Baltimore Jewish Home - 5-4-23

Dear Readers,

This week my in-laws traveled to Eretz Yisroel. While there, they went to visit their Uncle, R’ Shaya Gluck. Uncle Shaya happened to be celebrating his 98th birthday that day. The pictures from his birthday party show a man who has weathered many lifetimes of hardship. Born in Hungary in 1925, Uncle Shaya enjoyed a few wonderful years with his family prior to the upheaval of the Holocaust. He endured the horror of concentration camps and survived the war. Following the war, he married but was not zocheh to children. He now lives in Eretz Yisroel and is making the most of his last and lonely years.

Interestingly enough. Uncle Shaya was born one week following the death of Reb Shayala from Keristir (Yahrtzeit was רייא ’ג), and was named for him. He may have been the first to bear Reb Shayala’s name. It’s a name that he carries proudly and has surely instilled within him the attributes of Reb Shayalalove and hope, that have helped him through rough times.

Nowadays we hear stories of the Yeshuos, salvations, from the times of Reb Shayala and the impact he had on that generation. To this day, people visit his Kever and merit those same salvations. However, it’s the way he lived that inspires us today. It didn’t matter who you were- your pain was his pain. His Ahavas Yisroel was unparalleled and that had an even bigger effect than his miraculous accomplishments.

This week as we celebrate Lag B’Omer the message of Ahavas Yisroel, of loving our fellow Yid, becomes the focus. There are many people in our community enduring difficulties and loneliness. Keep them in mind. In the zechus of השמ ’ר ןב היעשי ’ר and his namesake Uncle Shaya, do a little act of kindness for those who may need it most.

Wishing you all a peaceful Shabbos!

Aaron Menachem SEND

Send us your: community events, articles & photos, and mazal tovs to editor@baltimorejewishhome.com to be featured in coming editions!

Moshe Meir Rubin PUBLISHER editor@baltimorejewishhome.com

Berish Edelman LAYOUT

Yitzy Halpern MANAGING EDITOR

Michael Czermak ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE

Aaron Menachem COPY EDITOR

Baltimore Chesed League - Girls Kicks Off Its Third Season!

The Baltimore Chesed League - Girls (BCLGirls), in partnership with Suburban Orthodox, had a fantastic launch to their 3rd season. With a dynamic and unique group, the nearly 70 girls represent Bais Yaakov, Beth Tfiloh, Bnos Yisroel, Krieger Schechter Day School, and Ohr Chadash Academy, and have all volunteered to give of their free time to engage in chesed opportunities in the community. To date, the teams have brought joy to the residents in Aventura at the Park and Aventura at the Heights with songs, magic tricks, and homemade cards. They have partnered with The Jewish Caring Network and helped distribute lawn signs for their upcoming 5K. Teams have baked delicious Shabbos desserts for beneficiaries of Bikur Cholim of Baltimore and volunteered to help set-up and run booths for the Yom Haatzmaut community event at Shomrei Emunah. Furthermore, these girls don’t let distance get in the way of chesed and made beautiful multisensory cards for the residents of ADI - Advancement of People

with Disabilities and Rehabilitation for All in Israel. These cards will be distributed in time for Shavuos. But, wait! There’s more! Teams helped create a display at the Jewish Library of Baltimore (formerly, CJE), organized clothing at a new clothing Gmach called Panache, and volunteered at Yitzchok’s Toy Box, a gemach that lends out therapy toys & equipment for children where they photographed and cataloged inventory and helped organize the gemach items. These girls are superstars and we are so proud of the impact they are having by giving back to Jewish Baltimore.

Our league is indebted to the generous sponsorship of Blue Ocean and to the team sponsorships of female entrepreneurs in our community: Kayla’s Custom Made, Chic Designs by Shira, Kinder Krafts, The Mimi Boutique, The Naomi Center, Nina Elman Interiors, Pompomz, Simcha Steps, Talint Consulting, and Yehudis Wigs, in addition to prize sponsor Details by Dena.

Stay tuned for more impactful chesed by the BCL-Girls 2023.

Around the Community

End on a High

On Wednesday April 19th, Jewish Educational Services (JES), an agency of the Associated, hosted an event called “End On A High” to celebrate the educators of our community. Over 150 teachers and principals gathered to hear words of inspiration from Rav Elya Brudny, shlita, Rosh Yeshiva and Maggid Shiur in the Mirrer Yeshiva Bais Medrash in Brooklyn, and a member of the Moetzes Gedolei Hatorah of Agudas Yisroel.

Rav Brudny shared words of inspiration and Chizuk, reminding the mechanchim in attendance of how important their work is and how fortunate they are to be passing on the tradition to the next generation. The

Rosh Yeshiva emphasized that to really connect with and impact students, educators must think of themselves like parents, who would do anything for their children to succeed.

Rav Brudny also took questions from the audience, addressing topics such as teacher retention, mental health, teaching respect to students, and Tefilla.

Many attendees shared how appreciative they were for this opportunity to come together as a community of educators, and what an honor they felt it was that Rav Brudny came to Baltimore to support our teachers. AS one administrator remarked, it was, “an exceptional evening of true chizuk and real understanding!”

Torah Institute Gedolim Art Contest

By: Eliyahu Meir Hexter | 7th Grade

As the school day is long, our General Studies Coordinator, Dr. Insel, has introduced various electives and enjoyable activities for boys to participate in. A few years ago, she initiated the annual art contest. This contest was conceptualized to give the boys a chance to shine, in all areas of talent. This allows the boys’ talents and hobbies to be utilized in school, and fills them with a strong sense of pride. Over the years, many boys have asked Dr. Insel to print out images of Gedolim to illustrate. She found this amazing, as the boys were not only driven by artistic talent, but rather by true love of the Gedolim. Five years

ago, she launched the first Gedolim Art Contest, merely to see what response it would trigger. The results were astounding. Many boys entered into the contest, and the talent inherent in each picture was spectacular, surpassing Dr. Insel’s expectations. This is now a yearly contest.

The Gedolim Art Contest is a wonderful initiative, which, similar to TI’s VEX® Robotics program, has now spread to the greater Baltimore community. The winners receive gift certificates to local establishments, as recognition of their hard work. The pictures below are those drawn by this year’s winners. This year’s winners were: Shlomo Shafran, Aryeh Mordechai Rothman, Moshe Kleiner, Yitzchak Feigenbaum, Luzzy Goodman and Yossi Cohen.

3 Maavar Hamitle St. Ramat Eshkol, Jerusalem.

Celebrating the “Yoms” at OCA

At OCA, we are dedicated to promoting a personal relationship with Am Yisrael, Eretz Yisrael, and Medinat Yisrael. To that end, we came together to commemorate Yom HaShoah and Yom Hazikaron, and then pulled out all the stops to celebrate Yom Ha’atzmaut as a school community!

Yom Hashoah & Yom Hazikaron

On Yom HaShoah each class learned about the day in a way that was appropriate for their age group. Through the sharing of stories, discussions, videos, and the upper Elementary and Middle School tekes, the day was meaningful and solemn for OCA students.

On Yom Hazikaron, upper Elementary and Middle School students commemorated Israel’s fallen soldiers and victims of terror in a moving ceremony, which included stories and videos of the individuals’ lives and contributions.

The tekes also included:

הָריִפְצ - Siren and moment of silence

הנידמה םולשל הליפת - A prayer for the wellbeing of the State of Israel

ל”הצ ילייח םולשל הליפת - A prayer for the wellbeing of the IDF soldiers

רֹכְּזִי - Yizkor

םיִמֲחַר אֵלָמ ל-ֵא- Kel Maale Rachamim

The tekes concluded with the singing of Hatikvah and Ani Ma’amin. May their memory be a blessing.

Solar Panels - After learning about the invention of the solar panel, students created their own personal solar oven, and made s’mores outside using the heat of the sun and their homemade “oven”

grams to find their own words.

(Early Childhood Center) ECC Explored Israel Through The Senses

Yom Ha’atzmaut

- A Day of Celebration & Learning

Elementary & Middle School - Israeli Innovations

On Wednesday, April 26 we celebrated Yom Ha’atzmaut and Israel’s 75th birthday! After Tefillah and Hallel, our 4th graders proudly performed the Daglanut, showcasing the Israeli flag in an artistic display, and the choir sang signature Israeli songs.

Middle School students learned about the importance, Kedusha, and centrality of Eretz Yisrael, and started their day with Torah learning.

Students then participated in a variety of activities focusing on Israeli inventions and innovations, including:

Drip Irrigation - Students learned about agricultural inventions in Israel. Each student planted seeds and added an irrigation device to a plant.

“Guess Who?” - The famous “Guess Who?” game was invented by an Israeli! Using props, students played a human “Guess Who?” game!

Waze Navigation - Using a compass, students located special destinations on a map of Israel.

Krav Maga (K-5) - a Krav Maga instructor talked about the history of Krav Maga. Students learned about the mantras and some moves! Kibbutz - Students learned all about the history of kibbutzim in Israel and made fresh Israeli salads Bar Ilan - Based on the ןכשמ the שרדמ showed that the ultimate purpose of the gifts of this world is to serve ‘ה. In that vein we saw how םינבר and computer scientists at Bar Ilan University harnessed the power of the computer to make over 200 million words of םירפס searchable. The students then had an opportunity to complete a word search of queries of the database, followed by a game of Hebrew Banana-

ECC students hopped on board a flight from America to Israel holding their Israeli passports and flags. Upon landing, everyone sang Hevenu Shalom Aleichem!

Then, students traveled through Israel exploring a variety sensory activities:

Visiting the Dead Sea and conducting a science experiment about how salt makes items float.

Building a model Kotel and writing notes the children placed inside the Kotel bricks.

Making homemade hummus using a mortar and pestle to grind the garlic and then mixing it with chickpeas.

Enjoying a juice bar, which included םיזופת ץימ (orange juice) squeezed by the children, themselves.

The children also explored a variety of art materials as they decorated a dove, crowns and a Magen David.

Students ended the day visiting the shuk and planting in the OCA Kibbutz garden!

OCA’s Yom Ha’atzmaut Community-Wide Celebration

Ohr Chadash Academy (OCA), in partnership with Congregation Shomrei Emunah, hosted a Yom Ha’atzmaut event and welcomed 700+ members of the Baltimore Jewish community who came out to celebrate Israel’s 75th!

Following a tekes, families journeyed through the biblical cities of Israel: They rode through the desert, climbed up Masada, made candles in Tzfat, baked challah with Sarah Imeinu in Chevron, experienced Shuk Machane Yehuda, assembled care packages for soldiers, and so much more. It was a family-friendly evening of fun and celebration!

Rabbi Hakakian at Yeshivas Toras Simcha

Rabbi Eliyahu Hakakian, of congregation Ahavat Shalom, spoke to the middle school students at Yeshivas Toras Simcha. The Rav explained to the boys the significance of the talmidim of Rabbi Akiva. They were geonim but they harbored a small measure of disrespect for each other. Perhaps when they argued in Torah they did not give proper honor to a fellow talmid who disagreed with them. We must always be sensitive to Jews who may not dress like we do, daven the same nusach that we daven and wear a yarmulka that is not the same as our own. We can always agree to disagree respectfully. During the days of sefira we need to internalize this lesson.

Photos by Dovid Kapenstein

Bais Yaakov Middle School Robotics Team Does It

With tremendous s’yata d’shmaya and countless hours of work, Bais Yaakov’s 8th grade Robotics Team won the two FIRST PLACE and one SECOND PLACE trophies in this week’s CIJE Spring Robotics Competition held in Passaic, New Jersey. 9 schools and a total of 29 different teams and their robots, from cities including Boston, Massachusetts and South Bend, Indiana, participated in this two-hour, highly competitive and challenging competition.

Bais Yaakov’s Second-place winners are Shana Horwitz, Peninah Ayala Taragin, and Avigayil Taub. Our First-place winners are: Team OneRivky Braffman, Shoshana Gross, and Chana Gittel Naiman, and Team Two - Zehava Pepper, Chavala Reischer, and Ruthie Weil. The 8th grade Robotics Team is coached by Mrs. Rochelle Goldberg, Miss Meira Levi, and Mrs. Miriam Schechter.

Again!

Bloch, and Nechama Edelson.

It was especially rewarding to see the tremendous derech eretz, achdus and sportsmanship displayed by our girls. We greatly appreciate the parents, grandparents and friends who came to view the competition and joined in the nachas of seeing our students shine academically and in their middos tovos.

Another impressive accomplishment was that all of our Bais Yaakov teams, including those from Seventh grade, advanced to the finals. This year saw 7th graders join the competition and they certainly did us all proud

by scoring many points and contributing to our win. The 7th-grade Robotics Team coach is Mrs. Tanya Gerstman, assisted by last year’s Robotics team members and current Bais Yaakov 9th graders, Leah Blashka, Aliza

We are grateful to Mrs. Gitti Horowitz, our Upper Middle School Assistant Principal – General Studies, for instituting the Robotics program in the middle school and for her constant support and encouragement. We also thank Rabbi Moshe Frohlich, Bais Yaakov Middle School Principal, for accompanying us on this trip and supporting us every step of the way. We express our appreciation to Mr. Joey Saltzman and CIJE for helping us with this educationally challenging and exciting program.

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mediately after his arrest on February 5 and had refused to undergo medical checks or receive treatment while incarcerated.

Shortly after he died, rockets were fired from Gaza at Israel.

PIJ Leader Dies in Hunger Strike

Khader Adnan died in prison on Tuesday after an 86-day hunger strike.

The senior leader of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad terror group was found unresponsive in Nitzan jail. He was taken to the hospital and underwent resuscitation efforts, but was declared dead at the hospital.

Adnan, 45, was arrested in February in his hometown of Arrabeh, in the northern West Bank near Jenin, for suspected membership in a terror group, support for a terrorist organization, and incitement. He had been indicted and was being held in custody until the end of the legal proceedings against him.

He launched his hunger strike im-

Adnan had long been accused of being a spokesperson for the terror group and had been arrested several times in recent years and served several prison sentences in connection with his work for Palestinian Islamic Jihad. This was the tenth time he had been incarcerated.

He had also previously gone on hunger strikes several times over his detentions, including over an arrest in 2018. In that case, he was convicted of having been an active member of the banned Iran-backed terror group after he pleaded guilty in a plea bargain.

In 2012, he went on hunger strike for 66 days in protest against a term of internment without trial, what Israel calls “administrative detention.”

In 2015, he went without food for over 50 days after another arrest.

In response to the rockets being fired from Gaza, Israel carried out tank strikes toward the Strip.

A foreign national was injured from one of the 22 Palestinian rockets launched into Israel.

Israel Strikes Aleppo

leged Israeli strikes in Syria in recent weeks, including against targets near the western city of Homs on Saturday, and sites near the border with the Golan Heights on April 24 and April 19.

