Baltimore Jewish Home - 8-8-24

INFUSE YOUR WITH MEANING TISHA B’AV

TISHA B’AV

TUESDAY, AUG 13 TH

WATCH FEATURED PROGRAMMING ALL DAY

HOLDING ON TO FAITH: SHARING HOPE AMIDST HEARTACHE

NCSY KUMZITZ OF THE WORLD SPONSORED BY THE GRYFE FAMILY

B’YACHAD LANETZACH: MEMORIALIZING IDF’S FALLEN HEROES

SIGN UP AT ou.org/tishabav FOR UPDATES AND MORE INFO

RABBI MOSHE HAUER Executive Vice President, OU

Rav Yosef Tzvi Carlebach and Pre-Holocaust German Jewry 9:30 AM EDT

RABBI DR. TZVI HERSH

WEINREB EVP Emeritus, OU

Return to Zion with Sacrifice and Tears Available All Day

RABBI YAAKOV GLASSER

Managing Director of Communal Engagement, OU

Flames and Faith: Discovering Hope in the Embers of Churban 9:30 AM EDT

RABBI STEVEN WEIL CEO, FIDF

Reliving Our History 9:00 AM EDT

RABBI AZARYA BERZON Faculty, OU Israel

From Pain to Promise

Available All Day

This program is dedicated by Richard and Debra Parkoff in memory of Richard’s parents, Avraham ben Yitzchak Hakohen, a”h, and Rochel Bluma bat Yehoshua, a”h.

Dear Readers,

The esteemed mashpia Harav Elimelech Biderman recounted a story that took place in a Yeshiva many years ago. A newly admitted student was called up for an aliyah, but due to his nervousness, he made a series of mistakes, leaving him devastated. An older, compassionate student, anticipating that this incident would be the talk of breakfast after davening, took swift action to prevent further embarrassment. He approached the Gabbai and requested to perform Hagbah (lifting of the Torah) after the Krias HaTorah. Although puzzled by the request, the Gabbai agreed. To everyone’s astonishment, the older student lifted the Torah and spun it around to face the congregation, as is done on Simchas Torah. This unexpected Hagbah instantly became the focus of attention, causing the earlier incident to be forgotten. His sensitivity was so lofty and his goal of preventing scorn was accomplished!

The Gemara tells the famous story of Bar Kamtza who was publicly humiliated at a party. Witnessing that none of the Rabbis present intervened, Bar Kamtza sought revenge by informing the Romans that the Rabbis were rebelling against their rule. The

Gemara in Gittin states: “Rabbi Elazar says, come and see the incredible power of embarrassment, for the Holy One, Blessed be He, helped Bar Kamtza, and He destroyed His House and burned His Temple.”

This Tisha B’Av feels more poignant than in previous years. We are mourning not just the historical destruction, but also the recent tragic events of October 7th. However, this day has also served as a profound wake-up call for Klal Yisroel, leading to greater unity among us. The world’s reactions have clearly delineated where we stand, but we stand together on one side - the right side.

Let us hope the events on October 7th serve as the final reminder to maintain our unity, encouraging us to strengthen our relationships both communally and personally. Through our collective efforts, may this be the last Tisha B’Av we observe as a day of mourning, and may it soon transform into a day of joy and celebration.

Wishing everyone a peaceful Shabbos and an easy fast.

Aaron Menachem

Around the Community

Camp Lemaalah’s Inaugural Summer is Lemaalah Min Hateva!

Camp Lemaalah, a brand new boy’s camp in Baltimore, first two weeks were incredible. Camp directors, Rabbi Shai & Tova Scherer attribute the success to tremendous amount of siyata dishmaya and staff that is “lemaalah.” Every last staff member uses all of his kochos

to make every single activity from davening, learning, swimming, crafts, woodworking, cooking, ruach, lunch, leagues, bus rides, trips, & sports, the most geshmakt experience for every single child. We look forward to see what awaits the “lemaalah” experience of the remaining two weeks.

Etz Chaim of Baltimore Enters New Era of Growth and Expansion

By: BJLife Newsroom

Etz Chaim’s programs have resonated with a diverse range of individuals, including Jewish graduate students, young professionals, families, empty nesters, and seniors seeking meaningful Jewish experiences.

Etz Chaim, a leading provider of informal Jewish education in Baltimore for nearly five decades under the visionary leadership of Rabbi Shlomo Porter, is pleased to announce a significant milestone in its history.

Over the past eight years, Etz Chaim has revitalized its programming and has been developing thriving communities in the broader Baltimore area. To accommodate our growing communities and enhance our programming, we have made the strategic decision to sell our current facility at 3702 Fords Lane with the goal of establishing new facilities in key

locations to service these developing communities.

Etz Chaim’s programs have resonated with a diverse range of individuals, including Jewish graduate students, young professionals, families, empty nesters, and seniors seek-

ing meaningful Jewish experiences. The new facilities will better serve these vibrant communities, ensuring a bright future for Jewish education in Baltimore.

The sale of our current building to Bnos Yisroel of Baltimore, a Jewish

girls’ school sharing Etz Chaim’s commitment to Jewish education, marks an exciting new chapter for the organization. Etz Chaim looks forward to continuing to serve and inspire our community in innovative ways.

by Abie Dayan

Amim Towers Arnona

Ma'alot Dafna 121 Ma'alot Dafna Yam Suf 6 Ramat Eshkol

Mapu 4 Talbieh

Sela Lavi Park Neve Ya'akov

Kesser Torah Grand Siyum 5784: Every Bochur’s Accomplishments Shine

Photos by: Shuie Katz

On July 22, the bochurim of Mesivta Kesser Torah celebrated their year of growth with a Grand Siyum on masechtos Rosh ha’Shanah, Sukkah, Brachos, and Kiddushin. During this annual event, bochurim are joined by their fathers, rebbeim, and hanhala as they participate in the siyum.

After Mincha, each bochur had the opportunity to learn b’chavrusa with

his father and grandfather. The nachas felt by each father as he learned with his son and saw him as a burgeoning Ben Torah and Talmid Chacham was palpable. All attendees then headed to the yeshiva’s dining room for a siyum, speeches, and leibedic dancing.

A hallmark of this siyum is that each talmid is made to feel as if he is the center of the yeshiva. Every rebbe shares words about each bochur before

presenting him with a sefer. Every bochur knows his rebbe cherishes him, and this night is meant to emphasize the rebbe-talmid relationship at the foundation of the Kesser Torah chinuch. All talmidim feel as if the yeshiva was built for them.

Rabbi Menachem Feldheim, Shlit”a, the new Rosh Mesivta of Kesser Torah, spoke to the bochurim with words of chizzuk focused on how their

accomplishments in Torah will provide them with a sweetness that will catapult them for years to come.

After the siyum, bochurim danced with their fathers and rebbeim and were later joined by their mothers at an outdoor kumzits and bonfire.

Kesser Torah looks forward to welcoming its talmidim back in Elul, joined by a new 9th-grade class, for another year of growth!

Rabbi Paysach Krohn shares his compelling insights and dozens of uplifting stories that open new vistas of understanding of both the tragedy of Churban and the glorious opportunities we have to hasten the geulah.

Also includes brief biographies and riveting stories of gedolim whose yahrzeits fall in the period of the Three Weeks until Tu B'Av, including Rashi, the Arizal, Rav Elyashiv, and Rav Shmuel Yehuda Levin.

Rabbi Yechiel Spero translates twenty of the most popular Kinnos recited in camps, into simple, readable English. An introduction to each of those Kinnos provides insightful background information and features a story and a lesson, making the Kinnos relatable to teens… and to us all. With all the Kinnos in Hebrew as well, this is the perfect Tisha B’Av companion for everyone.

Team AMP Solutions wins the 2024 “JCSL – by Your Kitchen Spot”

Congratulations to Team “AMP Solutions (your local Electrician),” on winning the “Goldberg’s Bagels/ Mama Leah’s Pizza/Taam Thai” Championship and taking home the “Camp Shoresh” trophy!

Read on for details from the game:

Two teams. Nine innings. One champion. After a long, hard-fought season, it was an epic showdown between the two top teams - Orshan Legal Group vs. AMP Solutions. As the lower seed, AMP batted first and immediately began a scoring extravaganza. Led by AMP power hitters Binyamin Goldenberg, MoDo Artman, Meir Parry, and Josh Zaslow, AMP scored 10 runs in the first two innings while holding OLG to just one run, thanks to some clutch fielding by Aharon Loiterman, Benzion Shamberg, and Avraham “Frosty” Frost. While Orshan Legal Group was down, they were certainly not out, and were determined to close the gap. With a few uncharacteristic AMP errors and solid hitting by OLG, the legal group pulled within striking distance, scoring 14 going into the top of the 7th, bringing the score 16-15 in favor of AMP.

In a fiery and motivating speech for the ages, Captain Meir Parry brought the team together and stressed the importance of staying energized, with the focus on the present. Team sponsor, and electrician extraordinaire Avrumi Mutterperl also got in on the action, distributing his secret

green energy drinks, which provided a much-needed jolt to the team. With a unified and resounding “LETS GO AMP!” the AMP players were electrified and ready to rock.

The response was powerful. Gil Kreisel hit a single, Binyamin Guttman struck a solid line drive over third, and Danny Weissman got on base. But AMP wasn’t done! The big hits continued with a monster shot by Parry, a deep line drive double by Zaslow, and big hits by Goldenberg and Artman. With Shamberg and Loiterman continuing to excel, and Zaslow flying around the bases with his unparalleled speed, AMP secured another 6 runs. Despite missing consistent hitter Moshe Treitel, everyone from top to bottom was hitting! In the field at the bottom of the 8th, AMP was up 22-15, and Orshan began to rally with one out. But alas, they were no match for AMP’s gloves. With Goldenberg rockets from 3rd to first, and a slick double play by Parry, AMP stopped them in their tracks.

After a few more insurance runs added in the top of the 9th, the score was 25-16 AMP. In the bottom of the

9th, Pitcher Danny Weisman continued his pristine game. With two outs, and only one more needed to seal the game, OLG hitter Yehuda Pensak hit a hard line drive which appeared to be going over 2nd. But in a Sports Center worthy highlight, Frosty jumped to right and fully extended, made the catch to end the game and seal the win! Team AMP, the unlikely wild card team, put together a masterful game with over 30 hits, and majestic fielding just when they needed it to win the Championship.

Thanks to our sponsor Avrumi Mutterperl from AMP Solutions and to all the fans who came out to support the 2024 Champions!

Recessed Lights

Panel Upgrades

EV/Tesla Chargers

Residential Construction

Commercial Construction

All Your Electrical Needs

SERVICING BALTIMORE & BEYOND FOR OVER YEARS Avi Mutterperl MD License #24142 (443) AMPS-613

613 Seconds with the Baltimore Tuition Initiative

Tuition initiative

What is your estimate of how large the tuition rebate can grow?

Because our efforts are so new, we do not have an estimate. The most important message we want to send is simple. , the success of this initiative is in the hands of our community. The initiative will grow if the families who are financially able to donate some or all their rebate to the community fund will choose to prioritize doing so. The initiative will grow if community donors prioritize adding to the fund while maintaining their historical commitments to our mosdos. BEZ”H, our success is UP TO US!

What else do you want the community to understand about this initiative?

The tuition rebates are a refund of tuition paid . We cannot give tax advice, but our understanding is that the refunds are not taxable, and families who chose to donate some or all their rebate will receive a receipt for a tax-deductible donation to

Where can our readers get more

At this time, the rebate for the school year just ended is being processed. The expansion plans of the Baltimore Tuition Initiative are still being developed and we intend to share them with our special community over the next few months.

of our families, particularly the larger families, cannot afford to pay the full cost of chinuch even though our schools are very cost-effective. In fact, even after raising donations, many of our families still struggle to pay tuition. schools in the initiative starting in the sum mer of 2025.

BJH: How much financial relief will the initiative offer this summer?

BTI: The funds raised this year are enough to offer a 3.5 percent rebate on tuition paid by each Baltimore family.

ily’s rebate to a community fund that is be ing established to receive those funds. Donated funds will be used toward a rebate next year. If we are successful, BEZ”H, we hope to increase the size of the rebate next summer. Additionally, we hope to continue this process every year and keep growing the rebate over time.

BJH: Final thoughts?

BTI: The Baltimore Torah community is known for our exceptional achdus. We expect this initiative to take us to the next level. Please join us in this extremely important effort. We cannot succeed without YOU!

The Week In News

tion of new Iranian president Masoud Pezeshkian.

How Haniyeh Was Killed

Although early reports suggested that a precise Israeli missile was what killed Hamas political leader Ismail

The Times quoted one anonymous U.S. and seven Islamic officials, two of whom are from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. U.S. and Middle Eastern officials also confirmed that Israel was responsible for Haniyeh’s assassination, as was suspected.

The killing was a “tremendous embarrassment” for the IRGC, according to three Iranian officials, as the Revolutionary Guard is responsible for the guesthouse that Haniyeh and his acquaintances stayed at. Tehran has pledged to respond to Israel with force.

Although Haniyeh was killed, the building he was staying in wasn’t seriously damaged. Some windows were shattered and a part of the compound’s wall caved in. A neighboring room, in

it likely wouldn’t have circumvented Iran’s air defenses and it would have caused far more damage. Iranian officials are currently investigating the incident to determine how the bomb was successfully planted in the Hamas leader’s room.

“Israeli intelligence officials briefed the United States and other Western governments on the details of the operation in the immediate aftermath,” said five Middle Eastern officials, as quoted by The Times.

Haniyeh was found dead by guesthouse medical officials at around 2 a.m. local time. He and his bodyguard were immediately declared dead.

Khalil Al-Hayya, a senior Hamas official, was present at the time of the discovery, according to officials. Officials then informed Gen. Ismail Ghaani, the

attacks, in which 1,200 people were killed and 251 others were taken captive.

Last week, the IDF confirmed that Muhammad Deif, the military leader of Hamas, was killed by an Israeli air strike a month before Haniyeh’s assassination. A few hours before Haniyeh’s death, Israel also eliminated Fuad Shukr, Hezbollah’s highest-ranking commander, in response to the Hezbollah attack that murdered twelve Druze children last Saturday in the Golan Heights.

Israeli PTSD Could Cost Billions

The Week In News

ly impacted by PTSD cases caused by the October 7 massacre and the war that followed.

For one person, a lifetime of PTSD could cost 1.86 million shekels or $485,000, if not more. The study also compared the five-year economic cost of PTSD ($53.2 billion) with the Defense Ministry’s estimated five-year budget ($59 billion).

The economic costs of PTSD would be divided into three categories: National Insurance benefits cost, which would bear 18% of the cost; employment and productivity’s direct impact, which would bear 74%; and mental disorders and addictions’ impact, with 8%. PTSD economic costs would also be split into three groups: individuals and families, which would handle 30% of the cost, and the state, which would bear 30% of the cost because of public service cost increases and tax revenue decreases. There would also be a 40% cost thanks to a decrease in national labor productivity because of PTSD, according to the study.

MAPS Israel has been researching a new form of therapy – a mix of psychotherapy and MDMA psychedelic

drug-use – meant to mitigate PTSD symptoms. For every 1 shekel invested in such a program, the research organization says, there would, nationally, be a 12.5 to 14.9 shekel return on investment.

“For the first time in Israel, we have an economic study that provides a comprehensive picture of the economic implications of PTSD and demonstrates the importance of data-based economic measurement,” said the CEO and founder of SFI Group, Yaron Neudorfer. “This approach allows for precision in allocating public resources and encourages the development of national solutions for needs that are emerging (and will continue to emerge) during this time of emergency.”

The founder of MAPS Israel’s HealingOct7 project Eyal Gura said, “We hope that the economic study and its results will reach the decision-makers responsible for the state budget and that the issue of PTSD will receive the appropriate attention both on a personal mental level and on a national economic level as it involves saving lives in every sense of the word.”

Terror Stabbing in Holon

On Sunday morning, a Palestinian terrorist from the West Bank struck three places in the Israeli city of Holon, killing two Israelis and wounding two others in a knife attack. The terrorist was shot by a local police officer and was later declared dead at Shamir Medical Center.

“This was a complex and difficult terror attack. The casualties were at three separate locations, approximately 500 meters from each other,” said medics from the Magen David Adom ambulance service.

One of the victims was a 66-yearold woman named Rina Daniv, who was pronounced dead at the scene. Her 68-year-old husband, Shimon, was also stabbed and sustained serious injuries. The Daniv couple resided in Holon and had been walking in the Moshe Dayan Street park, as they did daily, when they were attacked at the entrance of the park.

Three others – a moderately injured 26-year-old, a seriously injured 68-year-old man, and a critically wounded man in his seventies – were taken to the local Wolfson Medical Center. The man in his seventies was declared dead at the hospital, according to the medical center’s officials.

After the terrorist stabbed Rina and Shimon Daniv, he walked to a local bus stop near a gas station and stabbed the 70-year-old man. He then went on to stab Yakov Libertov, 26, at a Dan Shomron Street bus parking lot.

According to Ronit Sasson, the sister of Shimon Daniv, her brother is in stable condition.

Libertov, while in the hospital, told reporters that he saw the terrorist while walking his dog in a nearby park. The Palestinian man, who Libertov said had “an angry expression,” was walking slowly and didn’t seem to be armed, and Libertov did not anticipate getting attacked. Suddenly, however, the knifeman, who said nothing during the attack, ran at Libertov and stabbed him in the shoulder. The vic-

tim was able to fight the terrorist and flee with his dog but sustained moderate to serious wounds in his shoulder and stomach. Libertov then went to a local bus depot, where drivers helped him contact police.

The terrorist was named as Amar Odeh, 34. He resided in Salfit, a city in the West Bank, and had no entry permit to Israel or a security-related crime record.

The officer, who ended up shooting the knifeman dead, originally saw the terrorist, who he thought was a mugger, while in his police car. The policeman then exited the car and ran after the Palestinian man.

“He wasn’t running so fast,” said the police officer. “I told him to stop, and then he rounded on me with the knife in his hand.

“As soon as I noticed the knife I pulled out the pistol and said to stop,” the officer added. “He approached me, and I kept telling him to stop. He shouted something in Arabic while hiding behind a garbage bin and then I ran towards him, and then I shot him.”

