Baltimore Jewish Home - 3-16-23

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MONDAY, MARCH 27 9AM-4PM / 6PM-8PM

TUESDAY, MARCH 28 9AM-4PM

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 29 9AM-4PM / 6PM-8PM

THURSDAY, MARCH 30 10AM-4PM / 6PM-8PM

FRIDAY, MARCH 31 10AM-2PM

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MONDAY, APRIL 3 10AM-8PM

TUESDAY APRIL 4 10AM-8PM

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 5 10AM-12PM

For those with higher standards ℠

New!

There's a New Beet Around the Bush

Serve up Gefen’s freshly peeled and cooked beets — or the newly introduced pickled beets — as a side dish, on your favorite salad. They do amazingly well for a nightshade purple purée or an every-meal garnish.

Take the track less beaten, try Gefen's Pickled Beets.

THE FIRST ANNUAL MEN’S BELTWAY SOFTBALL TOURNAMENT 4 SILVER SPRING TEAMS VS. 4 BALTIMORE TEAMS

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Dear Readers,

This past week the Jewish people around the world celebrated the joyous holiday of Purim. Festive celebrations and good times were running rampant throughout Baltimore and the entire world. Hopefully, we were all uplifted and gained inspiration through the mitzvos of the Day. At The BJH we’re proud to include two Purim-related features; 1) Purim Around Town (page 12)- a picture essay of Purim throughout our community, and 2) A costume contest (page 84). It was meaningful to see the excitement and creativityBaltimore should be proud!

I personally enjoyed Purim in its entirety, especially my visits to Rabbeim, Rabbonim, and friends. Each of you surely have your own memories and highlights that left lasting impressions as well, one that lasts far beyond Purim. In fact, Rashi in Taanis explains, “Mishenichnas Adar Marbim B’Simcha” encompasses both Purim and the upcoming holiday of Pesach! So we have a minimum of two months to carry this celebration and happiness!

There is a famous story with a fellow who visited Harav Shlomo Zalman Auerbach, zt”l on Purim and wished him a “Purim Sameach.” Harav Shlomo Zalman responded, “that is wrong- simcha

is not just on Purim, but an obligation all year long.”

Similarly, the Apter Rav in his sefer Ohev Yisroel mentions an amazing gematriya: The word, ‘החמשב’ (B’Simcha) equals ‘הנש’ (Shanah), both 355, to show that the Simcha achieved on Purim should bring joy and happiness throughout the entire year!

This message of Simcha is so important, especially, within our turbulent and challenging times. Not much has changed. Just like Persia in the times of the Megillah, Israel and the Jews throughout the world are threatened relentlessly by the Persian regime of today. And it’s not just the physical threat we’re facing, there’s been an onslaught of open anti-semitism that the world just ignores. We’re on our own and we can either be overwhelmed by our predicament or make the most of what we have - and be b’simcha! That’s the message of Purim. Remember our victories and let that carry our Emunah and happiness even in times of difficulty.

Wishing everyone a joyous and restful Shabbos.

Aaron Menachem

Moshe Meir Rubin PUBLISHER editor@baltimorejewishhome.com

Berish Edelman LAYOUT

Yitzy Halpern MANAGING EDITOR

Michael Czermak ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE

AMF Creative DESIGN

Aaron Menachem COPY EDITOR

THIS PESACH BE YOUR OWN GUEST

Welcome

Around the Community

Baltimore Chesed League by “Columbia Group” Continues!

The BCL 2023 season’s weeks 3 and 4 are now in the books! With four weeks of the season complete, the boys have had the pleasure of engaging in all types of chesed activities. To

celebrate the teams winning streak, the group visited Sky Zone to celebrate! A big thank you to US Engineering Solutions and SBE Accounting for sponsoring the outing and Mama Leah’s for the delicious pizza.

Team JTAP Tennis enjoyed

Team Union bridge Family Dentistry sang and played music for the residents at Aventura at the Heights.

Team Winner Insulation helped record inventory for Yitzchok’s Toy Gemach.

Team Israel Bonds

WesBanco Match learned about Hatzalah and all the important work they do in our community, while helping to clean the emergency units.

Root Canal hung out with the Menucha boys and had a blast bowling and eating dinner with them.

desserts for Bikur

The boys were excited to help those in need by making someone’s

a little sweeter.

Team Quarry Orthodontics helped the Jewish Library by organizing books, putting proper stickers on books, and placing them on right shelves in the Library.

Team Pikesville Remodeling had an incredible time delivering mishloach manos for the Friendship Circle.

The boys enjoy Mama Leah’s pizza and playing around at Sky Zone at the midseason prize outing.

Team

Adventures had a great time learning all about the features on a Hatzalah truck and giving them a wash.

Team DC Dental helped support The Jewish Caring Network, delivering mishlaoch manos to JCN families, while bringing song, dance and cheer to their visits.

Team

Center participated in the Jewish Volunteer Connections (JVC) Casserole challenge, cooking three delicious lasagnas to be delivered to families.

baking

Cholim.

Shabbos

Team Shimon Hoffman - Erie Insurance visited Aventura at the Heights, spending quality time getting to know the residents.

Team Erez Seiferas brought some early Purim spirit to the Residents at Aventura at the Park.

Team Donny Ankri Architects entertained the residents of Aventura at the Park, sharing jokes, singing songs, and conversing with the happy hosts.

Team Chesed Monkeys helped support CHAI, cleaning up the neighborhood around the Agudah of Park Heights.

Team CBT Baltimore delivered mishloach manos for the Friendship Circle and brought dance, smile and laughter to the kids.

Team Aventura delivered mishloach manos for imadi, visiting families and bringing Purim cheer.

Teams Advanced

Sage

Team David Flamm - Nationwide Insurance delivered mishloach manos on behalf of Imadi.

Naomi

Team King David Rehab Center helped pack shabbos food packages for a local chesed organization.

Keren Reva Costume Gemach helped deliver Pesach cheer and sing songs with families served by the Friendship Circle.

Team Kelemer Brothers Replacement Windows helped clean out and organize the Chai Lifeline storage closet.

Around the Community Bikur Cholim of Baltimore Women’s Melava Malka a Sold-Out Success!

250 women filled Bnai Jacob Shaarei Zion to capacity on Motzie Shabbos, February 18th. An incredible evening for women in support of an integral community organization, Bikur Cholim of Baltimore. No detail was left out, from the stunning décor to the lavish buffet, by the very talented and dedicated chairwomen: Malki Goldberg and Adina Goldstein

Rabbi Moshe Dear, Executive Director of Bikur Cholim welcomed and thanked everyone for joining and introduced Bonnie Pollak, Director of Operations, to highlight the work of Bikur Cholim and share opportunities and ways for everyone to get involved. Bonnie painted a scenario of a family facing a sudden medical crisis and how Bikur Cholim is there each step of the way helping to navigate during this frightening and challenging time.

An impactful video highlighting the important work Bikur Cholim volunteers do for our community featured: Mati Jacobovitz, Shani Listhaus,

and Shoshana Schmell. These women shared their personal experiences as volunteers and how giving not only impacts the lives of others but enriches their lives too.

The highlight of the evening was Yaeli Vogel, a famed self-taught artist, who shared her life’s journey while everyone practiced amateur painting at their seats with a beautiful Yaeli paint-by-number print. Each woman who attended was gifted an authentic Yaeli print. In addition, Yaeli created a unique painting on canvas Bikur Cholim, a wellspring of water symbolizing the water that constantly flows similar to the volunteers who are endless givers. Laughter, comradery, and fun permeated the air the entire evening.

Rabbi Dear thanked all the volunteers present and presented a special service award to Mrs. Rochelle Goldberg for over ten years of service to Bikur Cholim on the executive board and the annual bike-a-thon fundraiser.

The evening concluded with a delicious dessert buffet and raffle drawings. Mazel Tov to Lorna Durso

and Rivka Schmell, our two raffle winners, we hope you are enjoying your new Yaeli artwork.

Malki and Adina would like to give a tremendous shout-out of appreciation to the volunteer women who put this beautiful evening and experience together. Each person’s contribution is what made the event so beautiful! Thank you: Adina Burstyn, Aliza Schultz, Inbal Elman, Leah Rabinowitz, Nechama Tendler, Mikki Wassner, Rivka Schmell, Tami Teichman, Sori Zahler, and Yael Zimberg. And to our technical crew: Yaakov Berkowitz, Yehuda Klein, and Avrahom Klugman

Bikur Cholim of Baltimore has over 450 volunteers. Bikur Cholim distributes over 8,000 meals to 8 different hospitals, delivers more than 3,000 meals to people’s homes, services patients and families from more than 40 different cities and countries, and provides over 3,000 rides to medical appointments and Shabbos and Yom Tov situations, visits over 6,000 patients in hospitals, homes, and facilities and provides

patient advocacy services over 15 times a week. Monies raised this evening will help offset these vital community services:

Patient Advocacy

Vaccine Clinics

Kosher meals to patients/families in the hospital and home

Transportation to medical appointments and hospitals

Transportation on Shabbos and Yom Tov

Visitations in area hospitals

Housing in the community

Free-loan medical equipment

Medical referrals

Kosher Hospitality Rooms in four local hospitals

Accommodations near area hospitals for Shabbos/Yom Tov

Community and volunteer education

Bikur Cholim of Baltimore wishes to thank all our dedicated volunteers who are the rock and core of our organization. If you would like to join our team, please visit us at baltimorebikurcholim.org, call 410.999.3700, or email, info@baltimorebikurcholim.org

Around the Community

OCA Bat Mitzvah Dinner

OCA is proud to have celebrated our girls’ incredible milestone of becoming a Bat Mitzvah at our annual

Bat Mitzvah Dinner. The 6th grade girls. their mothers. and grandmothers came together to celebrate this momentous occasion. The girls had a

special class performance, each spoke indiviually about their namesake. and danced with their mothers and grandmothers led by Simcha Steps.

Each girl received a tehillim provided by the OCA PTA that know they will cherish and use for many years to come. Mazel Tov!

Ohel Yakov Melave Malka

By: Mrs. Judy Landman

Motzei Shabbos, Shabbos Parshas Yisro, Congregation Ohel Yakov held their inaugural Women’s Melave Malka. Long in the planning,

Feldman spoke about. Ohel Yakov is a place where people are friendly and accepting of one another, especially to newcomers, thus creating a receptive environment to all. The theme of the evening was based on the Parsha with the idea of VaYichan Sham Yisroel, that

which includes both our Yetzer HaTov and Yetzer HaRa. The more we can love ourselves with all our parts, including the ones we’re uncomfortable with, then the more we can love others who we may not be comfortable with. The concluding thought came from

baked themselves. What a nice way to end Shabbos! What a nice way to begin a new week! Please check out Ohel Yakov for yourself and experience the welcoming community, with veterans of decades along with many young families newly moving in, that

Rebbetzin Yehudis Feldman was very excited to see her idea finally come to fruition! And what a turnout it was! Over 60 women from the shul joined together for a remarkable and uplifting evening. The women were treated to a delectable post-Shabbos spread that included salads and soup, garlic rolls, fettuccine, ziti and quiche, with a delicious dessert following the group activity. The tables were set up beautifully with flowers to match in beauty and design, and candles to escort the Shabbos HaMalka. The atmosphere was warm and inviting, very much reflective of the shul itself, which is what Rebbetzin

the Jewish People camped around Har Sinai “K’Ish Echad B’Lev Achad”, as one person, with one heart. A panel of three women from the shul, spanning the range of generations, spoke about what this means personally to them.

One woman quoted from the sefer Living Emunah which quotes the Zohar that says that we have to come out of ourselves and our comfort zones in order to look at others. She shared a great story about an entire community helping someone find their lost cash for a down payment on a house, in the garbage dump!

Another woman connected the Lev Echad concept to Shema, in which we serve Hasem with our whole Lev,

the final panelist who asked the very poignant question that we all want Geulah, but how do we get there? She suggested using a roadmap that includes Emunah, Ahavas Yisroel, and Tikkun HaMiddos.

And then it was time to bake babka! That’s right! Brocha Shor, of Good and Sweet Caterers, explained that the word Babka is a Polish Yiddish word for Bubby! She gave all those interested in baking their own bag of dough and the active participants got busy rolling, smearing the chocolate filling, and finally braiding. Following this, it was dessert time, and time to eat some delicious cheesecake as well as other assorted pastries that the women had

it contains.

On a personal note, I felt quite grown up attending the Melave Malka. This was the shul of my youth, where I quietly sat as a little girl looking at the adults around me. This time, I was the adult, enjoying the adult company and the ambiance of K’Ish Echad B’Lev Achad in the shul of Ohel Yakov. Indeed, Ma Tovu Ohalecha Yaakov.

Judy Landman is the author of Seasons of the Rain available on Amazon. She leads the Write for You creative writing program for groups and individuals.

New Haggadahs from

Rabbi Daniel Glatstein is one of the contemporary Jewish world’s most popular speakers and respected maggidei shiur. This haggadah features comprehensive analyses on fascinating subjects such as "Who Wrote the Haggadah?", "What is the Structure of the Haggadah?", "How Many Words Are in the Haggadah?" and many other basic issues that give us a deeper understanding of the Haggadah and, indeed, the entire experience of Yetzias Mitzrayim.

by YISROEL BESSER

Reb Meilech Biderman has touched all of Klal Yisrael with his messages of chizuk, bringing us uplift and hope, filling us with confidence that we can make good things better. His weekly shiurim are followed by tens of thousands.

Now, Reb Meilech on the Haggadah brings his message of emunah and hope to our Seder table.

PURIM Around Town

Darchei Noam Montessori

celebrated Chodesh Adar & Purim! The Boys School enjoyed delivering mishloach manos to their Rebbe, leining megilla in costume in their Beis Medrash and working hard all month long! The Girls School decorated the entire building, capturing their friends and Moros’ favorite things in their thoughtful creativity! As always, the Early Childhood Division sparkled. It was amazing to watch them focus and learn, even with the Adar simcha swirling around!

Yeshivas Toras Simcha

The last few weeks at OCA were jam-packed with Adar festivities and Read Across America activities. On Rosh Chodesh Adar students were singing and dancing at the Ruach Rally. Monday was a “A Case of Mondays,” based on the book A Bad Case of Stripes, where students wore stripes to school. On Pajama Day, everyone enjoyed time snuggling up in PJs with a book and reading with a buddy from another grade. For Wacky Wednesday, students wore silly socks and silly hats and read a silly story as a class! Other festivities included Book Character Dress Up Day, and Dress as a Teacher Day! Of course, students also had the opportunity to package and deliver mishloach manot to students in other grades, to staff as hakarat hatov for all they do, and to Sterling Assisted Living residents to brighten their day. At the school-wide Purim carnival, we had a moon bounce, Purim story puppet show, hamentaschen baking, games, a school-wide parade, and so much more... all in costume!

Mercaz Torah U'Tefilah

R. Baldinger: The pleasure is all ours.

BJH: OK, let’s get down to business, what is bullying?

R. Beren: The main characteristic of bullying is when one child/children use power to hurt another child.

BJH: What are some examples?

R. Beren: When one child uses a public audience to criticize another child’s failings. When many children “gang-up” against one child. When children use their popularity to exclude others from school games, or from being invited to their houses on Shabbos.

BJH: Can you explain to our readers why the effects of bullying are so harmful?

R. Beren: Each child is so genuinely special. But when a child is a victim of bullying, they think, “How could my friend(s) do something like this to me that hurts so much? I must be worthless.” It is known that unresolved emotional damage of childhood bullying can chas veshalom (G-d forbid) lead to depression, an inabil-

BJH: Can you please tell me more about Reyus and this major progress?

R. Baldinger: The mission of Reyus is to create achdus (unity) and address bullying among children. Our vision is to accomplish this using our anti-bullying system, Buildup, that we developed and continually refine at our sleepaway camp, Camp Chaverim. With Hashem’s help, Buildup has been successfully implemented in five different schools, three boys’ schools and two girls’ schools.

BJH: Do I know any of these schools?

R. Beren: The two most recent “runs” of Buildup were through Bais Yaakov of Baltimore and through Shai Meyerowitz of TACTIC in Torah Institute of Baltimore (TI). These runs were extremely successful because of the incredible staff in these schools. It is no surprise that with Hashem’s help the lives of their students improved.

BJH: When you say “students’ lives improved” what does that mean?

R. Beren: Here is an example from one of the five schools we have worked with (details have been

positive interactions with the class, and classmates have actually been taking an interest in things that the student is sharing. The teacher sees this student as being more confident and accepted as a whole in the class.”

BJH: Baruch Hashem! And how did Buildup do that?