Israel is alleged to have carried out a number of strikes in Syria last month, including one that killed two members of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. After that strike, a suspected Iranian drone launched from Syria was brought down over Israeli airspace.

Israel launched airstrikes against the airport in the northern Syrian city of Aleppo on Monday night, rendering the airport useless and killing one soldier and leaving seven others wounded, Syrian state media reported.

SANA reported that Syrian air defenses responded to the Israeli incursion, claiming to have downed several missiles. Those assertions could not be verified.

There have been a number of al-

Engagements

Avrohom Adlin (Baltimore) & Mindy Muszat (Montreal)

Shaya Yarmov (Lakewood) & Miriam Isbee (Baltimore)

Efrayim Fishel Gottlieb & Rus Yaffa Flamm (Both Baltimore)

Chanan Herwitz (Baltimore) & Ilana Wiesel (Highland Park, NJ)

Dovid Travis (Five Towns) & Adina Labrie (Baltimore)

Pasey Klaven & Meira Tanen (Baltimore)

Shloimy Adlin (Baltimore) & Leah Eisemann (Passaic)

Several days later, six rockets were launched from southern Syria at the Golan Heights in two separate barrages hours apart, with three landing in Israeli territory, the military said. The IDF responded with artillery strikes in response to the rocket attack.

Aleppo International Airport was hit with two separate airstrikes attributed to Israel in March and forced to shut its runway for several days following the pair of attacks. A similar attack in September forced the airport to close for a number of days.

Last August, Syria accused Is-

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rael of being behind two consecutive airstrikes at Aleppo International and a site near the Damascus Airport, as Israel was said to be ramping up its efforts to target airports to counter Tehran’s growing use of commercial flights to bring military supplies into the country.

McCarthy Invites Bibi to DC

meet with Congress.

The Republican lawmaker landed in Israel on Sunday for a two-day visit that included an address to the Knesset on Monday.

In an interview with the Israel Hayom newspaper, McCarthy addressed Biden’s ongoing refusal to welcome Netanyahu to Washington, amid disagreements over the government’s planned judicial overhaul.

“If [an invitation to the White House] doesn’t happen, I’ll invite the prime minister to come meet with the House. He’s a dear friend, as a prime minister of a country that we have our closest ties with,” McCarthy told the newspaper.

strained ties with the party currently controlling the White House.

McCarthy landed in Israel on Sunday — at the head of a group of 20 bipartisan members of Congress — before heading to the Western Wall in Jerusalem. The Republican, who is only the second U.S. House speaker to address the Knesset plenum – aside from Newt Gingrich – was greeted at Ben Gurion Airport by his Israeli counterpart Amir Ohana of the Likud party.

Republican Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, a strong, possible contender for the 2024 elections, visited Israel last week and met with Netanyahu.

Orthodox manner and only be raised by Orthodox Jewish parents should end.

On Sunday, on a visit to the Holy Land, Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives Kevin McCarthy said that if President Joe Biden does not invite Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to visit the White House soon, he would invite the Israeli leader to

McCarthy joked that Biden had also not been speaking with him for the past few months, and therefore Netanyahu “might be in good company if he treats me the same way.”

While Netanyahu and his Likud party have long been seen as more allied with Republican than Democratic lawmakers, the prime minister has worked since returning to office to buck the notion that he has

Court: Adoptions Don’t Need Orthodox Conversions

After a 20-year legal battle, the High Court of Justice ruled on Sunday that the practice mandating that non-Jewish children being adopted in Israel must convert to Judaism in an

The case was first filed in 2003 by the Israel Movement for Reform and Progressive Judaism, which argued that children should not be made to undergo an Orthodox conversion and be placed only with an Orthodox family.

At the time, the state — represented by the adoption branch of the Welfare Ministry — said that it was operating with the best interests of the child in mind, as children who are not considered Jewish by the state “may encounter difficulty in marrying as a Jew in the State of Israel upon reaching adulthood,” the state repeatedly told the court.

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There is no civil marriage in Israel, and citizens can only marry through their respective religious affiliations. For Jews, marriage is controlled by the Chief Rabbinate, which only recognizes as Jewish those who are born to a Jewish mother or those who converted in an Orthodox manner.

The court, however, said it did not agree with the state’s assessment, writing that “the best interests of the child should be examined on a caseby-case basis,” taking into consideration both the child up for adoption and the potential adoptive parents.

For two decades, the High Court delayed issuing a ruling as it waited for other linked cases to be decided — including a landmark 2021 ruling that recognized, for the purposes of citizenship, Reform and Conservative conversions carried out in Israel.

Last week, the state informed the court that it would agree to remove the blanket mandate and instead evaluate each such case individually. Therefore, the court said it would close the case and give the state’s new position the force of a High Court ruling.

Nicole Maor, the lawyer who led the Israel Movement for Reform and Progressive Judaism’s fight since 2003, welcomed the decision to end the “discriminatory and inappropriate policy.”

Maor added that it was “very unfortunate that it took a 20-year legal battle in order to change such a discriminatory policy.”

Iranian Spy Had Given Israel Intel

to Britain since 2004. The British then passed that info on to Israel.

The report said that in 2008, a senior British intelligence officer told Israeli security officials during a meeting in Tel Aviv that the UK was working with an Iranian spy who had significant information about Tehran’s nuclear activities.

Citing “three Western intelligence and national security officials,” the newspaper reported that the UK passed on information from Akbari to Israel about Iran’s nuclear activities at the Fordo site and their ties to the country’s efforts to produce nuclear weapons — information not previously known to Western intelligence officials.

Iran has long denied pursuing a nuclear weapon and says its program is for civilian research purposes.

In 2019, Iran was aided by “Russian intelligence officials” in pinpointing Akbari as the source of the leak about activities at Fordo.

Akbari also reportedly turned over the names of around 100 senior Iranian officials to British authorities, including that of Iran’s top nuclear scientist Mohsen Fakhrizadeh, who was killed in November 2020 in an attack that Tehran blames on Israel.

Akbari, who ran a private think tank, had not been seen in public since 2019, when he was apparently arrested. He was executed this year after being sentenced to death for “corruption on earth and harming the country’s internal and external security by passing on intelligence,” the website of Iran’s judiciary reported.

Akbari had held high positions in the country’s defense establishment. His posts included deputy minister of defense for foreign affairs and a position in the secretariat of the Supreme National Security Council. Akbari had also been an adviser to the commander of the navy, as well as heading a division at the defense ministry’s research center.

In January, Iran hanged Ali Reza Akbari, an Iranian-British national who had once served as deputy minister of defense, after accusing him of espionage.

Now, according to a report by the New York Times, it was revealed that Akbari was, in fact, a spy and had been leaking Iranian nuclear secrets

IDF Using Facial Recognition Technology

The Israel Defense Forces is increasingly utilizing advanced facial

recognition technology to track the movements of Palestinians in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, according to an Amnesty International report released this week.

The Israel Defense Forces noted that it carries out “necessary security and intelligence operations.”

The Amnesty report — based on research in the West Bank city of Hebron and East Jerusalem — said the military has utilized a camera system called Red Wolf since 2022, deploying it at checkpoints as part of a program that “relies on databases consisting exclusively of Palestinian individuals’ data.”

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In 2021, the Washington Post reported the IDF was building a digital surveillance database of Palestinian residents of Hebron by having soldiers take cellphone photos of them using smartphone technology called Blue Wolf, which captures photos of residents’ faces and matches them to a mass bank of information.

But Amnesty says that the system is “violating Palestinians’ basic rights.”

The organization described the ex-

tensive use of the technology by Israeli security forces against Palestinians as “automated apartheid.”

In a statement to The New York Times, the IDF said it carries out “necessary security and intelligence operations, while making significant efforts to minimize harm to the Palestinian population’s routine activity.”

In addition to Blue Wolf, the IDF installed face-scanning cameras at Hebron checkpoints to help soldiers identify Palestinians before they present their ID cards.

Hebron is considered a West Bank powder keg where around 800 Jewish citizens live under hefty Israeli security, surrounded by around 200,000 Palestinians.

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biggest ice carousel.

With a diameter of 1,776 feet — or 541 meters — the giant piece of ice in Madawaska, Maine, estimated at 146,000 tons, moved slowly like a Lazy Susan to hoots, hollers, and high fives.

It was a long, arduous process. Northern Maine Ice Busters had to cut through ice nearly 30 inches thick on a path painstakingly measured by survey crews to create a perfect circle measuring nearly six football fields across.

Creating an ice carousel has become somewhat of a rivalry in places like Finland, Minnesota and Maine. There’s even a World Ice Carousel Association.

“It’s a friendly competition,” said John Mazo, media liaison for the Northern Maine Ice Busters.

Last month, it took a herculean effort to get the giant disk moving in Maine with 10 outboard boat engines, farm equipment driving oversized propellers, and a couple of wheeled vehicles, too.

But it turned out real n-ice.

Big Change for Old Coin

coin was fake.

“The vendor found the coin at the back of a dressing table drawer when she was sorting through her late aunt’s effects,” said Robin Fletcher, an antiques appraiser for the auction house. “Both the vendor and her husband assumed it must be fake, so [they] took little notice of it and tossed it into a box of mixed 20th century coins,” he said.

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A 400-year-old gold coin dating to the time of King Charles I that was found in a pile of loose change is expected to fetch thousands of pounds when it is auctioned off next month.

The coin, a gold Unite piece, has a currency worth of 20 shillings, but it is expected to sell for roughly $1,800 to $3,000.

The coin’s owner had found the precious item in the back of a drawer in her late aunt’s house. It was found amidst other currency that had been left over from travels abroad.

Originally, the owner thought the

The gold coin is stamped with an image of King Charles I, who served as King of England, Scotland, and Ireland from March 27, 1625, until he was executed in 1649.

Upon looking at the coin, Fletcher realized he had literally and figuratively “struck gold.”

The auction of the coin featuring Charles I is timely, as the coronation of King Charles III is on May 6, Fletcher noted.

“I’d advise anyone with old coins sitting around at home to go through them carefully and call in the experts to double-check their value.”

We’ll be sure to look through that loose change.

California state regulators on Friday approved a ban on the sale of new big rigs and buses that run on diesel by 2036, going beyond the federal government in issuing requirements to reduce emissions and setting the stage for other states to follow suit.

The rule is the latest in a series of increasingly ambitious moves by California and the federal government to curb planet-warming pollution from vehicles, the nation’s largest source of greenhouse gases.

The California Air Resources Board approved the regulation, which by 2045 would fully eliminate the sale of new trucks that emit carbon dioxide

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across the state. The rule builds in intermediate goals in the coming years for government organizations and private companies to decrease their use of diesel trucks.

The ban, if approved by the federal government, would create the most stringent practices related to truck emissions in the country, keeping California at the forefront of states in trying to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Some large companies have already begun to use heavy-duty vehicles that emit little to no carbon dioxide, but the plan would require a complete transition in new truck purchases by 2036.

“This rule provides manufacturers, truck owners and fueling providers the assurance that there will be a market and the demand for zero-emissions vehicles, while providing a flexible path to making the transition toward clean air,” board chair Liane Randolph said in a statement.

But the American Trucking Associations, a trade organization for the

trucking industry, criticized the ban, saying it has worked to significantly reduce emissions but needs more flexibility. Chris Spear, president and CEO of the group, said California was setting “unrealistic targets and unachievable timelines” that will increase costs.

The state hopes the ban will save money related to health costs caused by pollution, including asthma attacks and respiratory illness.

When California, the nation’s largest car and truck market, sets new rules on tailpipe pollution, it has an impact across the rest of the country — and the world. The state has for decades been at the vanguard of the nation’s clean-air regulations. California is unique among the states in that the 1970 Clean Air Act allows it to set tighter air pollution rules than those used by the federal government — and historically, when it does so, the federal government often follows. (© The New York Times)

An Epidemic of Loneliness

According to U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy, the United States is facing an “epidemic of loneliness and isolation.”

“In recent years, about one-intwo adults in America reported experiencing loneliness,” Murthy said in the advisory released on Tuesday regarding the mental health issue.

“And that was before the COVID-19 pandemic cut off so many of us from friends, loved ones, and support systems.”

Research has shown that loneliness and isolation are linked to sleep problems, inflammation and immune changes in younger adults. In older people, they’re tied to symptoms such as pain, insomnia, depression, anxiety, and shorter life span. In people of all ages, they may be associated with higher risks of heart disease, stroke, diabetes,

addiction, suicidality and self-harm, and dementia.

Murthy says that a social connection can help combat these issues and make communities more resilient.

“Loneliness I think of as a great masquerader. It can look like different things,” Murthy told CNN. “Some people, they become withdrawn. Others become irritable and angry…. I think the time you get concerned is when you start experiencing a feeling of loneliness for prolonged periods of time. If you feel lonely, you pick up the phone and call a friend, and then it goes away, or you get in the car and go see a family member, that’s OK. That’s loneliness acting like hunger or thirst, a signal our body sends us when we need something for survival. It’s when it persists that it becomes harmful.”

Murthy announced a program to combat loneliness, which entails a framework rooted in six pillars.

The first, strengthening social

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infrastructure in communities, involves boosting programs like volunteer organizations or religious groups, policies like public transit or education, and physical elements like libraries and green spaces.

The second pillar calls for more “pro-connection public policies.” Governments and institutions are urged to adopt an approach that recognizes that policies can benefit or hinder connection and that “every sector of society is relevant to social connection.” Policymakers should focus on reducing disparities in connection.

The third pillar relies on the crucial role of public health and health care delivery systems to address social connection.

For the fourth pillar, reform

to connect with others. Some technology fans the flames of marginalization and discrimination, bullying, and other forms of severe social negativity.”

The fifth pillar, deepening knowledge, urges stakeholders such as officials, policymakers, health care providers and researchers to collaborate on a research agenda to address gaps in the data.

The final pillar urges a culture of connection in which Americans “cultivate values of kindness, respect, service, and commitment to one another.” Everyone can use their voice to emphasize these values and model healthy connections, Murthy says, and the nation’s institutions should invest in demonstrating them.

ments next week, rolling back a vast assertion of government power that helped bring an end to the worst public health threat in 100 years but roiled American politics in the process.

The White House announced the shift in policy on Monday, three years after the start of a pandemic that eventually prompted the United States and nations around the world to require hundreds of millions of people to be vaccinated against the fast-moving and rapidly changing coronavirus.

But May 11, those requirements will end for federal workers, international travelers, contractors, Head Start employees and health care workers at many hospitals, according to a statement issued by the White House.

“While vaccination remains one of the most important tools in advancing

vaccine mandates became a centerpiece for a vitriolic battle between Republicans and Democrats across the country.

Starting May 11, the government will no longer do so. Officials said that since January 2021 — about the time that the vaccines started becoming available — COVID deaths in the United States had declined by 95%, and hospitalizations were down almost 91%.

