Community Happenings

The Jewish Home | JANUARY 19, 2023 Around the Community

Shulamith Bat Mitzvah Program

The talented Shulamith sixth grade girls put on an amazing bat mitzvah production, followed by a chessed activity and a beautiful collation for mothers, daughters and grandmothers in honor of this momentous time in their lives. Directed and produced by Morah Shoshana Fischman, the girls became one cohesive unit, working toward a common goal while simultaneously learning about the meaning behind becoming bnot mitzvah and applying the examples set forth by the Sheva Nevios as to how we are supposed to live as strong Jewish women. Each and every girl in the grade had an integral part in the production, a part that they chose based on their talents and preference. We had a group of fabulous stage managers who took care of everything behind the scenes, an amazing tech group who created an outstanding montage, a dedicated dance troupe who performed a beautiful dance that they themselves created, an art group who created the stunning scenery, a choir who sang beautiful songs throughout the skit, and actresses who starred in the show.

The girls created beautiful artwork that was displayed on the way to the collation that depicted their names and what they mean. This enabled the girls to think about themselves as the future links joining the shalsheles ha’mesorah. In addition to the chessed they did at the event, they followed the program with a challah bake the next day for Bo’ei Challah, an organization that sends fresh challot each week to families in aveilus.

The girls were so proud of their hard work, and it truly paid off! They did a fabulous job and learned about themselves and this special time in their lives throughout the process.

The Jewish Home | JANUARY 19, 2023 YOSS Students Living the Torah

The students in Rabbi Singer’s shiur at Yeshiva of South Shore recently took a special trip to the Living Torah Museum in Brooklyn.

Rabbi Deutsch, founder of the museum, took the students on a tour of the museum, engaging them in the variety of artifacts on display. Most notably, Rabbi Deutsch explained how he recently made a trade with the Egyptian government to get a wheel from the Yam Suf, which came from Pharoah’s army’s chariots. The students were enamored with many different artifacts and had a great experience there.

Following the trip, the boys enjoyed lunch at the famous Mendelsohn’s Pizza of Boro Park where they made a tremendous Kiddush Hashem. The owner told Rabbi Singer how impressed he was with how polite and well behaved the students were in the store. The owner said it was making him emotional to see such “eidel’keit” from young boys!

District Attorney Melinda Katz Raises $600,321 in Six Months

Mercaz Academy Celebrates Chag HaChumash

Ahead of Tuesday’s January Periodic campaign financial disclosure, District Attorney Melinda Katz announced that she’s raised $600,321 in the last six months and that she has $1,175,665 on hand as her re-election year kicks off. This strong base of support will ensure that the District Attorney has the resources she’ll need to run a robust campaign, and it highlights the broad support she’s received from those who want to see Queens continue going in the right direction under her stewardship.

“I am so honored and humbled by the broad base of support that’s represented in this filing. My entire career led me to this position and the support I’ve received for re-election is a strong signal that the office is heading in the right direction,” said District Attorney Melinda Katz. “This filing is just the start of our campaign where I will highlight the work that the office is doing – to take illegal guns off the streets, to hold human traffickers and domestic abusers accountable, and to build a criminal justice system that prioritizes public safety, justice, and fairness for all – because our office shows that you can have safety in the streets and fairness in the courtroom.”

Campaign Financial Disclosure Statistics:

Total Raised: $600,321

Cash on Hand: $1,175,665.88

Number of Contributors: 284

Number of Contributions: 317 35 Unique Contributions from Organized Labor Organizations

Melinda Katz was elected District Attorney in 2019 and inaugurated in 2020. Despite taking office in the most turbulent of times, she’s provided a steady hand as she’s worked to keep Queens families safe and taken on crime head on. She’s led the effort to take illegal and ghost guns off the streets and held human traffickers and domestic abusers accountable. DA Katz launched Queens’ first-ever Conviction Integrity Unit to ensure justice for those wrongfully convicted. And she’s taken a community-first approach to public safety.

Mercaz Academy’s Kitah Bet celebrated a milestone in their Torah study on Thursday: now they are ready to start learning Chumash from the text, thanks to their preparation by Morah Tikva Goldberg. The Chag HaChumash started with a musical presentation that took place entirely in Hebrew. The second graders demonstrated their knowledge of the five books of the Torah with songs, recitations, posters, and some adorable dance moves, delighting their audience of family and friends. After presenting each student with a Chumash of his or her very own, Mercaz Academy Principal Rabbi Kalman Fogel addressed Kitah Bet, reminding them that earlier in the week they had dramatized the story of Avram, who went where Hashem told him without asking any questions.

“How does Hashem tell us what he wants to do?” Rabbi Fogel asked.

“It’s written in the Chumash!” the students replied.

Rabbi Fogel explained that the Chumash contains the words of Hashem telling us how to live our lives – and for the rest of their lives, they would open that Chumash and remember that it was the first one they ever received. Finally, Rabbi Fogel offered the hope and the blessing that they would always find Torah study as sweet as they do now – and the lesson was reinforced with a delicious cake and refreshments supplied by parents and PTA.

Congratulations to Kitah Bet and Morah Tikva on a job well done!

The Jewish Home | JANUARY 19, 2023 Mesivta Athletics Crowns 2023 Champions

MLK Day at HALB

This past Sunday marked the Championship Games of the Mesivta Football League’s 11th Varsity Season and the Mesivta Basketball Association’s 4th Junior Varsity Season, both divisions of Mesivta Athletics. Thirteen different yeshivas were represented across the two leagues, engaging in healthy, kosher, competitive sports every Sunday since November.

Mesivta Football League (MFL)

In the MFL Varsity Championship, the number one seeded Netzach Knights took on the number three seeded MAY Eagles. It was a cold day in January, but things were heating up on the gridiron. This was a meeting of champions, as both Netzach and MAY won the championships in 2021 and 2022 respectively. Netzach came out early and scored first to take the early lead with veteran quarterback, Avi Gluck, leading his team and finding Morda Friedman for the first score. MAY responded with quarterback Azriel Soniker connecting with tight-end Shlomo Rosenthal. Both teams scored another touchdown each to keep the game tied going into the second half.

However, the second half was “Kulo Netzach.” Whatever Coaches Yoel and Chaim Zagelbaum told their Knights at halftime energized and mobilized their team to come out with a vengeance, as the Knights shut down the Eagles and scored two more touchdowns – Shua Skydell, with his second, and Yehuda Gamzeh – to seal the deal.

The MFL congratulates the Netzach Knights on winning the 2022-2023 Varsity Championship!

Mesivta Basketball Association (MBA)

In the MBA Junior Varsity Championship, the number one seeded Chofetz Chaim Cavs took on the number three seeded YFR Raptors. A competitive rivalry, in the end, Coach Yehuda Zev Lifschitz led his Cavs to a sweet victory, 68-44.

The game started extremely competitive, with teams trading points, led by their point guards, Akiva Guggenheim for the Cavs and Aryeh Wisnicki for the Raptors. But by the half, Chofetz Chaim had taken a commanding lead, 33-18.

Although YFR put forth a commendable effort, the offensive onslaught of the Cavs was too much to handle, and Chofetz Chaim took the Golden Ball with them back to Brooklyn.

The MBA congratulates the Chofetz Chaim Cavs on winning the 2022-2023 Junior Varsity Championship!

