Five Towns Jewish Home 2.16.23

Dear Readers,

Th is week, one of the photos on my “lock screen” when I opened my computer was a breathtaking photo of a dam. I know that dams are not generally something that you refer to as “breathtaking,” but it truly looked like a work of art.

I spent a few minutes marveling at it –the grandness of the curve, the magnificence of the edifice, the genius of the engineering. I wondered: how does it all work? How it is possible that, brick by brick, they produced a structure that could hold back torrents of rushing water?

But I only wondered about it for a few seconds. You see, I am not an engineer, and I know that there is no way that I can fully comprehend all that is required to grasp the enormity of what’s needed to produce such a marvel of human ingenuity. Perhaps I could spend some time studying up on the structures of dams, but to really understand? That’s beyond my comprehension for now.

O n Friday, my heart hurt as I prepared for Shabbos. Peeling potatoes, chopping vegetables, and prepping chicken were merely done by rote. In the back of my mind – really, at the forefront – all I could think about was the young boy, Yaakov Yisrael, (at the time, Asher Menachem was still hospitalized) and the new chosson, Alter Shlomo, who had been

murdered by a Palestinian terrorist as they waited at a bus stop on a busy Friday afternoon.

W hen we hear news of our brothers being killed al kiddush Hashem once again, each one of us stops in shock. We heave with grief, punched in the gut by another innocent soul taken so suddenly. It’s hard to move on; we know viscerally that that soul is a part of our Soul; that those people are part of our People.

I used to try to comprehend, to understand, why such innocence could be mowed down so swiftly, so heartlessly. I used to try to think about the ways of the world and attempt to contemplate the injustice that we see before us. But as I get older, and my heart reels, I look Above and understand that this is not something that I am on the level to comprehend. There is no way that my small mind, with its limited capacity, can truly grasp the intricate ways of the world.

But I am comforted by the knowledge that there is a Judge, an Engineer, Who is guiding This World in His wisdom. I may not be able to understand, and the pain is almost too much to bear, but I know that He is watching and guiding and directing it all. And He has a Plan.

Wishing you a wonderful week, Shoshana

Yitzy Halpern, PUBLISHER publisher@fivetownsjewishhome.com

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Shabbos Zemanim

Friday, February 17 Parshas Mishpatim

Candle Lighting: 5:14 pm

Shabbos Ends: 6:15 pm

Rabbeinu Tam: 6:46 pm

Sunny

Dear Editor,

I read Avi Heiligman’s article about the battle for the Aleutian Islands with great interest. If you are ever stuck in traffic on Rockaway Turnpike, just before the train tracks heading towards Lawrence, and you look to your right into the cemetery, you might see the tombstone of “Lieutenant William James Cavanaugh, Killed in Action, May 29, 1943.” Lt. Cavanaugh was a chaplain who lost his life in the Battle of Attu. A sad, poignant connection of our own community to that campaign.

Uri Kaufman

Dear Editor and “Tznius is Multifaceted,”

First and foremost, I hypothetically agree with you that maybe it is a ridiculous amount of money to spend on Moose Knuckles and maybe people are buying them just to fit in.

Quite frankly, though, other people being pathetic is none of your business and most people do pathetic and ridiculous things and I’m sure you do as well.

Before attacking people and even more importantly a company that is owned and was founded by frum Jews, please get your facts straight.

You are spreading lashon hora, rechilus, motzei shem rah, possibly damaging a company and certainly being a “stumbling block” by telling people to Google and find things which are total lies, crass, and maybe even cause them to see non-tzinius information pictures by following your advice.

For you, who obviously and correctly feels tzinius is important, please think of these things in the future.

To you, the editor, maybe prior to publishing letters like this do some homework – this information can easily be attained.

In 2015, prior to some of the highend department stores carrying Moose Knuckles, research was done as no highend, respectable company would want any crass logos in their stores and thereby affecting their sales and business.

As quoted below, the company was very clear on the truth. “The name comes from a combination of two of Canada’s greatest things: a moose and a hockey fight. The logo is a moose footprint in the snow with the hooves representing brass knuckles,” says Ally Kemper, the company’s marketing director.

Let us all be dan l’kaf zchus and learn to stay in our lane.

Sean

Dear Editor,

To the person who wrote about Moose Knuckle coats in last week’s issue, there will always be overpriced items on the market. It’s not the companies that produce them that are to blame. It’s the consumer that shells out tons of hard-earned money for an item worth much less. Those are the imbeciles who feel the need to throw their money out the window.

Be wise; don’t go after trends because everyone is doing it. Rise above the pressure.

Sincerely,

Ronah Hartler

Continued on page 10

Continued from page 8

Dear Editor,

My good friend, Moshe Stempel, used to take prodigious notes of Rabbi Moshe Bamberger’s vaadim. Rabbi Moshe Bamberger is the mashgiach ruchani at Lander College for Men. In one of the vaadim, Rabbi Bamberger discussed the words of the Chofetz Chaim who said that world disasters are messages from G-d to do teshuva. Also, he noted that the Rambam says that it demonstrates cruelty to attribute catastrophic events to nature. In today’s times, teshuva is critical as the Vilna Gaon says that any possible war of Gog or Magog that he says would last twelve minutes would be averted through teshuva. G-d showed Moshe the world from beginning to end, and when Moshe saw the end of days, he was shown a generation that would serve G-d through self-sacrifice which would bring great joy to the Heavens.

Much self-sacrifice is taking place in our days. We are surrounded by Arabs, who the Zohar proclaimed, will be a thorn in our neck in our days, and they are taking lives of Jews. Interestingly, some tremors from recent earthquakes were felt in Judea and Samaria. One could argue this area is “hot” with kedusha, the resting place of the Avot. It’s also a hotly contested area, despite the fact that it’s clearly Jewish land.

I recently spoke with MK Rothman, who lives in Judea and Samaria and is writing the judicial reform to tame the lefty court. He often quotes the verse from Isaiah (1:27), “Zion will be redeemed with justice.” G-d stands for justice and hopefully we will move in that direction as a nation.

Steven Genack

Dear Editor,

President Joe Biden, Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer and Department of Homeland Security Chief Alejandra Mayorkas continue to claim that our southern border is secure. Comedy Central’s South Park Officer Barbrady must be their eyes and ears on the border. Concerning our record 5 million illegal immigrants under Biden coming into our nation, he must have reported, “OK, people, move along. There’s nothing to see here.” Biden forgot to take credit for this since taking office in his State of the Union speech.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau boasts that Canada is a sanctuary nation welcoming all. Canada is facing both an aging nation and labor shortage. His Immigration Minister

Sean Fraser has said that Canada needs 1.45 million immigrants between 2023 to 2025 to deal with these growing challenges. Let’s lend a helping hand to our neighbor to the north. NYC Mayor Eric Adams is offering free bus tickets for those seeking to continue their journey on to Canada. United States Customs and Board Patrol should follow the lead of NYC Mayor Adams. Offer a free bus ticket, charter buses, or fly many of those entering our nation illegally directly to Canada ASAP. Send the rest to one of our own self-proclaimed sanctuary cities and states.

Talk is cheap, but actions speak louder. Step up and adopt your own fair share of illegal immigrants.

Sincerely,

Larry Penner Great Neck, NY

Dear Editor,

Following the Afghanistan fiasco and the delayed, dragged-out decision-making process to help Ukraine, the U.S. has another foreign-policy mess!

On the past Sunday Morning Futures show, host Maria Bartiromo questioned why the Chinese spy balloon was not shot down before it entered our airspace. Instead, for eight days, it cruised over sensitive military sites – maybe with the blessing of our compromised President – before it got shot down over the Atlantic, close to South Carolina.

When our national security is at stake, a decision has to be made in split seconds! There was enough room and opportunity to shoot the balloon down before or in the state of Montana.

Marco Rubio, the top Republican on the Senate Intelligence Committee, stated about U.S. officials the following on ABC’s This Week: “Look, these guys can’t even do anything about a balloon flying over U.S. airspace. How can you possibly count on them if something were to happen in the Indo-Pacific region?”

The balloon reached American airspace on Saturday, January 28, 2023. How come President Biden gave the order to shoot it down on Wednesday, February 1, 2023, when he was apparently briefed by the Pentagon? The shooting was unnecessarily delayed to Saturday, February 4, 2023, a week after the balloon had entered our country.

You can draw your own conclusions.

For China, it is mission accomplished; for the U.S., it is an embarrassment internationally apart from what’s likely still to come.

Heinz Mayer

million population live in the regions affected by the cyclone.

Birth Tourism in Argentina

Cyclone Slams New Zealand

New Zealand declared a National State of Emergency on Tuesday for the third time in its history as Cyclone Gabrielle pounded the North Island with wind and rain, knocking out power to tens of thousands of homes.

Wind gusts of over 140 kilometers per hour were recorded along the coast; waves almost 36 feet high were seen off the Bay of Islands.

“With an event of the size and the scale that we have seen in the last 24 hours, what we have to do is make sure that we’re dealing with the most pressing needs across the country as quickly as we can,” Prime Minister Chris Hipkins said.

There have been several landslides in Muriwai, a coastal community on the north-west coast of North Island. They have destroyed all roads and buildings in their path.

One firefighter remains missing in Muriwai after being caught in a landslide, and a second firefighter was critically injured.

At one point on Tuesday, the search for a missing firefighter had to be suspended because the ground was so unstable.

Last month, Auckland and surrounding areas were hit by record rainfall that sparked floods and killed four people.

This latest disaster is the third national state of emergency after the 2011 Christchurch earthquake and Covid pandemic in 2020.

Thousands were left without power; domestic flights were cancelled.

It is expected that the strong winds will remain for another day or so. Lots more rain is expected as well.

Nearly a third of New Zealand’s 5.1

Russian women who are pregnant are heading to Argentina to give birth. More than 5,000 of these women have entered the South American country in recent weeks, including over 30 on a single flight on February 9, according to Argentinian customs officials. All were reported to be in the final weeks of pregnancy.

Government officials believe the women were taking advantage of visa-free travel from Russia in order to give birth and secure Argentinian citizenship for their children, a privilege guaranteed to all people by the country’s birthright citizenship law. Having an Argentine child also expedites the citizenship process for parents.

Some of the women had been detained, although they were all eventually released onto Argentine soil.

“The problem is that they come to Argentina, sign up their children as Argentinean, and leave. Our passport is very secure across the world. It allows [those with the passport] to enter 171 countries visa-free,” Florencia Carignano, the head of the national migration agency, told La Nacion.

The news comes as countries around the world, including the entire EU, have suspended tourist visas for Russian citizens, part of international pressure on the Russian invasion of Ukraine. According to the BBC, it is a common business practice in Russia to offer travel packages for pregnant women who wish to give birth in Argentina.

The practice of birth tourism, or jus soli, gained a national spotlight in 2020 when then -President Donald Trump introduced a series of new immigration laws, including instructing border agents to investigate whether a tourist was likely to give birth during their stay in the U.S. President Joe Biden reversed the laws soon after he

took office in 2021.

In Europe, a number of countries have tightened birth-by-citizenship regulations in recent years as governments manage public opinion regarding the migrant crisis. England famously repealed its original laws on jus soli in 1981 during a wave of immigration, when Home Office minister Timothy Raison said, “We are looking for citizens who have a real connection with the United Kingdom.”

Cambodia Muzzles Media

Prime Minister Hun Sen of Cambodia on Sunday ordered the shutdown of the Voice of Democracy, one of the country’s last independent news outlets, intensifying a long-running crackdown on the news media and political opposition as he consolidates his grip on power.

Hun Sen said he was angry at a reference to his son and presumed heir, Lt. Gen. Hun Manet, by the outlet and was not satisfied with the apology he received.

A leading Cambodian human rights organization, Licadho, noted the significance of the action, saying the news outlet, known as VOD, “has become one of the most important independent media outlets in the country in recent years, publishing in Khmer and English.”

Voice of Democracy’s radio arm was shut down in 2017, and it was one of dozens of frequencies taken off the air in a broad sweep before the country’s 2018 elections. Since then, it has published online and on Facebook, where it has 1.8 million followers.

In recent months, hundreds of opposition politicians and their supporters have been charged with crimes, imprisoned, or forced into exile, in effect clearing the field for Hun Sen to remain in power. His party now holds all 125 seats in parliament.

VOD has published dozens of articles documenting oppression in the lead-up to local elections in 2022 and more than 60 other pieces in an exposé about forced labor in cyber-scam operations.

“The shutdown of an independent media outlet is similar to the crackdown on journalists ahead of the last national election in 2018,” Licadho said in the statement. A general election is scheduled for July.

In late 2017, the Cambodia Daily, a major English-language publication, was shuttered over an arbitrary tax bill. Among the three dozen reporters who now stand to lose their jobs at VOD were some who had worked at the Cambodia Daily.

VOD is run by the Cambodian Center for Independent Media, and the shutdown involved the revocation of the center’s media license.

On Monday, access to VOD’s websites appeared to have been blocked by internet and cellular service providers in Cambodia. The reporter who wrote the article that angered Hun Sen was harassed online, including with misogynistic attacks. (© The New York Times)

Russians Take Refuge in S. Korea

This week, a South Korean court granted two Russian asylum seekers who have been stranded at Incheon airport for months the right to apply for refugee status, allowing them to enter the country.

One other Russian national’s plea for asylum was rejected.

The three men, whose lawyer requested they not be named out of concern for the safety of their families in Russia, have been living inside Incheon International Airport since October when they fled to avoid being drafted to fight in Ukraine.

They landed in South Korea with hopes of being granted asylum, but the country’s Justice Ministry rejected their refugee applications at the airport.

the two, but it is regrettable that it rejected the other one’s plea,” said attorney Lee Jong-chan, who represents the three Russians. “They came here trying to avoid killing innocent people and getting themselves killed in a war initiated by their home country. It took them four months just to win the right to apply for refugee status.”

The two who were granted asylum will end their months-long airport stay and will be settled in South Korea while undergoing the asylum recognition process, which could take years.

The third Russian has the right to appeal but will have to remain at the airport in the interim.

There are two more Russians trapped at the airport who have also been denied the right to apply for asylum. Their cases are going to be heard later this year.

some of the world’s tightest border controls, Japan is once again open for business. Tourist spots are packed. Hotels are booked out well in advance. And it’s getting harder to get a seat at many of the country’s best restaurants.

While that hasn’t been ideal for the many people who flocked to Japan in late 2022 hoping to experience its famous hospitality, it has been pretty good for Japanese businesses.

level in over 40 years. That takes a big bite out of wages that have seen little growth for decades. (© The New York Times)

A Unique Name

If you have the same name as Kim Jong Un’s daughter in North Korea, you are in trouble.

North Korean authorities reportedly are forcing residents who share the same name as Ju-ae to change their names to something else.

All able-bodied men must serve 18 months of compulsory military service in South Korea. As such, seeking to avoid enlistment in the Russian army does not qualify as a valid reason for receiving refugee status in South Korea. After being rejected, the three men brought their case to court and have been staying in transit areas of the airport for months.

“We welcome the court’s decision on

South Korea has signed international conventions on refugees but typically accepts just a handful of asylum seekers each year.

Japan’s Economy Growing

After more than two years under

The country’s economy, the world’s third largest after the United States and China, grew at an annualized rate of 0.6% from October to December, government data showed Tuesday. The modest increase lagged expectations that growth could reach 2%.

The uptick followed a surprise contraction during the third quarter of last year, when inflation and a weak yen drove import prices up and suppressed spending.

The latest quarterly result capped off a second straight year of economic growth for Japan, which has traced a slow and sometimes uneven path to recovery from the economic devastation of the coronavirus.

Japan’s economy expanded in 2022 by 1.1% in real terms, government data showed. That followed growth of 2.1% in 2021.

The return to growth in the fourth quarter was partly driven by a recovery in domestic consumption, said Shinichiro Kobayashi, principal economist at Mitsubishi UFJ Research and Consulting.

One major reason for that is that people in Japan, with the government’s encouragement, have begun to adjust to life with the coronavirus. While deaths have shot up to their highest levels since the pandemic began, many people in Japan have let their guard down.

With tourists flooding back into the country, the yen’s weakness has also become a net positive for some business sectors that benefit from their return, said Saisuke Sakai, senior economist at Mizuho Research and Technologies.

But the soft yen has continued to drive up prices for food and energy, both of which are highly import-dependent. Inflation was 4% in December, its highest

The orders are part of the regime’s effort to build mystique around Kim Juae, according to the South China Morning Post. She is believed to be between 9 and 10 years old.

A source told Radio Free Asia that in one northern province, a security official “summoned women registered with the resident registration division under the name ‘Ju-ae’ to the Ministry of Safety to change their names.”

One of those women was a 12-yearold girl, the source said.

“The Ministry of Safety’s resident registration department called the girl’s parents to the Ministry of Safety and forced her to change her name and change her birth certificate,” the source told Radio Free Asia.

In another part of the country, “the Pyongsong City Security Department issued an internal order from the central government to change the name of women who use the name ‘Ju-ae’ within a week,” another source told the website.

North Korea historically has banned people from using the same names as its leaders.

In November, North Korean media introduced Kim Ju-ae as an “adorable” and “noble daughter.”

Last week, North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un brought his young daughter to an event celebrating the 75th anniversary of the country’s military. The event marked Ju-ae’s fourth appearance alongside her father in North Korean state media, fueling speculation on her possible role as his successor.

BBC Searched in India

Weeks after the BBC aired a controversial documentary about India’s Prime Minister Narenda Modi, its offices in New Delhi and Mumbai were searched by members of India’s Income Tax Department.

Teams from the tax department are looking at documents related to the BBC’s business operations and its Indian arm, the Press Trust of India news agency reported, citing unidentified sources.

Many are saying that the searches are indicative of intimidation by the government to quash the media.

ing establishment,” the Editors Guild of India said in a statement.

The investigation is “undemocratic” and “reeks of desperation and shows that the Modi government is scared of criticism,” tweeted K.C. Venugopal, general secretary of the opposition Congress party. “We condemn these intimidation tactics in the harshest terms.”

But Gaurav Bhatia, a spokesperson for Modi’s governing Bharatiya Janata Party, said the BBC shouldn’t have anything to fear if it follows Indian laws. Even so, he said that the history of the BBC is “tainted” and “full of hatred” for India and called the broadcaster corrupt, although he didn’t offer any specifics.

Last month, the BBC broadcast a documentary in the U.K. titled “India: The Modi Question” that examined Modi’s role during 2002 anti-Muslim riots in the western state of Gujarat, where he was chief minister at the time. More than 1,000 people were killed in the violence.

documentary examined “the track record of Narendra Modi’s government following his re-election in 2019,” according to the program’s description on the BBC website.

In response, the government invoked emergency powers under its information technology laws to block the documentary. Local authorities scrambled to stop screenings organized at a number of Indian universities, and social media platforms including Twitter and YouTube complied with government requests to remove links to the documentary.

Press freedom in India has been on a steady decline in recent years. The country fell eight places, to 150 out of 180 countries, in the 2022 Press Freedom Index published by Reporters Without Borders.

Nicaragua Releases Political Prisoners

The search continues “a trend of using government agencies to intimidate and harass press organizations that are critical of government policies or the rul-

Modi has denied allegations that authorities under his watch allowed and even encouraged the bloodshed. The Supreme Court said it found no evidence to prosecute him. Last year, the court dismissed a petition filed by a Muslim victim questioning Modi’s exoneration.

The second portion of the two-part

Nicaragua released 222 political prisoners early Thursday, including a U.S. citizen, in a deal negotiated with Washington that marks one of the biggest prisoner releases ever involving the United States, according to senior Biden administration officials.

The Nicaraguan government, which sought nothing in return, agreed to release the prisoners to the United States as a way to signal a desire to restart relations with the country, the officials said.

The Biden administration has imposed sanctions on the government and family of President Daniel Ortega in recent years, as the country has slid into autocratic rule and targeted opponents in civil society, the church, and the news media.

Despite the positive action from the Nicaraguan government, officials in Washington say they remain wary since it is unclear whether the Ortega family is willing to loosen their grip on power, permit political dissent, and hold free and fair elections.

Those released in Nicaragua included political opposition members, business figures, student activists, and journalists. Once in the United States, they will be

given humanitarian parole for a period of two years, a process that allows foreigners who do not have a visa or may not be eligible for one to enter the country and apply for asylum. Two other political prisoners declined offers of refuge in the United States.

The prisoner release “marks a constructive step toward addressing human rights abuses in the country and opens the door to further dialogue,” Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a statement.

Clutching what few belongings they had in plastic bags, many looking frail, the freed detainees boarded the flight from Managua to Washington before it took off at about 7:45 a.m. Eastern time, officials said. It landed about four hours later.

The flight was chartered by the U.S. government, and as it circled the sky above Washington, some of the freed prisoners began to sing, tears in their eyes, according to officials.

The U.S. government planned to provide medical and legal assistance to the former prisoners, according to U.S. officials, before allowing them to reunite with their families.

Friends and relatives of the prisoners waited at an arrivals section of Dulles International Airport. Some waved Nicaraguan flags while singing the national anthem. A person in the crowd read the names of those who had been freed as others chanted, “Libertad,” meaning freedom. (© The New York Times)

Amsterdam to Improve Quality of Life

Amsterdam has announced that it will ban the use of marijuana on the street and take new steps to discourage alcohol in its De Wallen neighborhood.

“Residents of the old city center experience a lot of nuisance from mass tourism and alcohol and drug abuse on the street,” the Municipality of Amsterdam said in a statement on Thursday.

“Tourists also attract street deal -

ers, who in turn promote criminality and insecurity. Especially at night, the atmosphere can become grim. People who are under the influence also stick around longer,” it added. The municipality noted: “Residents cannot sleep well, and the neighborhood is becoming unsafe and un-liveable.”

In addition to a ban on smoking marijuana on the street, Amsterdam said it will ramp up measures to discourage sales of alcohol. These are al -

ready banned after 4 p.m. Thursday to Sunday. The city said it would now also require alcohol to be hidden from view or removed from stores during those hours.

If the smoking ban doesn’t work in the area to improve quality of life, the municipality said it would also consider banning take-out purchases of soft drugs at certain times and banning smoking marijuana at coffee shops’ outdoor seating areas.

It is estimated that about 10% to

15% of Amsterdam’s tourist industry is based in that small area of the De Wallen neighborhood. Over the past few years, there have been multiple initiatives to revamp the area’s image.

This year, Amsterdam is expected to receive more than 18 million overnight visitors. By 2024, that number could reach 23 million, in addition to another 24-25 million day visits, according to the local authority’s research and statistics department.

When the number of overnight visitors reaches 18 million, the city council is “obliged to intervene” under a 2021 ordinance called “Amsterdam Tourism in Balance.”

Did Poor Construction Lead to Deaths?

The death toll from last week’s devastating earthquake in southern Turkey and northern Syria passed 33,000 on Sunday, and survivors and building experts have said that poor construction most likely exacerbated the scale of the quake’s destruction, as well as the number of lives lost.

The Turkish government has responded by arresting building contractors with ties to collapsed buildings, and the Justice Ministry has set up investigation bureaus for earthquake crimes across the affected area.

But construction experts say the builders could not have completed their projects without approvals from a range of officials who have so far escaped scrutiny for possibly signing off on subpar work.

The 7.8 magnitude quake on February 6 caused widespread destruction in 10 provinces in southern Turkey as well as in northern Syria, with the death toll rising above 29,000 in Turkey and more than 3,500 in Syria by Sunday – a combined figure that makes the quake one of the century’s deadliest natural disasters. More than 1 million people have been rendered homeless in Turkey, and many others lack shelter in Syria.

Justice Minister Bekir Bozdag told reporters on Sunday that 134 people had been subjected to legal proceedings over ties to collapsed buildings; 10 of them were arrested and seven others barred from traveling abroad.

Two contractors responsible for collapsed buildings in the city of Adiyaman, Yavuz Karakus and Sevilay Karakus, were

detained on Sunday at Istanbul Airport, the state-run news media reported. They were carrying more than $17,000 in cash and were planning to fly to the country of Georgia.

“My conscience is clear,” Yavuz Karakus told reporters after his arrest. “I built 44 buildings; only four have collapsed.”

The Turkish government has mobilized an enormous aid effort, with tens of thousands of rescue workers working with volunteers from around the world. The government has also erected tent cities to house residents whose homes were destroyed and is distributing food, medicine, and other items.

But aid efforts in Syria are severely lagging. The earthquake caused heavy damage in areas controlled by the government of President Bashar Assad and in enclaves controlled by anti-government rebels backed by Turkey.

Assad has sought to have all aid sent through his government.

Only one border crossing into the rebel-held areas, Bab al-Hawa, has been authorized by the United Nations for the transit of aid shipments, but it has yet to become a major channel. (© The New York Times)

An Unfathomable Tragedy

As Avraham Paley was waiting for the bus with his sons on Friday, a Palestinian slammed his car into the bus stop in Ramot, killing Avraham’s two sons, Yaakov Yisrael, who was six years old, and Asher Menachem, who was eight. Alter Shlomo Lederman, a 20-year-old man who had married two months ago, was also killed in the attack.

Avraham was brought to the hospital and is sedated and has yet to recover. He

is unaware that his two sons were taken from this world.

Hussein Qaraqa, the terrorist, was killed at the scene.

Devorah Paley, Avraham’s wife, is now sitting shiva for her two special boys. She says that they were “happy children, good children who loved to help.” The bereaved mother is pregnant.

According to Devorah, the two boys and their father had been on their way to a family celebration and were planning

to travel by bus, as there was not enough room in the family car for all of them. An older brother was also with them. Her husband, Avraham, had taken the three to the nearby stop at Ramot Junction so that the three boys could catch a bus together.

Avraham and the two younger boys exited the family car and were at the bus stop. Her other son, who was supposed to accompany his brothers on the bus, had not yet joined them when the terrorist’s car

slammed into those waiting at the stop.

The two boys and Lederman, Hy”d, were laid to rest on Har Hamenuchot.

Qaraqa was a resident of East Jerusalem. Because he was renting his apartment, police sealed his parents’ home in A-Tur, in East Jerusalem.

As a matter of policy, Israel regularly demolishes or permanently seals the homes of Palestinians accused of carrying out deadly terror attacks.

Palestinians Want Membership at UN

Palestinian Authority chief Mahmoud Abbas said on Sunday that Ramallah will seek the passage this week of a United Nations resolution granting “Palestine” full membership at the international body, according to the official Palestinian Wafa news agency.

Speaking at an Arab League summit in Cairo, Abbas emphasized that the Palestinians remain committed to confronting the “racist” and “extremist” Israeli government, which he claimed was “targeting Al-Aqsa Mosque and all our sanctities.”

“The battle raging over Jerusalem did not only begin on the day of its occupation in 1967, but several decades prior to that, and even before the Balfour Declaration which was issued by the colonial

powers, led by Britain and America. The declaration was aimed at getting rid of the Jews in Europe and establishing the so-called Jewish national home in Palestine, to be an outpost to safeguard the interests of these colonial countries,” said the P.A. chief.

The 1917 Balfour Declaration spelled out London’s support for the establishment of a “Jewish national home” in what was then British-ruled Mandatory Palestine. Signed by then-British Foreign

Secretary Arthur James Balfour, the declaration is considered the historic precursor to Israel’s creation in 1948.

“Supporting Jerusalem and strengthening the steadfastness of those staying there and in its environs is a religious duty and a humanitarian and national imperative,” said Abbas.

“Just as our people rejected the Balfour Declaration and its results, we also rejected all attempts to liquidate our cause or falsify the facts about it. We rejected [former U.S. President Donald Trump’s peace] deal of the century, and we refused— and we still refuse—to move the U.S. embassy or any other embassy to Jerusalem,” he added.

The U.N. General Assembly in late December approved a resolution, at the behest of the P.A., calling on the International Court of Justice to “render urgently an advisory opinion” on what it called Israel’s “prolonged occupation, settlement and annexation of Palestinian territory.”

The ICJ announced on Wednesday a July 25 deadline for state bodies and organizations to submit documents pertaining to Israel’s presence in Judea and Samaria.

In response to the U.N. resolution, the Israeli Security Cabinet decided, among other measures, to withhold taxes and tariffs collected on behalf of the P.A., in an amount equal to that which Ramallah paid to terrorists and their families in 2022 under its “pay-for-slay” policy.

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich has since signed an order doubling that amount.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Sunday that his governing coalition will this week pass legislation in the Knesset to strip the citizenship of terrorists and expel them from the country.

The Security Cabinet would convene to prepare for a more wide-ranging operation against “those who carry out terrorism, and their supporters, in eastern Jerusalem and in Judea and Samaria, while avoiding—as much as possible— harm to those who are not involved,” he added.

The comments come after a dead-

ly terrorist attack in Jerusalem claimed the lives of 6-year-old Yaakov Israel Paley, his 8-year-old brother, Asher Menachem Paley, as well as 20-year-old Alter Shlomo Lederman.

Among the measures being considered by Israel are seizing assets belonging to the families of terrorists, erecting barriers against vehicles at bus stops and additional security checkpoints between predominantly Arab and Jewish neighborhoods in the capital, and a general crackdown on online incitement.

Following Friday’s attack, National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir called for a major operation in eastern Jerusalem in the vein of the IDF’s 2002 “Operation Defensive Shield,” which was launched during the Second Intifada to uproot terrorist infrastructure in Palestinian urban areas across Judea and Samaria.

However, a senior government official said that Ben-Gvir lacked the authority to approve such a decision, which would need to be made by the Security Cabinet.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken reportedly requested during his visit to Israel earlier this month that Netanyahu temporarily freeze construction in Judea and Samaria and halt demolition of illegal Arab structures in those territories as well as the eastern part of Jerusalem, in a bid to de-escalate tensions amid rampant Palestinian terrorism.

Washington also requested that the P.A. fully resume security coordination with Israel and postpone any additional steps against it at U.N. institutions and other international bodies. (JNS)

Israel Lobbyist Dies

at the age of 86, helped transform the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) into one of the most effective advocacy organizations in Washington.

Amitay became executive director of AIPAC in 1974, succeeding Isaiah L. Kenen, who had founded the organization in the early 1950s.

Under Amitay’s six-year leadership, AIPAC undertook an expansion that would ultimately make it the most influential member of a constellation of groups lobbying the U.S. government on behalf of Jewish and Israeli causes.

In a 2006 profile of Amitay published in The Washington Post, a reporter wrote that “even among his peers, his success is something of a legend.”

Amitay was deeply connected on Capitol Hill, with sources in Senate and congressional offices who kept him apprised on legislative matters of concern to Israel. He was in close touch with the Israeli ambassador to the United States. And he astutely marshaled AIPAC’s resources to promote legislators who supported Israeli causes and challenge those who did not.

Led by Amitay and his successor, Tom Dine, “AIPAC was transformed from an intimate, low-budget operation into a large, mass-based organization,” professors John J. Mearsheimer and Stephen M. Walt wrote in the 2007 book “The Israel Lobby and U.S. Foreign Policy.”

After he left AIPAC, he worked privately as a lobbyist.

Amitay was born in Manhattan in 1936. His father was born in pre-State Israel; his mother, a Ukrainian immigrant, was a homemaker. Amitay went to Ramaz and then went on to Columbia. He received his law degree from Harvard.

FM Cohen Lands in Turkey

“The name of the game, if you want to help Israel,” Morris J. Amitay once said, “is political action.”

Those are defining words for the lobbyist who spent decades rallying financial, military, and moral support from the U.S. government for the state of Israel. Amitay, who died on February 10

This week, Foreign Minister Eli Cohen headed to Turkey in a show of solidarity with the Turkish people after the recent devastating earthquake that left 35,000 people dead in Turkey and Syria.

Meeting with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Turkey, Cohen raised the issue of Israeli civilians and the bodies

of IDF soldiers being held by Hamas in Gaza.

Hamas is holding two Israeli men, along with the remains of two soldiers killed during Israel’s Operation Protective Edge in the summer of 2014. Erdogan has fostered a close relationship with the Hamas terror group, which took power in the Gaza Strip in 2007.

In addition to providing financial and logistical support to the group, which is considered a terrorist organization by

much of the West, Turkey is home to senior Hamas officials, including Saleh al-Arouri, a long-time Istanbul resident. Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh and former chief Khaled Mashaal also visit Turkey.

In addition to speaking about the captives, the two men discussed Iran’s nuclear program.

Turkey and Israel reestablished full diplomatic ties in August of last year after more than four years of icy relations.

After the earthquake, scores of Israe -

li rescuers headed to Turkey to provide aid and offer their expertise at rescuing those trapped in the rubble.

Israel’s top diplomat also met with his counterpart, Mevlut Cavusoglu, for the first time on Tuesday morning.

“Israel stands with Turkey,” said Cohen in Turkish at the end of his remarks.

Speaking in Turkish alongside Cohen, Cavusoglu said that he brought up Ankara’s “expectations for the reduction of the escalating tension in the Palestinian

issue.” He added that he stressed the importance of preserving the status quo on the Temple Mount.

Threats Force UH Team to Leave Turkey

After the earthquake in Turkey, United Hatzalah sent around 40 volunteers to help with the search and rescue in southern Turkey. Although they were set to stay in the area for ten days, their stay was cut short after an unspecified “concrete and immediate threat,” according to Dovi Maisel, the vice president of operations for the organization.

A spokesperson for the organization said there was not necessarily one specific threat driving the decision but that there were two more general concerns: proximity to the Syrian border and the Turkish city of Gaziantep, which has seen Islamic State activity over the years, and growing unrest among Turkish citizens over their government’s poor response to the earthquake.

Residents of Marash and the surrounding area, where over 10,000 people are estimated to have been killed in the tremors, are growing increasingly frustrated with the government’s handling of the earthquakes — particularly a decision to rapidly bury victims in mass graves — and there are concerns that this may result in violence.

