Baltimore Jewish Home 6-6-24

Dear Readers,

Every year, staying up on the night of Shavuos is a challenge for me. After a heavy Yom Tov seudah, I find myself exhausted, with my bed calling to me. It’s easy to rationalize: if I sleep now, I’ll be refreshed tomorrow, ready to daven better, learn better, and be more helpful to my wife.

The struggle is even more pronounced since leaving Yeshiva years ago. The prospect of sitting down to learn for 5-6 hours straight is daunting. The refreshments help, but egg rolls at 3 AM don’t really do it for me (being a traditional Baltimorean, I’m more inclined towards sheet cake and punch). An internal battle rages.

Knowing that I’ll ultimately head out to learn (largely inspired by my son’s excitement), I daven at the latest Maariv minyan possible, extend the meal as long as I can (much to the delight of my wife and daughters), and then embark on a slow walk to shul.

Yet, despite my fatigue, the moment I step into the shul, I feel a surge of energy. The Bais Medrash is bustling with people deeply

engaged in learning, and the atmosphere is infectious. The power of Torah study takes over, and the night passes swiftly. When I finally head home after Shacharis, walking much faster than I did on the way there, I feel transformed. The sense of fulfillment stays with me throughout Shavuos, enriching each meal, each Dvar Torah, and each interaction.

This experience is what makes Shavuos night unique. Unlike any other night, when staying up is impractical and seemingly impossible, this night allows us to experience the sweetness of Torah as it’s meant to be.

It’s a testament to what we aspire to—having the stamina, the drive, and the love for Torah that we wish could permeate every night of the year.

I hope that the effort we put into Shavuos night ignites a lasting love for Torah within us.

Wishing you a peaceful Shabbos and an uplifting Yom Tov!

Aaron Menachem

community events, articles & photos, and mazal tovs to editor@baltimorejewishhome.com

Experience the warmth of community at L'Chaim Day Program! We're a place where you can feel at home, in a supportive environment, and a loving atmosphere.

Daily interactive activities led by Rabbi Tzvi Karp, Rebbetzin Malka Zweig, and Mrs. Deborah Bandos

Shiurim and daily Mincha Minyan

Kosher meals prepared with love by Chef “CB” Goldfein

L’Chaim is a licensed adult medical day program, where participants benefit from:

Medical care and daily monitoring by a registered nurse

Case management by a licensed clinical social worker Physical, occupational, and speech therapy

Around the Community

Upcoming Citywide Tuition Rebate

T26 Iyar 5784 / June 3, 2024

Dear Parents,

Jewish Life ar�cle which was posted on Erev Shabbos, the tui�on front. (A copy of the ar�cle is atached to this you, our loyal and devoted parents, before the publica�on. news directly from us first. As you can see from this Chinuch in our community who have joined together to write to

26 Iyar 5784 / June 3, 2024

Dear Parents,

he Baltimore Kehila, is fortunate to have many wonderful assets, including our Mosdos Chinuch. Our schools’ devoted faculties, engaged parent bodies, and dedicated lay leadership are unified in the schools’ sole mission of nurturing and educating our precious children.

Bais & Mesivta of Bal�more

26 Iyar 5784 / June 3, 2024

26 Iyar 5784 / June 3, 2024

Bais HaMedrash & Mesivta of Bal�more

Bais HaMedrash & Mesivta of Bal�more

Dear Parents,

26 Iyar 5784 / June 3, 2024

26 Iyar 5784 / June 3, 2024

Dear Parents,

Dear Parents,

Dear Parents,

Many of you have already seen the Baltimore Jewish Life ar�cle which was posted on Erev Shabbos, announcing a very exci�ng new development on the tui�on front. (A copy of the ar�cle is atached to this leter.) We had hoped to share this news with you, our loyal and devoted parents, before the publica�on. Please accept our apologies for not hearing this news directly from us first. As you can see from this leterhead, we are 10 of the largest Mosdos Chinuch in our community who have joined together to write to our collec�ve parent bodies

Jewish day schools throughout most of the country) have our school budgets while not pu�ng undue pressure on world, private school is an expensive luxury, in a Torah-true necessity. Our schools are all fiscally lean; approximately 80% of our high salaries (rebbeim, moros and teachers are greatly program (Torah and secular studies) chinuch to our community’s per student cost of public schools. S�ll, tui�on is very expensive our full tui�on charges.

ment to Torah education transcends the call of duty and ensures that schools can fulfill their financial obligations and operational needs. For decades, these stalwart donors have been the bedrock of our institutions and are deserving of our utmost hakoras ha’tov

Many of you have already seen the Baltimore Jewish Life ar�cle which was posted on Erev Shabbos, announcing a very exci�ng new development on the tui�on front. (A copy of the ar�cle is atached to this leter.) We had hoped to share this news with you, our loyal and devoted parents, before the publica�on. Please accept our apologies for not hearing this news directly from us first. As you can see from this leterhead, we are 10 of the largest Mosdos Chinuch in our community who have joined together to write to our collec�ve parent bodies

Many of you have already seen the Baltimore Jewish Life ar�cle which was posted on Erev Shabbos, announcing a very exci�ng new development on the tui�on front. (A copy of the ar�cle is atached to this leter.) We had hoped to share this news with you, our loyal and devoted parents, before the publica�on. Please accept our apologies for not hearing this news directly from us first. As you can see from this leterhead, we are 10 of the largest Mosdos Chinuch in our community who have joined together to write to our collec�ve parent bodies

Many of you have already seen the Baltimore Jewish Life ar�cle which was posted on Erev Shabbos, announcing a very exci�ng new development on the tui�on front. (A copy of the ar�cle is atached to this leter.) We had hoped to share this news with you, our loyal and devoted parents, before the publica�on. Please accept our apologies for not hearing this news directly from us first. As you can see from this leterhead, we are 10 of the largest Mosdos Chinuch in our community who have joined together to write to our collec�ve parent bodies

Many of you have already seen the Baltimore Jewish Life ar�cle which was posted on Erev Shabbos, announcing a very exci�ng new development on the tui�on front. (A copy of the ar�cle is atached to this leter.) We had hoped to share this news with you, our loyal and devoted parents, before the publica�on. Please accept our apologies for not hearing this news directly from us first. As you can see from this leterhead, we are 10 of the largest Mosdos Chinuch in our community who have joined together to write to our collec�ve parent bodies

For decades, our community’s schools (and all Jewish day schools throughout most of the country) have struggled with the enormous dilemma of funding our school budgets while not pu�ng undue pressure on tui�on-paying families. While in the secular world, private school is an expensive luxury, in a Torah-true society, private school is an (expensive) necessity. Our schools are all fiscally lean; approximately 80% of our budgets go toward salaries, and we do not pay high salaries (rebbeim, moros and teachers are greatly underpaid). We provide high-quality dual program (Torah and secular studies) chinuch to our community’s children at a per student cost far less than the per student cost of public schools. S�ll, tui�on is very expensive for most families, and most families pay less than our full tui�on charges.

we count on our generous donors (including The Associated, difference. Boruch Hashem, we have wonderful supporters! families, and we, as well as every Jewish community, con�nuously

From the times of Chazal, each Jewish community was charged with establishing appropriate schools for the community’s children. Of course, the cost of providing appropriate chinuch (which, in the United States means a dual program of Limudei Kodesh and Limudei Chol) is quite significant. Besides the salaries of our neighbors and friends who dedicate themselves to teaching our children and look to our schools for their livelihood, the costs to maintain school buildings and grounds is high. While public secular education is paid for by the government with tax dollars, in most of the United States it is up to Torah observant parents to carry the tuition burden of their children’s chinuch. In Baltimore, we are extremely grateful to the State of Maryland for its funding of some expenses and to The Associated for its generous support of Jewish education, but the vast majority of the cost to provide a Torah chinuch to our children falls on parents, and without tuition payments, it would not be possible to provide our community’s children with appropriate educational opportunities.

Many of you have already seen the Baltimore Jewish Life ar�cle which was posted on Erev Shabbos, announcing a very exci�ng new development on the tui�on front. (A copy of the ar�cle is atached to this leter.) We had hoped to share this news with you, our loyal and devoted parents, before the publica�on. Please accept our apologies for not hearing this news directly from us first. As you can see from this leterhead, we are 10 of the largest Mosdos Chinuch in our community who have joined together to write to our collec�ve parent bodies

26 Iyar 5784 / June 3, 2024

Dear Parents,

● Parents who have not yet completed their tuition payments by July 1 will benefit by having the tuition rebate credited toward their final payment(s). Rebate funds in excess of balances will be sent directly to parents in August.

For decades, our community’s schools (and all Jewish day schools throughout most of the country) have struggled with the enormous dilemma of funding our school budgets while not pu�ng undue pressure on tui�on-paying families. While in the secular world, private school is an expensive luxury, in a Torah-true society, private school is an (expensive) necessity. Our schools are all fiscally lean; approximately 80% of our budgets go toward salaries, and we do not pay high salaries (rebbeim, moros and teachers are greatly underpaid). We provide high-quality dual program (Torah and secular studies) chinuch to our community’s children at a per student cost far less than the per student cost of public schools. S�ll, tui�on is very expensive for most families, and most families pay less than our full tui�on charges.

For decades, our community’s schools (and all Jewish day schools throughout most of the country) have struggled with the enormous dilemma of funding our school budgets while not pu�ng undue pressure on tui�on-paying families. While in the secular world, private school is an expensive luxury, in a Torah-true society, private school is an (expensive) necessity. Our schools are all fiscally lean; approximately 80% of our budgets go toward salaries, and we do not pay high salaries (rebbeim, moros and teachers are greatly underpaid). We provide high-quality dual program (Torah and secular studies) chinuch to our community’s children at a per student cost far less than the per student cost of public schools. S�ll, tui�on is very expensive for most families, and most families pay less than our full tui�on charges.

For decades, our community s schools (and all Jewish day schools throughout most of the country) have struggled with the enormous dilemma of funding our school budgets while not pu�ng undue pressure on tui�on-paying families. While in the secular world, private school is an expensive luxury, in a Torah-true society, private school is an (expensive) necessity. Our schools are all fiscally lean; approximately 80% of our budgets go toward salaries, and we do not pay high salaries (rebbeim, moros and teachers are greatly underpaid). We provide high-quality dual program (Torah and secular studies) chinuch to our community’s children at a per student cost far less than the per student cost of public schools. S�ll, tui�on is very expensive for most families, and most families pay less than our full tui�on charges.

Tui�on collec�ons do not cover our budgets, and we count on our generous donors (including The Associated, Bal�more s Jewish Federa�on) to make up the difference. Boruch Hashem, we have wonderful supporters! Yet, tui�on remains an enormous burden on families, and we, as well as every Jewish community, con�nuously seek ways to ease this burden.

announce a 3.5% rebate of your 2023-24 school year assessed tui�on you were charged by your child’s school; if you were on what you were assessed). Tui�on paid through the BOOST included, and dormitory, food, tutoring and other special charges assessed tui�on by July 1 will be issued a rebate later in the tui�on by July 1 will receive a credit on their outstanding tui�on

Yet, even with generous donor support, the financial burden of tuition is great and puts an enormous strain on families. Our schools’ leadership and devoted communal askanim continuously seek, study and analyze any possible plan or program to ease the tuition burden and consult with leaders and activists in other communities in search of ways to relieve the tuition financial burden. Over the past few years, these askanim have been working extensively with our schools to try and come up with a solution to this dilemma. Unfortunately, short of public funding, there are no easy answers.

For decades, our community’s schools (and all Jewish day schools throughout most of the country) have struggled with the enormous dilemma of funding our school budgets while not pu�ng undue pressure on tui�on-paying families. While in the secular world, private school is an expensive luxury, in a Torah-true society, private school is an (expensive) necessity. Our schools are all fiscally lean; approximately 80% of our budgets go toward salaries, and we do not pay high salaries (rebbeim, moros and teachers are greatly underpaid). We provide high-quality dual program (Torah and secular studies) chinuch to our community’s children at a per student cost far less than the per student cost of public schools. S�ll, tui�on is very expensive for most families, and most families pay less than our full tui�on charges.

For decades, our community’s schools (and all Jewish day schools throughout most of the country) have struggled with the enormous dilemma of funding our school budgets while not pu�ng undue pressure on tui�on-paying families. While in the secular world, private school is an expensive luxury, in a Torah-true society private school is an (expensive) necessity. Our schools are all fiscally lean; approximately 80% of our budgets go toward salaries, and we do not pay high salaries (rebbeim, moros and teachers are greatly underpaid). We provide high-quality dual program (Torah and secular studies) chinuch to our community’s children at a per student cost far less than the per student cost of public schools. S�ll, tui�on is very expensive for most families, and most families pay less than our full tui�on charges.

Tui�on collec�ons do not cover our budgets, and we count on our generous donors (including The Associated, Bal�more s Jewish Federa�on) to make up the difference. Boruch Hashem, we have wonderful supporters! Yet, tui�on remains an enormous burden on families, and we, as well as every Jewish community, con�nuously seek ways to ease this burden.

Tui�on collec�ons do not cover our budgets, and we count on our generous donors (including The Associated, Bal�more s Jewish Federa�on) to make up the difference. Boruch Hashem, we have wonderful supporters! Yet, tui�on remains an enormous burden on families, and we, as well as every Jewish community, con�nuously seek ways to ease this burden.

In explaining the logic of this program, Dr. Paul Volosov, one of the community leaders who has been involved with the development of the program, noted: “The planning committee was very concerned that this effort help families and not hurt the individual fundraising efforts of each school. If this program would impact other fundraising efforts, the rebate would be meaningless since there would be a risk that the schools would need to increase tuition charges to cover donations lost to the new program. All contributors to this fund have committed to continuing their regular donations to the schools at the same or higher levels than in previous years”.

Many of you have already seen the Baltimore Jewish Life ar�cle which was announcing a very exci�ng new development on the tui�on front. (A copy leter.) We had hoped to share this news with you, our loyal and devoted Please accept our apologies for not hearing this news directly from us first. leterhead, we are 10 of the largest Mosdos Chinuch in our community our collec�ve parent bodies

Tui�on collec�ons do not cover our budgets, and we count on our generous donors (including The Associated, Bal�more’s Jewish Federa�on) to make up the difference. Boruch Hashem, we have wonderful supporters! Yet, tui�on remains an enormous burden on families, and we, as well as every Jewish community, con�nuously seek ways to ease this burden.

Tui�on collec�ons do not cover our budgets, and we count on our generous donors (including The Associated, Bal�more’s Jewish Federa�on) to make up the difference. Boruch Hashem, we have wonderful supporters! Yet, tui�on remains an enormous burden on families, and we, as well as every Jewish community, con�nuously seek ways to ease this burden.

Tui�on collec�ons do not cover our budgets, and we count on our generous donors (including The Associated, Bal�more’s Jewish Federa�on) to make up the difference. Boruch Hashem, we have wonderful supporters! Yet, tui�on remains an enormous burden on families, and we, as well as every Jewish community, con�nuously seek ways to ease this burden.

