The Jewish Standard

A caring community

In my capacity as the Jewish chaplain for the Teaneck Fire Department and, therefore, as one who was among the many support services called to the scene of the tragic explosion and fire that took the life of Richard Hass, I want to commend the Teaneck Fire and Police departments, my fellow chaplains, our own Teaneck Township Municipal Administration and its related public service and Works Departments, along with the many other Bergen County agencies who worked so well together, in a very responsive and responsible manner, under what were the most difficult of conditions. Everyone involved, which also included the Misaskim Disaster and Accident Recovery teams that came from Rockland County and Brooklyn, along with the Medical Examiners office, comported themselves with the utmost respect for the victim and the related religious and public considerations that had to be addressed under these circumstances.

friday [july 25]

Shabbat in Tarrytown Jewish singles of all ages meet for services at Temple Beth Abraham in Tarrytown, N.Y., 8 p.m. An oneg follows. Lawyer Michael Karnes will discuss "The Supreme Court Ruling Allowing Hand Guns in Your Home." The group meets for Dutch-treat dinners Tuesdays at 6 p.m. at Mount Olympus Diner in Scarsdale, N.Y., and on the third Thursday of the month at 6 p.m. at Charlie Browns Steakhouse in Yonkers, N.Y. Miriam, (914) 965-6525.

sunday [july 27]

Canoeing The JCC in Manhattan and the Mosaic Outdoor Club offer a canoeing trip on the Delaware. (646) 505-5708 or www.jccmanhattan.org

Singles meet Jewish singles, 60+, meet at Chestnut Chateau in Union, 12:30 p.m. (908) 687-0274.

Schmooze Singles, 40-59, schmooze with each other and Jeff at the Kaplen JCC on the Palisades in Tenafly, 6:30 p.m. Cost: $4 for JCC members; $6 for non-members. (201) 569-7900, ext. 460.

monday [july 28]

Parenting skills workshop Jewish Family Service of Bergen County in Teaneck hosts "Children in the Middle," a two-session skills-based training program to help parents and children cope with their reaction to separation and divorce, 7-9 p.m. at JFS. Presented by the Center for Alcohol and Drug Resources. Also, Wednesday July 30. (201) 488-8680, ext. 149, or e-mail info@tcadr.org

sunday [aug. 3]

Walk in Tallman Park Jewish Singles of All Ages from the Kaplen JCC on the Palisades in Tenafly meets for a casual walk with Liz in Tallman State Park and in the historic town of Piermont, N.Y. Meet at the JCC to carpool at 9:30 a.m., or at Tallman Park at 10. After the walk, the group will have lunch in a local restaurant. Free, except for lunch and carpooling fee. (201) 569-7900, ext. 460.

tuesday [aug. 12]

Cocktails in Manhattan The JCC in Manhattan offers cocktails on the roof, for 30s-40s, 7 p.m. (646) 505-5708 or www.jccmanhattan.org

friday [july 25]

Shabbat in Leonia Cong. Sons of Israel in Leonia holds a family barbecue and kabbalat Shabbat services for members and prospective members, 7 p.m. (201) 944-3477 or e-mail csileonia@verizon.net

saturday [july 26]

Comedy in Wayne The YM-YWHA of North Jersey in Wayne offers "Comedy Under the Stars," an adult open mic night with "wanna-be" comedians, doors open at 7:15 p.m.; the show is at 8. Wine, cheese, appetizers, coffee, and dessert served. Cost: $25 a person. (973) 595-0100, ext. 237.

sunday [july 27]

Museum trip Road Scholars, a group of retirees from Cong. Ahavath Torah in Englewood, travels to Manhattans Museum of Jewish Heritage A Living Memorial to the Holocaust. All are welcome. Reservations, Rita, (201) 871-1165 or Toby, (201) 569-2106.

Punt, pass, kick The YM-YWHA of North Jersey in Wayne hosts the NFL/Pepsi Punt, Pass, and Kick/NFL Youth Football event, for children 8- to 15-years old, 3-5 p.m. Free. John, (973) 595-0100, ext. 279 or www.ymha-nj.org

monday [july 28]

Blood drive Holy Name Hospital in Teaneck holds a blood drive with New Jersey Blood Services in the hospitals parking lot, 2-6 p.m. (800) 933-BLOOD.

