Coronavirus update

Dear Friend(s)

The Coronavirus Pandemic, Covid 19 came to the United States, and for a time in New York City, New York had the highest rates of sickness and death in the world: February-May-2020!

I was used to conducting once a month Programs for our Friends in Studio 353, talking about: News of Israel, news of Jewish -Americans in the United States, legal ways to protect older American- Jews living in the United States, with helpful medical protection- as well! If you come to our Meetings, I am your peer, and friend. (However, for the last four months, we have not met face to face because of the contagious nature of the Corona-Virus.) For one thing, our Meeting -Place (‘Studio 353) has been closed. Contagion is the cause of spread of the Coronavirus! For another; ‘The Israel America Foundation’ has been closed as well. I’ve come to the office at least four days each week, during this time, working until 4:30 P.M. coming at 6:30 A.M, and working through the lunch hour. Why didn’t I work from home? My only-computer was in the office; and I lived in Manhattan.

I imagined I was making life easier for our other two employees , Laura Goldstein & Mark Levitt to work when they stopped working remotely.-However, I also didn’t want to break my working- record, and I wanted to work at least as long as my mother who worked until she was 85 years old full-time, and then stopped because as a Jeweler ,she worked without Protective- Lenses and because one of the circular polishing brushes for precious stones fell out of the machinery, and landed in her right eye, causing bleeding in the retina which caused Macular Degeneration which, eventually spread to the other eye causing total blindness which stopped her from working, but she persisted in living, not dying, and possessed her mental faculties until 105 years old!

I also wanted to help Israel and the nine non-profits that we raise funds for, including: Hospitals, orphan- villages, Old age Homes, Colleges, Trade-Schools, Kibbutzim, medical- studies, and a Holocaust Museum And then George Floyd, a black -man was killed by a police-man in Minneapolis, Minnesota with three other Police-men looking on; a knee of the Police-man stopped his breathing; and then there were protests: “The man killed was black, This brutal killing was filmed by a young girl with a Mobil phone. “Black Lives Matter” began their protests and people began to mass, and not wear their masks & gloves, and rates of Corona-virus went up and death rose apace. In New York, A criminal element attached itself to the peaceful protests. They threw rocks at store windows; and returned after dark to rob and burn in various locations.

And the Anti-Jewish hatred that spread the lies that Israel was in back of the spread of the Corona-virus now began lies about the Police-man who killed with his knee, learned this technique in Israel. Lies spread by haters of Jews. Teaching Techniques to kill was not what was taught to those who trained in Israel.

Rabbi Meyer Leifer came home to his Penn-South Coop from his wife’s farm in the Catskills where he stayed for the last two months with his children. Penn South is the largest and earliest Coop apartments built for Seniors in the United States.  It was originally built the late 60s in the Bill Clinton Era and has programs for seniors Daily during the week.

Rabbi Meyer Leifer had the idea that he and Rabbi Paul Levenson would conduct RELIGIOUS SERVICES for Jews at Penn -South

Jews at Penn South’s Public Rooms during ROSH HASHANAH & YOM KIPPUR.

ROSH HASHANAH takes place on Saturday, 19th(10:00 A.M.-12:30 P.M.)and YOM KIPPUR, Sunday, 27th 7:00 P,M.-8:30: P.M.& Monday, 10-00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.) Call (212)869-9477 for more details.

BEST WISHES,

ELAINE LEVITT,

PRESIDENT,

RE: Thursday, February 20th, 1:30-4:00 p.m.; the IAF met at Studio 353 at 353 W 48th Street, NYC:  IAF’’s Holocaust Program: “Tu Bishvat And Estate- Planning For Seniors”

On Thursday, February, 20, 2020; the IAF audience met to celebrate the occurrence of “The New Year for Trees: Tu Bishvat which, already took place on the 10th of February, as well as the second topic: ‘Estate Planning for the Senior- Citizen’

When the Pioneers and Builders (The Zionists) originally came to Israel in the mid-1940’s’ they came to an Israel that had been neglected for centuries. The land was riddled with swamp and desert. Malaria, Typhoid and Typhus reigned. Many people died and were dying! The Jewish National Fund, Inc. along with the new Kibbutzniks helped, drain the swamps and plant trees and gradually, gradually, the swamps receded and life came back to the land of Israel.

After the Holocaust in Europe occurred, and Jews worldwide learned that 6,000,000 Jews were killed in Europe because they were Jews, the Jewish people went into deep mourning, believing that the Jew’s- time had come and this was surely their end.

However, Israel continued to thrive and became a State in 1948 and continued to grow, and mature, and today what happened in Israel is nothing short of miraculous because in 70 + years; the Jew have a country that has withstood the onslaught of attacks by the Arab Nations, and assorted terrorist attacks; and a land built by Israelis, and defended by Israelis has withstood everything their enemies could throw at them and was a land that Jews in and out of Israel are proud of; and Eleven Million Jews have made their home there!

The audience awaited the arrival of Rabbi Meyer Leifer, Emeritus Rabbi of Emunath -Israel Synagogue in Manhattan and Pelham Parkway Synagogue in the Bronx; two Boroughs in New York. Meyer, and his daughter, Lori who sang and played Piano, were both on the Agenda to start the Tu BiShvat program. However, father and daughter were late because of the congestion in mid-town, and so Tu BiShevat would occur later in today’s program.

Mark Levitt, Director of the IAH spoke about one of the Charitable Organizations that the Israel America Foundation helps raise funds for ‘Ben Gurion University’s Faculty of the Health Care Sciences; Dept. of the Aging and Soroka Hospital’ located in the Negev

Research studies are vitally important for age-related problems like Alzheimers, Parkinsons’ and Hodkins- Lymphoma.

Please call Mark Levitt to find out more about the nine Charities in Israel that the IAF supports: (212) 869-9477

Estate and Financial- Planning are pursued differently for Americans depending on age. Our program concerns older people. Older people are a hardy breed, honed by experience and maturity. Today, there are more older people in America than any other age group! But contrary to expectation, the older people get; the more expenses they have. This is because, though, people live longer today, they do not grow healthier as they age; they grow weaker and are easy targets of germs and viruses. If older people had children; they are grown and heads of their own families, living distances from their parents. Older Couples are separated by death and aloneness

Dr. Debbie Joffe Ellis, Psychologist & Cognitive Therapist, Teaching R.E.B.,T.(Rational Emotive Behavioral Therapy) spoke to the audience about health and living longer and studies in the United States and Holland on Optimism and Pessimism. In these comparative studies; people who went for the most optimistic conclusions to life-problems were the winners of long-life and happiness. All problems can be resolved if they are approached in a timely way and dealt with optimistically, Problems like:

1. How do I find a new primary physician? (Continued)

Continued:

2. How do I make a Will?

3. How do I pay for an Aide, now that I find it difficult to clean my apartment?

4. How do I find a Financial- Planner?

5. What hospital should I go to?

6. Should I continue to live in my apartment or should I move to

An Independent Living Facility; an assisted-Living Facility; a Nursing-Home, etc.

The staff here at the Israel America Foundation can help you preliminarily before sending you on to experienced specialists in all these areas, Please call (212) 869-9477 and speak to Elaine Levitt.

Kristin Morris; LMSW a professional Social -worker and administrator from the old Hebrew- Home at Riverdale in the Bronx, now called River Spring spoke; there are many options there:

The new Hebrew Home offers: 1) Skilled Nursing Care.

2.Rehabilitation,

3.Respite Care,4. Memory Support, 5.They are a licensed Home Care Services Agency, 6.They have Independent -Living at the Jenny and John Paulson Residences at Riverwalk, and River-Spring Assisted-Living-(Medicaid based Program)They even have a 24 hour hotline to speak to Professional care counselors, etc.

Rabbi Meyer Leifer finally came & spoke about the importance of planting trees in Israel. Rabbi Leifer and Elaine Levitt many years ago went to Kibbutz Ginossar in Tiberius; there they worked with a donor who contributed two Sefer Torah’s to Kibbutz Ginossar; one fo rthe Kibbutz and one for the Hotel’; ‘Hadassah Zweig,’

In Kibbutz Ginossar, the IAF plants trees in the ‘Palmach -Grove’-the location of a battle-field where Israelis fought Arab Armies that attacked the Kibbutz in 1948, now IAF plant trees at $50 a tree; Elm, Pine and Palm with a

Collective Plaque affixed to a wooden Post in the vicinity of the tree, bearing the inscription: In Honor of, or in Memory of “& By in Hebrew and in English for another $50.

Kibbutz Ginossar was founded in 1948 as a secular Kibbutz; and on its premises the largest Hotel of the Kibbutz Movement stands:

‘Hotel Nof Ginossar’. Also, there is the home of the archeologist and Statesman: Yigal Allon. There is also a Museum on the Kibbutz’s premises whose most startling attraction is the oldest Boat in the world, recovered from Lake Kinneret which borders the Kibbutz. ”The Jesus Boat was ,’found by a Fisherman.

Alan Scott, Esq. who is an Estate Attorney, practicing in New York. spoke at the end of the Seminar.

He spoke about legal instruments that are very important in a Senior’s life: ‘ Living-Will with Health Care Proxy.

’ ‘Power of Attorney’ Irrevocable Trusts (Sheltered Trusts for Medicaid) and ‘Revocable Trusts’,(Disability -Trusts) and ‘Last Will and Testaments’

Our next Program will be on Thursday, March 26th: We will talk about Purim which will take place on the 10th of March. We will have a Purim-Spiel(Play concerning Purim) We will pick Audience -Members who will like to play these Roles: Additionally we will talk about the startling news that IRAN wants to destroy the tombs of ESTHER and MORDECHAI and in its place make an Embassy for the PALESTINIANS, to pay back PRESIDENT TRUMP for what he did by making the PEACE TREATY FOR ISRAEL AND THE PALESTINIANS.

RE: Thursday, January 26th, 1:30-4:00 p.m.; the IAF met at Studio 353 at 353 W 48th Street, NYC:  IAF’’s Holocaust Program: “Children of Survivors”

Coinciding with the 5th Year Meeting in Jerusalem of the Leaders of the world in the Home of President, Reuven Rivlin of Israel in Jerusalem; and the 1/27/2020 Memorial of the liberation of the Auschwitz Birkenau Concentration -Camp at Yad Vashem’s Warsaw Ghetto Square in Jerusalem, Israel.

The greatest number of Jews in Europe, lived in Poland in the 30’s and 40’s and 1.1 million Jews died in Auschwitz Birkenau Concentration -Camp in Poland.

Elaine Levitt, President of the IAF introduced her son, MARK LEVITT, to begin the Holocaust Program. Mark is the Fund-Raising Director of the IAF. He spoke about “Yad La Yeled,” the Museum of the Child, which is Part of LoHamei HaGhetaot (The Warsaw Ghetto Museum and Kibbutz near Haifa). The Warsaw- Ghetto was attacked by Germans on Passover, April 22, 1943 & burned to the Ground. However, survivors crawled through the tunnels into the sewers that the Jews built, who built the Ghetto, also built. Finally, they arrived in Israel, and these survivors built two museums of the Holocaust on their Kibbutz.

RABBI MEYER LEIFER, Emeritus Rabbi of Congregation Emunath Israel in Chelsea, NY, and Pelham Parkway Synagogue, spoke of a Hungarian Cousin who

survived the Holocaust and became like a brother to him. His cousin, after the Holocaust used to sing plaintively in Yiddish: ”How Deep are the Wounds”? Rabbi Leifer sang this song in Yiddish for us.

Elaine Levitt, introduced MIKHAL DEKEL, PhD., Israeli Lawyer, and PhD. in Comparative Literature, who taught at City College and CUNY Graduate Center. Her father, Hanan Teitel and her Aunt Regina (Continued on back—–à

Long ago were two Refugee orphan-children. they were called ‘Tehran Children ‘who along with a Million Polish Jews traversed the Soviet- Union, to find refuge in Muslim Lands. Two-Thirds of the Polish Jews, that survived, made the Tehran Odyssey.

Mikhal. Dekel, PhD. has written a book about how her father came to Israel, as one of the “Tehran Children (A Holocaust Refugee Odyssey)” Her book recounts how her father marries her Israeli mother and Mikhal grew up, an Israeli, who is now a New Yorker!.

Elaine Levitt, introduced another child of survivors, also from the Warsaw- Ghetto Dr. Debbie Joffe Ellis.

Debbie’s mother and father, married before they left Poland, they survived the Warsaw-Ghetto miraculously, and met again on the train to Australia!

Debbie grew up in Australia. Today, she is a REBT (Rational -Emotive -Behavioral Therapist) living in New York City. DR. DEBBIE JOFFEE ELLIS is an Adjunct -Professor of Psychology at Columbia University. She married the Late, Great Psychoanalyst, Dr, Albert Ellis and helped co-write his later books with him. He was Founder of REBT. ‘Cognitive -Therapy’, places optimism as a reaction to circumstance as the best way to react to any situation. If a person sees his experience in the best possible light; the best possible consequences come from this experience!

Today, there has been an upsurge of Anti-Semitism in Europe and Muslim- Countries, as well as the United States 75 years after the Holocaust,, In Europe, where death claimed six Million Jews , Anti-Semitism has come alive again. And in America, it exists where it didn’t before; on College Campuses!

Tt may have had its up-surge in the Mid-Eastern Departments of American College Campuses! Negative things, no matter how evil or false, not stamped out, can spring to life anew! Anti-Semitic Tropes and Memes from Germany have come out of the wood-work, being given new life.

Whereas, at the time of the Holocaust. the Jews did not have a land of their own; today, Israel or Zion, the land given to the Jews by God, eons ago is Jewish again. However. unfortunately, the Palestinians assail the Israelis just as the Germans did, accusing them of aggression. racism & apartheid.

When Israelis are accused of aggression, those that accuse them, do not mention; the aggression of the Palestinians. When Israelis are accused of Racism; it is not evident to those making the accusation, that Jews include all races, and when Jews are accused of Apartheid; they do not mention Muslim-Apartheid; because wherever there are Muslims, there is exclusion of Jews! Hopefully, Israeli peoplehood as well as the religion of the Jews and their Evangelical friends will hold them in good stead.

Seven women’s names were chosen to receive Jewelry donated by women living and dead who want to clear the old Jewelry out to make way for the new.

The IAF puts the names of the audience in a box and women walk out with Jewelry new to them.

Looking forward to seeing you all on Thursday, February 20th from 1:30-4:00 p.m.

With all best wishes,

Sincerely yours,

Elaine Levitt

Re: THE MIRACLE OF THE LIGHTS; THE STORY OF CHANUKAH; Thursday, December 26, 2019, at Studio 353, 353 W. 48th Street, NYC.

ELAINE LEVITT, President of the ‘Israel America Foundation, Inc’ opened the Chanukah Celebration at 1:30 A.M. on the 4th Day of Chanukah. We served complimentary Kosher Latkes with apple-sauce, tea and/or coffee.

Elaine read from the ‘Daily Alert’ put out by the ‘Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations by the Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs.

IDF Chief of Staff, Lt. Gen. Aviv Kochavi noted that Israel was alone in the fight against Iran and its proxies in the Middle East.

Iran had changed its policies, it was now more active and there was no response as yet from any other Country.

In the U.S., Since 2003 (17 years) weekly demonstrations held by Anti-Semites in front of Beth Israel Congregation in Ann Arbor Michigan during Sat. Morning Services, with signs that read:

“Resist Jewish Power,” “Jewish Power Corrupts,” “No more Holocaust Movies,” “Boycott Israel,” and “Stop U.S. Aid to Israel”-Marvin Gerber, Member of the Beth Israel Congregation filed an 85 page complaint last week in District Court against the Anti-Jewish Demonstrators.

The only place in the middle East where Christians are thriving is Israel. There were 177,000 Christians in Israel, up from 1.5% from last year. 78% are Arabs.

A British report in July found, Christians in the Middle East dwindled from 20% of the population 100 years ago to just 5%. In the Palestinian territories, the Christian population has dropped below 1.5%.

The International Criminal Court (ICC) on 12/20/19 announced her decision to launch an investigation into ‘the situation in Palestine.” accepting the ‘Statehood of Palestine, since 138 States have recognized ‘’Palestine’. This decision relates to all actions taken in the West Bank, East Jerusalem and Gaza since June 13, 2014. Israel is not a Member.

RABBI MEYER LEIFER: lit the First Four candles on the HANNUKIAH The Greeks outnumbered the small Jewish army by a thousand to one. A super-power second to none; they were stronger, and better trained. They were a ‘Fighting-machine”. And the Jews had nothing -except for their faith.

Antiochus III of the House of Seleucus, who resided in Syria captured Jerusalem in 198 BCE. He granted rights to his citizens. Antiochus IV (Antiochus Epiphanes), however, imposed religious sanctions, defiling the Temple, cancelling Jewish religious ceremonies and stealing the Temple funds. During this time the Hashmoneans revolted all over the country, led by Mattathias, the {Priest and his five sons. In 164 BCE, after fierce battles the Hashmoneans captured the Temple Mount and purified the Temples, Hanukkah is celebrated to commemorate those events. After protracted battles, Jerusalem was freed and in 129 B.C.E, it became an independent Jewish Capital. The Hashmonean Period was from 167-37 B. C.E.

The Hashmonean House ruled independently in Israel. During this time, Jerusalem regained its previous stature as the nation’s religious and national center. The Hashmoneans fortified walls, built castles and beautified Jerusalem. Ruins from this period can be seen together with ruins from later periods.

LORI LEIFER: sang and played Piano. Some of the songs we sang with her were MA’0Z TZUR, AL HANISIM, “SEVIVON, ‘MY DRAYDL, “CHANUKAH OH CHANUKAH”

MARK LEVITT. Development Director of the IAF spoke at Chanukah-time about an outstanding Orthodox-Charity in Jerusalem,. Israel that the IAF supports, “DISKIN ORPHANS FUND” Originally they were called “DISKIN ORPHANAGE” raising funds for Orphan boys , orphaned by the HOLOCAUST in Europe; but after years of consideration by the compassionate people that ran Diskin, it was decided that the children did better in their own home, taken care of by their own immediate family, and perhaps a surviving parent and the way to do that was rent out the building that used to be the orphanage and help the individual families of the Orphan boys pay the bills; & keep the wonderful boys in their own homes.

Even though Diskin was able to pay the main bills, money was still owing It seemed that clothing for one Thousand orphans still had to be paid at the rate of $280 per orphan and $14,000 for all the Orphans. This Chanukah, if you can afford buying an Orphan his’ Every-Day Clothing’ for a Year, please call Mark Levitt at (212) 869-9477. It would be a doing a great Mitzvah!

RABBI PAUL LEVENSON , Emeritus Rabbi of Temple Chayai Shalom in Eastern, Mass. sang a Chanukah Song he had written the words and music for.

Then he spoke about an important Message given by Martin Luther King, the great Black Minister.” YOU MUST DO GOOD FOR ALL PEOPLE!.”

BERNARD GORDON, Educator, and ‘Teaching-Fellow’ of the Holocaust Museum in Washington, D.C. spoke about Modin, a village of Judah where a priestly family lived. Syrian Officers visited Modin and erected an alter to one of their idols. They bade Mattathias sacrifice to their Idol. The aged patriot filled with holy-anger, slew the king’s messenger and raised the standard of revolt. The Festival of Hanukah was instituted by Judah Maccabee, oldest of the five sons of Mattathias and his followers in 165 BCE, commemorating the victory of the Judeans, led by the Maccabees against the Greco-Syrians. When the Greeks entered the Temple, they defiled and desecrated all the oil in the Sanctuary except for one sealed with the stamp of the high-priest, containing oil enough for one day’s use. This oil lasted 8 days, the oil that was enough for only one day did not go out, and fed the Menorah in the Temple. The Holy light did not go out. A Miracle was wrought, and for eight days the oil burned. The most important ceremony Of Hanukah is the kindling of the Hanukah lights. The light of Judaism never went out. These Lights are sacred and not to be used for any purpose other than to be observed and admired.

DR. DEBBIE JOFFE ELLIS, Licensed Psychologist and Adjunct Prof. of Columbia University spoke about her parents who were survivors from the Warsaw- Ghetto in Poland. They were incarcerated in Buchenwald Concentration Camp. through a series of miracles they were re-united and moved to Australia, were they rebuilt their lives. They had Debbie and then her brother. She later married the iconic Cognitive Therapist, Dr. Albert Ellis; Founder of Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (R.E.B.T.); One of the great cognitive Therapies which mandates that no matter what happens, you have to believe in the very best or most optimistic interpretation of any occurrence and the future will be brighter!

When the news came out that 6 Million Jews were killed in the Holocaust, it seemed liked the glory-days of the Jewish People were over, but ISRAEL was just being built up and the new Jewish -Nation, although

RE: Estate And Financial Planning Seminar November 21, 2019

Dear Friend(s):

The I.A.F. mailing was sent out late for the “Estate & Financial -Planning Seminar” that we had at Studio 353 on Thursday, November 21, 2019 from 1:30-4:00 P.M. This was a very important Seminar preparing older People to enter old-age, realistic, and prepared for additional expenses of illness and disability.

MICHEL KORSKINSKY, ESQ. Eldercare, Attorney was the first speaker on our Agenda, however he was delayed in coming and actually was the last Speaker. Michael is an Elder-Care Lawyer who shelters assets for Seniors who want to spend their elder-years, and if necessary, their incompetence, in their own home with Day-Night Aides, instead of going into a Nursing -Home. They would have to execute a ‘Disability-Trust!’

Michael wanted to show the IAF Audience how they could secure assets for their heirs. The way to do that would be: that the client would establish a Trust with himself as Trustee in present-time; and should a future -time arrive, when two physicians write additionally, that the Trustee no longer could take care of himself/herself or those dependent on him/her for support(THUS ACTIVATING THE TRUST) If that time comes, then certain of the assets become a permanent part of the Trust, which now becomes irrevocable, and the already named Alternate Trustee or Trustees now becomes the Trustee or Trustees in fact..

Michael’s client, knowing in advance that he wanted to shelter these assets for either his children, grandchildren, nieces or nephews, Charities or Friends, and that his client, wanted to leave a legacy and not deplete his assets, Michael Korsinsky, Esq. has given his client a way to accomplish this goal.

MARK LEVITT, Director of the I.A.F. spoke next. He talked about the Warsaw- Ghetto Kibbutz and its two Museums near Haifa. The two Museums were Lohamei Hagetaot and Yad Yaeled -the Kibbutz and two Museums were built by the Survivors of the Holocaust.

In 1943; at Passover -Time,(As a matter of historic -record)the Germans burned the Warsaw Ghetto in Poland to the Ground. How is it possible then, that there were survivors? The answer is that the Jews that built the Warsaw- Ghetto realized that if it was possible that Jews were rounded up and forced into a Ghetto(only Jewish People lived there). Then it could also be possible that there would come a time that they might be rounded up and killed; and for that time, they built a tunnel in the Sewer so that there would be a way to escape. And when that time came, the Survivors of the Warsaw -Ghetto crawled into the sewer and eventually out! And out of Poland, and finally to Israel to live proudly as Jews, and show through their museums what life was like in Poland before the Holocaust.