R. Baldinger: First, we daven to Hashem that He should help us bring friendship into the lives of these children. Second, we use a system of meetings over a six-week period to become a “Buildup team” that creates situation-specific, concrete action steps to publicly bring out the incredible value of students and remedy acts of bullying. These interventions not only create an appreciation for specific children, they also create an entire culture of friendship and achdus (unity).

BJH: Incredible. I am seriously moved. Does Reyus have a haskamah?

R. Beren: Rabbi Yaakov Hopfer, Shlita, has been intimately involved in Reyus, and has written a strong haskamah for our work. In addition, all of the schools that we have worked with

success. We also have written support from the Alberti Center for Bullying Abuse Prevention, who did a full independent study of Buildup.

BJH: I would really want to hear more details about this study, but we are almost out of time. How much do you charge schools for your work?

R. Baldinger: Nothing.

BJH: What?? How do you do that?

R. Baldinger: We fundraise separately for our work from individual donors and grants. As you have heard, a major part of our success is the trust we build with each school. Removing the financial constraint from this relationship has been an essential part of this. We ask the school to pay for the cost of supplies and to write us a letter to show to donors.

BJH: That is amazing. I am sure many of our readers are going to want to get involved. How can they help?

R. Beren: If they would like to learn more about bringing Buildup to their school, or if they would like to become a donor, they can reach out to me directly, or they can go to our website. Regarding donations, we are a 501(c)(3) and ma’aser may be used.

BJH: It has truly been an honor to talk with both of you and to hear about Reyus. May Hashem give you much success with all that you are doing.

R. Beren and R. Baldinger: Amen!

The Week In News

turing rare and exotic animal species, the Nature and Parks Authority said on Tuesday.

The Jerusalem-area raid was a coordinated effort of the Israel Police, Border Police, and the Nature and Parks Authority National Wildlife Crime Prevention Unit.

Chaim Topol Dies

Israeli actor, singer and Israel Prize laureate Chaim Topol passed away last week at the age of 87.

You may not have known his name, but you knew his songs. Topol was best known for his portrayal of Tevye, the lead role in both the stage musical “Fiddler on the Roof” as well as the 1971 film adaptation.

The actor was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease several years ago.

Topol was born on September 9, 1935 in Tel Aviv. He began his acting career during his Israeli army service in the Nahal entertainment troupe, and later toured Israel with kibbutz theatre and satirical theatre companies. He was a co-founder of the Haifa Theatre.

His breakthrough film role came in 1964 as the title character in Sallah Shabati, by Israeli writer Ephraim Kishon, for which he won a Golden Globe for Most Promising Newcomer—Male. Topol went on to appear in more than 30 films in Israel and the United States, winning a Golden Globe for Best Actor.

He was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actor for his 1971 film portrayal of Tevye and was nominated for a Tony Award for Best Actor for a 1991 Broadway revival of “Fiddler on the Roof.”

In 2015, he was awarded the Israel Prize for lifetime achievement. He also received an honorary doctorate from Haifa University and Bar Ilan University.

Snake Operation

Israeli authorities have busted a massive black-market operation fea-

“Thanks to the cooperation of the Israel Police and Border Police, we were able to stop a breeder that was illegally keeping a large number of animals, some of which were kept in poor condition,” said Nature and Parks Authority National Wildlife Crime Prevention Unit official Yaniv Shalom.

The animals, worth tens of thousands of shekels, were either set to be sold or were being kept by individuals. Those in poor condition were transported for veterinary care.

The suspect was transferred for questioning and a criminal investigation was opened.

Among the animals seized were red-eared sliders—the most popular pet turtle in the United States and one of the most popular pets around the world—and the Boiga genus of rear-fanged, mildly venomous snakes, which are commonly known as cateyed or cat snakes. (JNS)

A mRNA Vaccine for Bacteria

Researchers from Tel Aviv University and the Israel Institute for Biological Research have developed the world’s first mRNA vaccine effective against bacteria.

Scientists used mRNA technology

WE ARE HIRING!

The Week In News

that had been used to fight Covid and other viral infections. They then developed a single-dose vaccine that would protect mice against the Plague, the lethal disease that killed millions of people during the Middle Ages and is still around today, especially in parts of Africa and Asia.

The researchers hope to adapt the vaccine for other diseases, especially ones caused by antibiotic-resistant bacteria that could lead to a fast-spreading pandemic.

The study was published last week in Science Advances.

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“There are many pathogenic bacteria for which we have no vaccines. Moreover, due to the excessive use of antibiotics over the last few decades, many bacteria have developed resistance to antibiotics, reducing the effectiveness of these important drugs,” said Prof. Dan Peer, VP for R&D and head of the Laboratory of Precision Nano-Medicine at the Shmunis School of Biomedicine and Cancer Research at TAU.

“Consequently, antibiotic-resistant bacteria already pose a real threat to human health worldwide. Developing a new type of vaccine may provide an answer to this global problem,” he said.

The scientists focused their study on the Plague-causing Yersinia pestis. But scientists say that other microbes are now a priority.

“The next step is to focus on bacteria that are more relevant for the general public now like Staphylococcus aureus and certain kinds of resistant Streptococcus,” said Dr. Edo Kon, the study’s lead author.

The advantage of mRNA vaccines is that they are now familiar, effective, and can be quickly developed. In the case of Covid-19, it took only 63 days to move from the publishing of the virus’s genetic sequence to clinical trials of the vaccine. Both the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines were mRNA vaccines.

Full Time: 9:30am-3:30pm

But viruses and bacteria differ in a key way. Viruses depend on external (host) cells for their reproduction. They insert their mRNA molecule into human cells and use them as factories for producing viral proteins based on their genetic material.

“In contrast, bacteria don’t need our cells to produce their own proteins. And since the evolutions of humans and bacteria are quite different

from one another, proteins produced in bacteria can be different from those produced in human cells, even when based on the same genetic sequence,” Kon said.

As a result, attempts by scientists to synthesize bacterial proteins in human cells resulted in low levels of antibodies that produced an insufficient immune response. The TAU and IIBR teams worked to bypass these problems. Their methods worked on the Plague bacteria. Now, they are working on other types of bacteria.

Arafat Aide Released from Jail

A former aide to Yasser Arafat and the oldest Palestinian prisoner in an Israeli jail was released on Monday after serving 17 years for arms smuggling, according to local media reports.

Fuad Shubaki, 83, was released from Ashkelon prison and was being transferred to Palestinian Authority-controlled Ramallah beyond the Green Line, said the reports.

Shubaki, a senior member of P.A. chief Mahmoud Abbas’s ruling Fatah faction, was sentenced for his role in attempting to smuggle weapons from Iran to the Gaza Strip aboard the Karine A

The ship, seized by Israeli forces in 2002, was carrying 50 tons of weapons, including Katyusha rockets and anti-tank missiles, supplied by Iran and its Lebanon-based terror proxy Hezbollah.

Shubaki dealt with financial affairs for then-Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat and was convicted of purchasing the weapons through a foreign agent.

He was first detained by Palestinian security forces in 2002 and held in Jericho under U.S. and British supervision.

In 2006, the prison was raided by

Just Four Days Later

Perhaps everyone pictures their life to follow a smooth sailing route. I certainly did. I would graduate school, perhaps go to seminary, and then get married. Isn’t that the way it goes?

But, for me, it didn’t. My path turned into one long, convoluted road that was difficult to navigate. With each new shidduch that was redt, I began to dream upward, only to plummet down the steep end, disappointed time and again. My stomach would lurch as each suggestion turned out to be yet another bend in my zigzagged route to marriage.

I don’t think I’m all that different from my peers and I really didn’t know why nothing was working. I was in pain.

One day, I decided to do something with my pain, to try a different avenue. I signed up for a membership with Tehillim Kollel. I asked them to daven on my behalf, certain that the hallowed words of David Hamelech would do the trick.

Little did I dream how quickly it would go.

The day I called Tehillim Kollel was a Sunday, and that very night, my parents received the name of a potential shidduch. Things moved quickly from that initial phone call. Preliminary research morphed into deep-end questioning as the details seemed to fall into place, naturally. By Wednesday, I was engaged!

Until today I find it hard to believe how immediate the results were. I opened my heart, and Hashem heeded my request. I am forever grateful to Tehillim Kollel for their part in my miracle.

The Week In News

Israeli forces and Shubaki was taken to Israel, where he was tried in a military court and sentenced to two decades in jail.

His sentence was later reduced to 17 years. (JNS)

First Reading of Disengagement Law Repeal

communities in Gaza.

The bill, sponsored by Likud Knesset member Yuli Edelstein, seeks to restore freedom of movement to Israelis in the four Samaria communities. It passed by 40-17.

“There is no longer any justification to prevent Israelis from entering and staying in the evacuated territory in northern Samaria, and therefore it is proposed to state that these sections [of the disengagement law] will no longer apply to the evacuated territory,” reads the introductory text to the bill.

Knesset member Yuli Edelstein and National Missions Minister Orit Strook sponsored the measure at the request of Samaria Regional Council chairman Yossi Dagan, who was himself among those expelled from the Samaria communities.

The Knesset approved on Monday night in first reading a bill repealing sections of the 2005 Disengagement Law that prevent Israelis from entering or living in parts of northern Samaria.

The 2005 Gaza disengagement led to the destruction and evacuation of the Israeli communities of Sa-Nur, Homesh, Ganim, and Kadim in northern Samaria, as well as 21

The proposed legislation will now return to the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee to be prepared for the second and third readings required to pass into law, including a discussion on whether to change the bill’s name to reflect that it does not apply to Hamas-ruled Gaza.

All Jews were forcibly removed from the Gaza Strip in 2005.

“This is the start of…correcting a

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The Week In News

historical injustice. I expect the law to be completely repealed. This is a struggle we have been waging for 18 years and we finally see the light at the end of the tunnel,” said Dagan last month as the bill was making its way through Knesset committees.

“The deportees of [northern Samaria] – heroes who are standing with us as the tip of the spear in this struggle – will yet see recompense for their actions. The residents of the communities of Ganim, Kadim, Homesh and Sa-Nur will return within their borders,” he added, referencing Jeremiah 31:15-16.

A game of cat and mouse has taken place between the IDF and former residents and supporters since the disengagement, particularly at Homesh, where a yeshiva has operated out of caravans and tents. Troops have dismantled the yeshiva several times over the years.

The coalition agreement between Likud and the Religious Zionism Party, led by Minister of Finance Bezalel Smotrich, requires the government to reverse parts of the disengagement and allow for the Homesh Yeshiva to remain as a first step towards rebuilding the four communities. (JNS)

Life in Prison for NYC Terrorist

Sayfullo Saipov, the terrorist who killed eight people on a New York City bath path by ramming his van

into them, will now spend the rest of his life in prison. A jury had declared him to be guilty in the 2017 attack but could not come to a unanimous decision on the death penalty.

The jury convicted Saipov in January of all counts against him for the fatal terror attack he committed on October 31, 2017. The terrorist drove a rented U-Haul truck into cyclists and pedestrians on Manhattan’s West Side bike path, then crashed the vehicle into a school bus, authorities said.

After leaving the truck while brandishing a pellet gun and paintball gun, he was shot by a New York Police Department officer and taken into custody.

“This evil act was fueled by Saipov’s allegiance to ISIS, an allegiance which Saipov proudly maintained after the attack and up

through his trial. Today, a jury has declined to authorize the death penalty for Saipov, and accordingly the defendant will be subject to a mandatory sentence of life imprisonment without the possibility of parole,” U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said Monday.

Saipov is expected to serve his life sentence at the Federal Bureau of Prisons ADX facility in Florence, Colorado, in solitary confinement at least 22 hours a day.

Free Paid Leave –For No Reason

Want to leave work for a few days and still get paid? Move to Illinois.

This week, the Land of Lincoln became one of three states to offer paid

The Week In News

time off for any reason. Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed the law on Monday that will take effect next year.

Starting January 1, Illinois employers must offer workers paid time off based on hours worked, with no need to explain the reason for their absence as long as they provide notice in accordance with reasonable employer standards.

Only Maine and Nevada mandate earned paid time off and allot employees the freedom to decide how to use it. Illinois’s law reaches even further – unencumbered by limits based on business size. Similarly structured regulations that require employers to offer paid sick leave exist in 14 states and Washington, D.C., but workers can only use that for health-related reasons.

Illinois employees will accrue one hour of paid leave for every 40 hours worked up to 40 hours total, although the employer may offer more. Employees can start using the time once they have worked for 90 days. Seasonal workers will be exempt, as will federal employees or college students who

work non-full-time, temporary jobs for their university.

After signing the bill, Pritzker said, “Too many people can’t afford to miss even a day’s pay ... Together we continue to build a state that truly serves as a beacon for families, and businesses, and good paying jobs.”

Proponents say paid leave is key to making sure workers, especially low-income workers who are more vulnerable, are able to take time off when needed without fear of reprisal from an employer.

But critics say the law will overburden small businesses already struggling to survive the post-pandemic era amid the high inflation that has gripped the nation for nearly two years.

Vaccines for Chickens?

The Biden administration, keeping a watchful eye on an outbreak of avian influenza that has led to the deaths of

tens of millions of chickens and is driving up the cost of eggs — not to mention raising the frightening specter of a human pandemic — is contemplating a mass vaccination campaign for poultry, according to White House officials.

The bird flu outbreak, which began early last year, is the biggest in the nation’s history, affecting more than 58 million farmed birds in 47 states, as well as birds in the wild. It has already spilled over into mammals, such as mink, foxes, raccoons, and bears, raising fears that the virus that causes it, known as H5N1, could mutate and start spreading more easily among people.

agency has sent drug manufacturers flu virus samples that could form the basis of vaccines for people. The CDC is also exploring whether commercial test manufacturers would be willing to develop tests for H5N1, similar to those used for the coronavirus.

Bird flu infections in humans are rare, and transmission of bird flu between humans is extremely rare. Cases typically involve people exposed to poultry. In the United States, the CDC, in partnership with state and local public health departments, is monitoring people who are exposed to H5N1.

Experts at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, whose focus is human health, say the risk of a pandemic is low. As a precaution, the

Farm birds are already vaccinated against infectious poultry diseases, such as fowlpox. But an avian influenza vaccination program would be a complex undertaking, and poultry trade associations are divided over the idea, in part because it might spawn trade restrictions that could destroy the $6 billion poultry export industry. Dr. Carol Cardona, an expert on avian health at the University of Minnesota, said that the fear of trade bans was a huge barrier to the mass vaccination of poultry.

The Week In News

“This is the undeclared war — trade,” Cardona said.

A handful of countries in which avian influenza is endemic, including China, Egypt, and Vietnam, already routinely vaccinate poultry against it. The vaccines are typically injected into individual birds and require more than one dose, said Dr. Leslie Sims, an international veterinary consultant on the prevention and control of zoonotic diseases who is based in Australia.

(© The New York Times)

U.S. Gov. Sues Rite Aid

thousands of unlawful combinations of prescriptions known as “the trinity” which included prescriptions for “excessive quantities of opioids, such as oxycodone and fentanyl.”

Rite Aid pharmacists were accused of ignoring obvious signs of misuse and intentionally deleting some pharmacists’ internal warnings about suspicious prescribers, such as “cash only pill mill???”

“These practices opened the floodgates for millions of opioid pills and other controlled substances to flow illegally out of Rite Aid’s stores,” Associate Attorney General Vanita Gupta said.

Rite Aid is one of the country’s largest pharmacy chains, with more than 2,330 stores in 17 U.S. states.

The Justice Department accused Rite Aid of violating the federal False Claims Act by submitting false prescription claims to government health care programs such as Medicare and Medicaid.

It joined a whistleblower lawsuit filed in 2019 by two pharmacists and a pharmacy technician from Rite Aid stores in Pennsylvania, North Carolina, and West Virginia.

ransomware – and is a metric for U.S. policymakers in measuring how much hacking and other schemes are costing the American economy.

Unfortunately, the majority of those scammed were elderly, with people over 60 accounting for $724 million, or more than two-thirds of the reported losses from “call center fraud.” Such fraud occurs when scammers call someone impersonating tech support or government agencies.

Ransomware, which locks computers until hackers are paid off, accounted for about $34 million in adjusted losses reported to the FBI last year. The relatively modest figure compared to other forms of fraud could be due to the fact that many victim organizations still do not report ransomware attacks to the FBI.

Atrio, a Michelin-starred Spanish restaurant.

The heist took place back in 2021 and was planned in “minute detail,” officers said at the time of the offense.