Since October 7, when 1,200 people were murdered and 251 others were kidnapped by Hamas, there have been several terrorist attacks in Israel and the West Bank, resulting in the deaths of 25 Israelis and five Israeli security officials.

UN: Employees Were Involved in Oct. 7 Attack

A United Nations investigation has found that nine employees from its main agency for Palestinian humanitarian relief, UNWRA, “may have” been involved in the October 7 attack and no longer work at the agency. There are 13,000 UNRWA staff members in Gaza.

The investigation was launched in January after Israel accused some UNRWA employees of participating in the attack in which 1,200 people in Israel were murdered and 251 others were taken hostage.

The Week In News

Some of those accused of being complicit in the attack were fired in January, when Israel accused them of being involved. Others were fired in the spring when new assertions came to light.

The UN’s Office of Internal Oversight Services (OIOS) investigated a total of 19 employees who were accused by Israel of participation in the attack.

“The evidence obtained by OIOS indicated that the UNRWA staff members may have been involved in the armed attacks of 7 October 2023,” OIOS said in a statement. In nine other cases, OIOS said that the evidence was “insufficient” for the employees to be fired, but that “appropriate measures will be taken in due course.” In the final case, “no evidence was obtained by OIOS to support the allegations of the staff member’s involvement.”

In a statement on X, a spokesperson for the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), Nadav Shoshani, said, “9 of your employees might have participated in the largest massacre of Jews

since the Holocaust.

“Your ‘relief’ agency has officially stooped to a new level of low, and it is time that the world sees your true face.”

UNRWA was founded by the UN a year after the state of Israel was founded. The agency provides a wide range of aid and services to Palestinian refugees and their descendants.

In a statement on Monday, UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini said that his agency’s “priority is to continue lifesaving and critical services for Palestine Refugees in Gaza and across the region, especially in the face of the ongoing war, the instability and risk of regional escalation.”

“UNRWA is committed to continue upholding the fundamental principles and values of the United Nations, including the humanitarian principle of neutrality, and to ensuring that all its staff abide by the Agency’s policy on outside and political activities.”

The head of the IDF’s Israel Defense Forces’ Military Intelligence Directorate, Maj. Gen. Aharon Haliva,

met with senior U.S. officials in January to share Israel’s concerns about UNRWA employees’ involvement in the attack.

“We gave them specific names and which organizations they are affiliated with, whether Hamas or PIJ or others, and what exactly they did on October 7. We showed them that we had solid intelligence from difference sources,” an Israeli official said.

Israel in February released some details about 12 employees whom it accused, including their names, photos and alleged roles with Hamas. The additional details also included screengrabs of what Israel said were two UNWRA employees – a social worker and math teacher – in Israel on October 7.

The allegations led to several of UNRWA’s most important donor countries to withdraw funding from the agency. Most of those countries have reinstated their funding. The United States – historically, UNRWA’s largest donor – has not.

Israel Returns Palestinian Bodies

On Monday, Israel returned the bodies of more than 80 Palestinians killed in the Gaza war.

Yamen Abu Suleiman, the director of the Palestinian Civil Emergency Service in Khan Younis in southern Gaza, declared, “The occupation provided us with no information about the names, or ages, or anything. This is a war crime, a crime against humanity.”

The 84 bodies will be screened and examined in an attempt to determine the causes of death and in an attempt to identify them. They will later be buried in a mass grave at a cemetery near Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis.

Israel returns the bodies of Palestinians after it is determined that they are not the bodies of Israeli hostages who have been held by Hamas for over 300 days.

The Israeli Hostages Families Fo-

Modo Artman, Tzvi Feigenbaum, Akiva Goldberg, Rochelle Goldberg, Shuey Goldstein, Mordechai Gottlieb, Shana Gutow Zalmy Lavi

The Week In News

rum questioned why Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu would allow the handover of Palestinian bodies without a ceasefire deal with Hamas.

“Why are bodies being returned outside the framework of a comprehensive deal? Such an agreement could bring back living hostages for rehabilitation and the deceased for proper burial,” they said in a statement.

A Ticket to Disney – from 1985

In August 1985, Scott King won a free park ticket after visiting Disneyland during its 30th anniversary. As part of the celebration, every 30th guest received a prize.

“When I got there, they awarded

me with a ticket and an ‘I am a winner’ badge, and I said, ‘What about the Cadillac?’ and they laughed and said, ‘Not today, buddy,’” King recalled.

King stuck the ticket into a scrapbook and promptly forgot about it.

“I forgot all about it. I really didn’t pay much attention to it over the years,” King said.

Thirty-nine years later, King’s daughter, Sabrina, decided to go to Disneyland but lamented that tickets were so expensive.

“She was telling me about how expensive it was now and everything and I said, ‘You know, I have a ticket. Let me see if I can grab it,’” King recalled.

Deep inside King’s garage was the golden ticket still sitting in one of his old scrapbooks. Back then, tickets to the “Happiest Place on Earth” were just $16.50. Now, tickets start around $100.

Fortunately, Disneyland honored the ticket.

“I really couldn’t sleep that much because I have not been to Disneyland since I was six. So, it’s been over 12 years now,” Sabrina said.

The magical trip marked the teen’s second visit to the park since 2009, just two weeks before she sets off to college this fall.

There’s something magical about that place…

Olympic Gold Perks

Looking for an apartment, a diamond or an exemption from the army? Head to the Olympics.

Many countries are proud of their athletes, rewarding them for their prowess. But some nations show their pride in unusual ways.

Take, for example, South Korea. Any Olympic medalist from South Korea is

granted exemption from 18 months of compulsory military service, which all able-bodied males must undertake by the age of 28.

In Poland, athletes who win the gold at the Olympics in individual events receive a cash prize of 250,000 zlotys ($63,000), a two-room apartment, a diamond, a painting and a holiday voucher.

Indonesia is even more creative.

Apriyani Rahayu and Greysia Polii, who won badminton women’s doubles gold at Tokyo three years ago, were reportedly pledged rewards ranging from new houses from a property developer to meatball restaurants from a social media influencer.

Apriyani was also promised five cows, a plot of land, and a house by the district head of her hometown in Southeast Sulawesi. Another report said state-owned enterprise PT Pegadaian promised to give the pair three kilograms of gold. Oh, and tourism minister Sandiaga Uno said they could enjoy free holidays in the country’s five premier tourism destinations.

In 2016, during the Games in Rio,

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

1:50

2:15

2:20

2:45

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

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

8:15

shacharis

The Week In News

Jordan’s Ahmad Abu Ghaush won the country’s first-ever gold medal and was given 100,000 dinars ($140,000). He also received many other rewards and gifts from local companies including a car and a luxury watch, while King Abdullah II awarded him the First Class Order of Distinction.

Filipino weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz was rewarded for winning the country’s first ever gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics by being gifted two properties and a promotion to staff sergeant in the Armed Forces of the Philippines. Other medalists had received houses and land.

According to officials, Iraq’s football players were each given more than nine million dinars ($7,200) and a plot of land for qualifying for the Olympics.

Iraqi weightlifter Ali Ammar Yasser received a car and a plot of land after qualifying for the Games and has been promised a million dollars if he brings back the bronze medal or better.

Athletes competing for Malaysia who nab the gold receive one year’s worth of free food orders pledged by delivery and transport company Grab. They will also receive a Chery SUV car as well as a luxury apartment from property developer Top Residency.

India’s Neeraj Chopra won javelin gold in Tokyo and was promised unlimited free air travel for a year by airline IndiGo and a new seven-seater SUV by a businessman.

After Singapore’s Joseph Schooling made history at the Rio Games in 2016 by beating the great Michael Phelps to 100m butterfly gold, ride-hailing service Grab offered free transport for him and his family for a year, which he shared with a blind masseur and a para-swimmer. Singapore Airlines chipped in with a million air miles, while the government gives one million Singapore dollars ($750,000) for any gold medal.

The Hong Kong government gave Paris gold medal-winning fencers Vivian Kong and Cheung Ka-long lifetime travel tickets for the city’s MTR subway system and promised the same to all other medalists. The Hong Kong Jockey Club also gives individual gold medalists HK$6 million ($770,000).

Gymnasium chain Pure is offering lifetime memberships to all 35 Hong Kong athletes competing in Paris and the territory’s Cathay Pacific airline said it would give all medal winners

free business class travel for a year.

In other words, although you may give up your life pursuing an Olympic gold, you may end up with some cows, land, and free tickets to the subway. We’re starting to train right now.

Pulling Planes

Have you ever walked on your hands? Have you ever pulled three planes? Well, how about doing these things at the same time?

Sounds crazy, but Matteo Pavone mastered the art of pulling three small planes while walking on his hands, breaking a Guinness World Record, although we can be sure he didn’t have much competition.

The Italian broke the record for the most light aircrafts pulled by walking on hands with his successful attempt in Castelnuovo Don Bosco, Asti, Italy.

Pavone said he turned to more unusual athletic pursuits after a series of injuries forced him to quit rugby.

“The worst of them was a bad back injury,” he told Guinness World Records. “The doctors said I could never play sports again, but they were wrong.”

His training for the record attempt included yoga, cardio and strength training. And Pavone said he’s not done.

“I’m proud of this record,” he said, “but I’m also not entirely satisfied about the final result. I’m sure I can pull four aircrafts or even more, so I’ll try to do that as soon as I can.”

Matteo, you’re cleared for takeoff.

Tim Walz for VP

On Tuesday, Kamala Harris chose Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz as her vice

The Week In News

presidential running mate.

Walz, 60, made a name for himself in the veepstakes as he gained major traction online with his folksy mannerisms and viral comments calling Trump and Vance “weird.”

Walz was elected to Congress in 2006. Before that, he served in the Army National Guard and was a high school social studies teacher and football coach.

A Harris-Walz campaign will highlight his fight for expanded child tax credits, junk-fee ban, paid-leave policies, gun safety legislation and codifying Roe v. wade protection. As governor, he’s implemented a bevy of progressive policies, including paid family leave, universal school breakfast and lunch, legalization of recre-

ational marijuana use, state codification of abortion rights, and gun control measures like universal background checks and red flag laws.

Walz will give Harris a boost in key Midwest states. Born in West Point, Nebraska, a community of about 3,500 people northwest of Omaha, Walz joined the Army National Guard and became a teacher in Nebraska.

He and his wife moved to Mankato in southern Minnesota in the 1990s, where he taught social studies and coached football. He served 24 years in the Army National Guard before retiring from a field artillery battalion in 2005 as a command sergeant major, one of the military’s highest enlisted ranks.

He served in Congress for six terms. Walz became governor of Minnesota in 2018.

Walz called Republican nominee Donald Trump and running mate JD Vance “just weird” in an MSNBC interview last month, and the Democratic Governors Association — which Walz chairs — amplified the point in a post on X. Walz later reiterated the char-

acterization on CNN, citing Trump’s repeated mentions of the fictional serial killer Hannibal Lecter from the film “Silence of the Lambs” in stump speeches.

The word quickly morphed into a theme for Harris and other Democrats, who have been calling Trump voters “weird” in this really weird election.

“Google is a Monopolist”

Google acted illegally to maintain a monopoly in online search, a federal judge ruled on Monday, a landmark decision that strikes at the power of tech giants in the modern internet era

and that may fundamentally alter the way they do business.

Judge Amit P. Mehta of U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia said in a 277-page ruling that Google had abused a monopoly over the search business. The Justice Department and states had sued Google, accusing it of illegally cementing its dominance, in part, by paying other companies, such as Apple and Samsung, billions of dollars a year to have Google automatically handle search queries on their smartphones and web browsers.

“Google is a monopolist, and it has acted as one to maintain its monopoly,” Mehta said in his ruling.

The ruling is a harsh verdict on the rise of giant technology companies that have used their roots in the internet to influence the way we shop, consume information and search online — and indicates a potential limit of Big Tech’s power. It is likely to influence other government antitrust lawsuits against Google, Apple, Amazon and Meta, the owner of Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp. The last significant antitrust ruling against a tech

The Week In News

company targeted Microsoft over two decades ago.

The decision is a major blow to Google, which had fiercely defended itself against the allegations. Internet search is a core driver of the company’s profits, and the ruling could have major ramifications for its future success, especially as Google spends heavily to compete in the race over artificial intelligence.

Monday’s ruling did not include remedies for Google’s behavior. Mehta will now decide that, potentially forcing the company to change the way it runs or to sell off part of its business.

Mehta’s ruling capped a years-long case that resulted in a 10-week trial last year. The Justice Department and states sued in 2020 over Google’s dominance in online search, which generates billions in profits annually. The Justice Department said Google’s search engine conducted nearly 90% of web searches, a number the company disputed.

The company spends billions of dollars annually to be the automat

Google paid Apple about $18 billion for being the default in 2021, The New York Times has reported.

Kent Walker, Google’s president of global affairs, said the company would appeal the ruling. (© The New York Times)

Getting His Spear Back

Jacob Chansley, known as the “QAnon Shaman” for his elaborate garb on January 6, 2021, will get back the spear he carried inside the building as well as his horned, coyote-tailed headdress, said a judge on Monday.

The Justice Department in recent

federal government had seized them around his arrest, but Chansley has served much of his criminal sentence for the felony charge related to the January 6 events.

Prosecutors had tried to convince Judge Royce Lamberth, of the DC District Court, they needed to keep the items as evidence in case Chansley tries to challenge his conviction again.

“Even if the government may need to reprove Mr. Chansley’s guilt, the government has not explained why it would need his property,” Lamberth wrote. “As there is voluminous video and photo evidence of Mr. Chansley’s conduct, his property is of little utility for an investigation or prosecution.”

Chansley pleaded guilty to a felony obstruction charge and was sentenced to 41 months in prison in 2021. He has finished serving his prison time but has two years left of court-supervised release.

Pictures of Chansley went viral when the Arizonan during the riot flexed his muscles on the Senate dais where then-Vice President Mike Pence had been minutes before.

The headdress, as well as his bare

chest and face paint, have been mimicked by many others.

In addition to the costume, Chansley had used a bullhorn to lead parts of the crowd. Though he was non-violent, Lamberth said the six-foot pole Chansley carried with an American flag attached and a spear on the top was a “serious weapon.”

Austin Revokes Plea Deal For 9/11 Mastermind

Just two days after the U.S. reached a plea deal with Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, the suspected mastermind behind the 9/11 attacks, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin struck the agreement down, noting that a move of such magnitude “should rest with” him. Austin also withdrew Susan Escallier, the convening authority for Guantanamo Bay’s military courts, from the case.

Austin revoked the agreement struck last week with Mohammed and two other 9/11 plotters, Walid Bin ‘Attash and Hawsawi. In exchange for

HIRING

Positions for the 2024-2025 School Year

High School

English Teacher - 9th Grade, Monday-Thursday: 5:20-6:05 pm

Focus on Writing Skills

Home Construction - Monday-Thursday: 4:33-5:17 pm

Proficiency in general construction and plumbing required

Electrical Shop - Monday-Thursday: 5:20-6:05 pm

Proficiency in wiring home to code required

SEND YOUR RESUME: SSTEINBERG @ TALMUDICALACADEMY.ORG

Middle School Elementary School

English Teacher - 7th & 8th Grade, 3 Periods, 2:00-4:25 pm

Math Teacher - 8th Grade, 2 Periods, 2:00-3:35 pm

SEND YOUR RESUME: YMAJESKI @ TALMUDICALACADEMY.ORG

General Studies Teacher - Upper Grades, PM Kriah Rebbe/Morah - AM and/or PM

SEND YOUR RESUME: TGOTTLIEB @ TALMUDICALACADEMY.ORG

ce Staff

Woodshop Teacher - Monday-Thursday: 3:40-5:15 pm, 2 Periods

SEND YOUR RESUME: YSCHWARTZ @ TALMUDICALACADEMY.ORG

Qualified Tuition Reduction

Cafeteria Plan for Vision, Dental and Dependant

Administrative Assistant - F/T

SEND YOUR RESUME: SLEWIS @ TALMUDICALACADEMY.ORG

The Week In News

pleading guilty, the three terrorists would have been jailed instead of put to death. Now, the death penalty can still be considered.

For over two years, prosecutors have mulled over the idea of proposing a plea deal instead of going to trial, which would be lengthy and exceedingly complex because some evidence was acquired through the use of what some

interrogating Mohammed. Originally, the case was scheduled to start on January 11, 2021, but was postponed due to COVID and other issues.

News of the plea deal sparked intense, bipartisan criticism. Sen. Richard Blumenthal, a Democrat from Connecticut who previously represented families of those killed on 9/11, disapproved of the deal, saying that “when

South Carolina Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham said that the deal “sends a horribly bad signal at a very dangerous time.”

“The world is on fire, terrorism is rampant, and we give a plea deal to the mastermind of 9/11? That just encourages more attacks,” Graham said.

versity College of Medicine, Meharry Medical College, and Morehouse School of Medicine. Charles Drew University of Medicine & Science will receive $75 million. Xavier University of Louisiana, which is opening a new medical school, will also receive a $5 million grant.

The donations will more than double the size of three of the medical schools’ endowments, Bloomberg Philanthropies said.

In July, Bloomberg pledged $1 billion to Johns Hopkins University, ensuring that the school does not need to charge tuition to most medical students. The four historically Black medical schools are still deciding with Bloomberg Philanthropies how the latest gifts to their endowments will be used, said Garnesha Ezediaro, who leads Bloomberg Philanthropies’ Greenwood Initiative.

The initiative, named after the community that was destroyed during the race massacre in Tulsa, Oklahoma, more than 100 years ago, was initially part of Bloomberg’s campaign as a Democrat candidate

The Week In News

for president in 2020. After he withdrew from the race, he asked his philanthropy to pursue efforts to reduce the racial wealth gap and so far, it has committed $896 million, including this latest gift to the medical schools, Ezediaro said.

In 2020, Bloomberg granted the same medicals schools a total of $100 million that mostly went to reducing the debt load of enrolled students, who schools said were in serious danger of not continuing because of the financial burdens compounded by the pandemic.

Debby Heading

Georgia, early on Tuesday morning.

Debby made landfall as a Category 1 hurricane in the Big Bend region of Florida’s Gulf Coast on Monday morning, dumping eight to 16 inches of rain in parts of central Florida.