Mark talked about a new Exhibit at the Museum of the Child (Yad Layeled)’The Janusz Korczak, M.D. Exibit’. Janusz Korczak was a Pediatrician and a famous writer, and the head of an orphanage for children. In August 1942, 200 Orphans were to be transported to Treblinka for extermination. Korczak who headed this orphanage was offered asylum and a chance to escape with his life, but he decided to march with his orphans to a certain death, so that he could keep them from being afraid.

Yaakove Guterman Polish artist and Holocaust -Survivor has designed the new ‘Yanusz Korczak’ Exhibit to manifest faith and inspiration for those that come to YAD LAYELED . The IAF wants to raise $29,500 for the necessary equipment and tools to launch the exhibit and to increase awareness of Korczaks life and work! Please call Mark if you are interested in supporting the endeavor of ‘LoHamei Hagetaot’: in any way:(212) 869-9477!

DR.DEBBIE JOFFE ELLIS:Adjunct Professor, Columbia University, practicing Rational -Emotive -Behavioral -Psychology, (R.E.B.T.) a Cognitive-Therapy established by her Late, Great Husband, AlLBERT ELLIS, PhD, who was born to Survivors of The Warsaw -Ghetto, having moved to Australia before she and her brother were born. Debbie said that Life was precious in all its stages, and age can bring wisdom, such as learning how to use time, wisely. Older People who value life, in all its stages can learn how to cope with the burdens of ill-health, weakness, and disability as well as added financial constraints, if they are patient, and don’t get panicked or fearful but face every day head-on, accepting the good with the bad and taking in the wonder of it all and being grateful.(212) 869-9477———-à Continued

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STEPHANIE GARRY: Funeral Director of Plaza Memorial Chapel spoke about the ‘Pre-Needs” Funeral. If you are forward -looking, and mature, you know that death is in your narrative and the best way to take care of this is to handle your death and Funeral before it is necessary (Before you need to (Pre-Needs) First: it is less expensive if paid earlier in time! (Figure it out yourself)! Second: Nobody can plan better for your death than you, yourself. And you can spend these funds on your Funeral when you are spending down for Medicaid;

Plaza Memorial Chapel is a under Jewish Auspices. It is located in New York, and no matter where you will eventually be; Plaza will be able to make your funeral. Plaza is a ‘Not-For-Profit Organization’ which means they are less expensive than Profit-Making Organizations, and you can pay the cash outlay out over time.(212) 769-4400.

RABBI RACHMIEL ROTHBERGER: Chaplain, Calvary Hospice-Medicare pays for a program for people who know that they are dying. If your Primary Physician says to you in private consultation that because of your health condition, you will probably not get better, and it is just a matter of time. If you have enough presence of mind to withstand tears. You might ask: ‘How much time?” If your Physician says 6 months or more; you might want to Call Calvary Hospice, Rabbi Rachmiel Rothberger. (718) 518-2193

Home- Hospice with Nurses, and Social workers. and part-time Aides are all included in the Medicare Program of Home- Hospice. Should you need more aggressive care in Calvary Hospital or beds used by Calvary in Hospitals in all the Boroughs;

Chaplain, Rabbi Rachmiel Rothberger is very knowledgeable.

ALAN SCOTT, ESQ. Estate Attorney spoke about Legal documents: or Legal Instruments (212) 599-6260

‘Last Will and Testament’,” Living Will With Health Care Proxy” “Disability-Trust”&

”Power Of Attorney”

‘A Last Will and Testament’ is for the period after death ensues: A Will is a document that is revocable until a person dies. The Last Will that is suitable for probate is the Last Will a person executes; making all the rest null and void.

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Only those assets which is in the name of the Person goes by the Will. If a person does not make a ”Last Will and Testament” his or her estate is left by consanguinity or Relationship by blood, if there is no legal spouse; the funds go to Children.

In equal shares; if no children, then to siblings in equal Shares; if siblings are deceased, by children of Siblings.

The person who is chosen to be Executor by the Testator can carry out the wishes of the deceased as is stated in the Will.

“Living- Will With Health Care Proxy”- When a person goes into a Hospital; either for a procedure, in which anesthesia is given or, has a stroke or a fall; the person who is hospitalized may not be mentally sound, or may be in a Coma . Should this be the diagnosis for the patient then another person is called: THE HEALTH CARE PROXY. There may be more than one Health Care Proxy.-Also the Living -Will explicate many things that can happen. What should be done-if the patient is in a situation that he or she cannot be asked; what does the physician do? When the physician wants instruction-the Proxy or Proxies makes the decision the Patient should make. The Proxy honors what the patient writes in his Living-Will.

“Power of Attorney”

If a person has an executed ‘Power of Attorney” for someone, they can pay the ‘someones ‘bills; and use the assets of the person where designated as they would, their own.—————-“Disability Trust’

A ‘Disability-Trust’ is a Living-Trust whose Trustee is initially the Person whose assets are used. When and if the person becomes disabled as described in the Trust,

the Trustee is no longer the person who wrote the Trust, and the ‘Power of Attorney’ is given to the Alternate Trustee or Trustee chosen by the person to do what the Person, whose assets is being used wanted done with the Trust. Now the Alternate -Trustee cab carry out the wishes of the’ Disabled-Person’.

Sincerely yours,

Elaine Levitt

RE: Thursday, October 24th (1:30-4:00 P.M.) at Studio 353, 353 W. 48th Street, NYC; WE met for a Holocaust Program; “SHADOWS FROM MY PAST” a Film by GITA & CURT KAUFMAN.

ELAINE LEVITT: President of the ‘Israel America Foundation, Inc.’(I. A.F.) was the Hostess of the Days’ Event. She explained that Anti-Semitism was on the increase in the United States, and read from the “Daily Alert” published by the ‘Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations’ that 88% of the American-Public believed that Anti-Semitism (or Hatred of Jews) was a problem in the United- States today and it had gotten worse over the past 5 years, and that American- Jews see a connection between undue criticism of Israel and anti-Semitism; and 84 % say that the Statement: “Israel has no right to exist is anti-Semitic!” These remarks effectively began our Holocaust Program.

MARK LEVITT, I.A.F. Director was introduced. He spoke about ORANIM,(one of the 9 non-profits, the IAF raises funds for) He said that ORANIM was the oldest and ‘best’ Teaching-College in Israel, located in Tivon, near Haifa. He spoke about a Scholarship Program that effectively will train 11 poor students to become ‘Teacher-Trainees” training dogs to help people improve their fine motor skills, improve balance, increase focus and attention, increase self-esteem. and the ability to care for themselves, reduce anxiety, grief and isolation, & reduce blood pressure, depression, and the risk of heart-attack or stroke.

In order to sponsor ONE of these Scholarships in Memoriam for Parents or Siblings who have died; a contribution to ‘The Israel America Foundation’ Inc. to ORANIM for these Scholarships at $5,300 is needed; and Your Parent(s) or Sibling(s )name will be memorialized on a Collective- Plaque in Hebrew and in English and affixed at ORANIM.

BERNARD GORDON:, EDUCATOR, Administrator, and Teaching-Fellow at the Holocaust Museum n Washington, D.C. spoke about Germany between 1933-1945, and characterized Adolph Hitler, as an ;Evil Genius who faced with Germany, paying back the burdensome expenses of WWI was able to cast the blame for this damage, as well as all blame on the Jews; who were the least numerous population in Germany.. He appropriated their homes and their property and gave them to Pure -blooded Germans, then tried expel the Jews; as the Spanish, Portuguese ad English had done previously to their Jews and when that failed he created’ THE FINAL SOLUTION ”killing out some Sis (6,000,000) Million Jews.

GITA KAUFMAN, along with her husband CURT KAUFMAN co-authored the Text of the film: “SHADOWS FROM MY PAST” a documentary film that Curt Kaufman shot before his death some five years ago.

Gita introduced the film, and she also had a large part in the interviews with Kurt Waldheim, Ronald Lauder and Eric Pleskow in the film itself. After the war, photographs and letters were found by Gita and Curt from European Relatives that were killed out of Austria by the Nazis after Hitler and the Nazis made Europe almost ‘Judenrein’ or ‘Free of Jews’. The brutality stirred the audience in ways that the sheer physical amount of Jews killed out from 1932-1945 had not! The fact that living-Jewish, Proud flesh and blood families; were show in pictures ,were there; and then, they were not; deeply moved and unnerved the audience at the same time!

Rabbi Meyer Leifer had thought to give the Memorial Prayer, at the outset of the Program but had not been able to come because of a Health -Related matter. We had run out of time; with the showing of the film– it was almost 4:00 p.m. and we would have to give up the room shortly; and we still had not heard from DR. DEBBIE JOFFE ELLIS, Psychologist, and Adjunct Prof.at Columbia University, whose parents were Survivors of the Holocaust from Poland; but there was no time to have her speak now; we will have her speak on Thursday,-

December 26th; 1:30-4:00 p.mabout her family; and we will have the audience speak at that time as well, about the rise of anti-Semitism (or anti-Jewish Hatred) again; in large part caused by .BD.S as well as the Anti-Semitism on the College Campuses throughout the United States. In large part caused by Reportage of the ‘Palestinians’ who feel that the territory occupied by the Land of Israel should be theirs by right, by their claim to be the indigenous population of Israel. And actually the indigenous population of Israel were the Jews of the OLD TESTAMENT; of which the current Jews are heirs of.

Rabbi Paul Levenson read the Memorial Prayer ,” ELI MOLEI RAHAMIM” and sang it as well and the audience joined in.

Looking for the pleasure of seeing you on November 26, 2019 from 1:30-4:00,

Sincerely yours,

Elaine Levitt

Re: October 26, 2019, “Days of Awe, and the Harvest Holidays” Studio 353, 353 W. 48th Street, NYC; 1:30-4:00 P.M. Honoring the Jewish New-Year; 5780; Rash Hashanah, Yom Kippur (HIGH HOLY DAYS) and Sukkot,the Israel America Foundation held its “DAYS OF AWE & THE HARVEST HOLIDAYS” Program.

Mark Levitt, IAF Director, began the program by featuring SHALVAT CHAYIM, in his talk. Shalvat Chayim is one of the nine Charitable Institutions in Israel that the Israel America Foundation, Inc. (IAF) raises funds for. Shalvat Chayim represents Group- Homes for Psychotic and Drug-addicted youth and Men who have life-difficulty in functioning. Originally the Physicians and Therapists employed by Shalvat Chayim were those who helped traumatized soldiers in the war of independence. Today, men, Psychotic and drug-addicted come to Shalvat Chayim from all over the world to receive this kind of therapeutic healing kindness manifested first to the heroes who were traumatized while saving Israel and now lavished on the poor, broken souls who need the touch of a human- hand after they have alienated family and friend. Mark Levitt informed us that Shalvat Chayim needed 7 more full-time Counselors @ $11,000 per Annum each to help these men bridge the important road back to full-time gainful employment for 20 of these recovering men! If you would like to help, and give Charity; please call (212) 869-9477

Lori Leifer sang and played the Piano evoking the spirit of the Holidays & Rabbi Myer Leifer, Emeritus Rabbi of the Emunath Israel Synagogue and Pelham Parkway Synagogue Played the Shofar heralding Rosh Hashanah.

The Shofar is made from a Ram’s horn. The Ram features in that part of the Old Testament called the Akedah wherin G-d asks Abraham to sacrifice his son on Mount MORIAH, but before he does, an Angel of the Lord tells him to stop and shows him a Ram, which Abraham sacrifices instead. This was the end of Child Sacrifice.

Rabbi Leifer and Rabbi Paul H. Levenson are newly returned from teaching at ORANIM, the largest, and oldest Teaching College in Israel a summer course sponsored by Israel America Foundation; “The Leadership Project, Study and practice looking into the causes of Anti-Semitism

Rabbi Paul Levenson went over the words of some Rosh Hashanah songs, and also the Positive statements on Judaism by Martin Luther King.

Bernard Gordon, a secular Jew, retired Educator and Teaching-Fellow of the Holocaust Museum in Washington D.C. said Rosh Hashanah marks the beginning of the ten days of penitence or the solemn days which culminate in the Observance of Yom Kippur. Yom Kippur or Day of Atonement is spent in meditation prayer and penitence, beginning at sundown on the 9th of Tishri in the evening of the 10th day of Tishri. The fast is begun with the traditional Prayer, “Kol Nidre” seeking absolution for the broken promises of the past and ending with the “Neilah” and the sounding of the Shofar signaling ultimate redemption and the coming of the Messiah

The Succoth Festival receives its name from the Hebrew word “Succah” -Tabernacle and commemorates the fact that the Israelites dwelled in temporary homes during their long journey in the wilderness after being liberated from slavery in Egypt.

Dr. Debbie Joffe Ellis, Adjunct Prof. of Columbia University whose parents were Survivors of the Holocaust from Australia spoke about reaching out for forgiveness and vowing in the future to be kind and loving to your fellow-man; remembering what you did in the year and vowing to do better in the next year

Happy New Year to you all for the year 5780!

Sincerely yours,

Elaine Levitt

Re: August 22, 2019, Studio 353,353 W. 48th Street, 2nd Fl. NYC, 1:30-4:00 P.M., Estate & Financial-Planning Seminar: ”To Make The End of Life Good!”

Elaine Levitt Opened the Seminar on a hot Thursday Afternoon by saying that

Men and women live considerably now then they did in our parent’s generation. However, there are more people alone in old-age than ever before. We observe that it is not good to be alone, especially in old-age, and especially when one is sick! It is not given to us to know when we will become sick; but we must be prepared when that time comes not to be alone! More and more our Hospitals and Nursing -Homes, are looking out for themselves, putting themselves before their charges or patients. Social Workers in Hospitals as well as in Nursing Homes are more concerned with preventing liability, and —-maintaining a fiscally sound enterprise, rather than being majorly concerned with the mental and physical health of those who come to them for medical care or protection.

To live a well-ordered life in todays world, a person must be aware that self-protection and ‘pre-needs’ care is part of one’s duty to oneself! This is the message that we should take away from this Seminar.

MARK LEVITT: Director of the ‘ISRAEL AMERICA FOUNDATION’ (IAF) spoke about a very unusual Non Profit, organizations one of the 9 Israeli Organizations that the IAF raises funds for the “Diskin Orphan Fund ”located in Jerusalem, Israel on the site that originally contained the -continuedà

The Diskin Orphans Home; a beautiful Space, that now used by “The Home

to rent out for Weddings, Bas and Bar Mitzvahs, etc. It is an Orthodox Institution that rents out its Facilities, where it once housed Orphan Boys; the money taken in rent is used to pay the bills of the Orphan, now being taken care of by his close relatives, for whom Diskin pays bills for the care and raising of their young relative to Diskin until the Child is a young man of 26. Who is better able to take care of the child than the child’s own relatives; freed from the burden of financially providing for their loved one; they are free to love the child unfettered by financial considerations. Mark spoke about two contributions to IAF for Diskin to buy clothes for the Orphan- boy for one Year! A contribution of Five Hundred Dollars ($500) for a years supply of clothing would be a great gift! A boy not raised by strangers, but his own family, would stand a better chance of becoming a mentally healthy adult.

MIRIAM RABNER, Coordinator, MJHS (Metropolitan Jewish Health System) Hospice and Palliative Care; explained that if you’re told by your Physician that your ‘Days are numbered; it’s time to call MJHS, and refer them to your Doctor for his/her diagnosis. If your physician feels that causing you additional hardship will not improve your chance for a cure, it may be time to”

Try “Hospice-Care” which allows nature to take its course. This program is paid for by MEDICARE/MEDICAID and can include Nurse, Social -Worker, Aides and Volunteers which will care for you for 6 months. If you survive through this time and improve, fine. If you survive and then take a turn for the worse, you can requalify for Hospice -Care. Doctors are not infallible; they can only approximate how long you will live.

THOMAS MURPHY: Licensed Funeral Director of Parkside Funeral Chapel in Manhattan talked about the way a person can choose to pay for burial, and/or cremation in ‘Pre-Needs’ Fashion, so that one can arrange to get the last rites exactly right! If the approach, is one of curiosity, and not fearfulness, you can do for yourself exactly what you feel is right!

MICHAEL KORSKINSKY, ESQ.

Michael Korsinsky, Esq. is known as an Elder Law-Attorney. He helps shelter Property and Assets to keep assets out of the hands of MEDICAID. If you are lucky enough to shelter these assets more than 5 years before you need to use them ( The five Year Look-Back period.)

ALAN SCOTT, ESQ. Alan Scott, Esq. is an Estate Attorney.

He spoke about “Health-Care Proxys” “Power of Attorney” and “Disability

Trust’s with “Power of Attorney” when activated. A ‘‘Disability -Trust’ is a ‘Living-Trust, that becomes active when 2 Physicians diagnose the Grantor of the Trust as being ‘incapacitated for a period of 6 months’ or longer which can generally be the rest of a person’s Life. The Grantor is also the Trustee, in these Trusts and when the Grantor/Trustee becomes incapacitated; Letters are written by Physicians to indicate incapacity. Alternate Trustees are chosen, by the Grantor while still in control of his mental prowess and empowered along with assets of the Grantor at point of incapacity, the Trust is activated to maintain the Grantor in his apartment or home with Aides providing Day-Night Care so that Nursing-Home or Assisted-Living is not considered. This Legal Instrument allows the Grantor to choose their ‘Guardian ‘themselves’, and a Court Appointed Guardian is avoided.

I will now indicate Telephone #s of the Seminar Participants. Do not hesitate to call these experts if you need help or further information.

With all best wishes,

Miriam Rabner(MJHS) Michael Korsinsky, Esq.

Thomas Murphy (Riverside) Alan Scott, Esq.

Sincerely yours,

Elaine Levitt

Re: SEMINAR: Jewish Colonists In America at the time of the Revolution, Studio 353, 353 West 48th Street, NYC, 1:30-4:00- 2nd Fl.

The Israel America Foundation, Inc. gave its annual Seminar celebrating AMERICA’S INDEPENDENCE DAY, and also celebrating the 2,500 Jewish Colonists, including 100 Jewish- Soldiers who fought for American Independence in the Revolutionary-War and those Jews who came before and after American Independence from England occurred.

ELAINE LEVITT: spoke concerning “The Leadership Project: Study and Practice, the Summer-School Course that will run from June 30-July 28, 2019 at ORANIM, in Tivon, the Largest School of Education in Northern Israel. The Course will help students of all Races and Religions understand the situation in Israel, Gaza and the Palestinian Authority.

MARK LEVITT, I.A.F. Director, spoke about the important connection that the Israel America Foundation has with ‘Ben Gurion University Center for Multi-Disciplinary Research in Aging in conjunction with Soroka -Hospital (The largest Hospital in the Negev) sponsoring Medical Research on Aging in Israel, using the Facilities of Soroka Hospital & Ben-Gurion University to explore: Cancer, Alzheimers, Parkinson’s & other devastating conditions of ‘Aging’ so that the ‘Golden -Years’ will be truly golden for Mankind’s Future! If you want to create a Research- Fund in Your Family’s Memory, to do Honor to Your Family- Name: call:#:(212) 869-9477 and speak to Mark Levitt.

LORI LEIFER, then sang for the Audience in Ladino, the Spanish used by Sephardic -Jewery in the Revolutionary-Period of America as well as Hebrew and English, accompanying herself on the Piano.

BERNARD GODON, Educator, & Teaching-Fellow of the Holocaust-Museum in Washington, D.C. next talked about the 23 Jewish Passengers, coming from Dutch Brazil in September, 1654 on a tiny vessel, “The St. Charles”, arriving in New Amsterdam. They came to This Hemisphere to escape the wave of persecution against the Jews of Brazil, after the Portuguese recaptured that territory from the Dutch.

Peter Stuyvesant, the last Director-General of New Netherlands from 1647, ceded provisionally to the English in 1664, after which, it was renamed New York. Peter was determined to prevent the settlement of the Jews in the Colony, so he petitioned the’ Dutch West-India-Company’ not to permit the Jews to remain. (Stuyvesant’s name was given to various landmarks and points of interest throughout the city (e.g. Stuyvesant H. S. Stuyvesant Town, Bedford-Stuyvesant Neighborhood, etc.)

On February 16, 1655, he got his answer. The Directors of the Company issued an order to permit Jews to travel, trade and live in the colony, Provided the poor shall not be a burden to the community but are supported by their own nation!’’.

In the Revolutionary War, The Jewish people rendered distinguished service in the Cause of Freedom, fighting with zeal to free AMERICA from British domination.

Most Jews were merchants and tradesmen. They were among the first to feel the disastrous effects of repressive measures. When the Stamp Act was passed in 1765, every Jewish Merchant in NY agreed not to import goods subject to the provisions of that Law.

Hayim Solomon, was soon to become the greatest financier of the Revolution. He was born in Lisa,Poland in 1740 of Jewish-Portuguese ancestry. He came to New York in 1772. Hayim Solomon almost single-handedly, kept up the bankrupt Revolutionary Government’s credit! He “gave great assistance by loans of money and by advancing liberally of his means, he sustained the men engaged in the struggle for independence at the time when it was essential to the success of the Revolution!

When Hayim Solomon died in 1785, at 45 years of age, his family was left practically penniless, while the Government owed his estate as much as 350,000, none of which was ever repaid.

BERNARD GORDON then continued to talk about a little-known fact in the Revolutionary War: ‘Arms -Merchants’ were running the British blockade primarily from the tiny free trading Island of Dutch St Eustatius. In 1781, the British realized they had to cut off the—–pen-door’ of arms -shipments to the rebels in St Eustatius. The British sent Admiral, Sir George Rodney, to capture the Island. His goal was to destroy the supplies and destroy the Island’s commercial and merchant- class so they could not provide aide to the rebels. Early in 1781, the lightly defended island fell to the heavy presence of the main British Battle-Fleet. Rodney destroyed warehouses and supplies. He burnt every home. He paid particular venomous attention to the Jews of St Eustatius. The British burnt their homes and burnt the Synagogue; ‘Honen Dalim’, “She who is Charitable to the Poor” built in 1739.

Jewish property was confiscated and Jewish men imprisoned with particular cruelty. While Rodney was engaged in St Eustatius, LORD CORNWALLIS and his army of British- Regulars were forced out of the Carolinas, and retreated to the small Port at Yorktown, Virginia. The weakened British Fleet with CORNWALLIS’s reinforcements were intercepted at sea by the French- Fleet under Admiral De Grasse and were soundly defeated. De Grasse took up positions at the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay, blockading Yorktown from the Sea. General George Washington saw his chance! Washington trapped and besieged Cornwallis! In short order, Cornwallis surrendered. The Revolutionary War was over. The Americans had won the war with the help of the French!

If the Jews had not turned St. Eustatius into a major Arms- Center for the Revolution, and if Admiral Rodney had not spent so much time destroying St Eustatius and particularly the Jews, the war might have ended differently. There is no doubt that Admiral Rodney’s anti-Semitism helped squander his time and played a role in delaying and weakening the British fleet. Ironically, it was the Jews of St. Eustatius, that helped win the American Revolution.

DR. DEBBIE JOFFE ELLIS: Dr. Ellis is Adjunct Prof. at Columbia University in Psychology. She is a Practitioner of R.E.B.T (Rational-Emotive Behavioral Psychology) an Up-Beat form of Cognitive Therapy which puts the best frame of reference on events. We can’t change history, but we can put the best face on events as they occur, so that even if bad things happen, people can change negative to positive. American- Jews came to this country for opportunity, and not Religious Asylum.