The couple had visited the restaurant three times in the months preceding the robbery. On the night of the theft, the woman checked in to the adjacent Atrio small luxury hotel using a fake Swiss passport. Her husband did not check in.

Hours before the heist, they enjoyed a 14-course dinner at the restaurant, followed by a guided tour of the wine cellar.

On Monday, the U.S. Justice Department filed a lawsuit against Rite Aid for allegedly violating the Controlled Substances Act, claiming that the company “knowingly filled unlawful prescriptions for controlled substances.”

In a statement, Attorney General Merrick Garland said the Department of Justice is “using every tool at our disposal” to hold Rite Aid accountable for contributing to the opioid epidemic.

Associate Attorney General Vanita Gupta added, “Rite Aid’s pharmacists repeatedly filled prescriptions for controlled substances with obvious red flags, and Rite Aid intentionally deleted internal notes about suspicious prescribers. These practices opened the floodgates for millions of opioid pills and other controlled substances to flow illegally out of Rite Aid’s stores.”

In the complaint, the Justice Department alleges that from May 2014 to June 2019, Rite Aid filled

The Justice Department has also sued Walmart and drug distributor AmerisourceBergen Corp over their alleged roles in the nation’s opioid crisis.

More than 500,000 people died from drug overdoses in the United States from 1999 to 2020, including more than 90,000 in 2020 alone, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

$10B Lost in Online Fraud

More than $10 billion in losses from online scams were reported to the FBI in 2022, the highest annual loss in the last five years, according to a new report from the bureau.

2022 saw $3 billion more in reports of online fraud than the year before. The FBI says those numbers are due to a near-tripling in reports of cryptocurrency investment fraud.

The FBI’s Internet Crime Report tallies a wide variety of fraud complaints – from marketing scams to

While ransomware tends to get the headlines, a different hacking scheme known as business email compromise (BEC) leads to far more money stolen from victims in aggregate. A BEC scheme typically involves someone tricking a victim into wiring them money, often by impersonating a customer or a relative.

One of the more high-profile examples of BEC fraud last year cost the city of Lexington, Kentucky, about $4 million in federal funding for housing assistance.

BEC scams accounted for about $2.7 billion in adjusted losses in 2022, compared to about $2.4 billion in 2021, according to FBI data.

“Pour” Decisions

Forty-five bottles of wine is a lot – especially if you have to steal them.

A Mexican woman and her husband have been sentenced to four years in prison for stealing 45 bottles of wine worth $1.17 million from

At about 2 a.m. the woman called the front desk, requesting a salad from room service, and later a dessert. The clerk, who said he was alone at the hotel, finally agreed to the orders, leaving the front desk unmanned. It was during this time that the husband stole an electronic key from the front desk to open the wine cellar.

The couple left the hotel with the stolen bottles at about 5 a.m. They had wrapped the precious vintages in towels and shoved them into travel bags and drove off.

A few months later, in July 22, they were arrested on the border of Montenegro and Croatia.

Police say that the wine is in the wind and have not been able to recover the special bottles.

The court sentenced the woman to four years in prison and the man to four-and-a-half years for armed robbery. It also ordered them to pay €753,000 in damages.

I’m sure they’re whining about that.

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Torah Thought Sensitive Souls

By Rabbi Zvi Teichman

The Torah reiterates several times the magnificent partnership between Betzalel and Ohaliav who both possessed the requisite supernal wisdom and skill that was needed for the proper construction of the Tabernacle and all its holy and intricate vessels and components.

The Torah punctuates at every mention of this pair the fact that Betzalel descended from the family of Yehuda, while Ohaliav’s lineage was from Dan. G-d selected these two, we are taught, to demonstrate that whether one derives from royalty; the tribe of Yehuda, or from the ‘lowly’ tribe of Dan; the son of Bilhah who was mere-

ly a maidservant to Rachel, they are both equal in the eyes of G-d.

Was the old rivalry between the sons of Leah and the children of the maidservants, that came to light when the brothers infamously taunted Yosef for defending their honor, still prevalent these many years later?

After having suffered collectively the terrible years of slavery in Egypt and having experienced ‘with one united heart’ the revelation at Mount Sinai and the giving of the Torah, could they still have possibly harbored remnants of those old biases? Would this noble nation need to be taught a lesson in ‘affirmative action’ by hiring a member of a tribe that was victim to

discrimination?

This alliance between Yehuda and Dan reappeared in the days of King Solomon, a descendant of Yehuda, when he enlisted Chiram, a master artisan, a member of the tribe of Naftali whose mother hailed from the tribe of Dan, to head the efforts to construct the Temple.(ד מ ר"מש)

The Midrash further states that the Moshiach, that famed heir to the Davidic dynasty, who will restore that glorious kingdom, herald the final redemption, and restore the Temple, would have a mother who traced her ancestry to Dan as well. (זמר יחיו ש"קלי סק)

Despite several other tribes that

descend from the maidservants of the matriarchs it is Dan alone who is termed דוריה, the lowliest, or more accurately the most ‘devalued’ among the tribes. What distinguished Dan from the others that earned him specifically this title of ‘honor’?

Throughout our history the tribe of Dan seems to be extremely susceptible to ‘going off the derech’, opting out of belief and commitment to G-d. It is said that the graven image known as ‘Pesel Michah’, the ‘Image of Michah’, was brought out of Egypt and carried by the tribe of Dan even as they traversed the Reed Sea, and they eventually worshipped it publicly during the episode in the days of the

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Torah Thought

Judges where this idol and its temple were situated among the tribe of Dan. (ב אק בוט רחוש)

The Torah describes how the Amalekites attacked the weaklings and stragglers who were spewed out from the protective Clouds of Glory. We are taught that these were the members of the tribe of Dan who were tainted with the sin of idolatry.

The son of Shlomis bas Divri, a descendant of the tribe of Dan, who was fathered by an Egyptian taskmaster, blasphemed G-d when he sought to pitch his tent among the tribe and was rejected since he lacked a paternal link to the tribe.

Yeravam ben Nevat who seceded from the dominion of the House of David and went on to initiate the kingdom of Israel, established two temples where they worshipped the golden calves, with one of them located in the region of Dan where he found willing adherents to his renegade ways.

Despite this propensity for rebellion it was the tribe of Dan who is termed the תונחמה לכל ףסאמ, the gatherer of all camps, not only due to their bringing up the rear and collecting lost items and stragglers that may have fallen behind, but more significantly for their uncanny ability to inspire all those who have fallen in their spirit and allegiance to G-d.(ח"הפנ יחיו רהוז

)

How is it that they are both the most vulnerable to sin yet possess that remarkable ability to draw those whom have strayed away to return?

Only in the last few decades have researchers identified a personality type termed Highly Sensitive People (HSP). It is not a disorder but merely a nature, a tendency of the soul to react to the world with extraordinary sensitivity. It affects nearly twenty percent of humanity without distinction between man and woman.

Highly sensitive people are attuned to other people’s needs and are able to intuit feelings and attitudes. They process life and its experiences on a deeper level. They see the ‘greater picture’ more vividly, whether it is colors, scents or music. They contemplate decisions and are more emotionally reactive. They work extremely well with others but are more prone to anxiety,

disappointment and depression. Their sensitivity obviously makes them more vulnerable to reacting to criticism more harshly. They are generally very creative, intelligent and capable.

The profile of an HSP bespeaks a person who is empathetic and desirous of creating a world where justice and consideration rein, and everything fits into its proper place. When a HSP senses injustice they react, whether emotionally or by action. They don’t simply roll with the punches as many non-HSPs are capable of. They need to find their place and define their role. When they aren’t acknowledged or validated they may withdraw, retreat and lapse into apathy or worse.

It’s a double-edged sword. One who is overwhelmed by its sensitivity can fall to despair, but the one who can master those special qualities cannot only inspire others with their sensitivity in a way others cannot, they can access their heightened awareness to create a world of remarkable color, feelings, and meaning.

The ancestry of Dan began with an emotional appeal from Rachel to Yaakov. Not having merited children she turns to Yaakov challenging him to bless her with children otherwise she might as well be dead. Rachel clearly is one of the most sensitive figures in Torah. Who else could possibly empathize with Leah’s fear of falling into the claws of Esav, and be willing to relinquish her greatest aspiration and right, giving instead to Leah the secret password so that she would become Yaakov’s bride and be saved from her greatest fear, if not her super sensitive Rachel?

That same quality of sensitivity compels Rachel to blurt out that if she cannot bear a child then how is she to define her godly role as a mother? Her appeal didn’t stem from selfishness but rather from a deep consciousness of the purpose and function of the world that summons man to discover its role in creating a ‘wholly’ universe.

With that same passion she undertakes to ask of G-d that a child be born to her maidservant Bilhah, so that she may contribute her efforts in making the universe a better place.

She calls the child Bilhah begets, ןד, Dan, from the language of judg-

ment, declaring that G-d has judged her favorably and has validated her by accepting her plea to ‘right’ the universe by giving her a meaningful role.

Dan later fathers his only child ־וח םיש, Chushim, from whom the entire large tribe will descend.

Despite being deaf, Chushim is a remarkably sensitive individual. When Yehuda ‘roars like a lion’ in the court of Yosef to compel him to return Binyamin to his father, despite the great distance between them, as Chushim was with his father in Canaan, Chushim comes running to assist Yehuda and joins the chorus. HaRav Zev Wolf Einhorn of Horodna suggests that evidently it wasn’t his hearing Yehuda’s cry that grabbed his attention, as he was deaf and the distance was far too great to hear from afar, but it was an inner sensitivity that attuned him to Yehuda’s cry.

)ו"זרהמ 'יפ ז גצ ר"ב(

It was the same Chushim whose sensitivity and sensibility wouldn’t tolerate Esav delaying the burial of Yaakov and famously beheads him.

The very name םישוח is rooted in שוח, senses, referring to a profound and deep connection to the world around him and his sensitivity to injustice.

This tribe struggled with their highly tuned souls that often led them astray in disappointment in the disorder in the world. But that same sensitivity in the hands of those who master their heightened senses can magically reel in these fragile souls and bring them to greatness others cannot achieve.

There are souls among our nation that are fueled by the charisma of a Yehuda, the epitome of royalty, that can inspire others to join in the greater cause of promoting the will of G-d without any need to soothe or delegate any specific individual role to any single person. Simply by belonging to the greater collective spirit enables those who are less sensitive to roll with the punches and never get discouraged and stay in the fray. But there are the ‘Dan’ neshamos, exceptional souls who need definition and order in their being and life in order to stay the journey. These souls are destined to journey between passion and apathy until they discover

their inner greatness through the efforts of those who validate and appreciate their qualities and contributions, permitting them to enrich our world with their special talents, unique perspectives and depth.

Although Ohaliyav is mentioned earlier, Rashi chose to quote this aspect of his being from the ‘devalued’ of all tribes in the verse that describes how G-d endowed Betzalel and Ohaliyav, not only with the wisdom of skilled craftsmanship, but more importantly with the ability “תורוהלו”, to teach others. (ה"ד י"שרבו דל הל תומש באילהאו)

Precisely because they were ‘highly sensitive persons’ and often felt devalued by the frustrations with the injustices of the world, they fought mightily to overcome this flaw and channel that extraordinary sensitivity to valuing those who walked the tightrope of sensitivity, uplifting them to new awareness of their special qualities, helping them come to appreciate themselves and the special roles they play in perfecting an imperfect world.

Perhaps the very name באילהא, a contraction of the two words, בא ילהא, my tent and father, accents his soul’s need to discover and define his very personal, ‘my tent’, in order to connect deeply to ‘father’, the Creator and His world.

He was ךמסיחא ןב, the son of Achisamach ךמסיחא as well is a contraction of the two words ךמס יחא, my brother and support. One who achieves the former goal of carving a role in this world that connects one to our Father in Heaven can then be a ‘brother’ to those who have ‘fallen’, by supporting and instilling that same renewed confidence that will ‘gather’ them back into the embrace of the ‘Clouds of Glory’.

May we be supportive of these special souls, who in this era prior to the coming of the Moshiach are aplenty and yearning to find their meaningful place in the world, so that they may promote the beauty of G-d’s magnificent world as only they can.

You may reach the author at: Ravzt@ohelmoshebaltimore.com

OU Kosher & New York Medical College/Touro University invite you to attend

Tuesday March 21, 2023 at 8:30pm

Greetings: Alan Kadish, MD, President Touro University and NYMC

Introduction: Rabbi Menachem Genack, CEO, OU Kosher

“Is Medicine Chametz?” and Other Questions: How to Advise Patients

Edward Lebovics, MD  A Medical Perspective on Passover

Rabbi Gavriel Price, Director, Ingredient Research, OU Kosher  Passover Implication for Medications, Nutritionals, Supplements, and Medical Facilities

Moderator: Rabbi Eli Eleff, Managing Director, Community Relations, OU Kosher

Q&A session

This meeting has been approved for 1 CME credit by the Office of Continuing Medical Education, New York Medical College free of charge as a community service to our Healthcare Providers.

Register at: www.oukosher.org/Med-PrePassover

For more information or to submit questions for the Q & A session, please contact Rabbi Eli Eleff at koshereducation@ou.org or 212-613-0602.

Accreditation Statement This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the Essential Areas and Policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education through the joint providership of New York Medical College, Touro University and OU Kosher. New York Medical College is accredited by the ACCME to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

Target Audience Rabbis, Hospital Chaplains, Community Leaders, Patients, Hospital-based Physicians; Community Physicians; Nurses; Pharmacists; Medical Students; Residents/Fellows; Public Health; Other Healthcare Providers; and Press.

Credit Designation The New York Medical College designates this live activity for a maximum of 1 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Disclosure Statement All activity faculty and planners participating in continuing medical education activities provided by New York Medical College are expected to disclose to the audience any significant support or substantial relationship(s) with commercial entities whose products are discussed in their presentation and/or with any commercial supporters of the activity. In addition, all faculty are expected to openly disclose any off-label, experimental, or investigational use of drugs or devices discussed in their presentations.

Commercial Support There is no outside funding for this activity.

In 18 minutes you can make a Matzah.

In 2 minutes you can make a family’s Pesach.

As we celebrate the holiday of our freedom, please remember those in our greater family whose lives are still oppressed.

Unemployment, sickness and other adversities have left some of our neighbors impoverished. Many suffer quietly, with no one even aware of their distress.

For 44 years, Baltimore’s Ahavas Yisrael Charity Fund has discreetly helped our local poor and needy. Ahavas Yisrael is run almost entirely by

I would like to donate $_______ toward the Passover Food Drive for the needy of our Baltimore Community.

hard-working, dedicated volunteers. Due to our very low overhead, 92¢ of every dollar you donate goes to the needy.

Last year, we distributed over $5 million in food and basic needs right here in our community. Please take two minutes to think about those who can’t afford to make Pesach, and give generously so that this Yom Tov can be a special one for all.

Over four decades of helping assure that no one in our community goes to bed hungry.

Where is it? I just had it a minute ago!

This is how most of us spend our lives.

We keep wishing for a tracking device to be placed on everything we own so we can find it again. But then the problem arises that we need to be able to find the thing that finds the thing.

And most of the time, we’re the thing that winds up needing to find it because we usually cannot locate the tracking device either.

For instance, we have trouble locating our iPad to help us signal to our cell phone. After all, you’d probably be using your iPad, if you had any idea where it was!

So we look for ways to keep not losing our thing in the first place.

Cellphones have certainly become the number one thing we tend to find ourselves hunting for probably followed up by our pocketbooks or wallets, or keys, or glasses, or shoes! And often, “the book I was just holding.”

Am I speaking your language?

This becomes a daily challenge.

For instance, “Where’d I put my cellphone? I had it a second ago” is probably the most recited sentence today.

A few months ago, my waterproof phone fell in the water. Whatever wa-

Life C ach Where Is It?

By Rivki D. Rosenwald Esq., LMFT, CLC, SDS

terproof meant, it didn’t mean it for my phone. After spending a comfy night in a bed of rice and then apparently being charged too soon, it needed to be replaced.

Challenge number 1: what phone to get now? Do I need a bargain price or all the new features?!

Also, do I want one I can locate by size

That was along with my purse, which was in the same spot for the same reason.

I was sufficiently strapped up. However, when I got into the car, that meant that when the no seat belt indicator started buzzing, I thought it wasn’t for me. I saw so many straps across my chest I thought I was absolutely buckled in. Luckily, the car didn’t agree with me or give up on me

want to strangle myself.

And on top of that, I bought a bright red cover for my phone. And I made sure its red rim showed from the front as well. That way, just in case I did put it down, I created a fighting chance that I’d find it.

It helps – as long as nothing gets put on top of it by anyone.

