Dear Camp HASC, Sonya and I would like to thank you, the Camp HASC staff, for giving our daughter Miriam the most unbelievable summer experience. We’ve gotten the full report and debriefing from Miriam and all we keep hearing about is the amazing and wonderful experience she had.
Thank you for making Miriam feel so loved and accepted for who she is. For Miriam to have so many friends (her counselors!), who made her the focus of their attention, their love and their constant support, gave her pure joy, confidence and renewed vigor.
Thank you for the love, care and acceptance she received which she could not have gotten anywhere else.
Thank you to the head staff, the medical staff, the professional staff and all the dedicated team members for all their hard work.
And great appreciation to the Camp HASC supporters who so generously made this all available and made make this summer experience a reality.
With much gratitude, Rabbi Danny and Sonya Yiftach Los Angeles, CA P.S. We asked Miriam, what she would like to do next summer? Her response: I want to be a Camp HASC counselor!
For more information contact Chaya Miller: 718-686-2607 office@camphasc.org www.camphasc.org
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his morning, droplets of rain scattered on my windshield as I drove my daughter to school. Now, rain is sluicing down my win dows relentlessly, bringing with it dreary tempera ments along with decreasing temperatures. Fall is decidedly here.
But I knew that fall was here last week, because I enjoyed the slight chill in the air as I ran my er rands. A little drop in temperature while wearing a sweatshirt or sweater is refreshing, and I rel ished the nip in the air.
Fall is an uncertain season. It can be invigorat ing and refreshing, the perfect accompaniment to a brisk walk. But it can also send you rushing in doors, away from the icy rain and the frosty temps.
When I think of fall, I have many wonderful childhood memories.
I remember walking home from school with my heavy knapsack on my back. It was already dark when high school classes were dismissed. I would walk quickly, bundled against the gusty winds. And as I opened the front door to my home, a cur tain of warm air greeted me.
I remember trips to Manhattan, where we spent time in Central Park, enjoying the outdoors before the winter was upon us. The trees that lined the promenade were brilliant shades of reds and yellows and browns, the melodic sounds of the
saxophone floating through the air.
I remember cups of hot cocoa from the bagel store – creamy and chocolatey. Hot cocoa was never as good when drunk at home. Fall was when my father would buy chestnuts, and we would roast them in the oven, the chalky, chewy texture coating our mouths.
Nowadays, we are building our own memories of fall with our family. A few weeks ago, I reveled in my toddler’s delight at she jumped in mounds of autumn leaves, creating little mountains of brilliant-colored leaves on the sidewalk. And on every walk, she insists on gathering leaves and little rocks, bringing them home for another day. (Thankfully, I am able to smuggle the harvested foliage into the garbage after she goes to sleep. After all, there is always another bag of leaves to collect tomorrow.)
Some foods are symbolic of fall. In our home, there are crunchy pomegranate seeds and hot soups, warm muffins and steamy stews, hot cocoa with mounds of whipped cream.
And of course, as a family, we make sure to bundle up and get outdoors a bit, too. After all, there’s nothing like a few layers that can make you appreciate the brisk temperatures outdoors. Wishing you a wonderful week, Shoshana
Yitzy Halpern, PUBLISHER publisher@fivetownsjewishhome.com
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I never knew that my latest inspira tion would come via an employee at Tar get and an employee at a supermarket. They both shared commonalities in that they were young, enthusiastic and excit ed to help. They were not affected (yet) by the cynicisms and upheavals going in in the world. They had one job: to dream about a bright future. I wondered how I could apply such an attitude of beauty to everyday life. I thought that, maybe if I infused such vigor, innocence and beauty into my service of G-d, a transformative experience could occur.
Baruch Kocho
I feel bad for Esti because I know that so many people have gone through the same thing that she is going through now. For everyone who doesn’t marry their first, or second, or even their third boy, they will inevitably be left feeling out in the cold when their friends get engaged and married. It’s very hurtful, especially since the dating chapter is an emotional time in people’s lives.
The panelists really answered it all: get yourself another group of friends, try different experiences, involve yourself in different endeavors. Those are all won derful ideas.
Still, this is a very painful time.
One thing that has to be emphasized:
your friend is not closing you out on pur pose. She is doing the work that needs to be done to move on to the next stage in her life. I am sure that she feels torn and wants to spend more time with you. But she knows that her relationship with her future husband is priority at this time. Please don’t begrudge her; she is already feeling overwhelmed and guilty about the situation.
Sincerely, Chaviva Burns
I recently went for a manicure and gave a tip to my manicurist. But instead of thanking me and walking away, she waited for a minute to see if I was going to tip her more. I left the store with a distasteful feeling. Since when has gra tuity become something expected and demanded? Shouldn’t a tip be something that is offered when a job is well done?
I find the same sort of thing happens when I go to a restaurant. Nowadays, many restaurants have a pad that the server hands you at the end of the meal so you can pay on the spot. I find this very convenient. It’s very uncomfortable when the server is standing over your shoulder, looking to see how much you are giving them as a tip. It’s so awkward! Remember when you were given little black “folders” that you put the receipt in and marked off the tip when you had to pay at
restaurant? Some restaurants still have them. I appreciated that it was my pre rogative over how much I should tip my server. I shouldn’t feel pressured by them to give them a higher tip just because they are standing right near me.
Oh, and what about those stores where you order your food to-go and then they swivel the payment pad towards you so you can add a tip. Why am I giving you a tip? I just ordered the food from you – you didn’t serve it to me or bring me a glass of water. This is just take-out. Why should I
give you a tip? For working in a store?
I know that waiters and manicurists and other people in the service industry rely on tips. And I am more than happy to tip – generously – for a job well done. But I shouldn’t be put in an awkward situa tion, and it shouldn’t be a mandate that we all have to tip well.
Let that be up to me to decide. After all, a gratuity is just that – a gesture of appreciation.
Sincerely, An Uncomfortable ReaderBe part of TJH’s weekly poll.
Email the editor to be included in the weekly poll at Editor@FiveTownsJewishHome.com
Dear Editor, Black Friday and Cyber Monday are days when people shell out thousands of dollars on sale items – and more. It’s the start of the shopping season when con sumers spend tons of money on clothes, toys, and gifts. But it’s also important to remember that once you’re opening your wallets, you should give to others who are less fortunate than you. There are many organizations in town that could benefit from your largesse. Be generous and re member your neighbors!
If you don’t have the cash to spend,
remember to think of others by in viting them for a meal on Shabbos, dropping off a fresh challah, offering to pick up something from the grocery for them, or calling them to see how their week was.
There are so many ways to be a giver and think of others!
Sincerely, Sarit KaplanViews expressed on the Letters to the Editor page do not necessarily reflect the views of The Jewish Home.
Please send all correspondence to: editor@fivetownsjewishhome.com.
World Cup chief Hassan Al-Thawadi said that between 400 and 500 mi grant workers have died as a result of work done on projects connected to the tournament – a greater figure than Qatari officials have cited previously.
In an interview with Piers Morgan which aired on TalkTV on Monday, Al-Thawadi was asked about the num ber of fatalities to migrant workers as a result of the work done in the tourna ment and said: “The estimate is around 400, between 400 and 500.
“I don’t have the exact number, that’s something that’s been discussed. One death is too many, it’s as simple as that.”
In November 2022, a government official said there had been three work-related deaths on World Cup sta diums and 37 non-work-related deaths.
The Guardian had reported last year that 6,500 South Asian migrant workers had died in Qatar since the country was awarded the World Cup in 2010, most of whom were involved in low-wage, dangerous labor, often undertaken in extreme heat. Still, the report did not connect all 6,500 deaths with World Cup infrastructure proj ects.
A Qatari government official said last month, “The 6,500 figure takes the number of all foreign worker deaths in the country over a 10-year period and attributes it to the World Cup.
“This is not true and neglects all other causes of death including illness, old age and traffic accidents. It also fails to recognize that only 20% of for eign workers in Qatar are employed on construction sites.”
According to Amnesty Internation al, migrant workers account for 90% of Qatar’s total workforce.
Since Qatar was awarded the World Cup in 2010, many migrant workers have faced delayed or unpaid wages, forced labor, long hours in hot weather, employer intimidation, and an inabil ity to leave their jobs because of the country’s sponsorship system, human rights organizations have found.
Morgan questioned if the health and safety standards were good enough at the beginning of the project, to which Al-Thawadi responded: “I think overall the need for labor reform itself dictates that, yes, improvements have to hap pen.”
Ahead of the World Cup, which be gan earlier this month and concludes on December 18, Qatar erected seven new stadiums, built new hotels, and expanded the country’s airport, rail networks, and highways.
The World Health Organization, re sponding to complaints that the word monkeypox conjures up racist tropes and stigmatizes patients, is recommending that the name of the disease be changed to mpox. Both names are to be used for a year until the name monkeypox is phased out.
The recommendation, issued on Mon day, follows outbreaks that began about six months ago in Europe and the United States, prompting widespread fears that the pathogen could spread widely.
The virus had quietly circulated in rural parts of Central Africa and West Africa for decades.
“WHO will adopt the term mpox in its communications, and encourages oth ers to follow these recommendations, to minimize any ongoing negative impact of the current name and from adoption of the new name,” the health organization said in a statement.
Monkeypox was always a bit of a mis nomer, because monkeys have almost nothing to do with the disease and its
14 transmission. (Rats are the most likely animal reservoir for the virus.)
The name was inspired by a colony of caged lab monkeys in Denmark, where the virus was first identified by research ers more than a half-century ago. Since 2015, the WHO has promoted new cri teria for naming infectious diseases. Ac cording to the recommendations, names should aim to reduce unnecessary nega tive impact on travel, tourism, or animal welfare, and “avoid causing offense to any cultural, social, national, regional, professional or ethnic groups.”
Critics said monkeypox reinforced ugly Western stereotypes about Africa as a reservoir of pestilence and pathogens. Some critics said it also played into racist stereotypes, deeply rooted in American culture, that compare Black people to primates.
“Names matter, and so does scientif ic accuracy, especially for pathogens and epidemics that we are trying to control,” Tulio de Oliveira, a bioinformatician at Stellenbosch University in South Africa, said last summer as researchers cam paigned for the WHO to adopt a new name.
The word monkeypox will not disap pear entirely. It will remain searchable in the International Classification of Dis
eases, allowing access to historical infor mation about the disease, the WHO said. (© The New York Times)
their labor rights and ignoring what they described as worsening work conditions and financial strain caused by rising fuel costs and interest rates.
The order was approved in a Cabinet meeting called by Yoon and targeted the drivers of cement trucks among a broad er group of truckers participating in the walkout. It marked the first time a South Korean government has exercised con troversial powers under a law revised in 2004 to force truckers back to their jobs.
A failure to comply without “jus tifiable reason” is punishable by up to three years in jail or a maximum fine of 30 million won ($22,400). Critics have denounced the law as unconstitutional, saying it doesn’t clearly define what qual ifies as acceptable conditions for a strike.
dermine democracy, Mexico’s president on Sunday marched through the capital accompanied by massive crowds in a dis play of popular support for his mandate.
In an early taste of the 2024 presiden tial election, President Andrés Manuel López Obrador’s supporters, some travel ing hundreds of miles by bus to the cap ital, came with Mexican flags, marching bands and even president-shaped stuffed toys as they filled the heart of the capital, chanting, “It’s an honor to be with Obra dor.”
On Tuesday, the government of South Korea issued an order for thousands of truck drivers who have been on strike to return to work. The truckers had walked out last week due to freight fare issues; the government says that the strike is damaging an already hurting economy. But the order may not solve the issue. Despite facing the threat of delicensing or even prison terms, the strike’s orga nizers said they would defy the order and accused President Yoon Suk Yeol’s conservative government of suppressing
Yoon said the truckers’ strike is threatening to “devastate the foundation of our industries,” citing delays in de liveries of materials such as cement and steel to construction sites and factories. He accused the strikers of illicit activities such as disrupting the work of colleagues who have refused to participate in the strike. For now, it is unclear whether the order will extend to truckers in other in dustries.
Thousands of members of the Car go Truckers Solidarity Union have been striking since last Thursday, in their sec ond nationwide walkout since June, call ing for the government to make perma nent a minimum freight rate system that is to expire at the end of 2022.
According to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, nearly 8,000 truckers participated in the strike on Monday, and container traffic at ports was at 21% of normal levels as of 10 a.m. The strike slowed shipments and deliver ies of cement, steel, and refined oil prod ucts.
Mexico’s political opposition and some members of civil society spoke out against the march, calling it a show of force by a leader they cast as a budding authoritarian who uses state resources — including welfare programs — to main tain his popularity.
The president has denied those ac cusations, but the sway López Obrador maintains over many Mexicans was on full display Sunday.
Some said they were there to show support for a president who had benefit ed them economically through welfare programs, although they were less aware of López Obrador’s more specific policy goals — including the contentious elec toral changes he hopes to get ratified.
The overhaul would give the presi dent more control over Mexico’s electoral systems, but while Mexico’s Congress be gan discussing the proposal this month, López Obrador does not have enough votes for it to be adopted.
Opposition members worry he will try to push the changes through by other means before year’s end. López Obrador has used presidential decrees to adopt some of his more contentious policies re cently.
Sunday’s march was a bid by him to show popular support for his overall mandate and for his bid to overhaul the electoral system and increase his power over the body that oversees voting, the National Electoral Institute.
It came two weeks after a march to insulate the institute from the changes drew tens of thousands of supporters.
Two weeks after tens of thousands of Mexicans protested against proposed electoral changes they say would un
When López Obrador addressed the crowd Sunday, his speech focused on the welfare programs his government has in troduced while mostly skirting the rising violence and worsening security situa tion that has afflicted the country since he took office in 2018. Some four years into his term. the president maintains an approval rating that hovers around 60%, making him one of the world’s more pop ular leaders. (© The New York Times)
Jafari was involved in the deploy ment of Iranian air defense systems in Syria and Lebanon, a program led by IRGC Brig.-Gen. Fereydoun Mohamma di Saghaei.
The assassination also comes two years after the assassination of Iranian nuclear scientist Mohsen Fakhrizadeh.
A member of the Iranian Islamic Rev olutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) was as sassinated in Isfahan on Monday.
Reza Dastani was killed on his way to work. For now, his assailants have not been arrested.
The assassination comes just days af ter IRGC Col. Davoud Jafari was killed in a roadside bombing near Damascus that Iran has blamed on Israel.
The IRGC-affiliated Tasnim News Agency reported that Jafari served as an advisor for the IRGC Aerospace Force in Syria and was among one of the Iranian officials responsible for the seizure of two U.S. Navy command boats carrying 10 U.S. personnel in the Persian Gulf in January 2016.
Iran flag in two posts on its official so cial media accounts Saturday. A spokes person for U.S. Soccer said the decision to use an Iranian flag stripped of the country’s official emblem and two lines of Islamic script in posts on Twitter and Instagram was intentional and meant to show support for the women of Iran — a nod to protests that have roiled Iran at home and followed its team to the World Cup in Qatar.
Iran condemned the decision to use an incorrect flag, which it said violated the statutes of FIFA, world soccer’s glob al governing body.
“Respecting a nation’s flag is an ac cepted international practice that all other nations must emulate,” Safia Allah Faghanpour, a legal adviser to Iran’s soc cer federation, said in comments report ed by a semiofficial state news agency in Iran. “The action conducted in relation to the Iranian flag is unethical and against international law.”
that it said called for penalties for any one “who offends the dignity or integrity of a country, a person or group of people through contemptuous, discriminatory or derogatory words or actions (by any means whatsoever).”
FIFA did not immediately respond to a request for comment, and it is unlikely to intervene during the tournament.
The U.S. Soccer spokesperson, who requested anonymity to discuss inter nal discussions, said the American fed eration had not been contacted by FIFA about the social media posts. But it said it had deleted the two posts after a series of internal discussions Sunday and would use Iran’s official flag moving forward.
(© The New York Times)
A representative of Iran’s soccer fed eration on Sunday called for the United States to be expelled from soccer’s World Cup over social media posts that the fed eration claimed had “disrespected” Iran’s flag.
The United States Soccer Federation drew Iran’s ire by including a doctored
The adviser’s comments were report ed by Tasnim News, whose own social media profile includes an image of an American flag in flames.
The United States and Iran met in a crucial game on Tuesday that was won by the U.S. 1-0.
Iran cited a specific FIFA regulation
She is around nine years old, but she may end up ruling North Korea.
This week, dictator Kim Jong-Un made a public appearance with his daughter as they walked past a group of North Korean soldiers.
This is the second time that Ju-ae has been seen in public.
According to Reuters, Kim said in re marks during the visit with his daughter that his goal is to “possess the world’s most powerful strategic force, the ab solute force unprecedented in the cen tury.”
Kim first revealed his daughter ear lier this month, when he oversaw the launch of a nuclear-capable intercon tinental ballistic missile. The Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) released photos of the leader, who it says watched the launch with his “beloved daughter” and wife Ri Sol Ju.
As the Associated Press notes, KC NA’s description of Kim’s daughter has evolved in recent weeks, from “beloved” on November 19, to “most beloved” or “precious” child on Sunday.
Analysts are surmising that Ju-ae may succeed her father as Supreme Leader.
While Kim’s family and personal life has long been shrouded in secrecy, NPR reports that he and his wife have three children, born in 2010, 2013 and 2017.
Analyst Cheong Seong-Chang of Se jong Institute in South Korea told NPR earlier this month that “the children of Kim Jong-un would have the status of a prince or princess, like in a dynasty” un der the current system in North Korea.
Ankit Panda, an expert with the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, echoed those thoughts to CBS News, saying that the recent photo graphs of Kim’s daughter” support the idea that this is the start of her being positioned as a potential successor.”
but the 22-hour siege, which took place a few streets away from the president’s office in downtown Mogadishu, offered fresh evidence that the militants can strike Somalia’s political elite even in places where they are most closely guarded.
ter he leaped from a window to escape the assault, according to local news reports.
Somali troops from a CIA-trained paramilitary unit known as Gaashaan and a Turkish-trained unit known as Haramad led efforts to flush the mil itants from the besieged hotel, an ef fort that continued into Monday, when bursts of gunfire and the sounds of ex plosions rang out across the city.
The siege ended after the six attack ers had been killed, a police spokes person, Sadik Duudishe, told report ers, adding that the security forces had rescued at least 60 people, including the country’s fisheries minister.
A protracted assault by al-Shabab militants on a Mogadishu hotel in Soma lia frequented by government ministers ended with at least nine civilians dead, including one police officer, Somali po lice said on Monday — the latest bloody attack by the militants in the center of the capital.
The six attackers were also killed,
The assault began Sunday evening when six fighters from al-Shabab, an extremist militant group that swears allegiance to al-Qaida, stormed the Villa Rosa hotel after evening prayers. At least one assailant detonated a sui cide vest while others opened fire with guns on the guests, witnesses said.
At least three government minis ters were present, including the in ternal security minister, Mohamed Ahmed Sheik Ali, who was injured af
Al-Shabab claimed responsibility for the attack in posts on social media Monday, posting updates through the day to stress that the assault was con tinuing.
The militants have escalated their bombing campaign in Mogadishu in recent months, in response to a mil itary offensive by Somali forces and pro-government militias in rural ar eas previously dominated by the mil itants in central Somalia. Hotels pop ular with government officials are frequently targeted. (© The New York Times)
M&G Stationery is based in Shang hai and sells its products in over 50 countries and regions around the world, according to the company’s website. It’s currently listed on Shang hai Stock Exchange and has a market cap of $6 billion.
workers who, in extremely difficult con ditions, at the risk of their own lives, managed to land on the island today,” Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said at a news conference.
Blank sheets of white paper have become a symbol of the pro tests blanketing China this week. In a symbolic protest against censor ship, young demonstrators are holding up sheets of white paper — a metaphor for the critical social media posts, news articles, and outspoken online accounts that have been wiped from the internet as thousands of people took to the streets.
The unprecedented uprising, which has been largely ignored by the Chi nese state media, saw demonstrators calling for an end to strict Covid lock down measures and political freedoms. The protests stemmed from a fire in Urumqi that broke out in an apartment building last week. At least ten people died in the blaze when they were not able to escape due to quarantine mea sures and firefighters were not able to battle the blaze in time.
The city had been under lockdown for more than 100 days, with residents unable to leave the region and many forced to stay home.
Videos showed Urumqi residents marching to a government building and chanting for the end of lockdown on Friday. The following morning, the local government said it would lift the lockdown in stages but did not provide a clear time frame or address the pro tests.
That failed to quell public anger and the protests rapidly spread beyond Xinjiang, with residents in cities and universities across China also taking to the streets.
On Monday, shares of M&G Sta tionery, a household name with more than 80,000 retail outlets across Chi na, tumbled as much as 3% after a doc ument widely circulated on Chinese so cial media said the company would ban the nationwide sale of A4 white paper sheets both online and offline, starting Tuesday.
A4 refers to a standard paper size commonly used in countries outside of the United States and Canada.
The document shared on social media said the ban was to “maintain national security and stability” and “prevent outlaws from hoarding a large amount of A4 white paper and using it for illegal subversive activities.” It also said the company “strongly condemns the recent ‘white paper movement’” in various cities in China.
But shortly after its stock fell, M&G Stationery said the document circu lating online was fabricated and that the company had notified the police, according to a filing published on the Shanghai Stock Exchange’s website.
“The company’s current production and operation are all normal,” the sta tionery supplier said.
Still, some have said that they were not able to order the paper from the com pany and have it shipped to their homes.
At least 70 residents have been evac uated from their homes, Palomba said. Rescue operations are expected to con tinue into the night.
“The night hours are coming,” said Fabrizio Curcio, head of Italy’s Civil Pro tection Agency. “This won’t make our work easier. Today it was particularly difficult because of the weather and sea conditions.”
Footage on Italian television showed that some of Ischia’s winding mountain roads had become rivers of mud and de bris. In a video, rescue workers in Casa micciola can be heard trying to reassure a man, entirely covered in mud and float ing outside his home, that they were com ing to save him as he gripped a shutter.
“Don’t move,” a rescue worker shout ed. “We’ll reach you in two minutes.”
Rescue workers elsewhere in the town were able to save two people who were dragged in their car into the sea when the landslide hit, Italy’s firefighter corps said.
In colloquial Italian, Casamicciola is a synonym for disaster. The northern section of Ischia has experienced natural disasters for centuries. (© The New York Times)
At least one person was killed and nearly a dozen were missing Saturday on the southern Italian island of Ischia, where heavy rains caused a landslide that engulfed streets, vehicles and hous es and left hundreds of people without electricity or running water.
Authorities said a woman in the town of Casamicciola, in Ischia’s north, died in the landslide, and they estimated that 10 people were missing. They declined to provide any further details as rescue op erations continued on Ischia, a volcanic island and popular tourist destination off the coast of Naples.
As the inclement weather persisted Saturday, emergency workers trying to reach the island by motorboat and heli copter were held up, but at least 70 fire fighters and 44 doctors arrived via air craft and naval assets, according to the National Corps of the Firemen and the prefect of Naples, Claudio Palomba.
“We want to thank all the rescue
This week, for the first time since unrest swept across the country in Sep tember, an Iranian general acknowl edged that more than 300 people have been killed in the ongoing protests in the country.
The demonstrations have engulfed Iran since Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old woman, died in the custody of Iranian religious morality police for allegedly wearing a headdress improperly.
While the official state account main tains that Amini suffered a fatal heart at tack, eyewitnesses claim that several se curity officers assaulted her in the police van following her detention. Amini then fell into a coma and subsequently died.
The general’s statement marks the first time an official casualty toll has been publicized, according to the Asso ciated Press. Still, local activist groups are challenging the official death sta tistic. According to these groups, more than 450 protesters have been killed, along with 60 Iranian security-force members. More than 18,000 protesters reportedly have been detained.
By the beginning of November, more than 80 Iranian cities had confronted some form of protest as growing outrage at economic hardship and political mismanagement have come to a head in the Persian regime.
There have been 280 terrorist inci dents in Israel so far this year, compared with just 91 in 2021, according to figures revealed by the Israel Defense Forces on Monday. A further 500 attacks were thwarted by Israeli security forces during the same period, according to Military Intelligence assessments.
Shooting attacks on Israeli military forces in Judea and Samaria have also risen sharply, with 110 recorded since January 2022, compared to 25 in 2021.
A total of 31 Israelis, both civilians and security personnel, have been killed in Palestinian attacks this year.
Over 130 Palestinians, most of them assailants, were killed in clashes and se curity incidents this year as well.
Since the start of 2022, and partic ularly since the launch of “Operation Break the Wave” in March following a string of deadly terror attacks, the IDF has arrested more than 3,000 securi ty suspects, most of them in Samaria, seized around 250 illegal weapons, and captured terrorist funds worth over 2.7 million shekels.
Eleven back-up battalions were sent to reinforce the security barrier along the
seam line and various sectors within Ju dea and Samaria. Twenty-six battalions are active in total in the area.
A new task force was also established to manage the seam line security barrier. The Defense Ministry strengthened 16 kilometers (10 miles) of the barrier and began building a 45-kilometer (28 mile) new barrier.
The number of Palestinians illegally infiltrating from Judea and Samaria into Israel went from tens of thousands per
week in 2021 to a few hundred per week currently, according to the figures. (JNS)
An Israel Defense Forces soldier was seriously injured on Tuesday in a terror ist attack on Route 60 near Kochav Yaa kov in the Binyamin region, just north of
Jerusalem, according to the Israeli mil itary.
Her assailant was shot dead by police following a brief pursuit.
First responders treated the soldier for a head injury before evacuating her to Shaare Tzedek Medical Center, where she was in stable condition.
The assailant ran the woman over with his car before driving off. Police pursued the vehicle and opened fire on it, killing the driver.
Israeli media identified the attacker as 45-year-old Rani Mamoun Faiz Abu Ali, from the town of Beitunia. Abu Ali had a permit to work in Israeli communi ties in Judea and Samaria, according to the report.
The incident is the latest in a series of terror attacks against Israelis.
Two Israelis were killed and more than 20 injured on November 23, when two bombs packed with nails to cause maximum damage were detonated at Jerusalem bus stops. Police described the explosives as “high quality,” and sug gested an organized terror cell planned and carried out the attack. (JNS)
On Saturday, Tadasa Tashume Ben Ma’ada died of wounds sustained in the twin terror bombings in Jerusalem on Wednesday. He was laid to rest at the city’s Har HaMenuchot Cemetery on Sunday. Hundreds of people attended the funeral of the 50-year-old father of six, who made aliyah from Ethiopia 21 years ago.
Jerusalem Mayor Moshe Lion re vealed that he had met Ben Ma’ada the night before the attacks at the launch event of a community center tailored to the Ethiopian community.
“The next morning, while at a bus stop, [Ben Ma’ada] was fatally wounded by a bomb planted by a despicable ter rorist – a bomb that destroyed an entire world and ended the life of such a special and unique person,” said Lion.
Israeli-Canadian Aryeh Shechopek,
Oceanside, Long Beach & Lido Beach: Tuesday, November 15th at 8:00 PM Home of Reena and Joe Carmen, 3434 Park Ave. Oceanside
Queens: Monday, December 12th at 8:00 PM
Home of Ariella and Jonathan Brody, 135-27 78th Drive, Kew Gardens Hills
Tours of the beautiful HALB campuses take place for each individual family upon their school visit/interview.
Five Towns and Far Rockaway: Monday, December 5th at 8:00 PM Home of Chloe and Jonathan Michaelson, 860 Lawn Place, Woodmere
The Israeli and United States air forc es launched a two-day drill on Tuesday simulating strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, according to an Israel Defense Forces statement.
The drills will be conducted over parts of Israel and the Mediterranean Sea and include long-range flights such as those Israeli pilots would be required to undertake to reach Iran, located some 1,200 miles from the Jewish state.
“Fighter jets and refuelers from the IAF and the US Air Force will take part in the exercise and simulate a number of scenarios in the face of regional threats,” said the statement.