That mirrors the trend around the world, where deaths from the virus are at their lowest levels since the beginning of the pandemic, according to the White House.

Medical experts, many of whom were fierce advocates of government vaccine mandates throughout the pandemic, largely agree that the need for such requirements has diminished as the virus — once a vicious threat — has faded.

Torah Thought Ah, There You Are!!

By Rabbi Zvi Teichman

In the introduction to the restriction for Kohanim from becoming contaminated from the dead, they are referred to as the ‘Kohanim, the sons of Aharon’.

Why did the Torah emphasize the obvious fact of their being descended from Aharon precisely at this juncture?

The Zohar states that the Torah is seeking to accentuate the defining character trait of Aharon as the paradigm תוירבה תא בהוא — Lover of People, that is incumbent upon his descendants to emulate.

But why is this being noted specifically as a prelude to the need for them to refrain from coming in contact with the dead?

— light’, our external physical self, enmeshed seamlessly with our soul, radiating its light. When man, however, succumbed to his urges by eating from the Tree of Knowledge, that former garment of light transformed into a hardened ‘garment of רוע — skin’, a physical entity no longer fused to its soul. Man would now face a world where the tension and friction generated in the battle between the physical and spiritual would cause our material self to eventually erode, in a process of death, the forewarned consequence of having sinned.

The former ‘unity’ that existed between the two elements of life, that infused the physical world with eternal ‘life’, will no longer be possible. All

G-d initially wired into the world, pursuing peace and unity, by overcoming those ‘urges’ and allowing only His unified will to persevere in all our encounters with the material world.

Aharon HaKohen saw light wherever he gazed. He loved humanity because he always perceived each person with positivity, seeing the qualities inherent within them. He refused to yield to a world of ‘division’, holding out hope for every creature. Death — was anathema to his world view. Death exists solely in an environment of negativity and dissent.

It was for this reason the Torah declares to the descendants of Aharon to distance themselves from the impurity of the dead, remaining focused and dedicated to peace and harmony, that will one day restore our material world to ‘life’ once again.

The attribute to ‘love people’ is one of the forty-eight ways the Torah is acquired through.

It is averred that the students of Rabbi Akiva ceased from dying on the thirty-third day of the Omer, after having pursued a path of rectifying their errant ways in implementing these attributes. According to one listing of these 48 ways, day thirty-two corresponds to the quality to be תא בהוא תוירבה — loving people.

The ingredient for death — dissent, was evident in their lacking honor for one another, permitting their egos to promote their own ‘greatness’ while ignoring the wonderful qualities of their fellow students.

When they mastered appreciation for one another, they put death quickly to rest and rose together mightily in their learning, restoring the terrible vacuum created by the death of twenty-four thousand brilliant students, bringing renewed life to their world.

Rabbi Shimon ben Yochai was one

of those students who brought back an exquisite abiding love amongst them, meriting a burst of depth of Torah knowledge that formerly did not exist.

(Zohar Naso)

The Vilna Gaon interprets the verse in Mishlei, תונב תובר — Many daughters, ליח ושע — have amassed achievement, as referring to the collective Torah community who each embody a facet of one of the 48 ways, ‘for no one individual can attain perfection in all of them’. It is only through the aggregate of their efforts that amasses ליח — achievement, with ליח being numerically equivalent to all 48!

Rav Moshe Menachem HaKohen Shapiro directs us to the words of the great Rav Meir Simcha Hakohen of Dvinsk, who writes in his Meshech Chochmah, that the merits of others can only accrue for all if there is genuine unity and appreciation between them all.

(םירבד הרוטפה)

Rebbi Shimon Bar Yochai informed his students, אילת אתוביבחב ןנא — our survival is contingent on our cherishing one another.

The Midrash records a fascinating account of how the great Rebbi Shimon Bar Yochai cared deeply for every Jew.

There was an incident involving a certain woman in Sidon who stayed with her husband ten years and did not give birth. They came to Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai and sought to separate from one another. He said to them: ‘By your lives, just as you came together with food and drink, so too, you shall separate only with food and drink.’ They followed his advice and made a celebration for themselves, made a great feast, and she got him to drink in excess. When he was in good spirits, he said to her: ‘My daughter, see any good item that I have in the

Torah Thought

house, take it, and go to your father’s house.’ What did she do? After he fell asleep, she motioned to her servants and maidservants and said to them: ‘Carry him in his bed and take him to my father’s house.’ At midnight he awakened from his slumber after his wine had abated. He said to her: ‘My daughter, where am I?’ She said to him: ‘In my father’s house.’ He said to her: ‘What am I doing in your father’s house?’ She said to him: ‘Is this not what you said to me in the evening: See any good item that I have in the house, take it, and go to your father’s house? There is no item in this world better for me than you.’ They went to Rabbi Shimon ben Yochai and he stood and prayed for them and they were remembered.

I would like to conjecture that Rebbi Shimon observed the frustration of the husband over his childless state that had led sadly to the disintegration of his relationship with his wife. He

suspected that the husband had overlooked the remarkable wife he had and was blinded by his overriding ambition for a child. Rebbi Shimon who understood the depths of human souls as no other, knew that when a person lacks a healthy appreciation of one’s own self-worth, one’s talents, one’s purpose, one tends to latch onto different objectives, hopes, and goals that when acquired will give one definition, respect, and happiness. But it never does bring satisfaction. He knew he would have to bring him to an awareness of how much he meant to his wife, independent of meriting to build a family.

Rebbi Shimon set into motion a sequence of events that resulted in the husband coming to his senses — due to a wise and loving wife — finally realizing how cherished and truly special he was. He no longer ‘needed’ a child to go forward happily in life — although he certainly longed for one — newly equipped with a healthy

sense of self, permitting himself to feel loved and more fortified than ever to be more loving.

Rebbi Shimon didn’t simply cherish people, he empowered them to see the beauty of their own souls permitting themselves to flourish and grow authentically in tune with their unique contribution to this most fabulous, beautiful mosaic — the Jewish people.

The Holy Bnei Yissoschor points out that יאחוי ןב ןועמש is numerically equivalent toםיתמ היחמ — revives the dead

The power to restore life into the world begins with our willingness to truly cherish others, making them feel worthy.

On Lag B’Omer we must stoke the fires that burn brightly within each other, discovering each other’s brilliance anew.

As we head onward in the days of Sefira preparing ourselves for the ultimate day of the ‘Giving of the Torah’

once again, we must remain focused on this goal so that we merit having the Torah illuminate our lives.

A secular author wisely stated, “There are two types of people — those who come into a room and say, “Well, here I am!” and those who come in and say, “Ah, there you are.”

One who focuses on ‘here I am’ lives in a world of דוריפ — division, destined to a life of conflict and discontent.

Those, however, who are eager to acknowledge another, exclaiming with joy ‘there you are’, sincerely loving and appreciating people in the spirit of Aharon, are destined to live in harmony and peace, meriting the beauty of Torah in all aspects of our lives!

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

Baltimore Weekday Minyanim Guide

Shacharis Mincha

Neitz Beit Yaakov [Sefaradi] M-F

Ohel Yakov S-F

6:00 AM Shomrei Emunah Congregation M-F

6:10 AM Agudath Israel of Baltimore M, Th

6:15 AM Kol Torah M, TH

Mercaz Torah U'Tefillah M-F

Shearith Israel Congregation M, TH

The Adas: Chofetz Chaim Adas Bnei Israel M, TH

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

Arugas HaBosem (Rabbi Taub's) S-F

Bnai Jacob Shaarei Zion Congregation M-F

Kehilath B'nai Torah M, TH

Shomrei Emunah Congregation S, M, TH

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

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

Darchei Tzedek M-F

Kehilath B'nai Torah T, W, F

Khal Bais Nosson M-F

Khal Ahavas Yisroel/ Tzemach Tzedek M-F

Kol Torah T, W, F

Ohr Yisroel M-F

Shearith Israel Congregation T, W, F

Shomrei Emunah Congregation T, W, F

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

Ohel Moshe M, TH

6:40 AM Aish Kodesh (downstairs Minyan) T, W, F Bnai Jacob Shaarei Zion Congregation M, TH

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

Beth Abraham M, TH

Greenspring Sephardic Synagogue M-F

Mercaz Torah U'Tefillah S-F

Ner Tamid M-F

Ohel Moshe T, W, F

Suburban Orthodox Congregation Toras Chaim M-F

6:50 AM Agudath Israel of Baltimore M, TH

Ahavat Shalom [Sefaradi] M, TH

Bais Medrash of Ranchleigh M, TH

Bnai Jacob Shaarei Zion Congregation T, W, F

Community Kollel Tiferes Moshe Aryeh M, TH

Derech Chaim M-F

Kol Torah M-F

Ohel Moshe S

Ohr Hamizrach [Sefaradi] M, TH

Shomrei Emunah Congregation M, TH

The Shul at the Lubavitch Center M, TH

6:55 AM Beth Abraham T, W, F

Kol Torah M, TH

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

Agudath Israel of Baltimore S, T, W, F

Ahavat Shalom [Sefaradi] T, W, F

Arugas HaBosem (Rabbi Taub's) S

Bais Medrash of Ranchleigh T, W, F

Community Kollel Tiferes Moshe Aryeh T, W, F

Greenspring Sephardic Synagogue S

Khal Ahavas Yisroel/ Tzemach Tzedek S

Kol Torah T, W, F

Mercaz Torah U’Tefillah S-F

Moses Montefiore Anshe Emunah S-F

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

Shearith Israel Congregation S, M, TH

Shomrei Emunah Congregation T, W, F

Shomrei Mishmeres Hakodesh M-F

The Shul at the Lubavitch Center T, W, F

Tiferes Yisroel M-F

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

7:15 AM Kedushas Yisrael S

Kol Torah S

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

Mercaz Torah U'Tefillah S-F

Ner Israel Rabbinical College S-F

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

Shomrei Emunah Congregation S

Suburban Orthodox Congregation Toras Chaim S

The Adas: Chofetz Chaim Adas Bnei Israel S

Tzeirah Anash M-F

7:20 AM Agudath Israel of Baltimore M, TH

Beth Tfiloh Congregation M-F

Kol Torah M-F

Ohr Hamizrach [Sefaradi] M, TH

Shomrei Emunah Congregation M, TH

7:30 AM Agudah of Greenspring S

Agudath Israel of Baltimore S, T, W, F

Ahavat Shalom [Sefaradi] S

Bais Haknesses Ohr HaChaim S-F

Bais Hamedrash and Mesivta of Baltimore S-F

Bais Medrash of Ranchleigh S

Beit Yaakov [Sefaradi] S

Bnai Jacob Shaarei Zion Congregation S

Chabad of Park Heights S

Community Kollel Tiferes Moshe Aryeh S-F

Darchei Tzedek S

Kedushas Yisrael S-F

Khal Bais Nosson S

Ner Israel Rabbinical College (Mechina) S-F

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

Tzeirah Anash S

Yeshiva Tiferes Hatorah S-F

8:15 AM Kehilath B'nai Torah S

Kol Torah S

Mercaz Torah U'Tefillah S-F

8:20 AM Bais Haknesses Ohr HaChaim S-F

8:30 AM Agudath Israel of Baltimore S-F

Machzikei Torah (Sternhill's) S-F

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

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

10:00AM Mercaz Torah U’Tefillah S-F

Mincha Gedolah Mercaz Torah U’Tefillah

Khal Ahavas Yisroel/Tzemach Tzedek

1:45 PM Ohel Moshe

1:50 PM Bais Haknesses Ohr HaChaim

Neuberger, Quinn, Gielen, Rubin & Gibber

2:00 PM Agudath Israel of Baltimore

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

Ner Israel Rabbinical College

Tov Pizza Mincha Minyan

Community Kollel Tiferes Moshe Aryeh

Mesivta Shaarei Chaim (Etz Chaim Building)

Shearith Israel Congregation

3:00 PM Agudath Israel of Baltimore

Bais Haknesses Ohr HaChaim

Mercaz Torah U'Tefillah

3:05 PM Kedushas Yisrael

3:15 PM Hat Box

4:00 PM Agudath Israel of Baltimore

Mercaz Torah U'Tefillah

5:00 PM Agudath Israel of Baltimore

Mercaz Torah U'Tefillah

5:30 PM Agudath Israel of Baltimore

6:00 PM Kedushas Yisrael

Agudath Israel of Baltimore

Mercaz Torah U'Tefillah

7:00 PM Mercaz Torah U’Tefillah

14 Min Before ShkiAh Kol Torah

Mincha/Maariv Before Shkiah

Aish Kodesh

Agudath Israel of Baltimore

Agudah of Greenspring

Bais Haknesses Ohr HaChaim

Beth Abraham

Bnai Jacob Shaarei Zion Congregation

Darchei Tzedek

Kehillas Meor HaTorah

Kehilath B’nai Torah

Khal Ahavas Yisroel/ Tzemach Tzedek

Machzikei Torah (Sternhill’s)

Mercaz Torah U’Tefillah

Ner Tamid

Ohel Moshe

Ohr Hamizrach [Sefaradi]

Ohr Yisroel

Pikesville Jewish Congregation

Shearith Israel Congregation

Shomrei Emunah Congregation

Shomrei Mishmeres

Suburban Orthodox Congregation Toras Chaim

The Adas: Chofetz Chaim Adas Bnei Israel

The Shul at the Lubavitch Center

Tiferes Yisroel

Maariv

7:45 PM Talmudical Academy

8:00 PM Agudath Israel of Baltimore

Mercaz Torah U'Tefillah

8:10 PM Kol Torah

8:15 PM Khal Ahavas Yisroel/ Tzemach Tzedek

Shomrei Emunah Congregation

8:30 PM Agudath Israel of Baltimore

Mercaz Torah U’Tefillah

8:45 PM Darchei Tzedek

Ner Israel Rabbinical College (Mechina)

Ohr Yisroel

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

8:55 PM Community Kollel Tiferes Moshe Aryeh

Maariv continued

9:00 PM Agudath Israel of Baltimore

Arugas Habosem

Mercaz Torah U'Tefillah

Shomrei Emunah Congregation

Suburban Orthodox Congregation Toras Chaim

9:20 PM Kol Torah

9:30 PM Agudah of Greenspring

Agudath Israel of Baltimore

Kedushas Yisrael

Mercaz Torah U'Tefillah

9:40 PM Ahavat Shalom [Sefaradi]

9:45 PM Bais Haknesses Ohr HaChaim

Kollel Erev Birchas Yitzchok (Luries)

Machzikei Torah (Sternhill's)

Ohr Hamizrach [Sefaradi]