Still, even in those cases, I have a backup: I see the strap dangling out. Sounds great, huh?! Well, last week I was so happy to see the strap hanging out that I grabbed for it – enthusiastically – only to realize I was dangling my 2-year-old nephew by his suspenders.

The point is whether it’s our shoes, phones, purses or whatever, we need to find a better system than the ones we have for locating them or we are going to drive ourselves stir crazy.

or one that I can actually still lift? Without a crane, that is!

My solution was get rid of my attached battery pack which allowed me to order a strap that kept the phone hanging from me all day.

Great solution – now I always knew where my phone was. The accompanying problem was it was often dead !

Oh, and then there were the other issues. Firstly, when I got it, I placed it across my chest so it wouldn’t slip off.

that readily, and so I recognized I was in need of some more straps across my chest!

That created my next issue! Since I’m in and out of the car so quickly, my phone and purse now get trapped under the safety belt. After all, who has time to unravel that whole mess?

Therefore, if I get a phone call or need to pay a toll, my EZ-Pass or Bluetooth better be on their best behavior or I’m going nowhere and talking to no one. Unless, I

I’d say call me if you have any great suggestions, except, I don’t want to create another situation where you would need to going looking for your phone!

Rivki Rosenwald is a Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist working with both couples and individuals and is a certified relationship counselor. Rivki is a co-founder and creator of an effective Parent Management of Adolescent Years Program. She can be contacted at 917705-2004 or at rivkirosenwald@gmail.com.

“Where’d I put my cellphone? I had it a second ago” is probably the most recited sentence today.

Baltimore Weekday Minyanim Guide

Shacharis Mincha

Neitz Beit Yaakov [Sefaradi] M-F

Ohel Yakov S-F

6:00 AM Shomrei Emunah Congregation M-F

6:10 AM Agudath Israel of Baltimore M, Th

6:15 AM Kol Torah M, TH

Mercaz Torah U'Tefillah M-F

Shearith Israel Congregation M, TH

The Adas: Chofetz Chaim Adas Bnei Israel M, TH

6:20 AM Agudah of Greenspring M, TH Agudath Israel of Baltimore S, T, W, F

Arugas HaBosem (Rabbi Taub's) S-F

Bnai Jacob Shaarei Zion Congregation M-F

Kehilath B'nai Torah M, TH

Shomrei Emunah Congregation S, M, TH

6:25 AM The Adas: Chofetz Chaim Adas Bnei Israel T, W, F

6:30 AM Agudah of Greenspring T, W, F Chabad of Park Heights M-F

Darchei Tzedek M-F

Kehilath B'nai Torah T, W, F

Khal Bais Nosson M-F

Khal Ahavas Yisroel/ Tzemach Tzedek M-F

Kol Torah T, W, F

Ohr Yisroel M-F

Shearith Israel Congregation T, W, F

Shomrei Emunah Congregation T, W, F

6:35 AM Aish Kodesh (downstairs Minyan) M, TH

Ohel Moshe M, TH

6:40 AM Aish Kodesh (downstairs Minyan) T, W, F

Bnai Jacob Shaarei Zion Congregation M, TH

6:45 AM B”H and Mesivta of Baltimore (Dirshu Minyan) S-F

Beth Abraham M, TH

Greenspring Sephardic Synagogue M-F

Mercaz Torah U'Tefillah S-F

Ner Tamid M-F

Ohel Moshe T, W, F

Suburban Orthodox Congregation Toras Chaim M-F

6:50 AM Agudath Israel of Baltimore M, TH

Ahavat Shalom [Sefaradi] M, TH

Bais Medrash of Ranchleigh M, TH

Bnai Jacob Shaarei Zion Congregation T, W, F

Community Kollel Tiferes Moshe Aryeh M, TH

Derech Chaim M-F

Kol Torah M-F

Ohel Moshe S

Ohr Hamizrach [Sefaradi] M, TH

Shomrei Emunah Congregation M, TH

The Shul at the Lubavitch Center M, TH

6:55 AM Beth Abraham T, W, F

Kol Torah M, TH

7:00 AM Aish Kodesh (upstairs Minyan) M-F

Agudath Israel of Baltimore S, T, W, F

Ahavat Shalom [Sefaradi] T, W, F

Arugas HaBosem (Rabbi Taub's) S

Bais Medrash of Ranchleigh T, W, F

Community Kollel Tiferes Moshe Aryeh T, W, F

Greenspring Sephardic Synagogue S

Khal Ahavas Yisroel/ Tzemach Tzedek S

Kol Torah T, W, F

Moses Montefiore Anshe Emunah S-F

Ohr Hamizrach [Sefaradi] S, T, W, F

Shearith Israel Congregation S, M, TH

Shomrei Emunah Congregation T, W, F

Shomrei Mishmeres Hakodesh M-F

The Shul at the Lubavitch Center T, W, F

Tiferes Yisroel M-F

7:05 AM Machzikei Torah (Sternhill's) M, TH

7:15 AM Kedushas Yisrael S

Kol Torah S

Machzikei Torah (Sternhill's) S, T, W, F

Mercaz Torah U'Tefillah S-F

Ner Israel Rabbinical College S-F

7:15 AM Shearith Israel Congregation T, W, F

Shomrei Emunah Congregation S

Suburban Orthodox Congregation Toras Chaim S

The Adas: Chofetz Chaim Adas Bnei Israel S

Tzeirah Anash M-F

7:20 AM Agudath Israel of Baltimore M, TH

Beth Tfiloh Congregation M-F

Kol Torah M-F

Ohr Hamizrach [Sefaradi] M, TH

Shomrei Emunah Congregation M, TH

7:30 AM Agudah of Greenspring S

Agudath Israel of Baltimore S, T, W, F

Ahavat Shalom [Sefaradi] S

Bais Haknesses Ohr HaChaim S-F

Bais Hamedrash and Mesivta of Baltimore S-F

Bais Medrash of Ranchleigh S

Beit Yaakov [Sefaradi] S

Bnai Jacob Shaarei Zion Congregation S

Chabad of Park Heights S

Community Kollel Tiferes Moshe Aryeh S-F

Darchei Tzedek S

Kedushas Yisrael S-F

Khal Bais Nosson S

Ner Israel Rabbinical College (Mechina) S-F

Ohr Hamizrach [Sefaradi] S, T, W, F

Shomrei Emunah Congregation T, W, F

7:45 AM Bnai Jacob Shaarei Zion Congregation M-F

Talmudical Academy S-F

Darchei Tzedek M-F

Mercaz Torah U'Tefillah S-F

Mesivta Kesser Torah S-F

Mesivta Shaarei Chaim S-F

7:50 AM Derech Chaim S

Ner Tamid S

Ohel Moshe M-F

8:00 AM Agudath Israel of Baltimore S-F

Beth Abraham S

Darchei Tzedek S

Khal Ahavas Yisroel/ Tzemach Tzedek S

Kehillas Meor HaTorah S

Ohel Yakov S

Ohr Yisroel S

Pikesville Jewish Congregation S

Shearith Israel Congregation S

Shomrei Emunah Congregation S-F

The Shul at the Lubavitch Center S

Tiferes Yisroel S

Tzeirah Anash S

Yeshiva Tiferes Hatorah S-F

8:15 AM Kehilath B'nai Torah S

Kol Torah S

Mercaz Torah U'Tefillah S-F

8:20 AM Bais Haknesses Ohr HaChaim S-F

8:30 AM Agudath Israel of Baltimore S-F

Machzikei Torah (Sternhill's) S-F

Ohel Moshe S

Ohr Hamizrach [Sefaradi] S

Shomrei Emunah Congregation S-F

Shomrei Mishmeres Hakodesh S

8:45 AM Mercaz Torah U'Tefillah S-F

9:00 AM Aish Kodesh S

Agudath Israel of Baltimore S-F

Bais Haknesses Ohr HaChaim S

Beth Tfiloh Congregation S

Bnai Jacob Shaarei Zion Congregation S

Shomrei Emunah Congregation S-F

Suburban Orthodox Congregation Toras Chaim S-F

9:15 AM Mercaz Torah U'Tefillah S-F

9:45 AM Mercaz Torah U'Tefillah S-F

Mincha Gedolah Mercaz Torah U’Tefillah

Khal Ahavas Yisroel/Tzemach Tzedek

1:45 PM Ohel Moshe

1:50 PM Bais Haknesses Ohr HaChaim

2:00 PM Agudath Israel of Baltimore

Big Al @ The Knish Shop Party Room

Market Maven

Reischer Minyan 15 Walker Ave 2nd Floor

2:30 PM Bais Medrash of Ranchleigh

Ner Israel Rabbinical College

Tov Pizza Mincha Minyan

Community Kollel Tiferes Moshe Aryeh

Mesivta Shaarei Chaim (Etz Chaim Building)

Shearith Israel Congregation

3:00 PM Agudath Israel of Baltimore

Bais Haknesses Ohr HaChaim

Mercaz Torah U'Tefillah

3:05 PM Kedushas Yisrael

3:15 PM Hat Box

4:00 PM Agudath Israel of Baltimore

Mercaz Torah U'Tefillah

5:00 PM Agudath Israel of Baltimore

Mercaz Torah U'Tefillah

5:30 PM Agudath Israel of Baltimore

6:00 PM Kedushas Yisrael

Agudath Israel of Baltimore

Mercaz Torah U'Tefillah

14 Min Before ShkiAh Kol Torah

Mincha/Maariv Before Shkiah

Aish Kodesh

Agudath Israel of Baltimore

Agudah of Greenspring

Bais Haknesses Ohr HaChaim

Beth Abraham

Bnai Jacob Shaarei Zion Congregation

Darchei Tzedek

Kehillas Meor HaTorah

Kehilath B’nai Torah

Khal Ahavas Yisroel/ Tzemach Tzedek

Machzikei Torah (Sternhill’s)

Mercaz Torah U’Tefillah

Ner Tamid

Ohel Moshe

Ohr Hamizrach [Sefaradi]

Ohr Yisroel

Pikesville Jewish Congregation

Shearith Israel Congregation

Shomrei Emunah Congregation

Shomrei Mishmeres

Suburban Orthodox Congregation Toras Chaim

The Adas: Chofetz Chaim Adas Bnei Israel

The Shul at the Lubavitch Center

Tiferes Yisroel

Maariv

7:45 PM Talmudical Academy

8:00 PM Agudath Israel of Baltimore

Mercaz Torah U'Tefillah

8:10 PM Kol Torah

8:15 PM Khal Ahavas Yisroel/ Tzemach Tzedek

Shomrei Emunah Congregation

8:30 PM Agudath Israel of Baltimore

Ahavat Shalom [Sefaradi]

Mercaz Torah U’Tefillah

8:45 PM Darchei Tzedek

Ner Israel Rabbinical College (Mechina)

Ohr Yisroel

8:50 PM Mesivta Shaarei Chaim (Etz Chaim Building)

8:55 PM Community Kollel Tiferes Moshe Aryeh

Maariv continued

9:00 PM Agudath Israel of Baltimore

Arugas Habosem

Mercaz Torah U'Tefillah

Shomrei Emunah Congregation

Suburban Orthodox Congregation Toras Chaim

9:20 PM Kol Torah

9:30 PM Agudah of Greenspring

Agudath Israel of Baltimore

Kedushas Yisrael

Mercaz Torah U'Tefillah

9:45 PM Bais Haknesses Ohr HaChaim

Kollel Erev Birchas Yitzchok (Luries)

Machzikei Torah (Sternhill's)

Ohr Hamizrach [Sefaradi]

Yeshiva Tiferes Hatorah

9:50 PM Aish Kodesh

Community Kollel Tiferes Moshe Aryeh

Ohel Moshe

10:00 PM Agudath Israel of Baltimore

Darchei Tzedek

Kehilath B'nai Torah

Khal Ahavas Yisroel/ Tzemach Tzedek

Mercaz Torah U'Tefillah

Shearith Israel Congregation

Shomrei Emunah Congregation

10:05 PM Kol Torah

10:10 PM Ner Israel Rabbinical College

10:15 PM Derech Chaim

Khal Bais Nosson

10:30 PM Agudath Israel of Baltimore

Mercaz Torah U'Tefillah

11:00 PM Agudath Israel of Baltimore

Mercaz Torah U'Tefillah

Agudah of Greenspring - 6107 Greenspring Ave

Agudath Israel of Baltimore - 6200 Park Heights Ave

Ahavat Shalom - 3009 Northbrook Rd

Aish Kodesh - 6207 Ivymount Rd

Arugas HaBosem - 3509 Clarks Ln

Bais Haknesses Ohr HaChaim - 3120 Clarks Ln

Bais Hamedrash and Mesivta of Baltimore - 6823 Old Pimlico Rd

Bais Medrash of Ranchleigh - 6618 Deancroft Rd

Beit Yaakov - 3615 Seven Mile Ln

Beth Abraham - 6208 Wallis Ave

Beth Tfiloh Congregation - 3300 Old Court Rd

Bnai Jacob Shaarei Zion Congregation - 6602 Park Heights Ave

Chabad of Park Heights - 3402 Clarks Ln

Community Kollel Tiferes Moshe Aryeh - 3800 Labyrinth Rd

Darchei Tzedek - 3201 Seven Mile Ln

Derech Chaim - 6229 Greenspring Ave (Weekday)

Greenspring Sephardic Synagogue 6611 Greenspring Ave.

Kedushas Yisrael - 6004 Park Heights Ave

Kehilath B’nai Torah - 6301 Green Meadow Pkwy

Kehillas Meor HaTorah - 6539 Pebble Brooke Rd

Khal Ahavas Yisroel/ Tzemach Tzedek - 6811 Park Heights Ave

Khal Bais Nosson - 2901 Taney Rd

Kol Torah - 2929 Fallstaff Rd

Machzikei Torah - 6216 Biltmore Ave

Mercaz Torah U’Tefillah - 6500 Baythorne Rd

Mesivta Kesser Torah - 8400 Park Heights Ave

Mesivta Shaarei Chaim - 3702 Fords Ln

Moses Montefiore Anshe Emunah - 7000 Rockland Hills Dr

Neuberger, Quinn, Gielen, Rubin & Gibber One South Street, 27th Floor

Ner Israel Rabbinical College - 400 Mt Wilson Ln

Ner Tamid - 6214 Pimlico Road

Ohel Moshe - 2808 Smith Ave

Ohel Yakov - 3200 Glen Ave

Ohr Hamizrach [Sefaradi] - 6813 Park Heights Ave

Ohr Yisroel - 2429 Lightfoot Dr

Pikesville Jewish Congregation - 7644 Carla Rd

Shearith Israel Congregation - 5835 Park Heights Ave

Shomrei Emunah Congregation - 6221 Greenspring Ave

Shomrei Mishmeres Hakodesh - 2821 W Strathmore Ave

Suburban Orthodox Congregation Toras Chaim - 7504 Seven Mile Ln

Talmudical Academy - 4445 Old Court Rd

The Adas: Chofetz Chaim Adas Bnei Israel - 5915 Park Heights Ave

The Shul at the Lubavitch Center - 6701 Old Pimlico Rd

Tiferes Yisroel - 6201 Park Heights Ave

Tzeirah Anash - 6706 Cross County Blvd

Yeshiva Tiferes Hatorah - 6819 Williamson Ave

email ads@baltimorejewishhome.com

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ORAYSA BEGINS

Thousands of Lomdei Oraysa will soon begin learning Perek Arvei Pesachim, one amud a day with multiple chazaras. Understanding the fundamental sugyos of Arvei Pesachim is crucial to experiencing the leil seder and yom tov of Pesach with deeper meaning and appreciation. Join them and acquire this vital perek in Shas for life.

Contact Oraysa to receive a free calendar.

Mental Health

OCD in Children

By Rabbi Azriel Hauptman

Levi is a six-year-old boy who has some interesting rituals. He spends a lot of time cleaning between his toes before taking a bath since his teacher once told him that germs can hide between your toes. Levi also makes sure that the door to his closet is closed when he goes to sleep because there might be monsters in the closet. Additionally, he will not go to sleep until his mother tells him “Good Night.” Does Levi have an anxiety disorder? Being that Levi is only six years old, not necessarily.

Compulsive and ritualistic behaviors in early childhood are part of normal development. A child who has only been on this earth for a few years does not yet understand what is real and what is imaginary. Which fears

and anxieties should he or she take seriously? Will his or her parents die and no one will be there in the morning? Childhood is extremely confusing. Between the ages of four and eight is the prime time for this developmental form of anxiety. If that is all that it is, then the child will most likely outgrow it.