Parenting skills workshop Jewish Family Service of Bergen County in Teaneck hosts "Children in the Middle," a two-session skills-based training program to help parents and children cope with their reactions to separation and divorce, 7-9 p.m. at JFS. Presented by the Center for Alcohol and Drug Resources. Also, Wednesday, July 30. (201) 488-8680, ext. 149, or e-mail info@tcadr.org

tuesday [july 29]

Pool party Tri Boro Hadassah hosts a pool party at a members New Milford home, 1 p.m. Light lunch served. A $15 donation supports Hadassah projects. All are welcome. Rain date: Wednesday, July 30. (201) 385-7006.

Concert series in Wayne The 2008 Summer Concert series at the YM-YWHA of North Jersey in Wayne continues with Cantor Ilan Mamber of Temple Beth Rishon in Wyckoff and his ensemble performing "A Tribute to Israels 60th Birthday," 7 p.m. Doors open at 6. Sponsored by the Gerrard and Ella Berman Fund. The Tel Aviv Café at the Y offers a soup-to-nuts buffet before the show for $7.95. Free. Concerts continue through Aug. 19. (973) 595-0100, ext. 233 or www.ymha-nj.org

Summer soul searching Rabbi Amy Bolton, director of The Living Room at Jewish Family Service of Bergen County in Teaneck, continues "Summer Soul-Searching 6 Rabbis, 6-Psalms," at the Kaplen JCC on the Palisades in Tenafly, with a discussion on "Psalm 19," 8 p.m. The program with six area rabbis runs through Aug. 12. Co-sponsored by The Living Room. Free. Lynn, (201) 569-7900, ext. 204.

thursday [july 31]

Film in Ridgewood Temple Israel & Community Center in Ridgewood screens the Borscht Belt comedy "Sweet Lorraine," 7:45 p.m. Free. (201) 444-9320.

friday [aug. 1]

Shabbat in Paramus The Young Couples Club of the JCC of Paramus hosts a Shabbat service and program for young families and children, 7:30 p.m. Program followed by oneg and playtime in the gym. All are welcome. (201) 262-7691 or e-mail ycc@jccparamus.org

monday [aug. 4]

Womens tehillim group The Chabad Center of Passaic County in Wayne continues a womens ongoing Tehillim/Prayer group at the center, 8 p.m. Group continues through Aug. 25. Free. (973) 694-6274.

tuesday [aug. 5]

Concert series in Wayne The 2008 Summer Concert series at the YM-YWHA of North Jersey in Wayne continues with New York Cabaret Limited, a six-member song and dance ensemble, 7 p.m. Doors open at 6. Sponsored by the Gerrard and Ella Berman Fund. The Tel Aviv Café at the Y offers a soup-to-nuts buffet before the show for $7.95. Free. Concerts continue through Aug. 19. (973) 595-0100, ext. 233 or www.ymha-nj.org

In New York

sunday [july 27]

Walking tour The Lower East Side Jewish Conservancy sponsors a public walking tour, "Second Hand Rose: Synagogues, Second Avenue, & Hidden Gardens of the East Village." Meet on the corner of Second Avenue & 10th Street, site of the former Second Avenue Deli, 11:15 a.m. Cost: $19 for adults, $17 for students/seniors. Add $2 more at the door. (212) 374-4100.

monday [july 28]

Art adventures Manhattans Jewish Museum offers Art Adventure Mondays!, free with museum admission. Weekly theme is "Stories and Art." Program runs through Aug. 18. (212) 423-3337 or www.thejewishmuseum.org

thursday [july 31]

Music in Manhattan Pharaohs Daughter performs at the JCC in Manhattan for the "Up on the Roof" series, 8 p.m. Cost: $5 for members, $10 for non-members. (646) 606-5708 or www.jccmanhattan.org

monday [aug. 4]

Art adventures Manhattans Jewish Museum offers Art Adventure Mondays!, free with museum admission. Weekly theme is "People and Faces." Program runs through Aug. 18. (212) 423-3337 or www.thejewishmuseum.org

Mazal tov

Mazal tov to Dotan Zimmerman, a staff member at the YM-YWHA of North Jersey in Wayne, who recently participated in the 2008 Summer Games of the Special Olympics at The College of New Jersey in Ewing. He competed with athletes from around the state and placed second in the 200-meter race and fourth in the mens shot put competition. In addition, his relay team took third place. Zimmerman trains regularly with Eli Kababa, a personal trainer at the Ys fitness center. He is also involved with the Break Dancing Program, part of the Garden State Dance Project at the Y.