Yeshiva Tiferes Hatorah

9:50 PM Aish Kodesh

Community Kollel Tiferes Moshe Aryeh

Ohel Moshe

10:00 PM Agudath Israel of Baltimore

Darchei Tzedek

Kehilath B'nai Torah

Khal Ahavas Yisroel/ Tzemach Tzedek

Mercaz Torah U'Tefillah

Shearith Israel Congregation

Shomrei Emunah Congregation

10:05 PM Kol Torah

10:10 PM Ner Israel Rabbinical College

10:15 PM Derech Chaim

Khal Bais Nosson

10:30 PM Agudath Israel of Baltimore

Mercaz Torah U'Tefillah

11:00 PM Agudath Israel of Baltimore

Mercaz Torah U'Tefillah

Agudah of Greenspring - 6107 Greenspring Ave

Agudath Israel of Baltimore - 6200 Park Heights Ave

Ahavat Shalom - 3009 Northbrook Rd

Aish Kodesh - 6207 Ivymount Rd

Arugas HaBosem - 3509 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

Machzikei Torah - 6216 Biltmore Ave

Mercaz Torah U’Tefillah - 6500 Baythorne Rd

Mesivta Kesser Torah - 8400 Park Heights Ave

Mesivta Shaarei Chaim - 3702 Fords Ln

Moses Montefiore Anshe Emunah - 7000 Rockland Hills Dr

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

Ner Israel Rabbinical College - 400 Mt Wilson Ln

Ner Tamid - 6214 Pimlico Road

Ohel Moshe - 2808 Smith Ave

Ohel Yakov - 3200 Glen Ave

Ohr Hamizrach [Sefaradi] - 6813 Park Heights Ave

Ohr Yisroel - 2429 Lightfoot Dr

Pikesville Jewish Congregation - 7644 Carla Rd

Shearith Israel Congregation - 5835 Park Heights Ave

Shomrei Emunah Congregation - 6221 Greenspring Ave

Shomrei Mishmeres Hakodesh - 2821 W Strathmore Ave

Suburban Orthodox Congregation Toras Chaim - 7504 Seven Mile Ln

Talmudical Academy - 4445 Old Court Rd

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

The Shul at the Lubavitch Center - 6701 Old Pimlico Rd

Tiferes Yisroel - 6201 Park Heights Ave

Tzeirah Anash - 6706 Cross County Blvd

Yeshiva Tiferes Hatorah - 6819 Williamson Ave

STARTING

MAY 25 th •

For the ןנבר יכלמ ןאמ learning Oraysa, the start of a new Masechta marks the highlight of the year. Just like the calendar year which has exciting milestones and Yomim Tovim, learning maseches Rosh Hashana will give you the rewarding experience of owning many exciting sugyos, הנווכ תוכירצ תווצמ, שדוחה שודיק, תבש תפסות, among many others. This is your opportunity.

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• Learn 1 new amud daily Sunday-Thursday

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• Interactive Rischa D’Oraysa Q & A’s

הנשה שאר תכסמ

Mental Health Corner

Theoretical Orientations

By Rabbi Azriel Hauptman

Atheoretical orientation is the therapist’s understanding about how psychological problems develop and how these problems are treated or changed. There are countless theories out there, and as a therapist’s personal journey progresses, he or she will gravitate towards a handful of approaches and these become the bedrock of their entire method in treating clients. The purpose of this article is to highlight the roadblocks to effective treatment when the therapist does not embrace any specific theory or theories and therefore lacks a coherent approach to therapy.

To illustrate what we mean, let us pick two approaches that are on the polar ends of psychological theory, and they are psychoanalytic theory

and cognitive-behavioral theory.

Sigmund Freud famously developed psychoanalytic theory that understands that unconscious urges and desires that have their underpinnings in early childhood experiences are the primary driver of human behaviors and emotions. According to this theory, if your subconscious thoughts can become conscious then you will no longer be bound by them and you will achieve relief from your mental health disorder. Therefore, gaining insight into the root of your thoughts and emotions is the foundation of this form of therapy.

Cognitive-behavioral theory takes a completely different approach. This theory understands that thought distortions and maladaptive behaviors are the cause of psychological disor-

ders. Relief can be achieved through teaching the client new ways of thinking and reacting. Delving into the past is not necessary.

This extremely simplistic presentation of two theories of human behavior shows how two people can look at the same situation, and view it in two totally different frameworks. You might ask that if there are numerous ways of conceptualizing human behavior and there is arguably no specific right or wrong way, then why must a therapist have a specific orientation?

Clear Thought

In order for a therapist to guide the treatment, the therapist must be able to think clearly about the situation that is presented by their client. If a therapist is aware of the hundreds of orientations and techniques that exist in the field of psychotherapy, and has no specific methodology, then their thinking process regarding any specific client will be confused and disoriented as they try to contain in their head all the different ways that this can be umderstood.

Assessment

Every therapist needs to assess the nature of the mental health disorder of every individual client. If the therapist does have any specific approach, then there is no way to make an assessment. Psychoanalytic theory states that this client’s issue is that subconscious thoughts are driving the negative thoughts and emotions. Cognitive-behavioral theory believes that the client lacks the tools for engaging in rational thought patterns and avoiding maladaptive behaviors. Rogerian theory believes that the client lacks the empathetic and accepting environment that will free the client to self-actualize on their own, and the list goes on.

Setting Goals and Techniques

Most individuals entering therapy are not doing it for fun. They are in distress and are seeking help. In order to achieve their goal, the therapist and the client will work on determining goals of treatment in order to facilitate the therapeutic process. Here too,

theory determines goals, which then determines the nature of the intervention.

Measuring Progress

As one’s therapy proceeds, the client has a right to know if he or she is making progress. When there is a specific theory or orientation that forms the basis of the therapy, then that theory forms the framework for defining the nature of progress. Although the theory of change differs from one modality to another, they all have some sort of way of defining the nature of change. Without a specific orientation, it can be very hard to determine if the therapy is meeting the needs of the client.

Many therapists will tell you that they have no specific orientation. Rather, they are eclectic or integrative. There is nothing wrong with being eclectic, but it depends if it is sloppy eclecticism or one with a structure and a purpose.

Ask your therapist what are his or her primary orientations and what they integrate. If the response that you receive comes across as a deer in headlights, then your therapist is probably suffering from sloppy eclecticism and the likelihood of successful therapy is greatly diminished. However, if your therapist can name you one or two theories that form the bedrock of their orientation and then name a bunch of other theories that they integrate, then you have an eclectic therapist that has coherent thought in their eclecticism.

Therapy is expensive and as the consumer you have the right to ask any potential therapist as to the nature of their practice. Doing some legwork prior to engaging the services of a specific therapist can have tremendous benefits in the long-term.

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

Parenting Pearls

Spring Safety

By Sara Rayvych, MSEd

The sun is out and so are the kids. When you see those little legs run out the door you wonder how they stayed inside for months. Adults enjoy the warm weather, but kids have an extra appreciation. The outdoors becomes full of little bodies flying around on bikes and scooters, laughter following behind them.

It’s healthy for all of us to be outdoors. But, as much as we need it, kids require it even more. Toddlers will fight anything to do with a nap but will run with excitement to get into the stroller for a walk. The fresh air quickly puts them to sleep (usually). My little guys run free and come back dirty and happy. Even the teens and tweens are getting out more with walks to fun places and visits to friends.

We adults shouldn’t forget to have some fun with the kids, other adults or even just by ourselves. It’s relaxing to be outside, and we, too, benefit from walking outdoors and enjoying the warmth.

Now that the kids are out more, it seemed like an excellent time for a reminder of a few safety tips to ensure our warmest months are healthy for all.

Helmet Safety

Bikes, roller blades and scooters are not only fun, they’re healthy exercise and an easy mode of transportation for all ages. For this discussion, I’m referring only to the old-fashioned versions that are similar to what we enjoyed as children, not the newer, motorized models.

Properly fitted and worn helmets are a necessity. If the helmet is loose or not strapped on correctly then it’s not protecting their valuable heads. Check the fit against the model’s or company’s instructions to make sure it’s accurate. Periodically check the helmet on your child’s head. Kids have a tendency to loosen or move the straps and inadvertently ruin the fit.

Not all helmets are created equal. You want to make sure the helmet matches the activity. For older children who are traveling faster or alongside cars, it’s even more crucial to get them a good quality helmet.

Kids may think they get the right-ofway on sidewalks, but kids on wheels are clearly an exception. I’ve seen kids zoom down the sidewalk, narrowly missing others. Please take the time to practice with your youngster safe ways to slowly approach others on the sidewalk and indicate their intentions to pass. “MOVE!” as one child screamed to me, is not the proper way. Children should not rely on their skill and aim to swerve around people. They may be small and cute, but when they go fast on wheels, they are a danger to people on feet.

Street Safety

Kids shouldn’t be in the streets. The problem is that little ones don’t realize that. Little kids always need an adult right next to them if they have access to the road. They’re quick, and I’ve seen kids dart into the street shockingly fast.

As children become old enough, they should be taught the correct way to cross the road, looking both ways and back. Model the appropriate behaviors and periodically check on them from the windows. Even well-educated youngsters can get careless and begin to cross without looking.

Unfortunately, older children may also need reminders to cross safely. Too many older children are crossing without looking. Long ago, I stopped assuming that pedestrians would recognize they

have a red light. They’re entering the street without even realizing they’ve left the curb.

Please remind them to put their phone away first. Their safety is worth missing a phone call or text. They can become so focused on the device in their hand that they fail to take basic safety precautions.

Before crossing in front of a car, children should make sure the driver has seen them. Just because a vehicle has stopped at a stop sign doesn’t mean they’ve seen the pedestrian on the corner. Waiting for a signal from the driver or even simple eye contact ensures they’ve been noticed.

Never walk behind a vehicle that may be pulling out of a parking spot. As common as back-up cameras are, not everyone has one. Too often people walking in parking lots erroneously assume cars can see them. Extra caution is required near vans and larger vehicles that have limited visibility.

Safe Driving

Whether or not you’re a parent, as drivers, we have a serious responsibility. We always have a requirement to drive safely and defensively. We can never assume what another car or pedestrian will do.

Never text while driving, and don’t make phone calls that will distract you from the road. Having kids in the car is

distracting enough, there’s no need to add technology.

Drivers need to be extra cautious when children are out. Little ones, especially, can dart out between cars or act dangerously. If you see a ball or anything roll by, you need to assume its small owner may try following. While parents have a responsibility to watch their child, we as drivers have to do our part, as well.

Slow down in residential areas and where parks and schools are located. I do realize that may cover the majority of our neighborhoods.

Parental Modeling

We are our child’s first and main teacher, and we need to model the behaviors we want to see. When we cross carelessly or encourage our children to flaunt the rules, we are not only setting a poor example, we’re also acting hypocritically.

We, too, need to put down our phones when crossing and look both ways. It used to be that only teens were neglecting basic safety but now I’m seeing adults being careless, too. It’s incredibly frustrating to drive when people will randomly cross in front of your vehicle, completely ignoring the red light before them.

Anger is a terrible middah; road rage is a dangerous one. It’s never good to act aggressively toward others – adding tons of metal and force only makes it worse. Cursing and negative speech against other drivers – no matter how valid the criticism may seem – sets a bad example for our impressionable youngsters.

This is an amazing time of the year, and a few simple safety guidelines will make it that much more incredible. Enjoy the fresh air, get pictures of the fun, and relish the time spent together. It’s often the simple things in life that are among the great gifts Hashem has given us.

Sara Rayvych, MSEd, has her master’s in general and special education. She has been homeschooling for over 10 years in Far Rockaway. She can be contacted at Rayvych Homeschool@gmail.com.

THE BJH PRESENTS: A BOOST OF “INSPIRATION”

A Snippet From Judaism’s Number One Podcast

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

My Battle With Polio: The Story of Chava Willig Levy

A SNIPPET FROM JUDAISM’S NUMBER ONE PODCAST

hava Willig Levy is an award-winning author and an advocate for individuals with disabilities. As a person who gets around in a motorized wheelchair, she has shattered many stereotypes about people with disabilities in the workplace, in the community, in the classroom, and on the college campus. As an internationally known motivational speaker, she is famous for her humor, passion, and compassion. When Chava was a little girl she contracted polio and has been battling it ever since. Despite being told that she would never get married or have children, Chava has proven the naysayer wrong. She constantly fights for what she believes in and won’t be stopped.

CIn 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.

compliment can be harmful”. When people say, oh you’re so special or talk about special needs, the word “special” has become a euphemism. It implies that there’s something so painful about a disability that we just have to try to find a different word She would

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

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

ELI PALEY CEO OF MISHPACHA

disability agreed to go out with Cha va she would wonder what was wrong with him psychologically. This was a source of tremendous pain. For a long time, she didn’t want to marry some one with a disability but ultimately realized she and her husband have so

the hand of a good and forgiving G-d” from the Yom Kippur prayers. The theme of her book is that we are like the steering wheel in the hand of a sailor. There are so many times when Hashem is steering us, we don’t al-

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.

like to think that moving forward more people are raising their children to look at disability as something interesting and not to turn away from it. She loves when people ask questions.

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

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

Most people who contract polio feel fever and have chills, and in the majority of cases, the patient ends up the same as before. In a small percentage, there is minor paralysis. In her case, her arms are weaker than her very weak legs. In the rare form of Bull Bar polio which Chava did contract, it paralyzes the diaphragm and breathing muscles. She uses a ventilator for 14 out of 24 hours to allow her weak breathing muscles to rest.

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.

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.

Schools were completely inaccessible to her. Finally, at 9 she was able to go to school, which was a single room with only children with a mobility impairment. Although she was not intellectually disabled there was complete segregation. This made her a radical also in terms of the frum world not wanting to look at people with disabilities.

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.

Chava believes firmly in “Gam zu letovah”, that everything is for the good. Sometimes we are lucky to see that things that appeared unfair were a blessing in disguise and that is how she met her husband. She fell in her apartment while trying to turn off the radio and ended up hearing about a recital by the Dutch soprano, Ellie Amaling, that she wanted to attend. She could not find anyone to go with her to the concert but remembered Michael Levy, a very good-looking blind man who had crossed her path on many occasions. She says if she had not fallen, she would’ve turned off the radio, and wouldn’t have bought tickets to that concert. It was a miracle to finally meet this man who eventually became her husband.

Chava explains that “sometimes a

Chava was always told that she wouldn’t get married. When she told a shadchan she would be happy to meet someone without a disability the shadchan said if a man without a

much in common. Their disabilities are there but that’s not what brought them together at all. Their disabilities are complementary in that they each do things that the other can’t. Her advice to people dating is that it is a “good idea to throw out your list”.

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.

Chava still feels the presence of Hashem in their life. There have been challenging and hard times. She now suffers from post-polio syndrome and can no longer walk at all. With post-polio syndrome, even those muscles not damaged by the virus begin to falter. Many years after contracting polio life has become harder and harder for her, she cannot walk at all and has difficulty with her breathing.

