Baltimore Jewish Home - 3-7-24

Dear Readers,

As we reflect on the journey from the depths of winter to the hopeful beginnings of spring, the story of Purim offers profound insights into the nature of hope, resilience, and the power of unity. The Megillah recounts a time of great peril for the Jewish people, marked by the decree of Haman to annihilate the Jews. Yet, in the face of impending doom, the narrative is one of remarkable transformation, from sorrow to joy, from mourning to festivity. This transition mirrors our journey as we emerge from a winter not just of cold temperatures, but of trials and tribulations that we’ve endured since Simchas Torah. The story of Purim teaches us that the essence of Jewish endurance is not only in surviving adversity but in the ability to transform darkness into light. Esther’s and Mordechai’s leadership, rooted in faith and action, mobilized a community to fast, daven, and unite, overturning a decree of destruction into one of victory and celebration.

The Purim story is a powerful reminder that even in our darkest moments, there is always a spark of hope, a possibility for change. It encourages us to look beyond the immediate challenges and to see the potential for renewal

and redemption. Just as Esther and Mordechai did not passively accept their fate but actively worked to change it, we’ve also mobilized the power of chesed, Tefillah, and limud Torah as an act of resistance against the forces of evil that have sprouted since Simchas Torah.

In this season of renewal, let us draw inspiration from the story of Purim to foster unity and strengthen our faith. Just as the winter soil prepares the flowers for their spring bloom, so to have our trials prepared us to blossom. Let us approach the coming Yomim Tovim with a renewed spirit, ready to celebrate our survival and growth with joy and gratitude.

As we move from the solemnity of this past winter into what we hope is a joyful spring, let us remember that the greatest miracles often begin as hidden sparks in the darkness, waiting for our faith and action to bring them to light. May this understanding guide us as we continue to navigate the challenges before us, carrying forward the lessons of resilience, unity, and hope.

Wishing everyone a peaceful and joyful Shabbos!

Aaron Menachem

Baltimore Chesed League by Columbia Group Kicks off New Season!

The Baltimore Chesed League - by Columbia Group kicked off their 7th season in grand fashion with a delicious lunch event at Suburban Orthodox Toras Chaim (food

a great time visiting with residents at Sterling Care Assisted Living. The boys told jokes and stories, played music, and made Purim cards with the residents.

Team Advanced Root Canal Specialists visited the Jewish Library of Baltimore and learned about the various array of books available in all areas of Judaism and Jewish History. They also organized and cataloged various volumes that had recently come into the library.

generously sponsored by The Knish Shop.)

After eating lunch and receiving their league sweatshirts, the boys heard words of inspiration from Rabbi Shmuel Silber (the Rav of Suburban

Israel!

Team JTAP Tennis League helped Chai Lifeline MidAtlantic Region pack Mishloach Manos for distribution.

Orthodox), received a special thank you from Rabbi Jonah Lerner (the head of NCSY Mid-Atlantic) and reviewed the league logistics with BCL commissioner, Dovi Ziffer. The event then wrapped up with a sincere and

Team Kineged Glass Repair spent some quality time with the residents of North Oaks Retirement Community!

Team RenoSafe Homes helped build Hatzalah of Baltimore pushkas for community use. The boys did an amazing job in putting together so many of them.

display for Purim, organized books, and hung up new library signs.

Team Pit Stop Tire Shop entertained the residents at King David Nursing and Rehabilitation Center with songs, card tricks, magic tricks and jokes. The boys really enjoyed bringing the Adar spirit to the residents!

enthusiastic Mincha in the Shul. A special thank you to our two kickoff event sponsors, Price Busters and Blue Ocean!

Below are some highlights from the first two weeks of the season:

WesBanco

Bonds

assisted CHAI of Baltimore by cleaning around Pikesville High and Wellwood Elementary. Team Co-sponsors from Israel Bonds Maryland Campaign Chair Linda Elman and Executive Director Steven Cohen joined Coach Alex Weil in the activity!

learn about the work Chaverim of Baltimore does and put their newfound knowledge into practice! Skills included removing a stuck vehicle, jumpstarting a battery, changing tires, and opening locked doors!

Team Pikesville Remodeling stuffed envelopes and organized Siddurim and Benchers for Baltimore NCSY. Rabbi Moss discussed the myriad of NCSY programs in Baltimore.

about the chesed that AIM does for the community, helping families with newborns with food and cleaning help. They also delivered food packages to some very happy families.

Team Owings Mills Podiatry helped support CHAI, working hard to clean up the neighborhood around Cross Country/Western Run!

Team Keren Reva Costume Gemach brought the Purim spirit as they packed Mishloach Manos to be delivered to the kids of Chai Lifeline Mid-Atlantic!

Team DC Dental helped bake hamentashen to be delivered to families receiving support from Bikur Cholim of Baltimore.

Team Tucker & Meltzer Valuation Advisors spent quality time learning about the important work done by Misaskim and helping get shiva chairs ready for use.

Team CBT Baltimore visited the residents of North Oaks, helping to brighten everyone’s day with some songs and jokes!

Team Flamm Insurance Group partnered with a local organization, working hard to put together food boxes to be distributed in the community.

The boys of Sage Ventures, fresh off their exciting Haschalas Gemara event, partnered with Jewish Volunteer Connection to bake lasagnas for those experiencing food insecurity. The boys stepped out of their comfort zone and into the kitchen to do chesed!

Team Donny Ankri Architects visited the Jewish Library of Baltimore where they helped put up a new

Team Erez Seiferas brought Purim joy and some tasty Mishloach Manos to the families of The Friendship Circle of Baltimore!

Team Winner Insulation learned

Teams Naomi Center and Union Bridge Family Dentistry helped The Friendship Circle of Baltimore prepare 200 bags of Mishloach Manos to be given out for Purim!

Team Kelemer Brothers Replacement Windows enjoyed the opportunity to

Team

Israel

Match

Team King David Nursing and Rehabilitation Center partnered with the Yachad of Baltimore boys to make Purim cards to be sent to

Team Quarry Orthodontics had

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Around the Community

Believe & Achieve Basketball (Sponsored by BJL & BJH) Weeks Six and Seven News and Awards

Believe & Achieve Baseball League

Believe & Achieve Sports has been providing sports classes, individual training, after-school programs, and birthday parties for a few years now. Recently we have shifted some of our focus on bringing our unique experience and expertise to kid’s sports leagues. We are proud to announce that we will be taking over running SBL (Sunday Baseball League). We will be infusing it with our patented focus on building skills and self-esteem through fun and professional drills and modifications. It will be branded as Believe & Achieve Baseball League. We want kids to be thinking about what they can achieve

by trying hard and new things and we believe that this concept is integral in building our future leaders, our kids. We will be sending out an email with details about sign up and what’s new with the league in the next couple of days.

Week Six and Seven Middos Awards

Zachy Milner (2nd) Clothier for his unselfish teamwork! Yaniv Zarabian (2nd) MDSC for his super positive attitude and nice words! Chanoch Cohen (2nd) Rentals of Distinction for volunteering to sit an extra shift for another player to play more! Adir Shapiro (2nd) Clothier for his uber positive attitude! Noah Daniels (2nd) Clothier for excellent effort and always saying thank you! JJ Rozmaryn (3rd) Mamah Leahs for his awesome middos! Aviel Radparvar (3rd) Jtap Tennis for his positive attitude and sportsmanship!

Dovy Fischler (5th) Jtap Tennis and Manny Sonnenblick (5th) Jtap Tennis with awesome middos! Benyamin Radparvar (6th) G&R Jewelers for his amazing sportsmanship. Akiva Kreisel (6th) Rentals of Distinction for his attitude and hustle. Yehuda Gross (6th) G&R Jewelers for his amazing sportsmanship Naftali Wenger (6th) Rentals of Distinction for his attitude and teamwork. Avraham Chaim Berkowits (6th) Rentals of Distinction for his teamwork. Avi Davids (6th) Rentals of Distinction for his attitude and hustle. Ephraim Bookman (6th) Rentals of Distinction for his nonstop

hustle. Micky Zweig (6th) Rentals of Distinction for his positive attitude. Tzvi Wise (8th) MDSC for his constant consistency.

Week Six and Seven Play of the Week Awards

Aaron Goldberger (1st) Sprinkles with an awesome game winning shot as time almost expired. Aaron Danziger (1st) Sprinkles with an awesome game tying shot. Yosef Kohengadol (2nd) Rentals of Distinction for his play from one side of the court getting past all the defenders and scoring a really far shot! Akiva Grove (3rd) MDSC for his awesome rebound and score. Avi Katibian (4th) Benzcuts for his two deep shots. Simcha Lopin (4th) Holy Smokes BBQ for his awesome cut to the basket a layup. Ira Roffman (4th) Lazar Real Estate for his tremendous drive and layup with contact! Aron Lansky (8th) MDSC for his awe-

some rebound and put back! Congrats to all the dads and coaches who took part of our numerous half time shows! We appreciate you and are proud that you won or gave it your all. They were so good maybe we should start a men’s league!! The kids can come and stress out about how many shots their father gets and scores!! Venahafochu!

Inkredible Kids Comeback Award:

In week six our youngest division (1st grade) is responsible for our best comeback of the week. Lazar Real Estate led by veteran coach, basketball and sneaker enthusiast Shimon Kanter, was down by double digits in the second half of regulation to Clothier led by Yossi Lurman. However, the boys kept their heads in the game and believed that if they make a few more plays, grab a few more rebounds, the game could be theirs. That’s exactly what happened, they came back to

eventually win by a score of 92-85! Yes, you heard right 92-85, we have modified rules for all divisions until 5th grade to allow for more scoring and more participation.

Week seven featured another 1st grade show down this time between

Sprinkles and Lazar Real Estate.

Both teams played amazing and like any good matchup between two awesome coaches/basketball stars the game was a coaching masterpiece. ET Letova vs. Shimon Kanter. The kids were running pic n’ rolls, motion offense, and back door cuts. Some say they may be the best professional team in Baltimore (or Washington)! The game came down to the wire and when they needed a shot Aaron Goldberger (who has quite the celebration dance) delivered one of his patented fadeaway jumpers with seconds left. Congrats to Sprinkles enjoy your Sprinkles ice cream!

Around the Community

Bnai Jacob Shaarei Zion Siyum on Mesechta Bava Kama

By: BJLife Newsroom

Bnai Jacob Shaarei Zion Siyum on Mesechta Bava Kama took place last week. After being m’sayeim the mesechta, Rabbi Moshe Hauer addressed the audience. The Siyum was sponsored by Rabbi Moshe & Rebbetzin Mindi Hauer L’iluy Nishmas Harav Binyamin ben R’ Moshe, father of Rabbi Hauer.

Suburban Orthodox Congregation Siyum on Meseches Bava Kama

By: BJLife Newsroom

Suburban Orthodox Congregation Siyum on Meseches Bava Kama took place last week at the Baltimore Rowing & Water Center. The siyum was dedicated in memory of Master Sergeant Eliyahu Michael Harush, Z’L,

H’YD

Siyum on Bava Kama at Mercaz Torah U’Tefillah

By: BJLife Newsroom

Last week Mercaz Torah U’TefIllah held their siyum on Bava Kama. A large crowd joined together to enjoy a delicious seudah, followed by Divrei Bracha from the Rav, HaRav Yissochor Dov Eichenstein, and a keynote address from R’ Herschel Miller. The mesayem was R’ Gil Horwitz, one of the 16 Daf Yomi maggidei shiur at Mercaz.

Ner Tamid Congregation Siyum on Bava Kama L’Zeicher

By: BJLife Newsroom

137 members of Ner Tamid made a siyum on Bava Kama in memory of Eliyahu Michael Harush, Hy’d, who was killed on October 7th, with Hodaya Harush, his widow, in attendance. The learning was incentivized and the siyum sponsored by Mitzvah Motivators.

Nishmas Eliyahu Michael Harush, HY“D

Photo Credits: Mike Diamond Photography

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Around the Community

Beth Tfiloh Students Visit STAR-K Kosher Certification

By: STAR-K/Margie Pensak

As part of their Mitzvah Week trip through Jewish Baltimore, this week, Beth Tfiloh’s sixth grade girls took a field trip to the STAR-K offices to learn about Kosher and kosher certification. STAR-K Kashrus Administrator Rabbi Baruch Beyer hosted the 23 girls and their teachers. They enjoyed noshing on STAR-K certified Barcelona nuts as they watched a video about how this local product is processed and the kosher challenges of such a production. The presentation led to a

lively discussion about Kosher and the role STAR-K plays in ensuring that kosher food is available locally and worldwide.

“We discussed how Mesorah plays a central role in our Jewish lives, not just Kosher, and how Rabbi Heinemann has traditions from his great teachers – and, how all of us are links in the continuance of Jewish tradition,” shares Rabbi Beyer, who was very impressed with the girls, “I found the girls well-behaved, polite, attentive, and engaged. A real credit to their parents, teachers, and school.”

A couple of the girls’ reactions cor-

roborate how engaged they were.

Gabby G. remarked, “STAR-K makes sure food companies are 100% kosher. I thought that was really cool, and especially the process they go through to label something kosher. Ahuva B. mentioned, “I had fun and learned a lot. The Rabbi explained it

very well. I will now always look at STAR-K differently.”

Beth Tfiloh’s coordinator of the trip, Mrs. Chanie Steinharter, concluded, “I would like to thank Rabbi Beyer and STAR-K for the amazing presentation and educating the girls in Kashrus.”

A Bais Yaakov Baltimore Reunion In Yerushalayim. BY Class of 1976. Friendships Over

50 Years

By: BJLife Newsroom

The Bi-centennial seniors of Bais Yaakov of Baltimore 1976 … met as 8 Olim families. We were 10, but were gravely broken by the petira of our dear friend and classmate, Diane Lieder Taragin, a’h, over a decade ago.

Our special guest visitor, Numi Taub Oshry, popped in from Monsey, NY, to share in our memories.

With gratitude to Carol Abramowitz Rosenbaum, for hosting us in her gracious home in Har Nof.

“Chizzuk for Chinuch”  Melava Malka

For over forty years, the principals of our local day schools and yeshivos have collaborated on many communal initiatives for our schools under the banner of the Association of Jewish Day Schools of Baltimore. Recently, the Association held an uplifting event entitled “Chizzuk for Chinuch” on February 10th, Motzai Shabbos Parshas Mishpatim, at the Bais Yaakov High School. Over 450 Rebbeim, Moros, teachers, and staff from over 18 local schools attended professional development sessions on various educational topics and enjoyed the gala Melava Malka that the principals of the Association hosted in honor of our dedicated teachers. The Rosh HaYeshiva, HaRav Aharon Feldman

Shlita, addressed the entire gathering and encouraged all those involved in this Avodas Hakodesh to value their very important role in teaching our children to follow b’derech ha’Torah. The principals also recognized Rabbi Dovid Meister at the Melava Malka. Rabbi Meister coordinated the

Association’s activities over the past 40 years with singular dedication and was one of the Association’s founding members as well. The event was a Kiddush Hashem for all who attended, as it provided a strong feeling of achdus and chizuk for all of our Mosdos of chinuch.

As the “central address” for Torah chinuch in Baltimore, we plan to announce future initiatives and growth opportunities for our “community of teachers and learners” and look forward to these exciting developments as the Baltimore community continues to grow and thrive.

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Around the Community

TA Haschalas Gemara Celebration

5

th grade talmidim at Yeshivas Chofetz ChaimTalmudical Academy of Baltimore celebrated their Haschalas Gemara after making a Siyum on Mishnayos Seder Moed! Mazel tov!

Navigating the Terrain – Vital Chizuk for Frum Women in the Secular Workplace

On February 7th, an important event took place in Baltimore, bringing together a vibrant community of women with a common theme –frum women who work in a secular environment.

Hosted by the WITS/Maalot Alumnae Association, the event, titled “Navigating the Terrain: Frum Women in the Secular Workplace,” marked the beginning of a series of initiatives to support frum women in their professional lives.

The event was chaired by alumnae Yael Weiss, Yaffa Stern, and Zehava Gerstenfeld, whose hard work brought to fruition an impactful and memorable event. After attending the event, alumna Yakira Price shared, “It was so special to come together with other women who are also working in secular environments. It really helped

me feel less isolated.”

The evening was emceed by Rebbetzin Ettie Rosenbaum, Menaheles of WITS, and commenced with words of wisdom from Dr. Hinda Dubin. Dr. Dubin, a distinguished psychiatrist and Director of Psychiatry Education and Training for the state of Maryland, as well as a WITS Board Member, shared stories and invaluable insights on navigating the professional world with grace. She emphasized the opportunities we have to make a kiddush Hashem by proudly embracing our Jewish identity.

Following Dr. Dubin’s message, Rabbi Dovid Heber, Rav of Khal Ahavas Yisroel Tzemach Tzedek and a Kashrus Administrator at the Star K, addressed the attendees. Rabbi Heber, who has taught at WITS for 26 years, expertly answered pre-submitted questions on a wide range of pertinent

issues. The questions included topics on kashrus, interacting with male colleagues, attending social gatherings, addressing “woke” culture that contradicts Torah values, and handling conversations about Israel and the war. Rabbi Heber’s guidance illuminated a path for women striving to maintain their religious integrity while working in diverse settings.

To enable more women to attend such an important event, the program was open to all women in the community, regardless of being a WITS/ Maalot alumna, and a live-stream option was offered so alumnae living out of town could participate as well.

“WITS devotes an entire seminar focused on this topic, but as much as one tries to prepare, until you are living it, you don’t truly understand the challenges of a secular workplace,” says Mrs. Sarah Brody, WITS Director

of Marketing and Development, who oversees the Alumnae Association.

As Jewish women continue to balance their roles at home and in their professional lives, events like this serve as vital platforms for dialogue, support and chizuk. The initiative of the WITS/Maalot Alumnae Association not only fosters a sense of community but also encourages women to ask important shailos and seek guidance. By addressing the unique challenges these women are facing, WITS and the Baltimore community are paving the way for future generations to thrive both as professionals and as proud Jewish women.

If you have suggestions for programming to help support frum women working in secular work environments, please contact Mrs. Sarah Brody – stbrody@wits.edu

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PAST

MONDAY, MARCH 18

A SLICE OF THE PAST

Meet past employees!

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TUESDAY, MARCH 19

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are all part of that effort to connect.

BJH: What would you say to someone who feels they are having a hard time turning to Hashem in this time of crisis for Jews everywhere? Maybe they feel overwhelmed, frightened, or somehow blocked or trapped

people when we’re engaged in bein adam lechavero. What we emphasize at Tiferes Yisroel is how the external realm of action and doing brings out the internal, penimiusdik realm of relationship. This effort hopefully cre-

Learning and davening together is a source for many people, ourselves included, of fortitude and strength to help us move forward in a positive way.

BJH: Among the achievements of

your 38 years of service to our community and Klal Yisroel, what are you

I am proud of being involved in helping people strengthen themselves as Jews, working through challenges in life as Jews, growing spiritually, and creating a strong bond to Hashem, the Jewish

Rebbetzin Goldberger: That

Finally, do you have any adConnect to people, be involved with people. A How do we bring the geula?” I said I’m not qualified to answer that question, but the best that we can and must do is to be good Jews. The heart of it is to look at our basic requirements and responsibilities as Jews, and try to fulfill them. We have to really emphasize both sides of the luchos, the Ten Commandments, to elevate the relationship between ourselves and Hashem, and the relationship between ourselves

Rebbetzin Goldberger: Give yourself and those around you a smile, a pat on the back, and move forward. We invite you to support these efforts in our campaign on Sunday, March 10; Turning towards Hashem, Turning towards Each Other.

Please donate to our Causematch Campaign at http://causematch.com/ty24

The Week In News

an assault rifle and fatally shot him. The terrorist went on to kill sixteenyear-old high school student Uria Hartum, who was getting a ride in Zeiger’s car.

Terror At a Gas Station

Last Thursday, a West Bank terrorist murdered an Israeli rabbi and teenager at a gas station near Eli, a large Israeli settlement.

According to Magen David Adom, the two men were killed at about 5 pm. Yitzchak Zeiger, a fifty-seven-year-old rabbi who resided in Shavei Shomron, was pumping gas into his car when a Palestinian gunman approached with

The murderer, a Palestinian Authority police officer named Muhammad Manasra, was then killed by Aviad Gazbar, a nearby restaurant owner who recently came back from active reserve duty in Gaza.

“I fired a bullet so that the terrorist would know I was here. I saw that he saw me, and he started charging towards me. I took him down and continued scanning,” Gazbar recounted.

Manasra had been previously incarcerated from 2018 to 2019 on weapons offenses. He resided in the Qalandiya refugee camp.

In the wake of the attack, residents of the area were told to stay indoors for approximately half an hour until authorities were able to ascertain that there were no additional assailants.

Rabbi Zeiger was an active member of the IDF reserves who had volunteered for reserve duty and returned

from Gaza two weeks ago. He had also been a volunteer for Magen David Adom and ZAKA.

In June, another terrorist attack, in which four people were murdered, took place in the same area.

Ever since the tragic day of October 7, when Hamas terrorists invaded southern Israel, murdering 1,200 Israelis and kidnapping 253 people, violence in the West Bank has been increasing in frequency. Many Israeli officials are concerned about the possibility of more violence in the area as Ramadan, the holiest month in the Islamic calendar, draws near.

Charedim Win

Jerusalem City Council

Of the thirty-one seats on the Jerusalem city council, the charedi parties won sixteen in the election on Tuesday, February 27. Six seats were won by the Shas party; three by the Agudat Yisrael party; six by the Degel Hatorah party; and one by the Bnei Torah party.

Additionally, the United party and the Mafdal-Religious Zionism party each won two seats, while Likud and Noam both won one seat each.

Having received 81.5% of the vote, Mayor Moshe Lion handily won reelection. His rival Yossi Havilio, a secular politician, received 18.5% of the votes, and his Jerusalem Union list, which is composed of left-wing parties Meretz, Yesh Atid, Labor, and New Contract, won four seats on the city council. Lion’s One Jerusalem party won two seats, while the liberal Hitorerut (Awakening) party won three.

According to Laura Wharton, the Jerusalem city councilor, the charedi victory was likely due to low voter turnout, as only 31.5% of voters took part in the election.

“The major issue here was and is voting patterns, and it’s always been

known that the charedim vote en masse and other groups do not,” she asserted.