“There were threats against different international delegations to kidnap people and hold them ransom so the government would not be able to fulfill its plan. Not just the Israeli team is wrapping up, but a lot of other teams have started to wrap up because of this as well, because of the way that the locals are taking the government message,” the spokesperson said.

On Saturday, Austrian military and German civilian rescue workers suspended their search operations in Turkey, in nearby Hatay, due to a worsening security situation, their representatives said.

A spokesman for the Austrian army said that there had been “clashes between groups,” without giving details. He said that the 82 soldiers from the Austrian Forces Disaster Relief Unit were sheltering in the southern Hatay province “in a base camp with other international organizations, awaiting instructions.”

A similar decision to halt rescue operations was made in Germany by the Federal Agency for Technical Relief (TSW) and an NGO specializing in helping victims of natural disasters, ISAR Germany, according to an NGO spokesman.

Separate from the security concerns, the Israeli military announced that it was ending its search-and-rescue efforts on Sunday but that its medical teams would remain in the country to assist in ongoing earthquake relief.

The United Hatzalah team flew back to Israel on Sunday morning. Because of a lack of planes to bring them home, Dr. Miriam Adelson generously donated her private jet for their use.

Settlement Approval Draws Condemnation

Middle East, which must be achieved through direct negotiations between the parties. Israelis and Palestinians both deserve to live in peace, with equal measures of freedom, security, and prosperity. We reaffirm our commitment to helping Israelis and Palestinians fulfill the vision of an Israel fully integrated into the Middle East living alongside a sovereign, viable Palestinian state. We continue to closely monitor developments on the ground which impact the viability of the two-state solution and stability in the region at large,” they said.

The European Union and the U.S. had separately condemned the Israeli government’s decision over the weekend to legalize nine communities in Judea and Samaria.

“We are deeply troubled by Israel’s decision yesterday to advance reportedly nearly 10,000 settlement units and to begin a process to retroactively legalize nine outposts in the West Bank that were previously illegal under Israeli law,” U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a statement on Monday.

“Like previous administrations, Democratic and Republican, we strongly oppose such unilateral measures, which exacerbate tensions and undermine the prospects for a negotiated two-state solution,” he added.

trance of the Shuafat refugee camp on Monday evening.

The Border Police officer and another civilian security guard boarded a bus that arrived at the checkpoint in order to question the passengers heading into Jerusalem, in a routine inspection, when a teenage suspect pulled out a knife.

Police said the Palestinian, Muhammed Bassel Fathi Zalbani, 13, managed to stab the officer and wound him. The civilian security guard then opened fire at the alleged stabber inside the bus, but accidentally hit the Border Police officer.

The officer, Staff Sgt. Asil Sawaed, 22, died of his wounds at the hospital. He was from the northern Bedouin village of Hussniyya and was a non-commissioned officer in the force after completing his mandatory service.

The attack came just hours after a 14-year-old Palestinian, also from the Shuafat refugee camp, stabbed and lightly wounded an Israeli teenager in Jerusalem’s Old City.

A spokesman for the Hamas terror group welcomed the two attacks in Jerusalem as “heroic operations” and as a reaction to Israel’s decision to legalize nine outposts in the West Bank.

entrance of the Brooklyn-Battery Tunnel and took the driver into custody.

A 44-year-old man who was riding on a moped died in the rampage.

Police say that they don’t think the incident is connected to terrorism.

Weng Sor, 62, was the driver of the truck. Sor’s criminal record in Nevada includes a 2015 case for felony battery and a citation last month for speeding over the traffic limit. In the 2015 case, he was found guilty and sentenced to one to three years in jail, records show. He was also ordered to undergo a mental health evaluation.

In January, Sayfullo Saipov, 35, was convicted of killing eight people in a similar attack in 2017. Saipov drove a truck into a bike path on the West Side Highway and then told the FBI that he “felt good” about his actions.

Nikki for President

This week, Israel authorized the construction of 10,000 new housing units in nine communities in Judea and Samaria, drawing the ire of nations around the world.

“We – the Foreign Ministers of France, Germany and Italy, the Foreign Secretary of the United Kingdom, and the Secretary of State of the United States – are deeply troubled by the Israeli government’s announcement that it is advancing nearly 10,000 settlement units and intends to begin a process to normalize nine outposts that were previously deemed illegal under Israeli law,” a joint statement between the nations said. “We strongly oppose these unilateral actions which will only serve to exacerbate tensions between Israelis and Palestinians and undermine efforts to achieve a negotiated two-state solution.

“We continue to support a comprehensive, just, and lasting peace in the

“As I have previously stated, anything that takes us away from the vision of two states for two peoples is detrimental to Israel’s long-term security, its identity as a Jewish and democratic state, and to our vision of equal measures of security, freedom, prosperity, and dignity for Israelis and Palestinians alike. We call on all parties to avoid additional actions that can further escalate tensions in the region and to take practical steps that can improve the well-being of the Palestinian people,” Blinken concluded.

Policeman Stabbed and Then Dies

“Our youth will deal with the occupation’s aggression and the extremist government’s fascism with courage and violence,” the spokesman said.

NYC Truck Tragedy

On Tuesday, it became official.

Nikki Haley, the former South Carolina governor and United Nations ambassador, announced her candidacy for president in a video, becoming the first major challenger to former President Donald Trump for the 2024 Republican nomination.

Two years ago, Haley had said she wouldn’t challenge Trump for the Oval Office. But in recent months she has made an about-face, citing, among other things, the country’s economic troubles and the need for “generational change,” a stab at Trump’s 76 years of age. Haley is 51.

“You should know this about me. I don’t put up with bullies. And when you kick back, it hurts them more if you’re wearing heels,” Haley said. “I’m Nikki Haley, and I’m running for president.”

One person was killed in Brooklyn, NY, on Monday when a U-Haul truck hit and injured nine people, including a police officer.

The incident began in Bay Ridge around 10:50 in the morning. Authorities eventually stopped the vehicle near the

Haley is the first of what is expected to be many to throw their hat into the Republican ring for president. Among the probable contenders are Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, former Vice President Mike Pence, former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, and Sen. Tim Scott of South Carolina.

President Joe Biden has said he intends to seek reelection in 2024,

A police officer was killed in a stabbing attack at a checkpoint near the en-

stalling any jostling for the Democratic nomination.

Haley has regularly boasted about her track record of defying political expectations, saying, “I’ve never lost an election, and I’m not going to start now.”

If elected, Haley would be the nation’s first female president and the first U.S. president of Indian descent.

In the three-and-a-half minute video, Haley referenced being a person of color in a small South Carolinian town, saying she grew

up “not Black, not white — I was different.”

Haley never mentions Trump by name in the video, instead saying, “the Washington establishment has failed us over and over and over again,” Haley leans into a call for “a new generation of leadership,” which has become the refrain of her messaging leading up to the launch.

Haley was the nation’s youngest governor when she won her bid for governor of South Carolina at the age of 38. She was also South Carolina’s first female and

minority governor. She earned a speaking slot at the 2012 Republican National Convention and gave the GOP response to President Barack Obama’s State of the Union in 2016.

Haley became the first Indian American in a presidential Cabinet when she became Trump’s ambassador to the UN.

During her nearly two-year tenure, Haley feuded at times with other administration officials while bolstering her own public persona.

One of her most memorable moments as UN ambassador came in 2018 after National Economic Council Director Larry Kudlow suggested Haley had suffered “momentary confusion” when she said Russian sanctions were imminent.

“With all due respect, I don’t get confused,” she responded. The first half of the quote became the title of her 2019 memoir.

Super Ratings Super Bowl

If you watched the Super Bowl on Sunday, you weren’t alone. The faceoff between the Philadelphia Eagles and Kansas City Chiefs, a nail biter in which the latter team emerged victorious after a game defining play late in the fourth quarter, averaged 113 million viewers across Fox’s television and digital properties, according to early data from Nielsen.

That makes Super Bowl LVII the third most-watched television program of all-time. And it represents the best audience for the big game in six years, topping 2022’s showdown, which averaged 112.3 million viewers on NBC.

As expected, the biggest viewing audiences for the game were in Kansas City and Philadelphia, followed by Cincinnati, Detroit, Pittsburgh, Milwaukee, Norfolk, Charlotte, Minneapolis, and St. Louis — all of which had ratings shares over 70.

Even though many people are shying away from watching traditional TV programming, live sports command extraordinary audiences.

That said, not everyone watched the game on their TV. Fox said Super Bowl LVII was the most-streamed Super Bowl in history, with an average of 7 million people watching via internet-based services. That figure represents an 18% jump from last year.

Have a Safe Flight

Want to book the safest spot on your next flight? You may not be happy sitting in it, though.

According to experts, the middle

seats in the last row are the safe seats on an airplane.

Air travel is one of the safest methods of transport. According to the U.S. National Safety Council’s analysis of census data, the odds of dying in a plane are about 1 in 205,552, compared with 1 in 102 in a car. Even so, our minds start to whirl when we hear about a plane crash in Nepal. The car crash in the next neighborhood garners less of our attention.

According to a TIME investigation that looked at 35 years of aircraft accident data, the middle rear seats of an aircraft had the lowest fatality rate: 28%, compared with 44% for the middle aisle seats.

in 40 years. On the other hand, in southern Arizona, they are seeing their latest start to spring in 40 years.

The National Phenology Network, which keeps track of the arrival of spring, maps the locations where it believes spring has already arrived. It does this by tracking the bloom of two plant species typically among the first to leaf out each year and are also “common across much of the country.”

at Zoo Miami. Around 30% of the food on our tables gets there because of organisms like butterflies, bees, and bats.

Architect of the Capitol Fired

emergencies.

At the hearing last week before the administration panel, as he tried to justify the use of his government car, Blanton further infuriated lawmakers when he admitted that he was not present during the January 6 attack.

He said he had been coordinating with his team over the phone and via a radio system installed in his official vehicle instead of going to the Capitol that day because he thought it would not be “prudent” to drive to work as thousands of protesters blocked access to the complex. That drew indignant responses from lawmakers in both parties. (© The New York Times)

Pilots are trained to minimize potential risk in an emergency event as best as they can. They will try to avoid hitting mountains and look for a level place, such as an open field, to land as normally as possible. The technique for landing in water requires assessing the surface conditions and attempting to land between waves at a normal landing angle.

Aircraft are designed to be very robust in emergency situations. In fact, the main reason the cabin crew remind us to keep our seat belts fastened is not because of crash risk, but because of “clear air turbulence” that can be experienced at any time at high altitudes. It is this weather phenomenon that can cause the most damage to passengers and aircraft.

Additionally, manufacturers are designing new planes with more composite materials capable of handling in-flight stress. In these designs, the wings are not rigid and can flex to absorb extreme loading to prevent structural failure.

An Early Bloom

It seems that the flowers can’t wait to bloom. Some parts of the South and Southeast are seeing their earliest spring on record this year, with leaves already budding on trees as much as three weeks early. Other parts of the South and Southeast are seeing their earliest spring

Much of the “early spring” has to do with the warm start to 2023. Much of the South and Southeast are off to their top-10 warmest years on record, and several cities are seeing their top-five warmest: Houston, Jackson, Nashville, and Atlanta.

It is even more dramatic in the mid-Atlantic and Northeast. Philadelphia and New York City are experiencing their warmest start to the year on record, so the early bloom will most likely expand into the Northeast in the weeks ahead.

“Plants are really sensitive to temperature, humidity and rainfall. They’re sensitive to photo periods –the sun and things like that. They’re responding to these kinds of triggers in the environment, these cues that the climate is giving them, and they respond to that,” Megan O’Connell, a research associate with the Botanical Research Institute of Texas, explained.

It’s not always a good thing when spring comes early. Pollinators – like bees and butterflies – depend on certain plants. If the blooms appear early, they could already be gone by the time pollinators appear, creating what scientists call “ecological mismatch.”

One example is the monarch butterfly. Scientists have seen the milkweed they depend on to lay their eggs bloom earlier and earlier, but the butterflies are still showing up on time to fields where milkweed has already finished blooming and is gone.

“One out of every three bites of food that we eat” is directly connected to a pollinator, noted Ron Magill, communications director and wildlife expert

President Joe Biden on Monday fired J. Brett Blanton, the federal official responsible for the maintenance and operation of the Capitol complex, amid bipartisan calls for his resignation, after an investigative report accusing him of misusing his position and revelations that he avoided the Capitol during the January 6, 2021, attack.

Blanton, who was appointed in 2019 as the architect of the Capitol, had been under scrutiny since last fall after a report by the inspector general of his office documented evidence supporting serious allegations against him. Among the accusations were that he had misused government-issued vehicles, misled investigators, and impersonated a police officer on multiple occasions.

But concerns among lawmakers in both parties intensified at a 90-minute hearing on Friday in which Blanton gave noncommittal and at times contradictory answers about his conduct, including his decision to stay away from the Capitol during the January 6 riot.

On Monday morning, Speaker Kevin McCarthy said on Twitter that Blanton “no longer has my confidence to continue in his job” and should resign or be removed by Biden.

A White House official said that after conducting due diligence on the matter, the president had directed that Blanton be fired.

Rep. Joseph D. Morelle of New York, the top Democrat on the House Administration Committee, which oversees Capitol operations, said in a statement that he agreed with the decision.

“President Biden did the right thing and heeded my call for action,” he said. The inspector general report found that Blanton and his family had repeatedly made personal use of government-issued vehicles intended for day-to-day operations at the Capitol and official

Free Money in Chicago

Need some cash? Head to the Windy City.

Chicago and the surrounding suburbs of Cook County are conducting the largest experiment of its kind in the nation – supplying thousands of residents with cold, hard cash.

Back in August, Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s $31.5 million Resilient Communities Pilot selected 5,000 city residents to receive a guaranteed cash income for a year. The first $500 checks from a separate program, a $42 million county pilot, went out in December to 3,250 residents concentrated in the near-in Chicago suburbs.

Both Chicago and Cook County are tapping money sent to local governments through the 2021 pandemic relief law known as the American Rescue Plan. Both programs are administered by a group, GiveDirectly, that had been better known for helping poor people in developing nations. The city and county efforts are being assessed by social scientists at the University of Chicago.

“This was a once-in-a-lifetime moment for us to be bold and innovative,” said Brandie Knazze, commissioner of the Chicago Department of Family and Support Services.

Those big checks are creating big divides between Democrats – who wel-

come the big government handouts – and Republicans – who lament the typical welfare handouts that they say create dependency.

In fact, in Chicago, Lightfoot – who is hoping to be reelected – is trying to throw Republicans under the bus for not supporting her plan. None of her eight rivals for the Democratic mayoral nomination have made an issue of her guaranteed income efforts.

To qualify for the program, applicants needed to earn a maximum income of 250% of the federal poverty level — $36,450 a year for an individual, $75,000 for a family of four — although acceptance was weighted toward certain groups such as homeless people, veterans, and caregivers.

Health Concerns After Train Derailment

Several train cars derailed in Ohio on February 3, and residents of East Palestine are still dealing with the dangerous aftermath after toxic fumes were released into the air.

About 50 cars of a Norfolk Southern

train went off track during the accident, causing a days-long fire in the area. Ten of the 50 derailed cars contained hazardous chemicals including butyl acrylate and vinyl chloride, which were among combustible liquids that authorities feared could set off a major explosion

Norfolk Southern, saying the company was negligent and demanding the company fund court-supervised medical screenings for serious illnesses that may be caused by exposure to those chemicals.

Local officials have insisted that the air is safe to breathe and that the water is safe to drink in East Palestine.

The Environmental Protection Agency, which has been monitoring the air quality, said it has not detected “any levels of concern” in East Palestine as of Sunday.

a kind of plastic used for pipes, wire and cable coatings and car parts.

When vinyl chloride is exposed in the environment, it breaks down from sunlight within a few days and changes into other chemicals such as formaldehyde. When it is spilled in soil or surface water, the chemical evaporates into the air quickly, according to the Ohio Department of Health.

Out of precaution, residents of East Palestine were later asked to evacuate. On Monday, February 6, crews conducted what officials called a “controlled release” of the hazardous chemicals which caused a large plume of black smoke.

The evacuation order was lifted on Wednesday, but things are not back to normal. Since then, there have been a growing number of reports about people experiencing a burning sensation in their eyes, animals falling ill, and a strong odor lingering in the town.

Some business owners and East Palestine residents have filed lawsuits against

The agency added that vinyl chloride and hydrogen chloride have not been detected in the 291 homes that have been screened as of Monday. There are 181 homes left to be evaluated in the voluntary indoor air screening program.

On Sunday, the EPA released a list, written by Norfolk Southern, of the toxic chemicals that were in the derailed cars. In addition to vinyl chloride and butyl acrylate, it mentions ethylhexyl acrylate, which can cause headaches, nausea, and respiratory problems in people exposed to it; as well as isobutylene, which can make people dizzy and drowsy.

Of particular concern is the vinyl chloride, which was loaded on five cars — a carcinogen that becomes a gas at room temperature. It is commonly used to make polyvinyl chloride or PVC, which is

Breathing or drinking vinyl chloride can cause a number of health risks including dizziness and headaches. People who breathe the chemical over many years may also experience liver damage.

Remote Work Costs Billions

New York is feeling the hit of employees working out of their home. According

to a Bloomberg analysis of a WFH Research study, it’s costing the Big Apple more than $12 billion as workers stay out of offices.

Office workers are spending $4,661 less per person in the areas near their offices than before the pandemic began.

The Big Apple has seen the largest reduction in spending across the country, with a deficit of $12.4 billion a year.

“Less spending by workers in the central areas means a lot less sales tax revenue,” Jose Maria Barrero, a professor at Mexico’s Instituto Tecnologico Autonomo and a member of the WFH Research group, noted. “If you have fewer commuters, that means less revenue.”

That figure was calculated by multiplying the annual inflation-adjust loss in spending per worker by the U.S. Census Bureau›s nearly 2.7 million commuters and residents who worked in Manhattan in 2019.

“If less income tax is being paid in New York City,” Comptroller Brad Lander told Bloomberg, “then it’s hard to figure out how to capture enough value to maintain the subways and invest in the schools and keep the city safe and clean and all the things that really matter.”

Notably, a recent Partnership for New York City survey showed just 52% of Manhattan office workers are at their place of work on an average weekday and just 9% of employees are back in the office for five days a week.

Failing Math in Baltimore

are yet to be seen.

In August last year, Baltimore City Schools committed to spending $21,000 per student thanks to a huge funding increase. The change, brought about by a bill passed two years prior, made Baltimore the fourth most funded large school system in the country.

The three districts that spend more than Baltimore are New York City, Boston, and Washington, DC. All three have significantly better national test scores and double the number of students proficient in reading compared to Baltimore.

According to 2021 census data, Baltimore’s poverty rate was 20.3 percent.

Disney Turns 100

sets. Now, Disney is cutting $5.5 billion in costs and eliminating 7,000 jobs as it scrambles to contend with losses in streaming, the eroding profitability of traditional TV and debt from the pandemic, and Fox acquisition.

In November, Disney fired its CEO and brought Robert Iger out of retirement to retake the reins.

Disney has also become a political piñata among conservative pundits. Gov. Ron DeSantis of Florida, who has attacked the company as “woke Disney,” on Friday gained control of the board that oversees development at Walt Disney World, a move that strips Disney of autonomy it has enjoyed for 56 years.

The upshot: For Disney, a little brand polish (or a lot) cannot come soon enough.

Of the two “Disney100” museum exhibitions, the first opens at the Franklin Institute in Philadelphia on Saturday and runs through August 27. It will then go on tour to other cities in North America. A second exhibition will open in Munich on April 18 and move to London in the fall before heading elsewhere in the world.

(© The New York Times)

Walt Disney has been dead for nearly 57 years. In the coming weeks, however, he will begin greeting museum visitors on two continents.

As part of its 100th anniversary marketing-palooza, the Walt Disney Co. used archival video and artificial intelligence tools to create a lifelike hologram of its founder — a full-size digital avatar that speaks in Walt Disney’s voice and appears as part of interactive exhibitions of Disney artwork, props and costumes that will tour the world until at least 2028.

“I get goose bumps every time I see it,” said Becky Cline, director of the Disney Archives.

Just Chilling

to protect these amazing waters reaches decision-makers.”

Hernández has earned the nickname “Ice Mermaid” over the years after completing extreme open water swims and competing internationally in ice swimming. In February 2022, she broke the Guinness World Record for the fastest ocean mile swim through the Drake Passage in southern Chile in a time of 15 minutes and three seconds. She was named the 2022 World Open Water Swimming Woman of the Year and was inducted into the ice swimming hall of fame this year.

It took her 45 minutes and 30 seconds to complete her recent Antarctic swim. That’s really cool.

Cake Clothing

After analyzing data from Maryland’s State Department of Education from 2022, Project Baltimore concluded that 23 public schools in Baltimore are failing their students in a major way – not one student at the institutions reached the required level in math.

There was not one student among the 2,000-strong student body who made it to the required math standard in 10 high schools, eight elementary schools, three Middle/High schools and two Elementary/Middle schools.

School funding in Baltimore has been historically low, and although it recently received a large injection of cash, results

Hundreds of thousands of people are expected to buy tickets — and Disney, more than any time in recent memory, needs them to leave with a similar emotion: Ah, yes, the magical entertainment brand that marries nostalgia with howdid-they-do-that technical wizardry. Let’s go see a Disney movie, buy some Disney bedsheets, and book a vacation at a Disney theme park.

For decades, the public has been saying exactly that. But Disney’s centenary celebration arrives at a moment when the company’s formidable standing in the culture has started to show a few cracks.

Five years ago, when Cline started to think about the “Disney100” museum shows, Disney was hitting new heights at the box office and basking in its $71.3 billion purchase of 21st Century Fox as-

Barbara Hernandez is really cool. She’s freezing, in fact.

The 37-year-old recently became the first person to swim 1.55 miles through the frigid waters of Antarctica – the longest Antarctic swim to date. Lest you think that doesn’t seem to be such a feat, consider that the Chilean swimmer wore only a bathing suit when she swam through the 36-degree water.

“I’m so happy and so relieved that it all went well. Swimming in Antarctica has been a dream I’ve had for years, and part of my longtime ambition to swim in parts of all seven of the world’s oceans,” Hernandez said. “Physically, it has been incredibly tough, but all worth it if the message on the need for urgent action

Now you can have your cake and wear it, too.

Natasha Coline Kim fah Lee Fokas is one creative baker. She recently created the world’s largest wearable dress made out of cake for the Swiss Wedding World expo in Bern.

The pastry weighed a whopping 289 pounds and 13 ounces and was certified as the world’s largest wearable cake dress by Guinness World Records. The dress, with a full skirt that had two straps at the top, was white with delicate embellishments.

But the cake wasn’t just pretty. In a video, Guinness showed the cake being sliced while still being worn by the model at the fair. Fair-goers got to sample the wearable pastry.

This record takes the cake.

Graduating High School at 9 Years Old

David Balogun may be less than a decade old, but he loves science and computer programming. Now, the nineyear-old from Pennsylvania is also a high school graduate.

Balogun recently received a diploma from Reach cyber charter school –based in his state’s capital of Harrisburg

– after taking classes remotely from his family home in the Philadelphia suburb of Bensalem. That achievement makes him one of the youngest known children to graduate high school.

one semester at Bucks county community college since graduating from Reach charter. Meanwhile, he and his family have been doing their research into other colleges and universities to try to find the one that is best suited for a boy who – besides his academics – is pursuing a martial arts black belt, enjoys other sports, and plays the piano.

“Am I going to throw my nine-yearold into Harvard while I’m living in [Pennsylvania]?” David’s father, Henry, said of the family’s college search. “No.”

Sounds like a wise decision.

Balogun has big dreams for himself.

“I want to be an astrophysicist, and I want to study black holes and supernovas,” he said.

David’s parents are both bright, but their child has thrown them for a loop.

“I had to get outside of the box,” David’s mother, Ronya, told WGAL. “Playing pillow fights when you’re not supposed to, throwing the balls in the house. He’s a nine-year-old with the brain that has the capacity to understand and comprehend a lot of concepts beyond his years and sometimes beyond my understanding.”

Now that he’s completed high school, David has his sights set on a higher degree. The member of Mensa has done

Party of Five

at the University Hospital in Krakow. Weighing between 25-49 ounces, they were all put in incubators and given breathing support, but doctors said they are all doing fine, given their premature birth.

The quintuplets’ mother, Dominika Clarke, 37, told a news conference in Krakow that she was feeling “much better than I had expected.”

“If you have a system, a calm approach, and a positive attitude, then it is possible to have a really cool life with such a large bunch of children,” Clarke said.

Clarke and her British husband’s other children are aged between 10 months and 12 years and include two pairs of twins.

Experience is the mother of wisdom…

Mighty Mouse

Pat may be small, but he is doing big things.

Pat was born at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park on July 14, 2013, under a conservation breeding program.

A Polish mother now has twelve children. The surprise is that she only had seven children last week. On Sunday, she gave birth prematurely to quintuplets.

The two boys and three girls were born

The Pacific pocket mouse – who was named after a character in “Star Trek” –recently received a Guinness World Record for being the oldest living mouse in human care.

How old is this furry rodent? So far, he is 9 years and 209 days, the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance announced after a certification ceremony.

The Pacific pocket mouse, which weighs as much as three pennies, is the smallest mouse species in North America and gets its name from cheek pouches the animals use to carry food and nesting materials.

Although the mouse used to be found in many areas of the country, it was thought to extinct for about 20 years. Still, the species remains endangered.

In 2012, the alliance began a breeding program to help save the mouse from extinction. Last year, the alliance recorded 117 pups born in a record 31 litters. Many of the mice will be reintroduced to the wild this spring, as they are critical to the ecosystem as they disperse seeds of native plants.

Still, I’d rather not see them in my kitchen.

Around the Community

Rav Shlomo Kanievsky, shlita, visited Mesivta Shaarei Chaim this week to give the bochurim divrei bracha and chizuk

YOSS Learns Safety

Healthy, Happy Smiles at TAG YOSS Tech in Check Cards

Red means stop, yellow means slow, and green means go! What better way to learn about safety than a trip to Safety Town? Mrs. Mayer’s third grade class at Yeshiva of South Shore took a trip to Safety Town this Wednesday and learned all about different ways to keep safe. The boys watched a video on safety rules when

riding bicycles, driving cars and walking in the street. They heard from an officer on different ways to keep safe. After that, they put their listening skills to the test and got to practice using bicycles, cars and walking on a street following the street signs in Safety Town! The boys had a blast and really enjoyed their experience.

As part of Talmidos B’rios month, the talmidos of the Ganger Early Choldhood Center at TAG learned about teeth hygiene. Dr. Preminger visited and showed the girls how to properly brush and floss their teeth. He entertained everyone with funny puppets, read a book, and gave the talmidos special prizes!

Did you know?

Lechu V’Nelcha

The Far Rockaway/Five Towns branch of Lechu V’nelcha, a global program for post-seminary girls, continues to inspire!

O n Motzei Shabbos, February 4, the Lchu V’Nelcha of Far Rockaway and the Five Towns was privileged to hear from Rabbi Y.Y. Rubinstein. In his humorous and enlightening way, Rabbi Rubinstein captivated the crowd with an inspirational and informative speech based off his new book titled “Truly Great Jewish Women then and Now.”

Rabbi Rubinstein spoke about the essence and inner qualities of a Jewish woman based on his new book and examples we from Torah of the high levels of bitachon that are innate to and achievable by a Jewish woman. LVN thanks the Agudah of the Five Towns

Anew component of the YOSS Tech in Check movement is the prize cards that are randomly placed on cars sporting a “Tech in Check” magnet. They have been a tremendous success; it is always an exciting surprise when parents and boys see the card on their windshield or window! There are many different prizes to be won ranging from treats to Gadol pictures from Rabbi Robinson or even to have your picture put in the YOSS news and the newspaper and much more – see below for a picture of Pinny Fried who received that very card!

for graciously hosting us.

T his past Sunday night, Rebbetzin Dina Fink, founder and director of the global Lchu V’Nelcha program, came in from Brooklyn to speak for LVN in Far Rockaway. LVN thanks Rabbi Brown’s shul for hosting us this past Sunday night, and thank you to Stop, Chop, and Roll for the delicious sushi platter that was enjoyed by all.

LVN is excited to invite all seminary/high school girls to this coming week’s shiur with Rabbi Daniel Glatstein on Sunday night, February 19, at 8:00 PM at the Agudah of the Five Towns. As always, to stay informed about future events, you can email lvnfarrockaway5t@gmail.com. Looking forward to greeting you!

The giant squid has the largest eyes in the world.

There are many milestones in life, and when we reach them, we must look back and give shevach v’hodaya to Hakodesh Boruch Hu. This is the mood permeating Torah Academy for Girls as they prepare to celebrate their 60th anniversary dinner to be held Wednesday evening, March 1 in the Sands.

With the meaningful theme of Internalizing Toras Imecha, focusing on the superlative chinuch that has been the benchmark of TAG, I was invited to interview a few members of the current administration to learn more about this epic accomplishment.

Rabbi Meyer Weitman, dean: Can you tell me a little about what year TAG started, what year your father Rabbi Moshe Weitman z”l became dean, and what was the impetus of starting a new venture that was foreign to this community at this time?

Torah Academy for Girls was founded by a small group of families, approximately 18 couples, who wanted a Bais Yaakov environment for their daughters in September of 1963. Most schools begin with just the youngest grades the first year and add a grade each year. However, since the various couples had daughters in various grades, TAG began its first year with Kindergarten through 7th Grade. With a total enrollment of 70 girls the first year, which was truly amazing, it still was an average of less than ten girls in a class. This created a financial nightmare.

What were the struggles the pioneer founders faced and what do you feel contributed to the growth and success of the school?

While it was a herculean feat for a group of laymen to attract so many students, find a building and hire staff, they quickly realized that for the school to survive, it had to have a leader. At the time we lived upstate in Monticello where my

father z”l was the Rav. Everything was wonderful there, except for the chinuch options, which were limited to the Sullivan County Hebrew Day School. With five sons to consider, my parents began to look for options closer to “civilization.” A shidduch was made, and in the summer of 1964, we moved to Far Rockaway.

This dinner is commemorating the recent petirah of your dear mother, Rebbetzin Toby Weitman a”h. What role did she play in TAG and in your home?

My mother was born in Toronto in 1934. On Shushan Purim in 1952, on her 18th birthday, she married my father and instantly became the Rebbetzin of Monticello. The position of Rebbetzin fit her perfectly. She deeply cared and connected with whomever she interacted with. She was there for every simcha, and unfortunately, every difficult time also. When we moved to Far Rockaway, it was the same. She became the Rebbetzin to the hundreds of TAG parents and to the talmidos.

My mother was the embodiment of a Bas Melech, feeling Hashem, the Melech, in her life constantly. This was apparent in her every action, and was transmitted by example to her family, community and to the entire TAG family. She can be credited with creating an aura of “al titosh Toras imecha” in TAG.

Rabbi Baruch Lovett, Director of Development:

How many years have you worked at TAG? What would you say has contributed to its success? What are your personal experiences in the school with regards to your own daughters.

I have worked at TAG since 1988 with a five-year hiatus. I started working with Rabbi Moshe Weitman, z”l, and now have the pleasure of working with Rabbi Meyer Weitman, Rabbi Yehuda Deutsch, Rabbi Moshe Zimberg, and the principals, moros and teachers. There is a good chemistry between the faculty and the students

and that lends itself to the success of the school. My role is to help raise funds for the school to make sure that our wonderful staff is paid and paid on time. I, baruch Hashem, have four daughters who have graduated and one currently graduating. Our kesher to the Weitman family is deep and I am proud that one of my grandsons was named Moshe after Rabbi Moshe Weitman z”l.

Rabbi Moshe Zimberg, Executive Director:

As someone who has been in the TAG administration for the past two years, what do you see as your role and how have you been affected by TAG in your own personal life?

My role is to facilitate the learning so the moros and teachers can do their very best. While making sure the resources are there and the school is in compliance with all of the necessary legal obligations, the amazing learning and growing can go on without interruption. And as a proud parent of a TAG graduate and now a proud grandparent of a current TAG student, I get to see firsthand the magic that the educators do, and I am proud and happy to be part of it

Rabbi Yehuda Deutsch, Assistant Dean:

As the new Assistant Dean, what do you see are the strengths of TAG and how has it impacted on you personally. What do you see as the future for this school?

As a classroom educator for 20 years and concurrently a general studies principal for 10, I have devoted my professional career to the noble field of education. What goes on in TAG on a daily basis is nothing short of astounding. I think parents are simply not aware of the multifaceted approach of what occurs for the benefit of each and every child in each and every division, throughout the school. I, myself, as a current parent and an alumna parent was shocked to see the total dedication and devotion of the

principals and faculty. Academics are one thing that most are somewhat cognizant of because that is what they are exposed to regularly. However, the social and emotional pieces of development are so crucial and are being addressed in the best way possible here at TAG.

My goals for the future are to stay on top of the ever-changing landscape of chinuch especially as it relates to the whole child and do what we can to meet the needs of tomorrow, by educating today’s children with warmth, love, and the trademark dedication and devotion that is so replete throughout the illustrious 60 year history of TAG.

Aside from the many alumnae, faculty members, community activists and grateful parents who will be attending the dinner, special guest star Baruch Levine will be enhancing the event with a live musical performance.

To make a reservation or to become part of this major celebration, please visit Dinner@Tagschools.org , www.Tagdonation.org or Zelle: contributions@tagschools.org.

At an early TAG dinner: seated left to right, Rabbi Moshe Weitman, z”l, Mr. Bunny Feigenbaum, a”h, Rabbi Amos Bunim a”h presenting plaque, Mr. Marvin Eichen a”h, and Mr. Yisroel Bloom a”h.