Nearly 120,000 were without power in Florida as of Tuesday morning. Hundreds of flights to and from the state were canceled.

Heavy winds flipped cars in South Carolina, as some suspected a tornado swept through Moncks Corner.

Debby is expected to slow down and move east and off Georgia’s shore on Tuesday before turning north and drifting inland over South Carolina near Charleston on Thursday.

in markets that began last week snowballing into a global rout.

The turmoil was the latest example of how distinct economic forces can ricochet across markets, forcing down company stock prices and erasing billions of dollars in value. In this case, a rapidly rising yen over the past week had disrupted the flow of global capital, prompting a pullback from some popular investments.

But the sell-off quickly expanded into a more widespread panic that the Federal Reserve may have waited too long to start cutting interest rates, threatening the strength of the U.S. economy.

Those fears were amplified by a U.S. employment report released Friday that showed significantly slower hiring by employers,

was more the result of a pullback from overextended bets, especially on tech stocks and artificial intelligence. Despite its recent decline, the S&P 500 is still up nearly 9% for the year, a healthy return.

“Markets are a little bit out of control,” said Andrew Brenner, head of international fixed income at National Alliance Securities. “This is just total panic. It’s not real but it is painful, and it could be with us for a few weeks.”

Few corners of the financial market were spared from the turmoil as investors cashed out and sought refuge from a broad-based slump. Oil futures, gold and cryptocurrencies were also swept up in the turmoil. A number of big technology stocks — which have sway over the market because of their

Torah Thought Frustrated Joy

By Rabbi Zvi Teichman

Tisha b’Av is once again upon us. Although we each heartily and with utter faith express daily, ‘I await each day that he will come…’, nevertheless, if Moshiach does not arrive shortly we are destined to endure at least one more Tisha b’Av.

King David describes the experience of studying Torah as one that is בל יחמשמ — gladdens the heart )ט טי םילהת(

On Tisha b’Av we are to abstain from the joy we derive from studying the words of Torah. We therefore restrict the learning of Torah only to topics and texts relevant to the mourning.

Are we really all that thrilled to study Torah that it diminishes our ability to mourn properly? Certainly, there are those inspired individuals who thrill in every engagement of Torah learning. But what about all the rest of us?

The Chasam Sofer questions why King David chose the term בל יחמשמ rather than the more satisfying sensation implied in the phrase בל בוט — a good [satisfied] heart?

He answers, it is true, that tov lev connotes that inner, exquisite satisfaction one feels upon achieving an expected goal. However, mesamchei lev defines the moment of joy that erupts when one is about to attain what one toiled toward and longed for.

Though one feels ‘happy’, one is never truly ‘sated’ since one always continues to pine for more and greater.

We may not realize it, and at times get frustrated in our learning, but it is precisely because we have that innate joy when achieving it, that it creates anxiety when striving for it.

During the Nine Days many have the custom to finish Masechtos and recite a Siyum, whose accomplishment justifies celebrating with a joyous meat meal.

Why do we go to such great efforts specifically during this period of mourning when we are required to with-

hold from indulging in meat and wine during the Nine Days?

There is a kabbalistic tradition quoted by the greatest Chassidic Masters, that one of the Evil Inclination’s ‘titles’ — ל"אמס, stands for תושעל ןיא תכסמ םויס

— a Siyum on a Maseches, one shall not make. Why is he so determined to stifle this festivity more than others?

A Siyum, the undertaking to learn and finish an entire maseches, represents on the one hand a yearning to acquire a level of ‘completeness’, having fathomed an entire body of knowledge. But, on the other hand — despite our feeling fulfilled — inevitably we know there is so much more to know, so much more to learn.

It is that same frustration. We are at one moment excited, yet still hungry for even more. We are at once happy — for reaching our goal, yet anxious and unsatisfied — there is so much more we want.

That frame of mind is exactly our greatness. We are never truly satisfied. That reality is what fuels our souls, and the Evil Inclination is quite aware that it must be quashed if he is to ever defeat us.

We pray each day at the conclusion of the Amidah: May it be the will…that rebuilt shall the Holy Temple be, speedily in our days. Grant us our share in Your Torah…

We hope we will experience the Divine Presence with the rebuilding of the Temple, but at the same time we pine to be granted ‘our share’ of Torah. The only way to access the Shechinah, in the absence of His presence, is by connecting through His Torah. We each have a unique ‘portion’, that impacts our souls and ripples through all of creation affecting unknown influence upon the world.

When Yaakov slept unwittingly on the Temple Mount, he has a vision of

a םָלס — ladder that was set earthward and its top reaching heavenward.

םלס is an acronym for, על תכסמ םויס ־ תוש — one should celebrate a Siyum on a maseches )ול תוא םיטוקיל עשוהי תרטע(

The ultimate ‘striver’, despite his twenty-two years in the Bais Medrash of Shem and Ever is still reaching heavenward for more. This also symbolizes how our learning Torah down here on earth reaches to the Throne of Glory itself, greatly impacting the world we live in.

Several years ago, two chavrusos had finally finished learning together Maseches Sukkah, and began planning a Siyum. They designated a day shortly after Chanukah to celebrate. As circumstances would have it, Samael interfered, and due to a series of personal family issues of one of the pair, they were forced to delay it to another later date.

They finally decided on the eve of the twenty-fifth of Teves for the long-awaited event.

Once again, this time the other chavrusah had to cancel and move it to the next night, the twenty-sixth. Although frustrated by the delay they nevertheless committed the following morning, prior to the night of the Siyum, to begin their next project, maseches Brachos.

One of the pair went to the Seforim shelves to fetch a Gemara so they could begin. He grabs one randomly and as he opens it up, he notices that the volume was donated by a son of in honor of the memory of his father, Reb Zvi Elimelech, who had passed away the past year on the twenty-sixth of Teves!

Clearly sensing the remarkable hand of Hashghacha — delaying the Siyum until it would coincide with this holy Yid’s yahrtzeit — they immediately agreed to dedicate it in honor of Reb Zvi Elimelech, and as is customary, to ‘invite’ the neshama to the simcha, despite not knowing who he was.

Word started to spread in the Bais Medrash about the amazing sequence of events.

Someone piped up that he knew the beloved Reb Zvi Elimelech. He shared that he was a ‘survivor’ who was highly regarded in the community and had a son, a great Talmid Chochom. The chavrusos eagerly get his name and phone number hoping to share with him this joyous ‘nachas’.

The son was very touched and assured that he would share this story with his dear mother, Reb Zvi Elimel-

ech’s widow.

But first he shared with them a ‘little detail’ that would enlighten the amazing providence even more brightly.

His father had taken ill and was forced to seek medical treatment in America. After a long ordeal he passed away. They immediately began arranging his funeral in Israel, his home. Due to several frustrating bureaucratic delays, although he died on the twenty-sixth of Teves he was not buried until several days later.

The son related that there is a dispute among the Poskim, when there is such a discrepancy, whether on the first year following a death, the yahrtzeit is commemorated on the day of burial, although in subsequent years it reverts to the day of death. He posed the query to his Rav who directed him to commemorate it on the day of the burial.

He recounted that his mother had been distraught over it, and although she submitted her will to the decision of the Rav, it pained her that the day of his actual departure from this world would go unnoted.

The son was eager to now report to his dear mother, that clearly the great Conductor in Heaven had not missed a beat!

A man who sacrificed so much for Hashem merited that a chain of events, with his son donating a volume of Gemara to the Shul his father prayed in, two chavrusos setting on a journey of learning and celebration, being frustratingly delayed only to discover that when you find you ‘share’ in Torah, although you may be implanted on earth, it reaches to highest spheres in heaven!

As we mourn over the Churban, holding back from engaging in the joy of our life — the study of Torah, let us get frustrated, and fired up, to pine for that closeness when we can, becoming aware how truly connected we become to Hashem, through Torah, meriting to be part of His presence!

May it be your will, O my G-d and G-d of my fathers, that the Temple be rebuilt speedily in our days, and give us our portion in your Torah, and there we will worship you with reverence as in ancient days and former years. And may the Mincha offering of Judah and Jeru־ salem be pleasing to God, as in ancient days and former years

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

PARSHA

OVERVIEW

Moshe begins the repetition of the Torah and provides rebuke to the Jewish people in a subtle way for their sins. Moshe recalls his appointment of judges. He also recounts some of the more recent events, such as Moav and Amon, the tribes of Reuben and Gad and part of Menashe.

orah TSparks

Quotable Quote

The sole purpose of creation is for our SOUL's Purpose, to connect with the Divine and elevate our physicality.

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

QUICK VORT Chassidus

The commentaries discuss what the words םירבדה הלא - THESE are the words, are talking about.

I'd like to offer a chiddush If you think about it, the previous words, right before םירבדה הלא, that we all said in shul at the end of Matos/Maasei, were קזחתנו קזח קזחBe strong, be strong, and be strengthened

It could be, שרד ךרד לע, the words םירבדה הלא, are going back on these words of chizuk and inspiration, and it is THESE words which Moshe used to provide rebuke to the Jewish people

It wasn't rebuke for the sake of telling them their wrongs and pointing out their flaws; rather, it was a rebuke for the sole purpose of realizing their "soul's purpose "

It was mussar directed to them in the form of chizuk, to build them, to lift them up, to make them feel special and great.

The Ohr HaChaim Hakadosh says an amazing thing:

Did you ever wonder how many days the rebuke from Moshe Rabbeinu took?

The Book of Devarim goes through the rebuke that Moshe gave to Klal Yisroel

Corresponding to the word הלא, which is gematria 36, Moshe rebuked the Jewish people for exactly 36 days

Points to

At the end of the Parshah, the Torah says: “You shall not fear them, for Hashem, your G-d, He shall wage ware for you.”

Why is this passuk, in particular, relevant to our times?

What messages and inspiration can you glean from this passuk in how it relates to the way we view the “potential” war with Iran?

May we learn to do the same!

Inspiration Everywhere

Parshas Devarim on

Shacharis

Neitz Beit Yaakov [Sefaradi] M-F

Ohel Yakov S-F

6:00 AM Shomrei Emunah Congregation M-F

6:10 AM Agudath Israel of Baltimore M, Th

6:15 AM Kol Torah M, TH

Mercaz Torah U'Tefillah M-F

Shearith Israel Congregation M, TH

The Adas: Chofetz Chaim Adas Bnei Israel M, TH

6:20 AM Agudah of Greenspring M, TH

Agudath Israel of Baltimore S, T, W, F

Arugas HaBosem (Rabbi Taub's) S-F

Bnai Jacob Shaarei Zion Congregation M-F

Kehilath B'nai Torah M, TH

Pikesville Jewish Congregation 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

Pikesville Jewish Congregation T, W, 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

Baltimore Weekday Minyanim Guide

Ner Israel Rabbinical College S-F

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

Chabad Israeli Center M-F

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

Chabad Israeli Center S

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

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

Wealcatch Insurance

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

Shearith Israel Congregation (S-Th)

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

Shearith Israel Congregation (S-Th)

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)

10 Min Before ShkiAh Chabad Israeli Center

14 Min Before ShkiAh Kol Torah

Mincha/Maariv Plag

Ohel Yaakov

Shomrei Emunah Congregation

Suburban

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

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 Agudath Israel of Baltimore (Sunday and Thursday) Mercaz Torah U’Tefillah

The Wandering Jew Closer to Home Part I – Delaware and Maryland

By Hershel Lieber

New York, where we lived for about seventy years, and neighboring New Jersey, where we live for the past seven years, represent “home” to us. Traveling usually conjures up an image of distant places or exotic destinations far away from home. Nevertheless, I will focus my attention on two states that are closer to home: Delaware and Maryland.

Delaware

The second smallest of the fifty states has been part of many journeys that we

took by car over the past sixty years. Wilmington, Newark and New Castle, which we pass by during our usual travel route on I-95, are cities we never took time to explore. We did make a day’s stopover in Dover, the state’s capital, and took in the historical sights of the first of the original Thirteen Colonies that ratified the U.S. Constitution.

On another occasion, Chol Hamoed Sukkos of 1987, we joined our friends and their families for an outing to Nemours Estate, the Dupont mansion in Wilmington. The Estate has seventy-seven decorated rooms with antique furniture, paintings, sculptures, and tapestries. The estate also has 200 acres of formal gardens. The nearby Winterthur Museum has a treasure trove (90,000) of decorative items as well as sixty acres of gardens. We followed our visit with a stop at Adas Kodesh Shel Emeth Synagogue, where our group used the sukkah to eat dinner. We also had the opportunity to meet and shmuz with the shul’s rabbi, Rabbi Leonard Gewirtz. Since we were a large group and there were many

children, we did not have sufficient time to explore the Nemours Estate nor the Winterthur Museum. We actually came back the following year with our children and took a comprehensive tour of this beautiful mansion.

Maryland

Over the years, we were in Baltimore quite a few times. On Chol Hamoed Pesach of 1988, we went with our friends and their families for an overnight trip, staying at a hotel near the waterfront. The kids went paddle boating on the Inner Harbor, and we all went to the nearby aquarium and to the Science Center.

During another trip, we stopped at Fort McHenry and were exposed to the history of the War of 1812 between Great Britain and the fledgling United States. The bombardment of this fort and the subsequent raising of the American flag inspired Francis Scott Key to write the poem called The Star-Spangled Banner. The tune was adopted from a popular English melody. It took almost one hundred years until this song was declared

as the official national anthem of the United States.

Our most recent trip to Baltimore was during Chol Hamoed Pesach of 2022. We went with our son Mechel, his wife Leah, and their six children. Our trip was for two full days with a two-night stay-over

Winterthur Museum in Wilmington, Delaware

Nemours Estate in Wilmington, Delaware

Our family at Baltimore’s Inner Harbor, 1988

Our friends’ children with our daughter Chavi (front left) at the DuPont Mansion in Wilmington, 1987

at a Hampton Inn. During the course of our trip, we had the opportunity to daven in three different shuls, including Agudath Israel, where we met and heard a shiur from Rav Moshe Heinemann. Our activities included a lengthy visit to the National Aquarium, the Maryland Science Center, and the American Visionary Museum. The children also went to the Get Air Trampoline Park, and we all watched IMAX films at both museums.

Having been involved with the Yeshiva of Kishinev from 1996 through 2006, I worked very closely with my copartner, Rabbi Moshe Eisemann, the former mashgiach of Yeshiva Ner Yisroel. He lived near the Yeshiva and traveled often to New York for meetings with other Vaad members and me. A number of times we all traveled to his home to discuss and organize Yeshiva matters. During these trips, I had the opportunity to meet with Rabbis Aharon Feldman, Sheftel Neuberger, z”l, and Yissocher Frand. We also traveled to Baltimore for two weddings of students who came to the States from our Girls School in Kishinev to attend the Bais Yakov of Baltimore.

Being involved with Jews from Poland from 1979 to the present, I brought over four teenagers and enrolled them at the Talmudical Academy (Chofetz Chaim)

of Baltimore. This took place during the years 2005-2010. I traveled there on a few occasions including for a graduation and a siyum celebration.

We also are friends with Mati and Libby Powojsky, who reside in Baltimore. I knew Mati from Warsaw. I kept up with them and their daughter Laila over the years. We visited them twice and spoke on the phone from time to time. Unfortunately, Mati, a”h, passed away a few months ago.

usual background.

At present, I cannot recall the exact year when we drove from Baltimore for a day trip to Annapolis, the state’s capital. It was definitely about fifty years ago. We went to visit the U.S. Naval Academy, and I remember seeing the midshipmen (students) in their navy-blue suits, gold buttons and collar insignia. Their heads were covered with crisp white caps above blue visors. We saw them marching while being led by cadets playing musical in-

them about eight years ago, here in the States. Over the years, Eliyahu and I developed a very special relationship, and we study together over Zoom every week. When we were there, we went to the local beach and boardwalk, which was practically devoid of people as it was long after the summer season. Eliyahu also took us to Assateague Island State Park, which is on an island in the Atlantic Ocean. It is best known for its herd of feral horses and pristine beaches, marshes, bays and coves. The Parypas have a very interesting personal history which I hope to share with my readers in a future article.

I remember seeing the midshipmen (students) in their navy-blue suits, gold buttons and collar insignia.

In August 1981, we took a trip with our three girls to Williamsburg, Virginia, and Busch Gardens. We made various stops along the way. Our Shabbos was spent in Silver Springs, Maryland. We davened in the Woodside Shul and were invited for the Shabbos lunch seudah at my friend Asher Urbach’s sister and husband. I remember they had a guest, Oscar Perez from Puerto Rico, who told us of his un-

struments with parade music.

Another place which we visited was the resort town of Ocean City in the fall of 2021. There, we visited Eliyahu Parypa, his wife Chaya, and their five lovely children. We went on an overnight trip to them, and though we stayed at a local hotel, we enjoyed all our meals at the Parypa home. Both parents are originally from Poland, but we only got to know

Hershel Lieber has been involved in kiruv activities for over 30 years. As a founding member of the Vaad L’Hatzolas Nidchei Yisroel he has traveled with his wife, Pesi, to the Soviet Union during the harsh years of the Communist regimes to advance Yiddishkeit. He has spearheaded a yeshiva in the city of Kishinev that had 12 successful years with many students making Torah their way of life. In Poland, he lectured in the summers at the Ronald S. Lauder Foundation camp for nearly 30 years. He still travels to Warsaw every year – since 1979 – to be the chazzan for Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur for the Jews there. Together with Pesi, he organized and led trips to Europe on behalf of Gateways and Aish Hatorah for college students finding their paths to Jewish identity. His passion for travel has taken them to many interesting places and afforded them unique experiences. Their open home gave them opportunities to meet and develop relationships with a variety of people. Hershel’s column will appear in The Jewish Home on a bi-weekly basis.

Sunset in Assateague Island State Park

Our grandchildren in front of Baltimore’s skyline, 2022 Fort McHenry in Baltimore, Maryland

Pesi with our son Mechel’s family in Baltimore’s Inner Harbor, 2022

A feral horse at Assateague Island State Park

Mental Health Corner

Present Bias, Self-Serving Bias, and Flip-Flopping

Flip-flopping is a specific form of indecisiveness where the individual is convinced of one position on one day and is convinced of the opposite position on the next day. This is unintentional and somewhat subconscious, and is not to be confused with political flip-flopping which is the intentional changes of policies that politicians notoriously do in order to get reelected. What is behind this perplexing phenomenon?