With a majority of seats on the city council, charedi parties will have authority over matters related to finance, planning, construction, education committees, and other things as well. However, Deputy Mayor Eliezer Rauchberger, a leader of Degel Hatorah’s Jerusalem branch, has insisted that “we don’t want to turn Jerusalem into Bnei Brak,” a prominent charedi city.

“We are in favor of every community having a place, obviously the charedi and religious but also the secular,” Rauchberger said, sharing his vision of Jerusalem being “a city for everybody” while preserving “Jerusalem’s traditional, religious character regarding everything in the public domain.”

Wharton disagrees. “Policy in Jerusalem for decades was to live and let live: charedi in their neighborhoods, secular and religious in theirs, Palestinians in theirs. Sadly, in recent years, there has been a shift to a rather aggressive policy by which the ultra-Orthodox and the ultra-right have been building and overtaking free spaces indiscriminately to build, often exclusively, for their own populations,” Wharton alleged, adding that “in Kiryat Yovel, a secular and liberal religious neighborhood, an outstanding school that served the local population was evicted by the municipality and given to a strict ultra-Orthodox school for girls” – an action that she says is an example of how “the local building committee uses its power in a way that often results in the displacement and disruption of communities in favor of services and buildings for the representatives in power.”

Terror Plot Thwarted

Last week, the Shin Bet and the Central Unit of the Jerusalem District Police revealed that the agencies had thwarted a terrorist plot planned by two terrorists who coordinated with a Hamas terrorist in Gaza.

An investigation into the two was opened in early February after suspicion was raised about the two individCont. on page 20

BAIS YAAKOV: HELPING EVERY GIRL SHINE

By: Meira Berendt

Bais Yaakov of Baltimore helps students reach their potential with well-developed classes, a wide variety of school activities, and of course, devoted teachers and administration. Complementing a robust academic curriculum, Bais Yaakov is constantly implementing new programming designed to develop the whole child, broaden horizons and encourage natural talent. With this in mind the upper middle school recently added two new electives and a special new program to their repertoire.

In the eighth grade, Bracha Benyowitz, a professional photographer, is sharing her skill with the girls. Each student is given a camera to use throughout the course. Starting with the basics, the girls learn the different parts of a professional camera and how to care for it. Then, they are taught a wide variety of photography concepts: white balance, depth, aperture, iso, shutter speed – all very advanced and complicated ideas.

Miss Benyowitz is sure to tell me, “I don’t teach them numbers to memorize, I show them diagrams and teach them the reasons behind all the different concepts.” The girls gain sensitivity for good lighting, coloring, and posing. The elective is a creative outlet which challenges them to think in new ways.

“There are so many calculations

that go into taking a good picture, you’d never know without learning it,” Miss Benyowitz adds. “The girls have shared that their pictures have improved – even on a regular camera. A student told me she was very proud of the pictures she took at her brother’s upsherin.”

And do the girls enjoy the class? “Absolutely,” Miss Benyowitz responds. “Although I only have them, sadly, for one semester, I really get to know the girls and enjoy teaching them.”

The seventh grade’s newest elective is sewing. Its teacher, Rivka Rachel Danesh, a seamstress herself, shares that at the start of the semester, the girls learn how to thread a needle and sew buttons. From there, they quickly advance to learning the ins and outs of a sewing machine, which they use to sew pillows and A-line skirts.

“It’s a great skill that gives the girls an understanding of their own clothes,” Miss Danesh tells me. “Clothes don’t just appear. The girls come to understand that there is a whole process: measuring, chalking, pinning, etc.”

Imagine a button popping off a shirt – normally one would take it to the seamstress. Now, the girls know exactly what to do. Do the girls appreciate the class? Miss Danesh tells me the answer is a resounding yes.

“The girls enjoy this outlet in school – learning a new skill that’s practical. I’m not saying to them, ‘Copy this into your notes, it will be on a test.’ Instead, it’s: ‘We’re making a skirt –and you’re going to wear it. Make it in a way that you like.’ They enjoy being creative and independent.” The girls also appreciate taking home something tangible. I was told most of them keep their pillows on their beds!

I asked Miss Danesh if she enjoys teaching the course. “I love it! I love the fact that I can really connect with the girls because it is such an interactive class. I feel like I really get to

know each student and what she’s all about.”

Complementing the electives is a beautiful new seventh grade initiative coordinated by Mrs. Nusi Lefkovitz, seventh grade mechaneches

At the end of Parshas Shlach, seventh graders learn about the mitzvah of Challah. For years, students have been baking challah with dough from a bakery, but now, Mrs. Lefkovitz has greatly expanded this program. Twenty mothers each prepared and brought five-pound batches of challah dough. Each mother was assigned approximately ten girls. Together with the students, each mother was mafrish Challah, made the bracha, and said the yehi ratzon. Afterwards girls braided, topped and baked the challos. Then, a panel of two mothers and one grandmother shared insights into the beauty of the mitzvah of Challah After wrapping them in decorative bags, girls took their freshly baked challah home to enjoy on Shabbos

“The program was such a rewarding experience,” Mrs. Lefkovitz tells me. “It was a win-win experience for the girls. Not only did they learn about the mitzvah of Challah, but they also did it themselves. We got fantastic feedback from the mothers telling us how much they enjoyed interacting with their daughters and their daughters’ classmates and sharing this beautiful experience with them.”

One mother wrote: “Hi Mrs. Sherman, I just wanted to let you know how much I enjoyed the challah program with the girls. It was so organized and warm and beautiful! The girls were so sweet and happy and involved. The speeches were so nice! I felt so good to be involved. My daughter was so proud to bring home her bag with challah. Thank you so much.”

“It was a wonderful learning experience, especially for those girls whose mothers don’t bake challah at home,” Mrs. Lefkovitz tells me. “Not only that, but the students were inspired –it really touched their neshamos – and hopefully the girls will do this mitzvah when they’re older.”

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uals who contacted a foreign agent and of conspiracy to commit terrorism. The agencies used undercover agents to arrest the two suspects.

One terrorist is a 17-year-old resident of Israel living in Shuafat, in East Jerusalem, who worked alongside his cousin, the second terrorist, who is a 29-year-old Palestinian resident of Nablus.

The terrorists had contacted, on their own initiative, a Hamas operative in the Gaza Strip prior to the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas war. The 17-yearold contacted the Hamas terrorists to learn how to produce explosives. He also searched the internet for help on how to construct a bomb. They also tried to obtain weapons and financing to carry out the attack against Israelis.

An indictment is going to be filed against the two terrorists.

Gantz Visits the U.S.

On Monday, Benny Gantz visited D.C., meeting with Vice President Kamala Harris and other top U.S. officials in an attempt to smooth over tensions between the two countries.

The visit was not sanctioned by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who ordered the Israeli embassy in Washington not to provide the war cabinet minister with any assistance while he is in town.

The readout of Harris’ meeting with Gantz didn’t stray far from U.S. talking

points – condemning the Hamas October 7 attacks; supporting Israel’s right to defend itself; urging Israel to protect civilians in Rafah; asking for Israel to guarantee more aid to Gaza; and encouraging a six-week ceasefire with the terrorist organization.

Harris “expressed her deep concern about the humanitarian conditions in Gaza and the recent horrific tragedy around an aid convoy in northern Gaza,” the U.S. readout said.

The vice president also “discussed the urgency of achieving a hostage deal and welcomed Israel’s constructive approach to the hostage talks,” it added.

After the meeting, Gantz’s office said he had conveyed to Harris his appreciation for the administration’s support for Israel and stressed “the imperative of completing the mission of removing the threat Hamas poses to Israel, finding a sustainable solution to ensuring humanitarian aid reaches civilians and not terrorist Hamas, and the importance of completing all of the operation’s military objectives in Gaza in a manner that enables stability and prosperity for the region entirely.”

He also called for the urgent establishment of “an international mechanism to oversee the humanitarian effort [in Gaza] in coordination with countries of the region and as part of the wider normalization efforts,” the statement said.

Finally, he highlighted Israel’s “supreme commitment to secure the return of the hostages” and thanked the U.S. for applying “significant pressure” to advance this goal, especially in the last few days.

Before meeting with Harris, Gantz met with U.S. National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan and White House Mideast czar Brett McGurk. He was seen entering Senate Majority Mitch McConnell’s office later in the day and was set to meet with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Tuesday.

Hamas: We Don’t Know Where Hostages Are

According to Hamas official Basem Naim, the terror group does not know which of the hostages being held by them are dead or alive – or even where they are.

Naim claimed that many hostages were held by different terror groups in different locations in Gaza. During the ceasefire, Hamas will be able to ascertain where these hostages are, he maintains.

Speaking to the BBC, Naim added that information relating to the hostages was “valuable” and could not be given “for free.”

On Friday, Hamas announced that seven hostages had been killed but only shared the names of three hostages it said were deceased: Gershon Peri, 79, Yoram Itak Metzger, 80, and Amiram Israel Cooper, 85. All three men, kidnapped from Kibbutz Nir Oz on October 7, had also appeared in a video released by Hamas in December.

The information provided by Hamas is unconfirmed, and Hamas has previously shared false information on the well-being of hostages as part of its use of psychological warfare. Hamas had previously named a hostage as killed only to release them later, as was the case of Hannah Katzir.

No Spring Chicken

Maria Branyas Morera has a lot of candles on her birthday cake. She celebrated her 117th birthday on Monday.

Morera, who now lives in Catalonia, Spain, is the oldest living person in the world. She was born on March 4, 1907, in San Francisco. She lived in the Californian city until she was 8 years old, when she moved to Catalonia.

Amy Kessler, M.A., Child Life Services

Dana Silver, MD, FAAP, FABM, Pediatrics

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Morera was named the oldest living person by Guinness World Records in January 2023, following the death of French woman Lucile Randon at the age of 118.

“She is very grateful for all the congratulations received and the interest that so many people have shown in her state of health,” Eva Carrera Boix, who runs the nursing home in which Morera resides, said.

“She is happy to be able to celebrate this special day intimately with her family and colleagues and wishes everyone a happy Monday,” Boix said.

Morera played piano until she was 108. She has embraced technology and even has a social media presence on X, thanks to her 80-year-old daughter.

“Good morning, world. Today I turn 117 years old. I’ve come this far,” she wrote Monday.

Morera is currently the 12th oldest verified person in history and would rise to the No. 5 spot if she makes it to her 118th birthday.

Can we say, “Until 120”?

Big Mac Big Deal

We give him points for tenacity.

Donald Gorske holds the world record for eating the most McDonald’s Big Macs in a lifetime. But he hasn’t just taken the record and laid down his burger. No, no. This guy is for real. Last year, Gorske ate 728 Big Mac burgers, bringing his lifetime total to 34,128.

Gorske, who has saved the receipt and package from every Big Mac he has eaten, first tried McDonald’s signature burger on May 17, 1972.

“In that moment, I said: ‘I’m going to probably eat these for the rest of my

life.’ I threw the cartons in the back seat and started counting them from day one,” the fast food fan said.

Gorske, who has held the record since 1999, said his eating habits have changed over time. He used to eat up to nine of the sandwiches a day, but these days he usually stops at two.

“People who have watched me eating a Big Mac often comment that I look like I’m eating one for the very first time,” he said.

Gorske isn’t opposed to trying new things – he once ate a Burger King Whopper in 1984, but decided it just didn’t hit the same spot.

“When I like something, I stick with it all the time,” the Wisconsin resident said.

Supposedly he doesn’t suffer from any ill health effects from his lame diet. And he said he remains thin because he doesn’t eat French fries.

“Many people thought I’d be dead by now but instead I’ve been a record holder for my 24th year – one of Guinness World Records’ longer-running record holders, so that’s pretty cool to

me,” he said.

Sounds like a big deal.

Leap Flaw

If you wanted to get gas in New Zealand last week, you may have been disappointed. Dozens of gas pumps in the country were out of service for several hours on Thursday due to a glitch in the payment system because of the leap year.

Gas station chains including Allied Petroleum, Gull, Z and Waitomo reported they could not process card payments on Thursday because their computer systems were not programmed to accept February 29 as a valid date.

“Motorists have been turning up and unable to get fuel,” Julien Leys, a spokesman for Gull New Zealand, told The New York Time s. “It’s been incredibly frustrating for our customers.”

Drivers were able to obtain gas from pumps being manned by atten -

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dants. But for those who wanted to pump gas themselves, the payments weren’t being processed.

John Scott, the chief executive of Invenco, the payment processing system, said the company operates pumps in over 100 countries, but only New Zealand was affected by the issue.

“We clearly know about leap years,” Scott said. “We’ve been dealing with them for the last 20 to 30 years.”

Sounds like the technology just ran out of gas.

That’s News to Me

La Bougie du Sapeur makes it easy to catch up on the news. In fact, this satirical newspaper only comes out every few years – on February 29.

The French paper is a leap year-on-

ly publication, filled with cringeworthy puns and commentary on events of the past four years.

The 2024 edition includes an article suggesting France doesn’t need schools anymore thanks to artificial intelligence. Another story floats the idea of dismantling the Eiffel Tower during the Paris Olympics to reduce security risks. Which company will be responsible for putting it back together? IKEA, of course, will have to produce a manual for rebuilding it.

Some friends started the newspaper as a joke in 1980, naming it after a comic book figure who was born on February 29. The last edition, in 2020, sold 120,000 copies. Revenue from newsstand sales goes to a charity.

This is not journalism at its finest. Their articles are politically incorrect, irreverent, and, at times, dated. But sometimes it’s good to see the news in a lighthearted way.

Even if it’s just once every four years.

SCOTUS: Trump Stays on Ballot

On Monday, the Supreme Court ruled that former President Donald Trump should appear on the ballot in Colorado. It’s a decision that follows months of debate over whether the frontrunner for the GOP nomination violated the “insurrectionist clause” included in the 14th Amendment.

The court was unanimous in its decision.

The ruling is a massive victory for Trump, although the decision has no impact on the four ongoing criminal cases that Trump is facing.

Despite the unanimous decision, the justices were divided about how broadly the decision would sweep. A 5-4 majority said that no state could knock a federal candidate off any ballot – but four justices asserted that the court should have limited its opinion.

A five-justice majority – Chief Justice John Roberts and Justices Clarence Thomas, Samuel Alito, Neil Gorsuch and Brett Kavanaugh – wrote that states may not remove any federal officer from the ballot, especially the president, without Congress first passing legislation.

“We conclude that States may disqualify persons holding or attempting to hold state office. But States have no power under the Constitution to enforce Section 3 with respect to federal offices, especially the Presidency,” the opinion states.

“Nothing in the Constitution delegates to the States any power

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to enforce Section 3 against federal officeholders and candidates,” the majority added.

Four justices did not agree.

With its opinion, the majority “shuts the door on other potential means of federal enforcement,” Justices Sonia Sotomayor, Elena Kagan and Ketanji Brown Jackson wrote. “We cannot join an opinion that decides momentous and difficult issues unnecessarily.”

Justice Amy Coney Barrett, writing alone in a concurring opinion, said that the case “does not require us to address the complicated question whether federal legislation is the exclusive vehicle through which Section 3 can be enforced.”

Colorado Secretary of State Jena Griswold said that while she was “glad” the Supreme Court issued a ruling ahead of Super Tuesday, she was disappointed in the decision.

“We believe that it’s up to Colorado or any state to determine whether to disqualify oath-breaking insurrectionists from our ballots. Ultimately, the United States Supreme

Court disagreed,” Griswold said, adding that she would uphold the court’s decision.

JetBlue and Spirit Not Merging

JetBlue Airways and Spirit Airlines announced Monday that they would not seek to overturn a court ruling that blocked their planned $3.8 billion merger. The decision is a big win for the Biden administration, which has sought to limit corporate consolidation.

Backing out of the agreement will cost JetBlue. Under the terms of the deal, it has to pay Spirit a breakup fee of $69 million and Spirit’s sharehold-

ers $400 million.

A federal judge in Boston blocked the proposed merger January 16, siding with the Justice Department in determining that the merger would reduce competition and give airlines more leeway to raise ticket prices.

Judge William G. Young of the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts noted that Spirit played a vital role in the market as a low-cost carrier and that travelers would have fewer options if JetBlue absorbed it.

The Justice Department hailed the termination of the deal on Monday, calling it “a victory for U.S. travelers who deserve lower prices and better choices.”

JetBlue and Spirit had appealed Young’s decision, and JetBlue filed an appellate brief as recently as last week. But the companies appear to have concluded that they would be better off walking away than pursuing an appeal that might not succeed.

“We are proud of the work we did with Spirit to lay out a vision to challenge the status quo, but given the hurdles to closing that remain, we decided

together that both airlines’ interests are better served by moving forward independently,” JetBlue CEO Joanna Geraghty said. “We wish the very best going forward to the entire Spirit team.”

The collapse of the deal could be difficult for Spirit to bounce back from.

Spirit is heavily indebted and last turned a profit before the Covid-19 pandemic. Investors saw the JetBlue acquisition as a lifeline.

Spirit’s stock price has lost more than half its value since the ruling that blocked the merger and was down nearly 11% Monday. JetBlue’s stock was up 4.3% at close. (© The New York Times)

Jeff Bezos is Richest

What’s a few billion dollars between billionaires? Well, this week, Jeff Bezos nabbed the crown of richest person on earth, surpassing Elon Musk, according to the Bloomberg

The Week In News

Billionaires Index on Monday.

The Amazon founder’s net worth was $200 billion, while Musk followed at $198 billion. Musk lost about $31 billion over the past year, while Bezos gained $23 billion, according to the index.

Musk had reclaimed the title of world’s richest person in May 2023, edging out LVMH CEO Bernard Arnault, who runs one of the world’s biggest conglomerates and includes brands such as Louis Vuitton, Dior and Celine. The three centibillionaires — Musk, Arnault and Bezos — have been in competition with each other for the top spot for months.

Musk doesn’t have to cry golden tears because he was dethroned this week. The title of the richest person on earth swaps every few months, depending on how markets perform.

Since 2020, the net worth of the five wealthiest people on earth has skyrocketed 114% to a total of $869 billion, after taking inflation into account, according to Oxfam’s annual inequality report.

Tennessee is Stressed Out

them a stress ball for their birthday. The state is the most stressed state in the nation, according to Komowa, a wellness brand.

But not all stress is bad, says the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. It’s when stress levels surge and continue at a chronic level that people suffer from health problems like insomnia, anxiety and high blood pressure.

Still, more than a quarter of U.S. adults say that most days, they are so stressed out it’s hard to function, according to the American Psychological Association’s “Stress in America” poll.

And residents of some states seem to be more stressed than others.

Komowa created a ranking of the most and least stressed states in America. The company compared U.S. states based on 16 key indicators of stress including hours worked, credit card debt, divorce rates, commute times and more. Key indicators were grouped by similarities and boiled down to four main categories: Money stress, work stress, health stress, and family stress.

Turns out that Tennessee is the most stressed state in the nation. The Volunteer State scored very high for the most health stress, coming in

24th spot and California came in at No. 25.

New York earned the top spot for the longest commute time with an average of 33.2 minutes, but actually didn’t land at No. 1 for the most hours worked. Residents of Louisiana seem to work the most with an average of 44.3 hours a week.

Alaska earned the top spot for the highest credit card debt with an average of $7,338, and Wisconsin had the lowest credit card debt average of $4,808.

Following Tennessee, Alabama ranked at No. 2, largely due to work stress and health stress. Residents of the Heart of Dixie worked more hours than most Americans, earned a lot less, and had one of the highest divorce rates.

Coming in at No. 3 was Oklahoma with the top spot for health stress. Louisiana and Nevada rounded out the top five. South Carolina, Georgia, Arizona, West Virginia, and Indiana landed in the top ten.

No Glue Traps in CA City

Ojai, a city in California, is now the second city in the country to ban glue traps.

Jakob Shaw, special projects manager for People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, laid out the harsh consequences of glue traps on small animals last week as the Ojai City Council considered a ban.

“The suffering needs to stop,” said Ojai Mayor Betsy Stix.

At the meeting, the council unanimously passed an ordinance prohibiting the sale and use of glue traps — making it the second city in the country to ban them, following West Hollywood last year.

The ban goes into effect 30 days from now.

Brian Popovich, management analyst for the city manager’s office, pointed to Ojai’s “big history of supporting items that promote animal welfare.” This includes recently passing an ordinance declaring that elephants have the right to liberty.

Instead of using glue traps, residents are encouraged to use snap traps, live traps, and electric traps to trap animals.

Glue traps, Shaw said, “are responsible for more suffering than any other commercially available wildlife control product.”

Weisselberg Pleads Guilty

Allen Weisselberg, former President Donald Trump’s longtime financial gatekeeper, pleaded guilty to felony perjury charges in a Manhattan courtroom on Monday, the latest twist in a tortured legal odyssey.

Yet Weisselberg, who for years has remained steadfastly loyal to Trump in the face of intense prosecutorial pressure, did not implicate his former boss. That unbroken streak of loyalty has frustrated prosecutors and now, at age 76, will cost Weisselberg his freedom a second time.

The plea agreement with Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg comes weeks before the former president will stand trial on unrelated criminal charges. That case, also brought by Bragg, stems from a supposed hush-money payment made on Trump’s behalf to a person during the 2016 presidential campaign.

Weisselberg, who was led into the courtroom in handcuffs, conceded that in recent years he had lied under oath to the New York attorney general’s office when it was investigating Trump for fraud. Attorney General Letitia James sued Trump in 2022, accusing him of wildly inflating his net worth to obtain favorable loans and other benefits.

That civil case recently ended with a judge imposing a huge financial penalty on the former president — more than $450 million with interest. Weisselberg, who was also a defendant in the case, was penalized $1 million plus interest and permanently barred from

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serving in a financial position at any New York company.

Prosecutors sought a five-month sentence for Weisselberg, acknowledging his age in coming to their recommendation. His sentencing before Judge Laurie Peterson is scheduled for April 10.

Weisselberg pleaded guilty to two counts of perjury related to his testimony in a July 2020 deposition with James’ office.

He also admitted to lying at the civil fraud trial but did not plead guilty to that, a move that will spare him a steeper sentence.

“Allen Weisselberg looks forward to putting this situation behind him,” one of Weisselberg’s lawyers, Seth Rosenberg, said in a statement.