Rabbi Yossi Bennett, Menahel at Mesivta Ateres Yaakov and Administrator of Mesivta Athletics remarked, “I believe the novelty of this League is the camaraderie and community spirit it engenders. Boys from other schools often come early or stay late to watch the other games being played that day. It’s really an amazing outlet for the boys in our community. We’re in the middle of our inaugural hockey season and are gearing up varsity basketball and JV football after the winter break!”

Mesivta Athletics thanks all the participating schools – players, coaches, administrators, and fans – for helping make this season so successful.

For more information about Mesivta Athletics, visit their website at mesivtaathletics.com.

For MLK Day, activist James Hodges and Director of Habitats for Humanity, Myrnissa Stone, spoke to HALB students about the work they do with the local Jewish community centers. Teachers, administrators, and these special guests spent the day teaching students about the importance of treating everyone equally and with kavod.

The Jewish Home | JANUARY 19, 2023 Tefillin Awareness Project at MAY 5 Towns Hockey League

Bringing Math to Life in HALB’s Lev Chana! HALB Presents: Fiddler on the Roof

Mesivta Ateres Yaakov was visited by the Tefillin Awareness Project this past week. The project visits hundreds of shuls, yeshivos, and kollels each year bringing awareness to this great mitzvah. After an enlightening shiur by Rabbi Avrohom Schachter, Director of the Organization, talmidim lined up to have the placement of their tefillin and the exterior portions checked by one of four experienced sofrim. Aside from a number of different adjustments made and concerns expressed by the sofrim, the project served to reinvigorate talmidim about this important mitzvah. The 5 Towns Hockey League just completed what was an amazing season. The Championship games were incredible. The games were fun and competitive. The action was nonstop with winners only decided in the last minutes of every game.

The most amazing aspect of the 5 Towns Hockey League is that all participants improve tremendously. When they start in pre-1A and move up as they get older, they become real hockey players. They are the ones that are the best in their camps in hockey and the ones that make the teams when it comes to organized school sports. The skills they learn in the game of hockey follow them forever. The best emails we get are from parents after the summer telling us that their son was the best in the division in hockey or that he made the high school hockey team. Of course, sportsmanship and middot play a big role as well and that is stressed every game of the season.

The 5 Towns Hockey League, which is in its 25th year, has over 30 teams participating and enjoying the game of hockey. Every season, FM Home Loans the corporate sponsor, provides an amazing giveaway from Nike hats to duffel bags. This coming season they will give every participant a new 5 Towns Hockey sweatshirt. Looking forward to the winter/spring season. www.5townssports.com

Congressman Anthony D’Esposito Sworn In To Office

Congressman Anthony D’Esposito (R-New York) was sworn into office at the United States Capitol last week as part of commencement ceremonies marking the beginning of the 118th Congress. D’Esposito was elected to serve the residents of New York’s 4th Congressional District last November in a historic victory and is the first member of his party since 1997 to represent the South Shore Long Island based constituency. The Island Park, New York, native formerly served as an NYPD Detective, volunteer fire chief, and Hempstead Town Councilman – a resume of public service that D’Esposito will lean on as a newly minted congressional freshman.

“I am grateful to my Long Island neighbors for entrusting me with the sacred duty of representing them on Capitol Hill, and I will work diligently to ensure their voices are heard in the halls of Congress,” said D’Esposito. “My life experience as a law enforcement professional, fire chief, and local elected leader has equipped me with the skills needed to deliver the type of positive change desired by Americans who are fed up with Washington’s dysfunction.”

New York’s 4th Congressional District is comprised of large swaths of America’s largest township, Hempstead Town, as well as the neighboring City of Long Beach on Long Island’s southern shore. This Nassau County based congressional district – known for its sandy coastlines, bustling downtown commercial corridors, and quaint suburban locales – is home to a diverse array of Americans who share a common desire for affordable neighborhoods, safe streets, and an economy that supports the region’s entrepreneurial spirit. Indeed, these desires transcend traditional partisan politics, and guide Congressman D’Esposito’s approach to legislating in a common sense, bipartisan fashion.

Prior to his time in the United States House of Representatives, Congressman D’Esposito served as a Hempstead Town Councilman from 2016 until January 2023. D’Esposito’s tenure on the Town Council included a lengthy streak of bipartisanship, where he worked across the aisle to deliver tax cuts for the 800,000 residents of Hempstead Town. As a new member of Congress, D’Esposito recommitted himself to working collaboratively with colleagues of all political affiliations if it advanced the agenda of his Long Island neighbors.

“Long Islanders of all races, religions, and cultural backgrounds are bound together by our love of Long Island, as well as our shared goals of bettering the lives of our families, safeguarding our streets, and enhancing our community,” said D’Esposito. “I was elected to Congress in order to achieve these goals, and I will do so by working collaboratively with fellow representatives without regard to their party affiliation, as long as such collaboration brings about positive results. The needs of my fellow New Yorkers will always take precedence over partisan bickering.”

By Menachem Segal

“It’s difficult to convey in words the joy and elation upon witnessing local public high school seniors keeping their first Shabbos,” said Rabbi Moshe Fingerer, Director of Brooklyn Jewish Xperience. Finishing almost two months of intense educational programming at BJX, these public high school seniors came together for their first Shabbos experience. The Shabbaton began with a beautiful Carlebach davening at the BJX shul. The dancing and exuberant singing around the bimah was surreal. Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Herzka welcomed the leadership students into their beautiful home for a spectacular Friday night seudah. The meal was filled with divrei Torah, singing, enlightening speeches, and great conversation. The many Flatbush hosts – both for meals and lodging – felt that this past Shabbos was transformative.

“I think the Flatbush community gained so much by hosting these young men and women. To have seen firsthand their sincere interest, forthright curiosity, and mutual excitement while fully observing Shabbos was exceptional,” said Rabbi Moshe.

The authenticity, devotion, and dedication shown by BJX and the hosts evoked strong feelings from the students. Students praised the special achdus, ahavas Yisroel and Torah learning. David G., a brilliant honors student, reflected on his Shabbos. “I experienced unbelievable hospitality and priceless knowledge. Real human interactions with fellow Jews. No borders within the community,” he extolled. Alan G., a student at Edward Murrow, said, “These past two days have been eye-opening experiences and have shown me that all Jews are like brothers and sisters.” Ben B., an advanced student with a prodigious mind, said, “It was truly an invigorating experience. I learned a lot about Judaism and the wonderful Jews right here in Brooklyn. It felt like we were all one giant family. I will never forget it.”

“A personal highlight for me happened at the Herzka home. In the middle of the sumptuous seudah, the students unanimously proclaimed that they were enjoying BJX so much that they would be willing to extend the program for many more months. I couldn’t believe my ears! I felt like crying from joy. I knew then that the program was an absolute home run,” shared Rabbi Fingerer.

The culmination of the Shabbos was at the home of Mr. and Mrs. JoJo Rabinowitz. David Ziff played a beautiful Havdalah led by Rav Yitzchok Fingerer who flowed with charisma, passion, love and spiritual power as he described Havdalah and gave the students a charge. After Havdalah, the graduates of the leadership program received their diplomas and rewards.

The BJX staff never ceased imbuing the students with a love and passion for Shabbos.

Multiple students who were never called up to the Torah finally had the opportunity to embrace the Torah and connect with Hashem. One was able to witness the fervor in their eyes and the passion on their faces. Rabbi Rosenberg said, “The spiritual energy generated on Shabbos defies description. I was moved to tears.”

Yiddishkeit isn’t taken for granted in Brooklyn. BJX is a vital community resource and institution that is a magnet and binding force in Flatbush and beyond for Torah, Yiddishkeit and achdus. They know how to beautifully intertwine authenticity and simchas hachaim with emunah. Hashevenu Hashem Eilacha. The avodas hakodesh of BJX – bringing back acheinu beni Yisroel – will be mekarev the geulah.