Morah Elsie Soffer a’h early kindergarten classes at TAG. Note the yarmulkas

One of the first classes in Rabbi Mashitz shul

At the high school groundbreaking in 1997

Rambam Rambots Robotics Qualify for Championships

By Menachem Lotwin

This past Sunday, the Rambam Robotics team, the Rambots, took on their second qualifier as part of the First Tech Challenge (FTC) Powerplay competition. The competition, announced to teams three months in advance, would entail building a remotely controlled robot that would pick up cones and drop them onto junctions that could be scored for various points. The team greatly enjoyed the process of engineering and coding a machine with such capabilities. They were given free reign of the new Ram -

bam STEM Lab-which they helped design and set up – and all their hard work paid off.

The team played five qualification matches, going 3-2 and finishing in 7th place out of the 22 participating teams, earning a spot in the playoff rounds, where they made it to the top two before losing in the final match!

The team is now qualified for the Long Island FTC Regional Championships, and with the possibility of advancing to the world championship, we wish them the best of luck.

Go Rambots!

Super Bowl Party at Madraigos: A True Win for the Community

Week 5 at JSL

While the Kansas City Chiefs probably thought they had the best Super Bowl party on Super Sunday, the real Super Bowl party was at the Madraigos Lounge. Led by Boy’s Lounge Director, Avromi Meyer, MSW, the Madraigos Super Bowl party had everything a party could offer. Throughout the game, there were various competitions, prizes, and raffles at the end of every quarter. Winners earned great prizes including a bluetooth waterproof speaker, football, and more.

However, it wasn’t all football at Madraigos. The amazing food may have edged out the game for center stage. There was a lavish buffet by Carlos & Gabby’s and an abundance of snacks to appeal to every tastebud. Guys were also excited to play spirited games of pingpong and pool, as well as the punching bag and climbing wall – all in the festive -

ly decorated facility for the annual occasion. To top it all off, the guys davened Maariv together for a true “win” for the guys.

“It was so amazing to see all the guys coming together for a night of fun, football, and just hanging out in a great environment. Everyone was so involved throughout the night and I was so happy to have such a fantastic turnout,” commented Meyer.

The evening proved to be a huge success. From strengthening relationships, benefitting from the non-judgmental and supportive staff, and simply having a place to be themselves, Madraigos more than met the needs of guys in the community.

For more information about the Guys Lounge, please contact Avromi Meyer at ameyer@madraigos.org.

Building Bridges at YOSS

YOSS students in Mrs. Korman’s seventh grade science class built spectacular bridges with their design requirements and forces and motion knowledge. The students demonstrated the knowledge of tension and compression while building their bridges that spanned 14 inches and held over ten pounds. They researched their specific bridges and built them.

Mrs. Korman’s eighth grade science class has been busy with body systems! Students worked in groups to create a life-size illustration of a body and three body systems! We call this our “clean” anatomy class (no smells, no formaldehyde.) Students chose three body systems to illustrate and explain how their body systems interacted with the others.

As we were navigating our body systems, students worked in pairs and completed their research on “Future of Clinical Management of Disease.” Students chose two diseases to research. This research will culminate in our Invention Convention Fair.

Week 5 of the JSL season by FM Home Loans is in the books! We have reached the midway point of the season and there’s still a lot of action left to be played. The competition is heating up.

JSL Juniors

The boys’ skills are greatly improving under the guidance of our amazing JSL coaches.

K/P Hockey: Noah Daniel of ARG scored the game winning goal with 20 seconds left to take a 3 to 2 lead and the win against Alpert Financial. In a backand-forth game, Simcha Day Camp was just too much. They took the lead and then Binyamin Katz added an insurance goal to seal the victory with a final score of 6 to 4 over Hewlett Auto Body. Home & Stone jumped out to an early 3-1 lead, but Gourmet Glatt stormed back with 2 goals before the half to tie it up. In an exciting second half with about 2 minutes left in the game, Game MVP Murray Rosenblatt scored the game winner on a wrist shot to secure the 4-3 victory for Home & Stone.

K/P Soccer: Yakov Kret was named Game MVP with 2 goals, leading ARG to a win against Future Care Consultants 5 to 2.

1st Hockey: 4 Seasons AC took a 4-1 lead but Built By Nate clawed back with 2 amazing goals by Asher Neumann to bring the game within one score, but the 4 Seasons AC defense held strong, winning 4-3. The Rosenblatt cousins had a great day Sunday with Murray scoring the game winning shot in K/P Hockey and Charlie putting up 6 goals in Island Roofing’s victory.

Basketball

3rd/4th: Eli Alishaev of Town Appliance scored 14 of the 17 points including a beautiful one-handed floater. Noam Rosman of Built By Nate was a beast down low in the paint, grabbing many rebounds throughout the game to help Built by Nate win 29 to 25 against ARG. Shlomo Licht of Island Roofing went to the free throw line 15 times Sunday and never stopped hustling as he scored 14

points. Island Roofing beat Posh Home and Stone 22 to 10.

5th-7th Basketball: Avi Drandoff had a nifty euro step to draw the And-1. Marciano Pediatric Dentistry beat Molly’s Jewelers 32 to 12. Yakov Noam Levine had an incredible fast break to put his team on top. Wieder Orthodontics beat Xtreme Vent Cleaning 29 to 20. Yosef Pultman of Five Towns Orthodontics made some outstanding rebounds throughout the game to help his team just barely eke out a 27-26 victory over Maidenbaum.

Hockey

2nd/3rd: Elegant Lawns got out to a 2 to 0 lead in the first period, but MoldPro turned it around with goals from Tzvi Taub and Sholom Kopelowitz to tie the game. Samuel Kunstler then had the heroic game winning goal in the 3rd period to give MoldPro the win. Meat + Board and JNT were tied at 4-4 heading into the third period when Tzvi Schulman scored the go ahead goal and Aaron Lowenstein hit the empty net with 2 seconds remaining to give Meat + Board the 6 to 4 victory.

4th/5th Hockey: Town Appliance’s powerful offense did not disappoint Sunday evening, putting 7 goals in the net to take a convincing victory over 5 Towns Orthodontics. AutoClick had a 4 to 2 lead entering the 3rd period but Posh Home + Bath scored to bring them within 1 goal. Auto Click then added some insurance goals to take the 6 to 4 victory. Avraham Blumenkrantz had a Hat Trick in Marciano Pediatric Dentistry’s victory over 925 Sterling.

6th/8th Hockey: Yechiel Taitlebaum got things going early for Wieder Orthodontics Monday night as the team never looked back. JNT took the #1 spot in the division with a win over BayRock Insurance.

Game MVPs: Noah Daniel; Murray Rosenblatt; Yaakov Kret; Jacob Garbacz; Charlie Rosenblatt; Ashton Newman; Binyomin Sabo; Solomon Licht; Noam Rosman; Lior Benyahun; Yaakov Noam Levine; Avi Drandoff; Samuel Kunstler; Sholom Diamond; and Tzvi Shulman

MAY Annual Blood Drive a Huge Success

Last Wednesday, Mesivta Ateres

Yaakov once again hosted an incredibly successful blood drive, raising over 60 pints in just a few hours. The drive was spearheaded by 11th grade Rebbe, Rabbi Shmuel Oratz, and senior Yitzi Sphelfogel in conjunction with the Bikur Cholim of Brooklyn.

“The annual blood drive is just another way in which our talmidim inculcate the Torah values they are taught at the Mesivta into real world situations,” commented Menahel, Rabbi Yossi Ben-

nett. “We are extremely proud of the of the talmidim who helped with the organization of the drive and those who participated.”

The faculty and talmidim of the Mesivta got the collection started, after which many people from the community participated, excited to donate and assist in this worthy cause. The Mesivta thanks the Bikur Cholim and Maimonides Hospital for helping organize this drive and all those who participated.

Yasher ko’ach!

The Shulamith Pre 1A Banot are learning the story of Purim in Ivrit and creating their own Megillot

Yasher Koach to the Shulamith Torah Bowl team on winning all five of their meets this week

SKA Production 2023

After months of practice and hard work, Production, one of the Stella K. Abraham High School for Girls’ most exciting events of the year, finally arrived! On motzei Shabbat and Sunday evening, February 11 and 12, A Hollywood Dream was performed at the HALB Hirt Family campus of the HALB elementary school auditorium to a full house of SKA family members, friends, and faculty.

The absorbing story of “Tzippy’s” pursuit of a Hollywood career and its aftermath was beautifully told through inspiring harmonies from the choir, elegantly crafted dances and terrific dramatic scenes. The SKA Band, which contributed so much to Production, was outstanding. Every student involved in this year’s Production, in whatever capacity, really had her moment to shine! Since so many SKA students participate in Production, connections were formed across the grades, making Production a wonderful bonding experience.

Our thanks go to Mrs. Terri Wagner,

Mr. Ari and Mrs. Nes Blau, Mrs. Chani Kanowitz, Mrs. Suzy Libin, Mrs. Lauren Sider and Mrs. Lani Zoldan, who, with the help and support of SKA Principals

Mrs. Bluma Drebin and Mrs. Elisheva Kaminetsky, Associate Principal Ms. Flaumenhaft, Dean of Students Mrs. Shira Englander and Director of Student Programming and Admissions Rabbi Yosef Zakutinsky, helped Production 2023 set a new standard of excellence!

JCCRP at NYC Advocacy Day

JCCRP Staff Micaela Brickman and Carmen Ruiz traveled to Albany for the Neighborhood Preservation Coalition of NYS Advocacy Day ‘23 to advocate for Housing in Far Rockaway. They met with Assembly-

woman Stacey Pheffer Amato’s office and with Assemblyman Khaleel Anderson. JCCRP staff discussed the need for more housing programing and assistance in the Rockaways.

Being Creative at TAG

One always wonders how to spend Motzei Shabbos and what activities they can share with their children. Well, wonder no more! Thanks to TAG’s Women’s League, the fourth grade talmidos were joined by their mothers, grandmothers, or aunts to spend a delightful and entertaining Paint Night on Motzei Shabbos, February 11. Everyone enjoyed TAG’s own Pre-1A Morah, Dvora Wein -

berg, as she instructed and helped the participants complete their beautiful artwork.

M any thanks to the committee, Mrs. Edna Ershowsky, Mrs. Chavsie Friedman, Mrs. Nomi Friedman, Mrs. Mindy Glaser, Mrs. Miriam Kanner, Mrs. Naomi Newman, Mrs. Nechama Salamon, and Mrs. Rachelle Tepper, and the chessed girls from Machon Sarah High School.

Visiting with Netzach Alumni

Over winter break, Rabbi Yurman and Rabbi Feiler visited with the alumni talmidim of Netzach learning in Eretz Yisrael. Following a beautiful reunion Shabbos with learning, ruach and reminiscing

with friends, the talmidim spent time together making a kumzitz and visiting the Kotel together. The Mesivta is proud of the boys and their growth in the yeshivas in Eretz Yisrael.

Morah Rechel Dina Pollack’s nursery talmidim at Yeshiva Darchei Torah presented the Rosh HaYeshiva, Rav Yaakov Bender, with their very full pushka.

BYAM Pre-1A Challah Bake

Aregular Sunday was transformed into an extraordinary and uplifting day for Morah Shoshana Gordon and Morah Leah Schwadel’s Pre-1A and their mothers. Spearheaded by Mrs. Harris, Bina’s mother, a very special challah bake was held in the Harris home. Mrs. Harris went to great lengths to create an atmosphere of warmth, growth, togetherness and kedusha. From the decor to the set-up, to the refreshments, to the child-sized and Mommy-sized gloves, not a single detail was left out.

Every mother-daughter pair received their own bucket full of pre-measured ingredients for Rebbetzin Kanievsky’s challah recipe. As the ingredients were added, Mrs. Harris spoke of the significance of each ingredient and the kavanos one should have in mind while adding them. There were lots of laughs as the girls and their mothers kneaded the dough together – and tried to stay clean! While the

participants waited for their dough to rise, a wide variety of refreshments were waiting for both the girls and their mothers that covered the gamut of brachos. Brachos were said out loud

l’zechus refuah shelaima - Yona Michel Ben Adina Sima (Morah Leah’s father) and a resounding Amen was said for each one. While the girls ate, they were treated to two different age-appropriate stories about the special mitzvah of hafrashas challah. Meanwhile, the mothers sat spellbound listening to devorim hayotzim min halev from Morah Shoshana about the mitzvah of hafrashas challah and the special bracha it brings. Each mother then had a chance to be mafrish her challah with a bracha one at a time (again as a zechus for Morah Leah’s father), and everyone responded with Amen. There was one more treat waiting for the girls – a fun rainbow craft that put huge smiles on their faces.

T he challah dough was taken home

Rising to the Challenge

By Mordechai Kastlebaum

Alarge crowd of over 250 people converged on The White Shul this Monday for a most unique event. Yeshiva Kol Torah of Inwood celebrated the success of its revolutionary Aliyah L’Torah Program with a full room of rabbanim, supporters, community members, talmidim, parents and grandparents.

T he Aliyah L’Torah Program is a reflection of the yeshiva’s drive to train its talmidim to overcome the distraction of technology and utilize their precious years in Mesivta for learning, shteiging, and aliyah. To date, every talmid has joined the program by committing to the program’s guidelines of the most minimal use of technology in their day-to-day activities.

T he results have been incredible! The talmidim are well-balanced, focused, content, patient, and learning on a high level… the benefits of the program are clear to see and the talmidim themselves are the first to rave about its effects. The entire sevivah in yeshiva is energized with enthusiasm for learning and growth.

Monday’s event featured inspiring

messages from Rav Akiva Grunblatt, shlit”a, Rosh Hayeshiva of Yeshivas Chofetz Chaim; Rav Eytan Feiner, Rav of The White Shul; Reb Naftoli Miller, Director of Operations at Agudas Yisroel; and a special speech by Gavriel Kraus, a talmid who is part of the program. Each speaker reiterated the significance of the program, stressing that technology is one of the biggest challenges facing our teenagers today. By rising above the challenge and effectively controlling their use of tech they have assured themselves great siyata dishmaya in their learning and Avodas Hashem.

T he event ended with a rousing performance by the talented Shulem Lemmer, leading a meaningful kumzitz and eventually breaking into lively singing and dancing. Indeed, there was much to celebrate as Kol Torah’s talmidim renewed their commitment to reach greater heights in the Aliyah L’Torah Program.

For more information about The Aliyah L’Torah Program, and to find out how to bring it to your yeshiva, contact Yeshiva Kol Torah at Info@YeshivaKolTorah.org.

to braid and then bake. It was a day that will stay in everyone’s hearts and minds for a long time to come. Thank you Mrs. Harris for your great idea and seeing it through to fruition. May all the pure tefillos from this special event be niskabel, and may we see the coming of Moshiach very soon in our days!

Info Night for Mercaz Academy

Early Childhood

Registration for next school year at Mercaz Academy is still underway, and on Tuesday, February 7, interested parents were treated to an Info Night to gain a better understanding of the program.

After a well-received pizza and salad supper, children went to the Early Childhood Center hallway to enjoy supervised activities. This allowed parents, both current and prospective, to give their undivided attention to a presentation and question-and-answer period with Mercaz Principal Rabbi Kalman Fogel; Assistant Principal Ms. Karen Leeper; Mrs. Debbie Simpser, Director of the Mercaz Academy Learning Center; Morah Joanne Mlotok, Early Childhood Coordinator; and Mercaz kindergarten teacher Batsheva Berger and assistant Dalia Ozarko.

Parents asked questions on subjects as diverse as district busing deadlines, our Learning Center, after-school activities, and curriculum. Mrs. Mlotok explained the many benefits of an Early Childhood program located in an elementary school, with access to all the resources (such as one-to-one iPad ratios), staff, and enrichment programs, in addition to the longer available hours. She also discussed the rotation model used at Mercaz, allowing for differentiated and personalized small-group instruction. Mrs. Berger addressed the kindergarten Judaics curriculum along with Rabbi Fogel, and discussed the kindergarten sec-

ular studies curriculum along with Ms. Leeper. Parents found it helpful to have so many experts there to address their questions.

Meanwhile, the Mercaz rotation model was put into play when the children were divided into two groups. Director of Technology Lynda Last guided one group through ABC Kids, an iPad app that offers a fun alphabet review incorporating sensory and auditory participation, with the help of assistant Sarah Last. While this took place, the second group was busy with whole-body music and movement, led by Debbie Gold and Ellen Zimmerman. The groups traded places halfway through the program so everyone had a chance to participate in both activities.

Afterwards, parents and children reunited in the cafeteria for a delicious dessert of cookies and chocolate milk, and with a better understanding of all that the Mercaz Academy ECC and kindergarten have to offer.

Masbia’s Chop Hunger IV on the Upper West Side Was a Blast!

By Laura Allen

Masbia’s Chop Hunger IV that took place on Wednesday, February 8 at the West Side Institutional Synagogue was a sold-out, one-of-a-kind culinary event where the ticket holders had a blast! The exclusive event was a friendly juxtaposition of two culinary worlds – up north vs. down south, home vs. restaurant, and non-kosher vs. kosher. The chefs on stage were cookbook author Naomi Ross of Long Island, representing up north as well as kosher home cooking, and restaurateur Micah Seavers of Ken -

tucky, representing down south and non-kosher restaurant cooking

T he exciting twelve course feast was held to raise funds to feed the needy at Masbia Soup Kitchen Network’s three locations. The event featured participants who had actually worked handson with Masbia in the past.

M icah, owner of Southern Red’s BBQ & Catering, first worked alongside Masbia after having turned his restaurant into an emergency relief center due to the aftermath of a tornado that had ripped through his hometown in Kentucky in 2021. That is when Masbia’s

REALLY CareD ABOUT

Executive Director, Alexander Rapaport, first reached out to see what was needed and in what way Masbia could help out. Within days, the Masbia Relief Team arrived from NYC with trailer loads of much needed equipment and supplies. Together, they cooked and delivered meals and supplies to families in the surrounding area who had been left without power.

Naomi, a cooking instructor who recently debuted her first cookbook, The Giving Table, has volunteered with Masbia on many occasions. Aside from doing food rescues with Masbia, she also volunteered on site, cooking for hundreds during the height of COVID. She mentioned Masbia and their work in the fight against hunger in her cookbook.

T he event was emceed by the fabulous Melinda Strauss, a digital content

creator who is a long-time supporter of Masbia through many of her endeavors, such as her famous annual Jewish Food Media Conferences and her personal birthday fundraisers.

T he event featured twelve courses – six from each chef. As they displayed their culinary skills live on stage, they gave some background on the dish that was next up to be served. The friendly banter between the participants was lively, entertaining, and funny. Executive Director Alexander Rapaport closed out the event by thanking all the presenters and participants and reminding everyone that we are going into the most resource-demanding season of the year which is Purim and Passover and that Masbia relies on everyone’s charity dollars to make it all happen.

This past Sunday morning, in honor of Tu B’Shvat, the fathers and daughters of Bais Yaakov

Five Towns spent a wonderful time together creating an edible arts-and-crafts and being entertained by Syltig the Master Magician. A great time was had by all!

Literacy Week at Shulamith

Shulamith Elementary celebrated literacy with a week’s worth of special programming. The theme of the week, “Growing our Reading,” began on Monday with Tu B’Shvat, focusing on the Chag Ha’Ilano and what it means. Students were enlightened and entertained with a visit by published author Meish Goldish, who explained how trees provide paper for us to use for writing and reading. He delighted the girls with his words, po -

etry, books, songs and riddles. Our students also enjoyed a fun and educational workshop with author, actress and dance therapist Chaya Sara Stark, who coached the girls on how to bring words alive by acting out scenes she provided.

Tuesday featured a Vocabee for grades fifth through eighth. Congratulations to the winners ChloeGreenfield and Maayan Kotkin! Grades 1-4 made vocabulary trees, adding words on fruit, which they hung on trees in the hallways.

With the excitement of the Vocabee fresh in their minds, students of grades 5 through 8 gathered for the Annual Shulamith Poetry Slam. In honor of Tu B’Shvat, contestants wrote poems about growth, seasons, and how we see Yad Hashem in nature. Each poet was graded on the creativity, content, and presentation of her poem. The grand prize winner was Chana Meisels (Grade 8). Kira Gurevich (Grade 7) came in second place, while Shalva Friedman and Yael Stahl (Grade 6) who teamed up to write and perform their poem, won third place. Honorable mention goes to Noa Hecht and Ayelet Pollak (Grade 7) for their excellent poem.

The fun continued on Wednesday with a chance for students and teachers to dress up as their favorite literary characters. Students also enjoyed a workshop where they built their own characters, dressing and assigning personas to them. The girls then collectively wrote a story including each of their class’s unique characters.

Throughout the week, each class visited the Book Fair arranged by the Shulamith Women’s Organization. To whet their appetites for quality literature, students enjoyed reading their newly purchased books at the “Starbooks” café, where they were treated to muffins, chocolate milk and word games.

Literacy Week also featured special guest speakers, including a visit by Faygie Holt, author of Layla’s Diaries and The Achdus Club, author and artist Douglas Florian, and Pat Murphy from the Peninsula Public Library. Special mention goes to Michele Justic, Managing Content Editor for 5TJT, and Shoshana Soroka, Editor of The Jewish Home, for visiting and offering the girls inside information about how newspapers are made.

The week ended with a special Brachot Bee. Congratulations to Estee Fischman, our Brachot Bee winner!

Literacy Week offered something for everyone. In the words of one student, “who knew reading could be so cool and fun!” A huge thank you to Mrs. Rachel Steiner and Mrs. Barbara Drucker for the amazing programming that made Literacy Week a smashing success!

Author Faygie Holt

Author Meish Goldish hosted an interactive workshiop

A workshop with Chaya Sara Stark

Eighth grade yearbook editors with Shoshana Soroka, editor of TJH

At the book fair

RNSP Appreciation Event

On Thursday evening, February 9, the Rockaway Nassau Safety Patrol was joined at the Oasis Ballroom by its partners and friends from around the community for an Appreciation Event to express its heartfelt gratitude to law enforcement and the RNSP units who selflessly serve the community 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.

This year, there have been dozens of incidents in which the work of the RNSP directly resulted in the successful apprehension and arrests of suspects who committed burglaries, assaults, car break-ins, scams, and more. To the everyday citizen, these crimes go unnoticed – that is, until one becomes a victim. Local law enforcement heavily relies upon and appreciates the work of the RNSP. Detectives from the NYPD’s 101st precinct and NCPD’s 4th precinct regularly communicate with the RNSP and gladly accept the proactive efforts of the RNSP Tech Squad, which includes gathering video footage, tracking lost or stolen devices, tracking stolen credit cards, and stopping hired household help from stealing. The work of the RNSP does not end there.

At Thursday’s event, the RNSP honored commanding officers Captain Timothy Shultz of the NYPD’s 101st Precinct and Deputy Inspector Carlos Fabara of the 100th Precinct. The RNSP relies on being in constant contact with the commanding officers of the communities we serve. This means that if anything happens, no matter what hour of the day or night, we can readily call upon them to work in collab-

oration with us at a moment’s notice. The RNSP honored both of these commanding officers for their readiness and responsiveness on the night of Friday, November 18 and for their daily communication and collaboration with the RNSP.

Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz came to congratulate the honorees, and she emphasized the importance and tangible benefits of the partnership that the RNSP has both with her office and law enforcement.

In our world today, there are sadly a lot of people suffering from social/emotional unwellness. Many of these situations manifest in the form of missing persons and other situations requiring an emergency response. The RNSP works closely with Acheizer, Hatzolah, the police and fire departments, as well as the JCCRP and other local organizations if needed, to ensure that these sensitive matters are resolved and that the privacy of those affected is respected. This year alone, the work of the RNSP’s Search and Rescue Team (SAR) has saved numerous lives.

Thursday’s Appreciation Event recognized one of the SAR Team members, Michael Cedar, and his wife Kayla Cedar, for their invaluable contributions. Michael has worked tirelessly on many sensitive lifesaving cases in addition to the other ways he has made an impact helping the community and the RNSP.

The RNSP also honored Yehuda and Elizabeth Shuter. Aside from being very active on the streets, Yehuda is one of the RNSP’s dispatchers and also puts in many hours to assist the RNSP in its day-to-day

operations. The organization recognized him for what he does and his lovely bride for supporting his continued work on behalf of the community.

The third RNSP member honored was Yaakov “Jack” Adelman. Jack is a successful businessman with much experience in leadership and marketing. He is a respected advisor and generous supporter of the RNSP. His efforts and generosity are deeply valued and have contributed to the ever-expanding reach and abilities of the RNSP.

What made this Appreciation Event even more special was the ribbon-cutting ceremony welcoming the newest RNSP marked patrol vehicle. The RNSP honored Valon Pilku, owner of Core Scaffolding, for his kindness that enabled the RNSP to obtain this much-needed vehicle. Aside from conducting marked patrols, this vehicle enables the RNSP to assist at a host of different community events.

Most importantly, much thanks goes out to each and every one of the 60+ RNSP members and their significant others, who within their own given roles selflessly give of themselves and their families to help the community, even when it is highly inconvenient and difficult.

It was uplifting that so many elected officials came out to express their understanding and appreciation for the work that the RNSP does on behalf of the community. Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman reaffirmed his commitment to fight crime aggressively, something that propelled him to win his last election. He thanked the men and women of the

NCPD and NYPD for readily working with the RNSP in achieving that. NYS Assemblyman Ari Brown, Cedarhurst Mayor Benjamin Weinstock, and Cedarhurst Trustee Izzy Wasser also came out to recognize the work of the RNSP members and gave citations to the honorees. Assemblywoman Stacey Pheffer Amatto echoed her support for law enforcement and the RNSP. She surprised the RNSP by announcing the allocation of $250,000 of capital funding toward the purchase of a new RNSP mobile command center, a much-needed tool that will give the RNSP an even greater ability to protect and serve the community. And last but not least, Councilwoman Sylvenia Brooks-Powers voiced her support for the RNSP and took the time to officiate the new RNSP patrol vehicle’s ribbon cutting ceremony and to present Valon Pilku with his Appreciation Award.

The evening was a time to reflect on the sacrifices made by each and every RNSP member and their families. The evening was to celebrate them and the devoted police officers who keep our community safe, and to honor those who support them. The event was catered by the amazing Traditions Eatery whose staff did an outstanding and beautiful job! Much thanks to Traditions owner Scott Fagan and his daughter Ahuva for their friendship and help making this event a success!

Should you or someone you know ever need the services of the RNSP, please call the 24/7 Hotline Number (516) 858-7300.

Go Purple Day at SKA

There was a sea of purple at the Stella K. Abraham High School for Girls on Tuesday, February 7! To show solidarity with victims of domestic abuse and the promotion of healthy relationships, SKA students wore shades of purple on Shalom Task Force’s GO Purple Day.

Run by the SKA Shalom Task Force Fellows who have been participating in this fellowship all year, the workshops on Purple Day dealt with recognizing red flags and setting boundaries in relationships, expanding to include those in friendships.

The purpose of the Shalom Task Force was explained in detail to the students, emphasizing anonymity and assistance while at the same time, describing how much help is also available in SKA through the members of the Guidance Department, Grade Level Advisors, and

Yachad Returns To Long Beach For Shabbaton

The Bach Jewish Center recently partnered with the Orthodox Union’s Yachad and Yeshiva University (YU) to host a Shabbaton filled with social, educational and spiritual activities. The weekend retreat marks Yachad’s return to Long Beach in the post-Covid era and illustrates the BACH Jewish Center’s commitment to inclusion.

B ACH community members, Yachad members along with their aides, and Yeshiva University students joined together for an uplifting Kabbalas Shabbos filled with ruach followed by dinner and an oneg that provided both physical and spiritual sustenance. They were joined by the BACH’s Rabbi Benny Berlin who shared special divrei Torah with participants.

MYHSAL Playoffs

In a MYHSAL first round playoff matchup, the DRS Varsity basketball team defeated the Waterbury Wolfpack 49-37. The game was played before a standing room only crowd at the DRS gym in Woodmere.

T he first half was a tight, low-scoring battle with the Wildcats taking a four-point halftime lead.

T he second half featured 10 big

“Judaism has and always will be a faith that has been grounded in communal activities,” said Rabbi Benny Berlin during Shabbos. “When Moshe Rabbeinu gave Bnei Yisrael the Torah, it specifies that he came down the mountain in order to address everyone together so that Klal Yisrael would be united in their moral and spiritual commitment to Hashem’s commandments. For far too long, due to the pandemic, we were not able to have Shabbos meals together and we were not able to unite. Baruch Hashem, now we have the opportunity again to create the inclusive atmosphere that makes Shabbos special. Together, as the name suggests, Bi-‘Yachad,’ we can realize our full potential and follow in the ways the Torah intended.”

O n Shabbos morning, the group participated in the BACH’s minyan followed by a delicious lunch. Shabbos concluded with a musical Havdalah in

faculty.

Lavender donuts were sold throughout the day with the proceeds going to the Shalom Task Force. Yashar koach to the SKA STF Student Fellows – Aurora Beckerman, Shira Ellenberg, Mimi Feinberg, Alex Freundlich, Michal Graff, and Talia Traube – for a very impactful GO Purple Day at SKA.

points from DRS center Shuey Bernstein who was making a comeback from a serious ankle injury suffered before the winter break. His rebounding on both ends of the floor was a big difference in the game.

T he fourth quarter began with DRS in the lead by seven points. The Wildcats sealed the victory by closing out the game with great clutch foul shooting by

Ari Saffra and Isaac Solomon who both went 4 for 4 in the final minutes. Saffra led all scorers with 13 points. Bernstein added 12 and Solomon 10 in a well-balanced attack for DRS. Waterbury’s high scorer was Hudi Kalish with 12 points.

DRS’s record is now 24 and 6 on the season and moves on to Quarter Finals against a strong SAR team.

the shul led by Rabbi Berlin and some of the musically talented congregants, with the YU students and Yachad participants singing and dancing along.

Morah Bracha Leifer’s first grade students at Yeshiva Darchei Torah using magnetic boards and tiles to spell out recently learned words

Rebecca Bernstein, Physician Assistant, visited Room 5 at Lev Chana and taught them about keeping their bodies healthy

Healthy Smiles at Gural JCC

The children at the Gural JCC had an exciting visit from Dr. Joel Preminger and his friend, David the Dinosaur. Together, they demonstrated the proper technique for brushing and flossing their teeth. Dr. Preminger also read from his magic coloring book that had the children engaged and laughing throughout his demonstration.

The highlight was when each child had the opportunity to brush David the Dinosaur’s teeth. Thank you Dr. Preminger for taking the time out of your busy day to visit our school and for gifting each child with a new toothbrush and toothpaste. The JCC loves Dr. Preminger!

TREErrific Activities at YOSS ECC  Machon Sarah HS Presents “Linked”

Production season has arrived in Machon Sarah High School. After four long years of waiting, our girls are finally back on stage. Months of practice will culminate in performances on February 25 and 26 in Lawrence High School. The excitement and ruach is palpable as we get closer and closer to the show. Students in grades nine through twelve come together b’achdus to participate in the biennial play. Through drama, song, and dance, our story comes to life. We follow two

roommates in seminary as they go on separate journeys while simultaneously discovering their past together.

T he talented cast and crew have been working tirelessly to provide you a night full of entertainment and inspiration. We would love for the community to come out and join us!

To purchase tickets, go to www.showclix.com/event/mshs-linked. For questions, please email tickets@tagschools. org.

The children at YOSS ECC learned all about Tu B’Shvat and trees last week. They tasted, smelled and compared the Shivas Haminim. They discovered that so many different items come from a tree – wood, paper, cardboard, tables, shade, and so much

S ome classes painted trees on the easel, used branches dipped in paint to create paintings, and even baked Shivas Haminim cookies. All the children enjoyed tree-rrific games.

Did you know?

A shrimp’s heart is in its head.

Rav Dovid Frischman, menahel of Yeshiva Darchei Torah’s middle school, sharing divrei zikaron in honor of the yahrtzeit of his rebbi, Rav Chaim Yisroel Belsky, zt”l, to the members of the Yeshiva’s kollelim

Kumah Gearing up for Session 3!

Kumah is a fresh initiative started this year by Rabbi Aryeh Dachs. Their mission is clear: “provide boys in our community quality, extracurricular activities, in a Torah environment, regardless of their ability to pay.”

Rabbi Dachs has spent years creating exciting programming for boys in the community. His YLX summer program has become a community staple benefiting hundreds of boys every summer. It now runs in two locations and has been operating steadily over the past decade.

Rabbi Dachs explains that this past summer he saw the need for more programming for boys during the school year. He explains, “Boruch Hashem, there are plenty of Torah-learning initiatives available. There are also plenty of avenues for boys to play organized sports.” The community, though, needed something different. There is an apparent dearth of extracurricular programming. Rabbi Dachs explains, “Every secular school recognizes the need for young people to have outlets such as art and music. In an increasingly distracting world, our boys are more in need of ways to creatively express themselves.”

The activities that are available, though, don’t necessarily align with Torah values and are often prohibitively expensive. “The boys that needed it most could not even dream of going.” It is just

too expensive.

After the summer, Rabbi Dachs partnered with R’ Dovi Eisenbeger and the Marion and Aaron Gural JCC to create an incredible new program, Kumah. Every nigh,t different extracurricular activities are given by skilled and professional instructors. Rabbi Eisenberger is an experienced rebbi and exceptionally talented as well. He is on hand every night to ensure the program runs smoothly. He also gives the popular guitar class. Some of the other popular courses are carpentry, parkour, art, and piano. Rabbi Dachs is proud to share that Kumah works with families on pricing, and to date, “no boy has ever been unable to attend Kumah because they were unable to pay.”