Christopher Columbus was believed to be a ‘hidden– Jew. He used a triangular system of dots and letters that resembled inscriptions found on gravestones of Jewish Cemeteries in Spain; the anagram was a cryptic substitute for a Kaddish, a prayer recited in the synagogue by mourners after the death of a close relative. Thus, Columbus’ subterfuge allowed his sons to say Kaddish for their crypto-Jewish father when he died. Estelle Irizarry a Linguistics professor at Georgetown University concluded that the explorer’s primary written and spoken language was “Ladino” (Castilian Spanish) At the top left hand corner of all but one of the 13 letters written by Columbus to his son Diego contained the handwritten Hebrew letters bet-hei, meaning b’ezrat Hashem (with God’s help).Observant Jews have for centuries customarily added this blessing to their letters. Scholars point to the date on which Columbus set sail as further evidence of his true motives. He was originally going to sail on August 2, 1492, a day that happened to coincide with the Jewish holiday of Tisha B’av, marking the destruction of the First and Second Holy Temples of Jerusalem. Columbus postponed this original sail date by one day to avoid embarking on the holiday which would have been considered by Jews to be an unlucky day to set sail.(Coincidentally or significantly, the day he set forth was the very day that Jews were, by law, given the choice of converting, leaving Spain or being killed.)

Thursday, August 22, 2019 at Studio 353,1:30-4:00 P.M. will be our next Seminar; an Estate & Financial Planning Event. Please call (212) 869-9477 to make your Reservations.

Sincerely yours,

Elaine Levitt

Dear Friend(s):

On June 20, 2019 from 1:30-4:00 P.M.; The Israel America Foundation, Inc. Program at Studio 353, at 353 W, 48th Street, between 8th and 9th was on “Shavuot and Alternative Medicine Seminar for Pain”

ELAINE LEVITT introduced the Program. She started with startling items in the “Daily Alert,” published by the Presidents of Major Jewish Organizations, gleaning from English Language New Releases around the globe the relevant happenings of Israel and items of Interest to Jews. Then, she touched on the importance of the Shavuot- Holiday which took place on Sunday, June 9th & 10th and left to Rabbi Meyer Leifer and Bernard Gordon for further discussion. She also summed up other ways of counteracting pain besides medicines. ALTERNATIVE THERAPY, she said was is any therapy that worked besides medicine; since pain can sometimes be chronic, and persist after the initial reason for the pain disappears, & continued use of medications may be unproductive; or patients may be allergic to medication used.

MARK LEVITT, Director of IAF, spoke about LOHAMEI= HAGETAOT; the Kibbutz of the Survivors of the Warsaw Ghetto in Poland (Which The Nazis burned Ghetto to the Ground, Passover of 1943). The Survivors of the Ghetto (they survived by crawling out of the sewers that they built clandestinely in case such a time arrived that they had to flee for their lives.) LOHAMEI HAGETAOT survivors built a Holocaust- Museum on their Kibbutz, recording life in the Warsaw Ghetto. They recently built another Museum there, YAD YAELED (The Museum of the Child.) The Kibbutz is requesting funds to preserve the perishable documents and priceless records of that time. Speak about contributions for that purpose to Mark Levitt at (212) 869-9477.

RABBI MEYER LEFER spoke about SHAVUOT being mainly a time for the Barley Harvest in ancient days, and then talking about the Giving of the Torah to the Jews on Mount Sinai at this time. He blew the Shofar,

LORI LEIFTER sang songs in Yiddish and Hebrew for the occasion accompanied by her delightful piano-Playing

BERNARD GORDON: Educator and Teaching-Fellow at the Holocaust Museum in Washington, D.C., also spoke about SHAVUOT being a Harvest Holiday; as well as the time of the Giving of the Torah.

DR. DEBBIE JOFFE ELLIS, Adjunct Prof of Psychology at Columbia University spoke of R.E.B.T. which is the abbreviation of Rational Emotive Behavioral Therapy, a therapy within the Umbrella of the Cognitive Therapies, which instills the conscious mind with the ability to minimize the destructive influence of words and situations and allows the patient to put the most positive face on his problem and if there is pain to tolerate the pain.

AMBER GRUMENT, Certified Practitioner of FELDENKRAIS spoke about Prof. FELDENKRAIS, who was an Israeli Professor and who had an accident which if he believed the physicians of his time would have stopped him from ever walking again. Feldenkrais began the long road back, strengthening his limbs by continued exercise and positive internalized messages.

ANTON BARACHI, Practitioner of an Alternate Therapy called BIO-ENERGY HEALING which balances the energy of the body where it is needed for the proper functioning of the immune system. Anton asked if someone in the audience was in pain. Let’s call her Lucy. Lucy raised her hand; he asked her to step in front of the audience. He seated her on a chair, and asked her: “Where is the location of the pain?.” She said:“It is in my shoulder”. He said: “On a scale of 1-10, where would you place the strength of your pain?” And she said: ”Five.” He then put his hands on her shoulder. And she felt warmth. After some moments of ministration or massage.

He was finished, and he asked Lucy: “How much pain do you feel now?” And she said that, she rated the strength of her pain at’ 1½’. Everybody applauded the efforts of Anton Baraschi. The pain had gone down.

PAUL NARDOZZI an Iridologist, a specialist in the Science of the Eye spoke next. Paul was able to diagnose the problems that people had in their body by looking at their Eyes. All the Practitioners explained where they were located in NYC, and how much it would be to begin sessions with them.

SYLVIA CHAPPELLE, Akashic Records Guide, Past Life Regression and a Reiki Master was the last speaker. In order to access unknown information that a person wouldn’t be privy to in their waking life, Sylvia Chappelle would also have to be a Hypnotist. Sylvia spoke about a library in the sky where information existed on all the souls who ever lived. If a person had intractable pain and there was no conscious explanation; going back to a previous existence could unlock a door to the rational for the pain.

Normally, we would list the telephone numbers of our Speakers; but because of rush to get this letter into the mails; to find out the telephone #s and locations of our speakers; if you are further interested in attending their individual and Class -Meetings, please call our offices at (212) 869-9477, and our secretary, Laura Goldstein will give you the telephone Number of these Alternative Medicine Practitioners.

With all best wishes,

Sincerely yours,

Elaine Levitt

Re: ”IAF’S” LAG B’OMER, ISRAEL’S INDEPENDENCE DAY & Estate & Financial -Planning PROGRAM FOR SENIORS ”at Studio 353, 353 W. 48th Street, NYC. on Thursday, the 30th of May, 2019 from 1:30-4:00 p.m.

ELAINE LEVITT spoke. The IAF’s very crowded program regarding Israel’s Independence- day began remembering 71 years ago, May 14th when President Harry Truman declared Israel to be a State. An official Ceremony is now held every year on Mt. Herzl on the eve of Yom H’atzma’ut.

We talked about Lag B’omer on (May 23rd.) which is a break from a time of semi- mourning, when weddings and other celebration are forbidden and as a sign of grief Jewish people do not cut their hair. Lag B’omer is a minor holiday that occurs on the 33rd day of the Omer, the 49 day period between Passover and Shavuot, and on that day they can hold weddings, bonfires and get haircuts! The most likely source of great grief memorialized for 2 months was that there was a deadly plague in medieval time,which stopped on the day of Lag B’omer. The Hebrew Acronym “Lag” has the combined numerical value, the Hebrew Letters Lamed and Gimel “Lag”=33. As a result, Lag B’omer becomes a happy day, interrupting the sadness of the Omer period for 24 hours. The outstanding Sage in that period, Rabbi Akiva became an ardent supporter of Bar Kokhba, a strong general. In 134 C.E., bar Kokhhba led a ferocious but unsuccessful revolt against Roman rule in Judea. Akiva thought bar Kokhba to be the long-awaited Messiah. When the revolt of bar-Kokhba against Rome failed; many of Akiva’s students as well as thousands of Judeans were killed. Akiva was imprisoned for publicly teaching Torah, a practice that Rome forbade. Akiva was a martyr. He died while standing up for his right to practice Judaism!

RABBI MEYER LEIFER: Emeritus Rabbi of Chelsea Synagogue and Pelham Parkway Synagogue in the Bronx talked about Akiva Ben Joseph, a semi-literate shepherd who married the daughter of his wealthy employer and eventually systematized the material that became the Mishnah. Hadrian was the Roman Emperor from 117-138 A.D and——–à continued on back

Rabbi Akiva thought that bar Kokhba was the Messiah after he won against the Romans and set up and maintained a Jewish-State that lasted 3 years! Lori Leifer, then played Piano and sang 3 songs for the occasion.

MARK LEVITT: IAF Director spoke about one of the nine Israeli Charitable Organizations that the ‘Israel America Foundation” raises funds for LOHAMEI HAGETAOT (Ghetto Fighter’s Museum) Mark made the point that this museum was the oldest Holocaust Museum in Israel, and it was founded by the Survivor’s of the Warsaw Ghetto in Poland, who fled the burning Ghetto in Passover of 1943, through the tunnels in the sewers that the Jewish-Builders of the Ghetto created if such a time should come when that would be the only way out. After fighting for the Polish Resistance; they eventually got to Israel and established a Kibbutz and built a Museum to tell their story.

Mark talked about contributing funds to bring the Museum up to the 20th Century in regard to preserving Paper records and digitalizing for posterity the records of the survivors for the future. Please call Mark Levitt @ (212) 869-0477 with your questions and contributions.

MICHAEL KORSINSKY, ESQ. Partner in Korshinsky and Klein with 3 offices in Brooklyn, Manhattan and Queens. talked about the important legal documents that Senior Citizens should have in their arsenal: (1) LIVING WILL WITH HEALTH CARE PROXY (2) POWER OF ATTORNEY (3) TRUST (4) WILL

He also said that it is important to have (5) Long Term Care Insurance.

JOE MAGUIRE, Agent at FLAMER FINANCIAL STRATEGIES & INSURANCE GROUP spoke about “ Long-Term Health Care Insurance” which is very expensive and gets more expensive the older one gets, but as a strategy to maintain assets it’s most important. since payment for Aides to care for one becomes a necessity the older you get, maintaining physical as well as economic independence. ‘Flamer Associates’ also has a creative way to balance the payments through the years.

RABBI RACHMIEL ROTHBERGER: Jewish Community Liaison of Calvalry Hospice and Hospital spoke to us about the Ecumenical nature of Calvary Home Hospice and Hospital. You can stay in your own home with Calvary Home Hospice, and if you are in crisis; Calvary has beds in the best Hospitals in The Boroughs.

Dear Friend(s):

Re: PASSOVER PRE-SEDER AT ABIGAEL’S KOSHER RESTAURANT, 1407 BROADWAY,NYC, April 16, 2019, 12:00 Noon-3:00 P.M.

The day of the Pre- Passover- Seder was finally here. We were ready!! It sounded like we were going to face the ‘Firing -Squad’ and in a sense we were ready for our moment of truth!

Anyway, what could go wrong? Well, there were people who ordered fish that didn’t get it; and some people didn’t know that they could order fish; if they did they would have; had they known! Well, that appeared to be the worse thing that happened. And if it didn’t happen to You; then, there wasn’t a problem!

MARK LEVITT, Director of Fund-Raising for the Israel America Foundation, Inc. (IAF) spoke about ‘THE LEADERSHIP PROJECT study and practice” which is a Course that the I.A.F. is sponsoring in Israel for Education credits this summer (June 30-July 28, 2019): accommodations in ORANIM Dorms, 3 meals per day, Shabbat- Hospitality & Health Insurance included. The Course will acquaint American College Students with ‘Israeli- Reality’. Please Telephone (212) 869-9477 for more information, or to attend Class in Israel or to help sponsor more classes, this summer.

RABBI MEYER LEIFER conducted our Pre-Seder Program. Rabbi Leifer was Emeritus Rabbi of Emunath Israel Synagogue in Chelsea (NYC) & Pelham Parkway Synagogue in the Bronx for a combined total of 53 years. The IAF uses a Haggadah made especially for IAF for the 23 years that ‘The IAF has been in existence

Passover tells the story of the time that the Jews were slaves in Egypt and shows how Moses brought the slaves out of Egypt; the Pharaoh did not want the Jews to leave, and G-d visited the 10 Plagues on the Egyptians: 1. blood, 2. frogs, 3. lice, 4. wild beasts, 5. pestilence, 6. boils, 7. hail,8. locusts, 9. darkness and finally,10. the slaying of the first- born sons of the Egyptians including the Pharaoh’s, son.

Jewish households were passed over, since there was a sign on the door-post; and the Angel of death passed over the Homes of the Jews. The Pharaoh finally allowed the Jews to leave. The Jews packed their things, and left at 12:00 midnight, and the bread did not rise; and that it why the main symbol of the Holiday is the Matzos. In the morning the Pharaoh regretted his decision, to let the Jews go, and so he sent his armies after the Jews; The Jews ran and the Pharaoh’s soldiers ran ’after them; and as the Jews came to the water; the water stood up and the Jews walked out on dry land.

As soon as all the Jews were out of reach the waters came down and engulfed the Egyptian-army and the Egyptians soldiers all downed.

LORI LEIFER, daughter of Rabbi Meyer Leifer played the Piano & sang:

“In the Landt of Piramidin’ and “Avodim” and “The Four Children” and “Da-Yei-

Nu.”

After the Seder, along with the Fourth cup of wine, the assembled body opened the door, and invited the Prophet Elijah to drink the fourth cup of

wine with us, and we sang “Eliyohu Hanovi” The Prophet Elijah is also the harbinger of the Messianic- Era.

RABBI PAUL LEVENSON, sang and strummed his guitar while we were

eating the meal: “Old King Pharaoh”, “Chad Gadya” and “Who knows one,, etc. Rabbi Levenson was Emeritus Rabbi of Temple Chayei Shalom of North Eastern Massachusetts

BERNARD GORDON, Educator, and Teaching-Fellow of The Holocaust Museum in Washington, D.C. spoke about the amount of Plagues; said to be 10 in the Haggadah, but some sages say more than 50 Plagues. Bernard also talked about Joseph, one of the sons of Jacob, and how Joseph happened to be in jail. It was because the wife of the man whom his brothers sold into slavery in Egypt fell in love with him, but because Joseph spurned her; she told her husband that Joseph had tried to rape her, so destiny put him in the prison where the Pharaoh’s Baker was incarcerated, so that when the baker was set free, The baker would tell the Pharaoh that he had met a man while he was imprisoned that could analyze dreams and Joseph was able to tell the Pharaoh that there would be 7 years of plenty, followed by 7 lean years, and further,

Joseph was able to tell the Pharaoh what to do with this knowledge: to store the grain and wheat in the ‘time of Plenty.’

DR. DEBBIE JOFFEE ELLIS talked about the time the future Israelites spent ‘wandering’ in the desert. G-d did not want the Jews to enter the promised land with the mentality of slave-hood. Some Rabbis felt that this generation who knew slavery had to die off, and others felt that the trauma of slavery, was the same trauma as the Jews, trapped at the time of the Holocaust in the Concentration-Camps must have felt.

Dr. Debbie Joffe Ellis, is the chief exponent of Cognitive Therapy; Rational Emotive Behavioral Therapy (REBT) is one of the Therapies that is included in the Cognitive- Therapy umbrella It is a positive therapy which makes the patient his own therapist and places the very best interpretation on all events. Even if things are bleak now; there is always a better tomorrow to look forward to.

After the Passover Meal, Elaine Levitt, continued with the concentration camp analogy by talking about the Passover of 1943’ in the Warsaw- Ghetto. Passover 43’ was when the Ghetto rose up against their Nazis foes! After a few days of battle, the Nazis burned the Ghetto to the ground. Those still alive were able to escape through the tunnels that the Polish-Jews had dug in the sewers while they were originally building the ghetto. They thought that should if such a day occurred when they was no other means of escape, they would have the tunnels!

We sang “ANI MAAMIN (I Believe)” and named all the Concentration Camps beginning with :AUSCHWITZ & ending with PUSTKOW-

NEVER TO FORGET the 6,000,000 Jewish Souls that died in the Holocaust and we symbolically lit 6 candles for the 6 Million Souls!

HAG SAMEACH

Elaine Levitt

Dear Friend(s):

Purim Day, and the IAF Purim Program dawned: 3/21/19, was rainy and windy; and ‘the weather’ continued all day. Studio 353 was having its problems too; the elevator was old and decrepit. I received a call from Olga, the lady I rent the lovely Studio from, that we use for our IAF Monthly Programs. She stated that, since the elevator was out, she was placing the ‘IAF Group’ in the basement, because our audience had senior citizens; and she felt that it would be easier for us to walk one flight down, than two flights up. I didn’t think it would be so bad, since our audience would be thinned out due to the weather. Anyway, I hoped things would work out. So, I concentrated on Purim, the Holiday; which was one of the high points in the Jewish Diaspora. PURIM was a Fairy-tale; which originally loomed as a potential genocide for the Jewish People and read like a fairy-tale in the actuality; It had a King, a Queen, and an evil Prime Minister. And it had a riveting love story!

Rabbi Meyer Leifer, read from the Megillah, which on Purim is Mordechai’s first hand narrative of Haman’s plot to kill all the Jews in Persia on the 14th of Adar, chosen by Lots (Pur), Haman the King’s Prime-Minister was a name that lives in Jewish infamy, and every time his name is mentioned ‘groggers’ (noisemakers) and the stamping of feet is used to drown out the sound of his evil name!

Rabbi Leifer’s ‘Megillat Esther’ cost him Twenty ($20,000) Dollars. He brought it with him to the Studio…His Megilla was executed on parchment with paintings of the main characters. Rabbi Leifer was an Emeritus Rabbi (retired) from NY and the Bronx. His daughter, Lori, afterward sang and played Purim songs on the Piano

Mark Levitt, Director of the IAF, then spoke about Purim Tzedakah, giving charity to AMAL in Jerusalem, Israel for their Ultra Orthodox students in need.

Amal’s needy Trade School students come to Amal in an unusual way. They may be failing students in Yeshivas, or part of a large family, where there’s not enough food to go around; and the young man or woman takes drugs or alcohol to drown-out failures in their Ultra-Orthodox World. Amal-Trade School Principals will carry students off the grounds near Jerusalem night-clubs and bring them to student-dorms to detox, and then introduce them to a trade, and save a soul as a Mitzvah of their Judaism..

The ‘Israel America Foundation’ contributes towards payments for the dorms, clothing, and trade-school tuition. The Amal’ Trade School (for boys & girls in Jerusalem) is called ‘Amalenu.’ Please contribute at least $20 for this Mitzvah! Call (212) 869-9477, and ask for Mark.

Bernard Gordon, Educator and Teaching-Fellow in the Holocaust Museum of Washington, D.C. told the story of Purim with all the plots and sub-plots of the Jewish people after they were conquered by Rome and Vespacian, and banished to Babylon. Babylon was conquered by Persia, and the King of Persia; Ahasherosh and his Prime-Minister, Haman colluded to kill the Jews on the 14th Adar, by casting Pur( Lots) and as the fates would have it; Haman and his sons were killed on that very day all the Jews would have been, and all because, Vashti, the King’s 1st wife, wouldn’t dance nude in front of her drunken husband and his friends and was killed for disobedience. The new Queen, Esther, was the niece of the Head of the Jewish Sanhedrin: Mordechai and because of the King’s love for his Jewish Queen, Esther; King, Ahashverosh, saved all the Jews!

Dr Debbie Joffee Ellis, Psychologist and Adjunct Professor of R.E.B.T. at Columbia University spoke about her parents, survivors of the Holocaust who settled in Australia after the Holocaust and could have been killed several times during the Holocaust and after if not for fate or G-d interceding.

Rabbi Paul Levenson with his Guitar, was ready to sing Purim Songs,

but realizing that Rabbi Leifer and his daughter had already done that. Rabbi Levenson took a different tact and said that the Sabbath was even more important that Purim and the lighting of the Sabbath Candles, as well as going to Synagogue was a more important mandate.

And finally, the PURIMSPIEL of the Israel America Foundation gave a humorous rendition of the Purim Story. And it was 4:00 p.m.

And time to go home. Unfortunately, the elevator which up to now had been working on and off, stopped with finality and so; those of us that had gotten down to the basement with the elevator had to walk up to the ground floor one step at a time, since there was no bannister!

One woman especially had difficulty walking and had arthritis as well. She was afraid to go up the stairs! I called 911, and talked to the Fire-Department as well as the EMS. Finally; the Fire -Department came.

Rabbi Levenson asked the Fireman if they had a seat to carry the woman up from the basement; since she was afraid to be carried up by the 6 fireman who had offered to carry her up their arms.

She was carried to safety, in an orange seat that looked like a bed and instead of waiting for an ‘Access a Ride’ was whisked off by cab to her apartment in Brooklyn. ‘Alls Well That Ends Well!’ this Purim

With all best wishes & Happy Purim to you all!

Sincerely yours,

Elaine Levitt

Dear Friends:

A combination of bad weather in the earlier part of the week, and the Invitation for the event arriving late cut down on the attendance for the Seminar, but not the enthusiasm. So at 1:30 p.m. on the 28th of February, we had the IAF’s “ Caring For Those Who Need Care” Seminar:

Elaine Levitt, President, introduced the Program. She personally believes that the best place for people as they age is in their own home with day/night care.

If this is your understanding, then ‘A Living Trust’ has to be established, with one or two Trustee, chosen by You, to take over the management of your affairs, should you no longer be able to care for yourself or those dependent upon you for their support. There are, however, alternative methods of care, including ‘Independent-Living Facilities, Assisted-Living Facilities; which our Seminar explored; and

Finally Nursing-Homes, which today we did not explore.

First on the IAF Program was JOE MAGUIRE, an Associate at ‘Flamer Financial Strategies’, an Insurance Firm. Joe spoke about an Insurance -Policy called: “Long Term Health Care Insurance. ”The insurance premium Is paid once a year, and the yearly rate is dependent on the age you were when you took it out. The younger you are the less you pay; and when a time comes that you are not be able to do two or more activities of Daily-Living or you need supervision due to Cognitive- Impairment’, you will begin to receive funds for the Aides that are hired to care for you. The chances increase as you get older that you will need this care, and therefore the insurance. Check it out.

Our next Speaker was DR. DEBBIE JOFFIE ELLIS, Adjunct Psychologist at Columbia University, teaching, R.E.B.T. (Rational Emotive Behavioral Psychology,. which her husband, the Late Albert Ellis, Ph.D. created. Debbie explained that any change in one’s life-style requires your own favorable -spin on that change; and although one cannot predict the out-come, of your decision; if you decide to move; from your ‘long-time’ home; it must be with your conscious positive determination that things will work out well; and that regret is not in the picture.-

OMAR FERNANDEZ , Medicare Marketing Manager of:’VILLAGE CARE MAX Rehabilitation & Nursing Center,’ in Manhattan came next. Omar said that’ Village- Care’ was an Assisted-Living Facility. He said that it was a fun-place for people who could pay independently. There were many social activities and friends available in a very central part of Manhattan.

You would receive Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner You could reside there even if you are on Medicaid; you could avail yourself of all the fun, friends and activities.

Additionally, should you be leaving a hospital & the physicians want you to go for Rehab; instead of going directly home, instead of looking at the Nursing-Home list the Social -Worker shows you, you could go for rehabilitation; to VILLAGE-CARE in Manhattan, .which has a Physical Therapy Unit, for Rehab. and you would be on the Rehab Floor, and your stay will be paid for by Medicare. The price if you pay privately is upward of $100,000 per annum.