However, children who have a genuine anxiety disorder will not just outgrow it. Therefore, parents who have an anxious child often wonder when it is time to seek intervention. In this article, we will focus on Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), which is one type of anxiety disorder, and briefly describe how it manifests itself in children. If you notice some of these signs in your child, it is recommended to seek professional help

from a therapist who has an expertise in the diagnosis and treatment of pediatric OCD.

OCD contains two components, obsessions and compulsions. Obsessions is when one excessively worries or thinks about something despite not wanting those worries or thoughts, and compulsions are repetitive actions or thoughts that one does in an attempt to have relief from the obsessions. Obsessions include fear of dirt or germs, a need for symmetry, religious obsessions, unlucky numbers, and fear of illness or death in oneself or a close relative such as a parent. Compulsions include grooming rituals (hand washing, showering, and teeth brushing), checking rituals, touching rituals, counting rituals, arranging objects, and “undoing” rituals (to undo “contamination” from a person or object).

OCD in childhood often has negative consequences on school performance and social interactions. The constant noise in the mind may lead

and children is that adults usually understand that their obsessions are extreme and unrealistic but feel helpless in controlling them, but children often do not fully appreciate how their fears and anxieties are irrational. Another difference is that the treatment must involve collaboration with the child’s caretakers, which are the parents and the school.

When seeking treatment for a child with OCD it is imperative that the clinician has expertise in OCD and also knows how to apply the treatment to children. Children have certain unique needs in therapy for OCD, such as understanding that this is not their fault, learning how to differentiate between themselves and the disorder, and being educated about their disorder in a way that they can comprehend it on their level.

As with many aspects of life, the best defense is a good offense. Early intervention can spare your child years of suffering. It might be expen sive, but the alternative is costly in

This is a service of Relief Resources. Relief is an organization that provides mental health referrals, education, and support to the frum community. Rabbi

THE BJH PRESENTS: A BOOST OF “INSPIRATION”

A Snippet From Judaism’s Number One Podcast

THE BJH PRESENTS... A BOOST OF “INSPIRATION”

Rabbi Laser Brody has devoted his life to helping others cope with the massive pressures of modern life as they affect both emotional and physical health. He is no stranger to dealing with ultra-high pressure and stress, as a two-war combat veteran of the Israel Defense Forces, in regular and reserve duty for over 29 years. Even after his discharge, he continued to confront acute stress situations as the spiritual rehabilitation chaplain of an Israeli prison, helping inmates cope with extreme anger, explosive negative emotions, and the trauma of incarceration. A former radio host and commentator on Arutz 7 Israel National Radio in English, he was nicknamed Israel’s “Voice of Emuna” by anchor-woman Tamar Yonah for his uncanny optimism and ability to see the Divine Providence behind current events.

Laser Brody – The Power of Emunah and How it Changed His Life ELI PALEY CEO OF MISHPACHA

In our interconnected world, the power of the media cannot be overestimated. Internet websites, social media, radio, newspapers, and magazines increasingly control the fate of politicians and governments, world finances and morality. In the chareidi world, the messages conveyed by religious media can shape and strengthen emuna, enrich charitable efforts, and ferment new shul and yeshiva policies. Therefore, it was a great privilege to interview the highly influential Rabbi Eli Paley, owner of Mishpacha Media Group and publisher of the Mishpacha Hebrew and English weekly magazines.

mother surviving the war.

Eli Paley is a businessman and social activist. He is chairman of the Paley Family Foundation which supports and promotes Torah Centers and social initiatives in the Charedi community. A member of the Jewish Funders Network, he is active in several philanthropic organizations.

We discussed the Mishpacha’s origin, the challenges he is faced with policy decision making, and the overall goals he hopes to attain through the publication.

His parents were Zionistic, not religious and he attended public school. His dream was to go to Israel to be a pioneer, a farmer, and a soldier. He studied agriculture at the University of Maryland and obtained an advanced degree in agriculture products technology. As soon as he finished his university studies he left for Israel, went to Kibbutz Sde Boker, and joined an infantry reconnaissance unit in the army. After the army, he went back to farming on a moshav in the Samaria area on the old ‘67 border where he grew tree fruit and bred turkeys.

that he should have lost everything he made a killing and in the year he was going to make money he lost every thing. With his promise to Hashem and this example of Hashgocha Pro tis, he decided to go to Jerusalem to study Torah.

Eli was born in in the Mattesdorff neighborhood in Yerushalayim. His great-grandfather and grandfather arrived in Eretz Yisroel in 1925 to establish the Slabodka Yeshivah in Chevron. Later his grandfather became the assistant to Rabbi Herzel, the chief rabbi of Israel.

Eli himself is an alumni of Chevron yeshiva. When he married his wife, a graduate of Michlala in Bayit Vegan, his dream was to continue learning. However, a few months after his marriage, his brother mentioned a new monthly publication called Mishpacha was looking for someone to work as a distributor in Yerushalayim for a day and a half once every 5 to 6 weeks. With flex hours like that, Eli took the job, earning twice as much as he would be for an entire month in a kolel. Financially independent, he continued to learn diligently.

His father, Rabbi Yehuda Paley, bought the Mishpacha Magazine business. To help his father, Eli got involved in the editorial angle of the magazine figuring out how it could make a unique contribution to the field of journalism. He left learning to pursue his new mission to inspire and influence the Chareidi community. It is that idealism that still drives him in his work so many years later.

Rabbi Brody speaks about Hashgacha Protis, Emunah, and Bitachon and how those are the keys to making life that much more “L’chaimdik”.

Rabbi Brody is a first-generation American, born in Washington DC and now lives in Ashdod. His paternal grandparents came to Canada from Ukraine and his father was the only Jewish pilot in the Royal Canadian Air Force in World War II. A month before the war his mother came from Poland to the USA on the SS Podolski. They were number 497 out of 500 families in a lottery to come to the USA on this boat. He feels that his birth was Hashgocha Protis through the double miracles of his father and

While Mishpacha is well-received around the world, the goal of Mishpacha is to serve, elevate and be the voice of the Chareidim, particularly in Eretz Yisroel. The real customers are not the advertisers but the audience. Mishpacha seeks to portray an independent voice which is unaffiliated with any political party. In the early years, in the chareidi world of pollicization, this was perceived as a weakness. However, the years have passed, and this freedom has become one of the most salient factors of its success.

Rabbi Brody describes 1982 during the first Lebanon war as a big wake-up call. He says if you have not been in the Israeli army you could not understand the element of Hashem’s divine protection of Am Yisroel and Eretz Yisroel. On the sixth day of the war, his unit was sent to Beirut. Not everybody came home from the operation but he did and promised Hashem that if he got out, he would change his life.

Mishpacha was the first Charedi publication to give the same respect to the Sephardi and Ashkenazi societies, attempting to create a sense of unity. Over time, this adherence to equality and ahavas Yisrael became the secret to the business’ success.

Mishpacha’s quest in elevating frum society is done through sincere, honest writing. Mishpacha does not engage in pretending that society is perfect. While recognizing the great achievements and accomplishments in the frum world, Mishpacha will tackle even unpleasant issues, albeit in an extremely sensitive way.

During the time that he was drafted into the army and was away for 10 weeks, he was not around to attend to the farm, but when he came back, he found that the farm was perfect, and he made a lot of money. The next year his farm was so perfect that right before Rosh Hashana he had 15 tons of Golden King plums. However, when he went out to pick the plums, Arabs had come from Janine and all the fruit trees were bare. In the year

The topic of poverty among Charedim and the poor economic situation in the Israeli community lay heavily on Eli’s heart. As part of the solution, Eli started the Charedi Institute of Public Affairs to engage with the government with hopes to resolve this in a way that will allow the Charedi society to retain its Torah values.

While American Jews may have difficulty in relating to the issues overseas, Eli, as a born and bred Israeli is certainly in touch with the masses. He recalls the issue he faced during his kolel years when distributing the magazine. The government regulation forbid a yingeman from receiving Kollel benefits if he had any other source of income. Therefore, he was forced to register his side job under his wife’s name, a desperate solution used by many. In his publication, he attempts to broker a better solution.

Every educator should ask themselves the question why are children going off the derech as it is the number one problem? The answer is that emunah is not taught and this does not work in the 21st century. Emunah is more than faith; it’s your connection with Hashem and the more you have the more you feel Hashem’s hand in your life. If you realize Hashem is right there with you, you don’t need to be told how to behave. It’s not about being frum but rather about having Emunah that Hashem is here with you. If you have Emunah you will use technology properly, you will behave properly.

Another example of difficulties that Israeli chareidim face is the draft. Mishpacha discussed population statistics -- one out of four children is Charedi– and how the army and Charedi society can possibly reach a solution.

The paper is faced daily with Hashkafa decisions that have far-reaching effects on our society. The issue of printing pictures of women in the magazine has been debated back and forth in many forums. When Hilary Clinton was running for President, Mishpacha shocked many readers by publishing a blurry photo of Donald Trump and Hilary on the cover. “We just wanted to see how people would react,” Eli confides.

This was in 1983, he was 34 years old, married with 3 boys. He had come from a secular family and his first wife was modern orthodox. She had no problem when he was secular but she had not married someone who was going to learn in a Kollel and the marriage ended. He has been happily married to his second wife for 33 years and describes this marriage as once again Hashgocha Protis. His second wife is an Israeli Sephardi who was a tank sergeant in the Yom Kippur War in 1973 and miraculously survived having been sent home because she was an only child and should never have been drafted. Rabbi Brody believes Hashem saved them for each other.

Davening is equated to talking directly to the King of Kings for whatever we want. It’s about getting to know Hashem. We can achieve Emunah by talking to Hashem in our language. Our relationship with Hashem is based on communication and that is Emunah.

The office did receive some complaints, but the Gedolim the magazine consults advised them to include her since there was a real possibility Hilary would indeed become president. However, in Israel, an anti-Mishacha publication blasted Mishpacha , claiming they were breaking the rules of modesty and Torah by publishing a picture of Hilary Clinton.

Rabbi Brody obtained semicha at Aish HaTorah from Reb Noach Weinberg and continued studying. He left his combat army unit and became a chaplain in a Ramla prison where he was involved in spiritual rehabilitation. He explains that if you can get a prisoner to believe in Hashem, that is rehab.

This became a real issue because it was very hard for Eli to justify in his mind why they could not print modest pictures of women, particularly considering how hard it seems to be to explain to ba’alei teshuvah why women are “ignored.” In order to make Mishpacha, often one of their first exposures to Yiddishkeit, more palatable, Eli is comfortable with his decision.

He’s on a big mission: to expose our brothers to true Torah values, and he bears the responsibility seriously. He often employs a different way of thinking, a creative model, a stretch and a twist, that can support our lifestyle while at the same time show that we care about the Israeli economy, security, and its welfare system. “Instead of just complaining about why we are not understood,” Eli explained during the interview, “we must ask what we can do in this field. While we have to make sure that our kids are not too exposed to the big world, the (outside) world exists, and we have to face reality and come up with practical solutions. “

Rabbi Brody is firm on the fact that people do not have enough Emunah and are not taught to have Emunah. Emunah is so important to Rabbi Brody and he calls himself an “emunologist”.

Rabbi Brody always looks for Hashem’s hand in everything that happens and so can we. We are all products of Hashgocha Protis and it is a matter of opening up our eyes. This is called spiritual awareness. He doesn’t like to translate Hashgocha Protis as Divine Providence but rather as Divine Direction. Hashem is the creator and director of the world so everything He does is by divine direction.

Rather than hiding his head in the sand, he is ready to take on the problems in our neighbourhoods and cities, working with the authorities instead of against them. Slowly, he believes, we will be able to build better trust.

Eli is proud that Mishpacha does not try to be sensationalist. Rather he makes an effort to keep his editorial policies responsible and sensitive. “If you’re going to do it le’shaim shamayim” Eli ended, “you’ll have disyata d’shmaya to do it right.”

Tech Triumphs

Freedom to Cherish the Moment

My son finished his first mesechta of mishnayos in school. They sent out an invitation to the parents saying that this year, the siyum would take place at the Royal Restaurant. My son was thrilled! We worked out babysitting for the other kids and got all dressed up to go. My husband and son went off to the men’s tables and I sat with the women. After a beautiful program and video, the staff cleared away a bunch of tables and the boys all joined their Rabbeim and fathers on the dance floor. The simcha was palpable and the boys’ faces shone with joy of their accomplishment as they swung around the circle. My heart expanded with nachas as I watched the sweet dancing. Then I noticed that some mothers had taken out their smartphones to video the dancing.

As they watched their proud sons dance joyfully with their Rabbeim, these women were recording those moments. I breathed a deep sigh of relief for myself. Since I got rid of my smartphone, I was one of those lucky mothers who could watch my son with my eyes on him, instead of through a screen. All the years of smartphone use had robbed me of the chance to experience these precious kinds of moments with my own eyes. How lucky I felt to be free of the chains of expected recordings, pictures and videos. I look forward to many more simchos and siyumim where I could be fully present and enjoy the moment with my own eyes, savoring the memories in my heart instead of my phone.

As told to Rebbetzin Sara Gross

DID YOU KNOW?

There are millions of products sold on Amazon and some of them are highly inappropriate. Shopping for an innocent package of laundry detergent could bring dozens of unexpected results that have nothing to do with your search. This can lead to dangerously inappropriate images that the shopper can be exposed to without wanting to. It is important to have a good filter on your computer that will filter out images and products even when using a

seemingly harmless site for basic needs. Unfortunately, many teenagers who wouldn’t be exposed to inappropriate images, will have no choice but to see them if they merely use Amazon to shop. Be careful and aware of what can pop up and take steps to control it with filters that are available.

To share a tech triumph or story of chizuk, please email Techtriumphs@ tagbaltimore.org.

This is a service of TAG Baltimore. TAG Baltimore is an organization that provides technology awareness, education, and support. They can be reached at 410-449-1824 or help@ tagbaltimore.org.

Yossi Toiv is a creative powerhouse to a degree uncommon today. Singer, composer, and parody creator, radio show host and magazine editor, comedian and subtle spiritual inspirer, Country Yossi has many titles. He even created a board game and wrote a children’s book.

Now semi-retired, Yossi reflects on his long career, from Ohr Chodosh to Country Yossi and the Shteeble-Hoppers, to his radio show and magazine, and, of course, the ubiquitous Kars 4 Kids jingle. Yossi displays a potpourri of talents – from irreverent humor to surprising depth, from uber-confident radio personality to secret introvert. He shares his impressions of a true rebbe, Reb Shlomo Freifeld, zt”l, and the gift of a true friend, his lifelong buddy and “partner-in-crime” Heshy “the Wonderchild” Walfish.

A conversation with Yossi is always fun – and secretly uplifting. Listen in as we schmooze with the inimitable Country Yossi. After all, “It’s Country, Country Yossi… He’ll make you laugh, he’ll make you smile. Sit back and relax – we’ll be here for a while!”

Yossi Toiv is, in his own words, “just a regular guy from East New York,” although he has a background in music. His father, Chaim Toiv, was a chazan, and Yossi was often called upon to accompany his father in “the shteeble.” As a youngster, Yossi first learned in Lubavitch, then in Chaim Berlin. When the beloved mashgiach, Reb Shlomo Freifeld, zt”l, informed Yossi he was opening a yeshiva of his own and invited Yossi and a select group to join, the young bochur eagerly took him up, forming the nucleus of the now-famous Yeshiva Sh’or Yoshuv.

Yossi’s bond with Reb Shlomo runs very deep, and

Reflections of An Ageless Master

Country Yossi Talks about Reb Shlomo Freifeld, zt”l, Kayla Kuchleffel, and the Spiritual Potential in Every Song

By Pinchos Friedlander

the time he spent in the yeshiva serves as his lighthouse.

Shmelkie’s Niggun

In Sh’or Yoshuv, Yossi was roommates and friends with the legendary Rabbi Shmuel Brazil, then known as Shmelkie. Yossi recalls how R’ Shmuel once lent him his guitar and diagramed a few chords. Yossi fiddled around with the instrument and practiced until he learned to play.

Shmelkie was considered the “baal menagen” of the yeshiva, and his early compositions became staples there. One popular tune he composed had no words, and so there was no name to refer to it by. Then, one day, Reb Shlomo turned to the boys and said, “Let’s sing Shmelkie’s niggun.” And so, the famous Shmelkie’s Niggun, an Ohr Chadash classic, was born.

In time, the boys formed their own music group, and Yossi named it Ohr Chodosh – The New Light. R’ Shmuel and Yossi composed the songs, and Yossi Toiv, Yossi Leiber, and Nachum Deutsch performed in concert. At the time, the Jewish music industry was in its infancy, and the boys operated on a shoestring budget, borrowing $1,000 from their parents to fund their first album, which was an incredible hit.