It is for this reason that we are very excited to announce a 3.5% rebate of your 2023-24 school year assessed tui�on (by “assessed tui�on” we mean the tui�on you were charged by your child’s school; if you were assessed less than full tui�on, the 3.5% is based on what you were assessed). Tui�on paid through the BOOST Program or Children’s Scholarship Fund is not included, and dormitory, food, tutoring and other special charges are not included. Families who have paid their assessed tui�on by July 1 will be issued a rebate later in the summer, and families who s�ll owe 2023-24 tui�on by July 1 will receive a credit on their outstanding tui�on balances

It is for this reason that we are very excited to announce a 3.5% rebate of your 2023-24 school year assessed tui�on (by “assessed tui�on” we mean the tui�on you were charged by your child’s school; if you were assessed less than full tui�on, the 3.5% is based on what you were assessed). Tui�on paid through the BOOST Program or Children’s Scholarship Fund is not included, and dormitory, food, tutoring and other special charges are not included. Families who have paid their assessed tui�on by July 1 will be issued a rebate later in the summer, and families who s�ll owe 2023-24 tui�on by July 1 will receive a credit on their outstanding tui�on balances

It is for this reason that we are very excited to announce a 3.5% rebate of your 2023-24 school year assessed tui�on (by “assessed tui�on” we mean the tui�on you were charged by your child’s school; if you were assessed less than full tui�on, the 3.5% is based on what you were assessed). Tui�on paid through the BOOST Program or Children’s Scholarship Fund is not included, and dormitory, food, tutoring and other special charges are not included. Families who have paid their assessed tui�on by July 1 will be issued a rebate later in the summer, and families who s�ll owe 2023-24 tui�on by July 1 will receive a credit on their outstanding tui�on balances

It is for this reason that we are very excited to announce a 3.5% rebate of your 2023-24 school year assessed tui�on (by “assessed tui�on” we mean the tui�on you were charged by your child’s school; if you were assessed less than full tui�on, the 3.5% is based on what you were assessed). Tui�on paid through the BOOST Program or Children’s Scholarship Fund is not included, and dormitory, food, tutoring and other special charges are not included. Families who have paid their assessed tui�on by July 1 will be issued a rebate later in the summer, and families who s�ll owe 2023-24 tui�on by July 1 will receive a credit on their outstanding tui�on balances

The mesiras nefesh of our parent bodies is truly awe inspiring. The extra jobs and budgeting of family expenses which families take on to pay tuition and give their children a foundation in Torah are the strongest proof that Mi K’amcha Yisroel. It is very gratifying to be part of a Kehilah which values the chinuch of its children and has a parent body committed to our community’s Mosdos Chinuch

We are also very fortunate to have generous supporters whose commit-

It is for this reason that we are very excited to announce a 3.5% rebate of your 2023-24 school year assessed tui�on (by assessed tui�on” we mean the tui�on you were charged by your child s school; if you were assessed less than full tui�on, the 3.5% is based on what you were assessed). Tui�on paid through the BOOST Program or Children’s Scholarship Fund is not included, and dormitory, food, tutoring and other special charges are not included. Families who have paid their assessed tui�on by July 1 will be issued a rebate later in the summer, and families who s�ll owe 2023-24 tui�on by July 1 will receive a credit on their outstanding tui�on balances

It is this backdrop that makes it so exciting to announce a remarkable tuition relief initiative benefiting Baltimore parents.

While lowering tuition rates without jeopardizing our schools’ ability to pay its faculty and other expenses is a challenging goal, philanthropic sources working with our schools have devised a program to specifically target the burden of tuition. The foundation of the program is the creation of a central funding source benefitting all of our community’s schools (and thereby all of our community’s families), donations to which do not impact these donors’ other direct support to individual schools. With an anticipated rollout this summer, the program will rebate to each tuition paying family a portion of the per-student tuition paid over the 2023-24 academic year. This rebate will be sent by each school directly to its parents, and will serve as a direct relief to parents, commensurate with a family’s tuition payments.

While this year’s tuition rebate rate is set at 3.5%, the hope is that, with community support, this program can expand its funding capabilities in coming years; future estimates target a minimum of 3% with a maximum only limited by the amount of funds donated for the rebate program. To this end, the tuition rebate fund will seek and welcomes other donations (which do not impact donors’ other support for our schools), and a family may even opt, in its sole discretion, to donate its rebate back to the tuition rebate fund.

This groundbreaking program represents a significant advancement in supporting our parent body and a strong model for future tuition relief efforts.

The Parent Tuition Rebate Program works as follows:

● As of July 1, 2024, Baltimore parents who have already fulfilled their tuition obligations for the current (2023-24) academic year will receive a rebate corresponding to 3.5% of their total tuition payments (not including dormitory, food program, special education or other fees). It is anticipated that the rebate checks to parents will be mailed in August.

● A central, charitable organization (independent of the schools) will be established to receive donations toward future years’ possible tuition rebates, the details of which are not yet completed. Parents who are interested in donating their rebate back to help fund future rebates, as well as any other contributions, may do so. Details will be forthcoming over the summer. Tax deductible receipts will be issued for these donations directly by this central charitable organization.

For decades, our community’s schools (and all Jewish day schools throughout struggled with the enormous dilemma of funding our school budgets while tui�on-paying families. While in the secular world, private school is an society, private school is an (expensive) necessity. Our schools are all fiscally budgets go toward salaries, and we do not pay high salaries (rebbeim, moros underpaid). We provide high-quality dual program (Torah and secular studies) children at a per student cost far less than the per student cost of public for most families, and most families pay less than our full tui�on charges.

It is for this reason that we are very excited to announce a 3.5% rebate of your 2023-24 school year assessed tui�on (by “assessed tui�on” we mean the tui�on you were charged by your child’s school; if you were assessed less than full tui�on, the 3.5% is based on what you were assessed). Tui�on paid through the BOOST Program or Children’s Scholarship Fund is not included, and dormitory, food, tutoring and other special charges are not included. Families who have paid their assessed tui�on by July 1 will be issued a rebate later in the summer, and families who s�ll owe 2023-24 tui�on by July 1 will receive a credit on their outstanding tui�on balances

Tui�on collec�ons do not cover our budgets, and we count on our generous Bal�more’s Jewish Federa�on) to make up the difference. Boruch Hashem Yet, tui�on remains an enormous burden on families, and we, as well as seek ways to ease this burden.

● While not guaranteed, it is anticipated that the program’s current donors will continue to support this initiative for several years.

It is for this reason that we are very excited to announce a 3.5% rebate tui�on (by “assessed tui�on” we mean the tui�on you were charged by assessed less than full tui�on, the 3.5% is based on what you were assessed Program or Children’s Scholarship Fund is not included, and dormitory, are not included. Families who have paid their assessed tui�on by July summer, and families who s�ll owe 2023-24 tui�on by July 1 will receive balances

For this initial year, our community’s 10 largest schools have been included in the rebate program. In future years the committee hopes to add our community’s other schools, as well.

Nobody involved in the planning or coordination of this rebate has any illusion that a 3.5% tuition rebate solves the “tuition crisis” which is present in every major U.S. Jewish community. However, it is hoped that the rebate will be a small offset of the burden and free up expendable cash for some families, while allowing other families to make a tax-deductible donation for future rebate programs.

Our community continues to benefit broadly from the magnanimous generosity of future-thinking philanthropists. May HKB”H grant them all of the brachos reserved for those who are osek b’tzorchei tzibbur b’emunah

Bais HaMedrash & Mesivta of Bal�more

Bais HaMedrash & Mesivta of Bal�more

Bais HaMedrash & Mesivta of Bal�more

Bais HaMedrash & Mesivta of Bal�more

Serve ‘24: SOTC’s Ping Pong Tournament & 67th Anniversary Celebration

Suburban Orthodox Toras Chaim fused its 67th Anniversary Event with its first ever community-wide ping pong tournament at the Assembly Room in downtown Baltimore. The event, named “Serve ‘24’’, reflective of a ping pong “serve’’ as well as “serving Hashem with happiness”, encompassed a four-hour long ping pong tournament, elegant buffet dinner, siyum on Maseches Zeraim, inspirational words from Rabbi Shmuel Silber, and a meaningful anniversary celebration honoring the vibrant, multi-generational kehilla.

The tournament, commissioned by Jeremy Lasson and Josh Rosenbloom (with the help of software developers Shalom Kovacs and Aaron Rubin) featured 34 players across 17 tables, ranging from ages 18 to 60. After a warm up and round robin to help determine seeding, players faced intense elimination rounds leading

up to the final eight, final four, semifinals, and finals. The final round matched up seasoned ping pong player Avi Finklestein and unassuming ping pong extraordinaire, Parham Ghatan. After an exhilarating final round, Avi finished as runner up and Parham took the first place prize. The tournament was monitored by a team of teenage scorekeepers, equipped with personalized t-shirts and handheld score keeping devices. The fourhour long match up was the perfect combination of friendly competition and multi-generational achdus.

Immediately following the award ceremony, the SOTC kehilla gathered to enjoy a delicious strolling dinner catered by Mosi and the Knish Shop. Kehilla members enjoyed a musical photo montage, reflections on the growth and vibrancy of this special kehilla, and inspiring words from Rabbi Silber as he addressed his beloved kehilla of over 20 years.

As always, SOTC looks to fuse the spiritual with the physical, and culminated the evening with a siyum on Maseches Zeraim, which was studied by various family members throughout the community.

Although a unique approach to an annual shul dinner, Serve ‘24 represented ideals that the SOTC kehilla exemplifies year round: A focus on unity, community, imbuing Torah into every physical aspect of life, and Serving Hashem with happiness.

The unique and uplifting evening was chaired by Malkie Rosenbloom and Lauren Fine with the support of SOTC Executive Director Shani Topper, and a robust dedicated team of volunteers.

Yeshivas Toras Simcha Siddur Mesiba

Pre 1A students at Yeshivas Toras Simcha received their first siddur Sunday morning. The boys sang several songs and recited pesukim about the importance of Torah study. Rabbi Hillel Shepard, menahel, addressed the parents and students emphasizing the importance of tefillah and the prayers of the parents and teachers that all of the boys grow to be talmidei chochomim. Refreshments were enjoyed by all of the participants including siblings in older grades.

Hundreds Gather to Strengthen Workplace Halacha at H3 Mid-Atlantic Summit

Following in the footsteps of the inaugural Mid-Atlantic Business Halacha Conference in 2022 and modeled after the numerous H3 Business Halacha Summit events in Chicago and in a growing number of other cities, over 450 men and women gathered at Martin’s West in Baltimore for Agudah Maryland’s second allday summit focused on strengthening halacha in the workplace. The H3 Mid-Atlantic Business Halacha Summit convened on May 22nd and offered a large-scale opportunity to working people in Maryland and beyond to gather to receive inspiration and practical halachic guidance from leading rabbinic authorities, as well as an opportunity to network with other frum professionals.

The packed schedule included keynote addresses, individual sessions, and panel discussions covering a wide range of topics – from Shabbos-related business halacha to employee relations, and from working amongst non-Jews to questionable business practices. In

addition to the general sessions, there were two sessions geared specifically to women in the workplace.

The morning opened with welcoming remarks and the recitation of Tehillim by Rabbi Ariel Sadwin, executive director of Agudah Maryland/MidAtlantic. Harav Aharon Feldman, Rosh Yeshiva of Ner Yisroel and member of the Moetzes Gedolei Hatorah, shared divrei bracha, followed by the opening keynote address delivered by Rabbi Zev Cohen of Adas Yeshurun of Chicago.

Throughout the day, participants were able to choose from a variety of different concurrent sessions on the business topics most relevant to them from leading rabbonim and poskim, and then utilized the spaces between sessions to mingle and network.

During the lunch program, Rabbi Yaakov Robinson (Executive Director of the Agudah’s Midwest Council of Synagogue Rabbonim and a co-founder of the H3 Business Halacha Summit) addressed the origins of the H3 move-

ment as its popularity spreads across the US (and beyond), emphasizing the meaning of each of the three “H’s” –Halacha, Hashkafa, and Hanhaga.

Back by popular demand, the Q&A session titled “My Co-Worker was Wondering…” led by Rabbi Yaakov Hopfer, (Rav of Shearith Israel Congregation and President of the Vaad HaRabbonim of Baltimore) and Rabbi Aaron Lopiansky (Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshiva of Greater Washington), which debuted at the 2022 inaugural business halacha event, did not disappoint the overflow crowd of attendees, addressing challenging questions on a variety of workplace and klal-oriented topics.

The event closed with a late-afternoon keynote session featuring Rabbi Yisroel Reisman, (Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshiva Torah Vodaas), and Rabbi Doniel Osher Kleinman (Rav of K’hal Nachlas Dovid of Brooklyn NY). Rabbi Reisman called for all of us, in our striving to be bnei Torah, to reconsider our overemphasis on gashmius and

materialism and make a conscious effort to push against the pressure to raise our material standards of living. Rav Kleinman echoed Rav Reisman’s call, emphasizing the fact that a ben Torah should be focusing on his ruchniyus, not on the material world which is here today yet gone tomorrow.

“It was amazing to see so many more people join in the historic Kiddush Hashem on display at the H3 Mid-Atlantic, setting aside a full day to grow in their knowledge of workplace-related halacha practices,” said Rabbi Ariel Sadwin, executive director of Agudath Israel of Maryland. “We look forward to continuing to provide the community with other opportunities of raising the level of mitzvah observance in the future, through the H3 movement and other endeavors.”

Those who were unable to attend in person can access all of the sessions of the event on TorahAnytime.com.

Photo Credits: Jeff Cohn Photography

• The good middos modeled by the Taryag Kids

The gentle but effective lessons in emunah

The text, with vocabulary carefully chosen to encourage children to love reading

eet Tanchum, Reuven, Yisrael and Gadi. They’re best friends. Just four ordinary boys. Except when things become... extraordinary!

There is danger, excitement, laughter, and Torah lessons, when a simple mitzvah of bikur cholim sends the Taryag Kids on a breathtaking undersea adventure!

• The four Taryag Kids, all of them relatable – and each of them unique

The captivating illustrations that make every page unforgettable

The laughter, the excitement, and the adventures ... and, of course, the FUN!

Association (JOWMA) Hosts Inaugural Baltimore Event

JOWMA (Jewish Orthodox Women’s Medical Association) held its first event in Baltimore at the home of Teri Kahn, MD, MPH, a boardcertified Pediatric Dermatologist. The program, titled “Pioneers in Medicine,” featured speaker Lisa Amir, MD, MPH, a board-certified Emergency Medicine Pediatrician, and the Medical Director of the Department of Emergency Medicine at Schneider’s Children’s Medical Center in Israel. Dr. Amir shared her experience serving in a hospital in Eilat during October 7th and its aftermath, as well as her perspective on the Israeli healthcare system.

Dr. Kahn noted, “JOWMA is a wonderful connector for Jewish orthodox women as doctors of many medical specialties and backgrounds. The successful turnout of Baltimore’s inaugural JOWMA event to hear Dr. Amir’s moving and inspiring stories is an exciting beginning for JOWMA’s presence in the Baltimore

area!”. Event attendees were from across the medical professions, including physicians, nurses, and physician assistants, all of whom appreciated the invaluable insights shared.

JOWMA COO/CFO, Dr. Sheindel Goldfeiz, shared: “The event served as a great opportunity to engage with local professionals who can support our critical mission of creating accessible health education and supporting frum women physicians and trainees.”

Dr. Amir shared insights with the event attendees, highlighting her experiences and strategies in managing pediatric care during times of crisis. During her talk, she elaborated on the hospital’s efforts to enhance its capabilities in handling cases involving child evacuees and, subsequently, children who had been hostages and were brought back to Israel. She recounted a particularly striking anecdote from her early days at Eilat’s hospital: upon her arrival, the facility had only a single cabinet of children’s medical supplies. Through diligent

collaboration with the exceptional team there, Dr. Amir successfully secured the necessary resources to provide comprehensive care to numerous young patients.

The event underscored the critical importance of preparedness and teamwork in pediatric healthcare, especially under challenging circumstances. Participants were excited to hear about the ways that JOWMA can be utilized in both their professional lives and as a community resource. JOWMA is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization founded in 2019 to create accessible and culturally sensitive health information for the Orthodox Jewish community, as well as support a network of Jewish women physicians and trainees. The organization hosts educational events and programs on a variety of health top-

JCC Announces New Board Members

ics including: pediatrics, wellness, women’s health, teen health, mental health, and more. JOWMA is excited to continue bringing programs to the Baltimore community. To learn more, please visit www.JOWMA.org , or email us at info@jowma.org.

We’re thrilled to welcome our four new JCC board members who will be installed on June 5th at our Annual Meeting. Their passion, expertise, and commitment to our community are sure to help us continue to thrive and grow. Help us give a warm welcome to Azi Rosenblum, Stephanie Baron, Elliot Pepper, and Chet Wyman!

Earn the degree of your choice with a Torah-centered academic experience that fosters continued learning and growth - the perfect bridge between seminary and the professional world.

SUMMER COURSES

Make the most of your summer! Join the WITS summer semester to start earning credits towards your degree and prepare for your future. One class could make all the difference! WITH WITS

AND

613 Seconds with Shlomo Bergmann

BJH: Shlomo, thank you for joining us today. Can you start by telling us a bit about yourself and your background?