Kumah courses run in 6-week sessions. They plan to have fou r6-week sessions throughout the year. Kumah is ending its second session soon and will begin their next session on February 21. Kumah has already taught close to two hundred boys from a variety of yeshivos in 10 different neighborhoods. Kumah is open for boys in 4th -8th grades. Classes are usually divided by age: 4th and 5th and 6th through 8th. Kumah plans to add more ages and more programming as they develop.

For more information and to register, visit KumahProject.org, or email TheKumahProject@gmail.com

Showcasing the shtenders they built

Learning piano Cartooning with Dovid Nissan

YSZ Commemorates 11th Annual Gala Dinner

This past Motza’ei Shabbos, the Yeshiva Sha’arei Zion family of schools successfully commemorated their 11th annual Gala Dinner. The extraordinary event, held at Da Mikele Illagio, highlighted the Yeshiva’s sacred mission of instilling deep Sephardic heritage and tradition into their talmidim and talmidos. As the guests, consisting of notable rabbonim and community leaders, made their

way into the hall, they were greeted by the yeshiva’s leading choir led by Rabbi Aviel Azizi. It is of utmost importance for YSZ to continue teaching songs and niggunim in Nusach Yerushalmi and Bukhari, a unique goal of the yeshiva. With this vision in the forefront of the yeshiva’s every intention and goal, it was only appropriate that the theme of the night was “Making a Dream a Reality.”

R abbi Ephraim Ben-Mordechai, menahel, addressed the guests emphasizing the importance of keeping the Sephardic heritage alive along with the steps that the yeshiva takes in order to achieve this objective. This followed by a video for each division of Yeshiva Sha’arei Zion, giving the parents an inside look. The keynote speaker, Rabbi Eli Mansour, took the stage highlighting the importance of parent involve -

ment in our generation. He encouraged the audience to limit screen time and shield their children from the impurities of the world. The evening closed with Rabbi Avraham Fridman, principal, updating the staff and parent body with a video of the new school building, stating, “With this new building comes another dream becoming a reality for the yeshiva.”

Celebrating Sacred Splendor: The Poetic Artistry of Miriam Krauss

By Rochelle Maruch Miller

From the moment you first view one of her striking masterpieces, it is clear that Miriam Krauss is no ordinary Judaica artist. Born and raised in Meah Shearim, where she resides with her husband and their beautiful family, she continues to be inspired and engaged by the beauty and sanctity of Yiddishkeit, which are the centerpiece of her extraordinary artistry. Her art is imbued with deep spiritual meaning and vibrant colorful imagery – seemingly dancing on the canvas.

In the tradition of the true Masters, Miriam Krauss creates Judaica paintings that portray the Jewish people, sacred places and objects she holds dear. With meticulous attention to every exquisite detail, Miriam creates realistic, gorgeous scenes. To view a Miriam Krauss painting is to be transported into the rich, soul-stirring world of Yiddishkeit. Each graceful stroke dances across the canvas, singing with a tender love of every

precious Jewish neshama, every sacred ritual object, the breathtaking beauty of Eretz Yisroel. Orchestrated to perfection, the artist’s boldly vivid renderings capture the heart of Jewish life and enchant the viewer.

O ffering a delightful aesthetic experience – a veritable sensory feast – Miriam Krauss’s paintings welcome the viewer into our glorious heritage. From her accomplished palette, she weaves a web of poetic artistry.

Miriam’s story is as unique and compelling as her works of art. Earlier this week, I had the pleasure of interviewing the artist who had arrived in New York in advance of her upcoming and eagerly anticipated Art Exhibit. Charming and congenial, Miriam shared that she and her husband are the proud parents of thirteen children, bli ayin harah – nine daughters and four sons! “Just like my parents,” she noted. “They also have thirteen children – nine girls and four boys!”

Born and raised in the ancients streets

of Yerushalayim, in the neighborhood of Meah Shearim, where nostalgia lives and glares outwardly, Miriam built her home. How did she discover her passion for art? What inspired Miriam, an integral part of the fabric of the Meah Shearim community, to give vent to her artistic talent and bring her dream to fruition?

“A rt flows through my veins,” she declares. “I was born with it. Actually, I inherited it from my father, a famous sofer (scribe).

“A s a very young child, I picked up a paintbrush, but there were years when I put it down in order to devote myself to raising my family.”

Her passion for art notwithstanding, Miriam has her priorities in order. “Art isn’t the most important thing in my life – my family is,” she notes, proudly sharing the happy news that her eldest daughter recently became a kallah.

“When my children became a little older, I picked up my paintbrush again. It was impossible to push away the im-

mense love I have to paint. When my heart is stirred, I pour the colors of my love onto the canvas. My paintings express my love, my thoughts and the secret of my heart—the heart of a woman and a loving mother. My home is my studio. I am inspired by my family, with my children all around me. My paintings reflect and express my emotions about Yiddishkeit and is beauty and kedushah.

“I’m looking forward to the pleasure of meeting your readers and the five Towns community this Sunday.”

You are cordially invited to meet and discover the stunning artworks of internationally acclaimed artist Miriam Krauss at an Art Exhibit this Sunday, February 19, from 1 pm – 8 pm. The event will be graciously hosted by Hershel and Miriam Schwartz at their home. For further information, please refer to the ad in this issue of the TJH. I look forward to seeing you at this not-to-be-missed event.

DRS Annual Parent-Son Melave Malka

The sounds of lively music and dancing filled the air at DRS

Yeshiva High School’s Annual Parent-Son Melave Malka last Motzei Shabbos. In an email to the DRS family, Menahel Rabbi Yisroel Kaminetsky remarked that the goal of the Melava Malka is to celebrate “the joy, fulfillment, and meaning that there is in being a Jew,” as well as to highlight the “positive Jewish energy that the Yeshiva strives to inculcate in its talmidim with song, divrei Torah, food and dancing.” This annual event is the one night that the entire yeshiva family, rabbeim, parents, and talmidim, get together to honor these aspects of the positive spirit of being Jewish.

The evening commenced with a kumzitz in the gym led by Rabbi Kaminetsky, General Studies Principal Dr. Hillel Broder, and special musical guest,

Aryeh Kunstler. Parents and sons sang together in unison, while videos highlighting DRS events from the year were shown on screen.

This year, Dr. Broder, who is leaving DRS after six years to take a position of Head of School at Berman Academy in Silver Spring, was honored for his many years of dedication and hard work for the yeshiva. A video tribute was played

YOSS Gadol Project

Yeshiva of South Shore’s first annual Gadol Project was a huge success!

With a mission to teach and impart lessons and inspiration from the lives of our Gedolim and Torah Leaders, the hanhalla created an exciting project for the 5th grade.

Each talmid chose a Gadol to research. Through reading books, looking up articles, and looking at pictures, the boys dove all in to “their” Gadol’s life and accomplishments. They created incredible presentation boards depicting the lives of their Gedolim, highlighting their unique accomplishments, challenges, and many interesting facts

(and factoids!) about their lives.

The Gadol Project culminated with a Gadol expo – attended by the parents and grandparents of 5th grade, as well as classes from the Mechina division. The boys were passionate about their new role models, and enjoyed speaking to the attendees about their Gadol, and spreading the inspiration they absorbed from their research and learning.

Additionally, the talmidim were so excited when the yeshiva presented them with a surprise gift, a beautifully framed picture of their Gadol!

The effort they put into their display boards and presentations showed how

in honor of Dr. Broder and was presented with an award for his dedication to DRS.

The melava malka also included a special performance by the DRS Wildchords, the DRS acapella club. The evening continued in the gym where the parents and students enjoyed a delicious dairy buffet together. Two sets of awards were presented to students: the Torah Growth

Award was presented to the student in each Gemara shiur who displayed special aptitude in his learning over the year, and the Grade-Wide Middot Awards given to a student in each grade who, when voted upon by his fellow classmates, was recognized as having the best and most refined middot and character.

much they truly enjoyed learning about and connecting with their own Gadol.

After this beautiful Kiddush Hashem, the boys are ready to continue their journey to become Gedolim themselves – emulating the ways of the Torah

Leaders they learned about. Yeshiva of South Shore, along with their rabbeim, parents and grandparents, is looking forward to continuing having nachas from the 5th grade talmidim!

The Young Israel of Woodmere had 100 people show up for a Young Couples Event on Motzei Shabbos

History Day at HALB

On Wednesday, February 8, the Hebrew Academy of Long Beach held its sixth annual History Day Fair as part of the larger National History Day Competition. Each year, over half a million students participate in the National History Day competition. The projects examine an event in history and how it relates to a national theme.

For the past five months, under the guidance of their social studies teacher Ms. Kristen Waterman, HALB eighth grade students researched various events in history related to this year’s National History Day theme, Frontiers in History: People, Places, Ideas. Students investigated time periods as far back as the 1840s and as recent as 1990s. The students investigated how people, places, and ideas developed

over time to change the world we live in. They were able to present their information as a documentary, website, or exhibit. Each project type allowed students to use real world skills to present their research in a fun and exciting way.

The top three groups in each category will move on to compete in Long Island History Day at Hofstra University on March 26.

Congratulations to the winners: Winning Documentary - William Levitt: The American Dream on the Suburban Frontier (Moshe Broder, Rafi Croog, Yoni Epstein, Eitan Summers, Jacob Torczyner) Winning Website - Coming Together to End Time Apart: The Soweto Uprising, Pioneering Change in South Africa (Mia Dershowitz, Julie Kadish, Ros -

ie Kohn, Michal Mittan, Shira Zidele) Winning exhibit - Elvis: Rockin’ the Civil Rights Frontier (Gabby Drach -

man, Ava Gutman, Aliza Rapps, Zehava Weinstein, Layla Wexler)

More than 800 children came to Seasons on Sunday to pick up their large chocolate chip cookie and drink – prizes from the Brochos Out Loud contest for this week

Full Speed Ahead at Ezra Academy

Although we have only been back from winter break for two weeks, it feels like it’s been a lot longer with so much activity jammed in and so much planned for the coming weeks. Since vacation, during which the principal of Ezra went to visit alumni in Israel, there has been non- stop activity at school. It began with the fantastic news that every senior girl who applied to seminary for next year received an acceptance to their first choice school. This led to an after-hours celebration with dedicated mechanechet Ms. Meira Zakutinsky.

T he student body has also been involved in YUNMUN, the start of a new basketball season, a new Mock Trial season and preparations for upcoming debates and model congress, the Judaic studies staff has continued to lead inspiring events as well. From a clever

“Apples-2-Apples” Tu b’Shevat event where the ideas and concepts of the day were interspersed with competitive activity between classes to a very important and meaningful visit from Shalom Task Force, the students have had ample opportunities to continue their growth and self discovery.

T he week only got better as guest speaker Rabbi Ari Blau, former Hollywood personality, came to share his personal journey to frumkeit. A former comedian and TV personality, he told his story in a funny, moving and inspi -

HANC HS Celebrates TU B’Shvat with Family

rational way that had the students captivated. The week is culminating with an Ezra Kollel (Shetiger Tiger) Pre-Israel Shabbaton in Monsey with the Traveling Chassidim. Stay tuned for the exciting details.

On Monday, February 6, HANC High School celebrated Tu B’Shvat by welcoming students’ grandparents for a morning of learning Torah and a school breakfast with the entire student body and faculty.

T he morning began when students greeted their grandparents at the entrance of school and escorted them to the Library where they participated in a learning experience facilitated by Menahel, Rabbi Eli Slomnicki, ‘97. Coffee and Danishes in-hand, grandparents and grandchildren learned together the underlying significance and message of the chag.

T he program then continued in the auditorium for a celebratory breakfast

and an exciting game show hosted by Rabbi Judah Hulkower. Several brave grandparents volunteered to team up with their grandchildren as contestants in the Tu B’Shvat-themed word games. The student body were enthralled by the morning activities and enjoyed hosting family members.

G randparents were thrilled to spend a meaningful morning with their grandchildren on campus and were gifted with a beautiful Tu B’Shvat platter in honor of the chag.

We thank all of the participants who joined the program and we look forward to future events, learning and celebrating with HANC families.

Yashar Koach to Mrs. Aryana

Ritholtz, Community Outreach Manager, and to Rabbi Mezei and the Student Life department for organizing this wonderful program.

MTA Yeshiva Fellowship Enjoys Annual Shabbaton With Rav Hershel Schachter

This past Shabbos, the talmidim of the MTA Yeshiva Fellowship program convened at the Clinton Inn in Tenafly, New Jersey, for their annual Shabbaton. The Yeshiva Fellowship, a program designed to provide opportunities for additional Torah learning beyond the regular yeshiva schedule, is one of the cornerstones of the MTA experience. Talmidim who take advantage of the opportunity to participate in the fellowship get to spend significant time learning from Rav Hershel Schachter, Rosh Yeshiva

and Rosh Kollel at RIETS, a unique experience that MTA talmidim enjoy.

R av Schachter was in attendance for the Shabbaton, and his presence added to the atmosphere as talmidim had the chance to ask questions at a question-and-answer session and got to hear divrei Torah from the Rosh Yeshiva throughout the Shabbos. This Shabbaton, like the many other events that the Fellowship participants enjoy, is often one of the highlights of the MTA experience.

Talmidim of Yeshiva Ateres Eitz Chaim enjoyed a well-deserved trip to Woodmere Lanes and pizza for completing the Tanach Challenge over midwinter break

Another Electric Week at YCQ

The Boys Torah Bowl team finished the regular season a perfect 12-0 in league competition, after sweeping the competition at Manhattan Day School last week. They enter the playoffs as the number one overall seed in the league.

One of the most successful seasons in Torah Bowl history was led by eighth graders Meir Flamenbaum and Gabriel Koptiev. Students were asked hundreds of questions on the parshiot (and respective Rashis) of Vayetzei, Vayishlach and Vayeishev.

After finding out the team had clinched the number one overall seed during the day’s competition, Rabbi Daniel Rosenfelt debated resting his starters to prevent a potential injury.

After much media scrutiny, Rabbi Rosenfelt simply could not contain himself and was able to have every member of the active roster see the field. However, as the 2007 Patriots found out, an undefeated regular season does not make you a champion.

The girls team also competed at MDS and studied the same parshiot. Led by Ms. Shoshana Rosenblum, they won 2 games to close the regular season and enter the playoffs as the 3 seed.

Kindergarten classes recently began small reading group instruction. Classes are divided into rotations based on current skills, and the Head Teacher reads with 4-6 students at a time. The other groups work with the Associate and Assistant Teachers on literacy-building activities such as “scrambled sentences.” The rotational method provides the op-

portunity for close attention to best meet students’ needs.

Students in the reading group each receive a Flyleaf book, a decodable text, which helps students build phonics and reading comprehension skills. Each book in the Flyleaf series builds upon the next, to further develop their abilities. Under the guidance of Dr. Emily Amie Witty, YCQ’s Director of English Language Arts and Professional Development for Grades K-8, the program enables teachers to implement YCQ’s new reading philosophy, the Science of Reading.

Students are busy learning about circuits in Mrs. Yusupov’s engineering class. Students are using coding skills to create different devices and cards that utilize circuit technology. Currently, students are using “Makey Makey” devices to make music! Makey Makey “creates invention kits designed to connect everyday objects to computer keys. Using a circuit board, alligator clips, and a USB cable, they use closed loop electrical signals to send the computer either a keyboard stroke or mouse click signal.”

MTA Delegates Solve World Issues at YUNMUN XXXIII

Last week, MTA talmidim joined high schoolers from around the world for Yeshiva University’s annual Model United Nations conference. As Yeshiva University’s High School for Boys, MTA is fortunate to participate in all that YU has to offer high school students. Model United Nations, known as YUNMUN, provides an opportunity for MTA talmidim to exercise their diplomatic skills and develop competencies that will aid them in their future studies and beyond while also meeting new

people and forging friendships with peers from around the world.

MTA has a history of successful trips to the conference, and this year was no exception as senior Aaron Sisser (‘23) won best delegate in his committee and the other team members received accolades all while representing Iran, perhaps the most difficult assignment in this gamified version geopolitics. At the end of the event, the team members looked back on their experience and gained a newfound appreciation for the role of the UN.

Breakthrough: DigestLive The All- Natural Digestive Relief for Females

Orly Bussu is a busy mother and an energetic religious lawyer. She frequently travels overseas.

Orly has witnessed how running a busy life across two continents, combined with an intense mommy life, brings stress to feeble female bodies. And to the sensitive digestive system.

When a woman is in discomfort, it brings negativity to the entire household. No over-the-counter laxative does an adequate job.

Orly was on a mission to change this.

Who knew that a friendly chat on an overseas plane ride would be the catalyst for the next chapter in Orly’s life?

She created DigestLiveTM. The first and only herbal-based laxative formulated specifically for women and teen-aged girls.

Orly met with Dr. Zohara-Yaniv Bachrach. She is an experienced researcher and a Columbia University-trained plant biochemist. Dr. Bachrach agreed with her.

There was a desperate need for a better all-natural way to alleviate the discomfort that travel and work have on a woman’s life.

Expert OB/GYNs and gastroenterologists joined the two in a quest for creating a first-of-its-kind solution for a rarely-spoken-about problem. They were clear about the problem: to increase awareness that female constipation exists.

The woman’s life cycle has a set of causes that affect female constipation. Statistically, for every man suffering from constipation, there are three suffering women.

Hormonal fluctuations are the most common causes of female constipation.

“Constipation is a symptom. It is a subjective sensation related to the patient’s physiology,” explains Prof. Marc. Beer-Gabel MD. “A woman’s genetic makeup is more sensitive. Her general physiology is influenced by her emotions.”

There was no product on the market geared specifically for women that ad-

dressed these issues.

Thus, DigestLiveTM was created. DigestLiveTM’s ingredients don’t just relax and reset the bowels. They soothe the heart and calm the mind. They address the entire woman as the holistic whole that she is – tending to all parts of our intricate, complex, and overlapping systems at once.

DigestLIVETM is composed of 100% natural ingredients. (Ashwagandha, anyone?)

Their origin, and the precise dosage per capsule, are what make the magic.

Women can choose to take DigestLIVETM once a month, or as needed.

They feel the instant relief of much more than no constipation. It isn’t a onetime Band-Aid that is just slapped on a problem. It is a long-term release from a bigger issue.

With bottles on the shelves in all our local health stores, DigestLIVETM is selling the old-fashioned way: Personal testimonials. Mothers, sisters, daughters, and friends are the satisfied whisperers of the natural “magic” DigestLIVETM.

Did you know?

It is physically impossible for pigs to look up into the sky.

At HANC ECC, Morah Shani’s Nursery Aleph class is learning about all of the U.S. Presidents and what their roles are in the government

MAY Hosts Reb Ari Blau: From Hollywood to HOLYwood

Reb Ari Blau visited Mesivta Ateres Yaakov this past Monday and captivated talmidim with the incredible story of his journey

leaving Hollywood and finding his way to Yiddishkeit, which he calls “From Hollywood to Holywood.” Reb Ari was an aspiring comedian with a lucrative

Ulpanat Lachish at Central

Central started 2023 with a happy return to a much-missed tradition: the Israel Ulpana Experience. In January, Central sent twelve of its students to Ulpanat Lachish in the south of Israel as part of its Ba’aretz program. Last week, Central returned the favor with the arrival of two sophomores and two juniors from Ulpanat Lachish.

“We are so excited to be hosting four students from Ulpanat Lachish and their amazing madricha, Revaya, here at Central,” said Associate Principal Ms. Leah Moskovich. “They showed us such tremendous hospitality in Israel. We can’t wait to show them the same.”

Central students greeted the new arrivals with open arms and enthusiasm. After reuniting with their friends from

Ba’Aretz, the Ulpanat Lachish students will spend a whirlwind two weeks at Central. Their time here will be spent teaching Hebrew classes, guiding a program on Tu B’Shvat, and guiding a program on Central’s theme of the month, Kavod Hamakom, or “respecting our spaces.”

Ulpana students will also have the opportunity to sit in on a variety of Central classes --- anything from Chemistry lab to Defining Moments in Tanach. Activities outside school will include a full-day trip to Washington, D.C., chesed trips, challah bakes, and movie nights ---not to mention sightseeing and fun in New York City. Their time will also no doubt be spent bonding with their brand-new American friends.

“The girls are so sweet and warm,” said junior Simona Pitterman, whose

career in Hollywood and gave it all up to live and learn in Eretz Yisroel. He is currently learning in the Mir Yeshiva in Rav Yosef Elefant’s shiur.

Following the fascinating speech, talmidim had the opportunity to ask Reb Ari personal questions about his journey.

family – along with the Schuck, Frankel, and Fish families – is hosting Ulpanat students. “You can feel how Israeli they are by the fact that, when I first met

them, they gave me big hugs – and this was before I knew their names. I am so excited to see how our relationship builds over the next two weeks.”

Morah Sarah Tepper’s kindergarten class at Yeshiva Darchei Torah built a train, as they continue to explore their transportation lessons

Mrs. Nussbaum’s fifth graders at Yeshiva Darchei Torah learned about the systems of the human body

Living Chessed Powerful stories and insights to bring chessed into our everyday lives

By Avrohom Asher Makovsky

Chessed. It’s in your hands. (And in your smile. And mouth. And feet. And in countless other ways.) From the Talmud to the Rambam to the Chofetz Chaim – and many other Torah sources – we learn how to deal with even the most challenging and turbulent times: la’asok b’Torah v’chessed. To busy ourselves with Torah learning and performing acts of chessed, kindness, to others.

Of course, we all try to be “nice” to others, but to fill our days and nights with chessed? Many of us imagine that to be the task of the great men and women who head up the organizations, create the gemachs, raise the millions to feed and clothe the impoverished. But while that is certainly vital, a new scintillating book, Living Chessed, shows us how we “ordinary” people can also be “gedolim in chessed”— just by grabbing the countless opportunities to help our fellow Jews.

In Living Chessed, Rabbi Avrohom Asher Makovsky shares with us many Torah sources that talk about chessed, inspirational insights and guidance and, above all, stories of how chessed – even something as small as a compliment, a smile, or a hug – can transform the lives of both the one giving and the one receiving the chessed. In brief, readable chapters, we will discover the best segulah of all – not hurting someone’s feelings. We will read about how the Tzemach Tzedek “opened” the gates of heaven – by racing home to help another Jew in business.

How a man fulfilled his dream of having children by opening a free-loan gemach. We will enjoy – and learn from – story after story of people who took the opportunity to help someone, often with something as simple as a compliment or even just a smile.

Living Chessed will show us how we can, indeed, “live chessed” throughout our days, enriching the lives of others. And enriching our own lives as well.

The following is an excerpt from the new book.

• • • • •

Everyone’s Protektzia

One of the biggest challenges in fulfilling “v’ahavta l’rei’acha kamocha” is knowing what another person needs. If the measure of the mitzvah is to do for others what you would want them to do for you in similar circumstances, then, clearly, we need to know what the other person’s circumstances are. If we don’t know someone is hungry, we cannot think, “Well, if I were hungry, I would want someone to offer me food.”

The true experts in ahavas Yisrael somehow end up being privy to others’ hidden needs. Perhaps Hashem shares this information with them because He knows that they will rise to the occasion.

Rabbi Zeev Rothschild was one of those people. He quietly took upon his shoulders burdens that few others even knew about, guided by the words of Pirkei Avos (1:15), “Say little and do a lot.”

Due to the great chessed organizations of our Jewish communities, there

are many places for people to turn for help in times of need. In addition, there are many askanim and rabbanim who give their heart and soul to helping their fellow Jew. However, there are people who are on the fringes of the community, who don’t feel comfortable knocking on the door of an askan or rav. There are also those with challenges that don’t fall within the scope of the regular community organizations.

Who do those people have to help them? Who is able to love them “kamocha,” understanding their need and knowing how to fulfill it? For many in Lakewood and no doubt, beyond, Rabbi Rothschild was that person. Here is one instance this writer witnessed personally:

My wife had a friend who had become extremely anxious about a flurry of legal actions being taken against Lakewood families. Innocent people were being targeted, and she worried that despite having done nothing wrong, her family could be next. She confided in my wife that her anxiety was keeping her awake at night. My wife told me about the situation, and I wished I had some way of allaying the woman’s fears.

I thought of R’ Zeev Rothschild. I knew his name as a major askan who was involved in helping to stop the witch hunt that was going on, and I decided to call him. We had no prior connection whatsoever, but he picked up my call and listened as I explained the situation. He told me that someone he needed to speak to had just walked in, and he would call me back in 10 minutes.

Rarely does someone as sought after as Rabbi Rothschild call back. It’s almost assumed that the caller will have to keep trying until the askan has a few spare moments to talk. But that wasn’t Rabbi Rothschild. Ten minutes later, the phone rang. He told me to relate to my wife’s friend that the problem had been solved. There would be no more arrests and she could relax. “If she’s still nervous, tell her she can come to my house at 8:00 tonight and I will personally assure her.”

He was there for every unprotected Jew. He answered their calls. and he called them back. If you were a Jew in trouble, he was there. For the person

without “protektzia.” he was the connection.

Later, the author was privy to another glimpse of the lengths to which “kamocha” can go.

I was talking to someone who I knew had no parnassah. I asked him how he managed to care for his large family. He told me the bank had put his house up for auction because he had fallen far behind in his mortgage payments, but Rabbi Rothschild attended the auction and bought the house. “He lets me live there rent-free,” the man told me. “He also lets me take $2,000 worth of groceries a month from his store (NPGS in Lakewood) to feed my family.”

An essential point to understand about baalei chessed such as Rabbi Rothschild is that their love of chessed is an expression of their love of Torah and mitzvos. They do chessed with love to serve Hashem to the very best of their abilities, just as they learn Torah and keep every other mitzvah with energy and a passion to do so properly, down to the last detail.

Rabbi Rothschild was a talmid chacham, an expert in many areas of halachah including shechitah, mikvaos, matzah and kashrus. The grocery chain he founded never compromised where there was the slightest question of kashrus. In his chessed, he held himself to the same standard.

It is no wonder that our gedolim in Torah are gedolim in chessed.

Mr. President, Your Face Rings a Bell…

You know what Lincoln and Nixon look like. Let’s see if you can recognize some of the others. Match the U.S. President with his picture.

Presidential Report Cards

These are actual excerpts from various presidents’ grade school report cards. Match the excerpt with the president.

A. “He will surely one day be a great professor, or who knows, he may become even President of the United States.”

B. He is casual and disorderly in almost all of his organization projects. [He] studies at the last minute, keeps appointments late, has little sense of material values, and can seldom locate his possessions.

C. A very solemn child who rarely ever smiled and laughed.

D. When you grow up, you’re either going to be a governor or get in a lot of trouble

E. An upstanding lad with great self-confidence. It appears, however, that he may be somewhat eccentric.

1. John F. Kennedy

2. Bill Clinton

3. George H.W. Bush

4. Theodore Roosevelt

5. Richard Nixon

A-Theodore Roosevelt; B-John F. Kennedy; C-Richard Nixon; D-Bill Clinton; E-George H.W. Bush

A-Calvin Coolidge; B-Martin Van Buren; C-Chester

Alan Arthur; D-James Buchanan; E-William McKinley;

F-John Tyler; G-Franklin Pierce; H-Benjamin Harrison

A.

C.

E.

G.

B.

D.

F.

H.

Presidential Peculiarities



Calvin Coolidge, 30th President (1923-1929) He was known to be fragile with his words. At a dinner party, a guest turned to him and said that she bets that she could get at least three words of conversation from him. Without looking at her, he quietly retorted, “You lose.” I could one-up him with one word: Rude!



Martin Van Buren, 8th President (1837-1841)

He was born in Kinderhook, N.Y., and carried the nickname “Old Kinderhook.” Supporters used the shortened “OK” in rallies, and it took off from there and became one of the most widely used idioms until this day. “How are you doing?” “Thanks for asking, I’m feeling MAGA today!”



Chester Alan Arthur, 21st President (1881-85)

His middle name is pronounced a-LAN. Now you know everything there really is to know about Chester a-LAN Arthur.



Dwight D. Eisenhower, 34th President (19531961) He had five brothers who were all nicknamed “Ike.” Imagine when mom got frustrated at them “Ike!Ike!Ike!Ike!Ike!”…OK, you are obviously not feeling so MAGA today, mam.



James Buchanan 15th President (1857-1861)

Though he was engaged once in his late twenties, the engagement was broken off. He became the only president who was a lifelong bachelor. 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue is not too shabby a bachelor’s pad.



William McKinley, 25th President (1897-1901) He had an Amazon parrot which could sing the song “Yankee Doodle Dandy.” The president would whistle the first few notes, and the parrot would finish it. The parrot’s name? Washington Post. Not much has changed – one former president still uses a little bird to communicate, with some of those tweets even aimed at the Washington Post.

 John Tyler, 10th President (1841-1845) He had 15 children. He actually has a grandchild that is still alive. He was 63 when son Lyon Tyler was born. In 1928, when Lyon was 75 years old, he had a baby boy, Harrison, who is still alive today. With 15 kids, just about the only affordable trip is a visit to the White House. “OK, kids stand against the gate and smile.”

 Franklin Pierce, 14th President (1853-1857)

During his presidency, Pierce was arrested for running over a woman with his horse. Charges were later dropped due to a lack of evidence. Glad to see that lack of evidence once meant something in Washington.

 Benjamin Harrison, 23rd President (1889 to 1893) He was the first president to have electricity in the White House. However, he was so scared of getting electrocuted that he would never touch the light switches himself. “Honey, you mind shutting that light.” Seriously, Benjamin? You make the French

Riddle me This

What was the president of the United States’ name in 1984?

Answer: Joe Biden (Who was the president of the U.S in 1984? Ronald Reagan)

Torah Thought

Parshas Mishpatim

By Rabbi Berel Wein

The Torah prescribes that a Jewish servant who wishes to remain permanently in servitude – he loves his master’s home and his family – is given a permanent mark, a hole in his ear, as an everlasting reminder of his choice. Rashi explains, based on the Talmud, that the ear that heard on Sinai that the Jewish people are G-d’s servants and not to be servants to other humans is to be drilled with an awl as a stark reminder

of his poor choice in life.

The Talmud taught us that a truly free person is someone whose guide in life is Torah. The choice of servitude over freedom is anti-Jewish and anti-Torah in its very makeup. In the ancient world and even in later times, slaves were branded so that all could see that they were the chattel of their owner.

The Torah’s instruction to bore a hole in the ear of the Jewish servant was to

remind everyone of just the opposite idea. That this slave belonged to no other human but rather was to be a servant of G-d – that was the message of the drilled ear. Freedom and independence mean that we bow to no one but to our Creator alone.

Having other masters in life is a rejection of the Jewish mission and Judaism’s true understanding of life’s purpose. Jews have often in our long history been made to serve in involuntary servitude and slavery. But voluntarily giving up one’s freedom of action and behavior is

literally a canal that led to nowhere while myriads of people died in the process of building it, often only with their bare hands.

The Jewish people were coming forth from Egypt after centuries of slavery. One would have thought that having themselves experienced that type of servitude they would not wish to inflict it upon others. However, Midrash teaches us that even in Egypt there were Jews who somehow owned other Jews as slaves. It would take millennia for Jews to be completely

abhorrent to Jewish ideals and tradition.

The ancient world, as well as much of the later worlds, was built upon the institution of slavery, forced labor and involuntary servitude. In our time, governments that preached equality and nobility enslaved others simply because they suspected them of having different ideas.

The mocking slogan at the entrance to Auschwitz, “Work makes one free,” symbolized the ultimate form of slavery and murder. The Gulag was the place where millions succumbed doing useless work. The great White Sea Canal of Stalin was

weaned from the practice of slavery. Such is the dark side of human nature and behavior. But the process of drilling the ear of one who wishes to remain a permanent slave reminds the Jewish society of the inherent wrong in the deprivation of people’s freedom. Only G-d has the right to ask us to be His servants. And those who truly serve G-d have no interest in depriving others of their freedom. The message of freedom that was heard on Sinai should reverberate in all of our ears constantly.

Shabbat shalom.

Freedom and independence mean that we bow to no one but to our Creator alone.

Parshas Mishpatim Producing Polished People

By Rav Moshe Weinberger

Adapted for publication by Binyomin Wolf

All of the commentaries ask why, immediately following the Jewish people’s exalted experience of receiving the Torah at Sinai, Hashem suddenly descends into the detailed civil laws of Parshas Mishpatim. We drop, without warning, from lightning, thunder, and Divine revelation to slaves and compensation for thievery. It seems like quite a letdown.

The Midrash explains that Hashem created the world and gave the Torah because “the Holy One desired to have a dwelling place in the lower world” (Tanchuma, Naso, 16). Next week’s parsha, Terumah, is all about the building of the Mishkan, the sanctuary in which Hashem dwells. The Midrash (Shmos Rabah 33) expands that the purpose is the Mishkan is “do me this favor: wherever you go, make Me a small dwelling-place so that I may live [ador – which is related to the word Adar] with you.” That is the ultimate goal of the giving of the Torah. So why did Parshas Terumah not follow immediately after the giving of the Torah? Why is Parshas Mishpatim first?

The Gemara (Makkos 23b-24a) teaches us that there are certain principles which form the gateway through which we can access the entirety of Yiddishkeit. The most well-known is “Chavakuk [HaNavi] placed them [the fundamentals of Yiddishkeit] on one idea: ‘A tzaddik lives with his emunah’” (Chavakuk 2:4). But the Gemara also says that “Micha came and placed them on three ideas: ‘He has told you, O’ man, what is good and what does G-d seek from you? Only to do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with your G-d’” (Michah 6:8).