In 2022, Weisselberg pleaded guilty in a tax fraud case in which he agreed to testify against the Trump Organization at its trial on the same charges.

The company was convicted, and Weisselberg received a five-month sentence. With good behavior, he served nearly 100 days behind bars at the notorious Rikers Island jail complex.

Weisselberg now faces another stint at Rikers. (© The New York Times)

Playing Politics at the Border

Former president and current 2024 presidential candidate Donald Trump and his main political rival President Joe Biden took separate tours of the U.S.-Mexico border last Thursday in

an effort to focus their respective campaigns on the immigration crisis.

Biden urged Trump, who recently influenced his political party into rejecting a border compromise, to endorse a bipartisan bill to address the issue.

“Join me – or I’ll join you – in telling Congress to pass this bipartisan border security bill,” the president said. “We can do this together.”

While speaking, Trump asserted that the border crisis is Biden’s fault and said that the current president has “the blood of countless innocent victims” on his hands – in reference to the death of Laken Hope Riley, a nursing student who was recently killed by a Venezuelan illegal immigrant in Georgia.

“The monster charged in the death is an illegal alien migrant who was led into our country and released into our communities by Crooked Joe Biden,” said Trump.

Biden went on to blame Trump for shooting down recent border legislation, accusing the former commander-in-chief of rejecting the bill for his own political benefit.

“The majority of Democrats and Republicans in both houses supported this legislation until someone came along and said, ‘Don’t do that; it’ll benefit the incumbent,’” said Biden. “So instead of playing politics with the issue, why don’t we just get together and get it done?”

According to reports, Biden is thinking of using his executive power to block illegal migrants from taking refuge at the border. Such an action would likely trigger criticism from those on the far left. Biden has yet to announce whether he will move for-

ward with such a plan. Many are critical of Biden, asserting that his policies for the past few years have left the border wide open. They note that Biden is only attempting to ameliorate the problem now that elections are looming.

Trump toured the border with Texas Gov. Greg Abbott along Eagle Pass, a city in Maverick County, Texas.

“We have languages coming into our country, we have nobody that even speaks those languages,” said the former president. “They’re truly foreign languages – nobody speaks them.”

A few hours before the border visits, a federal judge in Austin, Texas, prevented Gov. Abbott from giving his state the power to detain migrants, an authority reserved for the federal government.

“The president of the United States has a constitutional duty to enforce federal laws protecting states, including laws already on the books that mandate the detention of illegal immigrants,” Abbott stated, promising to appeal the decision.

Wildfires Scorch Texas

As the Texas Panhandle, a region in the Lonestar State, battles the worst wildfires Texas has ever seen, snowfall on Thursday offered some respite to firefighters who have been working to contain the Smokehouse Creek fire, which is 1,700 square miles long. According to the Texas A&M Forest Service, only 3% of the fire is contained.

Creek fire, Texas’ biggest wildfire was the 2006 East Amarillo Complex fire, which was around 1,400 square miles and took thirteen lives.

Last week, the fire killed two women, Cindy Owens and Joyce Blankenship. On Tuesday, Owens spotted fire or smoke as she was driving in Texas’ Hemphill County. After she exited her vehicle, the fire reached her. She was taken to a hospital in Oklahoma, where she died on Thursday. Blakenship was an eighty-three-year-old former substitute teacher. Her remains were found by authorities on Wednesday.

Visiting the U.S.-Mexico border in Texas at the time, President Joe Biden said he ordered federal officials to do “everything possible” to send firefighters and resources to Texas and to help those harmed by the fire. Biden also announced that the Federal Emergency Management Agency will compensate Texas and Oklahoma for their emergency expenses.

“When disasters strike, there’s no red states or blue states where I come from,” Biden said. “Just communities and families looking for help. So we’re standing with everyone affected by these wildfires, and we’re going to continue to help you respond and recover.”

Governor Abbott declared the situation in sixty counties a disaster and announced that he would go to the Panhandle on Friday.

“I don’t want the community there to feel a false sense of security that all these fires will not grow anymore,” said Nim Kidd, the chief of the Texas Division of Emergency Management. “This is still a very dynamic situation.”

“The rain and the snow is beneficial right now. We’re using it to our advantage,” Juan Rodriguez, a spokesman for the state’s forest service, said. “When the fire isn’t blowing up and moving very fast, firefighters are able to actually catch up and get to those parts of the fire.”

Although what caused the wildfire is currently unclear, powerful winds, dry grass, and hot temperatures have contributed to the fire’s growth.

Thousands of livestock were killed by the flames, and crops and buildings have been destroyed by the blaze.

According to authorities, 1,640 square miles of the interstate wildfire, which recently spread to Oklahoma, are in Texas. Before the Smokehouse

On Monday, firefighters concentrated their primary efforts on holding the line of the record-setting Smokehouse Creek fire in Hutchinson County as north winds were expected to test the established perimeter. The blaze had burned an estimated 1.07 million acres. Firefighters had contained approximately 15% of the fire — meaning that 15% of the inferno’s perimeter was held from further spread. The blaze was among five burning in the Panhandle. In Sanford, the Roughneck fire forced the evacuation of the town, population 132, after starting on Sunday. That fire had grown to about 300 acres and firefighters had contained 50% of it by midday Monday, according to the Forest Service.

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SHOMRIM: Safeguarding Communities Through Advocacy, Prevention, and Rescue

In the heart of Baltimore, Shomrim stands as a beacon of community safety, championing organizational objectives that address victim advocacy, crime prevention, search and rescue operations, and an array of community services. With a commitment to proactive collaboration, structured training, and a strong impact on local safety,Shomrim has become a vital force in ensuring the well-being of residents.

Shomrim’s first and foremost objective is victim advocacy. Trained responders swiftly and efficiently coordinate on-scene to provide immediate services, working in tandem with law enforcement to safeguard victims’ rights. Whether advocating for victims, providing direct services, or advising on available resources from other agencies/organizations, Shomrim ensures that those affected by crime receive the support they need.

Recognizing that crime prevention is paramount to advocating for victims, Shomrim employs innovative strategies aligned with situational crime prevention principles. By increasing effort, risk, reducing rewards, provocations, and removing excuses, specific programs like the Community Camera Program, targeted patrols, and steering wheel lock distributions contribute to the broader goal of preventing victimization.

Shomrim utilizes its extensive communications network to disseminate information about incidents, offering advisories for community members to avoid specific areas and stay vigilant in crime prevention efforts. Beyond incident response, Shomrim aids with organizational security assessments, information about available grants, crime trends analysis, and

publishes educational materials to improve public awareness.

Trained in search and rescue, Shomrim operates both independently and collaboratively with other agencies to locate and return individuals with conditions leading to wandering behavior. Ground wilderness and urban settings are covered comprehensively, and in certain situations, surface vessels are deployed to search for and recover individuals near water.

Shomrim understands the power of collaboration and partnerships in achieving its objectives. Structured training programs, familiarization with police procedures, and joint agency policies ensure effective on-scene collaboration. Additionally, Shomrim actively seeks funding to sustain its efforts, primarily relying on community donations to maintain a yearly budget exceeding $500,000.

Shomrim’s impact is tangible, with 400-600 calls for service handled monthly, hundreds of follow-up calls for victim advocacy each year, and a notable decrease in crime rates in the areas it serves. Law enforcement frequently requests Shomrim’s assistance for camera placement and footage, reflecting the organization’s integral role in bolstering community safety.

Shomrim’s holistic approach to public safety, encompassing victim support, crime prevention, search and rescue, and community services, showcases the organization’s unwavering dedication to making neighborhoods safer and more resilient. As it continues to evolve, Shomrim remains a cornerstone in the collaborative effort to build stronger, safer communities.

A New Era in OJBA Networking: OJBA Mid-Atlantic!

OJBA is excited to announce the launch of a brand-new event – OJBA Mid-Atlantic. This inaugural show is scheduled to take place on June 5, 2024, at the prestigious Baltimore Convention Center. Building on the success of our annual OJBA New York, OJBA Mid-Atlantic is set to become a landmark gathering for industry professionals serving the states of Maryland, Pennsylvania, Washington D.C., Vergina, and South Jersey.

OJBA Mid-Atlantic is dedicated to providing an unparalleled platform for businesses to connect, learn, network, and grow. The event will feature an array of exhibitors showcasing the latest trends, innovative technologies, and services in the construction and real estate industries. Attendees will have

the unique opportunity to network with a diverse group of professionals, explore new market potentials, and engage in meaningful discussions about the future of the industry in the Mid-Atlantic region.

We are already experiencing a high demand for exhibition space at OJBA

Mid-Atlantic. We encourage all interested businesses to act swiftly and reserve their booths as soon as possible to secure their spot at this highly anticipated event. Don’t miss this opportunity to be a part of a new chapter in the OJBA Expo legacy. Reserve your booth today and join us in shaping the

future of the construction and real estate industries in the Mid-Atlantic region!

Reserve your booth today!

W: ojbaexpo.com

P: 443.266.5006

E: Info@ojbanewyork.com

םלועהלצניהרותהתוכזב

Rav Moshe Chaim Ohana

(1 Flight up) 7:30-8:15am

Rav Arye Leibish Rubin

Khal Brizdovitz; 1721 58th Street

Sun-Fri 7:30am, (Shachris 6:30 & 8:00)

Rav Avraham Englender

Vorka 5804 16th Ave. 8:45pm

Rav Bentzion Dovid Horowitz

Tzvi Latzadik Bluzev; 1431-58th St. Sun-Thurs 9:15 -10:00pm

Rav Boruch A. Horowitz

Darkei Chaim Stavnitz; 1451 52nd Street

Rav Chaim Meir Friedman

Klausenburg-Ezras Nashim

1420 50th St; Sun-Thurs 9:00pm

Rav Chaim Shmiel Friedlander Chasdei Avrohom D'Hivnov

1157 51st St; 8:45pm

Rav Elimelech Horowitz Chaburas Balei Batim 1319 50th Street; Sun-Fri 10:00am

Rav Elimelech Horowitz Beis Medrash Linsk 1966 63rd Street; 8:30-9:15

Rav Eluzer Paneth Panim Meiroth Eisenstadt 5717 12th Ave; Sun-Thurs 9:00pm

Rav Gershon Fleishman Rachmistrivka; 1164 45th St; 9:00pm

Rav Dovid Shlomo Biderman

Zichron Mordechai Tosh 4611 14th Ave; 12:00am

Rav Mordche Zev Wosner

Machzeh Avrohom; 245 Foster Ave

Rav Mordechai Eisen Lizensk; 1402 59th St; 7:20am

Rav Moshe Englander

S'dei Moshe Nitra; 1215 50th St; 6:45am

Rav Moshe Lazer Liberman Shenya; 1156 58th St. Sun-Fri 9am (Shachris 8:10)

Rav Sender Ashkenazi

Lev Sameach Alesk; 203 Ave. F

Rav Sender Rechnitzer Bais Hamedrash Belz; 1260 45th St; 7:30am

Rav Shalom Katz Kavonas Halev; 1654 43rd St; 2:00pm

Rav Shaya Stern Khal Ungvar; 5306 16th Ave; 6:50-7:30am

Rav Shloma Zalmen Brunner Samber; 1173 42th street; 8:45pm

Rav Zalman Grossman Belz Avreichim; 1260 45th St; 9:00pm

Rav Meir Ortner Tiferes Eliezer; 1227 47th St; 9:00pm

Rav Shimon Avrom Greenfeld Khal Bais Mordechei Semihai 5820 21st Ave; 9:00pm

Rav Shmiel Dovid Friedman Chevra Mesiras Nefesh 576 McDonald Ave. 1:10-1:45pm (Followed by Mincha)

Rav Usher Jungreis Tehilas Yitzchok Loiav 5611 21st Avenue; 7:25am

Rav Yaakov Menachem Brief Skulen; 1315 54th St

Rav Yida Leib Koenig Khal Ateres Shloime Tzvi Yoka Shashvetz; 1248-39th St Sun-Thurs 8:45pm

Rav Yitzchok Zalmen Gips Khal Birkas Avrohom; 1319 50th St Mon-Fri 7:10am, Sun 8:10am (Shachris 6:15, 7:50)

Rav Yosef Paneth Kehal Meor Hatefillah 5912 20th Ave; 6:00am; 7:45pm Rav Zev Wolf Citron Anshei Sefard; 4502 14th Ave. 1:45pm (Mincha 1:30)

Rav Zisha Sekula Skver 12th Ave 5323 12th Ave; 8:40pm

Rav Usher Shmiel Katz Avnei Pinchos Raslovitz; 5822 17th Ave

Rav Meir Simcha Bick Bais Medrash Etz Chaim 971 47th St; S-Th 8:30pm

Rav Yissachar Berish Berger Toldos Yehudah Stitchin 1621 61th St; 8:45pm

Rav Yitzchok Eckstein

Lev Avrohom; 574 East 9th St; 2:45pm Chabura: Amshinov; 4404 15th Ave. Sun-Thurs 10:20pm; (Maariv 10:00)

Rav Shmiel Menachem Friedman Bais Medrash Rakowitz 1066-40th Street; 9:00pm

Rav Shulem Yechiel Mechel Shtenrhil Boyan; 4405 14th Ave; 7:00am

Rav Chaim Brodt Divrei Chaim Zmigrad; 1216 43rd St; 9-9:45pm

Rav Shia Lefkowitz Imrei Yitzchok; 1169 46th St; 9-945pm

Rav Meir Dovid Sekula Kelil Tiferes Skulen Avreichim; 1369 52nd St

Rav Avrom Eliezer Citron Krula; 5102 11th Ave; 8:00pm

Rav Boruch Shulem Brizel Dzirkov; 5 Ditmas Ave; 8:15-9pm

Rav Bentzion Shlomo Miller Bikovsk; 1559 59th St; 7:15am

Rav Yosef Menachem Deutsch Kleinvardein;1214 42nd St; 8:30pm

Rav Avrum Meir Schwartz Spinka 56; 1466 56th Street

Rav Avrohom Berkowitz Marah Yechezkel;1466 54th St; 9:00pm

Rav Aron Wajsfeld Boro Park Center; 4915 10th Ave; 1:15pm

Rav Shraga Lebowitz

Ginzei Yosef Kalish; 119 Webster Ave; 9:00pm

Rav Yosef Mendel Paneth

Khal Maglei Zedek Deyzh;1313 52st

Rav Daniel Gross

Ne’emas Hachaim; 1456 46th St; 8:00am

Rav Moshe Horowitz

Ne’emas Moshe; 1557 46th St. ;8:30pm (Maariv 8:15)

Rav Avrohaom Yakov Silverstein

Lev Avrohom; 3754 18th Ave; 8:00am

Rav Yechezkel Duvid Halberstam Bluzev;1146 50th St; 10:20pm

BRONX, NY —

Chabura: Bais Hamedrash D’Elmax 1624 Webster Ave; 1:40

CASA GRANDE, AZ —

Rav Yitzchok Grossman

Khal Chasidim; (After Maariv)

CHESTER, NY —

Rav Naftula Hersh Rosenthal

Toras Chemed Nitra; 1425 NY-17M; 3:00pm

CHICAGO, IL —

Rav Aaron Lauer Cong. Ohr Torah; 3800 Dempster St; 9:00am

Rav Chaim Mordechai Turin

Chicago Center for Torah and Chesed 3135 W Devon Avenue; 9:20pm

Rav Reuven Mitler

Ohr Yisocher Chodorov; 6336 N Lincoln Ave.

Rav Shmuel Katz Mikor HaChaim; 2849 W Chase Ave; 8:00pm

DALLAS, TX —

Rav Imanuel Treniu

Kehilat Achdut Yisrael; 5821 McShann Rd

Rav Eliezer Poupko

Kehillas Lev Yisrael

3251 Independence Pkwy; 6:10am

FIVE TOWNS, NY —

Rav Heshy Blumstein

Yismach Moshe; 1034 Broadway Sunday after Maariv, M-Th: 7:30pm

Rav Yosef Spiegel Bais Medrash Ostrov Kalushin 504 West Broadway

Sun-Thurs 7:30pm; Maariv 8:15pm

FLATBUSH, NY —

Rav Akiva Neuhaus

Cong. Imrei Shaul D’Modzitz 1542 Coney Island Ave

Chabura: Cong. Keter Torah; 2220 Ave. L

Rav Moshe Schoenblum Bnei Yosef; 1616 Ocean Pkwy; 8:30am

Rav Shlomo Cynamon

K’hal Bnei Torah; 2925 Ave K; 9:00am

Rav Yechiel Michel Spitzer Kehilas Tiferet Tzvi; 1307 E.8th St

Rav Dovid Minzer

Bais Mordechei D’Bertch; 3302 Ave. P; 9:00pm

Rav Yosef Horowitz Merkaz HaTefilla; 1898 Bay Ave (off Ave M) Sun 7:15am; Shachris 8:00am M-F: 6:13am; Shachris 7:00am

Rav Binyomin Ruttner Mareh Yechezkel 1014 E 15th St; M-F: 5:45-6:35am

Rav Avrohom Yosef Sekula Khal Nachlas Yitzchok 3418 Ave L; 9:00am, 8:30pm

Rav Chaim Shapiro Mill Basin Shul; 2436 E.63rd Street Mon-Fri 6:45am, Sun 7:30am

Rav Reuven Kalish Bais Medrash Chavas Daas 3908 Neptune Ave; Mon-Fri 9:00am

Rav Eliyohu Sonenshein

Khal Yerayim Seagate; 3868 Poplar Ave. Mon-Fri 7:20am, Sun 8:00am

GREAT NECK, NY —

Rav Sendy Shulman Torah Ohr; 569 Middleneck Rd; 8:00am

HASTINGS, NE —

Rav Matisyahu Schechter Bnei Shmuel Gavriel 516 Hastings Ave.

HIGHLAND PARK, NJ —

Rav Eliyahu Tal Sephardic Congregation Etz Haim 230 Denison Street; 2:30pm

HOLLYWOOD, FL —

Rav Tzvi Yehuda Smith Kehilas Beis Mordechai 4200 N. 66th Ave. 7:30am

Rav Ariel Sobol Hollywood Torah Center; 5860 SW 36th Ter After Mincha-Maariv

KIAMESHA LAKE, NY —

Rav Shmuel Hersh Braunstein

Khal Toras Chaim Viznitz – Gibbers 169 Barnes Blvd; 8:45pm

LAKEWOOD, NJ —

Kollel Erev:

Rav Yechezkel Ostreicher Bais Medrash Miholovitz

614 Ocean Ave; 8:45-10:00pm

Rav Eliezer Ralbag

The Lakewood Courtyard Shul 52 Madison Avenue

Sun-Fri: 7:30am (Shachris 8:00am) Shabbos: 8:15am

Rav Abish Zelishovsky

Khal Zichron Yaakov 175 Sunset Road; 9:15-10:00pm

Rav Asher Zelig Rosenberg

Klausenburg; 25 Havens Avenue

9:00pm (Maariv 8:40, 9:40)

Rav Avrohom Shimon Lisauer Spinka; 615 East Bergen Ave.

Rav Baruch Englard

Khal Tiferes Shlome Tzvi Yoka

2189 Braden Ct.

Mon-Fri 7:10am, Sun 8:10am

Rav Chaim Yehoshua Schorr

The Woods Shul; 1 Stonewall Ct; 6:15am

Rav Dovid Bitterman

Kollel Cheshek Shlomo

506 New Egypt Road; 6:15am

Rav Aron Mordechai Koenig Vorka, 20 Bowman Rd.; 8:45pm

Rav Dovid Perl Shemen Lemincha; 2 Milano Dr; 6:15am

Rav Mendy Krauss

Bais Medrash Miholovitz

614 Ocean Ave; 9:30-10:00pm

Rav Moshe Englander Kehilas Westgate; 2 Ropshitz Ct. 9:30pm (Maariv 10:15pm)

Chabura: Rav Shmuel Zev Olshin

BMG Bais Yitzchok

605 7th Street; 6:30am

Rav Yanky Muller Bais Medrash Ruzhin 1132 E County Line Rd; 8:15pm

Rav Yechezkel Safern Chateau Park Shul - Sfard

36 Pine Blvd; 8:15pm

Rav Yechiel Mechel Eisenbach

Bais Mordechai Belz

2 Hanover Way; 9:30pm

Rav Yoel Heilbron

Shvilei Duvid

74 Broadway; 7:30am

Rav Binyomin Richt BMG Woodlake; 12:30pm

Rav Moshe Levi

BMG Forest Ave; 3:30pm

Rav Osher Shmiel Katz

Khal Chasidim of Jackson

780 Hyson Rd; 8:30pm

Rav Aryeh Millet Shaarei Tefillah

205 James St; 6:40pm

Rav Chaim Yankel Hess Stolin; 153 E. 7th St; 9:20-10:00pm

Rav Shimon Goodman

Ohr Eliezer Aryeh

103 Tarnov Ct; 9:30-10:00pm

Rav Avrohom Aron Hess Bais Medrash of Oakley Hills 1 Gibson Ln; 6:35am

Rav Yosef Sultan

Deal Shul; 127 Norwood Ave; 6:20am

LINDEN, NJ —

Rav Yosef Unger Vorka; 515 Fairway Rd; 8:45pm

Rav Binyomin Yosef Kraus Rachmistrivka; 631 Brook Street Rav Eliezer Zusya Gorelnik Avreichim

LOS ANGELES, CA —

Rav Chaim Minder Valley Kollel; 14422 Chandler Blvd.

Rav Blau Etz Chaim of Hancock Park 303 S Highland Ave; 8:20pm

MIAMI BEACH, FL —

Rav Binyamin Feldbrand Beis Hamedrish Kedushas Levi 17501 NE 8 Place; 9:00pm

Rav Pesach Shifman

Yeshiva Bais Moshe Chaim; 7:00-7:30am

Rav Chaim Zalman Eisen 275 Bedford K; 12:00pm; W. Palm Beach

Rav Tzvi Neuhaus

424 West 40th St.; 10:00am

Rav Yaakov Burstyn Menahel Cheder Miami

Sun-Thurs 4:15-5:00pm

Rav Yisroel Moshe Janowski Tower 41; 4101 Pine Tree Drive Shachris at 6:30am, followed by shiur

Rav Yitzchak Shifman

Ohr Chaim Meir; 317 W 47th St.

Sun 7:30 / Mon 6:15am

Rav Daniel Gross

Bierman Library; 4000 Alton Rd.