Mazal tov

Mazal tov to Irving Berkowitz, 90, and Sylvia Berkowitz, 83, seated front, who recently celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary at the Gallen Adult Day Health Care program at the Jewish Home at Rockleigh. Behind them are, from left, Anna Farylo, from Gallen; a visitor; and Gallen participants Assunta Schiavone, Fred Gold, and Bessye Shulman.

Staff marked the occasion with a ceremony at which the couple sat under a chuppah and received a blessing from Rabbi Simon Feld, JHRs chaplain. Afterward, Irving Berkowitz broke a glass and the Rabbi read a poem that Irving wrote for his wife, called "You are My Beloved." The celebration included DJ entertainment with singing and dancing. The Berkowitzes, new participants in the day program at the Jewish Home, live with their daughter, Audrey Bida, in Paramus, and attend Gallen two days a week. They have another daughter, Diana of Merrick, N.Y., as well as three grandchildren, Sarah Bida, 25, Jason Bida, 22, and Eyal Ben-Haim, 20.

Birth

Kaitlyn Donna Rogers

Kaitlyn Donna Rogers was born on July 4 in Nyack Hospital to Michelle and Shane Rogers of Valley Cottage, N.Y. She weighed 8 pounds, 2 ounces. Her grandparents are Fran and Jack Rogers of New City, N.Y., Sheryl Soloff of Valley Cottage, and Robert Rosner of Norwood. Sylvia and Norman Rosner of New Milford are the great-grandparents.

Truly a gem

It is gratifying to learn that Ramapo College will open a multi-faith spiritual center, in addition to its existing Center of Holocaust Studies. Ramapo is truly a gem located right here in northern New Jersey. We should be thankful not only to the private donors who have endowed the new facility, but also to the State of New Jersey for enabling an institution of public education to flower in our midst.

That being said, Anthony Padovano is quoted as saying that no other college here or abroad has a center with the same emphases as the one being built at Ramapo. I am not sure that is an accurate statement. Bard College, in Annandale-on-Hudson, N.Y., is no more than 90 minutes from Ramapo. At Bard, Jewish and Muslim students share a facility known as the Beit Shalom-Salaam, which, as its name implies, is dedicated to peace and interfaith dialogue. Bard has a long history of cultural diversity linked with a fine liberal arts education and a noted music conservatory.

monday [july 21]

Atlantic City trip The Fair Lawn chapter of Hadassah takes a bus trip to Showboat Casino Hotel in Atlantic City. A bus will leave the Fair Lawn Jewish Center/Cong. Bnai Israel, 9:30 a.m. Breakfast is served on the bus. Cost: $28; casino return of $20 plus $5 food voucher. Bring ID and Total Reward card. Varda, (201) 791-0327.

Golf outing The YJCC in Washington Township holds its annual Bobbie Berkley YJCC Golf Outing, in memory of golf enthusiast/YJCC supporter Bobbie Berkley, at the Alpine Country Club in Demarest, beginning at 10:30 a.m. with brunch. (201) 666-6610, ext. 254.

Golf and tennis The Kaplen JCC on the Palisades in Tenafly hosts its annual "Golf & Tennis Classic" at Montammy Golf Club in Alpine. Nutritional counselor and life extension specialist Oz Garcia is the speaker at the ladies luncheon during the classic. (201) 569-7900 or www.jccotp.org

tuesday [july 22]

Concert series in Wayne The 2008 Summer Concert series at the YM-YWHA of North Jersey in Wayne continues with the Top Dror Jazz Band with American/Israeli vocalist Lorenn Peer, 7 p.m. Doors open at 6. Sponsored by the Gerrard and Ella Berman Fund. The Tel Aviv Café at the Y offers a soup-to-nuts buffet before the show for $7.95. Concert, $5. Concerts continue through Aug. 19. (973) 595-0100, ext. 233 or www.ymha-nj.org