This is a puzzling statement. It seems so pareve, so noncommittal, so generic. In fact, when I went yeshivah as a child,

there was a Reform Temple around the corner and this was the pasuk they inscribed on the building. It is perfect for them. They would never post the pasuk, “And you shall observe Shabbos to keep it holy.” They love the pasuk in Michah because it makes no specific demands. Yet how can we, who understand that Michah meant to teach that the three things he listed were the key to successfully actualizing all aspects of Yiddishkeit in our lives, understand why Michah listed “doing justice,” observing the laws in Parshas Mishpatim, as more than mere details? In what way are they the key to all of Yiddishkeit?

Rav Shmuel Berezovsky, shlita, the present Slonimer Rebbe, teaches an idea in the sefer Darchei Noam (5775) which gives us the key to answer this question. He quotes a Midrash (Yalkut Shimoni 942) explaining the pasuk (Devarim 32:2), “My teaching will drip like rain, my words will fall like dew, like storm winds on vegetation, and like delicate raindrops on grass.” The Midrash explains the na-

ture of these delicate raindrops, revivim, as follows: “Just as these delicate raindrops descend, refine, and polish the grasses, so, too, the words of Torah refine and polish.” The Torah has the power to change a person. How?

The purpose of the fine raindrops, according to this Midrash, is to put the last finishing touch on the grass – to give it a certain sparkle. That perfect finish adds a level of grace and charm that makes the vegetation in Hashem’s world so beautiful to look at.

The Darchei Noam explains that the Torah is meant to do the same thing to us. It is meant to refine and polish those who study it. That is why the detailed laws of Parshas Mishpatim precede the building of the Mishkan in Parshas Terumah. While the purpose of the Torah is indeed to facilitate the creation of a dwelling-place for Hashem in this physical world through the Mishkan, the fact is that even the Mishkan is only a means to an end.

The pasuk says at the beginning of

Parshas Terumah that “they shall make a Mishkan for Me, and I will dwell among them” (Shmos 25:8). As the Alshich and the Shelah HaKadosh explain, “It does not say ‘in it.’ But instead, ‘in them’ –within each and every person.” The final goal in the building of the Mishkan is not only that the Divine Presence rest in it, but rather, it is a means to allow Hashem’s Presence to dwell within each and every Jew.

Accordingly, we must first refine and polish ourselves so that we will be fitting vessels for Hashem’s light. We must make ourselves the kind of refined people with whom Hashem wants to spend more time. That is why the fine, detailed raindrops of the halachos of Parshas Mishpatim must precede Parshas Terumah.

The essential theme of all of the laws in Mishpatim is: do not harm, damage, or hurt others. This sensitivity comes from incorporating the Torah into our lives. It must polish and refine us to the point that our exalted nature expresses itself even in how we treat our own and others’ property. One cannot keep someone up late at night by leaving his light on while he studies the Alter Rebbe’s teaching in Torah Ohr regarding Hashem’s desire to have a dwelling-place in the lower world chassidus and kabbalah and think that he has even touched what Hashem is looking for a Jew. Awareness of and sensitivity to others is how one knows when he has become a refined vessel for G-dliness through his Torah learning.

Hashem set things up such that we must live with and around people who are very different from ourselves. Why else would He create a world in which men and women, who are as different as night and day, must live together for a lifetime? Torah’s purpose is to refine us

so that we learn to respect others’ sensibilities and property. We do not cross the street against the traffic light, thus making cars wait. We do not make noise late at night outside, thus keeping people awake. I spoke with one woman who cannot have children. Whenever she gets together with her sisters-in-law, the only thing they talk about is their children. They have absolutely no awareness of the effect of their words have on their childless sister-inlaw. It does not occur to them to tone down the child-oriented conversation so that she will not go home and cry in her pillow once again that night.

We see from the Midrash that those who study Torah in the right way, for the purpose of growing spiritually and connecting to Hashem, become refined, noble people. They become the ultimate vessels for Hashem’s Presence in this world, giving G-d a magnificent dwelling-place on earth.

The qualities of consideration and refinement are indicative of a person who has allowed himself to be influenced by Torah and thereby become a vessel for G-d’s Presence. That is the quality of the tzaddikim that is so endearing. Rav Moshe Feinstein, zt”l, was the greatest posek of the generation, but he had such

sensitivity toward others. Watching him, one saw how he was constantly recalibrating how he was talking to people, always adjusting the way he treated people out of a sensitivity to who they were and their sensibilities. Hashem placed Parshas Mishpatim before Terumah because he wants us to know that He wants to live with sensitive, refined people. We must first make sure not to harm others before

cause someone else is uptight? That’s their problem!” This approach is not the way of the tzaddikim and is not the way of the Torah. It is not the way of the gentle raindrops of the Torah.

Let us consider those who talk during davening, putting aside how wrong it is spiritually and how the Zohar (Terumah, 131b) says that one who talks in shul has no portion with the G-d of Israel. Let us

talking in shul, another person dares to “shush” or glare at them. “How dare he try to quiet me down? Does he think he’s so much better than me!”

Let us face facts. Even without all of the spiritual weight behind those who elect not to talk in shul, it is a synagogue – a place for prayer. So if there is a dispute between two people regarding whether to talk or not, the non-talkers should win. They are the home team. How oblivious of one’s environment and other people’s feelings and sensibilities must one be to talk when people are trying to daven or listen to the Torah reading? How has none of a person’s Torah learning made him an even minimally sensitive and considerate person?

we can think about attaining higher spiritual levels.

Unfortunately, one need go no further than his shul to find people who have studied Torah without internalizing its polish and refinement. Listening to a message such as the Darchei Noam’s regarding sensitivity and refinement, such people respond, “But that’s not who I am! Why should I change how I act just be -

also put aside the fact that the Shulchan Aruch (Orach Chaim 124:7) says that the sin of one who talks during the repetition of the Shemonah Esreh is “too great to bear,” using the same language Kayin uses to describe the severity of his sin when he murdered his brother (Bereishis 4:13). Let us consider only the issue of consideration for other people. There are people who are incredibly offended if, while they are

May we merit to study Torah for Hashem’s sake such that it polishes and refines us, bringing out the latent nobility we carry with us as children of Avraham, Yitzchak, and Yaakov. May we thereby become sensitive, respectful, people with whom Hashem wants to spend time!

We must first refine and polish ourselves so that we will be fitting vessels for Hashem’s light.

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.

The Depth of Torah Justice

By Rav Moshe Wolfson, shlit”a

Written By Baila Vorhand

Zohar on Parshas Mishpatim talks about the secret of gilgulim, reincarnations. What is the connection between the Torah’s social laws and the multiple lifetimes of a soul?

The Chofetz Chaim rules that it is lashon harah to accuse a court of G-d-fearing, competent Torah judges of having issued a wrong verdict. This is because “Elokim nitzav b’adaas ke-l,” the Shechina is present at a Torah court case. Even if it appears that justice has not been achieved by the ruling, by following the Torah law, ultimately justice will prevail.

Isn’t it possible that Reuven lent Shimon money, and Shimon is denying his debt, but the court ruled against Reuven because he didn’t have proper witnesses or documents? Can’t a Torah court be mistaken?

That is where the secret of gilgul comes in. It could be that in a previous lifetime, Reuven’s money landed in the Shimon’s possession unlawfully. Or, perhaps Reuven’s father had money that belonged to Shimon,

which Reuven inherited unlawfully.

If one follows the Torah law, eventually, all wrongs will be rectified, even those we don’t know about, bringing the world to its perfection.

Hashem’s Hilchos Mishpatim

Just as we live according to the mishpatim of the Torah, Hashem conducts His world according to the laws of mishpatim. This refers to the laws through which each soul is rectified.

The Prototype of Tikkun

The first laws dealt with in this parsha are that of the Eved Ivri, a Jew sold by the court because he had stolen and doesn’t have how to pay back. Why does the Torah open up the civil laws with these rather rare halachos?

Stealing is the foundation of every sin because we are all in this world on the Ribbono Shel Olam’s expense account. If we misuse the energy, intelligence, food, money, etc. that He gave

chinam, for free, 2 even if he didn’t earn it, even if he didn’t pay back his debt yet because the King pardons him.

The seventh year represents the Shabbos. Shabbos is an unearned gift. We don’t have to do anything to bring Shabbos, Shabbos comes on its own every seventh day of the week 3 , symbolizing that Hashem sets sinners free after a specified period of suffering, even if they haven’t paid their full dues.

Like rulings issued through the human Torah court, the Ribbono Shel Olam’s judgement can often be understood only in the context of gilgul. We see individuals enduring horrific ordeals and we cannot understand why.

We only see a small slice of the story.

“Mishpatei Hashem emes ,” the judgements of Hashem are true, but only “tzadku yachdav,” they are just as one.1 When all the pieces are put together, then the puzzle becomes clear and we understand how everything Hashem does is just.

us for a purpose other than the mission

He sent us to this world for, we are stealing from Him. Thus, the Eved Ivri represents not a rare application of the law but every soul who has been sucked into sin.

Like all the laws of Mishpatim, the laws of Eved Ivri teach about the Ribbono Shel Olam’s system for rectifying the sinful soul. We see that the Torah doesn’t enslave a person forever, or even until he has completely repaid his debt, but limits his term to six years. The Eved Ivri goes free on the seventh year

The Amah Ha’Ivriah, the minor Jewish girl whose father sells her into slavery, also symbolizes a Jewish soul that has been cast down, albeit not as low and not through fault of its own. This girl is given many more opportunities for freedom.

The parsha of tikunei nefashos, the rectification of souls, begins with the prototype of sin and the prototype of rectification.

Takeaway: All the laws of the Ribbono shel Olam are directed at the tikkun of Jewish souls.

1 Tehilim 19:10.

2 Shemos 21:2

3 This is in contrast to Yom Tov which only arrives if the Sanhedrin declare the New Month.

The Eved Ivri represents not a rare application of the law but every soul who has been sucked into sin.

Why Strive for Greatness? Part II

By Rabbi Shmuel Reichman

In our previous article, we began exploring the question of why Hashem created the world. The Maharal, Ramchal, and other key Jewish thinkers explain as follows: Hashem is absolute and ultimate goodness. However, there are two aspects of goodness. Hashem is good, and He also has the ability to do good unto others. Before Hashem created the world, there was only Hashem Himself. Therefore, Hashem was internally good, but He was not actively expressing this goodness by giving or doing good unto others. Hashem chose to express His capacity for doing good unto others by creating man, upon whom Hashem would bestow the ultimate goodness.

We ended off our previous article, however, with a very powerful question:

If Hashem’s goal was to give us the ultimate goodness, defined as connection with Him, and Olam Haba is the place of this ultimate connection, then what is the purpose of this world? Why did Hashem create us in this world where we have to earn our share in the World to Come? If Hashem really wanted to give us the ultimate good, then why not give it to us to begin with for free? Why do we have to go through the difficult process of earning it in this world?

We Only Enjoy What We Earn

The Ramchal explains, based on the Talmud Yerushalmi (Orlah 1:3 ), that human beings are created in such a way that we don’t enjoy free handouts. A poor person is embarrassed to receive money from people, as there is shame in receiving something you did not work for. This concept is referred to as “nahama d’kisufa” (the bread of shame). There is an inherent embarrassment in receiving that which we did not earn (See beginning of Mesilas Yesharim, chap. 1. See also Daas Tevunos and Derech Hashem. See also Rav

Yosef Karo, Maggid Meisharim, Bereishis, and Zohar 2:87a). Psychologically, we feel so much more connected to the achievements and rewards that we have earned than to those that we received for free. Just think about a child who works for a week to earn twenty dollars compared to that same child who gets twenty dollars for free. He would feel very differently toward that money. This is why, according to halachah, it is better to give a loan to someone in need than to give a free handout. A loan will be paid back, granting the borrower a feeling of independence instead of shame. Even better than a loan, the ideal is to find him a job, because this gives him a more permanent sense of independence and dignity. Had Hashem created us in Olam Haba, the goodness we would have received would have been free, unearned. This is the type of perfection that malachim (angels) enjoy. However, this is not the ultimate en-

joyment. The ultimate enjoyment is perfection that is earned, that is chosen, that is an expression of all the hard work you have invested. However, while this appears to answer our question, there is still a very obvious problem with this explanation.

Why Not Create Us Differently?

We understand that human beings appreciate and enjoy that which we earn to an entirely different degree than that which we are given for free. This is why Hashem created us in this world — in order to give us the opportunity to earn our reward. Yet, if Hashem created the world, including humanity and our psychology, why couldn’t He simply create us in such a way that we do enjoy gifts and free handouts as much as we enjoy things that we have earned through hard work? Understanding our current psychology and our need to earn our reward does not answer why our psy-

chology is wired this way in the first place. Why did Hashem create us in this way?

It’s crucial to understand that the pleasure of connection with Hashem is not a simple, artificial, or external pleasure. It is not a gift that can be given from one person to another. This pleasure stems from an existential relationship, a connection of true oneness. It is impossible for a human being to have any kind of meaningful relationship with a rock. A rock is fundamentally different from a human being, and as such, there cannot be true connection between the two. A true relationship and deep connection is only possible between two beings that are similar. This is why human beings are able to build such deep relationships with one another.

Had Hashem created us in Olam Haba in such a way that we enjoyed free handouts, we would have been diametrically opposed to Hashem’s essence. Hashem is the ultimate Giver, and we would be the takers; Hashem acts out of complete “free will,” and we would have no choice. Hashem is the Creator, and we would be the created with no power of creating; Hashem’s perfection is intrinsic (no one gave it to Him), while ours would be granted by Hashem. As fundamentally different “beings,” we would be incapable of forging a true connection with Hashem, and thus, Hashem would not be able to reveal the ultimate expression of His goodness, i.e., His ability to give of His goodness to another.

This is why Hashem created us imperfect. We get to choose and earn our perfection, our G-dliness. Hashem is perfect; we get to become perfect. Hashem is good; we get to choose to become good. We are born imperfect with the goal of becoming G-dly, to become perfect, all-knowing, all-good, all-kind, and to have complete self-control. However, this is the goal, not the starting

point. We start out as animalistic beings. We are born with limited intellectual abilities and undeveloped character traits. We are selfish; we think that we are the only person who exists; we perceive ourselves as the center of our own universe — the exact opposite of G-dliness. The goal of life is to then become G-dly, to actualize our potential, and to become a perfected tzelem Elokim. As we have previously explained, the fetus learns kol haTorah kulah in the womb and then loses access to it upon being born into this world. We are born imperfect so that we can take the journey through this world of becoming perfect with the goal of recreating and earning what we originally received as a gift.

This is why we are given free will. We are tasked with the mission of choosing good, choosing perfection. Our mission in this world is to become great, to become G-dly. We live in a world of time and movement, of process and change, as our job in this world is to evolve and grow. Perfection lies in a transcendent realm, beyond process, beyond time. Becoming perfect requires time, movement, and process. We need to learn to ride the waves of time, utilizing it to the best of our ability. (In simpler terms, all growth requires process and the linear progression of time. We in-

habit the physical world of time and space, the perfect environment for our journey of growth and ascension through the use of our free will.)

Along with the gift of free will, we are given obstacles and challenges that we face throughout our life. These challenges we face are not meant to stop us from achieving our greatness; rather the

Our Olam Haba Experience

Olam Haba is the experience of enjoying everything we have built during our lifetime. Some people mistakenly think that the World to Come is a place where you receive an enjoyable reward, some kind of external prize. In reality, as the Ramchal, Nefesh Hachaim, and others explain, Olam Haba is where you experience you. It is

left?” The question is “what will we do with the time we have left?”

May we be inspired to utilize as many of the 86,400 seconds of each and every day on our paths to achieving our true greatness.

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.

opposite. The Ramban explains that the purpose of challenges is to push us out of our comfort zone, to help us achieve our true potential (Ramban, Bereishis 22:1. See also Maharal, Gevuros Hashem, perek 22). Only when we are pushed to our limits do we begin to realize what we are truly capable of.

where you enjoy the ecstatic experience of the person and consciousness you’ve created — everything you’ve built and become during your lifetime.

The problem is that many people think that they’ll live forever. In truth, time is dying. Every second fades away. But the question is not “how much time do we have

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: Shmuel Reichman.com.

We are born imperfect with the goal of becoming G-dly, to become perfect, all-knowing, all-good, all-kind, and to have complete self-control.

Nezirus and Annulling Vows

By Rabbi Avrohom Sebrow

R’ Eli Stefansky recently publicized an interview he had with a Nazir Shimshon. Although the Nazir’s wife was not present at the interview, she was a Nazirah Shimshon as well. There are three general prohibitions a regular nazir has. He cannot consume grape products, he can’t allow himself to become tamei meis, and he can’t cut his hair. Regular nezirus is out of the question nowadays because we are all considered tamei meis. However, a Nazir Shimshon only has two restrictions: consuming grape products and haircutting. That solves the tumah issue. Still, virtually all poskim will advise against the adoption of Nezirus Shimshon. One major reason is that Nezirus Shimshon is a life-long commitment. While a standard term of an ordinary Nazir is thirty days, Nezirus Shimshon lasts forever.

There is another type of Nezirus, called Nezirus Olam. It, too, is a lifelong commitment. A Nazir Olam is more stringent than a Nazir Shimshon in that he may not enter a cemetery. Still, a Nazir Olam has two major leniencies. Whereas a Nazir Shimshon may never take a haircut, a Nazir Olam may take one occasionally. Indeed, years ago a Nazir Shimshon asked Dayan Rav Yitzchak Weiss, zt”l, if he could be matir his vow of acceptance of Nezirus Shimshon. The individual complained that his extremely long hair made him appear freakish. It was causing major social issues for his family. This leads to the next major leniency a Nazir Olam has over a Nazir Shimshon. The Torah taught us that there is a mechanism to undo vows that one accepted. This very useful tool is hataras nedarim. A few hundred years ago, a custom developed to perform this rite every year on Erev Rosh Hashana. A few hundred years before that, the custom of reciting Kol Nidrei on Yom Kippur Eve was established. According to some Rishonim, the purpose of both customs is the same: to release one from having to observe vows

that he declared.

Some Rishonim opine that the wholesale release of vows is of dubious value. Still, it has become an accepted custom. Nevertheless, in this situation, Dayan Weiss was asked if a beis din may be convened for the sole purpose of permitting the Nezirus Shimshon that was accepted.

The Gemara states (Nazir 14a) that one may not utilize hataras nedarim to

who accepted Nezirus Shimshon, knowing full well what he was getting himself into.

However, there may be some loopholes for him as well. For example, if he simply accepted his nezirus by saying, “I am a Nazir Shimshon,” whether in Hebrew or English, he is not a Nazir Shimshon. See the Mishna (4a) and the commentaries regarding why this formulation is invalid.

vows except for Nezirus Shimshon.

Yet many theories are offered in defense of the standard text. A few examples are enumerated here. The Mabit suggests that if one can put forth a rational reason why he never would have uttered a Nezirus Shimshon vow had he been fully aware of the consequences, then even a Nezirus Shimshon vow can be released with a beis din. The Gemara only meant that general regret cannot be utilized to release a Nezirus Shimshon vow.

The Ri Migash suggests that one can be released from a Nezirus Shimshon vow if he did not actually start his nezirus yet. If someone vowed to be a Nazir Shimshon on a certain date, he may be released from his vow before that day passes. Perhaps the standard text of hataras nedarim is referring to such a scenario.

The Nidrei Zrizin suggests that hataras nedarim may actually work on a Nezirus Shimshon vow if an individual recited the prescribed text the year before. After hataras nedarim is recited on Erev Rosh Hashana, there is a custom to preemptively annul any future vows one recites. This proclamation is not without its limitations. However, the Nidrei Zrizin suggests if someone declared this proclamation in the year before, he may utilize hataras nedarim this year even on Nezirus Shimshon vows.

undo a vow to be a Nazir Shimshon. In this regard, a Nazir Shimshon has a major stringency over a Nazir Olam. A Nazir Olam has an escape route via hataras nedarim if he finds his lifelong nezirus unbearable. No such escape route exists for a Nazir Shimshon. In the end, Dayan Weiss, zt”l, found several reasons to allow the Nazir Shimshon to be released from his vow. However, many of the halachic leniencies employed were only relevant to the questioner and his unique life circumstances. They would not be relevant to the Nazir Shimshon mentioned above

(Sorry but the proper formulation will not be mentioned in this article in the interest of safety.)

However, the above discussion leads to a major question on the text of hataras nedarim that many recite on Erev Rosh HaShanah. An accepted version of the text has the petitioner asking for a release from his Nezirus Shimshon vows. Yet, that is impossible! The Gemara states there can be no release of a vow to be a Nazir Shimshon. Therefore, many opine that the text should read that the petitioner is asking for a release of all nezirus

Another possibility is that, in fact, hataras nedarim is not actually effective on vows of Nezirus Shimshon. However, the release will minimize Heavenly wrath against someone who inadvertently violated his vow of Nezirus Shimshon.

The message is clear: Do not try Nezirus Shimshon at home!

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.

It, too, is a life-long commitment.

R' Eli Stefansky speaking with a Nazir Shimshon

Become Great By Becoming Grateful

By Aryeh MArkovich

I am enormously grateful to Hashem for all the gifts that He has given me I am alive, healthy, of sound mind and moving I can see, hear, touch, taste and smell

I am happy with my body, appearance, weight, height, gender, race, and personality

I am a frum (Orthodox) Jew, live in a beautiful community and have a close relationship with Hashem

I am happily married and love my spouse I have children and grandchildren whom I adore I had a mother and father who cared for me

I have a beautiful home where I live in comfort, with enough space to invite guests

I have a parnassah (job/business) that I like very much

I have the freedom to live as a Jew and to vote I have countless opportunities to develop myself I have had a lot of life experiences and gained skills I have rabbis, mentors, friends, chavrusas and good neighbors

I have attended shuls and yeshivas and have taken part in many shiurim

I have learned many sefarim (books on Torah subjects)

I am grateful for the following things that I received throughout my life: All the air I breathed, water I used, food I ate, things I’ve learned, love I received, sleep that gave me needed rest ,and clothing I wore

All the access to secular books and technology that give me knowledge

All of the Shabbosos and Yomim Tovim

All of the spiritual, physical, emotional, mental, and financial pleasures

All the laughter, conversations and advice I’ve received All the smiles I gave and have received from other people

All the walks I took, especially when I saw beautiful flowers

All the birds I saw washing themselves in a puddle of water

All of the sunrises and sunsets I have enjoyed seeing

All the winters that turn into spring I am so thankful for goals I achieved, challenges I grew from and limitations I overcame

Who is rich? One who is satisfied with his lot When you’re grateful, you feel rich inside When you’re grateful, stress decreases or disappears I am so grateful to be part of the Jewish people who have survived all types of nisyonos throughout history. Klal Yisroel is still shining and making contributions to the world in every arena. We have returned to our country, Eretz Yisroel, and we are truly a miracle.

All my koach (strength), abilities, talents, and passion should be used to serve Hashem. I love you, Hashem.

Become greater by creating your own personal grateful list.

For questions or comments, email Aryeh Markovich at eyemarkmedia@gmail.com.

Celebrating 40 Years of the Re-Establishment of the Givati Brigade

TJH Speaks with Itzhak Levit, Chairman of the Givati Brigade Association

By SuSan Schwamm

Itzhak Levit is the chairman of the Givati Brigade a ssociation. Following his initial IDF service in Sayeret Shaked, a special forces regiment in Israel’s south, In 1978, he finished the IDF’s officer training course and ultimately rose to become a company commander. In the first Lebanon war, he served as a company commander in the Paratroopers, and following the war, he and his commander from Sayeret Shaked went on to participate in the re-establishment of the Givati Brigade where he served as one of the first commanders of the brigade’s Rotem Battalion. Levit retired from the IDF in 1989 and then went into Israel’s burgeoning high-tech sector. here, he talks with TJh about the culture of the Givati Brigade, the reestablishment of the unit 40 years ago, and why the familial ties are so strong amongst the heroes of the unit.

Itzhak, you’re the chairman of the Givati Brigade Association. Tell us about how the Givati Brigade was established.

The Givati Brigade was one of six brigades that were established by the country before the establishment of the State. It fought valiantly in Israel’s War of Independence, specifically against the Egyptians. I could say that, because of Givati Brigade, we have a country. It sounds a little bit of an exaggeration, but that is a fact because it was the only brigade that was on the southern front and was attacked by the Egyptians.

The Egyptians were working in concert with Lebanon and Syria which attacked the fledgling state from

Itzhak with the Chief of Staff

the north and Iraq and Transjordan (now Jordan) which attacked from the east, and other groups including Palestinian groups and Arab armies attacking Israel from all sides. Egypt’s plan of attack was to come from Israel’s south and conquer the entire country until Tel Aviv. Then Jordan would come from the east to the west and assail Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, and Syria, which was on the way also to become a country, would attack as well. Those battle plans were deemed to bring about the perfect flanking move that would push whatever was left of the Jewish state into the sea.

At the time, Givati’s fighters numbered 2,900, including civilians from many kibbutzim in the area. And they managed to stop the Egyptians. It’s something incredible because the balance of power was that there were less than 3,000 soldiers in Givati and there were more than 15,000 Egyptian soldiers.

Back then, Givati wasn’t composed of trained soldiers, right?

The Givati of 1948 did the impossible. With its 2,900 fighters, many of them young men, recent survivors of the Holocaust who’d barely made it to Israel’s shores before the war began, they jumped into action to defend Israel’s South. They held off a professionally trained force five times its size. During the war, Givati lost 35 percent of its soldiers, 675 of them, which is a huge number, and more than 10 percent of Israel’s total casualties. If we were to look at the statistics of the war, Israel lost 6,000 soldiers, 1 percent of Israel’s total population at the time (600,000).

Today, more than 9 million people live in Israel, and 1 percent would be 90,000. Could you imagine any scenario in which Israel could digest such loss? It’s impossible to comprehend, but that’s what happened around 75 years ago.

Tell us about the reestablishment of Givati.

After the War of Independence, Givati continued to defend Israel’s south until 1955, when the Army transitioned it into a reserve brigade, Brigade No. 5. Then, f or close to 30 years, there was no Givati.

Following its lessons from the first Lebanon War, in 1983, the IDF looked to establish an elite naval amphibious assault unit, similar to the U.S. Marines. Based on Givati’s legacy from Israel’s early years, they chose to reestablish Givati with that mission, providing special training and tools to accomplish that goal. After two years, IDF leadership chose to discontinue the naval amphibious program, but kept Givati as an elite infantry brigade.

The new Givati Brigade gained a lot of experience in Lebanon, in Judea, in Samaria, and in the last 30 years, it has led most of the battles and operations in the Gaza Strip. It’s a very well-experienced brigade. In the last big operation in the Gaza Strip, Protective Edge, which in Hebrew is Tzuk Eitan, Givati won 13 medals of recognition from the chief of staff and the Ministry of Defense and about five medals from all the other units.

Not only that, Givati was also the brigade that developed the strategy of how to deal with the terror

tunnels in Gaza. Its already destroyed more than 50 tunnel networks within Gaza

Now, Givati soldiers are stationed in Judea and Samaria; other soldiers are still in the south of the country; and some are now in training in the south.

Tell us about the different battalions in Givati.

There are four battalions in Givati: Shaked, Tzabar, Rotem, and Givati’s Special Forces – Sayeret Givati, Shualey Shimshon (Shimshon’s Foxes). Within Rotem, there is a special division called Tomer, which was the first IDF-established unit for charedim.

Back when I was young and beautiful, I was the commander of the Rotem Battalion. (This predated the founding of Tomer).

One of the reasons Tomer is so exceptional is because it’s made up of soldiers who come from charedi backgrounds, who choose to volunteer for IDF service, even sometimes at the risk of no longer being welcome in their parents’ homes or the communities they grew up in. We keep these soldiers together in the same company so that we can ensure they have what they need including three minyanim a day and kosher l’mehadrin food. We bring in rabbis to give shiurim every few weeks so that we can holistically provide for them, keeping them inspired so that they won’t give up. And between you and I, these guys make some of the best soldiers in the army. Really?

Yes. First of all, they are very smart because they studied Gemara in yeshiva, and their minds are very sharp. They have an unparalleled drive to succeed and the motivation to fuel it. Baruch Hashem, 50 to 60 percent of them are accepted by their families and they’re connected to their families. But there are around 30

percent of them who are not connected to their families, and thus they become like lone soldiers. We, the Givati Brigade Association, are there to support them.

What are the characteristics of the soldiers in the Givati? You mentioned that they’re elite.

In the IDF, there are many elite units. I served in two of them in the past, and when you look at these elite groups, they are the best. These units are usually small. Only one out of 30 or 40 soldiers are accepted to the unit. The training lasts one and a half years, and it’s really very challenging – beyond your imagination. So Givati Brigade is not an elite group in that sense.

It is an elite group in the sense that, first of all, there are very strong, experienced commanders – because they participated in all the operations to a strong degree, people who really saw the enemy from half a meter, not from far away.

The second reason that Givati is an elite unit is that Givati is like a family. You know that in the army you have the commanders, the officers, you have the soldiers – there are big gaps between the subordinates. When you come to Givati, you’re shocked to see how the soldiers connect with the commanders. This is the culture inside the brigade. It’s not that they don’t respect their commanders. It’s the relationship they have with them.

The slogan of Givati is “Givati mishpacha echad ,” we are one family. And somehow, it was introduced into the mentality, into the military culture of this unit, and it became what it became.

The Givati Brigade was reconstituted in 1983,

years ago. The Givati Brigade Association, of which you are the chairman, was established then as well. Tell us about the Association.

Yes, this month – February 16 – is a big birthday party for the brigade. The smaller birthday party is for the Association.

There are about 20 associations like the Givati Brigade Association (GBA) that assist different brigades and divisions of the IDF. Usually, most of the associations are not at the level of a brigade. The Air Forces have their association. The Tankers have their own association. For historical reasons, there are four brigades that were allowed to open their own associations – the Tzanchanim (paratroopers), Givati, Golani, and Kfir.

Each of these associations do receive some funding, mainly to cover their headquarters expenses, administrative staffing and some specific other programs, from the Ministry of Defense. Any initiatives we want to run beyond that, we need to fundraise for on our own. Over the last few years, many of the programs we’ve launched have fallen into that latter category.

How many people does the Association service? I know that you are connected to the soldiers, veterans and their families, and the bereaved families.

We are headquartered in Metzudat Yoav, which is in the south of the country. From July 1948 to November 1948, Givati fought eight bloody battles to conquer this fortress. If you would ever visit, you could understand why it was so difficult to conquer, so it naturally became our headquarters.

’n and represent our board of directors. Of the 26 members on the board, some of them are veterans from the 1948 War of Independence. They’re 92, 93, 95 years old, and they are active in a way that you can’t imagine. We all believe in “Givati mishpacha echad,” and that fuels everything the Givati Brigade Association does.

The IDF does assign six to seven soldiers to serve at Metzudat Yoav, assisting the Association with admin-

istrative work, and in keeping the center open for the public to learn more about Givati and the fallen heroes who gave their lives in service to our nation.

Around how many soldiers serve in Givati now? 3,500.

Tell us about the Association’s activities. GBA runs a myriad of programs to preserve the legacy of Givati, to memorialize fallen Givati heroes, to support current soldiers, and to help recently discharged soldiers kickstart their futures.

tures from company commanders, and a gym so they can also do their daily exercises. Beyond that, all the ceremonies of Givati are held at the Fortress. When a soldier of Givati gets the purple beret, after walking 84 challenging kilometers – the number of our unit in IDF – the ceremony is held here. The ceremony for the fallen soldiers that we do every year is also hosted here.

There are soldiers in Givati who come from very low socioeconomic backgrounds, and when I say very low, it’s a poverty that I’m not sure you have ever seen in your life. You go into an Ethiopian home – I have visited personally – this soldier has four brothers and sisters. His father died in Ethiopia; his mother is blind. We ask the soldier how his family is doing, and he says, “Oh, we have some help from the city there, and we get something from IDF.” That’s when we step in. We send them, every month, a package of food through the largest supermarket chain in Israel filled with many staples of food that they need. In doing so, we are telling the soldier who is serving in Givati, “Focus on being the best possible defender of Israel. Don’t worry about what your family will have to eat. We’ll take care of that.”

Right now, we don’t have the funds to support all the needy families in Givati. We take care of those who are on the lowest levels, around ten percent of them, because we just don’t have the funds to help them all. We wish we can increase those numbers and help more families. Our budget just doesn’t allow for it. That’s why I’m in the U.S. now, hoping to meet with donors so we can help more of our soldiers.

Within a month of enlisting into Givati, all soldiers visit Metzudat Yoav to learn more about Givati. They visit our museum and get a firsthand understanding what Givati means.

For those that are already in service for one or two years, we have an educational center where a company commander can take his unit and bring them there so he can lecture. We have overnight accommodations for up to 100 soldiers onsite, an auditorium for lec -

You mentioned Lone Soldiers in Givati. What do you do for them?

There are 205 Lone Soldiers in Givati. They are split into two main categories. One category are soldiers that come from abroad – we have about 85 of them from 28 different countries – New York, New Jersey, Mexico, Colombia, Uzbekistan, Morocco, Russia, Ukraine…

Yoav Fortress, the headquarters of the Givati Brigade Assocation

The slogan of Givati is “Givati mishpacha echad,” we are one family.

The other segment is soldiers that are Israeli, but they don’t have support from their families. Some are orphaned or from very poor backgrounds. The IDF has a budget for lone soldiers, and they get around 1,300 shekels, which is about $400. That’s not a lot of money, so we support them. You need a refrigerator? OK, we’ll bring you a refrigerator. You need food? We will take care of that. We try to bring them to a family that “adopts” them. We organize for them twice a year a gift and accommodations.

Right now, the Association is working to develop a relationship with a developer who is building a new apartment building near Kfar Saba. Our hope is to be able to use 10 apartments to provide housing for 30 lone soldiers. That would be wonderful.