Rav Yisroel Dov Levine

Miami Beach Community Kollel 3767 Chase Ave; 8:30-9:30am

MONROE, NY —

Rav Yehuda Arie Meisels

K’hal Mayim Rabim Z’lotchiv 1444 Orange Turnpike; 9:00pm

Rav Tzvi Yakov Brizel Beis Medrash Posner; 8:45pm

Rav Reuven Volf Brach Radishitz; 1 Rovna Ct; 8:30-9:30pm

Rav Kalman Weber Rachmei Huav; 19 Hayes Ct; 8:30pm

MONSEY, NY —

Rav Doniel Field

Khal New City; 12 Wagon Wheel Rd. 9:15-10:00pm

Rav Gabi Fried Chayei Olam Community Kollel 16 Charlotte Dr; 1:45pm

Rav Gabi Fried Kehillas Ateres Rosh 16 Charlotte Dr; 10:00pm

Rav Yosef Silber

Tiferes Yeshia Vien 76 Francis Place; 10:05pm (Maariv 9:45)

Rav Pinchos Twersky Skver; 26 Twin Ave; 7:45am (Shachris 8:15)

Rav Pinchous Shneebalg

Khal Avreichim

31 Dover Terrace; 8:30pm

Rav Yechezkel May

Khal Bnei Torah; 130 W. Ramapo Rd.

Rav Yeshaya Zelig Shapiro Bais Tefillah; 2 Maplewood Lane Kolel Erev Klausenburg; 58 Main St.

Rav Burach Moshkowitz Beis Medrash Yampla; 32 College Rd Sun 7:20; Mon-Thurs 6:20

Rav Chaim Meir Tabak

Tzemach Tzadik Viznitz 52 Francis Place; Sun-Thurs 9:15pm

Friday after Kabbolas Shabbos Rav Eliezer Halberstam Bais Hamedrash Radishitz; 3 Echo Ridge Rd

Rav Yosef Dovid Kaufman

Khal Barniv; 28 Homestead Dr.; 9:00pm Chabura

Heichel Chaim Zanvil; 1 Midway Rd; 9:15pm

Rav Dovid Bartfeld

Khal Mevakshei Hashem

21 Oakwood Ln; S-Th 9:15pm Chabura

Imrei Chein Delatyn; 13 Neil Rd.

Rav Hershel Einhorn 18 Min. Amud Bais Medrash Viznitz – Kollel 25 Phyllis Terrace 8:10am

Rav Bentzion Sneh Zvhill; 101 West Maple Ave. 7:00pm

Rav Yehuda Lichter Mechon L’hora’ah 168 Maple Ave; 6:45-7:45am

Rav Boruch Sholom Rubinstein Yerias Shlomo Rendik 18 Collins Ave; 7:40pm

Rav Yochanon Tauber

Visnitz Monsey Mechina Leyishva 230 Maple Ave

Rav Yeshaya Yosef Beck Kehal Zichron Avrohom Mada

35 Dana Rd; 8:45pm

Rav Pinchos Eliyohu Spiegel Tefila Lemoshe; 35 Brockton Rd; 9:00pm

Rav Yechezkel Paneth Deish; 29 N Cole Ave; 9:00pm

Rav Avrohom Dovid Horowitz Tolmitch; 68 Carlton Rd; 9:00pm (Maariv 9:45)

Rav Yaakov Deutsch Birchas Menachem; 23A Ellish Pkwy Mon-Fri 7:00am; Sun 8:00am; Shab. 8:30am

Rav Mosha Zev Ganz Grosvardain; 31 Rita Ave; 8:15pm Chabura Boyan; 29 Yale Dr.

Rav Yechezkel Paneth Deyzsh; 29 N Cole Ave; 9:00pm

Rav Dovid Bartfeld

Khal Mevakshei Hashem

21 Oakwood Ln; Sun-Thurs 9:15pm

Rav Mordechai Trube Tiferes Yakov; 1110 Parkview Dr 9:45pm (Maariv 9:30)

Rav Avrohom Dovid Horowitz Tolmitch; 68 Carlton Rd; 9:00pm (Maariv 9:45) Chabura

Rabbi Kraus; 9 Champion Pkwy

Rav Yeshaya Yosef Beck

Kehal Zichron Avrohom Mada 35 Dana Rd; 8:45pm

Rav Benzion Steinfeld Rachmistrivka; 2 Hopal Ln; 9:05pm

Rav Avrohom Lefkowitz Bais Medrash Riminov 30 Pennington Way; 9:00pm

Rav Aron Duvid Shechter Maamar Mordechai Nadvorna 204 Union Rd; 9:30pm

Rav Moshe Knoll Beis Medrash Yampla 32 College Rd; 6:30am/8:00pm

Rav Moshe Shia Michalowitz Brod; 2 Merrick Dr; 9:00pm

Rav Yoel Brull Zelichov; 8 Murin St; 9:00pm

MONTREAL, CANADA —

Rav Matis Rosenberg Heichel Torah Tefilah 1290 Bernard Ave; Sun-Thurs; 8:30pm

Rav Yechiel Jesurun Beth Hamidrash Ateret Torah 5777 Caldwell Ave. S-W: 9:40am; T: 7:30pm F: 8:40am; S: 7:30pm

Kolel Avreichim

5750 Parkhaven Ave; 8:00pm

Rav Eli Schwartz Mesivta Reishis Chochma 2325 Av. Ekers; 8:00pm

Rav Ariel Wasserlauf

Shaarei Tefilla; 5751 Eldridge Ave

NEW SQUARE, NY —

Rav Efraim Greenbaum

Bais Medrash Hagodol

11 Truman Ave; Sun-Thurs 8:30pm

Rav Refuel Yechezkel Friedman Bais Medrash Hagodol

11 Truman Ave; Sun-Fri 8:00am

Rav Sender Austerlitz

Bais Medrash Hagodol

11 Truman Ave; Sun-Thurs 5:30pm

PHILADELPHIA, PA —

Rav Uri Yehuda Greenspan

Kollel Ohr Shmuel of Philadelphia

364 Montgomery Ave; 6:20am

Rav Uri Yehuda Greenspan

First Seder Bais Medrash

123 Old Lancaster Rd.; 11:15am

PORTLAND, OR —

Rav Chanan Spivak

Portland Kollel: 6683 SW Capitol Hwy

SOUTHFIELD, MI —

Rav AY Benjamin Sherwood Shul; 17270 Alta Vista Dr. 6:20am

STATEN ISLAND, NY —

Rav Hertzka Greenfeld Beis Medrash Staten Island

TORONTO, CANADA —

Rav Dovid Hofstedter

Bais Medrash Agudath Israel 129 McGillivray Ave; 5:10pm-6:00pm

Chabura

Agudath Israel Anshei Keltz

2941 Bathurst St; 6:30am-7:00am

Rav Yitzy Czermak Agudath Israel Anshei Keltz

2941 Bathurst St; 8:15pm-9:30pm

UNION, NJ —

Rav Yosef Moshe Follman Bobov 45; 212 New Jersey Ave; 8:45pm

WILLIAMSBURG. NY — Rav Yechezkel Landau Klausenburg; 131 Lee Ave; 9:50pm

Rav Yaakov Wertzberger Bais Hamedrash Shaar Efraim 798 Wythe Ave; 8:50pm

Rav Chaim Dovid Krausz Krula; 127 Wallabout St; 6:30pm

Rav Eluzer Meislish Shevet Halevi; 7 Franklin Ave; 9:00pm

Rav Dovid Shapiro

Tzemach Tzadik Viznitz

42 Rutledge St; 9:00pm

Rav Yitzchok Menacham Weiss Sombothely; 171 Penn St; 6:40am

Rav Yitzchok Moshe Blumenfeld Satmar South 8th 113 South 8th St; 7:30am

ONLINE SHIURIM

GIVEN BY:

• Rav Shlomo Cynamon

• Rav Gabi Fried

• Rav Yekusiel Elimelech Friedman (Yiddish)

• Rav Hertzka Greenfeld (Yiddish)

• Rav Dovid Hofstedter

• Rav Eliezer Ralbag

• Rav Ari Taback

Torah Thought Home is Where the Heart Is

By Rabbi Zvi Teichman

Despite the numerous details involved in the fashioning of the various vessels used in the Mishkan, from the Altar to the Menorah, the Torah when reviewing the manufacturing of these items never states specifically that it was done ‘as G-d commanded Moshe’.

Yet, in the portion discussing the production of the garments of the Kohen Gadol it emphasizes eighteen times that each detail was made ‘as G-d commanded Moshe’.

Why the discrepancy?

One suggestion to resolve this enigma is based on a dictum in the Talmud that asserts that man is יא םצמצל רשפא — incapable of being precise in measurements. When the Torah requires a very specific measurement — not one iota less or more — man lacks the capacity to get it to the finest measure. The Talmud, referring to one of the vessels, the Altar, states that despite our inability, we are expected to try our best to get as close as we are able. (שרו זי

If that be the case then one can suggest that precisely because these

instruments had very specific measurements, as outlined in the verse, we cannot truly state they were made ‘exactly’ ‘as G-d commanded’, since we lack that skill. In contrast, although the garments were specific in the materials to be used, there was no requirement of an exact size, thus allowing for an assertion of sewing them ‘as G-d commanded’

There is only one area of Torah where there exists an enumerated exact measurement requirement, where if it were a bit larger or smaller would disqualify the item from use — the vessels of the Mishkan. All other objects of Mitzvah have possible minimum prerequisites, but can be larger, thus never requiring ‘precision’.

Is there possibly a message in this singular phenomenon that calls for precision yet accepts the reality of its impossibility, specifically in the context of the Mishkan?

The Torah records how every בידנ ובל — one whose heart motivates him, ָהֶָאיִבי — shall bring it, ד תמורת תא — as the gift for G-d.

The Ramban is bothered by the structure of the verse. Couldn’t it have simply stated איבי — he shall bring, ד תמורת — the gift for G-d. Why does it seemingly repeat itself with ‘he shall bring ‘it’, a reference to the gift, and then reiterates with greater clarity that ‘it’ refers to the ‘gift for G-d’?

He suggests that ‘it’ refers to a

הָנוילע הָמורת — an ‘elevated’ gift, that accompanies the physical gift for G-d. He adds that the extra word תא used here is often used to mean, םע — with, so that the verse now reads ‘he brought the elevated gift together with his physical (gold, silver or copper) gift’

What is this ‘elevated’ gift?

Ramban adds one more reference. He quotes the verse that tells how the daughter of Pharaoh discovers the floating basket, opens it and sees, תא דליהָ — the child (Moshe), quoting the Midrash that goes on to interpret it similarly as ‘with’ Moshe, referring to the Divine Presence that accompanied the child.

The great and beloved Mashgiach, Rav Shlomo Wolbe expounds on this idea in his Alei Shur.

There are two ingredients to achieving happiness in life. One is to be happy with our lot, sloughing off disappointment and sadness by understanding and accepting that we each have exactly what we need for success and joy. Secondly, one must sense the privilege each mitzvah affords us in gaining closeness with G-d.

Each mitzva has two components. The adherence to detail and the minutiae of halacha, represents our fear of G-d and commitment to devote to His absolute will. How our hearts drive us to eagerly volunteer our being to His will, is the aspect of love that bonds us inextricably with G-d.

The Mishkan, the abode where we connect with G-d, is founded on the ‘generosity of spirit’ we sense and display by the nature of our selecting to volunteer happily to the task. That is why it all began with ‘donations’ to the cause.

When we give ‘ourselves’ willingly over to fulfilling the greater will of G-d, expressing a loving joy in that opportunity and privilege, that is when we are ‘with’ Hashem. When we bring that to the table, we are presenting an ‘elevated gift’ — a ‘piece of the Divine Presence’, as it were, that accom-

panies our material donations.

The Midrash says that indeed G-d is the ‘heart of the people’ as King David sings, “...the rock of my heart and my portion is G-d forever”. (ב הָפ שהָש

Perhaps it is for that reason the vessels that comprise the Mishkan symbolize those moments in life when we have not yet ‘measured’ fully up to our potential but express a sincere drive and desire to gain that closeness by rising in those areas we have conquered, by devoting ourselves lovingly to fulfilling His will.

After the initial surge of donations, the Torah describes how there was more than enough and they were instructed to restrain from donating anymore.

The famous Rav of Chemed, Rav Shlomo Noach Kroll, who saved thousands of Yemenite children from assimilation during that dark time in Israel’s history, asks an obvious question.

Why was it necessary to stifle their giving? Couldn’t the extra material be stored for a further date?

He suggests that it wasn’t simply the physical surplus that is being addressed, but rather the sincerity in the giving. The surplus referenced alluded to their giving beyond their innate and honest desire to give.

In the realm of the Divine Presence only the purely motivated donation could enthuse the abode with the Divine Presence. The delicate overstepping of the line between sincerity and coercion, as subtle as it may have been, has no room in a house of hearts.

May we each discover our hearts, devoting ourselves to creating space for the Divine Presence to dwell within us.

They shall make a sanctuary for me — so that I may dwell among them!

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

Baltimore Weekday Minyanim Guide

Shacharis

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

Mercaz Torah U'Tefillah M-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

Mercaz Torah U’Tefillah S-F

Moses Montefiore Anshe Emunah M-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

Tzeirei 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

Mercaz Torah U’Tefillah 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

Mercaz Torah U’Tefillah S-F

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

Tzeirei 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

Mercaz Torah U’Tefillah 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

Mercaz Torah U’Tefillah S-F

Moses Montefiore Anshe Emunah S

Shomrei Emunah Congregation S-F

Suburban Orthodox Congregation Toras Chaim S-F

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

9:30 AM

Mercaz Torah U’Tefillah S-F

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

Mincha

Mincha Gedolah Mercaz Torah U’Tefillah

Khal Ahavas Yisroel/Tzemach Tzedek

12:30 PM Kol Torah

12:50 PM One South Street, 27th Floor, Baltimore, MD 21202

1:00 PM 10055 Red Run Blvd Suite 295

Milk & Honey Bistro 1777 Reisterstown RD

1:25 PM Bais Haknesses Ohr HaChaim

1:45 PM Ohel Moshe

2:00 PM Agudath Israel of Baltimore (S-F)

Big Al @ The Knish Shop Party Room

Kol Torah

Market Maven

Reischer Minyan 15 Walker Ave 2nd Floor

2:30 PM Bais Medrash of Ranchleigh

Community Kollel Tiferes Moshe Aryeh

Tov Pizza Mincha Minyan

Ner Israel Rabbinical College

Mesivta Shaarei Chaim (Etz Chaim Building)

Shearith Israel Congregation

2:45 PM Kollel of Greenspring

3:00 PM Agudath Israel of Baltimore (S-F)

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 (S-Th)

Mercaz Torah U'Tefillah

5:00 PM Agudath Israel of Baltimore (S-Th)

Mercaz Torah U’Tefillah

5:30 PM Agudath Israel of Baltimore (S-Th)

6:00 PM Agudath Israel of Baltimore (S-Th)

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

8:00 PM Agudath Israel of Baltimore

8:30

8:45

8:50

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

9:40 PM Ahavat Shalom [Sefaradi]

9:45 PM Bais Haknesses Ohr HaChaim

Kollel Erev Birchas Yitzchok (Luries)

Kollel of Greenspring

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 Cwlarks 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

Kollel of Greenspring - 6504 Greenspring Ave.

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

Mercaz Torah

Mercaz

Ner

For

10:00AM

Mercaz Torah U’Tefillah S-F

8:55

Sweeten the Path: Neimus Hatorah is Investing in Education that Cares

Dov* knew since he was 10 years old that he couldn’t sit still and learn like most of the boys in his grade. He just couldn’t stay focused for more than 10 minutes at a time.

Yitzy* felt invisible, sitting quietly in the back of the room, watching everyone else asking questions and giving answers while he couldn’t grasp enough of the information to even know what to ask.

Ari* was sad and lonely despite all the happy chatter all around him in school. He is a very bright boy, but circumstances at home caused him significant social challenges. He had extremely low self esteem, and had a very hard time making and keeping friends.

What do Dov, Yitzy and Ari have in common? Each of these boys were fortunate enough to find Mesivta N’eimus HaTorah. This sparkling gem in the crown of Baltimore’s mosdos was founded in 2006 by Rabbi Laib Schulman to bring out the best in boys like Dovy, Yitzy and Ari.

Mesivta N’eimus HaTorah (MNH) is a yeshiva high school whose name tells it all: N’eimus HaTorah; the sweetness of the Torah. Rabbi Schulman believes that every boy deserves to succeed, and success breeds success. He and his team of talented Rebbeim and teachers individually craft the curriculum of each talmid to play off of his unique strengths and build up his weaknesses.

So Dov’s classes were broken down into manageable chunks. The teachers were trained and directed to accommodate his challenges, and there were plenty of activities throughout the day that allowed Dov to release his energy, all while maintaining a solid limudei kodesh and limudei chol program.

Yitzy thrived in a class of just 8 boys, with teachers who explained things clearly and patiently answered the questions he learned to ask. He finally felt that he was learning, and his confidence soared with every quiz, test and report card.

Ari, being in the safe & warm environment that MNH fosters, found strengths and talents that he did not know he had. He discovered he has a certain creative talent, which the staff

actively found opportunities for him to use for the benefit of the other students. They began to really appreciate Ari, and it did wonders for his self-esteem. Today, baruch Hashem, Ari is married with a beautiful family.

These are just a sampling of MNH’s success stories and the ways they reach each boy at his own level and bring out his best. The yeshiva builds up the boys into sincere, well-balanced Bnei Torah, bolstered with the knowledge and confidence that they DO have what it takes to succeed in life. Our goal is that every single boy who comes into the yeshiva either mainstreams back to a regular yeshiva for the rest of high school or graduates MNH and continues to carry on a productive life, whether in a higher yeshiva or a career.

MNH respects the effort the boys put in, not their grades. And the talmidim know it – they feel safe being able to try with the knowledge that every effort is worthwhile and there’s always more opportunities. A bochur with weak reading skills can lead the davening with confidence and this can be a true turning point in his development.

Most of the talmidim come into MNH having developed very negative associations towards schoolwork. The yeshiva takes a long term approach and works to break these associations. That may mean allowing an initial period with no testing at all, so a student can enjoy learning without the pressure to perform.

It might also mean that an initial gemara class is conducted as an outside discussion of a topic, where the boys join in with questions, proofs and counter-arguments. Everyone

gets involved and excited about it, and when things calm down, they find out that one boy made Abaya’s point, and another came close to what Rava said. At that point , some will want to see it inside the gemara. Others may just want to hear how the gemara says it, without looking at that confusing page. And some may already be worn out and ready for a break. Yet each of them succeeded in getting what they were ready for from that gemara.

The yeshiva’s success can be seen in feedback received from parents and students:

“The yeshiva focuses on the positive and strengths of each boy while encouraging them to do more. They work with the boys according to each boy’s needs. They are very tolerant and patient with them.”

– Parent of both a former talmid and a current one

“Speaking for myself as well as some other individuals I observed first-hand for 4 years; we went in laughing at the idea that the yeshivah could make us successful people - but by the time we moved on, the yeshivah proved to have the last laugh at its obvious success.”

– a former talmid

Now Mesivta N’eimus HaTorah is heading towards its 18th year of transforming boys’ lives. The yeshiva indeed breathes life into each of the talmidim, taking them on a journey from forlorn and despairing to confident and productive. Rabbi Schulman and his stellar staff look forward to many more years continuing their avodas hakodesh of improving the lives of boys who have struggled far too long, bringing them the sweetness and joy of Torah learning and success.

To find out more about Mesivta N’eimus HaTorah and how you can partner with them on their mission, visit their website at neimushatorah. org, email them at info@neimushatorah.org or call Rabbi Schulman at 610613-6934.

Rabbi Schulman dedicated Mesivta N’eimus HaTorah in memory of his father, Dr. Allan Schulman, a talmid chochom and a tenured professor at NYU, Dr. Schulman was a sterling example of what a yid should be.

* Names changed for privacy.

A Single Impact - Making An Impact

Now into our 4th year, A Single Impact has grown into a community of frum individuals - single, divorced, widowed, young and old - some seeking friendship and others looking to date. Their social situations span the gamut.

A Single Impact envisions a world where all frum singles are accepted as full members of the community, to be appreciated for their gifts and their value to community organizations.

Our networking events offer a low key, low stress environment where frum singles can meet and mingle over a meal or an activity in a kosher setting. We partner with many local shuls to provide free/discounted tickets for the Yamim Noraim so singles could have a place to daven. Our weekly

Parsha and Pizza classes have a variety of speakers, as our members make connections for jobs, apartments, and other important life needs. Our meal chat allows members to connect with host families, building friendships and connection for both hosts and guests. Earlier this year, we distributed Rosh Hashana gifts to our members and will be delivering 425 Mishloach Manos packages this month.

The Baltimore singles community is vast and varied. We have young singles living at home or with roommates, getting acclimated to school or a new career. We have seasoned singles, who own their own homes and have successful careers. We have previously married individuals with and without children, looking for support and opportunities. We have widowed men and women with a wealth of knowledge and experience who seek a

fresh start.

We live by our mission statement of providing support, resources, and advocacy for frum singles.

We now turn to you. We need your help to do more.

As we enter the Purim/Pesach holiday season, here are ways you can make an impact:

Think about those who might not receive an invite to a Purim Seuda, even if they have family in town. Reach out and invite while thinking about your costume theme.

Get started with Purim Mitzvos early. Invite a new guest to break the fast with you.

Add your single, divorced, and widowed friends to your Mishloach Manos list.

Deliver an extra Mishloach Manos to someone you might not know well. “We’re looking forward to getting to know you better” is a great way to connect.

Shabbos HaGadol is often a Shabbos with limited guest invites. Making soup? Add another bowl and welcome a guest to join.

Don’t wait until Seder night to think about Ha Lachma Anya. Invite your guests before turning over your kitchen.

There are two sedarim and eight other Pesach meals this year. Know a friend who lives too far and cannot walk to you on Yom-Tov, invite them for a meal on Chol Hamoed.

Can’t host guests this year? Make an extra potato kugel or desert and drop off with a note.

Tips to keep in mind:

Reach out to singles you know in town. Make an effort to say hello in the supermarket and in shul. A simple “nice to see you” can go a long way.

