Community Magazine April 2012

emails, a daily halacha hotline, a Bet Hora’ah hotline for halachic questions involving speech, and more. During these troubling times, Mishmeres Hashalom is looking to spread the message of avoiding improper speech, cultivating good character traits and exercising greater care in our treatment of other people, as a source of merit to evoke Hashem’s compassion and protection. The event will feature the renowned Rabbi Eli Mansour shelita of Congregation Bet Yaakob, and noted lecturer and author Rabbi Yechiel Spero shelita . Words of encouragement will be offered by Rebbessin Vital Kalmanowitz, and Mishmeres HaSholom founder and director, Rebbessin Suri Wertzberger. This event was made possible by the generosity of an anonymous donor in memory of בידה הכהן ז”ל ( ידע יוסף Yeda Yosef Beyda Hakohen z.l. ) , and by Blue Ribbon, Glatt Mart, J Drugs & Esti’s. A suggested donation of $18 at the door will include a complimentary copy of the newly-released, “ Peace Talk : A Compendium of True Stories about the Power of Shalom and Shemiras Halashon .” For more information, call 516-205-5151 or email sabnesher@gmail.com. Senator Golden Promotes Internet Safety Guide State Senator Martin J. Golden has announced his office’s recent publication of a new brochure entitled, “Internet Safety: What Every Parent Should Know.” The guide includes information on the Simple Rules for Online Safety, Parental Control Tools, and other facts to help teens stay cyber- safe. Senator Golden is also encouraging parents to be mindful of their child’s computer activities so they could detect signs of cyber-bullying and other inappropriate behaviors. “As technology continues to advance,” the Senator said, “we must not ignore the fact that our children are growing up in a world that requires us to provide them with safety not only in schools, parks and on our streets, but now, just as importantly, on the internet. Just as you would not allow your children to wander alone through unfamiliar city streets, it is too risky to allow our children to interact on the internet without parental involvement.” Golden continued, “Working together, we can keep our kids safe and allow the internet to be a place for our children to visit so they can learn and communicate with friends.” To obtain a free copy of the brochure, contact Senator Golden at golden@nysenate.gov , or call his district office at (718) 238-6044. New Torah Scroll Lending Gemach Acting as a “matchmaker” in providing Torah scrolls to Jewish Institutions in need, Beis Yisroel Torah Gemach (BYTG) was founded earlier this year by longtime Flatbush resident Bentzion Chanowitz. Through BYTG, synagogues and private individuals can loan their unused or seldom-used Torah schools to institutions that need Torah scrolls more regularly. Torah scrolls, usually needed for weekly prayer services, can be loaned on both long-term and short-term basis. BYTG will also cover all costs incurred due to transportation, insurance, on-site safekeeping, and decorative covering. All scrolls will be inspected and prepared for use by Rabbi Zvi Chaim Pincus, a scribe from Tiferes Stam, to ensure impeccable quality in regards to both aesthetics and Jewish law. Mr. Chanowitz, who has been loaning his own Torah scrolls for over ten years, explains that his motivation comes from a Talmudic commentary (Rashi’s commentary on Ketubot, 50a) that associates wealth with owning and loaning Torah scrolls. “The Torah binds all people together,” explains Mr. Chanowitz, “and this is a great opportunity to get involved in Jewish preservation and restoration.” He continues, “People can participate on their own level, whether loaning out their own scroll, donating a scroll in memory of a loved one, contributing to a restoration, or any other number of ways to get involved.” BYTG currently has numerous scrolls in need of adequate funding for restoration. Visit www.bytg.org for more information. Donations may be sent to: Beis Yisroel Torah Gemach, Attention: Bentzion Chanowitz, 1105 East 19th Street, Brooklyn, NY 11230. OU Releases Kosher for Passover App TheOUhas created a smartphone App to search the kosher status of all OU products for Passover and year-round. The free App is available for download using a direct link to the App from the OU’s website at www.ou.org/apps and versions are available for both Apple and Android devices. Community Chest L-R Charlie Anteby, of the Egg Salad Group & SY Mall and Bentzion Chanowitz, Founder of Beis Yisroel Torah Gemach s s- or nt s e. is u- e INTERNET SAFETY What Every Parent Should Know District Office: 7408 5th Ave., 1st Floor • Brooklyn, NY 11209 • (718) 238-6044 Albany Office: 409 Legislative Office Bldg. • Albany, NY 12247 • (518) 455-2730 Web: golden.nysenate.gov • Email: golden@nysenate.gov MARTIN J. GOLDEN • 22ND SENATE DISTRICT NISAN 5772 APRIL 2012 99