The next Speaker was MELISSA SHEEHAN Director of Business Development of ‘305 West End Avenue’, an Assisted-Living Residence also for Independent-living, formerly called’ the Esplanade’ which has been refurbished; which is in an elegant-part of Manhattan, and the price per annum is upwards of $100,000 per annum. Breakfast Lunch & Dinner & activities included.

The next Presenters were GAIL HOCHFELD, Sales Counselor and WHITNEY BRYANT GLANDON, Director of Lifestyles Programs of ‘Brookdale’ formerly the ‘Hallmark’ in Battery Park City.

They have Independent and Assisted -Living Facilities. They brought with them an elderly man, who was a resident there and had been living there for 8 years and was 96 years old. He raved about the place; and the price was upwards of $100,000.

‘Pella, Care’- a ‘Day-Night Aide Agency’ was represented by LEAH HERSHKO, who is the Liaison between the patient and the Aides. If a person wants to stay in their home when they reach advanced age; it is best that an Aide is chosen from a Registered Day/Night Care Agency and not from Bulletin Boards, or Word of Mouth or Newspaper Ads. When a doctor recommends that an Aide be used; to help, you can deduct the cost of the Aide from your Income-Tax as a Legitimate medical expense. The hourly price is $25 and the daily 24 hour rate is $300 (which is over $100,000 a year).

RABBI RACHMIEL ROTHBERGER is liaison of the Jewish Community in Calvary Hospital and Hospice. Rabbi Rothberger spoke about Hospice- care Independent-Living, in an habitable place where someone is dying.

Should a physician inform you that you had approximately 6 months to live; and if you are

Interested in Calvary Hospice, Rabbi Rothberger should be informed. Hospice -care is paid for by Medicare, and if an Aide is needed, Calvary will note this, and, the Aide will be supplied, as well as nurses, and other help that you may require. There are Hospice beds in various hospitals of the City as well. It was a very informative Seminar. I will include list of Presenter’s names & Phone #s. Sincerely yours,

Elaine Levitt

January 31st 2019: the day dawned, frigid by anyone’s standards.

My television weather Guru, on CBS, Lonnie Quinn, said that it was 3 Degrees Fahrenheit, and with the ‘Wind Chill Factor’ the temperature was 13 Degrees below Zero in Central- Park! Since I hadn’t cancelled the IAF Seminar on Estate & Financial -Planning, we went ahead as planned. It turned out to be a wonderful program! All six main speakers weathered the cold, and the eight hardy souls in the IAF audience that also weathered the brutally cold winter- weather were treated to a wonderfully, interesting program.

Aside from the bagels with ‘all the trimmings and Danishes and coffee from “Ess A Bagel,” Elaine Levitt, President of the Israel America Foundation, introduced Lori Leifer singing Yiddish Songs, This group of songs were sung concomitant with observations of ‘Tu-Bi Shevat’ (The New Year For Trees) which took place in Israel on the 20th of January in Israel.

Rabbi Meyer Leifer: Emeritus Rabbi of Tiffereth Israel Synagogue and Pelham Parkway Synagogue told us of the travails of the Zionists fleeing Europe at the beginning of the 20th Century, arriving at a Palestine that was swamp and desert, afflicting the ‘Pioneers and Builders’ of Israel with Diphtheria, Typhoid and Typhus. Finally, after many deaths, ‘The Jewish National Fund’ drained the swamps and planted trees, and gradually, the land (that had been laid waste, by the Persians, Arabs, Crusaders, Mamelukes, Ottomans and Palestinians, residents of Jerusalem during the British Mandate, a total of some 1,744 years) began to awaken and thrive.

Mark Levitt, Director of the Israel America Foundation spoke about a new Academic ‘-Course, a LEADERSHIP COURSE, that the IAF is subsidizing that will be taught at ORANIM Teacher’s College in Tivon, Israel this summer from June 30th-July 28, 2019. Registration for this new Course has to be completed by February 28, 2019. This Course is our answer to the Anti-Jewishness or

hatred of Jews formerly called “Anti-Semitism” by the Nazis. ,However, since this is a new day, and the enemies are now mainly Palestinian- Muslims that are defaming and delegitimizing the Jews; and they are also ‘Semites’; we have taken the liberty of changing the names of our detractors and calling them ‘Jew-Haters’. The American College Campuses have been ‘stamping -grounds for young Muslims who are Jew-haters, and Anti-Jewish incidents have recently been taking place on

the College-Campuses of the United States. The Muslim students have been ably abetted by ‘Leftist’ Jewish Students; the latter, buying thee Palestinian Narrative pf the Israelis stealing Palestinian land; and ‘occupying this land., This land, however, can only be theirs if they are the original inhabitants. All Jewish People know that the Muslims cannot be the original inhabitants, because the Jews came before Mohammed and they are indigenous people of Israel. “No” say the Muslims; they rail against history and claim they are the indigenous People!! The Leadership- Course will teach qualities of Leadership as well as the history and current-Events of Israel, so that young America College Students will know the truth and teach it to the incoming Jewish College students the following Fall. If you know students who wish to take the class, Christians or Jews, students or Adults who are interested, please call or have them call:?: (212) 869-9477 and speak to Mark Levitt,

Dr. Debbie Joffe Ellis: spoke about the methodology of Cognitive-Therapy and R.E.B.T., the Therapy that her Late, Great Husband. Dr. Albert Ellis, established in that genre,’ which when applied to the problems of Senior Citizens show how older people can maintain their calm in changing situations,

changing because seniors are expected to anticipate economic and physical change that go along with aging. Instead of being upset and anxious, seniors can plan for changes in life-circumstances with calm and patience..’’

Russell Glick, CPA told the IAF audience that although this years Tax Forms look easier than in prior years, they are really more complicated especially if one itemizes, and seniors will need professional help, at least at the beginning!

Joe Maguire: of ‘Flamer Financial Strategies’’ talked about “Long Term Health Care Insurance” which is private insurance, payable monthly, depending on the

age at which a person begins paying for the Insurance; and Whole Life Insurance, not Term(payable until a certain year) whereas Life Insurance, is payable upon death helping to pay for ones funeral, and burial, as well as the monument!; and again, the earlier in time that you contribute to it the more your Survivors will retain from it.

Leah Hershko spoke about ‘’Pella-Care’; an agency that supplies Private Health Care Aides for Home-Care. Staying in your own home is preferable for the aged, because in the end it is more comfortable as well as less expensive

Alan Scott, Esq. an Estate Attorney in private practice spoke about’’ Last Wills and Testaments,” as well as” Disability -Trusts” and ‘Health Care Proxies.’ Alan stated that ‘A Disability Trust’ is an important legal instrument since it is a Trust made in present-time for an unknown future. He said further that, should you reach a point in life in the future, when your mental and physical powers are lacking and you are not able to make decisions for yourself, you can in the present choose who you want to take care of you, and where you want to be, and should such future time occur when you lack competence you will have this legal Instrument. for example, if you want to continue living at home in the future with Day/night care, no matter what happens, then, choose the people in the present who will care for you if that time comes in the future. If, however, such a time never comes and you are totally capable of caring for yourself until the end of your life, your ‘Last Will and Testament” will be enough. Please, also, fill out a ‘Health Care Proxy’ at your leisure and have it on file with your primary physician, so if and when you are in a hospital and need it; you will have it work for you.

Because of the bad weather and the importance of the topic, we will give this Estate & Financial’ Program again, however, should you need help in any of these areas, please call: Elaine Levitt or Mark Levitt for an appointment: (212) 869-9477.

With all best wishes,’

Sincerely yours,

Elaine Levitt

Re:  Thurs. Dec. 27th 2018 ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE SEMINAR, from 1:30-4:00

Elaine Levitt, President of the IAF opened the Program. She said that on the 15th of Shevat or January 15th would be Tu B’Shevat or the New Year for Trees. There were three other New Years in the Hebrew Calendar:Rabbi Leifer spoke about Tu B’ishevat He also gave Prayers and Kaddish forPaula Nayowitz & Bella Markowicz of Blessed Memory.‘

The First New year is on the 1st of Nisan (April) which is the New Year for Kings and for Festivals; the 2nd New Year the first of Elul (September) is the New Year for the tithe of animals; the Third New Year is the first of Tishri, the NewYyear for plantings and vegetables.

The land of Israel was terribly neglected at the time the Zionist-Europeans in the late 20’s (Jews were the’ Outsiders) They ’left Europe because of the Pogroms (Riots against Jews).

From 1291-1516 CE, the Marmalukes conquered Israel and laid it waste. From 1517-1917; the Turks took over from the Marmalukes and they laid the land waste. From 1918-1948; England took over. The young Zionists, men and women toiled night and day trying to make swamp and desert, fertile land. The Zionists wiped out: Malaria, Typhus and Typhoid! They planted Trees! These Zionists were the ‘Founders and Builders’ of Israel or the ‘Kibbutznick’s.’ In 1914, there were 80,000 Jews on the land to be named

Israel. In 1948, there were 600,000 Jews in Israel. This was before the Holocaust in Europe, the Jews were making ALYAH, back to Zion.

For the last 23 years, the IAF planted trees in Israel’ at Kibbutz Ginossar in Tiberius, next to the Lake- Kinneret in the’ Palmach -Grove; the site of one of the great battles in Israel’s War of Independence; A contribution of Fifty ($50.00) Dollars will get you a mapped- tree in Memory of and in Honor of the person named., and you’ll know exactly where your tree is planted. The map is for all to see in the Administration Building. Kibbutz Ginossar’s enterprise is the Largest Hotel of the Kibbutz Movement. It’s a wonderful place to spend time. Food, eaten in the Cafeteria is grown on the premises. If you wish to make a contribution, please call:(212) 869-9477, and speak to Mark Levitt.

We heard from the following Alternative Medicine Practitioners: Amber Grumet, Certified Felderkrais Practitioner, Geum Dawoon, Practitioner of Yoga, Tai-Chi and Meditation; Dr. Debbie Joffee Ellis, Psychologist & Teacher in Columbia University of Rational Emotive Therapy (one of the Cognitive Therapies) and Anton Baraschi; Bio-Energy Specialist. We will include contact information of these practitioners on another sheet.

AMBER GRUMET said the “Feldenkrais- Method” was established by Moishe Feldenkrais, Ph.D, an Israeli Physicist; based on the theory that people over time develop patterns compensating for pain or injury; but these patterns over time can become obstacles to healing and optimal Functioning.” He sought to rectify this.

GEUM DAWOON made us aware of our mental as opposed to our physical bodies; and how to achieve the maxim effects leading to happiness.

DR DEBBIE JOFFE ELLIS: made us focus in on what we were thinking when something occurred, bad or good, and our goal was to challenge our emotions to make us feel the best way possible under every circumstance

RE:  Hanukah Program on the Thurs, 29th of November, 2018, from 1:30-4:00

Elaine Levitt, President of the Israel America Foundation began the ISRAEL AMERICA FOUNDATION Chanukah Program on the Thurs.29th of November, 2018, from 1:30-4:00 p.m.by talking about the spiraling ‘Anti-Jewish’ hatred incidents against American Jews. stemming from the incidents on college campuses as well as the unrest of the Palestinians and Gazans on their borders in the Middle-East

Elaine additionally spoke about the Summer- Course that she, Rabbi Meyer Leifer,

Rabbi Paul Levenson, and George Zilbergeld, Ph.D., Adjunct Political Science Prof. at Rutgers have established this summer at The International School of ORANIM, in Tivon, Israel. The Course is called ‘THE LEADERSHIP PROJECT” and it will accept, College-Students & Master’s Students for 6 Credits, and those seniors, not needing credits, both Jewish and Evangelical Christian. We will also be giving Endowments for those who need it. The Course will train a Cadre of knowledgeable students, who when they return the following year, to the campus, or to their homes, will have the ability to deal with Jewish hatred in their schools or communities..

The Holiday of Chanukah, is celebrated, this year on the evening of December 2nd – December 9th (8 nights). This is was the historical continuation of the Jews in the Diaspora at the time of the apogee of the Syrian Empire (The Selucid Dynasty) which took over the mantle from Alexander the Great; the Conqueror of the then known- world. The Greek civilization (Hellenic) was very attractive to most moderate Jews. Antiochus Epiphenes (Antiochus, the Divine), Alexander’s successor, wanted to force all people in his Empire to bow down to the Greek gods; including all the Jews

Bernard Gordon, Educator, and Teaching-Fellow of the Holocaust Museum in Washington, D.C. told us the story of CHANUKAH.

Matithias the Hasmonian was a Priest in the Hebrew Fundamentalist tradition in a town called Modin. He was being forced to bow down to Zeus; the king of the Greek gods. This sacrilege was insufferable to him. So, he slew the Emissary of Antiochus and ran into the forest with his five sons, shouting; ‘HE, WHO IS FOR G-D, FOLLOW ME!” Those six rebels, became six thousand, and two thousand years ago, Matithias’s sons fought against armies 7-8 times mightier than theirs and won under Judah (The Hammer) Maccabee, the oldest son of Matithias!

The Maccabees were finally able to go back to their Temple and clean out the Greek’s desecration of it. They lit the Menorah, with the one pure sealed pitcher of sanctified Oil that they found. However, the oil was only enough to last one day;(they needed oil for 8 days) but the oil continued to burn for eight days. The lights did not go out in the Temple. allowing the messengers time to go for more oil. Oil burning in the Temple meant the Light of G-d continued to shine; a sign for the Jews of that time; that the Jewish -Tradition would continue; and therein lies the MIRACLE!.

Rabbi Meyer Leifer, Emeritus Rabbi of Chelsea Synagogue and Pelham Parkway Synagogue and descendant of an unbroken line of Hungarian Rabbis stretching back to the middle ages, recited the blessings, and explained that there was a different Blessing for every night of the 8 nights of Chanukah. Only 4 Candles were lit. Since this was a Pre-Chanukah Party (and Rabbi Leifer was enacting a compromise of two great sages when he lit 4 candles of the 8 Candle Chanukiah) He called attention to the Latkes (Potato Pancakes & Donuts) made with traditional oil.

Rabbi Leifer continued with a Memorialization (We intoned Psalm 23,’ ‘The Mourner’s Kaddish’ &‘Ayl Molay Rachameem’ for the following seven ‘Friends’ of the Israel America Foundation who either died in 2018, &/or whose estate went to Israel for charities the IAF supports. In alphabetical order we memorialize

Herbert Bravin, Regina Gutride, Helen R. Oken, Bella Markowitz, Paula Nayowitz , Gertrude Zehner, & Hadassah Zweig.

Dr. Debbie Joffe Ellis The Psychologist & Mental Health Counselor, Adjunct Prof. of R.E.B.T. (Rational Emotive Behavioral Psychology) at Columbia., spoke about the individual triumph of her parents, seemingly against their fate as Jews in the Holocaust; as the ancient Maccabees did against the Selucid King, Antiochus.

She came from Melbourne, Australia, and she spoke about how Jews were picked up and taken to Buchenwald Concentration Camp, and how her parents missed that fate, and were united after the War by accident and returned to Australia after WWII was over. She said that one has to have hope, for the best possible outcome!

We ended our program with Devorah Peck and Yani Eli (Married Couple)singing and piano -playing the songs associated with the Holiday.

Bernard Ellman, our watch-fixer and clock fixer was there; and will be there later this Month, on Thursday, the 27th of December, when we will have an unusual Program of ALTERNATIVE MEDICAL DISCIPLES…On December 27, we will be at STUDIO 353, 353 West 48thStreet, in the BASEMENT from 1:30-4:00 P.M.

Sincerely yours,

Elaine Levitt

Re: Israel America Foundation Program; October 25, 2018, 1:30-4:00 p.m. ‘HOW TO BEGIN LASTING RELATIONSHIPS”, at Studio 353, 353 W. 48th Street, NYC.

Chairs were arranged in a circle in the room; on 48th Street, and in the center of the circle was a table, and at the table sat Dr. Debbie Joffe Ellis (Licensed Psychologist and Mental-Health Counselor, Adjunct Prof. of Psychology at Columbia, Author and wife to the Late, Albert Ellis PhD, Pioneer of Cognitive Therapy and Founder of R.E.B.T. ) and Elaine Levitt (President of the Israel America Foundation, Development Director for many years of the Israel HISTADRUT (a Hebrew Acronym for General Federation of Labor, Israel) Foundation, Teacher, (In Washington, D.C. & Silver Spring, Md.,) Social-Worker, (Human Resources, NY) and Executive Secretary) . On the chairs in the circle sat the audience who became involved in the discussions of “How to begin Lasting relationships.”

Both Debbie & Elaine helped our Seniors understand better what it means to communicate liking and true love in this ‘crazy-mixed- up world of’ ours.

Before beginning the description of what happened in our, .’Lasting Relationships ‘ Seminar, please let me mention the horrendous killings fresh in our memories of the ‘brutal shootings’ by the killer at the Shabbat Services of the “Tree of Life Conservative Synagogue” in Pittsburgh, PA, Saturday, the 27th of October. This man was consumed with hatred for Jews! The killer, killed eleven good people in the largest mass murder of Jews in the U.S. Everything else pales before this Anti-Semitic/r Anti-Jewish expression of hate!

‘The Israel America Foundation’(IAF) seeing the increase of Anti- Jewish rhetoric, bullying, and anti-Jewish Incidents on College Campuses in the United States helped establish on the initiative of George Zilbergeld, Ph.D.,(Adjunct Prof. of Political Science at Rutgers University)

At ORANIM (one of the nine non-profit Organizations that IAF supports, and the oldest and best Teaching-College in Israel) in the INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL, a LEADERSHIP COURSE which will be given in English this summer for 6 weeks, beginning August 29 -July 18) for Jewish & Evangelical Christian Students. ‘The LEADERSHIP PROJECT study and Practice” attempts to counter the Palestinian -Narrative of the Muslim and liberal left-leaning Jewish- Students on American Campuses who have accepted The Palestinian Narrative: which is

that the Palestinians are the indigenous population of Israel and the Israelis, or European Jews settling in Israel have no connection to Palestine and have stolen the Palestinian Lands!. Please call IAF to find out more about our Leadership Course!(212) 869-9477.

Our New Director, Mark Levitt, also went over our new IAF Questionnaire which is enclosed in this mailing.

Continuing with our Seminar; the basic understanding of R.E.B.T. (Rational Emotive -Behavioral Therapy) is that there are irrational beliefs that humans, have that lead to unhelpful communication and unhealthy relating. The three main irrational beliefs that people harbor in their psyche is:

1. I MUST ALWAYS BE LOVED BY EVERYONE!

2. YOU (The significant other in one’s life) SHOULD TREAT ME WELL!

3. & LIFE SHOULD BE FAIR!

And even if we know in our gut that this is not always and cannot always be the case; since there is : No, real ALWAYS, and no SHOULDS! However we IRRATIONALLY expect these three statements to be true all the time!

Dr. Ellis wrote that if you find yourself harboring these irrational thoughts you must counteract these thoughts with your own INNNER SUB-VOCAL LANGUAGE: (“WHO SAID THAT I MUST BE LOVED BY EVERYONE? That surely isn’t the truth every time. WHO SAID THAT MY SIGNIFICANT OTHER MUST ALWAYS TREAT ME WELL? Sometimes, he or she doesn’t! AND WHERE IS IT WRITTEN THAT LIFE SHOULD BE FAIR ALL THE TIME? Most times, that is not the case!) If you hold up your irrational thoughts for your scrutiny and challenge these thoughts; you can laugh about the silliness of your assumptions, and

avoid being angry and hostile and shattering your relationships. When anyone disappoints you, which they probably will!

We had an open discussion about the importance of honest disclosures; but that doesn’t mean that you discuss everything with a person you have newly met, even if you have a pretty good ‘take’ on the personality of the person. However, before you give the ‘other’ a chance, some folks are afraid of ultimate rejection and fear of abandonment!

Those feelings of course go back to one’s early years; when one is young and helpless, and afraid that if either your mother and/or father leave; it must be because ‘you’re no good!’! The only way to feel secure within oneself is to love yourself; and respect yourself for what you are. If for some reason, you are still fearful, and If you try to find your security in the ‘other’s’ love for you, and the ‘other’ decides to leave you for reasons of their own, and your security will leave you when the person goes; you will be left in a terrible fix! No wonder you do not want to reach out to another and begin a relationship if you think that he or she will ultimately leave, and you are nothing without the other person!

Unfortunately, The ‘other’ person has a right to do what he or she wants to do with his or her life; the same as you. They do not have to stay with you, and just because they don’t for their own reasons, that does not mean you are no good and have no value!

You may want him or her to stay with you, and you may not like their leaving; but

You still have yourself. You will learn that your security will not be imperiled by the other person leaving if you know that you are good. You can read Ellis’s books to get a better opinion of yourself and if that doesn’t work, seek the aid of a ‘Cognitive- Therapist’(There are more Cognitive Therapists today than any other kind of Therapists )and work on your feelings of self-worth. If you don’t love yourself, how much harder you make it for the person who tries to love you!

We ended our Seminar with a Live-Demonstration. A gentleman who was also a Therapist in his own right had a problem. His daughter had been dating a scientist who had ADHT (Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder). He gifted his daughter with a book about ADHD placing this condition in an unfavorable light. His

daughter, however, married the man. The father (this man) was not invited to the wedding.

A grand-daughter was born. The only way this man can see his grand-daughter is when his daughter brings her to his home. This man is very unhappy. He believes that if nothing changes -the circumstances are awful. He is ‘awfulizing’ about the future. He thinks that perhaps the father of his grand-daughter will convince his grand-daughter to follow his lead in disliking him.. He hopes that Dr. Debbie Joffe Ellis can change things for him. Dr. Ellis counters with the fact that up to know he does see his grand- child; and there is no reason to believe that that will change, and perhaps his relationship with his grand-child can lead to a better relationship with the father. There are no miracles in life, but a healthy working with and through relationships is helpful; and there is no reason to awfulize in advance!

The audience was rapt in its attention. This was a very interesting Seminar. We will have to revisit the topic again, and have Dr. Debbie Joffe Ellis back again.

I will try to supply a reading-list from the library to read to further help us to understand the healthy dynamic of “ Beginning Lasting relationships”

With all best wishes to you all,

Sincerely yours,

Elaine Levitt

Re: “Days of Awe and the Harvest Holidays” The ‘Israel America Foundation’ met on September 20 at Studio 353 on 48th Street to discuss the enormity of the beginning of the New Year and on the 19th; the day before, was Yom- Kippur; the day that is full of awe , solemnity and penitence since it holds our fate.

ELAINE LEVITT spoke about the ‘Leadership ‘Course, which she, Rabbi Paul Levensen, Rabbi Meyer Leifer, & George Zilbergeld, Ph.D. created, which will start in the summer of 2019 (July 29-August 18th)’ at ORANIM School of Education in Tivon, Israel. Those who take the Course for credit will get 3 American Credits. We will try to fill-out the Course with students from campuses of American Colleges. We will take students both Jewish and Christian (Mostly- Evangelicals) hoping to form a Cadre of informed students who have bonded, and are not afraid to tell the Anti-Semitic ‘Provacateurs’ on Campus, what they have learned, seen and now know to be true of Israel. We are further hoping to work with Hillel, which presently houses 550 Hillel -offices on the Campuses of American Colleges; we are soliciting endowments, so all students will only have to pay for their transportation.