Shlomo Bergmann: Thank you for having me. My journey has been deeply rooted in Torah study, with nine years at Chaim Berlin followed by eight years in kollel at Ner Israel. Alongside my Torah studies, I pursued a Master’s degree in Finance and obtained Level 1 CFA certification. Currently, I work as an accountant at GSG. I’ve been involved in several community initiatives, which has exposed me to the financial challenges faced by such a large percentage of our community. Witnessing these struggles firsthand ignited a desire within me to take action and address these pressing issues. My back-

ground in finance further fueled my determination to make a meaningful impact in alleviating financial hardships within our community.

BJH: That’s impressive, Shlomo. What inspired you to delve into the financial challenges facing frum families?

SB: My involvement in the community, coupled with my background in finance, led me to recognize the pressing need for support in navigating financial hardships. After witnessing firsthand the struggles that many families face, I felt compelled to take action and utilize my skills and knowledge to make a meaningful impact. My passion for helping the community stems from this deep sense of responsibility and commitment to ensuring the well-being of every member.

BJH: Can you tell us about the recent survey you conducted within the Baltimore Orthodox Jewish community?

SB: Certainly. The survey aimed to uncover the root causes of financial distress among frum families. Surprisingly, one key finding was that parents under 40 faced the most significant challenges, particularly in

relation to rising household sizes and tuition expenses.

BJH: That’s interesting. What other insights did the survey reveal?

SB: Another significant finding was the reluctance of individuals facing financial distress to seek help, with almost 60% expressing a preference to go into deep debt rather than reach out to community organizations. This highlights the importance of conducting support programs with dignity and anonymity, respecting individuals’ privacy and sense of self-worth.

BJH: How do you believe these insights can inform efforts to address financial challenges within the community?

SB: Understanding the causes and impacts of financial distress is crucial in developing effective solutions. For example, the survey revealed that tuition costs are a major source of financial strain for families, especially those with parents under 40. By finding ways to reduce tuition expenses within the community, we can alleviate the burden for many families.

BJH: Tell us more about your organization, Ahavas Chinam Tamid

(ACT), and the program you’re developing to address these challenges.

SB: Ahavas Chinam Tamid (ACT) is dedicated to researching, analyzing, and developing programs aimed at restoring shalom bayis and financial stability to our community. Our mission is to ensure that no family pays more than 20% of their income towards tuition. We’re committed to principles of transparency, accountability, and daas Torah in all our endeavors.

BJH: Thank you for sharing your insights, Shlomo. Is there anything else you’d like to add before we conclude?

SB: I want to emphasize the importance of community support in addressing these challenges. Together, we can create a better and more affordable future for all frum families. I encourage everyone to get involved and contribute to our collective efforts. Join us at Shomrei Emunah on June 18th at 7pm. This is your chance to show that this is important to you and that you care about your community. If you want to help, you can reach me at shlomo.bergmann@ahavashinam.org or text me at 347-893-6758.

The Week In News

with her Morena party keeping its majorities in both houses of Congress.

A Jewish Female Mexican President

Claudia Sheinbaum, 61, won the Mexican presidential election this week, succeeding President Andrés Manuel López Obrador and becoming the country’s first Jewish president. Sheinbaum won around 58.3% to 60.7% of the vote, according to the National Electoral Institute’s president,

“I promise that I am not going to let you down,” said Sheinbaum, a scientist who is part of the same party as López Obrador, who was ineligible for reelection due to term limits. She will begin her six-year term on October 1. Mexican presidents are only allowed one term.

Sheinbaum’s main competitor, Xóchitl Gálvez, another woman, won around 26.6% to 28.6% of the vote, while Jorge Álvarez Máynez won somewhere between 9.9% to 10.8%.

“As I have said on other occasions, I do not arrive alone,” Sheinbaum said in her victory speech. “We all arrived, with our heroines who gave us our homeland, with our mothers, our daughters, and our granddaughters.”

“Of course, I congratulate Claudia Sheinbaum with all my respect who ended up the winner by a wide margin,” López Obrador said of his successor. “She is going to be Mexico’s first (female) president in 200 years.”

Gálvez, a former senator and tech entrepreneur, said in her concession

speech, “I want to stress that my recognition [of Sheinbaum’s victory] comes with a firm demand for results and solutions to the country’s serious problems.”

Sheinbaum campaigned on continuing the policies of her predecessor, while Gálvez promised to address Mexico’s crime issue.

Sheinbaum is a Nobel Prize-winning climate scientist who received her PhD in energy engineering from the National Autonomous University of Mexico. In 2000, she began a six-year term as the Secretary of Environment under López Obrador while he was Head of Government of Mexico City, a position similar to a mayor in the U.S. Sheinbaum also served as Head of Government of Mexico City, from 2018 to 2023, resigning to seek the Morena party’s nomination for president.

Around 100 million Mexican citizens are registered to vote. About 60% voted in the election.

Former Thai PM Indicted

Thaksin Shinawatra, a former prime minister of Thailand, has been charged with violating the country’s strict lese majeste law. According to a statement issued by officials last week, Thaksin was indicted for insulting the monarchy during a 2015 interview with South Korea’s Chosun Ilbo newspaper.

Thaksin, 74, was the country’s prime minister from 2001 to 2006, when he was thrown out of office as part of a military coup. In August 2023, after spending fifteen years in self-imposed exile, Thaksin came back to Thailand. Upon his return, Thaksin was arrested and sentenced to eight years in jail for conflict of interest, abuse of power, and corruption, although his sentence was eventually decreased to one year in prison. In February, he was released on parole after spending six months in a police

hospital.

Due to these new lese majeste charges, the former prime minister will have to appear in court before the Office of the Attorney General on June 18. Since the indictment, Thaksin has reiterated his support for the monarchy and has denied any wrongdoing.

Some suspect that Thaksin’s return was triggered by a deal he might have reached with Thailand’s conservative and pro-royalty establishment. However, Thaksin denies that theory and has insisted that he returned to Thailand to spend time with his family during his retirement.

Although Thaksin was well-liked among rural and working-class voters, conservatives and upper-class voters generally disliked him.

“The charge is politically driven; there’s no other way to put it,” said political science professor Thitinan Pongsudhirak of Chulalongkorn University. “They see him as a threat. He didn’t serve a day in jail which caused consternation because it was a double standard, and he wields influence over the Pheu Thai party in government.

“It’s an indictment and a reminder to Thaksin of who has real power in Thailand,” he added.

Thailand has, over the past few years, come under fire for its very strict lese majeste laws, which ban citizens from criticizing the king, queen, and heir apparent. Those who violate the rules can receive decades of prison time. Over the past few years, hundreds have been charged.

Thaksin’s return comes amid a time of great political division in Thailand.

ANC’s Big Losses

For the first time, the African National Congress (ANC) party of South Africa failed to win an outright majority in the recent elections. Having won 40% of the vote last week, down from 57% in 2019, the ANC will have to form a coalition with another political party in order to stay in power.

MAKE TUITION AFFORDABLE FOR EVERYONE

JOIN THE PROGRAM ENDORSED AND SUPPORTED BY RABBONIM TO RESTORE LIVES BY MAKING TUITION AFFORDABLE FOR EVERYONE.

DISCUSSION LED BY

Our annual survey shows us that 50% of school age parents are in financial distress and those in distress have 8X worse shalom bayis.

PLEASE JOIN US TO DISCUSS THESE ISSUES & SOLUTIONS AT SHOMREI EMUNAH | JUNE 18TH | 7:00 pm

ENDORSED BY LOCAL RABBONIM

With your contribution, you’re not only helping your family, friends, and neighbors; you’re helping ensure future stability for the entire community.

Rosh Hayeshiva HaRav Aharon Feldman

Rabbi Beryl Weissbord

Rabbi Zvi Weiss

RabbiTaubShaye

Rabbi Jonathan Seidemann

Rabbi Reuben Aryeh

Rabbi Mordechai Shuchatowitz Rabbi Yehuda Khoshkerman

Rabbi Yaakov Hopfer

Rabbi Moshe Heinemann

Rabbi Eliyahu Hakakian

Rabbi YissochorDov Eichenstein

Rabbi Duvi Rubin

Rabbi Akiva Meister Rabbi Akiva Feldman

SHLOMO BERGMANN

The Week In News

The ANC, the party of Nelson Mandela, has won an outright majority in every election since South Africa broke free of apartheid thirty years ago. Despite the country’s freedom from the white minority’s control, South Africa is still an imbalanced country with high unemployment, rising crime rates, water and electricity shortages, and government corruption.

“The ANC has in some ways imploded in the form of its former president, Jacob Zuma. The rise of the MK is certainly the biggest story of this election,” noted Tessa Dooms , a director at South Africa’s Rivonia Circle think tank.

Jacob Zuma, an eighty-two-yearold convicted former ANC leader, recently formed the uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) party, which won around 15% in the elections, making it the country’s third-largest party. Zuma was president until 2018 when he was forced to resign amid corruption allegations. In 2021, Zuma was convicted of corruption after he failed to present himself in front of the court. Zuma has alleged that President Cyril Ramaphosa is responsible for his convictions. Although

shacharis

his convictions ban him from running for president, he still possesses a great deal of political power.

Now, the ANC is considering the prospect of forming a coalition with the MK party. However, Duduzile Sambudla, an MK member and the daughter of Zuma, has indicated that although her party could potentially form a coalition with the ANC, “the MK is not willing to go into a coalition with the ANC of Ramaphosa.”

“I think the ANC suddenly having to be accountable rather than having majority after majority will be an exceptionally good thing for South Africa,” opined Professor David Everett at Wits School of Governance.

Everett explained, “There are two factions in the ANC. The one led by President Ramaphosa is much more concerned with the state of the economy and quite likely to look to the Democratic Alliance,” a white-minority opposition party which won around 22% of the vote. The ANC could also form a coalition with the Economic Freedom Fighters, a radical left-wing party that is also led by a former ANC leader, Julius Malema.

“To go into a coalition with your sworn enemies in the EFF and MK, you are asking for politics to dominate everything, as they try to wreck the ANC even more and take it over,” Everett said.

Up until now, a coalition government has never existed in South Africa’s federal government.

Whale Hunting In Japan

Kyodo Senpaku, the company of Japanese whale fanatic Hideki Tokoro, has constructed and released its newest $48 million whale-hunting “mothership,” the Kangei Maru, which will succeed its predecessor, the Nisshin Maru, a controversial boat that anti-whaling activists have described as a “floating slaughterhouse.”

Built with advanced drones meant to kill whales, the Kangei Maru is larger, faster, and more capable than the Nisshin Maru, with Tokoro’s new ship possessing the ability to travel long distances and for long periods.

“Whales are at the top of the food chain. They compete with humans by eating marine creatures that should be feeding other fish,” said Tokoro. “We need to cull whales to keep the balance of the ecosystem – it’s our job and mission to protect oceans for the future.”

Some activists and marine conservation groups disagree with Tokoro’s statements and say that whales help protect the environment.

“Whales are not just consumers in ocean ecosystems. They recycle a ton of nutrients into the environment which helps stimulate plant-life growth,” said Ari Friedlaender, a marine ecologist. “Humans have a very long history of killing whales and have not done a good job of being able to sustainably harvest animals. There is no way to sustainably harvest a wild animal like that.”

Greater Washington Weekday Minyanim Guide

6:15 am Young Israel Shomrai Emunah M-F

6:25 am Southeast Hebrew Cong., Knesset Yehoshua M-F

6:30 am Beth Sholom Congregation M-F

Beit Halevi (Sfardi) M, T

Chabad of Silver Spring M-F

Ohev Shalom Talmud Torah OLNEY M-F

Young Israel Shomrai Emunah S YGW M, Th

6:35 am Ohr Hatorah M, Th

6:40 am YGW S, T, W, F

Magen David Sephardic Congregation M-Th

6:45 am Beit Halevi (Sfardi) S, T, W, F

Kemp Mill Synagogue M, Th

Ohr Hatorah T, W, F

Young Israel Shomrai Emunah M, Th

6:50 am Woodside Synagogue/Ahavas Torah M, Th

Silver Spring Jewish Center M-F

Chabad of Upper Montgomery County M-F

6:55 am Young Israel Shomrai Emunah T, W, F

7:00 am Kemp Mill Synagogue T, W, F

Southeast Hebrew Cong., Knesset Yehoshua S

Silver Spring Jewish Center S

Woodside Synagogue/Ahavas Torah T, W, F

Young Israel Ezras Israel of Potomac T,W,F

7:05 am Kesher Israel M, Th

7:15 am Kemp Mill Synagogue M, Th Kesher Israel T, W, F

Ohev Sholom Talmud Torah/The National Synagogue M-F

Ohr Hatorah S

7:30 am Chabad of DC M-F

Chabad of Potomac M-F JROC M-F

Kemp Mill Synagogue T, W, F

Southeast Hebrew Cong., Knesset Yehoshua M-F

Young Israel Shomrai Emunah S

Young Israel Shomrai Emunah (Sfardi) M-F

7:45 am YGW (Yeshiva Session Only) S-F

8:00 am Beth Sholom Congregation S

Kemp Mill Synagogue S Kesher Israel S

Ohev Shalom Talmud Torah OLNEY S

Southeast Hebrew Cong., Knesset Yehoshua S

8:00 am Chabad of Upper Montgomery County S

Woodside Synagogue/Ahavas Torah S YGW (High School; School-Contingent) S-F

Young Israel Ezras Israel of Potomac S Young Israel Shomrai Emunah (Sfardi) S

8:15 am Ohr Hatorah S

Kehilat Pardes / Berman Hebrew Academy S-F

Silver Spring Jewish Center M-F

8:30 am Chabad of DC S Chabad of Potomac S JROC S

Ohev Sholom Talmud Torah/The National Synagogue S

Silver Spring Jewish Center S YGW (Summer Only) S-F

8:45 am Young Israel Shomrai Emunah S-F

9:00 am Chabad of Silver Spring S

Kemp Mill Synagogue S

mincha/maariv Before Shkiah, S-TH

Beit Halevi (Sfardi)

Beth Sholom Congregation

Chabad of Potomac

Chabad of Silver Spring

Chabad of Upper Montgomery County

JROC

Kemp Mill Synagogue

Kesher Israel

Magen David Sephardic Congregation

Ohev Sholom Talmud Torah/The National Synagogue

Ohr Hatorah

Silver Spring Jewish Center

Southeast Hebrew Congregation, Knesset Yehoshua

Woodside Synagogue/Ahavas Torah

Young Israel Ezras Israel of Potomac

Young Israel Shomrai Emunah (Asheknaz)

Young Israel Shomrai Emunah (Sefarhadi)

maariv

8:15 pm OSTT (OLNEY) S-Th SHC, Knesset Yehoshua M-Th

8:45 pm YGW

1:50 pm YGW Summer

2:15 pm Silver Spring Jewish Center M-F

2:20 pm YGW School Days

2:45 pm YGW S-Th

4:30 pm Ohev Shalom Talmud Torah OLNEY S-Th mincha

9:00 pm Silver Spring Jewish Center Fall/Winter 9:30

The Week In News

Whale hunting has been illegal since 1986 when the International Whaling Commission (IWC) enacted an international ban on whaling, in an attempt to prevent whales from going extinct. However, Japan, Norway, and Iceland rejected the ban and have continued whale hunting. While Ireland has pledged to stop whale hunting this year, Japan and Norway continue to this very day.

Since 1986, Japan has claimed it allows whaling for “scientific research.” In 2018, Japan left the IWC after the organization refused to permit the East Asian country to continue commercial whale hunting. Currently, Japan permits its citizens to hunt three species of whales, including sei whales, minke whales, and Bryde’s whales, and is expected to also allow fin whale hunting soon.

“Japan is no longer party to the International Convention for the Regulation of Whaling and can argue that it is no longer bound by provisions and constraints,” noted Australian National University international law professor Donald Rothwell. “Within

its waters, it has the absolute authority to control the management of living resources – and that includes whales.”