Don’t hesitate to suggest shidduchim; you may be the shaliach for a shidduch. Check with the single you are thinking of and ask if they are currently dating or looking to date. Sug-

gesting ideas to both women and men shows they are being thought of. Respectfully accept a “no” or “not right now.”

When planning events that are not specific to parenting, focus on a wider target audience.

Be sensitive in your seating arrangements. Place adults together no matter their marital status.

“We’d love the pleasure of your company” sounds more welcoming than “Do you need a meal?”

Many are not comfortable inviting themselves for a meal. While stating “Call us when you want to come!” or “Our door is always open” seems like a generous invite, it is best to invite directly for a specific meal.

Invite with plenty of notice. In your invitation, include: your name, short bio (ie. kids, ages, pets, lively, quiet, etc.), shul you attend, meal/s you are hosting, day/time by which you need a response, how many guests are invited/or said yes, and if either male, female, or both are attending.

Not sure who to invite? Join A Single Impact’s Shabbos and Yom-Tov meal initiative.

www.asingleimpact.com/resources.

Join A Single Impact as an ambassador, volunteer, and supporter. Help share our events and programs. Encourage singles in town and out to sign up on our website. Do you run a business that our singles could frequent? We love partnering with community members and refer singles to locals who can help them with their specific needs. You too can help make an impact!

We are excited for our upcoming twice-yearly Drop & Shop clothing fundraiser. Empty your closets and then come shop in ours. See the opposite for more details.

For sponsorship, donation, and more information about A Single Impact, go to www.asingleimpact.com or email us at contact@asingleimpact. com

We look forward to working together.

Shoshi Glazer and Rochel Ziman

Mental Health Corner

The Aha! Moment

By Rabbi Azriel Hauptman

You have probably heard the famous lightbulb joke about therapy. How many therapists does it take to change a light bulb? Just one, as long as the light bulb wants to change. This well-known quip implies that the client’s desire to change is the key factor in whether or not his or her therapy works. What about if the client really does want to change, but after countless sessions with his therapist has not yet experienced profound change? Such as in the case of Levi.

Levi has been in therapy for quite some time. He enjoys going to his therapist because of the tremendous insight he gains from therapy. He loves those Aha moments when he finally understands the roots and underpinnings of many aspects of his psyche. Levi recently had another Aha moment. After several years in therapy, he has not reached the goals that he originally had in mind when he first started seeing a therapist. He still has

dysfunctional relationships, difficulties with his emotions, and negative thoughts. This epiphany has left Levi confused and bewildered.

Insight has traditionally been an integral part of psychotherapy. Earlier models of psychotherapy in the age of Sigmund Freud were almost completely insight-oriented. As time went on, other modalities emerged that introduced other elements into therapy, but almost all forms of therapy have insight as part of the therapeutic process in some shape or form.

The little secret is that, unfortunately, insight by itself does not necessarily translate into change. Additionally, on the flip side, one can sometimes change without insight. Let us use a bad itching habit as an example. If you delve into the deep neurological and psychological causes of a bad itching habit, you will probably not be any closer to stopping such a deeply ingrained habit. On the other

hand, you may be able to learn strategies that help you overcome that habit without ever developing any insight into the cause of the problem.

That being said, there are times when insight is the catalyst for change. When we understand the causes of our mistaken beliefs, we start feeling the power to change them. Insight may also help us rid ourselves of toxic guilt that is preventing any change or progress. However, insight is not always the ticket to change. Moreover, if you have achieved tremendous insight and you have not yet seen significant change, you are probably feeling even more depressed about the fact that after all of this progress, nothing has really changed in your everyday life.

Therapists need to have other tools in their toolbox for facilitating change other than just developing insight. Countless books have been written about how to create change through therapy, and this article certainly does

not have the space to explore that topic. Every therapist has their own recipe of therapy that they custom tailor for each of their clients, and they will incorporate their personal model of how change takes place in therapy.

It is true that when things change inside of you, things potentially can change around you. The job of a therapist is therefore to not only change your inside, but to help you harness those internal changes into practical changes in your life.

This is a service of Relief Resources. Relief is an organization that provides mental health referrals, education, and support to the frum community. Rabbi Yisrael Slansky is director of the Baltimore branch of Relief. He can be contacted at 410-448-8356 or at yslansky@reliefhelp. org

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Friday Night Shabbos Day

By Rabbi Moshe Dear Executive Director, Baltimore Bikur Cholim

When a resident of Baltimore reflects upon our amazing Bikur Cholim and its army of volunteers and supporters, what usually comes to mind is hospital visitation, meals in times of need, recuperation, and critical medical advocacy. These services, along with other incredible areas of support, is what Baltimore Bikur Cholim has been doing so well for so long.

However, some volunteers recently suggested that Bikur Cholim consider supporting the community not only in a reactive mode in times of distress but in a more proactive model. Is there anything Bikur Cholim can do, we contemplated, that can educate the community in areas that can help promote better health? Additionally, this analysis helped Bikur Cholim to enlarge its vision and mission to help service different age groups and needs.

To address this expanded quest,

the Better Health Series was created! Bikur Cholim is fortunate to partner with Lifebridge Health, the Jewish Community Center, and The Associated to formulate these educational programs to promote better health within the Jewish Community. Bikur Cholim is grateful to its dedicated committee of Aviva Kovacs, Yona Openden, Ariella Schuchman, and especially Sherri Zaslow, Community Wellness Coordinator for Lifebridge, who worked to masterfully develop the concept and create our kickoff workshop to be held at the JCC on Wednesday, March 13, at 7:00 PM. (Register at www.jcc.org/ event/bikur-cholim/)

This initial event is geared towards family and child health and is designed for all parents. We are honored to have Rabbi Daniel Rose of Bnai Jacob Shaarei Zion to deliver introductory remarks, followed by an esteemed panel of experts.

Dr. Yaniv Berger – Family Medi-

cine

Laura Cardarelli- Pediatric Physical Therapy

Amy Kessler- Child Life Services

Mellisa Shapiro- Pediatric Gastroeterology

Dana Silver- Pediatrics

Each expert will deliver the latest research essential for parents to know, which will be followed by a “Question and Answer” session. Light refreshments will be served and “giveaways” along with other handouts and information will be available. Space is DEFINITELY LIMITED so the community is urged to register!

The next workshop in our Better Health Series is “Man Up For Your Health”, an event dedicated to men’s health. This event will be on Monday, May 13th at Shaarei Zion. This will be followed up by a special panel of experts addressing the research in promoting women’s health, which will be held at Shomrei Emunah on Tuesday,

June 4th. Incredible panel experts for both of these events are in process of being formulated. Our goal is to make the community aware of vital information to promote good health in a proactive way, as well as to introduce experts who can respond to questions and queries.

These events will also give the community an opportunity to meet Bikur Cholim leadership and volunteers to learn ways to help support the organization in future endeavors.

Plans for the fall include a workshop and panel geared towards better health related to teenagers, and a special Melava Malka featuring a keynote address on the subject of promoting proactive better health.

Should you have any questions related to the Better Health Series, please call Bikur Cholim at 410 999 3700 (ext.107).

Tech Triumphs

Real Fake

IBy Rebbetzin Sara Gross

t’s always talked about how fake social media is, but when I saw it firsthand, I was shocked.

There’s a woman in New York who is known as an “influencer,” someone who has a lot of followers on Instagram. She posts tidbits and details about her life and her opinions for tens of thousands of frum women to read. There’s never anything extreme or dramatic in her posts, just cute ideas, and a snapshot of her life as an idyllic, current, frum young mother.

When I spotted this woman in a coffee shop in New York, I was excited to see someone famous. Keeping an eye on what she was doing, I internally rolled my eyes at how boring her meal looked. She was sitting with a friend, barely talking, neither one laughing, eating a drab meal. I saw the two of them posing for a selfie at the table. Later, I looked at her Instagram post and couldn’t believe my eyes.

She posted how she and her BFF went out for coffee and had the best time ever! She exaggerated how yummy her meal was and how much fun they had together. It was so fake, I couldn’t handle it. I was done with Instagram and never looked back.

Seeing how fake and manufactured her posts were made me realize that social media is often just a highlight reel, carefully curated to show only the best moments. It was an eye-opening experience that made me rethink my relationship with social media.

DID YOU KNOW: While screen time and addictiveness are well-known concerns surrounding gaming apps, there are other significant risks parents should be aware of. Today’s games have come a long way from the days of Pacman and Space Invaders, allowing users to compete and interact with oth

er players online. While this can make games more exciting and engaging, it also opens up the possibility for bad actors to bully or prey on other players.

Roblox is one example of a game that offers a wide range of experiences but has also faced criticism for leaving children vulnerable to ill-intentioned strangers. Exposure to highly inappropriate content through the games themselves or through communication with other players is another concern. While some gaming apps are monitored by developers, parents are ultimately trusting their child’s safety to these

companies, which may not always be able to keep up with the potential dangers on their platforms.

If your child is using gaming apps, it’s crucial to understand what and who they may be exposed to, and to set parental restrictions where available. Although parental controls are not entirely foolproof, they can still provide an essential layer of protection. Researching the games and even trying them out yourself can help you better understand the environment your child will be in. TAG can also provide information on potential risks and help you find the safest experiences for your child.

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.

To Raise a Laugh

What’s New in Crime

About once a year, I write a “dumb criminals” article, because there are a lot of criminals out there who do stupid things and get caught, probably because if you want to be a police officer, there are intelligence tests you have to take, but if you want to be a criminal, there are not. Also, many cops have been doing this for years, but for the criminals, it’s often their first foray.

But what if they evened the playing field? What if criminals came up with crimes that hadn’t been heard of before? People keep getting arrested for all the regular crimes; why not invent new ones?

Our first story comes from the home of Dave and Sylvia Dungan of California, who had just installed a security camera on their front porch, when, one morning in January, Sylvia decided to review the footage. What she found was a man spending about 3 hours in middle of the night, on and off, licking their doorbell.

See, this is why you get a security camera.

In the video, the man spends quite a few minutes licking the bell from different angles, then walks away to lurks suspiciously in the yard. Then he comes back and repeat the process again. And then again.

How did he even pick that house? Was he just watching this doorbell for a long time?

This is why I always knock. But see, in the old days, before everyone had security cameras, you could lick whoever’s doorbells you wanted and no one had any idea.

It’s a good thing they had video evidence, or the police would not have believed them at all.

The couple showed their video to the police, who said that they weren’t sure who he was, but his face definitely rang a bell.

And speaking of people with boundary issues, in December, a 52-year-old high-school science teacher in California was arrested for cutting a student’s hair against his will while singing the

national anthem at the top of her lungs.

Science!

I don’t know that we want to live in a world where things like that are illegal. I’m a highschool teacher, and every teacher I know is about one bad day away from doing something like that. Well, not exactly like that. I’ve been tempted to do a lot of things, but none involved giving out free haircuts. In our circles, teachers don’t really do this so much, unless the child is turning 3.

Not that people need weapons to commit crime. In August, a visitor at a zoo in Los Angeles got in trouble with the police for spanking a hippo. According to the zoo’s security camera footage, the man hopped over the fence, reached down a cliff, and slapped the hippo loudly before bolting back over the fence and celebrating.

The man also appears to be alone, so he’s either some weirdo who goes to the zoo by himself, or he went to the zoo specifically for this purpose.

This kind of crime isn’t really new, though. It reminds me of a case several years ago where a man slapped a police horse across the face. Well, not across the face. Horses have long faces. I’m not sure how that would work. (“Are you done yet?” “I’m almost there. This is not at all how I pictured this going.”) He slapped it on the face. I’m not sure what the horse said to deserve this, though; the article was very one-sided.

And new, innovative crimes aren’t limited to the States. In November, a group of pedestrians in Vladivostok, Russian, was stopped by police while attempting to cross a vehicles-only bridge in a bus costume. Making it the world’s only bus to be powered entirely by vodka.

The bridge’s walkways have been closed since 2015, when inspectors determined that they were too narrow to meet regulations, and pedestrians had to run the entire length of the bridge as fast as they could before they met someone coming the other way.

But a group of pedestrians wanted to cross this bridge, so they made a bus costume that looked exactly like a real bus, except that it was made of cardboard and had four pairs of legs sticking out the bottom.

By Mordechai Schmutter

“Um… Carpool!”

I don’t know how they planned on maintaining the speed they needed to keep up this ruse.

What followed was a low-speed chase until a police officer caught up to them on foot. “Floor it!” they yelled at each other. But it wasn’t easy, because they kept stepping on the back of each other’s shoes.

Finally, in January, police in Australia, responding to reports of a man yelling, “Why won’t you die?” over and over again over sounds of scuffling and a child screaming, broke down the door of an apartment only to find a man trying to kill a spider. And failing.

His wife was in the shower, or she would have taken care of it.

This is not a joke. The man actually has a fear of spiders, so usually his wife kills them. But this time, he had to just woman up and do it. It was either that or wait until she got out and then tell her, “There’s a spider… Somewhere.”

So the man grabbed a diaper belonging to his toddler, and he smushed the spider with it. But as is often the case when you try to smush a spider with something that is specifically designed with layers of softness, the spider wasn’t dying. You push it down as hard as you can, you put all your weight into it, and then you pick it up, and the spider says, “Okay,” and starts running away. So he did it again. And he’s yelling, “Why won’t you die?! Why won’t you die?!” and his daughter is shrieking, and then the police burst in, and the spider’s like, “Finally!”

So in this case, it wasn’t actually killing the spider that was illegal, and the man wasn’t in any kind of trouble in the end, except that he’s going to have to pay for years of therapy bills for his daughter. He also needs a new door. There are creeps out there.

Mordechai Schmutter is a freelance writer and a humor columnist for Hamodia and other magazines. He has also published eight books and does stand-up comedy. You can contact him at MSchmutter@gmail.com.

Shlav Bet

A Wave of Chareidim Join the IDF

By R ABBI A ROn WhItE

October 7 changed Israeli society in many ways. Since the war began, hundreds of chareidim have signed on to join the IDF through a basic training program called Shlav Bet. Rabbi Aron White, who himself joined the program, writes about the important program and the potential it holds for Israel’s future.

Ifyou would have told me a year ago that I would be training for the IDF together with Gerrer Chassidim and Chabad Shluchim, I would probably have laughed in your face. But October 7 changed many things, and indeed this improbable scenario became my reality a few weeks ago. Thanks to a program called “Shlav Bet,” over 800 Chareidim have joined the army since the war began, completing a basic training course before going on to serve as IDF reservists. I joined the sixth round of this training, so was able to experience this program firsthand.

Chabad, Chassidish, and Everyone in Between

Since the first days of the war, it has been reported that many Chareidim were interested in joining the army. Some Chareidim joined Netzach Yehuda/Nachal Chareidi, the Chareidi combat brigade that just celebrated its 25th anniversary. This involves months of training with the goal to become a combat soldier. However, for Chareidim over the age of 26 who can no longer join this combat brigade, there is another route into the army – the Shlav Bet program.

This program is a basic training program, after which graduates can serve in a variety of non-combat roles in the army. The overwhelming majority of those serving in the IDF (and most armies) are not combat soldiers – there are so many jobs, from engineers, to truck drivers, to army psychologists and so much more, that one can do without going through the eight months of training needed to be a combat soldier. This route into the army has existed for many decades, and before the war, there would be on average two rounds of training a year. Since the war began,

interest in the program has skyrocketed, and there have been Shlav Bet programs running almost constantly. I took part in the sixth round of Shlav Bet, and at the time of writing, over 800 people have taken part in this program since Simchat Torah. Many of those who trained through Shlav Bet have already been serving as IDF reservists now for a few months.

There were 55 people participating in my two-week training. Among the group, each person had a different story for his motivation for joining.

“I had wanted to join the army for years,” said Yossi from Givat Zeev, “but I just never felt I could due to the social pressure. After October 7, I think that has changed, and I realized that I should be doing what I think is right to defend our country.”

Dovid, a 32-year-old Bobover Chassid from Beitar Ilit, also felt that October 7 changed things for him. “I work for Yedidim, and on October 7, we started to get hundreds of calls to help people fix the doors to their safe rooms, or to fix cars of soldiers heading to Gaza. I felt this burning desire to be in a uniform and fighting with the soldiers – and then I saw three buses full of soldiers my age heading out of Beitar Ilit! Many of them had done the Shlav Bet program, including some friends of mine who I hadn’t known about, so after that, I decided I wanted to do it. I spoke to the Rebbe, who said that he wouldn’t tell me what to do, but if I felt I could maintain my ruchniyus, then that is a setting that I can go to.”

Since graduating the program, Dovid has become a truck driver running logistics for the IDF.

I was unsure what to expect in terms of the chevra –one of the myths thrown around is that Chareidi programs

in the army aren’t really that Chareidi. It only took a few minutes of arriving at Tel HaShomer, the army base in Ramat Gan where all soldiers begin their training, to see that this really was a Chareidi program. In the group, the most represented city was Bnei Brak, with many Chassidim and Sephardi Chareidim from the city. Our group had Chassidim, Litvaks, Chabad and Sephardi Chareidim, from Yerushalayim, Bnei Brak, Beit Shemesh, Modiin Ilit, Betar Ilit, Tzfat and more. There were a number of remarkable stories. One person on the course, Baruch, is a member of the chevra kadisha from Elad. On October 8 and 9, he went to kibbutzim to help with the chessed shel emes. At one point, a hidden group of terrorists fired at him, and the group from the chevra kadisha managed to get away from the flying bullets. One remarkable participant Queens made aliyah from the U.S. just to take part in this program!

The people in my room were a typical cross-section of those who joined the program. Eliasaf is a graduate of Chevron Yeshiva who now works as a lawyer. Yehuda is a Gerrer Chassid from Bnei Brak with six children whose brother-in-law and father also had completed this program. Avi grew up as a Lelover Chassid, but now does not have Chassidish peyos but sends his daughter to Beis Yaakov. Yehuda is originally from Manchester and went to Gateshead and Mir Yeshiva and now lives in Yerushalayim. Mendy is a Chabad Chassid who got married last year; he’s originally from Tzfat and now lives in Yerushalayim.

Krav Maga and “Ani Maamin”

The training itself that we did is called rovai 02 and is the same training that all non-combat soldiers in the IDF begin with. The training includes technical aspects, like

first aid and how to operate a gun, and other aspects, such as learning about army discipline, the different units of the IDF, and the ranks in the army. Many of the physical aspects are more challenging in a group of men aged 25-50 – there is a reason people join the army usually when they are 18! After the day’s schedule of pushups, Krav Maga and gun training would end, most of us would crash into bed, absolutely exhausted. Other parts of the experience also pushed us in new ways; as we all scrubbed the floors and tidied our rooms in seven minutes, many of the married men said, “Don’t let my wife see this and get any ideas!” It is also quite a culture shock, but a big part of the experience, to go from professional and family life to not being on your own schedule and having orders shouted at you by commanders as young as 21. Everything from when you wake up to how long you have for meals is decided by your commanders, and it is quite an experience.

The program is run through the Minhelet Chareidim, the section of the army in charge of all Chareidi programs in the army, and great care is taken to make the program accommodating to those who are religious. When we arrived on base, the first thing that we had was a talk in the shul by the kashrus mashgiach of the base. He told us about the high standards of army kashrus in general and then listed five or six options of private mehadrin hashgachos that were available for anyone to choose – Machpud, Eidah Chareidis, Chabad Anash and more! Three tefillos a day in the shul was a given (that is an official right of all soldiers wherever they are in the army), and we also had an hour of learning after Maariv – either individual learning or a Shiur from a visiting Rav. All of our mefakdim (commanders), from the junior mefakdei kita to the more senior mefaked plugah, were religious. At our daily ceremony each morning, after singing “HaTikvah,” we would also sing “Ani Maamin.”

The culture part of the program was also catered to a Chareidi group. One evening, when there was a more fun program, involving physical and intellectual competitions between the different divisions of the program, the blasting background music was Chassidish music by Beri Weber and Lipa Shmeltzer. For the other soldiers on the base, it was definitely something they were not used to compared to typical Israeli army music!

Graduates of Shlav Bet since the war began have gone

on to do fascinating things.

“I was recently visiting some soldiers in Gaza,” said Rachamim Chugi, the head of the Shlav Bet program, “and someone calls out from a truck, ‘Chugi, thanks for Shlav Bet!’ The soldier was on one of the Shlav Bet programs at the beginning of the war and had really pushed hard to get into a particular logistics unit and was now driving a truck in Gaza!”

From spraying down planes in the Air Force to fixing cameras for tanks, graduates of Shlav Bet are in all sorts of units, all over the country. Many people from the program also go on to serve in the Rabbanut – this unit is involved in positions in kashrus hashgacha, as well as the unfortunate chessed shel emes that happens during the war. Many of

“I spoke to the Rebbe, who said that he wouldn’t tell me what to do, but if I felt I could maintain my ruchniyus, then that is a setting that I can go to.”

them have already served for months in Miluim.

One of the interesting things about the program is it’s almost like a language immersion course. The army is by far the biggest organization in Israel – it is massive, multi-faceted and literally has a sub language of its own, with ranks, units and abbreviations. When my friends joined the army 10 years ago, I got lost trying to follow their conversations. Experiencing the army and having classes explaining different aspects, even only for a few weeks, makes a huge difference in starting to understand things better. I feel the news now looks different to me than it did before; previously, I just saw a long list of titles and units, that didn’t mean anything to me, in news reports, and now it feels intelligible and meaningful. I even interact with people differently. For example, I always knew that

my second cousin was a senior officer in the reserves – but now after my training, I actually understand what he does!

As someone with a background in politics, it also became clearer to me the challenge Israel has to explain its story in the West. As one spends time in a military setting, it becomes clear that it is a whole world and way of thinking that most people in the West are today totally unaware of. The level of professionalism and skill required of even a basic combat soldier is remarkable. The types of situations they face are totally unlike anything most Western 18- and 19-year-olds will ever face. Western society (certainly in Europe) is largely devoid of a military culture – in Israel, most of the country has spent years in the army. Things that are obvious to Israelis require a lot of explaining to people who aren’t used to the military. The biggest language gap between Israel and the West might not be Hebrew versus English, but a military culture versus a non-military culture.

A number of soldiers also commented on how the program is an incredible lesson in mussar.