The Palestinian Narratives which the Muslim Students have learned fall on receptive- ears since there are many ‘Millenials; ’ young students; who, though Jewish, have grown up with little knowledge of the history and values of being Jewish. They are indifferent to the plight of their own people; and they look with compassion on the Palestinians, believing the story they hear them tell. ‘One of the Palestinian- Narratives’ is that the remnant of the Jews from Europe who came to Israel has no relationship with the middle -East or Jerusalem; Jews came to Palestine because the Jews were persecuted in Europe and killed and so, the Israelis stole the Palestinian Lands from the Indigenous population of Israel; the Palestinians.

The Jewish Population, originally came from the middle-East with the first Jew, Abraham, about 2000 years before the common Era; entering the land of Caanan, and that the Palestinian Group is a branch of those People from Jordan, and they exist in the location they are in for maybe 100 years.

The other Narrative is that the Palestinians were driven out of Palestine by the Jews in 1948, and the Palestinians were not allowed to come back and remained Refugees, and now there are Over five Million, 500,000 of them, and the Israelis don’t want them resettled in Israel since that would displace the Jewish People that have settled there.

The actuality is that since 1948; about 70 years ago, Palestinians were resettled in Arab Countries, and not taken off the lists of UNRWA, who have added Children and grandchildren to the list; if the original list was 300,000, now there are legitimately 30,000 who are in Refugee camps and could be resettled in the Arab Countries easily.

And to counterbalance these Refugees, in 1948, when 8 Arab- Countries invaded Israel, trying to destroy the Jews; those self-same Arab Countries threw out more than 300,000 Jews who were resettled all over the world, and those Arab countries thrust out their Jews with nothing but the clothes on their back.

RABBI MEYER LEIFER; Emeritus Rabbi of Tiffereth Israel & Pelham Pkwy. Synagogue blew Shofar; and we said Psalm 23, sang Yizkor and said the Kaddish for 6 people who led long lives, died childless, and left Charity for Israel: Hadassah Zweig (OBM) Helen Oken ((OBM) Herbert Bravin((OBM)

Bella Markowicz (OBM)Gertrude Zehner (OBM) REGINA GUTRIDE (oom)

He talked about Lord Balfour of England official statement issued Nov. 2, 1917, along with Chaim Weizmann; that England looked with favor the establishment in Palestine as a National Home for the Jewish People, and that was one of the reasons why in 1948, the United Nations declared Israel a State for the Jewish People.

The last prayer one says on Yom Kippur is the Kaddish for one’s parent said by their surviving children. In the case of Hadassah Zweig,(OBM) Helen Oken,(OBM) Herbert Bravin,(OBM) Bella Markowicz,(OBM) Gertrude Zeiner,(OBM) and Regina Gutride(OBM)–

They had no children; so we, who were assembled, sang the Yizkor and said the Kaddish for them.

LORI LEIFER sang & played Piano: as per the following: Hevenu Shalom Alehem, ‘Hinay Mah Tov Umah Noim”

L’man-an Achai v’ray-oy, Adab roh, L’Shonoh Habo-0h, Oseh,Sholom, , ‘Aveinu-Malkanu, Chonaynu Zochranu L’Cha-yim, Hane Shama-Lach Uva-UHa-Ovdim and the audience sang along with her.

BERNARD GORDON, Educator and Teaching-Fellow at the Holocaust Museum in Washington, D.C. spoke about some of the Humanistic and Secularist understanding of the Holidays.

Bernard spoke about “Noah and the Whale,” God-spoke to Noah, who was his Prophet and told him to warn the people of Ninevah to repent so they would be saved. Noah didn’t want to do it and so he ran away from G-d bytaking a SHIP, but the weather was so strange; and the ship wouldn’t move and the people finally drew lots, to find out who was causing the strange weather, and they found that it was Noah; so they tossed him overboard with his permission and he was swallowed by the whale, and he spent three days in the maw of the fish. The question was why was Noah so reluctant to save the people of Ninevah by asking them to repent? One of the answers was that the Jewish Sages who chose to incorporate that selection were talking about a group of People who were not Jewish, and later; these people were the ancestors of the Assyrians, who were enemies of the Jews; so that was another reason; Noah, as a Prophet might have had prescience and knew that that would happen. At one point he planted a tree to help him keep out of the sun and the tree looked like it was dying, so Noah prayed for the tree, and the Lord asked him, why did you pray for the tree and not for the thousands of people of Ninevah. He, however, finally asked the People of Ninevah to repent, and they were saved.

Bernard spoke about the reason for a Sukkot; wherein the ancients had to eat and sleep on sukkot for 8 days and nights, and one of the reasons for this is was for G-d to show the rich how the poor live; when the slats in the roof let in the open air the Sukkah is open to the rain, and then the rich will know how the poor feel when there are holes in the roof, and guests (in the olden days were the unfortunates) in the sukkah are treated better than the rich owners of the dwellings.

Best wishes and HAPPY AND HEALTHY NEW YEAR,

Re: Israel America Foundation’ Meeting. on August 23, 2018, 1:30-4:00 P.M.Estate and  Financial PROGRAM for Seniors: “WHAT TO DO IN CASE OF EMERGENCY? ”At Studio 353,353 W. 48th Street, NYC (between 8th and 9th Avenue) 2nd Floor.

Elaine Levitt, President of the ‘Israel America Foundation’ began IAF Estate & Financial-Planning Program: “What to do in case of Emergency?”

By introducing Dr. Debbie Joffee Ellis. Debbie is an R.E.B.T. (Rational-Emotive-Behavioral- Cognitive) Therapist. She is the Adjunct Prof. of Psychology at Columbia. Her Role, this afternoon is to make the audience comfortable with some hard truths. Seniors are in their final stage of life, and it is a positive. Anxiety, for any reason is a negative. However, anxiety should no longer exist, concerning job- performance, and wage-earning if Seniors are firmly in the middle-class. The anxiety which continues and is most prominent in older age is fear of the negatives that still exist such as illness, fear of accidents and areas surrounding death;( Living -Wills ,& Health Care Proxies, Last Wills and Testaments, pre-needs funeral preparations and cemetery plots) Ironically, these anxieties, can be allayed, Dr. Ellis said the more you experience, and deal with your fears and confront them practically,& realistically; the less anxiety you will have!

Mark Levitt: IAF- Director, spoke next regarding what to do in an emergency;

First, before even calling Hatzolah, you should call your Primary physician. Mark said to call him or her, and tell the Doctor, what is wrong, and where if you want to go to the hospital, what hospital. Hopefully, your Primary physician is affiliated with the hospital you will be going to; since it is up to the Primary physician to see that you get a hospital room, and help you in

navigating the shoals of hospitalization. Call aotzolah instead of an ambulance, since for an ambulance, without original consultation with Medicare can net you in excess of $750, whereas Hatzolah (Volunteer Emergency Service) has no cost. Howeve, you can make a small donation.

After your medically critical period is over, and you are on the mend; the Hospital social worker comes to tell you that it is time for you to leave the hospital, but the S.W. recommends that you to go to a ‘Sub-Acute Unit of a Nursing-Home for rehab.’ Nursing -Homes have a physical therapy Unit; and they also have a rehab floor, so you can go there (Which to choose?), or go straight home; If you go home a visiting-Nurse will visit the next day, and Medicare will pay for a physical therapist to go to your home 3X’ s a week, depending… Which to choose? Call Mark Levitt to find out (212) 869-9477.

Marlo Molano, Community Director of Flushing-House(in Queens), A Not-For Profit, Independent-Living Facility in Queens. Marlo spoke about living in a Facility, where breakfast, lunch and dinner are served to you with music; your linens are cleaned, as well as your room once a week, washers and dryers are on your floor; Doctors and Nurses, are available in-house, also Aides (for fees) and all types of events and functions are free; as well as trips, and after 5 years of residence (your ability to pay the monthly fee is assessed at intake) no-one will turn you out because of your inability to pay.

Jessica Schmitt, Director, River-View Senior Residence (W. 49th St., Manhattan) New Place-No contracts Non-Profit (month to month living) Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, linens and rooms cleaned weekly, Appointments with Doctors, Aides available, Functions and busses for trips.

Leah Hersko-Liaison for Pella-Care, an Employee Agency for Aides. Leah spoke about the importance of staying in your own home, especially when dealing with cognitive decline; and the convenience. She spoke about the training that the Aides go through, and the criminal- scans.

Aides are trained to clean, to cook, to see if their charge is ill; they can come hourly or round-the clock Pella Care can continue taking care of a charge or patient, even if assets deplete and Medicaid takes over.

Joe Maguire, an Associate of Flamer Financial Strategies & Insurance, spoke about Life-Insurance, and (guaranteed monthly income) through Life Insurance

as well as “Long-Term Health Care Insurance” which pays for Aides

through Final illnesses like Alzheimer’s- Disease, Parkinson’s- Dementia, & Strokes, etc. which require 24 hour Care and could deplete assets the Insured wanted to leave to relatives or charities (This Insurance is less expensive, the younger a person is; when they subscribe.)

Steven Duer & Priscilla Herring: Certified Funeral Directors coming from I.J. Morris and Dignity, speaking about Pre-Needs funeral & cemetery plot and Monument purchased in advance, as well as casket and all preparations. Funds are placed into an interest bearing Federally insured and secure account. The funds are removed from your account and for Medicaid purposes they are out of your estate. What you paid for, is of the date bought, and not of the date that these concrete things are utilized.

Alan Scott, Esq. spoke about the Documents needed for senior Citizens; such as “LIVING WILL & HEALTH CARE PROXY”. If you are undergoing a medical procedure, that is dangerous and life-threatening, and the Physician needs to know what you are willing to risk; and has to talk to you, but you are anesthetized or in Coma, then the physician has to go to the Proxy or substitute that was designated in place of you; someone who knows your wishes on the subject, and is legally designated; and the ‘Living-Will’ is the guide to what the patient wanted.

LAST WILL & TESTAMENT: a legal Instrument that when executed should be filed in the Surrogate Court or given into the hands of your Attorney; so when one dies & the Will goes into Probate; the funds come via the Executor to the beneficiaries.

DISABILITY TRUST: A Trust controlled by a Trustee, chosen by the one who sets up the Trust specifically states that in some future time, if you become incompetent, that you want to remain in your home, and if necessary, taken care of by Home -Health- Care- Aides until you die.

Looking forward to seeing you on Thursday, the 20th of September for the Program: “Days of Awe and the Harvest Holidays.”RE: Israel America Foundation Presents Jews In Colonial America on the 26th of July, at 108 W. 39th Street ,1 :30-4:00 P.M. 

Elaine Levitt, President of the Israel America Foundation, began the program by speaking about two men who had a great impact on Colonial America, the first: Christopher Columbus: who did so as a-famous explorer and the next: Alexander Hamilton: a Statesman in the Colonial Period, and our First Secretary of the Treasury, Alexander Hamilton.

Elaine spoke from notes by Charles Garcia, special to CNN which gave evidence that Christopher Columbus was a Marrano (a Jew who pretendedto be a Catholic) 1. Columbus gave 1/10th of his income to the poor and provided an anonymous dowry for poor girls in his Will. He also gave money to a Jew who lived at the entrance of the Lisbon Jewish Quarter.2. Columbus used a triangular signature of dots and letters that resembled inscriptions found on gravestones of Jewish Cemeteries in Spain. The Anagram was a cryptic substitute for the Kaddish; allowing his son to say Kaddish for him.. .3. Columbus’s primary written and spoken language was Castilian Spanish. Castilian Spanish was the “Yiddish’ of Spanish Jewry, known as “Ladino”

4. At the top left corner of thirteen saved letters was the handwritten Hebrew letters ‘Bet-Hei,’ meaning B’ezrat Hashem (with God’s help) No letters to outsiders bore those marks. In Simon Weisenthal’s Book:”Sails of Hope.”5. Wisenthal argues that Columbus’ voyage was motivated by a desire to find a safe haven for the Jews in light of their expulsion from Spain in 1492, the same year that Columbus began his explorations.

* Alexander Hamilton according to an interview with Univ. of Oklahoma, Prof. Andrew Porwancher, Hamilton was born in 1755 in the Caribbean island of St. Croix, a Danish possession then. His mother was named Rachel Faucette. She married a Danish Trader in 1745 named Johann Michael Lavien (Lavien wasn’t Hamilton’s father). They soon separated, and Rachel later lived with a Scottish nobleman who was Hamilton’s father. It is possible that the Laviens were Jewish. Lavien is a variant spelling of Levine, the Jewish surname derived from the priestly tribe of Levi in Biblical times. Lavien can also be a Sephardic variant of Levine. Had Michel Lavien presented himself as a Jew, he wouldn’t have been accepted in St Croix Society. Prof. Porwancher found that no other Jews living in St Croix at the time were identified by their religion in official documents. It’s entirely possible that Lavien was Jewish and this fact was not noted. Marriage between Christians and Jews was forbidden in 1745 when Hamilton’s mother married Lavien. It seems that if Hamilton’s mother, Rachel did marry a Jew. It might have been the law in St Croix at the time that she must convert to Judaism. It was only in 1798 that Denmark’s King authorized the first marriage between a Christian and a Jew.

* When Hamilton was a child, he and his brother moved to the nearby town of Nevis. There Hamilton attended a Jewish School. The Caribbean was the center of the Jewish world in the Western Hemisphere at the time. and Nevis was then 25% Jewish. Prof Porwancher retraced the route Hamilton would have taken to walk from his mother’s house to the Jewish school through what once was the Island’s Jewish quarter. The trip took 6 minutes. Hamilton told his son that he looked back on his years in Jewish school with pleasure; He also talked about his having to repeat the Decalogue (10 Commandments in Hebrew.) Historians have dismissed the evidence of a possible Jewish connection for Hamilton, noting that his illegitimate birth would have made it impossible for Hamilton to be baptized and, therefore, he would have been barred from attending a Christian school; making a Jewish school Hamilton’s only option; yet Prof. Porwancher found documents that question this belief. He found many examples of children born out of wedlock who were baptized at the time. He also found that when Rachel Lavien died in 1786, she was not buried in a Christian cemetery. If it was true that Hamilton was Christian, he’d be the only person whose mother was named Rachel Levine, who went to Hebrew School and who wasn’t Jewish!

* When Hamilton moved to the U.S, he had a large number of Jewish Clients; the only founding father to do so. He defended a Louis Le Guen; and defended him by saying: “Why distrust the evidence of the Jews? “The Jews once were under the immediate government of God himself and they were selected as the witnesses of his Miracles and charged with the spirit of prophecy.” Hamilton won the case and at the time the he won it was the largest money award in American History!

* Hamilton graduated from King’s College, renamed Columbia in 1781. He worked with John Jay. One unique change was that they eliminated the requirement that the school’s President be Christian. This was very unusual in Colonial-era schools. Another collaborator who worked with Hamilton to rewrite Columbia’s charter was Gershom Seixas. Seixas was the Cantor of the NY Synagogue, Sheareth Israel and the first Jew to sit on the Board of an institution of higher learning in the U.S.

Lori Leifer 

sang songs of early America with the Group as well as songs in Hebrew and Yiddish accompanying herself on Piano. Rabbi Meyer Leifer,: Emeritus Rabbi of Emunath Israel and Pelham Parkway Synagogues talked about Tisha B’Av the Anniversary of the Destruction of the two Temples in Jerusalem; the saddest time in the Hebrew Calendar.

Bernard Gordon:, Educator, and Holocaust Teaching Fellow

spoke about five people stand-outs in the Jewish Population of 2,500 in the Colonial period.

Asher Levy, Penina Moise, Samuel Nunes, Hayim Solomon & Francis Salvador.

Asher Levy was one of 23 Jews who came to New Amsterdam, then under the

Colonial Governor, Peter Stuyvesant. Asher Levy was the first Kosher Butcher in the Colonies. He also won many suits in cases he brought in the NY Courts.

Hayim Solomon: knew many languages, skilled in Finance & bartering, he is remembered for helping finance the Revolution. If it was not for the funds he loaned to George Washington, through Robert Morris, the Revolutionary war would not have been fought to a successful conclusion against the British. Hayim Solomon loaned $600,000 to the Revolutionists. He was never paid back., nor were his descendants. He died before he was 50 years old from Tuberculosis picked up while imprisoned.

Francis Salvador fought in the Revolutionary War, one of a hundred Jewish men that did, and was the first Jew killed in the Revolutionary War. Penina Moise was a female poetess. Her poem: ‘TO PERSECUTED FOREIGNERS” is very much in line with EMMA LAZARUS- “THE NEW COLOSSUS”, famous words on the

Statue of Liberty “Give us your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, the wretched refuse of your teeming shore.”………….

——————————————-

“ “If thou art one of that oppressed race

Whose pilgrimage from Palestine we trace.

Brave the Atlantic—Hope’s broad anchor weigh.

A Western Sun will guide thy future day.”

———————————————–

Our next program will be on Thursday, the 23rd of August, 2018. It is an Estate & Financial Program. at Studio 353.

Bernard Ellman, the Watch-Repairman, & battery installer and Salesman of cheap workable watches will be with us also on August 23rd from 1:30-4:00 p.m. at Studio 353.

Best Wishes,

Elaine Levitt

RE:  IAF WORKSHOP, Estate & Financial Planning for Seniors on 6/14/18 at Studio 353.353 W, 48th St, 1:30-4:00 P.M. 

 Elaine Levitt, President of the I.A.F began the workshop, explaining the importance of the Workshop.  She said that; aging, ushers in retirement from active work, with loss of one’s paycheck as well as the diminution of physical and mental strength, causing more money going- out to pay for what one can no longer do oneself.

Mark Levitt spoke about The Israeli AMAL NETWORK OF TRADE-SCHOOLS, The ALEPH School and the Failing Teens, who are finishing H.S. by Training ‘Shelter-Dogs’, that would otherwise be euthanized. To contact him for your contribution, call: (212) 869-9477.

Elaine introduced Detective, Lance Trent, of the Midtown North Community Affairs Police Department. He spoke primarily about scams perpetrated on the aging. He spoke about ‘Check-Washing.’  He said that mail from several mail-boxes in mid-town New York had been stolen recently. The thieves were looking for checks they found in some envelopes. The thieves washed away the ‘line’ where the recipient of the funds was named.  They wrote their own name in; effectively giving themselves the funds.

Mr. Trent talked about telephone-scams.  He mentioned that the NY police-department never solicits funds by phone, and when private Corporations call, using the name of the New York City Police Department, they pocket 99% of the funds contributed. He told his audience; “Don’t give!”.  He further said: “Be on the look-out for scams! and “Do not trust strangers!.”  Lance left the audience with an impressive bag of ‘goodies’: ( a piercing whistle on a bracelet scaring as well as alerting bystanders to the attack) a “Crime Prevention Book for Seniors” by the NYPD Crime Prevention Division and finally a ‘pen’ whose ink cannot be washed-away, thereby insulating the pen owners check from the ‘Check scam.’-

Elaine Levitt introduced Pre-Planning for funerals, by a gentlemen from PLAZA Memorial Chapels, Anthony Caratozzola, who said he was second in a line of “Certified Pre-Planning funeral Counselor’s in his family.  He informed us that PLAZA was the second largest Jewish Funeral Chapel in the Tri-State Area and as a ‘Not-For-Profit’, Plaza charged $4,000 less on the funeral price as compared to Riverside the largest Funeral Parlor.  Additionally, paying for funeral disposition before death is less expensive for cost-conscious consumers since the charges are based on today’s rates and not rates that will be set years in the future.

Nancy Fabricant represented the  Cedar Park and Beth-el Cemeteries located in Paramus, New Jersey.  She spoke about buying the actual plot at the Cemetery, which can be purchased before death on a Pre-Needs basis.  It is important to check out the prices today with Anthony Caratozzola and Nancy Fabricant.

Rabbi Rachmiel Rothberger, is the Jewish Community Liaison of Calvary Hospital and Hospice, and Calvary is one of the best Hospices, in Tri-State and you can have Cavalry in your own apartment, although Calvary Hospital is in the Bronx.  A sick person is told by the physician that (he-she) is dying from a medical condition and has only 6 months or thereabouts to live,& as long as the Doctor contacts Calvary-Hospice; Medicare will cover,  Doctors, & Social-workers, and even part-time Aides  in one’s own home!

Alan Scott, Esq., Single- Practitioner, NYC whose specialty is Estate Law; spoke about the ‘Disability Trust;’ a Living -Trust that is activated  on the Disability of the Grantor. (Two or more physicians attest in writing regarding the ‘disability’ of the Grantor).  The Grantor requests at disability to reside in his/her own home or apartment with Day/Night care by Aides. The Trust is to be administered by a Trustee or Trustees, that Grantor chose before incompetence, avoiding the need for the Surrogate Court to choose a Guardian.

Rabbi Meyer Leifer spoke about this week’s Parsha; ,Korach or Moses;who would be the leader and was it might or new- Life that wins out? ..Moses won out with a stick from which blossoms grew.

Sincerely yours,

Elaine Levitt

Re: May 17, 2018, Studio 353, 353 W. 48th St., 2nd Fl.,NYC. “Political Incorrectness & the Jews” a speech by GEORGE ZILBERGELD, Ph.D., Political Scientist, Adjunct Professor, Rutgers University, New-Brunswick, N.J.

George Zilbergeld,Ph.D., Adjunct. Prof. at Rutgers spoke to us about his experiences teaching at Montclair State University, and Arkansas College.

A Quote from Dr.George Zilbergeld’s book: “A Reader For the Politically Incorrect;” states:” Three of the main reasons a person acquires a college education are: 1.To Prepare for a career. 2. To better understand oneself, 3. And, to become a knowledgeable citizen.

However, the ideology of political correctness, practiced on College Campuses today, is based on the notion that there is no objective view of the world, even in the sciences, but only a variety of “stories” conditioned by one’s race, class and gender, leading to an educational approach, thwarting the development of the skills that are essential to accomplishing all of these goals.”

Therefore, it goes without saying that today’s College students will not find in College the skills they seek. There is no Core Curriculum. What they will find, however, is an increase in Anti-Semitic incidents.

Jewish students find Anti-Semitism coming from two sources; the Moslem students who equate Jewish- Students with Israelis, and secular – Jews (who know nothing about the history of Israel, or the current events in Gaza) but, who sympathize with the Palestinians, whom they feel are being strong-armed by the Israelis who have taken away their land.

Dr. George Zilbergeld is responsible for an idea which will be actualized this

Summer in Tivon, Israel at ORANIM College, near Haifa. It is a Course that will be held from July 29-August 18, 2018. He wants people to learn about Israel by going to Israel and seeing it for themselves.

The Course is open to Jewish and Christian Students going for their B.A. or M.A, and those who are older and do not need College -Credits but who are interested in finding out more about Israel, its History, Current events, Leadership, Israel’s Successes and Challenges, Krav Maga (Israeli Means of self-defense) cultural events, Hebrew Language instruction. You will be accommodated in the College dorms, receive health insurance; full board, Sunday-Thursday, and you will have free time for independent travel. Scholarships are also available. Link to Summer School Description

Those who are interested in taking the Course:‘THE LEADERSHIP PROJECT: STUDY AND PRACTCICE, please call me at (212-869-9477).