What do you do for families of fallen soldiers?

The Association also takes care of the bereaved families of Givati. Some of the bereaved families are from the Independence War. The largest portion is the 231 bereaved families since 1983. Two years ago, we had a soldier that was shot by a sniper from Hebron. And of course, we have soldiers who died in the recent operation in the Gaza Strip.

Hadar Goldin was Givati, and we are still praying that his body will be returned by Hamas. This is a mission that Givati can’t complete. It’s already been nine years.

In the Givati Brigade, there is one officer whose whole job is to deal with the bereaved families. She has under her command about six or seven soldiers in the different battalions, and her duty is to go and to visit at least once a year each family in their home and to bring them a gift. These gifts are paid for by the Association.

Every year, we make two huge events for the bereaved families. One is usually in the summer in June. This year, it was in October. We brought 140 families to Eilat to a hotel, and we transformed three days of grief into three days of joy. The IDF’s chief of staff came to visit with them. There was a lot of fun and entertainment and a band. That cost us $150,000 –and it all came from donations.

We make another event around Chanukah time. We bring them together for a one-day recreational event and then a dinner. We invite all the former commanders of Givati because it’s so meaningful for the bereaved families when they meet the specific commander that commanded the operation in which their son fell. It fills them with energy. It’s not that you are meeting Givati. You are meeting the commander that was there at the time that your son fell. Last Chanukah, almost 60 of our commanders – they’re all civilians now – came, because these families also mean so much to them.

Another thing that we do at the Association is that we have an academic and mentoring project. We managed to sign two agreements with different academic colleges in Israel that will provide Givati soldiers a full scholarship of five years. After they are discharged from the army, we escort them and then we provide the scholarship, including accommodations free of charge.

Givati is an integral part of your identity. Did you grow up in the south of Israel?

Yes. In Eilat, in the south of the country. My family is religious – more traditional, masorti – and I became a little bit more religious than them. We are four brothers in the family – all of us served in good units in the IDF.

I enlisted into the IDF in 1976 to one of the elite groups named Sayeret Shaked. I served five years there. In 1982, I wanted to discharge myself. I had a dream to learn computer science – at the time, it was the first days of the mainframes in computers. But when I was about to get released from the army after the first Lebanon War, the commander of the elite group that I served in told me, “You can’t go anywhere. You will join me now to re-establish Givati Brigade. I was nominated as the commander of the brigade, the first commander, and I need good people like you to come and join.”

I told him, “Listen, this is not on my agenda,” and I went to learn in a yeshiva for half a year, and I also took some courses in University of Computer Science. I also was married by then. But he was persistent. There were no cellphones at the time. And he would come and visit me at home or call me on the home phone, and he then convinced me to join Givati.

I promised my wife that I would discharge after I would be a battalion commander in Givati. I stayed on duty until 1989. In between, I learned two years of computer science. By then, we had two children. One of them, by the way, is disabled. It was very difficult for my wife all the years I was in Lebanon in 1984 and 1989, and she was taking care of our two sons.

After leaving the army in 1989, I was very naïve, in a way. I said to myself, “I am a battalion commander, I’m very strong; I’m very young. I’m going to build a company.” But I did it. After seven years, I sold the company to another company. The company that I started was helping people to learn English as a second language. Since the Soviet Union fell, we felt that

the people from the Soviet Union would need to learn English to get closer to the Western world. But do you know how many copies of this software I sold to Russian-speaking people? Zero. But I did sell it to many others – Spanish, French, Japanese, Swedish.

In 2000, I joined as a minor investor and CEO of another company, which I had for 20 years, and I am still the chairman of that company, along with being the chairman of Givati Association.

For my livelihood, I’m still in the high-tech, but for my soul, my heart is in Givati.

What’s the most memorable mission you were ever on?

That was a very battle in which a good friend of mine fell. It was in the Litani Operation. The Litani Operation was an operation in 1978, and our unit was the unit that started the first act of this operation in the south of Lebanon. You know the worst thing I remember from this battle? One, my friend who fell –that was terrible. The same way he got the bullet, I could have gotten the bullet.

But the most shocking for me was when we entered into a small village named Maroun al-Ras in the south. It was at the end of the battle, at around 4:30 a.m. Our commander suddenly gathered us – we were only 12 soldiers in this unit; it was very small. And I saw a farm with three or four donkeys that were wounded and dying because of the explosions. And I heard the animals’ voices, and it shocked me because they were defenseless and they couldn’t do anything and they were in tremendous pain. Our officer ended up killing them to put them out of their suffering. Those sounds have stayed with me the most.

Now, I spend my days thinking about my friends who have fallen but also thinking about all those who are dedicating their lives to our country. And I try to help them as best as I can. In Givati, we all care for each other. We’re all family.

More than 120 soldiers from 27 countries participated in this month's Givati Brigade Association’s Lone Soldiers Day

It’s Not About Democracy

By Caroline Glick

What’s happening in Israel is not what it seems. The left, in all its component parts, is not fighting against an effort by the government and the Knesset to destroy Israel’s democracy.

We know this for three reasons.

First, the leaders of the fight against judicial reform, who claim that if Justice Minister Yariv Levin’s judicial reform package now making its way through the legislative process in the Knesset passes Israeli democracy will die, know that this isn’t true.

In a past address to the Kohelet Forum, opposition leader Yair Lapid set out a position on judicial activism completely aligned with Levin’s package. Indeed, Lapid’s remarks laid the foundations of the current reform.

In that speech, Lapid said, “I have opposed, and I still oppose, judicial activism of the sort introduced by [former Supreme Court President and the father of Israel’s judicial revolution] Justice Aharon Barak. I don’t think it is right that everything is justiciable. I don’t think it is right for the Supreme Court to change fundamental things in accordance with what it refers to as the judgment of ‘the reasonable person.’ That’s an amorphous and completely subjective definition that the Knesset never introduced to the legal code. It’s not right in my mind that the separation of powers, the sacrosanct foundation of the democratic method, should be breached by one branch of government placing itself above the others.”Bottom of Form

Lapid is not alone. Nearly every prominent member of the opposition has made similar statements over the past several years. One of the most incendiary leaders of the protests against judicial reform is former defense minister and IDF chief of General Staff Moshe Ya’alon. Having lost his bid for reelec -

tion to the Knesset, Ya’alon restyled himself as a vigilante protest leader. At a press conference this week Ya’alon said the legal reform package will transform Israel “from a democracy into a dictatorship.” He called the Netanyahu government “criminal and illegal.”

Ya’alon called for a general strike and declared that “the thought of the State of Israel as a fascist, racist, messianic, and corrupt state” is keeping people up at night.

But in a speech in 2009, when he first entered politics, Ya’alon sang a different tune. Back then Ya’alon railed against the very forces he now claims to represent. “The media here is biased,” he began.

“Unfortunately,” Yaalon continued, “today there are forces, call them the elites, who are influencing the discourse in Israel in a distorted way. It’s manipulative and misleading to the point where we need to be very worried today. I am still very worried. They have a lot of power. They have influence, if you like, on the prime minister. There’s a situation today where we have power centers

with authority and no responsibility…. This isn’t democracy. The wealthy have become such a force. The media is a force like this. The Supreme Court is a force like this.”

Statements like these reflect polls that show the vast majority of Israelis believe the legal system is in need of reform. But this brings us to the second way we know that the current unrest ostensibly about judicial reform isn’t actually about judicial reform: No one in the opposition is willing to engage in a debate about the package itself.

Opposition lawmakers on the Knesset Constitution, Law and Justice Committee aren’t discussing anything. Instead of discussing the draft and suggesting changes, or bringing bills of their own, MKs from the opposition parties insist the Knesset majority and the government have no right to do their jobs. The process in which the democratically elected Knesset and government advance proposals that match the pledges they made to voters is illegitimate and anti-democratic.

In a speech before the Knesset cere -

mony marking the Israeli parliament’s 74 th anniversary on Sunday, Lapid warned, “The price of the legislation you are leading now is not just the erasure of democracy, it is the painful breakup of our common life.” The left, he said, would disengage and secede from Israel, which would cease to exist as one unified body politic.

In his address, Lapid didn’t offer any path for averting the threatened societal breakup, except for the government to abandon its proposals. The word “compromise” never crossed his lips. Lapid didn’t offer to sit down with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Levin and reach a deal that everyone can accept. He told them to stand down or he and his camp will tear Israel apart.

Likewise, former prime minister and IDF chief of General Staff Ehud Barak not only rejected compromise last Friday. Barak demonized President Isaac Herzog as Neville Chamberlain for daring to offer to host negotiations between the government and the opposition to avoid the civil clashes and violence promised by the likes of Barak, Ya’alon and their allies.

The final way we can see that the fight isn’t about judicial reform is by looking at the left’s talking points.

Speaking before the Knesset plenary this week, Likud MK Ariel Kallner noted how the leftist establishment in politics, academia, and the media are using the exact same talking points they used multiple times in the past.

Today, opponents of the reform insist that if it passes, Israel will become an international leper. In 2011, Ehud Barak warned that Israel would face a “diplomatic tsunami” and become a pariah nation if it didn’t bow to every PLO/Obama administration demand for territorial surrender. In 2015, then-opposition leader Tzipi Livni said that if Netanyahu failed to bow to the PLO/ Obama administration’s demands for

territorial surrender, Israel would face a “diplomatic tsunami” that would foment an “economic tsunami.”

On January 23, the Committee of University Heads signed a letter warning that if the judicial reform package passed, it will constitute “a devastating blow to Israeli academia.” In 2012, the same group signed a letter warning of the destruction of Israel’s academia if the government enabled Ariel University, then a “university center,” to receive full university status.

In 2015, Lapid and his partners on the left warned that if Israel harvested the natural gas deposits it discovered in its territorial and economic waters, the move would destroy Israel’s economy, social fabric, and democracy.

In 2018, ahead of the Knesset’s passage of Basic Law: Israel as the Nation-State of the Jewish People, the left warned that passage of the law would cause investors to flee Israel. Israel’s credit rating would be downgraded. And Israel’s democracy would be no more.

In sum, we know the fight isn’t about judicial reform because leading members of the camp now insisting the reform will destroy democracy spoke on behalf of it in the past; because they oppose all discussion and reject all compromise on the legal reform package; and because their entire fight is based on slogans recycled from their previous campaigns that have nothing to do with the reforms on the table.

So if it isn’t judicial reforms they oppose, what is driving leading members of Israel society to call for civil war, threaten to murder Netanyahu and his ministers, threaten to pull their money out of the country and destroy its economy, lobby foreign governments to adopt policies hostile to Israel, and announce and organize insurrections, general strikes and violence?

A good way to understand what is actually moving the left is to ask what the judicial reform package has in common with not giving in to PLO/U.S. demands for territorial withdrawals, harvesting natural gas, passing the Basic Law: Israel as the Nation-State of the Jewish People, and permitting Ariel University to be a university.

The answer is twofold. First, the policies in question are not leftist policies. From this we can conclude that the left is unwilling to accept that when the right wins elections it has a right to implement its policies. The left isn’t

worried about democracy. It doesn’t like democracy. It likes its oligarchy.

The current hysteria and threats of violence are driven by the central role the Supreme Court plays in preserving leftist power and privilege. Through a self-perpetuating selection process

the Lapid-Bennett government’s willingness to give the U.S. veto power over Israel’s Iran policy and in its agreement to cede Israel’s natural gas deposit near Lebanon to the Hezbollah-controlled Lebanese government, it showed how the left is willing to concede Israel’s

which Levin’s reform will correct, the Supreme Court today is dominated by ideologically rigid and radical justices. Legislating and dictating policies from the bench, the justices cancel the policies of right-wing governments and compel them to implement leftist policies.

By removing the left’s chokehold on policymaking and legislation, the government’s judicial reform plan will—like many previous right-wing initiatives the left ran political and lawfare campaigns to scuttle endeavored to—facilitate the expansion of Israel’s economic and strategic power and independence. And this brings us to the Biden administration and to the left’s open lobbying of the administration and other foreign governments to oppose the reforms.

For the Biden administration, like the Obama administration before it, Netanyahu is a threat primarily because he opposes the administration’s anti-Israel, pro-Palestinian, and proIran policies. And even worse for the White House, by advancing policies that increase Israel’s strategic and economic independence, Netanyahu’s government reduces Israel’s dependence on the U.S. and the administration’s power to force Israel to toe its line.

Biden’s National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said, “We’ve reached a point where foreign policy is domestic policy, and domestic policy is foreign policy.” This is true for the Israeli left as well.

The Israeli left cultivates relations with foreign powers not on the basis of how those relations advance Israel’s national interests, but on how they serve the left’s interests against the right. In

economic and strategic interests and independence in exchange for U.S. political support.

The similarity between the Democrats’ castigation of Republicans as a threat to democracy and the Israeli left’s current assault on the legitimacy of the government underlines their cooperation.

On Thursday night, leftist protesters burned tires and blocked major traffic arteries in Jerusalem. Former Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit said that violence is inevitable. Parents used their children to block a major traffic artery Thursday morning in Tel Aviv. And leftist reservists and retired generals from the IDF Armored Corps held a march to Jerusalem. The main effort of the protests is to bring the economy to a stop on Monday and hold a pitched riot outside Knesset as the votes begin on the judicial reform package. The leftist Movement for Quality Government has petitioned the Supreme Court asking that the justices force Netanyahu from office by ruling that he is unfit to lead. And with each hour, more and more calls for violence are heard from leftists. How this will end is still unknowable. But if the reforms do not go through, the biggest loser will be Israel’s democracy. (JNS)

Caroline Glick is an award-winning columnist and author of The Israeli Solution: A One-State Plan for Peace in the Middle East.

Lapid didn’t offer to sit down with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Levin and reach a deal that everyone can accept. He told them to stand down or he and his camp will tear Israel apart.

By Daniella Quinn

Dear Teen Talk,

I have a twin sister who I am very close to. We share a lot of things – clothes, a room, friends, etc.

We are now in tenth grade. Recently, I have found that she is spending a lot of time with one of our friends without me. I don’t think this is because they are deliberately leaving me out but I am feeling left out.

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.

I generally would just talk to my sister about this but I feel uncomfortable because I don’t want her to think that I am “jealous” about this.

What can I do to make myself feel better about this and find out what’s going on?

Iwant to start off by telling you that it is totally normal that you feel left out. It is not something you have to be embarrassed about. When someone you are very close to, especially a sibling, begins spending more time with other people it can be hard.

The way you described your relationship with your sister tells me that the two of you are very close. It may feel weird and may even hurt to see her do things without you. When you are so used to doing things together and that begins to change, it can be really hard. So of course, it’s frustrating to be in this situation, but I think your attitude about it is something to be proud of.

It’s not easy to feel left out by a friend, and it’s definitely not easy to feel left out by a sister that you are close to. It might make you feel hurt and upset in a way that makes you want to be mad at her. But what I find so impressive is that you never once say that you are angry, which alone is something to be proud of. It’s harder to make yourself feel better when you are stuck feeling angry and resentful because it makes you feel like they are in the wrong. And when you let yourself think that the only way you could feel better is when the other person changes their actions, you’re putting them in control of your happiness.

But we are not going to do that. I think the most important thing for you to take away from

this is that a change in your own mindset is what will make you feel better. It’s easy to put the blame on others and say that if they change then you will feel better and then there’s nothing left for you to do but wait. However, what will make the biggest difference is the choice you make in how to deal with and even how to feel about this situation.

You and your sister have always been close, and it may feel like that has changed as she spends more time with this other friend, without you. But I think we can look at it from a different angle.

When you get older, and, yes, this includes high school, relationships change. The fact that they change can be scary and uncomfortable, but more than anything, frustrating because you liked how they were before. However, the reason they change is that we, the people that make up these friendships, are changing and growing. It’s an amazing thing to grow into the person you are and the person you want to be, and high school is a big part of that.

While it sounds like you and your sister have always shared friends, that might not always be the case. You are two different people, who have a beautiful relationship as sisters and as friends, but you are still two different people.

The idea of your sister becoming close to someone without you may be a scary thing if it’s not something you’re used to, but that doesn’t make it a bad thing. In the same way that you would spend time with a friend you enjoy hanging out with, she is doing the same. It doesn’t mean she is choosing to leave you out to hurt you, rather she, just like you, is her own person and that means she will have friends outside of what the two of you share. And on the flipside, you too will have people that you are closer to, or people that you are friends with that she has nothing to do with at all. Does this mean that either of you are being left out of something? Not at all!

As you learn more about yourself you may find that you like hanging out with a certain type of girl and she likes to hang out with a totally different crowd, and that is completely healthy!

Yes, the idea that you won’t always have the same friends may be a scary one, but it’s a part of growing up, and I mean that in the best way possible!

As a quick example, growing up, my best friend and I shared all the same friends. Then something crazy happened. We went to the same seminary but walked out with completely different friend groups. She is still my best friend to this day, but the reason we ended

up with different friends is because we are different people. I am so happy that she was able to make new friends while we were in Israel even if it meant we no longer shared the same friend group because these girls were people who she herself enjoyed spending time with.

What I want you to see is that this is a situation that has real potential for growth. As you and sister are growing up, the two of you may find that you appreciate different types of people. You should embrace the fact that the two of you are dif-

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.

ferent but also remember that it doesn’t take away from the close bond you share. I think you would feel a lot better choosing to be happy for your sister that she is making such good friends rather than letting yourself think that she is trying to leave you out. And you may surprise yourself and find that you will too begin to make new friends, ones that you may share with her and

ones that you may not.

To answer your question about how to find out what’s going on, I think the answer is very simple: she’s building new friendships as she learns more about herself, and kol hakavod to her! But it’s important for you to see as well that it’s okay to build friendships outside of what the two of you have.

Hatzlacha!

Daniella is originally from Houston, Texas, and recently moved to Baltimore, Maryland. She currently works in a school while studying for a degree in psychology.

What Would You Do If…

Dear Navidaters,

I understand how this question might come across as odd, but it’s been on my mind for a while, and I figured your column would be the best place to ask. I like the diversity of your panelists.

A super close friend of mine just got divorced. I completely didn’t see it coming, on many levels. As horrible as this may sound, seeing her go through this divorce is making me wonder and doubt about my own marriage. A lot of the things she is telling me are things I deal with on a daily basis; however, my husband and I work through them. We have good times and more difficult times, and some really hard times, some really good times. Divorce was never a thought in my head.

Now that my close friend is going through it, it is constantly on my mind. Thoughts like, maybe my marriage is just as bad, maybe I will be happier if my marriage would end and I could live life differently?

I hope I am conveying my question properly. What are your thoughts?

Moderated by Jennifer Mann, LCSW of The Navidaters

The Rebbetzin

Rebbetzin Faigie Horowitz, M.S.

Iwill phrase my thoughts into questions because you are asking for a wakeup call.

Why are you being seduced by your friend’s experience? Why do you not have the strength to stop listening to her?

Why have you bought into Hollywood endings and finding Prince Charming? Why do you think something better is waiting for you out there? Have you considered the loneliness of divorce and the fact that the good guys out there stay married even if their wives are not wonderful? Good men work at things.

Don’t you know that marriage is worth working through effort and hard times? Isn’t a deep relationship worth investment? Why do you not value what you have?

If you want a deeper connection to your spouse, why not buy John Gottman’s

new book Eight Dates and use his research-based techniques?

The Shadchan

Michelle Mond

So, your friend is getting divorced, and it has planted a seed in your mind; now you are wondering if you should consider divorce, too. You think you know all the problems in your friend’s marriage and consider your own similar. Perhaps you saw them as the perfect couple or the gold standard of happiness. Now that they are splitting, you’re wondering what should be with your own marriage. After all, you think you know everything about their relationship – and consider yours comparable.

I apologize if this sounds harsh, but I believe it must be said. You know nothing about your friend’s marriage or reasons

for divorce. Anything she shares with you is what she wants to share with you. Your primary proof of this is a line you said in your letter above: “I completely didn’t see it coming on many levels.”

For one, it sounds like you are an extremely impressionable person, and believe everything you see and hear. Society today has created a perfect storm for this kind of thing and preys on impressionable people. The media shows us what they want seen and portrays certain people one way, and others another way, perfectly tied into a bow to fit their agenda. It’s the same with social media such as Instagram and Facebook. You believed everything was amazing in their marriage and then they got divorced, leaving you shocked. Now you believe everything you hear from your friend as the entirety of the story. To you, this does not seem so “bad” or different from your own life, and you’re wondering if you should be considering divorce as well.

Do you not see a trend? For the sake of

your happiness and future, you must stop this cycle of negative thinking. You absolutely do not know everything in their life that led to a divorce. Rather than spending time ruminating about your friend’s situation, try to focus on how you can make your own marriage better, yourself happier, your spouse happier. Focus on being grateful for what you have in life.

I also wonder if you and this friend possibly have a codependent friendship and deep inside you feel guilty for staying married while she gets divorced. Perhaps that is where this is all coming from. Explore this option to make sure your relationships are healthy. When you are a worked-through person who loves herself and knows her

Focus on being grateful for what you have in life.

own worth, most interpersonal squabbles will fade away, plus you will have more room in your heart to fully love others.

The Single

Tzipora Grodko

Please consult with a therapist for expert guidance. It would be silly for anyone to assume they can properly answer your question without knowing further details about you. Your marriage is the most valuable relationship you have.

We can’t give this question the attention it deserves, so please see someone who can.

The Zaidy

Dr. Jeffrey Galler

Ihave two thoughts to share with you.

First, just because your good friend’s marriage ended in divorce, it does not mean that your marriage is in jeopardy. Be reassured that almost every married couple experiences ups and downs, agreements and disagreements, good times and hard times.

However, if you will now be spending all your time worrying about getting divorced, these negative feelings can take over your life, change your personality, and cause you to act in ways that might very well lead to divorce. If that happens, your

Pulling It All Together

The Navidaters

Dating and Relationship Coaches and Therapists

Thank you for writing! First of all, what you are saying does not sound “horrible.” It sounds...human. Being a human is not easy, and then we have to deal with the natural shame that comes from believing there is something wrong about our experience. There is no shame in what you are saying. I think it’s healthy to talk about private things that most people feel at some point or another. Most of the time, we feel “horrible” simply because people don’t talk about their deepest, most intimate feelings and concerns, and so we feel like we must be the only ones. And we aren’t.

Now that I got that off my mind, let’s address the meat and potatoes of what you are going through right now.

A lot of people have doubts about their marriages. And there is nothing like a

close friend or relative getting divorced to make someone question his/her own marriage. I would like to rule out the possibility of you having pre-existing anxiety and/or OCD before your friend announced her plan to divorce. You write that it is “constantly on my mind.” You are comparing and contrasting. I am wondering if you find yourself ruminating and unable to stop the thoughts. And if so, has anything like this ever happened before? When a thought kind of “got stuck” and you couldn’t get it out of your mind?

You and your husband work through your issues, which is an excellent sign of a good marriage. Every couple has issues. A good, healthy marriage is not void of issues and arguing. A good, healthy mar-

worrying can become a very sad, self-fulfilling prophecy.

If you need reassurance, discuss with your husband how fortunate you both are to be able to work through your difficulties together, and that in spite of all the pressures and stresses in raising a family, you both still share your love and your mutual goals and aspirations.

Second, I have very strong feelings about the prevalence of divorce in our community. To be sure, there are some very rare occasions when marriages should be dissolved. Children should not be raised in a poisonous, toxic atmosphere.

However, I believe that these situations are extremely rare. Too many marriages end in divorce because he/she suddenly believes that they deserve to be happier than they are. And, tragically, afterwards, they often wind up being miserable and remorseful.

Of course, we all expect to be happy in our marriages. But, what is far more important than expecting to be perpetually, deliriously happy is the understanding that in marriage we assume

riage has two-way respect and listening to each other’s needs and feelings. It has good repair after a fight. Both partners take responsibility and ownership for their actions and can say, “I am sorry.” They don’t fight about who is right and who is wrong. (OK, maybe sometimes they do...but they always come back to baseline friendship and respect after they cool down.) They listen to each other. They are friends.

A divorce is an unanesthetized emotional surgery from which people spend a lifetime trying to heal from. People get divorced when they feel the walls closing in around them with no potential for growth as a couple or as an individual any longer. Sometimes, it is necessary. It is not a decision that is reached lightly.

If your friend’s divorce has triggered you to start wondering if you should get divorced, I suggest speaking to a therapist right away. And, if there are things in your marriage that you’d like to improve, or if

important responsibilities. Fulfilling our responsibilities to our spouse, and to our children, and to our community should always be a major source of joy and gratification in our lives.

I worry when I hear a single say, “I will get married when I find someone who can make me happy forever.” I’d much rather hear a single say, “I will get married when I find someone who I wish to make happy forever.”

I see, unfortunately, the devastating ripple effects, and the multigenerational catastrophic consequences, of an unwarranted divorce. So, I urge everyone to do whatever possible to avoid divorce and to work hard on rekindling the love, respect, and aspirations that led to marriage in the first place.

your needs aren’t being met, how about inviting your husband to see a couples’ therapist with you and addressing the issues?

(If you haven’t done that already.)

When a close friend gets divorced, it may naturally prompt us to question our own marriage. It may lead to thinking about what divorced life would like, without the current issues you are experiencing in your marriage. Don’t be afraid of these thoughts. You can use them as impetus to try to improve the relationship you are in now and/or to explore what it is that is making you unhappy.

If there is any form of abuse in your marriage, please seek help immediately. If you are unsure if any of the issues you are experiencing may be abusive in nature, please call the Shalom Task Force hotline. Abuse is not an issue that a victim can fix, no matter who may say otherwise.

Wishing you all the best, Jennifer

A good, healthy marriage is not void of issues and arguing.

The Secret to Classroom Management

By Etti Siegel

It is inevitable. The number one answer to “What is your biggest concern as you enter the classroom for the first time?” from any soon-to-be teacher is “behavior management” or “classroom management.”

Current teachers also worry about off-task behavior and want to know the best way to discipline, wanting to brainstorm what effective punishments and rewards might be.

Why do children misbehave and what should we teachers do in response?

Because we can’t talk about individual children and how to help them in this forum, let’s talk “teacher.” We can always work on ourselves!

Most teachers are reactive.

If a child talks out of turn, he gets a warning. If a child is being sassy, she gets an assignment. Some children are kicked out of the room. (I remember my shock years ago as I entered the coaching world and discovered first graders were being kicked out of class!) I have witnessed teachers lecture, yell, or slam books on their desks in frustration and anger. I have seen red-faced staff members put “the look” on their faces and point to the door. I have seen teachers cry.

These are all reactive behaviors.

But really it is the teacher’s responsibility to be proactive.

We would never call children, or anyone, to supper and then set the table and then brown the meat for a hearty stir-fry we know they will love. We would never put sharp knives on the table with young children, even if we have supper all ready and the table all set. We proactively make sure supper is ready before calling everyone to eat, and we proactively remove or leave out sharp knives by young children’s seats, knowing that we are setting ourselves up for problems if we don’t.

We instinctively know that we are asking for trou-

ble if we are unprepared.

Doug Lamov, in Teach Like A Champion , calls it double planning. It’s just as important to map out what students will be doing during each part of your lesson as it is to plan for what you will be doing and saying. So double planning involves planning not only what you will say and teach but also what the students will do during a lesson. We educators spend so much time on creating the perfect lesson plan, but forget the role of the audience, hopefully an engaged, interested and interactive one.

transitions, no dead-time, and lots and lots of relevance.

A teacher with a strong engaging lesson, a lesson that is age-appropriate and has relevance to the class (whether it automatically does or the teacher must create the relevance) is already a teacher who has the minds of his class working and engaged in the planned activity with no time to be busy with distractions and mischief.

Such a teacher is not just talking and lecturing but asking questions, scanning the class, walking around, and engaging the students. If she is reading a story, children are looking inside the text intently, knowing that at any moment the teacher will pause and the class will have to read the next line. (I have done this with students from grades 2 to 12, with excellent results.) If he is explaining a concept, the children are listening closely because they know the teacher will ask them to repeat a word or phrase because this is a common occurrence in the engaged classroom.

A teacher can have the most engaging and strong lessons but still lose the class.

The culprit?

Transitions.

Most importantly, we must keep in mind that our children are captive audiences, usually against their natural will.

A child is wired to be running, exploring, making messes, and figuring out the world around him, not tied down to a desk all day, with paper and pencil in hand. (See Dr. Jean Piaget’s work on cognitive development for more on children’s natural urges to explore and learn.)

The proactive teacher has strong lessons, tight

Tight transitions are so important that I spend coaching and mentoring time encouraging younger grade teachers to find songs to sing in between lessons as books are exchanged or papers are collected, and I tell older grade teachers to keep talking.

Yes – just keep talking!

Ending a math class and moving on to science? As the class puts away their math papers or books and sits waiting or looks on the board to see what page to open to, the teacher should just keep talking. Ask questions on the previous day’s science lesson. Ask some homework questions. Ask riddles that pertain to the upcoming unit. Don’t say anything that needs to be

The proactive teacher has strong lessons, tight transitions, no deadtime, and lots and lots of relevance.

written down or recorded; stick to basics…but draw in children and have more and more children join as they are ready.

If the teacher stops talking, the children will begin talking. Once that recess feeling hits the class, it is hard to bring them back to task.

Silence is great for assigned quiet time, like individual work, when the class is concentrating on a task on their own or with a neighbor, not for time that no brain power is being exerted.

Great lessons, transitions covered…and still having problems?

That might be because of dead-time.

Dead-time is a subtle announcement to the class that the teacher doesn’t have it together, an invitation to misbehave. Teachers are human after all, and mistakes happen, but proactive teaching means minimizing this very real problem.

“Where is the pile of papers I left on my desk?” is a common dead-time precursor, as the teacher leaves his class hanging mid-lesson to search around his desk for the sheets he thought he had.

Dead-time means the teacher is distracted, looking

something up quickly in a book, opening drawers in search of something she needs, talking to a fellow teacher at the door…

I have seen teachers stretch material for that last ten minutes of class when the lesson was done and interest dead, or give a few minutes extra recess when it is obvious to children that it is not recess time yet, instead of proactively running a short “back-up lesson,” a quick review of another topic learned already, a trivia question and answer to peak interest… One third grade teacher and I came up with a scientist’s notebook, for moments like these, to discuss why mosquito bites itch and other random but real life questions. Stretching material is another invitation for misconduct as the class recognizes recycled material and is equivalent to dead-time.

A lesson without relevance is not a strong lesson. Children have to feel that the lesson matters to them. A teacher’s personal story (but not too personal), a connection to something they are interested in, an artifact that gets passed around to make a point…these are all ways to make relevance happen in the classroom.

“Research shows that relevant learning means

effective learning, and that alone should be enough to get us rethinking our lesson plans. The old drilland-kill method is neurologically useless, as it turns out. Relevant, meaningful activities that both engage students emotionally and connect with what they already know are what help build neural connections and long-term memory storage” (Saga Briggs, 2014, at InformEd).

In Mind, Brain, and Education: Neuroscience Implications for the Classroom, Dr. Immordino-Yang and Dr. Faeth note that if students don’t make personal connections, they tend to forget the information, even if they were listening and learning that day.

Share a personal story and see how quickly your students perk up! Give a hands-on activity for the class to experience the lesson you shared. Use the students’ names in your worksheets. Why should the faceless John’s Doe’s of workbook notoriety always be featured?

The proactive teacher has strong lessons, tight transitions, no dead-time, and lots and lots of relevance.

The proactive teacher has fewer everyday discipline problems.

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.

Safety Through Confidence

By Sara Rayvych, MSEd

Warren Levi Martial Arts offered a free self-defense workshop this past week. Knowing our community’s needs, they were offering separate men’s and women’s classes, each taught by the appropriate gendered instructor. I quickly signed up and placed it on my calendar.

I have been wanting to learn self-defense for a while and seeing they were offering Krav Maga was a total bonus. For those not familiar with Krav Maga, it was originally created by the IDF as an effective method for self-defense in close contact, hand-to-hand combat situations. It has since been adapted and taught to a variety of students from police officers to everyday citizens throughout the world.

As we learned how to do chokeholds and then get out of them, we focused not on brute strength to overpower an opponent but on protecting ourselves by throwing our opponents off balance and causing some pain as we escaped. The workshop was excellent, and I highly recommend it to others.

While it’s important to learn self-defense – and daven we never need to use it – there’s another crucial benefit from learning these skills. Attackers usually look for easy targets. Someone who is

alert and confident is less likely to be preyed upon than someone appearing distracted and weak. Learning to protect ourselves usually creates the side benefit of increasing our confidence, thereby making us less likely to be targeted in the first place.

Children, too, benefit from learning not only how to defend themselves but also how to gain more self-confidence. Those around our children will recognize this increased confidence and awareness which can only be to our young ones’ benefit.

In general, confidence is crucial for all aspects of our children’s lives and is something we want them to bring into adulthood. Being self-aware is not gaivah and should never be confused with that negative trait. Appreciating the gifts Hashem has given us is certainly a positive middah that increases feelings of self-worth.

While we correctly focus on teaching our children to not bully or tease others, our children still benefit from learning how to avoid being in situations that will make them the victim of bullying. Unfortunately, kids teasing and picking on each other is all too common.

While each topic being discussed this week truly deserves its own article, I’d like to give an overview of some steps we can take to decrease the chances of a child be -

ing targeted by another person, whether adult or child.

The Basic Rules

The crucial rule to keep in mind is that a predator seeks its prey. It sounds disgusting, but this is the basic rule I’ve seen discussed throughout. A weaker-appearing individual is an easier, more likely target, and this is one of the reasons men will choose to rob a woman over a man, the assumption being that a male victim will be able to fight back.