Ambitious Course to Cover Thirty-Three Centuries of Jewish Literature

Rabbi Zalman Wolowik to Explore Eight Genres of Jewish Literature with a Diverse Group of Five Towns Jews

To study the history of most cultures, you need to learn about wars and empires, warriors and city builders, and great works of art. But the history of Judaism is overwhelmingly a history of books. Books form the core of Judaism’s culture. But even if they’re known as “the People of the Book,” much of Judaism’s classic literature remains closed to contemporary Jews.

This month, Rabbi Zalman Wolowik will open Jewish literature to a contemporary audience. He’s leading a class of Jews of many affiliations and backgrounds as they explore the history, authors, and content of Judaism’s most important titles in a new course entitled Book Smart.

“It’s an ambitious undertaking,” Rabbi Zalman Wolowik says. “I’m excited because I think the course will give us a richer understanding of what Judaism meant throughout the centuries and what it can mean for us today.”

When Book Smart’s first ninety-minute session kicks off on Tuesday, January 24 at 8:00 PM, at Chabad Five Towns, students will begin their six-week survey of traditional Jewish literature, covering Torah, Talmud, Midrash, halachah, ethics, and philosophy, as well as kabbalah and Chasidic mysticism. “We’ll meet the authors behind the big ideas of Jewish history over a period of thirty-three centuries,” Rabbi Wolowik says.

The history of Jewish literature is a broad subject, but Rabbi Zalman Wolowik says the course will also go deep. “We’re not just going to learn why these works were written. We’re actually going to get a taste of what it’s like to participate in a Talmudic debate, unpack a philosophical conundrum, and decipher a kabbalistic text from the Zohar.”

Book Smart was developed by The Rohr Jewish Learning Institute, headquartered in Brooklyn, New York, which has a sterling reputation for producing high-quality and engaging courses. Over 400,000 people have participated in JLI’s courses since the organization was founded in 1998.

Rabbi Zalman Wolowik says he isn’t promising students overnight expertise on the works discussed in the course. “But I can assure them it will be an enjoyable and intellectually engaging journey, giving us valuable context for all our future Jewish learning.”

The Jewish Home | JANUARY 19, 2023 Social-Emotional Learning at YCQ

First and fifth grade students at the Yeshiva of Central Queens have been piloting a new Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) curriculum designed by Dr. Elana Dumont, Director of School Psychology.

The curriculum focuses on teaching students how to recognize and respond to stressors by learning techniques to alleviate stress, effective communication skills, managing their emotions more appropriately, and learning skills to reduce conflict. Students are learning practical skills including mindfulness, the mindbody connection, relaxation techniques, self-talk, and identifying strengths – all with a focus on resilience.

The program is delivered directly through classroom teachers with intensive support from Dr. Dumont and the counseling department. One example of the program in action happens each morning in the first grade classrooms. After tefillah, students begin the day by pointing at their “mood meters,” stickers with four quadrants of different emotions, and students share with the class how they’re currently feeling. Students recognize that it’s normal to feel multiple emotions at once and that it’s okay to not always have positive feelings.

A few weeks ago, students also made “calming jars,” bottles filled with liquid and glitter that act as an innovative mindfulness tool. “The jars help students visualize their emotions ‘swirling’ and then settling,” remarked Mrs. Allison Blass, Grade 1 teacher. “Our students can focus on the swirling jars to help them be mindful and focus on something that allows them to calm down and breathe,” she added.

At one of their regular meetings with teachers, Dr. Dumont and Mrs. Elana Joffe, LMSW, YCQ’s Social Worker, most recently discussed methodology for teaching coping skills. The teachers shared positive feedback about SEL and how they – and their students – appreciate the program.

Grade 5 Teacher Mrs. Tali Hoffman said that “our SEL program has been giving students important vocabulary to identify their feelings, express their feelings in a safe and healthy way, and shift away from unpleasant feelings.”

The program synthesizes elements from existing evidenced based programs such as the RULER program from Yale University, Responsive Classroom, and Sean Covey’s 7 Habits of Happy Children. In addition to the extremely important life skills students are receiving, research has shown that social emotional learning is also directly linked with better academic performance.

Good Wines Guilt-Free

By Gabriel Geller, Kedem/Royal Wine

This column is usually published ahead of yom tov. However, as we all know, wine is integral to our lifestyle throughout the year. Shabbos, vorts, weddings, sheva brachos, or events such as a birthday or an anniversary are all occasions on which some good wine can be part of a good l’chaim.

We live in interesting times, with fast-increasing costs of living across the board and a proliferation of high-end wines. The extensive array of kosher wines keeps on widening, with regions and styles never explored before making their way to the stores’ shelves. Many of these wines carry price tags of over $50, which can be frustrating as most people cannot afford to spend that much on a bottle. The good news is that while premium wines induce buzz and chatter among aficionados, they are still a minority.

Many excellent wines that retail between $15-30 can be enjoyed by all. It is hard to beat the value provided by the wines in Herzog’s Lineage series. For instance, at $20 or less, the Herzog Lineage Malbec 2020 has all the characteristics of the variety: Flavorful, meaty with notes of blueberries, plums, and spices. It is great for a steak dinner or with a juicy Shabbos roast.

If you are looking for a wine from Israel, Carmel has a broad array of affordable, well-made wines. The Selected Mediterranean, a unique blend with notes of raspberries, olives, and fresh herbs, can be found for less than $15. Their Appellation Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot retail for around $20 and are beautifully layered with a bold, rich profile.

When it comes to French wines, they can indeed be intimidating. Because of their names and the aura of the likes of the Château Giscours and Pontet-Canet, many people believe all French wines are expensive and unattainable. However, there are, in fact, many French wines that are affordable and enjoyable, as well. Take, for instance, a classic bottle, Château Les Riganes 2021. It is an authentic Bordeaux wine with all the characteristics one can expect: Elegant, medium-bodied, restrained, and dry, with notes of ripe strawberries, blackberries, earthy undertones, and cigar box. French sophistication and expert craftmanship at less than $15.

Italian wines are trending, and the choice of quality wines from this classic old-world region is steadily growing. The Ovadia line has a lovely, juicy, fruity, yet refined Chianti 2019 from the Colli Senesi subregion that is a true hidden gem. It costs only about $13 or so and comes in highly recommended!

One could not list high QPR (Quality-Price-Ratio) wines and omit some excellent Spanish ones. Ramon Cardova has released a high-end Reserva Old Vine wine that is genuinely delightful but quite limited. And it disappears from stores shelves quickly as it retails for around $25. However, the classic Ramon Cardova Rioja Crianza 2019 is also superb and retails for approximately $15-20. It has everything you want in a great Rioja: juicy ripe fruit, herbs, oak, and vanilla. Whether sipped alongside pulled beef tacos or with a bowl of hot cholent, it will surprise even the snobbiest wine drinkers.

L’chaim!

Rabbi Sternhill’s second grade class at Siach Yitzchok celebrated a siyum on Parshas Vayeira

Turning the Tide of Shidduchim Through Torah

Searching for a shidduch these days can feel like a daunting and sometimes even hopeless task. But a movement has formed in Chicago that is changing things on a truly monumental level. Back for the sixth year in a row, Chicago Chesed Fund’s annual Shas for Shidduchim campaign is almost here, providing Yidden across the globe with an opportunity to harness the power of limud haTorah for an incredibly strong z’chus for a shidduch.