R’ Shmuel was the more studious of the group, and Reb Shlomo told him not to appear in concert, and so he didn’t. Reb Shlomo didn’t tell that to the other boys, and they took that as his tacit approval for them to do so.

Yossi remembers R’ Shmuel often running to his dorm room, as if possessed. Gripped by inspiration,

R’ Shmuel would rush to find his guitar, figure out the chords, and commit his inner yearning and passion to music, before the moment would pass and the new song would be lost forever. Thus, was born “Bilvavi,” “Aileh V’rechev,” “Shir Hamaalos,” and many other iconic Jewish songs.

As a fellow composer, Yossi identifies with the feeling well. A song can sometimes occur to Yossi all at once as one lump sum, and he needs to preserve it before it slips away. Other times, it can take a long time before a single song is complete. Sometimes, it begins with words, and the tune needs to be ironed out. Other times, it’s the reverse. Each song has its own birth, its own way of coming into the world.

“Yossi, You Made My Day!”

R’ Shmuel and Yossi’s friendship wasn’t limited to music. One day, R’ Shmuel convinced Yossi to come with him early to yeshiva, before davening began, to put in an extra seder. Yossi allowed himself to be convinced. As it happened, it was a bitterly cold day, and it was a long walk. By the time they arrived, the boys were half-frozen.

In middle of their learning, Reb Shlomo walked in, beard and peyos encrusted in snow and ice. He surveyed the room, in Yossi’s words “like a gunslinger entering a saloon,” when his eyes fell on Yossi. Reb Shlomo did a double take. He took off his glasses, wiped them with a tissue, and looked again. His eyes bulged in surprise. He said nothing, though, and went to his seat.

When the boys had finished

learning, and davening was about to begin, Reb Shlomo motioned Yossi to approach him. Yossi walked over, but Reb Shlomo motioned him to come even closer. He kept motioning with his finger, until their faces nearly touched, and Yossi felt Reb Shlomo’s beard tickling his ear. Reb Shlomo then whis pered, “Yossi, you made my day!”

Yossi declares, “Those words reverberate in my soul until today.”

Yossi expresses his profound feelings toward Reb Shlomo in a children’s song on Kivi and Tuki Vol. 3 called “A Very Special Man.” It begins:

“There’s a very special man

In a very special place.

There is wisdom in his eyes

And a smile upon his face.

In yeshiva, he’s the Rebbe, he’s your Rebbe,

And your Rebbe is your friend.”

Though the album doesn’t spell it out, Yossi reveals that the “Rebbe” in the song is really a reference to Reb Shlomo. Those simple lyrics tell of the powerful emotion he feels towards his mentor.

R’ Shmuel and Yossi eventually moved in different directions. R’ Shmuel founded Regesh with R’ Abish Brodt and went on to become a rebbe and rosh yeshiva in Israel. Yossi’s journey took him to other places, although the two do touch base with each other occasionally.

With “the Wonderchild”

Yossi credits much of his success to his life-long friend and partner, Heshy “the Wonderchild” Walfish, who is his “partner-in-crime,” as he refers to it.

“Many young people have a lot of talent,” Yossi says, “but they are not successful, because they don’t have a Heshy.”

The two have collaborated on most of Yossi’s projects, including the Country Yossi and the Shteeble-Hoppers albums (by the way, what are “shteeble-hoppers,” anyway? Yossi explains they are the folks who daven in one shul for Shacharis, another for Mincha, a third for Maariv, and yet another on Shabbos. Apparently, Yossi and Heshy get a kick out of that term), Kivi and Tuki albums, the radio show, and Country Yossi Magazine.

Yossi explains that the two friends complement each other beautifully. Heshy is multi-talented himself and does all the things Yossi does not. He plays all instruments, arranges, engineers, and voices Kivi and Tuki! The two can understand each other so well, they almost don’t have to speak. They think like one brain.

“Or half of one,” Yossi cracks.

I comment to Yossi that it is a real gift to have a friend like that, and he agrees.

“We’ve been friends for over fifty years, and we never once thought of breaking up,” he says. “Murder yes, but breakup no,” he quips in his trademark rough-and-tumble “country” humor.

Yossi recalls how it began. Heshy was the head of

the then-popular Messenger’s Orchestra, and the two, who had been old friends at the time, bumped into each other in a hotel in upstate New York at a Jacky Mason comedy show. Yossi had a Master’s degree in psychology, which he never really used (unless handling some interesting callers on his radio show...), and worked in the diamond industry. However, he still enjoyed tinkering with country songs, creating Jewish-themed parodies of famous country songs. Yossi shared with Heshy some of his work, and Heshy liked it.

“Let’s put out a record,” Heshy suggested.

And the rest is history...

Hanging Up the Cowboy Boots?

Country Yossi’s radio show and magazine are no longer in business. The competition grew too intense, and airtime prices were raised on him, so Yossi decided to call it a career. He now spends more time learning, reading, writing, and playing pickleball (don’t ask me what that is) and jokes that he has a three-course lunch every day.

But Yossi and Heshy will not quit completely. You need to keep those creative juices flowing, otherwise you wither away, he explains. The two are working on a new “Kivi and Tuki” album, which should be released soon.

I asked Yossi if the style on this album will be more contemporary or similar to the older ones.

“You don’t mess with success,” he declares.

But Yossi says he actually enjoys being out of the limelight now. I was quite taken aback to hear that the super-confident, way “out there” radio personality and concert performer prefers privacy to socializing and doesn’t really enjoy getting up in front of a crowd. But Yossi claims that he’s shy.

“I just like to stay in my corner, write poetry, compose songs, and enjoy my grandchildren,” he says.

Speaking on the radio was easier for him, because you don’t see the all the people who are listening. You are just alone in the four walls of the studio, he says.

Songs with a Message

As is well-known, most of the Country Yossi songs are parodies of country songs composed by non-Jewish artists, such as Johnny Cash and Kenny Rogers. Yossi explains his philosophy about this: he feels that every song has po -

tential holiness, no matter who is the composer. When he takes the song and puts Jewish lyrics and a Jewish message to it, it’s elevating the tune.

I challenged Yossi on this: when you change “Big Bad John” to “Big Bad Moish,” how does that elevate the song? What inherently changed in the message?

“Well,” Yossi responds, “in the original, it was just miners in a coal mine; here, it’s a shul. And he goes into the fire to save sifrei Torah.”

But Yossi readily admits that some of the songs are just plain silly. No one will claim the “cholent” song, “Fetter Shmiel” playing baseball, “Chicken Soup,” or the “Flying Lukshen Kugel-Eater” contain a sublime message (“Well, maybe ‘cholent’ does,” Yossi insists, with a wink).

What’s their point? To be funny! To provide some comic relief to Jews struggling through a long and bitter galus.

Yossi invokes the story mentioned in the Gemara of Eliyahu Hanavi describing two jokesters as “bnei Olam Haba,” acquirers of Olam Haba, in the merit of them making people happy and helping people cope with life.

“Maybe it will get me in as well,” Yossi sighs hopefully.

The singer shares that he met Reb Sholom Mordechai Rubashkin at an event, and Reb Sholom Mordechai confided to him, “You lightened my load.”

“That really made me feel good,” Yossi admits.

I confessed to Yossi that I, too, once went through a challenging period and found some relief in his lighthearted humor.

Yossi says he gets messages two or three times a week from people who tell him how he was a wonderful part of their childhood and how much they enjoyed his songs and his antics and how their children do, too.

Another higher purpose to these songs is that they serve as the entranceway for what Yossi calls his “mussar songs,” such as “Tick Tock” and “One Daf a Day.” In fact, those songs are his favorite.

Many of these “mussar songs” have a light side to them, too, sneaking in their mussar in a playful way, such as “Nobody Comes to the Minyan No More.” The “Aveira” song seems to start off rather playful, but gets pretty serious, vividly describing the accusation of the prosecuting angels and the dread that evokes, and the good angels created from mitzvos.

“And Then He Potched Me”

One song on Country Yossi describes a teacher roundly slapping a boy, who then comes home and tells his father about it, only to get slapped again, this time by his father. Ironically, the tune is lively and upbeat. I asked Yossi what is the message of the song. Was he trying to make a statement on the controversial topic of corporal punishment for our generation? Or did he perhaps find a “potch” funny? Yossi explains, “When I

Reb Shlomo then whispered, “Yossi, you made my day!” Those words reverberate in my soul until today.

The singers of Ohr Chodosh

was growing up, it wasn’t like today. It was a normal occurrence for a child to receive a good poke in the ribs, followed by some good ol’ fashioned ‘gezunte petch.’” He admits that the song was written to vent a little of his frustration at his own childhood experience.

“As the class wise guy, I got plenty of petch!” Yossi confesses.

The Shabbos Goy

I reminisced with Yossi about one hilarious piece on his albums called “Shabbos Goy,” which really brings out the frustration of a frum Jew trying to get across his request to the Shabbos Goy, without spelling it out, and the “goy” trying to understand him. (Note: Do not rely on this for halachic guidance.) It goes like this:

Excuse me, sir, are you Jewish?

Say what?

Are you a Jew?

Do I look Jewish to you?

Oh, great! I’m so happy you’re not Jewish!

You happy I ain’t Jewish? I’m happy you ain’t black, so there!

Can you come into my house for a minute?

Come into your house? You crazy? I don’t even know you!

It’s very hot in my house!

It’s hot in your house; it’s hot everywhere!

Why you invite me into your hot house?

I wish someone would put my air conditioner on…

You want me to put it on?

I didn’t say that.

So you don’t want me to put it on?

I didn’t say that neither!

Well, what would you like me to do?!

I can’t tell you; can you guess?

Yes! I’m guessing you outta your mind!

So I press this button here.

Yeah! I mean no! I mean, I don’t know!

You nuts, man! I’m outa here. Man, these Jews is crazy!

Listeners to this song can connect with the frustration that one has in trying to hint to a “Shabbos goy” about the difficulties one is having without spelling out the situation too clearly.

1-8-7-7 Kars 4 Kids

But Yossi’s most famous song is undoubtedly the Kars 4 Kids jingle – the song everyone loves to hate. The jingle’s fame is on the national level, playing constantly on radio and TV in many major cities throughout the U.S. and Canada. The ditty has been the target of much humor and many snide remarks by famous comedians and other high-profile personalities, some of it more good-natured than others. In one classic SNL comedy, two “CIA agents” explained that they were masters of

designing torture methods, one of which was the Kars 4 Kids jingle.

But not everyone abhors the jingle. I shared with Yossi that I had done a stint as a Kars 4 Kids rep and experienced both the love and the hate. Some callers would sing the jingle for me on the phone or tell me how much their kids loved it, while others offered their free advice that for “our own good” we should change that tune – fast.

Yossi’s original lyrics to the tune are “It’s gonna be the little kinderlach who make Moshiach come.” He recalled how at the recent Jewish Hall of Fame concert they sang, “It’s gonna be the little kinderlach,” then segued into “1-87-7 Kars 4 Kids,” which brought the house down!

The Magazine and the Show

The Country Yossi Magazine and radio show were very popular in their day, as Yossi would say, “broadcasting to half a million heimishe.” Yossi’s quick wit and Heshy’s contagious laughter set the tone for some great scenes, some of which were immortalized in an album named “Classic Calls.”

Yossi’s favorite is a caller who had to name the five boroughs of New York City. She thought for a few seconds and then answered, “Boro Park, Flatbush, Crown Heights, Monsey, and Williamsburg.” Still, Yossi and Heshy have many more humorous calls saved, which they may yet publish one day.

Yossi’s humor showed in his prize giveaways, too, famously rewarding a contestant with “junk from my trunk” or the Brooklyn Bridge.

The magazine was quite lively, too, often generating pretty intense debates on the hot button issues of the day. Rabbi Eli Teitelbaum, a”h, would often write his opinion pieces there, which got some people quite hot under the collar. R’ Eli had explained in the past that, although there were magazines at the time which were considered more prestigious, Country Yossi Magazine was more widely read, and he wanted to reach that audience.

“We were pretty fearless,” Yossi recalled, “but we did have to walk a fine line.”

Perhaps the most popular column in Country Yossi Magazine was the “Kayla Kuchleffel” column. Yossi clarifies that despite all rumors spread by well-informed people with

access to the inside scoop, the weekly “Kayla Kuchleffel” humor column was not written by him but by a Brooklyn mother who did not wish to reveal her true name, to protect her children’s shidduchim.

No word on if they are all married by now, but still, who knows? The grandchildren need shidduchim as well, I presume...

Be Creative –And Keep Smiling

Yossi shares his advice to all budding artists and creative geniuses out there: be creative. Yossi acknowledges an explosion of talent in the young generation, as well as a proliferation of ever-increasing sophistication of available tools and knowledge.

Being in the kiruv field, I point out to Yossi the power of frum creativity to attract Jews who grew up unaffiliated or less affiliated. We see frum music hits garnering much attention from secular audiences on YouTube, TikTok, and other mediums. Yossi agrees. But he cautions that turning talent into money is not simple. The field is very crowded and production on the professional level is very expensive, and success does not come overnight, he says.

Yossi shares a personal story. He once went to collect money owed to him from an elderly Jew. When he arrived, the man waved to him from afar, indicating that today was not a good day. “Ahh, having a bad day?” Yossi questioned understandingly.

The man stopped what he was doing and gave Yossi a penetrating look.

“A bad day?” the man repeated, “you don’t know what a bad day is. Since I left Auschwitz, no day is bad. Some days are better than others. But no day is a bad day.”

The lesson remains with Yossi to this day.

“Keep smiling and be optimistic” is Yossi’s parting message.

“At the end, there’s a happy ending waiting for us all.”

In one classic SNL comedy, two “CIA agents” explained that they were masters of designing torture methods, one of which was the Kars 4 Kids jingle.

Yossi and Heshy, partners and friends

You Gotta Be Kidding!

A policeman is interrogating three guys who are training to become detectives. To test their skills in recognizing a suspect, he shows the first guy a picture for five seconds and then hides it. “This is your suspect. How would you recognize him?”

The first guy answers, “That’s easy. We’ll catch him fast because he only has one eye!”

The policeman says, “Well...uh...that’s because the picture I showed is his side profile.”

Slightly flustered by this ridiculous response, he flashes the picture for five seconds at the second guy and asks him, “This is your suspect. How would you recognize him?”

The second guy smiles, flips his hair, and says, “Ha! He’d be too easy to catch, because he only has one ear!”

The policeman angrily responds, “What’s the matter with you two?! Of course, only one eye and one ear are showing because it’s a picture of his side profile! Is that the best answer you can come up with?”

Extremely frustrated at this point, he shows the picture to the third guy and in a very testy voice asks, “This is your suspect. How would you recognize him?

He quickly adds, “Think hard before giving me a stupid answer.”

The third guy looks at the picture intently for a moment and says, “The suspect wears contact lenses.”

The policeman is surprised and speechless because he really doesn’t know himself if the suspect wears contacts or not.

“Well, that’s an interesting answer. Wait here for a few minutes while I check his file and I’ll get back to you on that.”

He leaves the room and goes to his office, checks the suspect’s file on his computer, and comes back with a beaming smile on his face.

“Wow! I can’t believe it. It’s TRUE! The suspect does, in fact, wear contact lenses. Good work! How were you able to make such an astute observation?”

“That’s easy...” the third guy replied. “He can’t wear regular glasses because he only has one eye and one ear.”

Oh, How Everything Ages!

This unedited photo, called “Bliss,” was taken of a field in Sonoma County, California, by Charles O’Rear in January 1996. It became the most viewed photo in history after Microsoft purchased it for a reported $100,000 and made it the default screen.

What the same field in Sonoma County looks like today (just a few more wrinkles…everyone gets them).

Picture Trivia

1. Freelance photographer Dilish Parekh of Mumbai has the largest camera collection in the world. Approximately how many cameras does he have?

a. 700

b. 4,600

c. 19,355

d. 100,220

2. Why did Kodak founder John Eastman name his company Kodak?

a. Because Kodak means photo in Scandinavian, which is where he is from.

b. Because his father’s name was Kodak Eastman and he inspired him to start the company

c. He made up a word that started with the letter K because he thought that the letter K sounded strong.

d. He named the company for a phrase “Kodak moment” from a Ralph Waldo Emerson book, which means to suddenly capture something.