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

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

People thought she and her husband were being unrealistic about wanting children. They faced many years of infertility treatment but she decided that parents have a moment of prophecy when they name a child and there was a reason for her name Chava and surely motherhood is in her destiny. They finally decided to try to adopt and it was then that she became pregnant.

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.

She wants people to know about polio. The Jewish Orthodox Women’s Medical Association (JOMA) asked her to make a video about life as a polio survivor. While she never talks publicly about her disability, she felt it was critical to do the video in the hope of saving lives. Sadly, people don’t want to get the polio vaccine when it’s been proven to work. People have not seen polio up close because it’s been virtually eradicated.

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.

When their daughter was born Rabbi Paysach Krohn came to meet this miracle baby, and he said next time it will be a boy. She was close to 40 but Boruch Hashem Rabbi Krohn was right.

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.

Chava’s favorite brocha is “shehakol” which she likes to translate a little differently, saying everything exists because Hashem says so. That means that even if we may not see it, everything is because He says so, and He cares and He loves us. She gains strength every time she says that brocha and it is a chance for her to remember that.

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.”

Chava was asked about her book, A Life Not with Standing” and the photograph of the boat on the cover. She wrote in the book, “Like the helm in the hand of the sailor so are we in

“Everything exists because He says so”

Tech Triumphs

An Unexpected Benefit By Rebbetzin Sara Gross

Iran my business on Whatsapp. My phone was constantly dinging, and I felt myself unable to make it through a conversation without feeling the need to check who was Whatsapping me at any given moment. Finally, I had enough. I deleted Whatsapp from my phone and it made big waves in my business field. Everyone I met was commenting on my choice. Then I called a vendor who I use and got quite a surprise. The man in charge of the booking said, “I heard you deleted Whatsapp. I am so impressed and inspired by the fact that you could do that even though your business relies on it heavily. I will give you a discount on our usual fees simply out of respect for your admirable and inspiring decision.”

I was a little shocked at the widespread reaction to my choice. Then I realized that so many people are drawn to their phones constantly to check Whatsapp. Although so many people feel that there is nothing intrinsically wrong with the app, many recognize that it just has a way of sucking a person into checking it way too often. Because of the number of chat groups people tend to be a part of and the non-stop avalanche of messages it is grabbing our attention constantly. It makes it hard to focus and concentrate on life and it has proven to be well worth it for my peace of mind to function without it.

DID YOU KNOW?

Did you know that when we get

into a hyper focus mode of work, we are most productive. If we are working or doing a task that requires concentration, this mode is imperative to our success. A ding or message that distracts us from our task can ruin our deep concentration mode. It takes roughly 23 minutes to achieve that same flow of concentration that we need to be most focused. Imagine how hard it is to achieve proper productivi-

ty with all the dings and messages that come from a cell phone nearby. This causes severe drops in productivity in any work environment. It is a good idea to turn off any notifications when working to avoid such strong distractibility.

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

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

Totally Kosher

TJH Speaks with Chanie Apfelbaum for Her Take on Tradition with a Twist

By Susan Schwamm

The kosher food world has changed so dramatically since years ago. Why do you think that’s happened, and what do you see on the horizon?

I think it all comes down to the consumers. People want more. People demand more. The whole foodie culture of the world has changed so much with Instagram and social media. They always say the kosher food world is behind, but still, along with the rest of the world, they’re demanding more out of restaurants, out of foodies and their dishes. There are bloggers and influencers, and all that has a huge effect on what people are watching, what they’re consuming, what they’re eating. We’re living in a foodie generation, and the kosher world is following suit.

You’re seeing it in different types of global cuisine in the kosher restaurant industry. You have Marani in Queens. You have Sen Sakana, a Peruvian Japanese restaurant in the city. We have real Omakase restaurants. People are bored of the heimish food that we grew up with, and everybody wants change.

Did you grow up with more heimish tastes in cuisine?

Yes, I grew up extremely Hungarian with Ashkenazi food. My mother still cooks that way. And don’t get me wrong, I love my mother’s food. To me, it’s nostalgic. It’s comforting. But my palate has evolved so much, and I think that those types of foods lean so sweet. Now, I really prefer savory and spicy food. I’ve just come to love different types of global cuisine, so for me, heimish, traditional food just falls really flat. It’s really more about comfort and nostalgia as opposed to flavor when I eat food from my youth.

How did you refine your palate?

The turning point for me was when I went to kosher culinary school. It was about over 10 years ago. I went in with the goal to expand my palate. I was into just using paprika and garlic powder in my cooking –my mother never used fresh herbs in her cooking. It wasn’t fresh and bright. It was good, though.

So I definitely had my preferences. I had my dislikes. I hated cilantro. I didn’t like fresh ginger. And I remember, in school, we made these different dishes. We made a pad Thai that just blew my mind because

it has tons of chili and lime and tamarind and cilantro and ginger and all these flavors that I’ve never tried before. We made all different types of global cuisine, and I just was like, “Wow, this is incredible.” These were foods that I had told myself I didn’t like, but I actually opened myself up to the possibilities. They were really, really delicious and intriguing, and I think that was a huge turning point for me in getting out of my comfort zone.

What does your mother say when she tastes these different flavors? Is she still shocked by it, or is she coming onboard?

She loves it. I was interviewed by The Wall Street Journal many years ago for my poutine latkes, and they also interviewed my Bubby. She told them that it turns her stomach thinking about how I’m putting cheese on traditional latkes. She has since passed away, but she wouldn’t understand these new flavors or appreciate them. My mother appreciates it. It’s not the way that she cooks, but she thinks my food is delicious. Every time she eats over, she’s like, “Wow, wow,” to this and that. And she loves going to different restaurants, and she loves trying new things. Once in a while, she also incorporates these flavors into her dishes in her kitchen.

I think it’s really a generational thing. When people are younger, they’re more open-minded. The generations and the culture is changing, as well.

What about your kids? They didn’t grow up eating all those heimish foods because I don’t cook them a lot. Obviously, they know from their Bubby’s house potato kugel on erev Shabbos. I don’t make it; they go to my mother’s house to have it. I make chicken soup often, and there are definitely some traditional things they we have. Potato latkes always – it’s not Chanukah without a real potato latke. So, they definitely have had so much exposure to so many different flavors, but they do appreciate the traditional foods.

What dishes do you recommend for people whose children’s palates aren’t used to these types of flavors?

I always say that with kids, to get them a little bit

out of their comfort zone, it’s great to serve food on a “board.” In the book, I have the “top 10 build your own boards,” but it doesn’t have to be on a board for me. It could be on the counter in a bunch of bowls. Putting the dishes out for the kids in a bar style, where they can pick and choose their own toppings, gives them a sense of control and they’re more likely to eat it. They’ll see their sibling sprinkling on something, so they’ll try it, too. My kids love when I do a build-yourown-taco or build-your-own-sushi bowl. Maybe they wouldn’t normally eat edamame, but they’ll sprinkle a few into their bowl and try it.

You wrote in your book that you didn’t start out as a foodie; you were actually a web designer. Tell us a little bit about your journey.

I’m a very creative person, and I’m very artistic. I always had my hands in different types of artistic endeavors, whether it was knitting or crocheting or scrapbooking or party planning. But I just didn’t have any interest in food because it seemed really square to me with a lot of rules and a lot of following instructions, and that’s not the way my brain works.

I found my way into the kitchen, because when I got married, I was forced to start cooking, and I started hosting people. Friends would ask me for my recipes because they say people eat with their eyes first and I really plated the food beautifully because I come from that artistic space. I realized that food can actually be a way for me to express myself artistically and creatively. That really piqued my interest, and then I started following food blogs – there were really maybe two on the web back then, like the Smitten Kitchen and Pioneer Woman. I used to watch the Food Network when I got home from work, and I subscribed to food magazines, and I just l started getting really into it as an artistic medium, and then slowly I thought, “Let me learn about food and flavors and cooking and all that.”

I want everyone to open the book and find something that they would love.

Your Millennial Kosher cookbook is extremely popular. Yes. The Millennial Kosher book is in its sixth printing. It came out in 2018. What made you decide to write Totally Kosher?

Anyone who writes a book will say after it’s done that they’re never writing one again, it’s just so much work to do. And it really is. But there comes a time when enough time has passed and you’re onto the next project. In this case, Clarkson Potter, an imprint of Penguin r andom House, had reached out to me because they were interested in coming out with a kosher cookbook because they hadn’t printed one in many years. I was really excited by the idea of going mainstream and reaching a global audience and bringing kosher to the masses.

Do you feel a big responsibility to be representing the Jewish, kosher world?

I one-hundred-percent feel that responsibility, and that’s why I put so much thought into so many details of my book. So much of what is woven through the book is about Jewish life and Jewish upbringing and Jewish pride and lighting Shabbos candles with my daughters. It’s showing our customs and traditions, whether it’s in the intros or in different ways. I don’t know if you noticed all the details, but even the end paper is Totally Kosher made into kosher “symbols.”

I really thought about all the details, and I put so much love into this book and so much thought into every recipe and every page because I want people to see that it’s not just the recipes. It’s really about the beauty of being a Jewish woman – Jewish pride, and all of that. I want people to get the feeling of that when they look through it.

What was the process when the publisher approached you to write the book?

I signed my contract with them in december 2019, which is a really long time ago, but we pushed the book off a year because of Covid. Everyone lost a year because of Covid, and I lost my taste and smell for a couple of months. I couldn’t even taste properly. Normally, I would say the normal trajectory of a cookbook is about two years.

So this has definitely been a long labor of love. Which recipes would you recommend people “start with” when opening up your newest book?

That’s a very hard question to answer, because it depends on the person. It depends on their family. It depends if they have kids. It depends on what flavors they enjoy.

In the book, I try to be sensible and have a little something for everyone. There are a handful of gluten-free recipes. There’s a lot of healthy recipes. There are some indulgent recipes. There are some traditional recipes. There are some modern recipes. There are some global recipes that use interesting ingredients, and then there are recipes that use pantry ingredients. I want everyone to open the book and find something that they would love.

You mentioned that people eat with their eyes. Can you give us specific plating tips on how readers can plate

their food to make it look more appealing?

I always joke that all Jewish food is brown. Matzah ball soup is beige. Brisket is brown. Cholent is brown. Kishka is brown. Literally every food is brown. And that’s one of the reasons that kosher food has such a stigma and a stereotype because it can look greasy and dull. But there are ways around it.

First of all, when I plan a menu, I think about all the dishes on the table. If your brisket is brown, that’s fine, but do you have something orange, like a roasted sweet potato or roasted butternut squash, or something green like snap peas or asparagus or some roasted cabbage?

And then looking at a dish itself, if your brisket is brown, maybe you can put some pomegranate seeds and parsley over it or add some figs or something beautiful. There’s always a way to bring color to the table.

Where do you store all your serving pieces? You must have so many.

They’re all over the house. I’ve been blogging for years and years, so I have so many props, but my style changes and general food trends change, so I’m constantly going through it, getting rid of stuff, getting new stuff. And obviously, before I photographed the book, I went shopping and got a lot of new stuff. I also hired a food stylist. She sent me some stuff that she wanted me to order.

There’s a lot of work that goes into every single photo. We plan our shoots at the beginning of the week and figure out all the things that we’re going to need. Even if we do all the shopping beforehand, we’re still making orders throughout the day because we forgot this or we forgot that. It was one of the hardest six weeks of my life – photographing that book – but it’s beautiful. I’m so proud of it.

Tell us about that six-week process.

At the beginning of the week, I made a schedule for every day of what we’re going to be making and then I printed out the recipes and hung them up in my kitchen along all the cabinets. I hired an assistant to cook the dishes, and I had my food stylist in the kitchen overseeing the dishes being made. Then I would photograph the dishes together with the food stylist one dish at a time. We got through 10, 12 recipes a day.

The photos are beautiful. Where did you learn food photography?

I had an interest in photography, but I didn’t understand how to use a camera. I would take photos for my blog in the early days, but now, when I look at those photos, it’s almost embarrassing. I have really evolved from there. But it’s so nice to see that a person could go from that to this.

In order to hone my talent, I took a class with Mendel Myers, who is a wedding photographer. It was a two-week class, and I really learned how to use the camera. I started to learn how to manipulate light. Over time, my composition got better and better. I see a huge difference even from Millennial Kosher to now.

Any tips for the home cook on how to photograph food well?

Well, really, it boils down to lighting. Lighting is a huge part of photography. iPhones are pretty good cameras. Flash is not great for photographing food. You could have someone shining their light on the side of the photo if you need extra light as opposed to you using the flash. I shoot with professional equipment, but if you just wanted to shoot in your house or have nicer photos, I would say move your dish over to a window.

What are a few recipes from Totally Kosher that you are always going back to for yourself and your family?

I think the Pad Chai is probably my favorite recipe in the book because well, first of all, it’s just a very playful name and I love things like that that are fun. But also, as I was saying, the pad Thai that I made in culinary school blew my mind with all the flavor – sour and spicy and tangy and all those different flavors you get from the lime and the tamarind and the harissa. It infuses all the points on the palate and it’s colorful and super flavorful. The dish infuses my two favorite flavor profiles, which is Middle Eastern and Thai. The Chili Crisp is something that may get lost because it’s in the “extras” chapter of the book, but it’s just so incredible, and it’s something that if you keep in your fridge, you can literally put it on everything. I would definitely suggest that people try that.

What certain spices or ingredients should people buy to experiment with different flavor profiles?

I saw such a huge difference when Millennial Kosher came out, right? My Kale Caesar Salad has a dressing with anchovies in it, which is not revolutionary. But in the heimish kitchen, a Caesar salad is mayo, distilled white vinegar, sugar, and garlic powder. I made a real umami-rich Caesar dressing for the book. I remember someone telling me that they sent their husband to the store, and he came home and he said that the guy in the store was like, “What is going on? There are so many men here coming to buy anchovies.” I remember going shopping for my kids for clothing in Williamsburg. The guy behind the counter thanked me and said that I introduced his family to sriracha and they now put it on everything. Millennial Kosher kind of introduced some of these flavors, which now are very commonplace.

For this book, I definitely think there are some new flavors, like gochujang, which is one of my favorite condiments ever. It’s a Korean chili paste. And it’s fermented, so it has lots of rich umami flavor. That’s literally one of my favorite ingredients.

Other than that, we have kombu that’s used in the miso soup, which is a great umami booster. Miso paste, which I actually had in my first book, is also wonderful. A lot of these ingredients help boost flavor in the kosher kitchen when we have the issue of not being able to use beef stock or things like that in certain dishes.

I also have that in the book – the top 10 ingredients to transform kosher cooking. Those are ingredients that will help in that way.

It’s really about the beauty of being a Jewish woman –Jewish pride.