A London-based Saudi news site re ported in August that Israel and the Unit ed States had simulated air strikes on Iran and the seizure of Iranian warships in the Persian Gulf. It also said Israel had flown aircraft in Iranian airspace in the preceding months.
Iran has blamed foreign countries, including Israel, for a cyber-attack on its semi-official Fars News Agency, which is affiliated with the country’s Islamic Rev olutionary Guard Corps, AFP reported on Saturday.
Fars said in a statement posted to Telegram that its website was disrupted on Friday by a “complex hacking and cyberattack operation, and that “removing possible bugs… may cause problems for some agency services for a few days,” according to the report.
Cyber-attacks are carried out against Fars “almost daily” by various countries, “including the occupied territo ries [i.e. Israel],” the statement continued.
Iran International reported on Sat urday that a group called Black Reward claimed responsibility for the attack, which allegedly deleted nearly 250 tera bytes of data from the Fars servers.
The group also reportedly leaked direct communications between the agency and Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, as well as compromis ing Fars security camera footage.
In October, Black Reward announced that it had obtained documents related to
28 Tehran’s nuclear program and demand ed the release of all prisoners detained during ongoing protests in Iran.
The hacking group subsequently pub lished the materials on social media, in cluding a short clip of an alleged Iranian nuclear site.
Iran’s domestic atomic energy agency last week acknowledged that one of its affil iated bodies had indeed been targeted by “a specific foreign country,” according to AFP.
On Thursday, Israeli authori ties confirmed that Iranian hackers had penetrated a major Israeli security organization to steal and subsequently publish surveillance footage that captured one of Wednesday’s twin bombings in Jerusalem. (JNS)
for the first time in nearly 40 years.
Though lava is flowing down one side of the volcano, the eruption in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is not threatening communities, the U.S. Geological Survey said on Monday.
should remain indoors to avoid inhal ing the ash particles and anyone out side should cover their mouth and nose with a mask or cloth,” the Honolulu of fice warned.
At about 4,000 square miles, Ha waii, or the Big Island, is the largest in size of the Hawaiian chain but has a population of just over 200,000 people, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, or fewer than 50 people per square mile. Most of the population is in cities and communities around the coast.
tion,” according to the U.S. Geological Survey. It last erupted in 1984, mak ing this prolonged quiet period the volcano’s longest in recorded history.
Mauna Loa’s summit crater sits about 21 miles west of Kilauea, a smaller vol cano that has been erupting since 2021. Their simultaneous eruptions have creat ed a rare dual-eruption event, according to the park.
The world’s largest active volca no, Mauna Loa on Hawaii, is erupting
“All indications are that the erup tion will remain in the Northeast Rift Zone,” the agency said in an advisory, referring to an area where a volcano is splitting, allowing for lava flow. “Vol canic gas and possibly fine ash and Pele’s Hair (strands of lava glass) may be carried downwind.”
Ashfall can damage vehicles and buildings, contaminate water supplies, disrupt sewage and electrical sys tems, and damage or kill vegetation, the weather service says, while abra sive volcanic ash can irritate eyes and lungs.
“People with respiratory illnesses
Red hues from the eruption illumi nated Monday’s predawn sky, accord ing to footage captured at the Kailua Bay & Pier by Matthew Liano, a resi dent of Kailua-Kona, along the Big Is land’s west coast.
“The glow is like nothing I’ve seen here living in Kona for most of my life,” Liano told CNN.
The eruption began in Moku’āwe oweo, the summit caldera of Mauna Loa, on Sunday around 11:30 p.m. HST (4:30 a.m. EST Monday), according to the observatory.
Mauna Loa, which covers half the island of Hawaii, has erupted 33 times since 1843, the volcano’s first “well-documented historical erup
Kilauea’s eruption is currently con fined to its crater. When Kilauea erupted for months in 2018, it spewed lava into the Leilani Estates neighborhood, de stroying more than 700 homes and dis placing residents.
“What’s going on here @tim_cook?” Elon Musk tweeted on Monday to Tim Cook, the CEO of Apple, igniting a spat between the world’s richest man and the world’s most valuable public company.
In a series of tweets over 15 min utes, Musk, the new owner of Twitter, accused Apple of threatening to with hold Twitter from its App Store, a move that would limit some new users from
downloading the app. The action would amount to censorship, Musk said, with no explanation from Apple for why Twit ter would be blocked. He added that Apple had also reduced its advertising spending on Twitter.
Apple since taking over Twitter. His busi ness plan is predicated on shifting its revenue from a dependence on advertis ing to a greater reliance on subscription sales. But any new subscription revenue will be subject to Apple’s practice of tak ing as much as a 30% cut.
Musk’s complaints also come at a pivotal time for Apple. There’s a push in Congress during the final months of the year to advance a series of antitrust laws. Among the bills under consideration is the Open App Markets Act, which seeks to give developers more control over their apps and allow them to skirt the fees that Apple and Google charge.
this week that “gaslighting” is its word of the year, saying it reflects the current “age of misinformation.”
According to Merriam-Webster, in 2022, there was a 1,740% increase in searches for the word, which comes from the title of a 1938 play about a man at tempting to make his wife believe that she is going insane.
Merriam-Webster defines gaslighting as “the act or practice of grossly mislead ing someone especially for one’s own ad vantage.”
common oral health issue worldwide, affecting more than 2 billion people, and severe gum disease affects about 1 billion people, according to a new re port on oral health from the World Health Organization. Calling the global situation “alarming,” WHO officials say nearly half of the world’s population has untreated oral diseases, and that these illnesses affect more people worldwide than mental disorders, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, chronic respiratory disease, and cancers combined.
“Apple has mostly stopped advertis ing on Twitter. Do they hate free speech in America?” Musk wrote on Monday.
With his tweets, Musk set the stage for a power struggle with Cook, who holds immense influence over other tech companies through Apple’s dominance. Musk has a vested interest now in Apple’s clout because of his ownership of Twit ter, which he bought last month for $44 billion. Twitter is distributed through Apple’s App Store and is used by iPhone and iPad owners around the world. In one tweet, Musk implied he was ready for “war” with Apple.
Musk has been poised to confront
“Elon is the latest chapter in a push to make App Store fees lower, and this will resurrect a topic that’s been fairly qui et over the past six months,” said Gene Munster, managing partner of Loup Ven tures, a technology research firm. He said he anticipated a future in which App Store fees were reduced to around 20%.
(© The New York Times)
If you’ve used the word “gaslighting” this year, you’re not alone. Dictionary publisher Merriam-Webster announced
“In recent years, with the vast in crease in channels and technologies used to mislead, gaslighting has become the favored word for the perception of decep tion. This is why (trust us!) it has earned its place as our Word of the Year,” Merri am-Webster editors said.
Other words shortlisted for the title included “omicron,” which is the Greek alphabet letter used to name a particular ly contagious variant of the coronavirus, and “sentient.” Searches for “sentient” spiked after a Google engineer claimed the company’s AI chatbot had developed a human-like consciousness.
Other contenders this year included oligarch, codify, loamy, raid and Queen Consort. When announcing the short list to Twitter, Merriam-Webster joked, “Bonus points (which have no cash value) will be awarded to anyone who can use all of these words (and gaslighting) in a single sentence.”
The word gaslighting originally comes from a play called “Gaslight” by Patrick Hamilton about a man who tries to make his wife believe that she’s going insane by messing with the gaslights in the house.
More than 1 in 4 U.S. adults – 26 per cent – have untreated dental cavities, according to oral health data gathered by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In addition, nearly half (46 percent) of adults 30 and older have signs of gum disease, and 13 percent of youths ages 5 to 19 have untreated tooth decay. Untreated cavities are the most
According to the WHO, oral health care should be part of universal health coverage, “either free of charge or at a price that people can afford,” noting that too many people do not have access to needed dental care.
Cavities generally stem from plaque that builds up on teeth that are not well cleaned, and it can become hardened (known as tartar) and irritate the gums, leading to gum disease (gingivitis). To prevent dental problems, dentists’ recommendations include brushing for two minutes twice a day with a soft-bris tled toothbrush, using fluoride tooth paste, replacing toothbrushes at least ev ery three or four months and using floss to clean between the teeth at least once a day.
Chazal have told us that “bentching” — saying Bircas Hamazon — is so important that it brings wonderful things to our lives, especially if we say the words carefully from a bentcher.
In this engaging book by bestselling author Tamar Ansh, your children will read stories and fascinating facts about Bircas Hamazon, making bentching an exciting experience.
This is a book that is super-fun … and super-important!
Jewish children the world over have joined the hundreds of thousands of adults who have taken the joyous journey of serenity through emunah with Rabbi David Ashear’s Living Emunah series. Living Emunah for Children 3 brings young readers more fun, exciting and emunah-packed stories, perfect for children of all ages.
32 precipitate a “race war” with acts of do mestic terrorism.
1,
According to the bureau, radicals “driven by a belief in the superiority of the white race continue to pose the pri mary threat among [domestic violent ex tremists] of committing lethal violence against civilians, based on their ideology and attack history.”
Since 2010, white supremacists have carried out at least 17 lethal attacks, kill ing at least 77 people — accounting for more than half of all fatalities from do mestic terrorism, the FBI noted.
One of the deadliest recent attacks by a white supremacist came in May, when a man targeted Black shoppers at a su permarket in Buffalo, New York, killing 10 people and wounding three others. The gunman pleaded guilty to murder and domestic terrorism, among other charges, on Monday.
The FBI report warns that such racially-motivated extremists are acting as part of a “transnational movement,” facilitated by online networks and claim ing the mantle of a “leaderless resis tance” to multiculturalism. Adherents, the report states, “believe that white peo ple of European descent are superior to and threatened by minority populations, as well as by other whites whom they per
ceive as supporting these populations.”
The FBI assessment comes just days after former President Donald Trump met with Nick Fuentes, one of the lead ing white supremacists in the U.S., sparking criticism from Democrats and Republicans, including former Vice President Mike Pence.
Other racial supremacists also pose a threat, according to the FBI report, which notes several incidents in recent years where followers of Black Hebrew Israelite ideology, recently promoted by NBA star Kyrie Irving, have carried out deadly attacks against Jews and mem bers of law enforcement.
According to the FBI, left-wing vi olence poses a smaller threat than that stemming from white supremacists and is likely to consist of “nonlethal” criminal activity, according to the report, which states that far-left extremists, unlike their far-right opponents, are “not orga nized at the countrywide level.”
Anarchist violent extremists, as the FBI terms them — popularly referred to as “Antifa” — will likely “plot and po tentially conduct sporadic attacks” on critical infrastructure and government buildings, as well as engage in “violent physical assaults against their perceived opponents,” according to the report.
Such radicals “will probably remain fo cused on people or institutions seen as representing authority, capitalism, and oppression, including perceived racism or fascism,” the report states.
ment. “I will continue to proudly stand by Maine Lobster, and would encourage retailers, buyers, and patrons to educate themselves on the nuances of these deci sions.”
Whole Foods said the pause in sales would last until at least one of the envi ronmental groups changes its rating. The company said its stores would continue to sell Marine Stewardship Council-cer tified lobster caught in other places.
After Whole Foods announced that it will be pausing purchases of Maine lob sters, state officials and those from the lobster industry were outraged.
Whole Foods’ decision, which was announced this month, was prompt ed by changes in sustainability ratings for Maine lobster fisheries by separate third-party seafood monitoring groups: the California-based Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch and the Lon don-based Marine Stewardship Council.
Both point to a recent U.S. court decision indicating equipment used to harvest lobster off Maine may put North American right whales at risk. The whales have been listed as an endan gered species since 1970, and fewer than 350 are believed to remain.
In a joint statement last Tuesday, Maine’s congressional delegation and Gov. Janet Mills said they were disap pointed by the decisions, saying they
Consumers were generous with their spending this week on Cyber Monday, shelling out $11.3 billion in sales online. That is 5.8% more than consumers spent on the same day last year (when $10.7 billion was recorded in sales, a drop on 2020’s $10.8 billion), and sets a record both for the day and the year so far.
The day is typically the biggest of the long weekend — in part because sales continue but people have returned to work — and it rounds out five days that overall exceeded estimates. Thanksgiv ing saw $5.29 billion in sales and Black
150-year history of sustainability; and Maine’s lobstering community has con sistently demonstrated their commit ment to protecting right whales.”
Maine lobsters are a $1 billion indus try providing at least 5,900 direct jobs and indirectly supporting many more, according to the Maine Lobster Market ing Collaborative, which coordinates me dia for the state’s lobster industry.
The Maine restaurant industry, too, is expressing dismay.
“Maine lobster has always been sus tainable and that hasn’t changed with the recent announcement from MSC,” Steve Kingston, the owner of The Clam Shack in Kennebunk, Maine, said in a state
online — will reach $35.27 billion in sales online, up 4% over last year and accounting for 16.7% of all sales in the months of November and December.
Notably, although inflation is defi nitely being felt in the U.S., people spent money over the holiday week end. At the peak, people were spending $12.8 million per minute on Monday.
Deep discounts — retailers perhaps anticipating needing to have something more to lure shoppers — have played a big role, too, as have the sheer avail ability of goods after shortages of the years before.
“With oversupply and a softening consumer spending environment, re
tailers made the right call this season to drive demand through heavy dis counting,” said Vivek Pandya, lead ana lyst, Adobe Digital Insights, in a state ment. “It spurred online spending to levels that were higher than expected, and reinforced e-commerce as a major channel to drive volume and capture consumer interest.”
Discounts on electronics were as strong as 25% off (they were 8% in the same period last year), and the biggest
sales were in toys with average dis counts of 34%.
A lot of the buying was being done in preparation for the holidays, and that’s reflected in most popular categories. Top products included games, gaming consoles, Legos, Hatchimals, Disney Encanto, Pokémon cards, Bluey, Dys on products, strollers, Apple Watches, drones, and digital cameras. Toys as a category saw a 452% boost in sales ver sus a day in October.
On Wednesday, House Democrats voted to make Rep. Hakeem Jeffries their leader in the next Congress, replacing 82-year-old Speaker Nancy Pelosi.
Jeffries won the post in an uncontested election after Pelosi and the two other incumbent members of the Democratic
leadership, Majority Leader Steny Hoyer and Majority Whip Jim Clyburn, opted to step down. Jeffries, a 52-year-old New Yorker, will be the first African American
“Leadership is incredibly important,” said Jeffries. “When we get an opportu nity as diverse leaders to serve in posi tions of consequence, the most mean ingful thing we can do in that space is an
also elected Massa chusetts Rep. Katherine Clark to serve as Democratic Whip. California Rep. Pete Aguilar was elected to serve as chairman of the House Democratic caucus. Both Clark and Aguilar served in leadership
Pelosi, D-Calif., announced her deci sion to step down as leader shortly after Democrats lost control of the House of midterm elections. The decision created the first open race for Democratic leader since Pelosi was elevated to the role in 2003.
“For me, the hour has come for a new generation to lead the Democratic caucus that I so deeply respect, and I’m grateful that so many are ready and willing to shoulder this awesome responsibility,”
While she will relinquish her leader ship post, Pelosi will remain in the House
It was a little McNugget that was born in an Atlanta McDonald’s last week.
Alandria Worthy knew that her baby was going to be born soon. On the way to the hospital, she stopped at a local McDonald’s to use the restroom. But her baby decided it was time to be born.
After the manager heard of the im pending birth, she told her crew, “We’re having a baby today.”
When Alandria’s fiancé came into the restaurant to find out why she was taking
House Democratsso long in the restroom, he found out that he just became a father.
It look less than 15 minutes for Nandi Ariyah Moremi Phillips to be born.
ing a mask? You could pass these [people] not wearing a mask, and curse them out under your breath, they don’t hear a word you’re saying,’ and she started laughing,” Dennis recalled.
A conversation followed, which led to the couple attending Brenda’s church the following week.
Over the next few months, the new couple bonded over their shared expe riences with loss, as Dennis dealt with his grief after the death of his wife of 45 years.
to charity Cats Protection.
Cats Protection placed Flossie in a new home with owner Vicki Green.
“She sometimes misses her litter box or needs help grooming herself, but I can help with all of that. We’re in this togeth er,” Green said.
Sounds like Flossie has nine lives.
The parents said that “divine inter vention” brought them to McDonald’s where three female employees – all mothers – could help.
Although the baby’s birth certificate reads “Nandi Ariyah Moremi Phillips,” the McDonald’s crew gave the baby girl another name.
“I said, we’re going to name her Little Nugget. That’s her nickname: McDon ald’s Little Nugget,” the manager said.
That nickname may stick.
“She’s definitely a nugget,” the baby’s father said. “My parents loved the name, too. We were like, okay, it fits her. My lit tle nugget.”
Sounds like she’s a small fry.
Soon enough, Dennis decided to pro pose.
More than a year after an encounter while he was picking up olive oil mayon naise and she was shopping for Miracle Whip, Dennis and Brenda wed on aisle 8 at Fry’s, right there among the sandwich spreads.
“They hid me in the aisle next to the condiment aisle,” Brenda said.
“She came around. They cued the wedding march [out of the] loudspeakers in the store. It was wonderful,” Dennis added.
He quipped, “You never know when you’re going to walk down the condiment aisle at Fry’s and you’re going to meet someone that you didn’t know you need ed in your life.”
It’s a Miracle (Whip)!
Last
Mayonnaise is what brought them to gether. And so, it felt fitting to marry in the same spot, right near the sandwich spread.
Brenda and Dennis Delgado, 72 and 78, tied the knot last week at an Arizona grocery store where they met in the sum mer of 2021.
“I’m 72; he’s 78 now,” Brenda shared. “We don’t have that many more years to do something dumb and stupid.”
Last August, Brenda had recently lost her husband. She was looking for Miracle Whip in aisle 8 of Fry’s Food and Drug when she struck up a conversation with Dennis.
“We both had masks on, and I say to her, ‘You know the best thing about wear
Flossie is making records. The British cat is now 27 years old – and has been named the oldest cat living by Guinness World Records.
The record was verified at 26 years and 316 days old, roughly the equivalent of 120 years old in humans.
Flossie has been outliving many of her owners. She was originally adopted as a stray living near a hospital with her siblings and lived with her first owner until their death about 10 years later. The feline then lived with her original own er’s sister for 14 years, until that owner also died.
She was taken in by another relative, who was able to care for her for about three years before turning the feline over
suitcase through the X-ray machine. An image of a cat popped up on his monitor – and this feline wasn’t just a stuffed toy.
Turns out that the cat, Smells, had snuck into the traveler’s luggage. The traveler had not known that his room mate’s pet had decided to come along on his trip to Orlando.
Thankfully, Smells was taken out of the suitcase before boarding the flight and was able to enjoy a nice dinner.
According to Lisa Farbstein, a spokes person for the Transportation Security Administration’s (TSA) northeast region, “Smells, the cat who @TSA recently res cued from a checked bag at @JFKairport after he snuck into a suitcase in an at tempt to fly to Orlando, enjoyed Thanks giving at home in Brooklyn,” she wrote in a tweet on Monday, November 28.
A photo of Smells eating his dinner included a delectable plate of food and a goblet of wine.
This cat is certainly out of the bag.
Mesivta Ateres Yaakov held its annual Yonatan Andrus ier Dor L’Dor Breakfast last Thursday, during which fathers and grandfathers joined their sons for an enjoyable morning of ruchniyus and gashmiyus at the Mesivta.
The morning began with a warm, leibidik Rosh Chodesh Shacharis fol lowed by a lavish, catered breakfast in the Mesivta’s expansive gymnasi
um. To begin the program, the Rosh HaYeshiva, Rabbi Mordechai Yaffe, addressed the 400+ fathers and sons in attendance, welcoming them and expressing his own personal feelings of hakoras hatov. Senior Eliezer Aziz, representing the Mesivta student body, followed and delivered a heart felt message about his and his class mates’ growth in learning and the strong connection he and his peers
have with their rabbeim. He conclud ed by thanking his rabbeim for their warmth, care and guidance through out his years at the Mesivta.
The event also featured the Mesiv ta’s annual Fall Essay Contest, with excerpts being read from the four first place essays. Awards and prize money were distributed by Rabbi Sam Rudansky, General Studies Principal, and Rabbi Yossi Bennett, Menahel.
The highlight of the breakfast was a visit from Rabbi Moshe Plu tchok, Rav of Kehillas Ahavas Yis roel, who shared amazing stories and insights on the sugya of Ha karas HaTov. The program conclud ed with a raffle organized by the Student Government including a gaming system, a restaurant pack age, MAY merch and some very hap py winners.
Rav Pinchos Weinberger, rav of Khal Beis Tefillah of Inwood, visited his kehillah’s partner kollel in Eretz Yisroel last week. Rav Weinberger went with a group of ke hillah members. They were greeted by the Rosh Kollel of Kollel Derech Chaim of Yerushalayim, Rav Boruch Levi Faivelson. Rav Faivelson spoke
with each kehillah member personal ly and gave divrei chizuk to the entire group. Rav Weinberger and the mem bers then met with the kollel yungeleit and derived great nachas from seeing the kollel in action and enjoyed a first hand look at the dividends their part nership is paying in the spiritual bank account.
In the spirit of Thanksgiving, chil dren from the BACH Jewish Center decorated and delivered more than 100 cookies to their local police depart ment in appreciation of the officers who keep them and their families safe. In a year when antisemitism has been on the rise, the Long Beach police department has worked closely with the local Jewish community to ensure their safety.
Rabbi Benny Berlin of the BACH Jew ish Center in Long Beach led the children in the spirited activity, emphasizing and teaching them the importance of ex pressing gratitude to those who have done so much for the community.
“Thanksgiving is a time to reflect on everything we have to be grateful for, and as a community there is no one more deserving of our gratitude than our local police officers in Long Beach,” said Rab bi Benny Berlin. “In light of the recent threats made against Jewish communi ties both here in New York and across the country, the LBPD has ramped up their efforts to keep us safe, providing us with additional patrols and security over the recent High Holiday season. We are immensely thankful for everything
gratitude but to teach our children to show their thanks.”
The children decorated 100 cookies and wrote heartfelt messages of grati tude on the outside of the cookie boxes.
“Thank you for all that you do!” wrote one six-year-old girl, along with a picture of a rainbow and flowers. “Thank you for keeping me and my family safe,” wrote a nine-year-old next to a drawing of a smiling turkey.
Following the activity, the rab bi hand-delivered the cookies to Long
Yeshiva Ateres Eitz Chaim, in conjunction with Congregation Eitz Chaim, hosted a beauti ful Father-Son Learning Program on Thursday, Rosh Chodesh Kislev. Mu sical artist Aryeh Kunstler led an up lifting Hallel with delightful melodies. Following a lavish breakfast and words of Torah and chizuk from Rabbi Boruch Oppen, fathers together with their sons
learned b’chavrusa in preparation for the shiur klali. The shiur klali was giv en by the Rosh Yeshiva, Rabbi Gedaliah Oppen, on the topic of “Thanksgiving vs. Giving Thanks.” Rabbi Oppen discussed the difference between having one day a year to be thankful and a Yehudi, who expresses his thanks by recognizing Hashem and the gifts he is given every
The sounds of Torah learning filled the HAFTR lunchroom at the fifth grade boys’ Melave Mal
ed to each student as encouragement for their continued learning. The entire fifth grade joined earlier in the week to cele brate with two of their classmates, Derek Green and Solly Labell as they participat ed in the completion of the world-wide Mishna Yomi. We are proud of our stu dents’ accomplishments and their love
In continuing Rav Binyamin Kame netzky’s Bachurei Chemed program, YOSS highlights various middos and hanhagos tovos for the boys to focus on during each two-week cycle. For exam ple, cleaning up after themselves, making sure everyone is saying thank you to the PTA mothers who help serve lunch, and making sure everyone is included during
recess. This program was designed to recognize boys with outstanding middos by being rewarded with BC bucks that they can use to purchase awesome prizes at the Bachurei Chemed prize store.
The boys love it and are constantly working on and reinforcing their good middos – and we are very proud of them all!
The Five Towns Hockey League is at the midpoint of the season, and what an incredible season it is. The league, which is sponsored by FM Home Loans, has over 30 teams com peting in ages Pre-1A to 8th grade. In the younger ages, the participants learn skills and a understanding how to play the game of hockey. The older divi sions have seen great action as the talent level is off the charts.
The league, which is in its 25th year, really teaches kids how to play and compete in fun but competitive hockey games. This carries over to camp and to high school teams and gives them a real game feeling and competitive action. Of course, middos and sportsmanship are also a trademark of the 5 Towns Hockey League, with each participant being held to high standards of fun and safe play. An added bonus was the legendary 5 Towns
Hockey Nike Hats that were given to all participants sponsored by FM Home Loans.
The league has opened registra tion for the winter/spring season, which is expected to close out soon. ww w.5townssports.com
We often hear about tributes to special teachers, both morot and rebbeim. There are B”H so many outstanding people who serve the Jewish youth of our communities. The students of Ezra Academy put to gether an unbelievable week of tribute to one of their most beloved morot. While she has been unable to teach classes since the beginning of the school year, the impact she has had on the students over the last several years has left an in delible impression.
The morah gave birth to a beautiful baby boy who has met with some med ical challenges. While the family rallies behind this newborn baby (keeping the morah out of school), the students decid ed to step up and rally behind Tinok ben Sarah as well.
The planning began and spiraled as everyone wanted to show support for their morah and work for the zechut of
this baby’s refuah. The chesed commit tee as well as so many additional students arranged a spectacular series of events. The girls’ division of the school (with the help of the women’s faculty) organized a challah bake. In addition, the girls said all of sefer Tehilim one morning and par ticipated in a moving kumsitz.
The culmination of the project came with a bracha party organized by the head of Operation Ezra, Shirel Davoudi, who was excited to do something in hon or of her morah and to help bring the re fuah to Tinok ben Sarah. There were over 50 men and women in attendance, a lec ture was given by Rabbi Yitzchak Amin ov (Ezra Class of 2014), and brachot were led by a series individual all hoping to see a quick recovery for Tinok ben Sarah.
Yasher koach to all those who helped make the special week of zechiyos hap pen. At this time, we are asking everyone to continue davening for Tinok ben Sarah.
Last week, a group of Shulamith eighth graders headed to the S.H.O.P., the JCC’s food pantry, to help prepare Thanksgiving food pack ages for families throughout the Five Towns area. Another group visited the JCC to join the Chaverim group of Ho locaust survivors in a pre-Thanksgiv ing celebration. Special thanks to Mrs. Kunstler, mother of eighth grader Chaya Elka, for chaperoning.
Team JoeRudy (led by Captain Jo seph Rudansky) won this year’s 3rd Annual 5TJSL Turkeybowl on Thursday. David Levinger scored the game-winning touchdown and Avi Faivish was named Tourney MVP (on his birthday!)
Last week, about 1,500 students from 12 middle schools, including from the Five Towns and Teaneck, embarked on a Torah learning journey as part of the Orthodox Union’s Torah Ini tiative’s All Mishnah Junior (AMJ) pro gram.
Participants are provided with compli mentary Artscroll Mesorah Mishnayos.
Over the past few weeks, the am bassadors geared up at launch events to brainstorm and prepare for another ex citing mishnah cycle.
There is an excitement in the air in HANC Middle School about the amazing mitzvah of wear ing tzitzit. HANC eighth grader Avishai Newman founded and launched The Tzitzit Project at the Uniondale campus. The aim of the project is to create a pos itive feeling about doing the day-to-day mitzvah of wearing a four-cornered gar ment with tzitzit. Avishai has created a website and merch for all middle school ers to take pride in their mitzvah obser vance. He plans to move this project to a global scale!
We are so proud of our young entre preneur, who has channeled his creative
energies in a meaningful way to feel good about doing mitzvot.