3. In what year was the first digital camera invented?

a. 1975

b. 1989

c. 1996

d. 2001

4. The photo below of a ribbon was the first picture ever taken. What year was it taken in?

a. 1824

b. 1861

c. 1893

d. 1917

a. $184,382

b. $296,508

c. 1,250,000

d. $4,338,500

5. The image below, taken in 1828, is the first picture to ever capture a person in it (a person getting shoes shined). Where was the photo taken?

a. Strangely enough, it was taken on Central Avenue in Cedarhurst

b. Paris

c. Washington, D.C.

d. Munich

7. According to a study at Wake Forest University, which side of their faces do people prefer to take pictures of because they exhibit greater emotion?

a. Left

b. Right

Wisdom Key

7-8 correct: I see the wide smile on the left side of your face!

6. In 1999, Andreas Gursky took the below photo of the Rhein River. How much did it sell for in 2011?

3-6 correct: You are not exactly John Eastman, but not bad.

0-2 correct: “A picture says a thousand words.”

Notable Quotes “Say What?!”

The opposition is refusing to discuss anything… Some of them are people who have, in the past, called for talks with Hamas. But when it comes to Bibi, Levin, and Rothman, that’s going too far.

- Knesset Member Simcha Rothman, chairman of the Knesset’s Constitution Law, discussing the left’s refusal to negotiate any terms for judicial reform

Only four months ago, we held elections. The government I head received a clear mandate from the citizens of Israel. The fact that for two whole months our repeated calls for dialogue received no response from the opposition proves that what interests the opposition is not the judicial reforms, but the creation of anarchy and the overthrow of the elected government.

– Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu

All banks doing crypto biz are collapsing. Good riddance.

- Tweet by famed economist Nouriel Roubin

2000, 2008, 2023. It is always the same. People full of hubris and greed take stupid risks, and fail. Money is then printed. Because it works so well.

– Michael Burry, the investor featured in “The Big Short,” tweeting about the Silicon Valley Bank failure

It just seems like a weird politicizing, you know, he’s going out of his way to politicize something.

- NBC News host Chuck Todd responding to Gov DeSantis stating that schools in Florida will make sure to teach “about the evils of Communist regimes throughout history” and would “tell the truth about Marxism and Leninism”

He asked me to do his eulogy… Excuse me, I shouldn’t say that. I spent time with Jimmy Carter, and it’s finally caught up with him.

- President Joe Biden in a recent speech

It is impossible to be in favor of the success of the Israeli economy and to encourage the flight of funds from Israel. It is impossible to be in favor of the rule of law and to encourage violations of the law. It is impossible to be in favor of the security of the state and to encourage insubordination [by IDF reservists] that would collapse the security of the state. There is no conditional Zionism.

- Ibid.

For the first time since the Civil War period, there’s not a single Democrat elected to statewide office... We came, we saw, and we have left the Democratic Party for dead.

- Tweet by the Florida GOP

The White House just backed a bipartisan Senate bill that would give President Biden the power to ban TikTok, or as they’re calling it on TikTok, the “trying to lose the election” challenge.

— Jimmy Fallon

I wouldn’t worry just yet. As of now, Biden thinks TikTok is the clock on “60 Minutes.”

- Ibid.

To make it up, Biden promised us that he’d give everybody 100 free hours of AOL.

- Ibid.

Yeah, officials think China is using TikTok to spy on us, and China was like, “Yeah, well, we had a backup idea, but you shot it down.”

- Ibid.

There is one foreign leader for whom the Democratic Party seems to reserve special scorn. Leading Democrats have called him a “reactionary,” a “racist,” an “ethno-nationalist.” They’ve accused him of committing “war crimes” and of leading an “apartheid state.” President Joe Biden has called him “extreme” and said they don’t agree on “a [darn] thing.” Strong words.

Who is this monster, you may ask? Were the Democrats talking about Russian President Vladimir Putin? Or China’s Xi Jinping? Or perhaps Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Supreme Leader of Iran? No, they were referring to Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel’s longest-serving prime minister and one of America’s best friends. Once again, these Democrats have proven their tendency to coddle our enemies and condemn our friends.

-Sen. Tom Cotton (R-AR) speaking on the Senate floor

President Biden reassured Americans the country’s financial system is safe. OK, I think the fact that you’re talking about a bank collapse proves it isn’t. That’s like going to a funeral and giving a eulogy about how Nana’s going to be fine.

— Seth Meyers

One of the young leaders was talking to me about climate mental health. I said, “Tell me what’s going on with your peers. Climate mental health.” I said, “I think I can understand that, but unpack it for me.” And she talked about how her peers are thinking about it. One example is, you know, whether, when they’re ready, could they start a family, worried about what that would mean and the stress of it.

- Vice President Kamala Harris at the Aspen Ideas: Climate Conference

Try to be happy; try to think of good things – to think everything is beautiful, to think beautiful things.

- Teresa Moore, 103, who still lifts weights at an Los Angeles gym 3-4 times a week, in an interview with Fox 11 Los Angeles

A top climate scientist is warning that climate change will wipe out all humanity unless we stop using fossil fuels over the next five years

- 2018 tweet by climate activist Greta Thunberg that she deleted this week, now that the five years are up and we are still here

I think the most important thing is, as a nonJewish person, you have to be able to educate them about Israel. I think in this country, a lot of people talk about Israel and talk about the Jewish people, but they’ve never been there. So they don’t even have a clue.

- Former Mets player Darryl Strawberry, who is now an evangelical

Dating Dialogue What Would You Do If…

Navidaters,

I’m in a predicament and was wondering if you could help. My best friend/ neighbor is in shidduchim, and I’ve been getting calls about her and her family. My friend is amazing, and her family are nice people but could be very hard to deal with and super stingy with money. When her older sister got engaged, I remember my friend telling me about all the wedding prep drama, like her parents only wanted to invite a small number of guests like only close family, they wanted the bare-bones food package. There was so much fighting surrounding the details they broke the engagement.

I’ve basically grown up going to her house, and to me, this is just who they are, but I know deep down that the extent to which they are cheap and stingy with money is not normal. I am not talking about a family who is scrounging for money and poor; it’s more of their mehalech. For example, they reuse yogurt jars and baby food jars for cups. Things that people use as conveniences are unheard of in their house.

As a reference to her shidduch resume, do I have to go into detail since it is a very big part of who they are? Whenever I get a question about the family, I feel guilty leaving that part out since it is a very big part of who they are.

What is the right thing to do?

Disclaimer: This column is not intended to diagnose or otherwise conclude resolutions to any questions. Our intention is not to offer any definitive conclusions to any particular question, rather offer areas of exploration for the author and reader. Due to the nature of the column receiving only a short snapshot of an issue, without the benefit of an actual discussion, the panel’s role is to offer a range of possibilities. We hope to open up meaningful dialogue and individual exploration.

Moderated by Jennifer Mann, LCSW of The Navidaters

The Panel

The Rebbetzin

Rebbetzin Faigie Horowitz, M.S.

As a reference in shidduchim, it’s your responsibility to answer questions asked by the caller. It’s also commendable to share positive aspects of the family as well. It’s menschlech to bring up things like they are close to one another, they are caring people, there is a warm atmosphere in the house, they host a lot of people who don’t have local families, etc. Unless you are asked about their spending habits, you don’t have to bring up their thrifty ways. Pointed questions should be answered with honesty but with an awareness of hilchos lashon hora. The Chofetz Chaim Heritage Foundation’s Chazak Hotline has a section on shidduch references.

Keep in mind that your role is not to

be a source for an investigative reporter. Your role is to be an interviewee who answers questions and gives a good, integrated summation at the end.

The Shadchan

Michelle Mond

Your question highlights the difficulties people have being references for others.

You should know, everyone struggles with this issue in one way or another. On one hand, I have seen too many young women come to me after a broken engagement or divorce looking for a shidduch. One of the most common threads I hear in these stories is information being withheld. On the other hand, I also have seen instances where people give their two cents about opin-

ions regarding a single or their family insinuating negativity.

Another blatant misconception is feeling like you have to tell the caller whether you personally “see” the shidduch. These people do not realize that they do not have to report personal opinions. You think this girl is shy? Talk about her sensitivity to others instead. When put in perspective, things can mean different things to different people.

In my opinion, anyone who is on another person’s resume should first speak to the person and clarify how they would describe themselves and what they are looking for. So many times, I have been told, “Her reference called her yeshivish!” when I personally endorsed her as “frum” but not “yeshivish,” which was how she presented herself. The term can mean different things to different people.

Engagements

Tzvi Chaim Nadoff & Aliza Klein (Baltimore)

Avraham Silber & Zeesy Frankel

Yaakov Cruz (Seattle) & Aviva Donowitz (Brooklyn/Baltimore)

Moshe Dachs & Rochel Shira Bloom

Raphael Tanen & Kayla Perlmutter (Both Baltimore)

Mordechai Miller (Baltimore) & Chanala Grubner (Lakewood)

Tzviki Schnell (Chicago) & Liala Ram (Baltimore)

Yitzchak Berkovitz (Toronto) & Nava Goldenhersh (Baltimore)

In this case, I would suggest you answer all the questions you receive regarding your friend herself. If they ask if the family is generous and flexible with money, you will be in a bind. To preempt an awkward situation, call your rav and explain the situation and get guidelines on what you could say if you are asked about your friend’s family.

Yehudah Rosenbloom (Baltimore) & Tehila Flohr (Miami)

Nate (Nathaniel) Smith (Great Neck/Boro Park) & Perri Lichtman (Baltimore)

Shmuel Weidberg (Toronto) & Shani Teichman (Baltimore)

Yaakov Oppenheimer (Chicago) & Devora Leah Neuberger (Baltimore)

Yisroel Norman & Yael Epstein

Yaakov Rokowsky (Lakewood) & Leah Jakobovits (Baltimore)

Yisroel Tenenbaum & Aviva Hauser

Another blatant misconception is feeling like you have to tell the caller whether you personally “see” the shidduch.

The Single

Tzipora Grodko

Dear Conflicted Neighbor, What a great question! I’m really not sure and I personally would ask my local rabbi whose guidance I trust.

I would imagine that this detail is typically irrelevant in the grand scheme of what’s most important in a relationship between a husband and wife. People are imperfect, and money can often be a huge source of contention in a variety of ways. What’s most important (in my opinion) is how the family treats

others (independent of their clear financial anxiety) and the quality of middos your neighbor has (again, independent of her family).

The Zaidy

Dr. Jeffrey Galler

Here’s a layperson’s, non-halachic opinion.

When folks ask about your good friend, tell them what an amazing, wonderful young lady she is.

If they ask about her family, be honest, but keep it positive.

Pulling It All Together

The Navidaters

Dating and Relationship Coaches and Therapists

Thank you for writing into the panel. I am not sure if there is a right and wrong here. Being your friend’s reference for her shidduch resume puts you in a very uncomfortable, unfair position. And it potentially puts your friend in an uncomfortable position. It is unfair to you because you are being made to choose between your moral conscience and doing what is best for your friend. You feel like you are allowing an innocent person to be subjected to what you know in your bones is not normal. Furthermore, it is unfair to your friend because if you continue to be put in this situation, you may grow to become resentful of her, having to lie or omit something to other people, on her behalf.

So, let’s get down to what your truth is and then what you are going to decide to do. The truth is that the fam - ily’s stinginess is so significant that you feel badly not alerting people to it. And I believe it would make most people who have a healthy(ish) relationship with money and possessions uncomfortable, too. But this is not your friend’s fault and certainly not yours! Why should either be held accountable for her parents’ stinginess? You have some options…

You can tell your friend how you feel, how you’re not sure how to handle this. You can tell her it’s uncomfortable for you because you don’t know what to say about her parents and for

You can say how they must be remarkable parents to have raised such a remarkable daughter; you can elaborate and discuss the many wonderful virtues they have instilled in their daughter, including the value of not being wasteful with money.

Yes, your observations certainly indicate that these parents are unusually frugal but that doesn’t make them incapable of having a healthy relationship with a son-in-law and his family. Moreover, after their sad experience with their older daughter’s broken engagement, perhaps they have now learned to conduct themselves more properly in the future.

Fifty-one years ago, my girlfriend invited me to dinner at her parents’ home. I was a bit surprised to realize that their beverage cups were actually re-purposed yahrtzeit candle glasses. Yes, my in-laws, Holocaust

that reason you can’t be involved. You can tell your friend you are happy to give her a glowing review but that you aren’t comfortable speaking about her parents. And I think to protect her, you can make a general boundary for yourself that you’re not comfortable speaking about the family at large. It’s just not something you do. It will then be your friend’s issue to figure out. And unfortunately, it is her issue to deal with. Mind you, many, many people have very difficult parents and families, and no one has the power to stop something that was actually meant to be. When two people are meant to be, wild horses (or stingy parents) cannot keep them apart.

So often we feel responsible for things that aren’t our responsibility. And sometimes setting a little boundary about what we will and won’t get involved with is all that is needed to clear up a situation. I don’t see you be -

survivors, were very careful about spending money unnecessarily. However, they were the most loving, caring, giving parents and grandparents. I loved them and benefitted greatly from their love.

So, continue to be the good friend that you obviously are and help your friend get married!

ing responsible for any of this. I don’t think the position is fair to you. And I think there is a graceful way for you to relinquish responsibility.

And, for what it’s worth… while I understand the value and merit of references, can we please call a spade a spade? How many people have had absolutely glowing references from people who were covering up some horrendous things? Everyone has to keep in mind that people are only going to put down glowing references. Why would anyone choose to put someone down who would share something “bad”? The whole system of references needs to be questioned.

When in doubt and if so inclined, you can always ask a trusted rav for guidance.

All the best, Jennifer

Jennifer Mann, LCSW is a licensed psychotherapist and certified trauma healing life coach, as well as a dating and relationship coach working with individuals, couples, and families in private practice at 123 Maple Avenue in Cedarhurst, NY. To set up a consultation or to ask questions, please call 718-908-0512. Visit www.thenavidaters.com for more information. If you would like to submit a dating or relationship question to the panel anonymously, please email JenniferMannLCSW@gmail.com. You can follow The Navidaters on FB and Instagram for dating and relationship advice.

When two people are meant to be, wild horses (or stingy parents) cannot keep them apart.

Common Cents

By Elliot Pepper, CPA, CFP®, MST

Dollar Cost Averaging – Just an Average Strategy?

Dollar cost averaging is an investment strategy in which an investor divides up the total amount to be invested across periodic purchases, regardless of the price of the security. This helps to reduce the impact of volatility on the overall purchase. The investor purchases more shares when prices are low and fewer shares when prices are high. This strategy can help to average out the cost of the shares over time, potentially reducing the risk of buying at the top of a market cycle, but there are downsides to dollar cost averaging. Lump sum investing is a strategy in which an individual invests a large sum of money all at once, rather than gradually over time. This approach allows an investor to take advantage of market conditions and potentially earn higher returns, but it also carries more risk since the entire investment is exposed to market fluctuations at once.

Pros of Dollar Cost Averaging:

• Averaged cost: Dollar cost averaging can help to average out the cost of shares over time, potentially reducing the risk of buying at the top of a market cycle.

• Forced discipline: Dollar cost averaging can help investors to adhere to a regular investment schedule, which can be beneficial for those who may struggle to consistently set aside funds for investment.

• Less emotional decision making: Dollar cost averaging reduces the need to time the market, which can help investors to avoid making impulsive, emotionally-driven investment decisions.

Cons of Dollar Cost Averaging:

• Reduced returns: If the market is in an overall upward trend, an investor using dollar cost averaging may miss out on the potential for higher returns by buying more shares when prices are higher.

• Higher costs: An investor using dollar cost averaging may pay more in transaction costs, such as brokerage fees, than an investor making a single lump-sum investment.

• May not be suitable for short-term: It may not be suitable for investors who are looking for short-term gains, as it tends to be for long-term strategies.

Pros of Lump Sum:

• Accelerated Compounding: When a large sum of money is invested all at once, it starts earning interest immediately, which can lead to higher returns over time.

• Putting Money to Work: Lump sum investing allows investors to put their money to work right away, meaning they don’t miss out on any potential gains in the market.

• Removes Market Timing: Investing a lump sum all at once eliminates the need for an investor to time the market, which can be difficult and uncertain. This applies to dollar cost averaging in most cases as well.

Cons of Lump Sum:

• Magnified Market Risk: When an investor invests a large sum of money all at once, the entire investment is exposed to market fluctuations at once. This means that if the market

goes down, the value of the investment will decrease significantly. This can be especially risky if the investor is close to retirement or has other near-term financial goals

• Cash Requirements: Lump sum investing is that it requires a large amount of money upfront. Some investors may not have a large sum of money available to invest all at once.

What is better: Dollar Cost Averaging or Lump Sum?

