Five Towns Jewish Home 12.15.22

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y children have been looking forward to Chanukah for weeks – maybe even months. Certainly, after Sukkos, Chanukah has been on their minds as the next exciting yom tov to look forward to. And now, it’s finally here.

When I was growing up, those special eight days and nights couldn’t come fast enough. I thought that my parents shared that same effervescent anticipation, the tantalizing allure of sugar and oil and chocolate mixed with late nights and family get-togethers imbuing the pre-Chanukah air.

As an adult, I also look forward to Chanukah, but my excitement is a bit more mature and spiritual. It’s less about the presents and doughnuts and more about the lessons and ideals that we bring out through celebrating the miracle.

I am sure every household is the same: we all get caught up in the excitement – each in our own way. There is a certain pride in driving down the street at night and seeing the windows of dozens of homes emblazoned with the flickering lights of the menorah. I love driving down streets that are not primarily Jewish and seeing the shimmering glow in the lone Jewish home on that road. We may be few, but our small candles can shine brighter than all the neon lights that garishly light up the streets during this time.

Chanukah also invokes another similar

type of emotion within me. It’s a feeling of warmth that is formed when families and friends get together over Chanukah. We are not obligated to spend time together on Chanukah – there’s no mitzvah to share a sukkah or tell the story of yetzias Mitzrayim or even give mishloach manos – but we come together because we know that our simcha means including our family and friends. Our happiness is so much more because our night is shared with them.

For the past three weeks, my daughter’s Chanukah artwork has been gracing our fridge. This week, we put up her huge Chanukah sign on the wall in our den. Soon, the aroma of Chanukah cookies will be permeating our home. Slowly, but surely, our house is being transformed. And then, on Sunday night, the beautiful menorahs with their flickering lights will be the ultimate transformation of our home into more than just a home: a symbol of miracles and faith.

Wishing you a lichtige Chanukah, Shoshana

P.S. Make sure to take part in our Chanukah Giveaway! We want to see how our TJH readers celebrate Chanukah. Send us your photos – with you, your family, or your friends – and we’ll send you a cool Chanukah treat: $10 at Berrylicious! Make sure to take those photos fast – the deadline is Monday, December 19, the second night of Chanukah! See page 10 for more details.

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“Light the Candles For Me”: A Message of Hope in the Darkness 108 A Light from the Nations by Malkie Schulman 110 Nurses on the Civil War Battlefield by Avi Heiligman 150

HEALTH & FITNESS

Protect Your Skin with Good Nutrition by Aliza Beer, MS RD 124

FOOD & LEISURE

The Top 8 Sufganiyot from Sesame 128

Naomi Ross Talks About How Food Can Connect and Elevate Our Lives 134 A Taste of the Giving Table 130

The Aussie Gourmet: Babka Doughnuts 138

LIFESTYLES

Teen Talk 114

Dating Dialogue, Moderated by Jennifer Mann, LCSW 116

School of Thought 120

Parenting Pearls 122

Mind Your Business 140

How Do I Get Through To You? by Rivki D. Rosenwald Esq., CLC, SDS 158

HUMOR

Centerfold 78

POLITICAL CROSSFIRE

Notable Quotes 142

Americans Think Media is a Threat by Marc A. Thiessen 146

What Qatar Learned From Hitler’s Olympics by Rafael Medoff 148

Dear Editor,

Chanukah is swiftly approaching. As we polish our menorahs and stock up on candles, olive oil and wicks, ideally, we should also invest time and effort delving into this mitzvah, to assure that we absorb the messages that are so crucial for our spiritual wellbeing and relevant to our everyday lives.

Reading Rabbi Daniel Glatsein’s beautiful sefer on Chanukah, The Light and the Splendor, I came across this concept that is so timely and so vital.

The Midrash L’Chanukah teaches us that the Yevanim decreed that any Jew who locked his door would be subsequently killed. What does this closed door symbolize?

Privacy, modesty, security. The Midrash continues further – any house that has no door has neither dignity or modesty. Our brethren were forced to actually remove their doors totally, leaving them exposed, vulnerable and terribly frightened. The Yevanim were obviously waging war on kedushas habayis, the sanctity and serenity of the Jewish home, the Jewish family. This is the reason that it is customary to place our menorahs by our front door. As Rabbi Glatstein writes, “...we therefore demonstrate restoration of the kedushah by placing the menorah right next to our front doors, the very doors that they had prevented us from locking.”

May I remind you of the blessings bestowed upon Am Yisrael by Bilaam ben Beor, (Bamidbar, 24,5), including the beautiful phrase included in our morning tefillos. “Mah tovu ohalecha Yaakov, mishkenosecha Yisrael ”- How goodly are your tents Yaakov, your dwelling places,

Yisrael.

Rashi points out that Bilaam was referring to the fact that the doors of our homes were not directly opposite each other. Each family, each home, was able to maintain its privacy and modesty. There was a respect for the integrity of the neighboring families.

Inadvertently, I’m afraid that we have not been holding to the highest standards that are expected of us. Shidduchim is an entire world onto itself, ultimately, ending with great joy and the building of yet another beautiful Bayis Neeman b’Yisrael. But till we get to that point, there may be a bit of stress and tension involved. I believe that we are aggravating the situation by crossing over boundaries, by invading the privacy and modesty of our friends and neighbors. If a young man and woman are sighted on a date in a community restaurant, there is no need to announce this at the dinner table. If this young man and woman have dated several times, it is not appropriate for others to speculate whether an engagement is on the horizon. This should not be a topic of conversation among friends and neighbors. We surely would not want others to talk about our own children. We are only adding pressure, causing unnecessary discomfort and distress to the families and individuals involved.

Let’s think before we speak. Let’s be respectful of the privacy of our fellow Jews. In the merit of our efforts in this realm, may this transition go smoothly and easily for all acheinu kol bais Yisrael. And may the zivug oleh yafeh, for one and all!

Miriam Liebermann

end u s your photo(s) of what Cha nu ka h means to you – it could be you r fami ly lig ht ing c and les, you and your siblings at your Cha nu ka h par t y, ba k ing Chanuka h cook ies, Bubby play ing dreidel, or Z eidy eat ing a jel ly doug hnut (or t wo… or three!).

We want to see what m akes Cha nuk ah specia l to you. But you have to ac t fast! The photos must be sent in by Monday, December 19 at ( Yup! By the second nig ht of Cha nu kah! That’s what we mean by act ing fast.) Ma ke sure t he photo includes t he p eople you love mo st. Send us your photo(s), and we ’ ll send you a $10 Ber r ylicious g if t card!

Dear Editor,

Sefer Bereishit is also called Sefer Hayashar. This is because the Avot were straightforward people. They dealt with enemy and foe alike, with honesty and dignity. There was no echad b’lev echad b’peh. We this clearly in two episodes: one in this week’s parsha and the other in Vayetzei. We are told the brothers hated Yosef, and then the verse indicates that they couldn’t speak peacefully with him. This shows a consistency in how they felt and how they spoke. There was no duplicity in their feelings and actions. In life, being straight in the mind and heart shows integrity and forthrightness.

In Parshas Vayetzei, a rav asked why Yaakov went through with the marriage to Rachel, after all, in reality she wasn’t meant for him. He answers that Yaakov “told” her he would marry her, and when one of the Avot give their word, they keep it.

I had many professors throughout my life, but one stands out. He was a mensch steeped in honesty that was easy to talk to, someone who always kept his word. These are the men to seek out.

Shimmy Stone

Dear Editor,

An ad in this past week’s paper requires a response. I am leaving the issue of the need for the organization, and I am not writing to try (again) to ask for help with our unmet needs (like a mental health crisis unit). I am only writing because the idea that a frum response to an emergency should have the option to consider gender is wrong.

If I am walking down the street and my skirt starts to fly up, I will hold it down – that’s tznius. However, if I am in a car accident and the first responders on scene need access to the femoral artery on my upper thigh, I would move my skirt to give them full access to my artery regardless of their religion or gender – that’s v’chai bahem – and it overrides tzinius every time.

Whether the Tammy of the ad is burnt or in labor, her choice of first responder is only that they are skilled and arrive quickly. That may be Ezras Nashim, I don’t know, but to suggest that there is

credence to the “shame” she feels at being exposed must be strongly rebutted. Halacha guides our behavior and our worldview. If the halacha calls on us to expose ourselves, then doing so is righteous.

Following halacha is never shameful. We have a religion, and some things may be shameful – getting medical help in an emergency is not one of them.

Rivka

Dear Editor,

I love how there are so many people who are concerned about the shidduch “situation” (I hate using the word “crisis”), and are galvanized to do something about it.

There are many people who have put together WhatsApp chats to help match up singles. There are wonderful organizations that work to arrange dating weekends/nights/events to help match up singles.

And now, it’s so nice to see that real research is going into analyzing the situation. With research and understanding, hopefully we can help more people find their bashert.

Shira Robinson

Dear Editor,

I cannot agree more with the sentiments expressed in Etti Siegel’s column this week. Too many of our children are overscheduled! And that leads them to never being able to exercise their imagination or creativity, as children did years ago.

Have you ever had a child over for a playdate at your home, and they stood around, expecting you to entertain them? What ever happened to them coming over and exploring the toys and activities that are present in your home? Where is their curiosity or creativity? Instead, they are trained to wait for the instructor or presenter to tell them what to do – and this spills over into their playdate lives, too!

I cannot advocate enough – sign your child up for an enrichment program – or two – but do not overload their schedule!

They need time to breathe!

Sincerely, Harriet Schonfeld

Cover Artwork, “Chanukah Lights,” by Alex Levin www.artlevin.com

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What’s Next for Russian Arms Dealer?

state television network RT last week, Bout said he “wholeheartedly” supports Putin’s war in Ukraine, adding that he would “certainly go as a volunteer” if he had the chance.

The arms dealer also said he had a picture of Putin in his prison cell, telling RT, “Why not? I’m proud that I’m Russian and that our president is Putin.”

“Cuba is Depopulating”

Viktor Bout, the Russian arms dealer the U.S. swapped for WNBA star Brittney Griner last week, officially joined a far-right, ultranationalist party in Russia, which could set him up for a seat in the Russian parliament.

The notorious arms dealer — known as the “Merchant of Death”— received his membership to the pro-Kremlin Liberal Democratic Party of Russia (LDPR) on Monday.

The leader of the LDPR, Leonid Slutsky, thanked Bout for joining “the best political party in today’s Russia.”

Despite its name, the LDPR adopts a hardline, ultranationalist ideology. Since its founding in 1992, the party has demanded Russia reconquer the countries of the former Soviet Union, according to Reuters. It has backed Russian President Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine.

Bout returned home last week after a high-profile prisoner exchange for U.S. basketball star Griner, who had been in Russian custody since February. Griner was found guilty of drug smuggling in early August and was sentenced to nine years in a Russian penal colony.

Bout has spent the past 12 years in an American jail, after being found guilty of conspiring to support terrorists and kill Americans.

He was a prominent international arms dealer during the 1990s and is believed to have done business in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Sierra Leone, Sudan, Angola, Liberia, Rwanda, and Afghanistan. He was caught and arrested in Thailand in 2008 after a U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency sting operation.

In an interview with the Russian

Roger García Ordaz makes no secret of his many attempts to flee.

He has tried to leave Cuba 11 times on boats made of wood, Styrofoam, and resin, and has a tattoo for each failed attempt, including three boat mishaps and eight times picked up at sea by the U.S. Coast Guard and sent home.

Hundreds of homemade, rickety boats have left this year from the shores of Baracoa, a fishing village west of Havana where García, 34, lives — so many that locals call the town “Terminal Three.”

“Of course, I am going to keep on throwing myself into the sea until I get there,” he said. “Or if the sea wants to take my life, so be it.”

Living conditions in Cuba under Communist rule have long been precarious, but today, deepening poverty and hopelessness have set off the largest exodus from the Caribbean island nation since Fidel Castro rose to power over a half-century ago.

The country has been hit by a onetwo punch of tighter U.S. sanctions and the Covid-19 pandemic, which eviscerated one of Cuba’s lifelines — the tourism industry. Food has become even more scarce and more expensive, lines at pharmacies with scant supplies begin before dawn, and millions of people endure daily hours-long blackouts.

Over the past year, nearly 250,000 Cubans, more than 2% of the island’s 11 million population, have migrated to the United States, most of them arriving at the southern border by land, according to U.S. government data.

Even for a nation known for mass exodus, the current wave is remarkable —

By: Rabbi Eliezer Sandler

Gedolei Torah Engage in Unique Pilpul-Farher With Shas Yiden AvreichimGeonim

Seven Gedolei Torah

. No longer was the associated

parry

The annual farheren of the entire Shas and Siyum Hashassim gatherings of the Kollel Shas Yiden Network have evolved into a tradition demonstrating incredible, detailed and broad Torah scholarship. The video recordings are eagerly anticipated for viewing worldwide by talmidei chachomim and yeshiva bochrim alike (www.shasyiden.com). Until his last year, the avreichim geonim would cram into the home of the late Nasi, Sar Hatorah, Maran Hagaon Hagadol Harav Chaim Kanievsky, ztk”l, where he would farher them extensively, and which he said gave him great pleasure.

The 'line-up' of the Geonim, shlit”a at this year's siyum in Beit Shemesh who tested the mettle of the avreichim geonim last week are a veritable Who's Who of Torah learning - Maran Harav Boruch Mordechai Ezrachi, Maran Harav Itamar Garbuz, Harav Yaakov

Ades, Harav Elimelech Biederman, Harav Shmuel Yaakov Landau and Harav Eliyahu Stefansky. Among those who graced the dais was Harav Mordechai Stern, Rav of Heichal Dovid, Lawrence, NY.

spent hours enjoying true give-and-take at the Shas Yiden 100 Siyumei Hashasim

annual farher just questions and answers. The thrust and

of true debate enthralled the Gedolim, the avreichim geonim and the American and UK visitors alike. It raised the concept of a 'Shas farher' to a new and dynamic height!

Farher by Maran Hagaon Harav Itamar Garbuz, Rosh Yeshivas Orchos Torah & Rosh Kollel Taharos, flanked by the Pozna Rov, Founder of Shas Yiden and Hagaon Harav Moshe Isaac Samet, Rosh Kollelei Shas Yiden

The Pozna Rov, Harav Hagaon Avrohom Eisen, shlit”a, founder of Shas Yiden 14 years ago, started this tradition to give honor to the avreichim geonim who study at Shas Yiden. It is also to give the supporters of this great and holy project the opportunity to see close up the fruits of their support month after month, and to develop more and more avreichim geonim who have a remarkable knowledge of every word of the Talmud, Rashi and Tosafos. The Gedolei Torah have come to look forward to engaging with the avreichim geonim of Shas Yiden.

The Bren of Torah Invigorates

Maran Harav Boruch Mordechai Ezrachi, Rosh Yeshivas Ateres Yisroel and a Senior Member of Moetzes Gedolei Hatorah, has a grandson at Shas Yiden. Despite his advanced age, weak state of health and the effort needed to attend, Rav Ezrachi came to Beit Shemesh and climbed the stairs to the dais on the stage. Yet, as he began to debate the avreichim geonim and discuss specific and complicated sections

of the Talmud, any hint of tiredness or weakness vanished and his face shone with excitement and joy at the incredible knowledge flowing from the avreichim geonim. He became even more enthused when he asked questions on sugyos (issues/subjects) in kodshim that required careful and deep reasoning. He was simply amazed to hear how the avreichim geonim managed to quickly and easily respond to all these questions with clear answers.

"Hopefully my portion should be with yours," said Rav Ezrachi with much emotion. "I am sure that in Heaven there must be a tumultuous response to these moments -- with a hundred avreichim geonim who know all the words of Shas. In truth, one should be jealous of you for this great feeling, as you are able to study and contemplate Shas the whole year through, and how it lives with you before your very eyes. The fact that there is a group of incredible talmidei chachomim like you, puts the entire people of Israel on a different level. It obliges us all to express

Farher of Shas Yiden Avreichim Geonim

Farher by Maran Hamashpia Hagaon Hatzadik 'Reb Meilech' Biederman. Also on the dais (l-r) Pozna Rov, Founder of Shas Yiden; Hagaon Harav Eliyohu Stefansky, World renowned Magid Shiur of 18,000 listeners daily; Hagaon Harav Shmuel Yaakov Landau, Belz Dayan & Rav Yad Cohen, Beit Shemesh; Hagaon Harav Moshe Isaac Samet, Rosh Kollelei Shas Yiden

Pozna Rov, Founder of Shas Yiden greets Maran Hagaon Harav Boruch Mordechai Ezrachi, Rosh Yeshivas Ateres Yisroel

Farher by Maran Hagaon Harav Boruch Mordechai Ezrachi, Rosh Yeshivas Ateres Yisroel. Also on the dais (l-r) Hagaon Harav Mordechai Stern, Rav Heichal Dovid, Lawrence, NY; Pozna Rov, Founder of Shas Yiden, Maran Hagaon Harav Itamar Garbuz, Rosh Yeshivas Orchos Torah & Rosh Kollel Taharos

our great appreciation to the Pozna Rov who came up with this idea of establishing such an institution, and he has truly given the Jewish people of Israel a gift that is beyond compare."

Questions - Complicated and Complex

Maran Rosh Yeshivas Orchos Torah, Hagaon Harav Itamar Garbuz, enjoyed the lively interaction with the avreichim geonim for an extended session and tested them through the length and breadth of Shas and expressed his amazement at the incredible knowledge of the avreichim geonim

His questions focused on all-encompassing knowledge of concepts and issues. For example: How many disputes between Rabbi Yehuda and Rabbi Shimon are there in Maseches Shabbos? The avreichim geonim noted not only listed them, but added many halachic references regarding difference between Rabbi Shimon and Rabbi Yehuda, as well as the comments of Tosfos throughout the length of Maseches Shabbos. And then they branched off into the differences that apply in Maseches Eiruvin that also deals extensively with the laws of Shabbos. He peppered the avreichim geonim with numerous such questions, addressing groups of five at a time before opening the questions to the others. The answers flowed forth at an amazing pace, much to the pleasure of the participants and that of the attendees from abroad who were excited at the incredible standard of Torah knowledge they were witnessing.

After an extensive session with the avreichim geonim, with great enthusiasm, Rav Garbuz exclaimed that it was a great honor and zechus for him to have this opportunity to engage with such avreichim geonim in Torah learning. "In you, the Jewish people are to be blessed," he said. "It is impossible to estimate or to describe the greatness of the zechus of those who support this holy project that raises the grandeur of Israel and the holy Torah in such an amazing fashion."

Shabbos Reaction at Maran Harav Boruch

Mordechai Ezrachi, shlit”a

On the Shabbos after the Siyumim-farher, Rav Boruch Mordechai could not contain his excitement about what he had witnessed at Shas Yiden. So, reported one of those who joined him at his Shabbos seuda

He regaled them about the farher in which he had participated, describing the geonus (brilliance) that pulsated in the hall from the 100 avreichim geonim. “I have never been so moved and excited at a public gathering,” declared Rav Boruch Mordechai. “Happy is my portion that I was zocheh to witness this wondrous happening!”

The Mashpia Hagadolthe Great Motivator

The mashpia hagadol 'Reb Meilech' Biederman burst out with a clarion call: “You see seated before you 100 avreichim geonim who know the entire Shas. Literally, 100 holy aronei kodesh (holy Torah arks) before our eyes. How immense is the zechus of the donors and supporters! Through support for this cause, your merit and destiny will be enhanced for the good and for success in all matters, both material and spiritual."

Practical Halacha

Harav Shmuel Yaakov Landau, Dayan and Rav of the Belz Beis Medrash 'Yad Cohen' in Beit Shemesh, has a son-in-law among the avreichim geonim. He debated with the avreichim geonim at length

Farher by Hagaon Harav Shmuel Yaakov Landau, Belz Dayan & Rav Yad Cohen, Beit Shemesh. Also on the dais (l-r) Hagaon Harav Eliyohu Stefansky, World-renowned Magid Shiur of 18,000 daily; Hagaon Harav Moshe Isaac Samet, Rosh Kollelei Shas Yiden

Maran Hamashpia Hagaon Hatzadik 'Reb Meilech' Biederman inspiring the gathering. Also on the dais (l-r) Pozna Rov, Founder of Shas Yiden; Hagaon Harav Eliyohu Stefansky, World renowned Magid Shiur of 18,000 listeners daily; Hagaon Harav Moshe Isaac Samet, Rosh Kollelei Shas Yiden

through a number of sugyos. Among them was the sugya dealing with "A person cannot transfer or sell something that does not yet exist", such as futures etc. He also dealt with the question of whether a person may appoint a messenger to perform a mission regarding something that does not yet exist, and other matters in this regard.

Spellbinding Give and Take

Nothing short of spellbinding was the give-andtake between Harav Yaakov Ades and the avreichim geonim. He began with words of encouragement and then launched into debate on sugyos throughout Shas. He demonstrated incredible bekius and it was as if the entire Shas was an open book in front of his eyes. He just could not hold back from the torrent of discussion with the avreichim geonim and continued to speak with them at length as his face shone with the joy of the Torah. And the avreichim geonim loved the intensity of the give-and-take. After Rav Ades came away with a deep impression

Reaction of a Shas Yiden Avreich

Shortly after the Siyumim-farher, one of the avreichim geonim commented. “I am just 27 and I tell you the truth - I never dreamed that I would get to this point in my learning. To know the entire Shas? For me, this was something achieved in previous generations.

However, here at Shas Yiden, I have managed to achieve the unbelievable in the merit of the framework, the unique methodology of learning that includes many, many revisions amid unceasing progress through the texts. I am excited today as never before, even my day of marriage…

Overheard at the Siyumim

Two fathers of two of the Shas Yiden avreichim geonim were sitting together at the Siyumim Dinner, discussing their feelings of joy at the simcha in which their sons played an important part. “If all the gedolim here were not present, I would jump up and dance with abandonment - I have to hold myself back,” said one.

The other responded, “Even when I married off my children, I did not experience such incredible joy. This is just unbelievable, my son completed Shas and was tested on it thoroughly. My son knows Shas! It was worth being born, toiling all these years just to get to this most memorable occasion. I have merited to marry off all my children, and I must confess that I have never experienced such simcha as I do now.”

of the scholarship of the avreichim geonim, he turned to the donors who were watching the give-and-take with unconcealed enjoyment, he said to them: "I have a good idea for you. If any of you was thinking of making a donation to Shas Yiden, you should double it! And if you can, add a few zeros! You should know that the zechus of supporting such a great and holy project, is indeed significant, and it's not a simple matter. Such support obligates the avreichim geonim as well. You have to pray for the donors and supporters, and that they should be blessed with all that is good through the power of the Torah and your tefillos!

Siyum Shassim, Presentations and the Dinner

After the lengthy farheren, there was a heartfelt and inspirational maariv led by Harav Ades. This was followed by the Siyum Shassim - each of the avreichim geonim had concluded Shas for the year.

Each of the kollel wives was personally presented with a cash-filled envelope in appreciation of their unstinting support for their husbands' dedication to the very demanding study regimen at Shas Yiden. A sumptuous dinner followed for the kovod Hatorah, and in honor of those who support Torah, accompanied by song and music by Aharon Samet. All present agreed that the incredible engagement-farher and siyumim combined to be a Torah happening to remember.

Farher by Hamekubal Hagaon Harav Yaakov Ades with the Pozna Rov, Founder of Shas Yiden and Hagaon Harav Moshe Isaac Samet, Rosh Kollelei Shas Yiden

Harav Hagaon Eli Stefansky PLUS Shas Yiden = A WOW

A Daf to 18,000 Yiden Every Day!

Harav Hagaon Eliyahu Stefansky, Nasi of the Mercaz Daf Hayomi, conducts the most popular and populous shiur in the world, and he does so to 18,000 listeners Sunday to Friday. He gives a Daf Hayomi shiur in English. His unique style, broad scholarship in colloquial English peppered with witty and forceful comments and appropriate personal greetings that are at once charming and meaningful has earned him an enthusiastic international reputation. He was one of the farherers in fluent and colloquial Hebrew, and with a smile and he captured the imagination and enthusiastic response of the Shas Yiden avreichim geonim

The morning following the farher he prefaced his daily shiur with the following:

“A very special thing happened to me yesterday. There are chaburas known as Shas Yiden - a hundred kollel guys - about 5 or 6 kollelim in Israel in a network called 'Shas Yiden'.

“These avreichim geonim finish Shas every year, and they know Shas cold… If you go on line (www. shasyiden.com) you can see Rav Chaim Kanievsky farhering them… And other gedolei Torah farhering them.

“Well, last night Rav Boruch Mordechai Ezrachi (94 years old) the oldest of the Rosh Yeshivos, and some other Rosh Yeshivos farhered them… and they asked me also to farher them, and so I did.

“It was an amazing and special experience…”

Rav Stefansky addressed the avreichim geonim on many subjects in Shas. Then he 'pulled out his 'bag of tricks'. “I started out calm and easy and then I suddenly pulled out my illustrations that were especially created for the occasion. They then had to decipher them and their riddles as to which subjects in Shas were being depicted, the context, the outcome and the halacha This, too, developed into an extended and lively session. It was quite exceptional.

“It was a great zchus for me to test them. Truth is

that I was not surprised at their knowledge because one of them is my chavrusa, and in our kollel we have another avreich who learns there in the afternoonBelzer chosid, so I am familiar with them.

“But all together, it was just amazing. Their knowledge… Afterwards I was talking with them and I asked: 'Is there anyone here with a normal, average brain? Someone who is not an illuy and with a head of a gaon? In answer to my question, many of them raised their hands. So, I asked them for ideas or suggestions for chazora and memorizing, and that opened up an interesting discussion on the subject.

“Among all my questions I asked these: Where in the entire Shas are there seven consecutive words that begin with the Hebrew letter Chaf? A: Nedarim 10b

Where in Shas are there 44 consecutive words that end with the Hebrew letter Nun? A: Shabbos 104

In our sugya we just learned about Bar Padda, and I noticed a note in Art Scroll that says that he was the nephew of Bar Kappara. (Meilah 4) So, I casually asked who was Bar Padda's uncle. All of a sudden all of them, and they each had a microphone, and all called out together - Bar Kappara, Bar Kappara - Meila Daf Dalet, Meila Daf Dalet. It was crazy, just crazy.

Where does the Masores Hashas note a sugya (issue/subject) that is found on five consecutive folios of Shas? A: Gittin 20 - 24 - dealing with witnesses effecting a get

“An incredible, amazing experience … Every year they chazer Shas, every year…”

For clips of the lively and enlightening Shas Yiden farheren and siyumim, click on www.shasyiden.com, and for more information or to donate, Call: 718-702-1528 or Mail: 1274 49th Street #562, Brooklyn, NY 11219. London: UK Registered Charity # 1191225 - Call: 020-8066-1566 or Mail: 2 Timberwharf Road, London N16 6DB, England

Farher by Hagaon Harav Eliyohu Stefansky, World-renowned Magid Shiur of 18,000 listeners daily. Also on the dais (l-r) Hagaon Harav Shmuel Yaakov Landau, Belz Dayan & Rav Yad Cohen, Beit Shemesh; Pozna Rov, Founder of Shas Yiden; Hamekubal Hagaon Harav Yaakov Ades

18 larger than the 1980 Mariel boatlift and the 1994 Cuban rafter crisis combined, until recently the island’s two biggest migration events.

15, 2022

But while those movements peaked within a year, experts say this migration has no end in sight and threatens the stability of a country that already has one of the hemisphere’s oldest populations.

The avalanche of Cubans leaving has also become a challenge for the United States. Now one of the highest sources of migrants after Mexico, Cuba has become a top contributor to the crush of migrants on the U.S.-Mexico border.

The departure of many younger, working-age Cubans augurs a bleak demographic future for the country.

The hemorrhaging of Cubans from their homeland is nothing short of “devastating,” said Elaine Acosta González, a research associate at Florida International University. “Cuba is depopulating.” (© The New York Times)

Lockerbie Bomber in U.S. Custody

A Libyan man accused of being involved in making the bomb that de -

stroyed Pan Am flight 103 over the town of Lockerbie in Scotland in December 1988 is now in U.S. custody, authorities in the United States and Scotland said on Sunday.

was accused along with Al Amin Khalifah Fhimah of placing explosives in a portable cassette and radio player that was inside a suitcase on the plane. Megrahi was sentenced in 2001 to 27 years in prison but was released from prison after being diagnosed with cancer. He died in 2012. Fhimah was acquitted.

The Lockerbie bombing remains the deadliest terrorist attack to have taken place in the United Kingdom. It killed 259 people on board the airliner, along with 11 on the ground.

On Monday, Majidreza Rahnavard, 23, was hanged in public in Mashhad. Photos by state media showed a crowd of onlookers gazing at his body hanging from a crane with a sack covering his head. The time from his arrest to execution, on charges of killing two plainclothes Basij militia, spanned less than a month.

Four days earlier, Mohsen Shekari, a 23-year-old who worked at a coffee shop in Tehran, was executed at a prison 20 miles from the capital on allegations that he blocked the road and stabbed a member of the Basij militia during protests in Tehran.

The U.S. charged Abu Agila Mohammad Mas’ud Kheir Al-Marimi for his alleged involvement in the bombing two years ago. The attack killed 270 people as the bomb detonated over the Scottish town as it flew from London to New York.

The U.S. Justice Department issued a statement on Sunday morning confirming that the U.S. had “taken custody of alleged Pan Am flight 103 bombmaker” Abu Agila Mohammad Mas’ud Kheir AlMarimi.

Al-Marimi had been in custody in Libya for unrelated crimes when he was charged by the U.S. Justice Department two years ago.

Abdelbeset Ali Mohmed al Megrahi

Iran Continues with Public Executions

Rights groups say the trials of the two men resembled “lynching committees” with no judicial due process.

The public hangings have shaken Iran and sparked widespread fury that risks further fueling the unrest instead of containing it. Both executions spawned immediate and large street protests in the two men’s home neighborhoods.

At least 11 other protesters have been sentenced to death, according to Amnesty International.

After months of protests in Iran that have only escalated as the government’s crackdown has turned deadlier, officials have begun publicly executing protesters, bringing a new wave of outrage from an Iranian public calling for the end of the country’s theocratic regime.

The hangings — the first was Thursday at a prison near Tehran, the second Monday in the northwestern city of Mashhad — have brought intense condemnation from the public and human rights groups, and even criticism from some senior figures within Iran’s clerical establishment who questioned the religious validity of the death sentences.

Since the protests began in September, Iran’s security forces have killed hundreds of Iranians, in a harsh response characterized by mass arrests and beatings, military assaults, and the killing of dozens of teenagers and children. Human rights groups say at least 450 protesters have died, and the United Nations says 14,000 have been arrested.

Now, the public executions are widely being taken as a last-ditch effort by the government to suppress an uprising that has become the most profound and widespread since the 1979 revolution that brought the clerics to power. In addition to street protests in dozens of cities several times a week, a general-strike campaign has picked up momentum across the country.

Three others have been convicted of charges that could carry the death penalty but have not yet been sentenced, and six other men are awaiting trial on potential capital offenses. (© The New York Times)

New Zealand Tackles Cigarettes

This week, New Zealand passed into law a unique plan to phase out tobacco smoking by imposing a lifetime ban on young people buying cigarettes.

The law states that tobacco can’t ever be sold to anybody born on or after January 1, 2009.

That means that the minimum age for buying cigarettes will keep going up and up. In theory, somebody trying to buy a pack of cigarettes 50 years from now would need ID to show they were at least 63 years old.

But health authorities hope smoking will fade away well before then. They have a stated goal of making New Zealand smoke-free by 2025.

20

The new law also reduces the number of retailers allowed to sell tobacco from about 6,000 to 600 and decreases the amount of nicotine allowed in tobacco that is smoked.

“There is no good reason to allow a product to be sold that kills half the people that use it,” Associate Minister of Health Dr. Ayesha Verrall told lawmakers in Parliament. “And I can tell you that we will end this in the future, as we pass this legislation.”

She said the health system would save billions of dollars from not needing to treat illnesses caused by smoking, such as cancer, heart attacks, strokes, and amputations. Verrall add that the bill would create generational change and leave a legacy of better health for youth.

Lawmakers voted along party lines in passing the legislation 76 to 43.

The libertarian ACT party, which opposed the bill, said many small corner stores, known in New Zealand as dairies, would go out of business because they would no longer be able to sell cigarettes. It also noted that the ban will help a black market to flourish.

The law does not affect vaping, which has already become more popular than smoking in New Zealand.

Statistics New Zealand reported last

month that 8% of New Zealand adults smoked daily, down from 16% ten years ago. Meanwhile, 8.3% of adults vaped daily, up from less than 1% six years ago.

Smoking rates remain higher among Indigenous Māori, with about 20% reporting they smoked.

New Zealand already restricts cigarette sales to those aged 18 and over, requires tobacco packs to come with graphic health warnings, and demands that cigarettes are sold in standardized packs. There are also hefty taxes imposed on cigarettes.

Zelensky is Time’s Person of the Year

in a way we haven’t seen in decades.”

“From his first 40-second Instagram post on Feb. 25 — showing that his Cabinet and civil society were intact and in place — to daily speeches delivered remotely to the likes of houses of Parliament, the World Bank, and the Grammy Awards, Ukraine’s President was everywhere,” Edward Felsenthal, editor-in-chief of Time, wrote in an article explaining the choice. “His information offensive shifted the geopolitical weather system, setting off a wave of action that swept the globe.”

Zelensky is the fifth Jew to claim the honor in the magazine’s almost 100 years of awarding it. Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg earned it in 2010, former Treasury Secretary Ben Bernanke won it in 2009, former business executive Andrew Grove won in 1997, and former U.S. Secretary of State Henry Kissinger earned the award in 1972.

Friday in a Brussels hotel with a suitcase full of “several hundred thousand euros” in cash that served to demonstrate the “flagrant crime” that allowed the authorities to arrest Eva Kaili and search her apartment despite her parliamentary immunity.

Kalili’s attorney says her client has “nothing to do” with the alleged collection of bribes from Qatar and that she is “innocent,” although she has not clarified the origin of the money found in her home.

Since last Friday, the police have carried out a score of searches in offices in the headquarters of the European Parliament in Brussels of several MEPs and parliamentary assistants.

Although Kaili has been expelled from her party (PASOK) and dismissed as MEP vice-president, she does not lose her parliamentary seat.

Last week, Time named Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky its “person of the year” for galvanizing “the world

Since the outbreak of Russia’s war against Ukraine in February, Zelensky has emerged as a hero around the world. The former comedian and actor, first glorified for staying put in Ukraine as the violence threatened his life, is seen a fearless leader, brave and determined to stand up to Russia’s Vladimir Putin.

Scandal in European Parliament

Russia and Iran’s Defense Partnership

At least 1.5 million euros in cash is part of the assets seized by the Belgian police during searches of the homes of a vice president of the European Parliament, Eva Kaili, dismissed by the institution on Tuesday, and the Italian MEP Pier Antonio Panzeri, in the operation for a plot of alleged bribes from Qatar to gain political and economic weight in Brussels.

Along with Panzeri and Kaili, both from the European Social Democrat family, Francesco Giorgi – Kaili’s parliamentary assistant – and a fourth person remain detained in the framework of the investigation.

According to local press reports, it was the arrest of Eva Kaili’s father last

The relationship between Russia and Iran is becoming “a full-scale defense partnership,” warned U.S. National Security Council spokesman John Kirby on Friday.

“Support is flowing both ways” as Moscow offers the Islamic Republic “an unprecedented level of military and technical support” in exchange for drones and possibly ballistic missiles to deploy in Ukraine, Kirby said.

“Russia is seeking to collaborate with Iran on areas like weapons development and training,” he said. “We are concerned that Russia intends to provide Iran with advanced military components.

“Let’s be clear. From this partnership a threat has been developing not only against Ukraine but also against Iran’s neighbors,” Kirby said, adding that American allies in the Middle East region and elsewhere have been notified.

When Ukrainian cities came under bombardment by Russia in October, Iranian UAVs were used in the attacks.

“Since August, Iran has transferred

15, 2022

22 several hundred UAVs to Russia, and Russia has been using these UAVs to attack Ukraine’s critical infrastructure and kill Ukrainian civilians,” Vedant Patel, principal deputy spokesperson of the U.S. State Department, said on Friday.

The U.S. imposed sanctions on three Russian entities linked to Moscow’s growing military relationship with Tehran, the State Department announced on Friday.