“I learned about the value of time,” said Meny, a Chabad Chassid. “But in the army you really learn the value of 30 seconds. If you are running late for the roll call and haven’t straightened your uniform, you suddenly realize how much you can do in that time! One day, our mefaked heard someone make a comment to the head of the kitchen that there was nothing to eat. Before we started training that day, he marched our whole machlaka to the kitchen, and brought out the head of the kitchen for all of us to applaud and say a thank you to him. The mefakdim really taught us middos as well as the technical training.”

A Change in Society?

One major topic of discussion among the group was whether we represented a more local phenomenon or a change within Chareidi society as a whole. Currently, only 10% of Chareidim serve in the IDF, and this has been a major point of tension for decades. This war has exacerbated the tensions – the Knesset is considering passing laws to increase the amount of army service soldiers and miluim Chareidim need to do, so there is a lot of political pressure to change the equation of Chareidim and the army. How does the Shlav Bet program, and the hundreds of participants in it, fit into this?

The learning night seder after Maariv

One aspect is that there is much more openness in the Chareidi community to older, more established Chareidim serving in the army than 18-year-olds.

“I don’t think I would have done this as a bochur,” said Yehuda, a 38-year-old Chassid from Bnei Brak. “Now, baruch Hashem, I am married with six children. I am established, I am working. When the war broke out, I didn’t see a reason now why I shouldn’t serve and do my part like everyone else.” (He is currently working on a base in central Israel repairing tanks engines.)

An increase in the number of people serving in this

Shlav Bet program in their mid-20s and 30s does not necessarily mean that there will be more 18-year-old Chareidim going to the army. However, in and of itself the Shlav Bet program is tremendously valuable. During this war, over 220,000 Israelis have been called up to serve as reservists. If thousands of Chareidim become trained as reservists, they are still able to make a meaningful contribution during this and future wars.

At our tekes siyum, our official swearing in ceremony to the IDF, Moshe Malayef, a Chabad Chassid from Kiryat Malachi, spoke:

“When the war started, we knew that we had to get up and defend our country. We are proud of who we are. We are Chareidim, and we are committed to defending Israel. We are Chareidim, and we are part of Israeli society. We are Chareidim, we are Israeli, we are brothers. Our message is clear: we call on others to join the IDF to defend our country together.”

These messages are incredibly important, and maybe symbolize that just as the IDF is not the same IDF as it was at the founding of the State, there are pockets of change within the Chareidi community, too.

Health & F tness

Nutrition for Child Athletes

By Aliza Beer MS, RD, CDN

Children may be full of energy, but it’s essential for them to maintain a proper nutritional intake to support themselves when participating in sports. Nutrition is an important part of their performance and allows for growth and development. Encouraging healthy eating habits early on can contribute to the overall well-being of children, supporting not only their sports performance but also their long-term health. Let’s discuss methods you can utilize to properly fuel your kids before sport games, share examples of healthy meals and snacks, and highlight the importance of hydration and sleep.

Eat a Variety of Foods

In order for your child to have enough energy, it’s important for them to eat healthy meals that include a variety of macronutrients and micronutrients. Macronutrients include carbohydrates, protein, and fats, and micronutrients include vitamins and minerals. Carbohydrates provide your child with energy or fuel for games. When choosing carbohydrates, opt for whole-grains like brown rice and wholewheat bread, and fruits and vegetables. Fat provides long-lasting energy since muscle burns through carbohydrates fast. Choose healthy fats like nuts, seeds, and avocado.

Protein is needed for muscle building and repair and can be found in fish, eggs, poultry, lean meat, beans, low-fat dairy products, and soy.

While all vitamins and minerals are essential for health, these are the key micronutrients to focus on for child athletes.

1. Calcium: Calcium is important for building strong bones to decrease the risk of fractures. Low-fat dairy products (like yogurt, cottage cheese, and milk), salmon, and leafy greens are great sources of calcium.

2. Vitamin D: Vitamin D is also critical for bone health, calcium absorption, and muscle function. Vitamin D can be found in eggs, mushrooms, and fortified breakfast cereals.

3. Iron: Iron is a component of hemoglobin which is needed to carry oxygen to different tissues and organs of the body. Adequate iron levels are essential for optimizing oxygen transport to working muscles during exercise. Sources of iron include beans, chickpeas, broccoli, sweet potatoes, beef, turkey, and chicken.

Here are examples of kid-friendly meals you can make that include these essential nutrients:

1. Yogurt parfait with low-fat Greek yogurt, fresh berries, chia seeds, ground

flaxseeds, and high-fiber cereal.

2. Whole-grain peanut butter sandwich and salad.

3. Whole-wheat grilled chicken wrap with mushroom soup.

4. Turkey meatballs with broccoli and whole grain pasta.

5. Avocado toast on whole wheat bread, and eggs with spinach, mushrooms, and onions.

It’s important to ask your kids what foods they prefer to eat since they’ll be less likely to eat a healthier meal if they dislike the foods in it! For example, if your child prefers chicken over turkey, substitute turkey meatballs with ground chicken instead.

Limit Sugary Foods

Try to limit giving your child foods that are high in added sugar. Sugary foods can be eaten in moderation but should not be their main source of energy. These include sport and energy drinks, soda, chips, cookies, candy, and chocolate. In excess, sugar can lead to obesity, high blood pressure, type II diabetes, and irritability.

Try these kid-friendly snack ideas with lower added sugar content:

1. Apples with peanut butter

2. Low-fat cheese with whole-grain crackers

3. Egg muffins with diced peppers and mushrooms

4. Frozen fruit popsicles

5. Dark chocolate

6. Hummus with baby carrots

Game Day Eats

On game days, your child’s performance will depend on the food they eat that day. Tips your child can use include:

• Eating a meal 3-4 hours before a game that includes healthy carbohydrates, protein, and fat.

• If a child wants to eat 3 hours or less before a game, they can have a lighter meal or snack that has easy-to-digest carbohydrates like crackers, bread, or fruit.

• Your child should eat within 30 minutes after the game to replenish energy and rebuild muscle.

Stay Hydrated

Adequate water intake is important for preventing dehydration. Physical exercise causes children to sweat and become worn out, which can affect their physical and mental performance. Your child should drink before, during, and after exercise. You can pack your child’s lunch bag with a refillable water bottle that has time-stamps of when they should drink. Buying low-cal-

orie or sugar-free flavored drinks can also be an option if it’s difficult for your child to only drink water. Sport drinks may be an option if the child is active for more than an hour, but water should generally be enough for most kids.

Encourage Healthy Sleeping Patterns

It’s tempting for kids to want to stay up late to watch TV, play video games, or talk to friends on the phone. While it’s important for your child to have downtime, it’s critical for them to get enough sleep as well. Sleep is important for child athletes since it plays a significant role in their physical, mental, and overall health.

Here are a few reasons why adequate sleep is crucial for child athletes:

1. Physical Recovery: During sleep, the body undergoes repair and recovery processes that are important for your child’s health. Getting enough sleep helps repair muscles, tissues, and bones, supporting children’s growth and development. Sleep is also essential for replenishing energy levels so that your child can wake up feeling refreshed and ready to participate in their school and sports activities.

2. Cognitive Function: Sleep is critical for cognitive functions such as memory,

attention, and decision-making. Children benefit from improved mental focus and reaction time when they get enough sleep, which can help improve their academic and sport performance.

3. Emotional Well-being: Lack of sleep can lead to mood swings, increases in anxiety and stress, and irritability. If

sistent wake-up times. This can establish consistency and regulate their body’s internal clock.

2. Creating a relaxing bedtime routine to signal to the child it’s time to wind down. This can be done by reading a book or by taking a warm shower or bath.

3. Making their sleep environment

On game days, your child’s performance will depend on the food they eat that day.

your child isn’t in a good headspace, it can impact their overall well-being and performance.

4. Optimal Performance: Children perform best at sports when they are well-rested. Their coordination, reaction times, and overall athletic skills will improve with proper sleep.

Since school and sports activities can be demanding for children, you should emphasize the importance of establishing consistent sleep routines for child athletes. A consistent sleep schedule can be done by:

1. Setting regular bedtimes and con-

comfortable so it’s easy for them to fall asleep. This can be done by providing your child with comfortable pillows and a comfortable mattress, appropriate room temperature, and minimal noise and light.

4. Being a role model to your kids can demonstrate good sleep habits by maintaining your own consistent sleep schedule. Children often learn from observing their parents’ behavior.

The American Academy of Sleep Medicine recommends the following guidelines for children:

a) Preschoolers (3-5 years): 10-13

hours per night

b) School-age children (6-12 years): 9-12 hours per night

c) Teenagers (13-18 years): 8-10 hours per night

In conclusion, making sure your child athlete has proper nutrition is essential for their overall health and performance. By promoting a well-balanced diet rich in carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins, and minerals, you can support your children’s growth and development. Limiting high-sugar snacks, encouraging hydration, and focusing on nutritious meals on game days contribute to sustained energy levels and optimal athletic performance. It’s also important to establish healthy sleep patterns, as adequate sleep supports physical recovery, cognitive function, emotional well-being, and overall athletic skills. All these tips will ensure not only immediate success in sports but also long-term health benefits.

Aliza Beer is a registered dietitian with a master’s degree in nutrition. She has a private practice in Cedarhurst, NY. Patients’ success has been featured on the Dr. Oz show. Aliza can be reached at alizabeer@gmail.com, and you can follow her on Instagram at @alizabeer

TJH Centerfold

The Eyes... They See

An “anagram” is a word (phrase or sentence) formed from another by rearranging its letters. For example, “angel” is an anagram of “glean.” In the following sentences, two numbers are given in each sentence that need to be replaced by words. Each word is an anagram of the other. The numbers represent how many letters are in the word (that is why the numbers are the same...aha, ding-dong). Ready, set, go:

1. We had driven over a (4) to find a restaurant that served key (4) pie.

2. Read further, and you’ll see that he (4) on the (4) of March.

3. I love fruits, especially (6) and sour (6)!

4. The raised (4) (4) listeners by making it possible for the crowd to see the speaker.

5. It is amazing how Joe (4) his (4) through his opponent’s guard to land a punch.

6. Her face became (4) when she thought that he was going to (4) from the balcony.

7. What a (4) life the gangster did (4).

8. He used a special (4) to break into the safe and make off with the (4).

9. He did not (6) vision in his right eye after the damage to his (6).

10. The (5) bit her when she leaned against the (5) tree.

9) retain, retina; 10) cobra, carob

4) dais, aids; 5) fits, fist; 6) pale, leap; 7) vile, live; 8) tool, loot;

1) mile, lime; 2) dies, Ides; 3) melons, lemons;

Answer:

You Gotta be Kidding Me!

After working for many years in the garment business, Bernie decides to retire. He tells his friends of his plans, and they ask him what he plans to do with his free time.

“Well,” he says, “I plan on joining the New York Athletic Club.”

“The New York Athletic Club? They’ll never let a Jew in there.”

“Just wait and see,” says Bernie.

So one day, after he retires, Bernie gets up in the morning and puts on a blue blazer with gold buttons. He buttons up a pinstriped shirt, dons a red tie, puts on khakis and tassel loafers, and heads out to the New York Athletic Club.

When he gets there, he is ushered into an ornate sitting room. The interviewer starts to ask Bernie some questions.

“Your name, sir?”

“It’s Bernard Stratenhaus, III,” Bernie answers.

“And your profession?”

“Well, I’m retired now, but I used to own a boutique advertising firm on Park Avenue in the City.”

The interviewer nods.

“Are you married?”

“Yes, my wife Mary is very active in the Junior League.”

“Do you have any children?”

“Yes,” Bernie responds, “we have two children –Chip and Bunny. They are both attending Harvard and Yale, respectively, and should be graduating with honors.”

“And your religion?” the interviewer asks.

“Oh, yes,” Bernie replies. “We’re goyim.”

Signs That You are From Oklahoma

U It doesn’t bother you to use an airport named for a man who died in an airplane crash. (Will Rogers World Airport in Oklahoma City is named for...you guessed it… Will Rogers, who died in a plane crash.)

U You have used the phrase “fixin’ to” during the last three days.

U Someone you know has used a football schedule to plan their wedding date.

U You’ve been excused from school because “the cows got out.”

U You can recall hot summers by the year they happened easier than you can remember your mother’s birthday.

U You have owned at least one belt buckle bigger than your fist.

U A bad traffic jam involves two cars staring each other down at a four-way stop, each determined to be the most polite and let the other go first.

U You aren’t surprised to find lunch, ammunition, and bait all in the same store.

Riddle Me This

U Your “place at the lake” has wheels under it.

U A Mercedes Benz is not a status symbol. A Ford F150 4x4 is.

U The toothbrush is a family heirloom handed down from one generation to the next.

U When the tornado siren goes off, you go into the yard to gather up the old kitchen sinks.

U The ironing board doubles as the buffet table at family gatherings.

U You crossed state lines on more than one occasion to get beer.

U You learned how to shoot a gun before you learned how to do multiplication and division.

U You have had this conversation: “You wanna Coke?” “Yeah.” “What kind?” “Dr. Pepper.”

A man drank some spiked fruit punch at a party and then left later on. Other people at the party who drank the same punch died of food poisoning. How did the first man escape death?

Answer: The poison was frozen in the ice cubes in the punch, which gradually melted later on. The man drank the punch while they were still frozen and so he was saved. When the other partiers drank the punch with the melted, poisoned ice cubes, they were poisoned.

Notable Quotes

“Say What?!”

Me hate shrinkflation! Me cookies are getting smaller. Guess me going to have to eat double da cookies!

- Tweet from the official X account of Cookie Monster

No Palestinian helped to build Auschwitz. No Palestinian stood on the docks of New York City, when boatloads of Jewish refugees tried to escape the Holocaust, came here, to be protected by this country, and were turned away from the docks in New York, and sent back to Germany to die. No Palestinian did that, no Palestinian ran the Spanish Inquisition.

- Left-wing-lunatic activist Michael Moore on MSNBC claiming that the Palestinian terrorists who committed the worst imaginable atrocities on October 7 are not the real enemies of the Jews because in the past they were not the ones who hurt the Jews

Your enemy is not the Palestinian people. It is White, Christian European people, who have been slaughtering Jews for the last 2,000 years.

- Ibid.

Newcomers

- The term that the Biden administration now uses for uses for illegal immigrants

[The Jews] planned to take control of Germany. They started to bring down Germany in terms of the economy and moral values. Hitler reacted by making the Jews go on the streets and lick the sidewalks. They know this very well... Let me say this loud and clear – the Jews distorted many verses in the Torah, in order to make them more agreeable for them. I do not want to cite examples, because some people might consider me an antisemite, although it is us Arabs who are Semites, not them.

- Yasser Abu Sido, an official with Palestinian Authority (PA) chairman Mahmoud Abbas’ Fatah faction, in a TV interview (thankfully he didn’t say more; if he did, we may think that he’s an anti-Semite!)

Now, despite Biden’s prediction, both Hamas and Israel say they’re not actually close to a ceasefire. But I’m not surprised that Biden was so optimistic: When you’re holding a freshly scooped ice cream cone, everything feels like it’s going to be OK. That’s why it’s the official food of telling your kid you’re getting a divorce.

—

Michael Kosta, The Daily Show

Speaking of former President Trump, today the Supreme Court unanimously ruled that Colorado is not allowed to remove him from the 2024 ballot. Then out of habit, Trump immediately appealed the decision. He’s like, “This is a witch — oh, wait a minute, OK.”

— Jimmy Fallon

This is what happens when we let an extra from “Home Alone 2” pick three Supreme Court justices.

— Jimmy Kimmel bemoaning a unanimous U.S Supreme Court decision that essentially stated that just because officials in some states don’t like Trump, it is undemocratic for them to remove him from the ballot

The Supreme Court has betrayed democracy. Its members including Jackson, Kagan and Sotomayor have proved themselves inept at reading comprehension. And collectively, the “court” has shown itself to be corrupt and illegitimate. It must be dissolved.

– Tweet by left-wing pundit Keith Olbermann

So women [of] color have poor reading skills and can’t compete with the brain power of a white man like you? Wow, Keith.

- One of many tweets in reply

Dissolve the separation of powers to save democracy?

- Ibid.

In Major Blow to Democracy, Supreme Court Rules Voters Can Vote for Favorite Candidate - Satire site Babylon Bee headline

America is a sticky-fingered nation built on stolen land, and its current moral panic is about shoplifting. It’s not just a worry in Columbia Heights. All over the country, from sea to shining CVS, there are concerns about petty theft.

- Washington Post reporter Maura Judkis arguing that it’s not a big deal that people are stealing to the point of stores not being able to function since our ancestors stole American land from the Native Americans

Board AF1, take nap.

Wake up in place called Brownsville.

Read large teleprompter message, “It’s all Trump’s fault.”

Board AF1, ask who people in green uniforms were, told they “strap” illegal aliens, express horror, take nap.

Wake up, call a lid, hit beach, take nap.

- Tweet by the Border Patrol Union about Pres. Biden visiting the border last week

I was drunk and probably high.

- Hunter Biden during closed-door testimony before the House Oversight Committee claiming that a shakedown message that he sent a China businessman in which he says that his father was sitting right near him was not accurate and he only sent it because he was strung out on crack and booze

As someone who has negotiated a thing or two on the global stage, I can say unequivocally that Joe Biden committed negotiating malpractice when he publicly predicted [in an ice cream shop] that there would be a hostage deal by the “end of the weekend” .… For the leader of the free world to make such a prediction, he ups the bargaining position of Hamas which now sees itself in a position to determine whether the President comes across as a hero or a liar. Hamas should never hold that card — it will play it for all it can.

- Former Ambassador to Israel David Friedman

I’ll always take the word of our ally over a group of cowards that hide in tunnels behind civilians and hold children, women and elderly hostage since Oct. 7… [The media] also blamed the hospital rocket hit on Israel; it was proven to be a Hamas ally. Never let evidence or facts get in your way.

- Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pa.) tweeting after the media immediately blamed Israel for a stampede in Gaza

I was just stood there when my coat got caught, and up I went.

- Anne Hughes, 71, of Wales, talking to reporters after a video went viral showing her being lifted about a dozen feet off the ground when her coat got caught in a store’s opening security shutters

People say it could happen to anyone. No, it could only happen to me! It’s just lucky I’ve got a good sense of humor.

– Ibid.

I’ll never hear the end of it. My boss has said he’s never liked his staff hanging around.

-Ibid.

I used to think Palestinians were good people, like you and me. That Hamas were thugs who got in the way of the population’s desire for a good life: a pretty home, a good car, a good job, a nice yard, good schools for the children. After October 7, I realized I was wrong. Just as the Israeli government represents Israelis, Hamas represents the people of Gaza.

- Irit Lahav, who survived the attack on Kibbutz Nir Oz, in an interview with The Times of Israel , disclosing that although she used to be a peacenik and would volunteer for Palestinian causes, she no longer sees peace as an option

All of the people of Gaza, all of them, hate us to a degree where they would murder babies and pillage our property with zero compunction.

- Ibid.

THE BJH PRESENTS: A BOOST OF “INSPIRATION”

A Snippet From Judaism’s Number One Podcast

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

Inspiration From Inside Gaza: Soldiers Retell Seeing God’s Hand

Israel’s IDF soldiers, R’ Shlomo Rayman & R’ Noam White are seeing the hand of G-d in Gaza. Rabbi Shlomo Rayman learns and teaches at Yeshivat Lev Hatorah and is the Educational Director at NCSY Israel. He lives in Ramat Beit Shemesh with his wife and two children.

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.

“We need to rid the world of evil despite the heavy costs.”

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.

Director at NCSY Israel. He lives in Ramat Beit Shemesh with his wife and two children.

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.

Rabbi Noam White is a rebbe in Yeshivat HaHesder Lev HaTorah and assistant director of Lev LaChayal. He lives in Neria with his wife and their three children.

up for about 2 km on each side and reservists pouring into the base. He was shocked at how fast people were responding. He arrived home, prepared his equipment, and at about 11 pm, they got the call to go down to the base.

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.

Noam White was born in New Rochelle, New York, and made aliya in 2010. He was drafted into the army in 2012 in a special forces unit and served as a sniper. He has been serving in miluim (reserves) with the same group he trained with for the past 13 years. On October 7th he and his family were with his inlaws in Efrat. He was in shul at 8.15 a.m. when the emergency readiness team of the community announced terrorist activity in the south with rockets being fired and that they should go home to make sure their families were near the bomb shelter. Because he is in active service of the reserves, he turned on his phone. He saw WhatsApp texts from the commander to get his equipment together, and be ready to be called down to the base. At about 11.15 he left Efrat to go home. Driving along the way he saw many people in reserve uniforms and began to realize how big this event must be. Passing a reserve base he saw cars backed

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.

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.

Shlomo was born in Teaneck New Jersey. When he was 14 his family moved to Israel. He went to a Hesder Yeshiva program for high school where yeshiva studying is combined with the army. He was in combat engineering for a year and 4 months and since then has done reserve duty. On October 7th hearing sirens, he checked his phone to see if he was being called up. The next morning driving down to his base he saw cars parked on the side of the road and wondered what was going on. He was unable to focus on the news at the time because he had a potential mission and he still hasn’t dealt with everything that happened on October 7th.

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.

Shlomo says that in Gaza it changes all the time. In the beginning, it was very scary and then he got used to it. He is back with his friends from the army with nothing to remind him of his regular life. Without their phones they are disconnected from everything and being disconnected is more jaunting than being in Gaza. He says certain aspects were scarier than expected whilst others were much more light-hearted than expected.

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.

explosions got louder and the smell of smoke and rotting flesh felt like walking into Gehenom. They walked in the pitch black on a path a bulldozer had made for them and suddenly the smell changed to that of a lemon orchard. The citrusy smell reminded him of the story of Yosef being taken down to Egypt, how Hashem took care of a tzaddik then and he felt Hashem was watching over them now.

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.

There are a couple of frum guys with Noam but mostly they are not religious. However, everyone is there for the same reason. There is a beautiful feeling of achdus and a readiness to fight for Am Yisroel. Together with the love and support of Am Yisroel, this is the most beautiful thing he experienced. Even an atheist remarked after a miracle occurred that he didn’t believe in G-d but recognized the miracle. Shlomo feels the unity in the army always existed as in uniform everyone looks identical. Knowing that Am Yisroel is one and takes care of each other gives them much chizuk.