Summer soul searching Rabbi Debra Hachen of Temple Beth El of Northern Valley in Closter continues "Summer Soul-Searching 6 Rabbis, 6-Psalms," at the Kaplen JCC on the Palisades in Tenafly, with a discussion on "Psalm 145," 8 p.m. The program, with six area rabbis, runs through Aug. 12. Co-sponsored by the Living Room at Jewish Family Service of Bergen County. Free. Lynn, (201) 569-7900, ext. 204.

thursday [july 24]

Caregivers support The Kaplen Adult Reach Center offers caregivers a support group with information, support, and referrals at the Kaplen JCC on the Palisades in Tenafly, 11 a.m. Free. Vivian, (201) 569-7900, ext. 461.

Second Generation group A monthly group for children of Holocaust survivors sponsored by The Living Room at Jewish Family Service of Bergen County in Teaneck meets for a discussion, "Show and Tell: Sharing Family Treasures," 7 p.m. Participants should bring a family treasure to share.
Laura, (201) 837-9090 or e-mail thelivingroom@jfsbergen.org

saturday [july 26]

Comedy in Wayne The YM-YWHA of North Jersey in Wayne offers "Comedy Under the Stars," an adult open mic night with "wanna-be" comedians, 7:15 p.m.; the show is at 8. Wine, cheese, appetizers, coffee, and dessert served. Cost: $25 a person. (973) 595-0100, ext. 237.

sunday [july 27]

Museum trip Road Scholars, a group of retirees from Cong. Ahavath Torah in Englewood, travels to Manhattans Museum of Jewish Heritage A Living Memorial to the Holocaust. All are welcome. Reservations, Rita, (201) 871-1165 or Toby, (201) 569-2106.

Punt, pass, kick The YM-YWHA of North Jersey in Wayne hosts the NFL/Pepsi Punt, Pass, and Kick/NFL Youth Football event, for children 8-to 15-years old, 3-5 p.m. Free. John, (973) 595-0100, ext. 279 or www.ymha-nj.org

In New York

monday [july 21]

Art adventures Manhattans Jewish Museum offers Art Adventure Mondays!, free with museum admission. Weekly theme is "World Animal Safari." Program runs through Aug. 18. (212) 423-3337 or www.thejewishmuseum.org

wednesday [july 23]

Film screening The award-winning film "Beaufort" is screened at The Museum of Jewish Heritage A Living Memorial to the Holocaust, 7 p.m. Free, with suggested donation. (646) 437-4200 or www.mjhnyc.org

thursday [july 24]

Film in Manhattan The classic film "Late Summer Blues" (Blues Lachofesh Hagadol) is screened at the JCC in Manhattan for the "Up on the Roof" series, 8:30 p.m. Cost: $3 for members, $5 for non-members. (646) 606-5708 or www.jccmanhattan.org

sunday [july 27]

Walking tour The Lower East Side Jewish Conservancy sponsors a public walking tour, "Second Hand Rose: Synagogues, Second Avenue, & Hidden Gardens of the East Village." Meet on the corner of Second Avenue & 10th Street, site of the former Second Avenue Deli, 11:15 a.m. Cost: $19 for adults, $17 for students/seniors. Add $2 more at the door. (212) 374-4100.

friday [july 18]

Shabbat in Manhattan The JCC in Manhattan offers a Shabbat dinner under the stars, for 20s-30s, 7:30 p.m. (646) 505-5708 or www.jccmanhattan.org

sunday [july 20]

Meet for lunch Circle of Single Jewish Friends, older than 49, meets for lunch at Unos Chicago Grill in Metuchens Menlo Park Mall, noon. Price of meal off the menu/tip, plus $3. Reservations, Roberta, (908) 668-8450.

Folk dancing and movie Singles, 40s, 50s, and 60s, meet for Israeli folk dancing and to see a movie at the Clifton Jewish Center, 6 p.m. Hors doeuvres, coffee, and dessert served; $10 admission. (973) 772-3131.