Those entities were involved in training personnel and the transfer of drones. (JNS)

Bali Bombmaker Released

week after serving half his 20-year sentence, despite the opposition of Australia’s prime minister, who described him as “abhorrent.”

Umar Patek was a leading member of Al Qaeda-linked network Jemaah Islamiyah, which is blamed for the bombings at two nightclubs in Kuta Beach. Indonesian authorities have said that Patek was successfully reformed in prison and that they would use him to influence other militants to turn away from terrorism.

Patek, 55, whose real name is Hisyam bin Alizein, received a total of 33 months of sentence reductions, which are often given to prisoners on major holidays for good behavior, said Rika Aprianti, spokesperson for the Corrections Department at the Justice Ministry. Most recently, he was granted a five-month reduction August 17, Indonesia’s Independence Day. That meant he had fulfilled the parole requirement of serving twothirds of his current sentence.

ple — mostly foreign tourists, including 88 Australians, leaving a deep scar in that country.

Aprianti said that authorities would monitor Patek and that he would have to take part in a mentoring program until his parole ends April 29, 2030.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese described Patek as “abhorrent” and said his release would cause further distress to Australians who were affected by the Bali bombings.

“His actions were the actions of a terrorist,” Albanese told Channel 9 in August. “We lost 88 Australian lives in those bombings.”

Patek was sentenced to 20 years in prison a decade after the bombing. He left Bali just before the attacks and spent nine years on the run, during which he was considered one of Asia’s most wanted terror suspects.

and his brother Mukhlas — never expressed remorse, saying the bombings were meant to punish the U.S. and its Western allies for alleged atrocities in Afghanistan and elsewhere.

Another bomber, Ali Imron, was saved from execution after showing remorse and exposing the plot to investigators and was sentenced to life.

A bombmaker in the 2002 Bali attacks that killed 202 people was released from an Indonesian prison on parole last

Patek was found guilty by the West Jakarta District Court of helping build a car bomb that was detonated by another person outside the Sari Club in Kuta, moments after a smaller bomb in a backpack was detonated by a suicide bomber inside the nearby Paddy’s Pub nightclub. The attacks killed 202 peo -

Indonesia, the world’s most populous Muslim nation and the third-biggest democracy, has imprisoned hundreds of Islamic militants since the Bali bombings.

Indonesia executed three Islamic militants by firing squad at Nusakambangan prison in November 2008 for involvement in the Bali bombings. The three — Imam Samudra, Amrozi bin Nurhasyim

Tobacco Company Targeting Chareidim

According to a Hebrew University study published this week, tobacco giant Philip Morris is targeting Israel’s charedi population to drive cigarette addiction and increase profits.

Researchers from the university’s public health wing reported that 87 percent of Philip Morris’s advertising budget

A Chanukah Tradition Since 1882

24 over a four-year period was targeted at the charedi public, despite the fact that the population group has the lowest smoking rates in the country.

15, 2022

“We expected that the company would focus on populations with the highest rates of smoking in Israel, men in the Arab sector, and not on the population that has hardly any smokers,” said Dr. Yael Bar-Zeev, one of the report’s researchers.

Marketing expenditure on the charedi public, which is focused on the printed press, was almost NIS 3 million annually. Philip Morris claims to only target existing smokers with its advertising material, an assertion that is challenged by the Hebrew University’s findings.

The report also found that the company developed creative strategies to circumvent tobacco advertising legislation, which limits advertisements to one per

newspaper. The company would use double-page ad spreads and QR codes, which would take readers to additional promotional material.

Philip Morris has stated that it has a “vision” for a “future without cigarettes,” which includes not seeking to recruit new smokers, and that it encourages existing smokers to transition away from the addiction using the company’s e-cigarette range.

“Thanks to the determination and persistence of hundreds of scientists, engineers and technicians, and an investment of more than nine billion dollars in science-based innovation, we are on the right track to realizing this vision.

“Today, close to 19 million adult smokers worldwide use the groundbreaking, smoke-free products we developed. The vast majority of those people (13.5 million) completely stopped smoking cigarettes,” the company said.

The charedi population was targeted with 55% of Philip Morris’ total e-cigarette marketing expenditure, lower than that for traditional cigarettes. However, chareidim were still the largest target market for e-cigarette marketing, with 39% aimed at Russian speakers and 6% at the Arab population.

SodaStream Layoffs

pandemic,” the company wrote in a statement. “Current forecasts for production volumes indicate a return to demand levels recorded in the past.

“At the same time, the company is vulnerable to volatile global market conditions, which affect its business,” SodaStream said.

The company will set up a career center to help the laid-off employees find other jobs.

This week, SodaStream, the Israeli carbonation company, announced that it will be laying off 120 employees, mainly at its factory in southern Israel, as demand for its products returns to preCovid levels.

The majority of the job cuts will be made at SodaStream’s production plant at the Idan Hanegev industrial park near the city of Rahat, whose employees include Bedouin Arabs from the surrounding area. The factory currently employs 2,000 workers.

“In recent years, SodaStream increased the scope of its workforce in order to respond to the growth that the company experienced for a long time, and particularly during the Covid-19

SodaStream, founded in 1991, makes and sells seltzer machines for home use. In 2018, the company was bought by U.S. beverage and food maker PepsiCo Inc. for $3.2 billion in cash. As part of the acquisition deal, PepsiCo committed to let SodaStream remain an independent unit within the U.S. beverage company and keep its Israeli headquarters for 15 years.

About a year after the acquisition, PepsiCo announced a $92 million expansion of SodaStream’s plant in southern Israel to hire 1,000 more workers. Over the years, the company has employed diverse populations at its manufacturing sites, including Jews, Arab, Bedouins and Palestinians.

The company has 3,800 workers globally. Its devices are sold in more than 45 countries.

folding and pulled out the moderately injured man first. Several minutes later, rescuers found one of the fatalities.

2 Killed When Scaffolding Collapses

Two construction workers were killed and another was moderately injured when part of a scaffolding collapsed on a 12-story building under construction in the settlement of Givat Ze’ev, just north

of Jerusalem, earlier this week.

Rescue workers needed a crane to reach one of the men buried under the fallen scaffold on Harakefet Street.

Walid Amro, a construction worker at the building site, told Channel 13 he was on another part of the scaffolding when the disaster happened.

“I heard workers saying run, [and] I ran away,” he said.

Amro said workers had told the site manager that the scaffold was not se -

cure and was shaking, but he allegedly shrugged off the warnings.

Speaking to Channel 12, Amro said that the ninth floor collapsed as the three workers were standing on it.

Another worker, identified only as Mahmoud, told the network he was just meters away when the disaster happened.

“We heard a loud noise,” he said. “The whole thing collapsed in one go.”

According to the MDA statement, rescuers found three men under the scaf-

It took another two hours to extract the third worker, who was dead when rescuers reached him. A crane was needed to lift some of the debris that covered the man, delaying efforts to reach him.

Deaths of construction workers in Israel are a frequent occurrence, largely because of poorly enforced safety codes.

A Legendary Spy

According to Mossad chief David Barnea, legendary Israeli spy Eli Cohen, who infiltrated the top levels of government in Syria, was caught merely because his transmissions were intercepted by the enemy.

On Monday, Barnea revealed the last message sent out by Cohen on the day of his capture in Syria in 1965, along with new information on what led to his arrest.

Over the years, there has been much dispute over what led to Cohen’s capture – was he transmitting too often? Had he been pressured by his handlers? But Barnea insists that he was captured “simply because his transmissions were intercepted and triangulated by the enemy.”

“Eli Cohen was among our best agents,” Barnea said at an event marking the inauguration of the new Eli Cohen Museum in Herzliya.

item could be a document or an article of Cohen’s clothing. Then-Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office denied the reports, and it remains unknown whether such an object actually existed.

Israel Safe for Tourists

The spy chief praised Cohen’s “fighting spirit, courage, values and devotion” and said he serves as “a source of inspiration” for all Mossad personnel.

“We all learn from him, even today, from his Zionism, his sacrifice and his dedication.”

Cohen infiltrated the top echelons of Syria’s political leadership in the years leading up to the 1967 Six Day War. The information he obtained is believed to have played a key role in Israel’s over-

whelming success in that war. He was caught in 1965 and hanged in Damascus.

Cohen’s last report, sent on January 19, 1965, the day he was captured, was “about a discussion at the Syrian General Staff with the participation of then-president Amin Al-Hafez,” Barnea said.

The Mossad is donating the original document containing Cohen’s transmission to the new museum established in his memory.

It is not known where Cohen’s body is

held. In February 2021, it was reported that Russia, in cooperation with Syrian authorities and under Israeli pressure, was searching the area of the Yarmouk refugee camp in southern Damascus for Cohen’s body in order to transfer it to Israel.

The following month, an object believed to have belonged to Cohen was reportedly transferred to Israel. Quoting an unnamed Syrian government source, Israeli reports said at the time that the

Israel is the fifth-safest country in the world for tourists to visit, according to data on the 50 most popular destinations.

According to data reviewed by The Swiftest analytics startup for its Travel Safety Index, published earlier this month, the top-ranked country was Singapore, followed by Denmark, Netherlands and Switzerland.

Israel came next, followed by Sweden, Austria, Ireland, Italy, Germany, the United Kingdom, Spain, Portugal, Greece, Japan, France, the Czech Republic, Belgium, Australia, and Croatia.

The deadliest travel destination was South Africa, followed by India, the Dominican Republic, Mexico, Brazil, Cambodia, the Philippines, and Saudi Arabia.

The index is based on seven risk factors: death rates from homicide; road traffic accidents; poisoning and poor hygiene conditions; life years lost from communicable diseases and injuries; and a natural disaster index. (JNS)

A New Knesset Speaker

Likud Knesset member Yariv Levin was elected Knesset Speaker on Tuesday morning, setting the stage for the incoming government.

Two pieces of legislation are expected to be tackled first following Levin’s election, Channel 12 reported. The first involves changing a law that prohibits those convicted of criminal offenses from serving as a minister, opening the way for Shas Party head Aryeh Deri, who was convicted of tax evasion in January, to hold a ministerial portfolio.

The second would transfer powers from the police commissioner to the government official in charge of the Public Security Ministry, in this case, Otzma Yehudit Party head Itamar Ben-Gvir.

After taking the gavel and mounting the podium, Levin thanked the 64 lawmakers who voted for him, singling out Prime Minister-designate Benjamin Netanyahu.

“I would like to say a special thank you, Prime Minister-designate … for the privilege of walking with you on a long-standing common path, and for the personal trust and extraordinary support that I receive from you,” he said.

Prior to the vote, outgoing Prime Minister Yair Lapid attacked the incoming government, claiming it threatened Israeli democracy.

Netanyahu dismissed the accusation, saying, “This will be a country where we will take care of all the citizens of Isra-

el, without exception. We were chosen to lead in our own way—the way of the national right and the way of the liberal right—and that’s what we will do.” (JNS)

But that dashboard staple could be going the way of manual-crank windows and car ashtrays as electric vehicles begin to grab more of the U.S. marketplace.

An increasing number of electric models have dropped AM radio in what broadcasters call a worrisome shift that could spell trouble for the stations and deprive drivers of a crucial source of news in emergencies.

Will AM Radio be Left Behind?

Carmakers say that electric vehicles generate more electromagnetic interference than gas-powered cars, which can disrupt the reception of AM signals and cause static, noise, and a high-frequency hum. (FM signals are more resistant to such interference.)

“Rather than frustrate customers with inferior reception and noise, the decision was made to leave it off vehicles that feature eDrive technology,” BMW said in a statement, referring to the system that powers its electric vehicles.

radio, some broadcasters say they could lose a connection to their core listeners.

Brian Winnekins, the owner of WRDN in Durand, Wisconsin, which has seven hours of farm-related programming available every weekday on AM and FM, said he has been urging listeners to tell carmakers not to drop AM, noting that it can reach farmers in remote areas.

“If you can make a vehicle drive by itself,” Winnekins said, referring to the driver-assistance systems in Teslas and other vehicles, “you can make a decent radio receiver.”

Many AM broadcasters say their stations’ news reports are the quickest way for drivers to find out about tornadoes, flash floods and other severe weather.

For nearly 100 years, drivers have been listening to AM radio, an American institution crackling with news, traffic, weather, sports, and an eclectic variety of other programs.

Tesla, Audi, Porsche, and Volvo have also removed AM radio from their electric vehicles, as has Volkswagen from its electric SUV, ID.4, according to the carmakers and the National Association of Broadcasters. Ford said that the 2023 F-150 Lightning, its popular electric pickup truck, would also drop AM radio. If more electric vehicles drop AM

Diane Newman, operations and brand manager at WWL in New Orleans, said that during Hurricane Katrina and other natural disasters, the station carried vital information about rescue and recovery efforts.

“There was no Wi-Fi; there were no phone connections,” Newman said, adding, “You take away AM radios in cars and you take away a lifeline, a connection when the community needs you most.” (© The New York Times)

HOURS

SUNDAY 10:00AM - 10:00PM

MON-THU 8:00AM - 10:00PM

FRIDAY 8:00AM - 4:00PM

SATURDAY 6:30PM - 9:30PM

34 Industry Association, an industry advocacy group.

In theory, nuclear fusion could produce massive amounts of energy without producing lost-lasting radioactive waste, or posing the risk of meltdowns. That’s unlike nuclear fission, which powers today’s reactors.

Fission results when radioactive atoms — most commonly uranium — are split by neutrons in controlled chain reactions, creating lighter atoms and large amounts of radiation and energy to produce electric power.

Fusion is the opposite process. In the most common approach, swirling hydrogen isotopes are forced together under tremendous heat to create helium and energy for power generation. This is the same process that powers the sun and other stars. Scientists have been trying since the mid-20th century to find a way to use it to generate power on Earth.

Researchers at a weapons lab at the department’s Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory in California used the world’s most powerful lasers to fuse hydrogen atoms. In the process, they generated more energy than was required to fire the lasers.

Sen. Kyrsten Sinema to Leave the Dems

gia. It was likely to provide new complications for Sen. Chuck Schumer and Democrats going forward, even though she wrote in her column that “becoming an independent won’t change my work in the Senate; my service to Arizona remains the same.”

level, though six states have 90% or more of their pediatric beds full, according to an NBC News analysis of HHS data.

Sen. Kyrsten Sinema of Arizona announced Friday that she would leave the Democratic Party and become an independent, unsettling the party divide anew just days after Democrats secured an expanded majority in the Senate.

“I have joined the growing numbers of Arizonans who reject party politics by declaring my independence from the broken partisan system in Washington,” she wrote in an opinion column published in The Arizona Republic.

Sinema’s decision put an abrupt damper on the jubilance Democrats experienced this week after their caucus secured a 51st seat in the Senate with Sen. Raphael Warnock’s victory in Geor -

Still, the move by the first-term senator, who was facing a likely Democratic reelection challenge in 2024 after angering her party by opposing key elements of its agenda, was unlikely to change the day-to-day reality in Washington for Democrats, who have long had to contend with her unpredictability and diversions from the party line. The bigger practical effect was likely to be on Sinema’s political standing in Arizona, where she would have had difficulty prevailing in a Democratic primary.

Sinema informed Schumer, D-N.Y., the majority leader, of her plans Thursday, according to a Senate Democratic aide.

“She asked me to keep her committee assignments, and I agreed,” Schumer said in a statement Friday morning. “Kyrsten is independent; that’s how she’s always been. I believe she’s a good and effective senator and am looking forward to a productive session in the new Democratic majority Senate.”

Karine Jean-Pierre, the White House press secretary, noted that Sinema has strongly backed major Biden administration initiatives such as the infrastructure package, and said that President Joe Biden hoped to keep her as an ally.

Sinema’s decision prompted a quick backlash in Arizona, where a group created to generate a primary campaign against her said it would now focus on unseating her in the general election.

“Today, Kyrsten Sinema told us what we’ve already known for years: She’s not a Democrat, and she’s simply out for herself,” the Primary Sinema campaign said in a statement. “In one way, Sinema just made our jobs easier by bowing out of a Democratic primary she knew she couldn’t win. Now, we’ll beat her in the general election with a real Democrat.”

(© The New York Times)

What Virus are You Battling?

With Covid, flu and RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) hitting people hard this season, many people are sick at home.

Around 76% of U.S. hospital inpatient beds are full, according to data from the Department of Health and Human Services. Pediatric beds are at a similar

Covid, flu and RSV can be difficult to distinguish, since they share many common symptoms. But it’s useful to know which virus you have, since that determines the treatments you should receive and how long you should isolate.

Certain hallmarks — either symptoms or how the illness progresses — can help differentiate each virus.

A runny nose, cough, congestion or sore throat can arise because of any of the three viruses or a common cold. But a loss of taste and smell is more commonly associated with Covid than with flu or RSV. And wheezing is often a tell-tale sign of a serious RSV infection, usually found in kids or older adults.

The only way to know for certain, though, is to get tested.

Flu symptoms tend to develop more suddenly than those of Covid or RSV.

“Flu classically comes on with an abrupt fever first that happens pretty quickly. That’s somewhat contrasted by RSV and Covid, where we think of a slow escalation in symptoms,” said Dr. Scott Roberts, a Yale Medicine infectious disease specialist.

The illnesses have different incubation periods — the time between exposure and symptoms. On average, flu symptoms tend to develop two days after exposure to the virus, whereas RSV symptoms tend to take around four to six days to appear, and Covid’s typical incubation is three to four days for the omicron variant.

Additionally, RSV is unlikely to make a healthy adult feel very sick, whereas Covid and flu certainly can.

The groups most vulnerable to severe RSV infections are babies, children with lung diseases, adults ages 65 and up, and people with weakened immune systems.

Thankfully, RSV infections seem to have passed their peak nationally. Although the CDC does not keep a national count of RSV cases, the number of positive weekly tests fell from more than 17,000 in the week ending Nov. 5

36 to around 9,000 in the week ending on Saturday.

15, 2022

By contrast, flu cases are skyrocketing. The national share of influenza tests that came back positive rose from around 8% in the week ending Oct. 30 to nearly 15% in the week ending Nov. 13. Flu hospitalizations are the highest they’ve been at this time of year in more than a decade.

SBF Arrested in Bahamas

S.B.F. and is likely to request his extradition,” the government of the Bahamas said in a statement.

The arrest was the latest stunning development in one of the most dramatic falls from grace in recent corporate history. Bankman-Fried was scheduled to testify in Congress on Tuesday about the collapse of FTX, which was one of the most powerful firms in the emerging crypto industry until it imploded virtually overnight last month after a run on deposits exposed an $8 billion hole in its accounts.

Prosecutors for the Southern District of New York confirmed that Bankman-Fried had been charged and said an indictment would be unsealed Tuesday. Separately, the Securities and Exchange Commission said in a statement that it had authorized charges “relating to Mr. Bankman-Fried’s violations of our securities laws.”

at his apartment complex in the Albany resort in the Bahamas, according to a statement from Bahamian police. The timing of when Bankman-Fried might be moved to the United States was unclear.

Bankman-Fried was cooperative during the arrest, according to a person familiar with the matter, and will be held overnight in a cell at a police station. He is scheduled to appear Tuesday in Magistrate Court in Nassau, the capital of the Bahamas.

“Earlier this evening, Bahamian authorities arrested Samuel Bankman-Fried at the request of the U.S. government, based on a sealed indictment,” Damian Williams, the U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York, said in a statement. “We expect to move to unseal the indictment in the morning and will have more to say at that time.” (© The New York Times)

turned themselves in to federal authorities for processing. Soon, most of them would join the thousands of others who have crossed in recent days, many of whom have been released to seek help and food, some clustering at the downtown bus station, some sleeping on cardboard during a night when temperatures dipped toward freezing.

Because of strained diplomatic relations with the authoritarian regime in Nicaragua, the United States is limited in its ability to expel Nicaraguans under the public health authority and cannot repatriate the country’s citizens.

As a result, most of the Nicaraguans apprehended are released on a shortterm parole with a tracking device or sent briefly to Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention where they are typically released after a few days. All will eventually be called to immigration court to face deportation orders.

Sam Bankman-Fried, the disgraced founder of collapsed cryptocurrency exchange FTX, was arrested in the Bahamas on Monday after U.S. prosecutors filed criminal charges.

“S.B.F.’s arrest followed receipt of formal notification from the United States that it has filed criminal charges against

The criminal charges against Bankman-Fried included wire fraud, wire fraud conspiracy, securities fraud, securities fraud conspiracy and money laundering.

Bankman-Fried, who was the only person charged in the indictment, was taken into custody by Bahamian authorities. He was arrested shortly after 6 p.m.

Mass of Migrants Crossing into Texas

Over the weekend, a huge number of people arrived in El Paso, roughly 2,000 each day, according to officials.

The number of arrivals extended far beyond the large caravan that arrived on Sunday and did not appear to be abating. Rosalio Sosa, who runs a network of shelters including in Ciudad Juárez, across the border from El Paso, said migrants were still crossing the border on Monday afternoon. Across the river, a line had formed as the latest arrivals waited to be processed by U.S. authorities. (© The New York Times)

After nightfall on Sunday, hundreds of migrants stepped across the Rio Grande and into El Paso, a caravan of people mainly from Nicaragua whose crossing was among the largest in recent years along the West Texas border.

Their arrival en masse into the United States surprised even those in El Paso, which has in recent months found itself overwhelmed by a steady stream of migrants from Central and South America, more than 50,000 people in October alone.

Like migrants from Venezuela who flooded into El Paso this year, those arriving from Nicaragua cannot be rapidly expelled under a pandemic-era public health policy known as Title 42, which federal authorities employ with migrants from other countries, such as Mexico.

And so the scenes unfolding in El Paso offered a preview of the challenges that border officials could soon face all along the southern border after the policy comes to an end, as it is expected to, absent court intervention, next week.

Most of those who arrived on Sunday

Splashdown

The Artemis I mission — a 25½-day uncrewed test flight around the moon meant to pave the way for future astronaut missions — came to a momentous end as NASA’s Orion spacecraft made a successful ocean splashdown on Sunday in the Pacific Ocean.

The spacecraft had traversed 239,000 miles between the moon and Earth.

“I’m overwhelmed,” NASA Administrator Bill Nelson said on Sunday. “This is an extraordinary day.”

After splashing down, the capsule then spent six hours in the Pacific

Ocean, with NASA collecting additional data and running through some tests before the rescue team moved it. That process, much like the rest of the mission, aims to ensure the Orion spacecraft is ready to fly astronauts.

“This was a challenging mission,” NASA’s Artemis I mission manager, Mike Sarafin, said. “And this is what mission success looks like.”

Reentry into the Earth’s atmosphere was no easy feat. The spacecraft was

traveling about 32 times the speed of sound (24,850 miles per hour) as it hit the air — so fast that compression waves caused the outside of the vehicle to heat to about 5,000 degrees Fahrenheit. The extreme heat produced a buildup of plasma, which caused a 5½ minute communications blackout.

The spacecraft also performed a skip maneuver, which also led to a communications blackout for around 3 minutes.

It then slowed down tremendously,

moving at around 20 miles per hour for the splashdown.

There were no astronauts on this test mission — just a few mannequins equipped to gather data and a Snoopy doll.

The space agency’s plans are to parlay the Artemis moon missions into a program that will send astronauts to Mars, a journey that will have a much faster and more daring reentry process.

Orion traveled roughly 1.3 million

miles during this mission on a path that swung out to a distant lunar orbit, carrying the capsule farther than any spacecraft designed to carry humans has ever traveled.

On its trip, the spacecraft captured stunning pictures of Earth and, during two close flybys, images of the lunar surface and a mesmerizing “Earth rise.”

LA Declares Homelessness an Emergency

Karen Bass was sworn in as the first female mayor of Los Angeles on Sunday and vowed to build consensus among elected leaders as Angelenos contend with racial tensions, surging homelessness, and a new rise in coronavirus cases.

Vice President Kamala Harris swore in Bass in a ceremony that celebrated her historic win but also underscored the obstacles she will face. Bass said that her first act as mayor on Monday would be to declare a state of emergency on homelessness.

“If we are going to bring Angelenos inside and move our city in a new direction,” Bass said during her inaugural speech, which was interrupted by protesters at one point, “we must have a single strategy to unite our city and county and engage the state, the federal government, the private sector and every other stakeholder.”

Bass, a former Democratic congresswoman who was on the shortlist to be President Joe Biden’s 2020 running mate, won election against Rick Caruso, a billionaire real estate developer.

Los Angeles, a city of 4 million people, has been rocked by a surge in post-pandemic homelessness and violent crime, prompting an outcry from citizens who say their quality of life has spiraled in recent years. A citywide poll conducted early this year by the Center for the Study of Los Angeles at Loyola Marymount University found that for the first time since 2012, a majority of Angelenos felt the city was going in the wrong direction.

The Jewish Home

42 The coronavirus itself also remains a scourge: Officials at the event required attendees to wear masks amid an alarming rise in case numbers in the city.

15, 2022

Bass, 69, said she entered the race because the heightened racial divisions and civic unease reminded her of the unrest that preceded the riots that tore the city apart in 1992. In September, her home was burglarized. Bass, long an advocate for liberal crime-prevention policies, promised during her campaign to put more police officers on the streets.

She has also promised to declare a state of emergency on homelessness and find homes for 17,000 homeless people in her first year. In practice, she will have to rely on a broad coalition of city and county officials to enact any sweeping plans to bolster social service programs. According to a September report from the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority, about 69,000 people are experiencing homelessness in Los Angeles County. (© The New York Times)

Emporium’s owner Steve Lazarides, formerly the agent of the famous anonymous graffiti artist Banksy

The sculpture itself is lauded for its ability to tell a story, with the story, in this case, being of Lazarides’s sister, who passed out with her face buried in soup, which was so memorable that he just had to have an art installation made to commemorate it.

This is not the first time the Kristina art installation was deemed to be so mind-bogglingly realistic that it warranted an emergency situation.

Back in October 2022, paramedics swarmed the London art and design fair Decorex because they thought the woman had collapsed and did not realize that she was a sculpture, with police actually criticizing the installation for being too realistic.

Don’t they say that art imitates real life – or is it the other way around?

Never Too Old

Mistaken Identity

Learning never stops – it’s a value that endures throughout all ages.

When police were called in to rescue a young woman, they were shocked by what they found.

The unconscious woman who had been locked in an art gallery was, in actuality, a life-size sculpture.

The incident took place last month in London but was reported this week. Authorities had been contacted about a woman who was unconscious, slumped over a desk, in the gallery and hadn’t moved for two hours. Police had to break into the locked gallery to save the woman – who really didn’t need saving.

Credit for the creation of artwork so realistic that it tricked London police officers into storming a local business to save it goes to U.S. artist Mark Jenkins. This piece has been titled Kristina and is made of just packing tape and foam filler, and was commissioned by Laz

This week, Joyce DeFauw modeled that lesson for us when she graduated from Northern Illinois University. Joyce is 90 years old – and the oldest person to graduate from that institution.

This was not the first time that Joyce attended university. She had dropped out of Northern Illinois State Teachers College in 1951 just a few semesters shy of graduation she “met a good looking man” and got married and started a family.

In 2019, Joyce returned to school and took online classes to complete her bachelor’s. She proudly accepted her diploma on Sunday.

“We can never quit learning,” the great-grandmother said. “If we have the opportunity, and we are given the ability, there’s no reason why we shouldn’t go for it.”

She added, “You can’t put a value on it, in my opinion,” Joyce said, referring to achieving your dreams. ”Just don’t give up. I mean if you have the

44 opportunity, take that opportunity, and you never know. A lot of us get sidetracked or whatever, but go back.”

15, 2022

A lesson like that never gets old.

Better Late Than Never

ceived an overdue book – that was returned 47 years late. Along with the book, “Chilton’s Foreign Car Repair Manual,” came a note that explained what the book’s journey was for the past few decades.

“In the mid-1970s,” the note read, “I was living in Lake Elmo and was working on an old Mercedes Benz. I took out this book for reference. A few months later, I moved and apparently the book got packed up. Forty-seven years later, I found it in a trunk with other interesting things from the ‘70s.”

The note continued, “It’s a little overdue, but I thought you might want it back. My apologies to anyone in Lake Elmo who was working on an old Benz in the last 47 years.”

Along with the explanation came two crisp $100 bills.

“I probably can’t afford the overdue charge, but I will send you enough for a new book,” the person added.

Unbeknownst to him (or her), the library no longer charges overdue fees.

In any case, the $200 is more than enough to cover the book, which had to be recycled because of oil stains in the binding.

107 Marathons; 107 Days

passing the previous record of 106 consecutive marathons. The runner began her feat in August and broke the record on December 3.

Despite the accolades, Murray-Bartlett is not done. She plans on continuing her sprint until she reaches 150.

Murray-Bartlett calls her project Tip to Toe 2022, as she began running in Cape York, known as Australia’s northern “tip,” and plans to finish her 150th marathon run in Port Melbourne, Victoria, known as the country’s southern “toe.”

“My hips, feet, legs and back ache. I feel a little bit emotionally exhausted too after reaching the record last Sunday –the challenge is now to just keep going, and I’m excited to see what my body can do,” Murray-Bartlett told Canadian Running magazine.

This story is for the books.

A library in Minnesota recently re -

Long story short…

Project Tip to Toe 2022 is setting records for Erchana Murray-Bartlett.

The 32-year-old from Australia recently broke a Guinness World Record by running the 26.2-mile marathon distance for 107 days, sur -

Murray-Barlett said she wants her running to raise awareness of the plight of Australia’s wildlife. She is running her route inland, along the coast, and over mountain ranges, which could make her route a whopping 3,728 miles in all. Along the way, she hopes to encounter animals that one wouldn’t normally see and to view the country’s most beautiful areas.

Run through the forests, run.

Around the Community

The Special Children’s Center Annual Family Concert Was Held at The Ritz Theatre

Chazaq Surpasses Campaign Goal YOSS Prepares for Chanukah

Chazaq recently held their annual Charidy Campaign, with their largest goal in history, and still surpassed its target swelling above 120% of the initial goal. This came from the support of over 3,500 individual donors, a historic moment for the organization.

Monetary gifts like the ones provided to Chazaq on “Giving Tuesday’’ will provide the opportunities and experi-

ences that are hallmarks of Chazaq’s programming for thousands of Jewish children. Jews across the world, wherever they are from, whatever their background, profession, or heritage, are impacted by the vast array of Chazaq initiatives and grow from the inspiration provided. Together, we are Chazaq.

Join the excitement and partner with Chazaq today at givechazaq.com.

Rabbi Heimlich’s and Rabbi Gardenswartz’s third grade classes enjoyed a very exciting activity today, they built and designed their own custom menorahs. The boys were so enjoyed gluing the structure together and

OU’s Torah Initiative Hosts Siyum Marking Six Years of StudyingMishnah Yomi

The Orthodox Union’s (OU) Torah Initiative recently hosted a siyum, an event commemorating the completion of a unit of Torah, at its headquarters in downtown Manhattan. The siyum marked the ending of the study of a unit of Seder Zeraim

The siyum, which took place in November, was sponsored by the Orthodox Union in honor of Jack Jacobowitz, z”l, father of Shlomo Jacobowitz, a main benefactor of Torah Initiative’s All Mishnah app. OU executives presented a plaque of appreciation to Shlomo Jacobowitz at the siyum to express their gratitude.

The event coincided with a worldwide celebration by thousands of people doing the same study. This culmination of the Mishnah Yomi cycle follows participants having learned two mishnayos a day for approximately six years.

Attendees at the OU’s siyum heard speeches from President Moishe Bane and Executive Vice President Rabbi Moshe Hauer. Many Mishnah learners also spoke about their experiences and to express their appreciation of the program.

“Having started and stopped Daf Yomi many times, Mishnah Yomi is the first long-term daily commitment that I was able to keep up with successfully,” said a participant who spoke at the siyum. “The All Mishnah app provided me with the resources I needed to stick with it.”

Critical to the Mishnah Yomi program is the All Mishnah online platform – a complete resource for Mishnah study. Made by the creators of the popular All Daf and All Parsha platforms to learn Daf Yomi and parsha respectively, it includes recorded classes and videos, a personal learning tracker and more. The app includes free access to the Artscroll Hebrew-English Mishnayos; Artscroll also generously donated free copies of Mishnayos and calendars to all Mishnah Yomi participants who requested them.

“What Artscroll has done for the written word, All Daf, All Parsha and All Mishnah have done for the digital word,” said All Mishnah participant Rabbi Mordechai Kaminetzky and Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshiva of South Shore. Rabbi Kaminetzky was honored by reciting the last Mish-

nah at the siyum – referring to the app’s general accessibility and how it is a resource to make Mishnah more available to a greater number of people.

“We congratulate all participants who committed to consistent Mishnah learning to achieve this impressive accomplishment,” said Rabbi Moshe

decorating with paint and their Hebrew names in colorful stick-on letters. IY”H they will enjoy the glow from the candles as they light them throughout Chanukah this year and beyond.

Brandsdorfer, Executive Director at Torah

“The siyum was a joyous celebration of another successful Torah learning cycle.”

For more information or to learn Mishnah Yomi, visit AllMishnah.org or download from the app store.

Initiatives.

All Mishnah app benefactor Shlomo Jacobowitz (center) receiving a plaque of appreciation from (left to right): OU Executive Vice President Rabbi Dr. Josh Joseph; OU Executive Vice President Rabbi Moshe Hauer; Director of the OU Daf Yomi Initiative Rabbi Moshe Schwed; OU President Moishe Bane; and Torah Executive Director Rabbi Moshe Brandsdorfer

Ahuge yashar koach to the Shulamith Sharks (7th and 8th graders) on winning their first basketball game of the season! Led by captains Rachel Brazil and Evie Miller, they won 34-22. Thank you to Mrs. Deutsch, Mrs.

Madowicz, Mrs. Rubin, and Mrs. Levine for accompanying the Shulamith Sharks and cheering them on. A huge yashar koach and hatzlacha from Coach T for a continued successful season!

SHS School Shabbaton

By Miri Bohensky

Shulamith High School’s Shabbaton this weekend was out of this world.

Over Shabbos, I got to see our whole school come together – both the faculty and girls in every grade.

As a senior, my grade came to the hotel where Shabbaton was held on Thursday night to help set up and greeted everyone by the doors the next morning. The music was blasting, girls were dancing (or at least doing the best they could with suitcases in tow), and that mood of excitement and achdus stayed with us the whole weekend. After some fun activities and getting ready for Shabbos, we lit candles and went into the Friday night meal, which has always been one of my favorite parts of Shabbaton. Shulamith makes a special effort to ensure that we sit with girls from other grades. This year everyone was seated

with their big or little sisters and their friends. That night I got to know some really awesome girls from the ninth grade whom I might have never gotten an opportunity to speak to otherwise. Shabbaton also gave us a time to really bond with our teachers without the pressure of a classroom setting. We already have the most amazing staff, so it’s really nice to get the chance to just talk, sing, or play a game with them.

Shabbos was also filled with inspiration, from zemiros with the Y-studs, to a speech from Rabbi Simcha Willig, to shmuessen with Rabbi Munk and Ms. Blumenthal, to divrei Torah from other students. The Shabbaton’s theme was “Just Do It”, and it was uplifting to hear so many Torah perspectives on those words. After a long day of Torah, fun, and some funkiness with my awesome roommates came the big bash on Motzaei Shabbos. Everyone got decked out

When you enter the TAG building and walk toward the Ganger Early Childhood Center, you will be de”light”ed to be

greeted by pictures of all the beautiful talmidos arranged in the perfect Chanukah setting.

in neon colors, and we danced the night away. Every grade presented the dance that they made up for the whole grade to do together, and we all cheered each other on. I know that I’ve come out of Shabbaton feeling closer to my friends and

having made some new ones. Thank you so much Principal Munk, Mrs. Gaerman, Esty, Millie, Nechama, Ally, and all the Shulamith staff who made my Senior Shabbaton so incredible.

Times

Antisemitic hate crimes are rising sharply. Antisemitism is increasingly normalized across our culture — on social media, in pop culture and politics, and on the streets.

This Hanukkah, UJA is joining Shine A Light to dispel the darkness and to say: enough is enough. In the heart of New York City, we’ll publicly display our Jewish identity as we light the menorah together and raise awareness about antisemitism.

Participate in this national demonstration of Jewish pride — with powerful messages from key city and state leaders and lively performances by Jewish musicians — as we stand shoulder to shoulder with our greater community and allies.