This Tu B’Shvat, starting Sunday evening, February 5, 2023, iy”H over 400 lomdim will gather together to collectively learn all of Shas within 24 hours! This monumental undertaking of limud haTorah will be a massive segulah for those seeking a shidduch. In addition, this 24hour event will also see the return of last year’s Shas for Shidduchim Jr. initiative. Over 70 children will come together to learn all of Shisha Sidrei Mishnah, contributing even more to the tremendous power of the day’s learning.

So, how can you get involved?

By heading to Shas4Shidduchim. org, you can sponsor a daf and dedicate its learning as a segulah for you or your loved ones to find a shidduch. Not only will your daf be an enormous z’chus, but your donation will also help many other singles and newlyweds. All proceeds will go directly to support Chicago Chesed Fund’s myriad of shidduch and wedding-related programs such as consistent proactive outreach to their extensive shadchanim network on behalf of singles, arranging shidduch events and coaching for singles, providing sheitels and gowns for new kallahs and their family, and much more. This combination of Torah learning and tzedakah can act as a truly powerful segulah!

To sponsor a daf, go to Shas4Shidduchim.org or call 847-679-7799 x 170.

Chicago Chesed Fund is a non-profit organization founded by Dayan Shmuel Fuerst, committed to helping families in crisis throughout the Chicagoland area. Through 80+ various programs and events, it provides critical assistance in the form of goods, services, and financial support while maintaining the dignity and integrity of each recipient.

Rabbi Chaim Dovid Zwiebel, Executive Vice President of Agudath Israel of America, visited Chazaq headquarters last week

HALB’s Middle School math teachers attended Molloy College’s “Make Math Count” Conference. They’re excited to bring some new ideas into their classrooms

While learning the letter G, children in Lev Chana shopped in ‘Gourmet Glatt’ for grocery items which all began with the letter G The Shulamith Sharks won their home game last Tuesday, scoring 40-31. The gym was once again packed with family, friends, teachers. Shulamith is now 4-1 in the Yeshiva Basketball league. Go Shulamith Sharks!

Nassau Leaders Unite Against Gov. Hochul’s High Density Housing Plan

Teaming up in a united front against the resurgence of Governor Kathy Hochul’s proposal for high density housing in single-family neighborhoods on Long Island, Town of Hempstead Supervisor Don Clavin, Town of North Hempstead Supervisor Jennifer DeSena, Town of Oyster Bay Supervisor Joseph Saladino, and City of Glen Cove Mayor Pamela Panzenbeck stood with local homeowners to denounce another plan from Albany that the officials refer to as an “attack on the suburbs.” The officials stood in front of a modest single-family home that would be subjected to high density zoning, allowing large-scale apartment buildings to be developed right next door.

“Every year, it’s the same story,” said Town of Hempstead Supervisor Don Clavin. “Albany proposes an unwanted plan to turn Long Island into the sixth borough of New York City. Enough is enough. Residents take root on Long Island because it’s what they want: a single-family home suburban quality of life. We’re not going to let Albany force us into changing our residential neighborhoods into citylike landscapes.”

Announced in the recent State of the State address, Governor Kathy Hochul outlined a plan that would force Long Island municipalities to allow massive development projects to ensure a targeted housing growth of three percent over three years. The developments would forcibly be approved through the Governor’s newly created “Fast Track Approval” program that comes into play when the municipality does not reach its three percent housing growth goal. The program, which is only available for multifamily projects, exists to override the authority of local zoning law, meaning multifamily housing will be approved in areas zoned for single-family housing.

“Governor Hochul’s housing plan is yet another ill-conceived proposal designed to turn Nassau County into New York City and unilaterally flood our communities with thousands of apartments and high-density zoning,” Town of North Hempstead Supervisor Jennifer DeSena said. “This proposal is absolutely unacceptable and not only is it inconsistent with the character of our communities, but it will also negatively impact the environment, traffic, emergency services, and surely overcrowd our schools. I urge the public to join us in the fight against this plan and contact the Governor’s Office and their local state officials. The future of our suburban communities are at stake, and we need local control, not Hochul control.”

Under the proposal, Nassau County – home to more than 478,000 housing units as reported in the U.S. Census (updated July 2021) – would beckon an estimated 14,340 additional housing units over the course of three years. What’s more, under the “Fast Track Approval” program, municipalities would be stripped of their ability to combat the unwanted housing developments. An influx of 14,340 additional housing units over three years in Nassau County, already one of the most densely populated counties in the world, would increase the amount of traffic on roadways, the number of children in schools and the strain on local infrastructure.

In addition to the proposed housing growth goals, Governor Hochul outlined a plan that includes a forcible rezoning of areas within a half-mile radius of Long Island Rail Road stations. This plan would up-zone neighborhoods to increase population density and allow for large scale apartments to be developed. There are currently 58 Long Island Rail Road stations in Nassau County, which would equate to a total of 29 miles of rezoning, allowing for multifamily apartment developments to be built in the areas zoned for single-family residences. According to the outraged officials, this proposal is not in tune with the wishes of the area residents.

As if stripping “home rule” from municipalities was not enough, the plan also calls for an “expedited environmental review process” for projects built in the forcibly rezoned areas. As the elected officials mentioned, this is a serious concern for local governments as they are keyed in on the needs and balances of local neighborhoods – rushing unwanted projects could be vastly detrimental to the surrounding environment.

“This is a prime example of governing from a distance. Governor Kathy Hochul does not know what is best for Long Island and is openly infringing on municipal control of zoning regulations,” concluded Clavin. “This is an assault on the suburbs. We will not be quiet in the face of overdevelopment. We will take the fight to Albany and continue to advocate for Long Island neighbors.”

The Jewish Home | JANUARY 19, 2023 Shulamith Achdut Trips

Shulamith Achdut trips are an exciting and amazing time for students to bond with girls in other classes. The eighth grade had an amazing time on their surprise snowtubing trip. The jam-packed day included a Schmooze, S’mores and ended with a delicious dinner at Dougie’s! Thank you to Mrs. Michelle Farbman, Dean of Students, for organizing the trip, and to Mrs. Danyel Goldberg, General Studies Curriculum Director, for accompanying the eighth grade to Camelback Resort.

Yisroel Meir Kaplan visited Siach Yitzchok and the classroom dedicated in memory of his grandparents Mazal tov to Rabbi Russ’s CAHAL students who participated in the 1st Grade Chumash Mesiba at Yeshiva Ketana of Long Island and received their Chumashim on Sunday

75 Years of Central

On Wednesday, January 11, the Yeshiva University High School for Girls community gathered to celebrate 75 years of Central. For the first time, Central held its own Dinner of Tribute with record numbers of current parents, alumnae, and donors in attendance. The program focused on Central’s rich legacy and expansive future, demonstrating just how impactful a Central education has been, is, and will be, for years to come.

There was a record-breaking turnout at the dinner, which was held in the beautiful venue, The Woodmere Club. Attendees enjoyed a delicious smorgasbord dinner, and it was a wonderful opportunity for students, faculty, and parents to mingle and celebrate Central together.