Jewish Harlem The JCC in Manhattan offers the discussion "Jewish Harlem?" for 20s-30s, 7 p.m. (646) 505-5708 or www.jccmanhattan.org

friday [july 25]

Shabbat in Tarrytown Jewish singles of all ages meet for services at Temple Beth Abraham in Tarrytown, N.Y., 8 p.m. An oneg follows. Lawyer Michael Karnes will discuss "The Supreme Court Ruling Allowing Hand Guns in Your Home." The group meets for Dutch-treat dinners Tuesdays at 6 p.m. at Mount Olympus Diner in Scarsdale, N.Y., and on the third Thursday of the month at 6 p.m. at Charlie Browns Steakhouse. Miriam, (914) 965-6525.

Mazal tov

Mazal tov to Simona Weiss of Fort Lee, formerly of Haworth, who was profiled in Great Britains 34th edition of the International Biographical Centres "Dictionary of International Biography" and Marquis "Whos Who in the Worlds" 25th silver anniversary edition. Weiss was previously selected for inclusion in several editions of three biographical directories published by Marquis "Whos Who." She is a real estate and corporate paralegal employed by legal departments of international corporations and law firms including Best Foods, Prudential Insurance Company of America, and Cleary. Among her community activities, she chaired Haworths County Committee Municipal and Parks and Playgrounds committees. In addition, she was a member of the steering committee at Temple Beth El of Northern Valley in Closter and served as its financial and corresponding secretary. Weiss has also been featured in "Whos Who in America" and "Whos Who in American Women."

Births

Cheftziba Elka Boteach

Cheftziba Elka Boteach was born on July 3 to Deborah and Rabbi Shmuley Boteach of Englewood. She is their ninth child. The name Cheftizba (Hepsibah in English) means "my delight is in her." Rabbi Boteach, a columnist for this newspaper, is the host of the daily national radio program "The Rabbi Shmuley Show" on "Oprah & Friends," XM Satellite Radio, and of the award-winning national TV show "Shalom in the Home" on TLC.

Benjamin Miles Perlman and
Margo Anne
Perlman

Twins Benjamin Miles and Margo Anne Perlman were born on May 17 to Emily and Scott Perlman of River Vale. They join a brother, Ethan, 2. Their grandparents are Ruth and Marty Kornheiser of Washington Township, formerly of Teaneck, Emily and John Moran of Poughkeepsie, N.Y., and Marie and Ken Perlman of Rome, N.Y.

Orli Abigail Rosenstein

Orli Abigail Rosenstein was born on July 1 at Englewood Hospital and Medical Center to Laurie Kaiden and Jesse Rosenstein of Tenafly. Orli Abigail, who weighed 6 pounds and 10 ounces, joins a sister, Julia Rosenstein, 3. Their grandparents are Ellen and Jeffrey Kaiden of River Vale and Susan and Leonard Rosenstein of New York City.

Hannah Rose Tekel

Hannah Rose (Chana Penina) Tekel was born on April 24 to Sheryl and Adam Tekel of North Caldwell. Her grandparents are Susan and Gregory Levy of Boca Raton, Fla., and Jill and Harvey Tekel of West Orange. Doris Diamond of Boca Raton, Yvette and Louis Tekel of Haworth, and Frances Antonville of Thousand Oaks, Calif., are the great-grandparents. Hannah Rose is named in memory of her maternal great-grandmother, Hannah Levy.

Ruth R. Gleitman

Ruth R. Gleitman, née Salomon, of Teaneck, died on July 9.

Born in Krakow, Poland, she was a Holocaust survivor who lived in six different concentration camps with her sister, Eva. She moved to the United States in 1953, living in New York before moving to Teaneck 25 years ago. She was an assistant designer to several fashion designers in Manhattans garment industry before retiring several years ago.

Surviving are her husband, Joseph; a sister, Eva Powell; and two nephews, Drs. Steven and William Powell.

Arrangements were by Gutterman-Musicant Funeral Directors in Hackensack.

Gene Schiffman

Gene Schiffman, 68, of Fair Lawn, formerly of Woodstock, N.Y., died on July 15 at Hackensack University Medical Center.

Born in Wallington, he graduated from the University of Pennsylvania, receiving his law degree from New York University in 1962. In the 1960s, he worked with his father at Schiffman & Schiffman in Carlstadt.

After serving as a magistrate in Wallington during the 1970s, he went back into private practice with Schiffman, Abraham, Kaufman & Ritter in Hackensack, retiring in 2007.