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.

Noam shared that he still cannot believe that he saw a UN school being used for terrorism. They found it to be a Hamas command center from which attacks had been planned and rockets directed into Israel, and evidence that hostages had been held prisoner there.

The first casualty that Shlomo experienced was the day before Chanukah when a soldier was killed by a sniper. They wondered how to go from this tragedy to lighting Chanukah candles a few hours later. However, they remembered that the miracle of Chanukah was that after tragedy we get up and keep going.

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.

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.

Noam witnessed a miracle when they were supposed to go on a mission on a Shabbos afternoon around 3.30 p.m. Suddenly the mission was pushed off and when they heard explosions, they realized it was enemy fire and the building where they should have been was hit. He felt the hand of Hashem more than any other moment.

Shlomo added that terrible things are happening to Palestinians. We have to look at the bigger picture and destroy Hamas to help the Palestinians who are victims just as much as we are. We need to rid the world of evil despite the heavy costs and people “need to open their eyes to reality”. Until you have seen the tunnels in playgrounds and the use of human shields you cannot understand evil.

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. “

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.

Shlomo relates that while carrying 50 kg on his back and walking into Gaza for about 10 km, the

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.”

Shlomo and Noam agreed that their biggest challenge has been knowing that their family is worrying about them. The experience of his family back home is much harder and they are the real heroes. The hardest part of the experience is saying goodbye not knowing if you will come back. They just pretend everything will be fine. The whole war has been balancing contradictory emotions.

Dating Dialogue What Would You Do If…

Moderated by Jennifer Mann, LCSW of The Navidaters

Dear Navidaters,

To give you some background, I am 23, have been dating for three years, and am more yeshivish than my family. I have three sisters who all married YU guys, much more on the Modern Orthodox side. I am dating a guy (I’ll call him Yoni) who is learning full time. I have a job as a bookkeeper in my father’s business and I’m paid well and work well with my dad.

My relationship with Yoni feels different than any of my other previous ones. I really feel like this could be it. As we approach our eighth date, my parents are breathing down my back constantly about whether I have thought this through. Do I really want to marry a guy who does not have a degree? Do I really want to support him while he learns? Their questions don’t end. They’ve always been good parents and involved, but in this situation, I feel like they are off base. I’m sure that this is what I want, but I can’t emotionally handle their judgments and questions. The worst part about it is feeling like my parents are looking down on me. What do you recommend?

Thank you,

Shani*

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.

The Panel

The Rebbetzin

Rebbetzin Faigie Horowitz, M.S.

Shani, there are several issues here that bear addressing.

One is marrying a young man who doesn’t have specific plans for parnassah. Have you discussed this in depth with Yoni? Are you afraid to discuss this with him? What are his expectations? Do you have confidence that the two of you will figure out a plan for parnassah that can sustain a family?

Two is the learning lifestyle. Have you seen what a kollel lifestyle is close up? Do you know what is involved? Not just when it is newlyweds. Have you seen this a few years out? Do you know about costs, budgets, rent, etc.?

Three is shouldering responsibilities.

All couples do this. It can be reasonably argued that if you wanted a full-time learner, what was your preparation for the financial end of it. Most young women who marry boys like Yoni go for higher education which will enable them to enter higher paying professions. What were you planning?

Fourth is the feeling that your family members are looking down at you. Your family members believe that you haven’t prepared at all for this lifestyle by choosing to be a bookkeeper in a family business. Their sense of your inadequate preparation makes them come across as doubting your maturity.

Think, talk to Yoni, educate yourself, and more. Take your time in this relationship. You have to identify why you like him and whether the two of you have what it takes to build a life for which you may not be prepared. You may not be ready for a commitment to the lifestyle he wants to live.

The Shadchan

Michelle Mond

“Love is blinding” is one of the most common and cliche sayings that go along with dating. Your relationship with Yoni is clouding the past 23 years of love and care your parents have given to you. Suddenly, you feel like their advice and questions are “off base.” I urge you to recognize though, that their questions and advice are all coming from a place of care, concern, and love.

It is hard to ascertain this from your letter,but hear me out. If you have high class taste, and have always lived a more affluent lifestyle, the thought of supporting a full-time learner might sound totally ideal. To you. Your father, however, is thinking of whom you may think is going

You may not be ready for a commitment to the lifestyle he wants to live.

to support this lifestyle, which most likely will be him. If that is not within his means or ability, then it is absolutely his business to make sure you understand what you’re doing.

I have heard too many stories of women who settle down with someone learning only, without a plan for parnassah, who end up suffering immensely because they were not prepared. Absolutely nobody wins in those cases. The bochurim

who are learning feel resented because their wives are unhappy, the wives are resentful because they still want to shop at their favorite high-end boutiques, and the parents have to remortgage their homes to help their kids’ shalom bayis.

One can think that the kollel life is beautiful, however, you may not be cut out for living it. Just as not every young man is cut out for the learning in kollelfull-time-as-long-as-possible life, not every young woman is cut out for that lifestyle. Do you think your parents haven’t heard about these stories? You have to understand where they are coming from. Frankly, just the fact that you do not understand where they are coming from concerns me.

If this is a completely thought-out decision and you have a game plan, thoughtfully communicate it with your parents while also validating their concerns. Come to them with a thought-out game plan. Discuss with Yoni what his plan for making a living eventual-

Dly will be and bring that as part of the equation.

I am hopeful that as soon as you relay all of these thought-out details to your parents, showing them you have a plan of action, they will ease up a lot.

The Single Tzipora Grodko

Your parents are doing what parents do best – worry and care for the wellness of their children. I understand their concern as they want to ensure you have financial security and will be taken care of. All the questions you mentioned lead to significant lifestyles that are financial sacrifices for the sake of a kollel life. As with any relationship or lifestyle choice, these questions are a big deal. Since they

Pulling It All Together

The Navidaters

Dating and Relationship Coaches and Therapists

ear Shani,

Thank you for your email! I can certainly appreciate your feelings for Yoni and wanting your feelings and visions for your adult future validated or at the least respected. It never feels good to be consistently questioned.

I feel a little silly offering you areas of exploration in light of you being questioned by your parents, but still, I would be remiss if I didn’t ask you about your process…

There are many women who love living this lifestyle. They truly believe

in their choice and are con- tent with the burden of being sole breadwinner be - cause they believe it is for a greater purpose. They truly believe in the reason behind their supporting their husbands – so he can learn Torah. Is this something you 1,000 percent believe in? I think a basic tenant of this life working is that you are fully on board not only in your feelings for Yoni but that you believe strongly in what Yoni is doing. There are other women who

are trying to support you in your decision, I would recommend trying to work with them instead of against them. If this is the choice you’re making, ask them how you can make it work in a responsible way.

They care so much about you. All of these concerns are a manifestation of that.

The Zaidy

Dr. Jeffrey Galler

Torah is certainly our greatest treasure, and it is very admirable for you and your boyfriend to consider devoting yourselves to a life of Torah study.

Please consider the following:

1. Have you and the young man discussed how long he will be studying fulltime?

2. Have you discussed how he will eventually earn a living?

3. Will he be going into chinuch

I would recommend trying to work with them instead of against them.

(Jewish education) eventually?

4. Will you still be working full-time after, be”H, you are blessed with raising a family?

5. Will your father be working in his business, and continue to pay your salary, for the next 40 years?

6. Have the boy’s parents indicated that they plan to help you financially?

7. Will it bother you emotionally, if and when your sisters are financially better off than you and enjoy a more affluent lifestyle than you?

I do not mean to discourage you by posing these questions, but it is important for you to know what you’re getting yourself into.

have taken on this lifestyle who are very unhappy and resentful because it is an awfully large responsibility to shoulder alone.

Something to ask Yoni is: “If the responsibility of supporting the family becomes too much for me down the line, how would you feel about that?” These are things couples of every walk of life should discuss before getting engaged.

Your parents may truly be overbearing or not going about this in the right way, but do they have valid concerns? Have you thought about how you will support yourselves? Will anyone be helping you financially? If not, are you prepared to live a modest life without the comforts you are accustomed to?

Ultimately, we all are entitled to make our own decisions and ultimately for parents, we need to come alongside our children and be supportive (that doesn’t mean financially necessarily; but emotionally).

I recommend you speak with people living this life and get a sense of what it is like for them. I want you to have a full, real ,and honest picture before you make the biggest decision of your life.

If you are truly ready to take this on because you share this value with Yoni, I hope your parents will accept this and offer you oodles of emotional support.

Sincerely, 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.

Bush

Jordana Klein’s art has been displayed in the Israeli Knesset and on the pages of Vogue, GQ, and House & Garden magazines. The American-born Israeli artist was the Artist-in-Residence at the 5th Quarter Art Gallery in the Cardo, the ancient Roman street inside Jerusalem’s Old City, from 2014 to 2017.

Klein speaks using Facebook Live from the studio inside her one-floor house in Modiin, Israel. In the background are cubbies with her artistic challah covers and other pieces of Judaica.

“We have them sorted in every room in our house,” she chuckles.

She was awoken by sirens at midnight that day we spoke, warning of incoming missiles fired by Hamas. She didn’t get to the safe room in her home this time but is OK. In the past, she’s heard the booms of Israel’s Iron Dome shooting down Hamas’s missiles.

Three soldiers who lived on the same block Klein did in Ramat Shemesh from 1998 until 2023 have died in this war.

Klein is doing “a whole series of war paintings now. Somehow, the emotions are coming to me. I don’t know what I’m going to paint when I sit down for these war paintings.”

One of her paintings has the names and ages of all the Israeli children kidnapped by Hamas on October 7.

“Here you have very childlike lethal colors and movements. You look at it, and it just feels like an explosion at a birthday party of confetti,” she explains.

“And in one way, those kids’ lives are frozen at that moment, the moment before. They will never again be nine years old if they went in there as a nine-year-old. They will be a mini-adult to deal with the trauma forever. It’s capturing the joy of who they are and the sadness that was taken away from them – that their childhood ended on that day.”

She adds, “Israelis are very resilient. There are Israelis who strongly believe that they will recover and that you can recover from such a thing because it’s a country that’s done it before. So they’re not going to say that their childhood ended but they certainly pivoted and they’re certainly not going to be as easy and gleeful.”

Painting the Jewish Journey

Jordana Klein, World Class Judaica Artist

By davId schneIer

Klein is “trying to convey as many scenes from the war as I can without being literal and to get the feeling across more than anything else.… It’s really hard to paint atrocities without being something nobody could look at.”

Klein gets notes from people after posting her paintings online saying that “it’s helping them deal with their emotions. It’s a way for them to process their grief.”

Painting is also helping Klein work through her own trauma. She is thankful but feels guilty her three sons are not currently in the Israeli Army while so many of her friends’ children are. Klein said it’s her job to communicate other people’s pain.

“This is what makes me cope,” she says.

From Long IsL and to IsraeL

Klein smiles often and is open to questions and conversation. She wears a royal blue blouse with white flowers that is not flashy. Down-to-earth seems an apt description of Klein.

She is the daughter of Rabbi Benjamin Blech who led the Young Israel of Oceanside for 37 years. Rabbi Blech has been teaching at Yeshiva University since 1996 and has written 16 books.

Rabbi Benjamin Blech received semicha from HaRav Joseph Soloveitchik.

“Rabbi Soloveitchik’s Judaism was beautiful,” says Klein. “It was philosophical and psychological. It was almost like life coaching. What does this parsha teach us in relation to what’s going on in the world this week?

“So, to me, Judaism and the Torah is the best self-help book in the world.”

Rabbi Benjamin Blech is the 10th consecutive generation of rabbis in the family. His father was the rosh yeshiva of Mesivta Toras Emes in Brooklyn. Rabbi Benjamin Blech’s son, Ari, received semicha in 2020, continuing the rabbinical dynasty.

the Young Israel of Oceanside. Joel conveyed a Judaism “only positive, only beautiful. He used to play the accordion for us – like who plays the accordion anymore?”

Twice a year, when she was younger, Jordana met non-religious Jews at five-day seminars at hotels. Richard Joel ran the seminars so religious Jews “could talk kid-tokid.” Jordana listened to the questions from the non-religious children – like why tragedies happen – which made Klein think hard and go to her father for answers.

Having gone to the Hebrew Academy of Long Beach and the Hebrew Academy of the Five Towns influenced her art.

HALB “focused a lot on Judaism as being happy, holidays, etc. We learned the mitzvot, what we can do, and what we couldn’t do. There was singing. It was a nice atmosphere. There was nothing to scare you.”

Jordana earned a bachelor’s degree from Yeshiva University in Political Science and Fine Arts and a master’s from Columbia University in International Politics. Her summer internship was at the prestigious think tank, the Council on Foreign Relations. Her research assignment was how and why Israel was surprised by the Yom Kippur War in 1973. Her report was used as a case study at Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government.

“Unfortunately, this situation [of October 7] mimics quite a bit of what happened then,” she said.

Jordana was a vice president at Bank Leumi and her husband, Aryeh, was a lawyer at a top law firm, Proskauer, Rose LLP, when they made aliyah in 1997. Aryeh now works in Israel as a lawyer affiliated with a U.S. law firm.

Richard Joel, past president of Yeshiva University, was Jordana’s Youth Director at

Klein was “thinking or hoping” about getting involved in Israeli politics, but her eldest son was disabled, which required a lot of her attention. Klein took various part-time jobs so she could take care of him while also earning some money.

“That’s what you do,” she shrugs.

The Kleins have three sons: Ilan played for the Israel Baseball League and is finishing his engineering degree; Shai re -

Jordana Klein

 Burning

Names of Children Hostages

cently moved to Florida and is getting married; Adin is at Hebrew University in Jerusalem.

a LaBor oF Love

Starting at age 8 and until the end of high school, Jordana and her friend, Naomi Skolnick, took drawing and painting classes with Mrs. Page in the basement of Jordana’s home.

“I love doing it, and it was easier than sending me to a psychologist,” she quips.

Klein took classes at art schools at Parsons, the Fashion Institute of Technology, the School of Visual Arts, and the New School. While taking Advanced Painting at the Israel Museum in 2002, her teacher told Klein she should be selling her art.

“I never wanted to do art professionally in an industry. I wanted my art to be my own. So, I am not going to illustrate a book, and I’m not going to be a graphic artist. That’s just not what my art is to me. I just want to paint what I want to paint.”

Klein now does four to six paintings at the same time.

“At least one of them has to be a very different style.”

She wants the colors and the feelings “to be alive.”

“There are certain themes I paint over and over again in different ways. I love Jacob’s ladder because you physically see where man is and the heavens and the connection. We are connected to a bond. There’s always an opening. I love that.”

She paints the “Burning Bush” a lot. She compares it to “where we are in Israel right now. The bush burned but was not destroyed. That was G-d’s little warning for us. Not to just to prove to Moshe that’s who He (G-d) was but I take from it, strength.”

She shares, “I love Creation. The order in which things were created is fascinating…. I don’t have to prove anything that happened in the Torah. It’s there for a reason.”

Fibromyalgia and other health issues have Klein officially classified as disabled now by the State of Israel. Klein rarely leaves her home in Modiin because it exhausts her. Her husband, Aryeh, does the shopping, cooking, and cleaning. It leaves her “free to focus all my energy on my art.”

The current state of the Israeli public health system is beyond a doubt the toughest thing she and her husband have faced since making aliyah in 1997.

“It’s capturing the joy of who they are and the sadness that was taken away from them - that their childhood ended on that day.”

It takes months to see a doctor, to get an MRI, to wait for the results of an MRI. “It’s not what it used to be. It used to be so good.” The Israeli health system has also been inundated since the start of the Gaza War.

Klein needs 11 hours of rest and napping but does art “most of my waking hours, when I am strong enough, because I love it and it gives me sustenance.”

Klein’s art is neither abstract nor stark realism. People will understand what’s there. Half of her paintings are nature-themed, and the rest are Jewish, Biblical, or Israel-themed. “Anything can inspire me,” she says. “I like everything because everything interconnects in our lives in different ways.”

She adds, “No matter what I’m painting, it’s always emotional. So it’s like Expressionist and Impressionist with my own kind of bold colors thrown in because it’s just alive.”

This year, Klein has put her art onto kiddush cups. In the past, kiddush cups were mostly made of silver “but with the fine wine that they have nowadays, it doesn’t taste good with metal.” Her kiddush cups are ceramic “so it’s sturdier and it’s covered with my art.”

All of her Judaica items were paintings before technology made it possible to transpose them onto kiddush cups, challah boards, and other Judaica. “I don’t create the challah tray. I create the artwork,” she says. “I choose which paintings might be appropriate to print on a material.”

She wants the story of Bereishis, lighting Shabbat candles, “to be on the table. I want my art to be the challah tray. I want my art to be the challah cover.”

Klein’s art is “very popular, especially with the youth today, because of the immense color that she puts in all the items she makes,” shares Aaron Fulda, head of Direct Sales and Wholesales at the Jerusalem-based JudaicaWebstore.com, a marketplace selling Klein’s art.

Brides and grooms often put her art on their wedding registries. Her seder plates, challah boards, and challah covers are the bestsellers.

“Most of our artists are born in Israel. She’s one of the few exceptions… She’s an excellent artist,” said Tsvi Shain, a customer service representative at the JudaicaWebStore.com.

Klein’s silver-plated Jerusalem necklaces are new additions to their online store.

Jordana asserts, “Color is how you tell the story.”

To see more of Jordana Klein’s artwork or for more information, go to jordanaklein.com or judaicawebstore.com.

 Shabbos Table Challah Cover

 Kotel

Gedolei Yisrael from All Over the World Converge on Vienna for Historic Inaugural Amud HaYomi Siyum

100 Years After Daf HaYomi Inaugurated in Vienna, a New “Yomi” Takes Klal Yisrael by a Storm

By Chaim Gold

“This historic maamid transpiring now, in a place where history was previously made, is a maamid that continues the legacy of Torah bequeathed to us right here by the Chofetz Chaim, the Gerer Rebbe, Rav

chizuk

In addition to the actual maamad of the siyum, which was the heartbeat of the whirlwind journey, powerful tefillah rallies were held at the tziunim of the Chasasm Sofer and the Ksav Sofer in Pressburg, and at the tziunim of the

Chaim Ozer, the Chortkover Rebbe and Rav Meir Shapiro, who established the Daf HaYomi in Vienna one-hundred years ago. This is the place where Klal Yisrael came together in unity, the olam hayeshivos and the olam hachassidus joining forces to increase kavod haTorah.”

“Just look at how many thousands of people have begun to learn the Amud HaYomi! It is my hope that more and more will join for Masechta Shabbos.”

Those words were the beginning of the seminal speech of HaGaon HaRav Dovid Cohen, shlita, Rosh Yeshivas Chevron at the Sofiensäle Hall in Vienna, the same hall where the Knessiah Gedolah was made in the same city, Vienna, where the Daf HaYomi was established one hundred years ago.

Rav Cohen’s drasha along with those of numerous Gedolei HaTorah V’Hachassidus, Ashkenazim and Sefardim was but one highlight of a historic journey filled with highlight after highlight and climax after climax.

The maamad of the siyum attended by leading senior Gedolei Yisrael, Ashkenazim, Sefardim and Chasssidim of all types, all unified under the Torah banner of Dirshu, was a deeply emotionally and inspiring maamad of

famed Chortkover Rebbe and HaGaon HaRav Yosef Engel in the old beis hakevaros in Vienna and the next day at the tziun of Rav Shayele of Keristier.

Rav Dovid Hofstedter: The Call Of The Hour Is To Connect Am Yisrael With The Torah Hakedoshah

In a drasha that was in essence a shiur klali on the power that Torah has to enable Klal Yisrael to withstand the ravages of galus and continue to thrive, Rav Dovid Hofstedter, Dirshu’s Nasi, said, “We always felt and hoped that the terrible tzaros that we heard about from our forbearers belonged to a different era. Tragically, Jewish blood is being spilled again. The world is trembling again.

Rav Hofstedter explained that if we see the world trembling it is a sign that our bond with the Torah is weak. The purpose of this new limud, the Amud HaYomi, is to connect all of Am Yisrael through undertaking more learning, more iyun and more clarity.

“All the Gedolim are telling us that the call of the hour is to connect Am Yisrael with the Torah hakedoshah We must invest all our kochos to connect Yidden with the Amud HaYomi. From Brooklyn to Bnei Brak, from London to Lakewood, from Buenos

Aires to Beitar, and from Monsey to Melbourne!

“It is our task to go from kehillah to kehillah opening new shiurim and new chaburos. We cannot afford to be weak. Even when we feel there is no koach, we must declare that there IS

I am privy to many difficulties in the area of shalom bayis. I have repeatedly seen that in a home where the husband learns Torah and has goals in Torah, learns in programs where he must take tests, this very discipline is so helpful in shalom bayis! How many homes

koach!!

Torah Fireworks in Vienna!

What transpired at the completion of the Kaddish could aptly be described as fireworks! The simchas haTorah! The entire Sofiensäle Auditorium burst out in song as the venerated Rabbanim on the mizrach held hands and began to dance together in a profound outburst of simchas haTorah

During the spirited dancing together with the gedolim, there were no Sephardim and no Ashkenazim, no Chassidim and no Litvish bnei Torah, there was no Europeans, no Americans and no Israelis, there was just one unified body of the Am Hashem fused as one as they danced with Hashem and His Torah.

With great emotion, HaRav Binyomin Finkel, shlita, Mashgiach of Yeshivas Mir, Yerushalayim said, “If we want to know what we can do during this difficult time for Klal Yisrael,” Rav Finkel exclaimed, “If we want to know how we can restore the nefesh of Klal Yisrael, the answer is: one more amud Gemara! One more daf Gemara! Learn Torah with a bit more depth, with a bit more breadth! Learn Torah, even if it is difficult for you to learn.

Rav Yechiel Mechel Steinmetz senior Skverer Dayan said, “As a dayan,

have been saved or enhanced due to Dirshu’s many programs?! How many homes were illuminated by Torah learned in these programs?!