Participating students commit to learning two Mishnayot a day to com plete all 24 chapters of Masechta Shabbat and Megillah in only a few months. The goal of this program is to involve young students in Torah learning with a fun factor: swag (branded hoodies) and raffle prizes ranging from gift cards to AirPods and Oculuses.
AMJ is a student-led program. Some of the 6th-8th graders are ambassadors, responsible for encouraging their friends and classmates to join them in this ven ture. Student ambassadors feel pride and accomplishment from their valued input and influence on the growth of their en tire school to learn Torah.
Students find various ways to com plete their daily learning, whether through a lesson from a peer or rabbi, group learning with their friend or lis tening to the OU’s All Mishnah App.
“We’ve been inspired by the consis tent initiative of these junior high stu dents to incorporate daily elective Torah learning into their already packed school day,” noted Executive Director of OU To rah Initiatives Rabbi Moshe Brandsdorf er. “Interest is only increasing, as partic ipants are committed and remain in the program, and an increasing number of schools and students are signing up.”
“It was truly amazing to see the pas sion and commitment on the ambassa dors’ faces,” said Rabbi Meir Avracen, AMJ’s day school coordinator. “Their eagerness and devotion are bound to make this year’s program a resounding success.”
For more information or to join the All Mishnah Junior program, please visit allmishnahjr.com or email Avra cenM@ou.org.
Last year, SKA’s Jewish History De partment implemented an inno vative, redesigned modern Jewish history curriculum. As part of the Holo caust education component, the students of Rabbi David Friedman’s class recently had a very special opportunity to hear a powerful firsthand account from survi vor Mrs. Rena Quint. Mrs. Judy Melzer, a noted Five Towns educator, who made aliyah and is now a friend and neighbor of Mrs. Quint’s, arranged this interview and shared the Zoom call from Israel, moderating questions and highlighting points of reflection for the students.
The SKA students listened as Mrs. Quint, who was born in Poland in 1935, told her story of survival as a child alone during the war thanks to six women who
mothered her, until they too perished. A well-known speaker, Mrs. Quint has told her story to thousands of men, women, and children around the world, including most recently to President Biden. She has taught at Adelphi University, Hebrew University, and in the NYC public school system and is also a guide and lecturer at Yad Vashem. Mrs. Quint also wrote a book about her life (with Barbara Sofer) called A Daughter of Many Mothers: Her Horrific Childhood and Wonderful Life.
The girls were so moved by Mrs. Quint’s words, and many wrote notes expressing their gratitude to her for the interview. SKA senior Elisheva Spirgel wrote, “Thank you for taking the time out of your day to speak with us. The way you advocated for awareness by sharing your
It was a beautiful fall morning; there was a crisp breeze and energy in the air. Walking up to the HAFTR High School campus, signs, balloons, and smiling faces let everyone know that HAFTR was opening its doors for its an nual Open House. On Sunday, November 13, eighth graders from yeshiva middle schools throughout the metropolitan area arrived at the high school, excited about what they might experience.
HAFTR is renowned for its academ ic excellence, religious life, school spirit, competitive scholastic and athletic teams and, most of all, the ruach and achdut amongst the entire HAFTR family. The Open House demonstrated to every pro spective family the many wonderful op portunities that the yeshiva provides to every student for academic, religious and social growth.
The engaging, interactive program began with administrator and student presenters. Dr. Josh Wyner, Associate Principal, welcomed the participants with words of Torah and insights about the school’s focus on positivity and the actualization of every student’s poten tial. He introduced Ms. Naomi Lippman, Principal, who spoke about the level of excellence and academic achievements of our students, as well as the yeshiva’s
warm and inclusive school culture. Rab bi Yitz Riselsheimer, Dean of Limudei Kodesh, then described the meaningful Torah learning and the strong kesher that students have with their rebbeim and morot. Molly Klein, current senior, shared with students her outstanding experience at HAFTR. Attendees then enjoyed a video, created and edited by sophomore Zachary Newmark, that gave everyone a glimpse into a day at HAFTR High School.
Following the introductory program, the students and their parents were guid ed by faculty and current high school stu dents on a tour of the school. Along the tour, students and parents participated in mini-lessons and activities, during which they learned more about the yeshi va’s rigorous academics in Limudei Ko desh and General Studies, outstanding Israel and College Guidance, and robust religious programming and student life. They were shown the highlights of the facility, including HAFTR’s Technology and Innovation Center, which includes a state-of-the-art STEM lab, a high-tech science lab, a newly renovated computer center, a well-equipped maker space and a sophisticated audio-visual studio.
The Open House concluded with a collation in the gym where the families, faculty, and students were able to enjoy brunch while mingling with HAFTR stu
story motivates me to combat all [Holo caust] deniers…Connecting over Zoom is difficult but hearing your experiences pushes me to make sure everyone knows
the horrors and tragedies of the time.”
Thanks go to Jewish History depart ment chair Mrs. Bach for organizing this incredible session.
dents, faculty and principals. Prospec tive students and their parents took the opportunity to ask questions about spe cific aspects of the HAFTR program that are of interest to them. This event was
a wonderful opportunity for the future freshman class to explore the experience that HAFTR High School offers. We hope to see everyone next year as they walk through the doors as the Class of 2027!
The TAG Ganger Early Childhood has an exciting Kislev planned, and the fun has already begun! On the first day of Rosh Chodesh Kislev, they were treated to an exciting Chanukah-themed puppet show by the always entertaining Small Wonder Puppet Theater. The girls laughed, clapped, and sang along, while learning the special stories and lessons of Chanukah. They counted candles, cheered for the Macabeem, and watched in awe as the tiny drop of oil lasted night after night. Looking forward to amazing month here at TAG Ganger Early Childhood!
It would be an understatement to say that SKAbaton 2022 was a blast!
The school-wide Shabbaton of Stella K. Abraham High School for Girls took place on Friday, November 18, with an unforgettable Shabbat followed by GVG (grade vs. grade) on motzei Shabbat and concluded on Sunday, November 20.
SKA’s seniors, juniors, sophomores, fac ulty and staff were a perfect combination for an amazing time to be had by all!
Excitement buzzed through the halls as everyone arrived and was welcomed at the Doubletree by Hilton Hotel located in New Jersey. Everyone joined for lunch in the ballroom followed by Mincha and one last GVG practice. It was time to begin preparation for Shabbat. Pictures taken
and candles lit, we welcomed Shabbat with a beautiful Kabbalat Shabbat. The Friday night seudah was accompanied by gorgeous zemirot and an inspiring dvar Torah from 11th grader Shira Yehoshua. Afterwards, each grade had a Shabbat Oneg with tons of delicious nosh and ku gel; it was a perfect time for each grade to individually bond with one another, as the Oneg was filled with laughter and loads of fun. Later that evening, Rabbi Rice gave an optional uplifting shiur, ending off the night with much to reflect upon. After an amazing start to Shabbat, everyone headed to get a good night’s sleep in order to have energy for what was to come the next day.
Over the course of Friday night and Shabbat afternoon, the grades were giv en the privilege of hearing from our guest speaker, Mrs. Chana Grove, who gave us so much to learn from her life story filled with difficult experiences and the choices she made. There was also a Round Robin where students could hear from teachers and view skits by the seniors. All these talks and performances related to the theme of the SKAbbaton – Choices – and incorporated all different ways to gain from and further understand the choices we make.
Shabbat morning began with beau tiful tefillot and the opportunity to at tend an optional explanatory minyan as well. After another delicious lunch and beautiful zemirot, we heard an outstand ing dvar Torah from 10th grader Liat Branspiegel. Following lunch, students were able to attend an Ask the Rabbi pan el, learn b’chavruta with various teach ers and madrichot, or enjoy Shabbat by simply relaxing. Everyone rejoined one
last time to enjoy the last moments of Shabbat with Seudah Shlishit and a spe cial dvar Torah from 12th grader Adina Karasick, as well as hearing impactful words from Rabbi Diamond. To conclude Shabbat on a high note, we had musical havdalah, filled with singing and dancing
On motzei Shabbat, pink, blue and yellow filled the room as GVG (grade vs. grade) began. Students cheered, sang and danced! Ms. Fogel was the best MC that one could ask for. The night continued with each grade presenting their dances, songs, and videos. With the help of all the outstanding heads, all were so well done. There were also a few really exciting sur prises! The Class of 2022 made a video and sent it all the way from Israel. We also had a special madricha dance pre sentation to the SKA song that they had created. And Mrs. Leibtag had an amaz ing time presenting a dance both she and everyone loves. Mazel tov to the seniors for winning GVG! Everyone had the time of their lives, and the night continued on with much dancing, singing and beauti ful uplifting kumzits. Surely exhausted by the fun of the weekend, the students had a great night’s sleep and then headed back home the next morning.
The SKAbbaton was just the right bal ance of spirituality and fun! Of course, none of this would be possible without Mrs. Kaminetsky, Mrs. Drebin, Rabbi Zakutinsky, Mrs. Storch, Mrs. Englander, our wonderful GLAs, faculty members and madrichot and our outstanding Stu dent Council members.
We are already looking forward to and marking our calendars for SKAbaton 2023 iy”H in Yerushalayim!
The Young Israel of Jamaica Es tates continued its tradition of making Thanksgiving special for those less fortunate. At this past Sun day’s Family Mitzvah Morning, 60 Thanksgiving centerpiece packages were made for the Queens Commonpoint Thanksgiving deliveries. Special thanks to Ruthie and Charles Merrill for spon soring to show gratitude to the YIJE community.
YCQ’s Grade 6 girls learned and celebrated together with facul ty and family at a wonderful Bat Mitzvah Workshop held Wednesday night, November 17. Thank you, Morah Leemor Abraham for leading the event, and thank you to all the attendees that made this evening lively and meaningful.
YCQ’s Grade 7 boys had a marvelous Bar Mitzvah Workshop Tuesday night, November 22. Rabbi Landsman, princi pal of Yeshiva of Central Queens (YCQ), reported, “When a child becomes a bar mitzvah, we make him a ceremony. This ceremony, even if made on a small scale, demonstrates to the child the signifi cance of their new status in the Jewish nation. They are now privileged to be fully obligated in mitzvot and are enti tled to reap the benefits of the Torah.” Rabbi Ephraim Bernstein created an inspirational and exciting evening, with dinner and dancing, for the bar mitzvah students and their families.
YCQ bar and bat mitzvah workshops
are exceptional. “We pride ourselves on establishing guidelines to ensure that the ceremony is appropriate and inclusive of all the child’s friends,” Rabbi Landsman stated. “The bar and bat mitzvah events highlight the significance of celebrating the transmission of our heritage to the next generation. We cannot be prouder of our parents and students for their out standing commitment to living a life of Torah and mitzvot.”
Morah Leemor Abraham designed a meaningful and spirited event, with din ner and dancing, for the bat mitzvah stu dents and their families.
Stay tuned for details about the next Family Mitzvah Morning on December 4, when we will be making Chanukah gifts for the Margaret Teitz Rehabilitation Center.
BYAM’s Rosh Chodesh Kislev as sembly was truly memorable. In conjunction with our G.O. theme of “Simcha,” Morah Rachel Messner, G.O. Coordinator, spoke about how true sim cha comes from acknowledging Hash em’s gifts that He gives us every day. She then presented the girls with the direc tions to a “Thank You Hashem” dreidel game. Each class sat in a circle and took turns spinning a dreidel. If it landed on Nun, they had to say thank you Hash em for Never..., Gimmel was thanking Hashem for his Generosity, Hey was for something in my Home, and Shin was thanking Hashem for Shabbos ..
The girls responded so thoughtfully with some answers being, “Thank you Hashem for NEVER making another mabul,” “Thank you Hashem for Shab bos because I can spend more time with
my family” and “Thank you Hashem for my bedroom.” The teachers recorded the answers and shared them with the whole school. It was truly an inspiring and funfilled activity that brought true simcha to the whole room!
To end off on a sweet note, the girls were treated to yummy chocolate gelt on the way back to their classrooms.
Chessed is a huge part of the Cen tral ethos. Year after year, stu dents make it a habit to get in volved in their communities, lend a hand, and become a force for good. The excite ment Central students feel for service work is heartfelt and genuine.
The 2022-23 school year brings a new model for Central-sponsored Chessed opportunities. In prior years, entire grade classes were sent out to choose be tween three to four locations. This year, the school is offering two Chessed oppor tunities a month, and students sign up for the outings on their own initiative.
“The goal is for students to explore meaningful opportunities to serve their community,” said Mrs. Yael Axelrod, one of Central’s Directors of Programming. “It’s also about learning about how peo ple have taken their ideas and developed them into organizations and initiatives that make a difference in their communi ties. A lot of these organizations are vol
For the month of November, freshmen and sophomores had the opportunity to
volunteer with an organization that was started in just this way: Bobbie’s Place, a Brooklyn-based organization that pro vides families in need with a full-fledged shopping experience – with brand-new clothing that comes at no cost. The orga nization began in the founder’s basement and expanded to multiple storefronts, a warehouse with a processing facility, and a fundraising system that purchases new clothing directly from manufacturers.
Central students visited Bobbie’s Place on November 21 to tag and unbox clothing, hang merchandise, and per form other tasks.
“Going to Bobbie’s Place to help hang and sort clothes was such an uplifting ex perience,” said sophomore Reema Gam pel. “I love how it’s designed in such a way that the kids who go there are able to pick out clothes, just like in a store.”
While freshmen and sophomores worked at Bobbie’s Place, juniors and seniors were given an opportunity to volunteer with the Hebrew Free Burial Association, which performs free Jewish burials for any Jew who dies without the
funds for funeral expenses. Central stu dents braved the chilly temperatures to participate in a cemetery cleanup at the Mount Richmond Cemetery in Staten Is land.
“It was a very unique experience, be ing able to help clean up around the cem etery,” said junior Adina Lax. “It felt good knowing I was doing the right thing.”
Rebbetzin Esther Jungreis was one of the twentieth century’s most fascinating, charismatic and spiritually inspiring Jewish personalities.
The final book written by the Rebbetzin before her passing, Be a Blessing sings out with emunah and hope, even in difficult times. From the Rebbetzin we will gain guid ance into making our marriages better, and making ourselves into better parents. We will learn how to find the mission our Creator has chosen for each individual, and how to make room for Hashem in our hearts. And we will discover how to take our personal mission and use it to “be a blessing” to everyone around us.
Following the success of Volume 1, in The World That WasEretz Yisrael Volume 2 we travel to Eretz Yisrael and meet the idealistic Jews establishing yeshivos and Beis Yaakovs, kollelim, Chassidic courts and Torah communities in the late 19th century to the present, learn of their political and ideological struggles, and be inspired by their resilience, determination, and incompa rable sense of achrayus for their people.
Every month, Morah Weider works on different middot or acts of chessed with her fifth grade stu dents at HALB. Chodesh Kislev started with Thanksgiving and ends with Cha nukah, a time when we are focused on
being thankful for all the miracles Hash em did for us. Following that theme, stu dents created their own gratitude chain and were presented with a gratitude challenge for the entire month.
It was Twin Day at Gan Chamesh last week. Children learned the concept of “same and different” in connection
with Parshas Toldos’ discussion of twins, Yaakov and Eisav.
This past week, the fifth grade at Yeshiva of South Shore celebrat ed the momentous occasion of Haschalas Gemara. The morning began with all the grandfathers, fathers and sons davening together with the Mechi na division. It was extra special due to the beautiful Rosh Chodesh davening.
During the beautifully catered sitdown breakfast and learning seder thereafter, our Rosh Yeshiva, Rabbi Mor dechai Kamenetzky, Menahel of the Ele mentary Division, Rabbi Avaraham Rob
inson, and Rabbi Shay Schachter, Rosh Beis Midrash of Young Israel of Wood mere, imparted divrei bracha v’chizuk. Fifth graders Yehuda Morgenstern, Moshe Schuman and Dovie Baron also addressed their fellow classmates and parents; the inspiration was palpable.
One of the highlights of the morning was the grade’s amazing performance of “Lulei Sorascha” composed by Abie Rotenberg. Headed and directed by Rabbi Shlomo Drebin on keyboard, with guitar accompaniment by Rabbi Natan
Wolf, the results of many hours prac ticed by the 5th grade could be heard as the moving words and music rever berated through the hearts of everyone present.
Following breakfast, all the boys went with their fathers to the Beis Me drash to chazer what they’ve been learn ing in shiur. The learning and divrei Torah was a beautiful Kiddush Hashem, as fathers and grandfathers immersed themselves in the sugyos their children are learning.
The chagigah concluded with each talmid being presented with a personal ized shtender and one lucky winner per class of a beautiful set of Shas.
There is no doubt that this year’s Haschalas Gemara Chagiga will be in delibly etched in the memories and hearts of each boy, as well as the adults. Our bracha to our tinokos shel beis rab ban is that they continue to build their love and connection to Hakadosh Ba ruch Hu through their ameilus baTorah, ad meah v’esrim.
HAFTR’s third grade scientists and chemists learned about the five taste areas of the tongue and did a taste test with citric acid and dextrose mixed with water. They created their own flavored bever age. Students determined the amount of citric acid and dextrose they wanted to add to water as their ingredients to make their drink either sour or sweet. They designed a label for their bottles and named their individual drinks. Some even added a kosher symbol to their label.
Students loved learning about chem ical engineering and creating their own drinks.
As Mercaz Academy’s full-time Director of Technology, Mrs. Lynda Last devotes all of her at tention to making sure that every teach er is well-equipped to use the best tech nological solutions in their classrooms, and that every student is prepared to benefit. She works with each teacher to integrate technology into every class room and offers support to staff and stu dents alike.
The Mercaz learning community is blessed with plenty of the latest educa tional technology (“ed tech”) to make learning better, faster, and smarter, like a Chromebook and/or an iPad for each student and the very latest in interactive touchboards in most classrooms. Mrs.
Last orders, studies, and helps teach ers use at least a dozen apps designed to make learning more robust and fun, from Torah apps like Lomdei to general ized learning apps like BrainPOP.
Although Mrs. Last is now devoted to education technology full-time, she is still in classrooms every day, teach ing computer programming to students from kindergarten through sixth grade.
“I begin with algorithms, teaching the techniques and thinking necessary to break down a complex task into the individual tiny steps that are necessary to program correctly. We will also be addressing debugging, which are the steps to find a problem and fix it,” Mrs. Last explains. “Later in the year, we will
use programmable robot toys beginning with Nursery Bet and going all the way through Grade Six, which is actually more of an engineering project. We also have a green screen, making some very exciting video productions possible for the older students. Of course, we also have a 3-D printer that the older grades will be using as well.”
Mrs. Last’s latest project is to reg ister Mercaz Academy for an “Hour of Code” event for our students in the first week of December, and, as always, she is excited to lead students to the techno logical competence and comfort that she felt at their ages.
“Technology is a tool that can move the world,” she says, “and it’s one that
Bachurim
On Thanksgiving morning, MTA talmidim woke up for a day off from yeshiva. How ever, it was certainly not a day off from serious learning. MTA rebbeim gave shiurim on Thanksgiving morn ing in many of the communities in
which talmidim reside. From West Hempstead to Monsey, Brooklyn to Bergenfield, and several more, MTA talmidim and parents were able to enjoy a morning of Torah and tefillah together to start off their day off on the right foot.
Forty years ago, life was very different for someone who was a little bit different.
One of the most meaningful an nual traditions at SHS is the Week of Gratitude, celebrated throughout the week leading into the Thanksgiving break. A reminder that expression of gratitude is a fundamental value of Yiddishkeit and social-emotion al development, our Week of Gratitude is integrated into the SHS curriculum, weighted with equal importance to classroom lessons.
The programming began on Monday, when we thanked our amazing mainte nance and wonderful security team. On Tuesday, students decorated the teach ers’ room with thank you notes, yummy food, coffees, notes, and signs to show our appreciation. The focus of the week
was Wednesday, our full day of grati tude. The day began with regular class es, followed by each grade going outside and spray-painting the wall in our park ing lot full of thank you Hashem logos, thankful words, and beautiful designs. After spray-painting, the whole school enjoyed a Thanksgiving feast with tons of really great food while listening to some inspiring words from our princi pal Mrs. Munk and our wonderful rab bi, Rabbi Blumstein, said some words of Torah followed by the song “Thank You Hashem.”
After the feast, everyone was split into different classrooms, with differ ent teachers doing activities focusing on hakaras hatov. The highlight of the afternoon was our gratitude cafe, where we relaxed and laughed together while
enjoying delicious baked goods and hearing expressions of thanks from students and faculty. The whole school then met back together to daven Mincha and hear beautiful speeches by a few students, writing letters to their sister,
friend, mother, or teacher, expressing their gratitude towards them. I can say proudly not only during the week of gratitude, but all the time, that I am so thankful for Shulamith High School.
Once again, voter turnout in the Five Towns community has bro ken records. Our elected officials continue to see that we care and we vote. As a result, our government takes great er interest in our community because we continue to strengthen our voice through voting.
The Five Towns community’s turnout was a key factor in flipping the Congres sional seat in New York District 4, where Anthony D’Esposito won in a very tight race. As Congressman-Elect D’Esposito said, without our community’s vote he would not be Congressman-Elect.
The energized Jewish vote in New
York also contributed to flipping three other Congressional seats in very close contests (in Districts 3, 17 and 19). The Congressmen-Elects of these districts have likewise credited the Jewish com munity’s strong voter turnout.
Our community’s turnout has not just played a major role in the election results at our local and state levels. Flipping these four Congressional seats in New York ultimately turned out to be the dif ference in changing the balance of power in Congress at the national level!
Samuel Francis, Trustee on the Board of the Peninsula Public Library, remarked, “The Five Towns has been
increasing our turnout over the past few elections and we are seeing how impact ful our community’s vote can be. Let’s all keep doing our part to help make a dif ference!”
Paris Popack, Trustee on the Board of the Village of Lawrence, expressed, “As a community activist and elected official, I saw firsthand Anthony D’Esposito work with our constituents on issues they care about as Councilman. I believe that’s why he won our community’s support. This election drives home the reality that EV ERY vote counts!”
Asher Mansdorf, Trustee on the Board of the Lawrence School District, commented, “You need to be in it to win it. The phrase applies not only to the lot tery. As a community, we must own the responsibility of caring for ourselves by selecting representatives at every level of government that are honest and care deeply about democracy and the import ant role that the observant community plays in it.”
Thank you to the Klalvote leadership, shul captains, and many other members
of our community who helped get out the vote. And thanks to everyone in the Five Towns who voted and participated in Klalvote. May all our efforts to help the Klal be a Zechus for our community and for all of Klal Yisrael.
By Yisroel Besser ArtScroll/Mesorah Publications
Reb Dovid is a brand new biography depicting the life and legacy of Rav Dovid Feinstein zt”l. Born to one of the great est poskei hador of his time, Rav Moshe Feinstein, zt”l, Rav Dovid himself was a phenomenal masmid and illui. Yet Rav Dovid carried his incomparable yichus and many accomplishments lightly, with a sweetness and humility that only em phasized his Torah greatness.
He was a quiet man, content to sit and learn day and night in the MTJ beis me drash that was his second home for eight decades. And yet, with the achrayus for the klal that also defined him, he taught and influenced thousands, beloved by talmidim and virtual strangers alike for his compassion, deep understanding of human nature, and his gentle smile.
He was, as one of America’s leading roshei yeshivah said of him, a man who was “kulo Torah” – whose essence was
Torah. “Kulo Torah” included care and consideration for others – the ability to understand the needs of the talmidim who were so drawn to him, of petitioners who came to him pleading for tefillos and brachos, of shoppers who stopped him in grocery store aisles with halachic ques tions, and of his people, his neighbors and friends on his beloved Lower East Side.
Reb Dovid is a book about the many aspects of Torah greatness that a per son can achieve – a book that helps us achieve greatness as well.
The following are two anecdotes from this new book, a volume packed with sto ries of uplift and inspiration.
• • • • •
One Purim morning, Reb Dovid wn tered the local bakery to buy challos for the Purim seudah. The proprietor came around the counter to speak to the rosh yeshivah privately. In a quiet voice, he told Reb Dovid that he had just received the news that his father had passed away,
and he was unsure how to proceed. He knew that he had to leave the store im mediately, but he was hesitant to close the business on such a busy day.
Reb Dovid told him to sign owner ship of the store over to a brother-in-law whom he trusted and to ask that brotherin-law to come in and run the store for the day. The proprietor did that, but the brother-in-law needed a few hours until he could make it to the Lower East Side. No problem, said the rosh yeshivah “You can go. It’s taken care of until he comes,” Reb Dovid said, ushering the owner out as he, himself, stepped behind the counter to serve the customers.
During the period of the rosh yeshi vah’s illness, he often had to give blood for various tests. A new nurse joined the rotation, and Reb Dovid understood that he was nervous about taking blood. The rosh yeshivah would sit calmly as the nurse tried to find a vein, joking and lightening the mood even when it took
several attempts.
One day, this nurse came in and he managed to find a vein on the very first try. “On the first try!” the rosh yeshivah exclaimed happily, and he started ap plauding for the nurse, who was beaming with pride. Later in the day, the nurse sought out a Jewish doctor and asked to speak with him privately.
“I want to make a donation to that rabbi’s school. Can you tell me how to go about it? He made me feel so good.”
British - By taking a break from watching replays of the royal farewell to the Queen for 90 minutes so they can squeeze the game in.
French - By waving white flags and a few bottles of wine.
Italians - What’s the difference to you how I watch the game, wise guy? Ya think ya smart? Have a slice of pizza!
Russians - By drinking Stolichnaya vodka and reminiscing about the Golden Age when Mother Russia dominated soccer. (What? It never happened? Sure, it did. Look in any Russian history book.)
Canadians - By declaring that even though their team stinks, Canadians are great at hockey… “ey?”
South Africans - By popping their eardrums by blowing on vuvuzelas for 6 hours straight.
Israelis - They don’t watch the game – they coach the game from the
What do you call an American at a World Cup Final?
Answer: Answer: A referee.
front seats of their taxi cabs. Mah zeh lecha?
North Koreans - By chanting for roly poly Kim Jung
Un to enter the game and score 55 goals, because he is the best soccer player who ever lived.
Chinese - By playing for their prayers to succeed.
Egyptians - By stampeding and killing 100 people if their team loses and 250 people if their team wins.
Iranians - By having a half-time “Death to Israel and America” show and then celebrating either a victory or loss with some flag burning.
Cubans - By sitting in front of the newest 21st century invention – black and white TVs.
Americans - By gathering all their friends for a massive party with mad chicken wings, burgers and whole wheat wraps stuffed with grilled chicken, mayo and avocado (for the guy who is “on a diet”). Once they are done eating, they fall onto the couch and fall asleep…before the game even starts.
Two soccer teams play a game against each other. The home team wins, but not a single man from ei ther team scored a goal. How can this be?
Answer: They were women’s soccer teams!
1. Brazilian soccer player Ronaldo de Assis Moreira was the FIFA World Player of the Year in 2004 and 2005 after scoring how many goals in one game?
a. 3 b. 7 c. 12 d. 23
2. What happens when during a game a player is given a “red card”?
a. He must go to the penalty box for 5 minutes
b. He is not allowed to touch the ball on the inbounds pass c. He is ejected from the game d. He gets free dinner at a local restaurant
3. How many players per team are on the field at one time?
a. 5 b. 8 c. 11 d. 15
4. If a player is fouled in the 18-yard box surrounding the opponent’s goal, what happens?
a. He is awarded a penalty kick b. His team gets to inbound the ball within the opponent’s 18yard box
c. There is a 5-minute power play, which means two players from the other team must sit on the bench
d. His team is automatically given a point
5. How many minutes is an official professional soccer game? a. 45 b. 60 c. 75 d. 90
6. Which country has won the most World Cups to date?
a. Mexico b. Brazil c. Venezuela d. Italy
7. Martinho Eduardo Orige of Brazil holds the World Record for which of the following?
a. Being the only player to win the World Cup three times b. Being the only player to not give up a goal in an entire season
c. Scoring 13 goals in one game d. Juggling a soccer ball for 19.5 hours
1. D- At the age of 13, Moreira scored all 23 goals in a 23-0 victory against another local football team, propelling him to soccer fame.