Rabbi Leifer, Rabbi Emeritus of Tifereth Israel Synagogue in NYC, and Pelham Parkway Synagogue spoke about Shavuoth, which will start on Saturday Night 5/19 and end on Monday, May 21, 2018; Shavuoth means weeks, and Shavuoth occurs seven full weeks after the 2nd day of Passover. Jews celebrate the giving of the Torah, and the ingathering of the first harvest. They relive the Sinai experience by hearing the reading of the ten commandments, decorate their home with flowers and eat dairy products. We recited along with him Psalm 23,and sang “Eil Molei Rahamin’ and recited “The Mourners Kaddish”.

Looking forward to the pleasure of seeing you all on Thursday, the 14th of June for ‘IAF ESTATE & FINANCIAL SEMINAR FOR SENIORS.”

Best wishes,

Re: April 19,2018 at Studio 353, 353 W. 48th Street, 2nd Fl.,NYC “Russia Vladamir Putin & the Jews” Lecture by Nicholas Arena, Esq

April 19th was an unusually cold and rainy Spring Day in April, nonetheless, we had an unusually large group of people who had come for a very interesting Lecture made by a very interesting man; Nicholas Arena.

Before his Speech, Elaine Levitt formally introduced Mark Levitt, Associate Director, of the IAF. Mark spoke briefly about AMAL (One of the nine Charities the Israel -America- Foundation supports in Israel). HISTADRUT (The founding Organization of Israel). created Amal in 1928. Amal today, owns and maintains 158 Trade-Schools, a superior network of both High -Schools and Colleges.

Mark spoke about donations to; The Lady Davis- Amal-Trade-School which is located in Tel Aviv. Amal wants to do something special for 57 Autistic Students ranging in age from, 12-16, grades 7-11(April is National Autism Awareness-month). These autistic teens function on a medium to high level. Amal wants to build two rooms; a ‘Multi-Sensory’ Room and a ‘Home-Economics’ Room. These autistic teens for whom the rooms will be built, have various degrees of sensory- deficit, and either become overstimulated or under-stimulated in a normal classroom environment. The ‘Multi-Sensory’ Room accommodates their sensory needs and provides lasting benefits for focusing in the classroom.

Autistic children struggle with the basic skills they need for their home-maintenance as well as fine-motor & sequencing-skills. In the new ‘Home- Economics’ -Room, the teens can practice household- chores such as: changing light-bulbs, washing dishes, or following a cooking- recipe in a safe, non-judgmental environment. Both rooms will be supervised by a Special-Education- Physical -Therapist, who will work with the teens. The price of both rooms is Sixty-Six Thousand ($66,000) Dollars. For those wonderful contributors a plaque with the Donor’s name will be affixed to the Wall of both rooms in English and Hebrew. If more than one person contributes; a collective Plaque will be affixed with all the Donors names. Call Mark at: (212) 869-9477.

Nicholas Arena, Esq. our main- speaker is a retired Attorney who had a Criminal- Law, and Family- Law practice and has been and still is deeply interested in Russia. He is fluent in Russian. In 1994-95’ he did mock-jury trials throughout Russia, training Lawyers and Judges. He was an advisor on Human- rights to the Kazakh Parliament. Nicholas explained to our audience that Vladamir Putin was elected by a plurality of over 70% of the Russian people, higher than any elected official in any of the important countries in the world. His interest in Syria is that Russia is land-locked and needs access to water-ways. Today, there are approximately 180,000 Jews in Russia. Nicholas Arena, Esq. in his speech compared Putin to Tzar Nicholas the 1st of Russia, emphasizing Nicholas’s Globalism, and his mandate of putting Russia First; Nicholas believes that Trump and Putin have the same idea, which would make them ideal partners in political life.

He also commented on Tsar Nicholas’ 1st idea of conscripting Jewish men in the military for 25 years, and when they returned to

their homes and families, they were patently secular and no longer devout Jews. Nicholas ended his speech by asking for question from the audience.

After Nicholas spoke, Rabbi Meyer Leifer spoke, Emeritus Rabbi of Emunath Israel Synagogue in Manhattan and Pelham Pkway Synagogue in the Bronx, he said that today, April 19 was the 53rd Anniversary of the 6-Day War.

Back in 1967, Israel was attacked by Egypt, Jordan Syria, Iran and Iraq. The world believed that Israel would be destroyed; Israel routed

the might of the Arab Armies in just 6 days; Arabs were firing down from the Temple Mount; Israel could have destroyed the Mosque, but they didn’t wish to; instead they fought hand to hand, thereby incurring most of the deaths; there were 600 casualties but as a result Jerusalem was in the hands of the Jews for the first time in 2,000 years.

Sincerely yours,

Elaine Levitt

RE: IAF Passover’s THIRD” Seder, March 27, 2018 (12 Noon-3;00 p.m.) at ABIGAEL’S kosher RESTAURANT, 1407 Broadway, New York City.

It’ was good to be together with ‘Friends’ for a Community “Third ‘ Seder. “Third”- Seder’s; I learned long ago, were Seder’s other than the two main Seders of Passover. This year, the first and second Seder- nights are on March 30th and 31st.

Rabbi Meyer Leifer officiated on this, the 22nd ‘Third Seder’ of the Israel America Foundation! Rabbi Lefer was the Rabbi of the 23rd Street Synagogue in NYC for 43 years. Today, he is Emeritus -Rabbi there. For the last 10 years, he was Rabbi in the Pelham- Parkway Synagogue in the Bronx. He is Emeritus Rabbi there as well.

After we drank the fourth cup of grape-Juice and let Elijah in, we began the meal, we listened to the first -speaker

Rabbi Leifer’s daughter, Lori, who usually sings and played piano at our Programs was in Israel observing Passover with her sister, Nicole, her husband and their three children. In her stead, she asked that we substitute a star of the Folksbiene (Yiddish- Theatre), Zisl Slepovitch who sang and played the Key-Board with unusual verve and talent!

Bernard Gordon, Educator and Teaching-Fellow at the Holocaust Museum in Washington, D.C. then spoke, harkening back to Moses and the Exodus from Egypt on the 15th day of Nisan at twelve Midnight in the beginning.

Then, Dr. Debbie Joffee Ellis, Adjunct Prof. of Psychology at Columbia University, spoke. She has co-authored books with her Late, Great Husband, a Pioneer in the field of Cognitive- Therapy; Dr. Albert Ellis.

She spoke about making one’s life positive. Debbie spoke about her parents who were survivors of the Holocaust from Poland.

They were rounded up and taken to different Concentration camps. Each thought the other was dead and miraculously they met again on a train. She was born in Australia and spoke about the positive way her parents raised her.

Elaine Levitt hearkened back to 1943, Passover in the Warsaw-Ghetto, and then the Germans attacked the Ghetto and burned it to the ground, and the Jews fought back!

She told the audience how her father took her, a child of six, in his arms and with tears in his eyes told her: “Elaine they’re killing our People!”

The remnant of the survivors of the Warsaw -Ghetto ,( crawled out of the Warsaw- Ghetto through the sewers) joined with the Polish- Resistance, and then when they were able to get out of Poland, they went to Israel. There, they founded Kibbutz Lohammei Haghetaot and later built a Museum of the Holocaust on the Premises of the Kibbutz, and the Israel America Foundation raises funds for this Museum ‘Beit Lohammei Haghetaot.’

We stood up and called out the names of 18 Concentration Camps “Never to Forget” and then we lit six candles for the 6 Million Jews that died. We finished out tasty chicken and/or fish meal and left at 3:00 p.m.

L’SHO-NO HA-B0-O BI-Y’RU-SHA-LA-YIM!

Sincerely yours,

Elaine Levitt

Re:  IAF PURIM PARTY at Studio 353, 353 W. 48^th Street, NYC.

      February 15, 2018, 1:30-4:00 p.m. 

       Although PURIM falls on the 2018 Calendar, on Thurs. March 1^st; the IAF celebrated Purim on Thurs. Feb.15^th at Studio 353 with ‘Hamantashan’, bagels, the reading of the  ‘Megillah’ and a ‘PURIMSPEIEL.’ along with piano-playing and singing.  Purim is a Happy occasion!

               Jacques Ackermann, retired banker from Switzerland with an

encyclopedic memory concerning the Holocaust explained the difference between the Holocaust of the Jews in 20^th Century Europe when the Jews were targeted to be wiped out, and were; to the Purim Story which was the Genocide that didn’t happen! Though the targeting was the same; the Jews were targeted to be wiped out in BCE 485- by Haman, the King’s Prime-Minister, but the Persians happened to have a Jewish Queen and her name was Esther, and because she was there and the Persian King, Ahashuerus loved her; the Jews were saved!

             Rabbi Meyer Leifer, Emeritus Rabbi of Emunath Israel and Pelham Pkwy. Synagogue read the pertinent parts of the Megillah (The story of Esther) in the Bible; and the audience lifted “Groggers” to drown out the name of “Haman!” And Lori Leifer played Piano and sang a Medley of Purim Songs in English, Hebrew and Yiddish!

And Bernard Gordon, Educator and Researcher, and Teaching-Fellow at the Holocaust- Museum in Washington, D.C.  answered the question, “Is Purim A Secular Holiday?”  Since the story of Esther is in the Bible; I am sure it is not!                                       

 The Purim Party ended with the audience playing Roles in the IAF PURIMSPIEL the “Book of Esther” Co-Authored by Elaine Levitt, Bernard Flanzraich and Rabbi Paul Levenson. 

The Audience appreciated the Purim-Spiel; which was a humorous presentation, where again the name of ‘Haman’ was drowned out by “Groggers,” (noise-makers) 

The Bagels and Hamantashan were good; and a good time was had by all.

                                         

                                                  Sincerely yours, 

                                                  Elaine Levitt

 

Dear Friend(s):

Re:  “AGING IN STYLE” Seminar at Studio 353, 353 W. 48^th Street, NYC

         January 18, 2018, 1:30-4:00 p.m.

Wednesday’s snow melted in the City.  On Jan. 18^{th the} streets and sidewalks were dry and it was very cold, and New York City people were tired of the cold and the snow, and Flu struck NYC.  However, we still had a good audience.

The following Speakers, however, didn’t come and didn’t call.  They were sick, and didn’t let us know until the last minute, when we had already left our offices.  They were: (1) Flushing House, Marketing Manager, Michael Sutcliffe (2) Bronxwood Home for the Aged, Diana Velez, Director of Marketing (3) Haym Solomon Nursing Home and Rehab, Rabbi Chaim B. Wechsler, Chaplain.  We will be including names and addresses for those who spoke, and those who couldn’t be there.

The Program opened with Elaine Levitt, President of the IAF, talking about

The article in today’s New York Times, Page A 7, about Britain tackling loneliness by Ceyland Yeginsu ;  “Government Research had found that

200,000 older people in Britain had not had a conversation with a friend or relative in more than a month.” & Dr. Vivek Murthy wrote in the Harvard Business Review that” Loneliness could be associated with a greater risk of cardiovascular disease, dementia, depression and anxiety.”

Dr. Debbie Joffee Ellis, Adjunct Prof. of Psychology at Columbia, and Advocate of R.E.B.T. a variation of Cognitive-Therapy created by her Late, great Husband, Dr. Albert Ellis,    and said that loneliness was not the same as ‘aloneness.’   A person can be alone and enjoy aloneness. People can have hobbies, or studies and be happy alone. However, if one becomes depressed, or anxious, the best thing according to Dr. Ellis is to leave one’s home, and walk, or do some other kind of exercise or join a club or society with like-minded people. People are social animals, you know.

Debbie spoke about the Jewish Holiday of Tu bi Shevat (The New Year for Trees) celebrated in Winter on January 31, 2018.  Although the trees are bare and snow is on the ground, the roots of the tree live.  She likened man to a Tree. Elaine had explained previously that the IAF planted trees in Honor and in Memory of People for $50 which are mapped, and have a Collective Plaque affixed  in the Palmach Grove in Kibbutz Ginossar in Tiberius,  Kibbutz Ginossar has on its land the largest Hotel of the Kibbutz Movement, and fronts the Biblical Lake Kinneret.

Age has its rewards, proverbially, “Wisdom,” Debbie continued:

“That doesn’t mean all old people are wise, but that is the upside of age.

Age brings painful and disabling, physical and mental health conditions which can be minimized if we choose not to upset ourselves over things we can’t change.”  Debbie with her upbeat R.E.B.T. Psychology made us all feel better!

Elaine spoke about another important Day in January; Holocaust Remembrance Day, observed on January 26th.  Germany targeted 6 Million Jews and had them killed. (By Killing 6,000,000, people, their children and children’s children, etc. until the end of time also died out).

Elaine introduced Rabbi Leifer, Emeritus Rabbi of Emunath Israel in NYC  & Pelham Parkway Synagogue and his daughter, Lori Leifer who played Piano and sang happy Songs of Tu Bi shevat.  Rabbi Leifer brought fruit of the vine, dried figs, raisins.

Rabbi Leifer thought this was the auspicious time to mention the  contributors and Members of the family of staff of the I.A.F.

who died in this last year, and so we said Psalm 23, Kaddish and Ayl Molay

Rachameeem for  Herbert Bravin,   Helen Oken, Susan Flanzraich, Harold

Mechlen, Esq. and David Swayne.

                     Anthony Caratozzolo, Licensed Funeral Director and Certified Pre-

Planning Counselor of Plaza Memorial Chapels talked about pre-planning.

Anthony explained that if one pays in the present(Pre-Needs) for a future time to Plaza, the money is not held by Plaza (Any business can go broke.)  but placed in trust for the future, and your funeral payment is only what your funeral would cost today, not after the proverbial 120 years, and this money would be out of your estate.  Anthony also stated that Plaza, is a Not for Profit Organization, & was able to charge some $3,000 less for a funeral than for -Profit Funeral Parlors.

Elaine Levitt spoke about “My Mighty Right Hand” Course this summer that the Israel America Foundation conceived, and will teach at ORANIM, near Haifa, (the largest Teaching-College in Northern Israel) subsidizing a 3-American Credits Course this summer (July 29-Aug. 18) called “LEADERSHIP” to combat anti-Semitism in the Campuses of the U.S.  (The Course teaches Krav Maga, Emergency Medical training, Language Instruction, history, current- events, Touring -significant sites, etc., & includes full- board from Sunday through Thursday.) For further information call: (212) 869-9477.

Menorah Nursing Home in Brooklyn sent Dannick Boutin, from Rehab.  & Thomas Ryan, Community Liaison- to talk about their “Sub-Acute”  or Rehab Unit.  They want people to view the Facilities of Menorah Nursing -Home as an

alternative to the Nursing Homes in Manhattan.  Physical- Therapy is the chief commodity here- very important after hospitalization.

Rabbi Rachmiel Rothenberger, spoke.  He is Jewish Community Liaison to CALVARY Hospice and Hospital in the Bronx.  HOSPICE is a program under the auspices of MEDICARE providing a person whom doctors characterize as having “only 6 months to live” special dispensation either in a hospital or at home. A- Home -Health- Care Aide can come to your home, or apartment at least 3 X a week for 4 hours. Additionally, doctors, and nurses can come to the house. Volunteers can help cutting hair, and reading or singing.  If you have been told by your Primary- physician that you will not recover from your ailment call Rabbi Rothenberger.

Sincerely yours,

Elaine Levitt

Elaine Levitt-IAF (212) 869-9477

Dr. Debbie Joffee Ellis c/o IAF

Rabbi Meyer Leifer c/o IAF

Dannick Boutin & Thomas Ryan: Menorah Nursing Home (718-851-5960

Anthony Caratozzolo, plaza Jewish Community Chapel, (212) 769-4400

Rabbi Rachmiel Rothberger, Calvalry Hospital and Hospice (718) 518-2193

—————————————
Did not come but were scheduled

BRONXWOOD Home for the Aged, Diana Velez (718) 881-9200 (Assisted-Living)

HAYM SALOMON Nursing -Home, Rabbi Chaim Wechsler (718) 873-1700

Flushing -House (Independent-Living) Michael Sutcliffe (347-532-3000

Sent Information, couldn’t come

Long Island Living Center, Marni Seletsky (718-327-2700

Dear Friend(s)

Re: Israel America Foundation (IAF) Seminar: The Miracle of the Lights; The Story of Chanukah, Studio 353, 353 West 48th Street, Dec. 14,2017, 1:30-4:00 p.m.

It was cold and snow was on the ground. Forty people phoned and wrote-in, that they would be at the Seminar, but, we knew by the weather that we would have a fall-off in attendance. We left the IAF offices early, for Studio 353, and tried to leave a message behind as to where we were going, and were thwarted by the complicated phone system. Next time, right!

Elaine Levitt, President, of the I.A. F. greeted the audience and began the Chanukah-Program. She told the Audience that Chanukah was the story of the heroic victory of the Maccabees against the Syrian Greeks & the Miracle of the Lights that burned eight days, instead of one day!

Elaine explained the I.A.F’s Chanukah Gift Trust that lasts for 20- years. The only miracle here is that the IAF funds (after 37 years) this charitable- Trust with a minimum contribution of $2,000 paying-out 7.5% income for 20 years @ $150 a year (yielding $3,000 in 20 years) which allows grandparents “To remember their children and grandchildren and be remembered by them.” It’s the “Gift that keeps in giving the Chanukah- Gift Trust!

Elaine focused on ORANIM: the IAF is subsidizing at the International School of ORANIM- Israel’s best Teaching-College, in the Summer of 2018, a two Courses for College – credit, that the IAF hopes will educate Jewish and Christian students going for their Bachelors and Masters Degrees, to learn more about their own heritage. If you are interested in contributing or having your grandchildren attend:

Bernard Gordon, Educator & Director of Mittleshul in NY, & Teaching-Fellow at the Holocaust Museum in Washington, D.C. explained Chanukah from a historical prospective. Bernard told us that Alexander’s vast empire was divided among four leading generals in 313 B.C.E. when he died young of Venereal Disease. When, Antiochus Epiphanes came to the throne of the Hellenistic- Syrian-Greek Empire. He, compelled every nation under his rule to worship his gods and forced them to give up their own observances. Antiochus commanded that the Hebrew -Temple be desecrated and converted into a pagan temple. He stopped the Jews from observance of their Sabbath- Festivals and Rosh-Chodesh, their dietary laws, the covenant of Circumcision; the laws of family purity & the use of G-d’s name. All copies of the Torah and the holy writings were burned. Anyone found in possession of these Holy books would be executed; admitting that they were Jewish carried a death-penalty. Paganism was spreading rapidly through the land, even overtaking the humble Jews of Modin (a village of Judah). All followed Antiochus, except Mattathias, the Hasmonian,an aged man of a priestly Jewish family, who lashed out at his oppressor. Mattyahu published a Proclamation: “Whoever is zealous for the Torah and is steadfast in the Covenant, let him follow me!” Mattisyahu and his five sons left their possessions in Modin and fled to the mountains of the Judean desert. Many other loyal Jews joined them, living in mountain-caves where they were able to practice the Torah’s precepts.

Matisyahu and his sons and the loyal Jews gathered under their banner exhorted Jews to resist the Syrian-Greeks by force & struck back against the Syrians. The revolt had begun. Mattisyah died in 166 BCE. He did not live to see the result of the events he set into motion. Before his death he gathered his five sons, Shimon, Yehudah the Maccabee, Elazar, Yochanan and Yonassan and urged them to be steadfast and continue the struggle against the Syrians.

One Day, Yehudah, the Maccabee saw that the Syrians had been routed, and said to his brothers: “Let us go up to the Temple, cleanse and rededicate it. “The Menorah was gone from the temple.They could not find oil required for lighting the menorah. They did find a flask containing oil for one night’s lighting, oil that had been sealed

with the Kohen Gadol’s seal. Unusual for the Kohen Gadol to be involved with oil or a sealed flask. Miraculously the oil burned not for the one day, but eight days, that it took to prepare and bring fresh, uncontaminated oil, fit for the Temple Menorah; this Miracle would be forever celebrated with an eight -day Chanukah Festival!

Rabbi Meyer Leifer, Emeritus Rabbi at Emunath- Israel and Pelham- Parkway Synagogue, and retired Chaplain of Morningside Nursing -Home in the Bronx, lit the first candle on the Menorah, the third day of Chanukah.

Rabbi Leifer explained that the Chanukah -Holiday was celebrated in the absence of a military or diplomatic victory; that came later. Mattisyahu and his sons Yehudah and his brother risked their lives for spiritual freedom, the purity of the temple and the integrity of its service, and not for freedom from Bondage. The sages and the people understood that. Each night of the Holiday, there is a different reason for celebrating; the 1st night is to rededicate oneself to working for equal rights, democracy and freedom. The 2nd night is to pray for personal increased kindness and thoughtfulness; the third night, to rededicate oneself to the study of Torah; the 4th night to let lives be strengthened by the highest hopes & visions of our faith, the 5th night, to making peace a living ideal, and to insure peace in the world, the 6th night, to put aside gifts for charity and bring an end to oppression, the 7th night, to pray that the gifts one offers provides food enough for the hungry, healing for the sick, and knowledge to humankind, and on the 8the night we pray that we fulfill all the ideals of freedom, charity, family, study, hope, peace and Brotherhood, all symbolized by the 8 lights of the menorah.

Lori Leifer, daughter of Rabbi Meyer Leifer began her program of Chanukah music, with her inimitable singing done to her accompaniment of Piano-Music. The audience sang along, and even danced in the aisles. Our Chanukah Party was a success!

Sincerely yours,

Elaine Levitt

Dear Friend(s):

Re: IAF Estate & Financial-Planning Seminar for Seniors

November 16, 2017 from 1:30-4:00 P.M.at Studio 353,

353 West 48th Street, NYC. (2nd Fl.)

Nov. 16, 2017 began with rain, but stopped in time for the Seminar. ’The complimentary- food arrived early at ‘The Studio’, but missing were the paper- plates, plastic- knives & Paper- Cups, so we started the Program but had to stop for 20 minutes for the audience to get the food when the plates, cups and knives came.

Starting now, when the staff leaves our offices on route to the ‘Studio’, we will leave a’ voice-message’ on our ‘Answering Machine of our whereabouts, so ‘callers’ will know where we are.

Dr. Debbie Joffee Ellis, Psychologist, R.E.B.T. Therapist, Adjunct Prof. at Columbia and widow of the famous Psychoanalyst, Albert Ellis, Ph.D. began the Program. She spoke about aging, sickness and death as a positive concomitant of older-age, and if it incapacitates, has to be endured in a stoical manner. Today, Fifteen Percent of Centenarians are fairly healthy, although 50% of those older than 85 have Alzheimers-Disease.

Jacques Ackerman, asked us to take Time-Out and think about Kristallnacht, the 70th Anniversary of which occurred on November 9th. It was the tragic beginning of what led to the ‘Final -Solution’ of the Jews for the German Government in 1938, and the beginning of the Holocaust! Mr. Ackerman is a retired Banker from Switzerland of Germanic Parentage; who is deeply committed to the United State, the Jewish People and Israel! The IAF audience was mesmerized as he talked.

Elaine Levitt, President of the Israel America Foundation sounded a wake-up call. Elaine said that worldwide, people in 2017 live longer than ever before. That was great news. However, as they enter their 80’s and 90’s, depending on many factors; these same people need more funds than they have saved. It would be realistic for us, in the audience and at home, to try now to invest as much as we can under professional guidance, while we are able for a future time.