The honorees at the dinner included veteran history teacher Mrs. Amy Katz, who has touched the lives and educated hundreds of Central students in her twenty-one years at Central. The program opened with a speech by senior Eliana Samuels, daughter of Dr. Roya and Mr. Michael Samuels, who were awarded YUHSG Parents of the Year. Alumna of the Year was awarded to Mrs. Rachel Sterman Rosenbaum (‘10), who facilitates Central’s cultural arts program. Mrs. Rosenbaum’s sister, senior Perri Sterman, closed out the program with a moving speech about her family’s generational connection to Central. Attendees also heard from Head of School, Ms. Bracha Rutner, and Associate Principal, Ms. Leah Moskovich (‘07). A video presentation highlighted the honorees’ dedication to Central, as well as a special message from Rabbi Dr. Ari Berman, president of Yeshiva University, congratulating Central on 75 wonderful years. A second video, celebrating the Central legacy, showed how generations of Central alumnae connect through the years, with several examples of alumnae that became teachers at Central, who taught young women at Central that eventually became teachers here themselves.

Of this video, freshman parent Jessica Koenigsberg said, “The video montage at the end about the legacy of Central was moving. The chain of mesorah was truly crystallized. Usually, I’m the only emotional one at these things, but three other women at my table were also crying!”

Head of School Ms. Bracha Rutner says, “Central is bigger than the four walls of our building – we are a community that has existed for 75 years steeped in Torah values with strong parent partnership, enabling the students to be contributing members of society. Our dinner was the opportunity to showcase the best of Central.”

Thanks to the incredible efforts of all involved in the planning, Central’s Dinner of Tribute was a tremendous success.

The Jewish Home | JANUARY 19, 2023 Yeshiva Ateres Eitz Chaim Annual Breakfast

Cupcake Wars at HAFTR Middle School

Yeshiva Ateres Eitz Chaim held its second annual Yeshiva Breakfast this past Sunday.

Mr. Menachem Landau, Board Member, opened the breakfast by describing the importance of a Yeshiva that every student knows and feels that he is a metzuyan. Rabbi Gedaliah Oppen, Rosh Yeshiva, followed with words of chizuk in chinuch, speaking of the importance to extend one’s hand to help pull the child out of the worldly waters instead of just throwing a life preserver and letting the child fend for himself. Rabbi Boruch Oppen, principal, spoke of the love and the opportunities the Yeshiva gives its talmidim. A video was shown of a “Glimpse of a Talmid’s Experience at Yeshiva Ateres Eitz Chaim.” Mr. Charlie Harary, father of Elisha, a talmid at Yeshiva Ateres Eitz Chaim, expressed his hakaras hatov and admiration to the Yeshiva, and Mr. Ted Stricker, Board Member, concluded with an incredible story of the importance of what Yeshiva Ateres Eitz Chaim offers each talmid.

We express hakaras hatov to all who were involved in arranging the breakfast and supporting the Yeshiva. In connection with the Rambam’s yahrtzeit, Gan Chamesh began its health unit. The children play-acted doctor’s appointments, explored using medical and nursing props, and were visited by health professionals from within the parent body. They gained a deeper understanding of our bodies and what we can do to keep them healthy.

Fun, adrenaline, teamwork, creativity, excitement – those are just some of the words that come to mind when thinking about the Cupcake Wars event that took place at HAFTR Middle School this past Motzei Shabbat. Seventh and eighth grade girls were divided into teams and competed to decorate cupcakes that were beautifully and creatively designed, working under significant time constraints. Challenges included designing cupcakes representing HAFTR Middle School as well as different chagim. Students then presented their cupcakes to a panel of judges consisting of Mr. Joshua Gold, Mrs. Einat Rabinovich, and Mr. Daniel Strook.

Dr. Yali Werzberger, HAFTR’s Assistant Principal, explained, “The way students worked together as a team to design, innovate, and create was truly gratifying. Students learned how to manage conflict and differences of opinion and channeled their energy towards the greater good of their team.”

Students prepared for the Cupcake Wars through a series of workshops run by Dr. Bracha Kasirer, licensed psychologist and cupcake decorator. She taught the girls cupcake decorating skills as well as teamwork.

We thank Mrs. Molly Gellman, school social worker, for organizing the event, and Ms. Alyson Jacobs, for her incredible work as the MC.

A tremendous thank you also goes to Mrs. Nechama Landau, Ms. Ariana Wolfson, Mrs. Jennifer Hucul, Mrs. Tamara Farber, and Mrs. Estee Kamelhar for all things big and small in ensuring the success of this program.

The Jewish Home | JANUARY 19, 2023 Yeshiva Darchei Torah’s Yovel Dinner & Siyum HaShas

Rav Yaakov Bender, Rosh HaYeshiva The hosts and co-hosts of the Yovel Campaign being recognized for their extraordinary efforts, L-R: R’ Moshe Bender, Avi Weinstock, Heshie Klein, Daniel Rabinowitz, Menachem Marx, R’ Yaakov Bender, Dovid Scharf, Eli Schron, R’ Shlomo Avigdor Altusky, Aharon Kaplan, Elisha Brecher, Tzali Gutman, Ushi Klein, R’ Avrohom Bender.

L-R: Messrs. Dovid Bloom and Moshe Bloom, representing the family of Yeshiva Darchei Torah founder R’ Yisroel Bloom z”l; Mr. Ronald Lowinger, president; and Mr. Lloyd Keilson, co-chairman, board of trustees; were presented with new Sifrei Torah in recognition of their decades of mesirus nefesh to the Yeshiva. Mr. Dovid Scharf, master of ceremonies

Rav Elya Brudny greeting Rav Shmuel Kamenetsky Mr. Motty Klein saying the Kaddish Rav Elya Brudny

Mr. Chesky Newman, master of ceremonies Mr. Ronald Lowinger greeting Rav Dovid Schustal

Some of the hundreds of bachurim of the Yeshiva who rejoiced at the Yovel Dinner & Siyum HaShas Rav Yaakov Bender dancing with Rav Dovid Bender after the Siyum

Rav Shlomo Avigdor Altusky, Rosh Yeshiva

The Jewish Home | JANUARY 19, 2023 Remembering Rabbi Kelemer, zt”l JSL Week 2 Recap

Every Friday morning in HANC’s Elementary School in West Hempstead, the students and staff gather in the auditorium for a weekly Shabbat assembly. This past week was even more special as the whole school came together to honor the memory of West Hempstead’s beloved Morah D’Atra, Rabbi Yehuda Kelemer, zt”l, whose second yahrzeit was commemorated on Monday. While he was known for his sweet nature, delightful sense of humor, and extraordinary depth of Torah knowledge, the middah that he was most remembered for was his chessed. When a congregant or friend was in need, no matter whether it was daytime or the middle of the night, Rabbi Kelemer always made himself available to help, to visit a sick person, to pay a shiva call, to help solve a problem, or whatever was required. There were no bounds to how far he would travel to provide comfort, guidance and chizuk to anyone in need.

How do we honor the memory of such a special tzaddik? We light a candle, recite Tehillim, share stories about him and his many good deeds, and try to emulate him in every way we can. Amongst its guests for this special occasion, HANC welcomed Rebbetzin Ruchie Kelemer and their son, Mr. Yosef Kelemer, as well as Rabbi Elon Soniker of Anshei Shalom. Mr. Kelemer shared many stories with the children about his father and recognized his wonderful mother who supported Rabbi Kelemer so that he could perform his many roles to their fullest.

For Morah Elana Jacobs, a fourth grade morah who grew up in West Hempstead and was a student in HANC as a child, honoring Rabbi Kelemer was an important mission due to her personal experience of having him as a teacher and rebbe. She compiled a video of HANC staff members and students who shared their own personal stories of Rabbi Kelemer going out of his way to perform chessed and to make each person feel special and appreciated.

