park forum?
For those unaware about these writings, someone wrote how sad the infamous Hoffman brothers are and that they form a “mafia” and are rude to anyone not using them as caterers etc.
Let me intervene, the buck stops here! Besides not deserving of a response, the Hoffman brothers probably don’t have the time to answer you, and do you know why? Because they are busy doing what all of us should be doing, working very hard, bringing up amazing children, taking excellent care and giving their undivided attention to their parents, and the list goes on. Instead of making fun and calling them “mafia”, when was the last time you spent hours with your parents, when did you make sure he didn’t walk alone to Shul EVER!!!! What time did you close your store/office last night (that is if you even have a job)? When was the last time you were open on Sunday and working that extra day so all brothers can live happily and marry of their children with respect and Chas Vesholem do not owe anyone a penny! If you fit into this persona, you probably wouldn’t of had the time to write what you posted, should you turn out to be one that that does not live up to such standard, I would advise you to keep your opinion to yourself and to your shteeble friends if you have any friends that is.
It is bad enough that we often voice our minds about certain peoples, lets not fret about those that try hard to build up what we didn’t.
antverpeneshaigetz@yahoo.com