The entire evening was interspersed with a combination of lively and inspiring music. HaGaon HaRav Nissan Kaplan, shlita, Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshiva Daas Aharon, explained that the Baal HaTurim describes the keruvim facing each other as ‘two chaveirim learning Torah together.’ He doesn’t say two talmidei chachomim. No. He says two chaveirim. I think this is the secret of Dirshu.” emphasized Rav Nissan. “Dirshu brings each of its lomdim together as chaveirim Lomdei Dirshu are part of a special club. The beauty of Torah is when it is learned together as chaveirim, with a shared sense of mission and friendship. That is what you see at every Dirshu gathering. It is a chevra

“What must come out from this special maamid held here in Vienna, where the Chofetz Chaim, the Imrei Emes, the Chortkover Rebbe and Rav Meir Shapiro, all called, ‘Mi L’Hashem eilai.’ We must also call ‘Mi L’Hashem eilai!’ If you have not joined yet, now is the time to join the Amud HaYomi!

Forgotten Her es Jewish Decorated Soldiers in World War II

By Avi Heiligman

To maintain an army in a time of peace, it takes many people to train, supply and support the soldiers that could be called upon at any time to fight. In times of war, that number increases dramatically, and civilians are inducted into the military to fill the ranks. As the United States prepared to enter World War II, the amount of soldiers in the armed forces increased, and many Jews from all backgrounds entered into all of the branches and units of the American military. Approximately 550,000 Jewish service members were in the military during the war, and several stood out for outstanding service both on and off the battlefield.

LST, Landing Ship Tanks, were ships designed to land tanks, other vehicles and materials as well as troops in support of amphibious landings. They contained doors on the bow that opened to allow them to offload cargo on almost any beach. These ships were deployed across the globe, and around 1,000 were built. LST-541 was under the command of Jewish officer Lieutenant Louis Silver of the United States Naval Reserve. He was with the ship during the D-Day landings and made the trip under enemy fire. The ship made ten trips across the English Channel in support of the invasion of France. Lt. Silver had previously served on the aircraft carrier USS Wasp and observed the takeoff of Doolittle’s Raid in Japanese waters in April 1942. Later in the war, he was given command of another LST and at the end of the war was

serving in the Pacific.

Many Jewish servicemen and women served in medical units during the war. Israel Rimer from Salem, Massachusetts, was with the medical detachment of the 253rd Infantry Regiment, 63rd Infantry Division.

On February 17, 1945, the regiment was fighting near Ruermacher, Germany, when a soldier was seriously wounded on top of the hill on the far side of a river. Facing heavy machine gun and sniper fire, Rimer reached the wounded soldier, administered first aid, and evacuated him to the near side of the river. For his heroic actions, Rimer was awarded the Silver Star.

During the last year of the war, many Jewish soldiers stationed in Europe began looking for relatives that were trapped by the Nazi war machine. Tragically, most of these searches concluded with the information that the relatives had perished at the hands of the Nazis. However, this wasn’t the case for Lieutenant Simeon Perlman. He was born in Brooklyn, New York, and entered the army as a private. After graduating from officer school, he was shipped to England and landed on Utah Beach in July 1944. Perlman was with the 305th Engineer Combat Battalion, 80th Division that was attached to General Patton’s Third Army when it made its drive through France to Germany.

The Germans launched an attack in the Ardennes Forest on December 16, 1944. Called the Battle of the Bulge, the attack took the Allied armies by surprise, and

divisions were rushed to the previously lightly held frontlines. Unbeknownst to Perlman, his uncle and family had been hiding in a small village in the forest. After the United States had liberated the Ardennes, his uncle had written to Simeon’s mother in New York, who, in turn, wrote to her other son to look for his uncle. Simeon’s brother then wrote to him telling him the location of their relatives. Simeon discovered that he was just a few miles from the village where they were located and drove to find them. His aunt answered the door but thought the American soldier was looking for the mayor. “Aunt Fanny, it’s me!” he exclaimed, and the reunion was sweet, even though it was in middle of a bitter war.

Perlman was awarded the Bronze Star for actions in combat.

Private Albert Gellman was from Albany, New York, and was sent overseas with the 135th Infantry Regiment, 34th Infantry Division. The division landed at the Anzio Beachhead in March 1944, and it took months for the Allied forces to break out of the beachhead to head inland towards Rome. On June 1, Gellman’s unit was near Castelleone, Italy, when four American tanks were knocked out by German anti-tank guns situated in farmhouses. Gellman and Private Smith, another member of his regiment, charged at a machine gun nest near a farmhouse that had waved a white flag. Gellman had forgotten his carbine and made the charge armed only with a pistol, grenades and his knowledge

of Yiddish. He screamed at them to come out with their hands up, and four Germans came out to surrender. Then he ran into the house and convinced more Germans to surrender. In another house, the Germans ran into a wine cellar after Gellman fired on their position. Gellman followed them to the cellar and threw a grenade onto their position. This convinced eleven more Germans to give up the fight. Altogether, Gellman captured more than thirty Germans and destroyed machine gun emplacements as well as Germans who refused to surrender. Gellman then gave the coordinates to bigger guns that destroyed the remaining Germans and their guns. Three days later, he again convinced four more Germans to surrender.

For his courageous actions, Gellman was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross. There has been a (so far) unsuccessful effort to upgrade the award to the Medal of Honor.

These are just a few of the many stories of Jewish servicemen from World War II. Their accounts need to be told, as their bravery, dedication and sacrifice were an integral part in war effort. Their stories are rarely told, and it is history to be remembered.

Avi Heiligman is a weekly contributor to The Jewish Home. He welcomes your comments and suggestions for future columns and can be reached at aviheiligman@gmail.com.

German soldiers passing by burning American vehicles in the Battle of the Bulge

Private Albert Gellman

LST-541

Israel Today

Dana Pinhasov Disabled Israeli Hero

By Isaac Seinuk

February 25, 1996, began for most people in Jerusalem like any other Sunday morning. For Dana Pinhasov, born and raised in Jerusalem, this day would start like any other Sunday when she was home from duty. At 21 years old, Dana was a medic with the Border Police. She was home for Shabbat in the Katamon neighborhood. It was time for her to return to base. Her mother drove her to the Central Bus Station.

Dana took the Number 18 bus. Near the Jaffa Gate, a suicide bomber boarded the bus.

“The place that I was sitting was horrible because it was exactly above the gas tank,” Dana recalls.

The bomb turned the bus into a fireball. Dana was knocked unconscious as her lower body was engulfed in flames. The terrorist’s suicide bomb had contained nails, ball bearings, and bullets and tragically killed 26 people and injured 49 others.

Dana was rushed to Hadassah Hospital. She was “unidentified victim number one.” Eventually, she was identified. Her parents were called. Dana’s father told news reporters shortly after arriving at the hospital, “I said to myself, ‘I am going to collect my daughter’s corpse.’” Dana had suffered severe burns to her body as well as internal damage to her lungs.

Her parents and three brothers had

faith and kept a constant bedside vigil while she remained unconscious and connected to a respirator.

“It’s a matter of time. With G-d’s help, she’ll make it. She’s strong enough to make it,” Dana’s father told media at the time.

Ten days later, Dana awoke with no recollection of how she got there. But that moment of consciousness marked the beginning of “three long, excruciating months of pain,” she said. Dana needed 17 surgeries, skin transplants and grafts.

There was also the emotional damage that Dana had to endure.

“I was in pain and thought I didn’t deserve this. I am 21. Why? Why did I get this?”

Ruby Lasker Designs

She tried to push away her boyfriend, but he wouldn’t leave. “I didn’t want anyone to stay because he is sorry for me.” She asked him why he remained by her bedside. His response was simple: “You are still the same person I fell in love with and I’m not going anywhere.” Dana’s boyfriend never left. Two years after her inju-

ily grew to include four children. But the combination of her injuries, motherhood, and working for the Border Police were eventually too much, and by the age of 27, Dana was forced to retire.

“I still wanted to be influential in the world – and it didn’t have to be a day job.”

Dana knew she wanted to do more. She started volunteering, first in children’s shelters, then retirement homes, and then it occurred to her to give back to the place that gave her so much. Dana began volunteering at Beit Halochem “to show younger veterans that there is a light at the end of the tunnel” – but she still had more to contribute. She became the first woman on the National Board of Directors of Beit Halochem Israel.

In 2014, collaborating with Beit Halochem Canada, Dana launched Kids of Courage. She is the volunteer coordinator of the annual initiative that brings 40-60 bar and bat mitzvah-aged Israeli children of severely disabled veterans to summer camp in Canada. The program provides a break from the daily challenges of being the child of an injured parent. In Israel,

“I knew that if I pause for a moment to feel sorry for myself, or to cry for my fate, life will go on without me.”

Dana eventually returned to work at the Border Police, striving for normalcy as much as possible. Young, scarred, and feeling ashamed, it was a difficult transition. Each day after work, Dana visited Beit Halochem Jerusalem where she swam and underwent physio and hydrotherapy. It was “the one place where I did not feel different or unusual, and no one stared at my big, ugly scars. It is a com-

It was a difficultjourney, and her fam-

parents are happy knowing their sons and daughters are simply being kids and having adventure after adventure. At camp, friendships quickly develop as the Israelis and Canadians discover more similarities in their lives than differences. It is a confidence-building, life-altering opportunity for these children of our injured heroes.

Dana’s latest efforts have culminated in the launching of Now, Me!, an innovative, new program for women. This is the first time that women injured in the line

of duty will have their own peer group to help ease the feeling of social isolation. Following Beit Halochem’s mandate, Now, Me! will enhance the quality of its members’ lives – both personally and professionally. While topics such as family and relationships will be candidly and openly discussed, so, too, will subjects such as starting a business or seeking a new direction in their professional lives. Now, Me! is one more avenue to advance the rehabilitation of the disabled women veterans of Beit Halochem – with warmth, sensitivity, and, most of all, understanding. Dana does this in addition to managing the Achiad post-traumatic

stress disorder support group of which she is an active member.

Dana’s efforts are now extremely important. With the current war, the treatment of the mental wounds suffered by our soldiers is as important as their physical wounds. In conjunction with Beit Halochem Centers and the Ministry of Defense, PTSD treatments are being emphasized as they are often the silent injury that haunts and disables a soldier with no apparent physical injuries.

“Each year, I have two birthdays: November 7, the day I was born, and February 25, the day I was reborn,” shares Dana.

For the past few years, she has penned a letter to herself on the anniversary, to understand “how that single event has affected the person I am today.” In last year’s letter, Dana mused on all that she went through at the time of the bombing.

“I could, back then, 22 years ago, have given up. I was disabled, a scarred woman, and terrified of the new situation. But something within me simply went on without going over the obstacles.”

She writes of how she eventually learned to “embrace herself with love” in order to flourish, and with acceptance of her new reality was able to reinvent

herself to create a full life.

“I knew that if I pause for a moment to feel sorry for myself, or to cry for my fate, life will go on without me. Today, I understand that this is one of the gifts that I received when I chose to continue living – that inner understanding that we must continue forward even if bumps on the road slow us down.”

Beit Halochem Centers are the rehabilitation and recreation centers established by the Zahal Disabled Veterans Organization and have now over 54,000 members. They are supported by Beit Halochem friends organizations throughout the world.

Dana in the hospital, with her mother

Dana in uniform

Common Cents

By Elliot Pepper, CPA, CFP®, MST

Transforming Wealth: The Essential Shift from Human to Financial Capital: The Shift from

One of the first things we are taught about personal financial responsibility is the importance of investing for the future. This is not poor advice; after all, most of us will reach a point where we are either unable to work or would not like to work as hard. Even if you plan on working your entire life, most people would like to reach a point where they can work because they want to, not because they have to. Either way, setting aside money today and letting it grow is an intelligent way to plan for the future. When you save and invest for retirement, you are preparing for the inevitable shift of your income being generated from human capital to financial capital. The journey from relying on human capital to building and depending on financial capital is a crucial transition in anyone’s economic life. This process is not merely about saving for the sake of having a safety net; it’s about fundamentally changing the way we support our lifestyles, from earning an income through work (human capital) to generating revenue from investments (financial capital). Let’s delve deeper into this transformation with practical examples to illustrate why this shift is vital for most people.

Understanding Human vs. Financial Capital

When we use the term “capital” in finance and economics, we refer to anything that can provide its owner with financial value (i.e. income or the capacity to generate income).

Human Capital: Early in our careers, our main asset is our ability to work and earn money. Various factors, including our health, industry demand, and skill level influence this ability. For example, a software engineer in their early 30s might have a significant earning potential due to the high demand for tech skills. However, this capital is finite and tends to decrease with age.

Financial Capital: As we save and invest, we accumulate financial assets—stocks, bonds, real estate, etc. Unlike human capital, financial capital can grow through investment returns and compounding. Consider $10,000 invested in a broad stock market fund with an average annual return of 7%. In 30 years, without adding more money, this investment grows to over $76,000 and that growth represents income that

Human to Financial Capital: Why Investing is So Important

can be used by the owner of that capital.

Why the Shift from Human to Financial Capital is Crucial

1. Sustainability: Our ability to earn an income is not guaranteed. Health issues, industry shifts, or aging can reduce our earning potential. Transitioning to financial capital means creating a sustainable source of income for the future. For instance, if you save $500 monthly in an investment account with an average 7% annual return, in 30 years, you would have approximately $611,729. This sum can significantly support your living expenses, reducing the need for a paycheck.

2. Freedom: Accumulating financial capital allows us to choose how we live our lives. Whether changing careers, taking a sabbatical, or retiring early, having financial resources gives us options. Imagine you want to switch jobs in your 40s or 50s. A solid financial cushion can allow you to make this change without needing to earn a comparable salary in your new field.

3. Security: Financial capital is a buffer against life’s uncertainties—economic downturns, job loss, or unexpected expenses. It offers peace of mind knowing you’re prepared for financial emergencies. For example, having six months’ worth of living expenses saved in an easily accessible account can provide significant security in case of job loss or unexpected medical expenses.

Practical Examples

Let’s put these concepts into perspective with practical examples: Building Financial Capital Early: Jane is 25 years old and started saving $300 monthly in a retirement account with an average annual return of 7%. By the time Jane reaches 65, she will have saved over $1 million, even without increasing her monthly contribution. This early start leverages the power of compounding, emphasizing the importance of saving and investing as soon as possible. By the time Jane wants to start thinking about decreasing her reliance on human capital, she will have a lot of financial capital to help her maintain her spending needs.

Transitioning from Human to Finan-

cial Capital: John, a 40-year-old professional, decides to aggressively save and invest 20% of his annual income of $80,000. Assuming an average return of 7%, by age 65, John could accumulate over $1.7 million. This shift secures John’s retirement and provides him financial flexibility in his later working years. In this case, John might find that he has more flexibility earlier in his life to be more deliberate about how much human capital he needs to maintain as he can also rely on the significant financial capital he has built up.

The Impact of Delaying Savings: If Jane had waited until 35 to save the same amount, her retirement account would grow to only about $566,416 by age 65. This stark difference illustrates the cost of waiting and the importance of starting early, even with smaller amounts. When building financial capital, the earlier you can start the better!

Two Other benefits of investing:

Letting compound interest pick up the bill: One of the nice things about being proactive and starting early is that you won’t have to save as much as you would have had you delay your savings and investment strategy. Why do you sometimes get a discount if you prepay a big expense? Well, it’s the same thing with paying significant future expenses such as weddings, big trips, or retirement. The earlier you start “paying yourself” for it through investing, the less you will have to set aside.

Combating inflation: It’s a pretty good bet that whatever people are telling you they are spending today on cars, weddings, Bar Mitzvahs, and even groceries will be higher. Saving money is step #1, but money that is not invested will not be enough since the value of that money is continuously decreasing over time. Investing that money is vital step #2 where you can grow the money at a rate higher than the inflation rate. Inflation is like an invisible tax on society, so your financial capital must be invested in a way that fights it. This isn’t necessarily applicable to human capital, as Warren Buffet famously explained that you can mitigate the impact of inflation by continuous self-improvement and staying on top of your field. “Whatever abilities you have can’t be taken away from you. They can’t be inflated away. The best investment by far is anything that develops yourself, and

it’s not taxed at all.”

In Conclusion

The shift from human capital to financial capital is not just a strategic financial maneuver; it’s a necessary evolution in securing your financial future. By understanding and acting upon the need to save and invest, we prepare ourselves for retirement and ensure we have the freedom to make choices and the security to face life’s uncertainties confidently.

Remember, the journey from human to financial capital is filled with opportunities to make choices that align with our long-term goals and values. It’s not merely about reaching a financial destination but creating a rich life with options and security. Embracing this shift means understanding the profound impact of our financial decisions today on our future selves. Start small if you must, but the key is to start—and to keep building towards a future where financial capital sustains and enriches your life.

Common Cents is now digital on YouTube @CommonCents613

The decision to start saving and investing is yours, but the “how” can be hard. 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.

Your Money

No More Tax-Free Lunch for Billionaires

By Allan Rolnick, CPA

Why did Willie Sutton famously say he robbed banks? “Because that’s where the money is!” So why, then, don’t we tax the rich? Well, we do! The bottom 20% of American earners, who make less than $30,000, contribute less than 1% of the total tax bill. The top 20%, earning over $190,000, pay 67% of all individual income taxes collected. That amounts to roughly 25% of their income. And the top 1%, earning over $982,600, pay a whopping 26% of all income tax collected. That amounts to 31% of their income.

And still, last year, Uncle Sam spent $1.7 trillion more than he took in. Way to go, Washington!

Naturally, government offices and DC think tanks are full of clever people looking for ways to wring more tax dollars out of all of us without crimping the economy that generates all that income in the first place. And it’s not escaped their attention that some of the very wealthiest have found a way around that average 31% bite. Specifically, those who own stock in publicly traded companies can choose not to sell it, which would generate taxable capital gains. Instead, they can monetize it in the form of tax-free loan proceeds. It’s called the “buy, borrow, die” strategy.

In 2021, an IRS contractor named Charles Littlejohn leaked a trove of tax data, including 15 years of data from thousands of the wealthiest Americans.

(Recently, a federal judge sentenced him to five years in jail for the unlawful disclosure.) His leak revealed just how much those millionaires and billionaires can spend on mansions, yachts, and jets without spending a dime on taxes. Take Elon Musk, for example. In 2015, Tesla

basis, which would make it fatally hard to administer and enforce. Last month, two professors from the University of Michigan and Yale law schools published a paper taking a simpler approach. Their 15page proposal, packed with 70 detailed footnotes, takes dead aim at the “buy, borrow, die” approach to raise $100 billion over the next 10 years. Their analysis used Oracle founder Larry Ellison as its avatar. Ellison is cur-

The top 1%, earning over $982,600, pay a whopping 26% of all income tax collected.

sold 50,658 shiny all-electric cars. Musk paid $68,000 in federal income tax. In 2017, he paid $65,000, and in 2018, nothing at all.

Several senators have proposed a new wealth tax on net worth above $50 million. However, their approach would require those taxpayers to appraise and report every asset they own on an annual

rently the fifth-richest man on the planet, worth $140 billion. He’s used his vast fortune to pick up an impressive collection of grown-up toys: two America’s Cup sailing victories, a $270 million yacht, and 98% of Hawaii’s sixth-largest island. Yet he hasn’t sold his stock to do it. Instead, records show, he’s pledged $30 billion of his Oracle stock to secure “personal in-

debtedness.” (Extra bonus break: when Ellison dies, the outstanding debt will reduce his eventual estate tax!)

Their solution: a “billionaire borrowing tax” that would tax Ellison as if he had actually sold that stock when he uses it to secure a loan. The tax would kick in for families with “major assets” (business interests and land) worth $100 million or above. And there’s plenty of fine print, of course, in the form of a $1 million lifetime exemption, $200,000 annual exclusions, and detailed rules for calculating the taxable amount and stepping up the basis in the encumbered stock on future sales.

You may not think you need to worry about a “billionaire borrowing tax.” But it’s a sign of a very real threat. The government needs more money, and they have to find it somewhere. Proper planning is how to keep them from looking for it in your pocket, whether you’re a billionaire or not!

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.

Tiffy Greenwood Shoshana Trachtenberg, 5

Shalva Lichtman, 8

Sara Smith Rafi, 4

Noa Rosenblatt, 7 Maya Rosenblatt, 10

Davi L, 6

Adina Spar, 6

Yael, 5

Rafael Abramson, 8

Ariella Marizan, 3

Note: Not all submission have been published. Keep sending in your artwork for another chance to be featured!

Zachy Simanowitz, 5

Yosef Meir Priluck, 2

Yosef Mark, 7

Yakira Willner, 6

Tziporah Simanowitz, 8

Tzipora Loewy, 4 Tova, 3

Sara, 10

Rivka Rosenbaum, 7

Riley Neuman, 10

Reuvin Dalfin, 5

Ovadia M, 7

Noah Willner, 9.5

Natan Moshe, 3

Lily Rosenbloom, 7

Gabby V., 5

Esther, 5

Eitan Willner, 3

Chezky, 8

Chedvah Mark, 5

Chaim Yosef M, 8

Ben Schwarzbaum, 6

Aviva Triebwasser, Almost, 6!

Asher Mandel, 7

Ahuva Bracha M, 3

In The K tchen

Drunken Orange Brownies

Yields 16-20 servings

By Naomi Nachman

With Purim just around the corner, I thought this recipe with some liquor (which won’t make your shicker) would be a cute recipe to share this month.

Ingredients

◦ 3 eggs

◦ 1¾ cup sugar

◦ ¾ cup oil

◦ Zest of an orange

◦ ½ cup triple sec or orange liquor

◦ 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

◦ 1 cup cocoa powder

◦ ½ teaspoon salt

◦ 1 ½ cups flour

Glaze:

◦ 2 Tablespoons orange juice

◦ 1 Tablespoon triple sec or orange liquor

◦ ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract

◦ 1½ cups powdered sugar

Preparation

1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a 9x13 baking pan and set aside.

2. In a medium bowl, whisk together eggs, sugar, oil, half of the zest, triple sec and vanilla extract until combined.

3. Add cocoa, salt and flour; stir until combined.

4. Pour batter into prepared baking pan. Bake for 30-35 minutes, until set. Set aside to cool completely before glazing.

5. Prepare the glaze: Combine orange juice, triple sec, vanilla extract and remaining half of the zest in a small bowl. Add powdered sugar and stir until combined and no lumps remain.

6. Spread glaze over the cooled brownies. Set aside until glaze sets, then cut into squares.

Recipes from Perfect Flavors by Naomi Nachman published by Artscroll.

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.

Photo by Miriam (Pascal) Cohen