“Rabbi Kelemer was someone who impacted our entire community on a daily basis through his chesed. How do we give back to someone who gave us so much? By following in his ways and becoming more like him with the middah of ahavat chesed. By performing acts of chessed in his memory, his neshama will have an aliyah.”

As a result, Morah Jacobs developed a chessed program called C.A.K.E. (Chesed And Kindness Everyday) so that all of the students of the school could emulate this remarkable rabbi who had such a profound influence on the community, the school, and the world at large. As each act of kindness or chessed was performed, a specially designed chessed note was filled out and posted for all to see.

At the conclusion of the assembly, the entire school stood together, read two perakim of Tehillim in Rabbi Kelemer’s memory, and sang Shabbat songs. May his memory be a blessing to us all. The JSL 2023 Winter Season is in full swing, and the regular season opener for the basketball and hockey league was incredibly exciting. With a wealth of skilled players, this season is shaping up to be one of the best yet. The Men’s Basketball playoffs are also underway, with teams fighting for a chance to claim the coveted JSL championship trophy.

JSL Juniors

The JSL Juniors are ready for an exciting season where they will learn valuable skills from our amazing coaches! The boys will also match up against other teams in exciting exhibition games!

K/P Hockey: ARG secured a hardfought victory against Northwestern Mutual, with Gabriel Sherman scoring the game-winning goal. Simcha Day Camp came out on top in a close match against Hewlett Auto Body, and Home and Stone and Island Roofing ended in a dramatic 2-2 draw, with Home and Stone scoring a late goal to tie the game.

K/P Soccer: Future Care Consultants emerged victorious against ARG with Elimelech Yakimov scoring the game-winning goal in the final minutes. 1st Hockey: 4 Seasons AC beat Built by Nate, with Pinny Weinstein scoring an impressive 7 goals. ARG also secured a win against Island Roofing with a last-second goal.

Basketball

3rd/4th: Island Roofing beat Town Appliance 12-9, thanks to a key shot from Max Edery from deep! ARG also secured a win in their first game of the season, with a standout, relentless performance from Joey Malkin. 5th-7th: Maidenbaum defeated Extreme Vent Cleaners with a score of 4425, thanks to a dominant performance from Yoni Schaffran. Five Towns Orthodontics also secured a victory, with Leor Benhayun making a number of spectacular plays.

Hockey

2nd/3rd: JNT recorded a shutout win against Mold Pro, with goals from Yitzchak Rosenthal and Aryeh Levine in the closing minutes. Meat + Board defeated 5TownsCentral 4-1, thanks to goals from Ezra Donowitz, Aaron Lowenstein, and Moshe Sherman. Elegant Lawns won 5-1, thanks to goals from Dov Wolf and Dovid Schwandel. 4th/5th: 925 Sterling emerged victorious against Posh Home + Bath with a score of 7-4, thanks to goals from Cheskel Jidele and Moshe Berg. 5 Town Orthodontics secured a nail-biting 6-5 win. Gabriel Abittan scored the game-winning goal! Yitzchak Polansky had a strong performance for Town Appliance, helping his team win 4-1 6th-8th: JNT defeated MoldPro 11-5. Cheskel Solomon of JNT scored a double hat trick with 3 assists! Daniel Glucksman of MoldPro had 2 goals and 2 assists. Bayrock Insurance defeated Wieder Orthodontics 7-2 with Dov Solomon and Tzvi Maltz as co-MVPs for Bayrock.

Men’s Basketball

The first round of the playoffs has begun! Team Pip Printing, led by Ephraim Hoffman, Yitzi Wieder, and co., defeated a young and talented Maidenbaum squad. The team looks to win their fourth straight JSL championship in as many seasons but they have some competition this time. The Rosenberg brothers played phenomenally to advance Johns Auto to the Semifinals. Aaron Azose caught fire in the second half to help secure the victory for SDF over Built By Nate. Ephraim Wieder had a monster game to help the Rebbe’s Choice move on to the next round.

L’chu V’Nelcha

Around the Community Dirshu’s Kinyan Halacha Programs Celebrate 3 Siyumim on 3 Continents as They Gift Klal Yisroel with New Morei Horaah

By Chaim Gold

“In our city of Antwerp, we have morei horaah and poskim who have completed the Dirshu Kinyan Halacha program, both the first fiveand-a-half-year machzor and the second five-and-a- half-year machzor. They have covered all major areas of horaah and are incredibly learned and expert morei horaah!” Those were the words of HaGaon HaRav Aharon Schiff, shlita, Rav of the Machzikei Hadas umbrella kehillah of Antwerp’s Charedi community, said at the Dirshu Kinyan Halacha European siyum, held at the prestigious Hall of the Aviation Suite, Thistle London, Heathrow.

HaGaon HaRav Moshe Shaul Klein, shlita, rav of the Ohr Hachaim neighborhood of Bnei Brak and posek of the Mayaanei Hayeshua Hospital, one of Eretz Yisroel’s leading poskim, related that many of the morei horaah in Rav Wosner’s beis din have similarly completed Kinyan Halacha.

Rav Klein said, “Where do you have yungeleit who even during the bein hazemanim of erev Pesach and erev Sukkos when they are helping at home, spend their late nights learning and reviewing halacha for their twice yearly Kinyan Halacha bechinos at the end of bein hazemanim?!”

HaGaon HaRav Yechiel Mechel Steinmetz, shlita, Skverer Dayan of Boro Park and one of America’s senior poskim, candidly remarked at the American siyum, “All of us morei horaah must give special thanks to Dirshu and its Nasi, Rav Dovid Hofstedter, shlita. There is a tremendous shortage of poskim muvhakim in Klal Yisrael. This shortage places tremendous pressure on existing poskim who are too few to serve the many who come with sheilos. Dirshu already has a record from previous machzorim of Kinyan Halacha, of preparing those who are able to persevere and complete the unremitting program to become poskim muvhakim who are ready to serve Klal Yisrael.”

Those words of the gedolim were just some highlights of a remarkable series of siyumim in Eretz Yisrael, Europe, and America to celebrate the accomplishments of more than 400 new morei horaah, who have completed the grueling five-and-a-half-year program of the third machzor of Kinyan Halacha and will go on to become morei horaah who will enrich Klal Yisrael and help Jews all over the world keep halacha.

The siyumim held on Motzoei Shabbos parshas Vayigash at the Binyanei Haumah Convention Center in Yerushalayim, the following night in London, at the Hall of the Aviation Suite, Thistle Heathrow, and two nights later, on Motzoei Asarah B’Teves at the Eminence Hall in Boro Park, featured addresses by senior Gedolei Yisrael.

Among them in Eretz Yisrael were HaGaon HaRav Moshe Shaul Klein, shlita, a talmid muvhak of HaGaon HaRav Shmuel Wosner, zt”l; HaGaon HaRav Sariel Rosenberg, shlita, ybl”ch, son-in-law of HaGaon HaRav Nissim Karelitz, zt”l, and Av Beis Din of Rav Karelitz’s beis din; HaGaon HaRav Avigdor Nebenzahl, shlita, Rav of the Old City of Yerushalayim; HaGaon HaRav Yitzchok Berkovitz, shlita, Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshiva Aish HaTorah; HaGaon HaRav Messod Ben Shimon, shlita, Rav of Bnei Brak; and HaGaon HaRav Yaakov Meir Stern, shlita, Dayan at Rav Wosner’s Beis Din and one of the most prominent talmidim of Rav Shmuel Wosner. There was also a special video address given by the venerated senior Rosh Yeshiva of Slabodka, HaGaon HaRav Dov Landau, shlita.