Highlights include: M.C., Ariel Elias, comedian • Performances by National Yiddish Theatre Folksbiene’s Fiddler on the Roof in Yiddish; Nissim Black; The Moshav Band; David Herskowitz, Miami Boys Choir alum and TikTok star; and The Ramaz Upper School Choir • An appearance by Montana Tucker, TikTok influencer

Bring your friends. Bring your family. And, most important, bring your light!

Questions? Contact Marnie Rubenstein at rubensteinm@ujafedny.org.

Chanukah Workshops at Lev Chana

Young Israel Helps Deaf & HearingImpaired Youths Celebrate Bar & Bat Mitzvahs

Lev Chana’s Chanukah Workshops are off to a great start! Every day a different class invites their parents to join them as they sing Chanukah songs and do Chanukah-related projects together. It’s a chance for parents to see their children in their school environment and to get excited for the upcoming holiday together!

One of the primary initiatives spearheaded by Young Israel in Israel is the groundbreaking Judaic Heritage Program for the Deaf and Hearing-Impaired, which consists of bar/bat mitzvah celebrations for deaf and hearing-impaired youths, holiday programming and materials for deaf and hearing-impaired youth, teens and seniors, and an Israeli sign language course.

On December 7, 2022, in conjunction with World Mizrachi and the Jewish Agency for Israel, Young Israel in Israel, which represents the National Council of Young Israel’s (NCYI) expanding presence in the Jewish state, organized and hosted a special Bar and Bat Mitzvah celebration for thirty deaf and hearing-impaired youth from throughout Israel.

The program began at the Beit Knesset Nitzanim in Jerusalem’s Baka neighborhood in Jerusalem with the boys putting on their tefillin and being presented with a tallit and siddur, while the girls received candlesticks designed by famed Israeli artist Emanuel and a book of Tehillim. After a festive meal, the group traveled to Jerusalem’s Old City for a guided tour and a ceremony at the Western Wall. The young men and women who took part in the Bar and Bat Mitzvah celebration all study in special schools to address their hearing challenges.

“It is an incredible privilege for the National Council of Young Israel to be

able to help facilitate such a meaningful and memorable bar and bat mitzvah celebration for these wonderful young men and women that are committed to thriving in every way possible despite the physical challenges that they face,” said NCYI President Rabbi David Warshaw. “This magical experience is something that these families will undoubtedly remember forever.”

“There are few more rewarding things than witnessing a child who, despite his or her limitations, realizes that they are being counted and can celebrate in a way that respects their specific needs and interests,” said Daniel Meyer, Executive Director of Young Israel in Israel. “Many of these parents were told that their child would never talk or be able to learn. It’s truly heartwarming to see how far these children have come, the mountains they have had to climb to get to this point. This is a moment that every one of these children is sure to cherish for the rest of their lives.”

“The beauty of Jewish life is that it is immersive and engages all people, including those with particular disabilities,” said Rabbi Doron Perez, Executive Chairman of World Mizrachi. “We as a community are committed to ensuring that these young men and women will be able to experience the special transitional moments of the bar and bat mitzvah in a way which takes into account their unique needs.”

Photo credit: Nachshon Philipson

The fifth grade talmidim at Siach Yitzchok visited to Yazlitza Rav, Harav Letterman, shlita, to receive their new Gemara Bava Kama.

Shulamith kindergartners search for Chanukah candles in the sensory bin and then graph their finds

Shulamith Pre-1A children sort and classify Chanukah candles and create bar graphs

Chai Lifeline Chanukah Party Shines Bright for Families with Illness

More than 1,100 children living with serious illnesses and their families got into the Chanukah spirit at Chai Lifeline’s annual Chanukah Party on December 11 at The Art Factory in Paterson, NJ. The “Street Fair” themed event, which was sponsored by Chemed Health, drew families from across the tri-state area for delicious food, exciting games and prizes, and a fun night out to connect with other families and friends.

Participants of all ages enjoyed an array of barbecue and fresh donuts, as well as a variety of activities, including virtual reality competitions, cash booths, remote control racing, arts & crafts projects, and more. Yitzy Haber and Donny Weinraub of The Shnitzel Guys emceed the festivities, which featured a rocking concert from Moshe Tischler, as well as carnival jugglers and stilt walkers.

“It has been a dark year for many of our more than 6,000 families,” said Chai Lifeline CEO Rabbi Simcha Scholar. “Chai Lifeline is here to shine a light in the darkness and give them hope and assistance so they can navigate their difficult journeys. Events like this remind our families that they are not alone, and that there is a community of supporters who are there for them.”

Following the jam-packed party, families and children received their own Chanukah gifts – each tailored to their specific requests. In total, more than 50,000 toys will be distributed to children and families around the world this Chanukah season as part of Chai Lifeline’s annual Toy Drive.

“The Chanukah Party is a highlight of our family’s year,” said one Chai Lifeline mother, as she received a box full of gifts

for her children. “The love and support we get from Chai Lifeline give us strength and keep us going throughout the year.”

Chanukah parties and events will take place across Chai Lifeline’s various U.S. and international regions.

Girls Basketball Championship

The 5 Towns Girls Basketball League just finished another amazing season! The girls in each division are learning the fundamentals of the game, learning to work together as a team, and having so much fun while getting a great workout! Our energetic high school and college/adult coaches and refs are doing a great job teaching the girls the skills and the rules of the game while still enabling the girls to have a fun experience every week.

The girls-only basketball league is in its seventh season and is run for

girls from fourth to ninth grade. The league was sold out last season, and we are looking forward to the next season

beginning in the first week of February. The girls-only soccer league, a branch of this league under the Hustle

Chai Lifeline is a leading international children’s health support network, providing critical support to children with life-threatening and lifelong illnesses and their families. To learn more, visit www.chailifeline.org.

and Heart sports program, starts after Pesach and is also filling up fast.

Inspiration at Yeshiva Ateres Eitz Chaim

Ezra School Shabbaton in Woodmere

One of the highlights for the students of Ezra Academy is the annual school-wide Shabbaton. Although the Shabbaton was optional, over 60 students decided to spend their Shabbos with their rebbeim and teachers. The Shabbos was held in Far Rockaway, where the school was hosted by the Young Israel of Far Rockaway and various families spread out through the entire Far Rockaway community.

Shabbos day afforded the Ezra Academy students to spend time with their host families, enjoying the experience of Shabbos in the home. Many students rejoined the group invigorated by the beautiful Shabbos table, the delicious meal, Shabbos zmiros, words of Torah and a positive experience of Shabbos with a family.

Yud Tes Kislev is a day that has brought out secrets in Torah that helped connect many people to Hakadosh Baruch Hu. This week, the Rosh Ha’Yeshiva of Yeshiva Ateres Eitz Chaim, Rabbi Gedaliah Oppen, shilita,

“H” is For Hatzalah

gave a very insightful, deep, and wonderful shuir in Tanya followed by the singing of niggunim as the yeshiva celebrated Yud Tes Kislev with baal ha’batim in Five-Fifty.

After spending time eating Friday night seudah together in the Young Israel, the school sat together for some words of Torah given by a dynamic rabbi from the community. The students then dispersed to various onegim hosted by different families and speakers. Divided by age group and gender the kids were treated to beautiful conversations, inspiring stories and tasty dessert tables throughout the community. Many were invited to come back and spend Shabbos on their own if they chose to.

On Motzei Shabbos, the students were treated to a fun night of activity. Game show action had seniors pitted against the rest of the school balancing trivia and physical challenges. Even the faculty got involved. Melave Malka and kumsitz followed the show. The kumsitz was a moving experience with words of chizuk spoken by Rabbi Diamond and Rabbi Friedler (of Ezra Academy) and inspirational ideas shared by seniors who spoke from the heart. Ezra Academy would like to thank the entire Far Rockaway community for providing such a warm environment to spend Shabbat.

BYAM Father-Daughter Preschool Event

The kindergarten students at Gesher learned about the letter H this week and had a special treat! A real Hatzalah truck came to Gesher and each child went inside the truck to see what was inside. A huge thank you to Mr. and Mrs. Pollack for bringing the truck and enhancing our learning!

This past Sunday, December 11, BYAM held their first Father-Daughter Preschool Event. Each girl happily walked in with their father or grandfather ready to spend an enjoyable morning together. As the pair arrived, their picture was taken and then they headed over to decorate a picture frame together. Next, the girls were treated to delicious doughnuts, in anticipation

of Chanukah! Finally, everyone gathered together to watch a fun, interactive magic show by Chaim Syltig. He had the audience enraptured throughout the show!

The event was a beautiful bonding experience for the girls and their fathers/ grandfathers, and BYAM is looking forward to doing this again in the future IyH!

DRS Honors Society Induction Ceremony Chagigat HaChumash at HANC

ACHDUT, the DRS Chapter of the National Honor Society, is affiliated with the National Association of Secondary Schools. This year, DRS inducted 40 students into the Achdut chapter of the National Honor Society. These students were selected for admission based on academic achievement and stellar character befitting this honor. The induction ceremony began with words of welcome from both Rabbi Yisroel Kaminetsky, Menahel of DRS, and Dr. Hillel

Broder, Principal of General Studies.

Pairs of inductees then delivered short vignettes to the parent audience about personal Jewish heroes that embodied the four pillars of the National Honor Society: character, leadership, scholarship, and service. An honorary award was presented to Mrs. Kimberly Flynn, a long-time DRS mathematics teacher, who was honored for her many years of hard work and dedication to her teaching and our students.

The auditorium of the West Hempstead Elementary School was filled with excitement as the parents of HANC’s Elementary School second grade students waited with great anticipation for the children’s Chagigat HaChumash Play. Accompanied by the joyful melodies of HANC’s music teacher, Mrs. Kari Levine, a HANC alumna and parent, the children marched in with enthusiasm emanating from their faces. As the students took their places on stage, it was evident that the audience was about to witness an inspiring milestone in their children’s lives. Rabbi Ouriel Hazan, Head of HANC’s West Hempstead campuses, welcomed the parents into the intimate gathering of happy Chumash recipients.

Throughout the electrifying performance, the children sang a series of songs focusing on the importance of learning Torah and how happy they were to be receiving their first Chumash. As the children delivered their speaking parts and sang their inspiring songs, the students’ enthusiasm was felt throughout the room. In one of the songs, as the children sang about lighting up the world with Hashem’s Torah, the lights were turned off and the children waved glow sticks to exemplify the light of Torah that each of them possesses and can share with the world.

The much anticipated moment finally arrived. Each student was called forward by Mrs. Michal Wasser, Assistant Principal, was presented with a beautiful Chumash with a leather cover that was personalized with their full Hebrew

name. In addition to receiving their Chumashim, the students were also presented with a photograph of themselves receiving their Chumash with the teachers and administrators, which had been taken previously by HANC art teacher and parent, Mrs. Chana Grossman. The children also received a goodie bag filled with treats that were provided by the HANC PTA.

The children discovered that they were filled with many emotions during the course of the Chumash Play. It was truly a spectacular event and the children brought tremendous nachat to everyone who was in attendance. The second grade teachers were especially proud of their young students who had worked so hard to prepare for this auspicious day.

HANC wishes to thank the Second Grade teachers: Morah Leah Rauch, Morah Daniella Hirt, Morah Chavy Stern, Morah Shoshana Noah, Morah Daniella Zimerman and Morah Shira Sadigh. Thank you to Mrs. Kari Levine for the many hours she spent rehearsing with the children and enabling them to sing so magnificently. Special thanks to the PTA for its continued support and the generous Chumash sponsors for the beautiful personalized covers that created a truly magnificent gift of lifelong learning for our students. Tremendous Hakarat haTov to Mrs. Michal Wasser, Assistant Principal Judaic Studies, for her assistance with so many details to make this program a resounding success. Mazal tov to all of the students and may their families derive much nachat in the future from their wonderful children.

Sara Schenirer Hosts Successful Career Advancement Symposium

On Sunday evening, Sara Schenirer held a virtual career symposium for its undergraduate students. This event was the first in Sara Schenirer’s new career advancement series, designed to help students make informed decisions about their future careers.

During the symposium, students who had chosen a track at the undergraduate level had the opportunity to hear from professionals currently working in their chosen field. The event opened with a session titled “Choosing Wisely” delivered by Mrs. Yael Kaisman, which delved into what students should consider when choosing their career path.

After the opening session, students were able to attend breakout sessions with professionals currently working in a range of fields, including: ABA, ac-

counting, business, medical, social work, speech pathology, special education, and psychology. These sessions provided students with the chance to ask questions, learn about the day-to-day realities of working in these fields, and gain valuable insights into the skills and qualifications needed to succeed in their chosen careers.

The Sara Schenirer Institute’s career symposium was a valuable opportunity for its undergraduate students to connect with professionals in their chosen fields.

Sara Schenirer is planning to hold similar events in the future, giving students the chance to continue exploring their career options and to make informed decisions about their future.

Thank you to all of our presenters for taking from your time to help the next generation of professionals.

Words Matter: SKA’s Pause Initiative

SKA’s shemirat halashon student committee PAUSE (Pausing and Understanding Speech’s Effect) ran a special program on Tuesday, December 6, featuring noted speaker Mrs. Toba Shiffrin and inspiring workshops for the entire student body.

After watching an impressive video on the potency of speech from the Chofetz Chaim Foundation, the students listened as Mrs. Shiffrin noted how “words have the power to define reality.” Just by reframing, one can change one’s attitude and direction. In an entertaining and positive talk, Mrs. Shiffrin went on to exhort the girls to learn the rules of shemirat halashon; she explained that this knowledge would help cause less transgressions and harm.

The girls then separated into several classrooms moderated by faculty members to watch student-produced videos depicting different scenarios of lashon hara “traps” starring actual SKA girls and then discussed what they had seen. The impact of the program was immediate as many girls commented on how much they were affected by both Mrs. Shiffrin and the videos.

PAUSE WhatsApp chats and monthly PAUSE sessions are some of the ways in which the program continues to influence SKA students’ speech on an ongoing basis.

Our thanks go to Limudei Kodesh teacher Mrs. Sheva Mezei, founder of PAUSE, and her student committee for their significant work.

Mrs. Toba Shiffrin addresses SKA students at the PAUSE program

HANC Prepares for Chanukah Math is Fun at YOSS

The young talmidim in HANC’s Early Childhood Center are gearing up for an exciting week of Chanukah celebrations. As they explore the holiday, they have been developing and practicing a myriad of skills and had so much fun learning as they go. After examining different types of Chanukiot, each class designed and created their own style of Chanukah lamps using an assortment of materials, paints and even recycled materials. Utilizing wood, blocks, Lucite trays, mosaic tiles, egg cartons, felt and paper tubes, the children created their own Chanukiot to display, but not light, which will adorn their window sills at home. Incorporating their counting and patterning skills, they prepared their creative masterpieces to the delight of their proud teachers. They also made gifts for their families, hand painted dreidels, built the Beit haMikdash in the block corner, and learned

many songs for Chanukah.

As you walked through the halls of the ECC, you could hear delightful voices singing songs and practicing dances for the upcoming Chanukah Interactive programs to be shared with their special guests. Morah Kayli, the ECC music teacher, has been busy working with each class to prepare them for the upcoming festive performances.

Toward the end of the week, the children had a very special visitor. Rabbi Ouriel Hazan, Director of HANC’s West Hempstead campuses, led an interactive Shabbat Assembly for all of the students. He shared a story with them, sang some Shabbat songs that they know, and even taught them a new song that they can sing at home and teach their own families. The highlight was the HANC water bottle filled with Chanukah gelt and a dreidel for each child. The children really enjoyed the assembly and gift!

Mrs. Gross’s second grade class at YOSS has a blast in math! Most recently, the students completed a unit on addition, arrays, and odd and even numbers. Exciting and creative centers were used to review the chapter. Every boy had a chance to play each of the three center activities. One center was a matching game, one was a connect 4 ad-

Lechu V’nelcha

dition game, and another was to create an array using candy. One boy set up a perfect array in neat columns and rows while the other boy had to describe the array. Making arrays our of candy, who knew math could be so delicious?!

Learning through games and partner activities makes math so much fun, we often forget we are doing schoolwork.

Amidst the flurries outside this past Sunday night, a warm ambiance was palpable in the Agudah of the Five Towns as approximately seventy girls were welcomed for Lechu Vnelcha’ pre-Chanukah shiur. The audience had the honor of hearing Rabbi Paysach Krohn speak and came out feeling inspired in preparation for Chanukah. We are looking forward to greeting you this Monday night (second night of Chanukah) at 8 PM for a Chanukah shi-

Lechu V’nelcha is a global program for post high school girls that offers weekly shiurim. The FR/5T branch’s shiurim take place every Sunday night at 8 PM. Thank you Agudah of the Five Towns for graciously hosting us each week. For more information, to be added to our email list, or to sponsor an event, contact lvnfarrockaway5t@gmail.com

ur with Mrs. Debbie Greenblatt – and a kumzitz with live music to follow.

JSL Fall Season Concludes in Dramatic Fashion

This past week, JSL completed an amazing fall season of youth leagues sponsored by FM Home Loans. The boys in the JSL Juniors (K-1st grade) played well and learned valuable skills. They all received trophies and medals for their hard work. The basketball championships were full of drama and excitement, and the semi-final games for hockey were incredibly exciting.

JSL JUNIORS

K/P Hockey: Molly’s Jewelers scored 6 goals as they won the final game of the season.

1st Hockey: Built By Nate won the Championship Series last week but Judaica Plus had a great game Sunday – winning 6-3. Pinny Weinstein scored 4 of the 6 goals. Coach Eli Jaroslawicz unveiled the JSL Built By Nate Championship banner in the Brandeis Gym.

K/P Soccer: Yehua Rendler of Hewlett Auto Body made some incredible saves. David Ghoori finished off an incredible season with 2 goals in Simcha Day Camp’s 2-1 win. Aryeh Schwerd had a goal and played amazingly in goal for ARG.

1st/2nd Football: WestWood Realty and KolSave played an all-time JSL classic. (See game of the week below). Aryeh Rosenberg put up 3 TD’s for ARG, helping them win the 3rd place title.

JSL Basketball League

3rd Grade: Eli Oratz finished off the season strong, helping Maidenbaum secure 3rd place. Aharon Resnick hit the corner 3 to ice the game and deliver the Championship for ARG. They defeated Island Roofing 11-4. Eli Alishayev scored most of the points and was named division MVP.

4th/5th Grade: 925 Sterling and Alpert Financial played a tough championship game but 925 Sterling was able to pull through at the end. Zev Adelson put the game out of reach with an incredible step back shot from deep. Yosef Pultman made some incredible shots for Town Appliance in their loss to Carving Block.

6th-8th Grade: The championship game featured Paradigm and 5 Towns Pediatric Dentistry, with both teams putting up a strong fight. Aviv Shabtay and Moishy Jacobs led the way for 5 Towns Pediatric, but it was Paradigm, led by Eli Davidowitz and his teammates, who came out on top to win the championship.

JSL Hockey League

2nd/3rd Grade: The game between Sharona Beck and Paradigm started off with Sharona Beck taking an early lead, but Paradigm quickly responded with two unanswered goals to secure the win and advance to the championship game on Tuesday. In another game, ARG and Elegant Lawns faced off in a thrilling shootout that ended in a tie.

4th/5th: Alpert Financial dominated their game, defeating their opponent 10-2 as they head to the Championship. Benji Somerstein led the way for Alpert Financial, as he has done all season. In the 5th place game, Town Appliance held on for a 3-1 win against AutoClick, setting up a championship matchup against Alpert Financial on Tuesday night.

6th-8th: 6th-8th Grade played their semi-final games on primetime Saturday Night. Hillel Pewzner was ready for the big moment. He scored 4 goals including the game winner. - helping Wieder

Orthodontics defeat Posh Home + Bath 7-6 & head to the Championship Game. 5 Towns Orthodontics were ready as well in their matchup vs BayRock Insurance. They put up 14 points as they cruised on through to the Championship Game. Hunter Zeitlin had a MONSTER performance with a hatrick & an incredible full court slapshot goal.

JSL Men’s Basketball Jaim Magendzo hit a midrange buzzer beater to win 36-35 for Extreme Vent Cleaning. Matt Rosenberg had an incredible game for John’s Auto, scoring 72 points in a dominant win over Home & Stone. Dovid Winter was on fire in the second half, helping The Rebbe’s Choice secure a 72-64 victory. The Men’s Division resumes after Chanukah.

Game of the Week

KolSave and Westwood Realty Group played an All-Time JSL Classic Sunday for 1st/2nd Football Championships. Aryeh Lowy sent the game to OT with an incredible diving catch. In OT, Asher Melool scored but Shua Heimowitz of ARG answered back with a score to push the game to 2OT. In 2OT Avi Krigsman scored his 4th TD of the game for Westwood but Shua Heimowitz in the Clutch

scored to send it to 3OT. Avi Krigsman scored yet again & the Westwood defense was finally able to make the stop to get the victory. Congrats to Coach Josh Schindler and WestWood on an incredible victory.

Hockey Fun Fact

Last week, JSL participants enjoyed a group outing at the Islanders Jewish Heritage game. Each person got a scarf and got to go on the ice after the game for a group picture.

Season MVPs:

Moshe Tropper, Aryeh Lowy, Yehuda Yakubov, Yehuda Eliyahu Garfinkel, Avi Abramson, Eli Oratz, Elijah Alishaev, Shua Greenberg, Yehuda Fricker, Daniel Weinstein, Ezra Fricker, Joshua Mashiach, Eli Davidowitz, Shai Greenbaum, Yoni Schaffran, Aviv Shabtay, Pinny Weinstein, Aryeh Templeman, Gavriel Levine, Shmuli Sitzer, Binyamin Tennenberg, Aryeh Levine, Yitzi Statfeld, Dovid Schwadel, Netanel Kirschner, Shimon Feldhamer, Gavriel Levine, Binyamin Fleggman, Benjamin Somerstein, Moshe Burg, Yaakov Noam Levine, Tzvi Kanner, Yaakov Kopelowitz, Itamar Garrett, Cheskel Solomon, Hillel Pewzner

For boys currently in 4th-7th grade 9:00-5:30

Rabbi Eli Fogel Head Counselor Yoni Nenner Division Head For boys currently in 1st-3rd grade 9:00-4:30

For boys currently in Nursery – Pre1A 9:00-3:30

Pre1A till 4:30!

Mrs. Chanie Pearlman Freshies Director

Extreme

The children at HALB Lev Chana were so excited by how much shemen zayit they produced in our factory

Chanukah at Torah L’Kulanu

The HALB Melave Malka was a huge success and full of excitement and energy. Students, parents, and teachers all got together for the eighth grade carnival, fifth grade choir performance, and lots of delicious

YCQ Students Moved by Virtual Field Trip to the Tenement Museum

Torah L’Kulanu (TLK) kicked off the month of Kislev with a special Pre-Chanukah family event last Motzei Shabbos, held at Kulanu. The event featured the well-known, multi-talented “Cousin Nachum” who performed for Kulanu’s families and alumni. Families also enjoyed Chanukah activities including doughnut making, music, pizza and ice cream. The program concluded with an engaging Chanukah game of Bamboozle. We look forward to more TLK programs ahead!

By Assaf Davidov

This past week, YCQ Grade 8 students went on a virtual field trip (on Zoom) to the Tenement Museum and learned about the Rogarshevskys, a Jewish American family who lived in 97 Orchard Street in the 1910s. Students viewed immigration documents, their conditions at home, and at work. They were shown the difficulties the family endured in maintaining observant Judaism. Rabbi Landsman, principal of YCQ, said, “It is important for new generation

to understand our past in the present, in order to explore their future, a future of keeping Judaism alive and prospering.”

The Tenement Museum website states, “Virtual field trips at the Tenement Museum immerse students into the past through 360° images, video, and primary sources. On their virtual visit, students explore history through the stories of real people and see how their own stories are part of history. Immigration and migration are the foundation for all programs, and museum educators connect the themes of belonging, community building, and cultural adaptation in programming

to create entry points for students of all identities and experiences.”

The coordinator of the trip, Mrs. Maisel, JHS social studies teacher, put a lot of effort into the program.

“We were able to see the inside of a tenement and learn more details about the newly immigrated Jewish family,” Mrs. Maisel stated. “We have a better understanding of how difficult it was to come to New York City without speaking the language and having to work so hard to make ends meet. This added so much to our study of Immigration, and we were left with greater respect for our ancestors.”

food from Hunki’s. The night continued with enthusiastic dancing with DJ Shatz and ended with a beautiful kumzits with Aryeh Kunstler. It was certainly a night to remember!

YIJE Clothing Sale is a Win-Win-Win

In what has become an annual ritual, members of Young Israel of Jamaica Estates last month purged their closets for the shul’s annual Clothing Sale. The Young Israel of Jamaica Estates has a long and storied history of chessed programs and activity. A signature event is the annual Clothing Sale which benefits so many on different levels.

YIJE members, along with others, donate their gently used dress clothing, which in turn is sold at about 90% off the original prices to members of the wider Jewish community as well as many from other neighboring communities in Queens.

The clothes that do not get sold are donated to those in need. Yad Leah in Israel as well as numerous gemachs in the U.S. have been the beneficiaries of these

donations for many years. This year, more than 100 bags of clothing were dispersed to gemachs throughout New York.

The sale requires significant manpower to collect, sort and display the merchandise as well as operate the sale. This year, nearly 100 volunteers of all ages, including YIJE’s Rabbi Dov and Rebbetzin Miriam Lerner, pitched in under the direction of event organizers Janna Herskowiz and Susan Kass.

Hundreds of shoppers benefit from the opportunity to purchase high-end designer clothing at a fraction of the original price; YIJE benefits from subsequent programs funded by the proceeds; and countless people in need have access to clothing for Shabbat, holidays, weddings and smachot. A true win-win-win!

One of my Touro professors helped me land an internship at the NY State Assembly, launching my career. When I was initially elected, I was the youngest member of the NY State Assembly. My focus is on both issues related to my generation and the community that I represent. Antisemitic attacks are on the rise. I am working to address this on many levels, including increasing funding for security at our schools to keep our children safe. I feel honored that I can make a real difference in our community.

I’ve been intrigued by politics and government policy from a young age.

DANIEL ROSENTHAL, CLASS OF ‘15 TOURO’S LANDER COLLEGE FOR MEN NEW YORK STATE ASSEMBLYMAN

Meir Panim Brings Chanukah Light and Smiles to Israel’s Hungry Mercaz Academy Joins Hour of Code

Mercaz Academy celebrated Computer Science Education Week by participating in the Hour of Code event, joining millions of other Hour of Coders who got busy programming various projects all over the world. After signing Mercaz up as an official Hour of Code event site back in October, Mrs. Lynda Last, our Director of Technology, designed several projects to engage our elementary school students for an hour devoted to programming. In a special Mercaz Academy touch, Mrs. Last added a social/emotional component to the activities by stressing collaboration and mentoring, with students from the older grades paired with students from the younger grades.

Fourth grade students worked with first grade students to program Dash robots using a programming app called Blockly. Fourth graders served as “navigators” for the first grade teammates, showing the younger children how to operate Blockly and guiding them (and the robots) through a maze of increasingly complicated programming challenges. Working together, students drove the robot in different directions and patterns, spun it around, moved its “head,” and caused it to blink and change eye color.

Fifth and sixth graders “navigated” for second and third grade students as each team chose one of four activities that interested them: sports, video games, art, or augmented reality. Teams that chose sports programmed their own basketball game, instructing the virtual hand in sinking the virtual ball. Teams

that wanted to make a video game programmed the iconic Mario to collect coins. Students interested in augmented reality coded a model of the solar system, while art-inclined teams used math and angles to guide a pen drawing increasingly more complicated figures.

Kindergarten students were not left out as they got to “program” a robot bee to visit a selection of words they recognize. These students were each assigned a word, and then they calculated the number of blocks on a grid that they would need to navigate to send the bee to the correct word. Finally, they pressed the arrows on the robot bee the correct number of times to get it there.

All the students were very enthusiastic about the program and agreed that it was a terrific experience. Sixth grader Talyah Zell had thought that navigating the lesson for the younger students would be difficult, but “it turned out that, after I explained, they really got it and we all had so much fun together!”

MTA Heads to Mayfield, Kentucky

This week, MTA talmidim set off for the town of Mayfield, Kentucky, to participate in a relief mission. After suffering the ravages of a major natural disaster, the people of Mayfield have been rebuilding their infrastructure and their homes in this idyllic small town. MTA talmidim saw the needs of this community, and with the help of NCSY, a relief mission was organized.

When interviewed by local news media about their trip, Rabbi Akiva Ackerman of MTA explained, “Just here to help because that’s what we believe

in.” A true kiddush Hashem was made as the MTA talmidim made a lasting impression on those they assisted.

As 2022 winds to a close, Meir Panim has been scrambling to meet the needs of its many patrons, both “regulars” in addition to the growing circle of new recipients who have been clamoring to its five branches across Israel.

“There are so many people in need,” observes Mimi Rozmaryn, Director of Global Development. “Israel has seen a 30% spike in food costs, and for us at Meir Panim that means dealing with the problem on both ends – not only are there more people who are hard put to afford groceries, but our own budget is being stretched to breaking point!”

The statistics paint a gloomy picture: a whopping 27.6 percent of Israelis are now living on or below the poverty line. That translates into well over a quarter of Israelis – the elderly, Holocaust survivors, single mothers, and working poor families – who are worried about not being able to make ends meet.

“It’s really heartbreaking to see the lines of hungry people forming outside our branches already at around 10 am, as they wait to receive their first meal of the day,” Mimi remarks.

In addition to providing a hearty meal, Meir Panim endeavors to bring cheer to people whose lives are punctuated by challenge with little extras, such as donuts and other treats at Chanukah time.

Chana Cohen, aka “Hanna Banana,” is a certified medical clown who works in several Jerusalem hospitals. Clown care is a formal discipline in Israel, considered a valuable asset in pediatrics, and proven to facilitate treatment and healing. But

laughter is potent medicine for people of all ages. “I’m really happy to give back by contributing my time to Meir Panim and lighting up their ‘panim’ (faces) with a smile!” says Chana with a wink.

Meir Panim’s volunteering component is especially strong around Chanukah, Mimi relates. “The children are on winter break, and entire families visit our branches to help serve, cut up vegetables, bus tables, and more. We also have workplaces and schools coming in as part of their team-building activities. One popular destination is Meir Panim’s Free Shuk (fruit and vegetable market) in Or Akiva, where the staff can always use some extra hands.”

As every year, Meir Panim also remembers the special people who serve the community and don’t usually get recognition. “On Chanukah, our Or Akiva branch manager delivers donuts and chocolate gelt to the school crossing guards, security guards, and local police officers,” Mimi notes.

The lion’s share of the work, though, is strictly about feeding the hungry. Meir Panim makes sure its hot meals are tasty, nutritious, aesthetically pleasing, and in abundance. Patrons may take seconds or even fill up containers to take home. “It’s important to us that recipients are satisfied and that they’re served with dignity,” Mimi shares. “That’s what we’re about.”

This Chanukah, make your donation to Meir Panim online at www.mpdonate. org, through its toll-free number (1877) 736-6283, or by mail to American Friends of Meir Panim at 88 Walton Street, Suite B1 Brooklyn, NY 11206.

SHS Inaugural Alumni Event

Shulamith High School held their Inaugural Alumni Event last week. Mrs. Dina Schoonmaker spoke on the topic of “Entering the Next Stage With Positivity.” Malky Galler, Zehavit Mandelbaum, and Suri Blonder partici-

pated in our “Ask the Shadchan” panel. SHS alumni are fortunate to belong to a school that cares to be a part of their next stages in life, including dating, career guidance, and continued learning.

I never imagined that I would make the leap from kindergarten teacher to the professional kitchen. I took education and communications classes at Touro and became a better teacher. Later on, it translated to my cooking classes and public presentations. I learned about Jewish history, and it helped my travel blog take off. As the creator of my own brand, the Aussie Gourmet, I have a cooking show and food columns. I published two cookbooks and run social media platforms reaching communities around the world. Touro gave me a strong foundation for a job I truly love!

New York on January 21, 1993.

Celebrating life at Spadida

Did you know?

The largest doughnut ever made weighed 1.7 tons. It was a jelly doughnut made in

Kindergarten students at Bais Yaakov Ateres Miriam learned letter “hey” this week and got a special visit from Hatzalah. Thank you, Mr. Skolnick!

NAOMI NACHMAN, CLASS OF ‘95 TOURO’S LANDER COLLEGE OF ARTS & SCIENCES KOSHER COOKBOOK AUTHOR, INFLUENCER MEDIA PERSONALITY

New Book Offers Emunah Essentials from Torah Personalities

Rabbi Moshe Bamberger, Mashgiach Ruchani at Touro’s Lander College for Men, shines rabbinic lessons on contemporary challenges, harnessing powerful quotes and exquisite graphics.

In his new book Great Jewish Faith, Rabbi Moshe Bamberger gathers wisdom from a millennium of Torah personalities to help navigate modern challenges with serenity and belief.

Rabbi Bamberger has served for over two decades as the Mashgiach Ruchani of Beis Medrash L’Talmud at Touro’s Lander College for Men. What led you to write Great Jewish Faith? What do you hope the book will achieve?

This is the ninth book in my “Great Jewish” series published by Artscroll/ Mesorah. When choosing a topic for my books, I try to tap into a most pressing need of the time. Be it the pandemic, social unrest, or financial instability, people are desperately seeking an anchor amid the turbulence. The one constant is Hashem, and we are yearning to connect

to Him.

The book contains powerful sayings from rabbinic giants about faith that are set on dramatic photos, along with an accompanying short commentary about each particular quote.

How would you define emunah?

How does it differ from bitachon?

This is the subject of great rabbinic debate. I like to follow the Ramban, or Nachmanides’ approach. He compares emunah to a tree and bitachon to the fruit of the tree. Emunah is understanding that Hashem exists and is present in our world. Bitachon is being able to implement that knowledge into real life. Emunah is theoretical, and bitachon is practical. When your faith is tested and challenged, do you still believe? In the Ramban’s words, “All who have bitachon have emunah, but not all who have emunah have bitachon.”

How do people relate to the concept of emunah in the modern world?

Emunah gives people the ability to see things through prism of G-d’s mas-

ter plan, to find serenity knowing that we are in His loving and omnipotent hands. One of my favorite sayings in the book is from Rabbi Shimon Schwab, famed rabbi of Khal Adath Jeshurun in NYC. In his last address to his community, he cited the advertising slogan for the Greyhound Bus Company: “Go Greyhound – and leave the driving to us.” Rabbi Schwab applied that to our lives; we must relax and leave the driving to G-d. Rather than be constantly anxious when things are not going according to the script we wrote, we should say, “I’m not the driver, Hashem is.” While we must always do our “hishtadlus” – apply ample effort – to ensure success, we must take comfort in the knowledge that ultimately every result is based on the will of the Al-mighty. We should stay calm and try to enjoy the ride.

In your opinion, what are the character traits people need in order to meet life’s challenges?

Patience is a virtue that enables people to understand how Hashem operates. Sometimes we expect Him to function as we would and assume that just like we try to help others immediately, He does the same. But Hashem implements His plan according to His schedule, and we must learn to be patient when awaiting the unfolding of His will. Happiness and positivity are also key traits to thrive in life. People who see the glass of life as being half-full will be able to meet their challenges with confidence and grace. The book features a “Hashgachah Pratis Journal” – how do you anticipate readers will use this and why was it included?

Years ago, Rabbi Moshe Feinstein and Rabbi Yaakov Kamenetsky co-signed a letter advocating that people keep a hashgacha pratis diary. Their idea was that chronicling episodes of Divine Providence in our own lives helps fortify our faith. When we keep a running journal, we notice modest events like getting a parking spot in midtown Manhattan or large ones like missing a plane that ended up never arriving at its destination. When we write down such occurrences in our daily lives, we can review these entries and say, “There really is a G-d in this world – and He loves me!” By adding this section in my book, the reader becomes the writer; they will see a seamless transition between great quotes from noted rabbis about faith and trust and the autobiographical experiences that shaped and fortified their own faith in the One Above.

Voice N tes

The Magic of Shabbat

By Kylie Ora Lobell

Observing Shabbat means going radically against today’s culture.

For 25 hours each week, you’re putting down your cell phone, leaving your car in the driveway, and not worrying about money or work. Instead, you’re connecting with your family, yourself, your community, and G-d. You’re taking one day every week to focus on the spiritual rather than the practical. It’s beautiful.