He was a member of the American, New Jersey, and Bergen County Bar Associations as well as a past chair of the Bergen County Ethics Committee and a member of the Free & Associated Masons.

Surviving are his wife, Morrissa, née Fromartz; a daughter, Carole Schiffman, and her husband, Vernon Tejas, of New York City; a son, Jonathan, and his wife, Sarah, of Passaic; a brother, Stuart, of Demarest; and three grandsons, Aryeh Leib, and Avigdor and Dovid Schiffman.

Donations may be made to the Juvenile Diabetes Association.

Arrangements were by Jewish Memorial Chapel in Clifton.

A true insanity

I am appalled and personally disgraced by the multitude of so-called cease-fires wherein Israel desists and our sworn and true enemies continue to fire to kill. We actually were stupid enough to "disengage" from Gaza and then watch the immediate and incessant barrage on Sderot. Two or more of our soldiers are pawns for a one-more-time "peace talk" wherein we usually return hundreds of Palestinian prisoners for, we hope, one or two (possibly) living Israeli soldiers. How inept our government must seem if to us, then to the larger world.

The same went on in the north with much firing of missiles until our army went in, did nothing much of anything, and then retreated. What happened to the Israel of yore? What happened to the bravery of our military past and the halting in its tracks of all forces destined to kill any or all of us? I am truly embarrassed that any Israeli leaders can honestly believe that all our promises will in any way end the battle of Hamas and other even more militant groups to destroy and disgrace our nation. Iran stands behind Hamas, as does Syria. Who stands behind all of our begging and conciliations?

Should we withdraw from the Golan, there will be a new influx of terrorists into a civilized area, who give not a damn for the so-called peace treaties made by our leaders in suits and ties which can only result in more bloodshed and deaths. All of this talk will go nowhere if the reality is made perfectly clear; none of our surrounding neighbors, least of all Iran, wish for an Israeli Jewish state to occupy one inch of the land in which it has created a flourishing and renowned nation of millions. If it were up to our enemies, there would not remain a Jew in the entire Middle East. Despite the lack of acknowledgement and refusal to concede one single thing in response to Israelis pleading for "peace," this government continues in the footsteps of another bad leader.

Why do we have this shameless need to demoralize our country still more with cease-fires that are not real, with peace talks that are a huge pack of lies causing our citizens first in the north and now in the south to live in mortal fear? Soon we will not have a safe zone anywhere in our country. How do we explain the return of Palestinian terrorists from our custody back into the hands that will re-arm them? Where is our chutzpah? What happened to the brave and courageous Israel that we boasted of years ago?

A one-sided peace is a sham and a fiction and is being begged for on bended knees by fools who have not learned from the past.

This is a true insanity and a shame for Israel and its people.

Sandra Steuer Cohen, Teaneck

A fundamental role

We at AMIT greatly enjoyed reading the June 20 articles on Sderot. I would like to add the following, as I have personally visited Sderot many times and can attest to the fundamental role AMIT is playing in the life of this community and its children.

AMIT, an educational network throughout Israel, has six schools in Sderot, with an enrollment of almost 2,000 students from kindergarten through high school. We are responsible for the education of all the children in Sderot who attend religious schools, and also administer the only secular high school in the city. Every school has a bomb shelter and additional concrete shelters have been erected in the school playgrounds. AMIT facilities have sustained damage from the kassam attacks; students have been seriously injured, and siblings and parents killed.

Throughout the past several years, as Sderot has been under constant assault from kassam rockets from across the border with Gaza, AMIT has been a steady presence in the life of the city and its children. AMITs principals and teachers in Sderot have been in regular contact, via both phone and by personal visits, with all parents and students. Psychologists have been helping students whenever necessary. Extra tutorials and study sessions have been added to help children keep up with their schoolwork under these difficult circumstances. Special activities, such as arts and crafts, have been organized to keep the younger children calm, and AMIT has organized bus trips for our students, as well as for our faculty and their families, to take them out of the city.

AMIT is determined that the terrorists will not win they will not deprive the children of Sderot of a quality education and the chance for a meaningful future. Should your readers wish to contribute to the well-being of the 2,000 children in the AMIT Network in Sderot, they may visit our Website at www.amitchildren.org or call (212) 477-4725.