A Taste of Totally Kosher Recipes

and Photos

by Chanie Apfelbaum

Peach Cornmeal Crisp

Serves 8

When it comes to fruit crisps, it’s summer > winter for me. I love playing around with different seasonal fruits to create a bubbly crisp or cobbler for dessert, but stone fruits are my jam (pun intended!). You can use peaches, plums, or cherries for this crisp. Just sweeten it to taste depending on the tartness of your fruit. The cornmeal in the crisp topping adds a wonderful texture and color to the crisp that just screams summer, and paired with ice cream, it’s a decadent dessert worthy of your BBQ feasts.

IngredIent S

• 2½ pounds peaches (5 medium), halved, pitted, and sliced ¼ inch thick (do not peel)

• ₁⁄₃ cup plus 1 tablespoon (packed) dark brown sugar, divided

• 2 tablespoons bourbon

• 1 tablespoon cornstarch

• ½ teaspoon freshly squeezed lemon juice

• ¾ teaspoon kosher salt, divided

• ¾ cup all-purpose flour

• ½ cup yellow cornmeal

• ₁⁄₃ cup refined coconut oil, softened

• ¼ cup granulated sugar

• Vanilla ice cream, for serving

PreParatIon

1. Preheat the oven to 375°F.

2. In a large bowl, toss the peaches with ¹⁄3 cup of the brown sugar, the bourbon, cornstarch, lemon juice, and ¼ teaspoon of the salt. Place the peaches into an 11-inch baking dish.

3. In a medium bowl, combine the flour, cornmeal, coconut oil, granulated sugar, remaining 1 tablespoon brown sugar, and remaining ½ teaspoon salt. Mix with your fingers to form crumbs and sprinkle over the peaches.

4. Bake for 45 to 50 minutes, until the fruit is bubbling and the topping is crisp and lightly browned. Remove from the oven and cool for 10 minutes before serving warm with ice cream.

5. Cover leftovers with foil and refrigerate (it may turn soggy).

Yemenite “Soup” Sheet Pan Chicken

Serves 4 to 6

The only way to describe a bowl of Yemenite soup is otherworldly. The smell—a heady blend of cumin, coriander, cardamom, and cloves—intoxicates the senses. It’s pure comfort food in a bowl. That smell comes from hawaij, a curry blend native to Yemenite cuisine, not to be confused with hawaij for coffee, its sweet counterpart. I use the spice blend on a whole chicken and roast it on a sheet pan for all the comfort of a bowl of soup turned into a heavenly sheet pan dinner.

IngredIent S

• 1 (3-pound) whole chicken

• 1 bunch of fresh cilantro

• 2 heads garlic, cut in half crosswise

• ½ lemon

• 1½ to 2 pounds baby Yukon gold potatoes, halved

• 2 plum tomatoes, quartered

• 1 small Spanish onion, sliced into wedges

• 3 tablespoons Hawaij for Soup (page 302)

• ¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil

• Kosher salt

• Hilbe or Schug, for serving (optional)

PreParatIon

1. Preheat the oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or foil.

2. Stuff the chicken cavity with most of the cilantro (reserving some for garnish), ½ head of the garlic, and the lemon half. Place it, breast-side up, in the center of the baking sheet. Arrange the potatoes, tomatoes, and onions around the chicken in a single layer.

3. In a small bowl, mix the hawaij and olive oil and brush it over the chicken (and under the skin) and vegetables. Season generously with salt. Tuck the remaining 2½ garlic heads, cut-side down, into the vegetables.

4. Bake for 1 hour, basting the chicken and vegetables with the pan juices halfway through, or until the chicken juices run clear and the vegetables are tender and caramelized.

5. Garnish with remaining fresh cilantro and serve with hilbe or Schug.

e a Sy doeS It!

Use store-bought hawaij seasoning, available in Middle Eastern markets. Pereg is my preferred brand, labeled “mixed spices for soup.”

Recipes excerpted with permission from “Totally Kosher” Copyright © 2023 by Chanie Apfelbaum. Photographs copyright © 2023 by Chanie Apfelbaum. Published by Clarkson Potter, an imprint of Random House.

TJH Centerfold Right on, Mate!

“The English are not happy unless they are miserable.” – George Orwell

“In England, if you commit a crime, the police don’t have a gun and you don’t have a gun. If you commit a crime, the police will say, ‘Stop, or I’ll say stop again.’” – Robin Williams

“The English are not a very spiritual people, so they invented cricket to give them some idea of eternity.”

– George Bernard Shaw

“English clubs are very exclusive. I played Royal Foxshire and they made me wear a suit and tie…in the shower.” – Bob Hope

Riddle me This

How do you say William Shakespeare in past tense?

Shookspeared

Answer: Wouldiwas

“Water is a staple of English cuisine.” – Daniel Darc

“English history consists largely of royal people getting their heads chopped off... Needless to say, this brand of history was a hit with our son.” – Dave Barry

“I now know why the English prefer tea: I just tasted their coffee.” – PierreJean Vaillard

“If you want to eat well in England, eat three breakfasts.” – W. Somerset Maugham

“[England has] everything in common with America nowadays except, of course, language.”

– Oscar Wilde

You Gotta Be Kidding Me!

Two Englishmen, two Scotsmen, two Welshmen and two Irishmen were on a plane that made an emergency landing, and they found themselves trapped on a desert island. The two Scotsmen got together and started a bank; the two Welshmen got together and started a choir; the two Irishmen got together and started a fight; the two Englishmen never spoke to each other – they hadn’t been introduced!

King Charles Trivia

1. At his coronation on May 6, King Charles will observe many customs, including which one of the following?

a. He will use the royal toothbrush that has been handed down to the British monarch since 1732.

b. He will sit in an old wooden chair called the Coronation Chair, which was made in 1300 and will have oil put on his head, chest, and hands.

c. He will pardon all dentists that have been sued for malpractice in England.

d. He will issue a proclamation that everyone in all of his providences should come to a party for 7 days. (This is just a proclamation; the party does not take place.)

2. King Charles was given an Aston Martin for his 21st birthday by his mother. He still has that vehicle. What does it run on?

a. Diesel

b. Surplus English wine and cheese that is turned into bioethanol

c. It was the first electric vehicle ever made

d. Super premium gasoline

3. Before becoming king, what was

then-Prince Charles’s official title?

a. Prince Charles III

b. His Royal Highness Prince Charles of Wales

c. Prince Charles Chancellor of the Exchequer

d. His Royal Highness Prince Charles Philip Arthur George, Prince of Wales, KG, KT, GCB, OM, AK, QSO, PC, ADC, Earl of Chester, Duke of Cornwall, Duke of Rothesay, Earl of Carrick, Baron of Renfrew, Lord of the Isles and Prince and Great Steward of Scotland

4. For years, it has been rumored that now-King Charles has the following cooked for him every afternoon:

a. Cholent (which he fell in love with when it was served to him on a visit to a frum community)

b. Seven boiled eggs (he picks the one that seems just right and discards the rest)

c. Crumpets (topped with butter and salt)

d. Burger King (Royal Double Burger and king-size fries)

5. Having earned the name “Pampered Prince,” which of the following is alleged in an Amazon Prime documentary

about now-King Charles and in a tell-all book that included interview with more than 120 people who worked for the royals?

a. He travels with his own toilet seat.

b. He always brings his own food to dinner parties.

c. His shoelaces are ironed every morning.

d. His butler squeezes one inch of toothpaste onto his toothbrush every morning.

e. All of the above

6. For how many years was King Charles the heir-apparent (inside tip: the royal with the title Prince of Wales is the heir-apparent)?

a. 17 years

b. 24 years

c. 39 years

d. 70 years

Answers:

Wisdom key: 5-6 correct: You must be the Duke of No Suffakes Prince of Daas Earl of Tirutzim!

2-4 correct: You know a bit about the King, but you have a long way to go before we iron your shoelaces.

0-1 correct: Meghan, grow up!

Notable Quotes “Say What?!”

Biden will be the oldest person to ever run for president. So, in two years, he’ll either be leader of the free world or a greeter at Walmart.

— Jimmy Fallon

Biden’s campaign slogan is “Finish the job.” Finish the job. Americans said they’d be happy if he could just finish a story.

– Ibid.

President Biden announced today that he will run for a second term and said, “Let’s finish the job.” Yeah, good idea. It would be nice to have a country where a guy could safely retire before he’s 86.

— Seth Meyers

I personally have a pretty good idea who is responsible, but that’s different from the level of proof that is needed to name somebody.

This weekend, we learned that Governor Abbott is once again deciding to play politics with people’s lives by resuming the busing of asylum seekers to New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Denver, and Washington, D.C. Not only is this behavior morally bankrupt and devoid of any concern for the wellbeing of asylum seekers, but it is also impossible to ignore the fact that Abbott is now targeting five cities run by Black mayors.

– New York City Mayor Eric Adams

The ongoing border and humanitarian crisis that Texas and the entire United States are grappling with is a direct result of President Biden’s openborder policies. Under the previous administration, illegal immigration was at its lowest levels in decades. Now, President Biden is preparing to open the floodgates by ending Title 42 expulsions next week, and Texas is on the front lines of this catastrophe.

- Texas Gov. Gregg Abott (R) in a response letter to Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot who sent him a letter asking that he stop sending illegal immigrants to Chicago

If Chicago can’t deal with 8,000 in less than a year, how are small Texas border communities supposed to manage 13,000 in just one day?

- Ibid.

- Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito telling the Wall Street Journal that he believes he knows who leaked the draft of the Supreme Court opinion overturning Roe v. Wade last year

It was a part of an effort to prevent the Dobbs draft … from becoming the decision of the court. And that’s how it was used for those six weeks by people on the outside — as part of the campaign to try to intimidate the court.

- Ibid.

It was rational for people to believe that they might be able to stop the decision in Dobbs by killing one of us.

- Ibid.

It was do or die. I know, of all people, that this can end very quickly. Who knows where it goes from here? Maybe I never get back up here, and that was it. That was going through my head the whole day, so it was kind of like, “You know what? I’m swinging. I’m going out hacking.”

- Drew Maggi, age 33, who played 1,155 games in the minor leagues over the course of 13 seasons before he was called up to the Major League this week, telling reporters what it felt like (He struck out and hit a double and was since sent back to the minors)

It gives you a balance. You run, you empty your head, you feel so much better afterwards.

- Barbara Humbert, who runs 30 miles a week and will soon run her 60th marathon, in a recent interview at her home in Paris

I think we need to be very cautious about anything that is anti-meritocratic and anything that results in the suppression of free speech. So, those are two of the aspects of the woke mind virus that I think are very dangerous, is that it’s often very anti-meritocratic, and you can’t question things. Even the questioning is bad.

- Elon Musk talking about the woke culture with HBO host Bill Maher

I was trying to figure out where it’s coming from. I think it’s actually been a long time brewing, in that it’s — I think it’s been going on for a while, and the amount of indoctrination that’s happening in schools and universities is I think far beyond what parents realize.

- Ibid.

They have the court, the attorney general, the heads of the economy, the American government — which works in cooperation with them on this issue, which is evident by the things government spokespeople say there.

– Israel’s Justice Minister Yariv Levin asserting that the U.S. administration has been cooperating with anti-judicial reform protesters

Last year, your favorite Fox News reporters were able to attend because they were fully vaccinated and boosted. This year, with that $787 million settlement, they’re here because they couldn’t say no to a free meal.

– Pres. Biden at the White House Correspondents Dinner

You might think I don’t like Rupert Murdoch. That’s simply not true. How can I dislike a guy who makes me look like Harry Styles?

- Ibid.

Don Lemon is out of a job. Don Lemon released a statement saying he got fired from CNN, then CNN released a statement saying that they offered Don a meeting. They had to part ways, ‘cause Don Lemon can’t even accurately report a story about Don Lemon.

- Comedian Roy Wood Jr. at

We should be inspired by the events in France. They rioted when the retirement age went up two years to 64. They rioted because they didn’t want to work until 64! Meanwhile in America, we have an 80-year-old man begging us for four more years of work. Begging! Begging! “Let me finish the job!” That’s not a campaign slogan, that’s a plea!

- Ibid.

I support aid for Ukraine. I do not support what your country has done to Ukraine. I do not support your killing of the children either.

the White House Correspondents Dinner

- House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) responding to a Russian reporter who asked him at a press conference in Israel whether the U.S. will stop funding Ukraine with “unlimited and uncontrolled supplies of weaponry and aid”

Dating Dialogue What Would You Do If…

Moderated by Jennifer Mann, LCSW of The Navidaters

Dear Navidaters,

Baruch Hashem, a bunch of my friends and I are newly married. Interestingly, we all keep running into a similar problem: the infamous mother-in-law crisis. And I know, everyone says it takes time and eventually I’ll like her and sometimes even throwing grandkids into the mix takes away from the tension. However, that’s not the focus of my question.

I’m trying to understand why the mother-in-law/daughter-in-law dynamic needs so much attention. My parents don’t constantly call my husband and try super hard to be his friend and win him over. Why is my mother-in-law ALWAYS trying so hard? Yes, she means well and is trying to be welcoming but can’t we just allow for a natural process to help cultivate the relationship?

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.

Ithink that the answer to your question is fairly clear. Because the mother-in-law/ daughter-in-law relationship is fraught with negativity in literature and is the subject of many comic routines and jokes, many mothers-in-law are trying very hard to develop a good relationship with their daughters-in-law. Daughters-in-law are particularly vulnerable in Jewish families which are close and get together regularly for Shabbosim and yomim tovim. There isn’t much time for the relationship to grow naturally.

Good intentions don’t always come across as such, especially when the younger woman is the newcomer in the family as well as new to the marriage. It’s not an easy position to be in. There is an established family culture, a mothering figure, and a new permanent relationship with her husband to navigate. However, it is up to the mother-in-law, the older, more experienced woman, to give her newlywed daughter-in-law considerable space so that there is organic growth to the relationship.

As a matter-of-fact, our JWOW! website offers a helpful article by my colleague

Miriam Hendeles MS, author of Mazel Tov

It’s a Bubby, called the Ten Things You’re Doing that Drive Your New Daughter-inLaw Crazy... and How to Fix Them. You have to sign up for the free subscription at www.jewishwomenofwisdom.org, and it will be sent to you automatically. Jewish women of wisdom, the responsibility is on you to try to put your daughter-in-law at ease.

The Shadchan

Michelle Mond

Before I answer your question, I would like to put some things into perspective. I’m sure there are hundreds of singles reading this question pining, davening, with all of their heart and soul to have mother-in-law problems. I do not say this to belittle your problem. I say this as a

reminder to all of us: every phase in life comes with aggravations and difficulties.