Even though I keep Shabbat, it wasn’t always easy for me. Why? I didn’t do it right.

I’m an Orthodox convert to Judaism. When I was learning about some of the mitzvot, my attitude at first was, “Wow, I’m going to have to give up so much.” I didn’t see that subtraction could make way for much better things.

Out of all of the new mitzvot I had to take on, hands down, the hardest for me was observing Shabbat.

Growing up, I loved going to the mall and movies on Friday night, so I missed doing that. I enjoyed Shabbat dinner, but I was sad I couldn’t go out afterwards.

On Saturdays, I’d look at everyone driving and think about the fun they were having. Were they going to the beach? Heading up to the mountains for a hike?

Having friends over for a BBQ?

And what about work? I was learning that if we didn’t work for one day a week, G-d would reward us financially. How could that be? If I wasn’t working, how could I earn more money?

I also struggled with not checking my cell phone. I was afraid I was going to miss some important pieces of news or

to. To me, Shabbat is like ice cream. Who doesn’t like ice cream? You just have to find the right flavor.

If you’re struggling to keep Shabbat, here are some ways in which I make it enjoyable.

First, make or buy food that you love, even if it costs more than you anticipated. The money you spend to make Shabbat

incredibly important. Find a synagogue you love, even if you have to hop around and try different ones. There are so many wonderful choices.

Taking a break from driving and using my phone is so refreshing. When you do that, time slows down. You’re less busy and less stressed. You can have conversations with family members and friends – and you’re not constantly distracted. Stepping away from the depressing news for a day is also good for your psyche.

There are activities you can do on Shabbat that you may not get a chance to do during the week, like play basketball or read a good book, spend time with your spouse or kids, or take a long walk in nature. As I learned, you’re adding to your life – not subtracting.

that my family would call me in an emergency. I was addicted to social media and found it hard to stop checking it.

It also took me a long time to fully embrace the magic of Shabbat and to get it right. Today, now that I’m married and have two young daughters and work ninehour days during the week, I appreciate it more than ever.

When I meet people who don’t enjoy keeping Shabbat, I must think it’s just because they’re not doing it right, like I used

special will be returned to you tenfold.

It’s important to think about Shabbat for at least a few minutes every single day. Plan ahead of time. Do you have to buy a new tablecloth? Do you need to make challah on Thursday night?

Shabbat is the focal point of the week. It recharges us. I always keep it in the back of my mind, so that by the time Shabbat rolls around, I know it’s going to be a special day.

Of course, being social on Shabbat is

I also realized that what I was taught about work and money was 100% correct. The more observant about Shabbat that I’ve become, the more money I’ve made. That’s no coincidence.

I hope that you can fully experience the majesty and holiness of Shabbat. It’s changed my life in incredibly positive ways, making me much more joyful and spiritually connected. Everyone should enjoy the opportunity and privilege to bask in the beauty of the day. You included.

It also took me a long time to fully embrace the magic of Shabbat and to get it right.

TJH Centerfold

Pringle Ph-acts

Chemist and food storage techni cian Fredric J. Baur created Pringles’ iconic tall cylinder. Before he died, he asked to be cremated and put in a Pringles’ cylinder. His family obeyed his wishes. “My siblings and I briefly debated what flavor to use,” his son said. “But I said, ‘Look, we need to use the origi nal.’” (If he were a real man, he would have asked to be interred in a Sour Cream & Onions can.)

Proctor & Gamble wanted their new chip to start with a P, just like the company’s name. They made a list of street names in Cincinnati that started with P and found that Pringle Drive sounded right. (Imagine if the company was in the Five Towns, “Hey, Mom, don’t forget to get some Peninsula Crisps for Shabbos.”)

At first, this iconic chip was called “Pringles Newfangled Potato Chips.” (Would have been something your dermatologist tells you about: “This is no biggie, just go to the store and get some Pringles Newfangled and it will clear right up.”)

There are 29 Pringle flavors in the U.S., but over 100 flavors worldwide. (They think we are soft…can’t handle the REAL flavors!)

The Pringles mascot has a name – Julius Pringles. (Hey, that’s better than Cosmo Kramer Pringles.)

Pringles uses a special recipe, which uses dehydrated processed potato. In 1975, the FDA decided that since they don’t use fresh potatoes, they can’t call themselves a “chip,” which is why Pringles uses the term “crisps.” (Back when the Deep State did important work!)

Gene Wolfe, who developed the machine that was used to make Pringles, ended up becoming a science fiction writer. (He also bears an “uncanny” resemblance to the dude on the Pringles can who was created in 1967.)

Chasin’ Pringles You Gotta Be Kidding Me!

Each of these are actual flavors (which I chased around the world), except for one, which is not real… but does sound like the best flavor of all! Can you spot that one?

Bangkok Grilled Chicken Wing

Beef Kabab

Blueberry & Hazelnut

Cheese Carnival

Cheesy Quesadilla

Crunchy Dill

French Consume

Garlic Seafood

Hot & Spicy Wonton

Lemon & Sesame

Mayo Potato

Mozzarella Sticks & Marinara

Old American Circus

Funky Mustard

Parmesan Garlic

Screamin’ Dill Pickle

Seaweed

Smoked Salami

Spanish Salsa Pizza

Szechuan Barbecue Rice Crisps

Thai Sweet Chili & Lemon Grass

Thursday Night Cholent

I just saw some crazy guy at the gym. He put a water bottle in the Pringles holder on the treadmill.

Riddle Me This

If Sam McCringle can mingle with a single bag of Pringles in the time it takes to sing a single jingle, with how many Pringles did Sam McCringle mingle?

Answer: None... Pringles come in cans Answer: You got it…no Thursday Night Cholent flavor, but imagine how good it would be?

Parshas Vayeishev

By Rabbi Berel Wein

Modern writers and commentators have found the biblical narratives of the book of Bereshis irresistible in their penchant for psychoanalyzing people described in terms of modern understanding and current correctness. In so doing, they do a great disservice to Jewish tradition and

present a distorted picture of the message that the Torah is attempting to convey.

The narrative regarding Joseph and his brothers has engaged mankind for millennia. In it is represented all of the personality characteristics of nobility, self-justification, blindness and deception throughout history. The narrative

stands by itself and needs no “deeper” exposition or analysis. It is what it is and that is how Jewish tradition has always viewed it.

The tendency to “understand” the characters of the people presented in the Torah narrative leads to all sorts of weird ideas that serve to undermine Jewish values and traditions instead of strengthening them. In all of the narratives that appear in this holy book, the unseen hand of Heaven, so to speak, is present and active. And that part of the

that governs the story and mocks our pretensions.

The Bible is not a psychodrama or rebuke of history and psychology. It is a book of fire and holiness, and one has to be careful in handling it. But modern commentators – even those who are observant and scholarly – many times insert currently faddish values and interpretations into its eternal words. Keeping this in mind in dealing with the great narrative regarding Joseph and his brothers, one of the key narratives in the entire

story is not subject to any psychological or personal analysis or perspective.

Rashi points this out in his opening comment to this week’s Torah reading. The plan of Yaakov is to enjoy a leisurely retirement in his later stage of life, but Heaven interferes as the story of Yosef and his brothers unfolds. No matter how you will analyze the motivations of the characters in this biblical narrative, we still will not know the entire story. It is always the inscrutable hand of Heaven

Torah, we should do so with caution and tradition. To do otherwise is a great disservice to the text of the story itself and to the value system that Jewish tradition has assigned to it.

The dispute between Joseph and his brothers has heavenly and historic consequences and still hovers over Jewish life today. To treat it as a matter of sibling rivalry is a misunderstanding of the entire purpose of the Torah narrative.

Shabbat shalom.

From the Fire

Parshas Vayeishev Temporary Tranquility

By Rav Moshe Weinberger

Adapted for publication by Binyomin Wolf

Much has been written about the name of the parsha, “Vayeishev,” which means to dwell peacefully. After many years of trouble and anguish, Rashi explains (commenting on Bereishis 37:2) that “Yaakov sought to enjoy some serenity, but the troubles of Yosef sprang upon him. Tzaddikim seek to dwell in tranquility, but Hashem says, ‘Is that which is prepared for the tzaddikim in the World to Come not enough for them? Must they also seek to dwell peacefully in this world as well?’”

Yaakov did not seek physical tranquility. Rather, he sought a respite from all of the worries, stress, and danger with which he had been plagued for most of his life. He sought spiritual and emotional rest.

Yaakov’s experience is reflected in the Mishna (Avos 4:15), which says, “We cannot understand the tranquility of the wicked or the suffering of the righteous.”

We may not understand why, but we see from Rashi’s commentary above and the Mishna in Avos that, for whatever reason, it is the portion of the tzaddikim that they do not enjoy tranquility in this world. In addition, according to the Gemara (Brachos 64a), “Torah scholars have no rest either in this world or the next world, as it says (Tehilim 84:8), ‘They go from strength to strength.’” The lot of tzaddikim is that they have much reward but little rest. As the Gemara also says (Sanhedrin 72a), “Sleep and wine are good for the wicked and good for the world, but for tzaddikim, they are bad for them and bad for the world.”

Rav Adin Even-Yisrael (Steinsaltz), z”l, explains that the world is filled with confusion now more than ever. Everyone seems to be desperately in need of some peace and tranquility. Many women enjoy a few days in a special home for postpartum recovery called a “recovery home.”

It is difficult to go home to the “joys” of a lively home after such peace and quiet. People naturally want to leave the world of stress and enter into a place of serenity.

Indeed, some people seek out religiosity because they believe it will bring them peace, safety, and tranquility, a break from the non-stop pressures of this world. There is some truth to this. One can only truly take a break from work, phone calls, emails, the Internet, and the like on Shabbos because it is simply forbidden to use these things. Without the framework of religion, today’s modern gadgetry will pursue a person at all hours of the day and night, seven days a week, three-hundred-sixty-five days a year. Many people have told me that they became religious after spending Shabbos in a religious home and experiencing the peace of Shabbos. It is difficult for religious people to understand, as we watch

our children bouncing off the walls on Shabbos, but our life contains tremendous peace and security relative to the outside world.

The world of halacha frees a person from many of the desires of this world. For example, even those who are addicted to smoking are able to abstain from their habit for the twenty-five hours of Shabbos without any problem whatsoever. As the Ibn Ezra explained with respect to the prohibition of lo sachmod, not to covet one’s neighbor’s wife, house, or the like, just like one does not covet a king’s wife because marrying her is completely outside of the world of possibility, so too, with the Torah’s prohibition against adultery, one will not even desire to marry another man’s wife in his heart (or any other prohibition for that matter), because the Torah’s prohibition puts such a possibility completely outside the realm of the real-

ity of his life. The rules of religion therefore do create a certain type of peace by reducing the struggle from certain areas of life.

On a deeper level, though, Jews who live with faith “ain la’hem menucha, have no rest.” The struggle of (Gittin 43a) “one can only understand the words of Torah if one stumbles in them” is ongoing. Growth involves ups and downs, successes and failures.

The larger the number of words for a concept in a given language reflects the importance and nuance of that concept in that culture. The more a people’s life revolves around a concept, the more subtle distinctions that culture will discern within that concept. Jews therefore have numerous words for “question”: kushiya, l’maei nafka minah, itamer, teima, maei ikah l’meimar, and many others. Our people are connoisseurs of good questions. Questions mean seeing a problem and struggling with it, trying to reach the truth. Many of us nevertheless have a tendency to seek the “peace” of living without questions, to avoid the struggle for the truth. One time, someone called from my daughter’s seminary, suggesting that perhaps she should ask fewer questions lest it affect her chances of “getting a good shidduch,” finding a good match. Despite the fact that the tendency to ask a lot of questions defines our nation, there is a desire to slide into the apathy of a life without questions, without struggle.

Indeed, the Rambam sought to create absolute clarity by removing all questions from the Gemara and writing the Mishna Torah, which contains only the answers. Yet no book since the Talmud has engendered more debate than the Mishna Torah. To paraphrase Rashi’s commentary on Yaakov quoted above, “The Rambam sought to dwell in peace, but the troubles

of the Ra’avad (author of a commentary questioning the Rambam’s conclusions) sprang upon him.” As we say in the Chanukah song Maoz Tzur, “V’gam sham lo sha’katti, Neither did I find rest there.”

It must be that the reality of the constant changes and turbulence experienced by tzaddikim, those of us who are trying to grow, is not b’dieved, a lessthan-ideal situation. Rather, that reality is l’chatchila, the way it is supposed to be. Only people who aren’t growing have no questions, no challenges, and no turbulence. In truth, Hashem did not give us Torah and mitzvos to give us peace and rest. Just the opposite! If someone isn’t working, isn’t rising from level to level, isn’t facing challenges, it is a sign that he is not growing or moving forward and he is not a complete Jew. A peaceful life is more pleasant, but it is not a better life. A true Jewish life is a life of challenges and overcoming troubles.

Tzaddikim constantly go mei’chayil el chayil, from level to level, facing new questions and new challenges, attaining new levels of greatness at each stage. Overcoming obstacles to attain greatness is what Chanukah is about. The Jews found that one jar of oil “sealed with the seal of the Kohen Gadol,” the great kohen.

The Torah describes the Jewish nation as (Devarim 4:7) “goy gadol, a great nation,” and the miracle of Chanukah is called a “great miracle,” as it is written on the dreidel, “nes gadol hayah sham, a great miracle happened there.” Also, in the Al Hanisim prayer we say on Chanukah, we say, “And for Your sake, You made a great and holy name in Your world.”

son, Naftul’che, a short time before the war. Rav Bentziyon would not survive, though Naftul’che would go on to survive the war and become a future rebbe of Bobov. As they were playing dreidel, Naftul’che rolled a “gimmel” and took all the gelt. After replenishing the “pot,” Naftul’che rolled again and got a “hei” and took half the pot. Feeling good about how

tions, and we don’t always have the answers. The main thing is to keep moving forward and going to the next level, to never stop spinning and moving in our service of Hashem.

We know thatChanukah, stands for “chanu chaf-hey, they rested on the twenty-fifth” of the Hebrew month of Kislev. Chanukah marks the date of the end of the war to drive the Syrian Greeks out of our land, when the Chashmonayim hoped to finally rest from the battle. But that date also marked the beginning of their efforts to purify the Beis Hamikdash from the Greek impurity and begin ascending the levels of holiness. So rather than being a time of “rest,” Chanukah means not remaining complacent but continuing to fight for higher levels of holiness. That is the meaning of Chanukah and what it means to be a Jew.

When we are not satisfied with the smallness of remaining at rest, we can access the greatness within Chanukah. The Hebrew word for miracle, nes, also means to be lifted up, l’hitnoses, because the miracle was meant to spur us on to challenge ourselves to grow bigger and bigger.

The Bobover Rebbe, Rav Bentziyon, was once playing dreidel with his grand-

the game was going, he rolled again, but this time, his grandfather, Rav Bentziyon, put his hand over the dreidel before Naftul’che could see what the dreidel landed on. A very dark look came over the Rebbe’s face, and he said to his grandson, “We don’t always need to know what the dreidel lands on. The main thing is for a Jew to just keep on going.”

Being a Jew means that we have ques-

May we merit to go mei’chayil el chayil, from strength to strength, continually growing and never resting in one place for too long.

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.

“We don’t always need to know what the dreidel lands on. The main thing is for a Jew to just keep on going.”

Jewish Thought

Chanukah Miracles Then and Now

By Rav Yaakov Feitman

“If a group will sanctify themselves beyond the usual limitations, being willing to sacrifice their lives for Hashem, then concomitantly Hashem will conduct Himself with them on the supernatural level as well.”

One of the many eternal lessons we derive from Chanukah is the importance of hishtadlus. As many students and parents have discovered, a report card has one section for achievement and another for effort. The wise parent looks most carefully at the hishtadlus or effort mark than the actual academic result. My rebbe, Rav Yitzchok Hutner, zt”l, used to mention that “Klal Yisrael did not have that much nachas from its geniuses.” The surprise in this statement is that he himself was an incredible genius, an iluy from birth and a Gaon in later life. However, he knew that even intellectual power has its limitations. Nevertheless, there is no limit to how much can be accomplished through willpower, attitude, bitachon, and ultimately trying one’s best.

For the Chashmonaim, it would have been very easy to give up hope very early. On the warrior side, we had virtually no army at all versus the Greek professional soldiers who were trained and armed to the teeth. However, when Yehudah the Maccabee declared that we must wage war against the Yevanim, the heroes who stepped forward did not make cheshbonos , calculations. They simply volunteered based upon their emunah and bitachon. When only one vial of oil was discovered, it seemed obvious that it could not last very long. But they lit the Menorah anyway. They decided that once Hashem had sent them the miracle of victory, now their job was to light the Menorah. Not acting depressed at the odds of achieving a lasting flame, not concerned if the mitzvah could be done properly, they did their best – and as they say –Hashem did the rest.

A famous saying of Rav Chaim Soloveitchik, zt”l, of Brisk teaches that the tiny bit of oil was divided into eight so that at least each night, when waiting for the new oil, there would be some light. But

more importantly, each lighting had to be done with real “regular oil,” not miracle oil. This was because the Torah commands that olive oil be used and not the oil of miracles. Therefore, if the oil would burn out and then continue to give light, it would not fulfill the mitzvah. Thus, the miracle had to be in the quality not quantity of the oil. The lesson is that human action can be more efficacious and proper even than an open miracle.

This is the connection between the miracle of the oil and that of the war. The Maharal (commentary on the Siddur, page 96) writes that in general Hashem does not perform miracles so that people can do mitzvos. If one can’t than do the mitzvah, then he is patur – exempt. The miracle of the neiros was performed so that we would know that the victory was not tactical or strategic but was purely a neis gadol. We may now add that it was also so that we could do our hishtadlus and then Hashem would finish the job.

This approach allows us to answer an important question raised by both commentaries and poskim. Chazal tell us, according to one opinion, that there were literally only 13 men fighting the entire Greek army. How were they even allowed to attempt to wage this war when we know that there is a rule ain somchin al ha’nes – we are not permitted to rely upon miracles? The answer may be found in the Medrash (Maaseh Chanukah, quot-

ed

Chanukah, page 3): “Matisyahu the Kohain Gadol declared, ‘I have full faith in Hashem that He will perform great miracles for us.’” What happened to not relying on a nes? The Netziv (Shemos 19:6) explains that it all depends. “If a group will sanctify themselves beyond the usual limitations, being willing to sacrifice their lives for Hashem, then concomitantly Hashem will conduct Himself with them on the supernatural level as well.” Furthermore, the Gemara (Berachos 20a) raises the perennial issue, “Why did the earlier generations merit miracles and we do not? The answer is that they were moser nefesh – gave up their lives – for the glory of Hashem, so they were granted miraculous salvation.”

We can now understand this crucial distinction between then and now. Those generations, such as the Chashmonaim, were willing to die al kiddush Hashem and did all solely for the honor of Hashem. In fact, it is clear that Yehudah Hamaccabee did not act until he felt that the disrespect for Hashem and the Torah could no longer be tolerated, so he acted accordingly. We should add that when Avrohom Avinu fought the Four Kings, it was as if someone today decided to wage war against America, Russia, China, and Japan. One opinion in the Medrash is that Avrohom, too, had only Eliezer with him

when they won the war and rescued Lot. That, too, went completely against nature, but Avrohom was the first to be willing to go through fire to sanctify Hashem’s Name, so he was able to completely transcend the laws of nature. For Avrohom and the Chashmonaim, it was simply a matter of doing their hishtadlus.

Perhaps all of this seems to be long ago, so let us listen to an amazing Chanukah story from a much more recent generation, which teaches us this same lesson. I heard the following story from one of the participants.

Rav Chaim Stein, zt”l, and a few other Telzers were on a long train ride during World War II on one of the nights of Chanukah. The Rosh Yeshiva had never missed lighting Chanukah candles, even under the most dire of circumstances and deeply lamented that it appeared as if this time he would not be able to do so. All of a sudden, in the frozen wastes of empty territory, there was a knock on the door of their cabin. When Rav Chaim opened it, there was a gentile standing there asking if anyone needed candles. He handed over eight large ones and disappeared into the night. The talmidim later assumed that Rav Chaim and his companions were zocheh to a visit from Eliyahu Hanavi that night. Years later, when the Rosh Yeshiva was asked by Rav Yitzchok Erlanger if the story was true, he admitted that indeed it was. However, he also added that “you should know that one who tries tremendously to fulfill a mitzvah is helped from heaven to accomplish his goal” (see also Otzar Hasipurim , page 596, No. 588). Rav Chaim, with whom I had the privilege to be extremely close and who was the sandek for one of my sons, was a member of our generation, but he lived the life of the Chashmonaim and the miracle of Chanukah.

May we too merit Hashem’s help in performing His mitzvos.

in Bais Hamedrash 1 and by Rav Dovid Cohen, Rosh Yeshivas Chevron, in Yemei

Rav Yaakov Feitman is the rav of Kehillas Bias Yehudah Tzvi in Cedarhurst, NY.

The Light and the Splendor

By Rabbi Daniel Glatstein

In all probability, the most wellknown question in the entire gamut of Jewish literature is the question that is credited to the Beis Yosef. The Syrian-Greeks contaminated all the oil in the Heichal during their occupancy of the Holy Land, and when the Chashmonaim prevailed and returned to the Mikdash, they were able to locate one sealed flask of oil. Although the flask contained only enough oil for one night, it miraculously burned for eight. Asks the Beis Yosef, the miracle then was only for seven days, as the first night was not a miracle at all. Why do we celebrate a seven-day miracle for eight days?

Students and scholars alike have pondered this question for centuries since the miracle of Chanukah transpired. Scores of answers have been offered. The sefer Ner L’Me’ah has collected one hundred answers to this classic question, and more recently, a sefer has been published that has compiled five hundred answers to this question.

One of the most familiar and widely used answers to the Beis Yosef’s question is, in my opinion, the most diffi -

cult. In offering his approach to answer this question, the Alter of Kelm cites the story of Rav Chanina ben Dosa’s daughter.

The tzaddik Rav Chanina ben Dosa was exceptionally poor, and his household had to subsist on the most basic provisions. One Friday night, after Shabbos had already been welcomed, Rabbi Chanina noticed that his daughter was despondent. He asked, “My dear daughter, why are you sad?”

She responded, “I used vinegar in my Shabbos lamps instead of oil; they will surely go out imminently and we will be left in complete darkness on the holy Shabbos.”

Rabbi Chanina replied, “It matters not — it is of no significance.

“He Who says oil should burn will say that vinegar should burn .”

Rabbi Chanina was expressing a fundamental principle. The fact that the juice of an olive can be burned as fuel is no less miraculous than if vinegar would burn. It is only that we are accustomed to the fact that olive oil burns, and so we take it for granted.

But, fundamentally, just because we are used to it does not remove it from the realm of the supernatural. Thus, if shemen zayis can burn, it is equally possible and reasonable for the “Programmer” of “nature” to allow vinegar to accomplish the same task.

Says the Alter of Kelm, seven days of Chanukah commemorate the miraculous feat that oil which should naturally last for only one night burned for seven additional nights. But still, there is one more day of Chanukah. And the added day of Chanukah is to enlighten us that even the first day was a miracle. The fact that oil can burn is a miracle unto itself. Just because we are used to it doesn’t make it any less miraculous and supernatural. So, as we take the time to celebrate the blatant and obvious miracle — namely, “the seven days” — we add an additional day to recognize and proclaim that nature itself is miraculous.

Rav Moshe Feinstein offers the very same answer in Derash Moshe, and he uses this idea to resolve a difficulty in the text of Al HaNissim. Conspicuously absent from Al HaNissim is any

reference to the miracle of the oil. Nowhere is it mentioned that which the Gemara tells us: that they found only enough pure oil to burn for one day, yet it burned for eight. The only point mentioned about the neiros in the Al HaNissim are the words, “v’hidliku neiros, and they kindled lights.” Why has the miracle been omitted?

Rav Moshe explains, utilizing the same approach we cited from the Alter of Kelm: The objective of the supernatural element of the miracle of Chanukah is to come to the realization that what we are accustomed to and label teva, nature, is no less miraculous. Thus, we say, “V’hidliku neiros” to indicate that the mere lighting of a lamp is worthy of celebration. The fact that Hashem has created a process where the juice of an olive can burn and provide fuel, that in itself is worthy of our wonderment and eternal appreciation.

This teaching echoes, perhaps, the lesson of the most famous words ever penned by the Ramban The Ramban writes, at the end of Parshas Bo: From the great and obvious miracles, one comes to acknowl-

edge hidden miracles, for they are the foundations of the entire Torah!

For man has no share in the Torah of our Teacher Moshe until one believes that all our events and happenings are all miraculous — having no natural component whatsoever.

All the phenomena and processes with which we are familiar, and which we can name and seemingly predict, are in essence supernatural manifestations of the direct will of the Creator.

This deductive reasoning is the function of Chanukah: Through the open miracles of Chanukah, we come to recognize that even the mere burning of a candle is equally miraculous.

Rav Dovid Cohen, Rosh Yeshivah of Chevron, utilizes the above to explain the phraseology of the pizmon, Yevanim Nikbetzu Alei, in which we sing, “Men of insight — eight days established for song and jubilation .” Men of understanding — binah — enacted eight days of song and praise. Why are the Chashmonaim referred to as bnei binah? Where do we see the unusual understanding utilized in the legislation of Chanukah?

Rav Dovid explains. Actually, Chanukah should be seven days, as the Menorah burned miraculously for seven days. But the Chashmonaim did not simply make an academically dry observation; they used binah, inference. The word binah refers to the ability l’heivin davar m’toch davar, to infer a new idea from a previously accepted fact. They understood that not only were the seven days miraculous, but from the open miracles they came to recognize the hidden miracle of the actual burning of oil. Utilizing the acumen of binah, they added a further day and legislated an eight-day yom tov.

for granted, but what is it about Chanukah that this is the time selected to teach this all-important lesson?

And herein lies the secret of Chanukah.

This approach of the Alter of Kelm and Rav Moshe always troubled me. While the principle of the answer is a fundamental tenet of Judaism, we surely must recognize that all the processes that we take for granted are the hand of Hashem and remarkable manifestations of the endless wisdom and power of the Creator. Nevertheless, this seems completely unrelated to Chanukah. Can’t this principle be applied to any yom tov? Why don’t we tack on an additional day of Pesach? Why not celebrate the seventh day commemorating the Splitting of the Sea, and then add a day to celebrate water itself? We should never take nature

A basic premise of the mystical dimension of the Torah is that there are ten Sefiros, ten spheres of Divine manifestation, through which Hashem created and runs the world. The names of the Sefiros are Kesser or Daas, Chochmah, Binah, Chessed, Gevurah, Tiferes, Netzach, Hod, Yesod, and Malchus. The Gemara (Chagigah 12a) cites Rav Zutra bar Tuvia as quoting Rav, who says, “With ten devarim the world was created.” The Maharsha understands that this Gemara is referencing the ten Sefiros that are discussed in the mystical works of Torah. The subject of the ten Sefiros is perhaps the archetypical example of an esoteric teaching that is susceptible to misinterpretation and distortion. The most important point is that the Sefiros are not Hashem but rather emanations or manifestations of the Ribbono Shel Olam. As every yom tov and holy occasion is associated with a particular Sefirah, Tikkunei Zohar reveals that the Sefirah associated with Chanukah is Hod, Splendor. Rav Chaim Friedlander explains that the middah of Hod comes to fruition and is expressed in its fullest capacity on the yom tov of Chanukah. While these are the deepest of concepts, let us try to assimilate a degree of understanding in accordance with our capacity.

As the middah of Hod is closely associated with Chanukah, the Chida teaches that this gives added insight

into why Chanukah is eight days. Hod is the eighth Sefirah, and the Sefirah of Hod was n’takein, came to correction, on Chanukah to allow it to function to full capacity. In order to signal the completion and correction of the middah of Hod, the Chida teaches, the Sages enacted eight days of Chanukah, symbolizing the tikkun of the eighth middah

.

What is Hod ? In Lashon HaKodesh, the holy language, there are two words that seem to be synonyms: hod and hadar. These words are often paired together. Now, there are Acharonim who maintain that there are synonyms in Lashon HaKodesh, known as sheimos ha’nifradim. The Malbim , Rav Meir Leibush ben Yechiel Michel, the great halachic decisor and Torah commentator, argues vehemently that there are no synonyms in the holy language. Each Hebrew word has a nuance of difference. Here is a prime example, teaches the Malbim: the words hod and hadar. The Malbim writes in many places that there is a fundamental difference between hod and hadar Hadar refers to external beauty; attractive physical shape, appearance, and impression are described as hadar. For example, an esrog is referred to as pri eitz hadar, as its color, shape, and bumps are all characteristics of external physical beauty.

However, hod refers to ziv penimi, inner splendor and majesty. There are people whose objective physical appearance may not be pleasant or appealing, and yet there is an inner beauty to them, perhaps because of

their humility, wisdom, and good character that lends them an air of beauty. It is not external beauty, but internal splendor that shines forth from their essence.

These two qualities, hod and hadar, also reflect two perspectives on the world in general. The world can be seen in two lights. One can look at others, at events that transpire, and see the “outside,” the superficial way it seems. One can look at another human being and determine their quality by their external appearance. How well-formed, groomed, and presented one may be can be used as a barometer of the quality of the person.

This was the worldview of the Yevanim. They glorified the human body — hadar, external beauty. Body building, body sculpting, muscle tone were reflections, to their minds, of the quality of the person. They looked at the phenomena of the universe in the same way. They valued only what can be seen, weighed, and measured. These are processes that can be computed, analyzed, calculated: the externalities of the world, and that is all they accepted. The Ramban writes, “Muzzle the mouths of the wise men of nature who are drawn after Greek ideology, who deny anything that cannot be experienced by the senses.”

Yavan worshiped, appreciated, and valued hadar, the external beauty of people and the superficial appearance of how the world seems to be run. But we are a people of hod. We value essential character. We value the middos of the soul: humility, fear of G-d, wisdom, the splendor of the inner beauty of the Jewish neshamah. Likewise, we do not accept that this is a world of hadar, external glamour. Behind all the processes of nature; behind the veil of nature and evaporation, condensation, precipitation, digestion, respiration; behind the natural cycles of the rise and fall of empires is the inner light and splendor of all creation, the miraculous guiding hand of the Ribbono Shel Olam. Teva, the external veil, is the Hadar; the Divine inner working of how the world operates internally is the Hod We believe that through our tefillos, our limud haTorah, our maasim tovim, the Ribbono Shel Olam, in a concealed manner, directs the various processes in proportion to our avodah. There is no “nature”: “All our events and happening are all miraculous —having no natural component whatsoever.”

The battle between the Yevanim and

The very essence and purpose of Chanukah, then, is that through the seven days commemorating the open miracles, we come to recognize the inner splendor and beauty of the first day as well.

the Chashmonaim is the battle of hadar vs. hod, external beauty vs. internal splendor, teva vs. nissim. The objective of Chanukah, then, is to pull away the veil of hadar and come to a clear recognition and awareness that just as the miraculous is the Ribbono Shel Olam, the inner beauty and mechanism of all of nature is likewise the Ribbono Shel Olam.

The very essence and purpose of Chanukah, then, is that through the seven days commemorating the open miracles, we come to recognize the inner splendor and beauty of the first day as well. Chanukah is the symbol of Hod; as such it is the opportune time to recognize that “He Who says oil should burn will say that vinegar should burn” ; it is the designated time to appreciate the inner beauty of teva and not to

be distracted and lost due to its hadar.

The Vilna Gaon writes that the middah of Hod stems from the word hoda’ah, gratitude.

I should reap.” “I married, so naturally I will have children.” “I worked, so I should earn.” In a world of hadar, in a world of superficiality, in a work of nature, in a world of externality, ingrati-

ner mechanism. There is no nature. “I planted, but the Creator in His benevolence and kindness has to choose to grant me crops to reap.” “I married, but the Master of the Universe, with His infinite mercy and compassion, has to bless us with children.” “I worked, and the Omnipotent L-rd, b’rachamei Shamayim, has to decide to provide.”

Often, a person is resistant to having gratitude to HaKadosh Baruch Hu, saying to himself, “I planted, so naturally

tude abounds.

The Jewish nation is a people of Hod. We see the inner beauty, the in-

Looking at the Hod, the inner splendor of existence, allows one’s heart not to ever feel entitled or expectant, but to live with endless gratitude. Thus, the word Hod is associated with the trait of hoda’ah. Chanukah is the yom tov when we celebrate the Hod of Hashem’s Divine guidance, not only the miracle of an additional seven days of burning oil, but also the miracle of the burning of oil itself. Thus, Chanukah is the designated time to thank Hashem and sing to His Name, as it is the yom tov whose very essence is never to take anything for granted.

From the great and obvious miracles, one comes to acknowledge hidden miracles, for they are the foundations of the entire Torah.

Rabbi Daniel Glatstein is the Mara D’asra of Kehilas Tiferes Mordechai in Cedarhurst, NY, and author of numerous seforim in Lashon Hakodesh and in English for ArtScroll. He is an international lecturer and maggid shiur. His thousands of recorded shiurim are available on Torahanytime.com, podcast, his website rabbidg. com, and other venues.

This article has been reprinted with permission from The Light and the Splendor by Rabbi Daniel Glatstein, published by Artscroll.

Think. Feel.Grow.

Re-Examining Our Chanukah Mission

By Rabbi Shmuel Reichman

There was once a public debate between a rabbi and an astrophysicist regarding the nature of our universe. The astrophysicist, representing the atheist perspective, confidently approached the podium and began addressing the audience: “I don’t know much about Judaism, but I believe I can sum it up in a few words: Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” With that, he went on to detail how physicists could now adequately explain the nature of our universe, without the need for religion.

When he finished his speech, it was the rabbi’s turn to address the audience and represent the religious approach. With a sparkle in his eye, he turned to the crowd, and said: “I don’t know much about astrophysics, but I believe I can sum it up in a few words: twinkle, twinkle, little star how I wonder what you are.”

With that, he went on to deliver the rest of his speech.

The Age-Old Debate

Spiritual debate has been a recurring phenomenon since the beginning of time. Chanukah is when we tap into the spiritual debate between the Jews and the Greeks, as the Greeks specifically attempted to destroy our spiritual way of life. They aimed to cut off our connection with Hashem and replace it with the worship of the natural, physical world. Yavan, the Hebrew name for the Greeks, means “quicksand” (Tehillim 69:3) – the Greeks sought to “drown” us in their secular culture, replacing spirituality with atheism and hedonism.

The Midrash says that the Greeks attempted to darken our eyes,

“hichshichah eineihem” (Bereishis Rabbah 2:4). Darkness represents a lack of clarity, the inability to perceive true form. Physical darkness prevents physical clarity; spiritual darkness prevents spiritual clarity. This was the Greek attack on the Jewish People: a distortion of truth, a darkening of knowledge and perception. For this reason, the Jewish People went to war against the mighty Greek army, and to this day we carry on that fight against Greek culture, a culture that we view as damaging and antithetical to Judaism.

Greek Culture

However, if we take a deeper look into Jewish literature, we find a strikingly different picture of the Greek nation and their culture. In Parshas No -

ach, Noach blesses his two sons, Shem and Yefes, with a seemingly peculiar bracha: “Yaft Elokim l’Yefes, v’yishkon b’ohalei Shem,” Hashem will grant beauty to Yefes, and he (Yefes) will dwell within the tents of Shem. Yefes is the precursor to the Greeks, and Shem to the Jews. This seemingly paints the Greeks in a positive light, as a beautiful nation fitting to dwell within the framework and boundaries of Judaism. In a similar vein, the Gemara (Megillah 9b) states that despite the general prohibition of translating the Torah into different languages, it is permissible to translate the Torah into Greek due to the beauty of the language. According to both of these sources, it seems as though Greek culture does not contradict Judaism but is meant in some way

to complement it, harmonizing with Jewish ideology. How can we understand this contradiction?

In order to explain it, we must first develop a deep spiritual principle.

The Spiritual-Physical Relationship

How do we understand and perceive Hashem? Is Hashem within time and space, limited to this world alone, as Pantheists believe? Or is Hashem completely transcendent, beyond time, space, and this physical world, as many of the ancient philosophers believed?