We also need to remember that it’s never the victim’s fault. At no point in this discussion do I intend to indicate that the victim is ever guilty of being victimized. We simply want to do all we can to ensure that those we love never look like an easy target. The sole individual responsible for any negative behavior is the perpetrator of that act.

For example, a bullying child will seek someone to taunt. The bully is fully in the wrong for wanting to harass someone else, but we can still build up our youth so they won’t be fodder for the bully’s teasing.

With Adults

Adults should never hurt children. It is our shared responsibility to take care of the vulnerable, still developing members

of society, and it’s shameful when adults act otherwise. Unfortunately, children still need to learn to protect themselves from shameful adults. This small section is just a brief overview as it relates to our current discussion; it’s beyond the scope of this article to fully discuss child safety.

It doesn’t matter how famous they are or how much kavod the world gives an adult. A child has the permission and obligation to fight back against someone threatening them. While we tell them to never hit, kick or bite, they have full permission to do so when threatened by an adult. Knowing they can respond helps create a more confident child.

Children should be encouraged to scream and draw attention to themselves – remember, predators like easy victims. Children should be taught to scream, “You’re not my mother/father” rather than just “stop.” That clues in strangers that a child is in danger and not just disobeying a parent.

Children should be encouraged to trust themselves and their judgment. Having this confidence and trusting in themselves is crucial to their safety. If they don’t feel comfortable with an adult, they need to trust that voice and say something. Unfortunately, there are too many individuals who didn’t trust that

inner guidance.

We need to use seichel when deciding when and where our children can go by themselves and with others. Discussing personal safety should be an ongoing discussion, and our children need to know they can always reach us. They also need to be taught who is a safe adult when a parent isn’t available so they know they aren’t alone or helpless.

Kids should be aware of their surroundings when they go out – checking around themselves as they walk. They shouldn’t listen to loud music or be distracted by a phone or other device. As a side point, children should also wear reflectors whenever they are out at night. It’s very difficult for cars to see a pedestrian in dark clothing.

With Peers

In this section, we’re assuming the other child is similar in age. The issue is different when the other child is significantly older and should be taken even more seriously.

Confident children are less likely to get picked on than weak children. Self-worth is never connected to not being different; even children with visible disabilities can recognize the gifts Hashem has given

them. Every child should be given the gift of appreciating who they are, recognizing they have something special to contribute. A child who knows their self-worth behaves differently than a child who feels low self-esteem.

“Good, he looks normal.” I was a little surprised hearing this from a therapist until she explained, “He’s less likely to

the reality is that unkempt children can be picked on.

Finding Their Voice

“Seen but not heard” is not the best parenting advice. Kids should learn indoor voices, respectful speech, and kind words, but never are we teaching them silence. Children should be encouraged to find

the parents shooed away their concerns. Again, we are here to learn, not to blame the victim or their family.

Our children should know they can come to us when they’re not feeling safe. “Boys will be boys” or “girls can be cruel at times” is not the correct answer when a child feels targeted or bullied. We should empathize and work with them to address the situation, speaking with the school/ camp, when necessary.

get picked on (and more likely to make friends) when he looks normal.”

Children who come to school in torn, dirty or ill-fitting clothing are more likely to be targeted. Clothing should fit the dress code and not stand out. Children should also be clean and well-groomed, including having their hair combed. Children don’t need to own every new mishegas out there, but they do need to look “normal” – clean and appropriately dressed for the occasion. While it’s certainly not nice,

their voice and speak up when something makes them uncomfortable or someone makes them nervous.

This goes along with learning to trust their judgment. Once they’ve trusted that inner voice, the next step is to express the words it’s saying. We should never push aside those concerns or make light of them. After speaking with numerous victims, I can say that many acknowledged ignoring their gut or felt they were being silly. In some cases, they did speak up, but

We can teach our children to speak up for themselves to their peers, too. “I don’t like when you do that.” “That’s my pen; I need it back.” With practice, kids can speak with confidence and authority – even if they don’t feel it yet. Looking someone in the eye or face while standing up straight is another way to demonstrate confidence.

Boosting our children and creating confident youngsters is an important part of growing up physically and emotionally healthy. May Hashem watch over all of us in all that we do.

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 Rayvych Homeschool@gmail.com.

With practice, kids can speak with confidence and authority – even if they don’t feel it yet.

Sugar-Free

By Tehila Soskel, RDN, CDN

Sugar-free sounds like the best option when you are monitoring your sugar intake, although that does not necessarily mean the food product is healthier.

Many foods contain naturally occurring sugar such as fruits and dairy products. Fructose is the name for the sugar found in fruits, and lactose is the name of sugar in milk products.

Added sugars are incorporated during the processing or preparation of the food item, as the name implies. Consuming too many added sugars can lead to numerous health problems like obesity, diabetes, and heart disease. A 20-ounce sugar-sweetened beverage like lemonade or soda can contain around 65 grams of sugar – to put that into perspective, that’s around 16 teaspoons of sugar! More so, it’s usually high fructose syrup that is used as the sweetener. You wouldn’t add 16 teaspoons of sugar to your coffee or tea so why drink a soda or beverage with that much sugar?

When you are reading the nutrition facts on the food label, you want to look out for the added sugars. The most common names for added sugar are corn syrup, high fructose concentrates, molasses, sucrose, and more. According to The American Heart Association , they recommend a limit of 24 grams of sugar for women and 36 grams of sugar for men daily.

As with most things, sugar in moderation sugar can be OK, but it’s crucial to limit added sugars as they only contribute extra calories to the food item with no nutritional benefits. By reducing the amount of added sugar in your diet, you decrease a significant amount of calories consumed and it may help with weight loss as well as improving your heart health.

Reducing Added Sugar

Try drinking mostly water, natural seltzer, and tea, and limit or avoid sugary drinks. Another easy swap is choosing plain yogurt and adding your own fruit and a dash of cinnamon instead of the fla-

vored yogurts that usually contain lots of added sugars. With baking, you can try reducing the amount of sugar you usually use in a recipe or substitute the sugar with mashed banana or unsweetened applesauce.

The more consistent you are with reducing your sugar intake, the more you may start to notice less sugar cravings, as well as certain foods becoming too sweet for you. Our taste buds can adjust to the sweetness levels!

Health Claims

A food item claiming to be sugar-free means there is less than 0.5 grams of sugar per serving. Less or reduced sugar means that compared to the similar product, there is 25 percent less sugar. As it sounds, no added sugars means the only sugar is from the food itself – there’s no sugar added. It’s helpful to be familiar with what these claims mean when we’re looking at the nutrition labels as well as the labels on the packaging.

Artificial Sweeteners

Let’s shift into a popular topic: artificial sweeteners or sugar substitutes.

Seeing that delicious fluffy cake or

crispy cookie and hearing that it is sugar-free sounds great because you may think that makes it “healthy.” Well, that’s not always the case.

Artificial sweeteners add intense sweetness to food items with almost zero calories. Some can add up to thousand times the amount of sweetness than table sugar.

The most common artificial sweeteners are aspartame, saccharin, sucralose, and a few others. Aspartame, also known as Equal, is 200 times sweeter than table sugar. Saccharin is sold under the name Sweet’N Low and is 700 times the sweetness than table sugar. Sucralose, or Splenda, is 600 times sweeter than table sugar. Because these artificial sweeteners are so much more sweet than table sugar, only a little bit is really needed.

While many people choose artificial sweeteners when they are trying to lose weight, there are studies that found that consuming too much may cause weight gain, increased risk for obesity, diabetes, and other serious diseases. Cutting out added sugars may help your body crave sugar less but that doesn’t mean we should replace it with artificial sweeteners. There have been studies that suggest consuming

artificial sweeteners may actually cause an increase in hunger as you may need more of a food item artificially sweetened than the naturally sweetened one.

Nevertheless, foods with artificial ingredients containing less calories may reduce your total calorie intake for the day as opposed to consuming food with added sugar.

Individuals who have diabetes and need to monitor their blood sugar may benefit from sugar substitutes like Truvia or monk fruit instead of table sugar as those sweeteners shouldn’t cause a rise in blood sugar levels like table sugar would. With that being said, it doesn’t mean you should choose to drink diet sodas, as there is no nutritional benefit and they are full of additives.

A healthy functioning gut is super important to your health. Some effects of poor gut health are weakened immune system, weight gain, lack of blood sugar control, and disrupted sleep. What you eat affects your gut, especially certain artificial sweeteners. While not everyone gets affected, common side effects of artificial sweeteners are bloating and gas. Artificial sweeteners are tested by the U.S. Food and Drug Association to make sure they are safe to consume. If you find that you do not react well to them, then avoid them. If you’re looking for alternatives to artificial sweeteners, then try using natural sweeteners like maple syrup or agave nectar instead.

A little bit of sugar as well as a little bit of artificial sweetener may be fine for some but test yourselves and see how you can make some swaps to decrease your overall sugar intake. You might be surprised!

Tehila Soskel is a registered dietitian nutritionist with a private practice in the Five Towns. She sees clients for weight loss, diabetes, and other various diseases. Appointments can be made for in-person or virtual sessions: 516-457-8558, tehilasoskelrd@gmail.com, tehilasoskelnutrition.com.

Do Call Them. They Won’t Call You.

By Rebbetzin Faigie Horowitz

The subject of keeping family connected came up in conversation with another local rebbetzin over lunch. We both no longer have mothers, and our cousins and siblings live in many places. We’re both empty nesters and want to stay in touch with our cousins who tend to be members of large families with large families of their own, both single and coupled. Both of us had come up with strategies that respected the technology boundaries of various relatives.

Every Friday, Rebbetzin Sori Teitelbaum calls one of her cousins to catch up and chat as she prepares her Shabbos. They look forward to it and ask her when they meet – when will it be my turn for a call. She’s been keeping this practice for years.

I’ve begun this practice, even if not on her schedule and with her strong commitment. I’m still in the process of adjusting to the lack of reciprocity and accepting that it’s my need and want to connect.

You’re the glue of the family, say some of the relatives, when we meet. You keep us connected with your emails about family simchas, yahrtzeits, and more.

I do it for the sake of my two grandfathers. Both my grandfather in Chicago and my grandfather in Brooklyn settled here in the 1920s and were the locus of their greater families who fled pogroms, poverty, and persecution in the ensuing decades. I think they would have wanted their respective families to stay close despite the multiplication of generations, geographic spread, and contemporary pressures. I’m the oldest of my generation, and I guess I feel it most, especially now when neither my husband nor I have parents.

Digital connection is just not the same as in-person encounters or live conversation, as we all know. I now call cousins just to say hello. I just learned that this is good for me short-term and long-term,

not just my need and want while I prepare the courses for our Shabbos meals.

Investing in relationships with other people is the number one key to deep happiness in life. That’s not my conclusion, it’s the result of decades-long research by Harvard Medical School professionals since 1938. Just published, The Good Life: Lessons from the World’s Longest Scientific Study of Happiness summarizes the findings simply. Deep long-term happiness, as opposed to immediate sugar rush style happiness, comes from warm quality relationships with family and/or friends. That’s the biggest predictor of both happiness and health.

Positive relationships help us regulate our physical and emotional stress. Medical indicators show this and our experience, does too, of course. A good listener makes us feel better. How often, how many, what kind of relationships?

What’s the exact prescription for this magic bullet? Look into yourself, says author Dr. Robert Waldinger, the psychi-

atrist author. You know what works for you, how much time you need to put into relationships to feel good.

While this makes sense logically, intentionality is important. Spending time with friends over lunch, a walk, or a vacation should not be a prize or reward for getting through the work week or meeting responsibilities. It needs to be a priority and a focus. Social fitness requires regular time and investment so that relationships don’t wither and die. You need to be active in your relationships and pursue them. Occasional reconnecting with old friends when you meet them at a simcha won’t sustain your happiness. Sustained engagement will. Make the time to talk, meet, and share is the takeaway.

This is particularly useful information now when we tend to work more in isolation and Americans are reported to be lonelier than ever. Waldinger says it’s never too late. Even introverts and people without real friends can reach out and text or phone others. If a lonely person

has a hobby or cares about something, if he does it alongside others, substantive relationships will develop out of that proximity. So get thee to an art class or gym if you aren’t the type to initiate easily. New relationships can be built if you go out there.

Relationships don’t make us happy clappy during the day, even if we are attentive to our moods and self-aware. No one is happy all day, every day. They build a base of security; we feel OK because we have people is our lives who will be there when we need them.

For those of us blessed with senior parents, this research is all the confirmation that you need to get your parent to a senior center or social event regularly. At this point in their lives, frail, elderly people don’t have many friends left. They need social engagement and quality relationships. You want to make sure that your family’s members come and really talk. Give them tools for conversation and quality time: sharing reports of their activities as well as engaging in activities together: playing funny games together where you’re asked questions that don’t involve immediate recall and serious competition. Encourage creativity to sustain important intergenerational activities that are social relationships as well.

It’s the same happiness formula for young and old, say the researchers at Harvard. They followed up on their original participants and gauged reported happiness by interviewing successive generations.

The takeaway. Do it at whatever the age. Keep socially fit, even if they don’t call you back. JWOW!

My Top Ten from KFWE Fd for Thought

By Nati Burnside

The Kosher Food and Wine Experience (KFWE) returned to Chelsea Piers in Manhattan on February 6. After missing 2021 due to Covid-19 and with last year being a different format due to pandemic restrictions, everybody was ready for a return to the much-loved gathering.

Thousands of people flocked to the impressive event to sample some of the best items that the kosher food world has to offer. Tickets sold out days in advance, and the night itself was one of celebration and camaraderie.

That said, braving KFWE is no small feat. The food is delicious, but the crowds are the real deal. So for all those who might want to know what it was like to be there without actually being present, I’m your man.

These are my top ten items from KFWE NY 2023. Let’s work our way to the top…

10. Caramel Hazelnut Chocolate Log - Elegant Desserts (Brooklyn, NY)

If somebody told you that you really needed to visit the carving station at KFWE, you’d likely assume that they meant a meat carving station. And while your assumption might well be correct, one of this year’s participants was out to change that.

“We sell our chocolate logs mostly to caterers so that they can feature a kind of dessert carving station,” said Benjamin Weisz, founder of Elegant Desserts.

Each log has a dense chocolate base with different flavors woven throughout. The effect is kind of like a fudge, except that they are also chilled for structural integrity purposes.

I tried a few of these including a chocolate and peanut butter flavor. That said, the caramel and hazelnut elements complemented each other so well that it was hard to stick to just one slice.

9. Lula with Basmati and Tkemali - Marani (Rego Park, NY)

By now, most foodies are well aware of the incredible food at Marani, the famous Georgian restaurant in Queens. But that didn’t stop Marani from showing up at KFWE and reminding everyone why they are so unique in the kosher world.

Much like so many things at Marani, their dish at KFWE started as something squarely in most people’s comfort zones, followed by the option to expand your horizons. A lula kebob isn’t foreign to many at this point, and basmati rice is no special treat. But then there’s the sauce.

“Tkemali is a sour plum sauce that is common in Georgia,” explained Ana Epremashvili, owner of Marani. “We adapted it to be made with cranberries because it’s hard to get the right plums here, especially year-round.”

That mixture of lamb, beef, and spices in the lula is great, but it likely reminds you of something you’ve tasted before. But the sour taste of the tkemali is the kind of thing that will remind you how great it is to have places as unique as Marani present on the kosher food scene.

8. Prime Ribeye with Truffle

Mashed Potatoes - Marble & Grain (Pine Bush, NY)

Marble & Grain is a direct farm-to-consumer high quality meat company based in upstate New York. Their process takes place in their own USDA plant which is supervised by the Star-K and Mishmeret Hakashrut. All the meats are then cryo-vaced, flash frozen, and shipped directly to customers’ homes.

“You won’t find a better quality piece of meat anywhere,” enthused Bosh Boshnack, the company’s brand ambassador.

Judging by the taste of the meat in their samples, he’s right. Without any sort of complicated preparation, the pure taste of the beef at their station was enough to

keep people talking all night. The truffle mashed potatoes were a nice touch, but the meat was the focus. The mouthfeel of the perfect medium rare helped accentuate the hearty taste of the beef.

Though they are new on the scene, expect to be hearing their name more and more from those who want to buy something that’s a better product than the meat found in most area supermarkets.

7. Pastrami PizzaPizza Biza (Brooklyn, NY)

Pizza Biza’s owner, Alex Medjuck, is really busy these days.

What started as a cool thing where you could have some guys come to your party and make pizza has now really blown up. Pizza became full dairy catering. Then the pizzas were so good that somebody asked if they could make fleishig ones. As they start their full fleish catering, they wanted to showcase their different meat pizza offerings.

“Our crust is based on a Naples style thin pizza,” Medjuck said proudly. “Whether it’s cheese, brisket, or cereal, we can use that crust to make something great.”

Right he is. Not only were his meat pizzas a hit, several people were extolling the virtues of the Fruity Pebbles dessert pizza.

Now there’s a sentence I never thought I’d write.

6. Lotus Ice Cream PiePint n’ Pies (Brooklyn, NY)

While most people don’t necessarily show up to KFWE for the desserts, the sweet stuff is actually on premises. It may be in the back of the room, but the trip was worth it this year to get a slice of pie.

Not baked, but frozen pie, that is. The cookie butter flavored ice cream offering proved that sometimes there is no such thing as too much of a good thing. The graham cracker crust was topped with lotus ice cream, lotus drizzle, and lotus crumbs.

10.

9.

8.

7.

Based out of Brooklyn, the company has been around for six years, and their products are carried in a bunch of kosher supermarkets.

“We’ve been told that we have the best non-dairy ice cream,” shared Joey Esses, one of the owners. “We want people to be able to find our products in every grocery store someday soon.”

Pareve ice cream is one of the most scrutinized items in the kosher world, so go get some and decide for yourself if it lives up to its reputation!

5. Crispy Rice Bar with Spicy Tuna - Wall Street Grill (New York, NY)

Sometimes, something looks so simple that everyone assumes that it must be fairly easy. Oftentimes, the opposite is true, and this dish is the perfect example of that.

Most people were just grabbing these delicious bites without giving them a second thought. But those perfect little bars went on quite the journey on the way to their plating.

“To make the crispy rice bars, we first take our sushi rice and make balls out of it,” explained Executive Chef Joseph Paulino about the meticulous process. “Then we weigh the balls to make sure they are the exact right amount and put them through a box press to make the bar shape. After that, we chill them for 24 hours before frying to get the right texture.”

The ball of spicy tuna and drizzle of sweet sauce on top of the bar made for a great combination of flavors and textures. Wall Street Grill was perhaps the most well-received of any table as their other offerings were big hits as well.

4. Sourdough Bread with Assorted Toppings - Crave Sourdough (Brooklyn, NY)

Perhaps the biggest surprise of the event was Crave Sourdough. Owner Favi Rosenwasser was on hand to talk to guests about his passion for the hobby that recently became his business this year when he opened his shop in Williamsburg.

“After a while, my wife told me that I really have to try to make sourdough into my real job,” Rosenwasser said. “She knew I wouldn’t really be truly happy doing anything else every day. Now, I’m working at something that I love – I want to bring great bread to everybody.”

If he was hoping that an appearance at KFWE was going to help him get his brand out there, he was right. His table

was regularly swarmed by people trying to sample his bread with all the different toppings and spreads.

While the bread is in the name, the toppings and spreads are what gets Crave in the game. My slice featured their homemade mayo and was topped with artisanal roasted garlic and grape tomato. Rosenwasser worked on the recipe for his “well done” roasted garlic for a long time until he perfected the exact maximum time and temperature before the garlic would start to go downhill.

My guess is that it’s only a matter of time before Crave is in a kosher supermarket near you… if it isn’t already.

3. Ceviche NikkeiSen Sakana (New York, NY)

One of the great things about going to KFWE is the ability to try some exotic foods that you might not have the opportunity to try on a regular basis. And while you can find ceviche on menus at kosher restaurants, the type that they were serving up at the Sen Sakana table was unique due to the ingredients that they use at the midtown Nikkei restaurant.

Nikkei cuisine is the fusion of Japanese and Peruvian food that began just over one hundred years ago when Japanese immigrants imparted some of their techniques on some of the local cuisine in the Peruvian capital of Lima. Ceviche became a signature dish as the Japanese raw fish approach met the South American flavor profile.

“Our supervision allows us to import certain ingredients from the Chabad of Osaka,” said Executive Chef Mina Newman about Sen Sakana’s unique flavor profile. “Shiso, yuzu, and bonito flakes are some of the things we use to craft the specific tastes of Sen Sakana.”

Using torched salmon marinated in a leche de tigre that features yuzu (a Japanese citrus fruit), the ceviche is topped with shiso (Japanese mint) and cancha (crispy Peruvian corn). The result is a strong acidic punch that brings out the flavor of the salmon amidst the many varying textures that live together on this small plate.

2. ChateaubriandReserve Cut (New York, NY)

As was the case in previous iterations of the event when it was held at Chelsea Piers, Reserve Cut was the sole provider for the VIP area. Located one pier over from the main action, the upscale Manhattan steakhouse was able to provide people with somewhat of an escape that included passed hors d’oeuvres, carving

stations, a bar, and even some places to sit down and relax.

If you were fortunate to be able to visit the VIP section, the main feature was the lack of a crowd. And while that was true for almost every offering present, there was one exception.

“We wanted to make our chateaubriand the same way that we serve it as Reserve Cut,” said Alessandro Giardiello, the restaurant’s director of operations and general manager. “That means bringing it out from the kitchen at temp and finishing it tableside.”

In this case, tableside was in front of people standing in line to watch the demonstration as the large cut of meat (usually feeds two people) was seared on all sides in a skillet with a mixture of margarine, sea salt, garlic, onion, peppercorns, and herbs. It was then topped with a bordelaise sauce (red wine, shallots, bone marrow) before some whiskey was added and the dish was set ablaze.

After showing everyone the process, Giardiello carved the meat and invited guests to dip their slice in the sauce before taking a bite. The result was an amazingly tender slice of meat with a classically high-end flavor profile.

1. Fried Lamb Sticks - Weiss Brothers Catering (Linden, NJ)

Weiss Brothers Catering came to KFWE with a goal. And in order to accomplish that goal, they had to bring a lot of food. If I had to estimate, I’d say that they had around six times as much food as any of the other participants.

“We really wanted to show up here and showcase our ability to crossover from heimish food to new American style dishes,” shared Menachem Weiss, one of the brothers. “I think we succeeded.”

Weiss had everything at their booth from cholent to Chinese food. But the star of the show was their fried lamb sticks.

Making this amazing appetizer starts with cutting lamb in pieces the size and shape of a large mozzarella stick. From there, they apply a rub and dry marinade for 24 hours before smoking the meat for eight hours. Then comes the Japanese panko coating to give them a nice crust before they are fried in sesame oil. They are served with a sundried tomato chutney dipping sauce.

Sounds delicious? Well, Weiss ran out of them halfway through the event…even though they brought 3,000 pieces. At two sticks per serving, that means they were devoured at a rate of roughly one serving every seven seconds.

Hard to argue with the numbers.

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Chicken and Vegetable Sheet Pan Dinner

By Naomi Nachman

Ingredients

◦ 8 pieces chicken pargiyot

◦ 1 cup cornstarch

◦ 1 teaspoon salt

◦ Pepper, to taste

Sauce

◦ ½ cup teriyaki sauce

◦ ¼ cup honey

◦ 4 cloves garlic

◦ 1 teaspoon kosher salt

◦ 2 tablespoons olive oil

◦ 1 large red onion, chunked

◦ 1 package brown mushrooms

◦ 1 zucchini, cut into 1-inch slices

Preparation

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and preheat oven to 400°F. Mix cornstarch and salt and pepper in a bowl and dredge chicken on both sides. Place the chicken on the baking sheet. Place vegetables on top and around chicken.

In a small bowl, mix sauce ingredients and pour over vegetables and chicken, making sure they’re well coated.

Bake for 45-60 minutes uncovered or until brown.

Remove from oven and mix well.

Serve and enjoy!

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.

I love the idea of a sheet-pan dinner. It is easy to make, bake and serve all on one pan. I love how quick it is to prepare, and it comes with a built-in side dish. You can use any kind of vegetable as long as it is cut thin for faster cooking. You can also swap out the chicken for salmon for a parve option.

T

O

Mind Y

* * *

YS: How do you run a company with staff members in various places around the world?

MM: So, there’s a big word. It’s called “accountability.” I don’t know about you, but my mother used to yell at me every morning to brush my teeth. And now as an adult, I brush them every morning and night. That’s because she held me accountable to that healthy habit. So, whether you’re a coach or a business leader, your job is to hold your people accountable to their highest standards. That is what accountability is. That is how we get awesome results.

n a recent 710 WOR “Mind Your Business” broadcast, Yitzchok Saftlas (YS) spoke with guest, Marcus Mackay (MM), CEO of MPerform.What is your strategy for building up your business, while still making sure to retain the clients that you’ve already been servicing?

I’m going to share our “C4 Method” for acquiring new clients. You need to develop content that provides value first. So, pick one platform, own it, and provide meaningful content. That content is going to lead to a conversation. In that conversation, you’re going to address pain points and give them solutions. Then you might offer a call. On that call, if you’re good enough, they’re going to become a client. That is our “C4 Method.” So, that gets them in the door. Keeping them is doing ordinary things extraordinarily well. I learned this from the CEO of Four Seasons. It’s uncommon for people to do common things uncommonly well. And so, when people come into our world, we need to provide a service and a result

that’s beyond expectations. Everybody’s heard about “under-promise, over-deliver.” And so, when we’re able to actually change the trajectory of somebody’s health, add 5-10 years to their lives, give them better confidence and better energy so they can perform better in the gym and at work, and, of course, be the best person that they can be, a role model for their family, that is priceless. Retaining the client happens on the front end. It happens by providing the results.

What is the process when a new client signs on to MPerform?

There are three important questions we need to answer. And you can apply this to business as well. What do you want most? What are you willing to do to reach that goal? And what are you not willing to do?

his 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.You see, a lot of people set these ambitious goals, but they don’t understand what it requires to get there. And so, if you can get super clear answers for those three questions, then we can start to devise a plan. And we call these plans a Massive Transformational Purpose (MTP). A person’s MTP is their ethos. It’s what’s going to keep them ticking on days they don’t want to. It’s what’s going to make them show up for themselves when they’re tired or stressed. The MTP is the fuel to the fire. From here, we can develop a project name. When people have a project, they’re happy. You find a project, you find a happy person. You find a happy person, you find a project. And just giving that project a name, like “Project Phoenix,” “Project Warrior,” or “Project NFL Combine” is something that lights your soul on fire. Every day you wake up pumped to get after it, to change your life

at the highest level. I would even advise to have your project name on the back of your phone, have it on your whiteboard, have it in your office, etc. Have the reminders set up because it’s not that we need to be educated, it’s that we need to be reminded of what’s important to us.

What is the mindset one needs to have while setting a goal?

If you need to do something that you’ve never done before, you need to become someone you’ve never been. That is the truth. If there are new skills that you need to develop, whether it’s in your business, your health and fitness, developing a great relationship with food and exercise, or anything else, that’s a new mindset. We know the things that hold us back in life are the stories we tell ourselves. That we’re inadequate. That we’re not enough. That we don’t deserve health. So, working with our clients around mindset is actually believing in them, so that they can believe in themselves. Because if you have that belief, the project, and the plan, the results are inevitable.

How do you develop strategies to work with clients?

I believe in goodwill, and that the more you put out, the more you’ll receive. And so, the best strategy is, if you want to earn more, you have to learn more. That’s just being on top of your game. You’ve got to be so good that people can’t ignore you. And you get there through education and implementation.

We believe that everyone has something to teach us, and you just need to have that beginner’s mindset. When someone tells you something, and you say, “I know,” it immediately blocks your brain from learning. But if you always come into these conversations, or any interaction, with a mindset of, “I’m going to get some value out of this,” life changes. It’s just leaving the ego at the door. There’s a famous expression, “Most people die at 24, but they’re buried at 75.” After most people finish their degree, they just give up on themselves. But I’ve learned more since my undergrad degree than I had in those first 18 years of being a human. And that’s just through surrounding myself with good mentors and good coaches. It changes the trajectory of your life in such a positive way.

Is there any way that you have found to get through to someone you know

you could help if they were willing to listen?

Well, what are the best ideas? The ones that we come up with ourselves. So, part of motivational interviewing is having the person come up with the idea based on the questions you ask them. Your intention is to come to a solution, but through their own thought process. Some people don’t want to change. That’s cool. It’s your life. I can’t do anything about that. But I believe really good coaches and leaders have this skill, this emotion-

ple. We had a client who was the CEO of a company. And throughout his growth, he left his health behind. There are three buckets we need to carry: health, wealth, and relationships. But a lot of people just carry relationships and wealth, forgetting their health. This guy really struggled with using food as an outlet to manage stress, which developed into an addictive relationship with food. So, if you’re just looking for do’s and don’ts for nutrition, that can be valuable, but the first thing we really need to tackle is your relationship

where your genius zone and your highest value is.

Number two is realizing that there are five balls in life. There’s health, wealth, relationships, community, and work. The first four balls are made of glass. If you drop them, they shatter. Your last ball, work, is the only thing in your life that bounces back. If you drop the ball at work, you can go and get another job. So, burnout is the accumulation of thinking that you can do everything in one day, improper delegation, and not working in your highest values.

Should companies be encouraging or incorporating a health and fitness program, and how would they go about it?

al intelligence, to really dive deep into that that person’s mindset and help them come up with great ideas and goals that they can support.

What are some of the tools that MPerform leverages in working with clients?

Imagine you have a house you need to renovate. You need a harness with all the necessary tools. Your body is your house. So, this is all about equipping our clients with the effective tools and habits to go into this renovation and be really successful. For example, we know that there’s a massive sleep problem in the world, especially in North America. When people show up to work under-slept, they’re less emotionally resilient. They’re worse learners. They don’t have a good quality of life because they’re in this fight-orflight state. So, some of the tools we use for sleep apnea and things like that are taping your mouth at night or using aura rings to track sleep stress. We also track how functional our client’s “engine” is. Most of the world is running around with old, busted Dodge Caravan engines. If we want to perform at the highest level, we’ve got to take that old V4 out and put in a Ferrari V12.

What are your recommendations for someone to have proper nutrition?

Look at the modern North American diet, and do the exact opposite of that.

I’m just kidding. I’ll give you an exam-

with food. Do you use it as a crutch? Do you use it as something that at the end of the day you just can’t wait to bury your face in a cheeseburger and fries? These foods that you’re chasing are so attractive because you’re super stressed. Your body is thinking that it’s going to be attacked, so it’s looking for high calorie foods. Let’s just start from day one. We suggest that you start your day with high quality protein, high quality fat, to get your brain sharp and alert, so that you make great decisions throughout the day. What you put in your body first thing in the morning sets up your neurotransmitters for the rest of the day. So, if you eat doughnuts and caffeine first thing, you’re going to have this massive spike in blood sugar and energy for about two hours, then you’re going to crash at 11:00am. And then, you’re going to go for lunch and get something super high carb, and crash at 2:00pm. And then, you’re going to get home and just continue this cycle of not putting good food in your body, sleep terribly, and then do it all over again.

How does one prevent burnout?

The definition of burnout is that the effort is not sustainable long term. We believe that if the effort is sustainable, then the results will be attainable. So, if you feel burnt out, it’s likely a couple of things. Number one, you’re not working in your highest genius zone. I love what I do. I can do this all day. This is my genius zone. If I had to do 12 hours of accounting, I’d be so burnt out. So, that’s just getting clear on

One-thousand percent. I think that employees’ mental health, relationship health, and physical health are necessary for business to grow. When you have a bunch of people in your office that are fit, happy, and energetic, what do you think happens to performance? How many sick days do you think you’ll have? How many stress leaves will you have? Not many. The health of your company dictates its wealth and the outcome.

One thing you can incorporate into your business is sleep competitions. Who can have the best sleep consistency. And it’s amazing what will happen. People will show up to work refreshed. How about that? How about going to work happy and not having to use caffeine as a drug to get through your day? Caffeine just masks the problem. So, corporations should definitely invest in their employees to make them fitter, healthier, happier, and higher performing.

“If you need to do something that you’ve never done before, you need to become someone you’ve never been.”

Notable Quotes

“Say What?!”

I spend billions of dollars on climate innovation. So, you know, should I stay at home and not come to Kenya and learn about farming and malaria anyway? I mean, I’m comfortable with the idea that not only am I not part of the problem — by paying for the offsets, but also through the billions that my Breakthrough Energy group is spending – that I’m part of the solution.

On China, what Joe Biden did tonight by not taking on China more aggressively was politically courageous, if you will, in terms of the domestic support.

- MSNBC’s Andrea Mitchell, commenting on President Biden’s failure during his State of the Union address to show strength against China, a country that is becoming increasingly hostile to the U.S.

You had to deal, Terry, with another issue when you were playing, and this was the rap that you were, forgive me, dumb. And Hollywood Henderson famously said, you know, “He couldn’t spell cat if he was spotted a C and an A.” Did it get under your skin?

– Chris Wallace in an interview with former NFL great Terry Bradshaw

Yes. Oh, absolutely. Yeah, absolutely. The dumb image, I have yet to figure out. Um, a lot of interceptions my rookie year but my rookie interception record initially was broken by Peyton Manning, considered one of the smartest quarterbacks. I threw 25, he threw 28. So I am upset. I do get upset by the dumb image. I don’t like it being brought up. And I think probably some of my anger and frustration with it is I didn’t get enough support.

– Bradshaw, in response

At least two dead as driver rams bus stop in east Jerusalem.