Before we address this question, we will first explore two cognitive biases: present bias and self-serving bias. Once we understand each of

these biases separately, we will be able to see how their combination may result in flip-flopping.

Present bias describes a person’s tendency to prefer a smaller gain in the present rather than wait for a larger reward in the future. The Gemara mentions this human tendency in the context of instant gratification, as the Gemara tells us (Sukkah 56b) that people prefer a small ripe squash now rather than a larger one that will only ripen later on.

Another application of the present bias is procrastination. There are tasks (such as doing your taxes) that

involve a certain amount of difficulty and effort. The present bias prevents the individual from seeing the future benefits of avoiding the last-minute rush, and makes him or her focus solely on the present benefit of not having to deal with it right now.

This also explains why people engage in unhealthy habits, such as smoking or overeating, that they know they will regret in the future. Although they basically know that they will regret it, the future knowledge is conveniently overlooked as they are overwhelmed by the urgency of the present time. This is expressed very eloquently by the Gemara (Nedarim 32b) that states that when the evil inclination overcomes the good inclination no one remembers the good inclination.

In summary, present bias is our mind’s tendency to only consider the facts on the ground in the present moment. We are conveniently able to be blissfully “unaware” of whatever is outside the present.

Now let us discuss the self-serving bias. This describes a person’s tendency to engage in mental gymnastics in order to maintain or boost self-esteem. For example, if one is taking a driver’s test and passes, it is obviously because the tester saw how well the driver performed. But if one fails the test, then obviously the tester is an anti-Semite.

Now let us combine these two biases. A simple scenario would be of a person who is struggling with their weight and sometimes is really into a diet, and at other times they are in complete despair. Occasionally, this will manifest itself in the following way. When the diet is going well, they are convinced that this is the best diet ever, anyone who is not on this diet is a wimp, and there is no chance that they will ever lose their self-control again. This might last for some time,

and if the dieter falls off of the diet, then their tone changes. All diets are scams, anyone who lost weight must have Crohn’s or celiac, and people are genetically hardwired to their weight and nothing can be done.

Are these two messages coming from the same person? Absolutely! The flip-flopping is a result of their inability to see outside of the present moment and the tendency to spin the narrative in order to preserve their self-image at all costs. Ultimately, it is harmful and self-defeating, since an honest look at what went wrong would help them avoid making the same mistakes in the future.

What is the solution? To seek truth and be authentic. Does that sound hard? Most definitely! We all know that most people don’t really want the truth. They want constant reassurance that what they believe is the truth. How do you know that you are seeking the real truth and not just imagining that your beliefs are the truth?

The answer might be found in Tehillim (15:1-2). “Who will live in Your Tent? Who will dwell on Your holy mountain? One who walks with completeness, works righteously, and speaks truth in his heart.” When your life is one permeated with honesty both inside and out, you have a fighting chance to overcome these common biases. The benefits are indeed eternal.

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

To Raise a Laugh

Harmless Creatures

It’s come to my attention that although every year during the Nine Days I run an article about safety, I don’t run nearly enough articles about animal safety. In the summer especially, parents keep telling their kids to go outside, but that’s where all the animals are. And even supposedly harmless animals can be an issue.

This idea was awakened during the Nine Days last year, when after I wrote a safety article about flying hot dogs, I woke up to a story on the much more serious threat of a loose cow running around Lakewood.

(Insert your freezer joke here.)

I guess it figured that the Nine Days was the safest time to go sightseeing in Lakewood, because no one was eating meat, plus anyone chasing it would have low energy, due to the lack of meat. So this was actually a pretty safe situation for the cow, though it probably was not so safe for people. It’s kind of a smaller scale of the Running of the Bulls in Spain, which people talk about like it’s such a dangerous thing because people get hurt, but the truth is they can help it. It’s not like weather. No one’s saying, “There’s a front of bulls coming in from the east, but it might turn into sheep.” Just stay indoors. No other city has this problem.

But in Lakewood, everyone was chasing the cow, because I guess they figured it was some kind of Color War breakout. But strangely, according to police at the time, no one reported that their cow was missing. So where did it come from? It didn’t come from the wild. My guess is someone was keeping it under the table so they could have a hands-on way of teaching Gemara.

“So if Reuven’s cow gets loose… Are you following? Okay, let me show you.”

“Wait, now the cow got away! In real life!”

“Calm down, Reuven. So what’s the din?”

“We’re not up to that Gemara yet!”

“Oh. Well, then, for illustration purposes, let’s see if it gores anybody!”

“It’s on the highway. Now we’re never going to finish this Gemara in time to make the siyum.”

So clearly, this was part of some grand cow conspiracy.

And the problem of harmless animals roaming the streets doesn’t just extend to New Jersey. Apparently, there are quote, “gangs of wild chickens” terrorizing an island in the UK.

I refer here to the island of Jersey, between England and France, which is probably where Jersey cows come from. They don’t come from Lakewood.

According to reports, the island is overrun by chickens, because there’s nothing on the island that actually eats chickens, besides, you know, humans. So the chickens are fighting back.

In general, chickens aren’t scary. When I go to the zoo and see random chickens walking around, I’m not like, “Oh my goodness! Some chickens escaped!” They’re not even aware it’s a zoo. But these chickens are roaming freely in packs of up to 100, and they’re doing all kinds of things that you’d expect an unchecked gang of wild chickens to do. They’re eating from people’s gardens, chasing joggers, and, of course, blocking traffic. Not to mention the 4 AM wakeup calls. The government has made two attempts to get rid of the chickens, and in total, between the two times, they’ve been able to dispose of 35.

The chickens are winning.

But even a single animal can be scary. In June, workers at the Buffalo Wastewater Plant found a goldfish in the Niagara River that was the size of a small kitten.

They’re not sure how it got there, but if there’s one thing we know about goldfish, it’s that they don’t come from the Niagara River. They come from pet stores. More specifically, they actually come from China.

So now the Buffalo-Niagara Waterkeeper is warning the public not to flush their goldfish, because they can get into the river and mess up the delicate Niagara ecosystem. And you might think, “Not my goldfish. My goldfish are tiny!” but the thing about goldfish is that the bigger the body of water, the bigger they get. And it’s scaring the seagulls.

But wait a minute. Who’s flushing live goldfish? Firstly, they’re easy enough to kill by accident. And if you feel bad killing your fish, why is flushing it any more humane?

Though I guess it could be that these people

By Mordechai Schmutter

thought their fish was dead. So I would say, for safety’s sake, always make sure your pet is dead before you bury it. Unless it’s like a pet groundhog. Then it could come back huge

But that’s all beside the point. Personally, if we’re worried about the ecosystem, I’d be way more worried that they’re so casual about the fact that the things you flush end up in the river in the first place.

I mention this because I hope to take my kids at some point on the Maid of the Mist.

I also don’t understand how these fish can survive in the sewer, but if I change the water in their fish bowl incorrectly, they’re all dead five minutes later.

And it turns out it’s not just fish that can grow to unreasonable sizes.

I have here an article titled, “Massive Cow Named Knickers Has Been Deemed Too Large to Eat,” which was written in Australia by someone named… Knickers

Huh.

Anyway, this cow, which is actually a steer, is 6-foot-4 to his shoulders, and to give you an idea of how big that is, I’ve seen pictures of him standing among his herd, and he looks like he’s running a kindergarten.

And it turns out that he’s too big to fit through the butchering equipment, and his cuts of meat would be too large. No one’s paying for a 25-lb. cow tongue.

It’s not clear how Knickers got to be this big, or who flushed him. I also have no idea why he’s named after Chassidishe pants. But according to his owners, though, Knickers has become the patriarch of his herd, showing the smaller cows where to graze, and protecting them from dangerous predators.

“I’m just going to pick off one of these… Holy cow!”

That’ll show those chickens.

I’m waiting until one of these cows gets loose in Lakewood.

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.

There are many important messages in the kinnos of Tisha B’Av that can help us understand why the tragedies of the 9 th of Av happened, as well as what we need to do to earn redemption. Kinnah 31 encompasses both messages. This kinnah contrasts our exodus from Mitzrayim with our exile from Yerushalayim. Through various examples we show that upon leaving Mitzrayim, we were joyous and connected to Hashem; when we left Yerushalayim after the Beis Hamikdash was destroyed, we were despondent and distant from Hashem. By comparing these two momentous events, our grief is magnified because it highlights how our great potential ended so tragically.

This kinnah alternates the ending of each verse, with either b’tzeisi miMitzrayim (when I went out of Egypt) or b’tzeisi miYerushalayim (when I went out of Jerusalem). It is worth noting that the word used in reference to both events is b’tzeisi, “when I went out” (in the singular form). Just as each of us is obligated to envision ourselves as having left Mitzrayim, there is a similar requirement with regard to our banishment from Yerushalayim. Each Jew in every generation must act and feel as if he himself experienced the destruction of the Beis Hamikdash.

One reason the kinnah compares our exodus from Mitzrayim on Pesach with our exile from Yerushalayim on Tisha B’av is because both incidents involved the Jews’ migration from one place to another. But there is another strong connection between these two holidays. The night of Tisha B’Av always falls out on the same day of the week as the night of the first Pesach seder. What is the significance of that?

One explanation is that Pesach is the antidote to Tisha B’Av, since Tisha B’Av epitomizes galus, while Pesach represents geulah. What does this mean in practical terms? The Ben Ish Chai suggests that we can learn how to reverse the sorrow of Tisha B’Av by looking at the Pesach seder – specifically the two

Torah Thought

Jewish Unity

By Professor Adina Broder

dippings. He says that these dippings commemorate two dippings that are mentioned in the Torah. The first dipping at the seder, of karpas into saltwater, reminds us of when the 10 Shevatim dipped Yosef’s coat in blood after they had sold him into slavery. In fact, Rashi uses the word “karpas ” when describing

This dipping signifies unity in the following way: Bnei Yisrael were specifically told to use a bundle of hyssop – an agudat eizov – to put the blood on the doorpost. But why? Did it really matter what implement they used? According to the Ben Ish Chai, yes, it did. The agudah – bundle – was a critical aspect because

The wrongdoing of sinas chinam, represented by the first dipping, can be cured through unity, which is symbolized by the second dipping.

the coat of Yosef. The karpas dipping represents the aveira of sinas chinam because it was unwarranted hatred that caused the brothers to mistreat Yosef.

The second dipping at the seder is marror into charoset. This commemorates Bnei Yisrael following Hashem’s command to dip a bundle of hyssop into blood and to smear it their doorposts.

it symbolized that the Jews needed to be an agudah achat, a unified group.

The Ben Ish Chai explains that we have two dippings on Pesach because the second dipping is an antidote to the first. The wrongdoing of sinas chinam, represented by the first dipping, can be cured through unity, which is symbolized by the second dipping.

We can apply this message to Tisha B’Av. As we know, the second Beis Hamikdash was destroyed because of sinas chinam. The way we can repair this sin and merit the rebuilding of the Beis Hamikdash is through Jewish unity.

We saw this type of achdut among Jews after the horrific attacks on October 7. In an instant, Jews came together for one purpose. Israelis from all over the world flew home to defend their country. As the reserve forces of the IDF were mobilized, volunteers took over the necessary jobs in the workforce. We saw charedi Jews cheering on IDF soldiers. Outside of Israel, we all empathized with those who were suffering. We held special Tehillim sessions, organized shipments of supplies to the soldiers and went on missions to Eretz Yisrael to help in any way that we could. One tweet summed up our sense of unity when it said: “To our enemies, I just want you to know, whatever you thought you were trying to accomplish, all you’ve done is make the Jewish people love each other more than they ever have in their entire lives.”

Of course, it shouldn’t take a tragedy to bring us all together. This type of solidarity is something klal Yisrael needs to display all at times. It is what is necessary for the rebuilding of the Beis HaMikdash, which can stand only when the hearts of the Jewish people are unified.

For more inspiration during the 9 Days, please go to outorah.org/series/6965 to hear my upcoming 2024 audio series: Mourning with Meaning, from the OU Women’s Initiative.

Professor Adina Broder, MS, JD, is the author of Meaningful Kinnos, Meaningful Viduy and Viduy Booklet for Kids. She is a professor at Touro Graduate School of Education and a Judaic Studies teacher at the Hebrew Academy of Nassau County. Prof. Broder is a frequent presenter for the OU Women’s Initiative, where she has an upcoming series for the Nine Days.

300 days.

300 days of innocent people, men and women, babies and the elderly, held hostage by a monstrous enemy. 300 days during which loving mothers and fathers, brothers and sisters, sons and daughters, spouses, close friends, and relatives live every moment with unimaginable questions: is my loved one alive or dead, whole or wounded, healthy or ill? When was the last time they saw sunlight, inhaled fresh air, had a meal? Will they return? Will they ever recover from the trauma of captivity?

300 days of soldiers on the front lines, fighting a monstrous enemy. 300 days during which they have placed their own lives on hold to fight for their nation, for us. 300 days away from home and family, from education and career, from calm and income. 300 days during which loving mothers and fathers, brothers and sisters, sons and daughters, spouses, close friends, and relatives live every moment with unimaginable questions: is my loved one alive or dead, whole or wounded? Will they return? Will they ever recover from the trauma of this horrible war?

Israel Today 300 Days

by Rabbi Moshe Hauer

300 days of tens of thousands of families forced from their homes, compelled to abandon their communities by the terrorizing attacks and rocket fire from north and south. 300 days of disrupted income and education, of life suspended, removed from the privacy and intimacy of the family home and from the connection and support of neighborhood and community. 300 days during which parents and children constantly ask themselves if they will ever be able to return to those homes and communities, if they will ever feel safe there again.

This Shabbos, we will read the words Moshe leveled accusatorily at the tribes of Reuven and Gad: “Are your brothers to go to war while you stay here?” Moshe could not accept that part of the Jewish people would watch passively from the sidelines as their brothers fought and struggled. “V’heyitem n’kiyim mei’Hashem umi’Yisrael! It is insufficient to discharge your personal religious duties; you must be there for your fellow Jews, for your nation.” That expectation must haunt each of us and demands both practical and emotional responses. No Jew anywhere can live life normally, “par -

ticipating” by checking the news and saying a quick Psalm. In what way are we joining this fight? In what way are we deeply and constantly mindful that life is nowhere near normal for so many of our beloved brothers and sisters? In what way are we making our lives different?

This has been an astounding week, as with G-d’s help and with the dedicated efforts of great people, vicious and murderous enemies of the Jewish people were eliminated and Evan Gershkovich is on his way home. Yet, even as we celebrate these small victories and revel in their intriguing details, the displaced remain displaced, additional soldiers are called to the front lines, the “deal” remains elusive, and the State of Israel is in danger of facing an all-out war on multiple fronts. May G-d help us.

300 days. We must not just take note and move on.

I had the privilege to spend a recent Shabbat in a Sefardic community and noticed a striking insertion in their version of the Shabbat Birkat Hamazon, where they apologize to G-d for having a Shabbat meal. “Even though we ate and drank, the destruction of the of

your great and holy house – we did not forget.” Indeed, how can our lives go on as usual while G-d’s home lies in ruins? While those who say this line each week may not recognize the power of that statement, to the visitor it was deeply impactful.

Perhaps during this time we ought to insert a line like that into various junctures in our day. Even though we slept, the sleepless mothers and children of the hostages we did not forget. Even though we ate, the lost appetite of the soldiers’ families we did not forget. Even though we came back to home and community, the displaced we did not forget. Even though we are sitting here, our brothers who are fighting for their nation, for us, we did not forget.

Are our brothers to go to war while we stay here?

300 days. We must not forget – because our dearest brothers and sisters certainly haven’t.

Rabbi Moshe Hauer is the EVP at the Orthodox Union.

Echoes of Remembrance

Professor Asher Matathias Recounts

His Family’s Story of Survival

in Greece During the Holocaust

By MAlkie ScHulMAn

“It’s

not by accident that I am called by the sobriquet ‘the singing professor.’ My name, Asher, literally meaning ‘happy’ and ‘blessed with fortune,’” states Prof. Asher J. Matathias, Professor Emeritus of American government studies at St. John’s University in New York. For despite the hardships he has endured, from his family’s harrowing beginnings during the Holocaust through his early youth growing up in the virulently antisemitic country of Greece, Prof. Matathias remains, now in his 80th year, as upbeat and optimistic as ever.

History of Antisemitism

Prof. Matathias’s resilience and optimism stand in stark contrast to the backdrop of Greece’s tumultuous history, particularly regarding its record of discrimination towards the Jewish population.

Greece’s modern history, Prof. Matathias explains, dating from its 1821 revolution against the Ottoman Turks, is replete with civil strife, dictatorships, assassinations, and foreign power interventions. The longest period of peace and democracy Greeks have enjoyed is the past 50 years, beginning in 1974 with the overthrow of a military junta. Among the victims in the upheavals of the last 203

Prof. Matathias with a board filled with his life history

years were Greek Jews. Though their presence in the country precedes the arrival of Christianity, Jews were always considered “the other” and were never truly trusted. In the 1821 Greek uprising, the Jews were seen as not sufficiently enthusiastic and were subjected to violent attacks.

This perception likely stemmed from the fact that Turkey was one of the few countries that welcomed Jews after the expulsion from Spain in 1492. Many Sephardic, Ladino-speaking Jews were invited to settle in Salonica (belonging at that time to Turkey), which eventually became a major Jewish city. As the native Greeks never shared Turkey’s positive sentiments towards the Jewish people, when Salonica reverted to Greek control in 1912, the government passed Hellenization laws forcing Jews to become fluent in Greek and to keep their businesses open on Shabbat – a law that’s still upheld today!

Another group, Romaniote Jews, trace their origins farther back to the Hellenistic period, around the 4th century BCE, following Alexander the Great’s conquests. From 146 BCE under Roman rule (from which they derive their name) and later during the Byzantine period starting around 330 CE, the Romaniote community flourished. Distinct from Sephardic Jews, who arrived much later, Romaniote Jews have a unique, longstanding history in Greece. Nevertheless, despite their established history, they

are still viewed as outsiders to Greek gentiles. Prof. Matatshias, a proud Jewish Greek American citizen, is determined to change that perception. How successful he will ultimately be is anyone’s guess, as, in his own words, “Greek antisemitism, the world’s oldest disease, is deeply embedded.”