Some are concerned that Japan will try to hunt whales in Antarctica’s Southern Ocean Whale Sanctuary, which would be illegal under international law.

“Commercial whaling is not profitable,” Tokoro said, rejecting concerns that the Kangei Maru will be used to hunt whales in the Antarctic. “It will take 50 days to get to the Antarctic and back, and we are not confident we can make a profit by paying the wages of employees and fuel for 50 days. However, I will go only when the government orders me to go… Until then, I will not go commercial whaling at all.”

Whale meat is an uncommon delicacy in many places.

China Lands on the Moon

China successfully landed a lunar lander on the far side of the moon

Sunday morning, the country’s space agency announced, taking the mission one step closer to bringing back the first sample from the part of the moon that earthlings never see.

The Chang’e-6 unmanned probe touched down on the moon’s South Pole-Aitken basin at 6:23 a.m., China’s National Space Administration said in a statement.

The agency released a video taken by the landing camera as the probe touched down. In the video, the surface of the moon, pockmarked with craters, gets closer and closer as the lander descends.

Chang’e-6 is the second mission to have touched down on the far side of the moon. Its predecessor, Chang’e-4, made history as the first to do so in 2019.

The far side of the moon is distinct from the near side, where the United States, China and what was then the Soviet Union have gathered samples. It has a thicker crust, more craters and fewer maria, or plains where lava once flowed. It’s unclear why the two sides of the moon are so different; the samples collected by Chang’e-6 could pro-

vide some clues.

The South Pole-Aitken basin, a massive impact crater about 1,600 miles wide, is among the largest in the history of the solar system. That material, if it can be retrieved, could help scientists learn more about the history of the moon’s insides.

Chang’e-6 lifted off on May 3 from the Wenchang space site on Hainan Island in southern China. It reached the moon on May 8, China’s space agency said, and orbited it for several weeks before touching down. The descent took about 14 minutes, and the probe used cameras and 3-D laser scanning to avoid obstacles as it landed, the agency said.

The probe will collect samples for about two days, gathering rocks and soil from the lunar surface and also

“Tzipora worked with me to create a

Thank you Tzipora!”

ANONYMOUS CLIENT

"Tzipora was a pleasure to work with. She listened to my goals and challenges, and put together a workable game plan to achieve my goals. Highly recommend!”

ANONYMOUS CLIENT

The Week In News

drilling down into the ground to collect subsurface samples, the agency said. (© The New York Times)

No Wealth Flaunting in China

Last month, China’s Cyberspace Administration, the national internet regulator, announced a campaign against influencers who “create a ‘wealth-flaunting’ persona, deliberately showcasing a luxurious life built on money, in order to attract followers and traffic.”

Last week, Wang Hongquan was a target of that crackdown. The influencer had claimed that he owned seven properties in Beijing and that he never left the house in an outfit worth less than 10 million yuan ($1.38 million). He would post videos of his numerous maids, Hermes handbags, and expensive sports cars. But on Tuesday, his account on Douyin, the Chinese version of TikTok, was inaccessible to his 4.3 million followers. Searches returned an error message saying it had been blocked “due to violations of Douyin’s community guidelines.”

The Douyin accounts of other online influencers who posted similar content, such as Bo Gongzi (Young Wealthy Lord Bai), with 2.9 million followers, and Baoyu Jiajie (Abalone Sister), with 2.3 million followers, were also blocked.

This is not the first time that Chinese authorities have tried to police what goes on online to combat social trends. In 2022, officials issued a “code of conduct” prohibiting livestream anchors from “displaying or hyping a

large number of luxury goods, jewelry, cash and other assets.”

The Maldives Bans Israelis

The Maldives announced this week that it will ban Israeli passport holders from entering the country due to the war against Hamas in Gaza.

The presidential office of the Indian Ocean island nation, known for its

luxurious resorts and endless white sand beaches, made the announcement on Sunday.

Maldivian President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu resolved to impose the ban following a recommendation from the cabinet, according to a press release.

The country’s laws will be amended, and a cabinet subcommittee will be established to oversee the efforts.

Following news of the ban, the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs recommended Israelis avoid travel to the island and “for Israeli citizens staying in the country, it is recommended to consider leaving, since if they fall into distress for any reason, it will be difficult for us to help.”

Muizzu said that he is appointing a special envoy to assess Palestinian needs and is setting up a fundraiser to “assist our brothers and sisters in Palestine” with UNRWA. He will also conduct a nationwide rally under the slogan “Falastheenaa Eku Dhivehin,” which means “Maldivians in Solidarity with Palestine.”

“Together with the government

The Week In News

and people of Maldives, I call for an immediate ceasefire, an end to violence and unhindered humanitarian access,” Muizzu posted on X last week.

Around 515,000 people live in The Maldives, the smallest country in Asia. It is the smallest Muslim-majority country by land area and is the ninth-smallest country in the world by area.

Less Hate in Saudi Schools

According to a study published last week by IMPACT-se, which monitors educational curricula in the Middle East, school textbooks in Saudi Arabia are increasingly portraying Israel and

Zionism in a more positive light.

Textbooks for the 2023-2024 school year no longer teach that Zionism is a “racist” European movement and no longer deny the historical Jewish presence in the region.

“It’s a small step that shows a change of narrative towards Israel and showcases more tolerance and openness,” said Nimrod Goren, who heads Mitvim – The Israeli Institute for Regional Foreign Policies.

It also does not call Israel an “enemy state,” although there are references to the “Israeli occupation.” The curriculum is fully committed to the Palestinian cause.

When it comes to maps, the word “Israel” is not there. At the same time, the name “Palestine,” which previously covered the entirety of Israeli territory, has now been removed, the report highlights.

“It indicates that if the Saudis are heading towards normalization, they are doing it all in line with the model of the UAE and Bahrain,” Goren explained, referencing diplomatic ties

established with the two Gulf monarchies in the framework of the Abraham Accords in 2020. Goren is also a senior fellow at the Middle East Institute think tank in Washington.

He notes that prior to the Abraham Accords, the UAE and Bahrain both gradually moved towards tolerance for the Jewish state, leading to a “warm peace” and cultural cooperation between Israel and those two states.

Saudi Arabia’s gradual opening began about a decade ago, Goren said. “The process resembles what the UAE and Bahrain were doing in the decade before the Abraham Accords, a very slow, gradual move that reflects tolerance and normalization of engagement, making it a more routine in terms of public perception,” he said.

“The UAE, for example, very much played the card of religious tolerance, with the construction of the Abrahamic Family House,” Goren added, referencing a building encompassing a mosque, a church and a synagogue in the UAE capital Abu Dhabi inaugurated in 2023. “That was an easy entry

point to showcase a better perception of Israelis and Jews.”

Saudi textbooks now do not espouse blatant antisemitism. In the past, students in Saudi Arabia were immersed in hate and incitement in their schoolbooks.

“Examples which have since been removed included the characterization of Jews as treacherous individuals, and Qur’anic verses teaching that Jews turned into monkeys.”

Yedidya Azugi, HY”D

Since the start of Israel’s ground campaign in Gaza, 292 Israeli soldiers have been tragically killed. The latest casualty took place on Thursday when 21-year-old Staff Sgt. Yedidya Azugi was murdered while engaging in combat with Hamas terrorists in the northern Gaza Strip. Azugi was from Revava and fought in the Paratrooper Brigade’s 101st Battalion.

Bloom

The Week In News Shavous is in full

According to the Israel Defense Forces, 300 terrorists have been eliminated since Israel’s recent expansion into Rafah, a city in southern Gaza which is Hamas’s final stronghold. Fighting has also been taking place in the north of the Strip, including in Jabaliya, where terror operatives and weapons have been found.

On the same day that Azugi was killed, the IDF conducted more than fifty airstrikes throughout the Gaza Strip, which killed two terrorists who were stationed in a building in northern Gaza. An arms cache was also found in central Gaza.

In Rafah, the IDF has found explosives, anti-tank missile launches, uncovered tunnel shafts, an ammunition depot, and more, according to a statement issued by the army on Thursday. On that same day, terrorists fired rockets at Nirim, triggering alarms. According to Army Radio, one projectile landed in an uninhabited area near Israel’s southern border.

Last Tuesday, three soldiers were killed in a booby-trapped Rafah tunnel shaft.

Although the United States has been critical of Israel’s ground campaign in Gaza, the U.S. has yet to complain about Israel’s seizing of the Philadelphi Route on the Gaza-Egypt border.

“When [Israel] briefed us on their plans for Rafah, it did include moving along that corridor and out of the city proper to put pressure on Hamas in the city,” said John Kirby, the White House national security spokesman, adding that he doesn’t know whether the entire route was captured but is nonetheless maintaining that Israel’s operation, thus far, is limited in scope.

4 Hostages Declared Dead

According to the IDF, Chaim Peri, Yoram Metzger, Amiram Cooper, and Nadav Popplewell are no longer alive. The four men had been kidnapped on October 7.

The IDF said that they told the families of the men “who were brutally abducted to the Gaza Strip on October 7, that they are no longer alive and that their bodies are held by the Hamas terrorist organization.”

The decision to pronounce them dead was based on intelligence and was confirmed by a Ministry of Health expert committee, in coordination with the Ministry of Religious Services and the Chief Rabbi of Israel.

Chief spokesperson for the IDF, Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari, said, “Their loved ones were killed a few months ago during Hamas captivity in Gaza, and their bodies are still being held by Hamas. We assess that the four of them were killed while together in the area of Khan Younis during an operation there against Hamas.”

In May, Hamas said Popplewell, an Israeli-British citizen, had died from wounds following a strike by Israeli fighter jets on his place of detention over a month earlier.

Hamas kidnapped more than 250 people on October 7. Of the 120 who are still being held in captivity, Israel believes that 41 are dead.

Nadav Popplewell, 51, had been kidnapped from his home’s safe room in Kibbutz Nirim, along with his mother, Channa Peri, who has since been released. His older brother, Roy, was murdered on October 7.

Amiram Cooper, 84, was one of the founders of Kibbutz Nir Oz. He was kidnapped together with his wife, Nurit, who was released from Hamas captivity after 17 days.

Yoram Metzger, 80, from Kibbutz Nir Oz, was kidnapped from his home along with his wife, Tamar, who was released from Hamas captivity after 53 days. He was one of the founders of the Nir Oz Winery.

Chaim Peri, 80, from Kibbutz Nir Oz, was kidnapped from the safe room in his home while protecting his wife. He had taught at schools in the area and at Sapir college. He was also one of the founders of the Nir Oz Winery.

The Week In News

Dr. Pepper is Second Best

Which do you prefer: Coke or Pepsi?

It turns out that Coke is the top soda in the United States. But now, Pepsi, which used to be in second place, has been overtaken by Dr Pepper.

Dr Pepper inched ahead of Pepsi as the number two soda brand in the country in 2023, according to market share data from Beverage Digest, a trade publication.

Coke doesn’t need to be too concerned by the competition. Last year, the brand took 19.2% of the soda market in the U.S. by volume. Dr Pepper and Pepsi both had 8.3%, with Dr Pepper technically ahead. After that came other brands owned by Coca-Cola: Sprite came in at 8.1% and Diet Coke at 7.8%.

Founded in 1885 in Waco, Texas, Dr Pepper preceded both Coca-Cola and Pepsi. Although Coca-Cola and Pepsi dominated the fizzy drink market in the 20th century, Dr Pepper had a small but devoted following in the South. In the 1970s, it marketed itself to a national audience as a unique flavor. Over the years, it has gained traction with a national audience.

Today, Dr Pepper is experimenting with new flavors. The brand introduced Dr Pepper Strawberries & Cream last year, which was a “standout success.” It has also rolled out trendy limited-time flavors, like Dr Pepper Creamy Coconut.

It’s possible that Pepsi wasn’t focused on beating Dr Pepper in the market because it was concerned with

building its other brands. Unlike Coca-Cola and Keurig Dr Pepper, Pepsico has a massive food business — its sprawling portfolio includes Quaker, Frito-Lay and more. And when it comes to beverages, it seems to be focused on its zero sugar lines rather than classic Pepsi.

He Keeps on Trucking

Doyle Archer is no quitter. The 90-year-old is now the holder of the Guinness World Record for the oldest truck driver.

Archer has been driving trucks for more than 60 years and has clocked around 5.5 million miles behind the wheel. He currently works for Coomes Inc.; he’s been there for the past 20 years.

He has driven across 48 states and through all five provinces in Canada. Just recently, he was named a “Million Mile

Safe Driver” after traveling one million miles without any incident.

“It has provided the opportunity to see many things that I wouldn’t have otherwise got to see. I’ve got to meet a lot of people from many different parts of the world,” he said.

Archer nabbed the award at the age of 90 years and 55 days old.

“I do not plan to retire any time soon,” the nonagenarian told Guinness World Records. “As long as my health holds, I will keep driving. I do not have the word retire in my vocabulary.”

He has been married to Lois for the past 70 years. The great-grandfather of 26 said his career has taken him all across the country, hauling all sorts of different cargo.

“Anything you can haul in a truck, I have hauled it,” he said. We hope he never runs out of gas.

I encourage you to please consider sponsoring as many Chinuch Atzmai Kiruv children as possible for $360 per child per year.

This sponsorship literally provides the lifeline for tens of thousands of children originating from secular families enabling them to obtain a Torah education and live a Torah life.

Wishing you continued bracha and hatzlacha, Rabbi Aharon Feldman, Rosh Hayeshiva

Torah Thought You Have Chosen Us!

By Rabbi Zvi Teichman

We are taught that in the days preceding the coming of Moshiach tragedies will befall us at such a pace and intensity that ‘the most recent ones will cause us to forget the earlier ones.’

Since October 7th we have been facing a growing onslaught of hatred, destruction and death unleashed against our people, most severely in Israel, but as well in communities around the world.

The Talmud reveals that we refer to the mountain and desert region we received the Torah in, as יניס —Sinai, because from there האנש—hatred descended upon the world, the word Sinai and Sinah sharing a similar root and pronunciation.

Some suggest it refers to the hatred

G-d had for the nations that rejected His offer of Torah, while others understand it as prodding the other nations’ hatred for the Jewish people and their claim of a special status as the chosen of G-d, who received His gift of Torah.

(ייחב וניברו י”שר)

It seems so odd that we refer to this mountain and desert as Sinai simply because it stoked hatred in the world.

The Bais HaLevi, the Netziv, and the Meshech Chochmah all explain that G-d implanted into the DNA of His world that when we as a nation seek to mimic the behavior of the nations of the world, forgetting our special status and neglecting our unique responsibilities, He reminds us by provoking the other nations’ hatred to rid themselves of ‘the conscience of the universe’. Hopefully

this will prod us to wise up in living up to the standards of Torah, bringing back His intended equilibrium to the world.

Although this is certainly a significant tool in G-d’s arsenal to keep us in line, but why do we extol this unfortunate reality, after all it is merely medicine that we need after we fall ill?

Perhaps I may suggest that ‘the hatred that descended to the world’ refers to our despising the material aspects of this temporary world. Upon accepting the Torah, we became enthused by a higher reality, one whose thrilling experience transcends any pleasure this earth can offer. Our ability to look contemptuously at the alluring offerings of ‘this world’ — knowing that it pales in contrast to the joy that awaits one who delights in a Torah inspired life, granted to those chosen as His cherished children — is what this ‘hatred’ that descended is all about.

but rather compel us to be inspired to bask in the joy of our special bond, that empowers us to overcome the most difficult challenges of life with our heads up.

In 1943 a large group of men gathered in the Lodz Ghetto on the Yom Tov of Shavuos. Despite the terrible conditions and lack of food, they managed to secure potatoes and some candies to distribute amongst the several hundred who gathered, to uplift their broken spirits.