2. C- A red card means an ejection. When a player is ejected, his team must play a man down. Yellow cards are a caution when a player fouls too much. If a player gets two yellow cards in a game, he is ejected. A few things lead to a straight red card, including tackles from behind.
3. C
4. A- If a player is fouled in the 18-yard box surrounding the opponent’s goal, he is awarded a penalty kick. It’s a player-versusgoalkeeper scenario where the referee places the ball on the penalty spot.
5. D -There are no timeouts in soccer. The clock runs continuously through two 45-minute halves. (There is a 15-minute halftime.) However, an official keeps track of time when the ball is not played (for an injury, goal, etc.) and extra time can be added to the end of each half. Usually, extra time is somewhere between 3 and 5 minutes, though it can be shorter or longer.
6. B- So far, Brazil has won five World Cups, followed by Italy and Germany, which won four World Cups.
7. D- Martinho Eduardo Orige juggled a regulation soccer ball for 19.5 hours non-stop with his feet, legs and head without the ball ever touching the ground.
6-7 correct: You are a World Cup champion!
3-5 correct: You are good enough to be the 12th man on the soccer team.
0-2 correct: Your soccer intelligence reminds me of the USA 2022 FIFA World Cup team— practically nonexistent!
Our father Jacob was a very strong and powerfully physical person.
We read of his physical prowess in his previous encounter with the shep herds of Charan and later of his wrestling match with the angel of Eisav at the riv er of Yaabok. His sons, though young in years, are also very powerful and strong physically and filled with self-confidence, without fear of confronting dangerous enemies. We will see that his two sons,
Shimon and Levi, destroy the city of Shechem in their rage and sense of justi fied revenge for the behavior against their sister Dena. And, according to Jewish legend, as quoted by Ramban in his com mentary, Jacob engaged in many battles against hostile tribes after entering the Land of Israel.
And yet the overall picture of our father Jacob that emerges from the nar rative recorded in the Torah is one of
appeasement and an avoidance of con frontation at almost all costs. He allows both Lavan and Eisav to threaten him and, in effect, he chooses to buy them off with words and gifts. There is little evi dence of the true strength and power of Jacob in the Torah narrative itself. It is obvious that that there is a dual nature present in the portrait that the Torah de scribes regarding our father Jacob. And there is a profound lesson present in that purposeful presentation that the Torah has made for us to learn and follow.
ty and later Islam, the Jews became a per secuted minority and almost powerless in terms of physical strength. The entire his tory of the exile is how the Jewish people lived by their wits, with low profiles and with appeasement of their enemies. Since the exile has lasted for such a long time, this attitude and self-assessment became ingrained in the Jewish psyche. It is only when the nadir of the Jewish exile was reached through the Holocaust that the situation of Jewish self-assessment and self-assertion began to change.
We are all aware that the narrative re garding the lives and experiences of our patriarchs and matriarchs is meant to be instructive, as are all the events in Jewish history. During First and Second Temple times, when the Jewish people had na tional sovereignty, they engaged in many wars and battles and were well known throughout the area as a fierce foe. As a matter of fact, Josephus records that the wars of the Jews were the most fearsome in the history of the Roman Legions. However, after the destruction of the Second Temple and the rise of Christiani
The creation of the State of Isra el is undoubtedly the catalyst for this change. The success of the Jewish State, far beyond even the wildest hopes of previous generations, has emboldened Jewish life throughout the world. It has enabled Jews to become publicly Jewish and observant even while holding high office in non-Jewish societies and coun tries. It is the time of the children of Ja cob reasserting themselves in pride and strength. May it continue to embed itself in the brains and hearts of Jews.
Shabbat shalom.
It is the time of the children of Jacob reasserting themselves in pride and strength.
In The Grandeur of the Maggid, Rabbi Paysach Krohn outdoes himself, bringing us true stories that elevate as they entertain, that illuminate as they inspire. He finds the grandeur in the lives of ordinary Jews — because he knows there is no such thing as an “ordinary” Jew!
You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, you’ll be amazed and be inspired, as Rabbi Krohn shares great stories — and speaks to our very souls.
by Rabbi Yaakov Mordechai Greenwald
Rabbi Yaakov Mordechai Greenwald was a widely re spected therapist, with strong personal relationships with many gedolei Yisrael. He was particularly close to the Steipler Gaon, Maran HaRav Yaakov Yisrael Kanievsky zt”l, whose guidance strongly influenced his therapeutic approach to healing. Guid ing With Wisdom offers us a powerful Torah-based perspective on healing and emotional and mental health, with many price less insights from the Steipler.
The pasuk (Bereishis 29:2) says that when Yaakov arrived in Charan, “And he saw and behold there was a well in the field and there were three flocks of sheep waiting by it because the flocks drank from that well and there was a great rock on the mouth of the well.”
In his conversation with the shep herds, Yaakov asked them why they were not drawing water to allow their sheep to drink from the well. “And they said, ‘We can’t [move the stone] until all of the flocks gather and they roll the stone from the mouth of the well.’” Yaakov’s response to this explanation was “Yaakov approached and rolled the stone from off of the mouth of the well and gave water to the sheep of Lavan, the brother of his mother.”
Imagine how the shepherds must have laughed when they saw this yeshiva bachur, this (Bereishis 25:27) “Ish yosheiv ohalim, pure man [studying] in tents” walking up to move this boulder which a whole group of strong, healthy shepherds could not move. The Medrash (Bereishis Raba 70:8), however, says that for Yaakov, moving the stone was so easy that it was as if the boul der was the size of “the tiny hole of a small strainer.” To the shepherds, the rock was a giant boulder, but to Yaakov it was like a lit tle pebble. Can it be that this was some sort of macho contest to see who is stronger and that Yaakov won the contest? This Medrash cries out to be interpreted on a deeper level.
Chazal offer many opinions regard ing the nature of the well covered by the boulder. Some suggest that it refers to Yerushalayim. Others say it refers to Har Sinai. But we find a deeper interpretation in the seforim hakedoshim which explains that the well represents each person. Ev eryone possesses a wellspring of abilities, strengths, talents, and gifts which demand expression in the person’s life. We all know
talented, intelligent people who fail to suc ceed in life because there is some boulder preventing them from expressing their inner gifts, their true personality. With all of their physical strength, the shepherds were convinced that they could not move the rock. Their attitude is defined with two words “lo nuchal, we can’t do it.” It’s impos sible. Someone who believes that he is in capable of something will indeed find that he cannot accomplish it. Yaakov however, believed in the human ability to remove the boulders that imprison their inner strengths. That is why he was successful.
Rav Kook taught in the fourth of the Shmona Kavotzim that “a person must always gauge himself and know that he must actualize his own personal truth and straightness, the truth and straightness that he feels in his innermost spirit. He will then be guaranteed to walk on the path of faith.” Hashem planted infinite gifts and talents within each one of us. Our job is to remove the blockages that restrain the expression of that inner greatness.
Everyone has a dream that he wants to accomplish something big in life. But his “I can’t do it” sits like an unmovable boulder preventing him from realizing that dream. Yaakov teaches us to recognize that the ob stacles preventing our self-actualization are actually like little pebbles, the size of the hole in a strainer. The attitude of “I can’t” turns even a tiny rock into a giant boulder.
This attitude of “we can’t do it” does not only apply to individuals. The same thing can apply to an entire community. A feeling of hopelessness, that change is too difficult, can set in and prevent people from believ ing that they can make a change.
Although no one faced greater obsta cles than Yaakov Avinu, his whole essence was “I can.” This “simple man [studying]
in tents” was forced to become a shepherd and work for fourteen years to marry Ro chel. When he was forced to face his broth er (Bereishis 32:25), “He was left alone and wrestled with a man until the break of dawn.” That was the ministering angel of Eisav, the representative of the “other side.” Everything was a struggle for Yaa kov. And when he thought that he could have some reprieve from his troubles, he lost Yosef and endured twenty-two years of grief without any Divine inspiration or prophecy.
In his epic struggle with the heavenly force powering his brother Eisav, he could have easily given up and conceded, “I just can’t.” But instead, it was the ministering angel of Eisav that said I “cannot beat him.” The whole essence of the “other side” is that it says, “I can’t.” It tries to convince us that we can’t, but if we believe in ourselves and say, “I can,” then it gives up. Indeed, the angel of the “other side” renames Yaakov “Yisroel,” saying (Id. at 29), “because you have struggled with angels and with men and you were victorious.” You said, “I can.”
This is man’s choice. Will he adopt the attitude of the shepherds who lived with fear, seeing any obstacle as a giant boulder preventing them from unleashing their potential? Or will he be like Yaakov Avinu, who saw his obstacles as little pebbles that could not stop him from attaining his goals?
Rebbe Nachman told of a king who wished to test his son. He had a large boulder placed in the castle courtyard and instructed his son to remove the boulder
from the courtyard within one week. He told him that he could not use any servants to help him. Struggling to find a way to move it, he tried to employ every type of contraption to even make the rock budge but he was not successful. When the week was over, the king checked in on his son, who had made no progress. Rebuking the boy for not thinking clearly, the king pro ceeded to take a hammer and chisel and reduced the boulder to a pile of small peb bles, which he then easily removed from the courtyard.
We can achieve greatness if we believe that we can and refuse to listen to those voices inside and outside that claim “It can’t be done.” But we must understand that it can’t be done all at once. Just like the king’s son realized in Rebbe Nachman’s analogy, the “boulder” preventing us from achieving great things can be removed if we work steadily over time to reduce it to pebbles.
May we merit, both individually and as a kehila, to remove the “great stone on the mouth of the well” that prevents us from expressing our true potential by recog nizing that the blockage exists primarily in our imagination. May we soon see the darkness lifted off the foundation stone of Creation and the appearance of the third and final Beis Hamikdash with the arrival of Moshiach.
Rav Moshe Weinberger, shlita, is the founding Morah d’Asrah of Congregation Aish Kodesh in Woodmere, NY, and serves as leader of the new mechina Emek HaMelech.
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In Parshas Korach, Moshe Rabbeinu announced that the events that were about to unfold would establish clear ly whether or not Korach was right in his challenge. “Through this shall you know that Hashem has sent me to perform all these acts, for it was not from my heart. If these die like the death of all men, and ‘pekudas kol ha’adam yepakeid aleihem,’ then it is not Hashem Who has sent me” (16:28-29).
What is the meaning of the phrase “pekudas kol ha’adam yepakeid alei hem”? The simple meaning is “the destiny of all men is visited upon them.” However, the Gemara in Nedarim (39b) says that from this pasuk there is a hint to bikur cholim. Rashi explains the hint is from these very same words. “If these die like the death of all men, and are visited with normal bikur cholim visits, then it is not Hashem Who sent me.”
Why would Moshe Rabbeinu specifi cally mention bikur cholim at this point?
The Kli Yakar writes that the mitzvah of bikur cholim is not only beneficial for the sick patient. Rather, the visitor, realizing how precarious the gift of life is, will treat his own gift more seriously.
The Kli Yakar compares this to Shlomo HaMelech’s dictum of “it is better to go
to a house of mourning than to a house of feasting.” (Koheles 7:2) The deep soul searching that should take place after visiting a house of a mourner can lead to lasting changes in one’s life. The Kli Ya kar argues that this same introspection should take place after visiting the home of someone who is grievously ill. This can
through righteous people. So, if Hashem allowed Korach and his followers to be come deathly ill and generate many bikur cholim visits, they must be righteous. However, this is not what happened. Korach and his followers died in a mirac ulous fashion, and no one performed the mitzvah of bikur cholim on their account.
affect him. However, when a one-time miraculous event occurs, no one contem plates that the same destiny might be waiting for him. He assumes it will never be repeated. There may be some inspira tion from witnessing an open miracle, but it can be temporary and fleeting. Howev er, a person is well aware that he is liable to become sick at any time. Therefore, after bikur cholim, he will perform some soul-searching that can result in perma nent changes.
be a tremendous source of merit for the choleh who brought about this contem plation. Therefore, the Kli Yakar explains that Moshe Rabbeinu was saying that if these men (Korach and his followers) merit having the mitzvah of bikur cho lim performed because of them, and con sequently cause people to treat life more seriously, then they must be righteous. Why would this indicate that they are righteous? Hashem brings about merit
Still, the Kli Yakar challenges his own explanation by raising an apparent ques tion. Ultimately, Korach and his followers were miraculously swallowed up alive. Wouldn’t that miraculous event cause the B’nei Yisrael who witnessed it to treat life more seriously? Why did Moshe Rab beinu imply that only bikur cholim can have this effect? The Kli Yakar explains that when a person visits someone who is ill, he reasons that the same malady may
The Kli Yakar is teaching us a pro found lesson. People may sometimes say, “If I were to witness an open miracle, then I would certainly strive to be a tzad dik. What can I do? I live in a generation that no longer merits open miracles.” Yet, from Moshe Rabbeinu’s words, we can learn that the soul-searching inspiration that comes from contemplating an every day occurrence can be more potent than witnessing an open miracle.
Rabbi Avrohom Sebrow is a rebbe at Yeshiva Ateres Shimon in Far Rockaway. In addition, Rabbi Sebrow leads a daf yomi chaburah at Eitz Chayim of Dogwood Park in West Hemp stead, NY. He can be contacted at ASebrow@ gmail.com.
The deep soul searching that should take place after visiting a house of a mourner can lead to lasting changes in one’s life.
Over the years, we have traveled to many coun tries, especially in Europe. We have been to almost every state in the United States. We ex perienced various Jewish communities and encountered countless people. During the process, we gained a world of insight and understanding about others and about ourselves. We deem it important enough to remember the places, the experiences, and, most of all, the peo ple. True, I am an avid photographer. Though I am not a professional, I am very passionate about recording our travels through photos and our home abounds with al bums about our trips and about everything that happens in between.
Another way to recall our journeys is through me
mentos. Pesi does not like the word “souvenirs,” so I de ferred to her wishes to call them mementos. We bought various items during our trips, and they are displayed throughout our home. They remind us of the places we visited. Rarely have we bought expensive items, since the main objective was that we remember where we were, and the price tag did not make a measurable dif ference. As long as the object was pretty or unusual and not kitschy, we added it to our collection.
I had an idea to present the readers of “The Wander ing Jew” with a photo collection of the mementos that we collected over the past fifty years. Pesi thought it may be too irreverent as a subject for my article. I did consider her concern but decided that remembering our journeys
by way of mementos is very normal. Recalling experienc es by way of keepsakes is a valuable way to keep memo ries alive. L’havdil, Moshe Rabbeinu was told by Hashem to take some maan and put it in a flask in the Mishkan as a keepsake of Hashem’s benevolence in providing suste nance to the Jewish people in the desert. Our rabbis direct us to keep an unfinished “Amah al Amah” in our homes as a remembrance to the Churban of Yerushalayim. We have other objects that are kept as a form of communal memory of our history and as a segulah. I know that my mementos are in no way comparable, but the point that they are the means of recalling and, at times, reliving our experiences are somewhat similar.
To be continued…
Lisbon, Portugal, 2012 –Porcelain objects are very much a passion in Portugal. The rooster is an iconic symbol in this country.
Krakow, Poland, 1989 –
Krakow, Poland, 1994
Tallinn,
Moscow,
St.
Budapest,
Hershel Lieber has been involved in kiruv activities for over 30 years. As a founding member of the Vaad L’Hatzolas Nid chei 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 oppor tunities to meet and develop relationships with a variety of people. Hershel’s column will appear in The Jewish Home on a bi-weekly basis.
Geha Interchange - Last Wednesday night, a family of six was involved in a serious multi-vehicle crash with a pedestrian.
United Hatzalah volunteer EMT Michael Cohen was on his way from his home in Bnei Brak to Zichron Ya’akov when the car accident occurred right ahead of him.
When Michael saw people running in the same direction, he stopped his car on the side of the road to see what hap pened and rushed over to where the acci dent had occurred. He found an injured man lying face down on the asphalt. He turned the man over onto his back and performed a quick vital check. Realizing the man was pulseless, Michael alerted United Hatzalah’s dispatch and then ini tiated CPR, performing chest compres sions until an ambulance crew arrived to continue resuscitation efforts and transfer the man to the nearest hospital.
Michael then gave a ride to the family that had been involved in the accident since their car had been too damaged to
drive. On the way, he noticed the chil dren were oddly quiet and had a hard time communicating, prompting him to call United Hatzalah’s Dispatch and Command Center to request that a vol unteer from the Psychotrauma and Crisis
see they were terrified,” Liza recounted after the incident. “The young boy had seen a lot and had a lot to process. He told me he was replaying the incident in his mind and that he felt bad for the injured individual involved. I comforted
consider having their children treated by a therapist until the flashbacks and stress fade.’’
Michael then drove the family to their destination and continued on his way to Zichron Ya’akov. After the incident, he reflected and said: “I’ve been a vol unteer EMT for more than two decades and have responded to many emergency calls. At today’s incident, I noticed the children struggling to communicate and immediately understood the children were in a state of shock. I couldn’t let them go home without receiving psycho logical first aid since I knew the trauma might have long-term consequences.
Response Unit be sent. Michael stopped at a gas station and waited until Liza Kramer, a therapist from Ra’anana, ar rived at the scene and provided psycho logical and emotional stabilization to the children.
“When I spoke to the children, I could
him and explained that it is natural to feel that way and that he is not to blame. The girl explained she hadn’t seen much, but she knew what happened and had similar feelings.
“After I was done with the session, I spoke with the parents, advising them to
“As a school principal, it was particu larly important for me to help them, how ever, I knew my own experience wasn’t suited to provide them with the full level of psychological care that they needed. I think it’s amazing that we have so many volunteers that can provide medical and psychological care in response to differ ent kinds of incidents.”
“I couldn’t let them go home without receiving psychological first aid since I knew the trauma might have long-term consequences.”United Hatzalah volunteers and ambulance teams respond to an accident
Ambassador Gilad Erdan, Israel
to the United na tions, recently visited the Orthodox Jewish community of Atlanta, Georgia. The Ambassador was accompanied by rabbi Pesach lerner, chairman of the Eretz Hakodesh party in the WZO-Israel, who initi ated the visit. Eretz Hakodesh’s mission includes introducing Israel’s official representatives to the Orthodox Torah community, showcasing our growth and activities, showing that the Orthodox Jewish commu nity is the most active and connected of diaspora Jewry.
Below is the speech of Ambassador Gilad Erdan, Israel’s Ambassa dor to the United nations, given at Congregation Beth Jacob, Atlanta, Georgia, on monday evening, november 21, 2022.
(The speech was edited, with permission, for publication)
Iwould like to begin by thanking Rabbi Ilan Feld man and Rabbi Yitzchok Tendler, without whom tonight’s event would not have been possible. The community that you lead exemplifies Jewish val ues. Halacha, masoret, tefilah, chessed, a love for Israel, and the list goes on. Thank you for inspiring this amazing force for good!
I would like to thank my dear friend Rabbi Pesach Lerner, founder and chairman of Eretz Hakodesh. Rabbi Lerner, your dedication to Israel is truly uplifting and your commitment to connecting so many Jews to the Jewish homeland is something that I am deeply grateful for. Todah!
When Rabbi Lerner first suggested that I come to At lanta to visit this unbelievable community, I immediately agreed. I could never miss out on meeting a communi ty that represents Jewish principles, Jewish unity, and Jewish continuity.
As Israel’s Ambassador to the United Nations, I may represent the Jewish State on the international stage, yet Israel is not just home to its nearly ten-million citizens. It is also the home of the entire Jewish people spread across the diaspora – it is the home of each and every one of us. This is why, when I defend Israel in the UN halls, I know that I am also standing up for my people – the Jewish people.
It is my mission to not only strengthen the relations
between Israel and the international community, but also to strengthen Jewish unity among the diverse com munities – both in Israel and abroad. We are one big family and meeting and speaking with Jewish commu nities across America is a top priority of mine.
And communities that are so deeply connected to Jewish values, such as the Beth Jacob community, hold extra significance, which I learned from my family’s story.
My grandfather, Saba Chaim, lived in Transylvania with his wife Bracha, and their eight beautiful children. They lived in a strong community, yet with terrifying speed, their way of life was erased from existence. The Nazis forced Saba Chaim, Bracha, and their children onto cattle cars hurtling towards Auschwitz.
Immediately upon arrival, my grandfather’s family was torn from his arms. Bracha and seven of their chil dren – their innocent children – were sent directly to the gas chambers. Young children – babies – gassed to death for the crime of being born Jewish.
Saba Chaim and his eldest daughter Chana were left alive only to do backbreaking labor for the despicable Nazi regime.
Following the liberation of the camp, Saba Chaim married my Savta Rachel, who also survived Auschwitz after terrible suffering, and together they escaped Eu rope and came to Israel. Just imagine the resilience and
belief needed to lose your entire family and then rebuild your lives from the ashes of the Holocaust.
This story of courage and immense faith is the story that I was raised on. It’s part of who I am. It’s part of who we – the Jewish people – are.
Faith and tradition have kept our people together for millennia, and it is through these Jewish principles that we have returned and reestablished our homeland.
It is not by chance that when I sit at the UN and I look around the room, the Ambassadors of the Babylonian and Roman Empires are nowhere to be found.
Nor is the delegation of Assyrians.
Amalek’s flag is not waving outside the UN.
But do you know which flag is? The Star of David. The flag of the Jewish people living in our promised home land with Jerusalem as our eternal capital.
Adhering to our Jewish tradition and values have been the key to our survival in exile. Not only does our tradition ensure Jewish continuity, it also forges our ageold bond to Israel. Our religion is the basis of our love and longing for Zion.
Your support for our ancestral homeland is fortifying the future of our people, and friends, standing up for the State of Israel is more important now than ever before.
Let me tell you why:
Our enemies, those that seek Israel’s destruction, know that they cannot defeat us on the conventional
battlefield. They don’t have a chance!
Today, thank G-d, unlike many oth er times throughout history, we can de fend ourselves.
So rather than facing the full might of the IDF – one of the most formida ble, technologically advanced militar ies in the world – our enemies have chosen a different strategy.
They attack us where they think we are weak. Not only by attacking our military, but also by attacking our citizens at the home-front. They dig terror tunnels to kidnap our children and arm themselves with hundreds of thousands of rockets pointed at our towns and cities.
Yet, beyond physical attacks, they also employ another tactic. They actively work – in many different ways – to demonize and, as a result, isolate Is rael in the international community.
Their goal is to delegitimize Israel, in order to destroy us.
And nowhere is this abhorrent tactic clearer than at the UN – the most biased institution in the world.
Listen to this:
Israel – a country that represents one tenth of one percent of the world’s population – receives seventy per cent of the UN’s condemnations. Instead of focusing on real world challenges, the UN prefers to condemn the one and only Jewish State.
If this double standard doesn’t scream antisemitism, I don’t know what does.
Many of you may be asking yourselves, “Does it really matter? It’s not as if the UN has any actual influence.” Well, you aren’t the first people to raise this question.
In Hebrew, the UN is called the “UM” and David Ben Gurion, in a way to describe the ineffectiveness of the UN, referred to it as “UM Shmum” – similar to how you say Joe Schmoe.
But sadly, today, what happens at the UN doesn’t stay at the UN. This institution, with its antisemitic bias, has become weaponized against Israel – against the Jewish people.
Today, we live in an era where, due to the media and the internet, the weaponization of the UN has become so much more harmful. A lie can travel around the world before the truth can even get its shoes on. And these lies can cause immense destruction.
When the UN spreads blatant falsehoods against Is rael, these fabrications are translated into acts of phys ical violence against Jews. Just remember the violent antisemitic attacks that we witnessed during Operation Guardian of the Walls in May 2021.
By falsely blaming Israel, the UN paints a target on every Jew’s back.
In the last few weeks alone, the UN – with its im moral anti-Israel majority – adopted eight resolutions singling out the Jewish State.
Yet, this isn’t news.
Each year, between fifteen and twenty UN resolutions are passed against Israel, the most vibrant democracy in the Middle East. This is more than the annual resolutions passed against Iran, Syria, and North Korea – combined!
Nevertheless, this year’s anti-Israel resolutions crossed a dangerous red line.
The Palestinian-led resolution calls upon the Interna tional Court of Justice to determine that Israel occupies Judea and Samaria and that any Jewish presence there is illegal. As a result, the international court will begin to discuss this issue next month and formulate its legal opinion.
the best approach is to go on the offen sive. We must call out our enemies, lay bare their hypocrisy, and make them pay a heavy price for their hate.
This, friends, is precisely what I do every day at the UN! I go on the offen sive in the battle for the truth.
As we all know, even a little bit of light can dispel much darkness. With faith and perseverance, we can ensure a positive outcome.
When Ben and Jerry’s decided to boycott Israel, we quickly showed them that a heavy price is paid for anti-Israel double standards.
In a time when Holocaust denial is on the rise, I succeeded to pass a histor ic resolution in the General Assembly that gives countries practical tools to combat this twisted phenomenon.
When the UN refused to recognize rock throwings against Israelis as terror attacks, I smuggled a rock into the Security Council and presented it to the ambassadors to show them that rocks kill.
This is one of the ways I defend Israel on the interna tional stage.
Going on the offensive should be our approach when ever we encounter antisemitism and bigotry.
Today, anti-Zionism is indeed the new form of an tisemitism plaguing the Jewish people. But sadly, classic Jew-hatred is also rapidly on the rise.
Kanye West’s poisonous vitriol is just one of count less examples. The spreading of ancient antisemitic tropes is becoming terrifyingly commonplace. And just as we saw a few days ago, when the FBI thwarted an imminent attack on the Jewish community in New York, hateful words always become hateful actions. We are now being singled-out and threatened, merely for being Jews.
Well, just as fighting the anti-Israel bias at the UN requires going on the offensive, rising antisemitism must also be combatted by going on the offensive. The deep-seeded hatred of the Jewish people must be fought with swiftness and severity. It must be extinguished be fore the flames can spread. We should never hesitate be fore taking action.
We all remember that the Palestinians have rejected every single peace initiative ever offered to them. They have shown, time after time, that peace was never their goal. Their tactic is to perpetuate the conflict in order to bring about the Jewish State’s destruction.
And these resolutions aim to do precisely that.
The Palestinians wish to exploit a UN organ to enforce all of their outrageous demands on Israel.
But I have a message for them: Jews are from Judea, and no external body will force us from our homeland! You will never prevail!
It is the responsibility of all of us to denounce the Palestinian’s unilateral involvement of the International Court of Justice. We must work together in order to ex pose the illegitimacy of such a one-sided approach!
When fighting the UN’s bias against the Jewish State,
Bilaam referred to us as “Am levadad yishkon” – “a nation that dwells alone.” A similar idea was echoed mil lennia later by Ben Gurion, when he said, “It doesn’t mat ter what other nations say about us, all that matters are the actions that the Jewish people take.”
In my view, this does not mean that we should isolate and separate ourselves from the rest of the world in every context.
We, of course, must maintain our Jewish values, which differentiate us from the other nations and ensures our continuity, yet when it comes to sharing our ethics, knowl edge, and tools, we must always strive to make an impact. We must be a “light unto the nations,” and the way to do it is through Tikkun Olam – repairing a fractured world.
This is what the Jewish people have been doing since the birth of our religion, and this is what the Jewish State has been doing since the moment of its establishment. And showcasing Israel’s unbelievable contributions is the second way that I dispel the darkness at the UN.
“It is not by chance that when I sit at the Un and I look around the room, the Ambassadors of the Babylonian and roman Empires are nowhere to be found.”Amb. Erdan with rabbanim and members of the kollel in Atlanta
Israel is a hub of innovation and creativity, and in these fields, we punch far above our weight.
Our technological advancements tackle some of the most pressing global challenges – from water scarcity and food insecurity, to digital health, cyber defense, and beyond. And we don’t just keep these advancements to ourselves – we share our knowledge with countries that need it!