The things that we daven so hard for are often the things that inevitably cause the most stress. I have heard this many times when it comes to childrearing as well. A childless couple davens and cries out to Hakadosh Baruch Hu to have children. Once children are born, it is so easy to forget in the hullabaloo of life how lucky we are for the chaos. Before even getting to the meat and potatoes of your question, I would like to close your eyes and remember the points in time where you sat in shul davening your kishkes out to find a husband, those long nights and long days where you sat and wondered if your bashert would ever come. With a bit of a positive attitude and sense of gratitude, you can move forward into forging a healthy relationship with your mother-in-law.

One of the most important things you can do is learn about the different personality types. Recognize, while you have a more natural, hands-off approach, her hands-on approach is engrained within her personality. It is not coming from a malicious place (I know you know this, but I had to say it). It will be very hard for her to change the way she has been her entire life, just as it would be hard for you to do the same.

In the short term, the most effective solution will be for you to lovingly commu nicate openly with her about your needs. Make it about your preferences rather than you disliking her style. Tell her that with in your busy schedule it is hard to answer the phone every day but assure her that she will always hear from you on Friday afternoons. Create a time that is possible for you to catch up with her and stick to that. Boundaries, akin to fences, keep ev erybody the most secure. Pop into her life using her love language here and there with bursts of kindness that show her you appreciate her. Everything will be amazing – just keep working at it!

The Single

Tzipora Grodko

Daughter-In-Law

In Distress,

can’t fully relate to your struggle. However, I can relate to the obligatory expectation of feeling “super close, super quick” when new members are introduced to family. (This can happen through acquiring stepsiblings, sisters- or brothers-inlaws, etc.) When someone becomes “family,” there’s an expectation of loyalty, that I am responsible for enhancing and caring for this family member. That process may often feel unnatural to one (or both) parties depending on the personality and attachment style of the receiver or giver.

You’re absolutely right that it doesn’t feel like the evolution of a natural relationship – because it isn’t. You didn’t choose to be friends with your mother-in-law (or fill in the blank) but are now obligated to feel this kinship through your families blending. On the contrary, the relationship may require even MORE energy than any other relationship especially because it isn’t natural, yet includes all these unspoken bonds of family loyalty, etc.

I think the best advice is to appreciate the affection or connection that is being made towards you while staying authentic to your natural attachment style and moving forward at a pace that works for you.

Dr. Jeffrey Galler

Let’s explore a few ideas.

First, why do mothers-in-law have

Boundaries, akin to fences, keep everybody the most secure.

such a bad reputation?

My opinion is that it’s an unfair cultural myth, similar to politically incorrect jokes that unfairly feature negative stereotypes about certain ethnic groups, including our own.

But second, in spite of my own opinion, mother-in-law prejudice does seem to be widespread. Note that a Chabad website (TheJewishWoman.org) reports that, “ Mother-in-law jokes are a mainstay of comedy. Most of these jokes play on the stereotype that the average mother-in-law is overbearing, obnoxious… and most significantly…considers her

daughter-in-law to be totally unworthy of her son.”

These mother-in-law jokes are not new. A first century Roman poet, Juvenal, wrote, “One cannot be truly happy while one’s mother-in-law is still alive.”

Additionally, even in our own Talmud, there seems to be an assumption that, in some cases, there might be an inherent antipathy between a mother-in-law and daughter-in-law. For example, in certain proceedings (Yavamos: 117 and Sotah: 31), a mother-in-law’s testimony that could potentially harm her daughter-in-law, may not be considered as a reliable or credible

Pulling It All Together

The Navidaters

Dating and Relationship Coaches and Therapists

Dear Daughter-in-Law in Distress, Thank you for writing! Mazel tov on your new marriage! Without the pleasure of knowing you and your motherin-law, I don’t feel I can give you any kind of true insight into your mother-in-law’s personality and behavior. There is a lot of talk of the horrible mother-in-law/daughter-in-law relationship, but the truth is that so many enjoy beautiful, mutually satisfying relationships. The “boring, nothing to see here, folks” relationships just don’t get as much attention.

A child getting married is a huge transitional period for a mother (and for fathers, too.) Even when mother and child enjoy a healthy, boundaried relationship, the transition and the feelings that a mother will experience are enormous. And there is simply no way to understand this, until someone is in it herself. As much as a mother hopes and prays that her child finds a wonderful life partner, when the time comes, she often experiences loss.

The health - iest of women can become sad or anxious, and to an extent, this is a normal, healthy part of the life cycle. When a mom is in touch with her emotions and has a healthy self-awareness and sense of boundaries, she will speak about these feelings with a friend or therapist, work through them and not allow her feelings and what she is going through to seep into and invade boundaries with the young couple. Some people have a harder time doing “the work.” The work being the emotional work of honoring boundaries and/or being able to be “natural” or have an “organic” process of relationship building, as you mentioned.

When a parent is “too much,” this can often lead to shalom bayis issues ONLY when the child of that parent doesn’t keep healthy boundaries around the marital relationship (i.e., constantly running over to the parents’ house, hour-long phone calls

source of evidence.

And, of course, modern comedians love to tell mother-in-law jokes.

Third, nevertheless, despite all these negative stereotypes, our Jewish halacha is unequivocal. A person must honor their in-laws (Shulchan Aruch Yoreh Deah 240: 24).

Now, especially in these weeks before Shavuot, remember how the love between a daughter-in-law (Ruth) and her motherin-law (Naomi) resulted in one of the most important events in Jewish history, namely, the origins of the King David lineage.

Fourth, and finally, my reaction to the writer of this letter is:

You’ve got to be kidding. You’re actually complaining that your mother-in-law is “trying too hard” to welcome you into her family? What’s wrong with you?!

You sound like some of those mean high school girls who were very cliquey and wouldn’t give the time of day to any-

one outside of their exclusive little circle. Open your heart and mind and reciprocate your mother-in-law’s overtures of love and inclusiveness. She, whether you like it or not, will be an important part of your life for many decades to come. Your attitude will determine whether she will turn out to be your dependable friend or your worst nightmare.

with parents every day when the spouse comes home from work, and generally putting the needs of the marriage second to the need of the parents).

From my narrow understanding of the sliver of the relationship you’ve described, it seems as though your mother-in-law is either very excited to have you in the family, or perhaps a bit anxious during this new phase in her life learning how to be a mother-in-law to you. It may be something that simply fades with time as she feels more comfortable around you and no longer feels the need to do whatever it is she is doing that feels so unnatural. Or, it may be a part of her unique personality.

If you begin to feel that boundaries are being crossed, and it is simply too much, it is a good idea to speak with your husband about it.

I’m sure you already know this, but I figured it might be a good idea to put out the following message: when entering a family, it’s always a good idea to keep an open mind, treat everyone with kindness,

and hold space for the transition everyone is experiencing. Ultimately, the only way to keep this natural and organic feeling is for you to remain natural and organic with her.

One little idea I have is the following: the next time you are invited out for the seventh fancy dinner in a month, or for a shopping spree, or whatever “bestie” activities you are being invited to, how about inviting her to come over for a cup of coffee at home? If you get the sense that she is feeling insecure around you or trying to please you and make a good impression upon you, if you haven’t already done so, let her know in a way that feels organic to you that you like her.

Hopefully, your mother-in-law will begin to feel more comfortable and natural with you over time. Be your organic, natural, and kind self over the next six months and reassess the situation then.

All the best and mazal tov again!

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.

Your attitude will determine whether she will turn out to be your dependable friend or your worst nightmare.

School of Thought

By Etti Siegel

Q:Dear Etti, I don’t get it. My daughter keeps getting punished for her jokes and remarks in class. I checked. They are not mean, overt chutzpah… they are funny! And she is funny! And we are a funny family! We make each other laugh in my home. I am proud of the fact that we are a home full of simcha. What is the school’s issue? I want to tell them to chillax a bit! I think they are overreacting and making a mountain out of a molehill.

What is your take?

-Chilled Parent

A:Dear Chilled Parent, I understand from your letter (and unpublished information) that you are the father, and I value that you are close with your daughter. According to www.verywellfamily.com, an organization of doctors sharing health concepts, “A daughter’s relationship with their father can play a key role in their psychological development. In fact, when fathers are present in their daughters’ lives, girls grow up with a healthy sense of who they are. They are more confident and self-assured and have a clearer understanding of what they want in life.” She is a fortunate girl!

It is so great that your home is full of simcha. Happiness cannot be overemphasized as one approaches life with its twists and turns. People who see the world in a positive way are people who usually succeed most in life. According to research Does Happiness Promote Career Success by Boehm, Lyubomirsky, and Walsh (2018), there is a definite correlation between happiness and positive outcomes. Happiness is associated with job satisfaction, performance, and autonomy. It is a large factor in popularity, income, and other social factors.

And you are proud to see that your daughter has picked up the skill of a well-timed joke.

I am concerned, however, that your daughter, and by extension, you, are not valuing important skills that need to be mastered in school to succeed in life.

School

As you know, academics are important skills for life. But did you know they are called hard skills? You can measure how well a student learns those hard skills by administering tests and other assessments. Soft skills are just as important, and according to many companies, they are more important. Yet soft skills are harder to measure.

Soft skills include the ability to communicate well, to show interpersonal skills, teamwork, conflict resolution, empathy, listening skills, flexibility and adaptability, stress management, ability to deal with adversity… you get the point.

When your daughter makes a joke in class and disrupts the learning, she is demonstrating that she is not adapting and listening. She is not showing that she understands when and where levity is appreciated. This is a concern. There is a time and place for making others laugh. There is also a time and place for being solemn (not sad) and serious.

School teaches so much more than hard skills. Over the course of schooling, a child learns to adapt to different teaching styles and different peer needs. They learn communication skills as they make their needs known, and learn code switching, how effective communication means speaking with intent and purpose.

It is appropriate, when among friends, to tell a story that is embellished to make an audience laugh. When going to a doctor, however, one should just keep

to the facts. At a gathering, it is appropriate to make others laugh. At a shiur, one must understand it is time for quiet and attentive listening. Even while kidding around, one must be careful. While you want to teach your daughter simchas hachaim, and your family loves a good joke, are you sure your daughter knows how to use the art of making other’s laugh appropriately? If she makes jokes at the expense of others (putting someone down, embarrassing anyone, causing a teacher not to be able to teach, turning a well thought-out lesson into a joke because of a one-liner), then she is producing laughs that are rooted in bad middos, which is not simchas hachaim at all but can be hurtful, be rechilus, and cause others to be miserable.

Model simcha appropriately. Point out to your daughter how levity cannot be at another person’s expense; your need to laugh should not make someone else cry. Begin to ask, when she comes home and shares a good one-liner she made, when did she make it? Was it at an appropriate time? Celebrate when she uses her wit at the right times and places, and don’t encourage her when her smart remarks show missing skills (and use those times as a teaching moment, to ask her to think how the other person might have felt).

People may enjoy the class clown and laugh at her antics, but they often don’t choose the class clown as a confidant or close friend; someone they can trust.

So encourage your daughter’s funny bone, but don’t forget to balance it by showing her that a serious side is good to cultivate as well.

Wishing you continued simcha and nachas,

-Etti

Mrs. Etti Siegel holds an MS in Teaching and Learning/Educational Leadership and brings sound teaching advice to her audiences culled from her over 35 years of teaching and administrative experience. She is an Adjunct at the College of Mount Saint Vincent/Sara Shenirer. She is a coach and educational consultant for Catapult Learning, is a sought-after mentor and workshop presenter around the country, and a popular presenter for Sayan (a teacher-mentoring program), Hidden Sparks, and the Consortium of Jewish Day Schools. She is a frequent contributor to Hamechanech Magazine and The Journal for Jewish Day School leaders. She will be answering your education-based questions and writing articles weekly for The Jewish Home. Mrs. Siegel can be reached at ettisiegel@gmail.com.

teaches so much more than hard skills.

Common Cents To Roth or Not to Roth? That is The Question

By Elliot Pepper, CPA, CFP®, MST

An overlooked, but important, part of any retirement savings plan concerns the type of account you use. Investment accounts typically fall into one of three categories: Taxable, Tax Deferred, or Tax Free. This article will focus on the distinction between tax deferred and tax free accounts since these are the most commonly used accounts due to their tax preferences. Since taxes will represent a significant portion of your lifetime expenses (sad, but true), the decision on which account to use for your savings is important when building your nest egg.

What is a Traditional Retirement Account?

Traditional retirement accounts provide a tax deduction on the amounts contributed in the year they are contributed. Future growth in the account is tax-deferred and taxes are due upon distribution years later. The amount that can be contributed annually to a traditional retirement account is based on certain factors such as income, age, and availability of workplace retirement plans. Additionally, there is a required minimum distribution (RMD) at age 72 for traditional IRA account holders, however recent changes to the RMD rules have pushed this age to 73 and eventually to 75. Traditional retirement accounts are often referred to as Tax Deferred Accounts, since the taxes due on them are deferred into the future.

What is a Roth Retirement Account?

Roth retirement accounts were cre-

ated in 1997 and are named after Senator William V. Roth Jr. Roth accounts operate a bit differently in that contributions are not tax deductible, but distributions in the future can be taken completely tax free. The rules can get a bit complex, but it is important to note that contributions to a Roth IRA can be taken out at any time for any reason tax and penalty free. Conversions to a Roth IRA have a different set of rules, and it is important to understand the “5-year rule”. The amount that can be contributed annually to a traditional retirement account is based on certain factors such as income and age. Roth IRAs have no required minimum distributions (RMDs) during the account holder’s lifetime. Roth retirement accounts are often referred to as Tax Free Accounts, since distributions are often completely tax free (although there is a relative tax impact on contributions when compared to a Traditional account).

Decision between a Traditional and Roth IRA

The choice between a Traditional IRA and a Roth IRA depends on individual circumstances, such as income level, tax bracket, and retirement goals. For some people, a Traditional IRA may be more advantageous because of the tax-deductible contributions, which can lower their current taxable income. However, these tax savings will be offset by taxes on withdrawals in retirement, when the account holder may or may not be in a higher tax bracket. For others, a

Roth IRA may be more advantageous because of the tax-free withdrawals in retirement. With a Roth IRA, contributions are made with after-tax dollars, so there are no tax benefits at the time of contribution, but all withdrawals, including investment gains, are tax-free in retirement.

It is recommended to consider factors such as the current tax situation, expected tax bracket in retirement, and overall financial goals before making a decision between a Traditional IRA and a Roth IRA.

Strategies for Savers

1. Roth Conversion – Making traditional contributions in your highest tax bracket years, and then making Roth conversions in years that have comparably lower tax rates can be an efficient way to increase your tax-free retirement income without sacrificing the tax deduction in your highest earning years.

2. Backdoor Roth IRA – Contributions to a Roth IRA are phased out at certain income levels. A backdoor Roth IRA strategy addresses the income limitation by making a “non-deductible” traditional contribution followed by a conversion to Roth. If done correctly, there will be no taxes due on the conversion and a funded Roth IRA account. Check with your tax advisor or financial professional if this is a good move for you – it does require some extra steps compared to a regular contribution.