Rabbi Mordecai Katz, the Jewish- Chaplain for the last 17 years at NYU Langone Hospital Center spoke next. He is a very compassionate man. Rabbi Katz welcomes calls. If you need help, he wants to help!

Leah Hershko spoke next. She is Co-Ordinator for ‘Pella-Care’, a Certified Home Health Care Agency in Brooklyn. People who use a Certified Agency to take care of seniors can deduct payments to Aides from their income-tax. The cost for an Aide is $20 an hour from Monday-Friday (5 days a week) from 8:00 A.M-6:00 p.m.) = $1,000 a week- or $52,000 a year. Leah said that Home Health Care Aides, ‘Round the Clock’ for 5 days was $1300 per week, $5,200 a month, 12 months = ($62,400) Another Aide would handle weekends, Saturday and Sunday; If ‘Round-The Clock’, it would be an additional $23,032. For a total of $85,432+ Plus rent,+ electric+ telephone. That’s much, much more, than a healthy-retiree, living alone!

Michael Sutcliff. Marketing Director of ‘Flushing House’ a non-profit, Independent-Living Residence in Flushing, NY, explained all of the various attractions, of Flushing House; and how much a Furnished -Studio costs per month for a single person. Flushing House supplies 3 meals a day in a beautiful Dining-Room; they also have a Clinic, and daily activities. If you go on to deplete your assets, Flushing-House, would see that you remain, even if you couldn’t pay the going- rate! You can arrange with Michael to go there and see the place. Just telephone Michael Sutcliff.

Michael Martin, Director of Business Development of Village- Care,

Explained their ‘Assisted-Living’ Facility in New York. If you are on Medicaid and you don’t want to remain at home; this is the place for you.

Rabbi Rachmeil Rothberger, Jewish Community Liaison of Calvary Hospital talked about Hospice in the home, and/or hospital. Hospice is a Medicare Program. Calvary Home & Hospital is in the Bronx, but Calvary has beds in all the Boroughs. Rabbi Rothberger can tell you all about Calvary in all the Boroughs. Just call him!

John Levitt, Esq. Head of the Pegasus Group of AXA Advisors spoke to us, John is an Attorney and Financial Planner. He said that he uses both hats to determine in which category your investments should be. He needs a complimentary initial visit to determine how you can invest your assets. He couldn’t stake out the investments everyone in the audience should invest in; he had to know your means, and your ability to take risks. He can help you with every type of investment. Please set up such a visit. He has offices in Syosset, L.I. and can also meet you in AXA Headquarters in Manhattan. Please call him.

Alan Scott, Esq.is an Estate- Attorney in private practice. Alan can help you set up your Health- Care Proxy and Living Will, your Last Will and Testament, and ‘Trusts for Disability.” Please call him and arrange for a meeting.

And Lastly, we heard from Anthony Caratozzola, a Certified Pre-Planning Counselor at ‘Plaza Memorial’. ‘Plaza- Memorial’ is a Non- Profit Jewish Funeral Parlor in NYC. Anthony spoke about funeral arrangements on a pre-need basis, he said, even if a person has a Will; and thinks to leave burial and the purchase of cemetery plots for their executors to deal with; it is important to take another look and attend to it yourself. It will be less expensive if you do it, and you’ll know it will be just the way you want it done. Please call Anthony to find out more.

I hope you had a very happy, healthy Thanksgiving!

Dear Friend(s)

Re: ‘ISRAEL AMERICA FOUNDATION’S’ Alternative – Medicine’ -PAIN CLINIC- at Studio 353, 353 West 48th Street, NY., October 19, 2017 from 1:30-4:00 p.m.

The New -Year Holidays of Rosh Hashana, Yom Kippur and Sukkot were over. New Year dawned at a terrible cost to myself! I lost my Sister; Susan Etta Flanzraich two days before Yom Kippur. She died of the Diabetes she lived with for half her lifetime. & Then, the Morning of Yom Kippur itself, I accompanied my Husband, Rabbi Paul Levenson into the ambulance to the NYU Langone Emergency at 30th and 1st in Manhattan at 6:30 A.M. for a septic condition resulting from an Ebola Infection. He almost lost his life! And later, I found that I had walking-Pneumonia from working, & going to the hospital, daily.

And then on Thursday, the 19th of Oct., finished with the Pneumonia I hosted our’ Israel America Foundation’ -Alternative Medicine Seminar- with a series of ‘unusual ’ disciplines which when understood seemed actually welcoming since chronic medical conditions for older people, especially pain, is tackled successfully by disciplines that seem startlingly different at the outset from medicine as we know it. However, when you listen to the Practitioners, and see them demonstrate, you realize that ‘different’ may be a more apt description than ‘unusual.’

Dr. Debbie Joffee Ellis, Adjunct Professor at Columbia, speaking about RATIONAL- EMOTIVE- BEHAVIORIAL- THERAPY, (REBT) one of the Cognitive Therapies, established by the Pioneer of Cognitive therapy, Debbie’s late husband, Dr. Albert Ellis. She spoke about his last. bout of illness, in a nursing-home, still giving lectures.

Debbie said that although he was in the throes of his last illness, he felt better when focused on an audience. He forgot his own pain & used his own ‘Therapy’ to positively help himself!

Leah Desanto, Certified Reiki Master, used her healing hands to demonstrate the Japanese technique for stress- reduction & relaxation. If one’s life force is low, one is more apt to get sick or feel stress. Reiki is actually ‘spiritually- guided’ life- force energy!

Anton Baraschi, Bio-Energy Specialist demonstrated next. Anton was able to show us how he acted as a facilitator or conduit for the person who he is working on (a woman who three years ago had a Hip-Replacement that was hurting). He redirected that person’s energy to that part of the body that needed it so that the body could heal itself with the proper functioning of the immune system.

Susan Seet, Licensed Acupuncturist. She spoke about medical Insurance covering her discipline. She uses needles, harnessing pathways of energy flowing through the body of the patient. Health problems resulted when qi (CHEE) was interrupted. There are 2000 acupuncture points that access the meridians of Qi. Acupuncture affects the body’s nervous system encouraging the release of chemicals that act as natural painkillers.

Amber Grumet, Certified Feldenkrais Practitioner. The Feldenkrais- method was formulated by an Israeli Physicist who was in a terrible car-accident and was able by discipline to heal himself by becoming more aware of his posture and movement patterns, re-educating, his neuromuscular system. Ms. Grumet conducted exercises with the audience developing patterns to compensate for pain or injury.

Sylvia Chappell, Certified Akashic Records Guide. Sylvia spoke about past life regression or going back to a past life; when pain or ill-health strikes in the present. She uses hypnotism to recover memories of past lives. You can change your past life experience, transforming negative patterns of self-condemnation, through love, forgiveness and grace.

Laura Goldstein, Shiatsu/Acupressure-acupressure inhibits pain signals sent to the brain. Besides relieving pain, acupressure rebalances the body by dissolving tensions and stresses functioning smoothly and inhibit the immune system.

Sincerely yours,

Elaine Levitt

Dear Friend(s):

Re: “Days of AWE and the HARVEST HOLIDAYS” 5778

September 14, 2017 from 1:30-4:00 p.m. at Studio 353

Elaine Levitt opened the High- Holiday Program at 1:30 P.M. The food was late in arriving from ‘Ess a Bagel.’ When it did come everybody that was there surrounded the table of food. It looked like a ‘Swarm of invaders!

Our holiday program gave our ‘Friends’ a taste of what would come in the next three weeks; The old year’s end is froth with meaning; the analysis, and the apologies and penitence to man and G-d for one’s sins of “Omission” and “Commission”.

Dr. Debbie Joffe Ellis, Adjunct professor at Columbia in R.E.B.T. (Rational-Emotive- Behavioral- Therapy) spoke about the Holidays and the spiritual-cleansing at this time of year, and taking stock of one’s life at year’s end.

Elaine Levitt, President of the Israel America Foundation, spoke concerning the new enterprise of the Israel America Foundation: “My Mighty Right Hand” -in Partnership with ORANIM( the Teaching -College in Israel that I.A.F. is proud to support) will endeavor to give American -Students, both Christian and Jewish a ‘strong- synergy’ ‘Rub-In’ by ‘introducing them on their ‘Summer-Break’ to the ‘real’ Israel! They will relate to three types of Israelis who will be their class-mates: during the ‘Summer-Break” Israeli students: Muslim, Christian and Jewish. The American College students (both Christian and Jewish, joining us, will be: (1) Taking two ‘For- Credit’ Courses in less than three weeks (2) Going on short, sight-seeing- trips (3) Meeting “‘Distinguished- Israeli- Guests, and (4) Forming a loyal cadre to fight Anti-Semitism on American Campuses! **If You Want to Help Subsidize this important Tzaduka on the eve of the New Year, call: #212 869-9477.

Lori Leifer, daughter of Rabbi Meyer Leifer, sang and played Piano – music, suitable for the occasion: “ Hallelujah”, “Hevenu Shalom Alechem,” “Oseh Shalom” “Uva-U Ha-Ovdim”, etc

Rabbi Meyer Leifer spoke about the mysticism of the Shofar. The Shofar, or Ram’s -Horn, which is sounded (or blown) every week-day morning at the conclusion of the Services during the month of Elul (September) preparatory to the Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur Holidays. The Shofar is blown to stir us from our forgetfulness and awaken us to our duties to G-d, and to our fellow- men, and women thus enabling us to ask for G-d’s blessings.

Bernard Gordon, Educator and Secular Jew spoke about the humanistic background of the Holidays and the amount of days between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur and the Harvest- Holiday of Sukkot.

Rabbi Paul Levenson sang Holiday Songs, Lyrics, by Paul Levenson and Rabbi Paul also played Guitar and spoke about the meaning of Judaism and wished those gathered, health, wealth and happiness in the New Year.

Yom Kippur (Sept. 30) -Day of Atonement-is spent in meditation, prayer and penitence. It begins on sundown of the 9th of Tishri to the evening of the 10th day of Tishri. The fast is begun with the traditional prayer “Kol Nidre” seeking absolution for the broken promises of the past and ends with the “Neilah” and the sounding of the Shofar.

The Succoth Festival (Oct. 5, 6 This Festival gets its name from the Hebrew word- “Succah”—Tabernacle, and commemorates the fact that the Israelites dwelled in temporary homes during their long journey in the wilderness after being liberated from their slavery in Egypt.

Shemini Atzereth: Eight days of Solemn Assembly. (Oct. 12) Yizkor Memorial prayers are recited on this day and Simchath Torah-(Oct. 13) The rejoicing of the law. This day celebrates the conclusion of the annual cycle of the weekly reading of the portions of the Torah. The Torah (at this time) is carried around in solemn procession at least seven times in the aisles of the Synagogue.

I wish you and yours from myself and the ‘Israel-America Foundation,” a happy and healthy new Year! L’SHANA TOVA!!

Sincerely yours,

Elaine Levitt

Dear Friends:

Re: Israel America Foundation’s Estate & Financial -Planning Workshop:

A WILL IS NOT ENOUGH!” Workshop occurred on Thurs., August 17,

2017 at Studio 353, 353 W. 48th St. NYC (between 8th & 9th Avenues).

Elaine Levitt, President of the Israel America Foundation introduced the topic of The IAF’s Estate & Financial Planning Session, “A Will is not Enough” by explaining the meaning of legal Instruments including ‘Last Will and Testament, ‘Living- Will with Health- Care- Proxy,’ Disability -Trust’. ‘Long-Term -Health Care- Insurance’, ‘Probate’. ‘Executorship’,’ Trusteeship,’ Special -Needs’ Trust’, ‘‘Charitable -Remainder – Annuity-Trust.’ *Attached to this letter are some of the meanings given for the aforementioned Legal- Instruments. This Workshop was for Seniors, and the important thing to learn at the workshop is how to keep enough funds saved, so that after a fruitful lifetime of work, a married man and woman, or a single man and woman can remain with enough funds to pay their debts, keep enough for burial, and enough to leave something to children., spouse, or Charity. If you wish to speak to Elaine Levitt to set up a complimentary meeting call: (212) 869-9477.

Elaine then introduced Dr. Debbie Joffe Ellis. Adjunct Professor at Columbia University of R.E.B.T. (Rational- Emotive -Behavioral -Therapy) part of the spectrum of Cognitive Therapies as conceived by Albert Ellis, Ph.D., the brilliant Psychoanalyst that was her Late husband. Dr. Ellis spoke about

‘Gratitude,’ in good times and bad; the ability to see kindness, and the ability to return kindness, and a willingness to emphasize the importance and benefit of practicing unconditional acceptance of self, others and life itself despite__ and especially including—times of difficulty and challenge’; the time of aging, disability and death.-

John Levitt, Esq. Lawyer and Financial -Planner, heads up Pegasus, a Group for AXA ADVISORS, a French Financial House which is one of the largest in the world. AXA Advisors tries to help their clients invest wisely within the perimeter of the Client’s willingness to venture. According to John Levitt, Esq. our Speaker; there are investments that do not need a middle-man to take a percentage of the profit, but most people are not skilled investors, and they need a competent, Financial Advisor to work with them. John also spoke about “Long-Term Health Care Insurance’ Policies as well as’ Life-Insurance’ Policies. You may be interested in a Complimentary advisory session, please call: 631-385-5215.

Alan Scott, Esq., a Single Practitioner Estate Attorney spoke about

‘Living Wills & Health Care proxies’. ‘Power of Attorney’s’, and ‘Disability -Trusts, ‘Probate’, and the writing of one’s ‘Last Will and Testament’. You may want to know what would be the best vehicle for you to put your funds in: an irrevocable Trust or creation of a’ Living‘’-Disability -Trust’ for some future time. You may want to set up a complimentary Session by calling Alan Scott, Esq. at 212 599-6260.

And finally, representing Calvary Hospital and Hospice, we met

Rabbi Rachmiel Rothberger who is the Jewish Community Liaison of Calvary Hospital. Calvary Hospice and Hospital is in the Bronx, but if you are apprised by your physician that you may only have 6 months to live, and you live in the Bronx (where Calvary is located) or Manhattan or Queens (where certain Hospital beds are maintained in Hospitals or Nursing- Homes) or you want Home-Hospice in your own Home (in any of the Boroughs) you may want to contact Rabbi Rachmiel Rothberger (718) 518-2193 to speak to him.

This Estate -Planning Seminar was very informative.

Look at the appended sheet for the meanings of some legal instruments.

Sincerely yours,

Elaine Levitt

Re “Jews In Colonial America Workshop: 

On July 20, 2017 from 1:30-4:00 P.M. the Israel America Foundation, Inc. at 108 W. 39th Street, 10th Fl., Suite 1001

Elaine Levitt introduced” Jews in Colonial America” Seminar.

On July 4, 2017, we celebrated the Anniversary of the American Colonies independence from England in the year 1776. Can it be, that it wa only 241 years ago, that the 13 American Colonies achieved their independence?

Most of the early American Colonists were Puritans. They ran away from Europe for religious freedom, and they felt like the Jews in biblical times who ran away from slavery in Egypt. However, The Jews in America in Colonial times, was still running away; this time from their temporary homes in Europe. They were banned from Jerusalem and looking for another homeland, maybe, in the new world….Maybe in America?

‘The Israel America Foundation’, helping the Jewish- College student standing tall against the harassing Muslim student have paired with ORANIM, the largest and

and best teaching College in Tivon, Israel (Near Haifa.) Oranim has established two For- Credit Courses to be taught in Israel next summer. The Students will eat and sleep with the Israeli students: Jewish, Christian and Moslem and learn and establish a bond. Leadership, History, Values, Ethics, ‘Krav Maga’ (Israeli Combat system) In 2 For- Credit-Courses next Summer. Those two are interested call: ( 212) 869- 9477 .

Rabbi Meyer Leifer, Emeritus Rabbi of Emunath Israel Synagogue, NYC, and

Chaplain, of Morningside Nursing Home, introduced by Elaine Levitt, and spoke about Tisha B’Av (the 9th of AV) on August 1st; which was the Anniversary date of the destruction of the two Temples in Jerusalem, the 1st, burned by Nebuchadnezzar of Babylonia in the year 586 B.C, and the 2nd, fifty years later, in 516 and the 3rd Temple referred to as the Temple of Herod the great, was destroyed by the Roman Legions in the year 70 AD. Jews were banished from Jerusalem and this started the DIASPORA. Jews remember this date with mourning and fasting. It is the saddest date in the Jewish Calendar.

Lori Leifer, Rabbi Leifer’s daughter sang mournful songs in a low-voice playing softly on the keyboard.

The first Jews came to the United States with Christopher Columbus in 1492 s the same date that Spain expelled its Jews. In 1654, 23 Jews set sail from Recife Brazil after the Dutch were defeated and by misadventure came to New Amsterdam (New York). Peter Stuyvesant , the Governor, didn’t want the Jews to remain because they would be in mercantile competition with those living in the colony, but the Dutch -West- India- Company formally ruled the Colony which had Jewish share-holders so The Dutch- West- India- Company invited the Jews to stay as long as they paid their debts,and buried their own, and lived together.In 1776 2,000 Jew lived in the American Colonies. What became of them? The Colonial- Jew disappeared. This makes us sad reading this, but in early America, here wasn’t much chance to keep Kosher, or for Jewish men or women to find a Jewish mate. Jews are disappearing today too. Many young people are turning their backs on 3000 years of religion and tradition. Those young People grew up without it. Jewish -adherents in Spain at the time of the Inquisition and in Europe at the time of the Holocaust paid with their lives rather than disavow their faith. However, in capitalistic America, many Jewish households are too busy to learn about their own faith.

Dr. Debbie Joffee Ellis, Adjunct Prof. at Columbia University teaching ‘Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (R.E.B.T) known in Psychological parlance as one of the Cognitive- Therapies. Dr. Ellis’s Late Husband, Dr. Albert Ellis, was the Founder and acknowledged leader of this influential Psychological School. Debbie’s parents were survivors of the Holocaust from Poland. She was born in Australia where her parents moved. She spoke about the attitude of her parents who had been imprisoned in the Concentration Camps in Poland until the liberation. Instead of hating those who were the instruments of their torture, her parents returned goodness wherever it came from. It was this attitude that freed them from vendettas & hate, and allowed them to be happy, and this was the teaching of Dr. Ellis, her late husband’’s reality was the view one takes of things.

Rabbi Paul Levenson , Emeritus Rabbi, Kansas City & Boston and Trustee of the

L’Chaim Fund gave a program of songs that were popular in Colonial times among the Colonial Soldiers. There were 100 Jews in the Colonial Army and Rabbi Levenson sang army songs- written and, sung by the Revolutionists and Loyalists; and the wonder of it all was that the American- Colonists with a small ‘rag-tag’ army, pitted against the might of the British won the Revolutionary- War!.

Mr. Bernard Gordon. Educator, Teaching -Fellow, Holocaust Museum , Washington, D.C. spoke about Hayim Solomon, a Jewish Broker and Polish- expatriate who was able to finance the last days of the war single-handed allowing George Washington to lead the Revolutionary- Army to Victory &

dying a pauper at 45 years of age because the Revolutionary Government never paid him back.

Re “CARING FOR THOSE WHO NEED CARE

WORKSHOP”: June 22, 2017 STUDIO 353, 353 W.48th St.,NYC

It was a hot June Day, and we had a very big program in store.

Our lovely Secretary, Laura Goldstein, was out for a month for hip replacement surgery, and Elaine Levitt

Cataract Laser procedure the preceding week, but

Like the Postman, we continue our monthly seminars!!

It was our Plan to show the various kinds of living-arrangement, including home and apartment living for Senior Citizens in the immediate area.

Independent-Living Representatives: Michael Sutclifffe, Marketing Director, from Flushing-House in Queens and from Brookdale/Battery Park Senior- Living -Residence came Phoebe, a replacement for Nancy Campagne, Director of Marketing and Sales, from Manhattan, Michael stated that after 5 years living at Flushing House, if

a person no longer had the full amount of the maintenance, the administration would pay the difference. Brookdale, was more expensive than Flushing House; however, those people who could afford the private pay would be getting beautiful housing, Gourmet meals, and security.

Next came two Assisted-Living Homes: Harbor View Home For Adults, with Joseph Adler, Director of Sales, and Village- Care that sent Rosa

Ortega, Admissions Director. Harbor View in Brooklyn was able to go from Independent -Living to Nursing Home care in Brooklyn. and Village -Care which is assisted-Living and Rehabilitation ( in two separate buildings) in Manhattan.

Next, we had two Nursing-Homes presenting: the Hayim Solomon Home for the Aged in Brooklyn with Rabbi Chaim Weschler, Chaplain, and the King David Center for Nursing and Rehab (formerly the Sephardic Home) with Miriam Shenker, LNHA, CDP, Administrator.

PELLA CARE, A Registered Employment Agency for Home Health Care Aides, sent Leah Hersko, Director of Intake, who told of the specialized training the Aides were given as well as evidence to scan for finger-prints, to note any criminal records that the Aides have accumulated, which is crucial for hiring an Aide that one can Trust.

Next came a Representative from RIVERS0IDE, the major Jewish Funeral Parlor which sent Anna Marie Colleti, a licensed Funeral -Director. Anna Marie spoke about Pre-Needs arrangements, Cemetery Plots, and Funerals as well as Above-Ground crypts, as well as the fact that it is cheaper to buy Cemetery plots prior to the individual’s death.

And finally, we heard from Rabbi Rachmiel Rothberger who is the Jewish Community Liaison for Calvary Hospital and Hospice, who spoke about Home- Hospice as well as Hospice-beds in Hospitals and/or Assisted-Living and Independent -Living Establishments. Hospice is a Medicare Program.

Long-Term Health- Care- Insurance is a good thing to purchase, but it has to be purchased before reaching the age of 85, after which, unless one is a millionaire, there is no point to paying such high monthly fees.

Sincerely yours,

Elaine Levitt

Re: Israel America Foundation’s (I.A.F.) ALTERNATE MEDICINE WORKSHOP on May 18, 2017 which took place at Studio 353, 353 West 48th Street, NYC from 1:30-400 p.m.

The day dawned in a sultry, record- breaking heat spell; temperatures over 90, and in Times- Square a car with a crazy driver rammed into a crowd killing 1 woman and injuring 22 others, and the traffic was held up for hours, and cut down our attendance and delayed all of us, but the (I.A..F’s) Alternative Medicine Workshop went on as usual minus a Hypnotist.

Elaine Levitt introduced BROOKE LIEB, Certified Alexander Technique Practitioner, AMBER GRUMENT, Feldenkrais, Guild Certified Practitioner, DR CHRISTOPHER TRAHANN, Certified Acupuncturist, VIRGINIA BELL, Astrologer and author, PETER GOLDBECK, Certified Reiki Master. Additionally, Laura Goldstein, I.A.F.’s secretary, a Homeopathic Practitioner for the last 30 years spoke about her interesting experiences with Homeopathy. (Enclosed please find Telephone #s and certification of the Alternative Practitioners speaking on 5.18.17.)

People visit alternative medical practitioners today more frequently than they see their own physicians. People may still have pain from diagnosed medical conditions.it is important, even dangerous, to depend on pain-killers. We all know about the ‘Opioid -Epidemic!’ That being understood. It is of the utmost importance to know about the licensure, training and experience of the practitioner you choose to go to.