True, the nations of the world abhor that privilege we possess, but that is not the primary lesson, merely a consequence. If we squander the opportunity for exquisite connection with G-d, trading it for vacuous pursuits of imagined joys, we have failed in being that chosen son, and G-d will coax our memory by allowing our enemies to express their jealous hatred, bringing us back to our

We have been inspired over these emunah many of the soldiers and victims of the war, have exhibited in the

A young soldier, Amichai Vanino, Hy’d, an aspiring Talmid Chochom, who fell in Gaza, filled many notebooks over his shortened life with beautiful poetry expressing his exquisite connection to Hashem; His Torah; His people; His land, penned the following words: The past, the present,

A nation on a mission

The Hand of G-d our

My eyes are up-

We must see in the sudden turning of our enemies against us as a desperate reminder to never forget on what plane and realm we must live on, far removed

The latter disturbances should not cause us to forget the earlier troubles,

One member of the group, a grandson of the saintly Tiferes Shlomo, the Radomsker Rebbe, despondently blurted out — sardonically quoting the verse that describes the conditions of their ancestors millennia ago in Egypt, when they complained about the impossible load placed on them to gather straw saying, “ ןבת —straw, wasn’t given to your servants...”, making a play on the word ןבת which can also mean ‘understanding’ — “Ribbono shel olam, the ability to ‘comprehend’ is not given to us. Please grant us ‘understanding’ so we may know why we must suffer so...”, breaking down in bitter tears.

What was supposed to elevate their spirits on the holiday of Shavuos was now in danger of turning into Tisha B’Av.

One of the inspired young men, Reb Shimon Benesch leaped onto the platform, faced the crowd, and said, “You are asking why we are suffering. The answer lays within the very Yom Tov we are celebrating. The Torah was given on Mount Sinai, emphasizing the fact that from that moment hatred descended upon the world, the other nations now despising us. Their hatred stems from the fact that we are different, that we are the רחבנה םע—the Chosen Nation. We have been selected so that we will never turn into the animals our oppressors transformed into. When we suffer, we must remember it is because we were chosen, we are special. True, we must endure in pain, but that is a reminder that we are truly privileged and have retained our dignity and stature. The moment we no longer sense that pain, that is when we are truly doomed.”

Their spirits soared as they sang in unison Ata vechartanu mikol ha’amim.

Specifically in these stressful and worrisome times may we remember that we are loved, we were chosen.

May that awaken us to refocus on our mission, dedicating ourselves with greater resolve in living up to that glorious and privileged role.

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

PARSHA

OVERVIEW

Hashem instructs Moshe Rabbeinu to take a census (a counting) of the adult Jewish male population. The Parshah also discusses the role of the Levite tribe, the details of the tribal encampment, the appointment of the Levites, the census of the Levites and Firstborns, and the job descriptions for the descendants of Kehos.

orah TSparks

Inspiration Everywhere

- Rabbi Lord J. Sacks zt”l

GEMATRIA

t h r o u g h b e i n g h u m b l e

Thoughts in

QUICK VORT Chassidus

There are exactly 159 pesukim (verses) in Parshas Bamidbar. Interestingly, the Hebrew-letter equivalent of 159 is the word ןטק, which means small.

Reb Naftali M’Ropshitz, in the Sefer Zera Kodesh, says that the fact that the Torah was given specifically in a רבדמ (a desert) - a place that is so lowshows and teaches us that EVERYONE is ךייש to the Torah

h i s

“The use of power diminishes others; the exercise of influence enlarges them ” Rabbi Ori Strum is the author of Ready. Set. Grow. (Mosaica Press). His shiurim and other Jewish content can be found on Torah Anytime and Meaningful Minute. He also likes your feedback: rabbistrumo@gmail.com

There is a fascinating lesson to be learned here. In life, sometimes we feel small, insignificant, and unimportant

However, the very same Parshah which contains 159 - ןטק - pesukim, is the same Parshah that tells us about the census, the counting of the Jewish people.

Hashem says: שאר תא ואש - lift your head! I am counting you because I love you You are so great So are so significant and important Don’t ever lose sight of this reality.

Yes, we may sometimes find ourselves in a desert, in a רבדמ. We might be on a path that looks confusing and difficult. We might not see the end at the end of the tunnel But our Parshah reminds us that WE ARE COUNTED AND THEREFORE WE COUNT So, c’mon, lift your head up high!

Even those who seem “low” and not connected, are connected to Torah and have תוכייש to Torah

The Torah is relevant to everyone and anyone

Points to

Ponder

In ב קרפ (Chapter 2) of this week’s Parshah, the Torah spends more than 30 pesukim discussing the details of the positioning of the encampments, letting us know where each tribe encamped in the desert

Why is this so important? What is the Torah teaching us?

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

Mercaz Torah U'Tefillah M-F

Ohr Yisroel M-F

Shearith Israel Congregation T, W, F

Shomrei Emunah Congregation T, W, F

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

Ohel Moshe M, TH

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

Bnai Jacob Shaarei Zion Congregation M, TH

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

Beth Abraham M, TH Greenspring Sephardic Synagogue M-F

Mercaz Torah U'Tefillah S-F

Ner Tamid M-F

Ohel Moshe T, W, F

Suburban Orthodox Congregation Toras Chaim M-F

6:50 AM Agudath Israel of Baltimore M, TH

Ahavat Shalom [Sefaradi] M, TH

Bais Medrash of Ranchleigh M, TH

Bnai Jacob Shaarei Zion Congregation T, W, F

Community Kollel Tiferes Moshe Aryeh M, TH

Derech Chaim M-F

Kol Torah M-F

Ohel Moshe S

Ohr Hamizrach [Sefaradi] M, TH

Shomrei Emunah Congregation M, TH

The Shul at the Lubavitch Center M, TH

6:55 AM Beth Abraham T, W, F

Kol Torah M, TH

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

Agudath Israel of Baltimore S, T, W, F

Ahavat Shalom [Sefaradi] T, W, F

Arugas HaBosem (Rabbi Taub's) S

Bais Medrash of Ranchleigh T, W, F

Community Kollel Tiferes Moshe Aryeh T, W, F

Greenspring Sephardic Synagogue S Khal Ahavas Yisroel/ Tzemach Tzedek S Kol Torah T, W, F

Mercaz Torah U’Tefillah S-F

Moses Montefiore Anshe Emunah M-F

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

Shearith Israel Congregation S, M, TH

Shomrei Emunah Congregation T, W, F

Shomrei Mishmeres Hakodesh M-F

The Shul at the Lubavitch Center T, W, F

Tiferes Yisroel M-F

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

7:15 AM Kedushas Yisrael S Kol Torah S

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

Mercaz Torah U'Tefillah S-F

Ner Israel Rabbinical College S-F

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

Shomrei Emunah Congregation S

Suburban Orthodox Congregation Toras Chaim S

The Adas: Chofetz Chaim Adas Bnei Israel S

Tzeirei Anash M-F

7:20 AM Agudath Israel of Baltimore M, TH

Beth Tfiloh Congregation M-F

Kol Torah M-F

Ohr Hamizrach [Sefaradi] M, TH

Shomrei Emunah Congregation M, TH

7:30 AM Agudah of Greenspring S

Agudath Israel of Baltimore S, T, W, F

Ahavat Shalom [Sefaradi] S

Bais Haknesses Ohr HaChaim S-F

Bais Hamedrash and Mesivta of Baltimore S-F

Bais Medrash of Ranchleigh S

Beit Yaakov [Sefaradi] S

Bnai Jacob Shaarei Zion Congregation S Chabad of Park Heights S

Community Kollel Tiferes Moshe Aryeh S-F

Darchei Tzedek S

Kedushas Yisrael S-F

Khal Bais Nosson S

Ner Israel Rabbinical College (Mechina) S-F

Mercaz Torah U’Tefillah S-F

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

Shomrei Emunah Congregation T, W, F

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

Talmudical Academy S-F

Darchei Tzedek M-F

Mercaz Torah U'Tefillah S-F

Mesivta Kesser Torah S-F

Mesivta Shaarei Chaim S-F

7:50 AM Derech Chaim S

Ner Tamid S

Ohel Moshe M-F

8:00 AM Agudath Israel of Baltimore S-F

Beth Abraham S

Darchei Tzedek S

Khal Ahavas Yisroel/ Tzemach Tzedek S

Kehillas Meor HaTorah S

Mercaz Torah U’Tefillah S-F

Ohr Yisroel S

Pikesville Jewish Congregation S

Shearith Israel Congregation S

Shomrei Emunah Congregation S-F

The Shul at the Lubavitch Center S

Tiferes Yisroel S

Tzeirei Anash S

Yeshiva Tiferes Hatorah S-F

8:15 AM Kehilath B'nai Torah S

Kol Torah S

Mercaz Torah U'Tefillah S-F

8:20 AM Bais Haknesses Ohr HaChaim S-F

8:30 AM Agudath Israel of Baltimore S-F

Machzikei Torah (Sternhill's) S-F

Mercaz Torah U’Tefillah S-F

Ohel Moshe S

Ohr Hamizrach [Sefaradi] S

Shomrei Emunah Congregation S-F

Shomrei Mishmeres Hakodesh S

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

9:00 AM Aish Kodesh S

Agudath Israel of Baltimore S-F

Bais Haknesses Ohr HaChaim S

Beth Tfiloh Congregation S

Bnai Jacob Shaarei Zion Congregation S

Mercaz Torah U’Tefillah S-F

Moses Montefiore Anshe Emunah S

Shomrei Emunah Congregation S-F

Suburban Orthodox Congregation Toras Chaim S-F

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

9:30 AM Mercaz Torah U’Tefillah S-F

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

10:00AM Mercaz Torah U’Tefillah S-F

Mincha Gedolah

Mercaz Torah U’Tefillah

Khal Ahavas Yisroel/Tzemach Tzedek

12:30 PM Kol Torah

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

1:00 PM 10055 Red Run Blvd Suite 295

Milk & Honey Bistro 1777 Reisterstown RD

1:25 PM Bais Haknesses Ohr HaChaim

1:45 PM Ohel Moshe

1:50 PM One South Street, 27th Floor (M-Th)

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

Big Al @ The Knish Shop Party Room

Kol Torah

Market Maven

Reischer Minyan - 23 Walker Ave 2nd Floor

2:15 PM Pikesville Beis Medrash - 15 Walker Ave

2:30 PM Bais Medrash of Ranchleigh

Community Kollel Tiferes Moshe Aryeh

Tov Pizza Mincha Minyan

Ner Israel Rabbinical College

Mesivta Shaarei Chaim (Etz Chaim Building)

Shearith Israel Congregation

2:45 PM Kollel of Greenspring

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

Bais Haknesses Ohr HaChaim

Mercaz Torah U'Tefillah

3:05 PM Kedushas Yisrael

3:15 PM Hat Box

4:00 PM Agudath Israel of Baltimore (S-Th)

Mercaz Torah U'Tefillah

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

Mercaz Torah U’Tefillah

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

Mercaz Torah U’Tefillah

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

Mercaz Torah U’Tefillah

6:30 PM Agudath Israel of Baltimore (S-Th)

Mercaz Torah U’Tefillah

7:00 PM Mercaz Torah U’Tefillah

Agudath Israel of Baltimore (S-Th)

7:30 PM Agudath Israel of Baltimore (S-Th)

14 Min Before ShkiAh Kol Torah

Mincha/Maariv Plag

Ohel Yaakov

Shomrei Emunah Congregation

Suburban Orthodox Congregation Toras Chaim

Mincha/Maariv Before Shkiah

Aish Kodesh

Agudath Israel of Baltimore

Agudah of Greenspring

Bais Haknesses Ohr HaChaim

Beth Abraham

Bnai Jacob Shaarei Zion Congregation

Darchei Tzedek

Kehillas Meor HaTorah

Kehilath B’nai Torah

Khal Ahavas Yisroel/ Tzemach Tzedek

Machzikei Torah (Sternhill’s)

Mercaz Torah U’Tefillah

Ner Tamid

Ohel Moshe

Ohr Hamizrach [Sefaradi]

Ohr Yisroel

Pikesville Jewish Congregation

Shearith Israel Congregation

Shomrei Emunah Congregation

Shomrei Mishmeres

Suburban Orthodox Congregation Toras Chaim

The Adas: Chofetz Chaim Adas Bnei Israel

The Shul at the Lubavitch Center

Tiferes Yisroel

Maariv

8:30 PM Agudath Israel of Baltimore

Mercaz Torah U’Tefillah

8:45 PM Darchei Tzedek

Ner Israel Rabbinical College (Mechina)

Mercaz Torah U'Tefillah

Maariv continued

Ohr Yisroel

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

8:55 PM Community Kollel Tiferes Moshe Aryeh

9:00 PM Agudath Israel of Baltimore

Arugas Habosem

Mercaz Torah U'Tefillah

Shomrei Emunah Congregation

Suburban Orthodox Congregation Toras Chaim

9:15 PM Mercaz Torah U’Tefillah

9:20 PM Kol Torah

9:30 PM Agudah of Greenspring

Agudath Israel of Baltimore

Kedushas Yisrael

Mercaz Torah U'Tefillah

9:40 PM Ahavat Shalom [Sefaradi]

9:45 PM Bais Haknesses Ohr HaChaim

Kollel Erev Birchas Yitzchok (Luries)

Kollel of Greenspring

Machzikei Torah (Sternhill's)

Mercaz Torah U'Tefillah

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

Mercaz Torah U'Tefillah

10:30 PM Agudath Israel of Baltimore

Mercaz Torah U'Tefillah

10:45 PM Mercaz Torah U’Tefillah

11:00 PM Agudath Israel of Baltimore

Mercaz Torah U'Tefillah

11:30 PM Mercaz Torah U’Tefillah

Agudah of Greenspring - 6107 Greenspring Ave

Agudath Israel of Baltimore - 6200 Park Heights Ave

Ahavat Shalom - 3009 Northbrook Rd

Aish Kodesh - 6207 Ivymount Rd

Arugas HaBosem - 3509 Clarks Ln Bais Haknesses Ohr HaChaim - 3120 Clarks Ln Bais Hamedrash and Mesivta of Baltimore - 6823 Old Pimlico

THIS Sunday, June 9, 2024

EXCLUSIVE INSPIRATION FROM

HaRav Reuven Feinstein, א”טילש · HaRav Hillel David, א”טילש · HaRav Dovid Cohen, א”טילש

HaRav Moshe Hillel Hirsch, א”טילש · HaRav Dov Landau, א”טילש · HaRav Shlomo Miller, א”טילש Admor M’Sanz, א”טילש · HaRav Yaakov Ephraim Forchheimer, א”טילש , HaRav Avrohom Salim, א”טילש

LIVE ADDRESSES GIVEN BY

HaRav Shimon Galai, א”טילש · HaRav Shimon Spitzer, א”טילש · HaRav Yitzchak Sorotzkin, א”טילש

HaRav Zev Smith, א”טילש · HaRav David Ozeri, א”טילש · HaRav Dovid Hofstedter, א”טילש

Countdown to Commitment

Join Dirshu's momentous gathering at the Prudential Center during the

a once-in-a-lifetime experience to prepare for

with a commitment to

DIRSHUSIYUM.ORG

Preferred rate for Daf HaYomi B’Halacha and AmudHaYomi Lomdim, as well as those accepting upon themselves to join the limud.

Senior Gedolei Yisrael to Address Klal Yisrael at Historic “Kabbolas Shabbos” Gathering at The Prudential Center this Sunday Now is the Time to Bring the Bracha and Shemirah of Hilchos Shabbos into Your Home!

By Chaim Gold

If you want to engage in hatzalas nefashos, saving lives, not just the lives of others but your own spiritual life, you should be at the Prudential Arena this Sunday, 3 Sivan/ June 9, for Dirshu’s Kinnus Olam HaTorah. It is there that Klal Yisrael will collectively be mekabel Shabbos by undertaking to start learning hilchos Shabbos in Dirshu’s daily Daf HaYomi B’Halacha program.

The greatest zechus that a person can have to bring with him to the upcoming Yom Tov of Kabbolas HaTorah when we are all seeking ways to strengthen our bond with Torah and with Hashem, is Kabbolas Shabbos!

The Sephardic Torah giant, HaGaon HaRav Shalom Cohen, zt”l, Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshiva Porat Yosef said, “Shabbos is more important than anything else! If one doesn’t learn hilchos Shabbos, he can transgress d’Oraisahs - Torah mandated prohibitions. Learning hilchos Shabbos is literally hatzalas nefashos.”