The Jewish approach, as explained by the Rambam, Maharal, Ramchal, and others, is a beautifully nuanced blend of these two approaches. Hashem is transcendent, completely beyond our physical world of time and space, and yet, He is also immanent, within our physical world. This principle applies to all spirituality; we believe that the spiritual and transcendent is deeply connected to the limited and physical world. In other words, our physical world is a projection and emanation of a deeper, spiritual reality. This is the meaning behind the famous Midrash, “Istakel bi’oraisa, u’bara alma,” Hashem looked into the Torah and created the world (Bereishis Rabbah 1:1). This means that the physical world is an emanation and expression of the Torah, the spiritual root of existence.

To give an analogy, imagine a projector: the image you see on the screen is emanating from the projector. The projector and film are the source; the image on the screen is the expression. Similarly, each and every one of us was once a zygote, half a male and half a fe -

male genetic code. From that single cell, a fully developed and expressed human being ultimately manifested. The same is true regarding the physical world – it stems from a spiritual root, a transcendent dimension.

Thus, we are able to understand and experience the spiritual through the physical, as the two are intrinsically connected. If you’re wondering how to understand this concept, consider the way other human beings experience, relate to, and understand you. All they have ever seen is your physical body. They’ve never seen your thoughts, your consciousness, or your emotions. The only way they can understand you is by relating to how you express yourself and your internal world through your physical body. Through your words, actions, facial expressions, and body language other people experience what’s going on inside of your body, inside of your head, inside of you.

The same is true regarding our experience of Hashem and the spiritual. We can’t see spirituality, only physicality. We must therefore use the physical to connect back to the spiritual root.

The Battle of Chanukah

The Greeks sought to uproot this Jewish perspective, to detach the physical world from its higher root. They claimed that human beings have no connection to anything higher than the physical world itself and that it’s therefore impossible to connect to Hashem. As the Ramban explains (Ramban Al Ha’Torah, Vayikra 16:8), the Greeks believed only that which the human intellect could grasp. Anything that requires spiritual sensitivity, that transcends rational proof alone, was dismissed as false. Even the Greeks gods were glorified humans, as anything that transcended the physical, human world was dismissed. In essence, the Greeks served themselves.

The Jewish approach is much more nuanced. We embrace human intellect and reason but are aware of a realm that transcends it. We recognize the wisdom of science, medicine, psychology, mathematics, and other forms of worldly wisdom, along with an understanding of a higher form of wisdom, the Torah. As the Vilna Gaon explains, where logic and human intellect ends, Jewish wisdom begins. The reasoning behind this principle is based on the aforementioned idea: the physical world is an expression of the spiritual world. Just as the physical world stems from

a higher, spiritual realm, physical wisdom is an expression of a higher form of wisdom, the Torah. While the wisdom of the physical world is true, it stems from a higher truth, the Torah. Torah is the absolute foundation and root; all physical wisdom is its expression.

The ideal is for the physical wisdom

Our Place of Connection

The Greeks tried to spiritually destroy our Beis Ha’Mikdash, the point of connection to the transcendent, where Hashem most intimately connects to this physical world. After our victory on Chanukah, we reignited the flame of that spiritual building, and every year since,

Where logic and human intellect ends, Jewish wisdom begins.

of the Greeks and Yefes to reside within the tent of Shem, for science and the wisdom of the world to be in harmony with Torah. The problem occurred only once the Greeks denied the existence of anything beyond their independent intellectual wisdom. This was the battle of Chanukah. The Greeks tried to destroy the Torah, which contradicted their ideology, and the Jews were forced to fight for their beliefs, to defend their spiritual connection with Hashem and the transcendent wisdom of Torah.

Rav Hutner explains that Chanukah is the chag of Torah Sheba’al Peh, the Oral Torah. Chanukah is the one holiday with no source in Torah She’biksav. Unlike Purim, it does not even have a Megillah; it is completely of Rabbinic origin. Furthermore, it doesn’t even have a Mishna; the only canonized source for Chanukah is a few Gemaras which mention Chanukah in an almost coincidental manner. Why is this so?

Chanukah represents the battle against the Greeks. The Greeks claimed that the only source of truth is the human intellect; nothing transcends human logic. The Jews not only showed that there is a transcendent source of truth but took it one step further. When done appropriately, with humility and proper recognition of the Torah’s transcendent root, the limited human being can actually use his human intellect to participate in the creation of Torah. This is the unbelievable nature of Torah Sheba’al Peh: human beings are given the ability to participate and even create novel Torah ideas and insights. The greatest victory over the Greeks wasn’t to simply prove that transcendent Torah exists; it was to reveal that even the human intellect can connect to Torah, even limited human beings can connect to the infinite.

we must reignite that same flame within our own homes; we must inaugurate our own personal Beis Ha’mikdash.

Every day, we get to choose whether we’ll become further entrenched in secular and Greek culture, or if we’ll build our connection to the infinite, the transcendent, and carry the message of Chanukah deep within our hearts. Our life is like building a personal Beis Ha’Mikdash, building an ever-deeper and ever-closer relationship with Hashem. It’s the result of every brick we lay down; ev-

ery day is like another brick, another opportunity to add to our eternal home, our eternal self, our eternal existence.

Rabbi Shmuel Reichman is the author of the bestselling book, “The Journey to Your Ultimate Self,” which serves as an inspiring gateway into deeper Jewish thought. He is an educator and speaker who has lectured internationally on topics of Torah thought, Jewish medical ethics, psychology, and leadership. He is also the founder and CEO of Self-Mastery Academy, the transformative online self-development course based on the principles of high-performance psychology and Torah.

After obtaining his BA from Yeshiva University, he received Semicha from Yeshiva University’s RIETS, a master’s degree in education from Azrieli Graduate School, and a master’s degree in Jewish Thought from Bernard Revel Graduate School. He then spent a year studying at Harvard as an Ivy Plus Scholar. He currently lives in Chicago with his wife and son where he is pursuing a PhD at the University of Chicago.

To invite Rabbi Reichman to speak in your community or to enjoy more of his deep and inspiring content, visit his website: ShmuelReichman.com.

Delving into the Daf Cultivating Gratitude

By Rabbi Avrohom Sebrow

There are some questions surrounding the details of the marriage of Rebbe Akiva to Rachel, the daughter of Kalba Savua. According to the Ben Yehoyada (Nedarim 50a), the following is what transpired.

Rebbe Akiva initially performed kiddushin, the first stage of marriage, with Rachel. This was done in a quiet ceremony so that Kalba Savua wouldn’t find out. Rachel then sent her fiancé to learn Torah. Her hope was that by the time Kalba Savua found out about the kiddushin, Rebbe Akiva would already be grounded in Torah.

In fact, Kalba Savua would later remark that he wouldn’t have had the same harsh reaction if his son-in-law had known even one chapter of Torah. So Rachel’s plan was well founded, as it shouldn’t have taken that long for Rebbe Akiva to learn enough to satisfy the minimum requirements.

Alas, it was not to be. Kalba Savua found out right away about the shidduch and basically disowned his daughter. He proclaimed a neder that the new couple was forbidden to have any benefit from his property. At this point, the new couple reasoned there was no need to postpone the nisuin, the full marriage, any longer, since the secret was out. Therefore, Rebbe Akiva returned home and wedded Rachel. He stayed home for a year before leaving for 24 years to learn Torah.

During this year, the newlywed couple lived in abject poverty. They didn’t have sheets or pillows; they rested their heads directly on straw. In the morning, Rebbe Akiva would remove the straw from his wife’s hair (Ran). His wife would sell her hair and earn a meager income (Yerushalmi). According to the Maharsha, she would remove the straw from his hair. Rebbe Akiva said that as a gesture of thanks for helping him look his best, he would buy her a beautiful crown with the Yerushalayim skyline when he could afford it. The Ran says he fulfilled this promise many years later, and that very crown was men-

tioned in a discussion regarding the laws of wearing jewelry on Shabbos.

One day, a man called upon Rebbe Akiva and his wife. He requested some straw because his wife had recently given birth and had nothing to lie down on. Rebbe Akiva then remarked to his wife, “Look,

riches?” Rabbi Elefant answered (with some embellishment) that he gave them something infinitely more valuable than wealth; Eliyahu HaNavi gave them the key to lifelong happiness. He virtually instructed them on how to view things from the proper perspective. Rebbe Akiva and

pauper to appreciate his straw? Couldn’t he just think about its value and appreciate it on its own merit? Why did Eliyahu HaNavi need to act the part of a destitute man?

Perhaps one might argue that Rebbe Akiva hadn’t achieved any measure of greatness at that point. Surely, a bonafide tzaddik would not need this technique.

Rabbi Binyomin Luban, rosh ha’yeshiva of Toras Chaim in Miami, points out that Rashi on Chumash teaches us otherwise. Rashi, quoting a Midrash Tanchumah, says Moshe Rabbeinu was commanded to console Aharon HaKohen before he died. He said to him, “Fortunate are you, for you will see the crown given to your son, something which I will not be granted.”

Moshe Rabbeinu thus made two points to Aharon: Your son will be the Kohen Gadol in your stead; I will not merit having a son take my place as leader. Suppose Moshe Rabbeinu had merited having a son to take his place; would that make Aharon’s gift any less valuable? Was Aharon supposed to feel superior now that he had something that his brother did not? Certainly not. Rather, Moshe just wanted to illustrate to Aharon how special his gift was. Even Aharon HaKohen was able to better appreciate his gift by looking at another leader who didn’t merit having sons who would step into their father’s shoes.

there are people who have even less than us.” The Gemara states that the father of the newborn was none other than Eliyahu HaNavi. The Ran explains that Eliyahu HaNavi wanted to comfort them in their sorry state of poverty.

Rabbi Moshe Elefant asked, “If Eliyahu HaNavi wanted to alleviate their suffering, why didn’t he instead bring them gold and

his wife got the intended message. They learned as a couple to appreciate what they had. Sometimes, the only way to truly appreciate what you have is by looking at someone less fortunate.

This lesson of valuing every bit of good one has is far superior to transient gold and riches. Still, one can ask, did the great tzaddik Rebbe Akiva need to look at the

If Rebbe Akiva and Aharon HaKohen needed to look at those less fortunate than them to appreciate their G-d-given gifts, then surely, we may have to do the same. Instead of looking at people who have more than us and feeling envy, we should look at people who have less than us and feel gratitude.

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 Hempstead, NY. He can be contacted at ASebrow@ gmail.com.

Sometimes, the only way to truly appreciate what you have is by looking at someone less fortunate.

Halacha Matters

Rabbi Zvi Nachman Talks About His New Sefer

By Susan Schwamm

Rabbi Nachman, congratulations on publishing your new sefer, Halachah Matters . This is a great accomplishment. What was your goal in writing this sefer?

Thank you very much. My goal was to create a forum to discuss halachic issues in an engaging manner. Each chapter begins with a vignette (short story) that raises a halachic issue. We then go on to have a short discussion of the relevant halachic sources and arrive at a conclusion; where possible, I also compare the applicable halachah to secular law and/or add an interesting story or anecdote from my personal life. Each chapter is short and is an interactive way to discuss halachic issues at your Shabbos table and/or other settings.

What was the impetus behind writing your book?

My two life-long long-term goals were (1) to become a lawyer and (2) to write a book. I accomplished my first goal much earlier in my life, and I wasn’t certain whether I would ever get to realize my dream of becoming an author. I am ecstatic that it took the form of a sefer on halachah!

What made you think of writing a sefer like this?

I’ve been speaking every Shabbos at my local minyan in Woodmere (I’m in my 15th year). About 12 years ago, I changed the format to start each d’var halachah with a story, as I found it to be a much more engaging way to relate to my audience and draw them in. After several

years, it occurred to me that this would make for a great basis for a sefer. I must say that converting each chapter from a speaking presentation to a written sefer with sources is not an easy task. Much of my free time for many years was devoted to working on the manuscript.

The sefer is laid out with an interesting scenario at the beginning of each chapter. How did you come up with those scenarios?

Some of the questions came up in real life or, in a few cases, were relayed to me by someone who they actually happened to. The questions that I included in the sefer are but a fraction of the number of questions I have discussed over the last 12+ years. I tried to stay away from controversial topics, especially since my discussions are fairly concise.

I love how you also give a legal spin on the scenarios after giving over the halachah. Has your background as an attorney helped you with understanding halachah? What came first?

Your halachic understanding or your understanding of U.S. law?

The focus of my sefer is very much the halachic aspects. When I speak at my minyan on Shabbos, I rarely, if ever, discuss secular law. I have noticed that, for the most part, our moral compass, as Americans, is very much in line with the halachic conclusions. It occurred to me that the contrast (or, in most cases, the similarity) between halachah and secular law would be of interest to my readers and so I spent some time researching applicable secular law. It is fascinating how, for

the most part, the two sets of laws come together so nicely.

Can you share with us a few scenarios that are in the sefer?

Sure, here are a few examples:

- You are selling your car, and there is a problem with the engine. Do you have to specifically disclose the issue to the buyer?

- You bought a piece of furniture from a couple who are making aliyah, but due to unforeseen circumstances they have to put off their aliyah plans indefinitely. Do they have a right to cancel the sale?

- You find out that your neighbor has been regularly using your tractor without permission; do you have the right to charge him?

Who is the sefer geared towards? Anyone interested in halachah is encouraged to pick up a copy – no real age limitation. One prominent rav mentioned to me that even his 11-year-old son was reading it! On the other hand, many learned folks (both men and women) have told me that they enjoyed it very much.

I tried to make each chapter engaging, concise, and stimulating – perfect as a springboard for Shabbos meal conversations or similar venues.

I noticed that on the back of your sefer you have haskamos from some well-known, respected rabbanim: Rav Asher Weiss, Rabbi Moshe Weinberger, and Rabbi Shalom Rosner. How did you go about getting these prominent rabbanim to give you their haskamas?

I

in Woodmere). I have a kesher with each rav, other than Rav Asher Weiss (I am a member of Rav Weinberger’s shul and we see regularly daven together on weekday mornings; Rabbi Rosner was the former rav of my shul in Woodmere and we have kept up an on-going kesher even after the rav made aliyah). In the case of Rav Asher Weiss, I was privileged to have been given a private interview with the Rav to discuss my sefer and I provided him with a copy of my manuscript; the Rav was extremely encouraging of my endeavor.

That said, obtaining haskamos is not an easy task, and an author must remain persistent and give himself/herself a lot of lead time. I feel so fortunate to have received all these haskamos and treasure each one very much.

You have semicha and got it recently. Can you tell us about that journey?

As part of my long-term plan to write a sefer on halachic topics, I understood that I would need to beef up my credentials by obtaining semicha. Even though I had spent a good part of my life learning in a variety of yeshivos, I had never really focused on Yoreh De’ah or some of the other standard topics required for semicha. I decided to do this journey with my (then-only) son-in-law, Raphy Sassieni, as my chavrusa. The semicha course we chose was quite comprehensive and demanding; it took us more than two and a half years to complete (Rav Nach-

also have haskamos from Rabbi Efrem Goldberg (BRS in Boca Raton) and Rabbi Zvi Ralbag (Bais Ephraim Yitzchok

98

man Wilhelm is so engaging and has a phenomenal mastery of all the applicable halachos). It was wonderful going through this adventure with my sonin-law and developing with him a bond that was created by this program. I also broadened my range of halachic knowledge through this formal program.

Since the sefer has been released, what type of feedback have you been receiving?

Baruch Hashem, I’ve been receiving much positive feedback – from friends, acquaintances, and even from complete strangers. Many people have told me that they are reading a chapter a week at their Shabbos table. Some people have sent me photos of their set Shabbos table with Halachah Matters next to their kiddush cup!

What’s the best way for someone to purchase Halachah Matters?

Halachah Matters is distributed globally through Feldheim outside of Israel and can be purchased at most seforim stores globally (wherever Feldheim distributes). You can also purchase it from my publisher, Mosaica Press (mosaicapress.com), or on Amazon.com (by

searching for “Halachah Matters”).

We know so much about your sefer. Can you share with us where you grew up, which yeshivos you learned in, where you studied for your formal education, and a little bit about your secular career?

Sure. I’m a graduate of the Mesivta of Long Beach and also learned at other highly-regarded yeshivos, includ -

share my Torah insights on a weekly basis at the Tree Street Minyan in Woodmere. I have a law degree from New York University (NYU) School of Law as well as a Master of Science degree in Real Estate Development and Investment, also from NYU. I’m also a former certified public accountant (CPA), having started mycareer working for Price Waterhouse, a global accounting firm, before becoming a lawyer.

in the United States.

I live with my wife, Naomi, also known as “the Aussie Gourmet” and a TJH columnist, and my family in Woodmere.

Are you planning on writing a sequel to this book? Are you working on anything currently?

I am still speaking weekly at my minyan, so I’m starting to develop new material. Also, some readers of my sefer have been sharing with me some interesting questions for a possible sequel. Who knows what the future will hold, but I am starting the process.

How are your book sales going?

ing Mishkan HaTorah, Ohr HaChaim, Machon L’hora, and Mesivta Tifereth Yerushalayim (MTJ). As I mentioned, I’m a musmach of Rav Dovid Schochet and Rav Nachman Wilhelm.

I first began giving weekly shiurim in the Lower East Side in 1994. When I moved to the Five Towns, I continued to

Since 1996, I have been a practicing attorney, first at an Am Law 100 New York City law firm and then as General Counsel for one of the largest privately-held real estate investment organizations in the United States, where I represented and negotiated with many of the largest companies and household names

Baruch Hashem, book sales have been doing well! That said, the jump from someone being interested in a particular sefer to actually buying that sefer is a big step. One motivational factor to buy Halachah Matters is that this sefer will give the reader a year’s worth of engaging material for your Shabbos table if you cover one chapter a week. Not a bad investment!

Halachah Matters by Rabbi Zvi Nachman is published by Mosaica Press.

Some people have sent me photos of their set Shabbos table with Halachah Matters next to their kiddush cup.

The Wandering Jew Mementos

A Method to Remember Part

II

By Hershel Lieber

Over the years, we have traveled to many countries, especially in Europe. We have been to almost every state in the United States. We experienced 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 people. 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 albums 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 deferred 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 difference. 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 Wandering 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 remember -

ing our journeys by way of mementos is very normal. Recalling experiences by way of keepsakes is a valuable way to keep memories 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 sustenance 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.

Rome, Italy, 2010 – Ceramic urn hand-painted with gold that we bought in Rome’s airport.

Athens, Greece, 2007 – Vase in the style of ancient Greek decorative pottery. It was hard to find one without human forms!

Warsaw, Poland, 2019 - House in the Marketplace of the Old Town.

Moscow, Soviet Union, 1981 – Brass samovar received from the Hanukov family as a token of their appreciation to us.

Istanbul, Turkey, 2000 –

Ornate silver scroll holder used to send messages. It only cost us $180, and we use it for besamim.

Kishinev, Moldova, 1996 –Ceramic house which can be lit up by inserting a tealight. This was from the very few souvenirs available in Moldova.

Krakow, Poland – I bought this on my first trips to Poland in the mid 80s. It is a carved brass replica of the matzeiva of the Ramah by a known sculpturer. It has a special meaning to me.

Dublin, Ireland, 2001 –Decorative tiles of street scene objects (phone booth and street light) that we saw in Dublin.

Hebron, Israel, 1973 –We bought this vase at a time when we were still comfortable to walk in the Arab shuk of Hebron.

Continues on the next page

Continues››

Kotor, Montenegro, 2019 – We bought this in Kotor, a walled medieval town, because we loved it. It was created by peasants living in the surrounding mountains.

Sofia,

Lancaster, Pennsylvania –Hex signs are commonly seen by the Amish on their barns and houses. This is a quilted wall hanging with that motif.

Hershel Lieber has been involved in kiruv activities for over 30 years. As a founding member of the Vaad L’Hatzolas Nidchei Yisroel he has traveled with his wife, Pesi, to the Soviet Union during the harsh years of the Communist regimes to advance Yiddishkeit. He has spearheaded a yeshiva in the city of Kishinev that had 12 successful years with many students

making Torah their way of life. In Poland, he lectured in the summers at the Ronald S. Lauder Foundation camp for nearly 30 years. He still travels to Warsaw every year – since 1979 – to be the chazzan for Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur for the Jews there. Together with Pesi, he organized and led trips to Europe on behalf of Gateways and Aish Hatorah for college

students finding their paths to Jewish identity. His passion for travel has taken them to many interesting places and afforded them unique experiences. Their open home gave them opportunities to meet and develop relationships with a variety of people. Hershel’s column will appear in The Jewish Home on a bi-weekly basis.

Valetta, Malta, 2018 –Handblown glass vase portraying the ocean scenery surrounding this island country.

Laramie, Wyoming, 2018 –Western Art commonly depicts animals, cowboys and Indians that are part of the local heritage.

Bulgaria, 2003Leather flower wall hanging.

Cordova, Spain, 2000 - Pewter frames which we use to display photos of grandparents. Prague, Czechoslovakia, 1980 - Decorative vase with hand painted flowers.

Bratislava, Slovakia, 2007 - Handmade replicas of century old houses and watch tower in the Old Town.

Moscow, Soviet Union, 1982 – Memento that was given by a Refusenik to Pesi after a Melave Malka in Moscow.

Sarajevo, Bosnia, 2007 – Metal vessel bought in the Muslim bazaar.

Toledo, Spain, 2000 – Geometric designs etched in gold on a metal plate in the style of the Moorish Muslims that ruled Spain for hundreds of years.

Riga, Latvia, 1982 –Ceramic bottle.

C o m p l e t e I n s p i r i n g F u l l D a y C S h a d c h a n F i t n e s s C e noitacoL si reve os ynam nizama ybraen on deen rof na ayojne

Two Successful CPRs in As Many Days

By Raphael Poch

Oher food on Beit Hillel Street in Tiveria. Worried eyewitnesses called emergency

unteer EMT, was close by in a Torah class when he received the emergency alert notification. Yair left immediately,

After Shabbat, Yair reflected on both successful CPRs and said, “As an EMT, I try to respond to as many emergencies as I can in order to help save lives. It can be exhausting to drop whatever I am doing and continuously respond to emergencies, but at the same time, it gives me a lot of personal strength that flows from a sense of accomplishment. Being able to save lives is a mitzvah and an honor. It gives great fulfillment but it’s a big responsibility. The greatest thing is when I try to save a person’s life, and if it seems like the person has

already died, I keep trying to resuscitate the individual with everything I’ve got if it’s a defibrillator, my own hands, or even my tzitzit. I use everything I can in order to save another person’s life because that is the greatest achievement When I am successful, it is the greatest gift to know that I have helped give someone back their life, and it gives me a tremendous

A Light in the Darkness

By RaBBi Paysach J. KRohn

In the Bergen-Belsen concentration camp, there was hardly any possibility to perform mitzvos. Nazi guards were everywhere, and if Jews were caught doing any religious actions, the consequences would be torture or death. Yet, throughout the winter month of Kislev, Rabbi Shraga Shmuel Schnitzler (1889-1979), known as Reb Shmelke, assured everyone that somehow they would be able to light a Chanukah menorah in the barracks. No one believed him; they thought he was trying to encourage them in a time of hopelessness. Realistically, where could they get a menorah or oil or candles or wicks? It was simply impossible under the watchful eyes of the guards.

Reb Shmelke had the unenviable job of carrying the corpses of Jewish victims to the crematoria. Often, he cried as he transferred bodies of people he knew. When he came back to the barracks, however, he tried his best to encourage those who were still alive.

One late afternoon, as Reb Shmelke was walking alongside the familiar camp path, he almost tripped over a lump in the earth. He was sure the obstacle had not been there before. He was curious, but he wouldn’t investigate unless no one was watching him. He looked around carefully and did not see any guards. He bent down slowly and started pushing away the soft earth to see if anything was hidden there. Using his hands, he dug through some of the earth and was shocked by what he found. As incredible as it seemed, it was a little jug of oil!

This seemed impossible. How did this jug get here? Someone must have hidden it here, he thought in amazement. He dug further, and to his utter astonishment, he found thin strands of cotton that could be used as wicks; then, as he pushed away more earth, he saw tiny little cups that could contain the oil.

Reb Shmelke shuddered. A Jew had hidden these items here. But who? He quickly covered the treasure as he found it. He wouldn’t dream of taking them if another Jew had hidden them.

(To me, this is one of the most incredible parts of the story. Imagine the integrity he displayed; although he yearned to fulfill the mitzvah of kindling the Chanukah lights, he refused to usurp the privilege from the one who

hid the oil and wicks, for the person might yet return to retrieve the items.)

He went back to the barracks and asked the other prisoners if they had hidden the oil in the field or if they knew anyone who had. No one knew anything about it. As Chanukah drew closer, he walked by that area every day to see if the clump of earth covering the hidden items was still undisturbed.

It was.

On the day before Chanukah, as evening drew near, he realized that no one had come to retrieve that oil. Making sure that he was not being watched, he dug up the oil, the wicks, and the cups and brought them to the

traveled to New York,

Both the Rav and Reb Shmelke had been prisoners in Bergen-Belsen, and the conversation turned to their experiences there.

As they reminisced about their ordeals, the Satmar Rav said, “I feel bad about one thing. I had bribed a guard to let me hide some oil, wicks, and little cups so that I could use them for Chanukah. I was freed four days before Chanukah, and it bothers me that the wicks and oil were never used for Chanukah.”

Rav Shmelke was astounded!

“Rebbe,” he exclaimed, “you will not believe this, but I found what you hid! I was walking along a path and almost tripped over a bump in the earth. I searched to see if something was buried there, and I found the oil, wicks, and cups that you had hidden! Erev Chanukah, when I saw that no one was coming to retrieve those items, I dug them up, and we used them in the barracks on every night of Chanukah! Rebbe, you actually were the cause for so many Yidden to be uplifted.”

The Satmar Rav smiled and said, “I am so grateful to the Ribbono Shel Olam for making another miracle happen with oil in the month of Kislev.”

barracks. Later that night, to the astonishment of everyone there, he poured oil into a cup and inserted a wick. He recited the three blessings as the onlookers cried with joy and disbelief.

Every night of that Chanukah, Reb Shmelke managed to kindle the wicks, and every night the people were both joyous and incredulous.

Four months later, in April 1945, Bergen-Belsen was liberated, and its Jewish victims dispersed to try to rebuild their lives.

Reb Shmelke became the Rav of Bekesh-Csaba, Hungary, where he was known as the Tzchaber Rav. In 1951, he moved to Jerusalem, where people came to him for counsel and blessings. On one occasion, Reb Shmelke

In the winter of 2014, my son-in-law Chananya Kramer, of Kol-Rom Multi-Media, and I produced “Living Lessons,” an animated series of five Chanukah stories for children accompanied by beautiful music and striking visuals. Thanks to modern technology, thousands of people around the world saw and heard those stories. Shortly after it was released, R’ Chaim Schnitzler of Williamsburg, a great-grandson of Reb Shmelke, called me.

“I am here in the hospital visiting my father [Reb Boruch Yehuda]. We are sitting and crying as we just watched the story of our ancestor on ‘Living Lessons.’ We are so grateful that this is now known throughout the world. The name of Reb Shmelke will live on forever.”

This story was excerpted with permission from Illuminations of the Maggid by Rabbi Paysach J. Krohn, ArtScroll/Mesorah.

where he visited the Satmar Rav, Rabbi Yoel Teitelbaum (1887-1979).

Using his hands, he dug through some of the earth and was shocked by what he found.

3rd Grade Mishnayos Mesibah

Yeshiva Ketana of Long Island 321 Doughty Boulevard Inwood, NY 11096

Yeshiva Ketana of Long Island

“Light the Candles For Me”

A Message of Hope in the Darkness

By Ortal Malka, as tOld tO r aBBi arOn White

On the second night of Chanukah in 2010, Israel was engulfed by the wrong type of fire. Following a dry fall season, an unextinguished coal started a wildfire in the Carmel Forest, in what would be one of the worst civilian disasters in Israel’s history. As the flames spread, residents of nearby towns and neighborhoods of Haifa fled, and the prison service called extra wardens to help evacuate a local jail. A bus of wardens got caught in the flames, and 37 of the 40 passengers on the bus were killed, including Rav Uriel Malka.

Ortal, Rav Uriel’s wife, sat down with Rabbi Aron White to talk about Rav Uriel’s remarkable life of Torah. From teaching students in Denver to providing chizuk to prisoners in Beersheva, Uriel lived a life full of giving to others, and his family continues to bring his light to the world.

Igrew up in a town called Yehud in the center of Israel, and after graduating high school, I went to the city of Yavneh to do my Sherut Leumi. On Shabbatot, I was hosted by a wonderful family called the Malkas, who were full of Moroccan simchat hachaim and warmth, who hosted many Sherut Leumi girls. I was told they had a wonderful son who was learning in yeshiva in Karnei Shomron and was now serving in the

army. After a few months, we met at the Shabbat table, and we quickly developed a strong relationship. He was exactly the type of person I was looking for to be my life partner – a ben Torah, full of life and giving to Am Yisrael. We started dating, and things progressed very quickly, and we got engaged.

Uriel was still in the army at this point, and during our engagement, he was offered to join an officers course to be promoted to being an officer (Katzin). I told Uriel that I really didn’t want this; I didn’t want us to be starting our married life with him being away for long periods of time at his course and in his new demanding role. We spoke

about this with his Rosh Yeshiva, Rav Shmuel Haber, who advised Uriel that despite his wish to serve Am Yisrael in this army role, it was more important for him to focus on building his home and family at this point.

We got married, and Uriel learned as an Avreich in Karnei Shomron Yeshiva. Baruch Hashem, our family started to grow, and after a few years, we started to discuss what we wanted our next step to be. As we were not yet rooted in full-time jobs, we decided it was a good opportunity to go on Shlichut, to bring Torah and a connection to Israel to Jews around the world. We approached a training course called Sraus/Amiel run by Ohr Torah Stone but were initially turned away because Uriel didn’t have good enough English. However, he was such a charismatic and captivating person that they were won over by him, and we joined the course.

In the summer of 2006, we were preparing to go on Shlichut to Denver, Colorado, when the Second Lebanon War broke out. As we were already registered

as Shlichim of the Jewish Agency, Uriel was not called up to his unit, but he insisted on joining the battle and volunteered to serve. He experienced a lot in that war. There was a time he was with his company in a building that they had cleared of Hezbollah fighters, and suddenly they came under fire from the IDF in a case of mistaken identity. He managed to hold up a tallit, which made the IDF realize that they were firing at their own, and baruch Hashem, disaster was averted.

Despite being fresh from weeks on the battlefield, we flew almost straight away to Denver to begin our Shlichut. We worked for the Jewish Agency, as well as teaching in the local school Denver Academy of Torah. We did fit the stereotype that some have of Shlichim – we turned up with a lot of passion and excitement, but our English wasn’t great. I remember one time when Uriel and I were really confused that someone said they were going to bring snakes to an Oneg we were running, until we learned what snacks are! We would sit down before Shabbat with a dictionary to help Uriel

Forty-four people lost their lives in the Carmel Fire

prepare his shiurim, but in the end, we were able to improve our English, and Uriel taught numerous classes and shiurim each week.

We were also able to bring a real Israeli spirit with us. Uriel was approached and asked to run an Israeli Sephardi minyan for Yamim Noraim, which was a tremendous success – in fact, even once we returned to Israel after Shlichut, Uriel would return to Denver to lead this minyan each year. We also started Israeli Shabbatons, where I worked with the local Israelis in the community to make an Israeli-style meal with Moroccan recipes and more – it was a great success! By the end of our Shlichut, we felt we had made an impact on the community, and we returned to Israel to live in Karnei Shomron.

Uriel began teaching in a local school, but he also wanted to do more. He signed up for a course to become a prison chaplain/rabbi, and then began working at a prison in Beer Sheva. He had always wanted a career in the army, which had been cut short when we got married, but now he was able to pursue a career through the police working in the prison system. He would provide tremendous chizuk to prisoners, sitting with them, davening with them, and more. His energy was just unstoppable – he would often leave the house at 5 a.m. to travel down to Beer Sheva and return home at 10 p.m. He was a natural leader and gave a tremendous amount to the prisoners he worked with.

started going into overdrive – my two thoughts were that either something terrible had happened or that he was busy evacuating people so his phone wasn’t available.

I called my parents and asked them to come over and also had to try and keep things normal – two of my kids had Chanukah parties that night that I still sent them to. I had to keep things going

pregnancy. The nurses were given the background, that I was being brought in because I had fainted at my husband’s funeral. One of the nurses asked me, “Do you want to have this baby?” I looked at her and said, “Of course! This is what I have left from Uriel!”

I was now alone with five children, pregnant with a sixth, and I decided that in order to deal with the tragedy I had to

We also received a tremendous amount of support from friends and family, including those we had met in Denver on Shlichut. There is one person from Denver who has called Uriel’s parents every Erev Shabbat for the last twelve years to check in and wish them a Shabbat Shalom.

Six months after Uriel’s death, our daughter was born. We named her Oriah, in memory of her father.

It was a tremendous effort, but baruch Hashem, our family was able to continue on. The children each grew up and were able to experience joy in their lives.

On the fateful day on Chanukah of 2010, Uriel was due to come home to light second night candles with us. He was on another course to become promoted, so he had missed the first night at home. At about 2:30 in the afternoon I got a call from him, saying that there was a fire near Haifa and that the wardens on his course were being called in as reinforcements to help evacuate a local jail. I was upset that he was likely going to be home late but didn’t think much of it. I was a few months pregnant at the time, so after the call, I went to take a nap before candle lighting.

At about 4 p.m., Uriel’s sister called me and asked when I last spoke to him. She told me to switch on the news. I opened my computer and saw that the wildfire was raging, and there were images of a burned-out bus. I tried calling Uriel but couldn’t get through. My mind

until we knew what had happened. At 12 o’clock, we got a knock on the door, and the local police chief told us that Uriel was missing. My mother took that in a positive way, hopeful that they would find him once the chaos subsided. For me, the reality was beginning to set in – I told my mother that he was officially “missing” only because they hadn’t identified his body yet.

The shockwaves of his death reached far and wide – prisoners in Beersheva were crying when they heard, and I still remember the phone calls of shock and disbelief I received from our friends back in Denver.

At his funeral, I almost fainted and had to be taken to the hospital. As I was at an early stage of a pregnancy, when I got to the hospital, they wanted to do a full checkup – this was actually the first ultrasound that I had for this

hold tightly to what was, to the home we had made, and to what we still had. Baruch Hashem, I had wonderful children, and our home was one that was full of laughter and music, and I didn’t want to lose that, too.

I stayed with my children in our home in Karnei Shomron, and we began to move forward with our lives. The last conversation I had had with Uriel was when he told me he was going to be late for Chanukah lighting. I had said to him that we would wait for him, but he had told me not to wait – “Tadlik bishvili , Light the candles for me.” I came to see that as Uriel’s parting speech, his tzavaa to me, that I need to carry on bringing his light to the world: to light up our home, to light up the world, to light up every day as his messenger. This is something that still gives me strength to this day.

After eight years, I started dating again – I had spent those eight years totally committed to helping my children, and as they were now starting to grow, find their own feet and leave the house, I felt it was time for me to focus on myself. I started dating, and then, as it so happens, during a break from dating, I was introduced to Pini. We got engaged and married and moved on to a new chapter, with our new blended family. Pini has five children from his first marriage, so together we are two parents with eleven children! His first spouse also passed away, and so we both are able to understand each other – to understand the pain, to make space to still be able to mourn but also to work together to build something new.

Our experiences have also taught us similar lessons. Life is filled with brachot, and it is not worth it to waste time on silliness – there is so much good and light to bring into the world, and even after the darkness, we try to add more light every day.

Ortal with her six children

The Malkas' six children - Talia, Shira, Tamar, Shiloh Avraham, Emunah and Oriah

“I came to see that as Uriel’s parting speech, his tzavaa to me, that I need to carry on bringing his light to the world.”

A Light From the Nations

By Malkie Schulman

Eversince she was as young as six or seven years old, Diana Lynn remembers sitting in church with her family in their hometown, Lakewood, Washington, and thinking, this doesn’t make sense.

“It came to a point where I got in trouble with the pastor. He didn’t like that I was asking so many questions. He complained to my mother, and so eventually I stopped asking him.” Still, Diana’s questions remained. “There were so many things that it said in the Bible that we were doing differently,” Diana continues. “Like when to celebrate the day of rest – why were we observing it on the first day of the week when the Bible clearly states it’s the last day of the week?” When she questioned this contradiction, she was told that G-d changed the day and that she must believe.