According to Professor Matathias, the relationship between Greek Christians and Greek Jews has always been fraught with tension. This is due to both religious and commercial reasons. Jews of Greece have generally been more financially successful, which historically has led to jealousy among their Christian counterparts.

“Believe it or not,” Prof. Matathias says, “‘The Protocols of the Elders of Zion,’ a notorious and fraudulent document first published in Russia in 1903 that purports to record a secret Jewish conspiracy to achieve world domination, is still a bestseller in Greece today.”

Additionally, the Greek Orthodox Church is one of the few branches of Christianity that has never formally retracted the belief that Jews were responsible for the death of their god.

Greece and the Holocaust

With all the above information, it will not come as a surprise that most of the Greek Christians were

more than happy to hand over Jews to the Nazis when they invaded in 1940. In Prof. Matathias’s words, “In no time, and with the cooperation and collaboration of Greek Christians, Jewish properties were confiscated and huge ransoms collected. But nothing could forever forestall the inevitable roundup and transport to the Jews’ doomed final destination, Auschwitz.”

According to Prof. Matathias, Greece had the highest deportation rate of any country – 87%, though, of course, number-wise, countries like Poland lost more. The biggest deportation in Greece took place in Salonica since that was the main hub of the Jewish population. In total, almost 70,000 Greek Jews – out of 80,000 – were murdered in the Holocaust.

According to family lore, Prof. Matathias’s father saved his mother (and her sister), and little Asher (Prof. Matathias) saved them all. Prof. Matathias explains that his father was born in the city of Trikala to Romaniote parents. Although the Romaniote Jews adopted many customs of the Sephardic Jews, they weren’t considered scholars or cultured like the Sephardim. Consequently, the Romaniotes were often looked down upon by the Sephardic community. His mother, who spoke French, Greek, and Ladino and was a graduate of the French-inspired Alliance Israelite Universelle, was born in Salonica. Nevertheless, despite his less exotic background, at the age of 21, his father managed to woo his mother. They were married in 1942 and together with her younger sister, Mendi, they moved to the city of Volos. Their relocation from Salonica saved their lives since the first Jews to be deported were the Jews of Salonica, among them Professor Matathias’s maternal grandparents and their two young sons who were ultimately murdered in Auschwitz.

In Volos, they heard what was happening in Salonica. Business associates of Asher’s father, Phroso and Yiorgos Stamos, approached the newlyweds to warn of the impending disaster that would also befall Volos Jews. They urged them to follow them to a cave outside a nearby village where they would be hidden.

“This was in 1943, and by then, my mother was pregnant. Six months later, on December 3, 1943, in the primitive cave, I came into the world. Because it was dangerous to circumcise a baby while living in a cave under those conditions, I did not have a brit until I was eight months old after we were liberated. Being born during this time makes me among the youngest of the still 245,000 worldwide survivors.”

A little bit of background about Phroso and Yiorgos Stamos. They were a childless couple who were eager to have a child, and they came up with a novel idea. During the roundup of Jews by the Germans, the gentile couple approached Prof Matathias’s parents with an astounding proposition: “If you don’t survive the Shoah, but your baby does, we’d like to raise him as our own. We’ll baptize him and give him a new name, Apostolos (Apostle, for they believed they would be offering a soul to their ‘savior’).”

To sweeten the offer, they said little Asher would eventually become the heir to their fabulous fortune as well.

“My parents agreed,” shares Prof. Matathias, “for saving me was paramount to their calculation. But, alas for them and happily for us, our family was intact at war’s end.”

Still, the Stamos couple were not ready to give up. They came back with another proposition: believing that ,as a young couple, Prof. Matathias’s parents would have other children, would they, nevertheless, give their first-born over to them?

Of course, little Asher’s parents had no desire to hand their beloved child over but the couples’ relations remained strained until they agreed to have the matter resolved by the head bishop in Volos, Metropolitan Ioakim, who thankfully “ruled” that the Jewish parents keep their baby.

The Stamos couple eventually bought a teenager from an impoverished family, Thanasis, who in time became their heir.

“They were present at our wedding, on August 29, 1970, to my wife, Anna,” shares Prof Matathias. It was the last time I saw this amazing couple who saved our family. I am still trying to get them recognized by Jerusalem’s Yad Vashem.”

In Asher’s mother’s latter years, she’d say to him, “Asher, you are my hero. You saved our family. I’d say, ‘Mom, how can that be? I was just a baby.’ She’d answer, ‘You saved us by being quiet!’”

This silence proved crucial when, upon learning of Germany’s plan for Greek Jews, righteous gentile Consul Helmut Scheffel, the Reich’s representative in Volos, urged Metropolitan Ioakim to encourage his parishioners to help Jews. Thus, when the Germans arrived, only the elderly and infirm were at the town square. Everybody had been forewarned and all those who were able had run away. The Nazis, together with Greek collaborators, combed the countryside. Many Jews were found, betrayed by the cries of their children. Baby Asher was quiet, so his family remained safe.

“Because it was dangerous to circumcise a baby while living in a cave under those conditions, I did not have a bris until I was eight months old after we were liberated.”

There was a time, however, when a German patrol passed and discovered them.

“My father was away helping the resistance when a German officer entered our cave,” says Prof. Matathias. “He saw my makeshift crib and said, ‘I left a baby like this in Hamburg, and then, turning to his men, he said ‘Raus!’ and they all left. Because of that action of one German, I cannot hate all Germans and I cannot boycott German products.”

Nevertheless, that doesn’t stop Prof. Matathias

Jews being rounded up in Ioannina, March 1944

The Jews of Salonika being rounded up by Nazis in the town square, July 1942

from asking Germans of a certain age that he meets, “Where were you and what were you doing during World War II?”

There were other cases of non-Jews helping Greek Jews, although not enough, he laments. For example, Police Chief Evangelos Averoff issued false identity and baptismal certificates in Athens. On the island of Zakinthos, Mayo Karer and Metropolitan Chrysostomos presented only their names upon given the command to provide a list of the island’s Jews. The resistance movements were also instrumental in saving lives of Jews.

As for the rest of the Greek population, the following story sums it up. After the war, about 1,200 Auschwitz inmates returned to Greece to attempt to pick up their shattered lives. Upon their return, they were told, “Why are you back? Why didn’t Hitler finish the job?”

Growing Up in Volos - The Aftermath

After the war, Prof. Matathias’s family, consisting of Asher followed by sister Mary (1945), and sister Rachelle (1952), were eager to leave Greece. Assimilation and intermarriage were rampant, and it had been clearly demonstrated over and over that the Greek gentile population was no friend to the Jews. In fact, in the 1947 United Nations General Assembly vote on Resolution 181, which proposed the partition of Palestine to establish a Jewish state and an Arab state, Greece voted against the Jewish state.

“I took that as a personal affront,” shares Prof. Matathias. “To me, it was another slap in the face from the Greek government. To vote no, only two years after the Holocaust!”

Today, Prof. Matathias has put together what he calls “A Petition of Conscience: An Appeal to Correct History and Heal Hearts” that he has circulated in 10 countries, so far, demanding a repudiation of this vote on Resolution 181 and issuing an overdue apology to Israel and the entire Jewish People.

Meanwhile, shortly after the war, says Prof. Matathias, “Pop’s younger brother Moshe had braved the British embargo on Jewish immigration to Mandate Palestine and settled in Holon. His intention was to give us the signal to join the new nation when things

“If you don’t survive the Shoah, but your baby does, we’d like to raise him as our own. We’ll baptize him and give him a new name, Apostolos.”

Immediately after World War II, from 1945-1949, Greece, who it seems was never very good at getting its act together, was plunged into a civil war.

“Pop was called to serve.” Prof. Matathias recalls. “However, he insisted upon the condition that his young family live with him on the base, to better assure a modicum of food during a time of famine, where people daily were picked up dead on the street. Because of his literacy, Pop became a major’s aide. One day, the major called my father barking, ‘Jew, come into my office!’ Pretending not to hear, my father heard the same order given more emphatically. Walking into the major’s office, my father declared, ‘If I hear you call me again in this manner, I will report you!’”

The major apologetically explained that “there was no disrespect intended, it’s just the expression of a social construct commonly in use.”

Unfortunately for the Matathiases, after the war, most of the surviving Jews, especially the Judaically learned ones, left Greece for Israel, the United States, Canada and friendlier European countries. Consequently, Prof. Matathias grew up with very little Jewish knowledge. He knew he was a Jew, though, because his non-Jewish counterparts never let him forget it.

“My memories,” he shares, “include being called Jew boy and other unprintable epithets.”

Asher was the only Jewish child in his class.

“I would walk to synagogue and sit next to my father in synagogue every Saturday, but then after services at 8:00 am, we’d go to his place of business to open it up.”

This was the law, Prof. Matathias notes.

“If my father was one minute late, he’d receive a citation from the policeman who was standing outside his store waiting for him.”

Nevertheless, Mr. Matathias had a non-Jew do all the necessary writing for his business on Shabbat.

“I would say, in Greece, we practiced Orthodox style Judaism, not American style Judaism. It wasn’t until moving to America that we learned about the different strands of Judaism, Reform, Conservative and Orthodox. Our synagogue in Volos was Orthodox; the men were on the main floor and the women sat separately up in the balcony, and there was no microphone.”

A particularly trying period of the year for young Asher was Greek Orthodox Holy Week. “Children who passed as my friends would distance themselves upon the indoctrination of parents who taught that we Jews looked for gentile children from whom to extract blood for the baking of our seder matzahs. On the day of what they say is the crucifixion of their deity, they’d stand in front of our home and chant in unison: ‘Simera mavros ouranos, simera mavri mera, t oday is a dark sky, it’s a dark day.’ My Mom would open the shutters and shoo them away saying, ‘There’s nothing wrong with the perfectly blue, sunny sky, go away!’”

calmed down a bit. Unfortunately, that was never to be; the conditions then were as dangerous as they are today.” So, the Matathias family remained for the time being in Volos.

Although all the other rabbis in the country had been exterminated in World War II, Chochom Moshe Pesach, the chief rabbi of their city, had been spared. He was a learned scholar and a significant figure in young Asher’s life. Intimidating yet welcoming, Rabbi Pesach wore a tunic that combined Greek Orthodox

The family bidding farewell before leaving Greece

Early post-war stroll with Asher and his father along the Volos boardwalk

and Magen David symbols, signifying his official recognition by the Greek state as the religious leader of their city.

“Chochom Pesach gave me lessons in aleph-bet and early on indoctrinated us with Zionism. I recall part of my daily routine was putting drachmas (Greek currency) into the Jewish National Fund tzedakah box.”

Greece being a patriarchal society, Prof. Matathias as a first-born male was treated royally.

“In my formative years, I was treated like a pasha, which means prince in Turkish. I would attend all my father’s business meetings, and he’d say to his associates, ‘In London, the prince is Prince Philip. I have a prince named Asher.’ My head expanded at that. However,” he laughs ruefully, “I lost my edge once I moved to America, got married and had three daughters!”

Life in America

In the mid-1950s, Thessaly, Greece experienced catastrophic earthquakes. The United States felt guilty for not doing enough for Greek Jews during the Holocaust and offered to help ravaged Jews either to rebuild in place or by waiving the still in-place immigration quotas and allow them to emigrate to America.

“I was 12½ years old at the time,” says Prof. Matathias, “and I remember my parents discussing whether we should travel by plane or ship. My father said, ‘We’ll be in America for the rest of our lives. Let’s go slowly by boat so we can see the different countries.”

Because the Greek port was not deep enough to accommodate the monster of an oceanliner (a 35,000ton ship) they were to sail on, they first traveled via train, crossing mountains until they reached Naples, Italy, where they were to pick up the USS Constitution

“Europe was one side and Africa was on another,” recalls Prof. Matathias, “We sailed to Genoa, a port city in Northern Italy; we picked up immigrants in Algiers, the capital city of Algeria in North Africa. Then we sailed around the Strait of Gibraltar which separates Europe from Africa.”

The Matathias family arrived in America in 1956. Their arrival was noted by the congregants of the Sephardic Temple of New Lots, Brooklyn, a Sephardic shul made up of Balkan, Greek and Turkish Jews. Consequently, they were invited to settle in New Lots. The spiritual leader and founding rabbi was Rabbi Arnold B. Marans who worked hard to maintain the cultural heritage of his constituents. In 1962, the shul relocated to Cedarhurst, NY, and the Matathias family eventually moved there as well. Later, when Prof. Matathias married, he and his wife settled in Astoria. In 1976, they bought a house in Woodmere, where they have resided ever since.

“As soon as we moved to the U.S., I became a fiend for Jewish knowledge ,” shares Prof. Matathias. “I went to Talmud Torah, soaking up everything I learned.”

Asher had a beautiful voice, and when he turned bar mitzvah, he became assistant cantor. Unfortunately, his bar mitzvah celebration was marred by the

tragic death of his sister from childhood leukemia.

“I put on my tefillin that morning, had pound cake to celebrate and that night my father returned from the hospital with the news that my younger sister, Mary, had died.”

There was no Shabbat bar mitzvah kiddush for Asher that year. Fifty years later, however, Prof. Matathias relates, “My mother called me and said, ‘This year we’re going to celebrate the bar mitzvah you never had.’ So, at 63 years old, I leined the haftarah in the Sons of Israel in Woodmere followed by a catered kiddush. It was a very emotional day for all of us.”

Greek Antisemitism Still Flourishing

“When I began to study further, I became an intense reader and opinion presenter on the Holocaust. In fact, I learned the awful truths of Greek antisemitism even in America, for nothing was ever written or said in public and parochial schools then, or now!”

Today, there are fewer than 5,000 Jews left in Greece. This number, according to Prof. Matathias, will be reduced even further through intermarriage and assimilation.

“In our extended family in Greece,” he shares, “there is not one family that doesn’t have a Christian member. Anybody who wants to have a religious wedding ceremony must be baptized, otherwise they can only have a civil marriage.

“I call Greece a 4th world country. My students argue with me and tell me, there’s no such thing. But in my opinion,” says Prof. Matathias, “Greece occupies a perch all by itself. It’s a backward, patriarchal and intolerant country.”

Of course, it’s no surprise that Chabad has a presence in Athens today. But there is only one kosher restaurant under its auspices. Shechita is not allowed. All kosher meat is imported. Performing circumcision is not permitted either.

Message for Mankind

Prof. Matathias leaves us with timeless yet powerful truths: be empathetic, compassionate, and ever so humble. Never scapegoat immigrants or refugees – remember, the Jewish people were once strangers in a strange land. Give generously; nobody has ever become poor from giving. If you can’t give materially, give kindness!

Get involved in service; Prof. Matathias continues to lead the Five Towns B’nai B’rith Lodge. Stand up to bullies. Remember, there is nothing new under the sun, and while progress is often slow, the Pirkei Avot instructs us that although the task is enormous, we cannot escape the responsibility of undertaking it.

“Vamos a empezar, let’s begin!”

Professor Emeritus Asher J. Matathias has instructed children and adults for over 55 years, with over 20 years as a popular American Government instructor at St. John’s University’s Queens Campus. He remains active on the lecture circuit, participates in Zoom sessions and contributes to the Names Not Numbers project, where middle school students interview and film Holocaust survivors for posterity.

Prof. Matathias with his wife, Anna, at their wedding

A family passport, showing them arriving in New York on January 30, 1956

With Smugglers and Front Companies, China is Skirting U.S. AI Bans

By AnA SwAnSon And Cl Aire Fu

SHENZHEN, China — In the southern Chinese city of Shenzhen, a mazelike market stretches for a half-mile, packed with stalls selling every type of electronic imaginable.

It’s an open secret that vendors here are offering one of the world’s most sought-after technologies: the microchips that create artificial intelligence, which the United States is battling to keep out of Chinese hands.

One vendor said he could order the chips for delivery in two weeks. Another said companies came to the market ordering 200 or 300 chips from him at a time. A third business owner said he recently shipped a big batch of servers with more than 2,000 of the most advanced chips made by Nvidia, the U.S. tech company, from Hong Kong to mainland China. As evidence, he showed photos and a message with his supplier arranging the April delivery for $103 million.

The United States, with some success, has tried to control the export of these chips. Still, The New York Times has found an active trade in restricted AI technology — part of a global effort to help China circumvent U.S. restrictions amid the countries’ growing military rivalry.

The chips are an American innovation powering self-driving cars, chatbots and medical research. They have also led to rapid advances in defense technology, spurring U.S. fears that they could help China develop superior weaponry, launch cyberattacks and make faster decisions on the battlefield. Nvidia chips and other U.S. technology have aided Chinese research into nuclear weapons, torpedoes and other military applications, according to a review of previously unreported university studies.

Beginning in October 2022, the United States set up one of the most extensive technological blockades ever attempted: banning the export to China of AI chips and the machinery to make them. The Biden administration also added hundreds of Chinese companies to a list of organizations considered a national security threat, and it could soon expand the rules.

These bans have made it harder and more costly for China to develop AI. But given the vast profits at stake, businesses around the world have found ways to skirt the restrictions, according to interviews with more than 85

current and former U.S. officials, executives and industry analysts, as well as reviews of corporate records and visits to companies in Beijing, Kunshan and Shenzhen.

In one case, Chinese executives bypassed U.S. restrictions when they created a new company that is now one of China’s largest makers of AI servers and a partner of Nvidia, Intel and Microsoft. American companies have found workarounds to keep selling some products there. And an underground marketplace of smugglers, backroom deals and fraudulent shipping labels is funneling AI chips into China, which does not consider such sales illegal.

While the scale of the trade is unclear, the sales described to Times reporters, including the $103 million transaction, would be far larger than any previously reported in China. More than a dozen state-affiliated entities have purchased restricted chips, according to procurement documents uncovered by the reporters and the Center for Advanced Defense Studies, or C4ADS, a Washington-based nonprofit. The United States has flagged some of those organizations as helping the Chinese military.