3. RMD Changes – Beginning in

2033, the age for RMDs will move to 75. This expanded window can provide for significant tax-planning strategies, including the timing of asset sales and more time to convert additional funds to a Roth for income and tax planning.

4. The Barbell Strategy – No one really knows what their future tax rate will be. A way to hedge against the risk of unknown future tax rates would be to simply split your savings and allocate half to traditional retirement accounts and half to Roth retirement accounts. While not a magical solution to the retirement puzzle, it beats doing nothing!

The main takeaway is that not all accounts are created the same, and the right account for you will depend on your situation – there is no one size fits all solution when it comes to retirement planning. Educate yourself, ask questions, and as always – invest early and invest often!

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

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

Israel Today

Over Our Heads

By Rafi Sackville

Israel is suffering the most unstable period I can recall in the 30 years I have lived here. Until now, the major issues have rarely pitted Jew against Jew to the degree the current political crisis has. The battlelines have been drawn, and for all intents and purposes, we are looking into the abyss. The political situation has become so caustic that a vitriolic discourse has spilt into areas in public life where it should be kept at bay – in our synagogues and schools.

Our teachers’ room turned into a battleground of screaming heads the day before the bill to reform the judiciary was read in the Knesset. I am not embarrassed to say that I am against the reforms, but in thirty-eight years in the classroom, I have taught myself not to discuss politics. It was when the conversation turned sour and borderline abusive in the teachers’ room that I walked out. The yelling could be heard in the entrance lobby where students milled around. The reform is important to the country, and students should and do know about the raging debate, but when the adults in the room “go off the handle,” students are learning the wrong message.

The same is true of the synagogue. It is not a place where the pulpit should be used to espouse extremist views. In our synagogue, there is a rotation of speakers on Friday nights. Thus, we are exposed to a panoply of views. Some speakers are anecdotal, others ramble to the point of confusion, some are concise and enlightening, and there are those who view their allotted seven minutes as an opportunity to keep our hot food waiting at home.

Truth be told, it is difficult getting people to volunteer to speak. There are weeks when the most inappropriate speakers address us. Recently, a gentleman rabbi got up to speak. Over the course of ten minutes, he succeeded in insulting the people protesting against

the reforms; he compared them to Korach. He pointed a finger at the protesting reserve pilots, failing to comprehend that one of their own was sitting with his father only a few rows in front of the Aron Kodesh. He threw in a few jokes which fell flat. He did this all with an air of supreme confidence, boasting erudition, and a total disregard for the feelings of anybody but those who held his views.

The following week, a WhatsApp notice was sent to the congregation reminding us that politics and prayer must remain separate. I had to laugh. Reading the message took me back to the early 1980s when I was still living in Australia. At the time, there was a Jewish comedian who went by the name of Austen Tayshus. He was a larrikin (a boisterous young man) whose repertoire consisted of witty one-liners. He was savvy and biting, and had a signature move where he’d throw his right hand over his head to indicate his joke had gone over people’s heads. For example, he would use Australian names to humor his audience. “Pretty soon Ayers Rocks in, and

things really started jumping.” I think you get the idea.

Over the years I’ve thought of Austen Tayshus; like when rabbis have an agenda they believe needs addressing from the pulpit but don’t have the gumption to address individuals. This usually occurs when a congregant has exceeded the mark by acting outside the norms of what we consider good behavior. Some rabbis have the tendency to address the issue from the pulpit by speaking in broad, general terms.

The results are always the same; a few get the message, but most don’t. Most frustrating is that the very person for whom the message was originally intended either isn’t in shul, or if he is, doesn’t much care at all.

Here’s the message that was sent to the congregants of our shul.

Dear Friends,

We would like to remind the public of a decision of the synagogue from several years ago that was included in the synagogue’s statutes: “The synagogue and the committee will not engage in political matters (national or local) of

any kind inside the synagogue.”

This section also applies to those who speak from the pulpit on Friday night.

We ask the public to observe these rules.

Best regards, Synagogue Committee. I laughed again. For one, I’m on the committee, although I had nothing to do with the letter. It was a classic case of Austen Tayshus speaking over people’s heads.

Out of curiosity, I decided to test the waters, to see whether my instinct was right. Why not ask the offender if he’d seen the notice? Why not see if he’d acknowledge any wrongdoing? I’ve known him for ten years. He thinks he’s funny. I have never once known him to be contrite. He believes what he says. When held to account, he is accustomed to denying the facts. Instead, he’ll batten down the hatches.

I asked many congregants if they’d seen the message. The feedback mostly bordered on indifference. After all, who takes WhatsApps too seriously?

And so, I approached the gentleman in question and asked if he’d seen the message. He hadn’t. I showed it to him. While reading it, a look of disdain covered his face like a man about to spit at the feet of his enemy. He went into total defense mode, which morphed into attacking his detractors.

He told me he’d said nothing of the sort. He chased me down later and quoted what he thought he’d said. Ah…what’s the point, I thought to myself. What was gained by the message? Absolutely nothing. As I parted from the Friday night’s speaker, I threw my right hand over my forehead.

Austen Tayshus would have been proud.

Rafi Sackville, formerly of Cedarhurst, teaches in Ort Maalot in Western Galil.

לארשי ימכח ונב םייקל

Upon the personal request of Hagaon

Rabbi Shmuel Kamenetsky Shlita

Rosh Yeshiva of Philadelphia, Nasi of Nechomas Yisroel

Transmitted via his family members

We beg all our generous supporters, students and friends of Nechomas Yisroel, and those who achieved a yeshuah in the merit of helping underprivileged children.

TO PLEASE STORM THE HEAVENS FOR A REFUAH FOR

Rav Shmuel Ben Itta Etel shlita.

May the Rosh Yeshiva merit a speedy recovery, and may the tefillos of the tzibur achieve a complete refuah.

Taken this Sunday, April 30th, after a long meeting with Nechumas Yisroel administration, Giving a sefer to a supporter of Nechumas Yisroel.

May the Rosh Yeshiva continue to lead the Philadelphia Yeshiva, and serve as Nasi of Nechomas Yisroel in good health and energy for many years to come.

Rav Usher Friedman

Menahel of Nechomas Yisroel

Cross Keys Pediatrics

Your Money Sing for Your Supper

By Allan Rolnick, CPA

Summer is coming, and for music fans across America that means stadium tours. Swifties went through several bear attacks to get tickets to her Eras tour shows. And on May 10, a singer we’ll call B hits the road for 41 stadiums in ten countries. The summer renaissance is her first tour in seven years, and you can expect her fans to party all night.

B and husband are already two of the most successful artists of any era. This time, she’s taking a lesson from the airlines by using so-called “dynamic pricing” to squeeze every dime she can out of fans. Billboard estimates she could gross as much as $300 million this go-round, and that’s before millions more in merchandise. It used to be that musicians toured to support album sales. But now, with Spotify paying an average of 4/10 of a penny for each stream, the top acts practically give away the music to support the tours.

Naturally, the fans at the IRS are happy to share in this diva’s success. They don’t even have to sing backup to collect millions! But they want to be sure she’s paying everything she owes. So, the IRS audited B for 2018 and 2019. They disagreed with a whole grab bag of items on

her return: legal and professional fees, a charitable contribution carryover, and what appear to be some real estate operating expenses. They sent a Notice of

by wasting 3$ million. And so, on April 17 —coincidentally, the day before the filing deadline for this year’s return—she petitioned the Tax Court to say “sorry”

letproof windows looking out over the LA basin. (Jealous?) Oh, and it has not one, not two, not three, but four swimming pools. (Three isn’t enough? Maybe the fourth is for the help?) Property taxes are $1.06 million per year. Unbelievably, according to the LA Times, there are seven houses in the city with even higher taxes. And the city just passed a new mansion tax, which took effect this month, imposing a 5.5% tax on any sales above $10 million.

Deficiency for $805,850 (plus $161,170 in interest) for 2018 and $1,447,747 (plus $288,549 in interest) for 2019.

In 2014, Billboard named B the highest-earning Black musician of all time. She’s worth 500 $ million all by herself. (The filing reveals that she files separately from her husband, like all the single ladies.) She could probably cover that 3$ million just by scrounging through her couch cushions and the plastic on her sofa. But you don’t get to be worth 500$ million in the first place

to the IRS and determine there were no deficiencies in her 1040

B’s petition doesn’t reveal how much she already sent to the IRS. We can assume it would be enough to break most peoples’ souls.

This isn’t the first time she’s had to blow millions on taxes, either. In 2017, she and her husband moved into an $88 million mansion in Bel Air. The cozy 30,000 square foot crib came complete with eight bedrooms, 11 baths, a 15-car garage, an irreplaceable lizard-skin door, and bul-

Most tax court cases settle before trial. If B doesn’t reach an agreement in hers, it’ll probably take a year or two before we learn if she’s a broken-hearted girl. But you don’t have to win 32 Grammys to put smart planning to work, and you don’t have to be a diva to pay less. So don’t hurt yourself sending the IRS more than you have to. Call us—tax planning is our superpower!

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.

She could probably cover that $3 million just by scrounging through her couch cushions and the plastic on her sofa.

Chaya G, 9

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B.I. 9

Forgotten Her es The Heroism of Wartime Medics

By Avi Heiligman

An estimated 550,000 Jewish servicemen and women served in the United States military during World War II. According to the National Jewish Welfare Board, 10.92% of all Jews who served in the U.S. Armed Forces during World War II were in the Medical Corps or on the front lines as combat medics. A wartime survey concluded that 40% of all Jewish doctors from the Bronx, Brooklyn, and twenty-two other communities with a sizable Jewish population went into the military. The stories that these men and women brought back show incredible feats of heroism, and many were decorated for their bravery. Looking through citations of World War II medical personnel, it is clear that more often than not, the medics and doctors had to work through the toughest conditions including withering enemy fire to help and save the lives of as many wounded servicemen as possible.

Captain Frederick Firestone from the Bronx was a battalion surgeon with the 411th Infantry Regiment, 103rd Infantry Division. The division had arrived at Marseilles, France, in October 1944 and entered combat a few weeks later. On November 29, neat Barr, France, Firestone was told that there was a seriously wounded soldier whose injuries were too grave for him to be evacuated from the field. Grabbing plasma, Firestone ran a hundred yards through murderous enemy fire to deliver the life-saving plasma to the soldier. Later that same day, a wounded tank commander lay in the streets, and attempts to reach and pull him to safety had failed. Firestone then ran in and out of houses until he reached the house across from the wounded tanker. He then crawled into the danger zone and retrieved the wounded officer. After dragging him

into a building that was shielded from enemy fire, Firestone administered life-saving first aid.

A few months later, on March 21, 1945, the 411th Regiment was fighting in Germany. The company that Firestone

Firestone administered the plasma, gave them medical aid, and arranged for their successful evacuation. For his courageous actions in very hazardous conditions, the Jewish captain was twice awarded the Silver Star.

came that several wounded men were stranded in a house. Zemel and the rest of his squad had to wade through a river and brave enemy machine gun and artillery fire to reach the location and treat the wounded soldiers. Zemel then led his men back to the river and carried the litter of a wounded soldier on his soldiers while wading neck-deep through the river. They safely reached the aid station, and Zemel was later awarded the Silver Star for his actions in saving the soldier’s life.

Not all Jewish servicemembers were born in the U.S. One medic serving in the Pacific Theater of Operations had to endure Nazi horrors before immigrating to America and joining the Army’s medical department. Leo Rosskamm was born in Germany and spent six months in Buchenwald where his parents and siblings were brutally murdered by the Nazis. During his time in the concentration camp, an elderly prisoner collapsed in his arms before a Nazi beat him with his rifle. Rosskamm’s shoulder was badly broken in the ruthless attack. In April 1939, he somehow received documents to go to the U.S. and was released from Buchenwald.

was with was forced to withdraw due to heavy gunfire. However, the captain realized that there were two American soldiers within thirty yards of the German machine gun position who were too severely injured to move. Firestone then led a litter team crawling through 300 yards of enemy machine gun fire. Upon reaching the wounded soldiers,

There were other Jewish medical personnel serving with the 103 rd Division in their drive through France and Germany. Private First Class Hyman Zemel from Baltimore was attached to Company A, 328 th Medical Battalion, 103rd Infantry Division. There were on the outskirts of Selestat, France, on the night of December 2, 1944 when word

Rosskamm settled in the Bronx and in January 1941 joined the army despite his concerns about his surgically repaired shoulder. A year later, he was shipped overseas, and in April 1945 he landed on Okinawa with the 10th Army. Now a technician fifth grade, Rosskamm was a medic with a company on April 19 that was fired upon by a Japanese machine gun. One of the men was hit, but it was seemingly impossible to reach the wounded soldier. Gunfire was coming from a cave dug out from a ridge, but Rosskamm crawled towards the position. When the enemy gunfire got too intense, the medic called for a

A wartime survey concluded that 40% of all Jewish doctors from the Bronx, Brooklyn, and twenty-two other communities with a sizable Jewish population went into the military.

flamethrower to be used on the enemy’s location. Rosskamm was finally able to reach the soldier and evacuate him to the rear.

The next day, April 20, another soldier lay wounded in an open area that the Japanese were monitoring. Rosskamm worked his way towards the wounded sergeant. When he reached him, Rosskamm shielded the man from enemy fire with his body while administering aid. The man was successfully evacuated, and Rosskamm went back to his position. That night, Japanese soldiers made their way into the American lines and wounded several American

soldiers. Without hesitation, the medic left the relative safety of his foxhole to render aid. Two Japanese soldiers came at him with weapons at the ready. Rosskamm grabbed a rifle from an American soldier, killed both enemy soldiers, and returned to helping the wounded Americans.

A nearby unit was attacked on April 28, and since they had no medic available, Rosskamm jumped into action. Under intense mortar and machine gun fire, he began to administer aid. While evacuating one soldier, the medic was knocked down by a bullet hitting his helmet. Despite the dangers, Rosskamm

continued his life-saving work and returned to the battlefield of the wounded soldiers. He was hit again while helping another American. This time, the bullet hit his neck, and Rosskamm only paused to dress his own wound before helping others. Refusing evacuation, he continued to administer aid to soldiers he said were in more dire need than him. An officer finally ordered him to the rear, and he reluctantly left to get aid for himself.

For his heroic actions, Leo Rosskamm was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross – second only to the Medal of Honor – and his commanding offi-

cer called “the bravest man I ever met.” There are many stories told of the bravery and heroics of the medics and doctors serving on the frontlines. Often disregarding their own safety, they went through enemy gunfire, extreme weather conditions, and hazardous terrain to save the lives of fellow servicemembers.

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.