Same with keeping kosher. The Bible clearly states the laws of kashrut, but Christians do not observe any of them. Diana recalls her pastor’s sermon one Sunday relaying the story about a supposed dream Yoshka’s “disciple” had that revealed that from now on you don’t have to eat kosher. Even more bizarre is when her pastor concluded the tale by saying, “Thank G-d, G-d realized bacon was good.”

“My mother kept a magnet on the fridge that read, ‘G-d is the same today, yesterday and forever.’ I would think if that’s true, why does the church keep changing things and saying things are done away with?”

As someone who approached life through logic, Diana was becoming increasingly frustrated. “I like to connect the dots, but the dots were not connecting.” One time in a class about Leviticus (Vayikrah), her pastor verse by verse, tore it to shreds. “There was nothing true about

what he was saying,” shares Diana. “I felt so angry that I just stood up and walked out of the class.”

Nevertheless, despite her increasing frustration with church doctrine, eventually, Diana came to the conclusion that she was a Christian because she was born one and it’s best not to ask too much and just do.

At the age of 21, Diana married her husband, an evangelical preacher. Part of an evangelist’s job is to visit different churches and preach the Christian faith to them. This meant they never stayed in one place very often. Diana’s husband preached love and peace to the various congregations he served, but in his home, it was a different story. He often physically beat his wife. And if that wasn’t bad enough, Diana shares, “I’d come to church all black and blue, and nobody would say anything. They loved my husband and totally ignored what was clearly going on.”

He also often told her she wasn’t a good Christian woman. He’d force her to watch Christian TV programs, but that, Diana maintains, turned out well because it was the catalyst that got her to start questioning her beliefs again. There was one program about the Seventh Day Adventists, a Christian sect that observes the Sabbath on the seventh day. Learning about their practice brought back all her questions. Another catalyst for Diana’s requestioning her faith was the fact that more than one church kicked her family out of the congregation because of their dark skin color.

“My two sons were young then and my older son would go off for a Sunday school lesson. I’d come in to see how he was doing, and he’d be off by himself in the corner, completely ignored by the class and the teacher.

In general, there was always the sense that we were second class citizens and then finally we were actually told to leave the church.”

Between the blatant racial discrimination and ignoring her obvious bruises, in 2005, Diana decided she was emotionally, mentally and spiritually done with the church. She had no idea where she was going to go from there. All she did know was that there was no more going back.

Starting From the Very Beginning

“I had the sense that G-d wanted me to start over, to read the Bible from the beginning,” Diana shares.

Interestingly, all this time, Diana had never met a Jew, although she does recall at the age of eight, a Jewish man in a black suit, black hat and white shirt coming to speak to the church members. He had been asked to come to explain Judaism. “I was fascinated by his words and remember feeling that there was something so peaceful and joyous about him and his modestly dressed wife that I had never seen in the world around me. I clung to every word he said. I have no idea who he was, and I don’t remember his name. I just remember basking in that sense of peace.”

Looking back to that long ago event, Diana says she can see now how through that incident Hashem set her up for her journey to Yiddishkeit.

“Re-reading the Bible starting with Genesis,” Diana maintains, “felt like blinders were taken off my eyes for the first time. I purchased my very first book on parsha and it was like the whole world turned over for me.”

This was the start of Diana’s journey to unlearn all

112 that she had been previously taught and to begin to learn the truth. Though Diana had still not met any real live Orthodox Jews, through reading the Chumash on her own and listening to podcasts and videos from Rabbi David Fohrman, founder of Aleph Beta, she slowly began to relate to G-d as Hashem. She also began to experience herself more and more as one with the Jewish people and their mission.

Your Money for a Mitzvah

In 2014, after 17 years, Diana’s divorce became official. “I stayed so long, because for years I’d been told, ‘Just submit to your husband and pray for him and then everything will be all right.’” But, of course, everything wasn’t all right, and after all that time, though the physical bruises had disappeared, the emotional bruises remained and Diana had a lot challenges to work through.

However, her next religious challenge came in 2015. Diana was working as a banker in a bank she’d been with for over ten years. She wasn’t supposed to work Saturdays at all, she shares, but somehow, she ended up working every Saturday. She needed her job, but she didn’t want to work on Shabbat anymore. Unfortunately, her manager wasn’t letting her take off.

“I started davening. I said, ‘Hashem, I need to have Saturdays off. You have to do something.’”

What happened next, she explains, is that out of the blue, her manager started complaining about something as silly as her shoes. Then a colleague got mad because Diana parked in his space one time. It came to the point that her work environment became so uncomfortable that she knew she had to make a choice – to quit with no other job prospect and trust Hashem, or stay, trusting the bank system.

“I did quit and that was for me a big ‘I am following this path moment,’” shares Diana. “Banking had been my life for over a decade, and I walked away from it because I wanted Shabbos more.”

It wasn’t until 2016 that for the first time Diana spoke with an Orthodox rabbi and asked him about conversion.

“He asked me if I had any interest in remarrying. When I responded yes, he said, ‘I don’t recommend you convert then, because based on your skin color, no Jewish man will want to marry you.’

“That was definitely difficult to process,” Diana admits. Especially when, a few weeks later, another Orthodox rabbi she spoke to said the same thing. Diana realized then if that was indeed true, she had to decide what she wanted more. Like she had chosen Hashem over her job, here too, Diana decided that “I would rather live alone for the rest of my life than give up a special relationship with Hashem as a Jew.” (Diana also under-

stands that Hashem is the only One who is All Knowing and that if His desire is for her to find a mate in the Orthodox world, then so it will be.)

A(nother) Twist in the Road

Not long after Diana was turned down by the two Orthodox rabbis, she began attending a Conservative synagogue. She knew about Hashem, but she wasn’t savvy enough yet to know the difference between Conservative Judaism and Orthodox Judaism. One day, she passed by a Conservative synagogue and felt an overwhelming desire to go inside. She was directed to the rabbi of the congregation who encouraged her to attend classes and Shabbat services.

“When I walked into shul on Shabbat,” Diana says, “it was like the whole world disappeared and all that mattered was saying my prayers and being in front of Hashem – it was so real and intense. When I left, it was like stepping back into the outside world, but there was this deep peace.”

Ironically, perhaps, Diana felt she was finally connecting to Hashem in a real way, not like in church. “When I chanted the prayers, I felt my soul enveloped by the ancient Hebrew words. I knew I wanted this closeness to Hashem, not the emptiness I had always felt in church.”

Nonetheless, Diana was not going to let this setback deter her from her goal to be a halachically full-fledged Jewess. “There is a beauty in this journey,” she maintains. “I know it’s happening for me not to me. It’s helping me grow. And maybe it happened this way so once I am halachically Jewish, I can help other women in the same situation.”

Looking Forward

The final step to becoming halachically Jewish for Diana, according to her rabbis, Rabbi Dov Mandel, Chabad rabbi in Fort Worth, Texas, and Rabbi Michael Chaim Coffman of Beitar, Israel, is to move to an area that’s within walking distance to a shul. The closest Orthodox area right now from where Diana lives in Arlington, Texas, is Fort Worth, and that’s a 15-minute drive from her. The next closest Orthodox community is in Dallas, and that’s an hour drive from Arlington. Diana is doing what she can to make a move financially feasible as soon as possible. Until then, since she knows she’s not allowed to fully keep Shabbos anyway, she’ll sometimes drive down to Chabad in Fort Worth for shul on Shabbos morning.

Meanwhile, Diana continues to grow in Torah learning and mitzvah observance. The Elucidated Tomer Devorah, a book that discusses Hashem’s 13 Attributes of Mercy has reshaped her, she maintains.

“It’s how I want to walk with Hashem in this world. The more I learn, the more self-aware I become, and the more of a sense of self I have.” For example, she says, “I have a button-down shirt I’ve worn for years, but recently I had the awareness that I’d like to dress more modestly so I buttoned one of the top buttons.” Eating kosher is also being aware of what you’re putting into your body, so Diana pays more attention to proper kashrut certification.

“Is this what Hashem wants me to eat?” she will ask herself. She also lives by the two following mantras: Ain od milvado and gam zu l’tova – there is nothing but Hashem and nothing to fear and it’s all good.

Learning the why of everything, in particular, brings Diana joy.

“It’s so beautiful when you take a physical mitzvah and learn all the deep layers of meaning behind it. The more I learn, the more I realize there’s so much I don’t understand and the more I want to learn. And the more I learn, the more I feel a deeper connection to Hashem and feel His love.”

It wasn’t long before the rabbi agreed to convert her, and Diana changed her name to Eliyana Yael. It was a little longer after that, during Covid, when she started establishing ties with Chabad and began attending classes that she discovered that her Conservative conversion was not valid.

“It was and still is heartbreaking,” Diana admits. “I thought I had done everything right, only to find it all stripped away.”

Where do I belong? What do I have left? What am I doing? were all questions she was left with.

“This experience was a huge challenge for me. I had abandoned a lucrative career and possibly my chance of remarriage for Judaism and still I was not considered Jewish.”

What does bring Diana heartache is the baseless hatred she sometimes observes around her, individuals of one religious community not speaking to people in another religious community because of differences in religious practice.

“How is it that they’re all Jewish (and all Orthodox!) and yet they don’t get along with one another?” she queries. “If we want to bring Moshiach, we have to start truly loving each other.”

Nevertheless, despite all the hardships, twists and bends in the road that she has had (and still has) to endure, Diana maintains, “I believe there is a purpose to it all and ultimately the purpose is to bring more light into this world. Also,” she shares, “there’s a joy in the journey that’s hard to explain to someone who’s always been Orthodox. I think it’s the idea that when you’re searching for something for so long, and then when you finally find it, it’s so beautiful and precious you never want to let it go.”

“When you’re searching for something for so long, and then when you finally find it, it’s so beautiful and precious you never want to let it go.”

WHEN THE MALBEC SMOKES THE RIBS

By Estee Acobas

Dear Teen Talk,

I am feeling so stressed out about a good friend of mine from school who has severe anxiety and depression. I know she is in therapy and is taking medication, but she tells me so much about what she is going through and it sounds extremely hard. I feel so bad for her and think and worry about her a lot. I really want to be there for her and I want to help her but I am not sure what to do and how to handle the whole experience.

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.

Other friends of ours know about it and seem to be dealing with it pretty well, but I feel like I am having a harder time. Her depression and anxiety sometimes scare me and make me uncomfortable. There have been a bunch of times when she spoke to me about what she is experiencing, and it ended up making me feel very down and nervous for a long time after. Also, I am starting to randomly find myself feeling anxious and I wonder if it is because of this. I don’t know how to be a good friend to her while still taking care of me.

-Rena* Dear Rena*,

I am so glad you reached out. This sounds like a very hard situation, and it makes sense that you are stressed. You’re stuck in a very tricky place. It is clear from your words that you understand that both of your needs matter, hers and yours, and your desire to approach this with care and sensitivity is obvious.

Before we even begin, one important thing to remember is that your friend’s mental health is not your responsibility. You are not your friend’s caregiver or her therapist, and although you may want to help, you are not responsible for her well-being, nor are you in control of her situation. Your desire to help your friend is noble and understandable, and there might be some things you can do to support her, but it is very important to know your limited role; this is not your job.

It can be very hard to see someone close to you struggle. Further, it can feel difficult to know

how to balance helping a friend while still taking care of yourself. I will share some ideas that I do believe would be helpful, yet based on what you shared, it sounds like reaching out to a trusted adult would be appropriate. Having someone to talk to can provide you with ongoing support and guidance in terms of the best ways to manage this situation in a healthy way. This can be a school guidance counselor or other mental health professional in your school, who may have the added benefit of knowing your friend and her situation. It can also be your parent. (Although it is not the topic of your question, I feel it necessary to mention that if you believe that your friend may be doing anything to harm herself, or is considering to do so, it is no longer just helpful but essential that you

share this information with a trusted adult who can assist with getting her the help she needs.)

And now for some thoughts and practical ideas…

One thing you seem to want to balance is being there for your friend without having to endure conversations that feel too big and heavy. Listening to your friend when she shares her struggles, especially in a validating way that shows that you are not judging her and that you understand she is going through something difficult, can be extremely supportive. That being said, having repeated lengthy discussions about her depression or rehashing her unpleasant experiences over and over can keep her stuck in her negative mindset and end up making both of you feel worse. Similarly, your friend sharing her experience of anxiety can help her feel heard and understood, and it can help you

understand her experience better, yet if the conversations feel excessive or uncomfortable to you, it is quite possible that the interaction may be feeding her anxiety, not helping it. For these reasons, you do not need to feel guilty about limiting conversations that focus on her mental health. Limits won’t only help you feel some relief, but it would most likely be helpful to her as well and make it easier for you to be available to her more in the long run.

In terms of how to go about setting this kind of boundary, sometimes it is as simple as switching to a different topic or telling her it is not a good time for you to talk. Oftentimes, however, without a real conversation between the two of you, these tactics can possibly come off as dismissive. It can be more effective to talk about the situation openly in a sincere and sensitive manner. This requires forethought and planning. My biggest suggestion is to find a time when you are both in a good mood so your words can be accepted, and she is likely feeling less vulnerable. (It is almost never productive to try to have an important conversation when either person is in the throes of big emotions, but we will leave that discussion for another time.)

In terms of what to say, you might want to enlist the help of an adult to help you find the right words, but the most important aspects are:

-To first express how much you value her friendship;

-To share your care and concern for her, and that you want to be there for her and want her to be able to talk to you about things;

-To share that it is sometimes hard for you to talk with her about her depression and/or anxiety, partially be cause of how deeply you feel her pain (This is the hardest step. Make sure to phrase it in a way that indicates it is a hardship you are having, not a hardship that she is causing);

-To try to come up with some kind of agreement that works for both of you. (Perhaps you can agree to only talk about these topics for 5-10 minutes before shifting to another topic, or a

dresteeaconas@gmail.com.

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.

similar plan that works for both of you);

-To ask what else you can do to help (within healthy and appropriate limits.) You’d be surprised at what simple yet helpful ideas she might have.

Jumping off of that last point, we often don’t realize that talking about things is not the only way to support a friend who is struggling. For

feeling. Whether your anxiety and other uncomfortable feelings are only in reaction to the situation or not, there are proven skills and strategies that can be incredibly helpful.

One of the last things you mentioned was the desire to take care of yourself. This is not only important for your personal emotional

example, offering and encouraging your friend to join you in engaging in fun activities (although they may say no) or even just finding tiny ways to laugh together can be incredibly helpful to someone who is struggling with mental health challenges.

Another point you mentioned is that it seems that you are having a harder time coping than your other friends. Know that there is no right emotional reaction to seeing a friend struggle. The fact that it impacts you so deeply isn’t a bad thing, but it is most definitely a hard thing. This further reinforces the notion that it may be helpful to get support from a trusted adult – in this case, to help you navigate some of the emotions you are experiencing. It is not uncommon for those in close relationships with people struggling with anxiety or depression to start feeling some similar symptoms themselves. As you suspected, this may (at least partially) explain some of the anxiety and discomfort you are

well-being, but, as we know, it is hard to be there for others if we are not taking care of ourselves. Self-care looks different on each person, but some basic needs such as eating and sleeping are relevant for everyone. Taking care of your responsibilities, in addition to having fun and continuing to do things that you enjoy (without guilt), is super important. Also, making sure that you are spending time with other friends and excusing yourself to other spaces when you need a break are ways to care for yourself in this situation as well. One last thing I will mention is that if you find your struggle increasing, professional support becomes even more strongly recommended and an integral aspect of self-care.

I wish you so much hatzlacha while you navigate this situation and hope that you not only find success in coping and supporting (in the ways that truly work for you) but that you experience positive growth through this experience.

Warmly, Estee

It can feel difficult to know how to balance helping a friend while still taking care of yourself.

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

Dating Dialogue

What Would You Do If…

Dear Navidaters,

I love reading your column every Shabbos. I know mostly first-timers write in. I am divorced for a handful of years, and I think

I’m at the point of considering getting married again. I was married to a man who gambled and was a compulsive liar. He would get very nasty to me and the kids, and toward the end of the marriage he developed a drinking problem. I have been in therapy the last four years and am really engaged in my own healing process.

About a year ago and completely out of the blue, I met someone. We were in a singles WhatsApp chat, and he private messaged me. We chatted and exchanged voice notes and the next day he called me and asked me out on a date. Mike is kind and calm. He’s very sweet and treats me very well. We’ve been together now for year. In the beginning, he couldn’t verbalize what he wanted in a relationship, and I wasn’t clear if he ever wanted to remarry. I was very clear and told him that I see a second marriage in my future. He told me he sees that for himself as well. We spoke about the future such as blending families and we even fantasize together about our “one

day” house. Things were going very well, and at our one-year anniversary, I straight out asked him how he sees our relationship and if he wants to get more serious and talk about getting engaged. He looked really surprised and told me he’s not ready to have this conversation. I felt completely shut down and hurt. He explained to me that he eventually does want to get married, but he’s not there yet. I asked him when he sees himself being ready to have this conversation. He told me he loves me, but he doesn’t have the answer to that yet and to try to enjoy the moment more and asked if I can be OK in the moment with him.

I love Mike and I can see myself marrying him one day. I also really don’t like the way that conversation went down. There is something that feels off to me. It feels like he is dangling a future in front of me, and it’s starting to feel like a moving target. I don’t want to lose him, but I also will not wait around forever on some promise of “someday.” To further confuse matters, after this heavy conversation, Mike bought me a beautiful piece of jewelry which feels like a giant consolation engagement ring.

Am I overreacting? How long should I date him? Please keep in mind that dating a second time around is a completely different ballgame than the first time. Do you think he is stringing me along? I don’t want to waste years of my life on a man who has no intention of marrying me. I would love to get your honest opinions on what you think is going on here and what I should do. Thank you!

Atara*

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.

Moderated by Jennifer Mann, LCSW of The Navidaters

The Rebbetzin

Rebbetzin Lisa Babich

Thank you, Atara, for your question.

This is probably something that a lot of people can resonate with: when and how do you go about progressing a relationship to the next level, in this case engagement and marriage?

I have said this before, but I will say it again and that is that communication is key. I know you spoke to him about potential marriage, and you felt shut down after that conversation. Did you ask him why he “isn’t there yet?” There may be deep scars from his first marriage that are stopping him or perhaps confusion on how he feels in the relationship. That would really be my main question. If that is the case, then I would also like to know what he needs in order to get “there”?

As much as he feels he needs time, may-

be there are other blockages occurring that are affecting his ability to commit. Perhaps therapy or guidance can help him overcome the challenges that are keeping him from taking the relationship to the next level.

There will come a point where you will have to decide if you are willing to stick around as his girlfriend or if your need to move forward is just too strong. Sometimes, a break from one another gives each party a little clarity. I don’t like the idea of an ultimatum, especially because people generally don’t like to feel pressured into marrying someone. I would suggest a little hiatus to give each of you the clarity to figure out where you want this to go and what that timeline should look like and how long you are willing to wait.

I know this is a hard situation and a painful one to be in but with communication, a thought-out game plan, and a special dose of siyata dishmaya, I believe you can both come to a point of clarity and resolution.

The Shadchan

Michelle Mond

Thank you for taking the time to reach out to our column. It concerns me that Mike is not comfortable discussing your future. It has been a year, and the both of you have done this before. That is all the more reason to be respectful of the other person’s feelings. He knows that you have gone through emotional upheaval in a past marriage, and a sensitive person would recognize your need for reassurance. Your ex-husband was an addict and a liar. I cannot imagine that Mike is unaware of these details. Knowing your past should make him more sensitive to your future, but it seems he is not quite there.

Just because you see yourself marrying him does not necessarily mean it is meant to be or that it is good for you. Your gut is telling you something is wrong. You must tap into yourself and figure out if this

thought is coming from past trauma and fear or from a reliable source within you. I cannot reiterate enough the importance of going with your gut instinct.

The ball is in his court now, and he bought you a consolation prize, a very nice way to assuage his guilt. You can tell him to keep the ring and that you would like to take a break to figure out your emotions. Tell him that at this point in the relationship you would like to be leaning towards engagement, and since he is not there, you need to reassess. Be open and honest and assert your feelings because they matter. Your wants and needs are valid. Dating

I cannot reiterate enough the importance of going with your gut instinct.

to pass the time in enjoyment is not your goal. Show him you mean business and see where the pieces fall.

Wishing you so much clarity and hatzlacha with this difficult predicament!

The Zaidy

Dr. Jeffrey Galler

Organize your thoughts about the important, mutual benefits of marriage. Then, for the next month or two, gently, yet forcefully and convincingly, discuss these five advantages in your conversa-

tions with Mike:

First, there are major financial benefits. There are advantages in joint home ownership and joint tax returns; in social security, gift, retirement, and estate planning; and in auto, home, and health insurance savings.

And, perhaps he needs reassurance that you are willing to sign a prenup agreement. Maybe he’s too embarrassed to bring up that subject by himself.

Second, there are significant health benefits to marriage. Married men are healthier and live longer than single, widowed, or divorced men.

According to a University of Miami study, “The death

rate for hypertension, heart attacks, and strokes increase for single men who are divorced… However, for divorced men, remarriage offers great health benefits, restoring their health to the level of never-divorced married men.”

Third, married people are actually happier. A Pew Study reported, “Married Americans enjoy greater overall happiness and greater satisfaction… Married people tend to be happier than their single counterparts.”

Pulling It All Together

The Navidaters

Dating and Relationship Coaches and Therapists

Fourth, marriage would benefit your children and his children. Besides the obvious advantages of having a stable home and having stable adult role models, there’s another interesting wrinkle. A parenting website (RaisingChildren.net) notes: “Blended families…can be fun; there are more people around who bring different personalities, interests, and perspectives; and, children in a blended family learn to relate to a wider range of

people, and be more flexible and tolerant.”

Fifth, and finally, in our community, it is definitely marriage, and not unmarried long-term male/female friendships, that are sought after and respected. You both must consider the religious implications and the examples that you are setting for your own children.

So, Atara, be patient, but not too patient, with your boyfriend. After presenting your compelling reasoning to him, if he is not ready to commit after a month or two, it is time for you to say, “Goodbye, Mike,” and move on with your life.

well for you.

D

ear Atara, I am so glad to know that you have taken the steps to take care of yourself and heal. People often do not realize that not only can a divorce be a huge trauma, but the years leading up to the divorce (sometimes the entire marriage) can be traumatic as well. Be proud of yourself for taking time in therapy to work through it all.

I know Mike must be a wonderful person and have tremendous attributes, which is why you want to marry him. It is of grave concern that after a year he is unwilling to have a conversation about your future. It seems to me that he did indeed give you that extravagant gift as a placeholder or a consolation prize. I don’t know what is in Mike’s heart, but it is likely that he doesn’t want to lose you. The fact that he shut down the conversation around engagement and marriage, which is essentially code for his future with you, is deeply

unsettling.

You deserve to be in a relationship with someone who is comfortable talking about your future together. Period. End of story. That reality, unfortunately, does not mean that Mike can give that to you right now. Words are beautiful, but at the end of the day, all we really have is someone’s actions. Telling you to try to enjoy the moment with him is likely his undeveloped way of communicating his truth to you. I don’t know what that truth is, and neither do you...and that is a problem. I can’t figure out Mike and neither can you. But, you can figure out how you are going to move forward.

This situation is not fair. He’s not giving you a timeframe, and he is asking you to be OK sitting in the unknown with

him...about your very own future. He’s likely a good guy who is a little stuck, or he may have no intentions of every remarrying and is indeed stringing you along.

The only way you are going to get answers is by getting very clear and boundaried with Mike; telling Mike what it is that you need.

Mike, I’ve had some time to think over what it is that you need right now. I am not comfortable sitting in the unknown. I don’t need a ring today, but I do need to know that we want the same thing.

If you tell him that you are taking some time off from the relationship while he thinks things over, and give him a timeframe of when you need an answer by, you will get your answer. If Mike wants to marry you (and/or has the capacity to love and commit again), he will not be willing to lose you. If at the end of your time apart, he is willing to lose you because he can’t tell you that he wants a marriage, then he either doesn’t want to marry you or is incapable of commitment – neither of which bode

This relationship feels unbalanced, and there’s a little bit of a game of cat and mouse going on right now. My concern for you should you stay without this getting worked out is that resentment will begin to grow inside of you and you will remain in this shutdown feeling you experienced. To reiterate, you are not asking Mike for a ring and the wedding date. You are asking him if he sees a life for himself with you in it. Healthy couples and healthy relationships have a lot of room and safety to talk about the future. If he hems and haws much longer about your future together, I’m afraid you may not have one. And I don’t want to see you lose the present. You’ve worked too hard, and you deserve to be loved – fully and completely sans eggshells about the future. How can someone be OK in the moment when the moment might be the last one?

I wish you all the best and lots and lots of clarity.

Sincerely, Jennifer

Jennifer Mann, LCSW is a licensed psychotherapist and certified trauma healing life coach, as well as a dating and relationship coach working with individuals, couples, and families in private practice at 123 Maple Avenue in Cedarhurst, NY. 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.

This relationship feels unbalanced, and there’s a little bit of a game of cat and mouse going on right now.

School of Thought

By Etti Siegel

Q:

Dear Etti, My oldest, an 8-year-old boy, says, “It’s too hard” about everything. We mostly hear it during homework time. The only thing is, I don’t think the work is too hard for him! I keep questioning myself, am I in denial? Maybe he has learning issues. But time and time again, I see that he is capable, smart, and can do the work with the right motivation dangling. The rebbe and teacher agree that it does not seem to be a question of ability.

What could be going on?

-Befuddled Parents

A:Dear Befuddled Parents, I can understand why you are confused. Your son only can do a task when he is properly motivated, so it seems it is not a matter of needing help.

The obvious first question is when. When does he say he can’t? Is it when you call him over to do homework when there is a great game going on outside? Is it after a long day at school, and he hasn’t had a chance to eat something and have a break? Maybe watch out for a pattern.

The second question might hit a little close to home. What does he witness? Do you, perhaps, complain while completing tasks you are doing? I agree, “Ugh, more laundry” is how I often feel, too. But when our children hear us complain about tasks, they pick up that message. You don’t have to cheer when you are facing a boring, challenging, or annoying task but watch out for subtle signals you might be sending out to your family towards chores you set out to do.

Sometimes, children who give up easily or refuse to try are children who are uncomfortable or fearful of making a mistake. What messages are they receiving from those around them? Is there a subtle or not so subtle pressure for perfection? A teacher told me she got a message from a parent that “we only get the top marks in our family, so if my son is slipping in any way, please let me know immediately.” That could be incredibly motivating for a child – or a tremendous pressure.

“Growth mindset” is a powerful mindset. Dr. Carol Dwek put out a book that helped us all nod in unison; she called it (ready for the obvious?) Growth Mindset. Basically, having a growth mindset means believing that you can learn and grow and that your brain is capable of learning more. You might not be able to do something

now, but that does not mean you cannot learn it later. Having a fixed mindset means that you believe that how you are is how you will always be, and you cannot learn new things. People with a growth mindset are willing to try. People with a fixed mindset feel trying is useless. A growth mindset can be learned.

To foster a growth mindset, send more obvious messages towards being a “can do” person, taking on tasks, and accepting responsibility. Read books about people with a “can do” attitude, who make mistakes, who put forth effort though it is hard… Model the “can do” attitude. Model that it is OK to make mistakes. Read books about not giving up and the power of yet, a growth mindset concept.

Two oldies but goodies, and some new books:

Little Toot by Hardie Gramatky

The Little Engine That Could by Watty piper

The Fantabulous Brain by Julia Cook Bubble Gum Brain by Julia Cook

The Girl Who Never Made Mistakes by Mark Pett and Gary Rubinstein

The Fantastic Elastic Brain by Joann Deak

The Magical Yet by Angela DiTerlizzi

Another concept you can use is positive framing and empathizing.

Positive framing is when we frame our messages in a positive way. Instead of saying, “Stop kvetching. Just sit down and get the work done,” we could say, “I know

you can do this. Let’s see how quickly you can do it.”

Empathizing is when we acknowledge the complaints. Instead of saying, “Stop saying you can’t and just do the next page,” we could say, “I know you aren’t really in the mood, but it has to be done. I wish you didn’t have homework, but you do. Let’s get it done quickly so we can still have play time/reading time tonight.”

Don’t forget the wellearned praise a child should get after completing the task! “Wow, you did not want to do your homework, but you did it anyway. Good for you! You do work even when you don’t want to. That is so mature!”

These skills should carry over into life. The same methods work for picking up toys, clearing the table, and other tasks your child should be accomplishing at his age.

Occasionally, unrelated to the homework or task that your child struggled with, send positive messages that build your son’s self-perception. Invite him on an errand because you need a mature guy like him to accompany you and you enjoy his company. Ask him to schmooze with you because you enjoy listening to his thoughts and hearing about his day.

Watch him glow and grow!

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.

Thanks for the letter, Etti

Having a growth mindset means believing that you can learn and grow and that your brain is capable of learning more.

Parenting Pearls

Sibling Friendships

By Sara Rayvych, MSEd

There’s an interesting paradox. On one side, we often describe two individuals with a close connection as being “brothers.” We express solidarity and commonality by calling someone “our sister.” On the flip side, we have the common issue of sibling rivalry and the natural friction that can develop within this relationship. We want our children to be lifelong friends, someone they can always count on, yet we see them fight over issues that seem petty to us.

People naturally assume that siblings will be similar in nature and have much in common. This seems logical. After all, they come from a common gene pool and are being raised by similar individuals. Superficially, it makes sense they would have much similarity in both personality and temperament.

The truth is far more complex. Siblings are frequently very different from each other, often with little in common other than facial similarities. Their personalities span the introvert to extrovert range and their temperaments are as different as night and day. Often,

the only thing they have in common is Hashem placing them in the same family. Perhaps we should not be surprised to see friction when such different personalities are housed together. You pick your spouse and your roommates, but you can’t pick your siblings.

It’s both unpleasant and overwhelming for parents to be faced with the frequent bickering that never seems to tire the children. Whether at home or on a special family outing, one good argument can ruin the atmosphere. Shalom in the home is important for everyone’s emotional health – theirs and ours.

We want our children to not only get past the arguments and petty disagreements but to become lifelong friends. Peer relationships may come and go, but family is meant to be forever. It’s a source of pure nachas for parents to see their children working together and supporting each other. It truly is a bracha to know that throughout life you have someone you can count on – no matter the situation.

It’s important to note there is an inherent friction and jealousy that can

easily erupt between siblings. They share space, parents, and resources. While it may not be pleasant, bickering between siblings is expected – especially when the fighting parties are young and immature.

While the arguing isn’t surprising, we still want to do what we can to minimize – and ideally eliminate – this intrusion into our family’s shalom. As parents, there are steps we can take to, with Hashem’s help, enhance the atmosphere in our homes and between our children.

Blended families have unique needs that are beyond the scope of this article and will not be the focus of this week’s discussion.

Setting the Tone

As with most areas, parental attitudes go far, and if we create an environment conducive to togetherness then hopefully they will follow our cues. Alternatively, if we give the message that they’re in a race against each other, then our children will feel that, as well. Sadly, too often adults unintentionally (or

intentionally) create unhealthy competition or feelings of inferiority between children.

One step we can take is to diminish or avoid jealousy. Statements that compare children are inherently problematic. “Your brother finished his homework right away. You haven’t even started.” “Your sister keeps her things organized – look at your mess.”

We also need to be careful not to comment to others within their hearing range. Please note that kids can hear from very far distances when you don’t want them to. For example, telling your spouse, “Why does she always need to be the difficult one?” or “all the teacher’s gave good reports at PTA except Shloimie’s Gemara rebbi.” If it reaches their ears, then it reaches their hearts.

We want to avoid showing favoritism to some children over others. Unfortunately, children can easily feel miffed or jealous from even the slightest provocations. At times, one child is needier – physically, emotionally or otherwise – than another and will require more of our attention; this is common and un-

avoidable. Still, we want to ensure that our other children aren’t feeling neglected or less important, as challenging as that may be. Making time for our children and an effort to connect with them can go a long way towards showing our love for them is no less.

It’s important to point out that to be fair we don’t need to be equal. To prevent negative feelings, some parents will ensure each child gets everything the same. While well intentioned, each child is unique and has their own needs. While we certainly shouldn’t lavish gifts exclusively on one child, we shouldn’t go to the nth degree to make sure everything is perfectly matched. Just like we wouldn’t get a tutor for each child just because one is having reading challenges, it’s not beneficial to ensure everything is equivalent. We want to provide each child with their individual needs, and giving all children the exact same thing will never accomplish that goal.

Create Shared Experiences

We can foster positive feelings and commonality by giving shared experiences, when possible. While we certainly don’t want to force our children to fit the same mold, providing opportunities

to do things together allows our children to create more bonds, ones based on mutual interests and enjoyment.

Sports are very popular and a great way for kids to have fun together as long as they can do so without any negative competitiveness. While there are definitely children that will tantrum if they lose or gloat if they win, many

er will do. When you find a game they enjoy playing without fighting, you have found a fabulous way for them to bond.

Shared projects are another creative outlet children enjoy doing together. STEM or engineering projects will appeal to some, while arts and crafts may excite others. Building models of wood or Legos or a large carpentry project

joyable will work, and each sibling pair may need something different. For example, my little guys enjoy coloring together. My teenage boys would find such an activity embarrassing, but they may enjoy a chavrusa or sports game together. Some children may need a little gentle encouragement, but siblings really can be amazing playmates. The key is to keep our parental eyes open, being mindful of this need and suggesting something appropriate.

Of course, we shouldn’t forget to daven and ask for Divine assistance. Sometimes we may feel that only a miracle can bring siblings together, but Hashem specializes in nissim.

others enjoy playing together regardless of whether they win or lose. Certain games, such as playing catch, shooting hoops and other activities, are more fun when played with a buddy.

Board games and other similar activities are another great way for kids to connect with each other. While cooperative games actively foster an environment conducive to connection, any game that siblings enjoy playing togeth-

will all keep kids engaged and encouraged to work together.

There are many classes and events available locally. Our community has everything from physical fitness to Shabbos learning programs. From personal experience I can say that having our children together, learning and having fun, really created a sense of camaraderie.

Any activity they find mutually en-

The bond between siblings can be very strong and one that lasts a lifetime. May Hashem grant us shalom between our children and nachas from seeing love and friendship develop between them.

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

Peer relationships may come and go, but family is meant to be forever.

Health & F tness

Protect Your Skin with Good Nutrition

By Aliza Beer MS, RD, CDN

With winter approaching and the weather getting colder, we are much more prone to dry and cracked skin which can be painful! Skin is the body’s largest organ, and it plays an important role in protecting us against germs and regulating body temperature, as well as enabling us to feel sensations such as touch. Skin contributes greatly to the maintenance of our health and therefore protecting it so that it can perform its functions is critical.

Nutrition plays an important role in the maintenance of our skin. There are multiple nutrition related risk factors that may contribute to the development of unhealthy skin and examples of these include dehydration, low body weight, being malnourished, inadequate food or fluid intake. Monitoring these risk factors and maintaining an optimal nutritional status may help to mitigate against potential damage.

Protein and Energy

Nutrition facilitates wound healing

and helps to ensure that a scab will form when we cut or damage our skin. The wound healing process consists of four stages: homeostasis (blood clotting), inflammation, proliferation, and maturation. Each stage differs slightly in their required nutrients. Both protein and sufficient energy provision is needed at each stage. Healthy individuals should strive to consume 0.8g of protein per kg of weight per day. These requirements will increase as we age or with underlying health conditions.

Examples of healthy protein sources include fish, lean meat, nuts, seeds, legumes, and low-fat high protein dairy products (i.e. Greek yogurt). Inadequate overall caloric intake results in the depletion of our bone and muscle mass, which impairs the body’s ability to gain enough energy to function and perform processes such as wound healing. When our skin breaks, it places a greater demand on the body’s repair processes, and therefore ensuring we consume enough protein and calories is critical.

Vitamins and Minerals

Vitamins and minerals are also important to maintaining skin integrity.

Vitamin K

Vitamin K greatly contributes to the blood clotting phase of wound healing. Vitamin K can be found in leafy greens, such as kale and spinach, as well as broccoli, Brussels sprouts and asparagus.

Vitamin C

Vitamin C is important for the immune response when we damage our skin. Vitamin C contributes to the production of white blood cells which help to fight off infection and contribute to healing. Foods high in vitamin C include citrus fruits, tomatoes, strawberries, broccoli, and bell peppers. Adding lemon to a fish dish such as baked salmon with leafy greens is a great way to promote skin health by providing protein, vitamin C and vitamin K. As the body strives to heal our skin, it causes inflammation to occur, and while this is necessary, it

also places increased stress on our bodily cells and organs.