The spectacular Kinnus Olam HaTorah promises to be a maamad, a tremendous maamad of chizuk, kabbolas ol malchus shomayim and kabbolas ol haTorah. Leading Gedolei Yisrael from both Eretz Yisrael and America will address the event live and via video, giving over the daas Torah and guidance as to how we should conduct ourselves during these difficult times. They will tell us what the call of the hour is, and what every Yid can do to invoke rachamei shomayim

The massive Prudential Center will not only be open for men but for women as well. After all, Kabbolas Shabbos is a family affair, and behind every home where the men and the bachurim are learning hilchos Shabbos, there is a wife and mother serving as the backbone on the home front, ensuring their success and cheering them on.

We will be inspired by messages from the great American Rabbanim and Poskim, HaGaon HaRav Hillel David, shlita, Rav of Kehillas Yeshiva Shaarei Torah, Yoshev Rosh of the Vaad Roshei Yeshiva of Torah Umesorah,

and a member of the Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah of Agudas Yisroel, HaGaon HaRav Reuven Feinstein, shlita, Rosh Yeshiva of the Yeshiva of Staten Island, HaGaon HaRav Shlomo Miller, shlita, Rosh Kollel of the Kollel Avreichim of Toronto and Av Beis Din of the Beis Horaah of Lakewood and HaGaon HaRav Yechiel Mechel Steinmetz, shlita, senior Skverer Dayan.

The powerful addresses of the Gedolei Eretz Yisrael, HaGaon HaRav Dovid Cohen, shlita, Rosh Yeshiva of the Chevron Yeshiva, the Sanzer Rebbe, shlita, and HaGaon HaRav Avraham Salim, Nasi of the Shas Moetzet Chachmei HaTorah, will certainly move and inspire the listeners to bring the true bracha and shemira of Shabbos into their homes.

In addition, we will be treated to hear from Gedolim closer to home, powerful and inspirational Rabbanim such as HaRav Shimon Spitzer, shlita, HaRav Dovid Ozeri, shlita, Rav of the Yad Yosef Torah Center, HaRav Zev Smith, Maggid Shiur for Dirshu and Irgun Shiurei Torah, and Rav Dovid Hofstedter, shlita, Nasi Dirshu.

The uplifting, moving music and heartfelt singing by the renowned mezamrim, R’ Zanvil Weinberger, R’ Hershel Weinberger, R’ Baruch Levine, R’ Naftali Kempeh, accompanied by the Shirah Choir and Frelich Orchestra are sure to strengthen the message of the bracha of Shabbos.

Yidden of All Types… On the “Same Page”!

100 years ago, when the great gaon and tzaddik, Rav Meir Shapiro proposed the concept of learning a Daf Yomi of Gemara, he gave a transformative speech that echoes until this very day. In that famed speech, Rav Meir Shapiro explained how Klal Yisrael would benefit from individuals learning the same daf world over each day, “When Yankel the businessman from Warsaw will meet his friend Moshe from Krakow at the annual yerid, the business show in Leipzig, what will they talk about? They will talk about the same daf of Gemara

that they learned that morning. They will be on the ‘same page’.”

Similarly, it is amazing to see how today, Jews who meet one another – be it in shul, on the street or even waiting at a bus stop – stop to discuss a difficult halacha in the Mishnah Berurah from that day’s Daf HaYomi B’Halacha, or a fascinating practical psak halacha issued by HaGaon HaRav Shlomo Zalman Auerbach, zt”l, HaGaon HaRav Yosef Shalom Elyashiv, zt”l, or HaGaon HaRav Shmuel Wosner, zt”l, that they saw in the incredible Biurim U’Musafim section of Dirshu’s edition of the Mishnah Berurah Avreichim, bochurim, baalei batim throughout the world all find a common language in the daily Daf HaYomi B’Halacha.

The Key to Shemira is Shabbos! And the Key is in Our Hands!

In advance of the previous machzor of Daf HaYomi B’Halacha when the program began learning hilchos Shabbos, the venerated Rosh Yeshiva of Ponovezh, HaGaon HaRav Gershon Edelstein, zt”l, was asked to give over a message. He said, “It is well known

that from a lack of knowledge of hilchos Shabbos, a person can transgress Torah mandated prohibitions. It is so important to learn Mishnah Berurah daily! Learning Mishnah Berurah daily is mamesh hatzolas nefashos!”

The Vizhnitzer Rebbe, shlita, of Bnei Brak has been enthusiastically encouraging everyone to begin hilchos Shabbos this Erev Shavuos. He said, “Chazal teach us that he who learns halachos every day is assured a place in Olam Habaah. When it says ‘every day,’ Chazal didn’t intend it to just mean every day, rather they meant it to include ‘the entire day.’ When a person learns halacha every day,” the Rebbe exclaimed, “his entire day is different! Certainly, when a person’s every action on Shabbos is controlled by halacha, his entire Shabbos is different!”

Let us all come together at the Prudential Center this Sunday night, just two days before Shavuos and let us, k’ish echad b’lev echad, be mekabel Shabbos!

For last-minute reservations, please contact: 929-522-1121 or visit DirshuSiyum.org

Triumphs

A Filtered Finish As told to Rebbetzin Sara Gross

Every time I attempt to filter my devices, the Yetzer Hara becomes relentless. I’m familiar with his tactics, yet I often fall prey to them. I’ve noticed that whenever I filter a computer, it inevitably leads to stress and frustration. So when I bought a new desktop for my family, I postponed filtering it to avoid the hassle.

My son arrived home from yeshiva and mentioned that he couldn’t use the computer due to the lack of a filter. Realizing it was time to install one, we initiated the process, but it caused a mess. I was on the verge of giving up when I recalled how the Yetzer Hara makes managing technology particularly challenging because of its significance. I decided not to surrender and persisted in my efforts.

Now, with the filter successfully installed, I feel a sense of pride for not

allowing the obstacles to deter me this time. What a triumph!

DID YOU KNOW: iPhones and iPads have a built-in filtering feature called Screen Time, which allows users to restrict their children’s access or their own access to many inappropriate or time-wasting elements of the internet. While Screen Time offers several beneficial settings to block certain websites or limit time spent on specific apps, there are loopholes that make it unreliable as a stand-alone filter.

One major pitfall with Screen Time is the ability to access the internet through an app. While you may have blocked Safari, the device’s built-in internet browser, users may discover that after tapping something in an app, they can browse the entire unfiltered internet or access and search youtube.com.

There are various ways to search

the internet on an Apple device without a browser, as these features are built into every Apple device and are not blocked by Screen Time. An innocent search for “cars” will return information about movies related to cars, articles about cars, and hundreds of pictures of cars from the internet. Much of this information can be viewed and read in the search results without Safari or any other browser. The same is true for any subject, safe or unsafe.

Additionally, after recent Apple updates, users have found that Screen Time randomly disables all restric-

tions or reverses some of the limits set. Without any warning, your child might have access to everything you previously blocked, and they may not be mature enough to tell their parents that their device settings have changed.

TAG-recommended filters address these concerns with Screen Time and provide more control over what you and your children are exposed to on your devices. Schedule an appointment at TAG to discuss options for a safer experience for yourself or your child.

Mental Health Corner

Two Types of Addictions

By Rabbi Azriel Hauptman

Addictions tend to fall into two basic categories: chemical addictions and behavioral addictions. Chemical addictions are when one is addicted to a specific substance, such as cocaine, heroin, marijuana, or nicotine. Behavioral addictions are when one

is addicted to specific behaviors, such as gambling, shopping, video games, or the internet. These two different types of addictions presumably are categorically different, as in one type of addiction the addict is drawn to the substance, whereas in the other type

2516 Quarry Lake Drive (410) 486-Wine

Stop in & check out

100+ Kosher Wine options as well as a great selection of Artisanal Spirits & Craft Beers

Reading Dif culties

Dyslexia

ADD / ADHD

Social Awkwardness

Poor Memory

Math Dif culties

Writing Dif culties

Disorganization

Clumsiness

Easily Overwhelmed

the addict is drawn to the behavior. However, this distinction might not exist in reality at all.

Let us begin with a discussion of how pleasure operates in the brain. Many basic activities of life provide us pleasure. One of the most common ones is eating. Right before eating a delicious meal, one is filled with excited anticipation. During eating, one experiences the pleasure of the actual eating. After the meal, one feels relaxed, satisfied, and content. Indeed, this post-meal sensation is a requirement in order to be obligated according to the Torah in the Mitzvah of Birchas Hamazon. (There is a Rabbinic obligation as long as one ate bread the size of an olive.)

Where do all of these feelings come from? The answer is in the brain’s reward system. Our brain is programmed to emit a variety of hormones and neurotransmitters in order to create feelings, sensations, and emotions that are vital for our survival. Since the amount of time per day that we dedicate to eating and eating preparation is pretty substantial, without a drive to engage in eating, we might be negligent of our nutritional needs, and without eating one cannot survive. The brain’s reward system therefore produces and releases a cocktail of chemicals that create all of these feelings that keep us dedicated to engaging in these activities.

One of the most important neurotransmitters that is involved in the sensation of pleasure is dopamine. The magnitude of the dopamine release regulates the amount of pleasure that one feels. If one engages in an activity that produces a very powerful dopamine release, then the pleasure experienced would not be your regular everyday pleasure. It would be ecstasy and euphoria.

This might sound very enticing, but there is a major downside to a supercharged dopamine release. The reward system does not only produce chemicals that provide excitement after the pleasurable activity, it also produces chemicals that fill us with desire and

anticipation prior to the activity. Thus, one may become consumed with a brain-chemical induced insatiable desire to engage in the pleasurable activity. In essence, this is an addiction.

Everything that we have described applies both to chemical addictions and to behavioral addictions. Certain chemical substances have the ability to produce a dopamine rush in the brain. Similarly, our brains are conditioned to produce a dopamine rush in relation to certain behaviors.

This provides us a window into the unimaginable struggles that addictions create. Even people who have healthy eating habits are “addicted” to eating in the sense that if they do not eat several times a day they will become agitated. Hence, the Torah refers to fasting on Yom Kippur as affliction. When one develops an addiction, one develops a need for that substance or behavior as much as other basic human needs. This is because the brain’s reward system has now become wired to view this as a basic need that needs to be compelled via the dopamine system.

We also now see that it might be more accurate to view all addictions in one category, which is the brain’s reward system gone rogue and creating dangerous impulses and drives in a person that are extremely difficult to overcome. Addiction treatment and recovery is therefore more than just learning new habits; it is an endeavor to rewire the brain back into its original form as much as possible. The journey might be laborious and grueling, but the reward is getting your life back.

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 410-4488356 or at yslansky@reliefhelp.org

Braving the Unknown

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

Do you think there are UFOs?

How about ETs wandering around?

Well, I think we are about to experience the presence of a UFO: Undeniably Fantastic Omnipresence.

And we’ll all sense it through ETs –Engrossing Torah.

This coming week, the holiday of Shavous will arrive. We have been navigating slowly toward it, counting the days till its landing, for 7 weeks.

We have been taking a journey from afar. From light years away – when we were enslaved and unaware of our Creator’s presence.

But, with this final landing, we will descend upon the earthly awareness that G-d handed us the best “how to” book to navigate this planet. We will completely focus our energy on it. And we will strive to become more aware of its genius.

We will do this by sinking our minds

and energy into the manual. With renewed vigor, we will tap into the guidance and wisdom it holds, through a night of scavenging through some new territory, braving the darkness to find the light.

We will continue on our voyage. And then, suddenly, we will experience a glimpse of light on the horizon. The light will grow stronger as daylight and enlightenment fuse. And we will feel a greater clarity emerging.

Through this act we will feel less alien! We will get more comfortable and connected with ET (Engrossing Torah).

And thus, we will be inspired to get closer and closer to the UFO (Unbelievably Fantastic Omnipresence).

As the saying goes: “There are no passengers on spaceship Earth. We are all crew.” So keep reviewing your instruction manual!

Have a meaningful Shavuos!

Rivki Rosenwald is a Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist working with both couples and individuals and is a certified relationship counselor. Rivki is a co-founder and creator of an effective Parent Management of Adolescent Years Program. She can be contacted at 917-7052004 or at rivkirosenwald@gmail.com.

To Raise a Laugh

We’ll Daven For You

Welcome back to our tutorial on how to start your own shul, which we began last week. It takes more than a week to start your own shul, so if you’re losing patience with this topic, starting your own shul is probably not for you.

Today we’re going to continue with:

Getting Started

The first thing you want to do when you start a shul is let people know you exist. The question is how to do that. You never see brand new shuls advertising in the newspaper like new supermarkets: “Grand opening!” And then you get to have balloons and a clown and samples of what the cholent is going to taste like… You can also write, “Buy one aliyah, get one aliyah free, of equal or lesser value!” That way, people will show up if only to find out what you mean by “equal or lesser value.”

People you need

Every shul needs the following people. If you don’t have all these people, get them, because they’re necessary for the function of a shul.

Rav – Every shul needs a rav, so the mispallelim have someone to blame when davening goes long, for sholom bayis reasons. Ideally, the rav should live on the exact opposite side of town from the shul. The rav should also know a non-Jew that he can sell his chometz to, or he should have a secret deal going on with the rav of another shul who does know a non-Jew.

Gabbai – This must be an active go-getter who did not know how much responsibility this was when he took the job, and is one bad day away from quitting. Other skills a gabbai needs are the ability to:

- Run an auction.

- Recite the beginnings of all the gabbai tefillos by heart so everyone doesn’t have to wait for him to find the page.

- Realize when the person he wants to give an Aliyah to is in middle of Shemoneh Esrei.

President – No one really knows what a shul

president does, aside from giving a presidential address at the meetings, and talking about how they’re going to build a mechitzah to replace the curtain, and the women are going to pay for it.

Candyman – This is a man who gives out some kind of candy that is ostensibly to keep the kids quiet in shul, but generally causes the noisy kids who would otherwise just be playing outside to traipse through the shul to get their lollies. Girls too, because for some reason there’s no candy woman. Though I bet there’s a carrot-sticks woman. It’s unclear if any other religions have candy people in their houses of worship. I think it’s just Jews. This might be why religion is dying out in our country.

Guy who can’t stop pacing – He should move at a slow, leisurely pace that is totally oblivious to how many people are behind him trying to get to their seat or come up for an aliyah, and right before he gets up to an area that the people behind him could maybe slide past, he should turn right around and walk back toward them. Should also have a shtender on wheels.

Guy who clears his throat every ten seconds – It’s not his fault, it’s probably bothering him more than it’s bothering anyone else, and he definitely doesn’t realize that he keeps confusing the chazzan. Someone should direct him to the candy man.

Someone who’s willing to daven for the amud when everyone else says no – This should be a guy who doesn’t get confused when people clear their throats and knows how to read all the little squiggles that the gabbai added to the shul’s official Chazzan Siddur. (“Why couldn’t they just buy the right siddur?”) And whose mind doesn’t suddenly go blank on every song he’s ever heard in his entire life when he gets to L’cha Dodi. In fact, a whole bunch of tunes should spring to mind, and he should select the one that no one else knows.

Guy who davens at the bimah so he can klop before Shemoneh Esrei – Most shuls have several of these guys, in competition,

By Mordechai Schmutter

and they klop one right after the other, in case the previous guys’ klops didn’t help. If anything, they should all coordinate and klop in Morse code so we know what they’re telling us to stick in.

Guy in charge of the coffee station – This guy is in charge of filling the urn 75 times a day, making sure that there are always both sugar cubes and sugar that is not cubed and that the spoon in the sugar is dry, smelling the milks a couple of times a day so that none of the other mispallelim have to, and making sure the kids don’t run off with all the stirrers. These duties will be his entire Shavuos night.

And there’s your minyan. You also might want to have:

- The guy who helps the kids do gelilah.

- Someone who can do hagbah when the sefer is heavier on the left.

- Someone who’s in charge of giving an open Chumash to the guy who just did hagbah.

- Someone who’s willing to leave davening early to set up the kiddush.

- Someone who likes to daven in the women’s section until the first woman shows up, to keep all the seats warm.

- A guy whose chair squeaks, but he won’t stop shukkeling.