Nvidia and other U.S. companies say they are abiding by the restrictions but cannot control everything in their distribution chain. There was no evidence that any of Nvidia’s banned chips in the markets came directly from the company.

“We comply with all U.S. export controls and expect our customers to do the same,” said John Rizzo, a spokesperson for Nvidia. “Although we cannot track products after they are sold, if we determine that any customer is violating U.S. export controls, we will take appropriate action,” he added.

The AI bans have cost American companies billions of dollars in sales, and some executives argue that the restrictions will backfire by giving Chinese competitors an edge. U.S. officials defend the bans as necessary but also say they are testing the limits of their enforcement powers.

“This is an enormously difficult job, and I’m under no illusions that we are doing it perfectly,” Gina Raimondo, the commerce secretary, said in a recent interview.

She said that it wasn’t surprising that China, with its vast network around the world, was gaining access to some chips. Still, her agency was working daily with law enforcement, the intelligence community and allies “to identify

the holes and how China gets around them, and filling those holes,” she said.

“New, But Not New”

Near the White House, in an office with worn carpet and antiquated computer systems, the little-known Bureau of Industry and Security oversees the government’s growing trade restrictions intended to limit the flow of U.S. technology.

One of the bureau’s chief tools is the so-called entity list, created under the Clinton administration to prevent adversaries from developing weapons of mass destruction. Companies cannot export products from the United States to a business on the list unless they obtain a license.

In the last few years, the United States has wielded the power more aggressively. To limit trade in countries that do not recognize U.S. law, President Donald Trump expanded the list’s authority, blocking shipments to Chinese telecom giant Huawei from businesses around the world. If they do not comply, the United States can fine them or bar them from obtaining American technology that they need to make their products.

The Biden administration used the list to further target China’s defense sector, and also banned the sale of technology goods to Russia because of its war in Ukraine.

But the entity listing applies only to a specific company name or address, so businesses sometimes set up a new company or simply move down the road. Some front companies have gone without detection for years, according to former officials.

“They go the next block over, open the same company under a different name, under a different address — they’re just doing the same thing,” said Craig Phildius, a former official with the bureau.

U.S. officials say American companies generally try to comply with the rules. But some have found loopholes, like rerouting business through new partnerships or overseas subsidiaries.

The bureau has tried to adapt, toughening its penalties and creating a so-called Disruptive Technology Strike Force with law enforcement and the intelligence community to pursue technology theft and illegal procurement networks.

Raimondo, who oversees the bureau, said that she was proud of her team’s work, but that they were impeded by limited resources. The bureau has a budget of $191 million, less than the cost of two fighter jets.

Nettrix, one of China’s largest manufacturers of AI servers, is one example of how business can thrive despite U.S. restrictions.

At its first product launch in April 2020, a Nettrix executive described one of the startup’s advantages. “In this company we talk about ‘new, but not new,’” he said, clarifying that its employees were industry veterans.

In fact, Nettrix was an offshoot of Sugon, a firm that provided advanced computing to the Chinese military and built a system the government used to surveil persecuted minorities. In December 2019, six months after the United States put Sugon on the entity list, a group of former executives formed Nettrix.

Nvidia, Intel and Microsoft — which had been partners with Sugon for years, back when the United States was encouraging business relations with China — quickly formed ties with the new firm. Ashok Pandey, the general manager of Nvidia’s China business, said at the product launch that Nettrix had already become an important partner, adding that Nettrix’s key personnel were “not strangers to anyone.”

Records accessed through WireScreen, a business intelligence platform, show that Sugon and Nettrix have links to the Chinese Academy of Sciences, a vast research institution that develops chip technology. Nettrix’s owners share a complex with Sugon and other companies owned by the academy in Kunshan, a Times reporter found on a visit, despite having a different registered address.

Kevin Wolf, a former official with the Bureau of Industry and Security, said that having executives in common with a firm on the entity list was a “bright, bright red flag.”

Procurement documents indicate that Nettrix has sold servers, some of which contained Nvidia and Intel chips, to several of the same organizations as Sugon, including one later put on the entity list. Nettrix’s customers also include universities that host defense laboratories and cybersecurity firms that work with the military and on China’s Great Firewall.

In a statement, Nettrix said that it strictly abided by relevant laws. Neither company holds shares in the other, Nettrix said, and it is not part of a network connected to the Chinese Academy of Sciences. “There is no situation in which Nettrix helped Sugon avoid the impact of the U.S. entity list,” the company said.

Sugon said that after it was added to the entity list, it laid off hundreds of employees and some started their own businesses.

Rizzo said Nvidia conducted extensive due diligence to confirm that its clients were not restricted by the entity list. Sarah Keller, a spokesperson for Intel, said that it complied with all export regulations and required its customers to do the same. Microsoft declined to comment.

A Wake-Up Call

Six months into the Biden administration, China tested a weapon that shook U.S. officials: a hypersonic missile that circled the Earth.

The weapon, which surpassed American technology, could theoretically dodge missile defense systems to deliver a nuclear warhead to the United States, according to a half-dozen current and former national security of-

ficials. Much is still unclear about the technology, but several officials said that U.S. chips helped accelerate China’s missile program.

White House officials had already been developing broader restrictions on selling chipmaking equipment to China. They later learned more about the role of U.S. chip technology in Chinese cyberoperations, cryptography, disinformation and research valuable to the military.

In southern China, for example, Nvidia’s restricted A100 chips began powering a high-performance computing cluster at Sun Yat-sen University in November 2022. Researchers there used advanced computing to model missiles and torpedoes, according to papers and university news releases.

In China’s northeast, a supercomputing center set up one of the world’s fastest AI and computing platforms in 2019. The center uses chips from Nvidia, Advanced Micro Devices and Intel, according to its website, and can analyze

“They go the next block over, open the same company under a different name, under a different address — they’re just doing the same thing.”

satellite imagery of China’s island-building program in the South China Sea and the radar signature of stealth fighters.

And in central China, a university affiliated with the Chinese Academy of Sciences was using Nvidia, AMD and Intel chips to study nuclear weapons, according to university materials. In May, the United States added the university to the entity list.

Rizzo said that Nvidia’s products were “designed, marketed and sold for beneficial, nonmilitary uses. We do not permit our products to be used for prohibited military purposes.” Intel said it complied with trade law. AMD declined to comment.

Finding the Chokepoint

Chip experts estimate that only a small portion of the hundreds of thousands of advanced AI chips Nvidia sold to China before the ban went to help its military. Most were used to power social media platforms, video game graphics and weather forecasts.

But Nvidia, now one of the world’s most valuable companies, attracted White House attention because it dominated the market. Jake Sullivan, the U.S. national security adviser, and his deputies saw advanced chips as the most viable chokepoint to control AI, since they were made by

just a handful of businesses.

U.S. officials met with Nvidia executives in 2021 and 2022 to discuss how their chips were used in China. In August 2022, the government ordered the company to stop shipping China the A100, its most advanced chip at the time.

Nvidia adapted quickly. It zapped the A100 with electricity to disable some connections, creating a slightly downgraded chip it called the A800. By November, Nvidia was selling the chips in China, and Chinese companies hurried to stockpile them.

U.S. officials believed the A800s would allow China to achieve practically the same results and were irritated, several former officials recalled, speaking on the condition of anonymity.

Tim Teter, Nvidia’s general counsel, said in an interview last year that the downgraded chip was within the government’s parameters. If the speed limit is 65 mph and I’m driving 63, he asked, “am I violating the spirit of the rule? Of course not.”

Tech companies ramped up their lobbying. In July 2023, Nvidia’s CEO, Jensen Huang, visited the White House along with the leaders of Intel and Qualcomm. They argued that excessive export controls would hurt American companies.

U.S. officials proceeded anyway, forbidding the sale of A800s to China in October.

Like AMD and Intel, Nvidia continues to legally sell less powerful chips to Chinese firms, some with military links. Of the 136 Chinese companies Nvidia listed as partners on its website in July, at least 24 have had procurement contracts with the Chinese military or are partly owned by defense contractors or organizations on the entity list, according to records from Wirescreen and Datenna, a China intelligence platform. One of Nvidia’s listed partners had been added to the entity list in May for supporting the high-altitude balloon that traversed the United States last year.

Nvidia’s chips are in such demand it quickly made up lost sales elsewhere. But American companies are concerned that the rules have created a vacuum for Chinese businesses like Huawei, which has been rolling out more powerful AI chips. The United States leads China in AI for now, but China is making rapid progress as both countries race to create AI that would rival human intelligence.

Liu Pengyu, a spokesperson for the Chinese Embassy, said that China firmly opposed the rules and that they would “only make China even more determined and capable in boosting our own strength in technology and innovation.”

China’s leader, Xi Jinping, delivered a similar warning on a call with President Joe Biden in April, saying his country would not “sit back and watch.”

A Vibrant Trade

In the Shenzhen electronics market, vendors who traditionally sold Nvidia chips to gamers and bitcoin miners are trying to meet the growing demand for AI.

Previous reports from Reuters, Nikkei Asia and The Wall Street Journal have uncovered sales of dozens of banned chips. But the Times talked with several vendors in Shenzhen who mentioned deals involving hundreds or thousands. Reporters spoke with representatives of 11 companies that said they sold or transported banned Nvidia

chips — including A100s and H100s, the company’s most advanced — and found dozens more businesses offering them online. A local procurement website listed nearly 100 stores that also said they sold the chips.

Leslie Zhou, the market vendor who shared a detailed message arranging the $103 million shipment to a local warehouse, said the chips weren’t hard to obtain. While the transaction could not be independently verified, he said he regularly brought in banned chips from three or four suppliers and sold to repeat customers. “The Shenzhen market cannot be restricted,” he said.

Industry experts said the price was high but within international rates — roughly $380,000 for a server with eight H100s. (Counterfeiting of electronics is widespread in China, but four industry experts said that would be highly unlikely for Nvidia chips on a commercial scale, given their complexity.)

Nvidia’s chips are made in Taiwan, then sent to other manufacturers and distributors. Industry experts said that businesses in Singapore, Vietnam and other countries where it is not considered illegal to export them were probably diverting some into China.

Just how many chips get into China is an important question, because the number required for AI is high and increasing fast. By some estimates, the AI language model GPT-4 was trained on 25,000 Nvidia A100s. U.S. officials say they don’t expect to capture everything, but the goal is to hold China back during a critical window in which the United States can pull ahead.

Tim Fist, a senior adjunct fellow at the Center for a New American Security, said that with a moderate level of smuggling, the bans would slow commercial developments in China but probably not impede more targeted military research.

Chinese procurement records examined by C4ADS showed that at least 550 restricted Nvidia chips had been sold to state-linked research institutions, including two on the entity list. (That figure is almost certainly an underestimate, because few contracts specified the types of chips being purchased.)

Trade records obtained by C4ADS showed a shipment from Vietnam to Beijing of servers that were marked as containing banned chips. In other cases, companies mislabeled shipments to hide them.

Wang Qiang, an employee of a logistics company in southern China that has sent A100s from Hong Kong to the mainland, said the shipments would not be tracked because Hong Kong was still a free-trade harbor. He advised clients, he said, to label banned chips as tea or toys.

© The New York Times

Ariel and Eliana Woodland on the birth of a son

Tzvi Chaim and Aliza Nadoff on the birth of a son

Mr. and Mrs. Gedalya Rosenbaum on the birth of a son

Mr. and Mrs. Yitzchok Ottensoser on the birth of a daughter

Mr. and Mrs. Dovid Weinberger on the birth of a daughter

School of Thought

Waiting for Moshiach

By Barbara Deutsch

We started our day with a walk to the money changer we trust in Rechavia; it’s a grocery store with a bank (kind of) in the back. We have been going to this lovely store/bank, which offers a large variety of American products, for the many years that we have vacationed or visited Israel.

We pulled out our “Rolls Royce,” a veygala (granny wagon), and we were off. We live about a 10 minute walk from anywhere we want to go in Jerusalem, and as we are carless and plan to remain so, it works for us.

Just outside the money exchange place, located right next door to about fivfe different shuls, lined up to be allowed entry were about 10 tzedakah collectors waiting at the various minyanim doors . As we approached, my husband and partner in adventure, Bob, spied a favorite of his: a portly gentleman in a frock coat and hat.

“It’s the Chicken Man,” exclaimed Bob. “Hello, how are you? I have not seen you in a while!”

The man is identified by his bestowal of brachot and for collecting money to buy chickens for Shabbat. We assume he has a proper name but don’t know it.

The Chicken Man reached out his hand for a handshake into which Bob placed 20 shekel. With a huge grin the man shared that his daughter who had a child and an ex-husband who did not want children was getting remarried. Did Bob want to pay for the wedding? This father of the bride was willing to give him any kibbud he desired including reading of the ketubah in exchange for the money

Bob was tempted and tickled by the offer – he is an American Tzioni in a kippah serugah, albeit a black one and not blue and white, for which he was told is the thing to do on Shabbat in Israel (not so much in Rechavia) and reading a ketuba at a chassidusha wedding would be a

first and quite an honor.

Still, he figured he would stick with the 20 and said, “Thank you, no!”

Every early morning when Bob goes to minyan, he gives a small guy with hygiene that could use an upgrade an American dollar. Last week, this particular tzedakah friend asked if he would exchange some money for him. “Sure,” Bob said. Out of the man’s grungy pocket came a neat stack of singles wrapped neatly in a rubber band.

The exchange was made.

I asked Bob what he was planning to do with his new although less crisp pack of dollar bills.

“I will give it back to him every day we meet before minyan,” he told me.

We do not know this man’s name either. It has not been easy to wrap my head

portunities: Torah study groups, chessed in support of the needy, leisure – we went to the new National Library (a must see) and I have joined a paper cut art circle. It consists of an amazing group of women who create masterpieces and bond over projects.

I have no expectation to be able to create that special three-dimensional and filled with color piece of art, but I en-

Being in Israel allows you to expand your mindset to include people from around the world who are different from and the same as you.

around the idea that I no longer have to be anywhere I don’t have or want to be. There is no clock that is ticking and counting down the minutes, hours and days till September. When I wake up in the morning – no more 5:00 a.m. for me – the day stretches out as a blank slate waiting for me to fill the time with anything that meets my fancy.

That is, if I don’t have a municipal appointment.

Friends and family remind me how lucky I am to be in this magical country with the ability to pick from so many op -

joyed my time there with the wonderful, welcoming women. I especially liked the leader, Grace. She is the heart and soul of the group, a skilled teacher and an encouraging mentor.

Being in Israel allows you to expand your mindset to include people from around the world who are different from and the same as you. Our new dentist is from Los Angeles, and his assistant/receptionist is from Holland.

We are all proud-to-the-core Yehudim and strongly believe that Israel is our special home.

The threat of war looms large. This summer, two of our mostly grown (a sports counselor in Camp Sternberg) and a sort of grown up one living the life before responsibilities become real granddaughters are in America. Their gracious aunt and uncle have hosted them as needed. Even some Israeli friends passing through have found a place at their table. When news of Delta and United flight cancellations changed everyone’s ability to get home to Israel, loved ones went into action to find new flights on El Al. The intensity of the planning to ensure that the girls get “home” impressed both of us. Aren’t they safe and comfortable in their aunt and uncle’s big, roomy house in America? Does coming back to Israel to more sirens and escalating conflict make sense?

Yet, it does! Home is Israel. It is the one place where our people are unconditionally accepted; it is where we all belong. In good and hard times, this land of Jews from all over the world, no matter the hashkafa, life’s status, the rich, poor, old or young – we belong.

Barbara Deutsch is the former associate principal at HANC, middle school principal at Kushner, and Dean of Students at Yeshiva of Flatbush. A not-retired educator, she is trying to figure out life in Israel through reflections on navigating the dream of aliyah as a wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend.

TJH Centerfold

French Quips

I would rather have a German division in front of me than a French one behind me.

- General George S. Patton

Going to war without France is like going deer hunting without your accordion. - Norman Schwartzkopf

We can stand here like the French, or we can do something about it. - Marge Simpson

Boy, those French. They have a different word for everything. - Steve Martin

How can anyone govern a nation that has 240 different kinds of cheese? - Charles de Gaulle

Everything is on such a clear financial basis in France. It is the simplest country to live in. No one makes things complicated by becoming your friend for any obscure reason. If you want people to like you, you have only to spend a little money. - Ernest Hemingway

You Gotta Be Kidding!

Yankel and his wife are about to take a dream vacation to Paris when they stop at the dentist on the way to the airport.

“I want a tooth pulled, and I don’t want Novocain because I’m in a big hurry,” his wife says. “Just extract the tooth

The French are a smallish, monkey-looking bunch and not dressed any better, on average, than the citizens of Baltimore. True, you can sit outside in Paris and drink little cups of coffee, but why this is more stylish than sitting inside and drinking large glasses of whiskey I don’t know. - P.J. O’Rourke

In Paris, they simply stared when I spoke to them in French; I never did succeed in making those [people] understand their language. - Mark Twain

The only time France wants us to go to war is when the German Army is sitting in Paris sipping coffee. - Regis Philbin

I hate France. It’s like the whole country’s on a diet. - Gordon Korman

Let’s face it, the French Army couldn’t beat a girls hockey team. - Bill Bryson

as quickly as possible, and we’ll be on our way.”

The dentist is quite impressed. “You’re certainly a courageous woman,” he observes. “Which tooth is it?”

The woman turns to her husband and says, “Yankel, show him your tooth, dear.”

France Trivia

1. How many times has Paris hosted the Olympics, including the 2024 Games?

a. 3

b. 7

c. 10

d. 22

e.