- Headline in the New York Times , referring to the Arab terrorist who killed two beautiful little boys and a newly married man as a “driver”

I wish I could go to Target sometimes and walk into Starbucks and have my name on the cup just like regular people. - LeBron James

I can’t even…express in words the amount of satisfaction I feel knowing that Twitter’s former chief of censorship @yoyoel is triggered by this account’s existence. And the best part is, there’s absolutely nothing he can do about it!

- Tweet by Libs of Tik Tok – a popular conservative Twitter account (run by an Orthodox woman) which points out the left’s absurdities— in response to Alexandria Ocasio Cortez and former Twitter executive Yoel Roth commiserating at a Congressional hearing about how horrible it is that Libs of Tik Tok is not banned by Twitter

The White House today announced they formed an interagency team to look into what’s going on. After initially refusing to rule it out, today, they said they do not believe these are extraterrestrial visits, which is exactly what they say at the beginning of every movie about extraterrestrial visits.

- Jimmy Kimmel

- Bill Gates, when asked in a recent interview if he is a hypocrite for flying private even though he is a climate activist

There’s a hemorrhaging of our Latino community, our AAPI [Asian American and Pacific Islander] communities, that’s leaving the traditional Democratic base because we’ve allowed the loudest and those who consider themselves to be “woke” to set the Democratic agenda.

– New York City Mayor Eric Adams on MSNBC

Well, you know, I told people, I have a Ph.D. in White trashology, and you saw real White trash on display. Let me say something about Congressman Marjorie Taylor Greene; she dresses like White trash. She really needs a fashion consultant.

– Democrat strategist James Carville commenting on Republicans after the State of the Union address

I’ve heard what everyone else has heard: that they’re not happy with me. I hear things from people who are maybe more neutral — that they’re taking a lot of heat from their fans. I kind of look at that like, you’re looking at the wrong person. They’re putting it on me. Maybe they need to look more at themselves.

– Mets owner Steve Cohen on ESPN responding to a story that other MLB owners are upset by the amount of money that he is spending on the Mets

I’m not responsible for how other teams run their clubs. I’m really not. That’s not my job. And there are disparities in baseball. We know that to be true. I’m following the rules. They set the rules down; I’m following them. - Ibid.

Really? Does anybody in this country think that someone working at the Chinese embassy here in Washington, D.C., should be voting in the presidential election? Absolutely not. It’s insane what they did.

- House Majority Whip Tom Emmer (R-MN) commenting on the Washington, D.C., city council passing a bill to allow even non-Americans to vote

As always, we appreciate OSHA’s collaborative approach to working with us to conduct the after-action review.

- Statement by Mars Wrigley in response to being fined by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration after two workers fell into a vat of chocolate last year at an M&M factory in Pennsylvania

What is needed is to move to the next stage, the stage of war, and war is not waged with speeches. War is waged in a face-to-face battle, head-to-head and hand-to-hand, and that is what will happen here.

- Former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, in an interview with DemocraTV, calling for civil war to stop judicial reform in Israel

It’s good to see 100,000 people, but that’s not what will lead the real fight. The real fight will break through these fences and enter into a real war.

Ibid.

I understand if people [disagree] and everybody can have their opinion, but for me and my family and my house, that’s the way I see it, and I think we should be able to say that.

- Hall of Fame NFL coach and current NFL analyst Tony Dungy, on Fox News, responding to criticism for being vocally pro-life

They were in Manhattan, living in the freest country you can imagine, and they’re saying they’re oppressed? It doesn’t even compute. I was sold for $200 as a … slave in the 21st century under the same sky. And they say they’re oppressed because people can’t follow their pronouns they invent every day?

– North Korean defector Yeonmi Park talking about her fellow “woke” Columbia University students, in an interview with the New York Post

I never understood that not having a problem can be a problem. They need to make injustice out of thin air or a problem out of nowhere, because they haven’t experienced anything like what other people are facing in the world.

- Ibid.

The left has no sense of humor at all, nor do they have any sense of humor about themselves. Somebody in power who can’t even laugh at themself, that’s a dangerous human being.

- Comedian and actress Roseanne Barr in an interview with Fox’s Tucker Carlson

Biden’s Boasts of Bipartisanship Couldn’t Be Further From the Truth

By Marc A. Thiessen

In his State of the Union address, President Biden made numerous dubious claims – but none was more brazen and outlandish than his claim to have delivered on his promise to reach across the aisle and unite the county.

“The people sent us a clear message,” Biden declared. “Fighting for the sake of fighting, power for the sake of power, conflict for the sake of conflict gets us nowhere. That’s always been my vision for the country: … to restore the soul of the nation ... to unite the country. We’ve been sent here to finish the job.”

Finish the job? Days before his address, a Fox News poll found 81 percent of Americans see our country as “a dysfunctional family that’s breaking apart” – up 10 points from two years ago when Biden took office. And 50 percent say Biden has made our political divisions worse, while only 19 percent think he is making things better, according to a new CBS poll.

Americans have not forgotten how, one year ago this month, Biden delivered one of the most venomous speeches in modern presidential history – comparing Republicans who opposed his partisan election law to racists and traitors, and accusing them of standing with George Wallace, Bull Connor, and Jefferson Davis. He implied that people who opposed the law were “enemies” of the United States, thundering, “I will defend the right to vote, our democracy against all enemies – foreign and, yes, domestic.”

They have not forgotten how Biden smeared the 74 million Americans who disagree with his policies and voted for his opponent as “semi-fascist” and “a threat to this country.”

But the biggest whopper in his State of the Union address was his claim to have presided over a golden age of bipartisan cooperation. “To my Republican friends,

if we could work together in the last Congress, there is no reason we can’t work together in this new Congress,” Biden said – as if he had spent the past two years reaching across the aisle and forging consensus.

What world is he living in? Until Biden came along, every covid relief bill was approved with overwhelming bipartisan support in both chambers – including five under Donald Trump. But Biden rejected an offer from 10 Republican senators, led by Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine), who gave him a path to a filibuster-proof majority for a bipartisan bill – and instead passed a massive $1.9 trillion in social spending disguised as covid relief (which helped unleash inflation and extreme labor shortages) with Democratic votes alone. He took something that had been bipartisan under Trump and made it partisan.

He followed that up with a massive climate spending bill – disguised as the

Inflation Reduction Act – also passed with Democratic votes. He then bypassed Congress entirely and ordered the cancellation of up to $1 trillion in student loans by executive fiat – an unconstitutional run around Congress.

In his address, Biden said he signed over 300 pieces of bipartisan legislation. Please. In his first two years, Trump signed 442 laws, almost all of them bipartisan as well. Did he unite the country? Most of those were ceremonial or uncontroversial – just like most of the laws Biden signed.

Indeed, Biden threatened to veto his one truly major bipartisan achievement –his infrastructure bill – after the Senate passed it, and then went to Capitol Hill and urged House members of his own party to take it hostage as leverage to pass his Democrats-only “Build Back Better” plan. It eventually passed despite his partisan machinations. The bipartisan gun legislation he claimed credit for also hap -

pened despite him. Sen. Chris Murphy (Conn.), the chief Democratic sponsor, told him to stay out of the negotiations and let senators “do this ourselves.”

Not only that, but Biden launched false partisan attacks from the rostrum of the House Tuesday night – accusing Republicans of wanting to “sunset” Medicare and Social Security, citing a plan by Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.) that virtually no other Republican has endorsed. It is a claim he’s made before that got him “Three – nearly Four – Pinocchios” from The Post’s Fact Checker. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) has taken Social Security and Medicare off the table in debt limit negotiations, and Biden knows it. When Republicans on the floor booed and objected, Biden said: “So we all apparently agree: Social Security and Medicare are off the books now. We got unanimity!” Wow, another great bipartisan achievement – delivered in real time.

The chutzpah is stunning. But it’s not likely to have much of an impact. Americans believe Biden’s presidency is a failure. Forty-one percent say they are financially worse off than they were before Biden took office – the most negative response to that question in nearly 40 years, according to a new Post/ABC News poll – while 62 percent think he has accomplished “not very much” or “little or nothing” during his presidency, and say they would be “dissatisfied” or “angry” if Biden were reelected in 2024.

Biden didn’t just fail to unite the country; he actively sought to divide us. In his inaugural address, he promised to “end this uncivil war” and put “my whole soul” into “bringing America together.” For two years, in both rhetoric and action, he has done the opposite.

With a Chinese Balloon, a Hidden Cold War Contest Has Drifted Into the Open

By David Ignatius

Fans of the classic 1964 black comedy “Dr. Strangelove” will remember a moment when the mad doctor warns the president about an impending “mineshaft gap” between the United States and the Soviets. The very survival of the nation suddenly seems to depend on these heretofore irrelevant holes in the ground.

And now we have fears of the “balloon gap.”

Two weeks ago, it would have been hard to find anyone, even at high levels of the U.S. government, who knew much about China’s balloon-surveillance program. But it turns out that China’s effort has been underway for more than a decade. According to a declassified intelligence report issued on Thursday by the State Department, it involves a “fleet of balloons developed to conduct surveillance operations” that have flown over 40 countries on five continents. Politics always complicates intelligence and national security policy. But

it’s had an especially unfortunate impact since the Chinese balloon was first sighted this month over Montana. Because what’s emerging, in an especially frantic and destabilizing way, is a new front in a U.S.-Chinese confrontation that is nearing Cold War dimensions.

The zone of Sino-American confrontation keeps expanding: For more than a decade, space has been a domain for potential conflict, with Chinese and U.S. surveillance and attack satellites girdling the globe. Now we see the Chinese racing to exploit the domain of “near space” in the upper atmosphere – and the United States (with little publicity) is rushing along behind.

Let’s start exploring this balloon backstory by examining China’s efforts to develop this technology. They’ve hardly kept it secret. A 2019 article by two Chinese law professors on “utilization of the near space” noted that operations in this zone,

above 18 kilometers (or 59,005 feet), “represent the future of activities in the airspace.”

The law review article cited a Shenzhen-based company called Kuang-Chi, founded in 2010, that had been a pioneer in balloon operations. “Kuang-Chi is developing helium-filled balloons and other kinds of lighter-than-air vehicles to furnish aerial surveillance, communication, near-space tourism, and wireless Wi-Fi transmission to remote areas,” noted the article in the University of Pennsylvania Journal of International Law.

China’s CCTV captured Kuang-Chi’s 2016 launch of a balloon from New Zealand, posted on YouTube. The link was sent to me by the same amateur researcher who noted the 2019 law review article. He also sent a link to a 2016 story in China Daily about Kuang-Chi’s launch of a balloon capsule carrying a live tortoise.

Chinese military experts have public-

ly touted this near-space domain. A 2018 article in Liberation Army Daily retrieved by the New York Times argued that “near space has … become a new battlefield in modern warfare.” A 2020 article by two Chinese strategists, found by the Times, argued: “From the perspective of weapon performance, near-space weapons have incomparable advantages over traditional weapons.”

Balloon operations obviously make sense for the Chinese. The United States has military bases in Japan and elsewhere from which it can launch daily flights by P-8 and other surveillance planes that fly perilously close to Chinese airspace. China doesn’t have similar options.

The frequency of these American “Sensitive Reconnaissance Operations,” or SROs, has increased sharply from about 250 a year a decade ago to several thousand annually, or three or four a day, a former intelligence official told me. China

wants to push back and collect its own signals; it wants its own version of “freedom of navigation” operations. Balloons are a way to both show the flag and collect intelligence.

China has been seeking mastery of the space domain since its 2007 test of an antisatellite weapon. But this bid for space mastery has been confounded by the U.S.’s commercial satellite revolution. Elon Musk’s SpaceLink has roughly 2,500 satellites in low Earth orbit to provide broadband internet; Amazon’s Project Kuiper plans to launch about 3,000 of its own. Google’s Project Loon, launched in 2011, envisioned at least 300 high-altitude balloons in a similar venture. Such commercial ventures by U.S. companies could offer useful surveillance or attack platforms in a crisis. China may have feared that its high frontier was blocked.

Let’s look at another tit-for-tat motivation: China claims in its internal media that the Pentagon has aggressive plans to use high-altitude balloons, in projects such as “Thunder Cloud.”

It turns out the Chinese are right. Thunder Cloud was the name for the U.S. Army’s September 2021 exercise in Norway to test its “Multidomain Operations” warfighting concept, following a similar

test in the Pacific in 2018, according to the Pentagon’s Defense News.

“We are looking to operationalize the stratosphere,” one of the Army officers involved in the Thunder Cloud exercise, was quoted by a U.S. Army news release. A video shows the Army launching one of

China began the current poisonous round by sending its surveillance balloon over the United States just as Secretary of State Antony Blinken was about to travel there for meetings to rebuild Sino-American dialogue. It was clear that Xi wanted the visit to take place, despite the bal-

quences. China needs a National Security Council to coordinate policy.

President Joe Biden, harassed by Republican critics, decided to shoot down the balloon. That was probably an inescapable political decision, given the GOP furor, but it came at an unfortunate time. The impact was succinctly stated by China Vice Foreign Minister Xie Feng, slated to become Beijing’s new ambassador to Washington: “What the U.S. has done has seriously impacted and damaged both sides’ efforts and progress in stabilizing Sino-U.S. relations.”

its potentially warfighting high-altitude balloons.

“It’s just phenomenal what we’re able to do with high-altitude balloons,” Lt. Gen. Daniel Karbler, commander of the Army’s Space and Missile Defense Command, told Defense News in 2020.

The final challenge, given this history, is balloon diplomacy. So far, that has been disastrous.

loon’s discovery, when China issued a rare semi-apology for the overflight.

The PLA wasn’t conducting a rogue operation, as some have imagined. The Chinese military doesn’t do anything these days without Xi’s broad approval. Instead, this seems likely to have been a situation where military officials didn’t realize that an intelligence operation could have disastrous political conse -

Biden seemed to be trying to soften the diplomatic impact on Thursday, saying of the balloon incident: “It’s not a major breach. Look, the total amount of intelligence gathering that’s going on by every country around the world is overwhelming.”

But the reality is that the new Cold War between China and the United States is deepening, with growing military competition in every domain – land, sea, air, space, and now, near space. Dr. Strangelove isn’t yet in control, but he waits in the wings.

(c) 2023, Washington Post Writers Group

This seems likely to have been a situation where military officials didn’t realize that an intelligence operation could have disastrous political consequences.

Jewish Medal of Honor Awardees

By Avi Heiligman

Not all battlefield heroes were awarded the Medal of Honor and had their stories printed on front pages of newspapers. Other medals and honors were awarded in small ceremonies or just handed to the honoree. Many of these awards for valor were recorded and stored in databases or out of print books, making it possible for historians to do research into the heroes’ stories. Here are some accounts of Jewish battlefield heroes whose stories are rarely told.

The story of Lieutenant Colonel Bertram Sheff from Salem, Oregon, was recorded in a book printed in 1944 by the Jewish Welfare Board. He received the Distinguished Service Cross, but the citation is not readily available online. Sheff was a regimental S-2 officer with the 361st Regimental Combat Team, 34th Infantry Division, nicknamed the “Red Bull” Division. In mid-1944, they were a part of Lieutenant General Mark Clark’s Fifth Army push into the heart of Italy.

On June 9, 1944, Sheff was on a reconnaissance mission when, after rounding a curve, his jeep came face to face with a German armored car. The two vehicles stopped within three yards of each other. The Germans then opened fire with their machine gun, but Sheff quickly got out of his jeep. He climbed on top of the armored car and unloaded his .45 caliber pistol into an open port, killing the

crew. After jumping down from the vehicle, he realized that it was still moving. The driver of the car was still alive, and Sheff once again jumped on the car. This time, he killed the driver, eliminating the German threat. General Clark personally awarded Sheff the Distinguished Service Cross. Sheff was also awarded the Bronze Star and Purple Heart for other actions.

Private Nathan Greese from Chicago was sent to fight on Guadalcanal in the Solomon Islands with the 1 st Battalion, 132nd Infantry Regiment, 23rd Infantry Division (known as the Americal Division).

On January 2, 1943, near Mount Austen, Greese’s platoon was pinned down by machine gun fire. He singlehandedly wiped out the Japanese machine gun nest by crawling forward and tossing hand grenades into the enemy position. Then, with his automatic rifle, Greese killed five enemy snipers. For his extraordinary heroism, Private Greese was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross. Nathan Greese was later killed while fighting on Bougainville.

Both army infantry and marine units fought on Guadalcanal in a battle that lasted from August 1943 until February 1943. Captain Howard Goodman of New York was fighting on the island with Company, M, Third Battalion, Fifth Marine Regiment, 1 st Marine Division. On November 3, the Marines were launching an

assault on Japanese positions when they ran into heavy machine gun and mortar fire. Goodman then led his men on three bayonet charges and threw grenades into Japanese positions while advancing through enemy lines. His charge led to the destruction of a Japanese battalion with minimal American casualties. For his courageous actions, Goodman was awarded the Silver Star. Goodman was beloved by his men and was the company’s bugler, even though he was a captain. Later in the war, Goodman’s unit captured an airfield during an assault on Cape Gloucester in New Britain, Territory of New Guinea. On January 7, 1944, he was killed on Hill 660 during the same battle.

Pilots were needed in large numbers and becoming a fighter pilot was more desirable than flying bomber or transport aircraft. Carrier pilots were specially trained to take off and land on a short runway. Sometimes heavy seas and night landings complicated the mission for an already exhausted pilot. Commander Sam Silber of Baltimore was a carrier fighter pilot in the navy and was credited with shooting down seven Japanese aircraft during the war. The ace pilot earned his wings in 1936 after joining the navy a year earlier. He flew F6F Hellcats and F4U Corsairs and was an executive officer with two fighter squadrons. He was stationed on both land bases and several aircraft

carriers including USS Tarawa (CV-40) and USS Bunker Hill (CV-17).

On New Year’s Day 1944, Silber shot down three enemy planes in a span of three minutes while en route to attack Japanese shipping. Later that year, he led his squadron of Hellcat fighters in an attack over Truk. Five Japanese planes were shot down. In a reconnaissance over Guam, his squadron shot down planes in the air and eight more on the ground. They discovered an airfield whose location had previously been unknown. Over Tinian, his unit shot down four Japanese planes and around thirty on the ground. His record is proof that he was an excellent pilot, and accounts recall that his leadership was extraordinary. Silber’s awards included the Distinguished Service Cross, two Gold Stars, and the Air Medal.

These men are just a few of the many Jewish servicemen who were decorated for bravery during World War II. Their medals and decorations are a testament of heroics on the battlefield. While they are rarely talked about today, they are Forgotten Heroes.

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.

The Americal division fought on Guadalcanal Captain Howard Goodman receiving his Silver Star

A signed photograph of aces Jim Billo, Jim Pearce, and Sam Silber

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WOODMERE

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HOUSES FOR SALE HOUSES FOR SALE HOUSES FOR SALE

WOODMERE - OLD WOODMERE

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Features LG living room with fireplace, den, large dining room, kitchen and dinette area, high ceilings, hardwood floors, primary bedroom plus sitting area plus 2 additional bedrooms, full basement, alarm, sprinkler, close to all. $759K Mark Lipner Associate

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HEWLETT

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WOODMERE

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HEWLETT BAY PARK

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WOODMERE

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WOODMERE: NEW TO THE MARKET

Well maintained 4 bedroom home on a cul-de-sac in Old Woodmere SD#14. Features central air conditioning, gas heat, eat -in -kitchen with stainless steel appliances, very spacious den, 2 car garage, hardwood floors, high hats, magnificent yard with an in-ground saltwater pool, close to the railroad, shopping and houses of worship. Call for a private showing. Mark Lipner Associate Broker Berkshire Hathaway Laffey International

516-298-8457

mlipner@bhhslaffey.com

HEWLETT BAY PARK

Prestigious Center-Hall Colonial in Hewlett Bay Park, Set Back on Private Property. This Stately Home Features a Grand Entry Foyer, Formal Living Room, Formal Dining Room, Chef’s Kitchen, Large Den, Master Bedroom suite with Sitting Room + 2 Baths (His & Hers) and Loft and Additional 3 Bedrooms + Bonus Rooms. Exquisitely Manicured Park-like property. Award Winning School District #14. Too Many Features To List. Will Not Last! P.O.R. Mark Lipner Associate Broker Berkshire Hathaway Laffey International 516-298-8457

mlipner@bhhslaffey.com

WOODMERE

Spectacular 5 bedroom, 5 bath renovated home in SD#14 with in-ground pool & pool house, lot size 111 x 107. Formal living room & dining room, magnificent kitchen with SS appli-ances, tremendous den with fireplace and 4 skylights, vaulted ceiling, LED lighting, master suite, new CAC, new roof. Outside totally redone with Stone and Stucco. Backyard with new pavers, park-like property, sandbox, great home for entertaining. Close to all. $1,489,000

OPEN HOUSE SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 19

12-1:30PM • 562 SUNSET DR. Mark Lipner Associate Broker Berkshire Hathaway Laffey International 516-298-8457

mlipner@bhhslaffey.com

WOODMERE

New to the market move right in 8 bedrooms 3 full bathrooms on a lot size 57x112. prime location features eat in kitchen with 2 sinks, new stainless steel appliances, gas heat, hardwood floors, possible mother daughter with permits, close to the railroad, shopping and houses of worship. OPEN HOUSE SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 19 12:00-1:30PM

8 WOODMERE BLVD. N. Mark Lipner Associate Broker Berkshire Hathaway Laffey International 516-2988457 mlipner@bhhslaffey.com

HOUSES FOR SALE

CAN’T AFFORD YOUR PROPERTY TAXES? MORTGAGE?

Must sell for any reason? Call for FREE Consultation. Call now 212-470-3856

Cash buyers available!

LAWRENCE

Exceptional turnkey Mediterranean Colonial style home and beautiful manicured corner property. This home features exquisite architectural details with six meticulously designed spacious bedrooms and four full baths, open layout that allows comfortable living and entertainment. Large dining room and living room with gas fireplace. Beautiful updated kitchen with stainless steel appliances attached to Butler’s pantry, huge closet space and storage throughout. Park like backyard, hardwood herringbone floors throughout. Water filtration system and ground well for sprinklers. A must see!

P.O.R. Mark Lipner

Associate Broker Berkshire Hathaway Laffey International 516-298-8457

mlipner@bhhslaffey.com

NORTH WOODMERE JUST LISTED

Move Right Into This Beautifully Maintained and Updated Three Bedroom, 2.5 Baths Large Split Situated on an Oversized Park-like Lot Overlooking the Pond. Home Features naturally bright lit rooms with a Ground Level Den Leading to Patio, With Another Lower Level With Partially Finished Basement. Hardwood Floors Throughout Updated Kitchen With Granite Counters in School District 14 and Close to all Houses of Worship. $949k Mark Lipner Associate Broker Berkshire Hathaway Laffey International 516-298-8457

mlipner@bhhslaffey.com

LAWRENCE

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LAWRENCE

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$2,500 monthly Mark Lipner Associate

Broker Berkshire Hathaway Laffey International 516-298-8457 mlipner@ bhhslaffey.com

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SUNDAY FEBRUARY 19 2:00-4:00PM

58 CENTRE ST Mark Lipner Associate Broker Berkshire Hathaway Laffey International 516-298-8457 mlipner@ bhhslaffey.com

HOUSE FOR RENT

WOODMERE

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WOODMERE HOUSE RENTAL

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CEDARHURST MOVE RIGHT IN.

Totally Updated One Bedroom Townhouse Apartment on the First Floor. Featuring 1.5 Bathrooms, Central Air Conditioning, Washer/ Dryer in the Unit, Kitchen With SS Appliances, Hardwood Floors, and Recessed Lighting. Freshly Painted. Super on Premises. Underground Parking is $95/month. This spacious rental is managed by a responsible landlord. Great Courtyard. Close to the Railroad, Shopping, Restaurants, Post Office, Cedarhurst Park + Houses of Worship. NO BROKERS FEE Mark Lipner Associate Broker Berkshire Hathaway Laffey International 516-298-8457 mlipner@bhhslaffey.com

COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE

5 Towns FOR LEASE: OFFICE + STORAGE + PARKING LOT Bayview and Lawrence. Minyan Available immediately Call/Text/WA Owner: 516-206-1100

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3750 S/F - Ready for move in. Competitively priced Ideal Location / Walk To  LIRR & busBank, Shopping, City Center. 917-822-0499

LOOKING FOR A FEMALE ROOMATE

One Bedroom furnished apartment

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FOR RENT

STORAGE SPACE FOR RENT

Located in Inwood with remote opener. Ideal for a business looking for extra storage space. 675 $ per month. Text Menachem at 347-946-5406 to view.

APT./COOP/CONDO SALE

CEDARHURST

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mlipner@bhhslaffey.com

CEDARHURST

Move Right In. Totally updated

2BR, 2 Bath, Apt. on the 1st Floor. Private Entrance, CAC, W/D in Unit, Kitchen with SS Appliances, Hardwood Floors, Recessed Lighting, Freshly Painted, Great Courtyard, Parking $95/Mo. Close to Railroad, Shopping, Restaurants, Cedarhurst Park + Houses of Worship NO

BROKERS FEE Mark Lipner Associate Broker Berkshire Hathaway Laffey International 516-298-8457

mlipner@bhhslaffey.com

WOODSBURGH

Magnificent 2K Sq. Ft. Co-Op. 3Br/2Bth, Eik, Lr, Dr, W/D In Unit, Gar, 2 Stor Units, Elev, Near All $775K 516-846-1032 No Brokers

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

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

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 OPEN HOUSE SUNDAY FEBRUARY 19 2:003:30PM 284CENTRAL AVE B-5 Mark Lipner Associate Broker Berkshire Hathaway Laffey International 516298-8457 mlipner@bhhslaffey.com

Classifieds

443-929-4003

APT./COOP/CONDO SALE APT./COOP/CONDO SALE APT./COOP/CONDO SALE APT./COOP/CONDO SALE

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

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

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

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

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

WOODMERE

SALE

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

HELP WANTED BOOKKEEPER

Excellent growth potential, Frum environment, Excellent salary & benefits. Email resume to: resumetfs1@gmail.com

HELP WANTED

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

DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS ASSISTANT

Large school in FR/5T area seeks an organized and conscientious individual to help maintain the campus. Applicant should be handy, tech savvy, be capable of managing a custodial staff and live locally. Great work environment, excellent pay. Please send resume to rabbiyehuda@gmail.com

HELP WANTED

BRIGHT FUTURES

Has openings for providers. Work one on one with children towards their goals and earn great money doing what you love! Respite, sports, art, 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

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

YESHIVA KETANA OF LONG ISLAND

Seeks caring 3rd Grade Rebbe whose teaching is focused on skill building with an emphasis on Shorashim. And whose teaching is enhanced by his warmth, crea-tivity, positivity and relationship with his Talmidim. Great work environment & benefits package. Experience preferred but not necessary.

E-mail Resume with Refs: office@ykli.org

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

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.

IMMEDIATE OPENING

ELA teaching position for Gr. 5. Mon.-Thurs., afternoon hours. Far Rockaway/5T area. Competitive salary, warm supportive environment. Teachersearch11@gmail.com

HELP WANTED

SHULAMITH IN CEDARHURST, NY, is seeking faculty in all elementary divisions for the 202324 school year.Teachers must be professional, dynamic, creative, committed, compassionate, highly skilled and nurturing with relevant degrees and teaching experience. Special Education degrees and experience a plus. Additionally, we are looking for assistant teachers for all grade levels to work with students directly or indirectly; some substitute teaching involved. P/T - perfect for college students. Salaries are competitive and commensurate with experience.  Please send resumes to tshapiro@shulamith.org

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

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

MISC

PURIM COSTUME GEMACH

For all dates and information about the Bayswater & Far Rockaway Purim Costumes Gemach, please send an e-mail to BFRPurimCostumesGemach@gmail.com to be added to their email list.

USED CAR FOR SALE

2015 Subaru Outback, Limited, Fully loaded, 123k miles, one owner, no major accidents $10k, located in 5towns Call/text 718-627-0910

BUDGIES FOR SALE

Home breed, adorable, lovely, budgies for sale! For prices and special offers for a couple, contact Sipora Goykadosh at siporagoykadosh@ gmail.com

AIRPODS FOUND ON Central Avenue. If yours, please call 702-464-5944

Strange Coincidences

By Allan Rolnick, CPA

Right now, crypto scammer Sam Bankman-Fried, the Millennial Bernie Madoff, is wearing an ankle bracelet and cooling his heels in his parents’ $4 million house on Stanford University’s leafy campus. People who know a thing or two about crypto are divided on whether his fall marks a temporary reset for the market or a sign of a broader problem with the asset class. But people who know a thing or two about fraud agree on a couple of things. One: SBF is headed for a place where his arbitrage and trading opportunities are limited to cigarettes and commissary scrip. And two: we’ll be planting tomatoes on Mars before he gets out.

Right now is also the start of tax season, America’s annual exercise in financial self-flagellation. (Last week, Punxsutawney Phil crawled out of his hole, saw his shadow, and predicted six more weeks of red tape.) And would you believe there’s a strange coincidence between SBF and those IRS forms we love to hate?

Filing taxes may not feel like going through “several bear attacks” to get concert tickets. But for millions of taxpayers, it’s way more complicated than it needs to be. That’s because the government already has all the information, from the W-2s, 1099s, and other forms, that they

need to get it done. So why not just let the government prepare the return, let the taxpayer check for any mistakes, and have the taxpayer sign off? It works fine in places like Denmark, Sweden, Spain, and the U.K., and it would cut out a lot of pricey middlemen that help taxpayers with simple returns.

ly don’t hear much in California.

Bankman and his colleagues went to the Legislature to turn their popular, proven idea into law – and found one constituent that didn’t like it at all. How surprised will you be to learn that it was Intuit, the California-based company that makes TurboTax? Bankman even

cluded code to hide the Free File landing page from search engines. And even today, they use “dark pattern” design tricks to exploit fear, uncertainty, and doubt over the tax system to upsell customers into more expensive services.

Of course, if you ask Intuit, they’ll say they’re all for tax simplification. They just think programs like ReadyReturn minimize taxpayer engagement. That sounds a lot like your -8year-old saying, “I’m all for broccoli, I’m just saving room for dessert.” Minimizing engagement was the whole point of the program!

SBF’s father, Joseph Bankman, teaches tax at Stanford Law School. He says, “Our filing system is the worst.” And he’s not wrong! In 2004, he helped create a pilot program called ReadyReturn that let the California Franchise Tax Board prepare state returns for 11,000 residents. Users loved it – 99% of them said they would do it again. One user even commented that the “government’s finally doing something to make my life better for a change.” That’s something you real-

dropped $35,000 of his own money, hiring a lobbyist to push it through. But he was no match for Intuit’s might, and the program failed by a single vote.

Don’t worry. It gets worse. It turns out Intuit has spent millions stifling tax simplification everywhere. (Internally, they call it “encroachment.” Orwell would be proud.) They joined the IRS’s Free File program only so they could stop the Agency from creating a government-run competitor. At one point, their website in-

Unfortunately, none of this will help taxpayers with more complicated returns who need to report information the government doesn’t already have. That’s not Intuit’s fault, either – blame the Congress that writes the tax laws. The good news is that complication creates opportunity. So think of us while you’re watching TurboTax ads during the games this weekend, and remember that we’re here to help you pay less!

Allan J Rolnick is a CPA who has been in practice for over 30 years in Queens, NY. He welcomes your comments and can be reached at 718-896-8715 or at allanjrcpa@aol.com.

Last week, Punxsutawney Phil crawled out of his hole, saw his shadow, and predicted six more weeks of red tape.

That Special Sunday

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

There are salad bowls and soup bowls and even colorful fruit bowls, but there is no bowl like the Super Bowl. Don’t trust me; trust its name – Super!

If you thought your “sports fan” found it difficult to be available on most general Sundays, this one is the doozy – Super Bowl Sunday. On this day, he will find it 10 times more difficult to be present.

But the amazing thing is that you’ll still see a big hero in front of you!

Oh, not in him, at least not yet. But, rather sitting on the table with mayo and pickles falling out and pastrami and turkey generously spilling over the sides.

And truthfully, if you see that hero, that would still be the good news. Because that means he is probably at home and at least physically present in your house.

Why is that? Because on this day, it’s common for many sports fans to be physically absent from their house, out partying at someone else’s.

Not necessarily a party you’re sad to miss, although you’re welcome to join. And he usually actually wants you to. (Sure, he loves your company, blah blah blah.) But more realistically because he wants you to witness that everyone else is doing the same thing. There is strength in numbers, as they say.

Now, what’s also interesting is that these teams aren’t the ones he usually

you want to throw a bowl right at him rather than watch one with him or feed him out of one.

Well, the reality is it’s super fun to get everyone into watching the big games at the end of seasons. And this is the biggest. Kids cheer and feel the bond with their parents, the excitement gets women more interested in the game than usual, and men get adrenaline highs as they cheer surrounded by the four Fs that make them happy: fielders, friends, family, and food.

So, if your hero is eating his hero

goes for. He’s there more to root against one.

Some poor city he probably never even visited or wants to go to is getting his negative energy sent to them. This is on top of all the other pressure they are dealing with.

But it’s the big game that ends the football season so you’re excited. He’s on his way back to you. Or is he?

Well, that depends on if he’s also interested in all the other sports out there. The endless choices that seem to call him on a weekly basis and keep him distracted. The variety that sometimes makes

and you are being a heroine, in his eyes, for letting him enjoy this day, well, hey, wouldn’t you say that’s a super Sunday to celebrate?!

Rivki Rosenwald is a Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist working with both couples and individuals and is a certified relationship counselor. Rivki is a co-founder and creator of an effective Parent Management of Adolescent Years Program. She can be contacted at 917-705-2004 or at rivki rosenwald@gmail.com.

Oh, not in him, at least not yet. But, rather sitting on the table with mayo and pickles falling out and pastrami and turkey generously spilling over the sides.