B Vitamins

The B-complex vitamins such as vitamin B12 and vitamin B6 play a critical role in mediating these inflammatory processes. Vitamin B12 is mostly found in meat and fish and fortified products such as cereal and milk. Individuals on a vegan diet should consider vitamin B12 supplements and monitor their vitamin B12 levels via a blood test as vitamin B12 is mostly found in animal products. Vitamin B6 may be found in foods such as bananas, spinach, avocado, eggs, meat, fish, and sunflower seeds.

Vitamin A

Vitamin A, which can be found in foods such as sweet potatoes, carrots, pumpkins, and cantaloupe, plays a critical role in the formation of mature skin cells. This allows for the formation of a scab and the healing of our skin after damage occurs.

Minerals

Minerals, including iron, zinc, copper, selenium, manganese and folate, are also needed to keep our skin strong and healthy. These can be found in foods such as organ meat, fish, leafy greens (spinach and kale) and chia seeds. Monitoring your vitamin and minerals levels through a blood test will help to ensure that deficiencies do not occur and will help to maintain optimum skin health.

Antioxidants and Aging

Our skin is constantly at risk of oxidative damage through stressors in the environment such as UV and pollution, which contribute towards aging. Antioxidants can help to combat against the cellular damage that may occur from this exposure. Foods high in antioxidants are typically the most colorful, such as berries, beets, tomatoes, sweet potato, kale and dark chocolate. Consuming a diet high in antioxidants helps to protect our skin integrity and has powerful anti-aging benefits. Due to the power of antioxidants such as vitamin C, vitamin E, and Vitamin A (Retinol), they are often found in dermatologically tested skin care products that are used for anti-aging.

Vitamin D vs UV

Vitamin D, which is mostly obtained through sunlight, is critical to maintaining optimal skin health; however, increased sunlight exposure may result in skin damage due to UV. It is important to be aware of both the benefits and risks of sitting in the sun and to apply sunscreen. Vitamin D may also be found in small quantities in the diet

drated, you may notice dark circles under your eyes and your skin may become itchy and tight. Pinching your skin is an easy way to determine your hydration status. Take a small portion of your skin and squeeze it tightly. If you notice wrinkling or your skin doesn’t bounce back when you release it, you are likely dehydrated. Drinking fluids frequently throughout the day such as

Lunch/dinner

• Salmon + leafy green salad + sweet potato

• Avocado toast with poached egg and tomato salad

• Tuna sandwich on whole grain bread and broccoli soup

• Grilled tempeh with vegetables Snack

• Avocado chocolate mousse

• Carrots + hummus

• Chia seed pudding

• Apple and all natural almond butter

• Mixed berry smoothie

• Dark chocolate almonds

such as in egg yolk, salmon, and vitamin D fortified cereal and milk. It is important to speak to your doctor regarding advice on the balance between gaining enough vitamin D from sunlight to protect your skin but also not incurring damage from the UV.

Fluids

Drinking enough fluid and preventing dehydration is also critical to maintaining optimal skin health. When you are dehy-

water or warm tea in this cold weather will help you meet your fluid recommendations and promote healthy skin.

Healthy Skin Meal Examples

Breakfast

• Low-fat, high protein Greek yogurt + berries + honey + chia seeds

• Fruit platter + cottage cheese

• Toasted bagel with lox & low-fat, high protein cream cheese

Protecting our skin is critical to maintaining our overall health and ensuring that our organs can function properly and maintaining optimal nutritional status is key. Ensuring your diet contains enough protein and energy, as well as being high in antioxidants and the vitamins and minerals discussed, will contribute to this.

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.

Consuming a diet high in antioxidants helps to protect our skin integrity and has powerful anti-aging benefits.

Fd for Thought

The Top 8 Sufganiyot from Sesame

By Nati Burnside

The changing of the clocks and the wearing of winter coats can only mean one thing: it’s time for Chanukah. And Chanukah means it’s time to exceed our usual calorie quotas for a week or so.

With apologies to those who prefer to focus on the wonderfulness that is the latke, I’m really more focused on the sufganiyot. Every year seems to bring an expanding number of varieties as this culinary specimen gets more and more elaborate. And while every year seems to bring more vendors to the market, a clear frontrunner has arisen over the last few years.

Chaim Zorger opened Sesame, a bake shop and cafe, in Flatbush in 2016 and decided to start making sufganiyot for Chanukah of 2017. A second location opened in Boro Park in 2019, right around the time when their name was becoming ubiquitous in the fervent discussion around deluxe sufganiyot. Before last Chanukah, the decision was made that the sensation that was Sesame sufganiyot really needed to branch out from the borough of Brooklyn. That led to the fortnight-long seasonal popup locations that Sesame now operates in both the Five Towns and Lakewood.

Sesame is known for outstanding, but not outrageous, doughnuts. Their sufganiyot don’t have massive piles of things stacked six inches high atop the base. They’ve got a filling (usually

a generous amount), a coating of some kind (powdered sugar or icing), and something sprinkled on top (sprinkles, crumbs, chocolate chips, etc.). They’ve actually reduced their flavors from last

evenly filled their pastry is. Given that all of these are filled by hand, variability is certainly an issue, but Sesame uses the preferred method of filling from the side, and their staff is very good at what

their phone, so don’t even try. You can contact them via WhatsApp if you’d like to place a large order but be warned that there’s a ten-dozen minimum.

year as they focus on creating the most well-curated menu you can find.

So what’s the craze all about if it’s not crazy additions stacked to the sky?

The dough is probably the star of the show. The Sesame dough is on the heavier side of the sufganiyah spectrum, but considering the texture, that’s a good thing. When you bite into one, you’ll be slightly reminded of one of those challahs that’s only 95% baked. The chewy, spongy, and moist dough is tasty but not too sweet to allow the fillings and icings to accomplish that goal.

The fillings may all be different, but one thing that is almost always the same is that there’s an ample amount inside your sufganiyah. A common pet peeve for devotees of the doughnut is how

they do.

The only downside to Sesame sufganiyot is how small your window is to acquire them. While some places have their sufganiyot available for as many as three or even four weeks, Sesame only has their full menu available for two. Some might think that the popularity would cause them to have greater availability. In fact, it’s the opposite.

Sesame has their staff making sufganiyot 24 hours a day, six days a week (Shabbat has never been more necessary), for those two weeks producing tens of thousands of sufganiyot. That kind of system is hard to sustain for as long as they would like to, so the dates are limited to two weeks. Additionally, during that time, they don’t pick up

By the time you read this article, Sesame will have their full menu available. But with more than a dozen options, which ones do you get? Lucky for you, I was invited to try them all. So, here’s a countdown with a seasonally appropriate numeral that will help you fill one of those iconic black and yellow boxes.

TOP 8 SESAME SUFGANIYOT

8. Raspberry

Let’s start with a classic.

While other varieties may have cropped up on the scene, make sure you grab at least one of the originals. It’s a regular jelly doughnut with powdered sugar and some colored icing so you can tell it apart from the others.

Yes, it’s basic. Yes, get one anyway.

7. Lotus

This is an entry filled with cookie butter. “Lotus” is a product name of Biscoff, but the brand is unrivaled and “Lotus” is shorter. Anyway, this sufganiyah also features Lotus-flavored frost-

The chewy, spongy, and moist dough is tasty but not too sweet to allow the fillings and icings to accomplish that goal.

ing and Lotus cookie crumbs on top.

I really like Lotus flavoring, so this works for me. But be warned that this isn’t for the faint of heart.

6. Pistachio

This was the biggest surprise for me. It turns out that the pistachio cream filling wasn’t too strong (despite its deep green color) for someone who doesn’t love pistachios. It also has pistachio frosting and small pieces of nuts on the top.

The nuts provided a nice crunch, and the earthy flavor was a very interesting contrast to many of the other offerings. As one of the more unique choices, if this interests you, make sure you get one.

5. Blueberry

An interesting twist on the classic

jelly doughnut, this is a sufganiyah with blueberry filling, a powdered sugar outside, and a few streaks of blue icing to denote its contents.

The deep, slightly acidic blueberry flavor is a real treat and provides a nice change of pace while still having the classic powdered sugar outside that might remind you of a simpler time when there weren’t quite as many choices to make in this space.

4. Nutella

With chocolate glaze and some pearls of both milk and white chocolate on top, this sufganiyah is filled with the dairy chocolate hazelnut spread that has become a fairly popular ingredient in desserts recently.

Much like the Lotus, be prepared to bite into something that has a sizable amount of filling and therefore isn’t sub -

tle at all. But if you love Nutella, you’ll love this.

3. Dulce de Leche

You might also call this “dairy caramel” or “ribat chalav ” depending on where you’re from, but whatever you want to call it, this sufganiyah is great. Dulce de leche is made by heating milk and sugar together until they caramelize. This makes for a creamy caramel flavor which goes perfectly in a doughnut.

While they also offer a pareve caramel, I’d suggest this one as the creaminess works beautifully with the chocolate icing and chocolate chips.

2. Peanut Butter

There are plenty of people who rank peanut butter as their favorite food in the world – and I think one of them may

have designed this doughnut.

With a super-sticky peanut butter filling that is capable of welding your jaw shut for the foreseeable future, make sure that you have a beverage on hand. The peanut butter filling is paired with…you guessed it, peanut butter frosting.

1. White Chocolate

The best way to describe the filling of this sufganiyah is that it defies the laws of matter. It is somehow the texture of melted chocolate while at room temperature.

The doughnut also sports white chocolate icing to boot. Sure, the flavor is a strong one, but if you’ve ever wanted to dunk a doughnut in white chocolate fondue without the risk of burning yourself on a heat source…well, this is your chance.

Five Towns Pop Up (Slushology)

346 Central Avenue, Lawrence, NY 11559

8:00am-8:00pm

Sesame - Boro Park 5024 13th Avenue

Sesame - Flatbush 1540 Coney Island Avenue

Lakewood Pop Up 1797 Avenue of the States

The Giving Table

Naomi Ross Talks About How Food Can Connect and Elevate Our Lives

By SuSan Schwamm

Naomi, you just wrote your first cookbook, The Giving Table . Can you give us a little background on Naomi Ross and how you got into cooking and recipe creation?

This has been what I’d call a grassroots process. I didn’t start out 19 years ago saying I’m going to be a cookbook author. I always loved cooking. I always loved food. I had little aspirations that were more of just in the back of my head, but nothing seemed real. I certainly had no trajectory or professional aspirations. I really started this as a community service, to be honest. I was living in Boston at the time. I was newly married myself. I was expecting my second child, and my husband had said to me, “You should really do something with this,” because he saw I was good at it. But I said, “What am I going to do with these skills?” I never went to cooking school. Should I open a restaurant? It just seemed impractical, and I sort of forgot about it and put it away in the back of my head.

Then, around six months later, I was in shul and there were these four newly married young ladies all basically standing around commiserating with each other that they didn’t know how to cook and they were completely overwhelmed in the kitchen. I went over to them, and I said, “You know what? I could help you. Would you like me to put something together? I could do a class with you.”

It was really just meant to be as a help for them. I didn’t charge them. I put together a two-part crash course, not just on cooking, but also incorporating tips and techniques on running a Jewish home and a kosher kitchen and kitchen management skills – the stuff that is not in cookbooks, the stuff that you learn the hard way on your own.

We did this two-part course and they loved it. I was really fired up about it. But I realized that the only problem with the course was that it was too short. And so I extended it and expanded it to four classes. And I started running these courses in Boston. I ran them a few times, and I was very, very excited about it. I felt passionate about it.

When I moved back to New York, I continued doing these classes here. Although the demographic is slightly different, I saw that there was this same need. The need

was more for people who needed inspiration, for people who needed help that never really ever got it. They were already married for a bunch of years, but they just weren’t that good in the kitchen, or they were relying a lot on purchased food because they just didn’t have the time or the abilities to prepare food for their families.

Eventually, I started getting involved with the JCC teaching classes, and I started teaching for other institutions. And one thing led to another, and the more I was asked to teach, the more I had to learn and the more I had to prepare myself and become more proficient in different subjects so I can feel confident giving over these skills.

And then people started asking me to write for publications. Well, I always liked writing, and that was a very nice outlet for me my whole life. So I started doing food articles, and then it just progressed, progressed. At a certain point, I asked my husband, “When did I start working?”

whole gamut of cooking basics, from stock making to pastry to all different subjects. That has kept me busy.

A few years ago, before I started working on the book, I took a job working as a culinary director for Apron Masters. I did that for two years.

When did this idea for the book germinate in your mind?

In my head, once I got started with the writing, it became for sure a dream to write a book. But this definitely started germinating many years ago. I spent the whole summer just doing the cookbook proposal, and it took me two years to find a publisher. So it definitely has taken several years to come to fruition. But I had many different ideas over the years of what my book was going to look like. And I always had this idea of fusing together Torah and Torah ideals, like spirituality, with food.

This was never in the game plan.

Right. It just sort of evolved. And as my kids got older, I took on more responsibilities and more jobs. When they were very little, it was very super part- time. My focus was them, and I fitted in where and how I could. And then, as the years went on, it became more serious and more of an actual profession. And then I started developing much bigger coursework, like curriculums for institutions and programs that were longer, not just one-off classes, but semester long courses. And I did a bunch of those for different institutions – I’m still doing those.

Ultimately, these are all of the ideas about food and cooking that I had presented to students over the years, trying to give them a holistic, spiritual feeling about the fact that it’s not just the food you’re making, it’s also the energies and love that you’re putting into your food. It’s what you’re doing with your food. Food is a vehicle. It’s a facilitator for what you’re trying to accomplish. There’s a theme running through my book of what motivates us with our cooking and our food. And that really comes down to how we give with our food. It took me a little while to refine and crystallize the idea and how to run the theme throughout the book.

You wrote in the book that at one point, you were in Bobby Flay’s restaurant. Tell us more about that.

What do those classes focus on?

They’re recreational classes. You can have one-off class on pasta making or Indian cuisine. I did a bunch of these kinds of one-off classes for 10 years at Five Towns JCC. But these classes are a 10-week, a 12-week, a 15week semester. These are for people who are not just tinkering around. They may have some semi-professional aspirations or maybe they want to really up their game. In these classes, I’m able to extend it to cover a

There were different points over the years that I felt that in order to be able to teach well, I needed to improve and raise myself in terms of my own knowledge. I did that in several ways. I talk about it in the book.

In terms of Bobby Flay, in two of his restaurants, they allowed me to do what’s called trailing. It’s basically when you show up, and they let you basically work for free. It’s not an easy thing to do. You have to have some kind of a foot in the door, a connection, to get you in.

How pressurizing was it to be in that environment?

It was definitely very, very intense. We’re not talking about just your average Joe trade restaurant. His restaurants are of the top tier restaurants. There’s no fooling around. And you have to know how to step out of the way during busy time, at dinner service. And you need to figure out how you can step in at the right times. The workers there were very nice to me, but they had no idea why I was there. When they found out that I had a family, I had a life, I eat dinner with children and a husband, they were like, “So, what do you want to do here? Why are you here?”

Being in the restaurant world as a chef or even a sous chef – that’s your life. You don’t have time for anything else. So, they wanted to know what I was there for. It was hard for me to explain to them, but really, I came to learn. I came for was knowledge. I came to be able to take the lessons of how an efficient restaurant kitchen is run and how professionals do things. Why don’t the home cooks have that knowledge? Why don’t we run our kitchens in such an efficient way? Why? Because we don’t have to get dinner service on. Right? But we do, in a way.

applied to this dish, this dish, and this dish. And this chicken stock is going to be applied to this dish, this dish, and this dish. And in order to make their food sing and in order to make their food stand out, it’s a layering of flavors and it’s a layering of signature building blocks. Now, at home, we don’t have the time and we certainly don’t have the staff to do it. But those lessons definitely permeated into my own kitchen and how I teach people. Now, I’m not thinking when I start my week in terms of just this one recipe, but I’m thinking about all the total amount of dishes I’m making this week and how I can try to simplify and break down the tasks so that I can use them for different things. I can repurpose my food so I’m spending more efficient time in the kitchen.

more you can have esteem about what you’re serving.

Part of my experience of being in restaurant kitchens made me feel like if we view ourselves not as a short order cook, but rather as the executive chef of our house, then we will feel differently about what our role is in providing nourishment for our families.

What are some lessons that you learned from being behind the scenes at Bobby Flays’s restaurants?

By the way, I didn’t do it just at Bobby Flays’s restaurant. Chef David Kolotkin and I had become good friends because he allowed me to do it at Prime Grill when he was the executive chef there, and he’s great. We’re hoping to do a class together at De Gustibus.

There are different people and places that let me do it over the years, and I think it changed me and it changed the way I taught and cooked. The home cook thinks about the specific recipe that they’re making in that day and in that moment, and that’s where it starts and that’s where it ends. But that’s not how restaurants or chefs operate. They’re thinking about a much wider scope of everything in components, everything in building blocks. When they’re making a pesto, but it’s not the pesto that’s just for this recipe. This pesto is going to be

Your book seems so unique because it incorporates different concepts that not every other cookbook incorporates. In between chapters you mention what to send to a shiva house or to a young mother, connecting the food to our spiritual and seasonal lives.

I think it’s a very genuine mix of both practical and meaningful and spiritual. I tried to make it a mix of those things in terms of the segments in between the chapters. Originally, my original vision for the book was going to be all the chapters were going to be thematic. I felt like the book would read wonderfully that way because it was all conceptual – chapter one: Cooking for a Crowd; chapter two: Shabbos Cooking; chapter three: Weeknight Suppers. Ultimately, when we cook, we’re cooking for a specific purpose or reason. But I wanted the book to be user-friendly, and so I reformatted the book, and I was able to weave my concepts in between the chapters to keep it user-friendly, which I think worked well.

My hope is that I can help to build the home cook’s confidence in terms of knowledge and skill building with the step-by-steps in my book, with QR codes for difficult skills, with all the organizational tips that I offer. It’s always been my philosophy with teaching that the more you’re good at what you do, the better you can get it done with less stress. The more you’re good at what you do and you feel good about what you’re presenting, the

Food also provides us opportunities to give outwards, which is so important. There’s a segment in the book about what I did during Covid called the #soupgivingchallenge. It’s in the soup section. I wanted to be able to reach out and build social connections with people during Covid. I felt like everyone was very isolated, but we were all so taxed during the quarantine with just day-to-day living that I didn’t have the time to make whole meals for other people. But I realized that could add an extra potato or some extra stocks to my soup. At the very least, I can make a quart of soup once a week and just send it to somebody that I know needs one.

Each week we would try to think about somebody who was going through a hard time, who was sick, who was just alone during Covid and I dropped off a quart of soup by them. And it was such an eye opener because what I realized was, I’m terrible at keeping up with people on my phone. But when I knocked on the door with a quart of soup in my hands, it was a good excuse. It was a good facilitator to start a conversation with someone who I wouldn’t normally be checking up on.

I feel like if I can give a message that food is not just a functional – obviously, Hashem made it taste good so that we could enjoy it and elevate what He gave us in this world as nourishment. If He wanted our nourishment to be tasting like nothing, He could have made it that way. But we have the ability to make it attractive and tasty because we can use it to elevate things. In the same way, we’re able to view it hopefully as a tool and a facilitator to draw people in, to draw people around the table, to make it an inviting place to be. Why not get takeout dinners every Friday night? A lot of people do, but you’ll never convince me that it has the same enticement to draw people around the table. And then what happens? The conversations happen. Once you get them at the table,

then the conversations happen.

“If we view ourselves not as a short order cook, but rather as the executive chef of our house, then we will feel differently about what our role is in providing nourishment for our families.”

I’m sure every recipe is so close to your heart because you put so much effort and thought into them. What are three to four recipes that you really urge people to try if they’re going to open up this book and start somewhere?

That’s a very hard question. A lot of the recipes in the book the reader will find are ethnic or international in terms of the style of the cuisine. Part of the reason for that is because of all the international classes I taught over the years at JCCs or different places. They ended up allowing me to develop a repertoire of more ethnic recipes. I think that’s a big feather in the cap of the book. But there are also some very “non-ethnic” recipes that are also close to my heart that are in the book.

I guess for the adventurous person who wants to expose themselves to different flavors and tastes, then I would say the Chicken Tikka Masala is something that you’re not going to find in any average kosher cookbook. That was the recipe that I adapted for kosher, because, generally, the chicken is marinated in yogurt. I found that coconut yogurt works very well, and especially in terms of the flavorings, was complimentary. So that’s for somebody who’s, I would say, adventurous and does not mind spending time in the kitchen. My challah recipe is not adventurous. It’s just a great challah recipe.

I made a little bit more adult with some rum.

It’s funny – I also recognize a lot about my cooking styles by writing the book at a certain point, I said to my husband, “I put alcohol in everything.” I feel that the alcohol just intensifies the flavors.

their doctor because it’s not sugar-free. It has Medjool dates and a touch of honey and the flavor of unsweetened chocolate. That was hard to get right, but I wanted very much for there to be something for people who were watching their sugar or who don’t want to rely solely on refined sugar.

You mentioned the Murgi Chicken that has so many different spices. What are spices that you go to time and time again in your cooking?

I definitely use a lot of thyme. I had taught a bunch of Indian classes that were, I would say, unique in the kosher world because there weren’t so many people teaching Indian cooking at that time. So that opened up my nostrils to a whole different array of whole and ground spaces. After learning that cuisine a bit, it definitely made me much more prone to using an array of both sweet and pungent spices that I wasn’t using before. A lot of coriander, a lot of cumin, turmeric… all those I guess you could call them ethnic spices but they definitely opened up my world to different flavors. Also, in that cuisine, they use a mixture of whole and ground spices. You can build a huge amount of flavor by infusing with whole spices or even mixing the two.

What do you usually prepare for your family for Chanukah?

It might turn people off for me to say that I basically smell like oil the whole week.

That’s great. It’s in the spirit. I love it!

My house smells like a fast food restaurant the whole week because I’m just frying the whole week. But there are some very nice Chanukah friendly recipes. I have a set of menus in the back of the book, and there’s actually a nice Chanukah menu back there.

What are some other “easy-peasy” recipes – as you put it – that you have in the book that you feel people need to try?

One of the simplest recipes in the book are the umami green beans. They are a five-minute recipe. They’re very, very easy. You throw it on a sheet pan and roast. Super easy. The Murgi Chicken is basically schnitzel, but it first has a very flavorful marinade that it sits in, and it is by far the best schnitzel. The marinade is a mixture of onions and turmeric and ginger and garlic, and it soups up the flavor. So everybody loves that. And what are the other easy recipes? There are some things that seem hard, that are not hard. The Chocolate Rum Puddings, in my opinion, are a weeknight treat. They’re dairy, and they’re just delicious. It’s not really fussy, and they’re just, I would say, a childhood favorite that

I also tried to make the recipes very accessible for different kinds of diets, not just from an array of ethnic flavors. But over the years of teaching, I’ve seen that there are so many special diets that people follow. I tried to make sure there was something in it for everyone in terms of gluten-free, sugar-free, or low sugar. I definitely have the awareness about that. One of the hardest recipes in the entire book was the gluten-free challah. It took me many, many years of work on that. It’s a hard recipe to get right.

There’s also a recipe for low sugar chocolate date muffins. That was a recipe I started working on a lot of years ago when I was doing an alternative sugar class for the JCC. The original recipe I worked on was really not that great, I’ll admit. It’s very hard once you’re playing with the chemistry of baking and you take sugar out. Sugar adds huge amounts of texture. So, I worked with that, and that recipe took me a lot of times to get right, but it is definitely a low-sugar recipe. I put a disclaimer on the bottom that diabetics should check with

I make an array of latkes. The latke recipe I put in the book is only one of many recipes for latkes that I make at home. But I wanted to have a nice variety, so I only put one in the book. We also make doughnuts, but I didn’t put that in the book. The shiitake vegetable egg rolls are delicious, and they are a treat as a fried item. The Fried Caprese Skewers are also a very nice treat for a Chanukah party. For that recipe, there are frying tips for frying cheese because a lot of people can get challenged with that. Another great recipe for Chanukah is the Baked Brie. It’s very easy. If you can get a good wheel of Brie, like from the Cheese Guy, you won’t have any leftovers.

You may have noticed that my dairy section is tremendously big in the book. I enjoy cooking dairy dishes. And I really had to narrow down the section, to be honest.

Naomi, I’m really excited to start using your cookbook. I love what you did in terms of highlighting the wholesomeness of food and the way food connects with us physically and spiritually and joins family and people together.

“It’s a genuine mix of the practical and meaningful and spiritual.”

A Taste of The Giving Table

By Naomi Ross

Murgi Chicken

“Murgi” is Hindi for “chicken” — but I didn’t know that when an old friend taught me this method in college. All I knew was that it was the most flavorful crispy chicken cutlets I had ever tasted. A potent marinade makes all the difference to impart flavor underneath a sturdy triple breading. This recipe stretches and doubles easily. You can also cut the chicken into smaller strips and make the best chicken fingers ever!

Serves 4-6 / Freezer Friendly

Ingredients

◊ 1 medium onion, quartered ◊ 2 teaspoons chopped fresh ginger (about a 1-inch piece) ◊ 2 cloves garlic ◊ ½ teaspoon ground turmeric ◊ ½ teaspoon kosher salt ◊ ¼ teaspoon black pepper ◊ 4–6 boneless chicken breasts (cutlets) ◊ ¼ cup all-purpose flour ◊ 2 eggs, beaten ◊ 1 cup cornflake crumbs ◊ ½ cup corn or peanut oil, or more as needed

Preparation

1 . Prepare the marinade: In a food processor, process the onion, ginger, garlic, and spices until pureed.

2 . Pound chicken breasts thin until they have an even thickness (cutlets should be not more than ½-inch thick).

3 . Marinate: Place chicken breasts in a large bowl with the onion mixture; turn to coat well. Cover and marinate for 2–3 hours in the refrigerator.

4 . Breading: Remove chicken from marinade. Dredge in flour, then beaten eggs, then cornflake crumbs; place in a single layer on a plate or sheet pan until frying time.

5

. Fry: Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until hot (a crumb should sizzle upon contact). Fry cutlets about 3–4 minutes per side (depending on size and thickness) or until breading is golden brown, flipping once during cooking. Drain on a rack or paper towels. Serve and enjoy!

Cook’s Note: If making ahead, refresh in a single layer uncovered in a 350°F oven to re-crisp breading.

Fish Variation: Murgi Fish is delicious too! Use the same marinade and breading on your favorite white-fleshed fish like cod or tilapia. Marinate fish only up to 30 minutes.

The Carnivore’s Lasagna

The meat sauce used in this recipe is versatile and hearty — a perfect winter’s meal, whether used in lasagna or for topping pasta or gnocchi. While not “mandatory,” adding layers of bechamel sauce (white sauce) commonly used in traditional meat lasagnas lends creaminess and helps to bind the layers of the lasagna.

Serves 6-8 / Freezer Friendly

Ingredients

◊ 1 (16-ounce) package lasagna noodles

Meat Ragù

◊ 2 (28-ounce) cans peeled Italian plum tomatoes

◊ 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

◊ 1 medium onion, finely chopped

◊ 1 carrot, finely chopped

◊ 1 stalk celery, finely chopped

◊ 2 cloves garlic, minced

◊ ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes

◊ 1 teaspoon kosher salt, or more to taste

Bechamel Sauce

◊ 4 tablespoons margarine or butter substitute

◊ 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour

◊ 2 cups oat or soy milk

◊ 1–1¼ pounds ground beef

◊ 1–1¼ pounds ground veal

◊ 8–10 large fresh basil leaves, chopped, or 1 teaspoon dried basil

◊ ¾ teaspoon oregano

◊ 2–3 teaspoons sugar, or more to taste

◊ Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

◊ ½ cup white wine

◊ 1 teaspoon salt

◊ ½ teaspoon pepper

◊ ¼ teaspoon nutmeg

Preparation

1 . Prep lasagna: Boil lasagna noodles al dente according to the package’s instructions. (If preparing in advance, rinse with cold water. Drain and set aside.)

stirring occasionally, for about 40 minutes. Stir in the wine (and fresh basil, if using), and continue cooking for another 20 minutes, or until sauce is thickened. (For a heartier, thicker sauce, continue cooking for an additional 30–45 minutes.) Season to taste with more salt and pepper as needed.

6

. Degrease: If there is excess fat on the surface, skim off with a spoon or use a paper towel to blot and remove fat.

7

. While ragù cooks, prepare Bechamel Sauce: Melt margarine in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add flour and cook, stirring with a wooden spoon until a light brown paste forms (the roux), about 2 minutes.

8

. Whisking constantly, slowly add the oat milk, salt, pepper, and nutmeg, and continue to cook, stirring occasionally, until thickened — 5–7 minutes. Remove from the heat. Place a piece of plastic wrap or waxed paper directly on the surface of the sauce to prevent skin from forming; set aside.

9

2

. For ragù: Place tomatoes in a large bowl and crush them into small pieces with your fingers (or pulse in a food processor); set aside.

3 . Heat the olive oil in a wide, deep skillet or Dutch oven over mediumhigh heat. Add the onion and sauté until translucent, about 3–4 minutes.

Add the carrot, celery, garlic, pepper flakes, and salt; cook, stirring occasionally, until tender, about 5 minutes.

4 . Add the ground beef and veal, stirring constantly to break up the meat into small bits. Continue stirring until all of the meat is browned (no longer pink).

5 . Add the tomatoes, dried basil (if using fresh, add in later with wine), oregano, sugar, and black pepper, and heat until the sauce begins to simmer. Reduce the heat to low, and continue to simmer, uncovered,

. Assemble: Preheat oven to 375°F . Grease a 9x13-inch lasagna pan with nonstick cooking spray. Ladle about 1 cup of the meat sauce onto the bottom of the pan. Spread evenly and place 5 lasagna sheets over the sauce, overlapping each one to form a layer. Ladle a generous layer of the meat sauce over the noodles (about 2–3 cups) and spread evenly. Drizzle a layer of the Bechamel Sauce over the meat sauce (about ¾ cup) and cover with another layer of noodles. Repeat with sauces and a final third layer of noodles. Cover with remaining sauces and spread evenly. Cover with foil and bake for 30–35 minutes. Serve and enjoy!

Do Ahead: Meat ragù can be made 5–6 days in advance and can be frozen for up to three months.

Short on Time? No-boil lasagna sheets can be used as well. If using, do not cook meat ragù for extra time to thicken (the noodles will absorb the extra moisture).

Sweet Potato Latkes

My grandmother was a natural cook – “old world” style. She owned no cookbooks, followed no recipes, and cooked purely by sight, smell and feel. When I was a child, she would come over to help my mother cook for the holidays. Nonchalantly, she would call me over repeatedly. “Taste this,” she would say. Ten minutes later she would do it again. “Does it need more salt? Does it need more sugar?” What I didn’t know back then was that she was actually training me how to taste and season.

Watching her make latkes was a lesson to never be afraid to make a mess. Each one was shaped lovingly by hand, batter drips falling through her fingers. She cared about each and every latke, knowing that they were going to be feeding her family with her love. For her, cooking was synonymous with giving to others. I try to follow in her footsteps. To this day, my very best cooking happens when I taste, close my eyes, and season from the heart. Giving over that kind of cooking to my students and readers is not always easy but that’s always my goal.

Grandma loved to fry. Like a conductor with baton in hand, she fried with mastery, exerting control with each flip of her spatula. Carefully monitored oil bubbled up around hand-formed latkes, the quiet sputter and sizzle creating a rhythmic background music in the kitchen. Beware and step with caution, for with each and every perfect lacy latke a drop of oil did escape, creating an oil slick…that could rival the BP oil spill. Slipping and sliding was a risk we were gladly willing to take for one of Grandma’s perfectly fried latkes.

A little bit of spice complements the warm flavors of sweet potato. The natural sugars in sweet potatoes can cause sticking in the pan. Do not try to move about or flip the latkes until a golden crust forms on the bottom of each latke.

Ingredients

◊ 2½ pounds medium sweet potatoes (about 3–4), peeled and grated (see cook’s note)

◊ 4 scallions, finely chopped

◊ ½ cup all-purpose flour

◊ 4 large eggs, lightly beaten

◊ 1 teaspoon salt (or more to taste)

◊ 1 teaspoon cinnamon

◊ ½ teaspoon ground ginger

◊ ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

◊ Canola or vegetable oil, for frying

Preparation

1. Combine: In a large mixing bowl, stir together potatoes, scallions, flour, eggs, and spices.

2. Fry: Heat about ¼-inch oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat until hot (not smoking). Working in batches, spoon potato mixture (approximately 2–3 tablespoons per latke) into oil and flatten with the back of the spatula. Cook until golden brown, flipping once, about 2–3 minutes per side. Transfer latkes with a slotted spatula to a rack or place on paper towels to drain.

3. Serve hot with applesauce and sour cream or Maple-Apple Cream (recipe below).

Maple-Apple Cream

Ingredients

◊ ½ cup sour cream

◊ ¼ teaspoon cinnamon

◊

1½ teaspoons maple syrup

◊ ½ apple, peeled and grated

Preparation

Combine all ingredients in a small bowl. Whisk to blend.

Cook’s Note: For easiest prep, use the fine shredding disc on your food processor.

Do Ahead: Latkes are best made fresh out of the pan, but if making in advance, reheat uncovered on a sheet pan in a single layer in a 350°F oven for 10–15 minutes or until hot and re-crisped.

Mulled Pear and Cranberry Cobblers

Hot desserts are a must on cold evenings, and this is a comfy grown-up cobbler! Below is an adapted version of the Perfect Pear Cups recipe on page 260, used here as a fruit filling. It’s great for entertaining as the filling can be prepared up to a week in advance, making it a quick dessert to put together for a crowd (see note below).

Yield: 14-15 individual ramekins or 1 9x13 pan / Prep time: 40-45 minutes

Ingredients

Poached Pear Filling

◊ 2¼ cups dry red wine, such as cabernet or merlot

◊ ½ cup honey

◊ ⅓ cup sugar

◊ 1 teaspoon orange zest

◊ ½ cup orange juice (from 1 large orange)

◊ 1 large or 2 small cinnamon sticks

◊ 8 whole cloves

◊ 3 green cardamom pods or 1 star anise, as preferred (optional)

◊ 8 large ripe Bosc or Anjou pears (about 8 cups), peeled, cored, and cubed (½ inch)

◊ 1½ cups fresh or frozen cranberries

Biscuit Topping

◊ 2 cups all-purpose flour

◊ 5 Tablespoons sugar, divided

◊ 1 Tablespoon baking powder

◊ ½ teaspoon salt

◊ ¾ teaspoon cinnamon, divided

◊ ½ cup (1 stick) chilled unsalted butter (or margarine/shortening), cubed

◊ ⅔ cup heavy cream (or ¾ cup oat/ almond milk), plus more for brushing

◊ 1 egg

◊ vanilla ice cream, for serving Special Equipment

◊ pastry blender (recommended)

◊ 3-inch ramekins (oven-safe) or 1 9x13-inch glass baking dish

◊ cheesecloth or garnet bags (recommended)

Preparation

1 . Poach pears: Combine wine, honey, sugar, zest, orange juice, and whole spices in a large pot (wrap spices in cheesecloth/garnet bag for easy removal). Place over medium heat and bring to a boil. Stir to dissolve sugar.

2 . Add pears and return to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low; simmer uncovered for 12–15 minutes or until pears are tender and liquid is slightly reduced. Add cranberries and cook for another 5 minutes or until they start to burst. Remove from heat; discard cheesecloth and contents. Meanwhile, prepare topping and preheat oven to 350°F.

3. Prepare Biscuit Topping: In a large mixing bowl, whisk flour, 3 tablespoons sugar, baking powder, salt, and ½ teaspoon cinnamon to blend. Add butter; rub in with fingertips or with a pastry blender until coarse meal forms.

4. Combine cream (or nondairy milk) and egg in a small bowl to blend. Slowly add into flour mixture, mixing gently with a fork until mixture becomes a thick batter/dough.