In England, the siyum was addressed by the Vizhnitzer Rebbe, shlita, of London; HaGaon HaRav Aharon Schiff, shlita, Rav of Antwerp; HaGaon HaRav Nosson Binyomin Eckstein, shlita, Belzer Dayan in London who heads Dirshu’s operations in Europe; HaGaon HaRav Aharon Schiff, Rav of Antwerp, and the special guest from Eretz Yisroel, HaGaon HaRav Yaakov Meir Stern, shlita.

In America, the siyum was addressed by the venerated posek, HaGaon HaRav Hillel David, shlita, Rav of Kehillas, Yeshiva Shaarei Torah, Yoshev Rosh of the Vaad Roshei Yeshiva of Torah Umesorah, and a member of the Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah of Agudas Yisroel, HaGaon HaRav Yechiel Mechel Steinmetz, shlita, Skverer Dayan of Boro Park and the special guest from Eretz Yisroel, HaGaon HaRav Yaakov Meir Stern, shlita. There was also a special video address given by the senior posek, Rav Shlomo Miller, shlita, Rosh Kollel of the Toronto Kollel.

All three siyumim were also addressed by Dirshu’s Nasi, Rav Dovid Hofstedter, shlita.

A Siyum Like No Other

Anyone who attended any of the siyumim could not but be deeply moved by the atmosphere of pure simcha that permeated the air. The siyum of Kinyan Halacha is like no other siyum. It is a culmination of a grueling five-anda-half-year program where the lomdim learn Yoreh Deah chelek aleph and beis as well as large parts of hilchos Shabbos, hilchos hagalas keilim and other areas of halacha with great iyun starting from the Gemara, continuing on to the Tur with its mefarshim, carrying on to the Shulchan Aruch and the major mefarshim on Shulchan Aruch right up until the practical halachic rulings of the poskim of the last generations.

For those who have completed the first program there is a second five-year program that covers even more obscure areas of halacha such as hilchos mikvaos, ribbis, eiruvin, birchas haperios, the halachos of the writing and checking of sifrei Torah, tefillin and mezuzos and more.

HaGaon HaRav Dov Landau, Shlita

HaGaon HaRav Dov Landau, shlita, Rosh Yeshiva of the Slabodka Yeshiva and one of the senior Gedolei Hador of our time, was not able to make the trip from Bnei Brak to Yerushalayim to attend the siyum due to his advanced age. Instead, Dirshu’s senior hanhala members led by Rav Dovid Hofstedter visited him in his home in Bnei Brak where he gave short divrei bracha via video. In his words of bracha, he said, “What Dirshu is doing is extremely important. Ashreichim, fortunate are you and fortunate is your lot! What you have done [with this program] is very good. Not only very good, but very important [for Klal Yisrael]. Hashem should help that you should have hatzlacha in all the programs…”

“The Secret Lies In Chazarah”

The siyum in America was a momentous event. One of the rabbanim in attendance related, “It is rare to see a pure Torah event of such magnitude in Boro Park. To look at the dais and see venerated Rabbanim from both the Chassidish and Litvish worlds sitting side-by-side, celebrating the Torah accomplishments and milestone of welcoming a large group of new poskim to Klal Yisrael is not a regular sight in Boro Park. The kavod haTorah at that event imbued us all with chizuk.”

As the senior Posek, HaGaon HaRav Hillel David, shlita, approached the podium his profound simcha was clearly apparent on his face. He gave voice to that simcha by citing the words of the Medrash that “out of the one thousand talmidim who enter the beis hamedarsh only one emerges to become a moreh horaah.”

“What a simcha it therefore is to come here and rejoice with the mesaymim who have “completed this program that leads to horaah!” he exclaimed, “It is a great, rare simcha!”

Rav Hillel then went on to advise the mesaymim how to be successful as poskim. The secret lies in chazarah, constantly reviewing what you have learned, and never tiring of reviewing again and again. The greatest poskim did this.

Rav Yechiel Mechel Steinmetz

HaGaon HaRav Yechiel Mechel Steinmetz, shlita, the Skverer Dayan of Boro Park, and one of America’s senior poskim, explained that learning practical halacha is the highest form of limud haTorah. The Shach paskens that if a person learns Torah without learning halacha, he has not fulfilled his obligation of kevius ittim l’Torah, of setting aside time for Torah learning. The Mishnah Berurah also rules this way. Rav Steinmetz also thanked the wives of the yungeleit. They are the backbone of the program.

“Without their sacrifice, it would be impossible to provide Klal Yisrael with new morei horaah.”

HaRav Yitzchok Berkovitz addressing the Kinyan Halacha Siyum in Yerushlayim

While speaking at Agudath Israel’s Yeshiva Summit in Queens, Assemblywoman Stacey Pheffer Amato discussed the importance of protecting our Yeshivas in New York. Pheffer Amato is one of the leading advocates for Yeshivas in the State Legislature.

HAFTR First Graders Receive Their First Siddur

Soups On at Shulamith ECC

On Sunday, January 15, HAFTR first graders received their very first siddur at a beautiful Chagigat Siddur hosted in the HAFTR Lower School gym. The program started at 9:30am with some welcoming words from HAFTR Principal Mr. Joshua Gold, followed by a responsive recitation of a perek of Tehillim, led by Rabbi Asher Klein, HAFTR’s Mashgiach Ruchani.

Following this, Mr. Gold shared opening remarks to frame the morning. He explained that the program “not only reflects our collective and shared belief that tefillah is at the heart of Jewish life, but also our commitment to positioning our students to feel a sense of pride in, and ownership of, their spiritual growth and love of Judaism. The packed room we have here this morning underscores our value that a strong partnership between home and school is an important prerequisite for our students to develop into the next generation of Jewish leaders, and the caretakers of our holy mesorah.”

Friends and family then enjoyed a musical performance put on by the first graders. The performance ended with the first graders receiving their siddurim and then proudly holding them up for all to see. Afterwards, family and friends were then invited to the Hawks Nest to continue celebrating with delicious treats, educational games, picture frame decorating, and siddur cover decorating.

The program gave family and friends, along with the first grade classes, the opportunity to celebrate this milestone for HAFTR’s first graders. Students left feeling proud of what they accomplished. Thank you to our generous sponsors and to everyone who made this year’s Siddur Chagigah a success.

The winter season brings a host of engaging learning opportunities at Shulamith Early Childhood Center. Children explore and discover as they learn so much in every curriculum area.

The children in nursery thought about foods they like to eat in the winter and decided that a warm bowl of soup would be just perfect. They examined various vegetables including carrots, potatoes and celery and decided that vegetables would be a wonderful addition to a pot of soup.

Before they made the soup, they played a math game where they matched real vegetables to photos of the vegetables. They used the foundational math skills of one-to-one correspondence and counting in order to determine how many vegetables they needed to place on the corresponding photos. After matching the real vegetables to the cards, they placed the vegetables into a real pot. Such fun! The children wanted to play over and over again.

Finally, the day arrived to use those very same vegetables to make a pot of real soup. The children exercised their fine motor muscles cutting up the vegetables using child safe knives. They put the cut-up vegetables into the pot again, but this time to make real soup. When it was finally ready, the children eagerly sampled their cooking. Delicious! Requests for seconds said it all!

Games like these that connect to children’s lives abound in Shulamith ECC. Children have so much fun playing meaningful games while learning important foundational skills. Our students look forward to learning and discovering new things about Hashem’s wonderful world each and every day.