And it goes beyond technology.
Whenever there is a disaster, whether it’s an earth quake in Nepal or Mexico City, the war in Ukraine, or a collapsed building in Surfside, IDF soldiers, medics, and doctors are the first ones on the ground making a difference.
These contributions are what I share with my col leagues at the UN through many creative initiatives and events. And once they see what Israel does for the world, it’s harder for them to vote against us.
Also, thanks to Israel’s bounding global contributions – in all spheres – we now have peace agreements with six different Arab countries. Our new regional partners understood how much they have to gain from coexistence with Israel.
Israel spends much time and resources strengthening our bonds with countries around the world, so that they join our fight for the truth. So too, the American Jewish community must strengthen the bonds with other mi nority groups across the United States. Here in the U.S., cross-sectional support for the Jewish people and the Jewish State is of crucial importance.
We are all suffering from prejudice and bigotry, and
together as a united force, we could stop hatred in its tracks!
While I defend Israel on the world stage, I know that I am not fighting alone. I know that I have the support of each and every one of you – strong supporters from every single branch of the diverse Jewish family.
At a time when Jews have once again become targets of violence, and attacking the Jewish State has become
so prevalent, it is our duty to combat the hatred and lies. And if we have learned one thing throughout history, it is that the Jewish people are strongest only when we stand together.
When we are united, we can move mountains!
Yes, we are a diverse people, and yes, we have our dif ferences, yet we cannot forget that a unified people is a resilient people. And now is when we need resilience the most. “Hinei ma tov u’ma naim, shevet achim gam yachad.”
May we continue standing up for Israel, reinforcing the Jewish people, and spreading our light throughout the world.
Thank you all from the bottom of my heart.
“By falsely blaming Israel, the Un paints a target on every Jew’s back.”Amb. Erdan with Rabbi Pesach Lerner, Chairman, Eretz Hakodesh, and Rabbi Ilan Feldman of Congregation Beth Jacob, Atlanta
By Chris Buckley, Vivian Wang, Chang Che and Amy Chang Chien
The fire began with a faulty power strip in a bedroom on the 15th floor of an apartment building in China’s far west. Firefighters spent three hours putting it out — too slow to prevent at least 10 deaths — and what might have remained an isolated accident turned into a tragedy and a political headache for local leaders.
Many people suspected that a Covid lockdown had hampered rescue efforts or trapped victims inside their homes, and though officials denied that had happened, angry comments flooded social media, and residents took to the streets in the city where the fire erupted.
Now the episode in Urumqi, the capital of the Xin jiang region, has unleashed the most defiant eruption of public anger against the ruling Communist Party in years. In cities across China this weekend, thousands gathered with candles and flowers to mourn the fire’s victims. On campuses, students staged vigils, many holding up pieces of blank white paper in mute protest. In Shanghai, some residents even called for the Commu nist Party and its leader, Xi Jinping, to step down, a rare and bold challenge.
The outpouring has created new pressures on Xi only a month after he secured a third term as party head, sealing his status as China’s most dominant leader in decades. The broader source of ire is his “zero Covid” strategy, which seeks to eliminate infections with lock downs, quarantines, and mass testing. It has kept deaths from the coronavirus much lower than elsewhere but also brought many Chinese cities to a near standstill, disrupted life and travel for hundreds of millions, and forced many small businesses to close.
Protests are relatively rare in China. Especially under Xi, the party has eliminated most means for orga nizing people to take on the government. Dissidents have been imprisoned, social media is heavily censored, and independent groups involved in human rights have been banned. The protests that break out in towns and villages often involve workers, farmers or other locals aggrieved by job losses, land disputes, pollution or other issues that usually remain contained.
But the pervasiveness of China’s Covid restrictions has created a focus for anger that transcends class and geography. Migrant workers struggling with food short ages and joblessness during weekslong lockdowns, uni versity students held on campuses, urban professionals chafing at travel restrictions — the roots of their frustra tions are the same.
The Communist Party’s greatest fear would be re alized if these similar grievances led protesters from disparate backgrounds to cooperate, in an echo of 1989, when students, workers, small traders and residents found some common cause in the protests demanding democratic change that took over Tiananmen Square. So far, that has not occurred.
“Covid Zero produced an unintended consequence, which is putting a huge number of people in the same situation,” said Yasheng Huang, a professor at the MIT Sloan School of Management who leads its China Lab. “This is a game changer.
“The anger has been pent up for a while, but I think the 20th Congress provided an expectation that it would wind down,” he said, referring to the party’s leadership reshuffle in October. “When that did not happen, the frustration quickly boiled over.”
By Monday morning in Beijing, China’s leaders, in cluding Xi, had yet to comment on the weekend tumult, and party-run news media were also silent.
Covid travel limitations and government restrictions on foreign journalists make reporting on the protests difficult. The New York Times, which has two journal ists based in mainland China, has followed the protests online and has reported on the demonstrations through phone interviews, verified videos and sources inside Chi na who have shared their recordings of the events.
The deaths from Thursday’s fire in Urumqi and ques tions about whether the victims were sealed in their burning building resonated widely in China. After near ly three years of pandemic restrictions, many Chinese have stories of being quarantined at home, occasionally with their doors wired or welded shut or emergency exits blockaded. That shared experience seemed to feed col lective suspicion and anger about the deaths.
“Yesterday, I saw about the fire tragedy in Urumqi and was crying all the time, and then I thought of the time when Shanghai was under lockdown this year,” said Kira Yao, a sales manager in Shanghai, who said she attended the candlelight vigil there for victims of the Urumqi fire.
“Later, we shouted, ‘No nucleic acid tests; we want freedom’ and ‘No to health codes,’” she said. “I felt like finally I could say what I’ve wanted to say.”
While many protesters limited their appeals to the loosening of Covid restrictions, some seized the chance to make broader political demands, linking the draconi an reach of “zero Covid” to the country’s authoritarian system.
On Sunday, hundreds of students gathered on the campus of Tsinghua University, in northwest Beijing, where they have been largely prohibited from leaving for weeks because of Covid restrictions.
“Democracy and rule of law,” the crowd chanted. “Freedom of expression.”
Later in the day, Tsinghua University announced that it would be offering students free air and rail travel home
this week, earlier than usual before the Lunar New Year break.
Near Liangma River in Beijing on Sunday night, at least 100 people gathered to light candles and hold up sheets of white paper, an implicit protest of censorship. The crowd shouted encouragement to the protesters in Shanghai. Others stood on a bridge, also holding up white sheets of paper, while passing drivers honked their horns.
Xi has no easy response to the widespread anger. Censors have moved quickly to scrub photos and video footage of the protests. If Xi cracks down on demonstra tors, he could anger the public further, straining even China’s formidable security apparatus. If he abruptly lifts many restrictions, he risks hurting his image of unassailable authority that he has built in part on his success battling Covid. The ensuing rise in infections, potentially deadly among the vulnerable, may also be come another source of discontent.
“The immediate challenge is whether and how they’re going to continue with ‘zero Covid’ when there is so much frustration. This is a decision he has to make in the next, say, 48 to 72 hours,” Minxin Pei, a professor of government at Claremont McKenna College who studies Chinese politics, said in an interview. “You can arrest people and put them in jail, but the virus will still be there. There are simply no easy answers for him, only hard choices.”
The political stakes were made stark in Shanghai on Saturday evening, when what started out as a vigil esca lated into a street protest.
Dozens of people had gathered on Urumqi Road, named after the city in Xinjiang, to grieve the victims of the fire. As the crowd grew into the hundreds, chants broke out, with people calling for an easing of the Covid controls. “We want freedom,” they said. A small number of them openly denounced Xi and the Communist Party.
“We don’t want lies; we want respect!” a woman yelled. “We don’t want a leader; we want a voting ballot,” she said in a reference to Xi.
Other footage showed hundreds of people marching down a nearby street, chanting that they wanted free dom, not constant Covid tests.
In Wuhan, the central Chinese city where the pan demic originated in late 2019, hundreds walked along the streets, some pulling down barriers that had been put up to enforce neighborhood lockdowns.
The protests followed hopes that Covid restrictions would gradually ease after officials in Beijing released a 20-point plan this month to limit the scope of pandemic measures. Based on that plan, people had expected lo cal governments to scale back contact tracing and mass quarantines, but when COVID cases surged, officials revived the same sweeping tactics.
“Xi Jinping!” a man in the crowd repeatedly shouted. “Step down!” some chanted in response.
“This is unheard of in this era,” Pei said. “It reflects a great deal of frustration with the COVID policies. People are just tired.”
For most of the time since Covid spread from Wuhan nearly three years ago, many Chinese have accept ed tough controls, including sweeping restrictions limiting travel to the country, as a price for avoiding the widespread illness and death that the United States and other countries suffered. But public patience has eroded this year as other nations increasingly have adapted to living with the virus.
Workers at a vast iPhone factory in Zhengzhou, Henan province, clashed violently with police last week over lockdown measures and delays in the payment of
The Communist Party’s greatest fear would be realized if these similar grievances led protesters from disparate backgrounds to cooperate, in an echo of 1989.
bonuses. Earlier this month, hundreds of migrants locked down in the manufacturing hub of Guangzhou tore down barricades and ransacked food provisions. In October, a lone protester draped banners on a bridge in Beijing, just days ahead of the Communist Party con gress where Xi won his new term in power.
The Chinese government is likely to worry that im ages and video of the protests in Shanghai will spread, despite online censorship, inspiring more unrest. A BBC reporter, Ed Lawrence, was arrested by police during the protests. In a statement, the BBC said later, “During his arrest, he was beaten and kicked by the police” be fore being released. It was not clear if he was charged. The British broadcaster said officials explained he had
been arrested “for his own good in case he caught Covid from the crowd.”
“We do not consider this a credible explanation,” the BBC said.
Crowds also congregated in Cheng du, a city in southwest China, vid eo from Sunday showed, with some shouting, “We want freedom, we want democracy.” Others yelled, “Freedom of speech, freedom of the press!”
May Hu, who lives in southern Hunan province, said she spent hours watching a livestream of the Shang hai protests on Instagram, which is blocked in China un less using software to surmount censorship barriers.
“Before, everyone only thought about how to escape this all,” said Hu, who is in her 20s. “After, many people’s thinking has changed to, ‘We need to go fight and win freedom.’”
Some participants in the previ ous night’s gathering in Shanghai ex pressed fear that the widespread public fury could ultimately draw an equally furious official response. A recent col lege graduate who requested that only his surname, Li, be used, said that af ter seeing police pushing and detaining people Saturday night, he was nervous
about joining another demonstration.
“After speaking out, some spectators maybe will feel empowered — that you can’t mess around with the people — but what will the outcome be?” said Ding Tingting, an art curator who joined the mourning vigil in Shanghai but disapproved of the rowdy chants later that night.
On Sunday evening, residents gathered in the same area, some shouting, “Release them,” apparently after police seized people in sometimes rough encounters, video shared with the Times showed. Officers hurried others along, preventing them settling in place for any potential protest.
(© The New York Times)
Every early morning, for as long as I can remember, I have started my day at 5:00am and gone either to the gym or taken a long walk.
During Covid, my gym was closed, now forever, and I turned to walking outdoors and doing yoga videos inside. For some reason, yoga has lost some of its hold on me lately as my brain has been working on overdrive and it races with random thoughts and ideas even while I’m meditating.
I have no idea why and I’m too busy to figure it out right now; that’s part of the problem.
But walking in the early morning, rain, shine and even cold draws me and my walking buddies outdoors and moti vates us to leave our warm and inviting beds. It really helps me to have one of my walking, formerly gym, buddies waiting to greet me.
Once we are finished walking with a lot of talking, we are ready for any of the challenges that may confront us on this day. We are also confident that we will be able to fix what happens when we process the next morning together.
I find it meditative and soothing to review “yesterday” while planning for today with my walking buddies. Let me note that I am barely 5 feet tall with short legs and a bum knee; if I am being honest, two bum knees, one of them worse than the other. Each one of my walking friends, Autumn, Nicole, and Jan, is at least 5 inches taller than I am and has long legs with perfectly healthy knees.
As it should be, each one of them is also at least 15 to 20 years younger than I am, too.
To keep up, I have to take three steps for every one of theirs; even though they usually have to slow down their pace for me, we somehow manage to make it work.
There is a whole host of walking bene fits, the most important one being having a partner.
This past Sunday was no different, ex cept for the kinder wake-up time, from
any other morning. The weather was crisp, and the sun was shining, a perfect day in which to stretch, chat, and figure things out while walking miles to no where.
As Nicole and I were winding down our walk and taking our last lap on Cen tral Ave going to Cedarhurst Ave, we no ticed a young man in a kippah walking
volved, I walked up to the door, knocked on the window with my fingers, opened the door and motioned for him to come out.
He was the only customer.
Confused but amenable, the young man in the kippah said, “Hello.”
I quickly asked him if he was from around the neighborhood and informed
Nicole pointed in the direction of one of the three kosher ones down Central Ave; he thanked us and took off to get his morning bagel and coffee.
As we walked home, Nicole informed me how impressed she was that I had pushed myself to get him out of the store to tell him the score about the kashrut. We agreed that it had been the right thing to do. Was it because he appreciated the advice?
Is it not our responsibility as a lantz man, fellow observant Jew, to make someone aware no matter the outcome?
Please note an anecdote from a friend with whom I shared this essay:
My brother-in-law came in from Is rael and accidentally went into the same bagel store yesterday! Bought a salad and was taking it to go… He also looked around and thought something wasn’t right. He asked the cashier if the store was kosher. She said no. He was going to give the salad away, but she actually gave him his money back.
Shout out to that bagel store for do ing the right thing; it must happen more often than we think. Was wondering, should the store have a sign that says it’s not kosher?
Just thinking.
It’s been a week of more walks and talks, and I’m still not sure and still looking for the answer. What would you have done? Have you ever stepped up and gotten involved when seeing someone do ing something that should and could be avoided?
into the one bagel store that is open on Shabbos and has no hechsher.
Nicole turned to me as we passed the shop, “I wonder if he knows that this ba gel store is not the kosher one?”
I shrugged, stopped, and said, “Maybe we should tell him?”
“But he is already inside,” she said.
For reasons that I cannot really ar ticulate, as I usually don’t like to get in
him of the kashrut status of the store. There are community members who shop in this bagel store – no judgement here.
The young man, smiling broadly now, replied, “Thank you. I am from London, and as I looked around the store, I some how felt that something was not right.”
I have never been in that busy bagel store and cannot testify to what food is displayed and offered.
I’m still walking with good friends so we probably will eventually be able, or not, to figure it out on one of our walks together.
Barbara Deutsch is currently the associate principal at HANC 609 and a longtime reflec tive educator, parent, grandparent, and new great-grandparent. Even after all these years, she still loves what she does and looks for ward to working with kids every single day. She is vacationing in Israel for the summer.
I started high school this year. Most of the girls in my grade are the same girls I was with in elementary, but a bunch of the girls are new. One of them seems very different. She looks sad a lot, and I don’t really see her talking with people. Her hair is often kind of messy, and her clothing doesn’t always match. She sometimes dresses in strange ways like wearing clothing for the wrong season or in the wrong size. Sometimes, she even wears clothes that have a small hole or stain.
Teen Talk, a new column in TJH, is geared towards the teens in our community. Answered by a rotating roster of teachers, rebbeim, clinicians, and peers (!), teens will be hearing answers to many questions they had percolating in their minds and wished they had the answers for.
At first, when my friends and I noticed her, we were kind of making fun of her a little (not to her face), but then we started really talking about her for real. We really feel bad for her now. We think things must be hard at home, and it is pretty obvious to us that her family doesn’t have a lot of money.
One of my friends came up with the idea of us raising some money to help her buy some new clothes and stuff. Of course we would raise it and give it in a careful way so we wouldn’t embarrass her and she wouldn’t know who it was from.
All of us think it is a great idea except for one girl. She thinks it might be taken the wrong way. I’m not sure I agree because I think that she is better off being helped.
We feel bad for her and really want to help, but now we don’t know what to do. Any advice would be appreciated.
Thanks so much, Shana*
Dear Shana*, Before I say anything else, I want to commend you and your friends for not only stopping yourselves from continuing to make fun of some one vulnerable but for completely turning yourselves around to in stead focus on how you can
help. That takes much sensitivity and com passion. You and your friends clearly took the time to really try to understand a situation, and then, rather than just settling with feeling bad about someone else’s situation, you decid ed to take action. I sense such sincerity in your desire to help.
I want to share something with you. It feels good to help. Helping others makes us feel good about ourselves, helps us feel more thankful, and increases our positive feelings.
In fact, one of the suggestions given to peo ple that are struggling with feeling down is to get involved with helping others. How great is that? Everyone wins! Well, actually, it may not be so simple.
When we want to help, it is often a good idea for us to think about the perspective of the other. How will my help be perceived and received? Good intentions, even really good intentions, are not enough to ensure that we are doing good.
Are you a teen with a question?
If you have a question or problem you’d like our columnists to address, email your question or insight to editor@fivetownsjewishhome.com , subject line: Teen Talk.
A few weeks ago, an elderly man with a clear physical impairment walked unsteadi ly down the block as I waited by a red light. In a matter of seconds, I watched his steps increasingly falter and him fall splat to the ground, his papers flying everywhere. I quickly pulled over to help him up as two oth er strangers came running. As we all tried to help him, I heard him repeat over and over that he’s OK and that he can do it. And then I heard the message behind his message; him trying to say that he doesn’t want to feel help less. And so, I backed away to let one strang er help while the frail man used some of his own strength to get back up. I really wanted to help, but more than that, I wanted to make sure that I didn’t cause hurt. Did it ever hap pen to you that someone “was just trying to help” but instead caused you pain or insult?
My family has been running an annu al food collection for Tomchei Shabbos of Queens for many years. In short, we do a col lection of food people don’t want, and then we deliver boxes to the TSQ warehouse from where it is given out at a later date. The rules are very strict; the food must be in very good shape to be accepted – if I would not buy it off a shelf, then it is not donatable. I am of ten asked why it is so strict, as a lot of food ends up being rejected and goes to waste. If someone is in need, then wouldn’t they be fine with some thing kind of crushed, slightly old, a little dented? I learned a big lesson about sensitivity when I was being guided by TSQ: It is one thing to be in need, yet it is another thing to feel in need. If someone is struggling with money, we don’t want to take the risk of making them feel worse by making them struggle with their dignity, too.
So I think the question is, is the poten tial benefit of having new clothes worth the risk of making someone feel even worse? I
guess part of the calculation is realiz ing you are making an assumption that her family is struggling with money and that she would be happier if money for new clothes showed up by her doorstep. As with any assumption, you may be right, you may be partially right, but you also may be wrong. And what if you are wrong?
that privacy and dignity should not be compromised.
On top of that, and maybe even more so, it is good to think about other ways to help. I am not just talking about other ways to give money. You started your question by sharing this girl’s apparent sadness and loneliness. Sometimes giving of yourself, not
Still, this doesn’t necessarily mean that you shouldn’t try to help. I don’t think I am in a position to tell you what to do or not do. My goal is to emphasize the importance to think things through very, very carefully. Part of that process is to share your ideas with select others to get their feedback. Asking your parents their thoughts can be very help ful, but that alone may not be enough because your parents may not know her family and their circumstanc es. Approaching an advisor or ad ministrator at your school can be very useful, as they might be able to give you informed guidance. Speaking to them may also apprise them of details of her situation that they may not be aware of, possibly sparking them to assist in different ways that you may never be made aware of. That is helpful, too. No matter what, a crucial piece, as we mentioned above, is
just of your money, is a bigger and more self less gift. And, at least in this case, it doesn’t appear to carry the risk of potential insult or harm. Small gestures such as a smile and a greeting are a great start. Having small con versations, offering compliments, and find ing other ways to speak with and include her can be so positively impactful. Encouraging others to do the same, and even perhaps speaking with a teacher about doing more, can make your efforts even further reaching. I am not implying that you need to take on a new best friend, just to consider being a pos itive, friendly presence who displays care and interest. Even so, I recognize that these ideas can definitely be uncomfortable on your end, but as we know, giving isn’t always easy.
May Hashem give all of you so much hat zlacha and clarity in your positive endeavors.
Very Warmly, Estee
Estee Acobas is a licensed psychologist. She works as a school psychologist in a yeshiva in Queens and as a private therapist in Great Neck. She can be reached at dresteeacobas@gmail.com.
Did it ever happen to you that someone “was just trying to help” but instead caused you pain or insult?
by Jennifer Mann, LCSW of The Navidaters
My friends and I get together and have shidduch meetings. We want to help our single friends and really genuinely care. The problem we were talking about at last week’s meeting is the following. Many times, we try setting our friends up and we feel like we hit a brick wall, they won’t go out with ideas we present them for very silly reasons. Either they’re not black hat enough or too blue shirt-ish or too out-of-town or too in-town or too short or too tall… I mean, the list never ends with the excuses. After getting a few rejections, we feel like giving up.
I think this might be where the misconception comes from: that their married friends just don’t care. It could be the married friends try to keep in touch and send ideas but just get burned out over time. How can we married friends relay to our single friends that we want to help them while juggling constant rejections of our shidduch ideas?
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.
Great question! I think you should just be honest, obviously not in an obnoxious way but in a caring and con cerned way. Something like, “I really care about you, and I want to set you up but sometimes I worry that you’re focus ing on things that may not matter in the long-term picture of a marriage.” I know from my own experience that I did have numerous friends tell that to me when I was dating, and while I didn’t appreciate it fully in the moment, it did end up hav ing an impact on me.
If you don’t feel comfortable offer ing candid advice, you can also advise a friend to see a dating coach. There are so many wonderful coaches nowadays, and it has become pretty common. They have a great way of guiding and advising peo ple through some of the blockages that they may face while dating. At the end of the day, people do tend to mature and realize what may be silly expectations. I realize that, as a friend, you just want to help them realize that sooner rather than later and in an easy way rather than through painful and unnecessary expe riences.
Kol hakavod to you for caring about your friends, and although you may not realize it, I am sure they are appreciative to have you.
Thank you for writing in! Many young married people feel the same way you all do. Shortly after getting married yourselves, you come to realize what is truly important in a spouse. However, heed this warning: you never, ever want to be the one to belittle someone else’s concerns. You will not have to live with this person; he or she will. If this single person’s intuition is telling them some thing, it might be masked in an excuse
that sounds simplistic. It might sound too “blue-shirty” or “not black hat-y enough” with a very real concern under the sur face. It is for this reason that I encourage you to keep trying, while respecting your friend’s personal choices. Realize they won’t always tell you the real reason that they are concerned. It might come across to you as immature or dumb.
Do not let rejection penetrate your egos here; this is not about you. You are not a bad friend or a bad shadchan just because your ideas are nixed. Your job is to try and help your friends, the hishtad lus is your friend’s job, and the result is Hashem’s job.
Tizku L’mitzvos! The Single Tzipora GrodkoDear Married Friends, Kol hakavod to your thoughtful ness in trying to help your friends, truly commendable and one of the best ways to show a single friend your support and love.
I’m going to be super straightforward with you. Anyone can attempt to be a shadchan. No certifications are provided nor any haskamas given (although I per sonally think that should be endorsed). However, not everyone can be an EXCEL LENT shadchan. An EXCELLENT shad chan does not take rejections personally, critique, or communicate frustration that the single isn’t accepting their ideas. Your friends want to get married more than anything in the world and the second your words reflect judgement or criticism, you have sabotaged any effort in doing some thing supportive and comforting. This. Is. Not. About. You. Therefore, it doesn’t matter if you feel frustrated, drained, or burnt out.
Take a moment to realize that these feelings enable you to increase your com passion to your friends since they feel that way every time they experience rejection from a date, hoping with anticipation that maybe this time things will be different. Acting as an excellent shadchan requires unconditional support where your actions
must be measured by your efforts, not your number of dates, or successes.
If your goal is to “get your friend mar ried,” then it will feel draining if you’re unsuccessful. If your goal is to “try and help,” then you have already succeeded.
Lastly, the best way you can help provide support is letting a friend know that you keep them in mind in your tefil lot when your lighting Shabbat candles, morning prayers, or at any point on a dai ly basis. It’s a simple prayer followed by a text to let a friend know you’re thinking of her – effortless and special. Personally, I have a friend that takes Shabbat in an extra 10 minutes early in the zechut that her single friends should get married. It’s truly the most thoughtful act a friend has ever done for me in attempting to help. Consider if that’s something that your group of friends would prefer to do that instead.
Trying is the best you can do; every thing else is in Hashem’s hands.
t’s the second Thursday of the month, and the Shidduch Club is meeting in Sara’s house.
Rivki: Sarala, these are the most amazing chocolate chip cookies! Did you make them yourself?
Sara: No, my cousin Kayla brought them over. She heard that our shidduch
Trying is the best you can do; everything else is in Hashem’s hands.
club is meeting and asked if we could help find a shidduch for her sister-in-law, Bra cha.
Chani: Of course, we can help! How old is she?
Sara: She’s in her early 30s, okay, maybe even mid to late 30s, but she looks so young, she looks like she’s in her 20s.
Devorah: Let’s set her up with my cousin, Lenny. I saw him in shul last Shabbos. I think he’s ready to get mar ried.
Rivki: Is that the cousin who just graduated from Touro? He couldn’t be older than 23.
Devorah: Yeah, but he’s so bald that he looks much older.
Faigy: If he’s bald, I have a good shid duch for him. My neighbor’s daughter-inlaw has a second cousin who had Covid last year, and still suffers from thinning hair as an after-effect. They’d be perfect!
Chani: I don’t know about that. I heard that thinning hair due to Covid is only temporary, but bald is bald forever.
Rivki : Bald
shouldn’t be a problem. My husband, Harold, says that for every bank CD of $100,000 that a guy has, it makes up for 100,000 missing hair follicles. Does Len ny have any money?
Devorah: No, but he has an incredibly rich, very old grandfather who just lost his wife.
Sara: The very rich grandfather is single? Maybe we can set him up with my single grandmother?
Chani: I have a new proposal. The Goldbergs just moved in down the block, and I saw their daughter. She looks very pretty.
Rivki: Do you know anything about her?
Chani : Not really, I haven’t met her yet. But, I heard that she’s very sports-minded and athletic. She was a lifeguard in camp last summer.
Devorah: How about my cousin Avru mi?
Chani: Are you kidding?! Your cousin is short and fat and looks like a bowling
ball!
Devorah: So what? You said she’s sports-minded. Isn’t bowling a sport?
Chani: If she’s very athletic, let’s set her up with Yanky, my husband’s accoun tant’s assistant. He goes to the Super Met ro Fit gym every week.
Devorah: He works out in the gym every week?
Chani: No, he goes there every week because he’s their bookkeeper.
Faigy: So this bookkeeper, Yanky, makes a living? My husband has a single sister-in-law, Shaindy, who is high-main tenance and needs someone who earns a good salary.
Chani: This is confidential, but he makes $45,000 a year.
Faigy: That won’t work. That’s how much Shaindy spends every month.
Sarala: I heard about this guy who just got divorced. He’s a podiatrist, and his office is right across the street from Saks Fifth Avenue. Maybe he’d be good for Shaindy?
Faigy: I heard about him. He’s very round and fat. Shaindy needs someone who’s in shape.
Ilove that you and your friends are having shidduch meetings! What a great idea! I wish you all so much success and hope that you will be able to help countless people find their matches.
With that being said, as you know, be ing involved in shidduchim can be very tiring and draining work at times – per haps most of the time. Shadchanim keep doing it because the reward of two peo ple finding love is gratifying and deep. I think shadchanim need to engage in extra
TLC and self-care.
And by that, I mean creating some healthy boundaries and rules for yourself about how you will en gage with those “brick wall” types. Let’s keep in mind that people are allowed to have preferences and personal lifestyle choic es, and just because they do, that does not make them “brick walls.” I’ve heard from many singles that their preferences
Rivki : My husband, Harold, says that round is a shape.
Chani: I have someone perfect for the podiatrist. My cousin, Ruthie, has a ped icure every week.
Devorah: These chocolate chip cookies are amazing! Do you think Kayla could give me the recipe?
OK, OK, I know. I’m sorry. I’m very flippant and sarcastic and shouldn’t make fun of well-meaning, well-intentioned folks who are trying to help our singles. Please do not protest in Letters to the Ed itor.
I wish you well, but what you’re try ing to do is very difficult. My suggestion is that instead of trying to talk your sin gle friends into dating someone who you hardly know, why not invite a bunch of singles for a Shabbos meal? Or, have your shul organize a Singles’ Game Night?
There is no better matchmaking than having folks meet on their own in a warm environment, and have them decide, by themselves, who they would like to date.
and “no thank yous” are often perceived as being “picky,” a label they fear. This email is addressing those truly “picky” individuals who are somewhat, dare I say, closed-minded.
You may benefit from some extra TLC in the form of really healthy bound aries set up before you start working with someone, kind of like a verbal contract or agreement. For example, “I want to let you know the way I work. I encourage people to expand their horizons and not get caught in the white shirt/blue shirt business. I’m letting you know that this is how I see things so you can decide if you want to work with me.”
This way, the person has this knowl edge beforehand, and he/she can decide if they’d like to work with you. And, you get to work with people who will not drain you. It’s a win for everyone.
Let us take a moment to acknowledge all the shadchanim out there – the pro fessionals and the friends and relatives who work so hard to set people up. It is not easy work, and most of the time it doesn’t work out. But when it does...oh boy, is it worth it! You are putting in so much effort, and I hope your friends ex press their gratitude to you.
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 pri vate practice at 123 Maple Avenue in Cedarhurst, NY. She also teaches a psychology course at Touro College. 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.
You never, ever want to be the one to belittle someone else’s concerns.
What makes an effective teacher? When I ask the many teachers who attend my workshops over the years about their own school experiences, the answers pour in, but they all end up being similar.
“Engaging lessons.”
“Warm but in control.”
“Cared about us.”
“Led me to wanting to be a teacher.”
“Believed in me.”
“He treated me like a human being.”
“She loved her lessons and made us love them, too.”
“She loved questions.”
“He was strict and fair and gave us grades we deserved. I learned a lot that year.”
Looking back, they all realized that they were not im pressed with the most well-meaning teacher if that teacher was not prepared to teach. They all slowly nodded their heads in realization when I asked if they could tell when their teacher was bluffing or really knew her stuff. Teach ers who had to constantly refer to notes or stuck to the textbook and would not take questions did not engender respect.
“Hi, Mrs. Siegel? I am calling to ask you what to do about my class this year. I took your courses and realize that something is going wrong. Can you help me figure out what it might be?”
While every teacher is concerned about classroom man agement, what many don’t realize is that proper prepara tion solves most of the issues that otherwise might come up. When I went through the day with the teacher to trou bleshoot and try to help her figure out what the problem might be, with reluctance, she admitted to being flum moxed by the students’ questions. I switched gears and asked her about her preparation for the class.
“To be honest, I always aced school. I got my material and curriculum list before the summer, but I didn’t think it was going to be so difficult! I thought I could walk into eighth grade ready to teach if I just reviewed the subject material the night before.”
I suggested she read much more than just the histo ry book she was covering in class, reminding her that a well-prepared teacher knows more than her students. I also asked her to view the next day as a big exam, whereby she was to be tested on all the material in the four chapters covering the time span she was teaching about.
“OK, I will. Can we talk about the children who are misbehaving next?”
There was no need for that conversation just yet. Re search by Marzano, Pickering, & Pollock (2001) agreed with what I was finding anecdotally in classrooms; the effective teacher uses effective instruction strategies to create a strong learning environment and works to create a classroom curriculum that facilitates such learning...and uses effective classroom management strategies to control the learning environment. This clearly shows how import ant the planning process is!
I called the teacher the next night to check in.
“It was awesome! I felt like I knew the material, they felt my confidence, and I wasn’t flustered by questions. Their behavior was so much better!”
When a teacher is well prepared, there is a road map for the teacher to follow, which takes into account student en gagement and using the time effectively (Integrated Course Design, Fink, D. L., 2005). There is less time for the class to get off-task, as the teacher is ready and able to keep the class attuned to his objective. The teacher is not checking notes or stammering; and the confidence is felt by the class.
While there still are students who will misbehave and go off-task, the well-prepared teacher has the class as a whole under control and can deal with those outliers as needed.
A well-prepared lesson is one where the teacher has objectives firmly stated in her mind, on the board, and in her lessons.
• What do I want the students to know?
• How will I know that they know it?
• How will I teach them the material so that they will be able to show me their mastery of the material I want
them to know? (Center for Research on Learning and Teaching)
Curriculum mapping was done so the teacher knows how to pace the lesson. Some sections need to be taught in great detail, while others might require glossing over due to time constraints. A well-prepared teacher will know which parts of the unit are vital for in-depth analysis and which are not.
Lesson planning is a road map, one a teacher should take care to prepare well. It helps a teacher anticipate the potential problems that might arise and questions that stu dents might have, as well as provide structure for the day which creates an orderly and well-run class. Lesson plans are also great for record keeping if the teacher goes back and adds notes after the fact; not only can they be of great help for creating assessments, they also guide a teacher the year after as to what worked and what didn’t.
Good informational lessons (no skill involved) have a warm-up (a 1-5 minute activity that brings the class to the subject at hand and can be anything from reviewing homework to a short joke or story), an engaging lesson that draws and builds on prior knowledge and is as relevant as possible, has checking for understanding and class engage ment built into the lessons, and wraps up with some finality (3-5 minutes of review, previewing assigned homework or a summary of the lesson). A skill lesson ends with a class mastering the skill. An exciting skill lesson that does not actually end with the children knowing how to perform the task taught was not an effective lesson.
Great lessons are hands-on, and go through gradual release of responsibility, where the students are taught, but then move through the steps of collaboration until they can do the tasks themselves, otherwise known as the “I Do, We Do, You Do” method.
All lessons need preparation. And preparation leads to better classroom management.
She who controls the classroom environment controls the classroom behavior. - Betsy Weigle
Mrs. Etti Siegel holds an MS in Teaching and Learning/Educational Leadership and brings sound teaching advice to her audiences culled from her over 35 years of teaching and administrative experience. She is an Adjunct at the College of Mount Saint Vincent/Sara Shenirer. She is a coach and educational consultant for Catapult Learning, is a sought-after mentor and workshop presenter around the country, and a popular presenter for Sayan (a teacher-mentoring program), Hidden Sparks, and the Consortium of Jewish Day Schools. She is a frequent contributor to Hamechanech Magazine and The Journal for Jewish Day School leaders. She will be answering your education-based questions and writing articles weekly for The Jewish Home. Mrs. Siegel can be reached at ettisiegel@gmail.com.
Winter is officially starting! This is the perfect time to add soups and hot drinks to the menu. Unfortunately, it’s also when there is an increase in viruses and colds. As we spend more time together indoors – coughing and sneezing on each other –we share germs along with the compan ionship. With two of my children recov ering from the first winter illnesses, this seemed like an appropriate time to brush up on tips and reminders for helping our children as they recuperate.
Children tend to catch lots of minor illnesses, share them with each other, and then feel confused and miserable. It’s a pattern experienced parents have seen happen again and again.
I am not a medical professional and will therefore not be giving any medical advice. It goes without saying (but I’ll say it anyway) that if anything I write conflicts with your child’s medical needs, I defer to the medical professionals. Any questions regarding your child’s health should be directed towards their health care team. Please don’t hesitate to con tact a professional when you’re unsure. Often we hesitate because we’re afraid our question sounds foolish. Don’t let that stop you from making that call; an experienced professional has dealt with
many parents and every type of inqui ry. While it’s better to call during work ing hours (when possible), there should always be someone on call at any hour should you need.
In this article, I will only be address ing the standard childhood illnesses such as colds, viruses, and fevers. Major medical situations (chas v’shalom) are beyond a simple article, and there are many organizations and professionals in the frum community geared towards those families.
Sick children are miserable – and so are their parents. The little ones can’t sleep and are cranky throughout the day – as are their parents. There is no magical potion that will suddenly make a sick child better or even cheerful. But it can help parents prepare for the emo tional upheaval when they consciously remind themselves in advance that they will have an unhappy little one and less sleep. Parents also may find it beneficial for their own sanity to remember this shouldn’t last more than a few days.
The younger patients are uniquely miserable because they can’t understand why they’re feeling so gross nor can they explain what’s hurting them. They are
truly dependent on the adults in their life to recognize their needs and provide that extra comfort.
Parents can easily feel helpless, like there’s nothing they can do. Parents should be reassured that along with the pain can come comfort. Young children, in particular, find comfort in being near their parents. This can take the form of becoming clingier or just wanting to have a parent nearby.
Babies and toddlers can benefit from being worn in a baby carrier or held. I can’t count how many illnesses we made it through because the little one was glued to me in the carrier. It was calm ing for them, and they were finally able to sleep.
Baruch Hashem, we are fortunate to be surrounded by caring physicians, nu merous urgent cares, renowned hospitals and medical professionals of all types. There is no need to reinvent the wheel, and parents will benefit from having a healthcare provider they trust and are comfortable utilizing. As mentioned above, make the call when you need to and never feel foolish for trying to find the best care for your child.
It can be overwhelming to have a sick
child. Parents are sleep-deprived, ner vous, and often have a child screaming in their ear. It can be helpful to write down all instructions so they aren’t forgotten later. When doctors give me dosing or other information, I routinely ask them to write it down and they’re happy to do so. It’s much easier to get clarity during that initial conversation than to try to remember later when many hours have passed. If a parent is feeling particular ly nervous or stressed, they may find it helpful to have another person hear the instructions, as well.
Writing it down is particularly im portant when it comes to dosing. This applies even to basic pain medications such as acetaminophen and ibuprofen, both of which are dosed based on weight in little ones – it’s far too easy to over dose, chas v’shalom. The pharmacist is another excellent resource for dosing and other medication questions.
Newborns are particularly sensitive and anything concerning should imme diately be brought to their physician’s attention. Even a simple fever can, chas v’shalom, be dangerous.
Keeping the Fluids Flowing Often, our main job is to keep our child hydrated. Experienced parents can
tell you this is easier said than done.
Babies are on a predominantly liquid diet already. Your healthcare provider may ask you to ensure they’re maintain ing their feeding schedule. Nursing ba bies will often want to nurse more when sick. They nurse both for hydration and comfort – the included antibodies don’t hurt either. Mom may find it helpful to drink more fluids herself and rest a bit (if possible) to ensure she can keep up with her nursling’s increased demand.
Congested nurslings may find it hard (and frustrating) to nurse. A healthcare provider or lactation consultant may have suggestions for effective means of clearing their congested nasal passages prior to feedings.
Young children need to be remind ed to drink, and they often don’t realize they need to be seated fully upright when doing so. Additionally, they often leave their cup in a spot where it will tip over and spill. Having a sippy cup or similar ly covered water bottle – rather than a regular cup – can be helpful in ensuring your child has water nearby that won’t spill on them as they rest and hydrate.
Older children and teens still need reminders to drink. They may find it helpful having an adult checking in to
lovingly remind them to drink and re filling their water bottle. Besides the convenience for the patient, having a parent refill their water helps the adults to subtly keep tabs on how much they’re drinking. If you see the water level isn’t moving, you know they’re not drinking.
Even adults that can handle all the other parts of parenting will complain
bags is good for bigger kids and as over night back-up. Do yourself a favor and double check to make sure the bags don’t have any holes in them – just trust me on this one.
Little kids will often not be able to aim into a bin and even slightly older children will still have problems when they get sick during the night. It’s been my personal experience that properly preparing the child’s sleeping area in
replace the dirty towel with a clean one, and the bed is ready for the child again. My toddlers have learned to aim for the towel and keep the mess contained. Chux pads or similar plastic-lined items can be placed under the towel but never in cribs or near very young children.
I have found that oversized t-shirts are good pajamas at this time. They easi ly go over the head to be quickly removed after they’ve been dirtied, and then swiftly replaced with a new one. This is one of the reasons I maintain a stash of old camp t-shirts. This method (along with the towels) has drastically cut the time it takes to clean my children and get them back to bed.
As always, the most important step we can take is to daven for good health. Everything is in Hashem’s hands, but it’s often during times of illness that we feel it the most.
about vomiting. I wasn’t even going to in clude this section because of the “yuck factor’’ but it’s a (disgusting) part of life and a little preparation can make it just a bit easier.
Adults know to run to the bathroom when they need to, but not all kids are that coordinated. Keeping a bin with a wide opening lined with multiple plastic
advance can make clean up easier and quicker. This is especially important before bed so any nighttime messes will cause the least disturbance.
Soiled sheets cause lots of laundry and take time to change. I prefer placing large, open towels under the child’s head area (over the sheets, pillow, etc.). When the inevitable mess happens, I simply
Wishing all of Klal Yisroel a wonder ful Shabbos and a healthy winter!
Sara Rayvych, MSEd, has her master’s in general and special education. She has been homeschooling for over 10 years in Far Rock away. She can be contacted at RayvychHo meschool@gmail.com.
There is no magical potion that will suddenly make a sick child better or even cheerful.
By Aliza Beer MS, RD, CDN
Hypertension occurs when your blood pressure, the force of blood flowing through your blood vessels, is consistently high. In or der to function and survive, your tissues and organs need a constant supply of ox ygenated blood and nutrients. Your heart creates a pressure as it beats, and this drives blood through the blood vessels. Blood pressure is determined by both the amount of blood that flows through the arteries and how hard it is for the blood to move through the arteries. The more blood the heart pumps and the narrower the arteries, the higher the blood pres sure.
The first force, known as systolic pres sure, occurs as blood is pumped away from the heart to the rest of the body, and the second force, diastolic pressure, happens when the heart is at rest. Many bodily systems are involved in the main tenance of blood pressure, including the sympathetic nervous system and the kid ney. When blood pressure falls, the pe ripheral resistance of your blood vessels increases, which causes blood pressure to rise, forcing the heart to work hard er. Additionally, the kidney constantly works to tightly control the fluid volume to maintain blood pressure. Abnormal blood pressure is typically multifactorial, and maintaining blood flow at an optimal pressure and ensuring it does not become too high or too low is important for our health.
Hypertension increases your risk for developing other health conditions. High blood pressure may adversely affect the elasticity of your blood vessels, which decreases the flow of blood and oxygen to your heart and may contribute to the onset of heart disease. Decreased blood flow may also result in chest pain, known as angina, a heart attack, stroke, or heart failure.
Blood pressure is measured using an inflatable cuff around the arm and is a measure of two numbers – systolic and diastolic blood pressure. Normal blood pressure is a systolic pressure of less than 120 mmHg and diastolic pressure of less than 80 mmHg. A systolic blood pressure of 120-129 mmHg and a diastol ic pressure less than 80 mmHg is consid ered elevated. A systolic reading of 130 mmHg and higher or a diastolic reading of higher than 80 mmHg is classified as hypertension. If your systolic reading is higher than 180 mmHg and/or your dia stolic reading is higher than 120 mmHg, you are in hypertensive crisis and should immediately consult your doctor. Most people with hypertension have no symp toms, even when blood pressure readings are high, and therefore monitoring your blood pressure is important, particularly if you are at risk for hypertension.
Hypertension typically develops over time. While certain medications and pre-existing health conditions may con
tribute to high blood pressure, unhealthy lifestyle choices, including a sedentary lifestyle and poor diet, are also a signifi cant risk factor.
Healthy lifestyle factors, including diet and exercise, may help to both pre vent and control hypertension.
There is a strong association between BMI and hypertension. A healthy BMI is less than 25, a BMI of 25-30 is considered overweight, and a BMI of 30 or greater is clinically obese. Being overweight places extra strain on your heart, which increas es your risk for developing hypertension and damage to your blood vessels. Main taining a healthy weight is critical for maintaining optimum health.
A diet high in salt (sodium) may greatly contribute towards the develop ment of hypertension. Salt causes your
body to hold onto water in order to dilute the high volume of sodium in your blood. The excess water in your blood places ex tra pressure on the walls of your blood vessels, and this may raise your blood pressure. The American Heart Associa tion recommends keeping sodium con sumption to less than 2,300 mg/day and an ideal limit of no more than 1,500 mg/ day. Foods high in sodium include many canned or highly processed foods such as hot dogs, burgers or canned soup. When selecting canned products, it is important to check the labels to choose the option that has no added sodium. Additionally, many nuts or nut butters have salt added to them. When selecting your nut butter, choose peanut butter or almond butter with no added salt, especially as these foods naturally contain sodium.
Many foods naturally contain sodium such as fish and cheese, and therefore en suring we do not add additional sodium to our diets is critical. Instead of flavoring foods with sodium, try to use other spic es such as cumin, paprika or ginger, or flavorful herbs such as dill, parsley, and basil to enhance the taste of food. On food labels, low sodium means the food contains 35mg or less of sodium per 100g food. Sodium- or salt-free foods have less than 5mg of sodium per serving.
Excessive alcohol consumption may contribute to hypertension. Alcohol in creases blood levels of the hormone re nin, which causes the blood vessels to constrict. This hormone also decreases the amount of fluid your body eliminates as urine. This combination of a higher flu id level and the narrower blood vessels increases blood pressure. While drinking alcohol may initially decrease blood pres sure, as it causes substances such as nitric oxide to be released, which increases the
diameter of blood vessels, the long-term effects of drinking high volumes of alco hol causes blood pressure to increase.
The Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend that men limit their intake to two drinks or less per day and one drink or less for women.
A diet high in cholesterol and saturat ed or trans-fat is an increased risk factor for developing hypertension. Over time, a diet high in cholesterol may lead to plaque buildup in your arteries, known as ath erosclerosis. Atherosclerosis occurs when fats or cholesterol are deposited in and on the artery walls which obstructs blood flow. Foods high in cholesterol, as well as both trans and saturated fats, should be limited from the diet to prevent hyper tension. Examples of these foods include full-fat dairy products (cheese, wholemilk, full fat yogurt), processed meat, red meat, fried foods, baked goods and sweets, as well as egg yolk.
While LDL (bad) cholesterol raises your risk for hypertension, antioxidant rich food, such as fatty fish, olive oil, cer tain nuts and seeds, have been found to raise your HDL (good) cholesterol. LDL cholesterol deposits cholesterol in the ar teries, and HDL helps to remove choles terol and prevent the build-up of plaque formation. Focusing on a diet that is high in unsaturated fats and antioxidants and low in both saturated, trans-fats and cho lesterol will help to prevent hypertension. Limiting your dietary intake of trans-fat is particularly important, because while both saturated and trans-fat may contrib ute to the development of hypertension, trans-fat increases LDL cholesterol and decreases HDL cholesterol. Trans-fats are found in shortening, margarine, commer cial baked and frozen foods.
Exercise is beneficial to blood pres sure. Individuals with hypertension should perform at least 150 minutes per week of moderate-intensity activity (brisk walking) per week or 75 minutes per week of vigorous intensity aerobic exercise (hiking, jogging, running, swimming). Additionally, individuals should perform muscle-strengthening activities at least two days per week. Performing physical activity helps to strengthen your heart and lower stress levels, which also con tribute to high blood pressure.
The DASH diet is an eating pattern that has been shown to reduce high
blood pressure. The DASH diet focuses on foods high in the minerals calcium, potassium and magnesium. The combina tion of these minerals has been found to lower blood pressure. Calcium interacts with hormones which help to regulate the smooth muscle contractions of the heart. Magnesium is also an inhibitor of smooth-muscle contraction of the heart and may play a role in blood pressure reg ulation as a vasodilator. Potassium and sodium are electrolytes that help your
oil, 1 tablespoon low-fat mayonnaise or 2 tablespoons low-fat salad dressing.
Sweets and added sugars: 5 servings or fewer a week.
• One serving is 1 tablespoon sugar, jelly or jam, ½ cup sorbet or 1 cup lem onade.
Meal/Snack Examples: Breakfast:
• 1 cup Greek yogurt + nuts, seeds and berries with agave or monk fruit.
with tomatoes and pepper.
• Chicken with sweet potatoes and roasted beets.
• Grilled herbed chicken in olive oil with whole-wheat pasta and broccoli.
Snacks:
• Carrots and hummus
• Chia seed pudding
• Dark chocolate unsalted almonds
• Banana with almond butter
Following an eating pattern, such as the DASH diet, that consists of foods high in fiber, magnesium, calcium and potassi um, while limiting dietary sources of cho lesterol, trans and saturated fats, is heart protective. This in combination with a consistent exercise regime will help prevent hypertension, while simultane ously promoting optimum health.
body to function and maintain a normal blood and fluid volume. Potassium and sodium have an inverse relationship, and when potassium levels rise, sodium lev els fall. This relationship is tightly main tained by the kidney.
The DASH diet is high in fiber, while limiting sodium, saturated fat and added sugar. The DASH diet is an eating pattern that provides daily and weekly nutrition al goals. The number of servings recom mended depends on your daily caloric needs.
Examples of the DASH diet for a 2000 calories/day diet:
Grains: 6-8 servings daily.
• One serving is one slice bread, 1oz dry cereal, or ½ cup cooked whole grain cereal, brown rice or whole wheat pasta.
Vegetables: 4-5 servings daily.
• One serving is 1 cup raw leafy green vegetables, or ½ cup-raw or cooked veg etables.
Fruits: 4-5 servings daily.
• One serving is one medium fruit, ½ cup fresh, frozen or canned fruit.
Fat-free or low-fat dairy: 2-3 servings daily.
• One serving is one 1 cup milk or yo gurt.
Lean meats, poultry and fish: 6 1oz servings or fewer daily.
• One serving is 1oz cooked meat, poultry or fish, or 1 egg
Nuts, seeds and legumes: 4-5 servings a week.
• One serving is ¹/₃ cup nuts, 2 ta blespoons peanut butter, 2 tablespoons seeds, or ½ cup cooked legumes (dried beans or peas).
Fats and oils: 2-3 servings daily.
• One serving is 1 teaspoon vegetable
• ½ cup oatmeal + berries, seeds, ba nana, and peanut-butter.
• 1 slice whole-wheat toast with lox and low-fat cream cheese.
Lunch/Dinner:
• Salmon salad with nuts, seeds, and quinoa.
• Tuna salad on whole-wheat toast
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
The DASH diet is high in fiber, while limiting sodium, saturated fat and added sugar.
I developed this doughnut recipe over 15 years ago when I ran the culinary arts program at Camp Dina. It was one of the most popular recipes that we baked. We always filled them with Oreos, but you can use your imagination to create your own masterpiece. I’ve used pulled brisket, lemon curd, dulce de leche, jam, and pie filling. When I wrote my book Perfect Flavors, I had to include the recipe for the doughnuts, and my friend Esther Mendlowitz a/k/a @the–culinary–trio shared with me her incredible lemon curd filling.
◦ 1 tablespoon dry yeast
◦ ¼ cup warm water
◦ ¼ cup plus 1 teaspoon sugar, divided
◦ ¾ cup soy milk
◦ 6 tablespoons canola oil
◦ 2 large eggs
◦ 1 teaspoon kosher salt
◦ 4 cups unbleached flour
◦ 5 cups vegetable or canola oil, for frying
◦ Powdered sugar, for dusting
1. sprinkle yeast over warm water; sprin kle in 1 teaspoon sugar. l et stand for 5 minutes until foamy.
2. blend soy milk, yeast mixture, re
maining sugar, oil, eggs, and salt with 2 cups flour. Gradually add remaining flour to make smooth, soft dough. cover; let rise for 1½ hours.
3. Punch dough down; let it rest for 10 minutes. roll out the dough to ¼-inch thickness. Using an upside-down glass or cookie cutter, cut dough into rounds, about 2-3 inches in diameter. Place on a floured surface; let rise again for ½ hour.
4. heat oil in a large pan until oil reach es 360°F.
5. carefully drop doughnuts into hot oil. Keep oil at constant temperature; fry only 3-4 at a time, turning the dough nuts once, about 1½ minutes per side.
6. When doughnuts have cooled, fill with lemon curd and top with choice of toppings, below.
◦ 3 eggs
◦ ¾ cup lemon juice
◦ 1 tablespoon lemon zest
◦ ¾ cup sugar
◦ ½ cup oil
1. c ombine all ingredients in a medium saucepan over low heat, whisking all ingredients together.
2. once combined, turn heat to medium low (don’t rush it or the texture will be ruined).
3. c ontinue to whisk continuously for 10-15 minutes until mixture thickens a ND curd reaches a temperature of 180°F.
4. remove from heat. Place pan into an ice bath, continuing to whisk until mixture has cooled.
5. Use an injector or piping bag to fill doughnuts with lemon curd.
• Marshmallow fluff
• Crushed graham crackers
in a microwave-safe bowl, melt marshmallow fluff for a few seconds, until soft enough to spread.
Spread softened marshmallow fluff over doughnuts, then top with graham crackers.
For nicest presentation, use a torch or broiler to brown the top of the doughnut before serving.
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.
This column features business insights from a recent “Mind Your Business with Yitzchok Saftlas” radio show. The weekly “Mind Your Business” show –broadcasting since 2015 – features interviews with Fortune 500 executives, business leaders and marketing gurus. Prominent guests include John Sculley, former CEO of Apple and Pepsi; Dick Schulze, founder and Chairman Emeritus of Best Buy; and Beth Comstock, former Vice Chair of GE; among over 400+ senior-level executives and business celebrities. Yitzchok Saftlas, president of Bottom Line Marketing Group, hosts the weekly “Mind Your Business” show, which airs at 10pm every Sunday night on 710 WOR and throughout America on the iHeartRadio Network.
On a recent 710 WOR “Mind Your Business” broadcast, Yitzchok Saftlas (YS) spoke with guest Sim Shain (SS), CEO and founder of ParaFlight EMS and OrganFlights.com.
when it comes to charity, is to always look for a reason to say, “Yes.” It’s very easy to say, “No.” If it’s something that’s complicated, or a little bit of challeng ing, all you have to do is say, “No, I can’t do it.” But try to find a way to say, “Yes.” Shlomo used to say, “If it’s difficult, we do it. If it’s impossible, we try harder.”
YS: One of your trademarks is that you’re a big listener. Perhaps you could share some advice that you’ve received over the years.
SS: Shlomo Zakheim was my mentor in charitable work and business ethics, and I do this in his memory. One thing that I learned from him, especially
Another thing I learned from him, and from others, is that when you’re a leader, you have to lead from the front. When somebody is a military general, when they’re at the front with their troops, the troops feel that. It’s the same thing in a business. Whatever you might do, you should know every aspect of your business, and no job should be too big or too small. Nothing should be
below you. If there’s something that you expect your employees to do, you should be able to do that as well. You should really understand every aspect of your own business, so that if somebody walks out on you, your business doesn’t fall to the ground.
You had mentioned to me that issues can arise because pilots can only work a certain number of hours a day. Could you share a story of what goes into navigating those issues?
When it comes to aviation, whether corporate or commercial, pilots are only allowed to work 14 hours a day in a row. So, we really work with people around
that. And that’s why it’s important that when we do our organ flights, we always make sure that we don’t activate our pi lots until exactly when we have to.
We got a call from a transplant cen ter, who we don’t serve all the time, stating that they’re in the middle of an operation to remove a heart. Because there was a delay in getting into the op erating room, the heart team’s aircraft had to leave. That crew actually took off and left while they were sitting in the emergency room. The liver team gave their jet to the heart team (which was unbelievably generous of them) because the heart is actually the first organ that comes out. Then the liver team called us up to get them a replacement jet. We
activated a replacement jet to go pick up the liver team. That requires a tre mendous number of moving pieces, but thankfully, we have the most incredible team that works behind the scenes 24/7.
Most of our work takes place at 2:004:00 in the morning. That’s when many of these calls come in. But we have a committed team that believe in their mission, because ultimately, it’s not just a job; it’s about saving lives and making a difference.
as well just be straight up with him and say, “I don’t think we’re a good fit right now.”
Do you feel it’s really important for any executive to be a good public speaker?
tell people, the best thing you can do is take a public speaking course.
What suggestions could you share in terms of effective communica tion?
Earlier you talked about how it’s very easy to say “no,” and harder to say, “yes.” And sometimes the inverse is true. Perhaps you could break that idea down.
I mentioned that Shlomo Zakheim had a quote, “If it’s difficult, we do it. If it’s impossible, we try harder.” I think that’s really the case when it comes to charity and giving to others. When it comes to business, there are many times that you have to learn how to say, “No.” I believe it’s called the “Tom Hanks rule.”
Tom Hanks is a successful actor, and when actors start, they’ll pick up any role they can get, because they want to try to get their feet wet and jump in. But Tom Hanks didn’t do that. Tom Hanks would wait for that perfect part to come in. If it didn’t fit, he would always say no until he got the right one. That’s called the art of saying “no.”
It’s not always the right thing to do, but it’s very important to be able to say “no” on certain things in your business. Your business has to have a core focus. We made this mistake early on. We started with air ambulance, then med ical escort, then we started doing event medical services, and even security. But I realized at some point that we had to drop something, because it was just too much for us to do.
When it comes to business, you need to focus on what your core is. Make sure you don’t weaken it. Take things that re ally help your business grow. Don’t just do it because you’re worried somebody else is going to do it.
And of course, the same goes for cli ents. If you have somebody who’s just very difficult, is not going to work for you, and will weaken your business, sometimes you just have to tell a client that you might not be the best fit. And that’s OK. They’ll respect that. You don’t want to find that out a year or two years down the line, and you’re not giving them what they need, and they’re not giving you what you need. So, you might
I have to confess, if you dialed back the calendar 10 years, there is no amount that you could have paid me to be on your show. I was absolutely terri fied of public speaking. I remember that for my son’s bar mitzvah about 10 years ago, I hired a speechwriter. And I got up there in front of my family and friends (that’s really all it was), and I can’t tell you how much alcohol I had to ingest just to get myself through it. And I real ized that something had to change.
I’m a big follower of Warren Buf fett. One of the things that he always talks about is how important it is to have both written and verbal skills. He always talks about the Dale Carnegie public speaking course that he took,
There are two things that I want to address right now. One of them is the importance of being able to pivot. If something’s not working, pivot and do something else.
For the second thing, I actually had a business coach that a close friend of mine hired for me because he said I was missing something when it came to my scheduling because I used to forget about things. If I had a meeting and something else important came up, I would miss it. This business coach taught me something that is so critical, definitely to my schedule, as I’m sure it is to everybody else. Everything that I do now gets put into my calendar. Even if we book a flight that’s going to take place in two hours from now, it gets
For the last 10 years that we’ve been doing this, there have been many things that didn’t work. But if something doesn’t work, fail fast and pivot. It’s OK. Sometimes we believe in something so much and we really want it to work, and as the water is climbing higher and higher, we’re just saying, “I really be lieve it’ll happen.” But you have to move on to something else that’s really going to work.
What are some of the strategies that have helped scale ParaFlight?
One of our core strategies has been something called “appreciation.” We ap preciate the fact that our clients believe in us. We appreciate the fact that our vendors work with us. We appreciate our teams who work with us. After every single trip that we do, whether it’s cor porate or medical, we make sure to send out either a text or an email to every member on that team saying, “Thank you. Thank you for saving a life. Thank you for making sure that this person’s day went well. Thank you for allowing us to play even a small role in such a huge mission.” I
that when you look in his office, the only diploma that he has up on the wall is from his Dale Carnegie course. Because he believes, as do I, that your value will increase by at least 50% if you’re com fortable when publicly speaking. So, I signed up for a public speaking course, and it just pushed me. It started very small. You would get up and give speech es that were basically one sentence. And then, you went on to one paragraph, and then, to one page. But it taught me how to be able to jump in, to be able to pause when I need to pause, and to avoid us ing any fillers like, “um,” “you know,” or anything else like that. And it works for every aspect of business.
I’m not necessarily getting up there every day to give a speech. But you’re presenting yourself. You present your self on your phone. You present yourself on Zoom conferences all the time now. If you’re comfortable with your business, if you’re comfortable with yourself, if you’re comfortable with your message, you need to be able to get it out. I always
booked into the calendar; the tail num ber, the address of the FBO (Fixed-Base Operator) terminal, everything. Every thing you do, you really want to be able to document it because there’s so many moving parts. It’s important to make sure you always have it down.
How important is clear, concise communication when running a business or organization?
When you’re working with a busi ness that has multiple moving parts, you have to make sure that everybody knows what their responsibilities are. As you grow your business, understand that some things won’t work and it’s OK. You can’t wait for everything to be perfect. If you’re going to wait for that, you’re going to be waiting years and years. Organflights.com was an epipha ny that hit me one day. I said, “You know what? I’m going to just go in and start it” because I wanted to build this app that would be the Uber for organ flights.
think appreciation goes a very long way. In today’s day and age, there’s so much going on, and there’s so much pressure that people are under. Staff are determined to succeed, and they do. Yes, they get paid, and they’re supposed to do their jobs. But to just show appre ciation, it doesn’t cost anything. Gifts with your logo on it are very nice. But what they really appreciate is something real saying, “Thank you for a job very well done.”
Shlomo used to say, “If it’s difficult, we do it. If it’s impossible, we try harder.”
So look, I you know, um, there’s some a little bit of uh, interesting, uh, you know, kind of, on brand, uh, thinking here.
– The White House spokeswoman when asked to address whether President Biden was involved in any of his son Hunter’s foreign business dealings
When historians look back on our time, they will not divide us into red and blue and Republican-Democrat. The things that were wrong with us were wrong with both sides in different ways. I do think they manifest in a more dangerous way on the right. But on the left, there is a rot, and it comes from academia, and it filters down. Am I wrong about that? That’s where it’s all coming from.
- Bill Maher, HBO Gaslighting: the act or practice of grossly misleading someone especially for one’s own advantage.
- Webster Dictionary’s word of the year after there was a 1,740% increase in searches for the word’s meaning this year
My firstborn child died in my arms. I felt his last heartbeat. I have no mercy for anyone who would use the deaths of children for gain, politics, or fame.
– Elon Musk explaining why he is allowing most banned people back on to Twitter but won’t unban Alex Jones, a conspiracy theorist who claimed that the Sandy Hook mass shooting, in which 20 children were killed, was a hoax
I’m 72, he’s 78 now; we don’t have that many more years to do something dumb and stupid.
- Brenda Delgado explaining to a local Arizona TV station that she and her new husband, who both lost their spouses, decided to get married in the condiments aisle of an Arizona grocery store last week because that is where they first met last year by striking up a random conversation
He came to my house, and he said, “I’m going to go get you an engagement ring,” and I said, “Yes, sure.” So he left, and a couple hours later, I called him and asked, “Have you been drinking?’”
- Ibid., talking about how the couple got engaged
Prices are up because of inflation and supply chain issues, so don’t be surprised if this year, the candied yams are just a potato with a Starburst in it.
-
James CordenIn other words, it’s going to cost you an arm and a leg for a wing and a thigh.
- Ibid.
A new record high for Thanksgiving food items. You know how the economists figured this out? Pie chart.
-Ibid.
Right this wrong.
- Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson explaining why he bought out all the Snickers bars at his local 7-Eleven (and left them there for anyone who looks like they are going to steal a Snickers bar), disclosing that when he was a teenager he stole a Snickers bar from that 7-Eleven every day for a year
TikTok should be banned… TikTok is digital fentanyl, addicting our kids. And just like actual fentanyl, it ultimately goes back to the Chinese Communist Party. TikTok is owned by ByteDance. ByteDance is controlled by the CCP.
- Rep. Mike Gallagher (R-WI) on Fox News
I gave back my Tesla. I bought the VW ev. I love it. I’m not sure how advertisers can buy space on Twitter. Publicly traded company’s products being pushed in alignment with hate and white supremacy doesn’t seem to be a winning business model.
- Tweet by an actress and liberal activist Imagine thinking you’re woke and owning @ elonmusk by trading your American-made car for one literally founded by Nazis.
– One of many tweets in response
A good way not to accidentally dine with a vile racist and anti-Semite you don’t know is not to dine with a vile racist and anti-Semite you do know.
- Tweet by Ben Shapiro in response to Trump’s claim that he only dined with a Nazi-loving white supremacist because Kanye West brought him to the meeting and Trump did not know who he was
You know it’s a bad sign when Kanye West is only the third most controversial person at your dinner table.
- Jimmy Kimmel
This dinner was a multicourse tasting menu of crazy, but we don’t know exactly what happened, because it’s become a real “he said, Ye said.”
- Stephen Colbert
I’m not supporting him. I was one of his most loyal supporters in Congress. But loyalty was only a one-way street.
- Lou Barletta, a former Pennsylvania Republican gubernatorial candidate and congressman and Pennsylvania co-chairman of Trump’s 2016 campaign, disclosing to Politico that he will not support Trump in 2024
For all of you who are stressed about making Thanksgiving dinner: Consider yourselves lucky. We do it every Friday night…
– Posting by Israel’s official Twitter account
We passed the American Rescue Plan. Now, everybody knows it, but we did so much, no one knows the effects of it yet.
- Pres. Joe Biden
So what are we to make of the enthusiasm for Zelensky the “Jewish hero,” and, moreover, the fact that it’s predominantly on the left? The answer is simple. Zelensky represents not Judaism as it has been known for thousands of years, but the left’s own brand of Judaism. The progressive brand of religion demotes the “outmoded” pillars of authentic faith — custom, tradition, ritual, faith, community, and family.
- Jonathan Bronitsky and Josh Hammer, The Federalist
To be sure, it’s virtually impossible to imagine the left lavishing the same amount of praise upon a Zelensky donning a kippah (head covering) and tzitzit (fringes) and praying three times daily. - Ibid.
I do one day at a time. - 100-year-old Mick Roberts of Connecticut after completing a 5K run in under an hour, sharing her
Henry Kissinger spent much of his career thinking about the dan gers of nuclear weapons. But at 99, the former secretary of state says he has become “obsessed” with a very mod ern concern – how to limit the potential destructive capabilities of artificial intel ligence, whose powers could be far more devastating than even the biggest bomb.
Kissinger described AI as the new frontier of arms control during a forum at Washington National Cathedral on Nov. 16. If leading powers don’t find ways to limit AI’s reach, he said, “it is simply a mad race for some catastrophe.”
The warning from Kissinger, one of the world’s most prominent statesmen and strategists, is a sign of the growing global concern about the power of “think ing machines” as they interact with global business, finance, and warfare. He spoke by video connection at a cathedral forum titled “Man, Machine, and G-d,” which was this year’s topic in the annual Nan cy and Paul Ignatius Program, named in honor of my parents.
Kissinger’s concerns about AI were echoed by two other panelists: Eric Schmidt, former chief executive of Goo gle and chairman of the congressionally appointed National Security Commission on Artificial Intelligence, which issued its report last year; and Anne Neuberger, the Biden administration’s deputy national security adviser for cyber and emerging technology.
The former secretary of state cau tioned that AI systems could transform warfare just as they have chess or other games of strategy – because they are ca pable of making moves that no human would consider but that have devastat
ingly effective consequences. “What I’m talking about is that in exploring legit imate questions that we ask them, they come to conclusions that would not nec essarily be the same as we – and we will have to live in their world,” Kissinger said.
“We are surrounded by many ma chines whose real thinking we may not know,” he continued. “How do you build restraints into machines? Even today we have fighter planes that can fight…air bat tles without any human intervention. But these are just the beginnings of this pro cess. It is the elaboration 50 years down the road that will be mind-boggling.”
Kissinger called on the leaders of the United States and China, the world’s tech giants, to begin an urgent dialogue about how to apply ethical limits and standards for AI.
Such a conversation might begin, he said, with President Joe Biden telling Chi nese President Xi Jinping: “We both have a lot of problems to discuss, but there’s one overriding problem – namely that you and I uniquely in history can destroy the world by our decisions on this [AI-driven warfare], and it is impossible to achieve a unilateral advantage in this. So, we there fore should start with principle number one that we will not fight a high-tech war against each other.”
U.S. and Chinese leaders might start a high-tech security dialogue, Kissinger suggested, with an agreement to “create at first relatively small institutions whose job it will be to inform [national leaders] about the dangers, and which might be in touch with each other on how to ame liorate” risks. China has long resisted nu
clear arms control negotiations of the sort that Kissinger conducted with the Soviet Union during his years as national secu rity adviser and secretary of state.
U.S. officials say the Chinese won’t discuss limiting nuclear weapons until they have achieved parity with the United States and Russia, whose weapons have been capped by a series of agreements starting with the 1972 SALT treaty, ne gotiated by Kissinger.
The world-changing power of AI has become a primary concern for Kissinger in his late 90s, with Schmidt as his guide. The two co-wrote a book last year with MIT professor Daniel Huttenlocher titled “The Age of AI: And Our Human Future,” which described the opportunities and dangers of the new technology.
Kissinger’s first major public com ment on AI was a 2018 essay in the At lantic magazine headlined “How the En lightenment Ends.” The article’s subtitle summarized its chilling message: “Philo sophically, intellectually – in every way –human society is unprepared for the rise of artificial intelligence.”
Kissinger told the cathedral audience that for all the destructiveness of nuclear weapons, “they don’t have this [AI] capac ity of starting themselves on the basis of their perception, their own perception, of danger or of picking targets.”
Asked whether he was optimistic about the ability of humanity to limit the destructive capabilities of AI when it’s applied to warfare, Kissinger answered: “I retain my optimism in the sense that if we don’t solve it, it’ll literally destroy us…. We have no choice.”
By David Ignatius
Turkey’s fixation on alleged Kurd ish terrorism reached a danger ous flash point last week, as Turkish warplanes bombed targets in northern Syria that are perilously close to U.S. forces there guarding against a resurgence of the Islamic State.
The danger of this latest spasm of Turkish reprisal attacks was described to me on Wednesday by Gen. Mazloum Kobane Abdi, commander of the Syri an Kurdish militia known as the Syrian Democratic Forces or SDF. He said that after three days of Turkish bombing, the SDF could lose its ability to maintain se curity at prisons and a refugee camp for ISIS fighters and their families.
“These strikes have already placed the ISIS mission at risk,” said Col. Jo seph Buccino, spokesman for U.S. Cen tral Command, which oversees the re gion. “One of the strikes hit within 130 meters of U.S. personnel, so American forces are at risk. Any extension of these attacks will drive up that risk,” Buccino told me in an email.
Mazloum, as he is known, said that an hour before our conversation, a Turk ish drone had fired on the SDF security post at the al-Hol refugee camp, which houses families of Islamic State fighters. He said he didn’t know whether any of the residents of the camp escaped, be cause a Turkish drone was still loitering over the camp, and it was impossible for U.S. and SDF forces there to survey the damage safely.
Mazloum said SDF forces are also “at risk right now” as they try to main tain security at 28 makeshift prisons in northern Syria where about 12,000 captured ISIS fighters are housed. After a January prison break at the Hasakah prison, more than 3,000 of these de
tainees escaped, and it took more than a week to capture most of them and re gain control.
Turkey’s rationale for attacking the Syrian Kurds is its claim that the SDF, and Mazloum personally, are affiliated with the militant Kurdish militia known as the PKK, which they contend was re sponsible for a Nov. 13 terrorist bomb ing in Istanbul. Mazloum told me his forces had no involvement in the attack and had expressed sympathy for the vic
tims. As for the charge that he was per sonally affiliated with PKK terrorism, he said, “these are just excuses” and that he had been working closely with U.S. and coalition forces for more than eight years.
estimated 70% of them under 18. We toured the Hasakah prison, too, and security seemed fragile, even without Turkish bombers overhead.
Mazloum said the Turkish assault began on Monday with an attack on a coalition base in Hasakah, where U.S. Special Operations forces help train the SDF. I visited that base in April, too, and saw the combat partnership between the United States and the Syrian Kurds that shattered ISIS. The Kurdish-led militia paid a heavy price in that cam paign, with 12,000 fighters killed, Ma zloum reminded me on Wednesday.
Mazloum said that he expects Tur key to soon begin a ground assault in northern Syria, seeking greater control of Manbij and Kobani, two areas liber ated from ISIS by the United States and its SDF partners at great cost. He said that the United States has an “ethical responsibility to protect the Kurds from being ethnically cleansed from this re gion.” He urged U.S. officials to pressure Turkey to de-escalate its attacks before there is a disaster.
Northern Syria is a bomb that Tur key, through its reckless actions, seems determined to detonate. When I visited the al-Hol camp in April with Centcom commander Gen. Michael “Erik” Kuril la, it housed about 56,000 people, an
Gen. Mark Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, spoke on Wednes day with his Turkish counterpart and warned the Turks against attacking re stricted zones around U.S. troops. But a Pentagon official said there was “no sign that [the Turks] are ready to de-es calate.” As the Turkish military assault in northern Syria begins to destabilize the U.S.-led coalition’s fragile control over the murderous remnants of the Islamic State, a reasonable person be gins to wonder: What kind of an ally is this?
Northern Syria is a bomb that Turkey, through its reckless actions, seems determined to detonate.
The Brookings Institution reported in September 2018 that humanity had reached a stunning milestone: “For the first time since agriculture-based civilization began 10,000 years ago, the majority of humankind is no longer poor or vulnerable to falling into poverty.” More than half of the world’s population – some 3.8 billion people – now earned enough to be considered “middle class” or “rich.”
Think about what that means: For most of what Ronald Reagan famously called mankind’s “long climb from the swamp to the stars” the norm for most people had been abject poverty. Now, the norm is prosperity.
What made this transformation pos sible? The collapse of the Soviet empire, the worldwide turn away from socialism, and the U.S.-led global expansion of free trade and free enterprise – fueled by ac cess to cheap, reliable sources of energy – all have lifted people across the world out of poverty.
We should be doing everything pos sible to accelerate this progress, so mil lions more can join the ranks of the middle-class majority. Instead, climate activists are advocating policies that would deny poor nations access to inex pensive, abundant fossil fuels they need to develop their economies – which would ultimately leave tens of millions of peo ple in poverty and more vulnerable to climate-induced disasters.
To make up for lost economic growth, activists are pushing government-to-gov ernment wealth transfer payments. First came a proposed $100 billion-a-year fund that rich countries agreed to a decade ago to pay poor countries to reduce emissions and forgo fossil fuels. Now, at the U.N. Climate Change Conference in Egypt, known as COP27, wealthy nations have agreed to pay poor nations reparations for costs of natural disasters supposedly caused by the industrialized world’s use of fossil fuels.
This is insanity. The reason poor na tions suffer disproportionate damage from natural disasters is poverty. When Hurricane Ian hit Florida in September, it caused lots of damage but relatively few deaths. Power was restored and bridges swiftly rebuilt. By contrast, a similar storm hitting poor countries could kill thousands and disrupt the economy for years because better infrastructure does more to save lives than cutting emissions.
is not supported by the decades of science on disaster research, including extensive research on how and why vulnerability has arisen and accrued in Pakistan.” He added in a post last month: “This is a di saster of poor governance, poverty, and inequity.”
Lomborg pointed out in October 2021 that, according to the U.N. climate pan el, the cost of climate change by the end of the century, if we do nothing, would be about 2.6 percent of global gross do mestic product. By contrast, he tells me, estimates put the cost of extreme net-zero climate policies at $5.7 trillion per year, or 5.4 percent of global GDP each year for the next three decades – more than double the cost of doing nothing. Other forecasts based on Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change data suggest that net-zero climate policies could cause even greater losses in global GDP every year.
There is no way that taxpayers in wealthy nations will support the kind of transfer payments necessary to make up for lost GDP in poor nations. Nor should they. Why should American taxpayers pay developing countries not to develop?
Case in point: Those advocating rep arations in Egypt cited recent flooding in Pakistan that killed 1,700 people, left one-third of the country underwater, and caused $30 billion in damage as evidence of the costs of Western climate negligence for poor nations. But as Ilan Kelman, a professor of disasters and health at Uni versity College London, has written, “at tributing this disaster to climate change
The way to help poor nations such as Pakistan become less vulnerable to disasters is to lift them out of poverty. The anti-growth policies of climate ac tivists would have the opposite effect. As Bjorn Lomborg, president of Copenhagen Consensus Center, has argued, the Par is climate accord is forecast to keep an additional 11 million people in poverty by 2030 than would otherwise be. That number would rise to 80 million addi tional people in poverty, he wrote, if the world adopts much stronger measures advocated by climate extremists.
The fact is, nations with higher GDP enjoy lower mortality, higher standards of living, and greater resilience. Their citizens live in sturdy homes with mid dle-class luxuries such as air condition ing and central heat that protect them from temperature-related deaths. They have access to better health care and food security, which does more to fight malnutrition than reducing carbon emis sions. And their societies can afford ad vanced flood-control and disaster warn ing systems, such as the European Flood Awareness System. There is a reason, as global poverty has dramatically declined, climate-related deaths from floods, fires, storms, droughts, and extreme tempera tures have plummeted.
Climate change is real. But forcing developing countries to abandon fossil fuels – and denying tens of millions the opportunity to join the nascent global middle class – will cost more lives. And no amount of reparations could ever make up for that.
Why should American taxpayers pay developing countries not to develop?
In the Cold War era, the world’s su perpowers looked develop better and more capable aircraft to con trol the skies if there ever was a “hot” war. American aircraft manufacturers were constantly putting forth new ideas to the military in a bid to win lucrative government contracts. In the 1950s, Mc Donnell Douglas worked on improving a navy fighter. The F3H Demon was comparable to other modern fighters, but it lacked speed and power to be considered for use on the front lines. The new fighter that the engineers at McDonnell Douglas built was consid ered the Swiss-army knife of fighters for its capabilities. The F4 Phantom set many records and was a mainstay for both the American and Israeli air forces for many years as it proved itself many times while in combat.
Designed to be a modern fleet defense fighter for the navy, the F4 soon became useful to other branches of the military. It was a twin engine, two-seat, all weather, supersonic fighter-bomber jet that could take on other roles like re connaissance. Carrying a maximum of up to 18,650 pounds of weapons, the F4 could carry air-to-air missiles, air-toground missiles, conventional bombs, guided munitions and even nuclear
bombs. Over 5,000 Phantoms were built and achieved an incredible 393 aerial victories – with most attribut ed to the American and Israeli armed forces. Both the Air Force’s Thunder birds and the Navy’s Blue Angels flight demonstration units used the Phantom for several years starting in 1969.
Captain Jeffrey Epstein was one of the few Phantom fliers who achieved the incredible total of five enemy planes shot down to become an ace. He was a navigator and a weapons systems oper ator (WSO), aka the “backseater” in the F-4. His job was to shoot at enemy tar gets while the pilot flew the plane.
During the Vietnam War there were fewer aerial targets than in other 20 th
century conflicts, but when the North Vietnamese did take to the sky in Soviet built planes, it was the F4 that was sent to meet them in aerial battle. On April 16, 1972, Feinstein was with pilot Major Edward Cherry and shot down a MiG21 with an AIM-7 Sparrow missile. Six weeks later, he recorded his second kill while providing fighter escort for bomb ers. Feinstein shot at a MiG-21 that was aiming for the lead bomber, and the AIM-9 Sidewinder brought down the enemy plane. In July 1972, Feinstein re corded his third and fourth kills while on an air superiority mission with pi lot Lieutenant Colonel Carl Baily. His fifth aerial victory came a few months later while on a mission to protect at
tack planes. Feinstein shot down a MiG with an Aim-7 and became one of the few airmen to achieve the status of ace. For his heroic actions, he received the prestigious Navy Cross.
Four other airmen achieved the sta tus of ace while in the Phantom during the Vietnam War. Charles DeBellevue shot down six MiGs while flying as a warrant system officer. Like Feinstein, he was a backseater in a F4 and achieved four of his kills with pilot Captain Steve Ritchie. Ritchie himself was an ace pilot and scored his aerial victories against five MiG 21 fighters with AIM-7 airto-air missiles. Navy airmen William Driscoll and Duke Cunningham also achieved ace status while flying together from the aircraft carrier USS Constella tion (CV-64).
Some F4 Phantoms were equipped with a 20mm cannon. In an incredible aerial victory, Major Phil Handley shot down a MiG-19 with his cannon while flying at supersonic speeds. The F4 was flying at Mach 1.2 (Mach is the speed of sound and Mach 1.2 would approxi mately be 920 MPH) and is believed to be the fastest speed a fighter was going while attaining a gun aerial victory as opposed to using missiles.
Israel received their first F4 Phan
The F4 was flying at Mach 1.2 and is believed to be the fastest speed a fighter was going while attaining a gun aerial victory as opposed to using missiles.
toms in 1969 as they replaced the slow er French-built Mirage III. Previously, the United States had been very wary of selling military equipment to Israel, but in the aftermath of the Six Day War, the embargo had been lifted. Fifty F4 Phantoms were sold to Israel and paid for in cash and within a month of arriv al had been used to attack an Egyptian surface-to-air battery.
Four years and several missions lat er, Phantoms played a vital role in the Yom Kippur War. Pilot Amir Nachumi with his backseater Yossi Yavin was in
a F4 sitting next to another Phantom piloted by Daniel Shaki with David Re gev as his navigator. Suddenly, radar detected Egyptian aircraft approach ing. Despite being told to stay put, both Phantom jets took off and just then a large formation of MiGs began bomb ing the runway. Nachumi destroyed two aircraft with Sidewinder missiles and damaged two with his cannon before having engine trouble. After quickly resolving that issue, he went after the remaining MiGs and killed two more with Sidewinder missiles. Nachumi
and Shaki, who shot down three ene my aircraft, both landed safely on the damaged runway at Ofir. Nachumi later became an ace with seven kills in the F4 before switching to the F16 Falcon and scoring another seven aerial victories.
The F4 was produced from 1958 to 1981 and remained in use by American forces until 1996. Israel purchased a total of 216 Phantoms and used them until their retirement 2004. Experi enced pilots valued the Phantom for its thrust, which allowed pilots to enter and leave aerial combat when the timing was
right. Today, around 70 Phantoms are still in operational use by five countries, making it one of the longest-serving fighter planes in the world. The battles that many heroic Phantom pilots have fought is history to be remembered.
Avi Heiligman is a weekly contribu tor to The Jewish Home. He welcomes your comments and suggestions for fu ture columns and can be reached at aviheiligman@gmail.com.