Davening Times

The next question you have to figure out is when exactly you’re davening. Most shuls start with Shabbos and then move on to other days of the week if there’s an interest. There’s no reason you have to do that. You can be the shul that starts with Tuesdays, and then everyone’s going to show up to figure out, “Why Tuesdays?” and you can say something like, “We don’t have a sefer Torah yet.”

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

BABL 2024 MID SEASON REPORT

Another incredible season of baseball is underway. We would like to thank our league sponsor, HOLY SMOKES BBQ, and our division sponsors: AMP SOLUTIONS, CLOTHIER, HEALING PARTNERS, KAYLAH DESIGN, LUXENBURG AND BRONFIN, PARK HEIGHTS ROOFING, AND RENTALS OF DISTINCTION.

Over 440 kids, playing for 40 teams, spanning over seven divisions are coming out to the fields each week and having a great time.

Our Peewee and Pre1A divisions have changed their game up a little to allow them to better learn the game of baseball and develop the necessary skills. 1st and 2nd grade divisions are quickly picking up skills and improving their game week after week. The 3rd/ 4th grade division underwent a slight pitching change which is allowing the kids to produce more offense while transitioning into fast pitch baseball. Meanwhile, the 5th/ 6th and 7th/ 8th grade divisions are playing ball at the highest level, and really challenging their skill set in all areas.

We have passed the midway point of our season, and the standings are extremely tight, with multiple teams neck and neck. Currently, in the 3rd/ 4th division, the White Sox and River Dogs are tied for the top spot, with a couple teams hot on their heels. In 5th/ 6th grade, it’s the Marauders and Grasshoppers leading the pack. In 7th/ 8th grade, the Bulls are still managing to do just enough to hold onto first place. With Playoffs just around the corner, let’s see who can hold out through the final stretch.

It is really amazing to see that in a competitive league, with all teams vying for the top spot in the standings, there is such a priority on playing with

good middos, and respecting the opposing team, as well as the umpires. Players and coaches alike make a point to create a healthy balance between competitive ball playing, and making sure everyone is having a fun time. To further help with this goal, the league has begun to give out middos awards to players who have shown exceptional middos during a game. Uriel Finkelstein of the 1st grade Rattlers, Pinny Kiffel of the 2nd grade Red Wings, Yehoshua Borenstein and Nesanel Meir Bortz of the 3rd/ 4th grade River Dogs, and Moshe Gluck of the 5th/ 6th grade Rattlers have all been chosen to receive this award for their great positivity and for being amazing team players.

MVP awards have also been awarded to some players who have made outstanding or game changing plays. Eliyahu Meir Singer, Rafael Schwartz, AJ Pensak, Yaakov Yablonsky and Ori Bethea have so far been nominated to receive this award. Many more awards to come!

With a few weeks to go, the competition is growing, and everyone is looking forward to Sunday each week, as they try to push for a spot in the playoffs, but more importantly, to be out with friends, and have a great time!

TJH Centerfold

D-Day Trivia

1. On what date did D-Day take place?

a. June 6, 1944

b. June 8, 1944

c. July 6, 1944

d. August 8, 1944

2. Which beach was not one of the five landing areas on D-Day?

a. Omaha

b. Gold

c. Juno

d. Swordfish

3. Who was the Supreme Commander of the Allied Expeditionary Force during D-Day?

a. General George Patton

b. General Dwight D. Eisenhower

c. Field Marshal Bernard Montgomery

d. General Omar Bradley

4. What was the primary objective of the D-Day invasion?

a. To capture Berlin

b. To destroy the German navy

c. To capture Normandy

d. To enter Japan

5. What weather condition was crucial for the timing of the D-Day invasion?

a. Clear skies for air support

b. Calm seas for landing crafts

c. A full moon for visibility and low tide for obstacles

d. Rain, to provide cover for troops

6. How many Allied troops were involved in the initial D-Day landings?

a. 20,000

b. 156,000

c. 300,000

d. 2 million

Riddle Me This

Answers: 1-A 2-D 3-B 4-C 5- C 6-B

Wisdom key:

5-6 correct: Salute!

3-4 correct: That is a respectable amount of knowledge.

0-2 correct: Sorry that World War II did not take place on TikTok.

You see me once in June, twice in November, but not at all in May.

What am I?

Answer: The letter “e”

Dearest College Graduates,

On behalf of our entire community of Centerfold readers, we want to congratulate you on this momentous occasion of having to start paying off your astronomical student loans…I mean on this occasion of graduating college. The world eagerly waits for your insights on Anaxarchus, Democritus, Leucippus and Nausiphanes. It is understandable that you may now feel like an elite member of society, after all, you are no longer in the lowly company of uneducated not-college certified common folks like the following:

• Bill Gates (Microsoft)

• Steve Jobs (Apple)

• Michael Dell (Dell)

• Mark Zuckerberg (Facebook)

• Barry Diller (William Morris)

• Richard Branson (Virgin Air)

• Centerfold Commissioner (You are staring at it)

• Mary Kay Ash (Mary Kay Cosmetics)

• Andrew Jackson (6th President of the U.S.)

• Steven Spielberg (DreamWorks)

Anyway, best of luck. You are going to do great, especially with your Office-Max-made diploma. Just make sure to always take yourself seriously, be insulted often, and never ever laugh at the silly things the Centerfold Commissioner says to you.

Sincerely, The Centerfold Commissioner (Master’s degree from School of Hard Laughs)

You Gotta Be Kidding Me!

David and Joseph were torn. On the one hand, they were great students, who always got As. Organic chemistry was a tough class, but they studied hard and were well prepared for the final exam, which was to start at 6:00 PM. But then they won tickets to the NBA finals game 7, which was also at 6:00 PM. How could they give up on the opportunity to go to an NBA Finals game?

They went to the game and missed the exam. But they had a plan.

The following morning, they walked into their professor’s office and said, “Professor, you would never believe what happened. After studying for the exam for three days straight, we decided to take a break and go out to eat. We knew that the exam was at 6:00 PM so we made sure to leave the restaurant at 5:00 PM, which provided ample time for us to get back in time for the exam. But as we were driving, our tire blew out. Our car almost careened out of control, but we were lucky to come to a stop on an embankment. When the police arrived, they told us that we were lucky to be alive. Unfortunately, it took three hours to get our car towed and get the tire fixed. It’s a horrible way to end the year. We can’t believe we missed the exam.”

The kind professor thought this over and then agreed that they could make up the final on the following day. The two guys were elated and relieved; their plan had worked. The next day they arrived at the professor’s office to take the exam. He placed them in separate rooms and handed each of them a test booklet and told them to begin.

They looked at the first problem, which was something simple about free radical formation and was worth 5 points. “Cool,” they thought, “this is going to be easy.” They did that problem and then turned the page. They were unprepared, however, for what they saw on the next page.

It said: (95 points) Which tire?

Notable Quotes

“Say What?!”

Today, jury selection began in the Hunter Biden trial. To make sure that it was a jury of his peers, they are looking for people who were given phony jobs in Ukraine, smoked crack in a sensory deprivation tank…

- Greg Gutfeld, Fox News

Over the weekend Biden was seen cycling with Hunter in Delaware. It’s part of his new workout program called “Not dying.”

– Ibid.

Mexico has elected its first female President. Her name is Claudia Scheinbaum. That’s right, you know, of the Tiawana Scheinbaums.

– Ibid.

You should try her gefilte fish tacos.

- Ibid.

But her first order of business is getting her daughter to marry a doctor.

– Ibid.

Americans can tell the difference between Trump and Biden. One is facing a sentence; the other can’t complete one.

– Ibid.

If you’re out protesting for a couple of hours wearing [a keffiyeh], you have to go all the way and spend an afternoon running errands wearing [a burqa]. You can’t side with the people who ruthlessly oppress women without at least getting a taste of what you’re supporting.

- Bill Maher, HBO

You want a cause? Because I totally got one for you, apartheid, yeah, apartheid, the thing you’ve been shouting about with Israel for months, never mind that Israeli Arabs are actually full citizens. … [T]oday, right now, hundreds of millions of women are treated worse than second-class citizens. When you mandate that one category of human beings don’t even have the right to show their face, that’s apartheid, and it goes on in a lot of countries.

– Ibid.

We’re rebuilding a $60 ZILLION bridge in Baltmur!

- Pres. Biden, putting on a fake accent and fudging the numbers just a tad, while talking to black voters at a campaign event

What do you think he would’ve done on January 6 if Black Americans had stormed in?

- Joe Biden during a campaign rally in Philadelphia

Are you okay? Are you alright? You’re not hurt are you? I said, “Are you okay? Did you fall on your head or something?”

- Ibid., when asked by a reporter if he would complete a second term if reelected

If they can do this to a businessperson like Donald Trump, they could do it to anybody in New York and a lot of businesses. A lot of people are concerned that there is no rule of law.

- Billionaire CEO John Catsimatidis talking about the Trump verdict on “Mornings with Maria”

We’re tainting our brand, a 200-year brand.

- Shark Tank host and venture capitalist Kevin O’Leary talking about the Trump verdict

I’m flying 90,000 feet above that, saying four years from now, both of these guys are gone. And what did we do to our brand? That’s what I’m thinking about.

- Ibid.

What the Democrats have done in New York is like something that would happen in Pakistan or Brazil. It’s something that America would sanction another country for engaging in election interference.

- Sen. Tom Cotton on “Meet the Press”

Indeed, great damage was done today to the public’s faith in the American legal system. If a former President can be criminally convicted over such a trivial matter – motivated by politics, rather than justice – then anyone is at risk of a similar fate.

- Tweet by Elon Musk

Dear university students in the United States of America, you are standing on the right side of history.

- Tweet by Iranian Supreme Leader Khamenei

Dear university students in the U.S., my advice to you is to become familiar with the Quran.

- Ibid.

If the world’s leading sponsor of terrorism is claiming you’re on the right side of history, it means you’re a useful idiot on the wrong side of history.

– Rep. Richie Torres (D-NY) in response

I do not plan to retire any time soon. As long as my health holds, I will keep driving. I do not have the word retire in my vocabulary.

Anything you can haul in a truck, I have hauled.

- Ibid.

- Doyle Archer, 90, of Kansas, who was just certified by Guiness World Records as the oldest active truck driver in the world

“Welp, 250 Years Wasn’t A Bad Run,” Says George Washington Looking On From Heaven - Babylonian Bee headline

Trump Sentenced To Four Years Of Confinement In Small Oval Room in Washington, D.C. - Ibid.

Seriously though, stop making fun of Biden. He’s without pier amount world leaders!

- Tweet by Uri Kurlianchik, after the makeshift Gaza pier that Pres. Biden commissioned for $360 million broke apart due to high tide

I just couldn’t even believe that she was in

Dating Dialogue What Would You Do If…

Moderated by Jennifer Mann, LCSW of The Navidaters

Dear Navidaters,

Thank you for taking the time to help me. My family and I love your column. I come from a family of professionals. My father, my brothers and brothers-in-law are all actuaries and lawyers, and that’s just what I have been surrounded by.

I’m 26 and have been dating for three years and most of the guys I’m set up with either say they have Amazon businesses, life coaching, or cryptic things like “dabble in real estate,” or some have trade jobs like plumbing or construction. I am told that these guys can do very well but I can’t help it that as soon as I hear what they do I am turned off based on their profession. I have tried going out with these kind of guys but I can never fully give it my all because I’m not into their profession. My parents say I’m being too picky. They argue that because I’m a tutor and haven’t even gone to college it’s not something I “should be picky about.”

I am wondering what I can do in this situation because I’m not getting any younger and I really do want to get married. Am I right in waiting it out until a guy with a more professional profession who has the things I’m looking for comes around?

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.

It seems to me that you are getting suggestions that don’t match your interest in a professional because you stand out in your family as an exception to the rule. The others have pursued professions and have credentials which generally lead to more secure, higher paying jobs and careers that require credentials and education, unlike entrepreneurship which takes a lot of energy and time to build up into substantial businesses. I clearly understand that you want the security and earning potential of a professional with a clear career path.

However, those men generally look for someone who is ambitious as well. Tutoring as a profession is neither de -

pendable nor a full-time occupation which is what people do when they don’t have family obligations. You may have struggled in school or don’t love it. Nonetheless, if you can tutor, you can master material and transmit the information and skills to someone else. You are capable of doing more with yourself in terms of occupation/profession.

Invest in career exploration and advisement with a qualified professional to figure out your interests and shadow some people in those fields. It’s worth putting in the time and effort, not merely for shidduchim but for your own self-actualization.

Life is a process, and sometimes in our frum world, girls are pushed too early into deciding what they will do and whom they will marry shortly after the gap year. Don’t feel like you are in a pressure cooker. Figure out who you are, what makes you feel fulfilled, and go for it. You will be a better marriage partner

for a young man who is a professional, which seems to be what you want.

Having had the time to see who is out there who is being suggested as dating partners, you have learned a lot about your preferences. Now learn about yourself and go out there and succeed. Don’t let lack of success in school hold you back. You will be more confident and a better dater because of your accomplishments.

The Shadchan

Michelle Mond

Iunderstand your concern and can appreciate your respect for those in certain academic fields of work. The thing is, though, the tide has turned when it comes to college. As you see in the news,

Dating is not like picking an

college in general is a sticky place. Even when people graduate college, it is not a shoo-in for a great job. There are also those who have gone to college, have great jobs, excel in their high profile professions, and are terrible husbands. You really have to sit down with yourself and assess what it is you want in life. Dating is not like picking an item off a menu. When you are in the dating world, you can’t rely on receiving exactly what you have ordered or found online based on reviews before the date. I have heard so many stories of men who went to college for things like law and finance

who ended up starting businesses and becoming very successful in that route. The bottom line is you must have respect for the guy you will marry, so nobody on this column can tell you not to care and “get over it.” But who says you can only respect a doctor or a lawyer? You are telling that to yourself. If you change your perspective, things around you will change. Do some research into other fields of work so that you can understand that there are many jobs your man can have and be successful. Also always remember, “Behind every great man is a supportive wife.” Look inward about what you can do to encourage the guy you are dating, no matter what his specific field of work is, so that he can be the best version of himself. Good luck with everything!

The Single

Tzipora Grodko

Ithink the most important question is: what’s behind your desire for someone who is a professional? Does it make you feel safe and secure? Do you feel a higher level of respect? Does it increase your interest and pride? Many men can be

educated and successful without the investment of college due to their skill set and hard work. Understanding your value behind that specific criteria will help you understand its significance and enable you to make healthy choices leading to the right spouse, ensuring you don’t get lost in the details and can attract the husband, father, and best friend you are seeking.

The Zaidy

Dr. Jeffrey Galler

Afamous neurosurgeon called a plumber to fix a leaky faucet. The plumber easily fixed the problem in 15 minutes, and said, “That will be $250.”

The surgeon was shocked, and exclaimed, “That’s ridiculous! Even I, in my profession, don’t make $1,000 an hour!”

The sympathetic plumber replied, “Yes, I understand. Before I switched to plumbing, I was also a neurosurgeon.”

Yes, yes, I know, that’s a very old joke. But, behind every oft-repeated joke there is a kernel of truth.

Your aspirations seem reasonable

Pulling It All Together

The Navidaters

Dating and Relationship Coaches and Therapists

Thank you for being an avid reader and for writing into the column!

I wish I had the “answer,” and I want to begin with saying that I don’t. My

personal opinion is that we can - not help what we are at- tracted to. If you are attract- ed to men

and are easy to understand: You’re seeking a partner who will be respected and who can offer you financial security. Clearly, you are focused on these goals because your relatives are all educated professionals, and you hope that you and your husband will fit in and be respected by them. And, you are intelligent enough to realize that it’s important for married couples to have financial stability in their lives.

(Just as an aside, I don’t know much about guys who are in Amazon businesses or life coaching, but when someone says that he “dabbles in real estate,” it usually means that he’s unemployed.)

Let me share some of my own experiences. First, I knew this guy who owned a pizza store. He always seemed to smell like pizza dough, but he was one of the most popular, generous, well-liked fellows in shul. He was bright, funny, and had more common sense than most people. His wife and children were friendly, happy, and popular.