Find out how much it will cost. And if your insurance covers it. Remember,“Any one thing does not work for everybody.” Alternative Medicine Disciplines have been around so long it must mean that there has be something to them!

Elaine Levitt gave a reminder of the Holiday of Shavuot which takes place Seven weeks after the 2nd day of Passover. SHAVUOT begins on Tuesday Evening May 30th at 8:00 p.m. and continues to Thursday Morning June 1st ‘Yizkor. Dairy Meals are traditionally eaten at Shavuot.

“My Mighty Right Hand” Courses will begin at ORANIM College (at the International School in English) in Tivon,Israel for credit at the ‘Winter-Break’. For information call: (212) 869-9477

On June 22, I.A.F will give a Workshop, ‘CARING FOR THOSE WHO NEED CARE.” We will have Representatives from the best Independent,-Living, Assisted-Living-, Nursing-Home (Sub -Acute Units of Nursing-Homes for Rehabilitative Care) Hospice, Funeral Parlors, etc.

In your mailings is information on our Nine Organizations in Israel that we raise funds for. If you are interested in providing a Bequest in your Will for any of our Organizations in Israel, we will help with your Living -Will, Health Care Proxy, and ‘Disability- Trust’ (If you see the document “MY WISH TO LIVE IN MY OWN HOME UNTIL I DIE)*, and Last Will and Testament. Please call me for a Private, Confidential Appointment at (212) 869-9477

Looking forward to the pleasure of seeing you on June 22,2017,

Sincerely yours,

Elaine Levitt

* The Best place (in my estimation) for an older person is in their own home, and if incompetent, a must-have document is a ‘Disability-Trust administered by your chosen Trustee.

Dear Friend(s)

Re: Pre-PASSOVER Luncheon at ABIGAEL’S Kosher Restaurant, 1407 Broadway, April 6, 2017 NYC, 12: noon-3:00 p.m.

It was raw and raining, and the block of Abigael’s Kosher Restaurant was being renovated.. Nevertheless, we and the other hardy souls that braved weather and tarpaulin came down to the Basement where low lights and quiet reigned for the Pre-Passover IAF Service.

And because the time-frame of 12-Noon to 3:00 p.m. was different from the 1:30-4:00 p.m. of the normal meeting time; Rabbi Meyer Leifer & Lori Leifer were not there and it was 12: 15 and Elaine Levitt, began the program talking about the new venture of the Israel America Foundation, “My Mighty Hand” which will help American Jewish & Christian Students on the Campuses of Universities accosted by aggressive Moslem Students blaming Jewish students for the supposedly undemocratic activities of the Israeli Government in its control of the West-Bank, Judea, Samaria and Gaza,, and we are arranging to have a summer-school or winter break with students that “MY MIGHTY HAND” will take to ORANIM, the largest teaching college in Northern Israel and teach them the history of Israel, and Jerusalem as well as Leadership and Krav Maga (Israeli combat defense) and Emergency Medical Training, as well as take them on sightseeing trips, to the Christian and Jewish important sites.

Jacques Ackerman, businessman, originally from Zurich Switzerland spoke about Anti-Semitism today.Then, Bernard Gordon spoke about Passover and the enslavement of the Jews in Egypt,at a time when they knew not Joseph and the Role of Moses who had been adopted by the Pharoh’s’ sister after she found him in a basket floating on the Nile River. Continued (on back)

Bernard Gordon, Educator, and Teaching-Fellow at the Holocaust Museum in Washington, D.C spoke about troubles Moses had to liberate the Jews from 100 years of slavery. Once the Pharoah decided to let Moses & his people go, he regretted it and came after them. Moses agaom called on G-d, and the sea parted and the Jews were able to go onto dry land. However, the Egyptians were drowned. Bernard spoke about the Midwives, instructed by the Pharoah to kill infant boys, but the mid-wives told the Pharoah that the women were able to birth their own children. He called these mid-wives the first “Righteous Gentiles.’

Rabbi Leifer, Emeritus Rabbi of Emunath Israel Synagogue, and Chaplain of Morningside Nursing Home in the Bronx explained that the Matzos(The bread of affliction) were symbolic of Passover. We read Haggadahs (to see and hear the story)and remember the days in which we went free from Egypt. The bread did not have time to rise as we fled Egypt. The four cups of wine were symbolic of the gifts that G-d gave the Jews, (i) He let them go out of Egypt (2) He secured them from harm (3) In the 40 years in the desert he freed their minds from slavery(4) He led them to the promised- land.

We filled the cup of wine for Elijah who was the greatest prophet of them all and the harbinger of Messianic times and is always a Passover guest.

Lori Leifer sang and played the piano for the Four Questions,’ Day-yei-nu”, and “Eliyohu Hanovi.”And the final song, “Ani Manim.’

At the end of the Pre-Passover Program, Elaine Levitt, spoke about the attack and burning of the Warsaw- Ghetto by the Germans on the first and second night of Passover of 1943. Those that survived the burning of the Warsaw Ghetto were able to crawl out of the burning Ghetto by way of the tunnels that the prescient Jews dug behind the toilets when the ghetto was built, that allowed the survivors to get to the sewers where they joined the Polish- Resistance Fighters.’ In 1947, they made their way to Palestine. in 1948 when Israel became a state; the survivors formed a Kibbutz, Beit LoHamei Haghetaot (The Ghetto Fighter’s House & Museum) and later, ‘Yad Yaeled’ (The Museum of the Child).

We lit six candles, symbolic of the Six Million Jews that were killed because they were Jewish, and intoned the names of some ot the death camps—NEVER TO FORGET! Sincerely,

Elaine Levitt

Dear Friend(s):

RE” Israel America Foundation’s Post Purim Program, Thursday March 16, 2017, 1:30-4:00, Studio 353, 353 W. 48th Street, NYC. New York was supposed to be hit by a blizzard on Tuesday, March 14th. Luckily, it was more like 4 inches, but the cold continued to Thursday,and there was difficulty in getting around. However, we had a fairly large group in attendance. However our two main Rabbis, were not there. Rabbi Leifer was in Israel awaiting the birth of a new grandson by his oldest daughter Nicole. He was going to officiate at the ‘Bris’. He was late in coming, so Rabbi Leifer couldn’t come and Rabbi Levenson was stuck in Rockville, Md. Because of the snow.

So we began our Post-Purim Event in the basement of Studio 353, most probably because, one of the regulars, couldn’t come on Tuesday.

The basement would have been alright, except for the fact that when the coffee electric plug was connected to the socket, all the lights went out., and did not come back on until the electrician showed up 1 ½ hours into the program. Suffice it to say, there was no microphone and no lights, but somehow with the Hamantashen, the bagels and cream-cheese, the singing and piano music, and finally the speeches, the audience was riveted!

Lori Leifer, Rabbi Leifer’s daughter read the most sacred part of the Purim Bible Reading. And sang songs and played piano.

Jacques Ackerman, retired businessman, spoke about Anti-Semitism during the time of the Holocaust, and the problem with the two state Solution. Mr. Ackerman said the best solution to the problem was that …”There was no solution!!

Bernard Gordon, Education and Teaching-Fellow at the Holocaust Museum in Washington, D.C. spoke regarding the story of Purim.

Purim was the story of the averting of a genocide. This time, in the Diaspora, in the Country of Persia, where the Jews had come for sanctuary. Haman was the Prime-Minister of King Achashverosh; and Vashti was his wife; who had refused to dance before the drunken king and his friends; so she was beheaded.

Esther was a beautiful Jewish girl, who was picked from a group of the most beautiful girls in the Persian Kingdom to be the second wife of the King. She was either the Cousin or Niece of Mordecai who was head of the Sanhedrin, the Jewish Religious Group that was forced to leave Jerusalem when their Temple was burned down on the Ninth day of the month of ab.by King Nebuchadnezzar when he captured Jerusalem and exiled the Jews to Babylon. Mordechai didn’t bow-down before Haman.

Haman decided to get rid of these ‘stiff-necked’ ‘different’ people by choosing by lot (Pur) a day that the residents of Persia in all the towns would turn on their Jews. When Mordechai found out about this; he entreated Esther, King Achasverosh’s wife to intercede. She did it by womanly wiles.G-d did not have to make miracles. The King asked for another order which allowed the Jews to turn on those that would kill them, and the Jews Killed them instead.And instead of Mordechai, it was Haman and his 10 children that were hanged on the gallows instead of Mordechai.

Rabbi Leifer is fond of calling attention to the fact, that it was King Cyrus of Persia who helped rebuild the 2nd Temple in Jerusalem, and as the prophet Ezra stated, Cyrus was the son of Esther & King Achasverosh.The Program ended with Songs and Piano Music by Deborah Peck & Yani Leitner with the Finale, an original PurimSpiel played by Actors from our Audience telling the Story of Purim. Our Next Program will be Pre-Passover on April 6th at Abigail’s. HAG SAMEACH!!

Dear Friends:

RE: Israel America Foundation’s Tu B’Shevat Program, Thursday February 16th, 2017, 1:30-4:00 Studio 353, 353 W.  48th Street, NYC.

Elaine Levitt, President of the I.A.F. introduced the Tu B’shevat program.  Elaine spoke about the Ukrainian student’s wish to stay at Oranim (whose original grants to Oranim were paid by the IAF for another semester (the Ukrainian students were bothered by Anti-semitism when Putin invaded Crimea) as their letters to the U.S. for funding fo an additional gran makes evident. Ukrainian students need $5,000 for each student per semester).  They want to stay in Israel permanently.

Bernard Gordon began the Tu B’shevat Program that had been delayed one week because of the Winter Blizzard that occurred 2/9/17.  Bernard Gordon told us that underneath the ground in Israel the roots of the trees were awakening. It was the miracle of new life for trees that occur seasonally.

Early in the 19th century there was another miracle. Jews were coming back to Palestine! all during the eons of the diaspora, when things were darkest; asa per the time in Persia (Purim is our people’s memory of that time) and in the time of the Crusades, and later still in the Middle ages, the Jewish expulsions for England, Spain and Portugal; there were other places to go to even America, but with the Pogroms; killings of Jews in the Ghettos) in Russia and Poland in the late 19th Century the immigrants began the return to Palestine. It was the only place these persecuted Jews wanted to go. The first immigrants to Palestine found swamp and dessert and they died of Diptheria, Typhoid, and Typhus.  The Jewish national Fund reclaimed the land of Israel by draining swamps and planting trees, and the pioneers tilled the soil and planted crops. Gradually, the land came back  and the Jewish Pioneers were grateful.  Another New Year was added:  The New Year For Trees.

Rabbi Leifer, Emeritus Rabbi and chaplain of Morningside N.H. spoke about the importance of Tu B’shevat.  We drank the fruit of the vine, and ate of the fruits of the trees of Israel: figs, dates, raisins, almonds, etc.  And we said “Yizkor” the prayer for the dead for Helen Oken (who had no relatives to say it for her) whose assets she contributed to the Ia.F.  for projects on health for the aged in Israel.  Lori Leifer sang songs for Tu B’shevat in Hebrew, Yiddish and English accompanying herself on the piano.

Elaine Levitt introduced D. Debbie Joffee Ellis, wife of the late, great Dr. Albert Ellis, a pioneer in the field of Cognitive Therapy. R.E.B.T.   His therapy successfully dealt with depression, which is the most pervasive form of mental illness in the world today, depression is caused by excessive anxiety and rumination based on an inherited predisposition. Elaine likened a depressed person, to a tree in winter; that looks dead, but underground its roots are stirring.

Dr Ellis (Adjunct professor of psychology, Columbia University) spoke about the major precepts of R.E.B.T then called a volunteer, so she could demonstrate.  A lady who just had a male-friend leave her after a long relationship, raised her hand. This lady was depressed thinking at her age, she wouldn’t be able to find another Male-friend.  Dr. Ellis explained to her that her existence was justification enough for her to feel good about herself.  Debbie asked her if she had proof that she would never have a male friend again.  There as no proof that she could not find another male friend.  Dr Ellis told her to go find someone.  The program ended.  The next IAF Program will be on Thurs March 16th (Purim) at Studio 353.

Dear Friend(s):

RE: Thursday, January 12, 2017, 1:30-4:00 p.m.

Israel America Foundation Estate & Financial Planning Session

It was cold. Winter, you know! The elevator didn’t work when we arrived at Studio 353/ Happily, it was repaired before we left. The bagels were delicious and the audience knew more after the Seminar than before.

Elaine Levitt started the Program on time. She spoke about ‘Beit Lohamei Haghetaot”(The Ghetto Fighter’s House,) one of the nine Israeli Non-profits, the IAF raises funds for. The IAF has raised funds for ‘Beit Lohamei Haghetaot’ for the last 11 years. Before that, Elaine Levitt raised funds for Israel HISTADRUT Foundation (IHF) from 1978-1996 (18 years) where she also raised funds for Lohamei Haghetaot..

A bit of history; the Warsaw Ghetto burned to the Ground in Passover of 1939, after putting up a valiant fight for weeks against the military might of Polish soldiers. The remnant of the Warsaw Ghetto escaped through the sewers and fought on the Partisan side against the Nazis, finally departing for Israel when the state was declared in 1948.

The Ghetto Fighter’s (GFH) Kibbutz and Museum was founded in the Western Galilee in 1949 by a community of Holocaust survivors. The Ghetto Fighter’s House Museum is believed to be the world’s first museum to commemorate the historical heritage of the Holocaust-era experience and Jewish resistance. Today the (GFH offers exhibitions, workshops, seminars, conferences, study tours, curricular materials, theatrical performances and commemorative programs.

Preserved in the Archives of the Ghetto Fighter’s Museum are 2,500,000 items of historical material of different kinds: photographs, films, video-recorded testimonies, audio-taped testimonies, photograph -records, press clippings, documents, memoirs, diaries, an Art Collection and an Artifact Collection.

The Archives deal with three main time periods: ( 1) The Jewish world between the two world wars (2) The fate of the Jewish people during WWII, in camps, ghettos, forests and hiding places, physical and spiritual resistance &U 3) The rebuilding of lives after the liberation ( In D.P. Camps, clandestine Aliyah and detention camps on Cyprus)

There is a new permanent exhibition being established at Beit Lohamei Haghetaot using the glass booth designed to shield Adolph Eichman during his trial in Israel in 1961.The booth was given to the Museum for safe-keeping in recognition of the significant backing and assistance rendered to the Prosecution of Eichman by the GFH Archives at that time, and the moral and historical support given the Chief Prosecutor by Zivia Lubetkin and Yitzhak Zukerman—key figures in the Warsaw ghetto uprising.

Elaine Levitt’s husband, Rabbi Paul Levenson of the Judaic Department of Northeastern University, in Boston, Mass will.join with Dr, George Zilbergeld, Adjunct Prof. of Rutgers’ University to train students in the Summer School of the International School of ORANIM in Israel. ORANIM is the largest Teaching –College in the North of Israel, and it is the fulcrum for some of the most creative teaching in Israel. The students chosen will be Jewish and Christian students presently enrolled on U.S. College-Campuses. When they return to their Home- College -Campuses’ in the fall; they will be better equipped to respond to the incitement of the Moslem student- agitators resident on these same College Campuses. Beit Lohamei Haghetaot will also be involved in the student’s learning endeavors.

Elaine began the Israel America Foundation’s Estate and Financial Planning Program for Seniors. The Key for the Seniors was to think and plan themselves about what had to be done before the time to do

it arrived so that when the time did come everything would be ready; Then there would be the least anxiety and fear because all the planning would already have been done.

Elaine introduced Stefanie Garry, from Plaza Jewish Community Chapel who described how important it was to deal with one’s own disposition of burial and final sacraments without fear and to do it in a timely manner so that what you want will be done at a minimal cost.

Additionally, Rabbi Rachmiel Rothenberger, the Liaison and Coordinator for CALVARY HOSPICE (HOME HOSPICE) in the Bronx, can be consulted about Home=- Hospice (which is a Medicare Program) After you learn about this program, you can institute it yourself when you are dying, if your physician gives you fearful information such as “You may have 6 months to live.” But, don’t wait for this information. find out what Hospice is, should you need it, in the future, un-afraid, you will know what to do, and if you are sure you want it now, include it in your ‘Disability-Trust- ’Document.

Elaine Levitt then introduced a Representative from Workman’s Circle, and Michael Lynch, a Funeral Director from Parkside Funeral Parlor. Workmen’s Circle is a Membership Organization that sells cemetery Plots in Paramus, New Jersey. Members pay on a Quarterly basis for their Funeral plot. Parkside (a funeral parlor) that does everything except solicit the funds to the cemetery for the opening and closing of the grave, and the sale of the real-estate where the grave is dug.

John Levitt, ESQ. was introduced. John works with AXA. ADVISORS and does Asset Management Guidance and Estate and Tax Planning in ‘PEGASUS’ OF which he is the Managing Partner. ( its all under one roof) John told his audience that he gives a complimentary introductory Consultation, to get to know the client and both the Client and the Financial Advisor learn about the relationship that would ensue between the Financial Advisor and the person seeking his services. John explained how important it was to plan in advance strategies for making money, and not just accreting investments. Find out what John Levitt Esq. can do for you by calling and arranging a Complementary First Session:

Elaine Levitt spoke about a ‘Disability Trust’ which is a Trust that one makes in one’s lifetime when you are in full possession of your faculties, You make this Trust in the present, because you don’t know that at some time in the future you may no longer be rational and able to choose what they would want in that future time.

If you know in the present that you want to continue to reside in your own home or apartment; with day/night care if necessary, and with a friend or family member or two to look out for you, and you’re up to finalizing these things in the present (subject to changes that can be made as long as you are competent), then should the feared event occur when you are no longer in possession of your faculties, things will go as well as can be expected, because you made your decision when you could.

With an executed ‘Disability-Trust’ you have taken care of another fear the first fear would be death The second fearis that you may land in a Nursing-Home, if you leave the work you must do for yourself to others.

December 20. 2016

Dear Friends:

Re: IAF Chanukah Celebration, The Story of Chanukah at Studio 353,353 West 48th Street (Between 8th & 9th Avenues) NYC, Thurs.

December 15, 2016; 1:30-4:00 p.m.

According to the ‘Peter Principle; “Everything that can go wrong will go wrong.” Ans everything did go wrong on the 15th of December! The Elevator in the Studio didn’t work and the wonderful people attending on that freezing-cold day had to walk a particularly sharp, cruel flight of stairs, but at the top they were rewarded with Latkes, Cookies, Soup, Coffee and Tea and Chanukah songs and piano music by Lori Leifer and Devorah Peck & Yaani Leitner.

Rabbi Leifer then spoke about Chanukah, and the Courage of the Maccabees, and he lit the Chanukiah, the 8-candled Menorah, signifying the Celebration of Succoth of which Chanukah is an extension.

Bernard Gordon told the story of the Second Temple Period which was two hundred years before the destruction of the SecondT emple by the Romans. It is the story beginning in the year 175 BCE, when Antiochus Epiphenes, a cruel tyrant who ascended to the throne of Syria. He wanted everyone to speak the Greek Language, and bow to the Greek Gods.

Even the Jews seemed to assent, but deliverance was at hand. In Modin, a village in Judah was a man from a priestly family named Hasmonean, a man of great piety. He lived with his five son, who he trained in a passionate love for his Jewish Faith. He couldn’t stand a Jew bowing to an alter erected by the Syrian Officers. He stabbed the Faithless Jew and raised the standard of revolt. “Those who believe in God, Flee to the Hills,” he said. In 165 BCE, Judah Maccabee, Mattathias’ son commemorated the victory of the Judeans and re-dedicated the Temple in Jerusalem.

On the 25th day of Kislev begins the 8 days of Chanukah.

The most important ceremony of Chanukah is the kindling of the Chanukah lights. The light of Judaism never went out.

Our Door Prize was a ‘Needle-Point hanging. We have many Object D’Art for sale in our IAF Offices. We will accept the highest contribution, and the funds will go to Israel for Medical Research in Israel in Cancer, Diabetes and Heart Disease in the name of Helen Oken,

HAPPY HOLIDAYS! AND HAG SAMEACH!

Sincerely yours,

Elaine Levitt

P.S. REMEMBER for your charitable contribution this Chanukah:

Call up ISRAEL America Foundation, make a date to see

And buy Object’D’Art for your home and help fund

Medical research In the name of Helen Oken Estate.

Telephone # 212) 869-9777

Newsletter- November 17th, 2016

Dear Friend (s):

Re: …”And When You Get Very Old”…Seminar; Thursday, November 17, 2016 at Studio 353, 353 West 48th St, NYC.

It was a balmy day in November, and we were back at Studio 353 for our new Seminar. The streets were unusually congested since Donald Trump had won the election for President of the U.S. and continued to inhabit his apartment in NYC. , and the Seminar’s speaker’s table filled up slowly. We also had trouble with our order of bagels and Danish from ”Ess A Bagel.” And when the order finally came, it was one dozen short in the bagel department.

We started off our program with entertainment by the newly married Duo of Devorae Peck & Yani Leitner; a couple that had entertained together for some 30 years, and now were newly married! Yani was an Israeli who sang and played piano and he and Devorae sang in Hebrew, Yiddish and English all the “old favorite tunes”.

Elaine Levitt, President of the IAF introduced the Seminar. She mentioned that the IAF was giving a lovely framed, Flower Needle-Point as a door-prize. We notified all our “Friends” that we had in our Offices more lovely needlepoint wall-hangings which the IAF received as a Testamentary Disposition, and we will accept small contributions for them which would go for ’ studies in heart – disease’ through the IAF to Ben Gurion University in Israel.

Elaine Levitt introduced Olga Gorelik, Director of Community Outreach & Admissions at Amber Court Assisted-Living in Brooklyn (650 East 104th Street Brooklyn, NY. 11236 #718-649-0700.) Elaine Levitt stated that it would be advisable to call each speaker and arrange for a time and date to tour their Facility.

Michael Sutliffe, the Speaker for Flushing House located at 38-20 Bowne St., Flushing, NY. 11254, Tel: (718)762-3198. Michael stated that Flushing House was an Independent –Living Facility. (Go over your financial details with The Directors when you visit their facilities. In the Case of Flushing House; if you live there 3 years, since it is a Not-For Profit, they will supplement your rent, even if you can’t pay the full amount.)

Amy Schiller came from Gurwin- Jewish Assisted-Living, 68 Hauppauge Rd., Commack, LI. NY 11725 (631) 715-2000 (You can see it if you go there for short-term Rehabilitation after a Hospital- stay.) This facility is the most expensive of the three represented. A One Bedroom Deluxe is $5,965, per month per person or $71,580 per annum, a 2 Bedroom, deluxe is $7,400 per month per person, or $88,000 per annum without extras!

Leah Hershko came from Pella-Care. Pella-Carre is a Registered Day/Night Care Agency for the employment of Aides; $18.50 per hour 9-5, and $240 per day Round- the -Clock. If you live at home and used ‘Pella’ and are now on Medicaid, you can continue using the same Aides if your Aides came from Pella-care.

Our final speaker was Rabbi R. Rothberger of Calvary Hospice.His title is Jewish Community Liaison. Hospice is paid for by Medicare and you can receive Home Hospice which can include aides and other perks.

Looking forward to seeing you in December 15 for Chanukah!

Sincerely yours,

Elaine Levitt