5. Assemble: Using a slotted spoon, drain and divide pears (reserving liquid) amongst 14–15 greased ramekins for individual cobblers, filling each about three-quarters full. (For one big cobbler, transfer drained pear mixture into a greased 9x13x2-inch glass baking dish.) Add back enough of the poaching liquid to cover pears (discard remainder). Spoon golf ballsized dollops of dough/batter (about 2 tablespoons) on top of pears in each ramekin (or arrange spaced apart over pears in baking dish). Brush tops with additional cream. Mix remaining 2 tablespoons sugar and ¼ teaspoon cinnamon in a small bowl; sprinkle over dough.

6. Bake cobblers until fruit is bubbling, biscuits are browned, and toothpick inserted into center of biscuits comes out clean — 20–25 minutes for individual ramekins (30–35 minutes for 9x13-inch dish). Cool slightly. Serve hot or warm with vanilla ice cream.

Cook’s Note: Time it right! Assemble before guests arrive, bake at the start of dinner, and cobblers will be ready to eat hot out of the oven!

Place ramekins or baking dish on a foil-lined sheet pan to catch spills.

Naomi Ross is a cooking instructor and food writer based in Woodmere, NY. She teaches classes throughout the country and writes articles connecting good cooking and Jewish inspiration. She is excited to debut her first cookbook, The Giving Table, an ode to cooking it forward! Follow her at @naomirosscooks on Instagram or visit her website at: www.naomirosscooks.com.

In The K tchen

Babka Doughnut Holes

By Naomi Nachman

Last Chanukah, I had the honor of teaching a cooking class at the De Gustibus Cooking School located inside of Macy’s Herald Square. The class was around Chanukah time so I knew I wanted to include a doughnut recipe. I have a great recipe in my book Perfect Flavors for an easy doughnut dough and I did a mash-up of my chocolate babka crumble and filling to create the Babka Doughnut Hole.

Doughnuts

Ingredients

◦ 1 Tablespoon dried 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, plus extra on the side if it’s still too sticky

◦ 5 cups vegetable or canola oil, for frying

◦ Powdered sugar, for dusting

Preparation

1. Sprinkle yeast over warm water; sprinkle in 1 teaspoon sugar. Let stand for 5 minutes until foamy.

2. Blend soy milk, yeast mixture, remaining 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 reaches 360°F.

5. Carefully drop doughnuts into hot oil. Keep oil at constant temperature; fry only 3-4 at a time, turning the doughnuts once, about 1½ minutes per side. For the doughnut babka holes: Each hole should weigh 0.7oz and fries in about 3 minutes.

6. Dip the doughnut in the chocolate sauce and add some crumb streusel on top.

Basic Babka Crumb Topping Ingredients

◦ 1 cup all-purpose flour

◦ 1 cup powdered sugar or granulated white sugar

◦ 1 Tablespoon vanilla sugar, optional

◦ 6 Tablespoons canola oil

Preparation

1. Mix all ingredients together until crumbs form. The consistency should be similar to wet sand.

2. If desired, add cookie pieces, chocolate chips, sprinkles, or nuts.

3. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

4. Scatter crumbs on baking sheet.

Bake at 350°F for 30 minutes.

Chocolate Lava Filling Ingredients

¾ cup powdered sugar

¾ cup dark cocoa (preferably Dutch processed) ¾ cup sugar

◦ ½ Tablespoon vanilla sugar

◦ ¼ teaspoon kosher salt

◦ ¼ cup neutral oil, such as canola

◦ 4-5 Tablespoons boiling water

Preparation

1. Whisk together cocoa, sugars, and salt.

2. Add oil; add 4 tablespoons boiling water. Use a spatula to combine. The filling will have thick, syrupy consistency. If needed, add additional tablespoons boiling water. Filling will thicken and set as it rests.

Cook’s tip: Each component of the recipe can be prepared ahead of time and frozen, then fried up fresh once defrosted.

Dough should be defrosted and come to room temperature before frying.

Use an oil thermometer to keep oil at the perfect fry temperature.

Once defrosted, warm the chocolate lava filling so it becomes soft enough to dip the babka into.

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.

Y ur

Steven Gaffney: Know Your North Star PGS

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 Steven Gaffney, a communications consultant for Fortune 500 companies.

* * *

YS: What do companies need to do to maintain high morale?

SG: A recent article in the Wall Street Journal reported that nearly half of the workers who moved in the Great Resignation of 2021 want to go back to their old job. What that tells us is the importance of not burning bridges, from both the company side and the employee side. What we want to think about is, when people are leaving our company, how are we leaving them? And when we are

leaving a company, how are we leaving? During our last days at a job, are we leaving strong or weak? If you want to know the true character of a human being, don’t look at how they’re treating you because everybody can put on a smiling face. Watch how they talk about and how they treat other people, because that’s eventually how they’ll treat you. So, when some employees are leaving your company, we need to be thinking about what message we’re sending to all the employees that are staying.

I worked with a company that brought us in because people were leaving after a major layoff. The high performers were leaving. And the reason why was because the executives weren’t telling people the truth. They surprised everyone with these layoffs, they weren’t being upfront, and

then ultimately, when they made that move, the people that they wanted to stay left, in a major part because they felt like they couldn’t trust what the company was saying. All of this is interesting, because nearly half want to come back. So, how are we leaving employees and how are employees leaving the company?

What do companies need to be doing to ensure that their team really loves showing up to work?

Love is the key. I’m not going touchyfeely on you. People want to be in a job that they love. As leaders, we want to make sure we put people in positions they love. We can’t always love every aspect, but if the majority of our job is not in an area that we love, then we are going to

get burned out and possibly leave. We talk about putting people in their strengths and what they’re great at, but what I’ve come to learn is a lot of people are good at various things but that doesn’t mean they want to do it. So quite often, people will lean on others who are very talented at doing something, but they never ask, “Do you really love to do it or not?” Or someone might love to do something, but after five years, they would like to do something else.

There are five loves that a company needs to focus on to keep employees. The first is the love of purpose with impact. We’ve all heard about finding your why and making sure your organization has a sense of purpose, but quite often, the purpose has no impact. I have a client that does advertising, so their purpose would

Steven Gaffney

be to give the best advertising to the customer. But what does that advertising mean? For the customer, it means their business will be more successful and generate revenue so they can pay their employees better. And the employees are going to take that home and be able to do more with their family, have better schooling for their kids, vacations, etc. Following that thread, we have purpose with impact. Are we sharing that, or do we always focus on the goals for revenue and profit, which is fine for top executives but doesn’t motivate the everyday person?

What are the other four loves?

Number two is the love of being somewhere special. There needs to be a sense that we’re doing something special. But this also means, are we appreciating employees? Are we noting how they are special to us? We want to feel like we’re part of a special company, not a company in which we could go anywhere and we’re all doing the same thing. Do employees really understand how your organization is different from another organization so when they get that other offer, it’s not just about money or benefits?

The third love is the love of team. We want to establish a consistently high-achieving team. Most of the stuff out there is about high performing teams, but that’s not enough. The word “performing” could be confused with hard work. “High-achieving team” describes much more accurately what we want to be part of. If you’re a talented person, and you want to be part of a team, you don’t just want to be part of a team that’s performing, you want to be achieving something, to be number one.

Number four is the love of freedom to take initiative. We not only want to be part of something special, but we also want to have the freedom to work our magic. As opposed to being in an environment that may be as high achieving but is also micromanaged. We have to be clear on our goals, but then let people do their magic. I often say to leaders, “Let people do it their way. As long as it’s legal and ethical, who cares? Let them do it.” Manage by achievement.

The fifth love is the love of NSB, which stands for “North Star Brightness.” We want to be somewhere that’s great about purpose but is also excited about the future. Where are we going with the organization? It’s not just creating one of those generic vision statements that sound like all the other companies. I use the words “north star brightness,” because it should be bright, it should be clear. Again, when

employees might be tempted to go somewhere else, they should think, “Oh my gosh, I don’t want to go anywhere else because I feel special here. I feel like we can take initiative, there’s a strong sense of purpose. But also, I want to stay because we’re going places where no one else has gone.”

What’s something that employees should keep in mind in their day-today positions?

The biggest problem in all relationships, teams, and organizations is lack of honest communication. I’m not just referring to the truth or lies, ethical aspect of communication. The biggest problem is not what people say, it’s what

crystal clear about our teams? Are we crystal clear about our NSB? Are we creating an environment where people can speak to us?

What are the 12 essential elements of a high achieving team?

Number one is knowing your north star PGS (purpose, goal, and strategy). A lot of times when I’m working with a client, they will say they know their north star PGS, and I’ll say, “Okay, why don’t we just ask the team?” Sometimes, I’ll go around the room and get different versions from everyone. The definition of clarity is by the receiver, not the sender.

The second element is everyone sharing to get the unsaid said, as we discussed

succeed or would you flop? And when I create that standard, most people realize that they’re so stuck in their own world, they probably can’t.

What are the final 6 elements?

Number seven is having a consistent communication business rhythm. Consistently high achieving teams develop that rhythm and avoid the terrible “got a minute” meetings that always last more than a minute.

Number eight is moving with speed by knowing when good enough is good enough. When teams move fast, it attracts high performers. I’m not saying be rash but move fast. Not everything needs to be perfect.

Number nine is let it go. Have you ever worked with a team that is bogged down by people constantly bringing up the past? “Remember we tried that, and it didn’t work.” Just ask them, “What would it take for you to let it go and move forward?” We’re not going to be able to move forward if we’re held back from the past.

they don’t say to each other. It’s what gets left off. It’s when we feel surprised and blindsided. That’s one of the biggest annoyances of employees, but incidentally, I’ve also worked with leaders, executives, CEOs, admirals, and generals, and that’s a big frustration for them as well. When somebody tells them something that they should have known about and they wonder, “Why wasn’t I told?” So, the key is to get the unsaid said.

I’ve found that the number one reason why people don’t get that unsaid said is fear – fear of retribution, fear it’s going to come out wrong, etc. Have you ever had someone ask you for feedback, and when you give them some constructive criticism, they flip out on you? Next time they ask for feedback, you’ll say, “I’m not going there.” I was doing a session where this woman pushed back on me and said, “I think getting the unsaid said can get you in trouble.” I asked for an example, and she said, “I gave my coworker some constructive criticism about the way he was doing his job, and he got very upset.” And I asked, “Why did you share that with him?” She said, “Because I care about him. I care about the mission, and I want him to be successful.” I asked, “Did you tell him all of that?” To which she responded, “No.”

The biggest problem is not what people say, it’s what they leave out. We even leave out appreciation. So, the question is, are we getting that unsaid said? Are we crystal clear on our purpose? Are we

earlier. If we’re leading a team, and there’s people who are not saying much, we want to call on them and make sure that everyone speaks. Because if we don’t, we can make one of the biggest mistakes leaders can make, which is allowing for the loudest voice to win. A lot of times it looks like everybody agrees, but really, it’s just that loud voice.

Number three is to be clear on the Vegas Rule. What happens in here stays in here. Let’s face it, how many times have you wanted to share something with somebody but were worried they would tell other people? You want to create a cocoon in which everyone really abides by the Vegas Rule.

Number four is to distinguish notice from imagine. Be clear what is a fact versus an opinion. Have you ever sent an email to somebody who didn’t respond? What goes through your mind? You might get upset and think you’re being ignored. But everything you’re thinking is your imagination, your opinion. So, distinguishing notice and imagine is an interesting thing because it impacts communication.

Number five is no excuses. Developing that kind of environment where we take responsibility. We’re not always to blame for what’s happening, but we are responsible for how we respond.

Number six is being them, the people you work with. Get out of our world into their world. Here’s the test, if you were asked to play them in a movie, would you

Number 10 is believing that anything is possible. Whenever there’s a problem, just think, are we coming from the perspective that anything is possible? When we benchmark against other organizations, it can inhibit our growth.

Number 11 is collective accountability. Create an environment where we’re all in it together.

Number 12 is presume best intent and appreciate. I’ve never met anybody who said, “Don’t tell anybody, but I’m trying to screw it up here.” A person might be messing up, but that’s not their intent. Are we approaching that person and giving them constructive feedback but presuming that they at least mean well?

“People want to be in a job that they love.”

Notable Quotes

“Say What?!”

I want to read a few quotes about Twitter’s practices, and I just want you to tell me if they’re true or not: “Social media is being rigged to censor conservatives.” Is that true of Twitter?

- Rep. Mike Doyle (D-Penn) to then-Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey at a 2018 congressional hearing No. – Dorsey’s response ,which this week was exposed to be a complete lie Are you censoring people? - Doyle No. - Dorsey’s response “Twitter’s shadow-banning prominent Republicans”… is that true? - Doyle No. - Dorsey’s response

If a priest came in here, would you ask him to take off his cross, if the pope, would you have him take off his cross and head covering?

- Dr. Cyrille Cohen, head of immunology at Bar Ilan University, when he was asked during an appearance on French TV why he was wearing his yarmulka

MLB should apologize to Georgia for its $100 million lie. MLB lied about Georgia’s election law and moved the All-Star Game. Despite MLB lies, Georgia’s November election was a grand slam. MLB move the All-Star Game over election lies and cost Atlanta $100 million.

- A mobile billboard outside of Major League Baseball’s winter meetings slamming the league for moving the 2021 Allstar game out of Georgia in protest over the now-proven false narrative that Georgia’s voting laws would suppress minority votes

When politicians are more focused on denying the opposition party a victory than they are on improving Americans’ lives, the people who lose are everyday Americans. That’s why I have joined the growing numbers of Arizonans who reject party politics by declaring my independence from the broken partisan system in Washington.

– Arizona Senator Kyrsten Sinema explaining in an op-ed why she left the Democrat Party and became an independent

I was underneath it, trying to clog, and I said, “Blow some air through the line.” Then, suddenly, boom, I got a face full of gas. And then the pilot light jumped, and my face caught on fire. My friend pulled me out and jumped on top of me and kind of smothered the fire.

– Comedian Jay Leno explaining how he got burnt working on his 1907 White Motor Co. steam-powered car last month

The Kremlin gave the White House the choice of either Griner or Whelan — or none.

- Report by NBC after the Biden administration secured the release of WNBA player Brittney Griner by exchanging her for a Russian arms dealer with American deaths on his hands and failed to secure the release of Paul Whelan, an Iraqi war veteran who remains imprisoned in Russia since 2018 on trumped up charges (NBC later changed the report without explanation)

I am greatly disappointed that more has not been done to secure my release, especially as the four-year anniversary of my arrest is coming up. I was led to believe that things were moving in the right direction and that the governments were negotiating and that something would happen fairly soon. I don’t understand why I’m still sitting here.

– Prisoner Paul Whelan, in an interview with CNN from his Russian jail, after Griner’s release

The fact that Russia pushed through the exchange of Bout, whom America fundamentally did not want to give away for many years, right now means that, like in “The Godfather,” we “made them an offer that cannot be refused.” This is a position of strength, comrades.

- Gleeful social media post by convicted Russian spy Maria Butina

I know that we’re all happy that Brittney’s home, like we said earlier on. But when you think about the magnitude of what we traded to get back a WNBA professional athlete, and left a Marine sitting there, whose family has been trying for years to get him out of there with nothing, nothing from the U.S. government. I kinda feel like the Russians basically were using her to get this guy out. It’s not an even swap; it’s not. We all know what happened to Brittney should have never happened. We look so pathetic. And listening to our President talk about this is such a pathetic feeling. I want to be happy, but I can’t be.

- 660 WFAN radio host and former Jets quarterback Boomer Esiason

The truth: Trump called my dad for months DEMANDING that he run. Everyone with a brain begged him: “PLEASE DON’T DO THIS. This is too dirty, you have an insane past… PLEASE DON’T DO THIS. Republicans, we say we don’t play “identity politics,” and then you ran this man mainly because he was the same skin color as his opponent with no background other than football. A boring old Republican could have won.

- Christian Walker, a conservative social media influencer and son of Republican Herschel Walker, on social media after his estranged father lost the Georgia senate race

I was called a backstabber after getting angry and blowing up from watching my dad lie for 18 months straight… But he’s not a backstabber for leaving his 2 minor children…to grow up without a dad as he chases more fame and power? Pathetic. Raise your kids.

- Ibid

President Biden tweeted this morning about the release of W.N.B.A. star Brittney Griner from a Russian prison and said, quote, “She is safe, she is on a plane, she is on her way home.” And I’d say, “She’s happy, but she’s still a 6-foot-9 person on a plane.”

— Seth Meyers

If we don’t take our medicine here, it’s our fault.… Every Republican in this country ought to hold Donald Trump accountable for this.

- Georgia Lt. Gov. Geoff Duncan (R) after Republican senate candidate Herschel Walker was defeated in the Georgia run-off election

My pronouns are Prosecute/Fauci

- Tweet by Elon Musk

What it does is it really is – turns people away, I’m afraid, younger individuals who were interested in getting into public health might say, “What is all this about?” where public health officials who are doing nothing more or less than trying to save people’s lives by promoting and public health principles get attacked for reasons that seem inexplicable.

- Dr. Anthony Fauci on MSNBC responding to Musk’s tweets, showing great concern for young people

In this case, the magazine’s editorial directives remain within the boundaries of the panEuropean mainstream, which is totally short-sighted, anti-Russian and vehemently Russophobic.

- President Vladimir Putin’s spokesman complaining that Time Magazine’s decision to name Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy its Person of the Year was “Russophobic”

No, not John Fetterman!! Recount!!

- Giselle Barreto Fetterman, on Twitter, after her husband, John Fetterman, made the New York Times’ list of most stylish people for 2022

Political Crossfire

Americans Think Media is a Threat Look at Coverage of Hunter Biden’s Laptop

By Marc A. Thiessen

When President Donald Trump raised Hunter Biden’s laptop during the final 2020 presidential debate, Joe Biden dismissed it as a “Russian plant,” citing “five former heads of the CIA” who say it’s “a bunch of garbage.”

We now know this was patently untrue. The laptop was authentic. But at the time, almost no one in the news media questioned Biden’s false assertion. To the contrary, CNN questioned whether Trump had “spread Russian disinformation” during the debate by raising the laptop.

Twitter suppressed the New York Post story that broke the news of the laptop’s existence, preventing users from sharing the story or even sending it by direct message (a tool usually used to stop the dissemination of child pornography). Worse, the company suspended the New York Post ’s Twitter account, as well as other accounts that shared the story. Twitter did not suspend the accounts of Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Khameini, who tweets Holocaust denial and denies his citizens free access to the site. It did not suspend Russian dictator Vladimir Putin, or the Taliban, or the Chinese foreign ministry. But it suspended the New York Post for reporting what turned out to be a legitimate news story.

This is a scandal – one that appears to involve collusion between the FBI, the intelligence community, and social media platforms to block a valid news story that could have damaged Biden and aided Trump’s reelection campaign. Former federal prosecutor Andrew McCarthy points out that the evidence the FBI interfered in the 2020 presidential election “is by leaps and bounds stronger than the evidence that the Trump campaign corruptly conspired with Russia to interfere in the 2016 election.”

We now know that Twitter and Face -

book suppressed the story after U.S. law enforcement and intelligence officials warned them to be on the lookout for foreign disinformation. In a sworn declaration to the Federal Election Commission, Yoel Roth, Twitter’s then-head of “site integrity,” said he had held “regular meetings with the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, the Department of Homeland Security, the FBI and industry peers regarding election security” during which “federal law enforcement agencies communicated that they expected ‘hack-and-leak’ operations by state actors might occur in the period shortly before the 2020 presidential election, likely in October,” adding, “I also learned in these meetings that there were rumors that a hack-and-leak operation would involve Hunter Biden.”

At the time the FBI was delivering these warnings, it was in possession of the laptop, which it had seized in December 2019 from the computer repair shop where Hunter Biden left it – so it knew full well what it contained and that it was authentic, not a Russian plant.

In addition to these meetings with

current officials, a group of 51 former intelligence officials released a public letter when the story broke in which they alleged that the release of Hunter Biden’s emails “has all the classic earmarks of a Russian information operation,” adding, “If we are right, this is Russia trying to influence how Americans vote in this election.”

They were not right. But together, these warnings by current and former national security officials gave Twitter the pretext to censor the story – and mainstream news outlets the excuse to dismiss or ignore it, which many of them did.

Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.), a Bernie Sanders ally who represents Silicon Valley in Congress, revealed in a Wall Street Journal op-ed this week that he had written to Twitter at the time expressing his concern about the story’s suppression. He points out that Twitter defended its actions by claiming the story violated company policy because it contained information obtained through illegal means. By that definition, he writes, “they’d have to suspend any account that posted the Pentagon Papers.” He is right.

Not only that, they would also have

to suppress any account that cited the illegally obtained classified intelligence released by WikiLeaks, or the classified intelligence unlawfully shared by Edward Snowden. They did not.

So where is the outrage from the mainstream news media over the fact that they were misled by current and former national security officials? What was the origin of that letter signed by those 51 intelligence officials? Who wrote it and circulated it for signature? To this day, the news media shows little or no interest in investigating how this story was suppressed, much less the contents of the laptop or whether President Biden knew about, or financially benefited from, his family members cashing in on his political influence with foreign governments.

The laptop’s suppression was justified as an effort to protect our democracy from foreign interference. But many Americans believe that reporting failures like this are the real threat to democracy. An October New York Times-Siena College poll found that 84% of respondents view the media as a threat to democracy – including 59% who agreed the press is a “major threat.”

More Americans said the media is a major threat to democracy than said Trump is. And an October Gallup poll found just 34% of Americans trust major news organizations to report “fully, accurately and fairly” on the news.

Twitter’s new owner, Elon Musk, is working to restore public trust in the social media platform by providing transparency as to how this sorry episode took place. Good for him. Perhaps mainstream news organizations ought to be engaged in similar soul-searching –so they can restore public trust in their platforms as well.

Jewish History

What Qatar Learned From Hitler’s Olympics

by Rafael Medoff

The government of Qatar reportedly has been pressuring Hamas—which it finances— to refrain from launching rockets into Israel during the World Cup soccer matches presently underway in the Gulf state. Sound familiar?

The use of temporary deceit as a political weapon has a long and ignoble history. It originated with Grigory Alexandrovich Potemkin, a Russian cabinet minister who is said to have built fake villages—or deceptively redecorated existing ones—along the route traveled by Czarina Catherine II, during her visit to Crimea in 1787. As a result, Potemkin’s name has come to be associated with this particular kind of deceit.

Soviet dictator Josef Stalin was a master at this game. In the 1920s and 1930s, Western visitors to the USSR were taken to see “Bolshevo,” which was presented as an example of a “progressive” Soviet prison that needed no walls or guards, because criminals were educated and inspired to become productive citizens.

The Nobel laureate author George Bernard Shaw, duped by this fiction, claimed the only problem in dealing with a Bolshevo prisoner was “inducing him to come out at all” when his jail term concluded. In reality, Bolshevo had been created to impress foreigners. It was populated largely by informers whose reward was to live in the fake prison. Thus, the slave labor camps of the Soviet gulag remained hidden from foreign eyes.

During the Holocaust, the Nazis used Potemkin-style deception to help camouflage the mass murder of the Jews. In June 1944, Hitler invited a delegation from the International Red Cross to visit Theresienstadt (Terezin), the Jewish ghetto that had created in Czechoslovakia as a transit point for

Jews being shipped to the gas chambers of Auschwitz. But the Nazis told the Red Cross that the camp was an “Endlager,” a final destination where Jewish prisoners lived happily.

In The Terezin Diary of Gonda Redlich (edited by the late Prof. Saul S. Friedman), a Theresienstadt inmate described the Nazis’ preparations for the Red Cross visit: “They rain down order after order. Kindergarten children are to sing during the visit, the workers are to return home. Plays and cultural events and sporting activities must take place. Even the few lambs left here roam about on the grass around the city. The children, the workers, the sheep — a perfect idyll.” Another prisoner recalled: “A playground was laid out with sandboxes and swings, a ‘children’s pavilion’ was built and painted from inside with big wooden animals as toys. Behind a glass veranda you could see a dozen cribs. It was like a story book — but children were only allowed to enter this little paradise on the day the commission visited Theresienstadt.” Houses were freshly painted—but only the portions that would be visible to the Red Cross

inspectors. The visitors’ final report to Red Cross headquarters characterized conditions in the camp as “relatively good.” Nobody seemed to wonder why the population of Theresienstadt at the time of the visit was 30,000 less than what the Red Cross knew it had been just a few weeks earlier.

In the 1950s, the North Korean regime built a village called Kijong-dong in the demilitarized zone separating North Korea from South Korea. The North Koreans called it a “peace village” that supposedly was inhabited by two hundred families, but to this day Kjong-dong actually has no civilian residents; it houses soldiers, artillery and underground bunkers. A Washington Post correspondent who visited the area in 1998 reported that “if you squint through your binoculars, you’ll see that the buildings [in Kjong-dong] don’t even have glass in the windows. It’s a lie, a huge Potemkin village.” The sidewalks are empty; automatic timers turn lights on and off in the buildings in order to create the illusion that people live there.

Perhaps the closest historical analogy to Qatar and its soccer matches was

the Berlin Olympics of 1936. For Hitler, the Olympics were an opportunity to make the Nazi regime seem reasonable and distract from his oppression of German Jews. The antisemitic newspaper Der Sturmer was briefly removed from newsstands, and “Jews Not Wanted” signs that had been posted along major thoroughfares were taken down. Once the games were over, the signs and the newspapers returned.

Likewise, the Olympics hosted by China earlier this year gave the ruling regime a chance to turn the world’s attention away from what the U.S. has said is China’s genocidal persecution of its largely-Muslim Uyghur minority. In advance of the games, according to the Washington Post, the Beijing government even temporarily closed some of the notorious “re-education centers” where an estimated one million Ugyhurs have been interned. By now those centers undoubtedly have been reopened.

We can expect the same thing from Qatar and Hamas. The Qatari government, which is the world’s largest financial supporter of Hamas, evidently has no problem with the firing of rockets from Gaza into Israeli nursery schools. The problem is merely a matter of timing. When the World Cup matches are over, the rocket attacks from Gaza undoubtedly will resume. Qatar has learned from Hitler, and too many other historical precedents, that the Free World is easily fooled.

Dr. Medoff is founding director of The David S. Wyman Institute for Holocaust Studies and author of more than 20 books about Jewish history and the Holocaust. His latest is America and the Holocaust: A Documentary History, published by the Jewish Publication Society & University of Nebraska Press.

North Korea's empty peace village

Forgotten Her es

Nurses on the American Civil War Battlefields

By Avi Heiligman

The medical care that a wounded soldier receives has vastly improved in the past two centuries. The wounded in earlier conflicts would often be left out on the battlefield with little or no medical care. The types of wounds have also changed – during the American Civil War, they were most often caused by the Minie Ball from a rifled barreled musket with many others from grapeshot or exploding shells. Observers noticed that the majority of the wounds were impacting the arms or legs of the soldiers. Medical personnel knew that they if they could promptly treat the wounds then many soldiers’ lives would be saved. The medical departments on both sides of the conflict relied upon about 2,000 female nurses to help the doctors and other medical personnel treat the wounded. Many of these nurses have fascinating stories that include a Jewish female nurse from the South, freed African-American nurses, and the nurse who became known as the Angel of the Battlefield.

The largest Civil War hospital in America was Richmond’s Chimborazo Hospital. Throughout the war, they were

able to care for 76,000 patients and had one of the highest recovery rates of all Civil War hospitals. The Confederates turned to women to volunteer at hospitals since most of the men were on the battlefield. One of the five division

over fifteen thousand men, and caring for the wounded. Pember stayed at the hospital until the Confederate surrender in April 1865. After the war, she wrote down her experiences as the matron of the largest hospital in the South.

as a nurse, cook, spy, and scout and even led a raid on Confederate troops.

Susie King Taylor was another nurse with the 33rd Infantry after she enrolled in the army as a laundress. She married a sergeant in Company E of the regiment and remained with the men until after the war. After soldiers came back from a raid needing medical attention, it was King Taylor who was there to nurse them back to health. This was just the start of her nursing duties as she constantly helped bring soldiers who were sick from diseases back to health. One of the nurses that King Taylor met while serving in the Union Army was Clara Barton.

The Angel of the Battlefield

heads of the hospital was Phoebe Pember – an unusual job for a woman since most nurses at the time were men. She was from a wealthy Jewish family from Charleston, South Carolina, and wasn’t scared off by the hazardous duties of a war hospital. Her duties varied and included housekeeping of the wards, seeing to the dietary needs and comfort of

Many freed slaves joined the Union cause, and entire regiments of African-American soldiers were formed. The 1st South Carolina Volunteer Infantry Regiment (Colored) was activated in 1863 and later was designated as the 33rd United States Colored Infantry Regiment. Famed abolitionist Harriet Tubman served alongside the regiment

Probably the most famous of all nurses to serve during the Civil War, Barton was often seen on the battlefield tending to the wounded. Born in Massachusetts, she was only ten years old when her brother fell from the roof of a barn. Clara wouldn’t leave his bedside for months, even though the doctors gave up hope for his recovery. She taught herself how to provide him his medica-

At one point, she was tending to a wounded soldier and a bullet went through the sleeve of her dress and hit the patient she was trying to help.

Phoebe Pember was memorialized on a postage stamp in 1995

Clara Barton

Susie King Taylor

tion and soon he recovered fully. After teaching for twelve years and serving for three years in the U.S. Patent Office in Washington, Clara returned home but soon was back in the nation’s capital when the war broke out.

The first bloodshed on the Civil War took place on April 19, 1861 and became known as the Pratt Street Riots. The 6 th Massachusetts Militia was passing through Baltimore and were attacked by anti-war citizens. Four soldiers were killed in the ensuing melee, and the rest of the militia arrived in Washington dirty and bloodied. Barton was shocked to learn that many in the militia were her former students. The Union Army didn’t have the basic supplies to care for the soldiers, and Barton quickly got to work preparing food and supplies. She helped dozens of soldiers that were injured, wounded, or without supplies and, along with a team of women that she trained, helped them back to health.

After the Pratt Street Riots, Barton’s efforts to help with the war effort grew, and she collected supplies and medical material to distribute to the front-line soldiers. Her ads in newspapers for materials were very successful, and soon she had huge stores of supplies. There

was opposition to her work, though, but in August 1862, she received to permission to work on the front lines. The first battle she saw firsthand was at the Battle of Cedar Mountain in Virginia where she tended to the wounded and distributed supplies. Many of the wounded were Confederate soldiers, but she helped anyone who needed assistance no matter what uniform they were wearing. She was also at the Second Battle of Bull Run, Antietam, Fredericksburg, Fort Wagner, the Wilderness and Cold Harbor, among other conflicts. At Antietam,

she ran out of bandages and used corn husks to dress wounds.

Barton was often in danger and at times was shot at by enemy soldiers. At one point, she was tending to a wounded soldier and a bullet went through the sleeve of her dress and hit the patient she was trying to help.

Record keeping during the Civil War was primitive at best, and many families had no idea what happened to their loved ones. Barton kept records of soldiers that died in her care and helped wounded soldiers write letters home.

After the war, she contacted families of dead soldiers to tell them of their fate and where there were buried (if the information was available). Together with former soldiers she helped identify 13,000 soldiers who had been buried in previously unmarked graves at Andersonville Prison. More than 22,000 other missing soldiers were taken off the missing lists due to her tireless efforts.

During the war, Barton recorded her experiences in meticulous notes that described the carnage of the battlefields and the conditions of the men that needed medical attention. These experiences on the battlefields led her on a campaign that resulted in the creation of the American Red Cross.

Thanks to the tireless efforts of these nurses, as well as thousands of others, many Civil War soldiers recovered from their wounds or illnesses. The work of these heroines is history not to be forgotten.

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

nurses in the Civil War, 1862

Clara Barton tending to the wounded during the Civil War

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Classifieds

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

LAWRENCE

Spacious 2BR, 2 Full Bath Apt with an enclosed terrace in the heart of Lawrence. Well maintained & manicured building. New hardwood floors, updated Eat-in Kitchen with gas stove. warming draw, dishwasher & microwave. New windows on the enclosed terrace & one of the bedrooms. 3 New A/C Units & New Refrigerator. Close to shopping, transportation, library, schools, and houses of worship. $339K Mark Lipner Associate Broker Berkshire Hathaway Laffey International 516-298-8457 mlipner@bhhslaffey.com

HEWLETT

Hewlett House 1 Bedroom Co-op. Unit Includes 1 Parking Spot + Storage Unit, W/D Outside of Unit. Close to Shopping, Schools, Houses of Worship, Restaurants + Parks. Prime Location in the Heart of Hewlett. $109k Mark Lipner Associate Broker Berkshire Hathaway Laffey International 516-298-8457 mlipner@ bhhslaffey.com

WOODMERE

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 $168k 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

HEWLETT

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

WOODMERE

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

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

APT./COOP/CONDO SALE APT./COOP/CONDO SALE

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

WOODMERE

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

COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE

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)839-3748 Follow @mjrealtor365

Classifieds

classifieds@fivetownsjewishhome.com • text 443-929-4003

COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE HELP WANTED

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)839-3748

Follow @mjrealtor365

HELP WANTED

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.

HELP WANTED

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

BOOKKEEPER

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

OFFICE MANAGER

Receptionist. private dental office. Far Rockaway, Queens/Lawrence border. Exciting opportunity in a well established and growing practice. Seeking efficient, organized, ambitious, friendly, Peoples person to join our great team. Experience necessary. Great salary and benefits for the right person. Please email resumes Jonfriedmandds@gmail.com

ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT

Local 5 towns, hours are flexible. Candidate should be Self motivated and organized. Please email resume to cdahan@tikvasecurity.com

ASSISTANT TEACHER

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

SIACH YITZCHOK SEEKING

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

5 TOWNS BOYS YESHIVA

SEEKING ELEM GEN ED TEACHERS Excellent working environment and pay. Only lic/exp need apply. Email resume to yeshivalooking@gmail.com

JOB OFFERS

Bright Futures has openings for providers. Work one on one with children and earn great money doing what you love! Sports coaches, art teachers, 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

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.

HELP WANTED

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

DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANT

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

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 ZICHRON YEHUDA

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

FOUND a black hat outside Siach Yitzchok within the last couple of weeks. If you think it might be yours and can give a siman, please call/text 718-869-1728

ach

How Do I Get Through to You?!

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

What do “pass out” and “password” have in common?

I think we all know that if we have to remember, or come up with, one more password we’ll probably pass out!

Your password is supposed to be some whole big secret. Yet, the only one it seems to be a secret from is you!

Someone said that they utilize the same password for everything. I’d like to know how they do that? And the truth is, I actually can’t ask them because I don’t recall who they were, the same way I don’t recall my passwords. Anyway, how can they keep using the same password if the rules keep changing?

Older passwords didn’t need caps, or numbers, or an exact amount of letters, or some punctuation marks included. Now, passwords must include a sampling of every part of the English language. And who knows where it will go next? Perhaps you’ll need emojis or personalized pictures, too.

You may be wondering why all this irritates me? Or maybe not?

But when you can’t access the very thing you are trying to keep everyone else out of you can start to get a little bent out of shape.

And personally, a lot of what they demand a password for, I don’t even care if anyone has access to.

Why does everything need to be controlled automatically? Why don’t we get a say?

After all, when you go to a hotel room, you get a choice whether or not you want to lock your stuff away in their safe. They don’t force you to put everything you own in the safe before giving

you access to the room!

But with access to everything else these days, “no password, no entry”!

I honestly avoid looking things up because I don’t remember my password. And I “love” when someone volunteers to create one for me, for example, an account on Instacart. So “sweet” of them.

have a conversation with them without having to open with a password!

Because, if things get any more complex in accessing something you want to do, like having a conversation, I think I’ll just “pass” on having any new conversations at all. I’ll just stick with the people who accept as a starter the old dependable, “Hi, how are you?” even if they couldn’t care less how I am! At least, we can get in the door and begin to chat without having to strain our brain thinking of a password to get started.

So, I’ll pass on “passwords” any day. And I’ll just “pass this word” along to you: be a Person (with a caps) who wins awards 4 paying a10tion 2 U-minz rather than passwords!

They might as well just not bother helping me at all. Because, if I’m having trouble figuring out how my mind was working the day I set up a password, how in the world do they expect me to figure out how their mind was working for me that day?!

Thank goodness people still let you

Rivki Rosenwald is a Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist working with both couples and individuals and is a certified relationship counselor. Rivki is a co-founder and creator of an effective Parent Management of Adolescent Years Program. She can be contacted at 917705-2004 or at rivkirosenwald@gmail.com.

When you can’t access the very thing you are trying to keep everyone else out of you can start to get a little bent out of shape.