2. Approximately how many annual visitors are there to The Louvre Museum in Paris?

a. 365,000

b. 1.2 million

c. 4 million

d. 18 million

d. Germany

e. Netherlands

What happened in the French Revolution?

a. Napoleon was overthrown

b. The French monarchy was overthrown

c. France broke away from the Roman Empire

d. French fries were created

6. Which of the following is true about the Eiffel Tower?

a. It is 120 stories high

b. It has a restaurant at its peak

a. Franc

b. Franck

c. Euro

d. Dollar

9. Which of the following artists was not born in France?

a. Henri Matisse

b. Claude Monet

c. Vincent Van Gogh

d. Leonardo da Vinci

3. What is the national motto of France?

a. Pain, bérets et barrett (Bread, berets and barrett])

b. Liberté, égalitié, fraternité (Liberty, equality and fraternity)

c. Liberté et prospérité pour tous (Freedom and prosperity for all)

d. Petites portions mais bonnes (Small portions but good)

4. Which of the following countries does not border France?

a. Luxembourg

b. Switzerland

c. Spain

c. It was built for the World Fair in 1889 and was supposed to be taken down after 20 years

d. It was destroyed during World War I and rebuilt with an exact replica

7. What is the name of the oldest bridge in Paris, built in 1604?

a. Pont Neuf

Wisdom Key:

b. Viaduc de Millau Pont d’Avignon

d. Passerelle Simonede-Beauvoir

8. What is the French monetary currency?

7-9 correct: You win a three night’s stay at TJH’s French Riviera villa. (I’m there now for the Olympics, so you will have to wait until sometime in the fall or whenever; we will work out the details later.)

3-6 correct: You are good but missing something—kind of like French fries without ketchup.

0-2 correct: You are as bright as a French beret.

Notable Quotes

“Say What?!”

Here’s the challenge you’ve got in this party. People don’t want to talk about it, we’ve got to talk about it. On the one hand, you have a lot of young people who are concerned about Gaza. You have a lot of Muslims and Arabs and others. They have not felt seen by the Biden administration. You started hearing that “Genocide Joe.” That was building. That was building. And so, those folks needed to have a candidate they could feel comfortable with. This helps it in that regard. But you also have antisemitism that’s gotten marbled into this party.

- CNN commentator Van Jones talking about Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro not being picked as Kamala Harris’s running mate because he is Jewish

Gov. Walz is not Minnesota nice; he’s Minnesota nuts – sanctuary cities; driver’s licenses for illegals; [other policies that cannot be printed in this newspaper as they are not age appropriate]; he wants Critical Race Theory taught; he had the Minnesota flag changed so it looks more like Somalia; in Covid he had a snitch line so your neighbors can rat you out if you broke his lockdown rules. This man is out of his mind! He actually went and joined the army and right before their deployment to Iraq, he quit, and his unit was like, “Wow, bro, where did you go?” They can’t stand this guy. He tried to get out of a DUI by saying he was deaf from the army.

- Jesse Watters, Fox News

If you care about your paycheck, you go with Trump. That is what you do. He wants to cut your taxes.

- CNBC host of “Mad Money” Jim Cramer

It’s absolutely disgusting. These are the people that want to be our moral vetters. Who are constantly lecturing us about bigotry and inclusion. It’s a lie! They are all for inclusion when it’s men in women’s sports – like this Kerin Atia, laughing at the pain of the Italian boxer –but when the inclusion looks like a man who happens to be Jewish, it’s [out the window]!

- Megyn Kelly talking about Kamala Harris passing over on the obvious choice of Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro as her running mate because he is Jewish

It’s beautiful when [Kamala Harris] laughs because she’s a real person... She’s also a historic candidate. It’s going to be the first woman president and that’s incredibly exciting. She’s Indian, she’s black, she’s everything. You can be more than one thing, it’s incredible. You know, I’m Jewish and Irish. I wish I was black. Every white Jewish guy wishes he was black.

- Actor Ben Stiller

The worst of them was a bad back injury.

– Matteo Pavone, of Italy, who pulled three small planes while walking on his hands to break a Guinness World Record, explaining why he was forced to stop playing rugby, resulting in him getting into the sport of pulling planes while walking on his hands

My advice to parents is you’re not supposed to be friends with your children.

- Judge Judy Sheindlin, of “Judy Justice,” in an interview with Fox Digital

Parents sometimes run into trouble when they say, we just want to be our kids’ buddy, but children require rules, just as the adults do. I mean, the country is in the state it’s in now because the rules get blurred.

- Ibid.

RFK Jr. told a story about the time he abandoned a dead bear cub in Central Park. Abandoning a bear in a park? For a Kennedy, I suppose it can be worse.

– Greg Gutfeld

This is just an extraordinary testament to the importance of having a president who understands the power of diplomacy and understands the strength that rests in understanding the significance of diplomacy and strengthening alliances.

- Kamala Harris, in her first unscripted statement as presidential candidate, serving a healthy portion of word salad while talking about the prisoner swap with Russia

No, I have not.

- Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), who led the political coup against Pres. Biden, when asked on CNN if she has spoken to the President since he agreed to drop out of the race

You’d have to ask him, but I hope so.

- Ibid., when asked if they still have a good relationship

[Pres. Biden] was in a good place to make whatever decision, top of his game. Such a consequential president of the United States, a Mount Rushmore kind of president of the United States.

– Ibid.

Nancy Pelosi said that Joe Biden belongs on Mount Rushmore. Well, hey, if anyone knows about building a face from scratch, it’s Nancy Pelosi.

- Greg Gutfeld

I just tried to grab her name and all the heartland governors I could think of.

- Jeremy Green Eche, who purchased the domain name HarrisWalz.com for $8.99 in 2020, when then-Sen. Kamala Harris of California was seeking the Democratic nomination for president, in an interview with the AP after Harris picked Walz as her running mate

As someone who wants Kamala to lose, picking Walz is wonderful! It’s political malpractice! Why?

1. Not from a swing state.

2. Radical, underscoring her radicalism.

3. She rejected (((Shapiro))) to please the proHamas caucus.

She’s not competent. And this pick shows it.

- Tweet by Ben Shapiro after Kamala Harris picked Gov. Walz of Minnesota as her running mate

So, what are your coordinates?

- Ben Shapiro, tweeting in response to Hezbollah leader Nasrallah saying, “I’m ready to be a martyr”

This is unjust.

- Italy’s Angela Carini upon quitting for safety reasons 46 seconds into an Olympic boxing match after being punched twice by her Algerian opponent who is a man but chose to fight in the female boxing event

Local man’s 401K is Being Unburdened By What Has been.

– Babylon Bee headline

Hamas Leader Ismail Haniyeh Falls Down After Loud Popping Noises.

- Ibid.

Suspicions Rise As New Footage Shows Secret Service Helping Adjust Trump Shooter’s Scope.

– Ibid.

Democrats Worried Choosing Jewish Vice President May Cost Them The All-Important “Death To America” Vote.

- Ibid.

Hillary Clinton Meets With Kamala To Help Her Improve Her Black Accent

- Ibid.

I got to tell you, I can’t wait to debate the guy... that is if he’s willing to get off the couch and show up. See what I did there?

- Gov. Tim Walz, in his first speech as Harris’s running mate, humoring himself while talking about J.D. Vance

My Israel Home New Real Estate Tax Rates: Beneficial for Olim?

By Gedaliah Borvick

On July 29, 2024, the Knesset Finance Committee approved an amendment to the real estate regulations which changed the real estate benefits for new immigrants (Olim). We will first explain the new amendment and then analyze whether it is beneficial or detrimental for Olim. (All numbers discussed below are approximate.)

The Finance Committee approved the following amendment: Olim will be exempt from paying a purchase tax on the first 2 million NIS. On the next 4 million NIS, they will pay a purchase tax of 0.5%. Above 6 million NIS, they will pay a rate of 8%, and above 20 million NIS, they will pay 10%. When buying on paper, an overseas buyer can take advantage of this discounted rate by making Aliyah within three years of signing a contract of sale. If an Oleh wants to buy a second property, they will have to pay an 8% purchase tax up to 6 million NIS and then 10% above (the same rate that foreign buyers pay).

In comparison, Israeli residents buying a primary residence are also exempt from purchase tax on the first 2 million NIS. They then pay 3.5% for the next 370,000 NIS, 5% for the next portion up to 6 million NIS, 8% above 6 million until 20m NIS, and then 10% above. If an Israeli wants to buy a second property, they have to pay an 8% purchase tax up to 6 million NIS and then 10% above.

At first glance, the new immigrant tax rate looks like a benefit for Olim, compared to the rate paid by Israelis. In fact, numerous government ministers lauded the new law as a means of embracing new immigrants and encouraging Aliyah, and – also as expected – some members of the media have protested that this benefit will result in the loss to the government of millions of shekels.

Are the government ministers and media correct? The reality is that this

new amendment is a compromise that was created to close tax loopholes, which will hurt some new immigrants and benefit many others.

Upon scrutiny, one notices that there are situations where the new law obligates Olim to pay more taxes than under the

have paid .5% on the first 2 million NIS and 5% on the next 28 million NIS, or a total of 1,410,000 NIS in purchase taxes. In contrast, the new amendment is 0% on the first 2 million NIS, 0.5% on the next 4 million NIS, 8% on the next 14 million NIS and 10% on the final 10 million NIS,

The reality is that this new amendment is a compromise that was created to close tax loopholes, which will hurt some new immigrants and benefit many others.

previous law – and, perhaps unsurprisingly, those are the situations where the tax office stands to gain the most money. To explain this phenomenon in real numbers, if one made Aliyah and bought an extremely expensive property of 30 million NIS, based on the old law they would

or a total of 2,140,000 NIS. Thus, the new immigrants rate will hurt Olim buying very expensive homes.

Parenthetically, under the old law, if an Oleh bought only one residence, they were able to choose either the Oleh tax rate (more favorable rate when buying

expensive homes) or the Israeli primary residence rate (more favorable when buying moderately priced homes).

In addition, the new amendment limits new immigrants’ tax breaks to only one property, which is the same number permitted for Israelis who are not Olim. Previously, Olim were able to receive tax breaks on two properties: the first property was calculated at the Israeli primary home buyers’ tax rate (detailed above) and the second property was calculated at the former Oleh tax rate (provided that the immigrants would live in the home bought with the Oleh tax benefit).

In summation, the new amendment has the following effect: For the majority of deals, which range from 2 million to 6 million NIS, the new Olim rates are beneficial to new immigrants. For very expensive properties, the new rate is detrimental to Olim. Finally, for Olim buying two properties, the new law – which limits tax breaks to one property – is disadvantageous.

The effective date of this new amendment is August 15, 2024. People who immigrated prior to that date but did not yet buy homes will have the option to apply either the new tax rates or the previous rates, provided they buy a home within 7 years of making Aliyah.

I am grateful to attorney Gad Dishi for his astute initial analysis of this new amendment. To discuss details and tax implications, one can reach Gad at dishi@netvision.net.il or via WhatsApp at +972-52-393-9389.

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.

Dating Dialogue What Would You Do If…

Moderated by Jennifer Mann, LCSW of The Navidaters

Dear Navidaters,

Dear Navidaters,

I read your column every week and decided to submit a question of my own.

I’m 25, in good physical shape, and have been dating a girl for two months. I come from a religious background and learn b’chavrusa every morning. She also comes from a religious background and grew up in Brooklyn. She’s 25 and is everything I’m looking for in a shidduch. She’s kind, intelligent and does a lot of chesed. Things are serious. However, a close family friend recently mentioned to me that she had once told her that she actually finds my own brother more attractive than I am. For reference, my brother is 22, super athletic, and has a great job. This information has left me feeling quite shocked and uncertain about our future. I am unsure if I should propose to her due to this information.

Please advise,

Dovid*

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.

Do a few things. Consider when this was said. Was it a recent comment or an older comment that dated back to before you were dating? Second, look at yourself in the mirror. Third, discuss attraction in general at an appropriate time if you feel the chemistry is moving and developing further. If not, reconsider. Fourth, don’t commit until you are clear that she is attracted to you.

The Shadchan

Michelle Mond

Wow, Dovid, thank you for bringing this question to the panel. What is puzzling to me is why your close family

friend would say such a thing. It is very hard to tell you what to do because there is no way to be sure about the accuracy of what was actually said. I also do not know you, this family friend, or the dynamic.

Unfortunately, jealousy runs rampant, and when jealousy is present, untrue things are said. I have heard story after story of situations where miscommunications ruin a shidduch. We also don’t know what the circumstances were surrounding her comment. It could be she had seen your brother somewhere and mentioned that he was attractive, and she misconstrued it. Who knows?! Do not end the shidduch because of this. She is dating YOU, not your brother, and you can work through your own confidence to recognize that your brother is not a threat.

At the same time, I do understand your need to gain clarity. For this, you need to communicate directly with the

girl you’re dating. Talk to her openly and give her a chance to open up about the comment, without being defensive about it. I have a feeling you will find out there is another side to the story!

The Single

Tzipora Grodko

Oh, boy. Gossip in all its glory. Yikes. If I was in your shoes, I would feel extremely confused and insulted if this information was relayed to me. Regardless of the fact that you don’t know if it’s true, I’m so sorry you had to hear that. There are two options. Option 1: You disregard the comment knowing that if she wants to marry you, she must really love you. The comment is irrelevant and frankly has no value if she’s choosing to spend the rest of her life with you. Her decision reflects her admiration and affection.

There are all too many cases of “helpful” friends who sabotage potentially wonderful relationships.

If that knowledge isn’t enough for you, then communicate how you feel. You don’t want to harbor or let any idea haunt you and express itself in a passive aggressive or subconscious way.

The Zaidy

Dr. Jeffrey Galler

Wow, there’s a lot to unpack here.

Let’s address three issues. Issue #1 – “Helpful” friends

This column has often emphasized the importance of keeping your personal dating information private. There are all too many cases of “helpful” friends who sabotage potentially wonderful relationships.

Dovid, it might be hard for a nice person like you to believe it, but there are some folks who seem to get perverse gratification when they get a chance to ruin someone else’s happiness. All too many times we hear of “friends” who enjoy voicing opinions like, “Oh, that’s who you’re dating? I heard all about him. He is not for you. You can do much better.”

I honestly don’t know why some people act like that. But, ask yourself the following question: Why in the world

would a “close family friend” take a harmless, offhand remark that your girlfriend may or may not have said, take it out of context, blow it out of proportion, and maliciously report it to you?

Is this family friend actually an evil person? Or is she simply a fool? It doesn’t matter. Ignore this gossiping witch and trust what your G-d given common sense, instincts, and intuition tell you about your wonderful girlfriend.

My father, a”h, always told us that when we say something, it is like shooting an arrow into the sky. After we shoot it off, we have absolutely no control over where it will go, where it will land, and what harm it can cause.

Stay away from people like this socalled “good family friend.”

Issue #2 – Sibling rivalry

It’s a story as old as time. Sefer Bereishis is a series of stories about the negative effects of sibling rivalry.

Note the unhappy tales featuring Cain and Hevel. Avraham

Pulling It All Together

The Navidaters

Dating and Relationship Coaches and Therapists

Hi Dovid,

I can certainly understand your feelings of shock and general uncertainty about your future together. Finding this out is upsetting, indeed. My response is going to be short and sweet.

and his brother’s son, Lot. Yitzchok and Yishmael. Yaakov and Eisav. Yosef and his brothers.

By contrast, note how, subsequently, brothers Moshe and Aharon had very important and very different roles in our history and loved, supported, and admired each other without a scintilla of jealousy.

When I grew up, it was clear that my older brother was taller, more athletic, and possessed incredible leadership skills. I looked up to him and admired him. (Well, perhaps I was just a little bit envious.) But I grew to realize that I was the much better looking, smarter, funnier (and humbler) brother.

What am I trying to convey to you, Dovid? Yes, your brother has admirable qualities, but so do you. You devote yourself to Torah study every morning, you have tremendous middos and hashkafa, and it is clear from your letter that you are a very intelligent, warm, and sensitive person. And, most importantly, note how this amazing girlfriend has fallen in love with you, is anxiously waiting for you to propose to her, and wants to spend the rest of her life with you.

It’s normal to retain residual, painful, memories of childhood rivalries and animosities. But, you’re a grown up now. Move on with your life.

You can work through your own confidence to recognize that your brother is not a threat.

Issue #3 – “Attractive” but not “attracted to”

Thinking that someone is “attractive” does not mean being “attracted to” that person.

Many years ago, when I began dating, I clearly found Marilyn Monroe and Elizbeth Taylor more “attractive” than any of the girls that I was dating.

However, that certainly didn’t mean that I was “attracted to” them and wanted to spend my life with them! You are blessed with a girlfriend who sounds perfect for you and is clearly “attracted to” you more than anyone else in the world.

Should you propose to this wonderful young lady and pray that she accepts your proposal? YES!

Should you ever again trust or respect that gossiping “good family friend”? NO!

In my humble opinion, if this is something that bothers you, you have to talk to your girlfriend about it. I know it will be deeply uncomfortable, but relationships require hard conversations and communication.

So many people jump into serious relationships and/or marriages without

The first, and less importance piece worth mentioning is that it is entirely possible that this statement that landed at your doorstep is nothing more than the end result of a broken game of telephone. I have a raised eyebrow at anyone who would pass along something like that to you, unless this person said it as a warning to you because the woman you are seeing has some red flags.

having the difficult conversations. And it’s really not a good idea. Resentment builds, anger bubbles, distance creeps in. At the same time, let’s not jump to any conclusions or throw out the baby with the bath water. To me, at this very moment, it’s not about whether or not you should propose. It’s much more simple: it’s about having the conversation. This is definitely a troubling comment. I think you owe it to yourself and this relationship (seems like a good one) to get talking.

A little message to everyone, if I may. Please have all the hard conversations before you take that walk down the

aisle to the person who you will be G-d willing conversing with for the rest of your life. You should be met with kindness, open ears, sensitivity, honesty and compassion.

Potential script: “I have something that’s been on my mind, and I don’t know how to bring it up. It’s been bothering me. I want to always be honest with you…. Someone recently shared with me that you said you found my brother more attractive than me. I couldn’t not say something….” See what she has to say.

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.

Forgotten Her es Unusual Military Stories

By Avi Heiligman

War is unpredictable. From surprise attacks to outnumbered, outgunned troops gaining a strategic victory, the battlefield can be full of mysteries. Soldiers from wars of the past have come back with tales of strange events. These range from usage of animals in warfare to eccentric individuals in battle to peculiar battlefield engagements. Here are some strange but true stories from military history.