Men’s private yoga, Licensed Massage & Holistic Health Guidance
436 Central Ave, Cedarhurst
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For big or small jobs, Sheetrock, carpentry, painting, electrical, plumbing, install & repair appliances
Call Ephraim at 347-593-4691
VACUUM SALES AND REPAIR All areas call Max Flam 718-444-4904
Management staff will assist you with:
* Obtaining Medicaid and Pooled Income Trust
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* Case and Care Management services Dr. S. Sasson, DSW, LCSW (718) 544- 0870 or (646) 284-6242
WOODMERE - OLD WOODMERE
3 bedrrom 2 full bathroomsSD# 14 Features LG living room with fireplace, den, large dining room, kitchen and dinette area, high ceilings, hardwood floors, primary bedroom plus sitting area plus 2 additional bedrooms, full basement, alarm, sprinkler, close to all. $825K Mark Lipner Associate Broker Berkshire Hathaway Laffey International 516-298-845 mlipner@bhhslaffey.com
WOODMERE
Charming Colonial on beautiful tree lined street in the heart of Old Woodmere. Home features 3 bedrooms, 1.5 baths, kitchen, dining area, living room, full basement. Relatively new heating system + hot water tank. Large & beautiful backyard. Great for entertaining. Close to all. $676K Mark Lipner
Associate Broker Berkshire Hathaway Laffey International 516-298-8457 mlipner@bhhslaffey.com
HEWLETT NEW TO THE MARKET
Luxurious Exquisite 6 bedrooms, 6.5 bath home situated on approximate 1.8 acre property in prestigious Hewlett Bay Park. Formal Living room and dining room, library, chefs Eat-in Kitchen, extraordinary great room leads out to veranda. large Gunite built-in pool + pool house with full bath, large slate patio, impressive sprawling property, school district #14 Hewlett-Woodmere. Close to all. P.O.R. Mark Lipner Associate Broker Berkshire Hathaway Laffey International 516-298-8457 mlipner@bhhslaffey.com
classifieds@fivetownsjewishhome.com • text 443-929-4003
Great Home on a Cul-De-Sac, SD #15, Features 4 Bedrooms, 3 New Full Bathrooms, Gas Heat, Central Air Conditioning, Renovated Gourmet EIK w/2 Sinks, Granite Countertops, New Stainless Steel Appliances Leading out to a New Deck, Elegant Formal Dining Room, New Flooring, Moldings, and New Wood Bannister Leading to the Bedrooms, Spacious Master Bedroom Suite w/Jacuzzi Tub, Sep Stall Shower, and a Large Walk-In Closet. Generously Sized Den Leading Out to a Magnificent Backyard With a New Pergola, Great Home for Entertaining, High Hats Throughout, New Front Walkway Leading to a Nice Front Porch, New Front Windows
Close to RR, Shopping, Houses of Worship. P.O.R. Mark Lipner Associate Broker Berkshire Hathaway Laffey International 516-298-8457 mlipner@bhhslaffey.com
Six bedroom home in highly desirable Hewlett Bay Park on 3/4 of an acre with an inground gunite pool and tennis court, en-Suite bathrooms and bedrooms on both floors, 1st floor Master Suite with steam shower and Jacuzzi tub, Eat-in Kitchen, with SS appliances, 2 sinks, 2 dishwashers, double oven, formal living room, formal dining room, den with fireplace. Close to railroad, shopping, and houses of worship. SD#14. Great house for entertaining. Park-like Property. P.O.R. Mark Lipner Associate Broker Berkshire Hathaway Laffey International 516-298-8457 mlipner@bhhslaffey.com
Spacious 5 bedroom 4 bathroom split level in Saddle Ridge Estates Well maintained home home , renovated eat –in-kitchen , formal living room and dining room, den, central air conditioning, hardwood floors, high hats, master bedroom with a custom bathroom and Jacuzzi tub, close to all $995k Mark Lipner Associate Broker Berkshire Hathaway Laffey International 516-298-8457 mlipner@bhhslaffey.com
Well maintained 4 bedroom home on a cul-de-sac in Old Woodmere SD#14. Features central air conditioning, gas heat, eat -in -kitchen with stainless steel appliances, very spacious den, 2 car garage, hardwood floors, high hats, magnificent yard with an in-ground saltwater pool, close to the railroad, shopping and houses of worship. Call for a private showing. Mark Lipner Associate Broker Berkshire Hathaway Laffey International 516-298-8457 mlipner@bhhslaffey.com
Bright and sunny 3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms split level home. Features central air conditioning, gas heat, solar panels, eat in kitchen with stainless steel appliances, formal dining room and living room, den, finished bsmt with playroom and 2 additional rooms, master bedroom –fbth and 2 walk in closets, custom window treatments, new garage door, alarm, IGS, hardwood floors, 200 AMP service, gasline BBQ, new insulation, close to schools, shopping and so much more. 899K Mark Lipner Associate Broker Berkshire Hathaway Laffey International 516-298-8457 mlipner@bhhslaffey.com
Prestigious Center-Hall Colonial in Hewlett Bay Park, Set Back on Private Property. This Stately Home Features a Grand Entry Foyer, Formal Living Room, Formal Dining Room, Chef’s Kitchen, Large Den, Master Bedroom suite with Sitting Room + 2 Baths (His & Hers) and Loft and Additional 3 Bedrooms + Bonus Rooms. Exquisitely Manicured Park-like property. Award Winning School District #14. Too Many Features To List. Will Not Last! P.O.R. Mark Lipner Associate Broker Berkshire Hathaway Laffey International 516-298-8457 mlipner@bhhslaffey.com
WOODMERE
Beautiful, brick, colonial boasting 5 bdr 3.5 Bth in pristine condition. Excellent location, near all! Move right in! RCUSA 516-512-9626
Spectacular 5 bedroom, 5 bath renovated home in SD#14 with in-ground pool & pool house, lot size 111 x 107. Formal living room & dining room, magnificent kitchen with SS appliances, tremendous den with fireplace and 4 skylights, vaulted ceiling, LED lighting, master suite, new CAC, new roof. Outside totally redone with Stone and Stucco. Backyard with new pavers, park-like property, sandbox, great home for entertaining. Close to all. $1,499,000 OPEN HOUSE
December 4 • 1:30-3:00PM 562 SUNSET DR
Mark Lipner Associate Broker Berkshire Hathaway Laffey International 516.298.8457 mlipner@bhhslaffey.com
LAWRENCE
Exceptional turnkey Mediterranean Colonial style home and beautiful manicured corner property. This home features exquisite architectural details with six meticulously designed spacious bedrooms and four full baths, open layout that allows comfortable living and entertainment. Large dining room and living room with gas fireplace. Beautiful updated kitchen with stainless steel appliances attached to Butler’s pantry, huge closet space and storage throughout. Park like backyard, hardwood herringbone floors throughout. Water filtration system and ground well for sprinklers. A must see!
P.O.R. Mark Lipner Associate Broker Berkshire Hathaway Laffey International 516-298-8457 mlipner@bhhslaffey.com
Beautifully maintained Split Level home in the heart of Woodmere. This home boasts 4 Bedrooms, 2.5 Baths, Eat-in Kitchen, Formal Dining Room, Living Room, a Finished Basement, and an office. Beautiful and spacious Backyard. Great location, SD#14. Close to all. Price Reduced $899k. OPEN HOUSE SUNDAY, December 4, 11:30-1:00PM
918 EILEEN TERRACE
Mark Lipner Associate Broker Berkshire Hathaway Laffey International 516-298-8457 mlipner@bhhslaffey.com
Magnificent Bright & Sunny furnished 6 Bedroom, 5 Bath Home Prime location in Cedarhurst Features Dream Kitchen With Granite Countertops, Two Sinks, Two Ovens, Two Microwaves, Formal Dining Room With Washing Station, Formal Living Room. Smart Home, Radiant Heat, Speaker System, Timers, Cameras Inside + Outside, Master Bedroom Suite With Jacuzzi Tub + Shower. Two Large Walk-in Closets, Central Air Conditioning, Gas Heat, Two Car Garage, Great Corner Property, Large Side + Backyard, Finished Basement, Close To All. A Must See. Close To Shopping And Houses Of Worship. Mark Lipner
Associate Broker Berkshire Hathaway Laffey International 516-298-8457 mlipner@bhhslaffey.com
This is a Spectacular Home Rebuilt From the Ground Up in 2010. Features Inground Heated Saltwater Pool. Unique Beyond, Very Artistic. Designed by a Well-known Interior Designer. The House Was Knocked Down & Rebuilt. It has Steel Columns, Exposed Vents & Duct Work. Custom Door - Super Thick, Entry Foyer is Laser Cut Acrylic Tile, Custom Closets Throughout. Steel Bolder Sep. the LR & DR. DR has a Custom China Closet, Bar has a Swarovski Sink, Custom Scavollini EIK, Very European the way the Drawers Open + Cabinets Open Upwards. Countertops are Caesar Stone & Appl. are a Wolf Oven w/6 Burners, 2 Miele Ovens, and Built-in Coffee Maker. 1 Miele Dishwasher + 2 Fisher Paykel Dishwashers. Thermador Refrigerator w/Ice Maker. Double Sinks Plus a Veg. Sink, Walls are Painted w/Venetian Plaster. Office w/High Ceilings & Terr. Overlooking the Pool. Magnificent yard, MBR Suite w/a Spa Bath & a Huge WIC. MBR has Missoni Tiles. All Pella Windows & Doors. Home has Cameras, Alarms, IGS and So Much More! Mark Lipner Associate Broker Berkshire Hathaway Laffey International 516-298-8457 mlipner@bhhslaffey.com
NORTH WOODMERE JUST LISTED Move Right Into This Beautifully Maintained and Updated Three Bed room, 2.5 Baths Large Split Situated on an Oversized Park-like Lot Over looking the Pond. Home Features nat urally bright lit rooms with a Ground Level Den Leading to Patio, With Another Lower Level With Partially Finished Basement. Hardwood Floors Throughout Updated Kitchen With Granite Counters in School District 14 and Close to all Houses of Worship. $949k Mark Lipner Associate Broker Berkshire Hathaway Laffey Interna tional 516-298-8457 mlipner@bhhslaffey.com
WOODMERE
New to the market move right in 8 bedrooms 3 full bathrooms on a lot size 57x112. prime location features eat in kitchen with 2 sinks, new stainless steel appliances, gas heat, hardwood floors, possible mother daughter with permits, close to the railroad, shopping and houses of worship. OPEN HOUSE SUNDAY DECEMBER 4 11:301:00PM 8 WOODMERE BLVD. N. 11:30-1:00PM Mark Lipner Associate Broker Berkshire Hathaway Laffey International 516-298-8457 mlipner@bhhslaffey.com
2 car garage, Circular driveway, Handicap accessible, 4.5 bath, 6 beds, Eat in kitchen, Formal dining room, Formal living room, Family room, Central ac 2 zones, Sprinkler system, Huge unfinished basement with finished laundry room. Gas heat, New roof, new windows, Sprinkler system with well, Int sq ft 3,750, Lot 10,000 sq ft, Side yard, Asking 1.85 Dm 9179230011 for more information
House for Rent, large 6 bedrooms/3 bathrooms, in prime “Tree Streets” location, available Feb 1 (maybe sooner) until Sept 1, perfect for someone doing a home renovation, call 917-750-6700
CEDARHURST
Amazing location. Close to the park. Totally new 2 bedroom 1 bath with large basement and W/D hookup. Parking included. Call or text Sherri….Weissman Realty 516-297-7995
House rental Move right into this 4 bedroom colonial in the heart of Woodmere, with spacious rooms, hardwood floors, a finished basement, and a spacious yard. Close to railroad, shopping & houses of worship $4,500 monthly Mark Lipner Associate Broker Berkshire Hathaway Laffey International 516-298-8457 mlipner@bhhslaffey.com
House Rental Magnificent 6 Bedroom Home. Formal Dining Room, New Gourmet Kitchen W/High End Appliances & Cabinets, Large Living Rm & Den, 3 Car Attached Garage, Hardwood Floors, Sd#14. 5 Bedrooms On One Level, Fabulous MBR Suite W/ New Bathroom. gas heat. central air conditioning, long driveway, parklaike property,& So Much More. Call for details Mark Lipner Associate Broker Berkshire Hathaway Laffey International 516-298-8457 mlipner@bhhslaffey.com
CEDARHURST
Amazing location. Close to the park. Totally new 2 bedroom 1 bath with large basement and W/D hookup Parking included.
Call or text Sherri….Weissman Realty 516-297-7995
For Rent By Owner, No Brokerage Involved Completely Renovated Apartment Located on Court Ave - Around the corner from Cedar hurst park! 2 Bedroom, Plus Living & Dining Room. Eat in Kitchen, 1 Full Bath. New Kitchen & New Appliances. Hook up for Washer & Dryer. Finished basement, perfect for playroom and lots of storage space. Lots of Closet Space. Partially furnished! Option for a dedicated PARKING spot! Separate Entrance Available Immediately. Call Michelle: 718-594-4110
Extra Large One Bedroom Renovated Apartment In Prime Lawrence. EIK With Granite Countertops Renovated Bathroom. Sunken LR, Dining Room, Close to All, Transportation, Shopping, Worship.$285k or rent $2,500 monthly Mark Lipner Associate Broker Berkshire Hathaway Laffey International 516-298-8457 mlipner@ bhhslaffey.com
1 bedroom 1.5 bathrooms on the first floor, central air conditioning, washer/dryer in unit, hardwood floors, recessed lighting, freshly painted, super on premises, underground parking available, close to the railroad, shopping and houses of worship. Mark Lipner Associate Broker Berkshire Hathaway Laffey International 516-298-8457 mlipner@bhhslaffey.com
1 bedroom apartment, elevator building, eat-in kitchen, full bath, hardwood floors, plenty of closet space. Ceiling fan in bedroom & kitchen, laundry room in the basement. Close to the railroad, shopping, and houses of worship $169k Mark Lipner Associate Broker Berkshire Hathaway Laffey International 516-298-8457 mlipner@ bhhslaffey.com
WOODMERE
Totally renovated bright and sunny 1 bedroom corner unit apartment with a washer/dryer. Features quartz countertops, ss appliances, recessed lighting, bathroom with chrome fixtures, close to the railroads, shopping and houses of worship. Call for details Mark Lipner Associate Broker Berkshire Hathaway Laffey International 516-298-8457 mlipner@bhhslaffey.com
Totally renovated 1 and 2 Bedroom, Apartments with washer/dryer, kitchen with quartz countertops, stainless steel appliances. Recessed lighting, hardwood floors, storage in basement. Close to RR, shopping, and houses of worship. Mark Lipner Associate Broker Berkshire Hathaway Laffey International 516-298-8457 mlipner@bhhslaffey.com
HEWLETT
Bright and sunny 2 bedroom 2 bathroom co-op, elevator, doorman building, in ground pool storage, card room, indoor and outdoor parking, washer/dryer in the apartment, renovated kitchen with granite countertops, ss appliances, master bedroom with en-suite bathroom, formal living room and dining room, close to all $479k Mark Lipner
Associate Broker Berkshire Hathaway Laffey International 516-298-8457 mlipner@bhhslaffey.com
WOODSBURGH
Magnificent 2K Sq. Ft. Co-Op. 3Br/2Bth, Eik, Lr, Dr, W/D In Unit, Gar, 2 Stor Units, Elev, Near All $775K 516-846-1032 No Brokers
classifieds@fivetownsjewishhome.com • text 443-929-4003
New to the market beautifully maintained bright and sunny 2 bedroom 1.5 bathroom co-op on the top floor in an elevator building with a private storage room. Renovated eat -in-kitchen with granite countertops, lots of cabinets, 2 renovated bathrooms. 2 spacious bedrooms with ceiling fans and air conditioners. hardwood floors, high ceilings , close to the railroad, shopping and houses of worship. Call for a private showing.$429K
Mark Lipner Associate Broker
Berkshire Hathaway Laffey International 516-298-8457 mlipner@bhhslaffey.com
Hewlett 3 bedroom 2 bath co-op with central air conditioning, terrace, wash-er/dryer, hardwood floors, recessed lighting, magnificent kitchens, ss appliances, l/r, d/r, close to the railroad, shopping, and houses of worship. $300k Mark Lipner Associate Broker Berkshire Hathaway Laffey International 516-298-8457 mlipner@bhhslaffey.com
WOODMERE
Beautiful & Spacious 2 Bedroom Apartment Across From The Golf Course. Elevator Building, Updated Kitchen, Gas Cooking, Granite Countertops, Washer/Dryer In Unit, High Ceilings, Great Closet Space, Storage in Basement, Close To RR, Shopping & Houses Of Worship.$349K
Mark Lipner Associate Broker
Berkshire Hathaway Laffey International 516-298-8457 mlipner@bhhslaffey.com
CEDARHURST
1, 2 and 3 bedroom apartments, totally renovated private entrance , central air conditioning, hardwood floors, washer/dryer, garage parking, dishwasher, recessed lighting, private playground, close to railroad, park, shopping and houses of worship. Call for more details
Mark Lipner Associate Broker
Berkshire Hathaway Laffey International 516-298-8457 mlipner@bhhslaffey.com
Move right in!! 2 Bedroom Apartment, Elevator Bldg in SD #14, Pre War Bldg, Pet Friendly, Laundry Room in Basement, Wood Floors, New Windows, Corner Apartment, Beautiful Renovated Kitchen w/SS Appliances, 3 A/C Units, Close to RR, Shopping & Houses of Worship. A must-see! $199k
CEDARHURST
1 bedroom 1 bathroom apartment, elevator building, eat-in kitchen, spacious rooms throughout, laundry room on-premises, garage parking, close to all Mark Lipner Associate Broker Berkshire Hathaway Laffey International 516-298-8457 mlipner@bhhslaffey.com
CEDARHURST
Office space For Lease Rockaway Tpke location 2-3 offices available for lease with access to a conference room, and shared amenities. All Utilities and Internet included. Can be leased individually or as a suite. Contact MJ at Weissman Realty Group for a private showing! MJ@weissmanrealty.com (631)8393748 Follow @mjrealtor365
INWOOD
Storefront/Office for LEASE: Bayview Ave corner Lawrence. Street parking 600+SF - Available immedi ately. Minyan Call/Text/WA Owner: 516-206-1100
INWOOD OFFICE + Large Parking LOT FOR LEASE: Bayview and Lawrence. Available immediately. Minyan Call/Text/WA Owner: 516-206-1100
Office space For Lease – Rockaway Tpke location 2-3 offices available for lease with ac cess to a conference room, and shared amenities. All Utilities and Internet included. Can be leased individually or as a suite. Contact MJ at Weissman Realty Group for a private showing! MJ@weissmanrealty.com (631)839-3748 Follow @mjrealtor365
A YESHIVA IN QUEENS is looking for an experienced part/ full time secretary, 2-year-old morah, kindergarten morah, kindergarten morah assistant and Pre-1A English teacher for the 2022-2023 school year. Nice and timely pay. Please email resume to mshelt613@gmail.com or call/text 718-971-9799.
THE GURAL JCC EARLY CHILDHOOD Center in Lawrence is looking for full-time & part-time teachers and per diem & permanent substitute teachers to work with infants, toddlers or preschoolers. Interested and qualified candidates, over 18 years old, please call (516) 239-1354 or e-mail JCC.Nursery@GuralJCC.org
Excellent growth potential, Frum environment, Excellent salary & benefits. Email resume to: resumetfs1@gmail.com
LOOKING FOR A DRIVER
Business looking for someone that has a large van or sprinter that can work a full day on Wednesdays on a weekly basis throughout the year in Brooklyn. Please do not call if you do not have a large van or a sprinter 347.992.7411
classifieds@fivetownsjewishhome.com • text 443-929-4003
NEWSPAPER LOOKING FOR someone with a Minivan or SUV who can work late Wednesday evening or early Thursday morning on a weekly basis throughout the year, delivering newspapers in Brooklyn. Please email gabe@fivetownsjewishhome.com or call (917) 299-8082
CAHAL is seeking an afternoon secular studies Assistant Teacher in a girls’ Bais Yaakov in Far Rockaway. Send resume to shira@cahal.org or call 516-295-3666
OFFICE ASSISTANT: Shomer Shabbos Office in Cedarhurst seeking individual with ability to multi-task. Computer/phone skills a must. No experience needed, will train. Email Resume: FTSadresponse@gmail.com
ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT
Local 5 towns, hours are flexible. Candidate should be Self motivated and organized. Please email resume to cdahan@tikvasecurity.com
Additional assistant teachers for General Studies. Wonderful opportunity to observe great teachers, work one-on-one with students, and gain some classroom teaching experience. Send your resume to Email teachersearch11@gmail.com
TOWNS
SEEKING ELEM GEN ED TEACHERS
Excellent working environment and pay. Only lic/exp need apply. Email resume to yeshivalooking@gmail.com
Bright Futures has openings for pro viders. Work one on one with children and earn great money doing what you love! Sports coaches, art teach ers, childcare, etc. We pay $50/hr for providers with a Bachelor’s and $25/ hr for providers with a HS diploma. Email info@brightfuturesny.com or text/call 347-970-9531
GENERAL STUDIES TEACHER Bais Yaakov in Far Rockaway seeking 8th Grade Teacher. Email resume to teachingpositions1@gmail.com
A multi-tasker needed for general office work. The ideal candidate is someone who is detail-oriented, responsible, and can take ownership. Looking for someone who is eager to learn, and expand his/her skill set while possessing the ability to work independently and as part of a team. Experience with Excel required. Five Towns location. In-office position only, not remote. Please send resume to 5tpart.timecareer@gmail.com
SEEKING MORNING SECRETARY
For Bais Yaakov High School in 5 towns. Must be well organized with excellent computer and interpersonal skills. Please submit resume to HSoffice@baisyaakovam.org
SECULAR STUDIES TEACHER
Seeking a secular studies teacher for 4 afternoons a week in a girls class in 5 towns/Far Rock area. Send resume to rina@cahal.org or call 516-295-3666.
MDS REGIONAL NURSE:
5 Towns area Nursing Home management office seeking a Regional/Corporate level MDS Nurse to work in our office.
Must be an RN. Regional experience preferred. 2-3 years MDS experience with good computer skills required. Position is Full Time but Part Time can be considered. Great Shomer Shabbos environment with some remote options as well. Email: officejob2019@gmail.com MISC.
A Shul is in desperate need of tables and chairs and a safe for “Aron Kodesh” etc.
Please call/text 347-486-2858
GEMACH
In memory of R’ Yehuda Aryeh Leib ben R’ Yisroel Dov. We have a library of books on the subjects of loss, aveilus, grief, & kaddish. We have sets of ArtScroll Mishnayos to assist with finishing Shisha Sidrei Mishna for Shloshim or yahrtzeit. Locations in Brooklyn, Far Rockaway, & Lakewood. Email: zichronyehuda@yahoo.com
LOOKING FOR A
Companion OP993
To go on outings with a 21-year-old boy
Monday through Thursday 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM
Friday, Shabbos, Sunday 12:00 PM to 4:30 PM
Monday through Thursday 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM
LOOKING FOR A Big Brother OP426
Monday through Thursday 5:45 PM to 7:45 PM
LOOKING FOR A Big Brother OP9927
girl
To befriend and spend time with a 13-year-old boy
Every day Any hours
Every day 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM
LOOKING FOR A
Mentor OP5565
LOOKING FOR A Driver OP3509
To befriend and spend time with a 9-year-old boy
Weekdays 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM
LOOKING FOR AN
Aide OP651
To befriend and spend time with an 18-year-old girl
Weekdays 3:30 PM to 7:00 PM
To pick up a 17-year-old boy
Sunday 12:00 PM to 3:00 PM
To assist a 30-year-old male
Shabbos, Sunday 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM
Last week, a popular singer opened “just-for-fans” ticket presales for her upcoming 52-date “Eras” concert tour – and promptly broke the internet. 14 million users flooded Ticket master’s website, jamming the site with 3.5 billion requests. The singer, Taylor Swift, said, “It’s truly amazing that 2.4 million people got tickets, but it really [upsets me] that a lot of them feel like they went through several bear attacks to get them.” If we assume the average would-be ticket buyer is five feet tall (be cause, let’s face it, many of them aren’t done growing), and laid all 14 million of them end to end, they’d stretch from New York to Los Angeles, 5.5 times.
Now those tickets are the hottest commodity in town. Seats for her May 26 Meadowlands show are listed for as much as $21,600 each on StubHub. (Welcome to New York!) Floor seats for her April 28 Atlanta show are listed even higher at $35,000. If you still own any crypto, you might consider rolling it into concert tick ets. (On second thought, scratch that – if you still own crypto, you and your money are never ever getting back together.)
Naturally, the desiccated husk of Twitter was buzzing with excitement
over the whole thing. That included one tweet from a tax attorney who’ll be glad I’m not naming him here: “Reselling your Taylor Swift tickets for a profit? Don’t forget about taxes. Even if you’re not in the ticket business, it’s likely a short-term capital gain taxed at high
blood they create for you with the IRS.
For starters, they won’t even pay you without a Social Security number on file. Once they have that information, they say, “we’ll generate a 1099K and send it to you via U.S. Mail at the beginning of each year. The same information will
that point you can take advantage of all the usual business deductions to mini mize your bill. (Call us, we’ll be happy to help – and we’re at lot easier to deal with than the treacherous Ticketmaster!)
Having said that, if you’re worried the Swifties at the IRS are after your quick profits, you need to calm down. Swift just sold over a quarter-billion dollars’ worth of tickets. And that’s before she sells the first sweatshirt or tee. The last time she toured, in 2019, she cleared 150$ million for the year. Forbes ranks her 25# on their list of America’s top-paid entertainers and 48 # in self-made women, with a net worth of 570$ million. It’s enough to anchor the next great American dynasty. And it’s certainly enough to ensure they pay more attention to her than to you.
er ordinary income rates. And you may be receiving a 1099-K if at least $600 in sales.”
Two things. One: that guy is a buzzkill. And two: he’s absolutely right. (But tell me why that was the first thing that jumped into his mind?)
If you’re the enchanted one flipping those $35,000 tix, StubHub makes it clear that they don’t care how much bad
be sent to the IRS and state tax agencies where applicable.” Of course, most sellers would consider paying tax on a 35,000$ ticket sale to be the ultimate champagne problem.
If you sell enough tickets to make it a “trade or business,” your tax hit is even worse. Now your profits are ordinary in come, not capital gain. Worse yet, you’ll owe employment tax, too. Of course, at
Long story short, when this singer hits the road starting on March 17, it’ll be a gold rush for everyone. Enjoy the show!
Allan J Rolnick is a CPA who has been in practice for over 30 years in Queens, NY. He welcomes your comments and can be reached at 718-896-8715 or at allanjrcpa@aol.com.
Help! Your teeth are crumbling and falling out.
Did you ever have that dream? How about that you can fly way above the world to escape some bad guy?
Tell me why you never had a dream that you were going to be the father of a whole new nation and G-d would be with you to the very end.
I’ll tell you – when was the last time you were willing to lay yourself down, on a filthy floor, outside on the ground, no less? And furthermore, use a bunch of rocks as your pillow? Honestly, talk about waking up with a pounding headache. Literally!
Oh, and wait, theses rocks happen to be bickering in your ears all night, want ing the honor of being directly under your head.
And then, G-d sends you an image of a ladder with angels going up and down, as He did to Jacob.
out, lying there all night, thinking abso lutely nothing before Yaakov’s dream? We’ve got to figure the reason that G-d is suddenly sharing this message with us now.
Perhaps it’s to teach us that ev ery dream is not a nightmare. Most of the time, we wake up sweating from a dream, glad to be assured we are alive and all is OK.
But how often do we wake up think ing, “Wow! That dream was dreamy”?
Maybe we need to do that more…. That would be super.
Or maybe we need to celebrate just waking up!
Maybe the idea that we did wake up tells us that Hashem is on top of our lad der whether we saw Him there or not at night. He is with us always – through all our dreams and through all our days and nights.
up at home. Hopefully, with Hashem’s blessing, refreshed and ready to embrace a new day.
See if you can take a step toward scaling that ladder. And thus have more dreamy days!
The only ladders we seem to encoun ter are the ones we use to get out the Pe sach dishes or to change a lightbulb that everyone else ignored for weeks, if you’re handy. Where’s an angel to take care of all that for any of us?
In this week’s parsha, we encounter the first recorded dream. Do you think before that people were just sprawled
There’s that wonderful prayer we re cite each morning: “Thankful am I before You the living and lasting King of the uni verse.”
I didn’t have to sleep on stone, or relax on rocks, or travel far from home, and still I’m back to forge another day.
I got to go under my comfy blanket. Sleep on my down-filled pillow. And wake
Rivki Rosenwald is a Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist working with both couples and indi viduals and is a certified relationship counselor. Rivki is a co-founder and creator of an effective Parent Management of Adolescent Years Program. She can be contacted at 917-705-2004 or at rivkirosenwald@gmail.com.
How often do we wake up thinking, “Wow! That dream was dreamy”?