Francine Stein, President, AMIT, New York, N.Y.

Near-term solution

Re: Offshore drilling plan faces opposition (June 27):

The opponents of offshore drilling are using out-dated anecdotal information that shows a total lack of knowledge concerning the current methodology in use off the coasts of Louisiana and Texas. Even Hurricane Katrina and other high category storms did not compromise platform integrity and cause oil leaks.

Especially noteworthy was Rep. Steve Rothmans reference to "19th-century oil and gas exploration instead of investing in 21st-century technology." However, whereas "super cell" battery-driven cars (300 miles prior to recharge) might be in production within five years, followed by fuel cell vehicles some years later, does the honorable congressman really believe that most of us would be willing or able to just scrap our cars and go green? I dont think so. We also depend on petroleum for byproducts as well as for fuel.

Sen. Frank Lautenberg cites the Exxon Valdez disaster. I respectfully suggest that he review the 1992 Amendment to the Jones Act, regarding the entry of single hull tankers into U.S. ports, as well as the Oil Pollution Act of 1990. The Exxon Valdez was of single hull construction.

Sen. Robert Menendez states that the "government has already leased 68 million acres to the oil companies but serious oil exploration is largely not being pursued." One would think that the good senator would have gone the extra mile and found out why not.

We should have resolved our oil "problem" years ago. "NIMBY" will not do regarding oil platforms and refineries! If the price of oil continues on its present trend, expect the price to double within the next two years.

Rep. Scott Garrett called for the development of "sound energy policies so as not to be dependent on foreign sources and unstable regimes." Weve been hearing these words since President Carter was in office. Why doesnt Congress act now?

Actually, the best near-term solution would be for our politicians and tax-paying public to go all-out for the expansion of light rail and "green" bus routes so that sooner, rather than later, the parking lots of shopping malls and businesses would become virtually empty. If not now, when?

Irwin J. Kadin, Washington Township

What have lawmakers done re foreign oil dependence?

A June 27 article states our local legislators and Sen. Frank Lautenberg stand four-square against drilling for oil off the coast. I would like these legislators to tell us what they have done or proposed during their terms of office to make us less dependent on imported oil. Thanks to their inaction and that of the other legislators, we are vulnerable and somewhat helpless. I am as mad as hell, and I dont want to accept this calmly.

Martin H. Gingold, Warwick, Pa.

Scores Boteach

I read Rabbi Boteachs "Disappearing babies, narcissism" (July 4) with horror. He knows nothing of the cycle of domestic violence. If he foolishly believes that a man with sisters wont abuse his wife, then he probably also believes that domestic violence isnt a Jewish problem. More often than not a man who abuses saw his father abuse his mother and probably his sisters. There is a very high rate of wife-abuse in the ultra-Orthodox community and why? Because not only have these men seen their own fathers act abusively, they are in households with six, seven, or eight children. While they spend their days studying, their wives spend their days caring for the children and trying to earn a living. The stress levels are so high the men react with the violence they learned as a child.

It is an epidemic not an only-child syndrome. Instead of suggesting television shows, Rabbi Boteach should start a not-for-profit program to help save these women.

Children need love and attention. They know they are loved when their parents give them attention and acknowledge them. Although older siblings should occasionally assist with younger siblings, they shouldnt be caring for younger siblings on a daily basis. That is parenting. If parents cant do that, they should have fewer children.

Not everyone meets their bashert while in their 20s. You should only get married when you are ready and meet the person who shares your goals and treats you with respect and love. Is it narcissistic to want a husband, best friend, and lover all wrapped in one?

My husband and I spent at least $150,000 on fertility treatments to make our dream of having children come true. We suffered through four years of hell until we were blessed with the most amazing boy/girl twins, who will be our only children. I wasnt being narcissistic in my choices. I was being true to myself, my best friend. We all must be true to ourselves. If I am not for myself who will be for me?

Does Rabbi Boteach know what it is like to go through the trials and tribulations of fertility treatments or the cost and stress of trying to adopt? Has he ever thought that maybe those with one or two children or none yearn for more but cant have them? Probably not, since his wife just had No. 9. He should put his money where his mouth is and pay for fertility treatments or adoption services for Jewish couples.

Lorraine Breitman Eras, Teaneck