Ancient battles were often recorded by historians years after the battle ended. The details surrounding the peace agreement between the Medes and the Lydians at the Battle of Halys were written down by the Greek historian Herodotus. The engagement took place in the 6th century BCE and became known as the Battle of Eclipse. Herodotus describes the battle, “As, however, the balance had not inclined in favor of either nation, another combat took place in the sixth year, in the course of which, just as the battle was growing warm, day was on a sudden changed into night.” This changing into night has been described as a solar eclipse although some modern scholars think it may have been a dusk-time lunar eclipse. In either case, the eclipse caused both sides to stop the battle and agree to a peace deal.

The first major battle of the American Civil War took on July 21, 1861, just north of Manassas, Virginia. Called the First Battle of Bull Run – the South named it the Battle of First Manassas – the Con-

federate Army under General Beauregard defeated the Union Army under General Irvin McDowell. This was the engagement in which Confederate General Thomas J. Jackson earned fame and the nickname “Stonewall” because he stood his ground as his men were being pushed back. Beauregard’s headquarters were in the house of Wilmer McLean, who was a local wholesale grocer. A cannonball went through the kitchen fireplace, and McLean after the battle decided to move to a safer location. The area that he chose was none other than Appomattox Court House, Virginia.

In early April 1865, Charles Marshall, an aide to Confederate General Robert E. Lee, knocked on McLean’s door. Marshall was looking for place for Lee and another general to meet. The first place McLean showed the aide was falling apart so he reluctantly agreed to have his own house to be used for the meeting. Lee showed up first and waited for the other general, who was none other than Union commander Ulysses S. Grant. It was during this meeting that Lee surrendered to Grant. McLean was to have said, “The war began in my front yard and ended in my front parlor.” He was right to have been concerned about having the meeting in his house, as generals and soldiers took souvenirs away from the meeting (although some paid for the relics).

All types of animals have been companions of soldiers both on and off the battlefield. Many have saved their han-

dlers or other soldiers from attacks from the enemy, including the indomitable Sergeant Stubby. Stubby was a Boston terrier that was adopted by the 102nd Infantry Regiment, 26th Division during World War I. He was found on the grounds of Yale University and became close to Corporal Robert Conroy. Stubby was hidden underneath Conroy’s overcoat when the outfit shipped out, and the commanding officer let the dog stay with the unit after Stubby saluted his superior officer. He was with the regiment for 18 months and seventeen battles.

Stubby was wounded by German hand grenades and injured during a gas attack. After recovering, he was fitted with a special gas mask and became adept at learning when the Germans were to launch gas attacks. Hearing the whine of an incoming shell before humans could hear it, Stubby warned his unit of an attack and to take precautions. Several of the soldiers were sleeping and Stubby was credited with saving many lives. Stubby was given a battlefield promotion after capturing a German spy himself by biting him until American soldiers came and took him prisoner. Wounded soldiers were often comforted by Stubby’s presence, and he led soldiers back to American trenches when they became disoriented.

Spies and saboteurs during World War II came from all backgrounds. Ursula Graham Bower was a British anthropologist studying an ethnic group in

the Naga Hills on the border of India and Burma. After the Japanese invaded Burma in 1942 and were threatening to attack Allied positions in India, the British military asked Bower to help them report on Japanese troop movements and to rescue downed pilots. Bower then went on to organize a group of 150 Nagas into a guerilla force. She led the Nagas into ambushing Japanese troops using her Sten gun. The guerillas developed a warning system where if one of them saw something, then the others would be warned of the danger as soon as possible. In this way, they avoided Japanese detection while rescuing downed pilots and helping thousands of evacuees and escaped prisoners from Burma reach friendly Allied lines in India. Intelligence from the Nagas, also called the Bower Force, helped defeat the Japanese in India in 1944. Bower went on to teach other soldiers jungle survivor skills. Bower was an unusual but effective guerilla leader, and the British rewarded her by making her a Member of the Oder of the British Empire.

These unusual incidents and participants are just some of the myriad of strange but true stories from military history.

Avi Heiligman is a weekly contributor to The Jewish Home. He welcomes your comments and suggestions for future columns and can be reached at aviheiligman@gmail.com.

Sergeant Stubby Ursula Graham Bower, the “Naga Queen”

Wilmer McLean Appomattox Court House

Aquestion many of my clients frequently ask is, “How can I eliminate bloating?” Bloating is a common condition characterized by a feeling of fullness or tightness in the abdomen. This sensation is often accompanied by visible swelling of the abdominal area. Bloating can be uncomfortable and sometimes even painful, affecting people of all ages. Not only does bloating cause physical discomfort, it can also impact our self-esteem, particularly when we need to attend school, work, or social events. The effects of bloating on both our physical comfort and emotional well-being makes finding effective solutions a priority for many.

Let us explore the science behind bloating, identify foods that can cause or alleviate it, and examine other factors that contribute to or help eliminate/reduce bloating.

The Science Behind Bloating

Bloating occurs when the gastrointestinal (GI) tract is filled with air or gas, leading to a feeling of fullness and abdominal distension. There are a few physiological processes that can contribute to bloating:

1. Gas Production: During digestion, bacteria in the large intestine break down undigested food, producing gas as a byproduct. Foods high in certain carbohydrates, such as fibers, fructose, lactose, and sorbitol, can increase gas production. The bacteria ferment these carbohydrates, leading to the release of gasses like hydrogen, methane, and carbon dioxide, which can accumulate and cause bloating. Examples of these foods are nuts, seeds, beans, legumes, cruciferous vegetables (broccoli, cabbage), whole grains, milk, sugar-free products, and fruits.

2. Swallowed Air: Air swallowing can contribute to bloating. This can happen when we eat or drink too quickly, talk while eating, chew gum, smoke, or drink carbonated beverages. The swallowed air

Health & F tness

Banish the Bloat

By Aliza Beer MS, RD, CDN

can accumulate in the stomach and intestines, leading to bloating and discomfort.

3. Digestive Issues: Several digestive disorders can lead to bloating. Conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO), and food intolerances (like lactose or gluten intolerance) can disrupt normal digestion and cause excessive gas production or impaired gas transit, leading to bloating.

4. Constipation: When stool builds up in the colon, it can cause bloating. Constipation slows down the movement of waste through the digestive tract, which can result in the fermentation of undigested food and subsequent gas production.

5. Hormonal Changes: Hormonal fluctuations, particularly in women, can affect digestion and lead to bloating. For example, during the menstrual cycle, hormonal changes can cause the body to retain water and slow down GI motility, leading to bloating.

6. Gut Microbiota: Gut microbiota is a group of microorganisms that include bacteria, viruses, fungi, and other microbes that reside in the digestive tract. These microorganisms play a role

in maintaining the health and function of the digestive system. The balance of bacteria in the gut plays a crucial role in digestion and gas production. An imbalance in gut microbiota, often due to factors like diet, antibiotics, or illness, can lead to increased gas production and bloating.

Foods That Contribute to Bloating

Certain foods are more likely to cause bloating due to their composition and the way they interact with the digestive system.

1. High-Fiber Foods: Fiber is essential for a healthy diet, aiding in digestion and preventing constipation. However, foods rich in fiber, such as beans, lentils, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, and whole grains, can increase gas production during digestion. The fiber in these foods is broken down by bacteria in the large intestine, resulting in the production of gasses like hydrogen, methane, and carbon dioxide. While this process is normal, it can lead to bloating and discomfort if too much gas is produced.

2. Carbonated Drinks: Beverages like soda, sparkling water, and beer contain dissolved carbon dioxide. When consumed, this carbon dioxide is released

into the digestive system, which can lead to an accumulation of gas in the stomach and intestines. This trapped gas can cause bloating and a feeling of fullness.

3. Dairy Products: Dairy products, such as milk, cheese, and yogurt, can cause bloating in people who are lactose intolerant. Lactose intolerance occurs when the body lacks sufficient amounts of the enzyme lactase, which is necessary for breaking down lactose, the sugar found in dairy. Without enough lactase, lactose remains undigested in the gut, where it is fermented by bacteria, producing gas and leading to bloating, diarrhea, and abdominal pain.

4. Artificial Sweeteners: Sugar alcohols like sorbitol, mannitol, and xylitol found in sugar-free products are mainly found in low-calorie foods. These sweeteners are not fully absorbed and reach the large intestine, where bacteria ferment them, producing gas that can cause bloating and gastrointestinal discomfort.

5. Fried and Fatty Foods: Highfat foods, such as fried foods, fatty meats, and creamy sauces, can slow digestion, delay stomach emptying, and lead to fullness and bloating. They also stimulate bile release, potentially causing further discomfort and bloating.

How to Reduce Bloating Based on Common Causes

1. High-Fiber Foods:

a) Gradual Increase: If you’re increasing your fiber intake, do so gradually. This allows your digestive system to adjust and reduces the risk of excessive gas production. Begin with a small amount of fiber and increase it over time. For example, if you currently eat 10 grams of fiber per day, you might increase your intake by 2-3 grams per week until you reach your target.

b) Hydrate: Drink plenty of water to help fiber move through your digestive system and prevent constipation.

c) Diversify Fiber Sources:

Choose a variety of fiber sources, including soluble fiber (found in oats, apples, and carrots) that is less likely to cause bloating compared to insoluble fiber (found in whole grains and nuts). Only eating cruciferous vegetables like broccoli, cabbage, and cauliflower can increase your chances of being bloated if you don’t balance it with soluble fiber. For example, if you are eating a salad with tomatoes, cucumbers, and peppers (insoluble fiber), pair it with red onions and cooked quinoa (soluble fiber).

d) Cooked vs. Raw : Cooking high-fiber vegetables like broccoli and Brussels sprouts can make them easier to digest and reduce gas production

2. Carbonated Drinks

a) Limit Intake: Reduce or avoid beverages like soda, sparkling water, and beer that contain dissolved carbon dioxide. If you drink a glass of sparkling water every day, start by trying to decrease that amount by every other day for one week.

b) Switch to Flat Drinks: Opt for non-carbonated alternatives, such as still water or herbal teas, to minimize gas accumulation

3. Dairy Products

a) Lactose-Free Alternatives : Choose lactose-free dairy products or plant-based alternatives like almond milk, soy milk, or lactose-free yogurt.

b) Enzyme Supplements: Use lactase supplements to aid digestion of lactose-containing foods if you have lactose intolerance.

c) Monitor Portions: If you consume dairy, start with smaller portions to gauge tolerance and gradually adjust based on your comfort level. For example, if you usually have ½ cup of Greek yogurt, start with ¼ cup and see if it makes a difference in your bloating.

4. Artificial Sweeteners

a) Check Ingredients: Read labels of sugar-free products to avoid sweeteners like sorbitol, mannitol, and xylitol. Try using stevia or monk fruit sweetener, which are more tolerated.

5. Fried and Fatty Foods

a) Choose Lean Options: Opt for lean proteins and avoid fried and excessively fatty foods. Grilled, baked, or steamed options are better alternatives.

b) Eat Smaller Portions: Reducing portion sizes of high-fat foods can help lessen their impact on digestion and minimize bloating.

c) Monitor Fat Intake: The fat in your diet should primarily consist of healthy sources, such as avocados and nuts. You can indulge in fatty foods, like fries and burgers, a couple of times a month.

Foods that Help Reduce Bloating

Certain foods can aid in alleviating bloating by supporting healthy digestion and reducing gas production.

1. Ginger: Ginger is known for its anti-inflammatory and digestive benefits by soothing the digestive tract and alleviating bloating. It helps reduce inflammation and promotes efficient digestion,

more frequent meals can prevent overloading the digestive system, which helps reduce bloating. Chewing food thoroughly and eating slowly can also minimize swallowed air, which contributes to bloating. Try one of these mindful eating practices and see if it makes a difference!

2. Hydration: Adequate water intake is crucial for preventing constipation and reducing bloating. Drinking plenty of water helps flush out excess sodium from the body and supports overall digestive health. Staying hydrated ensures that the digestive system functions optimally.

3. Physical Activity: Regular exercise promotes healthy digestion and helps move gas through the digestive tract more

Eating smaller, more frequent meals can prevent overloading the digestive system, which helps reduce bloating.

which can minimize the feeling of fullness and discomfort.

2. Peppermint: Peppermint, available in tea or supplement form, contains menthol, which has relaxing effects on the muscles of the gastrointestinal tract. This relaxation helps release trapped gas and reduces bloating. Peppermint also aids in soothing the stomach and improving digestion.

3. Yogurt: Yogurt that contains probiotics, beneficial bacteria, can help balance gut flora and improve digestion. By promoting a healthy balance of gut bacteria, yogurt can reduce gas production and ease bloating. Look for yogurt with live active cultures for the best results.

4. Fennel: Fennel seeds or fennel tea can help relax the muscles in the GI tract and reduce gas buildup. Fennel has carminative properties, which help in relieving bloating and abdominal discomfort by facilitating the passage of gas.

5. Pineapple and Papaya: These tropical fruits are rich in digestive enzymes, such as bromelain in pineapple and papain in papaya. These enzymes help break down proteins more efficiently, which can reduce gas production and alleviate bloating.

Other Factors That Alleviate Bloating

In addition to dietary choices, several lifestyle factors can influence bloating.

1. Eating Habits: Eating smaller,

tive tract, resulting in bloating, gas, and abdominal pain. IBS is characterized by a sensitive gut and abnormal bowel habits, causing bloating and cramping. If you suspect you have a food allergy, intolerances, or digestive issues, it’s wise to visit a healthcare provider for a proper diagnosis. Managing bloating in these conditions often requires dietary adjustments, medication, and lifestyle changes.

Healthy Anti-Bloating Meal Ideas

Here are a few meal ideas that promote healthy digestion and reduce bloating.

1. Breakfast

a) Oatmeal with mixed berries and chia seeds

b) Scrambled eggs whole wheat wrap with spinach and tomatoes

2. Lunch

a) Grilled chicken salad with quinoa

b) Turkey breast sandwich with whole grain bread and mixed greens

3. Dinner

a) Turkey meatballs with zoodles

b) Baked flounder with sweet potatoes and green beans

efficiently. Activities such as walking, jogging, or yoga can aid in reducing bloating by encouraging normal digestive motility and gas expulsion.

4. Stress Management: Stress and anxiety can affect gut motility and contribute to bloating. Practices such as yoga, meditation, and deep-breathing exercises can help manage stress levels and improve digestive function. Reducing stress supports a balanced digestive system and decreases bloating.

5. Avoiding Chewing Gum and Smoking: Chewing gum and smoking increase the amount of air swallowed, which can lead to bloating. Avoiding these habits helps minimize the intake of air into the digestive system, reducing the likelihood of bloating and discomfort.

Digestive Issues

Food allergies and intolerances can significantly impact bloating. When the body reacts negatively to certain foods, it can lead to digestive distress, including gas and bloating. Common culprits include lactose and gluten. For instance, gluten intolerance or celiac disease can cause inflammation and bloating when gluten-containing foods are consumed. Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) and Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) are chronic conditions that cause significant bloating and digestive discomfort. IBD, including Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, leads to inflammation in the diges-

Managing bloating involves understanding its causes and implementing practical strategies to alleviate discomfort. By recognizing the factors that contribute to bloating, such as certain foods, swallowed air, digestive issues, and hormonal changes, you can make informed dietary and lifestyle adjustments. Incorporating fiber gradually, opting for non-carbonated beverages, and choosing lactose-free or low-fat alternatives can help reduce bloating. Focusing on foods that help with digestion, such as ginger, peppermint, and probiotics, can offer relief. Adopting mindful eating habits, staying hydrated, and managing stress are also crucial in reducing bloating. For those with food allergies, intolerances, or chronic digestive conditions like IBD or IBS, seeking professional advice is essential for proper management and relief. By taking a comprehensive approach, you can address bloating effectively and enhance both physical comfort and overall well-being.

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

Batya Greenwald

Baila (7) & Paltiel (6) Efron

Ayelet and Peri

Aviva M, 1 Avigail Ray, 8

Ariella, 6

Ariella Dancziger, 7

Anna Devorah Meles, 10

Ahuva Bracha M, 4

Ahuva Abraham, 9

EVEN MORE SUBMISSIONS

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

Zazi T. 7

YW, 10

Yosef H.

Yoel Goldstein, 12

Yael S.

Shoshana Martin, 8

Shmulie Schapiro, 5

Shalom A. Nelkin, 4

Shalom B. 9

Sarah Golda Cline, 5

Sara Sloan, 8

Rosie Anisfeld, 5

Nesanel, 5 and Chezky, 3

Naava Rosenblum, 8

Meira S. Leah Seidel, 5

Izzy L, 4.5

Hadassa Garfunkel, 10

Gitty Millrod, 3

Elisheva, 9

Elisheva Goldstein, 10

Eliana, 12 and Talia, 9 Lawrence

Dena Sragow, 4

Chaya Leah Marizan, 6

Rachel Leah Perlman, 11

In The K tchen

Baked Fish and Chips

By Naomi Nachman

This dish is a no-fail winner fish dinner that is super simple and kid-friendly to boot.

Perfect for the Nine Days!

Ingredients

Salmon

◦ 2 eggs, lightly beaten

◦ 2 tablespoons vinegar

◦ 1 cup flour

◦ 2 (6-ounce) bags snack of choice (tortilla, potato chips, Bissli), crushed

◦ 2 pounds fresh salmon, cut into strips

Potato Wedges

◦ 6 medium Yukon Gold potatoes, cut into 1-inch cubes

◦ 1 teaspoon garlic powder

◦ 1 teaspoon paprika

◦ 1 teaspoon onion powder

◦ Salt, to taste

◦ Pepper, to taste

◦ ¼ cup canola oil

Tartar Sauce

◦ 4 tablespoons mayonnaise

◦ 2 tablespoons sweet relish

◦ 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard

◦ 2 teaspoons white wine or apple cider vinegar

Preparation

Prepare the Salmon

1. Preheat oven to 400°F.

2. Place eggs and vinegar into a bowl; whisk to combine. Place flour into a second bowl and snack crumbs into a third.

3. Dip each piece of fish into flour, then into egg mixture, and then into crushed snacks, making sure the entire strip is fully coated.

4. Place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake for 20 minutes.

Prepare the Potato Wedges

1. Toss ingredients together in a bowl, then lay on a baking sheet.

2. Bake 40 minutes on 400°F.

Prepare the Tartar Sauce

1. In a small bowl, mix the mayo, relish, mustard, and vinegar. Stir to combine.

2. Serve fish with tartar sauce.

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.