I have heard arguments for and against dollar cost averaging. An article from CNBC quoted a study that concluded a lump sum strategy will outperform a dollar cost averaging strategy 75% of the time for an all stock portfolio and 90% of the time for an all bond portfolio. That is quite compelling evidence against dollar cost averaging. However, there is a pretty important variable that needs to be considered and that is the homo sapien. Yes, human behavior and emotion warrants a place in the dollar cost averaging vs. lump sum investing debate. Having all of your investable cash tied up in the market might deliver the best long term returns, but imagine the brand new investor who decided to do that in January 2022 and saw 20% of their wealth disappear, and although the portfolio should recover if the investor just stays the course – there is a difference between staying the course as a seasoned investor and as a rookie experiencing their first bear market. Despite respectable evidence that lump sum is the way to go, I am a proud dollar cost averaging investor, and here is why… It helps me sleep better at night!

I feel confident that using dollar cost averaging will not adversely impact my financial plan, and you know what – I sleep better at night knowing that t I am always buying – when the market is up? I buy. When the market is down? I buy. When the market drops 20%? I buy. When the market shoots up 20%? I buy. You get the point….a boring investment strategy is a good investment strategy. Its part emergency fund, part new opportunity fund, and part anxiety medicine – so I’ll just keep buying. As long as you are within the guardrails of a solid plan you should be fine. Find your place at the rationality party, but make sure you find a comfortable seat in the reasonableness section.

What I love the most about personal finance is that it’s personal! What is your investment strategy? Do you lump sum or dollar cost average investment contributions? I would love to hear your thoughts. Please send them to commoncents@northbrookfinancial.com.

The decision to start saving and investing is yours, but the “how” can be hard. We suggest speaking with a “fee only” financial planner operating as a fiduciary - having a CPA or tax background is a huge plus. Email commoncents@northbrookfinancial.com to schedule a free financial planning consultation with our team.

Elliot Pepper, CPA, CFP®, MST is Co-Founder of Northbrook Financial, a Financial Planning, Tax, and Investment Management Firm. He has developed and continues to teach a popular Financial Literacy course for high school students.

SHABBOSDinner

2Challahs

2qtChickenSoup

6pcsRoastedorBBQChicken

Rice,RoastedPotatoes,PotatoKugel,orFarfal

RoastedVegetablesorGreenBeans

2ParveSalads(1lbeach)

(Coleslaw,PotatoSalad,CousCous,CucumberSalad, IsraeliSalad,BabyCornSalad)

SHABBOSLunch

2Challahs • 2Dips • 2qtChulent

1lbLiver&1lbEggSaladorGefiltaFish

1/2lb

PastramiCornedBeef,RoastBeef, orBrisket

1/2lbTurkeyPastrami,Salami,BolognaorTurkey (Gourmet,Classic,Honey,Smoked,orMexican)

6-8PiecesGrilledChickenStripsorShnitzelFingers

8x5Kugel (Potato,SweetNoodle,orYerushalmi)

2ParveSalads(1lbeach)

(Coleslaw,PotatoSalad,CousCous,CucumberSalad, IsraeliSalad,BabyCornSalad,ChickpeaSalad,Quinoa,CornSalad, GardenSalad,orCesarSalad)

Salmon Appetizer • $5 pp

Turkey Salad • $11 / lb (min. 1 lb) London Broil • $9 pp

Brisket and Gravy • $9 pp

Glazed Corned Beef • $9 pp

Salmon Wellington • $14 pp

Grilled Chicken • $5 pp

Pastrami & Kishka Stuffed Chicken Breast • $10 pp

8x5 Yapchick • $14

8x5 Apple Cobbler • $12

Cookies • $8 / box

You are what you eat. You may have heard that phrase many times, and it is actually pretty accurate. The foods we eat affect our gut health, and if we are not eating properly, poor gut health can be the result. Our gut health has such a tremendous impact on our overall health, and so it’s essential that we take proper care of our gut.

There are many things that can affect your gut health, which can lead to many health issues that take a toll on your immune functions, hormone levels, weight, and other diseases. Being that the foods you eat make a difference, it’s important to assess your overall diet. In addition, lifestyle factors such as stress and physical activity play crucial roles in your gut health and how you feel as well. Maintaining a healthy gut is essential to your overall health.

Did you know that the gut makes up around 80% of your immune system? It’s a no-brainer that you may not feel good if you are eating poorly. The gut plays

Health & F tness A Healthy Gut

By Tehila Soskel, RDN, CDN

numerous roles in your body from aiding in digestion to absorbing nutrients to fuel your body, so once again a healthy gut is key.

Some signs that may indicate poor gut health are gas, bloating, heartburn, and other digestive issues. This usually indicates that your gut is having trouble processing the food you are eating and eliminating waste. Another common sign that may go unnoticed is fatigue. Chronic fatigue may mean there are imbalances in the gut. Serotonin is produced in the gut, and if there is inflammation or bacteria in the gut, sleep can definitely be affected.

Factors That Affect Your Gut Diet

First things first is diet. Eating a well-balanced diet that includes a variety of whole grains, fruits, and vegetables can help ensure you are giving your body all types of nutrients which leads to the growth of good bacteria in the body. The fiber in fruits and vegetables

helps to maintain a smooth digestive system. Fermented foods are broken down by bacteria in the gut, which provides many health benefits. Some of the benefits include reducing the risks of diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, obesity, and better weight management. Plain yogurt, sauerkraut, and tempeh are some examples of fermented foods. Eating low-fat plain yogurt with berries, which are rich in protein, and adding sauerkraut for that extra boost of fiber to your salad can both be great ways to get in those extra vitamins and minerals to enhance your gut microbiota.

Another essential dietary factor to be wary of is avoiding processed foods. Doing so will help maintain a healthier gut. Processed foods are high in salt, sugar, and unhealthy fats which are harmful to your gut. More so, ultra-processed foods can be associated with diabetes, heart diseases, and obesity.

Staying well hydrated is another crucial component to a healthy gut. Try aim-

ing for at least eight cups of water a day.

Lastly, alcohol can have many negative effects on our gut. Alcohol irritates the lining of your stomach and disrupts the balance of bacteria in your gut. Drinking alcohol can lead to inflammation and delay stomach emptying, which causes abdominal discomfort. If you are drinking alcohol, be mindful and remember that according to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, men should limit their intake to two drinks or less in a day and women to one drink or less in a day.

Probiotics & Prebiotics

Our bodies are made up of good and bad bacteria. When you get sick, your body has more bad bacteria than good. Probiotics are the good bacteria you want in your body to help keep it balanced. Probiotics help your body function by supporting your immune system, fighting off infections, helping to digest food, and keeping you feeling good. Probiot-

ics are found in some fermented foods such as yogurt, cottage cheese, pickles, sauerkraut, tempeh, and sourdough. Fermented foods help with a diverse gut microbiome which means a variety of the microorganisms living in your gut.

Prebiotics are very important for your gut, as their main function is acting as a food source for the gut microorganisms. There are many benefits of prebiotics such as helping your immune system, regulating bowel movements, aiding in your appetite, balancing the good and bad bacteria in our bodies to help fight diseases, and many more. Suffice to say, prebiotics play many important roles in our bodies. Prebiotics are found in bananas, garlic, leek, onions, nuts, beans and other foods and are known as soluble fiber. Soluble fiber may help lower blood sugar and improve digestion. Insoluble fiber is found in foods like whole grains, fruits, and vegetables. The American Heart Association recommends a total dietary fiber intake of 21-25 grams daily for women and 30-38 grams daily for men, with the fiber coming mostly from food and not from supplements.

Fruits and vegetables with higher fiber content include berries, fruits with the skin, broccoli, and Brussels sprouts.

Medication

While antibiotics are helpful in treating many diseases and benefit us greatly, some antibiotics may change our gut flora. Next time you are prescribed an antibiotic, ask your doctor about probiotics you can take to help improve outcomes.

Physical Activity

You are probably aware that physical activity has so many benefits, but are you aware of the impact physical activity has on your gut? Exercising helps improve the good bacteria in your gut. Studies have shown that individuals who are inactive lack some beneficial gut bacteria which those who are regularly active do have. Exercising regularly can also help reduce stress, which can negatively affect our gut. Our bodies have a hard time recover-

ing when the stress response is triggered too often. This can ultimately lead to an upset stomach due to the disruption in the flow of digestion.

Sleep

Getting enough sleep is so important to our health. Some of the benefits of sleeping enough are maintaining a healthy weight, reduced stress, improved mood, and lower risk for health problems,

teria. Stress increases with lack of sleep and ultimately affects your gut. Lack of sleep can also affect your dietary choices, making it harder to choose healthier options and eating late at night. A few ways you can try to improve on getting enough sleep is by limiting caffeine, keeping your phone away from you at night, getting on a sleep routine, and staying consistent with your sleep patterns.

By incorporating healthy eating habits, physical activity, and being aware of the other factors, you can better maintain a healthy gut. Keep in mind that it’s important to start slowly and take it one step at a time. New habits take some time to form. Try adding a serving of fermented food to your meals, an extra glass of water before or after meals, or an extra ten minutes to your workout regimen. Whatever seems attainable to you is what you should do.

among other benefits. According to the CDC, adults need seven or more hours of sleep per night. Not enough sleep may lead to health conditions such as obesity and heart disease. Our circadian rhythm helps keep our body in check by acting as our internal clock.

Lacking proper amounts of sleep can lead to negative effects on your gut bac -

Tehila Soskel is a registered dietitian nutritionist with a private practice in the Five Towns. She sees clients for weight loss, diabetes, and other various diseases. Appointments can be made for in-person or virtual sessions: 516-457-8558, tehilasoskelrd@gmail.com, tehilasoskelnutrition.com.

Did you know that the gut makes up around 80% of your immune system?

Do More with Your Career

Henry Cohen, PharmD, MSc, FCCM, Dean and Professor

CONTACT: Heidi Fuchs, Assistant Dean, Admissions & Enrollment

646.981.4750 | admissions.pharmacy@touro.edu

Touro College of Pharmacy equips you with the practical skills and knowledge you’ll need to succeed as a pharmacist. Our rigorous curriculum combined with small class sizes and supervised pharmacy practice experiences ensure you are fully prepared to start your career. It’s why Touro Pharmacy has the highest NAPLEX pass rate in NYC and 99% of Touro Pharmacy graduates are employed upon graduation!

• Nine, six-week rotations, more than most other colleges of pharmacy.

• Generous scholarships and financial aid available.

• New campus in Times Square featuring state of the art labs.

• Our values are your values. All our campuses follow the Jewish calendar and serve only kosher food.

• PharmD/MPH and PharmD/MBA options available

tcop.touro.edu

This tax season, Americans are grumbling over the usual government forms, bureaucratic red tape, and looming deadlines. But it’s worth stepping back to realize the IRS isn’t responsible for the mess. That fault lies with Congress, where lawmakers spend their days conferring with their constituents, debating weighty issues, marking up legislation, and who are we kidding? They spend their days grubbing for campaign cash and their nights spouting talking points on cable news. (If an ambitious young senator were to write an update to JFK’s Profiles in Courage, who would he write about in today’s Congress? Discuss among yourselves.)

It’s also worth remembering that some of the best (or worst) ideas come bubbling up from state and local governments, aka “laboratories of democracy.” Love/hate Obamacare? It started out as Romneycare in Massachusetts. New York has a complicated tax system, with a 10.9% top bracket, that just happens to chase millionaires down to Florida. Meanwhile, Texas has no state income tax, nicer roads, and a faster-growing economy. So let’s take a look at a couple of ideas percolating out where real people live.

Arizona is full of snowbirds from colder, frostier places where the wind comes sweeping down the plains. Many of them

Your Money House Poor

By Allan Rolnick, CPA

are retirees, living on fixed incomes, and struggling with inflation. State Representative Rachel Jones has introduced a bill to make their lives easier by eliminating property taxes for people who own their primary residence outright. But the current draft raises important questions. For example, there’s no exemption for reverse mortgages that let older owners tap the equity in their homes without having to

1 . The Bel Air house includes 12,130 square feet, with seven bedrooms and 14 bathrooms on 1.3 acres with views of the ocean. There are two infinity pools (because having just one pool is for peasants), an indoor atrium with a water wall, a -12seat theatre, and an indooroutdoor gym.

Why the April deadline? In 2022, Los Angeles voters passed a mansion tax to

Naturally, planners are already floating ideas to skirt the tax. How about splitting a sale into two transactions, one for the land and one for the structure? What if a buyer splits the purchase with a trust, taking two separate tenancy-in-common interests on two separate closing dates? (It sounds silly, but that’s why tax lawyers drive Jaguars.)

Both of these proposals run counter to federal law. The 2017 tax act limited deductions for state and local taxes, including the property taxes Arizona might eliminate, to just $10,000 per year. And federal law currently lets homeowners exclude up to $500,000 gain selling their primary residence. No mansion tax there!

You already know that having a plan is the best way to pay less tax.

make payments or move. And, while Arizona boasts one of the lowest property tax rates in the country, there’s no provision for replacing the revenue the state would lose from the bill.

Further west, in Los Angeles, Million Dollar Listing Los Angeles star Josh Altman is dangling a 1 $ million bonus to any agent who can help close escrow on a 27.9$ million property before April

fund affordable housing and tenant assistance programs. That tax is four percent on sales above $5 million and increases to 5.5% on sales above $10 million. Notably, it applies to the entire sale price, not just the amounts above those thresholds. And you owe even if you lose money on the sale. If Altman’s listing sells for the asking price after March 31, his seller pays 1.53$ million.

But it’s important to keep that plan up to date as laws change, and your own circumstances change. If you’re thinking of moving up or down, call us before you sign a contract so we can help you keep as much as you can!

Allan J Rolnick is a CPA who has been in practice for over 30 years in Queens, NY. He welcomes your comments and can be reached at 718-896-8715 or at allanjrcpa@aol.com.

Further west, in Los Angeles, Josh Altman is dangling a $1 million bonus to any agent who can help close escrow on a $27.9 million property before April 1.

In The K tchen

One Pan Pepper Steak Dinner

By Naomi Nachman

Ingredients

◦ 4 lbs. pepper steak

◦ 1 cup potato starch

◦ 1 teaspoon paprika

◦ ½ teaspoon garlic powder

◦ 1 teaspoon kosher salt

◦ 2 large onions, sliced ½ moon rings

◦ ½ cup orange juice

◦ ½ cup BBQ sauce

◦ ½ cup honey

◦ ½ cup teriyaki sauce

◦ 6 cloves garlic, minced

◦ 1 large package of frozen broccoli florets

◦ 8 Yukon gold potatoes, cubed into bite-size pieces

Preparation

Preheat oven to 325°F.

In a small bowl, mix the potato starch and spices together.

Dredge each piece of pepper steak in the potato starch on both sides and place it in an oven to tableware dish. Repeat with remaining slices of steak. Set aside.

In a medium bowl, mix together the remaining ingredients – except for the potatoes, onions, and broccoli – to make the sauce.

Place onions and potatoes on top of the meat. Pour the sauce over the ingredients and toss well.

Cover with heavy duty foil and bake for 2½ hours.

Raise heat to 350°F.

Take out the meat from the oven and add the frozen broccoli. Bake for another ½ hour, uncovered.

Naomi Nachman, the owner of The Aussie Gourmet, caters weekly and Shabbat/ Yom Tov meals for families and individuals within The Five Towns and neighboring communities, with a specialty in Pesach catering. Naomi is a contributing editor to this paper and also produces and hosts her own weekly radio show on the Nachum Segal Network stream called “A Table for Two with Naomi Nachman.” Naomi gives cooking presentations for organizations and private groups throughout the New York/New Jersey Metropolitan area. In addition, Naomi has been a guest host on the QVC TV network and has been featured in cookbooks, magazines as well as other media covering topics related to cuisine preparation and personal chefs. To obtain additional recipes, join The Aussie Gourmet on Facebook or visit Naomi’s blog. Naomi can be reached through her website, www.theaussiegourmet.com or at (516) 295-9669.

We are always so focused on yom tov recipes, however, chol haomed meals are also challenging. I created this one-pan wonder just for chol hamoed.

Cross Keys Pediatrics

CONGRATULATIONS TO LAST EDITION’S RAFFLE WINNERs!

Uriel Fuentes, 5

Shalva Delrahim, 11

Peretz Yehuda Mandel, 7

Leeba Danziger, 7

Eliana K, 3

Dovi Romanoff, 12, and Ezra Romanoff, 11

Avraham Moshe Fuentes, 7

Aharon Dovid Fuentes, 3

Ayala Bulman

Meira Tova Edelman, 7