Second, I knew this other fellow who was a brilliant, distinguished professor at a major, prestigious university. He was the most pompous buffoon that I had ever met, and no one liked him. We pitied his miserable family.

What’s my point? In today’s world, the emphasis on formal education is shifting, in both Orthodox and secular communities. Note how your own noticeable intelligence and tutoring success clearly demonstrate that ac -

with degrees and who have higher education, then that is what you are attracted to. You are certainly entitled to have this on your “non-negotiable” list. I don’t think this is a matter of right and wrong. I would hate to see you lose out on wonderful men because they have different goals and a different life path than a “professional.” Some of the brightest people out there have not pursued higher schooling for a myriad

Figure out who you are, what makes you feel fulfilled, and go for it.

ademic credentials aren’t the sole measure of capability.

Please consider a partner who can support you financially and emotionally, rather than focusing primarily on education. Look for someone who shares your values and aspirations and who is “able” and “stable.” You want to avoid an unstable individual who has been jumping from school to school, place to place, job to job, and shul to shul.

You are clearly worried about your highly educated family respecting your future husband. But, understand that if you find a mate who you, yourself, can respect for his intelligence, honesty, and integrity, and is a good husband and a good father, then your family will be very happy for you and respect him as well.

And, when you are able to afford expensive clothing and luxurious vacations with your plumber-husband, do not feel a need to explain that he used to be a neurosurgeon.

of reasons, many valid. They are free to start their career paths without any loans. They are often incredibly driven and are very successful.

I would encourage you to keep an open mind and continue dating men without degrees because you truly never know when you feel that chemistry and respect and click.

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.

Parenting Pearls Clothing Conundrums

By Sara Rayvych, MSEd

Summer is coming, and the kids are getting prepped. Weeks ago, my kids started asking, “How much longer till camp starts?” They are also informing me of their extensive “I need this for camp/summer” list. It’s amazing how much kids “need” for an eight-week period, and most of the requests are for clothes. You could easily, but mistakenly, think the entire purpose of summer was to have an excuse for a second wardrobe.

Unfortunately, along with these requests can come items that don’t fully

meet our family’s standards. While each family has their own standards or comfort level, too often, kids want what they can’t have – all while claiming everyone else has it. The tension level quickly rises, and frustration sets in.

This issue exists with everything from technology to choice of music, but clothing is a major source of disagreement. It may be the price, style, cut or simply the choice of words splashed across the front.

Tzinius is among the more difficult topics. Educating our children to dress

and act in a way befitting the precious treasures they are is crucial, yet hard to convey in an article. The initial impressions our children have of tzinius sets the stage for their future perception of this middah. Sadly, many young adults have false assumptions, thinking it’s merely a “don’t” list and focused exclusively on externals.

Moshe Barkhordar & Menucha Ghanooni

Shira Leah (Israel) to Malkiel Tzubeli (Lakewood)

While tzinius in dress may be a prominent part of this article, we are not limiting the discussion to their wardrobe choice. Tzinius is how we act and what we expose ourselves to. Beyond clothing, tzinius is the general way we live our lives.

This article isn’t here to dictate to parents any particular standard; our community has many rabbonim to guide us. The intent is that parents should take the time to ensure that any item they purchase meets their family’s standards and those of where they will be spending their summer. Obviously, this is easier when they are in a camp or other environment that is in sync with their family’s ideals.

The Attitude

Tzinius is one area that is so easily misunderstood. Tzinius is not because our bodies are dirty, nor is it to make us feel hot under all weather conditions. I don’t even want to put in print some of the nasty reasons erroneously given for tzinius, but it’s certainly not because we are shameful. It’s truly unfortunate that so many have such a negative view of this beautiful aspect of Judaism.

Tzinius should be taught from a posi-

tive perspective. Our children are royalty and should feel the dignity that comes with dressing the part. It is beneath our children to walk around dressed below their worth. It may not always be easy, especially in the summer, but if we can at least give them a positive feeling, then we’ve accomplished great things. We need to know what is halacha and what’s not so we can properly educate our children in the emes. Too often, our assumptions are incorrect, and just because others do or don’t do something doesn’t indicate a knowledgeable p’sak. As crucial as maintaining tzinius is, everything needs to be balanced. While we want to inculcate in our children a “ta’am ,” and sensitivity to tzinius, we also don’t want to make them feel the mitzvah is a burden. Children can get very upset being forced to hold a certain standard. It’s wise to find out if this is actual halacha and something we really need to impose on that particular child.

The Minhag Hamakom

The easiest place to start is checking out the rules and norms for where your child will be spending their summer. Most camps have a dress code and regulations regarding other items, such as phones and spending money. It’s wise to follow these guidelines even if children insist “nobody else does.”

Beyond the official rule book are the informal standards. This can refer to anything from not wearing expensive name brands to the type of bags the kids bring. Children will feel more comfortable when they don’t stand out in a way

they perceive as negative.

Often, the rules don’t seem to make sense, but they are generally written with an awareness of the needs of campers. For example, camps may regulate which snacks may be brought in. Perhaps this is because of a severe allergy, or maybe it’s because the kids swap snacks and they want foods with similar hechsherim.

Words

I want to include a few words on, well, words. Many items of clothing have writing on them – especially shirts. Some of them are very cute or clever and make the garment more fun for the kids to wear. Just like we need to check the graphics on a t-shirt before purchase, we also need to make sure the words are something we’d like to appear on our child’s body.

We may not always be aware of the meaning behind the wording, and it’s easy to misunderstand the shirt’s intent (if a shirt could have intent). Some clothing bears very tacky phrases. The wording may be too mature for the child’s age, or perhaps it is something obnoxious or simply rude.

It’s important to double check the phrasing. I’ve often seen words that – at first glance – seem innocent, but actually have a second meaning. It may be a religious reference (not Jewish) or supporting causes that don’t align with your family’s worldview.

Often, the wording is a brand name. Usually, there is nothing wrong with the actual brand’s name, although I’ve

Location, location, location. People naturally read words when they see them, and their attention is diverted in that direction. Make sure the writing is in a location that you are OKwith people staring at.

The Environment

The warm weather is more relaxed and is a healthy time to unwind. Children (and adults) work hard throughout

Our children are royalty and should feel the dignity that comes with dressing the part.

seen some surprising exceptions. Brand name clothing is often a status symbol. My elementary school, as well as many other institutions, ban these items as they can make other children feel jealous. Make sure your child’s camp permits visible brand name logos before you invest the money.

the year, and it’s beneficial to have this time to enjoy the outdoors and the more carefree environment.

As parents, we work the entire year ensuring our child’s growth and providing them with the love and security they need for these crucial years of development. This is one task from which

we never take a vacation. Children are very affected by their peers. Know where your child is and with whom they will be spending their time. The summer is more relaxed, but our children still need to be in a healthy environment. Additionally, some locations are fine during the day but have a different crowd at night.

Technology poses the same risks, irrelevant of the season. It’s prudent to be aware of which technology your child is exposed to, both their own and those belonging to their peers. Ensure that everything meets your family’s standards.

Now is a time when families can enjoy the beautiful weather and the fresh air. As the great outdoors beckons, a few simple precautions will ensure a smooth transition for everyone. Visit a park, go for a hike, or simply walk around the block with your child. Now is the perfect time to build those warm childhood memories.

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 RayvychHomeschool@gmail.com.

Astronomers estimate that our solar system includes millions of asteroids occupying a belt between Mars and Jupiter. That’s fine, as long as they mind their own business. But sometimes, they get curious and nose their way out of their belt to check us out. On April 9, NASA’s Center for Near-Earth Object Studies discovered a car-sized chunk of rock they named Asteroid 2024 GJ2 on course to pass through our atmosphere— closer to us than many satellites—just two days later. That’s not a lot of time to get Bruce Willis and Ben Affleck loaded up in a rocket with a nuclear bomb to destroy it and save us all!

Earth isn’t always so lucky. A century ago, a meteor broke up with nuclear force over Russia’s Tunguska Forest, flattening an estimated 80 million trees. Amazingly, no one was killed. And astronomers routinely discover comets and asteroids that could strike with the same apocalyptic force that took out the dinosaurs 66 million years ago.

But what if 2024 GJ2 hadn’t passed harmlessly by? What if it had struck the earth, with the same power that many asteroids bring to flatten an entire city? What would our friends at the IRS have done?!?

Your Money Close Call

By Allan Rolnick, CPA

It probably won’t surprise you to learn that the doomsday preppers at the IRS have a well-established disaster plan. The Internal Revenue Manual, which is the IRS’s “staff instruction manual,” outlines comprehensive continuity planning requirements for all sorts of emergencies, including “natural disasters, accidents, technological failures, workplace

collecting taxes within 30 days of the strike. They might be authorized to make cash grants to survivors or buy assets destroyed in the disaster (and even pay off any outstanding bank loans or mortgages). IRS employees could be reassigned to any job “regardless of and without any effect on the current positions or grades of the employee.”

What actually happens if a chunk of space rock takes out Washington or another major city?

violence, and terrorism.” The goal, in all cases, is “to ensure the continuation of IRS mission essential functions under all circumstances.” And Section 25.16.1, updated just last June, lays out pages of disaster assistance and emergency relief program guidelines.

So, what actually happens if a chunk of space rock takes out Washington or another major city? The plan assumes that the IRS will resume assessing and

At one point, the Manual even appeared to give delinquent taxpayers a “Get Out of Jail free” card. “On the premise that the collection of delinquent accounts would be most adversely affected, and in many cases would be impossible in a disaster area, the service will concentrate on the collection of current taxes,” it said. Of course, that rule would apply only in the disaster area: “However, in areas where the taxpaying potential

is substantially unimpaired, enforced collection of delinquent taxes will be continued.” Ouch!

The tax code gives you plenty of breaks if your own stuff gets taken out from space. You can deduct unreimbursed damage caused by a meteor strike or other sudden, unexpected, or unusual event, so long as Uncle Sam officially designates the strike as a federal disaster. You’ll have to reduce the amount of your loss by $100, then by 10% of your adjusted gross income. Then, you’ll report the remaining amount on Form 4864 . None of us like paying taxes—but you don’t have to wait for an asteroid strike to pay less. The real answer, of course, is planning. And if “continuity planning” is the answer for the IRS, tax planning is the answer for us. So call us before disaster strikes, and see how much you can save!

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.

My Israel Home The Happy Warrior

By Gedaliah Borvick

My daughter is in the final stages of her social work degree and is currently doing fieldwork in Lod. I recently picked her up from her Lod office, which is located on Hubert Humphrey Street. Looking at the street sign hearkened me back to my youth, when it seemed that all Jews were Democrats. We were so entrenched in the Democrat Party that my father was actually invited to Jimmy Carter’s presidential inauguration ceremony. Even though that was over 40 years ago, the support has endured, as 70% of American Jews have consistently voted Democratic.

Jews have been strongly associated with the Democratic Party ever since the days of President Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s New Deal, which was his solution to the deepest economic depression in U.S. history. As new immigrants and a racial minority, the New Deal’s public welfare and social legislation resonated so deeply with Jews that by the 1940 election, FDR received 90% of the Jewish vote. The Democrats’ civil

liberties and individual rights platform were aligned with American Jewry’s values, and many Jews played a prominent role in the African Americans’ civil rights movement.

Hubert Humphrey was the mayor of Minneapolis from 1945 until 1948, and then served as Minnesota’s senator from 1949 until he was elected vice president in 1964 under President Johnson. In 1968, Humphrey ran for president and lost to Richard Nixon. He returned to the Senate in 1971 and served there until he passed away in 1978.

Humphrey’s domestic political identity was in line with FDR’s liberalism and New Deal principles. In fact, Humphrey’s nickname, “The Happy Warrior,” was an allusion to both his infectious optimism and his indefatigable efforts on behalf of minorities.

Throughout his career, Humphrey was a strong supporter of Israel and the American Jewish community. Often referring to Israel as “this tiny democratic state in the Middle East,” he admired the

country’s values and stood squarely with Israel during her most difficult times.

Owing to his deep friendship with the Jewish state, Hubert Humphrey became a confidant of Israel’s leaders, including prime ministers Golda Meir and Menachem Begin.

One of many examples that highlights his staunch support for Israel was in 1975 after the United Nations General Assembly disgracefully adopted a resolution that linked Zionism with racism. Speaking in the Senate, Humphrey declared that “the charge of racism against Israel is so manifestly absurd one’s first reaction is not even to dignify the charge with substantive response. But recent discussions and inquiries make it clear that there is much ignorance and confusion about the nature of Israeli society, the result of massive propaganda efforts designed by Israel’s adversaries to support their absurd charges.”

He minced no words when stating that the “sinister implications” of the resolution “only add obstacles to the strug-

gle for peace in the Middle East and… threaten the usefulness of the United Nations itself.” Humphrey’s words were unfortunately prophetic, as these sinister implications have been realized globally.

Sadly, antisemitism has also become more commonplace and virulent on the domestic front, even among American Jewry’s historical allies, whose civil rights causes were championed by the Jews. We are fortunate that there are brave Democratic leaders who support and are concerned for Israel. However, during these challenging times, American Jewry feels the void that has existed ever since Hubert Humphrey and his moral compass left the national stage.

Gedaliah Borvick is the founder of My Israel Home (www.myisraelhome. com), a real estate agency focused on helping people from abroad buy and sell homes in Israel. To sign up for his monthly market updates, contact him at gborvick@gmail.com.

Hubert Humphrey and Golda Meir in 1970

Eitan,

Note: Not all submission have been published. Keep sending in your artwork for another chance to be featured!

Chaim F, 4

2

Eliana Kushner

Gee Jessurun, 7

CY Moses, 8

Elisheva, 6 Izzy L, 4.5

Chaya, 9

Chani Gross, 6

Leah Seidel, 5

Chezky, 8

Chaya Rivky Hill, 6

Yonatan, 3

Zevy Seidel, 3

Hadassa Scheller, 5

Riki Kleiner, 8

Tzviki Simpson, 9.5

Tamar Lavi, 7

Yitzchak Goldfeiz, 5

Yardena Markowitz, 5

Teely Weiss, 9

Reuvin and Lev Dalfin, 5 and 2

In The K tchen

Buttery French Toast Crepe

By Naomi Nachman

I always love creating dairy recipes, and I’m so excited to be partnering with Breakstone’s Butter for this one. This recipe is the perfect breakfast dish inspired by the classic French toast. It has all the butter flavor and milk that you would find in French toast – all prepared as a delicious crepe and cooked in real butter. (Bonus that this recipe is also gluten free!)

Ingredients

◦ 6 eggs

◦ 6 Tablespoons potato starch

◦ 1/2 teaspoon salt

◦ 1/2 cup water or milk

◦ 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

◦ 1 tablespoon sugar

◦ 1 stick unsalted Breakstone’s Butter, divided

◦ Your choice of jam

◦ Crushed nuts

◦ Confectioners’ sugar

◦ Fresh fruit

Preparation

1. Combine all ingredients in a medium bowl. Beat well (preferably using a hand mixer or use an immersion blender).

2. Heat a 9-inch nonstick frying pan or crepe pan over medium heat. Add 1 tablespoon butter and swirl around pan to coat.

3. Pour enough batter into the pan to just cover it, about one-third cup. Cook until the top is just set and the crepe is cooked through. Remove from pan to cool.

4. Repeat with remaining batter, adding more butter for frying if necessary.

5. Once crepes are all cooled, spread a crepe with desired amount of jam and sprinkle with nuts and roll up.

6. Garnish with fresh fruit, and confectioners’ sugar.

Prepare Ahead: This recipe can easily be doubled. Store crepes in the freezer between layers of parchment paper.

Cook’s Note: It’s very important to use a 9-inch crepe pan for this recipe, and to treat well. Use it for nothing besides crepes, and wash it with warm water and soap, using your fingers. Don’t use a harsh brush that can ruin the surface.

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

Baltimoreans for Baltimoreans

I wanted to thank you for the excellent job that you do curating the news on your site. I pretty much only check your site these days as I know I will only see “kosher” news.

Chavie

Minkin Operations, Kaylah Designs Inc.