The Jewish Home | JANUARY 19, 2023 Hakaras Hatov

From the New “Rav Yaakov Bender On Chumash 2”

By ArtScroll/Mesorah Publications

Rabbi Yaakov Bender has taught tens of thousands of Jews: His many talmidim, the teachers he has counseled and guided, the parents he has advised, and, of course, the many thousands of readers of his sefarim. He has taught them all about ahavas Hashem, ahavas HaTorah, ahavas Yisrael and, yes, how to love themselves as well.

In a new second volume of Rav Yaakov Bender on the Chumash, this distinguished rosh yeshivah once again explores many of the Chumash’s timely and contemporary messages of strength, hope and chizuk. He begins with an insight on the parashah, and then shows us how the eternal and holy words of the Chumash are so relevant to us. He gently helps us find our own strengths and reach ever higher.

And he tells stories. So many stories! Rabbi Bender shares personal memories of his illustrious family. He brings us rare and often unknown stories about the gedolim we know and revere. There are “everyday gedolim” as well – people like you and me, men and women who take achrayus, courageously face what life brings them, and often achieve greatness. And, of course, he draws inspiring life lessons from the talmidim who are so central to his life.

The first volume of Rav Yaakov Bender on the Chumash has become a welcome guest at so many Shabbos tables. Now, in Volume 2, we can share even more of Rabbi Bender’s warmth, passion, and love for the klal with our families, enhancing both our Shabbos and our lives.

The following is a selection from the book on Parashas Va’eira. • • • • •

And Hashem said to Moshe, “Say to Aharon,

‘Take your staff and stretch your hand over the waters of Egypt’” (7:19).

I was sitting in the middle of the circle, enjoying the nachas and pure simchah of my daughter’s wedding, family and friends dancing all around us, when I saw the radiant face of the elderly rosh yeshivah, Rav Don Ungarischer. I was shocked, because while there had been years when the rosh yeshivah, a cousin of my mother-in-law, had participated in our simchos; now he was already old and frail. His presence was unexpected. I was honored when he sat next to me, and then Rav Don, son-in-law of Rav Reuven Grozovsky and grandson-in-law of Rav Boruch

Ber Leibowitz, leaned over.

“Do you know why I am here?” he asked. “Tzulib dein Mammeh, because of your mother.”

As a bachur, Rav Don, his brother, and his sister escaped Europe, leaving by ship, their parents meant to follow them on the next ship. Their parents never made it out, Rachmana litzlan, and the Ungarischer children arrived in America as orphans. The two boys were welcomed at Yeshivah Torah Vodaas, which had a dormitory, but their sister had no such opportunity: Where was she meant to go? It was my mother who took her in, welcoming her to our home, where she spent a significant period of time.

And Rav Don had not forgotten it.

In his comment that night in 2011, he taught me a new “din” in hakaras hatov. The familial relationship had obligated him to a certain extent, and he had joined us for many simchos, but now, old and weak, he was absolved – but the hakaras hatov remained.

It brought to mind the pasuk in this week’s parashah.

And Hashem said to Moshe, “Say to Aharon, ‘Take your staff and stretch your hand over the waters of Egypt and their rivers, and their lakes, and their ponds, and all of their gatherings of water, and it will be blood, and there will be blood in all of the land of Egypt, and in the stones and in the rocks’” (7:19).

Why did Moshe Rabbeinu pass this mission on to Aharon? As the leader, shouldn’t he have been the one to strike the water?

Rashi explains: Because the river protected Moshe when he was placed in it, he did not hit it, neither by the makkah of dam nor the makkah of tzefardei’a.

The baalei mussar wonder what difference it would have made to the water, which is inanimate and has no feelings, to have been struck. Would it have cared?

Furthermore, asks Rav Matisyahu Salomon, Rashi tells us later on (8:12) that Moshe Rabbeinu did not strike the earth for makkas kinnim because the earth had saved him by concealing the body of the Mitzri he killed, and so he was beholden to the earth as well. The Mitzri’s death was kept secret for only a single night because, ultimately, Dasan and Aviram told Pharaoh what happened and Moshe was forced to escape. As it turned out, the earth did not end up protecting Moshe Rabbeinu, so why was he forced to be makir tov?

Rav Matisyahu explains that for one night, Moshe Rabbeinu slept calmly, feeling confident that his secret was safe, and such is the nature of hakaras hatov – a person with good middos appreciates each and every act of kindness and sees himself as obligated. Because of that single night when he slept peacefully, Moshe felt unable to strike the earth.

Similarly, says Rav Chaim Shmulevitz, the water might not feel it, but a person who strives to embody proper middos is incapable of forgetting the chessed: It is not about the giver, but the recipient.

Moshe lived with this hakaras hatov, and he could not allow himself to forget!

Rav Eliezer Silver was one of the most prominent rabbanim in America during the years of World War II, and from distant Cincinnati, he managed to help and aid new arrivals to the United States.

Along with his gaonus in Torah, he was a chessed powerhouse.

One day, he saw a notice in the newspaper announcing the marriage of a new immigrant, Rav Nochum Zev Dessler, nephew of his rebbi, Rav Chaim Ozer Grodzensky. How could he miss this simchah, when the young man likely had few, if any, family members? Rav Silver’s reverence for his rebbi and achrayus for the young man compelled him to travel to Cleveland.

A few years later, Rav Eliyahu Eliezer Dessler finally managed to visit his children in America, and he told them that he wished to thank Rav Silver for the warmth he had shown back when they had gotten married.

Rav Nochum Zev obtained Rav Silver’s phone number for his father.

“No,” said Rav Dessler, “I want to go thank him.”

Rav Dessler and his son headed off for Cincinnati, taking the overnight train and arriving in the pre-dawn hours.

In those years, many refugees traveled to Cincinnati, looking for Rav Silver to help them with money, with bureaucratic hurdles, or with finding a job.

He greeted the Desslers and asked how he could help them.

“I came to thank you for coming to my son’s wedding,” Rav Dessler replied.

Rav Silver looked at him in disbelief, and then finally asked why a simple phone call would not have sufficed. “Because it is not the same thing,” said Rav Dessler.

Hakaras hatov means to recognize, to truly see and contemplate the depth of the good, and then the response becomes obvious to one ready to accept it.

Great people look directly at what was done for them, even if it might obligate them.

This is what I saw in the face of Rav Don Ungarischer that night. He had not forgotten, and he was ensuring that he would not forget a chessed done more than half a century earlier for his sister.

The debt remains…and the Ribbono shel Olam pays back.

Years after that wedding, I enjoyed the gift of another family simchah, when Malky, the daughter of my son Moshe, married a chashuve young man named R’ Shua Censor. His grandmother was

Mrs. Censor, the sister of Rav Don Ungarischer, the girl whom my mother welcomed to our home, seeds planted decades earlier bearing new fruit.

Hakaras hatov starts with recognizing the glory, perfection, and kindness in His ways; then, the next step becomes obvious.

We say “Modeh ani” each morning, and when we think about the words, we become a bit smarter. Then we continue: Reishis chochmah, with that new insight, one should add a bit more yiras Shamayim, a bit more awe for the King of kings.

Whose Handwriting is That Anyway?

In honor of National Handwriting Day on January 23, let’s see if you can match the below handwriting with the following writers:

Bill Gates Elon Musk Steve Jobs Warren Buffett Barack Obama A)

B)

C)

D)

E)

Buffett; D) Barack Obama; E) Elon Musk A) Bill Gates; B) Steve Jobs; C) WarrenAnswer: